bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
What are the similarities and differences in antimicrobial prescribing between Australian public and private hospitals?
Authors: Cotta M. O. , Chen C. , Tacey M. , James R. S. , Buising K. L. , Marshall C. , Thursky K. A. 
Published: August 2016

BackgroundIdentifying themes associated with inappropriate prescribing in Australian public and private hospitals will help target future antimicrobial stewardship initiatives.AimsTo describe current antimicrobial prescribing practices, identify similarities and differences between hospital sectors and provide target areas for improvement specific to each hospital sector.MethodsAll hospitals included in the study were part of the 2014 national antimicrobial prescribing survey and conducted one of the following: a whole hospital point prevalence survey, serial point prevalence surveys or a sample of randomly selected patients. Data on the types of antibiotics used, their indications for use and the quality of prescription based on compliance with national and local prescribing guidelines were collected.ResultsTwo hundred and two hospitals (166 public and 36 private) comprising 10 882 patients and 15 967 antimicrobial prescriptions were included. Public hospitals had higher proportions of prescriptions for treatment (81.5% vs 48.4%) and medical prophylaxis (8.8% and 4.6%), whilst private hospitals had significantly higher surgical prophylaxis use (9.6% vs 46.9%) (P < 0.001). In public hospitals, the main reasons for non‐compliance of treatment prescriptions were spectrum being too broad (30.5%) while in private it was incorrect dosing. Prolonged duration was the main reason for non‐compliance among surgical prophylaxis prescriptions in both types of hospitals.ConclusionsAustralian hospitals need to target specific areas to improve antimicrobial use. Specifically, unnecessary broad‐spectrum therapy should be a priority area in public hospitals, whilst emphasis on curtailing antimicrobial overuse in surgical prophylaxis needs to be urgently addressed across in the private hospital sector.
Contemporary Left-wing Populism in Latin America: Leadership, Horizontalism, and Postdemocracy in Chávez's Venezuela
Authors: Stavrakakis Yannis , Kioupkiolis Alexandros , Katsambekis Giorgos , Nikisianis Nikos , Siomos Thomas 
Published: August 2016

AbstractCritical engagement with the case ofChavismoin Venezuela can offer valuable insights for a fuller understanding of contemporary populism in Latin America. While for some scholars Chávez's populism has fostered popular empowerment, others dwell on the newly confirmed tensions between populism, liberal rights, and democratic proceduralism. This article embraces both positions but moves beyond their one-sidedness to castChavistapopulism as an inherently contradictory phenomenon that has constituted an ambivalent and transitory process in response to the gradual closure of liberal (post)democracy.Chavista“caesaro-plebeian” populism is construed as a site of tension and contention, which entails both promises and dangers for democracy. To make these points, the article draws on the discursive analysis of populism and on a new, productive shift in the study of populism in Venezuela, which pursues ethnographic field research on social movements instead of focusing exclusively on the figure of the leader.
Institutions, Civilian Resistance, and Wartime Social Order: A Process-driven Natural Experiment in the Colombian Civil War
Authors: Arjona Ana 
Published: August 2016

AbstractWhy do armed groups fighting in civil wars establish different institutions in territories where they operate? This article tests the mechanisms of a theory that posits that different forms of wartime social order are the outcome of a process in which an aspiring ruler—an armed group—expands the scope of its rule as much as possible unless civilians push back. Instead of being always at the mercy of armed actors, civilians arguably have bargaining power if they can credibly threaten combatants with collective resistance. Such resistance, in turn, is a function of the quality of preexisting local institutions. Using a process-driven natural experiment in three villages in Central Colombia, this article traces the effects of institutional quality on wartime social order.The FARC were everything in this village. They had the last wordon every single dispute among neighbors. They decided whatcould be sold at the stores, the time when we should all go home, andwho should leave the area never to come back.... They alsomanaged divorces, inheritances, and conflicts over land borders.They were the ones who ruled here, not the state.— Local leader, village of Librea, municipality of ViotáWe [the peasant leaders] are the authority here.People recognize us as such. [The FARC] could not takethat away from us. They didn’t rule us.— Local leader, village of Zama, municipality of Viotá
Quality of life and patient benefit following transition from methotrexate to ustekinumab in psoriasis
Authors: Augustin M. , Blome C. , Paul C. , Puig L. , Luger T. , Lambert J. , Chimenti S. , Girolomoni G. , Kragballe K. , Naessens D. , Bergmans P. , Smirnov P. , Barker J. , Reich K. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractBackgroundTRANSIT (NCT01059773) compared immediate and gradual transition from methotrexate to ustekinumab in psoriasis patients via multiple measures, including patient‐reported outcomes.ObjectiveTo evaluate patient perception of treatment benefits in TRANSIT.MethodsA total of 489 psoriasis patients received ustekinumab, with immediate cessation of methotrexate (Arm 1) or 4 weeks’ overlap with decreasing methotrexate dose (Arm 2). Ustekinumab was administered at weeks 0, 4, 16, 28 and 40. Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), EuroQol 5‐item (EQ‐5D), visual analogue scale (VAS) valuation technique and patient benefit index (PBI) were employed.Mean global PBI and sub‐scores were calculated from the sum of the benefit items weighted by their respective relevance at baseline. Patient‐relevant benefit was defined as PBI ≥1 (scale: 0 [no benefit] to 4 [maximum benefit]). Correlations of global PBI with Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) and DLQI were examined.ResultsRelationships between PBI and clinical data were evaluable in 340 patients. The most important treatment goals at baseline included: ‘be healed of all skin defects’, ‘have confidence in therapy’, ‘get better skin quickly’ and ‘regain control of the disease’. Benefit in PBI global score was achieved at week 4 by 93% of patients in Arm 1 and 91% in Arm 2. Global PBI scores increased in both Arms between weeks 4 and 52. Global PBI correlated weakly with PASI change from baseline (correlation coefficient range: −0.22 to −0.40), and moderately with DLQI (−0.29 to −0.54). Overall DLQI score was lower than baseline at all times; and the percentage of patients with an overall score of 0 or 1 increased with time. Correspondingly, EQ VAS scores increased with time. DLQI and EQ VAS results were similar between arms.ConclusionsRegardless of the strategy for transitioning from methotrexate, ustekinumab was associated with rapid and sustained improvement in patient‐reported outcomes. PBI appears a suitable tool for assessing patient‐relevant treatment benefits in psoriasis patients.
Merkel Cell Carcinoma: rising incidence in the East of England
Authors: Goon P.K.C. , Greenberg D.C. , Igali L. , Levell N.J. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractBackgroundMerkel Cell Carcinoma (MCC) is an infrequent but highly aggressive skin cancer. Five‐year survival rates are poor, as there are high rates of metastases at primary diagnoses. Recurrences are also common. There is controversy about actual incidence rates which vary considerably between developed countries with majority populations of fair skin types.ObjectivesWe report the age‐standardized incidence rates of MCC for both males and females from the East of England, and use linear regression analyses to estimate numbers of cases for 2020 and 2025 to aid healthcare planning and allocation of resources.MethodsAll cases of MCC diagnosed histopathologically between 1st January 2004 and 31st December 2013 were extracted from the databases of the Eastern Office, National Cancer Registration Service, Public Health England, and the Pathology department of the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, which serves as the tertiary referral centre for the region. Age‐standardization incidence rate calculations (ASIs) and linear regression analyses were performed.ResultsThe ASIs (expected cases in the standard world population) for males and females were 0.19 and 0.24 per 100 000 person‐years respectively. The total age standardised incidence rate was 0.21 per 100 000 person‐years. The ratio of female: male disease was 3:2. The total number of cases for this region over the time period studied was 73. There has been a threefold increase over this period. Estimated cases for this region are 17 in 2020, and 22 in 2025. Estimated UK cases for 2020 are 920, and 1134 in 2025.ConclusionsMCC is increasing steadily in the East of England, and has risen threefold over the last 10 years. These data are slightly higher than previous UK estimates, and may suggest that the incidence rate is also rising in other regions of the UK.
Methyl aminolevulinate photodynamic therapy for onychomycosis: a multicentre, randomized, controlled clinical trial
Authors: Gilaberte Y. , Robres M.P. , Frías M.P. , García‐Doval I. , Rezusta A. , Aspiroz C. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractBackgroundOnychomycosis is a common fungal nail infection that responds poorly to antifungals.ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy and safety of methyl aminolevulinate (MAL) photodynamic therapy (PDT) in the treatment of onychomycosis.MethodsA multicentre (3), randomized, placebo‐controlled clinical trial compared the effects of three sessions of urea (40%) plus conventional MAL‐PDT with urea (40%) plus placebo (red light) photodynamic therapy (pPDT) in onychomycosis patients. Efficacy, both clinical (onychomycosis severity index, OSI) and microbiological, was blindly evaluated after 36 weeks of follow‐up.ResultsForty patients were analysed in the trial. Twenty‐two received MAL‐PDT and 18 pPDT. A complete response (OSI = 0) was observed for four patients (18.18%) in the MAL‐PDT group and one (5.56%) in the pPDT group (NTT 7.92, 95% CI: 2.98–9.69, P = 0.23). A decrease in OSI score of over 75% (OSI75) was achieved by 40.91% of the patients in the MAL‐PDT group and 16.67% in the pPDT group (P = 0.096). Microbiological cure was achieved by seven patients (31.82%) in the MAL‐PDT group and two (11.11%) in the pPDT group (P = 0.178). MAL‐PDT resulted in better rates of clinical response [OSI >75%: 53.85% vs. 18.75% (P =0.048)] and microbiological cure [41.56% vs. 7.14% (P = 0.037)] in non‐dystrophic vs. dystrophic onychomycosis patients. No significant side‐effects were reported. The limitations of the study were the reduced sample size and the unexpected efficacy of the control treatment, which was attributed to the 40% urea pre‐treatment.ConclusionThis study did not show significant differences between urea 40% + MAL‐PDT and urea 40% + pPDT in the treatment of onychomycosis. However, some results suggest that this treatment may constitute an alternative for dermatophyte and non‐dermatophyte mould onychomycosis in patients not eligible for systemic treatment, particularly in the absence of total nail dystrophy.
Diet, bite force and skull morphology in the generalist rodent morphotype
Authors: Maestri R. , Patterson B. D. , Fornel R. , Monteiro L. R. , de Freitas T. R. O. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractFor many vertebrate species, bite force plays an important functional role. Ecological characteristics of a species' niche, such as diet, are often associated with bite force. Previous evidence suggests a biomechanical trade‐off between rodents specialized for gnawing, which feed mainly on seeds, and those specialized for chewing, which feed mainly on green vegetation. We tested the hypothesis that gnawers are stronger biters than chewers. We estimated bite force and measured skull and mandible shape and size in 63 genera of a major rodent radiation (the myomorph sigmodontines). Analysis of the influence of diet on bite force and morphology was made in a comparative framework. We then used phylogenetic path analysis to uncover the most probable causal relationships linking diet and bite force. Both granivores (gnawers) and herbivores (chewers) have a similar high bite force, leading us to reject the initial hypothesis. Path analysis reveals that bite force is more likely influenced by diet than the reverse causality. The absence of a trade‐off between herbivores and granivores may be associated with the generalist nature of the myomorph condition seen in sigmodontine rodents. Both gnawing and chewing sigmodontines exhibit similar, intermediate phenotypes, at least compared to extreme gnawers (squirrels) and chewers (chinchillas). Only insectivorous rodents appear to be moving towards a different direction in the shape space, through some notable changes in morphology. In terms of diet, natural selection alters bite force through changes in size and shape, indicating that organisms adjust their bite force in tandem with changes in food items.
Arsenic trioxide intravenous infusion combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma with pulmonary metastasis: Long‐term outcome analysis
Authors: Hu Hong Tao , Yao Quan Jun , Meng Yan Li , Li Hai Liang , Zhang Hao , Luo Jun Peng , Guo Chen Yang , Geng Xiang 
Published: August 2016

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the safety, clinical efficacy, and long‐term outcome of arsenic trioxide (As2O3) intravenous infusion for pulmonary metastases in patients with HCC.Materials and MethodsSixty consecutive patients who were diagnosed with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with pulmonary metastasis were randomized 1:1 into the treatment and control groups. Treatment group underwent transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) for the primary liver tumor and then underwent As2O3 treatment, whereas control group underwent TACE alone. The treatment group underwent a continuous 5‐h intravenous infusion of 10 mg/day As2O3. The course of As2O3 treatment was initiated 3–5 days after TACE (to allow liver and gastrointestinal function to recover) and continued for 14 consecutive days. All patients in the treatment group underwent at least four treatment courses. Response to treatment was evaluated after four treatment courses.ResultIn treatment group, two patients had a complete response (CR), six had a partial response (PR), 10 had stable disease (SD), and 12 had progressive disease. A clinically effective rate (CR + PR) was achieved in 26.7%, and the clinical benefit rate (CR + PR + SD) was 60%. In the control group, no patients had a CR or PR, five had SD, and 25 had progressive disease. The clinically effective rate was 0%, and the clinical benefit rate was 16.7%. The overall 1‐year survival was 56.7% in treatment group and 36.7% in control group. The overall 2‐year survival was 16.7% in treatment group and 3.3% in control group.ConclusionTranscatheter arterial chemoembolization plus an intravenous infusion of As2O3 effectively controlled pulmonary metastasis and prolonged overall survival in patients with HCC compared with TACE alone.
Checking up on Couples—A Meta‐Analysis of the Effect of Assessment and Feedback on Marital Functioning and Individual Mental Health in Couples
Authors: Fentz Hanne N. , Trillingsgaard Tea 
Published: August 2016

The primary aim of the current meta‐analysis was to investigate the overall effect of a relationship checkup (RC), a couple‐oriented assessment, and feedback intervention. Systematic literature searches revealed 12 eligible randomized trials published between 1995 and 2015. Results showed significant overall pre–post effect of an RC on marital functioning (Hedge's g = 0.20) and individual mental health (g = 0.44). The between‐group controlled effect size was significant at postassessment (g = 0.23) and up to six‐month follow‐up (g = 0.23). Characteristics of the RC format, therapist‐guided versus self‐directed, or the study samples, distressed versus healthy, did not moderate the overall effect of the RC. Thus, our results suggest an RC to improve couples' marital functioning up to six‐month follow‐up, while the effect on individual mental health and repeated delivery of a RC awaits further research.
Three‐dimensional bright‐field scanning transmission electron microscopy elucidate novel nanostructure in microbial biofilms
Authors: HICKEY WILLIAM J. , SHETTY AMEESHA R. , MASSEY RANDALL J. , TOSO DANIEL B. , AUSTIN JOTHAM 
Published: August 2016

SummaryBacterial biofilms play key roles in environmental and biomedical processes, and understanding their activities requires comprehension of their nanoarchitectural characteristics. Electron microscopy (EM) is an essential tool for nanostructural analysis, but conventional EM methods are limited in that they either provide topographical information alone, or are suitable for imaging only relatively thin (<300 nm) sample volumes. For biofilm investigations, these are significant restrictions. Understanding structural relations between cells requires imaging of a sample volume sufficiently large to encompass multiple cells and the capture of both external and internal details of cell structure. An emerging EM technique with such capabilities is bright‐field scanning transmission electron microscopy (BF‐STEM) and in the present report BF‐STEM was coupled with tomography to elucidate nanostructure in biofilms formed by the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon‐degrading soil bacterium, Delftia acidovorans Cs1‐4. Dual‐axis BF‐STEM enabled high‐resolution 3‐D tomographic recontructions (6–10 nm) visualization of thick (1250 and 1500 nm) sections. The 3‐D data revealed that novel extracellular structures, termed nanopods, were polymorphic and formed complex networks within cell clusters. BF‐STEM tomography enabled visualization of conduits formed by nanopods that could enable intercellular movement of outer membrane vesicles, and thereby enable direct communication between cells. This report is the first to document application of dual‐axis BF‐STEM tomography to obtain high‐resolution 3‐D images of novel nanostructures in bacterial biofilms. Future work with dual‐axis BF‐STEM tomography combined with correlative light electron microscopy may provide deeper insights into physiological functions associated with nanopods as well as other nanostructures.
Neuroticism Increases PTSD Symptom Severity by Amplifying the Emotionality, Rehearsal, and Centrality of Trauma Memories
Authors: Ogle Christin M. , Siegler Ilene C. , Beckham Jean C. , Rubin David C. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractObjectiveAlthough it is well established that neuroticism increases the risk of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), little is known about the mechanisms that promote PTSD in individuals with elevated levels of neuroticism. Across two studies, we examined the cognitive‐affective processes through which neuroticism leads to greater PTSD symptom severity.MethodCommunity‐dwelling adults with trauma histories varying widely in severity (Study 1) and clinically diagnosed individuals exposed to DSM‐IV‐TR A1 criterion traumas (Study 2) completed measures of neuroticism, negative affectivity, trauma memory characteristics, and PTSD symptom severity.ResultsLongitudinal data in Study 1 showed that individuals with higher scores on two measures of neuroticism assessed approximately three decades apart in young adulthood and midlife reported trauma memories accompanied by more intense physiological reactions, more frequent involuntary rehearsal, and greater perceived centrality to identity in older adulthood. These properties of trauma memories were in turn associated with more severe PTSD symptoms. Study 2 replicated these findings using cross‐sectional data from individuals with severe trauma histories and three additional measures of neuroticism.ConclusionsResults suggest that neuroticism leads to PTSD symptoms by magnifying the emotionality, availability, and centrality of trauma memories as proposed in mnemonic models of PTSD.
Relational Political Contribution under Common Agency
Authors: ISHIHARA AKIFUMI 
Published: August 2016

AbstractMotivated by commitment problems of contracts in lobbying, this paper studies a model of a repeated common agency where monetary transfers must be voluntary. First, we show that the optimal punishment strategy for a principal takes a two‐phase scheme, which is similar to the punishment characterized by Goldlücke and Kranz. Second, we investigate whether an outcome of standard menu auctions with binding contracts can be supported by implicit contracts. We define the environment to be more preference‐diverse if an efficient decision is less attractive to each principal. We show that the discount factor must be high to support the outcome of the standard menu auction if the environment is preference‐diversified.
Can Minimum Wages Raise Workers’ Incomes in the Long Run?
Authors: ECONOMIDES GEORGE , MOUTOS THOMAS 
Published: August 2016

AbstractUsing an intertemporal model of saving and capital accumulation with two types of agents we demonstrate that it is impossible for any binding minimum wage to increase the after‐tax incomes of workers if the production function is Cobb–Douglas with constant returns to scale, or if there are no differences in ability among workers. Moreover, it is impossible to increase the incomes of employed workers through minimum wage legislation, even under decreasing returns to scale and heterogeneity of ability among workers, unless the support provided to unemployed workers is far below what they would earn in the absence of minimum wages.
Optimal Universal and Categorical Benefit Provision with Classification Errors and Imperfect Enforcement
Authors: SLACK SEAN , ULPH DAVID 
Published: August 2016

AbstractWe determine the optimal combination of a universal benefit and categorical benefit when individuals differ in their ability to work and, if able to work, their productivity. The categorical benefit is conditioned ex ante on applicants being unable to work and ex post on recipients not working. The awards test makes Type I/II errors. If the ex post condition is (i) not enforced, the optimal categorical benefit is positive only if the awards test has discriminatory power, while maximum welfare falls with both error propensities; but if (ii) fully enforced, the optimal categorical benefit is positive always and maximum welfare can increase with the Type II error propensity.