bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Experiences and informational needs on sexual health in people with epilepsy or multiple sclerosis: A focus group investigation
Authors: Egerod Ingrid , Wulff Kathrine , Petersen Marian C 
Published: April 2018

Aims and objectivesTo explore experiences and informational needs regarding sexual health in men and women with epilepsy or multiple sclerosis.BackgroundSexual health and well‐being are dependent on access to comprehensive information about sexuality and good‐quality sexual health care in an environment that affirms and promotes sexual health.DesignThe study had a qualitative explorative design using focus group methodology and framework analysis to capture the patient perspective.MethodsWe strategically selected 26 participants at a neurological clinic at a university hospital in Denmark and conducted four homogeneous focus group interviews: women with epilepsy (n = 8), men with epilepsy (n = 7), women with multiple sclerosis (n = 5) and men with multiple sclerosis (n = 6). We used the framework method for analysis and initially developed a matrix of disease versus gender before the authors triangulated their views and decided on the final themes.ResultsWe identified four themes and nine subthemes. Our main findings included insights on the impact of ignorance regarding sexual rehabilitation, demonstrating the importance of information in patients with sexual dysfunction related to chronic neurologic disease. The study expanded our understanding of sexual activity in the unpredictable body of epilepsy and the progressively changing body of multiple sclerosis. The participants agreed that they would have taken a more constructive path to solve their sexual problems if they had been aware of common responses to their disease.ConclusionsOur study suggests that people with epilepsy or multiple sclerosis might be under‐informed regarding the impact of their disease on their sexual health. We have shown how knowledge deficits put people at risk for symptoms of isolation, guilt, frustration and depression. Patient information is a modifiable factor that, if improved, might increase the quality of life for this group of patients.Relevance to clinical practiceImplementation of improved patient information at the neurological clinic is recommended.
The provision of nurse‐led follow‐up at Norwegian intensive care units
Authors: Moi Asgjerd Litleré , Storli Sissel Lisa , Gjengedal Eva , Holme Anny Norlemann , Lind Ranveig , Eskerud Ragne , Fenstad Anne Marie , Kvåle Reidar , Halvorsen Kristin 
Published: April 2018

Aims and objectivesTo describe the prevalence, content and administration of intensive care unit diaries and follow‐up practices offered to patients and their families in Norway.BackgroundIntensive care treatment has been associated with risks for new or increased health impairments affecting both patients and their families. These impairments have the potential of continuing beyond the acute phase of treatment. In parallel, preventive actions have gradually become an integrated part of critical care nursing, and in Norway, national recommendations for the use of intensive care unit diaries have been established.Design and methodsA survey was conducted in Norwegian intensive care units offering care for adult patients, using a questionnaire asking about the frequency, administration and content of the follow‐up offered to patients, their relatives, as well as bereaved family members.ResultsThirty‐nine of 66 (59.1%) invited intensive care units answered the questionnaire. The majority (n = 33, 84.6%) of the responding units had follow‐up routines. The provision of diaries was the most frequent follow‐up activity (n = 24, 61.5%), and consultations postdischarge formed an integrated part of the diary practice. Consultations with bereaved were conducted in 21 (53.8%) of the intensive care units. About one quarter of the responding intensive care units had positions for follow‐up nursing staff.ConclusionNurse‐led follow‐up after critical care was a common activity in Norwegian intensive care units, comprising diaries and consultations offered to patients and family members. The follow‐up was mainly driven by bottom‐up processes conducted by dedicated nurses motivated by the patients’ and their families’ situation and feedback.Relevance to clinical practiceAdherence to recommendations, as well as the availability of defined positions for aftercare nurses or teams, may improve the implementation of follow‐up practices and reduce suffering after discharge from Norwegian intensive care units.
POLITICAL BUDGET CYCLES: MANIPULATION BY LEADERS VERSUS MANIPULATION BY RESEARCHERS? EVIDENCE FROM A META‐REGRESSION ANALYSIS
Authors: Mandon Pierre , Cazals Antoine 
Published: April 2018

AbstractDespite a long history of research on political budget cycles, their existence and magnitude are still in question. By conducting a systematic analysis of the existing literature, we intend to clarify the debate. Based on data collected from 1037 regressions in 46 studies, our meta‐analysis suggests that little, if any, systematic evidence can be found in the research record that national leaders do manipulate fiscal tools in order to be reelected. However, it is much more clear that researchers selectively report that national leaders do manipulate fiscal tools in order to be reelected. The publication selection bias highlighted has nonetheless been reduced during the past 25 years of research. We also show that the incumbents' strategies differ depending on which tools they use. Finally, the nature and quality of political institutions appear to be the factors which most affect the political budget cycles.
Great Middle Eastern instability: Structural roots and uneven modernization 1960‐2012
Authors: Černý Karel 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThe paper deals with the structural roots of political instability in the Middle East that has been manifested by the Arab Spring throughout the region since early 2011. The roots of the instability are seen in cumulative effects of highly uneven long‐term social change in its three main dimensions since 1960s: (1) rapid social and demographic changes, (2) slower and fluctuating economic development, and (3) rigid political subsystem. The Middle Eastern uneven social change is also under way in a specific (4) cultural and (5) international context. The political instability is thus seen as a consequence of multiple and complex interactions among various dimensions of uneven modernisation process, Islamic political imagination and the international context. The paper deals with the interactions on the macro‐level and with its politically destabilizing consequences on micro‐level using selected examples of causal mechanisms. The Middle Eastern uneven modernisation pattern is systematically documented by empirical macro‐indicators and is compared with the modernisation process in other post‐colonial world macro‐regions.
The International from the perspectives of Gezi Protestors
Authors: Akder Derya Göçer , Altunışık Meliha Benli 
Published: April 2018

AbstractGezi Protests that started in Istanbul and spilled over to other cities in the Spring of 2013 has been regarded as an important episode of Turkish politics in the 21st century. Although it happened in congruous with protests movements in different localities in the world as well as significant transformations in Turkey's foreign policy, the question of the influence of the international in these protests has been largely unexplored. This paper presents the empirical findings of a fieldwork on Gezi Protests, asking the following questions: What was the perception of the actors on the neighbouring as well as geographically distant uprisings that were congruous in time? How do they perceive the roles of domestic and international politics in shaping the agenda of their movements?
Distribution of mating‐type alleles and genetic variability in field populations of Leptosphaeria maculans in western Canada
Authors: Zou Zhongwei , Zhang Xuehua , Fernando Wannakuwattewaduge Gerard Dilantha 
Published: April 2018

AbstractLeptosphaeria maculans is the most important fungal pathogen of canola (Brassica napus, oilseed rape) that causes the devastating stem canker in canola fields of western Canada. The population genetic structure of L. maculans, represented by nine subpopulations from a 6‐year period and three different provinces in western Canada, was determined using ten minisatellite markers. Isolates collected at different locations in six consecutive years had an even distribution of MAT1‐1 and MAT1‐2 across the nine subpopulations. All subpopulations of L. maculans exhibited a moderate gene diversity (H = 0.356–0.585). The majority of the genetic variation occurred within subpopulations. Approximately 8% and 4% of the variations were distributed between sampling year and location, respectively. Genetic distance (FST) results, using analysis of molecular variation (AMOVA), indicated that subpopulation pairing within isolates by year ranged from FST = 0.010 to 0.109, and the location subpopulation ranged from FST = 0.038 to 0.085. Bayesian clustering analyses of multiloci inferred two distinct clusters in all the subpopulations examined. This study indicates a relatively high degree of gene exchange between the different L. maculans isolates. Our results suggest that this can occur in the wide growing areas of canola fields in western Canada. This gene exchange produced different gene allele frequencies and divergence between populations.
Is the demonstration of bioequivalence for clavulanic acid required in amoxicillin–clavulanic acid orally administered immediate-release products?
Authors: Charoo Naseem A , Rahman Ziyaur , Ali Areeg Anwer 
Published: April 2018

Abstract

Objectives
Bioequivalence (BE) criteria for amoxicillin–clavulanic acid (Co-amoxiclav) oral formulations are based on 90% confidence interval for both amoxicillin and clavulanic acid. The aim of this work is to explore the relevance of demonstrating BE of clavulanic acid in Co-amoxiclav oral formulations and also to assess the impact on safety and efficacy of product due to bioinequivalent clavulanic acid.

Methods and key findings
The subtherapeutic levels of clavulanic acid would continue to exert their action against β-lactamases due to postβ-lactamase inhibitor effect. Additionally, only minute quantities are required to inhibit β-lactamases. Majority of adverse effects associated with Co-amoxiclav are of less serious nature, therefore, risk due to suprabioavailable clavulanic acid was determined to be low. ‘Very rapid clavulanic acid release’ in in vitro dissolution test would ensure that clinically significant differences between test and reference formulations if any are detected in advance. As an additional risk mitigation strategy, WHO recommends qualitative and quantitative composition similarity between test and reference formulations to ensure excipients do not adversely impact bioavailability.

Conclusions
Co-amoxiclav with non-bioequivalent clavulanic acid, but bioequivalent amoxicillin would still achieve its therapeutic objectives without exposing patients to unwanted adverse effects. Therefore, the current regulatory criterion of demonstrating BE of clavulanic acid appears conservative.
Natural history of serum HBV‐RNA in chronic HBV infection
Authors: Wang J. , Yu Y. , Li G. , Shen C. , Li J. , Chen S. , Zhang X. , Zhu M. , Zheng J. , Song Z. , Wu J. , Shao L. , Meng Z. , Wang X. , Huang Y. , Zhang J. , Qiu C. , Zhang W. 
Published: April 2018

SummaryVirus‐like particles encapsulating HBV‐RNA represent a serum biomarker for assessing viral replication activity in clinical practice. However, baseline levels of serum HBV‐RNA and their associations with viral replicative intermediates and liver disease in phases of chronic hepatitis B remain unknown. In this cross‐sectional study, 102 patients were categorized into immune‐tolerant (IT), HBeAg‐positive immune active (HBeAg+IA), inactive carrier (IC) and HBeAg‐negative immune active (HBeAg‐IA) phases. HBV‐RNA in serum samples and in 66 paired liver biopsies were quantified and correlated with serum ALT levels, histopathological scores and the levels of other viral replicative intermediates. Mean levels of serum HBV‐RNA differed among phases, with the highest levels among IT (6.78 ± 0.83 log10 copies mL−1) patients, followed by HBeAg+IA (5.73 ± 1.16 log10 copies mL−1), HBeAg‐IA (4.52 ± 1.25 log10 copies mL−1) and IC (2.96 ± 0.40 log10 copies mL−1) patients. Serum HBV‐RNA levels correlated with HBV DNA in all phases, although correlations with other viral replicative intermediates weakened or disappeared when cases were stratified into phases. Distinct compositions of viral products were found among phases: the ratio of HBsAg to serum HBV‐RNA was highest in IC patients, while the ratio of serum HBV‐RNA to intrahepatic HBV‐RNA and the ratio of intrahepatic HBV‐DNA to intrahepatic HBV‐RNA were significantly higher in IT patients. In conclusion, baseline levels of HBV‐RNA and the composition of viral replicative intermediates differ significantly across the natural course of chronic HBV infection. These findings shed light on the nature of viral replication and pathogenesis of disease among different phases of chronic HBV infection.
Mineralogy and temperature of crater Haulani on Ceres
Authors: Tosi F. , Carrozzo F. G. , Raponi A. , De Sanctis M. C. , Thangjam G. , Zambon F. , Ciarniello M. , Nathues A. , Capria M. T. , Rognini E. , Ammannito E. , Hoffmann M. , Krohn K. , Longobardo A. , Palomba E. , Pieters C. M. , Stephan K. , Raymond C. A. , Russell C. T. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractWe investigate the region of crater Haulani on Ceres with an emphasis on mineralogy as inferred from data obtained by Dawn's Visible InfraRed mapping spectrometer (VIR), combined with multispectral image products from the Dawn Framing Camera (FC) so as to enable a clear correlation with specific geologic features. Haulani, which is one of the youngest craters on Ceres, exhibits a peculiar “blue” visible to near‐infrared spectral slope, and has distinct color properties as seen in multispectral composite images. In this paper, we investigate a number of spectral indices: reflectance; spectral slopes; abundance of Mg‐bearing and NH4‐bearing phyllosilicates; nature and abundance of carbonates, which are diagnostic of the overall crater mineralogy; plus a temperature map that highlights the major thermal anomaly found on Ceres. In addition, for the first time we quantify the abundances of several spectral endmembers by using VIR data obtained at the highest pixel resolution (~0.1 km). The overall picture we get from all these evidences, in particular the abundance of Na‐ and hydrous Na‐carbonates at specific locations, confirms the young age of Haulani from a mineralogical viewpoint, and suggests that the dehydration of Na‐carbonates in the anhydrous form Na2CO3 may be still ongoing.
The frequency of window damage caused by bolide airbursts: A quarter century case study
Authors: Gi Nayeob , Brown Peter , Aftosmis Michael 
Published: April 2018

AbstractWe have empirically estimated how often fireball shocks produce overpressure (∆P) at the ground sufficient to damage windows. Our study used a numerical entry model to estimate the energy deposition and shock production for a suite of 23 energetic fireballs reported by U.S. Government sensors over the last quarter century. For each of these events, we estimated the peak ∆Pon the ground and the ground area above ∆Pthresholds of 200 and 500 Pa where light and heavy window damage, respectively, are expected. Our results suggest that at the highest ∆P, it is the rare, large fireballs (such as the Chelyabinsk fireball) which dominate the long‐term areal ground footprints for heavy window damage. The height at the fireball peak brightness and the fireball entry angle contribute to the variance in ground ∆P, with lower heights and shallower angles producing larger ground footprints and more potential damage. The effective threshold energy for fireballs to produce heavy window damage is ~5–10 kT; such fireballs occur globally once every 1–2 years. These largest annual bolide events, should they occur over a major urban center with large numbers of windows, can be expected to produce economically significant window damage. However, the mean frequency of heavy window damage (∆Pabove 500 Pa) from fireball shock waves occurring over urban areas is estimated to be approximately once every 5000 yr. Light window damage (∆Pabove 200 Pa) is expected every ~600 yr.
Physiological and regulatory underpinnings of geographic variation in reptilian cold tolerance across a latitudinal cline
Authors: Campbell‐Staton Shane C. , Bare Anna , Losos Jonathan B. , Edwards Scott V. , Cheviron Zachary A. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractUnderstanding the mechanisms that produce variation in thermal performance is a key component to investigating climatic effects on evolution and adaptation. However, disentangling the effects of local adaptation and phenotypic plasticity in shaping patterns of geographic variation in natural populations can prove challenging. Additionally, the physiological mechanisms that cause organismal dysfunction at extreme temperatures are still largely under debate. Using the green anole,Anolis carolinensis, we integrate measures of cold tolerance (CTmin), standard metabolic rate, heart size, blood lactate concentration andRNAseq data from liver tissue to investigate geographic variation in cold tolerance and its underlying mechanisms along a latitudinal cline. We found significant effects of thermal acclimation and latitude of origin on variation in cold tolerance. Increased cold tolerance correlates with decreased rates of oxygen consumption and blood lactate concentration (a proxy for oxygen limitation), suggesting elevated performance is associated with improved oxygen economy during cold exposure. Consistent with these results, co‐expression modules associated with blood lactate concentration are enriched for functions associated with blood circulation, coagulation and clotting. Expression of these modules correlates with thermal acclimation and latitude of origin. Our findings support the oxygen and capacity‐limited thermal tolerance hypothesis as a potential contributor to variation in reptilian cold tolerance. Moreover, differences in gene expression suggest regulation of the blood coagulation cascade may play an important role in reptilian cold tolerance and may be the target of natural selection in populations inhabiting colder environments.
Sympatric serpentine endemic Monardella (Lamiaceae) species maintain habitat differences despite hybridization
Authors: Kay Kathleen M. , Woolhouse Suzie , Smith Brett A. , Pope Nathaniel S. , Rajakaruna Nishanta 
Published: April 2018

AbstractEcological differentiation and genetic isolation are thought to be critical in facilitating coexistence between related species, but the relative importance of these phenomena and the interactions between them are not well understood. Here, we examine divergence in abiotic habitat affinity and the extent of hybridization and introgression between two rare species of Monardella (Lamiaceae) that are both restricted to the same serpentine soil exposure in California. Although broadly sympatric, they are found in microhabitats that differ consistently in soil chemistry, slope, rockiness and vegetation. We identify one active hybrid zone at a site with intermediate soil and above‐ground characteristics, and we document admixture patterns indicative of extensive and asymmetric introgression from one species into the other. We find that genetic distance among heterospecific populations is related to geographic distance, such that the extent of apparent introgression is partly explained by the spatial proximity to the hybrid zone. Our work shows that plant species can maintain morphological and ecological integrity in the face of weak genetic isolation, intermediate habitats can facilitate the establishment of hybrids, and that the degree of apparent introgression a population experiences is related to its geographic location rather than its local habitat characteristics.
Hierarchical decision‐making balances current and future reproductive success
Authors: Ringler Eva , Szipl Georgine , Harrigan Ryan J. , Bartl‐Binder Perta , Mangione Rosanna , Ringler Max 
Published: April 2018

AbstractParental decisions in animals are often context‐dependent and shaped by fitness trade‐offs between parents and offspring. For example, the selection of breeding habitats can considerably impact the fitness of both offspring and parents, and therefore, parents should carefully weigh the costs and benefits of available options for their current and future reproductive success. Here, we show that resource‐use preferences are shaped by a trade‐off between parental effort and offspring safety in a tadpole‐transporting frog. In a large‐scale in situ experiment, we investigated decision strategies across an entire population of poison frogs that distribute their tadpoles across multiple water bodies. Pool use followed a dynamic and sequential selection process, and transportation became more efficient over time. Our results point to a complex suite of environmental variables that are considered during offspring deposition, which necessitates a highly dynamic and flexible decision‐making process in tadpole‐transporting frogs.
Comparing methods for detecting multilocus adaptation with multivariate genotype–environment associations
Authors: Forester Brenna R. , Lasky Jesse R. , Wagner Helene H. , Urban Dean L. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractIdentifying adaptive loci can provide insight into the mechanisms underlying local adaptation. Genotype–environment association (GEA) methods, which identify these loci based on correlations between genetic and environmental data, are particularly promising. Univariate methods have dominatedGEA, despite the high dimensional nature of genotype and environment. Multivariate methods, which analyse many loci simultaneously, may be better suited to these data as they consider how sets of markers covary in response to environment. These methods may also be more effective at detecting adaptive processes that result in weak, multilocus signatures. Here, we evaluate four multivariate methods and five univariate and differentiation‐based approaches, using published simulations of multilocus selection. We found that Random Forest performed poorly forGEA. UnivariateGEAs performed better, but had low detection rates for loci under weak selection. Constrained ordinations, particularly redundancy analysis (RDA), showed a superior combination of low false‐positive and high true‐positive rates across all levels of selection. These results were robust across the demographic histories, sampling designs, sample sizes and weak population structure tested here. The value of combining detections from different methods was variable and depended on the study goals and knowledge of the drivers of selection. Re‐analysis of genomic data from grey wolves highlighted the unique, covarying sets of adaptive loci that could be identified usingRDA. Although additional testing is needed, this study indicates thatRDAis an effective means of detecting adaptation, including signatures of weak, multilocus selection, providing a powerful tool for investigating the genetic basis of local adaptation.