bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
New-Onset Heart Failure and Mortality in Hospital Survivors of Sepsis-Related Left Ventricular Dysfunction
Authors: Vallabhajosyula Saraschandra , Jentzer Jacob C. , Geske Jeffrey B. , Kumar Mukesh , Sakhuja Ankit , Singhal Akhil , Poterucha Joseph T. , Kashani Kianoush , Murphy Joseph G. , Gajic Ognjen , Kashyap Rahul 
Published: July 2017

Abstract

Background:
The association between new-onset left ventricular (LV) dysfunction during sepsis with long-term heart failure outcomes is lesser understood.

Methods:
Retrospective cohort study of all adult patients with severe sepsis and septic shock between 2007 and 2014 who underwent echocardiography within 72 h of admission to the intensive care unit. Patients with prior heart failure, LV dysfunction, and structural heart disease were excluded. LV systolic dysfunction was defined as LV ejection fraction <50% and LV diastolic dysfunction as ≥grade II. Primary composite outcome included new hospitalization for acute decompensated heart failure and all-cause mortality at 2-year follow-up. Secondary outcomes included persistent LV dysfunction, and hospital mortality and length of stay.

Results:
During this 8-year period, 434 patients with 206 (48%) patients having LV dysfunction were included. The two groups had similar baseline characteristics, but those with LV dysfunction had worse function as demonstrated by worse LV ejection fraction, cardiac index, and LV diastolic dysfunction. In the 331 hospital survivors, new-onset acute decompensated heart failure hospitalization did not differ between the two cohorts (15% vs. 11%). The primary composite outcome was comparable at 2-year follow-up between the groups with and without LV dysfunction (P = 0.24). Persistent LV dysfunction was noted in 28% hospital survivors on follow-up echocardiography. Other secondary outcomes were similar between the two groups.

Conclusions:
In patients with severe sepsis and septic shock, the presence of new-onset LV dysfunction did not increase the risk of long-term adverse heart failure outcomes.
Does Sugammadex Administration Affect Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting After Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Prospective, Double-Blind, Randomized Study
Authors: Tas Tuna Ayca , Palabiyik Onur , Orhan Mustafa , Sonbahar Tugba , Sayhan Havva , Tomak Yakup 
Published: July 2017

Background:
The aim of this study is to assess the effect of sugammadex on postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Methods:
Eighty patients who were scheduled for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery were enrolled in this prospective study. Patients were randomly assigned to neostigmine (group N) or sugammadex (group S) for neuromuscular antagonism at the end of anesthesia. The incidence of PONV and antiemetic consumption were recorded.

Results:
Nausea and vomiting were observed in 60% of the patients given sugammadex and 77.5% given neostigmine during the initial 24 hours postoperatively. The incidence of nausea and the need for rescue antiemetic were lower in group S than group N during all time intervals but there were no significant differences between the groups.

Conclusions:
Sugammadex seems to be effective in decreasing the incidence of PONV, severity of nausea, number of patients who suffered from nausea and vomiting, and need for rescue antiemetic, although there were no significant differences.
A Comparison of Robotic Versus Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy in Patients With Primary Hyperaldosteronism
Authors: Colvin Jennifer , Krishnamurthy Vikram , Jin Judy , Shin Joyce , Siperstein Allan , Berber Eren 
Published: July 2017

Background:
Over the last decade, robotic approaches have been described for removing adrenal tumors. Although there are reports comparing robotic and laparoscopic techniques in general, there are limited data on outcomes in patients with primary hyperaldosteronism (PHA). The aim of this study is to compare the safety and efficacy of robotic adrenalectomy (RA) versus laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA) for PHA.

Materials and Methods:
The records of 20 patients who underwent RA for PHA were compared with 16 patients who underwent LA between 2000 and 2014. Data were retrospectively reviewed from a prospectively maintained, IRB-approved adrenal database. Statistical analysis was performed using t test and the Fisher exact analysis. Continuous variables are reported as mean±SEM.

Results:
Demographic and clinical parameters were similar between the groups. There were no conversions to open in either group. Estimated blood loss, length of stay, and complication rates were comparable. Operative time was shorter in the robotic versus laparoscopic group (130±8.94 vs. 159±11.1 min, P=0.0487). In follow-up, the improvement in patients’ blood pressure after adrenalectomy, as assessed by the reduction in the number of antihypertensive medications, was similar between the 2 groups. However, 1 patient in the RA and 1 patient in the LA group were not cured, as determined by postoperative aldosterone:renin levels. The biochemical cure rate between the groups was similar (P=0.529).

Conclusions:
To our knowledge, this is the first study comparing robotic versus laparoscopic resection of PHA. Our results show that the robotic approach was similar to laparoscopic regarding safety and efficacy. Operative time was shorter with the robotic approach, which could be related to more efficient dissection with wristed instrumentation.
Is Something Missing From Antenatal Education? A Survey of Pregnant Women's Knowledge of Pelvic Floor Disorders
Authors: Geynisman-Tan Julia M. , Taubel Debra , Asfaw Tirsit S. 
Published: July 2017

Objective
This study aimed to describe the knowledge on pelvic floor disorders among a cross section of pregnant women.

Study Design
This was an institutional review board–approved cross-sectional survey study of pregnant women with a gestational age of more than 18 weeks at a single tertiary care institution. Participants completed the validated 24-item Prolapse and Incontinence Knowledge Questionnaire, and responses were graded to determine a raw accuracy score (0–100%). Proficiency in the topic was defined as a score greater than 80% on the urinary scale and greater than 50% on the prolapse scale.

Results
Four hundred two women completed the survey. Mean ± SD raw accuracy in urinary incontinence was 66% ± 12%, and mean ± SD raw accuracy in pelvic organ prolapse was 41% ± 17%. These results were not significantly different among age or ethnic groups. Pregnant women were more likely to know that delivery could lead to incontinence (62%) than to pelvic organ prolapse (42%; P = 0.02), and 83% knew that pelvic floor exercises could prevent urinary incontinence. Proficiency was low among the population on both scales.

Conclusions
Pregnant women have limited knowledge about pelvic floor dysfunction despite being at increased risk for these conditions during and after their pregnancies. This is an area where patient education and empowerment during routine prenatal care could improve.
RhlR, but not RhlI, allowsP. aeruginosabacteria to evadeDrosophilaTep4-mediated opsonization
Authors: Haller Samantha , Franchet Adrien , Hakkim Abdul , Chen Jing , Drenkard Eliana , Yu Shen , Schirmeier Stefanie , Li Zi , Ausubel Frederick M. , Liégeois Samuel , Ferrandon Dominique 
Published: July 2017

ABSTRACTWhenDrosophilaflies feed onPseudomonas aeruginosastrain PA14, some bacteria cross the intestinal barrier and start proliferating inside the hemocoel. This process is limited by hemocytes through phagocytosis. We have previously shown that the PA14 quorum-sensing regulator RhlR is required for these bacteria to elude the cellular immune response. RhlI synthesizes the auto-inducer signal that activates RhlR. Here, we compare the null mutant phenotypes ofrhlRandrhlIin a variety of infection assays inDrosophilaand in the nematodeCaenorhabditis elegans. Surprisingly, inDrosophila, unlikeΔrhlRmutants,ΔrhlImutants are only modestly attenuated for virulence and are poorly phagocytosed and opsonized in a Thioester-containing Protein4-dependent manner. Likewise, ΔrhlIbut not ΔrhlRmutants colonize the digestive tract ofC. elegansand kill it as efficiently as wild-type PA14. Thus, RhlR has an RhlI-independent function in eluding detection or counter-acting the action of the immune system. In contrast to the intestinal infection model,Tep4mutant flies are more resistant to PA14 in a septic injury model, which also depends onrhlR. Thus, the Tep4 putative opsonin can either be protective or detrimental to host defense depending on the infection route.
Stageless evaluation for a vector Preisach model based on rotational operators
Authors: Nierla Michael , Sutor Alexander , Rupitsch Stefan Johann , Kaltenbacher Manfred 
Published: July 2017

Purpose
This paper aims to present a novel stageless evaluation scheme for a vector Preisach model that exploits rotational operators for the description of vector hysteresis. It is meant to resolve the discretizational errors that arise during the application of the standard matrix-based implementation of Preisach-based models.

Design/methodology/approach
The newly developed evaluation uses a nested-list data structure. Together with an adapted form of the Everett function, it allows to represent both the additional rotational operator and the switching operator of the standard scalar Preisach model in a stageless fashion, i.e. without introducing discretization errors. Additionally, presented updating and simplification rules ensure the computational efficiency of the scheme.

Findings
A comparison between the stageless evaluation scheme and the commonly used matrix approach reveals not only an improvement in accuracy up to machine precision but, furthermore, a reduction of computational resources.

Research limitations/implications
The presented evaluation scheme is especially designed for a vector Preisach model, which is based on an additional rotational operator. A direct application to other vector Preisach models that do not rely on rotational operators is not intended. Nevertheless, the presented methodology allows an easy adaption to similar vector Preisach schemes that use modified setting rules for the rotational operator and/or the switching operator.

Originality/value
Prior to this contribution, the vector Preisach model based on rotational operators could only be evaluated using a matrix-based approach that works with discretized forms of rotational and switching operator. The presented evaluation scheme offers reduced computational cost at much higher accuracy. Therefore, it is of great interest for all users of the mentioned or similar vector Preisach models.
An integral equation formulation with global series expansion for resonant wireless power transfer
Authors: Bilicz Sándor , Pávó József , Gyimóthy Szabolcs , Badics Zsolt 
Published: July 2017

Purpose
The electromagnetic modeling of inductively coupled, resonant wireless power transfer (WPT) is dealt with. This paper aims to present a numerically efficient simulation method.

Design/methodology/approach
Recently, integral equation formulations have been proposed, using piecewise constant basis functions for the series expansion of the current along the coil wire. In the present work, this scheme is improved by introducing global basis functions.

Findings
The use of global basis functions provides a stronger numerical stability and a better control over the convergence of the simulation; moreover, the associated computational cost is lower than for the previous schemes. These advantages are demonstrated in numerical examples, with special attention to the achievable efficiency of the power transfer.

Practical implications
The method can be efficiently used, e.g., in the optimal design of resonant WPT systems.

Originality/value
The presented computation scheme is original in the sense that global series expansion has not been previously applied to the numerical simulation of resonant WPT.
Explicit time integration of eddy current problems using a selective matrix update strategy
Authors: Dutiné Jennifer Susanne , Clemens Markus , Schöps Sebastian 
Published: July 2017

Purpose
Discretizing the magnetic vector potential formulation of eddy current problems in space results in an infinitely stiff differential algebraic equation system that is integrated in time using implicit time integration methods. Applying a generalized Schur complement to the differential algebraic equation system yields an ordinary differential equation (ODE) system. This ODE system can be integrated in time using explicit time integration schemes by which the solution of high-dimensional nonlinear algebraic systems of equations is avoided. The purpose of this paper is to further investigate the explicit time integration of eddy current problems.

Design/methodology/approach
The resulting magnetoquasistatic Schur complement ODE system is integrated in time using the explicit Euler method taking into account the Courant–Friedrich–Levy (CFL) stability criterion. The maximum stable CFL time step can be rather small for magnetoquasistatic field problems owing to its proportionality to the smallest edge length in the mesh. Ferromagnetic materials require updating the reluctivity matrix in nonlinear material in every time step. Because of the small time-step size, it is proposed to only selectively update the reluctivity matrix, keeping it constant for as many time steps as possible.

Findings
Numerical simulations of the TEAM 10 benchmark problem show that the proposed selective update strategy decreases computation time while maintaining good accuracy for different dynamics of the source current excitation.

Originality/value
The explicit time integration of the Schur complement vector potential formulation of the eddy current problem is accelerated by updating the reluctivity matrix selectively. A strategy for this is proposed and investigated.
Female corporate leadership in Latin America and the Caribbean region
Authors: Flabbi Luca , Piras Claudia , Abrahams Scott 
Published: July 2017

Purpose
Despite gender parity in the general working population, the higher up one looks in ranks within the firm the fewer women one finds. This under-representation of women in top positions at firms is purportedly even more acute in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). LAC is a large and increasingly important region of the world where women are well-represented in the workforce and are comparatively better educated than men. Documenting if this resource is utilized at full potential is therefore of crucial importance. The purpose of this paper is to document the level and impact of female representation at the executive level in the region, as no systematic study exists on this topic.

Design/methodology/approach
The authors collect an original database of publicly listed companies to determine prevailing gender ratios among board members and executives in LAC region. The authors then estimate whether companies with women board members are more likely to appoint women executives. Finally, the authors estimate whether measures of female leadership at the firm are correlated with company performance.

Findings
The authors find that women are as under-represented in LAC as in the USA, but much less so in the Caribbean. The authors find that companies with women board members are more likely to appoint women executives in LAC. The authors find that measures of female leadership at the firm are correlated with company performance but only regarding board membership and only when the proportion of women on the board is greater than 30 percent. Again composition effects are important. Overall, the authors conclude that the LAC region exhibits empirical regularities about under-representation of women in leadership positions at the firm that are very similar to those found for high-income countries in Europe and North America.

Originality/value
The authors are the first and so far unique systematic study exists able to document the level and impact of female representation at the executive level in the region.
Institutional contradictions and change of organisations and accounting
Authors: Thrane Sof , Balslev Lars 
Published: July 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyse how contradictions between institutional pressures shape accounting and organisational change within Air Greenland.

Design/methodology/approach
The paper applies document analysis and retrospective interviews to trace accounting and organisational change spanning 50 years and analyses developments on multiple levels: societal, governance and micro levels.

Findings
The paper illustrates the didactical development of the organisation and management accounting. The contradictory impetus from the institutional level generates a space where actors are able to affect development and change management accounting systems. Actors at the company level further acted on the institutional level to affect change in governance and institutions.

Research limitations/implications
The case differs from case studies in emerging countries owing to the low number of inhabitants in Greenland, its income per capita and the legislative influence asserted by Denmark, the former colonial power, restricting the generalizability of findings.

Originality/value
The paper extends extant research on development of organisations and management accounting change in developing countries through a longitudinal study of how contradictory demands from the governance and legislative levels affect accounting and organisational change. Moreover, the paper is the first case study to address management accounting practices in Greenland.
Greenhouse gas disclosures by Chinese power companies: trends, content and strategies
Authors: Momin Mahmood Ahmed , Northcott Deryl , Hossain Mohammed 
Published: July 2017

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate the greenhouse gas (GHG)-related disclosure trends, content and strategies of the eight most high GHG-emitting Chinese power companies, over a period when government pressure to manage GHG emissions increased.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from the 2000-2009 annual reports, corporate social and environmental responsibility reports and websites of eight Chinese power companies. Content analysis results were supplemented with excerpts from documents written in English or Chinese. Legitimacy theory informed the interpretation of the findings.FindingsGHG-related disclosures increased from 2002 when the Chinese Government ratified the Kyoto Protocol and promulgated stringent environmental regulations. However, some expected types of GHG-related disclosure were absent or rare. Disclosure practices were found to be underpinned by reputation management objectives and reflected a symbolic rather than substantive legitimation strategy.Research limitations/implicationsThis study extends the literature on GHG-related disclosures by carbon-intensive firms and points to the need for future research to examine such disclosures in different countries to appreciate the variety in practice.Practical implicationsWhile the Chinese Government appears to have driven the emergence of GHG-related disclosure practices, companies can effect improvement by expanding the scope and content of what they disclose. Also, the growing emphasis on website disclosures may present challenges in ensuring the reliability and assurance of GHG disclosures.Originality/valueThis is the first study to examine GHG-related disclosure practices by Chinese power-generating companies, a sector crucial to managing the GHG effects of China’s significant economic growth.
Intervention intermediaries flourish: matching firms with solutions to complex needs
Authors: Bakici Tuba , Almirall Esteve 
Published: July 2017

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the main models of innovation intermediaries as determined by the matching mechanisms they offer as a service to organizations, and to reveal underlying limitations of each mechanism to have a better understanding of their appropriateness for organizational requests.Design/methodology/approachThis paper reports an exploratory study of 51 online innovation intermediaries using semi-structured interviews, supported with direct observation, scientific papers and official documentary sources.FindingsThe overall findings suggest that innovation intermediaries are not homogeneous, are evolving and that the underlying mechanisms with which they support their operations vary substantially, depending on the size of the community, platform design (collaboration vs non-collaboration) and reward conditions. The study identifies five mechanisms on which the models are based: broadcast search (directed and undirected), brainstorming with ranking (directed and undirected), networking/connecting, expert group and licensing out. Some of the underlying tensions and limitations of these mechanisms are also explored as are the managerial implications for the choice and use of innovation intermediaries.Originality/valueThis paper identifies distinct models of online innovation intermediaries in significantly more depth than what has been presented so far. In addition, it discusses their limitations as a mechanism and their use to achieve a better match between innovation intermediaries and needs of solution-seeker companies.
Impact of intellectual capital on corporate performance: evidence from the Arab region
Authors: Dzenopoljac Vladimir , Yaacoub Chadi , Elkanj Nasser , Bontis Nick 
Published: July 2017

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to fill a gap in the intellectual capital (IC) literature by providing insights into the relationship between IC and corporate performance among Arab companies and second, to challenge the validity of the Value Added Intellectual Coefficient (VAIC) as a measure of IC’s contribution to performance.Design/methodology/approachThe research sample included 100 publicly traded Arab companies selected by Forbes Middle East and ranked as top performers in terms of sales, profits, assets, and market value. The methodology included assessing the impact of IC components on company earnings, profitability, efficiency, and market performance for the period between 2011 and 2015. Research hypotheses were tested through the presentation of descriptive statistics, normality tests, correlation matrix, and multiple regression models.FindingsThe research yielded ambiguous results. Earnings and profitability were significantly affected by structural and physical capital; efficiency was determined primarily by physical capital; and market performance was mainly influenced by human capital.Research limitations/implicationsThe main limitation of the research comes from disadvantages of VAIC as the measure of IC’s contributions to performance.Originality/valueThe paper fills a void in the study of IC and corporate performance among Arab companies.