bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of prostheses on children with congenital upper limb deficiencies
Authors: Mano Hiroshi , Fujiwara Sayaka , Haga Nobuhiko 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBackgroundIndividual weaknesses in motor skills are a characteristic of children with congenital upper limb deficiencies. These weaknesses increase with age. In Japan, however, prosthetic prescription and subsequent rehabilitation approaches for children with upper limb deficiencies are insufficient and often delayed. This study aimed to elucidate whether rehabilitation approaches, including prostheses prescription and occupational therapy, improve these children’s adaptive behaviors, especially their motor skills.MethodsThe study included nine children, aged 0–6 years, with unilateral transradial or transcarpal upper limb deficiencies. We measured their adaptive behaviors and motor skills at the beginning of prosthetic therapy and after 1.5 years, using the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales – Second Edition.ResultsThe score for the motor skills domain was significantly lower than the median score of the domains at the beginning of prosthetic therapy. The motor skill weaknesses significantly improved after 1.5 years of prosthetic therapy.ConclusionsAlthough children with congenital upper limb deficiencies have individual weaknesses in their motor skill behavior, it was shown that these weaknesses can be improved through rehabilitation approaches, including occupational and prosthetic therapies. Issuing the appropriate prostheses and implementing the appropriate training to use the prostheses for congenital upper limb deficiencies are reasonable and meaningful interventions to improve quality of life.
A Kantian Interpretation of Kelsen’s Basic Norm
Authors: García Berger Mario 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThis paper proposes a reading of Kelsen’s basic norm based on Kant’s regulative ideas. I begin by exposing Kant’s conception of the principles of reason. Then I criticize an interpretation of the basic norm along the same lines made by Stanley Paulson. Thirdly I analyze two theses from Hermann Cohen that influenced Kelsen greatly and reinforce my stance on the basic norm. Lastly, I explain how the Kelsenian tenet that the basic norm is the transcendental grounding of the normativity of law can be comprehended based on the role the ideas of reason play in the systematization of knowledge.
The Potential of Abductive Legal Reasoning
Authors: Askeland Bjarte 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe article describes the potential of abductive legal reasoning as a means of systematically exploring the role of inferences within legal reasoning. Starting out from the structures of abduction as originally presented by Peirce in his four‐horsemen example, the author points to the fact that Peirce actually employed a hypothesis that targeted an institutional fact. Hence the abductive inference has a great potential for categorising new phenomena under norms, yet it is undertheorised within the field of law as compared to other fields of science. The article presents the idea of comparison in the frame of “double abduction” as an important feature of legal reasoning.
The localization and expression of epidermal growth factor and epidermal growth factor receptor in bovine ovary during oestrous cycle
Authors: Luo Yuru , Zhang Ruiqi , Gao Jing , Wang Yali , Zhang Weimin , Qing Suzhu 
Published: April 2020

AbstractEpidermal growth factor (EGF) is one of the important regulatory factors of EGF family. EGF has been indicated to effectively inhibit the apoptosis of follicular cells, to promote the proliferation of granulosa cells and the maturation of oocytes, and to induce ovulation process via binding to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). However, little is known about the distribution and expression of EGF and EGFR in cattle ovary especially during oestrous cycle. In this study, the localization and expression rule of EGF and EGFR in cattle ovaries of follicular phase and luteal phase at different time points in oestrous cycle were investigated by using IHC and real‐time qPCR. The results showed that EGF and EGFR in cattle ovary were mainly expressed in granulosa cells, cumulus cells, oocytes, zona pellucida, follicular fluid and theca folliculi externa of follicles. The protein and mRNA expression of EGF/EGFR in follicles changed regularly with the follicular growth wave both in follicular and in luteal phase ovaries. In follicular phase ovaries, the protein expression of EGF and EGFR was higher in antral follicles than that of those in other follicles during follicular growth stage, and the mRNA expression of EGFR was also increased in stage of dominant follicle selection. However, in luteal phase ovaries, the growth of follicles was impeded during corpus luteum development under the action of progesterone secreted by granular lutein cell. The mRNA and protein expressions of EGF and EGFR in ovarian follicles during oestrous cycle indicate that they play a role in promoting follicular development in follicular growth waves and mediating the selection process of dominant follicles.
The process towards a Global Pact for the Environment at the United Nations: From legal ambition to political dilution
Authors: Juste Ruiz José 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThis article examines how instrumental the ongoing process towards a Global Pact for the Environment – launched by the United Nations General Assembly on 10 May 2018 – may be in strengthening the normative and governance system for meeting the challenges represented by environmental degradation in the context of sustainable development. It reviews the origins, evolution and current status of the process towards achieving a Global Pact for the Environment until the setback experienced in Nairobi in May 2019. Arguments stressing the value of a normative approach to the governance of the Earth system are weighed against the manifest preference of States for political action to ensure the better implementation of existing norms. The article ends by making a case for an integrative policy‐and‐law approach with a view to adopting a robust declaration that expresses the firm commitment of States to protect and restore the integrity of the Earth system.
Distortions to agricultural incentives: Evidence from Nigerian value chains
Authors: Tokgoz Simla , Allen Summer , Majeed Fahd , Paris Bas , Adeola Olajide , Osabuohien Evans 
Published: April 2020

AbstractUnderstanding how policies affect price transmission and incentives for producers and consumers along the complete value chain is a relevant research question due to the more globalized structure of agricultural value chains. In particular, Nigerian agricultural value chains have been targeted by a number of policy decisions. We analyze the import‐oriented palm oil value chain and the export‐oriented cacao value chain, estimating the price distortions from policies and their implications for production incentives at the regional level. For palm oil, due to protective trade policies and domestic initiatives, the nominal rate of protection (NRP) at the farmgate for palm oil producers shows that producers have been protected. NRPs at the border for cacao beans and cocoa products are negative, which may be due to a quality gap, the export market structure, and the concentration of buyers in global markets. Negative NRPs at the farmgate are seen for all regions, showing disincentives in the cacao beans export market reverberate through the domestic market despite domestic support policies. In both value chains, NRPs at farmgate vary across regions partially due to regional policy frameworks and partially due to local conditions impacting price transmission.
Macroeconomic spillover effects of the Chinese economy
Authors: Sznajderska Anna , Kapuściński Mariusz 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe slowdown of economy and widening of domestic imbalances in China bothers economists and politicians across the globe. We estimate the influence of a negative output shock in China on a number of different economies. We concentrate on China's neighboring countries. We compare the results from the Global VAR model and from the Bayesian VAR models. Also using Bayesian model averaging we search for determinants of Chinese spillovers for the global economy. We find that spillovers are stronger to economies with less flexible exchange rates, a higher share of manufacturing in gross value added and to economies which are larger.
The risk for scurvy in children with neurodevelopmental disorders
Authors: Kothari Priya , Tate Anupama , Adewumi Abimbola , Kinlin Laura M. , Ritwik Priyanshi 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBackgroundScurvy, the disease resulting from vitamin C deficiency, is perceived as being rare and occurring predominantly in the past. However, scurvy continues to exist and may be encountered in children with medical/developmental conditions and/or restricted diet. Diagnosis can be challenging given the perceived rarity of the condition and nonspecific symptoms, including gingival disease.MethodsWe present a series of two cases of scurvy in which the affected children presented to medical attention with dental complaints. Additional cases of scurvy are described, based on the literature review of case reports/series published in the last 10 years.ResultsLiterature review yielded 77 relevant case reports published in the English language since 2009. Most affected children had a previous diagnosis of a medical or developmental condition (especially autism spectrum disorder). Intraoral features (gingival swelling, pain, and bleeding) were noted in most of the identified cases of scurvy. Improvement in the oral features of scurvy occurred within days of vitamin C therapy initiation.ConclusionsRecognizing classic signs and symptoms of scurvy enables prompt diagnosis and avoids invasive investigations. Dentists may be in a unique position to facilitate prompt and accurate diagnosis of a condition that is relatively easy and safe to treat once identified.
A ‘near‐life experience’: lived experiences of spirituality from the perspective of people who have been subject to inpatient psychiatric care
Authors: Koslander Tiburtius , Rönning Sonia , Magnusson Sofia , Wiklund Gustin Lena 
Published: April 2020

AimsTo describe lived experiences of spirituality from the perspective of people who have been subject to inpatient psychiatric care and to interpret these experiences from an understanding of health as dialectical.MethodsAfter approval from a regional ethical board, eleven participants were recruited from two organisations for people with mental health problems. Participants were asked to narrate about spiritual experiences and occasions where such experiences had come close. The transcribed interviews were analysed by means of a phenomenological hermeneutical approach.FindingsA structural analysis of the text resulted in three themes; perceiving the presence of something extra mundane, making sense of reality and struggling for acceptance. The comprehensive understanding highlights spiritual experiences as going beyond religion, even though religious experiences appear as part of it. These experiences can indeed be a resource contributing to experiences of hope, connectedness, meaning and coherence in life. However, they can also give rise to doubt, anxiety and feelings of loneliness and hopelessness. Rather than understanding spiritual experiences as being either ‘good’ or ‘bad’, we could approach spirituality as something that is always present in alternate and inter‐related forms. Metaphorically, this could be understood as a ‘near‐life experience’, summarising participants’ experiences related to their struggle with issues related to suffering and health which are simultaneously present.ConclusionsIf psychiatric nurses could approach this complexity and, without being judgemental, explore seemingly positive and negative experiences of spirituality as dialectically related to each other, rather than viewing them as either resources or problems, this could contribute to insiderness care and hopefully also support people who struggle with these experiences to seek help when needed.
On the identification of individual level pleiotropic, pure direct, and principal stratum direct effects without cross world assumptions
Authors: Zaidi Jaffer M. , VanderWeele Tyler J. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe analysis of natural direct and principal stratum direct effects has a controversial history in statistics and causal inference as these effects are commonly identified with either untestable cross world independence or graphical assumptions. This article demonstrates that the presence of individual level natural direct and principal stratum direct effects can be identified without cross world independence assumptions. We also define a new type of causal effect, called pleiotropy, that is of interest in genomics, and provide empirical conditions to detect such an effect as well. Our results are applicable for all types of distributions concerning the mediator and outcome.
The (non) gradual association of popularity with peer‐nominated and observed behavior in a cooperative and competitive context
Authors: Lansu Tessa A. M. , Rovers Anne C. , te Dorsthorst Anniek M. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractPopularity among peers might be related to behavior in gradual or non‐gradual ways. In this research, a popularity subgroups approach was used to examine whether some behaviors were associated with only specific levels of popularity. Moreover, observational data in popularity research is valuable yet scarce. This research, therefore, also examined the association between popularity and observed behavior in a cooperative and competitive setting. In total, 182 early adolescents (58.2% girls, Mage = 10.7 years) completed peer nominations and were observed during a cooperative and a competitive task in groups of four. Results show that affective ties increased gradually with increasing popularity, but that relational aggression, bullying and attention‐attracting qualities distinguished popular adolescents from other early adolescents, and victimization distinguished unpopular adolescents from the other early adolescents. Observations showed that high popularity was defined by high levels of negative behavior, prosocial resource control, skillful leadership, and influence, with the effect of popularity on influence being stronger in the cooperative than the competitive setting. Using multiple methods, and taking context into account, a more complete behavioral profile of different levels of popularity is provided.
Microbial fabrics of geyserites around hot spring pools in Daggyai, Tibet, China
Authors: Li Rong , Wu Geng , Jones Brian , Shi Taiheng 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe Daggyai geyserites serve as hosts for cesium deposits; however, their origin, whether by chemical deposition or biological formation, is a topic of debate. To decipher the origin of geyserites, the petrographic features of the geyserite samples were examined. The geyserites exhibited columnar laminated, planar laminated and spicular morphologies. Furthermore, they contained morphological and confocal microscopic evidence of the coccoid, bacilliform and filamentous microbes that formed them. Minor calcite and quartz crystals were found locally in the columnar laminated and spicular geyserites. Cyanobacteria tentatively assigned to the genus Calothrix dominated in the planar and columnar laminated geyserites, but were rare in the spicular geyserites. The results demonstrated that the microbes contributed to the Daggyai geyserite formation.
Impact of sickle cell disease on presentation and progression of paediatric HIV: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Ssenyondwa Joseph , George Paul E. , Carlos Bazo‐Alvarez Juan , Mercedes Rebecca , Kanywa Jacqueline B. , Naturinda Ernest , Wasswa Peter L. M. , Lubega Joseph 
Published: April 2020

AbstractObjectivesHIV and sickle cell disease (SCD) are significant causes of morbidity and mortality in sub‐Saharan Africa. Given their separate roles in immune dysregulation, our objective was to characterise the impact that SCD has on the presentation and progression of paediatric HIV.MethodsThe study was a retrospective cohort study (study period 2004–2018). Cases of HIV + and SCD‐afflicted patients (HIV+/SCD+) were obtained via electronic chart review from a paediatric HIV clinic in Kampala, Uganda and matched 1:3 with HIV + controls without SCD (HIV+/SCD‐).ResultsThirty‐five HIV+/SCD + subjects and 95 HIV+/SCD‐ controls were analysed (39% female (51/130), age 3.6 years (SD3.9)). At baseline, WHO clinical stage (64% total cohort Stage III/IV) and nutritional status (9.4% severe acute malnutrition) were similar for both groups, whereas HIV+/SCD + had higher though non‐significant baseline CD4 count (1036 (SD713) vs 849 (SD638) cells/microlitre, P = 0.20, two‐tailed t‐test). There were 19 deaths, 6 (17%) HIV+/SCD + and 13 (14%) HIV+/SCD‐, with unadjusted/adjusted models showing no significant difference. Nutritional progression and clinical stage progression showed no significant differences between groups. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed a slower rate of treatment failures in the HIV+/SCD + cohort (P = 0.11, log‐rank survival test). Trajectory analysis showed that in the time period analysed, the HIV+/SCD + cohort showed a more rapid rise and higher total CD4 count (P = 0.012, regression analysis).ConclusionThe study suggests that SCD does not adversely affect the progression of HIV in patients on ART. Further, HIV+/SCD + achieved higher CD4 counts and fewer HIV treatment failures, suggesting physiological effects due to SCD might mitigate HIV progression.
Comparison of high‐field MRI and multidetector CT for grading Chiari‐like malformation and syringomyelia in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
Authors: Weber Sarah M , Hostnik Eric T , Drost Wm Tod , Hamlin Alessandra N , Ledesma Marc A , Timperman Lauren , Hechler Ashley C. , Cole Lynette K 
Published: April 2020

AbstractChiari‐like malformation (CM) and syringomyelia (SM) are common illnesses that can cause debilitating neuropathic pain in Cavalier King Charles spaniels (CKCS). The current imaging modality to screen CKCS for CM/SM is MRI of the brain and cervical spine. Magnetic resonance imaging provides good soft tissue detail and contrast of the cerebellum and cervical spinal cord. Computed tomography (CT) is another cross‐sectional imaging technique that facilitates brain and neck evaluation; however, soft tissue resolution does not match that of MRI. Computed tomography benefits include identification of concurrent craniocervical junction anomalies (atlantooccipital overlap) and shorter imaging/anesthesia times with the ability to use only sedation. The aim of this retrospective, method comparison study is to assess the utility of multidetector CT for screening CM and SM in CKCS as compared to high‐field MRI. Three groups of observers with different levels of experience graded CM and SM based on the British Veterinary Association/Kennel Club CM/SM classification criteria. Thirty CKCS underwent multidetector CT and 3 Tesla MRI studies. Computed tomography and MRI studies were reviewed at different timepoints to minimize bias. Computed tomography has lower Cohen's Kappa agreement for each observer group compared to MRI. The intraclass correlation coefficient averaging CM and SM for all groups was excellent using MRI, while CT was poor for SM and moderate for cerebellar herniation. Greater observer experience resulted in a higher agreement for CT and MRI. Magnetic resonance imaging should remain the standard for screening of CM and SM as CT can result in misclassification and greater disagreement.
Randomized controlled trial of pregabalin for analgesia after surgical treatment of intervertebral disc disease in dogs
Authors: Schmierer Philipp A. , Tünsmeyer Julia , Tipold Andrea , Hartnack‐Wilhelm Sonja , Lesczuk Piotr , Kästner Sabine B. R. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the effect of perioperative pregabalin on pain behavior in dogs after intervertebral disc surgery.Study designProspective, randomized, controlled clinical trial with a blinded observer.AnimalsForty‐six client‐owned dogs undergoing intervertebral disc surgery.MethodsDogs were randomly assigned to two groups, with the placebo group receiving opioids alone and the pregabalin group receiving opioids plus pregabalin. Opioid analgesia consisted of 0.6 mg/kg l‐methadone given intravenously at anesthetic induction, followed by 0.2 mg/kg given at 8, 16, and 24 hours after extubation and fentanyl patches applied at the end of surgery. Pregabalin was given orally (4 mg/kg) 1 hour before anesthesia, followed by postoperative treatment three times per day (4 mg/kg) for 5 days. The outcome measures were the treatment‐group differences in peri‐incisional mechanical sensitivity and Glasgow Composite Measure Pain Scale (CMPS‐SF) assessed during the first 5 postoperative days. Pregabalin serum concentrations were measured after 24, 72, and 120 hours.ResultsPregabalin reduced pain levels in the treatment group by a mean of 2.5 CMPS‐SF units (95% confidence interval [CI] = −3.19 to −1.83,P < .001) compared with the control group during the study period. Pregabalin increased the mechanical nociceptive threshold by a mean of 6.89 N per day (95% CI = 1.87‐11.92,P < .001) and of 7.52 N per day (95% CI = 2.29‐12.77,P < .001) during the study period, depending on location. Mean levels of serum pregabalin were 5.1, 4.71, and 3.68 μg/mL at 24, 72, and 120 hours postoperatively, respectively.ConclusionPostoperative signs of pain after surgical treatment of intervertebral disc herniation (IVDH) were reduced when dogs received perioperative pregabalin rather than opioids alone.Clinical significancePerioperative pregabalin reduces postoperative pain after surgical treatment of IVDH.
On models and modelling
Authors: Hundt Marianne 
Published: April 2020

AbstractWorld Englishes (WE) research has been invested in getting to grips with the diversity of different Englishes and in making sense of their structural properties. The first research strand led to a proliferation of theoretical models, the second to comparative research relying increasingly on sophisticated statistical modelling. The connection between these research strands is not always as clear as we might wish, and occasionally even rather tenuous. This paper revisits existing models of WEs with a view to their predictive power and reviews recent corpus‐based studies with respect to the ways that these have tried to operationalise predictions of theoretical models. It uses a mental model to understand exactly why it is apparently so difficult to bring intricate, quantitative modelling of usage data to bear on theoretical modelling.
The progressive in 19th and 20th century settler and indigenous Indian English
Authors: Fuchs Robert 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBased on a diachronic newspaper corpus, this study analyses change in the use of the progressive in the Indian English (IndE) settler strand and indigenous strand varieties from 1900 to 2000, comparing it to developments in British English (BrE). Results indicate that these three varieties showed distinct patterns of usage. The IndE indigenous strand reveals evidence of substrate transfer in the use of perfect progressives and unbounded/undelimited habitual progressives. Some of the resulting usage patterns appear to have been carried over to the IndE settler strand. Diachronically, similar developmental trends can be observed in IndE and BrE, although IndE was slower to adopt these trends (‘colonial lag’). By contrast, linguistic features caused by substrate transfer decreased in frequency over time. Overall, diachronic developments do not indicate divergence between IndE and BrE, supporting the analysis of Indian English being in a ‘steady state’ instead of advancing to full endonormativity.