bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
On measuring the quality of hospitals
Authors: Cheng Choon , Scott Anthony , Sundararajan Vijaya , Yong Jongsay 
Published: October 2018

PurposeResearchers, policymakers and hospital managers often encounter numerous quality measures when assessing hospital quality. The purpose of this paper is to address the challenge of summarising, interpreting and comparing multiple quality measures across different quality dimensions by proposing a simple method of constructing a composite quality index. The method is applied to hospital administrative data to demonstrate its use in analysing hospital performance.Design/methodology/approachLogistic and fixed effects regression analyses are applied to secondary admitted patient data from all hospitals in the state of Victoria, Australia for the period 2000/2001–2011/2012.FindingsThe derived composite quality index was used to rank hospital performance and to assess changes in state-wide average hospital quality over time. Further regression analyses found private hospitals, day hospitals and non-acute hospitals were associated with higher composite quality, while small hospitals were associated with lower quality.Practical implicationsThe method will enable policymakers and hospital managers to better monitor the performance of hospitals. It allows quality to be related to other attributes of hospitals such as size and volume, and enables policymakers and managers to focus on hospitals with relevant characteristics such that quantity and quality changes can be better understood, monitored and acted upon.Originality/valueA simple method of constructing a composite quality is an indispensable practical tool in tracking the quality of hospitals when numerous measures are used to capture different aspects of quality. The derived composite quality can be used to summarise hospital performance and to identify factors associated with quality via regression analyses.
An empirical study on the factors influencing mobile library usage in IoT era
Authors: Wang Xiwei , Li Jiaxing , Yang Mengqing , Chen Yong , Xu Xiaobo 
Published: October 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to construct an information ecology factor-TAM model to explore how information, people, and information environment impact mobile library users’ behavioral intention.

Design/methodology/approach
An empirical study based on an information ecology factor-TAM model.

Findings
The results of model test indicate that information, people, and information environment affect users’ behavioral intention to use mobile library in the information ecology environment. This paper provides a new theoretical perspective to understand users’ behavior of mobile library. It also provides practical guidelines to promote the usage of mobile library.

Originality/value
Internet of Things makes digital library one important channel for people to obtain information. Mobile internet makes it possible to access a variety of information anytime and anywhere. With the rapid grow of the number of mobile internet users, the usage of mobile library does not grow correspondingly. This paper explores the reasons.
Measuring ease of doing business in India’s sub-national economies: a novel index
Authors: Tan Khee Giap , Gopalan Sasidaran , Nguyen Will 
Published: October 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to contribute to the literature by introducing a novel index that measures ease of doing business (EDB) at the sub-national level. The authors provide a comprehensive assessment of bothde jureandde factobusiness conditions in 21 sub-national economies of India, with the help of a holistic framework that encompasses indicators capturing Attractiveness to Investors, Business Friendliness and Competitive Policies (ABC), the three broad environments that constitute the EDB–ABC index.Design/methodology/approachThe authors’ index EDB–ABC index is constructed using 81 indicators. The index values reported are standardized scores and the framework is applied to 21 Indian sub-national economies. The bottom-up approach takes into account the various operational issues that firms face at the ground level, with the emphasis being onde factoissues. A unique feature of the index is its emphasis on collecting extensive survey data at the sub-national level, given that several constraints that businesses face lie under the purview of the sub-national governments. It also combines publicly available macroeconomic data through formal statistical publications.FindingsThe findings suggest a positive association between the proposed EDB–ABC index and competitiveness of as well as investments into Indian sub-national economies. In terms of explanatory power, the authors find that indicators capturing attractiveness to investors and business friendliness which are representative ofde factoimplementation issues at the sub-national matter more thande jurecompetitive policies. It is also striking that the results are in stark contrast to the existing doing business studies highlighting the importance of the comprehensiveness of the index.Originality/valueEasing the impediments to doing business is a pre-requisite to enhance both domestic as well as foreign investments. Existing indicators on doing business provide an incomplete picture about the prevailing business conditions as the basis for such rankings arede jureregulations and notde facto. The authors depart from this tradition by dealing with bothde jureandde factobusiness conditions using a combination of primary and secondary data at the sub-national level in India.
Urbanization‐driven changes in web building and body size in an orb web spider
Authors: Dahirel Maxime , De Cock Maarten , Vantieghem Pieter , Bonte Dries 
Published: October 2018

Abstract

In animals, behavioural responses may play an important role in determining population persistence in the face of environmental changes. Body size is a key trait central to many life‐history traits and behaviours. Correlations with body size may constrain behavioural variation in response to environmental changes, especially when size itself is influenced by environmental conditions.

Urbanization is an important human‐induced rapid environmental change that imposes multiple selection pressures on both body size and (size‐constrained) behaviour. How these combine to shape behavioural responses of urban‐dwelling species is unclear.

Using web building, an easily quantifiable behaviour linked to body size and the garden spider Araneus diadematus as a model, we evaluated direct behavioural responses to urbanization and body size constraints across a network of 63 selected populations differing in urbanization intensity. We additionally studied urbanization at two spatial scales to account for some environmental pressures varying across scales and to obtain first qualitative insights about the role of plasticity and genetic selection.

Spiders were smaller in highly urbanized sites (local scale only), in line with expectations based on reduced prey biomass availability and the Urban Heat Island effect. Web surface and mesh width decreased with urbanization at the local scale, while web surface also increased with urbanization at the landscape scale. The latter two responses are expected to compensate, at least in part, for reduced prey biomass availability in cities. The use of multivariate mixed modelling reveals that although web traits and body size are correlated within populations, behavioural responses to urbanization do not appear to be constrained by size: there is no evidence of size–web correlations among populations or among landscapes, and web traits appear independent from each other.

Our results demonstrate that responses in size‐dependent behaviours may be decoupled from size changes, thereby allowing fitness maximization in novel environments. The spatial scale at which traits respond suggests contributions of both genetic adaptation (for web investment) and plasticity (for mesh width). Although fecundity decreased with local‐scale urbanization, A. diadematus abundances were similar across urbanization gradients; behavioural responses thus appear overall successful at the population level.
The association between complement factor H rs1061170 polymorphism and age‐related macular degeneration: a comprehensive meta‐analysis stratified by stage of disease and ethnicity
Authors: Maugeri Andrea , Barchitta Martina , Agodi Antonella 
Published: October 2018

AbstractPurposeThe strength of association between complement factor H (CFH) rs1061170 polymorphism and age‐related macular degeneration (AMD) differs between AMD subtypes and ethnicities. The main aim was to provide a systematic review and an updated meta‐analysis stratified by stage of disease and ethnicity.MethodsA literature search in the PubMed‐Medline, EMBASE and Web of Science databases was conducted to identify epidemiological studies, published before September 2017, that included at least twp comparison groups (a control group with no signs of AMD and a case group of AMD patients). Genotype distribution, phenotype of the cases, ethnicity, mean age and gender ratio were collected. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95%CIs were estimated under the allelic, homozygous and heterozygous models. Sensitivity and subgroup analyses, by AMD subtype and ethnicity, were performed.ResultsThe meta‐analysis included data of 27 418 AMD patients and 32 843 controls from 76 studies. In Caucasians, the rs1061170 showed a significant association with early AMD (OR: 1.44; 95%CI 1.27–1.63), dry AMD (OR: 2.90; 95%CI 1.89–4.47) and wet AMD (OR: 2.46; 95%CI 2.15–2.83), under an allelic model. In Asians, the rs1061170 showed a significant association with advanced AMD (OR: 2.09; 95%CI 1.67–2.60), especially wet AMD (OR: 2.24; 95%CI 1.81–2.77).ConclusionOur work provides a more comprehensive meta‐analysis of studies investigating the effect of the CFH rs1061170 polymorphism on AMD risk. These findings not only improve the assessment of disease risk associated with the polymorphism, but also constitute a scientific background to be translated into clinical practice for AMD prevention.
Evaluation of tear meniscus by optical coherence tomography after different sodium hyaluronate eyedrops instillation
Authors: Carracedo Gonzalo , Pastrana Cristina , Serramito Maria , Rodriguez‐Pomar Candela 
Published: October 2018

AbstractPurposeTo evaluate changes in tear meniscus dynamics using optical coherence tomography (OCT) after the instillation of different concentrations of sodium hyaluronate (SH) ophthalmic solutions.MethodsAn experimental, double‐masked, randomized study was performed. Twenty‐three healthy subjects (16 women and seven men; mean age 23.57 ± 2.56 years) participated in this study. About 35 μl of 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3% SH ophthalmic solutions and saline solution was instilled in a randomly assigned eye. Tear meniscus measurements (height, depth and turbidity) were taken with OCT at 30 seconds and 1, 3, 5, 10 and 20 min after instillation. Subsequently, the Schirmer test and tear break‐up time (TBUT) were evaluated.ResultsTear meniscus depth and tear meniscus height showed a significant increase with all solutions compared to basal values: up to 3 min for 0.1% SH, up to 5 min for 0.2% and up to 10 min for 0.3% SH ophthalmic solution. Tear meniscus turbidity was also increased at 30 seconds for 0.1%, 0.2% and 0.3% SH artificial tears (p < 0.05). This increase remained significant for up to 1 min for 0.2% and 0.3% SH solutions (p < 0.05). After 5 min of saline and 0.1% SH instillation, the turbidity was lower than basal values (p < 0.05). There was a significant increase in the TBUT for all solutions after instillation (p < 0.05). No differences between the Schirmer pre‐ and postinstillation were found (p > 0.05). Finally, the comfort was significantly improved for all ophthalmic solutions (p < 0.05).ConclusionSodium hyaluronate (SH) ophthalmic solutions increase residence time in healthy subjects and are positively correlated with its concentration and therefore the viscosity.
Psychological autopsy review on mental health crises and suicide among youth in Pakistan
Authors: Abdullah Mudassar , Khalily Muhammad Tahir , Ahmad Irshad , Hallahan Brian 
Published: October 2018

AbstractIntroductionAscertaining putative sociodemographic and clinical causes for death by probable suicide can potentially help implement region‐specific strategies to reduce suicide rates. In this study, we wanted to investigate methods utilized and the psychosocial and mental health characteristics of youths (aged 12‐26 y) who died by probable suicide.MethodWe examined data from mental health clinical files and forensic reports and performed qualitative psychological autopsy interview from more than multiple sources for each youth who died by probable suicide between 1 May and 31 December 2015 in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province of Pakistan.ResultsThe two most common methods of probable suicide were by firearm use and self‐poisoning utilizing pesticides that were significantly associated with male and female gender, respectively. The most common mental health difficulties were major depressive disorder and harmful use of psychoactive substances. Other clinical features particularly evident included thoughts of self‐harm, irritability and aggression, low self‐esteem, treatment nonadherence, family dispute, and financial distress.ConclusionEfforts to reduce the ease of access to firearms and pesticides may potentially have a beneficial effect in reducing the suicide rate in this region of Pakistan.
First‐time‐in‐human randomized clinical trial in healthy volunteers and haemodialysis patients with SNF472, a novel inhibitor of vascular calcification
Authors: Perelló J. , Joubert P.H. , Ferrer M.D. , Canals A.Z. , Sinha S. , Salcedo C. 
Published: October 2018

AimsSNF472 is a calcification inhibitor being developed for the treatment of cardiovascular calcification in haemodialysis (HD) and in calciphylaxis patients. This study investigated the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics (PK) of intravenous (IV) SNF472 in healthy volunteers (HV) and HD patients.MethodsThis is a first‐time‐in‐human, double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled Phase I study to assess the safety, tolerability and PK of SNF472 after ascending single IV doses in HV and a single IV dose in HD patients. A pharmacodynamic analysis was performed to assess the capability of IV SNF472 to inhibit hydroxyapatite formation.ResultsTwenty HV and eight HD patients were enrolled. The starting dose in HV was 0.5 mg kg–1 and the dose ascended to 12.5 mg kg–1. The dose selected for HD patients was 9 mg kg–1. Safety analyses support the safety and tolerability of IV SNF472 in HD patients and HV. Most treatment‐emergent adverse events were mild in intensity. No clinically significant effects were observed on vital signs or laboratory tests. PK results were similar in HD patients and HV and indicate a lack of significant dialysability. Pharmacodynamic analyses demonstrated that SNF472 administration reduced hydroxyapatite crystallization potential in HD patients who received IV SNF472 9 mg kg–1 by 80.0 ± 2.4% (mean ± standard error of the mean, 95% CI, 75.3–84.8) compared to placebo (8.7 ± 21.0%, P < 0.001, 95% CI, –32.4 to 49.7).ConclusionThe results from this study showed acceptable safety and tolerability, and lack of significant dialysability of IV SNF472. It is a potential novel treatment for cardiovascular calcification in end‐stage renal disease and calciphylaxis warranting further human studies.
Using the Value of Information to improve conservation decision making
Authors: Bolam Friederike C. , Grainger Matthew J. , Mengersen Kerrie L. , Stewart Gavin B. , Sutherland William J. , Runge Michael C. , McGowan Philip J. K. 
Published: October 2018

ABSTRACTConservation decisions are challenging, not only because they often involve difficult conflicts among outcomes that people value, but because our understanding of the natural world and our effects on it is fraught with uncertainty. Value of Information (VoI) methods provide an approach for understanding and managing uncertainty from the standpoint of the decision maker. These methods are commonly used in other fields (e.g. economics, public health) and are increasingly used in biodiversity conservation. This decision‐analytical approach can identify the best management alternative to select where the effectiveness of interventions is uncertain, and can help to decide when to act and when to delay action until after further research. We review the use of VoI in the environmental domain, reflect on the need for greater uptake of VoI, particularly for strategic conservation planning, and suggest promising areas for new research. We also suggest common reporting standards as a means of increasing the leverage of this powerful tool.The environmental science, ecology and biodiversity categories of theWeb of Knowledgewere searched using the terms ‘Value of Information,’ ‘Expected Value of Perfect Information,’ and the abbreviation ‘EVPI.’Google Scholarwas searched with the same terms, and additionally the terms decision and biology, biodiversity conservation, fish, or ecology. We identified 1225 papers from these searches. Included studies were limited to those that showed an application of VoI in biodiversity conservation rather than simply describing the method. All examples of use of VOI were summarised regarding the application of VoI, the management objectives, the uncertainties, the models used, how the objectives were measured, and the type of VoI.While the use of VoI appears to be on the increase in biodiversity conservation, the reporting of results is highly variable, which can make it difficult to understand the decision context and which uncertainties were considered. Moreover, it was unclear if, and how, the papers informed management and policy interventions, which is why we suggest a range of reporting standards that would aid the use of VoI.The use of VoI in conservation settings is at an early stage. There are opportunities for broader applications, not only for species‐focussed management problems, but also for setting local or global research priorities for biodiversity conservation, making funding decisions, or designing or improving protected area networks and management. The long‐term benefits of applying VoI methods to biodiversity conservation include a more structured and decision‐focused allocation of resources to research.
Effect of selenium supplementation on changes in HbA1c: Results from a multiple‐dose, randomized controlled trial
Authors: Stranges Saverio , Rayman Margaret P. , Winther Kristian H. , Guallar Eliseo , Cold Søren , Pastor‐Barriuso Roberto 
Published: October 2018

AimTo investigate the effect of selenium supplementation at different dose levels on changes in HbA1c after 6 months and 2 years in a population of low selenium status.Materials and MethodsThe Denmark PRECISE study was a single‐centre, randomized, double‐blinded, placebo‐controlled, multi‐arm, parallel clinical trial with four groups. In total, 491 volunteers aged 60 to 74 years were randomly assigned to treatment with 100, 200 or 300 μg selenium/day as selenium‐enriched yeast or placebo‐yeast. HbA1c measurements were available for 489 participants at baseline, 435 at 6 months, and 369 after 2 years of selenium supplementation. Analyses were performed by intention to treat.ResultsThe mean (SD) age, plasma‐selenium concentration, and blood HbA1c at baseline were 66.1 (4.1) years, 86.5 (16.3) ng/g and 36.6 (7.0) mmol/mol, respectively. During the initial 6‐month intervention period, mean HbA1c (95% CI) decreased by 1.5 (−2.8 to −0.2) mmol/mol for 100 μg/d of selenium supplementation and by 0.7 (−2.0 to 0.6) mmol/mol for the 200 and 300 μg/d groups compared with placebo (P= 0.16 for homogeneity of changes across the four groups). After 2 years of selenium supplementation, HbA1c had decreased significantly in all treatment groups, with no difference between active treatment and placebo.ConclusionsSelenium supplementation in an elderly European population of low selenium status did not significantly affect HbA1c levels after 2 years. Our findings corroborate a possible U‐shaped response of selenium supplementation on glucose metabolism.
Shiller's CAPE: Market Efficiency and Risk
Authors: Dimitrov Valentin , Jain Prem C. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractRobert Shiller shows that Cyclically Adjusted Price to Earnings Ratio (CAPE) is strongly associated with future long‐term stock returns. This is often interpreted as evidence of market inefficiency. We present two findings contrary to such an interpretation. First, if markets are efficient, stock returns should be higher than the risk‐free rate. We find that even when CAPE is in its ninth decile, future 10‐year stock returns, on average, are higher than future returns on 10‐year U.S. Treasurys. Thus, the results are largely consistent with market efficiency. Second, consistent with a risk–return tradeoff, we find that CAPE is negatively associated with future stock market volatility.
Endoplasmic reticulum stress‐induced accumulation of VAMP721/722 requires CALRETICULIN 1 and CALRETICULIN 2 in Arabidopsis
Authors: Kim Soohong , Choi Yunjin , Kwon Chian , Yun Hye Sup 
Published: October 2018

SummaryExcessive demand for translation and protein folding in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) can cause ER stress in plants. Here, we show that CALRETICULIN 1 (CRT1) and CRT2 are critical components in the accumulation of VESICLE‐ASSOCIATED MEMBRANE PROTEIN 721 (VAMP721) and VAMP722 during ER stress responses. We show that CRT2 interacts with VAMP722 and that CRT1/2 post‐translationally maintain elevated VAMP721/722 levels under ER stress. The greater growth inhibition in VAMP721/722‐deficient plants, induced by tunicamycin, suggests that plants under ER stress maintain physiological homeostasis, at least in part, by regulating VAMP721/722 levels, as VAMP721/722 are known to participate in various biological processes.