bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A survey of Australian and New Zealand clinical practice with neoadjuvant systemic therapy for breast cancer
Authors: Zdenkowski N. , Butow P. , Mann G. B. , Fewster S. , Beckmore C. , Isaacs R. , Douglas C. , Boyle F. M. 
Published: March 2016

BackgroundNeoadjuvant systemic therapy (NAST) has become an established treatment option for women with operable breast cancer.AimWe aimed to better understand NAST treatment patterns, barriers and facilitators in Australia and New Zealand.MethodsWe undertook a cross‐sectional survey of the current clinical practice of Australian and New Zealand breast cancer specialists. Questions included referral patterns for NAST, patient selection, logistics, decision making and barriers.ResultsOf 207 respondents, 162 (78%) reported routinely offering NAST to selected patients with operable breast cancer (median 9% of patients offered NAST). Specialty, location, practice type, gender or years of experience did not predict for offering NAST. In all, 45 and 58% wanted to increase the number of patients who receive NAST in routine care and in clinical trials respectively. Facilitators included the multidisciplinary team meeting and access to NAST clinical trials. Specialist‐reported patient barriers included: patient desire for immediate surgery (63% rated as important/very important); lack of awareness of NAST (50%); concern about progression (43%) and disinterest in downstaging (32%). Forty‐three per cent of participants experienced system‐related barriers to the use of NAST, including other clinicians’ lack of interest (27%); lack of clinical trials (24%) and unacceptable wait for a medical oncology appointment (37%).ConclusionThis group of Australian and New Zealand clinicians are interested in NAST for operable breast cancer in routine care and clinical trials. Patient‐ and system‐related barriers that prevent the optimal uptake of this treatment approach will need to be systematically addressed if NAST is to become a more common approach.
Health Problems Precede Traumatic Brain Injury in Older Adults
Authors: Dams‐O'Connor Kristen , Gibbons Laura E. , Landau Alexandra , Larson Eric B. , Crane Paul K. 
Published: March 2016

ObjectivesTo evaluate whether indices of preinjury health and functioning are associated with risk of incident traumatic brain injury (TBI) with loss of consciousness (LOC) and to evaluate health‐related factors associated with mortality in individuals with incident TBI.DesignProspective community cohort study.SettingGroup Health, Seattle, Washington.ParticipantsIndividuals aged 65 and older with no self‐reported prior TBI with LOC (N = 3,363) were enrolled and followed every 2 years for an average of 7.5 years (range 0–18 years).MeasurementsWeibull survival models were used to evaluate baseline and time‐varying predictors of incident TBI with LOC, including measures of depression, activities of daily living (ADLs), cerebrovascular disease, and disease comorbidity.ResultsIn an adjusted multivariate model, baseline depression symptoms as measured according to Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES‐D) score (hazard ratio (HR) for 4 points = 1.23, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.02–1.49, P = .03) and baseline activity of daily living (ADL) impairment (HR = 2.37, 95% CI = 1.24–4.53, P = .009) were associated with incident TBI. In a model that included time‐dependent covariates, cerebrovascular disease at the previous visit (HR = 2.28, 95% CI = 1.37–3.78, P < .001), CES‐D score the previous visit (HR for 4 points = 1.23, 95% CI = 1.02–1.49, P < .04) and baseline ADL impairment (HR 2.14, 95% CI = 1.11–4.13, P = .02) predicted incident TBI. Of factors considered, cerebrovascular disease and ADL impairment were associated with earlier mortality in participants with incident TBI with LOC.ConclusionIndices of health, mood, and functional status predict incident TBI with LOC in older adults. These findings may have implications for injury prevention and postinjury clinical management.
Incident Atrial Fibrillation and Disability‐Free Survival in the Cardiovascular Health Study
Authors: Wallace Erin R. , Siscovick David S. , Sitlani Colleen M. , Dublin Sascha , Mitchell Pamela H. , Odden Michelle C. , Hirsch Calvin H. , Thielke Stephen , Heckbert Susan R. 
Published: March 2016

ObjectivesTo assess the associations between incident atrial fibrillation (AF) and disability‐free survival and risk of disability.DesignProspective cohort study.SettingCardiovascular Health Study.ParticipantsIndividuals aged 65 and older and enrolled in fee‐for‐service Medicare followed between 1991 and 2009 (MN = 4,046). Individuals with prevalent AF, activity of daily living (ADL) disability, or a history of stroke or heart failure at baseline were excluded.MeasurementsIncident AF was identified according to annual study electrocardiogram, hospital discharge diagnosis, or Medicare claims. Disability‐free survival was defined as survival free of ADL disability (any difficulty or inability in bathing, dressing, eating, using the toilet, walking around the home, or getting out of a bed or chair). ADLs were assessed at annual study visits or in a telephone interview. Association between incident AF and disability‐free survival or risk of disability was estimated using Cox proportional hazards models.ResultsOver an average of 7.0 years of follow‐up, 660 individuals (16.3%) developed incident AF, and 3,112 (77%) became disabled or died. Incident AF was associated with shorter disability‐free survival (hazard ratio (HR) for death or ADL disability = 1.71, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.55–1.90) and a higher risk of ADL disability (HR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.18–1.58) than in individuals with no history of AF. This association persisted after adjustment for interim stroke and heart failure.ConclusionThese results suggest that AF is a risk factor for shorter functional longevity in older adults, independent of other risk factors and comorbid conditions.
Validity of a condition specific outcome measure for fragile X syndrome: the Aberrant Behaviour Checklist‐utility index
Authors: Raspa M. , Sacco P. , Candrilli S.D. , Bishop E. , Petrillo J. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractBackgroundThe purpose of this study was to assess the construct validity of the Aberrant Behaviour Checklist‐utility index (ABC‐UI) by examining the relationship between healthcare resource utilisation by patients with fragile X syndrome (FXS) as well as burden experienced by their caregivers.MethodIn 2011, a total of 350 US caregivers of individuals with FXS completed a questionnaire that captured information on FXS‐related burden as well as the ABC‐Community. Using the ABC‐UI, a condition‐specific outcome measure derived from the ABC‐Community, five utility index categories were created: very low (0.00–0.33); low (0.34–0.66); moderate (0.67–0.77); high (0.78–0.89); and very high (0.90–1.00). Multivariable regression models examined the association between the utility value and nine burden‐related outcomes.ResultsApproximately 2% of individuals with FXS were in the very low utility index category, 31% low, 27% moderate, 38% high and 3% very high. The median utility value was 0.74. Women with FXS and adults 18 years and older had higher values. Regression results indicate that individuals with higher utility values were more likely to have fewer specialist visits, use fewer prescription medications, need fewer hours of unpaid caregiving, inflict fewer caregiver injuries and have caregivers with fewer mental health provider visits.ConclusionsThe ABC‐UI appears to function well as condition‐specific outcome measure, and as an indicator of health‐related quality‐of‐life and economic burden in individuals with FXS. Among patients with FXS in the US and their caregivers, significant differences in health care resource utilisation and burden exist across health state utility categories.
On Enhancing Shareholder Control: A (Dodd‐) Frank Assessment of Proxy Access
Authors: COHN JONATHAN B. , GILLAN STUART L. , HARTZELL JAY C. 
Published: March 2016

ABSTRACTWe use events related to a proxy access rule passed by the Securities and Exchange Commission in 2010 as natural experiments to study the valuation effects of changes in shareholder control. We find that valuations increase (decrease) following increases (decreases) in perceived control, especially for firms that are poorly performing, have shareholders likely to exercise control, and where acquiring a stake is relatively inexpensive. These results suggest that an increase in shareholder control from its current level would generally benefit shareholders. However, we find that the benefits of increased control are muted for firms with shareholders whose interests may deviate from value maximization.
Treatment adherence and virological response rates in hepatitis C virus infected persons treated with sofosbuvir‐based regimens: results from ERCHIVES
Authors: Butt Adeel A. , Yan Peng , Shaikh Obaid S. , Chung Raymond T. , Sherman Kenneth E. ,   the ERCHIVES study
Published: March 2016

AbstractBackground & AimsRole of non‐adherence upon virological success with newer oral regimens is unknown. We sought to determine the impact of treatment adherence upon virological outcomes in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infected persons on sofosbuvir (SOF)‐based regimens, using pharmacy prescription data as a measure of adherence.MethodsWe analysed HCV infected persons in Electronically Retrieved Cohort of HCV Infected Veterans, who were initiated on SOF‐based regimens, excluding those with human immunodeficiency virus, positive hepatitis‐B surface antigen, hepatocellular carcinoma and missing HCV RNA.ResultsThe final dataset included following regimens: SOF+simeprevir (SIM) (n = 1050), SOF+ledipasvir (LDV) (n = 974), SOF+ribavirin (RBV) (n = 663, genotype 2 or 3), and SOF+pegylated interferon (PEG)+RBV (n = 519, genotype 1 or 4). Those treated with a SOF‐based regimen were older and more likely to have cirrhosis, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, higher HCV RNA levels, higher body mass index, compared with 1652 controls receiving a boceprevir‐based (BOC) regimen. Sustained virological response (SVR12) rates for the SOF+SIM and SOF+LDV groups did not decline significantly even when as low as 50% of the full course was prescribed (except SOF+LDV, 90–99% prescriptions had SVR12 of 84.6%; n = 13). SOF+RBV for genotype 2/3 who received 50–80% of the prescriptions, 23/34 (67.6%) achieved SVR12. For persons with genotype 1/4 infection treated with SOF+PEG+RBV, no declines in SVR12 were seen with lower rates of prescriptions (40/43, or 93% SVR12 rate).ConclusionsSofosbuvir‐based treatment regimens are highly effective in achieving SVR12. This efficacy is not significantly affected when treated persons receive less than a full prescribed course of treatment.
Faith in China: religious belief and national narratives amongst young, urban Chinese Protestants
Authors: Entwistle Phil 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThis paper investigates the national narratives of young, urban Protestants in contemporary China. Based on 100 interviews conducted in Beijing and Shenzhen, it argues that in constructing their national narratives, Chinese Protestants display critical selectivity in adopting the values of official party‐state nationalism. They display affection towards China, a sense of responsibility for improving the country and a concern for society's morality, all of which echo official nationalist priorities. However, they are critical of China's political arrangements, dispute the primacy of economic growth and are less hawkish on international and territorial issues. They see no contradiction between their Protestant and Chinese identities, but generally prioritise the former. This selectivity is explained by the fact that Protestantism generally attracts those less satisfied by the social and political status quo, and because of, in Carlson's terms, the ‘boundary‐spanning’ nature of the Protestant identity and morality to which these converts then subscribe.
Multivariate Covariance Generalized Linear Models
Authors: Bonat Wagner Hugo , Jørgensen Bent 
Published: March 2016

SummaryWe propose a general framework for non-normal multivariate data analysis called multivariate covariance generalized linear models, designed to handle multivariate response variables, along with a wide range of temporal and spatial correlation structures defined in terms of a covariance link function combined with a matrix linear predictor involving known matrices. The method is motivated by three data examples that are not easily handled by existing methods. The first example concerns multivariate count data, the second involves response variables of mixed types, combined with repeated measures and longitudinal structures, and the third involves a spatiotemporal analysis of rainfall data. The models take non-normality into account in the conventional way by means of a variance function, and the mean structure is modelled by means of a link function and a linear predictor. The models are fitted by using an efficient Newton scoring algorithm based on quasi-likelihood and Pearson estimating functions, using only second-moment assumptions. This provides a unified approach to a wide variety of types of response variables and covariance structures, including multivariate extensions of repeated measures, time series, longitudinal, spatial and spatiotemporal structures.
The acute effect of match play on hamstring strength and lower limb flexibility in elite youth football players
Authors: Wollin M. , Thorborg K. , Pizzari T. 
Published: March 2016

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of competitive football match play on hamstring strength and lower limb flexibility. Fifteen male international youth football players were included. Hamstring strength and associated pain ratings, ankle dorsiflexion, hip extension, knee extension and flexion range of motion were evaluated immediately post‐match and at intervals of 24, 48, and 72 h post‐match. Strength significantly reduced post‐match (P < 0.01), mean difference −0.43 (CI95: −0.56, −0.30) and 24 h post (P < 0.05) mean difference −0.12 Nm/kg (CI95: −0.20, −0.04). The associated pain scores significantly increased at the post‐match (P < 0.01, ES = 0.61) and 24 h (P < 0.01, ES = 0.55) time intervals. At the 48 and 72 h post‐match tests no significant difference was found for strength or pain ratings. No significant differences were detected for any of the range of motion measures. Competitive football match play has a significant acute and transient effect on isometric hamstring strength and associated pain levels during resisted knee flexion in male international youth players. Range of motion measures appear to remain relatively unaffected by match play. Isometric hamstring strength testing and associated pain levels might be considered for inclusion in‐season to monitor player's post‐match hamstring recovery characteristics.
Different visual stimuli affect body reorientation strategies during sidestepping
Authors: Lee M. J. C. , Lloyd D. G. , Lay B. S. , Bourke P. D. , Alderson J. A. 
Published: March 2016

Sidestepping in response to unplanned stimuli is a high‐risk maneuver for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. Yet, differences in body reorientation strategies between high‐ and low‐level soccer players prior to sidestepping in response to quasi‐game‐realistic vs non‐game‐realistic stimuli, remain unknown. Fifteen high‐level (semi‐professional) and 15 low‐level (amateur) soccer players responded to a quasi‐game‐realistic one‐defender scenario (1DS) and two‐defender scenario (2DS), and non‐game‐realistic arrow‐planned condition (AP) and arrow‐unplanned condition (AUNP). The AP, 1DS, 2DS to AUNP represented increasing time constraints to sidestep. Selected biomechanics from the penultimate step to foot‐off were assessed using a mixed‐model (stimuli × skill) ANOVA (P < 0.05). Step length decreased in the defender scenarios compared with the arrow conditions. Support foot placement increased laterally, away from mid‐pelvis, with increasing temporal constraints. Greater trunk lateral flexion in the 1DS, 2DS, and AUNP has been associated with ACL injury onsets. Higher level players pushed off closer to their pelvic midline at initial foot contact in the 2DS especially. Higher level perception of game‐realistic visual information could have contributed to this safer neuromuscular strategy that, when understood better, could potentially be trained in lower level players to reduce ACL injury risk associated with dangerous sidestepping postures.
Issue Competence and its Influence on Voting Behavior in the Swiss 2015 Elections
Authors: Lutz Georg , Sciarini Pascal 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThe Liberal Radical party and – even more so – the Swiss People's party are the two winners of the Swiss 2015 election. In this contribution, we evaluate whether and to what extent issue ownership voting may help to account for the electoral success of these two parties. To that end, we distinguish the two dimensions – the associative and the competence dimension – of the concept and we rely on data from the on‐line, four‐wave panel survey carried out in the context of the Swiss election studies. Our results highlight the stability of issue ownership perceptions during the course of the campaign on the aggregate level, but they also show the substantial importance of issue ownership voting, on the individual level. More specifically, in line with earlier studies we find that competence issue ownership has a direct impact on the vote choice, whereas the impact of associative issue ownership is far more limited. For both parties under study, being seen as the most competent party on two important issues (migration and the economy) significantly contributes to the explanation of the vote choice.
The Health Penalty of the GED: Testing the Role of Noncognitive Skills, Health Behaviors, and Economic Factors*
Authors: Zajacova Anna , Montez Jennifer Karas 
Published: March 2016

ObjectivesThe general educational development (GED) diploma is intended to be equivalent to a high school (HS) credential; however, recent evidence finds that GED recipients have worse health than HS graduates. This study aims to explain the health disadvantage, focusing on three domains: noncognitive skills, health behaviors, and economic factors.MethodsWe analyze data on 3,119 HS graduates and GED recipients in the NLSY79 who reported their health status at the age of 40. Logistic and ordinal regression models examine whether the three domains account for the GED health disadvantage.ResultsThe GED health disadvantage was jointly explained by lower noncognitive skills, unhealthy behaviors, and adverse economic circumstances, with the latter being particularly important.ConclusionsA multipronged approach may be necessary to reduce the GED health disadvantage, including improving noncognitive skills during K–12 education, expanding opportunities for employment and living wage for low‐skill workers, and continued focus on improving health behaviors.
The golden ark: arsenopyrite crystal plasticity and the retention of gold through high strain and metamorphism
Authors: Fougerouse Denis , Micklethwaite Steven , Halfpenny Angela , Reddy Steven M. , Cliff John B. , Martin Laure A. J. , Kilburn Matt , Guagliardo Paul , Ulrich Stanislav 
Published: March 2016

AbstractQuantitative electron backscatter diffraction analysis and ion microprobe imaging of gold‐rich arsenopyrites provide the first insights into the crystal plasticity and element mobility behaviour of arsenopyrites through metamorphism (340°–460° and 2 kbar). Remarkably, the gold‐rich arsenopyrites remained structurally and chemically robust during high strain deformation. It was only during a superimposed lower strain deformation event, at a high angle to the preferred orientation of the arsenopyrites, that small amounts of crystal plasticity affected the arsenopyrites. During the low strain event, a dissolution–reprecipitation reaction resulted in loss of gold from the crystal lattice, facilitated by localised domains of recrystallisation, most likely due to fluid percolation along sub‐ and new grain boundaries. We suggest that the abundance and rheologically robust nature of gold‐rich arsenopyrite in giant gold deposits, affected by greenschist–amphibolite metamorphism, is actually critical in the preservation of those deposits.
Survival of seeds from perennial biomass species during commercial‐scale anaerobic digestion
Authors: Baute K A , Robinson D E , Van Eerd L L , Edson M , Sikkema P H , Gilroyed B H 
Published: March 2016

SummaryTall perennial grass species can be utilised as bioenergy feedstocks, but some are considered invasive species. Using biomass from such species as feedstocks for anaerobic digestion (AD) may introduce the risk of disseminating viable seeds onto agricultural lands during digestate application. To evaluate this risk, we investigated the survival rates of perennial grass seeds obtained from biomass species during AD. After removal from the digester, seeds were germinated and stained with tetrazolium chloride to determine viability. During three experimental runs, batches of 100 seeds from four species were exposed to 0, 2, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 168 h of mesophilic (38°C) AD within a commercial‐scale digester. Seed viability of Phalaris arundinacea, Phragmites australis, Panicum virgatum and Solanum lycopersicum was reduced by 95% (LT95) after 29, 52, 98 and 105 h of AD respectively. Commercial digesters that utilise perennial grasses as a feedstock typically have retention times ranging from 240 to 1480 h, which greatly exceeds the LT95 values found in this study. Anaerobic digestion resulted in the rapid death of seeds in all species tested, suggesting unwanted dissemination of perennial grass species via digestate application to agricultural land is unlikely.
First update of the International Xenotransplantation Association consensus statement on conditions for undertaking clinical trials of porcine islet products in type 1 diabetes—Chapter 2b: genetically modified source pigs
Authors: Cowan Peter J. , Ayares David , Wolf Eckhard , Cooper David K. C. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractGenetic modification of the source pig offers the opportunity to improve the engraftment and survival of islet xenografts. The type of modification can be tailored to the transplant setting; for example, intraportal islet xenografts have been shown to benefit from the expression of anticoagulant and anti‐inflammatory transgenes, whereas cytoprotective transgenes are probably more relevant for encapsulated islets. The rapid development of pig genetic engineering, particularly with the introduction of genome editing techniques such as CRISPR‐Cas, has accelerated the generation of new pig lines with multiple modifications. With pre‐clinical testing in progress, it is an opportune time to consider any implications of genetic modification for the conditions for undertaking clinical trials. Obviously, the stringent requirements to fulfill designated pathogen‐free status that are applied to wild‐type pigs will apply equally to genetically modified (GM) source pigs. In addition, it is important from a safety perspective that the genetic modifications are characterized at the molecular level (e.g., integration site, absence of off‐target mutations), the phenotypic level (e.g., durability and stability of transgene expression), and the functional level (e.g., protection of islets in vitro or in vivo, absence of detrimental effects on insulin secretion). The assessment of clinical trial protocols using GM pig islets will need to be performed on a case‐by‐case basis, taking into account a range of factors including the particular genetic modification(s) and the site and method of delivery.