bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Implementing higher oxygen saturation targets reduced the impact of poor weight gain as a predictor for retinopathy of prematurity
Authors: Lundgren Pia , Hård Anna–Lena , Wilde Åsa , Löfqvist Chatarina , Smith Lois E. H. , Hellström Ann 
Published: September 2017

ABSTRACTAimThis study evaluated poor weight gain as a risk factor for infants who required treatment for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), by comparing those born before and after the implementation of higher oxygen saturation (SpO2) targets at the Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.MethodsWe compared infants born at less than 31 weeks, who were screened and, or, treated for ROP: 127 in 2011–2012 when SpO2 targets were 88–92% and 142 in 2015–2016 when they were 91–95%. The subjects were reviewed for birth characteristics, weekly weight and ROP treatment. Data were analysed using the weight, insulin‐like growth factor 1, neonatal, ROP (WINROP) prediction tool.ResultsThe 2011–2012 infants who needed ROP treatment (12.6%) had significantly poorer postnatal weight gain than those who did not, but this was not seen in the treated (17.6%) and nontreated ROP groups in 2015–2016. WINROP sensitivity decreased from 87.5% in 2011–12 to 48% in 2015–2016.ConclusionAfter the SpO2 target range was increased from 88–92% to 91–95%, postnatal weight gain was no longer a significant risk factor and WINROP lost its ability to predict ROP requiring treatment. Risk factors clearly change as neonatal care develops.
A method for assessment of the dynamic response of the arterial baroreflex
Authors: Lund M. T. , Salomonsson M. , Jonassen T. E. N. , Holstein‐Rathlou N.‐H. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractAimThe baroreflex is a key mechanism in cardiovascular regulation, and alterations in baroreceptor function are seen in many diseases, including heart failure, obesity and hypertension. We propose a new method for analysing baroreceptor function from continuous blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) in both health and disease.MethodsForty‐eight‐hour data series of BP and HR were collected with telemetry. Sprague Dawley rats on standard chow (n = 11) served as controls, while rats on a high‐fat, high‐fructose (HFHC) diet (n = 6) constituted the obese‐hypertensive model. A third group of rats underwent autonomic blockade (n = 6). An autoregressive–moving‐average with exogenous inputs (ARMAX) model was applied to the data and compared with the α‐coefficient.ResultsAutonomic blockade caused a significant reduction in the strength of the baroreflex as estimated by ARMAX [ARMAX‐ baroreflex sensitivity (BRS)] −0.03 ± 0.01 vs. −0.19 ± 0.04 bpm heartbeat−1). Both methods showed a ~50% reduction in BRS in the obese‐hypertensive group compared with control (body weight 531 ± 27 vs. 458 ± 19 g, P < 0.05; mean arterial pressure 119 ± 3 vs. 102 ± 1 mmHg, P < 0.05; ARMAX‐BRS −0.08 ± 0.01 vs. −0.15 ± 0.01 bpm heartbeat−1, P < 0.05; α‐coefficient BRS 0.51 ± 0.07 vs. 0.89 ± 0.07 ms mmHg−1, P < 0.05). The ARMAX method additionally showed the open‐loop gain of the baroreflex to be reduced by ~50% in the obese‐hypertensive group (−2.3 ± 0.3 vs. −4.1 ± 0.3 bpm, P < 0.05), while the rate constant was similar between groups.ConclusionThe ARMAX model represents an efficient method for estimating several aspects of the baroreflex. The open‐loop gain of the baroreflex was attenuated in obese‐hypertensive rats compared with control, while the time response was similar. The algorithm can be applied to other species including humans.
Revisiting the Corporate Social and Financial Performance Link: A Contingency Approach
Authors: O'Higgins Eleanor , Thevissen Thibault 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThis study draws on and extends contingency theory, in relation to stakeholder theory to understand the corporate social performance (CSP) and financial performance (CFP) link, by evaluating under what circumstances CSP influences CFP. Contingencies include stakeholder configurations/salience and crisis conditions. Using differentiated measures of CSP, this study examined financial effects of various specific stakeholder facing activities pre‐ and post‐crisis in the food/beverage and pharmaceutical industries, and in firms selling search versus experience goods. The results indicate that pre‐crisis CSP is related to post‐crisis financial effects, but the relationships are dependent on the interactions among the contingencies studied, so investments in certain social areas improve CFP, whereas others may hurt it. This confirms that a finer grained approach should be taken to the examination of CSP and CFP. On a practical basis, it shows that deep stakeholder knowledge and attention to complementary factors to CSP, such as advertising, must be understood, so CSP activities are of benefit to the firm.
WHO FAVOURS THE GAY COMMUNITY? EXPERIMENTAL EVIDENCE USING CHARITABLE DONATIONS
Authors: Sansani Shahar , Rozental Arik 
Published: September 2017

ABSTRACTIn this paper, we conduct an experiment to determine the characteristics of individuals who are more likely to donate to a gay charity. After filling out a questionnaire that includes information on gender, ethnicity, and religiosity, as well as other factors, Israeli undergraduate students are asked to choose two out of four options: participation in a lottery, donation to a gay charity, donation to a religious charity, and donation to an education‐focused charity. Our most robust findings are that females and the less religiously observant are more likely to donate to the gay charity.
Vascular, inflammatory, and metabolic factors associated with cognition in aging persons with chronic epilepsy
Authors: Hermann Bruce P. , Sager Mark A. , Koscik Rebecca L. , Young Kate , Nakamura Keith 
Published: September 2017

SummaryWe examined cognition in aging persons with chronic epilepsy; characterized targeted vascular, inflammatory, and metabolic risk factors associated with abnormal cognitive aging in the general population; and examined associations between cognition and vascular, inflammatory, and metabolic health. Participants included 40 persons with chronic localization‐related epilepsy and 152 controls, aged 54.6 and 55.3, respectively. Participants underwent neuropsychological assessment, clinical examination, and fasting blood evaluation for quantification of vascular status (systolic and diastolic blood pressure, obesity/body mass index [BMI], total and high‐density lipoprotein [HDL] cholesterol level, and homocysteine), inflammatory markers (high sensitivity C‐reactive protein [hs‐CRP], and interleukin‐6 [IL‐6]), and metabolic status (insulin resistance [Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA‐IR)], glucose). Epilepsy participants exhibited impairment across all cognitive factor scores (all p's < 0.0001); abnormalities in BMI (p = 0.049), hs‐CRP (p = 0.046), HOMA‐IR (p = 0.0040), and fasting glucose (p = 0.03), with significant relationships between higher HOMA‐IR with poorer Immediate Memory (p = 0.03) and Visuospatial Ability (0.03); elevated hs‐CRP with poorer Visuospatial (p = 0.035) and Verbal Ability (p = 0.06); elevated BMI with poorer Speed/Flexibility (p = 0.04), Visuospatial (p = 0.001) and Verbal Ability (p = 0.02); and lower HDL with poorer Verbal Learning/Delayed Memory (p = 0.01), Speed/Flexibility (p = 0.043), and Working Memory (p = 0.008). Aging persons with chronic epilepsy exhibit multiple abnormalities in metabolic, inflammatory, and vascular health that are associated with poorer cognitive function.
Women and Drug Policies in Latin America: A Critical Review of the United Nations Resolution ‘Mainstreaming a Gender Perspective in Drug‐Related Policies and Programmes’
Authors: GIACOMELLO CORINA 
Published: September 2017

AbstractSince the 2000s the impact of the international system of drug control has moved centre stage and with it the visibility of women involved in drug trafficking and drug use. International bodies and civil society organisations establish discursive consensus on women's realities in relation to drugs and the need for a gender perspective in drug policies. In March 2016, United Nations member states gathered at the Commission on Narcotic Drugs approved the resolution ‘Mainstreaming a gender perspective in drug‐related policies and programmes’. In this article, the contents of the resolution are discussed against the experiences of incarcerated women in Mexico City. In contrast to the image of women‐as‐victims sustained by the mainstream gender perspective, it is argued that agency and victimisation coexist and that such a relationship must set the basis for women‐centred drug policy.
Exploring provider and parental perceptions to influenza vaccination in the inpatient setting
Authors: Rao Suchitra , Fischman Victoria , Moss Angela , Ziniel Sonja I. , Torok Michelle R. , McNeely Heidi , Hyman Daniel , Wilson Karen M. , Dempsey Amanda F. 
Published: September 2017

BackgroundHospitalization provides an ideal opportunity for immunization, but few studies have explored provider and parental attitudes toward pediatric inpatient vaccination against influenza.ObjectivesThe objectives were to determine provider and caregiver attitudes and explore potential barriers to inpatient influenza vaccination.MethodsWe developed and distributed two surveys to parents/caregivers as well as providers of general pediatric inpatients at Children's Hospital Colorado between October 2014 and March 2015 assessing attitudes toward influenza and inpatient influenza vaccination. We analyzed the Likert scale responses using univariate analyses and multiple logistic regression to assess associations between responses and vaccination status.ResultsThe overall response rate was 95% and 58% for parents and providers, respectively. Parents of hospitalized children who agreed that flu vaccines are safe (adjusted OR 2.50 [95%CI 1.76‐3.58]), and that the influenza vaccine is needed every year had higher odds of having a vaccinated child (adjusted OR 3.30 [95%CI 2.30‐4.81]). Most providers (91%) agree that influenza vaccination is an important priority among inpatients, but believe that parental misconceptions and their reluctance for inpatient vaccination are the most important barriers to influenza vaccination. Providers forgetting to ask about vaccination status and order the vaccine are the next most commonly identified barriers. In contrast, most parents surveyed had favorable attitudes toward inpatient influenza vaccination and disagreed that their child was too sick to receive the vaccine during hospitalization.
Social determinants of influenza hospitalization in the United States
Authors: Chandrasekhar Rameela , Sloan Chantel , Mitchel Edward , Ndi Danielle , Alden Nisha , Thomas Ann , Bennett Nancy M. , Kirley Pam D. , Hill Mary , Anderson Evan J. , Lynfield Ruth , Yousey‐Hindes Kimberly , Bargsten Marisa , Zansky Shelley M. , Lung Krista , Schroeder Monica , Monroe Maya , Eckel Seth , Markus Tiffanie M. , Cummings Charisse N. , Garg Shikha , Schaffner William , Lindegren Mary Lou 
Published: September 2017

BackgroundInfluenza hospitalizations result in substantial morbidity and mortality each year. Little is known about the association between influenza hospitalization and census tract‐based socioeconomic determinants beyond the effect of individual factors.ObjectiveTo evaluate whether census tract‐based determinants such as poverty and household crowding would contribute significantly to the risk of influenza hospitalization above and beyond individual‐level determinants.MethodsWe analyzed 33 515 laboratory‐confirmed influenza‐associated hospitalizations that occurred during the 2009‐2010 through 2013‐2014 influenza seasons using a population‐based surveillance system at 14 sites across the United States.ResultsUsing a multilevel regression model, we found that individual factors were associated with influenza hospitalization with the highest adjusted odds ratio (AOR) of 9.20 (95% CI 8.72‐9.70) for those ≥65 vs 5‐17 years old. African Americans had an AOR of 1.67 (95% CI 1.60‐1.73) compared to Whites, and Hispanics had an AOR of 1.21 (95% CI 1.16‐1.26) compared to non‐Hispanics. Among census tract‐based determinants, those living in a tract with ≥20% vs <5% of persons living below poverty had an AOR of 1.31 (95% CI 1.16‐1.47), those living in a tract with ≥5% vs <5% of persons living in crowded conditions had an AOR of 1.17 (95% CI 1.11‐1.23), and those living in a tract with ≥40% vs <5% female heads of household had an AOR of 1.32 (95% CI 1.25‐1.40).ConclusionCensus tract‐based determinants account for 11% of the variability in influenza hospitalization.
Clean Water, Clean Life: Promoting Healthier, Accessible Water in Rural Appalachia
Authors: Arcipowski Erin , Schwartz John , Davenport Lisa , Hayes Meghan , Nolan Tracy 
Published: September 2017

AbstractIn the rural Appalachian region of the United States, thousands of residents struggle with issues of water quality and accessibility. Vulnerabilities of poverty, isolation, and rough geographical terrain complicate life for Appalachians who need access to adequate water supply and septic systems. In 2013, an inter‐professional team of nursing, architecture, engineering, and law enforcement faculty and students developed a water‐focused collaboration with community members in southeastern Kentucky. Greater accessibility to clean drinking water is a critical need in the area. Collaborative community engagement yielded effective and sustainable interventions. Inter‐professional teams completed N=30 comprehensive home assessments examining factors such as water source utilization, septic system management, health status, and disaster preparedness. While the majority of homes evaluated had functional water supply and septic systems, the team observed straight piping as a means of waste disposal for several homes. Homeowners who did not have a residential water supply identified common gathering places where they typically obtain drinking water. To expand environmental assessment, the team collected water samples at 16 different sites where residents obtain drinking water or use it for recreational purposes. Testing of collected samples revealed 15 of 16 sites contained fecal coliforms, Escherichia coli, or both. Because of the findings, the team and community key informants collaboratively developed interventions, such as relaying findings to community leaders, developing a WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene)‐related education program, and improving access to clean, safe water through the design and construction of a water kiosk. Outcome of interventions included greater awareness and knowledge of WASH related topics, improved access to clean water sources, and sustainable solutions to enhance overall quality of life, health and well‐being.
Changing Student Conceptions of Arid, Urban Watershed Management
Authors: Thomas Rachel A. , Svihla Vanessa 
Published: September 2017

AbstractDespite the central importance of water, few students have the opportunity to study water resources management in secondary education. Even in tertiary education—unless they major in water resources or a closely related field—they are likely to receive only a week or two of instruction about water resources in introductory science courses. Typical instruction in such courses is textbook‐based, with the course instructor lecturing on a broad range of topics. Complicating this, little is known about student preconceptions, which may interfere with—or be used to support—learning. We sought to identify preconceptions in an introductory environmental science course at an urban, research (R1) university in the arid Southwest of the United States. We used a pre/post design to assess student preconceptions about their urban campus watershed and designed a brief, experiential learning exercise. While experiential learning is common in water resources management programs, it is less common in introductory courses. We developed a coding scheme to analyze the pre‐ and post‐test responses; results showed students held normative and non‐normative preconceptions. There was significant growth in students’ conceptual understanding between the pre‐test and post‐test, (t(33) = −2.25, p < .05), with a small to medium effect size, d = −0.393. This finding supports the use of experiential learning as a means to teach students about water resources, even in an introductory course. Understanding students’ preconceptions of arid, urban watersheds can assist in how to better design curriculum. Such improvements in curricular design can empower students to make better decisions about urban watersheds.
Synergistically optimizing electrical and thermal transport properties of Bi2O2Se ceramics by Te‐substitution
Authors: Tan Xing , Liu Yaochun , Hu Kerong , Ren Guangkun , Li Yueming , Liu Rui , Lin Yuan‐Hua , Lan Jin‐Le , Nan Ce‐Wen 
Published: September 2017

AbstractBi2O2Se oxyselenides, characterized with intrinsically low lattice thermal conductivity and large Seebeck coefficient, are potential n‐type thermoelectric material in the mediate temperature range. Given the low carrier concentration of ~1015 cm−3 at 300 K, the intrinsically low electrical conductivity actually hinders further enhancement of their thermoelectric performance. In this work, the isovalent Te‐substitution of Se plays an effective role in narrowing the band gap, which notably increases the carrier concentration to ~1018 cm−3 at 300 K and the electron conduction activation energy has been lowered significantly from 0.33 to 0.14 eV. As a consequence, the power factor has been improved from 104 μW·K−2·m−1 for pristine Bi2O2Se to 297 μW·K−2·m−1 for Bi2O2Se0.96Te0.04 at 823 K. Meanwhile, the suppressed lattice thermal conductivity derives from the introduced point defects by heavier Te atoms. The gradually decreased phonon mean free path reflects the increasingly intense phonon scattering. Ultimately, the ZT value attains 0.28 for Bi2O2Se0.96Te0.04 at 823 K, an enhancement by a factor of ~2 as compared to that of pristine Bi2O2Se. This study has demonstrated that Te‐substitution of Se could synergistically optimize the electrical and thermal properties thus effectively enhancing the thermoelectric performance of Bi2O2Se.
Synthesis of Eu3+‐doped BaBi2Ta2O9 based glass‐ceramic nanocomposites: Optical and dielectric properties
Authors: Chakrabarti Anirban , Tarafder Anal , Molla Atiar Rahaman 
Published: September 2017

AbstractIn this paper we report for the first time synthesis of Eu3+‐doped transparent glass‐ceramics (TGC) with BaBi2Ta2O9 (BBT) as the major crystal phase using the glass system SiO2–K2O–BaO–Bi2O3–Ta2O5 by melt quenching technique followed by controlled crystallization through ceramming heat treatment. DSC studies were conducted in order to determine a novel heat‐treatment protocol to attain transparent GCs by controlling crystal growth. The structural properties of the BBT GCs have been investigated using XRD, FE‐SEM, TEM and FTIR reflectance spectroscopy. Optical band gap energies of the glass‐ceramic samples were found to decrease with respect to the precursor glass. An increased intensity of emission along with increase in the average lifetime of Eu3+ was observed due to incorporation of Eu3+ ions into the low‐phonon energy BBT crystal site. The local field asymmetric ratios of all the samples were observed greater than unity. The dielectric constant (εr), dielectric loss, and dissipation factor values of both the base glass and ceramized samples were found to decrease with increase in frequency.
Demoicracy, Transnational Partisanship and the EU
Authors: Wolkenstein Fabio 
Published: September 2017

AbstractAdvocates of demoicracy dismiss the proposal to transform the EU into a supranational democracy on the grounds that there is no pan‐European demos. This article examines several arguments that have been advanced to that effect and, noting some problems left outstanding, goes on to suggest that demoicrats who endorse the no‐demos thesis fail to consider the possibility that citizens themselves may seek to europeanize the identities of Europeans. If we take this possibility seriously, it not only follows that the no‐demos thesis is not a knockdown objection to supranational democracy. We are also provided with an alternative normative vision for transforming the EU into a legitimate supranational democratic order, one that turns upon the transformative potential of citizens who associate across borders in pursuit of shared political goals. The article concludes by examining this vision under the heading of ‘transnational partisanship’.
Balancing National Security and Data Protection: The Role of EU and US Policy‐Makers and Courts before and after the NSA Affair
Authors: Dimitrova Anna , Brkan Maja 
Published: September 2017

AbstractBased on the unparalleled number of recent data protection reforms triggered by Snowden's revelations on both sides of the Atlantic, this article aims to examine the interplay between the two main transatlantic actors striking the balance between national security and privacy, namely EU and US policy‐makers and courts. We argue, on the one hand, that the NSA affair has opened a window to policy‐makers to pursue reforms in order to attain a level of adequacy of their respective data protection legal regimes. On the other hand, although some data protection reforms have been adopted by legislators in response to courts acting as reformers in the post‐Snowden context, the EU and US courts' approaches to balancing national security and data protection remain diametrically opposite. Drawing upon recent case law, we demonstrate that US courts continue to tilt the balance in favour of national security while EU courts retain their pro‐privacy stance.
Optimal procedural sequence for same‐day bidirectional endoscopy with moderate sedation: A prospective randomized study
Authors: Chen Shuo‐Wei , Cheng Chi‐Liang , Liu Nai‐Jen , Tang Jui‐Hsiang , Kuo Yen‐Lin , Lin Cheng‐Hui , Tsui Yi‐Ning , Lee Bai‐Ping , Hung Hsiang‐Ling 
Published: September 2017

AbstractBackground and AimSame‐day bidirectional endoscopy (BDE) is a commonly performed procedure, but the optimal sequence for the procedure with moderate conscious sedation is not well established. This study investigated the optimal sequence for same‐day BDE under moderate conscious sedation and carbon dioxide insufflation in terms of sedation doses, patient discomfort, and colonoscopy performance.MethodsA prospective randomized controlled study of 120 patients who were scheduled for BDE examination was performed. Colonoscopy followed by esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) examination was performed in 60 patients (colonoscopy‐EGD group), and EGD followed by colonoscopy examination was performed in another 60 patients (EGD‐colonoscopy group). Endoscopists and patients completed a questionnaire to assess objective and subjective discomfort.ResultsBaseline demographics, procedure indications, bowel preparation quality, cecal intubation rate/time, colonoscopy withdrawal time, endoscopic interventions, BDE procedure time, colon polyp/adenoma detection rates, patient discomfort, and adverse events were similar between the two study groups. The total doses of fentanyl and midazolam were significantly higher for the colonoscopy‐EGD group than for the EGD‐colonoscopy group (83.4 ± 17.7 vs 68.7 ± 18.6 μg and 6.3 ± 1.4 vs 5.2 ± 1.3 mg, P < 0.0001 and P < 0.0001, respectively). The recovery time to discharge was significantly longer for the colonoscopy‐EGD group than for the EGD‐colonoscopy group (43.5 ± 16.2 vs 34.5 ± 8.9 min, P = 0.0003).ConclusionsEsophagogastroduodenoscopy followed by colonoscopy is the optimal sequence for same‐day BDE under moderate conscious sedation and carbon dioxide insufflation. Following this order allows for a reduction of sedation doses and for shorter recovery times.