bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Limitations to the Competence of Civil Servants in Denmark
Authors: Harder Erik 
Published: July 2018

by Erik Harder It is a generally admitted principle that no person taking part in deliberations on any administrative matter should have a personal interest in their outcome, and the various systems of Administrative Law provide appropriate safeguards. But it is easier to formulate principles than to state precisely when officials should be precluded from acting. The mere possibility of bias is insufficient to compel an official to step aside, since the advantage of keeping to normal procedures may outweigh the risk involved. Administrative practice provides for particular interests to be represented in some cases. In other terms, an elected or nominated official is not deemed incompetent to defend the interests he represents. The method of replacing one official by another is used even more widely than necessary, and the possibility of conflicting interests thus practically eliminated. But administrative practice is not a sufficient guide for deducing legal rules. Incompetence should be invoked only when insuperable difficulties arise, for it should be kept in mind that no rule can be purely negative. The problem is entirely one of ensuring impartial treatment, but it is not always administratively feasible to refer a matter to an alternative agency. In practice, when a case of personal incompetence occurs, the problem is often solved by reference to the immediately superior authority. A prerequisite for an appeal on the ground of incompetence is consequently that the availability of an alternative method of deciding the case should be demonstrated. A number of instances are quoted, illustrating principles and practice, and varying in each case with the degree and nature of the conflicting interest. The problem of preconceived opinion in a matter sub judice is also examined.
Some Points of the Civil Service Law of Switzerland
Authors: Steiner Ernest 
Published: July 2018

by Dr. Ernest Steiner, Barrister-at-Law Due to the federal character of the Swiss State, there is a notable diversity in the administrative structures of the Central Authority, the several cantons and the municipalities. A number of traits are noteworthy, particularly by students from abroad. In small cantons (such as Uri and Schwyz) members of the State Council follow some external profession or trade, and devote only part of their time to the conduct of public affairs. This is also true of Geneva, where some of the councillors are practising lawyers. The Prefects of some cantons (such as Lucerne) are in the same position. In the lower and the cantonal courts, some of the asessors, or assistant judges, are farmers, skilled workmen or common labourers, some Benches even being filled exclusively with non-jurists. Some of the Swiss offices are elective. The higher office-holders of the Confederation, the Federal Councillors, the Federal Chancellor, and the Federal Judges, are chosen by the Federal Assembly (Parliament) both Houses sitting together. The Federal civil servants are appointed by the Federal Council, or by delegation of its powers. In the cantons, members of the Government are elected by popular vote. The Grand Council appoints the members of the Cantonal Courts. Prefects (whose office is not found in every canton) are elected popularly, or by the State Council. Presidents and judges of the lower courts are elected either popularly or by the Cantonal Court. Municipal councillorship is elective. Lower local officials are appointed by the Municipal Council. In some cantons, even elementary schoolmasters are elected by popular vote, though elsewhere this is the responsibility of the Municipal Council assisted by the board of governors. The Federal Authorities work on the principle of periodic reelection of civil servants, none of whom is theoretically appointed on a permanent basis. The tenure of office is habitually of four years in theory, but in practice re-appointment is almost certain. Federal Civil Servants are ineligible to the Federal Legislature. This is, however, not generally so at the canton level, and they may stand for election to most Cantonal Councils.
Hard-tissue Substrates for Evaluation of Cariogenic and Anti-cariogenic Activity in situ
Authors: Mellberg J.R. 
Published: July 2018

Hard-tissue substrates include primarily human and bovine enamel and human dentin. They have been used for in situ studies in a natural or sound condition, as well as flattened or containing an in vitro-formed caries-like lesion. Human enamel and dentin are generally the substrates of choice for studies of coronal and root-surface caries, respectively, but bovine enamel appears to offer a suitable alternative for many studies of enamel caries. Substrates with caries-like lesions will respond more rapidly to changes in the intra-oral mineral equilibrium and will allow both demineralization and remineralization to be determined. Findings from some studies suggest that caries-like lesions may respond somewhat differently, depending upon the degree of mineralization of the surface layer. Because in vitro findings with dentin show it to be significantly more soluble in acid than enamel, results from a study that used dentin may not be directly applicable to enamel. Both enamel and dentin substrates can be used in thin-section models. Hard-tissue substrates can also differ, depending upon their intra-oral location. Locations that result in the accumulation of plaque will behave differently from those that are plaque-free. So that plaque would accumulate, substrates have been placed approximally, beneath a fabric or steel mesh, in a protected trough, beneath a metal band or within a depression on the buccal surface. For studies requiring a determination of both demineralization and remineralization, human enamel or dentin containing a surface-softened caries-like lesion and covered with a uniform natural plaque are the substrates of choice.
Intra-oral Models to Assess Cariogenicity: Evaluation of Oral Fluoride and pH
Authors: Duckworth R.M. , Gilbert R.J. 
Published: July 2018

The main purpose of this paper is to review the various methods used for evaluation of fluoride retention in saliva, plaque, and enamel following application of topical anti-caries treatments such as F dentifrices and F mouthwashes. Such methods monitor delivery of fluoride to the site of action, the mouth, and so can be regarded as assessing potential for treatment action. It is concluded that intra-oral fluoride measurements are appropriate to support bioequivalence claims for anti-caries treatments, provided that particular chosen methods have been calibrated against clinical data. Studies purporting to show superiority are of interest mechanistically, but links to caries are not sufficiently understood to define superiority claims. A wide variety of methods has been used for determination of the fluoride content of enamel. Of these, well-established methods such as the micro-drill and acid-etch procedures are appropriate for routine comparative testing, whereas sophisticated instrumental techniques such as SIMS are more appropriate for detailed mechanistic studies. Intra-oral pH measurements are also relevant to many topical treatments. Single-site determinations in plaque are preferred, but for comparative studies non-specific determinations may be adequate.
Comparing disability between traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury using the 12-item WHODAS 2.0 and the WHO minimal generic data set covering functioning and health
Authors: Tarvonen-Schröder Sinikka , Tenovuo Olli , Kaljonen Anne , Laimi Katri 
Published: July 2018

Objective: To compare disability between two patient groups using short validated tools based on International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: University hospital specialist outpatient clinic. Subjects: A total of 94 patients with traumatic brain injury and 59 with spinal cord injury. Main measures: Disability evaluated using self-reported and proxy 12-item WHODAS 2.0 (World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule), and physician-rated WHO minimal generic data set covering functioning and health. Results: The two measures used showed severe but very different disabilities in these patient groups. Disability was assessed worse by physicians in the spinal cord injury population (sum 15.8 vs. 12.7, P = 0.0001), whereas disability assessed by the patients did not differ significantly between the two groups (sum 18.4 vs. 21.2). Further analysis revealed that in patients with “high disability” (the minimal generic data set score ⩾15), self-reported functioning was more severely impaired in the traumatic brain injury group compared to the spinal cord injury group (29.7 vs. 21.4, P < 0.0001), with no difference between these two diagnostic groups in patients with “low disability” (the minimal generic data set below 15). Patients with traumatic brain injury perceived more difficulties in cognition, getting along and participation, patients with spinal cord injury in mobility and self-care. Conclusion: Both generic measures were able to detect severe disability but also to detect differences between two patient populations with different underlying diagnoses.
Central dislocation of femoral head without involvement of acetabular anterior and posterior columns
Authors: Xiao Xingling , Chen Jiahui , Wang Canbin , Liu Han , Li Tao , Wang Hua , Fan Shicai 
Published: July 2018

Objective This study was performed to explore the treatment of central dislocation of the femoral head without involvement of the acetabular columns. Methods Preoperatively, a three-dimensionally printed model of the patient’s pelvis was manufactured according to the patient’s computed tomography data. An all-locking anatomical plate was designed based on the mirror of the ipsilesional semi-pelvis. The fracture was reduced using reduction forceps and femoral traction via the lateral rectus approach. The customized plate was used as a template for reduction of the quadrilateral plate fracture. Results Reduction and fixation of this patient’s fracture was achieved with a customized all-locking anatomical plate with a propeller shape via the lateral rectus approach. Conclusions This report describes an isolated quadrilateral plate fracture with central dislocation of the femoral head without involvement of the columns, which is a rare injury that has not yet been classified. It was effectively treated using a customized all-locking anatomical plate with propeller shape via the lateral rectus approach.
The Effect of Chronic Ischemia on the Primate Optic Nerve
Authors: Cioffi G. A. , Sullivan P. 
Published: July 2018

Purpose To develop an in vivo model of chronic optic nerve ischemia to study the role of vascular insufficiency in the development of glaucomatous optic neuropathy. Methods We surgically implanted osmotically-driven mini-pumps that allowed the continuous micro-application of 0.2 micrograms/day of endothelin-1 (ET-1) into the retrobulbar optic nerve of rabbits and rhesus monkeys. ET-1 was delivered for 2 to 6 months, following which histological studies were performed. Results Both rabbits and primates experienced a 35% to 38% decrease in optic nerve blood flow with corresponding focal narrowing of the vessels supplying the optic nerve. In the rabbit model, optic disc excavation and histologic tissue loss in the anterior optic nerve resulted from the induced ischemia. Conclusions Chronic ischemia of the primate anterior optic nerve induced with endothelin-1 infusion resulted in diffuse loss of axons without a change in the intraocular pressure.
Effects of sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors on the kidney
Authors: de Albuquerque Rocha Natalia , Neeland Ian J , McCullough Peter A , Toto Robert D , McGuire Darren K 
Published: July 2018

Sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors are antihyperglycaemic medications with an emerging evidence base for cardiovascular and kidney disease risk reduction. Sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors medications lower plasma glucose by inhibiting glucose reabsorption in the proximal tubule of the kidney independent of insulin. Furthermore, they reduce intraglomerular pressure by restoring tubuloglomerular feedback. Large cardiovascular outcome trials of both empagliflozin and canagliflozin have consistently shown beneficial kidney effects that go beyond glycaemic control, such as reducing risk for incident nephropathy and progression of chronic kidney disease. The mechanisms by which sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors improve kidney outcomes are not clear.Proposed hypotheses underpinning the kidney benefits include kidney-specific effects such as decreased intraglomerular pressure, activation of angiotensin-(1-7) and the Mas receptor leading to decreased inflammation, decrease in overall kidney oxygen consumption, rise in erythropoietin levels, inhibition of the renal sodium–hydrogen exchanger and secondary kidney effects related to improvements in HbA1cand blood pressure.This review will focus on describing the mechanisms of action of sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors in the kidney, clinical efficacy data on their use in patients with chronic kidney disease, postulated physiologic underpinnings of kidney protection observed with sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors and the promise and potential pitfalls for their use in patients with chronic kidney disease.
Comparison of Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy Combined With or Without Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization for Patients With Small Hepatocellular Carcinoma Ineligible for Resection or Ablation Therapies
Authors: Kimura Tomoki , Aikata Hiroshi , Doi Yoshiko , Imano Nobuki , Takeuchi Yuki , Takahashi Ippei , Nishibuchi Ikuno , Katsuta Tsuyoshi , Kenjo Masahiro , Murakami Yuji , Awai Kazuo , Chayama Kazuaki , Nagata Yasushi 
Published: July 2018

Introduction: To compare the efficacy and safety of stereotactic body radiation therapy with or without transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for patients with small hepatocellular carcinoma who were ineligible for resection or ablation therapies. Methods: A total of 150 patients with 185 hepatocellular carcinoma (≤3 nodules, Child-Turcotte-Pugh class A or B, and no vascular or extrahepatic metastases) were treated with stereotactic body radiation therapy. In principle, transcatheter arterial chemoembolization was combined before stereotactic body radiation therapy (combination group), but some patients were treated with stereotactic body radiation therapy alone. The prescribed dose of stereotactic body radiation therapy was 48 Gy in 4 fractions at the isocenter and 40 Gy in 4 or 5 fractions at the dose covering 95% of the planning target volume. The overall survival, progression-free survival, local progression free survival, and complication rates were retrospectively compared between the groups. Local progression was defined as irradiated tumor growth in dynamic computed tomography follow-up. Tumor responses were assessed according to the Modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors. Treatment-related toxicities were evaluated according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.0. Results: Twenty-eight and 122 patients were enrolled in the stereotactic body radiation therapy alone and combination groups, respectively. The median follow-up periods were 16 and 29 months, respectively. The 2-year overall, progression-free, and local progression-free survival times in stereotactic body radiation therapy alone and combination groups were 78.6% and 80.3% ( P = .6583), 49.0% and 42.9% ( P = .188), and 71.4% and 80.8% ( P = .9661), respectively. The incidence of ≥grade 3 toxicities was 17.9% in stereotactic body radiation therapy alone group and 18.9% in combination group ( P = .903). Conclusions: Stereotactic body radiation therapy alone may be a good treatment option for patients with small hepatocellular carcinoma who were ineligible for resection or ablation therapies.
High Immune Expression of Progesterone-Induced Blocking Factor in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Madendag Yusuf , Sahin Erdem , Madendag Ilknur Col , Sahin Mefkure Eraslan , Acmaz Gokhan , Karaman Hatice 
Published: July 2018

Background: Progesterone-induced blocking factor, which is released from maternal lymphocytes during pregnancy mediates the immune effect of progesterone. According to new reports, it is suggested that proliferating cells, such as human trophoblasts, mesenchymal stem cells, and malignant tumors, can excrete progesterone-induced blocking factor at high ratio to escape from maternal immunity. It is shown in recent studies that progesterone-induced blocking factor is overexpressed in many malignant tumors such as breast, cervical, lymphoma, and leukemia. There are no data about progesterone-induced blocking factor expression in ovarian cancer cells. Hence, it is aimed to determine the progesterone-induced blocking factor expression levels in epithelial ovarian cancer. Methods: The study which was a retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted in a University Hospital. Twenty tissue specimens of patients with epithelial ovarian cancer and 20 tissue specimens of patients with healthy ovary were included in the study. Primary rabbit polyclonal anti- progesterone-induced blocking factor antibody was used to incubate the sections at a ratio of 1:300. Results: When the tissue sections were compared based on immunostaining with progesterone-induced blocking factor, we detected high stromal progesterone-induced blocking factor expression in the epithelial ovarian cancer group as check against to the normal ovarian group ( P = .007). Similarly, we found high glandular progesterone-induced blocking factor expression in the epithelial ovarian cancer group as check against to the normal ovarian group ( P < .001). Conclusion: Proving the existence of progesterone-induced blocking factor expression in epithelial ovarian cancer cells may lead new visions or new studies for epithelial ovarian cancer immunotherapy. As a result, epithelial ovarian cancer cells have greater levels of expression of progesterone-induced blocking factor protein than normal ovarian tissue according to immunohistochemistry. Further research is needed to understand the clinical importance of this finding, to learn outcomes of high levels of progesterone-induced blocking factor, and to investigate its underlying mechanisms.
DNA Methylation of ProximalPLATPromoter in Chronic Rhinosinusitis With Nasal Polyps
Authors: Kidoguchi Masanori , Noguchi Emiko , Nakamura Takako , Ninomiya Takahiro , Morii Wataru , Yoshida Kanako , Morikawa Taiyo , Kato Yukinori , Imoto Yoshimasa , Sakashita Masafumi , Takabayashi Tetsuji , Fujieda Shigeharu 
Published: July 2018

BackgroundNasal polyps (NP) are characterized by pseudocysts derived from stromal tissue edema and cause persistent infections in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). A low level of tissue-type plasminogen activator (gene name PLAT) is considered a cause of stromal tissue edema because of insufficient plasmin activation in NP; however, the mechanism regulating PLAT gene expression levels is still unclear. The epigenetic mechanism regulating the PLAT gene expression has been studied in other tissues.ObjectiveWe aimed to investigate the methylation levels in the proximal PLAT promoter and their effects on gene expression in NP tissue.MethodsWe investigated the methylation levels at 3 CpG sites in the proximal PLAT promoter regions (−618, −121, and −105 with respect to the transcription initiation site) by bisulfite pyrosequencing and their effects on the gene expression by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) in 20 paired samples of NP and inferior turbinate tissue (IT) from patients with CRS.ResultsThe DNA methylation levels at all CpG sites were higher ( P < .01), and the PLAT expression was lower ( P < .001) in NP compared with IT. The methylation changes at the −618 site showed a negative correlation with the gene expression changes between NP and IT ( r = −.65, P < .01).ConclusionsHypermethylation of PLAT promoter may downregulate the gene expression in NP, leading to excessive fibrin deposition by aberrant coagulation cascade. DNA methylation of proximal PLAT promoter may contribute to NP growth and have a potential as a new therapeutic target.
The Burden Experience of Formal and Informal Caregivers of Older Adults With Hip Fracture in Nigeria
Authors: Diameta Emofe , Adandom Isreal , Jumbo Samuel U. , Nwankwo Henrietha C. , Obi Perpetua C. , Kalu Michael E. 
Published: July 2018

Introduction The incidence of hip fracture among older adults in Nigeria is on the rise. As a result, there is increased frequency of hospitalization, patient suffering, family burden, and societal cost. One dimension that has not been sufficiently explored is the burden of care experienced by informal and formal caregivers. Objectives To describe the care burden experience of informal and formal caregivers for older adults with hip fractures in a specialized orthopedic center in Nigeria and to explore in detail how their experience differs in caregiving roles. Method This study was conducted in the phenomenological approach of qualitative methods. Face-to-face interviews and focus group interaction with 12 family caregivers and 5 health-care professionals were carried out until data saturation was achieved. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results The physical, emotional, and general health of elderly hip fracture patients are issues that affect caregiving. Factors that contribute to increased caregivers’ burden include system factors (lack of personnel and health-care facilities) and patient factors: comorbidity, patient’s cognitive status, and challenges completing activities of daily living (ADL). Social and financial barriers to care contribute to the type of burden experienced by the participants. Conclusions Caregivers experience difficulty in helping patients complete their ADL because patients with hip fracture have mobility issues that are often complicated by comorbid physical and cognitive problems. Strategies to reduce caregivers’ burden for older adults with hip fracture in Nigeria are needed. Greater access to health-care services and ADL aids, and training of caregivers on how to deal with cognitive and multimorbid health problems are potential solutions.
Management of Global Large-Scale Projects through a Federation of Multiple Web-Based Workflow Management Systems
Authors: Badir Yuosre F. , Founou Rémi , Stricker Claude , Bourquin Vincent 
Published: July 2018

With globalization and the networked world of today, there is a dire need for a reliable and efficient model to manage, monitor, and control global large-scale projects (GLSPs), which contain thousands of workflows and hundreds of organizations located at different sites. Companies are faced with an increasingly competitive and hostile environment. The terms “information exchange,” “compatibility,” and “interoperability” have become ubiquitous in this environment. To survive, companies will have to constantly develop newer and better methods for managing and controlling the execution of GLSPs. Those projects cannot be managed efficiently and effectively without Web-based models that automate the business processes and extend them beyond the organization, and fill the information needs of project parties at all levels, from individual team members to high-level managers. This paper proposes a conceptual framework for a Web-based information and project management (WBIPM) model that enables the GLSP management team (1) to monitor, control, and coordinate the execution of multiple workflows operating within, across, or between organizations, and (2) to coordinate information flow from the time it is created until it is eliminated and to share this information among all project members. This proposed Web-based model builds a collaborative network that brings together any customer, supplier, or partner, and itl is especially helpful in situations where project members are located at different sites.