bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Particle size characteristics of aeolian ripple crests and troughs
Authors: Hong Cheng , Huiru Li , Yi Fang , Xueyong Zou , Jifeng Li , Liqiang Kang , Bo Liu , Chenchen Liu 
Published: December 2017

AbstractRipples are prevalent in aeolian landscapes. Many researchers have focused on the shape and formation of sand ripples, but few have studied the differences in the particle size of sand on crests and in troughs along bed, especially the variations caused by changes in friction velocity and the wind‐blowing duration. A particle size of 158 μm (d) was used to create aeolian ripples in a wind tunnel under four friction velocities (u*) with different wind duration times (t). Samples were collected from the surfaces of ripple crests and troughs, respectively, at seven sites, and particle sizes were measured using a Malvern Mastersizer 2000. The main results were: (i) The particle size distributions of sand in troughs are unimodal with slight variations of particle size parameters, including mean particle size, standard deviation, skewness and kurtosis, etc., under different conditions, while these particle size parameters of sand on crests change with friction velocity and deflation time. Moreover, some of the particle distribution curves for the sand on crests do not follow typical unimodal curves. (ii) With increasing friction velocity or deflation duration, the sand on the crests shows a coarsening process relative to those on the bed surface. The particle size of sand on crests at a 1 m bed increases linearly with friction velocity (d = 344·27 + 34·54 u*) at a given wind‐blowing duration. The particle sizes of sand on crests at 1 m, 2 m and 4 m beds increase with a power‐law relationship (d = a + tb, where a and b are fitting parameters) with deflation time at a given friction velocity. (iii) The probability cumulative curves of sand showed a three‐section pattern in troughs and on most of the crests but a four‐section pattern at crest locations due to increased influence by friction velocity and deflation time. The proportions of the sediment moved by suspension, saltation and creep in the three‐section pattern were within the ranges of 0·2% to 2·0%, 97·0% to 98·9%, and 0·8% to 3·0%, respectively. For the four‐section pattern, suspension accounted for 0·3% and 3·0%, and the proportion of creep increased with friction velocity and deflation time, while saltation decreased accordingly. Although these results require additional validation, they help to advance current understanding of the grain‐size characteristics of aeolian ripples.
Comparison of the inflammatory and stress response between sprint interval swimming and running
Authors: Casuso R. A. , Aragon‐Vela J. , Huertas J. R. , Ruiz‐Ariza A. , Martínez‐Lopez E. J. 
Published: December 2017

The aim of the study was to compare myocellular damage, metabolic stress, and inflammatory responses as well as circulating sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+) between a single sprint swimming and running training. Eighteen subjects regularly involved in swimming and running training for at least 2 years were recruited. The subjects performed 8 × 30 seconds “all out” exercise on different days either by running or by swimming in a random order. Blood was collected before each training session, after the cessation of exercise (post) and after 2 hours of rest (2 hours). We then analyzed tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α), interleukin 10 (IL‐10), interleukin 6 (IL‐6), cortisol, creatine kinase MB isoform (CK‐MB), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), K+, and Na+. Neither TNF‐α nor IL‐10 differed between swimming and running. Most of the subjects showed a non‐statistically significant increase of LDH and CK‐MB after swimming. On the other hand, IL‐6 (P < .05) and cortisol (P < .05) were significantly lower after 2 hours of swimming than after running. In addition, post‐exercise K+ was significantly lower (P < .001) for swimming than for running. Our results provide evidence of similar inflammatory responses between exercise modes but lower metabolic stress in response to swimming than in response to running.
The prevalence and severity of health problems in youth elite sports: A 6‐month prospective cohort study of 320 athletes
Authors: Moseid C. H. , Myklebust G. , Fagerland M. W. , Clarsen B. , Bahr R. 
Published: December 2017

Little is known regarding the overall health of youth elite athletes. Our aim was to describe the prevalence and severity of health problems in a cohort of youth elite athletes representing a variety of endurance, team, and technical sports. Elite sport athletes (N = 260, 16.2 years) from different Sport Academy High Schools in Norway, and a group of their teammates (N = 60, 16.4 years) attending regular high schools, were included in the study. The Oslo Sports Trauma Research Centre (OSTRC) questionnaire on health problems was used to self‐report injuries and illnesses for 26 weeks. At any given time, an average of 43% [95% CI: 37%‐49%] of the elite sport athletes had some form of health problem and 25% [20%‐31%] had substantial health problems. The prevalence of health problems was similar between the elite team sport athletes and their teammates, except for substantial injuries (22% [16%‐30%] vs 10% [5%‐20%]). Endurance sport athletes reported more illnesses (23% [15%‐35%]) than technical and team sport athletes (10% [5%‐20%] and 8% [4%‐14%]). In contrast, technical and team sport athletes reported more injuries (36% [95% CI: 25‐48] and 37% [95% CI 29‐45]) compared to endurance sport athletes (15% [8%‐25%]). The total impact of health problems was roughly split in thirds between overuse injuries (37%), acute injuries (34%), and illnesses (30%). This is the first prospective study to present self‐reported injury and illness data in a large heterogeneous group of youth elite athletes, documenting a substantial impact of both injuries and illnesses on the health of this population.
Emotions as student feedback
Authors: Belch Karin , Law Susan 
Published: December 2017

SummaryBackgroundStudent feedback is often sought by educators in order to inform future developments in teaching or curriculum development. A lack of engagement with current feedback tools is thought, partly, to result from students perceiving no gain from the activity. The emotional adjective feedback tool (EAFT) is designed around the concept of emotional intelligence, where students feed back to tutors, after clinical teaching, by selecting and elaborating on emotional adjectives that describe their learning experiences. With a need to enhance and drive compassionate care, this emotional engagement might make the process of feedback more meaningful for students and may provide more useful feedback for staff.MethodsYear‐1 medical students (n = 115) completed the EAFT and a traditional feedback tool (TFT) after two clinical skills sessions. Using a questionnaire, they demonstrated their preference and explained their reasoning. After the collection of student feedback using both tools, staff members (n = 12) in two focus groups reviewed the feedback and discussed their preferred tool if they were the tutor of that lesson.ResultsThematic analysis of both student and staff data demonstrated that EAFT provided staff with information relating to teaching qualities and the learning experience of students. TFT delivered information regarding the organisational aspects of lessons. Reflection using the EAFT granted more personal and thought‐provoking feedback, emphasising its student‐centred structure.Emotional engagement might make the process of feedback more meaningful for studentsDiscussionCompleting the EAFT encouraged students to reflect upon their learning, providing feedback for staff that was more student‐centred; however, it remains clear that various tools work for different feedback objectives, environments and students.
Lack of evidence for the transmission of hepatitis E virus by coagulation factor concentrates based on seroprevalence data
Authors: Juhl D. , Nowak‐Göttl U. , Blümel J. , Görg S. , Hennig H. 
Published: December 2017

SUMMARYBackgroundWhether hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection can be transmitted by coagulation factor concentrates remains unclear.ObjectivesThe HEV seroprevalence in blood donors and recipients of coagulation factor concentrates was compared to obtain evidence of whether a transmission of HEV by coagulation factor concentrates could occur.MethodsArchived samples from whole blood donors and patients who had received coagulation factor concentrates were investigated for the presence of anti‐HEV IgG by ELISA. Western blotting was used to confirm the positive samples that showed reactivity in the ELISA.ResultsOf 357 blood donors, 68 (19%) presented IgG antibodies against HEV. Two of 92 patients who had received coagulation factor concentrates (2·2%) and 1 of the 69 patients who had received plasma‐derived products (1·5%) tested positive for anti‐HEV IgG. The seroprevalence of HEV in the patient group was significantly lower (P = 0·038) than that in the donor group. The two positive patients were a 72‐year‐old man treated with plasma‐derived products and a 5‐year‐old girl treated with a recombinant coagulation factor concentrate.ConclusionHEV seroprevalence was significantly higher in the blood donors than in the patients with a history of coagulation factor concentrate administration. In one of two patients with detectable anti‐HEV IgG antibodies, the coagulation factor concentrate was not the probable source of infection. Our data suggest that HEV is efficiently inactivated during the manufacturing process of coagulation factor concentrates. Thus, testing for the presence of HEV RNA in plasma donated for the preparation of coagulation factor concentrates may not be necessary.
The heterogeneous competitive effects of trade and foreign direct investment: Firm‐level evidence for European countries
Authors: Weche John P. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThis study evaluates the pro‐competitive effect of foreign market penetration with a broad firm‐level database that covers manufacturing industries in six European countries. The main contribution is the demonstration of the heterogeneous effects on host country competition of the two main channels of foreign market penetration that have been assigned fundamental differences by economic theory: imports and foreign direct investment. The results of dynamic estimates of firm‐level markups reveal a pro‐competitive effect of imports, while foreign direct investment shows no clear overall impact, suggesting a cancelling out of competitive pressure and spillovers. These findings matter for both future empirical research and policy considerations that must weigh the positive and negative effects of foreign market integration on the competitive environment and consumer welfare.
The role of inbound tourist flows in promoting exports
Authors: El‐Sahli Zouheir 
Published: December 2017

AbstractWhile it is established that tourism benefits growth through increased employment and investments, it is not well understood whether tourism has an effect on exports. This paper explores exports as an additional channel through which tourism affects domestic economic activity. Using bilateral tourist and trade flows, the paper explores the causal effect of tourist flows on exports. To deal with endogeneity, two instruments are constructed and subsequently used on two different sets of exporters, one of the instruments being the number of casualties due to terrorism in a country. We find that tourism affects mainly the exports of differentiated products. Specifically, we find that tourism benefits the exports from non‐OECD exporters of processed food products and this effect is only estimated for South–North trade with an elasticity close to 1. For European countries, the findings point in the same direction; tourism affects differentiated consumer products and processed food with elasticity close to 1, which adds plausibility to the earlier results. We also find a lagged effect for tourism mainly on the export of consumer goods (for the two samples) and processed food products (for European countries). The results suggest that exporting is an additional channel through which tourism can stimulate domestic economic activity in the tourist destination.
Fertility and savings contractions in China: Long‐run global implications
Authors: Golley Jane , Tyers Rod , Zhou Yixiao 
Published: December 2017

AbstractFollowing three decades of rapid but unbalanced economic growth, China's reform agendas are set to rebalance the economy towards consumption while maintaining strong GDP growth. Headwinds include a demographic contraction that will bring negative labour force growth and rapid ageing. Rising aged dependency combined with lower saving rates will rebalance the economy, but they will reduce both GDP growth and real per capita income. While an effective two‐child policy could sustain growth and eventually mitigate the aged dependency problem, it would set real per capita income on a still lower path. These conundrums are examined using a global economic and demographic model, which shows how the continuing demographic and saving contractions in China would alter the trajectories of both the Chinese and global economies.
Pregnancy exposure to air pollution and early childhood respiratory health in the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study (MoBa)
Authors: Madsen Christian , Haberg Siri Eldevik , Magnus Maria C , Aamodt Geir , Stigum Hein , London Stephanie J , Nystad Wenche , Nafstad Per 
Published: December 2017

ObjectivesIt is unclear whether maternal air pollution exposure during pregnancy induces changes in the developing respiratory system of a child and whether it has consequences for respiratory health in early childhood. We investigated associations between exposure to moderate levels of air pollution during pregnancy and early childhood lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) and wheezing.MethodsThis study used a subgroup of 17 533 participants in the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study. Air pollution levels at residential addresses were estimated using land use regression models, and back-extrapolated to the period of each pregnancy. Information on LRTI and wheezing and lifestyle factors was collected from questionnaires completed by mothers during pregnancy and when the child was 6 and 18 months of age.ResultsModerate mean levels of NO2(13.6 µg/m3, range 0.01–60.4) exposure at residential address during pregnancy were not statistically associated with LRTI and wheezing. No association was found per 10 µg/m3change in NO2exposure and LRTI before the age of 6 months (adjusted risk ratio (RR) 0.99; 95% CI 0.84 to 1.17), or between 6 and 18 months of age (adjusted RR 1.05; 95% CI 0.94 to 1.16). Similarly, we found no association per 10 µg/m3change in NO2exposure and wheezing between 6 and 18 months of age (adjusted RR 1.02; 95% CI 0.97 to 1.07).ConclusionsThere were no statistically significant associations for moderate levels of pregnancy NO2exposure and respiratory health outcomes during early childhood in overall analyses.
Comprehensive assessment of health education and health promotion in five non-communicable disease demonstration districts in China: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Xu Qiaohua , Huang Yuelong , Chen Biyun 
Published: December 2017

ObjectivesThis study aims to develop assessment indicators of health education and promotion for non-communicable disease (NCD) demonstration districts in China and to identify significant factors associated with NCD health education and promotion work.MethodsThree complementary techniques were used to conduct this study in Hunan Province, China, between late 2013 and 2015. The Delphi technique was used to develop weighted assessment indicators, followed by the rank sum ratio (RSR) to normalise the weights through rank conversion. Lastly, the technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution was conducted to assess five randomly selected NCD demonstration districts representing five different orientations in the province.ResultsA total of 24 assessment indicators were constructed covering the following sections: organisational management, fund support, personnel supplies, health education and promotion, people’s awareness of NCDs, management and control of patients with NCD, satisfaction with health education and promotion and health literacy of residents. Five districts were selected as samples for evaluation (Furong District, Ziyang District, Shaodong County, Shuangfeng County and Luxi County). Performance varied among the sites, with Furong District greatly surpassing the other sites, especially in fund support, media promotion, technical support for publicity materials, community promotion and supportive environment supplies. The latter four factors were also much greater in the second-ranked Luxi County site than those in the other sites (except Furong District).ConclusionsThere were gaps in health education and promotion work in NCD demonstration districts in Hunan Province. The districts that performed better had obvious advantages in fund support, media promotion, technical support, community promotion and supportive environment supplies. Our study provided both a methodological reference and an assessment indicator framework for similar future studies.
Does the implementation of a novel intensive care discharge risk score and nurse-led inpatient review tool improve outcome? A prospective cohort study in two intensive care units in the UK
Authors: Fabes Jez , Seligman William , Barrett Carolyn , McKechnie Stuart , Griffiths John 
Published: December 2017

ObjectiveTo develop a clinical prediction model for poor outcome after intensive care unit (ICU) discharge in a large observational data set and couple this to an acute post-ICU ward-based review tool (PIRT) to identify high-risk patients at the time of ICU discharge and improve their acute ward-based review and outcome.DesignRetrospective patient cohort of index ICU admissions between June 2006 and October 2011 receiving routine inpatient review. Prospective cohort between March 2012 and March 2013 underwent risk scoring (PIRT) which subsequently guided inpatient ward-based review.SettingTwo UK adult ICUs.Participants4212 eligible discharges from ICU in the retrospective development cohort and 1028 patients included in the prospective intervention cohort.InterventionsMultivariate analysis was performed to determine factors associated with poor outcome in the retrospective cohort and used to generate a discharge risk score. A discharge and daily ward-based review tool incorporating an adjusted risk score was introduced. The prospective cohort underwent risk scoring at ICU discharge and inpatient review using the PIRT.OutcomesThe primary outcome was the composite of death or readmission to ICU within 14 days of ICU discharge following the index ICU admission.ResultsPIRT review was achieved for 67.3% of all eligible discharges and improved the targeting of acute post-ICU review to high-risk patients. The presence of ward-based PIRT review in the prospective cohort did not correlate with a reduction in poor outcome overall (P=0.876) or overall readmission but did reduce early readmission (within the first 48 hours) from 4.5% to 3.6% (P=0.039), while increasing the rate of late readmission (48 hours to 14 days) from 2.7% to 5.8% (P=0.046).ConclusionPIRT facilitates the appropriate targeting of nurse-led inpatient review acutely after ICU discharge but does not reduce hospital mortality or overall readmission rates to ICU.
Effect of second child intent on delivery mode after Chinese two child policy implementation: a cross sectional and prospective observational study of nulliparous women in Chongqing
Authors: Zhao Jianlin , Shan Nan , Yang Xiaochang , Li Qin , Xia Yinyin , Zhang Hua , Qi Hongbo 
Published: December 2017

ObjectivesTo assess the influence of second child intent on the delivery preferences and final delivery modes of nulliparous women, particularly caesarean delivery on maternal request (CDMR), after implementation of China’s two child policy.DesignCross sectional and prospective observational study.SettingA tertiary teaching hospital in Chongqing, China.Participants1000 low risk nulliparous women were initially involved, and were divided into two groups based on their intent on having a second child. 814 women who completed all interviews were analysed.Main outcome measuresPreferred mode of delivery in second trimester and at admission; final delivery mode, CDMR.Results814 women who completed all interviews were analysed, in whom 51.2% intended to have a second child. The preference for caesarean delivery (CD) at the second trimester between the intent and no intent group was 6.2% versus 17.9% (adjusted RR 0.35, 95% CI 0.20 to 0.63) and increased to 24.2% versus 37.3% (adjusted RR 0.65, 95% CI 0.45 to 0.94) at admission, respectively. The overall CD rates between the two groups were 41.0% versus 50.4% (adjusted RR 0.84, 95% CI 0.60 to 1.18), and the CDMR rates were 16.7% versus 29.0% (adjusted RR 0.56, 95% CI 0.37 to 0.86), respectively.ConclusionsWomen who intend to have a second child are less likely to request a CD, and high rates of CD and CDMR in nulliparous women may have decreased after implementation of China’s two child policy.
Frailty measurement and outcomes in interventional studies: protocol for a systematic review of randomised control trials
Authors: Shears Melissa , McGolrick Danielle , Waters Braden , Jakab Marnie , Boyd J. Gordon , Muscedere John 
Published: December 2017

IntroductionFrailty is associated with reduced functional capacity, decreased resistance to stressors and is predictive of a range of adverse health outcomes, including dependency, hospitalisation and mortality. Early identification of frailty may prevent, reduce and postpone adverse health outcomes. However, there is a need for additional evidence to guide decision-making for the care of frail patients since frail persons are frequently excluded from studies, the differential impact of frailty is often not examined in clinical trials and few large-scale clinical trials examining frail cohorts have been conducted. Randomised control trials (RCTs) published to date have used a diverse range of definitions of frailty, as well as a variety of outcome measures. The objective of this systematic review is to comprehensively characterise the frail populations enrolled and the end points reported in frailty RCTs.Methods and analysisWe will identify all RCTs reporting on the outcome of interventions in adult (age ≥18 years) frail populations as defined by authors, in all settings of care. Databases will include MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, PsycInfo, Global Health, the Joanna Briggs database and Cochrane Library. Two reviewers will independently determine trial eligibility. For each included trial, we will conduct duplicate independent data extraction, inter-rater reliability, risk of bias assessment and evaluation of the quality of the evidence using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations approach.Ethics and disseminationThis systematic review will comprehensively identify RCTs including frail patients to identify how frailty is measured and which outcomes are reported. The results of this systematic review may inform clinicians caring for persons with frailty, facilitate conduct of future RCTs and inform future efforts to develop common data elements and core outcomes for frailty studies. Our findings will be disseminated through conference presentation and publication in peer-reviewed journals.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42017065233.