bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Diffusion of e‐government and e‐participation in Democracies and Autocracies
Authors: Kneuer Marianne , Harnisch Sebastian 
Published: November 2016

AbstractInternet based technology constitutes one of the most important policy innovations in the last decades. Its diffusion has been rapid, widespread and sustained. The increase has raised questions about its drivers. The article focuses on an aspect of this dynamic that has been neglected so far: the variance between and among democracies and autocracies and their respective subtypes. Moreover, the majority of studies tackles the diffusion of e‐government techniques, excluding the important array of e‐participation. Our analysis thus offers a broader and more differentiated account of the adoption of online tools by governments. The findings indicate that the adoption of e‐government and e‐participation techniques varies substantially between and among democratic and autocratic regime types as well as over time and in kind.
Policy Diffusion among Democracies and Autocracies: A Comparison of Trade Reforms and Nuclear Energy Policy
Authors: Richter Thomas , Wurster Stefan 
Published: November 2016

AbstractThis paper reviews the existing comparative literature with regard to differences and similarities of policy diffusion between democratic and authoritarian regimes. There has been an extensive discussion of causes and effects of policy diffusion for democracies, but the literature on autocracies lacks similar focus and scope. Similarly, research on the patterns and causes of policies’ diffusion across regime types is virtually non‐existent. After some theoretical considerations about regime effects on diffusion in the first part of this paper, we analyse data on foreign trade regulations and nuclear power plants and compare results across regime types. Based on cross‐time cross‐section regression models, we can show that, depending on the specific policy field, regime type is of less importance for diffusion processes than theoretically expected. This highlights a need for further detailed research on the general role of regime type regarding policy diffusion.
Introduction: Bringing Regime Types into Diffusion Studies
Authors: Croissant Aurel , Tosun Jale 
Published: November 2016

AbstractThis article introduces the main themes of the special section ‘The Global Diffusion of Policies, Practices and Values: Democracies and Autocracies Compared’. It discusses various strenghts and shortcomings of the existing research, outlines the unifying research questions that tie the various contributions to this special section together and briefly introduces each of the five contributions to this special section.
Australia's rural medical workforce: Supply from its medical schools against career stage, gender and rural‐origin
Authors: McGrail Matthew R. , Russell Deborah J. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of this study was to explore the association between career stage and rural medical workforce supply among Australian‐trained medical graduates.Design and SettingDescriptive analysis using the national Medicine in Australia: Balancing Employment and Life (MABEL) longitudinal study.ParticipantsAustralian‐trained GPs and other specialists who participated in the MABEL study, 2008‐2013.Main outcome measure(s)Proportions of GPs and specialists working in rural locations, according to career stage (establishing, early, mid and late), gender and childhood‐origin type (rural versus metropolitan).ResultsLogistic regression models revealed that establishing‐ and early‐career GPs had significantly higher likelihood (OR 1.67 and 1.38, respectively) of working rurally, but establishing and early‐career doctors were significantly less likely (OR 0.34 and 0.43, respectively) to choose general practice, contributing proportionally fewer rural GPs overall (OR 0.77 and 0.75, respectively) compared to late‐career doctors. For specialists, there were no significant associations between career cohorts and rural practice. Overall, there was a significantly lower likelihood (OR 0.83) of establishing‐career doctors practising rurally. Women were similarly likely to be rural GPs but less likely to be rural specialists, while rural‐origin was consistently associated with higher odds of rural practice.ConclusionsThe supply of Australia's rural medical workforce from its medical schools continues to be challenging, with these data highlighting both their source and associations with doctors at different career stages. Despite large investments through rural medical training and rural workforce recruitment and retention policies, these data confirm continued reliance on internationally trained medical graduates for large proportions of rural supply is likely.
Civilian cerebral gunshot wounds: a South African experience
Authors: Kong Victor , Odendaal Jocinta , Sartorius Benn , Clarke Damian , Brysiewicz Petra , Jerome Ellen , Bruce John , Laing Grant 
Published: November 2016

BackgroundCerebral gunshot wounds represent one of the most lethal forms of traumatic brain injury, but there is a paucity of literature on the topic, especially from the developing world. We reviewed our experience and describe the spectrum and outcome of civilian cerebral gunshot wounds in a major metropolitan trauma centre in South Africa.MethodsThis was a retrospective study of all patients with isolated cerebral gunshot wounds managed by the Pietermaritzburg Metropolitan Trauma Service over a 5‐year period from 2010 to 2014.ResultsOne hundred and two patients were included, 92% (94/102) were male and the mean age was 29 years. Fifty‐four per cent (55/102) of all patients were from urban areas. The mean time from injury to arrival was 6 h (standard deviation: 5) for urban patients and 15 h (standard deviation: 5.2) for rural patients (P < 0.001). Ninety‐four per cent (94/102) of all injuries were related to interpersonal violence and involved low velocity firearms. Twenty per cent of all patients (20/102) had a Glasgow Coma Scale 3–8, 20% (20/102) 9–12 and 61% (61/102) 12–15. All 102 patients underwent computed tomography scans. Thirty per cent (31/102) required neurosurgical interventions. The overall mortality rate was 22% (22/102). There was a significant difference in mortality between urban and rural patients (9% versus 36%, P < 0.001).ConclusionsCerebral gunshot wounds are associated with significant mortality and protracted delay to definitive care is common in our setting. Those who survive the delayed transfer to definitive care generally do well and have reasonably good clinical outcomes.
Ultrasound lineal measurements predict ventricular volume in posthaemorrhagic ventricular dilatation in preterm infants
Authors: Benavente‐Fernandez Isabel , Lubián‐Gutierrez Manuel , Jimenez‐Gomez Gema , Lechuga‐Sancho Alfonso M. , Lubián‐López Simon P. ,   Neonatal Neurology Foundation (Fundación Nene)
Published: November 2016

AbstractAimPosthaemorrhagic ventricular dilatation (PHVD) is monitored by conventional two‐dimensional ultrasound (2DUS). The aims of this study were to determine the volume of the lateral ventricles using three‐dimensional ultrasound (3DUS) in preterm infants with PHVD and to evaluate the relationship between volume and linear measurements.MethodsSerial 2DUSs and 3DUSs were performed on preterm infants with PHVD admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit at Puerta del Mar Hospital, Cádiz, Spain, from January 2013 to December 2014. The ventricular index, anterior horn width and thalamo‐occipital distance were used as ventricular lineal measurements. Ventricular volume was calculated offline.ResultsSerial ultrasounds from seven preterm infants were measured. Each linear measurement was significantly associated with volume, and an equation was obtained through a significant multilevel mixed‐effects lineal regression model: ventricular volume (cm3) = −11.02 + 0.668*VI + 0.817*AHW + 0.256*TOD. Intra‐observer and interobserver agreement was excellent with an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.99.ConclusionLateral ventricular volumes of preterm infants with PHVD could be reliably determined using 3DUS. Ventricular volume could be accurately estimated using three lineal measurements. More studies are needed to address the importance of volume determination in PHVD.
Effect of organic and inorganic selenium supplementation on semen quality and blood enzymes in buffalo bulls
Authors: El‐Sharawy Mohamed , Eid Entsar , Darwish Samy , Abdel‐Razek Ibrahim , Islam Md. Rashedul , Kubota Kaiyu , Yamauchi Nobuhiko , El‐Shamaa Ibrahim 
Published: November 2016

AbstractThe present study aimed to evaluate the effect of organic and inorganic selenium (Se) supplementation on semen quality and blood serum profiles of buffalo bulls. Nine mature buffalo bulls were divided into three groups: control (non‐supplemented); organic Se (10 mg Sel‐Plex®/head twice weekly) and inorganic Se (10 mg sodium selenite/head twice weekly). Semen was collected twice a week for 3 months during Se supplementation. Semen properties were evaluated from fresh ejaculate. Moreover, fructose concentration, aspartate and alanine transaminase (AST and ALT) activities, total protein and total cholesterol were assayed in seminal plasma. Additionally AST, ALT, testosterone and Se levels were determined in the blood serum. Results showed that Se supplementation significantly (P < 0.05) influences the semen parameters during 3 months of treatment. Organic Se significantly (P < 0.05) increased the percentage of viable sperms compared to inorganic Se and the control group. Fructose concentration was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the seminal plasma of organic Se‐treated bulls. Serum testosterone and Se concentrations were significantly (P < 0.05) increased in the Se supplemented groups than the control group. In conclusion, Se supplementation improved the parameters of buffalo bull semen and more precisely, organic Se was more effective for the improvement of semen quality and some blood components than inorganic Se.
Factors affecting patient reporting of adverse drug reactions: a systematic review
Authors: Al Dweik Rania , Stacey Dawn , Kohen Dafna , Yaya Sanni 
Published: November 2016

AimThe aim of the present study was to determine the barriers and motives influencing consumer reporting of adverse drug reactions (ADRs).MethodsA systematic review, guided by the Cochrane Handbook, was conducted. Electronic searches included MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, PubMed and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews from 1964 to December 2014. Eligible studies addressed patients' perceptions and factors influencing ADR reporting. Studies about healthcare professional (HCP) reporting of ADRs were excluded. Studies were appraised for quality, and results were analysed descriptively.ResultsOf 1435 citations identified, 21 studies were eligible. Studies were primarily conducted in the UK, the Netherlands and Australia. The identified barriers to patient reporting of ADRs (n = 15 studies) included poor awareness, confusion about who should report the ADR, difficulties with reporting procedures, lack of feedback on submitted reports, mailing costs, ADRs resolved and prior negative reporting experiences. The identified motives for patients reporting ADRs (n = 10 studies) were: preventing others from having similar ADRs, wanting personal feedback, improving medication safety, informing regulatory agencies, improving HCP practices, responding to HCPs not reporting their ADRs and having been asked to report ADRs by HCPs.ConclusionsMost patients were not aware of reporting systems and others were confused about reporting. Patients were mainly motivated to make their ADRs known to prevent similar suffering in other patients. By increasing patient familiarity and providing clear reporting processes, reporting systems could better achieve patient reporting of ADRs.
Aprepitant in pediatric patients using moderate and highly emetogenic protocols: a systematic review and meta‐analyses of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Okumura Lucas Miyake , D'Athayde Rodrigues Fernanda , Ferreira Maria Angelica Pires , Moreira Leila Beltrami 
Published: November 2016

AimsTo review the efficacy and safety of aprepitant in combination with ondansetron and dexamethasone (triple therapy) in children and adolescents on moderate to highly emetogenic chemotherapy.MethodsMedline, Embase, Scielo, Lilacs, Cochrane and congress abstracts published until September 2016 were used as data sources. Two reviewers independently selected manuscripts and extracted data. A third reviewer solved discrepancies in study selection and data extraction. The primary outcome was overall complete response (no vomiting from 0 to 120 h). Secondary outcomes were: response in acute phase, delayed phase and reported toxicities. Each study was considered a unit of analysis. Summarized relative risks were recalculated based on reported data. All meta‐analyses used a random‐effects model and heterogeneity was reported using the I2 method.ResultsFrom 1004 studies, we screened 288 titles and abstracts and included three trials for data extraction. The population comprised 451 patients. Most patients were males, ranging from 6 months to 19 years of age, and weighing from 6 to 134 kg. Bone cancer was the most incident (≥50%) neoplasm, followed by rhabdomyosarcoma and Hodgkin's lymphoma. Triple therapy was associated with a reduced risk of developing chemotherapy‐induced vomiting (CIV) (RR = 0.48; 95% CI 0.34–0.67). There were no differences in incidence of febrile neutropenia between groups (RR = 1.02; 95% CI 0.66–1.58).ConclusionsTriple therapy decreased CIV risk, without increasing the occurrence of febrile neutropenia. However, this review could not address which subpopulations would most benefit from using this strategy. Future studies should focus on assessing risk factors for nausea and vomiting, as many patients did not achieve a complete antiemetic response.
Sound effects: Multimodal input helps infants find displaced objects
Authors: Shinskey Jeanne L. 
Published: November 2016

Before 9 months, infants use sound to retrieve a stationary object hidden by darkness but not one hidden by occlusion, suggesting auditory input is more salient in the absence of visual input. This article addresses how audiovisual input affects 10‐month‐olds’ search for displaced objects. In AB tasks, infants who previously retrieved an object at A subsequently fail to find it after it is displaced to B, especially following a delay between hiding and retrieval. Experiment 1 manipulated auditory input by keeping the hidden object audible versus silent, and visual input by presenting the delay in the light versus dark. Infants succeeded more at B with audible than silent objects and, unexpectedly, more after delays in the light than dark. Experiment 2 presented both the delay and search phases in darkness. The unexpected light–dark difference disappeared. Across experiments, the presence of auditory input helped infants find displaced objects, whereas the absence of visual input did not. Sound might help by strengthening object representation, reducing memory load, or focusing attention. This work provides new evidence on when bimodal input aids object processing, corroborates claims that audiovisual processing improves over the first year of life, and contributes to multisensory approaches to studying cognition.
Statement of contribution

What is already known on this subject

Before 9 months, infants use sound to retrieve a stationary object hidden by darkness but not one hidden by occlusion.

This suggests they find auditory input more salient in the absence of visual input in simple search tasks.

After 9 months, infants’ object processing appears more sensitive to multimodal (e.g., audiovisual) input.

What does this study add?

This study tested how audiovisual input affects 10‐month‐olds’ search for an object displaced in an AB task.

Sound helped infants find displaced objects in both the presence and absence of visual input.

Object processing becomes more sensitive to bimodal input as multisensory functions develop across the first year.
Long‐term outcome of the adjustable transobturator male system (ATOMS): results of a European multicentre study
Authors: Friedl Alexander , Mühlstädt Sandra , Zachoval Roman , Giammò Alessandro , Kivaranovic Danijel , Rom Maximilian , Fornara Paolo , Brössner Clemens 
Published: November 2016

ObjectiveTo evaluate the long‐term effectiveness and safety of the adjustable transobturator male system (ATOMS®, Agency for Medical Innovations A.M.I., Feldkirch, Austria) in a European‐wide multicentre setting.Patients and MethodsIn all, 287 men with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) were treated with the ATOMS device between June 2009 and March 2016. Continence parameters (daily pad test/pad use), urodynamics (maximum urinary flow rate, voiding volume, residual urine), and pain/quality of life (QoL) ratings (visual analogue scale/Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs, International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire‐Short Form [ICIQ‐SF]/Patient Global Impression of Improvement [PGI‐I]) were compared preoperatively and after intermediate (12 months) as well as after individual maximum follow‐up. Overall success rate, dry rate (<10 mL/day and 0–1 pad/day), device durability, treatment failure, and device complications were recorded. Nonparametric tests were used for statistical analyses.ResultsAfter a median (interquartile range [IQR]) follow‐up of 31 (10–54) months and a median (IQR) of 3 (2–4) adjustments, the overall success rate was 90% (258 men) and the dry rate was 64% (184). Daily pad test and pad use decreased from a median of 400 mL/day and 4 pads/day to a median of 18 mL/day and 1 pad/day (both P < 0.001), concomitantly QoL ratings significantly improved and changed to a high level of satisfaction (PGI‐I 4 to 2, ICIQ‐SF 17 to 5; both P < 0.001). The UI results at 12 months were comparable to those at final follow‐up. Chronic pain and intraoperative complications did not occur. Most of the postoperative complications were Clavien–Dindo grade I–III (no grade IV or V). At present, 231 (80%) of all the ATOMS devices are still functioning; 56 (20%) were removed, the most common reason being local titanium intolerance (41%) and leak/dysfunction (30%). The operating time and continence outcome varied between port generations. In this regard the latest port generation (silicone‐covered scrotal port) was superior to its predecessors. Primary implantation (P = 0.002), good physical health (P = 0.001), and no history of radiotherapy (P < 0.001) were prognostic factors for beneficial treatment outcome.ConclusionThe ATOMS device is safe and shows high treatment efficacy and patient satisfaction in the largest cohort study to date. The latest generation, with its pre‐attached silicone‐covered scrotal port, is superior to its predecessors. Significantly better results were achieved with primary implantation and in those without a history of radiotherapy.
Impacts of climate variability on tree demography in second growth tropical forests: the importance of regional context for predicting successional trajectories
Authors: Uriarte María , Schwartz Naomi , Powers Jennifer S. , Marín‐Spiotta Erika , Liao Wenying , Werden Leland K. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractNaturally regenerating and restored second growth forests account for over 70% of tropical forest cover and provide key ecosystem services. Understanding climate change impacts on successional trajectories of these ecosystems is critical for developing effective large‐scale forest landscape restoration (FLR) programs. Differences in environmental conditions, species composition, dynamics, and landscape context from old growth forests may exacerbate climate impacts on second growth stands. We compile data from 112 studies on the effects of natural climate variability, including warming, droughts, fires, and cyclonic storms, on demography and dynamics of second growth forest trees and identify variation in forest responses across biomes, regions, and landscapes. Across studies, drought decreases tree growth, survival, and recruitment, particularly during early succession, but the effects of temperature remain unexplored. Shifts in the frequency and severity of disturbance alter successional trajectories and increase the extent of second growth forests. Vulnerability to climate extremes is generally inversely related to long‐term exposure, which varies with historical climate and biogeography. The majority of studies, however, have been conducted in the Neotropics hindering generalization. Effects of fire and cyclonic storms often lead to positive feedbacks, increasing vulnerability to climate extremes and subsequent disturbance. Fragmentation increases forests’ vulnerability to fires, wind, and drought, while land use and other human activities influence the frequency and intensity of fire, potentially retarding succession. Comparative studies of climate effects on tropical forest succession across biogeographic regions are required to forecast the response of tropical forest landscapes to future climates and to implement effective FLR policies and programs in these landscapes.
Roles of non‐native species in large‐scale regeneration of moist tropical forests on anthropogenic grassland
Authors: Catterall Carla P. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractThis paper presents a new synthesis of the role of native and non‐native species in diverse pathways and processes that influence forest regeneration on anthropogenic grassland in the moist tropics. Because of altered species composition, abiotic conditions and landscape habitat mosaics, together with human interventions, these successional pathways differ from those seen in pre‐clearing forests. However, representation of different functional life forms of plant (tree, vine, grass, herb and fern) and animal (frugivorous seed disperser, granivorous seed predator, seedling herbivore and carnivore) shows consistent global variation among areas of pasture, intact forest, and post‐grassland regrowth. Biotic webs of interaction involve complex indirect influences and feedbacks, which can account for wide observed variation in regeneration trajectories over time. Important processes include: limitation of tree establishment by dense grasses; recruitment and growth of pioneer pasture trees (shading grasses and facilitating bird‐assisted seed dispersal); and smothering of trees by vines. In these interactions, species’ functional roles are more important than their biogeographic origins. Case studies in eastern Australia show native rain forest plant species diversity in all life forms increasing over time when pioneer trees are non‐native (e.g., Cinnamomum camphora, Solanum mauritianum), concurrent with decreased grass and fern cover and increased abundance of trees and vine tangles. The global literature shows both native and non‐native species facilitating and inhibiting regeneration. However conservation goals are often targeted at removing non‐native species. Achieving large‐scale tropical forest restoration will require increased recognition of their multiple roles, and compromises about allocating resources to their removal.