bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Wax Content as Related to Surface Area of Cotton Fibers
Authors: Marsh Paul B. , Barker Henry D. , Kerr Thomas , Butler Mary L. 
Published: January 2017

Among a group of 62 essentially unweathered fiber samples from American upland cotton plants of different inherent and environmental background, percent wax was found to be rather closely proportional to surface area per unit weight of fiber as determined by the air-flow method of Sullivan and Hertel [22]. The weight of wax per unit of fiber surface was thus a relatively constant quantity, although not an absolutely constant one, among these samples. Results of melting-point determinations did not suggest the probability of important qualitative differences in wax composition at the time of boll opening among the several American upland cottons studied, the sole exception encountered being the high-melting-point wax from the green-lint high-wax cotton previously reported by Conrad [6]. In a group of twelve Sea Island hybrids, both the amount of wax per unit fiber surface and the wax melting points were similar to the results obtained for American upland types. Five Indian cottons all had very low wax percentages; their surface areas were below the normal range of the method for surface-area determination. Weathering of cotton in the field before harvest resulted in higher wax contents as measured by the Conrad [7] method and lower wax melting points than were found for similar but un weathered samples. Further work is required to indicate the nature of the causal factors in volved in this change which occurs during weathering.
New agro-technology and its impact on rural institutions in Orissa
Authors: Mishra Niharranjan 
Published: January 2017

India's rural socio-cultural scenario was at the crossroads in the 1960s with the introduction of the new agricultural revolution, popularly known as the Green Revolution. One of the protracted debates that ensued during this period was regarding the economic gains and social costs of the Green Revolution. Although agrarian social structure could not retain the central place in the post-1970s period, there is no second thought that the technological revolution in agriculture has largely influenced many rural social institutions in India. The present paper is a modest attempt in re-evaluating empirically the bearing of this technological revolution on the socio-cultural scenario, and particularly on the agro-based rural institutions in Orissa. Taking the anthropological techniques like participant observations, interview and case study, the present paper tries to examine the impact of new-agro technology on the traditional inter jati relations, rural family andpower structures in a multi jati village of Bhadrak district in coastal Orissa. The study reveals that while the day-to-day relations between the jajmans and the kamins might have undergone changes this does not imply the erosion of the spirit of reciprocity wrapped with a ritual fervour, which is the characteristic of jajmani relations. It found that the ideology of jajmani as an inter jati exchange relationship continues to hold good in rural India with its usual processual changes in all its permutations and combinations just to adapt itself to the changing socio-economic realities but without rejecting the ideology behind such relations. In the case of family extensive changes have occurred in the structure, function and inter and intrn family relations pertaining to the kin labour system. The patriarchal dominance has come down giving a place to the rural women. In the context of political structure it is seen that the traditional dominance of Khandayat castes has declined due to the intervention of new technology, higher education, adult franchise. It has also strengthened the class feeling weakening the traditional caste sensibilities in the village.
Traditional Health Practitioners as Primary Health Care Workers
Authors: Hoff Wilbur 
Published: January 2017

The author conducted a field study in 1993 to evaluate the effectiveness of four projects that were training traditional health practitioners (THPs) to provide primary health care (PHC) services in Ghana, Mexico, and Bangladesh. The study, funded by a grant from the World Health Organization, Division of Strengthening Health Services, concluded that incorporating trained THPs in PHC programmes can be cost effective in providing essential and culturally relevant health services to communities. The main objective of the study was to evaluate how effective the training projects were and to determine what impacts they might have upon the communities served. A qualitative field evaluation was performed using data collected from project documents, observations, and field interviews with a selection of health agency staff, THPs, and community members. A summary of results is presented from the four field studies. For details refer to the full report1.
A Clinico-Epidemiological Study of Snake Bite in Nepal
Authors: Hansdak Samuel George , Lallar Kuldeep Singh , Pokharel Paras , Shyangwa Pramod , Karki Prahlad , Koirala Shekhar 
Published: January 2017

Envenoming from snake bite is an important medical condition, frequently encountered at the emergency department of BPKIHS hospital (Dharan, Nepal). This is a retrospective study of 52 cases of suspected snake bite who presented at the department from August 1993 to November 1994. Analysis of the data showed that snake bite was more frequent between the ages of 11 to 20 years (36.7%) and 2.5 times more common in males. Fifty-seven per cent of the bites occurred between 1600 h and midnight with highest incidence (51%) occurring during the monsoon (August–October). Twenty per cent of the patients were able to identify the snake species as venomous and 90% of them presented to the hospital within 3 h of being bitten. Sixty per cent of the bites were in the lower limb. Neurotoxicity due to envenoming was recorded in nine patients (17%). No case of coagulopathy was recorded. The overall case fatality was 3.8% but mortality amongst those exhibiting signs of neurotoxicity was 22%.
An Assessment of the Effects of Climate Warming on Energy Developments in the Mackenzie River Valley and Delta, Canadian Arctic.
Authors: Lonergan Stephen , Young Kathy 
Published: January 2017

Climate warming is expected to have its greatest impact in Arctic regions, with predictions being made of temperature increases in summer months as high as ten degrees Celsius under a doubling of carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere. Such changes would have significant impacts on energy operations in this region and on future energy developments. This paper presents an overview of the types of impacts that might occur under conditions of climate warming with specific concern for those impacts that would affect energy operations. It also discusses the variations in the predictions provided by general circulation models of the atmosphere, which provide us with the only source of information on temperature and precipitation changes that might accompany the increase in the concentration of greenhouse gases. Present work on the impacts of climate change by the author is centred on the Mackenzie Valley, and this region is used as a setting to illustrate the types of impacts that may occur.
Organizational Readiness for Performance-Related Pay: Focus on Government of India Employees
Authors: Maheshwari Mridul , Singh Manjari 
Published: January 2017

In the recent zeitegist of competitiveness and drive for productivity enhancement, most organizations are experiencing challenges to revamp their existing systems. One such mechanism increasingly practised by organizations these days to enhance the performance of their employees is linking their pay to their performance. However, implementation of performance-related pay (PRP) is a challenging task for any organization and organizations need to check their readiness for it before implementing PRP. Besides, readiness in terms of various systems in the organizations, it also includes the psychological preparedness of employees. The study provides a framework to analyse the organizational readiness in the case of Government of India employees to implement PRP systems. The readiness analysis includes the following: Push factors: Push factors can include environmental, organizational, and individual issues. Right to Information Act, citizens demanding more accountability of the work of their elective representatives, etc., have given impetus to have systems to measure the work done by government employees. Competition for talent from corporate sector has made these organizations think about systems needed to be the employer of choice for the country�s youth. Rewarding excellence has also become important in order to attract and retain Generation Y. Pre-requisites: Successful implementation requires involvement and participation of the employees. The commitment and support of top management are very critical for the transformation process involving change in work culture and employee mindset. Challenges: Identification of proper parameters to assess performance and accurate measurement of performance has always been a major constraint in the successful implementation of PRP systems. People management skills of bosses are very important in providing timely and effective feedback to the employees. Expectations of employees also need to be handled carefully so that PRP systems do not end up engaging a few but demotivating the majority. The quantum and division of rewards play an important role in maintaining the interest of employees in the PRP system. The paper also presents a framework designed to understand the variations in the PRP system for the managerial and operative level employees. Employee participation, delegation, transparency, and accountability are some of the key factors essential for the successful implementation of PRP. In addition, it is also important that employees have trust in the PRP system and are receptive to building a performance culture in the organization.
Canine Malignant Mammary Tumours I. Sarcomas
Authors: Misdorp W. , Cotchin E. , Hampe J. F. , Jabara A. G. , von Sandersleben J. 
Published: January 2017

Forty-five canine mammary sarcomas that had metastasized were pooled from several institutes, studied, and classified. The classification was based on morphology and did not include any histogenetic interpretation. In addition, one case was studied by histochemical and electron microscopic methods. Canine mammary sarcomas often have multidifferentiation (bone, cartilage, and fat) which is not unusual in human mammary sarcomas. Sarcomas resembling (malignant) cystosarcoma phyllodes in women appear to be very rare in the dog. Canine fibrosarcomas had a morphological resemblance to ‘stromal’ sarcoma or ‘fibrosarcoma’ in the woman. Five sarcomas without infiltrative growth, anaplasia, or mitotic activity had metastasized. In dogs and women the lungs are often involved by metastases, but, unlike in the human, metastases in the regional lymph nodes are also relatively common in the dog. There is need for further studies on the histogenesis and biological behaviour of mammary sarcomas.
Optimal vaccination schemes for epidemics among a population of households, with application to variola minor in Brazil
Authors: Ball Frank , Lyne Owen 
Published: January 2017

This paper is concerned with stochastic models for the spread of an epidemic among a community of households, in which individuals mix uniformly within households and, in addition, uniformly at a much lower rate within the population at large. This two-level mixing structure has important implications for the threshold behaviour of the epidemic and, consequently, for both the effectiveness of vaccination strategies for controlling an outbreak and the form of optimal vaccination schemes. A brief introduction to optimal vaccination schemes in this setting is provided by presenting a unified treatment of the simplest and most-studied case, viz. the single-type SIR (susceptible → infective → removed) epidemic. A reproduction number R*, which determines whether a trace of initial infection can give rise to a major epidemic, is derived and the effect of a vaccination scheme on R* is studied using a general model for vaccine action. In particular, optimal vaccination schemes which reduce R* to its threshold value of one with minimum vaccination coverage are considered. The theory is illustrated by application to data on a variola minor outbreak in São Paulo, which, together with other examples, is used to highlight key issues related to vaccination schemes.
Prevention of Deep-Vein Thrombosis following Total Hip Replacement Surgery with Enoxaparin versus Unfractionated Heparin: A Pharmacoeconomic Evaluation
Authors: Menzin Joseph , Richner Randel , Huse Daniel , Colditz Graham A. , Oster Gerry 
Published: January 2017

OBJECTIVE: To compare the use of healthcare services in patients receiving enoxaparin, a low molecular weight heparin versus those receiving unfractionated heparin as prophylaxis against deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) following total hip replacement surgery. DESIGN: Economic evaluation undertaken in conjunction with a randomized, open-label, parallel group, Phase III clinical trial. SETTING: 32 US acute-care hospitals. PATIENTS: 607 patients undergoing elective total hip replacement. INTERVENTIONS: Enoxaparin 30 mg q12h, enoxaparin 40 mg qd, or unfractionated heparin 5000 units q8h started within 24 hours following surgery and continued for 7 days. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: (1) Use of selected tests and treatments for DVT; (2) use of selected tests and treatments related to post-operative bleeding; (3) length of stay in hospital; and (4) readmissions to hospital within 14 days. RESULTS: Although the use of selected tests and treatments related to DVT or postoperative bleeding did not differ significantly between the three treatment groups, mean length of stay in the hospital (following the start of study therapy) was shorter among patients receiving enoxaparin 30 mg (9.5 days; p=0.01) or 40 mg (9.9 days; p<0.05) than those receiving unfractionated heparin (11.3 days). There was also a trend toward fewer hospital readmissions in both of the enoxaparin groups. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with unfractionated heparin, use of enoxaparin following total hip replacement may decrease the risk of DVT and length of hospital stay.
One-year disability, death and recurrence after first-ever stroke in a Black Afro-Caribbean population
Authors: Olindo Stephane , Saint-Vil Martine , Jeannin Severine , Signate Aissatou , Edimonana-Kaptue Mireille , Cabre Philippe , Chausson Nicolas , Smadja Didier , Joux Julien 
Published: January 2017

Background Few data on stroke outcomes and no data on stroke recurrence are available in Black mono-racial population with high socio-economic status. Aims We investigated outcomes and stroke recurrence at one year in the Black Afro-Caribbean population of Martinique and examined potential predictors of poor prognosis and recurrence. Methods Patients from ERMANCIA II (Etude Réalisée en MArtinique et Centrée sur l’Incidence des Accidents vasculaires cérébraux), a Black population-based and prospective observational study, were followed up at 28-days, three months and one year post stroke. Stroke characteristics, survival, disability (modified Rankin Scale > 2), and stroke recurrence were assessed. A survival-based approach was used for time-to-event analysis, and multivariable regression analysis assessed the predictors of death, disability and stroke recurrence. Results Of 544 first-ever stroke patients, cumulative risks of death increased from 17.6% (95% confidence interval, 14.5–20.4) at 28 days to 22.8% (18.6–25.0) at three months and to 31.3% (27.4–34.6) at one year. Disability rates in survivors decreased from 43.7% (39.5–47.2) at 28 days to 35% (30.9–38.4) at three months and to 28.8% (24.9–32.1) at one year. Cumulative risks of recurrent stroke were estimated to 2.1% (0.9–2.9) at 28 days, 4.5% (2.7–6.1) at three months and 9.3% (6.1–11.6) at one year. Age (odds ratio (OR), 1.08 (1.05–1.10)), admission NIHSS (OR, 1.22 (1.17–1.29)), metabolic syndrome (OR, 2.07 (1.22–3.52)) and recurrence (OR, 5.06 (1.87–13.7)) were independent predictors of death or disability at one year. Conclusion Stroke Outcomes in Black Afro-Caribbean population with a high socio-economic status appear globally similar to outcomes reported in Caucasian population. After a first-ever stroke, the implementation of early programs of recurrence prevention seems crucial to reduce the risk of poor prognosis at one year.
Association between the maximal distance of atrial septal protrusion and cryptogenic stroke
Authors: Tokunaga Keisuke , Yasaka Masahiro , Kuwashiro Takahiro , Gotoh Seiji , Nakamura Asako , Takaguchi Go , Ago Tetsuro , Kamouchi Masahiro , Kitazono Takanari , Okada Yasushi 
Published: January 2017

Background and purpose Previous studies have suggested that atrial septal aneurysm is a potential risk factor for cerebral embolism. However, the association between the level of atrial septal protrusion and cerebral embolism is still unclear. The purpose of the present study was to assess the association between the maximal distance of atrial septal protrusion and cryptogenic stroke. Methods A total of 588 consecutive acute ischemic stroke patients (70 ± 11 (mean ± SD) years, 401 men) who underwent transesophageal echocardiography were enrolled. The maximal distance of atrial septal protrusion into the right or left atrium was measured. Atrial septal aneurysm was diagnosed when the maximal distance of atrial septal protrusion was >10 mm. Cryptogenic stroke was defined as non-lacunar ischemic stroke without >50% proximal artery stenosis or occlusion, cardioembolic sources, ≥4 mm atherosclerotic plaques in the aortic arch, or carotid or vertebral artery dissection. Results The rate of cryptogenic stroke increased with the increasing maximal distance of atrial septal protrusion. The maximal distance of atrial septal protrusion (multivariate-adjusted odds ratio (OR) per 1 mm, 1.14; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.04–1.24; P = 0.003) and atrial septal aneurysm (multivariate-adjusted OR, 4.32; 95% CI, 1.22–20.39; P = 0.022) was independently associated with cryptogenic stroke. Conclusions The maximal distance of atrial septal protrusion was independently associated with cryptogenic stroke.
The effect of mTOR inhibitors on respiratory infections in lymphangioleiomyomatosis
Authors: Courtwright Andrew M. , Goldberg Hilary J. , Henske Elizabeth Petri , El-Chemaly Souheil 
Published: January 2017

Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a destructive cystic lung disease. Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors are the primary treatment for LAM but it is unknown whether these immunosuppressing medications increase the risk for or the severity of respiratory infections in LAM patients.We searched multiple databases for original articles that reported the rate of respiratory infections in LAM patients treated with mTOR inhibitors or placebo. We calculated incidence rates for respiratory infections in these groups and incidence rate ratios for respiratory infections and severe respiratory infections in mTOR inhibitors treatedversusplacebo treated patients.11 studies were included. There were 294 patients in the treatment groups and 93 patients in the placebo groups. Among subjects in placebo arms, the incidence rate of respiratory infections was 58.8 per 100 patient-years (95% CI 35.3–82.3 per 100 patient-years). The incidence-rate ratio (IRR) for respiratory infection among treated subjects was 0.71 (95% CI 0.50–1.02; p=0.06 compared to placebo subjects). The IRR for severe respiratory infections among treated subjects was 1.56 (95% CI 0.43–8.55; p=0.52).We found that respiratory infections are common in patients with LAM. Importantly, treatment with mTOR inhibitors does not increase the incidence of these infections and may be protective.
Precision medicine in immune checkpoint blockade therapy for non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Liu Xiaoming , Cho William C. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractImmune checkpoint blockade therapy by targeting the programmed death protein 1/programmed death ligand 1 (PD‐L1) axis using antibodies has yielded promising clinical responses in patients with non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, owing to the dynamic expression of PD‐L1, degree of mutational/neoantigen load, intratumoral heterogeneity, infiltrated immune cells of tumor microenvironment of NSCLC, the response rates to these agents are limited, despite several companion diagnostic assays by detecting PD‐L1 in tumor cells have been introduced into clinical practice. Therefore, in this era of precision medicine, there is an urgent need for predictive biomarkers to identify NSCLC patients likely to benefit from this novel therapy.
Gender and racial differences in peer effects of limited English students: a story of language or ethnicity?
Authors: Diette Timothy M. , Uwaifo Oyelere Ruth 
Published: January 2017

AbstractThere is a perception among native born parents in the USA that the increasing number of immigrant students in schools creates negative peer effects on their children. In North Carolina, there has been a significant increase in immigrants, especially those with limited English language skills. Recent data suggests that North Carolina has the eighth largest English-language learner (ELL) student population and over 60 % of immigrants are from Latin America and the Caribbean. While past research suggests negative though negligible peer effects of Limited English (LE) students and black students on the achievement of other students, potential peer effects of students from Latin America in general have not been considered. In this paper, we attempt to identify both LE student and Latin American (LA) student peer effects by separately utilizing fixed effects methods that allow us to deal with the potential selectivity across time and schools. On average, we find no evidence of negative peer effects of LE students on females and white students but note small negative effects on average on males and black students. We also find that, holding constant other factors, an increase in the share of LA students does not create negative peer effects on native students’ achievement. Rather, it is the limited English language skills of some of these students that lead to small, negative peer effects on natives.JEL Classification: I20, I21, J15, J24.