bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ambulatory Antibiotic Prescribing for Acute Bronchitis and Cough and Hospital Admissions for Respiratory Infections: Time Trends Analysis
Authors: Mainous Arch G , Saxena Sonia , Hueston William J , Everett Charles J , Majeed Azeem 
Published: November 2017

Objectives To examine the relationship between ambulatory antibiotic prescribing for acute bronchitis and cough with hospital admissions for respiratory infections in the USA between 1996 and 2003. Design Analysis of data on antibiotic prescribing for episodes of acute bronchitis/cough illness in ambulatory care and hospitalization for respiratory infections for adults between 1996 and 2003 in the USA. Setting USA: ambulatory prescribing behaviour was derived from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey and the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey while hospitalizations in acute care hospitals were assessed in the National Hospital Discharge Survey. Participants Adults 18–64 years old. Interventions None. Main outcome measures Proportion of visits for acute bronchitis/cough receiving a prescription for antibiotics and hospitalization for respiratory infections. Results Ambulatory antibiotic prescribing practices for acute bronchitis/cough and hospitalizations for respiratory infections exhibited non-linear patterns over the 8 year period. However, antibiotic prescribing practices for acute bronchitis/cough and hospitalizations for respiratory infections had a weak/moderate negative association. For three of the seven yearly changes in prescribing and hospitalizations as one increased the other decreased ( P <0.01). Conclusions Ambulatory antibiotic prescribing for respiratory tract infections was inversely associated with hospital admissions for respiratory tract infections.
Psychological Services in Hospices in the UK and Republic of Ireland
Authors: Price A , Hotopf M , Higginson I J , Monroe B , Henderson M 
Published: November 2017

Objective To evaluate the level of psychological services available to patients and staff in hospices. Design Questionnaire analysis. Setting Hospices in the UK and Republic of Ireland. Participants 224 hospices. Main outcome measures The availability of professional psychological support for those with advanced disease. Results Responses were received from 166 hospices (74%). Only 50 hospices (30%) have access to a psychiatrist, whilst 68 (41%) have access to a clinical psychologist and 92 (45%) have neither. Only 21 hospices (12%) have service level agreements with local mental health trusts. Counsellors, complementary therapists and spiritual advisors such as chaplains were more plentiful. Conclusions Delivery of the NICE guidelines, especially tier four, may be compromised by limited availability of specialist services. This has implications for the psychological assessment of applicants for voluntary euthanasia under an Assisted Dying Act.
Economic evaluation of a nurse-led home and clinic-based secondary prevention programme to prevent progressive cardiac dysfunction in high-risk individuals: The Nurse-led Intervention for Less Chronic Heart Failure (NIL-CHF) randomized controlled study
Authors: Maru Shoko , Byrnes Joshua , Carrington Melinda J , Chan Yih-Kai , Stewart Simon , Scuffham Paul A 
Published: November 2017

Objective:The objective of this study was to assess the cost-effectiveness of a long-term, nurse-led, multidisciplinary programme of home/clinic visits in preventing progressive cardiac dysfunction in patients at risk of developing de novo chronic heart failure (CHF).Methods:A trial-based analysis was conducted alongside a pragmatic, single-centre, open-label, randomized controlled trial of 611 patients (mean age: 66 years) with subclinical cardiovascular diseases (without CHF) discharged to home from an Australian tertiary referral hospital. A nurse-led home and clinic-based programme (NIL-CHF intervention, n = 301) was compared with standard care ( n=310) in terms of life-years, quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) and healthcare costs. The uncertainty around the incremental cost and QALYs was quantified by bootstrap simulations and displayed on a cost-effectiveness plane.Results:During a median follow-up of 4.2 years, there were no significant between-group differences in life-years (−0.056, p=0.488) and QALYs (−0.072, p=0.399), which were lower in the NIL-CHF group. The NIL-CHF group had slightly lower all-cause hospitalization costs (AUD$2943 per person; p=0.219), cardiovascular-related hospitalization costs (AUD$1142; p=0.592) and a more pronounced reduction in emergency/unplanned hospitalization costs (AUD$4194 per person; p=0.024). When the cost of intervention was added to all-cause, cardiovascular and emergency-related readmissions, the reductions in the NIL-CHF group were AUD$2742 ( p=0.313), AUD$941 ( p=0.719) and AUD$3993 ( p=0.046), respectively. At a willingness-to-pay threshold of AUD$50,000/QALY, the probability of the NIL-CHF intervention being better-valued was 19%.Conclusions:Compared with standard care, the NIL-CHF intervention was not a cost-effective strategy as life-years and QALYs were slightly lower in the NIL-CHF group. However, it was associated with modest reductions in emergency/unplanned readmission costs.
Characterisation of Nav1.7 functional expression in rat dorsal root ganglia neurons by using an electrical field stimulation assay
Authors: Fouillet Antoine , Watson Jake F. , Piekarz Andrew D. , Huang Xiaofang , Li Baolin , Priest Birgit , Nisenbaum Eric , Sher Emanuele , Ursu Daniel 
Published: November 2017

Background The Nav1.7 subtype of voltage-gated sodium channels is specifically expressed in sensory and sympathetic ganglia neurons where it plays an important role in the generation and transmission of information related to pain sensation. Human loss or gain-of-function mutations in the gene encoding Nav1.7 channels (SCN9A) are associated with either absence of pain, as reported for congenital insensitivity to pain, or with exacerbation of pain, as reported for primary erythromelalgia and paroxysmal extreme pain disorder. Based on this important human genetic evidence, numerous drug discovery efforts are ongoing in search for Nav1.7 blockers as a novel therapeutic strategy to treat pain conditions. Results We are reporting here a novel approach to study Nav1.7 function in cultured rat sensory neurons. We used live cell imaging combined with electrical field stimulation to evoke and record action potential-driven calcium transients in the neurons. We have shown that the tarantula venom peptide Protoxin-II, a known Nav1.7 subtype selective blocker, inhibited electrical field stimulation-evoked calcium responses in dorsal root ganglia neurons with an IC50 of 72 nM, while it had no activity in embryonic hippocampal neurons. The results obtained in the live cell imaging assay were supported by patch-clamp studies as well as by quantitative PCR and Western blotting experiments that confirmed the presence of Nav1.7 mRNA and protein in dorsal root ganglia but not in embryonic hippocampal neurons. Conclusions The findings presented here point to a selective effect of Protoxin-II in sensory neurons and helped to validate a new method for investigating and comparing Nav1.7 pharmacology in sensory versus central nervous system neurons. This will help in the characterisation of the selectivity of novel Nav1.7 modulators using native ion channels and will provide the basis for the development of higher throughput models for enabling pain-relevant phenotypic screening.
Analysis of the experiences of nurses who return to nursing after cancer
Authors: Edward Karen-leigh , Giandinoto Jo-Ann , McFarland Judelle 
Published: November 2017

Background: understanding the impact of role ambiguity (both professional and patient) can be a factor in deepening the understanding of the ongoing personal, professional and organisational requirements of nurses who are cancer survivors. Purpose: the aim of this qualitative study was to elucidate an in-depth description of nurses' experiences of surviving cancer. Method: an exploratory qualitative research design was used (n=8), with participants recruited between September 2014 and December 2016. Discussion: data analysis led to the emergence of six themes: being practical about the diagnosis and treatment, empathy and compassion, a ‘new normal’ and the role of organisational support, medical knowledge and treatment experiences, coping in silence and denial, and being resilient. Conclusion: nurses as cancer survivors who return to work offer a richness of experience related to enhanced empathetic responses to patients in their care and have the potential to be great practice role-models for other staff.
Development and evaluation of an educational training package to promote health and wellbeing
Authors: Gartshore Emily , Briggs Lydia , Blake Holly 
Published: November 2017

Background: supporting the health and wellbeing of healthcare employees is a national priority in the UK. Aims: to design, deliver and evaluate an educational package to promote health and wellbeing for nurses and midwives. Methods: an online training package was developed and administered in two ways: online (HAWN-online) or in a face-to-face workshop (HAWN-contact). A mixed methods evaluation was used to assess usability and acceptability of HAWN training. Findings: 316 nurses, midwives and students completed the online training package and 16 participants attended the workshop. HAWN-online significantly increased knowledge in core areas of workplace health and wellbeing. Nurses and midwives valued online and face-to-face delivery but found there were barriers to attendance at workshops. Participants advocated that training in workplace health should be mandatory for all frontline staff. Conclusions: employers should take steps to promote staff wellbeing through HAWN training, and address barriers to accessing workplace health training or supportive services.
The effect of distal femoral extension osteotomy on muscle lengths after surgery
Authors: Lenhart R. L. , Smith C. R. , Schwartz M. H. , Novacheck T. F. , Thelen D. G. 
Published: November 2017

Purpose The distal femoral extension osteotomy (DFEO) is often used in the treatment of crouch gait to help compensate for knee flexion contractures. The effects of DFEO on skeletal and muscle lengths are incompletely understood, but are important to consider in planning concomitant surgeries such as patellar tendon advancement (PTA). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to quantify the changes in femur, quadriceps, and hamstring lengths with DFEO, and to determine the sensitivity to surgical factors such as wedge location and magnitude. Methods A musculoskeletal model with six degrees of freedom tibiofemoral and patellofemoral joints was used for analysis. A wedge was removed from the distal femur and the remaining bone segments were plated together to simulate the DFEO. After simulating the knee's post-operative equilibrium, the surgically-induced changes in muscle and bone lengths were analysed. Results Relative to the pre-operative state, DFEO stretches the hamstrings while shortening the femur and quadriceps. A more posterior wedge apex location (i.e. creation of a cuneiform wedge) diminished the stretch of the hamstrings, but induced greater shortening of the femur and quadriceps. More proximal wedge locations necessitated greater translation of the distal fragment to maintain the knee joint axis. Conclusion Reduced quadriceps length after DFEO shown in this study is consistent with the need for simultaneous PTA. The induced hamstring stretch also may represent a potential mechanism for post-operative nerve palsies. Overall, the numerical results provide a firmer basis for planning the specifics of DFEO such that desired muscle lengths and joint alignment are achieved.
Molecular Simulation Study on the Interaction of Nanoparticles with Clay Minerals: C60 on Surfaces of Pyrophyllite and Kaolinite
Authors: Zhou Huijun , Chen Meng , Zhu Lifang , Li Lin , Zhu Runliang , He Hongping 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBuckminsterfullerene (C60) is one of the most important carbon-based nanoparticles (CNPs). Industrial-scale production of C60 has reached the level of tons; release to the environment has been confirmed (Tremblay, 2002; Qiao et al., 2007). The present study was devoted to study of the effect of clay minerals on the migration process of C60. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were used to study the interaction of CNPS with clay minerals through study of the adsorption of C60 on various surfaces of kaolinite and pyrophyllite in vacuum and aqueous environments. Two kinds of surfaces, hydrophobic siloxane surfaces and hydrophilic hydroxyl surfaces, were investigated. C60 is mainly adsorbed onto the vacancy of the six-membered ring, composed of SiO4 tetrahedra or AlO6 octahedra, on clay-mineral surfaces. A single adsorption layer consisting of C60 molecules with an ordered hexagonal arrangement is presented for all surfaces in vacuum. In aqueous environments, however, the monolayer appears on the siloxane surfaces only, while a cluster of C60 molecules is formed on the hydroxyl surfaces. Free energies prove that the attachment of two C60 molecules is stronger than the adsorption of C60 onto the hydroxyl surface in water, which is the reason for unfavorable formation of C60 monolayer. On the other hand, the adsorption free energy is more negative on the hydrophobic siloxane surface, explaining the monolayer formation. The existence of water, which forms hydration layers on the surfaces of clay minerals, produces energy barriers, and reduces the adsorption affinity to some extent. Because clay minerals act as geosorbents in the environment, the present study is significant in terms of understanding the migration and fate of CNPS in nature.
The ‘cultural’ open method of coordination: Is it up to the job?
Authors: Psychogiopoulou Evangelia 
Published: November 2017

Abstract
The article focuses on the use of the open method of coordination (OMC) in the field of culture. Its aim is to explore the adequacy of the cultural OMC in achieving its specific goals. The article examines the configuration and functioning of the cultural OMC through two distinct cycles (2008−10 and 2011−14), investigating the capacity of the process to structure Member States’ cultural cooperation, to foster exchanges of best practice and to feed national and European Union (EU) cultural policies through the formulation of policy recommendations. The analysis draws on desk research and interviews carried out with the European institutions, Member States’ cultural authorities and OMC participants in the cultural field. The article demonstrates that overall the cultural OMC is well-equipped to fulfil its mission and suggests that targeted changes to its format and operation could further strengthen its potential to do so.
EULAR recommendations for the management of rheumatoid arthritis: what is new in 2017 and its applicability in our local setting
Authors: Mok Chi Chiu 
Published: November 2017

AbstractRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common rheumatic disease being managed by the rheumatologists. With the emergence of the biologic and targeted synthetic disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (b/tsDMARDs), the prognosis of RA has improved substantially. However, these novel agents are associated with high cost and untoward effects. International consensus statements for the drug management of RA have been published to guide the practice of rheumatologists. In this article, updates from the 2016 EULAR management recommendations for RA are reviewed and discussed within the context of our local situation in Hong Kong.
Human adenovirus-36 seropositivity and obesity among Midwestern US adolescents
Authors: Tosh Aneesh K. , Wasserman Mollie G. , McLeay II Matthew T. , Tepe Sara K. 
Published: November 2017

Abstract

Objective
Human adenovirus-36 (Ad-36) infection has been implicated as a risk factor for obesity. This study aims to measure Ad-36 antibody prevalence among obese and healthy-weight Midwestern US adolescents.

Methods
Obese and healthy-weight subjects 10–18 years of age attending an adolescent clinic in Missouri, USA, were tested for Ad-36 antibodies via ELISA assay. All subjects were measured for height and weight to determine body mass index (BMI). χ2 analysis was used to compare Ad-36 antibody prevalence between the two groups.

Results
Ad-36 antibodies were tested on 41 obese and 37 control subjects. The subjects’ mean age at the time of sample collection was 15.6 years (SD 2.0). Ad-36 antibody prevalence was 43.9% among the obese group and 21.6% among the control group (p = 0.038).

Discussion
The findings show that statistically more obese Missouri adolescents test positive for Ad-36 antibodies than their healthy-weight peers, consistent with previous findings suggesting a correlation between Ad-36 infection and obesity.
Experience of violence amongst female medical and nursing students and their perception regarding violence against women in Delhi, India
Authors: Gautam Nitika , Anand Tanu , Kishore Jugal , Grover Shekhar 
Published: November 2017

Abstract

Background
Health care providers are often the first point of contact for the victims of violence against women (VAW). Therefore, it is important to understand their perception about VAW.

Objective
To assess the proportion of female medical students who experienced violence, and elicit their perception regarding the same.

Methods
It was a cross-sectional study undertaken among 50 medical and 50 nursing students of a medical college in Central Delhi. A self-administered, questionnaire was used for data collection.

Results
Of the total, 18% had experienced molestation while 77% had experienced eve-teasing during their lifetime. But, only 2% reported the incident to police. Perception regarding the victim’s role and self-determination was favorable amongst the female students. However, only 39% knew some basic self-defense techniques.

Conclusion
The proportion of students who experienced eve-teasing in their lifetime was high. The study highlighted the need to make the female students more pro-active and competent in terms of tackling violence.
Microcontroller Control/Synchronization of the Dynamics of Van der Pol Oscillators Submitted to Disturbances
Authors: Siewe R. Thepi , Domguia U. Simo , Woafo P. 
Published: November 2017

Abstract
In this article, we present a microcontroller implementation of the synchronization of two Van der Pol oscillators submitted to disturbances of the pulse-like type. Three coupling schemes are used: the classical linear proportional coupling, a power order coupling and an adaptive coupling. After obtaining the coupling coefficients for synchronization through numerical simulation, the microcontroller implementation is carried out using simulation based on Euler algorithm. Agreement is found between both simulation strategies.
Canopy structure and topography effects on snow distribution at a catchment scale: Application of multivariate approaches
Authors: Jenicek Michal , Pevna Hana , Matejka Ondrej 
Published: November 2017

Abstract
The knowledge of snowpack distribution at a catchment scale is important to predict the snowmelt runoff. The objective of this study is to select and quantify the most important factors governing the snowpack distribution, with special interest in the role of different canopy structure. We applied a simple distributed sampling design with measurement of snow depth and snow water equivalent (SWE) at a catchment scale. We selected eleven predictors related to character of specific localities (such as elevation, slope orientation and leaf area index) and to winter meteorological conditions (such as irradiance, sum of positive air temperature and sum of new snow depth). The forest canopy structure was described using parameters calculated from hemispherical photographs. A degree-day approach was used to calculate melt factors. Principal component analysis, cluster analysis and Spearman rank correlation were applied to reduce the number of predictors and to analyze measured data. The SWE in forest sites was by 40% lower than in open areas, but this value depended on the canopy structure. The snow ablation in large openings was on average almost two times faster compared to forest sites. The snow ablation in the forest was by 18% faster after forest defoliation (due to the bark beetle). The results from multivariate analyses showed that the leaf area index was a better predictor to explain the SWE distribution during accumulation period, while irradiance was better predictor during snowmelt period. Despite some uncertainty, parameters derived from hemispherical photographs may replace measured incoming solar radiation if this meteorological variable is not available.
Use of conventional flow resistance equations and a model for the Nikuradse roughness in vegetated flows at high submergence
Authors: Gualtieri Paola , Felice Sergio De , Pasquino Vittorio , Doria Guelfo Pulci 
Published: November 2017

Abstract
This study examines the problem of flow resistance due to rigid vegetation in open channel flow. The reliability of the conventional flow resistance equations (i.e. Keulegan, Manning and Chézy-Bazin) for vegetated flows at high submergence, i.e. h/k >5, (where h = flow depth and k = vegetation height) is assessed. Several modern flow resistance equations based on a two-layer approach are examined, showing that they transform into the conventional equations at high submergences. To compare the conventional flow resistance equations at high submergences, an experimental methodology is proposed and applied to the experimental data reported in the literature and collected for this study. The results demonstrate the reliability of the Keulegan equation in predicting the flow resistance. Based on the obtained results, a model to evaluate the Nikuradse equivalent sand-grain roughness, kN, starting from the vegetation height and density, is proposed and tested.
Detection of changes in flow regime of rivers in Poland
Authors: Wrzesiński Dariusz , Sobkowiak Leszek 
Published: November 2017

Abstract
The aim of this study is to detect changes in flow regime of rivers in Poland. On the basis of daily discharges recorded in 1951-2010 at 159 gauging stations located on 94 rivers regularities in the variability of the river flow characteristics in the multi-year period and in the annual cycle were identified and also their spatial uniformity was examined. In order to identify changes in the characteristics of river regime, similarities of empirical distribution functions of the 5-day sets (pentads) of discharges were analyzed and the percent shares of similar and dissimilar distributions of the 5-day discharge frequencies in the successive 20-year sub-periods were compared with the average values of discharges recorded in 1951-2010. Three alternative methods of river classification were employed and in the classification procedure use was made of the Ward’s hierarchical clustering method. This resulted in identification of groups of rivers different in terms of the degree of transformation of their hydrological regimes in the multi-year and annual patterns.
Dynamic Air Gap Change of Low-Speed Generator Considering Thermal Expansion, Centrifugal Force and Magnetic Force Effects
Authors: Cerpinska M. , Elmanis-Helmanis R. 
Published: November 2017

Abstract
The paper provides the data collected over a three-year period to illustrate the dynamic air gap change depending on generation modes of four hydropower generators with similar design. The tests were performed on hydropower units at the rated apparent power of 105 MVA and the air gap of 20 mm. The results obtained showed that the average air gap change in different modes could reach up to 2.1 mm. Around 90 % of air gap change results from thermal expansion and 10 % were determined by centrifugal and magnetic forces. In coasting mode when the power was switched off and the speed of the generator decreased, the air gap increased up to 0.7 mm. Attraction forces resulting from magnetic phenomena accounted for 0.1-0.6 mm decrease in the air gap.