bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Childhood mortality, intra-household bargaining power and fertility preferences among women in Ghana
Authors: Novignon Jacob , Djossou Nadege Gbetoton , Enemark Ulrika 
Published: September 2019

Abstract

Background
Continuing population growth could be detrimental for social and economic wellbeing. Understanding the factors that influence family planning decisions will be important for policy. This paper examines the effect of childhood mortality and women’s bargaining power on family planning decisions.

Methods
Data was from the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (DHS). A sample of 3313 women in their reproductive age were included in this study. We created variables on women’s exposure to and experience of child mortality risks. Three different indicators of women’s bargaining power in the household were also used. Probit models were estimated in accordance with the nature of the dependent variable.

Results
Results from the probit models suggest that child mortality has a positive association with higher fertility preference. Also, child mortality risks and woman’s bargaining power play important roles in a woman’s fertility choices in Ghana. Women with higher bargaining power were likely to prefer fewer children in the face of child mortality risks, compared to women with lower bargaining power.

Conclusion
In addition to public sensitization campaigns on the dangers of high fertility and use of contraceptives, the findings of this study emphasize the need to focus on reducing child mortality and improving women bargaining power in developing countries.
Differential contractile response of critically ill patients to neuromuscular electrical stimulation
Authors: Grunow Julius J. , Goll Moritz , Carbon Niklas M. , Liebl Max E. , Weber-Carstens Steffen , Wollersheim Tobias 
Published: September 2019

AbstractBackgroundNeuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) has been investigated as a preventative measure for intensive care unit-acquired weakness. Trial results remain contradictory and therefore inconclusive. As it has been shown that NMES does not necessarily lead to a contractile response, our aim was to characterise the response of critically ill patients to NMES and investigate potential outcome benefits of an adequate contractile response.MethodsThis is a sub-analysis of a randomised controlled trial investigating early muscle activating measures together with protocol-based physiotherapy in patients with a SOFA score ≥ 9 within the first 72 h after admission. Included patients received protocol-based physiotherapy twice daily for 20 min and NMES once daily for 20 min, bilaterally on eight muscle groups. Electrical current was increased up to 70 mA or until a contraction was detected visually or on palpation. Muscle strength was measured by a blinded assessor at the first adequate awakening and ICU discharge.ResultsOne thousand eight hundred twenty-four neuromuscular electrical stimulations in 21 patients starting on day 3.0 (2.0/6.0) after ICU admission were included in this sub-analysis. Contractile response decreased from 64.4% on day 1 to 25.0% on day 7 with a significantly lower response rate in the lower extremities and proximal muscle groups. The electrical current required to elicit a contraction did not change over time (day 1, 50.2 [31.3/58.8] mA; day 7, 45.3 [38.0/57.5] mA). The electrical current necessary for a contractile response was higher in the lower extremities. At the first awakening, patients presented with significant weakness (3.2 [2.5/3.8] MRC score). When dividing the cohort into responders and non-responders (> 50% vs. ≤ 50% contractile response), we observed a significantly higher SOFA score in non-responders. The electrical current necessary for a muscle contraction in responders was significantly lower (38.0 [32.8/42.9] vs. 54.7 [51.3/56.0] mA,p < 0.001). Muscle strength showed higher values in the upper extremities of responders at ICU discharge (4.4 [4.1/4.6] vs. 3.3 [2.8/3.8] MRC score,p = 0.036).ConclusionPatients show a differential contractile response to NMES, which appears to be dependent on the severity of illness and also relevant for potential outcome benefits.Trial registrationISRCTNISRCTN19392591, registered 17 February 2011
Perioperative antibiotic prescribing in surgery departments of two private sector hospitals in Madhya Pradesh, India
Authors: Machowska Anna , Sparrentoft Jonatan , Dhakaita Shyam Kumar , StålsbyLundborg Cecilia , Sharma Megha 
Published: September 2019

Abstract

Background
Single-dose perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis (PAP) is recommended for clean, non-infectious surgeries to prevent surgical site infections. However, the common practice of unindicated use and prolonged use of antibiotics contributes to the development and spread of antibiotic resistance (ABR). The present study explores the perioperative use of antibiotics among inpatients with surgical indications at surgery departments of a teaching (TH) and a non-teaching (NTH) tertiary care hospital in Madhya Pradesh, India.

Methods
Data was collected manually for all inpatients for 3 years (April 2008–August 2011). Patients with non-infectious surgical indications were selected for detailed analysis at the diagnosis group level.

Results
Out of 12,434 enrolled inpatients (TH 6171 and NTH 6263), the majority (> 85%) received antibiotics. None of the inpatients received the recommended single-dose PAP. The average duration of antibiotic treatment was significantly longer at the TH compared to the NTH (9.5 vs 4.4 days, p < 0.001). Based on the study aim, 5984 patients were classified in four diagnosis groups: upper or lower urinary tract surgery indications (UUTSI and LUTSI), and routine or emergency abdominal surgery indications (RASI and EASI). In both hospitals, quinolones were the most prescribed antibiotics for UUTSI (TH 70%, NTH 37%) and LUTSI (TH 70%, NTH 61%) antibiotic. In the TH, aminoglycosides (TH 32%) were commonly prescribed for RASI and imidazole derivatives (75%) for EASI. In the NTH, cephalosporins (39%) and imidazole derivatives (56%) were the most prescribed in RASI and EASI, respectively.

Conclusions and recommendations
High prescribing of antibiotics in all four selected diagnoses groups was observed at both hospitals. In spite of the recommended single-dose PAP, antibiotics were mainly prescribed for longer durations. The unrecommended use of antibiotics is a risk factor for the development of AMR. Improving the quality of antibiotic prescribing by a stewardship program focusing on the development and implementation of local prescribing guidelines is needed.
Extent of predation bias present in migration survival and timing of Atlantic salmon smolt (Salmo salar) as suggested by a novel acoustic tag
Authors: Daniels Jason , Sutton Stephen , Webber Dale , Carr Jonathan 
Published: September 2019

Abstract

Background
Acoustic telemetry is increasingly being used as a tool to measure survival, migration timing and behaviour of fish. Tagged fish may fall prey to other animals with the tag continuing to be detected whilst it remains in the gastrointestinal tract of the predator. Failure to identify post-predation detections introduces “predation bias” into the data. We employed a new predator tag technology in the first known field trial to understand the extent these tags could reduce predation bias in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) smolt migration through a 65-km zone beginning in freshwater and extending through an estuary. These tags signal predation by detecting a pH change in the predators’ gut during digestion of a tagged prey. We quantified survival and timing bias by comparing measurements from non- and post-predated detections of tagged individuals’ to only those detections where predation was not signalled.

Results
Of the 50 fish tagged, 41 were detected with 24 of these signalling as predated. Predation bias was greatest in the upper estuary and decreased towards the bay. Survival bias peaked at 11.6% at river km 54. Minimum and maximum migration time were both biased long and were 16% and 4% greater than bias corrected timing at river km 66 and 54, respectively. After correcting for bias, the apparent survival from release through freshwater and estuary was 19% and minimum and maximum migration timing was 6.6 and 7.0 days, respectively.

Conclusions
Using this tag, we identified a high proportion of predation events that may have otherwise gone unnoticed using conventional acoustic tags. Estimated survival presented the greatest predation bias in the upper estuary which gradually declined to nearly no apparent bias in the lower estuary as predated tags failed through time to be detected. This is most likely due to tag expulsion from the predator between or upstream of receiver arrays. Whilst we have demonstrated that predation can bias telemetry results, it appears to be rather short-lived given the apparent retention times of these tags within the predators introducing the bias.
Regulatory framework in Pakistan: situation analysis of medicine quality and future recommendations
Authors: Rasheed Huma , Hoellein Ludwig , Bukhari Khalid Saeed , Holzgrabe Ulrike 
Published: September 2019

Abstract

Background
Quality issues in pharmaceuticals are identified as a huge global and public health problem, especially with reference to low- and middle-income countries like Pakistan. The 2011 “Fake Drug Crisis” acted as a driving force to reform the regulatory structures of the country and for establishing the autonomous “Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan”. Despite the fact that Pakistan possesses a huge pharmaceutical industry, there is a severe dearth of published literature and scientific evidence for the country regarding medicine quality and the prevalence of counterfeit and low-quality products, respectively.

Aims and objectives
This narrative review covers relevant features of the regulatory framework for pharmaceuticals in Pakistan, its national pharmaceutical industry, as well as a compilation and analysis of published literature for documentation of the country’s situation regarding the overall quality of medicines.

Methods
Available data including scientific publications on the quality of pharmaceuticals in peer reviewed journals, research reports, notifications, and alerts issued by the World Health Organization and other agencies were accessed and compiled. Post graduate dissertations were used to represent unpublished research data and drug safety alerts issued from the local Pakistan authority were analysed to assess the type and number of quality failures reported for pharmaceuticals.

Results
It could be clearly shown that there is negligible scientific data available on the issue of medicine quality in Pakistan. The anticipated number of 40–50% of poor-quality drugs in Pakistan cannot be defended by data available from the literature. Accessible technologies and strategies used in recent years at global level, especially in developing countries, were also reviewed and recommendations are devised for Pakistan to combat the fight against poor-quality medicines.

Conclusion
The case reports, investigations, and general data listed for Pakistan suggest the need of strengthening regulatory systems for premises and GMP inspections, analytical laboratories, as well as an overall capacity building in the field of unravelling and controlling substandard and falsified medicines. It is proposed that well-planned and properly funded studies need to be carried out for collecting critical statistics regarding the prevalence of substandard and falsified medicines in Pakistan.
Similarity assessment of quality attributes of biological medicines: the calculation of operating characteristics to compare different statistical approaches
Authors: Stangler Thomas , Schiestl Martin 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThe comparison of quality attributes is a key element in the evaluation of both biosimilars and manufacturing process changes for biological medicines. Different statistical approaches are proposed to facilitate such evaluations. However, there is no regulatory consensus on a quantitative and scientifically justified definition and an underlying hypothesis of a statistically equivalent quality. The latter is essential to calculate operating characteristics of different approaches. This article proposes a hypothesis for establishing statistically equivalent quality which is concordant with current regulations. It also describes a tool which allows comparisons of different statistical approaches or tests by calculating the operating characteristics for false acceptance and false rejection rates of a claim for statistically equivalent quality. These error rates should be as low as possible to allow a meaningful application of a statistical approach in regulatory decision making. The described tool can be used to compare different statistical approaches for their suitability and may also facilitate the discussion and development of statistical approaches for comparing quality attributes in similarity assessments in general.
A possible role for sarcosine in the management of schizophrenia
Authors: Curtis David 
Published: September 2019

SummarySarcosine, which is freely sold as a dietary supplement, has pharmacological activity to boost functioning of the glutamatergic N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) and hence it is a biologically rational treatment for schizophrenia. The small number of studies carried out to date provide some evidence for its efficacy and psychiatrists could consider suggesting its use to their patients.
Persistent vs transient alteration of folliculogenesis and estrous cycle after neonatal vs adult exposure to Bisphenol A
Authors: López-Rodríguez David , Franssen Delphine , Sevrin Elena , Gérard Arlette , Balsat Cédric , Blacher Silvia , Noël Agnès , Parent Anne-Simone 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
Exposure to Bisphenol A (BPA), a ubiquitous endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC) is known to produce variable effects on female puberty and ovulation. This variability of effects is possibly due to differences in dose and period of exposure. Little is known about the effects of adult exposure to environmentally relevant doses of this EDC and the differences in effect after neonatal exposure. This study aims at comparing the effects of neonatal versus adult exposure to a very low or a high dose of BPA for two weeks on ovulation and folliculogenesis and exploring the hypothalamic mechanisms involved in such disruption by BPA. One day-old and 90 day-old female rats received daily subcutaneous injections of corn oil (vehicle) or BPA (25 ng/kg/d or 5 mg/kg/d) for 15 days. Neonatal exposure to both BPA doses significantly disrupted the estrous cycle and induced a decrease in primordial follicles. Effects on estrous cyclicity and folliculogenesis persisted into adulthood, consistent with a disruption of organizational mechanisms. During adult exposure, both doses caused a reversible decrease in antral follicles and corpora lutea. A reversible disruption of the estrous cycle associated with a delay and a decrease in the amplitude of the LH surge was also observed. Alterations of the hypothalamic expression of the clock gene Per1 and the novel reproductive peptide Phoenixin indicated a disruption of the hypothalamic control of the preovulatory LH surge by BPA.
Nature and Critique of Modernity in Shen Congwen
Authors: Wang Ban 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
Contemporary environmental crises have their origin in the anthropocentric view of humans as separable from and superior to the natural world. Anthropocentrism also marks the realist author of modern Chinese fiction. Departing from that human-centered view, Shen Congwen's work evinces a biological perspective and affirms an ecological understanding of life in which the writing self must trace its roots to and reciprocate with other organisms and all-encompassing nature. The animistic language of Shen's writing delves into the ecological and bodily foundation of beauty and arts. Shen's notion of the longue durée of biology and evolution debunks the transient zeitgeist of modern transformation and accelerations, propelled by the human domination of nature and alienation of the human body. Shen's portrayal of sexuality reasserts the reciprocity and entwinement of inner nature with outer nature.
Molecular Field Analysis Using Intermediates in Enantio-Determining Steps Can Extract Information for Data-Driven Molecular Design in Asymmetric Catalysis
Authors: Yamaguchi Shigeru , Sodeoka Mikiko 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
We report that a regression technique, molecular field analysis (MFA), is useful to design molecules in asymmetric catalysis. We found that MFA using intermediate structures in an enantio-determining step enabled extraction and visualization of important 3D-structural information for improving enantioselectivity. Based on the visualized structural information, we designed a catalyst and substrate. DFT calculations indicated that enantioselectivities of the reactions using the compounds would improve significantly. We confirmed experimentally that the designed substrate exhibited higher enantioselectivity than those in the training set.
Bizcool: o caso de uma aceleradora de ideias
Authors: Valadares Gustavo Clemente , Lamboglia Galo Andrés Suasnavas , Sugano Joel Yutaka , Silva João Paulo Nascimento da 
Published: September 2019

Esse Caso de Ensino visa estimular a discussão e tomada de decisão acerca de Modelo de Negócios, notadamente, mediante o entendimento do modelo da Bizcool, uma aceleradora de startups inovadora, que utiliza a metodologia de compartilhamento do conhecimento para ampliar e acelerar os negócios das empresas clientes. Este estudo se configura como forma de um caso e apresenta os nove blocos do Canvas da empresa e, com isso, propõe o radar de inovação da Bizcool, apresentando o alinhamento dos cursos para desenvolvimento das ideias dos clientes e a criação de laços entre empreendedores.
Factors associated with poor physical performance in older adults of 11 Peruvian high Andean communities
Authors: Urrunaga-Pastor Diego , Runzer-Colmenares Fernando M. , Arones Tania M. , Meza-Cordero Rosario , Taipe-Guizado Silvana , Guralnik Jack M. , Parodi Jose F. 
Published: September 2019

Background: Physical performance in the older adult has been extensively studied. However, only a few studies have evaluated physical performance among older adults of high Andean populations and none have studied the factors associated with it. The objective of this study was to evaluate factors associated with poor physical performance by using the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) in older adults living in 11 Peruvian high Andean communities. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was carried out in inhabitants aged 60 or over from 11 high-altitude Andean communities of Peru during 2013-2017. Participants were categorized in two groups according to their SPPB score: poor physical performance (0-6 points) and medium/good physical performance (7-12 points). Additionally, we collected socio-demographic, medical, functional and cognitive assessment information. Poisson regression models were constructed to identify factors associated with poor physical performance. Prevalence ratio (PR) with 95% confidence intervals (95 CI%) are presented. Results: A total of 407 older adults were studied. The average age was 73.0 ± 6.9 years (range: 60-94 years) and 181 (44.5%) participants had poor physical performance (0-6 points). In the adjusted Poisson regression analysis, the factors associated with poor physical performance were: female gender (PR=1.29; 95%CI: 1.03-1.61), lack of social support (PR=2.10; 95%CI: 1.17-3.76), number of drugs used (PR=1.09; 95%CI: 1.01-1.17), urinary incontinence (PR=1.45; 95%CI: 1.16-1.82), exhaustion (PR=1.35; 95%CI: 1.03-1.75) and cognitive impairment (PR=1.89; 95%CI: 1.40-2.55). Conclusions: Almost half of the population evaluated had poor physical performance based on the SPPB. Factors that would increase the possibility of suffering from poor physical performance were: female gender, lack of social support, number of drugs used, urinary incontinence, exhaustion and cognitive impairment. Future studies with a larger sample and longitudinal follow-up are needed to design beneficial interventions for the high Andean population.
Impulsiveness and cyclothymic traits of affective temperament as predictors of risky gambling behavior
Authors: Turek Aleksander , Machalska Karolina , Chrobak Adrian , Siwek Marcin , Dudek Dominika 
Published: September 2019

Cel pracyHazard patologiczny charakteryzuje się obniżoną kontrolą poznawczą i behawioralną, które prowadzi do naruszenia wartości i zobowiązań społecznych, rodzinnych, zawodowych i materialnych. Hazard patologiczny cechuje wysoka współchorobowość z chorobami afektywnymi. Liczne badania wskazały na podwyższoną impulsywność u pacjentów z zaburzeniami ze spektrum zaburzeń dwubiegunowych w stanie eutymii, jak i u osób patologicznie uprawiających hazard.
Cel badania: Określenie cech dwubiegunowości oraz impulsywności u osób uprawiających hazard patologiczny, w porównaniu do osób uprawiających hazard niepatologiczny i osób nieuprawiających hazardu. Określenie interakcji pomiędzy cechami temperamentu afektywnego, impulsywnością i nasileniem zachowań hazardowych.MetodaW badaniu wzięło udział 139 uczestników (63 kobiet), średnia wieku uczestnika wyniosła 30,32 (SD = 10,69). Do pomiaru impulsywności użyto Skali Impulsywności Barratta, do pomiaru afektywnych cech temperamentalnych użyto kwestionariusz Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa and San Diego Autoquestionnaire. Objawy zaburzeń ze spektrum afektywnych dwubiegunowych zmierzono kwestionariuszami Mood Disorder Questionnaire i Hypomania Checklist-32. Kanadyjski Indeks Gier Hazardowych (CPGI) wykorzystano do oceny stopnia nasilenia hazardu patologicznego. Polskie wersje kwestionariuszy anonimowo wypełniono drogą internetową.WynikiOsoby uprawiające hazard patologiczny (N=36) uzyskiwały istotnie wyższe wyniki w podskalach Impulsywności ruchowej, Cyklotymiczności i Drażliwości,
w porównaniu do osób uprawiających hazard niepatologiczny (N=61) i osób nieuprawiających hazardu (N=42). Cyklotymiczność i impulsywność ruchowa były predyktorami CPGI. Interakcja obu predyktorów była istotna - wyższa impulsywność ruchowa wiązała się ze zwiększonym wpływem cech cyklotymicznych temperamentu afektywnego na stopień hazardu patologicznego.WnioskiUzyskane wyniki są zgodne ze wcześniejszymi badaniami wskazującymi na podwyższoną impulsywność i cechy ze spektrum dwubiegunowości wśród osób uprawiających hazard patologicznie. Wpływ cech temperamentu afektywnego na nasilenie patologicznego hazardu jest moderowany przez impulsywność.