bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Age of onset of recurrent respiratory papillomatosis: a distribution analysis
Authors: San Giorgi M.R.M. , van den Heuvel E.R. , Tjon Pian Gi R.E.A. , Brunings J.W. , Chirila M. , Friedrich G. , Golusinski W. , Graupp M. , Horcasitas Pous R.A. , Ilmarinen T. , Jackowska J. , Koelmel J.C. , Ferran Vilà F. , Weichbold V. , Wierzbicka M. , Dikkers F.G. 
Published: October 2015

ObjectiveDistribution of age of onset of recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) is generally described to be bimodal, with peaks at approximately 5 years and 30 years. This assumption has never been scientifically confirmed, and authors tend to refer to an article that does not describe distribution. Knowledge of the distribution of age of onset is important for virological and epidemiological comprehension. The objective of this study was to determine the distribution of age of onset of RRP in a large international sample.DesignCross‐sectional distribution analysis.ParticipantsLaryngologists from 12 European hospitals provided information on date of birth and date of onset of all their RRP patients treated between 1998 and 2012. Centers that exclusively treated either patients with juvenile onset RRP or patients with adult onset RRP, or were less accessible for one of these groups, were excluded to prevent skewness.Main outcome measuresA mixture model was implemented to describe distribution of age of onset. The best fitting model was selected using the Bayesian information criterion.ResultsSix hundred and thirty‐nine patients were included in the analysis. Age of onset was described by a three component mixture distribution with lognormally distributed components. Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis starts at three median ages 7, 35 and 64 years.ConclusionsDistribution of age of onset of RRP shows three peaks. In addition to the already adopted idea of age peaks at paediatric and adult age, there is an additional peak around the age of 64.
Cord blood processing by a novel filtration system
Authors: Sato N. , Fricke C. , McGuckin C. , Forraz N. , Degoul O. , Atzeni G. , Sakurai H. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractObjectivesAvailability of cord blood (CB) processing has been limited by the need for electrically aided centrifugal techniques, which often produce only low final cell product yield. Here, we describe development and characterization of a novel filter device aimed at allowing CB processing, using gentle gravity‐led flow.Materials and methodsCB was processed with a novel filter device (CellEffic CB, consisting of non‐woven fabric), without any centrifugation. Cells were harvested by flushing the filter with either HES or physiological saline solution (SALINE). Differential cell counts and viability analysis, combined with Fluorescence‐Activated Cell Sorting (FACS) (total nucleated cells [TNC], mononuclear cells [MNC], CD45+ CD34+ cells, hematopoietic precursor cells [HPCs]) and clonogenic assay, were employed for analysis of CB pre‐ and post‐processing, and after freeze/thawing.ResultsProcessing using the novel filter yielded high quality RBC depletion while maintaining good recovery of TNC, MNC, CD34+, HPCs and colony forming unit (CFU) output. The filter performed equally well using HES or SALINE. Gravity‐led flow provided gentle cell movement and protection of the stem cell compartment. Post‐thaw CFU output was maintained particularly, an important indicator for CB banking.ConclusionsGeographical limitations of CB transplantation and banking have required a non‐electrical, non‐centrifugal solution. This novel filter CellEffic CB device revealed rapid yet gentle cell processing while maintaining the stem/progenitor cell compartment required for both haematological and regenerative medicine therapies.
To tell or not to tell: attitudes of transplant surgeons and transplant nephrologists regarding the disclosure of recipient information to living kidney donors
Authors: Meadow Jacqueline , Thistlethwaite James Richard , Rodrigue James R. , Mandelbrot Didier A. , Ross Lainie Friedman 
Published: October 2015

AbstractBackgroundOrgan Procurement and Transplantation Network policy regarding “Living Donation Informed Consent Requirements” only requires general disclosure of candidate health information to prospective living kidney donors. We examined attitudes of transplant surgeons and transplant nephrologists regarding greater disclosure.MethodsWeb‐based and mailed surveys to explore attitudes about disclosing potential recipient health information, health‐associated behaviors, and lifestyle choices to living donors.ResultsOf 397 potential participants, 111 eligible participants (28%) fully or partially responded. Respondents were split between surgeons (42%) and nephrologists (58%). While 72% believed that general disclosure did not require explicit permission, 88% believed that disclosure of specific recipient information did. Many would disclose more information if legally permissible. Over 65% thought disclosure of recipient information should not depend on the donor–recipient relationship. Virtually all supported disclosing expected one‐ and five‐yr graft survival and anticipated deceased donor wait‐time. Sixty‐six percent supported disclosing non‐compliance or difficulty taking medications. Support was divided for disclosure of HIV (52%), hepatitis (49%), smoking (53%), illicit drugs (50%), alcohol (49%), and psychiatric history (44%).ConclusionsWhile virtually all respondents support disclosing recipient information directly relevant to graft and patient survival to prospective living donors, they are divided about sharing other recipient health, health behavior, and/or lifestyle information.
From Tagging to Theorizing: Deepening Engagement with Cultural Heritage through Crowdsourcing
Authors: Ridge Mia 
Published: October 2015

AbstractCrowdsourcing, or “obtaining information or services by soliciting input from a large number of people,” is becoming known for the impressive productivity of projects that ask the public to help transcribe, describe, locate, or categorize cultural heritage resources. This essay argues that crowdsourcing projects can also be a powerful platform for audience engagement with museums, offering truly deep and valuable connection with cultural heritage through online collaboration around shared goals or resources. It includes examples of well‐designed crowdsourcing projects that provide platforms for deepening involvement with citizen history and citizen science; useful definitions of “engagement”; and evidence for why some activities help audiences interact with heritage and scientific material. It discusses projects with committed participants and considers the role of communities of participants in engaging participants more deeply.
Development of a generic fidelity measure for rehabilitation intervention research for children with physical disabilities
Authors: Rezze Briano Di , Law Mary , Eva Kevin , Pollock Nancy , Gorter Jan Willem 
Published: October 2015

AimTo increase research rigour and create a plausible way to assess clinical effectiveness, it is necessary to measure the degree to which interventions are delivered as intended (fidelity). Generic fidelity measures enable evaluation of more than one intervention through observation of unique and general characteristics relevant across interventions. This study describes the first generic fidelity measure in paediatrics.MethodItems were constructed from multiple sources to create a general attributes domain and two paediatric cerebral palsy (CP) intervention‐specific domains. After a pre‐testing procedure, raters were trained and videos of clinical interventions were rated to test the measure's psychometric properties.ResultsThe Paediatric Rehabilitation Observational measure of Fidelity (PROF) consisted of 30 items. Six raters were trained on the PROF and rated 25 videos. Internal consistency (α) and interrater reliability (IRR) for the frequency scale showed the following results: context therapy: α=0.71, IRR=0.75; child therapy: α=0.85, IRR=0.87; and general attributes; α=0.78, IRR=0.82. Quality scale scores across domains demonstrated internal consistency greater than 0.80 and interrater reliability of less than 0.40. Pearson's correlations (r=−0.71, p<0.001) and analyses of variance (p=0.01) validated that each intervention domain was an independent construct.InterpretationThe PROF is reliable and valid for evaluating interventions used for children with CP. Future studies may use the measure's framework, general attributes domain, and procedures to test the psychometric properties of other interventions.
Under New Management: What the Arab Spring Tells Us About Leadership Needs in the Middle East and North Africa
Authors: Mameli Peter 
Published: October 2015

AbstractLeadership analysis examines how political heads and managers of public sector organizations can employ styles that will dovetail with the aspirations and energy of their country's inhabitants. Uncovering leadership models capable of channeling growth and productivity in this manner within Arab Middle East and North Africa (MENA) settings is essential to the stability of the region. Turbulent change in a globalizing environment continues to deepen this realization. And the ongoing effects of the Arab Spring highlight the importance of such an undertaking. Clearing a path toward establishing the necessary cultural congruence among administrative processes, tools, solutions, and people is a prerequisite to success that rests on identifying indigenously acceptable approaches to change. Engaging authentic leadership to guide successful achievement of new public management and new public governance goals offers one way to both envision and construct ongoing balance in the future.
Stranger in a Strange Land: Thucydides' Stasis and the Arab Spring
Authors: Litsas Spyridon Nikolaou 
Published: October 2015

AbstractThe article reviews the Arab Spring, projecting an alternative point of view. Although it lies in the spectrum of international politics analysis, still it maintains an internal approach regarding the Arab troubles. I support the idea that the Arab Spring can be examined as a Stasis phenomenon, deriving from the Thucydidian analysis. Nevertheless, while it is a phenomenon that affects the evolution of the Islamic nucleus, it is also an international event that may turn into a large‐scale crisis for neighboring subsystems accordingly.
The Basis of China's Pro‐Palestine Stance and the Current Status of its Implementation
Authors: Chen Yiyi 
Published: October 2015

AbstractThis article is built upon the author's previous attempt to review Sino–Israel relations from the Chinese perspective, where it is argued that the relationship is at a crossroads because China is increasingly more proactively involved in the international arena, which will inevitably lead to a more assertive role in trying to facilitate a solution to the Israel–Palestinian conflicts. The author also affirmed that China is more supportive of the Palestinians. In this article, the author will further analyze China's pro‐Palestine stance, give empirical evidence of this preference by Chinese intelligentsia, and provide insight into the decision‐making mechanisms of the Chinese government in terms of its diplomatic policies. The author also wants to demonstrate that, despite the evident pro‐Palestine tendency of Chinese scholars and consequently the government, little has been done to implement this preference. The Israelis still have a sizable time window to achieve a fair and just peace agreement with the Palestinians. In the long run, China's pro‐Palestine inclination will work more and more against Israel, in contrast to the strong pro‐Israel inclination of the United States.
A Prevalidation of the Product‐Process Matrix
Authors: Ashenbaum Bryan 
Published: October 2015

ABSTRACTA major challenge for instructors of supply chain and operations management (SCOM) courses is to help students who have never seen a production floor visualize concepts, such as the product‐process matrix from standard introductory SCOM texts. This article presents a classroom exercise, which “prevalidates” the product‐process matrix. Student groups are given a product description and tasked to build the factory to make it using classroom furniture. Even with no prior knowledge, those tasked to make high‐volume standardized products will create simple assembly lines, while those tasked with customized products will create simple work center layouts. A description of how to run this exercise is provided, as well as key takeaways and evidence of effectiveness.
Impact of Hands‐On Research Experience on Students’ Learning in an Introductory Management Information System Course
Authors: Wu Yun , Sankar Chetan S. 
Published: October 2015

ABSTRACTAlthough students in Introductory Information Systems courses are taught new technology concepts, the complexity and constantly changing nature of these technologies makes it challenging to deliver the concepts effectively. Aiming to improve students’ learning experiences, this research utilized the five phases of design science methodology to develop an experiment to solve a real‐world problem, and then implemented it in an undergraduate classroom. As part of their classwork, students participated as subjects testing new information technologies to solve a real‐world problem. They were asked to complete a questionnaire and answer questions in a focus group to assess the effectiveness of the technologies tested and determine whether the experience had added to the learning they gained from the course. The results revealed that the students were able to use the new technologies effectively and provide useful feedback to the company sponsoring the study, contributing to the release of a new commercial product line. Students also reported that participating in this research project improved their satisfaction with the introductory MIS course. These results encourage educators to conduct hands‐on experience involving real‐world research projects since they provide valuable additional learning opportunities in introductory MIS courses.
The Return Of Centralised Energy Planning
Authors: Robinson Colin 
Published: October 2015

AbstractAfter a brief period of liberalisation, the UK energy market is reverting towards its pre‐1980s state in which central government intervenes extensively, particularly in the fuel choices of electricity generators. Many powerful interest groups benefit from centralised energy planning, which may be why the market reverts to that situation as a norm. Of the two principal reasons given for government intervention, there is little substance in the argument that it improves security of supply. There may be a better case for action to offset prospective climate change, but the present centralised approach risks massive errors. Decentralised, market‐based action is more appropriate.
Ossification sequence heterochrony among amphibians
Authors: Harrington Sean M. , Harrison Luke B. , Sheil Christopher A. 
Published: October 2015

SUMMARYHeterochrony is an important mechanism in the evolution of amphibians. Although studies have centered on the relationship between size and shape and the rates of development, ossification sequence heterochrony also may have been important. Rigorous, phylogenetic methods for assessing sequence heterochrony are relatively new, and a comprehensive study of the relative timing of ossification of skeletal elements has not been used to identify instances of sequence heterochrony across Amphibia. In this study, a new version of the program Parsimov‐based genetic inference (PGi) was used to identify shifts in ossification sequences across all extant orders of amphibians, for all major structural units of the skeleton. PGi identified a number of heterochronic sequence shifts in all analyses, the most interesting of which seem to be tied to differences in metamorphic patterns among major clades. Early ossification of the vomer, premaxilla, and dentary is retained by Apateon caducus and members of Gymnophiona and Urodela, which lack the strongly biphasic development seen in anurans. In contrast, bones associated with the jaws and face were identified as shifting late in the ancestor of Anura. The bones that do not shift late, and thereby occupy the earliest positions in the anuran cranial sequence, are those in regions of the skull that undergo the least restructuring throughout anuran metamorphosis. Additionally, within Anura, bones of the hind limb and pelvic girdle were also identified as shifting early in the sequence of ossification, which may be a result of functional constraints imposed by the drastic metamorphosis of most anurans.
Optimal heating condition of mouthguard sheet in vacuum–pressure formation: part 2 Olefin‐based thermoplastic elastomer
Authors: Takahashi Mutsumi , Koide Kaoru 
Published: October 2015

AbstractThe purposes of this study were to clarify the suitable heating conditions during vacuum–pressure formation of olefin copolymer sheets and to examine the sheet temperature at molding and the thickness of the molded mouthguard. Mouthguards were fabricated using 4.0‐mm‐thick olefin copolymer sheets utilizing a vacuum–pressure forming device, and then, 10 s of vacuum forming and 2 min of compression molding were applied. Three heating conditions were investigated. They were, defined by the degree of sagging observed at the center of the softened sheet (10, 15, or 20 mm lower than the clamp (H‐10, H‐15, or H‐20, respectively)). The working model was trimmed to the height of 20 mm at the maxillary central incisor and 15 mm at the mesiobuccal cusp of the maxillary first molar. The temperature on both the directly heated and the non‐heated surfaces of the mouthguard sheet was measured by the radiation thermometer for each condition. The thickness of mouthguard sheets after fabrication was determined for the incisal portion (incisal edge and labial surface) and molar portion (cusp and buccal surface), and dimensional measurements were obtained using a measuring device. Differences in the thickness due to the heating condition of the sheets were analyzed by one‐way analysis of variance and Bonferroni's multiple comparison tests. The temperature difference between the heated and non‐heated surfaces was highest under H‐10. Sheet temperature under H‐15 and H‐20 was almost the same. The thickness differences were noted at incisal edge, cusp, and buccal surface, and H‐15 was the greatest. This study demonstrated that heating of the sheet resulting in sag of 15 mm or more was necessary for sufficient softening of the sheet and that the mouthguard thickness decreased with increased sag. In conclusion, sag of 15 mm can be recommended as a good indicator of appropriate molding timing for this material.
The life history continuum hypothesis links traits of male ants with life outside the nest
Authors: Shik Jonathan Z. , Donoso David A. , Kaspari Michael 
Published: October 2015

AbstractAn ant society, headed by a mated queen, can live for decades. Male ants, in contrast, are generally assumed to be ephemeral sperm delivery vessels programmed to die hours after leaving the nest to mate. However, the events from dispersal to mate location have rarely been studied, and the links between male traits and the ecological demands of diverse mating systems remain poorly understood. Here, we propose that interspecific variation in the length of mating flights has generated a life history continuum for male ants, and that the previously proposed ‘male aggregating’ and ‘female calling’ mating syndromes represent the endpoints. We also provide the first evidence for systematic divergence in pre‐mating traits between males that attract females to brief nuptial swarms (Male aggregation syndrome) and those that must survive while searching for patchily distributed females that signal with pheromones (Female calling syndrome). Specifically, female‐calling males tend to have larger eyes and mandibles, but the length of the basal antennal segment (scape) appears relatively constant across body sizes. After exploring these patterns, we review evidence that key components of fitness like mating frequency vary across a male life history continuum, and then explore links between male traits and a colony's per capita reproductive investment. Systematic variation in pre‐flight provisioning of males relative to mating systems may have important ecological implications, given that ants are dominant consumers on a global scale, and colonies ultimately use large fractions of harvested resources to fuel reproduction.
Illustrating the impact of mild/moderate and severe haemophilia on health‐related quality of life: hypothesised conceptual models
Authors: Flood Emuella , Pocoski Jennifer , Michaels Lisa A. , Bell Jill A. , Valluri Satish , Sasanè Rahul 
Published: October 2015

AbstractIntroduction/AimsHaemophilia and its treatment have a significant impact on patients' lives. The study objectives were to understand the impacts of haemophilia and its treatment from the patient perspective and to inform the development of comprehensive health‐related quality‐of‐life (HRQL) conceptual models to illustrate these impacts.MethodsThe study included two phases. Phase I involved a review of literature published from 1995 to 2010, qualitative analysis of six patient (N = 31) and three healthcare provider (N = 15) focus group transcripts, and interviews with two experts to inform draft conceptual models of mild/moderate and severe haemophilia. Phase II involved interviews with 20 haemophilia patients and qualitative analysis of transcripts to confirm the concepts and structure of the conceptual models.ResultsThe literature search resulted in 66 publications assessing HRQL, four of which were qualitative studies on the impact of haemophilia from the patient perspective. Results from Phase I indicated that acute bleeding events result in pain, swelling, bruising and restricted joint movement; repeated joint bleeds result in chronic symptoms, such as pain and arthropathy. Acute bleeds cause interruptions in daily activities and interfere with work/school. Patients have fears about having bleeds, which can affect their participation in activities, such as sports or crowded events. Patients also expressed feelings of depression, frustration, isolation and embarrassment. Results of Phase II corroborated findings from Phase I.ConclusionsThe conceptual models illustrate the substantial impact of haemophilia and its treatments on patients' lives and can help inform clinical study design and the selection of endpoints to assess treatment benefit.