bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Airflow limitation by the Global Lungs Initiative equations in a cohort of very old adults
Authors: Turkeshi Eralda , Vaes Bert , Andreeva Elena , Matheï Catharina , Adriaensen Wim , Van Pottelbergh Gijs , Degryse Jean-Marie 
Published: April 2015

The cut-off for forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) defining airflow limitation for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is still contested. We assessed airflow limitation prevalence by the lower limit of normal (LLN) of Global Lungs Initiative (GLI) 2012 reference values and its predictive ability for all-cause mortality and hospitalisation in very old adults (aged ≥80 years) compared with the fixed cut-off.In a Belgian population-based prospective cohort of 411 very old adults, airflow limitation prevalence by the 5th percentile of GLI 2012 z-scores (GLI-LLN) and fixed cut-off (0.70) were compared with COPD reported by general practitioners (GPs). Survival and Cox regression multivariable analysis assessed the association of airflow limitation by both cut-offs with 5-year all-cause mortality and first hospitalisation at 3 years.9.2% had airflow limitation by GLI-LLN and 27% by fixed cut-off, without good agreement (kappa coefficient ≤0.40) with GP-reported COPD (9%). Only airflow limitation by GLI-LLN was independently associated with mortality (adjusted hazard ratio 2.10, 95% CI 1.30–3.38). FEV1/FVC <0.70 but ≥GLI-LLN (17.8%) had no significantly higher risk for mortality or hospitalisation.In a cohort of very old adults, airflow limitation by GLI-LLN has lower prevalence than by fixed cut-off, independently predicts all-cause mortality and does not miss individuals with significantly higher all-cause mortality and hospitalisation.
Understanding asthma-specific quality of life: moving beyond asthma symptoms and severity
Authors: Stucky Brian D. , Sherbourne Cathy D. , Edelen Maria Orlando , Eberhart Nicole K. 
Published: April 2015

This study identifies the unique contributions of asthma severity, symptoms, control and generic measures of quality of life (QoL) to asthma-specific QoL, as measured by the 12-item RAND Negative Impact of Asthma on Quality of Life scale (RAND-IAQL-12).Using a sample of 2032 adults with asthma, we conducted multiple regression analyses that sequentially examined hypothesised predictors of asthma-specific QoL. The change in variance accounted for and total unique variance accounted for is calculated as hypothesised predictors are added in each step.Our results indicate that asthma severity and asthma symptoms are strong predictors of asthma-specific QoL only when not controlling for aspects of asthma control. In regression models that include other aspects of asthma control, the contributions of both asthma symptoms and severity were substantially reduced, with asthma control and aspects of QoL related to social roles and activities emerging as the strongest predictors of asthma-specific QoL.These findings suggest that researchers measuring the impact of asthma on QoL should also consider the importance of asthma control as measured by the RAND Asthma Control Measure (RAND-ACM) and generic QoL scales that measure aspects of daily life that are uniquely affected by asthma.
Effect of initial calorie intake via enteral nutrition in critical illness: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
Authors: Tian Feng , Wang Xinying , Gao Xuejin , Wan Xiao , Wu Chao , Zhang Li , Li Ning , Li Jieshou 
Published: April 2015

Abstract
Introduction
Guidelines support the use of enteral nutrition to improve clinical outcomes in critical illness; however, the optimal calorie and protein intake remains unclear. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to quantitatively analyze randomised controlled trials with regard to clinical outcomes related to varying calorie and protein administration in critically ill adult patients.

Method
We searched Medline, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases to identify randomised controlled trials that compared the effects of initially different calorie and protein intake in critical illness. The risk ratio (RR) and weighted mean difference with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using random-effects models. The primary endpoint was mortality; secondary endpoints included infection, pneumonia, gastrointestinal intolerance, hospital and intensive care unit lengths of stay, and mechanical ventilation days.

Results
In the eight randomised controlled trials that enrolled 1,895 patients there was no statistical difference between the low-energy and high-energy groups in mortality (RR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.71 to 1.15; P = 0.40), infection (RR, 1.09; 95% CI, 0.92 to 1.29; P = 0.32), or the risk of gastrointestinal intolerance (RR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.59 to 1.19; P = 0.33). In subgroup analysis, the low-energy subgroup, fed 33.3 to 66.6% of goal energy, showed a lower mortality than the high-energy group (RR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.51 to 0.92; P = 0.01). The improvements in mortality and gastrointestinal intolerance were absent when calorie intake was >66.6% of goal energy in the low-energy group. High-energy intake combined with high-protein intake reduced the infections (RR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.04 to 1.52; P = 0.02); however, when the daily protein intake was similar in both groups, a high-energy intake did not decrease the infections. No statistical differences were observed in other secondary outcomes.

Conclusion
This meta-analysis indicates that high-energy intake does not improve outcomes and may increase complications in critically ill patients who are not malnourished. Initial moderate nutrient intake (33.3 to 66.6% of goal energy), compared to high energy, may reduce mortality, and a higher protein intake combined with high energy (≥0.85 g/kg per day) may decrease the infection rate. However, the contribution of energy versus protein intake to outcomes remains unknown.
Leprous lesion presents enrichment of opportunistic pathogenic bacteria
Authors: Silva Paulo ES , Costa Patrícia S , Ávila Marcelo P , Suhadolnik Maria Luíza S , Reis Mariana P , Salgado Ana Paula C , Lima Mário FR , Chartone-Souza Edmar , Nascimento Andréa MA 
Published: April 2015

Abstract
Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease that remains a major challenge to public health in endemic countries. Increasing evidence has highlighted the importance of microbiota for human general health and, as such, the study of skin microbiota is of interest. But while studies are continuously revealing the complexity of human skin microbiota, the microbiota of leprous cutaneous lesions has not yet been characterized. Here we used Sanger and massively parallel small sub-unit rRNA (SSU) rRNA gene sequencing to characterize the microbiota of leprous lesions, and studied how it differs from the bacterial skin composition of healthy individuals previously described in the literature. Taxonomic analysis of leprous lesions revealed main four phyla: Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Actinobacteria, with Proteobacteria presenting the highest diversity. There were considerable differences in the distribution of Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteria, with the first two phyla enriched and the other markedly diminished in the leprous lesions, when compared with healthy skin. Propionibacterium, Corynebacterium and Staphylococcus, resident and abundant in healthy skin, were underrepresented in skin from leprous lesions. Most of the taxa found in skin from leprous lesions are not typical in human skin and potentially pathogenic, with the Burkholderia, Pseudomonas and Bacillus genera being overrepresented. Our data suggest significant shifts of the microbiota with emergence and competitive advantage of potentially pathogenic bacteria over skin resident taxa.
High Prevalence of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Normal Plasma Aminotransferase Levels
Authors: Portillo-Sanchez Paola , Bril Fernando , Maximos Maryann , Lomonaco Romina , Biernacki Diane , Orsak Beverly , Subbarayan Sreevidya , Webb Amy , Hecht Joan , Cusi Kenneth 
Published: April 2015

Context and Objective:
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its more severe form with steatohepatitis (NASH) are common in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, they are usually believed to largely affect those with elevated aminotransferases. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of NAFLD by the gold standard, liver magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) in patients with T2DM and normal aminotransferases, and to characterize their metabolic profile.

Participants and Methods:
We recruited 103 patients with T2DM and normal plasma aminotransferases (age, 60 ± 8 y; body mass index [BMI], 33 ± 5 kg/m2; glycated hemoglobin [A1c], 7.6 ± 1.3%). We measured the following: 1) liver triglyceride content by 1H-MRS; 2) systemic insulin sensitivity (homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance); and 3) adipose tissue insulin resistance, both fasting (as the adipose tissue insulin resistance index: fasting plasma free fatty acids [FFA] × insulin) and during an oral glucose tolerance test (as the suppression of FFA).

Results:
The prevalence of NAFLD and NASH were much higher than expected (50% and 56% of NAFLD patients, respectively). The prevalence of NAFLD was higher in obese compared with nonobese patients as well as with increasing BMI (P = .001 for trend). Higher plasma A1c was associated with a greater prevalence of NAFLD and worse liver triglyceride accumulation (P = .01). Compared with nonobese patients without NAFLD, patients with NAFLD had severe systemic (liver/muscle) and, particularly, adipose tissue (fasting/postprandial) insulin resistance (all P &lt; .01).

Conclusions:
The prevalence of NAFLD is much higher than previously believed in overweight/obese patients with T2DM and normal aminotransferases. Moreover, many are at increased risk of NASH. Physicians should have a lower threshold for screening patients with T2DM for NAFLD/NASH.
Students&#180; Self-Government in Higher Education Institution
Authors: Бельгибаева  , Belgibaeva G. , Михалькова  , Mikhalkova O. 
Published: April 2015

Analysis of a problem related to formation and functioning
of student&#180;s self-government in higher education institution has
been carried out in this paper. Have been presented: problem importance,
historical review related to emergence and prospect of
development of student&#180;s self-government at the modern higher
school. In paper authors reveal signs, purposes, tasks, principles,
functions and subjects of students’ self-government in higher education
institution.
Higher School Pedagogy Problems at the Art Education Sphere Modernization Stage
Authors: Ульянова  , Ulyanova Nataliya 
Published: April 2015

Current affairs of modern art education are considered in
this paper. Methodological approaches and possibilities for educational
process updating taking into account new pedagogical technologies,
and also educational process design with preservation of
national traditions are analyzed. The critical task of education, integration
of ethno and art culture into the contents and technology of expertdesigner
training in a higher educational institution is considered.
A problem related to formation of bases of the graphic competence
relying on experience related to art’s historical development, as well
as on academic education system preservation is discussed. Modern
society needs the expert capable to professional self-development. It
is this in a great measure trains a young man for life and work in the
modern fast-changing society. Certainly, the search of innovative
conceptual approaches providing the efficiency of educational programs
assimilation on the basis of national traditions is urgent. The training
of highly qualified personnel is possible on the basis of the science
latest developments by means of innovative pedagogical technologies,
when strengthening competitiveness, successful activity, need for
graduates in the labor market.
Poetry in Teaching English
Authors: Клещина  , Kleshchina Natalya 
Published: April 2015

English poetry plays an important role in teaching English
as personal focused approach application method. This paper
considers the poetry value and poetry teaching purposes, such as
learner’s increase of cultural and intercultural awareness and pronunciation
skills. The poetry can be also used in teaching grammar,
lexis, reading and translation. In conclusion this work offers some
ways for effective use of poetry in teaching English.
Development of a framework to prepare midwives for relief work in West Africa
Authors: Fred Marie Elise , Kernohan W George 
Published: April 2015

Background/Aims: Midwives who volunteer as aid workers overseas need to be equipped with knowledge of the local culture and customs prior to their deployment. However, this information is not always easily accessible. The aim of this study was to address the need for knowledge prior to departure by interviewing expatriate workers about their experiences of living and working in Liberia, to develop a framework to guide the structure of future guideline development. Methods: In this qualitative study, eight expatriate nurses and midwives working with humanitarian organisations were interviewed; transcripts were subject to thematic content analysis. It was possible to confirm the findings through personal experiences of a 7-week placement as a midwife. Results/Conclusions: The findings suggest that information is required to support intrinsic, extrinsic and practical aspects of working as a midwife in humanitarian response situations. This tripartite structure can be used to inform preparation more effectively.
Seed and Cone Production Patterns from Seventy-Nine Provenances of Pinus halepensis Mill. Across Tunisia Forests
Authors: Ayari Bdelaziz , Salah Garchi , Daniel Moya 
Published: April 2015

Pinus halepensis Mill. is an important tree species in the Mediterranean Basin. In Tunisia, there is an increasing interest in its seed production due to their impact on the socio-economical life of the Tunisian population, forest regeneration (seedling production) and biodiversity maintenance. Adaptative strategies were developed to fire recurrence by early cone production and seed storage in the serotinuous cones. Tunisia's native forests were investigated to examine the impact of four bioclimatic zones on Aleppo pine cone and seed production. Stand characteristics and average tree size measurements were studied with simple and multiple regression analyses for explaining their influences in seed and cone production and characteristics. Results showed a positive relationship between the accumulated rainfall and the geographical variables to the number of cones and its seeds content. Density had a strong adverse effect on the average tree's cone crop and seed yield. The cone production and the total seed mass were positively correlated with tree dimensions, but diameter at breast height and crown height were the most explanatory variables. Several environmental factors substantially increased the production of cones and seeds. The results could help foresters to decide better locations of cone and seed production according to density in Aleppo pine forests.
How can adopting the materials and environment of the studio engage Art & Design students more deeply with research and writing? An investigation into the Reframing Research technique
Authors: Reeve Julia 
Published: April 2015

Abstract
This article puts forward the learning and teaching benefits of placing theory for Art & Design students within the realm of the studio, focusing on a particular technique, Reframing Research, developed by the author. The ways in which this method can both engage students with the research process and deepen their understanding of context are identified. Primary research from student workshops and reflection on the author’s practice are used to support the discussion.
Foreign trade intensities’ development of Ottoman 45 Countries with Turkey and Neo Ottomanism<p>Osmanlı 45 Ülkelerinin Türkiye ile dış ticaret yoğunlukları gelişimi ve Yeni Osmanlılık
Authors: Akal Mustafa , Ersoy Ahmet Yağmur 
Published: April 2015

<p>This study aims to calculate international trade density indexes of Ottoman 45 countries with Turkey or vice versa and outline the developments in these indexes between 1996-2013. Based upon these calculations it also aims whether the applicability of Neo Ottomanism goal of Turkey with Ottoman 45 countries, which used to share the same civilization with Turkey during Ottoman Empire. Theoretically, it is expected that neighborhood, cultural shares, common civilization etc. all lead to increases in trade concentrations to promote New Ottomanism in view of parameters of gravity model and economic geography. Our calculations show that there have been declines in total export, total import and total trade volume densities indexes of Turkey with those countries, which unfavor Neo Ottomanism since 1996. On the other hand, the bilateral indexes show that more than half of Ottoman 45 countries have showed trade diversion in favor of Neo Ottomanism and the else favors Neo Ottomanism since 1996. It is suggested that the governments shall define new strategies based on favorable country specific findings to improve foreign trade densities of Turkey with Ottoman 45.</p><p><strong>Özet:</strong></p><p>Çalışmamız Türkiye’nin Osmanlı İmparatorluğu’nun sınırları içerisinde bulunmuş Osmanlı 45 ülkeleri ile 1996-2013 döneminde dış ticaret yoğunlaşmasını ve gelişimini ortaya koymak ve Türkiye’nin Yeni Osmanlılık hedefinin uygulanabilirliğini dış ticaret boyutunda ele alma amacını gütmektedir. Ekonomik Coğrafya ve Çekim Modeli parametreleri doğrultusunda teorik olarak komşuluk, din ve kültürel bağların; ortak medeniyetin Türkiye’nin bu ülkelerle olan dış ticaretinde artan bir yoğunlaşma sağlamalı ve Yeni Osmanlılığı motive ediyor olmalıdır. Türkiye’nin Osmanlı 45 ile olan toplam dış ticaret hacmi, toplam ihracat ve toplam ithalat değerlerinde Yeni Osmanlılığın aleyhinde bir dış ticaret sapması bulunmuştur. Diğer taraftan, Türkiye ile bireysel ülkeler açısından endeks hesaplarına bakıldığında ise ülkelerin yarısından fazlası ile Yeni Osmanlılığı destekler mahiyette dış ticaret yoğunluklarında artışlar görülmüş, diğerlerinde ise dış ticarette yoğunluk azalması bulunmuştur. Türkiye ile Osmanlı 45 ülkelerinin ticaret yoğunluğunu artırmak için her bir ülkenin Türkiye ile olan dış ticaret yoğunluğunu artıran ve azaltan faktörlerin açıklığa kavuşturulması ve bu doğrultuda stratejiler izlenmesi önerilir.<strong></strong></p>
Optimal Taxation with Cournot Oligopoly
Authors: Reinhorn Leslie J. 
Published: April 2015

Abstract
This paper studies optimal linear taxation in a general equilibrium model with Cournot oligopoly. The main result is the following. With imperfect competition the tendency toward "inverse elasticities" tax rules will be weakened and may even be reversed. That is, an upward sloping relationship may exist between an industry's optimal tax rate and its own-price elasticity of demand, unlike the perfectly competitive case.
Regulatory Incentives and Consolidation: The Case of Commercial Bank Mergers and the Community Reinvestment Act
Authors: Bostic Raphael , Paulson Anna L , Mehran Hamid , Saidenberg Marc 
Published: April 2015

Abstract
Bank regulators are required to consider a bank’s record of providing credit to low- and moderate-income neighborhoods and individuals in approving bank applications for mergers and acquisitions. We provide evidence that banks self-regulate by strategically increasing their lending to these populations prior to acquiring another institution in anticipation of the regulatory and public scrutiny associated with a merger or acquisition. In particular, we show that the higher the percentage of the institution’s mortgage originations in a given year that are directed to low- and moderate-income individuals or neighborhoods, the greater the probability that the institution will acquire another bank in the following year. Further investigation bolsters the view that this correlation is due to banks’ anticipation of the public and regulatory scrutiny during the merger review process: (1) the effect cannot be explained by regulator behavior or by unobserved bank characteristics; (2) the relationship is observed for acquiring banks, which are the primary focus of scrutiny, but not for the banks that are being acquired; (3) the positive effect increases over the 1991 to 1995 time frame, a period when scrutiny of an institution’s community lending record increased; and (4) the effect is largest for big banks, who face particularly intense scrutiny.
Religious Market Structure, Religious Participation, and Outcomes: Is Religion Good for You?
Authors: Gruber Jonathan H 
Published: April 2015

Abstract
Religion plays an important role in the lives of many Americans, but there is relatively little study by economists of the implications of religiosity for economic outcomes. This likely reflects the enormous difficulty inherent in separating the causal effects of religiosity from other factors that are correlated with outcomes. In this paper, I propose a potential solution to this long standing problem, by noting that a major determinant of religious participation is religious market density, or the share of the population in an area which is of an individual’s religion. I make use of the fact that exogenous predictions of market density can be formed based on area ancestral mix. That is, I relate religious participation and economic outcomes to the correlation of the religious preference of one’s own heritage with the religious preference of other heritages that share one’s area. I use the General Social Survey (GSS) to model the impact of market density on church attendance, and micro-data from the 1990 Census to model the impact on economic outcomes. I find that a higher market density leads to a significantly increased level of religious participation, and as well to better outcomes according to several key economic indicators: higher levels of education and income, lower levels of welfare receipt and disability, higher levels of marriage, and lower levels of divorce.
Wages and Learning in Internal Labor Markets: Evidence From a Taiwanese Company
Authors: Lin Ming-Jen 
Published: April 2015

Abstract
This paper analyses the personnel records of a Taiwanese auto dealer employing three distinct internal labor markets (ILMs), adding new evidence that builds upon recent empirical and theoretical works on ILMs. We show that the public learning model proposed by Farber and Gibbons (1996) is not supported in general by our data because the behaviors of empirical wage residuals covariance matrix contradict the martingale predictions derived from the their model. However, “public learning” may not be unrealistic once individual specific learning speed is introduced. Furthermore, we find that the positive effects of levels, on both salary and bonus equations, are smaller under a fixed effects model than under an OLS (combined) model. However, part of the wage variations is contributed by individual heterogeneity rather than the hierarchy itself. Evidence also shows that education plays an important role in the determination of levels.