bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Denials of Judicial Bypass Petitions for Abortion in Texas Before and After the 2016 Bypass Process Change: 2001–2018
Authors: Stevenson Amanda Jean , Coleman-Minahan Kate , Hays Susan 
Published: January 2020

Objectives. To estimate the percentage of Texas judicial bypass petitions for abortion denied annually from 2001 to 2018, and to assess whether that fraction changed after the state’s 2016 bypass process change. Methods. Because official statistics on Texas judicial bypass case counts and outcomes are only available for 2016 and later, we systematically reviewed monthly internal reports from Jane’s Due Process (JDP), an organization providing legal representation to pregnant minors seeking bypass from 2001 to 2018. We report numbers and percentages of JDP cases denied for 2001 to 2018 and numbers and percentages of all cases denied from official Texas statistics for 2016 to 2018 (all available years). Results. At least 1 denial occurred in 11 out of 15 years observed before the bypass law changed in Texas (percentages = 0%–6.2%). After Texas made its bypass process more restrictive, the percentage denied increased (from 2.8% in 2015 to 10.3% in 2016 among JDP cases). Conclusions. We found the greatest percentages of judicial bypass for abortion petitions denied after the policy was implemented and after the bypass process changed. Judicial bypass for abortion may expose pregnant minors to judicial veto of their abortion decision.
THE ORIGIN OF FLORAL LAGERSTÄTTEN IN COALS
Authors: KORASIDIS VERA A. , WALLACE MALCOLM W. , TOSOLINI ANNE-MARIE P. , HILL ROBERT S. 
Published: January 2020

ABSTRACT
Floral Lagerstätten deposits (i.e., fossil sites with exceptional preservation and diversity) are preserved within the Miocene brown coals of the Latrobe Group, Gippsland Basin, Australia. Three independent mechanisms are conducive to their accumulation. Throughout the coal seams the conversion of plant material into charcoal (fusain) and its accumulation in a subaqueous setting provides one means of near-perfect preservation. A second and more uncommon example occurs in the form of a 20 cm thick leaf-litter horizon that extends for over two kilometers. In this case, flooding of freshwater tributaries and lakes during the early stages of low-gradient peat development resulted in an extensive, shallow, acidic and water-filled depression that subsequently accumulated and preserved the surrounding plant material. The third and most common form results from the deposition of plant material into small, isolated pools that formed as depressions on the ombrogenous (i.e., rain-fed) and domed surface of the peatlands. In all of these settings an essential component allowing detailed floral preservation is the delivery of plant material directly to the anaerobic catotelm (i.e., below the water table), hence avoiding the physical and chemical processes of degradation that typically occur in the surficial aerobic acrotelm (i.e., above the water table). Leaf litter that falls into low-energy acidic and anoxic water-filled depressions that lie below the acrotelm will likely be well-preserved.
Liver transplantation in Jehovah’s witnesses: 13 consecutive cases at a single Institution
Authors: Costanzo Diego , Bindi Maria , Ghinolfi Davide , Esposito Massimo , Corradi Francesco , Forfori Francesco , De Simone Paolo , De Gasperi Andrea , Biancofiore Gianni 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background . Jehovah's Witnesses represent a tremendous clinical challenge when indicated to liver transplantation because they refuse blood transfusion on religious grounds and the procedure is historically associated with potential massive peri-operative blood loss. We herein describe a peri-operative management pathway with strategies toward a transfusion-free environment with the aim not only of offering liver transplant to selected Jehovah's Witnesses patients but also, ultimately, of translating this practice to all general surgical procedures. Methods . This is a retrospective review of prospective medical records of JW patients who underwent LT at our Institution. The peri-operative multimodal strategy to liver transplantation in Jehovah's Witnesses includes a pre-operative red cell mass optimization package and the intra-operative use of normovolemic haemodilution, veno-venous bypass and low central venous pressure. Results In a 9-year period, 13 Jehovah’s Witness patients received liver transplantation at our centre representing the largest liver transplant program from deceased donors in Jehovah's Witnesses patients reported so far. No patient received blood bank products but 3 had fibrinogen concentrate and one tranexamic acid to correct ongoing hyper-fibrinolysis. There were 4 cases of acute kidney injury (one required extracorporeal renal replacement treatment) and one patient needed vasoactive medications to support blood pressure for the first 2 postoperative days. Two patients underwent re-laparotomy. Finally, of the 13 recipients, 12 were alive at the 1 year follow-up interview and 1 died due to septic complications. Conclusions . Our experience confirms that liver transplantation in selected Jehovah's Witnesses patients can be feasible and safe provided that it is carried out at a very experienced centre and according to a multidisciplinary approach
Low skeletal muscle mass is associated with arterial stiffness in community-dwelling Chinese aged 45 years and older
Authors: Yang Mingzhe , Zhang Xuguang , Ding Zhenkai , Wang Feijie , Wang Yufang , Jiao Changya , Chen Jie-Hua 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background: Evidence suggests that body composition has impact on arterial stiffness. However, evidence in Chinese are limited, and results remain controversial. The aim of our study is to investigate whether skeletal muscle mass is associated with arterial stiffness in Chinese community-dwelling men and women aged 45 years and older.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 20477 participants (age range: 45-80 years, 68.8% women) were included in the analysis. Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), an indicator of arterial stiffness was measured using a waveform device. Total muscle mass and muscle mass of arm, leg and trunk were measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis. Height and weight were measured and appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI) was calculated as appendicular skeletal muscle mass (sum of arm and leg muscle mass) divided by height square.
Results: After adjustment for age, body fat percentage, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure, ASMI was negatively associated with baPWV [β (SE) for men: -0.208 (0.016), p < 0.0001; for women: -0.245 (0.012), p < 0.0001]. High ASMI was a protective factor for the presence of arterial stiffness (defined as baPWV) [OR (95%CI) for men: 0.730 (0.682, 0.782), p < 0.0001; women: 0.634 (0.593, 0.677), p < 0.0001]. Similar associations were found between quantity of muscle mass (total and appendicular muscle mass, muscle mass of arm, leg and trunk) and arterial stiffness in men and women after further adjustment for height (all p < 0.0001).
Conclusion: Low skeletal muscle mass is associated with increased risk of arterial stiffness in Chinese community-dwelling adults aged 45 years and older.
Acceptability and practicability of self-management for patients with Parkinson's disease based on smartphone applications in China
Authors: Hu Jie , Yuan Dezhi , Zhao Qiuye , Wang Xuefei , Zhang Xiaotian , Jiang Qihui , Luo Huirong , Li Jing , Ran Jianhua , Li Jinfang 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background
China has had about 1.2 billion mobile-phone users, and this number continues to grow. However, mobile-health services (mHealth) are currently in the initial stage, and have not yet prevailed in China. Additionally, the prevalence of Parkinson's disease (PD) in China is 1700/100,000 (≥65 years). Indeed, these PD patients would benefit from mHealth to manage their disease. Therefore, we designed a study to determine attitudes toward smartphone applications (apps) for chronic condition self-management, and to discover the practicality of these apps among PD patients in China.
Methods
We selected 204 participants with PD between 52 and 87 years old and surveyed their attitudes concerning the use of smartphone apps for chronic condition management via questionnaires.
Results
Among the participants, 65.19％ had smartphones. Among these smartphone users, 82.84％ expressed a preference for using apps for PD management. This group tended to be younger and more frequent web users with higher education and better medication compliance, and they tended to have a longer PD course and worse conditions ( P < 0.001, P = 0.001, P < 0.001, P = 0.041, P < 0.001, P = 0.013.) Additionally, the willingness to apply apps for PD self-management was positively related to education ( P < 0.001) and negatively related to age and PD course ( P = 0.017, P < 0.001).
Conclusion
In China, patients with PD have a generally positive attitude towards self-management through smartphone apps. Consequently, improving the coverage of smartphones with practical and handy apps is a promising strategy for PD self-management.
Management of patients with early stage lung cancer – why do some patients not receive treatment with curative intent?
Authors: Lawrenson Ross , Lao Chunhuan , Brown Leonie , Moosa Lucia , Chepulis Lynne , Keenan Rawiri , Kidd Jacquie , Middleton Karen , Conaglen Paul , de Groot Charles , Aitken Denise , Wong Janice 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Backgrounds This study aims to understand the factors that influence whether patients receive potentially curative treatment for early stage lung cancer. Methods Patients included those diagnosed with early stage lung cancer in 2011-2018 and resident in the New Zealand Midland Cancer Network region. Logistic regression model was used to estimate the odds ratios of having curative surgery/ treatment. The Kaplan Meier method was used to examine the all-cause survival and Cox proportional hazard model was used to estimate the hazard ratio of death. Results In total 419/583 (71.9%) of patients with Stage I and II disease were treated with curative intent - 272 (46.7%) patients had curative surgery. Patients not receiving potentially curative treatment were older, were less likely to have non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), had poorer lung function and were more likely to have an ECOG performance status of 2+. Current smokers were less likely to be treated with surgery and more likely to receive treatment with radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Those who were treated with surgery had a 2-year survival of 87.8% (95% CI: 83.8%-91.8%) and 5-year survival of 69.6% (95% CI: 63.2%-76.0%). Stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) has equivalent effect on survival compared to curative surgery (hazard ratio: 0.77, 95% CI: 0.37-1.61). Conclusions The majority of patients with stage I and II lung cancer are managed with potentially curative treatment – mainly surgery and increasingly with SABR. The outcomes of those being diagnosed with stage I and II disease and receiving treatment is positive with 70% surviving 5 years.
Exploring factors of diagnostic delay for patients with bipolar disorder: A population-based cohort study
Authors: Lublóy Ágnes , Lilla Keresztúri Judit , Németh Attila , Mihalicza Péter 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background Bipolar disorder if untreated, has severe consequences: widespread role impairment, higher health care costs, mortality and morbidity. Although effective treatment is available, the delay in diagnosis might be as long as 10-15 years. In this study we aim at documenting the length of the diagnostic delay in Hungary and identifying factors associated with it. Methods Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional hazards model was employed to examine factors associated with the time to diagnosis of bipolar disorder measured from the date of the first presentation to any specialist mental healthcare institution. We investigated three types of factors associated with delays to diagnosis: demographic characteristics, clinical predictors and patient pathways. Administrative data was retrieved from specialist care; the population-based cohort includes 8,935 patients from Hungary. Results In the sample, diagnostic delay was 6.46 years on average. The mean age of patients at the time of the first bipolar diagnosis was 43.59 years. 11.85% of patients were diagnosed with bipolar disorder without any delay, and slightly more than one third of the patients (35.10%) were never hospitalized with mental health problems. 88.80% of the patients contacted psychiatric care for the first time in outpatient settings, while 11% in inpatient care. Diagnostic delay was shorter, if patients were diagnosed with bipolar disorder by non-specialist mental health professionals before. In contrast, diagnoses of many psychiatric disorders received after the first contact were coupled with delayed bipolar diagnosis. We found empirical evidence that in both outpatient and inpatient care prior diagnoses of schizophrenia, unipolar depression without psychotic symptoms, and several disorders of adult personality were associated with increased diagnostic delay. Patient pathways played an important role as well: the hazard of delayed diagnosis increased if patients consulted mental healthcare specialists in outpatient care first or they were hospitalized. Conclusions We systematically described and analysed the diagnosis of bipolar patients in Hungary controlling for possible confounders. Our focus was more on clinical variables as opposed to factors controllable by policy-makers. To formulate policy-relevant recommendations, a more detailed analysis of care pathways and continuity is needed.
IDentification of patients in need of general and specialised PALLiative care (ID-PALL©): item generation, content and face validity of a new interprofessional screening instrument.
Authors: Lüthi Fabienne Teike , Bernard Mathieu , Beauverd Michel , Gamondi Claudia , Ramelet Anne-Sylvie , Borasio Gian Domenico 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background Early identification of patients requiring palliative care is a major public health concern. A growing number of instruments exist to help professionals to identify these patients, however, thus far, none have been thoroughly assessed for criterion validity. In addition, no currently available instruments differentiate between patients in need of general vs. specialised palliative care, and most are primarily intended for use by physicians. This study aims to develop and rigorously validate a new interprofessional instrument allowing identification of patients in need of general vs specialised palliative care. Methods The instrument development involved four steps: i) literature review to determine the concept to measure; ii) generation of a set of items; iii) review of the initial set of items by experts to establish the content validity; iv) administration of the items to a sample of the target population to establish face validity. We conducted a Delphi process with experts in palliative care to accomplish step 3 and sent a questionnaire to nurses and physicians non-specialised in palliative care to achieve step 4. The study was conducted in the French and Italian-speaking regions of Switzerland. An interdisciplinary committee of clinical experts supervised all steps. Results The literature review confirmed the necessity of distinguishing between general and specialised palliative care needs and of adapting clinical recommendations to these different needs. Thirty-six nurses and physicians participated in the Delphi process and 28 were involved in the face validity assessment. The Delphi process resulted in two lists: a 7-item list to identify patients in need of general PC and an 8-item list for specialised PC needs. The content and face validity were deemed to be acceptable by both the expert and the target populations. Conclusion This instrument makes a significant contribution to the identification of patients with palliative care needs as it has been designed to differentiate between general and specialised palliative care needs. Moreover, diagnostic data is not fundamental to the use of the instrument, thus facilitating its use by healthcare professionals other than physicians, in particular nurses. Internal and criterion validity assessments are ongoing and essential before wider dissemination of the instrument.
‘There we are failing’ … Infection prevention practices associated factors among nurses working in public and private newborn units in Kenyan hospitals
Authors: Nyikuri Mary M. 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background: Small and sick newborns continue to die in low- and middle-income countries as a result of among other causes, infection. Despite the existence of guidelines for infection prevention, little is known on practices and associated factors among nurses working in newborn units in many developing nations. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess nurses’ practices and their perspectives on what influences their ability to adhere to infection prevention and control (IPC) norms in newborn units.Methods This qualitative study used an ethnographic research design to collect data. 150 hours of observations and through purposeful sampling, nurses working in the newborn units in three hospitals in Nairobi were interviewed using an interview guide. The face to face interviews lasted between 45-60 mins and were digitally audiotaped, transcribed verbatim and translated into English where necessary. Data were imported into Nvivo 10 software for management. All data were anonymised and subjected to thematic analysis.Results A total of 10 nurses from public, 11 from private and 8 from faith-based hospitals participated in the study. Structural organization factors such as proper ward layout, adequate staffing, controlled access of visitors on the ward, involvement of a security officer and presence of an isolation room were factors that facilitated nurses’ observance of infection control on the newborn units. On the other hand, overcrowding, absence of isolation room, improper ward layout, absence of hand hygiene resources, and uncontrolled presence of visitors and lack of enforcement of IPC protocol acted as barriers to non-adherence to IPC.Conclusions Knowledge of Infection prevention and control procedures among nurses may be necessary but are unlikely to be sufficient to deliver improved care. A deliberate investment in organization factors to improve the work environment can facilitate nurses’ ability to provide quality newborn care.
Gait Deviations of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Ruptured Patients : A cross-sectional gait analysis study
Authors: Ro Du Hyun , Choi Min-Ho , Kang Taehoon , Yu Cheol Hwan , Lee Joonhee , Han Hyuk-Soo , Lee Myung Chul 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
BACKGROUND Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture causes instability and can result gait deviations. The purpose of this study was to find kinetic and kinematic deviations of ACL-ruptured knees by comparing them to their contralateral un-injured knee in the sagittal plane. METHODS Gait analysis was performed on 36 males with acute complete ACL rupture who were functionally classified as non-copers. Kinetic and kinematic data were collected at comfortable gait speed after 3 months of conservative treatment. The average time interval between the injury and gait measurement was 4 months. Data from the ACL-ruptured knee and the contralateral un-injured knee were compared. RESULTS The maximal value (27% smaller, p=0.002) and peak-to-peak amplitude (p<0.001) of the knee extension moment (KEM) were both smaller in the ACL-ruptured knee. Two distinctive kinematic patterns were observed. First, at the initial stance phase, knee flexion angle was smaller in ACL-ruptured knee. Second, during the next mid-to-late stance phase, knee flexion angle was bigger in ACL-ruptured knee (both p<0.001). First pattern was correlated with the maximal KEM and second was correlated with the KEM peak-to-peak amplitude (both p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS Two distinct kinematic deviations were found on ACL-ruptured knee and it was associated with the peak and amplitude of KEM. It suggests that kinematic control of knee joint is important gait deviation mechanisms of patients with ACL rupture.
Optimal Partner Wavelength Combination Method Applied to NIR Spectroscopic Analysis of Human Serum Globulin
Authors: Han Yun , Zhong Yun , Zhou Huihui , Kuang Xuesong 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Human serum globulin (GLB), which contains various antibodies in healthy human serum, is of great significance for clinical trials and disease diagnosis. In this study, the GLB in human serum was rapidly analyzed by near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy without chemical reagents. Optimal partner wavelength combination (OPWC) method was employed for selecting discrete information wavelength. For the OPWC, the redundant wavelengths were removed by repeated projection iteration based on binary linear regression, and the result converged to stable number of wavelengths. By the way, the convergence of algorithm was proved theoretically. Moving window partial least squares (MW-PLS), a well-performed wavelength selection method, was also performed for comparison. The optimal models were obtained by the two methods, and the corresponding root-mean-square error of cross validation and correlation coefficient of prediction (SECV, RP,CV) were 0.813 g·L-1 and 0.978 with OPWC combined with PLS (OPWC-PLS), and 0.804 g L-1 and 0.979 with MW-PLS, respectively. The two methods achieved almost the same good results. However, the OPWC only contained 28 wavelengths, so it had obvious lower model complexity. Thus it can be seen that the OPWC-PLS has great prediction performance for GLB and its algorithm is convergent and rapid. The results provide important technical support for the rapid detection of serum.