bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Outcome Prediction in Acute Stroke Patients by Continuous Glucose Monitoring
Authors: Wada Shinichi , Yoshimura Sohei , Inoue Manabu , Matsuki Takayuki , Arihiro Shoji , Koga Masatoshi , Kitazono Takanari , Makino Hisashi , Hosoda Kiminori , Ihara Masafumi , Toyoda Kazunori
Published: April 2018

Background

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between glucose parameters obtained by continuous glucose monitoring and clinical outcomes in acute stroke patients.

Methods and Results

Consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke or intracerebral hemorrhage within 24 hours after onset were included. A
continuous glucose monitoring
device (
iP
ro2) was attached for the initial 72 hours after emergent admission. Eight glucose parameters were obtained from
continuous glucose monitoring
: maximum, minimum, mean, and SD of blood glucose levels, as well as area under the curve more than 8 mmol/L of blood glucose, distribution time more than 8 mmol/L of blood glucose, coefficient of variation (%
CV
), and presence of time less than 4 mmol/L over 72 hours. The primary outcome measure was death or dependency at 3 months (
modified Rankin Scale
score ≥3). One hundred patients with acute ischemic stroke (n=58) or intracerebral hemorrhage (n=42) were included. Blood glucose levels varied between 5.2±1.4 and 11.4±3.2 mmol/L over 72 hours, with area under the curve more than 8 mmol/L of blood glucose of 0.7±1.4 min×mmol/L, distribution time more than 8 mmol/L of blood glucose of 31.7±32.7%, coefficient of variation of 15.5±5.4%, and presence of hypoglycemia in 20% of overall patients. Mean glucose level (adjusted odds ratio, 1.60, 95% confidence interval, 1.12–2.28/1 mmol/L), area under the curve more than 8 mmol/L of blood glucose (2.13, 1.12–4.02/1 min×mmol/L), and distribution time more than 8 mmol/L of blood glucose (1.25, 1.05–1.50/10%) were related to death or dependency for overall patients, as well as for acute ischemic stroke patients (2.05, 1.15–3.65; 2.38, 1.04–5.44; 1.85, 1.10–3.10, respectively).

Conclusions

High mean glucose levels, distribution time more than 8 mmol/L of blood glucose, and areas under the curve more than 8 mmol/L of blood glucose during the initial 72 hours of acute stroke were associated with death or dependency at 3 months.
Dissociating tinnitus patients from healthy controls using resting-state cyclicity analysis and clustering
Authors: Zimmerman Benjamin J. , Abraham Ivan , Schmidt Sara A. , Baryshnikov Yuliy , Husain Fatima T.
Published: April 2018

Chronic tinnitus is a common and sometimes debilitating condition that lacks scientific consensus on physiological models of how the condition arises as well as any known cure. In this study, we applied a novel cyclicity analysis, which studies patterns of leader-follower relationships between two signals, to resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) data of brain regions acquired from subjects with and without tinnitus. Using the output from the cyclicity analysis, we were able to differentiate between these two groups with 58–67% accuracy by using a partial least squares discriminant analysis. Stability testing yielded a 70% classification accuracy for identifying individual subjects’ data across sessions 1 week apart. Additional analysis revealed that the pairs of brain regions that contributed most to the dissociation between tinnitus and controls were those connected to the amygdala. In the controls, there were consistent temporal patterns across frontal, parietal, and limbic regions and amygdalar activity, whereas in tinnitus subjects, this pattern was much more variable. Our findings demonstrate a proof-of-principle for the use of cyclicity analysis of rs-fMRI data to better understand functional brain connectivity and to use it as a tool for the differentiation of patients and controls who may differ on specific traits.
Lambertella pyrolae (Rutstroemiaceae, Ascomycota), a new species from Japan
Authors: ZHAO YAN-JIE , HOSOYA TSUYOSHI , SHIROUZU TAKASHI , KAKISHIMA MAKOTO , YAMAOKA YUICHI
Published: April 2018

Lambertella pyrolae sp. nov. occurring on decayed leaves of Pyrola incarnata is described, illustrated, and compared with morphologically similar taxa. The diagnostic characters of L. pyrolae are: elongate-elliptic to fusoid ascospores, the ascal apex not stained by Melzer’s reagent, presence of hairs, and ascospore pigmentation occurring before discharge.
Barleria gandhii, a new name for Barleria pauciflora (Acanthaceae)
Authors: KOTTAIMUTHU RAMALINGAM
Published: April 2018

Barleria Linnaeus (1753: 636) is a pantropical genus comprising about 250–300 species (Balkwill & Balkwill 1998, Darbyshire et al. 2012), with its greatest centre of species diversity in tropical Africa, followed by South Africa and Asia (Balkwill & Balkwill 1998, Darbyshire 2010). It can be easily distinguished from other genera of Acanthaceae by a combination of three characters: a 4-partite calyx with 2 large outer (anterior and posterior) segments and 2 smaller inner (lateral) ones, spheroidal, pollen grains with coarsely reticulate exine and the predominance of double cystoliths (calcium oxalate crystals) in the epidermal cells (Balkwill & Balkwill 1997, Champluvier 2011, Darbyshire 2010).
New taxa and notes of katydids from the tribe Meconematini (Orthoptera: Meconematinae) from Brunei Darussalam (Part 2)
Authors: TAN MING KAI , WAHAB RODZAY BIN HAJI ABDUL
Published: April 2018

Based on extended surveys in Kuala Belalong Field Studies Centre, Brunei Darussalam, one new species of Kuzicus is described here: Kuzicus mirabilis sp. nov. This represents the first species described from Borneo for this Asiatic genus. The female of Pulchroteratura huiqing Tan et al., 2017 is described here, first time for the genus. The females of Leptoteratura (Rhinoteratura) chela Tan et al., 2017 and Pseudoteratura (Pseudoteratura) kenuan Tan et al., 2017 are also described for the first time.
A new species of Rhinogobius (Pisces: Gobiidae), with analyses of its DNA barcode
Authors: XIA JIAN-HONG , WU HAN-LIN , LI CHEN-HONG , WU YUAN-QI , LIU SU-HAN
Published: April 2018

The genus Rhinogobius Gill 1859 is widely distributed in fresh waters along the Western Pacific coast of tropical and temperate Asia. A new species, Rhinogobius maxillivirgatus, is described from Anhui Province in Eastern China. This species can be differentiated from all congeners by a combination of the following characters: up to 6 longitudinal brown to black stripes along the side of the body; pectoral-fin rays modally 14; predorsal scale series 5–9; lateral scale series 28–30; transverse scale series 6–7; branchiostegal membrane with about 20 red round spots in males; and 2 black oblique stripes parallel along the upper jaw on the anterior portion of the cheek. Analyzing sequences of cytochrome c oxidase subunit I revealed that the new species is closely related to, but distinct, from Rhinogobius wuyanlingensis.
2. A Short Biographical Note
Authors: Hujon Janet
Published: April 2018

Ki Sngi Barim U Hynñiew Trep still stands as the final flowering of Soso Tham’s literary genius, but his facility in the use of English and his intense pride in the wealth of his mother tongue resulted in his other works in Khasi, as well as translations from English to Khasi. These include Ki Phawer u Aesop (Aesop’s Fables) first published in 1920, Ka Duitara Ksiar ne ki Poetry Khasi (The Golden Duitara, or Khasi Poems) in 1931 and Ka Jingim U Trai Jong Ngi (a translation of Charles Dickens’s The Life of our Lord), which appeared in 1936 after Ki Sngi Barim. When he died in 1940, he left behind a body of work that speaks volumes about a man who, against all odds, could draw blood from the proverbial stone.
6. Pyrthei Mariang – The Natural World
Authors: Tham Soso
Published: April 2018

The natural descriptions here are just as beautiful as in the preceding section but the poignancy is sharpened because they are set down in a mood of sad recollection. This is why the poet begins this section with a plea for inspiration as he seeks to fulfill his task of restoring the wonder and virtues of the past. This long look into the past from a present that is found to be wanting, creates a seam of tender pain which runs right though the composition springing from the tension that exists between what was, what is and what still might be. This in fact is a feature of a composition illustrating how the past, the present and the future coexist in a relationship of troubling unease. The poet goes in search of U Sohpet Beneng who represents the now severed umbilical cord that once linked Heaven and Earth and is ‘the He whom I love’ now lost to humankind. U Sohpet Beneng is thus shown to be the mediator between God and Man.
7. U Lyoh–The Cloud
Authors: Tham Soso
Published: April 2018

This is the point to which the preceding sections have been journeying. Here we come upon an utterly bleak apocalyptic scene which Soso Tham fears will replace the green fecundity and harmony of his homeland if Khasis betray the Laws and Truths with which they came into this world. Soso Tham’s dramatic description of opportunist worshippers of Mammon is as accurate today as it was then. Imagery from the natural world and Khasi myth powerfully portray the dysfunctional hell to which we are going to descend as a people powerless to resist the temptation of worldly wealth. The poet had good reason to be fearful. Evident today are plundered forests, rivers poisoned by the unscientific extraction of coal, exhaustive sand and limestone mining, hills bulldozed out of shape creating highways to ‘development’ and wealth for a few – the list continues to grow.
Impact of a “No Mobile Device” Policy on Developmental Surveillance in a Pediatric Clinic
Authors: Regan Paul A. , Fogel Benjamin N. , Hicks Steven D.
Published: April 2018

Children commonly use mobile devices at pediatric office visits. This practice may affect patient-provider interaction and undermine accuracy of developmental surveillance. A randomized, provider-blinded, controlled trial examined whether a policy prohibiting mobile device use in a pediatric clinic improved accuracy of pediatricians’ developmental surveillance. Children, aged 18 to 36 months, were randomized to device-prohibited (intervention; n = 58) or device-allowed (control; n = 54) groups. After a 30-minute well-visit, development was evaluated as “normal,” “borderline,” or “delayed” in 5 categories using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ-3). ASQ-3 results were compared with providers’ clinical assessment in each category. Provider-ASQ discrepancies were more common for intervention participants ( P = .025). Providers “missed” more ASQ-3 “delayed” scores ( P = .005) in the intervention group, particularly in the fine motor domain ( P = .018). Prohibiting mobile device use at well-visits did not improve accuracy of providers’ developmental surveillance. Mobile devices may entertain children at well-visits, allowing opportunities for parent-provider discussion, or observation of fine motor skills.
A Bibliometric Analysis of Distributed Control Publications
Authors: Zhai Chao , Ho Yuh-Shan
Published: April 2018

As an emerging research direction in the field of systems and control, distributed control or decentralized control has attracted great interests of researchers in the past decade. In this paper, a bibliometric analysis of the relevant publications is presented based on the data collected from the Science Citation Index Expanded Web of Science. In particular, we make a discussion on the trend of total publications, journal distribution, top research organizations (i.e. universities and institutes), and publication performance of nations, and the focus is on highly cited articles and authors, subject categories, and the future trend of hot topics. Some key bibliometric indexes such as single country articles, first author articles, and internationally collaborative articles are employed to give us a detailed picture about the intrinsic relationship and the state of the art of distributed control publications. Finally, the statistical analysis indicates that multi-agent systems are extremely popular in recent years and will dominate the future research on distributed control.
Precision Therapy of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Polverini P.J. , D’Silva N.J. , Lei Y.L.
Published: April 2018

Precision medicine is an approach to disease prevention and treatment that takes into account genetic variability and environmental and lifestyle influences that are unique to each patient. It facilitates stratification of patient populations that vary in their susceptibility to disease and response to therapy. Shared databases and the implementation of new technology systems designed to advance the integration of this information will enable health care providers to more accurately predict and customize prevention and treatment strategies for patients. Although precision medicine has had a limited impact in most areas of medicine, it has been shown to be an increasingly successful approach to cancer therapy. Despite early promising results targeting aberrant signaling pathways or inhibitors designed to block tumor-driven processes such as angiogenesis, limited success emphasizes the need to discover new biomarkers and treatment targets that are more reliable in predicting response to therapy and result in better health outcomes. Recent successes in the use of immunity-inducing antibodies have stimulated increased interest in the use of precision immunotherapy of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Using next-generation sequencing, the precise profiling of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes has great promise to identify hypoimmunogenic cancer that would benefit from a rationally designed combinatorial approach. Continued interrogation of tumors will reveal new actionable targets with increasing therapeutic efficacy and fulfill the promise of precision therapy of head and neck cancer.
Engineers v. industrial designers: The struggle for professional control over the British Railways Mark 2 Coach, c. 1955–66
Authors: Divall Colin , Shin Hiroki
Published: April 2018

This article explores the jurisdictional battle between engineers and industrial designers over railway coach design as an episode in the post-war modernisation of the UK. Engineers’ long domination of the design process was challenged from the mid-1950s by the nationalised British Railways’ employment of industrial designers. These emerging specialists used the new Design Panel to consolidate their professional status by transforming British Railways’ public image and competitiveness against road and air transport. Engineers still had much to contribute but establishing a working relationship between the two expert groups was difficult, made more so by frequent changes to management structures. The reconciliation of professional tensions and organisational schisms resulted by the mid-1960s in a highly successful new range of standard coaches, the Mark 2 (1964–75). These became a key to the creation of the internationally recognised business brands, ‘British Rail’ and ‘Inter-City’.
Social Desirability in Spouse Ratings
Authors: Vésteinsdóttir Vaka , Steingrimsdottir Eva D. , Joinson Adam , Reips Ulf-Dietrich , Thorsdottir Fanney
Published: April 2018

Whether or not socially desirable responding is a cause for concern in personality assessment has long been debated. For many researchers, McCrae and Costa laid the issue to rest when they showed that correcting for socially desirable responding in self-reports did not improve the agreement with spouse ratings on the Neuroticism, Extraversion, and Openness to Experience Personality Inventory. However, their findings rest on the assumption that observer ratings in general, and spouse ratings in particular, are an unbiased external criterion. If spouse ratings are also susceptible to socially desirable responding, correcting for the bias in self-rated measures cannot be assumed to increase agreement between self-reports and spouse ratings, and thus failure to do so should not be taken as evidence for the ineffectiveness of measuring and correcting for socially desirable responding. In the present study, McCrae and Costa’s influential study was replicated with the exception of measuring socially desirable responding with the Marlowe–Crowne Social Desirability Scale, in both self-reports and spouse ratings. Analyses were based on responses from 70 couples who had lived together for at least one year. The results showed that both self-reports and spouse ratings are susceptible to socially desirable responding and thus McCrae and Costa’s conclusion is drawn into question.
Analyzing the Commitment of College Students Using a Brief, Contextualized Measure of Need Satisfaction From the Perspective of Self-Determination Theory
Authors: Davidson William , Beck Hall P.
Published: April 2018

This study empirically confirmed the relationships between the degree to which students satisfied three basic needs (competence, relatedness, and autonomy) and the strength of their commitments to the university they attended and to obtaining a baccalaureate degree. A questionnaire was administered online to 1257 students at two 4-year universities. Regression analysis yielded statistically significant associations between the three needs and Institutional Commitment and Degree Commitment, explaining more than 20% of the variance in the latter two variables.
Marek Hłasko – working-class hero
Authors: Tighe Carl
Published: April 2018

In his early twenties Marek Hłasko (1934–69), an ‘angry young man’ and a rare ‘authentic’ working-class voice, became the great literary hope of the Polish Communist Party. In the space of a few months, and at a crucial moment in post-war Polish history, he made his literary debut, published two books, received the Polish State Literary Prize and instantly became a popular youth-hero and celebrity rebel. But just as rapidly he became an exile, an outcast and a pariah. In the West he found ‘freedom’ as difficult to negotiate as life under communism, and while he continued to write, after 11 nomadic years he died of an overdose. His life and his writing are of one piece: his career trajectory illustrates how the Party could operate to promote writers it favoured, but to block and isolate those who opposed it.
An Examination of Parental and Peer Influence on Substance Use and Criminal Offending During the Transition From Adolescence to Adulthood
Authors: Beardslee Jordan , Datta Sachiko , Byrd Amy , Meier Madeline , Prins Seth , Cerda Magdalena , Pardini Dustin
Published: April 2018

Although peer behavior and parent–child conflict have been associated with adolescent and young adults’ behavior, prior studies have not adequately controlled for selection effects and other confounders, or examined whether associations change across the transition to adulthood or by race. Using annual data from men followed from age 17 to 26, within-individual change models examined whether substance use or offending increased in the year after boys began affiliating with friends who engaged in substance use/offending and/or experienced increased parent–son conflict. Moderation analyses tested whether associations varied by age or race. Alcohol use, marijuana use, and offending (Black participants only) increased in the year after boys began affiliating with more peers who engaged in similar behaviors. Associations were strongest during adolescence for substance use. Parent–son conflict was not associated with the outcomes. Findings underscore the importance of developmental and racialized differences in understanding the role of social influences on young men’s substance use and offending.
An Evaluation of a Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME) Intervention Delivered Using Avatar-Based Technology: Certified Diabetes Educators’ Ratings and Perceptions
Authors: Duncan-Carnesciali Joanne , Wallace Barbara C. , Odlum Michelle
Published: April 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the perceptions that certified diabetes educators (CDEs), of diverse health professions, have of a culturally appropriate e-health intervention that used avatar-based technology.

Methods

Cross-sectional, survey-based design using quantitative and qualitative paradigms. A logic model framed the study, which centered on the broad and general concepts leading to study outcomes. In total, 198 CDEs participated in the evaluation. Participants were mostly female and represented an age range of 26 to 76 years. The profession representative of the sample was registered nurses. Study setting and data collection occurred at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/AvatarVideoSurvey-for-Certified_Diabetes_Educators . Study instruments used were the Basic Demographics Survey (BD-13), Educational Material Use and Rating of Quality Scale (EMU-ROQ-9), Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Survey (MS-SOC-DES-CDE-13), Quality of Avatar Video Rating Scale (QAVRS-7), Recommend Avatar to Patients Scale (RAVTPS-3), Recommend Avatar Video to Health Professionals Scale (RAVTHP-3), and Avatar Video Applications Scale (AVAPP-1). Statistical analysis used included t tests, Pearson product moment correlations, backward stepwise regression, and content/thematic analysis.

Results

Age, ethnicity, Arab/Middle Eastern, Asian, and white/European descents were significant predictors of a high-quality rating of the video. Thematic and content analysis of the data revealed an overall positive perception of the video.

Conclusions

An e-health intervention grounded in evidence-based health behavior theories has potential to increase access to diabetes self-management education as evidenced in the ratings and perceptions of the video by CDEs.
The Starr County Border Health Initiative: Focus Groups on Diabetes Prevention in Mexican Americans
Authors: Brown Sharon A. , Perkison William B. , García Alexandra A. , Cuevas Heather E. , Velasquez Mary M. , Winter Mary A. , Hanis Craig L.
Published: April 2018

Purpose

The purpose of the study was to conduct focus groups with Mexican Americans in an impoverished rural community on the Texas-Mexico border to identify current barriers to adopting healthier lifestyles and to obtain recommendations for diabetes prevention.

Methods

Three separate 2-hour focus groups were led by an experienced bilingual Mexican American moderator. Interviews included questions about cultural factors and barriers that influence lifestyle behaviors, aspects of previous diabetes self-management interventions that were helpful for motivating behavioral change, and recommendations for diabetes prevention.

Results

Twenty-seven participants attended a focus group session; each session involved 7 to 12 informants. Individuals were diagnosed with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes mellitus; most were female, foreign born, and Spanish speaking. Interviews documented the cultural importance of food. Informants raised priority issues for diabetes prevention, including the need to learn how to prepare healthier foods and track caloric intake. Major barriers to healthier lifestyles included high costs of healthy foods, fatigue from busy schedules and working multiple jobs, a cultural view that exercise is a waste of valuable time, and fear of deportation.

Conclusions

Cultural influences and barriers to implementing healthy lifestyles should be assessed regularly and strategies implemented to overcome them. Such factors may change as environmental, sociocultural, and political environments change.
Religion as an Exchange System: The Interchangeability of God and Government in a Provider Role
Authors: Zuckerman Miron , Li Chen , Diener Ed
Published: April 2018

An exchange model of religion implies that if a secular entity such as government provides what people need, they will be less likely to seek help from supernatural entities. Controlling for quality of life and income inequality (Gini), we found that better government services were related to lower religiosity among countries (Study 1) and states in the United States (Study 2). Study 2 also showed that during 2008-2013, better government services in a specific year predicted lower religiosity 1 to 2 years later. In both studies, a combination of better government services and quality of life was related to a particularly low level of religiosity. Among countries, government services moderated the relation between religiosity and two measures of well-being, such that religiosity was related to greater well-being only when government services were low. We discuss the relation between the exchange model and other theoretical approaches to religion.
Expatriates’ Performance Profiles: Examining the Effects of Work Experiences on the Longitudinal Change Patterns
Authors: Takeuchi Riki , Li Yixuan , Wang Mo
Published: April 2018

Using four-wave, longitudinal, archival data sets from an expatriate sample (237 engineers and 191 managers) working in China, we explore whether different performance change patterns exist for expatriates during their international assignments and how work-related experiences accumulated prior to the assignments relate to performance change patterns. Using a latent class growth analysis, we identify the coexistence of four distinct longitudinal change patterns of expatriate job performance (i.e., u-curve, learning-curve, stable high-performance, and stable low-performance patterns). Further, we demonstrate that three different types of prior work experiences (i.e., international, job, and organizational) are important antecedents of such performance change patterns. Specifically, expatriates with moderate levels of work experiences displayed a u-curve pattern, expatriates with a high level of international work experience but low levels of job and organizational experiences displayed a learning-curve pattern, expatriates with an abundance of work experiences started off with a high level of job performance and maintained this performance level over the course of the international assignment, and expatriates with insufficient work experiences started off with a low level of job performance and were unable to improve their performance during the course of their international assignments. This set of findings contributes to the expatriation literature by highlighting the coexistence of multiple subgroups with different performance-change patterns based on prior work experiences and providing an effective integration of the social learning perspective and the human capital accumulation perspective.
Managerial Remuneration in India: Analysing Trends before and during the Economic Slowdown
Authors: Kang Lakhwinder Singh , Payal
Published: April 2018

The present study seeks to analyse the growth of managerial remuneration in a sample of 150 listed companies in India over the years 2003 to 2012. The impact of slowdown period, that is, 2009–2012, on the managerial remuneration has also been investigated. In India, GDP growth rate fell down from 9.3 per cent in 2008 to 6.7 per cent in 2009 and afterwards never touched the mark of 9 per cent. The first section of time frame is from year 2003 to 2008 comprising of 6 years and second section starts from the year 2009 onwards, signifying the slowdown period of Indian economy. The present study finds a significant increase in the remuneration of directors in the slowdown period as compared to pre-slowdown era. However, compound annual growth rate (CAGR) is found to be significantly less in the slowdown period and this trend is visible in almost all industries, except transport equipments sector. Managerial remuneration also differs significantly across industries. The findings of the present article bring up important implication for press media and regulatory authorities that even during the slowdown period the remuneration was on an increase despite a fall in its CAGR.
Removal of ammonium from fish farms by biochar obtained from rice straw: Isotherm and kinetic studies for ammonium adsorption
Authors: Khalil Ahmed , Sergeevich Nikolai , Borisova Vita
Published: April 2018

Ammonium is a water pollutant that harms the environment, particularly fisheries. Rice straw is also an economic waste of rice, with millions of tons produced per year around the world. In this paper, physical and chemical procedures for the modification of rice straw were studied. The kinetic and isothermal adsorption trends were investigated, including the ammonium removal efficiency, the contact time of the adsorbent, the amount of adsorbent, and the initial concentration of NH4+. The effect of temperature and pH on the adsorption process was discussed. The removal efficiency of NH4+ recorded 43, 53.7, and 69.5%, with maximum adsorption values of 2.9, 3.5, and 4.5 mg/g at temperatures of 25 ± 5, 35 ± 5, and 45 ± 5°C, respectively, at pH 7.5. The biochar obtained from rice follows the pseudo-second-order equation for ammonium adsorption kinetics (R2 = 0.98). The adsorption isotherm follows Freundlich’s model (R2 = 0.99) and Langmuir’s model (R2 = 0.98).
Evaluating the Ability of Transit Direct Ridership Models to Forecast Medium-Term Ridership Changes: Evidence from San Francisco
Authors: Mucci Richard A. , Erhardt Gregory D.
Published: April 2018

Transit direct ridership models (DRMs) are commonly used both for descriptive analysis and for forecasting, but are rarely evaluated for their ability to predict beyond the estimation data set. This research does so, using two DRMs estimated for rail and bus ridership in San Francisco. The models are estimated from 2009 data, applied to predict 2016 conditions, and compared to actual 2016 ridership. Over this period in San Francisco, observed rail ridership increased by 9% whereas observed bus ridership decreased by 13%. The results show that the models predict 2016 ridership about as well as that for 2009. The rail model correctly predicts the direction of change, but underestimates the magnitude of change. The bus model predicts the direction of change incorrectly, with a predicted 2% increase. A series of sensitivity tests are conducted to better understand the factors driving the ridership changes. These tests produce reasonable rail sensitivities, but reveal that the bus model is too sensitive to frequency, potentially because of the difficulty of estimating the coefficient from cross-sectional data when high-frequency transit also occurs in high-density locations. As the travel forecasting community increases its focus on empirically evaluating forecasts beyond a base year, DRMs must be a part of that.
Reversing the U: New Evidence on the Internet and Democracy Relationship
Authors: Zang Leizhen , Xiong Feng , Gao Yanyan
Published: April 2018

The relationship between the Internet and democratic developments has long been a controversial topic, hampered in part by the lack of empirical evidence. So this study is undertaken to investigate the effects of Internet penetration on democratization based on the panel data of 125 countries gathered from 1993 to 2014. The authors apply machine-learning method (i.e., random forest) to effectively screen the variables that are more closely related to democracy. The results of different estimation models reveal an inverted U-shaped relationship between Internet penetration and democratization and also distinguish the impacts of the Internet on advanced and less advanced democracies. Then, we arrive at the conclusion that Internet penetration brings a late-starting advantage in the development of democracy for less advanced democracies. These conclusions are further confirmed by the robust test.
Evaluation of Appropriate Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate Use With a Hyperkalemia Order Set: A Pilot Study
Authors: Mueller Zachary T. , Crannage Andrew J.
Published: April 2018

Background:

No consensus guidelines exist to assist practitioners in the management of hyperkalemia. Sodium polystyrene sulfonate (SPS) is a common treatment option for hyperkalemia. To aid health-care professionals, a hyperkalemia order set was created at a 979-bed community teaching hospital.

Objective:

The objective of this study was to determine whether use of a hyperkalemia order set is associated with appropriate use of SPS.

Methods:

Orders for SPS were evaluated for appropriateness in this retrospective cohort of adult patients. Data were collected from December 1, 2015, to December 31, 2016. All orders for SPS not from an order set were randomly matched to those from the order set in a 2:1 fashion. Appropriate use was defined as potassium level >5.5 mEq/L and no contraindications to use. The primary outcome was the absolute difference in the proportion of patients with appropriate SPS use in the order set group compared to the nonorder set group.

Results:

A total of 120 patients were analyzed, 40 in the order set group and 80 in the nonorder set group. Baseline characteristics were similar between the groups. Appropriate use occurred in 97.5% of order set patients compared to 60% in the nonorder set group ( P < .001). Use of the order set was associated with a greater reduction in serum potassium, quicker follow-up potassium level, and lower incidence of gastrointestinal adverse effects.

Conclusions:

The use of a hyperkalemia order set is associated with appropriate use of SPS. Requiring the use of the hyperkalemia order set for administration of SPS may enhance patient care and safety.
Farming data: Testing climatic and palaeoenvironmental effect on Neolithic Adriatic stockbreeding and hunting through zooarchaeological meta-analysis
Authors: Gaastra Jane S , Vander Linden Marc
Published: April 2018

The possible role of climatic and environmental factors upon the spread and subsequent development of early farming techniques across Europe has long been discussed. We explore the spatial and temporal changes in both animal domestic management techniques and hunting strategies using a meta-analysis of zooarchaeological data from the Neolithic period of the Adriatic Sea (8000–6000 cal. BP). Through a comparison of these patterns with available palaeoenvironmental archives, we conclude that both climatic and environmental factors explain little of the encountered variation and seek for alternative interpretations.
Lupus myocarditis: a single center experience and a comparative analysis of observational cohort studies
Authors: Tanwani J , Tselios K , Gladman D D , Su J , Urowitz M B
Published: April 2018

Background

Lupus myocarditis (LM) is reported in 3–9% of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) but limited evidence exists regarding optimal treatment and prognosis. This study aims to describe LM in a defined lupus cohort as compared with the existing literature.

Patients and methods

Patients with LM were identified from the University of Toronto Lupus Clinic database. Diagnosis was based on clinical manifestations and electrocardiographic, imaging, and biochemical criteria. Demographic, clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic variables and outcomes were collected in a standardized data retrieval form. A literature review was performed to identify cohort studies reporting on LM treatment and outcome. A comparative analysis was conducted between our patients and the combined cohort of the existing studies.

Results

Thirty patients were diagnosed with LM (prevalence 1.6%) and compared with a cumulative cohort of 117 patients from five distinct studies. No significant differences were found regarding the age at diagnosis (32.6 ± 13.4 years) and SLE duration (2.5 years median). Concomitant lupus activity from other organ systems was observed in 97% of the patients. Chest pain was more frequently reported in our cohort whereas dyspnea was more prominent in the other studies. Diagnostic criteria were similar across studies. Therapeutic approach was comparable and consisted of glucocorticosteroids (96.6%) and immunosuppressives (70%). Mortality was approximately 20% whereas another 20% of the patients achieved partial and 60% complete recovery.

Conclusions

LM usually occurs early in the disease course and in the context of generalized lupus activity. Despite aggressive therapy, approximately 40% of the patients died or had residual heart damage.
Low-Income Nonresident Fatherhood: A Literature Review With Implications for Practice and Research
Authors: Higgs Emily , Gomez-Vidal Cristina , Austin Michael J.
Published: April 2018

The emerging literature on fatherhood is contributing to the reframing of public perceptions of low-income nonresident fathers by focusing on father presence rather than absence. Insights into how and when fathers contribute to their children beyond financial support provides for a strengths-based perspective to engage fathers in services provided for their children. A review of this literature includes practice implications related to the need for: (a) father engagement training for agency staff, (b) father-friendly programs and services, (c) child support policy reform, and (d) more research on the issue of fatherhood in the 21st century.
Initial Expectations of Team Performance: Specious Speculation or Framing the Future?
Authors: Sleesman Dustin J. , Hollenbeck John R. , Spitzmuller Matthias , Schouten Maartje E.
Published: April 2018

This study demonstrates that the initial performance expectations of teams, formed even before members are very familiar with each other or the team’s task, are a key determinant of the team’s ultimate success. Specifically, we argue that such early formed beliefs determine the extent to which teams frame their task as a gain or loss context, which affects their orientation toward risk-taking. Our results suggest a self-fulfilling prophecy effect: Initial team performance expectations lead to the fulfillment of such expectations via risk-taking behavior. We also show that teams are less susceptible to this “risk-taking trap” to the extent that members have low avoidant or high dependent decision-making styles. We tested and found support for our predictions in a study of 540 individuals comprising 108 five-member teams working in a controlled environment. Our study contributes to theory on emergent states and decision biases in teams, and we offer a number of practical implications.
Teaching Residents How to Talk About Death and Dying: A Mixed-Methods Analysis of Barriers and Randomized Educational Intervention
Authors: Miller David C. , Sullivan Amy M. , Soffler Morgan , Armstrong Brett , Anandaiah Asha , Rock Laura , McSparron Jakob I. , Schwartzstein Richard M. , Hayes Margaret M.
Published: April 2018

Objectives:

We present a pilot study exploring the effects of a brief, 30-minute educational intervention targeting resident communication surrounding dying in the intensive care unit (ICU). We sought to determine whether simulation or didactic educational interventions improved resident-reported comfort, preparation, and skill acquisition. We also sought to identify resident barriers to using the word “dying.”

Methods:

In this mixed-methods prospective study, second- and third-year medical residents were randomized to participate in a simulation-based communication training or a didactic session. Residents completed a pre–post survey after the sessions evaluating the sessions and reflecting on their use of the word “dying” in family meetings.

Results:

Forty-five residents participated in the study. Residents reported increases in comfort (Mean [M]-pre = 3.3 [standard deviation: 0.6], M-post = 3.7 [0.7]; P < .01, Cohen d = 0.75) and preparation (M-pre = 3.4 [0.7], M-post = 3.9 [0.6]; P < .01, d = 1.07) using the word “dying” after both the simulation and didactic versions. Residents randomized to the simulation reported they were more likely to have learned new skills as compared to residents in the didactic (M-simulation = 2.2 [0.4], M-didactic = 1.9 [0.3]; P = .015, d = 0.80). They estimated that they used the word “dying” in 50% of their end-of-life (EOL) conversations and identified uncertain prognosis as the main barrier to explicitly stating the word “dying.”

Conclusion:

A 30-minute educational intervention improves internal medicine residents’ self-reported comfort and preparation in talking about death and dying in the ICU. Residents in simulation-based training were more likely to report they learned new skills as compared to the didactic session. Residents report multiple barriers to using the word “dying” EOL conversations.
Ethnicity and Crime in the Netherlands
Authors: Unnever James D.
Published: April 2018

The research on the relationship between immigration and crime is central to the debate on immigration policies throughout Europe. This article reviews the research on whether immigrants in the Netherlands are more likely to engage in crime with a specific focus on whether Moroccans have a greater propensity to offend than the native Dutch. It is concluded that deficiencies in the research including the potential effects of bias against immigrant groups render the assessment of whether immigrants commit more crime than the native Dutch problematic.
Interprofessional Rounds Improve Timing of Appropriate Palliative Care Consultation on a Hospitalist Service
Authors: Khateeb Rafina , Puelle Margaret R. , Firn Janice , Saul D’Anna , Chang Robert , Min Lillian
Published: April 2018

Despite known benefits, palliative care (PC) consultation for hospitalized patients remains underutilized. The objective was to improve frequency and timeliness of appropriate inpatient PC consultation. On 2 of 11 hospitalist teams, a PC representative attended discharge rounds twice a week. Control teams’ discharge rounds were unenhanced. Subjects were all patients admitted to a hospitalist service in a quaternary academic medical center. The primary outcome was change in provision of PC consultation over time; the secondary outcome was change in time-to-consult (days). Hospitalists were surveyed regarding the intervention. The unadjusted proportion of patients receiving PC consultation increased from 2.7% to 5.2% on the intervention teams. Compared to control teams over time and adjusting for multiple covariates, the intervention increased PC consultation (difference-in-difference [DID] = 1.0 percentage-point increase [95% CI = 0.3%-1.8%]) and decreased time to consult (DID = −5 days [95% CI = −11 to −1]) in patients admitted for noncancer diagnoses. Hospitalists thought the intervention facilitated effective patient care without increased burden.
Use of Patient-Specific 3D-Printed Titanium Implants for Complex Foot and Ankle Limb Salvage, Deformity Correction, and Arthrodesis Procedures
Authors: Dekker Travis J. , Steele John R. , Federer Andrew E. , Hamid Kamran S. , Adams Samuel B.
Published: April 2018

Background:

The advancement of 3D printing technology has allowed for the use of custom-designed implants for difficult-to-treat foot and ankle pathologies. This study reports on the radiographic and functional outcomes of a case series of patients treated with patient-specific 3D-printed titanium implants.

Methods:

Fifteen consecutive patients treated with custom-designed 3D-printed implant cages for severe bone loss, deformity correction, and/or arthrodesis procedures were included in this study. A minimum of 1 year of clinical and radiographic follow-up was required. No patients were lost to follow-up. Patients completed a visual analog scale for pain, the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure Activities of Daily Living score, and the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society Score outcomes questionnaires preoperatively and at most recent follow-up. All patients had postoperative radiographs and computed tomography (CT) scans to assess bony incorporation. The mean age was 53.3 years (range, 22-74 years) with a mean follow-up of 22 months (range, 12-48 months) for these 15 patients.

Results:

Radiographic fusion verified by CT scan occurred in 13 of 15 patients. There was significant improvement in pain and all functional outcome score measures. All patients who went on to fusion were satisfied with their surgery. There were 2 failures, consisting of 1 infection and 1 nonunion, with an overall clinical success rate of 87%.

Conclusion:

These patients demonstrated the successful use of patient-specific 3D-printed titanium implants to treat complex large bony defects, deformities, and arthrodesis procedures. These implants offer surgeons a novel and promising approach to treat both lower extremity pain and deformity that is not always available with current techniques.

Level of Evidence:

Level IV, retrospective case series.
Thromboembolism and Mortality in the Tasmanian Atrial Fibrillation Study
Authors: Admassie Endalkachew , Chalmers Leanne , Bereznicki Luke R.
Published: April 2018

Background:

Although utilization of anticoagulation in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) has increased in recent years, contemporary data regarding thromboembolism and mortality incidence rates are limited outside of clinical trials. This study aimed to investigate the impact of the direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) on the clinical outcomes of patients with AF included in the Tasmanian Atrial Fibrillation Study.

Methods:

The medical records of all patients with a primary or secondary diagnosis of AF who presented to public hospitals in Tasmania, Australia, between 2011 and 2015, were retrospectively reviewed. We investigated overall thromboembolic events (TEs), ischemic stroke/transient ischemic attack (IS/TIA), and mortality incidence rates in patients admitted to the Royal Hobart Hospital, the main teaching hospital in the state. We compared outcomes in 2 time periods: prior to the availability of DOACs (pre-DOAC; 2011 to mid-2013) and following their general availability after government subsidization (post-DOAC; mid-2013 to 2015).

Results:

Of the 2390 patients with AF admitted during the overall study period, 942 patients newly prescribed an antithrombotic medication (465 and 477 from the pre-DOAC and post-DOAC time periods, respectively) were followed. We observed a significant decrease in the incidence rates of overall TE (3.2 vs 1.7 per 100 patient-years [PY]; P < .001) and IS/TIA (2.1 vs 1.3 per 100 PY; P = .022) in the post-DOAC compared to the pre-DOAC period. All-cause mortality was significantly lower in the post-DOAC period (2.9 vs 2.2 per 100 PY, P = .028). Increasing age, prior stroke, and admission in the pre-DOAC era were all risk factors for TE, IS/TIA, and mortality in this study population. The risk of IS/TIA was more than doubled (hazard ratio: 2.54; 95% confidence interval: 1.17-5.52) in current smokers compared to ex- and nonsmokers.

Conclusion:

Thromboembolic event and all-cause mortality rates were lower following the widespread availability of DOACs in this population.
Global Governance Mechanisms to Address Antimicrobial Resistance
Authors: Padiyara Ponnu , Inoue Hajime , Sprenger Marc
Published: April 2018

Since their discovery, antibiotics, and more broadly, antimicrobials, have been a cornerstone of modern medicine. But the overuse and misuse of these drugs have led to rising rates of antimicrobial resistance, which occurs when bacteria adapt in ways that render antibiotics ineffective. A world without effective antibiotics can have drastic impacts on population health, global development, and the global economy. As a global common good, antibiotic effectiveness is vulnerable to the tragedy of the commons, where a shared limited resource is overused by a community when each individual exploits the finite resource for their own benefit. A borderless threat like antimicrobial resistance requires global governance mechanisms to mitigate its emergence and spread, and it is the responsibility of all countries and relevant multilateral organizations. These mechanisms can be in the form of legally binding global governance mechanisms such as treaties and regulatory standards or nonbinding mechanisms such as political declarations, resolutions, or guidelines. In this article, we argue that while both are effective methods, the strong, swift, and coordinated action needed to address rising rates of antimicrobial resistance will be better served through legally binding governance mechanisms.