bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The impacts of trade and self‐sufficiency policies on heterogeneous rice farms in Malaysia
Authors: Ali Roslina Binti , Luckstead Jeff , Durand‐Morat Alvaro , Wailes Eric J. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThis paper develops a farm household model of heterogeneous Malaysian rice farmers. The model determines the domestic price of milled rice in equilibrium. The model is simulated to analyze the effects of free trade, self‐sufficiency achieved through trade policy, and the impact of free trade and self‐sufficiency when rice productivity expands. The ex ante results for free trade predict that total rice supply rises as the increase in imports offsets the decrease in domestic production, causing the domestic price of milled rice to fall by 15.8 percent. While this price decrease generates negative income effects for rice farmers, it leads to an expansion of consumption of milled rice by both the farm and urban populations. The results for self‐sufficiency through heightened tariffs predict that production for domestic rice farmers increases. However, with fewer imports, total rice supply falls, causing the domestic price of rice to increase by 41.5 percent. Because free trade is politically unfeasible and trade‐driven self‐sufficiency policies contract total rice consumption, boosting rice production through research and development is an effective way for Malaysia to increase the total supply of rice while limiting its dependence on imports.
Successful re‐transplantation in patient with recurrent parvovirus B19 pure red cell aplasia
Authors: Inamdar Neeraj , Nada Ritambhra , Minz Ranjana , Kenwar Deepesh Benjamin , Singh Sarabpreet , Sharma Ashish , Kumar Vivek , Rathi Manish , Kohli Harbir S. , Ramachandran Raja 
Published: September 2019

AbstractImpaired cell‐mediated, as well as antibody‐mediated immunity predisposes a renal transplant recipient to a wide variety of atypical infection. With an increasing number of re‐transplant, the balance between immunosuppression and the risk of recurrent disease poses a clinical and therapeutic challenge. Here, we report a successful re‐transplantation in a case of parvovirus B19 infection leading to anaemia and collapsing glomerulopathy in the allograft managed with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and reduction of immunosuppression. This case emphasizes re‐consideration to renal transplant after clearance of the virus in a previous renal allograft lost to PVB19 infection.
The macroeconomics outcome of oil shocks in the small Eurozone economies
Authors: Raduzzi Raphael , Ribba Antonio 
Published: September 2019

AbstractIn this work, we provide an analysis over the period 1999–2015 of the effects of oil shocks on prices and GDP in a group of small Euro‐area economies. The group includes Austria, Belgium, Finland, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal and Spain. In order to characterise the macroeconomic outcomes of movements in oil prices, we adopt the structural vector autoregression (VAR) methodology. We find that under the European Monetary Union (EMU), oil price shocks have been important drivers of business cycle fluctuations in almost all these countries. Moreover, an increase in oil prices produces significant recessionary effects in all the countries included in the investigation. Thus, although there are different sizes in the responses of output in the investigated countries, our main conclusion is that despite the structural changes experienced by the European economies in the last decades, oil prices still matter for these countries. In the light of these results, we also stress some important challenges for the conduct of monetary policy in the Euro area.
Experimental Investigation and Numerical Modeling of Room Temperature Control in Buildings by the Implementation of Phase Change Material in the Roof
Authors: Beemkumar N. , Yuvarajan D. , Arulprakasajothi M. , Ganesan S. , Elangovan K. , Senthilkumar G. 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
Due to the increasing demand for air conditioners to maintain thermal comfort in buildings, it is necessary to search for alternatives that can reduce the soaring temperature and meet total air conditioning demands. There are several proven technologies for maintaining thermal comfort in buildings of which the use of phase change material (PCM) in buildings provides improved thermal comfort with fewer energy requirements. The present study analyzes the impact of the incorporation of PCM in roofs on the thermal behavior of buildings. The experiments were conducted in two identical model building roofs with and without the implementation of PCM. A numerical model was developed to find the effect of variation in the PCM layer thickness and month wise temperature variations. To get minimum variation in the results, the simulation was run continuously for 5 days assuming average climatic conditions. The results showed that temperature fluctuations in the room were reduced with the use of PCM, and also the average peak temperature rise was reduced by 2–4°C. The increased PCM layer thickness resulted in decreased energy demand for maintaining the required thermal comfort in buildings at an almost constant temperature.
Power Analysis on a 70-mm Rotor Tesla Turbine
Authors: Placco Guilherme M. , Guimarães Lamartine N. F. 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
The Tesla turbine built originally in 1913 by Nikola Tesla is an impulse and passive turbine. These characteristics drew the attention for its potential application for space cycle thermoelectric conversion and the possibility to improve cycle efficiency. The performance of a 70-mm rotor Tesla turbine will be presented and discussed. The turbine used saturated steam as the working fluid for experiments. The pressure range considered was between 300 to 700 kPa.
Chronic Standing Desk Use and Arterial Stiffness
Authors: Greenlund Ian M. , Suriano Piersan E. , Elmer Steven J. , Carter Jason R. , Durocher John J. 
Published: September 2019

Background: Sedentary activity and sitting for at least 10 hours per day can increase the risk for cardiovascular disease by more than 60%. Use of standing desks may decrease sedentary time and improve cardiovascular health. Acute standing lowers pulse wave velocity (PWV), but chronic effects remain unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of chronic standing desk use on arterial stiffness versus seated controls. Methods: A total of 48 adults participated in this study. Twenty-four participants qualified as seated desk users (age 41 [10] y, body mass index 25 [4] kg/m2) and 24 as standing desk users (age 45 [12] y, body mass index 25 [5] kg/m2). Arterial stiffness was assessed as PWV within the aorta, arm, and leg. Results: Carotid–femoral PWV (cfPWV) was not different between seated (6.6 [1.3] m/s) and standing (6.9 [1.3] m/s) groups (P = .47). Similarly, there were no differences in arm or leg PWV between groups (P = .13 and P = .66, respectively). A secondary analysis of traditional factors of age and aerobic fitness revealed significant differences in cfPWV in seated and standing desk participants. Age also significantly influenced cfPWV across conditions. Conclusions: Standing for >50% of a workday did not affect PWV. Consistent with previous research, fitness and age are important modulators of arterial stiffness.
Five-year changes in anterior segment parameters in an older population in urban southern China: the Liwan Eye Study
Authors: Jiang Yu , Wang Decai , Wang Wei , Chen Feng , Wang Lanhua , Scheetz Jane , Huang Wenyong , Huang Shengsong , He Mingguang 
Published: September 2019

PurposeTo investigate the 5-year changes in static and dynamic anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) parameters and their predictors.MethodsThis was a prospective, population-based cohort study of people aged 50 years and older residing in the Liwan District, Guangzhou, China. Standardised AS-OCT scans were performed in November 2008 and November 2013 under dark and light conditions. Customised software was used to analyse horizontal AS-OCT images. Parameters in dark and measurements of light-to-dark changes were used for analyses.ResultsA total of 186 (71.8%) subjects underwent AS-OCT twice, 5 years apart and were included for analyses. The mean age in 2008 was 64.7±7.0 years, and 60.2% were women. The anterior chamber width (ACW) decreased from 11.74±0.44 mm in 2008 to 11.60±0.37 mm in 2013 (p=0.001). There was a trend towards a decrease in dynamic capacity (light-to-dark changes) in the anterior segment, with decreased iris thickness at 750 µm (ΔIT750), ΔACW, Δ anterior chamber area (ACA) and Δ pupil diameter at 5 years (all p<0.05). After adjusting for age and sex, the following baseline parameters were associated with a greater decrease rate in trabecular iris space area at 500 µm (TISA500) at 5 years: TISA500, IT750 and ACA in dark (p<0.001 for all).ConclusionsAnterior chamber angle width decreased and the amount of light-to-dark changes declined during 5-year follow-up. Subjects with greater height, wider angle width and thicker iris at baseline have greater angle narrowing at follow-up.
Analysis of serious adverse events in a paediatric fast breathing pneumonia clinical trial in Malawi
Authors: Nkwopara Evangelyn , Schmicker Robert , Mvalo Tisungane , Phiri Melda , Phiri Ajib , Couasnon Mari , McCollum Eric D. , Ginsburg Amy Sarah 
Published: September 2019

IntroductionPneumonia is the leading infectious killer of children. We conducted a double-blind, randomised controlled non-inferiority trial comparing placebo to amoxicillin treatment for fast breathing pneumonia in HIV-negative children aged 2–59 months in Malawi. Occurrence of serious adverse events (SAEs) during the trial were examined to assess disease progression, co-morbidities, recurrence of pneumonia and side effects of amoxicillin.MethodsEnrolled children with fast breathing for age and a history of cough <14 days or difficult breathing were randomised to either placebo or amoxicillin for 3 days, and followed for 14 days to track clinical characteristics and outcomes. Medical history, physical exam, laboratory results and any chest radiographs collected at screening, enrolment and during hospitalisation were evaluated. All SAE reports were reviewed for additional information regarding hospitalisation, course of treatment and outcome.ResultsIn total, 102/1126 (9.0%) enrolled children with fast breathing pneumonia were reported to have a SAE. Seventy-five per cent (n=77) of SAEs were pneumonia-related (p<0.01). Children<2 years of age represented the greatest proportion (61/77, 79.2%) of those with a pneumonia-related SAE. In the amoxicillin group, there were 46 SAEs and 5 (10.9%) cases were identified as possibly related to study drug (4 gastroenteritis and 1 fever). There were no life-threatening pneumonia SAEs or deaths in either group, and by the time of exit from the study, all children recovered without sequelae.DiscussionIn this fast breathing pneumonia clinical trial, SAEs occurred infrequently in both the amoxicillin and placebo groups, and amoxicillin was well tolerated.Trial registration numberNCT02760420.https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02760420?term=ginsburg&rank=9.
Objectives and outcomes of clinical ethics services: a Delphi study
Authors: McClimans Leah , Pressgrove Geah , Campbell Emmaling 
Published: September 2019

ObjectivesTo explore the objectives and outcomes most appropriate for evaluating clinical ethics support services (CESs) in the USA.MethodsA three-round e-Delphi was sent to two professional medical ethics listservs (Medical College of Wisconsin-Bioethics and American Society for Bioethics and Humanities) as well as 19 individual experts. The survey originally contained 15 objectives and 9 outcomes. In round 1, participants were asked to validate the content of these lists. In round 2, we had 17 objectives and 10 outcomes, and participants were asked to rank them for appropriateness in a top 10 list of objectives and a top 5 list of outcomes.ResultsParticipants came to a high(at least 70%) level of agreement on seven objectives: mediate, educate, develop policy, improve the moral quality of a decision or action, counsel, create a moral space and manage moral distress. Participants came to a moderate (at least 51%) level of agreement on three objectives: empower, awareness of ethics and preventative ethics. Participants also came to a moderate (at least 51%) level of agreement on five outcomes: ethical justification, transformation of institution, improvement of quality of life, principled consensus and satisfaction with the expertise of a CES.ConclusionThis e-Delphi identified 10 objectives and 5 outcomes that are a good starting point for developing outcome measures to evaluate CESs in the USA, while reminding us of the diversity of perspectives still evident in the field.
Field triage for endovascular stroke therapy: a population-based comparison
Authors: Jayaraman Mahesh V , Hemendinger Morgan L , Baird Grayson L , Yaghi Shadi , Cutting Shawna , Saad Ali , Siket Matt , Madsen Tracy E , Williams Ken , Rhodes Jason , Haas Richard A , Furie Karen L , McTaggart Ryan A 
Published: September 2019

BackgroundEndovascular therapy (EVT) for stroke improves outcomes but is time sensitive.ObjectiveTo compare times to treatment and outcomes between patients taken to the closest primary stroke center (PSC) with those triaged in the field to a more distant comprehensive stroke center (CSC).MethodsDuring the study, a portion of our region allowed field triage of patients who met severity criteria to a more distant CSC than the closest PSC. The remaining patients were transported to the closest PSC. We compared times to treatment and clinical outcomes between those two groups. Additionally, we performed a matched-pairs analysis of patients from both groups on stroke severity and distance to CSC.ResultsOver 2 years, 232 patients met inclusion criteria and were closest from the field to a PSC; 144 were taken to the closest PSC and 88 to the more distant CSC. The median additional transport time to the CSC was 7 min. Times from scene departure to alteplase and arterial puncture were faster in the direct group (50 vs 62 min; 93 vs 152 min; p<0.001 for both). Among patients who were independent before the stroke, the OR for less disability in the direct group was 1.47 (95% CI 1.13 to 1.93, p=0.003), and 2.06 (95% CI 1.10 to 3.89, p=0.01) for the matched pairs.ConclusionsIn a densely populated setting, for patients with stroke who are EVT candidates and closest to a PSC from the field, triage to a slightly more distant CSC is associated with faster time to EVT, no delay to alteplase, and less disability at 90 days.
Persistent postoperative pain after inguinal hernia repair in relation to occupational lifting and standing/walking: a 6-month follow-up study
Authors: Vad Marie Vestergaard , Frost Poul , Rosenberg Jacob , Svendsen Susanne Wulff 
Published: September 2019

ObjectivesThis study aims to evaluate the risk of persistent postoperative pain after inguinal hernia repair in relation to occupational lifting and standing/walking.MethodsWe conducted a 6-month follow-up study that included all men with an inguinal hernia repair registered in the Danish Hernia Database from 1 January 2015 to 31 October 2016, who were born from 1 October 1949 to 1 October 1998, and who were alive, living in Denmark, and active in the labour market in the week before surgery. Members of the cohort received a questionnaire 6 months after surgery. Exposure estimates were allocated by combining self reported job titles with a job exposure matrix. Prevalence ratios of persistent postoperative pain during activity ≥2 on a numerical rating scale (range 0–10) according to occupational lifting and standing/walking were estimated using Poisson regression.ResultsOf 4817 eligible patients, 2609 (54%) returned the questionnaire and 2508 contributed to the analyses. A total of 473 men (18.9%) reported persistent postoperative pain. In the group lifting >1000 to 6125 kg/day, the prevalence was 26.8% compared with 17.5% in the minimally exposed group; adjusted prevalence ratio: 1.44 (95% CI 1.16 to 1.79). For standing/walking >6 hours/day, the prevalence was 23.6% compared with 17.0% in the group standing <4 hours/day; adjusted prevalence ratio: 1.18 (95% CI 0.92 to 1.50).ConclusionsThe risk of persistent postoperative pain after inguinal hernia repair was elevated among men with occupational lifting exposures >1000 kg/day. This finding suggests a preventive potential.
Understanding why some Australian retailers have stopped selling tobacco, some might and some are unlikely
Authors: Watts Christina , Burton Suzan , Phillips Fiona , Kennington Kelly , Scollo Michelle , Lindorff Kylie , Egger Sam 
Published: September 2019

BackgroundWidespread availability of tobacco has been shown to contribute to ongoing smoking and make quitting harder. This study investigates why some retailers in three Australian states decided to stop selling tobacco, others might stop selling and why others continue to sell in a declining market.MethodsA telephone survey of 4527 randomly selected retailers was conducted in August 2018 (response rate=72.4%). This study examines responses to open-ended questions in the survey probing retailers’ attitudes and beliefs regarding selling (or not selling) tobacco.Results27.3% of the sample sold tobacco, and 13.3% had formerly sold. Outlets that had stopped selling most frequently mentioned minimal profit and/or sales as the reason for stopping selling (27.7% across all states). This was also the most frequent reason why retailers said they might stop selling. Uniquely in Western Australia (the only state in the study with a fee-based licensing scheme), 12.5% of former tobacco retailers named tobacco licensing as the reason for stopping sales—the second most frequent reason in Western Australia. Of current sellers who were unlikely to stop, the potential to lose sales was the most frequently named reason (31.0% across all states).ConclusionRetailers report being driven by the profitability of tobacco when deciding whether or not to stop selling, although only a small percentage discussed losing incremental sales if they stopped selling. An annual licence fee contributed to some retailers stopping selling, showing that a fee-based tobacco license can contribute to a decline in retail availability of tobacco.
Large gaze shift generation while standing: the role of the vestibular system
Authors: Anastasopoulos Dimitri , Ziavra Nausika , Bronstein Adolfo M. 
Published: September 2019

The functional significance of vestibular information for the generation of gaze shifts is controversial and less well established than the vestibular contribution to gaze stability. In this study, we asked seven bilaterally avestibular patients to execute voluntary, whole body pivot turns to visual targets up to 180° while standing. In these conditions, not only are the demands imposed on gaze transfer mechanisms more challenging, but also neck proprioceptive input represents an inadequate source of head-in-space motion information. Patients’ body segment was slower and jerky. In the absence of visual feedback, gaze advanced in small steps, closely resembling normal multiple-step gaze-shift patterns, but as a consequence of the slow head motion, target acquisition was delayed. In ~25% of trials, however, patients moved faster but the velocity of prematurely emerging slow-phase compensatory eye movements remained lower than head-in-space velocity due to vestibuloocular failure. During these trials, therefore, gaze advanced toward the target without interruption but, again, taking longer than when normal controls use single-step gaze transfers. That is, even when patients attempted faster gaze shifts, exposing themselves to gaze instability, they acquired distant targets significantly later than controls. Thus, while patients are upright, loss of vestibular information disrupts not only gaze stability but also gaze transfers. The slow and ataxic head and trunk movements introduce significant foveation delays. These deficits explain patients’ symptoms during upright activities and show, for the first time, the clinical significance of losing the so-called “anticompensatory” (gaze shifting) function of the vestibuloocular reflex. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Previous studies in sitting avestibular patients concluded that gaze transfers are not substantially compromised. Still, clinicians know that patients are impeded (e.g., looking side to side before crossing a road). We show that during large gaze transfers while standing, vestibularly derived head velocity signals are critical for the mechanisms governing reorientation to distant targets and multisegmental coordination. Our findings go beyond the traditional role of the vestibular system in gaze stability, extending it to gaze transfers, as well.
Hyaluronic Acid Binding to TLR4 Promotes Proliferation and Blocks Apoptosis in Colon Cancer
Authors: Makkar Sarbjeet , Riehl Terrence E. , Chen Baosheng , Yan Yan , Alvarado David M. , Ciorba Matthew A. , Stenson William F. 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
Hyaluronic acid (HA), a constituent of the extracellular matrix, promotes colorectal cancer growth. CD44 is a relevant HA receptor in this context. However, HA is also a ligand for TLR4, a receptor of significance in colorectal cancer. In this study, we examine the relative contribution of HA interactions with CD44 and TLR4 in colon tumorigenesis. Colorectal cancer models included ApcMin/+ mice, azoxymethane/dextran sodium sulfate (AOM-DSS), and CT26 tumor isografts. We used knockout mice and CT26 colorectal cancer cells with CRISPR knockdown of CD44 and TLR4. HA activity was modulated by PEP1 (a 12-mer peptide that blocks HA from binding its receptors), hyaluronidase (which promotes HA degradation), or 4-MU (HA synthesis inhibitor). Blockade of HA binding via PEP1 decreased growth in all colorectal cancer models and in cell culture. The effects were significant in WT and with CD44 deletion, but not with TLR4 deletion. In the AOM-DSS model, mice deficient in CD44 or TLR4 had fewer tumors. CD44- and TLR4-deficient CT26 isografts grew more slowly, exhibiting decreased tumor cell proliferation and increased apoptosis. In vitro, endogenous HA blocked LPS binding to TLR4 suggesting that HA is a relevant TLR4 ligand in colon cancer. Finally, PEP1 enhanced tumor radiation sensitivity in the isograft model. Together, these results indicate that HA binding to TLR4, as well as CD44, plays a key role in colon tumorigenesis. These findings also raise the possibility that an agent that blocks HA binding, such as PEP1, may be useful as an adjuvant therapy in colon cancer.