bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Study of Interpersonal Conflict Among Operating Room Nurses
Authors: Chang Tsui-Fen , Chen Chung-Kuang , Chen Ming-Jia
Published: December 2016

Background:

Team collaboration is an important factor that affects the performance of the operating room (OR). Therefore, the ability of OR nurses to adapt to and manage interpersonal conflict incidents properly is very important.

Purpose:

The aims of this study were to investigate the interpersonal conflict management capabilities of OR nursing staffs and to find the relationships among the demographics of OR nurses and the following: work-related variables, interpersonal conflict management style, and target of interpersonal conflict.

Methods:

This study investigated 201 OR nurses who had worked for more than 6 months at the target hospitals, which were located in the three counties of Changhua, Yunlin, and Chiayi. The questionnaire that was used to collect data included three components: a demographic and work-related variables survey, interpersonal conflict management factor analysis scale, and interpersonal conflict parties and frequency scale. Data were analyzed using independent t test, analysis of variance, Scheffe’s test, and Pearson’s correlation coefficient.

Results:

The main findings were as follows: (a) Integration and arbitration were the major interpersonal conflict management strategies adopted by the participants; (b) medical doctor, OR nurses, and anesthetists were the primary targets of conflict for the participants; (c) the factors of educational background, job position, experience in other departments, seniority, attending courses in conflict management, and level of hospital significantly affected the strategies that participants used to manage interpersonal conflict; and (d) license level, experience in other departments, seniority, and inclination toward serving in the OR were each found to relate significantly to the target of interpersonal conflict and the frequency of interpersonal conflict incidents.

Conclusions/Implications for Practice:

The main implications of this study are as follows: (a) The environment for communication in the OR should be made more friendly to encourage junior OR nurses to adopt constructive interpersonal conflict management strategies; (b) prior experience in other departments should be one of the most important factors of consideration when recruiting new nurses for the OR; and (c) hospitals should provide more interpersonal conflict management training courses to support the capability of OR nursing staffs in terms of adopting cooperativeness strategies and coping effectively with all types of interpersonal conflicts.
Moral Distress Model Reconstructed Using Grounded Theory
Authors: Ko Hsun-Kuei , Chin Chi-Chun , Hsu Min-Tao
Published: December 2016

Background:

The problems of nurse burnout and manpower shortage relate to moral distress. Thus, having a good understanding of moral distress is critical to developing strategies that effectively improve the clinical ethical climate and improve nursing retention in Taiwan.

Purpose:

The aim of this study was to reconstruct the model of moral distress using the grounded theory.

Methods:

Twenty-five staff nurses at work units who attend to the needs of adult, pediatric, acute, and critical disease or end-of-life-care patients were recruited as participants using theoretical sampling from three teaching hospitals in Taiwan. Data were collected using intensive, 2- to 3-hour interviews with each participant. Audio recordings of the interviews were made and then converted into transcripts. The data were analyzed using the grounded theory.

Results:

In the clinical setting, the perspective that nurses take toward clinical moral events reflects their moral values, which trigger moral cognition, provocation, and appraisal. The moral barriers that form when moral events that occur in clinical settings contradict personal moral values may later develop into moral distress. In handling moral barriers in the clinical environment, nurses make moral judgments and determine what is morally correct. Influenced by moral efficacy, the consequence may either be a moral action or an expression of personal emotion. Wasting National Health Insurance resources and Chinese culture are key sources of moral distress for nurses in Taiwan. The role of self-confidence in promoting moral efficacy and the role of heterodox skills in promoting moral actions represent findings that are unique to this study.

Conclusions:

The moral distress model was used in this study to facilitate the development of future nursing theories. On the basis of our findings, we suggested that nursing students be encouraged to use case studies to establish proper moral values, improve moral cognition and judgment capabilities, and promote moral actions to better handle the regular pressures of moral distress in future clinical or workplace settings. Moreover, a better understanding of moral distress may help retain staff nurses.
Failure of Bone Marrow Stimulation Techniques
Authors: Frank Rachel M. , Cotter Eric J. , Nassar Islam , Cole Brian
Published: December 2016

Marrow stimulation techniques, including microfracture, are among the most commonly performed cartilage restoration procedures for symptomatic chondral defects of the knee. For the vast majority of patients, marrow stimulation results in reduced pain and improved function, providing overall satisfactory outcomes. In some cases, however, marrow stimulation fails, resulting in symptom recurrence and often, the need for repeat surgery. This review will describe the indications and outcomes of microfracture as a primary surgical treatment for focal chondral defects of the knee, identify patient and procedure-specific factors associated with poor clinical outcomes, and will discuss treatment options and their respective outcomes for patients with a failed prior microfracture surgery.
Surgical Treatment for Failure of Repair of Patellar and Quadriceps Tendon Rupture With Ipsilateral Hamstring Tendon Graft
Authors: Maffulli Nicola , Papalia Rocco , Torre Guglielmo , Denaro Vincenzo
Published: December 2016

Tears of the patellar and quadriceps tendon are common in the active population, especially in athletes. At present, several techniques for surgical repair and reconstruction are available. When reruptures occur, a reconstruction is mandatory. In the present paper, we describe a surgical technique for patellar and quadriceps tendon reconstruction using ipsilateral hamstring autograft. After routine hamstring tendon harvesting, the tendon ends are prepared using a whip stitch. A transverse tunnel is drilled in the midportion of the patella, the hamstring graft is passed through the patella, and firmly secured to the patellar tunnel openings with sutures. The details of the technique are fully described. Autologous ipsilateral hamstring tendon grafts provide a secure sound means to manage these challenging injuries.
Revision Surgery for Failed Patellar Tendinopathy Exploration
Authors: Maffulli Nicola , Giai Via Alessio , Oliva Francesco
Published: December 2016

Chronic patellar tendinopathy affects athletes, with a higher incidence in high-impact sporting activities. It can seriously impair sports activities. Many patients respond well to conservative treatment, but about 10% of them are refractory to conservative treatment. In these cases, surgery is indicated. Multiple surgical techniques have been reported, including both open and arthroscopic procedures with good results. However, in a small percentage of patients surgery is unsuccessful. This group of patients presents a major challenge, as options are limited. We describe our surgical approach in the management of recalcitrant patellar tendinopathy.
The effect of vitamin D supplementation on pain, quality of life, and nerve conduction studies in women with chronic widespread pain
Authors: Akyuz Gulseren , Sanal-Toprak Canan , Yagci Ilker , Giray Esra , Kuru-Bektasoglu Pinar
Published: December 2016

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of vitamin D supplementation on pain, quality of life, and nerve conduction studies (NCSs) in women with chronic widespread pain (CWP) diagnosed with Vitamin D insufficiency. Thirty-three female participants with CWP and vitamin D insufficiency were included in this open-label trial. They were evaluated by routine NCSs in upper and lower limbs, pain scales, and the Nottingham Health Profile before and 8 weeks after starting vitamin D supplementation therapy. The P-value was adjusted to account for the number of comparisons performed in each assessment. After 8 weeks of treatment, participants reported significantly lower pain scores (P=0.000). The total Nottingham Health Profile score and subscores for pain, emotional reactions, and physical activity domains were significantly lower (0.000≤P≤0.008). However, no statistically significant changes in NCSs were detected, except trends toward increases in the amplitudes of left median and ulnar sensory nerve potentials and a decrease in the distal latency of the right median sensory potential (0.01≤P≤0.04). Vitamin D supplementation therapy decreased pain and increased quality of life without significantly affecting nerve conduction in patients with CWP.
Sudden Death in a Male Infant Due to Histiocytoid Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Xie Hanbing , Chen Xueqin , Chen Ni , Zhou Qiao
Published: December 2016

Histiocytoid cardiomyopathy (HC) is a very rare cardiac disorder that mainly affects female infants younger than 2 years. It may manifest as ventricular tachycardia or dilated cardiomyopathy and frequently causes sudden death. The most common grossly change is multifocal uneven thickening of the endocardium, presenting a yellowish color, with some area forming nodular appearance, and histologically featured by scattered clusters of histiocytoid myocytes under the endocardium. Here, we present a 19-month-old male infant who died of heart failure, and an autopsy was performed and confirmed the diagnosis of HC. We also reviewed the literature and focused on the research progression of the origin and genetic/molecular features of HC in recent years.
Forensic Analysis of Parachute Deaths
Authors: Burke Michael Philip , Chitty Johannes
Published: December 2016

Deaths associated with parachuting are very uncommon. However, these deaths do tend to be “high profile” in the traditional and social media. When forensic pathologists examine the deceased after a fatal parachuting incident, the anatomical cause of death is usually not in question. For most forensic pathologists, it is usually the case that we will have very limited knowledge of parachuting equipment or the mechanics of a typical successful parachute jump. As such, the investigation of the death should involve a multidisciplinary approach with an appropriate expert providing the formal forensic examination of the parachuting equipment. We have endeavored to describe, in simple terms, the usual components of a typical parachute rig, a précis of the sequence of events in a routine skydive and BASE jump, and the various types of malfunctions that may occur. Last, we present a case report of a BASE jump fatality to illustrate how an expert examination of the BASE jumper's gear aided the medicolegal investigation of the death with some important aspects in the forensic examination of the jumper's equipment.
A Novel Method of Intraosseous Infusion of Adenosine for the Treatment of Supraventricular Tachycardia in an Infant
Authors: Helleman Krista , Kirpalani Amrit , Lim Rodrick
Published: December 2016

Supraventricular tachycardia is a common arrhythmia faced by emergency physicians in the pediatric population. In most cases, antecubital intravenous access can be established, and adenosine can be administered in a rapid and timely fashion. The role and administration of intraosseous adenosine are poorly established. We describe a case where the administration of adenosine was successful via a mixed method administration.
Lung Ultrasound as First-Line Examination for the Diagnosis of Community-Acquired Pneumonia in Children
Authors: Boursiani Contantinia , Tsolia Maria , Koumanidou Chrysoula , Malagari Aikaterini , Vakaki Marina , Karapostolakis Georgios , Mazioti Argyro , Alexopoulou Efthymia
Published: December 2016

Objectives

The diagnosis of pediatric community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is based on clinical criteria. Even though chest x-ray (CXR) is only recommended in severe cases, it is often requested from physicians in mild cases, thus increasing radiation exposure. Lung ultrasound (LUS) is not included in the diagnostic workup. The objective of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of LUS against CXR.

Methods

Children who presented to the emergency department with clinical signs suggesting CAP and had already been evaluated with a CXR were included in the study. Availability of a pediatric sonographer expert in LUS was also considered a criterion for participation. Chest x-ray and LUS were considered positive for CAP in cases of alveolar or interstitial pattern of disease. The diagnostic criterion standard was the ex post diagnosis of pneumonia, made by an independent senior expert pediatrician, after evaluation of the complete medical chart.

Results

Sixty-nine children were enrolled in the study, with 66 of 69 positive for CAP. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis results for CXR were 95.5% sensitivity and 100% specificity, whereas for LUS, sensitivity was reported 92.42% and specificity 100%. Comparison of the 2 receiver operating characteristic curves revealed no difference in the diagnostic value of the 2 methods for the diagnosis of pneumonia (P = 0.658). However, LUS classified more cases as alveolar disease compared with CXR.

Conclusions

Lung ultrasound plays a significant role in the detection of CAP, not inferior to CXR. The aim of this study was to encourage the use of ultrasound as a first-line examination for CAP in children.
Parallel adaptation to higher temperatures in divergent clades of the nematodePristionchus pacificus
Authors: Leaver Mark , Kayhan Merve , McGaughran Angela , Roedelsperger Christian , Hyman Anthony A. , Sommer Ralf J.
Published: December 2016

Studying the effect of temperature on fertility is particularly important in the light of ongoing climate change. We need to know if organisms can adapt to higher temperatures and, if so, what are the evolutionary mechanisms behind such adaptation. Such studies have been hampered by the lack different populations of sufficient sizes with which to relate the phenotype of temperature tolerance to the underlying genotypes. Here, we examined temperature adaptation in populations of the nematodePristionchus pacificus, in which individual strains are able to successfully reproduce at 30°C. Analysis of the frequency of heat tolerant strains in different temperature zones on La Réunion supports that this trait is subject to natural selection. Reconstruction of ancestral states along the phylogeny of highly differentiatedP. pacificusclades suggests that heat tolerance evolved multiple times independently. This is further supported by genome wide association studies showing that heat tolerance is a polygenic trait and that different loci are used by individualP. pacificusclades to develop heat tolerance. More precisely, analysis of allele frequencies indicated that most genetic markers that are associated with heat tolerance are only polymorphic in individual clades. While in someP. pacificusclades, parallel evolution of heat tolerance can be explained by ancestral polymorphism or by gene flow across clades, we observe at least one clearly distinct and independent scenario where heat tolerance emerged byde novomutation. Thus, temperature tolerance evolved at least two times independently in the evolutionary history of this species. Our data suggest that studies of wild populations ofP. pacificuswill reveal distinct cellular mechanisms driving temperature adaptation.
PeripheralHttsilencing does not ameliorate central signs of disease in the B6.HttQ111/+mouse model of Huntington’s Disease
Authors: Coffey Sydney R. , Bragg Robert M. , Shawn Minnig , Ament Seth A. , Anne Glickenhaus , Daniel Shelnut , Carrillo José M. , Shuttleworth Dominic D. , Julie-Anne Rodier , Kimihiro Noguchi , Bennett C. Frank , Price Nathan D. , Kordasiewicz Holly B. , Carroll Jeffrey B.
Published: December 2016

Huntington’s disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disease whose neuropathological signature is a selective loss of medium spiny neurons in the striatum. Despite this selective neuropathology, the mutant protein (huntingtin) is found in virtually every cell so far studied, and, consequently, phenotypes are observed in a wide range of organ systems both inside and outside the central nervous system. We, and others, have suggested that peripheral dysfunction could contribute to the rate of progression of striatal phenotypes of HD. To test this hypothesis, we lowered levels of huntingtin by treating mice with antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) targeting the murineHuntingtingene. To study the relationship between peripheral huntingtin levels and striatal HD phenotypes, we utilized a knock-in model of the human HD mutation (the B6.HttQ111/+mouse). We treated mice with ASOs from 2-10 months of age, a time period over which significant HD-relevant signs progressively develop in the brains ofHttQ111+mice. Peripheral treatment with ASOs led to persistent reduction of huntingtin protein in peripheral organs, including liver, brown and white adipose tissues. This reduction was not associated with alterations in the severity of HD-relevant signs in the striatum ofHttQ111/+mice at the end of the study, including transcriptional dysregulation, the accumulation of neuronal intranuclear inclusions, and behavioral changes such as subtle hypoactivity and reduced exploratory drive. These results suggest that the amount of peripheral reduction achieved in the current study does not significantly impact the progression of HD-relevant signs in the central nervous system.
DeepScope: Nonintrusive Whole Slide Saliency Annotation and Prediction from Pathologists at the Microscope
Authors: Schaumberg Andrew J. , Sirintrapun S. Joseph , Al-Ahmadie Hikmat A. , Schüffler Peter J. , Fuchs Thomas J.
Published: December 2016

Modern digital pathology departments have grown to produce whole-slide image data at petabyte scale, an unprecedented treasure chest for medical machine learning tasks. Unfortunately, most digital slides are not annotated at the image level, hindering large-scale application of supervised learning. Manual labeling is prohibitive, requiring pathologists with decades of training and outstanding clinical service responsibilities. This problem is further aggravated by the United States Food and Drug Administration’s ruling that primary diagnosis must come from a glass slide rather than a digital image. We present the first end-to-end framework to overcome this problem, gathering annotations in a nonintrusive manner during a pathologist’s routine clinical work: (i) microscope-specific 3D-printed commodity camera mounts are used to video record the glass-slide-based clinical diagnosis process; (ii) after routine scanning of the whole slide, the video frames are registered to the digital slide; (iii) motion and observation time are estimated to generate a spatial and temporal saliency map of the whole slide. Demonstrating the utility of these annotations, we train a convolutional neural network that detects diagnosis-relevant salient regions, then report accuracy of 85.15% in bladder and 91.40% in prostate, with 75.00% accuracy when training on prostate but predicting in bladder, despite different pathologists examining the different tissues. When training on one patient but testing on another, AUROC in bladder is 0.7929±0.1109 and in prostate is 0.9568±0.0374. Our tool is available at https://bitbucket.org/aschaumberg/deepscope.
Fast Assembling of Neuron Fragments in Serial 3D Sections
Authors: Chen Hanbo , Iascone Daniel M. , da Costa Nuno Macarico , Lein Ed S. , Liu Tianming , Peng Hanchuan
Published: December 2016

Reconstructing neurons from 3D image-stacks of serial sections of thick brain tissue is very time-consuming and often becomes a bottleneck in high-throughput brain mapping projects. We developed NeuronStitcher, a software suite for stitching non-overlapping neuron fragments reconstructed in serial 3D image sections. With its efficient algorithm and user-friendly interface, NeuronStitcher has been used successfully to reconstruct very large and complex human and mouse neurons.
Lights and shadows of Affordable Care Act and its influence on world civilization
Authors: Migheli Matteo , Di Novi Cinzia
Published: December 2016

Purpose

The Obama’s reform of the US healthcare system has been a major topic of debate in the USA. The USA feels the need to provide 48 million residents with health insurance. The Affordable Care Act has this goal, but the several factors have limited its capacity and implementation. The purpose of this paper is to discuss this reform, paying attention to its potential implications for the human and economic development of both the USA and the rest of the world. The authors show that developed countries also need policies for enhancing human development and also the developing world may benefit from policy changes in the “first world.”

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology is based on discursive discussion. The argumentation first presents the reform, and highlights its advantages and its flaws for the citizens of both the USA and of developing countries.

Findings

The authors claim that the reform presents some flaws that render it still insufficient to cover all the health needs of the poor in the USA. However, the reform is likely to attract more immigrant workers to the USA, since it is likely to improve the living conditions of immigrants as well as those of their families.

Originality/value

The original point of the paper is the link between the reform and the benefits for non-US citizens. The extant literature has widely discussed the impact of the reform on the domestic market and on the US citizens. The authors widen this perspective showing that an important reform in a large country may be beneficial for people living elsewhere as well.
The effect of intimate partner violence on labor market decisions
Authors: Rios-Avila Fernando , Javier Canavire-Bacarreza Gustavo
Published: December 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the heterogeneous labor market responses of indigenous and non-indigenous women to intimate partner violence (IPV) using information from the 2003 Demographic and Health Survey for Bolivia.

Design/methodology/approach

This analysis employs an instrumental variable with a Heckman correction approach to account for possible endogeneity problems between IPV and job exit decisions, and the self-selection of women into the labor force. It also analyses the sample across different population characteristics to search for heterogeneity and potential explanations to the observed effects.

Findings

The results show that the effect of IPV on women’s job exits is stronger among non-indigenous women compared to their indigenous counterparts. These differences could be tied to the cultural differences between these two segments of the population. These results are robust using different methodologies and specifications.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is the first one to compare the relationship between domestic violence and labor market outcomes in a multi-ethnic developing country, such as Bolivia.
Safety net for agriculture: effect of idiosyncratic income shock on remittance payments
Authors: Akobeng Eric
Published: December 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of illness-driven agriculture income shocks on remittance payments in Ghana using a nationally representative household pseudo-panel data set for 1991/1992, 1998/1999 and 2005/2006.

Design/methodology/approach

The two-stage least square instrumental variable technique is used. This is compared with the ordinary least squares estimator.

Findings

The author finds that households in Ghana use remittances to protect themselves from negative agriculture income shocks. The study further reveals that the protection is resilient in female-headed households.

Research limitations/implications

The question of remittances as a safety net mechanism is interesting, but the limitation is the challenges involving the counterfactual setup in studying the effects of endogenous migration choices.

Practical implications

The study provides that, as far as microeconomic factors are concerned, remittances increase in times of negative agriculture income shocks attributed to illness in Ghana.

Social implications

The finding points to the fact that remittance payments play an essential role as an informal safety net during illness-driven agriculture income shock especially for female-headed households in Ghana. This has an important implication for poverty reduction in Ghana.

Originality/value

It provides an empirical test of the claim that remittance flows buffer idiosyncratic shock with micro-level household data that incorporates both internal and international remittances. The paper introduces gender dimension into idiosyncratic shocks’ impact. Also, the data set makes it possible to provide a reliable set of agriculture income shock estimates.
Introducing problem-solving therapy training into Southwestern Ontario
Authors: Marlatt Nicole M. , Van Bussel Elisabeth M. , Seitz Dallas , Gutmanis Iris
Published: December 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce problem-solving therapy (PST) training to an Ontario health region. The aim of this pilot project was to increase psychotherapy access by training community-based outreach clinicians and to understand their satisfaction with the training program as well as their confidence in applying the principles of PST.

Design/methodology/approach

Clinicians from Southwestern Ontario who provide community-based mental health outreach services to older adults were invited to participate in this training opportunity. Selection was based on their existing client base, the geographic area they served, and self-reported foreseeable PST training benefits. Selected individuals received an eight-hour in-person didactic session, eight one-hour case-based learning opportunities, and individual case supervision. Acquired knowledge, perceived confidence in their skills, level of adherence to PST principles in clinical interactions, and satisfaction with the training program itself were measured.

Findings

Of the 36 applicants, eight trainees were selected. All trainees completed their training and seven were successfully certified in PST. Trainees indicated a high level of satisfaction with the training experience. According to the evaluation tools, trainee confidence in providing PST significantly increased, though there was no statistically significant change in knowledge.

Originality/value

This study provides the first evidence that PST can be introduced within a regional geriatric mental health service in Canada. The training involved both in-person training, web-based conferencing sessions and a supervisory component. The training lasted 16 hours and resulted in staff skill development in an evidence-based psychotherapy modality.
Spatial analysis of solar radiation using computer vision technique and data assimilation
Authors: Kashyap Yashwant , Bansal Ankit , Sao Anil K.
Published: December 2016

Purpose

The presence of broken clouds leads to frequent fluctuations in direct normal incident solar irradiation as well as diffuse radiation from the sky. This brings a lot of challenge for grid integration of solar power plants. The paper aims to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

A new model is presented to nowcast solar radiation by utilizing hourly global horizontal irradiance (GHI) over a large spatial grid. The spatial distribution of the GHI provides information on the presence of a cloud shadow above a given site. This information is extracted with the help of various data processing techniques. The spatial–temporal data analysis is employed to track the extracted cloud shadow image based on a dynamic model. A Kalman filter is applied for the assimilation of data in the tracking of the extracted shadow over a geographical location.

Findings

The proposed model can provide very good forecasting of solar radiation for various time horizons. However, the variation of shadow features between time steps must be included in the dynamic model to forecast accurate GHI values.

Research limitations/implications

In this paper database used is on hourly basis; it can be further improved for the inter-hour level of ground data for more accuracy.

Practical implications

The outcome of this paper would be useful in the field of solar energy application and for weather monitoring purposes.

Originality/value

The forecasted position of the shadow is utilized to prepare and forecast a GHI map for one hour time horizon. Results show that the model can be utilized to forecast solar radiation with accuracy consistent with the contemporary models.
Decades of public-private partnership in solid waste management
Authors: Yeboah-Assiamah Emmanuel , Asamoah Kwame , Kyeremeh Thomas Agyekum
Published: December 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine empirical studies on public-private partnerships (PPPs) and solid waste management (SWM) in Ghana and India to synthesize the “crucial lessons” for urban managers and policy makers in developing countries.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic review of empirical studies was carried out, the search process comprised four categories of keywords combined differently across three main search engines in order to obtain a pool of more relevant literature on the study. Sorting for relevance was done at various levels; retrospective content analysis of relevant empirical studies on PPP and SWM in Ghana and India was subsequently carried out to draw lessons and policy suggestions.

Findings

PPPs have mainly been impressive in coverage of waste collection in the Ghanaian context, whilst in India, emphasis has been on injection of technology and effectiveness into SWM. It is also observed that in both cases the PPP processes have lacked adequate openness, transparency and sufficient stakeholder engagement. In the Ghana cases, mostly, urban authorities hardly pay attention to details in the partnership deed and also ignore monitoring of private partners. Poorly performed PPPs do occur when one of the partners relent on his role which could have a cascading effect on other actors.

Practical implications

Whilst PPP is a strong candidate to address the SWM challenges of urban centers in developing countries, this does not necessarily come about by joining the bandwagon. Merely entering into a partnership deed with private waste management companies without paying due attention to details of the contract will usher urban managers into a state of schizophrenia. The paper presents five key lessons to inform policy and practice.

Originality/value

The paper draws lessons from multiple cases of PPPs in Ghana and India by synchronizing lessons adaptable to city authorities and policy makers in developing countries.
Application of reverse osmosis to petrochemical industry wastewater treatment aimed at water reuse
Authors: Venzke Carla Denize , Rodrigues Marco Antônio Siqueira , Giacobbo Alexandre , Bacher Luciana Ely , Lemmertz Iona Souza , Viegas Cheila , Striving Júlia , Pozzebon Shaiane
Published: December 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to apply reverse osmosis (RO) to the treatment of industrial wastewater from a large petrochemical complex in Southern Brazil, in order to verify the conditions of liquid effluent reuse and improve them, especially to reduce the consumption of natural water by some production structures such as boilers and cooling towers.

Design/methodology/approach

The petrochemical wastewater was submitted to pretreatment using a sand filter and activated carbon filters. Tests were conducted using RO equipment with a production capacity of 0.25 m3h−1 composed of a spiral membrane module with a membrane area of 7.2 m². Pressures of 8, 12 and 15 bar were applied with reject flow maintained constant at 10 Lm−1.

Findings

The experiment results indicated optimum RO performance since more than 90 percent extraction was obtained for most of the compounds present in the petrochemical wastewater.

Originality/value

By checking the aspects involved, as well as providing some relevant considerations about, this study promotes the application of RO to get a satisfactory water reuse in similar industries, thereby decreasing both the volume of water extracted from wellsprings and the amount of wastewater released into water bodies.
Small and shallow previously unstudied lakes: land-use, overgrowth and eutrophication
Authors: Rizhinashvili Alexandra
Published: December 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to compare trophic characteristics of the ecosystems of small and shallow lakes with a different character of land-cover in their catchments (as exemplified by several previously unstudied lakes of the Leningrad Region, North-Western Russia, that belong to a single lake-river system).

Design/methodology/approach

The key limnetic parameters of four lakes are analysed. Two of the lakes are located on the territory of allotment gardens, the other two are in the forest-covered areas. A preliminary assessment was made for the production-to-destruction ratio in the ecosystems of the lakes of the study region and their vulnerability factors.

Findings

For the lakes with a largely unexploited catchment, humus of terrigenous origin can act as a “hidden” source of nutrient load (primarily as phosphates). For the lakes with a catchment occupied by allotment gardens, an elevated trophic status and intensive overgrowth by vegetation (floating forms) is driven by an increased nitrogen load.

Practical implications

The results can be used for planning land and water management activities in North-Western Russia and in other world’s regions with similar environmental conditions.

Originality/value

These results can lay a foundation for creating a region-specific model to predict trends in eutrophication and overgrowth of small shallow lakes.
Identification of fluency and word‐finding difficulty in samples of children with diverse language backgrounds
Authors: Howell Peter , Tang Kevin , Tuomainen Outi , Chan Sin Kan , Beltran Kirsten , Mirawdeli Avin , Harris John
Published: December 2016

Background

Stuttering and word‐finding difficulty (WFD) are two types of communication difficulty that occur frequently in children who learn English as an additional language (EAL), as well as those who only speak English. The two disorders require different, specific forms of intervention. Prior research has described the symptoms of each type of difficulty. This paper describes the development of a non‐word repetition test (UNWR), applicable across languages, that was validated by comparing groups of children identified by their speech and language symptoms as having either stuttering or WFD.

Aims

To evaluate whether non‐word repetition scores using the UNWR test distinguished between children who stutter and those who have a WFD, irrespective of the children's first language.

Methods & Procedures

UNWR was administered to ninety‐six 4–5‐year‐old children attending UK schools (20.83% of whom had EAL). The children's speech samples in English were assessed for symptoms of stuttering and WFD. UNWR scores were calculated.

Outcomes & Results

Regression models were fitted to establish whether language group (English only/EAL) and symptoms of (1) stuttering and (2) WFD predicted UNWR scores. Stuttering symptoms predicted UNWR, whereas WFD did not. These two findings suggest that UNWR scores dissociate stuttering from WFD. There were no differences between monolingual English‐speakers and children who had EAL.

Conclusions & Implications

UNWR scores distinguish between stuttering and WFD irrespective of language(s) spoken, allowing future evaluation of a range of languages in clinics or schools.
Written cohesion in children with and without language learning disabilities
Authors: Koutsoftas Anthony D. , Petersen Victoria
Published: December 2016

Background

Cohesion refers to the linguistic elements of discourse that contribute to its continuity and is an important element to consider as part of written language intervention, especially in children with language learning disabilities (LLD). There is substantial evidence that children with LLD perform more poorly than typically developing (TD) peers on measures of cohesion in spoken language and on written transcription measures; however, there is far less research comparing groups on cohesion as a measure of written language across genres.

Aims

The current study addresses this gap through the following two aims. First, to describe and compare cohesion in narrative and expository writing samples of children with and without language learning disabilities. Second, to relate measures of cohesion to written transcription and translation measures, oral language, and writing quality.

Methods & Procedures

Fifty intermediate‐grade children produced one narrative and one expository writing sample from which measures of written cohesion were obtained. These included the frequency, adequacy and complexity of referential and conjunctive ties.

Outcomes & Results

Expository samples resulted in more complex cohesive ties and children with TD used more complex ties than peers with LLD. Different relationships among cohesion measures and writing were observed for narrative verse expository samples.

Conclusions & Implications

Findings from this study demonstrate cohesion as a discourse‐level measure of written transcription and how the use of cohesion can vary by genre and group (LLD, TD). Clinical implications for assessment, intervention, and future research are provided.
Microbial nutrient niches in the gut
Authors: Pereira Fátima C. , Berry David
Published: December 2016

The composition and function of the mammalian gut microbiota has been the subject of much research in recent years, but the principles underlying the assembly and structure of this complex community remain incompletely understood. Processes that shape the gut microbiota are thought to be mostly niche‐driven, with environmental factors such as the composition of available nutrients largely determining whether or not an organism can establish. The concept that the nutrient landscape dictates which organisms can successfully colonize and persist in the gut was first proposed in Rolf Freter's nutrient niche theory. In a situation where nutrients are perfectly mixed and there is balanced microbial growth, Freter postulated that an organism can only survive if it is able to utilize one or a few limiting nutrients more efficiently than its competitors. Recent experimental work indicates, however, that nutrients in the gut vary in space and time. We propose that in such a scenario, Freter's nutrient niche theory must be expanded to account for the co‐existence of microorganisms utilizing the same nutrients but in distinct sites or at different times, and that metabolic flexibility and mixed‐substrate utilization are common strategies for survival in the face of ever‐present nutrient fluctuations.
Indirect plant defense against insect herbivores: a review
Authors: Aljbory Zainab , Chen Ming‐Shun
Published: December 2016

Plants respond to herbivore attack by launching 2 types of defenses: direct defense and indirect defense. Direct defense includes all plant traits that increase the resistance of host plants to insect herbivores by affecting the physiology and/or behavior of the attackers. Indirect defense includes all traits that by themselves do not have significant direct impact on the attacking herbivores, but can attract natural enemies of the herbivores and thus reduce plant loss. When plants recognize herbivore‐associated elicitors, they produce and release a blend of volatiles that can attract predators, parasites, and other natural enemies. Known herbivore‐associated elicitors include fatty acid–amino acid conjugates, sulfur‐containing fatty acids, fragments of cell walls, peptides, esters, and enzymes. Identified plant volatiles include terpenes, nitrogenous compounds, and indoles. In addition, constitive traits including extrafloral nectars, food bodies, and domatia can be further induced to higher levels and attract natural enemies as well as provide food and shelter to carnivores. A better understanding of indirect plant defense at global and componential levels via advanced high throughput technologies may lead to utilization of indirect defense in suppression of herbivore damage to plants.
CONTEXTUALIZING COMMUNITY CRIME CONTROL: RACE, GEOGRAPHY, AND CONFIGURATIONS OF CONTROL IN FOUR COMMUNITIES*
Authors: LEVERENTZ ANDREA , WILLIAMS MONICA
Published: December 2016

Criminology and urban sociology have long‐standing interests in how neighborhoods and communities respond to and control crime. We build on the literature on social disorganization, collective efficacy, and new parochialism to develop a framework that explains how and why communities respond differently to crime. We draw on more than 2 years of comparative ethnographic data and 56 resident and stakeholder interviews on responses to crime in four communities in two states. We find that the intersections of racial composition, geography, and crime narratives in each place contributed to distinct community responses to crime. By analyzing these dynamics across the four sites, we propose three types of public–parochial partnerships that communities use to respond to crime: public alliances that rely primarily on public forms of control, tentative public–parochial partnerships that rely on tenuous connections with public institutions, and grassroots engagement with public institutions. We explain the emergence of these three approaches as patterned responses rooted in characteristics of local contexts, including racial composition and geographic isolation.
Comparison in knee osteoarthritis joint damage patterns among individuals with an intact, complete and partial anterior cruciate ligament rupture
Authors: Johnson Victoria L. , Guermazi Ali , Roemer Frank W. , Hunter David J.
Published: December 2016

Aim

The aim of this study was to examine the difference in the pattern of articular damage in persons with either a partial anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear; a complete ACL tear or no ACL tear.

Methods

Our study included 600 individuals (of the 600 individuals, 25 with a partial, 12 with a complete ACL tear and 563 with no ACL tear) from the progression sub‐cohort of the Osteoarthritis Initiative. Individuals had a mean age of 61.8 years (range 45–79 years). Chi‐square tests were used to compare the location of meniscal pathology, bone marrow lesions (BMLs) and regional cartilage morphology between individuals with a partial or complete ACL tear, as seen on magnetic resonance imaging, as well as to a control group of 563 knees.

Results

Individuals with either a complete or partial ACL tear displayed predominantly medial tibiofemoral damage. Individuals with complete ACL tears were more likely to have cartilage lesions in the lateral posterior tibia (P = 0.03) and the medial anterior femur (P = 0.008) as well as BMLs in the medial posterior tibia (P = 0.007). However, no significant difference in meniscal morphology was found in either compartment. Individuals with no history of knee trauma or ACL injury displayed predominantly medial tibiofemoral compartment damage.

Conclusion

Individuals with prevalent ACL disruptions exhibited concomitant osteoarthritic changes in the medial tibiofemoral compartment, as seen on MRI. As the changes in joint tissues were predominantly located in the medial compartment, it is thought that these ACL tears may represent a manifestation of the overall disease process rather than the precipitant for osteoarthritis incidence.
A century on from The Biology of Dragonflies by Tillyard 1917: what have we learned since then?
Authors: Khelifa Rassim , Theischinger Gunther , Endersby Ian
Published: December 2016

The field of odonatology has developed considerably during the past century. Three figures, namely E. Selys‐Longchamps, R.J. Tillyard and P.S. Corbet, have undisputedly founded our current knowledge of odonatology and contributed massively to the understanding of systematics, biology, ecology and behaviour of odonates. The year 2017 will mark the 100th anniversary of Tillyard's The Biology of Dragonflies. We review the book and the author's life and contributions to Australian odonatology. We present an updated history of odonatology and highlight prominent advances in the field. The influence of the book on non‐scientists is described. Future research in odonatology on aspects that have not been studied and others that need further investigations are discussed.
Modelling the dose–response relationship: the fair share of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic information
Authors: González‐Sales Mario , Nekka Fahima , Tanguay Mario , Tremblay Pierre‐Olivier , Li Jun
Published: December 2016

Aims

The aim of this paper is to investigate the role of drug concentration samplings in the modelling of the dose–response relationship.

Methods

Using an initial PK/PD model, a reference dataset was simulated. PK and PD samples were extracted to create reduced datasets. PK/PD and K‐PD models were fitted to theses reduced datasets. Post hoc estimates from both types of models were compared to the initial PK/PD model and performance was assessed.

Results

K‐PD models were largely biased when the drug has a nonlinear elimination. PK/PD models with 1 PK and 2 PD samples were superior to K‐PD models with 3 PD samples. PK/PD models with 1 or 2 PK samples and 3 PD samples proved to be superior to K‐PD models with 4 PD samples.

Conclusions

K‐PD models should not be used when the drug has nonlinear elimination. K‐PD models should not replace PK/PD modelling but are an alternative approach if the PD information is large enough.
Integrated molecular landscape of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis provides insights into disease etiology
Authors: Klemann C.J.H.M. , Visser J.E. , Van Den Bosch L. , Martens G.J.M. , Poelmans G.
Published: December 2016

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a severe, progressive and ultimately fatal motor neuron disease caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors, but its underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. To gain insight into the etiology of ALS, we here conducted genetic network and literature analyses of the top‐ranked findings from six genome‐wide association studies of sporadic ALS (involving 3589 cases and 8577 controls) as well as genes implicated in ALS etiology through other evidence, including familial ALS candidate gene association studies. We integrated these findings into a molecular landscape of ALS that allowed the identification of three main processes that interact with each other and are crucial to maintain axonal functionality, especially of the long axons of motor neurons, i.e. (1) Rho‐GTPase signaling; (2) signaling involving the three regulatory molecules estradiol, folate, and methionine; and (3) ribonucleoprotein granule functioning and axonal transport. Interestingly, estradiol signaling is functionally involved in all three cascades and as such an important mediator of the molecular ALS landscape. Furthermore, epidemiological findings together with an analysis of possible gender effects in our own cohort of sporadic ALS patients indicated that estradiol may be a protective factor, especially for bulbar‐onset ALS. Taken together, our molecular landscape of ALS suggests that abnormalities within three interconnected molecular processes involved in the functioning and maintenance of motor neuron axons are important in the etiology of ALS. Moreover, estradiol appears to be an important modulator of the ALS landscape, providing important clues for the development of novel disease‐modifying treatments.