bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
General hospital health professionals’ attitudes and perceived dangerousness towards patients with comorbid mental and physical health conditions: Systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Giandinoto Jo‐Ann , Stephenson John , Edward Karen‐leigh
Published: February 2018

The stigmatization of mental health is present in general hospital settings impacting quality of care. We hypothesized that health professionals in these areas would elicit negative attitudes and a perceived level of dangerousness across a range of mental health disorders. We aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta‐analysis to examine these attitudes and perceptions. We searched the bibliographic databases of CINAHL Complete, MEDLINE Complete, PsycINFO, and Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection in May 2017 (no date parameters were set). Quantitative studies investigating generalist health professionals’ attitudes towards mental health conditions were selected. Initially, prevalence meta‐analyses were conducted to assess the extent of perceived danger, followed by a series of comparative meta‐analyses in which the perceived dangerousness of mental health conditions was compared. Of the 653 citations retrieved, eight studies met the inclusion criteria. The overall sample included 2548 health professionals. A majority of health professionals perceived patients with substance use disorder as dangerous 0.60 (95% CI: 0.32–0.88) when compared with patients who had an alcohol‐related disorder, schizophrenia, and depression. The results also indicated that a large proportion of staff perceived patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia as dangerous 0.42 (95% CI: 0.33–0.52). Negative attitudes towards people experiencing mental illness in general hospital settings may be attributed to poor mental health literacy, skills and limited exposure, and social and cultural beliefs about mental illness. Ongoing professional development targeting mental health knowledge is recommended for health professionals working in general hospital settings.
Changes in nutritive value of alfalfa (Medicago × varia T. Martyn) and Festulolium (Festulolium braunii (K. Richt) A. Camus) under drought stress
Authors: Staniak M. , Harasim E.
Published: February 2018

Legume–grass mixtures showed a weaker response to adverse environmental conditions than to monocultures. A yield decrease due to the scarcity of water is well documented, while the impact on the food value is inconsistent. Therefore, we undertook studies to assess the impact of water deficit in the soil on the content of the nutrients in alfalfa and Festulolium grown in monoculture and in mixture. A pot experiment was carried out in 2012–2014 in a completely randomized design, with four replications. The research was carried out at two levels of soil moisture: 70% field water capacity FWC (optimal conditions) and 40% FWC (drought stress). We found that the effect of drought stress on the food value of alfalfa and Festulolium was smaller than on the yield. Water deficit caused a significant yield decrease, the biggest in alfalfa in monoculture. Drought stress significantly reduced the content of crude fibre, the contents of crude protein and crude fat tended to increase. The influence of stress on water‐soluble carbohydrates content was not determined. Nutrient content was varied depending on a species. Introducing alfalfa as a component to a mixture with Festulolium caused a significant yield increase and improved the nutritional value of dry matter.
Anisotropic domain switching in Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3‐0.30PbTiO3 single crystals with rhombohedral structure
Authors: Zhou Yaming , Li Qiang , Xu Chao , Zhuo Fangping , Yan Qingfeng , Zhang Yiling , Chu Xiangcheng
Published: February 2018

Anisotropic domain switching paths in [001]‐, [011]‐, and [111]‐poled Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3‐0.30PbTiO3 single crystals were studied by in situ polarized light microscopic driven by an antiparallel electric field. Orientation‐dependent electric field induced polarization and strain behaviors were investigated systematically. For [001]‐oriented crystals, only one‐step 71° switching occurred during the domain switching process, resulting in the appearance of stripe domain walls whose traces on (001) plane were along 45° or 135° with respect to [100] direction. But for [011]‐oriented samples, a two‐step 71° switching was observed during 109° switching and the projections of formed twin domain walls on the (011) plane are along 35.3° or 144.7° with respect to [01] direction. Moreover, a three‐step 71° switching was found during 180° switching in [111]‐oriented samples. It was demonstrated by the produced domain walls whose projections on the (10) plane are along 35.3°, 90° or 160.6° with respect to [11] direction. The energetically motivated mechanism based on multistep polarization switching process was also proposed to explain the anisotropic domain switching paths. Our results provided a visualized observation on the ferroelectric domain switching process and also laid the solid foundations for controlling polarization order parameter in ferroelectric single crystals.
Chemical structure and mechanical properties of soda lime silica glass surfaces treated by thermal poling in inert and reactive ambient gases
Authors: Luo Jiawei , Bae Stephen , Yuan Mengxue , Schneider Erik , Lanagan Michael T. , Pantano Carlo G. , Kim Seong H.
Published: February 2018

This study employed thermal poling at 200°C as a means to modify the surface mechanical properties of soda lime silica (SLS) glass. SLS float glass panels were allowed to react with molecules constituting ambient air (H2O, O2, N2) while sodium ions were depleted from the surface region through diffusion into the bulk under an anodic potential. A sample poled in inert gas (Ar) was used for comparison. Systematic analyses of the chemical composition, thickness, silicate network, trapped molecular species, and hydrous species in the sodium‐depleted layers revealed correlations between subsurface structural changes and mechanical properties such as hardness, elastic modulus, and fracture toughness. A silica‐like structure was created in the inert gas environment through restructuring of Si–O–Si bonds at 200°C in the Na‐depleted zone; this occurred far below Tg. This silica‐like surface also showed enhancement of hardness comparable to that of pure silica glass. The anodic thermal poling condition was found so reactive that O2 and N2 species can be incorporated into the glass, which also alters the glass structure and mechanical properties. In the case of the anodic surfaces prepared in a humid environment, the glass showed an improved resistance against crack formation, which implies that abundant hydrous species incorporated during thermal poling could be beneficial to improve the toughness.
Catheter ablation of ventricular tachycardia in nonischemic cardiomyopathy: A propensity score‐matched analysis of in‐hospital outcomes in the United States
Authors: Briceño David F. , Gupta Tanush , Romero Jorge , Kolte Dhaval , Khera Sahil , Villablanca Pedro A. , Tran An , Mohanty Sanghamitra , Trivedi Chintan , Mohanty Prasant , Gianni Carola , Kim Soo G. , Garcia Mario , Fonarow Gregg C. , Bhatt Deepak L. , Natale Andrea , Di Biase Luigi
Published: February 2018

Introduction

Monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality. Use and outcome data of catheter ablation for VT in nonischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM) are limited.

Methods and results

We obtained data from the 2003–2014 National Inpatient Sample databases. We used propensity score matching to compare patients undergoing catheter ablation versus medical therapy of VT related to NICM, and described the temporal trends in utilization and in‐hospital outcomes of catheter ablation of VT in patients with NICM in the United States. From 2003 to 2014, of 133,529 patients hospitalized with the principal diagnosis of VT in NICM, 14,651 (11.0%) underwent catheter ablation. In this period, there was an increasing trend in utilization of catheter ablation (9.3% in 2003–2004 to 12.1% in 2003–2014, adjusted OR [per year], 1.12; 95% CI, 1.08–1.16; Ptrend < 0.001). After propensity score matching, in‐hospital mortality occurred in 172 of 14,318 (1.2%) patients in the catheter ablation group, compared with 297 of 14,156 (2.1%) of patients undergoing medical therapy (47% lower; 43% relative difference [adjusted OR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.43–0.66]).

Conclusions

In patients with NICM, catheter ablation of VT is associated with lower in‐hospital mortality compared with those managed medically. The utilization rates of CA for VT related to NICM have increased in the past decade. Adequately powered randomized trials will be necessary to confirm these findings.
Irreversible electroporation ablation for atrial fibrillation
Authors: Wojtaszczyk Adam , Caluori Guido , Pešl Martin , Melajova Katarina , Stárek Zdeněk
Published: February 2018

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most important problems in modern cardiology. Thermal ablation therapies, especially radiofrequency ablation (RF), are currently “gold standard” to treat symptomatic AF by localized tissue necrosis. Despite the improvements in reestablishing sinus rhythm using available methods, both success rate and safety are limited by the thermal nature of procedures. Thus, while keeping the technique in clinical practice, safer and more versatile methods of removing abnormal tissue are being investigated. This review focuses on irreversible electroporation (IRE), a nonthermal ablation method, which is based on the unrecoverable permeabilization of cell membranes caused by short pulses of high voltage/current. While still in its preclinical steps for what concerns interventional cardiac electrophysiology, multiple studies have shown the efficacy of this method on animal models. The observed remodeling process shows this technique as tissue specific, triggering apoptosis rather than necrosis, and safer for the structures adjacent the myocardium. So far, proposed IRE methodologies are heterogeneous. The number of devices (both generators and applicators), techniques, and therapeutic goals impair the comparability of performed studies. More questions regarding systemic safety and optimal processes for AF treatment remain to be answered. This work provides an overview of the electroporation process, and presents different results obtained by cardiology‐oriented research groups that employ IRE ablation, with focus of AF‐related targets. This contribution on the topic aspires to be a practical guide to approach IRE ablation for cardiac arrhythmias, and to highlight controversial features and existing knowledge, to provide background for future improved experimentation with IRE in arrhythmology.
Esthetic and functional management of an ankylosed central incisor with a conservative restorative approach
Authors: Ritter Andre V. , Cunha Leonardo Fernandes , Correr Gisele M.
Published: February 2018

In this case report, we share a conservative and simple restorative management approach for a relatively complex esthetic situation on an adult patient with an ankylosed maxillary central incisor in infra‐occlusion. A 37‐year‐old healthy female patient presented for a consultation with a chief complaint of an unappealing smile. The intraoral exam revealed tooth #8 (FDI 11) was in obvious and significant infra‐occlusion due to altered eruption. Periapical radiographs of this area were non‐contributory and all teeth responded within normal limits to pulp vitality tests. After review of several treatment options, the patient opted for a conservative restorative approach in which a partial ceramic veneer was planned for the ankylosed tooth, while composite resin was used on the contralateral central incisor to achieve a symmetric and pleasant result.

Clinical Significance

A relatively complex clinical problem was satisfactorily resolved with a very conservative option in which composite resin and a ceramic veneer were used to restore an asymmetric smile.
A literature review on the new polymer‐infiltrated ceramic‐network material (PICN)
Authors: Facenda Júlia Cadorim , Borba Marcia , Corazza Pedro Henrique
Published: February 2018

Objectives

Ceramics and composites are the most used materials for dental application. Recently, the characteristics of both were combined on the called “polymer‐infiltrated ceramic‐network” (PICN). The aim of this review is to report the behavior of PICN, comparing the findings that may support the correct clinical application.

Overview

The PICN material is a structure with a sintered ceramic matrix infiltrated with a polymer matrix. Studies evaluated this material microstructure and composition, mechanical properties and adhesive behavior. The most cited mechanical properties are flexural strength, compressive strength, elastic modulus, Weibull modulus, hardness, fracture toughness and fatigue resistance. Most studies compared PICN with feldspathic porcelain, lithium disilicate glass–ceramic, lithium silicate, zirconia‐reinforced glass–ceramic, leucite reinforced glass–ceramic, polycrystalline alumina and zirconia. Other studies evaluated a similar material (a nanoceramic resin).

Clinical Significance

The mechanical properties of the PICN are equivalent to the properties of nanoceramic resins, lower to lithium disilicate glass ceramic and superior to feldspathic porcelain. Yet, the findings suggest a highly resistant material to degradation at low loads (close to physiological situation) when cemented on a substrate.
Molecular Phylogenetic Positions and Ultrastructure of Marine Gregarines (Apicomplexa) Cuspisella ishikariensis n. gen., n. sp. and Loxomorpha cf. harmothoe from Western Pacific scaleworms (Polynoidae)
Authors: Iritani Davis , Horiguchi Takeo , Wakeman Kevin C.
Published: February 2018

Marine gregarines are unicellular parasites of invertebrates commonly found infecting the intestine and coelomic spaces of their hosts. Situated at the base of the apicomplexan tree, marine gregarines offer an opportunity to explore the earliest stages of apicomplexan evolution. Classification of marine gregarines is often based on the morphological traits of the conspicuous feeding stages (trophozoites) in combination with host affiliation and molecular phylogenetic data. Morphological characters of other life stages such as the spore are also used to inform taxonomy when such stages can be found. The reconstruction of gregarine evolutionary history is challenging, due to high levels of intraspecific variation of morphological characters combined with relatively few traits that are taxonomically unambiguous. The current study combined morphological data with a phylogenetic analysis of small subunit rDNA sequences to describe and establish a new genus and species (Cuspisella ishikariensis n. gen., n. sp.) of marine gregarine isolated from the intestine of a polynoid host (Lepidonotus helotypus) collected from Hokkaido, Japan. This new species possesses a set of unusual morphological traits including a spiked attachment apparatus and sits on a long branch on the molecular phylogeny. Furthermore, this study establishes a molecular phylogenetic position for Loxomorpha cf. harmothoe, a previously described marine gregarine, and reveals a new group of gregarines that infect polynoid hosts.
A case report of spontaneous staphylococcal meningitis in a cynomolgus monkey
Authors: Lin Zhi , Zhang Lu , Zhang Di , Huo Guitao , Zhou Xiaobing , Yang Yan‐wei , Huo Yan , Li Bo , Geng Xing‐chao
Published: February 2018

This report describes a suppurative meningitis in a young cynomolgus. The animal had neutrophil aggregation in the subarachnoid space and hemorrhage in bilateral adrenal glands. Staphylococcus was identified by FISH in brain. To our knowledge, this is the first case of staphylococcal meningitis with Waterhouse‐Friderichsen syndrome in a cynomolgus monkey.
Students’ perspectives on basic nursing care education
Authors: Huisman‐de Waal Getty , Feo Rebecca , Vermeulen Hester , Heinen Maud
Published: February 2018

Aims and objectives

To explore the perspectives of nursing students on their education concerning basic nursing care, learned either during theoretical education or clinical placement, with a specific focus on nutrition and communication.

Background

Basic care activities lie at the core of nursing, but are ill‐informed by evidence and often poorly delivered. Nursing students’ education on basic care might be lacking, and the question remains how they learn to deliver basic care in clinical practice.

Design

Descriptive study, using an online questionnaire.

Methods

Nursing students at the vocational and bachelor level of six nursing schools in the Netherlands were invited to complete an online questionnaire regarding their perception of basic nursing care education in general (both theoretical education and clinical placement) and specifically in relation to nutrition and communication.

Results

Nursing students (n = 226 bachelor students, n = 30 vocational students) completed the questionnaire. Most students reported that they learned more about basic nursing care during clinical placement than during theoretical education. Vocational students also reported learning more about basic nursing care in both theoretical education and clinical practice than bachelor students. In terms of nutrition, low numbers of students from both education levels reported learning about nutrition protocols and guidelines during theoretical education. In terms of communication, vocational students indicated that they learned more about different aspects of communication during clinical practice than theoretical education and were also more likely to learn about communication (in both theoretical education and clinical practice) than were bachelor students.

Conclusion

Basic nursing care seems to be largely invisible in nursing education, especially at the bachelor level and during theoretical education.

Relevance to clinical practice

Improved basic nursing care will enhance nurse‐sensitive outcomes and patient satisfaction and will contribute to lower healthcare costs. This study shows that there is scope within current nurse education in the Netherlands to focus more systematically and explicitly on basic nursing care.
Identifying the nontechnical skills required of nurses in general surgical wards
Authors: Marshall Dianne C , Finlayson Mary P
Published: February 2018

Aims and objectives

To identify the nontechnical skills (NTS) required of nurses in general surgical wards for safe and effective care.

Background

As the largest occupational group, nurses are in an ideal position to block the vulnerabilities of patient adverse events in a surgical ward. Previous studies in the surgical environment have identified the NTS required of nurses for safe care in operating rooms; however, these skills have not been identified for nurses in general surgical wards.

Design

A nonparticipant observational descriptive design was used.

Method

A purposive sample of 15 registered nurses was recruited from four surgical wards and observed for a full shift on a morning, afternoon or night shift. Nonparticipant observations were conducted using field notes to collect data. A coding frame was developed, and an inductive process was used to analyse the data.

Results

A taxonomy comprising seven NTS required of nurses in their roles in surgical ward teams emerged from the data analysis. They are communication, leadership and management, planning, decision‐making, situation awareness, teamwork and patient advocacy.

Conclusion

Patient care provided by general surgical nurses involved the seven identified key NTS. These particular NTS are an important component of safe nursing practice as they underpin the provision of safe and effective care for general surgical patients. Nurses block the trajectory of error by using NTS to address the vulnerabilities in the system that can lead to adverse patient events.

Relevance to clinical practice

Identifying general surgical nurses’ NTS enables the development of teaching strategies that target the learning of those skills to achieve successful work outcomes and improve patient safety.
Basic nursing care: The most provided, the least evidence based – A discussion paper
Authors: Zwakhalen Sandra M.G. , Hamers Jan P.H. , Metzelthin Silke F. , Ettema Roelof , Heinen Maud , de Man‐Van Ginkel Janneke M. , Vermeulen Hester , Huisman‐de Waal Getty , Schuurmans Marieke J.
Published: February 2018

Aims and objectives

To describe and discuss the “Basic Care Revisited” (BCR) research programme, a collaborative initiative that contributes to evidence‐based basic nursing care and raises awareness about the importance of basic nursing care activities.

Background

While basic nursing care serves nearly all people at some point in their lifetime, it is poorly informed by evidence. There is a need to prioritise and evaluate basic nursing care activities to improve patient outcomes and improve the quality of care.

Design

Discussion paper

Method

The discussion presented in this paper is based on nursing literature and theory and supported by the authors’ clinical and research experiences. We present the developmental process and content of a research programme called “Basic Care Revisited” (BCR) as a solution to move forward and improve basic nursing care.

Discussion

To prioritise basic nursing care, we propose a research programme entitled “Basic Care Revisited” that aims to create awareness and expand knowledge on evidence‐based basic nursing care by addressing four basic nursing care themes (bathing and dressing, communication, mobility, and nutrition) in different settings. The paper discusses a pathway to create a sustainable and productive research collaborative on basic nursing care and addresses issues to build research capacity.

Relevance to clinical practice

Revaluation of these important nursing activities will not only positively influence patient outcomes, but also have an impact on staff outcomes and organisational outcomes.
Nurses’ concerns about caring for patients with acute and chronic traumatic brain injury
Authors: Oyesanya Tolu O , Bowers Barbara J , Royer Heather R , Turkstra Lyn S
Published: February 2018

Aims and objectives

As a first step in developing traumatic brain injury‐specific nursing education, the purpose of this study was to investigate nurses’ concerns about caring for patients with moderate‐to‐severe traumatic brain injury.

Background

Patients with moderate‐to‐severe traumatic brain injury typically have significant immediate and chronic cognitive impairments. These cognitive impairments can negatively affect their inpatient stay after an acute traumatic brain injury and affect their health care later in life when seeking care for other acute health conditions during the chronic phase of traumatic brain injury. Nurses must be knowledgeable about modifying care to accommodate the cognitive impairments of these patients throughout the continuum of care. Yet, current guidelines focus exclusively on acute care and do not address nurses’ central role in dealing with residual cognitive impairments of these patients. Thus, educational and training interventions are needed to ensure nurses have adequate knowledge to care for these patients.

Design

We conducted a cross‐sectional, exploratory survey of 692 nurses across hospital departments at three hospitals between October 2014–August 2015. Nurses answered the following qualitative open‐ended question: “What are your primary concerns about providing care to patients with moderate‐to‐severe traumatic brain injury?”

Methods

Conventional qualitative content analysis was used to analyse nurses’ responses.

Results

Findings showed nurses reported multiple concerns about caring for patients in the acute phase after traumatic brain injury, but few concerns about caring for patients in the chronic phase. Some of the concerns nurses reported included: (i) preventing physical injury; (ii) missing changes in condition; (iii) providing adequate education; (iv) providing support; and (v) promoting recovery. Barriers to providing adequate care were as follows: (i) lack of knowledge; (ii) limited staffing; and (iii) inadequate resources.

Conclusions

Findings have implications for education of nurses and development of nursing guidelines for management of patients with traumatic brain injury, including providing direction for nurses on development of care plans for patients in the chronic phase after a moderate‐to‐severe traumatic brain injury.
School Connectedness and Protection From Symptoms of Depression in Sexual Minority Adolescents Attending School in Atlantic Canada
Authors: Wilson Maria N. , Asbridge Mark , Langille Donald B.
Published: February 2018

BACKGROUND

In examining associations of sexual orientation, school connectedness (SC), and depression, no studies have used a continuum of sexual orientation. Additionally, no study has examined whether individuals with higher SC within subgroups of the continuum of sexual orientation are protected from symptoms of depression when compared to others within their own group. Our study aimed to address these deficiencies.

METHODS

Data were from a cross‐sectional survey of 6643 public high school students. Logistic regression was used to determine if higher SC was associated with protection from symptoms of depression comparing students with minority sexual orientations to heterosexual students, and whether SC was protective within subgroups of orientation.

RESULTS

Mean SC scores were higher in heterosexuals than in all other orientation subgroups. Except for bisexual boys, compared with being heterosexual, being in other subgroups of orientation was associated with symptoms of depression, independent of SC. In both sexes SC was protective against depression risk within all categories of orientation except mostly/100% homosexual girls.

CONCLUSIONS

Within all subgroups of sexual orientation except mostly/completely homosexual girls, SC was protective for symptoms of depression, indicating its potential importance for prevention of depression in all students, including perhaps particularly those with minority orientation.
Longitudinal Examination of Aggression and Study Skills From Middle to High School: Implications for Dropout Prevention
Authors: Orpinas Pamela , Raczynski Katherine , Hsieh Hsien‐Lin , Nahapetyan Lusine , Horne Arthur M.
Published: February 2018

BACKGROUND

High school completion provides health and economic benefits. The purpose of this study is to describe dropout rates based on longitudinal trajectories of aggression and study skills using teacher ratings.

METHODS

The sample consisted of 620 randomly selected sixth graders. Every year from Grade 6 to 12, a teacher completed a nationally normed behavioral rating scale. We used latent class mixture modeling to identify the trajectories.

RESULTS

Participants followed 3 trajectories of aggression (Low, Medium Desisting, and High Desisting) and 5 trajectories of study skills (Low, Average‐Low, Decreasing, Increasing, and High). Over three‐quarters of the sample were in stable trajectories of study skills over time. Most students in the High Desisting Aggression group were in the Low Study Skills group, and all students in the High Study Skills group were in the Low Aggression group. The overall dropout rate was 17%, but varied dramatically across combined aggression and study skills groups, ranging from 2% to 50%.

CONCLUSIONS

The results highlight the importance of early prevention that combines academic enhancement and behavioral management for reducing school dropout.
Boundary Limit Theory for Functional Local to Unity Regression
Authors: Bykhovskaya Anna , Phillips Peter C. B.
Published: February 2018

This article studies functional local unit root models (FLURs) in which the autoregressive coefficient may vary with time in the vicinity of unity. We extend conventional local to unity (LUR) models by allowing the localizing coefficient to be a function which characterizes departures from unity that may occur within the sample in both stationary and explosive directions. Such models enhance the flexibility of the LUR framework by including break point, trending, and multidirectional departures from unit autoregressive coefficients. We study the behavior of this model as the localizing function diverges, thereby determining the impact on the time series and on inference from the time series as the limits of the domain of definition of the autoregressive coefficient are approached. This boundary limit theory enables us to characterize the asymptotic form of power functions for associated unit root tests against functional alternatives. Both sequential and simultaneous limits (as the sample size and localizing coefficient diverge) are developed. We find that asymptotics for the process, the autoregressive estimate, and its t‐statistic have boundary limit behavior that differs from standard limit theory in both explosive and stationary cases. Some novel features of the boundary limit theory are the presence of a segmented limit process for the time series in the stationary direction and a degenerate process in the explosive direction. These features have material implications for autoregressive estimation and inference which are examined in the article.
Kernel Entropy Estimation for Linear Processes
Authors: Sang Hailin , Sang Yongli , Xu Fangjun
Published: February 2018

Let {X

n
:n∈N}be a linear process with bounded probability density function f(x). We study the estimation of the quadratic functional ∫ R
f
2(x)dx. With a Fourier transform on the kernel function and the projection method, it is shown that, under certain mild conditions, the estimator has similar asymptotical properties as the i.i.d. case studied in Giné and Nickl if the linear process {X

n
:n∈N}has the defined short range dependence. We also provide an application to divergence and the extension to multi‐variate linear processes. The simulation study for linear processes with Gaussian and α‐stable innovations confirms our theoretical results. As an illustration, we estimate the divergences among the density functions of average annual river flows for four rivers and obtain promising results.
Intraspecific variation in feeding mechanics and bite force in durophagous stingrays
Authors: Kolmann M. A. , Dean Grubbs R. , Huber D. R. , Fisher R. , Lovejoy N. R. , Erickson G. M.
Published: February 2018

Animal performance is tightly linked to morphological function, whereby changes in size and performance can influence niche dynamics over ontogeny. To understand how growth affects feeding performance, we examined how bite force over ontogeny differed between two populations of durophagous stingrays, Rhinoptera bonasus (from the Chesapeake Bay and the Florida Gulf Coast, USA). Cownose stingrays from the Chesapeake Bay specialize on mollusks, whereas Gulf of Mexico stingrays are omnivorous, feeding on a variety of benthic invertebrates. Increases in jaw adductor size resulted in positive bite force allometry across ontogeny in both stingray populations. However, scaling patterns between muscle units differed between the populations, with more drastic increases in bite force over ontogeny in populations feeding on more robust prey. Mechanical testing of the fracture forces of prey suggests that juvenile bivalves are particularly vulnerable to predation by either stingray population. However, Gulf coast stingrays exhibit lower bite forces across ontogeny compared to Chesapeake rays. Chesapeake Bay rays are born larger, further exaggerating the performance disparity between these populations. Although these animals generate considerable bite forces, their ability to comminute bivalves at marketable sizes is doubtful.
Models of care for co‐morbid diabetes and chronic kidney disease
Authors: Lo Clement , Zimbudzi Edward , Teede Helena , Cass Alan , Fulcher Greg , Gallagher Martin , Kerr Peter G , Jan Stephen , Johnson Greg , Mathew Tim , Polkinghorne Kevan , Russell Grant , Usherwood Tim , Walker Rowan , Zoungas Sophia
Published: February 2018

Diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are two of the most prevalent co‐morbid chronic diseases in Australia. The increasing complexity of multi‐morbidity, and current gaps in health‐care delivery for people with co‐morbid diabetes and CKD, emphasize the need for better models of care for this population. Previously, proposed published models of care for co‐morbid diabetes and CKD have not been co‐designed with stake‐holders or formally evaluated. Particular components of health‐care shown to be effective in this population are interventions that: are structured, intensive and multifaceted (treating diabetes and multiple cardiovascular risk factors); involve multiple medical disciplines; improve self‐management by the patient; and upskill primary health‐care. Here we present an integrated patient‐centred model of health‐care delivery incorporating these components and co‐designed with key stake‐holders including specialist health professionals, general practitioners and Diabetes and Kidney Health Australia. The development of the model of care was informed by focus groups of patients and health‐professionals; and semi‐structured interviews of care‐givers and health professionals. Other distinctives of this model of care are routine screening for psychological morbidity; patient‐support through a phone advice line; and focused primary health‐care support in the management of diabetes and CKD. Additionally, the model of care integrates with the patient‐centred health‐care home currently being rolled out by the Australian Department of Health. This model of care will be evaluated after implementation across two tertiary health services and their primary care catchment areas.
Effects of adverse events in health care on acute care nurses in an Australian context: A qualitative study
Authors: Kable Ashley , Kelly Brian , Adams Jon
Published: February 2018

Adverse events in health care significantly impact health professionals who become the second victims of medical error. The aim of the present study was to understand the effects of adverse events in health care on nurses in acute health‐care settings in an Australian context. In this qualitative, descriptive study, we used purposeful sampling and recruited 10 acute care nurses. Interviews were conducted from 2011 to 2012 and were recorded, transcribed, and returned to participants to verify their accuracy. Data were categorized and analyzed to determine four emergent themes and subthemes. The four themes were: rescuing patients, effects on nurses, professional responsibility, and needs of nurses. Our analysis indicated that nurses need organizational responses to adverse events, including the provision of information and collegial support after adverse events occur. This will minimize the psychological trauma associated with these events for second victims and support effective communication and collegial working relationships.
Congenital myasthenic syndromes with acetylcholinesterase deficiency, the pathophysiological mechanisms
Authors: Legay Claire
Published: February 2018

The neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is a cholinergic synapse in vertebrates. This synapse connects motoneurons to muscles and is responsible for muscle contraction, a physiological process that is essential for survival. A key factor for the normal functioning of this synapse is the regulation of acetylcholine (ACh) levels in the synaptic cleft. This is ensured by acetylcholinesterase (AChE), which degrades ACh. A number of mutations in synaptic genes expressed in motoneurons or muscle cells have been identified and are causative for a class of neuromuscular diseases called congenital myasthenic syndromes (CMSs). One of these CMSs is due to deficiency in AChE, which is absent or diffuse in the synaptic cleft. Here, I focus on the origins of the syndrome. The role of ColQ, a collagen that anchors AChE in the synaptic cleft, is discussed in this context. Studies performed on patient biopsies, transgenic mice, and muscle cultures have provided a more comprehensive view of the connectome at the NMJ that should be useful for understanding the differences in the symptoms observed in specific CMSs due to mutated proteins in the synaptic cleft.
Wholesale Price Contracts for Reliable Supply
Authors: Hwang Woonam , Bakshi Nitin , DeMiguel Victor
Published: February 2018

Firms can enhance the reliability of their supply through process improvement and overproduction. In decentralized supply chains, however, these mitigating actions may be the supplier's responsibility yet are often not contractible. We show that wholesale price contracts, despite their simplicity, can perform well in inducing reliable supply, and we identify when and why they perform well. This could explain the widespread use of wholesale price contracts in business settings with unreliable supply. In particular, we investigate how the performance of wholesale price contracts depends on the interplay between the nature of supply risk and the type of procurement process. Supply risk is classified as random capacity when events such as labor strike disrupt the firm's ability to produce, or as random yield when manufacturing defects result in yield losses. The procurement process is classified as control when the buyer determines the production quantity, or as delegation when instead the supplier does. Analyzing the four possible combinations, we find that for random capacity, irrespective of the procurement process type, contract performance monotonically increases with the supplier's bargaining power; thus, wholesale price contracts perform well when the supplier is powerful. However, this monotonic trend is reversed for random yield with control: in that case, wholesale price contracts perform well when instead the buyer is powerful. For random yield with delegation, wholesale price contracts perform well when either party is powerful.
On the Formation of Producers’ Information‐Sharing Coalitions
Authors: He Qiao‐Chu , Chen Ying‐Ju , Shen Zuo‐Jun
Published: February 2018

In this study, we propose a stylized Cournot competition model under asymmetric market information and study the formation of producers’ informational coalitions. We offer guidance towards how the information service operations can improve the producers’ welfare. Our results shed interesting light on farmer producer organizations (FPOs) in their efforts to link farmers in developing economies by integrating market information. To be specific, by focusing on Nash equilibria wherein producers make coalition‐joining decisions, we find that no information‐sharing coalition will be formed when the public information provision is either too low or too high, or when the private information provision is high. When the private information provisions are endogenous, a coalition can be formed between two producers when the public information provision is high, while a fair allocation of payoff can be achieved by the dominant group architecture, but not efficiency in terms of aggregate payoff. The main theme is that the government or NGO should provide right amount of market information to the right target, and too much informational intervention leads to more inefficient production and unstable organization.
Sociology and Literature: Theoretical Considerations
Authors: Templeton Alice , Groce Stephen B.
Published: February 2018

The authors' discussion of the theoretical issues implied in interdisciplinary studies of sociology and literature is based on their analyses of selected works of sociology, literary theory, and cultural criticism produced during the past twenty years. Attempts to integrate the areas of sociology and literature have resulted in three general approaches: sociology through literature, the sociology of literature, and the study of sociology and literature based on their common dependence on language. The authors analyze the theoretical issues and assumptions that underlie each of these approaches in order to suggest a way to study sociology and literature which retains the richness and complexity of both disciplines.
The HLA‐A*30:02~C*18:02~B*57:03 African haplotype identified with the deletion of the HLA‐DRB1 gene in individuals from La Réunion Island
Authors: Lafarge X.
Published: February 2018

We found a haplotype with the deletion of the HLA‐DRB1 gene in two unrelated individuals originated from La Reunion Island, probably resulting from a deletion in the African haplotype A*30:02~C*18:02~B*57:03~DRB1*13:01.
The chaperone Chs7 forms a stable complex with Chs3 and promotes its activity at the cell surface
Authors: Dharwada Sai T. , Dalton Lauren E. , Bean Björn D. M. , Padmanabhan Nirmala , Choi Catherine , Schluter Cayetana , Davey Michael , Conibear Elizabeth
Published: February 2018

The polytopic yeast protein Chs3 (chitin synthase III) relies on a dedicated membrane‐localized chaperone, Chs7, for its folding and expression at the cell surface. In the absence of Chs7, Chs3 forms high molecular weight aggregates and is retained in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Chs7 was reported to be an ER resident protein, but its role in Chs3 folding and transport was not well characterized. Here, we show that Chs7 itself exits the ER and localizes with Chs3 at the bud neck and intracellular compartments. We identified mutations in the Chs7 C‐terminal cytosolic domain that do not affect its chaperone function, but cause it to dissociate from Chs3 at a post‐ER transport step. Mutations that prevent the continued association of Chs7 with Chs3 do not block delivery of Chs3 to the cell surface, but dramatically reduce its catalytic activity. This suggests that Chs7 engages in functionally distinct interactions with Chs3 to first promote its folding and ER exit, and subsequently to regulate its activity at the plasma membrane.
Sugar Daddy: Gilberto Freyre y el amor entre blancos y negros
Authors: Braga-Pinto César
Published: February 2018

Este ensayo se enfoca en las representaciones de la homosexualidad en el trabajo de Gilberto Freyre (1900-1987), particularmente, en la manera en que tales figuraciones alteran las nociones de contacto racial y mestizaje. Al echar una mirada a la configuración de los “deseos homosociales” en algunos de los textos de Freyre, se puede entender el rol que las narrativas de relaciones interraciales y homosexuales desempeñan en la estructuración de lo que él llama “la familia patriarcal brasilera” y, de este modo, en la representación canónica de Brasil como nación mestiza.
Vulnerables y en revuelta: precariedad y globalización en la práctica poética de Diego Ramírez Gajardo
Authors: Aguirre Lina X.
Published: February 2018

A través del análisis de El baile de los niños, de Diego Ramírez Gajardo, y de las actividades del taller de poesía y editorial que él dirige, este artículo analiza las manifestaciones de la “precariedad” en la poesía chilena contemporánea y su relación con la globalización como régimen generador de subjetividades. En la práctica poética de Ramírez, la precariedad se plantea de dos modos estratégicos: vulnerabilidad y revuelta liberadora, los cuales evidencian la situación de los sujetos jóvenes en el Chile globalizado y su búsqueda de espacios de resistencia. Prácticas juveniles como el baile y la sexualidad son claves en la propuesta textual y extratextual de este poeta.
Evaluation of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Trouessart) and D. farinae Hughes (Acari: Pyroglyphidae) sensitivity in patients with allergic rhinitis: a comparative study
Authors: ZEYTUN Erhan , DOĞAN Salih , Ünver Edhem , ÖZÇÜÇEK Fatih
Published: February 2018

This study was conducted to determine the sensitivity to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Trouessart) and D. farinae Hughes with skin prick tests (SPT) and serologic tests in patients with allergic rhinitis (AR), and to specifically search for those mites in homes of patients. A total of 51 participants, (23 patients and 28 controls) were utilized. Skin-prick tests with D. pteronyssinus and D. farinae allergens were performed on all participants, and serum levels of allergen-specific lgE and total IgE were also measured. Dust samples were collected from homes of all participants and examined under a stereo microscope. 977 D. pteronyssinus (mean 44.4/g) and 24 D. farinae (mean 4.0/g) were isolated from the homes of patients, whereas 35 D. pteronyssinus (mean 4.4/g), and four D. farinae (mean 2.0/g) were isolated from the homes of the controls. Patients with D. pteronyssinus in their homes had 95.5% sensitivity to the species according to SPT and 27.3 according to IgE. Patients with D. farinae in their homes had 83.3% sensitivity to the species according to SPT, and 50% according to IgE. Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus sensitivity in the controls was detected as 12.5% according to SPT; however, D. farinae sensitivity was not detected according to both SPT and mite-specific IgE. Differences between patients and controls utilizing SPT results was statistically significant, but not when using mite-specific IgE results. As a result, it was determined that patients with AR in Erzincan province were sensitized to D. pteronyssinus and D. farinae, and that their homes contained those species. It may be helpful to consider these findings in clinical assessment of patients with AR, and also in treatment utilizing immunotherapy techniques.
Multichannel Multiple Signal Classification for dispersion curves extraction of ultrasonic guided waves
Authors: Zabbal Paul , Ribay Guillemette , Chapuis Bastien , Jumel Julien
Published: February 2018

Multichannel acquisition of ultrasonic guided waves can be used to extract dispersion curves, from the time-position domain (t-x) to the frequency-wavenumber (f-k), or frequency-velocity domain (f-c). Accurate measurements are needed in order to be able to precisely characterize the specimen, by improving the extraction of low amplitude modes and enhance resolution. The proposed method is based on the MUltiple SIgnal Classification algorithm combined with a multi-emitter and multi-receiver acquisition. In this work, this method is applied on experimental data to extract dispersive information from multilayered bonded specimens.