bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparative study of project management and critical success factors of greening new and existing buildings in Singapore
Authors: Pheng Low Sui , Gao Shang , Lin Tay Wen 
Published: November 2014

Purpose– With pressing issues of climate change, greening buildings have emerged as a viable solution for meeting the increasing demand for buildings with minimal environmental impacts. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to establish the possibility of achieving this goal by investigating the drivers, challenges, and critical success factors (CSFs) involved in greening existing buildings. Since most of the relevant literature focuses on only acknowledging CSFs for new building projects in general, this study seeks to distinguish CSFs that are particularly related to the greening of existing buildings.Design/methodology/approach– Based on a review of past literature, 28 selected factors were identified and were categorised into five main groups, namely pre-project-related factors, project management-related factors, client-related factors, project team-related factors, and external factors. Because older buildings have more constraints than new buildings, a comparison of the CSFs for greening new and existing buildings was also made. Surveys and interviews were conducted to validate the CSFs identified.Findings– The top CSFs in each building category (new vs existing) were then further examined and analysed. These are “top management support”, “effective planning and control”, “building owner's involvement”, “cost management”, “responsiveness of building owners”, “clear scope and priorities of stakeholders”, and “legislation”. Furthermore, there was a strong consensus on the rankings of most factors between new and existing buildings.Research limitations/implications– By understanding the factors that are crucial for managing and delivering successful green projects in the Singaporean context, these CSFs can be used to direct an organisation's efforts in identifying critical issues and tackling them to achieve high performance.Originality/value– An ambitious goal of greening 80 per cent of Singapore's building stocks has been set by the government in the Second Green Building Master Plan. To help achieve this goal, this study contributes to the knowledge of project management issues that would determine the success of managing new green building projects and retrofitting existing ones.
Bark thickness and fire regime
Authors: Pausas Juli G. 
Published: November 2014

Summary

Bark is a vital and very visible part of woody plants, yet only recently has bark characteristics started to be considered as key traits structuring communities and biomes. Bark thickness is very variable among woody plants, and I hypothesize that fire is a key factor selecting for a thick bark, and thus, at the global scale, a significant proportion of the variability in bark thickness is explained by the variability in fire regimes. Previous research has focused on the importance of bark thickness mainly in surface‐fire regimes; here I generalize this idea and present a conceptual framework to explain how the different drivers that affect fire intensity have shaped bark thickness, in conjunction with other plant traits.

I first review methods used to study bark thickness and then provide examples of bark thickness patterns from a wide range of ecosystems subject to different fire regimes (understorey fires, grass‐fuelled surface fires, grass‐fuelled crown fires and infrequent fires).

There are some fire regimes that select for thick barks, while some only in the base of the trunk (e.g. understorey fires), others select for a thick bark on the whole plant (e.g. grass‐fuelled crown fires). There are also fire regimes in which allocating resources to a thick bark is not adaptive (e.g. woody‐fulled crown fires).

Fire regime can explain a large proportion of the variability of bark thickness at the global scale, and thus, this trait varies across ecosystems in a predictable manner; however, the current paucity of data limits a fully accurate analysis.
First “Glass” Education: Telementored Cardiac Ultrasonography Using Google Glass‐ A Pilot Study
Authors: Russell Patrick M. , Mallin Michael , Youngquist Scott T. , Cotton Jennifer , Aboul‐Hosn Nael , Dawson Matt 
Published: November 2014

AbstractObjectivesThe objective of this study was to determine the feasibility of telementored instruction in bedside ultrasonography (US) using Google Glass. The authors sought to examine whether first‐time US users could obtain adequate parasternal long axis (PSLA) views to approximate ejection fraction (EF) using Google Glass telementoring.MethodsThis was a prospective, randomized, single‐blinded study. Eighteen second‐year medical students were randomized into three groups and tasked with obtaining PSLA cardiac imaging. Group A received real‐time telementored education through Google Glass via Google Hangout from a remotely located expert. Group B received bedside education from the same expert. Group C represented the control and received no instruction. Each subject was given 3 minutes to obtain a best PSLA cardiac imaging using a portable GE Vscan. Image clips obtained by each subject were stored. A second expert, blinded to instructional mode, evaluated images for adequacy and assigned an image quality rating on a 0 to 10 scale.ResultsGroup A was able to obtain adequate images six out of six times (100%) with a median image quality rating of 7.5 (interquartile range [IQR] = 6 to 10) out of 10. Group B was also able to obtain adequate views six out of six times (100%), with a median image quality rating of 8 (IQR = 7 to 9). Group C was able to obtain adequate views one out of six times (17%), with a median image quality of 0 (IQR = 0 to 2). There were no statistically significant differences between Group A and Group B in the achievement of adequate images for E‐point septal separation measurement or in image quality.ConclusionsIn this pilot/feasibility study, novice US users were able to obtain adequate imaging to determine a healthy patient's EF through telementored education using Google Glass. These preliminary data suggest telementoring as an adequate means of medical education in bedside US. This conclusion will need to be validated with larger, more powerful studies including evaluation of pathologic findings and varying body habitus among models.
Computed Tomography Abnormalities and Epidemiology of Adult Patients Presenting With First Seizure to the Emergency Department in Qatar
Authors: Pathan Sameer A. , Abosalah Salem , Nadeem Sana , Ali Amjad , Hameed Asma A. , Marathe Mandar , Cameron Peter A. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractObjectivesThere is little information available from the Middle Eastern region on adult patients presenting with first seizure. The objectives of this study were to describe epidemiological characteristics of patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) in Doha, Qatar, with first seizure and to determine the incidence of computed tomographic (CT) scan abnormalities.MethodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted on all adult patients with first seizure presenting to Hamad General Hospital ED over a 1‐year period (June 2012 through May 2013). Electronic patient records were reviewed for demographics, neuroimaging, electroencephalography, laboratory test results, and medications administered.ResultsThere were 439 patients who satisfied inclusion criteria. Patients were aged a mean of 35.3 years (95% confidence interval [CI] = 33.92 to 36.69 years) with a male‐to‐female ratio of five to one. CT abnormalities were detected in 154 patients (35.3%; 95% CI = 30.81% to 39.82%). Out of reported abnormal scans, 14.7% patients had significant abnormalities such as neurocysticercosis (9.2%); brain metastasis and neoplasm (3.4%); and subarachnoid and subdural hemorrhage, cavernous sinus thrombosis, acute stroke, and brain edema (2.0%). None of the patients had any electrolyte abnormalities, and three patients had hypoglycemia. Patients with initial abnormal CT brain results were more likely to have recurrent seizures (OR = 1.65; 95% CI = 1.11 to 2.45) within 6 months.ConclusionsAdults who presented with first seizure to the ED in Qatar had a young male predominance, and a high proportion of brain CT scans were reported as abnormal. It is recommended that all such patients in this population should undergo prompt CT scanning in the ED, but the utility of routine electrolyte tests requires further investigation.
Comparison of PIRO, SOFA, and MEDS Scores for Predicting Mortality in Emergency Department Patients With Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock
Authors: Macdonald Stephen P. J. , Arendts Glenn , Fatovich Daniel M. , Brown Simon G. A. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractObjectivesThe Predisposition Insult Response and Organ failure (PIRO) scoring system has been developed for use in the emergency department (ED) to risk stratify sepsis cases, but has not been well studied among high‐risk patients with severe sepsis and septic shock. The PIRO score was compared with the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) and Mortality in ED Sepsis (MEDS) scores to predict mortality in ED patients with features suggesting severe sepsis or septic shock in the ED.MethodsThis was an analysis of sepsis patients enrolled in a prospective observational ED study of patients presenting with evidence of shock, hypoxemia, or other organ failure. PIRO, MEDS, and SOFA scores were calculated from ED data. Analysis compared areas under the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves for 30‐day mortality.ResultsOf 240 enrolled patients, final diagnoses were septic shock in 128 (53%), severe sepsis without shock in 70 (29%), and infection with no organ dysfunction in 42 (18%). Forty‐eight (20%) patients died within 30 days of presentation. Area under the ROC curve (AUC) for mortality was 0.86 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.80 to 0.92) for PIRO, 0.81 (95% CI = 0.74 to 0.88) for MEDS, and 0.78 (95% CI = 0.71 to 0.87) for SOFA scores. Pairwise comparisons of the AUC were as follows: PIRO versus SOFA, p = 0.01; PIRO versus MEDS, p = 0.064; and MEDS versus SOFA; p = 0.37. Mortality increased with increasing PIRO scores: PIRO < 5, 0%; PIRO 5 to 9, 5%; PIRO 10 to 14, 5%; PIRO 15 to 19, 37%; and PIRO ≥ 20, 80% (p < 0.001). The MEDS score also showed increasing mortality with higher scores: MEDS < 5, 0%; MEDS 5 to 7, 12%; MEDS 8 to 11, 15%; MEDS 12 to 14, 48%; and MEDS > 15, 65% (p < 0.001).ConclusionsThe PIRO model, taking into account comorbidities and septic source as well as physiologic status, performed better than the SOFA score and similarly to the MEDS score for predicting mortality in ED patients with severe sepsis and septic shock. These findings have implications for identifying and managing high‐risk patients and for the design of clinical trials in sepsis.
Effect of ketoconazole and diltiazem on the pharmacokinetics of apixaban, an oral direct factor Xa inhibitor
Authors: Frost Charles E. , Byon Wonkyung , Song Yan , Wang Jessie , Schuster Alan E. , Boyd Rebecca A. , Zhang Donglu , Yu Zhigang , Dias Clapton , Shenker Andrew , LaCreta Frank 
Published: November 2014

AimApixaban is an orally active inhibitor of coagulation factor Xa and is eliminated by multiple pathways, including renal and non‐renal elimination. Non‐renal elimination pathways consist of metabolism by cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes, primarily CYP3A4, as well as direct intestinal excretion. Two single sequence studies evaluated the effect of ketoconazole (a strong dual inhibitor of CYP3A4 and P‐glycoprotein [P‐gp]) and diltiazem (a moderate CYP3A4 inhibitor and a P‐gp inhibitor) on apixaban pharmacokinetics in healthy subjects.MethodIn the ketoconazole study, 18 subjects received apixaban 10 mg on days 1 and 7, and ketoconazole 400 mg once daily on days 4–9. In the diltiazem study, 18 subjects received apixaban 10 mg on days 1 and 11 and diltiazem 360 mg once daily on days 4–13.ResultsApixaban maximum plasma concentration and area under the plasma concentration–time curve extrapolated to infinity increased by 62% (90% confidence interval [CI], 47, 78%) and 99% (90% CI, 81, 118%), respectively, with co‐administration of ketoconazole, and by 31% (90% CI, 16, 49%) and 40% (90% CI, 23, 59%), respectively, with diltiazem.ConclusionA 2‐fold and 1.4‐fold increase in apixaban exposure was observed with co‐administration of ketoconazole and diltiazem, respectively.
Dried plasma/blood spots for monitoring antiretroviral treatment efficacy and pharmacokinetics: a cross‐sectional study in rural Burundi
Authors: Calcagno Andrea , Motta Ilaria , Milia Maria Grazia , Rostagno Roberto , Simiele Marco , Libanore Valentina , Fontana Silvia , D'Avolio Antonio , Ghisetti Valeria , Di Perri Giovanni , Bonora Stefano 
Published: November 2014

AimsIn limited resource settings monitoring antiretroviral (ARV) treatment efficacy is restrained by the lack of access to technological equipment. The aim of the study was to assess the use of dried plasma (DPS) and blood spots (DBS) to facilitate ARV monitoring in remote settings where clinical monitoring is the primary strategy.MethodsA cross‐sectional study in HIV‐positive ARV‐treated patients in Kiremba, Burundi was performed. DBS were used for HIV‐1 viral load (limit of the assay 250 copies ml−1) and genotypic drug resistance tests and dried plasma spots were used for concentration measurements.ResultsThree hundred and seven patients [201 female (88.6%), 14 children (4.5%)] were enrolled. HIV‐1 viral load was <250, 250–1000 and >1000 copies ml−1 in 250 (81.7%), 33 (10.8%) and 23 patients (7.5%). Eleven samples out of 23 were successfully amplified revealing nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) and non‐nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI)‐resistance associated mutations [in seven (58.3%) and six patients (50%)]. Nevirapine trough concentrations were <3000 ng ml−1 in 28/189 patients (14.8%) and efavirenz 12 h concentrations were <1000 ng ml−1 in 2/16 patients (12.5%). Children and patients with nevirapine exposure <3000 ng ml−1 presented a higher risk of viral replication.ConclusionsViral loads <250 copies ml−1 were observed in 81.7% of patients (83.6% adults and 42.9% children). Children and patients with low nevirapine concentrations had higher risk of viral replication. Dried blood and plasma spots may be useful for monitoring HIV‐positive patients including viral load and drug level measurement as part of treatment management in remote areas.
Children's participation in LAC reviews: a study in one English local authority
Authors: Pert Hayley , Diaz Clive , Thomas Nigel 
Published: November 2014

AbstractAlthough the law in England and Wales requires a child's wishes and feelings to be heard in LAC (Looked After Children) reviews, there remains limited research into how far this is achieved. This study interviewed 25 children and 16 foster carers to explore how well children understand and take part in reviews, and what factors impede this. The study found that levels of participation, as experienced by children and foster carers, were very low and the methods used were relatively ineffective. Children experienced significant barriers in engaging with the review process. The paper concludes that, as a vehicle of children's participation, LAC reviews are still not working well and calls for more attention to the views of children and young people and to the effectiveness of LAC reviews.
The Role of Surface Similarity in Analogical Retrieval: Bridging the Gap Between the Naturalistic and the Experimental Traditions
Authors: Trench Máximo , Minervino Ricardo A. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractBlanchette and Dunbar (2000) have claimed that when participants are allowed to draw on their own source analogs in the service of analogical argumentation, retrieval is less constrained by surface similarity than traditional experiments suggest. In two studies, we adapted this production paradigm to control for the potentially distorting effects of analogy fabrication and uneven availability of close and distant sources in memory. Experiment 1 assessed whether participants were reminded of central episodes from popular movies while generating analogies for superficially similar versus superficially dissimilar target situations. In Experiment 2, we modified this procedure to assess the retrieval of autobiographic memories, more familiar to participants than fictional episodes. Both studies revealed a strong effect of surface similarity on the retrieval of participants' own sources, thus suggesting that the superficial bias typically observed in experimental studies—and simulated by most computational models—does not originate in a lack of ecological validity.
Safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of pregabalin in children with refractory partial seizures: A phase 1, randomized controlled study
Authors: Mann Donald , Liu Jing , Chew Marci L. , Bockbrader Howard , Alvey Christine W. , Zegarac Elizabeth , Pellock John , Pitman Verne W. 
Published: November 2014

SummaryObjectiveTo evaluate the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics (PK) of pregabalin as adjunctive therapy in children with refractory partial seizures.MethodsThis was a phase 1, randomized, placebo‐controlled, parallel‐group, escalating‐dose, multiple‐dose study comprising a 7‐day, double‐blind treatment period and a single‐blind, single dose of pregabalin administered to all children on day 8. Children in four age cohorts (1–23 months, 2–6, 7–11, and 12–16 years) received one of four doses of pregabalin (2.5, 5, 10, or 15 mg/kg/day) or placebo. Safety and tolerability were assessed throughout the study. Steady‐state and single‐dose PK parameters on day 8 were analyzed using standard noncompartmental procedures.ResultsSixty‐five children received at least one dose of treatment. Four pregabalin‐treated children discontinued treatment, three of whom received 15 mg/kg/day. Two children experienced serious adverse events, one of whom received pregabalin 15 mg/kg/day. During double‐blind treatment, the most common adverse events reported in the pregabalin‐treated population were somnolence (27.1%) and dizziness (12.5%). Steady‐state pregabalin peak and total exposure in each age cohort appeared to increase linearly with dose. Apparent oral clearance (CL/F) was directly related to creatinine clearance, consistent with adults. CL/F normalized for body weight was 43% higher in patients weighing <30 kg. Steady‐state and single‐dose PK were consistent.SignificancePregabalin at doses up to 10 mg/kg/day in children aged 1 month to 16 years, and at doses up to 15 mg/kg/day in those aged <6 years, demonstrated acceptable safety and tolerability. For children weighing <30 kg, a dose increase of 40% (mg/kg dosing) is required to achieve comparable exposure with adults or children weighing ≥30 kg. These data will inform dose selection in phase 3 trials of the efficacy and safety of adjunctive pregabalin in children with refractory partial seizures.
A reliable and time‐saving semiautomatic spike‐template–based analysis of interictalEEG–fMRI
Authors: Tousseyn Simon , Dupont Patrick , Robben David , Goffin Karolien , Sunaert Stefan , Van Paesschen Wim 
Published: November 2014

SummaryObjectiveA prerequisite for the implementation of interictal electroencephalography–correlated functional magnetic resonance imaging (EEG‐fMRI) in the presurgical work‐up for epilepsy surgery is straightforward processing. We propose a new semi‐automatic method as alternative for the challenging and time‐consuming visual spike identification.MethodsOur method starts from a patient‐specific spike‐template, built by averaging spikes recorded on theEEGoutside the scanner. Spatiotemporal cross‐correlations between the template and theEEGmeasured during fMRIwere calculated. To minimize false‐positive detections, this time course of cross‐correlations was binarized by means of a spike‐template–specific threshold determined in healthy controls. To inform our model for statistical parametric mapping, this binarized regressor was convolved with the canonical hemodynamic response function. We validated our “template‐based” method in 21 adult patients with refractory focal epilepsy with a well‐defined epileptogenic zone and interictal spikes duringEEG‐fMRI. Sensitivity and specificity for detecting the epileptogenic zone were calculated and represented in receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Our approach was compared with a previously proposed semiautomatic “topography‐based” method that used the topographic amplitude distribution of spikes as a starting point for correlation‐based fitting.ResultsGood diagnostic performance could be reached with our template‐based method. The optimal area under theROCcurve was 0.77. Diagnostic performance of the topography‐based method was overall low.SignificanceOur new template‐based method is more standardized and time‐saving than visual spike identification on intra‐scannerEEGrecordings, and preserves good diagnostic performance for detecting the epileptogenic zone.
Parental decision making around perinatal autopsy: a qualitative investigation
Authors: Meaney Sarah , Gallagher Stephen , Lutomski Jennifer E. , O'Donoghue Keelin 
Published: November 2014

AbstractBackgroundDecades of decline in uptake rates of perinatal autopsies has limited investigation into the causes and risk factors for stillbirth.AimsThis study aimed to qualitatively explore perinatal autopsy decision‐making processes in parents who experienced antepartum and intrapartum stillbirths.Material and MethodsA qualitative semi‐structured interview format was utilized. The line of questioning centred on how parents came to decide on consenting or declining to have a perinatal autopsy undertaken. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was employed as the analytic strategy. Purposive sampling was used to recruit 10 parents who either consented or declined autopsy from a large tertiary maternity hospital in Cork Ireland, where there were 30 stillbirths in 2011.ResultsFindings revealed four superordinate themes influencing parents’ decision‐making which varied with type of stillbirth experienced. Those parents who experienced antepartum stillbirths were more likely to consent; thus, knowing that the child was stillborn prior to delivery rather than on the day of delivery was associated with consent. In fact, these parents had more time for meaning‐making; those consenting wanted to rule out self‐blame and were fearful about future pregnancies. Parents who declined autopsy wanted to protect their infant from further harm. Interestingly, parents’ knowledge and understanding of the autopsy itself were acquired primarily from public discourse.ConclusionParents’ decision‐making regarding autopsy is profoundly affected by their emotional response to stillbirth; clinicians and other health professionals may play a key role, especially if they can address parental concerns regarding the invasiveness of the autopsy procedure.