bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Communicating Economic Concepts and Research in a Challenging Environment
Authors: Davis John 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThis address explores the communication challenges facing the economics profession and agri‐food and rural economists in particular against a background of reputational damage to the profession and an apparent loss of trust in experts. It argues that a common thread linking many of the challenges is the need for more effective models of communication so that our economic concepts, ideas and research findings can be more timely, better understood and, most importantly, have greater impact. Five important challenges are examined: loss of trust in experts; emotions and decision making; the role of the media; the roles of agri‐food and rural economists; and competition from other disciplines and interests. A good practice communications framework is then proposed embodying ten important communication principles: understanding the target audience; understanding the political context of decision makers; generating a robust evidence base; building reputation and credibility; need for cross disciplinary working; consulting with stakeholder groups; getting the timing right; producing high quality presentations; making use of social media; and being prepared for challenges. Four stereotypical categories of communication incorporating different standards of rigour and relevance are identified: Ivory tower; Gold Standard; Populist; and Quicksand. Responses by the Agricultural Economics Society and the European Association of Agricultural Economists to the need for more accessible communications via the development of the innovative outreach journal EuroChoices are outlined.
Development and Preliminary Validation of a Depression Assessment Tool for Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Wang Yun‐yan , Zhang Wei‐wei , Feng Lei , Gao Dong , Liu Chun , Zhong Ling , Ren Jiang‐wen , Wu Ya‐zhou , Huang Long , Fu Li‐li , He Ya‐ni 
Published: September 2018

AbstractPatients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) are subject to a higher‐than‐usual prevalence of depressive disorders. However, the lack of consensus regarding the best assessment method remains an important problem. Thus, there is a clear need for more effective screening tools and an easily administered, disease‐specific self‐report measure of depression in MHD patients. After we developed and administered an initial depression inventory for MHD patients (I‐DI‐MHD), we created the DI‐MHD and administered the DI‐MHD and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) to 354 patients from four hospitals. Reliability, construct validity and receiver operator characteristic curves were assessed. The 17‐item DI‐MHD instrument displayed good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha =0.893), provided excellent convergent validity, and correlated with the BDI scale (kappa =0.785, P <0.001). A factor analysis pattern matrix analysis showed that a four‐factor model provided the best account of the data. Finally, the DI‐MHD cutoff yielded a sensitivity of 0.97 and a specificity of 0.86, which were slightly better than the corresponding values for the BDI. The DI‐MHD scale shows reasonable validity and reliability for assessing depression in MHD patients.
Effect of multidisciplinary cardiac rehabilitation on the response to cardiac resynchronization therapy
Authors: Martens Pieter , Jacobs Guy , Dupont Matthias , Mullens Wilfried 
Published: September 2018

SummaryBackgroundBoth cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) and Multidisciplinary Cardiac Rehabilitation (CR) beneficially influence symptomatic status, exercise capacity, quality of life, and heart failure readmission rates. However, the interaction between both therapies remain incompletely addressed.MethodsConsecutive CRT patients implanted in a single tertiary care center were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were dived according to the participation in a structured CR‐program following CRT‐implant. The effect on functional status (New York Heart Association; NYHA‐class), reverse remodeling (change in left ventricular ejection fraction; LVEF), and the combined endpoint of heart failure readmission and all‐cause mortality was assessed after multivariate correction.ResultsA total of 655 patients were analyzed of whom 223(34%) did and 432(66%) did not participate in a structured multidisciplinary CR‐program following implant. No adverse events relating to exercise training occurred during the CR‐program. Patients who participated in the CR‐program had a more pronounced improvement in NYHA‐class at 6‐months (P = 0.006), even after multivariate correction (β = −0.144; 95% CI = [−0.270; −0.018]; P = 0.025). Maximal workload and VO2max on CPET at 6 months improved significantly even after adjustment (P < 0.001, respectively P = 0.017). At 6‐months, CR associated with more improvement in LVEF (+11.9 ± 13 vs +14.5 ± 11; P = 0.008), however, this relationship was lost after multivariate correction (P = 0.136). During 36 ± 22 months follow‐up, patients in the CR group had a higher event‐free survival for the combined endpoint (P = 0.001), even after multivariate correction (adjusted HR = 0.547; CI = 0.366‐0.818; P = 0.003).ConclusionsFollowing CRT‐implant, the participation in a structured CR‐program is safe and beneficially influences symptomatic response and clinical outcome. The beneficial effects of exercise training are potentially independent and additive to the beneficial reverse remodeling effect induced by CRT itself.
A commensal network of epiphytic orchids and host trees in an Atlantic Forest remnant: A case study revealing the important role of large trees in the network structure
Authors: Zotarelli Henrique G. S. , Molina José M. P. , Ribeiro José E. L. S. , Sofia Silvia H. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractApplication of metrics derived from network theory could elucidate the structural organization of orchid assemblages, and help identify the host tree species on which they depend, as well as predicting the impacts of removing host tree species. In this study, we used nestedness, modularity, connectance and robustness, to identify the factors that predict the structure of a quantitative orchid–host tree network in a remnant of Atlantic Forest in Brazil. The network exhibited low nestedness (NODF = 14.07; P = 0.03; WNODF = 5.3; P = 0.02) and no modularity. It was highly robust to the random elimination of host tree species, but showed low robustness when host trees with more interactions started to be eliminated. The nested pattern found was attributed to a combination of two main host tree traits, height and diameter (given by DBH measure). Thus, our analyses reflect the importance of tall and large host tree species, which seem to play an important role in the network structure, providing a substrate for orchid species with different habitat associations and representing a decisive factor in both nested and robust patterns found.
An Equivalence Approach to Balance and Placebo Tests
Authors: Hartman Erin , Hidalgo F. Daniel 
Published: September 2018

AbstractRecent emphasis on credible causal designs has led to the expectation that scholars justify their research designs by testing the plausibility of their causal identification assumptions, often through balance and placebo tests. Yet current practice is to use statistical tests with an inappropriate null hypothesis of no difference, which can result in equating nonsignificant differences with significant homogeneity. Instead, we argue that researchers should begin with the initial hypothesis that the data are inconsistent with a valid research design, and provide sufficient statistical evidence in favor of a valid design. When tests are correctly specified so that difference is the null and equivalence is the alternative, the problems afflicting traditional tests are alleviated. We argue that equivalence tests are better able to incorporate substantive considerations about what constitutes good balance on covariates and placebo outcomes than traditional tests. We demonstrate these advantages with applications to natural experiments.
After Post‐Development: On Capitalism, Difference, and Representation
Authors: Asher Kiran , Wainwright Joel 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe post‐development school associated with the thought of Arturo Escobar treats development as a discursive invention of the West, best countered by ethnographic attention to local knowledge of people marginalised by colonial modernity. This approach promises paths to more equitable and sustainable alternatives to development. Post‐development has been criticised vigorously in the past. But despite its conceptual and political shortcomings, it remains the most popular critical approach to development and is reemerging in decolonial and pluriversal guises. This paper contends that the post‐development critique of mainstream development has run its course and deserves a fresh round of criticism. We argue that those committed to struggles for social justice must critically reassess the premises of post‐development and especially wrestle with the problem of representation. We contend that Gayatri Spivak's work is particularly important to this project. We review some of Spivak's key texts on capitalism, difference, and development to clarify the virtues of her approach.
International working group identifies need for newborn screening for mucopolysaccharidosis type I but states that existing hurdles must be overcome
Authors: Parini Rossella , Broomfield Alexander , Cleary Maureen A. , De Meirleir Linda , Di Rocco Maja , Fathalla Waseem M. , Guffon Nathalie , Lampe Christina , Lund Allan M. , Scarpa Maurizio , Tylki‐Szymańska Anna , Zeman Jiří 
Published: September 2018

AbstractAimMucopolysaccharidosis type I is a lysosomal storage disorder that can result in significant disease burden, disability and premature death, if left untreated. The aim of this review was to elaborate on the diagnosis of mucopolysaccharidosis type I and the pros and cons of newborn screening.MethodsAn international working group was established to discuss ways to improve the early diagnosis of mucopolysaccharidosis type I. It consisted of 13 experts in paediatrics, rare diseases and inherited metabolic diseases from Europe and the Middle East.ResultsIt is becoming increasingly clearer that the delay between symptom onset and clinical diagnosis is considerable for mucopolysaccharidosis type I and other rare lysosomal storage disorders, despite numerous awareness campaigns since therapies became available. Diagnosis currently depends on recognising the signs and symptoms of the disease. The practice of newborn screening, which is being explored by pilot programmes around the world, enables early diagnosis and consequently early treatment. However, these studies have highlighted numerous new problems and pitfalls that must be faced before newborn screening becomes generally available.ConclusionNewborn screening for mucopolysaccharidosis type I offers the potential for early diagnosis and early pre‐symptomatic treatment, but existing hurdles need to be overcome.
The acute blood pressure‐lowering effect of amiloride is independent of endothelial ENaC and eNOS in humans and mice
Authors: Ydegaard Rikke , Andersen Henrik , Oxlund Christina S. , Jacobsen Ib A. , Hansen Pernille B. L. , Jürgensen Jonathan F. , Peluso Antonio Augusto , Vanhoutte Paul M. , Stæhr Mette , Svenningsen Per , Jensen Boye L. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractAimsThe epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) is expressed in cultured endothelial cells and inhibitory coupling to eNOS activity has been proposed. The present study tested the hypothesis that ENaC blockers increase systemic NO‐products and lower blood pressure in patients and mice, depending on eNOS.MethodsNO‐products and cGMP were measured in diabetes patient urine and plasma samples before and after amiloride treatment (20‐40 mg for two days, plasma n = 22, urine n = 12 and 5‐10 mg for eight weeks, plasma n = 52, urine n = 55). Indwelling catheters were implanted in the femoral artery and vein in mice for continuous arterial blood pressure and heart rate recordings and infusion.ResultsTreatment with amiloride for two days increased plasma and urine NO‐products, while plasma cGMP decreased and urinary cGMP was unchanged in patient samples. Eight weeks of treatment with amiloride did not alter NO‐products and cGMP. In mice, amiloride boli of 5, 50, and 500 µg/kg lowered heart rate and arterial blood pressure significantly and acutely. Benzamil had no effect on pressure and raised heart rate. In hypertensive eNOS−/− and L‐NAME‐treated mice, amiloride lowered blood pressure significantly. L‐NAME infusion significantly decreased NO‐products in plasma; amiloride and eNOS‐deletion had no effect. An acetylcholine bolus resulted in acute blood pressure drop that was attenuated in eNOS−/− and L‐NAME mice. ENaC subunit expressions were not detected consistently in human and mouse arteries and endothelial cells.ConclusionAmiloride has an acute hypotensive action not dependent on ENaC and eNOS and likely related to the heart.
Renal arteriovenous fistula induced by extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy treated by retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomy
Authors: Kodama Koichi , Takase Yasukazu , Tokai Ryutaro , Saito Katsuhiko 
Published: September 2018

AbstractRenal arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is a rare but potentially severe and life‐threatening entity. It can occur after various invasive renal interventions, including resection of a localized renal tumor, renal biopsy, percutaneous renal surgery, and even blunt injury of the kidney. The time of clinical presentation of a renal AVF is variable and may occur decades after the injury originally occurred. Here, we report a case of renal AVF induced by extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy 11 years earlier in an asymptomatic 72‐year‐old woman. Given the patient's pre‐existing hemodialysis dependence, retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomy was performed. On the basis of patient's clinical history, the location of the renal AVF, and the pathological diagnosis, we suggested that renal AVF was a late consequence of the injury to the intrarenal vessels induced by extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy.
Genotypic diversity of Pasteurella multocida isolates from pigs and poultry in Australia
Authors: Turni C , Singh R , Blackall PJ 
Published: September 2018

ObjectiveTo investigate the genotype and diversity of Pasteurella multocida present in pig herds and to determine the extent of overlap with isolates from poultry flocks in Australia.MethodsA total of 43 isolates from pigs from different farms and regions of Australia were used in this study. A diverse collection of 41 poultry isolates, with 31 being previously characterised, was also used. The pig isolates and 10 poultry isolates were identified by species‐specific PCR assay, serotyped by the Heddleston scheme and genotyped by a multiplex PCR based on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) outer core biosynthesis locus, repetitive element PCR fingerprinting (rep‐PCR) and multilocus sequence typing (MLST), with the latter being used on a subset of the isolates based on the rep‐PCR results.ResultsOnly 4 out of 8 recognised LPS genotypes were found in the pig isolates, with each isolate assigned to an LPS genotype. In contrast, 77% of the isolates were non‐typable or cross‐reacting in the Heddleston serotyping scheme. The rep‐PCR analysis recognised 20 patterns, yet only 16 sequence types (STs) were found and 4 were new STs. There were 5 STs (STs 7, 11, 20, 24 and 58) shared among the pig and poultry isolates.ConclusionsAlthough only limited numbers of isolates have been examined, there is evidence of a sharing of genotypes between Australian pigs and chickens. These findings have major implication for biosecurity measures with regard to minimising both direct (e.g. animal to animal) and in‐direct (e.g. shared staff or cross‐visitors) contact between poultry and pigs.
A postgraduate Optimum Birth module to increase midwives’ readiness to work in midwifery‐led settings: A mixed‐methods evaluation
Authors: Coates Rose , Rocca‐Ihenacho Lucia , Olander Ellinor , Ayers Susan , Salmon Debra 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBackgroundMidwifery‐led birth settings have been recommended as the most cost‐effective birthplaces for healthy women experiencing uncomplicated pregnancies. However, midwives complete most of their training in obstetric units where birth interventions are common. To prepare for working in a midwifery‐led setting training is a key priority. This study evaluated a postgraduate‐level midwifery module on Optimum Birth (defined as birth which supports physiology and empowerment, avoiding unnecessary intervention) designed to prepare midwives for supporting women in midwifery‐led settings.MethodsA mixed‐methods design was employed. Pre‐module and post‐module questionnaires measured attitudes, knowledge, confidence, and learning outcomes. Qualitative data collection included a final‐day focus group and 8‐ to 10‐week follow‐up interviews. The target for recruitment was 15 postgraduate midwives. Fifteen midwives practicing in three London boroughs enrolled of whom 14 completed the module. Pre‐total and post‐total scores were analyzed with paired‐sample t tests. Qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis.ResultsQuantitative and qualitative data indicated that the module increased participants’ self‐reported skills, knowledge, and confidence in practicing Optimum Birth. Qualitative data indicated ways in which midwives were implementing changes to promote Optimum Birth in their place of work. Attitudes were highly positive pre‐module and post‐module.ConclusionsThe Optimum Birth module provided appropriate training for preparing midwives for the shift toward working in midwifery‐led settings. Midwifery leaders and managers should implement strategies to develop midwives’ philosophy, knowledge, and skills to increase their readiness to work in midwifery‐led birth settings.
A multiple‐group confirmatory factor analysis of teacher perceptions of social and emotional learning in rural Malawi
Authors: Lee Jeongmin , Yang Yanyun , Zuilkowski Stephanie Simmons 
Published: September 2018

BackgroundSocial and emotional learning (SEL) positively impacts children's school achievement and adult productivity. Successful implementation of SEL relies on teachers’ pedagogical beliefs and practices.AimsWe examined whether the Teachers’ SEL Belief Scale designed in the United States is adoptable in low‐income countries such as Malawi in response to a growing interest in teacher practices in SEL but a lack of research instruments in these countries.SamplesThe data used in this study were from 432 teachers working in 34 randomly selected primary schools in Zomba, a rural district in Malawi.MethodsWe used multiple‐group confirmatory factory analysis to investigate the factor structure and the invariance of the adapted scale across teachers with different characteristics such as gender and training experience in SEL. When invariant, we compared group mean differences among teachers in our sample by gender and training experience.ResultsWe found that the Teachers’ SEL Belief Scale measured a similar construct of pedagogical perceptions of SEL among the sampled teachers, and it functioned equivalently across teachers with different genders and training experiences. Female teachers had lower perceived institutional support for SEL instruction compared to male teachers. Untrained teachers had lower levels of pedagogical comfort as well as perceived support for SEL compared to trained teachers.ConclusionsOur findings validate the adaptability of the Teachers’ SEL Belief Scale in low‐income contexts such as Malawi. We did not find evidence of systematic bias relative to group membership. In addition, significantly lower pedagogical comfort and institutional support among female and untrained teachers suggest areas for policy intervention to improve teacher performance in SEL in Malawi.
Teachers’ attitudes towards ethnic minority students: Effects of schools’ cultural diversity
Authors: Glock Sabine , Kovacs Carrie , Pit‐ten Cate Ineke 
Published: September 2018

BackgroundResearch exploring mechanisms driving inequalities in school systems has found that biased teacher judgements contribute to observed disadvantages for ethnic minority students. Teacher judgements may be driven by explicit and implicit attitudes.AimsThe current research explored the effect of cultural diversity at schools (actual or imagined) on teachers’ attitudes towards ethnic minority students.SamplesOne hundred and five preservice teachers (90 female) with a mean age of 26.20 years (teaching experience: 57.55 weeks) participated in Study 1. Two hundred and thirty‐one teachers (159 female) with a mean age of 41.00 years (teaching experience: 12.92 years) participated in Study 2.MethodCultural diversity was operationalized via a fictive description of a school (Study 1) or via the actual proportion of ethnic minority students at the school (Study 2). An Implicit Association Test assessed implicit attitudes towards ethnic minority students. Explicit attitudes were assessed via questionnaire.ResultsPreservice teachers imagining a more culturally diverse school held more negative implicit attitudes towards ethnic minority students than those imagining a less diverse school. In contrast, in‐service teachers actually working in more diverse schools held less negative implicit attitudes towards minority students. Preservice teachers associated teaching in culturally diverse schools with increased effort, whereas in‐service teachers actually working in culturally diverse schools reported more enthusiasm towards teaching ethnic minority students.ConclusionsThis research shows the challenge and the negative stereotypes preservice teachers associate with culturally diverse schools, while in‐service teachers’ negative associations may be buffered by the actual experience of working with ethnic minority students.
Patient and physician preferences for first‐line treatment of classical Hodgkin lymphoma in Germany, France and the United Kingdom
Authors: Bröckelmann Paul J. , McMullen Suzanne , Wilson J Ben , Mueller Kerstin , Goring Sarah , Stamatoullas Aspasia , Zagadailov Erin , Gautam Ashish , Huebner Dirk , Dalal Mehul , Illidge Tim 
Published: September 2018

SummaryFirst‐line treatments for classical Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) include ABVD (adriamycin, bleomycin, vinblastine, dacarbazine) and BEACOPPescalated (escalated dose bleomycin, etoposide, adriamycin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, procarbazine, prednisone). To further improve overall outcomes, positron emission tomography‐driven strategies and ABVD or BEACOPP variants incorporating the antibody‐drug conjugate brentuximab vedotin (BV) or anti‐PD1 antibodies are under investigation in advanced‐stage patients. The present study aimed to elicit preferences for attributes associated with ABVD, BEACOPPescalated and BV‐AVD (BV, adriamycin, vinblastine and dacarbazine) among patients and physicians. Cross‐sectional online discrete choice experiments were administered to HL patients (n = 381) and haematologists/oncologists (n = 357) in France, Germany and the United Kingdom. Included attributes were progression‐free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and the risk of neuropathy, lung damage, infertility and hospitalisation due to adverse events. Whereas 5‐year PFS and OS were the most important treatment attributes to patients, the relative importance of each attribute and preference weights for each level varied among physicians according to the description of the hypothetical patient for whom treatment was recommended. PFS and OS most strongly influenced physicians’ recommendations when considering young female patients who did not want children or young male patients. Infertility was more important to physicians’ treatment decision than PFS when considering young women with unknown fertility preferences, whereas hospitalisations due to adverse events played the largest role in treatment decisions for older patients.