bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of changes in multi-pillar pension systems in CEE countries on individual pension wealth
Authors: CHŁOŃ-DOMIŃCZAK AGNIESZKA 
Published: December 2016

AbstractThe paper shows the impact of changes in multi-pillar pension systems in six Central and Eastern European countries for individual pension wealth. It demonstrates that the post-crisis changes in pension system reduced pension wealth of workers in Poland and increased in Lithuania and Slovakia. The change did not have significant impact on pension wealth in Estonia and Romania. The magnitude of this effect is highest in those countries where the reduction of the fully-funded pension contribution was permanent. Loss or gain in pension wealth varies with age of participants – it is higher for younger people, who will accumulate their pension wealth to a larger extent after the change. The level of the change in pension wealth depends also on the wage level – higher earners lose more relative to the average wage level. The difference in pension wealth depends also on the difference between rates of return in fully funded and pay-as-you-go (PAYG) components of the pension system. The net outcome of post-crisis pension system modifications depends both on the magnitude of fully-funded contribution reduction, but also on the design of PAYG component and the way individual pension rights are accrued. These results indicate the rise in implicit liability of pension system in Slovakia to be higher than the reduction of the explicit liability caused by the pension system change and the lower rise of implicit liability in Poland and Latvia.
Nicotinic receptors in mouse prefrontal cortex modulate ultraslow fluctuations related to conscious processing
Authors: Koukouli Fani , Rooy Marie , Changeux Jean-Pierre , Maskos Uwe 
Published: December 2016

Significance
The human brain exhibits ongoing spontaneous activity characterized by very slow frequency fluctuations. These synchronously firing populations are considered to play a key role in conscious processes. We identified ultraslow fluctuations (USFs) in awake and anesthetized mice using two-photon imaging in the prefrontal cortex, a brain region involved in cognitive processes. Using transgenic mice, we demonstrate a crucial role for nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in the generation of ultraslow fluctuations and their synchronicity, processes that are affected by deletion of nAChR subunits and general anesthetics like isoflurane. This work allows further dissection of the underlying mechanisms, and predicts that in humans with nAChR polymorphisms or copy number variation these processes might be altered, resulting in neuropsychiatric disorders.
How valid are wearable physical activity trackers for measuring steps?
Authors: An Hyun‐Sung , Jones Gregory C. , Kang Seoung‐Ki , Welk Gregory J. , Lee Jung‐Min 
Published: December 2016

AbstractWearable activity trackers have become popular for tracking individual's daily physical activity, but little information is available to substantiate the validity of these devices in step counts. Thirty‐five healthy individuals completed three conditions of activity tracker measurement: walking/jogging on a treadmill, walking over‐ground on an indoor track, and a 24‐hour free‐living condition. Participants wore 10 activity trackers at the same time for both treadmill and over‐ground protocol. Of these 10 activity trackers three were randomly given for 24‐hour free‐living condition. Correlations of steps measured to steps observed were r = 0.84 and r = 0.67 on a treadmill and over‐ground protocol, respectively. The mean MAPE (mean absolute percentage error) score for all devices and speeds on a treadmill was 8.2% against manually counted steps. The MAPE value was higher for over‐ground walking (9.9%) and even higher for the 24‐hour free‐living period (18.48%) on step counts. Equivalence testing for step count measurement resulted in a significant level within ±5% for the Fitbit Zip, Withings Pulse, and Jawbone UP24 and within ±10% for the Basis B1 band, Garmin VivoFit, and SenseWear Armband Mini. The results show that the Fitbit Zip and Withings Pulse provided the most accurate measures of step count under all three different conditions (i.e. treadmill, over‐ground, and 24‐hour condition), and considerable variability in accuracy across monitors and also by speeds and conditions.
TRFBA: an algorithm to integrate genome-scale metabolic and transcriptional regulatory networks with incorporation of expression data
Authors: Motamedian Ehsan , Mohammadi Maryam , Shojaosadati Seyed Abbas , Heydari Mona 
Published: December 2016

Abstract
Motivation: Integration of different biological networks and data-types has been a major challenge in systems biology. The present study introduces the transcriptional regulated flux balance analysis (TRFBA) algorithm that integrates transcriptional regulatory and metabolic models using a set of expression data for various perturbations.
Results: TRFBA considers the expression levels of genes as a new continuous variable and introduces two new linear constraints. The first constraint limits the rate of reaction(s) supported by a metabolic gene using a constant parameter (C) that converts the expression levels to the upper bounds of the reactions. Considering the concept of constraint-based modeling, the second set of constraints correlates the expression level of each target gene with that of its regulating genes. A set of constraints and binary variables was also added to prevent the second set of constraints from overlapping. TRFBA was implemented on Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae models to estimate growth rates under various environmental and genetic perturbations. The error sensitivity to the algorithm parameter was evaluated to find the best value of C. The results indicate a significant improvement in the quantitative prediction of growth in comparison with previously presented algorithms. The robustness of the algorithm to change in the expression data and the regulatory network was tested to evaluate the effect of noisy and incomplete data. Furthermore, the use of added constraints for perturbations without their gene expression profile demonstrates that these constraints can be applied to improve the growth prediction of FBA.
Availability and Implementation: TRFBA is implemented in Matlab software and requires COBRA toolbox. Source code is freely available at http://sbme.modares.ac.ir.
Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
On structure-based priors in Bayesian geophysical inversion
Authors: de Pasquale G. , Linde N. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractBayesian methods are extensively used to analyse geophysical data sets. A critical and somewhat overlooked component of high-dimensional Bayesian inversion is the definition of the prior probability density function that describes the joint probability of model parameters before considering available data sets. If insufficient prior information is available about model parameter correlations, then it is tempting to assume that model parameters are uncorrelated. When working with a spatially gridded model representation, this overparametrization leads to posterior realizations with far too much variability to be deemed realistic from a geological perspective. In this study, we introduce a new approach for structure-based prior sampling with Markov chain Monte Carlo that is suitable when only limited prior information is available. We evaluate our method using model structure measures related to standard roughness and damping metrics for l1- and l2-norms. We show that our structure-based prior approach is able to adequately sample the chosen prior distribution of model structure. The usefulness and applicability of the methodology is demonstrated on synthetic and field-based crosshole ground penetrating radar data. We find that our method provides posterior model realizations and statistics that are significantly more satisfactory than those based on underlying assumptions of uncorrelated model parameters or on explicit penalties on model structure within an empirical Bayes framework.
Automated classification of eligibility criteria in clinical trials to facilitate patient-trial matching for specific patient populations
Authors: Zhang Kevin , Demner-Fushman Dina 
Published: December 2016

AbstractObjective:To develop automated classification methods for eligibility criteria in ClinicalTrials.gov to facilitate patient-trial matching for specific populations such as persons living with HIV or pregnant women.Materials and Methods:We annotated 891 interventional cancer trials from ClinicalTrials.gov based on their eligibility for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients using their eligibility criteria. These annotations were used to develop classifiers based on regular expressions and machine learning (ML). After evaluating classification of cancer trials for eligibility of HIV-positive patients, we sought to evaluate the generalizability of our approach to more general diseases and conditions. We annotated the eligibility criteria for 1570 of the most recent interventional trials from ClinicalTrials.gov for HIV-positive and pregnancy eligibility, and the classifiers were retrained and reevaluated using these data.Results:On the cancer-HIV dataset, the baseline regex model, the bag-of-words ML classifier, and the ML classifier with named entity recognition (NER) achieved macro-averaged F2 scores of 0.77, 0.87, and 0.87, respectively; the addition of NER did not result in a significant performance improvement. On the general dataset, ML + NER achieved macro-averaged F2 scores of 0.91 and 0.85 for HIV and pregnancy, respectively.Discussion and Conclusion:The eligibility status of specific patient populations, such as persons living with HIV and pregnant women, for clinical trials is of interest to both patients and clinicians. We show that it is feasible to develop a high-performing, automated trial classification system for eligibility status that can be integrated into consumer-facing search engines as well as patient-trial matching systems.
Is It “In” or “Out”? The Optimal Fluoroscopic Views for Intraoperative Determination of Proper Lateral Mass Screw Placement
Authors: Kim Sang Bum , Rhee John M. , Oh Byung Hak , Won You Gun , Jung Yousun , Park Kun Young , Hutton William C. , Kim Chulmin 
Published: December 2016

Study Design.
Cadaveric.

Objective.
Determine optimal fluoroscopic views for detecting cervical lateral mass screw (LMS) violations.

Summary of Background Data.
Single plane intraoperative x-rays are commonly used but frequently inadequate due to its complex trajectory. Fluoroscopy can be taken in multiple planes, but the ideal fluoroscopic view to assess malposition is not known: depending on the view, any given screw may look “in” or “out.”

Methods.
C3–6 LMS were inserted in three cadavers. To evaluate neuroforaminal violation, LMS were inserted into the foramen with the tip penetrating the anterior cortex by 0, 2, and 4 mm. To assess facet joint violation, LMS were inserted toward the subjacent facet joint with the tip penetrating the anterior cortex by 0 and 2 mm. Fluoroscopic views were taken 0°, 10°, 20°, 30°, and 40° to the lateral plane. Views were independently evaluated by three blinded spine surgeons.

Results.
Twenty-degree oblique view correctly identified a 2 mm penetration into the neuroforamen in 79%, and a 4 mm penetration in 86%, for a sensitivity of 83% and specificity of 90%. Thirty-degree view had lower sensitivity (76%) but slightly higher specificity (93%). Twenty-degree and 30° views were significantly more sensitive than the other views. Zero-degree view correctly identified a 2 mm penetration into the facet joint in 93%, for a sensitivity of 93% and specificity of 92%. Ten-degree view had lower sensitivity (72%) but higher specificity (100%). The 0° view was significantly more sensitive than the other views.

Conclusion.
Twenty-degree and 30° oblique views significantly provided the most sensitive assessment of LMS potentially violating the neuroforamen, whereas the 0° neutral lateral view significantly provided the most sensitive assessment of facet violations. The specificities were also high (in the 90% range) for these views. We recommend the use of these views intraoperatively when assessing proper placement of LMS fluoroscopically.

Level of Evidence: N/A
Pseudomeningocele Aspiration and Blood Patch Effectively Treats Positional Headache Associated With Postoperative Lumbosacral Pseudomeningocele
Authors: Sandwell Stephen , Walter Kevin , Westesson Per-Lennart 
Published: December 2016

Study Design.
Retrospective chart review with limited prospective follow-up survey.

Objective.
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of blood patch injection for the treatment of positional headaches caused by postoperative lumbosacral pseudomeningoceles.

Summary of Background Data.
Pseudomeningocele is one of the most common complications after posterior lumbosacral spinal surgery. Common treatments include bedrest, abdominal binder use, subarachnoid lumbar drainage, and surgical re-exploration for durotomy closure. To date, only small case reports support the use of epidural blood patch injection for symptomatic pseudomeningocele treatment.

Methods.
A retrospective chart review analyzed the outcomes and complications of 19 consecutive patients who underwent blood patch injection, with and without pseudomeningocele aspiration, for symptomatic postoperative lumbosacral pseudomeningoceles between 2009 and 2015. An attempt was made to survey patients by phone regarding satisfaction.

Results.
As of last follow-up (average time = 22.3 months), 16 patients (84%) experienced headache resolution after blood patch injection and did not require further treatment of their pseudomeningocele. In addition to symptomatic improvement, 12 of the 16 successful patients had imaging, which demonstrated pseudomeningocele resolution. Persistent pseudomeningoceles were demonstrated on imaging among all three unsuccessful patients.

Conclusion.
Pseudomeningocele aspiration followed by blood patch is an effective treatment for symptomatic postoperative lumbosacral pseudomenigocele. This is a minimally invasive alternative to surgical re-exploration with durotomy closure. Injections are most effective when performed early after pseudomeningocele development.

Level of Evidence: 4
A Clinician’s Guide to Privacy and Communication in the ICU
Authors: Francis Leslie , Vorwaller Micah A. , Aboumatar Hanan , Frosch Dominick L. , Halamka John , Rozenblum Ronen , Rubin Eileen , Lee Barbara Sarnoff , Sugarman Jeremy , Turner Kathleen , Brown Samuel M. 
Published: December 2016

Objective:
To review the legal issues concerning family members’ access to information when patients are in the ICU.

Data Sources:
U.S. Code, U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, and state legislative codes.

Data Extraction:
Relevant legal statutes and regulations were identified and reviewed by the two attorney authors (L. F., M. A. V.).

Study Selection:
Not applicable.

Data Synthesis:
Review by all coauthors.

Conclusions:
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act and related laws should not be viewed as barriers to clinicians sharing information with ICU patients and their loved ones. Generally, under Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, personal representatives have the same authority to receive information that patients would otherwise have. Persons involved in the patient’s care also may be given information relevant to the episode of care unless the patient objects. ICUs should develop policies for handling the issues we identify about such information sharing, including policies for responding to telephone inquiries and methods for giving patients the opportunity to object to sharing information with individuals involved in their care. ICU clinicians also should be knowledgeable of their state’s laws about how to identify patients’ personal representatives and the authority of those representatives. Finally, ICU clinicians should be aware of any special restrictions their state places on medical information. In aggregate, these strategies should help ICU managers and clinicians facilitate robust communication with patients and their loved ones.
Fostering evidence-based quality improvement for patient-centered medical homes: Initiating local quality councils to transform primary care
Authors: Stockdale Susan E. , Zuchowski Jessica , Rubenstein Lisa V. , Sapir Negar , Yano Elizabeth M. , Altman Lisa , Fickel Jacqueline J. , McDougall Skye , Dresselhaus Timothy , Hamilton Alison B. 
Published: December 2016

Background:
Although the patient-centered medical home endorses quality improvement principles, methods for supporting ongoing, systematic primary care quality improvement have not been evaluated. We introduced primary care quality councils at six Veterans Health Administration sites as an organizational intervention with three key design elements: (a) fostering interdisciplinary quality improvement leadership, (b) establishing a structured quality improvement process, and (c) facilitating organizationally aligned frontline quality improvement innovation.

Purpose:
Our evaluation objectives were to (a) assess design element implementation, (b) describe implementation barriers and facilitators, and (c) assess successful quality improvement project completion and spread.

Methodology/Approach:
We analyzed administrative records and conducted interviews with 85 organizational leaders. We developed and applied criteria for assessing design element implementation using hybrid deductive/inductive analytic techniques.

Results:
All quality councils implemented interdisciplinary leadership and a structured quality improvement process, and all but one completed at least one quality improvement project and a toolkit for spreading improvements. Quality councils were perceived as most effective when service line leaders had well-functioning interdisciplinary communication. Matching positions within leadership hierarchies with appropriate supportive roles facilitated frontline quality improvement efforts. Two key resources were (a) a dedicated internal facilitator with project management, data collection, and presentation skills and (b) support for preparing customized data reports for identifying and addressing practice level quality issues.

Conclusions:
Overall, quality councils successfully cultivated interdisciplinary, multilevel primary care quality improvement leadership with accountability mechanisms and generated frontline innovations suitable for spread. Practice level performance data and quality improvement project management support were critical.

Practice Implications:
In order to successfully facilitate systematic, sustainable primary care quality improvement, regional and executive health care system leaders should engage interdisciplinary practice level leadership in a priority-setting process that encourages frontline innovation and establish local structures such as quality councils to coordinate quality improvement initiatives, ensure accountability, and promote spread of best practices.
Reliability and Validity of the Work and Social Adjustment Scale in Treatment-Seeking Problem Gamblers
Authors: Tolchard Barry 
Published: December 2016

Abstract

Background
Problem gambling is a growing concern as governments become more reliant on gambling revenue particularly from increases in gambling casinos. It is widely reported that problem gamblers experience both high levels of comorbid mental health issues and subsequent disability that comes with such. To date, there have been few measures tested with problem gamblers that are a good measure of this disability. The Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS) is a five-item measure of disability, which is used widely in a number of clinical settings including gambling.

Method
The reliability and validity of the WSAS were examined in 171 outpatient problem gamblers who presented to a cognitive behavior therapy service in Adelaide, Australia. Subjects were assessed by trained cognitive behavior therapists and offered individual outpatient, group, or inpatient treatment. All subjects signed consent for their clinical data to be used and completed a battery of outcome measures at assessment, discharge, and 1-, 3-, and 6-month follow-up.

Results
The internal consistency of the WSAS was excellent among problem gamblers. A principal component analysis generated a single factor of disability. The WSAS has good concurrent validity with measures of gambling and comorbid anxiety and depression. The WSAS also shows promise as a measure of improvement in a clinical service.

Conclusion
The WSAS has excellent reliability and sound validity among a treatment-seeking problem gambling population. Understanding disability related to gambling may offer insights into the long-term success of gamblers completing treatment. This instrument needs further refinement in a more rigorous experimental setting.
Internal Consistency and Convergent Validity of the Portuguese Versions of the Global Appraisal of Individual Needs–Initial and Short Screener
Authors: Garcia Claro Heloísa , Ferreira de Oliveira Márcia Aparecida , de Almeida Lopes Fernandes Ivan Filipe , Titus Janet C. , Ribeiro Tarifa Rosana , Fernandes Rojas Thais , Hayasi Pinho Paula 
Published: December 2016

Abstract
The goal of this article is to present evidence on the internal consistency and convergent validity of the Brazilian Portuguese versions of the Global Appraisal of Individual Needs–“Initial” and “Short Screener” versions.

Methods
One hundred sixty-eight individuals from an inpatient service and/or a community-based outpatient service located in São Paulo were interviewed using the Brazilian Portuguese versions of the instruments. The internal consistency of the instruments scales was computed, along with evidence for the convergent validity between corresponding subscales of the Initial and Short Screener instruments.

Results
Cronbach’s alpha values for both instruments’ total scale scores were greater than .7. The Short Screener scales showed strong-to-moderate correlations with corresponding subscales of the Initial. The General Individual Severity Scale from the Initial and Total Disorder Screener from the Short Screener have convergent validity with each other (ρ = 0.801).

Conclusions
The Brazilian Portuguese instrument scales showed evidence for internal consistency and convergent validity performing similarly to the American English versions.
Perceptions of an Adapted Mindfulness Program for Persons Experiencing Substance Use Disorders and Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Kristofersson Gisli K. , Beckers Tom , Krueger Rick 
Published: December 2016

Abstract

Background
Of the 1.4 million Americans who sustain traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) each year up to half experience substance use disorders (SUDs). This often leads to various issues such as increased rates of mental health problems and delay or lack of return to full employment.

Aims
The purpose of this program evaluation was to describe Vinland National Center’s (Vinland’s) client and staff perceptions of a 4-week mindfulness-based intervention adapted from the original mindfulness-based stress reduction program for persons experiencing SUDs and TBIs. It focused on the possible relevance and applicability of mindfulness practice for this population.

Method
Four focus groups were conducted based on Krueger’s methods in conducting focus groups: two with Vinland staff members and two focus groups with residents.

Results
The analysis of staff focus groups revealed general staff satisfactions with the intervention. A general consensus was that the mindfulness intervention fitted well with the needs of Vinland’s clients and their current program. Client feedback further revealed general satisfaction with the mindfulness curriculum. No adverse effects were noted related to the mindfulness intervention.

Conclusions
The results of this program evaluation suggest that implementing a mindfulness-based intervention for persons experiencing SUDs/TBIs warrants further investigation.