bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Compositional dependency on dissolution rate and cytocompatibility of phosphate-based glasses: Effect of B2O3 and Fe2O3 addition
Authors: Sharmin Nusrat , Gu Fu , Ahmed Ifty , Parsons Andrew J
Published: December 2017

The unique property of phosphate-based glasses and fibres to be completely dissolved in aqueous media is largely dependent on the glass composition. This article focuses on investigating the effect of replacing Na2O with 3 and 5 mol% Fe2O3 on cytocompatibility, thermal and dissolution properties of P2O5–CaO–Na2O–MgO–B2O3 glass system, where P2O5 content was fixed at 45 mol%. The effect of increasing Fe2O3 from 3 to 5 mol% on P2O5–CaO–Na2O–MgO glasses was also evaluated. The glass transition temperature, onset of crystallisation temperature and liquidus temperature were found to decrease with increasing Fe2O3 content and the addition of B2O3, while the thermal expansion values were found to decrease. The density of the glasses decreased with increasing Fe2O3 content. However, an increase in the density was observed by the addition of 5 mol% B2O3. The dissolution properties and mode of bulk glass and fibres were also examined which were found to decrease with increasing B2O3 and Fe2O3. However, it was found that the dissolution properties of the glasses containing both B2O3 and Fe2O3 were lower than only Fe2O3 containing glasses. The in vitro cell culture studies using human osteoblast like (MG63) cell lines revealed that the glasses containing both B2O3 and Fe2O3 maintained and showed higher cell viability as compared to the only Fe2O3 containing glasses. Glasses containing both B2O3 and Fe2O3 showed a pronounced effect on the dissolution rate of the glasses, which eventually improved the cytocompatibility properties of the glasses investigated.
Impact of an antifungal stewardship intervention on optimization of candidemia management
Authors: Rac Hana , Wagner Jamie L. , King S. Travis , Barber Katie E. , Stover Kayla R.
Published: December 2017

Background:

Candidemia represents a leading cause of healthcare-associated bloodstream infections with significant morbidity and mortality. Previous studies have demonstrated that comprehensive care bundles improve candidemia management but are time-consuming.

Objective:

To determine the impact of a one-time targeted candidemia intervention on time to initiation of adequate therapy compared to standard of care.

Methods:

This Institutional Review Board (IRB)-approved, quasi-experiment evaluated a targeted candidemia intervention involving a single phone call to the primary team providing recommendations for care. Daily follow-up was provided by the infectious diseases (ID) consult service. Two time periods were evaluated: pre-intervention (01 August 2012 to 31 July 2014) and post-intervention (01 October 2014 to 30 September 2016). The primary endpoint was time to adequate antifungal therapy (TTx) in the business hours (6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday) population (BHP). Secondary endpoints were TTx in the total population as well as infection-related length of stay (IF-LOS) and compliance with quality indicators (composite endpoint: ophthalmology (OPH) consult, repeat cultures, and ⩾14 days of adequate therapy).

Results:

In all, 117 patients were included (pre-intervention = 50, post-intervention = 67, BHP = 51). TTx decreased from 2 h 57 m to 2 h 12 m ( p = 0.094) in the BHP and 3 h 30 m to 2 h 9 m ( p = 0.021) in the total population. There was no difference in IF-LOS ( p = 0.797), compliance with quality indicators ( p = 0.343), or in-hospital mortality ( p = 0.761). Post-intervention, there were more ID and OPH consults ( p < 0.001).

Conclusions:

Our one-time candidemia intervention did not statistically decrease time to adequate therapy in the BHP, but did in the total population. No differences were found for other clinical outcomes, except increases in ID and OPH consults. Further studies are needed to examine whether a one-time intervention is non-inferior to a more comprehensive care bundle.
Applicability of long-term electroencephalography in pre-mortem diagnosis of Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease: A case report
Authors: Attaripour Isfahani Sanaz , Dougherty Michelle , Gliebus Gediminas Peter
Published: December 2017

Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease accounts for more than 90% of all sporadic prion disease cases. The molecular MM2 genotype has been divided into cortical and thalamic subtypes based on structures involved and is characterized clinically by progressive dementia without ataxia or typical electroencephalography changes. Proposed diagnostic criteria for MM2 cortical type sporadic Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease include progressive dementia, cortical hyper-intensity on diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging, increased cerebrospinal fluid 14-3-3 protein level, and the exclusion of other types of dementia. The presence of periodic discharges on electroencephalography in MM2 cortical type were reported in 42% of the cases. We are reporting a case of sporadic Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease cortical MM2-type presenting with rapid cognitive decline, who survived 8 months since symptom onset. Brain imaging, cerebrospinal fluid analysis, and long-term electroencephalography monitoring were obtained and diagnosis was confirmed by autopsy. Short-term electroencephalography recording, performed 5 months after symptom onset, demonstrated diffuse background slowing without epileptiform activity. Long-term video electroencephalography monitoring demonstrated generalized slowing, maximum in bilateral frontal areas, which intermittently would become rhythmic (1–2 Hz) without hemispheric predominance. If the findings do not clearly meet the proposed clinical criteria for sporadic Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease, the use of long-term electroencephalography could increase the sensitivity. We question whether the lack of the characteristic findings on electroencephalography in some cases could be due to insufficient time of recording. Application of long-term electroencephalography monitoring increases the sensitivity of electroencephalography and the certainty of pre-mortem diagnosis of sporadic Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease.
Vitamin D toxicity of dietary origin in cats fed a natural complementary kitten food
Authors: Crossley Victoria J , Bovens Catherine PV , Pineda Carmen , Hibbert Angie , Finch Natalie C
Published: December 2017

Case series summary

This case series describes two young sibling cats and an additional unrelated cat, from two separate households, that developed hypercalcaemia associated with hypervitaminosis D. Excessive vitamin D concentrations were identified in a natural complementary tinned kitten food that was fed to all three cats as part of their diet. In one of the cases, there was clinical evidence of soft tissue mineralisation. The hypercalcaemia and soft tissue mineralisation resolved following withdrawal of the affected food and medical management of the hypercalcaemia.

Relevance and novel information

This case series demonstrates the importance of obtaining a thorough dietary history in patients presenting with hypercalcaemia and the measurement of vitamin D metabolites when investigating such cases. Complementary foods may have the potential to induce nutritional toxicity even when fed with complete, nutritionally balanced diets.
Antihypertensive treatment with telmisartan in a cat with amlodipine-induced gingival hyperplasia
Authors: Desmet Lien , van der Meer Jeroen
Published: December 2017

Case summary

Systemic arterial hypertension is commonly reported in middle-aged-to-older cats. Amlodipine is recommended as the initial antihypertensive drug in cats. In this case report, gingival hyperplasia secondary to the use of amlodipine in a cat is described. Benazepril as a monotherapy was unsuccessful in reducing blood pressure in this cat. After replacement of benazepril by telmisartan, gingival hyperplasia disappeared and blood pressure was well controlled.

Relevance and novel information

This case report describes the first reported case of reversible gingival hyperplasia as a result of the treatment with amlodipine. It also contains the first published data on the effect of telmisartan in a hypertensive cat.
“Safety at Home”: Experiences From Testing of Video Communication Between Patients and Home Health Care Personnel
Authors: Rykkje Linda , Hjorth Gunhild H. B.
Published: December 2017

The implementation of welfare technology in Norwegian municipals is a governmental priority, but there is little research on transfer of technological solutions into regular health care services. The aim of the project “Safety at home” was to test and evaluate the use of video communication between patients and health care personnel. There were two test periods, with the initial phase focusing on patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The second phase focused on patients who most likely would benefit from video communication. Nine patients tested the equipment, and they were interviewed afterward. In addition, nursing personnel evaluated the project through focus group interviews. The results identified that the equipment was user friendly and contributed to the patients’ feelings of safety. However, there were concerns about video calls replacing the “human touch” of home visits. The personnel also experienced that the technological solution had limitations, and new tasks added to their workload. The choice of focusing on COPD patients was considered a disadvantage, and we recommend that future projects should not be restricted by diagnosis and should target the most eligible candidates.
Effects of Experiencing Visual Illusions and Susceptibility to Biases in One’s Social Judgments
Authors: Kambara Ayumi
Published: December 2017

Despite the evidence for existing biases in social judgment, people often fail to recognize biases in their own social judgments. This study investigated whether people become aware of their own susceptibility to various biases by experiencing visual illusions that challenge confidence in personal perceptions. A total of 88 participants were grouped by whether or not they gazed at illusory motion graphics and by whether they rated themselves or others on bias susceptibility. Participants who gazed at visual illusions rated themselves as having more biases in their social judgments than participants who did not see visual illusions. These findings suggest that bias denial may partially result from insufficient opportunities to recognize inaccuracies in personal perceptions.
Factors Influencing the Eating Practices of Hospital Nurses During Their Shifts
Authors: Monaghan Tina , Dinour Lauren , Liou Doreen , Shefchik Melanie
Published: December 2017

The purpose of this study was to identify factors influencing hospital nurses’ dietary practices during their shifts. Semistructured interviews grounded in the Social Ecological Model focused on individual, interpersonal, organizational, and public policy factors affecting intake. Responses from 20 female nurses were qualitatively coded and categorized based on common themes. Four major themes emerged: occupational characteristics, hesitation to take breaks, influence of unhealthy food, and organizational and industry policies. Of note, nurses’ perceived inability to take breaks was due to patient load, unpredictability of patient needs, reluctance to burden other nurses, a tendency to prioritize patient care over self-care, and the repercussions of working longer hours to complete work. Other influential factors included the presence of unhealthy food options, regulations restricting nurses’ ability to eat and drink in the workplace, and the need for more staff. Multilevel interventions are necessary to ensure nurses take appropriate meal breaks and maintain satisfactory dietary habits.
Quantitative Assessment of the Anatomical Footprint of the C1 Pedicle Relative to the Lateral Mass: A Guide for C1 Lateral Mass Fixation
Authors: Su Brian W. , Theologis Alexander A. , Byers Robert H. , Shimer Adam L. , Schroeder Gregory D. , Vaccaro Alexander R. , Tay Bobby
Published: December 2017

Study Design:

Anatomic study.

Objectives:

To determine the relationship of the anatomical footprint of the C1 pedicle relative to the lateral mass (LM).

Methods:

Anatomic measurements were made on fresh frozen human cadaveric C1 specimens: pedicle width/height, LM width/height (minimum/maximum), LM depth, distance between LM’s medial aspect and pedicle’s medial border, distance between LM’s lateral aspect to pedicle’s lateral border, distance between pedicle’s inferior aspect and LM’s inferior border, distance between arch’s midline and pedicle’s medial border. The percentage of LM medial to the pedicle and the distance from the center of the LM to the pedicle’s medial wall were calculated.

Results:

A total of 42 LM were analyzed. The C1 pedicle’s lateral aspect was nearly confluent with the LM’s lateral border. Average pedicle width was 9.0 ± 1.1 mm, and average pedicle height was 5.0 ± 1.1 mm. Average LM width and depth were 17.0 ± 1.6 and 17.2 ± 1.6 mm, respectively. There was 6.9 ± 1.5 mm of bone medial to the medial C1 pedicle, which constituted 41% ± 9% of the LM’s width. The distance from C1 arch’s midline to the medial pedicle was 13.5 ± 2.0 mm. The LM’s center was 1.6 ± 1 mm lateral to the medial pedicle wall. There was on average 3.5 ± 0.6 mm of the LM inferior to the pedicle inferior border.

Conclusions:

The center of the lateral mass is 1.6 ± 1 mm lateral to the medial wall of the C1 pedicle and approximately 15 mm from the midline. There is 6.9 ± 1.5 mm of bone medial to the medial C1 pedicle. Thus, the medial aspect of C1 pedicle may be used as an anatomic reference for locating the center of the C1 LM for screw fixation.
Lived Experiences of Adolescent Athletes Following Sport-Related Concussion
Authors: Valovich McLeod Tamara C. , Wagner Alyssa J. , Bacon Cailee E. Welch
Published: December 2017

Background:

Previous studies have identified the effect of sport-related concussion on health-related quality of life through the use of patient-reported outcome measures. However, there has been little research exploring the underlying mechanisms that influence these perceptions of health-related quality of life among adolescent athletes who have sustained a sport-related concussion.

Purpose:

To explore the psychosocial aspects of concussion among adolescent athletes.

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

A total of 12 interscholastic athletes (4 girls, 8 boys; mean ± SD age, 15.7 ± 1.7 years; grade level, 10.2 ± 1.4) were interviewed via a semistructured interview protocol between 15 and 30 days postinjury. Data analysis was guided by the consensual qualitative research tradition. Themes and categories emerged through consensus by a 3-person research team, and bias was minimized through the use of multiple-analyst triangulation.

Results:

Participants identified numerous postconcussion symptoms that resulted in increasing difficulty with emotions (eg, irritable, easily frustrated), roles at school (eg, concentration difficulties, fatigue), and roles in their social environment (eg, letting the team down, not being able to contribute to sport). As a result, participants expressed how they tried to minimize or mask symptoms to decrease the potential of being viewed differently by their peers.

Conclusion:

Adolescent athletes perceived a significant effect of sport-related concussion on numerous areas of psychosocial and emotional health and well-being. Anticipatory guidance—with education regarding the possible signs and symptoms, risk factors, and recovery expectations following a concussion—is important to include in postinjury management. A better understanding of sport-related concussion and expected recovery could help to improve perceptions of this injury among interscholastic athletes. Additionally, best practices should be identified to assist health care professionals and school personnel in the development of temporary adjustments or formal academic adjustment policies in the secondary school setting, therefore ensuring that the patients receive the support that they need to maintain their roles as students.
‘Precolonial Studies’: Emily Erikson on the English East India Company, the Advantages of Network Theory and the Rise of Populism in Contemporary United States
Authors: Heidingsfelder Markus , Khan Arqam
Published: December 2017

This interview with network theorist Emily Erikson took place in March 2017 when she visited Habib University in Karachi, Pakistan, for a lecture on the English East India Company. She talks about the advantages of network theory, the challenges of Twitter research and the reasons for the success of the English East India Company, which—according to Erikson—cannot be successfully explained by using a European cultures versus South Asian cultures framework. It also touches upon the critique of corporations in general and the possible links between globalisation and the rise of populism in the United States.

Emily Erikson teaches sociology at Yale University and works on social networks and the development of institutions of capitalism and democracy. Her award-winning book Between Monopoly and Free Trade: The English East India Company (Princeton University Press, 2014) shows how an informal social network linking autonomous employees fostered the company’s long-term success, shedding light on the processes underpinning the emergence of early multinational firms and the structure of early modern global trade. Her forthcoming book New Knowledge: The Rise of Economics and Development of the Public Sphere identifies the causes stimulating the development of pre-classical economic thought in the seventeenth century. Erikson serves on the council for economic sociology of the American Sociological Association and on the executive council of the Society for the Advancement of Socio-Economics. In addition, she serves on the editorial boards of Social Science History,  Relational Sociology Series (Palgrave MacMillan), and is a founding member of the advisory board for the Journal of Historical Network Research.
Incidence and Risk Factors for Vancomycin Nephrotoxicity in Acutely Ill Pediatric Patients
Authors: Woldu Henock , Guglielmo B. Joseph
Published: December 2017

Background: Particularly with the current increased vancomycin dosing trends, the true risk of the agent’s nephrotoxicity is not well characterized and remains of concern. Objective: To determine the incidence of vancomycin nephrotoxicity in acutely ill hospitalized children and to secondarily characterize the risk factors for this complication. Methods: A single-center retrospective cohort study conducted at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital from June 2012 to June 2015. Inpatients 3 months to <19 years who received intravenous vancomycin for ≥48 hours were included. The primary outcome was incidence of nephrotoxicity, defined as an increase in serum creatinine by ≥50% from baseline. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to identify risk factors for vancomycin nephrotoxicity. Results: A total of 291 patients (272 nonnephrotoxic and 19 nephrotoxic) were included in the analysis. Of the 19 patients, 12 (4.1%) were found to have moderate to severe toxicity. The median duration of therapy was 3 (3-5) and 4 (3-6) days for the group with “no nephrotoxicity” and “nephrotoxicity,” respectively. The mean time for the serum creatinine to return to normal in patients with nephrotoxicity was 5.1 days. In the multivariate analysis, only final trough concentration ≥15mg/dL (odds ratio = 3.49, 95% confidence interval = 1.2-10.1; P = .021) and receipt of piperacillin/tazobactam (odds ratio = 3.14, 95% confidence interval = 1.02-9.6; P = .046) were significantly associated with nephrotoxicity. Conclusion: The rate of moderate to severe vancomycin-associated nephrotoxicity in acutely ill children is relatively uncommon and reversible. Kidney injury is associated with increased vancomycin trough concentrations and concomitant receipt of nephrotoxins, particularly piperacillin/tazobactam.
Monitoring Patients on Metformin: Recent Changes and Rationales
Authors: Wooley Andrea C. , Kerr Jessica L.
Published: December 2017

Objective: The Food and Drug Administration recently updated metformin prescribing recommendations for patients with diabetes and renal disease. The American Diabetes Association as well as the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and American Clinical Endocrinologists also recommend periodic monitoring of vitamin B12 levels for patients using metformin. A review of the literature was conducted to assess data to evaluate the recent updates to metformin usage and provide rationales for these recommendations. Data Sources: PubMed MESH terms “Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2” and “Renal Insufficiency, Chronic” and “Metformin” were searched with an English limitation from 1990 to May 2017. A MEDLINE search was conducted using the terms “metformin” and “renal disease” from 1990 to May 2017. A PubMed search was conducted using the MESH terms “vitamin b12 deficiency” and “metformin” from 1970 to May 2017. A MEDLINE search was conducted using terms “metformin” and “vitamin B12 deficiency” with an English limitation from 1970 to May 2017. Study Selection and Data Extraction: Retrospective and prospective clinical trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews were considered for inclusion. Citations from identified articles were also reviewed for inclusion. Data Synthesis: The incidence of metformin-associated lactic acidosis is minimal. Data indicate metformin-treated patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate above 30 mL/min/1.73 m2 have a reduction in mortality. Additionally, data suggest metformin may lead to vitamin B12 deficiency. Conclusion: Data support recommendations for metformin use in patients with diabetes and renal insufficiency with an estimated glomerular filtration rate above 30 mL/min/1.73 m2. Data also suggest that baseline and periodic testing of vitamin B12 levels are warranted and supported by clinical guidelines due to the risk of vitamin B12 deficiency in metformin-treated patients.
Using Immediate Feedback to Increase Opportunities to Respond in a General Education Classroom
Authors: Cooper Justin T. , Whitney Todd , Lingo Amy S.
Published: December 2017

The purpose of the current study was to examine the effects of immediately prompting a general education teacher to increase her rate of Opportunities to Respond (OTR) through bug-in-ear technology on the academic engagement of a first-grade student with emotional and behavior disorders (EBD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In addition, the study investigated if raising the rate of OTR would increase the teacher’s positive feedback while decreasing negative feedback. Using an ABA single-subject design, results indicated that student academic engagement increased as the intervention was introduced and continued to stay at elevated levels during a maintenance phase. Results on teacher feedback were mixed, with both positive and negative feedback increasing when OTR was increased. Implications for using immediate feedback to increase OTR for rural educators are discussed.
Informed consent in field trials of gene-drive mosquitoes
Authors: Kolopack Pamela A. , Lavery James V.
Published: December 2017

The US National Academies’ (NAS) recent report ‘Gene Drives on the Horizon: Advancing Science, Navigating Uncertainty, and Aligning Research with Public Values’ examines the requirements of responsible conduct in research involving gene drives in non-human organisms. Many of the complex ethical issues raised by the introduction of gene drive technologies for mosquito population control have been anticipated during the development and field-testing of earlier-generation genetic engineering approaches with mosquitoes. One issue—the requirement for informed consent in field trials—is not addressed explicitly in the NAS’ report. Some commentators have presumed that informed consent should play a role as a protection for research participants in studies of genetically modified mosquitoes. Others have argued that there are no human subjects of field trials, so the informed consent requirement does not apply. It is both ethically and practically important that these presumptions are adequately scrutinized to ensure that any applications of informed consent in these trials are properly justified. We argue that informed consent from individual research participants in gene drive trials may be required: (1) when blood and other forms of clinical data are collected from them, as will likely be the case in some studies involving epidemiological endpoints, such as the incidence of new infections with dengue and malaria; (2) when they participate in social science and/or behavioral research involving the completion of surveys and questionnaires; or (3) when their home or property is accessed and the location recorded as a spatial variable for the release or collection of mosquitoes because the precise location of the household is important for entomological reasons and these data constitute identifiable private information at the household level. Importantly, most regulations and guidelines allow these requirements to be waived or modified, to various degrees, according to the judgment of Institutional Review Boards.
Historical Cognition: Interpretation As Mythologizing
Authors: Яровенко С. , Yarovenko S.
Published: December 2017

The subject ofthe present studyis the phenomenon ofmy theologizing of historical knowledge.The problem of the mythologization of history is actualized by the unavoidable interpretation of historical cognition, which connects it with the mythological components of the personal attitudes of the subject of historical knowledge, partly determined by the contemporary sociocultural myth-environment, and, accordingly, allows us to considerthe interpretation ofhistorical events and factsas a wayofmythologizing. The problem is examined in two different aspects: on the one hand, it is the "anti-historicism" of the myth, the fundamental discrepancy between mythical and historical time; on the other hand, the actualization of the processes of mythologization (mythological design, mythic construction) of history.Theoretical arguments supporting this conclusion – the work of contemporary philosophers of myth, art dystopia of the twentieth century, the works of the genre pseudohistory.The general conclusionof this article: the need for awareness ofthe immanence ofmythologicalelements in the theoryandmethodology of historicalknowledge as anormativeresearch attitude.
Leadership Phenomenon Research: from Diagnostics to Formation of Competences
Authors: Ардюкова О. , Ardyukova O.
Published: December 2017

In article approaches to the analysis of moral leadership — the difficult phenomenon which is only recently opened in the theory and practice of management, and social management, extremely perspective for the sphere, and social and humanitarian knowledge in general are considered. The author addresses leadership phenomenon research history in psychology and management, revealing regularities of development of theories of leadership (stages, a typologization). It is established that moral leadership as a subject of cross-disciplinary researches reproduces dynamics of formation of the main approaches to leadership developed in the XX century: from diagnostics to formation of competences. Concrete qualities of the moral leader are considered: the prudence, courage, self-control, justice (revealed by Aristotle), the humility and generosity (developed in Christian ethics) and modern (high level of moral responsibility). As competences of the moral leader are called: skills of ethical assessment, ethical examination, minimization of ethical risks, social intelligence. The main skill of the moral leader — adoption of administrative solutions of high degree of ethics is accented. It is claimed that formation of the professional — the moral leader — is possible by means of innovative technologies of ethical education. The example of a stakeholders analysis (the analysis of interested parties) as educational technology for formation of skills of ethical examination, minimization of ethical risks, adoption of administrative solutions of high degree of ethics is given.
International monetary relations in the post-industrial world
Authors: Зенкина Елена , Zenkina Elena
Published: December 2017

The monograph is devoted to a research of transformation of the world monetary mechanism during an era of formation of post-industrial economy. On extensive material development of world monetary system in the conditions of globalization and post-industrialization is analyzed, the features and new regularities inherent in modern international finance are revealed, the statics and dynamics of traditional and new forms of money, the world currency and share markets in general and their sectors is shown. Problems of integration of Russia into the system of the international monetary relations are considered.
The monograph is focused on the highest and average administrative personnel of the large companies and holdings working in the sphere of the international monetary relations, representatives of various business structures on employees of scientific and consulting firms, teachers, graduate students and students of higher education institutions, and also on all those who study a perspective and are interested in questions of development of the modern international financial market.
Where Do Great Strategies Really Come From?
Authors: Brandenburger Adam
Published: December 2017

In courses on business strategy, students draw maps of organizations and the landscapes on which they operate, and they learn various classification schemes for strategies, such as different kinds of market positions or organizational capabilities. But these activities do not achieve much when it comes to developing a sense for where great strategies come from in the first place. The missing ingredient is recognizing that strategy-making is a creative act. We know this intuitively. It is the “aha” feature of brilliant strategies that first draws many of us to the topic. In this essay, we look at some examples of great business strategies and view them as creative leaps. We organize the examples into a proposed framework which involves four sources for creativity: contrast, combination, constraint, and context (4 C’s). The hope is that this framework works as a mental prompt for finding new strategies.
Social Origins of Great Strategies
Authors: Burt Ronald S. , Soda Giuseppe
Published: December 2017

We use network theory to define the social origins of great strategies. Our argument proceeds in four steps: (1) The bridge and cluster structure of social networks is a proxy indicator of variation in knowledge and practice (homogeneity within clusters, heterogeneity between); (2) people with strong connections to multiple clusters (network brokers) have breadth, timing, and arbitrage advantages in moving knowledge/practice from clusters where it is a commodity into clusters where it is valuable. (3) New strategy is a new perspective on, or new combination of, prior knowledge/practice; so (4) network brokers have a competitive advantage in detecting and developing new strategies, a subset of which are great strategies.
Mendel in the C-Suite: Design and the Evolution of Strategies
Authors: Levinthal Daniel A.
Published: December 2017

A “Mendelian” executive is proposed as an image of strategy making that lies intermediate between the godlike powers of intentional design of rational choice approaches and a Darwinian process of random variation and market-based differential selection. The Mendelian executive is capable of intentional design efforts in order to explore possible adjacent strategic spaces. Furthermore, the argument developed here highlights the role of intentionality with respect to the selection and culling of strategic initiatives. The firm is viewed as operating an “artificial selection” environment in contrast to selection as the direct consequence of the outcome of competitive processes. Examining the nature of the processes generating these experimental variants and the bases of internal selection, and how these selection criteria may themselves change, is argued to be central to the formation of strategy in dynamic competitive environments.
Which factors influence the pursuit of a career in surgery? A national undergraduate survey
Authors: Rouhani Maral , Gelder Chloe , Selwyn-Gotha Jocelyn , Rufai Sohaib
Published: December 2017

Background:

Data from the UK's Core Surgery National Recruitment Office (CSNRO) indicates a downward trend in competition for surgical training posts. This national undergraduate survey aims to evaluate the factors influencing UK medical students' decisions to pursue surgical careers.

Method:

A web-based survey was distributed by email to UK medical schools via their medical school administration and undergraduate surgical societies.

Results:

Of the 137 students that responded, 100 (73.0%) stated that they were interested in a career in surgery – 62 students were considering this as their first choice specialty. The main reasons for choice of career were longstanding interest, exposure to the job environment and working environment. Reasons students were not considering a career in surgery included surgeons' attitudes, job competition and limited opportunities for learning in theatre. Anatomy teaching, basic surgical skills teaching and attendance at surgical society events increased the likelihood of pursuing a career in surgery.

Conclusions:

Greater career information, degree programme experience and medical school events were cited to help promote a career in surgery. It is imperative that surgeons are aware of how their attitude, and the experiences their students have during surgical placements, can influence students' career decisions.
Comparison between CNN and Haar classifiers for surgical instrumentation classification
Authors: Useche Murillo Paula C. , Moreno Robinson Jimenez , Pinzon Arenas Javier O.
Published: December 2017

The following paper presents the development, operation and comparison of two
methods of object recognition trained for the classification of surgical
instrumentation, where a video sequence is used to capture scene information
constantly, in order to allow the selection of some of the instruments according to
the needs of the doctor. The methods used were Convolutional Neural Networks
(CNN) and Haar classifiers, where the first was added a previous element detection
stage, and the second one was conditioned to allow it not only to detect elements,
but also to classify them. With the CNN an accuracy of 96.4% in the classification
of the two categories of the first branch of the tree was reached, while for Haar
classifiers 90% accuracy was achieved in the detection of one of the five
instruments, whose classifier was the one that presented the best results.
Five years follow up of patients with Сushing’s disease with and without visualized pituitary adenoma on MRI, who underwent transsphenoidal adenomectomy
Authors: Khandaeva Patimat M. , Belaya Zhanna E. , Rozhinskaya Lyudmila Ya. , Vorontsov Aleksandr V. , Grigoriev Andrey Yu. , Voronkova Iya A. , Lapshina Anastasia M. , Sitkin Ivan I. , Melnichenko Galina A.
Published: December 2017

The remission rate of Cushing’s disease in patients after neurosurgery varies from 59 to 94%, while the recurrence rate is 3 to 46%.
Aim — to evaluate the five-year outcome in neurosurgery patients with Cushing’s disease (CD), depending on preoperative MRI-based identification of pituitary adenoma.
Material and methods. The study included 105 neurosurgery patients with histologically confirmed CD. CD remission was confirmed by the development of adrenal insufficiency and/or normalization of serum cortisol and 24-hour urinary free cortisol (24h UFC) levels, as well as by clinical remission.
Results. Pituitary adenoma was not visualized by gadolinium MRI in 35 cases. The size of visualized pituitary adenoma varied from 0.3 to 29 mm. After first neurosurgery, remission was achieved in 87 (82.8%) patients. After second neurosurgery, remission occurred in 12 patients. Radiation therapy was conducted in 24 patients. Six patients had bilateral adrenalectomy. Two patients died during remission: one patient died from stroke two years after neurosurgery, and the other patient died due to surgery complications. During five-year follow-up after neurosurgery, remission continued in 76 (72.8%) patients, including 27 (77%) of 35 patients without MRI-detected adenoma and 49 (70%) of 70 patients with MRI-detected pituitary adenoma, p=0.15. Sixty-six patients developed recurrence, and 14 patients had active hypercortisolism.
Conclusion. There was no correlation between the rate of preoperative MRI-based detection of pituitary adenoma and the rate of remission in neurosurgery patients with Cushing’s disease during the five year follow-up. The size of pituitary adenoma was a risk factor for adenoma recurrence.
Glucagon-like peptide-2 and glucagon in patients with acromegaly and Cushing’s disease: secretion features and influence on glucose metabolism
Authors: Machekhina Lubov V. , Shestakova Ekaterina А. , Belaya Zhanna Е. , Nikankina Larisa V. , Astafieva Lyudmila I. , Shestakova Marina V.
Published: December 2017

Aim. To analyze secretion of GLP-2 and glucagon in patients with Cushing’s disease (CD) and acromegaly in response to glucose load.
Material and methods. The study included 42 patients with Cushing’s disease and acromegaly; the mean patient age was 37.5 years. All patients were newly diagnosed with Cushing’s disease and acromegaly: none of them had a history of previous drug therapy, radiotherapy, or pituitary surgery. All patients underwent the oral glucose tolerance test with measurements of glucose, glucagon, and GLP-2 levels at 0, 30, and 120 min, respectively.
Results. A significantly higher glucagon level was observed in CD patients at all cut-off points (р=0.001); in acromegaly patients, the glucagon level did not significantly differ from that in controls (р=0.12). The GLP-2 concentration in CD patients was also significantly higher compared to that in controls (р<0.001). There were no significant differences between acromegaly patients and controls. We also found a strong correlation between GLP-2 and glucagon levels at 0 and 30 min in CD patients. In acromegaly patients, a correlation between GLP-2 and glucagon levels was observed only at 0 min. Different GLP-2 and glucagon secretion patterns in patients with CD and acromegaly suggest a direct influence of glucocorticoids on glucagon secretion and no influence in the case of IGF-1.
Conclusion. The found correlation between GLP-2 and glucagon levels might help specify the role of GLP-2 in carbohydrate metabolism regulation. Interactions of cortisol, IGF-1, and GLP-2 look promising for a better understanding of secondary hyperglycemia pathogenesis.
A clinical case of hereditary papillary thyroid carcinoma associated with a germline DICER1 gene mutation
Authors: Babinskaya Svetlana A. , Kalinchenko Natalia Yu. , Ilyin Alexey A. , Severskaya Natalia V. , Chebotareva Irina V. , Nizhegorodova Kseniya S. , Rumyantsev Pavel O. , Tiulpakov Anatoly N.
Published: December 2017

Here, we report a clinical case of isolated papillary thyroid cancer associated with a germline DICER1 gene mutation in a boy and his father. The father underwent surgery for a euthyroid multinodular goiter at the age of 7 and 9 years. On examination at the age of 27 years, he was diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer. At the age of 7 years, the boy was suspected of having a multinodular goiter (based on thyroid ultrasonography findings); he underwent total thyroidectomy. A histological examination of the surgical material revealed encapsulated papillary carcinoma. Neither boy nor his father had been exposed to radiation or chemotherapy before the diagnosis of papillary thyroid cancer. To clarify the etiology of disease, a molecular genetic testing was performed using next-generation sequencing (NGS). The proband and his parent had a heterozygous thymine deletion in the exon 4 at position 380, which led to a shift in the reading frame with the formation of a premature stop codon (c.380delT p.L127QfsX3).
COMENTARIOS BIBLIOGRÁFICOS: EL DELTA BONAERENSE: NATURALEZA, CONSERVACIÓN Y PATRIMONIO CULTURAL
Authors: López Hugo L.
Published: December 2017

El Delta Bonaerense: naturaleza, conservación y patrimonio culturalAutor: Athor, J. (Ed.).Editorial: FundaciónHistoria Natural Félix de Azara.Año: 2014.Cantidad de páginas: 420.
Effect of problem-solving based methods on critical thinking and academic achievement of math among students of saravan higher education centers
Authors: Nosrat Azizollah , Parsafar Abdulhamid
Published: December 2017

The aim of the present study is to determine the impact of problem-solving based methods on critical thinking and academic achievement of math in students of higher-education centers in the second semester of academic year 2013-14, Saravan city. The research method in this study is quasi-experimental, with the control group as well as pre-test and post-test. The study population includes all students in the second semester of 2013-14 who studied math in higher-education centers of Saravan city whose number was 400 and 130 students were selected as statistical samples. Measuring instruments used in this study were a researcher made academic achievement of math test and Watson-Glaser critical thinking test. To give an approximation of the content validity of the tests, analyzing books contents and comparing it with the extent of usage for conceptual questions, tests content validity was assured to some extent. The reliability of the test was calculated using bi-section method that according to the figures obtained for pre-test and post-test respectively (r = 0.71 and 0.68), tests have an acceptable and relatively high reliability. To analyze the data, t-test was used. The results showed that academic achievement of math and critical thinking in the test group, compared to the control group were higher and the differences between their means were significant.
Różnice indywidualne w nabywaniu kompetencji pragmatycznej przez nauczycieli języka angielskiego
Authors: Szczepaniak-Kozak Anna , Wąsikiewicz-Firlej Emilia
Published: December 2017

Acquisition of pragmatic competence (PC) in a foreign language is a gradual process, which is not trouble-free and effortless even for advanced learners. Since most of the existing research on PC has focused on learners of English, this paper constitutes an attempt to investigate this matter from the perspective of foreign language teachers, with particular attention paid to teachers of English in Poland. Its aim is to investigate whether individual differences influence the acquisition of PC on the basis of data collected during classroom observations and in interviews with teachers. This way the authors endeavor to answer the question whether PC of the teachers depends on their general linguistic ability in English, their educational background and teacher preparation, or the stage of their career development.
Zastosowanie bloga we wspieraniu refleksji studenckiej podczas praktyk pedagogicznych
Authors: Pitura Joanna
Published: December 2017

The article concerns pre-service English language teacher training and discusses some results of an on-going action research project, the aim of which is to investigate a way of supporting student reflection while they do obligatory teaching practice in Polish state schools. The paper presents the design of the “Develop by Blogging” intervention, as well as its pilot implementation. Preliminary findings suggest that the intervention has the potential to create time and space for reflection on individual professional experience and can constitute a chance for enhancing reflection among pre-service teachers.
Global Customer Engagement
Authors: Gupta Shaphali , Pansari Anita , Kumar V.
Published: December 2017

Advances in technology and analytics have stimulated competition in the global marketplace and augmented interactions among customers globally. It is therefore imperative for firms to understand the behavioral activities of customers around the world to keep them engaged. To do so, the authors recommend that managers familiarize themselves with countries’ cultural and economic factors. The authors use Hofstede's cultural dimensions and country-level economic factors to explain the national differences in customer motives while engaging with the firm. This study explains that national cultural dimensions exert an effect on the relationships in the customer engagement (CE) framework proposed by Pansari and Kumar (2017) . The authors discuss and develop research propositions on the impact of the relevant cultural and economic dimensions that affect the various proposed relationships in the original CE framework. Through this modified CE framework, they introduce the concept of global customer engagement to help firms design marketing strategies aligned with a country's culture and economy to obtain improved CE and enhanced firm performance.
Causal Evidence for Learning-Dependent Frontal Lobe Contributions to Cognitive Control
Authors: Muhle-Karbe Paul S. , Jiang Jiefeng , Egner Tobias
Published: December 2017

The lateral prefrontal cortex (LPFC) plays a central role in the prioritization of sensory input based on task relevance. Such top-down control of perception is of fundamental importance in goal-directed behavior, but can also be costly when deployed excessively, necessitating a mechanism that regulates control engagement to align it with changing environmental demands. We have recently introduced the “flexible control model” (FCM), which explains this regulation as resulting from a self-adjusting reinforcement-learning mechanism that infers latent statistical structure in dynamic task environments to predict forthcoming states. From this perspective, LPFC-based control is engaged as a function of anticipated cognitive demand, a notion for which we previously obtained correlative neuroimaging evidence. Here, we put this hypothesis to a rigorous, causal test by combining the FCM with a transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) intervention that transiently perturbed the LPFC. Human participants (male and female) completed a nonstationary version of the Stroop task with dynamically changing probabilities of conflict between task-relevant and task-irrelevant stimulus features. TMS was given on each trial before stimulus onset either over the LPFC or over a control site. In the control condition, we observed adaptive performance fluctuations consistent with demand predictions that were inferred from recent and remote trial history and effectively captured by our model. Critically, TMS over the LPFC eliminated these fluctuations while leaving basic cognitive and motor functions intact. These results provide causal evidence for a learning-based account of cognitive control and delineate the nature of the signals that regulate top-down biases over stimulus processing.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTA core function of the human prefrontal cortex is to control the signal flow in sensory brain regions to prioritize processing of task-relevant information. Abundant work suggests that such control is flexibly recruited to accommodate dynamically changing environmental demands, yet the nature of the signals that serve to engage control remains unknown. Here, we combined computational modeling with noninvasive brain stimulation to show that changes in control engagement are captured by a self-adjusting reinforcement-learning mechanism that tracks changing environmental statistics to predict forthcoming processing demands and that transient perturbation of the prefrontal cortex abolishes these adjustments. These findings delineate the learning signals that underpin adaptive engagement of prefrontal control functions and provide causal evidence for their relevance in behavioral control.