bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Executive Accountability Beyond Outcomes: Experimental Evidence on Public Evaluations of Powerful Prime Ministers
Authors: Becher Michael , Brouard Sylvain 
Published: September 2020

AbstractAlthough executives in many democracies have constitutional powers to circumvent the majoritarian legislative process to make policy, political scientists know relatively little about whether and when ordinary people hold executives accountable for the process they use. To study this issue beyond the American presidency, we conduct a series of large survey experiments in France, where the institution of the confidence procedure puts the government in a strong position relative to parliament. Our experiments highlight that public evaluations of the executive reflect a fundamental trade‐off between policy and process. If they face significant opposition in the legislative process, executives either have to accept policy failure or risk punishment for the use of procedural force. People dislike both results, and the average popularity gain of using the confidence procedure over not delivering the policy is modest. Moreover, in some contexts, executives are strictly better off not legislating rather than applying force.
Breast cancer subtypes in Australian Chinese women
Authors: Hong Alton , Chua Jonathan , Cheng Michael , Law Michael 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackgroundIt has been suggested that Chinese patients with breast cancer present at a younger age compared to the general Australian population, with tumour pathological characteristics that carry less favourable outcomes. This study was aimed to investigate if a substantial difference in breast cancer subtypes exists between the Australian Chinese population and the general Australian population.MethodsAll patients with breast cancer treated by two of the authors (consultant breast surgeons) at Eastern Health, Victoria between 2010 and 2016 were identified through the BreastSurgANZ Quality Audit database. Australian Chinese patients were further identified through outpatient records and registration information. Medical histories were examined to obtain patient demographics, tumour characteristics and outcome. Patient and tumour characteristics between the Australian Chinese population were then compared to the general Australian population.ResultsA total of 97 Australian Chinese patients with breast cancer were identified out of 582 patients. Mean age at diagnosis was 56.7 years, approximately 6 years younger than the general Australian population. There was a statistically significant difference in incidence of Luminal A tumours with 25 patients (25.77%) from the Chinese group affected compared to 310 patients (63.92%) from the general group (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in proportions of the other tumour subtypes between the two groups.ConclusionAustralian Chinese breast cancer patients present at a younger age compared to the general Australian population, with a smaller proportion of patients having Luminal A tumours.
A study of pregnancy after endometrial ablation using linked population data
Authors: Ibiebele Ibinabo , Nippita Tanya A. , Baber Rodney , Torvaldsen Siranda 
Published: September 2020

AbstractIntroductionEndometrial ablation encapsulates a range of procedures undertaken to destroy the endometrial lining of the uterus as a treatment for heavy menstrual bleeding in women who no longer wish to bear children. Pregnancy following ablation, while unlikely, can occur and may carry higher rates of complications. The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with post‐endometrial ablation pregnancy and to describe pregnancy and birth outcomes for post‐endometrial ablation pregnancies.Material and methodsThis population‐based data linkage study included all female residents of New South Wales, Australia, aged 15‐50 years with a hospital admission between July 2001 to June 2014 who birthed between July 2001 and June 2015. Cox proportional hazard regression was used to estimate associations between women’s characteristics and post‐endometrial ablation pregnancy of at least 20 weeks’ gestation. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize pregnancy and birth outcomes.ResultsOf 18 559 women with an endometrial ablation, 575 (3.1%) had a post‐ablation pregnancy of at least 20 weeks’ gestation. Nulliparity (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 12.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] 9.1‐16.2), older age (35‐39 years: aHR 0.39, 95% CI 0.29‐0.51; 40‐44 years: aHR 0.06, 95% CI 0.04‐0.11), marital status (single: aHR 0.67, 95% CI 0.55‐0.83; widowed/divorced/separated: aHR 0.58, 95% CI 0.36‐0.94) and a diagnosis of heavy menstrual bleeding (aHR 0.09, 95% CI 0.07‐0.13) were associated with post‐ablation pregnancy. There were high rates of cesarean delivery (43%), preterm birth (13%), twin or higher order pregnancies (9%) and stillbirth (13.3/1000 births) among these post‐ablation pregnancies.ConclusionsNulliparity at the time of endometrial ablation is associated with increased risk of post‐ablation pregnancy, highlighting the importance of careful discussion and consideration of treatment options for heavy menstrual bleeding.
XEN® Gel Stent compared to PRESERFLO™ MicroShunt implantation for primary open‐angle glaucoma: two‐year results
Authors: Scheres Lotte M.J. , Kujovic‐Aleksov Stefani , Ramdas Wishal D. , de Crom Ronald M.P.C. , Roelofs Lianne C.G. , Berendschot Tos T.J.M. , Webers Carroll A.B. , Beckers Henny J.M. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractPurposeTo evaluate the long‐term efficacy and safety of two minimally invasive glaucoma surgery implants with a subconjunctival drainage approach: the XEN45 Gel Stent® (Xen) implant and the PRESERFLO™ MicroShunt (MicroShunt).MethodsRetrospective comparative case series of primary open‐angle glaucoma (POAG) patients with at least 6 months of follow‐up after a MicroShunt or Xen implantation augmented with mitomycin C.ResultsForty‐one eyes of 31 patients underwent Xen implantation, and 41 eyes of 33 patients, MicroShunt implantation. Baseline characteristics were similar, except for more combined surgeries with phacoemulsification in the Xen group (37% vs. 2%). Mean baseline IOP ± standard deviation dropped from 19.2 ± 4.4 to 13.8 ± 3.8 mmHg (n = 26) in the Xen group and from 20.1 ± 5.0 to 12.1 ± 3.5 (n = 14) in the MicroShunt group at 24 months of follow‐up (p = 0.19, t‐test). The number of IOP‐lowering medications dropped from 2.5 ± 1.4 to 0.9 ± 1.2 in the Xen group and from 2.3 ± 1.5 to 0.7 ± 1.1 in the MicroShunt group. The probability of qualified success was 73% and 79% at 24 months of follow‐up for the Xen and MicroShunt groups, respectively. Postoperative complications were usually mild and self‐limiting. The number of bleb needling and secondary glaucoma surgery procedures was similar in both groups; however, in the Xen group more additional MicroPulse® transscleral cyclophotocoagulation procedures were performed.ConclusionXen Gel Stent and PreserFlo MicroShunt implantations achieved comparable results in POAG eyes in terms of IOP‐lowering and surgical success, with a similar high safety profile.
A case for updating the WHO Safe Childbirth Checklist to improve newborn care: Experience from seven Asia and Pacific countries
Authors: Sobel Howard L. , Murray John C. S. , Mannava Priya , Mathai Matthews , Silvestre Maria Asuncion A. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe WHO Safe Childbirth Checklist (the SCC) is a clinical tool developed to help health workers follow evidence‐based maternal and perinatal care practices at childbirth. Newborn delivery care practices at facilities in seven countries in East Asia and the Pacific were compared to practices checked by the SCC. The analysis found that the SCC does not incorporate several key evidence‐based practices around birth demonstrated to prevent newborn morbidity or mortality, or harmful practices associated with increased risks. A revision of the standard SCC is needed to maximise its potential to improve newborn outcomes. This can be initiated under the coordinating umbrella of WHO, but must ensure that the realities of labour and childbirth practices in low‐ and middle‐income countries are considered and addressed.
Evaluation of the safety and efficacy of suction‐tip forceps, a new tool for laparoscopic surgery, for gastric cancer
Authors: Sakurazawa Nobuyuki , Harada Jun‐ichiro , Ando Fumihiko , Arai Hiroki , Kuge Komei , Matsumoto Satoshi , Kawano Youichi , Matsuda Akihisa , Suzuki Hideyuki , Yoshida Hiroshi 
Published: September 2020

AbstractIntroductionLaparoscopic surgery is a minimally invasive surgery; however, obstacles to its functional optimization remain. Surgical ports can accommodate only one instrument at a time so complex exchange manipulations are necessary during surgery which increases operation times and patient risk. We developed a new laparoscopic instrument that functions as both forceps and a suction tube, which renders intraoperative tool exchange unnecessary. This pilot study was undertaken to evaluate the safety and efficacy of this novel dual‐function device in laparoscopic surgery for gastric cancer.MethodsThis single‐center pilot study assessed patient safety during and after laparoscopic distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer with the suction‐forceps using intraoperative video and clinical follow‐up, respectively. To evaluate instrument efficacy, we measured the time interval between the start of any bleeding and the start of aspiration (“suction access time”) and compared this time with that of a conventional surgical setup.ResultsIn total 15 patients participated, with all procedures being successful. No excess tissue damage occurred during surgery. Suction access time was significantly shorter in cases of bleeding when the suction‐tip forceps were used for aspiration (2.01 seconds) compared to an ordinary suction tube (12.5 seconds; P < .01).ConclusionThese findings suggest that our new suction‐tip forceps are a useful, safe, and efficacious operative tool. This surgical innovation may considerably simplify gastric laparoscopic surgery. This pilot study was registered with Japan Clinical Trial Registration on 22 June 2017 (registration number: UMIN000027879).
Baclofen destabilises breathing during sleep in healthy humans: A randomised, controlled, double‐blind crossover trial
Authors: Straus Christian , Teulier Marion , Morel Sébastien , Wattiez Nicolas , Hajage David , Giboin Caroline , Charbit Beny , Dasque Eric , Bodineau Laurence , Chenuel Bruno , Straus Nicolas , Attali Valérie , Similowski Thomas 
Published: September 2020

AimsPeriodic breathing is frequent in patients with severe heart failure. Apart from being an indicator of severity, periodic breathing has its own deleterious consequences (sleep‐related oxygen desaturations, sleep fragmentation), which justifies attempts to correct it irrespective of the underlying disease. Animal models and human data suggest that baclofen can reconfigure respiratory central pattern generators. We hypothesised that baclofen, a GABAB agonist, may thus be able to correct periodic breathing in humans.MethodsHealthy volunteers were exposed to hypoxia during sleep. Participants who developed periodic breathing (n = 14 [53 screened]) were randomly assigned to double‐blind oral baclofen (progressively increased to 60 mg/d) or placebo. The primary outcome was the coefficient of variation (CoVar) of respiratory cycle total time considered as an indicator of breathing irregularity. Secondary outcomes included the CoVar of tidal volume, apnoea–hypopnoea index, sleep fragmentation index and ventilatory complexity (noise limit).ResultsThe analysis was conducted in 9 subjects after exclusion of incomplete datasets. CoVar of respiratory cycle total time significantly increased with baclofen during non‐rapid eye movement sleep (median with placebo 56.00% [37.63–78.95]; baclofen 85.42% [68.37–86.40], P = .020; significant difference during the N1‐N2 phases of sleep but not during the N3 phase). CoVar of tidal volume significantly increased during N1‐N2 sleep. The apnoea–hypopnoea index, sleep fragmentation index and ventilatory complexity were not significantly different between placebo and baclofen.ConclusionBaclofen did not stabilise breathing in our model. On the contrary, it increased respiratory variability. Baclofen should probably not be used in patients with or at risk of periodic breathing.
A meta‐analysis of the influence of ADRB2 genetic polymorphisms on albuterol (salbutamol) therapy in patients with asthma
Authors: Hikino Keiko , Kobayashi Shinobu , Ota Erika , Mushiroda Taisei , Urayama Kevin Y. , Kobayashi Tohru 
Published: September 2020

AimsThe associations of 2 nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (Arg16Gly and Gln27Glu) in the adrenoceptor β2 (ADRB2) gene with response after albuterol use are conflicting. We conducted a meta‐analysis to examine the cumulative evidence of the effects of these 2 variants on percent forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1.0%) after albuterol use in asthma patients.MethodsWe conducted a comprehensive literature search using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials to identify studies examining the association between ADRB2 Arg16Gly and Gln27Glu and FEV1.0% shortly after albuterol administration. The individual study results were combined with weights based on the inverse variance method. This systematic review was registered in the PROSPERO (registration number: CRD42019074554).ResultsAmong 273 initial studies identified, 7 studies met the inclusion criteria for quantitative evaluation. Results of the overall meta‐analysis indicated no statistically significant mean difference of FEV1.0% between genotypes of Arg16Gly and Gln27Glu. In subgroup analyses, significant associations were found for Arg16Gly GG (vs AA) among studies where no methacholine bronchoconstriction was conducted (mean difference, −3.92; 95% confidence interval, −7.29 to −0.54; I2 = 0%), and for Arg16Gly GG (vs GA) among studies that included patients with no comorbidities (mean difference, −1.93; 95% confidence interval, −3.77 to −0.10; I2 = 0%).ConclusionSynthesis of the studies to date shows weak evidence for an association between ADRB2 Arg16Gly and Gln27Glu and FEV1.0% after albuterol use, results of which underscore significant heterogeneity across studies and the need for careful design and sample size considerations.
Assertiveness and adaptation: Prospective teachers’ social competence development and its significance for occupational well‐being
Authors: Carstensen Bastian , Klusmann Uta 
Published: September 2020

BackgroundDifficult social interactions with students are reported to be among the main stressors of beginning teachers, and although social competence has been suggested to represent a vital resource for their transition into practice and early‐career adaptation, this assumption has rarely been empirically studied.AimWe conducted two studies to investigate the predictive validity and development of prospective and beginning teachers’ social competence. In Study 1, we examined, whether social competence predicts beginning teachers’ emotional exhaustion. Study 2 investigated whether university teacher training contributes to social competence development among prospective teachers.SampleThe samples of both studies are based on large‐scale assessments. Participants in Study 1 were 1,758 beginning teachers who had been tracked since their entry into university teacher training. Study 2 included 831 prospective teachers who were surveyed over a total period of two years.MethodsData were analysed utilizing a structural equation modelling approach (Study 1) and latent change score modelling (Study 2).ResultsThe results of Study 1 revealed that social competence negatively predicts emotional exhaustion. Further, beginning teachers’ reports of classroom management functioned as a mediator within that relationship. According to the findings in Study 2, prospective teachers showed no significant enhancements of social competence within one year of university teacher training. However, there was a significant change considering the two‐year interval.ConclusionsSocial competence, as a predictor of occupational well‐being, may constitute one important resource for the early‐career adaptation of beginning teachers. However, efforts to promote social competence within university teacher training should be increased.
The impact of teacher engagement in an interactive webinar series on the effectiveness of financial literacy education
Authors: Compen Boukje , De Witte Kristof , Schelfhout Wouter 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThis study examines whether online teacher professional development (OTPD), in the form of an interactive webinar series that encourages collaborative learning, improves student achievement. We conducted a randomised controlled trial with 1102 students, 45 teachers and 30 secondary schools in Flanders, Belgium. As a basis for the study, we developed a digital learning path aimed at improving student scores on financial literacy–a multidimensional key competence recently integrated into the curriculum. We demonstrate that the learning path improves student learning outcomes and that enhanced teacher involvement in this programme does not increase learning outcomes unless the teachers participate in the OTPD initiative. Teacher engagement in the webinar series generated student learning outcomes 0.39 standard deviations higher than those of students whose teachers did not receive this intervention, thus, confirming the effectiveness of the OTPD initiative. This effect was found immediately after programme implementation, and it persisted until at least 6 weeks later. As an underlying mechanism, we observe that engagement in the webinar series enhances teachers' self‐efficacy. Classroom observations suggest that engagement increases the frequency of providing students with content‐related help.
Effects of an immersive virtual reality‐based classroom on students’ learning performance in science lessons
Authors: Liu Ruixue , Wang Lei , Lei Jing , Wang Qiu , Ren Youqun 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe increased availability and development of immersive technologies have given students growing opportunities to engage in different educational subjects. However, there is a lack of empirical research exploring the educational influence of using Immersive Virtual Reality (IVR) in science classrooms. To address this gap, this study developed a series of IVR‐based science lessons for middle‐school students and further examined these lessons’ effects on learning performance. Our quasi‐experimental approach employed a pretest and posttest to measure academic achievement and questionnaires to measure engagement and technology acceptance. A total of 90 sixth‐grade students from two classes were randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups. The experimental group engaged with the science lessons using Head‐Mounted Displays, whereas the control group learned the same material through traditional teaching methods. The results revealed that the experimental group obtained significantly higher academic achievement and engagement scores (cognitive, behavioral, emotional and social) than the control group. Moreover, the experimental group had a high level of technology acceptance for IVR usage in classrooms. Our study provides empirical evidence for IVR’s use in science education. Furthermore, it also sheds light on how to develop and implement an IVR‐based classroom for formal educational purposes.
Practitioner NotesWhat is already known about this topic?

Virtual Reality (VR) technology has been applied to different educational subjects and there is some empirical evidence indicating its potential benefits for students’ learning.
VR is considered to have potential for educational uses in classrooms.
Many studies have applied non‐immersive VR to science subjects, but few have focused on the use of Immersive VR (IVR) in everyday classrooms.
What this paper adds

We developed and implemented an IVR‐based teaching platform containing a set of systematic science lessons that students can engage in with Head‐Mounted Displays in classrooms.
The results revealed that adopting IVR science lessons in the classroom can improve students’ academic achievement and engagement.
Implications for practice and/or policy

This study contributes to identifying the positive influences of an IVR‐based classroom on students’ science academic achievement and engagement.
The results provide practical insights into developing and implementing an IVR‐based classroom for educational purposes.
This study offers a concrete example of using IVR in middle‐school classrooms for formal science education.
Identification and characterization of a novel adiponectin receptor agonist adipo anti‐inflammation agonist and its anti‐inflammatory effects in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Qiu Wei , Wu Hongle , Hu Zhekai , Wu Xingwen , Tu Maxwell , Fang Fuchun , Zhu Xiaofang , Liu Yao , Lian Junxiang , Valverde Paloma , Van Dyke Thomas , Steffensen Bjorn , Dong Lily Q. , Tu Qisheng , Zhou Xuedong , Chen Jake 
Published: September 2020

Background and PurposeAdiponectin (APN) is an adipokine secreted from adipocytes that binds to APN receptors AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 and exerts an anti‐inflammatory response through mechanisms not fully understood. There is a need to develop small molecules that activate AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 and to be used to inhibit the inflammatory response in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced endotoxemia and other inflammatory disorders.Experimental ApproachWe designed 10 new structural analogues of an AdipoR agonist, AdipoRon (APR), and assessed their anti‐inflammatory properties. Bone marrow‐derived macrophages (BMMs) and peritoneal macrophages (PEMs) were isolated from mice. Levels of pro‐inflammatory cytokines were measured by reverse transcription and real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR), enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and microarray in LPS‐induced endotoxemia mice and diet‐induced obesity (DIO) mice in which systemic inflammation prevails. Western blotting, immunohistochemistry (IHC), siRNA interference and immunoprecipitation were used to detect signalling pathways.Key ResultsA novel APN receptor agonist named adipo anti‐inflammation agonist (AdipoAI) strongly suppresses inflammation in DIO and endotoxemia mice, as well as in cultured macrophages. We also found that AdipoAI attenuated the association of AdipoR1 and APPL1 via myeloid differentiation marker 88 (MyD88) signalling, thus inhibiting activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB), mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) and c‐Maf pathways and limiting the production of pro‐inflammatory cytokines in LPS‐induced macrophages.Conclusion and ImplicationsAdipoAI is a promising alternative therapeutic approach to APN and APR to suppress inflammation in LPS‐induced endotoxemia and other inflammatory disorders via distinct signalling pathways.
Sensitivity to Visual‐Tactile Colocation on the Body Prior to Skilled Reaching in Early Infancy
Authors: Begum Ali Jannath , Thomas Rhiannon L. , Mullen Raymond Stephanie , Bremner Andrew J. 
Published: September 2020

Two experiments examined perceptual colocation of visual and tactile stimuli in young infants. Experiment 1 compared 4‐ (n = 15) and 6‐month‐old (n = 12) infants’ visual preferences for visual‐tactile stimulus pairs presented across the same or different feet. The 4‐ and 6‐month‐olds showed, respectively, preferences for colocated and noncolocated conditions, demonstrating sensitivity to visual‐tactile colocation on their feet. This extends previous findings of visual‐tactile perceptual colocation on the hands in older infants. Control conditions excluded the possibility that both 6‐ (Experiment 1), and 4‐month‐olds (Experiment 2, n = 12) perceived colocation on the basis of an undifferentiated supramodal coding of spatial distance between stimuli. Bimodal perception of visual‐tactile colocation is available by 4 months of age, that is, prior to the development of skilled reaching.