bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Menu-Driven Facility for Sample-Size Calculation in Novel Multiarm, Multistage Randomized Controlled Trials with a Time-to-Event Outcome
Authors: Barthel Friederike M.-S. , Royston Patrick , Parmar Mahesh K. B. 
Published: November 2018

We present menu- and command-driven Stata programs for the calculation of sample size, number of events, and trial duration for a novel type of clinical trial design with a time-to-event outcome and two or more experimental arms. The approach is based on terminating accrual of patients to inferior experimental treatment arms at an early stage in the trial, allowing through to the next stage only treatments that show a predefined degree of advantage against the control treatment. The first stage of testing uses an intermediate outcome measure for the definitive (primary) outcome rather than with the primary outcome itself. The experimental arms are compared pairwise with the control arm according to the intermediate outcome measure. Arms that survive the comparison enter the next stage of patient accrual, culminating in comparisons against control on the primary outcome measure. The features supported include unequal patient allocation, target hazard ratios that may differ from 1 under the null hypothesis, and the ability to stop patient recruitment at a specified time after trial initiation. The computations of sample size and power are based on the asymptotic mean and variance of the log hazard-ratio under the null and alternative hypotheses. The overall operating characteristics are computed from the intermediate and final stage significance levels and power, and the correlation between the log hazard-ratios on the intermediate and primary outcome measures at the different stages. We illustrate the approach with the design of a United Kingdom Medical Research Council six-arm trial in prostate cancer in which the intermediate outcome is failure-free survival and the primary outcome is overall survival.
Implementing Intersection Bounds in Stata
Authors: Chernozhukov Victor , Kim Wooyoung , Lee Sokbae , Rosen Adam M. 
Published: November 2018

We present the clrbound, clr2bound, clr3bound, and clrtest commands for estimation and inference on intersection bounds as developed by Chernozhukov, Lee, and Rosen (2013, Econometrica 81: 667–737). The intersection bounds framework encompasses situations where a population parameter of interest is partially identified by a collection of consistently estimable upper and lower bounds. The identified set for the parameter is the intersection of regions defined by this collection of bounds. More generally, the methodology can be applied to settings where an estimable function of a vector-valued parameter is bounded from above and below, as is the case when the identified set is characterized by conditional moment inequalities. The commands clrbound, clr2bound, and clr3bound provide bound estimates that can be used directly for estimation or to construct asymptotically valid confidence sets. clrtest performs an intersection bound test of the hypothesis that a collection of lower intersection bounds is no greater than zero. The command clrbound provides bound estimates for one-sided lower or upper intersection bounds on a parameter, while clr2bound and clr3bound provide two-sided bound estimates using both lower and upper intersection bounds. clr2bound uses Bonferroni's inequality to construct two-sided bounds that can be used to perform asymptotically valid inference on the identified set or the parameter of interest, whereas clr3bound provides a generally tighter confidence interval for the parameter by inverting the hypothesis test performed by clrtest. More broadly, inversion of this test can also be used to construct confidence sets based on conditional moment inequalities as described in Chernozhukov, Lee, and Rosen (2013). The commands include parametric, series, and local linear estimation procedures.
Inference in Regression Discontinuity Designs under Local Randomization
Authors: Cattaneo Matias D. , Titiunik Rocío , Vazquez-Bare Gonzalo 
Published: November 2018

We introduce the rdlocrand package, which contains four commands to conduct finite-sample inference in regression discontinuity (RD) designs under a local randomization assumption, following the framework and methods proposed in Cattaneo, Frandsen, and Titiunik (2015, Journal of Causal Inference 3: 1–24) and Cattaneo, Titiunik, and Vazquez-Bare (2016, Working Paper, University of Michigan, http://www-personal.umich.edu/∼titiunik/papers/ CattaneoTitiunikVazquezBare2015_wp.pdf). Assuming a known assignment mechanism for units close to the RD cutoff, these functions implement a variety of procedures based on randomization inference techniques. First, the rdrandinf command uses randomization methods to conduct point estimation, hypothesis testing, and confidence interval estimation under different assumptions. Second, the rdwinselect command uses finite-sample methods to select a window near the cutoff where the assumption of randomized treatment assignment is most plausible. Third, the rdsensitivity command uses randomization techniques to conduct a sequence of hypothesis tests for different windows around the RD cutoff, which can be used to assess the sensitivity of the methods and to construct confidence intervals by inversion. Finally, the rdrbounds command implements Rosenbaum (2002, Observational Studies [Springer]) sensitivity bounds for the context of RD designs under local randomization. Companion R functions with the same syntax and capabilities are also provided.
A Comparison of Various Cervical Muscle Strength Testing Methods Using a Handheld Dynamometer
Authors: Krause David A. , Hansen Kelsey A. , Hastreiter Matthew J. , Kuhn Taylor N. , Peichel Molly L. , Hollman John H. 
Published: November 2018

Background: Cervical muscle strength, proposed as a modifiable risk factor in concussions, can be assessed using various methods. The purpose of this study was to compare the reliability and force outputs of 3 methods that use handheld dynamometry (HHD) for assessing cervical muscle strength. Hypothesis: All 3 testing methods are reliable, and force outputs are significantly different between methods. Study Design: Repeated-measures reliability. Level of Evidence: Level 5. Methods: The study used a convenience sample of 30 participants. HHD “make tests” for cervical extension, flexion, and right and left side bending were performed using lying push tests, sitting push tests, and sitting pull tests. A sole examiner performed all tests. Two testing sessions were conducted 1 week apart. Analysis included intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), repeated-measures analyses of variance (α = 0.05) with post hoc Bonferroni tests, and minimal detectable change (MDC) calculations. Results: All testing methods were reliable; the lying push test had the greatest point estimate values (ICC, 0.89-0.95). Significant differences in force were found between the 3 testing methods. The MDC was most sensitive for the lying push method. Conclusion: Of the 3 cervical muscle testing methods investigated, the lying position with a push test had the largest ICC according to the point estimate and the most sensitive MDC. Force values between the 3 methods were significantly different, which suggests that consistent testing methods should be used. Clinical Relevance: Results from this study support the clinical use of an HHD “make test” in a lying position for assessing cervical muscle strength. The test is reliable and more sensitive to change compared with tests in a seated position.
Independent assessment and outcomes of 196 short-tapered stems short-term follow-up and review of the literature
Authors: Nahas Sam , Patel Akash , Blucher Nicola , Vedi Vikas 
Published: November 2018

Background: Longer term outcome data are now becoming available for short-tapered femoral stems for cementless total hip arthroplasty. The shorter stem has a metaphyseal fit, loading the bone in this area, leading to physiological bone remodelling. It is also bone preserving, as it is 35 mm shorter. It may be easier to insert through a smaller incision and potentially reduce complication rates. We present a retrospective single surgeon case series of 196 patients (>53% follow-up over 5 years). All patients had the cementless ‘Microplasty Taperloc’ (Biomet). Primary outcome measures were femoral component revision rates. Secondary outcome measures included complications, patient-reported functional outcome scores (Oxford hip) and radiographic evidence of loosening. Methods: Patients were identified using electronic software. All were routinely followed up and assessed in clinic since implant introduction in 2009. Oxford hip scores were routinely obtained. A surgeon who had not carried out the procedure independently assessed radiographs. Results: One hundred ninety-six patients were identified. The revision rate was 0.5% due to an intraoperative peri-prosthetic fracture of the femur identified on post-operative radiograph. The complication rate was 2%, attributable to: subsidence of the prosthesis (one hip), post-operative dislocation (two hips), one of which required acetabular revision. Oxford hip scores increased on average from 21 to 45 (pre- to post-operatively). There were no signs of radiographic loosening. Conclusion: The results show that using the short-tapered stem is proving so far to be a reliable and safe alternative to its longer counterpart, with low complication rates in the short term.
Effects of Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction on Pitch Selection in Major League Baseball Pitchers
Authors: Peterson Eric E. , Handwork Patrick , Soloff Lonnie , Schickendantz Mark S. , Frangiamore Salvatore J. 
Published: November 2018

Background: Ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injuries represent one of the most common impairments to the throwing arm of professional pitchers. Return to play and postoperative performance metrics have been studied extensively, but pitch selection before and after surgery has not been evaluated. Purpose/Hypothesis: This study aimed to characterize the effects of UCL reconstruction on pitch selection in Major League Baseball (MLB) pitchers. We hypothesized that pitchers will throw fewer fastballs and a greater percentage of off-speed pitches after undergoing UCL reconstruction. Study Design: Retrospective cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Using publicly available data, we evaluated MLB pitchers who underwent UCL reconstruction between 2003 and 2014. Pitching data were collected for the 2 seasons before UCL reconstruction as well as the first 2 seasons after reconstruction; the data consisted of the total number of pitches thrown and the percentage of fastballs, curveballs, changeups, and sliders. Repeated-measures analysis of variance was used with post hoc least significant difference pairwise t tests to evaluate for statistical significance at P < .05. Results: Overall, 87 pitchers (mean age, 28.2 ± 3.5 years) met all inclusion and exclusion criteria. There was a statistically significant difference in the total number of pitches thrown before and after surgery ( P < .01) as well as in the percentage of fastballs thrown before and after surgery ( P = .02). There was also a statistically significant increase in the use of curveballs between 1 and 2 years postoperatively (7.5% and 8.8%, respectively; P = .01). No other findings were statistically significant. Conclusion: Pitchers who underwent UCL reconstruction were shown to have a statistically significant decline in the percentage of fastballs thrown postoperatively as compared with before injury, with a compensatory trend toward an increased use of curveballs and sliders.
Implementation of Oral Health Screening and Referral Guidelines in Primary Health Care
Authors: Zhu Y. , Close K. , Zeldin L.P. , White B.A. , Rozier R.G. 
Published: November 2018

Objectives: To determine the oral health screening and referral practices of pediatric providers, their adherence to American Academy of Pediatrics oral health guidelines, and barriers to adherence. Methods: Providers in 10 pediatric practices participating in the North Carolina Quality Improvement Initiative, funded by the Child Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009, were asked to complete a 91-item questionnaire. Questions on risk assessment and referral practices were based on those recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Adherence to oral health guidelines was assessed by practitioners’ evaluation of 4 vignettes presenting screening results for an 18-mo-old child with different levels of risk and caries status. Respondents chose referral recommendations assuming adequate and inadequate dentist workforces. Logit models determined the association between barriers specified in Cabana’s framework and adherence (count of 6 to 8 adherent vignettes vs. 0 to 5). Results: Of 72 eligible providers, 53 (74%) responded. Almost everyone (98.1%) screened for dental problems; 45.2% referred in at least half of well-child visits. Respondents were aware of oral health guidelines, expressed strong agreement with them, and reported confidence in providing preventive oral health services. Yet they underreferred by an average of 42% per vignette for the 7 clinical vignette-workforce scenarios requiring an immediate referral. Frequently cited barriers were providers’ beliefs that 1) parents are poorly motivated to seek dental care, 2) oral health counseling has a small effect on parent behaviors, 3) there is a shortage of dentists in their community who will see infants and toddlers, and 4) information systems to support referrals are insufficient. Conclusion: Pediatric clinicians’ beliefs lead to a conscious decision not to refer many patients, even when children should be referred. Knowledge Transfer Statement: Evidence suggests that the primary care–dental referral process needs improvement. This study identifies barriers to delivering recommended preventive oral health services in pediatrics. The information can be used to improve the screening and referral process and, thus, the quality of preventive oral health services provided in primary care. Results also can guide researchers on the selection of interventions that need testing and might close gaps in the referral process and improve access to dental care.
The Swiss Paediatric Airway Cohort (SPAC)
Authors: Pedersen Eva S.L. , de Jong Carmen C.M. , Ardura-Garcia Cristina , Barben Juerg , Casaulta Carmen , Frey Urs , Jochmann Anja , Latzin Philipp , Moeller Alexander , Regamey Nicolas , Singer Florian , Spycher Ben , Sutter Oliver , Goutaki Myrofora , Kuehni Claudia E. 
Published: November 2018

Chronic respiratory symptoms, such as cough, wheeze and dyspnoea, are common in children; however, most research has, with the exception of a few large-scale clinical cohort studies, been performed in the general population or in small, highly-selected samples.The Swiss Paediatric Airway Cohort (SPAC) is a national, prospective clinical cohort of children and adolescents who visit physicians for recurrent conditions, such as wheeze and cough, and exercise-related respiratory problems. The SPAC is an observational study and baseline assessment includes standardised questionnaires for families and data extracted from hospital records, including results of clinically indicated investigations, diagnoses and treatments. Outcomes are assessed through annual questionnaires, monthly symptom reportingviamobile phone and follow-up visits.The SPAC will address important questions about clinical phenotypes, diagnosis, treatment, and the short- and long-term prognosis of common respiratory problems in children. The cohort currently consists of 347 patients from four major hospitals (Bern, Zurich, Basel and Lucerne), with 70–80 additional patients joining each month. More centres will join and the target sample size is a minimum of 3000 patients.The SPAC will provide real-life data on children visiting the Swiss healthcare system for common respiratory problems and will provide a research platform for health services research and nested clinical and translational studies.
Urinary tract infection caused by a small colony variant form of capnophilic Escherichia coli leading to misidentification and non-reactions in antimicrobial susceptibility tests
Authors: Park Yu Jin , Le Phuong Nguyen , Pinto Naina Adren , Kwon Mi Jeong , D’Souza Roshan , Byun Jung-Hyun , Sung Heungsup , Yong Dongeun 
Published: November 2018

Abstract
Background
Small colony and capnophilic variant cases have been separately reported, but there has been no reports of their simultaneous presence in one isolate. We report a case of Escherichia coli with coexpressed small colony and capnophilic phenotypes causing misidentification in automated biochemical kits and non-reactions in antimicrobial susceptibility test cards.

Case presentation
An 86-year-old woman developed urinary tract infection from a strain of Escherichia coli with SCV and capnophilic phenotypes in co-existence. This strain did not grow without the presence of CO2, and therefore proper identification from automated system was not possible. 16 s rRNA sequencing and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry was able to identify the bacteria.

Conclusion
As these strains do not grow on culture parameters defined by CLSI or on automated systems, proper identification using alternative methods are necessary.
Evaluation of aortic changes in elderly people autopsied with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
Authors: Oliveira Mariana Silva , Torquato Bianca Gonçalves Silva , da Silveira Luciano Alves Matias , Juliano Gabriela Ribeiro , Aguiar Laura Sanches , Juliano Guilherme Ribeiro , Oliveira Lívia Ferreira , Espindula Ana Paula , Ramalho Luciana Santos , Cavellani Camila Lourencini , da Silva Aline Cristina Souza , de Aquino Favarato Grace Kelly Naves , de Paula Antunes Teixeira Vicente , da Fonseca Ferraz Mara Lúcia 
Published: November 2018

Abstract
Background
To verify the distribution of the degree of fat deposits and percentage of collagen and elastic fibers in the intimal and medial layers of the aorta of elderly patients autopsied, with and without Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

Methods
Twenty-six fragments of the aorta from elderly patients autopsied in the period from 1982 to 2014, were collected and, divided into two groups, being 13 with AIDS and 13 without AIDS. The intensity of the atherosclerosis was macroscopically evaluated in a semi-quantitative way. To quantify the elastic and collagen fibers, it was used the Leica Qwin Plus® software.

Results
In the comparison of the macroscopic intensity of atherosclerosis, the AIDS group (t = 0.6969, p = 0.4992). Regarding elastic fibers, there was a significant increase in the AIDS group (U = 115,800; p < 0.0001). Comparing the groups, there was a significant increase of the collagen fibers in the aortic layers in the AIDS group (U = 114,100; p < 0.0001).

Conclusion
The infection by the HIV influence in the amount of fibers in the extracellular matrix and the intensity of lipid deposit, demonstrating that it may be a risk factor to be considered for the development of atherosclerosis.
Augmentation therapies for treatment-resistant depression: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Strawbridge Rebecca , Carter Ben , Marwood Lindsey , Bandelow Borwin , Tsapekos Dimosthenis , Nikolova Viktoriya L. , Taylor Rachael , Mantingh Tim , de Angel Valeria , Patrick Fiona , Cleare Anthony J. , Young Allan H. 
Published: November 2018

BackgroundDepression is considered to have the highest disability burden of all conditions. Although treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is a key contributor to that burden, there is little understanding of the best treatment approaches for it and specifically the effectiveness of available augmentation approaches.AimsWe conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to search and quantify the evidence of psychological and pharmacological augmentation interventions for TRD.MethodParticipants with TRD (defined as insufficient response to at least two antidepressants) were randomised to at least one augmentation treatment in the trial. Pre-post analysis assessed treatment effectiveness, providing an effect size (ES) independent of comparator interventions.ResultsOf 28 trials, 3 investigated psychological treatments and 25 examined pharmacological interventions. Pre-post analyses demonstratedN-methyl-d-aspartate-targeting drugs to have the highest ES (ES = 1.48, 95% CI 1.25–1.71). Other than aripiprazole (four studies, ES = 1.33, 95% CI 1.23–1.44) and lithium (three studies, ES = 1.00, 95% CI 0.81–1.20), treatments were each investigated in less than three studies. Overall, pharmacological (ES = 1.19, 95% CI 1.08–1.30) and psychological (ES = 1.43, 95% CI 0.50–2.36) therapies yielded higher ESs than pill placebo (ES = 0.78, 95% CI 0.66–0.91) and psychological control (ES = 0.94, 95% CI 0.36–1.52).ConclusionsDespite being used widely in clinical practice, the evidence for augmentation treatments in TRD is sparse. Although pre-post meta-analyses are limited by the absence of direct comparison, this work finds promising evidence across treatment modalities.Declaration of interestIn the past 3 years, A.H.Y. received honoraria for speaking from AstraZeneca, Lundbeck, Eli Lilly and Sunovion; honoraria for consulting from Allergan, Livanova and Lundbeck, Sunovion and Janssen; and research grant support from Janssen. In the past 3 years, A.J.C. received honoraria for speaking from AstraZeneca and Lundbeck; honoraria for consulting with Allergan, Janssen, Livanova, Lundbeck and Sandoz; support for conference attendance from Janssen; and research grant support from Lundbeck. B.B. has recently been (soon to be) on the speakers/advisory board for Hexal, Lilly, Lundbeck, Mundipharma, Pfizer, and Servier. No other conflicts of interest.
‘Who’s the girl with the kissin’ lips?’ Constructions of class, popular culture and agentic girlhood in Girl, Princess, Jackie and Bunty in the 1960s
Authors: Gibson Mel 
Published: November 2018

Abstract
This article focuses on four British periodicals incorporating or dominated by comic strips aimed at girls of different ages: Girl (Hulton Press, 1951−64), Princess (Fleetway, 1960−67), Jackie (DC Thomson, 1964−93) and Bunty (DC Thomson, 1958−2001). It will explore how these titles depicted agentic girlhood, class and popular culture. The periodicals show varying degrees of engagement with popular culture, varying according to adult constructions of girls as vulnerable and in need of protection. Some are more permissive and the voice of the girl appears within them, in others there is a more paternalistic approach. This has an impact, in turn, on the kind of content that they offered.