bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluating Automated Rules for Rapid Response System Alarm Triggers in Medical and Surgical Patients
Authors: Romero‐Brufau Santiago , Morlan Bruce W. , Johnson Matthew , Hickman Joel , Kirkland Lisa L. , Naessens James M. , Huddleston Jeanne
Published: April 2017

BACKGROUND

The use of rapid response systems (RRS), which were designed to bring clinicians with critical care expertise to the bedside to prevent unnecessary deaths, has increased. RRS rely on accurate detection of acute deterioration events. Early warning scores (EWS) have been used for this purpose but were developed using heterogeneous populations. Predictive performance may differ in medical vs surgical patients.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the performance of published EWS in medical vs surgical patient populations.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

Two tertiary care academic medical center hospitals in the Midwest totaling more than 1500 beds.

PATIENTS

All patients discharged from January to December 2011.

INTERVENTION

None.

MEASUREMENTS

Time‐stamped longitudinal database of patient variables and outcomes, categorized as surgical or medical. Outcomes included unscheduled transfers to the intensive care unit, activation of the RRS, and calls for cardiorespiratory resuscitation (“resuscitation call”). The EWS were calculated and updated with every new patient variable entry over time. Scores were considered accurate if they predicted an outcome in the following 24 hours.

RESULTS

All EWS demonstrated higher performance within the medical population as compared to surgical: higher positive predictive value (P < .0001 for all scores) and sensitivity (P < .0001 for all scores). All EWS had positive predictive values below 25%.

CONCLUSIONS

The overall poor performance of the evaluated EWS was marginally better in medical patients when compared to surgical patients.
Prognosticating with the Hospitalized‐patient One‐year Mortality Risk Score Using Information Abstracted from the Medical Record
Authors: Casey Genevieve , van Walraven Carl
Published: April 2017

BACKGROUND

Predicting death risk in patients with diverse conditions is difficult. The Hospitalized‐patient One‐year Mortality Risk (HOMR) score accurately determines death risk in adults admitted to hospital using health administrative data unavailable to clinicians and most researchers.

OBJECTIVE

Determine if HOMR is valid when calculated using data abstracted directly from the medical record.

DESIGN

Medical record review linked to population‐based administrative data.

PARTICIPANTS

4996 adults admitted in 2011 to a non‐psychiatric service at a tertiary hospital.

MAIN MEASURES

From the chart, we abstracted information required to calculate the HOMR score and linked to population‐based mortality data to determine vital status within 1 year of admission date.

KEY RESULTS

Patients had a mean age of 55.6 (standard deviation [SD], 20.7) with 563 (11.3%) dying. The mean chart HOMR score was 22 (SD, 12) and significantly predicted death risk; a 1‐point increase in HOMR increased death odds by 19% (odds ratio, 1.192;, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.175‐1.210;, P < 0.0001). Chart HOMR was strongly discriminative (C statistic 0.888) and well calibrated (Hosmer‐Lemeshow goodness‐of‐fit test, 12.9; P = 0.11). The observed death risk was strongly associated with expected death risk (calibration slope, 1.02; 95% CI, 0.89‐1.16). Notation of delirium or falls on admitting notes or dependence for at least 1 activity of daily living were each associated with 1‐year death risk independent of the HOMR score.

CONCLUSIONS

One‐year mortality risk can be accurately determined in adults admitted to hospital with the HOMR score calculated using information abstracted from the medical record. Patient functional status was independently associated with death risk.
Automating Venous Thromboembolism Risk Calculation Using Electronic Health Record Data Upon Hospital Admission: The Automated Padua Prediction Score
Authors: Elias Pierre , Khanna Raman , Dudley Adams , Davies Jason , Jacolbia Ronald , McArthur Kara , Auerbach Andrew D.
Published: April 2017

BACKGROUND

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk scores assist providers in determining the relative benefit of prophylaxis for individual patients. While automated risk calculation using simpler electronic health record (EHR) data is feasible, it lacks clinical nuance and may be less predictive. Automated calculation of the Padua Prediction Score (PPS), requiring more complex input such as recent medical events and clinical status, may save providers time and increase risk score use.

OBJECTIVE

We developed the Automated Padua Prediction Score (APPS) to auto‐calculate a VTE risk score using EHR data drawn from prior encounters and the first 4 hours of admission. We compared APPS to standard practice of clinicians manually calculating the PPS to assess VTE risk.

DESIGN

Cohort study of 30,726 hospitalized patients. APPS was compared to manual calculation of PPS by chart review from 300 randomly selected patients.

MEASUREMENTS

Prediction of hospital‐acquired VTE not present on admission.

RESULTS

Compared to manual PPS calculation, no significant difference in average score was found (5.5 vs. 5.1, P = 0.073), and area under curve (AUC) was similar (0.79 vs. 0.76). Hospital‐acquired VTE occurred in 260 (0.8%) of 30,726 patients. Those without VTE averaged APPS of 4.9 (standard deviation [SD], 2.6) and those with VTE averaged 7.7 (SD, 2.6). APPS had AUC = 0.81 (confidence interval [CI], 0.79‐0.83) in patients receiving no pharmacologic prophylaxis and AUC = 0.78 (CI, 0.76‐0.82) in patients receiving pharmacologic prophylaxis.

CONCLUSION

Automated calculation of VTE risk had similar ability to predict hospital‐acquired VTE as manual calculation despite differences in how often specific scoring criteria were considered present by the 2 methods.
Safe and Effective Bedside Thoracentesis: A Review of the Evidence for Practicing Clinicians
Authors: Schildhouse Richard , Lai Andrew , Barsuk Jeffrey H. , Mourad Michelle , Chopra Vineet
Published: April 2017

BACKGROUND

Physicians often care for patients with pleural effusion, a condition that requires thoracentesis for evaluation and treatment. We aim to identify the most recent advances related to safe and effective performance of thoracentesis.

METHODS

We performed a narrative review with a systematic search of the literature. Two authors independently reviewed search results and selected studies based on relevance to thoracentesis; disagreements were resolved by consensus. Articles were categorized as those related to the pre‐, intra‐ and postprocedural aspects of thoracentesis.

RESULTS

Sixty relevant studies were identified and included. Pre‐procedural topics included methods for physician training and maintenance of skills, such as simulation with direct observation. Additionally, pre‐procedural topics included the finding that moderate coagulopathies (international normalized ratio less than 3 or a platelet count greater than 25,000/μL) and mechanical ventilation did not increase risk of postprocedural complications. Intraprocedurally, ultrasound use was associated with lower risk of pneumothorax, while pleural manometry can identify a nonexpanding lung and may help reduce risk of re‐expansion pulmonary edema. Postprocedurally, studies indicate that routine chest X‐ray is unwarranted, because bedside ultrasound can identify pneumothorax.

CONCLUSIONS

While the performance of thoracentesis is not without risk, clinicians can incorporate recent advances into practice to mitigate patient harm and improve effectiveness.
Hospital Medicine and Perioperative Care: A Framework for High‐Quality, High‐Value Collaborative Care
Authors: Thompson Rachel E. , Pfeifer Kurt , Grant Paul J. , Taylor Cornelia , Slawski Barbara , Whinney Christopher , Wellikson Laurence , Jaffer Amir K.
Published: April 2017

BACKGROUND

Hospitalists have long been involved in optimizing perioperative care for medically complex patients. In 2015, the Society of Hospital Medicine organized the Perioperative Care Work Group to summarize this experience and to develop a framework for providing optimal perioperative care.

METHODS

The work group, which consisted of perioperative care experts from institutions throughout the United States, reviewed current hospitalist‐based perioperative care programs, compiled key issues in each perioperative phase, and developed a framework to highlight essential elements to be considered. The framework was reviewed and approved by the board of the Society of Hospital Medicine.

RESULTS

The Perioperative Care Matrix for Inpatient Surgeries was developed. This matrix characterizes perioperative phases, coordination, and metrics of success. Additionally, concerns and potential risks were tabulated. Key questions regarding program effectiveness were drafted, and examples of models of care were provided.

CONCLUSIONS

The Perioperative Care Matrix for Inpatient Surgeries provides an essential collaborative framework hospitalists can use to develop and continually improve perioperative care programs.
Hospitalizations With Observation Services and the Medicare Part A Complex Appeals Process at Three Academic Medical Centers
Authors: Sheehy Ann M. , Engel Jeannine Z. , Locke Charles F.S. , Weissburg Daniel J. , Eldridge Kevin , Caponi Bartho , Deutschendorf Amy
Published: April 2017

Hospitalists and other providers must classify hospitalized patients as inpatient or outpatient, the latter of which includes all observation stays. These orders direct hospital billing and payment, as well as patient out‐of‐pocket expenses. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) audits hospital billing for Medicare beneficiaries, historically through the Recovery Audit program. A recent U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) report identified problems in the hospital appeals process of Recovery Audit program audits to which CMS proposed reforms. In the context of the GAO report and CMS's proposed improvements, we conducted a study to describe the time course and process of complex Medicare Part A audits and appeals reaching Level 3 of the 5‐level appeals process as of May 1, 2016 at 3 academic medical centers. Of 219 appeals reaching Level 3, 135 had a decision—96 (71.1%) successful for the hospitals. Mean total time since date of service was 1663.3 days, which includes mean days between date of service and audit (560.4) and total days in appeals (891.3). Government contractors were responsible for 70.7% of total appeals time. Overall, government contractors and judges met legislative timeliness deadlines less than half the time (47.7%), with declining compliance at successive levels (discussion, 92.5%; Level 1, 85.4%; Level 2, 38.8%; Level 3, 0%). Most Level 1 and Level 2 decision letters (95.2%) cited time‐based (24‐hour) criteria for determining inpatient status, despite 70.3% of denied appeals meeting the 24‐hour benchmark. These findings suggest that the Medicare appeals system merits process improvement beyond current proposed reforms.
Detecting Sepsis: Are Two Opinions Better Than One?
Authors: Bhattacharjee Poushali , Churpek Matthew M. , Snyder Ashley , Howell Michael D. , Edelson Dana P.
Published: April 2017

The diagnosis of sepsis requires that objective criteria be met with a corresponding subjective suspicion of infection. We conducted a study to characterize the agreement between different providers' suspicion of infection and the correlation with patient outcomes using prospective data from a general medicine ward. Registered nurse (RN) suspicion of infection was collected every 12 hours and compared with medical doctor or advanced practice professional (MD/APP) suspicion, defined as an existing order for antibiotics or a new order for blood or urine cultures within the 12 hours before nursing screen time. During the study period, 1386 patients yielded 11,489 screens, 3744 (32.6%) of which met at least 2 systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) criteria. Infection was suspected by RN and MD/APP in 5.8% of cases, by RN only in 22.2%, by MD/APP only in 7.2%, and by neither provider in 64.7%. Overall agreement rate was 80.7% for suspicion of infection (κ = 0.11, P < 0.001). Progression to severe sepsis or shock was highest when both providers suspected infection in a SIRS‐positive patient (17.7%), was substantially reduced with single‐provider suspicion (6.0%), and was lowest when neither provider suspected infection (1.5%) (P < 0.001). Provider disagreement regarding suspected infection is common, with RNs suspecting infection more often, suggesting that a collaborative model for sepsis detection may improve timing and accuracy.
Regional Variation in Standardized Costs of Care at Children's Hospitals
Authors: Jonas Jennifer A. , Shah Samir S. , Zaniletti Isabella , Hall Matthew , Colvin Jeffrey D. , Gottlieb Laura M. , Sills Marion R. , Bettenhausen Jessica , Morse Rustin B. , Macy Michelle L. , Fieldston Evan S.
Published: April 2017

BACKGROUND

Though regional variation in healthcare spending has received national attention, it has not been widely studied in pediatrics.

OBJECTIVES

(1) To evaluate regional variation in costs of care for 3 inpatient pediatric conditions, (2) assess potential drivers of variation, and (3) estimate cost savings from reducing variation.

DESIGN/SETTING/PATIENTS

Retrospective cohort study of hospitalizations for asthma, diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), and acute gastroenteritis (AGE) at 46 children's hospitals from October 2014 to September 2015.

INTERVENTION/MEASUREMENTS

Variation in trimmed standardized costs were assessed within and across regions. Linear mixed effects models were adjusted for patient‐ and encounter‐level variables to assess drivers of variation.

RESULTS

After adjusting for patient‐level factors, variation remained. Using census division clusters, mean trimmed and adjusted total standardized costs were 120% higher for asthma ($1920 vs $4227), 46% higher for DKA ($7429 vs $10,881), and 150% higher for AGE ($3316 vs $8292) in the highest‐cost compared with the lowest‐cost region. Comparing hospitals in the same region, standardized costs were significantly different (P < 0.001) for each condition in each region. Drivers of variation were encounter‐level variables including length of stay and intensive care unit utilization. For this cohort, annual savings from reducing variation would equal $69.1 million at the interregional level and $25.2 million at the intraregional level.

CONCLUSIONS

Pediatric hospital costs vary between and within regions. Future studies should examine how much of this variation is avoidable. To the extent that less spending does not compromise outcomes, care models may be adjusted to eliminate unwarranted variation and reduce costs.
Idelalisib and Rituximab Regimen
Authors: Barnett A. Kacee , Waddell J. Aubrey , Solimando Dominic A.
Published: April 2017

The complexity of cancer chemotherapy requires pharmacists be familiar with the complicated regimens and highly toxic agents used. This column reviews various issues related to preparation, dispensing, and administration of antineoplastic therapy, and the agents, both commercially available and investigational, used to treat malignant diseases.
Importance of Pharmacy Involvement in the Treatment of Sepsis
Authors: Cavanaugh Joseph B. , Sullivan Jesse B. , East Nicole , Nodzon Jessica N.
Published: April 2017

Purpose

A review of the impact of pharmacists on appropriate medication selection, timing of administration, and as members of a multidisciplinary sepsis response team.

Early goal-directed therapy (EGDT), currently recommended by the 2013 Surviving Sepsis Campaign guidelines for the management of patients with sepsis, includes the administration of appropriate antibiotics in patients with septic shock within the first hour. Multidisciplinary teams containing pharmacists have been shown to decrease time to antibiotic delivery, time to antibiotic administration, and patient mortality. The pharmacist can act as a drug information resource, expedite the medication verification and procurement process, and offer suggestions on how to better manage the patients. Pharmacists are often consulted for dosing and antibiotic selection recommendations for patients with sepsis, but they can also help increase the appropriateness of antibiotics selected. Additional recommendations and interventions made by pharmacists include fluid management and vasopressor facilitation for the more severe patients. A sepsis management team that included a pharmacist increased the number of patients receiving appropriate antibiotics within the first hour by as much as 22-fold. Another study has demonstrated that intensive care units with a pharmacist are associated with a 4% decrease in sepsis patient mortality compared to those without a pharmacist.

Conclusion

Multidisciplinary teams containing pharmacists have been shown to decrease time to administration of antibiotics, increase appropriate selection of medications, and decrease mortality; they may also decrease overall health care costs.
Analisis Hasil Sintesis Serbuk TiO2 / ZnO sebagai Lapisan Elektroda untuk Aplikasi Dye-sensitized Solar Cell
Authors: Retnaningsih Lilis , Muliani Lia , Anggraini Putri Nur
Published: April 2017

Pada penelitian ini telah dilakukan sintesis antara serbuk partikel nano TiO2 dan serbuk partikel nano ZnO menjadi pasta yang akan diaplikasikan sebagai elektroda pada dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). Elektroda pada DSSC ini bekerja berdasarkan adsorbsi foton oleh pewarna, elektron yang tereksitasi ditransfer ke TiO2/ZnO yang mempunyai perbandingan berbeda. Dimensi material partikel nano TiO2/ZnO sebagai elektroda sangat penting untuk menghasilkan efisiensi yang lebih tinggi pada DSSC. Sifat ini sangat dipengaruh oleh metoda pabrikasi elektroda TiO2/ZnO dan parameternya. Pada penelitian ini digunakan metoda doctor blade untuk pabrikasi DSSC dan larutan dyes (Z907) sebagai zat pewarna. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui pengaruh pencampuran serbuk TiO2 dan serbuk ZnO sebagai elektroda. Teknik pembuatan pasta TiO2/ZnO sebagai elektroda sangat penting untuk menghasilkan efisiensi tinggi pada DSSC. Teknik ini sangat terkait dengan material TiO2/ZnO, metoda pabrikasi, dan parameter pengukurannya. Dalam penelitian ini dibahas hasil karakterisasi XRD pada kedua serbuk TiO2 dan ZnO, hasil SEM pada pencampuran kedua material, hasil pengujian IPCE serta hasil pengukuran effisiensi pada pengujian I - V.
Work environment characteristics as perceived by nurses in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Almuhsen Fatimah , Alkorashy Hanan , Baddar Fatma , Qasim Abdiqani
Published: April 2017

Summary: The environment that contains; skilled nursing leadership who empowers their staff and improves their autonomy also allowing them to participate in the department and organizational policy, good nurse-doctor relationship, adequate resources and skilled mix staffing, play an essential role to enhance control over nursing practice.Aim: The aim of this study was to identify nurses’ perception of work environment characteristics.Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive research design was used throughout this study. A quota sampling technique was used to recruit the participants (staff nurses and first-line nurse managers) from King Fahd Medical City in Saudi Arabia, who was asked to complete the tool; Perceived Environment Scale-Nursing Work Index (PES-NWI).Findings: 465 nurses participated in this study; 364 were from nurses and 101 from nurse managers, most of the participants were female. Participants were moderately high perceived to their work environments, and there was an association between the characteristics of participants in relation with the work environment.Conclusion: The current study concluded that the nurses' perception of work environment characteristics was moderately high.
Obstetric admissions to the critical care unit: a one year experience at a tertiary care referral centre of the developing country
Authors: Agarwal Kriti , Mukhopadhyay Partha , Dahiya Krishna , Hooda Reetu , Sanghi Sahil , Narsaria Kamal , Garg Gazal
Published: April 2017

Background: Care of the critically ill pregnant women presents a unique challenge as the assessment, monitoring and the treatment must take into account both maternal and fetal wellbeing as well as physiological changes of pregnancy.Objective: To assess the indications for critical care unit transfer of obstetric and postpartum cases and describe the profile and feto-maternal outcomes of such patients.Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted in department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata from 1st May 2013 to 30th April 2014.Total 50 cases were included and data was analysed by frequency, percentage, paired and unpaired t test, chi square test and test of equality of proportions using SPSS version 20.Results: 0.9% of total obstetric and postpartum admissions required critical care facilities and contributed to 16.67% of CCU admissions. Mean age of patients included in our study was 25.4 years. Most of the patients were admitted antepartum (n=37, 74%) with mean gestational age at admission being 34.2703+6.85018 weeks. More patients presented with obstetric complications (74%, n=37) as compared to medical complications (26%, n=13). The most common indication for admission were major haemorrhage (n=18, 36%) and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (n=17, 34%). There were 16(32%) maternal deaths. MODS (31.25%) and hypovolemic shock (18.75%) were the most common causes of maternal death in our study. Conclusion: The overall mortality was high, emphasizing the need for dedicated obstetric high dependency units.
Technology, Taphonomy, and Seasonality: Understanding Differences between Dorset and Thule Subsistence Strategies at Iqaluktuuq, Victoria Island
Authors: Howse Lesley , Friesen T. Max
Published: April 2017

This paper examines differences between Late Dorset and Thule Inuit subsistence economies at the Bell site on Victoria Island, Nunavut. This location is relatively unusual in the eastern Arctic region because local subsistence was based largely on caribou and fish, rather than the sea mammals that dominate in most other regions. For both periods, animal bone samples are quantified in terms of taxonomic frequencies, element (body part) distributions, seasonality, prey demography, and bone modifications such as cutting, burning, and gnawing. A comparison between the periods indicates many broad similarities in subsistence, but some subtle differences suggest that the Thule had a more focal and specialized economy, with a slightly different seasonal profile.
Internet de las cosas y la salud centrada en el hogar
Authors: Viloria Núñez César Augusto , Sanmartín Mendoza Paul , Avila Hernández Karen , Jabba Molinares Daladier
Published: April 2017

Este artículo presenta una revisión del concepto de Internet de las Cosas y su aplicación en el área de la salud, centrándonos en las soluciones que existen actualmente para el manejo de la salud orientada al hogar. El internet de las cosas aplicado al campo de la salud, permitirá que muchas personas, independientemente de su clase social, utilicen los servicios que por medio de estas tecnologías se podrían ofrecer y que en muchos países ya se están empezando a implementar. Teniendo en cuenta que en las próximas décadas, el modelo de asistencia médica se transformará del presente hospital-céntrico que comúnmente conocemos a un modelo de salud totalmente centrado en el hogar, donde en el hogar se tendrá menor intensidad laboral y costo operacional. El servicio de salud en el hogar permite el aprovechamiento de la tecnología IoT, llamado muy a menudo como Salud IoT. Esto suena prometedor para la industria del sector salud y las TIC en general, porque permite personalizar el servicio sanitario, acelerando su evolución.
Do Syrian refugees a real impact on local unemployment in Turkey?
Authors: Çakılcı Emin
Published: April 2017

Syrian civil war has caused a forced massive immigration into neighbour countries. Almost six billion people has spreaded out neighbour countries as being refugees. Since the start of the war in March 2011, three billion syrian people’s have passed the borders as being refugees to Turkey. Turkey has the biggest share on the World of this massive emigration. Syrian refugees firstly settled in camps near the borders and after filling the camps they spread out across the country. Most of them have started to working informally at seconder sector; therefore they have been invisible competitors for native employees. In this study, the effects of Syrian refugees as employees on local unemployment were discussed. Outcomes show us Syrian refugees have a real impact on native unemployment, especially in the informal sectors. In cities where Syrian refugees have settled, local unemployment rates have inclined; because of this, many native employees have lost their jobs.
Designing and integrating reusable learning objects for meaningful learning: Cases from a graduate programme
Authors: Koh Joyce Hwee Ling
Published: April 2017

E-learning quality depends on sound pedagogical integration between the content resources and lesson activities within an e-learning system. This study proposes that a meaningful learning with technology framework can be used to guide the design and integration of content resources with e-learning activities in ways that promote learning experiences, characterised by five dimensions: active, constructive, intentional, authentic, and collaborative. The pedagogical uses of these meaningful learning dimensions to support the design and integration of reusable learning objects as content resources will be explicated and exemplified through three cases related to the instruction of theories, principles, and professional skills respectively in a graduate programme. Design notes and surveys of students’ perception of learning experiences are used as data sources to understand how the five meaningful learning dimensions are being implemented by instructors and perceived by students. The strategies for supporting meaningful learning with reusable learning objects in higher education contexts are discussed.
A model-driven approach to e-course management
Authors: Savić Goran , Segedinac Milan , Milenković Dušica , Hrin Tamara , Segedinac Mirjana
Published: April 2017

This paper presents research on using a model-driven approach to the development and management of electronic courses. We propose a course management system which stores a course model represented as distinct machine-readable components containing domain knowledge of different course aspects. Based on this formally defined platform-independent source course model, the system programmatically generates a final course in different platform-specific target models. Currently, our system supports the generation of IMS learning design, SCORM, LAMS and Sakai courses. The case study presents a formal model of the Web programming course and its transformation to the supported target models.
Students’ perspectives on the design and implementation of a blended synchronous learning environment
Authors: Wang Qiyun , Huang Changqin , Quek Choon Lang
Published: April 2017

This study investigated a blended synchronous learning environment (BSLE), which was designed for a group of master’s students taking a course at a teacher education institute. The BSLE was created for the majority of the students to attend the course face-to-face and at the same time allowed the rest to join the identical sessions using videoconferencing from different locations. The purpose of the study was to find out what learning experiences and perceptions the students had with regard to the design and implementation of the BSLE. Results show that the BSLE could extend certain features of the face-to-face classroom instruction to the online students and the students liked the flexibility and convenience of attending lessons via the two-way videoconferencing at remote sites. This study further identified that smooth communication between online students and the instructor and between the online students and classroom students, the engagement of the online students and the redesign of certain instructional activities, balanced attention from the instructor to the classroom students as well as the online students and the quality of the audio were crucial for the environment to be effective.
In dubio pro tributario as a principle of tax law
Authors: Obuchowski Szymon
Published: April 2017

This paper’s concern is focused on amajor amendment of the Tax Ordinance Act – article 2a enforced by the Act of the August 5th 2015 (Dz.U. 2015 r. poz. 1197). According to the Act’s substation, it was designed to be an introduction of a new “principle of the polish tax law” through incarnating as a part of legal system the directive of law interpretation widely known as in dubio pro tributario. The amendment aimed to strengthen the legal covers which protect tax bearers from vagueness of the tax law. Paper confronts these assumptions with theoretical achievements concerning principles of law. It points out that, contradictory to the Legislator’s claims, the new article 2a cannot be recognised as a principle of law; moreover, it raises several doubts in the other fields which together may result in its malfunctioning.
Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of 4-trifluoromethylpyridine nucleosides
Authors: Alneyadi Shaikha S. , Abdulqader Anas A. , Salem Alaa A. , Abdou Ibrahim M.
Published: April 2017

4-Trifluoromethylpyridine derivatives 4–8 represent good candidates for the discovery of new antibacterial agents. Fluorinated pyridine nucleosides 4–7 and non-nucleoside analogues 8a,b were synthesized and evaluated for their antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus infantis, Escherichia coli and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the new nucleosides 4–7 range from 1.3 to 4.9 μg/mL and MICs of fluoroaryl derivatives 8a,b are in the range of 1.8–5.5 μg/mL. Activity of amoxicillin, the reference drug, is 1.0–2.0 μg/mL under similar conditions.
Isolation and characterization of triterpenoids from the stem barks of Pinus massoniana
Authors: Si Chuan-Ling , Gao Yue , Wu Lei , Liu Rui , Wang Guanhua , Dai Lin , Li Xionghui , Hong Yimei
Published: April 2017

Tree barks, residues in forestry and the pulp industry, could be a rich source of novel biologically or pharmaceutically active substances. In the current work, chemical constituents of extracts obtained from stem barks of Pinus massoniana have been analyzed. A novelty is the isolation of a new ursane-type triterpene saponin, which was characterized as ursolic acid 3-O-[β-d-glucopyranosyl (1′′→6′)]-β-d-glucopyranoside-28-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (IV). Moreover, three already known triterpenoid compounds ursolic acid (I), oleanolic acid (II) and oleanolic acid 3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (III) are described. The elucidation of chemical structures of the isolated extractives was carried out mainly by a combination of 1D 1H, 13C and various 2D NMR experiments as well as by IR, UV and MS spectroscopic techniques. It is the first report about four triterpenoids found in bark of P. massoniana.
Financial Performance of Socially Responsible Indices
Authors: Śliwiński Paweł , Łobza Maciej
Published: April 2017

This article analyzes rate-of-return and risk related to investments in socially responsible and conventional country indices. The socially responsible indices are the DJSI Korea, DJSI US and Respect Index, and the corresponding conventional country indices are the Korea Stock Exchange Composite KOSPI, Dow Jones Industrial Average and WIG20TR. We conclude that investing in the analyzed SRI indices do not yield systematically better results than investing in the respective conventional indices, both in terms of neoclassical risk and return rate.

This finding suggest that socially responsible investing should be assessed in terms of behavioral economics related to the psycho-social features of investors, rather than to simplified rational choices (based only on the risk and return rate analysis) that neoclassical economics assumes.
Does the Effect of Person-Environment Fit on Work Attitudes Vary with Generations? Insights from the Tourism Industry
Authors: Bednarska Marlena A.
Published: April 2017

There is an intrinsic link between the success of service firms and the availability of high-quality human resources, making employee attitudes and behaviors a critical concern for service organizations. This paper examines the role of generational differences in the relationship between person-environment fit, job satisfaction and work engagement in the tourism industry. The study was based on a group of 981 tourism employees in 15 localities in Poland. Data were collected through self-administered paper-based questionnaires. The hypothesized relationships were tested using a hierarchical regression analysis. This research revealed that Generation Y employees experienced lower job satisfaction, lower work engagement, and a lower degree of needs being met in the workplace than did their predecessors. It was also found that person-group fit was a stronger predictor of work attitudes for Millennials. The paper contributes to the ongoing debate on generational diversity in the workplace and its implication for human resources management. Specifically, in the service context, it adds a generational perspective of the person-environment fit influence on work-related attitudes.
Exotic rats consume sporocarps of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in American Samoa
Authors: Adler Gregory H. , Counsell Eva , Seamon Joshua O. , Bentivenga Stephen P.
Published: April 2017

We sampled three exotic species of rats (Rattus exulans, Rattus norvegicus and Rattus rattus) by live-trapping along two transects on Tutuila, American Samoa and searched for evidence of mycophagy by examining fecal pellets. We found spores of three species of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (Septoglomus constrictum, Rhizophagus clarus and Rhizophagus fasciculatus) in 19 of the 26 samples examined. All the three species of rats consumed sporocarps, with R. clarus being the most widely consumed. We suggest that mycophagy by exotic rats is common in American Samoa and may facilitate invasion of exotic plants such as the tree Falcataria moluccana.
Hybrid metal complexes with opposed biological modes of action – promising selective drug candidates
Authors: Milaeva Elena R. , Tyurin Vladimir Yu.
Published: April 2017

The oxidative stress is considered to be involved in the pathogenesis of many diseases. The antioxidative defense system in the living organism regulates the toxic impact of ROS and there is strong evidence that the antioxidants prevent some pathologies including cancer. The specific chemical properties of metal-based drugs impart innovative pharmacological profiles to this type of therapeutic agents, most likely in relation to novel biomolecular mechanisms. This review will focus on a novel approach to design polyfunctional metal-based physiollogically active compounds with opposed modes of action – prooxidant metal center and antioxidant 2,6-dialkylphenol group. The synthesis and anti/prooxidant activity and cytotoxicity studies of novel organometallic/coordination compounds (ferrocenes, complexes with di-(2-picolyl)amine ligand, porphyrins, pyridines, thiols, carboxylates) based on either biogenic metals (Fe, Mn, Co, Cu, Zn, Ni) or exogenic metals (Sn, Au, Rh) are presented and discussed. The results allow us to conclude that combining in one molecule a redox active metal center and cytoprotective functional organic moiety with antioxidative function is a promising way to rational metallodrug design in modern medicinal chemistry.
Neural Monkey: An Open-source Tool for Sequence Learning
Authors: Helcl Jindřich , Libovický Jindřich
Published: April 2017

In this paper, we announce the development of Neural Monkey – an open-source neural machine translation (NMT) and general sequence-to-sequence learning system built over the TensorFlow machine learning library. The system provides a high-level API tailored for fast prototyping of complex architectures with multiple sequence encoders and decoders. Models’ overall architecture is specified in easy-to-read configuration files. The long-term goal of the Neural Monkey project is to create and maintain a growing collection of implementations of recently proposed components or methods, and therefore it is designed to be easily extensible. Trained models can be deployed either for batch data processing or as a web service. In the presented paper, we describe the design of the system and introduce the reader to running experiments using Neural Monkey.
Impulsive Rats Exhibit Blunted Dopamine Release Dynamics during a Delay Discounting Task Independent of Cocaine History
Authors: Moschak Travis M. , Carelli Regina M.
Published: April 2017

The inability to wait for a large, delayed reward when faced with a small, immediate one, known as delay discounting, has been implicated in a number of disorders including substance abuse. Individual differences in impulsivity on the delay discounting task are reflected in differences in neural function, including in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) core. We examined the role of a history of cocaine self-administration, as well as individual differences in impulsivity, on rapid dopamine (DA) release dynamics in the NAc core. Rats with a history of cocaine or water/saline self-administration were tested on delay discounting while being simultaneously assayed for rapid DA release using electrochemical methods. In controls, we found that cue DA release was modulated by reward delay and magnitude, consistent with prior reports. A history of cocaine had no effect on either delay discounting or DA release dynamics. Nonetheless, independent of drug history, individual differences in impulsivity were related to DA release in the NAc core. First, high impulsive animals exhibited dampened cue DA release during the delay discounting task. Second, reward delay and magnitude in high impulsive animals failed to robustly modulate changes in cue DA release. Importantly, these two DAergic mechanisms were uncorrelated with each other and, together, accounted for a high degree of variance in impulsive behavior. Collectively, these findings demonstrate two distinct mechanisms by which rapid DA signaling may influence impulsivity, and illustrate the importance of NAc core DA release dynamics in impulsive behavior.
Cortical Activation Patterns Evoked by Temporally Asymmetric Sounds and Their Modulation by Learning
Authors: Horikawa Junsei , Ojima Hisayuki
Published: April 2017

When complex sounds are reversed in time, the original and reversed versions are perceived differently in spectral and temporal dimensions despite their identical duration and long-term spectrum-power profiles. Spatiotemporal activation patterns evoked by temporally asymmetric sound pairs demonstrate how the temporal envelope determines the readout of the spectrum. We examined the patterns of activation evoked by a temporally asymmetric sound pair in the primary auditory field (AI) of anesthetized guinea pigs and determined how discrimination training modified these patterns. Optical imaging using a voltage-sensitive dye revealed that a forward ramped-down natural sound (F) consistently evoked much stronger responses than its time-reversed, ramped-up counterpart (revF). The spatiotemporal maximum peak (maxP) of F-evoked activation was always greater than that of revF-evoked activation, and thesemaxPs were significantly separated within the AI. Although discrimination training did not affect the absolute magnitude of thesemaxPs, the revF-to-F ratio of the activation peaks calculated at the location where hemispheres were maximally activated (i.e., F-evokedmaxP) was significantly smaller in the trained group. The F-evoked activation propagated across the AI along the temporal axis to the ventroanterior belt field (VA), with the local activation peak within the VA being significantly larger in the trained than in the naïve group. These results suggest that the innate network is more responsive to natural sounds of ramped-down envelopes than their time-reversed, unnatural sounds. The VA belt field activation might play an important role in emotional learning of sounds through its connections with amygdala.
Short-Term Facilitation at a Detonator Synapse Requires the Distinct Contribution of Multiple Types of Voltage-Gated Calcium Channels
Authors: Chamberland Simon , Evstratova Alesya , Tóth Katalin
Published: April 2017

Neuronal calcium elevations are shaped by several key parameters, including the properties, density, and the spatial location of voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs). These features allow presynaptic terminals to translate complex firing frequencies and tune the amount of neurotransmitter released. Although synchronous neurotransmitter release relies on both P/Q- and N-type VGCCs at hippocampal mossy fiber–CA3 synapses, the specific contribution of VGCCs to calcium dynamics, neurotransmitter release, and short-term facilitation remains unknown. Here, we used random-access two-photon calcium imaging together with electrophysiology in acute mouse hippocampal slices to dissect the roles of P/Q- and N-type VGCCs. Our results show that N-type VGCCs control glutamate release at a limited number of release sites through highly localized Ca2+elevations and support short-term facilitation by enhancing multivesicular release. In contrast, Ca2+entry via P/Q-type VGCCs promotes the recruitment of additional release sites through spatially homogeneous Ca2+elevations. Altogether, our results highlight the specialized contribution of P/Q- and N-types VGCCs to neurotransmitter release.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTIn presynaptic terminals, neurotransmitter release is dynamically regulated by the transient opening of different types of voltage-gated calcium channels. Hippocampal giant mossy fiber terminals display extensive short-term facilitation during repetitive activity, with a large several fold postsynaptic response increase. Though, how giant mossy fiber terminals leverage distinct types of voltage-gated calcium channels to mediate short-term facilitation remains unexplored. Here, we find that P/Q- and N-type VGCCs generate different spatial patterns of calcium elevations in giant mossy fiber terminals and support short-term facilitation through specific participation in two mechanisms. Whereas N-type VGCCs contribute only to the synchronization of multivesicular release, P/Q-type VGCCs act through microdomain signaling to recruit additional release sites.
Disconnection of the Perirhinal and Postrhinal Cortices Impairs Recognition of Objects in Context But Not Contextual Fear Conditioning
Authors: Heimer-McGinn Victoria R. , Poeta Devon L. , Aghi Krisha , Udawatta Methma , Burwell Rebecca D.
Published: April 2017

The perirhinal cortex (PER) is known to process object information, whereas the rodent postrhinal cortex (POR), homolog to the parahippocampal cortex in primates, is thought to process spatial information. A number of studies, however, provide evidence that both areas are involved in processing contextual information. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that the rat POR relies on object information received from the PER to form complex representations of context. Using three fear-conditioning (FC) paradigms (signaled, unsignaled, and renewal) and two context-guided object recognition tasks (with 3D and 2D objects), we examined the effects of crossed excitotoxic lesions to the POR and the contralateral PER. Performance of rats with crossed lesions was compared with that of rats with ipsilateral POR plus PER lesions and sham-operated rats. We found that rats with contralateral PER–POR lesions were impaired in object–context recognition but not in contextual FC. Therefore, interaction between the POR and PER is necessary for context-guided exploratory behavior but not for associating fear with context. Our results provide evidence for the hypothesis that the POR relies on object and pattern information from the PER to encode representations of context. The association of fear with a context, however, may be supported by alternate cortical and/or subcortical pathways when PER–POR interaction is not available. Our results suggest that contextual FC may represent a special case of context-guided behavior.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTRepresentations of context are important for perception, memory, decision making, and other cognitive processes. Moreover, there is extensive evidence that the use of contextual representations to guide appropriate behavior is disrupted in neuropsychiatric and neurological disorders including developmental disorders, schizophrenia, affective disorders, and Alzheimer's disease. Many of these disorders are accompanied by changes in parahippocampal and hippocampal structures. Understanding how context is represented in the brain and how parahippocampal structures are involved will enhance our understanding and treatment of the cognitive and behavioral symptoms associated with neurological disorders and neuropsychiatric disease.
Odorant Sensory Input Modulates DNA Secondary Structure Formation and Heterogeneous Ribonucleoprotein Recruitment on the Tyrosine Hydroxylase and Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase 1 Promoters in the Olfactory Bulb
Authors: Wang Meng , Cai Elizabeth , Fujiwara Nana , Fones Lilah , Brown Elizabeth , Yanagawa Yuchio , Cave John W.
Published: April 2017

Adaptation of neural circuits to changes in sensory input can modify several cellular processes within neurons, including neurotransmitter biosynthesis levels. For a subset of olfactory bulb interneurons, activity-dependent changes in GABA are reflected by corresponding changes inGlutamate decarboxylase 1(Gad1) expression levels. Mechanisms regulatingGad1promoter activity are poorly understood, but here we show that a conserved G:C-rich region in the mouseGad1proximal promoter region both recruits heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins (hnRNPs) that facilitate transcription and forms single-stranded DNA secondary structures associated with transcriptional repression. This promoter architecture and function is shared withTyrosine hydroxylase(Th), which is also modulated by odorant-dependent activity in the olfactory bulb. This study shows that the balance between DNA secondary structure formation and hnRNP binding on the mouseThandGad1promoters in the olfactory bulb is responsive to changes in odorant-dependent sensory input. These findings reveal thatThandGad1share a novel transcription regulatory mechanism that facilitates sensory input-dependent regulation of dopamine and GABA expression.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTAdaptation of neural circuits to changes in sensory input can modify several cellular processes within neurons, including neurotransmitter biosynthesis levels. This study shows that transcription of genes encoding rate-limiting enzymes for GABA and dopamine biosynthesis (Gad1andTh, respectively) in the mammalian olfactory bulb is regulated by G:C-rich regions that both recruit heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins (hnRNPs) to facilitate transcription and form single-stranded DNA secondary structures associated with repression. hnRNP binding and formation of DNA secondary structure on theThandGad1promoters are mutually exclusive, and odorant sensory input levels regulate the balance between these regulatory features. These findings reveal thatThandGad1share a transcription regulatory mechanism that facilitates odorant-dependent regulation of dopamine and GABA expression levels.