bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Screening for language delay after life-saving therapies in term-born infants
Authors: Clark Brenda G. , Acton Bryan V. , Alton Gwen Y. , Joffe Ari R. , Dinu Irina A. , Robertson Charlene M. T. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractBackgroundStrong recommendations have been made for the periodic developmental surveillance, screening, and evaluation of children with CHD. This supports similar calls for all at-risk children in order to provide timely, structured early developmental intervention that may improve outcomes. The aim of this study was to determine the accuracy of screening for language delay after life-saving therapies using the parent-completed vocabulary screen of the language Development Survey, by comparing screening with the individually administered language scores of the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third edition.MethodIn total, 310 (92.5%) of 335 eligible term-born children, born between 2004 and 2011, receiving complex cardiac surgery, heart or liver transplantation, or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in infancy, were assessed at 21.5 (2.8) months of age (lost, 25 (7.5%)), through developmental/rehabilitation centres at six sites as part of the Western Canadian Complex Pediatric Therapies Follow-up Group.ResultsVocabulary screening delay was defined as scores ⩽15th percentile. Language delay defined as scores >1 SD below the mean was calculated for language composite score, receptive and expressive communication scores of the Bayley-III. Delayed scores for the 310 children were as follows: vocabulary, 144 (46.5%); language composite, 125 (40.3%); receptive communication, 98 (31.6%); and expressive communication, 124 (40%). Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values, and negative predictive values of screened vocabulary delay for tested language composite delay were 79.2, 75.7, 68.8, and 84.3%, respectively.ConclusionHigh rates of language delay after life-saving therapies are concerning. Although the screening test appears to over-identify language delay relative to the tested Bayley-III, it may be a useful screening tool for early language development leading to earlier referral for intervention.
Expanding and Adapting the Protean Career Management Scale for University Students (PCMS-U)
Authors: Liberato Borges Ludmila F. , De Andrade Alexsandro L. , Ziebell de Oliveira Manoela , Guerra Valeschka Martins 
Published: December 2015

AbstractMany changes in the socioeconomic scenario led to the emergence of different models of career guidance, among which the protean career stands out. This model works with the prospect of a career that is self-directed and aligned with personal values, with important propositions for both professionals and students entering the work market. In the Brazilian scenario, however, there is a lack of appropriate measures to evaluate protean aspects among college students without work experience. Thus, the present study aimed at adapting and validating the attitudes towards the Protean Career Scale to this population. The sample consisted of 902 students aging from 18 to 30 years old (M= 22.52;SD= 6.53) attending 34 different undergraduate courses. Exploratory and confirmatory analysis attested the two-dimensional nature of the scale structure. The reliability indexes were satisfactory: over .65. The correlation between the protean models and factors such as personality, values, and locus of control provided adequate evidence of the measure’s predictive validity (p< .05).
Changes in assembly rules along a stress gradient from open dry grasslands to wetlands
Authors: Lhotsky Barbara , Kovács Bence , Ónodi Gábor , Csecserits Anikó , Rédei Tamás , Lengyel Attila , Kertész Miklós , Botta‐Dukát Zoltán 
Published: December 2015

Summary

A central issue of community ecology is finding rules that explain the composition and abundance of coexisting species. Nowadays two main processes, environmental filtering and limiting similarity, are thought to play the main roles in structuring communities. Their relative importance under different environmental conditions, however, is still not properly clarified.

We studied the strength and the effect of environmental filtering (causing convergence) and limiting similarity (causing divergence) in 137 sample plots along an extremely long environmental gradient ranging from open sand grasslands to highly productive marshes, using a trait‐based approach. The main environmental gradient (i.e. productivity) was characterized by the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, an indicator of above‐ground live biomass. Cover of the plant species was estimated visually. Values of 11 plant traits were collected from field measurements and data bases. Mean and dispersion of the trait values of the plots were quantified by community‐weighted means and Rao's quadratic entropy. Trait convergence and divergence were tested by randomization tests, followed by the study of changes in effect size along the productivity gradient by fitting generalized additive mixed models (GAMM).

For vegetative traits we found mainly convergence, indicating the filtering effect of environmental constraints, while traits related to regeneration showed divergence.

The strength of convergence in vegetative traits generally decreased as productivity grew, indicating that while under harsh conditions environmental constraints strongly limit the possible trait values, under more benign conditions various water and nutrient use strategies are adaptable. At high productivity, the strength of divergence in regenerative traits decreased. Since the larger diversity of vegetative traits found here reduces competition, the importance of diverse reproductive strategy is probably lower.

Synthesis. Our results partly support the stress‐dominance hypothesis, but reveal that assembly rules are more complex. The relative importance of environmental filtering and limiting similarity depends on the trait and on the environmental conditions of the habitat. Traits related to resource use are generally limited by environmental filtering, and this restriction is weakening as conditions become more favourable, while traits related to regeneration are constrained by limiting similarity and are more diverse under harsh conditions.
Sustaining Culture Change: Experiences in the Green House Model
Authors: Bowers Barbara , Nolet Kimberly , Jacobson Nora ,   the THRIVE Research Collaborative
Published: December 2015

ObjectiveTo describe conditions that influence how Green House (GH) organizations are sustaining culture change principles and practices in a sample of GH skilled nursing homes.Data Sources/Study SettingPrimary data were collected at 11 skilled nursing GH organizations from 2012 to 2014. These organizations have adopted the comprehensive and prescriptive GH model of culture change.Study DesignTo develop an understanding of sustainability from the perspective of staff who are immersed in GH daily work, grounded theory qualitative methods were used.Data Collection MethodsData were collected using semi‐structured interviews with 166 staff and observation of house meetings and daily operations. Data were analyzed using grounded dimensional analysis.Principal FindingsOrganizations varied in their ability to sustain GH principles and practices. An organization's approach to problem solving was central to sustaining the model. Key conditions influenced reinforcement or erosion of GH principles and practices.ConclusionsReinforcing the GH model requires a highly skilled team of staff with the ability to frequently and collaboratively solve both mundane and complex problems in ways that are consistent with the GH model. This raises questions about the type of human resources practices and policy supports that could assist organizations in sustaining culture change.
Volatility in Oilseeds and Vegetable Oils Markets: Drivers and Spillovers
Authors: Brümmer Bernhard , Korn Olaf , Schlüßler Kristina , Jamali Jaghdani Tinoush 
Published: December 2015

AbstractFood price volatility has re‐emerged as an important topic of political discussion since the food price crisis of 2007–2008. Different volatility drivers have been identified for different markets in the theoretical and empirical literature. However, there is no comprehensive analysis that considers a large number of potential drivers and investigates their joint effects in a dynamic model of interrelated markets. Our study provides such a volatility analysis for the oilseeds and vegetable oils markets. We use a common GARCH approach and a VAR model to identify volatility drivers and spillover effects. Our results show that exchange rate volatility is very important. However, the hotly debated financialisation of commodity markets is not found to be volatility increasing in our monthly data. Impulse response functions show strong spillover effects. Because many volatility drivers found to be important in other markets have no significant effect in our study, our results suggest that volatility drivers are market specific. This implies that any volatility‐reducing policies need to be designed for the market in question.
Genetically Modified (GM) Foods and Ethical Eating
Authors: Dizon Francis , Costa Sarah , Rock Cheryl , Harris Amanda , Husk Cierra , Mei Jenny 
Published: December 2015

AbstractThe ability to manipulate and customize the genetic code of living organisms has brought forth the production of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and consumption of genetically modified (GM) foods. The potential for GM foods to improve the efficiency of food production, increase customer satisfaction, and provide potential health benefits has contributed to the rapid incorporation of GM foods into the American diet. However, GM foods and GMOs are also a topic of ethical debate. The use of GM foods and GM technology is surrounded by ethical concerns and situational judgment, and should ideally adhere to the ethical standards placed upon food and nutrition professionals, such as: beneficence, nonmaleficence, justice and autonomy. The future of GM foods involves many aspects and trends, including enhanced nutritional value in foods, strict labeling laws, and potential beneficial economic conditions in developing nations. This paper briefly reviews the origin and background of GM foods, while delving thoroughly into 3 areas: (1) GMO labeling, (2) ethical concerns, and (3) health and industry applications. This paper also examines the relationship between the various applications of GM foods and their corresponding ethical issues. Ethical concerns were evaluated in the context of the code of ethics developed by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) that govern the work of food and nutrition professionals. Overall, there is a need to stay vigilant about the many ethical implications of producing and consuming GM foods and GMOs.
Long‐term pattern of opioid prescriptions after femoral shaft fractures
Authors: Al Dabbagh Z. , Jansson K. Å. , Stiller C. O. , Montgomery S. , Weiss R. J. 
Published: December 2015

BackgroundThe use of opioids in non‐cancer‐related pain following skeletal trauma is controversial due to the presumed risk of dose escalation and dependence. We therefore examined the pattern of opioid prescriptions, that is, those actually dispensed, in patients with femoral shaft fractures.MethodsWe analysed data from the Swedish National Hospital Discharge Register and the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register between 2005 and 2008.ResultsWe identified 1471 patients with isolated femoral shaft fractures. The median age was 75 (16–102) years and 56% were female. In this cohort, 891 patients (61%) received dispensed opioid prescriptions during a median follow‐up of 20 months (interquartile range 11–32). In the age‐ and sex‐matched comparison cohort (7339 individuals) without fracture, 25% had opioid prescriptions dispensed during the same period. The proportions of patients receiving opioid analgesics at 6 and 12 months after the fracture were 45% (95% CI 42–49) and 36% (32–39), respectively. The median daily morphine equivalent dose (MED) was between 15 and 17 mg 1–12 months post‐fracture. After 3 months, less than 5% used prescription doses higher than 20 mg MED per day. Older age (≥ 70 compared with < 70 years) was a significant predictor of earlier discontinuation of opioid use (Hazard ratio [HR] 1.9).ConclusionA notable proportion of patients continued to receive dispensed prescriptions for opioids for over 6 months (45%) and more than a third of them (36%) continued treatment for at least 12 months. However, the risk of dose escalation seems to be small in opioid‐naïve patients.
Chronic pre‐operative opioid use and acute pain after fast‐track total knee arthroplasty
Authors: Aasvang E. K. , Lunn T. H. , Hansen T. B. , Kristensen P. W. , Solgaard S. , Kehlet H. 
Published: December 2015

BackgroundPre‐operative opioid use has been suggested to increase post‐operative pain and opioid consumption after total knee arthroplasty (TKA), but previous studies are either retrospective or inhomogeneous with regard to surgical procedures or control of analgesic regimes, or with few opioid‐treated patients, hindering firm conclusions.MethodsIn a prospective observational study, we investigated the effect of > 4 weeks pre‐operative opioid use [none vs. low dose (< 30 mg morphine equivalents (eq.)) vs. high dose (> 30 mg morphine eq.] in patients scheduled for primary, unilateral TKA. All patients had well‐defined multimodal opioid‐sparring perioperative analgesic therapy, and continued any pre‐operative opioid medication. The primary outcome was differences between groups in pain at rest and during walk for the first 6 post‐operative days.ResultsAmong 123 patients included, 115 were available for final analysis (93% follow‐up rate). Post‐operative pain during walk was significantly increased in both opioid‐treated groups vs. non‐opioid‐treated patients (P < 0.009). Secondary analysis of combining all pre‐operatively opioid‐treated patients vs. opioid‐free patients, showed significantly increased pain at rest and walk and increased post‐operative opioid requirement – excluding pre‐operative dosage – during the first post‐operative week in opioid‐treated patients (P = 0.001 and P = 0.007, respectively).ConclusionPre‐operative opioid use increases the risk for post‐operative pain at rest and walk, and increased opioid consumption after TKA.
End points for validating early warning scores in the context of rapid response systems: a Delphi consensus study
Authors: Pedersen N. E. , Oestergaard D. , Lippert A. 
Published: December 2015

IntroductionWhen investigating early warning scores and similar physiology‐based risk stratification tools, death, cardiac arrest and intensive care unit admission are traditionally used as end points. A large proportion of the patients identified by these end points cannot be saved, even with optimal treatment. This could pose a limitation to studies using these end points. We studied current expert opinion on end points for validating tools for the identification of patients in hospital wards at risk of imminent critical illness.MethodsThe Delphi consensus methodology was used. We identified 22 experts based on objective criteria; 17 participated in the study. Each expert panel member's suggestions for end points were collected and distributed to the entire expert panel in anonymised form. The experts reviewed, rated and commented the suggested end points through the rounds in the Delphi process, and the experts' combined rating of the usefulness of each suggestion was established.ResultsA gross list of 86 suggestions for end points, relating to 13 themes, was produced. No items were uniformly recognised as ideal. The themes cardiac arrest, death, and level of care contained the items receiving highest ratings.ConclusionsEnd points relating to death, cardiac arrest and intensive care unit admission currently comprise the most obvious compromises for investigating early warning scores and similar risk stratification tools. Additional end points from the gross list of suggested end points could become feasible with the increased availability of large data sets with a multitude of recorded parameters.
Longer term audit costs of IFRS and the differential impact of implied auditor cost structures
Authors: Higgins Stephen , Lont David , Scott Tom 
Published: December 2015

AbstractPrior literature finds higher audit fees after the adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). We add to this research by documenting that the post‐IFRS increase in audit fees is persistent, and not a short‐term effect driven by transitional costs. In addition, early adopters have higher audit fees and this difference continues after IFRS adoption. Next, we consider the effect of increased effort required under IFRS on marginal pricing. Our results find lower (higher) marginal pricing post‐IFRS for PwC and Deloitte (EY), suggesting that they have a relatively higher (lower) fixed and lower (higher) variable cost structure.
MicroRNA and Embryo Implantation
Authors: Liu Weimin , Niu Ziru , Li Qian , Pang Ronald T.K. , Chiu Philip C.N. , Yeung William Shu‐Biu 
Published: December 2015

ProblemIn mammals, implantation involves interactions between an activated blastocyst and a receptive endometrium. There are controversies on the role of microRNAs in preimplantation embryo development. The actions of endometrial microRNAs on implantation are beginning to be understood.Method of StudyReview of literature on microRNAs in preimplantation embryos and endometrium.ResultsEmerging evidence suggests a role of microRNAs in blastocyst activation and implantation. Differential expression of microRNAs is found between receptive and non‐receptive endometria. Members of the let‐7, miR‐200, miR‐30 families, and the miR‐17‐92 clusters are more commonly found to be associated with endometrial receptivity. Experimental studies show that the targets of the differentially expressed microRNAs affect endometrial receptivity, decidualization, and embryo implantation. Free and exosome/microvesicle containing microRNAs have been detected in human and ovine uterine luminal fluid (ULF). They may serve as mediators of embryo–endometrium dialog. Some observations suggest that the microRNAs in ULF may be used as biomarkers in infertility treatment.ConclusionMicroRNAs in endometrium and blastocysts are involved in the implantation process.
Immunisation led to a major reduction in paediatric patients hospitalised because of the varicella infection in Israel
Authors: Elbaz Meital , Paret Gideon , Yohai Avihu Bar , Halutz Ora , Grisaru‐Soen Galia 
Published: December 2015

AbstractAimThe varicella‐zoster virus causes infections that are often mild but can cause substantial morbidity and mortality in otherwise healthy children. We examined trends in varicella‐related hospitalisations before and after the implementation of a national two‐dose varicella vaccination programme in Israel in September 2008.MethodsThis retrospective chart review, performed at three tertiary care paediatric hospitals in greater Tel Aviv, compared data from 2004 to 2008 and 2009 to 2012, before and after the varicella programme was launched. It included all children to the age of 18 who were hospitalised for conditions associated with the varicella infection.ResultsAfter the vaccination programme was introduced, the number of children hospitalised for varicella fell by 63% (p < 0.5), from 38.9 to 14.5 per 10 000, and there was a 75% reduction in children aged one to six. During the same period, the percentage of hospitalised children who were immunocompromised rose from 9.7% to 18.4% (p < 0.05). The most common complications were soft‐tissue infections (60%), and the most prevalent pathogens were Group A β‐haemolytic streptococcus (53%) and Staphylococcus aureus (32%).ConclusionThe introduction of a two‐dose immunisation programme dramatically decreased the varicella burden in Israel, leading to a major reduction in hospitalisation admissions linked to the infection.
Major venous resection and reconstruction using a minimally invasive approach during laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy: One step forward
Authors: Palanisamy Senthilnathan , Deuri Biswajit , Naidu Subrahmaneswara Babu , Vaiyapurigoundar Palanisamy Nalankilli , Natesan Anand Vijay , Palanivelu Praveen Raj , Parthasarathy Ramakrishnan , Palanivelu Chinnusamy 
Published: December 2015

AbstractIn the current era of technological advancement, the feasibility of laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy has been established. However, major venous resection and reconstruction along with laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy is still considered a complex procedure. A 47‐year‐old woman presented with obstructive jaundice secondary to carcinoma in the pancreatic head. Triphasic abdominal CT revealed a 2.7 × 3.0‐cm heterogenous mass in the pancreatic head with peripancreatic lymphadenopathy without vascular involvement. The patient was scheduled for laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy. During mobilization, the tumor was found adherent to the superior mesenteric vein. Therefore, vascular resection and reconstruction was accomplished laparoscopically along with pancreaticoduodenectomy. The duration of superior mesenteric vein occlusion was 45 min. The patient had an uneventful recovery and was discharged on postoperative day 10. Major venous resection and reconstruction during laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy using a minimally invasive approach is feasible in selected patients. Adequate experience in complex laparoscopic pancreatic surgery is required before attempting this procedure.
Successful laparoscopic extirpation of peritoneal dissemination after hepatectomy for ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Hai Seikan , Okada Toshihiro , Iimuro Yuji , Hirano Tadamichi , Suzumura Kazuhiro , Fujimoto Jiro 
Published: December 2015

AbstractClinically, peritoneal dissemination of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) rarely occurs. We herein report a case that had a good outcome following laparoscopic extirpation of peritoneal dissemination after hepatectomy for ruptured HCC. A 66‐year‐old man underwent central bisectionectomy 12 days after emergency transcatheter arterial embolization for a ruptured HCC. Thereafter, pulmonary resection was performed twice for lung metastasis. About 8 months after the second pulmonary resection, a mass lesion was detected at the left subphrenic space on CT and 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose PET scans. We made a diagnosis of peritoneal dissemination of HCC, and laparoscopic extirpation was performed. The patient is now doing well without any signs of recurrence 2 years after the last operation. Laparoscopic surgical resection for peritoneal dissemination that develops after hepatectomy for HCC may have a beneficial effect as a less‐invasive approach and may improve the prognosis in select patients.
Thoracoscopic reoperation for recurrent pneumothorax after single‐incision thoracoscopic surgery
Authors: Sano Atsushi , Kawashima Mitsuaki 
Published: December 2015

AbstractAn 18‐year‐old male patient who had undergone single‐incision thoracoscopic surgery for left spontaneous pneumothorax was diagnosed with bilateral recurrent pneumothorax. We performed thoracoscopic reoperation and observed adhesions between the previous incision and the left lung. A bulla that was thought to be the cause of the recurrent left pneumothorax was found on the mediastinal side of previously ligated lesions. Longer incisions during single‐incision thoracoscopic surgery may be more likely to cause adhesions. Despite the restricted view during surgery, care must be taken to identify all bullae. Use of reinforcement techniques is also important to prevent recurrence.