bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Economic Perceptions on Voting Behaviour in European Parliamentary Elections
Authors: Bartkowska Monika , Tiemann Guido 
Published: June 2014

AbstractEconomic voting is a key explanatory factor for the short‐term variation of vote choice, party competition and electoral volatility. This article applies the well‐established literature on economic voting to the analysis of European Parliament elections. In theoretical terms, it focuses on a forward‐looking selection model and probes the difficulties of signal extraction in the multilevel context of European Union politics. In methodological terms, hierarchical mixed logit models are used so as to explore the magnitude and the determinants of economic voting in the 2004 and the subsequent 2009 EP elections. Although the EU has acquired significant economic policy domains from the Member States, and therewith effectively blurring political responsibility for economic policies, this analysis demonstrates that voters are nevertheless able to extract competence signals and cast an economic vote. The article also focuses on the conditionality of the economic vote and vote abstention in EP elections.
Does the CONSORT checklist for abstracts improve the quality of reports of randomized controlled trials on clinical pathways?
Authors: Cui Qi , Tian Jinhui , Song Xuping , Yang Kehu 
Published: June 2014

AbstractRationale aims and objectives The extension of the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) statement provides reporting guidelines to improve the reporting quality of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). This present study was aim to assess the reporting quality of abstracts of RCTs on clinical pathway.MethodsEight databases were searched from inception to November 2012 to identify RCTs. We extracted basic information and CONSORT items from abstracts. Each abstract was assessed independently by two reviewers. Statistical analyses were performed with SPSS 13.0. Level of significance was set at P < 0.05.Results328 abstracts were included. 300 (91.5%) were published in Chinese, of which 292 were published on high impact factor journals. 28 English abstracts were all published on Science Citation Index (SCI) journals. (1) Intervention, objective and outcome were almost fully reported in all abstracts, while recruitment and funding were never reported. (2) There are nine items (P < 0.05) in Chinese that were of low quality compared with in English. There was statistically difference on total score between Chinese and English abstracts (P < 0.00001). (3) There was no difference in any items between high and low impact factor journal in China. (4) In SCI journals, there were significant changes in reporting for three items trial design (P = 0.026), harms (P = 0.039) and trial registration (P = 0.019) in different periods (pre‐ and post‐CONSORT), but only the numbers of randomized (P = 0.003) changed in Chinese abstracts.ConclusionsThe reporting quality of abstracts of RCTs on clinical pathway still should be improved. After the publication of CONSORT for abstracts guideline, the RCT abstracts reporting quality were improvement to some extent. The abstracts in Chinese journals showed non‐adherence to the CONSORT for abstracts guidelines.
Effect of automated drug distribution systems on medication error rates in a short‐stay geriatric unit
Authors: Cousein Etienne , Mareville Julie , Lerooy Alexandre , Caillau Antoine , Labreuche Julien , Dambre Delphine , Odou Pascal , Bonte Jean‐Paul , Puisieux François , Decaudin Bertrand , Coupé Patrick 
Published: June 2014

AbstractRationale, aims and objectivesTo assess the impact of an automated drug distribution system on medication errors (MEs).MethodsBefore‐after observational study in a 40‐bed short stay geriatric unit within a 1800 bed general hospital in Valenciennes, France. Researchers attended nurse medication administration rounds and compared administered to prescribed drugs, before and after the drug distribution system changed from a ward stock system (WSS) to a unit dose dispensing system (UDDS), integrating a unit dose dispensing robot and automated medication dispensing cabinet (AMDC).ResultsA total of 615 opportunities of errors (OEs) were observed among 148 patients treated during the WSS period, and 783 OEs were observed among 166 patients treated during the UDDS period. ME [medication administration error (MAE)] rates were calculated and compared between the two periods. Secondary measures included type of errors, seriousness of errors and risk reduction for the patients. The implementation of an automated drug dispensing system resulted in a 53% reduction in MAEs. All error types were reduced in the UDDS period compared with the WSS period (P < 0.001). Wrong dose and wrong drug errors were reduced by 79.1% (2.4% versus 0.5%, P = 0.005) and 93.7% (1.9% versus 0.01%, P = 0.009), respectively.ConclusionAn automated UDDS combining a unit dose dispensing robot and AMDCs could reduce discrepancies between ordered and administered drugs, thus improving medication safety among the elderly.
Liposarcoma in clownfish, Amphiprion ocellaris Cuvier, produced in indoor aquaculture
Authors: Sharon G , Benharroch D , Kachko L , Reis‐Hevlin N , Zilberg D 
Published: June 2014

AbstractClownfish, Amphiprion ocellaris Cuvier, produced and grown in an experimental indoor aquaculture facility, presented with lipomatous tumours. A total of 14 affected fish were examined. Based on the total number of fish at the aquaculture facility at the time of outbreak of this pathology, the scope of the incident is estimated to be 1 of 300 fish. The tumours were characterized by the presence of mature adipocytes of variable sizes, lipoblasts and by an invasive behaviour, which affected internal organs, muscle, central nervous system and, in one case, an eye. Detailed macroscopic and histopathological features are presented. The suggested diagnosis is that of a well‐differentiated liposarcoma, a diagnosis so far never applied to fish. The limited outbreak of the neoplasm lasted a few months in 2011 and did not recur. Possible factors leading to this phenomenon, notably the metastasis, are discussed.
INVESTMENT BANKS IN DUAL ROLES: ACQUIRER M&A ADVISORS AS UNDERWRITERS
Authors: Ertugrul Mine , Krishnan Karthik 
Published: June 2014

AbstractWe analyze the dual role of investment banks that provide advice to acquiring firms and act as underwriters on the securities issued to finance the acquisition. We find that the dual role of acquirer advisors is associated with lower acquirer announcement returns, higher target announcement returns, higher acquisition premiums, faster completion speeds, and higher divestiture rates. The dual role of the acquirer advisor does not lead to lower underwriting fees or issue costs. Our results are robust to controlling for the endogeneity of selection of the acquirer advisor as underwriter on the security issue used to finance the acquisition.
Residual lower esophageal sphincter pressure as a prognostic factor in the pneumatic balloon treatment of achalasia
Authors: Park Jung Ho , Lee Yong Chan , Lee Hyuk , Park Hyojin , Youn Young Hoon , Park Hyung Seok , Lee Tae Hee , Hong Kyoung Sup 
Published: June 2014

AbstractBackground and AimsPneumatic balloon dilatation (PD) is a mainstay in achalasia treatment. The aim of this study was to identify predictive factors for successful treatment.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed 76 patients with a diagnosis of achalasia who underwent PD from June 2010 to May 2013. Clinical symptoms were assessed using Eckardt score and manometry data were analyzed using resting and relaxation pressure (4sIRP) of lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and the distal contractile integral (DCI), which was calculated for 10 s from the start of deglutition between the upper margin of the LES and lower margin of upper esophageal contraction. Patients with achalasia were classified into three groups based on the Chicago classification.ResultsAmong 76 patients, 52 patients received PD, and the treatment was unsuccessful in 9 patients (6 in class I and 3 in class III). When comparing prognostic factors between successful and unsuccessful treatment groups, the mean value for 4sIRP in the unsuccessful treatment group was significantly lower than that in the successful treatment group (P < 0.05). However, no difference was noticed in resting LES pressure, DCI, age, and sex. Furthermore, a lower mean value of 4sIRP was significantly related to unsuccessful treatment of achalasia (odds ratio, 1.092; 95% confidence interval, 1.001–1.191) even after adjustment for a series of confounding factors.ConclusionsLower 4sIRP may be a prognostic indicator for poor treatment outcome after PD.
Overdiagnosis of gastro‐esophageal reflux disease and underdiagnosis of functional dyspepsia in a USA community
Authors: Pleyer C. , Bittner H. , Locke G. R. , Choung R. S. , Zinsmeister A. R. , Schleck C. D. , Herrick L. M. , Talley N. J. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractBackgroundThere is symptom overlap between gastro‐esophageal reflux disease (GERD) and functional dyspepsia (FD). We aimed to test the hypothesis that FD cases are now more likely mislabeled as GERD.MethodsIn subjects from Olmsted County, MN seen at Mayo Clinic: (i) Investigation of GERD and FD diagnosis rates between 1985 and 2009. (ii) Assessment of survey‐based upper gastrointestinal symptoms between 1988 and 2009. (iii) Analysis of patients reporting GERD and/or FD symptoms and subsequently receiving a consistent diagnosis of GERD and/or FD during a medical encounter. (iv) Assess the association between PPI use and GERD and/or FD symptoms and between actual diagnoses received.Key Results(i) Yearly GERD diagnosis rates rose between 1985 and 2009 (325–1866 per 100 000). FD diagnosis rates rose from 45 in 1985, to 964 in 1999 but decreased to 452 per 100 000 in 2009. (ii) Reported GERD symptoms did not significantly change between three survey waves in the years 1988–2009 (p = 0.052), whereas FD symptoms slightly increased (p = 0.01). (iii) 62.9% of subjects reporting GERD symptoms received a GERD diagnosis, however only 12.5% of subjects reporting FD symptoms received a FD diagnosis. (iv) PPI use was associated with documented GERD diagnosis (p < 0.001), however there was no significant association between GERD symptoms and PPI use (p = 0.078).Conclusions & InferencesWe have found evidence supporting a systematic bias away from diagnosing FD, favoring a GERD diagnosis.
When fathers are instant losers: homogenization of rDNA loci in recently formed Cardamine × schulzii trigenomic allopolyploid
Authors: Zozomová‐Lihová Judita , Mandáková Terezie , Kovaříková Alena , Mühlhausen Andreas , Mummenhoff Klaus , Lysak Martin A. , Kovařík Aleš 
Published: June 2014

Summary

Recently formed allopolyploids represent an excellent system to study the impacts of hybridization and genomic duplication on genome structure and evolution. Here we explored the 35SrRNA genes (rDNA) in the Cardamine × schulzii allohexaploid that was formed by two subsequent hybridization events within the past c. 150 yr.

The rDNA loci were analyzed by cloning, next generation sequencing (NGS), RT‐PCR and FISH methods.

The primary C. × insueta triploid hybrid derived from C. rivularis (♀) and C. amara (♂) had gene ratios highly skewed towards maternal sequences. Similarly, C. × schulzii, originating from the secondary hybridization event involving C. × insueta (♀) and C. pratensis (♂), showed a reduction in paternal rDNA homeologs despite an excess of chromosomes inherited from C. pratensis. We also identified novel rDNA loci in C. × schulzii, suggesting that lost loci might be slowly reinstalled by translocation (but not recombination) of genes from partner genomes.

Prevalent clonal propagation of allopolyploids, C. × insueta and C. × schulzii, indicates that concerted evolution of rDNA may occur in the absence of extensive meiotic cycles. Adoption of NGS in rDNA variant analysis is highly informative for deciphering the evolutionary histories of allopolyploid species with ongoing homogenization processes.
Insect herbivore‐associated organisms affect plant responses to herbivory
Authors: Zhu Feng , Poelman Erik H. , Dicke Marcel 
Published: June 2014

SummaryIn nature, plants interact with many organisms and need to integrate their responses to these diverse community members. Knowledge on plant–insect relationships has accumulated rapidly during the last decades. Yet most studies on direct or indirect defences of plants against herbivory have treated herbivores as individual stressors. However, herbivores often consist of communities themselves, comprising organisms such as parasites and symbionts, which may have important effects on the herbivore phenotype, and consequently on interactions of the herbivore with its food plant. Here, we review how herbivore‐associated organisms affect plant–herbivore interactions. Organisms associated with herbivores can directly affect how a plant interacts with their herbivorous hosts, by interfering with plant signal‐transduction pathways, repressing the expression of plant defence‐related genes, or altering plant secondary metabolism. In addition, herbivore‐associated organisms can also affect plant responses indirectly by their effect on the behaviour and physiology of their herbivore host. The changes in plant phenotype that arise from herbivore‐associated organisms may subsequently affect interactions with other community members, thereby impacting community dynamics. Furthermore, herbivore‐associated organisms may act as a hidden driving force of plant–herbivore coevolution. Therefore, to understand plant–herbivore interactions it is important to realize that every single herbivorous insect constitutes a community in itself.
Characterization of the Blastocystis‐specific faecal IgA immune response in pigs
Authors: Wang W. , Cuttell L. , Traub R. J. , Owen H. , Bielefeldt‐Ohmann H. 
Published: June 2014

SummaryBlastocystis is an intestinal protist found in many species including humans and pigs. It has a controversial pathogenesis and has been implicated as a potential cause of irritable bowel syndrome. Our previous studies identified pigs as potential animal models for blastocystosis by demonstrating that they were likely natural hosts of Blastocystis and can harbour subtypes (ST) in common with humans. Furthermore, our finding of a lack of intestinal histopathology associated with Blastocystis infection in pigs is also a consistent finding in examined infected humans. In this study, we aimed to identify and characterize the Blastocystis‐specific mucosal IgA response in pigs by immunoblotting, using pig faecal antibodies and Blastocystis antigen. Faeces from 233 pigs representing three age groups (sows/boars, growers/weaners and piglets) and including five dexamethasone‐immunosuppressed research pigs were tested. The majority (81·5%) of the pigs had faecal IgA reactivity against Blastocystis proteins of molecular weights of 17·5–120 kDa. Reactivity to a >250 kDa protein was found in 18·5% of pigs. Notably, immunosuppressed pigs and piglets were statistically more likely to have reactivity to this protein compared to growers/weaners and sows/boars, respectively. These results corroborate other findings suggesting that compromised immunity may predispose to blastocystosis and support our contention that pigs are potentially good models for pathogenesis studies.
Memory detection with the Concealed Information Test: A meta analysis of skin conductance, respiration, heart rate, and P300 data
Authors: Meijer Ewout H. , Selle Nathalie Klein , Elber Lotem , Ben‐Shakhar Gershon 
Published: June 2014

AbstractThe Concealed Information Test (CIT) uses psychophysiological measures to determine the presence or absence of crime‐related information in a suspect's memory. We conducted a meta‐analysis on the validity of the CIT based on four physiological measures—skin conductance response (SCR), respiration line length (RLL), changes in heart rate (HR), and enhanced amplitudes of the P300 component of the event‐related potential (P300). This meta‐analysis relied on laboratory studies that used either the mock‐crime or the personal‐item paradigm. Results showed a mean effect size (d*) of 1.55 for SCR, 1.11 for RLL, 0.89 for HR, and 1.89 for P300. However, P300 outperformed SCR only in the personal‐item paradigm, but not in the mock‐crime paradigm. Motivation level, number of questions, publication year, and the inclusion of innocent participants emerged as significant moderators for the SCR, while only the type of paradigm used moderated the P300 effect.
A Meno Problem for Evidentialism
Authors: Mittag Daniel M. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractThe original Meno problem is to explain why knowledge is more valuable than mere true belief. In this paper I argue that evidentialists face an additional Meno problem, a Meno problem that, to date, no evidentialist has considered. Specifically, evidentialists must account for the additional epistemic value of a doxastically justified doxastic attitude as compared to a doxastic attitude that is merely propositionally justified. I consider the nature of the problem facing evidentialism and critically discuss two attempts to account for this additional epistemic value. Then, I highlight the remaining options and present the alternative I favor. According to this alternative, while the nature of doxastic justification is analyzed in terms of propositional justification, the value of doxastic justification is not. Holding a doxastic attitude on the basis of propositionally justifying evidence is a fundamental epistemic good. In virtue of this, doxastically justified doxastic attitudes have fundamental epistemic value.
Ciclosporin therapy for canine generalized discoid lupus erythematosus refractory to doxycycline and niacinamide
Authors: Banovic Frane , Olivry Thierry , Linder Keith E. 
Published: June 2014

BackgroundGeneralized discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) is an autoimmune skin disease variant rarely reported in dogs. The antimalarial immunomodulator hydroxychloroquine has been suggested as maintenance therapy for generalizedDLEin one dog, but several recurrences were noted in the 1 year follow‐up of that patient.Hypothesis/ObjectiveTo describe the effective treatment of generalizedDLEwith ciclosporin in one dog.AnimalA 6‐year‐old, castrated male crossbred dog was presented with pruritic, well‐demarcated annular to polycyclic, hyperpigmented plaques with marginal erythema on the dorsal head, neck, trunk and medial extremities; these had been nonresponsive to treatment with doxycycline and niacinamide.MethodsInvestigation included complete blood count, serum chemistry profile, urinalysis, serum antinuclear antibody test, histopathological examination and direct immunofluorescence testing of skin biopsies.ResultsThe presence of lymphocyte‐rich interface dermatitis on histology, together with generalized chronic recurrent hyperpigmented plaques, was consistent with the diagnosis of a generalized variant ofDLE. The absence of systemic signs and unremarkable laboratory tests excluded concurrent systemic lupus erythematosus. Treatment was initiated with oral dexamethasone and ciclosporin. After 1 month, dexamethasone was discontinued and oral ketoconazole was added to the therapeutic regimen. Four months later, pruritus and erythema resolved, with most skin lesions becoming impalpable. Over the last 6 months, the patient'sDLEwas maintained in remission with oral ciclosporin and ketoconazole in combination every 3 days.Conclusions and clinical importanceThe combination of ciclosporin and ketoconazole appeared effective to induce and maintain lesion remission in this dog with generalizedDLE.
Evaluation of two‐step haemoglobin screening with HemoCue for blood donor qualification in mobile collection sites
Authors: Gómez‐Simón A. , Plaza E. M. , Torregrosa J. M. , Ferrer‐Marín F. , Sánchez‐Guiu I. , Vicente V. , Lozano M. L. , Rivera J. 
Published: June 2014

Background and ObjectivesInaccuracy of fingerstick haemoglobin compromises donor's health and losses blood donations. We evaluated the benefit of double haemoglobin screening with HemoCue.Study Design and MethodsBlood donors underwent fingerstick screening by HemoCue and were driven for donation if capillary haemoglobin was within the regulatory range. Those failing were drawn venous blood and donated if their venous haemoglobin determined with HemoCue was acceptable.ResultsOf 276 605 donor clinic visits, 10 011 (3·6%) were assessed by two‐step haemoglobin screening using HemoCue, because of low (n = 9444) or high (n = 567) capillary haemoglobin. Among these, 2561 (25·6%) were deemed eligible [recovered donations]. The recovery rate was 23·8% and 55·0% among donors presenting with low and high capillary haemoglobin, respectively. In both categories of attempted donations, capillary and venous haemoglobin with HemoCue correlated significantly in recovered donors (R2 ≈ 0·5–0·7) but not in deferred visits (R2 < 0·15). Venous haemoglobin with HemoCue and by haematological analyzer significantly correlated in all donations attempts (R2 ≈ 0·7). Donors presenting with low capillary haemoglobin showed small bias between capillary and venous haemoglobin by HemoCue (−2·4 ± 6·2 g/l), fingerstick haemoglobin and venous haemoglobin with counter (1·3 ± 7·3 g/l), and venous haemoglobin with HemoCue and counter (3·7 ± 3·9 g/l). This bias was slightly greater in donors with high capillary haemoglobin (−7·5 ± 7·8, 13·7 ± 7·5, and 6·2 ± 7·5, respectively). Double haemoglobin screening by HemoCue reached an accuracy of 87·3% for qualifying donors presenting with low fingerstick haemoglobin.ConclusionsDouble haemoglobin measurement with HemoCue [fingerstick and venous blood if required] is feasible and allows a significant recovery of blood donations.
A symmetric non-stationary subdivision scheme
Authors: Siddiqi S. S. , Younis M. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractThis paper proposes a new family of symmetric $4$-point ternary non-stationary subdivision schemes that can generate the limit curves of $C^3$ continuity. The continuity of this scheme is higher than the existing 4-point ternary approximating schemes. The proposed scheme has been developed using trigonometric B-spline basis functions and analyzed using the theory of asymptotic equivalence. It has the ability to reproduce or regenerate the conic sections, trigonometric polynomials and trigonometric splines as well. Some graphical and numerical examples are being considered, by choosing an appropriate tension parameter $0<\alpha <\pi /3 $, to show the usefulness of the proposed scheme. Moreover, the Hölder regularity and the reproduction property are also being calculated.