bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modelling the Performance of Irish Credit Unions, 2002 to 2010
Authors: Glass J. Colin , McKillop Donal G. , Quinn Barry
Published: October 2014

This study undertakes a modeling based performance assessment of all Irish credit unions between 2002 and 2010, a particularly turbulent period in their history. The analysis explicitly addresses the current challenges faced by credit unions in that the modeling approach used rewards credit unions for reducing undesirable outputs (impaired loans and investments) as well as for increasing desirable outputs (loans, earning assets and members’ funds) and decreasing inputs (labour expenditure, capital expenditure and fund expenses). The main findings are: credit unions are subject to increasing returns to scale; technical regression occurred in the years after 2007; there is significant scope for an improvement in efficiency through expansion of desirable outputs and contraction of undesirable outputs and inputs; and that larger credit unions, that are better capitalised and pay a higher dividend to members are more efficient than their smaller, less capitalised, and lower dividend paying counterparts.
Self‐Represented Litigants, The Courts, and the Legal Profession: Myths and Realities
Authors: Greacen John M.
Published: October 2014

Many general jurisdiction trial judges believe that family law litigants choose not to use lawyers and that this choice leads inevitably to their inability to obtain just results in their cases and constitutes an expensive, frustrating, and largely insoluble problem for the judicial branch. There is a parallel view within the family law bar which can be summarized: The provision of forms and information on the Internet has deceived self‐represented litigants into believing that they can and should handle their own family law cases. They not only sacrifice their legal rights, but also squander judges' time, which in turn jeopardizes the rights and raises the costs of those clients who retain lawyers. The self‐help phenomenon also threatens the financial livelihood of lawyers. Available data and experience contradict both beliefs. This article points out that (1) most self‐represented litigants do not choose to represent themselves, instead they have no alternative; (2) judges who follow recognized best practices for dealing with self‐represented litigants encounter no unusual ethical issues; (3) self‐represented litigants, when given appropriate accommodation, are able to obtain fair outcomes reflecting the facts and law applicable to their cases; (4) cases involving self‐represented litigants consume far less court and judicial resources than cases in which both sides are represented; and (5) self‐represented litigants constitute a potentially lucrative market for the delivery of limited‐scope representation by the private bar.

Key Points for the Family Court Community

most self‐represented litigants do not choose to represent themselves, instead they have no alternative;

judges who follow recognized best practices for dealing with self‐represented litigants encounter no unusual ethical issues;

self‐represented litigants, when given appropriate accommodation, are able to obtain fair outcomes reflecting the facts and law applicable to their case;

cases involving self‐represented litigants consume far less court and judicial resources than cases in which both sides are represented;

self‐represented litigants constitute a potentially lucrative market for the delivery of limited‐scope representation by the private bar.
Assessing The Relationship Between The Quality Of Juvenile Dependency Hearings And Foster Care Placements
Authors: Macgill Stephanie , Summers Alicia
Published: October 2014

The current study examines the relationship between three hearing quality indicators—depth of discussion, judicial inquiry, and judicial engagement of parents—and placement outcomes for maltreated children and youth at early case hearings (i.e., preliminary protective and adjudication hearings). We find that higher levels of judicial engagement of parents during preliminary protective hearings was significantly related to increased placements with relatives and decreased placements in nonrelative foster care. Levels of judicial inquiry and hearing discussion had no apparent effect on where children were placed during preliminary protective hearings. The implications of these findings and suggestions for future research are discussed.

Key Point for the Family Court Community

This study deepens current understanding of the ways in which three juvenile dependency hearing quality indicators relate to foster care placement outcomes.
Parents Apart: Differences Between Unmarried and Divorcing Parents in Separated Families
Authors: Waller Maureen R. , Dwyer Emory Allison
Published: October 2014

With 2 in 5 births in the United States occurring outside of marriage, parents who were never married to each other are entering the family court system in increasing numbers. This study draws on data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study to examine how the circumstances of unmarried parents who are living apart 5 years after having a child together compare to those of previously married parents, as well as important variations among unmarried parents. Our results show that unmarried parents are younger, have fewer children in common, are more likely to have children with other partners, and are more likely to report paternal incarceration than previously married parents. Unmarried parents who did not have a close relationship at the time of their child's birth had the weakest connections 5 years later, reporting lower levels of nonresident father contact, parental relationship quality, paternity establishment, and in‐kind support than other parents living apart.

Key Points for the Family Court Community

An increasing number of separated parents were never married to each other, and these parents may have different needs and experiences than divorcing parents when they come into contact with the family court system.

Unmarried parents living apart have more barriers to father involvement and co‐parenting than previously married parents who live apart.

Unmarried fathers who did not have a close relationship with mother at the time of the birth have weaker connections to mothers and children 5 years later.
Greater shrub dominance alters breeding habitat and food resources for migratory songbirds in Alaskan arctic tundra
Authors: Boelman Natalie T. , Gough Laura , Wingfield John , Goetz Scott , Asmus Ashley , Chmura Helen E. , Krause Jesse S. , Perez Jonathan H. , Sweet Shannan K. , Guay Kevin C.
Published: October 2014

Climate warming is affecting the Arctic in multiple ways, including via increased dominance of deciduous shrubs. Although many studies have focused on how this vegetation shift is altering nutrient cycling and energy balance, few have explicitly considered effects on tundra fauna, such as the millions of migratory songbirds that breed in northern regions every year. To understand how increasing deciduous shrub dominance may alter breeding songbird habitat, we quantified vegetation and arthropod community characteristics in both graminoid and shrub dominated tundra. We combined measurements of preferred nest site characteristics for Lapland longspurs (Calcarius lapponicus) and Gambel's White‐crowned sparrows (Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii) with modeled predictions for the distribution of plant community types in the Alaskan arctic foothills region for the year 2050. Lapland longspur nests were found in sedge‐dominated tussock tundra where shrub height does not exceed 20 cm, whereas White‐crowned sparrows nested only under shrubs between 20 cm and 1 m in height, with no preference for shrub species. Shrub canopies had higher canopy‐dwelling arthropod availability (i.e. small flies and spiders) but lower ground‐dwelling arthropod availability (i.e. large spiders and beetles). Since flies are the birds' preferred prey, increasing shrubs may result in a net enhancement in preferred prey availability. Acknowledging the coarse resolution of existing tundra vegetation models, we predict that by 2050 there will be a northward shift in current White‐crowned sparrow habitat range and a 20–60% increase in their preferred habitat extent, while Lapland longspur habitat extent will be equivalently reduced. Our findings can be used to make first approximations of future habitat change for species with similar nesting requirements. However, we contend that as exemplified by this study's findings, existing tundra modeling tools cannot yet simulate the fine‐scale habitat characteristics that are critical to accurately predicting future habitat extent for many wildlife species.
Sexual Harassment of Women Working as Room Attendants within 5‐Star Hotels
Authors: Kensbock Sandra , Bailey Janis , Jennings Gayle , Patiar Anoop
Published: October 2014

Given the gendered power relations and the isolated nature of women hotel room attendants' working environments, guest‐initiated sexual harassment experienced by room attendants is a significant, under‐investigated problem. This study of women attendants' experiences of sexual harassment was conducted in 5‐star hotels located on the Gold Coast — a notable tourism destination — of Queensland, Australia. Adopting a socialist–feminist critical theory epistemological perspective, the study used a qualitative constructivist grounded theory methodology. The research reveals the pervasiveness of sexual harassment experienced by women hotel room attendants. In particular, this study illuminates the varied forms, meanings and consequences of sexual harassment in a particular organizational context. In focusing on the interacting effects of the gendered nature of the hotel workplace and the hotel workplace culture, the near‐complete ‘normalization’ of sexual harassment within the hotels is revealed. This outcome is a source of considerable concern, with implications for the industry, for employment relations institutions and for public policy.
Acute renal failure in a patient with mantle cell lymphoma
Authors: Peddi Sandeep , Ram Rapur , Kataru Sudheer Reddy , Chennu Krishna Kishore , Nandyala Rukumangadha , Kottu Radhika , Kumar V. Siva
Published: October 2014

Mantle cell lymphoma is a rare form of B‐cell lymphoma. We present a 54‐year‐old gentleman with mantle cell lymphoma. It was diagnosed based on the demonstration of B‐cell antigens CD20 and CD5. It was further confirmed by demonstration of overexpression of cyclin D1 on these atypical lymphocytes in the immunohistochemical staining. He also had acute renal failure and proteinuria. Renal biopsy revealed crescents and lymphomatous infiltration of tubulointerstitium. The presence of infiltrating cells with similar markers in both the lymph node and the kidney confirmed the infiltration of kidney with lymphomatous cells. Our present patient, after a thorough literature search, is found to be the second one with a glomerular lesion and tubulointerstitial infiltration by malignant lymphoma cells.
Identification and characterization of a fatty acyl reductase from a Spodoptera littoralis female gland involved in pheromone biosynthesis
Authors: Carot‐Sans G. , Muñoz L. , Piulachs M. D. , Guerrero A. , Rosell G.
Published: October 2014

Fatty acyl‐CoA reductases (FARs), the enzymes that catalyse reduction of a fatty acyl‐CoA to the corresponding alcohol in insect pheromone biosynthesis, are postulated to play an important role in determining the proportion of each component in the pheromone blend. For the first time, we have isolated and characterized from the Egyptian cotton leaf worm Spodoptera littoralis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) a FAR cDNA (Slit‐FAR1), which appeared to be expressed only in the pheromone gland and was undetectable in other female tissues, such as fat body, ovaries, wings, legs or thorax. The encoded protein has been successfully expressed in a recombinant system, and the recombinant enzyme is able to produce the intermediate fatty acid alcohols of the pheromone biosynthesis of S. littoralis from the corresponding acyl‐CoA precursors. The kinetic variables Km and Vmax, which have been calculated for each acyl‐CoA pheromone precursor, suggest that in S. littoralis pheromone biosynthesis other biosynthetic enzymes (e.g. desaturases, acetyl transferase) should also contribute to the final ratio of components of the pheromone blend. In a phylogenetic analysis, Slit‐FAR1 appeared grouped in a cluster of other FARs involved in the pheromone biosynthesis of other insects, with little or non‐specificity for the natural pheromone precursors.
Statistical Issues in Assessing Forensic Evidence
Authors: Kafadar Karen
Published: October 2014

In 2009, the National Academy of Sciences released a report that emphasized the need for more scientific research in the evaluation of methods in the forensic science disciplines. This needed research includes statistical issues such as bias quantification, validation and estimates of accuracy and precision in different contexts. This article reviews statistical aspects of forensic science with particular reference to the design of studies that are essential to evaluate inferences from forensic evidence. Many sources can affect both the accuracy and the consistency of decisions at each stage of the process, from specimen collection to final decision. The article discusses the importance of identifying these sources and the statistical principles involved in the quantification of, and uncertainty in, estimated probabilities of error. By contrasting the design of a successful community clinical trial with two previous fingerprint studies and with bullet lead studies, this article emphasizes the need for reduced subjectivity, the types of measurements on physical evidence that can lead to more accurate and consistent decisions and the importance of carefully designed studies in the evaluation of forensic evidence.
A physical packing sequence algorithm for the container loading problem with static mechanical equilibrium conditions
Authors: Ramos A. Galrão , Oliveira José F. , Lopes Manuel P.
Published: October 2014

The container loading problem (CLP) is a combinatorial optimization problem for the spatial arrangement of cargo inside containers so as to maximize the usage of space. The algorithms for this problem are of limited practical applicability if real‐world constraints are not considered, one of the most important of which is deemed to be stability. This paper addresses static stability, as opposed to dynamic stability, looking at the stability of the cargo during container loading. This paper proposes two algorithms. The first is a static stability algorithm based on static mechanical equilibrium conditions that can be used as a stability evaluation function embedded in CLP algorithms (e.g. constructive heuristics, metaheuristics). The second proposed algorithm is a physical packing sequence algorithm that, given a container loading arrangement, generates the actual sequence by which each box is placed inside the container, considering static stability and loading operation efficiency constraints.
Aging Time and Temperature Effects on the Structure and Bioactivity of Gel‐Derived 45S5 Glass‐Ceramics
Authors: Zheng Kai , Solodovnyk Anastasiia , Li Wei , Goudouri Ourania‐Menti , Stähli Christoph , Nazhat Showan N. , Boccaccini Aldo R.
Published: October 2014

Porous bioactive glass‐ceramics based on the 45S5 Bioglass® composition were fabricated by an acid‐catalyzed sol–gel method. The effects of aging time and temperature on the structure and in vitro bioactivity were investigated. Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was carried out on the samples to understand the structure and to monitor the formation of hydroxyapatite (HA) after immersion in simulated body fluid (SBF). The bioactivity of gel‐derived 45S5 glass‐ceramic and amorphous 45S5 Bioglass® was compared. The results showed that an increase in both aging time and temperature can enhance crystallization, whereas bioactivity is reduced with increasing aging time but not significantly influenced by aging temperature. Compared with amorphous 45S5 Bioglass®, gel‐derived glass‐ceramic aged for 3 d at 60°C exhibited a more rapid rate of HA formation after immersion for less than 7 d. Amorphous 45S5 Bioglass® showed higher HA formation rate after immersion in SBF for more than 7 d, whereas the quantity of formed HA on gel‐derived 45S5 glass‐ceramic was still comparable to that of amorphous 45S5 Bioglass® after immersion for 14 d. It is suggested that the lower bioactivity of 45S5 glass‐ceramics could be outweighed by the higher surface area and higher content of Si–NBO groups in gel‐derived glass‐ceramics. The results thus confirm that gel‐derived 45S5 glass‐ceramic exhibiting bioactivity comparable to that of amorphous 45S5 Bioglass® can be fabricated by sol–gel method under suitable aging conditions.
Characterizing In‐Plane Geometrical Variability in Textile Ceramic Composites
Authors: Rossol Michael N. , Fast Tony , Marshall David B. , Cox Brian N. , Zok Frank W.
Published: October 2014

We present a methodology for characterizing and reconstructing in‐plane weave variability in textile composites. Surface topography of a partially processed C‐fiber/SiC matrix composite panel was measured using digital image correlation. The centroids of tow segments that appear periodically on the fabric surface were located by image analysis and used as fiducial markers. Stochastic deviations of the fiducial markers from the ideal periodic weave structure indicate geometrical variance. Fourier analysis shows that spatial wavelengths of the deviations range from the size of one unit cell to the dimensions of the entire panel. Long‐range deviations are attributed principally to fabric deformation after manufacture, during handling. Short‐range fluctuations, extracted by computing spatial derivatives of the positions of the fiducial markers, are attributed to variations in tow packing density that arises during weaving. A simple set of statistics for these deviations is presented and its use in generating stochastic virtual specimens is demonstrated.
Light‐Addressable Potentiometric Sensor with Nitrogen‐Incorporated Ceramic Sm2O3 Membrane for Chloride Ions Detection
Authors: Wang Jer‐Chyi , Ye Yu‐Ren , Lin Yu‐Hsuan
Published: October 2014

A light‐addressable potentiometric sensor (LAPS) with ceramic samarium oxide (Sm2O3)‐sensing membrane treated by nitrogen plasma immersion ion implantation (PIII) has been proposed for chloride ion detection. For the pure Sm2O3‐LAPS, a potassium ion sensitivity of 39.21 mV/pK is obtained. With the nitrogen PIII treatment on Sm2O3‐sensing membrane, the N–O peak is observed by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, implying the formation of positive charges, (N‐O)+ and (N‐O‐N)+, within the Sm2O3 film. The positive charges can attract the chloride ions to react with the surface sites of OH2+, achieving a superior chloride ion sensitivity of 36.17 mV/pCl for the Sm2O3‐LAPS with nitrogen PIII treatment. The LAPS structure with ceramic Sm2O3‐sensing membrane can be used for future biosensing applications, especially for the potassium and chloride ions detection in serum.
Idiopathic basal ganglia calcification‐associated PDGFRB mutations impair the receptor signalling
Authors: Arts Florence A. , Velghe Amélie I. , Stevens Monique , Renauld Jean‐Christophe , Essaghir Ahmed , Demoulin Jean‐Baptiste
Published: October 2014

Platelet‐derived growth factors (PDGF) bind to two related receptor tyrosine kinases, which are encoded by the PDGFRA and PDGFRB genes. Recently, heterozygous PDGFRB mutations have been described in patients diagnosed with idiopathic basal ganglia calcification (IBGC or Fahr disease), a rare inherited neurological disorder. The goal of the present study was to determine whether these mutations had a positive or negative impact on the PDGFRB activity. We first showed that the E1071V mutant behaved like wild‐type PDGFRB and may represent a polymorphism unrelated to IBGC. In contrast, the L658P mutant had no kinase activity and failed to activate any of the pathways normally stimulated by PDGF. The R987W mutant activated Akt and MAP kinases but did not induce the phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) after PDGF stimulation. Phosphorylation of phospholipase Cγ was also decreased. Finally, we showed that the R987W mutant was more rapidly degraded upon PDGF binding compared to wild‐type PDGFRB. In conclusion, PDGFRB mutations associated with IBGC impair the receptor signalling. PDGFRB loss of function in IBGC is consistent with recently described inactivating mutations in the PDGF‐B ligand. These results raise concerns about the long‐term safety of PDGF receptor inhibition by drugs such as imatinib.
Critical Components of Uncertainty Communication in Life Cycle Assessments of Emerging Technologies
Authors: Gavankar Sheetal , Anderson Sarah , Keller Arturo A.
Published: October 2014

Because of their recognition as a comprehensive tool of environmental assessments and their increasing use by governments and industries, life cycle assessments (LCAs) are positioned to be prominent sources of mass media information on new products and technologies. The LCA studies underlying media reports are often viewed by nonexperts after the initial reporting. However, uncertainty is rife in early assessments of emerging technologies, and LCA's ability to inform environmental opinions and decisions is limited without the accompanying communication on uncertainty. Though approaches to the technical aspects of uncertainty analysis in LCA are available in the literature, those on communicating that uncertainty, in ways that are cognitively accessible to the nonexperts, are still lacking despite their highlighted importance across various disciplines. With the focus on communication, this article uses the existing literature to derive five criteria for making uncertainty communication accessible to a nonexpert audience. Then, LCAs on engineered nanomaterial (ENM) and ENM‐enabled products, as a case study of emerging technologies where uncertainties abound, are reviewed for whether they meet these five criteria. The study concludes with recommendations for communicating uncertainty in LCAs in order to enhance their role as decision‐ and public opinion–informing assessments.
Clinical Integration of Next Generation Sequencing: A Policy Analysis
Authors: Kaufman David , Curnutte Margaret , McGuire Amy L.
Published: October 2014

In 1996, President Clinton offered a promissory vision for human genetics when he said: “I think it won't be too many years before parents will be able to go home from the hospital with their newborn babies with a genetic map in their hands that will tell them, here's what your child's future will likely be like.”

The rapid evolution of genetic sequencing technologies has advanced that vision. In October 2006, the cost of sequencing an entire human genome was $10.4 million; by 2014 the cost had decreased a thousand fold. The term next generation sequencing (NGS) describes a variety of laboratory methods that allow efficient determination of the precise order of nucleotides in a DNA sequence. The papers in this issue of the Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics focus on “clinical NGS,” which refers to rapid DNA sequencing using second-, third- and fourth-generation sequencing technologies to perform genome-wide sequencing of multiple genes or alleles for clinical prognostic, diagnostic, and therapeutic purposes.
Clinical Integration of Next Generation Sequencing: Coverage and Reimbursement Challenges
Authors: Deverka Patricia A. , Dreyfus Jennifer C.
Published: October 2014

Clinical next generation sequencing (NGS) is a term that refers to a variety of technologies that permit rapid sequencing of large numbers of DNA segments, up to and including entire genomes. As an approach that is playing an increasingly important role in obtaining genetic information from patients, it may be viewed by public and private payers either positively, as an enabler of the promised benefits of personalized medicine, or as “the perfect storm” resulting from the confluence of high market demand, an uproven technology, and an unprepared delivery system. A number of recent studies have noted that coverage and reimbursement will be critical for clinical integration of NGS, yet the evidentiary pathway for payer decision-making is unclear. Although there are multiple reasons for this uncertain reimbursement environment, the situation stems in large part from a long-standing lack of alignment between the information needs of regulators and post-regulatory decision-makers such as payers.
Midwife–Physician Collaboration: A Conceptual Framework for Interprofessional Collaborative Practice
Authors: Smith Denise Colter
Published: October 2014

Introduction

Since the passage of the Affordable Care Act, collaborative practice has been cited as one method of increasing access to care, decreasing costs, and improving efficiency. How and under what conditions might these goals be achieved? Midwives and physicians have built effective collaborative practice models over a period of 30 years. Empirical study of interprofessional collaboration between midwives and physicians could be useful in guiding professional education, regulation, and health policy in women's health and maternity care.

Methods

Construction of a conceptual framework for interprofessional collaboration between midwives and physicians was guided by a review of the literature. A theory derivation strategy was used to define dimensions, concepts, and statements of the framework.

Results

Midwife–physician interprofessional collaboration can be defined by 4 dimensions (organizational, procedural, relational, and contextual) and 12 concepts (trust, shared power, synergy, commitment, and respect, among others). The constructed framework provides the foundation for further empirical study of the interprofessional collaborative process.

Discussion

The experiences of midwife–physician collaborations provide solid support for a conceptual framework of the collaborative process. A conceptual framework provides a point from which further research can increase knowledge and understanding about how successful outcomes are achieved in collaborative health care practices. Construction of a measurement scale and validation of the model are important next steps.
Is It Time to Rethink Cord Management When Resuscitation Is Needed?
Authors: Mercer Judith S. , Erickson‐Owens Debra A.
Published: October 2014

A newborn who receives a placental transfusion at birth, either from cord milking or delayed cord clamping, obtains about 30% more blood volume than the newborn whose cord is cut immediately. Receiving an adequate blood volume from placental transfusion at birth may be protective for the distressed neonate as it prevents hypovolemia and can support optimal perfusion to all organs. New research shows that ventilating before
clamping the umbilical cord can reduce large swings in cardiovascular function and help to stabilize the newborn. Hypovolemia, often associated with nuchal cord or shoulder dystocia, may lead to an inflammatory cascade and subsequent ischemic injury. A sudden unexpected neonatal asystole at birth may occur from severe hypovolemia. The restoration of blood volume is an important action to protect the hearts and brains of these neonates. Current protocols for resuscitation imply immediate cord clamping and the care of the newborn away from the mother's bedside. We suggest that an intrapartum care provider can achieve placental transfusion for the distressed neonate by milking the cord several times or resuscitating the neonate at the perineum with an intact cord. Milking the cord can be done quickly within the current Neonatal Resuscitation Program guidelines. Cord blood gases can be collected with delayed cord clamping. Bringing the resuscitation to the mother's bedside is a novel concept and supports an intact cord. Adopting a policy for resuscitation with an intact cord in a hospital setting will take concentrated effort and team work by obstetrics, pediatrics, midwifery, and nursing.
Outcomes of Nulliparous Women with Spontaneous Labor Onset Admitted to Hospitals in Pre‐active versus Active Labor
Authors: Neal Jeremy L.
Published: October 2014

Purpose

The aims of this study were to estimate the percentage of low‐risk, nulliparous women with spontaneous labor onset who are admitted to labor units prior to active labor and to evaluate the effects of the timing of admission (ie, pre‐active versus active labor) on labor interventions and mode of birth.

Research Questions

What percentage of low‐risk, nulliparous women are admitted to labor units prior to active labor onset? Are women admitted to hospitals in pre‐active labor more prone to exogenous oxytocin augmentation, amniotomy, and cesarean birth?

Significance

The timing of when a woman is admitted to the hospital for labor care following spontaneous contraction onset may be among the most important decisions that labor attendants make as it may influence care patterns and birth outcomes.

Methods

Obstetric data from low‐risk, nulliparous women with spontaneous labor onset (N = 216) were merged from 2 prospective studies conducted at 3 large Midwestern hospitals. Women dilating less than 0.5 cm per hour, on average, for the first 4 hours post‐admission were classified in the pre‐active labor group while those dilating 0.5 cm or greater per hour were classified in the active labor group. Baseline characteristics, labor interventions, and outcomes were compared between groups using Fisher's exact and Mann‐Whitney U tests, as appropriate. Likelihoods for oxytocin augmentation, amniotomy, and cesarean were assessed by logistic regression.

Results

Of the sample of 216 low‐risk, nulliparous women, 114 (52.8%) were admitted in pre‐active labor, and 102 (47.2%) were admitted in active labor. Women who were admitted in pre‐active labor were more likely to undergo oxytocin augmentation (84.2% and 45.1%, respectively; odds ratio [OR], 6.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.43–12.27) but not amniotomy (55.3% and 61.8%, respectively; OR, 0.8; 95% CI, 0.44–1.32) when compared to women admitted in active labor. The likelihood of cesarean was higher for women admitted before active labor onset (15.8% and 6.9%, respectively; OR, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.02–6.37).

Discussion

Many low‐risk, nulliparous women with regular, spontaneous uterine contractions are admitted to labor units before active labor onset, which increases their likelihood of receiving oxytocin and giving birth via cesarean. An evidence‐based, standardized approach for labor admission decision making is recommended to decrease inadvertent admissions of women in pre‐active labor. When active labor cannot be diagnosed with relative certainty, observation before admission to the birthing unit is warranted.
Node retraction during patterning of the urinary collecting duct system
Authors: Lindström Nils O. , Chang C.‐Hong , Valerius M. Todd , Hohenstein Peter , Davies Jamie A.
Published: October 2014

This report presents a novel mechanism for remodelling a branched epithelial tree. The mouse renal collecting duct develops by growth and repeated branching of an initially unbranched ureteric bud: this mechanism initially produces an almost fractal form with young branches connected to the centre of the kidney via a sequence of nodes (branch points) distributed widely throughout the developing organ. The collecting ducts of a mature kidney have a different form: from the nephrons in the renal cortex, long, straight lengths of collecting duct run almost parallel to one another through the renal medulla, and open together to the renal pelvis. Here we present time‐lapse studies of E11.5 kidneys growing in culture: after about 5 days, the collecting duct trees show evidence of ‘node retraction’, in which the node of a ‘Y’‐shaped branch moves downwards, shortening the stalk of the ‘Y’, lengthening its arms and narrowing their divergence angle so that the ‘Y’ becomes a ‘V’. Computer simulation suggests that node retraction can transform a spread tree, like that of an early kidney, into one with long, almost‐parallel medullary rays similar to those seen in a mature real kidney.
Factors that contribute to underrecognition of delirium by registered nurses in acute care settings: a scoping review of the literature to explain this phenomenon
Authors: El Hussein Mohamed , Hirst Sandra , Salyers Vincent
Published: October 2014

Aims and objectives

In order to obtain more information regarding this phenomenon, a scoping review of the literature was undertaken to analyse current research on the recognition of delirium by registered nurses in acute care settings.

Background

Delirium is often manifested as a sign of an underlying undiagnosed condition that requires immediate intervention and is frequently manifested in acute care settings. Unfortunately, registered nurses often do not recognise delirium and its occurrence goes under‐reported.

Design/Methods

Based on six inclusion criteria, a search in numerous databases using terms such as delirium detection, recognition and diagnosis by registered nurses was undertaken. Eight quantitative studies were deemed relevant and analysed for this scoping review.

Results

Seven major categories emerged: the fluctuating nature of delirium, the impact of delirium education on its recognition, communication barriers, inadequate use of delirium assessment tools, lack of conceptual understanding of delirium, delirium as a burden and the likeness of delirium and dementia. A brief summary of the findings in each category is reported here.

Conclusions

The scoping review revealed that delirium remains underrecognised by registered nurses, which potentially contributes to reduced quality of nursing care for clients experiencing this condition. Further research on delirium and the processes that registered nurses use to recognise it is timely and will facilitate the development of evidence‐based interventions to manage it.

Relevance to clinical practice

While acute care registered nurses have historically reported dramatic changes in cognitive and neuro‐biological functions in ill older adults, the literature highlighted in this scoping review revealed the following: (1) the need for further research to validate delirium assessment tools and, (2) the need for education and training for registered nurses on the use of these assessment tools to promote early recognition and thereby decrease the incidence of delirium in older adults.
Which employees craft their jobs and how? Basic dimensions of personality and employees' job crafting behaviour
Authors: Bipp Tanja , Demerouti Evangelia
Published: October 2014

The aim of the current research was to examine to what degree basic personality dimensions serve as determinants of job crafting behaviour and to investigate how this behaviour can be influenced via behavioural intentions. In Study 1, we investigated the relationship of approach and avoidance temperament with job crafting in terms of seeking resources, seeking challenges, and reducing demands in a sample of 193 international employees. In Study 2 (n = 130 employees), we experimentally manipulated the current motivational state in terms of approach/avoidance goals and measured job crafting behaviours in a follow‐up survey. Results confirmed that employees scoring high on approach temperament report to seek resources and demands, whereas employees scoring high on avoidance temperament tend to reduce hindering demands in the workplace. Furthermore, the manipulation of goals had indirect effects on job crafting via behavioural intentions. Although the effects of the concentration on approach goals on job crafting were contradictory to our expectations, the pursuit of avoidance goals led to higher demands‐reducing behaviour. Taking everything together, we provide important insights into the effects of basic personality dimensions on job crafting behaviour and highlight the possibilities and boundaries for managers to influence the job crafting behaviours of employees.

Practitioner points

Our study provides insights about which types of employees alter their job demands and resources.

Employees scoring high on approach temperament seek resources and demands, whereas employees scoring high on avoidance temperament reduce demands.

Managers are able to influence job crafting behaviour indirectly by stimulating the pursuit of approach and/or avoidance goals.

A sole focus on (performance) approach goals might have hindering effects in terms of positive job crafting behaviours.
Correlation between the levels of non‐specific physical symptoms and pressure pain thresholds measured by algometry in patients with temporomandibular disorders
Authors: Ramalho D. , Macedo L. , Goffredo Filho G. , Goes C. , Tesch R.
Published: October 2014

Recent studies showed that patients with chronic TMD pain also feature increased sensitivity in other craniofacial regions, and even in remote peripheral areas, suggesting that nociceptive processing is centrally facilitated in this patient population. The aim of this study was to investigate the existence of a negative correlation between the levels of non‐specific physical symptoms and pressure pain thresholds measured by algometry at sites distant from the chief complaint of oro‐facial pain in patients with TMD. A total of 20 female patients were evaluated comprising 11 patients diagnosed with myofascial pain (Group I of RDC/TMD) and 9 patients with arthralgia (Group III of RDC/TMD), with both reporting chronic TMD pain for at least 3 months. Patients were tested by the pressure algometry technique, and, in the same visit, clinical diagnosis and levels of non‐specific physical symptoms, including pain‐related issues or not, were obtained. The raw scores were then standardised into a T‐score. The possible correlation between the dependent variable levels of non‐specific physical symptoms and pressure pain thresholds measured by algometry at sites distant from the chief complaint of oro‐facial pain was assessed with Spearman's correlation coefficient. Results were considered statistically significant, which stood a lower than 5% probability of occurring by chance (P < 0·05). A statistically significant (P = 0·02) negative correlation (−0·51) was found to exist between the levels of non‐specific physical symptoms, only if including issues involving pain‐related symptoms, and experimental pressure pain thresholds in patients with painful TMD.
Exploring the Nonlinear Impact of Organizational Integration on New Product Market Success
Authors: Millson Murray R.
Published: October 2014

This article explores the nonlinear relationship between organizational integration and new product market success (NPMS). The concept of organizational integration was measured by assessing the degree of integration among various groups of people involved in the development of new products including new product development (NPD) teams that are typically the focal points of NPD efforts. New product market success was measured by examining four often‐used measures of NPD success. The mail survey research approach was used to gather empirical data from NPD managers in three major industries. The data gathered from this survey process were used as the basis from which to extract information to address this study's major research questions, which include: (1) How is the degree of new product market success related to the nonlinear degree to which groups of people (including NPD teams) integrate during NPD processes? and (2) How is the degree of new product market success related to the nonlinear degree to which separate groups of people (e.g., customers, suppliers, and functional departments) integrate during NPD processes? This study found that high levels of organizational integration (overall organizational integration and supplier organizational integration) during NPD processes are associated with high levels of new product market success. Additionally, this study found that the relationship between new product market success and organizational integration (customer organizational integration and functional organization integration) during NPD processes exhibit nonlinear, U‐shaped relationships. Therefore, the first important finding of this study confirms that various forms of organizational integration impact in a positive way the market success of new products. This suggests that management responsible for all NPD projects should consciously integrate important groups of people to support such developments. This study's findings also confirm and imply that new product developers in the studied industries should integrate marketing and research and development (R&D) over the duration of the NPD process. This suggests that new product managers must be proactive to assure that members of NPD teams are actively engaged with groups of supporting people within and outside new‐product–producing organizations. Unlike prior research, a major finding of this study suggests that the association between organizational integration and new product market success does not form inverted U‐shaped relationships. Data from this research imply that new product market success is linearly influenced by overall and supplier organizational integration. However, this study's data suggest that new product market success is nonlinearly influenced by customer and functional organizational integration. This study's data suggest that when customer organizational integration and/or functional organizational integration is increased, new product market success can be increased at a rate which is greater than a linear rate.
Nuclear Factor I‐C acts as a regulator of hepatocyte proliferation at the onset of liver regeneration
Authors: Edelmann Simone , Fahrner René , Malinka Thomas , Song Bryan H. , Stroka Deborah , Mermod Nicolas
Published: October 2014

Background & Aims

Knockout studies of the murine Nuclear Factor I‐C (NFI‐C) transcription factor revealed abnormal skin wound healing and growth of its appendages, suggesting a role in controlling cell proliferation in adult regenerative processes. Liver regeneration following partial hepatectomy (PH) is a well‐established regenerative model whereby changes elicited in hepatocytes lead to their rapid and phased proliferation. Although NFI‐C is highly expressed in the liver, no hepatic function was yet established for this transcription factor. This study aimed to determine whether NFI‐C may play a role in hepatocyte proliferation and liver regeneration.

Methods

Liver regeneration and cell proliferation pathways following two‐thirds PH were investigated in NFI‐C knockout (ko) and wild‐type (wt) mice.

Results

We show that the absence of NFI‐C impaired hepatocyte proliferation because of plasminogen activator I (PAI‐1) overexpression and the subsequent suppression of urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) activity and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) signalling, a potent hepatocyte mitogen. This indicated that NFI‐C first acts to promote hepatocyte proliferation at the onset of liver regeneration in wt mice. The subsequent transient down regulation of NFI‐C, as can be explained by a self‐regulatory feedback loop with transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF‐ß1), may limit the number of hepatocytes entering the first wave of cell division and/or prevent late initiations of mitosis.

Conclusion

NFI‐C acts as a regulator of the phased hepatocyte proliferation during liver regeneration.
The Importance of Conversation in Transitional Justice: A Study of Land Restitution in South Africa
Authors: Atuahene Bernadette
Published: October 2014

One of the most replicated findings of the procedural justice literature is that people who receive unfavorable outcomes are more likely to believe that the process was nonetheless legitimate if they thought that it was fair. Using interviews of 150 people compensated through the South African land restitution program, this article examines whether these findings apply in the transitional justice context where it is often unclear who the winners and losers are. The question explored is: When all outcomes are unfavorable or incomplete, how do people make fairness assessments? The central observation was that the ability of respondents and land restitution commission officials to sustain a conversation with each other had the greatest effect on whether respondents believed that the land restitution process was fair. The study also contributes to the existing literature by exploring the institutional arrangements and resources necessary to facilitate communication and to overcome any communication breakdowns encountered.
Maternal diet during early childhood, but not pregnancy, predicts diet quality and fruit and vegetable acceptance in offspring
Authors: Ashman Amy M. , Collins Clare E. , Hure Alexis J. , Jensen Megan , Oldmeadow Christopher
Published: October 2014

Studies have identified prenatal flavour exposure as a determinant of taste preferences in infants; however, these studies have focused on relatively small samples and limited flavours. As many parents struggle with getting children to accept a variety of nutritious foods, a study of the factors influencing food acceptance is warranted. The objective of this study was to determine whether exposure to a wider variety of fruit and vegetables and overall higher diet quality in utero results in acceptance of a greater variety of these foods and better diet quality for offspring during childhood. This study is a secondary data analysis of pregnant women (n = 52) and their resulting offspring recruited for the Women and Their Children's Health study in NSW, Australia. Dietary intake of mothers and children was measured using food frequency questionnaires. Diet quality and vegetable and fruit variety were calculated using the Australian Recommended Food Score and the Australian Child and Adolescent Recommended Food Score. Associations between maternal and child diet quality and variety were assessed using Pearson's correlations and the total effect of in utero maternal pregnancy diet on childhood diet was decomposed into direct and indirect effect using mediation analysis. Maternal pregnancy and post‐natal diet were both correlated with child diet for overall diet quality and fruit and vegetable variety (P < 0.001). Mediation analyses showed that the indirect effect of maternal pregnancy diet on child diet was mediated through maternal post‐natal diet, particularly for fruit (P = 0.045) and vegetables (P = 0.055). Nutrition intervention should therefore be aimed at improving diet quality and variety in mothers with young children, in order to subsequently improve eating habits of offspring.
Mitochondrial genomes of domestic animals need scrutiny
Authors: Shi Ni‐Ni , Fan Long , Yao Yong‐Gang , Peng Min‐Sheng , Zhang Ya‐Ping
Published: October 2014

More than 1000 complete or near‐complete mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences have been deposited in GenBank for eight common domestic animals (cattle, dog, goat, horse, pig, sheep, yak and chicken) and their close wild ancestors or relatives, as well. Nevertheless, few efforts have been performed to evaluate the sequence data quality. Herein, we conducted a phylogenetic survey of these complete or near‐complete mtDNA sequences based on mtDNA haplogroup trees for the eight animals. We show that errors due to artificial recombination, surplus of mutations and phantom mutations do exist in 14.5% (194/1342) of mtDNA sequences and all of them should be treated with wide caution. We propose some caveats for future mtDNA studies of domestic animals.