bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The readability of integrated reports
Authors: du Toit Elda 
Published: August 2017

Purpose
This is an exploratory study to investigate the readability of integrated reports. The aim of this paper is to assess whether integrated reports are accessible to their readership and add value to stakeholders.

Design/methodology/approach
Readability analyses are performed on the integrated reports of all companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange for 2015 and 2016. Readability results are compared by means of a correlation analysis to the results of the Ernst & Young Excellence in Integrated Reporting Awards for 2015.

Findings
The results show that the complex nature of the language used in integrated reports of listed companies impairs readability and, as an implication, affects the value stakeholders can derive from the information. The results from the correlation with the Ernst & Young Excellence in Integrated Reporting Awards indicate that an integrated report is considered of higher quality if it is written using complex language.

Research limitations/implications
The main limitation of the study lies in its exclusively South African setting, which is the only country where integrated reports are recommended as part of stock exchange listings requirements. Another limitation is the fact that integrated reports are mainly aimed at informed users and is thus compiled with the informed reader in mind, which impacts on general readability.

Practical implications
The results present new findings regarding integrated reporting practice, which is of interest to firms, investors, regulators, amongst others. The findings show how the value-added by integrated reports could be improved.

Originality/value
This study is the first to investigate the readability of integrated reports in a South African context. The results indicate that integrated reports are difficult to read and are only useful to a portion of the total intended population.
Nurse Staffing Patterns and Patient Experience of Care: An Empirical Analysis of U.S. Hospitals
Authors: Oppel Eva‐Maria , Young Gary J. 
Published: August 2017

ObjectiveTo examine the relationship between nurse staffing patterns and patients’ experience of care in hospitals with a particular focus on staffing flexibility.Data Sources/Study SettingThe study sample comprised U.S. general hospitals between 2010 and 2012. Nurse staffing data came from the American Hospital Association Annual Survey, and patient experience data came from the Medicare Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems.Study DesignAn observational research design was used entailing a pooled, cross‐sectional data set. Regression models were estimated using generalized estimating equation (GEE) and hospital fixed effects. Nurse staffing patterns were assessed based on both levels (i.e., ratio of full‐time equivalent nurses per 1,000 patient days) and composition (i.e., skill mix—percentage of registered nurses; staffing flexibility—percentage of part‐time nurses).Principal FindingsAll three staffing variables were significantly associated with patient experience in the GEE analysis, but only staffing flexibility was significant in the fixed‐effects analysis. A higher percentage of part‐time nurses was positively associated with patient experience. Multiplicative and nonlinear effects for the staffing variables were also observed.ConclusionsAmong three staffing variables, flexibility was found to be the most important relative to patient experience. Unobserved hospital characteristics appear to underlie patient experience as well as certain nurse staffing patterns.
Neighbourhood Effects in Pesticide Use: Evidence from the Rural Philippines
Authors: Aida Takeshi 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThis study investigates how pesticide use by neighbouring farmers affects a given farmer's pesticide use. Although it is common knowledge that pesticide use has spatial externalities, few empirical economic studies explicitly analyse this issue. Applying a spatial panel econometric model to plot‐level panel data for Bohol, Philippines, this study shows that pesticide use, especially for herbicides, is spatially correlated, although there is no statistically significant spatial correlation in unobserved shocks. This implies that farmers apply pesticides by referring to the behaviour of neighbouring farmers rather than responding directly to the intensity of their own infestation.
The Appearance, Taste, and Concentrations of Zolpidem Dissolved in Still Water and Carbonated Beverages
Authors: Heide Gunhild , Hjelmeland Knut , Brochmann Gerd‐Wenche , Karinen Ritva , Høiseth Gudrun 
Published: August 2017

AbstractZolpidem is a sedative that could be used to drug victims, but its suitability to dissolve in drinks is unknown. In this small study, we added either crushed or whole tablets of zolpidem hemitartrate to carbonated beverages or still water to observe how this affected the taste and appearance. Also, concentrations were measured by ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry at different time intervals. Two crushed tablets (20 mg) in cider (250 mL) lead to a maximum concentration of 84 mg/L zolpidem base after 30 min, while the corresponding concentration after adding fifteen tablets (150 mg) was 467 mg/L. There was little change in taste, but froth and turbidity were observed when adding high doses to carbonated beverages. Carbonated beverages spiked with 20 mg of crushed zolpidem hemitartrate tablets reached concentrations that could cause impairment. Spiking with 150 mg could possibly be lethal if several mouthfuls were ingested.
Brexit and Tariff Rate Quotas on EU Imports: A Complex Problem
Authors: Revell Brian J. 
Published: August 2017

SummaryTariff rate quotas (TRQs) are a means by which non‐EU suppliers of agri‐food products can be given preferential access to EU markets within a regulated framework of quotas at tariff rates below the Most Favoured Nation rates bound in the GATT. TRQs are common in governing trade in the meat and dairy sectors of the EU, although they apply to a wide range of other agricultural commodity and processed agri‐food products. Brexit poses a complex set of problems regarding TRQs in terms of how the respective parties should divide up jointly undertaken commitments within the WTO, since TRQs have been negotiated by the Commission on behalf of all EU Member States. Whilst individual quota allocations can be allocated to specific third country suppliers, individual Member States receive no specific allocation of the global product TRQ either in total, or from any named preferential supplier. The article outlines the nature of TRQs in the meat and dairy sectors of the EU, and how a simple partitioning of existing quotas between the EU‐27 and the UK is unlikely to resolve the complex issue of access rights of third countries to both markets. Possible solutions are explored, including the potential need for reciprocal EU‐27–UK TRQs post Brexit.
IDW‐Plus: An ArcGIS Toolset for Calculating Spatially Explicit Watershed Attributes for Survey Sites
Authors: Peterson Erin E. , Pearse Alan R. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractWatershed characteristics such as land‐use and land‐cover affect stream condition at multiple scales, but it is widely accepted that conditions in close proximity to the stream or survey site tend to have a stronger influence. Although spatially weighted watershed metrics have existed for years, nonspatial lumped landscape metrics (i.e., areal mean or percentage) are still widely used because relatively few technical skills are needed to implement them. The Inverse Distance Weighted Percent Land Use for Streams (IDW‐Plus) custom ArcGIS toolset provides the functionality to efficiently calculate six spatially explicit watershed metrics which account for the Euclidean or flow length distance to the stream or outlet, as well as the probability for overland runoff. These include four distance‐weighted metrics, those being inverse Euclidean distance to the stream or outlet, and the inverse flow length to the stream or outlet. Two tools are also included to generate hydrologically active (i.e., runoff potential), inverse flow length to the stream or outlet metrics. We demonstrate the tools using real data from Southeast Queensland, Australia. We also provide detailed instructions, so readers can recreate the examples themselves before applying the tools to their own data.
Microvascular and lymphovascular tumour invasion are associated with poor prognosis and metastatic spread in renal cell carcinoma: a validation study in clinical practice
Authors: Bedke Jens , Heide Johannes , Ribback Silvia , Rausch Steffen , de Martino Michela , Scharpf Marcus , Haitel Andrea , Zimmermann Uwe , Pechoel Maik , Alkhayyat Hussam , Shariat Shahrokh F. , Dombrowski Frank , Stenzl Arnulf , Burchardt Martin , Klatte Tobias , Kroeger Nils 
Published: August 2017

ObjectiveTo validate microvascular (MVI) and lymphovascular (LVI) invasion as prognostic factors in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC).Patients and MethodsData of patients with RCC who underwent radical or nephron‐sparing surgery were prospectively collected from three academic centres. The occurrence of MVI and LVI was determined with standard staining protocols by experienced pathologists at the time of diagnosis. The association of MVI and LVI with clinicopathological data, metastatic spread, and cancer‐specific survival (CSS) were evaluated with Fisher's exact tests, binary logistic regression analyses, and univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression models.ResultsMVI was present in 201 of 747 patients (26.9%) and was associated with advanced Tumour‐Node‐Metastasis (TNM) stages, high Fuhrman grades, and sarcomatoid features (all P < 0.001). MVI was associated with a higher rate of metastatic spread. LVI was present in 32 of 573 patients (5.5%) and was associated with advanced TNM stages, high Fuhrman grade, and sarcomatoid features (all P < 0.001). Two‐thirds of LVI‐positive patients died (P < 0.001). Both LVI and MVI were significantly associated with CSS in all patients, clear cell RCC (ccRCC), and localised RCC in univariable analysis (all P < 0.001). On multivariable analysis, presence of MVI was identified as an independent prognostic factor (hazard ratio 2.09; P = 0.001). Moreover, MVI [odds ratio (OR) 2.7; P = 0.001] and not macrovascular invasion (P = 0.895) was an independent predictor of sychronuous metastatic spread. LVI was the strongest factor associated with sychronous metastatic spread (OR 4.73, 95% confidence interval 1.84–12.14; P = 0.001) in all patients and in the subgroup of patients with ccRCC (P = 0.001).ConclusionsThe present study validated LVI and MVI as prognostic factors for poor outcome in RCC. These findings endorse an evaluation of both variables in the clinical routine setting to facilitate survival prognostication in follow‐up protocols and for assignment to adjuvant treatment trials.
Understanding frames: A UK survey of parents and professionals regarding the use of standing frames for children with cerebral palsy
Authors: Goodwin J. , Colver A. , Basu A. , Crombie S. , Howel D. , Parr J. R. , McColl E. , Kolehmainen N. , Roberts A. , Lecouturier J. , Smith J. , Miller K. , Cadwgan J. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractBackgroundStanding frames are used for children with cerebral palsy (CP). They may improve body structure and function (e.g., reducing risk of hip subluxation, and improving bladder and bowel function), improving activity (e.g., motor abilities) and participation (e.g., interaction with peers), but there is little evidence that they do. We aimed to identify current UK standing frame practice for children with CP and to understand stakeholder views regarding their clinical benefits and challenges to use.MethodThree populations were sampled: clinicians prescribing standing frames for children with CP (n = 305), professionals (health and education) working with children with CP who use standing frames (n = 155), and parents of children with CP who have used standing frames (n = 91). Questionnaires were developed by the co‐applicant group and piloted with other professionals and parents of children with CP. They were distributed online via clinical and parent networks across the UK.ResultsPrescribing practice was consistent, but achieving the prescribed use was not always possible. Respondents in all groups reported the perceived benefits of frames, which include many domains of the International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health for Children and Youth. Challenges of use are related to physical space and child‐reported pain.ConclusionsThese survey findings provide information from key stakeholders regarding current UK standing frame practice.
Can incomplete knowledge of species’ physiology facilitate ecological niche modelling? A case study with virtual species
Authors: Feng Xiao , Papeş Monica 
Published: August 2017

AbstractAimEcological niche modelling (ENM) is widely used in biogeography and conservation studies. The performance ofENMis influenced by the quality of species’ presence and absence datasets. Presences may include marginal localities, and absences are usually difficult to collect. We evaluated the use of species’ physiological limits to improve selection of presences and absences forENMin a virtual species framework with defined response functions as surrogates for physiological knowledge.LocationThe lower 48 states inUSA.MethodsWe generated physiologically informed absences based on either complete or incomplete knowledge of species’ physiology. With the same physiological knowledge, we reduced noise (incorrect or marginal locations) from presence datasets, completely or incompletely. We compared (i) models based on physiologically informed absences and random background points, (ii) models based on presences with and without noise and (iii) models obtained with and without incorporating physiological knowledge in absence and presence datasets.ResultsOnly absences based on complete physiological information produced better performing models than random background points. Model improvement was positively correlated with the percentage of noise being removed from the presence data, and best‐performing models were obtained with true presences (all noise removed). Manipulating both absences and presences led to better models than manipulating only presences when all or majority of physiological limits were known.Main conclusionsThe benefit of incorporating physiological information intoENMdatasets largely depends on completeness of physiological knowledge, but in reality incomplete understanding of species’ physiology is the norm. We found that applying incomplete physiological knowledge to absences may biasENM, and thus, use of random background points is recommended; on the other hand, removing noise from species’ presence datasets based on incomplete physiological limits increases model performance, thus this approach could potentially improve the effectiveness ofENMapplications in conservation planning and invasive species management.
Prediction of esophageal stricture in patients given locoregional triamcinolone injections immediately after endoscopic submucosal dissection
Authors: Nagami Yasuaki , Ominami Masaki , Shiba Masatsugu , Sakai Taishi , Fukunaga Shusei , Sugimori Satoshi , Otani Koji , Hosomi Shuhei , Tanaka Fumio , Taira Koichi , Kamata Noriko , Yamagami Hirokazu , Tanigawa Tetsuya , Watanabe Toshio , Ishihara Takuma , Yamamoto Kouji , Fujiwara Yasuhiro 
Published: August 2017

Background and AimEsophageal endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) to resect widespread lesions has increased the incidence of strictures, and some patients develop strictures despite receiving prophylactic locoregional triamcinolone injections. The present study evaluated the predictive factors for esophageal stricture formation in patients given prophylactic triamcinolone injections after ESD.MethodsThis was a retrospective observational study. Of 552 consecutive patients who underwent ESD, those who received prophylactic triamcinolone injections immediately after ESD were enrolled. Primary outcome was predictive factors for esophageal stricture formation in patients given prophylactic triamcinolone injections.ResultsWe evaluated 101 en bloc resections involving 144 lesions in 96 patients. Strictures occurred following 17 (16.8%) resections. Wider circumferential mucosal defect (odds ratio [OR] 2.42, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01–5.80; P = 0.048) was an independent predictive factor for stricture development. Cut‐off value associated with stricture formation was five‐sixths of the circumferential mucosal defect. Propensity analysis determined that frequency of esophageal strictures increased in patients with circumferential mucosal defects of more than five‐sixths compared with those less than five‐sixths (OR = 5.70, 95% CI: 1.61–20.18; P = 0.007).ConclusionResections involving circumferential mucosal defects of more than five‐sixths increased the likelihood of stricture formation in patients given prophylactic locoregional triamcinolone injections after esophageal ESD.
Restricted responsiveness to noise interference in two anurans from the southern temperate forest
Authors: Penna Mario , Cisternas Javiera , Toloza Jessica 
Published: August 2017

AbstractAnimals adopt different strategies to communicate by means of sound in noisy environments such that some species increase, while others decrease their vocal activity in the presence of interference. Anuran amphibians from diverse latitudes exhibit both kinds of responses. Recent studies have shown that males of Batrachyla taeniata and Batrachyla antartandica from the temperate austral forest do not call in response to the presentation of advertisement calls of sympatric congeneric species. In contrast, Batrachyla leptopus responds to these signals in a similar way as to conspecific calls. The responsiveness of B. taeniata to natural abiotic interference has also been tested and found that noises of such sources produce strong increases in vocal activity. To assess the diversity in responsiveness to acoustic intrusion in this group, we exposed males of B. leptopus and B. antartandica to prolonged pre‐recorded natural abiotic noises of wind, creek, rain, and to a band‐pass noise centered at 2,000 Hz, at 67 dB Sound Pressure Level (SPL). The subjects did not increase their vocal activity significantly when exposed to these sounds and to band‐pass noise at increasing intensities (55–79 dB SPL). These results contrast with the increase in vocal activity observed previously in B. taeniata to continuous abiotic noise and point to the existence of diverse strategies to confront acoustic intrusion among related species. The lack of vocal activation observed also contrasts with the responsiveness of B. leptopus to heterospecific signals, but parallels the lack of response to such sounds in B. antartandica. Furthermore, the results obtained contrast with the responsiveness of these species to synthetic prolonged sounds observed in previous studies, suggesting that the modes of responses to acoustic intrusion may depend on previous experience, rather than having a species‐specific nature.
Case of possible multiple system atrophy with a characteristic imaging finding of open bladder neck during storage phase as an initial sign
Authors: Zhang Lu , Haga Nobuhiro , Ogawa Soichiro , Matsuoka Kanako , Koguchi Tomoyuki , Akaihata Hidenori , Hata Junya , Kataoka Masao , Ishibashi Kei , Kojima Yoshiyuki 
Published: August 2017

AbstractMultiple system atrophy is a neurodegenerative disease that affects autonomic and motor systems. Patients with multiple system atrophy usually experience lower urinary tract symptoms, which sometimes appear as an initial symptom before the emergence of the generalized symptoms. An open bladder neck during the filling phase on video urodynamic study is one characteristic imaging finding after the diagnosis of multiple system atrophy, but has not previously been reported at an early phase of the disease. We report a case in which an open bladder neck was observed on several imaging modalities before generalized symptoms emerged. Because occult neurogenic bladder might exist in patients whose lower urinary tract symptoms are resistant to pharmacotherapy, we report this case to raise awareness of the importance of sufficient imaging evaluations. An open bladder neck might be an important imaging finding for diagnosing multiple system atrophy, irrespective of the presence of generalized symptoms. This finding could help avoid false diagnosis and unnecessary treatment.
Anatomical description of the main vessels for venipuncture in the black‐striped capuchin monkey (Sapajus libidinosus, Silva Junior, 2002)
Authors: La Salles Ana Y.F. , Cordeiro Jefferson F. , Santos José R. S. , Carreiro Artur N. , Medeiros Gildenor X. , Menezes Danilo J. A. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractBackgroundThe scarcity of data on the anatomy of Sapajus libidinosus has impeded the execution for appropriate veterinary treatment. The objective of this study was to describe the main peripheral veins of the capuchin monkey, used in venipuncture and indicate the best access route for venipuncture procedures.MethodsTen S. libidinosus corpses were used. The face, neck, chest, and pelvic limb were dissected using surgical instruments to identify and locate surface vessels.ResultsThe main superficial veins identified could be used for venipuncture in capuchin monkey where the external jugular, brachial, cephalic, saphenous, and femoral veins. The veins in the pelvic limb were the most suitable for this purpose, with an un anesthetized subject.ConclusionsThe femoral vein was shown to be the most suitable for blood sampling and drug administration and the saphenous vein for serum therapy protocols.
Repeated exposure to two stressors in sequence demonstrates that corticosterone and paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus interleukin‐1β responses habituate independently
Authors: Lovelock D. F. , Deak T. 
Published: August 2017

A wide range of stress‐related pathologies such as post‐traumatic stress disorder are considered to arise from aberrant or maladaptive forms of stress adaptation. The hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal (HPA) axis readily adapts to repeated stressor exposure, yet little is known about adaptation in neuroimmune responses to repeated or sequential stress challenges. In Experiment 1, rats were exposed to 10 days of restraint alone (60 minutes daily), forced swim alone (30 minutes daily) or daily sequential exposure to restraint (60 minutes) followed immediately by forced swim (30 minutes), termed sequential stress exposure. Habituation of the corticosterone (CORT) response occurred to restraint by 5 days and swim at 10 days, whereas rats exposed to sequential stress exposure failed to display habituation to the combined challenge. Experiment 2 compared 1 or 5 days of forced swim with sequential stress exposure and examined how each affected expression of several neuroimmune and cellular activation genes in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN), prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampus (HPC). Sequential exposure to restraint and swim increased interleukin (IL)‐1β in the PVN, an effect that was attenuated after 5 days. Sequential stress exposure also elicited IL‐6 and tumour necrosis factor‐α responses in the HPC and PFC, respectively, which did not habituate after 5 days. Experiment 3 tested whether prior habituation to restraint (5 days) would alter the IL‐1β response evoked by swim exposure imposed immediately after the sixth day of restraint. Surprisingly, a history of repeated exposure to restraint attenuated the PVN IL‐1β response after swim in comparison to acutely‐exposed subjects despite an equivalent CORT response. Overall, these findings suggest that habituation of neuroimmune responses to stress proceeds: (i) independent of HPA axis habituation; (ii) likely requires more daily sessions of stress to develop; and (iii) IL‐1β displays a greater tendency to habituate after repeated stress challenges compared to other stress‐reactive cytokines.