bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unusual Ulcerated Merkel Cell Carcinoma of the Skin: Report of a Case
Authors: Lucandri Giorgio , Mazzocchi Paolo , Bascone Bruno , Giordano Marco , Castaldi Massimo , Lazzarini Alfredo , Carotenuto Ferdinando
Published: July 2019

Merkel cell carcinoma is an aggressive skin cancer, usually related to a severe prognosis. Treatment consists of wide surgical excision, adjuvant radiotherapy and/or polychemotherapy, but local-regional and distant relapses are common. Detection of histopathological and biological factors may select subgroups of patients suitable for different treatments. Herein we report the case of a patient treated for a wide bleeding and ulcerated Merkel cell carcinoma. Ulceration represents an uncommon feature because the tumor usually spreads from the dermis into subcutaneous fat, so it may be added to poor prognostic indicators. After surgical excision and postoperative radiotherapy, the patient recurred at regional nodes. Axillary lymphadenectomy was followed by courses of polychemotherapy. We obtained a satisfactory survival (31 months) by timing these different therapeutic possibilities.
Short-term wind speed interval prediction by improved regularized extreme learning machine based on attribute reduction
Authors: Pan Chao , Wang Dian , Tan Qide
Published: July 2019

Accurate wind speed forecasting is important for stable operation of the power system when large-scale wind power is connected to the grid. According to the randomness of wind speed caused by the interaction of weather attributes, this article presents a new wind speed interval prediction method by improved regularized extreme learning machine based on attribute reduction. First, the principal component analysis is used to extract the principal component score sequences of multi-dimensional meteorological attribute factors, and the principal component score sequences are weighted by the variance contribution rate. Then, the original wind speed series is processed by fuzzy information granulation to obtain three components, which represent the minimum value, maximum value, and variation trend of the wind speed interval. The weighted principal component score sequence and the wind speed fuzzy granulation component are used as the input model of the prediction model, and the gradient prediction is performed using the improved regularized extreme learning machine of the gravity search algorithm. Finally, the prediction effect of the proposed method is simulated and analyzed based on the measured data of the wind farm. The results show that the combination prediction method can effectively improve the operational efficiency and accuracy of wind speed prediction, and has strong generalization ability.
Limitations of Fixed-Effects Models for Panel Data
Authors: Hill Terrence D. , Davis Andrew P. , Roos J. Micah , French Michael T.
Published: July 2019

Although fixed-effects models for panel data are now widely recognized as powerful tools for longitudinal data analysis, the limitations of these models are not well known. We provide a critical discussion of 12 limitations, including a culture of omission, low statistical power, limited external validity, restricted time periods, measurement error, time invariance, undefined variables, unobserved heterogeneity, erroneous causal inferences, imprecise interpretations of coefficients, imprudent comparisons with cross-sectional models, and questionable contributions vis-à-vis previous work. Instead of discouraging the use of fixed-effects models, we encourage more critical applications of this rigorous and promising methodology. The most important deficiencies—Type II errors, biased coefficients and imprecise standard errors, misleading p values, misguided causal claims, and various theoretical concerns—should be weighed against the likely presence of unobserved heterogeneity in other regression models. Ultimately, we must do a better job of communicating the pitfalls of fixed-effects models to our colleagues and students.
Improving the Relationship of Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services Home Care Aides and Clients Through Health Interviewing
Authors: Danilovich Margaret , Diaz Laura , Boyken Lara , Eisenstein Amy , Johnson Rebecca
Published: July 2019

Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS) care plans should be person-centered, yet there is little research on how to ascertain this information in practice. The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of a home care aide (HCA)–led health interview with clients during usual HCBS. We provided interview training, and HCAs ( n = 21) conducted five interviews with one client each using a card sort methodology to elicit client care preferences. HCAs audio-recorded interviews and photographed card sorts for analysis. We used a mixed-methods approach of semistructured interviews and focus groups with clients and HCAs to evaluate the health interviewing experience and client surveys of Your Health Orientation, Willingness to Communicate, and PROMIS (Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System) global health and HCA surveys of the Active Empathetic Listening Scale. We used t tests to investigate changes in survey outcomes pre and post interviews. Results show HCAs can conduct health interviews, and doing so contributes new knowledge on client preferences for care. Clients desire HCAs who provide empathy, compassion, and motivation, and HCAs felt interviewing clients helped them to better understand their care recipient’s needs.
Technology and Dating Among Pregnant and Parenting Youth in Residential Foster Care: A Mixed Qualitative Approach Comparing Staff and Adolescent Perspectives
Authors: Rueda Heidi Adams , Brown Megan Lindsay , Geiger Jennifer M.
Published: July 2019

The aim of this study was to explore the role of technology in the dating and sexual experiences of pregnant and parenting adolescent girls placed in residential foster care. Interviews with program staff ( N = 12; 50% Hispanic) and focus groups with adolescent foster youth ( N = 13; 46% Hispanic) were conducted to understand how technologies (e.g., cell phone, texting, and social media) influence youth’s dating lives, including how youth navigate conflict with a dating partner in technology spaces and their experiences with cyber abuse. Both staff and youth emphasized technology as providing an outlet from the home and forum through which to meet, interact, and sustain intimate relationships, the latter including the father of (a) child(ren). Youth creatively collaborated to access technology and became involved in each other’s relationships. Staff and youth discussed divergent risk contexts, staff emphasizing the risks posed to children (e.g., taken on online dates) and youth discussing online sexual solicitations, conflict with the child(ren)’s father in public and peer-involved online spaces, and cyber abuse. Helping professionals should be trained on the centrality of technology to youth dating and provide dating health education that includes attention to technology mediums.
Disassortative Network Structure Improves the Synchronization between Neurons in the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus
Authors: Gu Changgui , Gu Xiangwei , Wang Ping , Ren Henggang , Weng Tongfeng , Yang Huijie , Rohling Jos H. T.
Published: July 2019

In mammals, an endogenous clock located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the brain regulates the circadian rhythms of physiological and behavioral activities. The SCN is composed of about 20,000 neurons that are autonomous oscillators with nonidentical intrinsic periods ranging from 22 h to 28 h. These neurons are coupled through neurotransmitters and synchronized to form a network, which produces a robust circadian rhythm of a uniform period. The neurons, which are the nodes in the network, are known to be heterogeneous in their characteristics, which is reflected in different phenotypes and different functionality. This heterogeneous nature of the nodes of the network leads to the question as to whether the structure of the SCN network is assortative or disassortative. Thus far, the disassortativity of the SCN network has not been assessed and neither have its effects on the collective behaviors of the SCN neurons. In the present study, we build a directed SCN network composed of hundreds of neurons for a single slice using the method of transfer entropy, based on the experimental data. Then, we measured the synchronization degree as well as the disassortativity coefficient of the network structure (calculated by either the out-degrees or the in-degrees of the nodes) and found that the network of the SCN is a disassortative network. Furthermore, a positive relationship is observed between the synchronization degree and disassortativity of the network, which is confirmed by simulations of our modeling. Our finding suggests that the disassortativity of the network structure plays a role in the synchronization between SCN neurons; that is, the synchronization degree increases with the increase of the disassortativity, which implies that a more heterogeneous coupling in the network of the SCN is important for proper function of the SCN.
Critical Care Nurses’ Perceptions of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition at the End-of-Life in South Korea
Authors: Seol Eun-Mi , Koh Chin Kang , Kim Eun Kyung
Published: July 2019

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of critical care nurses regarding the withdrawal or withholding of enteral nutrition (EN) and parenteral nutrition (PN) at the end-of-life, which is not allowed according to the current law in South Korea.

Methods:

This was a cross-sectional study utilizing a self-report survey. The participants in the study were 141 nurses working in the intensive care units of a tertiary university hospital. The critical care nurses’ general attitudes about EN and PN at the end-of-life were measured using the questionnaires developed by Lubart, Leibovitz, and Habot. The nurses responded to additional questions on whether withdrawal or withholding of EN or PN at the end-of-life should be legally allowed.

Results:

The mean scores of the general attitude items on EN ranged between 3.03 and 3.35 on a 5-point Likert scale where a value of 1 represents “strongly disagree” and a value of 5 represents “strongly agree,” while those for PN ranged between 2.89 and 3.65. Respecting attitudes toward EN and PN, critical care nurses had more negative attitudes about stopping PN than EN. Regarding attitudes about whether patients should be legally able to refuse EN, 34.3% agreed, while 25.7% disagreed. For PN, 40.0% agreed, while 24.3% disagreed.

Conclusion:

Discussions about making the withdrawal and withholding of artificial nutrition legal should be initiated. Moreover, education regarding evidence about the outcomes of EN and PN during end-of-life care and up-to-date clinical guidelines about it should be provided.
High-strength ceramics as innovative candidates for cardiovascular implants
Authors: Parlak Zümray Vuslat , Wein Svenja , Zybała Rafał , Tymicki Emil , Kaszyca Kamil , Rütten Stephan , Labude Norina , Telle Rainer , Schickle Karolina , Neuss Sabine
Published: July 2019

Cytocompatibility and hemocompatibility are essential features for tissue- and blood-contacting implants such as artificial heart valves, vascular grafts and stents. Platelet activation as the main trigger of thrombosis results in implant failures. The purpose of this study results from the demands on anti-coagulant and non-corrosive innovative biomaterials for cardiovascular implants. Therefore, hemocompatibility and cytocompatibility of various high-strength ceramics, such as alumina, zirconia, silicon nitride and silicon carbide, were examined to identify the most appropriate ceramic for cardiovascular implants. In addition to the material species, different crystallographic structures (single- and poly-crystalline) and surface terminations (Si and C faces) of silicon carbide were used in order to reveal the interactions between blood and material surface. Three cell types, i.e. human umbilical vein endothelial cells, mesenchymal stem cells and blood cells, were cultured on the substrates and their interactions with material surfaces were analyzed. Cytotoxicity of the materials was tested by live/dead staining. Hemocompatibility in terms of platelet and white blood cell activation was examined via scanning electron microscopy and indirect ELISA. To mimic physiological conditions in vitro, the hemocompatibility of the materials was additionally analyzed in a bioreactor under dynamic flow conditions in comparison to static incubation. All ceramics were found to be cytocompatible for mesenchymal stem cells, human umbilical vein endothelial cells and blood cells. The highest number of resting, non-activated platelets was observed on the monocrystalline silicon carbide demonstrating that this material triggers the platelet activation less compared to the other materials. It is found to be the most appropriate ceramic for blood-contacting implants in terms of cell adhesion, cell viability, and hemocompatibility.
The Interaction of Rape Myth Acceptance and Alcohol Intoxication on Bystander Intervention
Authors: Jozkowski Kristen N. , Willis Malachi , Hurd Lauren E. , Ham Lindsay S. , Bridges Ana J. , Wiersma-Mosley Jacquelyn D.
Published: July 2019

Bystander interventions for sexual assault promote third-party interference. People who endorse rape myths blame victims more and perpetrators less; consequently, rape myth acceptance (RMA) can impede helping behaviors toward sexual assault victims. Acute alcohol intoxication may exacerbate the effects of RMA on bystander intervention. In this study, we examined the influence of RMA—and potential moderating effect of acute alcohol intoxication—on predictors of bystander intervention. Young adults ( N = 128) completed a survey in a lab setting, then consumed either an alcoholic or control beverage, read and listened to a fictional sexual assault scenario, and finally completed a semi-structured interview and postexperiment survey assessing their perceptions of the scenario. Using multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA), we found people with higher RMA blamed the victim more and perpetrator less; they were also less likely to perceive responsibility to intervene for a sexual assault victim. Alcohol intoxication did not exacerbate these effects. That is, alcohol intoxication was not a context in which RMA was expressed more strongly. We recommend bystander programs continue to address RMA, specifically as a barrier to intervening.
Posttraumatic Stress Symptom Severity Mediates the Relationship Between Military Sexual Trauma and Tension Reduction Behaviors in Male and Female Veterans
Authors: Hannan Susan M. , Thomas Katie B. , Allard Carolyn B.
Published: July 2019

Numerous studies attest to the prevalence and complex negative consequences associated with military sexual trauma (MST). However, relatively less is known about male survivors and about the interaction of psychological problems such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and emotion management difficulties following MST. The current study examined the path of psychological distress following MST in both male and female veterans. We predicted that (a) history of MST would predict more severe PTSD symptoms, which in turn would predict greater use of dysfunctional emotion management strategies (specifically, tension reduction behaviors) and that (b) PTSD symptoms would mediate the relationship between history of MST and tension reduction behaviors. Finally, we explored whether the indirect (i.e., mediating) effect was moderated by gender. Data were obtained from pretreatment paper and pencil assessments administered as part of standard clinical care from 338 veterans seeking treatment at a Veterans Affairs (VA) mental health specialty clinic. Veterans who endorsed MST experienced more severe PTSD symptoms and greater reported use of tension reduction behaviors. Bootstrapping testing the indirect effect revealed that PTSD symptoms mediated the relationship between history of MST and tension reduction behaviors. An exploratory moderated mediation analysis found that the indirect effect did not differ as a function of gender. PTSD symptoms appear to mediate the relationship between MST and tension reduction behaviors in veterans, regardless of gender. While previous research has suggested that civilian men report a greater number of tension reduction behaviors following a sexual assault compared to civilian women, we did not find the same gender differences among veterans. These results may provide support for using trauma-focused treatment even when MST survivors are reporting high-risk tension reduction behaviors.
Effect of Compression on Contact Heat Transfer in Thermal Protective Clothing Under Different Moisture Contents
Authors: Su Yun , Li Rui , Yang Jie , Song Guowen , Li Jun
Published: July 2019

Contact burns pose a serious threat on firefighters’ health, safety, and job performance. The objective of the study was to analyze the effects of compression and moisture content on thermal protective performance of clothing. Skin-simulant sensor and Pennes bio-heat transfer model were used to predict time to cause skin contact burn. A new index (heat transfer efficiency) was proposed to examine the effects of applied pressure and moisture level on the contact heat transfer in the thermal protective clothing. It was demonstrated that the addition of moisture nonlinearly decreased the thermal protective level of clothing. The fabric thickness was greatly decreased by the compression, but the thermal protective level presented no significant difference between two kinds of pressures. The heat transfer efficiency was an effective index for evaluating the contact heat transfer, which was determined by the basic properties of fabric, the moisture content, and the pressure level. The conclusions from this study could contribute to understanding the effects of compression and moisture on the contact heat transfer, thus providing the principle of thermal protection against skin contact burns.
Development and mechanical characterization of novel polymer-based flexible composite and optimization of stacking sequences using VIKOR and PSI techniques
Authors: Mahesh Vishwas , Joladarashi Sharnappa , Kulkarni Satyabodh M
Published: July 2019

The development of natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites is becoming prominent in numerous engineering applications over the synthetic fiber-reinforced composites mainly because of their environment-friendly characteristics. This article deals with comparative study on selection of optimal stacking sequence (jute/rubber/jute (JRJ), jute/rubber/rubber/jute, and jute/rubber/jute/rubber/jute) of the jute/natural rubber-based completely biodegradable flexible composite using multi-attribute decision making (MADM) approaches namely hybrid entropy-VIse Kriterijumska Optimizacija kompromisno Resenja (VIKOR) and preference selection index (PSI) methods. Tensile strength, tear strength, specific impact strength, and specific wear rate are used as attributes for MADM methods. The results show good agreement between hybrid entropy-VIKOR and PSI methods used for stacking sequence selection. Scanning electron microscope analysis is carried out to study the failure mechanisms of the proposed flexible composite. The findings of the present study led to the choice of JRJ as the preferred stacking sequence among all the three stacking sequences considered as it exhibited the best overall properties compared to other two configurations of the flexible composite.
A Longitudinal Study of Relations Among Adolescents’ Self-Esteem, General Self-Efficacy, Career Adaptability, and Life Satisfaction
Authors: Marcionetti Jenny , Rossier Jérôme
Published: July 2019

Self-esteem, general self-efficacy, and career adaptability, which include career concern, control, curiosity, and confidence, are important resources for adolescents who are required to make important educational and professional choices. No studies have investigated how these resources codevelop over time and their impact on life satisfaction. To more precisely study this codevelopment and the impact of these resources on well-being, 357 Swiss adolescents were assessed 3 times during the last 17 months of compulsory school. The results showed an interrelationship between career adaptability and self-efficacy and a unidirectional effect of self-esteem on life satisfaction over time. They also highlighted the importance of career adapt-ability concerns for predicting the other three career adapt-abilities. Overall, the results suggested that in adolescents, higher levels of career adaptability may favor higher levels of general self-efficacy and that higher levels of self-esteem may induce higher levels of life satisfaction. Implications for practice are discussed.
Chronic Ongoing Stressors and C-Reactive Protein: A Within-Person Study
Authors: Das Aniruddha
Published: July 2019

Objectives: Literature suggests C-reactive protein (CRP)—as a marker of low-grade systemic inflammation—may mediate the linkage between chronic stressors and cardiometabolic conditions. Previous population-based reports are based on weak methodologies and may have yielded incorrect inferences. The current study examined linkages of within-person CRP variation with corresponding variation in stressor burdens. Method: Data were from the 2006, 2010, and 2014 waves of the U.S. Health and Retirement Study. Analysis was through unit fixed effects and first-difference estimators. Both gender-combined and gender-specific models were run. Results: In none of the analyses was CRP positively associated with chronic stressors. This was true among both genders, and in models of linear as well as nonlinear change. Results held in a series of separate robustness checks. Discussion: CRP may not mediate the social etiology of degenerative diseases. Population representative evidence of inflammation’s role in these processes remains absent.
What the Future Holds and When: A Description–Experience Gap in Intertemporal Choice
Authors: Dai Junyi , Pachur Thorsten , Pleskac Timothy J. , Hertwig Ralph
Published: July 2019

Uncertainty about the waiting time before obtaining an outcome is integral to intertemporal choice. Here, we showed that people express different time preferences depending on how they learn about this temporal uncertainty. In two studies, people chose between pairs of options: one with a single, sure delay and the other involving multiple, probabilistic delays (a lottery). The probability of each delay occurring either was explicitly described ( timing risk) or could be learned through experiential sampling ( timing uncertainty; the delay itself was not experienced). When the shorter delay was rare, people preferred the lottery more often when it was described than when it was experienced. When the longer delay was rare, this pattern was reversed. Modeling analyses suggested that underexperiencing rare delays and different patterns of probability weighting contribute to this description–experience gap. Our results challenge traditional models of intertemporal choice with temporal uncertainty as well as the generality of inverse-S-shaped probability weighting in such choice.
Remaining useful life prediction for the electro-hydraulic actuator based on improved relevance vector machine
Authors: Guo Runxia , Liu Zhenghua , Wang Jiaqi
Published: July 2019

The electro-hydraulic actuator plays a significant role in the automatic flight control system, which is critical to the flight security, so it is vital to monitor the state of health and predict the remaining useful life for the electro-hydraulic actuator. Relevance vector machine is flourishing in the field of remaining useful life prediction and gradually applied to the prediction of complex systems or components. However, the general relevance vector machine cannot achieve on-line prediction efficiently due to its high computational complexity, besides, the sparse relevance vector machine model which is only based on historical data set could cause a great prediction error in the long term. To deal with these plights, an optimized incremental learning and on-line training algorithm based on the relevance vector machine is presented taking full advantage of the on-line updating samples to improve the precision of prediction, and in order to remedy the problem of computational complexity and improve the computational efficiency, the “sample entropy” is introduced as an effective signature of the electro-hydraulic actuator’s health to effectively reduce the size of training samples. The effectiveness of the proposed on-line training approach is evaluated through an experiment of an electro-hydraulic actuator, and the results show a satisfactory prediction accuracy as well as an improvement in the computational efficiency for remaining useful life prediction.
Tannic acid exhibits anti-inflammatory effects on formalin-induced paw edema model of inflammation in rats
Authors: Soyocak A , Kurt H , Cosan D Turgut , Saydam F , Calis IU , Kolac UK , Koroglu Z Ozdemir , Degirmenci I , Mutlu F Sahin , Gunes HV
Published: July 2019

The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between anti-inflammatory effects of the natural polyphenolic compound tannic acid (CAS number: 1401-55-4) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) enzyme activity in paw edema model. Thirty-five female rats were divided into five groups. The paws of rats were injected subcutaneously in the plantar surface with formalin except for the control group. Indomethacin and tannic acid were intraperitoneally administered 1 h after formalin injection. The paws volume was measured by using vernier caliper. MPO enzyme activity was determined using 4-aminoantipyrine–phenol solution as the substrate for MPO-mediated oxidation by H2O2. About 17% and 13% edema inhibition has detected in the indomethacin-applied group, at the measurements run every other hour right after the treatment. An inhibition of 16% was found at the group treated with 25 mg/kg tannic acid. However, in the group treated with 50 mg/kg tannic acid, 15% and 7% of the edema inhibition was observed. Serum and paw tissue MPO activities were decreased in treated groups with indomethacin and tannic acid according to formalin control group. Our study results suggest that tannic acid may contribute to the treatment of inflammation by decreasing MPO enzyme activity, but the molecular mechanism is still not clear.
Construction, visualization and application of neutral zone classifiers
Authors: Jeske Daniel R , Zhang Zhiwei , Smith Steven
Published: July 2019

When the potential for making accurate classifications with a statistical classifier is limited, a neutral zone classifier can be constructed by adding a no-decision option as a classification outcome. We show how a neutral zone classifier can be constructed from a receiving operating characteristic (ROC) curve. We extend the ROC curve graphic to highlight important performance characteristics of a neutral zone classifier. Additional utility of neutral zone classifiers is illustrated by showing how they can be incorporated into the first stage of a two-stage classification process. At the first stage, a classification is attempted from easily collected or inexpensive features. If the classification falls into the neutral zone, additional relatively more expensive features can be obtained and used to make a definitive classification at the second stage. The methods discussed in the paper are illustrated with an application pertaining to prostate cancer.
Behaviours of healthcare professionals towards difficult patients: A structural equation modelling study
Authors: Cerit Kamuran , Karataş Tuğba , Ekici Dilek
Published: July 2019

Background:

Some patients are stigmatised as difficult patients by healthcare professionals. This phenomenon has great many negative consequences. The behaviours of healthcare professionals towards difficult patients are important.

Objective:

To explore the behaviours of all healthcare professionals towards difficult patients.

Research Design:

This study was based on a cross-sectional research design using structural equation modelling.

Participants and Research Context:

Two hundred and fifty-four healthcare professionals were involved in the study in Turkey. ‘Participant Information Form’ and the ‘Healthcare Professionals Behaviour Assessment Questionnaire For Difficult Patient’ were used to collect data from participants.

Ethical Consideration:

Ethical approval was obtained from Gazi University Ethics Committee for the study. Informed consent of the participants in the study was taken and the confidentiality of the participants was ensured.

Findings:

It was explored that the behaviours of healthcare professionals towards difficult patients were categorised into ethical, supportive and negative. The highest mean score was supportive behaviour and the least mean score was negative. According to structural equation modelling, the most important predictor of difficult encounters was an ethical dimension. One-unit increase in ethical behaviour contributed to 0.92 unit increase in positive patient behaviour.

Discussion:

Patients generally are perceived as ‘difficult patient’ by the healthcare professionals, so the patients’ treatment and care services are affected negatively due to healthcare professionals’ negative beliefs and attitudes. The healthcare professionals should behave supportively towards difficult patients.

Conclusion:

Healthcare professionals should be aware of management strategies in dealing with difficult encounters. The behaviours of healthcare professionals should be improved in a positive way and awareness of ethical dimension of difficult encounters should be increased.
Relationship Between FIIs’ Herding and Returns in the Indian Equity Market: Further Empirical Evidence
Authors: Choudhary Kapil , Singh Parminder , Soni Amit
Published: July 2019

Empirical evidence indicates that foreign institutional investors (FIIs) play a vital role in financial markets, and being the major players, they demonstrate positive feedback trading behaviour and usually follow one another’s actions. In order to examine this phenomenon, the present study endeavoured to unearth the relationship between foreign institutional investments (FIIs) and returns in the Indian stock market, trading volume and volatility. The return of the Nifty50 index has surrogated market returns, while volatility is represented by conditional volatility computed from Nifty50, from January 1999 to May 2017. The vector autoregression (VAR) results indicate a positive association between herding among FIIs and lagged market returns, while information asymmetry has no impact on herding.

On the other hand, previous-day volatility has a significant bearing on the herding measure. Overall, the results portray a significant relationship between herding and stock market returns in India. The results of multivariate regression exhibit that market return was a primary factor for FII herding during the study period under consideration, while trading volume bore no relationship with herding. In case of market volatility, the empirical results are in congruence with the fact that during the period of the volatile market, FIIs prefer to not indulge in herding. Furthermore, the results of three sub-periods, that is, before, during and after the crisis, are similar to the results of the whole study period which indicates that the return is a prime and vital force for herding; on the contrary, market volatility appears to have a negative relationship with herding.
Impact of CEO Overconfidence on Firm Performance: An Evidence from S&P BSE 200
Authors: Mundi Hardeep Singh , Kaur Parmjit
Published: July 2019

The current research article considers the impact of CEO overconfidence on firm performance for S&P BSE 200 firms. The CEO overconfidence is measured using revealed beliefs (holder 67, long holder and net buyer), press coverage and forecasting error proxies of CEO overconfidence. CEO Overconfidence measures are constructed as per the methodology of Malmendier and Tate (2005b, 2008). Firm performance is measured using Tobin’s Q and return on assets. The data are collected from the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) prowess, S&P Capital IQ and the annual reports of the sample firms over a period of 15 years starting from 1 April 2000 to 31 March 2015. Regression results for each of the proxy of CEO overconfidence with the proxies of firm performance indicate that large Indian firms with overconfident CEOs enjoy a higher return on assets and Tobin’s Q as compared to the full sample firms. Overconfident CEOs consider themselves better-than-average, are involved with over-investment and show superior performance for the firm. The overconfident CEOs increase firm performance by following optimal levels of investments in the firm.
The Social Health Insurance Scheme for Public Sector Employees in Sri Lanka and Its Effect on Reducing the Financial Burden of Illness
Authors: Karunaratna Sumudu , Ranasinghe Thushara , Chandraratne Nadeeka , De Silva Amala
Published: July 2019

Agrahara is a mandatory social health insurance scheme providing coverage mostly for inpatient care for the public sector employees in Sri Lanka. For the 20 years of its’ existence there is no clear evidence on its’ effectiveness in reducing the financial burden due to ill health. We conducted a cross-sectional study among public sector employees (n = 500) in one district. Utilizing outpatient care was associated with a higher incidence of catastrophic health expenditure (29.4%) than utilizing inpatient care (7.2%). The poorest income quintile was at higher odds of facing catastrophic health expenditure than the richest. The social health insurance scheme with its lower utilization rate (38%) had only been able to protect 25% of households from catastrophe. Thus, alternative options to reduce out-of-pocket expenditure of outpatient care are needed. To improve the utilization rates of the social health insurance scheme, a wider benefit package, a cost-efficient delivery of government inpatient care, and improving awareness of the social health insurance policy are suggested.
Analysis and optimal design of a vibration isolation system combined with electromagnetic energy harvester
Authors: Diala Uchenna , Mofidian SM Mahdi , Lang Zi-Qiang , Bardaweel Hamzeh
Published: July 2019

This work investigates a vibration isolation energy harvesting system and studies its design to achieve an optimal performance. The system uses a combination of elastic and magnetic components to facilitate its dual functionality. A prototype of the vibration isolation energy harvesting device is fabricated and examined experimentally. A mathematical model is developed using first principle and analyzed using the output frequency response function method. Results from model analysis show an excellent agreement with experiment. Since any vibration isolation energy harvesting system is required to perform two functions simultaneously, optimization of the system is carried out to maximize energy conversion efficiency without jeopardizing the system’s vibration isolation performance. To the knowledge of the authors, this work is the first effort to tackle the issue of simultaneous vibration isolation energy harvesting using an analytical approach. Explicit analytical relationships describing the vibration isolation energy harvesting system transmissibility and energy conversion efficiency are developed. Results exhibit a maximum attainable energy conversion efficiency in the order of 1%. Results suggest that for low acceleration levels, lower damping values are favorable and yield higher conversion efficiencies and improved vibration isolation characteristics. At higher acceleration, there is a trade-off where lower damping values worsen vibration isolation but yield higher conversion efficiencies.
Tidying Up Your Early Childhood Repertoire List
Authors: Koops Lisa Huisman
Published: July 2019

Using the popular book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo, I propose several steps an early childhood music teacher can undertake in “tidying up” one’s repertoire list. These include considering the criteria for selection, determining the number of selections necessary for one’s main collection, checking one’s current repertoire list against the criteria, and looking for selections to cull, adding new selections, and considering how to store or display the repertoire. Throughout I provide examples from my own setting in the hopes that readers will transfer the ideas to their settings.
Stigma, Anxiety, and Depression Among Gay and Bisexual Men in Mixed-Orientation Marriages
Authors: Hopwood Max , Cama Elena , de Wit John , Treloar Carla
Published: July 2019

The mental health of gay and bisexual men in mixed-orientation marriages is poorly understood. In this article, the authors explore the development of anxiety and depression among gay and bisexual men in heterosexual marriages. Sixteen men, living in the Australian states of New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, and Tasmania were interviewed throughout 2016 and 2017. An analysis of interviews identified four main themes, namely, compulsory heterosexuality, existential distress, compartmentalization, and integration and resolution. Participants reported experiencing anxiety and depression, which were exacerbated by the stigmatization of same-sex attraction and by an overwhelming distress from feelings of shame and guilt regarding their marital infidelity. Findings indicate that gay and bisexual men in mixed-orientation marriages develop anxiety and depression in response to the exigencies of compulsory heterosexuality and the compartmentalizing of same-sex attraction and identity during heterosexual marriage. Coming-out as same-sex attracted resolved men’s distress by facilitating an integrative self-structure.
Palliative Care Consultation Is Underutilized in Critically Ill General Surgery Patients
Authors: Evans Brooke A. , Turner Megan C. , Gloria Jared N. , Pickett Lisa C. , Galanos Anthony N.
Published: July 2019

Background:

American College of Surgeons recommends palliative care and surgeons collaborate on the care of patients with poor prognoses. These collaborations are done to discuss symptom management and goals of care. However, contemporary practice patterns of palliative care consultation for surgical patients are poorly defined. We aim to describe the use of palliative care consultation for patients admitted to our institution’s surgical services who died during their index hospital admission.

Methods:

The Duke Enterprise Data Unified Content Explorer 2014 to 2016 was queried for patients admitted to general surgery services who died during their admission. Secondary measures included length of stay, time spent in consultation, days from consultation to death, and execution of a care plan.

Results:

Of the 105 patients identified, 6 died on the day of admission, and 39 (37%) received palliative care consultation. Our data showed that patients who received consultation were generally older, white, and insured. Median number of days between palliative consult and death was 3 days (interquartile range: 1-8). Goals-of-care conversations were the indication for consultation in 62.5% of patients. The proposed plan by the consultants was congruent with the primary team in 66.7% of cases.

Conclusions:

Palliative care consultations were underutilized in surgical patients who died while admitted to the general surgical service at our institution. When palliative care is consulted, the plan of the primary surgical team and the palliative team align. Identification of barriers to consultation and promotion of the benefits of palliative care among surgical teams is warranted.
Loratadine for Paclitaxel-Induced Myalgias and Arthralgias
Authors: Smith Caleb , Hendrickson Andrea Wahner , Grudem Megan , Klampe Carolyn , Deering Erin , Jatoi Aminah
Published: July 2019

Background:

Seventy percentage of patients who receive paclitaxel have diffuse, refractory myalgias, and arthralgias. Based on anecdotal reports, this study explored whether loratadine, an antihistamine, palliates these symptoms.

Methods:

The medical records of postoperative ovarian and patients with endometrial cancer were studied, as these patients are routinely prescribed paclitaxel. Records were screened for patients who received paclitaxel and loratadine concurrently.

Results:

Forty patients are the focus of this report. Eight had paclitaxel-induced myalgias and arthralgias and then took loratadine; of these, 6 (75%; 95% confidence interval: 35%, 97%) manifested evidence of symptom improvement: “She did experience some migrating generalized body aches and pains…but this has resolved.” Of those already receiving loratadine but with no myalgias and arthralgias, only 11 of 32, or 34% (95% confidence interval: 19%, 53%), developed myalgias and arthralgias (in contrast to the previously reported symptom rate of 70%). No adverse events were clearly attributed to loratadine.

Conclusion:

These preliminary data support further study of loratadine for paclitaxel-induced myalgias and arthralgias.
American Cleft-Palate Craniofacial Association Annual Meeting: International Medical Graduate’s Perspective as a First-Time Attendee
Authors: Abu-Ghname Amjed , Maricevich Renata S.
Published: July 2019

In the United States, plastic surgery continues to be one of the most competitive fields to match into for medical graduates. However, the process is even more difficult for international medical graduates (IMGs) mostly due to their unknown academic backgrounds and unfamiliarity with US health-care system. While many IMGs pursue of research to publish articles in peer-reviewed journals and obtain letters of recommendations as a means to prove one’s potential, networking with well-known plastic surgeons in US plastic surgery programs via national meetings is of utmost importance. These conferences provide the perfect opportunity to learn about the multidisciplinary US health-care system, expand one’s network of mentors and colleagues, and demonstrate one’s research experience. This article describes my experience as a first-time attendee in the American Cleft-Palate Craniofacial Association 76th Annual Meeting, with the aim to encourage other IMGs interested in applying to plastic surgery residency programs to actively pursue and attend national plastic surgery society meetings.
Correlates of Bullying Victimization and Sexual Harassment: Implications for Life Satisfaction in Late Adolescents
Authors: Oriol Xavier , Miranda Rafael , Amutio Alberto
Published: July 2019

Bullying and sexual harassment are considered widespread public health concerns because they may have negative effects on physical and mental health. However, more studies are necessary that relate these forms of victimization and their overlap with subjective well-being. This study explores the prevalence and association between different forms of bullying victimization, sexual harassment, and life satisfaction using a sample of 47,114 students aged 16–18 years and from 646 Peruvian educational institutions. Face-to-face bullying was the most reported type of victimization, followed by cyberbullying. There was a large degree of overlap between these two forms of bullying as well as between traditional bullying and sexual harassment. This overlap causes a decrease in life satisfaction in late adolescents. Thus, the need of preventing the negative dynamics of violence in order to prevent the overlapping of different violence forms in adolescence is discussed. Finally, implications for school nurses are outlined.
Modified Folfox6 as Adjuvant Chemotherapy in Vietnamese Patients With Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Nguyen T. Quang , Bui T. Oanh , Tran P. Thao , Tran V. Thuan , Nguyen V. Hieu , Chu Q. Hoan , Bui T. A. Tuyet , Le N. Quynh , Le V. Quang , Dao V. Tu
Published: July 2019

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer and the second leading cause of death from cancer worldwide. In Vietnam, the disease is the fifth leading cancer (8.9%), with 14 733 new cases in 2018. In recent years, the mFolfox6 regimen has been indicated commonly as the adjuvant chemotherapy after curative resection for patients with colorectal cancer. However, the efficacy of the regimen in Vietnamese patients has not been assessed and reported. In this retrospective study, we reviewed medical records of 83 patients with stage II or stage III colorectal cancer who received mFOLFOX6 regimen in order to investigate simultaneously survival and safety of this chemotherapy regimen. Three-year overall and disease-free survival were 84.3% and 79.5%, respectively. Our data revealed that postoperative Carcinoma Embryonic Antigen (CEA) level was a significant prognostic factor for survival, with hazard ratio of 3.83 and 3.67, respectively ( P < .05), for overall survival and disease-free survival in the elevated CEA level group when compared to the normal CEA level group. The regimen also demonstrated to be well tolerated and can be used in routine practice as an adjuvant chemotherapy.
Smart Growth at the Ballot Box: Understanding Voting on Affordable Housing and Land Management Referendums
Authors: Pearson-Merkowitz Shanna , Lang Corey
Published: July 2019

This study investigates voter decision-making on two smart-growth components: land preservation and affordable housing. We seek to understand how voters make concurrent decisions about unpaired smart-growth components at the ballot box. Previous studies of smart growth, affordable housing, and environmental preservation have focused primarily on describing the attitudes and traits of voters on these policies, utilize aggregate voting outcomes, or are case studies of single towns in which there is a fairly homogenous group of residents either supporting or opposing the policy. We draw on a unique data set to investigate the different covariates of attitudes for environmental preservation and affordable housing: an exit poll of voters in the 2016 Rhode Island General Election on bond referendums for environmental preservation and affordable housing. We find that the coalition for smart growth that includes both land preservation and affordable housing is undermined by views of minorities and the poor as undeserving.