bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Groundwater Governance in a Water‐Starved Country: Public Policy, Farmers' Perceptions, and Drivers of Tubewell Adoption in Balochistan, Pakistan
Authors: Khair Syed Mohammad , Mushtaq Shahbaz , Reardon‐Smith Kathryn 
Published: August 2014

AbstractPakistan faces the challenge of developing sustainable groundwater policies with the main focus on groundwater management rather than groundwater development and with appropriate governance arrangement to ensure benefits continue into the future. This article investigates groundwater policy, farmers' perceptions, and drivers of tubewell (groundwater bore) adoption and proposes possible pathways for improved groundwater management for Balochistan, Pakistan. Historical groundwater policies were mainly aimed at increasing agricultural production and reducing poverty, without consideration of adverse impact on groundwater availability. These groundwater policies and governance arrangements have resulted in a massive decline in groundwater tables. Tubewell owners' rankings of the drivers of groundwater decline suggest that rapid and widespread installation of tubewells, together with uncontrolled extraction due to lack of property rights, electricity subsidy policies, and ineffective governance, are key causes of groundwater decline in Balochistan. An empirical “tubewell adoption” model confirmed that the electricity subsidy significantly influenced tubewell adoption decisions. The article proposes a more rational electricity subsidy policy for sustaining groundwater levels in the short‐run. However, in the long run a more comprehensive sustainable groundwater management policy, with strong institutional support and involvement of all stakeholders, is needed.
Survey of home hemodialysis patients and nursing staff regarding vascular access use and care
Authors: Spry Leslie A. , Burkart John M. , Holcroft Christina , Mortier Leigh , Glickman Joel D. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractVascular access infections are of concern to hemodialysis patients and nurses. Best demonstrated practices (BDPs) have not been developed for home hemodialysis (HHD) access use, but there have been generally accepted practices (GAPs) endorsed by dialysis professionals. We developed a survey to gather information about training provided and actual practices of HHD patients using the NxStage System One HHD machine. We used GAP to assess training used by nurses to teach HHD access care and then assess actual practice (adherence) by HHD patients. We also assessed training and adherence where GAPs do not exist. We received a 43% response rate from patients and 76% response from nurses representing 19 randomly selected HHD training centers. We found that nurses were not uniformly instructing HHD patients according to GAP, patients were not performing access cannulation according to GAP, nor were they adherent to their training procedures. Identification of signs and symptoms of infection was commonly trained appropriately, but we observed a reluctance to report some signs and symptoms of infection by patients. Of particular concern, when aggregating all steps surveyed, not a single nurse or patient reported training or performing all steps in accordance with GAP. We also identified practices for which there are no GAPs that require further study and may or may not impact outcomes such as infection. Further research is needed to develop strategies to implement and expand GAP, measure outcomes, and ultimately develop BDP for HHD to improve infectious complications.
A descriptive review on methods to prioritize outcomes in a health care context
Authors: Janssen Inger M. , Gerhardus Ansgar , Schröer‐Günther Milly A. , Scheibler Fülöp 
Published: August 2014

AbstractBackgroundEvidence synthesis has seen major methodological advances in reducing uncertainty and estimating the sizes of the effects. Much less is known about how to assess the relative value of different outcomes.ObjectiveTo identify studies that assessed preferences for outcomes in health conditions.MethodsSearch strategy: we searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO and the Cochrane Library in February 2014. Inclusion criteria: eligible studies investigated preferences of patients, family members, the general population or healthcare professionals for health outcomes. The intention of this review was to include studies which focus on theoretical alternatives; studies which assessed preferences for distinct treatments were excluded. Data extraction: study characteristics as study objective, health condition, participants, elicitation method, and outcomes assessed in the study were extracted.Main resultsOne hundred and twenty‐four studies were identified and categorized into four groups: (1) multi criteria decision analysis (MCDA) (n = 71), (2) rating or ranking (n = 25), (3) utility eliciting (n = 5) and (4) studies comparing different methods (n = 23). The number of outcomes assessed by method group varied. The comparison of different methods or subgroups within one study often resulted in different hierarchies of outcomes.ConclusionsA dominant method most suitable for application in evidence syntheses was not identified. As preferences of patients differ from those of other stakeholders (especially medical professionals), the choice of the group to be questioned is consequential. Further research needs to focus on validity and applicability of the identified methods.
Oral mucosal screening and referral attitudes of Australian oral health therapists and dental hygienists in Queensland
Authors: Allen K , Ford PJ , Farah CS 
Published: August 2014

AbstractObjectivesThe aim of this study was to describe oral mucosal screening and referral attitudes of Australian oral health therapists (OHTs) and dental hygienists (DHs).MethodsQuestionnaires were distributed to participants who attended dental hygiene courses run in both regional and metropolitan Queensland.ResultsOne hundred and two participants comprised 58 OHTs and 44 DHs, with a mean of 8.9 years since graduation. Thirty‐four participants worked in regional locations, while 68 were from metropolitan areas. 97% of participants agreed that mucosal screening should be performed for all new and recall patients, while a minority (5%) agreed that patients will detect an oral mucosal change themselves. The majority (77%) agreed that oral cancer would be encountered in their practising career. Most participants (81%) felt comfortable discussing the presence of a suspicious lesion with patients and 88% agreed that it was their role to screen. In terms of barriers to oral cancer screening, lack of training was seen as the most prevalent barrier (56%) followed by lack of confidence (51%). Lack of time was seen as the third most prevalent barrier (40%), and lack of financial incentives was the least prevalent barrier (16%).ConclusionsOral health therapists and DHs understand the importance of oral mucosal screening and are likely to be alert to oral mucosal changes. While lack of time and financial incentives was perceived to be impediments to mucosal screening, lack of confidence and training was the most prevalent barriers. This issue should be addressed through implementation of effective continuing education courses targeting oral cancer screening and referral practices.
Mulching Improves Water Productivity, Yield and Quality of Fine Rice under Water‐saving Rice Production Systems
Authors: Jabran K. , Ullah E. , Hussain M. , Farooq M. , Zaman U. , Yaseen M. , Chauhan B. S. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractWater‐saving rice production systems are inevitable in the wake of severe water shortage in rice‐growing regions of the world. Mulches can improve water productivity, yield and quality of rice through increase in water retention. Studies were conducted for two consecutive years to assess the potential role of mulches (plastic and straw) in improving the performance of water‐saving rice production systems in comparison with no mulch used and conventionally irrigated transplanted rice. Water‐saving rice production systems in this study comprise aerobic rice and transplanted rice with intermittent irrigation. These systems saved water (18–27 %) with improved water productivity more than the conventional system. However, these systems caused a yield penalty of 22–37 %; nevertheless, these yield losses were compensated with the application of mulches under water‐saving rice production systems. Both plastic and straw mulches were helpful in improving moisture retention and water productivity (0.18–0.25 kg grain m−3 water) relative to non‐mulch treatments (0.19–0.29 kg grain m−3 water). Mulch application was also helpful in reducing the number of non‐productive tillers and sterile spikelets, and improving the productive tillers, kernel number and size, and kernel quality. Plastic mulch was more effective than straw mulch in improving water retention, water productivity and reducing spikelet sterility. In conclusion, the mulching improved the soil moisture retention, and thus enhanced the rice water productivity, spikelet fertility, paddy yield and quality of rice. This signifies the importance of mulching in water‐saving rice production systems.
Monitoring Early Hydration of Cement by Ex Situ and In Situ ATR‐FTIR – a Comparative Study
Authors: Ylmén Rikard , Jäglid Ulf , Panas Itai 
Published: August 2014

Diffuse Reflection Fourier Transform Infrared (DR‐FTIR) spectroscopy has previously proven to provide time‐resolved insights into early cement hydration spanning ~30 s to ~36 h after completing the mixing. Here, a previously validated ex situ freeze‐dry procedure to stop hydration at preset times is complemented by an in situ Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR) infrared spectroscopy method. The qualitative overall agreement between ex situ freeze‐drying and in situ monitoring is demonstrated. Moreover, water conversion during hydration comes out clearly in the time‐resolved ATR‐FTIR spectra. This information is absent in DR‐FTIR where buildups of crystal water and hydroxides are observed, while quenching of the hydration process requires removal of free water prior to acquiring the spectra. The ability of the IR technique to monitor the initial rate of hydration as a function of time is validated by comparing to calorimetry. The two approaches are understood to be complementary in that the former monitors alite grain surface hydration, while the latter reflects bulk hydration. IR is complementary to the calorimetry in cases of surface processes in conjunction with low enthalpy changes, that is, initial C–S–H formation and additive related surface chemistry.
Accurate Determination of Optical Functions of Ge–As–Te Glasses via Spectroscopic Ellipsometry
Authors: Hawlová Petra , Verger Frédéric , Nazabal Virginie , Boidin Rémi , Němec Petr 
Published: August 2014

Variable angle spectroscopic ellipsometry technique was used to characterize optical functions of chalcogenide glasses from Ge–As–Te system in broad spectral range (300 nm–20 μm). Measured real and imaginary parts of pseudodielectric function were modeled with Cody–Lorentz approach and Sellmeier equation. Very good agreement between experimentally measured and modeled imaginary and real parts of pseudodielectric functions leads to precise determination of optical functions (refractive index, extinction coefficient) of studied Ge–As–Te glasses in extremely broad spectral range covering UV–Vis‐NIR‐MIR. The method is generally applicable for other glasses and amorphous materials.
AV‐Block and Conduction Slowing Prevail Over TdP Arrhythmias in the Methoxamine‐Sensitized Pro‐Arrhythmic Rabbit Model
Authors: VARKEVISSER ROSANNE , VOS MARC A. , BEEKMAN JET D. , TIELAND RALPH G. , VAN DER HEYDEN MARCEL A. 
Published: August 2014

Anesthesia in the Methoxamine‐Sensitized RabbitIntroductionThe methoxamine‐sensitized rabbit model is widely used to screen drugs for proarrhythmic properties, especially repolarization‐dependent TdP arrhythmias. With the change of anesthesia and/or sensitizing agent, conduction disturbances have been reported as well. Therefore, we compared currently available in‐house anesthetics in order to preserve arrhythmia sensitivity and preclude conduction disturbances.Methods and ResultsRabbits were randomly assigned to 3 groups: (1) 35 mg/kg ketamine + 5 mg/kg xylazine; (2) 0.5 mL/kg hypnorm + 3 mg/kg midazolam; (3) 35 mg/kg ketamine + 20 mg/kg propofol. Anesthesia was maintained by 1.5% isoflurane. Concomitant infusion of methoxamine (17 μg/kg/min for 40 minutes) and dofetilide (10 μg/kg/min for 30 minutes) was used to induce arrhythmias. Sole methoxamine infusion exclusively decreased HR in groups 1 and 3. Dofetilide lengthened repolarization, followed in time by PQ/QRS prolongation, second‐degree AV block, and subsequently TdP arrhythmias. TdP was seen in 80%, 0%, and 33% of the rabbits in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Decreasing the dose of dofetilide to 5 μg/kg/min in ketamine/xylazine anesthetized rabbits resulted in a drop in TdP incidence (25%) while conduction disturbances persisted.Flunarizine (n = 6) suppressed all TdP arrhythmias while conduction disturbances remained present.ConclusionTdP incidence in the methoxamine‐sensitized rabbit could be dramatically influenced by anesthesia, drug dose, and flunarizine, while conduction slowing remained present. Thus, conduction slowing seems to be the integral outcome in this model.
Impact of eating and drinking on body composition measurements by bioelectrical impedance
Authors: Androutsos O. , Gerasimidis K. , Karanikolou A. , Reilly J. J. , Edwards C. A. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractBackgroundBioelectrical impedance analysis would be a more practical tool to measure body composition in clinical settings, dietetic practice and epidemiological studies if patients/subjects did not have to fast before measurements. The present study assessed whether the ingestion of food or drink had any biologically significant effect on bioimpedance measurements and body composition by the foot‐to‐foot method.MethodsFifty‐five healthy adults [30 males and 25 females; mean (SD) age 27.7 (7.1) years; mean (SD)body mass index 24 (3.8) kg m−2] were randomly assigned to a 2‐day food trial (high‐fat meal or high‐carbohydrate meal) or a 2‐day drink trial (water or high electrolyte drink). Body composition measurements were carried out in the fasting state, immediately after meal consumption and every 30 min for 2 h by the foot‐to‐foot single frequency bioimpedance technique.ResultsBioimpedance increased significantly after the ingestion of food and fluid, although the changes were small. The electrolyte drink, high‐fat and high‐carbohydrate meals significantly increased the percentage body fat and fat mass. In all cases, the median percentage changes from baseline were approximately 1% in body fat percentage units.ConclusionsAlthough there were statistically significant changes in body composition estimates after food or drink consumption, these were small and within the imprecision of the impedance technique, and so are unlikely to be of clinical significance. The present study suggests that impedance measures of body fatness in clinical settings do not require strict adherence to fasting, and this should increase the opportunities for clinical application.
Transforming community services through the use of a multidimensional model of clinical leadership
Authors: Leigh Jacqueline Anne , Wild Jill , Hynes Celia , Wells Stuart , Kurien Anish , Rutherford June , Rosen Lyn , Ashcroft Tim , Hartley Victoria 
Published: August 2014

Aims and objectivesTo evaluate the application of a Multidimensional Model of Clinical Leadership on the community healthcare leader and on transforming community services.BackgroundHealthcare policy advocates clinical leadership as the vehicle to transform community and healthcare services. Few studies have identified the key components of an effective clinical leadership development model.DesignThe first two stages of Kirkpatrick's (Personnel Administrator 28, 1983, 62) Four/Five Levels of Evaluation were used to evaluate the application of the multidimensional model of clinical leadership.MethodsEighty community healthcare leaders were exposed to this multidimensional clinical leadership development model through attendance of a community clinical leadership development programme. Twenty five leaders participated in focus group interviews. Data from the interviews were analysed utilising thematic content analysis.ResultsThree key themes emerged that influenced the development of best practice principles for clinical leadership development:

Personal leadership development

Organisational leadership

The importance of multiprofessional action learning/reflective groups

ConclusionsEmergent best practice principles for clinical leadership development include adopting a multidimensional development approach. This approach encompasses: preparing the individual leader in the role and seeking organisational leadership development that promotes the vision and corporate values of the organisation and delivers on service improvement and innovation. Moreover, application of the Multidimensional Model of Clinical Leadership could offer the best platform for embedding the Six C's of Nursing (Compassion in Practice – Our Culture of Compassionate Care, Department of Health, Crown Copyright, 2012) within the culture of the healthcare organisation: care, compassion, courage, commitment, communication, and competency. This is achieved in part through the application of emotional intelligence to understand self and to develop the personal integrity of the healthcare leader and through supporting a culture of lifelong leadership learning.Relevance to clinical practiceEmbedding the best practice principles of clinical leadership development within a multidimensional model of clinical leadership provides a promising approach to: equipping the healthcare leader with those transferable leadership skills required to help them embark on a journey of lifelong leadership learning; and producing the healthcare leader who is caring, compassionate and can confidently and effectively transform community services.
Long‐Term Outcomes of Successful Chronic Total Occlusion Percutaneous Coronary Interventions Using the Antegrade and Retrograde Approach
Authors: MICHAEL TESFALDET T. , MOGABGAB OWEN , ALOMAR MOHAMMED , KOTSIA ANNA , CHRISTOPOULOS GEORGE , RANGAN BAVANA V. , ABDULLAH SHUAIB , GRODIN JERROLD , BANERJEE SUBHASH , BRILAKIS EMMANOUIL S. 
Published: August 2014

ObjectiveTo compare long‐term clinical outcomes of chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using the retrograde and antegrade approach.BackgroundThere is limited long‐term clinical outcomes data on the retrograde approach to CTO PCI.MethodsWe performed a retrospective analysis of the long‐term clinical outcomes of 193 consecutive patients who underwent successful CTO PCI at our institution between March 2008 and December 2011.ResultsMean age was 63.6 ± 8.3 years. The target vessel was right coronary artery in 52.6%, left anterior descending artery in 24.5% and circumflex in 21.4% of cases. The retrograde approach was used in 41 patients (21.2%). The mean stent length was longer in the retrograde group (83 ± 32 vs. 64 ± 32 mm, P = 0.001). Two major procedural complications occurred, both in the retrograde group (P = 0.012). During a median follow‐up of 2.0 years compared to the antegrade CTO PCI group, patients who underwent retrograde CTO PCI were more likely to undergo target lesion revascularization (TLR) (45.6% vs. 25.7%, P = 0.006). No significant difference was observed in the incidence of all‐cause mortality, myocardial infarction, non‐target vessel revascularization, or coronary artery bypass graft surgery between the 2 groups. On multivariate analysis, stent length was the only independent predictor of TLR during follow‐up.ConclusionsRetrograde CTO PCI was associated with higher incidence of TLR, but similar incidence of death and myocardial infarction compared to antegrade CTO PCI. These findings likely reflect the higher complexity of CTO lesions treated with the retrograde approach. (J Interven Cardiol 2014;27:465–471)
Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS): a preliminary within‐subject study of quality of life, oral health impacts and personality profiles
Authors: AL‐Omiri Mahmoud K. , Karasneh Jumana , Alhijawi Mohannad M. , Zwiri Abdalwhab M. A. , Scully Crispian , Lynch Edward 
Published: August 2014

BackgroundRAS may affect quality of life and impacts oral health and daily activities; consequently, psychological factors, dental needs and patients’ perceptions. Professionals should understand this relation to adequately manage oral ulcers. This study aimed at investigating the relationship between oral health impacts, oral health‐related quality of life and psychological profiles in patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS).MethodsFifty‐three patients (30 men and 23 women, mean age: 31.1 ± 10.1 years) with RAS participated in this study. During ulcer episodes, participants completed Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD), Neuroticism‐Extraversion‐Openness Five Factor Inventory (NEO‐FFI), Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP‐14) and United Kingdom Oral Health‐Related Quality of Life measure (OHQoL‐UK) proformas. Patients completed OHIP‐14 and OHQoL‐UK again when they were ulcer‐free. The statistically significance levels were set at P ≤ 0.05.ResultsDuring ulcer episodes, patients reported worse oral health impacts and an inferior quality of life in comparison with ulcer‐free times (P < 0.0001). Higher OHIP scores were significantly associated with higher HAD depression (P = 0.036) and anxiety (P = 0.012) scores. NEO‐FFI scores had no significant relations with OHIP and OHQoL‐UK scores (P > 0.05). During ulcer‐free periods, no relationships were detected between OHIP, OHQoL‐UK, HAD and NEO‐FFI scores (P > 0.05), except between OHQoL‐UK and conscientiousness scores (P = 0.05).ConclusionsRAS increased the negative oral health impacts on patients and consequently lowered their quality of life. Stressful situations and conditions (including anxiety and depression), rather than inherent personality profiles and stable psychological traits, were related to oral health impacts and quality of life in patients with RAS.
Bullying Victimization Prevalence and Its Effects on Psychosomatic Complaints: Can Sense of Coherence Make a Difference?
Authors: García‐Moya Irene , Suominen Sakari , Moreno Carmen 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACTBACKGROUNDThe aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of bullying victimization and its impact on physical and psychological complaints in a representative sample of adolescents and to explore the role of sense of coherence (SOC) in victimization prevalence and consequences.METHODSA representative sample of Spanish adolescents (N = 7580, mean age = 15.41) was selected as part of the Health Behaviour in School‐aged Children study. Bullying victimization, physical and psychological symptoms, and SOC were measured, and comparisons were made between strong‐ and weak‐SOC adolescents regarding their likelihood of being a victim of bullying and the negative effects of bullying victimization on their health.RESULTSWeak‐SOC adolescents were significantly more likely to suffer from bullying victimization regardless of type (nonphysical vs physical and nonphysical) or means (traditional vs cyberbullying). In addition, bullying victimization showed significant increasing effects on weak‐SOC adolescents' physical and psychological symptoms whereas in strong‐SOC adolescents it was not significantly associated with increases in physical complaints and its effects on psychological complaints seemed to be weaker.CONCLUSIONSWeak‐SOC adolescents seem to be at higher risk of becoming bullying victims and victimization experiences appear to have increased negative effects on them when compared to strong‐SOC students.