bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Recalibrating the ‘world map’ of palliative care development
Authors: Baur Nicole , Centeno Carlos , Garralda Eduardo , Connor Stephen , Clark David 
Published: August 2019

Background: Despite growing interest from policy makers, researchers and activists, there is still little science to underpin the global development of palliative care. This study presents the methods deployed in the creation of a ‘world map’ of palliative care development. Building on two previous iterations, with improved rigour and taking into account reviewers’ feedback, the aim of the study is to determine the level of palliative care development in 198 countries in 2017, whilst ensuring comparability with previous versions. We present methods of data collection and analysis. Methods and analysis: Primary data on the level of palliative care development in 2017 was collected from in-country experts through an online questionnaire and, where required, supplemented by published documentary sources and grey literature. Population and per capita opioid consumption data were derived from independent sources. Data analysis was conducted according to a new scoring system and algorithm developed by the research team. Ethics and dissemination: The study was approved by the University of Glasgow College of Social Sciences Research Ethics Committee. Findings of the study will be disseminated in peer-reviewed journals, as a contribution to the second edition of the Global Atlas of Palliative Care at the End-of-Life, and via social media, including the Glasgow End of Life Studies Group blog and the project website. Limitations of the study: There are potential biases associated with self-reporting by key in-country experts. In some countries, the identified key expert failed to complete the questionnaire in whole or part and data limitations were potentially compounded by language restrictions, as questionnaires were available only in three European languages. The study relied in part on data from independent sources, the accuracy of which could not be verified.
Safety assessment of microsilver-loaded poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) cement spacers in patients with prosthetic hip infections
Authors: Alt Volker , Rupp Markus , Lemberger Karsten , Bechert Thorsten , Konradt Thomas , Steinrücke Peter , Schnettler Reinhard , Söder Stephan , Ascherl Rudolf 
Published: August 2019

Objectives Preclinical data showed poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) loaded with microsilver to be effective against a variety of bacteria. The purpose of this study was to assess patient safety of PMMA spacers with microsilver in prosthetic hip infections in a prospective cohort study. Methods A total of 12 patients with prosthetic hip infections were included for a three-stage revision procedure. All patients received either a gentamicin-PMMA spacer (80 g to 160 g PMMA depending on hip joint dimension) with additional loading of 1% (w/w) of microsilver (0.8 g to 1.6 g per spacer) at surgery 1 followed by a gentamicin-PMMA spacer without microsilver at surgery 2 or vice versa. Implantation of the revision prosthesis was carried out at surgery 3. Results In total, 11 of the 12 patients completed the study. No argyria or considerable differences in laboratory parameters were detected. Silver blood concentrations were below or around the detection limit of 1 ppb in ten of the 11 patients. A maximum of 5.6 ppb at 48 hours after implantation of the silver spacer, which is below the recommended maximum level of 10 ppb, was found in one patient. No silver was detected in the urine. Drainage fluids showed concentrations between 16.1 ppb and 23.3 ppb at 12 hours after implantation of the silver spacers, and between 16.8 ppb to 25.1 ppb at 48 hours after implantation. Pathohistological assessment of the periprosthetic membrane did not reveal any differences between the two groups. Conclusion Microsilver-loaded gentamicin-PMMA spacers showed good biocompatibility and the broad antimicrobial activity warrants further clinical research to assess its effectivity in reducing infection rates in prosthetic joint infection. Cite this article: V. Alt, M. Rupp, K. Lemberger, T. Bechert, T. Konradt, P. Steinrücke, R. Schnettler, S. Söder, R. Ascherl. Safety assessment of microsilver-loaded poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) cement spacers in patients with prosthetic hip infections: Results of a prospective cohort study. Bone Joint Res 2019;8:387–396. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.88.BJR-2018-0270.R1.
Rapid analysis of bacterial composition in prosthetic joint infection by 16S rRNA metagenomic sequencing
Authors: Chen Mei-Feng , Chang Chih-Hsiang , Chiang-Ni Chuan , Hsieh Pang-Hsin , Shih Hsin-Nung , Ueng Steve W. N. , Chang Yuhan 
Published: August 2019

Objectives Prosthetic joint infection (PJI) is the most common cause of arthroplasty failure. However, infection is often difficult to detect by conventional bacterial cultures, for which false-negative rates are 23% to 35%. In contrast, 16S rRNA metagenomics has been shown to quantitatively detect unculturable, unsuspected, and unviable pathogens. In this study, we investigated the use of 16S rRNA metagenomics for detection of bacterial pathogens in synovial fluid (SF) from patients with hip or knee PJI. Methods We analyzed the bacterial composition of 22 SF samples collected from 11 patients with PJIs (first- and second-stage surgery). The V3 and V4 region of bacteria was assessed by comparing the taxonomic distribution of the 16S rDNA amplicons with microbiome sequencing analysis. We also compared the results of bacterial detection from different methods including 16S metagenomics, traditional cultures, and targeted Sanger sequencing. Results Polymicrobial infections were not only detected, but also characterized at different timepoints corresponding to first- and second-stage exchange arthroplasty. Similar taxonomic distributions were obtained by matching sequence data against SILVA, Greengenes, and The National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). All bacteria isolated from the traditional culture could be further identified by 16S metagenomics and targeted Sanger sequencing. Conclusion The data highlight 16S rRNA metagenomics as a suitable and promising method to detect and identify infecting bacteria, most of which may be uncultivable. Importantly, the method dramatically reduces turnaround time to two days rather than approximately one week for conventional cultures. Cite this article: M-F. Chen, C-H. Chang, C. Chiang-Ni, P-H. Hsieh, H-N. Shih, S. W. N. Ueng, Y. Chang. Rapid analysis of bacterial composition in prosthetic joint infection by 16S rRNA metagenomic sequencing. Bone Joint Res 2019;8:367–377. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.88.BJR-2019-0003.R2.
Reconstructive utilisation and outcomes following mastectomy surgery in women with breast cancer treated in England
Authors: Jeevan R 
Published: August 2019

Introduction Breast cancer usually necessitates breast-conserving surgery or mastectomy, which adversely affect appearance and wellbeing. Immediate reconstruction restores the breast mound but its availability and efficacy are uncertain. Materials and methods Two discrete datasets were used to evaluate mastectomies in England: Hospital Episode Statistics to measure overall activity and variation over time and by region and a national prospective audit to evaluate immediate reconstruction decision making, complication rates and patient-reported satisfaction with information, choice and outcomes. Results The 2005–08 Hospital Episode Statistics analyses identified 20% breast-conserving surgery reoperation rates nationally, frequently involving mastectomy. Rates were higher with in-situ disease present (30% vs 18%) and varied across NHS trusts (10th–90th centiles 12–30%). The 2008–09 national audit examined 18,216 women. The 19% immediate reconstruction rate varied regionally (9–43%), as did 2006–09 Hospital Episode Statistics data (8–32%). A total of 48% of women were offered immediate reconstruction, again varying regionally (24–75%). Offer likelihood fell with increasing age. National immediate reconstruction rates increased from 10% to 23% from 2000 to 2014, but regional variation persisted. Despite high care satisfaction, just 65% of mastectomy patients received the right amount of reconstructive information (90% for immediate reconstruction). Women from deprived areas experienced higher complication rates. Flap-based immediate reconstruction led to greater satisfaction with breast area appearance, emotional and sexual wellbeing and overall outcome than mastectomy; implant-only immediate reconstruction scored no better. Conclusion Reconstruction is central to improving breast cancer outcomes. The differential outcomes and persistent regional inequalities identified should facilitate decision making, support improved access to all reconstructive options and inform the development of an optimal patient pathway.
Harnack inequality and an asymptotic mean-value property for the Finsler infinity-Laplacian
Authors: Mebrate Benyam , Mohammed Ahmed 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
In this paper, we prove a Harnack inequality for nonnegative viscosity supersolutions of nonhomogeneous equations associated with normalized Finsler infinity-Laplace operators.
Viscosity solutions to homogeneous equations are also characterized via an asymptotic mean-value property, understood in a viscosity sense.
Muscarinic Inhibition of Hypoglossal Motoneurons: Possible Implications for Upper Airway Muscle Hypotonia during REM Sleep
Authors: Zhu Lin , Chamberlin Nancy L. , Arrigoni Elda 
Published: August 2019

Proper function of pharyngeal dilator muscles, including the genioglossus muscle of the tongue, is required to maintain upper airway patency. During sleep, the activity of these muscles is suppressed, and as a result individuals with obstructive sleep apnea experience repeated episodes of upper airway closure when they are asleep, in particular during rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep. Blocking cholinergic transmission in the hypoglossal motor nucleus (MoXII) restores REM sleep genioglossus activity, highlighting the importance of cholinergic transmission in the inhibition of hypoglossal motor neurons (HMNs) during REM sleep. Glutamatergic afferent input from neurons in the parahypoglossal (PH) region to the HMNs is critical for MoXII respiratory motor output. We hypothesized that state-dependent cholinergic regulation may be mediated by this pathway. Here we studied the effects of cholinergic transmission in HMNs in adult male and female mice using patch-clamp recordings in brain slices. Using channelrhodopsin-2-assisted circuit mapping, we first demonstrated that PH glutamatergic neurons directly and robustly activate HMNs (PHGlut→ HMNs). We then show that carbachol consistently depresses this input and that this effect is presynaptic. Additionally, carbachol directly affects HMNs by a variable combination of muscarinic-mediated excitatory and inhibitory responses. Altogether, our results suggest that cholinergic signaling impairs upper airway dilator muscle activity by suppressing glutamatergic input from PH premotoneurons to HMNs and by directly inhibiting HMNs. Our findings highlight the complexity of cholinergic control of HMNs at both the presynaptic and postsynaptic levels and provide a possible mechanism for REM sleep suppression of upper airway muscle activity.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTIndividuals with obstructive sleep apnea can breathe adequately when awake but experience repeated episodes of upper airway closure when asleep, in particular during REM sleep. Similar to skeletal postural muscles, pharyngeal dilator muscles responsible for maintaining an open upper airway become hypotonic during REM sleep. Unlike spinal motoneurons controlling postural muscles that are inhibited by glycinergic transmission during REM sleep, hypoglossal motoneurons that control the upper airway muscles are inhibited in REM sleep by the combination of monoaminergic disfacilitation and cholinergic inhibition. In this study, we demonstrated how cholinergic signaling inhibits hypoglossal motoneurons through presynaptic and postsynaptic muscarinic receptors. Our results provide a potential mechanism for upper airway hypotonia during REM sleep.
EL PAISAJE AGROPECUARIO COMO REFERENTE PARA EL ORDENAMIENTO DEL TERRITORIO RURAL. UNA APROXIMACIÓN AL CASO DEL MUNICIPIO DE ONZAGA, SANTANDER
Authors: Muñoz Zea Sandra Marcela 
Published: August 2019

El presente artículo centra su atención en la importancia del concepto de los paisajes agrarios como herramienta de diagnóstico que contribuye a la formulación de acciones futuras para el ordenamiento territorial rural en muchas regiones de Colombia. Se parte, por tanto, de una aproximación a la normativa colombiana, específicamente en lo concerniente a la aprehensión del territorio rural, evidenciándose un desconocimiento gubernamental sobre la complejidad del componente territorial. Posteriormente, se desarrolla un ejercicio de análisis con base en experiencias y avances académicos realizados especialmente en Europa, donde se asumen las unidades productivas agropecuarias (UPA) como referentes de la expresión paisajística agraria, dada la complejidad de su estructura, de su conformación, así como su injerencia sobre el paisaje que se establece. Sucesivamente, se explora el concepto de “paisaje” en la planificación del territorio, ligado en particular al paisaje agrario y a sus connotaciones. Por tanto, se acude también a estudio de casos, los cuales contribuyen a crear puntos de reflexión para el conocimiento del paisaje agrario a partir de buenas prácticas documentadas a través de la investigación. En la parte conclusiva, se fortifica el concepto de unidades productivas agropecuarias (UPA) en la interpretación del territorio, lo cual abre un derrotero hacia la identificación de las características paisajísticas naturales del municipio de Onzaga. Finalmente, se articulan las debidas conclusiones del estudio presentado en el artículo, las cuales dejan claro a intención de crear una mirada prospectiva sobre dicho territorio.
Spatial distribution of submerged aquatic vegetation in An Chan coastal waters, Phu Yen province using the PlanetScope satellite image
Authors: Hang Nguyen Thi Thu , Hoa Nguyen Thai , Tu Nguyen Van , Lam Nguyen Ngoc 
Published: August 2019

Seaweed and seagrass form marine submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV), which plays an essential role in economic development and ecological protection in coastal areas. In this study, PlanetScope (PS )imaging data was combined with in situ samplings to demonstrate their ability to map SAV distribution in An Chan commune, Tuy An district, Phu Yen province, Central Vietnam. Thanks to data pre-processing by Lyzenga’s algorithm and the masking in PS image allow us to remove partly the signals of spectral noises from sun glint effect as well as other random noises. The analysis and accuracy assessment of SAV classification by four different techniques: DII, enhanced DII, BRI and enhanced BRI were alternately performed. The overall accuracy in the accuracy assessment of SAV classification by the above techniques were alternately 83.33%, 88.58%, 86.17%, and 92.52% respectively. Kappa coefficients in the accuracy assessment of SAV classification by the above techniques were alternately 0.77, 0.84, 0.81 and 0.90 respectively. The results of SAV classification by enhanced BRI technique provided the best accuracies and will be chosen for assessing the distribution of Submerge Aquatic Vegetation (SAV) canopies in An Chan coastal waters from PS satellite image. The seagrass beds in An Chan is spread along the coast as well as lie close to the coast of islets. Whereas, the seaweed meadows lie in deeper waters and in the foot of the reefs in 3–4m deep. The total seagrass area in An Chan region was approximately 12.22 ha, with 10.93 ha seagrasses in My Quang, 1.18 ha in Hon Chua and 0.11 ha in Hon Dua. The total seaweed area in An Chan region was approximately 50.32 ha, with 20.20 ha seaweed meadows in My Quang, 22.8 ha in Hon Chua, 5.72 ha in Hon Dua and a small part of 1.60 ha in underwater small reefs.
Expressive Real-Time Intersection Scheduling
Authors: Goldstein Rick 
Published: August 2019

Traffic congestion is a widespread annoyance throughout global metropolitan areas. It causes increases in travel time, increases in emissions, inefficient usage of gasoline, and driver frustration. Inefficient signal patterns at traffic lights are one major cause of such congestion. Intersection scheduling strategies that make real-time decisions to extend or end a green signal based on real-time traffic data offer one opportunity reduce congestion and its negative impacts. My research proposes Expressive Real-time Intersection Scheduling (ERIS). ERIS is a decentralized, schedule-driven control method which makes a decision every second based on current traffic conditions to reduce congestion.
A study of visual inspection of cervix under acetic acid and visual inspection of cervix under Lugol's iodine for screening of carcinoma cervix
Authors: Kanash Sunita , Shirodkar S. D. , Gawai Swati 
Published: August 2019

Background: Carcinoma cervix is the most common cancer among women in developing countries. The objectives of the study were to study the sensitivity and specificity of visual inspection of the cervix with acetic acid (VIA) and Lugol's iodine (VILI) for cervical cancer screening. To study the correlation of demographic data like age, socioeconomic status, education residential area, parity, age at marriage in premalignant lesion of the cervix.Methods: The present study was conducted in the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at a Tertiary Medical Care Center over a period of two years. Five hundred fifty women between 20-65 years of age who fulfilled the selection criteria were enrolled in our study. Positive tests for VIA was opaque aceto white lesion on applying 5% acetic acid or detection of definite yellow iodine non uptake areas with Lugol's iodine in the transformation zone or close to touching the squamocolumnar junction. Positive cases were scheduled for cervical biopsy. Ethical approval of the study protocol was obtained from the ethics committee of the institute.Results: On down staging 7.2% (40/550) of cases had an unhealthy cervix and 0.36% (2/550) with a suspicious cervix. VIA positive in 4.55% (25/550), VILI positive in 2.73% (15/550). Biopsy was taken from positive with VIA and VILI. On histology 2.9% (16) were chronic cervicitis, CIN I had (1), 0.2%, CIN II (2) 0.4%, CIN III (4) 0.7% and squamous cell carcinoma (2) 0.4% VIA sensitivity 72.22%, specificity 97.74%. VILI sensitivity 100%, specificity 98.89%.Conclusions: VIA and VILI are simple, inexpensive, low resources technique. Both have high sensitivity and specificity.
PROFITABILITY AND RISK IN RELATION TO CREDIT MONITORING AND RECOVERY STRATEGIES OF PALESTINIAN COMMERCIAL BANKING SYSTEM
Authors: Alaeddin Omar , Thabet Wael M. , A.S. Thabet Ahmed , Nurmukhamedov Bakhodir 
Published: August 2019

Purpose of Study: This study implemented an empirical investigation for the relationship between credit risk management and profitability of commercial banks in Palestine over the period of 3years (2015-2018), ten commercial banks were selected.
Methodology: The financial theory was employed to create the research model; Return on Asset (ROA) is defined as proxies of profitability while credit monitoring (LLPI) is defined as proxies of credit risk management. Panel model analysis was used to estimate the determination of the profit function.
Results: Statistical results revealed that the relationship between the credit monitoring and commercial banks profitability is negative significant (β= -3.419, P ˂ 0.05). Therefore, the results improve that LLPI has a significant effect on Palestinian commercial banks profitability's.
ROLE OF SELF-EFFICACY IN IMPROVING THE LIVES OF YOUTH IN PUBLIC HOUSING
Authors: Zainualdin Adibah , Abdullah Arliza , Kamarudin Hanis Syazwani , Wan Yusuff Wan Yusrina , Zainuddin Siti Nor Khairunissa 
Published: August 2019

Purpose of Study: Having a sense of hope and aspirations for the future are often conceptualized as components of resilience for youth in urban environments. However, less is known about the factors that may influence how young people develop their future aspirations, and how those aspirations may impact their actions in achieving their goals. This study is a conceptual paper to identify the factors that influence the youth future aspirations and how self-efficacy acts as a moderator. Self-efficacy being defined by Albert Bandura as one's belief in one's ability to succeed in specific situations or accomplish a task. Through preliminary studies conducted by informal interviews with youth in four (4) PPR in Kuala Lumpur it was found that the youths in the PPR are divided into 3 segments firstly the illiterate youth, secondly literate youth with a few years of formal schooling and third group of youth who completed their formal schooling. Using Maslow’s hierarchy of needs as a theoretical framework we hope to identify factors that contribute towards the youth future aspirations.
Methodology: In this paper, literature relating to the development and characteristics of youth in public housing, self-efficacy, and factors that influence the youth future aspirations are reviewed to ascertain if any relationship exists between them.
Results: A conceptual framework is developed to propose the relationship between success factors as the independent variables and youth future aspirations as the dependent variable, with self-efficacy as the moderator. This study identified success factors that could influence the future aspirations of youth in public housing in Malaysia. We propose a model for developing youths’ future aspirations.
Actitudes hacia el español hablado y escrito de los Estados Unidos
Authors: Medina-Rivera Antonio 
Published: August 2019

En el presente trabajo se examinan actitudes hacia el español hablado y escrito de los Estados Unidos. El análisis parte de un cuestionario que se hizo con hablantes nativos de español de diferentes países del mundo hispánico por medio de un instrumento de colección en línea que se llama Survey Monkey. En el mismo participaron 110 hablantes de español de España, Colombia, Perú, Argentina, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guatemala, Cuba, México y Chile. Los resultaron muestran el conocimiento y las actitudes que dichos hablantes tienen sobre el español de los Estados Unidos, y ofrece algunos signos de vitalización y desarrollo del español en dicho país.