bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Economics as energy framework: Complexity, turbulence, financial crises, and protectionism
Authors: Rutledge John 
Published: March 2015

AbstractThis paper presents a framework for thinking about economic growth, trade, and capital flows viewed as transformations of current and vintage solar energy, stored in the form of natural resources, human capital, physical capital and technology described by the laws of thermodynamics. Recent developments in nonequilibrium thermodynamics (NET) show how efficient global capital markets and high‐speed communications networks accelerate energy flow and growth but also create turbulence, financial crisis, protectionism and conflict. The paper discusses the role that NET can play in helping us understand stock market bubbles and financial crises.
Modeling fund and portfolio risk: A bi‐modal approach to analyzing risk in turbulent markets
Authors: Karagiannidis Iordanis , Sykes Wilford D. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractFollowing the financial crisis of 2008, it has been argued that Value at Risk (VaR), and risk analysis in general, failed to alert risk managers of the turbulence on the horizon. This is a misguided view that should not have come as a surprise because many widely circulated academic papers and discussions suggested, well before the crisis, that simple VaR results could easily be misinterpreted if the circumstances for its proper use are not fully understood. This paper addresses some ways in which VaR concepts may be applied more effectively. Non‐standard Monte Carlo simulations are utilized. Whereas standard mean–variance defined methodologies using Monte Carlo analysis may not capture how “fat” a lower tail may actually be, a bi‐modal switching structure between assumed normal periods and possible turbulent economic periods may help resolve the problem. Lower boundaries (worst case paths) of the different (normal versus bi‐modal) processes are mapped to illustrate implied riskiness of portfolios if turbulence occurs. The analysis implies that no mechanical risk analysis is sufficiently divorced from a judgment call about possible market disruptions; however, a bi‐modal approach allows quantification of the said judgment in conjunction with empirical observations from history.
Rebound Coagulopathy in Patients With Snakebite Presenting With Marked Initial Coagulopathy
Authors: Witham Willam R. , McNeill Cathy , Patel Sunny 
Published: March 2015

Objective An estimated 70% of patients with pit viper snakebites require antivenom to treat serious complications such as coagulopathy. Evidence-based guidance is limited for the appropriate administration of Crotalinae Polyvalent Immune Fab (FabAV) and the duration of laboratory follow-up. The objective of our study was to assess the incidence of marked and recurrent envenomation coagulopathy at our trauma center and identify practice patterns that may prevent serious complications. Methods A retrospective case review was conducted over a 3-year period on patients treated for symptomatic snakebite injury. Case records were reviewed for the inclusion criteria of international normalized ratio (INR) greater than 2.0. The exclusion criterion was limited to patients receiving anticoagulant therapy. Results In all, 61 patients were identified on retrospective chart review and 3 patients (4.9%) met inclusion criteria. Two of the 3 patients had marked rebound coagulopathy requiring readmission and additional treatment. In our small series, 2 patients presenting after crotaline envenomation with increased INR (>6.0), decreased fibrinogen (<60 mg/dL), and decreased platelet count (<100,000/mL) had recurrent coagulopathy and were asymptomatic, and recurrence was noted only with follow-up laboratory testing. All patients responded positively within a matter of hours to repeat FabAV administration, with resolution of rebound coagulopathy. Conclusions We recommend periodic monitoring of patients with increased INR, decreased fibrinogen, and decreased platelet count. Patients should be monitored for 10 to 14 days after envenomation to identify asymptomatic rebound coagulopathy. Prompt readministration of FabAV appears to correct the coagulopathy.
Myosin VI deafness mutation prevents the initiation of processive runs on actin
Authors: Pylypenko Olena , Song Lin , Shima Ai , Yang Zhaohui , Houdusse Anne M. , Sweeney H. Lee 
Published: March 2015

Significance
A number of molecular motors transport cargoes long distances on their cellular tracks as single, dimeric (two-headed) molecules. This processive movement requires specialized kinetic properties (high duty ratio) to ensure that each head of the dimeric motor spends most of its time tightly bound to its track. Additionally, processive motors exhibit intramolecular communication between the heads, called gating, whose importance is less clear. By examining a mutation in the reverse-direction myosin motor, myosin VI, that causes deafness, we provide evidence that the mutation destroys the initiation of processive runs under physiological ATP concentration. We further demonstrate that this defect may be amendable to correction by small-molecule therapeutics.
Structure of bone morphogenetic protein 9 procomplex
Authors: Mi Li-Zhi , Brown Christopher T. , Gao Yijie , Tian Yuan , Le Viet Q. , Walz Thomas , Springer Timothy A. 
Published: March 2015

Significance
Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) activity is regulated by prodomains. Here, structures of BMP procomplexes reveal an open-armed conformation. In contrast, the evolutionarily related, latent TGF-β1 procomplex is cross-armed. We propose that in the TGF-β and BMP family, conversion between cross-armed and open-armed conformations may regulate release and activity of the growth factor.
EpIC: a rational pipeline for epitope immunogenicity characterization
Authors: Marciniuk Kristen , Trost Brett , Napper Scott 
Published: March 2015

Abstract
Summary: Efforts to develop peptide-based vaccines, in particular those requiring site-specific targeting of self-proteins, rely on the ability to optimize the immunogenicity of the peptide epitopes. Currently, screening of candidate vaccines is typically performed through low-throughput, high-cost animal trials. To improve on this we present the program EpIC, which enables high-throughput prediction of peptide immunogenicity based on the endogenous occurrence of B-cell epitopes within native protein sequences. This information informs rational selection of immunogenicity-optimized epitopes for peptide vaccines.
Availability and implementation: EpIC is available as a web server at http://saphire.usask.ca/saphire/epic.
Contact: kdm449@mail.usask.ca
Motivation and participation in multi-stakeholder innovation platforms in the Great Lakes Region of Africa
Authors: Mulema Annet Abenakyo , Mazur Robert Edward 
Published: March 2015

AbstractThe relationship between motivation and participation in five agricultural research and development innovation platforms (IPs) in Africa's Great Lakes Region is examined. We analyze data from surveys and in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions. Although farmers prioritized new knowledge and skills, these were not sufficient to consistently foster active participation. Anticipated economic (markets, income, and credit) and material (agricultural inputs) livelihood benefits did encourage active farmer participation. Few actors mentioned social incentives (network connections and status) as motivating factors. Participation of local policy makers and the private business sector was limited. Overall, participation was curtailed by unfulfilled expectations of tangible immediate benefits, limited understanding of the IP concept, lack of resources, and prior commitments.
US Outpatient Antibiotic Prescribing Variation According to Geography, Patient Population, and Provider Specialty in 2011
Authors: Hicks Lauri A. , Bartoces Monina G. , Roberts Rebecca M. , Suda Katie J. , Hunkler Robert J. , Taylor Thomas H. , Schrag Stephanie J. 
Published: March 2015

Abstract
Background.  Appropriate antibiotic prescribing is an essential strategy to reduce the spread of antibiotic resistance. US prescribing practices have not been thoroughly characterized. We analyzed outpatient antibiotic prescribing data to identify where appropriate antibiotic prescribing interventions could have the most impact.
Methods.  Oral antibiotic prescriptions dispensed during 2011 were extracted from the IMS Health Xponent database. The number of prescriptions and census denominators were used to calculate prescribing rates. Prescription totals were calculated for each provider specialty. Regression modeling was used to examine the association between socioeconomic and population health factors and prescribing rates.
Results.  Healthcare providers prescribed 262.5 million courses of antibiotics in 2011(842 prescriptions per 1000 persons). Penicillins and macrolides were the most common antibiotic categories prescribed. The most commonly prescribed individual antibiotic agent was azithromycin. Family practitioners prescribed the most antibiotic courses (24%). The prescribing rate was higher in the South census region (931 prescriptions per 1000 persons) than in the West (647 prescriptions per 1000 persons; P &lt; .001); this pattern was observed among all age groups, including children ≤2 and persons ≥65 years of age. Counties with a high proportion of obese persons, infants and children ≤2 years of age, prescribers per capita, and females were more likely to be high prescribing by multivariable analysis (adjusted odds ratio, &gt;1.0).
Conclusions.  Efforts to characterize antibiotic prescribing practices should focus on the South census region and family practitioners. Further understanding of the factors leading to high prescribing among key target populations will inform appropriate prescribing interventions.
Working in the UK without a Default Retirement Age: Health, Safety, and the Oldest Workers
Authors: Barrett Brenda , Sargeant Malcolm 
Published: March 2015

Abstract
This article is prompted by the abolition in the UK of the default retirement age; in particular, it will consider the impact on individuals seeking, or in continuing work, and on organisations needing to manage older workers. Underpinning the article is the hypothesis that as the removal of a compulsory retirement age allows an increasing number of people to work beyond their 65th birthday, organisations will need to develop policies to cope with increasing numbers of workers in their late 60s, 70s and beyond. Here, we focus on the need for employers to plan for an ageing workforce in respect of the health and safety issues which will result from employing increasing numbers of older workers. Firstly, the article considers what evidence exists as to whether there will be an increase in the number of older workers. Secondly, it examines decisions of the European Court of Justice and the Supreme Court in relation to retirement age and the possibility of an employer justified retirement age. Finally, it focuses on the occupational health and safety issues faced by older workers and those for whom they work.
15 Years of Whistleblowing Protection under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998: Are We Still Shooting the Messenger?
Authors: Ashton Jeanette 
Published: March 2015

Abstract
In the wake of high-profile scandals such as the catastrophic failings of the Mid-Staffordshire National Health Service Trust, this article contributes to the debate on the role of the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 (PIDA), now 15 years in force, in promoting increased transparency in the workplace. The article briefly discusses legal protection for whistleblowers prior to the PIDA before proceeding to evaluate the development of the provisions through judicial decisions. The article considers the implications of the amendments effected by the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013, namely the public interest and good faith requirements, protection from detriment by a co-worker and extension of the ‘worker’ category. In drawing on quantitative and qualitative data, the article highlights the frequent disparity between an organisation’s ‘party line’ and the cultural reality of the workplace. The article explores the difficulties inherent in evaluating the success of legislation, which essentially aims to change attitudes in the workplace, but contends that the PIDA continues, albeit incrementally, to move towards its intended purpose.
New Approaches to Territoriality in Employment Law
Authors: Merrett Louise 
Published: March 2015

Abstract
A key question is when British employment rights can be relied on by workers whose employment is also connected in some way with another country. The crucial touchstone has traditionally been whether the employee is working in Great Britain. This article examines the notion of territoriality applied in recent cases, particularly in the context of the territorial scope of employment legislation. Courts have tended to be generous in allowing those working abroad to rely on British employment rights if there are other strong connections with Great Britain based on a consideration of a wide variety of factors. By focusing on the connection which an employee has not just to Great Britain, but also to British employment law, there has been a move away from attaching sole importance the place where an employee physically works. This article focuses on the question of whether this approach is appropriate for employees who are working in Great Britain. In particular, if an employee is working in Great Britain, when, if at all, should it be possible to displace the territorial application of British employment law.
Free Speech Rights at Work: Resolving the Differences between Practice and Liberal Principle
Authors: Wragg Paul 
Published: March 2015

Abstract
ACAS reports increasing disciplinary action against employees over expression that employers dislike. Given the prominence of social media in contemporary life, this is a significant current legal issue yet one which has attracted relatively little academic comment. This article examines the compatibility of unfair dismissal doctrine in this context with traditional liberal principle. Arguably, doctrine provides only flimsy protection. Although the common law recognises the importance of individual autonomy generally when determining rights claims, this well-established liberal value appears to have little influence on unfair dismissal doctrine. The dominant academic view on realising greater workplace human rights protection through greater application of the proportionality principle is unlikely to address this problem; reconceptualisation of the substantive free speech right at stake is required. This article offers a strategy on how this might be achieved—and so how differences between practice and principle might be reconciled—through a sympathetic reading of the Strasbourg and UK jurisprudence and potential policy-maker intervention.
Susceptibility in vitro of canine methicillin-resistant and -susceptible staphylococcal isolates to fusidic acid, chlorhexidine and miconazole: opportunities for topical therapy of canine superficial pyoderma
Authors: Clark S. M. , Loeffler A. , Bond R. 
Published: March 2015

Abstract

Objectives
Increasing multidrug resistance amongst canine pathogenic staphylococci has renewed interest in topical antibacterial therapy for skin infections in the context of responsible veterinary prescribing. We therefore determined the activity in vitro of three clinically relevant topical agents and synergism between two of them against Staphylococcus pseudintermedius and Staphylococcus aureus.

Methods
The MICs of fusidic acid (n = 199), chlorhexidine (n = 198), miconazole (n = 198) and a 1:1 combination of miconazole/chlorhexidine (n = 198) were determined for canine isolates [50 MRSA and 49 methicillin-resistant S. pseudintermedius (MRSP), 50 MSSA and 50 methicillin-susceptible S. pseudintermedius (MSSP)] collected from the UK and Germany using an agar dilution method (CLSI VET01-A4). Fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) indices were calculated to assess the interaction of miconazole with chlorhexidine.

Results
MICs of each drug/combination were significantly (P &lt; 0.0005) higher for S. aureus when compared with S. pseudintermedius. Most strains (n = 172) had an MIC of fusidic acid of ≤0.03 mg/L (MIC ≥64 mg/L, n = 5 MRSA). All strains had MICs of chlorhexidine of 0.5–4 mg/L, except for one MRSA (MIC = 8 mg/L). All but four strains had MICs of miconazole of 1–4 mg/L (MIC = 16 mg/L, n = 3; MIC = 256 mg/L, n = 1). Miconazole/chlorhexidine (1:1 ratio) had a synergistic effect against 49/50 MRSA, 31/50 MSSA, 12/49 MRSP and 23/49 MSSP.

Conclusions
Since the majority of these staphylococci, including methicillin-resistant isolates, had MICs that should be readily exceeded by topical skin application of these agents, their therapeutic efficacy for canine superficial pyoderma should be assessed. The synergistic interaction shown in vitro supports further clinical evaluation of miconazole/chlorhexidine combination therapy for staphylococcal infection.
Rapid Improvement in Passive Tuberculosis Case Detection and Tuberculosis Treatment Outcomes After Implementation of a Bundled Laboratory Diagnostic and On-Site Training Intervention Targeting Mid-Level Providers
Authors: Manabe Yukari C. , Zawedde-Muyanja Stella , Burnett Sarah M. , Mugabe Frank , Naikoba Sarah , Coutinho Alex 
Published: March 2015

Abstract
Background.  Tuberculosis (TB) control is a public health priority with 3 million cases unrecognized by the public health system each year. We assessed the impact of improved TB diagnostics and on-site training on TB case detection and treatment outcomes in rural healthcare facilities.
Methods.  Fluorescence microscopy, Xpert MTB/RIF, and on-site training were introduced at 10 healthcare facilities. Using quasi-experimental methods, these 10 intervention healthcare facilities were compared with 2 controls and their own performance the previous year.
Results.  From January to October 2012, 186 357 and 32 886 outpatients were seen in the 10 intervention and 2 control facilities, respectively. The intervention facilities had a 52.04% higher proportion of presumptive TB cases with a sputum examination (odds ratio [OR] = 12.65; 95% confidence interval [CI], 5.60–28.55). After adjusting for age group and gender, the proportion of smear-positive patients initiated on treatment was 37.76% higher in the intervention than in the control facilities (adjusted OR [AOR], 7.59; 95% CI, 2.19–26.33). After adjusting for the factors above, as well as human immunodeficiency virus and TB retreatment status, the proportion of TB cases who completed treatment was 29.16% higher (AOR, 4.89; 95% CI, 2.24–10.67) and the proportion of TB cases who were lost to follow-up was 66.98% lower (AOR, 0.04; 95% CI, 0.01–0.09). When compared with baseline performance, the intervention facilities had a significantly higher proportion of presumptive TB cases with a sputum examination (64.70% vs 3.44%; OR, 23.95; 95% CI, 12.96–44.25), and these facilities started 56.25% more smear-positive TB cases on treatment during the project period (AOR, 15.36; 95% CI, 6.57–35.91).
Conclusions.  Optimizing the existing healthcare workforce through a bundled diagnostics and on-site training intervention for nonphysician healthcare workers will rapidly improve TB case detection and outcomes towards global targets.
Specific Behaviors Predict Staphylococcus aureus Colonization and Skin and Soft Tissue Infections Among Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Persons
Authors: Crum-Cianflone Nancy F. , Wang Xun , Weintrob Amy , Lalani Tahaniyat , Bavaro Mary , Okulicz Jason F. , Mende Katrin , Ellis Michael , Agan Brian K. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractBackground.  Few data exist on the incidence and risk factors of Staphylococcus aureus colonization and skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) among patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).Methods.  Over a 2-year period, we prospectively evaluated adults infected with HIV for incident S aureus colonization at 5 body sites and SSTIs. Cox proportional hazard models using time-updated covariates were performed.Results.  Three hundred twenty-two participants had a median age of 42 years (interquartile range, 32–49), an HIV duration of 9.4 years (2.7–17.4), and 58% were on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Overall, 102 patients (32%) became colonized with S aureus with an incidence rate of 20.6 (95% confidence interval [CI], 16.8–25.0) per 100 person-years [PYs]. Predictors of colonization in the final multivariable model included illicit drug use (hazard ratios [HR], 4.26; 95% CI, 1.33–13.69) and public gym use (HR 1.66, 95% CI, 1.04–2.66), whereas antibacterial soap use was protective (HR, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.32–0.78). In a separate model, perigenital colonization was associated with recent syphilis infection (HR, 4.63; 95% CI, 1.01–21.42). Fifteen percent of participants developed an SSTI (incidence rate of 9.4 cases [95% CI, 6.8–12.7] per 100 PYs). Risk factors for an SSTI included incident S aureus colonization (HR 2.52; 95% CI, 1.35–4.69), public shower use (HR, 2.59; 95% CI, 1.48–4.56), and hospitalization (HR 3.54; 95% CI, 1.67–7.53). The perigenital location for S aureus colonization was predictive of SSTIs. Human immunodeficiency virus-related factors (CD4 count, HIV RNA level, and HAART) were not associated with colonization or SSTIs.Conclusions.  Specific behaviors, but not HIV-related factors, are predictors of colonization and SSTIs. Behavioral modifications may be the most important strategies in preventing S aureus colonization and SSTIs among persons infected with HIV.
Tactics for mechanized reasoning: a commentary on Milner (1984) ‘The use of machines to assist in rigorous proof’
Authors: Gordon M. J. C. 
Published: March 2015

Robin Milner's paper, ‘The use of machines to assist in rigorous proof’, introduces methods for automating mathematical reasoning that are a milestone in the development of computer-assisted theorem proving. His ideas, particularly his theory of tactics, revolutionized the architecture of proof assistants. His methodology for automating rigorous proof soundly, particularly his theory of type polymorphism in programing, led to major contributions to the theory and design of programing languages. His citation for the 1991 ACM A.M. Turing award, the most prestigious award in computer science, credits him with, among other achievements, ‘probably the first theoretically based yet practical tool for machine assisted proof construction’. This commentary was written to celebrate the 350th anniversary of the journal
Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society
.