Why is Friday better than Sunday? The joy of anticipation hypothesis beats the fundamental law of psychophysics

We present survey evidence that most people prefer Friday to Sunday. Moreover, we pit against one another two explanations for this fact, the joy of anticipation hypothesis and the Weber law. According to the joy of anticipation hypothesis, Friday promises a weekend ahead, and Sunday does not. The Weber law predicts a relative decrease in the perception of interesting new events as the weekend passes, contributing to the impression that time wanes as Sunday comes. Our findings favor the joy of anticipation hypothesis.

The Relative Early Decrease in Platelet Count Is Associated With Mortality in Post-cardiotomy Patients Undergoing Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

Background: The relationship between the magnitude of platelet count decrease and mortality in post-cardiotomy cardiogenic shock (PCS) patients undergoing venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) has not been well-reported. This study was designed to evaluate the association between the relative decrease in platelet count (RelΔplatelet) at day 1 from VA-ECMO initiation and in-hospital mortality in PCS patients.Methods: Patients (n = 178) who received VA-ECMO for refractory PCS between January 2016 and December 2018 at the Beijing Anzhen Hospital were reviewed retrospectively. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the association between RelΔplatelet and in-hospital mortality.Results: One hundred and sixteen patients (65%) were weaned from VA-ECMO, and 84 patients (47%) survived to hospital discharge. The median [interquartile range (IQR)] time on VA-ECMO support was 5 (3–6) days. The median (IQR) RelΔ platelet was 41% (26–59%). Patients with a RelΔ platelet ≥ 50% had an increased mortality compared to those with a RelΔ platelet < 50% (57 vs. 37%; p < 0.001). A large RelΔplatelet (≥50%) was independently associated with in-hospital mortality after controlling for potential confounders (OR 8.93; 95% CI 4.22–18.89; p < 0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for RelΔ platelet was 0.78 (95% CI, 0.71–0.85), which was better than that of platelet count at day 1 (0.69; 95% CI, 0.61–0.77).Conclusions: In patients receiving VA-ECMO for post-cardiotomy cardiogenic shock, a large relative decrease in platelet count in the first day after ECMO initiation is independently associated with an increased in-hospital mortality.

Spending and Utilization on Drugs Prescribed by Otolaryngologists to Medicare Beneficiaries, 2013 to 2017

Objectives: The significant and rising cost of prescription drugs is a pressing concern for patients and payers. However, little is known about spending on and utilization of drugs prescribed by otolaryngologists. Methods: Utilizing publicly available Medicare Part D Prescriber Public Use data, we conducted a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of 34 small-molecule drugs commonly prescribed by otolaryngologists (defined as 2017 Medicare Part D spending ≥$500 000) to Medicare beneficiaries. Prescription data was characterized by drug type (brand name vs generic). Primary outcomes for each prescription drug included the total annual cost and the total annual number of days supplied. Results: From 2013 to 2017, spending on drugs prescribed by otolaryngologists to Medicare beneficiaries decreased by $32.1 million ($131.7–$99.5 million; relative decrease 24.4%; compound annual growth rate [CAGR] −5.4%), while total utilization increased by 24.9 million days supplied (74.6–99.5 million; relative increase 33.3%; CAGR 5.9%). For brand name drugs, there was a decrease in spending ($71.1–$26.7 million; relative decrease −62.4%; CAGR −17.8%) and utilization (11.2–3.1 million days supplied; relative decrease −72.5%; CAGR −22.8%). In contrast, generic drugs demonstrated increased spending ($60.6–$72.8 million; relative increase 20.2%; CAGR 3.7%) and utilization (63.5–96.4 million days supplied; relative increase 51.9%; CAGR 8.7%). Conclusions: Spending on drugs prescribed by otolaryngologists to Medicare Part D beneficiaries declined between 2013 and 2017 in part due to a transition from brand name drugs to lower-cost generic equivalents.

3D geometry of femoral reaming for bone graft harvesting

The reamer-irrigator-aspirator (RIA) technique allows to collect large bone graft amounts without the drawbacks of iliac crest harvesting. Nevertheless, clinical cases with occurrence of femur fractures have been reported. Therefore, this study aimed to systematically investigate the three-dimensional geometry of the reamed bone as a function of the reaming diameter and its influence on the associated potential fracture pattern. Forty-five intact fresh-frozen human cadaveric femora underwent computed tomography (CT). They were randomized to three groups (n = 15) for reaming at a diameter of either 1.5 mm (Group 1), 2.5 mm (Group 2) or 4.0 mm (Group 3) larger than their isthmus using RIA. Reaming was followed by a second CT scan, biomechanical testing until failure and a third CT scan. All CT scans of each femur were aligned via rigid registration, and fracture lines were visualized. Subsequently, a decrease in wall thickness, cross-sectional area, and harvested bone volume have been evaluated. The total volume of the bone graft was significantly higher for Group 3 (7.8 ± 2.9 ml) compared to Group 1 (2.9 ± 1.1 ml) and Group 2 (3.0 ± 1.1 ml). The maximal relative decrease of the wall thickness was located medially (72.7%) in the third (61.4%), fourth (18.2%) and second (9.1%) eighth for all groups. As the diameter of the reaming increased, an overlap of the fracture line with the maximal relative decrease in wall thickness and a maximal average relative decrease of the cross-sectional area became more frequent. This suggests that a reaming-associated fracture is most likely to occur in this region.

Uso de imágenes satélites para el estudio de los procesos de erosión en las marismas de Isla Cristina (Huelva)

RESUMEN En este artículo, una nueva metodología fue utilizada para obtener el volumen total de suelo erosionado en las marismas de Isla Cristina. Del mismo modo, las diferentes causas que han dado lugar a este fenómeno, así como la influencia de los procesos inter-mareales son discutidas. Los resultados muestran cómo los procesos de erosión se encuentran relacionados no solo con los cambios de uso de suelo (CUS), sino también con la disminución relativa de indicadores de sostenibilidad espacial y temporal, piezas clave del aumento de erosión. ABSTRACT In this paper, a new methodology was used to obtain the total volume of eroded soil at Isla Cristina’s salt-marshes. In the same way, the different causes that give rise to this phenomenon as well as the influence of intertidal processes are discussed. The results show how the erosion processes are in relationship not only with the land use changes (LUC), but also with the relative decrease in indicators of both spatial and temporal sustainability, key pieces of the increase in erosion.

Trends in type 2 diabetes mellitus disease burden in European Union countries between 1990 and 2019

This observational study aimed to assess trends in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) disease burden in European Union countries for the years 1990–2019. Sex specific T2DM age-standardised prevalence (ASPRs), mortality (ASMRs) and disability-adjusted life-year rates (DALYs) per 100,000 population were extracted from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study online results tool for each EU country (inclusive of the United Kingdom), for the years 1990–2019. Trends were analysed using Joinpoint regression analysis. Between 1990 and 2019, increases in T2DM ASPRs were observed for all EU countries. The highest relative increases in ASPRs were observed in Luxembourg (males + 269.1%, females + 219.2%), Ireland (males + 191.9%, females + 165.7%) and the UK (males + 128.6%, females + 114.6%). Mortality trends were less uniform across EU countries, however a general trend towards reducing T2DM mortality was observed, with ASMRs decreasing over the 30-year period studied in 16/28 countries for males and in 24/28 countries for females. The UK observed the highest relative decrease in ASMRs for males (− 46.9%). For females, the largest relative decrease in ASMRs was in Cyprus (− 67.6%). DALYs increased in 25/28 countries for males and in 17/28 countries for females between 1990 and 2019. DALYs were higher in males than females in all EU countries in 2019. T2DM prevalence rates have increased across EU countries over the last 30 years. Mortality from T2DM has generally decreased in EU countries, however trends were more variable than those observed for prevalence. Primary prevention strategies should continue to be a focus for preventing T2DM in at risk groups in EU countries.

Screening electrocardiogram in young athletes and military members: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective: To determine the effect of electrocardiogram (ECG) screening on prevention of sudden cardiac arrest and death (SCA/D) in young athletes and military members. Data Sources: MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL, Web of Science, BIOSIS, Scopus, SPORT discus, PEDro, and clinicaltrials.gov were searched from inception to dates between 2/21/19 and 7/29/19. Study Selection: Randomized and non-randomized controlled trials, where pre-participation examination including ECG was the primary intervention used to screen athletes or military 40 years of age or younger. Accepted controls were no screening, usual care, or pre-participation examination without ECG. 3 published studies , and one conference abstract were identified for inclusion. Data Extraction: In all four studies, risk of bias was assessed with the Cochrane risk of bias tool, and found to be generally high. Two studies had data extracted for random effects meta-analysis, and the remaining study and conference abstract were included in narrative review. Overall quality of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) Data Synthesis: Four non-randomized studies (11,689,172 participants) were included, all at high risk of bias. Pooled data from two studies (n= 3,869,274; very low quality evidence) observed an inconclusive 42% relative decrease in risk of sudden cardiac death (RR 0.58; 95% CI 0.23, 1.45), equating to an absolute risk reduction of .0016% The findings were consistent with a potential 67% relative decrease to a 45% relative increased risk in participants screened with ECG. Heterogeneity was found to be high as measured with I2 statistic (71%). Data from the remaining study and abstract were similarly inconclusive. Conclusion: Existing evidence for the effect of ECG screening is inconclusive and of very low quality. Our meta-analysis observed that screening ECG may result in considerable benefit or harm to participants. Higher quality studies are needed to reduce this uncertainty. PROSPERO Registration: CRD42019125560

Some Characteristics Of Transpiration Of Promising Soybean’s Varieties

The article presents data obtained from the study of the daily intensity of transpiration during the flowering stage of soybean varieties. According to the data on the diurnal variation of transpiration intensity, this process was accelerated in Vilana and Ustoz MM-60 varieties of soybeans, and a relative decrease in intensity was observed in Baraka and Tomaris man-60 varieties. Different variations in the intensity of transpiration in the cross section of the studied varieties may depend on the biological characteristics of the varieties as well as the air temperature and its relative humidity level.

Serum sodium variation is a major determinant of peridialytic blood pressure trends in haemodialysis outpatients

Intradialytic hypotension (IDH) and peridialytic blood pressure (BP) trends are associated with morbidity and mortality in haemodialysis (HD) patients. We aimed to characterise the respective influence of volume status and small solutes variation on peridialytic systolic BP (SBP) trends during HD. We retrospectively analysed the relative peridialytic SBP decrease in 647 prevalent outpatients attending for their mid-week session with corresponding pre- and post-HD bioelectrical impedance analysis. Mean SBP decreased by 10.5 ± 23.6 mmHg. Factors positively associated with the relative decrease in SBP were: serum sodium (Na) decrease, body mass index, serum albumin, dialysis vintage, ultrafiltration rate and urea Kt/V (p < 0.05 for all). Antihypertensive medications and higher dialysate calcium were negatively associated with the relative decrease in SBP (p < 0.05 for both). Age had a quadratic relationship with SBP trends (p < 0.05). Pre-HD volume status measured by extracellular to total body water ratio was not associated with SBP variation (p = 0.216). Peridialytic SBP trends represent a continuum with serum Na variation being a major determinant while volume status has negligible influence. Middle-aged and overweight patients are particularly prone to SBP decline. Tailoring Na and calcium dialysate concentrations could influence haemodynamic stability during HD and improve patient experience and outcomes.

Exchange Rate Shocks and Quality Adjustments

Do firms respond to cost shocks by reducing the quality of their products? Using microdata from a large Russian retailer that refreshes its product line twice-yearly, we document that higher quality products are more profitable than lower quality ones, but that the number of high quality products experiences a relative decrease after a large ruble devaluation in 2014. We show that rising firm costs–and not shrinking consumer incomes–explains the reallocation, and rationalize the data with a model that features consumer expenditure switching between high and low qualities. The reallocation to lower quality products reduces average pass-through by 26%.