bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Strategic ignorance and global governance: an ecumenical approach to epistemologies of global power
Authors: Mallard Grégoire , McGoey Linsey 
Published: October 2018

AbstractHow can we account for the role of ignorance and knowledge in global governance? It is a contention of earlier scholarship in international relations and political sociology that knowledge production is tightly coupled with rational action – regardless of whether knowledge widely influences different stakeholders or not. This scholarship equally tends to assume an ignorance‐knowledge binary relationship that associates ignorance with powerlessness and knowledge with power. This is a view we dispute. Calling for a new approach to the study of ignorance and knowledge in international politics, our article builds on research from ignorance studies, science and technology studies and critical race theory to derive a novel typology of epistemologies of power in which truth and ignorance are defined and combined in a plurality of ways. Approaching differing epistemologies of power in the transnational realm in a general or ‘ecumenical’ manner, we identify weaknesses in earlier approaches to the study of knowledge production in global affairs, and present four new concepts: ‘factual determinism’, ‘cynical realism’, ‘unseeing proceduralism’ and ‘hopeful constructivism’. Through this framework, our article calls for greater recognition of the constitutive role that ignorance plays in operations of power on a global scale.
Climate Change, Crop Selection and Agricultural Revenue in Ghana: A Structural Ricardian Analysis
Authors: Etwire Prince M. , Fielding David , Kahui Viktoria 
Published: October 2018

AbstractWe apply a Structural Ricardian Model (SRM) to farm‐level data from Ghana for seven principal food crops in order to model the factors which influence farmers' decisions about which food crops to grow and the revenue conditional on these choices. Our application of the SRM incorporates a flexible functional form to allow for the possibility that the effects of temperature and rainfall may not be linearly separable. We use this model as a basis for simulations of the effects of climate change. These simulations suggest that extreme climate change will lead to a significant reduction in the average net revenue per hectare from maize, which accounts for over half of current food production. Across a range of climate change scenarios, there is also substantial substitution of maize for heat‐tolerant millet, and a reduction in the cultivation of other crops. Under most of the climate change scenarios that we consider, these results imply a substantial reduction in the aggregate value of agricultural production, since millet is the lowest‐value crop.
In‐vitro analysis of a novel ‘add‐on’ silicone cuff to improve sealing properties of tracheal tubes
Authors: Li Bassi G. , Chiurazzi C. , Aguilera E. , Travierso C. , Battaglini D. , Yang M. , Motos A. , Yang H. , Meli A. , Marti D. , Ranzani O. T. , Blasi F. , Pelosi P. , Chiumello D. , Torres A. 
Published: October 2018

SummaryLeakage of colonised oropharyngeal secretions across the tracheal tube cuff may cause iatrogenic pulmonary infection. We studied a novel ‘add‐on’ cuff, which can be inserted over an existing tracheal tube and advanced into the subglottic region. The physical properties of the novel silicone cuff (BronchoGuard, Ciel Medical, USA) were evaluated in comparison with the Hi‐Lo® tracheal tube. In a bench study, we identified saline inflation volumes required to transmit pressures between 15 and 30 cmH2O against artificial tracheas of 18, 20 and 22 mm internal diameter. We computed cuff compliance, and minimal inflation volume to achieve air sealing during mechanical ventilation. Finally, we compared the leakage flow rate of artificial saliva across the novel cuff. On average, the mean (SD) inflation volumes necessary to transmit tracheal pressures of 15, 20, 25 and 30 cmH2O were 4.1 (2.2), 4.4 (2.3), 4.6 (2.4) and 4.8 (2.4) ml for the novel cuff and 7.7 (2.5), 8.0 (2.6), 8.4 (2.6) and 8.7 (2.7) ml for the Hi‐Lo tube, respectively (p < 0.001). The minimal inflation volumes to achieve air sealing were 3.8 (0.9) and 10.5 (2.1) ml (p < 0.001), which resulted in transmitted tracheal pressures of 8.3 (9.8) and 27.6 (34.8) cmH2O (p < 0.001). Compliance was 0.026 (0.004) and 0.616 (0.324) ml.cmH20−1, respectively (p < 0.001). Although massive leak was found when the novel cuff transmitted pressures ≤ 20 cmH2O against the trachea, leakage was avoided with pressures ≥ 25 cmH2O, owing to optimal contact between the cuff and the tracheal wall. In contrast, the standard cuff consistently leaked irrespective of the pressure. We conclude that the novel cuff has advantageous properties that warrant clinical corroboration.
Numerical Approach to Study the Behavior of an Artificial Ventricle: Fluid–Structure Interaction Followed By Fluid Dynamics With Moving Boundaries
Authors: Luraghi Giulia , Wu Wei , De Castilla Hector , Rodriguez Matas José Félix , Dubini Gabriele , Dubuis Pascal , Grimmé Marc , Migliavacca Francesco 
Published: October 2018

AbstractHeart failure is a progressive and often fatal pathology among the main causes of death in the world. An implantable total artificial heart (TAH) is an alternative to heart transplantation. Blood damage quantification is imperative to assess the behavior of an artificial ventricle and is strictly related to the hemodynamics, which can be investigated through numerical simulations. The aim of this study is to develop a computational model that can accurately reproduce the hemodynamics inside the left pumping chamber of an existing TAH (Carmat‐TAH) together with the displacement of the leaflets of the biological aortic and mitral valves and the displacement of the pericardium‐made membrane. The proposed modeling workflow combines fluid–structure interaction (FSI) simulations based on a fixed grid method with computational fluid dynamics (CFD). In particular, the kinematics of the valves is accounted for by means of a dynamic mesh technique in the CFD. The comparison between FSI‐ and CFD‐calculated velocity fields confirmed that the presence of the valves in the CFD model is essential for realistically mimicking blood dynamics, with a percentage difference of 2% during systole phase and 13% during the diastole. The percentage of blood volume in the CFD simulation with a shear stress above the threshold of 50 Pa is less than 0.001%. In conclusion, the application of this workflow to the Carmat‐TAH provided consistent results with previous clinical studies demonstrating its utility in calculating local hemodynamic quantities in the presence of complex moving boundaries.
Intraocular cytokine profile and autoimmune reactions in retinitis pigmentosa, age‐related macular degeneration, glaucoma and cataract
Authors: ten Berge Josianne C. , Fazil Zainab , van den Born L. Ingeborgh , Wolfs Roger C. W. , Schreurs Marco W. J. , Dik Wim A. , Rothova Aniki 
Published: October 2018

AbstractPurposeTo analyse intraocular cytokine levels and prevalence of intraocular antiretinal antibodies (ARAs) in patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP), age‐related macular degeneration (AMD), glaucoma and cataract, and correlate the results to clinical manifestations.MethodsWe collected intraocular fluid samples from patients with RP (n = 25), AMD (n = 12), glaucoma (n = 28) and cataract (n = 22), and serum samples paired with the intraocular fluids from patients with RP (N = 7) and cataract (n = 10). Interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐1ra, IL‐2, IL‐6, IL‐6rα, IL‐7, IL‐8, IL‐10, IL‐17A, IL‐23, thymus‐ and activation‐regulated chemokine (TARC), monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 (MCP‐1), tumour necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α), placental growth factor (PlGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were measured using a multiplex assay. Antiretinal antibodies (ARA) detection was performed by indirect immunofluorescence.ResultsIncreasing age was associated with increasing levels of IL‐6, IL‐8, TNF‐α and VEGF. All patient groups exhibited distinct profiles of intraocular cytokines. Intraocular levels of IL‐8 were highest in patients with AMD and glaucoma. Cataract patients exhibited high intraocular levels of IL‐23. Intraocular levels of IL‐2, IL‐6, MCP‐1 and PlGF in RP patients exceeded the levels of serum, indicating intraocular production. Intraocular ARAs were found in only one patient with AMD.ConclusionIncreased levels of inflammatory cytokines in intraocular fluid of patients with originally noninflammatory ocular diseases show that intraocular inflammation is involved in their pathogenesis of these entities. Moreover, we show that increasing age is associated with increasing levels of intraocular cytokines and conclude that future studies on intraocular mediators should be corrected for age of patients.
Inequalities in dental caries in children within the UK: Have there been changes over time?
Authors: Masood Mohd , Mnatzaganian George , Baker Sarah R. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractObjectivesTo examine any change over time in the association between deprivation and caries experience between 2003 and 2013 in a nationally representative sample of UK children.MethodsData from UK Children's Dental Health Surveys, 2003 and 2013, were used. The target population was 5‐, 8‐, 12‐ and 15‐year‐olds. A total of 9604 children in 2003 and 9866 in 2013 were included in the surveys. Outcome variables were any active caries, caries experience and total number of carious teeth. Family socio‐economic position (SEP) or deprivation level was measured at school level using eligibility for free school meals (FSM) to identify children from low‐income families. Incidence rate ratios (IRR) and pooled standardized incidence rates ratios were calculated to measure dichotomous outcome variables by year, age group and status of deprivation. The study continuous outcome was modelled using a zero‐inflated Poisson regression while the dichotomous outcomes were modelled using logistic regressions. The multivariable analyses were run by age groups accounting for year, sex and deprivation status.ResultsThe percentage of those identified as deprived was significantly higher in 2013 (35.8% in 2013 vs 26.0% in 2003, P < 0.001). Among both deprived and non‐deprived children, the prevalence of any active caries significantly dropped over the years, observed in all age groups. Comparing 2013 with 2003 and accounting for sex, deprivation level, “any active caries,” “any caries experience” and “total number of carious teeth” significantly dropped were observed in all age groups. Comparing the years, the association of deprivation with caries outcomes mostly remained the same or decreased. This decrease was predominantly seen in “any caries experience.” Only among the 5‐year‐olds, did the association between deprivation and total number of carious teeth over the years significantly increase. For all age groups, the likelihood of “any active caries” and “total number of carious teeth” by deprivation remained the same comparing the two points in time: 2003 and 2013. However, irrespective of year, deprivation was significantly associated with caries observed in all age groups.ConclusionIn the UK, the prevalence of active dental caries and caries experience has decreased in the period between 2003 and 2013. Similarly, the likelihood of having dental caries by deprivation in 2013 was predominantly lower than that observed in 2003.
Perifolliculitis capitis abscedens et suffodiens: eine Fallserie mit 66 Patienten und ein Vorschlag zur Klassifikation
Authors: Lee Chaw‐Ning , Chen WenChieh , Hsu Chao‐Kai , Weng Tzu‐Teng , Lee Julia Yu‐Yun , Yang Chao‐Chun 
Published: October 2018

ZusammenfassungHintergrund und ZielePerifolliculitis capitis abscedens et suffodiens (PCAS; im englischen Sprachraum meist als „dissecting folliculitis“ oder „dissecting cellulitis“ bezeichnet) ist eine seltene Krankheit, die mit entstellender vernarbender Alopezie einhergeht. Ziel dieser Studie war es, die Merkmale der PCAS zu untersuchen und eine Klassifikation zur Angabe ihres Schweregrades vorzuschlagen.Patienten und MethodikEs wurde eine klinikbasierte retrospektive Studie durchgeführt. Patienten, die entweder aufgrund ihres histopathologischen Befundes oder der klinischen Symptomatik als PCAS‐Patienten identifiziert wurden, wurden in die Studie eingeschlossen und der Schweregrad ihrer Erkrankungen wurde in eine von drei Stadien eingeteilt.ErgebnisseBei den 66 rekrutierten Patienten (63 Männer/3 Frauen, mittleres Alter 24,9 Jahre) waren mehrere miteinander verbundene haarlose Knoten im Vertexbereich der Kopfhaut das Hauptmerkmal. Histopathologisch zeigte sich ein ausgedehnter entzündeter Granulationsabszess, der im akuten Stadium eine Dissektionsfläche in der unteren Dermis beziehungsweise Subkutis bildete. Bei sieben von 21 histologischen Proben herrschte eine lymphozytäre Infiltration vor. Neunundzwanzig der 45 Patienten waren übergewichtig oder adipös. Eine Assoziation mit Rauchen wurde nicht beobachtet. Bei 15 der 66 Patienten bestand Komorbidität mit Acne conglobata, zwei davon litten darüber hinaus auch an Acne inversa. Eine längere Krankheitsdauer und eine höhere Anzahl von Knoten waren mit einem höheren Schweregrad der PCAS assoziiert (p < 0,05). Fasst man die unterschiedlichen Therapieformen zusammen, kam es in 25 % der Fälle zu einer vollständigen Remission. Betrachtet man ausschließlich die Behandlung mit oralem Isotretinoin, betrug die Rate an vollständigen Remissionen 37,5 %.SchlussfolgerungenDie Perifolliculitis capitis abscedens et suffodiens ist in Taiwan nicht selten. Ein möglicher Zusammenhang mit der Adipositas bedarf weiteren Abklärung.
Wirksamkeit einer ablationsbasierten Kombinationstherapie bei Vitiligo: Eine systematische Übersichtsarbeit und Metaanalyse
Authors: King Yih‐An , Tsai Tsung‐Yu , Tsai Hsiou‐Hsin , Huang Yu‐Chen 
Published: October 2018

ZusammenfassungHintergrund und ZieleZiel dieser Studie war ein Vergleich der Wirksamkeit von Vitiligotherapien mit und ohne Ablationverfahren.Patienten und VerfahrenSystematische Übersichtsarbeit und Metaanalyse der vor dem 15. September 2017 publizierten Literatur. Eingeschlossen wurden Vergleichsstudien mit Vitiligopatienten, die mit und ohne Ablationsverfahren behandelt wurden. Primärer Endpunkt der Studie war die Repigmentierung ≥ 50 %. Sekundäre Endpunkte waren eine Repigmentierung ≥ 75 % und Patienten‐Scores auf einer subjektiven visuellen Analogskala.ErgebnisseEs wurden fünfzehn Studien mit insgesamt 401 Teilnehmern eingeschlossen. Die Gruppe mit ablationsbasierter Kombinationstherapie wies gegenüber der Kontrollgruppe signifikant bessere Ergebnisse auf (Odds Ratio [OR] bei ≥ 50 % Repigmentierung: 10,490, 95 %‐Konfidenzintervall [KI]: 4,632–23,757; OR bei ≥ 75 % Repigmentierung: 5,812, 95 %‐KI: 2,194–15,393. Patienten, die eine ablationsbasierte Kombinationstherapie erhielten, waren signifikant zufriedener mit der Wirksamkeit als die Kontrollgruppe (standardisierte mittlere Differenz: 1,073, 95 % KI: 0,528–1,619). Eine Subgruppenanalyse zeigte, dass die Erbium‐ und die CO2‐Laser‐Gruppe sowie die Gruppe mit fraktioniertem CO2‐Laser eine signifikant bessere Repigmentierung als die Kontrollgruppen erreichten.SchlussfolgerungenSowohl nach objektiven als auch nach subjektiven Kriterien sind Vitiligotherapien in Kombination mit einer Ablationstherapie wirksamer als bei alleiniger Verwendung.
Honeybee and wasp venom allergy: Sensitization and immunotherapy
Authors: Adib‐Tezer Hanan , Bayerl Christiane 
Published: October 2018

SummaryHymenoptera venom allergy is the most common cause of anaphylactic reactions in adults. In children, it is the second most common cause after food‐related anaphylaxis. Such reactions are primarily due to stings by honeybees (Apis) and certain social wasps (Vespula vulgaris and Vespula germanica in particular). Especially in adults, stings are frequently associated with severe anaphylaxis. Established diagnostic methods including molecular tests allow for greater success rates in terms of determining the insect actually responsible for triggering the anaphylactic reaction. Sensitization to both venoms, or a history of systemic sting reaction without any evidence of sensitization, complicate the decision regarding treatment. Venom immunotherapy (VIT) is a safe and effective causal treatment.
Arab Spring Era: Winds of Change in the Direction of Gender Equality for Tunisian Women
Authors: Hitman Gadi 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThis study asks a simple question: Has there been any upgrading in the status of women in Tunisia in the years following the Jasmine Revolution of December 2010? Based upon a comparative analysis of the Tunisian constitutions of 1959 and 2014, this paper argues that Tunisian women have, in fact, experienced a real change in their status within Tunisian society. Through a combination of their strong collective identity and a self‐initiated process of political opportunity, the popular protest in Tunisia led to legislative changes which were supported by the long history of women’s presence in the Tunisian social‐public sphere, together with helpful secular‐oriented political forces. The new constitution of 2014 took steps to attain real gender equality in Tunisia; several Tunisian laws have been changed in favor of women since 2014 as well. The implementation of gender equality has, however, still been too slow and faces obstacles, mainly from Islamist groups — including Salafis who have been exerting pressure to impose a religious character on Tunisian society based upon the Shari‘a.
Anti‐inflammatory disease‐modifying treatment and disability progression in primary progressive multiple sclerosis: a cohort study
Authors: Lorscheider J. , Kuhle J. , Izquierdo G. , Lugaresi A. , Havrdova E. , Horakova D. , Hupperts R. , Duquette P. , Girard M. , Prat A. , Grand'Maison F. , Grammond P. , Sola P. , Ferraro D. , Trojano M. , Ramo‐Tello C. , Lechner‐Scott J. , Pucci E. , Solaro C. , Slee M. , Van Pesch V. , Sanchez Menoyo J. L. , van der Walt A. , Butzkueven H. , Kappos L. , Kalincik T. ,   the MSBase Study Group
Published: October 2018

Background and purposeTreatment options in primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) are scarce and, with the exception of ocrelizumab, anti‐inflammatory agents have failed to show efficacy in ameliorating disability progression. The aim of this study was to investigate a potential effect of anti‐inflammatory disease‐modifying treatment on disability outcomes in PPMS.MethodsUsing MSBase, a large, international, observational database, we identified patients with PPMS who were either never treated or treated with a disease‐modifying agent. Propensity score matching was used to select subpopulations with similar baseline characteristics. Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) outcomes were compared with an intention‐to‐treat and an as‐treated approach in paired, pairwise‐censored analyses.ResultsOf the 1284 included patients, 533 were matched (treated, n = 195; untreated n = 338). Median on‐study pairwise‐censored follow‐up was 3.4 years (quartiles 1.2–5.5). No difference in the hazard of experiencing 3‐month confirmed EDSS progression events was observed between the groups [hazard ratio (HR), 1.0; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.6–1.7, P = 0.87]. We did not find significant differences in the hazards of confirmed EDSS improvement (HR, 1.0; 95% CI, 0.6–1.6, P = 0.91) or reaching a confirmed EDSS step ≥7 (HR, 1.1; 95% CI, 0.7–1.6, P = 0.69).ConclusionOur pooled analysis of disease‐modifying agents suggests that these therapies have no substantial effect on short‐ to medium‐term disability outcomes in PPMS.
Impact of the systematic use of the Gugging Swallowing Screen in patients with acute ischaemic stroke
Authors: Lopes M. , Freitas E. , Oliveira M. , Dantas E. , Azevedo N. , Rodrigues P. , Pinho J. , Ferreira C. 
Published: October 2018

Background and purposePost‐stroke dysphagia occurs in up to three quarters of patients with acute stroke and is associated with a higher risk of respiratory infections and poor outcome. Systematic screening of dysphagia in the acute stroke unit is essential to identify patients at risk of aspiration and to provide dietary recommendations. Our study aimed to assess the impact of the systematic application of the Gugging Swallowing Screen (GUSS) in patients with acute ischaemic stroke.MethodsThis was a retrospective study of consecutive patients with acute ischaemic stroke admitted to an acute stroke unit in two time periods: pre‐GUSS (February 2014–July 2015), when the 10‐mL water‐swallowing test was systematically administered, and GUSS (August 2015–October 2016), when the GUSS test was systematically administered. Groups were compared with regard to baseline and stroke characteristics, and the occurrence of stroke‐associated pneumonia (SAP), in‐hospital death and 3‐month outcome.ResultsOf the 344 patients who were included in the study (median age 71 years), 51.7% were male with a median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score of 11. A total of 204 patients were included during the pre‐GUSS period and 140 during the GUSS period. Patients in the GUSS period more frequently had diabetes and partial anterior circulation syndromes, and were more frequently treated with thrombectomy. There was no difference in the occurrence of SAP between the two groups (pre‐GUSS, 12.5%; GUSS, 15.1%; P = 0.490) and no differences were found concerning in‐hospital mortality (P = 0.996), 3‐month functional independence (P = 0.647) or 3‐month mortality (P = 0.598).ConclusionsThe systematic administration of GUSS in a population of patients with acute ischaemic stroke did not reduce the occurrence of SAP, mortality or 3‐month functional dependence when compared with the systematic administration of the 10‐mL water‐swallowing test.
Sustainability assessment in the presence of undesirable factors over time: A case on gas companies
Authors: Amirteimoori Hamzeh , Amirteimoori Alireza , Amirteimoori Arash 
Published: October 2018

AbstractSustainability is an essential ingredient for long‐term success of firms, and its assessment has a significant impact on decision making and sustainability management. In the current paper, a data envelopment analysis‐based approach is proposed to assess the sustainability of systems over several periods when undesirable outputs are present in the process. Indeed, sustainability is assessed in each period and, as a whole, simultaneously. Furthermore, social, economic, and environmental efficiency scores of multiperiod systems are evaluated in each period. The weak disposability assumption is used to handle undesirable outputs. Also, the current study concerns socio‐economic, socioenvironmental, and eco‐environmental factors in addition to economic, social, and environmental aspects. A real‐world application on Iranian gas companies is used to illustrate the applicability of the proposed approach.
Fractured Families, Connected Community: Emotional Engagement in a Transnational Social Network
Authors: Silver Alexis M. , Edelblute Heather , Mouw Ted , Chávez Sergio 
Published: October 2018

AbstractFamily separation due to international migration is an emotional hardship endured by millions in both origin and destination countries. In spite of substantial barriers impeding reunification, families often continue to centre their lives emotionally around their loved ones. Yet they also rely on proximate and cross‐border network ties for support. Social networks impact the ways in which families experience separation, but studies about transnational families have been slow to incorporate social network data. We address this gap by examining family separation within the context of a binational social network. Our findings suggest that both local and transnational social networks affect the experience of family separation for individuals in the countries of origin and destination. Moreover, our findings demonstrate the complexities associated with return migration, as this movement often initiates a new familial separation.