bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Enteral Feeding Tube Clogging: What Are the Causes and What Are the Answers? A Bench Top Analysis
Authors: Garrison Christopher M. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBackgroundClogged enteral feeding tubes remain a significant barrier to the delivery of nutrition, hydration, and medications to patients who cannot tolerate oral intake. There is limited research that compares the relative efficacy of different methods used to clear a clogged feeding tube. The objectives of this study were to better understand the factors that contribute to enteral feeding tube clogging and to test the efficacy of 3 methods for clearing clogged feeding tubes.MethodsThree formulations of clogs were artificially created and tested in vitro and composed of various quantities of crushed medication (ie, aspirin) and 0.15 g coagulated protein (ie, tofu). The following 3 clog clearing strategies were tested on all clog types (n = 5 clogs/formulation/treatment): warm water flushes, an enzyme treatment, and an actuated mechanical occlusion clearing device.ResultsThe variable among the clog types that appears most responsible for decreased clearing success is the state of the coagulated protein. Dried‐out protein appears to makes a greater difference than increasing the medication quantity. The actuated mechanical occlusion clearing device was significantly more successful (93%) when compared with warm water flushes (20%) and the commercially available enzyme treatment (33%; P < .005) at clearing the clogs. The actuated device required significantly less total procedure time (P < .005) and total nursing time (P < .005) when compared with the other 2 clearing methods.ConclusionsWhen clogs occur, they can be quickly and effectively resolved by the actuated device, but other methodologies such as water and enzyme treatments may be of assistance.
Barriers and Solutions to Delivery of Intensive Care Unit Nutrition Therapy
Authors: Kozeniecki Michelle , Pitts Heather , Patel Jayshil J. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractDespite recommendations for early enteral nutrition (EN) in critically ill patients, numerous factors contribute to incomplete delivery of EN, including insufficient nutrition risk screening in critically ill patients, underutilization of enteral feeding protocols, fixed rate‐based enteral infusion targets with frequent EN interruption, and suboptimal provider practices regarding nutrition support therapy. The purpose of this narrative review is to identify common barriers to optimizing and delivering nutrition in critically ill patients, and suggest strategies and solutions to overcome barriers.
Feasibility, Safety, and Tolerance of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy for Obstructive Chronic Lung Allograft Dysfunction
Authors: Keller Cesar Ariel , Gonwa Thomas Arthur , Hodge David Orel , Hei Derek Joseph , Centanni John Michael , Zubair Abba Chedi 
Published: January 2018

Abstract
Feasibility, tolerance, and safety of intravenous infusions of allogeneic mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy in lung transplant recipients with bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) are not well established. MSCs were manufactured, cryopreserved, transported to our facility, thawed, and infused into nine recipients with moderate BOS (average drop in forced expiratory volume in 1 second was 56.8% ± 3.2% from post-transplant peak) who were refractory to standard therapy and not candidates for retransplant. Cells were viable and sterile prior to infusion. Patients received a single infusion of either 1 (n = 3), 2 (n = 3), or 4 (n = 3) million MSCs per kg. Patients were medically evaluated before; during; and at 24 hours, 1 week, and 1 month after infusion for evidence of infusion-related adverse events and tolerance of therapy. Vital signs, pulmonary function test results, Borg Dyspnea Index, and routine laboratory data were recorded. Vital signs and O2 saturation did not significantly change during or up to 2 hours after MSC infusion. There were no significant changes in gas exchange variables, pulmonary function test results, or laboratory values at 1, 7, and 30 days postinfusion compared with preinfusion values. Infusion of MSCs in patients with BOS was feasible, safe, and well tolerated and did not produce any significant adverse changes in clinical, functional, or laboratory variables during or up to 30 days after infusion. Manufacturing, transport, and administration of intravenous, allogeneic bone marrow-derived MSCs in doses from 1 to 4 million MSCs per kg is safe in lung transplant recipients with BOS.
Traffic Accidents in Switzerland: How Hazardous Are “High Risk” Groups? An Analysis Based on Police Protocols
Authors: Gautschi Thomas , Hangartner Dominik , Bütikofer Aline 
Published: January 2018

Summary
On January 1, 2005, Switzerland reduced the legal level of blood-alcohol concentration while driving from 0.8‰ to 0.5‰. This happend on basis of the assumption that more restrictive per mil levels increase road safety. The benefit of lower blood-alcohol levels, however, depends on whether drinking drivers indeed pose a risk for themselves and other road users. Analyses using official data of all 84,437 two-car crashes during 2001–2005 indeed show a higher relative risk of drinking to sober drivers. And, we also find evidence that prejudices against drivers with an Eastern European citizenship, contrary to recent newspaper articles, are groundless.
Improving Models of Income Dynamics Using Cross-Section-Information
Authors: Aebi Robert , Neusser Klaus , Steiner Peter 
Published: January 2018

Summary
Based on a relative entropy approach, this paper proposes a method to estimate or update transition matrices using just cross-sectional observations at two points in time. The method is then applied to explain the development of the US income distribution. Starting from three hypothesized transition matrices and a transition matrix estimated from the PSID data, we show how these matrices must be adjusted in the light of the cross-sectional information. Finally, we explore the consequences of these updated transition matrices for the future development of the US income distribution.
Investment Performance of Swiss Pension Funds and Investment Foundations
Authors: Ammann Manuel , Zingg Andreas 
Published: January 2018

Summary
We investigate the performance of domestic and international bond and equity portfolios of Swiss pension funds and investment foundations over the period of 1996 to 2006. Our sample consists of 73 pension funds and 13 investment foundations with total assets of more than CHF 200 billion. We find some indications for superior skills of security selection and timing by pension funds in international bond management even net of costs for asset management and fund administration. In contrast, we find a significant net underperformance for domestic bonds, domestic equities and international equities. For investment foundations, we find a significant net underperformance for domestic bonds and international equities, whereas for international bonds and domestic equities the null hypothesis of neither significant outperformance or underperformance cannot be rejected. Finally, we find no evidence of persistence in the performance of Swiss pension funds and investment foundations.
The Evolution of Physician Density in Switzerland
Authors: Wanzenried Gabrielle , Nocera Sandra 
Published: January 2018

Summary
Our paper investigates the geographical distribution of physicians across the Swiss cantons over the years 1960 to 2005. We use a physician location model relating physician growth in a canton related to (i) the existing number of physicians in an area, (ii) commonly used determinants of the demand for physician services such as population growth, per capita income and age, and (iii) factors that determine the medical infrastructure of an area, i.e. the number of hospital beds and the existence of a university hospital. We analyze the effects separately for general practitioners and specialists and find that the two physician types react differently to certain factors included in our analysis.
The Contribution of Managed Care to the Performance of Healthcare Systems — Evidence from Three Countries
Authors: Schoder Johannes , Zweifel Peter 
Published: January 2018

Summary
This paper applies the five standard economic performance criteria to gauge the contribution of Managed Care (MC) to the performance of three healthcare systems, viz. Germany, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. The criteria are (1) matching of consumer preferences, (2) technical efficiency, (3) adaptive capacity, (4) dynamic efficiency, and (5) a rent-free distribution of income that provides incentives for producers to attain criteria (1) through (4). Being insurance-based, the German, Dutch, and Swiss healthcare systems comprise three contractual relationships that can be judged in the light of these criteria. The maximum contribution of MC to the performance of the healthcare system is found for the Netherlands followed by Switzerland. The Independent Practice Associations representing MC in the Netherlands, and the Health Maintenance Organizations representing MC in Switzerland score 15 respectively 6 out of 30 points. By way of contrast, the contribution of the Disease Management Programs to the performance of the German healthcare system remains limited (3 out of 30 points).
Indirect Construction of Hedonic Price Indexes for Private Properties
Authors: Fahrländer Stefan S. 
Published: January 2018

Summary
This paper analyzes the construction of price indexes for condominiums and single family houses in Switzerland over the period 1985 to 2004 using the indirect method. We find, that the pooling of the data, i.e. direct indexes with fixed hedonic prices, are good models for average properties but can be biased for the indexation of non-average properties. Therefore indirect index construction using predictions for specific properties based on annual equations is recommended.
Based on differentiation of forty regions it is shown, that indexes vary from region to region, but show a comparable general path between 1985 and 2004. In recent years prices for single family houses raised in the large urban areas and tourist resorts but, due to big land reserves, were stable or even declined in smaller urban and semi-urban as well as in rural areas. Price paths for condominiums are generally comparable to those of single family houses with the big difference, that over the last three years prices were raising in most of the regions.
The Performance of Actively and Passively Managed Swiss Equity Funds
Authors: Ammann Manuel , Steiner Michael 
Published: January 2018

Summary
Using a Switzerland-specific Carhart model, we study the risk-adjusted performance of actively and passively managed mutual funds investing in Swiss stocks from 1989 to 2007. We also compare the performance of actively managed funds to passively managed funds instead of comparing them to a theoretical index. For a sample of 160 funds with 13,672 monthly observations we find that active as well as passive funds significantly underperform indices on an aggregated basis. However, active large-cap funds significantly underperform and active Small&Mid-Cap-funds significantly outperform the index. Further, we find that the average manager of an active Swiss equity fund systematically overweights small-cap, value, and low-momentum stocks. When directly comparing active to passive funds, active funds significantly underperform by −1.1% p.a. on average. While active institutional funds can almost keep up with the performance of passive funds, active retail funds cannot and drive the substantial underperformance observed for active funds. Finally, active funds perform better before the millennium than thereafter. This robust result supports the hypothesis of ongoing efficiency increases in the Swiss stock market.
Targeting labour market programmes — results from a randomized experiment
Authors: Behncke Stefanie , Frölich Markus , Lechner Michael 
Published: January 2018

SummaryWe evaluate a randomized experiment of a statistical support system developed to assist caseworkers in Swiss employment offices in choosing appropriate active labour market programmes for their unemployed clients. This statistical support system predicted the labour market outcome for each programme and thereby suggested an ‘optimal’ labour market programme for each unemployed person. The support system was piloted in several employment offices. In those pilot offices, half of the caseworkers used the system and the other half acted as control group. The allocation of the caseworkers to treatment and control group was random. The experiment was designed such that caseworkers retained full discretion about the choice of active labour market programmes, and the evaluation results showed that caseworkers largely did not follow the statistical support system. This indicates that stronger incentives are needed for caseworkers to comply with statistical profiling and targeting systems.
Reaction of Swiss term premia to monetary policy surprises
Authors: Söderlind Paul 
Published: January 2018

Summary
An affine yield curve model is estimated on daily Swiss data 2002–2009. The market price of risk is modelled in terms of proxies for uncertainty, which are estimated from interest rate options. The estimated model generates innovations in the 3-month rate that are similar to external evidence of monetary policy surprises — as well as term premia that are consistent with survey data. The results indicate that a surprise increase in the policy rate gives a reasonably sized decrease (−0.25%) in term premia for longer maturities.
Interchange fees as a mechanism to raise rivals’ costs — some evidence from Switzerland
Authors: Rutz Samuel 
Published: January 2018

Summary
In 2004 the Swiss Competition Commission (ComCo) opened an investigation concerning multilateral agreed interchange fees in the Swiss credit card market which ended with an amicable settlement. The most important element of this amicable settlement consists in the limitation of the interchange fee to the actual network costs of the issuers. In this paper I discuss whether there was a market failure in the Swiss credit card market which justified the intervention by ComCo and whether the remedies imposed in the amicable settlement eliminated the alleged market failure.
Tactical size rotation in Switzerland
Authors: Hock Thorsten 
Published: January 2018

Summary
The size premium, defined as the return differential between shares of small and large companies, is subject to cyclical fluctuations. This study examines the predictability of this premium for the Swiss stock market applying a new and flexible forecasting approach. Our strategies provide promising information ratios. The results show that risk variables (VIX, TED spread, etc.), the performance of the S&P 500 and statistical variables such as AR(1) terms or trends prove to be successful forecasting variables in our algorithm. Furthermore, variables that sum up the consensus estimates of equity analysts (IBES) make valuable forecast contributions.
Should Marginal Cost of Public Funds Include the Revenue Effect?
Authors: Chang Ming Chung , Wu Shufen 
Published: January 2018

Summary
It is an important difference in different measures of the marginal cost of public funds whether to take into account the “revenue effect” emphasized by Atkinson and Stern (1974). This paper tries to reconcile two competing measures from a general viewpoint. We demonstrate that the revenue effect represents a distortionary effect associated with commodity taxation as opposed to a “windfall.” We thus derive a new measure which captures the distortionary effect associated with commodity as opposed to lump-sum taxation. This new measure is guaranteed to be higher than unity. Moreover, this new measure lies between the two measures.
Improving Prevention Compliance through Appropriate Incentives: Theoretical Modelling and Empirical Evidence
Authors: Schneider Udo , Zerth Jürgen 
Published: January 2018

SummaryThis paper explores the effects of insurance parameters and complementary information environment on the patient’s primary prevention activity. The theoretical model is based on a principal-agent setting in which the patient acts as an agent in deciding about his prevention efforts. The insurer chooses the coverage level and therefore the level of patient’s cost sharing and decides on his monitoring activities. The empirical analysis looks at the patient’s prevention decision in the case of smoking. Using a hazard model in discrete time, the decision to change behaviour depends on health status, education, age and working time but not on the insurance system.
Fuel Exemptions, Revenue Recycling, Equity and Efficiency: Evaluating Post-Kyoto Policies for Switzerland
Authors: Imhof Jan 
Published: January 2018

Summary
The Swiss CO2 law runs out in 2012, together with the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol. Currently, the Swiss parliament is deciding on the successor of the law that aims to achieve a 20% reduction of CO2 emissions below 1990 levels by 2020. As a means to achieve this ambitious target, the current tax on stationary fuels at 36 CHF/t CO2 will be maintained, while transportation fuels will still be exempted from the carbon tax. Currently, the tax revenues are fully redistributed as a per-capita lump-sum payment via mandatory health insurance and to the employers proportional to their wage payments. This recycling scheme is likely to be prolonged. However, in the presence of the actual debate on the revision of the CO2 law, this paper reexamines the exemption of transportation fuels and the revenue recycling scheme under two points of view. First, I examine the effects on cost-effectiveness and second, I study their impact on equity. Using a static computable general equilibrium model of the Swiss economy incorporating 14 household groups, I find that tax exemptions increase the economy-wide costs of a carbon tax, yet fail to ease the effect on over-proportionally affected households. However, adjusting CO2 tax rates to correct for pre-existing fuel taxes that do not internalize any external effects may decrease the economy-wide cost of a green tax reform. On the other hand the choice of the recycling scheme has less of an effect on efficiency, but its impact on the distributional outcome of the tax reform has to be considered. Choosing an optimal, economy-wide tax will decrease overall costs considerably, while a lump-sum per-capita rebate will result in a progressive tax package at reasonable costs.
Did the Bundesbank target monetary expansion or inflation? Evidence from monetary base growth
Authors: Boeva Galina , Vaubel Roland 
Published: January 2018

Summary
Several empirical studies have suggested that the Bundesbank has pursued inflation targets rather than monetary targets. These studies have been criticized because they do not adequately measure the deviation from target and because they use some short term interest rate as a measure of the Bundesbank’s policy actions instead of the comprehensive measure, the monetary base adjusted for changes in reserve requirements. We find that, in the period from 1979 III to 1998 IV, changes in adjusted monetary base growth reacted negatively and significantly to deviations from target monetary expansion as measured relative to the nearest margin of the target band if, and only if, no control variables are added. With our control variables, the significance of this coefficient drops to 10 per cent. By contrast, deviations of the inflation rate from the inflation objective used to derive the money supply target never has any significant effect on changes in adjusted monetary base growth. This result holds regardless of whether the lagged or the currently expected inflation rate is employed. The results are consistent with money supply targeting (if anything) but not with inflation targeting.
Spatial effects in willingness to pay for avoiding nuclear risks
Authors: Schneider Yves , Zweifel Peter 
Published: January 2018

Summary
How to deal with the risks associated with nuclear energy is a major policy issue. This paper investigates the effect of an individual’s distance from nuclear power plants on willingness to pay for increased insurance coverage against nuclear accidents (MWP

C
) as well as on willingness to pay for solving the nuclear waste disposal problem (MWP

W
). Using data from a discrete choice experiment conducted in Switzerland, we find evidence that MWP

C
values decrease with distance from plant once attitudes influencing choice of residential location are controlled for. However, distance from plant has no effect on MWP

W
values.
Stock Market’s Reactions to Revelation of Tax Evasion: An Empirical Assessment
Authors: Brunhart Andreas 
Published: January 2018

Summary
Additionally to the financial crisis causing a world recession, Liechtenstein’s financial sector has been challenged by the so-called “Zumwinkel-Affair”, when a whistle-blower sold data of hundreds of tax evaders to international tax authorities. This paper investigates the impact of this affair on the daily stock prices of banks from Liechtenstein. An unconventional augmented GARCH-model (labelled as “augmented amalGARCH”), which outperforms conventional models, is introduced and dynamically analyses various influences on risk and returns. Also, an event study framework is applied. The main finding beyond further conclusions is that the Zumwinkel-Affair had an (accumulating) effect on risk, but surprisingly no impact on average stock return could be detected.
Linking Europe: The Role of the Swiss Electricity Transmission Grid until 2050
Authors: Schlecht Ingmar , Weigt Hannes 
Published: January 2018

Summary
The aim of this paper is to evaluate the role of the Swiss electricity transmission system and the planned network extensions in the context of Central European electricity market developments and thereby the Swiss and European energy transitions. In addition, we conduct a sensitivity analysis of delayed grid investments for Swiss and European network projects, respectively. By utilizing a numerical model representation of the Swiss electricity market Swissmod we derive a quantification of the different effects and developments up to 2050. In summary, the Central European market will largely be influenced by the significant increase in intermittent renewable generation. Whereas current power flow patterns are mostly from the Northern markets towards Italy using Switzerland as a transit hub, the large share of solar capacities in 2050 will lead to a high variability on shorter timeframes. While Switzerland will remain a transit hub, the import and export flows will vary with season and daytime. The potential costs and system impacts due to delayed network investments are rather modest in comparison to the overall generation costs but can nevertheless sum to 700 million per year highlighting the importance of network extension to improve cross-regional energy exchange.
Relationship Banking in the Residential Mortgage Market? Evidence from Switzerland
Authors: Brown Martin , Hoffmann Matthias 
Published: January 2018

SummaryWe examine to what extent mortgage lending is characterized by strong relationships between banks and their borrowers. Our analysis is based on survey data covering all current bank relations for a sample of 1,481 Swiss households out of which 687 have a mortgage. We document that mortgage borrowers maintain significantly more bank relations than comparable households without a mortgage. However, this does not imply that mortgage relations are loose. Comparing mortgage relations to other bank relations of the same households we find that mortgage relations are used for a broader scope of transactions and are held with banks that are located closer to the household. Examining the heterogeneity of mortgage relations across households, we find that financially sophisticated households are less likely to hold their mortgage with a local bank.