bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Factors influencing the degree of physician–pharmacist collaboration within Iraqi public healthcare settings†
Authors: Al-Jumaili Ali Azeez , Al-Rekabi Mohammed D , Doucette William , Hussein Ahmed H , Abbas Hayder K , Hussein Furqan H 
Published: February 2017

Abstract

Objectives
Medication safety and effectiveness can be improved through interprofessional collaboration. The goals of this study were to measure the degree of physician–pharmacist collaboration within Iraqi governmental healthcare settings and to investigate factors influencing this collaboration.

Methods
This cross-sectional study was conducted in Al-Najaf Province using the Collaborative Working Relationship Model and Physician–Pharmacist Collaborative Instrument (PPCI). Four pharmacists distributed paper surveys with a 7-point Likert scale to a convenience sample of physicians and pharmacists working in seven public hospitals and two outpatient clinics. The questionnaire (in English) covered individual (demographics, practising years and academic affiliation), context (practice setting) and PPCI characteristics (trustworthiness, role specification and relationship initiation) in addition to collaborative care items: one for pharmacists and one for physicians. Separate multiple regressions were used to assess the association of the factors with collaborative care for physicians and for pharmacists.

Key findings
Seventy-seven physicians and 86 pharmacists returned usable surveys (81.5% response rate). The majority of physicians were male (84%), while the majority of pharmacists were female (58%). The mean age of the physicians was (37.99 years) older than that of the pharmacists (30.35 years). The physicians had a longer period of practice (11.32 years) than pharmacists (5.45 years). Most (90%) of the providers were practising in hospitals. Pharmacist academic affiliation was significantly associated with collaborative care. The pharmacist and physician regressions indicated significant (P &lt; 0.05) associations between collaborative care and two PPCI domains (role specification and relationship initiation for physicians; role specification and trustworthiness for pharmacists).

Conclusions
This study focused on physician–pharmacist collaboration within hospitals, and it was the first study measuring interprofessional collaboration in Iraq. The results showed there is physician–pharmacist collaboration within Iraqi hospitals and exchange characteristics had significant influence on this collaboration.
A heuristic for the skiving and cutting stock problem in paper and plastic film industries
Authors: Chen Yan , Song Xiang , Ouelhadj Djamila , Cui Yaodong 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThis paper investigates the skiving and cutting stock problem (SCSP) encountered in the paper and plastic film industries, in which a set of nonstandard reels generated from previous cutting processes are used to produce finished rolls through the skiving and cutting process. First, reels are skived together lengthwise to form a reel‐pyramid (a polygon), and then the reel‐pyramid is cut into finished rolls of small widths. Depending on if a reel can be divided lengthwise into subreels to form the reel‐pyramid, the problem can be classified into divisible SCSP (DSCSP) and indivisible SCSP (ISCSP). In this paper, two integer programming (IP) models are proposed for DSCSP and ISCSP, respectively. A sequential value correction procedure combined with the two IP models (SVCTIP) is developed to solve the two SCSPs. The effectiveness of the SVCTIP is demonstrated through extensive computational tests.
Influence of the root endophyte Piriformospora indica on the plant water relations, gas exchange and growth of Chenopodium quinoa at limited water availability
Authors: Hussin S. , Khalifa W. , Geissler N. , Koyro H.‐W. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThis study aimed to evaluate the ability of Piriformospora indica to colonize the root of Chenopodium quinoa and to verify whether this endosymbiont can improve the growth, performance and drought resistance of this species. The study delivered, for the first time, evidence for successful colonization of P. indica in quinoa. Hence, pot experiment was conducted in the greenhouse, where inoculated and non‐inoculated plants were subjected to ample (40%–50% WHC) and deficit (15%–20%WHC) irrigation treatments. Drought adversely influenced the plant growth, leading to decline the total plant biomass by 74%. This was linked to an impaired photosynthetic activity (caused by lower gs and Ci/Ca ratio; stomatal limitation of photosynthesis) and a higher risk of ROS production (enhanced ETR/Agross ratio). P. indica colonization improved quinoa plant growth, with total biomass increased by 8% (controls) and 76% (drought‐stressed plants), confirming the growth‐promoting activity of P. indica. Fungal colonization seems to diminish drought‐induced growth hindrance, likely, through an improved water balance, reflected by the higher leaf ψw and gs. Additionally, stomatal limitation of photosynthesis was alleviated (indicated by enhanced Ci/Ca ratio and Anet), so that the threat of oxidative stress was minimized (decreased ETR/Agross). These results infer that symbiosis with P. indica could negate some of the detrimental effects of drought on quinoa growth, a highly desired feature, in particular at low water availability.
First‐time mothers’ choice of birthplace: influencing factors, expectations of the midwife's role and perceived safety
Authors: Borrelli Sara E. , Walsh Denis , Spiby Helen 
Published: February 2017

AbstractAimTo explore first‐time pregnant women's expectations and factors influencing their choice of birthplace.BackgroundAlthough outcomes and advantages for low‐risk childbearing women giving birth in midwifery‐led units and home compared with obstetric units have been investigated previously, there is little information on the factors that influence women's choice of place of birth.DesignA qualitative Straussian grounded theory methodology was adopted. Fourteen women expecting their first baby were recruited from three large National Health Service organizations that provided maternity services free at the point of care. The three organizations offered the following birthplace options: home, freestanding midwifery unit and obstetric unit. Ethical approvals were obtained and informed consent was gained from each participant.MethodsData collection was undertaken in 2013–2014. One tape‐recorded face‐to‐face semistructured interview was conducted with each woman in the third trimester of pregnancy.FindingsFindings are presented as three main themes: (i) influencing factors on the choice of birthplace; (ii) expectations on the midwife's ‘being’ and ‘doing’ roles; (iii) perceptions of safety.ConclusionMidwives should consider each woman's expectations and approach to birth beyond the planned birthplace, as these are often influenced by the intersection of various influencing factors. Several birthplace options should be made available to women in each maternity service and the alternatives should be shared with women by healthcare professionals during pregnancy to allow an informed choice. Virtual tours or visits to the birth units could also be offered to women to help them familiarize with the chosen setting.
Signalling of information that is neither cryptic nor private
Authors: Wild G. , Caro S. M. , West S. A. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractIt is commonly assumed that in order for animal signals to be advantageous, the information being signalled could not have been obtained otherwise, and is therefore ‘cryptic’ or ‘private’. Here, we suggest a scenario in which individuals can gain an advantage by signalling ‘public’ information that is neither cryptic nor private. In that scenario, signalling increases the efficiency with which that ‘public’ information is transmitted. We formalize our idea with a game in which offspring can signal their condition to their parents. Specifically, we consider a resource‐strapped parent who can only invest in one of its two offspring, and we allow offspring the chance to influence parental investment through a signal. A parent in the game seeks to invest in the higher‐quality offspring, which it could identify either through a publicly available cue, such as body size, or by relying on a signal provided by the offspring. We find that if the signal can convey information about offspring quality more efficiently than cues, then signalling of condition between offspring and parents can be favoured by selection, even though parents could potentially have acquired the same information from the cue. Our results suggest that the biological function of signals may be broader than currently considered, and provide a scenario where low cost signalling can be favoured. More generally, efficiency benefits could explain signalling across a range of biological and economic scenarios.
Remapping the Vertical Archipelago: Mobility, Migration, and the Everyday Labor of Andean Development
Authors: Hirsch Eric 
Published: February 2017

ResumenEste artículo examina los vínculos contemporáneos entre la movilidad y la inmovilidad en la region de Arequipa, en los Andes del sur del Peru. Basado en observación participante y una recopilación etnográfica de “cuentos de movilidad,” un género narrativo en el que se relatan los momentos clave en la vida de las personas con atención a cómo y dónde se mueven, yo conecto los estudios Andinos sobre el “archipiélago vertical”—la idea de que se puede explotar las tierras próximas cuyas alturas varían para lograr la diversificación de recursos—con estudios actuales sobre movilidad, migración, y desarrollo. El artículo analiza los elementos andinos de la movilidad, las personas y las cosas que lo unen, y las vidas que lo configuran. Yo sostengo que la movilidad es una forma de labor que utiliza valores regionales del desarrollo simultáneamente económico y personal, en un espacio que requiere la circulación entre niveles de alturas para generar valor.
Application of sensitive, high‐resolution imaging at a commercial lab‐based X‐ray micro‐CT system using propagation‐based phase retrieval
Authors: BIDOLA P. , MORGAN K. , WILLNER M. , FEHRINGER A. , ALLNER S. , PRADE F. , PFEIFFER F. , ACHTERHOLD K. 
Published: February 2017

SummarySeveral dedicated commercial lab‐based micro‐computed tomography (μCT) systems exist, which provide high‐resolution images of samples, with the capability to also deliver in‐line phase contrast. X‐ray phase contrast is particularly beneficial when visualizing very small features and weakly absorbing samples. The raw measured projections will include both phase and absorption effects. Extending our previous work that addressed the optimization of experimental conditions at the commercial ZEISS Xradia 500 Versa system, single‐distance phase‐contrast imaging is demonstrated on complex biological and material samples. From data captured at this system, we demonstrate extraction of the phase signal or the correction of the mixed image for the phase shift, and show how this procedure increases the contrast and removes artefacts. These high‐quality images, measured without the use of a synchrotron X‐ray source, demonstrate that highly sensitive, micrometre‐resolution imaging of 3D volumes is widely accessible using commercially advanced laboratory devices.
Organic bioelectronics in medicine
Authors: Löffler S. , Melican K. , Nilsson K. P. R. , Richter‐Dahlfors A. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractA major challenge in the growing field of bioelectronic medicine is the development of tissue interface technologies promoting device integration with biological tissues. Materials based on organic bioelectronics show great promise due to a unique combination of electronic and ionic conductivity properties. In this review, we outline exciting developments in the field of organic bioelectronics and demonstrate the medical importance of these active, electronically controllable materials. Importantly, organic bioelectronics offer a means to control cell–surface attachment as required for many device–tissue applications. Experiments have shown that cells readily attach and proliferate on reduced but not oxidized organic bioelectronic materials. In another application, the active properties of organic bioelectronics were used to develop electronically triggered systems for drug release. After incorporating drugs by advanced loading strategies, small compound drugs were released upon electrochemical trigger, independent of charge. Another type of delivery device was used to achieve well‐controlled, spatiotemporal delivery of cationic drugs. Via electrophoretic transport within a polymer, cations were delivered with single‐cell precision. Finally, organic bioelectronic materials are commonly used as electrode coatings improving the electrical properties of recording and stimulation electrodes. Because such coatings drastically reduce the electrode impedance, smaller electrodes with improved signal‐to‐noise ratio can be fabricated. Thus, rapid technological advancement combined with the creation of tiny electronic devices reacting to changes in the tissue environment helps to promote the transition from standard pharmaceutical therapy to treatment based on ‘electroceuticals’. Moreover, the widening repertoire of organic bioelectronics will expand the options for true biological interfaces, providing the basis for personalized bioelectronic medicine.
Modeling Multicountry Longevity Risk With Mortality Dependence: A Lévy Subordinated Hierarchical Archimedean Copulas Approach
Authors: Zhu Wenjun , Tan Ken Seng , Wang Chou‐Wen 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThis article proposes a new copula model known as the Lévy subordinated hierarchical Archimedean copulas (LSHAC) for multicountry mortality dependence modeling. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first article to apply the LSHAC model to mortality studies. Through an extensive empirical analysis on modeling mortality experiences of 13 countries, we demonstrate that the LSHAC model, which has the advantage of capturing the geographical structure of mortality data, yields better fit, compared to the elliptical copulas. In addition, the proposed LSHAC model generates out‐of‐sample forecasts with smaller standard deviations, when compared to other benchmark copula models. The LSHAC model also confirms that there is an association between geographical locations and dependence of the overall mortality improvement. These results yield new insights into future longevity risk management. Finally, the model is used to price a hypothetical survival index swap written on a weighted mortality index. The results highlight the importance of dependence modeling in managing longevity risk and reducing population basis risk.
Refined single‐interval adjustment matrix yes‐no task for estimating the absolute thresholds of sweet‐tasting molecules
Authors: Kim Myung‐Chul , Kim Da‐Hye , Yun Cho‐Rong , Chung Ju‐Hee , Kim Hyun‐Soo , Choi Hyo‐Eun , Kong Kwang‐Hoon 
Published: February 2017

AbstractDetermining the in vivo gustatory thresholds of sweet‐tasting molecules is more difficult and laborious than other sensory analyses. In this study, we refined the single‐interval adjustment matrix (SIAM) yes‐no task to produce threshold estimates accurately and efficiently. Experimental procedures were optimized such that tasters provided bias‐free results and achieved maximum performance. We found that the refined SIAM yes‐no task accurately estimated the threshold values of the sweet‐tasting protein brazzein within the sensitive threshold range, which was confirmed using the two‐alternative forced‐choice task. Threshold values of various artificial sweeteners were also investigated using the SIAM yes‐no task. Our results suggest that the refined SIAM yes‐no task is advantageous for obtaining thresholds and comparing the biological activity of various sweet‐tasting molecules.Practical applicationsThe refined SIAM yes‐no task suggested in this study would enable researchers to accurately obtain thresholds of various sweet‐tasting molecules, in order to develop potential sugar substitutes and elucidate interactions with their corresponding sweet‐taste receptors T1R2‐T1R3 for sweet‐taste mechanism studies.
The Evolutionary Game-Theoretic Foundations of Law
Authors: Kar Robin Bradley 
Published: February 2017

Interdisciplinary work in the law often starts and stops with the social sciences. To produce a complete understanding of how law, evolutionary game-theoretic insights must, however, supplement these more standard social scientific methods. To illustrate, this article critically examines The Force of Law by Frederick Schauer and The Expressive Powers of Law by Richard McAdams. Combining the methods of analytic jurisprudence and social psychology, Schauer clarifies the need for a philosophically respectable and empirically well-grounded account of the ubiquity of legal sanctions. Drawing primarily on economic and social psychological paradigms, McAdams highlights law's potential to alter human behavior through expressions that coordinate. Still, these contributions generate further puzzles about how law works, which can be addressed using evolutionary game-theoretic resources. Drawing on these resources, this article argues that legal sanctions are ubiquitous to law not only because they can motivate legal compliance, as Schauer suggests, but also because they provide the general evolutionary stability conditions for intrinsic legal motivation. In reaction to McAdams, this article argues that law's expressive powers can function to coordinate human behavior only because humans are naturally and culturally evolved to share a prior background agreement in forms of life. Evolutionary game-theoretic resources can thus be used to develop a unified framework from within which to understand some of the complex interrelationships between legal sanctions, intrinsic legal motivation, and law's coordinating power. Going forward, interdisciplinary studies of how law works should include greater syntheses of contemporary insights from evolutionary game theory.
Microfluidic approaches to the study of angiogenesis and the microcirculation
Authors: Akbari Ehsan , Spychalski Griffin B. , Song Jonathan W. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractMicrofluidic systems have emerged as a new class of perfusable in vitro culture models that have helped advance and refine our understanding of microvascular function. Cutting‐edge microfluidic models have successfully integrated principles from quantitative analysis of vascular function, in vitro flow chambers, microfabrication techniques, and 3D tissue scaffolds. Here, we review the evolution of microfluidic systems, namely their progression from 2D planar microchannel arrays to 3D microtissue analogs, and highlight their recent contributions in elucidating the role of biomolecular transport and fluid mechanical stimuli in controlling angiogenesis. Further advancement of microfluidic systems in recapitulating tissue‐level phenomena in vitro, controlling important physiochemical and biological parameters, and integrating cellular and molecular analysis will help further enhance their application within the microcirculation research community.
Vitamin D during childhood and adolescence: Evidence‐based dietary requirements for adequacy and implications for bone health
Authors: Smith T. J. , Hart K. H. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractVitamin D is a unique nutrient that has captured the attention of scientific and medical communities, regulatory authorities and the general public over recent years. Low vitamin D status is a worldwide public health concern and occurs across all age, sex and ethnic groups. Dietary requirements for vitamin D have been re‐evaluated and revised over recent years by several authoritative bodies, including the Institute of Medicine, the Nordic Council of Ministers, the European Food Safety Authority and, of course, the UK Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition. However, a lack of vitamin D dose–response trials in children and adolescents prior to these reports has hindered the development of evidence‐based dietary requirements for vitamin D in these population sub‐groups. Two recent randomised controlled trials have addressed this significant knowledge gap and estimated that intakes of between 6 and ~30 μg/day are needed during the winter time to avoid vitamin D deficiency and ensure adequacy in healthy White 4–8 year‐old children residing in Denmark (55°N) and 14–18 year‐old adolescents residing in the UK (51°N). These new data suggest that, while the current vitamin D recommendations of 10–15 μg/day for children and adolescents will help avoid winter‐time vitamin D deficiency (25–hydroxyvitamin D concentrations <25–30 nmol/l), they remain inadequate for ensuring vitamin D concentrations are maintained above 40–50 nmol/l, which may be necessary for optimal bone accretion during these rapid growth phases. Such data will allow for the ongoing refinement of evidence‐based dietary requirements for children and adolescents.
Subclinical atypical haemolytic uremic syndrome relapse following discontinuation of eculizumab
Authors: Choo Shi Zhou , Brown Fiona 
Published: February 2017

AbstractA 25‐year‐old man presented with microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia and acute kidney injury. With a normal ADAMTS‐13 level, negative faecal shiga‐toxin test and strong family history of atypical haemolytic uremic syndrome, he was commenced on eculizumab to good clinical response. Subsequent genetic testing revealed a heterozygous complement factor H mutation. Eculizumab was discontinued after 44 months of treatment, and he relapsed within 6 months, with the first sign being downtrending haptoglobin levels, with no other markers of haemolysis or thrombocytopaenia, 5 weeks prior to development of acute kidney injury. He was recommenced on eculizumab and to date still remains on it. This case highlights the unusual pattern of relapse and discusses the considerations for eculizumab discontinuation in patients with stable atypical haemolytic uremic syndrome receiving maintenance therapy.
Long‐term remission with eculizumab in atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome
Authors: Carter Simon , Hewitt Ian , Kausman Joshua 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThe understanding of the role of complement dysregulation in atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome (aHUS) has led to major changes in therapeutic approaches and outcomes. Eculizumab is a humanized anti‐C5 monoclonal antibody that inhibits the terminal complement pathway and has revolutionized the treatment and prognosis of aHUS. However, published reports to date have had relatively short‐term follow‐up. We report two paediatric cases of aHUS successfully treated with eculizumab longer than 6 years with no serious adverse events and preservation of renal function.