bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Empowerment through participation in local governance: the case of Union Parishad in Bangladesh
Authors: Uddin Nasir 
Published: June 2019

PurposeThe traditional concept of people’s participation through their representatives is changing to the mechanism of direct participation of community people in the local governing process. In coupling with these, the Constitution of Bangladesh and the local government acts guarantee to foster the direct participation of people in the formation of local bodies and development programs. The purpose of this paper is to explore the avenues of people’s participation in local government, particularly the Union Parishad (UP) in Bangladesh, and to evaluate the empowerment of marginalized community through those avenues.Design/methodology/approachUsing a broad descriptive and analytical approach, this paper evaluates the relationship between participation and empowerment of local community based on the review of secondary sources of information.FindingsThe local government institutions, particularly UP, has existed many mechanisms through which people participate in decision-making process. It is also believed that participation of community people in local government institutions is not only an opportunity for them but also an apparatus of empowerment. Hence, the process of empowerment is entrenched in the notion of participation. It is evident that the people at grass root level have been participating in UP in diverse arrangements, but the effectiveness of these participations in terms of empowerment is still meager and even lack.Originality/valueThough a long time has passed after introducing these participatory mechanisms, very few studies have undertaken to assess the people’s participation in local government. Additionally, no single initiative was undertaken to assess how empowerment of marginalized people happened through these initiatives as empowering community people is the key objective of it.
Elucidating investors rationality and behavioural biases in Indian stock market
Authors: Mushinada Venkata Narasimha Chary , Veluri Venkata Subrahmanya Sarma 
Published: June 2019

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to empirically test the relationship between investors’ rationality and behavioural biases like self-attribution, overconfidence.

Design/methodology/approach
The study applies structural equation modelling to understand whether individual investors, besides being rational, are subjected to self-attribution bias and overconfidence bias.

Findings
The study shows the empirical evidence in the support of behavioural biases like self-attribution and overconfidence existing besides investors’ rationality. Moreover, there is a statistically significant positive covariance found between self-attribution and overconfidence, implying that an increase/decrease in self-attribution results in the increase/decrease in overconfidence and vice versa. It is also observed that the personal characteristics of an investor such as gender, age, occupation, annual income and their trading experience have an impact on behavioural biases.

Research limitations/implications
The study focused on rational decision making, self-attribution and overconfidence biases using primary data. Further studies can be encouraged to test the existence of behavioural biases based on both market level and individual account data simultaneously.

Practical implications
Insights from the study suggest that the investors should perform a post-analysis of each investment, so that they become aware of past behavioural mistakes and stop continuing the same. This might help investors to minimise the negative impact of self-attribution and overconfidence on their expected utility.

Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to examine the relationship among investors’ rationality, self-attribution and overconfidence in the Indian context using a comprehensive survey.
Ascitic IL‐10 Concentration Predicts Prognosis of Patients Undergoing Cell‐Free and Concentrated Ascites Reinfusion Therapy
Authors: Ito Tetsuya , Hanafusa Norio , Iwase Satoru , Noiri Eisei , Nangaku Masaomi , Nakagawa Keiichi , Miyagawa Kiyoshi 
Published: June 2019

AbstractCell‐free and concentrated ascites reinfusion therapy (CART) is now attracting rising attention as one of the strategies against cancer‐related malignant ascites in Japan. Several studies report the safety, effectiveness, and complications of CART applied to patients with malignancies. However, its mechanism reflecting these effects still remains unclear. We evaluated concentration of inflammatory cytokines including interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐12, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, and immunosuppressive cytokine IL‐10 in ascites before CART procedures. We investigated their impacts on survival. IL‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐8, TNF‐α, and IL‐10 were detected in ascites of the patients undergoing CART. Significant body temperature elevation, one potential complication of CART, was observed among the patients although it was not clinically important. There were no significant correlations between changes in body temperature and the concentration of IL‐6, IL‐8, and IL‐10. The presence of IL‐10 in ascites significantly related to longer survival after the first session of CART procedures. However, we observed no other clinically important correlation between cytokine concentrations and changes in WBC and CRP. Concentration of inflammatory cytokines in ascites did not relate to body temperature change, the chief complication of CART. Surprisingly, the presence of IL‐10 in ascites related to longer survival after CART. Immunological environment of cancer‐related ascites may reflect the outcome of CART and improve survival in those with malignancy.
Two‐Stage Agricultural Ditch Sediments Act as Phosphorus Sinks in West Michigan
Authors: Kindervater Emily , Steinman Alan D. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractPhosphorus (P) and sediment inputs from agricultural drainage contribute to the development of hypereutrophic conditions in lakes across the world. Two‐stage (2‐S) ditches, an agricultural best management practice gaining acceptance in the Midwestern United States, increase floodplain area within drainage ditches to help capture nutrients and sediment. While denitrification has been shown to increase on 2‐S benches, less is known about their P retention ability. This study assessed the abiotic and biotic P retention of two separate 2‐S ditches compared to their corresponding traditional reaches directly upstream within the Macatawa watershed, located in West Michigan. Soluble reactive P export was significantly reduced in 2‐S baseflow of both ditch systems. Equilibrium P concentration values suggest retention of P within the 2‐S sediment. P was bound within stable fractions in both 2‐S and traditional reaches. An analysis of P stock within the ditches revealed sediment held over 96% of total P (TP) within each reach compared to <4% in bench vegetation and periphyton combined. Turbidity, but not TP, was reduced in one study ditch, whereas TP, but not turbidity, was reduced in the other study ditch. Geomorphic stability may have been responsible for differing P retention between ditches. Ability to retain P appears to be impacted by physical as well as biogeochemical characteristics; hence, structure and age of 2‐S reaches influence P retention.
Uptake of endoscopic screening for gastroesophageal varices and factors associated with variceal bleeding in patients with chronic hepatitis C infection and compensated cirrhosis, 2005‐2016: a national database linkage study
Authors: McDonald Scott A. , Barclay Stephen T. , Hutchinson Sharon J. , Stanley Adrian J. , Fraser Andrew , Dillon John F. , Innes Hamish A. , Peters Erica , Kennedy Nicholas , Bathgate Andrew , Bramley Peter , Morris Judith , Goldberg David J. , Hayes Peter C. 
Published: June 2019

SummaryBackgroundPrimary measures for preventing morbidity and mortality associated with bleeding gastroesophageal varices in cirrhotic patients include endoscopic screening.AimTo identify factors associated with (a) screening and (b) first hospital admission for variceal bleeding among cirrhotic hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients attending specialist care in Scotland.MethodsThe Scottish Hepatitis C Clinical Database was linked to national hospitalisation and deaths records to identify all chronic HCV patients diagnosed with compensated cirrhosis in 2005‐2016 (n = 2741). The adjusted odds of being screened by calendar year period were estimated using logistic regression, and the adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of a first variceal bleed using Cox regression.ResultsAbout 34% were screened within the period starting 12 months before and ending 12 months after cirrhosis diagnosis. The proportion screened was stable in 2005‐2010 at 42%, declining to 37% in 2011‐2013 and 26% in 2014‐2016. Odds of screening were decreased for age‐groups <40 (OR = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.48‐0.77) and 60+ years (OR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.48‐0.94), history of antiviral therapy (OR = 0.70, 95% CI: 0.55‐0.89), and cirrhosis diagnosis in 2014‐2015, compared with 2008‐2010 (OR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.52‐0.86). Compared with 2008‐2010, there was no evidence for an increased/decreased relative risk of a first variceal bleed in any other period, but viral clearance was associated with a lower risk (HR = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.32‐0.97).ConclusionsOverall screening uptake following cirrhosis diagnosis was low, and the decline in recent years is of concern. The stable bleeding risk over time may be attributable both to ongoing prevention initiatives and to changing diagnostic procedures creating a patient pool with milder disease in more recent years.
Legacies of more frequent drought in ponderosa pine across the western United States
Authors: Peltier Drew M. P. , Ogle Kiona 
Published: June 2019

AbstractDespite widespread interest in drought legacies—multiyear impacts of drought on tree growth—the key implication of reported drought legacies remains unaddressed: as impaired growth and slow recovery associated with drought legacies are pervasive across forest ecosystems, what is the impact of more frequent drought conditions? We investigated the assumption that either multiple drought years occurring during a short period (multiyear droughts), or droughts occurring during the recovery period from previous drought (compounded droughts), are detrimental to subsequent growth. There is evidence that drought responses may vary among populations of widespread species, leading us to examine regional differences in responses of the conifer Pinus ponderosa to historic drought frequency in the western United States. More frequent drought conditions incurred additional growth declines and shifts in growth–climate sensitivities in the years following drought relative to single‐drought events, with ‘triple‐droughts' being worse than ‘double‐droughts'. Notably, prediction skill was not strongly reduced when ignoring compounded droughts, a consequence of the temporally comprehensive formulation of our stochastic antecedent model that accounts for the climatic memory of tree growth. We argue that incorporating drought‐induced temporal variability in tree growth sensitivities can aid inference gained from statistical models, where more simplistic models could overestimate the severity of drought legacies. We also found regional differences in response to repeated drought, and suggest plastic post‐drought sensitivities and climatic memory may represent beneficial physiological adjustments in interior regions. Within‐species variability may thus mediate forest responses to increasing drought frequency under future climate change, but experimental approaches using more species are necessary to improve our understanding of the mechanisms that underlie drought legacy effects on tree growth.
Modeling Partial Knowledge on Multiple‐Choice Items Using Elimination Testing
Authors: Wu Qian , De Laet Tinne , Janssen Rianne 
Published: June 2019

AbstractSingle‐best answers to multiple‐choice items are commonly dichotomized into correct and incorrect responses, and modeled using either a dichotomous item response theory (IRT) model or a polytomous one if differences among all response options are to be retained. The current study presents an alternative IRT‐based modeling approach to multiple‐choice items administered with the procedure of elimination testing, which asks test‐takers to eliminate all the response options they consider to be incorrect. The partial credit model is derived for the obtained responses. By extracting more information pertaining to test‐takers’ partial knowledge on the items, the proposed approach has the advantage of providing more accurate estimation of the latent ability. In addition, it may shed some light on the possible answering processes of test‐takers on the items. As an illustration, the proposed approach is applied to a classroom examination of an undergraduate course in engineering science.
Effect of glazing on translucency, color, and surface roughness of monolithic zirconia materials
Authors: Manziuc Manuela‐Maria , Gasparik Cristina , Burde Alexandru V. , Colosi Horaţiu A. , Negucioiu Marius , Dudea Diana 
Published: June 2019

AbstractObjectivesTo assess the effect of material, thickness and glazing upon the color, translucency, and roughness of monolithic zirconia.Materials and methodsSixty discs (0.8, 1.5, and 2 mm thickness) were fabricated from A1 translucent zirconia (IPS e.max ZirCAD/MT, Katana/HT, Vita YZ/HT, Cercon/HT) and glazed. Roughness (Ra) was assessed with a profilometer and color coordinates were measured with a spectrophotometer on a black, white, and tooth‐shaded background before and after glazing. Relative translucency parameter (RTP), color differences (CIEDE2000) and differences in translucencies between materials, before and after glazing were calculated. RTP, Ra, color differences were statistically analyzed using ANOVA. Any significant interaction between factors was further analyzed using Tukey's HSD.ResultsRTP values were significantly different between materials (P < .001) and thicknesses (P < .001), with the interaction effect between material type and thickness, also significant (P < .001). However, glazing did not have a significant effect on RTP values (P = .782). Color differences resulted after glazing were significantly different between materials (P < .001), and thicknesses (P < .001) with the interaction effect also significant (P < .001). Glazing influenced roughness, Ra decreasing for all materials (P < .001).ConclusionsAs a result of glazing, only color changes were statistically significant. Translucency varied among brands of precolored monolithic zirconia; the differences increased for greater thicknesses.Clinical significanceGlazing is an important step in the technological process of ceramic restorations; however, it can influence the final optical appearance of the restoration as color changes could be expected after the application of the glaze.
Pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic modelling for the determination of optimal dosing regimen of florfenicol in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) at different water temperatures and antimicrobial susceptibility levels
Authors: Rairat Tirawat , Hsieh Chia‐Yu , Thongpiam Wipavee , Chou Chi‐Chung 
Published: June 2019

AbstractOptimized dosing regimen is key to the effective use of antibacterials and to minimizing drug‐related side effects. The current study established a pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic (PK‐PD) model for the determination of optimal antibacterial dosing regimen in fish taken into consideration the temperature‐dependent PK and the pathogen‐dependent antimicrobial susceptibility, using florfenicol (FF) in Nile tilapia as an example. The calculated optimal dosages significantly varied by temperature and target MIC levels, ranging from 2.23 (MIC 1 µg/ml at 24°C) to 34.88 mg kg−1 day−1 (MIC 4 µg/ml at 32°C). The appropriateness of the calculated dosages was successfully verified by the in vivo studies. After 5 days of oral administration of the calculated optimal dosage at 24°C, the predicted plasma drug values were in line with the mean observed Cmin(ss) while at 28 and 32°C underestimation of the Cmin(ss) in a dose‐dependent manner was observed and likely due to the occurrence of non‐linear PK at high dosages. The averaged serum protein binding of FF was 19.1%. Our results demonstrated the appropriateness and clinical applicability of the developed PK‐PD approach for the determination of optimal dosing regimens at given temperatures and MICs. Saturation metabolism and PK non‐linearity of FF in tilapia warrant further study.
Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease, liver fibrosis score and cognitive function in middle‐aged adults: The Framingham Study
Authors: Weinstein Galit , Davis‐Plourde Kendra , Himali Jayandra J. , Zelber‐Sagi Shira , Beiser Alexa S. , Seshadri Sudha 
Published: June 2019

AbstractBackgroundNon‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is common and has been recently related to brain health. We aimed to assess the relationships of NAFLD and its severity, using the NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS), with cognitive performance.MethodsFramingham study Offspring and 3rd generation participants were included if they attended exams 9 (2002‐2008) and 2 (2008‐2011), respectively, were free of dementia and stroke, and did not have excessive alcohol intake. Between 2008 and 2011, participants underwent Multi‐detector computed tomography scans of the abdomen to determine NAFLD diagnosis and the NFS was used to categorize the severity of fibrosis. Cross‐sectional relationships of NAFLD and the NFS with cognitive testing of memory, abstract reasoning, visual perception, attention and executive function were assessed, while adjusting for multiple cardiometabolic variables including visceral adipose tissue, diabetes and insulin resistance.ResultsOf the 1287 participants (mean age = 61±12 years, 48% men), 378 (29%) had NAFLD. The presence of NAFLD was not associated with cognitive function. However, among those with NAFLD (mean age = 61±12 years; 58% men), high compared to low risk of advanced fibrosis was associated with poorer performance on similarities (β = −2.22 ± 0.83; P = 0.009) and trail‐making B minus A (β = −0.11 ± 0.05; P = 0.028), independently of potential confounders.ConclusionsParticipants with high risk of advanced fibrosis may have poorer cognitive function compared to those with low risk, particularly in executive function and abstract reasoning. Future findings are necessary to evaluate the value of the NFS as a biomarker that predicts cognitive impairment and dementia and to explore the role of hepatic fibrosis in brain health.
Sexual dimorphism in upper gastrointestinal motility is dependent on duration of fast, time of day, age, and strain of mice
Authors: Soni Krishnakant G. , Halder Tripti , Conner Margaret E. , Preidis Geoffrey A. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractBackgroundAn important limitation of gastrointestinal motility testing is high variability. Conditions that could contribute to variability, including the duration of pretest fasting and time of day, are rarely reported and have not been examined systematically. This study aimed to explore whether these conditions, as well as age, sex, and strain of mice, affect the results of a standard laboratory test of upper gastrointestinal motility.MethodsMale and female 8‐week‐old C57BL/6J mice received a gastric gavage of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)‐conjugated dextran. FITC‐dextran distribution was measured 30 minutes later. Mean geometric centers (MGCs) were calculated to determine the effects of short versus prolonged fasting and morning versus afternoon testing. The influence of age was assessed in 2‐ to 10‐week‐old animals, and the influence of strain was determined in C57BL/6J, BALB/c, and CD‐1 mice.Key resultsMotility was sexually dimorphic. MGC progressed 19% further in 8‐week‐old C57BL/6J males versus females when tested in the morning after a short fast. Similar patterns were observed in morning or afternoon testing after overnight fasting. In males, motility was unaffected by time of day; however, MGC progressed 31% further in females tested in the afternoon versus morning after a short fast. Sex differences also were present in CD‐1 but not BALB/c mice. Testing in neonates revealed strikingly low variability and no sex differences.Conclusions & inferencesFasting duration, time of day, age, sex, and strain of mice all influence upper gastrointestinal motility testing. Sex differences are not present in neonatal pups, but develop soon after weaning.
Effects of increased hemoglobin on child growth, development, and disease: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Larson Leila Margaret , Kubes Julianne Nicole , Ramírez‐Luzuriaga Maria J. , Khishen Sarah , H. Shankar Anuraj , Prado Elizabeth Leah 
Published: June 2019

AbstractIn children under 5, a hemoglobin (Hb) cutoff of 11 g/dL is recommended by the World Health Organization to define anemia, yet few studies have examined whether this cut point accurately coincides with negative functional consequences. This systematic review and meta‐analysis of iron intervention and observational studies aimed to clarify the consequences of low Hb concentration in children under age 5 years on growth, development, and chronic disease (functional outcomes) across the full range of Hb values. A literature search returned 5049 studies; of these, 56 intervention and 20 observational studies fit the inclusion criteria. Among iron supplementation trials, a metaregression indicated significant associations between intervention effects on Hb and their effects on motor and mental development. For each 1 standard deviation (SD) increase in Hb, motor scores increased by 0.28 SD and mental scores increased by 0.24 SD. Iron supplementation trials among children with lower Hb concentrations at baseline showed stronger associations between their effects on Hb and their effects on mental development (P‐interaction = 0.008). Heterogeneity among observational studies precluded calculation of pooled associations between Hb and functional outcomes. Available evidence was not able to establish an inflection point at which decreasing Hb begins to be associated with negative functional outcomes. Future research is needed to examine associations of Hb with growth and development in populations with varying levels of Hb, inflammation, and in different ages and settings.
Challenges to and opportunities for the implementation of non‐invasive positive pressure ventilation in the Asia‐Pacific region
Authors: Guan Lili , Zhou Luqian , Song Liqiang , Wang Lingwei , Chen Dandan , Chen Rongchang 
Published: June 2019

ABSTRACTNon‐invasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) is undoubtedly one of the most significant advancements in mechanical ventilation technology in the past 30 years. With accumulating evidence from clinical studies and support from clinical guidelines, NPPV is now widely used in hospitals and increasingly prescribed for home therapy in the Asia‐Pacific region. However, in comparison with the developed Western countries, overall use of NPPV in the region is lagging behind. This study reviews this imbalance of NPPV use both in the acute and domiciliary settings in the Asia‐Pacific region. Important issues related to NPPV use are also discussed along with speculation around potential strategies that could promote wider implementation of NPPV in the region. We hope this review will stimulate interest in the clinical application and potential research avenues for NPPV in the Asia‐Pacific region, and promote education and staff training in the technique.