bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Climate Transition Risk and Development Finance: A Carbon Risk Assessment of China's Overseas Energy Portfolios
Authors: Monasterolo Irene , Zheng Jiani I. , Battiston Stefano 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThe role of development finance institutions in low‐income and emerging countries is fundamental to provide long‐term capital for investments in climate mitigation and adaptation. Nevertheless, development finance institutions still lack sound and transparent metrics to assess their projects' exposure to climate risks and their impact on global climate action. To attempt to fill this gap, we develop a novel climate stress‐test methodology for portfolios of loans to energy infrastructure projects. We apply the methodology to the portfolios of overseas energy projects of two main Chinese policy banks. We estimate their exposure to economic and financial shocks that would result in government inability to introduce timely 2°C‐aligned climate policies and from investors' inability to adapt their business to the changing climate and policy environment. We find that the negative shocks are mostly concentrated on coal and oil projects and vary across regions from 4.2 to 22 percent of the total loan value. Given the current leverage of Chinese policy banks, these losses could induce severe financial distress, with implications on macroeconomic and financial stability.
The epidemiology of drug‐resistant epilepsy: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Kalilani Linda , Sun Xuezheng , Pelgrims Barbara , Noack‐Rink Matthias , Villanueva Vicente 
Published: November 2018

SummaryObjectiveThe definition of drug‐resistant epilepsy (DRE) affects case identification and treatment, and impacts prevalence or incidence estimates and health burden estimation in epidemiology. The objective of this systematic review is to evaluate the consistency between definitions of DRE in the literature and the official definition in the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) guidelines, and to estimate the incidence, prevalence, and risk factors for DRE.MethodsMEDLINE and EMBASE were searched for observational studies of DRE published between January 1980 and July 2015. The definitions of DRE in these studies were compared with the definition in the ILAE guidelines. Random‐effect model meta‐analyses were used to generate pooled estimates of prevalence or incidence and pooled odds ratios of the association with risk factors.ResultsThirty‐five studies met inclusion criteria, including 13 080 epilepsy patients and 3941 patients with DRE. The definition of DRE varied widely across studies, with only 12% meeting the requirements of the ILAE definition. The pooled prevalence proportion of DRE among epilepsy patients was 0.30 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.19‐0.42), and the pooled incidence proportion was 0.15 (95% CI 0.11‐0.19). Age at onset, symptomatic epilepsy, abnormal neuroimaging findings, abnormal electroencephalography results, history of mental retardation, neuropsychiatric disorders, febrile seizure, and status epilepticus increased risk for DRE.SignificanceThere are limited high‐quality data available on DRE. Lack of consistency in definitions limits the ability to obtain robust estimates on the burden of DRE. More data based on the ILAE definition from well‐designed epidemiologic studies are needed to generate accurate and reliable results.
Near‐future forest vulnerability to drought and fire varies across the western United States
Authors: Buotte Polly C. , Levis Samuel , Law Beverly E. , Hudiburg Tara W. , Rupp David E. , Kent Jeffery J. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractRecent prolonged droughts and catastrophic wildfires in the western United States have raised concerns about the potential for forest mortality to impact forest structure, forest ecosystem services, and the economic vitality of communities in the coming decades. We used the Community Land Model (CLM) to determine forest vulnerability to mortality from drought and fire by the year 2049. We modified CLM to represent 13 major forest types in the western United States and ran simulations at a 4‐km grid resolution, driven with climate projections from two general circulation models under one emissions scenario (RCP 8.5). We developed metrics of vulnerability to short‐term extreme and prolonged drought based on annual allocation to stem growth and net primary productivity. We calculated fire vulnerability based on changes in simulated future area burned relative to historical area burned. Simulated historical drought vulnerability was medium to high in areas with observations of recent drought‐related mortality. Comparisons of observed and simulated historical area burned indicate simulated future fire vulnerability could be underestimated by 3% in the Sierra Nevada and overestimated by 3% in the Rocky Mountains. Projections show that water‐limited forests in the Rocky Mountains, Southwest, and Great Basin regions will be the most vulnerable to future drought‐related mortality, and vulnerability to future fire will be highest in the Sierra Nevada and portions of the Rocky Mountains. High carbon‐density forests in the Pacific coast and western Cascades regions are projected to be the least vulnerable to either drought or fire. Importantly, differences in climate projections lead to only 1% of the domain with conflicting low and high vulnerability to fire and no area with conflicting drought vulnerability. Our drought vulnerability metrics could be incorporated as probabilistic mortality rates in earth system models, enabling more robust estimates of the feedbacks between the land and atmosphere over the 21st century.
Is oxygen limitation in warming waters a valid mechanism to explain decreased body sizes in aquatic ectotherms?
Authors: Audzijonyte Asta , Barneche Diego R. , Baudron Alan R. , Belmaker Jonathan , Clark Timothy D. , Marshall C. Tara , Morrongiello John R. , van Rijn Itai 
Published: November 2018

AbstractAimThe negative correlation between temperature and body size of ectothermic animals (broadly known as the temperature‐size rule or TSR) is a widely observed pattern, especially in aquatic organisms. Studies have claimed that the TSR arises due to decreased oxygen solubility and increasing metabolic costs at warmer temperatures, whereby oxygen supply to a large body becomes increasingly difficult. However, mixed empirical evidence has led to a controversy about the mechanisms affecting species’ size and performance under different temperatures. We review the main competing genetic, physiological and ecological explanations for the TSR and suggest a roadmap to move the field forward.LocationGlobal.TaxaAquatic ectotherms.Time period1980–present.ResultsWe show that current studies cannot discriminate among alternative hypotheses and none of the hypotheses can explain all TSR‐related observations. To resolve this impasse, we need experiments and field‐sampling programmes that specifically compare alternative mechanisms and formally consider energetics related to growth costs, oxygen supply and behaviour. We highlight the distinction between evolutionary and plastic mechanisms, and suggest that the oxygen limitation debate should separate processes operating on short, decadal and millennial time‐scales.ConclusionsDespite decades of research, we remain uncertain whether the TSR is an adaptive response to temperature‐related physiological (enzyme activity) or ecological changes (food, predation and other mortality), or a response to constraints operating at a cellular level (oxygen supply and associated costs). To make progress, ecologists, physiologists, modellers and geneticists should work together to develop a cross‐disciplinary research programme that integrates theory and data, explores time‐scales over which the TSR operates, and assesses limits to adaptation or plasticity. We identify four questions for such a programme. Answering these questions is crucial given the widespread impacts of climate change and reliance of management on models that are highly dependent on accurate representation of ecological and physiological responses to temperature.
Introduction to special section on blockchains and financial globalization
Authors: CAMPBELL‐VERDUYN MALCOLM 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThis special section shifts analytical attention onto efforts undertaken by dispersed sets of actors operating in online communities to mobilize a novel internet‐based technology that mysteriously appeared at the height of market volatility in 2008. Applications of blockchain technologies and the challenges presented to longstanding patterns of financial globalization are analysed by a group of scholars with backgrounds in anthropology, political science and sociology. This introductory article first elaborates what blockchain technologies consist of before foreshadowing the insights that the following interdisciplinary investigations yield for comprehending the implications that technological changes pose for global finance specifically and globalization more generally.
Reactivity of CK7 across the spectrum of renal cell carcinomas with clear cells
Authors: Gonzalez Manuel L , Alaghehbandan Reza , Pivovarcikova Krystina , Michalova Kvetoslava , Rogala Joanna , Martinek Petr , Foix María P , Mundo Enric C , Comperat Eva , Ulamec Monika , Hora Milan , Michal Michal , Hes Ondrej 
Published: November 2018

AimsCurrent available data on cytokeratin 7 (CK7) immunostaining pattern in the clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC) spectrum is conflicting. The aim of this study was to assess CK7 immunoreactivity within the spectrum of clear cell renal neoplasms, including clear cell RCC, multicystic renal neoplasm of low malignant potential and clear cell papillary RCC‐like tumours.Methods and resultsWe analysed two clones of CK7 and two tumour blocks for a total of 75 cases divided into five distinct groups: (i) low‐grade clear cell RCC, (ii) high‐grade clear cell RCC, (iii) multicystic renal neoplasm of low malignant potential, (iv) clear cell RCC with cystic changes and (v) clear cell papillary RCC‐like tumours. We found the highest CK7 reactivity in low‐grade clear cell RCC, multicystic renal neoplasm of low malignant potential and clear cell papillary RCC‐like groups, ranging from 60% to 93%.ConclusionsOur findings show that CK7 immunoreactivity in clear cell RCC is variable, and the extent of staining depends on the grade and architectural growth patterns of the tumours.
Omega‐6 fatty acids down‐regulate matrix metalloproteinase expression in a coronary heart disease‐induced rat model
Authors: Lu Nihong , Du Yingrong , Li Haiyuan , Luo Yu , Ouyang Bing , Chen Yangjun , Yang Yongrui , Yang Lixia 
Published: November 2018

SummaryThe present study investigated the therapeutic potential of omega‐6 fatty acids, according to their effects on antioxidant markers and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), in coronary heart disease‐induced rats. Rats were grouped into group I (sham control), group II (control), group III (0.5 g/kg bwt of omega‐6 fatty acids) and group IV (1 g/kg bwt of omega‐6 fatty acids). Reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH), catalase, glutathione peroxidase (Gpx) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) enzyme activities were determined. ROS and MDA were substantially reduced, whereas SOD, catalase, Gpx and AChE were significantly increased, following supplementation with omega‐6 fatty acids. MMP‐2 mRNA expression was drastically increased by 95% in group II. Treatment significantly reduced MMP‐2 mRNA expression by 12.3% and 26.7% in groups III and IV respectively. MMP‐9 mRNA expression drastically increased, by 121%, in group II. Treatment significantly reduced MMP‐9 mRNA expression by 22.6% and 29.4% in groups III and IV respectively. MMP‐2 protein expression was drastically increased, by 81%, in group II. Treatment significantly reduced MMP‐2 protein expression by 9.4% and 26% in groups III and IV respectively. MMP‐9 protein expression was drastically increased, by 100%, in group II. Treatment significantly reduced MMP‐9 protein expression by 18.9% and 26.9% in groups III and IV respectively. In summary, the consumption of omega‐6 fatty acids significantly decreased MDA and ROS, while SOD, catalase, GHS, Gpx and AChE were increased. Furthermore, omega‐6 fatty acids significantly downregulated MMP‐2 and MMP‐9 expression in our coronary heart disease‐induced rat model.
Do discounted food products end up in the bin? An investigation into the link between deal‐prone shopping behaviour and quantities of household food waste
Authors: Giordano Claudia , Alboni Fabrizio , Cicatiello Clara , Falasconi Luca 
Published: November 2018

AbstractHousehold food waste is considered to be the largest share of food waste along the food supply chain. Given that its recoverability is also more challenging compared to food waste in other stages of the chain, most studies on household food waste adopt a pre‐emptive approach by aiming to identify and address consumer beliefs, attitudes and actions that are linked to food waste. In scientific literature, household food waste has often been studied in relation to the habit of purchasing discounted food products (DFP). However, findings have been contradictory. Specifically, while some authors found that deal‐prone consumers are usually of lower income and therefore display a wiser and more attentive attitude towards grocery shopping, other authors reported that the purchase of discounted products was usually linked to compulsive shopping, hence resulting in higher food waste quantities at home. Due to these discrepant findings, a definitive answer on the impact of DFP on household food waste does not currently exist in the literature. This paper analyses the correlation between the purchase of DFP and weekly household food waste quantities. To do so, we examine (a) the results of a food waste diary experiment carried out on a representative sample of 385 households in Italy in February 2017, and (b) the results of a 23‐items Computer Assisted Web Interview survey administered to the same householders, in which shopping habits were investigated. Results revealed no evidence of either a positive or negative relationship between the purchase of DFP and household food waste quantities. Frequency of grocery shopping was the only variable found to have a significant impact on household food waste quantities.
Psychotherapeutic skills training for nurses on an acute aged mental health unit: A mixed‐method design
Authors: Kelly Julie , Jayaram Hemalatha , Bhar Sunil , Jesto Sahaya , George Kuruvilla 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThis study examines the need for, and outcomes of, a psychotherapeutic skills training programme, within an acute psychogeriatric unit. Nursing staff were surveyed to explore their training needs in psychotherapeutic skills with inpatients diagnosed with depressive, anxiety, or neurocognitive disorders. Staff were then invited to participate in a focus group (n = 6) to identify content of such training, possible barriers, and an implementation strategy. Next, to ascertain the feasibility and acceptability of such training, materials and schedules were developed and piloted with a small group of nurses (n = 8), before being administered to nurses across the unit (n = 23). Impacts of training on the confidence and competence of nurses to use such skills were investigated. Of nurses surveyed (n = 20), 80% wanted to use psychotherapeutic skills in routine practice, but only 35% had received training in such skills in the last 5 years. Focus group results identified that nurses wanted training in skills related to engaging patients, responding to resistance from patients, problem solving, reminiscence, relaxation, and cognitive behaviour therapy. Nurses who underwent the pilot training reported increases in confidence and competence in using such skills. These findings were replicated in the unit‐wide training programme and were found to be durable across a 3‐month follow‐up period. This study highlighted the training needs of nurses working in an inpatient psychogeriatric setting, approaches to implementing new skills, and benefits of training for nurses’ levels of confidence and competence in using psychotherapeutic skills.
MLQCC: an improved local search algorithm for the set k‐covering problem
Authors: Wang Yiyuan , Li Chenxi , Sun Huanyao , Chen Jiejiang , Yin Minghao 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThe set k‐covering problem (SKCP) is NP‐hard and has important real‐world applications. In this paper, we propose several improvements over typical algorithms for its solution. First, we present a multilevel (ML) score heuristic that reflects relevant information of the currently selected subsets inside or outside a candidate solution. Next, we propose QCC to overcome the cycling problem in local search. Based on the ML heuristic and QCC strategy, we propose an effective subset selection strategy. Then, we integrate these methods into a local search algorithm, which we called MLQCC. In addition, we propose a preprocessing method to reduce the scale of the original problem before applying MLQCC. We further enhance MLQCC for large‐scale instances using a low‐time‐complexity initialization algorithm to determine an initial candidate solution, obtaining the MLQCC + LI algorithm. The performance of the proposed MLQCC and MLQCC + LI is verified through experimental evaluations on both classical and large‐scale benchmarks. The results show that MLQCC and MLQCC + LI notably outperform several state‐of‐the‐art SKCP algorithms on the evaluated benchmarks.
Increased UV absorption properties of natural hydroxyapatite‐based sunscreen through laser ablation modification in liquid
Authors: Piccirillo Clara , Fernández‐Arias Mónica , Boutinguiza Mohamed , Tobaldi David M. , del Val Jesus , Pintado Maria M. , Pou Juan 
Published: November 2018

AbstractSunfilters based on hydroxyapatite (HAp) and iron‐containing compounds (Fe2O3 and calcium iron phosphates) are of increasing interest, as they show UV absorption without generating health endanger free radicals (usually observed when other inorganic sunscreens are used). In this paper, laser ablation of solids in liquids has been applied to improve the UV absorption properties of a HAp based Fe‐containing sunscreen powder derived from cod fish bones. Two different laser wavelengths were explored (532 and 1064 nm, green and infrared, respectively); an improved experimental device was used, to allow a fine control of the volume of the irradiated particles. Results show an increased UV absorbance for the laser‐treated powders in comparison with the untreated ones; this can be explained considering the smaller particle size and increased surface area; the higher iron concentration in the powders may also be determinant. Enhanced absorption was also observed in the near‐infrared range, making the powders even more suitable for sunscreen applications. The green laser was more effective than the infrared one. Overall, laser ablation showed to be a powerful technique to control the size of the sunscreen particles and tailor their optical properties.
The “architect analogy” of evidence‐based practice: Reconsidering the role of clinical expertise and clinician experience in evidence‐based health care
Authors: Paez Arsenio 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThe role of expertise in evidence‐based medicine (EBM) and practice (EBP) has long been debated. In the early years of the EBP movement, the role of expertise and experience were diminished in clinical decision‐making. However, the concepts of EBP are evolving. A more nuanced view of the value of clinician expertise, based on experience and clinical judgement, has emerged. This article proposes that clinical expertise does not belong within the evidence hierarchy's decision‐making pyramid as the lowest form of evidence, but rather alongside it, representing a complementary source of knowledge that supports the processes of EBP. An “Architect Analogy of EBP” is proposed as a new model by which to describe this relationship. In this analogy, the clinician's use of expertise is likened to the role of an architect, using evidence as building blocks in the construction of the client's edifice, representing the patients’ health and wellbeing. Much as an architect carefully designs the edifice in consultation with the client's needs and preferences, choosing appropriate material (evidence), rejecting faulty material, and ensuring construction stays on course, the clinician must sort through a plethora of sometimes contradictory evidence, evaluate its merits and appropriateness for the patients’ unique biopsychosocial circumstances and values, and monitor the effects of interventions on patients’ health and wellbeing. The expertise of practitioners, as the architects of EBP, is an important supporting source of knowledge that facilitates the “Five Steps of EBP,” informs and facilitates EBP, and supports patient‐centred care.
Awareness of clinical trial registration among healthcare professionals: An observational study
Authors: Ranawaka Udaya K. , de Abrew Ashwini , Wimalachandra Manujasri , Wanigatunge Chandanie A. , Rajapakse Lalani C. , Goonaratna Colvin 
Published: November 2018

AbstractAimProspective registration in a freely accessible public platform is a key step in the ethical conduct of clinical trials. Little is known of the awareness of clinical trial registration among the scientific community. This study aimed to assess awareness of clinical trial registration among participants attending a medical congress in Sri Lanka.MethodsKnowledge of trial registration was assessed using a self‐administered questionnaire, which spanned domains such as involvement in research, and knowledge and perceptions regarding trial registration. A knowledge score was calculated and correlated with demographic variables.ResultsOf 251 survey respondents, 53.4% were male, 74.9% were below the age of 40 years, and 56.6% were currently engaged in research. Registration was considered necessary for trial publication by 73.3%, and 70.5% agreed that trials should be registered prospectively. Most achieved a knowledge score of ‘Acceptable’ (41%) or ‘Good’ (19.9%). Mid‐ or advanced career stages, postgraduate training, current involvement in research, and recent research publications/presentations were correlated with higher knowledge scores (P < 0.05). Beneficial effects considered to be associated with trial registration were access to findings of all trials (61.4%), access to negative results (47.8%), preventing trial duplication (69.3%), and preventing multiple publications (70.1%). Increasing research workload (49.8%), additional restrictions on research conduct (52.2%), and the possibility of ‘intellectual theft’ (56.2%) were seen as potential negative effects.ConclusionsMost participants were aware of the need for prospective registration as a requirement for publication of clinical trials. Concerns were expressed regarding several perceived negative effects of trial registration.