bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Network relationships and standard adoption: Diffusion effects in transnational regulatory networks
Authors: van der Heijden Machiel , Schalk Jelmer 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThe soft law measures that transnational regulatory networks produce have become increasingly important in regulating cross‐border market activity. However, domestic agencies vary considerably in terms of the rate by which these soft law measures are adopted, and the ways in which they spread across jurisdictions are not well understood. This article argues that existing theoretical explanations referring to socialization or power dynamics have a specific network‐structural pattern associated with them, and that longitudinal network analysis can be used to test their hypothesized effects. In particular, we study the widespread adoption of the International Organization of Securities Commissions’ (IOSCO) Multilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MMoU). Based on a longitudinal dataset (2002–15) of the inter‐agency relationships between securities regulators (n = 109), we use Stochastic Actor‐Oriented Models (SAOM) to predict the rate at which transnational standards are adopted by domestic agencies. The results indicate that standard adoption is contagious in the network of securities regulators.
Ameliorating effects of biochar on photosynthetic efficiency and antioxidant defence of Phragmites karka under drought stress
Authors: Abideen Z. , Koyro H.‐W. , Huchzermeyer B. , Ansari R. , Zulfiqar F. , Gul B. 
Published: October 2019

Abstract

Biochar (BC) has been reported to improve growth and drought resistance in many plants. However, adequate information on the drought resistance mechanism mediated of BC on Phragmites karka, a bioenergy plant, is not available.

The impact of BC addition (0%, 0.75% and 2.5%) on plant growth and physiology of P. karka under drought was assessed.

Soil water‐holding capacity and soil water content were significantly improved with 0.75% BC as compared with the un‐amended controls.

This resulted in improved plant performance under drought conditions. An increase of parameters, such as plant fresh and dry biomass, root to shoot ratio and root mass fraction, was paralleled by an increase of chlorophyll content, net photosynthesis rate and water use efficiency of plants. Plants treated with 0.75% BC experienced less oxidative stress due to higher photosystem II efficiency and stimulated activity of antioxidant defense systems.

Our results demonstrate that soil amendment with 0.75% BC allow the potential energy plant P. karka to grow in an arid habitat.
Does Strategic Planning Improve Organizational Performance? A Meta‐Analysis
Authors: George Bert , Walker Richard M. , Monster Joost 
Published: October 2019

AbstractStrategic planning is a widely adopted management approach in contemporary organizations. Underlying its popularity is the assumption that it is a successful practice in public and private organizations that has positive consequences for organizational performance. Nonetheless, strategic planning has been criticized for being overly rational and for inhibiting strategic thinking. This article undertakes a meta‐analysis of 87 correlations from 31 empirical studies and asks, Does strategic planning improve organizational performance? A random‐effects meta‐analysis reveals that strategic planning has a positive, moderate, and significant impact on organizational performance. Meta‐regression analysis suggests that the positive impact of strategic planning on organizational performance is strongest when performance is measured as effectiveness and when strategic planning is measured as formal strategic planning. This impact holds across sectors (private and public) and countries (U.S. and non‐U.S. contexts). Implications for public administration theory, research, and practice are discussed in the conclusion.
Comparison of motor competence in children aged 6‐9 years across northern, central, and southern European regions
Authors: Laukkanen Arto , Bardid Farid , Lenoir Matthieu , Lopes Vitor P. , Vasankari Tommi , Husu Pauliina , Sääkslahti Arja 
Published: October 2019

The present study aimed to examine differences in motor competence (MC) in children aged 6‐9 years old in northern, central, and southern European regions using the Körperkoordinationstest für Kinder (KTK). The secondary aim of the study was to examine interactions between region and children's age, sex, and weight status (determined as healthy weight or overweight/obese). Data were pooled from independent studies conducted in Finland (mean age 7.81 ± 1.19 years, n = 690), Belgium (mean age 8.25 ± 1.09 years, n = 1896), and Portugal (mean age 8.31 ± 1.02 years, n = 758) between 2008 and 2016. Cross‐cultural differences in MC and interaction effects were tested using ANOVAs and ANCOVAs. Age, sex, and BMI percentile were used as covariates. Geographical region significantly explained 19% of the variance in MC, while BMI (5%), sex (3%), and age (0.3%) were significant covariates. The interaction effect of region and age (5%), region and sex (0.6%), and region and BMI (0.2%) on MC was also significant. Cross‐cultural differences in children's MC increased substantially across age, independent of weight status. Girls slightly underperformed in MC compared to boys in regions where the overall level of MC was lower. Interestingly, the association between body weight status and MC was relatively consistent across the regions. Future cross‐cultural studies should further explore the influence of individual (eg, physical activity) and environmental (eg, physical activity and sport policy) factors on MC development.
Neural Markers of Event Boundaries
Authors: Bilkey David K. , Jensen Charlotte 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThe continuous flow of sensorimotor experience is segmented into events that are stored in memory as discrete representations. These events are subsequently available for reconstruction into episodic memories or to be recombined for future thinking, prediction and imagination. Here we briefly review the patterns of brain activity that accompany the processing of events, and the transitions between them, with an aim to identifying signals that would serve as event boundary markers (EBMs). Since many previous studies have highlighted a role for the hippocampus in episodic memory function, consolidation and future thinking, we focus on activity in this region. In particular, we describe the brief bursts of hippocampal activity known as sharp‐wave ripples (SWRs), which tend to occur following the cessation of units of behavior, making them putative EBM candidates. While most current models of SWR function tend to focus on a potential role in memory consolidation or preplay linked to future thinking, here we consider an interpretation that incorporates an EBM component.
Pressure Transient Behaviors of Vertical Fractured Wells With Asymmetric Fracture Patterns
Authors: Zhang Qiushi , Wang Daohan , Zeng Fanhua , Guo Zixi , Wei Nan 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
It is well proven that hydraulic fracturing may cause a complex fracture network or an asymmetric fracture pattern. This study aims to develop a model to analyze the pressure transient behaviors for asymmetric fracture patterns. Some physical models were built to describe the asymmetric of fracture length and conductivity. In order to solve the model, each fracture was discreted to several segments and each segment was treated as a line source. According to theory of superposition, we coupled the flow rate and pressure in the boundaries and the middle point of segments. After a Laplace transform to the mathematical model, the flow rate of each line source can be calculated. We used Stehfest inversion algorithm to determine the simulation results in a real-time domain. The calculation results show that the asymmetry of fracture patterns or properties can make a significant change in pressure and derivation curves. If only primary fracture is considered, it is difficult to differentiate the flow period. If the fracture patterns contain several secondary fractures, the derivation curve shows an obvious pseudo-radial flow in the early period.
Fifteen-minute consultation: Symptoms and signs of meningococcal disease
Authors: Corr Michael , Waterfield Thomas , Shields Michael 
Published: October 2019

Meningococcal disease remains a leading cause of meningitis, sepsis and death in children worldwide and in the UK. Successful vaccination programmes in the UK have, however, significantly reduced the burden of disease in children. Unfortunately, despite vaccination, a significant number of children are still diagnosed with invasive meningococcal disease each year.As the prevalence of meningococcal disease falls, it is important that we maintain awareness of the symptoms and signs of meningococcal disease because the prompt recognition of this life-threatening infection improves outcomes.In this article we discuss the pathology, epidemiology and recognition of invasive meningococcal disease in children. The aim is to maintain awareness of this rare but life-threatening infection.
The UroLife study: protocol for a Dutch prospective cohort on lifestyle habits in relation to non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer prognosis and health-related quality of life
Authors: de Goeij Liesbeth , Westhoff Ellen , Witjes J Alfred , Aben Katja KH , Kampman Ellen , Kiemeney Lambertus ALM , Vrieling Alina 
Published: October 2019

IntroductionPatients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) have a good survival but are at high risk for tumour recurrence and disease progression. It is important to identify lifestyle habits that may reduce the risk of recurrence and progression and improve health-related quality of life (HRQOL). This paper describes the rationale and design of the UroLife study. The main aim of this study is to evaluate whether lifestyle habits are related to prognosis and HRQOL in patients with NMIBC.Methods and analysisThe UroLife study is a multicentre prospective cohort study among more than 1100 newly diagnosed patients with NMIBC recruited from 22 hospitals in the Netherlands. At 6 weeks and 3, 15 and 51 months after diagnosis, participants fill out a general questionnaire, and questionnaires about their lifestyle habits and HRQOL. At 3, 15 and 51 months after diagnosis, information about fluid intake and micturition is collected with a 4-day diary. At 3 and 15 months after diagnosis, patients donate blood samples for DNA extraction and (dietary) biomarker analysis. Tumour samples are collected from all patients with T1 disease to assess molecular subtypes. Information about disease characteristics and therapy for the primary tumour and subsequent recurrences is collected from the medical records by the Netherlands Cancer Registry. Statistical analyses will be adjusted for age, gender, tumour characteristics and other known confounders.Ethics and disseminationThe study protocol has been approved by the Committee for Human Research region Arnhem-Nijmegen (CMO 2013-494). Patients who agree to participate in the study provide written informed consent. The findings from our study will be disseminated through peer-reviewed scientific journals and presentations at (inter)national scientific meetings. Patients will be informed about the progress and results of this study through biannual newsletters and through the website of the study and of the bladder cancer patient association.
Cohort profile: Korean Urban Rural Elderly (KURE) study, a prospective cohort on ageing and health in Korea
Authors: Hong Namki , Kim Kwang-Joon , Lee Su Jin , Kim Chang Oh , Kim Hyeon Chang , Rhee Yumie , Youm Yoosik , Choi Jin-Young , Park Hyun-Young 
Published: October 2019

PurposeThe Korean Urban Rural Elderly (KURE) cohort was initiated to study the epidemiologic characteristics, physical performance, laboratory and imaging biomarkers and incidence of age-related diseases in an elderly population with respect to both clinical and social aspects to develop preventive and therapeutic strategies for combatting age-related diseases.ParticipantsA total of 3517 adults aged 65 or older participated in the cohort at baseline from 2012 to 2015, recruited from three urban districts and one rural district in Korea. The second-wave follow-up survey is now being conducted at a 4-year interval from baseline (2016–2019; follow-up rate 71.5%). The data set included detailed information on anthropometric and socioeconomic factors, functional assessments, image scans (plain radiography, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and CT), biospecimens (ie, serum, urine and DNA) and social support networks along with the feasibility of linkage to a national claims database.Findings to dateMean age of participants at entry was 71.9±4.6 years and 67% were women. From the KURE participants enrolled in baseline recruitment, several studies were published in the fields of cardiometabolic diseases, musculoskeletal health and the association between social support network and diseases in ageing.Future plansParticipants will be observed actively and passively every 4–5 years and the first follow-up will be completed in 2020. The KURE data set has strength in comprehensive physical function assessments, quantifiable imaging data sets using CT and detailed information regarding the social support networks of participants from a large community-based elderly Korean population.
Validity of four clinical prediction scores for pulmonary embolism in a sub-Saharan African setting: a protocol for a Cameroonian multicentre cross-sectional study
Authors: Esiéné Agnès , Owono Etoundi Paul , Tochie Joel Noutakdie , Mbengono Metogo Junette Arlette , Ze Minkande Jacqueline 
Published: October 2019

IntroductionPulmonary embolism poses one of the most challenging diagnoses in medicine. Resolving these diagnostic difficulties is more crucial in emergency departments where fast and accurate decisions are needed for a life-saving purpose. Here, clinical pretest evaluation is an important step in the diagnostic algorithm of pulmonary embolism. Although clinical probability scores are widely used in emergency departments of sub-Saharan Africa, no study has cited their diagnostic performance in this resource-constrained environment. This study will seek to assess the performance of four routinely used clinical prediction models in Cameroonians presenting with suspicion of pulmonary embolism at the emergency department.Methods and analysisIt will be a cross-sectional study comparing the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values and accuracy of the Wells, Simplified Wells, Revised Geneva and the Simplified Revised Geneva Scores to CT pulmonary angiography as gold standard in all consecutive consenting patients aged above 15 years admitted for clinical suspicion of pulmonary embolism to the emergency departments of seven major referral hospitals of Cameroon between 1 July 2019 and 31 December 2020. The area under the receiver operating curve, calibration plots, Hosmer and Lemeshow statistics, observed/expected event rates, net benefit and decision curve will be measured of each the clinical prediction test to ascertain the clinical score with the best diagnostic performance.Ethics and disseminationClearance has been obtained from the Institutional Review Board of the Faculty of medicine and biomedical sciences of the University of Yaounde I, Cameroon and the directorates of all participating hospitals to conduct this study. Also, informed consent will be sought from each patient or their legal next of kin and parents for minors, before enrolment into this study. The final study will be published in a peer-review journal and the findings presented to health authorities and healthcare providers.
Improving the patient experience through a comprehensive performance framework to evaluate excellence in person-centred care
Authors: Guastello Sara , Jay Karin 
Published: October 2019

BackgroundPerson-centred care (PCC) is now recognised as an important component of healthcare quality. However, a lack of consensus of its most critical elements and absence of a global measure of person-centredness has limited the ability to evaluate the impact of implementation.AimIntroduce a measurable construct for PCC that yields improvement in quality, patient loyalty and staff engagement.MethodsInformed by scientific evidence and the voices of patients, families and healthcare professionals, the Person-Centered Care Certification Programme was developed as a comprehensive measure of PCC (Person-Centered Care Certification is a registered trademark of Planetree Registered in the US Patent and Trademark Office). Ten years after its development, the programme was redesigned to offer a more complete evaluative framework to focus organisations’ PCC efforts and better understand their impact. Drawing on the National Academy of Medicine’s Guiding Framework for Patient and Family Engaged Care, five drivers for excellence were identified that delineate the critical inputs required to create and maintain a culture of PCC. Aligned within the drivers are 26 interventions that connect staff to purpose, promote partnership with patients and families, engage individuals in care and promote continuous learning. A multimethod evaluation approach assesses how effectively these PCC strategies have been executed within the organisation and to understand their impact on the human experience of care.ResultsThe Person-Centered Care Certification Programme is associated with improvements in patient experience, patient loyalty and staff engagement.ConclusionThe structured Certification framework can help organisations identify PCC improvement opportunities, guide their implementation efforts, and better understand the impact on patient and staff outcomes. Tested in cultures around the world and across the care continuum, the framework has proven effective in converting PCC into a definable, measurable and attainable goal. This paper outlines how the programme was designed, the measurable benefits derived by organisations and lessons learnt through the process.
Long-term effect of azithromycin in bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome
Authors: Gan C.Tji-Joong , Ward Chris , Meachery Gerard , Lordan James Laurence , Fisher Andrew J , Corris Paul A 
Published: October 2019

IntroductionAzithromycin stabilises and improves lung function forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) in lung transplantation patients with bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS). A post hoc analysis was performed to assess the long-term effect of azithromycin on FEV1, BOS progression and survival .MethodsEligible patients recruited for the initial randomised placebo-controlled trial received open-label azithromycin after 3 months and were followed up until 6 years after inclusion (n=45) to assess FEV1, BOS free progression and overall survival.ResultsFEV1in the placebo group improved after open-label azithromycin and was comparable with the treatment group by 6 months. FEV1decreased after 1 and 5 years and was not different between groups. Patients (n=18) with rapid progression of BOS underwent total lymphoid irradiation (TLI). Progression-free survival (log-rank test p=0.40) and overall survival (log-rank test p=0.28) were comparable. Survival of patients with early BOS was similar to late-onset BOS (log-rank test p=0.74).DiscussionLong-term treatment with azithromycin slows down the progression of BOS, although the effect of TLI may affect the observed attenuation of FEV1decline. BOS progression and long-term survival were not affected by randomisation to the placebo group, given the early cross-over to azithromycin and possibly due to TLI in case of further progression. Performing randomised placebo-controlled trials in lung transplantation patients with BOS with a blinded trial duration is feasible, effective and safe.
Rationale for the ASSAIL-MI-trial: a randomised controlled trial designed to assess the effect of tocilizumab on myocardial salvage in patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)
Authors: Anstensrud Anne Kristine , Woxholt Sindre , Sharma Kapil , Broch Kaspar , Bendz Bjørn , Aakhus Svend , Ueland Thor , Amundsen Brage H , Damås Jan Kristian , Hopp Einar , Kleveland Ola , Stensæth Knut Haakon , Opdahl Anders , Kløw Nils-Einar , Seljeflot Ingebjørg , Andersen Geir Øystein , Wiseth Rune , Aukrust Pål , Gullestad Lars 
Published: October 2019

IntroductionInterleukin-6 (IL-6) may be involved in ischaemia-reperfusion injury and myocardial remodelling after myocardial infarction (MI). We have recently shown that IL-6 inhibition by tocilizumab attenuates systemic inflammation and troponin T-release in patients with acute non-ST elevation MI (NSTEMI). Experimental studies suggest that IL-6 inhibition can limit infarct size through anti-inflammatory mechanisms, but this has not been tested in clinical studies. With theASSessing the effect ofAnti-IL-6 treatment inMI(ASSAIL-MI) trial, we aim to examine whether a single administration of the IL-6 receptor antagonist tocilizumab can increase myocardial salvage in patients with acute ST-elevation MI (STEMI).Methods and analysisThe ASSAIL-MI trial is a randomised, double blind, placebo-controlled trial, conducted at three high-volume percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) centres in Norway. 200 patients with first-time STEMI presenting within 6 hours of the onset of chest pain will be randomised to receive tocilizumab or matching placebo prior to PCI. The patients are followed-up for 6 months. The primary endpoint is the myocardial salvage index measured by cardiac MRI (CMR) 3–7 days after the intervention. Secondary endpoints include final infarct size measured by CMR and plasma markers of myocardial necrosis. Efficacy and safety assessments during follow-up include blood sampling, echocardiography and CMR.Ethics and disseminationBased on previous experience the study is considered feasible and safe. If tocilizumab increases myocardial salvage, further endpoint-driven multicentre trials may be initiated. The ASSAIL-MI trial has the potential to change clinical practice in patients with STEMI.RegistrationClinicaltrials.gov, identifierNCT03004703.