bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Making of the Informed Voter: A Split‐Ballot Survey on the Use of Scientific Evidence in Direct‐Democratic Campaigns
Authors: Stucki Iris , Pleger Lyn E. , Sager Fritz 
Published: March 2018

AbstractLiterature claims that scientific evidence makes better democracies. This paper analyses whether and which voters choose empirical evidence in the form of policy evaluation results when informing themselves about issue‐specific votes. The analysis is based on a split‐ballot survey where participants chose media items with different content to make a decision on a specific issue. Results show that voters do indeed choose evidence‐based information, especially if their involvement with the issue is high and if they are well educated and that they choose a higher amount of such information if they are also politically engaged. In a setting that fosters political engagement and provides policy‐relevant information, the findings imply that voters want to be informed when making a democratic issue choice. Involved and engaged voters might be a solution to sceptics against direct democracy out of fear of uninformed decisions and post‐factual populism.
A new technique for evaluating heel xerosis grade and the effects of moisturizer on heel skin dryness
Authors: Choi J. Y. , Kim E. J. , Jang S. I. , Kim A. R. , Lee T. J. , Lee H. K. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBackgroundDryness‐related heel skin problems are common; however, there are very few studies about heel skin dryness. The objective of this study was to develop new assessment methods for evaluating heel skin dryness, to clarify the characteristics associated with heal skin dryness, and assess the effectiveness of moisturizer use according to dryness severity.Materials and methodsWe investigated the heel skin of 150 Korean women (aged 20‐78 years). Heel skin images were taken using a DSLR camera and the distribution or severity of flakes, scaling, cracking, and fissures were visually assessed. Skin properties such as hydration, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), amount of dead skin cells, and efficacy of moisturizer were evaluated according to heel xerosis grade. Furthermore, as conventional evaluation methods for desquamation are not appropriate for heel skin, we developed new techniques using binarization of magnified images.ResultsSkin hydration tended to decrease and TEWL tended to increase as heel dryness grade increased. The amount of dead skin cells increased with increasing dryness grade using the new technique. Subjects in the severe dryness group achieved similar hydration levels as normal subjects at baseline after 3 hours of moisturizer application.ConclusionOur new methods of visually classifying heel dryness and quantifying dead skin cells using magnified images effectively evaluated heel skin properties. As heel skin is prone to dryness, daily repetitive application of moisturizer might be helpful for hydrating dry heel skin, and ultimately preventing complications.
Mechanical hemolysis in pediatric patients associated with rapid transfusion and one‐way valve
Authors: Gniadek Thomas J. , Richtsfeld Martina , Pulkrabek Shelley , Hansen Kayla R. , Barnett Susan L. , Joyner Nitasha , Kinney Stephanie , Zantek Nicole D. , Azakie Anthony , Cohn Claudia S. 
Published: March 2018

BACKGROUNDFour similar transfusion reactions involving infants were reported in less than 1 year. After transfusion of red blood cells (RBCs) via syringe in the operating room, each patient experienced discolored urine, laboratory evidence of hemolysis, and acute kidney injury. Clerical and serologic investigations were unremarkable. Mechanical hemolysis was considered.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSSimulated syringe transfusions were performed. Measurements included hematocrit (Hct), free hemoglobin, and visual hemolysis index. Washed and unwashed RBCs were tested with or without a recently introduced one‐way valve, using a 24‐ or 16‐gauge intravenous catheter. Constant manual pressure (1.43 ± 0.49 mL/sec) or syringe pump (2 mL/min) was used and a subset was timed.RESULTSThe valve increased hemolysis during manual transfusion using both catheters with washed and unwashed RBCs. With the 24‐gauge catheter, the change in Hct was –3.53 ± 0.69% with the valve and 0.22 ± 0.13% without (p < 0.00001). Comparing the individual valves tested, differences in hemolysis were observed (change in Hct, p < 0.0001). During manual transfusion with 24‐gauge catheter and unwashed RBCs, the degree of hemolysis was greater when it took longer to transfuse with a valve (change in Hct versus time, r = –0.75, p < 0.0001) compared to a slight increase in hemolysis for samples that took less time to transfuse without a valve (change in Hct versus time, r = 0.58, p = 0.23).CONCLUSIONSMechanical hemolysis should be considered when investigating possible hemolytic transfusion reactions, especially with high rates of transfusion and use of a valve. During rapid manual transfusion with the valve, greater resistance was associated with increased hemolysis.
Evaluation of renal oxygen homeostasis in a preclinical animal model to elucidate difference in blood quality after transfusion
Authors: Baek Jin Hyen , Yalamanoglu Ayla , Moon So‐Eun , Gao Yamei , Buehler Paul W. 
Published: March 2018

BACKGROUNDRed blood cell (RBC) oxygen (O2) delivery may be impacted at the tissue, cellular, and molecular levels after storage duration, preservation strategies, and pathogen reduction. Collectively, the preclinical measurement of arterial and venous PO2, systemic blood flow, tissue hypoxia–inducible factors (HIFs), pimonidazole adduction, and erythropoietin (EPO) regulation can serve to elucidate differential RBC quality after storage and processing.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSDonor guinea pig blood was collected, leukoreduced, and stored at 4°C in AS‐3 for 1 (fresh) or 14 (stored) days. RBC variables—2,3‐diphosphoglycerate, adenosine triphosphate, hemoglobin, morphology, deformability, and in vivo recovery at 24 hours—were measured at each storage duration. Recipient guinea pigs were exchange transfused until 80% volume replacement was achieved. Arterial and venous blood gases, systemic blood flow, renal HIF‐1α and HIF‐2α, renal EPO mRNA, plasma EPO, and renal tissue pimonidazole adduction were measured after transfusion.RESULTSRBC variables declined significantly with storage; however, hemolysis and in vivo recovery remained within the allowable limits for human blood storage. Posttransfusion arterial and venous PO2 and systemic blood flow decreased, and renal HIFs, EPO mRNA, and pimonidazole adducts increased. Subsequently, EPO accumulated in plasma indicating decreased O2 availability in the kidneys. Conversely, all variables remained at basal levels in the fresh blood group.CONCLUSIONThe evaluation of renal O2 homeostasis after transfusion represents an effective approach to defining RBC quality between predicate and novel processing. Methods are adapted from standardized techniques and ideal for preclinical evaluation.
Exports and governance: Is the Middle East and North Africa region different?
Authors: Martínez‐Zarzoso Inmaculada , Márquez‐Ramos Laura 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThis paper aims to analyse whether better governance rewards economic performance and facilitates the integration of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region into the world economy. In comparison with other regions in the world economy, MENA countries suffer from important institutional deficiencies, which generate insecurity and difficult international transactions. Despite this fact, the relationship between trade and institutional quality in MENA countries remains unexplored. A gravity model of trade augmented with governance indicators is estimated for the exports of 19 MENA countries, their 189 trading partners and for all exporters in the period from 1996 to 2013. The main results indicate that improvements in five of the six governance indicators increase exports from MENA countries, whereas better governance in destination countries does not affect MENA exports. Instead, each of the six governance indicators used has a positive effect on bilateral trade for the entire sample of exporters (189). Moreover, the effect of country‐pair similarity in governance indicators suggests that a similar level of regulatory quality and rule of law in exporting and importing countries increases exports from MENA countries. Similarities in voice and accountability also foster exports for the average exporter, but not for MENA exporters.
Skin lesions in Aubrac cows strongly associated with fly bites (Haematobia irritans)
Authors: Mosca Marion , Vabret Murielle , Randleff‐Rasmussen Pia , Pin Didier 
Published: March 2018

BackgroundThe horn fly Haematobia irritans is known to cause problems in cattle including weight loss and decreased milk production; cutaneous lesions have not been widely reported and descriptions of the clinical manifestations are quite variable.Hypothesis/objectivesThis study describes the clinical and histopathological lesions of several Aubrac cows that presented with focal to confluent areas of alopecia, skin scaling and thickening, suspected to be induced by H. irritans bites.AnimalsTwenty seven, three‐ to six‐year‐old Aubrac cows, kept in mountain pastures in France, that presented with an apparently asymptomatic alopecic dermatosis.MethodsSamples for skin cytological evaluation, skin scrapings and trichograms were examined; also, skin biopsy specimens from affected animals were used for histopathological examination.ResultsClinical lesions consisted of focal to coalescing, symmetrical areas of hair loss and scaling, located on the back, flanks, and lateral and caudal aspects of the thighs. Histopathological examination revealed perivascular, oedematous, eosinophilic dermatitis with eosinophilic folliculitis and furunculosis. Species identification of several flies captured on the cows revealed H. irritans. The final clinicopathological diagnosis was eosinophilic dermatitis and folliculitis and furunculosis, suspected to be due to H. irritans fly‐bite.Conclusion and clinical importanceFly‐bite (H. irritans) dermatitis should be included in the differential diagnosis of alopecic dermatoses in cows.
Effect of soil moisture during stratification on dormancy release in seeds of five common weed species
Authors: Hu X W , Ding X Y , Baskin C C , Wang Y R 
Published: March 2018

SummaryAlthough the effects of cold stratification on the release of physiological dormancy in seeds have been studied extensively, knowledge of the role of soil moisture content on seed dormancy release during cold stratification is limited. Our study determined seed dormancy characteristics and the effect of soil moisture content on seed dormancy breakage during cold stratification in the five common weed species Amaranthus retroflexus, Chenopodium album, Chenopodium hybridum, Plantago lanceolata and Setaria glauca. Seeds of all five species were dormant at the time of harvest and their germination response to light and temperature varied. Soil moisture content had a significant effect on seed dormancy release of all species except P. lanceolata. Germination percentage of A. retroflexus, C. album, C. hybridum increased and then decreased as soil moisture content increased, regardless of germination test temperature. The optimal soil moisture content and seed moisture content for dormancy breakage of A. retroflexus, C. album, C. hybridum were 8%, 12%, 8% and 22.0%, 37.7%, 25.7% respectively. Dry storage (after‐ripening) significantly increased germination of S. glauca. Moreover, increasing soil moisture content first slowed and then increased dormancy breakage in S. glauca. These results suggest that data on soil moisture content should be incorporated into models that predict weed seed dormancy breakage and timing of seedling emergence as well as those for weed management.
Combination therapy of anabolic agents and bisphosphonates on bone mineral density in patients with osteoporosis: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
Authors: Lou Shenghan , Lv Houchen , Li Zhirui , Zhang Licheng , Tang Peifu 
Published: March 2018

ObjectiveWe aimed to determine whether the concomitant combination therapy of anabolic agents and bisphosphonates produces more effects on bone mineral density (BMD) than anabolic agents alone in patients with osteoporosis.MethodsWe searched MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library for publications from 1 January 1980 to 1 August 2016 to identify all the randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-RCTs. The primary outcome was the mean per cent changes in BMD at the lumbar spine, the total hip and the femoral neck with an optimal period of treatment (6 to 12 months). The secondary outcome was the mean per cent changes in BMD at the same sites with the full period of recommendation (18 to 24 months). A random-effects model was used to estimate the standardised mean differences (SMDs) and the 95% CIs.ResultsSeven studies, with 747 patients, were included. With the optimal period, the concomitant combination therapy demonstrated a significant advantage over a monotherapy in BMD improvement at the total hip (SMD 0.42; 95% CI 0.26 to 0.58) and the femoral neck (SMD 0.30; 95% CI 0.14 to 0.46), but not for the spine BMD (SMD 0.13; 95% CI −0.17 to 0.43). With the full period, the concomitant combination therapy did not improve the BMD at the lumbar spine (SMD −0.06; 95% CI −0.71 to 0.59), the total hip (SMD 0.05; 95% CI −0.71 to 0.82) and the femoral neck (SMD −0.32; 95% CI −1.15 to 0.50).ConclusionsCompared with anabolic monotherapy, the concomitant combination therapy of anabolic agents and bisphosphonates significantly improved the BMD at the total hip and femoral neck with a shorter term (6 to 12 months) and produced similar benefits on BMD for the longer term (18 to 24 months). Also, the effect of concomitant combination therapy might be affected by the dose of anabolic agents.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42016041335.
Differences in rates and odds for emergency caesarean section in six Palestinian hospitals: a population-based birth cohort study
Authors: Zimmo Mohammed , Laine Katariina , Hassan Sahar , Fosse Erik , Lieng Marit , Ali-Masri Hadil , Zimmo Kaled , Anti Marit , Bottcher Bettina , Sørum Falk Ragnhild , Vikanes Åse 
Published: March 2018

ObjectiveTo assess the differences in rates and odds for emergency caesarean section among singleton pregnancies in six governmental Palestinian hospitals.DesignA prospective population-based birth cohort study.SettingObstetric departments in six governmental Palestinian hospitals.Participants32 321 women scheduled to deliver vaginally from 1 March 2015 until 29 February 2016.MethodsTo assess differences in sociodemographic and antenatal obstetric characteristics by hospital, χ2test, analysis of variance and Kruskal-Wallis test were applied. Logistic regression was used to estimate differences in odds for emergency caesarean section, and ORs with 95% CIs were assessed.Main outcome measuresThe primary outcome was the adjusted ORs of emergency caesarean section among singleton pregnancies for five Palestinian hospitals as compared with the reference (Hospital 1).ResultsThe prevalence of emergency caesarean section varied across hospitals, ranging from 5.8% to 22.6% among primiparous women and between 4.8% and 13.1% among parous women. Compared with the reference hospital, the ORs for emergency caesarean section were increased in all other hospitals, crude ORs ranging from 1.95 (95% CI 1.42 to 2.67) to 4.75 (95% CI 3.49 to 6.46) among primiparous women. For parous women, these differences were less pronounced, crude ORs ranging from 1.37 (95% CI 1.13 to 1.67) to 2.99 (95% CI 2.44 to 3.65). After adjustment for potential confounders, the ORs were reduced but still statistically significant, except for one hospital among parous women.ConclusionSubstantial differences in odds for emergency caesarean section between the six Palestinian governmental hospitals were observed. These could not be explained by the studied sociodemographic or antenatal obstetric characteristics.
Use of the nominal group technique to identify stakeholder priorities and inform survey development: an example with informal caregivers of people with scleroderma
Authors: Rice Danielle B , Cañedo-Ayala Mara , Turner Kimberly A , Gumuchian Stephanie T , Malcarne Vanessa L , Hagedoorn Mariët , Thombs Brett D 
Published: March 2018

ObjectivesThe nominal group technique (NGT) allows stakeholders to directly generate items for needs assessment surveys. The objective was to demonstrate the use of NGT discussions to develop survey items on (1) challenges experienced by informal caregivers of people living with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and (2) preferences for support services.DesignThree NGT groups were conducted. In each group, participants generated lists of challenges and preferred formats for support services. Participants shared items, and a master list was compiled, then reviewed by participants to remove or merge overlapping items. Once a final list of items was generated, participants independently rated challenges on a scale from 1 (not at all important) to 10 (extremely important) and support services on a scale from 1 (not at all likely to use) to 10 (very likely to use). Lists generated in the NGT discussions were subsequently reviewed and integrated into a single list by research team members.SettingSSc patient conferences held in the USA and Canada.ParticipantsInformal caregivers who previously or currently were providing care for a family member or friend with SSc.ResultsA total of six men and seven women participated in the NGT discussions. Mean age was 59.8 years (SD=12.6). Participants provided care for a partner (n=8), parent (n=1), child (n=2) or friend (n=2). A list of 61 unique challenges was generated with challenges related to gaps in information, resources and support needs identified most frequently. A list of 18 unique support services was generated; most involved online or in-person delivery of emotional support and educational material about SSc.ConclusionsThe NGT was an efficient method for obtaining survey items directly from SSc caregivers on important challenges and preferences for support services.
CoMET: a protocol for a randomised controlled trial of co-commencement of METformin as an adjunctive treatment to attenuate weight gain and metabolic syndrome in patients with schizophrenia newly commenced on clozapine
Authors: Siskind Dan , Friend Nadia , Russell Anthony , McGrath John J , Lim Carmen , Patterson Sue , Flaws Dylan , Stedman Terry , Moudgil Vikas , Sardinha Savio , Suetani Shuichi , Kisely Steve , Winckel Karl , Baker Andrea 
Published: March 2018

IntroductionClozapine, while effective in treatment refractory schizophrenia, is associated with significant weight gain, heart disease and increased risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Although there is evidence for weight loss with metformin for people with obesity who are already taking clozapine, there have been no published trials that have investigated the effect of metformin in attenuating weight gain at the time of clozapine initiation.Methods and analysisA 24-week double-blind placebo-controlled trial of concomitant prescription of metformin at clozapine commencement. Eighty-six people being commenced on clozapine will be randomised to placebo or metformin (variable dose, up to 2 g/day). The primary outcome is comparative end point body weight, between the placebo and metformin groups. Secondary outcomes are comparative rates of conversion to T2DM, alteration of metabolic syndrome parameters, proportion gaining >5% body weight and changes in diet and appetite. We will additionally examine biomarkers associated with change in weight among trial participants.Ethics and disseminationEthics approval was granted by the Metro South Human Research Ethics Committee HREC/17/QPAH/538-SSA/17/QPAH/565. We plan to submit a manuscript of the results to a peer-reviewed journal, and present results at conferences, consumer forums and hospital grand rounds.Trial registration numberACTRN12617001547336; Pre-results.
Community sexual health providers’ views on immediate postpartum provision of intrauterine contraception
Authors: Cooper Michelle , Boydell Nicola , Heller Rebecca , Cameron Sharon 
Published: March 2018

BackgroundIncreasing access to effective postpartum contraceptive methods can reduce the risk of unintended pregnancy and short inter-birth intervals. The need for an additional postpartum visit can be a barrier to women accessing intrauterine contraception after childbirth. Immediate postpartum intrauterine contraception (PPIUC) provision is known to be safe, but is not routinely available in the UK. Establishing this service requires multidisciplinary support, including from community and maternity stakeholders. The aim of this study was to determine the views of community sexual health providers towards PPIUC implementation.MethodsA questionnaire was distributed to attendees at two UK sexual health conferences. Research questions focused on (1) views on PPIUC (2) perceived role of the sexual health provider in PPIUC service and (3) potential challenges anticipated in providing PPIUC aftercare. Free-text boxes were provided for further comment. Analysis was by a mixed methods approach.ResultsA total of 240 questionnaires were distributed with 156 completed (response rate 65%). Some 128 respondents (82%) felt ‘positive’ towards the PPIUC implementation. Most respondents (67.9%) indicated they would be happy to promote PPIUC and provide thread checks. Perceived challenges in providing PPIUC aftercare included staff time, experience in managing clinical issues, and access to ultrasound.ConclusionsCommunity sexual health providers were positive towards PPIUC implementation, and perceived their role predominantly in the aftercare of women. Several clinical and practical challenges were identified, some of which differ from those previously expressed by other groups. Stakeholder involvement is key to successful implementation of PPIUC, and wider recognition of potential barriers can assist in developing strategies to overcome these.