bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A systemic methodology for the reduction of water consumption in rural areas
Authors: Flórez María Paula , Ramírez María Catalina , Payán-Durán Luisa Fernanda , Peralta Mauricio , Acero Lopez Andres Esteban 
Published: October 2018

Purpose
This study aims to present a systemic methodological proposal for the reduction of water consumption in rural areas, based on participatory tools.

Design/methodology/approach
A theoretical framework was constructed based on the importance of stakeholders’ participation in the adequate use of the hydro resources, technologies to save water and modeling the adoption of possible water-saving technologies. After that, it was proposed a methodology for the reduction of water consumption in rural areas. This methodology was tested in a participatory study case, including the system dynamics model.

Findings
This study proposes a participatory systemic methodology – PAWAME – participation-water waste-adoption-model-empowerment, which consists of four steps: identify stakeholders and the activities related with the waste of water in the study site and establish their values, measure the adoption that the technology would have based on the awareness generated, relate in a model the variables of the water-consuming activities and the variables of the technology and its adoption to analyze possible future behaviors and empowerment of the technology to reduce water consumption.

Practical implications
In Colombia, part of the population has the wrong perception about the abundance of the hydro resource, and for this reason, people do not use water in a correct way. The inclusion of a participatory systemic methodology was fundamental to apprehend the dynamic aspects of users’ behaviors, as well as of the management of the water resource. The model addresses the complexity of the situation, allowing exploring future scenarios of environmental protection.

Originality/value
This study advances the knowledge in participatory systemic methodology to design and adopt a local technology to save water.
Impact of nutrition and health counselling on quality of life in celiac children aged 7-12 years as reported by parents
Authors: Chishty Sadia , Monika Monika , Singh Nimali 
Published: October 2018

PurposeThe purpose of the study was to assess the impact of nutrition and health counselling on quality of life (QoL) among celiac children (CC) aged 7-12 years, which was reported by the parent. So far, no study has emphasized on impact of nutritional counselling on QoL in CC. The QoL in the present study was reported by parents of celiac and non-celiac (NC) subjects.Design/methodology/approachThis is an interventional study. Follow-up celiac cases aged 7-12 years (n= 50) were compared with NC cases (n= 25). A 24-item instrument was standardized for reliability and validity and was used to assess the QoL of children on a 100-score scale. The scale used four dimensions and explored physical, emotional, social and family outlook. The impact of health counselling using posters, leaflets and a booklet prepared on simplification of disease, gluten-free diet and its treatment was determined.FindingsTotal QoL scores were better in NC children (7-9 years), whereas celiac pre-adolescents (CP; 10-12 years) showed higher QoL scores than NC pre-adolescents. NC QoL scores were significantly higher than CC in emotional and mental domain (p< 0.02) and family outlook (p< 0.01). In CP, physical well-being (p< 0.01) and social well-being (p< 0.04) were significantly higher, whereas family outlook was significantly lower (p< 0.01). After repetitive counselling sessions, the CC had higher scores than their NC siblings. Postintervention QoL scores in CC (7-9 years) and pre-adolescents improved from 77.5 to 80.95 and from 80.16 to 83.75, respectively, and a significant positive shift was seen in family outlook (p< 0.05).Originality/valueThis study presents a comparative analysis on impact of nutrition counselling on QoL in Indian CC and their comparison with NC siblings matched for age.
The visible reflectance spectrum stability and water content resistivity of natural dye coating paint film consisting chlorophyll
Authors: Usop R. , Sulaiman L. , Mazni N.A. , Manah N.S.A. , Anuar N. , Arof A.K. , Abidin Z.H.Z. 
Published: October 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to study the colour stability and water content resistivity of the green colour coating paint film (consisting of chlorophyll) during exposure to ultraviolet A (UV-A).

Design/methodology/approach
The natural green dye was prepared by immersing Cassia alata L. leaves in absolute ethanol. The extract was prepared in two batches of dye samples where one of it was a pure dye and the other was added with 3 Wt. % Cu(NO3)2 as an additive. Polymer blend as a binder was prepared by mixing poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and commercial acrylic polyol. The blended polymer was mixed with the natural dye in a specific ratio and applied as coating paint film on glass panel surfaces. The visible spectrum stability (colour stability) and water content resistivity of the coating paint films during exposure to UV-A were monitored.

Findings
Addition of Cu(NO3)2 had improved the colour stability of the coating paint film. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis showed that both coating paint films do not absorb water and are resistive to water content.

Research limitations/implications
The ability of Cu(NO3)2 as an colour stability additive to the natural green dye applied in the coating paint film.

Practical implications
The coating paint film developed in this work is suitable to be applied on glass substrates.

Originality/value
The colour stability of the coating paint film was analysed by using the reflectance spectrum.
How crisis-proof is Islamic finance?
Authors: Baber Hasnan 
Published: October 2018

PurposeThis paper aims to explore Islamic finance’s resilience in times of financial crisis and considers Islamic finance’s viability as an alternative to the current financial system.Design/methodology/approachEstablished on a review of theoretical aspects underlying the notion of Islamic finance being proficient of reducing the harshness of financial crises and a latent solution to financial volatility, this paper assesses actual performance of Islamic and conventional banks during and in the repercussion of the current financial crisis. Interviews were also conducted with managers of Islamic banks.FindingsThe paper concludes that performance of Islamic banks during the global financial crisis is found to be supportive of their argued resilience and consistency. However, the latest financial crisis has brought to light a number of theoretical and realistic issues that challenge Islamic finance and its absorbing capacity against financial crises.Originality/valueThe paper is an original work which suggests about moderating risks and proposing various ways in which the Islamic finance can be made more stable and resilient.
Rapid fabrication of ion optics by selective laser melting
Authors: Sangregorio Miguel , Wang Ningfei , Xie Kan , Zhang Zun , Wang Xiaojun 
Published: October 2018

Purpose
Traditional ion optics manufacturing processes are complex and costly. The purpose of this paper is to study the feasibility of using selective laser melting (SLM) to produce additively manufactured ion optics.

Design/methodology/approach
An SLM machine was used to generate Ti6Al4V screen grids. The output was separated through wire cutting from the build platform and studied through a scanning electron microscope. To increase the geometrical accuracy of the original grid, samples consisting of nine-aperture arrays were fabricated with different parameter combinations, increasing the energy density. An empirical method to correlate the energy density applied in the fabrication process with the dimensional accuracy of the hole array positioning was developed through the analysis of multiple samples.

Findings
The SLM machine generated grids with optimal microstructure, the apertures fell within the specified tolerances and tolerances of slightly less than 10 µm can be guaranteed for the hole array positioning. The grids’ upper surfaces presented good-quality surface finish, and the lower surface quality was acceptable when the wire cutting process that separated the grid from the build platform performed slowly. Regardless of the build strategy, the stresses generated in the separation process caused the warping of the ion optic, so a flattening operation was necessary in all cases.

Originality/value
This research proved that SLM is a viable solution for ion optics fabrication, faster (less than 24 h) and less expensive (order of US$300) than traditional fabrication methods (with fabrication times from 24 to more than 400 h and costs from US$500 to US$5,000, depending on the material, size and shape).
Neuregulin‐1 attenuates right ventricular diastolic stiffness in experimental pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Adão Rui , Mendes‐Ferreira Pedro , Maia‐Rocha Carolina , Santos‐Ribeiro Diana , Rodrigues Patrícia Gonçalves , Vidal‐Meireles André , Monteiro‐Pinto Cláudia , Pimentel Luís D. , Falcão‐Pires Inês , De Keulenaer Gilles W. , Leite‐Moreira Adelino F. , Brás‐Silva Carmen 
Published: October 2018

SummaryWe have previously shown that treatment with recombinant human neuregulin‐1 (rhNRG‐1) improves pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in a monocrotaline (MCT)‐induced animal model, by decreasing pulmonary arterial remodelling and endothelial dysfunction, as well as by restoring right ventricular (RV) function. Additionally, rhNRG‐1 treatment showed direct myocardial anti‐remodelling effects in a model of pressure loading of the RV without PAH. This work aimed to study the intrinsic cardiac effects of rhNRG‐1 on experimental PAH and RV pressure overload, and more specifically on diastolic stiffness, at both the ventricular and cardiomyocyte level. We studied the effects of chronic rhNRG‐1 treatment on ventricular passive stiffness in RV and LV samples from MCT‐induced PAH animals and in the RV from animals with compensated and decompensated RV hypertrophy, through a mild and severe pulmonary artery banding (PAB). We also measured passive tension in isolated cardiomyocytes and quantified the expression of myocardial remodelling‐associated genes and calcium handling proteins. Chronic rhNRG‐1 treatment decreased passive tension development in RV and LV isolated from animals with MCT‐induced PAH. This decrease was associated with increased phospholamban phosphorylation, and with attenuation of the expression of cardiac maladaptive remodelling markers. Finally, we showed that rhNRG‐1 therapy decreased RV remodelling and cardiomyocyte passive tension development in PAB‐induced RV hypertrophy animals, without compromising cardiac function, pointing to cardiac‐specific effects in both hypertrophy stages. In conclusion, we demonstrated that rhNRG‐1 treatment decreased RV intrinsic diastolic stiffness, through the improvement of calcium handling and cardiac remodelling signalling.
Brachial plexus block of the posterior and the lateral cord using ropivacaine 7.5 mg/mL
Authors: Musso Dario , Klaastad Øivind , Wilsgaard Tom , Ytrebø Lars M. 
Published: October 2018

BackgroundWe recently showed that the novel combination of a superficial cervical plexus block, a suprascapular nerve block, and the lateral sagittal infraclavicular brachial plexus block (LSIB) provides an alternative anaesthetic method for arthroscopic shoulder surgery. In this study, we hypothesised that the LSIB dose for this shoulder block could be significantly reduced by injecting only towards the shoulder relevant posterior and lateral cords. Our aim was to determine the minimum effective volume in 50% of the patients (MEV50) and to estimate the MEV95, when using ropivacaine 7.5 mg/mL to block these cords.MethodsTwenty‐three adult patients scheduled for hand surgery participated in the study. Considering the artery as a clock face with 12 o'clock ventral, the designated volume was injected immediately outside the arterial wall and between 8 and 9 o´clock. The in‐plane technique was used. Block success was assessed 30 minutes after withdrawal of the needle. Successful posterior cord block was defined as anaesthesia or analgesia of the axillary nerve. Successful lateral cord block was defined as either anaesthesia or analgesia, or >50% motor block of the musculocutaneous nerve. MEV50 was determined by the staircase up‐and‐down method. Logistic regression and probit transformation were applied to estimate MEV95.ResultsMEV50 and MEV95 were 7.8 mL [95% confidence interval (CI), 7.3‐8.4] and 9.0 mL (95% CI, 7.8‐10.3), respectively.ConclusionFor single‐deposit infraclavicular posterior and lateral cord block, the MEV95 of ropivacaine 7.5 mg/mL was estimated to 9.0 mL.
Remote Alcohol Monitoring to Facilitate Incentive‐Based Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder: A Randomized Trial
Authors: Koffarnus Mikhail N. , Bickel Warren K. , Kablinger Anita S. 
Published: October 2018

BackgroundThe delivery of monetary incentives contingent on verified abstinence is an effective treatment for alcohol use disorder. However, technological barriers to accurate, frequent biochemical verification of alcohol abstinence have limited the dissemination of this technique.MethodsIn the present randomized parallel trial, we employed a breathalyzer that allows remote, user‐verified collection of a breath alcohol sample, text messaging, and reloadable debit cards for remote delivery of incentives to evaluate a contingency management treatment for alcohol use disorder that can be delivered with no in‐person contact. Treatment‐seeking participants with alcohol use disorder (n = 40) were recruited from the community and randomized to either a contingent or a noncontingent group (n = 20 each). The contingent group received nearly immediate monetary incentives each day they remotely provided negative breathalyzer samples. The noncontingent group received matched monetary payments each day they successfully provided samples independent of alcohol content. Groups were not masked as awareness of group contingencies was an essential intervention component.ResultsThe primary outcome of the intent‐to‐treat analyses (analyzed n = 40) was percent days abstinent as measured by the remote breathalyzer samples. Abstinence rates in the contingent group were 85%, which was significantly higher than the 38% recorded in the noncontingent group, corresponding to an odds ratio of 9.4 (95% CI = 4.0 to 22.2). Breathalyzer collection adherence rates were over 95%, and participant ratings of acceptability were also high.ConclusionsThese results support the efficacy, acceptability, and feasibility of this remotely deliverable abstinence reinforcement incentive intervention for the initiation and near‐term maintenance of abstinence from alcohol in adults with alcohol use disorder. Due to low provider and participant burden, this procedure has the potential for broad dissemination.
The relationship between childhood adversities and dissociation in severe mental illness: a meta‐analytic review
Authors: Rafiq S. , Campodonico C. , Varese F. 
Published: October 2018

ObjectiveSeveral studies have observed that dissociative experiences are frequently reported by individuals with severe mental illness (SMI), especially amongst patients that report a history of adverse/traumatic life experiences. This review examined the magnitude and consistency of the relationship between childhood adversity (sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, bullying, natural disasters and mass violence) and dissociation across three SMI diagnostic groups: schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and personality disorders.MethodA database search (EMBASE, PubMed and PsycINFO) identified 30 eligible empirical studies, comprising of 2199 clinical participants. Effect sizes representing the relationship between exposure to childhood adversity and dissociation were examined and integrated using a random‐effects meta‐analysis.ResultsThe results indicated that exposure to childhood trauma was associated with heightened dissociation across SMIs. Positive significant associations were also found between specific childhood adversities and dissociation, with aggregated effect sizes in the small‐to‐moderate range.ConclusionThese findings support calls for the routine assessment of traumatic experiences in clients with SMIs presenting with dissociative symptoms and the provision of adequate therapeutic support (e.g. trauma‐focused therapies) to manage and resolve these difficulties.
No Harm in Checking: Using Factual Manipulation Checks to Assess Attentiveness in Experiments
Authors: Kane John V. , Barabas Jason 
Published: October 2018

AbstractManipulation checks are often advisable in experimental studies, yet they rarely appear in practice. This lack of usage may stem from fears of distorting treatment effects and uncertainty regarding which type to use (e.g., instructional manipulation checks [IMCs] or assessments of whether stimuli alter a latent independent variable of interest). Here, we first categorize the main variants and argue that factual manipulation checks (FMCs)—that is, objective questions about key elements of the experiment—can identify individual‐level attentiveness to experimental information and, as a consequence, better enable researchers to diagnose experimental findings. We then find, through four replication studies, little evidence that FMC placement affects treatment effects, and that placing FMCs immediately post‐outcome does not attenuate FMC passage rates. Additionally, FMC and IMC passage rates are only weakly related, suggesting that each technique identifies different sets of attentive subjects. Thus, unlike other methods, FMCs can confirm attentiveness to experimental protocols.
Macular versus nerve fibre layer versus optic nerve head imaging for diagnosing glaucoma at different stages of the disease: Multicenter Italian Glaucoma Imaging Study
Authors: Michelessi Manuele , Riva Ivano , Martini Enrico , Figus Michele , Frezzotti Paolo , Agnifili Luca , Manni Gianluca , Quaranta Luciano , Miglior Stefano , Posarelli Chiara , Fazio Stefano , Oddone Francesco 
Published: October 2018

AbstractPurposeTo compare the diagnostic accuracy of minimum rim width (MRW), peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer (pRNFL) and multilayered macular analysis by Spectralis SD‐OCT (Heidelberg Engineering, Germany) in discriminating perimetric glaucoma at different stages of the disease from healthy eyes.MethodsIn this multicentre, prospective, evaluation of diagnostic tests study, multilayered macular analysis and MRW and pRNFL were obtained from one eye of 197 glaucoma (76 early, 68 moderate and 53 advanced) and of 83 healthy controls from the Multicenter Italian Glaucoma Imaging Study (MIGIS). The reference standard for classifying eyes as glaucomatous and for staging the disease was the visual field. The main outcome measures were area under the ROC curve (AUC) and sensitivity at fixed specificity (95%).ResultsAverage MRW and average pRNFL showed the highest and similar diagnostic accuracy in both the whole study population (AUC 0.968 and 0.939) and early glaucoma (AUC 0.956 and 0.929). Among the macular parameters, the three innermost retinal layers combined as the Ganglion Cell Complex provided the highest diagnostic accuracy (AUC 0.931) in the whole population, which was statistically similar to that of average pRNFL but inferior to that of average MRW. Compared to both average MRW and pRNFL, all macular parameters showed statistically significant lower accuracy in early glaucoma, but accuracy in moderate and advanced glaucoma showed no statistically significant differences among three protocols.ConclusionThe diagnostic accuracy of MRW, pRNFL and macular analysis by Spectralis SD‐OCT is overall good. MRW and pRNFL analysis performs statistically and clinically better than macular analysis to discriminate early glaucoma from healthy eyes.
Sensitivity and specificity of school nurse screening for hypermetropia and convergence insufficiency exophoria in primary schoolchildren in Denmark
Authors: Nisted Ivan , Maagaard Marianne Ledet , Welinder Lotte 
Published: October 2018

AbstractBackgroundTo determine the sensitivity and specificity of school nurse screening for hypermetropia and convergence insufficiency exophoria (CIE) in schoolchildren.MethodsNear point of convergence and distance visual acuity with +2.00D lenses were measured in 2097 children (6–15 years) during standard school nurse screening in the municipality of Randers, Denmark. One hundred and ninety‐four children with positive screening results (near point of convergence >10 cm and/or distance visual acuity improved or maintained with +2.00D) and 182 controls with negative screening results received a full vision assessment, including cycloplegic refraction and orthoptic evaluation.ResultsSensitivity and specificity of screening was 0.75 and 0.69 for CIE and 0.59 and 0.87 for hypermetropia (≥+2.00), respectively. While precision of screening for CIE was significantly higher for symptomatic children aged 9–15 than for younger and asymptomatic children, precision of screening for hypermetropia was independent of age and presence of visually related symptoms.ConclusionWhile precision of screening for CIE and hypermetropia (>+2.00) was low, additional vision evaluation of children older than 9 years with asthenopic symptoms identified most children with CIE with a low absolute number of false positives.
Platelet releasate promotes skeletal myogenesis by increasing muscle stem cell commitment to differentiation and accelerates muscle regeneration following acute injury
Authors: Scully David , Sfyri Peggy , Verpoorten Sandrine , Papadopoulos Petros , Muñoz‐Turrillas María Carmen , Mitchell Robert , Aburima Ahmed , Patel Ketan , Gutiérrez Laura , Naseem Khalid M. , Matsakas Antonios 
Published: October 2018

AbstractAimThe use of platelets as biomaterials has gained intense research interest. However, the mechanisms regarding platelet‐mediated skeletal myogenesis remain to be established. The aim of this study was to determine the role of platelet releasate in skeletal myogenesis and muscle stem cell fate in vitro and ex vivo respectively.MethodsWe analysed the effect of platelet releasate on proliferation and differentiation of C2C12 myoblasts by means of cell proliferation assays, immunohistochemistry, gene expression and cell bioenergetics. We expanded in vitro findings on single muscle fibres by determining the effect of platelet releasate on murine skeletal muscle stem cells using protein expression profiles for key myogenic regulatory factors.ResultsTRAP6 and collagen used for releasate preparation had a more pronounced effect on myoblast proliferation vs thrombin and sonicated platelets (P < 0.05). In addition, platelet concentration positively correlated with myoblast proliferation. Platelet releasate increased myoblast and muscle stem cell proliferation in a dose‐dependent manner, which was mitigated by VEGFR and PDGFR inhibition. Inhibition of VEGFR and PDGFR ablated MyoD expression on proliferating muscle stem cells, compromising their commitment to differentiation in muscle fibres (P < 0.001). Platelet releasate was detrimental to myoblast fusion and affected differentiation of myoblasts in a temporal manner. Most importantly, we show that platelet releasate promotes skeletal myogenesis through the PDGF/VEGF‐Cyclin D1‐MyoD‐Scrib‐Myogenin axis and accelerates skeletal muscle regeneration after acute injury.ConclusionThis study provides novel mechanistic insights on the role of platelet releasate in skeletal myogenesis and set the physiological basis for exploiting platelets as biomaterials in regenerative medicine.