bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Commissioning for better outcomes in mental health care: testing Alliance Contracting as an enabling framework
Authors: Clark Michael , Ryan Tony , Dixon Nick
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– Commissioning has been a central plank of health and social care policy in England for many years now, yet there are still debates about how effective it is in delivering improvements in care and outcomes. Social inclusion of people with experience of mental health is one of the goals that commissioners would like to help services to improve but such a complex outcome for people can often be undermined by contractual arrangements that fragment service responses rather than deliver holistic support. The purpose of this paper is to discuss a form of commissioning, Alliance Contracting, and how it has been allied with a Social Inclusion Outcomes Framework (SIOF) in Stockport to begin to improve services and outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper is a conceptual discussion and case description of the use of Alliance Contracts to improve recovery services and social inclusion in mental health care in one locality.

Findings

– The paper finds that the Alliance Contracting approach fits well with the SIOF and is beginning to deliver some promising results in terms of improving services.

Research limitations/implications

– This is a case study of one area and, as such, it is hard to generalise beyond that.

Practical implications

– The paper discusses a promising approach for commissioners to develop locally to guide service improvements and better social inclusion outcomes for people.

Social implications

– Rather than developing good services but fractured pathways of care across providers and teams, the Alliance Contracting approach potentially delivers more holistic and flexible pathways that ought to better help individuals in their recovery journeys.

Originality/value

– This is the first paper to set out the use of Alliance Contracting and social inclusion measures to help improve services and outcomes for people experiencing mental health problems.
Campus solidarity campaign: respect and support for students with mental illness
Authors: Kosyluk Kristin , Schmidt Annie , Abelson Sara , Malmon Alison , Corrigan Patrick
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to describe the evaluation of a set of potential logos for a campaign aimed at promoting an environment of solidarity and support on college campuses for students with mental illness.

Design/methodology/approach

– Participants completed an online survey responding to statements about college students and mental illness by selecting the logo they thought best represented each statement.

Findings

– One-sampleχ2 tests were conducted to assess difference in frequency of brand endorsement by statement.

Research limitations/implications

– Through use of the scientific method to evaluate three potential logos designed to represent this campaign, it is more likely that the campaign will have its intended impact, and avoid potential deleterious effects. Limitations of the study include the representativeness of the sample, and the fact that endorsement of statements may not translate to behavior, the ultimate outcome of interest. Future studies should include population research strategies.

Practical implications

– A campaign such as the one described here, with a scientifically selected brand, may have a greater effect on stigma surrounding mental illness, a significant public health concern.

Originality/value

– This is the first study of its kind to scientifically evaluate the brand for an anti-stigma program. The findings of this study would be of value to advocates, college and university administrators, staff, and educators, and college student with mental illness seeking to promote supportive environments on college and university campuses for students with mental illness.
A day in the life of a peer support worker: beginnings
Authors: Watson Emma
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to provide an insight into the day-to-day challenges and experiences of a peer support worker.

Design/methodology/approach

– A reflective account of the experience of a first meeting with a peer, offering support through a series of difficult situations.

Findings

– Reflections are offered on the importance of relationships and overcoming feelings of disillusionment with mental health services.

Originality/value

– This paper adds to the small number of accounts of the experiences of Peer Support Working in mental health services and as such is highly original.
Recovery colleges: quality and outcomes
Authors: Meddings Sara , McGregor Jane , Roeg Waldo , Shepherd Geoff
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to review the available evidence regarding the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of Recovery Colleges. To make suggestions for future research.

Design/methodology/approach

– Selective review of relevant published studies, including reports in the “grey” literature.

Findings

– Despite methodological limitations, it has been consistently found that attendance at Recovery Colleges is perceived to be useful and to help people progress towards their recovery goals. There is some evidence of reductions in service use (and therefore costs). In addition, there is evidence of beneficial effects for peer trainers and possible positive impact on staff attitudes.

Research limitations/implications

– The existing research highlights the need for further robust studies, using both qualitative and quantitative methods, to understand better the overall impact of Recovery Colleges and the underlying mechanisms of change.

Practical implications

– There is a need for further studies of the relationship between the “key defining features” and outcomes. This means the collection and pooling of systematic, “practice-based” evidence.

Social implications

– The introduction of an explicitly recovery educational (“learning”) model into mainstream mental health services seems to have a profound effect on reducing the power differences inherent in traditional professional/patient relationships. If this can be replicated across organisations it could facilitate the kind of fundamental cultural change necessary to give back recovery to the people who have always owned it.

Originality/value

– The information collected together in this paper is already publicly available, however it is difficult to find. The analysis and interpretation is original.
Using demographic attributes from long‐term monitoring data to delineate natural population structure
Authors: Rushing Clark S. , Ryder Thomas B. , Scarpignato Amy L. , Saracco James F. , Marra Peter P.
Published: November 2015

The concept of ‘natural’ populations is a foundation of modern ecology and conservation, with a large body of theoretical literature using these discrete demographic units to understand population dynamics and prioritize conservation strategies. To date, there are currently no objective methods for empirically delineating large‐scale population boundaries using demographic data.

We present a novel approach for using large‐scale, citizen‐science monitoring data to quantify geographic structure in trend and abundance and identify distinct natural populations. We demonstrate this approach by delineating populations of eight passerine species using data collected as part of the North American Breeding Bird Survey.

Our approach was able to identify geographic structure in both trend and abundance and to delineate distinct populations for all eight species. An independent validation of three species indicated this demographic variation was reflected in underlying vital rates.

Synthesis and applications. Natural populations are biologically based alternatives to the traditional geographically defined units that can improve the ability of researchers and managers to quantify spatial variation in population dynamics. Our analysis of natural population structure in breeding songbirds demonstrates that species can show substantial geographic variation in population attributes and underlying demography. We recommend managers define spatial units using natural populations when setting regional population objectives for both single and multispecies conservation plans.
Estimating recruitment and survival in partially monitored populations
Authors: Sanz‐Aguilar Ana , Igual José Manuel , Oro Daniel , Genovart Meritxell , Tavecchia Giacomo
Published: November 2015

In many cases, animal breeding populations can only be monitored partially. Consequently, recruitment and immature survival are underestimated, but the extent of these biases depends on the proportion of the area that remains undetected and the degree of breeding dispersal. We present a new method to obtain robust and unbiased measures of survival and recruitment processes from capture–recapture data. The method can be applied to any monitored population regardless of the type of nests (e.g. artificial or natural) or breeding system (e.g. colonial or territorial animals), and it only relies on an estimate of the proportion of the monitored area. The unbiased estimates obtained by this method can be used to improve the reliability of predictions of demographic population models for species’ conservation and management.
How Financial and Reputational Incentives Can Be Used to Improve Medical Care
Authors: Roland Martin , Dudley R. Adams
Published: November 2015

Objectives

Narrative review of the impact of pay‐for‐performance (P4P) and public reporting (PR) on health care outcomes, including spillover effects and impact on disparities.

Principal Findings

The impact of P4P and PR is dependent on the underlying payment system (fee‐for‐service, salary, capitation) into which these schemes are introduced. Both have the potential to improve care, but they can also have substantial unintended consequences. Evidence from the behavioral economics literature suggests that individual physicians will vary in how they respond to incentives. We also discuss issues to be considered when including patient‐reported outcome measures (PROMs) or patient‐reported experience measures into P4P and PR schemes.

Conclusion

We provide guidance to payers and policy makers on the design of P4P and PR programs so as to maximize their benefits and minimize their unintended consequences. These include involving clinicians in the design of the program, taking into account the payment system into which new incentives are introduced, designing the structure of reward programs to maximize the likelihood of intended outcomes and minimize the likelihood of unintended consequences, designing schemes that minimize the risk of increasing disparities, providing stability of incentives over some years, and including outcomes that are relevant to patients' priorities. In addition, because of the limitations of PR and P4P as effective interventions in their own right, it is important that they are combined with other policies and interventions intended to improve quality to maximize their likely impact.
Soil moisture‐based drought monitoring at different time scales: a case study for the U.S. Great Plains
Authors: Engda T.A. , Kelleners T.J.
Published: November 2015

Short‐term agricultural drought and longer term hydrological drought have important ecological and socioeconomic impacts. Soil moisture monitoring networks have potential to assist in the quantification of drought conditions because soil moisture changes are mostly due to precipitation and evapotranspiration, the two dominant water balance components in most areas. In this study, the Palmer approach to calculating a drought index was combined with a soil water content‐based moisture anomaly calculation. A drought lag time parameter was introduced to quantify the time between the start of a moisture anomaly and the onset of drought. The methodology was applied to four shortgrass prairie sites along a North‐South transect in the U.S. Great Plains with an 18‐year soil moisture record. Short time lags led to high periodicity of the resulting drought index, appropriate for assessing short‐term drought conditions at the field scale (agricultural drought). Conversely, long time lags led to low periodicity of the drought index, being more indicative of long‐term drought conditions at the watershed or basin scale (hydrological drought). The influence of daily, weekly, and monthly time steps on the drought index was examined and found to be marginal. The drought index calculated with a short drought lag time showed evidence of being normally distributed. A longer data record is needed to assess the statistical distribution of the drought index for longer drought lag times.
The Digital Campaign: Are We There Yet?
Authors: Williamson Andy
Published: November 2015

2015 was heralded as the first ‘social media’ UK general election, but did Twitter, Facebook and other digital platforms really make a difference on polling day? Andy Williamson weighs up the evidence.
Country Focus: Germany
Authors: Pautz Hartwig
Published: November 2015

Germany's ‘welcome culture’ towards refugees has been widely celebrated internationally, but the internal politics of Europe's most powerful nation is more complex, and contradictory, than the positive headlines suggest. Hartwig Pautz reports.
Prevention is Better than Cure, so why isn't Government Policy more Preventive?
Authors: Cairney Paul
Published: November 2015

Prevention has become a watchword in UK policy debates – so why do governments seldom follow through on commitments to implement prevention policies? Paul Cairney and Emily St Denny report on new research on prevention in practice.
Last Word
Authors: Tobin Paul
Published: November 2015

The Paris climate conference is 21st century politics in action. The mega-conference approach is evolving into a more effective model, but too slowly to mitigate the worst effects of climate change, writes Paul Tobin.
Advancing the Use of Administrative Data for Emergency Department Diagnostic Imaging Research
Authors: Kuehl Damon R. , Berdahl Carl T. , Jackson Tiffany D. , Venkatesh Arjun K. , Mistry Rakesh D. , Bhargavan‐Chatfield Mythreyi , Raukar Neha P. , Carr Brendan G. , Schuur Jeremiah D. , Kocher Keith E.
Published: November 2015

Administrative data are critical to describing patterns of use, cost, and appropriateness of imaging in emergency care. These data encompass a range of source materials that have been collected primarily for a nonresearch use: documenting clinical care (e.g., medical records), administering care (e.g., picture archiving and communication systems), or financial transactions (e.g., insurance claims). These data have served as the foundation for large, descriptive studies that have documented the rise and expanded role of diagnostic imaging in the emergency department (ED). This article summarizes the discussions of the breakout session on the use of administrative data for emergency imaging research at the May 2015 Academic Emergency Medicine consensus conference, “Diagnostic Imaging in the Emergency Department: A Research Agenda to Optimize Utilization.” The authors describe the areas where administrative data have been applied to research evaluating the use of diagnostic imaging in the ED, the common sources for these data, and the strengths and limitations of administrative data. Next, the future role of administrative data is examined for answering key research questions in an evolving health system increasingly focused on measuring appropriateness, ensuring quality, and improving value for health spending. This article specifically focuses on four thematic areas: data quality, appropriateness and value, special populations, and policy interventions.
Advancing Patient‐centered Outcomes in Emergency Diagnostic Imaging: A Research Agenda
Authors: Kanzaria Hemal K. , McCabe Aileen M. , Meisel Zachary M. , LeBlanc Annie , Schaffer Jason T. , Bellolio M. Fernanda , Vaughan William , Merck Lisa H. , Applegate Kimberly E. , Hollander Judd E. , Grudzen Corita R. , Mills Angela M. , Carpenter Christopher R. , Hess Erik P.
Published: November 2015

Diagnostic imaging is integral to the evaluation of many emergency department (ED) patients. However, relatively little effort has been devoted to patient‐centered outcomes research (PCOR) in emergency diagnostic imaging. This article provides background on this topic and the conclusions of the 2015 Academic Emergency Medicine consensus conference PCOR work group regarding “Diagnostic Imaging in the Emergency Department: A Research Agenda to Optimize Utilization.” The goal was to determine a prioritized research agenda to establish which outcomes related to emergency diagnostic imaging are most important to patients, caregivers, and other key stakeholders and which methods will most optimally engage patients in the decision to undergo imaging. Case vignettes are used to emphasize these concepts as they relate to a patient's decision to seek care at an ED and the care received there. The authors discuss applicable research methods and approaches such as shared decision‐making that could facilitate better integration of patient‐centered outcomes and patient‐reported outcomes into decisions regarding emergency diagnostic imaging. Finally, based on a modified Delphi process involving members of the PCOR work group, prioritized research questions are proposed to advance the science of patient‐centered outcomes in ED diagnostic imaging.
Research Priorities in the Utilization and Interpretation of Diagnostic Imaging: Education, Assessment, and Competency
Authors: Lewiss Resa E. , Chan Wilma , Sheng Alexander Y. , Soto Jorge , Castro Alexandra , Meltzer Andrew C. , Cherney Alan , Kumaravel Manickam , Cody Dianna , Chen Esther H.
Published: November 2015

The appropriate selection and accurate interpretation of diagnostic imaging is a crucial skill for emergency practitioners. To date, the majority of the published literature and research on competency assessment comes from the subspecialty of point‐of‐care ultrasound. A group of radiologists, physicists, and emergency physicians convened at the 2015 Academic Emergency Medicine consensus conference to discuss and prioritize a research agenda related to education, assessment, and competency in ordering and interpreting diagnostic imaging. A set of questions for the continued development of an educational curriculum on diagnostic imaging for trainees and competency assessment using specific assessment methods based on current best practices was delineated. The research priorities were developed through an iterative consensus‐driven process using a modified nominal group technique that culminated in an in‐person breakout session. The four recommendations are: 1) develop a diagnostic imaging curriculum for emergency medicine (EM) residency training; 2) develop, study, and validate tools to assess competency in diagnostic imaging interpretation; 3) evaluate the role of simulation in education, assessment, and competency measures for diagnostic imaging; 4) study is needed regarding the American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria, an evidence‐based peer‐reviewed resource in determining the use of diagnostic imaging, to maximize its value in EM. In this article, the authors review the supporting reliability and validity evidence and make specific recommendations for future research on the education, competency, and assessment of learning diagnostic imaging.
Thirty‐six month clinical evaluation of a highly filled flowable composite for direct posterior restorations
Authors: Kitasako Y , Sadr A , Burrow MF , Tagami J
Published: November 2015

Background

The aim of this randomized controlled study was to evaluate the clinical performance of a highly filled flowable composite compared to a conventional paste‐type composite in direct posterior restorations after 36 months.

Methods

A total of 58 mid‐size to extensive posterior composite restorations were randomly placed in 32 patients, mean age of 43.9 years (range 25–76), using either a conventional composite Estelite Sigma Quick (Conventional) or a highly filled flowable composite G‐aenial Universal Flo with a two‐step self‐etch adhesive. The restorations were evaluated after placement (baseline) and at 6, 12, 24 and 36 months according to the FDI criteria.

Results

At the 36‐month follow‐up, 42 restorations were evaluated in 21 patients. After 36 months, the difference between highly filled flowable and conventional restorations was not statistically significant with respect to all evaluation parameters (p < 0.05). No secondary caries was observed.

Conclusions

The highly filled flowable composite showed a comparable clinical effectiveness as the conventional paste composite in posterior restorations over 36 months.
External evaluation of published population pharmacokinetic models of tacrolimus in adult renal transplant recipients
Authors: Zhao Chen‐Yan , Jiao Zheng , Mao Jun‐Jun , Qiu Xiao‐Yan
Published: November 2015

Aim

Several tacrolimus population pharmacokinetic models in adult renal transplant recipients have been established to facilitate dose individualization. However, their applicability when extrapolated to other clinical centres is not clear. This study aimed to (1) evaluate model external predictability and (2) analyze potential influencing factors.

Methods

Published models were screened from the literature and were evaluated using an external dataset with 52 patients (609 trough samples) collected by postoperative day 90 via methods that included (1) prediction‐based prediction error (PE%), (2) simulation‐based prediction‐ and variability‐corrected visual predictive check (pvcVPC) and normalized prediction distribution error (NPDE) tests and (3) Bayesian forecasting to assess the influence of prior observations on model predictability. The factors influencing model predictability, particularly the impact of structural models, were evaluated.

Results

Sixteen published models were evaluated. In prediction‐based diagnostics, the PE% within ±30% was less than 50% in all models, indicating unsatisfactory predictability. In simulation‐based diagnostics, both the pvcVPC and the NPDE indicated model misspecification. Bayesian forecasting improved model predictability significantly with prior 2–3 observations. The various factors influencing model extrapolation included bioassays, the covariates involved (CYP3A5*3 polymorphism, postoperative time and haematocrit) and whether non‐linear kinetics were used.

Conclusions

The published models were unsatisfactory in prediction‐ and simulation‐based diagnostics, thus inappropriate for direct extrapolation correspondingly. However Bayesian forecasting could improve the predictability considerably with priors. The incorporation of non‐linear pharmacokinetics in modelling might be a promising approach to improving model predictability.
Marginal Regression Models for Clustered Count Data Based on Zero-Inflated Conway–Maxwell–Poisson Distribution With Applications
Authors: Choo-Wosoba Hyoyoung , Levy Steven M. , Datta Somnath
Published: November 2015

Community water fluoridation is an important public health measure to prevent dental caries, but it continues to be somewhat controversial. The Iowa Fluoride Study (IFS) is a longitudinal study on a cohort of Iowa children that began in 1991. The main purposes of this study (http://www.dentistry.uiowa.edu/preventive-fluoride-study) were to quantify fluoride exposures from both dietary and nondietary sources and to associate longitudinal fluoride exposures with dental fluorosis (spots on teeth) and dental caries (cavities). We analyze a subset of the IFS data by a marginal regression model with a zero-inflated version of the Conway–Maxwell–Poisson distribution for count data exhibiting excessive zeros and a wide range of dispersion patterns. In general, we introduce two estimation methods for fitting a ZICMP marginal regression model. Finite sample behaviors of the estimators and the resulting confidence intervals are studied using extensive simulation studies. We apply our methodologies to the dental caries data. Our novel modeling incorporating zero inflation, clustering, and overdispersion sheds some new light on the effect of community water fluoridation and other factors. We also include a second application of our methodology to a genomic (next-generation sequencing) dataset that exhibits underdispersion.
Testing and Estimation in Marker-Set Association Study Using Semiparametric Quantile Regression Kernel Machine
Authors: Kong Dehan , Maity Arnab , Hsu Fang-Chi , Tzeng Jung-Ying
Published: November 2015

We consider quantile regression for partially linear models where an outcome of interest is related to covariates and a marker set (e.g., gene or pathway). The covariate effects are modeled parametrically and the marker set effect of multiple loci is modeled using kernel machine. We propose an efficient algorithm to solve the corresponding optimization problem for estimating the effects of covariates and also introduce a powerful test for detecting the overall effect of the marker set. Our test is motivated by traditional score test, and borrows the idea of permutation test. Our estimation and testing procedures are evaluated numerically and applied to assess genetic association of change in fasting homocysteine level using the Vitamin Intervention for Stroke Prevention Trial data.
Bayes and Empirical Bayes Methods for Reduced Rank Regression Models in Matched Case-Control Studies
Authors: Satagopan Jaya M. , Sen Ananda , Zhou Qin , Lan Qing , Rothman Nathaniel , Langseth Hilde , Engel Lawrence S.
Published: November 2015

Matched case-control studies are popular designs used in epidemiology for assessing the effects of exposures on binary traits. Modern studies increasingly enjoy the ability to examine a large number of exposures in a comprehensive manner. However, several risk factors often tend to be related in a nontrivial way, undermining efforts to identify the risk factors using standard analytic methods due to inflated type-I errors and possible masking of effects. Epidemiologists often use data reduction techniques by grouping the prognostic factors using a thematic approach, with themes deriving from biological considerations. We propose shrinkage-type estimators based on Bayesian penalization methods to estimate the effects of the risk factors using these themes. The properties of the estimators are examined using extensive simulations. The methodology is illustrated using data from a matched case-control study of polychlorinated biphenyls in relation to the etiology of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Bayesian Predictive Modeling for Genomic Based Personalized Treatment Selection
Authors: Ma Junsheng , Stingo Francesco C. , Hobbs Brian P.
Published: November 2015

Efforts to personalize medicine in oncology have been limited by reductive characterizations of the intrinsically complex underlying biological phenomena. Future advances in personalized medicine will rely on molecular signatures that derive from synthesis of multifarious interdependent molecular quantities requiring robust quantitative methods. However, highly parameterized statistical models when applied in these settings often require a prohibitively large database and are sensitive to proper characterizations of the treatment-by-covariate interactions, which in practice are difficult to specify and may be limited by generalized linear models. In this article, we present a Bayesian predictive framework that enables the integration of a high-dimensional set of genomic features with clinical responses and treatment histories of historical patients, providing a probabilistic basis for using the clinical and molecular information to personalize therapy for future patients. Our work represents one of the first attempts to define personalized treatment assignment rules based on large-scale genomic data. We use actual gene expression data acquired from The Cancer Genome Atlas in the settings of leukemia and glioma to explore the statistical properties of our proposed Bayesian approach for personalizing treatment selection. The method is shown to yield considerable improvements in predictive accuracy when compared to penalized regression approaches.
In vivo single human sweat gland activity monitoring using coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering and two-photon excited autofluorescence microscopy
Authors: Chen X. , Gasecka P. , Formanek F. , Galey J.-B. , Rigneault H.
Published: November 2015

Background

Eccrine sweat secretion is of central importance for control of body temperature. Although the incidence of sweat gland dysfunction might appear of minor importance, it can be a real concern for people with either hypohidrosis or hyperhidrosis. However, sweat gland function remains relatively poorly explored.

Objectives

To investigate the function of single human sweat glands.

Methods

We describe a new approach for noninvasive imaging of single sweat gland activity in human palms in vivo up to a depth of 100 μm, based on nonlinear two-photon excited autofluorescence (TPEF) and coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS).

Results

These techniques appear to be useful compared with approaches already described for imaging single sweat gland activity, as they allow better three-dimensional spatial resolution of sweat pore inner morphology and real-time monitoring of individual sweat events. By filling the sweat pore with oil and tuning the CARS contrast at 2845 cm−1, we imaged the ejection of sweat droplets from a single sweat gland when oil is pushed out by sweat flow. On average, sweat events lasted for about 30 s every 3 min under the conditions studied. On the other hand, about 20% of sweat glands were found inactive. TPEF and CARS were also used to study, at the single pore level, the antiperspirant action of aluminium chlorohydrate (ACH) and to reveal, for the first time in vivo, the formation of a plug at the pore entrance, in agreement with reported ACH antiperspirant mechanisms.

Conclusions

Although data were acquired on human palms, these techniques show great promise for a better understanding of sweat secretion physiology and should be helpful to improve the efficacy of antiperspirant formulations.
Trends in utilisation, perioperative outcomes, and costs of nephroureterectomies in the management of upper tract urothelial carcinoma: a 10‐year population‐based analysis
Authors: Tinay Ilker , Gelpi‐Hammerschmidt Francisco , Leow Jeffrey J. , Allard Christopher B. , Rodriguez Dayron , Wang Ye , Chung Benjamin I. , Chang Steven L.
Published: November 2015

Objective

To perform a population‐based study to evaluate contemporary utilisation trends, morbidity, and costs associated with nephroureterectomies (NUs), as contemporary data for NUs are largely derived from single academic institution series describing the experience of high‐volume surgeons and it is unclear if the same favourable results occur at a national level.

Patients and Methods

Using the Premier Hospital Database, we captured patients undergoing a NU with diagnoses of renal pelvis or ureteric neoplasms from 2004 to 2013. We fitted regression models, adjusting for clustering by hospitals and survey weighting to evaluate 90‐day postoperative complications, operating‐room time (OT), prolonged length of stay (pLOS), and direct hospital costs among open (ONU), laparoscopic (LNU) and robotic (RNU) approaches.

Results

After applying sampling and propensity weights, we derived a final study cohort of 17 254 ONUs, 13 317 LNUs and 3774 RNUs for upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) in the USA between 2004 and 2013. During that period, minimally invasive NU (miNU) increased from 36% to 54%, while the total number of NUs decreased by nearly 20%. No differences were noted in perioperative outcomes between the three surgical approaches, including when the analysis was restricted to the highest‐volume hospitals and highest‐volume surgeons. The OT was longer for LNU and RNU (P < 0.001), while the pLOS rates were decreased (P < 0.001). Adjusted 90‐day median direct hospital costs were higher for LNU and RNU (P < 0.001), which disappeared when adjusting for the highest‐volume groups, except for RNUs performed by high‐volume surgeons.

Conclusions

During this contemporary 10‐year study, miNU has been replacing ONU for UTUC with a recent surge in RNU, along with a concurrent reduction in total NUs performed. Despite not being associated with a clinically significant improvement in perioperative outcomes, the costs for miNUs were consistently higher. However, higher hospital volumes suggest a potential cost containment strategy when performing miNUs.
Clinical significance of preoperative C‐reactive protein and squamous cell carcinoma antigen levels in patients with penile squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Li Zai‐Shang , Yao Kai , Li Yong‐Hong , Chen Jie‐Ping , Deng Chuang‐Zhong , Zhao Qi , Chen Peng , Wang Bin , Mi Qi‐Wu , Liu Zhuo‐Wei , Qin Zi‐Ke , Han Hui , Zhou Fang‐Jian
Published: November 2015

Objective

To evaluate the relevance of C‐reactive protein (CRP) and squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC‐Ag) levels in relation to clinicopathological factors and prognosis in penile cancer.

Patients and Methods

A total of 124 Chinese patients with penile squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), treated between November 2007 and October 2014, were analysed retrospectively. Receiver‐operating characteristic curves were used to identify the combination of markers with the best sensitivity and specificity for prognosis prediction. Statistical data analysis was performed using a non‐parametric method, and survival analysis was performed using the log‐rank test and Cox proportional hazard model.

Results

Levels of CRP ≥4.5 mg/L and SCC‐Ag ≥1.4 ng/mL were both significantly associated with lymph node metastasis (LNM) laterality (chi‐squared trend test, P = 0.041), extranodal extension (chi‐squared trend test, P < 0.001), pelvic LNM (chi‐squared trend test, P = 0.024), pathological tumour status (chi‐squared trend test, P = 0.002), pathological nodal status (chi‐squared trend test, P < 0.001), and disease‐specific survival (DSS; log‐rank test, P < 0.001). Moreover, the influence of CRP and SCC‐Ag levels on DSS (P = 0.033, hazard ratio 3.390, 95% confidence interval 1.104–10.411) remained after adjusting for smoking history, phimosis, tumour status, tumour cell differentiation and nodal status.

Conclusions

The present study shows that the combined measurement of preoperative CRP and SCC‐Ag levels may serve as an independent biomarker for LNM, advanced tumour stage and DSS in patients with penile SCC.
What Ecological and Anthropogenic Factors Affect Group Size in White‐lipped Peccaries (Tayassu pecari)?
Authors: Reyna‐Hurtado Rafael , Beck Harald , Altrichter Mariana , Chapman Colin A. , Bonnell Tyler R. , Keuroghlian Alexine , Desbiez Arnaud L. , Moreira‐Ramírez Jose F. , O'Farrill Georgina , Fragoso Jose , Naranjo Eduardo J.
Published: November 2015

Group living among ungulates has evolved mainly in species living in open habitats, such as grasslands and savannas, whereas in the forest, few ungulate species form groups and these tend to be small. Therefore, the white‐lipped peccary (Tayassu pecari), a Neotropical ungulate listed as Vulnerable by theIUCN, represents an almost unique social occurrence as it lives in large and cohesive groups, yet it inhabits dense tropical forests. Large variations in group sizes have been observed throughout the species range, with reports of herds with less than 10 to around 300 individuals. We examined factors that might cause variation in group size in white‐lipped peccary, including ecological and anthropogenic variables. We conducted an extensive literature review and used our original data to compile information on white‐lipped peccary's group size across its range. We built models to quantitate generalizations for group sizes distinguishing data from areas with high human influence, and areas that have not been significantly disturbed by humans for at least the last 20 years. We found that white‐lipped peccary's group size for all sites was most strongly predicted by a combination of the distances to the nearest human settlement and rainfall and its seasonality. Results from the undisturbed sites indicated that group size is positively influenced by rainfall. Our results contribute to understand why group size varies in different environments that are subjected to different ecological and human conditions. Information on these relationships is a key to advance our understanding of the socio‐ecological strategies of animal species living in groups.
Development of 2‐(Substituted Benzylamino)‐4‐Methyl‐1, 3‐Thiazole‐5‐Carboxylic Acid Derivatives as Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitors and Free Radical Scavengers
Authors: Ali Md Rahmat , Kumar Suresh , Afzal Obaid , Shalmali Nishtha , Sharma Manju , Bawa Sandhya
Published: November 2015

A series of 2‐(substituted benzylamino)‐4‐methylthiazole‐5‐carboxylic acid was designed and synthesized as structural analogue of febuxostat. A methylene amine spacer was incorporated between the phenyl ring and thiazole ring in contrast to febuxostat in which the phenyl ring was directly linked with the thiazole moiety. The purpose of incorporating methylene amine was to provide a heteroatom which is expected to favour hydrogen bonding within the active site residues of the enzyme xanthine oxidase. The structure of all the compounds was established by the combined use of FT‐IR, NMR and MS spectral data. All the compounds were screened in vitro for their ability to inhibit the enzyme xanthine oxidase as per the reported procedure along with DPPH free radical scavenging assay. Compounds 5j, 5k and 5l demonstrated satisfactory potent xanthine oxidase inhibitory activities with IC50 values, 3.6, 8.1 and 9.9 μm, respectively, whereas compounds 5k, 5n and 5p demonstrated moderate antioxidant activities having IC50 15.3, 17.6 and 19.6 μm, respectively, along with xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity. Compound 5k showed moderate xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity as compared with febuxostat along with antioxidant activity. All the compounds were also studied for their binding affinity in active site of enzyme (PDB ID‐1N5X).
Synthesis and Evaluation of Biological and Antitumor Activities of Tetrahydrobenzothieno[2,3‐d]Pyrimidine Derivatives as Novel Inhibitors of FGFR1
Authors: Wang Xuebao , Chen Di , Yu Shufang , Zhang Zaikui , Wang Yu , Qi Xiaolu , Fu Weitao , Xie Zixin , Ye Faqing
Published: November 2015

A series of tetrahydrobenzothieno[2,3‐d]pyrimidine derivatives were designed, synthesized, and evaluated as inhibitors of FGFR1. These analogs were synthesized via Gewald's reaction under mild conditions. The structures of the synthesized compounds were characterized by spectroscopic data (IR, 1H NMR and MS). Their antitumor activities were evaluated against H460, A549 and U251 cell lines in vitro. Results revealed that the tested compounds showed moderate antitumor activities. Structure–activity relationship analyses indicated that compounds with an aromatic ring substituted in the C‐2 position or with larger molecules such as 3g, 4c, and 7 were more effective than others. The compound, 3g (78.8% FGFR1 inhibition at 10 μm), was identified to have the most potent antitumor activities, with IC50 values of 7.7, 18.9, and 13.3 μm against the H460, A549, and U251 cell lines, respectively. Together, the results suggested that tetrahydrobenzothieno[2,3‐d]pyrimidine derivatives may serve as a potential agent for the treatment of FGFR1‐mediated cancers.
The State‐of‐the‐Art of Set Visualization
Authors: Alsallakh Bilal , Micallef Luana , Aigner Wolfgang , Hauser Helwig , Miksch Silvia , Rodgers Peter
Published: November 2015

Sets comprise a generic data model that has been used in a variety of data analysis problems. Such problems involve analysing and visualizing set relations between multiple sets defined over the same collection of elements. However, visualizing sets is a non‐trivial problem due to the large number of possible relations between them. We provide a systematic overview of state‐of‐the‐art techniques for visualizing different kinds of set relations. We classify these techniques into six main categories according to the visual representations they use and the tasks they support. We compare the categories to provide guidance for choosing an appropriate technique for a given problem. Finally, we identify challenges in this area that need further research and propose possible directions to address these challenges. Further resources on set visualization are available at http://www.setviz.net.
Dynamics of a low‐density tiger population in Southeast Asia in the context of improved law enforcement
Authors: Duangchantrasiri Somphot , Umponjan Mayuree , Simcharoen Saksit , Pattanavibool Anak , Chaiwattana Soontorn , Maneerat Sompoch , Kumar N. Samba , Jathanna Devcharan , Srivathsa Arjun , Karanth K. Ullas
Published: November 2015

Recovering small populations of threatened species is an important global conservation strategy. Monitoring the anticipated recovery, however, often relies on uncertain abundance indices rather than on rigorous demographic estimates. To counter the severe threat from poaching of wild tigers (Panthera tigris), the Government of Thailand established an intensive patrolling system in 2005 to protect and recover its largest source population in Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary. Concurrently, we assessed the dynamics of this tiger population over the next 8 years with rigorous photographic capture‐recapture methods. From 2006 to 2012, we sampled across 624–1026 km2with 137–200 camera traps. Cameras deployed for 21,359 trap days yielded photographic records of 90 distinct individuals. We used closed model Bayesian spatial capture‐recapture methods to estimate tiger abundances annually. Abundance estimates were integrated with likelihood‐based open model analyses to estimate rates of annual and overall rates of survival, recruitment, and changes in abundance. Estimates of demographic parameters fluctuated widely: annual density ranged from 1.25 to 2.01 tigers/100 km2, abundance from 35 to 58 tigers, survival from 79.6% to 95.5%, and annual recruitment from 0 to 25 tigers. The number of distinct individuals photographed demonstrates the value of photographic capture–recapture methods for assessments of population dynamics in rare and elusive species that are identifiable from natural markings. Possibly because of poaching pressure, overall tiger densities at Huai Kha Khaeng were 82–90% lower than in ecologically comparable sites in India. However, intensified patrolling after 2006 appeared to reduce poaching and was correlated with marginal improvement in tiger survival and recruitment. Our results suggest that population recovery of low‐density tiger populations may be slower than anticipated by current global strategies aimed at doubling the number of wild tigers in a decade.
Community‐Driven Research Agenda to Reduce Health Disparities
Authors: McElfish Pearl A. , Kohler Peter , Smith Chris , Warmack Scott , Buron Bill , Hudson Jonell , Bridges Melissa , Purvis Rachel , Rubon‐Chutaro Jellesen
Published: November 2015

This paper describes how a new regional campus of an academic health center engaged in a community‐based participatory research (CBPR) process to set a community‐driven research agenda to address health disparities. The campus is situated among growing Marshallese and Hispanic populations that face significant health disparities. In 2013, with support from the Translational Research Institute, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Northwest began building its research capacity in the region with the goal of developing a community‐driven research agenda for the campus. While many researchers engage in some form of community‐engaged research, using a CBPR process to set the research agenda for an entire campus is unique. Utilizing multiple levels of engagement, three research areas were chosen by the community: (1) chronic disease management and prevention; (2) obesity and physical activity; and (3) access to culturally appropriate healthcare. In only 18 months, the CBPR collaboration had dramatic results. Ten grants and five scholarly articles were collaboratively written and 25 community publications and presentations were disseminated. Nine research projects and health programs were initiated. In addition, many interprofessional educational and service learning objectives were aligned with the community‐driven agenda resulting in practical action to address the needs identified.
Transitive inference of social dominance by human infants
Authors: Gazes Regina Paxton , Hampton Robert R. , Lourenco Stella F.
Published: November 2015

It is surprising that there are inconsistent findings of transitive inference (TI) in young infants given that non‐linguistic species succeed on TI tests. To conclusively test for TI in infants, we developed a task within the social domain, with which infants are known to show sophistication. We familiarized 10‐ to 13‐month‐olds (M = 11.53 months) to a video of two dominance interactions between three puppets (bear > elephant; hippo > bear) consistent with a dominance hierarchy (hippo > bear > elephant; where ‘>’ denotes greater dominance). Infants then viewed interactions between the two puppets that had not interacted during familiarization. These interactions were either congruent (hippo > elephant) or incongruent (elephant > hippo) with the inferred hierarchy. Consistent with TI, infants looked longer to incongruent than congruent displays. Control conditions ruled out the possibility that infants’ expectations were based on stable behaviors specific to individual puppets rather than their inferred transitive dominance relations. We suggest that TI may be supported by phylogenetically ancient mechanisms of ordinal representation and visuospatial processing that come online early in human development.
Mental and social health in disasters: the Sphere standards and post‐tsunami psychosocial interventions in Asia
Authors: Henderson Silja E.K. , Elsass Peter , Berliner Peter
Published: November 2015

The primary objective of this paper is to examine and inform the mental health and psychosocial support standards of the 2011 edition of the Sphere Project's Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Humanitarian Response. This is done through a qualitative analysis of internal evaluation documents, reflecting four long‐term humanitarian psychosocial programmes in different countries in post‐tsunami Asia. The analysis yielded three overall conclusions. First, the Sphere standards on mental health and psychosocial support generally are highly relevant to long‐term psychosocial interventions after disasters such as the Indian Ocean tsunami of 26 December 2004, and their application in such settings may improve the quality of the response. Second, some of the standards in the current Sphere handbook may lack sufficient guidance to ensure the quality of humanitarian response required. Third, the long‐term intervention approach poses specific challenges to programming, a problem that could be addressed by including additional guidance in the publication.