bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The ethics of public policy RCTs: The principle of policy equipoise
Authors: MacKay Douglas 
Published: October 2017

AbstractIn this article, I ask whether a principle analogous to the principle of clinical equipoise should govern the design and conduct of RCTs evaluating the effectiveness of policy interventions. I answer this question affirmatively, and introduce and defend the principle of policy equipoise. According to this principle, all arms of a policy RCT must be, at minimum, in a state of equipoise with the best proven policy that is also morally and practically attainable and sustainable. For all arms of a policy RCT, policy experts must either (1) reasonably disagree about whether the trial arms are more effective than this policy, or (2) know that they are.
Bayesian Variable Selection for Multistate Markov Models with Interval-censored Data in an Ecological Momentary Assessment Study of Smoking Cessation
Authors: Koslovsky Matthew D. , Swartz Michael D. , Chan Wenyaw , Leon-Novelo Luis , Wilkinson Anna V. , Kendzor Darla E. , Businelle Michael S. 
Published: October 2017

SummaryThe application of sophisticated analytical methods to intensive longitudinal data, collected with ecological momentary assessments (EMA), has helped researchers better understand smoking behaviors after a quit attempt. Unfortunately, the wealth of information captured with EMAs is typically underutilized in practice. Thus, novel methods are needed to extract this information in exploratory research studies. One of the main objectives of intensive longitudinal data analysis is identifying relations between risk factors and outcomes of interest. Our goal is to develop and apply expectation maximization variable selection for Bayesian multistate Markov models with interval-censored data to generate new insights into the relation between potential risk factors and transitions between smoking states. Through simulation, we demonstrate the effectiveness of our method in identifying associated risk factors and its ability to outperform the LASSO in a special case. Additionally, we use the expectation conditional-maximization algorithm to simplify estimation, a deterministic annealing variant to reduce the algorithm's dependence on starting values, and Louis's method to estimate unknown parameter uncertainty. We then apply our method to intensive longitudinal data collected with EMA to identify risk factors associated with transitions between smoking states after a quit attempt in a cohort of socioeconomically disadvantaged smokers who were interested in quitting.
How intraspecific variation in seed‐dispersing animals matters for plants
Authors: Zwolak Rafał 
Published: October 2017

ABSTRACTSeed dispersal by animals is a complex phenomenon, characterized by multiple mechanisms and variable outcomes. Most researchers approach this complexity by analysing context‐dependency in seed dispersal and investigating extrinsic factors that might influence interactions between plants and seed dispersers. Intrinsic traits of seed dispersers provide an alternative way of making sense of the enormous variation in seed fates. I review causes of intraspecific variability in frugivorous and granivorous animals, discuss their effects on seed dispersal, and outline likely consequences for plant populations and communities. Sources of individual variation in seed‐dispersing animals include sexual dimorphism, changes associated with growth and ageing, individual specialization, and animal personalities. Sexual dimorphism of seed‐dispersing animals influences seed fate through diverse mechanisms that range from effects caused by sex‐specific differences in body size, to influences of male versus female cognitive functions. These differences affect the type of seed treatment (e.g. dispersal versus predation), the number of dispersed seeds, distance of seed dispersal, and likelihood that seeds are left in favourable sites for seeds or seedlings. The best‐documented consequences of individual differences associated with growth and ageing involve quantity of dispersed seeds and the quality of seed treatment in the mouth and gut. Individual specialization on different resources affects the number of dispersed plant species, and therefore the connectivity and architecture of seed‐dispersal networks. Animal personalities might play an important role in shaping interactions between plants and dispersers of their seeds, yet their potential in this regard remains overlooked. In general, intraspecific variation in seed‐dispersing animals often influences plants through effects of these individual differences on the movement ecology of the dispersers. Two conditions are necessary for individual variation to exert a strong influence on seed dispersal. First, the individual differences in traits should translate into differences in crucial characteristics of seed dispersal. Second, individual variation is more likely to be important when the proportions of particular types of individuals fluctuate strongly in a population or vary across space; when proportions are static, it is less likely that intraspecific differences will be responsible for changes in the dynamics and outcomes of plant–animal interactions. In conclusion, focusing on variation among foraging animals rather than on species averages might bring new, mechanistic insights to the phenomenon of seed dispersal. While this shift in perspective is unlikely to replace the traditional approach (based on the assumption that all important variation occurs among species), it provides a complementary alternative to decipher the enormous variation observed in animal‐mediated seed dispersal.
Surgical morbidity and mortality in patients after microvascular reconstruction for head and neck cancer
Authors: Joo Y‐H. , Cho K‐J. , Park J‐O. , Kim S‐Y. , Kim M‐S. 
Published: October 2017

ObjectivesThe aim was to evaluate the importance of clinical factors in the prediction of postoperative complications in patients with microvascular reconstruction for head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC).DesignA retrospective review of case notes was performed.SettingPatients treated at a single institute.ParticipantsThis study included 259 patients with HNSCC treated with radical surgery and microvascular reconstruction between 1993 and 2014.Main outcome measuresWe allocated the patients to three groups using a preoperative comorbidity score based on risk factors: group A (≥3 risk factors, n = 16), group B (2 risk factors, n = 49) and group C (0 or 1 risk factor, n = 194).ResultsSurgical mortality in this cohort was 1.9% (5 of 259 patients). The preoperative comorbidity score was associated with surgical mortality (P < .001). Pharyngocutaneous fistula (P = .001) and flap compromise (P = .023) were more frequent as preoperative comorbidity score increased. Preoperative comorbidity score (P < .001), advanced age (P = .007), advanced pathologic T stage (P = .028), advanced pathologic N stage (P = .005), preoperative (chemo) radiotherapy (P < .001), history of cardiovascular disease (P = .015) and pulmonary disease (P = .007), and diabetes (P < .001) had significant adverse effects on 5 year disease‐specific survival (DSS) in a univariate analysis. The 5‐DSS rates of groups A, B and C were 30%, 37% and 70%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that preoperative comorbidity score was significantly correlated with 5 year DSS (hazard ratio [HR], 3.56; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.81—6.99; P < .001 for group A and HR, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.15—3.18; P = .013 for group B compared with group C).ConclusionPatients with a high preoperative comorbidity score have an increased risk of surgical mortality and morbidity after microvascular reconstruction for HNSCC.
Spontaneous Emergence of Legibility in Writing Systems: The Case of Orientation Anisotropy
Authors: Morin Olivier 
Published: October 2017

AbstractCultural forms are constrained by cognitive biases, and writing is thought to have evolved to fit basic visual preferences, but little is known about the history and mechanisms of that evolution. Cognitive constraints have been documented for the topology of script features, but not for their orientation. Orientation anisotropy in human vision, as revealed by the oblique effect, suggests that cardinal (vertical and horizontal) orientations, being easier to process, should be overrepresented in letters. As this study of 116 scripts shows, the orientation of strokes inside written characters massively favors cardinal directions, and it is organized in such a way as to make letter recognition easier: Cardinal and oblique strokes tend not to mix, and mirror symmetry is anisotropic, favoring vertical over horizontal symmetry. Phylogenetic analyses and recently invented scripts show that cultural evolution over the last three millennia cannot be the sole cause of these effects.
Effects of Early Cues on the Processing of Chinese Relative Clauses: Evidence for Experience‐Based Theories
Authors: Wu Fuyun , Kaiser Elsi , Vasishth Shravan 
Published: October 2017

AbstractWe used Chinese prenominal relative clauses (RCs) to test the predictions of two competing accounts of sentence comprehension difficulty: the experience‐based account of Levy () and the Dependency Locality Theory (DLT; Gibson, ). Given that in Chinese RCs, a classifier and/or a passive marker BEI can be added to the sentence‐initial position, we manipulated the presence/absence of classifiers and the presence/absence of BEI, such that BEI sentences were passivized subject‐extracted RCs, and no‐BEI sentences were standard object‐extracted RCs. We conducted two self‐paced reading experiments, using the same critical stimuli but somewhat different filler items. Reading time patterns from both experiments showed facilitative effects of BEI within and beyond RC regions, and delayed facilitative effects of classifiers, suggesting that cues that occur before a clear signal of an upcoming RC can help Chinese comprehenders to anticipate RC structures. The data patterns are not predicted by the DLT, but they are consistent with the predictions of experience‐based theories.
Effect of resistance training set volume on upper body muscle hypertrophy: are more sets really better than less?
Authors: La Scala Teixeira Cauê V. , Motoyama Yuri , de Azevedo Paulo Henrique Silva Marques , Evangelista Alexandre Lopes , Steele James , Bocalini Danilo Sales 
Published: October 2017

SummaryBackgroundResistance training (RT) for upper body muscle hypertrophy (UBMH) typically entails high volumes of sets per muscle group per training session. The majority of RT regimens does not discriminate between upper and lower body muscle groups, while these groups may respond differently to RT set volumes in terms of maximum skeletal muscle mass gain. Recent studies have examined the effect of different set volumes on the extent of UBMH to formulate optimal RT regimens and to make RT programmes more time‐efficient.ObjectiveTo analyse the effect of the number of RT sets on the extent of UBMH on the basis of recent literature.Results and conclusionThe analysis suggests that, statistically, high set volumes (≥3) are not significantly better than low set volumes (<3) in regard to UBMH in untrained subjects. For trained subjects, the literature is lacking in well‐designed studies comparing low and high training volumes, as well as analysing upper and lower body muscles separately. Therefore, it is not possible to conclude that high volume of sets offers better results than low volume of sets for UBMH, and vice versa.
Diabetes‐related major lower limb amputation incidence is strongly related to diabetic foot service provision and improves with enhancement of services: peer review of the South‐West of England
Authors: Paisey R. B. , Abbott A. , Levenson R. , Harrington A. , Browne D. , Moore J. , Bamford M. , Roe M. ,   the South‐West Cardiovascular Strategic Clinical Network peer diabetic foot service review team
Published: October 2017

AbstractAimsTo investigate the relationship between high diabetes‐related lower limb amputation incidence and foot care services in the South‐West region of England.MethodsThe introduction of 10 key elements of foot care service provision in one area of the South‐West resulted in stabilization of foot ulcer incidence and sustained reduction in amputation incidence from 2007. Services introduced included administrative support, standardized general practice foot screening, improved community podiatry staffing, hospital multidisciplinary foot clinics, effective care pathways, availability of an orthotist and audit. Peer reviews of the region's diabetes foot care services were undertaken to assess delivery of these service provisions and compare this with major amputation incidence in other regions with data provided by Yorkshire and Humber Public Health Observatory Hospital Episode Statistics. Recommendations were made to improve service provision. In 2015 changes in service provision and amputation incidence were reviewed.ResultsInitial reviews in 2013 showed that the 3‐year diabetes‐related major amputation incidence correlated inversely with adequate delivery of diabetes foot care services (P=0.0024, adjusted R2 =0.51). Repeat reviews in 2015 found that two or more foot care service improvements were reported by six diabetes foot care providers, with improvement in outcomes. The negative relationship between major amputation incidence and service provision remained strong both in the period 2012–2015 and in the year 2015 only (P ≤0.0012, adjusted R2 =0.56, and P= 0.0005, R2=0.62, respectively).ConclusionsMajor diabetes‐related lower limb amputation incidence is significantly inversely correlated with foot care services provision. Introduction of more effective service provision resulted in significant reductions in major amputation incidence within 2 years. Failure to improve unsatisfactory service provision resulted in continued high amputation incidence.
African Children's Literature, Spirituality, and Climate Change
Authors: Chitando Anna 
Published: October 2017

AbstractAfrican children's literature is well placed to make an effective contribution to discussions on climate change. However, this literature is often marginalized within literary studies in particular and in society in general. This article examines the relevance of African children's literature in contributing to the response to climate change. Through an analysis of two selected texts, the article argues that African children's literature can equip children and adults to adopt practices that promote environmental sustainability and mitigate the impact of climate change. The first section gives the background, while the second concentrates on climate change and its impact on Africa. The third section is devoted to African traditional folklore and children's literature, considering how the two are deployed by society to teach children to respect the environment. The subsequent parts of the article examine the role played by spirituality in folktales, religion, and climate change, while the final section concludes the article.
Praying for Courage: African Religious Leaders and Climate Change
Authors: Chitando Ezra 
Published: October 2017

AbstractClimate change has emerged as one of the major challenges facing Africa. This article argues that religious leaders in Africa must mobilize their communities to provide effective responses to climate change. Although prayer occupies a central place in the major religions found in Africa, this article maintains that religious leaders must invest in innovative strategies to address climate change. They must avoid escapist prayers. The article analyzes the strengths of religious leaders in Africa and identifies some of the areas where they can play an effective role. It calls upon African religious leaders to challenge triumphalist theologies, mobilize for local action, and convene multi‐religious meetings on climate change.
The Handelsblatt Rankings 2.0: Research Rankings for the Economics Profession in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland
Authors: Sturm Jan-Egbert , Ursprung Heinrich W. 
Published: October 2017

Abstract
The distinguishing feature of all Handelsblatt rankings published over the last ten years is that they could draw on premium quality bibliometric data. We present here the new method used by KOF and DICE to compile the 2017 Handelsblatt Rankings of university departments and individual economists. As in previous years, the rankings are based on quality weighted journal publications. We show that the benchmark results are robust to various changes in the employed method, in particular to changes in the convexity of the journal quality weighting scheme. In conclusion, we show how the collected data can be used to provide customized evaluations of entire academic careers of individual economists.
Can a renal nurse assess fluid status using ultrasound on the inferior vena cava? A cross‐sectional interrater study
Authors: Steinwandel Ulrich , Gibson Nicholas , Towell Amanda , Rippey James J. R. , Rosman Johan 
Published: October 2017

AbstractIntroduction: Ultrasound of the inferior vena cava (IVC‐US) has been used to estimate intravascular volume status and fluid removal during a hemodialysis session. Usually, renal nurses rely on other, imprecise methods to determine ultrafiltration. To date, no study has examined whether renal nurses can reliably perform ultrasound for volume assessment and for potential prevention of intradialytic hypotension. This pilot study aimed to determine if a renal nurse could master the skill of performing and correctly interpreting Point of Care Ultrasound on patients receiving hemodialysis.Methods: After receiving theoretical training and performing 100 training scans, a renal nurse performed 60 ultrasound scans on 10 patients. These were categorized by the nurse into hypovolemic, euvolemic, or hypervolemic through measurement of the maximal diameter and degree of collapse of the IVC. Scans were subsequently assessed for adequacy and quality by two sonologists, who were blinded to each other's and the nurse's results.Findings: The interrater reliability of 60 scans was good, with intraclass correlation 0.79 (95% confidence interval (CI) =0.63–0.87) and with a good interrater agreement for the following estimation of intravascular volume (Cohen's weighted Kappa κw = 0.62), when comparing the nurse to an expert sonographer.Discussion: A renal nurse can reliably perform ultrasound of the IVC in hemodialysis patients, obtaining high quality scans for volume assessment of hemodialysis patients. This novel approach could be more routinely applied by other renal nurses to obtain objective measures of patient volume status in the dialysis setting.
How do people with long‐term mental health problems negotiate relationships with network members at times of crisis?
Authors: Walker Sandra , Kennedy Anne , Vassilev Ivaylo , Rogers Anne 
Published: October 2017

AbstractBackgroundSocial network processes impact on the genesis and management of mental health problems. There is currently less understanding of the way people negotiate networked relationships in times of crisis compared to how they manage at other times.ObjectiveThis paper explores the patterns and nature of personal network involvement at times of crises and how these may differ from day‐to‐day networks of recovery and maintenance.MethodSemi‐structured interviews with 25 participants with a diagnosis of long‐term mental health (MH) problems drawn from recovery settings in the south of England. Interviews centred on personal network mapping of members and resources providing support. The mapping interviews explored the work of network members and changes in times of crisis. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed using a framework analysis.ResultsThree key themes were identified: the fluidity of network relationality between crisis and recovery; isolation as a means of crises management; leaning towards peer support. Personal network input retreated at times of crisis often as result of “ejection” from the network by participants who used self‐isolation as a personal management strategy in an attempt to deal with crises. Peer support is considered useful during a crisis, whilst the role of services was viewed with some ambiguity.ConclusionsSocial networks membership, and type and depth of involvement, is subject to change between times of crisis and everyday support. This has implications for managing mental health in terms of engaging with network support differently in times of crises versus recovery and everyday living.
Keep on carryin' on: Recent research on the LGBTQ history of the American South
Authors: Watkins Jerry 
Published: October 2017

AbstractTwenty years have elapsed since the publication ofCarryin' On in the Lesbian and Gay South,edited by historian John Howard. The essays in that collection challenged the bicoastal and metro‐normative bias of American gay and lesbian history. Since then, scholars, activists, and local community members have continued to refine our understanding of the regionally specific ways—the four R's of race, religion, rurality, and resilience—through which sex and sexuality are understood and embodied in the American South. Oral history, constantly improving technology, and greater connectivity through the Internet are facilitating conversations across disciplines and beyond the University. Whereas early Southern gay and lesbian scholarship suffered from a long tradition of queer exclusion from the archive and a devaluing of queer lives, the variety of hybrid community and university LGBTIQ+ documentation projects across the south evidence a sea change. Far from perfect, the field of Southern lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, and queer history is becoming ever more diverse and inclusive.
Partial to complete abrogation of the subepithelial macrophage barrier against the gut microbiota in patients with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's colitis
Authors: Rubio Carlos A , Langner Cord , Schmidt Peter T 
Published: October 2017

AimsThe integrity of the band of indigenous macrophages in the subepithelial layer of the lamina propria (SLP) is crucial in preventing the commensal gut microbiota from attacking the host. The breakdown of the SLP macrophage barrier results in microbiota inflow and improper immune responses; this might lead to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). During inflammation, the SLP macrophage barrier is reinforced by inflammation‐elicited macrophages (IEMs), which are derived from blood‐circulating monocytes. The aim was to explore the characteristics of the SLP macrophage band in a cohort of biopsies without inflammation, in patients with ulcerative colitis in remission (UCre), and in patients with right‐sided Crohn's colitis (RCC).Methods and resultsEndoscopic biopsies were taken from endoscopically normal descending colon in 247 patients; 80 with IBD (27 UCre and 53 RCC), and 167 without IBD [90 had colonic diarrhoea, 63 were enrolled in a colorectal cancer (CRC) surveillance programme, seven had microscopic colitis in remission, and seven had miscellaneous colonic ailments]. Sections showed no inflammatory changes; they were immunostained with CD68. Among patients with UCre and RCC, the SLP band of CD68+ macrophages was fragmented or minute in 59% (47/80) and negative in 9% (7/80). In contrast, only 31% (51/167) of the biopsies from control patients had a fragmented/minute SLP band of CD68+ macrophages, and none had a negative SLP band of CD68+ macrophages (IBD versus controls, P < 0.05).ConclusionsThe finding that the SLP macrophage barrier was fragmented to totally abrogated in UCre and RCC patients suggests a longlasting defect in the SLP CD68+ macrophage barrier in these patients. The lack of ongoing inflammation in colonic biopsies should rule out the participation of bone marrow‐derived IEMs in the abrogation of the SLP macrophage barrier reported here.