bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Quiet‐Loud‐Quiet Politics of Post‐Crisis Consumer Bankruptcy Law: The Case of Ireland and the Troika
Authors: Spooner Joseph 
Published: August 2018

AbstractA decade after the Global Financial Crisis, many developed economies continue to strain under excessive household debt. This article presents evidence suggesting that the failure of policymakers to enact debt relief measures may lie in the superior influence of the coordinated and concentrated financial sector over legislative processes, as compared to the diffuse and disorganised interests of consumer debtors. Post‐crisis popular interest in technical issues of personal insolvency law created only a narrow space of political opportunity. Soon these questions returned to the domain of technocratic actors and corporate influence. The article examines this situation through an inter‐disciplinary case study of consumer bankruptcy reform in Ireland under ‘Troika’ supervision. Proposals initially billed as assisting over‐indebted households developed into increasingly creditor‐friendly legislation in ‘quieter’ stages of technocratic decision‐making. The stark implications of these findings highlight obstacles to resolving household debt problems and consequent risks of economic and political instability.
The effect of unilateral tubal block diagnosed by hysterosalpingogram on clinical pregnancy rate in intrauterine insemination cycles: systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Tan J , Tannus S , Taskin O , Kan A , Albert AY , Bedaiwy MA 
Published: August 2018

BackgroundFallopian tube occlusion is a common cause of infertility, but the effect of unilateral tubal block (UTB) on pregnancy rates (PR) after controlled ovarian hyperstimulation and intrauterine insemination (COH‐IUI) remains controversial.ObjectiveTo evaluate PR after COH‐IUI among infertile women with proximal and distal UTB diagnosed by hysterosalpingogram (HSG), compared against women with bilateral patent tubes experiencing unexplained infertility.Search strategyWe searched EMBASE, MEDLINE, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, and PUBMED from inception to 14 January 2018.Selection criteriaStudies that report PR/cycle or cumulative PR among women with UTB and controls were included.Data collection and analysisTwo authors independently selected and extracted study characteristics and data. Methodological quality was assessed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐analysis (PRISMA) guidelines.Main resultsAmong 2965 patients and 5749 IUI cycles across ten studies, no significant difference in PR/cycle (odds ratio, OR = 0.88; 95% confidence interval, 95% CI = 0.69–1.12) and cumulative PR (OR = 0.80, 95% CI = 0.62–1.04) was observed. Patients with proximal UTB demonstrated similar PR/cycle (OR = 1.06, 95% CI = 0.68–1.66) and cumulative PR (OR = 1.10, 95% CI = 0.75–1.62), compared with controls, whereas patients with distal UTB had significantly lower cumulative PR (OR = 0.49, 95% CI = 0.25–0.97, P = 0.04). Patients with proximal block also demonstrated significantly improved cumulative PR, compared with patients with distal block (OR=2.41, 95% CI = 1.37–4.25, P = 0.002).ConclusionInfertile patients with proximal UTB diagnosed by HSG can expect similar pregnancy rates after COH‐IUI, compared with those with bilateral tubal patency and unexplained infertility, whereas patients with distal UTB have lower odds of pregnancy. These differences may reflect inherent diagnostic limitations of HSG or differences in underlying pathologies.Tweetable abstractMeta‐analysis evaluates pregnancy outcomes after COH‐IUI in women with unilateral tubal block diagnosed by HSG.
Discrimination Between Infant and Adult Bloodstains Using Micro‐Raman Spectroscopy: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Fujihara Junko , Nishimoto Naoki , Yasuda Toshihiro , Takeshita Haruo 
Published: August 2018

AbstractIn the present study, we used micro‐Raman spectroscopy with high‐resolution analysis to discriminate between bloodstains from infants and bloodstains from adults. Raman peaks were detected at 674, 754, 976, 1002, 1105, 1127, 1176, 1248, 1340, 1368, 1390, 1560, and 1611 cm−1; these peaks were derived from hemoglobin, albumin, and glucose. However, a peak was obtained at 1105 cm−1, which was assigned to histidine; this peak was observed only for bloodstains from adults. Human adult hemoglobin (HbA) is composed of an α2β2 tetramer structure, whereas human fetal hemoglobin (HbF) is composed of an α2γ2. Therefore, the lack of a Raman peak at 1105 cm−1 in bloodstains from infants indicates the possibility of two histidine substitutions (His116Ile and His143Ser) in the γ chain of HbF. This study discriminates between bloodstains from infants and bloodstains from adults using micro‐Raman spectroscopy, with beneficial implications in forensic science.
Review article: Best practice management of neck pain in the emergency department (part 6 of the musculoskeletal injuries rapid review series)
Authors: Strudwick Kirsten , McPhee Megan , Bell Anthony , Martin‐Khan Melinda , Russell Trevor 
Published: August 2018

AbstractNeck pain and whiplash injuries are a common presentation to the ED, and a frequent cause of disability globally. This rapid review investigated best practice for the assessment and management of musculoskeletal neck pain in the ED. PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, TRIP and the grey literature, including relevant organisational websites, were searched in 2017. Primary studies, systematic reviews and guidelines were considered for inclusion. English‐language articles published in the past 12 years addressing acute neck pain assessment, management or prognosis in the ED were included. Data extraction was conducted, followed by quality appraisal to rate levels of evidence where possible. The search revealed 2080 articles, of which 51 were included (n = 22 primary articles, n = 13 systematic reviews and n = 16 guidelines). Consistent evidence was found to support the use of ‘red flags’ to screen for serious pathologies, judicious use of imaging through clinical decision rule application and promotion of functional exercise coupled with advice and reassurance. Clinicians may also consider applying risk‐stratification methods, such as using a clinical prediction rule, to guide patient discharge and referral plans; however, the evidence is still emerging in this population. This rapid review provides clinicians managing neck pain in the ED a summary of the best available evidence to enhance quality of care and optimise patient outcomes.
Review article: Do inferior vena cava filters prevent pulmonary embolism in critically ill trauma patients and does the benefit outweigh the risk of insertion? A narrative review article
Authors: Moynihan Gerard V , Koelzow Heike 
Published: August 2018

AbstractVenous thromboembolic disease (VTE) increases the risk of mortality in trauma patients. To decrease the occurrence of VTE, low dose anticoagulants are commonly prescribed. This may be unacceptable in trauma patients who have a high risk of bleeding. Inferior vena cava (IVC) filters can be employed as an alternative strategy to decrease the risk of pulmonary embolism (PE). Insertion of an IVC filter is an invasive procedure that has a range of complications. The benefits of IVC filter insertion must be compared to its risk of complications in each individual patient. A search of the literature since 2005 was conducted on MEDLINE, Evidence‐Based Medicine Reviews, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Embase. The clinical question posed was does prophylactic IVC filter insertion decrease the risk of PE in trauma patients? The available evidence was low level and unable to definitively answer this question. The majority of articles infer that IVC filter insertion is safe and may decrease the risk of PE. However, there is a need for well‐designed randomised controlled trials to be conducted in this area.
Carotid ultrasound findings in rheumatoid arthritis and control subjects: A case‐control study
Authors: Wah‐Suarez Martin I. , Galarza‐Delgado Dionicio A. , Azpiri‐Lopez Jose R. , Colunga‐Pedraza Iris J. , Abundis‐Marquez Estefania E. , Davila‐Jimenez Jose A. , Guillen‐Gutierrez Cinthia Y. , Elizondo‐Riojas Guillermo 
Published: August 2018

AbstractAbstract Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, inflammatory disease closely linked with atherosclerosis. Recommended cardiovascular disease (CVD) integral evaluation includes screening for asymptomatic atherosclerosis plaques with carotid ultrasound (US). The aim of this study is to evaluate the carotid US characteristics, including carotid intima media thickness (cIMT) and carotid plaque (CP), and compare RA‐patients and controls in a Mexican‐mestizo population.MethodProspective cross‐sectional, observational study comparing RA‐patients and matched controls without RA. Medical history and physical exam was performed in all subjects by a rheumatologist and two clinical blinded radiologists did the carotid US. Increased cIMT was defined as ≥0.9 mm. CP was defined as a focal narrowing ≥0.5 mm of the surrounding lumen or a cIMT ≥1.2 mm. Multivariable analysis was done comparing RA‐patients and control subjects characteristics with carotid US.ResultIn the final analysis 209 patients were included, 103 patients with RA and 106 controls. Bilateral CP was found more than twice in RA than controls (15.5% vs 6.6%). Unilateral CP was more common in either side evaluated, being heterogeneous plaques the most common in RA‐patients. The prevalence of increased cIMT was found higher in RA‐patients either in both sides (right 37.9% vs 15.1%, P = 0.00; left 43.7% vs 19.8%, P = 0.00) were statistically significant.ConclusionIt was confirmed that RA‐patients have greater subclinical atherosclerosis represented in the carotid US measuring cIMT and CP as surrogates. RA‐patients with subclinical atherosclerotic disease have more heterogeneous plaques characteristics.
Influence of methotrexate on gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Asai Shuji , Nagai Kaoru , Takahashi Nobunori , Watanabe Tatsuo , Matsumoto Takuya , Asai Nobuyuki , Sobue Yasumori , Ishiguro Naoki , Kojima Toshihisa 
Published: August 2018

AbstractAimThis study aimed to determine the influence of methotrexate (MTX) on gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).MethodsThis cross‐sectional study examined 529 consecutive patients with RA receiving oral MTX in our department between April 1 and September 30, 2017. GI symptoms were evaluated by the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS); a score of ≥2 was considered “symptomatic.” Prevalence of GI symptoms was compared between patients receiving ≤8 mg/wk (low‐dose) vs >8 mg/wk (high‐dose) of MTX.ResultsOf our study population, 313 (59%) received low‐dose MTX at a median (interquartile range) dose of 6 (6‐8) mg/wk, whereas 216 (41%) received high‐dose MTX at a median dose of 12 (10‐12) mg/wk. Relative to the low‐dose MTX group, the high‐dose MTX group exhibited a higher prevalence of reflux (32% vs 24%, P = 0.043) and abdominal pain (28% vs 18%, P = 0.007). There was no significant group‐dependent difference in the prevalence of indigestion, diarrhea or constipation. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that high‐dose MTX (>8 mg/wk) was independently associated with reflux (odds ratio [OR]: 1.62, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.07‐2.43) and abdominal pain (OR: 1.60, 95% CI: 1.04‐2.43), and that the ORs for reflux and abdominal pain among those receiving high‐dose MTX (>8 mg/wk) were similar to those using nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs.ConclusionHigh‐dose MTX is independently associated with the prevalence of upper GI symptoms in Japanese patients with RA.
EYESI surgical simulator: validity evidence of the vitreoretinal modules
Authors: Cissé Cécile , Angioi Karine , Luc Amandine , Berrod Jean‐Paul , Conart Jean‐Baptiste 
Published: August 2018

AbstractPurposeTo investigate the validity of six vitreoretinal modules on the Eyesi Surgical Simulator.MethodsFifteen residents with no vitreoretinal experience and six trained vitreoretinal surgeons (>100 procedures per year) were included in the study. Four modules were selected in agreement with an experienced surgeon: the navigation (Nav), forceps (For), vitrector (Vit) and epiretinal membrane (ERM) peeling modules. The first level of the basic training modules (Nav1 and For1) and the first two levels of the more procedural modules (Vit1, Vit2, ERM1 and ERM2) were completed twice by both groups in the above order. The performance parameters for each task were calculated by the simulator software. The results from both iterations were recorded for analysis.ResultsExperienced vitreoretinal surgeons outperformed residents with regard to the overall score on the Nav1 (p = 0.01), For1 (p < 0.01), ERM1 (p = 0.02) and ERM2 (p = 0.04) modules. No differences in overall score were found between the two groups on the Vit1 (p = 0.17) and Vit2 modules (p = 0.26).ConclusionValidity for the simulator metrics was found on four vitreoretinal modules not previously investigated, with regard to construct validity, content and the response process. These exercises could be included in a future competency‐based training programme that could potentially be applied in the standard ophthalmological curriculum.
Physicochemical predictors of Multi‐Walled Carbon Nanotube–induced pulmonary histopathology and toxicity one year after pulmonary deposition of 11 different Multi‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes in mice
Authors: Knudsen Kristina B. , Berthing Trine , Jackson Petra , Poulsen Sarah S. , Mortensen Alicja , Jacobsen Nicklas R. , Skaug Vidar , Szarek Józef , Hougaard Karin S. , Wolff Henrik , Wallin Håkan , Vogel Ulla 
Published: August 2018

AbstractMulti‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) are widely used nanomaterials that cause pulmonary toxicity upon inhalation. The physicochemical properties of MWCNT vary greatly, which makes general safety evaluation challenging to conduct. Identification of the toxicity‐inducing physicochemical properties of MWCNT is therefore of great importance. We have evaluated histological changes in lung tissue 1 year after a single intratracheal instillation of 11 well‐characterized MWCNT in female C57BL/6N BomTac mice. Genotoxicity in liver and spleen was evaluated by the comet assay. The dose of 54 μg MWCNT corresponds to three times the estimated dose accumulated during a work life at a NIOSH recommended exposure limit (0.001 mg/m3). Short and thin MWCNT were observed as agglomerates in lung tissue 1 year after exposure, whereas thicker and longer MWCNT were detected as single fibres, suggesting biopersistence of both types of MWCNT. The thin and entangled MWCNT induced varying degree of pulmonary inflammation, in terms of lymphocytic aggregates, granulomas and macrophage infiltration, whereas two thick and straight MWCNT did not. By multiple regression analysis, larger diameter and higher content of iron predicted less histopathological changes, whereas higher cobalt content significantly predicted more histopathological changes. No MWCNT‐related fibrosis or tumours in the lungs or pleura was found. One thin and entangled MWCNT induced increased levels of DNA strand breaks in liver; however, no physicochemical properties could be related to genotoxicity. This study reveals physicochemical‐dependent difference in MWCNT‐induced long‐term, pulmonary histopathological changes. Identification of diameter size and cobalt content as important for MWCNT toxicity provides clues for designing MWCNT, which cause reduced human health effects following pulmonary exposure.
Financing uterus transplants: The United States context
Authors: Blake Valarie K. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThe first baby has successfully been born by uterus transplantation (UTx) in the United States and the procedure is swiftly becoming a viable clinical option for patients with uterine factor infertility (UFI). This raises a practical ethical question: should health insurers finance UTx and what issues should they consider in coming to this decision? The article lays forth some of the factors that shape the decision over whether to finance UTx in the United States, including what procedures must be covered, whether UTx is more like organ transplantation or infertility treatment (which are treated differently in the United States), and the benefits and alternatives of the procedure. Then, the article explores arguments around why UTx should be financed, or at least considered along with other important medical needs. The paper argues that UTx ought to be considered along with other competing claims for healthcare services. In countries that generously cover other infertility services, it may logically follow that medical services that enable gestation should be insured when the healthcare system covers services to conceive. In the United States, however, many groups have long suffered inadequate access to medical care, in the context of infertility and more broadly. U.S. healthcare may need to be made more widely equitable, before covering UTx is seen as financially or politically possible.
The improvement of crack propagation modelling in triangular 2D structures using the extended finite element method
Authors: Chen Jun‐Wei , Zhou Xiao‐Ping , Berto Filippo 
Published: August 2018

AbstractIn this paper, a novel geometric method combined with the piecewise linear function method is introduced into the extended finite element method (XFEM) to determine the crack tip element and crack surface element. Then, by combining with the advanced mesh technique, a novel method is proposed to improve the modelling of crack propagation in triangular 2D structure with the XFEM. The numerical tests show that the accuracy, the convergence, and the stability of the XFEM can be improved using the proposed method. Moreover, the applicability of the conventional multiple enrichment scheme is discussed. Compared with the proposed method, the conventional multiple enrichment scheme has deficiency in mixed mode I and II crack. Finally, a comparative study shows that the performance of the XFEM by using the proposed method to model the crack propagation can be greatly improved.
TIME‐VARYING VOLATILITY, DEFAULT, AND THE SOVEREIGN RISK PREMIUM
Authors: Seoane Hernán D. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThis article studies how volatility changes affect sovereign spreads in strategic default models. Volatility changes affect savings and sovereign spreads. However, the impact of volatility shocks is state dependent; when the economy has a low debt, an increase in volatility is prone to generate precautionary savings. Instead, with high debt, an increase in volatility is likely to induce an even further increase in debt and spreads, both in endowment and production economies. I document a positive correlation between sovereign spreads and aggregate income volatility for a set of European economies during the debt crisis, consistent with the model's implications.
Living with Compromised Legal Status: Irregular Temporary Foreign Workers in Alberta and the Importance of Imagining, Strategizing, and Inter‐Provincial Legal Consciousness
Authors: Tungohan Ethel 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThis article highlights the manifold ways that migrants strategically use their social networks in order to survive in Alberta with compromised legal status. The conditionality of their status is affected by individual encounters and by new policy developments, showing that their ability to control their life trajectories is constrained by factors beyond their control. Nevertheless, although they experienced high amounts of stress because of their situations, the role played by cognitive processes, which include imagining, strategizing, and what I call “inter‐provincial legal consciousness”, allowed them to exercise agency. These processes allowed them to build communities and networks of support and to imagine potential life paths in other provinces through other provinces’ provincial nominee programmes.
The influence of air annealing on the microstructure and scintillation properties of Ce,Mg:LuAG ceramics
Authors: Chen Xiaopu , Hu Zewang , Dai Jiawei , Chen Haohong , Shi Yun , Kou Huamin , Wang Tiantian , Vedda Anna , Beitlerova Alena , Kucerkova Romana , Nikl Martin , Li Jiang 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThe microstructures and optical properties of Ce,Mg:Lu3Al5O12 scintillator ceramics are investigated with particular focus on the effect of postannealing in air from 1000 to 1450°C. The formation of Al2O3 clusters after annealing above 1300°C is evidenced by scanning electron microscopy. The presence of this secondary phase is tentatively explained by the occurrence of Ce and Mg evaporation, proved by inductive coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry measurements, followed by defect diffusion and clustering during high temperature annealing. Meanwhile, optical investigations including absorption, X‐ray induced luminescence, light yield, scintillation decay, and thermoluminescence prove the positive role of post‐annealing that leads to a brighter and faster scintillation emission. This behavior is associated to the removal of oxygen vacancies occurring during such treatments. In parallel, the partial conversion of Ce3+ ions into Ce4+ is also observed as a consequence of annealings and the role of Ce4+ ions in the scintillation process is discussed.
Liberal Intergovernmentalism and the Crises of the European Union
Authors: Schimmelfennig Frank 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThe Euro, Schengen and Brexit crises pose important explanatory challenges to liberal intergovernmentalism (LI). In contrast with the historical context in which LI originated, they have threatened existing integration regimes with disintegration in a highly politicized domestic environment. How relevant does LI remain under these circumstances in comparison with its neofunctionalist and postfunctionalist competitors? A comparative analysis of the three crises shows that LI offers only a partial explanation of national preference formation in the crises. As a static theory, it fails to take into account endogenous preferences that may result from path‐dependence (in the euro crisis) or politicization (in the Brexit crisis). By contrast, LI provides a convincing and indispensable analysis of intergovernmental bargaining.
Of Principal(s') Interest? A Disaggregated, Multiple Principals' Approach to Commission Discretion
Authors: Gastinger Markus , Adriaensen Johan 
Published: August 2018

AbstractHow much discretion does the Commission enjoy in the European Union? To address this question, we draw on principal–agent theory and propose ‘interest in a decision’ by principals as a proxy for agent discretion. This has three advantages over existing approaches. First, it overcomes the high‐conflict bias of case studies. Second, it accounts for the phenomenon of rational anticipation. Third, it allows for a more fine‐grained measurement than analyses of the act of delegation. Empirically, we disaggregate the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) into 27 chapters and account for multiple principals. We use surveys and interviews with Commission negotiators, which we triangulate with publicly available data sources. Our findings paint a picture of a Commission that is constrained rather tightly. While the Council follows all chapters and acts as a ‘safety net’, citizens and the European Parliament act as fire alarms and focus on selected, often overlapping, chapters.