bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fertility outcomes in asthma: a clinical study of 245 women with unexplained infertility
Authors: Gade Elisabeth Juul , Thomsen Simon Francis , Lindenberg Svend , Backer Vibeke
Published: February 2016

Evidence is increasing of an association between asthma and aspects of female reproduction. However, current knowledge is limited and furthermore relies on questionnaire studies or small populations. In a prospective observational cohort study to investigate whether time to pregnancy, the number of fertility treatments, and the number of successful pregnancies differ significantly between women with unexplained infertility with and without asthma.

245 women with unexplained infertility (aged 23–45 years) underwent questionnaires and asthma and allergy testing while undergoing fertility treatment. 96 women entering the study had either a former doctor's diagnosis of asthma or were diagnosed with asthma when included. After inclusion they were followed for a minimum of 12 months in fertility treatment, until they had a successful pregnancy, stopped treatment, or the observation ended.

The likelihood of achieving pregnancy was lower in women with asthma compared with those without asthma: median total time to pregnancy was 32.3 months in non-asthmatic womenversus55.6 months in those with asthma, hazard ratio 0.50 (95% confidence interval 0.34–0.74) p<0.001.

Women with asthma had fewer successful pregnancies during fertility treatment, 39.6versus60.4% (p=0.002). Increasing age was of negative importance for expected time to pregnancy, especially among asthmatic women (interaction between age and asthma on time to pregnancy, p=0.001). Female asthmatics had a longer time to pregnancy and less often became pregnant than non-asthmatic women. Increasing age reduced the chances of conceiving especially among asthmatic women. The causal relationship between asthma and subfertility remains unclear.
A new method to measure complexity in binary or weighted networks and applications to functional connectivity in the human brain
Authors: Hahn Klaus , Massopust Peter R. , Prigarin Sergei
Published: February 2016

Background

Networks or graphs play an important role in the biological sciences. Protein interaction networks and metabolic networks support the understanding of basic cellular mechanisms. In the human brain, networks of functional or structural connectivity model the information-flow between cortex regions. In this context, measures of network properties are needed. We propose a new measure, Ndim, estimating the complexity of arbitrary networks. This measure is based on a fractal dimension, which is similar to recently introduced box-covering dimensions. However, box-covering dimensions are only applicable to fractal networks. The construction of these network-dimensions relies on concepts proposed to measure fractality or complexity of irregular sets in $\mathbb {R}^{n}$

ℝ

n

.

Results

The network measure Ndim grows with the proliferation of increasing network connectivity and is essentially determined by the cardinality of a maximum k-clique, where k is the characteristic path length of the network. Numerical applications to lattice-graphs and to fractal and non-fractal graph models, together with formal proofs show, that Ndim estimates a dimension of complexity for arbitrary graphs. Box-covering dimensions for fractal graphs rely on a linear log−log plot of minimum numbers of covering subgraph boxes versus the box sizes. We demonstrate the affinity between Ndim and the fractal box-covering dimensions but also that Ndim extends the concept of a fractal dimension to networks with non-linear log−log plots. Comparisons of Ndim with topological measures of complexity (cost and efficiency) show that Ndim has larger informative power. Three different methods to apply Ndim to weighted networks are finally presented and exemplified by comparisons of functional brain connectivity of healthy and depressed subjects.

Conclusion

We introduce a new measure of complexity for networks. We show that Ndim has the properties of a dimension and overcomes several limitations of presently used topological and fractal complexity-measures. It allows the comparison of the complexity of networks of different type, e.g., between fractal graphs characterized by hub repulsion and small world graphs with strong hub attraction. The large informative power and a convenient computational CPU-time for moderately sized networks may make Ndim a valuable tool for the analysis of biological networks.
Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells differ in their attachment to fibronectin-derived peptides from term placenta-derived mesenchymal stromal cells
Authors: Maerz Jan K. , Roncoroni Lorenzo P. , Goldeck David , Abruzzese Tanja , Kalbacher Hubert , Rolauffs Bernd , DeZwart Peter , Nieselt Kay , Hart Melanie L. , Klein Gerd , Aicher Wilhelm K.
Published: February 2016

Introduction

Human mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) can be isolated from different sources including bone marrow and term placenta. These two populations display distinct patterns of proliferation and differentiation in vitro. Since proliferation and differentiation of cells are modulated by cell–matrix interactions, we investigated the attachment of MSCs to a set of peptide-coated surfaces and explored their interactions with peptides in suspension.

Methods

Human MSCs were isolated from bone marrow and term placenta and expanded. Binding of MSCs to peptides was investigated by a cell-attachment spot assay, by blocking experiments and flow cytometry. The integrin expression pattern was explored by a transcript array and corroborated by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and flow cytometry.

Results

Expanded placenta-derived MSCs (pMSCs) attached well to surfaces coated with fibronectin-derived peptides P7, P15, and P17, whereas bone marrow-derived MSCs (bmMSCs) attached to P7, but barely to P15 and P17. The binding of bmMSCs and pMSCs to the peptides was mediated by β1 integrins. In suspension, expanded bmMSCs barely bind to P7, P13, P15, and less to P14 and P17. Ex vivo, bmMSCs failed to bind P7, but displayed a weak interaction with P13, P14, and P15. In suspension, expanded pMSCs displayed binding to many peptides, including P4, P7, P13, P14, P15, and P17. The differences observed in binding of bmMSCs and pMSCs to the peptides were associated with significant differences in expression of integrin α2-, α4-, and α6-chains.

Conclusions

Human bmMSCs and pMSCs show distinct patterns of attachment to defined peptides and maintain differences in expression of integrins in vitro. Interactions of ex vivo bmMSCs with a given peptide yield different staining patterns compared to expanded bmMSCs in suspension. Attachment of expanded MSCs to peptides on surfaces is different from interactions of expanded MSCs with peptides in suspension. Studies designed to investigate the interactions of human MSCs with peptide-augmented scaffolds or peptides in suspension must therefore regard these differences in cell–peptide interactions.
ReCAP: Perspectives of Patients, Caregivers, and Medical Staff on Greetings in Oncology Practice: A Prospective Survey
Authors: Limon Dror , Perry Shlomit , Granot Tal , Gordon Noa , Stemmer Naama , Stemmer Salomon M. , Limon Dror , Perry Shlomit , Granot Tal , Gordon Noa , Stemmer Naama , Stemmer Salomon M.
Published: February 2016

QUESTION ASKED:

What is the preferred greeting process (name calling, hand shaking) in oncology practice, by patients, caregivers and medical staff?

SUMMARY ANSWER:

Findings suggest that patients with cancer in Israel prefer a casual environment that includes calling them by their given name and shaking hands. Yet, they prefer that physicians introduce themselves in a more formal manner, with full name and title.

METHODS:

A total of 186 patients and 104 caregivers visiting the outpatient clinics at the Davidoff Cancer Institute completed a questionnaire about greeting-related preferences. Similar questionnaires were completed by 93 staff members (physicians, nurses, secretaries, and psychosocial team).

BIAS, CONFOUNDING FACTOR(S), DRAWBACKS:

First, our attempt to delineate the greeting process is artificial, because a human encounter is much more than just gestures. Also, this was a single-center study, and some of the subgroups were too small to analyze. Last, the answers provided by respondents were not verified by real observations of medical staff–patient meetings.

REAL-LIFE IMPLICATIONS:

This survey provides insights that may help oncology professionals in building relationships with their patients. Our findings of patients' preferences and ideas about the desired interactions between them and the medical staff may provide guidance on how to approach patients with cancer. Encounters between patients and medical staff are the foundation for building the patient–medical staff relationship, which is a keystone of cancer care. This survey may facilitate the initiation of such future interactions. [Table: see text]
ReCAP: Attitudes, Beliefs, and Awareness of Graduate Medical Education Trainees Regarding Palliative Care at a Comprehensive Cancer Center
Authors: Wong Angelique , Reddy Akhila , Williams Janet L. , Wu Jimin , Liu Diane , Bruera Eduardo , Wong Angelique , Reddy Akhila , Williams Janet L. , Wu Jimin , Liu Diane , Bruera Eduardo
Published: February 2016

QUESTION ASKED:

What are graduate medical education trainees’ attitudes and beliefs regarding palliative care, what is their awareness of the availability and role of palliative care services, and does previous exposure to a palliative care rotation facilitate a better awareness of palliative care?

SUMMARY ANSWER:

A vast majority of oncology trainees perceived palliative care services to be beneficial for patient care (92%) and were supportive of mandatory palliative care training (74%). Surgical oncology trainees and trainees with no previous palliative care exposure were significantly less likely to consult palliative care and had significantly less awareness of palliative care.

METHODS:

We conducted an institutional review board–approved online survey to determine awareness of palliative care among graduate medical trainees at MD Anderson. One hundred seventy oncology trainees who completed at least 9 months of training in medical, surgical, gynecologic, and radiation oncology fellowship and residency program during the 2013 academic year completed an online questionnaire. Descriptive, univariate, and multivariate analyses were performed.

BIAS, CONFOUNDING FACTOR(S), DRAWBACKS:

Although there was a substantial response rate (78%), the results may not be generalizable as the survey was conducted at a single institution. Also, the frequency of palliative care referrals is self-reported.

REAL-LIFE IMPLICATIONS:

Our findings suggest that exposure to palliative care training may lead to increased awareness of palliative care among oncologists, and thus, increased overall and early referrals to palliative care. Surgical oncology trainees may benefit from increased exposure to palliative care rotations. More research is needed to characterize the impact of training on referral patterns to palliative care. In the meantime, efforts should be made to include formal palliative care rotations in oncology training. [Table: see text]
Development of a Cancer Care Summary Through the Electronic Health Record
Authors: Carr Laurie L. , Zelarney Pearlanne , Meadows Sarah , Kern Jeffrey A. , Long M. Bronwyn , Kern Elizabeth
Published: February 2016

Introduction:

Our objective was to improve communication concerning lung cancer patients by developing and distributing a Cancer Care Summary that would provide clinically useful information about the patient’s diagnosis and care to providers in diverse settings.

Methods:

We designed structured, electronic forms for the electronic health record (EHR), detailing tumor staging, classification, and treatment. To ensure completeness and accuracy of the information, we implemented a data quality cycle, composed of reports that are reviewed by oncology clinicians. The data from the EHR forms are extracted into a structured query language database system on a daily basis, from which the Summaries are derived. We conducted focus groups regarding the utility, format, and content of the Summary. Cancer Care Summaries are automatically generated 4 months after a patient’s date of diagnosis, then every 6 months for those receiving treatment, and on an as-needed basis for urgent care or hospital admission.

Results:

The product of our improvement project is the Cancer Care Summary. To date, 102 individual patient Summaries have been generated. These documents are automatically entered into the National Jewish Health (NJH) EHR, attached to correspondence to primary care providers, available to patients as electronic documents on the NJH patient portal, and faxed to emergency departments and admitting physicians on patient evaluation.

Conclusion:

We developed a sustainable tool to improve cancer care communication. The Cancer Care Summary integrates information from the EHR in a timely manner and distributes the information through multiple avenues.
Multimodality Therapy for Limited-Stage Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Almquist Daniel , Mosalpuria Kailash , Ganti Apar Kishor
Published: February 2016

Limited-stage small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) occurs in only one third of patients with SCLC, but it is potentially curable. Combined-modality therapy (chemotherapy and radiotherapy) has long been the mainstay of therapy for this condition, but more recent data suggest a role for surgery in early-stage disease. Prophylactic cranial irradiation seems to improve outcomes in patients who have responded to initial therapy. This review addresses the practical aspects of staging and treatment of patients with limited-stage SCLC.
The CD44s splice isoform is a central mediator for invadopodia activity
Authors: Zhao Pu , Xu Yilin , Wei Yong , Qiu Qiong , Chew Teng-Leong , Kang Yibin , Cheng Chonghui
Published: February 2016

The ability for tumor cells to spread and metastasize to distant organs requires proteolytic degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM). This activity is mediated by invadopodia, actin-rich membrane protrusions that are enriched for proteases. However, the mechanisms underlying invadopodia activity are not fully understood. Here, we report that a specific CD44 splice isoform, CD44s, is an integral component in invadopodia. We show that CD44s, but not another splice isoform CD44v, is localized in invadopodia. Small hairpin (sh)RNA-mediated depletion of CD44s abolishes invadopodia activity, prevents matrix degradation and decreases tumor cell invasiveness. Our results suggest that CD44s promotes cortactin phosphorylation and recruits MT1-MMP (also known as MMP14) to sites of matrix degradation, which are important activities for invadopodia function. Importantly, we show that depletion of CD44s inhibits breast cancer cell metastasis to the lung in animals. These findings suggest a crucial mechanism underlying the role of the CD44s splice isoform in breast cancer metastasis.
Η εξέλιξη του πλινθοπερίκλειστου συστήματος δόμησης στη Χίο
Authors: ΜΙΣΑΗΛΙΔΟΥ Άννα
Published: February 2016

Στο παρόν άρθρο παρουσιάζονται δεκατέσσερις περιπτώσεις ακριβώς χρονολογημένων ναών και κοσμικών κτηρίων του νησιού, που έχουν κατασκευαστεί με πλινθοπερίκλειστη τοιχοποιία σε δύο παραλλαγές, μία αμελή και μία πιο επιμελημένη. Με βάση τα χρονολογημένα παραδείγματα επιχειρήθηκε μια πρώτη χρονολογική προσέγγιση για 21 ακόμη μνημεία που είχαν κατασκευαστεί με την ίδια τεχνική, ενώ προέκυψαν κάποια συμπεράσματα για την εξέλιξη αυτού του είδους τοιχοδομίας στο νησί.
Εικόνες της Κρητικής Σχολής στην Καστοριά
Authors: ΤΣΙΓΑΡΙΔΑΣ Ε. Ν.
Published: February 2016

Στο άρθρο αυτό δημοσιεύονται δεκαπέντε εικόνες κρητικής σχολής, οι οποίες βρίσκονται στην Καστοριά. Οι εικόνες αυτές, οι οποίες χρονικά εκτείνονται από τα τέλη του 15ου έως τα τέλη του 17ου αιώνα, δεν είναι παραγωγή τοπικών εργαστηρίων, αλλά έχουν εισαχθεί στην πόλη, μαζί με άλλα αγαθά, από πλούσιους εμπόρους της Καστοριάς, είτε από τη Βενετία, μέσω των πόλεων της Αδριατικής, είτε μέσω των ενετοκρατούμενων νήσων του Ιονίου, κυρίως της Κέρκυρας. Από τις εικόνες αυτές δύο είναι ενυπόγραφα έργα του Ιωάννου Περμενιάτη και άλλες δύο του Θεοδώρου Πουλάκη.

 
Scenes of the "Sourches of Divine Wisdom" within the Iconographical Program of the Church of the Savior in the Monastery of Euphrosynia, Polotsk (Belarus)
Authors: SARABIANOV †Vladimir D.
Published: February 2016

Μεταξύ των τοιχογραφιών που ανακαλύφθηκαν πρόσφατα στο ναό της Μεταμορφώσεως του Σωτήρος στη μονή της Ευφροσύνης στο Polοtsk της Λευκορωσίας, απεικονίζονται δύο σκηνές της μετάδοσης της Θείας Σοφίας σε αγίους ιεράρχες. Οι τοιχογραφίες που απεικονίζουν τον άγιο Ιωάννη τον Χρυσόστομο και τον άγιο Γρηγόριο τον Ναζιανζηνό ή Θεολόγο είναι τα παλαιότερα σωζόμενα παραδείγματα του θέματος στη μνημειακή βυζαντινή τέχνη. Οι συνθέσεις με τα πολλαπλά μηνύματα συμβολισμών, εκτός του ότι αποτελούν μέρος ενός πολυπρόσωπου εικονογραφικού προγράμματος με απεικονίσεις μοναχών, συμβολίζουν επίσης τις πηγές της αιώνιας ζωής, κάτι που συνάδει με την κύρια χρήση της εκκλησίας ως ταφικού παρεκκλησίου της πριγκίπισσας Ευφροσύνης και της οικογέ- νειάς της στα μέσα του 12ου αιώνα (περί το 1161).
Νέα ερμηνευτική πρόταση και αναχρονολόγηση της ζωγραφικής του ναού του Μεγάλου Θεολόγου στη Βέροια
Authors: FUNDIĆ Leonela
Published: February 2016

Στη μελέτη γίνονται ορισμένες παρατηρήσεις για τη ζωγραφική στο ναό του Μεγάλου Θεολόγου στη Βέροια που έχει χρονολογηθεί στις πρώτες τρεις δεκαετίες του 13ου αιώνα. Ωστόσο, με βάση ορισμένες εικονογραφικές λύσεις, τεχνοτροπικά χαρακτηριστικά και ιστορικά γεγονότα που συνέβησαν κατά το δεύτερο μισό του 13ου αιώνα, ο μνημειακός διάκοσμος παραπέμπει σε μεταγενέστερη χρονολόγηση, δηλαδή περί το 1270.
Εκχριστιανίζοντας τις νησιωτικές κοινότητες του ανατολικού Αιγαίου. Η περίπτωση της νήσου Ικαρίας
Authors: ΔΕΛΗΓΙΑΝΝΑΚΗΣ Γεώργιος
Published: February 2016

Εξετάζονται εδώ οι αρχαιολογικές και επιγραφικές μαρτυρίες για τον εκχριστιανισμό της Ικαρίας κατά την ύστερη αρχαιότητα. Επιπλέον, παρουσιάζονται δύο μη πλήρως δημοσιευμένες χριστιανικές επιγραφές από τη θέση «Ταξιάρχης» Μηλιωπού, οι οποίες αναφέρονται στην ύπαρξη λατρευτικού χώρου αφιερωμένου στον αρχάγγελο και σε έναν άγνωστο από άλλες πηγές τοπικό επίσκοπο ονόματι Σχολαστίκιο. Τα νέα αυτά δεδομένα θέτουν σε νέα βάση την ερμηνεία των ήδη δημοσιευμένων επιγραφών από την περιοχή του Κάμπου και μας οδηγούν σε κάποια ενδιαφέροντα συμπεράσματα αναφορικά με τις σχέσεις των διαφόρων θρησκευτικών κοινοτήτων στο νησί και των μηχανισμών εκχριστιανισμού του ντόπιου πληθυσμού από την Εκκλησία.
Piété privée et processus de production artistique à Byzance: À propos d’un enkolpion Constantinopolitain (XIIIe-XIVe siècle)
Authors: PITARAKIS Brigitte
Published: February 2016

Ένα αργυρό εγκόλπιο με εμπίεστη διακόσμηση βρέθηκε το 1987 ανάμεσα σε ένα παλαιολόγειο θησαυρό νομισμάτων στην πύλη του Ξυλόκερκου (Belgratkapı) των χερσαίων τειχών της Κωνσταντινούπολης. Το εγκόλπιο αυτό συμβάλλει στην κατανόηση των νέων αφιερωτικών πρακτικών και της διείσδυσής τους από τις ανώτερες κοινωνικές ομάδες στα ευρύτερα κοινωνικά στρώματα. Η εικονογραφία των νομισμάτων και των σφραγίδων αποτελεί το βασικό πρότυπο για τα εγκόλπια, ενώ μια σειρά μιμήσεων, που αντανακλά τις στενές συγγένειες μεταξύ των διαφόρων κατασκευαστών, ερμηνεύει την επανάληψη κοινών διακοσμητικών θεμάτων, τόσο σε μοναδικά έργα εκτελεσμένα σε πολύτιμα υλικά, όσο σε έργα μαζικής παραγωγής σε ευτελέστερα όμως υλικά. Η συναπεικόνιση των αγίων Θεοδώρων και του προφήτη Δανιήλ στο λάκκο των λεόντων στις δύο όψεις του εγκολπίου του Belgratkapı επιπλέον σηματοδοτεί το μηχανισμό των αλληλοεπιδράσεων μεταξύ Κωνσταντινούπολης, Βαλκανίων και Δύσης.
Intra-arterial chemotherapy and radiotherapy in combined treatment of patients with breast cancer
Authors: Заброда  , Zabroda S. , Жабина  , Zhabina R. , Поликарпов  , Polikarpov A. , Корытова  , Korytova L. , Маслюкова  , Maslyukova E. , Одинцова  , Odintsova S. , Обухов  , Obukhov E.
Published: February 2016

The authors proposed the effective method of chemotherapy, which improves the efficiency of treatment of patients with locally common forms of breast cancer with extensive local or regional areas and the presence of edema of the breast tissue. This method consists of consecutive chemoembolization or chemoinfusion of thoracic arteries and the introduction of cytotoxic agents with subsequent radical radiotherapy. This method ensures a high level of local and systemic control of the disease due to the synergistic effects of radiation, chemotherapy, embolization, surgical treatment. Aggressive course of locally spread breast cancer (T4b,T4d), stages with the presence of edema, differences in the studies of various authors, the understanding of new mechanisms of development and progression of this disease - all this makes a fresh look at the possibilities of combination therapy. The analysis of the studies has shown that the combined chemotherapeutic effects with the use of chemoembolization/ chemoinfusion are safe and highly effective method of treatment of the patients with breast cancer. Modern radiation therapy in combination with chemoembolization may lead to reduced lesion, which makes possible radical removal of the tumor. This leads to a high survival rate over 5 years among patients with breast cancer. These patients have successfully completed a course of the planned treatment.
Regional aspects of the epidemiology and clinics of syphilis in children
Authors: Федина  , Fedina N. , Ткаченко  , Tkachenko T. , Дмитриев  , Dmitriev A. , Гудков  , Gudkov R.
Published: February 2016

The purpose of this study was clinical and epidemiological analysis of the incidence of syphilis in children and adolescents in the Ryazan region over a 12 year period. In a retrospective study the authors used the data from regional statistical reports, medical records of newborns, the data on infectious diseases of the Federal State Statistics Service. The analysis of the data for all age groups, including children and pregnant women was carried out. It was noted a substantial reduction in the number of reported cases of syphilis, including among adolescents and youth. The proportion of non-residents and rural residents in the total of patients with syphilis is increasing. In the pediatric population, the leading mode of transmission is vertical (53% of all cases). Among children born from pregnant patients with syphilis, there are 78% of the verified congenital syphilis, and only 5% the classical picture of the disease. It was established a substantial reduction of cases of congenital syphilis, the absence of cases of fetal death and postnatal mortality in recent years. However, the retention of latent forms and late detection of syphilis in pregnant women poses a threat of infection and determines the social significance of the problem. Effective control of congenital syphilis is ensured by the collaboration of obstetriciansgynecologists, dermatologists and neonatologists.
Doctors’ rehabilitation from a position of psychosomatic medicine
Authors: Кулемзина  , Kulemzina T.
Published: February 2016

This article deals with the doctors working in conditions of combat situation. Stressors, effecting

on civilian physician in ordinary everyday practical work within the profession are differ from those in combat.

Since civilian doctors are in the same combat conditions as other soldiers, they are also exposed to combat

stressors specific and non-specific to the combat situation. Civilian doctors in a combat situation, often neglected

the risk, assess it inappropriately, violate well-established discipline, as the task of providing emergency assistance

reaches. In this context, the purpose of this study was to demonstrate the complexity of the use of nonpharmacological

methods in psychosomatic disorders in civilian doctors performing their responsibilities in the

combat situations. Diagnostic, therapeutic and preventive measures were determined on the basis of a holistic

approach to patients. The authors used the methods of reflexology, homeotherapy and practical psychology (holodynamics).

Therapeutic process was planned in such a way as to reduce the risk of exacerbations, particularly

during combined use of methods, as it was the limited by time factor.
Strategies and techniques of providing crisis psychological assistance to adolescents depending on psychological state and personality characteristics
Authors: Банников  , Bannikov G. , Кошкин  , Koshkin K. , Павлова  , Pavlova T.
Published: February 2016

The provision of effective assistance to minors in crisis situations is a complex task for specialists

of different specialties. To define the patterns of providing crisis psychological assistance to adolescents with

anti-vital experiences and self-injurious behavior depending on the stage of development of crisis states, 60 adolescents

(24 boys and 36 girls, the average age was 15.7±6 years ) were examined by a therapist in medical and

psychological services in Moscow. Analysis of the obtained data allowed to identify three groups of adolescents

differing in personal characteristics, the peculiarities of response in a traumatic situation and structure of manifestations

of suicidal markers, anti-vital and auto-aggressive trends: sensitive-schizoid/narcissistic (25%), emotionally

unstable/borderline (45%), depressive/obsessive-compulsive (30%). Tree stages of development of crisis

states are considered: acute, sub-acute and chronic. Depending on the actual stage of the crisis state the authors

described the strategies of psychological intervention. The proposed structure of providing psychological assistance

to minors in crisis situations allows to organize the structural and dynamic features of various stages of

rendering psychiatric assistance, but also increases the likelihood of a favorable prognosis due to the unified efforts

of different specialists
The influence of social environment on patient concept оn psychotherapeutic intervention efficacy
Authors: Безденежных  , Bezdenezhnykh B. , Агарков  , Agarkov V. , Бронфман  , Bronfman S. , Черненко  , Chernenko A.
Published: February 2016

One of the most important factors, influencing the development on concept of confidence in

psychotherapy is social environment.

The analysis of expectations of Russian patients towards psychotherapy (this construct with a certain limitations

can be assimilated to concept of confidence in psychotherapy) requires taking into account social environment

factor, including social-demographic situation in the Russian Federation. According to the results of a

survey of the Public Opinion Foundation (POF) including 1500 individuals aged 18+ years (dated November 2014), the use of psychotherapeutic and psychological services decreased since 2006 by 20% (!) and today constitutes

less than 20%. According to participant’s opinion, the accessibility of psychotherapeutic service slightly

increased (by 5%). During the same time period the number of respondents who are certain that reference to psychologists

or psychotherapists is worthless increased by 8%. At the same time, according to national statistical

investigations, more than 30% of population has psychiatric conditions requiring medical help or consultation of

a psychiatrist, or, more often, a psychotherapist or clinical psychologist. Consequently, there is a decrease of

confidence in psychotherapy among potential service consumers in our country, which is to no small degree associated

with concern of disapproval of psychotherapeutic help by reference group (friends, colleagues, family

members etc.). In other words, psychotherapeutic or psychological help will be associated with shame and insecurity.

The reason for such an attitude of population to psychotherapeutic treatment are likely distorted perception,

associated with lack of information, apprehensive attitude towards psychiatric treatment (which is closely

related in the public consciousness to psychotherapy). The attitude of internists and health officials towards psychotherapy

may play an important role in the discrediting psychotherapy. One gets the impression that nowadays

at the present stage of development of psychotherapy in our country, educational function of psychotherapist

becomes of paramount significance. It should be aimed both at the development of knowledge on the efficacy of

psychotherapeutic methods and at the necessity of engagement of psychotherapists and psychologists in diagnostics

and treatment alongside with internal medicine doctors, and also at the promotion of credibility of psychotherapy

among the potential users of psychotherapeutic services.
Exercise stress - criteria fitness athlete
Authors: Белых  , Belykh E. , Еськов  , Eskov V. , Фудин  , Fudin N. , Троицкий  , Troitskiy A.
Published: February 2016

The article described a common statistical processing of information from the human body, as

insufficiently correct, the necessity of evaluation functions organiz-ma, its adaptation reserves - with the help of

the system analysis. The aim of the study was the use-tion of new products on the basis of multivariate phase

space of states. Two CHECK dennyh research unit in 2 groups of students studied parameters of tremor using

bioizme-nary complex with no load and load, as well as the recorded heart rate cut-ny, calculated indicators of

activity of the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions of the autonomic nervous system, the standard deviation

intervals, Baevsky stress index. We calculated the components of the spectral power in the low and ultralow-

frequency bands, as well as the value of vagosympathetic balance. After the standardized dynamic loading

(30 squats) registration continued for 5 minutes. Using innovative methods proved to be more sensitive to the

identification of the elements studied. The regularities in the dynamics of the behavior of the state vector of the

body of persons trained and untrained should be used to quantify the degree of detraining of the body, as well as

to assess the quality of the dose of physical activity (exercise) in athletes under relevant preparations (including

sports).
Application of Submodular Optimization to Single Machine Scheduling with Controllable Processing Times Subject to Release Dates and Deadlines
Authors: Shioura Akiyoshi , Shakhlevich Natalia V. , Strusevich Vitaly A.
Published: February 2016

In this paper, we study a scheduling problem on a single machine, provided that the jobs have individual release dates and deadlines, and the processing times are controllable. The objective is to find a feasible schedule that minimizes the total cost of reducing the processing times. We reformulate the problem in terms of maximizing a linear function over a submodular polyhedron intersected with a box. For the latter problem of submodular optimization, we develop a recursive decomposition algorithm and apply it to solving the single machine scheduling problem to achieve the best possible running time.
Maximizing the U.S. Army’s Future Contribution to Global Security Using the Capability Portfolio Analysis Tool (CPAT)
Authors: Davis Scott J. , Edwards Shatiel B. , Teper Gerald E. , Bassett David G. , McCarthy Michael J. , Johnson Scott C. , Lawton Craig R. , Hoffman Matthew J. , Shelton Liliana , Henry Stephen M. , Melander Darryl J. , Muldoon Frank M. , Alford Brian D. , Rice Roy E.
Published: February 2016

Recent budget reductions have posed tremendous challenges to the U.S. Army in managing its portfolio of ground combat systems (tanks and other fighting vehicles), thus placing many important programs at risk. To address these challenges, the Army and a supporting team developed and applied the Capability Portfolio Analysis Tool (CPAT) to optimally invest in ground combat modernization over the next 25–35 years. CPAT provides the Army with the analytical rigor needed to help senior Army decision makers allocate scarce modernization dollars to protect soldiers and maintain capability overmatch. CPAT delivers unparalleled insight into multiple-decade modernization planning using a novel multiphase mixed-integer linear programming technique and illustrates a cultural shift toward analytics in the Army’s acquisition thinking and processes. CPAT analysis helped shape decisions to continue modernization of the $10 billion Stryker family of vehicles (originally slated for cancellation) and to strategically reallocate over $20 billion to existing modernization programs by not pursuing the Ground Combat Vehicle program as originally envisioned. More than 40 studies have been completed using CPAT, applying operations research methods to optimally prioritize billions of taxpayer dollars and allowing Army acquisition executives to base investment decisions on analytically rigorous evaluations of portfolio trade-offs.
PNG: Effective Inventory Control for Items with Highly Variable Demand
Authors: Bachman Tovey C. , Williams Pamela J. , Cheman Kristen M. , Curtis Jeffrey , Carroll Robert
Published: February 2016

LMI developed the PNG inventory control solution to manage inventory items with infrequent demand (i.e., isolated spikes in demand) as well as items with frequent, highly variable demand. Such items account for the majority of hardware stocked at the U.S. Defense Logistics Agency (DLA). The forecasting of demand for these items—no matter how sophisticated the forecasting method—had resulted in years of problems for DLA: excess inventory for some items, backorders for others, and excessive buyer workload. The implementation of PNG, a software package that consists of two inventory solutions, Peak Policy and Next Gen, allowed DLA to shift from trying to forecast each item individually to using a portfolio or risk-management approach to inventory control. Since DLA implemented PNG in January 2013, the agency has achieved its inventory-related goals for better customer service and reduced buyer workload, has experienced no inventory increase, and has saved nearly $400 million per year.
Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program: An Economic and Operational Analysis
Authors: Zhang Dennis J. , Gurvich Itai , Van Mieghem Jan A. , Park Eric , Young Robert S. , Williams Mark V.
Published: February 2016

The Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program (HRRP), a part of the U.S. Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, requires the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to penalize hospitals with excess readmissions. We take an economic and operational (patient flow) perspective to analyze the effectiveness of this policy in encouraging hospitals to reduce readmissions. We develop a game-theoretic model that captures the competition among hospitals inherent in HRRP’s benchmarking mechanism. We show that this competition can be counterproductive: it increases the number of nonincentivized hospitals, which prefer paying penalties over reducing readmissions in any equilibrium. We calibrate our model with a data set of more than 3,000 hospitals in the United States and show that under the current policy, and for a large set of parameters, 4%–13% of the hospitals remain nonincentivized to reduce readmissions. We also validate our model against the actual performance of hospitals in the three years since the introduction of the policy. We draw several policy recommendations to improve this policy’s outcome. For example, localizing the benchmarking process—comparing hospitals against similar peers—improves the performance of the policy.

This paper was accepted by Serguei Netessine, operations management.
Contextual Deliberation and Preference Construction
Authors: Guo Liang
Published: February 2016

Choices can be context dependent. This empirical finding is usually invoked to suggest that preferences are constructive and susceptible to decision environment. Yet preference construction can be systematic and endogenous. This paper develops the theory of contextual deliberation as a potential explanation for behavioral phenomena of preference construction. When preference ordering in a choice set is ex ante unknown and state dependent, decision makers can engage in information acquisition activities (i.e., deliberation) before choice to improve knowledge about the state-dependent preference ordering. Choice context can thus influence ex post preference ordering through affecting the incentive to deliberate. Consequently, contextual deliberation may lead to preference construction and give rise to seemingly irrational behavioral phenomena such as the compromise effect and the choice overload effect. The theory of contextual deliberation also yields predictions that can be empirically tested to identify from other alternative explanations.

This paper was accepted by Eric Anderson, marketing.
Competing Under Asymmetric Information: The Case of Dynamic Random Access Memory Manufacturing
Authors: Gardete Pedro M.
Published: February 2016

Much like in other semiconductor environments, dynamic random access memory (DRAM) manufacturers face significant demand uncertainty before production and capacity decisions can be implemented. This paper investigates the role of market information in DRAM manufacturing and the consequences of allowing information sharing in the industry. An oligopoly model of competition with correlated private information is developed in which firms make decisions about production and capacity. In this setting, firms consider the information their competitors are likely to hold, conditional on their own. We find that both firms and customers benefit when firms share information with their competitors. In particular, sharing information is profitable because market price decreases slowly with overproduction. When combined with the results from the information sharing literature, this paper highlights the need to assess information sharing policies on a case-by-case basis.

This paper was accepted by Matthew Shum, marketing.
Spatial Organization of Firms and Location Choices Through the Value Chain
Authors: Alcácer Juan , Delgado Mercedes
Published: February 2016

We explore the impact of geographically bounded, intrafirm linkages (internal agglomerations) and geographically bounded, interfirm linkages (external agglomerations) on firms’ location strategies. Using data from the Census Bureau’s Longitudinal Business Database, we analyze the locations of new establishments of biopharmaceutical firms in the United States from 1993 to 2005. We consider all activities in the value chain and allow location choices to vary by research and development, manufacturing, and sales. Our findings suggest that internal agglomerations have a positive impact on location. The effects of internal agglomerations vary by activity, and they arise both within an activity (e.g., among plants) and across activities (e.g., between sales and manufacturing). Our results also suggest that previous estimates of the effect of external agglomerations may be overestimated because the existing literature abstracted from internal agglomerations.

This paper was accepted by Bruno Cassiman, business strategy.
Optimizing the Deployment of Public Access Defibrillators
Authors: Chan Timothy C. Y. , Demirtas Derya , Kwon Roy H.
Published: February 2016

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is a significant public health issue, and treatment, namely, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and defibrillation, is very time sensitive. Public access defibrillation programs, which deploy automated external defibrillators (AEDs) for bystander use in an emergency, reduce the time to defibrillation and improve survival rates. In this paper, we develop models to guide the deployment of public AEDs. Our models generalize existing location models and incorporate differences in bystander behavior. We formulate three mixed integer nonlinear models and derive equivalent integer linear reformulations or easily computable bounds. We use kernel density estimation to derive a spatial probability distribution of cardiac arrests that is used for optimization and model evaluation. Using data from Toronto, Canada, we show that optimizing AED deployment outperforms the existing approach by 40% in coverage, and substantial gains can be achieved through relocating existing AEDs. Our results suggest that improvements in survival and cost-effectiveness are possible with optimization.

This paper was accepted by Dimitris Bertsimas, optimization.
Geography and the Market for CEOs
Authors: Yonker Scott E.
Published: February 2016

I examine the role of geography in the market for CEOs and find that firms hire locally five times more often than expected if geography were irrelevant to the matching process. This local matching bias is widespread and exists even among the largest U.S. firms. Tests reveal that both labor supply and demand influence local matching. Compensation and unforced turnover are lower for local than for nonlocal CEOs, and the compensation of local CEOs depends on local labor market factors, unlike that of nonlocal CEOs. These findings suggest the presence of market segmentation and contrast with much of the prior literature, which explicitly or implicitly assumes a single national market.

This paper was accepted by Lauren Cohen, finance.
The Impact of Losing in a Competition on the Willingness to Seek Further Challenges
Authors: Buser Thomas
Published: February 2016

How do people react to setbacks and successes? I use a laboratory experiment to determine the effect of winning and losing in a competition on the willingness to seek further challenges. Participants compete in two-person tournaments in an arithmetic task and are then informed of their score and the outcome of the competition. Participants then have to decide on a performance target for a second round: the higher the target, the higher the potential reward, but participants who do not reach the target earn nothing. Conditional on the score, winning or losing is exogenous. I find that, conditional on first-round scores, losers go for a more challenging target. Losers also perform worse, leading to lower earnings and a higher probability of failure. These results are driven by gender-specific reactions to winning and losing: men react to losing by picking a more challenging target while women lower their performance. These findings could have important implications for our understanding of individual career paths. Early outcomes could alter the probability of success and failure in the long term.

Data, as supplemental material, are available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2015.2321 .

This paper was accepted by Uri Gneezy, behavioral economics.
Historical (1850–2010) mercury stable isotope inventory from anthropogenic sources to the atmosphere
Authors: Sun Ruoyu , Streets David G. , Horowitz Hannah M. , Amos Helen M. , Liu Guijian , Perrot Vincent , Toutain Jean-Paul , Hintelmann Holger , Sunderland Elsie M. , Sonke Jeroen E.
Published: February 2016

Mercury (Hg) stable isotopes provide a new tool to trace the biogeochemical cycle of Hg. An inventory of the isotopic composition of historical anthropogenic Hg emissions is important to understand sources and post-emission transformations of Hg. We build on existing global inventories of anthropogenic Hg emissions to the atmosphere to develop the first corresponding historical Hg isotope inventories for total Hg (THg) and three Hg species: gaseous elemental Hg (GEM), gaseous oxidized Hg (GOM) and particulate-bound Hg (PBM). We compile δ202Hg and Δ199Hg of major Hg emissions source materials. Where possible, δ202Hg and Δ199Hg values in emissions are corrected for the mass dependent Hg isotope fractionation during industrial processing. The framework and Hg isotope inventories can be updated and improved as new data become available. Simulated THg emissions from all sectors between 1850s and 2010s generally show an increasing trend (−1.1‰ to −0.7‰) for δ202Hg, and a stable trend (−0.02‰ to −0.04‰) for Δ199Hg. Δ200Hg are near-zero in source materials and therefore emissions. The δ202Hg trend generally reflects a shift of historically dominant Hg emissions from 19th century Hg mining and liquid Hg0 uses in Au/Ag refining to 20th century coal combustion and non-ferrous metal production. The historical δ202Hg and Δ199Hg curves of GEM closely follow those of THg. The δ202Hg curves of GOM and PBM show no trends. Δ199Hg values for both GOM and PBM decrease from the 1850s to 1950s by ∼0.1‰, and then gradually rebound towards the 2010s. Our updated δ202Hg values (−0.76 ± 0.11 ‰, 1SD, n=9) of bulk emissions from passively degassing volcanoes overlap with δ202Hg of present-day anthropogenic THg emissions.
Self-care and improved outcomes: an intervention by heart failure nurse specialists
Authors: MacInnes Julie , Walton Anita
Published: February 2016

Background:

Heart failure is a prevalent, debilitating condition. Patients need to develop and maintain effective strategies and behaviours to care for themselves and manage their illness.

Aim:

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether or not an educational intervention carried out by a team of heart failure nurse specialists (HFNS), as part of usual care, enhanced self-care behaviour in patients with chronic heart failure.

Methods:

A quantitative survey was carried out using the ‘Looking After Yourself with Heart Failure Questionnaire (LAYHFQ)’, to determine levels of self-care behaviour pre- and post-HFNS intervention. All new patients registered to a community heart failure nursing service completed the questionnaire at initial assessment and 6 weeks later, following the nurse-led intervention (N=36). Paired t-tests (2-tailed) were carried out to determine if there were significant differences between total self-care scores before and after the intervention, and for each individual self-care behaviour.

Results:

Selfcare was improved overall (p=0.011), with five behaviours demonstrating a statistically significant improvement: namely, the uptake of flu and pneumonia vaccination (p=0.009), regular weighing (p=0.001), recognising changes in sleep patterns (p=0.014), recognising signs of fluid retention (p=0.001), and the wellbeing dimension of going out as much as possible (p=0.019).

Conclusion:

An educational intervention by an HFNS leads to enhanced self-care and may result in improved physical and psychological outcomes for patients with heart failure.
In search of accuracy for blood glucose monitoring
Authors: Meetoo Danny D
Published: February 2016

As new standards come into place this year requiring greater accuracy in the measurement of blood glucose, this article looks at the implications for patients with diabetes. It explores the potential consequences of improved accuracy.
NICE guidance: Translating intentions into practice
Authors: Phillips Anne
Published: February 2016

Anne Phillips comments on the recent National Institute for Health and Care Excellence's updated guidance for type 2 diabetes and the need to improve patient care and experience
Holding to account for corrective action
Authors: Deffenbaugh John
Published: February 2016

This is the fourth of four articles exploring a range of problem areas in Foundation Trusts (FTs), causing trusts to be identified by the FT regulator Monitor (now NHS Improvement) for special attention. These problem areas focus on the board's insight into business, the information available for decision making, the effectiveness of the non-executive challenge function, and how effective this is in holding to account. This learning is equally applicable to governing bodies of clinical commissioning groups. This final article in the series considers the key issue of holding to account for the implementation of board decisions, from perspectives both of the organisation and board executives. A number of areas are explored: first, the changing role of government and the public sector standards to which boards are held to account; second, the role of NHS leaders as public managers, who are explorers, agents and innovators; third, the pivotal chair-chief executive relationship that underpins the effectiveness of the board; fourth, the non-executive role in shaping the holding to account process; finally, the role of FT governors in their role of holding the board to account. For each area, problems are highlighted followed by recommendations for improving the effectiveness of holding to account in practice. The article concludes with a set of actions the board can implement in order to improve processes for holding to account.