bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Factors associated with recovery delay in a sample of patients diagnosed by MERS‐CoV rRT‐PCR: A Saudi Arabian multicenter retrospective study
Authors: Ahmed Anwar E. , Al‐Jahdali Hamdan , Alaqeel Mody , Siddiq Salma S. , Alsaab Hanan A. , Sakr Ezzeldin A. , Alyahya Hamed A. , Alandonisi Munzir M. , Subedar Alaa T. , Ali Yosra Z. , Al Otaibi Hazza , Aloudah Nouf M. , Baharoon Salim , Al Johani Sameera , Alghamdi Mohammed G. 
Published: April 2018

BackgroundResearch evidence exists that poor prognosis is common in Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS‐CoV) patients.ObjectivesThis study estimates recovery delay intervals and identifies associated factors in a sample of Saudi Arabian patients admitted for suspected MERS‐CoV and diagnosed by rRT‐PCR assay.MethodsA multicenter retrospective study was conducted on 829 patients admitted between September 2012 and June 2016 and diagnosed by rRT‐PCR procedures to have MERS‐CoV and non‐MERS‐CoV infection in which 396 achieved recovery. Detailed medical charts were reviewed for each patient who achieved recovery. Time intervals in days were calculated from presentation to the initial rRT‐PCR diagnosis (diagnosis delay) and from the initial rRT‐PCR diagnosis to recovery (recovery delay).ResultsThe median recovery delay in our sample was 5 days. According to the multivariate negative binomial model, elderly (age ≥ 65), MERS‐CoV infection, ICU admission, and abnormal radiology findings were associated with longer recovery delay (adjusted relative risk (aRR): 1.741, 2.138, 2.048, and 1.473, respectively). Camel contact and the presence of respiratory symptoms at presentation were associated with a shorter recovery delay (expedited recovery) (aRR: 0.267 and 0.537, respectively). Diagnosis delay is a positive predictor for recovery delay (r = .421; P = .001).ConclusionsThe study evidence supports that longer recovery delay was seen in patients of older age, MERS‐CoV infection, ICU admission, and abnormal radiology findings. Shorter recovery delay was found in patients who had camel contact and respiratory symptoms at presentation. These findings may help us understand clinical decision making on directing hospital resources toward prompt screening, monitoring, and implementing clinical recovery and treatment strategies.
Ordering and returns handling decisions and coordination in a supply chain with demand uncertainty
Authors: Liu Jian , Xiao Tiaojun , Tian Chen , Wang Huimin 
Published: April 2018

AbstractWe develop a newsvendor model to study the retailer's order quantity, the manufacturer's returns handling strategy, and channel coordination. The manufacturer chooses one of two returns handling strategies: manufacturer handling or retailer handling under the coordinated and decentralized scenarios, respectively. Under the coordinated scenario, we find that when consumer's returns handling cost under manufacturer handling or the manufacturer's returns handling cost is small, consumer returns should be handled by the manufacturer. Under the decentralized scenario, when the retailer's returns handling cost or the consumer's returns handling cost under retailer handling is low, the manufacturer will choose manufacturer handling; both the manufacturer and the retailer may be better off using manufacturer handling (a win–win situation). The impact of the returns handling strategy on the retailer's ordering quantity largely depends on its effect on the consumer's returns handling cost. Finally, we also design buyback contracts to coordinate the supply chain and find that both wholesale price and buyback price under manufacturer handling are higher than those under retailer handling.
One‐hour oral glucose tolerance test plasma glucose at gestational diabetes diagnosis is a common predictor of the need for insulin therapy in pregnancy and postpartum impaired glucose tolerance
Authors: Nishikawa Takeshi , Ono Keiko , Hashimoto Shoko , Kinoshita Hiroyuki , Watanabe Takuro , Araki Hirotaka , Otsu Kae , Sakamoto Wakana , Harada Masahiro , Toyonaga Tetsushi , Kawakami Shoichi , Fukuda Jyunichiro , Haga Yoshio , Kukidome Daisuke , Takahashi Takeshi , Araki Eiich 
Published: April 2018

AbstractAims/IntroductionGestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a risk for adverse perinatal outcomes, and patients with a history of GDM have an increased risk of impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). Here, we carried out two non‐interventional and retrospective studies of GDM patients in Japan.Materials and MethodsIn the first study, we enrolled 529 GDM patients and assessed predictors of the need for insulin therapy. In the second study, we enrolled 185 patients from the first study, and assessed predictors of postpartum IGT.ResultsIn the first study, gestational weeks at GDM diagnosis and history of pregnancy were significantly lower, and pregestational body mass index, family history of diabetes mellitus, 1‐ and 2‐h glucose levels in a 75‐g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), the number of abnormal values in a 75‐g OGTT, and glycated hemoglobin were significantly higher in participants receiving insulin therapy. In the second study, 1‐ and 2‐h glucose levels in a 75‐g OGTT, the number of abnormal values in a 75‐g OGTT, glycated hemoglobin, and ketone bodies in a urine test were significantly higher in participants with OGT. Logistic regression analysis showed that gestational weeks at GDM diagnosis, 1‐h glucose levels in a 75‐g OGTT and glycated hemoglobin were significant predictors of the need for insulin therapy, and 1‐h glucose levels in a 75‐g OGTT at diagnosis and ketone bodies in a urine test were significant predictors for postpartum IGT.ConclusionsAntepartum 1‐h glucose levels in a 75‐g OGTT was a predictor of the need for insulin therapy in pregnancy and postpartum IGT.
Cyclical Changes in Firm Volatility
Authors: DE VEIRMAN EMMANUEL , LEVIN ANDREW 
Published: April 2018

AbstractWe characterize trends and cycles in the volatility of U.S. firms using a measure that we argue more cleanly captures firm‐specific volatility in sales and earnings growth than standard measures do. While earlier literature has emphasized a trend increase in the volatility of publicly traded firms, we find that a typical publicly traded firm has become more stable. We find that the negative association between firm‐specific volatility and the business cycle is weaker than earlier research based on dispersion measures suggests. We find that during the Great Recession of 2007–2009, firm‐specific volatility increased moderately but never substantially exceeded its sample mean. Our results are inconsistent with the hypothesis that firm‐specific volatility is an important driver of the business cycle, as it theoretically could be through an effect of default risk on credit spreads.
High‐Cost Credit and Consumption Smoothing
Authors: DOBRIDGE CHRISTINE L. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractIn this paper, I show that high‐cost credit helps households smooth consumption following periods of temporary financial distress. After experiencing distress—that is, extreme weather events—I find that access to high‐cost payday lending mitigates declines in overall spending and nondurable goods spending generally. The results are particularly concentrated among households with a higher propensity to use payday credit or that have limited alternatives: lower income households, households with less than a college degree, and households with low levels of saving. These results highlight the consumption‐smoothing role that high‐cost credit plays for households with limited access to other types of credit.
Farms, farmworkers and new forms of livelihoods in southern Africa
Authors: Pilossof Rory 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThis review essay looks at three recent books on farms, farm labour, and rural livelihoods in southern Africa. The books—Farm labor struggles in Zimbabwe: The ground of politics, by Blair Rutherford; Ordered estates: Welfare, power and maternalism on Zimbabwe's (once white) Highveld, by Andrew M. C. Hartnack; and Zimbabwe's migrants and South Africa's border farms: The roots of impermanence, by Maxim Bolt—offer a range of insights into labour politics and management, new forms of livelihoods on farms and former farms, and how those living on farms interact with informal economies. Usefully, the books cover events over the past two decades, as well as providing regional insights into important contemporary issues. While the books converge in a number of ways, this essay will focus on two key themes: (i) how they address issues of farm management and labour control; and (ii) they ways in which they explore farmworker agency in times of change and in areas of informality and precarity.
Navigating the Health Care System: An Adolescent Health Literacy Unit for High Schools
Authors: Hughes Denise , Maiden Kristin 
Published: April 2018

ABSTRACTBACKGROUNDCurrently, no intervention concerning transition of health care responsibilities from parents to teens exists for adolescents in the general population. The purpose of this intervention was to evaluate teacher satisfaction and student knowledge gain of a health unit developed for adolescents on becoming their own health care advocates.METHODSThroughout the 2014–2015 school year, 13 health and career technical education teachers in 11 Delaware high schools taught the unit to 948 students in 2 90‐minute classes in 35 classrooms. Assessments included teacher reflections and student pre‐ and posttests to measure knowledge transfer and gain and gather feedback.RESULTSTeacher and student feedback indicated the materials were appropriate and useful in teaching students to navigate the health care system. Student knowledge increased from pretest (64%) to posttest (82%), (p < .001). The educational background of the teacher did not influence this outcome. Students reported they will know what to do better at their next doctor's appointment because of this unit and indicated support for peers to learn this information.CONCLUSIONSThe unit resulted in content knowledge increase for students. It was consistently effective throughout all schools regardless of social and demographic characteristics, teacher type, or experience teaching the unit.
Benefiting from Diversity: How Groups’ Coordinating Mechanisms Affect Leadership Opportunities for Marginalized Individuals
Authors: Packer Dominic J. , Miners Christopher T. H. , Ungson Nick D. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractResearch suggests that prototypical group members often exert stronger social influence and thus have greater leadership opportunities relative to members of marginalized or underrepresented social categories. This article offers a new model for understanding and promoting leadership diversity by focusing on the mechanisms by which a group or organization coordinates behavior among its members. We predict that means‐focused groups (in which social norms drive coordination) are likely to suppress influence among non‐prototypic members, whereas ends‐focused groups (in which shared goals drive coordination) are more likely to allow for leadership from a diverse set of members. The primary mechanism by which a group coordinates its members—social norms versus shared goals—is thus expected to serve as a critical moderator affecting the likelihood that group‐level diversity will translate into inclusion, innovation, performance, and prosperity. Implications of the model for policy and practice, particularly in organizational settings, are discussed.
From Marginal to Mainstream and Vice Versa: Leaders’ Valuation of Diversity While in the Minority versus Majority
Authors: Prislin Radmila , Davenport Cory , Xu Yishan , Moreno Ryan , Honeycutt Nathan 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThis study examined tolerance and appreciation for differences within a group among leaders of numerically distinct factions (majority vs. minority), whose size remained stable or changed over time (majority ↔ minority). Appreciation or valuing differences in and of themselves was significantly higher among minority than majority leaders when their positions remained stable but not when their positions changed. Appreciation for differences decreased significantly when minority leaders became majority leaders. Tolerance or willingness to put up with differences even when evaluating them negatively increased significantly among both minority and majority leaders once their positions changed. Although this increased tolerance may be temporarily beneficial, in the long run, it could be detrimental to the group as it leads to a cessation of interactions between a minority and a majority. Findings could inform policies to advance functioning of the groups whose minority and majority factions may reverse positions by design (e.g., political parties winning or losing elections) or via demographic changes (e.g., ethnic or racial minorities becoming majorities and vice versa).
Looking for Leadership in All the Wrong Places: The Impact of Culture on Proactive Followership and Follower Dissent
Authors: Blair B. Ariel , Bligh Michelle C. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractDespite increasing globalization, we know little about how culture influences leader–follower relationships. Specifically, what is the impact of cultural values and norms on followers’ view of their role, and their willingness to disagree with a team's or a leader's decision? Recognizing that followers by definition represent a lower status and marginalized group, we explore how cultural values and tightness–looseness theories influence proactive followership and follower dissent. We theorize that the intersection of theories of followership, power distance, cultural tightness–looseness, and minority dissent provides a rich opportunity to understand cultural differences in how followers lead and follow. We develop propositions regarding these interrelations, and conclude with implications for predicting which contexts will be more or less conducive to proactive followership and follower dissent, with the goal of fostering more innovative and effective decisions. We suggest that values and norms focused on hierarchy and control will limit active follower beliefs in shared responsibility for leadership, thus marginalizing leadership exhibited by those in follower roles.
Dietary approaches reducing boar taint—Importance of Lawsonia intracellularis colonisation for interpreting results
Authors: Visscher C. , Kruse A. , Sander S. , Keller C. , Mischok J. , Tabeling R. , Henne H. , Deitmer R. , Kamphues J. 
Published: April 2018

SummaryIn the fattening of male pigs, boar odour is a major problem with regard to the acceptance of the meat by consumers. Skatole can be one cause. Tryptophan from non‐digested feed ingredients and intestinal cell debris can be the precursor in skatole formation. Lawsonia intracellularis, one of the most widespread pathogens in swine, promotes the epithelial cell turnover and might favour the tryptophan influx into the hindgut. Therefore, the question arises how far the severity of a Lawsonia intracellularis infection has an effect on results of dietary experiments with specific issues. Fifty finishing boars from a specific pathogen‐free farm were randomly allotted to ten boxes in five feeding groups. Natural developing Lawsonia intracellularis colonisation was monitored serologically (twice individually) and molecular biologically (weekly individually). Over 4 weeks, animals were fed either a finely ground pelleted diet (FP), a coarsely ground meal diet (CM), a meal diet either with 22% cracked corn (CORN), 16.9% dried whey (WHEY) or 30% raw potato starch (RPS). Fifty % of animals showing lower differences in serological Lawsonia intracellularis values between the start and the end of the trial were characterised by a higher dry matter content in faeces (256 ± 29.4 vs. 239 ± 23.6 g/kg). Lawsonia intracellularis‐negative caecal samples showed the highest butyrate concentrations (27.2 ± 7.53 mmol/kg). Lawsonia intracellularis‐negative faecal samples of group FP showed the highest DM levels in faeces (neg: 290 ± 46.1/pos: 250 ± 52.2 g/kg); negative samples from group RPS had the lowest values (217 ± 24.4 g/kg). Lawsonia intracellularis‐negative faecal samples from the group CM were lower in skatole than positive samples (82.8 ± 32.8 vs. 119 ± 29.3 μg/g DM). RPS group samples without pathogen detection had the lowest skatole concentrations (30.5 ± 36.3 μg/g DM). This study provides first evidence that clinically unremarkable colonisation with intestinal pathogens might influence the results of dietary approaches.
Incidence of hepatitis B virus infection in young Chinese blood donors born after mandatory implementation of neonatal hepatitis B vaccination nationwide
Authors: Tang X. , Allain J.‐P. , Wang H. , Rong X. , Chen J. , Huang K. , Xu R. , Wang M. , Huang J. , Liao Q. , Shan Z. , Luo S. , Li T. , Li C. , Fu Y. 
Published: April 2018

SummaryThis study was carried out to determine the incidence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in the young generation born after mandatory implementation of hepatitis B vaccination since 1992. Repeat blood donors born between 1992 and 1997 were enrolled, who gave blood at least twice during the past 3 years. Donors were tested for HBV infection markers of HBsAg, anti‐HBc, anti‐HBs and viral DNA by immunoassays (EIAs) and nucleic acid tests (NAT). A total of 14 937 pre‐donation screening qualified young repeat donors aged 18‐23 years were tested with 9 (0.06%) being HBsAg by EIA and 10 (1:1494) HBV DNA positive by Ultrio NAT (10.4 IU/mL), respectively. HBV DNA was further detected in 1:192 (9/1732) anti‐HBc+ repeat donors with Ultrio Plus NAT (3.4 IU/mL). Most cases were identified as occult HBV infection (OBI). Of 14 937 repeat donors, 20.9% were anti‐HBc+ positive, while approximately 50% of 12 024 repeat donors were anti‐HBs negative or had levels <100 IU/L. HBsAg+ or OBI strains were classified as wild type of genotype B or genotype C. Incident HBV infection in repeat donors was approximately 1:18.5 person‐years (1.1%/year) but significantly less frequent in donors with confirmed HBV vaccination (2.4%‐3.3%) than those unsure of vaccination status (10.5%; P = .0023). Hepatitis B virus vaccination appears largely protective of HBV infection, but incidence of infections increases in young adults with mostly undetectable or low anti‐HBs or occasionally high anti‐HBs. A boost of hepatitis B vaccine for adolescents prior to age 18 years may reduce HBV infection, and implementation of more sensitive NAT in blood donation screening may improve HBV safety in blood transfusion.
Hepatic encephalopathy: Diagnosis and management
Authors: Amodio Piero 
Published: April 2018

AbstractHepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a peculiar kind of brain dysfunction caused by liver insufficiency and/or portal‐systemic shunting. It is related to gut‐derived substances. It is a relevant cause of morbidity and hospitalisation for patients with cirrhosis. The prognosis of HE is important in terms of survival and re‐hospitalisation. It is related to impaired quality of life, falls and poor driving; presents a relevant burden for caregivers and health services; and may negatively impact on patient's job and income. Proper diagnosis and classification are expected to improve HE management. Once diagnosed, the management and therapeutic options for HE are generally clear. The improvement of knowledge in recent years has also clarified which are the further aims of research in this field of medicine. Prophylaxis of overt HE should always be performed, and this is generally secondary prophylaxis. Primary prophylaxis should be done immediately after upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Great advances in the detection and treatment of mild forms of HE are expected to lead to further improvement in patient management.
Autofluorescence‐based optical biopsy: An effective diagnostic tool in hepatology
Authors: Croce Anna Cleta , Ferrigno Andrea , Bottiroli Giovanni , Vairetti Mariapia 
Published: April 2018

AbstractAutofluorescence emission of liver tissue depends on the presence of endogenous biomolecules able to fluoresce under suitable light excitation. Overall autofluorescence emission contains much information of diagnostic value because it is the sum of individual autofluorescence contributions from fluorophores involved in metabolism, for example, NAD(P)H, flavins, lipofuscins, retinoids, porphyrins, bilirubin and lipids, or in structural architecture, for example, fibrous proteins, in close relationship with normal, altered or diseased conditions of the liver. Since the 1950s, hepatocytes and liver have been historical models to study NAD(P)H and flavins as in situ, real‐time autofluorescence biomarkers of energy metabolism and redox state. Later investigations designed to monitor organ responses to ischaemia/reperfusion were able to predict the risk of dysfunction in surgery and transplantation or support the development of procedures to ameliorate the liver outcome. Subsequently, fluorescent fatty acids, lipofuscin‐like lipopigments and collagen were characterized as optical biomarkers of liver steatosis, oxidative stress damage, fibrosis and disease progression. Currently, serum AF is being investigated to improve non‐invasive optical diagnosis of liver disease. Validation of endogenous fluorophores and in situ discrimination of cancerous from non‐cancerous tissue belong to the few studies on liver in human subjects. These reports along with other optical techniques and the huge work performed on animal models suggest many optically based applications in hepatology. Optical diagnosis is currently offering beneficial outcomes in clinical fields ranging from the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts, to dermatology and ophthalmology. Accordingly, this review aims to promote an effective bench to bedside transfer in hepatology.
Sex chromosome repeats tip the balance towards speciation
Authors: O'Neill Michael J. , O'Neill Rachel J. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractBecause sex chromosomes, by definition, carry genes that determine sex, mutations that alter their structural and functional stability can have immediate consequences for the individual by reducing fertility, but also for a species by altering the sex ratio. Moreover, the sex‐specific segregation patterns of heteromorphic sex chromosomes make them havens for selfish genetic elements that not only create suboptimal sex ratios but can also foster sexual antagonism. Compensatory mutations to mitigate antagonism or return sex ratios to a Fisherian optimum can create hybrid incompatibility and establish reproductive barriers leading to species divergence. The destabilizing influence of these selfish elements is often manifest within populations as copy number variants (CNVs) in satellite repeats and transposable elements (TE) or as CNVs involving sex‐determining genes, or genes essential to fertility and sex chromosome dosage compensation. This review catalogs several examples of well‐studied sex chromosome CNVs in Drosophilids and mammals that underlie instances of meiotic drive, hybrid incompatibility and disruptions to sex differentiation and sex chromosome dosage compensation. While it is difficult to pinpoint a direct cause/effect relationship between these sex chromosome CNVs and speciation, it is easy to see how their effects in creating imbalances between the sexes, and the compensatory mutations to restore balance, can lead to lineage splitting and species formation.