bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
HRM roles in cross culture training provision: insights from Israeli companies
Authors: Perlstein Michal , Ciuk Sylwia 
Published: August 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to contribute to cross culture training (CCT) literature by exploring the HR managers roles in CCT provision and the reasons affecting the given role enactment.Design/methodology/approachThis exploratory study is based on in-depth interviews with 15 Israeli HR managers in charge of the provision of CCT in their respective companies and five interviews with CCT professionals who provide CCT training for a wide range of companies operating in Israel.FindingsThe study highlights the significant impact of HR managers’ awareness and perceptions of CCT on its provision and discusses a related self-perpetuating cycle of current practice reinforcement that limits the likelihood of practice improvement.Research limitations/implicationsThe limitations of the exploratory design of the study call for further research on HR roles in CCT provision.Practical implicationsThe findings suggest that HR managers partly design and implement practice according to what they believe are unmet expatriate needs and what they perceive as effective HR tools. The authors discuss the practical value of raising their awareness not only of CCT designs and methodologies, but also of the complexities of expatriate adjustment and the opportunities offered by rigorous evaluation of current practice.Originality/valueThe study departs from the dominant focus in the literature on the content and methodologies of CCT and instead explores the neglected role of HR managers in CCT provision.
Introducing insoluble wheat bran as a gut microbiota niche in an in vitro dynamic gut model stimulates propionate and butyrate production and induces colon region specific shifts in the luminal and mucosal microbial community
Authors: De Paepe Kim , Verspreet Joran , Verbeke Kristin , Raes Jeroen , Courtin Christophe M. , Van de Wiele Tom 
Published: August 2018

SummaryThe spatial organization of gut microorganisms is important with respect to their functional role in the gut ecosystem. Regional differences in the longitudinal and lateral direction are, however, not frequently studied, given the difficulty to sample these human gut regions in vivo. Particularly the insoluble food particle‐associated microbiota is poorly studied. Therefore, the long‐term effects of insoluble wheat bran supplementation on the composition and functionality of the gut microbial community derived from six individuals were explored in the Dietary Particle‐Mucosal‐Simulator of the Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem in vitro model. Wheat bran stimulated propionate and butyrate production and induced shifts in the luminal and mucosal microbial community composition. The insoluble wheat bran residue and the mucus layer were identified as crucial platforms in sustaining diversity by selectively enriching species, which are not thriving in the luminal environment, including Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium and Dialister species, Roseburia faecis, Prevotella copri and Bacteroides ovatus. Despite the evident habitat preference, some parallels could be drawn between the enrichment of taxa on bran platforms and their stimulation in the luminal and mucosal communities. Removing wheat bran during the wash‐out period reversed the functional effects and gave rise to a blooming of some taxa that are considered opportunistic pathogens.
Modified Sequential Organ Failure Assessment sepsis score in an emergency department setting: Retrospective assessment of prognostic value
Authors: Raymond Nigel J , Nguyen Mai , Allmark Sandra , Woods Lisa , Peckler Brad 
Published: August 2018

AbstractObjectiveUse of the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score has been proposed by the Third International Consensus Definitions for Sepsis and Septic Shock. The utility in the ED is not yet well established. We retrospectively studied the application of a modified SOFA (mSOFA) score, to assess its ability to predict mortality.MethodsAt our urban tertiary teaching hospital staff recorded patients with probable sepsis in the ED Information System (EDIS). Data was analysed for the year of July 2015 to June 2016. For a sample of the suspected sepsis patients, ED and inpatient clinical records were manually reviewed to ascribe an mSOFA score and assess its performance in predicting mortality, with a primary outcome of death by 30 days.ResultsThere were 474 patients recorded over the 1 year with probable sepsis, of whom 228 were manually reviewed. The mSOFA was a significant predictor of mortality at all the time points tested. The 30 day mortality was 22/88 (25%) for those with a positive mSOFA score and 3 out of 140 (2.1%) of those with a negative mSOFA score (OR 15.2, 95% CI [4.4, 52.7]; P < 0.001). This equated to a negative predictive value of 97.9% (95% exact CI 93.9–99.6%).ConclusionFor ED patients thought likely to have sepsis, the mSOFA score distinguished those with a high or low mortality risk. The high negative predictive value could be practically useful. Prospective study of the mSOFA score used in ED will be needed to validate these observations.
Effectiveness of Influenza Vaccine in Hemodialyzed Patients: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Cohen‐Hagai Keren , Kotliroff Andy , Rozenberg Ilan , Korzets Zeev , Zitman‐Gal Tali , Benchetrit Sydney 
Published: August 2018

AbstractInfection is one of the leading causes of mortality in dialysis patients, second only to cardiovascular disease. This retrospective study assessed the efficacy and clinical outcomes of influenza vaccination among hemodialysis (HD) patients. In the 2014–2015 season, 104 of 164 (63.6%) HD patients were vaccinated for influenza by the outpatient community health system facilities. Significantly more patients, 159 of 170 (93.8%), were vaccinated in 2015–2016 by the hospital dialysis unit staff during an inpatient HD session (P <0.001). A trend toward fewer complications from influenza infection was observed in vaccinated patients. Among HD patients with diabetes (who comprised 56% of the study population), the incidence of influenza was 17% among nonvaccinated patients vs. 6.3% among those who were vaccinated (P =0.026). The inpatient vaccination policy resulted in a greater rate of vaccination. HD patients with diabetes benefit from influenza vaccination, with a significantly lower incidence of influenza infection.
National Early Warning Score vs Rapid Response Team criteria—Prevalence, misclassification, and outcome
Authors: Friman Ola , Bell Max , Djärv Therese , Hvarfner Andreas , Jäderling Gabriella 
Published: August 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of deviating vital parameters in general ward patients using rapid response team (RRT) criteria and National Early Warning Score (NEWS), assess exam duration, correct calculation and classification of risk score as well as mortality and adverse events.MethodsPoint prevalence study of vital parameters according to NEWS and RRT criteria of all adult patients admitted to general wards at a Scandinavian university hospital with a mature RRT. Primary outcome: prevalence of at‐risk patients fulfilling at least one RRT criteria, total NEWS of 7 or greater or a single NEWS parameter of 3 (red NEWS). Secondary outcomes: mortality in‐hospital and within 30 days or adverse events within 24 hours.ResultsWe assessed 598 (75%) of 798 admitted patients and examiners captured a fulfilled RRT calling criterion in 50 patients (8.4%), 36 (6.0%) had NEWS ≥ 7, 34 with a red NEWS parameter. Red NEWS occurred in 112 patients (18.7%). Secondary outcomes were fulfilled in 49 patients (8.2%). Mortality overall was 6.5% within 30 days, 1.8% in hospital. In 134 patients (22.4%) the manual calculation of score for NEWS was incorrectly performed by examiner.ConclusionEven with a mature RRT in place, we captured patients with failing physiology in general wards reflecting afferent limb failure. Manual calculation of NEWS is frequently incorrect, possibly leading to misclassification of patients at risk.
Prenatal nutrition, stimulation, and exposure to punishment are associated with early child motor, cognitive, language, and socioemotional development in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Authors: Pitchik Helen O. , Fawzi Wafaie W. , McCoy Dana Charles , Darling Anne Marie , Abioye Ajibola I. , Tesha Florence , Smith Emily R. , Mugusi Ferdinand , Sudfeld Christopher R. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractBackgroundDespite growing evidence that early life experiences and exposures can impact child development, there is limited research on how prenatal and early life nutrition and early life parenting practices predict specific domains of child development in resource‐limited settings. This study examines the association between prenatal factors, birth outcomes, and early life characteristics with motor, cognitive/language, and socioemotional development in Tanzania.MethodsWe assessed motor, cognitive/language, and socioemotional development among a cohort of 198 children aged 20–39 months in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, whose mothers were previously enrolled in a randomized, placebo‐controlled trial of prenatal vitamin A and zinc supplementation. Linear regression models were used to assess standardized mean differences in child development scores for randomized prenatal regimen and pregnancy, delivery, and early childhood factors.ResultsChildren born to mothers randomized to prenatal vitamin A had significantly lower reported motor scores in minimally adjusted and multivariate analyses, −0.29SD, 95% CI [−0.54, −0.04],p = 0.03, as compared with children whose mothers did not receive vitamin A. There was no significant effect of randomized prenatal zinc on any development domain. Greater caregiver–child stimulation was associated with 0.38SD, 95% CI [0.14, 0.63],p < 0.01, better cognitive/language scores, whereas children who experienced both verbal and physical punishment had 0.29SD, 95% CI [−0.52, −0.05],p = 0.02, lower scores in socioemotional development. Maternal completion of primary school was associated with higher reported motor and cognitive/language development. Further, children of mothers who were <155 cm tall had lower cognitive and language scores.ConclusionPrenatal vitamin A supplements in a setting with low levels of vitamin A deficiency may not provide child development benefits. However, integrated environmental, educational, parenting, and stimulation interventions may have large positive effects across child development domains in resource‐limited settings.
Knowledge and attitudes of recently qualified dentists working in Wales towards antimicrobial prescribing and resistance
Authors: Jones Emily , Cope Anwen 
Published: August 2018

AbstractAimsTo discover newly qualified dentists’ confidence towards prescribing antimicrobials and explore their attitudes concerning the emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).Materials and MethodsThis was a cross‐sectional study; questionnaires exploring attitudes towards issues related to antimicrobial use and resistance were distributed to dentists undergoing Dental Foundation (DF), Dental Core (DC) or Longitudinal Dental Foundation Training in Wales.ResultsA total of 71 of 90 questionnaires were returned, giving a response rate of 78.9%. Most respondents (90.0%) agreed that antimicrobial resistance poses a serious threat to public health in the UK and 78.9% reported that they considered the impact of dental prescribing to the emergence of resistance to be moderate or greater. The greatest influences on prescribing behaviour were the use of guidelines and teaching received as an undergraduate. Although the majority of participants agreed that they had sufficient training in antimicrobial prescribing, some were not confident when issuing a prescription or undertaking operative treatment for patients with acute dental conditions. Many reported that their prescribing behaviours were influenced by additional pressures, such as if operative treatment had to be delayed. The majority (77.5%) agreed that changes should be implemented to optimise dentists’ antimicrobial prescribing practices, such as increasing the availability of clinical guidelines or further teaching at undergraduate level.Discussion and ConclusionsUndergraduate dental curricula should include specific competencies relating to antimicrobial use and factors contributing to the development of antimicrobial resistance.
Multi‐sensor fusion for the determination of several soil properties in the Yangtze River Delta, China
Authors: Xu D. , Zhao R. , Li S. , Chen S. , Jiang Q. , Zhou L. , Shi Z. 
Published: August 2018

SummarySoil organic matter (SOM), total nitrogen (TN), available nitrogen (AN), available phosphorus (AP), available potassium (AK) and pH are key chemical properties for evaluating soil fertility and quality. This study involved the integration of four soil sensors, visible near‐infrared (vis–NIR) spectrometer, mid‐infrared (mid‐IR) spectrometer, portable X‐ray fluorescence (PXRF) analyser and laser‐induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), to achieve rapid measurement of these soil properties. A genetic algorithm and partial least‐squares regression (GA–PLSR) were used to select characteristic bands to reduce data redundancy. We then calibrated models from three aspects: models using partial least‐squares regression (PLSR) based on single sensor data, models using PLSR based on fused sensor data, involving data combined from the four sensors into a new dataset to create a data fusion (DF) model, and models with Bayesian model averaging (BMA) based on prediction results of fused sensor data, involving prediction results combined from the four sensors into a new dataset to form the BMA model. The results showed the following. (i) For the single sensor, the predictive performance decreased as follows: mid‐IR > vis–NIR > LIBS > PXRF. (ii) Compared with the single sensor approach, the DF approach slightly improved or even reduced prediction accuracy and caused a large amount of redundancy. We suggest that this approach is not able to improve predictive ability. (iii) The BMA approach achieved the best prediction for the six soil properties. Our findings suggest that model averaging of vis–NIR, mid‐IR and LIBS could be a reliable and stable approach for the fast measurement of soil properties.Highlights
We used four proximal soil sensors to evaluate six key properties for evaluating soil fertility and quality.
GA–PLSR was used to select characteristic bands.
We compared predictions of six soil properties from single sensor, DF and BMA approaches.
BMA predictions were more accurate than predictions from single and fused sensor data.
A Qualitative Study On Patients With Chronic Migraine With Medication Overuse Headache: Comparing Frequent And Non‐Frequent Relapsers
Authors: Scaratti Chiara , Covelli Venusia , Guastafierro Erika , Leonardi Matilde , Grazzi Licia , Rizzoli Paul B. , D’Amico Domenico , Raggi Alberto 
Published: August 2018

BackgroundIt is common clinical experience that, after structured withdrawal, some patients with chronic migraine and medication overuse headache (CM with MOH) are more prone than others to relapse and to be in need of further structured treatments. Our aim was to explore similarities and differences between frequent relapsers (FRs) and non‐frequent relapsers (NFRs) by considering their point of view, perceptions, and perspective of their subjective experience with relapse into CM with MOH.MethodsPatients were consecutively recruited on occasion of a structured withdrawal treatment and were interviewed individually about their headache experience and their perspectives on relapse into CM with MOH. We considered FR those patients requiring 2 or more structured withdrawals for MOH within 3 years. A narrative approach with no preconceived coding schemes was employed. To facilitate coding, categorization and organization of data the software QRS NVivo 11.0 was used: themes were defined as common to FR and NFR, or peculiar (by frequency or content) to one of the 2 groups.ResultsSixteen patients (13 women; mean age of 53) were interviewed: 7 were classified as FRs. A total of 22 themes emerged from 552 single quotations (the 10 most relevant covered 82% of the entire body of quotations). Four themes were commonly reported by both FR and NFR patients, and 6 were peculiar to one group only. Common aspects included issues connected to the dilemma between disclosing, concealing and the feelings of isolation around MOH, the idea of being addicted to medication, presence of anxiety, and the attempt to use non‐pharmacological therapies as an alternative to medication. Peculiar aspects included causal attribution (FRs attributed headache to uncontrollable factors); future expectations at the time point of withdrawal (FRs were generally resigned); high‐performance functioning (FRs believed they are “forced” to reach high levels of performance as a consequence of others’ inability); coping strategies (FRs tended to “passively accept” problems and showed avoidance‐related behaviors). Moreover, FRs were less frequently aware of their problems and described more frequently depressive symptoms.ConclusionsOur results highlight that some differences between FR and NFR patients with CM and MOH exist. Frequent relapsers among patients with CM and MOH reported some important peculiarities of the lived experience of having chronic migraine; clinicians should recognize these psychosocial aspects such as social relationships, future expectations, the experience of illness, medication management, and how the withdrawal experience is regarded, as they may be associated with frequent relapse into MOH.
‘More people talk to you when you have a dog’ – dogs as catalysts for social inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Bould E. , Bigby C. , Bennett P. C. , Howell T. J. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractBackgroundResearch has shown Australian group homes, and supported living options, fail to support people with intellectual disabilities (IDs) to develop social connections. This pilot study evaluates the effectiveness of a visiting dog walking program to facilitate encounters with other community members.MethodSixteen adults with IDs were assigned to one of two groups, matched on key characteristics. Group 1 had 14, 1‐hour outings in the community with a dog and their handler; Group 2 had 14 outings with a handler alone, followed by an additional five outings with a handler and a dog. Within and between group differences were analysed according to number of encounters when a dog was present and absent. Qualitative data provided insights into the nature of these encounters.ResultsThe number of encounters was significantly higher when a dog was present than when participants went out into the community with a handler alone. This pattern was reflected in the qualitative data, which also suggested the presence of a dog helped to break social norms about speaking to strangers and discourage disrespect towards people with IDs.ConclusionsA dog walking program has the potential to encourage convivial encounters, which in the long term could be catalysts to help people with IDs build social connections in their communities; this should be further explored.
Risk of renal events during tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and entecavir antiviral prophylaxis in HBsAg‐positive cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy
Authors: Lee I‐Cheng , Chao Yee , Li Chung‐Pin , Su Chien‐Wei , Lan Keng‐Hsin , Lin Han‐Chieh , Hou Ming‐Chih , Huang Yi‐Hsiang 
Published: August 2018

SummaryThe risk of renal events in HBsAg‐positive cancer patients receiving tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) or entecavir (ETV) antiviral prophylaxis during chemotherapy has not been evaluated. This study aimed to evaluate the renal safety of TDF and ETV during chemotherapy. Consecutive, 219 HBsAg‐positive cancer patients treated with TDF (n = 106) or ETV (n = 113) for antiviral prophylaxis during chemotherapy with baseline serum creatinine (SCr) <1.2 mg/dL were retrospectively enrolled. Serial SCr levels and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were monitored. The incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) during antiviral prophylaxis was 33% and 38.9% in TDF and ETV groups, respectively (P = 0.441), while the incidence of sustained kidney injury was 11.3% and 11.5%, respectively (P = 1.000). By multivariate analysis, diuretics use (hazard ratio (HR) = 2.011, P = 0.042) and serum albumin levels (HR = 0.441, P = 0.001) were independent predictors of AKI; serum albumin levels (HR = 0.252, P = 0.002) was the only factor associated with sustained kidney injury; age (HR = 2.752, P < 0.001), baseline SCr levels (HR = 3.386, P < 0.001), and serum albumin levels (HR = 0.437, P = 0.001) were factors associated with a new eGFR <60 mL/min. 34.9% of patients in TDF group and 35.4% in ETV group had deteriorated chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage at the end of follow‐up, respectively. There were no significant differences in the risk of renal events or CKD stage migration between TDF and ETV groups. Renal events may develop in about one‐third of HBsAg‐positive cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. The risk of renal function impairment was comparable between patients treated with TDF and ETV antiviral prophylaxis.
Neuromuscular block monitoring after the administration of 1 mg/kg intravenous cis‐atracurium in the anaesthetized pig
Authors: Aguilar Adrià , Moll Xavier , García Félix , Andaluz Anna 
Published: August 2018

AbstractNeuromuscular blocking agents should be included as part of a balanced anaesthetic protocol to improve anaesthetic management, although doses are not always established for each species. Cis‐atracurium is a benzylisoquinolinium neuromuscular blocking agent with an intermediate duration of action devoid of significant adverse effects previously used in pigs with a wide dosage range. Cis‐atracurium was administered at 1 mg/kg bolus to sixteen pigs to establish its time profile and effects. The pigs were premedicated intramuscularly with 4 mg/kg azaperone, 8 mg/kg ketamine and 0.2 mg/kg morphine IM and maintained with isoflurane in oxygen. After cis‐atracurium administration, neuromuscular monitoring via acceleromyography was started until the recovery of the 90% of the train of four ratio. Complete decrease in the train of four ratio was accomplished in eleven pigs. Onset of action was 70 s, with a recovery of the fourth twitch at 26 min and a recovery of a train of four ratio greater than 90% in 60 min. In conclusion, 1 mg/kg intravenous cis‐atracurium in the pig allowed for a rapid onset of action and a complete recovery after 60 min although high variability in the time profile is seen.