bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Contracts and commissioning: what’s happening to social care services for black and minority ethnic older people
Authors: Lipman Valerie 
Published: May 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to explore current provision of targeted social care services for the growing populations of Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) older people in England and Wales.

Design/methodology/approach
– This was a mixed study. Following a review of the policy and research literature, 12 semi-structured interviews were undertaken in 2013/2014. Most participants were recruited from BAME policy and service provider organisations and organisations focusing on older people.

Findings
– There is some evidence that BAME voluntary organisations are experiencing disproportionately greater funding cuts than mainstream voluntary service providers: moreover some mainstream providers reported reducing services targeted at BAME older people, while others expressed the view that choices for BAME older people are likely to become more limited following recent health and equalities policy changes.

Practical implications
– Practitioners should contribute to data collection about protected characteristics, such as race/ethnicity to establish if BAME older people’s needs are being assessed equitably, whether access to care and support is easy; and how market-shaping at local levels can ensure a range of providers.

Originality/value
– This study provides an overview of voluntary sector provision for the growing numbers of BAME older people in need of care and support that should be useful to practitioners and service commissioners.
Diet complexity in early life affects survival in released pheasants by altering foraging efficiency, food choice, handling skills and gut morphology
Authors: Whiteside Mark A. , Sage Rufus , Madden Joah R. 
Published: May 2015

Summary

Behavioural and physiological deficiencies are major reasons why reintroduction programmes suffer from high mortality when captive animals are used. Mitigation of these deficiencies is essential for successful reintroduction programmes.

Our study manipulated early developmental diet to better replicate foraging behaviour in the wild. Over 2 years, we hand‐reared 1800 pheasants (Phasianus colchicus), from 1 day old, for 7 weeks under different dietary conditions. In year one, 900 pheasants were divided into three groups and reared with (i) commercial chick crumb, (ii) crumb plus 1% live mealworm or (iii) crumb plus 5% mixed seed and fruit. In year two, a further 900 pheasants were divided into two groups and reared with (i) commercial chick crumb or (ii) crumb plus a combination of 1% mealworm and 5% mixed seed and fruit. In both years, the commercial chick crumb acted as a control treatment, whilst those with live prey and mixed seeds and fruits mimicking a more naturalistic diet. After 7 weeks reared on these diets, pheasants were released into the wild.

Postrelease survival was improved with exposure to more naturalistic diets prior to release. We identified four mechanisms to explain this. Pheasants reared with more naturalistic diets (i) foraged for less time and had a higher likelihood of performing vigilance behaviours, (ii) were quicker at handling live prey items, (iii) were less reliant on supplementary feed which could be withdrawn and (iv) developed different gut morphologies.

These mechanisms allowed the pheasants to (i) reduce the risk of predation by reducing exposure time whilst foraging and allowing more time to be vigilant; (ii) be better at handling and discriminating natural food items and not be solely reliant on supplementary feed; and (iii) have a better gut system to cope with the natural forage after the cessation of supplementary feeding in the spring.

Learning food discrimination, preference and handling skills by the provision of a more naturalistic diet is essential prior to the release of pheasants in a reintroduction programme. Subsequent diet, foraging behaviour, gut morphology and digestive capabilities all work together as one nutritional complex. Simple manipulations during early development can influence these characteristics to better prepare an individual for survival upon release.
A Faster and Economical Approach to Floodplain Mapping Using Soil Information
Authors: Sangwan Nikhil , Merwade Venkatesh 
Published: May 2015

AbstractFlood inundation maps play a key role in assessment and mitigation of potential flood hazards. However, owing to high costs associated with the conventional flood mapping methods, many communities in the United States lack flood inundation maps. The objective of this study is to develop and examine an economical alternative approach to floodplain mapping using widely available soil survey geographic (SSURGO) database. In this study, floodplain maps are developed for the entire state of Indiana, and some counties in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Washington states by identifying flood‐prone soil map units based on their attributes. For validation, the flood extents obtained from SSURGO database are compared with the extents from other floodplain maps such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency issued flood insurance rate maps (FIRMs), flood extents observed during past floods, and flood maps derived using digital elevation models. In general, SSURGO‐based floodplain maps (SFMs) are largely in agreement with other flood inundation maps. Specifically, the floodplain extents from SFMs cover 78‐95% area compared to FIRMs and observed flood extents. Thus, albeit with a slight loss in accuracy, the SSURGO approach offers an economical and fast alternative for floodplain mapping. In particular, it has potentially high utility in areas where no detailed flood studies have been conducted.
Comparison of Clinical Prediction Models for Resistant Bacteria in Community‐onset Pneumonia
Authors: Self Wesley H. , Wunderink Richard G. , Williams Derek J. , Barrett Tyler W. , Baughman Adrienne H. , Grijalva Carlos G. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractObjectivesSix recently published algorithms classify pneumonia patients presenting from the community into high‐ and low‐risk groups for resistant bacteria. Our objective was to compare performance of these algorithms for identifying patients infected with bacteria resistant to traditional community‐acquired pneumonia antibiotics.MethodsThis was a retrospective study of consecutive adult patients diagnosed with pneumonia in an emergency department and subsequently hospitalized. Each patient was classified as high or low risk for resistant bacteria according to the following algorithms: original health care–associated pneumonia (HCAP) criteria, Summit criteria, Brito and Niederman strategy, Shorr model, Aliberti model, and Shindo model. The reference for comparison was detection of resistant bacteria, defined as methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus or Gram‐negative bacteria resistant to ceftriaxone or levofloxacin.ResultsA total of 614 patients were studied, including 36 (5.9%) with resistant bacteria. The HCAP criteria classified 304 (49.5%) patients as high risk, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.63 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.54 to 0.72), sensitivity of 0.69 (95% CI = 0.52 to 0.83), and specificity of 0.52 (95% CI = 0.48 to 0.56). None of the other algorithms improved both sensitivity and specificity or significantly improved the AUC. Compared to the HCAP criteria, the Shorr and Aliberti models classified more patients as high risk, resulting in higher sensitivity and lower specificity. The Shindo model classified fewer patients as high risk, with lower sensitivity and higher specificity.ConclusionsAll algorithms for identification of resistant bacteria included in this study had suboptimal performance to guide antibiotic selection. New strategies for selecting empirical antibiotics for community‐onset pneumonia are necessary.
Measurement and Monitoring of Nausea Severity in Emergency Department Patients: A Comparison of Scales and Exploration of Treatment Efficacy Outcome Measures
Authors: Meek Robert , Egerton‐Warburton Diana , Mee Michaela J. , Braitberg George 
Published: May 2015

AbstractObjectivesThe objective was to investigate the correlation of the visual analog scale (VAS) and numeric rating scale (NRS) for nausea severity measurement and to explore options for improved reporting of antiemetic efficacy trial results.MethodsThis was a multicenter observational study of adult emergency department (ED) patients with nausea. Participants rated severity at enrollment and 30 minutes posttreatment using an adjectival scale, a VAS, and an NRS. Posttreatment, patients described symptom change and rated satisfaction.ResultsRatings were performed by 258 patients. Both the VAS (0 to 100 mm) and the NRS (0 to 10) discriminated between adjectival severity categories. Median ratings with interquartile ranges (IQRs) were “severe” VAS 90.5 (IQR = 79 to 97) and NRS 9 (IQR = 8 to 9), “moderate” VAS 59 (IQR = 48 to 71) and NRS 6 (IQR = 5 to 7), “mild” VAS 34 (IQR = 25 to 49) and NRS 4 (IQR = 3 to 5), and “none” VAS 5 (IQR = 0 to 9) and NRS 0 (IQR = 0 to 1). Correlation between the VAS and NRS was high (0.83, Spearman). For the VAS, median mm (IQR) reductions for posttreatment change were “a lot less” –42 (IQR = –26 to –58.5), “a little less” –20.5 (IQR = –11 to –33), “the same” –2 (IQR = –8 to 3.5), “a little more” 14 (IQR = –2 to 22), and “a lot more” 17 (IQR = 6 to 23) and for satisfaction were “very satisfied” –45 (IQR = –27 to 63), “satisfied” –27 (IQR = –13 to 46), “unsure” –15 (IQR = –3 to –24), “dissatisfied” 4.5 (IQR = –5.5 to 13.5), and “very dissatisfied” 8.5 (IQR = 0 to 23). A VAS cutoff of ≥–5 mm detected symptom improvement with sensitivity 91.6% (95% CI = 86.7% to 95.1%), specificity 72.1% (95% CI = 59.9% to 82.3%), and positive predictive value 90.2% (95% CI = 85.1% to 94.0%).ConclusionsThe VAS and NRS correlate highly. A VAS cutoff level of ≥–5 mm was a good predictor of symptom improvement, suggesting that its inclusion as an outcome measure would enhance reporting in antiemetic efficacy trials.
Evaluating Emergency Nurse Practitioner Service Effectiveness on Achieving Timely Analgesia: A Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Jennings Natasha , Gardner Glenn , O'Reilly Gerard , Mitra Biswadev 
Published: May 2015

AbstractObjectivesThe rapid uptake of nurse practitioner (NP) services in Australia has outpaced evaluation of this service model. A randomized controlled trial was conducted to compare the effectiveness of NP service versus standard medical care in the emergency department (ED) of a major referral hospital in Australia.MethodsPatients presenting with pain were randomly assigned to receive either standard ED medical care or NP care. Primary investigators were blinded to treatment allocation for data analyses. The primary outcome measure was the proportion of patients receiving analgesia within 30 minutes from being seen by care group. Secondary outcome measures were time to analgesia from presentation and documentation of and changes in pain scores.ResultsThere were 260 patients randomized; 128 received standard care (medical practitioner led), and 130 received NP care. Two patients needed to be excluded due to incomplete consent forms. The proportion of patients who received analgesia within 30 minutes from being seen was 49.2% (n = 64) in the NP group and 29.7% (n = 38) in the standard group, a difference of 19.5% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 7.9% to 31.2%; p = 0.001). Of 165 patients who received analgesia, 64 (84.2%) received analgesia within 30 minutes in the NP group compared to 38 (42.7%) in the standard care group, a difference in proportions of 41.5% (95% CI = 28.3% to 54.7%; p < 0.001). The mean (±SD) time from being seen to analgesia was 25.4 (±39.2) minutes for NP care and 43.0 (±35.5) minutes for standard care, a difference of 17.6 minutes (95% CI = 6.1 to 29.1 minutes; p = 0.003). There was a difference in the median change in pain score of 0.5 between care groups, but this was not statistically significant (p = 0.13).ConclusionsNurse practitioner service effectiveness was demonstrated through superior performance in achieving timely analgesia for ED patients.
Use of benchmarks in predicting earnings management?
Authors: Kent Richard , Routledge James 
Published: May 2015

AbstractThis study conducts multiple approaches to identify whether earnings benchmarks are an indicator for earnings management within the Australian market. We investigate firms reporting small positive earnings and small positive earnings changes, referred to as benchmark beaters. Accrual quality models, earnings distributions and earnings persistence measures are applied to identify whether benchmark beating firms are manipulating earnings. Our findings suggest that the small positive earnings benchmark attracts earnings managers. However, we do not identify any evidence to indicate that the positive earnings change benchmark is a signal for earnings management.
Banding the Right Ventricular Assist Device Outflow Conduit: Is It Really Necessary With Current Devices?
Authors: Lo Casey , Gregory Shaun , Stevens Michael , Murphy Deirdre , Marasco Silvana 
Published: May 2015

AbstractImplantable left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) have been adapted clinically for right‐sided mechanical circulatory support (RVAD). Previous studies on RVAD support have established the benefits of outflow cannula restriction and rotational speed reduction, and recent literature has focused on assessing either the degree of outflow cannula restriction required to simulate left‐sided afterload, or the limitation of RVAD rotational speeds. Anecdotally, the utility of outflow cannula restriction has been questioned, with suggestion that banding may be unnecessary and may be replaced simply by varying the outflow conduit length. Furthermore, many patients have a high pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) at the time of ventricular assist device (VAD) insertion that reduces with pulmonary vascular bed remodeling. It is therefore important to assess the potential changes in flow through an RVAD as PVR changes. In this in vitro study, we observed the use of dual HeartWare HVAD devices (HeartWare Inc., Framingham, MA, USA) in biventricular support (BiVAD) configuration. We assessed the pumps' ability to maintain hemodynamic stability with and without banding; and with varying outflow cannulae length (20, 40, and 60 cm). Increased length of the outflow conduit was found to produce significantly increased afterload to the device, but this was not found to be necessary to maintain the device within the manufacturer's recommended operational parameters under a simulated normal physiological setting of mild and severe right ventricular (RV) failure. We hypothesize that 40 cm of outflow conduit, laid down along the diaphragm and then up over the RV to reach the pulmonary trunk, will generate sufficient resistance to maintain normal pump function.
Incident retinal vein occlusions and estimated cerebrospinal fluid pressure. The Beijing Eye Study
Authors: Jonas Jost B. , Wang Ningli , Wang Ya Xing , You Qi Sheng , Yang Diya , Xie Xiaobin , Xu Liang 
Published: May 2015

AbstractPurposeTo examine whether the incidence of retinal vein occlusions (RVOs) is associated with estimated cerebrospinal fluid pressure (CSFP).MethodsThe population‐based Beijing Eye Study, which included 4439 subjects (age: 40 + years) in 2001, was repeated in 2011 with 2695 subjects participating (66.4% of the survivors). Fundus photographs were examined for the new development of RVOs, differentiated into central RVOs (CRVOs) and branch RVOs (BRVOs). CSFP was calculated as CSFP [mmHg] = 0.44 × Body Mass Index [kg/m2] + 0.16 × Diastolic Blood Pressure [mmHg]−0.18 × Age[Years].ResultsIncident BRVOs were detected in 50 eyes and incident CRVOs in 8 eyes. BRVOs were located at arterio‐venous crossings in 39 eyes. In multivariate analysis, a higher estimated CSFP was associated with a higher incidence of CRVOs (p = 0.004; standardized coefficient beta: 0.06; regression coefficient B: 5.35; 95% confidence interval (CI):1.73, 8.96) after adjusting for urban region (p < 0.001; beta: −0.52; B: −3.93; 95% CI: −4.29, −3.57), higher educational level (p = 0.001; beta: 0.13; B: 0.44; 95% CI: 0.28, 0.60), higher blood concentrations of triglycerides (p < 0.001; beta: 0.08; B: 0.11; 95% CI: 0.05, 0.16) and higher intraocular pressure (p < 0.001; beta: 0.16; B:0.21; 95% CI: 0.16, 0.27). As a corollary, a higher incidence of RVOs as a whole, as well as a higher incidence of CRVOs combined with a higher incidence of BRVOs originating at the optic nerve head, both were significantly associated with higher estimated CSFP (p = 0.002; odds ratio (OR): 1.15; 95% CI: 1.05, 1.25; and p = 0.037; OR: 1.17; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.35, respectively) after adjusting for older age.ConclusionsA higher estimated CSFP was associated with a higher incidence of RVOs originating at the optic nerve head (i.e. CRVOs, hemi‐central RVOs and BRVOs originating at the optic nerve head), and vice versa, a higher incidence of RVOs was associated with a higher estimated CSFP. It suggested an influence of higher estimated CSFP on higher central retinal vein pressure.
Elderly donor liver grafts are not associated with a higher incidence of biliary complications after liver transplantation: results of a national multicenter study
Authors: Westerkamp Andrie C. , Korkmaz Kerem S. , Bottema Jan T. , Ringers Jan , Polak Wojciech G. , van den Berg Aad , van Hoek Bart , Metselaar Herold J. , Porte Robert J. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractBackgroundLiver transplantation with livers grafts from elderly donors has been associated with a higher risk of biliary complications. The aim of this study was to examine whether our national protocol could contribute to a lower incidence of biliary complications.MethodsAll adult recipients in the Netherlands transplanted with a liver from an elderly donor (≥65 yrs; n = 68) in the period January 2000–July 2011 were matched with recipients of a liver from a donor <65 yr (n = 136). Outcome parameters were 90‐d, one‐yr, and three‐yr patient/graft survival rates, biliary complications (non‐anastomotic stricture, anastomotic stricture, biliary leakage, and post‐transplant cholangitis), and postoperative hepatic ischemic injury serum markers (AST/ALT).ResultsThe median cold ischemia time (CIT) was 7:25 (h:min) in the group recipients of an elderly donor liver graft. Ninety‐day, one‐yr, and three‐yr patient/graft survival rates were similar between the group with an elderly donor liver and their younger controls. Moreover, no differences were found in the incidence of biliary complications and postoperative levels of AST/ALT between the two groups.ConclusionTransplantation of livers from elderly donors (≥65 yr) is not associated with a higher incidence of biliary complications, in a national policy wherein the CIT is kept short.
A Plan for Academic Biobank Solvency—Leveraging Resources and Applying Business Processes to Improve Sustainability
Authors: Uzarski Diane , Burke James , Turner Barbara , Vroom James , Short Nancy 
Published: May 2015

AbstractResearcher‐initiated biobanks based at academic institutions contribute valuable biomarker and translational research advances to medicine. With many legacy banks once supported by federal funding, reductions in fiscal support threaten the future of existing and new biobanks. When the Brain Bank at Duke University's Bryan Alzheimer's Disease Center (ADRC) faced a funding crisis, a collaborative, multidisciplinary team embarked on a 2‐year biobank sustainability project utilizing a comprehensive business strategy, dedicated project management, and a systems approach involving many Duke University entities. By synthesizing and applying existing knowledge, Duke Translational Medicine Institute created and launched a business model that can be adjusted and applied to legacy and start‐up academic biobanks. This model provides a path to identify new funding mechanisms, while also emphasizing improved communication, business development, and a focus on collaborating with industry to improve access to biospecimens. Benchmarks for short‐term Brain Bank stabilization have been successfully attained, and the evaluation of long‐term sustainability metrics is ongoing.
Bioengineered Corneas Grafted as Alternatives to Human Donor Corneas in Three High‐Risk Patients
Authors: Buznyk Oleksiy , Pasyechnikova Nataliya , Islam M. Mirazul , Iakymenko Stanislav , Fagerholm Per , Griffith May 
Published: May 2015

AbstractCorneas with severe pathologies have a high risk of rejection when conventionally grafted with human donor tissues. In this early observational study, we grafted bioengineered corneal implants made from recombinant human collagen and synthetic phosphorylcholine polymer into three patients for whom donor cornea transplantation carried a high risk of transplant failure. These patients suffered from corneal ulcers and recurrent erosions preoperatively. The implants provided relief from pain and discomfort, restored corneal integrity by promoting endogenous regeneration of corneal tissues, and improved vision in two of three patients. Such implants could in the future be alternatives to donor corneas for high‐risk patients, and therefore, merits further testing in a clinical trial.
‘Beltway Bandits’ and ‘Poverty Barons’: For‐Profit International Development Contracting and the Military‐Development Assemblage
Authors: Nagaraj Vijay Kumar 
Published: May 2015

ABSTRACTThis article examines the political economy of for‐profit international development contracting and its growing convergence with private military contracting. It attempts a genealogy of contemporary for‐profit development contracting, underlining how the ability of for‐profit development firms to leverage their simultaneous integration into the global corporate‐financial architecture and the global development regime has been central to their spectacular growth. The article maps specific modalities and opportunity structures — contracting vehicles and procurement practices; the politics of the market structure; the contract culture and vendorism; shared circuitries of knowledge and power — which are enabling for‐profit contractors to consolidate their influence over the international development regime. It also traces the blurring of boundaries between development and security and how this is shaped and used by development contractors and private military firms alike. The author highlights how a combination of corporate diversification and mergers and acquisitions has paved the way for a market‐led development‐security assemblage and the birth of the ‘private military‐development corporation’, which profits equally from war, peace, reconstruction and development. The study focuses largely on the USA and UK owing to the scale of their international development regimes and for‐profit development markets.