bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Weight management across preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum: A systematic review and quality appraisal of international clinical practice guidelines
Authors: Harrison Cheryce L. , Teede Helena , Khan Nadia , Lim Siew , Chauhan Ayushi , Drakeley Sheila , Moran Lisa , Boyle Jacqueline 
Published: July 2021

SummaryThis systematic review and quality appraisal evaluated clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for weight management and weight‐related behaviors across preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum. CPGs published in English were identified from research and guideline‐specific databases between 2010 and 2019. Recommendations were categorized into weight (body mass index screening, weight loss, weight gain prevention, and gestational weight gain), diet, food safety, physical activity, and behavioral strategies. Three independent appraisers assessed CPG quality using the Appraisal of Guidelines Research and Evaluation II instrument. Twenty‐two CPGs were included across preconception (n = 2), pregnancy (n = 8), postpartum (n = 2), or a combination (n = 10). Overall, 45% of CPGs were appraised as poor quality, 32% as moderate, and 23% as high. Evaluation of body mass index and supplementation recommendations were most common across CPGs, alongside secondary weight management recommendations for women with obesity in fewer CPGs. Accompanying recommendations for diet, physical activity, and behavior were highly variable between guidelines. We report significant ambiguity in existing guidance and an absence of important considerations, including targeting weight gain prevention and limiting excess gestational weight gain. Results emphasize the need for development of robust, comprehensive, and high quality guidelines on healthy lifestyle and weight management across these formative reproductive life stages.
Chronological changes of serum exosome in preterm infants: A prospective study
Authors: Ohta Motoki , Koshida Shigeki , Jimbo Itsuki , Oda Machi , Inoue Ryo , Tsukahara Takamitsu , Terahara Masaki , Yanagi Takahide , Nakahara Sayuri , Shibata Masami , Tsutsui Hidemi , Yoshida Daisuke , Furukawa Ouki , Maruo Yoshihiro 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBackgroundExosomes, which are observed in all human fluid, including serum, are nanosized extracellular vesicles with a mechanism of intercellular communication. Potential clinical applications of exosomes in neonatal diseases have recently been discussed. However, the characteristics of exosomes in serum during early infancy is unclear.MethodsIn this prospective study, we evaluated the chronological changes in the concentration of serum‐derived exosomes of 20 infants for 12 months after birth.ResultsThe average concentration of serum‐derived exosomes was 4.6 × 1010 particles/mL at birth and increased significantly until the age of 48 weeks. There was a moderate correlation between the gestational age and the concentration of serum‐derived exosomes both at birth (r = 0.54, P = 0.01) and during the 8 weeks after birth (r = 0.48, P < 0.001). A multivariable analysis showed that gestational age at birth was associated with the concentration of serum‐derived exosomes at birth (partial regression coefficient, 0.86; 95% confidence interval, 0.37–1.37; P = 0.002).ConclusionsThe concentration of serum‐derived exosomes in preterm infants increased both chronologically and by gestational age after birth. These basic data may help to further understand physiology of exosomes in preterm infants.
Presidential “Pitches” and White House Pressure: Interpersonal Presidential Persuasion in a Shared Lawmaking Environment
Authors: Rottinghaus Brandon , Johnson Isaiah 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBargaining is a critical component to exercising shared lawmaking powers. Conventional wisdom holds that presidents are effective at personally persuading members of Congress to support favored legislation, but recent scholarship shows when and how they get involved matters. Yet, we know less about specifically how presidents bargain with members of Congress and which types of interpersonal presidential communication frames persuade members of Congress. Using unique data from the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library concerning the White House’s press for passage of the 1983 budget, this article addresses how presidents position their legislative pitches and to which members. While ideology matters most in predicting members supporting the White House’s preferred legislation, we find a “compromise” pitch from the White House works better for bipartisan‐tagged legislation than appeals to “party unity.” These findings provide a unique window into informal bargaining arrangements and allow us to understand how presidents influence members of Congress.
On the Politics of Evolutionary Thought
Authors: Di Feliciantonio Cesare 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThis commentary on Elvin Wyly's paper, ‘The Evolution of Geographic Thought’, aims at stimulating a reflection on the possibilities offered by the politics of evolutionary thought as envisaged in the paper and its use by critical scholars. Through the analysis of the paper's ambivalences towards the politics of evolution and its history, the commentary discusses the limits and the potential of Wyly's effort to destabilise the linearity and unity of evolution.
Multinational firms and human capital investment: A dynamic knowledge‐capital model
Authors: Wang Xin 
Published: July 2021

AbstractTo capture the mixed picture of trade‐induced human capital investment in both developing and developed countries, this paper develops a dynamic general equilibrium model with multinational enterprises (MNEs) and endogenous education investment decision and investigates the impacts of trade cost reduction on human capital accumulation and wage inequality. Illustrated with a numerical example, we show that with endogenous endowment structure, the set of active firm types is mutually determined by trade cost and the discrepancy in the incentives for education attainment between countries. In addition, the exact impacts of trade are determined by changes in the production patterns of firms. When the reduction in trade cost expands the scale of vertical MNEs with headquarters in developed countries, education investment increases in both developing and developed countries. We also show that the distributional impacts of production offshoring are mitigated by human capital accumulation. The conclusions in this paper highlight the importance of education policies in complementing trade policies, as well as the important role of MNEs in shaping the world income and endowments distribution.
Bio-Inspired Design, Modeling, and Control of Robotic Fish Propelled by a Double-Slider-Crank Mechanism Driven Tail
Authors: Zuo Wenyu , Fish Frank , Chen Zheng 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
This paper presents the design, modeling, and control of a three-joint robotic fish propelled by a double-slider-crank (DSC) driven caudal fin. DSC is a mechanism that can use one direct current motor to achieve oscillating foil propulsion. Its design is guided by a traveling wave equation that mimics a fish's undulatory locomotion. After multiple tests, the robotic fish displayed good performance in mimicking a real fish's swimming motion. DSC mechanism is proven to be an effective propulsion technique for a robotic fish. With the help of another servomotor at the first joint of the fish's tail, the robotic fish can have a two-dimensional free-swimming capability. In experiments, the robotic fish can achieve a swimming speed of 0.35 m/s at 3 Hz, equivalent to 0.98 body length (BL) per second. Its steering rate is proportional to a bias angle. The DSC benefits the control of the robotic fish by independently adjusting its steering and swimming speed. This characteristic is studied in a hydrodynamic model that derives the thrust within a DSC frame. Besides the dynamic model, a semiphysics-based and data-driven linear model is established to connect bias angle to robotic fish's heading angle. The linear model is used for designing an observed-state feedback control control, and the controller has been examined in simulation and experiments.
Classification of the Hydraulic Behavior Along the No-Load Curve of Francis Turbines
Authors: Fortin Mélissa , Nennemann Bernd , Deschênes Claire , Houde Sébastien 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
For hydraulic turbines, no-load (NL) is considered a homogeneous family of operating conditions, although the literature exposes a wide variety of flow structures depending on many factors. A better understanding of the flow structures developed during NL operation is necessary, since they generate pressure fluctuations in the turbine causing significant fatigue damage and reducing the life expectancy of the machines. Hydraulic turbines at model scale show that behavioral trends can be identified for NL conditions. This paper presents a classification of NL operating conditions following the swirl level at the runner outlet. The main tendencies linking the cavitation level to the runner speed and the discharge for operating points along NL curves of different turbines are also detailed. To study the NL conditions, data from 26 Francis turbines, measured between 2007 and 2020 at the laboratory of Andritz Hydro Canada Inc., are analyzed. This study demonstrates that NL operating conditions exhibit flow features very similar to those at regular operation with similar runner outlet swirl. The runner acceleration or deceleration with cavitation is related to the flow topology at the runner outlet.
Theoretical Analysis of Rankine Cycle Operating With Zeotropic Mixtures of Carbon Dioxide and Hydrocarbons
Authors: Narayanan Vineed , Venkatarathnam G. 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
There is an increased interest in carbon dioxide-based cycles as it requires smaller turbines than conventional Rankine cycles operating with steam. The focus of this work is the study of the performance of a Rankine cycle operating between 500 and 700 K (226.85 and 426.85 °C). Optimum mixtures of hydrocarbons and carbon dioxide have been worked out for use as working fluids in the above temperature range. This study shows that the use of multicomponent mixtures results in higher efficiency and smaller systems suitable for solar-powered small-scale power cycles. A thermal efficiency of 26.5% and volumetric work of 1945 J/l have been estimated with optimum multicomponent mixture derived in this work with a heat source temperature of 600 K and operating pressures of 100 and 40 bar at expander inlet and exit, respectively.
From obduction to collision: A transect across Ordovician to Devonian sedimentary basins of the Québec Appalachians, Canada
Authors: Perrot Morgann G. , De Souza Stéphane , Tremblay Alain 
Published: July 2021

ABSTRACT
This three-day field trip focuses on the stratigraphy and the structural characteristics of the late- and post-Taconian sedimentary basins of the southern Québec Appalachians, with a particular emphasis on N-to-S and W-to-E structural and lithological variations. In order to discuss various aspects of the regional structural evolution of these basins, we will visit a series of key outcrops following three sections, the Beauce/Thetford-Mines sections, the Sherbrooke section, and the Coaticook section.
Occurrence and mining of coal and sand deposits in the Middle Eocene Domengine Formation of the Mount Diablo Coalfield, California
Authors: Sullivan Raymond , Sullivan Morgan D. , Dedmon Patrick , Edwards Stephen 
Published: July 2021

ABSTRACT
Mount Diablo Coalfield was the largest producer of coal in California from the 1860s to 1906. The now-depleted coalfield is located on the northeast limb of the Mount Diablo anticline. The mineable coal seams occur in the Middle Eocene Domengine Formation, which is predominantly composed of quartz-rich sandstone with several thin coal seams. As many as 26 mine operations were established to mine the coal, and it has been estimated that the total production exceeded 4 million tons. The coal fueled the industrial growth of the major cities of northern California. The mines closed at the turn of the nineteenth century as competition from better coals from Washington Territory and overseas entered the market. After coal mining was abandoned, sand operations were established in the early and mid-twentieth century to mine the silica-rich sandstone. The extraction methods used for sand were underground room-and-pillar mining and surface open-pit mining. The high-quality sand was used widely in the production of pottery and glass, and in foundries. Previous studies have interpreted the environment of deposition of these quartz-rich sandstone and coal deposits as barrier island with tidal channels or delta, tidal shelf, and marsh complexes along a north-south–trending shoreline. However, the excellent exposures in the sand mines display abundant evidence for their deposition in a fluvial/estuarine system. Their regional distribution indicates that they were deposited in a northeast-southwest–trending incised-valley system formed by fluvial incision during a lowstand. The incised valley was filled with fluvial and estuarine deposits made up of quartz-rich sand brought in by streams that flowed westward from the Sierra Nevada.
Corneal confocal microscopy identifies corneal nerve fibre loss and increased dendritic cells in patients with long COVID
Authors: Bitirgen Gulfidan , Korkmaz Celalettin , Zamani Adil , Ozkagnici Ahmet , Zengin Nazmi , Ponirakis Georgios , Malik Rayaz A 
Published: July 2021

Background/AimsLong COVID is characterised by a range of potentially debilitating symptoms which develop in at least 10% of people who have recovered from acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. This study has quantified corneal sub-basal nerve plexus morphology and dendritic cell (DC) density in patients with and without long COVID.MethodsForty subjects who had recovered from COVID-19 and 30 control participants were included in this cross-sectional comparative study undertaken at a university hospital. All patients underwent assessment with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) long COVID, Douleur Neuropathique 4 (DN4) and Fibromyalgia questionnaires, and corneal confocal microscopy (CCM) to quantify corneal nerve fibre density (CNFD), corneal nerve branch density (CNBD), corneal nerve fibre length (CNFL), and total, mature and immature DC density.ResultsThe mean time after the diagnosis of COVID-19 was 3.7±1.5 months. Patients with neurological symptoms 4 weeks after acute COVID-19 had a lower CNFD (p=0.032), CNBD (p=0.020), and CNFL (p=0.012), and increased DC density (p=0.046) compared with controls, while patients without neurological symptoms had comparable corneal nerve parameters, but increased DC density (p=0.003). There were significant correlations between the total score on the NICE long COVID questionnaire at 4 and 12 weeks with CNFD (ρ=−0.436; p=0.005, ρ=−0.387; p=0.038, respectively) and CNFL (ρ=−0.404; p=0.010, ρ=−0.412; p=0.026, respectively).ConclusionCorneal confocal microscopy identifies corneal small nerve fibre loss and increased DCs in patients with long COVID, especially those with neurological symptoms. CCM could be used to objectively identify patients with long COVID.
Dimensions of safety culture: a systematic review of quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods for assessing safety culture in hospitals
Authors: Churruca Kate , Ellis Louise A , Pomare Chiara , Hogden Anne , Bierbaum Mia , Long Janet C , Olekalns Aleksandra , Braithwaite Jeffrey 
Published: July 2021

BackgroundThe study of safety culture and its relationship to patient care have been challenged by variation in definition, dimensionality and methods of assessment. This systematic review aimed to map methods to assess safety culture in hospitals, analyse the prevalence of these methods in the published research literature and examine the dimensions of safety culture captured through these processes.MethodsWe included studies reporting on quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods to assess safety culture in hospitals. The review was conducted using four academic databases (PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus and Web of Science) with studies from January 2008 to May 2020. A formal quality appraisal was not conducted. Study purpose, type of method and safety culture dimensions were extracted from all studies, coded thematically, and summarised narratively and using descriptive statistics where appropriate.ResultsA total of 694 studies were included. A third (n=244, 35.2%) had a descriptive or exploratory purpose, 225 (32.4%) tested relationships among variables, 129 (18.6%) evaluated an intervention, while 13.8% (n=96) had a methodological focus. Most studies exclusively used surveys (n=663; 95.5%), with 88 different surveys identified. Only 31 studies (4.5%) used qualitative or mixed methods. Thematic analysis identified 11 themes related to safety culture dimensions across the methods, with ‘Leadership’ being the most common. Qualitative and mixed methods approaches were more likely to identify additional dimensions of safety culture not covered by the 11 themes, including improvisation and contextual pressures.DiscussionWe assessed the extent to which safety culture dimensions mapped to specific quantitative and qualitative tools and methods of assessing safety culture. No single method or tool appeared to measure all 11 themes of safety culture. Risk of publication bias was high in this review. Future attempts to assess safety culture in hospitals should consider incorporating qualitative methods into survey studies to evaluate this multi-faceted construct.
‘Function First’: how to promote physical activity and physical function in people with long-term conditions managed in primary care? A study combining realist and co-design methods
Authors: Law Rebecca-Jane , Langley Joseph , Hall Beth , Burton Christopher , Hiscock Julia , Williams Lynne , Morrison Val , Lemmey Andrew , Lovell-Smith Candida , Gallanders John , Cooney Jennifer Kate , Williams Nefyn 
Published: July 2021

ObjectivesTo develop a taxonomy of interventions and a programme theory explaining how interventions improve physical activity and function in people with long-term conditions managed in primary care. To co-design a prototype intervention informed by the programme theory.DesignRealist synthesis combining evidence from a wide range of rich and relevant literature with stakeholder views. Resulting context, mechanism and outcome statements informed co-design and knowledge mobilisation workshops with stakeholders to develop a primary care service innovation.ResultsA taxonomy was produced, including 13 categories of physical activity interventions for people with long-term conditions.Abridged realist programme theoryRoutinely addressing physical activity within consultations is dependent on a reinforcing practice culture, and targeted resources, with better coordination, will generate more opportunities to address low physical activity. The adaptation of physical activity promotion to individual needs and preferences of people with long-term conditions helps affect positive patient behaviour change. Training can improve knowledge, confidence and capability of practice staff to better promote physical activity. Engagement in any physical activity promotion programme will depend on the degree to which it makes sense to patients and professions, and is seen as trustworthy.Co-designThe programme theory informed the co-design of a prototype intervention to: improve physical literacy among practice staff; describe/develop the role of a physical activity advisor who can encourage the use of local opportunities to be more active; and provide materials to support behaviour change.ConclusionsPrevious physical activity interventions in primary care have had limited effect. This may be because they have only partially addressed factors emerging in our programme theory. The co-designed prototype intervention aims to address all elements of this emergent theory, but needs further development and consideration alongside current schemes and contexts (including implications relevant to COVID-19), and testing in a future study. The integration of realist and co-design methods strengthened this study.
Adapting the Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) to engage poor urban communities in Ghana: protocol for a participatory action research study
Authors: Abboah-Offei Mary , Gyasi Darkwa Akosua , Ayim Andrews , Ansah-Ofei Adelaide Maria , Dovlo Delanyo , Awoonor‐Williams John K , Agongo Erasmus Emmanuel Akurugu , Agyepong Irene Akua , Elsey Helen 
Published: July 2021

IntroductionWith rapid urbanisation in low-income and middle-income countries, health systems are struggling to meet the needs of their growing populations. Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) in Ghana have been effective in improving maternal and child health in rural areas; however, implementation in urban areas has proven challenging. This study aims to engage key stakeholders in urban communities to understand how the CHPS model can be adapted to reach poor urban communities.Methods and analysisA Participatory Action Research (PAR) will be used to develop an urban CHPS model with stakeholders in three selected CHPS zones: (a) Old Fadama (Yam and Onion Market community), (b) Adedenkpo and (c) Adotrom 2, representing three categories of poor urban neighbourhoods in Accra, Ghana. Two phases will be implemented: phase 1 (‘reconnaissance phase) will engage and establish PAR research groups in the selected zones, conduct focus groups and individual interviews with urban residents, households vulnerable to ill-health and CHPS staff and key stakeholders. A desk review of preceding efforts to implement CHPS will be conducted to understand what worked (or not), how and why. Findings from phase 1 will be used to inform and co-create an urban CHPS model in phase 2, where PAR groups will be involved in multiple recurrent stages (cycles) of community-based planning, observation, action and reflection to develop and refine the urban CHPS model. Data will be managed using NVivo software and coded using the domains of community engagement as a framework to understand community assets and potential for engagement.Ethics and disseminationThis study has been approved by the University of York’s Health Sciences Research Governance Committee and the Ghana Health Service Ethics Review Committee. The results of this study will guide the scale-up of CHPS across urban areas in Ghana, which will be disseminated through journal publications, community and government stakeholder workshops, policy briefs and social media content. This study is also funded by the Medical Research Council, UK.