bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Do Competitive Examinations Promote Diversity in Civil Service?
Authors: Greenan Nathalie , Lanfranchi Joseph , L'Horty Yannick , Narcy Mathieu , Pierné Guillaume 
Published: April 2019

AbstractThe representative bureaucracy literature provides a growing body of empirical evidence that a representative public workforce enhances the efficacy and legitimacy of public services. However, little attention has been paid to the capacity of civil service competitive examinations to give equal opportunity of access to public jobs to equally competent citizens. To fill this gap, the authors use French databases to analyze whether competitive examinations comprising both written and oral tests ensure equality of treatment for all candidates regardless of gender, place of residence, or place of birth. The results challenge the capacity of these examinations to treat candidates equally, identifying inequalities in the written tests as well as evaluation biases in the oral tests. However, oral evaluation biases tend to offset inequalities in the written tests. Therefore, selection boards take a sort of affirmative action toward the sole successful members of groups suffering such inequalities.
Investigating Growing Inequality in Mozambique
Authors: Gradín Carlos , Tarp Finn 
Published: April 2019

AbstractIn this paper, we investigate the long‐term trend of consumption inequality in Mozambique. We show that an imbalanced growth path disproportionally benefited the better‐off and caused increasing inequality, especially in more recent years, curbing the necessary reduction in poverty. Using a regression decomposition technique, our results suggest that this trend was strongly associated with the higher attained education of household heads and with the changes in the structure of the economy (with less workers in the public and subsistence sectors). The trend was, however, mitigated by the tendency for the higher level of attained education and the smaller public sector to become associated with less inequality over time. These results point to the importance of accelerating the expansion of education and improving the productivity of the large subsistence sector to lower inequality in line with the sustainable development goals.
Experiences of family members supporting a relative with substance use problems: a qualitative study
Authors: McCann Terence V. , Polacsek Meg , Lubman Dan I. 
Published: April 2019

BackgroundAffected family members (AFMs) play an important role in supporting relatives with alcohol and/or other drug (AOD) misuse. However, they frequently lack support and experience considerable challenges to their own well‐being.AimTo explore the experience of AFMs who support a close relative with AOD misuse.MethodThirty‐one AFMs were recruited through AOD helplines and through their social media accounts in the Australian state of Victoria. A semi‐structured interview guide was used to inform data collection, focusing on their general experiences, impact of support‐giving and support options. Interviews were audio‐recorded and conducted by telephone.ResultsOne overarching theme and six related subthemes were abstracted from the data. The overarching theme was conceptualised as Feeling overwhelmed by, and struggling with, the experience. Subthemes were as follows: Emotionally draining and exhausting, Maintaining constant vigilance: curbing social activities, Grappling with the financial impact, Struggling to cope with harmful family dynamics, Avoiding and containing aggression and Fearfulness and hopelessness about the future.ConclusionAffected family members experienced wide‐ranging harms, which affected their emotional, social and financial well‐being, safety and family dynamics, and instilled a persistent sense of fearfulness and hopelessness about the future. The findings have implications for mental health nurses and other clinicians in AOD services to identify AFMs’ needs and provide them with timely, accessible and appropriate support to help sustain their important role.
Sagittal Spinal Morphotype Assessment in Dressage and Show Jumping Riders
Authors: Ginés-Díaz Angélica , Martínez-Romero María Teresa , Cejudo Antonio , Aparicio-Sarmiento Alba , Sainz de Baranda Pilar 
Published: April 2019

Context:Previous research has analyzed how the sport influences sagittal spinal curvatures in young athletes and has found that spinal curves may be modified as a consequence of repeated movement patterns and postures of each discipline.Objective:To analyze sagittal spinal alignment by equestrian discipline and its relation to training load, and to describe “sagittal integrative morphotype” in young riders.Design:Observational descriptive study.Setting:Training room.Participants:A total of 23 riders (aged 9–17 y)—13 dressage riders (3 males and 10 females) and 10 show jumping riders (5 males and 5 females)—participated voluntarily.Main Outcome Measures:Mann–WhitneyUtest was applied to determine differences between riders’ characteristics (gender, discipline, and training load) and spine variables.Results:According to normality ranges for spinal curves, females showed an increase for lumbar curvature in standing position. It was found that show jumping riders manifested an increment in thoracic and lumbar curves while standing and an increase in the thoracic curvature in slump sitting. Statistically significant differences were found when lumbar curvature, “sit and reach” distance, and lumbo-horizontal angle in flexion were analyzed by gender in “sit and reach” test. No statistical significant differences were found when spinal curves in each position were analyzed depending on the training load. With regard to “sagittal integrative morphotype,” all riders presented a hyperkyphotic dorsal morphotype no matter what their discipline. As for the lumbar curve, dressage and show jumping riders presented a functional hyperkyphotic morphotype.Conclusions:It is important to note that many riders presented a sagittal imbalance for the thoracic and lumbar curves. Therefore, as the sagittal spinal misalignments persist and worsen over time, exercise programs to prevent or rehabilitate these imbalances in young riders will be needed. The “sagittal integrative morphotype” assessment is an essential tool in order to identify the spinal misalignment.
Are Hip Physical Examination Findings Predictive of Future Lower-Body Injury Rates in Elite Adolescent Female Soccer Athletes at Minimum 5-Year Follow-Up?
Authors: Cheng Abby L. , Merlo John A. , Hunt Devyani , Yemm Ted , Brophy Robert H. , Prather Heidi 
Published: April 2019

Context: Although elite adolescent female soccer athletes have unique injury risk factors and management challenges, limited epidemiological data exist for this population. Objective: To describe lower-body injury patterns and to determine whether a screening hip physical examination is predictive of future injuries in elite adolescent female soccer athletes. Design: Prospective cohort study. Setting: One US premier soccer club. Participants: One hundred seventy-seven female soccer athletes aged 10–18 years (mean [SD] 14.6 [1.8] y) completed a demographic questionnaire and screening hip physical examination that included range of motion and provocative tests. Interventions: At least 5 years after baseline screening, athletes completed an electronic follow-up injury survey. Injury was defined as pain that interfered with sporting activity. Main Outcome Measures: In addition to descriptive analyses of athletes’ injury profiles, associations between players’ baseline demographics and subsequent injury profiles were evaluated using chi-square tests, and potential predictors of injury based on players’ baseline hip examinations were evaluated using multivariable logistic regression. Results: Ninety-four of 177 athletes (53%) were contacted for follow-up, and 88/94 (93.6%) completed the survey. With mean follow-up of 91.9 (9.3) months (range 66–108 mo), 42/88 (47.7%) reported sustaining a new lower-body injury. The low back was the most common injury region (16/42, 38.1%). Almost half of all injured athletes (20/42, 47.6%) sustained overuse injuries, and 16/42 (38.1%) had an incomplete recovery. Higher body mass index and reaching menarche were associated with sustaining an injury (P = .03 and .04, respectively). Athletes’ baseline hip examinations were not predictive of their subsequent rate of lower-body, lumbopelvic, overuse, or incomplete recovery injury (all P > .05). Conclusions: Lower-body injuries were common in elite adolescent female soccer athletes, with over one third of injured athletes reporting permanent negative impact of the injury on their playing ability. Baseline hip physical examinations were not associated with future injury rate.
Haemodynamic effects of premedication for neonatal intubation: an observational study
Authors: Truong Linda , Kim Jae H , Katheria Anup C , Finer Neil N , Marc-Aurele Krishelle 
Published: April 2019

ObjectiveTo examine changes in blood pressure (BP), cardiac output (CO) and cerebral regional oxygen saturation (rScO2) with administration of premedication for neonatal intubation.DesignPilot, prospective, observational study. Oxygen saturation, heart rate, CO, rScO2 and BP data were collected. Monitoring began 5 min prior to premedication and continued until spontaneous movement.SettingSingle-centre, level 3 neonatal intensive care unitPatients35 infants, all gestational ages. 81 eligible infants: 66 consented, 15 refused.InterventionsIntravenous atropine, fentanyl or morphine, ±cisatracuriumMain outcome measuresBP, CO, rScO2Resultsn=37 intubations. Mean gestational age and median birth weight were 31 4/7 weeks and 1511 g. After premedication, 10 episodes resulted in a BP increase from baseline and 27 in a BP decrease. Of those whose BP decreased, 17 had <20% decrease and 10 had ≥20% decrease. Those with <20% BP decrease took an average of 2.5 min to return to baseline while those with a ≥20% BP decline took an average of 15.2 min. Three did not return to baseline by 35 min. Following intubation, further declines in BP (21%–51%) were observed in eight additional cases. One infant required a bolus for persistently low BPs. CO and rScO2 changes were statistically similar between the two groups.ConclusionAbout 30% of infants dropped their BP by ≥20% after premedication for elective intubation. These BP changes were not associated with any significant change in rScO2 or CO. More data are needed to better characterise the immediate haemodynamic changes and clinical outcomes associated with premedication.
Effect of plasmonic materials on photonic crystal fiber based surface plasmon resonance sensors
Authors: Yasli Ahmet , Ademgil Huseyin 
Published: April 2019

In this study, we proposed photonic crystal fiber (PCF)-based surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor with gold, bimetallic silver-gold and silver-graphene as active plasmonic layers. Proposed PCF structure with surrounded outer shell of two large analyte channels are studied with spectral interrogation method. Full vectorial Finite Element Method (FV-FEM) with Perfectly Matched Layers (PML) are assigned to investigate the resonance condition, resolution and sensitivities of proposed structures. According to spectral sensitivity analyses, maximum sensitivity reached up to 3000 nm/RIU for gold, 3500 nm/RIU for gold-covered silver and 4000 nm/RIU for graphene-covered silver. Meanwhile, the average sensitivities are around 2850 nm/RIU, 2650 nm/RIU and 3750 nm/RIU for gold, gold-covered silver and graphene-covered silver, respectively.
Seasonal Variation in Hand and Upper Limb Soft Tissue Infections
Authors: Miller Robert , Pywell Sarah , Chan James , McCluney Simon , Halsey Tim 
Published: April 2019

Background: Hand and upper limb soft tissue infections result in significant disability and loss of productivity. Many infections have been shown to follow a seasonal variation, however little is known about this is the context of upper limb soft tissue infections. We aimed to evaluate seasonal variation in acute bacterial, hand and upper limb skin and soft-tissue infections, and correlate findings with key environmental variables. Methods: Hand and upper limb soft tissue infection cases from 2006–2016 were retrieved from a single UK center. Cases were reviewed for microbiology culture and sensitivity. Correlation between cases and season, temperature and humidity was assessed. Results: 206 cases were identified for inclusion. Specimens were sent for microbiology in 76.4% of cases. Of these 78.9% were culture positive, 47.6% exhibited antibiotic resistance and 16.9% were multi-resistant. There was a significant difference between season and culture positive cases, with significantly more culture positive cases in the summer vs. winter on post-hoc analysis (p = 0.004). There was a significant positive correlation between higher temperatures and number of culture positive cases (r = 0.75). There was no significant correlation between temperature and antibiotic resistance (r = 0.5) or between humidity and culture positive cases (r = −0.42). Conclusions: This study demonstrates a seasonal variation in hand and upper limb infections, with a significant correlation between infection rates and ambient temperature. Appreciating seasonal variability of these infections could prove beneficial for surgical planning, public health recommendations and antibiotic guidelines. However, further international data is needed to understand potential mechanisms involved.
A Flexor Digitorum Superficialis Tenodesis Technique for Surgical Treatment of Finger PIP Joint Volar Plate Chronic Avulsion
Authors: Rocchi L. , Merendi G. , Mingarelli L. , Mancino F. , Merolli A. 
Published: April 2019

Background: Chronic, post-traumatic, avulsion of the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint volar plate represents a disabling lesion. The purpose of this report is to describe a flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) tenodesis using a mini-bone anchor inserted into the proximal phalanx, and its clinical outcome. Methods: 15 patients with chronic post-traumatic hyperextension instability of the PIP joint were treated surgically. From the first post-operative day patients were invited to start an early gradual joint active motion, wearing an extension block splint. Forty days after surgery, clinical evaluations were carried out, including: joint stability, pain and range of motion (ROM). The use of a circumferential splint was recommended for two further months, avoiding strenuous manual activities. The range of motion, time lost at work and the functional results were recorded six months after surgery. Results: At last follow up, 7 of the 13 reviewed patients presented an excellent functional recovery, with complete resolution of pain and stability with attainment of ROM comparable to the contralateral finger. The others 6 patients obtained good results, with remission of the functional impairment and pain, with either residual hyperextension or flexion contracture. There was one case of recurrence consecutively to a premature traumatic work-related activity. Conclusions: The FDS tenodesis via a bone anchor, combined with early active PIP joint protected motion, was shown in this study to be effective and reliable.
Scapho-Capitate Ratio for Estimation of Scaphoid Length
Authors: Elatta Mohamed Abou , Elglaind Sami M. , Talat Ekramy , Alqaseer Abdulla M. , Basheer Hussam M. 
Published: April 2019

Background: The failure of scaphoid reconstruction by restoring both length and shape may lead to carpal mal-alignment and progressive degenerative arthritis. The aim of our study is to find a reliable method to find out the scaphoid length without measuring the contralateral scaphoid.Methods: Three X-ray wrist views were collected for 51 patients without any signs suggesting any hand and wrist fractures. The scaphoid, capitate and 3rdmetacarpal bone axes lengths and carpal height were measured by 4 hand surgeons separately.Results: The scapho-capitate ratio was 1.1 ± 0.084, 1.01 ± 0.084 and 0.92 ± 0.109 for lateral, postero-anterior with ulnar deviation and postero-anterior view respectively. The ulnar deviation view had the highest reliability.Conclusions: Scapho-capitate ratio estimation is an easy and accurate measure of normal scaphoid length in situations when the scaphoid is short. It is helpful for the estimation of the size of the bone graft that need for reconstruction of the scaphoid.
Effectiveness and Safety in Closed Mini-Transverse Incision with Hydro-Dissection Technique in Carpal Tunnel Release: A Cadaveric Study
Authors: Leeyaphan Jirapong , Ratanalekha Rosarin 
Published: April 2019

Background: Closed mini-wrist transverse incision for carpal tunnel release has been reported in decreasing surgical scar problems, but there were few cadaveric studies that proved the effectiveness and safety in this technique without protective instrument to the median nerve. Hydro-dissection was previously showed to separate median nerve and deep structures during percutaneous ultrasound guided transverse carpal ligament release. This cadaveric study aims to demonstrated effectiveness and safety of closed transverse carpal ligament (TCL) release though the mini-transverse incision at distal wrist crease combined with hydrodissection technique. Neither special instrument nor retractor was used to protect neurovascular structures. Methods: Twelve fresh frozen cadaveric wrists were included in this study. Completeness of TCL release and injury to the adjacent neurovascular structures were assessed by direct visualization. Thickness of TCL, TCL length and distance from incision to adjacent neurovascular structures were also recorded. Results: Complete release of TCL was demonstrated in all 12 (100%) wrists underwent the mini-transverse incision TCL release at distal wrist crease and hydro-dissection technique. No injury to the adjacent neurovascular structures was found in all 12 wrists. Mean of thickness of TCL and TCL length were 3 mm and 28.7 mm, respectively. The ulnar artery was the nearest structure to the incision (mean = 3.7 mm). Conclusions: The closed mini-transverse incision TCL release at distal wrist crease with hydro-dissection technique demonstrated completeness of TCL division and safety to the neurovascular structures without protecting retractor or special instrument.
The Promise of Neoadjuvant Immunotherapy and Surgery for Cancer Treatment
Authors: O'Donnell Jake S. , Hoefsmit Esmée P. , Smyth Mark J. , Blank Christian U. , Teng Michele W.L. 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
Cancer immunotherapies utilizing immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have demonstrated durable efficacy in a proportion of patients with advanced/metastatic cancers. More recently, the use of ICIs for the adjuvant treatment of patients with surgically resectable melanoma has also demonstrated efficacy by improving relapse-free survival and in the case of ipilimumab (anti–CTLA-4) also improving overall survival. Although promising, the effective scheduling of surgery and immunotherapy and its duration is not well elucidated. Recent preclinical studies suggest that surgery followed by adjuvant therapy might be suboptimal as compared with an approach in which immunotherapy is applied before surgery (neoadjuvant immunotherapy). Encouraging findings from early-phase clinical trials in melanoma, non–small cell lung carcinoma, and glioblastoma support the idea that neoadjuvant immunotherapy might have improved clinical efficacy over an adjuvant application. In this review, we discuss the existing rationale for the use of neoadjuvant immunotherapy, its apparent strengths and weaknesses, and implications for the design of future clinical trials.
A Prospective Study of Nut Consumption and Risk of Primary Hepatocellular Carcinoma in the U.S. Women and Men
Authors: Sui Jing , Yang Wanshui , Ma Yanan , Li Tricia Y. , Simon Tracey G. , Meyerhardt Jeffrey A. , Liang Geyu , Giovannucci Edward L. , Chan Andrew T. , Zhang Xuehong 
Published: April 2019

AbstractAlthough increasing evidence suggests a potential beneficial effect of nut consumption on various diseases, no epidemiologic study has yet examined the association between nut consumption and risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We prospectively examined this association in 88,783 women from the Nurses’ Health Study and 51,492 men from the Health Professionals Follow-up Study. Nut consumption was assessed every 4 years using validated food frequency questionnaires. Multivariable HRs and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were estimated using Cox proportional hazards regression models after adjusting for HCC risk factors. After an average of 27.9 years of follow-up, we identified a total of 162 incident HCC cases. Higher total nut consumption was not significantly associated with HCC risk (the highest vs. lowest tertile intake, HR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.56–1.26). For the same comparison, higher tree nut consumption was associated with a lower HCC risk (HR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.43–0.95). We found nonsignificant inverse associations with consumption of walnuts, peanuts, and peanut butter. Overall, nut consumption was not strongly associated with HCC risk. There was a suggestive inverse association with tree nut consumption. Future studies should carefully consider hepatitis B or C virus infections and examine these associations in other racial/ethnic groups.
Sex‐ and Gender‐Stratified Risks of Psychological Factors for Incident Ischemic Heart Disease: Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Smaardijk Veerle R. , Lodder Paul , Kop Willem J. , van Gennep Bente , Maas Angela H.E.M. , Mommersteeg Paula M. C. 
Published: April 2019

Background

Psychological factors are associated with an increased risk of developing ischemic heart disease (
IHD
). Women more often report psychological factors, and sex and gender differences are present in
IHD
. In this meta‐analysis we examine the risks of psychological factors for
IHD
incidence in women and men. We hypothesize that a broad range of psychological factors are related to a higher risk for incident
IHD
, with a higher risk for women.

Methods and Results

PubMed,
EMBASE
, and Psyc
INFO
were searched for studies assessing the risk between psychological factors and incident
IHD
. Psychological factors included depression, anxiety or panic disorder, social support, hostility, anger, personality (type D), type A behavior pattern, posttraumatic stress disorder, and psychological distress. In the primary analyses, 62 studies (77 separate reports) that included 2 145 679 women and 3 119 879 men and reported confounder‐adjusted hazard ratios or relative risks were included. Pooled effect confounder‐adjusted estimates from random‐effects models showed that psychological factors (all combined) were associated with incident
IHD
in women (hazard ratio: 1.22; 95%
CI
, 1.14–1.30) and men (hazard ratio: 1.25; 95%
CI
, 1.19–1.31). No sex and gender differences were found for these pooled effect estimates (
P
=0.547).

Conclusions

Psychological factors are associated with incident
IHD
in both women and men, but no significant differences were observed between women and men.
IHD
is predominantly being studied as obstructive coronary artery disease, which is more prevalent in men. Data are needed on psychological predictors and other manifestations of
IHD
such as coronary microvascular disease, which is more common in women.