bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Developing a new quality of life instrument with older people for economic evaluation in aged care: study protocol
Authors: Ratcliffe Julie , Cameron Ian , Lancsar Emily , Walker Ruth , Milte Rachel , Hutchinson Claire Louise , Swaffer Kate , Parker Stuart 
Published: May 2019

IntroductionThe ageing of the population represents a significant challenge for aged care in Australia and in many other countries internationally. In an environment of increasing resource constraints, new methods, techniques and evaluative frameworks are needed to support resource allocation decisions that maximise the quality of life and well-being of older people. Economic evaluation offers a rigorous, systematical and transparent framework for measuring quality and efficiency, but there is currently no composite mechanism for incorporating older people’s values into the measurement and valuation of quality of life for quality assessment and economic evaluation. In addition, to date relatively few economic evaluations have been conducted in aged care despite the large potential benefits associated with their application in this sector. This study will generate a new preference based older person-specific quality of life instrument designed for application in economic evaluation and co-created from its inception with older people.Methods and analysisA candidate descriptive system for the new instrument will be developed by synthesising the findings from a series of in-depth qualitative interviews with 40 older people currently in receipt of aged care services about the salient factors which make up their quality of life. The candidate descriptive system will be tested for construct validity, practicality and reliability with a new independent sample of older people (n=100). Quality of life state valuation tasks using best worst scaling (a form of discrete choice experiment) will then be undertaken with a representative sample of older people currently receiving aged care services across five Australian states (n=500). A multinomial (conditional) logistical framework will be used to analyse responses and generate a scoring algorithm for the new preference-based instrument.Ethics and disseminationThe new quality of life instrument will have wide potential applicability in assessing the cost effectiveness of new service innovations and for quality assessment across the spectrum of ageing and aged care. Results will be disseminated in ageing, quality of life research and health economics journals and through professional conferences and policy forums. This study has been reviewed by the Human Research Ethics Committee of the University of South Australia and has ethics approval (Application ID: 201644).
Market segmentation tools provide insights into demographic variations in bowel cancer screening uptake
Authors: Gavens Lucy , Whiteley Leila , Belencsak Agnes , Careless Jane , Devine Shirley , Richmond Nicola , Muirhead Andrew 
Published: May 2019

BackgroundThe National Health Service Bowel Cancer Screening Programme (NHS BCSP) aims to detect individuals who have precancerous polyps or early stage cancer, when it is easier to treat. To be effective, a screening uptake of at least 52% is required. Variations in uptake by demographic characteristic are reported and the aim of this study was to better understand who participates in the NHS BCSP, to inform action to address inequalities in screening uptake.MethodsInvitation-level data for the Derbyshire population were supplied by the NHS BCSP Eastern Hub for the period 1 April 2014 to 31 March 2016. Data were linked by postal code to the Mosaic Public Sector Segmentation tool. Descriptive analysis using 14 groups and 61 types within Mosaic was undertaken to offer insight into the demographic, lifestyle and behavioural traits of people living in small geographies against their screening uptake, with a particular focus on identifying population groups with an uptake below 52% and so at risk of health inequalities.Results180 176 screening invitations were dispatched with an overall uptake of 60.55%. Six Mosaic groups have an uptake below the 52% acceptable level: urban cohesion, rental hubs, transient renters, family basics, vintage value and municipal tenants. These groups are characterised by high levels of social-rented accommodation, multicultural urban communities and transient populations.ConclusionSegmentation tools offer an effective way to generate novel insights into bowel cancer screening uptake and develop tailored strategies for working with identified communities to increase participation.
In vitro assessment of pacing as therapy for aortic regurgitation
Authors: Peruzzo Paolo , Susin Francesca Maria , Colli Andrea , Burriesci Gaetano 
Published: May 2019

Background and objectiveClinical evaluation of pacing therapy in mitigating the aortic insufficiency after transchateter aortic valve implantation often gives contradictory outcomes. This study presents an in vitro investigation aimed at clarifying the effect of pacing on paravalvular leakage.MethodsA series of in vitro tests reproducing the heart operating changes clinically obtained by pacing was carried out in a 26 mm Edwards Sapien XT prosthesis with mild paravalvular leakage. The effect of pacing on the regurgitant volumes per cycle and per minute was quantified, and the energy and power consumed by the left ventricle were calculated.ResultsResults indicate that though pacing results in some reduction in the total regurgitation per cycle, the volume of fluid regurgitating per minute increases substantially, causing overload of left ventricle.ConclusionsOur tests indicate no effective haemodynamic benefit from pacing, suggesting a prudential clinical use of this therapy for the treatment of postoperative aortic regurgitation.
Prognostic impact of postprocedure stroke volume in patients with low-gradient aortic stenosis
Authors: Nara Yugo , Kataoka Akihisa , Watanabe Yusuke , Makoto Nakashima , Hioki Hirofumi , Kawashima Hideyuki , Fukuko Nagura , Kozuma Ken , Shirai Shinichi , Tada Norio , Araki Motoharu , Naganuma Toru , Yamanaka Futoshi , Ueno Hiroshi , Tabata Minoru , Mizutani Kazuki , Higashimori Akihiro , Takagi Kensuke , Yamamoto Masanori , Hayashida Kentaro 
Published: May 2019

ObjectiveThe effect of postoperative blood flow status on the prognosis of patients with low-gradient severe aortic stenosis (AS) has not been examined. Severe AS is associated with a higher mortality rate after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). We examined the prognostic value of low-flow status by comparing stroke volume indices (SVi) before and after TAVI in patients with symptomatic, low-gradient severe AS.MethodsA total of 1613 patients with severe symptomatic AS who underwent TAVI in 14 Japanese institutes for low-gradient severe AS (418 patients, median age 84 years, 32.5% men) were prospectively enrolled. The primary endpoint was cardiovascular mortality during follow-up after TAVI, and independent predictors were evaluated. Receiver operating characteristic curves were generated to determine the optimal cut-off value of post-TAVI SVi for predicting cardiovascular mortality, and the receiver operating characteristic curves of pre-TAVI and post-TAVI SVi were compared.ResultsThe cardiovascular mortality rate was 4.1% (17 patients) during follow-up (median 9.2 months). Multivariate analysis revealed post-TAVI SVi to be an independent predictor of cardiovascular mortality (per 10 mL/m2decrease; HR, 2.0; 95% CI 1.28 to 3.12). The optimal cut-off value of post-TAVI SVi was 41.4 mL/m2. Post-TAVI SVi showed significantly larger area under the curve than pre-TAVI SVi (0.74 (95% CI 0.69 to 0.79) vs 0.61 (95% CI 0.56 to 0.65), p<0.05).ConclusionsPost-TAVI SVi is a better predictor of cardiovascular mortality than pre-TAVI SVi in patients with symptomatic low-gradient severe AS. Low-flow and low-normal-flow status (35≤ SVi <40 mL/m2) require careful management after TAVI.
Understanding the association between skin involvement and joint activity in patients with psoriatic arthritis: experience from the Corrona Registry
Authors: Mease Philip J , Etzel Carol J , Huster William J , Muram Talia M , Armstrong April W , Lisse Jeffrey R , Rebello Sabrina , Dodge Rhiannon , Murage Mwangi James , Greenberg Jeffrey D , Malatestinic William N 
Published: May 2019

ObjectiveTo compare the characteristics of patients with psoriatic arthritis among patient groups stratified by degree of skin and joint involvement, and to evaluate the relationship between skin severity and joint activity.MethodsBody surface area (BSA) and Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) at enrolment were analysed. Patient characteristics were stratified by skin severity and joint activity. Baseline patient characteristics, clinical and disease characteristics and patient-reported outcomes were compared. The strength of the relationship of skin severity and joint activity was evaluated using methods for categorical variables (χ2test, Cramer’s V) and continuous variables (linear regression).Results1542 adult patients in the Corrona Psoriatic Arthritis/Spondyloarthritis Registry enrolled between 21 May 2013 and 20 September 2016 were analysed. Most patients in the BSA >3%/CDAI moderate/high subgroup had worse clinical and patient-reported outcomes. A significant (p<0.001) modest association (Cramer’s V=0.1639) between skin severity and joint activity was observed among all patients at enrolment. Patients with higher skin severity were two times more likely to have higher joint involvement (OR 2.27, 95% CI 1.71 to 3.01). A significant linear relationship between CDAI and BSA was observed. Effect modification showed this linear relationship was modified by age, gender, insurance, work status, current therapy, Health Assessment Questionnaire, Nail visual analogue scale, minimal disease activity, dactylitis count, patient-reported pain and fatigue.ConclusionSkin severity is modestly correlated with joint activity, and patients with higher skin severity are two times more likely to have increased joint involvement. Clinicians need to address both skin severity and joint activity in treatment decisions.
Pilot study evaluating the monitoring of canine diabetes mellitus in primary care practice
Authors: Cartwright Jennifer Ann , Cobb Malcolm , Dunning Mark D 
Published: May 2019

ObjectivesThis study aimed to describe how canine diabetes mellitus (CDM) is monitored in primary care practice (PCP) and to report outcomes.DesignRetrospective case review.SettingPCP.Participants40 dogs of 22 different pedigrees and five crossbreeds. Median age at diagnosis was nine years and six months (eight years six months to 10 years five months). Dogs were diagnosed with CDM between January 1, 2008 and December 30, 2012 and remained with the practice to the study end or until death.Primary and secondary outcome measuresStability achievement and death or euthanasia. Consultations for each dog were identified and recorded through records collected from the PCP (January 1, 2008 to December 30, 2012).ResultsA median of three consultations per dog occurred in the first month, subsequently falling to a median of one consultation every 19 days thereafter. After the first month postdiagnosis, weight and single blood glucose concentrations were most frequently recorded at 66.8 and 42 per cent of consultations respectively and a blood glucose curve was performed infrequently (17.4 per cent). Serum biochemistry was measured at 8 per cent of consultations and urine culture at only 0.8 per cent. Median survival time (MST) for all dogs was eight months (2–21 months). Eighteen dogs stabilised within three months of diagnosis and their MST was 20.5 months, (10.25–25.75 months), significantly longer than the 22 dogs not achieving stability within three months (MST 2.5 months, 0–5.5 months) (P<0.001). Those dogs not surviving beyond the first month had significantly fewer consultations than those still alive (P<0.005).ConclusionsThis pilot study indicates dogs with CDM managed solely in PCP experience limited monitoring tests and have lower MST than reported in the literature. Recruitment of a larger cohort of CDM cases from a larger number of PCP will help determine whether these results accurately represent this demographic and verify if infrequent testing is associated with a poor outcome. Importantly, prospective evaluation of decision‐making around monitoring CDM in PCP is required, to help determine the effectiveness and feasibility of more frequent monitoring strategies, such as those recommended by the American Animal Hospital Association, particularly to influence MST.
Fluctuation Scaling of Neuronal Firing and Bursting in Spontaneously Active Brain Circuits
Authors: Guo Xinmeng , Yu Haitao , Kodama Nathan X. , Wang Jiang , Galán Roberto F. 
Published: May 2019

We employed high-density microelectrode arrays to investigate spontaneous firing patterns of neurons in brain circuits of the primary somatosensory cortex (S1) in mice. We recorded from over 150 neurons for 10[Formula: see text]min in each of eight different experiments, identified their location in S1, sorted their action potentials (spikes), and computed their power spectra and inter-spike interval (ISI) statistics. Of all persistently active neurons, 92% fired with a single dominant frequency — regularly firing neurons (RNs) — from 1 to 8[Formula: see text]Hz while 8% fired in burst with two dominant frequencies — bursting neurons (BNs) — corresponding to the inter-burst (2–6[Formula: see text]Hz) and intra-burst intervals (20–160[Formula: see text]Hz). RNs were predominantly located in layers 2/3 and 5/6 while BNs localized to layers 4 and 5. Across neurons, the standard deviation of ISI was a power law of its mean, a property known as fluctuation scaling, with a power law exponent of 1 for RNs and 1.25 for BNs. The power law implies that firing and bursting patterns are scale invariant: the firing pattern of a given RN or BN resembles that of another RN or BN, respectively, after a time contraction or dilation. An explanation for this scale invariance is discussed in the context of previous computational studies as well as its potential role in information processing.
Understanding Contemporary Use of Thiazolidinediones
Authors: Arnold Suzanne V. , Inzucchi Silvio E. , Echouffo-Tcheugui Justin B. , Tang Fengming , Lam Carolyn S.P. , Sperling Laurence S. , Kosiborod Mikhail 
Published: May 2019

Background:
Thiazolidinediones (rosiglitazone, pioglitazone) are oral insulin-sensitizing medications used in type 2 diabetes mellitus that reduce glucose with minimal risk of hypoglycemia and potential benefits on atherosclerosis. However, thiazolidinediones can cause fluid retention thereby increasing the risk of heart failure—a common complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Methods and Results:
Data were analyzed from the Diabetes Collaborative Registry, a US outpatient registry of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus that currently encompasses 203 cardiology, endocrinology, and primary care practices and 3074 providers. Among 424 061 US adults enrolled in Diabetes Collaborative Registry who had type 2 diabetes mellitus and were taking ≥1 glucose-lowering medication, 35 018 patients (8.3%) were on a thiazolidinedione, which has remained stable over time. Patients on thiazolidinediones tended to be old (mean age, 69.2±10.7 years), 61.9% had coronary disease, and 17.2% had class 3 obesity. In total, 40.3% of patients on a thiazolidinedione had either a clinical diagnosis of heart failure (23.7%), had an ejection fraction of <40% (7.7%), or were on a loop diuretic (29.9%).

Conclusions:
Although thiazolidinediones lost significant market share after 2007 when concerns arose regarding their safety, thiazolidinediones are still commonly used. At least a quarter, and up to two-fifths, of patients currently treated with thiazolidinediones have some evidence of heart failure and therefore should not be candidates for this therapy. Accordingly, heart failure concerns with thiazolidinediones may be under-recognized.
Risk Model Development and Validation for Prediction of Coronary Artery Aneurysms in Kawasaki Disease in a North American Population
Authors: Son Mary Beth F. , Gauvreau Kimberlee , Tremoulet Adriana H. , Lo Mindy , Baker Annette L. , de Ferranti Sarah , Dedeoglu Fatma , Sundel Robert P. , Friedman Kevin G. , Burns Jane C. , Newburger Jane W. 
Published: May 2019

Background

Accurate prediction of coronary artery aneurysms (
CAAs
) in patients with Kawasaki disease remains challenging in North American cohorts. We sought to develop and validate a risk model for
CAA
prediction.

Methods and Results

A binary outcome of
CAA
was defined as left anterior descending or right coronary artery
Z
score ≥2.5 at 2 to 8 weeks after fever onset in a development cohort (n=903) and a validation cohort (n=185) of patients with Kawasaki disease. Associations of baseline clinical, laboratory, and echocardiographic variables with later
CAA
were assessed in the development cohort using logistic regression. Discrimination (c statistic) and calibration (Hosmer‐Lemeshow) of the final model were evaluated. A practical risk score assigning points to each variable in the final model was created based on model coefficients from the development cohort. Predictors of
CAAs
at 2 to 8 weeks were baseline
Z
score of left anterior descending or right coronary artery ≥2.0, age <6 months, Asian race, and C‐reactive protein ≥13 mg/
dL
(c=0.82 in the development cohort, c=0.93 in the validation cohort). The
CAA
risk score assigned 2 points for baseline
Z
score of left anterior descending or right coronary artery ≥2.0 and 1 point for each of the other variables, with creation of low‐ (0–1), moderate‐ (2), and high‐ (3–5) risk groups. The odds of
CAA
s were 16‐fold greater in the high‐ versus the low‐risk groups in the development cohort (odds ratio, 16.4; 95%
CI
, 9.71–27.7 [
P
<0.001]), and >40‐fold greater in the validation cohort (odds ratio, 44.0; 95% CI, 10.8–180 [
P
<0.001]).

Conclusions

Our risk model for
CAA
in Kawasaki disease consisting of baseline demographic, laboratory, and echocardiographic variables had excellent predictive utility and should undergo prospective testing.
Patents on Pharmaceutical Products in Fair International Economic Relations
Authors: Mah Jai S. 
Published: May 2019

Abstract
Intellectual property right (IPR) negotiations during the Uruguay Round (UR) negotiations were characterized by significant disagreement between developed and developing countries. For developing countries, the WTO system might have gone too far on patents. It is particularly true for essential medicines critical to human life and health. The Agreement on Trade-related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) of the WTO includes a few provisions on special and differential treatment (SDT) of developing countries. However, these do not specifically mention pharmaceutical products. Patentability of pharmaceutical products may be analysed in light of fairness. From the viewpoint of distributional fairness, this article derives several policy suggestions for pharmaceutical products in fair international economic relations.
The Aramaic Bible in the East
Authors: Alexander Philip S. 
Published: May 2019

Abstract
This article challenges the assumption that insofar as the Jewish communities of Babylonia were a ‘people of the book’, their book was a Hebrew Bible. Functionally the Bible that most people would have known was the Aramaic Targum of Onqelos and Jonathan. The Bible’s content—its law, narrative, and prophecy—was culturally mediated through Aramaic. Even in Rabbinic communities, where some had competence in Hebrew that gave them ready access to the original, the lack of formal and systematic study of Miqra may have made the Targum the tradition of first resort for understanding the Hebrew. The situation in the Aramaic-speaking east may not, then, have been all that different from the west, where a Greek Bible shaped the religious identity of the Greek-speaking Jewish communities. This essay is offered as a contribution to the neglected study of the role of Bible translation in the history of Judaism.
The Story of Susanna in Syriac: A Preliminary Survey of Diversity
Authors: Marsh Bradley John 
Published: May 2019

Abstract
This pilot study outlines the diverse and at times interwoven textual traditions of the story of Susanna in the Syriac Bible. There are three different versions of the story aside from the Syrohexapla and the revision of Jacob of Edessa, namely the ‘Peshitta’ version, another here dubbed ‘Sinai Susanna’, and finally the so-called ‘Harklean’ version. This paper seeks to describe the kinds of relationships that exist between these textual traditions as well as to suggest what type of critical edition might best display these connections. Additionally, the Sitz im Leben of the ‘Harklean’ version is briefly discussed, reflecting on whether the version’s unique literary features betray a Jewish or a Christian background.
Jesuits and the Natural Sciences in Modern Times, 1814–2014
Authors: Udías Agustín 
Published: May 2019

Abstract
After their restoration of 1814, the Jesuits made significant contributions to the natural sciences, especially in the fields of astronomy, meteorology, seismology, terrestrial magnetism, mathematics, and biology. This narrative provides a history of the Jesuit institutions in which these discoveries were made, many of which were established in countries that previously had no scientific institutions whatsoever, thus generating a scientific and educational legacy that endures to this day. The essay also focuses on the teaching and research that took place at Jesuit universities and secondary schools, as well as the order’s creation of a worldwide network of seventy-four astronomical and geophysical observatories where particularly important contributions were made to the fields of terrestrial magnetism, microseisms, tropical hurricanes, and botany.
Determinants of hand hygiene behaviour based on the Theory of Interpersonal Behaviour
Authors: Kupfer Tom R , Wyles Kayleigh J , Watson Fraje , La Ragione Roberto Marcello , Chambers Mark A , Macdonald Alastair S 
Published: May 2019

Background: Many investigations into the determinants of hand hygiene (HH) behaviour have explored only individual predictors or were designed according to arguably overly simplistic models of behaviour. Consequently, important influences on HH behaviour, including habit and emotion, are sometimes neglected. This study is the first to employ the Theory of Interpersonal Behaviour as a comprehensive model for understanding the determinants of HH behaviour. Method: A self-report questionnaire was conducted with staff from two large UK veterinary referral practices. Participants ( n = 75) reported their HH behaviour and responded to statements rating the importance of social norms, self-protection, patient protection, time pressures, access to equipment, habit and disgust, to their HH behaviour. Results: Regression analysis showed that, overall, determinants explained 46% of variance ( p < .001) in self-reported HH behaviour, with time constraints being the strongest predictor ( β = −.47, p < .001) followed by difficulty finding equipment ( β = −.21, p = .05). Discussion: Time constraints may be the most important influence on HH adherence among the determinants investigated. Future researchers should consider employing theoretical models to aid a more comprehensive understanding of the psychology underlying HH adherence and HH interventions.