bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Why information and transparency about electricity matter: Fragmentation of governance and accountability under New Public Management
Authors: Molyneaux Lynette , Head Brian 
Published: October 2019

AbstractFrom 1995, Australian governments pursued efficiency benefits arising from significant structural reforms in the Electricity Supply Industry, including corporatisation and regulation of network monopolies, and introduction of competition for generators and for retailers. The restructure was motivated by the ideology of New Public Management and influenced by the field of neoliberal economics. More than two decades later, prices paid for electricity by residential and commercial customers have escalated sharply, resulting in sustained anger from all consumers. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission Chair has admitted that ‘The National Electricity Market is largely broken’. This article documents the reduction in public access to information about electricity supply, the fragmentation in responsibility and accountability for consumer outcomes, and the consequences of these changes for transparency, industry operation, and retail electricity prices. New research enabled the creation of a database of Queensland energy production, consumption, and prices; this facilitated a fresh analysis of Queensland electricity sector performance since the restructure of electricity supply.
Antioxidative Polyphenols of Canola Meal Extracted by High Pressure: Impact of Temperature and Solvents
Authors: Nandasiri Ruchira , Eskin N. A. Michael , Thiyam‐Höllander Usha 
Published: October 2019

AbstractCanola meal, a by‐product of oil pressing, is a rich source of phenolic antioxidants. However, its use in the food and feed sector is still limited by the need for greener, sustainable, and more cost‐effective extraction methods. This study used accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) to enhance the extraction efficiency of the phenolic antioxidants. The high selectivity and short extraction time associated with ASE were ideal for obtaining high yields of these antioxidants. The structure‐based activity of phenolic compounds may be influenced by the high pressure and temperature of the greener ASE process. The present study evaluated the effect of temperature (140, 160, and 180 °C) and pressure (1,500 psi) on the extraction and yield of phenolic compounds from canola meal as well as the solvent type (ethanol and methanol) and concentration (30%, 40%, 60%, and 70% v/v). Antioxidant activity was determined by 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl, ferric reducing/antioxidant power assay, and ion‐chelating activity. The highest yield of phenolic compounds was obtained with 70% methanol (20.72 ± 1.47 mg SAE/g DM [milligrams of sinapic acid equivalents per gram of dry matter]) and 70% ethanol (24.71 ± 2.77 mg SAE/g DM) at 180 °C temperature. A similar trend was observed for the antioxidant activity of the extracts and their total flavonoid content. The structure‐based antioxidant activity of the extracts examined increased with the increase in the percentage of the extracting solvent (P > 0.05). This study established ASE as an efficient green method for extracting phenolic compounds from canola meal, with potential application for the production of natural bioactive compounds from underutilized agricultural by‐products.Practical ApplicationASE is an efficient eco‐friendly method for extracting phenolic compounds from agricultural by‐products such canola meal. Under the conditions of high pressure and temperature, ASE significantly improved the yields of phenolic compounds, sinapine, sinapic acid, and canolol. Under these conditions, water, as an extractant, was not effective in extracting sianpine. Moreover, it was much less effective than both 70% ethanol and 70% methanol in extracting sinapine or canolol. These phenolic compounds are of great interest as natural antioxidants for enhancing the shelf life of food products. They also represent new sources of neutraceuticals for improving human health.
Geriatric Emergency Department Innovations: The Impact of Transitional Care Nurses on 30‐day Readmissions for Older Adults
Authors: Dresden Scott M. , Hwang Ula , Garrido Melissa M. , Sze Jeremy , Kang Raymond , Vargas‐Torres Carmen , Courtney D. Mark , Loo George , Rosenberg Mark , Richardson Lynne 
Published: October 2019

AbstractObjectivesTransitional care nurse (TCN) care has been associated with decreased hospitalizations for older adults in the emergency department (ED). The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between TCN care and readmission for geriatric patients who visit the ED within 30 days of a prior hospital discharge.MethodsWe studied a prospective cohort of ED patients aged 65 and older with an ED visit within 30 days of inpatient discharge. Patients with an Emergency Severity Index of 1 or prior TCN contact were excluded. Entropy balancing and logistic regression were used to estimate the average incremental effect of the TCN intervention on risk of admission during the index ED visit and within 30 days of prior discharge.ResultsOf 6,838 visits, 608 included TCN care. TCN patients had lower risk of readmission during the index ED visit at Mount Sinai Medical Center (MSMC), −10.1 percentage points (95% confidence interval [CI] = −18.5 to −2.7), and Northwestern Memorial Hospital (NMH), −17.3 percentage points (95% CI = −23.1 to −11.5), but not St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center (SJRMC), −2.5 percentage points (95% CI = −10.5 to 5.5). TCN patients had fewer readmissions within 30 days of prior hospital discharge at NMH, −16.2 percentage points (95% CI = −22.0 to −10.3), but not at MSMC, −5.6 percentage points (95% CI = −13.1 to 1.8), or at SJRMC, 0.5 percentage points (95% CI = −7.2 to 8.2).ConclusionsTransitional care nurse care in the ED after a prior hospitalization was associated with decreased readmission of older adults during the index ED visit at two of three hospitals, with sustained reduction for the entire 30‐day readmission window at one hospital. TCN interventions in the ED may decrease readmissions for geriatric patients in the ED; however, these results may be dependent on implementation of the program and availability of ED, hospital, and local resources for older adults.
Trial implementation of CIRCuiTS cognitive remediation therapy for people with schizophrenia in Orange, New South Wales
Authors: Thomas Matt , Rusten Kim 
Published: October 2019

AbstractObjectiveMany people with schizophrenia experience cognitive impairments and current practice guidelines recommend cognitive remediation therapy. This implementation trial examined aspects of feasibility, acceptability and outcomes of the computerised interactive remediation of cognition—interactive training for schizophrenia cognitive remediation therapy program in our local context.DesignA longitudinal design was utilised with participants providing outcome data at commencement of the computerised interactive remediation of cognition—interactive training for schizophrenia program, completion and at follow‐up 3 months later.SettingOur trial was conducted in the inpatient and community mental health contexts within the New South Wales regional city of Orange, between January 2017 and December 2018.ParticipantsFifty‐three adult volunteers commenced the computerised interactive remediation of cognition—interactive training for schizophrenia program and participated in this trial. Forty‐five participants were currently admitted to psychiatric rehabilitation inpatient units at Bloomfield hospital, and eight were referred by Orange Community Mental Health Service.Main outcome measure(s)Participants completed measures of cognitive functioning (repeatable battery for the assessment of neuropsychological status), functional independence (Adaptive Behaviour Assessment Scales 3) and Goal attainment scaling.ResultsMost participants reported they liked computerised interactive remediation of cognition—interactive training for schizophrenia therapy and made excellent progress towards their goals. Those who completed the program made significant gains in the domains of attention, memory and independence in key aspects of daily living. Gains in functional independence were sustained for a small sample following program completion.ConclusionThis implementation trial showed the computerised interactive remediation of cognition—interactive training for schizophrenia cognitive remediation therapy program was feasible, acceptable and contributed to strong outcomes in both the inpatient and community contexts. Efforts are in progress to translate the computerised interactive remediation of cognition—interactive training for schizophrenia program, and future research will focus on longer term outcomes, cost‐benefit analyses and the experiences of participants and therapists.
Primary congenital glaucoma in Denmark, 1977–2016
Authors: Pedersen Karen B. , Kappelgaard Per , Kessel Line , Sandfeld Lisbeth , Zibrandtsen Nathalie , Bach‐Holm Daniella 
Published: October 2019

AbstractPurposeTo perform an epidemiological survey of all patients in Denmark diagnosed with primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) from 1977 to 2016.MethodsA retrospective, nationwide study based on a review of medical files of all children with PCG born in Denmark from 1977 to 2016. PCG was defined as glaucoma due to isolated angle dysgenesis affecting children from birth and including late onset/late recognized PCG, excluding glaucoma associated with other congenital abnormalities. Incidence and risk factors of PCG including gender, consanguinity, family history, ethnicity, comorbidity and prematurity were evaluated and stratified by decade (1977–1986, 1987–1996, 1997–2006 and 2007–2016). Age at first symptoms, age at diagnosis, age at time of first surgery and possible diagnostic delay were assessed.ResultsOf 118 patients were identified, annual incidence of PCG was 4.8 per 100 000 live born. 62.3% of cases were bilateral. The relative risk (RR) of PCG was significantly higher in boys (62.7% of patients, RR 1.60 (95% CI 1.10–2.32)). 13.6% had comorbidity. Median age at time of first symptoms was 75 days, median age at time of diagnosis was 150 days and median diagnostic delay was 75 days with no significant difference throughout the decades. Unilateral cases presented symptoms and were diagnosed significantly later than bilateral cases.ConclusionWe provide unique nation‐based information on the incidence of PCG from a single country covering 40 years. Male gender was a risk factor. Diagnostic delay was unchanged throughout the 4 decades and a high percentage of comorbidity was revealed. Introducing a standardized paediatric screening of all PCG children should be considered.
Lidocaine as treatment for neonatal seizures: Evaluation of previously developed population pharmacokinetic models and dosing regimen
Authors: Favié Laurent M.A. , Huitema Alwin D.R. , van den Broek Marcel P.H. , Rademaker Carin M.A. , de Haan Timo R. , van Straaten Henrica L.M. , Simons Sinno H.P. , Rijken Monique , Nuytemans Debbie H.G.M. , Egberts Toine C.G. , Groenendaal Floris ,   on behalf of the PharmaCool study group*
Published: October 2019

AimsLidocaine is used to treat neonatal seizures refractory to other anticonvulsants. It is effective, but also associated with cardiac toxicity. Previous studies have reported on the pharmacokinetics of lidocaine in preterm and term neonates and proposed a dosing regimen for effective and safe lidocaine use. The objective of this study was to evaluate the previously developed pharmacokinetic models and dosing regimen. As a secondary objective, lidocaine effectiveness and safety were assessed.MethodsData from preterm neonates and (near‐)term neonates with and without therapeutic hypothermia receiving lidocaine were included. Pharmacokinetic analyses were performed using non‐linear mixed effects modelling. Simulations were performed to evaluate the proposed dosing regimen. Lidocaine was considered effective if no additional anticonvulsant was required and safe if no cardiac adverse events occurred.ResultsData were available for 159 neonates; 50 (31.4%) preterm and 109 term neonates, of whom 49 (30.8%) were treated with therapeutic hypothermia. Lidocaine clearance increased with postmenstrual age by 0.69%/day (95% confidence interval 0.54–0.84%). During therapeutic hypothermia (33.5°C), lidocaine clearance was reduced by 21.8% (7.26%/°C, 95% confidence interval 1.63–11.2%) compared to normothermia (36.5°C). Simulations demonstrated that the proposed dosing regimen leads to adequate average lidocaine plasma concentrations. Effectiveness and safety were assessed in 92 neonates. Overall effectiveness was 53.3% (49/92) and 56.5% (13/23) for neonates receiving the proposed dosing regimen. No cardiac toxicity was observed.ConclusionLidocaine pharmacokinetics was adequately described across the entire neonatal age range. With the proposed dosing regimen, lidocaine can provide effective and safe treatment for neonatal seizures.
Formula feeding can help illuminate long‐term consequences of full ectogenesis
Authors: Buturovic Zeljka 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBreastfeeding is analogous to pregnancy as an experience, in its exclusiveness to women, and in its cost and the effects it has on equitable share of labor. Therefore, the history of formula feeding provides useful insights into the future of full ectogenesis, which could evolve into a more severe version of what formula feeding is today: simplify life for some women and provide couples with a more equitable share of work at the cost of stigma, guilt and a daily diet of studies purporting to show the benefits of natural pregnancy. Making pregnancy an optional route to motherhood would make women's life trajectory more similar to men's and thus put pressure on women to compete with men on the ground shaped by men's preferences. Despite being a treasured experience of many women today, bearing children could become the luxury of the few, the province of the very poor and a choice working women will pay a high price for as women who choose pregnancy become stigmatized as self‐indulgent or unprofessional and penalized for it in the workplace. At the same time, scarce societal resources that could be used to support pregnant women and working mothers would instead be directed toward proving to women or even forcing them to gestate children “the right way.” While not necessarily threatening on its own, when added to formula feeding, IVF, stem‐cell produced ova and sex robots, full ectogenesis could diminish men's stake in women's wellbeing and even existence.
Cost analysis of ureteroscopy (URS) vs extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) in the management of ureteric stones <10 mm in adults: a UK perspective
Authors: Constanti Margaret , Calvert Robert C. , Thomas Kay , Dickinson Andrew , Carlisle Sophie 
Published: October 2019

ObjectivesTo compare the total cost of a treatment strategy starting with ureteroscopy (URS) vs a strategy starting with extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL).MethodsFor ureteric stones of <10 mm, URS or ESWL are the main treatment options that are considered. Although the interventions differ, the goal of the interventions is to achieve a stone‐free status. A systematic review and meta‐analysis undertaken as part of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guideline on ‘Renal and ureteric stones: assessment and management’ identified URS as more effective, in terms of getting people stone free, but has a higher probability of re‐admission and adverse events (AEs) that contributes to downstream resource use. ESWL is initially less costly, but lower effectiveness means a greater need for repeat or ancillary procedures in order to get a patient stone free. Given these trade‐offs between benefits and costs, a cost analysis of URS and ESWL was undertaken as part of the NICE guideline, using evidence from the literature of effectiveness, re‐admission and AEs. The NICE guideline meta‐analysis showed a lot of heterogeneity and differences in how outcomes were reported between studies. The costing analysis, therefore only used studies where: (i) patients were rendered stone free, and (ii) where effectiveness, was based on the first‐line (initial) procedures. Exploratory quality adjusted life year (QALY) work was also undertaken to identify the QALY and quality of life (QoL) differences required for the most expensive intervention to be cost effective, based on the assumption that the difference in effectiveness between the initial procedures would be the main source of the QALY gain between the two strategies.ResultsThe URS strategy was more costly overall than the ESWL strategy (incremental cost of £2387 [pounds sterling]). Sensitivity analysis varying the initial effectiveness of ESWL treatment (between the base case value of 82% and 40%) showed that URS would still be a more costly strategy even if the initial session of ESWL only had a success probability of 40%. A two‐way sensitivity analysis as part of the exploratory QALY work showed that ESWL would have to have very low effectiveness and people would have to wait for further treatment for many weeks (following a failed ESWL treatment) for there to be feasible QoL gains to justify the additional cost of the URS strategy.ConclusionsESWL is less effective at initial stone clearance and therefore requires more ancillary interventions than URS. However, the magnitude of the difference in costs means URS is unlikely to be cost effective intervention at a population level for first‐line treatment, implying ESWL should be the first choice treatment.
The Effects of Enrolling in Oversubscribed Prekindergarten Programs Through Third Grade
Authors: Weiland Christina , Unterman Rebecca , Shapiro Anna , Staszak Sara , Rochester Shana , Martin Eleanor 
Published: October 2019

This study leverages naturally occurring lotteries for oversubscribed Boston Public Schools prekindergarten program sites between 2007 and 2011, for 3,182 children (M = 4.5 years old) to estimate the impacts of winning a first choice lottery and enrolling in Boston prekindergarten versus losing a first choice lottery and not enrolling on children’s enrollment and persistence in district schools, grade retention, special education placement, and third‐grade test scores. There are large effects on enrollment and persistence, but no effects on other examined outcomes for this subsample. Importantly, children who competed for oversubscribed seats were not representative of all appliers and almost all control‐group children attended center‐based preschool. Findings contribute to the larger evidence base and raise important considerations for future prekindergarten lottery‐based studies.
Pre‐clinical evidences for the efficacy of tryptanthrin as a potent suppressor of skin cancer
Authors: Shankar G. Mohan , Alex Vijai V. , Nisthul A. Amrutha , Bava Smitha V. , Sundaram Sankar , Retnakumari Archana P. , Chittalakkottu Sadasivan , Anto Ruby John 
Published: October 2019

AbstractObjectiveClinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy of indigo naturalis, a traditional Chinese medicine ingredient, against psoriasis, a skin disease characterized by keratinocyte hyperproliferation and inflammation. The present study investigates the efficacy of tryptanthrin, a bioactive compound in indigo naturalis, against non‐melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) and the signalling events involved.MethodsEfficacy of tryptanthrin against NMSC was assessed using DMBA/PMA‐induced skin carcinogenesis model in Swiss albino mice. Immunostaining for PCNA and ki‐67 was used to mark proliferating cells in tissues. Haematoxylin and eosin staining and toluidine staining were employed to assess inflammation, and TUNEL assay was used to detect apoptosis in tissues. The signalling events were evaluated using Western blot, imunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining. MTT assay and clonogenic assay were performed to assess the viability and proliferation of cancer cells, in vitro.ResultsIn mice, topical application of tryptanthrin suppressed skin carcinogenesis. It attenuated inflammation, impeded the proliferation of hair follicle (HF) cells and suppressed the activation of β‐catenin, a major driver of HF cell proliferation. Additionally tryptanthrin suppressed the activation of ERK1/2 and p38, both of which promote β‐catenin activation and lowered the expression of c‐Myc and cyclin‐D1. Tryptanthrin suppressed the proliferation of the human NMSC cell line, A431 and abrogated EGF‐induced activation of β‐catenin and subsequent cytoskeletal rearrangement.ConclusionThe study demonstrates with molecular evidence that tryptanthrin is an effective suppressor of NMSC.
Standardized measures of frailty predict hospital length of stay following orthotopic liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: DeMaria Samuel , Khromava Maryna , Schiano Thomas D. , Lin Hung‐Mo , Kim Sang 
Published: October 2019

AbstractFrailty in liver transplant (LT) waitlisted patients has been shown to predict waitlist mortality. While not currently used to allocate organs, the relationship between preoperative frailty and postoperative outcomes following orthotopic LT needs further elucidation. We determined the frailty status of 50 OLT candidates listed for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and examined relationships between frailty and outcomes on the waitlist and, if transplanted, 30‐day mortality, hospital length of stay (LOS), ICU LOS, and several other secondary outcomes. The overall prevalence of frailty was 30%, and the median natural MELD score for patients was 13. The overall hospital LOS for the frail group was longer (14.5 days [IQR 12‐19]) as compared to the non‐frail group (8 days [IQR 7‐13]); P = .015. Groups also differed in the time to their first PT session (6 days [IQR 4‐15] for the frail vs 4 days [IQR 3‐7] for the non‐frail patients; P = .042). There was no statistically significant difference in other outcomes measures, including ICU LOS and 30‐day mortality. Frailty in OLT patients with diagnosed HCC is a predictor of longer hospital stay and longer time to the first completed PT session independent of preoperative MELD scores.
Association of diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea with kidney transplant outcomes
Authors: Tiwari Rachna , Lyu Beini , Alagusundaramoorthy Sayee , Astor Brad C. , Mandelbrot Didier A. , Parajuli Sandesh 
Published: October 2019

AbstractObstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is common but underdiagnosed among patients with kidney disease. This study examines whether the diagnosis of OSA in kidney transplant recipients (KTR) affected death, death‐censored graft failure (DCGF), and acute rejection (AR). We analyzed the records of KTR who underwent transplant between 2000 and 2015. A total of 4014 kidney transplants were performed during the study period. Of these, 415 (10.3%) had a diagnosis of pretransplant OSA. Pretransplant OSA was associated with a higher risk of death in unadjusted analyses. After adjustment for potential confounders, pretransplant OSA was not associated with risk of death (HR = 1.04, 95% CI: 0.80‐1.36). Similarly, pretransplant OSA was associated with a slightly higher incidence of DCGF or AR but neither associations were significant (HR: 1.23, 95% CI: 0.85‐1.47 for DCGF; HR 1.10, 95% CI: 0.90‐1.36 for AR). A total of 117 (3.3%) were diagnosed with de novo OSA after transplant. Similar to the pretransplant OSA, unadjusted HR for death was significantly higher in the de novo OSA group (HR: 1.48, 95% CI: 1.19‐1.84); however, after adjustment, de novo OSA was not significantly associated with risk of death (HR: 1.15, 95% CI: 0.92‐1.45). Similarly, DCGF and AR rates were not significantly associated with de novo OSA (HR: 1.10, 95% CI: 0.84‐1.44 for DCGF; HR 1.10, 95% CI: 0.90‐1.33 for AR). Our work did not detect significant associations between OSA and risk of death, graft failure, and rejection but the estimates might be underestimated due to underdiagnosis of OSA.