bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Enhances Intravascular Ultrasound Assessment of Vulnerable Coronary Plaque
Authors: Puri Rishi , Madder Ryan D. , Madden Sean P. , Sum Stephen T. , Wolski Kathy , Muller James E. , Andrews Jordan , King Karilane L. , Kataoka Yu , Uno Kiyoko , Kapadia Samir R. , Tuzcu E. Murat , Nissen Steven E. , Virmani Renu , Maehara Akiko , Mintz Gary S. , Nicholls Stephen J. 
Published: September 2015

Objectives—
Pathological studies demonstrate the dual significance of plaque burden (PB) and lipid composition for mediating coronary plaque vulnerability. We evaluated relationships between intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)–derived PB and arterial remodeling with near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS)–derived lipid content in ex vivo and in vivo human coronary arteries.

Approach and Results—

Ex vivo coronary NIRS and IVUS imaging was performed through blood in 116 coronary arteries of 51 autopsied hearts, followed by 2-mm block sectioning (n=2070) and histological grading according to modified American Heart Association criteria. Lesions were defined as the most heavily diseased 2-mm block per imaged artery on IVUS. IVUS-derived PB and NIRS-derived lipid core burden index (LCBI) of each block and lesion were analyzed. Block-level analysis demonstrated significant trends of increasing PB and LCBI across more complex atheroma (
P
trend
<0.001 for both LCBI and PB). Lesion-based analyses demonstrated the highest LCBI and remodeling index within coronary fibroatheroma (
P
trend
<0.001 and 0.02 versus all plaque groups, respectively). Prediction models demonstrated similar abilities of PB, LCBI, and remodeling index for discriminating fibroatheroma (
c
indices: 0.675, 0.712, and 0.672, respectively). A combined PB+LCBI analysis significantly improved fibroatheroma detection accuracy (
c
index 0.77,
P
=0.028 versus PB; net-reclassification index 43%,
P
=0.003), whereas further adding remodeling index did not (
c
index 0.80,
P
=0.27 versus PB+LCBI). In vivo comparisons of 43 age- and sex-matched patients (to the autopsy cohort) undergoing combined NIRS-IVUS coronary imaging yielded similar associations to those demonstrated ex vivo.

Conclusions—
Adding NIRS to conventional IVUS-derived PB imaging significantly improves the ability to detect more active, potentially vulnerable coronary atheroma.
Differentiating Electromechanical From Non–Electrical Substrates of Mechanical Discoordination to Identify Responders to Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy
Authors: Lumens Joost , Tayal Bhupendar , Walmsley John , Delgado-Montero Antonia , Huntjens Peter R. , Schwartzman David , Althouse Andrew D. , Delhaas Tammo , Prinzen Frits W. , Gorcsan John 
Published: September 2015

Background—
Left ventricular (LV) mechanical discoordination, often referred to as dyssynchrony, is often observed in patients with heart failure regardless of QRS duration. We hypothesized that different myocardial substrates for LV mechanical discoordination exist from (1) electromechanical activation delay, (2) regional differences in contractility, or (3) regional scar and that we could differentiate electromechanical substrates responsive to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) from unresponsive non–electrical substrates.

Methods and Results—

First, we used computer simulations to characterize mechanical discoordination patterns arising from electromechanical and non–electrical substrates and accordingly devise the novel systolic stretch index (SSI), as the sum of posterolateral systolic prestretch and septal systolic rebound stretch. Second, 191 patients with heart failure (QRS duration ≥120 ms; LV ejection fraction ≤35%) had baseline SSI quantified by automated echocardiographic radial strain analysis. Patients with SSI≥9.7% had significantly less heart failure hospitalizations or deaths 2 years after CRT (hazard ratio, 0.32; 95% confidence interval, 0.19–0.53;
P
<0.001) and less deaths, transplants, or LV assist devices (hazard ratio, 0.28; 95% confidence interval, 0.15–0.55;
P
<0.001). Furthermore, in a subgroup of 113 patients with intermediate electrocardiographic criteria (QRS duration of 120–149 ms or non–left bundle branch block), SSI≥9.7% was independently associated with significantly less heart failure hospitalizations or deaths (hazard ratio, 0.41; 95% confidence interval, 0.23–0.79;
P
=0.004) and less deaths, transplants, or LV assist devices (hazard ratio, 0.27; 95% confidence interval, 0.12–0.60;
P
=0.001).

Conclusions—
Computer simulations differentiated patterns of LV mechanical discoordination caused by electromechanical substrates responsive to CRT from those related to regional hypocontractility or scar unresponsive to CRT. The novel SSI identified patients who benefited more favorably from CRT, including those with intermediate electrocardiographic criteria, where CRT response is less certain by ECG alone.
Efficacy and Safety of Vorapaxar With and Without a Thienopyridine for Secondary Prevention in Patients With Previous Myocardial Infarction and No History of Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack
Authors: Bohula Erin A. , Aylward Philip E. , Bonaca Marc P. , Corbalan Ramon L. , Kiss Robert G. , Murphy Sabina A. , Scirica Benjamin M. , White Harvey , Braunwald Eugene , Morrow David A. 
Published: September 2015

Background—
Vorapaxar antagonizes protease-activated receptor 1, the primary receptor for thrombin on human platelets, and reduces recurrent thrombotic events in stable patients with a previous myocardial infarction (MI). We wished to determine whether the efficacy and safety of antiplatelet therapy with vorapaxar was modified by concurrent thienopyridine use.

Methods and Results—

The Thrombin Receptor Antagonist in Secondary Prevention of Atherothrombotic Ischemic Events–Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction 50 (TRA 2°P-TIMI 50) was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of vorapaxar in 26 449 patients with previous atherothrombosis. This prespecified analysis included 16 897 patients who qualified with a MI in the preceding 2 weeks to 12 months and was restricted to patients without a history of stroke or transient ischemic attack given its contraindication in that population. Randomization was stratified on the basis of planned thienopyridine use. Thienopyridine was planned at randomization in 12 410 (73%). Vorapaxar significantly reduced the composite of cardiovascular death, MI, and stroke in comparison with placebo regardless of planned thienopyridine therapy (planned thienopyridine, hazard ratio, 0.80, 0.70–0.91,
P
<0.001; no planned thienopyridine, hazard ratio, 0.75; 0.60–0.94,
P
=0.011;
P
-interaction=0.67). Findings were similar when patients were stratified by actual thienopyridine use at baseline (
P
-interaction=0.82) and through 18 months (
P
-interaction=0.44). Global Use of Strategies to Open Occluded Coronary Arteries (GUSTO) moderate or severe bleeding risk was increased with vorapaxar and was not significantly altered by planned thienopyridine (planned, hazard ratio, 1.50; 1.18–1.89,
P
<0.001; no planned, hazard ratio, 1.90, 1.17–3.07,
P
=0.009;
P
-interaction=0.37) or actual thienopyridine use (
P
-interaction=0.24).

Conclusions—
Vorapaxar reduced cardiovascular death, MI, or stroke in stable patients with a history of previous MI, whether treated concomitantly with a thienopyridine or not. The relative risk of moderate or severe bleeding was similarly increased irrespective of thienopyridine use.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00526474.
Functional Gain After Inpatient Stroke Rehabilitation
Authors: Scrutinio Domenico , Monitillo Vincenzo , Guida Pietro , Nardulli Roberto , Multari Vincenzo , Monitillo Francesco , Calabrese Gianluigi , Fiore Pietro 
Published: September 2015

Background and Purpose—
Prediction of functional outcome after stroke rehabilitation (SR) is a growing field of interest. The association between SR and survival still remains elusive. We sought to investigate the factors associated with functional outcome after SR and whether the magnitude of functional improvement achieved with rehabilitation is associated with long-term mortality risk.

Methods—
The study population consisted of 722 patients admitted for SR within 90 days of stroke onset, with an admission functional independence measure (FIM) score of <80 points. We used univariable and multivariable linear regression analyses to assess the association between baseline variables and FIM gain and univariable and multivariable Cox analyses to assess the association of FIM gain with long-term mortality.

Results—

Age (
P
<0.001), marital status (
P
=0.003), time from stroke onset to rehabilitation admission (
P
<0.001), National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score at rehabilitation admission (
P
<0.001), and aphasia (
P
=0.021) were independently associated with FIM gain. The
R
2
of the model was 0.275. During a median follow-up of 6.17 years, 36.9% of the patients died. At multivariable Cox analysis, age (
P
<0.0001), coronary heart disease (
P
=0.018), atrial fibrillation (
P
=0.042), total cholesterol (
P
=0.015), and total FIM gain (
P
<0.0001) were independently associated with mortality. The adjusted hazard ratio for death significantly decreased across tertiles of increasing FIM gain.

Conclusions—
Several factors are independently associated with functional gain after SR. Our findings strongly suggest that the magnitude of functional improvement is a powerful predictor of long-term mortality in patients admitted for SR.
Convective Instability Underneath Midlevel Clouds: Comparisons between Numerical Simulations and VHF Radar Observations
Authors: Kudo Atsushi , Luce Hubert , Hashiguchi Hiroyuki , Wilson Richard 
Published: September 2015

AbstractDeep turbulent layers can sometimes be observed on the underside of clouds that extend above upper-level frontal zones. In a recent study based on 3D numerical simulations with idealized initial conditions, it was found that midlevel cloud-base turbulence (MCT) can result from Rayleigh–Bénard-like convection as a result of cooling by sublimation of precipitating snow into dry and weakly stratified subcloud layers. In the present study, numerically simulated MCT was compared with a turbulent layer detected by the very high-frequency (VHF) middle- and upper-atmosphere (MU) radar during the passage of an upper-level front topped by clouds. The simulations were initialized with thermodynamic parameters derived from simultaneous radiosonde data. It was found that some important features of the simulated MCT (such as the scale of convection and vertical wind velocity perturbations) agreed quantitatively well with those reported in radar observations. Even if the possibility of other generation mechanisms cannot be ruled out, the good agreement strongly suggests that the MU radar actually detected MCT.
Abyssal Ocean Warming and Salinification after Weddell Polynyas in the GFDL CM2G Coupled Climate Model
Authors: Zanowski Hannah , Hallberg Robert , Sarmiento Jorge L. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractThe role of Weddell Sea polynyas in establishing deep-ocean properties is explored in the NOAA Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory’s (GFDL) coupled climate model CM2G. Using statistical composite analysis of over 30 polynya events that occur in a 2000-yr-long preindustrial control run, the temperature, salinity, and water mass changes associated with the composite event are quantified. For the time period following the composite polynya cessation, termed the “recovery,” warming between 0.002° and 0.019°C decade−1 occurs below 4200 m in the Southern Ocean basins. Temperature and salinity changes are strongest in the Southern Ocean and the South Atlantic near the polynya formation region. Comparison of the model results with abyssal temperature observations reveals that the 1970s Weddell Polynya recovery could account for 10% ± 8% of the recent warming in the abyssal Southern Ocean. For individual Southern Ocean basins, this percentage is as little as 6% ± 11% or as much as 34% ± 13%.
At the front line: examining the effects of perceived job significance, employee commitment, and job involvement on public service motivation
Authors: Kim Taehee , Henderson Alexander C. , Eom Tae Ho 
Published: September 2015

Social welfare work has long been identified as a highly stressful occupation, and one in which considerations of motivating employees and encouraging increased responsibility and commitment are central to understanding individual and collective performance. In the face of organizational factors that negatively affect employees’ motivation, including a lack of promotion opportunities, red tape, and expected emotional exhaustion, it becomes much more important for management to motivate employees in such a way that they can provide meaningful and satisfactory services to their clients. Extant research suggests that employees with higher levels of public service motivation (PSM) are motivated to engage in prosocial behaviors that benefit others. Using survey data gathered from social welfare workers in South Korea, this research examines the impact of a number of job-related factors on employee levels of PSM. The results indicate that job significance, professional job involvement, and affective commitment all impact the levels of PSM, suggesting that attention to job characteristics and the dynamic nature of PSM are important in particularly stressful front-line professions. Points for practitioners Given the organizational constraints on reward programs that exist in public agencies, it becomes increasingly important to consider other job-related factors that may improve motivation – especially related to public goals – among social welfare workers. The findings of this study suggest that increasing opportunities for social welfare workers to directly meet and interact with their service beneficiaries or enabling employees to gain access to citizens’ feedback about their service quality or service impact (e.g. citizen satisfaction survey results), can play a major role in maintaining or improving employees’ level of public service motivation. The results also underline the importance of managers’ giving consideration to fostering employees’ public service motivation.
Who you are/where you live: do neighbourhood characteristics explain co-production?
Authors: Thijssen Peter , Van Dooren Wouter 
Published: September 2015

Co-production establishes an interactive relationship between citizens and public service providers. Successful co-production hence requires the engagement of citizens. Typically, individual characteristics such as age, gender, and income are used to explain why citizens co-produce. In contrast, neighbourhood-level variables receive less attention. Nevertheless, the co-production literature, as well as social capital and urban planning theory, provides good arguments why neighbourhood variables may be relevant. In this study, we examine the administrative records of citizen-initiated contacts in a reporting programme for problems in the public domain. This co-production programme is located in the district of Deurne in the city of Antwerp, Belgium. A multilevel analysis is used to simultaneously assess the impact of neighbourhood characteristics and individual variables. While the individual variables usually found to explain co-production are present in our case, we also find that neighbourhood characteristics significantly explain co-production. Thus, our findings suggest that participation in co-production activities is determined not only by who you are, but also by where you live. Points for practitioners In order to facilitate co-production and participation, the neighbourhood should be the first place to look. Co-production benefits may disproportionaly accrue to strong citizens, but also to strong neighbourhoods. Social corrections should take both into account. More broadly, a good understanding of the neighbourhoods in the city is needed to grasp citizen behaviour. Place-based policies in the city should focus on the neighbourhood.
Stakeholder responses to government austerity: what happens when strong stakeholders fail to react?
Authors: Ogata Ken 
Published: September 2015

Using stakeholder theory and a historical case study, I examine how key stakeholders failed to challenge the Alberta provincial government’s fiscal reforms, leading to the emergence of an unlikely champion in the Calgary hospital laundry workers. Notwithstanding that several prominent and powerful professional groups had the opportunity to oppose the government’s reforms, these groups either acquiesced or sought compromise individually with the government. This case calls into question the professions’ ability to protect public institutions under their domain. Points for practitioners In terms of potential implications for public administrators, this case provides an example of professional failure to intercede in the public interest, despite having the power and legitimacy to act according to stakeholder theory. This raises questions as to the circumstances under which professional groups will exercise their advocacy role. Unaddressed are the conditions under which relatively powerless demanding stakeholders can acquire power and legitimacy. Accordingly, administrators ‘relying’ upon established stakeholders as barometers of public opinion may misread public sentiment.
Consolidation in the public sector: methods and approaches in Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries
Authors: Bergmann Andreas , Grossi Giuseppe , Rauskala Iris , Fuchs Sandro 
Published: September 2015

Organisational changes of the public sector have led to increased decentralisation of public services. Only fully fledged financial accounting and reporting systems guarantee the consolidated information needed by executive and legislative bodies to fulfil their duties in financial management and the supervision of network entities. Consolidated financial statements may serve to increase accountability and transparency towards internal and external stakeholders. The article aims at giving an overview of consolidation approaches in Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries. It will focus on the methods applied and the guiding principles followed to define the perimeter of consolidation. The analysis is carried out through a comparison of legal requirements and standards for consolidation, and the published consolidated financial statements, taking the International Public Sector Accounting Standards as a benchmark. Points for practitioners The analysis of consolidation practice in Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries reveals that while the use of consolidated financial statements is increasing, there are still significant deviations from the perspective of international accounting standards. The results show that the equity method plays a crucial role as it is used in a transition period to full consolidation and/or for organisations having major influence on the statements of financial position. These findings are of interest in the ongoing debate of international standard-setting in the field of consolidation, as well as for the discussion of European Public Sector Accounting Standards.
Holding the European Commission to account: the promise of delegated acts
Authors: Brandsma Gijs Jan 
Published: September 2015

This article focuses on a new type of rules that the European Union may adopt: delegated legislation. Although this instrument may be new, it follows from a long-standing controversy over the means by which the European Parliament can hold the European Commission to account when it adopts executive rules. On the basis of interviews and documentary evidence, this article aims to test to what degree the new system delivers on its promise of stronger accountability. Although the new system is still in its infancy, the article concludes that formal rules, internal norms and practices are already indicative of stronger legislative control. However, capacity issues within the European Parliament, as well as a lack of public transparency, may well prove to be detrimental when the number of delegated acts increases. Points for practitioners This article assesses the degree to which the European Parliament is equipped to hold the European Commission to account when it adopts delegated legislation. Current accountability systems and practices are still in their infancy, but there are already clear signs of stronger legislative control over the European Commission. However, capacity issues within the European Parliament and a lack of transparency of delegated legislation will jeopardize accountability as the number of delegated acts increases.
Government-driven social enterprises in South Korea: lessons from the Social Enterprise Promotion Program in the Seoul Metropolitan Government
Authors: Jung Kyujin , Jang Hee Soun , Seo Inseok 
Published: September 2015

Although scholars and practitioners in the field of public administration have investigated the nature of social enterprises emerging from the nonprofit sector, little research has been undertaken on the role of governments in facilitating prospective social enterprises to transform nonprofits into social enterprises. This research explores the global phenomenon of social entrepreneurship by analysing the government-driven social enterprise programs in South Korea. What is the government-driven social enterprise policy in South Korea? What is the role of the government in driving the success of the social enterprises in South Korea? What are the factors that affect the success of government-driven social enterprises? The results of this study highlight how government support helps nonprofit organizations cope effectively with diverse constraints that may cause nonprofit failure in societies like South Korea. The study findings confirm that Salamon's third-party government perspective and nonprofit failure theory justify government intervention, suggesting that governments may drive nonprofit organizations efficiently to overcome a propensity to failure by providing them with resources. Points for practitioners This study found that government support to the small nonprofit organizations may facilitate civil society growth in Eastern Asia countries. Our research of government-driven social enterprise policy in Seoul Korea will provide a policy model for policy decision-makers for program design that would expand social services provided by non-state actors, and government-driven nonprofit policies will allow public agencies to direct and expand the social services without creating new agencies. However, we also found that the mandatory administrative approach may not address nonprofits’ daily challenges in an effective manner.
Acute traumatic and depressive symptoms in family members of hospitalized individuals with delirium
Authors: Lloyd Robert B , Rosenthal Lisa J 
Published: September 2015

Objectives This study characterized symptoms of acute stress and depression in caregivers present during the hospitalization of a loved one with delirium. Methods This is an observational, cross-sectional analysis of caregivers of patients hospitalized with delirium. Standardized questionnaires were used in caregiver interviews to assess psychological reactions to traumatic situations and understanding of medical care. Results Of the 40 caregivers recruited, half had significant symptoms of acute stress and 12.5% of caregivers were highly symptomatic across all domains related to trauma. Elevated acute stress was positively correlated with both past or current depression and prior mental health treatment ( p < 0.028). The caregivers who ranked witnessing delirium as having a negative impact on their lives were also at elevated risk ( p < 0.05). Conclusions Caregivers witnessing delirium are at elevated risk for experiencing severe acute traumatic and depressive symptoms, and this response might place them at risk for developing traumatic disorders.