bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Organizational cognitive neuroscience – potential (non-) implications for practice
Authors: Butler Michael J.R.
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to highlight the potential implications and non-implications for leadership and organization development of a recent systematic review of empirical developments in organizational cognitive neuroscience (OCN).

Design/methodology/approach

Butler et al.’s (2016) systematic review of 40 empirical articles related to OCN is re-interpreted in terms of its potential to reveal (non-) implications for practice. OCN is critically discussed, then related to the research findings from studies with two methodological designs.

Findings

At this stage of OCN’s emergence, it appears that neuroimaging and physiology-based research methods have equal potential in their implications for practice, though hormonal data poses ethical public interest dilemmas. Both methods cannot be reduced to specific forms of application to practice, but they set an aspirational direction for the future development of leadership and organizations.

Practical implications

There appear to be two paces of translational activity – practitioners are moving more quickly than academics in applying OCN to practice. It is suggested that a meeting of minds may be needed to ensure that any risks associated with applying OCN to practice are minimized or eliminated.

Social implications

Inter-disciplinary research, like OCN, requires a social consensus about how basic research in cognitive neuroscience can be applied to organizations. A think tank will provide opportunities for deeper engagement and co-production between academics and practitioners.

Originality/value

Critically exploring the potential implications of OCN for practice, by basing the discussion on a systematic review of empirical developments.
LMX and employee satisfaction: mediating effect of psychological capital
Authors: Liao Shu-sien , Hu Da-chian , Chung Yu-Chun , Chen Li-Wen
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between leader-member exchange (LMX), job satisfaction (JS), life satisfaction (LS), and psychological capital (PC) for employee relation management.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 319 valid questionnaires were received from employees of financial and electronics manufacturing industries in Taiwan, and they were then analyzed using a structuring equation model with SPSS 12.0 and LISREL 8.8.

Findings

Good LMX increases psychological capital. Psychological capital enhances both JS and LS, and psychological capital serves as a full mediator for both JS and LS. A moderating effect of industrial characteristics is found between LMX and LS and between psychological capital and LS.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that managers need to focus on leadership style in order to develop employees’ life and JS through building psychological capital.

Originality/value

This study not only obtained further support for predictions derived from the LMX theory but was also a more extensive analysis of the meaningful relationships between job and LS with a mediating effect of psychological capital on employee relation management.
Organizational learning from experience
Authors: Chen Guoquan , Zhou Qiwei , Liu Wei
Published: April 2017

Purpose

Based on a review of previous research of organizational learning from experience, this paper aims to point out the notable gaps and unresolved issues in the research area and proposes a “multilevel integrated model of learning from experience”, which could integrate current research findings and serve as the theoretical framework for further investigation.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is a theoretical review.

Findings

From the individual, team, organizational and multiple levels, in an order of the outcome of success and failure, this study reviews previous research about organizational learning from experience down to the last detail and points out some of their limitations, including relative fragmented-wise, lack of grope about the underlying motivations, lack of overall framework, etc. Then, this study proposes the “multilevel integrated model of learning from experience”, which provides a systematic and fine-grained framework for studies in this field.

Research limitations/implications

This paper emphasizes that true underlying motivations impelling learning from experience shall be identified and exploration for the antecedents shall be further deepened. Besides, this study figures out that various factors played their parts in the process and outcome of learning from experience through both subjective perception and objective experience. Thus, future research shall distinguish the influence of learning from experience, respectively, into “knowing” and “doing”.

Originality/value

This study is an attempt to review and integrate current research of learning from experience in multiple levels and further differentiates the influences of different experience outcomes (success vs failure). The proposed theoretical model provides clear suggestions of where future research should be directed.
The effect of product aesthetics information on website appeal in online shopping
Authors: Peng Xianghui , Peak Daniel , Prybutok Victor , Xu Chenyan
Published: April 2017

Purpose

This research posits that e-vendors can use product aesthetic information (PAI) as a strategic positing tool to shape consumers’ perceptions of e-vendors’ websites.

Design/methodology/approach

To test this framework, variations on a garment’s color (a crucial element of product aesthetics) are presented to four different treatment groups to determine whether aesthetic treatment influences the perception of the website.

Findings

The results suggest that consumers who consider a product visually appealing also perceive the e-vendor’s website as useful, resulting in enjoyment of the shopping experience. Positive perceptions lead consumers to form positive attitudes toward the vendor’s website.

Originality/value

While product aesthetics is well-studied in marketing and psychology, its relevance to the e-commerce domain is relatively underexplored. To fill the void, the paper proposes a theoretical framework that explains how PAI influences buyers’ cognitive and affective evaluations of their online shopping experiences, which in turn shapes their attitudes toward e-vendors’ sites.
Providing a better digital experience for employees
Authors: Raia Mike
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explain how, if company’s digital experience is a good one, employees can work efficiently and feel positive about their environment while, if a company’s digital experience is poor, staff can become unmotivated and avoid using the systems that are critical to the organization.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors consulted with user interface/user experience (UI/UX) professionals to explain why attention needs to be paid to UI/UX in the employee experience and how to assess an organization’s current situation.

Findings

It is possible to prevent poor UI/UX and keep employees satisfied by improving an organization’s digital employee experience using UX best practices from the tech companies who have invested billions in getting it exactly right.

Originality/value

Understanding UX principles allows you to observe and evaluate how the systems are working, then incorporate UX best principles into the design to boost productivity, happiness and output.
HR digital disruption: the biggest wave of transformation in decades
Authors: Larkin James
Published: April 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to outline and explore the changes chief human resources officers (CHROs) can expect in the digital age, focusing on three distinct categories: inward (changes within the office), outward (changes at the employee/manager level) and across (changes to the organization at large).

Design/methodology/approach

This paper carried out a review of digitization’s impact on the CHRO role, an assessment of changes at the employee/manager level and an assessment of changes at the organization-wide level.

Findings

Mimicking social media aligns learning and engagement technology with the expectations and working practices of the millennial generation. The HR function, led by the CHRO, may leverage the power of digital technology to gain an advantage over competitors by attracting and retaining top millennial talent. Cloud technology makes available a wealth of easily accessible information, which facilitates far more effective communication between management and employees. Digital provides employees leverage in terms of formulating strategy, decision-making and even leadership. Expect a dramatic increase in plug-and-play digital solutions related to recruitment and talent.

Originality/value

Learning and opinion based on the experience of a talent advisory consultant partnering with CHROs across a broad range of Fortune 500 companies.
Contribution of different bacterial dispersal sources to lakes: Population and community effects in different seasons
Authors: Comte Jérôme , Berga Mercè , Severin Ina , Logue Jürg Brendan , Lindström Eva S.
Published: April 2017

The diversity and composition of lake bacterial communities are driven by the interplay between local contemporary environmental conditions and dispersal of cells from the surroundings, i.e. the metacommunity. Still, a conceptual understanding of the relative importance of the two types of factors is lacking. For instance, it is unknown which sources of dispersal are most important and under which circumstances. Here, we investigated the seasonal variation in the importance of dispersal from different sources (mixing, precipitation, surface runoff and sediment resuspension) for lake bacterioplankton community and population dynamics. For that purpose, two small forest lakes and their dispersal sources were sampled over a period of 10 months. The influence of dispersal on communities and populations was determined by 454 sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene and SourceTracker analysis. On the community level direct effects of dispersal were questionable from all sources. Instead we found that the community of the preceding sampling occasion, representing growth of resident bacteria, was of great importance. On the population level, however, dispersal of individual taxa from the inlet could be occasionally important even under low water flow. The effect of sediment resuspension and precipitation appeared small.
Understanding poor comprehenders in different orthographies: Universal versus language‐specific skills
Authors: Tong Xiuli , Deacon S. Hélène
Published: April 2017

Despite an emerging focus on poor comprehenders in recent reading research, a number of unresolved issues concerning the cognitive and linguistic underpinnings of this disorder remain. In this special issue, we bring together a set of six papers examining the strengths and weaknesses of different types of poor comprehenders across multiple languages, including English, French and Chinese. Key findings of these studies show that certain oral language skills, such as morphological awareness and syntactic awareness, are related to reading comprehension deficits in different languages, suggesting their universality. Intriguingly, dissociability and co‐occurrence of reading comprehension difficulties have been identified in bilingual children whose L1 and L2 are quite disparate, with some bilinguals exhibiting reading comprehension deficits in a single language, while others display these deficits in both languages. These issues and their implications for future research are further discussed.
Optimising the effectiveness of diabetes education in an East Asian population
Authors: Choi T. S. T. , Walker K. Z. , Lombard C. B. , Palermo C.
Published: April 2017

Aim

To explore the collective patterns of learning behaviours and preferences of Chinese people during diabetes education. The study was carried out across three countries and aimed to identify strategies that could be used to tailor diabetes education to Chinese people.

Methods

A case study approach was undertaken in three countries (Australia, China and Singapore) using participant observations and qualitative interviews. Purposive sampling was used to select field sites before a snowball technique was employed to identify relevant interviewees. Thematic analysis with pattern matching was used for data analysis.

Results

A total of 39 participant observations and 22 interviews were conducted. Chinese people with diabetes were observed seeking advice and recommendations from health professionals. When told clearly what to do, they strived for full compliance. They tended to be submissive during diabetes education and were not likely to raise concerns, negotiate or participate in making medical decisions. They appeared to prefer prescriptive concrete instructions rather than more flexible conceptual education and to believe that behavioural change should be achieved by individual willpower and determination, resulting in an ‘all‐or‐nothing’ approach. Regular repeated information sessions were reported to establish rapport and trust.

Conclusions

For diabetes education to be culturally modified for Chinese people, there is a need to consider their unique philosophies and behaviours during education to support lifestyle changes. Building trust from the early stages of education was achieved by encouraging rapport through the provision of clear and precise instructions. This should be done before engaging in an open discussion of implementation strategies. Once the trust is built, healthy behaviour change may follow.
Comparison of malnutrition inflammation score, anthropometry and biochemical parameters in assessing the difference in protein‐energy wasting between normal weight and obese patients undergoing haemodialysis
Authors: Alipoor Elham , Hosseinzadeh‐Attar Mohammad Javad , Mahdavi‐Mazdeh Mitra , Yaseri Mehdi , Zahed Narges S.
Published: April 2017

Aim

Protein‐energy wasting (PEW) is prevalent in haemodialysis. Obesity is an independent risk factor of kidney insufficiency, but it is proposed to have beneficial roles in better outcomes in the final stage of disease. Better nutritional status and body reserves are among probable mechanisms, but direct examinations are limited. The present study aimed to investigate whether obese patients have preferable nutritional status compared to normal weight patients based on malnutrition inflammation score (MIS) and other PEW parameters in haemodialysis.

Methods

This case–control study investigated 52 normal weight (18.5 < body mass index (BMI) < 25 kg/m2) and 48 obese (BMI≥30 kg/m2) patients on regular haemodialysis. PEW was assessed based on anthropometric and biochemical factors, recent weight changes, appetite, anorexia, dietary intake and MIS.

Results

Obese patients had better MIS compared with the normal weight group (P < 0.001), although varying degrees of wasting were prevalent among this group too (75% mild and 25% moderate wasting). The obese group had less significant weight loss (4.2 vs 8%) and anorexia and better appetite. However, a considerable percentage of patients in both groups showed muscle (94.6% of normal weight and 19.5% of obese) and peripheral fat tissue (89.2% of normal weight and 31.7% of obese) losses compared to the 50th percentile. Biochemical parameters were not significantly different between groups except for triglyceride (P = 0.001), transferrin and total iron‐binding capacity (P = 0.028).

Conclusions

MIS was significantly better in obese patients; however, both groups showed degrees of wasting based on MIS and other PEW parameters. Nutritional status of obese haemodialysis patients should be monitored regularly because of high risk of PEW like other BMI categories.
Providing Comprehensive Health Insurance Coverage in Rural China: a Critical Appraisal of the New Cooperative Medical Scheme and Ways Forward
Authors: Yang Wei , Wu Xun
Published: April 2017

Health insurance reform for rural China is at a crossroads. The achievements of recent reform initiatives appear remarkable as measured by coverage through the New Cooperative Medical Scheme (NCMS); yet there is little evidence that NCMS has made major strides toward improving the financial protection of health care for the rural population. Our assessment suggests that the system may become trapped in a vicious cycle of increases in government subsidies and resulting cost escalations in health care due to strategic responses among health care providers, a factor that hitherto has been largely overlooked. We argue that to improve the sector's overall performance, a thorough reform is needed to change provider payment incentives. Attention should also be directed to strengthening the ability of government agencies to manage health insurance funds effectively through their roles as purchasers and third‐party payers.
The Way Forward: A Look at Liberalization of LDC Health Insurance Markets
Authors: Muth Karl T.
Published: April 2017

This article explores the historical and contemporary problem of health care provision with a focus on the least developed countries (LDCs) and heavily indebted poor countries (HIPCs). The paper concludes that, while there may be advantages to state‐run insurance systems for vulnerable populations (e.g. the indigent or the widowed elderly), there is likely a space for fee‐for‐service and pay‐per‐premium health care to develop alongside other familiar western institutions, like retail banking and telecommunications services. This discussion of financial evolution concludes with a comparison to postwar Japan and other contexts in which complex, locally unprecedented payment systems have been quick to take root and have been very successful.
Patient Power as a Driver for Change: Reality or Rhetoric?
Authors: Mossman Jean , Baker Mary G. , Kössler Ingrid
Published: April 2017

‘Patient‐centred care’ is a term often used in relation to health care policy and delivery, and it might be assumed that the patient perspective is an integral part of the decisions made by policy makers and health care providers. It might also be assumed that processes such as health technology assessments have mechanisms embedded in their methodology to faithfully capture what it means to live with an illness and the potential benefits (and risks) a new technology will bring to the people likely to use it. Although there are many good reasons to involve patients in decisions – from the personal to the policy level – many issues must be resolved before health care truly delivers ‘nothing about me without me’ to patients.
Disease burden, comorbidity and geriatric syndromes in the Australian aged care population
Authors: Hillen Jodie Belinda , Vitry Agnes , Caughey Gillian E
Published: April 2017

Objective

To describe the burden of disease in the Australian residential aged care population.

Methods

Cross‐sectional analysis of Aged Care Funding Instrument data.

Results

Dementia (48%), depression (22.5%) and arthritis (14.2%) were the most prevalent chronic diseases in this population. Unclassified conditions such as falls, pain and urinary incontinence were also significant burdens in this population (17.1%). Circulatory, musculoskeletal and unclassified conditions were the most prevalent comorbidities across all common medical groups. Dementia and depression were the most common comorbid mental health conditions across all medical groups.

Conclusion

The challenges for evaluating clinical care in Australian residential aged care are many. Delivering good clinical care should be a priority for aged care providers given the high burden of chronic disease and comorbidity. An informative starting point could be to target management of the most prevalent and burdensome conditions and comorbidities.
Twelve month follow‐up of a contraceptive implant outreach service in rural Papua New Guinea
Authors: Gupta Sarika , Mola Glen , Ramsay Philippa , Jenkins Greg , Stein Wendy , Bolnga John , Black Kirsten
Published: April 2017

Background

Poor access to contraception contributes to persistently high maternal mortality rates in Papua New Guinea (PNG). Since 2012 contraceptive implants have been provided to women in rural areas of PNG through outreach services but follow‐up data in these communities on continuation and acceptability is lacking.

Objective

To gain insight into women's experience with contraceptive implants by assessing the acceptability, satisfaction, 12 month continuation rates and efficacy of contraceptive implants among women in rural PNG.

Material and methods

We undertook a cross‐sectional survey of women in two rural provinces who had received a contraceptive implant at least 12 months prior using a structured questionnaire. We sought information on device continuation rates, satisfaction scores, side effects and failure rates.

Results

Of the 860 women surveyed, 97% (n = 836) still had the device in situ after 12 months and 92% (n = 793) were very happy with it. Seventy‐six percent of women (n = 654) reported no side effects. Irregular bleeding was the most commonly reported side effect (n = 178, 20.6%) but only 7% (n = 13) said the bleeding was bothersome. Documented failure rates were 0.8% although pregnancy at the time of insertion could not be excluded in any of these cases.

Conclusion

Twelve month implant follow‐up data in this study showed high continuation rates and high levels of satisfaction among a rural population in PNG. Implants have the potential to lower maternal morbidity and mortality and simultaneously address the unmet need for contraception in these communities.
Genetic relationships between temperament of calves at auction and carcass traits in Japanese Black cattle
Authors: Takeda Kazuya , Uchida Hiroshi , Inoue Keiichi
Published: April 2017

Correlations of calves’ temperament with carcass traits were estimated to clarify the genetic relationships between them in Japanese Black cattle. The temperament records for 3128 calves during auction at a calf market were scored on a scale of 1 (calm) to 5 (nervous) as temperament score (TS), and theTSwere divided into two groups (TSG):TS1 and 2 comprisedTSG1, and 3 to 5 constitutedTSG2. Carcass data were obtained from 33 552 fattened cattle. A threshold animal model was used for analyzing the underlying liability forTSG, whereas a linear one was used forTSand carcass traits. The heritability estimates forTSandTSGwere 0.12 and 0.11, respectively. On the other hand, moderate to high heritability estimates were obtained for carcass traits (0.40 to 0.68). The temperament scores were negatively correlated with carcass weight, rib thickness and subcutaneous fat thickness (−0.13 to −0.59). In contrast, weak to moderate positive correlations were found between the temperament scores and rib eye area or yield estimate (0.16 to 0.45). The temperament scores and beef marbling score had no correlation. These results showed that it is possible to improve temperament and carcass traits simultaneously.
Furosemide loading test in a case of homozygous solute carrier family 12, member 1 (SLC12A1) mutation (g.62382825G>A, p.Pro372Leu) in Japanese Black cattle
Authors: Hasegawa Kiyotoshi , Sasaki Shinji , Sakamoto Yoichi , Takano Akifumi , Takayama Megumi , Higashi Tomoko , Sugimoto Yoshikazu , Yasuda Yasuaki
Published: April 2017

Hydrallantois is the excessive accumulation of fluid in the allantoic cavity in a pregnant animal and is associated with fetal death. We recently identified a recessive missense mutation in the solute carrier family 12, member 1 (SLC12A1) gene (g.62382825G>A, p.Pro372Leu) that is associated with hydrallantois in Japanese Black cattle. Unexpectedly, we found a case of the homozygous risk‐allele for SLC12A1 in a calf, using a PCR‐based direct DNA sequencing test. The homozygote was outwardly healthy up to 3 months of age and the mother did not exhibit any clinical symptoms of hydrallantois. In order to validate these observations, we performed confirmation tests for the genotype and a diuretic loading test using furosemide, which inhibits the transporter activity of the SLC12A1 protein. The results showed that the calf was really homozygous for the risk‐allele. In the homozygous calf, administration of furosemide did not alter urinary Na+ or Cl− levels, in contrast to the heterozygote and wild‐type calves in which these were significantly increased. These results demonstrate that the SLC12A1 (g.62382825G>A, p.Pro372Leu) is a hypomorphic or loss‐of‐function mutation and the hydrallantois with this mutation shows incomplete penetrance in Japanese Black cattle.
Heart rate recovery improvement in patients following acute myocardial infarction: exercise training, β‐blocker therapy or both
Authors: Medeiros Wladimir M. , de Luca Fabio A. , de Figueredo Júnior Alcides R. , Mendes Felipe A. R. , Gun Carlos
Published: April 2017

Heart rate recovery (HRR) is a strong mortality predictor. Exercise training (ET) and β‐blocker therapy have significant impact on the HRR of patients following myocardial infarction (MI). However, the combination of ET and β‐blocker therapy, as well as its effectiveness in patients with a more compromised HRR (≤12 bpm), has been under‐studied. Male patients (n = 64) post‐MI were divided: Training + β‐blocker (n = 19), Training (n = 15), β‐blocker (n = 11) and Control (n = 19). Participants performed an ergometric test before and after 3 months of intervention. HRR was obtained during 5 min of recovery and corrected by the cardiac reserve (HRRcorrCR). Compared to pre‐intervention, HRRcorrCR was significantly increased during the 1st and 2nd minutes of recovery in the Training + β‐blocker group (70·5% and 37·5%, respectively; P<0·05). A significant improvement, lasting from the 1st to the 4th minute of recovery, was also observed in the Training group (47%, 50%, 25% and 8·7%, respectively; P<0·05). In contrast, the β‐blocker group showed a reduction in HRRcorrCR during the 2nd and 3rd minutes of recovery (−21·2% and −16·3%, respectively; P<0·05). In addition, interventions involving ET (Training + βb, Training) were significantly more effective in patients with a pre‐intervention HRR ≤ 12 bpm than for patients with HRR > 12 bpm. Combination of β‐blocker therapy with ET does not compromise the effect of training and instead promotes HRR and aerobic capacity improvement. In addition, this combination is particularly beneficial for individuals presenting with a more compromised HRR. However, chronic administration of β‐blocker therapy alone did not promote improvement in HRR or aerobic capacity.
Validation of non‐invasive haemodynamic methods in patients with liver disease: the Finometer and the Task Force Monitor
Authors: Brittain Jane M. , Busk Troels M. , Møller Søren
Published: April 2017

Patients with advanced cirrhosis often present a hyperdynamic circulation characterized by a decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP), and an increase in heart rate (HR) and cardiac output (CO). Accurate assessment of the altered circulation can be performed invasively; however, due to the disadvantages of this approach, non‐invasive methods are warranted. The purpose of this study was to compare continuous non‐invasive measurements of haemodynamic variables by the Finometer and the Task Force Monitor with simultaneous invasive measurements. In 25 patients with cirrhosis, SBP, DBP and HR were measured non‐invasively and by femoral artery catheterization. CO was measured non‐invasively and by indicator dilution technique. The non‐invasive pressure monitoring was considered acceptable with a bias (accuracy) and a SD (precision) not exceeding 5 and 8 mmHg, respectively, as recommended by the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation. The accuracy and precision of the Finometer and the Task Force Monitor were as follows: SBP: −3·6 ± 17·9 and −8·9 ± 17·5 mmHg, respectively; DBP: 4·2 ± 9·6 and 1·9 ± 8·6 mmHg, respectively; HR: 2·0 ± 6·9 and 2·2 ± 6·2 bpm, respectively; and CO: 0·1 ± 1·6 and −1·0 ± 2·0 L min−1, respectively. The study demonstrates that the overall performances of the Finometer and the Task Force Monitor in estimating absolute values of SBP, DBP, HR and CO in patients with cirrhosis are not equivalent to the gold standard, but may have an acceptable performance with repeated measurements.
Auditory processing following infantile spasms: An event‐related potential study
Authors: Fosi Tangunu , Werner Klaus , Boyd Stewart G. , De Haan Michelle , Scott Rod C. , Neville Brian G.
Published: April 2017

Objectives

To investigate acoustic auditory processing in patients with recent infantile spasms (IS).

Methods

Patients (n = 22; 12 female; median age 8 months; range 5–11 months) had normal preceding development, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and neurometabolic testing (West syndrome of unknown cause, uWS). Controls were healthy babies (n = 22; 11 female; median age 6 months; range 3–12 months). Event‐related potentials (ERPs) and psychometry (Bayley Scales of Infant Development, Second Edition, BSID‐II) took place at a month following IS remission.

Results

Following a repeated pure tone, uWS patients showed less suppression of the N100 at the mid‐temporal electrodes (p = 0.006), and a prolonged response latency (p = 0.019). Their novelty P300 amplitude over the mid‐temporal electrodes was halved (p = 0.001). The peak of the novelty P300 to environmental broadband sounds emerged later over the left temporal lobe in patients (p = 0.015), the lag correlating with duration of spasms (r = 0.547, p = 0.015). BSID‐II scores were lower in patients (p < 0.001), with no correlation to ERP.

Significance

Complex acoustic information is processed poorly following IS. This would impair language. Treatment did not reverse this phenomenon, but may have limited its severity. The data are most consistent with altered connectivity of the cortical acoustic processing areas induced by IS.
The impact of nonadherence to antiseizure drugs on seizure outcomes in an animal model of epilepsy
Authors: Thomson Kyle E. , Modi Avani C. , Glauser Tracy A. , Rausch Joseph R. , Steve White H.
Published: April 2017

Objective

Nonadherence to prescribed dosing regimens is a significant problem in the treatment of pediatric and adult chronic epilepsy, and can result in severe consequences to patient outcomes. In this first‐of‐kind preclinical study, the impact of nonadherence on seizure control was studied by simulating human patterns of nonadherence in an animal epilepsy model.

Methods

In study 1, three different patterns of nonadherence were modeled in newly diagnosed epileptic rats treated with carbamazepine: perfect adherence (100% of pellets contained carbamazepine), variable nonadherence (50% of pellets contained carbamazepine with different dosing patterns between animals), and complete nonadherence (0% of pellets contained carbamazepine). In study 2, a cohort of newly diagnosed epileptic rats were subjected to a “drug holiday” nonadherence paradigm, that is, a 2‐week on (100%), 2‐week off (0%), and 2‐week on (100%) carbamazepine paradigm.

Results

In the first experiment, the 100% (0.3 ± 0.2 SD convulsive seizures per day) adherent cohort demonstrated better seizure control than either the 0% (1.1 ± 0.8 SD) or 50% (0.8 ± 0.6 SD) adherent cohorts, which had similar levels of seizure control. In the second study, poor seizure control was exhibited during the second 2 weeks; that is, the drug holiday epoch; however, this did not negatively affect restoration of seizure control upon reinstatement ofCBZ.

Significance

The results from this pilot investigation suggest that nonadherence to carbamazepine is associated with significant negative but reversible effects on seizure control in an animal model of epilepsy. Furthermore, these results demonstrate that animal studies of nonadherence can yield potentially important and translatable insights into the consequences of nonadherence on seizure control.
Predictors of Initial Court Agreement and 1‐Year Relitigation in Title IV‐D Contested Paternity Cases
Authors: Poladian Ani R. , Rudd Brittany N. , Holtzworth‐Munroe Amy , Applegate Amy G. , D'Onofrio Brian M.
Published: April 2017

We examined potential predictors of initial court agreement and 1‐year relitigation in a sample of contested paternity cases involving unmarried parents coming to court to establish paternity, child support, and other issues. Cases participated in an RCT of a parent program and of a waiting period between establishment of paternity and court hearing. We controlled for RCT study factors and used baseline assessment data to predict likelihood of reaching full agreement in the initial court hearing and relitigation in the following year. Findings suggest that cases in which parents get along better outside of court are more likely to reach agreement and less likely to return to court. Additionally, particular parent demographics predict lower likelihood of reaching initial agreement (e.g., parents are non‐White, father earns below $10,000 yearly), more relitigation (e.g., parents are non‐White, mother earns above $10,000 yearly, father has children with others), and less relitigation (e.g., father earns above $10,000 yearly). Child demographics and most parent relationship characteristics did not predict outcomes. We discuss findings and offer suggestions for court interventions.
Adaptive and Maladaptive Gatekeeping Behaviors and Attitudes: Implications for Child Outcomes After Separation and Divorce
Authors: Saini Michael A. , Drozd Leslie M. , Olesen Nancy W.
Published: April 2017

Gatekeeping has been used as a theory and a measure to describe and assess family dynamics within the context of separation and divorce. In this article, we explore adaptive and maladaptive gatekeeping behaviors and attitudes that can affect the other parent's relationship with the child. Implications are presented for connecting adaptive and maladaptive gatekeeping responses to child outcomes of safety, well‐being, and positive parent–child relationships following separation and divorce. We build on the recent attention to gatekeeping as a potential framework within the child custody context.
The Injustice of a Felony Conviction for Offenders Under Age Twenty‐One: A New Option for the Courts to Save Our Youths’ Futures
Authors: Migden Scott E.
Published: April 2017

When the Criminal Justice System adjudicates an individual felony offender, it complicates many aspects of that individual's life; from applying for colleges, and jobs to attempting to become contributing member of society. In New York, to prevent seven‐ to sixteen‐year‐old youth who commit felony offenses from becoming felony offenders, the courts prosecute them as juvenile delinquents or juvenile offenders. In the United States, individuals under the age of twenty‐one cannot purchase alcohol or tobacco and cannot get married without parental consent, but they can be charged with a felony. Before and even after reaching the age of twenty‐one, individuals are still in need of guidance, support, education, employment, and stability as brain development is still ongoing. To help protect those who have not reached the age of twenty‐one, states should implement Senior Youthful Offender Hearings as proposed in this Note. This hearing is a two‐part hearing: (1) determine if an individual should be considered eligible for the protections under the current Youthful Offender Laws and (2) determine sentencing and alternatives to incarceration, focused on steering Senior Youthful Offenders on the right path.
Mutual Fund Managers’ Prior Work Experience and Their Investment Skill
Authors: Chen Rui , Gao Zhennan , Zhang Xueyong , Zhu Min
Published: April 2017

This paper examines the relationship between mutual fund managers’ past professional backgrounds and their portfolio performance using Chinese mutual fund data from 2003 to 2016. We focus on managers with prior work experience either as industry analysts or as macroanalysts. We hypothesize that managers who worked as industry analysts exhibit superior stock picking skills, while managers with a background as macroanalysts time the market better. These hypotheses are supported by the data after controlling for observable fund and manager characteristics. Bootstrap analyses suggest that a significant difference in performance between these two types of managers cannot be attributed purely to luck.
Identifying frailty in primary care: A systematic review
Authors: Lee Linda , Patel Tejal , Hillier Loretta M. , Maulkhan Niraj , Slonim Karen , Costa Andrew
Published: April 2017

Aim

Identification of frailty in the primary care setting could be improved with the availability of easily identifiable markers of frailty. The purpose of this article was to systematically review markers for frailty or risk tools that have been validated in the ambulatory care setting.

Methods

Medline, PubMed, CIHAHL and Embase databases were searched up to March 2016 for studies on frailty markers in community‐dwelling individuals 65 years or older. Studies were included for review if they were carried out in primary care or outpatient settings, used a validated definition of frailty, compared two or more markers, and used randomized controlled trial, quasi‐experimental or prospective cohort designs.

Results

Of the 3405 titles screened, 12 were retained for review. All of the studies were prospective cohort designs. Studies most frequently assessed biological markers, such as immune, inflammation, endocrine biomarkers and metabolic syndrome markers. Not one specific marker was repeatedly identified as a definitive marker for frailty.

Conclusions

There is a lack of psychometrically sound and clinically useful frailty markers. There is a need for further research to identify highly sensitive, specific and accurate markers that are feasible to use in the context of busy primary care practice. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 1358–1377.
Foreign bodies in the external auditory canal: Influence of age on incidence and outcomes in a Japanese population
Authors: Nakao Yoshio , Tanigawa Tohru , Murotani Kenta , Yamashita Jun‐ichi
Published: April 2017

Aim

Otolaryngologists occasionally observe foreign bodies (FB) in the external auditory canal (EAC), although relatively few studies have focused on the role of age in this condition.

Methods

We retrospectively compared the incidences, outcomes and complications of FB in the EAC in different age groups.

Results

The patients at our center included 24 children (19%), 46 adults (37%) and 56 older adults (44%). Compared with adults, older adults were significantly more likely to have FB (peak age 75–79 years), be women (18/46 vs 34/56, P = 0.0461) and be unaware of their FB (18/46 vs 34/56, P = 0.0461). We observed that all EAC FB were more common during the summer, and biotic FB were not observed during the winter. Complications were more common in cases of biotic FB, compared with abiotic FB (5/27 vs 6/99, P = 0.0421).

Conclusion

Our findings show that older adults are particularly susceptible to FB, are frequently unaware of their FB and can develop complications. These characteristics should be considered before treating FB in the EAC. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 2131–2135.
Prevalence and risk factors of depression in the empty nest elderly from the Sichuan Longmenshan fault earthquake
Authors: Xu Jiuping , Sun Yang , Wang Ziqi
Published: April 2017

Aim

There have been few recent studies that have systematically investigated the risk factors for psychological illnesses caused by earthquakes in the empty nest elderly. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors for depression in this special group in the hardest hit areas of the 2008 Sichuan Longmenshan fault Earthquake.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was conducted in 10 severely damaged counties from Oct 2015 to Jan 2016 on 1,783 empty nesters, all of whom completed the Geriatric Depression Scale and the Social Support Rating Scale. Socio‐demographic information was also collected in a cross‐sectional survey.

Results

It was found that 83.1 % of empty nesters had depression overall, with 94.5 % in females, 95.8 % in the single elderly (widowed or divorced) and 97.7 % in those who had suffered bereavement because of the earthquake. The logistic regression analysis showed that being female, of single status, having poor subjective support, poor support availability and suffering from bereavement were the main risk factors for depression.

Conclusions

Of the earthquake affected empty nest elderly, depression was highest in females and the bereaved. Further poor subjective support was found to be strong indicator of depression in this special group. To minimize depression in the vulnerable elderly, measures should be taken to assist empty nesters in the earthquake‐stricken areas make full use of social support. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 2143–2149.
Survival of Helicobacter pylori in gastric acidic territory
Authors: Ansari Shamshul , Yamaoka Yoshio
Published: April 2017

Background

Helicobacter pylori is well adapted to colonize the epithelial surface of the human gastric mucosa and can cause persistent infections. In order to infect the gastric mucosa, it has to survive in the gastric acidic pH. This organism has well developed mechanisms to neutralize the effects of acidic pH.

Objective

This review article was designed to summarize the various functional and molecular aspects by which the bacterium can combat and survive the gastric acidic pH in order to establish the persistent infections.

Methods

We used the keywords (acid acclimation, gastric acidic environment, H. pylori and survival) in combination or alone for pubmed search of recent scientific literatures. One hundred and forty one papers published between 1989 and 2016 were sorted out. The articles published with only abstracts, other than in English language, case reports and reviews were excluded.

Results

Many literatures describing the role of several factors in acid survival were found. Recently, the role of several other factors has been claimed to participate in acid survival.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this organism has well characterized mechanisms for acid survival.
Prescribing and medication communication on the post‐take ward round
Authors: Myers Brooke , Mitchell Charles , Whitty Jenny A. , Donovan Peter , Coombes Ian
Published: April 2017

Gaps in communication between medical officers and poor planning are associated with prescribing errors and may result in patient harm. This study describes medication communication on post‐take ward rounds (PTWR). Over 6 weeks on 24 PTWR, 130 patients, prescribed 1244 medications, were observed. Of these, 811 (65%) medications were discussed, with 249 discussions (relating to 126 medications) being ‘in‐depth’. Of 191 planned medication‐related actions, 38 (20%) were not implemented by the end of the PTWR and 21 (11%) by time of discharge from hospital. This study suggests that the level of medication communication and subsequent actions are suboptimal. Processes to improve this situation should be explored.
Targeting low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol with PCSK9 inhibitors
Authors: Scherer Daniel J. , Nelson Adam J. , Psaltis Peter J. , Nicholls Stephen J.
Published: April 2017

Over the past quarter century, clinical trials have consistently demonstrated that lowering levels of low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) with statins reduces the rate of major adverse cardiovascular events. However, the findings that many patients continue to experience events or harbour inappropriately high LDL‐C levels despite intensive statin therapy and the clinical reality of statin intolerance suggests that additional therapeutic strategies are required in order to achieve more effective reductions in cardiovascular risk. The emergence of inhibitory monoclonal antibodies targeted against proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin type 9 (PCSK9) provides a novel approach to reducing LDL‐C levels. The current experience of PCSK9 inhibitors and implications for clinical use and cost effectiveness will be reviewed.
Blunted cardiovascular reactions are a predictor of negative health outcomes: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Yuenyongchaiwat Kornanong , Sheffield David
Published: April 2017

The study examined whether cardiovascular responses to psychological stress tests predict future anxiety and depression scores 40‐months later. Hemodynamic measures were obtained from 102 healthy adults before, during and after mental arithmetic, a speech task, and a cold pressor task. The 14‐item Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale was administered at initial testing and at 40‐months follow‐up. At initial testing analyses revealed that high anxiety symptoms were characterized by blunted cardiovascular reactions to acute mental stress, particularly mental arithmetic. Furthermore, after adjustment for baseline blood pressure (BP), baseline anxiety levels and traditional risk factors, attenuated systolic BP responses to mental arithmetic were associated with future anxiety levels (ΔR2 = .055). These findings suggest that blunted cardiovascular reactions to stress may be an independent risk factor for future anxiety levels.
Summer day camp attendance facilitates some children meeting physical activity recommendations: Differences by gender and weight status
Authors: Baker Birgitta L. , McGregor Andrew , Johnson Lisa G. , Taylor Melissa
Published: April 2017

The purpose of this study was to determine if participants in a summer camp met physical activity guidelines and to examine whether physical activity levels differed by gender, race, socio‐economic status, or weight status. Height, weight, demographic information, and accelerometer‐measured physical activity were obtained from 132 participants aged 6–12 years at 6 day camps. Participants engaged in an average of 57.7 min (SD = 26.54) of moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity during the 8 hr of camp. Almost 40% (39.8%) of the campers met the physical activity guidelines of at least 60 min of moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity during the camp day, but there were gender and weight status differences. Results of an ANOVA analysis indicated that boys were more active than girls and normal weight children were more active than obese children. Summer day camp attendance appears to provide many children with an opportunity to attain recommended levels of physical activity, but differs by gender and weight status.
Prejudice, polyculturalism, and the influence of contact and moral exclusion: A comparison of responses toward LGBI, TI, and refugee groups
Authors: Healy Esther , Thomas Emma , Pedersen Anne
Published: April 2017

Prejudice toward marginalized groups is recognized as a complex and harmful social issue. The present study investigates the role of polyculturalism in undermining prejudice toward lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex people and refugees. A pilot study (N = 76) compared participants' prejudice, contact, and moral exclusion toward lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB) and transgender or intersex (TI) people. There were differences for three out of four variables; thus, LGB and TI variables were separated in the study proper (N = 154). In this study, we investigated moral exclusion and contact (quantity and quality) relating to LGB, TI, and refugee groups as simultaneous mediators of the relationship between polyculturalism and prejudice, while taking into account openness as per previous research. Structural equation modeling indicated that moral exclusion and contact quality acted as mediators between polyculturalism and prejudice for LGB people, TI people, and refugees.