bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Influence ofEliteNetworks on Green Policy Making
Authors: Caliskan Cantay 
Published: December 2020

This article analyzes the relationship between the policy networks and the success of renewable energy and emission reduction policies. Arguing that strong connections between typologically different groups of elites are essential for good policies, the analysis looks at the Twitter community structure of the ministers in 34 countries. The results of the network study indicate that the success of renewable energy and CO2emission reduction policy implementation is strongly related to the community structure in social networks of ministers. Looser network structures within policy communities and an abundance of relatively stronger connections between them are associated with higher renewable energy consumption and also lower CO2levels, thus possibly with better policies. A case study on seven Nordic and Northern European countries complements and reinforces the theoretical expectations about deliberative policy making.Related ArticlesSabag‐Ben Porat, Chen, Azi Lev‐On, and Sam Lehman‐Wilzig. 2020. “Silent Partners: How Politicians' Facebook Communication with Constituents is Mediated.”Politics & Policy48 (3): 550‐569.https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12352Rowe, Andrew D., and David E. Pitfield. 2019. “The Challenge of Social Media Incorporation: A Case Study of HACAN Clearskies.”Politics & Policy47 (4): 775‐806.https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12319Tanaka, Yugo, Andrew Chapman, Tetsuo Tezuka, and Shigeki Sakurai. 2020. “Multiple Streams and Power Sector Policy Change: Evidence from the Feed‐In Tariff Policy Process in Japan.”Politics & Policy48 (3): 464‐489.https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12357[Correction added on December 17, 2020 after first online publication: The citation “Ben‐Porat, Chen Sabag, Azi Lev‐On, and Sam Lehman‐Wilzig. 2020” was edited to “Sabag‐Ben Porat, Chen, Azi Lev‐On, and Sam Lehman‐Wilzig. 2020“ to reflect correct spelling.]
Finite Sample Change Point Inference and Identification for High-Dimensional Mean Vectors
Authors: Yu Mengjia , Chen Xiaohui 
Published: December 2020

AbstractCumulative sum (CUSUM) statistics are widely used in the change point inference and identification. For the problem of testing for existence of a change point in an independent sample generated from the mean-shift model, we introduce a Gaussian multiplier bootstrap to calibrate critical values of the CUSUM test statistics in high dimensions. The proposed bootstrap CUSUM test is fully data dependent and it has strong theoretical guarantees under arbitrary dependence structures and mild moment conditions. Specifically, we show that with a boundary removal parameter the bootstrap CUSUM test enjoys the uniform validity in size under the null and it achieves the minimax separation rate under the sparse alternatives when the dimension p can be larger than the sample size n.Once a change point is detected, we estimate the change point location by maximising the ℓ∞-norm of the generalised CUSUM statistics at two different weighting scales corresponding to covariance stationary and non-stationary CUSUM statistics. For both estimators, we derive their rates of convergence and show that dimension impacts the rates only through logarithmic factors, which implies that consistency of the CUSUM estimators is possible when p is much larger than n. In the presence of multiple change points, we propose a principled bootstrap-assisted binary segmentation (BABS) algorithm to dynamically adjust the change point detection rule and recursively estimate their locations. We derive its rate of convergence under suitable signal separation and strength conditions.The results derived in this paper are non-asymptotic and we provide extensive simulation studies to assess the finite sample performance. The empirical evidence shows an encouraging agreement with our theoretical results.
“What do we fear the most?”: Exploring fears and concerns of patients, family members and dyads in end‐stage renal disease
Authors: Frontini Roberta , Sousa Helena , Ribeiro Óscar , Figueiredo Daniela 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIntroductionEnd‐stage renal disease (ESRD) and the need for haemodialysis (HD) treatment are increasing. The course of the disease and all the life readjustments needed may generate a multitude of fears in patients and families.AimThis study aimed to explore the main fears and concerns of patients with ESRD undergoing HD and their family members.Study design.A qualitative study was performed.MethodsIndividual semi‐structured interviews were conducted with three groups: 20 patients, 14 family caregivers and 15 patient–family dyads. Interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim and submitted to thematic analysis.Findings.Five major themes emerged: (i) fear of death (fear of earlier death, fear of a sudden death and fear of dying); (ii) fear of problems during HD (fears related to the vascular access, and fear of complications during HD); (iii) concerns related to the disease (fear of loss of autonomy, fears of getting worse, fears related to renal transplantation and concerns about dietary restrictions); (iv) fear about the future; and (v) absence of fears and concerns.DiscussionPatients with ESRD undergoing HD and their family members expressed different fears related to the disease and the treatments required. Renal care staff must acknowledge and understand such concerns and help patients and families to cope. This is important to improving people's quality of life (QoL), the dialogue between health professionals, patients, and family members, and the care offered by the dialysis care settings. Moreover, this study highlights the impact this disease has at a familial level. Future family‐based interventions should acknowledge possible fears and concerns of this population and integrate them into their programs.
Neoplastic melanocytic pleural effusion in a Portuguese water dog
Authors: Corda Erica , Vilar Saavedra Paulo , Berghoff Nora , Smedley Rebecca C. , Thomas Jennifer S. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractA 9‐year‐old castrated male Portuguese water dog was presented following incomplete excision of a malignant melanoma at the left lip commissure by the referring veterinarian. Physical examination was otherwise unremarkable. The patient was staged using thoracic radiographs, abdominal ultrasound, and fine‐needle aspirates of the mandibular lymph nodes and spleen. Given the absence of any definitive evidence of metastasis, the malignant melanoma was surgically completely removed. The dog then received four melanoma vaccine doses as an adjuvant therapy and remained clinically healthy for more than 3 months after the last immunization. However, 232 days after the initial discovery of the lip mass, the dog was euthanized due to deterioration and a poor prognosis based on the presence of lung metastases and neoplastic melanocytic pleural effusion. The latter has been rarely reported in dogs, despite the high prevalence of oral malignant melanomas and the tendency of these tumors to metastasize to the lungs.
Identification of ventilator‐associated pneumonia in dogs and evaluation of empiric antimicrobial therapy: 13 cases (2012–2016)
Authors: Fox Christine , Daly Meredith , Bellis Tara 
Published: December 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate criteria used for diagnosis of ventilator‐associated pneumonia (VAP) in dogs and to determine whether appropriate empiric antimicrobial therapy affects outcome.DesignRetrospective observational study from 2012 to 2016.SettingPrivate small animal emergency and specialty center.AnimalsThirteen client‐owned dogs requiring positive‐pressure ventilation for over 48 hours.Measurements and main resultsMedical records of dogs requiring mechanical ventilation (MV) were reviewed. Dogs receiving MV for over 48 hours that had endotracheal lavages (ETL) and thoracic radiographs performed both at initiation of MV and at 48 hours were included. Signalment, body weight, temperature, reason for MV, WBC count, cytology, and semiquantitative aerobic cultures obtained via ETL were recorded. Outcome was defined as survival to discharge or nonsurvival (euthanasia). Six patients (46.2%) were diagnosed with VAP based on the presence of a new bacterial isolate identified on ETL culture at 48 hours. All patients with VAP had new pulmonary infiltrates present on radiographs. The majority of patients with VAP had a leukocytosis (4/6; 66.7%). Six patients (46.2%) survived to discharge. Of the survivors, 3 of 6 (50%) had VAP.ConclusionsBacterial cultures should be obtained at initiation of MV and at 48 hours. A diagnosis of VAP should be suspected in patients that have a new bacterial isolate identified by ETL culture at 48 hours. Radiographic changes and an increase in WBC count may help support a diagnosis of VAP, while culture results are pending. Further studies are needed to evaluate the effect of appropriate antimicrobial therapy on patient outcome.
Engineers in Action
Authors: Costabile Thomas 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
The editors of Mechanical Engineering magazine recognize technologists who developed a robot that can sterilize hospital rooms, a filter that can kill microbes in HVAC systems, an autonomous droid that delivers food, a lobby kiosk that can check for masks and fevers, and an open-source design for a face shield that anyone can 3D print. These are just a few of the many ways engineers responded to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Effects of Contextual Interference on Learning of Falling Techniques
Authors: Krstulović Saša , De Giorgio Andrea , DelCastillo Andrés Óscar , Franchini Emerson , Kuvačić Goran 
Published: December 2020

The main aim of this investigation was to determine the effect of high contextual interference (HCI) and low contextual interference (LCI) on motor learning of falling techniques. Thirty-five kinesiology students (21 males and 14 females; mean ± SD, age = 19.4 ± 0.69 years) were randomly assigned to the HCI or LCI practice group. The participants’ task was to learn two judo falling techniques on both sides over 3 weeks. The two-way analysis of variance found no difference between LCI and HCI in the performance at the pretest, posttest, retention, and transfer. Both groups improved posttest and retention performance. Finally, differences were found for both groups between the falling performance in the posttest and the application test (except for the right yoko ukemi fall in the HCI). Lower application test scores led to the conclusion that the 3-week treatment was insufficient to reach the application level of the falling techniques.
Comparison of the structure–function relationship between compass microperimetry and Humphrey field analyser in myopic open-angle glaucoma eyes
Authors: Shin Joong Won , Song Min Kyung , Won Hun Jae , Jo Younhye , Kook Michael S 
Published: December 2020

Background/aimsTo compare the structure–function relationship between compass microperimetry (CMP; CenterVue, Padova, Italy) and Humphrey field analyser (HFA; Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, California, USA) in open-angle glaucoma (OAG) eyes with myopia.MethodsCircumpapillary retinal nerve fibre layer thickness (cpRNFLT) and visual field (VF) mean sensitivity (MS) were obtained in 90 OAG subjects using the optical coherence tomography, CMP and HFA in a random order. The global and sectoral structure–function relationships between the cpRNFLT and VFMS were assessed with different VF devices (CMP vs HHA) in OAG eyes with and without myopia.ResultsOverall, the global and regional structure–function relationships between the two devices did not show significant differences except for the superotemporal sector. In the myopic subgroup, the global association between the average cpRNFLT and VFMSCMP was significantly stronger than that between the average cpRNFLT and VFMSHFA (r=0.806 vs. 0.720, p=0.035). The presence of myopia and higher global cpRNFLT were significantly associated with the greater global VFMS differences between the two devices (p<0.05).ConclusionIn general, structure–function relationship is similar between CMP and HFA in OAG eyes. However, the global structure–function relationship is significantly stronger with CMP than with HFA in OAG eyes with myopia.
Infection Prevention and Control Lead Link Practitioner: a new deployed role piloted on Exercise SAIF SAREEA 3
Authors: Davis Siobhan I , Biswas J S , White S 
Published: December 2020

Disease non-battle injury has plagued British expeditionary forces through the ages. While in recent years significant mortality has reduced, it has had a large impact on operational effectiveness, at times leading to closure of major medical treatment facilities (MTFs).Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) benefits from a subject matter expert and champion to ensure it remains at the front of people’s minds and to be on hand to manage acute and dynamic situations. To mitigate the lack of an IPC Nursing Officer, we piloted a deployed military IPC Lead Link Practitioner (IPC-LL) for the first time on a large-scale overseas exercise (SAIF SAREEA 3). An experienced generalist nurse deploying as the IPC-LL (after specific training) provided pre-deployment IPC education and preparation, deployed IPC advice, undertook mandatory audits and monitored IPC compliance throughout the MTFs on the exercise. Data from 22 IPC audits conducted on the exercise showed that the presence of the IPC-LL improved IPC compliance and standards overall in the MTF where based, compared with others. In addition, a gastroenteritis outbreak occurred and was successfully managed with significant input from the IPC-LL. The IPC-LL was also able to add value by pre-empting potential IPC problems from occurring.There is a small pool of deployable Infection Prevention and Control Nursing Officers, so this new IPC-LL role could help to fill the capability gap. The IPC-LL could be the dedicated person focusing on IPC elements, reducing the IPC risk within the deployed field hospital setting where deployed experts are not available.
Effectiveness of interventions for improving timely diagnosis of breast and cervical cancers in low and middle-income countries: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Nnaji Chukwudi Arnest , Kuodi Paul , Walter Fiona M , Moodley Jennifer 
Published: December 2020

IntroductionBreast and cervical cancers pose a major public health burden globally, with disproportionately high incidence, morbidity and mortality in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The majority of women diagnosed with cancer in LMICs present with late-stage disease, the treatment of which is often costlier and less effective. While interventions to improve the timely diagnosis of these cancers are increasingly being implemented in LMICs, there is uncertainty about their role and effectiveness. The aim of this review is to systematically synthesise available evidence on the nature and effectiveness of interventions for improving timely diagnosis of breast and cervical cancers in LMICs.Methods and analysisA comprehensive search of published and relevant grey literature will be conducted. The following electronic databases will be searched: MEDLINE (via PubMed), Cochrane Library, Scopus, CINAHL, Web of Science and the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP). Evidence will be synthesised in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Two reviewers will independently screen the search outputs, select studies using predefined inclusion criteria and assess each included study for risk of bias. If sufficient data are available and studies are comparable in terms of interventions and outcomes, a meta-analysis will be conducted. Where studies are not comparable and a meta-analysis is not appropriate, a narrative synthesis of findings will be reported.Ethics and disseminationAs this will be a systematic review of publicly available data, with no primary data collection, it will not require ethical approval. Findings will be disseminated widely through a peer-reviewed publication and forums such as conferences, workshops and community engagement sessions. This review will provide a user-friendly evidence summary for informing further efforts at developing and implementing interventions for addressing delays in breast and cervical cancer diagnosis in LMICs.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42020177232.
Rater training for standardised assessment of Objective Structured Clinical Examinations in rural Tanzania
Authors: Sigalet Elaine L , Matovelo Dismas , Brenner Jennifer L , Boniphace Maendeleo , Ndaboine Edgar , Mwaikasu Lusako , Shabani Girles , Kabirigi Julieth , Mannerfeldt Jaelene , Singhal Nalini 
Published: December 2020

ObjectivesTo describe a simulation-based rater training curriculum for Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) for clinician-based training for frontline staff caring for mothers and babies in rural Tanzania.BackgroundRater training for OSCE evaluation is widely embraced in high-income countries but not well described in low-income and middle-income countries. Helping Babies Breathe, Essential Care for Every Baby and Bleeding after Birth are standardised training programmes that encourage OSCE evaluations. Studies examining the reliability of assessments are rare.MethodsTraining of raters occurred over 3 days. Raters scored selected OSCEs role-played using standardised learners and low-fidelity mannikins, assigning proficiency levels a priori. Researchers used Zabar’s criteria to critique rater agreement and mitigate measurement error during score review. Descriptive statistics, Fleiss’ kappa and field notes were used to describe results.ResultsSix healthcare providers scored 42 training scenarios. There was moderate rater agreement across all OSCEs (κ=0.508). Kappa values increased with Helping Babies Breathe (κ=0.28–0.48) and Essential Care for Every Baby (κ=0.42–0.77) by day 3 of training, but not with Bleeding after Birth (κ=0.58–0.33). Raters identified average proficiency 50% of the time.ConclusionOur study shows that the in-country raters in this study had a hard time identifying average performance despite moderate rater agreement. Rater training is critical to ensure that the potential of training programmes translates to improved outcomes for mothers and babies; more research into the concepts and training for discernment of competence in this setting is necessary.
Increased rates of immunosuppressive treatment and hospitalization after checkpoint inhibitor therapy in cancer patients with autoimmune disease
Authors: Bender David Andrew , Heilbroner Samuel P , Wang Tony J C , Shu Catherine A , Hyde Brigham , Spina Catherine , Cheng Simon K 
Published: December 2020

BackgroundImmune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are important new therapeutic options for the treatment of malignancy. Existing data on the relative safety of ICI treatment in patients with pre-existing autoimmune disease (AID) are limited.MethodsIn this retrospective study utilizing an oncology medical claims database, we determined the rates of treatment with immunosuppressive agents and hospitalization within 180 days of treatment with ICIs (pembrolizumab, nivolumab, and ipilimumab) in patients both with and without AID. Patients had diagnoses of either malignant melanoma or lung cancer. Immunosuppressive agents evaluated included oral prednisone and intravenous methylprednisolone.Results124 cancer patients with AID and 1896 cancer patients without AID met inclusion criteria for oral prednisone analysis, while 284 patients with AID and 3230 patients without AID met inclusion criteria for all other analyzes. Following treatment with PD-1 inhibitors, rates of treatment with both oral prednisone and intravenous methylprednisolone within 180 days of ICI treatment were significantly increased in the AID group relative to the control group (oral prednisone: 16.7% treatment in AID vs 8.3% in non-AID, p=0.0048; intravenous methylprednisolone: 8.4% treatment in AID vs 3.7% in non-AID, p=0.0012). Rates of hospitalization were significantly increased in melanoma patients with AID relative to melanoma patients without AID following treatment with PD-1 inhibitors (24.1% in AID vs 5.8% in non-AID, p<0.0001).ConclusionCancer patients with AID have higher rates of hospitalization and treatment with immunosuppressive agents following treatment with ICI therapy compared with patients with no AID. This suggests that patients with AID may have increased toxicity risk while being treated with checkpoint inhibitor therapy. Further prospective clinical trials are needed to determine safety.
Systemic and intravesical adoptive cell therapy of tumor-reactive T cells can decrease bladder tumor growth in vivo
Authors: Bunch Brittany L , Morse Jennifer , Asby Sarah , Blauvelt Jamie , Aydin Ahmet M , Innamarato Patrick , Hajiran Ali , Beatty Matthew , Poch Michael , Pilon-Thomas Shari 
Published: December 2020

BackgroundThe therapeutic armamentarium of bladder cancer has been recently enriched with the introduction of new therapies including immune checkpoint inhibitors, receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors and antibody drug conjugates, however treatment responses and duration of responses are still less than expected. Adoptive cellular therapy (ACT) using tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) has potential to treat bladder cancer, as previously demonstrated by successful expansion of tumor reactive T cells from human bladder tumors.MethodsA model system using OT-I T cells and an ovalbumin expressing MB49 tumor cell line (MB49OVA) was developed to study ACT in bladder cancer. Systemic ACT-treated mice were given T cells intravenously after lymphodepleting chemotherapy and followed by interleukin (IL)-2 administration. Intravesical ACT treated mice were given T cells directly into the bladder, without chemotherapy or IL-2. TILs were isolated from MB49 orthotopic tumors and expanded ex vivo in IL-2. Immune cell infiltrates were analyzed by flow cytometry. T cell infiltration was studied using a CXCR3 blocking antibody.ResultsSystemic ACT-treated mice had a decrease in tumor growth, increase in T cell infiltration and long-term immune protection compared with control-treated mice. OT-I T cells delivered intravesically were able to control tumor growth without lymphodepleting chemotherapy or IL-2 in MB49OVA orthotopic tumors. Intravesical delivery of TIL expanded from MB49 tumors was also able to decrease tumor growth in mice with MB49 orthotopic tumors. Blocking CXCR3 on OT-I T cells prior to intravesical delivery decreased T cell infiltration into the tumor and prevented the control of tumor growth.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates how TIL therapy can be used in treating different stages of bladder cancer.