bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effect of anticorruption policies on social and political trust: a comparative approach
Authors: Radin Dagmar 
Published: November 2018

PurposeCorruption and anti-corruption are two often studied topics in social sciences today and often highly debated issues in both the national and international political arena. They are important in the context of democratization and democratic consolidation as they include the idea of a government that serves its citizens in a transparent manner, and tie with it notions of social and political trust. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the relationship between anti-corruption policies and social and political trust and hypothesizes that anti-corruption policies have a desired positive effect on social and political trust in settings with low and moderate levels of corruption, whereas they have no effect in highly corrupt settings.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses regression analysis and includes all world democracies (33) for which complete data are available for a period of nine years (2005-2014).FindingsResults indicate that anti-corruption policies have the expected results on social trust: in low to moderately corrupt countries, the effect is positive, while it disappears in highly corrupt countries. There are no significant effects on political trust.Research limitations/implicationsWhile the results are mixed, they point to the importance of studying further the relationship.Originality/valueThis study is important because it questions the effect of anti-corruption policies that are assumed to have particular effects on corruption. It is also the first study to analyze the effect on such policies on social and political trust in democracies.
The Recovery House in Trieste: rational, participants, intervention as the “work”
Authors: Casadio Roberta , Marin Izabel Cristina , Thomé Thais , Mezzina Roberto , Baker Paul , Jenkins John , Pérez Patricia Martin , Pocobello Raffaella 
Published: November 2018

PurposeToo often people with complex mental health needs do not find their way out of the mental health system or find satisfactory solutions that enable them to live a full life. In 2015 the Mental Health Department (MHD) of Trieste established the Recovery House pilot project to address this concern. The paper aims to Investigate the project.Design/methodology/approachThe Recovery House was co-created with and for people between 18 and 35 years old with diagnoses of psychosis and other complex mental health conditions. An integral part of the pilot was the organization of the “Recovery Community,” inspired by the Assembly model embraced by Franco Basaglia. The Recovery Community met regularly to both support and learn from the Recovery House and aimed to create a democratic and reflective space where power relationships, self-determination, responsibility and ownership by all the stakeholders, including family members, could be explored together.FindingsOver a period of 31 months, four groups of people have successfully completed their residency at the Recovery House. In total, 89 percent of people who stayed at the Recovery House did so up to six months. After the period of staying at the Recovery House most of them moved to independent living or shared supported accommodation.Originality/valueThis initiative sheds light on the fact that democratic values, approaches and structures can improve both service functioning and the recovery outcomes for people with complex health needs. Further, the Recovery House has had a significant effect on the culture and practice of the MHD in adopting a comprehensive approach to emotional distress.
Challenges to Portuguese tourism – Restelo old man or Cristiano Ronaldo?
Authors: Machado Pedro 
Published: November 2018

Purpose
This paper aims to consider the state of the art of the tourism sector in Portugal, identifying the main problems and some challenges and solutions for the future.

Design/methodology/approach
The main political decisions related to tourism were analyzed and related to the sector´s future performance.

Findings
Portugal has been elected the best leading destination of the world, but it is important to outline the strategies needed to retain the quality of life of Portuguese residents and to keep and improve the experience of the tourist. This could be achieved by promoting “Portugal as a whole” (“Portugal por Inteiro”), applying policies of cohesion – policies that promote the development of the entire country, from the interior to the coastline, from the north to the south and the islands.

Originality/value
This paper presents the perspective of the Center of Portugal Tourism Entity (Turismo Centro de Portugal) and how this tourist destination contributes to the national strategies outlined for the coming years.
Evolution of size‐dependent intraspecific competition predicts body size scaling of metabolic rate
Authors: Hin Vincent , de Roos André M. 
Published: November 2018

Abstract

Growth in body size is accompanied by changes in foraging capacity and metabolic costs, which lead to changes in competitive ability during ontogeny. The resulting size‐dependent competitive asymmetry influences population dynamics and community structure, but it is not clear whether natural selection leads to asymmetry in intraspecific competition.

We address this question by using a size‐structured consumer–resource model, in which the strength and direction of competitive asymmetry between different consumer individuals depends on the scaling of maximum ingestion and maintenance metabolism with consumer body size. We use adaptive dynamics to study selection on the scaling exponents of these processes.

Selection leads to an identical scaling of maximum ingestion and maintenance metabolism with consumer body size. Equal scaling exponents neutralize strong competitive differences within the consumer population, because all consumer individuals require the same amount of resources to cover maintenance requirements. Furthermore, the scaling exponents respond adaptively to changes in mortality such that biomass production through growth or reproduction increases in the life stage that is subject to increased mortality. Also, decreasing size at birth leads to increased investment in juvenile growth, while increasing maximum size leads to increased investment in post‐maturation growth and reproduction.

These results provide an explanation for observed variation in the ontogenetic scaling of metabolic rate with body size. Data of teleost fish are presented that support these predictions. However, selection towards equal scaling exponents is contradicted by empirical findings, which suggests that additional ecological complexity beyond this basic consumer–resource interaction is required to understand the evolution of size‐dependent asymmetry in intraspecific competition.

A plain language summary is available for this article.
Fatal flaws in clinical decision making
Authors: Davis Sean S. , Babidge Wendy J. , McCulloch Glenn A. J. , Maddern Guy J. 
Published: November 2018

BackgroundClinical decision making is a core competency of surgical practice, involving a continuous and evolving process of data interpretation and evaluation. The aim of this article is twofold. First, to recognize patient deaths where a clinical incident arose following unsatisfactory clinical decision making, determining where in the clinical decision‐making process each failure occurred. Second, to discuss and explore individual incidents to provide lessons from which the surgical community can learn.MethodsUsing the Australian and New Zealand Audit of Surgical Mortality database, all deaths from 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2015 were analysed. All deaths in which the surgeon or assessor identified an aspect of patient management that was inadequate were recognized. Clinical incidents deemed by the assessor to be an area of concern or an adverse event were individually reviewed to determine if a clinical decision‐making incident (CDMI) occurred. CDMIs were categorized into various themes depending on the nature of the incident.ResultsA total of 3422 fully audited deaths occurred throughout the study period; from these cases, 226 individual CDMIs were identified. Decision to operate was the most commonly identified CDMI (n = 99, 43.8%), followed by diagnostic error (n = 49, 21.7%). The least common CDMI identified was inadequate post‐operative assessment (n = 14, 6.2%).ConclusionThis paper demonstrates thought‐provoking examples of clinical decision‐making failure implicated in patient death. Clinical decision‐making failures most commonly occur around the decision to operate with increased discussion of complex cases possibly required. Further CDMI evaluation should be considered to complement more traditional methods of surgical mortality evaluation.
Inner ear and retrocochlear pathology on magnetic resonance imaging for sudden and progressive asymmetrical sensorineural hearing loss
Authors: Baird Samantha M. , Nguyen Kevin , Bhatia Daman D. S. , Wei Benjamin P. C. 
Published: November 2018

BackgroundIn sudden and asymmetrical progressive sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is required to evaluate retrocochlear pathology and, with recent advances in MRI techniques, inner ear pathology. Given the limited literature regarding inner ear pathology associated with SNHL, we aimed to assess the incidence of retrocochlear and inner ear pathology, and congenital malformation on MRI in sudden SNHL (SSNHL) and progressive SNHL.MethodsA total of 987 acoustic neuroma (AN) protocol MRI internal acoustic meatus studies performed at our institution to investigate SNHL between January 2013 and December 2015 inclusive were identified. Following categorization for indication of SSNHL versus progressive asymmetrical SNHL, MRIs with retrocochlear or inner ear abnormality, congenital malformation or other otology‐related abnormality were identified, and further data were collected for these patients including patient demographics, associated symptomatology, management and outcomes.ResultsIn SSNHL, aetiological abnormality on MRI was identified for 6.9% patients with AN present on 4% overall. 3.2% of MRIs for progressive asymmetrical SNHL identified a causative lesion with 2.3% of scans overall diagnosing AN. The incidence of congenital inner ear malformation on MRI in the setting of SSNHL and progressive asymmetrical SNHL are 1.7% and 0.6%, respectively.ConclusionThis is the first retrospective study of inner ear MRI abnormalities in both SSNHL and progressive asymmetrical SNHL in Australia and one of the largest cohorts published in the literature to date. MRI must be performed in the setting of SNHL to ensure aforementioned and rarer causative lesions are identified.
Long‐term therapeutic effect of cell therapy on improvement in erectile function in a rat model with pelvic neurovascular injury
Authors: Gu Xin , Shi Hua , Matz Ethan , Zhong Liren , Long Ting , Clouse Cara , Li Wei , Chen Dong , Chung HyunChul , Murphy Sean , Yoo James , Lin Guiting , Lue Tom , Atala Anthony , Jackson John , Zhang Yuanyuan 
Published: November 2018

ObjectiveTo determine the long‐term therapeutic effect amongst three human cell types on erectile function recovery in a rat model of dual neurovascular‐injury erectile dysfunction (NVED).Materials and methodsA dual NVED model was established in athymic rats by crushing the bilateral cavernous nerves and ligating the bilateral internal pudendal neurovascular bundles. At the time of defect creation, three different types of human cell populations (2.5 × 106 cells/0.2 mL: umbilical vein endothelial cells, adipose‐derived stem cells, and amniotic fluid‐derived stem cells) were injected intracavernously into the penile tissue. Saline injection (0.2 mL) served as a control group. Erectile function and histomorphological analyses of penile tissues were assessed 12 weeks after defect creation and cell or saline injection.ResultsThe ratio of intracavernous pressure to mean arterial pressure (functional indicator) was significantly higher in the cell therapy groups compared to the saline‐injected control group (P < 0.05). Immunofluorescence staining showed more cells expressing biomarkers of endothelial, smooth muscle, and nerve cells within the penile tissue in the cell therapy groups when compared to the control group.ConclusionsCell therapy enhanced erectile function and ameliorated the histological changes 12 weeks after pelvic neurovascular injury in vivo, indicating that cell therapy may improve the long‐term outcomes in neurogenic, myogenic and vascular tissue regeneration in the treatment of NVED.
Outcome prediction of prostatic artery embolization: post hoc analysis of a randomized, open‐label, non‐inferiority trial
Authors: Abt Dominik , Müllhaupt Gautier , Mordasini Livio , Güsewell Sabine , Markart Stefan , Zumstein Valentin , Kessler Thomas M. , Schmid Hans‐Peter , Engeler Daniel S. , Hechelhammer Lukas 
Published: November 2018

ObjectivesTo identify predictors for different treatment outcomes after prostatic artery embolization (PAE) in the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia.Patients and MethodsA post hoc analysis of data derived from the 48 patients undergoing PAE in a randomized, open‐label, non‐inferiority trial was performed. Relative changes in the International Prostate Symptoms Score (IPSS), absolute changes in maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax), and relative changes in magnetic resonance imaging‐assessed prostate volume from baseline to 12 weeks were defined as the outcomes measures of interest. Their association with various baseline characteristics and measures, technical details of PAE, and early postoperative measures were analysed using Spearman rank correlations and Wilcoxon rank‐sum tests. The most promising predictors were further evaluated in receiver‐operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses.ResultsHigher total prostate and central gland (i.e. central plus transitional zone) volumes were associated with more pronounced improvements in the IPSS (Spearman rank correlation [rs]: −0.35 and −0.34; P = 0.01 and P = 0.02, respectively) and the Qmax (rs: 0.31 and 0.39; P = 0.05 and P = 0.01, respectively). ROC curve analyses suggested that volumes of 39 and 38 mL for total prostate and central gland volume, respectively, would be the optimal thresholds with which to predict PAE success as measured by the IPSS. Other anatomical characteristics of the prostate, such as the central gland index, also showed an even more distinct correlation to the improvement in Qmax (rs: 0.46, P = 0.003). The relative changes in prostate volume were clearly dependent on the technical performance of PAE. Occurrence of postoperative pain and blood levels of prostate‐specific antigen and C‐reactive protein emerged as potential early‐stage outcome predictors after PAE.ConclusionBaseline and peri‐operative findings might help to guide patient selection and outcome prediction for PAE. Patients with larger prostates have a higher chance of success with PAE. Larger‐scale clinical trials including a longer follow‐up are warranted to further elucidate the most suitable patients for PAE.
Robot‐assisted surgery for benign distal ureteral strictures: step‐by‐step technique using the SP® surgical system
Authors: Kaouk Jihad H. , Garisto Juan , Eltemamy Mohamed , Bertolo Riccardo 
Published: November 2018

ObjectivesTo describe the step‐by‐step techniques for robot‐assisted ureteric reimplantation performed using the Vinci SP® surgical system (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA, USA), including different case scenarios with an educational purpose.Materials and MethodsThree consecutive patients diagnosed with distal benign ureteric strictures were counselled for ureteric reimplantation and consented to undergo surgery performed using the da Vinci SP surgical system. Demographics and peri‐operative outcomes were collected after institutional review board approval (IRB 13‐780). Patients provided informed consent having received an explanation for the adoption of the novel platform. The first patient was a woman referred to our institution for a left distal ureteric stricture after total hysterectomy for uterine fibroids with ureteric injury. The second patient was a man with BPH and recurrent UTIs, who was diagnosed with a 1.5‐cm bladder stone and a large bladder diverticulum compressing the left distal ureter. The third patient was a man diagnosed with bilateral uretero‐enteric anastomoses stricture status after radical cystectomy with orthotopic ileal neobladder urinary diversion for bladder cancer.ResultsThe procedures were successfully completed. An extra port through a separate skin incision for the bedside assistant was placed for the first two procedures. In such cases, this additional port was used electively from the start of the procedure and did not represent a change in the treatment plan. Moreover, the port wound was used to accommodate the drainage. The bilateral ureteric reimplantation, however, was completed according to a pure single‐site approach (no extra ports were placed out of the GelSeal cap). The mean operating times were 165, 150 and 180 min, respectively. Blood loss was 50 mL in all cases. No intra‐operative complications occurred. Patients were discharged on postoperative days 1, 1 and 2, respectively, with normal serum creatinine levels. Neither transfusions nor major complications occurred.ConclusionRobot‐assisted reconstructive surgery for benign distal ureteric strictures is feasible and safe using the da Vinci SP surgical system.
Systems analysis of phosphorylation‐regulated Bcl‐2 interactions establishes a model to reconcile the controversy over the significance of Bcl‐2 phosphorylation
Authors: Song Ting , Wang Peiran , Yu Xiaoyan , Wang Anhui , Chai Gaobo , Fan Yudan , Zhang Zhichao 
Published: November 2018

Background and PurposeThe biological significance of the multi‐site phosphorylation of Bcl‐2 at its loop region (T69, S70 and S87) has remained controversial for decades. This is a major obstacle for understanding apoptosis and anti‐tumour drug development.Experimental ApproachWe established a mathematical model into which a phosphorylation and de‐phosphorylation process of Bcl‐2 was integrated. Paclitaxel‐treated breast cancer cells were used as experimental models. Changes in the kinetics of binding with its critical partners, induced by phosphorylation of Bcl‐2 were experimentally obtained by surface plasmon resonance, using a phosphorylation‐mimicking mutant EEE‐Bcl‐2 (T69E, S70E and S87E).Key ResultsMathematical simulations combined with experimental validation showed that phosphorylation regulates Bcl‐2 with different dynamics depending on the extent of Bcl‐2 phosphorylation and the phosphorylated Bcl‐2‐induced changes in binding kinetics. In response to Bcl‐2 homology 3 (BH3)‐only protein Bmf stress, Bcl‐2 phosphorylation switched from diminishing to enhancing the Bcl‐2 anti‐apoptotic ability with increased phosphorylation of Bcl‐2, and the turning point was 50% Bcl‐2 phosphorylation induced by 0.2 μM paclitaxel treatment. In contrast, Bcl‐2 phosphorylation enhanced the anti‐apoptotic ability of Bcl‐2 towards other BH3‐only proteins Bim, Bad and Puma, throughout the entire phosphorylation procedure.Conclusions and ImplicationsThe model could accurately predict the effects of anti‐tumour drugs that involve the Bcl‐2 family pathway, as shown with ABT‐199 or etoposide.
Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of dapagliflozin in combination with insulin in Japanese patients with type 1 diabetes
Authors: Watada Hirotaka , Shiramoto Masanari , Ueda Shinya , Tang Weifeng , Asano Michiko , Thorén Fredrik , Kim Hyosung , Yajima Toshitaka , Boulton David W. , Araki Eiichi 
Published: November 2018

AimsTo assess the pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) of dapagliflozin, a sodium‐glucose co‐transporter 2 inhibitor that increases urinary glucose excretion (UGE) and its major metabolite, dapagliflozin‐3‐O‐glucuronide (D3OG), in Japanese patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and inadequate glycaemic control (HbA1c 7%‐10%).Materials and methodsJapanese patients (18‐65 years) with inadequately controlled T1D were randomized 1:1:1 to dapagliflozin 5 mg, 10 mg or placebo (n = 14 each) once daily for 7 days, with adjustable insulin. The PK/PD characteristics of dapagliflozin and D3OG were assessed on Day 7. Patients underwent follow‐up evaluation on Days 8 and 14. Adverse events (AEs), hypoglycaemic episodes and events of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) were recorded over the treatment and follow‐up periods.ResultsA total of 42 randomized patients received dapagliflozin or placebo. PK variables increased in a dose‐dependent manner. D3OG was generated rapidly, with a median time to maximum plasma concentration of 2.0 hours (1.0‐3.0). The dapagliflozin dose‐UGE relationship was attenuated, with larger insulin dose reductions than anticipated. Mean percent (standard error) changes in total daily insulin dose from baseline to Day 7 were − 36.86% (3.32), −39.13% (2.68) and − 4.97% (5.28) for dapagliflozin 5 mg and 10 mg and for placebo, respectively. No DKA was reported. AEs were consistent with the established dapagliflozin safety profile. There was no increase in hypoglycaemia.ConclusionsThe PK and safety profiles of dapagliflozin in Japanese patients with T1D were consistent with previous studies, but with an unanticipated attenuation of the PD dose‐response measured as UGE.
Sustained 52‐week efficacy and safety of triple therapy with dapagliflozin plus saxagliptin versus dual therapy with sitagliptin added to metformin in patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes
Authors: Handelsman Yehuda , Mathieu Chantal , Del Prato Stefano , Johnsson Eva , Kurlyandskaya Raisa , Iqbal Nayyar , Garcia‐Sanchez Ricardo , Rosenstock Julio 
Published: November 2018

AimsTo compare the efficacy and safety of an intensification strategy of early triple combination therapy with dapagliflozin (DAPA) plus saxagliptin (SAXA) to a dual therapy strategy with sitagliptin (SITA) in patients with type 2 diabetes who are inadequately controlled with metformin (MET) monotherapy.Materials and methodsThis multinational, active‐controlled, parallel‐group phase 3b trial randomized 461 patients, at least 18 years of age, with glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) of 8%–10.5% (64–91 mmol/mol), to either DAPA plus SAXA or SITA, added to MET, for a 26‐week double‐blind treatment period and an extension of a 26‐week blinded treatment period.ResultsMean (± SD) baseline HbA1c was 8.8% ± 0.9% (73.0 ± 9.3 mmol/mol). DAPA plus SAXA (n = 232) provided a greater reduction from baseline in HbA1c at Weeks 26 and 52 compared with SITA (n = 229) (adjusted mean ± SE change, Week 26: −1.41 ± 0.07% vs −1.07 ± 0.07% [−15.4 ± 0.8 mmol/mol vs 11.7 ± 0.8 mmol/mol]; P = 0.0008; Week 52: −1.29 ± 0.08% vs −0.81 ± 0.09% [14.1 ± 0.9 mmol/mol vs 8.9 ± 1.0 mmol/mol]). The between‐group difference in adjusted mean (95% CI) change from baseline in HbA1c increased from −0.34 (−0.54, −0.14) at Week 26 to −0.48 (−0.71, −0.25) at Week 52. DAPA plus SAXA was generally well tolerated and the incidence of adverse events was similar in both treatment arms.ConclusionsEarly intensification to triple therapy with DAPA plus SAXA results in better, more durable glycaemic control than addition of SITA only (dual therapy) in patients with high HbA1c levels who are uncontrolled with MET monotherapy.