bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Eliciting Context-Mechanism-Outcome configurations: Experiences from a realist evaluation investigating the impact of robotic surgery on teamwork in the operating theatre
Authors: Alvarado Natasha , Honey Stephanie , Greenhalgh Joanne , Pearman Alan , Dowding Dawn , Cope Alexandra , Long Andrew , Jayne David , Gill Arron , Kotze Alwyn , Randell Rebecca
Published: October 2017

This article recounts our experience of eliciting, cataloguing and prioritizing conjectured Context-Mechanism-Outcome configurations at the outset of a realist evaluation, to provide new insight into how Context-Mechanism-Outcome configurations can be generated and theorized. Our construction of Context-Mechanism-Outcome configurations centred on how, why and in what circumstances teamwork was impacted by robotic surgery, rather than how and why this technology improved surgical outcomes as intended. We found that, as well as offering resources, robotic surgery took away resources from the theatre team, by physically reconfiguring the operating theatre and redistributing the surgical task load, essentially changing the context in which teamwork was performed. We constructed Context-Mechanism-Outcome configurations that explain how teamwork mechanisms were both constrained by the contextual changes, and triggered in the new context through the use of informal strategies. We conclude by reflecting on our application of realist evaluation to understand the potential impacts of robotic surgery on teamwork.
Making rigorous causal claims in a real-life context: Has research contributed to sustainable forest management?
Authors: Delahais Thomas , Toulemonde Jacques
Published: October 2017

This article reflects on an evaluation commissioned by the Centre for International Forestry Research, an international research centre working on tropical forests. In the Congo basin, it took from 10 to 20 years for research works to influence the sustainability of forest management through a complex web of interactions between timber companies, national governments, international organizations, development agencies, NGOs, and consultancies. By applying the contribution analysis approach, the evaluation was able to trace several causal pathways which percolated through this web of interactions and resulted in a number of contributions always indirect and marginal but sometimes necessary. The article discusses how contribution claims were inferred from evidence, what the underlying logic of causal arguments was, how some contributions could be qualified as necessary ones, and how far the evaluation went on the way to generalization. The discussion bridges contribution analysis with process tracing and realist evaluation.
Risk factors for multiple suicide attempts among Roma in Hungary
Authors: Tóth Mónika Ditta , Ádám Szilvia , Zonda Tamás , Birkás Emma , Purebl György
Published: October 2017

In recent years, suicide rates in Hungary have been among the highest in the European Union. Attempted suicide rates in the Roma population are 2–3 times higher than in the non-Roma population. Since individuals making multiple attempts have a higher pro-bability of eventual death by suicide, and there are limited data on suicidal behaviour of the Roma population, the aim of this study was to explore the sociodemographic and psychological background factors of multiple suicide attempts in the Hungarian Roma population. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 150 individuals admitted to hospital toxicology departments, who made suicide attempts by deliberate self-poisoning, 65 of whom were multiple attempters. Detailed information regarding the current attempt and previous suicidal acts was recorded. Patients also completed the Shortened Beck Depression, the Beck Hopelessness Questionnaire, and the Social Support Questionnaire. Independent samples t-tests were used to evaluate differences in psychological variables between the Roma ( N = 90) and non-Roma ( N = 60) groups. Stepwise linear regression and odds ratios analyses were performed to identify potential background factors of multiple suicide attempts. There was a significantly higher level of previous suicidal events among the Roma in the sample population (3.53 vs. 0.84, p < .001). Roma ethnicity was found to be a strong predictor of multiple suicide attempts. Current major depression, hopelessness, and diagnosed mood disorder were identified as significant risk factors of repeated attempts. Smoking (OR = 5.4), family history of suicide (OR = 4.9), and long-term unemployment (OR = 4.6) were additional risk factors among Roma patients. A thorough understanding of the ethnicity-specific risk factors for multiple suicide attempts could facilitate the development of effective intervention and postvention programmes.
Perceptions of feminist beliefs influence ratings of warmth and competence
Authors: Meijs Maartje , Ratliff Kate A. , Lammers Joris
Published: October 2017

Six studies test whether women who label themselves feminists are judged as warmer and less competent than women who express gender-equality beliefs but do not label themselves. An integrative data analysis shows that women who label themselves feminists are seen as less warm and more competent than women who express gender-equality beliefs but do not label themselves. This difference in evaluations is caused by the fact that women who label themselves feminists are seen as having stronger feminist beliefs than women who belief in gender equality but do not use the feminist label. This idea is confirmed by showing that women with strong feminist beliefs are seen as warmer and less competent than women with weak feminist beliefs. In summary, women who label themselves feminists are seen as warmer and less competent than women who express gender-equality beliefs, because it is inferred that the feminist labeler does not have the same, but stronger gender-equality beliefs.
Modes of government responsiveness in the European Union: Evidence from Council negotiation positions
Authors: Wratil Christopher
Published: October 2017

Are national governments responsive to citizens’ opinions when negotiating policies in the Council of the European Union? Conceiving of the Council’s policy-making space as encompassing left-right and pro-anti integration issues, I argue that governments apply different ‘modes of responsiveness’ on these issues. As left-right issues are more reliably and intensely salient in domestic elections than pro-anti integration issues, governments’ responsiveness to left-right public opinion should be more systematic than to pro-anti integration opinion. Statistical analyses of 3700 policy positions of governments in the Council demonstrate that governments highly structure their responsiveness on left-right issues according to electoral cycles and systems (‘systematic mode’). However, they only sporadically respond to public opinion on pro-anti integration issues, when parties and events trigger the public salience of integration (‘sporadic mode’).
Women, makeup, and authenticity: Negotiating embodiment and discourses of beauty
Authors: McCabe Maryann , de Waal Malefyt Timothy , Fabri Antonella
Published: October 2017

This essay examines women’s makeup practices and cultural tension between inner and outer constructs of beauty in the United States. Ethnographic research reveals competing discourses of beauty in the embodied experience of women, compared to images of beauty as promoted in advertising by the cosmetic industry. While the discourse of women’s embodied experience emphasizes inner worth and connecting internal and external self, cosmetic advertising focuses on physical appearance and critical gaze of self and others. Women incorporate advertising discourses, not yielding to them or resisting them, but rather transforming them to suit their needs in using makeup products for creating confidence and preparing themselves for engagement in the world. At the same time, paradoxical adherence to advertising discourse indicates that gender inequality remains an ideological force in our society. Processes of ritualization produce and legitimize hierarchies of power in society. In this way, women’s relationships to their bodies, commoditized products, and makeup practices are transformative as they are paradoxical.
The role of public enforcement in investor compensation
Authors: Hu Ying
Published: October 2017

In the last decade, the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) of Hong Kong has made an important shift in its enforcement strategy. Instead of initiating criminal and disciplinary proceedings to deter market misconduct, it has brought an increasing number of civil actions to obtain compensation for victims of misconduct. This article responds to criticisms against achieving investor compensation through public enforcement and explains why it can be both necessary and desirable for the SFC to bring compensation actions. These actions make up for the lack of private enforcement against certain types of misconduct and sometimes serve as a more effective tool to credibly commit to strong investor protection. Nevertheless, there is sometimes a divergence in interests between the SFC and the investors it is charged with protecting. As a result, some investors may benefit from such compensation actions at the expense of other equally deserving investors.
The effect of adiponectin on LPS-induced inflammation via autophagy in RAW 264.7 macrophages
Authors: Wang Xiaoliang , Xu Yajie , Zhang Yong , Si Yanna , Jing Leng , Bao Hongguang
Published: October 2017

Mitochondrial dysfunction is involved in the process of sepsis and leads to the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which breaks cellular homeostasis and activates the downstream inflammatory cascade. The autophagic removal of ROS is a well-established cellular adaptive mechanism. Adiponectin is an adipocytokine that plays an important role in metabolic and inflammatory regulation. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effect of adiponectin in a sepsis model and its potential association with autophagy. We induced RAW 264.7 macrophages with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to set up the sepsis model and treated them with adiponectin, an inhibitor of the nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat containing family pyrin domain–containing 3 (NLRP3), ROS, Complex I, and an autophagy inhibitor. Flow cytometry and western blot analysis were performed to detect the expression levels of ROS, NLRP3, interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain 3II/I (LC3II/I), and adenosine monophosphate–activated protein kinase (AMPK). Expression levels of NLRP3, IL-1β, and ROS were significantly increased following LPS induction, and adiponectin reversed this up-regulation. Meanwhile, adiponectin also enhanced the expression of LC3II/I, an autophagosome marker, but an autophagy inhibitor and AMPK inhibitor depleted (reversed) the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect of adiponectin. Taken together, in the LPS-induced sepsis model, adiponectin alleviated the inflammatory reaction by reducing ROS production, possibly by enhancing autophagy via the AMPK pathway. The activation of autophagy may therefore be a key mechanism by which adiponectin ameliorates the inflammatory reactions of sepsis.
Multiplicity-adjusted semiparametric benefiting subgroup identification in clinical trials
Authors: Schnell Patrick M , Müller Peter , Tang Qi , Carlin Bradley P
Published: October 2017

Background

A recent focus in the health sciences has been the development of personalized medicine, which includes determining the population for which a given treatment is effective. Due to limited data, identifying the true benefiting population is a challenging task. To tackle this difficulty, the credible subgroups approach provides a pair of bounding subgroups for the true benefiting subgroup, constructed so that one is contained by the benefiting subgroup while the other contains the benefiting subgroup with high probability. However, the method has so far only been developed for parametric linear models.

Methods

In this article, we develop the details required to follow the credible subgroups approach in more realistic settings by considering nonlinear and semiparametric regression models, supported for regulatory science by conditional power simulations. We also present an improved multiple testing approach using a step-down procedure. We evaluate our approach via simulations and apply it to data from four trials of Alzheimer’s disease treatments carried out by AbbVie.

Results

Semiparametric modeling yields credible subgroups that are more robust to violations of linear treatment effect assumptions, and careful choice of the population of interest as well as the step-down multiple testing procedure result in a higher rate of detection of benefiting types of patients. The approach allows us to identify types of patients that benefit from treatment in the Alzheimer’s disease trials.

Conclusion

Attempts to identify benefiting subgroups of patients in clinical trials are often met with skepticism due to a lack of multiplicity control and unrealistically restrictive assumptions. Our proposed approach merges two techniques, credible subgroups, and semiparametric regression, which avoids these problems and makes benefiting subgroup identification practical and reliable.
Does Board Size Matter for Taiwanese Hotel Performance? Agency Theory or Resource Dependence Theory
Authors: Wang Jie , Chen Ming-Hsiang , Fang Chin-Yi , Tian Li
Published: October 2017

Due to the fast growing hotel industry in Taiwan, recent hospitality studies has paid attention to how various factors affect the Taiwanese hotel performance and offered interesting and valuable findings. To expand the financial literature of the Taiwanese hotel industry and the hospitality literature as a whole, this article is the first hospitality study to investigate how board size affects firm performance of publicly traded hotels in Taiwan. Panel regression test results reveal an interesting finding. Specifically, there is an inverted U-shaped relationship between board size and hotel performance in terms of return on assets, return on equity, and Tobin’s Q with an optimal value of board size equal to 10. This indicates that while board size up to 10 has a positive impact on hotel performance (supporting the resource dependence theory), board size can deteriorate hotel performance when it is larger than 10 (supporting the agency theory).
Inpatient Massage Therapy Versus Music Therapy Versus Usual Care: A Mixed-methods Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Roseen Eric J , Cornelio-Flores Oscar , Lemaster Chelsey , Hernandez Maria , Fong Calvin , Resnick Kirsten , Wardle Jon , Hanser Suzanne , Saper Robert
Published: October 2017

Background

Little is known about the feasibility of providing massage or music therapy to medical inpatients at urban safety-net hospitals or the impact these treatments may have on patient experience.

Objective

To determine the feasibility of providing massage and music therapy to medical inpatients and to assess the impact of these interventions on patient experience.

Design

Single-center 3-arm feasibility randomized controlled trial.

Setting

Urban academic safety-net hospital.

Patients

Adult inpatients on the Family Medicine ward.

Interventions

Massage therapy consisted of a standardized protocol adapted from a previous perioperative study. Music therapy involved a preference assessment, personalized compact disc, music-facilitated coping, singing/playing music, and/or songwriting. Credentialed therapists provided the interventions.

Measurements

Patient experience was measured with the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) within 7 days of discharge. We compared the proportion of patients in each study arm reporting “top box” scores for the following a priori HCAHPS domains: pain management, recommendation of hospital, and overall hospital rating. Responses to additional open-ended postdischarge questions were transcribed, coded independently, and analyzed for common themes.

Results

From July to December 2014, 90 medical inpatients were enrolled; postdischarge data were collected on 68 (76%) medical inpatients. Participants were 70% females, 43% non-Hispanic black, and 23% Hispanic. No differences between groups were observed on HCAHPS. The qualitative analysis found that massage and music therapy were associated with improved overall hospital experience, pain management, and connectedness to the massage or music therapist.

Conclusions

Providing music and massage therapy in an urban safety-net inpatient setting was feasible. There was no quantitative impact on HCAHPS. Qualitative findings suggest benefits related to an improved hospital experience, pain management, and connectedness to the massage or music therapist.
Pilot of a Tailored Dance Intervention to Support Function in People With Cognitive Impairment Residing in Long-Term Care: A Brief Report
Authors: O’Rourke Hannah M. , Sidani Souraya , Chu Charlene H. , Fox Mary , McGilton Katherine S. , Collins Jhonna
Published: October 2017

Older adults who live in long-term care settings are at risk for functional decline, which may be mitigated by regular exercise. Using a single-group repeated measures design, this pilot study explored the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects of a Waltz-based dance intervention delivered to 13 Canadian, English-speaking, long-term care residents with mild to moderate cognitive impairment. The findings supported intervention feasibility, based on a high completion rate (93%), level of attendance ( M = 7.15 of 10 sessions) and level of engagement during dance sessions ( M = 1.75 to 1.97 out of 2.00). On average, residents perceived dance sessions positively, and staff and family participants ( N = 26) rated them as somewhat acceptable overall ( M = 2.37, 0 to 4 scale). Additional research is needed to assess intervention efficacy in a larger sample.
The Effect of Oral Midazolam and Chloral Hydrate Before Echocardiography in Pediatric Patients: A Randomized Double-Blind Clinical Trial
Authors: Salehi Forod , Riasi Hamid Reza , Ebrahimzadeh Ali , Askari Janatabadi Sima
Published: October 2017

This study aimed to compare the effects of oral midazolam and chloral hydrate in pre-echocardiography sedation of children. In this double-blind clinical trial, 68 children were randomly assigned to midazolam (0.2 mg/kg) or chloral hydrate (50 mg/kg). The intensity, duration, and onset of the drugs’ effects were assessed. Data were analyzed using the χ2 and Mann-Whitney tests ( P ≤ .05). The average onset and duration of sedation in the children assigned to midazolam was shorter than in those assigned chloral hydrate (6.35 ± 3.65 and 19.14 ± 5.86 minutes, P = .0001, and 27.64 ± 8.34 and 48.97 ± 14.81 minutes, P = .0001). Gastrointestinal side effects were more frequent in the chloral hydrate group (23.5% against 0%, P = .003). According to the results of the present study, chloral hydrate and midazolam can be appropriate choices for pre-echocardiography sedation of patients without cardiovascular risk factors. Considering the similar effectiveness, more rapid onset, and shorter duration of sedation, besides less side effects in the midazolam group, researchers recommend the routine use of this drug.
Reclassifying patients with early-stage Hodgkin lymphoma based on functional radiographic markers at presentation
Authors: Akhtari Mani , Milgrom Sarah A. , Pinnix Chelsea C. , Reddy Jay P. , Dong Wenli , Smith Grace L. , Mawlawi Osama , Abou Yehia Zeinab , Gunther Jillian , Osborne Eleanor M. , Andraos Therese Y. , Wogan Christine F. , Rohren Eric , Garg Naveen , Chuang Hubert , Khoury Joseph D. , Oki Yasuhiro , Fanale Michelle , Dabaja Bouthaina S.
Published: October 2017

Publisher's Note: There is a Blood Commentary on this article in this issue.
Infectious complications of CD19-targeted chimeric antigen receptor–modified T-cell immunotherapy
Authors: Hill Joshua A. , Li Daniel , Hay Kevin A. , Green Margaret L. , Cherian Sindhu , Chen Xueyan , Riddell Stanley R. , Maloney David G. , Boeckh Michael , Turtle Cameron J.
Published: October 2017

Publisher's Note: There is a Blood Commentary on this article in this issue.
Damage Assessment and Modeling of the Five-Tiered Pagoda-Style Nyatapola Temple
Authors: Wood Richard L. , Mohammadi Mohammad Ebrahim , Barbosa Andre R. , Abdulrahman Linh , Soti Rajendra , Kawan Chandra Kiran , Shakya Manjip , Olsen Michael J.
Published: October 2017

This paper presents a novel methodology to combine ambient vibration-based operation modal analysis with three-dimensional ground-based lidar data to study damage on the Nyatapola Temple, which is a Bhaktapur UNESCO World Heritage Site that was damaged during the 2015 Gorkha, Nepal, earthquake. The post-earthquake ambient vibration data, collected via accelerometers placed on various levels of the temple, are used to estimate the vibrational properties via operational modal analysis. These properties are then compared to the pre-earthquake dynamic characteristics collected in 2002. The lidar data provide a geometric assessment of the current condition of the temple, capturing post-earthquake drift as a function of height as well as significant cracks present in the facade. The lidar data also inform the numerical models implemented for the post-earthquake condition assessment of the temple.
The European Common Security and Defense Concept: Opportunities and Challenges
Authors: Litsas Spyridon N.
Published: October 2017

This essay analyses one of the most common yet stagnated concepts of European politics—the common security and defense prospects of Europe. The analysis shows that although a common security and defense cooperation scheme has been a mainstay of European political discourse since the end of World War II, discussion never resulted in a concrete or realistic plan. The reasons for this emphatic failure can be found in the political complexities of the European structure and in the difficulties of implementing such a challenging plan.
Development of Solid Catalyst–Solid Substrate Reactions for Efficient Utilization of Biomass
Authors: Kobayashi Hirokazu , Fukuoka Atsushi
Published: October 2017

The efficient catalytic conversion of lignocellulose is a formidable issue, but it is worth studying in terms of the high potential as renewable chemical feedstock. In this account, we describe our approach to convert solid cellulose with solid catalysts. We found that carbons bearing weak acid sites were active for the hydrolysis of cellulose. The catalyst produced glucose in up to 88% yield after the formation of good solid–solid contact, due to selective enhancement of the solid–solid interfacial reaction. We also developed a cyclic system to efficiently convert real lignocellulosic biomass. Mechanistic study has revealed that polycyclic carbon aromatics attract cellulose by CH–π interactions mainly consisting of dispersion forces and hydrophobic interactions. The adsorbed cellulose molecules diffuse on the surface, rapidly penetrate even micropores, and undergo hydrolysis by weak acid sites such as carboxylic acids. Phenolic or carboxylic groups adjacent to the weak acid increase the frequency factor by forming hydrogen bonds. The combined functions of carbon derived from both polar and non-polar groups achieve the hydrolysis of cellulose. Finally, we comment on future perspective to apply these findings.
Molecular Transformations Using Bis(iodozincio)methane–The Role of Chelation in Main Group Organometallic Chemistry
Authors: Matsubara Seijiro
Published: October 2017

The stereoselectivity for the addition of an organometallic reagent to an aldehyde or ketone possessing a Lewis basic atom at the α-position can be predicted according to the well-known Chelation Model. Herein we discuss stereoselective reactions of bis(iodozincio)methane, which can coordinate to a heteroatom containing substrate with two zinc atoms in the reagent. Zinc atom coordination in a face-to-face manner to the substrates containing two heteroatoms enables specific molecular recognition, realizing novel molecular transformations.
Enhanced Quantum Yield of Fluorophores in Confined Spaces of Supermicroporous Silicas
Authors: Ogawa Shumpei , Wakayama Takuya , Watanabe Hiroto , Hayashi Kosei , Ogata Shuhei , Oaki Yuya , Hasegawa Miki , Imai Hiroaki
Published: October 2017

The optical properties of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon fluorophores, such as pyrene and perylene, are controlled by confined spaces of meso- and supermicropores in a silica matrix. The quantum yield of fluorescence from monodispersed pyrene and perylene increases with limitation of the excimer formation in 1 nm supermicropores. When the pore diameter is close to the molecular size, solid-state fluorescence having a high quantum yield is achieved via the fluorophores in the confined spaces by suppressing the aggregation, the interaction with charge-transfer sites and the stabilization of the excited state.
Role of 18F-FDG PET/CT vs CT-scan in patients with pulmonary metastases previously operated on for colorectal liver metastases
Authors: Lopez-Lopez Victor , Robles Ricardo , Brusadin Roberto , López Conesa Asuncion , Torres Juan , Perez Flores Domingo , Navarro Jose Luis , Gil Pedro Jose , Parrilla Pascual
Published: October 2017

Objective:

There is currently no conclusive scientific evidence available regarding the role of the 18F-FDG PET/CT for detecting pulmonary metastases from colorectal cancer (PMCRC) in patients operated on for colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). In the follow up of patients who underwent surgery for CRLM, we compare CT-scan and 18F-FDG PET/CT in patients with PMCRC.

Methods:

We designed the study prospectively performing an 18F-FDG PET/CT on all patients operated on for CRLM where the CT-scan detected PMCRC during the follow up. We included patients who were operated on for PMCRC because the histological findings were taken as a control rather than biopsies.

Results:

Of the 101 pulmonary nodules removed from 57 patients, the CT-scan identified a greater number (89 nodules) than the 18F-FDG PET/CT (75 nodules) (p < 0.001). Sensitivity was greater with the CT-scan (90 vs 76%, respectively) with a lower specificity (50 vs 75%, respectively) than with the 18F-FDG PET/CT. There were no differences between positive-predictive value and negative-predictive value. The 18F-FDG PET/CT detected more pulmonary nodules in four patients (one PMCRC in each of these patients) and more extrapulmonary disease in six patients (four mediastinal lymph nodes, one retroperitoneal lymph node and one liver metastases) that the CT-scan had not detected.

Conclusion:

Although CT-scans have a greater capacity to detect PMCRC, the 18F-FDG PET/CT could be useful in the detection of more pulmonary and extrapulmonary disease not identified by the CT-scan.

Advances in knowledge:

We tried to clarify the utility of 18F-FDG PET/CT in the management of this subpopulation of patients.
Sound and Light Levels Are Similarly Disruptive in ICU and non‐ICU Wards
Authors: Jaiswal Stuti J. , Garcia Solana , Owens Robert L.
Published: October 2017

BACKGROUND

Hospitalized patients frequently report poor sleep, partly due to the inpatient environment. In‐hospital sound and light levels are not well described on non‐intensive care unit (non‐ICU) wards. Although non‐ICU wards may have lower average and peak noise levels, sound level changes (SLCs), which are important in disrupting sleep, may still be a substantial problem.

OBJECTIVE

To compare ambient sound and light levels, including SLCs, in ICU and non‐ICU environments.

DESIGN

Observational study.

SETTING

Tertiary‐care hospital.

MEASUREMENTS

Sound measurements of 0.5 Hz were analyzed to provide average hourly sound levels, sound peaks, and SLCs ≥17.5 decibels (dB). For light data, measurements taken at 2‐minute intervals provided average and maximum light levels.

RESULTS

The ICU rooms were louder than non‐ICU wards; hourly averages ranged from 56.1 ± 1.3 dB to 60.3 ± 1.7 dB in the ICU, 47.3 ± 3.7 dB to 55.1 ± 3.7 dB on the telemetry floor, and 44.6 ± 2.1 dB to 53.7 ± 3.6 dB on the general ward. However, SLCs ≥ 17.5 dB were not statistically different (ICU, 203.9 ± 28.8 times; non‐ICU, 270.9 ± 39.5; P = 0.11). In both ICU and non‐ICU wards, average daytime light levels were <250 lux, and peak light levels occurred in the afternoon and early evening.

CONCLUSIONS

Quieter, non‐ICU wards have as many SLCs as ICUs do, which has implications for quality improvement measurements. Efforts to further reduce average noise levels might be counterproductive. Light levels in the hospital (ICU and non‐ICU) may not be optimal for maintenance of a normal circadian rhythm for most people.
Associations of Physician Empathy with Patient Anxiety and Ratings of Communication in Hospital Admission Encounters
Authors: Weiss Rachel , Vittinghoff Eric , Fang Margaret C. , Cimino Jenica E. W. , Chasteen Kristen Adams , Arnold Robert M. , Auerbach Andrew D. , Anderson Wendy G.
Published: October 2017

BACKGROUND

Responding empathically when patients express negative emotion is a recommended component of patient‐centered communication.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the association between the frequency of empathic physician responses with patient anxiety, ratings of communication, and encounter length during hospital admission encounters.

DESIGN

Analysis of coded audio‐recorded hospital admission encounters and pre‐ and postencounter patient survey data.

SETTING

Two academic hospitals.

PARTICIPANTS

Seventy‐six patients admitted by 27 attending hospitalist physicians.

MEASUREMENTS

Recordings were transcribed and analyzed by trained coders, who counted the number of empathic, neutral, and nonempathic verbal responses by hospitalists to their patients' expressions of negative emotion. We developed multivariable linear regression models to test the association between the number of these responses and the change in patients' State Anxiety Scale (STAI‐S) score pre‐ and postencounter and encounter length. We used Poisson regression models to examine the association between empathic response frequency and patient ratings of the encounter.

RESULTS

Each additional empathic response from a physician was associated with a 1.65‐point decline in the STAI‐S anxiety scale (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.48‐2.82). Frequency of empathic responses was associated with improved patient ratings for covering points of interest, feeling listened to and cared about, and trusting the doctor. The number of empathic responses was not associated with encounter length (percent change in encounter length per response 1%; 95% CI, ‐8%‐10%).

CONCLUSIONS

Responding empathically when patients express negative emotion was associated with less patient anxiety and higher ratings of communication but not longer encounter length.
Tools, Clinical Prediction Rules, and Algorithms for the Insertion of Peripheral Intravenous Catheters in Adult Hospitalized Patients: A Systematic Scoping Review of Literature
Authors: Carr Peter J. , Higgins Niall S. , Cooke Marie L. , Rippey James , Rickard Claire M.
Published: October 2017

BACKGROUND

First‐time peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) insertion success is dependent on patient, clinician, and product factors. Failed PIVC insertion are an under‐recognized clinical phenomenon.

OBJECTIVE

To provide a scoping review of decision aids for PIVC insertion including tools, clinical prediction rules, and algorithms (TRAs) and their findings on factors associated with insertion success.

METHODS

In June 2016, a systematic literature search was performed using the medical subject heading of peripheral catheterization and tool* or rule* or algorithm*. Data extraction included clinician, patient, and/or product variables associated with PIVC insertion success. Information about TRA reliability, validity, responsiveness, and utility was also extracted.

RESULTS

We screened 36 studies, and included 13 for review. Seven papers reported insertion success ranging from 61%‐90% (4030 insertion attempts), 6 on validity, and 5 on reliability, with none reporting on responsiveness and utility. Failed insertions were associated with obesity (odds ratio [OR], 0.71‐1.7; 2 studies) and smaller gauge PIVCs (OR, 6.4; 95% Confidence Interval [CI], 3.4‐11.9). Successful inser tions were associated with visible veins (OR, 0.87‐3.63; 3 studies) or palpable veins (OR, 0.79‐5.05; 3 studies) and inserters with greater procedural volume (OR, 4.4; 95% CI, 1.6‐12.1) or who predicted that insertion would be successful (OR, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.04‐1.07). Definitions of insertion difficulty are heterogeneous such as time to insert to a number of failed attempts.

CONCLUSION

Few well‐validated reliable TRAs exist for PIVC insertion. Patients would benefit from a validated, clinically pragmatic TRA that matches insertion difficulty with clinician competency.
Supporting Tax Policy Change Through Accounting Discretion: Evidence from the 2012 Elections
Authors: Baloria Vishal P. , Klassen Kenneth J.
Published: October 2017

Some corporations attempt to lessen their tax burden through involvement in the legislative process. We identify firms that contributed to congressional candidates who favor reductions in the U.S. corporate statutory tax rate. This support created a temporary incentive to manage effective tax rates (ETRs) up. We document that these firms increased their reported effective tax rate in the two calendar quarters preceding the 2012 election relative to adjacent periods and other firms supporting candidates in the same election. We find that the variation in upward ETR management is correlated with firm-level proxies for potential reputational costs, capital markets costs, and long-run tax burdens. The variation in upward ETR management is also correlated with firm-candidate-level proxies for strength of relationships and competitiveness of election races. Our findings provide new evidence on accounting choices in support of corporate political activity and on the political cost hypothesis in the tax setting.

The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2017.2842 .

This paper was accepted by Shivaram Rajgopal, accounting.
Death, Bereavement, and Creativity
Authors: Graddy Kathryn , Lieberman Carl
Published: October 2017

Does creativity, on average, increase or decrease during bereavement? Dates of death of relatives and close friends of 33 French artists and 15 American artists were gathered from electronic sources and biographies, and information on over 15,000 paintings was collected from the Blouin Art Sales Index and the online collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Art Institute of Chicago, the National Gallery of Art, the J. Paul Getty Museum, and the Musée d’Orsay, including more than 12,000 observations on price. An event study indicates that there is no evidence that the death of a friend or relative makes an artist more creative, and there is some evidence that prices of paintings are significantly lower during the first year following the year of death of a friend or relative. Furthermore, paintings that were created during this bereavement period are less likely to be included in a major museum’s collection.

The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2017.2850 .

This paper was accepted by John List, behavioral economics.
Patient Triage and Prioritization Under Austere Conditions
Authors: Sun Zhankun , Argon Nilay Tanık , Ziya Serhan
Published: October 2017

In war zones and economically deprived regions, because of extreme resource restrictions, a single provider may be the sole person in charge of providing emergency care to a group of patients. An important question the provider faces under such circumstances is whether or not to perform triage and how to prioritize the patients. By choosing to triage a particular patient, the provider can determine the health condition and thus the urgency of the patient, but that will come at the expense of delaying the actual service (stabilization or initial treatment) for that patient as well as all the other patients. Motivated by this problem, which also arises in other service contexts, we consider a service system where finitely many patients, all available at time zero, belong to one of the two possible triage classes, where each class is characterized by its waiting cost and expected service time. Patients’ class identities are initially unknown, but the service provider has the option to spend time on triage to determine the class of a patient. Our objective is to identify policies that balance the time spent on triage with the time spent on service by minimizing the total expected cost. We provide a complete characterization of the optimal dynamic policy and show that the optimal dynamic policy that specifies when to perform triage is determined by a switching curve, and we provide a mathematical expression for this curve. One insight that comes out of this characterization is that the server should start with performing triage when there are sufficiently many patients and never perform triage when there are few patients. Finally, we carry out a numerical study in which we demonstrate how one can use our mathematical results to develop policies that can be used in mass-casualty triage and prioritization, and we find that there are substantial benefits to using one of these policies instead of the simpler benchmarks.

The online supplement is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2017.2855 .

This paper was accepted by Assaf Zeevi, stochastic models and simulation.
Human Toxicity Caused by Indole and Indazole Carboxylate Synthetic Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists: From Horizon Scanning to Notification
Authors: Hill Simon L , Dunn Michael , Cano Céline , Harnor Suzannah J , Hardcastle Ian R , Grundlingh Johann , Dargan Paul I , Wood David M , Tucker Simon , Bartram Thomas , Thomas Simon H L
Published: October 2017

BACKGROUND

The emergence of novel psychoactive substances (NPS), particularly synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRA), has involved hundreds of potentially harmful chemicals in a highly dynamic international market challenging users', clinicians', and regulators' understanding of what circulating substances are causing harm. We describe a toxicovigilance system for NPS that predicted the UK emergence and identified the clinical toxicity caused by novel indole and indazole carboxylate SCRA.

METHODS

To assist early accurate identification, we synthesized 5 examples of commercially unavailable indole and indazole carboxylate SCRA (FUB-NPB-22, 5F-NPB-22, 5F-SDB-005, FUB-PB-22, NM-2201). We analyzed plasma and urine samples from 160 patients presenting to emergency departments with severe toxicity after suspected NPS use during 2015 to 2016 for these and other NPS using data-independent LC-MS/MS.

RESULTS

We successfully synthesized 5 carboxylate SCRAs using established synthetic and analytical chemistry methodologies. We identified at least 1 SCRA in samples from 49 patients, including an indole or indazole carboxylate SCRA in 17 (35%), specifically 5F-PB-22 (14%), FUB PB-22 (6%), BB-22 (2%), 5F NPB-22 (20%), FUB NPB-22 (2%), and 5F-SDB-005 (4%). In these 17 patients, there was analytical evidence of other substances in 16. Clinical features included agitation and aggression (82%), reduced consciousness (76%), acidosis (47%), hallucinations and paranoid features (41%), tachycardia (35%), hypertension (29%), raised creatine kinase (24%), and seizures (12%).

CONCLUSIONS

This toxicovigilance system predicted the emergence of misuse of indole and indazole carboxylate SCRA, documented associated clinical harms, and notified relevant agencies. Toxicity appears consistent with other SCRA, including mental state disturbances and reduced consciousness.
Prospective Validation of a Biomarker-Based Rule Out Strategy for Functionally Relevant Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Walter Joan E , Honegger Ursina , Puelacher Christian , Mueller Deborah , Wagener Max , Schaerli Nicolas , Strebel Ivo , Twerenbold Raphael , Boeddinghaus Jasper , Nestelberger Thomas , Sazgary Lorraine , Marbot Stella , du Fay de Lavallaz Jeanne , Kaiser Christoph , Osswald Stefan , Wild Damian , Rentsch Katharina , Zellweger Michael , Reichlin Tobias , Mueller Christian
Published: October 2017

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to prospectively advance a rule-out strategy for functionally significant coronary artery disease (CAD) by use of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) from bench to bedside, by application of a 3-step approach: validation in serum, correlation in plasma, and application on a clinical platform.

METHODS

Patients without known CAD referred for rest/stress myocardial perfusion single-photon emission tomography/computer tomography (MPI-SPECT/CT) were assigned to 3 consecutive cohorts: validation, correlation, and application. Functionally relevant CAD was adjudicated with the use of expert interpretation of MPI-SPECT/CT and, if available, coronary angiography. In the validation cohort resting hs-cTnI was measured in serum before stress testing with the research Erenna system, in serum and plasma in the correlation cohort with the research Erenna system, and in plasma in the application cohort with the clinical Clarity system.

RESULTS

Overall, functionally relevant CAD was adjudicated in 21% (304/1478) of patients. In the validation cohort (n = 613), hs-cTnI concentrations were significantly higher in patients with functionally relevant CAD (median 2.8 ng/L vs 1.9 ng/L, P < 0.001) as compared to patients without functionally relevant CAD and allowed a rule out with 95% sensitivity in 14% of patients. In the correlation cohort (n = 606), hs-cTnI concentrations in serum and plasma strongly correlated (Spearman r = 0.921) and had similar diagnostic accuracy as quantified by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (0.686 vs 0.678, P = 0.425). In the application cohort (n = 555), very low hs-cTnI plasma concentrations (< 0.5 ng/L) ruled out functionally relevant CAD with 95% sensitivity in 10% of patients.

CONCLUSIONS

A single resting plasma hs-cTnI measurement can safely rule out functionally relevant CAD in around 10% of patients without known CAD.
Imputation of Baseline LDL Cholesterol Concentration in Patients with Familial Hypercholesterolemia on Statins or Ezetimibe
Authors: Ruel Isabelle , Aljenedil Sumayah , Sadri Iman , de Varennes Émilie , Hegele Robert A , Couture Patrick , Bergeron Jean , Wanneh Eric , Baass Alexis , Dufour Robert , Gaudet Daniel , Brisson Diane , Brunham Liam R , Francis Gordon A , Cermakova Lubomira , Brophy James M , Ryomoto Arnold , Mancini G B John , Genest Jacques
Published: October 2017

BACKGROUND

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is the most frequent genetic disorder seen clinically and is characterized by increased LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) (>95th percentile), family history of increased LDL-C, premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in the patient or in first-degree relatives, presence of tendinous xanthomas or premature corneal arcus, or presence of a pathogenic mutation in the LDLR, PCSK9, or APOB genes. A diagnosis of FH has important clinical implications with respect to lifelong risk of ASCVD and requirement for intensive pharmacological therapy. The concentration of baseline LDL-C (untreated) is essential for the diagnosis of FH but is often not available because the individual is already on statin therapy.

METHODS

To validate a new algorithm to impute baseline LDL-C, we examined 1297 patients. The baseline LDL-C was compared with the imputed baseline obtained within 18 months of the initiation of therapy. We compared the percent reduction in LDL-C on treatment from baseline with the published percent reductions.

RESULTS

After eliminating individuals with missing data, nonstandard doses of statins, or medications other than statins or ezetimibe, we provide data on 951 patients. The mean ± SE baseline LDL-C was 243.0 (2.2) mg/dL [6.28 (0.06) mmol/L], and the mean ± SE imputed baseline LDL-C was 244.2 (2.6) mg/dL [6.31 (0.07) mmol/L] (P = 0.48). There was no difference in response according to the patient's sex or in percent reduction between observed and expected for individual doses or types of statin or ezetimibe.

CONCLUSIONS

We provide a validated estimation of baseline LDL-C for patients with FH that may help clinicians in making a diagnosis.
Oxidative stress and cytotoxicity elicited lipid peroxidation in hemocytes of Bombyx mori larva infested with dipteran parasitoid, Exorista bombycis
Authors: Pooja Makwana , Pradeep Appukuttan Nair R. , Hungund Shambhavi P. , Sagar Chandrashekhar , Ponnuvel Kangayam M. , Awasthi Arvind K. , Trivedy Kanika
Published: October 2017

Parasitization of silkworm,
Detection of small number of Giardia in biological materials prepared from stray dogs
Authors: Esmailikia Leila , Ebrahimzade Elahe , Shayan Parviz , Amininia Narges
Published: October 2017

is an intestinal protozoa with intermittent and low shedding especially in dogs, and the detection of
Abundance and species composition of Culicoides spp. biting midges near cattle and horse in South-Eastern Poland
Authors: Larska Magdalena , Grochowska Maria , Lechowski Lech , Żmudziński Jan Franciszek
Published: October 2017

The aim of the study was to estimate and compare the distribution of
Comparative analysis of codon usage pattern and its influencing factors in Schistosoma japonicum and Ascaris suum
Authors: Mazumder Gulshana A. , Uddin Arif , Chakraborty Supriyo
Published: October 2017

and
Prevalence and molecular characterization of bovine Cryptosporidium from dairy cows in Northern Thailand
Authors: Inpankaew Tawin , Jiyipong Tawisa , Sunanta Chainirun , Kengradomkij Chanya , Pinyopanuwat Nongnuch , Jittapalapong Sathaporn
Published: October 2017

Cryptosporidiosis is a common protozoan infection in humans and domestic animals. It is the culprit for significant neonatal morbidity in cattle as well as weight loss and delayed growth, which leads to large economic losses in the farming industry. Furthermore, bovine
Animal level risk factors associated with Babesia and Theileria infections in cattle in Egypt
Authors: Rizk Mohamed Abdo , Salama Akram , El-Sayed Shimaa Abd-El-Salam , Elsify Ahmed , El-ashkar Maged , Ibrahim Hussam , Youssef Mohamed , El-Khodery Sabry
Published: October 2017

In present study, blood samples were collected randomly from 439 cows at three main regions of Egypt (northern, central and southern). Molecular diagnosis of
Transovarial persistence of Babesia ovata DNA in a hard tick, Haemaphysalis longicornis, in a semi-artificial mouse skin membrane feeding system
Authors: Umemiya-Shirafuji Rika , Hatta Takeshi , Okubo Kazuhiro , Sato Moeko , Maeda Hiroki , Kume Aiko , Yokoyama Naoaki , Igarashi Ikuo , Tsuji Naotoshi , Fujisaki Kozo , Inoue Noboru , Suzuki Hiroshi
Published: October 2017

Bovine piroplasmosis, a tick-borne protozoan disease, is a major concern for the cattle industry worldwide due to its negative effects on livestock productivity. Toward the development of novel therapeutic and vaccine approaches, tick-parasite experimental models have been established to clarify the development of parasites in the ticks and the transmission of the parasites by ticks. A novel tick-
Mitochondrial genotyping of Fascioloides magna from Bavaria, Germany
Authors: Bazsalovicsová Eva , Juhásová Ludmila , Králová-Hromadová Ivica , Rehbein Steffen
Published: October 2017

In last few years, a great effort has been made to understand genetic interrelationships of European and North American populations of giant liver fluke
Myrmicinosporidium durum in Poland: a new location for this fungal ant endoparasite and updated world distribution
Authors: Peral Gema Trigos , Rutkowski Tomasz , Wojtaszyn Grzegorz , Espadaler Xavier
Published: October 2017

is an enigmatic fungal parasite of ants with an unclear phylogeny and life cycle. Despite the fact that new records of this fungus have been revealed in the last few years; several countries from Eastern Europe still lack such information. With this study, we reveal the most northerly location of this fungus to date and its first record in Poland a contribution to filling the gaps in data about its European distribution. Additionally, we present an updated compilation of the world distribution of