bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Optimal In-Hospital and Discharge Medical Therapy in Acute Coronary Syndromes in Kerala
Authors: Huffman Mark D. , Prabhakaran Dorairaj , Abraham Adangapuram Kurien , Krishnan Mangalath Narayanan , Nambiar Asokan Cheviri , Mohanan Padinhare Purayil 
Published: June 2013

Background—
In-hospital and postdischarge treatment rates for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) remain low in India. However, little is known about the prevalence and associations of the package of optimal ACS medical care in India. Our objective was to define the prevalence, associations, and impact of optimal in-hospital and discharge medical therapy in the Kerala ACS Registry of 25 718 admissions.

Methods and Results—

We defined optimal in-hospital ACS medical therapy as receiving the following 5 medications: aspirin, clopidogrel, heparin, β-blocker, and statin. We defined optimal discharge ACS medical therapy as receiving all of the above therapies except heparin. Comparisons by optimal versus nonoptimal ACS care were made via Student
t
test for continuous variables and χ
2
test for categorical variables. We created random effects logistic regression models to evaluate the association between Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events risk score variables and optimal in-hospital or discharge medical therapy. Optimal in-hospital and discharge medical care were delivered in 40% and 46% of admissions, respectively. Wide variability in both in-hospital and discharge medical care was present, with few hospitals reaching consistently high (>90%) levels. Patients receiving optimal in-hospital medical therapy had an adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval)=0.93 (0.71, 1.22) for in-hospital death and an adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval)=0.79 (0.63, 0.99) for major adverse cardiovascular event rates. Patients who received optimal in-hospital medical care were far more likely to receive optimal discharge care (adjusted odds ratio [95% confidence interval] = 10.48 [9.37, 11.72]).

Conclusions—
Strategies to improve in-hospital and discharge medical therapy are needed to improve local process-of-care measures and ACS outcomes in Kerala.
No Man Is an Island: Early Modern Globalization, Knowledge Networks, and George Psalmanazar’s Formosa
Authors: Breen Benjamin 
Published: June 2013

Abstract
The 1600-1800 period was an era of global travel and encounters. Yet this “early modern globalization” was highly unstable, characterized by miscommunications and doubts regarding the credibility of both individual witnesses and the facts they adduced. The Formosan hoax of George Psalmanazar (1679?-1763) offers a unique perspective on these themes. Although Psalmanazar was a fraud, his inventions about the island of Formosa circulated widely in different languages, nations, and inscriptive contexts. The divergence between Psalmanazar’s personal credibility and the longevity of his invented facts sheds light on the nature of evidence and information networks in early modern globalization. This episode highlights the imperfect and contested nature of early modern communication networks.
Negotiating with Insurgents: Changing Perceptions or Changing Politics?
Authors: Urlacher Brian R. 
Published: June 2013

Abstract
High costs have long been seen as motivating conflict participants to seek peace. This article discusses two types of deviations from the “hurting-stalemate” logic: negotiations in the absence of high costs and non-negotiation in the face of high costs. Two prominent explanations for these deviations are discussed and evaluated, initially through a statistical analysis of peace overtures in intrastate conflicts and then through a case study of the Indian civil war in Kashmir. The results suggest that theoretical explanations focusing on the preferences and political strength of leaders have traction at all levels of violence. Variables associated with shifts in perception, such as leadership change or political shocks, seem to have different effects as the level of violence in a conflict changes.
The Domestic Fruits of Diplomacy: Mediation and Presidential Approval
Authors: Todhunter James P. 
Published: June 2013

Abstract
The notion that national leaders use foreign policy actions for domestic political benefit is widely accepted in the foreign policy literature, but has only been studied with regard to foreign policy involving the use of force. Literature on third-party mediation has emerged separately and has not taken mediators’ domestic political motivations and constraints into account when explaining mediation occurrence and outcomes. Diplomatic efforts such as mediation should be appealing to leaders seeking to impress their domestic audience because it provides them with a low risk opportunity to appear competent to their domestic audience. While mediation is a regular occurrence in US foreign policy, its public visibility varies greatly. However, models of presidential media coverage suggest that media outlets are likely to pay a disproportionate amount of attention to presidents and their high level surrogates while engaging in diplomacy overseas. The article proposes that the higher the profile of the official an administration sends to mediate a crisis overseas, the greater the increase in the president’s approval rating. Additionally, the public’s attentiveness to foreign policy should condition the effect of a high profile mediator on presidential approval. As foreign policy becomes more salient to the public, the effect of a higher profile mediator on presidential approval should be greater. Empirical results support the argument.
Heavy Precipitation Events in a Warmer Climate: Results from CMIP5 Models
Authors: Scoccimarro Enrico , Gualdi Silvio , Bellucci Alessio , Zampieri Matteo , Navarra Antonio 
Published: June 2013

Abstract
In this work, the authors investigate possible changes in the distribution of heavy precipitation events under a warmer climate, using the results of a set of 20 climate models taking part in phase 5 of Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5). Future changes are evaluated as the difference between the last four decades of the twenty-first century and the twentieth century, assuming the representative concentration pathway 8.5 (RCP8.5) scenario. As a measure of the width of the right tail of the precipitation distribution, the authors use the difference between the 99th and the 90th percentiles. Despite a slight tendency to underestimate the observed heavy precipitation, the considered CMIP5 models well represent the observed patterns in terms of the ensemble average, during both boreal summer and winter seasons for the 1997–2005 period. Future changes in average precipitation are consistent with previous findings based on models from phase 3 of CMIP (CMIP3). CMIP5 models show a projected increase for the end of the twenty-first century of the width of the right tail of the precipitation distribution, particularly pronounced over India, Southeast Asia, Indonesia, and central Africa during boreal summer, as well as over South America and southern Africa during boreal winter.
Barriers and facilitators to care for the terminally ill: A cross-country case comparison study of Canada, England, Germany, and the United States
Authors: Klinger Christopher A , Howell Doris , Zakus David , Deber Raisa B 
Published: June 2013

Background: Why do many patients not die at their preferred location? Aim: Analyze system-level characteristics influencing the ability to implement best practices in delivering care for terminally ill adults (barriers and facilitators). Design: Cross-country comparison study from a “most similar—most different” perspective, triangulating evidence from a scoping review of the literature, document analyses, and semi-structured key informant interviews. Setting: Case study of Canada, England, Germany, and the United States. Results: While similar with regard to leading causes of death, patient needs, and potential avenues to care, different models of service provision were employed in the four countries studied. Although hospice and palliative care services were generally offered with standard care along the disease continuum and in various settings, and featured common elements such as physical, psycho-social, and spiritual care, outcomes (access, utilization, etc.) varied across jurisdictions. Barriers to best practice service provision included legislative (including jurisdictional), regulatory (e.g. education and training), and financial issues as well as public knowledge and perception (“giving up hope”) challenges. Advance care planning, dedicated and stable funding toward hospice and palliative care, including caregiver benefits, population aging, and standards of practice and guidelines to hospice and palliative care, were identified as facilitators. Conclusion: Successful implementation of effective and efficient best practice approaches to care for the terminally ill, such as shared care, requires concerted action to align these system-level characteristics; many factors were identified as being essential but not sufficient. Policy implementation needs to be tailored to the respective health-care system(s), monitored, and fine-tuned.
The Artistic Disenfranchisement of Philosophy
Authors: Talon-Hugon Carole 
Published: June 2013

AbstractAfter modernist formalism, contemporary artworks are often assigned a critic function: they are said to “question”, “reconsider”, “call for reflection” on the world… Such formulas refer to the Socratic foundation of philosophy, whereas the philosopher was the one who brought to light the fragility of opinions, discovered prejudices, undid ordinary beliefs and convictions that were not grounded in reason.Thus, after the preeminence of philosophy on art, as in the philosophical systems that dominated the 19 th century, we observe nowadays a predominance of art on philosophy’s very task, that is, critical questioning. This paper attempts to reconstruct the historical origin of this new theoretical attitude, and to evaluate its pertinence through an examination of the conditions under which art can carry out such critical programme.
The longitudinal association of venue stability with consistent condom use among female sex workers in two Mexico–USA border cities
Authors: Gaines T L , Rudolph A E , Brouwer K C , Strathdee S A , Lozada R , Martinez G , Goldenberg S M , Rusch M L A 
Published: June 2013

Summary We examined the relationship between venue stability and consistent condom use (CCU) among female sex workers who inject drugs (FSW-IDUs; n = 584) and were enrolled in a behavioural intervention in two Mexico–USA border cities. Using a generalized estimating equation approach stratified by client type and city, we found venue stability affected CCU. In Tijuana, operating primarily indoors was significantly associated with a four-fold increase in the odds of CCU among regular clients (odds ratio [OR]: 3.77, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.44, 9.89), and a seven-fold increase among casual clients (OR: 7.18, 95% CI: 2.32, 22.21), relative to FSW-IDUs spending equal time between indoor and outdoor sex work venues. In Ciudad Juarez, the trajectory of CCU increased over time and was highest among those operating primarily indoors. Results from this analysis highlight the importance of considering local mobility, including venue type and venue stability, as these characteristics jointly influence HIV risk behaviours.
Biochemical and biological analysis of Philodryas baroni (Baron’s Green Racer; Dipsadidae) venom
Authors: Sánchez MN , Timoniuk A , Maruñak S , Teibler P , Acosta O , Peichoto ME 
Published: June 2013

Philodryas baroni—an attractively colored snake—has become readily available through the exotic pet trade. Most people consider this species harmless; however, it has already caused human envenomation. As little is known about the venom from this South American opisthoglyphous “colubrid” snake, herein, we studied its protein composition by sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), as well as its effects on the hemostatic system. Both reducing and nonreducing SDS-PAGE analysis demonstrated that the venom exhibits greatest complexity in the range of 50–80 kDa. The venom displayed proteolytic activity toward azocollagen, with a specific activity of 75.5 U mg−1, and rapidly hydrolyzed the Aα-chain of fibrinogen, exhibiting lower activity toward the Bβ- and γ-chains. The venom from P. baroni showed no platelet proaggregating activity per se, but it inhibited collagen- and thrombin-induced platelet aggregation. Prominent hemorrhage developed in mouse skin after intradermal injection of the crude venom, and its minimum hemorrhagic dose was 13.9 μg. When injected intramuscularly into the gastrocnemius of mice, the venom induced local effects such as hemorrhage, myonecrosis, edema, and leucocyte infiltration. Due to its venom toxicity shown herein, P. baroni should be considered dangerous to humans and any medically significant bite should be promptly reviewed by a qualified health professional.
Job Satisfaction, Burnout and Quality of Life of Nurses from Mangalore
Authors: Abraham Anish Kumar , D’silva Fatima 
Published: June 2013

Background Nursing, though considered a noble profession, is quite stressful and challenging in India, as the nurses are the most undervalued staff despite their round-the-clock services to patients with intense health and emotional needs. This, in turn, hampers their will to perform, leading to huge burnout, job dissatisfaction as evidenced by several studies. Methodology A descriptive co-relational design was adopted to assess and compare the level of Job satisfaction, burnout and Quality of Life (QOL) among nurse educators and staff nurses from Mangalore. Through sample random technique, 50 nurse educators and 50 staff nurses were selected. Demographic proforma, job satisfaction inventory, Shirom Melamed Burnout Inventory and WHOQOL-BREF were the instruments utilized for the study. The data were analyzed by SPSS version 16. Results The findings revealed that nurse educators had more burnout and they required assistance (4 per cent, 44 per cent) than staff nurses (2 per cent, 16 per cent). QOL was comparably low among staff nurses (Phy QOL 14 per cent, Psy QOL 4 per cent, Soc QOL 16 per cent, Envt QOL 18 per cent) than nurse educators. The study findings unveiled a significant difference in job satisfaction (t = 2.571, p<0.05) between staff nurses and nurse educators. Conclusion and Recommendations In the last two decades, considerable evidence has been found related to stress among nurses. If nurses are not handled in a proactive manner it may result in serious stress reactions, leading further to job dissatisfaction, burnout and poor QOL. It is, therefore, important to create a platform to share concern of workers and to incorporate complementary therapies in work place which would help them to relieve of the negatives.
A Sustainability Evaluation of Slum Rehabilitation Authority Housing Development at Nanapeth, Pune, India
Authors: Cronin Victoria 
Published: June 2013

This article presents a sustainability evaluation of the in-situ rehabilitation of Nanapeth’s slum-dwellers in Pune, India. The first Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) project in the city has been visited five years after initial occupation to assess the impact of the new housing upon the residents and development planning policy. The influence and design of the private developer’s delivery model upon the upgrading sustainability has been investigated via stakeholder perception. The top down approach delivered at Nanapeth has resulted in a financially sustainable scheme which has also enabled urban regeneration in a previous slum area. The project could benefit from a more socially conscious design and implementation. Appropriate building design and building services supply & management have been highlighted by stakeholders as areas for improvement. Residents have expressed disappointment with the impact the housing has had on community cohesion and lifestyle despite benefitting from being re-housed in-situ with no separation from livelihoods and amenities. The residents’ sense of ownership and pride has been limited due to a lack of participation, financial contribution and communication between the development team and residents. This early SRA project has resulted in positive lessons learned which have beneficially impacted newer housing projects in the city. The long term impact of Transfer Development Rights brought about by SRA private development schemes further enforces the need for coordinated infrastructure and master planning for Pune. [Formula: see text]
Analysis Moving Towards Sustainable Development of a City with Emphasis on the Quality of Urban Life: The Case of Noor
Authors: Azami Ali Sheikh , Razavian Mohamadtaghi 
Published: June 2013

The article investigates the role played by factors generally associated with achieving sustainable development in urban areas including quality of life, productivity, infrastructure, justice and environmental sustainability. The paper uses statistical methods to test the correlation of these aspects on the overall development of the city of Noor. Three hypotheses have been used to achieve research objectives including Bogardus range, sample T test, and description spatial analysis accompanied with charts and graphs. Key findings demonstrate that citizens perceive jobs and income, and access to public services and security as critical to achieving sustainable development, while housing, access to information technology, etc. are not considered critical to achieving sustainable development in the city. [Formula: see text]
Revisit the Debate on Issues of Metropolitan Governance and Service Delivery: A Trajectory of Efficient Service Delivery Model for Water Supply in Bangalore, India
Authors: Kumara H. S. 
Published: June 2013

The pattern of urbanization in India is characterized by continual concentration of population and activities in large cities; this is manifested in a high percentage of urban population being concentrated in the large cities. This research article attempts to revisit the debate on ‘metropolitan governance’ and ‘service delivery concepts’ in the context of efficient service delivery model for water supply and comparative analysis of efficient service delivery model in Bangalore Metropolitan Center and Metropolitan region. The service delivery model for water supply was framed using various water utility indicators to know the service delivery index, operational efficiency index and performance index within the Bangalore Metropolitan Center and Metropolitan Region. This research article concludes that Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board stands good in position while comparing to other Water Boards (local bodies) within Metropolitan region. [Formula: see text]
The Tournemire industrial analogue: reactive-transport modelling of a cement–clay interface
Authors: Watson C. , Savage D. , Wilson J. , Benbow S. , Walker C. , Norris S. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractIn the post-closure period of a geological disposal facility for radioactive waste, leaching of cement components is likely to give rise to an alkaline plume which will be in chemical disequilibrium with the host rock (which is clay in some concepts) and other engineered barrier system materials used in the facility, such as bentonite. An industrial analogue for cement-clay interaction can be found at Tournemire, southern France, where boreholes filled with concrete and cement remained in contact with the natural mudstone for 15–20 years. The boreholes have been overcored, extracted and mineralogical characterization has been performed. In this study, a reactive-transport model of the Tournemire system has been set up using the general-purpose modelling tool QPAC. Previous modelling work has been built upon by using the most up-to-date data and modelling techniques, and by adding both ion exchange and surface complexation processes in the mudstone. The main features observed at Tournemire were replicated by the model, including porosity variations and precipitation of carbonates, K-feldspar, ettringite and calcite. It was found that ion exchange needed to be included in order for C-S-H minerals to precipitate in the mudstone, providing a better match with the mineralogical characterization. The additional inclusion of surface complexation, however, led to limited calcite growth at the concrete-mudstone interface unlike samples taken from the Tournemire site that have a visible line of crusty carbonates along the interface.
Mineralogical investigations of the first package of the alternative buffer material test – II. Exchangeable cation population rearrangement
Authors: Dohrmann R. , Olsson S. , Kaufhold S. , Sellin P. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractBentonites are candidate materials for the encapsulation of radioactive waste. In the ‘Alternative Buffer Material test’ (ABM), compacted ring-shaped blocks of eleven different buffer materials (mainly bentonites) were packed vertically on top of each other with an iron tube as heater in the centre. These buffer materials started with various exchangeable cation populations (ECpopulation). The first ‘ABM package’ was terminated 28 months after installation and the bentonites had been exposed to the maximum temperature (130°C) for about one year. The aim of the present study is first: to describe modification of the cation exchange population, and second to understand the influence of the groundwater on cation exchange at different scales. No significant horizontal variation of any exchangeable cation (EC) was detected between 1 and 7 cm distance from contact with the iron tube. Large total differences of the ECpopulations, however, were observed for the individual blocks after the field experiment (n = 21 blocks) with respect to the composition of the reference materials. The average cation exchange capacity (CEC) values of the analysed bentonites (n = 9 blocks) decreased by 5.5 meq/100 (1.1 – 8.8 meq/100 g) after the experiment. Exchangeable Na+ and Mg2+ decreased on average, whereas Ca2+ increased. This trend was pronounced in the top region of the parcel (upper seven blocks). Although most changes occurred on the large scale of the whole test parcel, small but important changes were also recorded in the vertical direction on the centimetre scale. The observed differences cannot be explained assuming simply that a bentonite reacts only with neighbouring blocks, which would mean that the system was more or less closed. The differences are much larger and the only conclusion from this observation is that the whole package seems to be influenced by the groundwater which was added from a water tank at the experiment site, enabling at least partial equilibration between the different blocks.
Bentonite reactivity in alkaline solutions: interim results of the Cyprus Natural Analogue Project (CNAP)
Authors: Alexander W. R. , Milodowski A. E. , Pitty A. F. , Hardie S. M. L. , Kemp S. J. , Rushton J. C. , Siathas Andreas , Siathas Avrim , Mackenzie A. B. , Korkeakoski P. , Norris S. , Sellin P. , Rigas M. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractBentonite is one of the more safety-critical components of the engineered barrier system in the disposal concepts developed for many types of radioactive waste. It is used due to its favourable properties (including plasticity, swelling capacity, colloid filtration, low hydraulic conductivity, high retardation of key radionuclides) and its stability in relevant geological environments. However, bentonite is unstable under alkaline conditions and this has driven interest in low-alkali cements (leachate pH of 10–11). To build a robust safety case, it is important to have supporting natural analogue data to confirm understanding of the likely long-term performance of bentonite. In Cyprus, the presence of natural bentonite in close proximity to natural alkaline groundwaters permits the zones of potential bentonite/alkaline water reaction to be studied as an analogy of the potential reaction zones in the repository. Here, the results indicate minimal volumetric reaction of bentonite, with production of a palygorskite secondary phase.