bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Resource Allocation in Strategic Factor Markets: A Realistic Real Options Approach to Generating Competitive Advantage
Authors: Leiblein Michael J. , Chen John S. , Posen Hart E.
Published: October 2017

This paper develops a realistic real option theory of resource allocation decisions in strategic factor markets. Competitive advantage in factor markets is underpinned by market failures that allow firms to acquire assets at less than their value in use. We recognize that market failure may result from uncertainty regarding the current and/or future value of an asset, which map, respectively, to uncertainty as modeled in the feedback learning and real options literatures. The realistic real option framework we develop grafts insights from the strategic factor market, feedback learning, and real option valuation literatures. We argue that competitive advantage may emerge not only from luck, or ex ante differences in information or complementary assets, but also because firms differ in a specific type of learning ability—the ability to integrate new information to exercise a contingent claim on an asset in a factor market. We dimensionalize these differences in terms of information processing and belief updating, argue that these differences lead to different resource allocation decisions, and suggest how these decisions may generate competitive advantage.
The Effects of Relative Size, Profitability, and Growth on Corporate Capital Allocations
Authors: Bardolet David , Brown Alex , Lovallo Dan
Published: October 2017

Resource allocation in firms is often done in relative terms. Allocations to each project or, in the case of multibusiness firms, business segments are not made independently but through comparisons among the options. In that context, it becomes particularly important to identify the organizational factors that might influence those processes, as well as the mechanisms that create that influence. In this article, we investigate one of those potential factors—the size of a business segment relative to the rest of the organization—and two possible accounts. One is a naive tendency to spread out allocations evenly over the firm’s segments that would cause managers to relatively ignore differences in size and favor smaller segments over larger ones, holding other variables constant. The second is a tendency to direct larger allocation to the segments with the most political power and clout within the organization, which would normally favor larger segments, as those generally possess more influence. We investigate these competing hypotheses in a cross-section of firms to conclude that both mechanisms are partially at play. We find that both the smallest and the largest of segments are favored in the capital allocation process. Moreover, we find that the segment’s growth and profitability as well as corporate management ownership of the company moderate those effects.
Activity Overinvestment: The Case of R&D
Authors: Ahuja Gautam , Novelli Elena
Published: October 2017

The literature on corporate diversification has argued for and established the case that companies overdiversify in a product market sense (i.e., enter into unrelated product markets where they may not fully cover their cost of capital). Yet even without engaging in unrelated diversification, managers need to make resource allocation decisions in a variety of activities that a company conducts to consummate its business. In this article, we focus on R&D activity, and we discuss the effects that the uncertainty, boundary ambiguity, feedback latency, R&D lumpiness, and legitimacy that characterize technological contexts can have in making overinvestment in R&D likely. Specifically, in this article we (a) draw attention to the construct of activity overinvestment, and specifically R&D overinvestment; (b) use the received literature to argue that there exists a prima facie case for examining this construct and its antecedents in order to evaluate the extent and implications of R&D overinvestment; and (c) make the more general case that the resource allocation literature needs to study the issue of activity overinvestment systematically.
Predictors of Clinicopathologic Stage Discrepancy in Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A National Cancer Database Study
Authors: Kılıç Suat , Kılıç Sarah S. , Shah Kajal P. , Eloy Jean Anderson , Baredes Soly , Mahmoud Omar M. , Park Richard Chan Woo
Published: October 2017

Objective

To determine the frequency, associated factors, and prognosis of clinicopathologic stage discrepancy in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC).

Study Design

Retrospective study using a national database.

Setting

National Cancer Database.

Subjects and Methods

Cases of OPSCC diagnosed between January 1, 2004, and December 31, 2013, with full clinical and pathologic staging information available were identified. Demographic, clinicopathologic, and treatment variables associated with overall stage discrepancy were identified by multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results

In total, 7731 cases of OPSCC were identified. Overall stage discrepancy was present in 30.2% of cases (21.9% upstaging, 8.2% downstaging). A total of 13.1% of cases were T‐upstaged, and 10.5% of cases were T‐downstaged; 22.9% of cases were N‐upstaged, and 8.6% of cases were N‐downstaged. Upstaging by overall stage was associated with a high Charlson‐Deyo score, high tumor grade, number of lymph nodes examined, and increasing tumor size. No factors were positively associated with downstaging. High tumor grade was negatively associated with downstaging. For stage II, III, and IVA tumors, upstaging was associated with poorer OS.

Conclusion

Clinicopathologic stage discrepancy is common in OPSCC and is likely attributable to insensitive clinical staging techniques as well as to intrinsic tumor biologic properties. Upstaging is associated with poorer prognosis, which is likely due to advancement of disease.
Periostin as a Biomarker for Nasal Polyps in Chronic Rhinosinusitis
Authors: Maxfield Alice Z. , Landegger Lukas D. , Brook Christopher D. , Lehmann Ashton E. , Campbell Adam P. , Bergmark Regan W. , Stankovic Konstantina M. , Metson Ralph
Published: October 2017

Objective

Periostin is an extracellular matrix protein that is elevated in the sinonasal tissues of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). The purpose of this study was to determine whether serum periostin could serve as a molecular biomarker of nasal polyp burden in sinonasal disease.

Study Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting

Academic medical center.

Subjects and Methods

Serum periostin levels were measured by ELISA on blood samples collected from patients undergoing sinus surgery for CRS (n = 71), further stratified by phenotype as defined by nasal polyps and asthma. Results were compared with assays performed on control subjects (n = 62).

Results

Mean serum periostin levels were markedly elevated in patients with CRS versus controls (66.1 ng/mL [95% CI, 51.6‐80.6] vs 38.7 ng/mL [95% CI, 34.4‐42.9], respectively, P =. 004). In addition, mean periostin levels were significantly higher in CRS patients with nasal polyps as compared with those without polyps (94.8 ng/mL [95% CI, 67.3‐122.4] vs 41.1 ng/mL [95% CI, 35.2‐47.0], respectively, P <. 001). Periostin levels did not correlate with sex (P =. 473), smoking history (P =. 748), aspirin‐exacerbated respiratory disease status (P =. 136), oral steroid use within 1 month of surgery (P =. 281), use of topical steroid nasal spray (P =. 864), or number of prior sinus operations (P =. 973).

Conclusion

Serum periostin appears to be a novel molecular biomarker for the presence of nasal polyps and may serve as an indicator of CRS endotypes.
Medicinal cannabis (Bedrolite) substitution therapy in inpatients with a psychotic disorder and a comorbid cannabis use disorder: A case series
Authors: Schipper Regi , Dekker Mathilde , de Haan Lieuwe , van den Brink Wim
Published: October 2017

Cannabis use disorders are frequently comorbid in patients with a psychotic disorder and are associated with worse outcomes. To date there are no proven effective strategies to achieve cannabis abstinence in this population. An alternative for abstinence might be harm reduction, i.e. replacing the use of street cannabis with high tetrahydrocannabinol and low cannabidiol levels by medicinal cannabis variants with relatively low tetrahydrocannabinol and relatively high cannabidiol levels, thereby reducing the psychosis inducing effects of cannabis and enhancing the antipsychotic effects of cannabis. Here we present the data of a case series with seven inpatients diagnosed with a psychotic disorder and a treatment-resistant cannabis use disorder who received substitution therapy with a low tetrahydrocannabinol medicinal cannabis variant (Bedrolite). The results suggest that the low tetrahydrocannabinol medicinal cannabis variant Bedrolite is not effective in the treatment of inpatients with a psychotic disorder and comorbid cannabis use disorder. Bedrolite is thus not very likely to become an effective harm reduction strategy in these patients.
Aripiprazole long-acting injection – a mirror image study of its effects on hospitalisation at one year
Authors: Taylor David M , Sparshatt Anna , Amin Fahima , Osborne Ian , Dzahini Olubanke , Hughes Gwenllian , Fischetti Catrin
Published: October 2017

Second generation antipsychotic long-acting injections have a greater cost than older depots. Their cost-effectiveness has yet to be established. We conducted a non-interventional, observational, follow-up of patients prescribed aripiprazole long-acting injection in two centres using a mirror image method. Data were available for 160 patients consecutively prescribed aripiprazole long-acting injection, of whom 30 were not included in the analysis (21 forensic patients, five incomplete data and four lost to follow-up). Of the 130 patients, 66 (51%) remained on aripiprazole long-acting injection at one year. The mean number of bed days in the year following aripiprazole long-acting injection initiation reduced to 22.82/patient (standard deviation [SD]=55.07) from 30.09/patient/year (SD=30.40) over the three years before initiation ( p<0.001). The mean number of admissions fell from 0.71/patient/year (SD=0.55) to 0.45/patient/year (SD=0.93) over the same period ( p<0.001). The median number of bed days in the three years before aripiprazole long-acting injection was 21.67/year; in the year following it was zero. Outcomes were not statistically better in those who remained on aripiprazole long-acting injection at one year compared with those who discontinued. The prescribing of aripiprazole long-acting injection reduces average bed days and admissions compared with prior treatments. The reduction in bed days is of a magnitude that renders aripiprazole long-acting injection broadly cost-neutral.
The Violent Accounts of Men Diagnosed With Comorbid Antisocial and Borderline Personality Disorders
Authors: Falcus Craig , Johnson Darren
Published: October 2017

This study explored the violent offence accounts of life-sentenced prisoners diagnosed with comorbid antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) and borderline personality disorder (BPD). The aim of the current study was to gain needed clinical insight into the mechanisms involved in this specific group offenders’ use of violence against others. Six adult male personality-disordered offenders were interviewed via a semistructured interview schedule to collate individual offence accounts. Interview transcripts were analyzed by the lead researcher (first author) using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) who compared and contrasted findings to develop superordinate themes across the group. External auditing analysis was conducted by the second researcher. Four superordinate themes resulted. These were “A victim of a hostile and rejecting world,” “Self as unacceptable to others,” “Unwanted emotions that cannot be tolerated or controlled,” and “Violent revenge as catharsis.” The results support the view that emotional dysregulation is central in driving acts of violence in those with comorbid ASPD/BPD; nevertheless, shame was particularly prevalent. Thus an argument is made for the adaptation of evidence-based treatments for this specific forensic population to ensure a particular focus on helping men tolerate feelings of shame. The limitations of the study are also discussed.
The Daily Frequency, Type, and Effects of Appearance Comparisons on Disordered Eating
Authors: Drutschinin Katherine , Fuller-Tyszkiewicz Matthew , Paoli Tara De , Lewis Vivienne , Krug Isabel
Published: October 2017

Using experience sampling methodology, we examined the effects of frequency and occurrence of appearance-based comparisons on disordered eating behaviors (binge eating, restrictive behaviors, and weight-related exercise). A total of 161 Australian women (aged 18–48) completed a baseline measure of eating pathology. An iPhone application prompted participants 6 times daily for 7 days to self-report on appearance comparisons and disordered eating behaviors since the last assessment. We hypothesized that contemporaneously reported occurrences of both upward and downward appearance comparisons, when compared to noncomparison situations, and frequency of upward comparisons would predict disordered eating behaviors. In prospective (lagged) analyses, only upward comparisons (relative to noncomparison situations) significantly predicted the likelihood of disordered eating outcomes. Trait eating pathology had a direct effect on each disordered eating variable and also moderated the influence of upward appearance comparisons (relative to noncomparison assessments) on binge-eating episodes. The lack of a differentiated effect between contemporaneously reported occurrences of upward and downward comparisons suggests that both forms of comparison increase the likelihood of disordered eating. Women may benefit from preventive programs that focus on the detrimental consequences of appearance comparisons on disordered eating; such programs may equip women with strategies to help reduce the frequency of these comparisons.
Grammar, spelling error rates persist in digital news
Authors: Beede Park , Mulnix Michael W.
Published: October 2017

Researchers have long investigated error rates in news stories and their impact on media credibility. This new research explores spelling and grammar error rates in the digital era and their association with reported credibility. Results show basic errors in spelling and grammar persist in digital news; however, their influence on perceived credibility is not so straightforward.
Meswaki language threat gets token news coverage
Authors: Paul Subin
Published: October 2017

An analysis of the coverage of endangered Meskwaki language in five Iowa newspapers shows the language’s endangerment receives minimal attention. Moreover, while the top two Iowa newspapers acclaim English-Meskwaki bilingualism, they associate the sole use of the Meskwaki language with educational and economic impediments.
The Role of Performance Feedback and Implementation of Evidence-Based Practices for Preservice Special Education Teachers and Student Outcomes: A Review of the Literature
Authors: Schles Rachel Anne , Robertson Rachel E.
Published: October 2017

Given the importance of evidence-based practices (EBPs) for improving outcomes for students with disabilities, it is key that preservice special education teachers have the opportunity to implement EBPs with high levels of fidelity during their teacher preparation program. For this reason, the authors conducted a systematic review of the literature to answer the question: Does providing performance feedback improve preservice special education teachers’ fidelity of implementation of EBPs and outcomes for students with disabilities? Five studies were found which met inclusion criteria. These studies demonstrated a clear functional relationship between performance feedback and preservice teachers’ increased fidelity to the EBP(s). Across studies, there were mixed effects in student outcomes when preservice teachers increased their fidelity to EBPs. Limitations of the current analysis and the included studies are discussed along with future implications for researchers and practitioners.
The access to secret evidence in expulsion proceedings under the European Convention on Human Rights
Authors: Wojnowska-Radzińska Julia
Published: October 2017

The key question tackled in this paper is how States as Parties to the ECHR can use and protect security-sensitive information (secret evidence) in expulsion proceedings. The purpose of this paper is to explore to what extent States may be justified to refuse to disclose to a non-citizen evidence related to State security which constitutes grounds for an expulsion decision, and not violate aliens’ procedural rights. Apart from the procedural mechanisms analysed in the paper, the major problems regarding the use of secret evidence in immigration cases are addressed. The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.
Variable caster steering in vehicle dynamics
Authors: Vo Dai Q , Marzbani Hormoz , Fard Mohammad , Jazar Reza N
Published: October 2017

When a car is cornering, its wheels usually lean away from the centre of rotation. This phenomenon decreases lateral force, limits tyre performance and eventually reduces the vehicle lateral grip capacity. This paper proposes a strategy for varying caster in the front suspension, thereby altering the wheel camber to counteract this outward inclination. The homogeneous transformation was utilised to develop the road steering wheel kinematics which includes the wheel camber with respect to the ground during a cornering manoeuvre. A variable caster scheme was proposed based on the kinematic analysis of the camber. A rollable vehicle model, along with a camber-included tyre force model, was constructed. MATLAB/Simulink was used to simulate the dynamic behaviour of the vehicle with and without the variable caster scheme. The results from step steer, ramp steer, and sinusoidal steer inputs simulations show that the outward leaning phenomenon of the steering wheels equipped with the variable caster, is reduced significantly. The corresponding lateral acceleration and yaw rate increase without compromising other handling characteristics. The actively controlled car, therefore, provides better lateral stability compared to the passive car. The tyre kinematic model and the vehicle dynamic model were validated using multibody and experimental data.
Probing Birth-Order Effects on Narrow Traits Using Specification-Curve Analysis
Authors: Rohrer Julia M. , Egloff Boris , Schmukle Stefan C.
Published: October 2017

The idea that birth-order position has a lasting impact on personality has been discussed for the past 100 years. Recent large-scale studies have indicated that birth-order effects on the Big Five personality traits are negligible. In the current study, we examined a variety of more narrow personality traits in a large representative sample ( n = 6,500–10,500 in between-family analyses; n = 900–1,200 in within-family analyses). We used specification-curve analysis to assess evidence for birth-order effects across a range of models implementing defensible yet arbitrary analytical decisions (e.g., whether to control for age effects or to exclude participants on the basis of sibling spacing). Although specification-curve analysis clearly confirmed the previously reported birth-order effect on intellect, we found no meaningful effects on life satisfaction, locus of control, interpersonal trust, reciprocity, risk taking, patience, impulsivity, or political orientation. The lack of meaningful birth-order effects on self-reports of personality was not limited to broad traits but also held for more narrowly defined characteristics.
Identification of the operating parameters of a complex technical system important from the operational potential point of view
Authors: Pająk Michał
Published: October 2017

The most important processes which take place in a technical system are the operation and service processes. Knowing the actual technical state of the system, it is possible to make a decision whether the system can operate or should be serviced. The efficiency of the system operation and the possibility of the failure occurrence strongly depend on the relevancy of this decision. The technical state of the system is described by the system features affected by the time histories of its operational parameters. Unfortunately, the amount of the operational parameters can be significant. Therefore, it becomes purposeful to identify the operational parameters significant from the system technical state evaluation point of view. In the article, the universal method of the significant operational parameters identification and the research carried out in a real industrial system to verify its correctness and the accuracy are presented.
Reports of equitonic scale systems in African musical traditions and their implications for cognitive models of pitch organization
Authors: Ross Barry , Knight Sarah
Published: October 2017

Psychological research into musical behavior has mostly focused on Western music, explored with experiments utilizing Western participants. This ethnocentric bias limits the generalizability of many claims in the field. We argue that our current understanding of the cognition of pitch organization might be helpfully informed by data gathered in non-Western contexts. In particular, musical traditions featuring equal-spaced scales (where all scale-step interval sizes are equal) are suggested to pose a challenge to popular models of pitch organization, in which unequally spaced scales are suggested to provide cognitive anchor points for on-the-fly pitch orientation. This article presents a summary and theoretical consideration of all available evidence on equal-spaced scales, the vast majority of which appear in east Africa. It is noted that despite equal spacing, there is evidence to suggest that tonal centers are still perceived by idiomatic listeners. We then proceed to propose how such tonal center perception is possible within equal-spaced tonal environments. In short, the existence of equal-spaced scale systems shifts the focus of research from interval uniqueness to alternative explanations for the perception of tonal centers, such as implicit statistical tracking, secondary parameters, recognition of learnt patterns as tonal cues, and so on. Throughout, we note that interdisciplinary work involving ethnomusicologists and psychologists would be beneficial in answering questions about music cognition, and by extension, human cognition in general.
Universal Design for Learning: Guidelines for Accessible Online Instruction
Authors: Rogers-Shaw Carol , Carr-Chellman Davin J. , Choi Jinhee
Published: October 2017

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a framework for the teaching–learning transaction that conceptualizes knowledge through learner-centered foci emphasizing accessibility, collaboration, and community. Given the importance of access to achieving social justice, UDL is a promising approach to meeting all learners’ needs more effectively. In this article, the history and philosophy of UDL are discussed and elaborated, followed by an explanation of how the principles of UDL were used to improve an existing online course offering for adult learners.
Polymorphism of 11 Y Chromosome Short Tandem Repeat Markers among Malaysian Aborigines
Authors: Mohd Yussup Sofia Sakina , Marzukhi Marlia , Md-Zain Badrul Munir , Mamat Kamaruddin , Mohd Yusof Farida Zuraina
Published: October 2017

The conventional technique such as patrilocality suggests some substantial effects on population diversity. With that, this particular study investigated the paternal line, specifically Scientific Working Group on DNA Analysis Methods (SWGDAM)-recommended Y-STR markers, namely, DYS19, DYS385, DYS389I/II, DYS390, DYS391, DYS392, DYS393, DYS438, and DYS439. These markers were tested to compare 184 Orang Asli individuals from 3 tribes found in Peninsular Malaysia. As a result, the haplotype diversity and the discrimination capacity obtained were 0.9987 and 0.9076, respectively. Besides, the most diverse marker was DYS385b, whereas the least was DYS391. Furthermore, the Senoi and Proto-Malay tribes were found to be the most distant, whereas the Senoi and Negrito clans were almost similar to each other. In addition, the analysis of molecular variance analysis revealed 82% of variance within the population, but only 18% of difference between the tribes. Finally, the phylogenetic trees constructed using Neighbour Joining and UPGMA (Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic Mean) displayed several clusters that were tribe specific. With that, future studies are projected to analyse individuals based on more specific sub-tribes.
Insights Into Upland Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) Genetic Recombination Based on 3 High-Density Single-Nucleotide Polymorphism and a Consensus Map Developed Independently With Common Parents
Authors: Ulloa Mauricio , Hulse-Kemp Amanda M , De Santiago Luis M , Stelly David M , Burke John J
Published: October 2017

High-density linkage maps are vital to supporting the correct placement of scaffolds and gene sequences on chromosomes and fundamental to contemporary organismal research and scientific approaches to genetic improvement, especially in paleopolyploids with exceptionally complex genomes, eg, upland cotton ( Gossypium hirsutum L., “2n = 52”). Three independently developed intraspecific upland mapping populations were analyzed to generate 3 high-density genetic linkage single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) maps and a consensus map using the CottonSNP63K array. The populations consisted of a previously reported F2, a recombinant inbred line (RIL), and reciprocal RIL population, from “Phytogen 72” and “Stoneville 474” cultivars. The cluster file provided 7417 genotyped SNP markers, resulting in 26 linkage groups corresponding to the 26 chromosomes (c) of the allotetraploid upland cotton (AD)1 arisen from the merging of 2 genomes (“A” Old World and “D” New World). Patterns of chromosome-specific recombination were largely consistent across mapping populations. The high-density genetic consensus map included 7244 SNP markers that spanned 3538 cM and comprised 3824 SNP bins, of which 1783 and 2041 were in the At and Dt subgenomes with 1825 and 1713 cM map lengths, respectively. Subgenome average distances were nearly identical, indicating that subgenomic differences in bin number arose due to the high numbers of SNPs on the Dt subgenome. Examination of expected recombination frequency or crossovers (COs) on the chromosomes within each population of the 2 subgenomes revealed that COs were also not affected by the SNPs or SNP bin number in these subgenomes. Comparative alignment analyses identified historical ancestral At-subgenomic translocations of c02 and c03, as well as of c04 and c05. The consensus map SNP sequences aligned with high congruency to the NBI assembly of Gossypium hirsutum. However, the genomic comparisons revealed evidence of additional unconfirmed possible duplications, inversions and translocations, and unbalance SNP sequence homology or SNP sequence/loci genomic dominance, or homeolog loci bias of the upland tetraploid At and Dt subgenomes. The alignments indicated that 364 SNP-associated previously unintegrated scaffolds can be placed in pseudochromosomes of the NBI G hirsutum assembly. This is the first intraspecific SNP genetic linkage consensus map assembled in G hirsutum with a core of reproducible mendelian SNP markers assayed on different populations and it provides further knowledge of chromosome arrangement of genic and nongenic SNPs. Together, the consensus map and RIL populations provide a synergistically useful platform for localizing and identifying agronomically important loci for improvement of the cotton crop.
First impressions of adults with autism improve with diagnostic disclosure and increased autism knowledge of peers
Authors: Sasson Noah J , Morrison Kerrianne E
Published: October 2017

A practical consideration for many intellectually able adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is whether to disclose their diagnostic status or try to mask their autistic characteristics to avoid judgment and discrimination. Here, we assessed first impressions of adults with ASD and typically developing controls ( N = 40) made by typically developing observers ( N = 215) when their diagnostic status was either withheld, accurately provided, or inaccurately provided. First impressions were less favorable for ASD participants compared to typically developing controls across a range of judgments, but were significantly more positive when accurately labeled as ASD compared to when no label was provided, when mislabeled as typically developing, or when mislabeled as having schizophrenia. For typically developing participants, ratings did not change when accurately labeled but improved when mislabeled as ASD. Greater autistic traits for the ASD and typically developing participants were associated with less favorable first impressions, and females were rated more favorably than males. Autism knowledge of the raters, but not age, IQ, or autistic traits, was positively associated with more favorable impressions of ASD participants. Collectively, these findings suggest that first impressions for intellectually able adults with ASD improve with diagnostic disclosure and increased autism understanding on the part of peers.
Social inequalities in self-rated health: A comparative cross-national study among 32,560 Nordic adolescents
Authors: Torsheim Torbjørn , Nygren Jens M. , Rasmussen Mette , Arnarsson Arsæll M. , Bendtsen Pernille , Schnohr Christina W. , Nielsen Line , Nyholm Maria
Published: October 2017

Aims: We aimed to estimate the magnitude of socioeconomic inequality in self-rated health among Nordic adolescents (aged 11, 13 and 15 years) using the Family Affluence Scale (a composite measure of material assets) and perceived family wealth as indicators of socioeconomic status. Methods: Data were collected from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) survey in 2013–2014. A sample of 32,560 adolescents from Denmark, Norway, Finland, Iceland, Greenland and Sweden was included in the study. Age-adjusted regression analyses were used to estimate associations between fair or poor self-rated health and the ridit scores for family affluence and perceived wealth. Results: The pooled relative index of inequality of 2.10 indicates that the risk of fair or poor health was about twice as high for young people with the lowest family affluence relative to those with the highest family affluence. The relative index of inequality for observed family affluence was highest in Denmark and lowest in Norway. For perceived family wealth, the pooled relative index of inequality of 3.99 indicates that the risk of fair or poor health was about four times as high for young people with the lowest perceived family wealth relative to those with the highest perceived family wealth. The relative index of inequality for perceived family wealth was highest in Iceland and lowest in Greenland. Conclusions: Social inequality in self-rated health among adolescents was found to be robust across subjective and objective indicators of family affluence in the Nordic welfare states.
Laboratories for news? Experimenting with journalism hackathons
Authors: Boyles Jan Lauren
Published: October 2017

Journalism hackathons are computationally based events in which participants create news product prototypes. In the ideal case, the gatherings are rooted in local community, enabling a wide set of institutional stakeholders (legacy journalists, hacker journalists, civic hackers, and the general public) to gather in conversation around key civic issues. This study explores how and to what extent journalism hackathons operate as a community-based laboratory for translating open data from practitioners to the public. Surfaced from in-depth interviews with event organizers encompassing nine countries, the findings illustrate that journalism hackathons are most successful when collaboration integrates civic organizations and community leaders.
Standard Versus Simplified Consent Materials for Biobank Participation: Differences in Patient Knowledge and Trial Accrual
Authors: Garrett Sarah B. , Murphy Marie , Wiley James , Dohan Daniel
Published: October 2017

Replacing standard consent materials with simplified materials is a promising intervention to improve patient comprehension, but there is little evidence on its real-world implementation. We employed a sequential two-arm design to compare the effect of standard versus simplified consent materials on potential donors’ understanding of biobank processes and their accrual to an active biobanking program. Participants were female patients of a California breast health clinic. Subjects from the simplified arm answered more items correctly ( p = .064), reported “don’t know” for fewer items ( p = .077), and consented to donate to the biobank at higher rates ( p = .025) than those from the standard arm. Replacing an extant consent form with a simplified version is feasible and may benefit patient comprehension and study accrual.
Use of beta-blockers and risk of serious upper gastrointestinal bleeding: a population-based case-control study
Authors: Reilev Mette , Damkier Per , Rasmussen Lotte , Olesen Morten , Thomsen Ernst Martin , Rishøj Rikke Mie , Rix Hansen Morten , Broe Anne , Dastrup Alexander Steenberg , Hellfritzsch Maja , Arnspang Sidsel , Pottegård Anton , Hallas Jesper
Published: October 2017

Background:

Some studies indicate a reduced risk of serious upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) for users of beta-blockers, but the association remains to be confirmed in larger studies and characterized with respect to differences among beta-blockers. We aimed to assess whether beta-blocker use decreases the risk of UGIB.

Methods:

We conducted a register-based, population-based case-control study in Denmark. We identified cases with a first validated discharge diagnosis of UGIB during the period 1995–2006. Controls were selected by risk-set sampling in a ratio of 10:1. We estimated crude and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) of the association between current beta-blocker use and the risk of UGIB by using conditional logistic regression and further stratified by selective and non-selective beta-blockers, respectively.

Results:

We identified 3571 UGIB cases and 35,582 controls. Use of beta-blockers was not found to be associated with a decreased risk of UGIB (adjusted OR 1.10; 95% CI: 1.00–1.21). The association remained neutral after stratification by selective and non-selective beta-blockers, and by single beta-blocker substances. Similarly, we found no association between current beta-blocker use and the risk of UGIB within different subgroups.

Conclusions:

We found no association between beta-blocker use and UGIB.
Digital innovation in the port sector
Authors: Carlan Valentin , Sys Christa , Vanelslander Thierry , Roumboutsos Athena
Published: October 2017

Digital innovation changes industry as a whole, and gradually also the port sector. The present article examines in detail 32 information and communications technology (ICT) innovation cases collected between autumn 2013 and spring 2015. Leading actors along the maritime supply chain were asked to indicate the importance and to assess the degree of the success achieved in each ICT innovation initiative, to identify the driving forces behind the adoption of innovation and to denote the associated costs and benefits. This input allows identifying the barriers of digital innovation from initiation through to implementation, as well as assessing the impact of facilitators of ICT innovation. To do this, the present research combines four quantitative instruments. The added value of this combined approach is a deeper understanding of the digital innovation process within the port sector. The research firstly indicates that alignment exists between company strategies and success degrees in the port sector, in contrast to non-ICT initiatives. The ICT innovation initiatives are also profit driven. Secondly, the port sector should be more open to disclose cost and benefit information and should conduct more such analyses. Next, there are conditions that improve the degree of success. Overall, terminal alignment with the right ICT infrastructure proves key. However, too many divergent interests among the stakeholders entail that digital innovation challenges the ability to cooperate. An important finding is regulation was not identified as a barrier nor as a facilitator.
Stochastic Seasonal Models for Glucose Prediction in the Artificial Pancreas
Authors: Montaser Eslam , Díez José-Luis , Bondia Jorge
Published: October 2017

Background:

Linear empirical dynamic models have been widely used for glucose prediction. The extension of the concept of seasonality, characteristic of other domains, is explored here for the improvement of prediction accuracy.

Methods:

Twenty time series of 8-hour postprandial periods (PP) for a same 60g-carbohydrate meal were collected from a closed-loop controller validation study. A single concatenated time series was produced representing a collection of data from similar scenarios, resulting in seasonality. Variability in the resulting time series was representative of worst-case intrasubject variability. Following a leave-one-out cross-validation, seasonal and nonseasonal autoregressive integrated moving average models (SARIMA and ARIMA) were built to analyze the effect of seasonality in the model prediction accuracy. Further improvement achieved from the inclusion of insulin infusion rate as exogenous variable was also analyzed. Prediction horizons (PHs) from 30 to 300 min were considered.

Results:

SARIMA outperformed ARIMA revealing a significant role of seasonality. For a 5-h PH, average MAPE was reduced in 26.62%. Considering individual runs, the improvement ranged from 6.3% to 54.52%. In the best-performing case this reduction amounted to 29.45%. The benefit of seasonality was consistent among different PHs, although lower PHs benefited more, with MAPE reduction over 50% for PHs of 60 and 120 minutes, and over 40% for 180 min. Consideration of insulin infusion rate into the seasonal model further improved performance, with a 61.89% reduction in MAPE for 30-min PH and reductions over 20% for PHs over 180 min.

Conclusions:

Seasonality improved model accuracy allowing for the extension of the PH significantly.
Mental Health First Aid: A Useful Tool for School Nurses
Authors: Atkins Joy
Published: October 2017

School nurses address mental health issues of youth on a daily basis. These mental health issues include substance abuse, anxiety, depression, and even suicidal ideation. Mental health first aid is a process that seeks to help medical professionals and laypeople recognize and address someone that is having a mental health or substance abuse crisis. This article will describe an experience with a student having suicidal ideations and how the mental health action plan was used.
Economizing education: Assessment algorithms and calculative agencies
Authors: O’Keeffe Cormac
Published: October 2017

International Large Scale Assessments have been producing data about educational attainment for over 60 years. More recently however, these assessments as tests have become digitally and computationally complex and increasingly rely on the calculative work performed by algorithms. In this article I first consider the coordination of relations between the human and non-human agents that perform the day-to-day tasks of data production used in economic and educational policymaking and practice. I examine the calculative agencies of an assemblage of algorithms encoded in the testing software for the Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies. These algorithms perform the sampling, sorting, scoring, and result prediction of test takers and items during digital assessment events. Second, I examine the role of psychometric practices and educational testing theories, and in particular, Item Response Theory, in the work of sorting and detaching situated practices into equivalence spaces that they can be manipulated and transformed by into calculable entities. Combined with digital assessment technologies, the probabilistic statistical techniques used by Item Response Theory are able to produce digital data such as test scores capable of transforming situated literacy practices into psychological constructs that can then be classified and rendered calculable. This reinforces the calculative agency of tests as well as a consensus about the legitimacy and necessity of the testing technologies as the dominant way to produce educational data.
Permeability and calcium signaling in lung endothelium: unpack the box…
Authors: Townsley Mary I.
Published: October 2017

This brief review assesses the role of Ca2+ signaling in lung endothelium in regulation of endothelial permeability. The disconnect between experimental and clinical outcomes to date may be due, in part, to the use of tools which yield information about aggregate permeability or Ca2+ responses in lung or in endothelial monolayers. The teaching point of this review is to “unpack the box,” i.e. consider the many potential issues which could impact interpretation of outcomes. These include phenotypic heterogeneity and resultant segment‐specific permeability responses, methodologic issues related to permeability measures, contributions from Ca2+ channels in cells other than endothelium—such as alveolar macrophages or blood leukocytes), Ca2+ dynamic patterns, rather than averaged Ca2+ responses to channel activation, and the background context, such as changes in endothelial bioenergetics with sepsis. Any or all of these issues might color interpretation of permeability and Ca2+ signaling in lung.
Deregulated angiogenesis in chronic lung diseases: a possible role for lung mesenchymal progenitor cells (2017 Grover Conference Series)
Authors: Kropski Jonathan A. , Richmond Bradley W. , Gaskill Christa F. , Foronjy Robert F. , Majka Susan M.
Published: October 2017

Chronic lung disease (CLD), including pulmonary fibrosis (PF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is the fourth leading cause of mortality worldwide. Both are debilitating pathologies that impede overall tissue function. A common co‐morbidity in CLD is vasculopathy, characterized by deregulated angiogenesis, remodeling, and loss of microvessels. This substantially worsens prognosis and limits survival, with most current therapeutic strategies being largely palliative. The relevance of angiogenesis, both capillary and lymph, to the pathophysiology of CLD has not been resolved as conflicting evidence depicts angiogenesis as both reparative or pathologic. Therefore, we must begin to understand and model the underlying pathobiology of pulmonary vascular deregulation, alone and in response to injury induced disease, to define cell interactions necessary to maintain normal function and promote repair. Capillary and lymphangiogenesis are deregulated in both PF and COPD, although the mechanisms by which they co‐regulate and underlie early pathogenesis of disease are unknown. The cell‐specific mechanisms that regulate lung vascular homeostasis, repair, and remodeling represent a significant gap in knowledge, which presents an opportunity to develop targeted therapies. We have shown that that ABCG2pos multipotent adult mesenchymal stem or progenitor cells (MPC) influence the function of the capillary microvasculature as well as lymphangiogenesis. A balance of both is required for normal tissue homeostasis and repair. Our current models suggest that when lymph and capillary angiogenesis are out of balance, the non‐equivalence appears to support the progression of disease and tissue remodeling. The angiogenic regulatory mechanisms underlying CLD likely impact other interstitial lung diseases, tuberous sclerosis, and lymphangioleiomyomatosis.
Assessment of HPV screening methods and sample storage in oral lichen planus lesions
Authors: Poulopoulos Athanasios , Hempel Mattias , Karakitsos George , Fakis Apostolos , Andreadis Dimitrios
Published: October 2017

Aim:

We investigated the human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA distribution in oral lichen planus (OLP) samples using non-invasive methods, with the potential for much broader population screening.

Methods:

Three different non-invasive collection methods (dry storage, lysis buffer preservation, and use of a commercial tool to rake epithelial cells and immersion of the collection device into the provided rinse solution) were evaluated. HPV DNA was detected in brushed or scraped samples of the lesion site using a commercial HPV DNA polymerase chain reaction kit.

Results:

In the group of patients with OLP lesions, HPV was detected significantly more frequently than in the healthy control group (lysis buffer for control = 2.1%, p = 0.046; DNA•SAL™ rinse solution for control = 4.2%, p = 0.0003; dry storage for control = 6.3%, p = 0.0001) regardless of the different collection and preservation methods. HPV DNA was detected in 12.85% of the samples preserved in lysis buffer. HPV DNA was detected in 34.28% ( p = 0.0048 vs. lysis buffer) of samples preserved in the DNA•SAL rinse solution. In the case of dry storage, HPV DNA was detected in 38.57% ( p = 0.0008 vs. lysis buffer and p = 0.726 vs. DNA•SAL) of samples.

Conclusion:

The results suggest that the most effective sample preservation methods are provided by dry storage or DNA•SAL collection compared to lysis buffer. Our findings indicated that HPV DNA detection in superficial OLP scrapings has potential as a screening tool and has important applications for both research and clinical practice.
MRI texture features may predict differentiation and nodal stage of cervical cancer: a pilot study
Authors: Becker Anton S , Ghafoor Soleen , Marcon Magda , Perucho Jose A , Wurnig Moritz C , Wagner Matthias W , Khong Pek-Lan , Lee Elaine YP , Boss Andreas
Published: October 2017

Background

Texture analysis in oncological magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may yield surrogate markers for tumor differentiation and staging, both of which are important factors in the treatment planning for cervical cancer.

Purpose

To identify texture features which may predict tumor differentiation and nodal status in diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) of cervical carcinoma

Material and Methods

Twenty-three patients were enrolled in this prospective, institutional review board (IRB)-approved study. Pelvic MRI was performed at 3-T including a DWI echo-planar sequence with b-values 40, 300, and 800 s/mm2. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps were used for region of interest (ROI)-based texture analysis (32 texture features) of tumor, muscle, and fat based on histogram and gray-level matrices (GLM). All features confounded by the ROI size (linear model) were excluded. The remaining features were examined for correlations with histological differentiation (Spearman) and nodal status (Kruskal–Wallis). Hierarchical cluster analysis was used to identify correlations between features. A P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

Mean age was 55 years (range = 37–78 years). Biopsy revealed two well-differentiated, eight moderately differentiated, two moderately to poorly differentiated tumors, and five poorly differentiated tumors. Six tumors could not be graded. Lymph nodes were involved in 11 patients. Three GLM features correlated with the differentiation: LRHGE (ϱ = 0.53, P = 0.03), ZP (ϱ = –0.49, P < 0.05), and SZE (ϱ = –0.51, P = 0.04). Two histogram features, skewness (0.65 vs. 1.08, P = 0.04) and kurtosis (0.53 vs. 1.67, P = 0.02), were higher in patients with positive nodal status. Cluster analysis revealed several co-correlations.

Conclusion

We identified potentially predictive GLM features for histological tumor differentiation and histogram features for nodal cancer stage.