bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intrauterine Device Insertion Failure After Misoprostol Administration
Authors: Matthews Laura R. , O'Dwyer Linda , O'Neill Erica
Published: October 2016

OBJECTIVE:

To examine rates of intrauterine device (IUD) insertion failure with and without prior misoprostol administration. Additional outcomes included difficulty of insertion, subjective pain, expulsion, and complications.

DATA SOURCES:

Systematic searches were performed in PubMed MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature for articles with the following keywords: “misoprostol,” “intrauterine devices,” and “IUDs.”

METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION:

A total of 161 unique results were retrieved. Titles, abstracts, and full-text articles were independently screened twice by two reviewers for content and relevance. Quality assessment was performed using previously established criteria. After screening and quality assessment, nine randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were obtained for inclusion. Six articles were designated high quality and three were designated low quality.

TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS:

Six of six RCTs examining IUD insertion failure with misoprostol revealed no difference in this measure. Of nine RCTs examining difficulty of IUD insertion with misoprostol, seven revealed no difference in this measure and two revealed decreased difficulty of insertion with misoprostol administration. Of nine RCTs examining pain with IUD insertion, seven revealed no difference in pain measurement scores, one revealed increased pain with misoprostol administration, and one revealed decreased pain with misoprostol administration. Five studies examining rates of expulsion and two studies examining complications of IUD insertion revealed no difference in this measure.

CONCLUSION:

No data support routine administration of misoprostol before IUD insertion. Success of insertion is high even among nulliparous women, and good-quality data do not demonstrate that misoprostol use increases success. These data similarly reveal no differences in difficulty of insertion, pain with insertion, or expulsion with prior administration of misoprostol. However, data for several outcomes are limited by lack of power.
What Is New in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome?
Authors: Scoccia Bert
Published: October 2016

This month we focus on current research in polycystic ovary syndrome. Dr. Scoccia discusses five recent publications, which are concluded with a “bottom line” that is the take-home message. The complete reference for each can be found in Box 1 on this page, along with direct links to the abstracts.
Impact of Androgen Deprivation Therapy on Overall Mortality in Prostate Brachytherapy Patients With Low Pretreatment Testosterone Levels
Authors: Taira Al V. , Merrick Gregory S. , Galbreath Robert W. , Butler Wayne M. , Adamovich Edward
Published: October 2016

Objectives:

To evaluate whether the use of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in prostate brachytherapy patients impacts overall mortality (OM) in patients with lower pretreatment serum testosterone levels compared with those with normal or high baseline serum testosterone.

Materials and Methods:

From October 2001 to May 2014, 1916 patients underwent brachytherapy and had a pretreatment serum testosterone. Baseline serum testosterone values were collected prospectively before initiation of therapy. Median follow-up was 7.2 years. In total, 26% of the patients received ADT, primarily men with higher risk disease. OM and prostate cancer–specific mortality were examined to determine whether men with lower baseline serum testosterone were at increased risk of mortality when ADT was used, compared with men with baseline normal or higher testosterone.

Results:

Prostate cancer–specific mortality and OM at 10 years was 0.8% and 22.0%. Age, tobacco use, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and percent positive biopsies were the strongest predictors of OM. ADT use by itself was not associated with an increased risk of OM on multivariate analysis (P=0.695). However, ADT use in men with lower baseline testosterone was associated with a significantly higher risk of OM (P<0.01). ADT use in men with normal or higher baseline testosterone was not associated with an increased OM risk (P=0.924).

Conclusions:

Men with lower baseline testosterone may be at increased risk of premature death when ADT is utilized compared with men with baseline normal or higher testosterone. Further analysis of this potential risk factor is warranted to further identify subsets of men who may be at higher risk of long-term adverse sequelae from ADT.
Investigation of antidepressant-like and anxiolytic-like actions and cognitive and motor side effects of four N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor antagonists in mice
Authors: Refsgaard Louise K. , Pickering Darryl S. , Andreasen Jesper T.
Published: October 2016

Evidence suggests that N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonists could be efficacious in treating depression and anxiety, but side effects constitute a challenge. This study evaluated the antidepressant-like and anxiolytic-like actions, and cognitive and motor side effects of four NMDAR antagonists. MK-801, ketamine, S-ketamine, RO 25-6981 and the positive control, citalopram, were tested for antidepressant-like and anxiolytic-like effects in mice using the forced-swim test, the elevated zero maze and the novelty-induced hypophagia test. Side effects were assessed using a locomotor activity test, the modified Y-maze and the rotarod test. All compounds increased swim distance in the forced-swim test. In the elevated zero maze, the GluN2B subtype-selective RO 25-6981 affected none of the measured parameters, whereas all other compounds showed anxiolytic-like effects. In the novelty-induced hypophagia test, citalopram and MK-801 showed anxiogenic-like action. All NMDAR antagonists induced hyperactivity. The high doses of ketamine and MK-801 impaired performance in the modified Y-maze test, whereas S-ketamine and RO 25-6891 showed no effects in this test. Only MK-801 impaired rotarod performance. The study supports that NMDARs could be a possible therapeutic target for treating depression and anxiety. However, selective antagonism of GluN2B subunit-containing NMDARs showed no effect on anxiety-like behaviours in this study.
PRESENTATION OF CENTRAL SEROUS CHORIORETINOPATHY IN TWO HUSBAND AND WIFE COUPLES
Authors: Kanesa-thasan Aditya , Fawzi Amani A. , Gill Manjot K.
Published: October 2016

Purpose:

Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) is a disease in which serous detachment of the neurosensory retina occurs over an area of leakage from the choriocapillaris through the retinal pigment epithelium. Associations have been drawn between high-stress personality types and steroid exposure. This article aims to describe a unique case series of two husband and wife couples with CSC.

Methods:

All methods were approved by the authors’ institution's institutional review board. History, physical examination, and imaging data were obtained from the electronic medical records of the patients in question and from the providers who cared for these patients.

Results:

Couple 1: A 35-year-old man presented with “dark spots” in his right eye. He reported no recent steroid use. Visual acuity at presentation was 20/30 in the right eye and 20/20 in the left eye. On fundus examination, there was subretinal fluid in the right eye. His wife presented on the same day with a “wavy section” in the right eye for 6 weeks. She also had no recent steroid use. Visual acuity at presentation was 20/20 in both eyes with blunting of the foveal reflex in the right eye. Optical coherence tomography showed a thick choroid with a pigment epithelial detachment in the right eye. Couple 2: A 34-year-old man presented with “blurry vision” in his right eye for one month. He was taking oral and nasal steroids for chronic sinusitis. Visual acuity was 20/30 in the right eye and 20/20 in the left eye. Fluorescein angiography and indocyanine green confirmed the diagnosis of CSC. After 3 months of persistent subretinal fluid, he received photodynamic therapy in the right eye. Three days after his photodynamic therapy, his 38-year-old wife presented with subjective blurring in both eyes. Visual acuity was 20/20 in both eyes, but optical coherence tomography showed thick choroid in both eyes, a large central pigment epithelial detachment in the right eye, and 3 small pigment epithelial detachments in the left eye. She had no history of steroid use but did admit to high stress recently.

Conclusion:

All the patients in this case series were diagnosed with CSC. This is the first series to describe the simultaneous occurrence of CSC in spouses. Possible explanations for these presentations may include shared external stressors or secondary steroid exposure. Clinicians may consider inquiring about family members or cohabitants with similar symptoms if CSC is suspected.
Tinnitus Suppression After Auditory Brainstem Implantation in Patients With Neurofibromatosis Type-2
Authors: Roberts Daniel S. , Otto Steve , Chen Brian , Peng Kevin A. , Schwartz Marc S. , Brackmann Derald E. , House John W.
Published: October 2016

Objective:

To evaluate whether an auditory brainstem implant (ABI) can impact levels of tinnitus in neurofibromatosis type-2 (NF2) patients who have undergone translabyrinthine craniotomy for vestibular schwannoma (VS) removal and to evaluate the burden of tinnitus in these patients.

Study Design:

A retrospective case series and patient survey.

Setting:

Tertiary neurotologic referral center.

Patients:

NF2 patients who underwent translabyrinthine removal of VS and ABI placement between 1994 and 2015.

Interventions:

A survey, retrospective review and two validated tinnitus handicap questionnaires (tinnitus handicap inventory [THI] and tinnitus visual analogue scale [VAS]) were used to characterize the degree of tinnitus in NF2 patients and whether an ABI can alter tinnitus levels.

Main Outcome Measures(s):

Survey results, THI and VAS scores.

Results:

One hundred twelve ABI users were contacted and 43 patients (38.3)% responded to our survey. Tinnitus was reported in 83.7% of patients. The THI score for responders was 17.8 ± 20.5 standard deviation (SD). For survey participants, the ABI reduced tinnitus levels (mean VAS: Off = 3.5; On 1-h = 2.1; p = 0.048). For patients who subjectively reported that the ABI reduced tinnitus loudness, tinnitus levels were immediately reduced on ABI activation and after 1 hour of use (mean VAS: Off = 4.8; On = 2.4; On 1-h = 1.8; p < 0.01). Suppression did not continue after the device was turned off. Audiological performance with the ABI did not correlate with tinnitus suppression.

Conclusion:

NF2 patients who have undergone removal of VS have a significant tinnitus handicap and benefit from tinnitus suppression through utilization of an ABI possibly through masking or electrical stimulation of the auditory brainstem.
LVAD Outflow Graft Angle and Thrombosis Risk
Authors: Aliseda Alberto , Chivukula Venkat Keshav , Mcgah Patrick , Prisco Anthony R. , Beckman Jennifer A. , Garcia Guilherme J. M. , Mokadam Nahush A. , Mahr Claudius
Published: October 2016

This study quantifies thrombogenic potential (TP) of a wide range of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) outflow graft anastomosis angles through state-of-the-art techniques: 3D imaged-based patient-specific models created via virtual surgery and unsteady computational fluid dynamics with Lagrangian particle tracking. This study aims at clarifying the influence of a single parameter (outflow graft angle) on the thrombogenesis associated with flow patterns in the aortic root after LVAD implantation. This is an important and poorly-understood aspect of LVAD therapy, because several studies have shown strong inter and intrapatient thrombogenic variability and current LVAD implantation strategies do not incorporate outflow graft angle optimization. Accurate platelet-level investigation, enabled by statistical treatment of outliers in Lagrangian particle tracking, demonstrates a strong influence of outflow graft anastomoses angle on thrombogenicity (platelet residence times and activation state characterized by shear stress accumulation) with significantly reduced TP for acutely-angled anastomosed outflow grafts. The methodology presented in this study provides a device-neutral platform for conducting comprehensive thrombogenicity evaluation of LVAD surgical configurations, empowering optimal patient-focused surgical strategies for long-term treatment and care for advanced heart failure patients.
Promoting Excellence in Symptom Management Case Series
Authors: Paez Kathryn , Gregg Meegan , Massion Charlea T. , Macy Brad
Published: October 2016

The oral route is compromised for nearly all patients at the end of life (EOL). This article reviews the benefits and burdens of the usual alternative routes of medication delivery when the oral route fails and presents a case study on the use of a new innovation for the rectal delivery of medication to control EOL symptoms. A 62-year-old male hospice patient with end-stage metastatic prostate cancer presented with severe symptoms (Face, Legs, Activity, Cry and Consolability scale score, 9/10) that were uncontrollable with medications given via oral or sublingual routes. The patient goals were to remain at home with optimal symptom management. Rapid relief of symptoms was accomplished by the administration of medications already present in the home delivered with a new rectal catheter that provides discreet access for ongoing medication administration. Significant relief was noted within 20 minutes of dosing. The patient died peacefully 18 hours later, meeting his EOL goals, and the family was empowered to provide effective care for the patient at home. The family found the intervention easy to use. This case demonstrates how this new innovation can be used to ensure rapid symptom management and decreased burden of care by facilitating immediate and easy use of medications already present in the home.
Subjective Experiences of the Benefits and Key Elements of a Cognitive Behavioral Intervention Focused on Community Work Outcomes in Persons With Mental Illness
Authors: Kukla Marina , Strasburger Amy M. , Salyers Michelle P. , Rattray Nicholas A. , Lysaker Paul H.
Published: October 2016

New research suggests that group-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) may help improve employment outcomes in persons with mental illness, yet the effects and potential key elements facilitating change in such interventions are unclear. Using a mixed methods approach, this study examined the perspectives of persons with mental illness after participating in a pilot study of the “CBT for Work Success” intervention. Findings demonstrate that participants valued the intervention and perceived that it assisted them in achieving work goals. Therapeutic effects included improved self-efficacy, work motivation, enhanced sense of self as workers, and increased beliefs that work success is attainable. CBT for Work Success elements perceived to be important in facilitating work goals included cognitive restructuring, behavioral coping strategies, problem solving work barriers, meaningful reflection on oneself as a worker, and important factors associated with the group process. The authors discuss the implications of these findings and future research directions.
Cancer and the World's Poor: What's a Gynecologic Cancer Specialist to Do?
Authors: Randall Thomas C. , Goodman Anne Kathryn , Schmeler Kathleen , Durfee John , Pareja Rene , Munkarah Adnan , Rulisa Stephen , Ghebre Rahel , Trimble Edward L. , Chuang Linus
Published: October 2016

(Abstracted from Gynecol Oncol 2016;142:6–8)

Remarkable improvements have been made over the past 5 decades in care of women with gynecologic malignancies. In the developed world, most women with uterine cancer are cured, and both survival and quality of life of women with ovarian cancer have improved.
Dilute Versus Concentrated Vasopressin Administration During Laparoscopic Myomectomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Cohen S. L. , Senapati S. , Gargiulo A. R. , Srouji S. S. , Tu F. , Solnik J. , Hur H.-C. , Vitonis A. , Jonsdottir G. M. , Wang K. C. , Einarsson J. I.
Published: October 2016

(Abstracted from BJOG 2016; doi: 10.1111/1471-0528.14179)

Leiomyomata are found in up to 80% of uteri examined at hysterectomy; symptoms are present in 20% to 50% of women. The preferred surgical procedure when uterine conservation is desired is myomectomy; when feasible, the laparoscopic approach is preferred.
Hysteroscopy Before In-Vitro Fertilisation (inSIGHT): A Multicentre, Randomised Controlled Trial
Authors: Smit Janine G. , Kasius Jenneke C. , Eijkemans Marinus J. C. , Koks Carolien A. M. , van Golde Ronald , Nap Annemiek W. , Scheffer Gabrielle J. , Manger Petra A. P. , Hoek Annemieke , Schoot Benedictus C. , van Heusden Arne M. , Kuchenbecker Walter K. H. , Perquin Denise A. M. , Fleischer Kathrin , Kaaijk Eugenie M. , Sluijmer Alexander , Friederich Jaap , Dykgraaf Ramon H. M. , van Hooff Marcel , Louwe Leonie A. , Kwee Janet , de Koning Corry H. , Janssen Ineke C. A. H. , Mol Femke , Mol Ben W. J. , Broekmans Frank J. M. , Torrance Helen L.
Published: October 2016

(Abstracted from Lancet 2016;387:2622–2629)

Since the first successful live birth after in vitro fertilization (IVF) was reported in 1978, more than 5 million children have been born with the help of this and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) procedures. However, only approximately 25% to 30% of cycles of IVF and ICSI lead to the birth of a child.
Trends in Selected Measures of Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Gonorrhea and Syphilis in the United States, 1981–2013
Authors: Chesson Harrell W. , Patel Chirag G. , Gift Thomas L. , Aral Sevgi O.
Published: October 2016

Background

The purpose of this study was to examine selected measures of racial and ethnic disparities in the reported incidence of syphilis and gonorrhea from 1981 to 2013 in the United States.

Methods

For each year, from 1981 to 2013, we calculated values for 5 disparity measures (Gini coefficient, 2 versions of the index of disparity, population attributable proportion, and the black-to-white rate ratio) for 5 racial/ethnic categories (non-Hispanic white, non-Hispanic black, Hispanic, American Indian/Alaska Native, and Asian/Pacific Islander). We also examined annual and 5-year changes to see if the disparity measures agreed on the direction of change in disparity.

Results

With a few exceptions, the disparity measures increased from 1981 to 1993 and decreased from 1993 to 2013, whereas syphilis and gonorrhea rates decreased for most groups from 1981 to 1993 and increased from 1993 to 2013. Overall, the disparity measures we examined were highly correlated with one another, particularly when examining 5-year changes rather than annual changes in disparity. For example, all 5 measures agreed on the direction of change in the disparity of syphilis in 56% of the annual comparisons and in 82% of the 5-year comparisons.

Conclusions

Although the disparity measures we examined were generally consistent with one another, these measures can sometimes yield divergent assessments of whether racial/ethnic disparities are increasing or decreasing for a given sexually transmitted disease from one point in time to another, as well as divergent assessments of the relative magnitude of the change.
Basic Molecular Pathology and Cytogenetics for Practicing Pathologists: Correlation With Morphology and With a Focus on Aspects of Diagnostic or Therapeutic Utility
Authors: Karpathiou Georgia , Batistatou Anna , Forest Fabien , Clemenson Alix , Peoc’h Michel
Published: October 2016

Morphology, as confronted in the everyday practice, often correlates with specific molecular features, which have important implications not only in pathogenesis and in diagnosis but also in prognosis and therapy. Thus, it is important that the classical pathology includes a sound knowledge of molecular aspects of disease. These molecular concepts are complex and not easily understood by all engaged in the routine practice of histopathology. Thus, the aim of this review is to present a summary of most of the necessary concepts for pathologists involving molecular pathology and genetics, beginning from basic definitions and mechanisms to major abnormalities and the methodology to detect them, correlating at the same time, the specific morphologic features associated with every abnormality.
Citric Acid Cycle Metabolites Predict the Severity of Myocardial Stunning and Mortality in Newborn Pigs
Authors: Hyldebrandt Janus Adler , Støttrup Nicolaj Brejnholt , Frederiksen Christian Alcaraz , Heiberg Johan , Dupont Birkler Rune Isak , Johannsen Mogens , Schmidt Michael Rahbek , Ravn Hanne Berg
Published: October 2016

Objectives:

Myocardial infarction and chronic heart failure induce specific metabolic changes in the neonatal myocardium that are closely correlated to outcome. The aim of this study was to examine the metabolic responses to noninfarct heart failure and inotropic treatments in the newborn heart, which so far are undetermined.

Design:

A total of 28 newborn pigs were instrumented with a microdialysis catheter in the right ventricle, and intercellular citric acid cycle intermediates and adenosine metabolite concentrations were determined at 20-minute intervals. Stunning was induced by 10 cycles of 3 minutes of ischemia, which was performed by occluding the right coronary artery, followed by 3 minutes of reperfusion. Animals were randomized for treatment with epinephrine + milrinone, dopamine + milrinone, dobutamine, or saline.

Setting:

University hospital animal laboratory.

Main Results:

Ischemia-reperfusion induced right ventricular stunning and increased the concentrations of pyruvate lactate, succinate, malate, hypoxanthine, and xanthine (all, p < 0.01). During inotrope infusion, no differences in metabolite concentrations were detected between the treatment groups. In nonsurviving animals (n = 8), concentrations of succinate (p < 0.0001), malate (p = 0.009), and hypoxanthine (p = 0.04) increased compared with survivors, while contractility was significantly reduced (p = 0.03).

Conclusions:

Accumulation of citric acid cycle intermediates and adenosine metabolites reflects the presence of myocardial stunning and predicts mortality in acute noninfarct right ventricular heart failure in newborn pigs. This phenomenon occurs independently of the type of inotrope, suggesting that citric acid cycle intermediates represent potential markers of acute noninfarct heart failure.
The Clinical Impact of Heated Humidified High-Flow Nasal Cannula on Pediatric Respiratory Distress
Authors: Kawaguchi Atsushi , Yasui Yutaka , deCaen Allan , Garros Daniel
Published: October 2016

Objectives:

To assess the impact on a single PICU of introducing high-flow nasal cannula as a management tool for respiratory distress.

Design:

Retrospective cohort study, including an interrupted time series analysis with a propensity score adjustment and a matched-pair analysis.

Setting:

A single university-affiliated children's hospital PICU.

Interventions:

None.

Measurements and Main Results:

Differences in clinical outcomes when comparing the pre–high-flow nasal cannula era (2004–2008) and the high-flow nasal cannula era (2010–2014), excluding 2009 as a washout period, and clinical impacts of high-flow nasal cannula as an exposure of interest. A total of 1,766 children met the inclusion criteria (pre–high-flow nasal cannula era: 699 patients; high-flow nasal cannula era: 1,067 patients). High-flow nasal cannula was used in 455 patients (42.6%) in the high-flow nasal cannula era. The interrupted time series analysis failed to show a statistically significant difference in PICU length of stay, but the duration of invasive ventilation was shortened by an average of 2.3 days in the high-flow nasal cannula era group (95% CI, 0.2–4.4; p = 0.030). The PICU intubation rate in the high-flow nasal cannula era was 0.72 times that of the pre–high-flow nasal cannula era (95% CI, 0.63–0.84; p < 0.001). A total of 373 pairs were formed for the matched-pair analysis. The odds for being intubated in the PICU for those patients using high-flow nasal cannula was 0.06 (95% CI, 0.02–0.16; p < 0.001) when compared with those who did not use high-flow nasal cannula. The PICU length of stay increased by 2.9 days in those patients in which high-flow nasal cannula was used (95% CI, 1.3–4.4; p < 0.001).

Conclusions:

The introduction of high-flow nasal cannula as a therapy for respiratory distress in the PICU was associated with a significant decrease in the PICU intubation rate with no associated change in mortality.
Left Atrial Performance in the Course of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Kowallick Johannes T. , Silva Vieira Miguel , Kutty Shelby , Lotz Joachim , Hasenfuß Gerd , Chiribiri Amedeo , Schuster Andreas
Published: October 2016

Objectives

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is associated with left atrial (LA) functional abnormalities. The determinants and the degree of LA dysfunction in the course of HCM are not fully understood. We aimed to characterize LA mechanics in HCM, according to the extent of left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy and fibrosis.

Methods and Results

Seventy-three HCM patients and 23 age- and sex-matched controls underwent cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging including late gadolinium enhancement (LGE). LA reservoir, conduit, and contractile functions were quantified by fractional volume changes and cardiovascular magnetic resonance feature-tracking–derived strain and strain rate. In multivariable regression, LA mechanics were associated with the extent of LV LGE (P = 0.033 to P < 0.001), but not with the LV mass extent or maximum wall thickness (P = 0.108 to P = 0.964). Left atrial function decreased according to the increase in extent of LV fibrosis (non-LGE; mild LGE ≤ 10%; intermediate LGE 11%–19%; severe LGE ≥ 20%). Compared with healthy controls, LA conduit function was impaired in HCM with no LGE already (LA emptying fraction conduit: 32% ± 7% vs 26 ± 14, P = 0.037). Conversely, LA contractile booster pump function was impaired in HCM with severe LGE only (LA emptying fraction booster: 40% ± 8% vs 20% ± 10%, P < 0.001; for controls vs LGE ≥ 20%, respectively).

Conclusions

Left atrial functional abnormalities are associated with LV fibrosis, but not with LV hypertrophy. While LA conduit function is impaired in early HCM stages as represented by mild or absent LV fibrosis, LA contractile function is impaired later in the course of disease progression as demonstrated by the presence of severe LV fibrosis only. These novel markers of LA performance may potentially proof useful for disease staging and early detection of cardiac deterioration.
Alexithymia: a general deficit of interoception
Authors: Brewer Rebecca , Cook Richard , Bird Geoffrey
Published: October 2016

Alexithymia is a sub-clinical construct, traditionally characterized by difficulties identifying and describing one's own emotions. Despite the clear need for interoception (interpreting physical signals from the body) when identifying one's own emotions, little research has focused on the selectivity of this impairment. While it was originally assumed that the interoceptive deficit in alexithymia is specific to emotion, recent evidence suggests that alexithymia may also be associated with difficulties perceiving some non-affective interoceptive signals, such as one's heart rate. It is therefore possible that the impairment experienced by those with alexithymia is common to all aspects of interoception, such as interpreting signals of hunger, arousal, proprioception, tiredness and temperature. In order to determine whether alexithymia is associated with selectively impaired affective interoception, or general interoceptive impairment, we investigated the association between alexithymia and self-reported non-affective interoceptive ability, and the extent to which individuals perceive similarity between affective and non-affective states (both measured using questionnaires developed for the purpose of the current study), in both typical individuals (
n
 = 105 (89 female), mean age = 27.5 years) and individuals reporting a diagnosis of a psychiatric condition (
n
 = 103 (83 female), mean age = 31.3 years). Findings indicated that alexithymia was associated with poor non-affective interoception and increased perceived similarity between affective and non-affective states, in both the typical and clinical populations. We therefore suggest that rather than being specifically associated with affective impairment, alexithymia is better characterized by a general failure of interoception.
Using areas of known occupancy to identify sources of variation in detection probability of raptors: taking time lowers replication effort for surveys
Authors: Murn Campbell , Holloway Graham J.
Published: October 2016

Species occurring at low density can be difficult to detect and if not properly accounted for, imperfect detection will lead to inaccurate estimates of occupancy. Understanding sources of variation in detection probability and how they can be managed is a key part of monitoring. We used sightings data of a low-density and elusive raptor (white-headed vultureTrigonoceps occipitalis) in areas of known occupancy (breeding territories) in a likelihood-based modelling approach to calculate detection probability and the factors affecting it. Because occupancy was knowna priorito be 100%, we fixed the model occupancy parameter to 1.0 and focused on identifying sources of variation in detection probability. Using detection histories from 359 territory visits, we assessed nine covariates in 29 candidate models. The model with the highest support indicated that observer speed during a survey, combined with temporal covariates such as time of year and length of time within a territory, had the highest influence on the detection probability. Averaged detection probability was 0.207 (s.e. 0.033) and based on this the mean number of visits required to determine within 95% confidence that white-headed vultures are absent from a breeding area is 13 (95% CI: 9–20). Topographical and habitat covariates contributed little to the best models and had little effect on detection probability. We highlight that low detection probabilities of some species means that emphasizing habitat covariates could lead to spurious results in occupancy models that do not also incorporate temporal components. While variation in detection probability is complex and influenced by effects at both temporal and spatial scales, temporal covariates can and should be controlled as part of robust survey methods. Our results emphasize the importance of accounting for detection probability in occupancy studies, particularly during presence/absence studies for species such as raptors that are widespread and occur at low densities.
Conformational differences and intermolecular C—H...N interactions in three polymorphs of a bis(pyridinyl)-substituted benzimidazole
Authors: Geiger David K. , DeStefano Matthew R.
Published: October 2016

The structural characterization of several polymorphic forms of a compound allow the interplay between molecular conformation and intermolecular interactions to be studied, which can contribute to the development of strategies for the rational preparation of materials with desirable properties and the tailoring of intermolecular interactions to produce solids with predictable characteristics of interest in crystal engineering. The crystal structures of two new polymorphs of 5,6-dimethyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)-1-[(pyridin-2-yl)methyl]-1H-benzimidazole, C20H18N4, are reported. The previously reported polymorph, (1) [Geiger & DeStefano (2014).Acta Cryst.E70, o365], exhibits the space groupC2/c, whereas polymorphs (2) and (3) presented here are in thePnmaandP\overline{1} space groups, respectively. The molecular structures of the three forms differ in their orientations of the 2-(pyridin-2-yl)- and 1-[(pyridin-2-yl)methyl]- substituents. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations show that the relative energies of the molecule in the three conformations follows the order (1) < (2) < (3), with a spread of 10.6 kJ mol−1. An analysis of the Hirshfeld surfaces shows that the three polymorphs exhibit intermolecular C—H...N interactions, which can be classified into six types. Based on DFT calculations involving pairs of molecules having the observed interactions, the C—H...N energy in the systems explored is approximately −11.2 to −14.4 kJ mol−1.
Outsourcing library functions: a bibliometric study in SSCI
Authors: Ma Tsu-Jui , Lee Gwo-Guang
Published: October 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the bibliometric study of journal articles in Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI) related to outsourcing library functions, including publication trends from 1994 to 2015, core journals, authorship and citing articles used for librarians and researchers to have a basic reference of relevant resources.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology consisted of journal article searches in SSCI with 1994-2015 as the date limiter. The search terms came from the topic of outsourcing to the topic of library by using the Boolean operator; and results were used in the Web of Science (WOS) database based on pre-determined categories and were evaluated based on the five research questions about core journals, authorship and citing articles.

Findings

The findings were based on the five research questions evaluated in the bibliometric study. There were 55 articles published on the topics of outsourcing and library authored by 80 individuals between 1994 and 2015. In the 55 articles analyzed, there were 24 different journals represented with 150 times cited.

Originality/value

This study takes the bibliometric analysis approach, which has rarely been used on the topics of outsourcing and library articles with the specific focus on library finance issues. It provides a foundation for further research on the topic as well as resources to be used by librarians and researchers.
Debt and ownership structure: evidence from Italy
Authors: Rossi Fabrizio , Cebula Richard J.
Published: October 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between the debt and ownership structure of a sample of Italian-listed companies to measure the role assumed in the control and monitoring of agency costs.

Design/methodology/approach

This study examines a balanced panel data, using both a random effects model and a generalized method of moments model to better capture any problems related to the endogeneity of the variables in the model.

Findings

The results provide evidence of a positive relationship between debt and ownership concentration on the one hand and a negative relationship between debt and institutional investors on the other hand. The debt seems to assume both functions, i.e. the disciplinary role of substitute at low levels of ownership concentration and a complementary role at high levels of ownership concentration.

Practical implications

This study provides three practical implications. The first is that the complementarity between debt and ownership concentration provides evidence of the entrenchment effect and tends to weaken the company financially. Second, the results also provide useful prompts to policy-makers who should encourage the presence of institutional investors. Third, the policy-makers should also encourage the expansion of the stock market to enhance the protection of shareholders, reduce private control benefits and provide Italy the same opportunities as other common and civil law countries to collect risk capital, avoiding the abuse of debt.

Originality/value

The empirical results suggest that ownership concentration increases the degree of corporate debt, whereas institutional investors assume the disciplinary role of monitoring and controlling agency costs. The results provide evidence of both the entrenchment effect and the alignment-of-interests hypothesis and that the expropriation theory seems to prevail over the control and monitoring role.
Factors contributing to the helpfulness of online hotel reviews
Authors: Kwok Linchi , Xie Karen L.
Published: October 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the factors contributing to the helpfulness of online hotel reviews and to measure the impact of manager response on the helpfulness of online hotel reviews.

Design/methodology/approach

This investigation used a linear regression model that drew upon 56,284 consumer reviews and 10,797 manager responses from 1,405 hotels on TripAdvisor.com for analysis.

Findings

The helpfulness of online hotel reviews is negatively affected by rating and number of sentences in a review, but positively affected by manager response and reviewer experience in terms of reviewer status, years of membership, and number of cities visited. Manager response moderates the influence of reviewer experience on the helpfulness of online hotel reviews.

Research limitations/implications

Using the data from hotels in five major cities in Texas, the results may not be necessarily generalized to other markets, but the important role that manager response plays in online reviews is assessed with big data analysis.

Practical implications

The results suggest hospitality managers should strategically identify opinion leaders among reviewers and proactively influence the helpfulness of the reviews by providing manager response. Additionally, this study makes recommendations to webmasters of social media platforms in terms of advancing the algorithm of featuring the most helpful online reviews.

Originality/value

This study is at the frontier of research to explain how hotel managers can proactively identify opinion leaders among consumers and use manager response to influence the helpfulness of consumer reviews. Additionally, the results also provide new insights to the influence of reviewer demographic background on the helpfulness of online reviews. Finally, this study analyzed a large data set on a scale that was not available in traditional guest survey studies, responding to the call for big data applications in the hospitality industry.
Efforts to globalize a national food
Authors: Kim Seongseop (Sam) , Choe Ja Young , Lee Aejoo
Published: October 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to gain insight into the preferences of US customers regarding Korean food, and to categorize these customers according to the reasons for their preferences.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was conducted with a sample of customers in Korean restaurants in the USA.

Findings

Cluster 1 was a group whose members were attracted to Korean culture; Cluster 2 was a group whose members were passionate about Korean food; Cluster 3 was a group seeking healthy and exotic food; and Cluster 4 was a low-interest group. Each cluster had a different socio-demographic profile, favored a different Korean menu, identified different success factors for Korean restaurants, described different expectations and experiences of Korean restaurants and had different preferences regarding Korean food services.

Practical implications

Active promotion of Korean food and Korean culture may be appropriate for Cluster 1, while developing a healthy and exotic menu may attract Cluster 3. Maintaining Cluster 2 is deemed important, while a strategic approach is necessary to appeal to Cluster 4.

Originality/value

This study will contribute theoretically and practically to understanding food globalization, ethnic restaurants and segmentation by preference reasons.
E-commerce performance in hospitality and tourism
Authors: Hua Nan
Published: October 2016

Purpose

This study aims to examine the extant E-commerce performance literature to derive a coherent framework to further the understanding, identify research gaps and suggest potential future study directions.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on theoretical sampling (Corbin and Strauss, 2008), this study followed Greenhalghet al.(2009) for the paper sample collection and used exploratory methods before the snowballing technique to identify key sources to uncover the E-commerce performance themes and prior findings systematically.

Findings

By reviewing and synthesizing 155 recent articles, this study proposed an integrated framework of E-commerce performance to organize the complex literature parsimoniously. This study found that E-commerce performance exhibits three key dimensions and is influenced by market E-commerce environment, organization E-commerce environment and the dynamic and interactive relationships in between.

Practical implications

The proposed framework offers industry practitioners opportunities to understand determinants and be updated with current practices of E-commerce performance. The findings of this study further point practitioners to directions that can lead to better E-commerce performance.

Originality/value

This study produced a cohesive framework of E-commerce performance based on an extensive review of the literature in both the mainstream and hospitality and tourism fields, addressing the issue of the currently fragmented understanding on E-commerce performance in hospitality and tourism.
International mediation in low intensity conflicts
Authors: Martin Aran
Published: October 2016

Purpose

Success and failure in mediation are widely understood to determine whether a state will receive positive or negative reputation outcomes from undertaking a mediation role in an international conflict. Research from mediation in domestic settings contradicts this view, finding that peer mediators in school and community settings received positive mediator outcomes from undertaking their role, even when they failed to facilitate an agreement between disputants. This paper aims to test this assumption and argues that mediation success and failure are only weakly correlated with observable reputation outcomes for mediating states and proposes an alternative explanatory framework.

Design/methodology/approach

The hypothesis was inductively generated through a comparative analysis of single-state mediation attempts selected from the Uppsala Conflict Database Project MILC data set. The cases selected were South Africa’s mediation attempts in Côte d’Ivoire from 2004 to 2005 and Comoros from 2003 to 2004, and Mexico’s mediation attempts in Colombia (National Liberation Army) in 2004 and Guatemala (Guatemalan National Revolutionary Unity) between 1994 and 1996. To contextualise the findings and develop the explanatory framework, South African mediation attempts in Burundi and the DRC are discussed in the closing sections of the paper.

Findings

This paper finds that mediation success and failure are only weakly correlated with mediator outcomes. Mediator outcomes are explained by the activity level of the mediating state in providing mediation services; the positive intention of the mediator to assist in resolving the conflict; the scale of the conflict mediated; the severity of spill over effects from the conflict in question; the regional importance of the conflict; the proximity of the government which a mediating state looks to develop relations with to the conflict; the importance of the mediation attempt within the peace process; the level of contestation of the mediation attempt, meaning the extent to which mediation attempts are themselves sites of regional or global international power politics; and the success or failure of the mediation attempt.

Originality/value

An explanatory framework for state mediator outcomes in which the outcome of a mediation attempt for the third-party state is not determined solely, or even primarily, by mediation success or failure bridges mediation research applying to international and domestic issue areas and provides additional information for policy makers regarding the costs and benefits of committing their state to processes of mediation in conflicts with low probabilities of resolution. This is particularly important for state policy makers, given that mediation is successful on average in only one out of every three attempts.
Social context and employment lawsuit dispute resolution
Authors: Posthuma Richard A. , Flores Gabriela L. , Dworkin James B. , Pavel Samuel
Published: October 2016

Purpose

Using an institutional theory perspective (micro and macro), the authors examined employment lawsuits across case type and alternative dispute resolution methods (negotiated settlements versus trials and arbitrations).

Design/methodology/approach

The authors examined actual data from US federal court lawsuits (N= 98,020). The data included the type of lawsuit, the dispute resolution method used and the outcome of the lawsuit in terms of the dollar amounts awarded.

Findings

The results show that employers were more likely to win in high social context cases (civil rights) than in other cases (Employment Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, ERISA). In arbitrations, plaintiffs won more frequently and were awarded higher amounts in arbitration than in court trials. In arbitration, plaintiffs received more in high social context cases than in other cases.

Practical implications

The results show that employers lose more often and in larger dollar amounts in arbitration than in litigation. However, if arbitration rulings more closely matched the likely outcomes of trials, subsequent litigation would be less likely to be overturned, and transaction costs would be reduced. If this were the case, the arbitration of employment lawsuits would more closely match the arbitration of contractual grievances under the typical labor relations system, where the arbitrator’s decision is usually final and binding. This could be a better outcome for all stakeholders in the dispute resolution process.

Originality/value

This is the first study of its kind to examine actual workplace conflicts that result in employment-related lawsuits from the perspective of social contextual factors.
Social capital of non-resident family members and small business financing
Authors: Gill Amarjit , Maung Min Thu , Chowdhury Reza H.
Published: October 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of social capital of non-resident family members on small business debt financing. Recent literature in entrepreneurship suggests that small businesses can borrow social capital to improve their access to debt financing.

Design/methodology/approach

Micro-entrepreneurs from India were interviewed regarding their ability to raise capital from family members as well as their relationship with banks and politicians.

Findings

The survey indicates that small business entrepreneurs are able to borrow social capital from non-resident Indians. Results also suggest that these small businesses are more likely to be connected to banks and politicians facilitated by their non-resident family members, which not only improves micro-entrepreneurs’ access to debt financing but also reduces their cost of borrowing.

Research limitations/implications

This is a co-relational study that investigates the association between social capital of non-resident family members and small business debt financing. There is not necessarily a causal relationship between the two. The findings of this study may only be generalized to firms similar to those that were included in this research.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature on the factors that improve the access to small business debt financing. The findings may be useful for financial managers, investors, financial management consultants, entrepreneurs, and other stakeholders.