bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reflections on Agricultural R&D, Productivity, and the Data Constraint: Unfinished Business, Unsettled Issues
Authors: Alston Julian M 
Published: December 2017

AbstractSixty years ago, T.W. Schultz introduced the idea of the productivity “residual” to agricultural economics (1956). Schultz's main message was that growth in conventional inputs accounted for little of the observed growth in agricultural output, and that there was work to be done by agricultural economists to understand and ultimately eliminate this unexplained residual called “productivity.” Thus was launched the economics of agricultural productivity as a sub‐field within agricultural economics, along with the economics of agricultural R&D and innovation and related government policy. Much progress has been made in the decades since. Still, critical issues remain unresolved. This matters because agricultural innovation and productivity matter, and so do the related policies that rest to some extent on our established understanding of the economic relationships. In this paper I review some unsettled issues related to economic models and measures applied to agricultural R&D and productivity, and some unfinished business in terms of economic and policy questions that are not yet well answered. Before doing that, I present some evidence on agricultural productivity and why it matters. Next, with a nod to “factology,” I present available productivity measures from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and International Science and Technology Practice and Policy (InSTePP) Center, and compare them in the context of translog cost function models. In subsequent sections I use these and other data to develop new evidence related to two contentious questions: (a) Do farmers benefit from public agricultural R&D? (b) Has U.S. agricultural productivity growth slowed in recent decades? The answers are revealed within.
Role of yes-associated protein 1, angiomotin, and mitogen-activated kinase kinase 1/2 in development of the bovine blastocyst†
Authors: Negrón-Pérez Verónica M , Hansen Peter J 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe morula-stage embryo is transformed into a blastocyst composed of epiblast, hypoblast, and trophectoderm (TE) through mechanisms that, in the mouse, involve the Hippo signaling and mitogen-activated kinase (MAPK) pathways. Using the cow as an additional model, we tested the hypotheses that TE and hypoblast differentiation were regulated by the Hippo pathway regulators, yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) and angiomotin (AMOT), and MAPK kinase 1/2 (MAPK1/2). The presence of YAP1 and CDX2 in the nucleus and cytoplasm of MII oocytes and embryos was evaluated by immunofluorescence labeling. For both molecules, localization changed from cytoplasmic to nuclear as development advanced. Inhibition of YAP1 activity, either by verteporfin or a YAP1 targeting GapmeR, reduced the percent of zygotes that became blastocysts, the proportion of blastocysts that hatched and numbers of CDX2+ cells in blastocysts. Moreover, the YAP1-targeting GapmeR altered expression of 15 of 91 genes examined in the day 7.5 blastocyst. Treatment of embryos with an AMOT targeting GapmeR did not affect blastocyst development or hatching but altered expression of 16 of 91 genes examined at day 7.5 and reduced the number of CDX2+ nuclei and YAP1+ nuclei in blastocysts at day 8.5 of development. Inhibition of MAPK1/2 with PD0325901 did not affect blastocyst development but increased the number of epiblast cells. Results indicate a role for YAP1 and AMOT in function of TE in the bovine blastocyst. YAP1 can also affect function of the epiblast and hypoblast, and MAPK signaling is important for inner cell mass differentiation by reducing epiblast numbers.
The intriguing evolution of effect sizes in biomedical research over time: smaller but more often statistically significant
Authors: Monsarrat Paul , Vergnes Jean-Noel 
Published: December 2017

Abstract

Background
In medicine, effect sizes (ESs) allow the effects of independent variables (including risk/protective factors or treatment interventions) on dependent variables (e.g., health outcomes) to be quantified. Given that many public health decisions and health care policies are based on ES estimates, it is important to assess how ESs are used in the biomedical literature and to investigate potential trends in their reporting over time.

Results
Through a big data approach, the text mining process automatically extracted 814 120 ESs from 13 322 754 PubMed abstracts. Eligible ESs were risk ratio, odds ratio, and hazard ratio, along with their confidence intervals. Here we show a remarkable decrease of ES values in PubMed abstracts between 1990 and 2015 while, concomitantly, results become more often statistically significant. Medians of ES values have decreased over time for both “risk” and “protective” values. This trend was found in nearly all fields of biomedical research, with the most marked downward tendency in genetics. Over the same period, the proportion of statistically significant ESs increased regularly: among the abstracts with at least 1 ES, 74% were statistically significant in 1990–1995, vs 85% in 2010–2015.

Conclusions
whereas decreasing ESs could be an intrinsic evolution in biomedical research, the concomitant increase of statistically significant results is more intriguing. Although it is likely that growing sample sizes in biomedical research could explain these results, another explanation may lie in the “publish or perish” context of scientific research, with the probability of a growing orientation toward sensationalism in research reports. Important provisions must be made to improve the credibility of biomedical research and limit waste of resources.
When Being in a Positive Mood Increases Choice Deferral
Authors: Etkin Jordan , Ghosh Anastasiya Pocheptsova 
Published: December 2017

AbstractConsumers’ choices are often accompanied by unrelated incidental moods. The positive mood caused by receiving a compliment, for example, may persist when one is choosing what service to book or which product to buy. How might being in a positive mood affect consumers’ subsequent, unrelated choices? The present research demonstrates that being in a positive mood can make consumers more likely to defer choice. Four studies show that when choosing requires trade-offs between important choice attributes, being in a positive (vs. neutral) mood makes choosing more difficult and therefore increases the likelihood of deferring choice altogether. The findings further understanding of how incidental factors shape choice processes and outcomes and the role of emotions in decision making.
The Effect of Shorter Treatment Regimens for Hepatitis C on Population Health and Under Fixed Budgets
Authors: Morgan Jake R , Kim Arthur Y , Naggie Susanna , Linas Benjamin P 
Published: December 2017

Abstract

Background
Direct acting antiviral hepatitis C virus (HCV) therapies are highly effective but costly. Wider adoption of an 8-week ledipasvir/sofosbuvir treatment regimen could result in significant savings, but may be less efficacious compared with a 12-week regimen. We evaluated outcomes under a constrained budget and cost-effectiveness of 8 vs 12 weeks of therapy in treatment-naïve, noncirrhotic, genotype 1 HCV-infected black and nonblack individuals and considered scenarios of IL28B and NS5A resistance testing to determine treatment duration in sensitivity analyses.

Methods
We developed a decision tree to use in conjunction with Monte Carlo simulation to investigate the cost-effectiveness of recommended treatment durations and the population health effect of these strategies given a constrained budget. Outcomes included the total number of individuals treated and attaining sustained virologic response (SVR) given a constrained budget and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios.

Results
We found that treating eligible (treatment-naïve, noncirrhotic, HCV-RNA &lt;6 million copies) individuals with 8 weeks rather than 12 weeks of therapy was cost-effective and allowed for 50% more individuals to attain SVR given a constrained budget among both black and nonblack individuals, and our results suggested that NS5A resistance testing is cost-effective.

Conclusions
Eight-week therapy provides good value, and wider adoption of shorter treatment could allow more individuals to attain SVR on the population level given a constrained budget. This analysis provides an evidence base to justify movement of the 8-week regimen to the preferred regimen list for appropriate patients in the HCV treatment guidelines and suggests expanding that recommendation to black patients in settings where cost and relapse trade-offs are considered.
Long-Term Neurological and Radiological Results of Consecutive 63 Unruptured Anterior Communicating Artery Aneurysms Clipped via Lateral Supraorbital Keyhole Minicraniotomy
Authors: Mori Kentaro , Wada Kojiro , Otani Naoki , Tomiyama Arata , Toyooka Terushige , Tomura Satoshi , Takeuchi Satoru , Yamamoto Takuji , Nakao Yasuaki , Arai Hajime 
Published: December 2017

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Treatments for unruptured anterior communicating artery (AcomA) aneurysm have relatively high morbidity.

OBJECTIVE
To assess the lateral supraorbital keyhole approach for safe and complete clipping of unruptured AcomA aneurysm and evaluate the long-term clinical and radiological outcomes, including cognitive and depressive status.

METHODS
A total of 63 patients (aged 41-79 yr, mean 64 yr) with relatively small AcomA aneurysms clipped via the lateral supraorbital approach were retrospectively analyzed among the 105 AcomA aneurysms treated by clipping from 2005 to 2014. Neurological and cognitive functions were examined by several scales, including the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and Mini-Mental Status Examination. The depressive state was assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory and Hamilton Depression Scale. The state of clipping was assessed 1 yr and then every few years after the operation by 3-dimensional computed tomography angiography.

RESULTS
Complete neck clipping was confirmed in 62 aneurysms (98.4%). Perioperative complications occurred in 5 patients (5/63; mild frontalis muscle weakness in 3, anosmia in 1, and meningitis in 1). The mean clinical follow-up period was 5.2 ± 2.1 yr. No patient showed an mRS score more than 2 and all were completely independent in daily life. The depression scores were significantly improved after surgery. The overall mortality was 0% and overall morbidity (mRS score > 2 or Mini-Mental Status Examination score < 24) was 1.6%. All completely clipped aneurysms did not show any recurrence during the mean follow-up period of 4.9 ± 2.1 yr.

CONCLUSION
Lateral supraorbital keyhole approach to clip relatively small unruptured AcomA aneurysm promises less invasive and durable treatment.
Management of Complex Epithelial Ingrowth After Laser In Situ Keratomileusis Using Fibrin Tissue Glue
Authors: Chen Lisa Y. , Kung Jennifer S. , Manche Edward E. 
Published: December 2017

Objectives:
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of adjunctive fibrin tissue glue in the treatment of complex epithelial ingrowth after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK).

Methods:
A retrospective review was performed of 12 eyes in 12 patients treated for clinically significant epithelial ingrowth after LASIK with mechanical debridement of the ingrowth and placement of fibrin tissue glue. Primary outcome measurements including recurrence of ingrowth, visual acuity, and manifest refraction were evaluated at each postoperative examination. Changes in higher-order aberrometry were also evaluated.

Results:
After epithelial ingrowth removal with adjunctive fibrin tissue glue, 11 eyes (91.7%) had no recurrence of ingrowth at the final follow-up examination. Uncorrected distance visual acuity changed from 20/20 or better in 3 eyes (25%) and 20/40 or better in 6 eyes (50%) preoperatively to 20/20 or better in 5 eyes (41.7%) and 20/40 or better in 10 eyes (83.3%) postoperatively. Nine eyes (75%) gained one or more lines of best-corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA). No eyes lost any lines of CDVA. There was no significant change in mean spherical equivalent (P=0.22) or mean cylinder (P=0.26) before and after surgery. Higher-order aberrations also remained stable with no significant change in root-mean-square error, coma, trefoil, and spherical aberration. There were no complications associated with the treatment.

Conclusions:
Adjunctive fibrin tissue glue seems to be a safe and effective treatment for epithelial ingrowth after LASIK. This therapy may be particularly useful in managing challenging cases of complex or recalcitrant ingrowth.
Orthokeratology and Contact Lens Quality of Life Questionnaire (OCL-QoL)
Authors: McAlinden Colm , Lipson Michael 
Published: December 2017

Objectives:
To develop a quality of life (QoL) instrument for patients fitted with Orthokeratology (OrthoK) and other modalities of contact lenses.

Methods:
A 45-item pilot questionnaire was developed from an extensive literature review, focus groups, and interviews. Subsequently, 234 participants fitted with contact lenses (OrthoK, soft lenses, and gas permeable lenses) or spectacles completed the pilot questionnaire. Rasch analysis was used to assess the psychometric properties in terms of person separation, item fit statistics, category threshold ordering, differential item functioning (DIF), and targeting. A subset of participants completed the final questionnaire twice (1 week apart) and the repeatability assessed (within-subject standard deviation). The Spearman rank–order correlation coefficient between the questionnaire score and binocular visual acuity was calculated to assess construct validity.

Results:
Inspection of category probability curves suggested that one category was underused and the response options were collapsed. Furthermore, Rasch analyses indicated 22 items misfitted the model and were removed. The final questionnaire contained 23 items with a person separation of 2.18, item fit statistics within the range 0.83 to 1.15, targeting 1.05 logits, and no significant DIF (<0.8 logits). The repeatability (S

r
) was 4.21 and there was no correlation between questionnaire scores and binocular visual acuity (r

s
=0.03, P=0.65).

Conclusions:
The Orthokeratology and Contact Lens Quality of Life Questionnaire demonstrated excellent psychometric properties and is capable of measuring vision-related QoL in patients fitted with various forms of contact lenses including OrthoK lenses. The tool is scored on a 0 to 100 interval level scale with higher scores indicating better QoL.
What Is the Sensitive Period to Initiate Auditory Stimulation for the Second Ear in Sequential Cochlear Implantation?
Authors: Park Hong Ju , Lee Jee Yeon , Yang Chan Joo , Park Jun Woo , Kang Byung Chul , Kang Woo Seok , Ahn Joong Ho , Chung Jong Woo 
Published: December 2017

Objectives:
Bilateral cochlear implants (CI) are the standard treatment for bilaterally deaf children, but it is unclear how much the second CI can be delayed in sequential bilateral CI. We investigated the performances of sequential CI to answer this question.

Study Design:
Retrospective case series review.

Setting:
Tertiary referral center.

Methods:
We studied a cohort of congenitally deaf children (n = 73) who underwent sequential CI without any inner ear anomaly or combined disabilities. Hearing threshold levels and speech perception were evaluated by aided pure tone audiometry and Asan-Samsung Korean word recognition test. The scores were analyzed by the ages at surgery and compared among the different age groups.

Results:
When the second CI was performed before 3.5 years (the optimal period for the first CI), the second CI scores (96.9%) were comparable to the first CI scores. Although the first CI scores were more than or equal to 80% when the first CI was implanted before the age of 7 years, the second CI scores were more than or equal to 80% when the second CI was implanted before the age of 12 to 13 years. The hearing threshold levels were not different regardless of the ages and between the first and second CIs.

Conclusion:
Our cohort demonstrated that the second CI showed comparable results to the first CI when implanted before 3.5 years, suggesting that optimal periods for the first CI and the second CI are same. However, the sensitive period (12–13 yr) for the second CI with good scores (≥80%) was much longer than that (7 yr) of the first CI, suggesting that the first CI prolongs the sensitive period for the second CI. The second CI should be implanted early, but considered even at a later age.
Associations Between Medicare Part D and Out-of-Pocket Spending, HIV Viral Load, Adherence, and ADAP Use in Dual Eligibles With HIV
Authors: Belenky Nadya , Pence Brian W. , Cole Stephen R. , Dusetzina Stacie B. , Edmonds Andrew , Oberlander Jonathan , Plankey Michael W. , Adedimeji Adebola , Wilson Tracey E. , Cohen Jennifer , Cohen Mardge H. , Milam Joel E. , Golub Elizabeth T. , Adimora Adaora A. 
Published: December 2017

Background:
The implementation of Medicare part D on January 1, 2006 required all adults who were dually enrolled in Medicaid and Medicare (dual eligibles) to transition prescription drug coverage from Medicaid to Medicare part D. Changes in payment systems and utilization management along with the loss of Medicaid protections had the potential to disrupt medication access, with uncertain consequences for dual eligibles with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) who rely on consistent prescription coverage to suppress their HIV viral load (VL).

Objective:
To estimate the effect of Medicare part D on self-reported out-of-pocket prescription drug spending, AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) use, antiretroviral adherence, and HIV VL suppression among dual eligibles with HIV.

Methods:
Using 2003–2008 data from the Women’s Interagency HIV Study, we created a propensity score–matched cohort and used a difference-in-differences approach to compare dual eligibles’ outcomes pre-Medicare and post-Medicare part D to those enrolled in Medicaid alone.

Results:
Transition to Medicare part D was associated with a sharp increase in the proportion of dual eligibles with self-reported out-of-pocket prescription drug costs, followed by an increase in ADAP use. Despite the increase in out-of-pocket costs, both adherence and HIV VL suppression remained stable.

Conclusions:
Medicare part D was associated with increased out-of-pocket spending, although the increased spending did not seem to compromise antiretroviral therapy adherence or HIV VL suppression. It is possible that increased ADAP use mitigated the increase in out-of-pocket spending, suggesting successful coordination between Medicare part D and ADAP as well as the vital role of ADAP during insurance transitions.
Intraoral Pleomorphic Adenoma in Young Patients
Authors: Alves Violante Lina Assunção , Pérez-de-Oliveira Maria Eduarda , de Castro Jurema Freire Lisboa , Vieira Camila Lins , Leão Jair Carneiro , Perez Danyel Elias da Cruz 
Published: December 2017

Background:
Intraoral pleomorphic adenoma (PA) is rare in young individuals, with only single clinical reports or small patient series reported previously.

Aim:
The aim of this study was to describe the clinicopathological features of PA in 4 patients under 18 years of age, and to discuss the differential diagnosis of pediatric patients presenting with intraoral submucosal nodules.

Methods:
Between 2000 and 2015, all patients of intraoral PA in patients aged ≤18 years diagnosed in the Oral Pathology Laboratory of the Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Brazil, were retrieved for the study. Clinical data were recorded from the clinical charts. Histopathological slides stained with hematoxylin and eosin were reviewed to confirm the diagnosis.

Results:
There were 4 cases of PA in patients aged ≤18 years. All patients in this patient series were males, with a mean age of 16.7 years. Three cases occurred in the palate, and in 1 case, the upper lip was affected. All PAs appeared as a painless, smooth surface, well-circumscribed, and submucosal nodule. All patients were surgically excised and subsequent histopathological analysis revealed well-circumscribed tumors composed of cells that were arranged in ducts within a fibromyxoid stroma. No signs of recurrence were observed in 3 patients after a mean follow-up of 30 months. One patient is lost to follow-up.

Conclusion:
Although PAs are unusual in young patients, they should be considered in the differential diagnosis of oral submucosal nodules.
Climatic influence on the anthrax niche in warming northern latitudes
Authors: Walsh Michael G. , de Smalen Allard W. , Mor Siobhan M. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractClimate change is impacting ecosystem structure and function, with potentially drastic downstream effects on human and animal health. Emerging zoonotic diseases are expected to be particularly vulnerable to climate and biodiversity disturbance. Anthrax is an archetypal zoonosis that manifests its most significant burden on vulnerable pastoralist communities. The current study sought to investigate the influence of temperature increases on the landscape suitability of anthrax in the temperate, boreal, and arctic North, where observed climate impact has been rapid. This study also explored the influence of climate relative to more traditional factors, such as livestock distribution, ungulate biodiversity, and soil-water balance, in demarcating high risk landscapes. Machine learning was used to model landscape suitability as the ecological niche of anthrax in northern latitudes. The model identified climate, livestock density and wild ungulate species richness as the most influential landscape features in predicting suitability. These findings highlight the significance of warming temperatures for anthrax ecology in northern latitudes, and suggest potential mitigating effects of interventions targeting megafauna biodiversity conservation in grassland ecosystems, and animal health promotion among small to midsize livestock herds.Significance StatementWe present evidence that a warming climate may be associated with the current distribution of anthrax risk in the temperate, boreal, and arctic North. Moreover, projected warming over the coming decades was associated with substantive expansion of this risk. In addition, livestock distribution, ungulate biodiversity, and soil-water balance were also influential to anthrax risk. While these results are sobering for the future health of livestock and pastoralist communities in the northern latitudes, the coincident modulating effect of ungulate biodiversity may suggest targeted ecosystem conservation as a possible buffer against a growing anthrax niche.