bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Determinants of Public Administrators' Use of Performance Information: Evidence from Local Governments in Florida
Authors: Dimitrijevska‐Markoski Tamara , French P. Edward 
Published: February 2019

AbstractPerformance management has been a focus of scholars and practitioners for more than 25 years, yet the use of performance information has not greatly expanded as a result of this attention. Acknowledging that performance measurement is not an end in itself but rather a means to enhance focus on results and value, this article evaluates the determinants of the use of performance information by local government administrators. An online survey was administered to local government employees involved in the 2015–16 Florida Benchmarking Consortium. Analysis of the data demonstrates that institutionalization of performance measurement has the strongest statistically significant positive association with the use of performance information, followed by the design adequacy of the performance measurement system.
Do trade flows respond to nudges? Evidence from the WTO’s Trade Policy Review Mechanism
Authors: Kuenzel David J. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractRelatively little is known about the economic effects of WTO members’ communications outside of official negotiations and dispute proceedings. This paper considers whether interactions between members through the Trade Policy Review Mechanism, the WTO’s prime transparency institution, lead to subsequent changes in bilateral trade flows. Trade policy concern submissions are more likely to lead to positive trade responses when (i) the receiving country is less concerned about terms‐of‐trade losses, (ii) the submitter is more willing to engage in WTO disputes with the reviewed member to challenge controversial trade policies, and (iii) the submitting country challenges trade policies in the nonchemical manufacturing sector. Nudges through the TPR process are not successful in raising agricultural trade.
Oil seepage and carbonate formation: A case study from the southern Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Smrzka Daniel , Zwicker Jennifer , Misch David , Walkner Christoph , Gier Susanne , Monien Patrick , Bohrmann Gerhard , Peckmann Jörn 
Published: February 2019

AbstractOil seeps from the southern Gulf of Mexico can be regarded as natural laboratories where the effect of crude oil seepage on chemosynthesis‐based communities and carbonate precipitation can be studied. During R/V Meteor cruise 114 the seep sites UNAM (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México) Ridge, Mictlan Knoll and Tsanyao Yang Knoll (Bay of Campeche, southern Gulf of Mexico) were investigated and sampled for authigenic carbonate deposits containing large amounts of liquid oil and solid asphalt. The δ13C values of individual carbonate phases including: (i) microcrystalline matrix aragonite and calcite; (ii) grey, cryptocrystalline to microcrystalline aragonite; and (iii) clear, fibrous aragonite cement, are between −30‰ and −20‰, agreeing with oil as the primary carbon source. Raman spectra reveal that residual heavy oils from all sites are immature and most likely originate from the same reservoir. Geochemical batch modelling using the software code PHREEQC demonstrates how sulphate‐driven oxidation of oil‐derived low‐molecular to high‐molecular weight hydrocarbons affects carbonate saturation state, and shows that the oxidation state of carbon in hydrocarbon compounds and oxidation rates of hydrocarbons control carbonate saturation and precipitation at oil seeps. Phase‐specific trace and rare earth element contents of microcrystalline aragonite and calcite, grey cryptocrystalline aragonite and clear aragonite were determined, revealing enrichment in light rare earth elements for grey aragonite. By comparing trace element patterns of carbonates with those of associated oils, it becomes apparent that liquid hydrocarbons constitute an additional source of trace metals to sedimentary pore waters. This work not only demonstrates that the microbial degradation of oil at seeps may result in the precipitation of carbonate minerals, it also elucidates that trace metal inventories of seep carbonates archive diagnostic elemental patterns, which can be assigned to the presence of heavy hydrocarbons in interstitial pore waters.
Molecular model linking Th2 polarized M2 tumour‐associated macrophages with deaminase‐mediated cancer progression mutation signatures
Authors: Mamrot Jared , Balachandran Siddharth , Steele Edward J. , Lindley Robyn A. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractA new and diverse range of somatic mutation signatures are observed in late‐stage cancers, but the underlying reasons are not fully understood. We advance a “combinatorial association model” for deaminase binding domain (DBD) diversification to explain the generation of previously observed cancer‐progression associated mutation signatures. We also propose that changes in the polarization of tumour‐associated macrophages (TAMs) are accompanied by the expression of deaminases with a new and diverse range of DBDs, and thus accounting for the generation of new somatic mutation signatures. The mechanism proposed is molecularly reminiscent of combinatorial association of heavy (H) and light (L) protein chains following V(D)J recombination of immunoglobulin molecules (and similarly for protein chains in heterodimers α/β and γ/δ of V(D)Js of T Cell Receptors) required for pathogen antigen recognition by B cells and T cells, respectively. We also discuss whether extracellular vesicles (EVs) emanating from tumour enhancing M2‐polarized macrophages represent a likely source of the de novo deaminase DBDs. We conclude that M2‐polarized macrophages extruding EVs loaded with deaminase proteins or deaminase‐specific transcription/translation regulatory factors and like information may directly trigger deaminase diversification within cancer cells, and thus account for the many new somatic mutation signatures that are indicative of cancer progression. This hypothesis now has a plausible evidentiary base, and it is worth direct testing in future investigations. A long‐term objective would be to identify molecular biomarkers predicting cancer progression (or metastatic disease) and to support the development of new drug targets before metastatic pathways are activated.
Chemical cross‐linking of xenopericardial biomeshes: A bottom‐up study of structural and functional correlations
Authors: Grebenik Ekaterina A. , Istranov Leonid P. , Istranova Elena V. , Churbanov Semyon N. , Shavkuta Boris S. , Dmitriev Ruslan I. , Veryasova Nadezhda N. , Kotova Svetlana L. , Kurkov Alexander V. , Shekhter Anatoly B. , Timashev Peter S. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractDecellularized bovine pericardium (DBP)‐based biomeshes are the gold standard in reconstructive surgery. In order to prolong their stability after the transplantation, various chemical cross‐linking strategies are employed. However, structural and functional properties of the biomeshes differ in dependence on the cross‐linker used. Here, we performed a bottom‐up study of structural and functional alterations of DBP‐based biomeshes following cross‐linking with hexamethylene diisocyanate (HMDC), ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether (EGDE), 1‐ethyl‐3‐(3‐dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide (EDC) and genipin. The in vitro cytotoxicity tests supported their clinical applicability. Their structural differences (eg roughness, fibre thickness, pore morphology) were evaluated using the two‐photon confocal laser scanning, atomic force, scanning electron and polarized light microscopies. HMDC and EDC samples appeared to be the roughest. Complex mechanical trials indicated the tendency to reduced Young’s Modulus and mechanical anisotropy values of DBP upon cross‐linking. The lowest mechanical anisotropy was found in EDC and genipin sample groups. In vitro collagenase susceptibility was the highest for EDC samples and the lowest for EGDE samples. The comparative analysis of the results allowed us to recognize the strengths and weaknesses of each cross‐linker in relation to a particular clinical application.
Facet joint degeneration adversely affects ultrasound imaging of the lumbar spine
Authors: Srinivasan Karthikeyan , Kuan Kok Hong , Mubarak Mona , Torregianni William , Whitty Robert 
Published: February 2019

Aim: Ultrasound of neuraxis can be used to identify the best possible inter-spinous space to perform neuraxial block. The aim of this study was to assess the anatomical correlation between neuraxial ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).Material and method: Twenty-one patients who underwent MRI of the lumbar spine had ultrasound of lumbar neuraxis performed by an experienced operator. Each lumbar interspinous space was graded on ultrasound as good [posteriorcomplex (ligamentum flavum and duramater) and anterior complex (posterior longitudinal ligament) visible], intermediate (either anterior complex or posterior complex visible) or poor (both anterior complex and posterior complex not visible) in both the transverse median (TM) and paramedian sagittal oblique (PSO) plane. Pre-determined MRI parameters were measured by a radiologist blinded to sonographic findings at each inter-spinal level.Results: Seventy-eight lumbar interspinous spaces were evaluated. There was a significant association (p<0.004) between the facet joint degeneration on MRI and the poor ultrasound view in the transverse median (TM) group. The odds of obtaining a poor view in TM plane was 7 times higher (95% CI 1.7-28.9, p=0.007) in the presence of facet joint degeneration. None of the other variables had a significant association with a poor neuraxial view in the TM plane. Poor views in the parasagittal oblique (PSO) plane did not correlate with any of the variables measured on MRI.Conclusion: Facet joint degeneration is a major contributing factor to poor neuraxial ultrasound views in the TM plane.
Atrial fibrillation among adults with heart failure in sub-Saharan Africa — prevalence, incidence and all-cause mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol
Authors: Agbor Valirie Ndip , Aminde Leopold Ndemnge , Tianyi Frank-Leonel , Mbanga Clarence Mvalo , Petnga Saint-Just N , Ditah Chobufo , Noubiap Jean Jacques 
Published: February 2019

IntroductionHeart failure (HF) remains a major non-communicable disease in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) associated with high rates of readmission, mortality and loss of economic productivity as it affects mostly young and economically active adults. Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a major determinant of mortality among patients with HF in SSA. Meanwhile, the use of anti-arrhythmic medications in the region remains unacceptably low. This review aims to evaluate the prevalence and incidence of AFib in adult patients with HF in SSA, and the all-cause mortality rate among patients with HF and AFib.Methods and analysisThe Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses for Protocols 2015 statement was used to prepare this protocol. All eligible studies from database inception to December, 31 2018 in MEDLINE, Embase, Google Scholar, Web of science and Africa-specific databases (AFROLIB, African Index Medicus and African Journals Online) will be included without language restrictions. The process of study screening, selection, data extraction and assessment of risk of bias will be conducted independently by two reviewers. Disagreements will be arbitrated by a third reviewer. Study-specific estimates will be pooled using random-effect meta-analysis and summary measures obtained will be presented in forest plots. The χ2test on Cochrane’s Q and the I2statistics will be used to assess and quantify heterogeneity, respectively. The Egger’s test and funnel plots will be used to assess publication bias.Ethics and disseminationSince our review will be based on already published data, an ethical approval is not required. The findings of this review will be presented in conferences and peer-reviewed journals and shared on social media such as Researchgate, Facebook, WhatsApp and Twitter.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42018087564.
Effectiveness and safety of nicotine patches combined with e-cigarettes (with and without nicotine) for smoking cessation: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Walker Natalie , Verbiest Marjolein , Kurdziel Tomasz , Laking George , Laugesen Murray , Parag Varsha , Bullen Chris 
Published: February 2019

IntroductionEvidence indicates e-cigarettes can help people quit smoking; however, more confirmatory trials are needed. To date, no trials have evaluated the effectiveness and safety of combining nicotine patches with e-cigarettes (with and without nicotine) for smoking cessation.Methods and analysisThis study is a pragmatic, three-arm, community-based, single-blind, randomised trial undertaken in New Zealand. Eligible participants are daily/non-daily smokers, aged ≥18 years, naive e-cigarette users and motivated to quit smoking in the next 2 weeks. Participants (n=1809), recruited using multi-media advertising, are randomised to 14 weeks of (1) 21 mg nicotine patches (n=201); (2) 21 mg nicotine patches+18 mg/mL nicotine e-cigarette (n=804); or (3) 21 mg nicotine patches+nicotine free e-cigarette (n=804). Participants receive weekly withdrawal-oriented behavioural support calls for 6 weeks post-randomisation. The primary outcome is self-reported biochemically verified continuous abstinence (CA) at 6 months post quit-date. The primary comparison is nicotine patch + nicotine e-cigarette versus nicotine patch + nicotine free e-cigarette, and the secondary comparison is nicotine patch versus nicotine patch +nicotine e-cigarette (90% power, p=0.05, to detect an absolute difference in 6 month CA rates of 8% and 15% respectively). Secondary outcomes, collected by phone interview at quit date, then 1, 3, 6 and 12 months post-quit date, include self-reported CA, 7 day point prevalence abstinence, cigarettes per day (if smoking, or when smoking for non-daily smokers), time to relapse (if returned to smoking), belief in ability to quit, use of other cessation support, side effects/serious adverse events, treatment compliance, seeking additional support around e-cigarette use, daily use of both e-cigarettes and cigarettes, use of treatment past 14 weeks, views on treatment and recommendation to others, weight and cost-per-quitter.Ethics and disseminationThe Northern A Health and Disability Ethics Committee approved the trial. Findings will be disseminated through publication, conference/meeting presentations, and media.Trial registration numberNCT02521662; Pre-results.
Autoimmune Connective Tissue Diseases and the Risk of Rotator Cuff Repair Surgery: A Population-Based Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Huang Shih-Wei , Lin Che-Li , Lin Li-Fong , Huang Chi-Chang , Liou Tsan-Hon , Lin Hui-Wen 
Published: February 2019

ObjectivesAutoimmune connective tissue diseases (ACTDs) commonly involve the shoulder joint; however, clinical epidemiological studies investigating their association with tendons are scant. Rotator cuff (RC) tears can cause shoulder disability, and surgical intervention is usually required. The study investigated RC repair surgery risk in ACTD patients. The effect of anti-inflammatory medication on RC repair surgery risk was also investigated.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective cohort study with a 7-year longitudinal follow-up period. Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis, sicca syndrome, dermatomyositis and polymyositis diagnoses between 2004 and 2008 were enrolled. The control cohort comprised age- and sex-matched controls. The HR and adjusted HR (aHR) were estimated for the risk of RC surgery between ACTD and control cohorts after adjustment for confounders. Furthermore, the effects of steroid and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use on the HR and aHR of RC surgery risk were analysed.ResultsWe enrolled 5019 ACTD patients and 25 095 controls in the ACTD and control cohorts, respectively. RC surgery incidence was 49 and 24 per 100 000 person-years in the ACTD and control cohorts, respectively. In the ACTD cohort, the crude HR for RC surgery was 2.08 (95% CI , 1.08 to 4.02, p<0.05), and the aHR was 1.97 (95% CI, 1.01 to 3.82, p<0.05). The ACTD patients who used NSAIDs had an aHR of 3.13 (95% CI, 1.21 to 8.07, p<0.05) compared with the controls, but the ACTD patients who used steroids did not have a significantly higher aHR than the controls.ConclusionsACTD patients had an increased risk of RC repair surgery. However, no difference was found in RC surgery risk when steroids were used compared with the control cohort. This could indicate that inflammation control may be a strategy for managing subsequent RC lesions.
Identifying gaps in primary healthcare policy and governance in low-income and middle-income countries: protocol for an evidence gap map
Authors: Saif-Ur-Rahman K M , Mamun Razib , Anwar Iqbal 
Published: February 2019

IntroductionThere are gaps in the primary healthcare (PHC) delivery in majority of low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) due to epidemiological transition, emergence of outbreaks or war, and often lack of governance. In LMICs, governance is always a less focused aspect, and often limited to the role of the authority despite potential contribution of other actors. It is evident that community engagement and social mobilisation of health service delivery result in better health outcomes. Even in case of systems failure, the need for PHC services is satisfied by individuals and communities in LMICs. Available evidence including systematic reviews on PHC governance is mostly from high-income countries and there is limited work in LMICs. This evidence gap map (EGM) is a systematic exploration to identify evidence gaps in PHC policy and governance in this region.Methods and analysisDifferent bibliographic databases were explored to retrieve available studies considering the time period between 1980 and 2017, and these were independently screened by two reviewers. Screened articles will be considered for full-text extraction based on prespecified criteria for inclusion and exclusion. A modified SURE (Supporting the Use of Research Evidence) checklist will be used to assess the quality of included systematic reviews. Overview of the findings will be provided in synthesised form. Identified interventions and outcomes will be plotted in a dynamic platform to develop a gap map.Ethics and disseminationFindings of the EGM will be published in a peer-reviewed journal in a separate manuscript. This EGM aims to explore the evidence gaps in PHC policy and governance in LMICs. Findings from the EGM will highlight the gaps in PHC to guide policy makers and researchers for future research planning and development of national strategies.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42018096883.
Characteristics of non-randomised studies using comparisons with external controls submitted for regulatory approval in the USA and Europe: a systematic review
Authors: Goring Sarah , Taylor Aliki , Müller Kerstin , Li Tina Jun Jian , Korol Ellen E , Levy Adrian R , Freemantle Nick 
Published: February 2019

ObjectivesNon-randomised clinical trial designs involving comparisons against external controls or specific standards can be used to support regulatory submissions for indications in diseases that are rare, with high unmet need, without approved therapies and/or where placebo is considered unethical. The objective of this review was to summarise the characteristics of non-randomised trials submitted to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) or Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for indications in haematological cancers, haematological non-malignant conditions, stem cell transplants or rare metabolic diseases.MethodsWe conducted systematic searches of EMA databases of conditional approvals, exceptional circumstances, or orphan drug designations and FDA inventories of orphan drug designations, accelerated approvals, breakthrough therapy, fast-track and priority approvals. Products were included if reviewed by at least one agency between 2005 and 2017, the primary evidence base was non-randomised trial(s) and the indication was for haematological cancers, stem cell transplantation, haematological conditions or rare metabolic conditions.ResultsWe identified 43 eligible indication-specific products using non-randomised study designs involving comparisons with external controls, submitted to the EMA (n=34) and/or FDA (n=41). Of the 43 indication-specific products, 4 involved matching external controls to the population of a non-randomised interventional study using individual patient-level data (IPD), 12 referred to external controls without IPD and 27 did not explicitly reference external controls. The FDA approved 98% of submissions, with 56% accelerated approvals; most required postapproval confirmatory randomised controlled trials (RCT). The EMA approved 79% of submissions, with a quarter of approvals conditional on completion of a postapproval RCT or additional non-randomised trials.ConclusionsThere has been a large increase in submissions to the EMA and FDA using non-randomised study designs involving comparisons with external controls in recent years. This study demonstrated that regulators may be willing to approve such submissions, although approvals are often conditional on further confirmatory evidence from postapproval studies.
A qualitative study exploring how routinely collected Medication Safety Thermometer data have been used for quality improvement purposes using case studies from three UK hospitals
Authors: Rostami Paryaneh , Harrison Abigail , Parry Gareth , Ashcroft Darren , Tully Mary P 
Published: February 2019

ObjectivesThe Medication Safety Thermometer (MedsST) is a medication safety data collection tool, which has been used by over 100 UK healthcare organisations to enable measurement of medication safety for improvement purposes. This study aimed to explore whether, and how, data collected by the MedsST have been used in organisations to facilitate medication safety improvements.DesignRoutine MedsST data collected between October 2013 and July 2016 were analysed using Run charts. Identified changes were investigated using interviews with staff from each hospital trust. The interviews were analysed using a framework based on Normalisation Process Theory, focusing on use of the MedsST and its data.SettingThree National Health Service hospital trusts in the North West of England, which have used the MedsST for the longest period.ParticipantsEight interview participants, purposely sampled based on their involvement with the MedsST, included pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and nurses.ResultsImprovement was often at ward level and focused on particular areas of medication safety, led by clinical champions. The most sustainable improvements involved changes to systems, such as introducing new guidelines. Although some improvement occurred, internal communication about improvements was poor, and large amounts of data remained unused, often due to a lack of ownership of data review and use.ConclusionsSimply collecting data is not sufficient; a system of data collection, review and use for improvement is required. Issues with such systems may have been recognised and averted if implementation theory had been used in the early stages of national development and implementation. However, implementation theory could be used within organisations to fix issues locally, particularly to increase ward-level ownership of this system, which could lead to considerable improvements.