bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Climate change, regulatory policies and regional cooperation in South Asia
Authors: Zafarullah Habib , Huque Ahmed Shafiqul 
Published: July 2018

Purpose
With climate change and environmental degradation being major issues in the world today, it is imperative for governments within a regional setting to collaborate on initiatives, harmonize their policies and develop strategies to counter threats. In South Asia, several attempts have been made to create a common framework for action in implementing synchronized policies. However, both political and technical deterrents have thwarted moves to accommodate priorities and interests of collaborating states. The purpose of this paper is to assess these issues and existing policies/strategies in selected South Asian countries and evaluate integrated plans of action based on collaborative partnerships.

Design/methodology/approach
Using a broad exploratory and interpretive approach, this paper evaluates how harmonization of environmental principles and synergies among countries can help reduce the effect of climate change and environmental hazards. Based on a review of ideas and concepts as well as both primary and secondary sources, including official records, legislation, inter-state and regional agreements, evaluation reports, impact studies (social, economic and ecological), and commentaries, it highlights several initiatives and processes geared to creating environmental protection standards and practices for the South Asian region.

Findings
Climate change has resulted in devastating impacts on people. It contributed to the proliferation of climate refugees and high incidence of poverty in South Asia. The region faces both political and technical obstacles in developing a sustainable approach to combat climate change. This is exacerbated by non-availability of information as well as reluctance to acknowledge the problem by key actors. The best strategy will be to integrate policies and regulations in the various countries of the region to develop strategic plans. The approach of prevention and protection should replace the existing emphasis on relief and rehabilitation.

Originality/value
The paper provides a critical overview of the climatic and environmental problems encountered in the South Asian region and provides pointers to resolving shared problems through the use of policy instruments for regulating the problems within the gamut of regional environmental governance. It attempts to identify solutions to offset regulatory and institutional barriers in achieving preferred results by emphasizing the need for redesigning regulatory structures and policy approaches for ecological well-being.
Immunohistochemical study of Ki‐67 protein, androgen receptor, and estrogen receptor beta in testicular tissues of male pigs immunocastrated with different times of GnRH vaccination
Authors: Srisuwatanasagul Kongkiat , Prapaiwan Nawarus , Srisuwatanasagul Sayamon , Kunavongkrit Annop , Roongsitthichai Atthaporn 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThis study aimed to investigate the immunoexpression of Ki‐67 protein, androgen receptor (AR), and estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) in testicular tissues of male pigs immunocastrated using GnRH vaccine (Improvac™, Zoetis Co., Ltd., Thailand) with different times. Totally, 30 male pigs were classified by castration protocol into three groups: T1 (n = 10) consisted of pigs immunocastrated at 14 and 18 weeks of age, T2 (n = 10) included pigs immunocastrated at 9 and 19 weeks of age, and C (n = 10) contained intact pigs. The results revealed that testicular length of pigs in C was longer than that of both T1 (8.1 ± 0.76 vs 6.5 ± 0.5 cm, p < 0.001) and T2 (8.1 ± 0.76 vs 6.9 ± 1.0, p = 0.007). Spearman correlation coefficients showed negative correlation between testicular length and H‐score of AR (r = −0.38, p = 0.037), as well as positive correlation between testicular length and Ki‐67 index (r = 0.602, p < 0.001). Generally, mean Ki‐67 index and mean H‐scores of AR and ERβ of pigs in T1 were not different from those in T2 (p > 0.05). However, mean Ki‐67 index and mean AR H‐scores of T1 and T2 were significantly different from C group (p < 0.05). In summary, the immunocastration significantly affected testicular length, including expressions of Ki‐67, AR, and ERβ in pig testes. Moreover, the duration between two shots of GnRH vaccine could be extended from 4 to 10 weeks without difference in Ki‐67 protein, AR, and ERβ immunoexpressions.
Neurofibromatosis type I: mutation spectrum of NF1 in spanish patients
Authors: Palma Milla Carmen , Lezana Rosales José Miguel , López Montiel Javier , Andrés Garrido Lucas David , Sánchez Linares Carlos , Carmona Tamajón Sandra , Torres Fernández Carmen , Sánchez González Pablo , Franco Freire Sara , Benito López Carmen , López Siles Juan 
Published: July 2018

AbstractNeurofibromatosis type I (NF1) is one of the most common genetic disorders in humans. NF1, a tumor predisposition syndrome, is caused by heterozygous pathogenic variants in the NF1 gene. Molecular genetic testing of NF1 is complex, especially because of the presence of a high number of partial pseudogenes, some of them with a high percentage of sequence identity.In this study, we have analyzed the largest cohort of NF1 Spanish patients (150 unrelated individuals suspected of having NF1 and 53 relatives, making a total of 203 individuals). Mutation analysis of the entire coding region was performed in all unrelated index patients. Additionally, the Multiplex Ligation‐dependent Probe Amplification (MLPA) test of the NF1 gene and SPRED1 gene analysis (sequencing and MLPA test) was performed in some of the negative patients for NF1 point mutations.When fulfilling the National Institutes of Health (NIH) criterion for the clinical diagnosis of NF1, the detection rate was 79%. Among the 80 genetically confirmed NF1 probands, we detected 69 different pathogenic variants. Two mutations (3%) were gross deletions of the whole gene, the remaining 78 mutations (97%) were small changes spread among all NF1 exons. Among these 69 different mutations detected, 42 mutations were described elsewhere, and 27 mutations were novel mutations. When segregation was studied, 67% of mutations resulted de novo variants. No genetic mosaicism was detected on patients’ parents.
Population pharmacokinetics of serelaxin in patients with acute or chronic heart failure, hepatic or renal impairment, or portal hypertension and in healthy subjects
Authors: Soubret Antoine , Pang Yinuo , Yu Jing , Dahlke Marion 
Published: July 2018

AimsSerelaxin is a recombinant human relaxin‐2 peptide being developed for the treatment of acute heart failure (AHF). The present analyses aimed to evaluate serelaxin pharmacokinetics following intravenous administration and to identify covariates that may explain pharmacokinetic variability in healthy subjects and patients.MethodsSerum concentration–time data for 613 subjects from nine phase I and II studies were analysed using a nonlinear mixed‐effects model to estimate population pharmacokinetics and identify significant covariates. A quantile regression analysis was also conducted to assess the relationship between clearance and covariates by including sparse data from a phase III study.ResultsA three‐compartment disposition model was established to describe serelaxin pharmacokinetics. Three out of 23 covariates, including baseline body mass index (BMI) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and study A1201, were identified as significant covariates for clearance but with a moderate impact on steady‐state concentration, reducing the intersubject variability from 44% in the base model to 41% in the final model with covariates. The steady‐state volume of distribution (Vss) was higher in patients with AHF (544 ml kg–1) or chronic heart failure (434 ml kg–1), compared with typical nonheart failure subjects (347 ml kg–1). Quantile regression analysis showed that a 20% increase in BMI or a 20% decrease in eGFR decreased serelaxin clearance by 9.2% or 5.2%, respectively.ConclusionsPatients with HF showed higher Vss but similar clearance (and therefore steady‐state exposure) vs. non nonheart failure subjects. BMI and eGFR were identified as the main covariates explaining intersubject variability in clearance; however, the impact of these covariates on steady‐state concentration was moderate and therefore unlikely to be clinically relevant.
CPRforblind: A video game to introduce cardiopulmonary resuscitation protocol to blind people
Authors: Rodríguez Antonio , Boada Imma , Thió‐Henestrosa Santiago , Sbert Mateu 
Published: July 2018

AbstractCardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a first aid survival technique used to recover victims of cardiac arrest. To learn CPR different handheld device applications have been proposed. Most of them are based on sophisticated graphics and interaction techniques that make them inaccessible to visually impaired people. In this paper, we propose CPRforBlind, a video game designed to introduce the main steps of the CPR protocol to visually impaired people. The game is composed of different mini‐games inspired by the CPR steps proposed by European Resuscitation Council. The player acts as a helper who has to save the victim by using tactile interaction to solve the challenges assigned to each mini‐game. To test the game, 16 participants from which 8 are blind have been considered. After and before playing the game participants answered different questionnaires related to CPR knowledge, playability and enjoyability. The obtained results are very promising detecting a great improvement on CPR knowledge. In addition, blind players enjoyed the game and found it easy to play.
Management of adults with diabetes on the haemodialysis unit: summary of guidance from the Joint British Diabetes Societies and the Renal Association
Authors: Frankel A. H. , Kazempour‐Ardebili S. , Bedi R. , Chowdhury T. A. , De P. , El‐Sherbini Nevine , Game F. , Gray S. , Hardy D. , James J. , Kong M.‐F. , Ramlan G. , Southcott E. , Winocour P. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractDiabetic nephropathy remains the principal cause of end‐stage renal failure in the UK and its prevalence is set to increase. People with diabetes and end‐stage renal failure on maintenance haemodialysis are highly vulnerable, with complex comorbidities, and are at high risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes, the leading cause of mortality in this population. The management of people with diabetes receiving maintenance haemodialysis is shared between diabetes and renal specialist teams and the primary care team, with input from additional healthcare professionals providing foot care, dietary support and other aspects of multidisciplinary care. In this setting, one specialty may assume that key aspects of care are being provided elsewhere, which can lead to important components of care being overlooked. People with diabetes and end‐stage renal failure require improved delivery of care to overcome organizational difficulties and barriers to communication between healthcare teams. No comprehensive guidance on the management of this population has previously been produced. These national guidelines, the first in this area, bring together in one document the disparate needs of people with diabetes on maintenance haemodialysis. The guidelines are based on the best available evidence, or on expert opinion where there is no clear evidence to inform practice. We aim to provide clear advice to clinicians caring for this vulnerable population and to encourage and improve education for clinicians and people with diabetes to promote empowerment and self‐management.
Glycaemic management during the inpatient enteral feeding of people with stroke and diabetes
Authors: Roberts A. W. , Penfold S. ,   the Joint British Diabetes Societies (JBDS) for Inpatient Care
Published: July 2018

AbstractThis paper is an abridged and modified version of guidelines produced by the Joint British Diabetes Societies for inpatient care on glycaemic management during the enteral feeding of people with stroke and diabetes. These were revised in 2017 and have been adapted specifically for Diabetic Medicine. The full version can be found at: www.diabetes.org.uk/joint-british-diabetes-society or https://abcd.care/joint-british-diabetes-societies-jbds-inpatient-care-group. Many people have both diabetes and an acute stroke, and a stanv dard approach to the management of people with stroke is the provision of adequate nutrition. Frequently, this involves a period of enteral feeding if there is impaired ability to swallow food safely. There is currently considerable variability in the management of people with diabetes fed enterally after a stroke, and the evidence base guiding diabetes management in this clinical situation is very weak, although poor glycaemic outcomes in people receiving enteral feeding after stroke may worsen recovery and cause harm. The aim of this document is to provide sensible clinical guidance in this area, written by a multidisciplinary team; this guideline had input from diabetes specialist nurses, diabetologists, dietitians, stroke physicians and pharmacists with expertise in this area, and from UK professional organizations. It is aimed at multidisciplinary teams managing people with stroke and diabetes who require enteral feeding. We recognize that there is limited clinical evidence in this area.
Community‐wide responses to predation risk: effects of predator hunting mode on herbivores, pollinators, and parasitoids
Authors: Kersch‐Becker Mônica F. , Grisolia Bruno B. , Campos Maria J. O. , Romero Gustavo Q. 
Published: July 2018

1. Flower visitation by herbivores and pollinators often occurs simultaneously, but their potential contrasting responses to predation risk are rarely investigated in concert. Predator avoidance behaviour is common in pollinators, but remarkably little is known about the responses of other flower visitors, such as herbivores and parasitoids, to predation risk. Several traits of predators and prey are important to the overall impact of predation risk in insect communities, but how predator hunting mode influences distinct feeding guilds is not well understood.2. This study evaluated the effects of predation risk by non‐lethal predators with distinct hunting modes, a sit‐and‐wait crab spider and an actively hunting lynx spider, on floral visitation by herbivores, pollinators and parasitoids.3. Non‐lethal spiders drastically reduced flower visitation by herbivores and parasitoids. Pollinator responses to predation risk were taxon‐specific. Non‐lethal spiders did not affect specialist pollinators. In contrast, generalist pollinators avoided plants with sit‐and‐wait non‐lethal crab spiders.4. These results suggest that predator avoidance behaviour depends on predator and prey traits. Therefore, a community‐wide approach to predation risk effects should be considered, particularly in systems where different guilds are present.
Bone marrow iron score as an indicator for secondary iron overload in acute myeloid leukemia patients
Authors: Hoeks Marlijn , van der Pol Marit , Middelburg Rutger , Evers Dorothea , van Kraaij Marian , Zwaginga Jaap Jan 
Published: July 2018

AbstractObjectivesSecondary iron overload due to red blood cell transfusions (RBCT) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. However, attention for secondary iron overload and its side effects in patients with hematological malignancies may need improvement. The aim of this study was to determine the number of transfused RBCT needed to reach a maximum bone marrow iron score (BMIS).MethodsBone marrow iron score was independently assessed by two researchers on consecutive bone marrow samples of 35 acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. The slides were blinded to both researchers to prevent bias. A Kaplan‐Meier survival analysis was performed for estimation of the proportion of patients reaching a maximum BMIS.ResultsIn total, 141 bone marrow specimens from 35 patients were included. The median number of RBCT to reach a maximum was 20 units (range 6‐42, IQR 15‐26), after a mean of 1.64 chemotherapy courses (SD 0.99).ConclusionsIn conclusion, the cumulative RBCT number is associated with BMIS. Due to the considerable variation in number of RBCT to reach a maximum BMIS, BMIS instead of only considering the cumulative RBCT number may be a valuable indicator of secondary iron overload in AML patients. BMIS could guide iron‐lowering therapy and/or transfusion strategies in an early stage.
Productivity measurement of industrial sector in China regarding air pollution
Authors: Liu Meisheng , Wu Desheng 
Published: July 2018

AbstractAs an important sector of national economy, the industrial sector accounts for 33.4% of gross domestic product while consuming 70% of energy and causing serious air pollution in China. It is meaningful to measure the productivity of industrial sector in China with air pollution consideration. The range‐adjusted measure of the nonradial data envelopment analysis, as with natural disposability and managerial disposability, is adopted in order to measure the productivity of provincial industrial sector in China during 2011–2014. The results explain that the unified efficiency under managerial disposability is lower than the unified efficiency under natural disposability and the unified efficiency under natural and managerial disposability, which means that management improvement and technology innovation should be obtained more attention from the government. As modernization of economic restructuring, there is not a trend of unified efficiency under natural disposability. Eastern China has highest unified efficiency under managerial disposability, whereas unified efficiency under natural and managerial disposability are improving in eastern China and western China in period of 2013–2014. The results also describe that more than 20 provinces and nearly half of provinces are suitable for the industrial pollution control investment and research and development investment, respectively. On the basis of the results of the truncated regression model, we can identify the influencing factors of unified efficiency. According to above results, suggestions are proposed in order to improve the productivity.
Improving the prediction of learning outcomes in educational platforms including higher level interaction indicators
Authors: Ruipérez‐Valiente José A. , Muñoz‐Merino Pedro J. , Delgado Kloos Carlos 
Published: July 2018

AbstractOne of the most investigated questions in education is to know which factors or variables affect learning. The prediction of learning outcomes can be used to act on students in order to improve their learning process. Several studies have addressed the prediction of learning outcomes in intelligent tutoring systems environments with intensive use of exercises, but few of them addressed this prediction in other web‐based environments with intensive use not only of exercises but also, for example, of videos. In addition, most works on prediction of learning outcomes are based on low level indicators such as number of accesses or time spent in resources. In this paper, we approach the prediction of learning gains in an educational experience using a local instance of Khan Academy platform with an intensive use of exercises and taking into account not only low level indicators but also higher level indicators such as students' behaviours. Our proposed regression model is able to predict 68% of the learning gains variability with the use of six variables related to the learning process. We discuss these results providing explanation of the influence of each variable in the model and comparing these results with other prediction models from other works.
Characteristic morphological changes in anti‐VEGF therapy‐induced glomerular microangiopathy
Authors: Pfister Frederick , Amann Kerstin , Daniel Christoph , Klewer Monika , Büttner Anke , Büttner‐Herold Maike 
Published: July 2018

AimsAgents targeting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) have increasingly been used for the treatment of advanced malignancies, and have been found to induce renal thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) and proteinuria. However, histomorphological changes in human biopsies in this setting and the underlying mechanism are not yet fully understood. Therefore, we collected renal biopsy cases with a history of aVEGF therapy to review and compare morphological kidney changes in this context.Methods and resultsRenal biopsies of 15 patients who had received anti‐VEGF (aVEGF) therapy evaluated between 2013 and 2017 at a single centre were morphologically characterised with light microscopy, electron microscopy, and immunohistochemistry (IgA, IgG, IgM, C1q, and C3), and compared with cases with acute TMA caused by atypical haemolytic–uraemic syndrome or hypertension. Morphological overlap with immune complex and cryoglobulinaemic membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, diabetic glomerulopathy and pre‐eclampsia‐induced glomerulopathy are discussed. Segmental glomerular capillary microaneurysms and segmental hyalinosis were typical morphological features of aVEGF therapy‐induced glomerular microangiopathy, whereas fibrin or platelet thrombi or fragmented erythrocytes were rarely found or were absent. aVEGF therapy‐associated microangiopathy was diffusely distributed in the glomeruli, spared preglomerular vessels, and showed morphological characteristics of chronic TMA. In individual cases, aVEGF therapy‐induced glomerular microangiopathy was accompanied by immune‐complex glomerulonephritis.ConclusionaVEGF therapy‐induced glomerular microangiopathy has a characteristic morphology and clinical presentation that helps to differentiate it from other causes of TMA. Awareness of these light microscopic findings allows identification of aVEGF therapy as a trigger of renal disease in critically ill cancer patients, and might therefore help in deciding on further therapy.
School Dental Service in Sri Lanka: geo‐spatial analysis of access to oral health care
Authors: Ranasinghe Nirosha , Kruger Estie , Tennant Marc 
Published: July 2018

BackgroundThe School Dental Service contributes to the reduction of social inequalities in oral health among school children.AimTo investigate the distribution of School Dental Clinics staffed by School Dental Therapists in Sri Lanka in relation to the distribution of the child population and socioeconomic status.DesignSchool Dental Clinics were mapped using geographic information system (GIS) software and overlayed with population data of 3–13‐year‐old children (including poverty status).ResultsOverall, there was an uneven geographic distribution of the total 422 School Dental Clinics. Sri Lankan children have restricted access to school dental care in a few poverty stricken districts in the Northern, Eastern, North Central, and Uva provinces. When the geographic distribution of children by poverty status was analysed, it was found that in Sri Lanka, only 53% of the most socially disadvantaged children lived within 5 km from a School Dental Clinic, compared to 75% of the least disadvantaged.ConclusionA coordinated national School Dental Service strategy is needed in response to identified areas of poor or inadequate accessibility to dental services for large parts of the child population, especially those from low socioeconomic backgrounds.