bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Outlier Robust Small‐Area Estimation Under Spatial Correlation
Authors: Schmid Timo , Tzavidis Nikos , Münnich Ralf , Chambers Ray 
Published: February 2016

AbstractModern systems of official statistics require the estimation and publication of business statistics for disaggregated domains, for example, industry domains and geographical regions. Outlier robust methods have proven to be useful for small‐area estimation. Recently proposed outlier robust model‐based small‐area methods assume, however, uncorrelated random effects. Spatial dependencies, resulting from similar industry domains or geographic regions, often occur. In this paper, we propose an outlier robust small‐area methodology that allows for the presence of spatial correlation in the data. In particular, we present a robust predictive methodology that incorporates the potential spatial impact from other areas (domains) on the small area (domain) of interest. We further propose two parametric bootstrap methods for estimating the mean‐squared error. Simulations indicate that the proposed methodology may lead to efficiency gains. The paper concludes with an illustrative application by using business data for estimating average labour costs in Italian provinces.
Contemporary Epidemiology: A Review of Critical Discussions Within the Discipline and A Call for Further Dialogue with Social Theory
Authors: Wemrell Maria , Merlo Juan , Mulinari Shai , Hornborg Anne‐Christine 
Published: February 2016

AbstractThe discipline of epidemiology, which holds major influence on public health policy as well as on clinical medical practice, has in recent decades to a large extent been concerned with the identification of factors and markers of risk for disease. Much health information and intervention is thus informed by a wealth of studies on a variety of risk factors, of which the individual is encouraged to keep informed and to be responsible about. Meanwhile, risk factor epidemiology has been subject to intense debate, both within and outside the discipline. The following review offers an overview of critical intradisciplinary debates. It then opens discussion on three partially overlapping areas where social theory has been called upon to contribute to epidemiological inquiry, namely analysis of macro‐social determinants of health and disease, of categories of human difference and of embodiment. The review ends with, and is motivated by, a plea for further integration of and dialogue between epidemiology and social theory.
Gender and the Artist Archetype: Understanding Gender Inequality in Artistic Careers
Authors: Miller Diana L. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractWomen artists are systematically disadvantaged across cultural fields. Although some of these disadvantages resemble gender inequalities in non‐artistic work, such as lower pay, underrepresentation, work–family conflict, and symbolic devaluation, others are unique to artistic careers. In this essay, I extend Acker's work on the implicit gendering of the ideal‐typical worker to show how gender implicitly organizes social expectations around artists and artistic work. I highlight themes emerging from past research on gender relations in artistic careers, which suggest that the ideal‐typical artist builds on a masculine model in at least three ways. First, collective understandings of creative genius center a masculine subject. Second, bias in aesthetic evaluations systematically favors men over women. Third, the structure of artistic careers, particularly the need for entrepreneurial labor and self‐promotion, requires artists to engage in behaviors that are more socially acceptable in men than in women.
Abnormal findings in peers during skills learning
Authors: Wearn Andy , Nakatsuji Miriam , Bhoopatkar Harsh 
Published: February 2016

SummaryBackgroundPeer physical examination (PPE), where students examine each other, is common in contemporary clinical skills learning. A range of benefits and risks have been explored in the literature. One persistent concern has been the identification and management of abnormal physical findings. Two previous studies have attempted to quantify the risk, one through the discussion of two exemplar cases and the other with a retrospective student survey.MethodsHere, we report the first prospective study of the number and type of abnormalities encountered as part of early clinical skills learning in a medical programme. We have a formal written consent process for PPE, which includes the management of abnormal findings through the completion of an event form. Our data come from cohorts undertaking years 2 and 3 of the programme between 2003 and 2014.One persistent concern (of PPE) has been the identification and management of abnormal physical findingsResultsNineteen event forms were completed over this period. The incidence rates per year ranged from 0.23 to 1.05 per cent. Abnormal findings included raised blood pressure, heart murmur, abnormal bedside test values, and eye and skin conditions.DiscussionThe low event rate, along with a feasible process for dealing with this issue, goes some way to reassuring those with concerns. We acknowledge that some abnormalities may have been missed, and that some data may have been lost as a result of incorrect process; however, even the highest annual rate is low in absolute terms. We recommend a formal process for managing abnormalities. Ideally this would be part of an overall PPE written policy, communicated to students, enacted by tutors and approved by the local ethics committee.
Virology, serology, and demography of hepatitis E viremic blood donors in South East England
Authors: Tedder Richard S. , Tettmar Kate I. , Brailsford Su R. , Said Bengu , Ushiro‐Lumb Ines , Kitchen Alan , Morgan Dilys , Lattimore Sam , Tossell Joanne , Ijaz Samreen , Hewitt Patricia E. 
Published: February 2016

BACKGROUNDHepatitis E virus (HEV) Genotype 3 (G3) in England comprises two principal phylogenetic groups (Group 1 and Group 2) and can be transmitted by transfusion. Unselected screening identified 79 viremic donors; 76 participated in a follow‐up study.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSViral RNA dynamics, phylogenetics, and seroconversion were characterized in the donors. Detailed demographic, travel, clinical, and lifestyle questionnaires were undertaken.RESULTSThe majority of viremic individuals (57/79) were seronegative at time of donation but all seroconverted. Viremia was short‐lived, with a median of 6.5 weeks to confirmed viral clearance. All infections were acquired in the United Kingdom and were G3, with Group 2 viruses predominating (43/54; 80%). Infection was associated with some clinical symptoms both at and after donation (8/77; 10%). Viral loads and symptoms were more pronounced in Group 1 infections. There was no serologic evidence of reinfection. Donors were more commonly male (p = 0.002); both male and female donors were older than comparator donors. Animal contact was unlikely to be the source of infection. Consumption of chicken and pig meat was common to all infected donors; processed pig meat was most commonly purchased from one particular retail chain.CONCLUSIONViremic donors represent primary infection in older members of the community and reflect a widespread zoonotic in the United Kingdom. The two phylogenetic groups of HEV G3 display different pathogenicity and the more common Group 2 appears less adapted to humans. There are no objective demographic criteria that can identify donors at enhanced HEV risk.
Psychometric Properties of the Slovak and Czech Versions of the Evidence‐Based Practice Beliefs and Implementation Scales
Authors: Zeleníková Renáta , Gurková Elena , Žiaková Katarína , Tomagová Martina , Jarošová Darja , Fineout‐Overholt Ellen 
Published: February 2016

ABSTRACTBackgroundThe Evidence‐Based Practice Beliefs (EBP‐B) and Evidence‐Based Practice Implementation (EBP‐I) scales are psychometrically sound instruments that were used, within an educational setting, to systematically study students’ beliefs about and their implementation of evidence‐based practice (EBP). Czech and Slovak versions of these instruments were developed and evaluated using a sample population of nursing students.PurposeThe purpose of the study was to test the psychometric properties of the Czech and Slovak versions of the EBP‐B and EBP‐I scales.MethodsPsychometric properties were evaluated using a sample of undergraduate and graduate (nearly graduated) nursing students (n= 223) completing EBP courses. To test psychometric properties of the questionnaire, its reliability and validity were explored. Cronbach´s alpha was computed to evaluate internal structure and internal consistency.ResultsThe Slovak versions of both the EBP‐B and the EBP‐I scale have good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha: .82 and .94, respectively). Similarly, the Czech versions of the EBP‐B and the EBP‐I scales both have good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha: .85 and .89, respectively).Linking Evidence to ActionThe results of psychometric analysis of the Czech and Slovak versions of the EBP‐B and the EBP‐I scales are consistent with the results of the original study and indicate that the Czech and Slovak versions have the potential to be valid, reliable, and sensitive instruments for measuring an individual's beliefs about the value of EBP and their ability to implement it. Both instruments can be used to assess changes in nurses´ beliefs about EBP over time as well as the effectiveness of strategies aimed at promoting the use of evidence in practice.
Calcifying tendinitis of the shoulder: arthroscopic needling versus complete calcium removal and rotator cuff repair. A prospective comparative study
Authors: Castagna Alessandro , De Giorgi Silvana , Garofalo Raffaele , Conti Marco , Tafuri Silvio , Moretti Biagio 
Published: February 2016

Purpose: the aim of the present study was to verify the differences in the clinical outcomes of two arthroscopic techniques used to treat calcifying tendinitis of the shoulder: needling versus complete removal of the calcium deposit and tendon repair.
Methods: from September 2010 to September 2012, 40 patients with calcifying tendinitis of the rotator cuff were arthroscopically treated by the same surgeon using one of the two following techniques: needling (Group 1) and complete removal of the calcium deposit and tendon repair with suture anchors (Group 2). Both groups followed the same rehabilitation program. The two groups were compared at 6 and 12 months of follow-up for the presence of residual calcifications and for the following clinical outcomes: Constant score, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Evaluation Form (ASES) shoulder score, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) shoulder rating scale, Simple Shoulder Test (SST) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS).
Results: all the clinical scores (Constant, ASES, UCLA, SST and VAS scores) improved significantly between baseline and postoperative follow-up, both at 6 and at 12 months. no differences at final follow-up were found between the two groups.
Conclusions: both the techniques were effective in solving the symptoms of calcifying tendinitis of the shoulder. Clinical scores improved in both groups. Residual calcifications were found in only a few cases and were always less than 10 mm.
Level of evidence:Level II, prospective comparative study.
Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and rehabilitation: predictors of functional outcome
Authors: Della Villa Francesco , Ricci Margherita , Perdisa Francesco , Filardo Giuseppe , Gamberini Jacopo , Caminati Daniele , Della Villa Stefano 
Published: February 2016

Surgical reconstruction of an injured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) leads to full recovery of function and sports activity in a high percentage of cases. The aim of the present study was to analyze variables related to the patient, the surgical technique and the post-surgical rehabilitation methods, seeking to identify predictors of outcome and recovery time after ACL reconstruction.One hundred and four patients (81 M, 23 F) undergoing a step-based rehabilitation protocol after ACL reconstruction were evaluated. 43.2% of them had an isolated ACL lesion, whereas 56.8% had one or more concurrent injuries. Data relating to personal characteristics, surgery and post-operative management were collected and analyzed for correlation. Clinical outcome was evaluated with IKDC subjective score and the Tegner score, and the time to reach full recovery was noted as well.Young patients with a higher pre-injury Tegner activity level or who practice sport at professional level, no concurrent capsular lesions and no postoperative knee bracing had better clinical results and took shorter time to recover. Also, a higher percentage of on-thefield rehabilitation sessions, and absence of significant muscle strength deficits at the first knee isokinetic test emerged as rehabilitation-related factors leading to a better post-surgical outcome.Personal, surgical and rehabilitation factors should be considered in order to optimize patient management and maximize the expected results. Further studies are needed to find the strongest factors in different patients.
Level of evidence: Level IV, retrospective study.
Two Modes of the Axonal Interferon Response Limit Alphaherpesvirus Neuroinvasion
Authors: Song Ren , Koyuncu Orkide O. , Greco Todd M. , Diner Benjamin A. , Cristea Ileana M. , Enquist Lynn W. 
Published: February 2016

ABSTRACT
Infection by alphaherpesviruses, including herpes simplex virus (HSV) and pseudorabies virus (PRV), typically begins at epithelial surfaces and continues into the peripheral nervous system (PNS). Inflammatory responses are induced at the infected peripheral site prior to invasion of the PNS. When the peripheral tissue is first infected, only the innervating axons are exposed to this inflammatory milieu, which includes the interferons (IFNs). The fundamental question is how do PNS cell bodies respond to these distant, potentially damaging events experienced by axons. Using compartmented cultures that physically separate neuron axons from cell bodies, we found that pretreating isolated axons with beta interferon (IFN-β) or gamma interferon (IFN-γ) significantly diminished the number of herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) and PRV particles moving in axons toward the cell bodies in a receptor-dependent manner. Exposing axons to IFN-β induced STAT1 phosphorylation (p-STAT1) only in axons, while exposure of axons to IFN-γ induced p-STAT1 accumulation in distant cell body nuclei. Blocking transcription in cell bodies eliminated antiviral effects induced by IFN-γ, but not those induced by IFN-β. Proteomic analysis of IFN-β- or IFN-γ-treated axons identified several differentially regulated proteins. Therefore, unlike treatment with IFN-γ, IFN-β induces a noncanonical, local antiviral response in axons. The activation of a local IFN response in axons represents a new paradigm for cytokine control of neuroinvasion.

IMPORTANCE
Neurons are highly polarized cells with long axonal processes that connect to distant targets. PNS axons that innervate peripheral tissues are exposed to various situations that follow infection, inflammation, and damage of the tissue. After viral infection in the periphery, axons represent potential front-line barriers to PNS infection and damage. Indeed, most viral infections do not spread to the PNS, yet the mechanisms responsible are not well studied. We devised an experimental system to study how axons respond to inflammatory cytokines that would be produced by infected tissues. We found that axons respond differentially to type I and type II interferons. The response to type I interferon (IFN-β) is a rapid axon-only response. The response to type II interferon (IFN-γ) involves long-distance signaling to the PNS cell body. These responses to two interferons erect an efficient and rapid barrier to PNS infection.
Will Regulatory and Financial Considerations Dampen Innovation in the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory?
Authors: Gilligan Peter H. , Miller Melissa B. 
Published: February 2016

ABSTRACT
Over a million prosthetic joints are placed in patients in the United States annually. Of those that fail, 25% will be due to infection, with an estimated cost approaching 1 billion dollars. Despite the clinical and economic importance of these infections, the techniques for their detection are relatively insensitive. An innovative method for detecting these infections by using blood culture bottles (BCB) to culture specimens of periprosthetic tissue (PPT) was described in a recent article [T. N. Peel, et al., mBio 7(1):e01776-15, 2016, doi:10.1128/mBio.01776-15]. There are two potential stumbling blocks to the widespread implementation of this innovation. First, the FDA judges such an application of BCB as an “off-label use” and as such, a laboratory-developed test (LDT). LDTs are coming under greater scrutiny by the FDA and may require extensive, costly validation studies in laboratories that adopt this methodology. Second, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services has established a Hospital Acquired Condition Reduction Act under which institutions performing in the lowest quartile forfeit 1% of their Medicare reimbursement. Hospital-acquired infections are an important component of this quality metric. Although prosthetic joint infection (PJI) rates are not currently a hospital quality metric, given their cost and increasing frequency, it is reasonable to expect that they may become one. Will those with financial oversight allow an innovative technique that will require an expensive validation and may put the institution at risk for loss of CMS reimbursement?
Preclinical Efficacy of Clumping Factor A in Prevention of Staphylococcus aureus Infection
Authors: Li Xue , Wang Xiaogang , Thompson Christopher D. , Park Saeyoung , Park Wan Beom , Lee Jean C. 
Published: February 2016

ABSTRACT

Treatment of
Staphylococcus aureus
infections has become increasingly difficult because of the emergence of multidrug-resistant isolates. Development of a vaccine to prevent staphylococcal infections remains a priority. To determine whether clumping factor A (ClfA) is a good target protein for inclusion in a multivalent vaccine, we evaluated its efficacy in a variety of relevant staphylococcal infection models, challenging with different
S. aureus
strains. ClfA adsorbed to Alhydrogel and mixed with Sigma Adjuvant System was more immunogenic and stimulated a more robust Th17 response than ClfA administered with alum alone. ClfA immunization induced the production of functional antibodies in rabbits and mice that blocked
S. aureus
binding to fibrinogen and were opsonic for
S. aureus
strains that produced little or no capsular polysaccharide. Mice immunized with ClfA showed a modest reduction in the bacterial burden recovered from subcutaneous abscesses provoked by
S. aureus
USA300 strain LAC. In addition, the ClfA vaccine reduced lethality in a sepsis model following challenge with strain Newman, but not ST80. Vaccination with ClfA did not protect against surgical wound infection, renal abscess formation, or bacteremia. Passive immunization with antibodies to ClfA did not protect against staphylococcal bacteremia in mice or catheter-induced endocarditis in rats. Some enhancement of bacteremia was observed by ClfA immunization or passive administration of ClfA antibodies when mice were challenged by the intraperitoneal route. Although rodent models of staphylococcal infection have their limitations, our data do not support the inclusion of ClfA in an
S. aureus
multivalent vaccine.

IMPORTANCE
Antibiotics are often ineffective in eradicating
Staphylococcus aureus
infections, and thus, a preventative vaccine is sorely needed. Two single-component vaccines and two immunoglobulin preparations failed to meet their designated endpoints in phase III clinical trials. Importantly, recipients of an
S. aureus
surface protein (iron surface determinant B) vaccine who developed a staphylococcal infection experienced a higher rate of multiorgan failure and mortality than placebo controls, raising safety concerns. Multicomponent
S. aureus
vaccines have now been generated, and several include surface protein clumping factor A (ClfA). We immunized mice with ClfA and generated a robust T cell response and serum antibodies that were functional
in vitro
. Nonetheless, ClfA was not protective in a number of relevant animal models of
S. aureus
infection, and high levels of ClfA antibodies enhanced bacteremia when mice were challenged with community-acquired methicillin-resistant
S. aureus
strains. Evidence supporting ClfA as a vaccine component is lacking.
Evaluation of the feasibility and acceptability of the ‘Care for Stroke’ intervention in India, a smartphone-enabled, carer-supported, educational intervention for management of disability following stroke
Authors: Sureshkumar K , Murthy GVS , Natarajan S , Naveen C , Goenka S , Kuper H 
Published: February 2016

Objectives(1) To identify operational issues encountered by study participants in using the ‘Care for Stroke’ intervention; (2) to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention.DesignMixed-methods research design.SettingParticipant's home. Participants were selected from a tertiary hospital in Chennai, South India.ParticipantsSixty stroke survivors treated and discharged from the hospital, and their caregivers.Intervention‘Care for Stroke’ is a smartphone-enabled, educational intervention for management of physical disabilities following stroke. It is delivered through a web-based, smartphone-enabled application. It includes inputs from stroke rehabilitation experts in a digitised format.MethodsEvaluation of the intervention was completed in two phases. In the first phase, the preliminary intervention was field-tested with 30 stroke survivors for 2 weeks. In the second phase, the finalised intervention was provided to a further 30 stroke survivors to be used in their homes with support from their carers for 4 weeks.Primary and secondary outcome measuresPrimary outcomes: (1) operational difficulties in using the intervention; (2) feasibility and acceptability of the intervention in an Indian setting. Disability and dependency were assessed as secondary outcomes.ResultsField-testing identified operational difficulties related to connectivity, video-streaming, picture clarity, quality of videos, and functionality of the application. The intervention was reviewed, revised and finalised before pilot-testing. Findings from the pilot-testing showed that the ‘Care for Stroke’ intervention was feasible and acceptable. Over 90% (n=27) of the study participants felt that the intervention was relevant, comprehensible and useful. Over 96% (n=29) of the stroke survivors and all the caregivers (100%, n=30) rated the intervention as excellent and very useful. These findings were supported by qualitative interviews.ConclusionsEvaluation indicated that the ‘Care for Stroke’ intervention was feasible and acceptable in an Indian context. An assessment of effectiveness is now warranted.