bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Addressing Safe Opioid Monitoring Practices Using an Interprofessional Approach
Authors: Durham Marianne L. , Egan AnnMarie , Jankiewicz Ann , Murphy Marcia P. , Nedved Patricia , Luvich Renee , Goh Ann , Fogg Louis
Published: October 2017

OBJECTIVE

The aims of the project are to increase knowledge related to opioids and improve adherence to evidence-based interventions for sedation monitoring and assessment in adult inpatients receiving opioids for pain through delivery of an interprofessional online program.

BACKGROUND

Preventable opioid-induced respiratory depression is a patient safety risk in hospitals. Sedation and respiratory assessment and monitoring guidelines and tools are available to improve practice.

METHODS

An interprofessional team identified organization-specific drivers of opioid-induced sedation and respiratory depression using process improvement methodology, developed interventions, and evaluated clinician opioid knowledge and documentation practice.

RESULTS

Opioid knowledge survey responses improved after the interventions. Audits showing improved appropriate documentation by RNs of the correct sedation scale were performed over 2 separate 3-month periods.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinicians demonstrated increased knowledge about newly adopted sedation and monitoring practices targeted to prevent opioid-induced respiratory depression.
Hemodynamic Changes in Paramedian Forehead Flap
Authors: Eskiizmir Gorkem , Tanyeri Toker Gokce , Ozgur Erdogan , Tarhan Serdar , Cengiz Ozyurt Beyhan
Published: October 2017

Paramedian forehead flap is a workhorse for nasal reconstruction. However, vascular complications may lead to flap failure. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the blood flow objectively and determine the hemodynamic changes in paramedian forehead flap with respect to influential factors of age, gender, and smoking. Thirty patients who had paramedian forehead flap were followed up prospectively between 2010 and 2013. The blood flow was assessed by resistance index using Color Duplex-Doppler Ultrasonography. Resistance index was measured at the proximal and distal ends of each flap on the postoperative first day, first week, and second week. All data were analyzed using SPSS 15.0 for Windows. Fifteen patients were female and the mean of age was 60.9 years. Our results demonstrated statistically significant differences with gradual decreases in resistance to blood flow, when the resistance index values at the proximal and distal ends of paramedian forehead flap were compared (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001). Age, gender, and smoking did not have a negative impact on the resistance index values of paramedian forehead flap. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study in which resistance in blood flow and hemodynamic changes of paramedian forehead flap were objectively determined using Color Duplex-Doppler Ultrasonography. The resistance index gradually decreases, although it is considerably high at the early postoperative interval. Age, gender, and smoking do not adversely influence the blood flow in a well-designed paramedian forehead flap.
A Modification to the Nasal Septal Chain Suture Which Improves Its Application
Authors: Durmaz Abdullah
Published: October 2017

Introduction:

A novel modification to the nasal septal chain suture which makes its application easier and faster without using any special surgical instrument has been described in this study. The advantage of the modification was evaluated in terms of the suture application time.

Methods:

A total of 40 patients with a mean age of 30.1 ± 10.6 (18–58) years were evaluated in 2 groups. A nasal septal chain suture was applied with the previously described technique and the new modification for each group after the patients underwent septoplasty. The suture application time for all of the patients was recorded.

Results:

The mean suture application time was 455.2 ± 36.5 (380–530) seconds in the previous technique group and 404.7 ± 29.4 (340–450) seconds in the modified technique group. The use of new modification of the technique was found to shorten the suture application time significantly (P < 0.001).

Conclusion:

The modified nasal septal chain suture that has been described in this study can be an option to nasal septal suturation since it can be used with absorbable or nonabsorbable materials, is easy to remove, and does not cause pain during suture removal.
Skull Base Neuroendoscopic Training Model Using a Fibrous Injectable Tumor Polymer and the Nico Myriad
Authors: Gagliardi Filippo , Chau Anthony M. , Mortini Pietro , Caputy Anthony J. , Gragnaniello Cristian
Published: October 2017

The Myriad is an innovative, high precision tool for tumor resection, designed to work within narrow endoscopic corridors. Due to its application in technically demanding situations, the learning curve associated with its use might be extremely challenging and time-consuming.

The authors describe the application of an already validated training model, the skull base injectable tumor model (ITM), to allow trainees to practice with the use of the Myriad during endoscopic skull base procedures.

A formalin embalmed cadaveric head was used for technical assessment. Stratathane resin ST-504 derived polymer was injected to mimic skull base tumors and Myriad was used for tumor resection during different endoscopic procedures.

An endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal, a trans-planum trans-tuberculum, and a trans-clival approach have been performed after ITM injection. The Myriad was used for tumor debulking and blunt manipulation, qualitatively evaluating the technical challenges in performing the surgical dissection.

Injectable tumor model demonstrates to be a valuable educational tool to train surgeons in the use of Myriad, potentially speeding up the learning curve in the acquirement of necessary technical skills in manipulating the instrument, even in case of demanding surgical situation.
A Cost-Utility Analysis of Nonsurgical Treatments for Stress Urinary Incontinence in Women
Authors: Simpson Andrea N. , Garbens Alaina , Dossa Fahima , Coyte Peter C. , Baxter Nancy N. , McDermott Colleen D.
Published: October 2017

Objective

The objective of this study was to perform a cost-utility analysis of nonsurgical treatments for stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in healthy adult women with a health system perspective over a 1-year time horizon.

Methods

A decision tree model was constructed to evaluate the following nonsurgical treatment options for SUI in a simulated healthy adult female cohort who had failed Kegel exercises: pelvic floor muscle therapy (PFMT), a disposable tampon device (Impressa), a self-fitting intravaginal incontinence device (Uresta), and a traditional incontinence pessary. Published data and consultation with health care providers were used to estimate efficacies and costs. Health utility estimates were derived from existing literature. Deterministic sensitivity analyses were performed as well as Monte Carlo probabilistic sensitivity analysis to account for the impact of parameter uncertainty on costs and efficacies for each treatment. Our primary outcome was the highest net monetary benefit (NMB), which represents the monetary value of the health benefits less the treatment costs. The standard willingness-to-pay threshold of US $50,000 per quality-adjusted life year was used.

Results

The utility of SUI in an otherwise healthy patient was 0.81 ± 0.16 and for subjective cure was 0.93 ± 0.08. Using base-case estimates, PFMT was the most cost-effective treatment with an NMB of US $44,098. The Impressa tampon, Uresta, and traditional pessary had NMBs of US $43,970, $43,785, and $42,846, respectively. The probabilistic sensitivity analysis confirmed PFMT to be the most cost-effective treatment option at a willingness to pay of US $50,000 per quality-adjusted life year.

Conclusions

The findings of our cost-utility analysis favor PFMT as the most cost-effective nonsurgical treatment option for SUI. Cost-effectiveness for 1 year of treatment was also favorable for Impressa and Uresta. In jurisdictions where there is no public funding for PFMT, Impressa or Uresta are alternatives for women wishing to avoid surgery.
Regulation of valve interstitial cell homeostasis by mechanical deformation: implications for heart valve disease and surgical repair
Authors: Ayoub Salma , Lee Chung-Hao , Driesbaugh Kathryn H. , Anselmo Wanda , Hughes Connor T. , Ferrari Giovanni , Gorman Robert C. , Gorman Joseph H. , Sacks Michael S.
Published: October 2017

Mechanical stress is one of the major aetiological factors underlying soft-tissue remodelling, especially for the mitral valve (MV). It has been hypothesized that altered MV tissue stress states lead to deviations from cellular homeostasis, resulting in subsequent cellular activation and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodelling. However, a quantitative link between alterations in the organ-levelin vivostate andin vitro-based mechanobiology studies has yet to be made. We thus developed an integrated experimental–computational approach to elucidate MV tissue and interstitial cell responses to varying tissue strain levels. Comprehensive results at different length scales revealed that normal responses are observed only within a defined range of tissue deformations, whereas deformations outside of this range lead to hypo- and hyper-synthetic responses, evidenced by changes in α-smooth muscle actin, type I collagen, and other ECM and cell adhesion molecule regulation. We identified MV interstitial cell deformation as a key player in leaflet tissue homeostatic regulation and, as such, used it as the metric that makes the critical link betweenin vitroresponses to simulated equivalentin vivobehaviour. Results indicated that cell responses have a delimited range ofin vivodeformations that maintain a homeostatic response, suggesting that deviations from this range may lead to deleterious tissue remodelling and failure.
Speciation over the edge: gene flow among non-human primate species across a formidable biogeographic barrier
Authors: Evans Ben J. , Tosi Anthony J. , Zeng Kai , Dushoff Jonathan , Corvelo André , Melnick Don J.
Published: October 2017

Many genera of terrestrial vertebrates diversified exclusively on one or the other side of Wallace’s Line, which lies between Borneo and Sulawesi islands in Southeast Asia, and demarcates one of the sharpest biogeographic transition zones in the world. Macaque monkeys are unusual among vertebrate genera in that they are distributed on both sides of Wallace‘s Line, raising the question of whether dispersal across this barrier was an evolutionary one-off or a more protracted exchange—and if the latter, what were the genomic consequences. To explore the nature of speciation over the edge of this biogeographic divide, we used genomic data to test for evidence of gene flow between macaque species across Wallace’s Line after macaques colonized Sulawesi. We recovered evidence of post-colonization gene flow, most prominently on the X chromosome. These results are consistent with the proposal that gene flow is a pervasive component of speciation—even when barriers to gene flow seem almost insurmountable.
Effects of Ivermectin exposure on regeneration ofD. dorotocephalaplanaria
Authors: Ferenc Nina N. , Levin Michael
Published: October 2017

The ability of cells to communicate is essential during pattern formation, as they make decisions that drive growth and form. One mode of cellular signaling is via bioelectrical properties determined by the activity of ion channels. Several studies have shown a role for bioelectric signaling in planarian regeneration, but these have focused onD. japonicaandS. mediterranea.It is not known how the alterations of ion channel activity would affect regeneration in other species of planaria. Here, we tested the effect of ivermectin (IVM), a chloride channel opener drug commonly used to combat heart worms, on regeneration in a new species of planaria:D. dorotocephala.Exposure to IVM during regeneration resulted in patterning abnormalities, such as bifurcated tails with partial heads, as well as delayed regeneration. By testing the effect of drugs that target resting potential on regenerative repair in novel model species, additional insight is gained on the comparative roles of ionic signaling across taxa.
Magneto-active substrates for local mechanical stimulation of living cells
Authors: Bidan Cécile M. , Fratzl Mario , Coullomb Alexis , Moreau Philippe , Lombard Alain H. , Wang Irène , Balland Martial , Boudou Thomas , Dempsey Nora M. , Devillers Thibaut , Dupont Aurélie
Published: October 2017

Cells are able to sense and react to their physical environment by translating a mechanical cue into an intracellular biochemical signal that triggers biological and mechanical responses. This process, called mechanotransduction, controls essential cellular functions such as proliferation and migration. The cellular response to an external mechanical stimulation has been investigated with various static and dynamic systems, so far limited to global deformations or to local stimulation through discrete substrates. To apply local and dynamic mechanical constraints at the single cell scale through a continuous surface, we have developed and modelled magneto-active substrates made of magnetic micro-pillars embedded in an elastomer. Constrained and unconstrained substrates are analysed to map surface stress resulting from the magnetic actuation of the micro-pillars and the adherent cells. These substrates have a rigidity in the range of cell matrices, and the magnetic micro-pillars generate local forces in the range of cellular forces, both in traction and compression. As an application, we followed the protrusive activity of cells subjected to dynamic stimulations. Our magneto-active substrates thus represent a new tool to study mechanotransduction in single cells, and complement existing techniques by exerting a local and dynamic stimulation, traction and compression, through a continuous soft substrate.
Machine learning identifies signatures of host adaptation in the bacterial pathogen Salmonella enterica
Authors: Wheeler Nicole E. , Gardner Paul P. , Barquist Lars
Published: October 2017

Emerging pathogens are a major threat to public health, however understanding how pathogens adapt to new niches remains a challenge. New methods are urgently required to provide functional insights into pathogens from the massive genomic data sets now being generated from routine pathogen surveillance for epidemiological purposes. Here, we measure the burden of atypical mutations in protein coding genes across independently evolved Salmonella enterica lineages, and use these as input to train a random forest classifier to identify strains associated with extraintestinal disease. Members of the species fall along a continuum, from pathovars which cause gastrointestinal infection and low mortality, associated with a broad host-range, to those that cause invasive infection and high mortality, associated with a narrowed host range. Our random forest classifier learned to perfectly discriminate long-established gastrointestinal and invasive serovars of Salmonella. Additionally, it was able to discriminate recently emerged Salmonella Enteritidis and Typhimurium lineages associated with invasive disease in immunocompromised populations in sub-Saharan Africa, and within-host adaptation to invasive infection. We dissect the architecture of the model to identify the genes that were most informative of phenotype, revealing a common theme of degradation of metabolic pathways in extraintestinal lineages. This approach accurately identifies patterns of gene degradation and diversifying selection specific to invasive serovars that have been captured by more labour-intensive investigations, but can be readily scaled to larger analyses.
C. elegans MRP-5 Exports Vitamin B12 from Mother to Offspring to Support Embryonic Development
Authors: Na Huimin , Ponomarova Olga , Giese Gabrielle E. , Walhout Albertha J.M.
Published: October 2017

Vitamin B12 functions as a cofactor for methionine synthase to produce the anabolic methyl donor S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) and for methylmalonyl-CoA mutase to catabolize the short chain fatty acid propionate. In the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, maternally supplied vitamin B12 is required for the development of her offspring. However, the mechanism for exporting vitamin B12 from the mother to her offspring is not yet known. Here, we use RNAi of more than 200 transporters with a vitamin B12-sensor transgene to identify the ABC transporter MRP-5 as a candidate vitamin B12 exporter. We show that injection of vitamin B12 into the gonad of mrp-5 deficient mothers rescues embryonic lethality in her offspring. Altogether, our findings identify a maternal mechanism for the transit of an essential vitamin to support the development of the next generation.
Real-time observation of DNA target interrogation and product release by the RNA-guided endonuclease CRISPR Cpf1
Authors: Singh Digvijay , Mallon John , Poddar Anustup , Wang Yanbo , Tippana Ramreddy , Yang Olivia , Bailey Scott , Taekjip Ha
Published: October 2017

CRISPR-Cas9, which imparts adaptive immunity against foreign genomic invaders in certain prokaryotes, has been repurposed for genome-engineering applications. More recently, another RNA-guided CRISPR endonuclease called Cpf1 (also known as Cas12a) was identified and is also being repurposed. Little is known about the kinetics and mechanism of Cpf1 DNA interaction and how sequence mismatches between the DNA target and guide-RNA influence this interaction. We have used single-molecule fluorescence analysis and biochemical assays to characterize DNA interrogation, cleavage, and product release by three Cpf1 orthologues. Our Cpf1 data are consistent with the DNA interrogation mechanism proposed for Cas9, they both bind any DNA in search of PAM (protospacer-adjacent motif) sequences, verifies the target sequence directionally from the PAM-proximal end and rapidly rejects any targets that lack a PAM or that are poorly matched with the guide-RNA. Unlike Cas9, which requires 9 bp for stable binding and ~16 bp for cleavage, Cpf1 requires ~ 17 bp sequence match for both stable binding and cleavage. Unlike Cas9, which does not release the DNA cleavage products, Cpf1 rapidly releases the PAM-distal cleavage product, but not the PAM-proximal product. Solution pH, reducing conditions and 5’ guanine in guide-RNA differentially affected different Cpf1 orthologues. Our findings have important implications on Cpf1-based genome engineering and manipulation applications.
Quantifying nucleationin vivoreveals the physical basis of prion-like phase behavior
Authors: Khan Tarique , Kandola Tejbir S. , Wu Jianzheng , Venkatesan Shriram , Ketter Ellen , Lange Jeffrey J. , Gama Alejandro Rodríguez , Box Andrew , Unruh Jay R. , Cook Malcolm , Halfmann Randal
Published: October 2017

Protein self-assemblies modulate protein activities over biological time scales that can exceed the lifetimes of the proteins or even the cells that harbor them. We hypothesized that these time scales relate to kinetic barriers inherent to the nucleation of ordered phases. To investigate nucleation barriers in living cells, we developed Distributed Amphifluoric FRET (DAmFRET). DAmFRET exploits a photoconvertible fluorophore, heterogeneous expression, and large cell numbers to quantify via flow cytometry the extent of a protein’s self-assembly as a function of cellular concentration. We show that kinetic barriers limit the nucleation of ordered self-assemblies, and that the persistence of the barriers with respect to concentration relates to structure. Supersaturation resulting from sequence-encoded nucleation barriers gave rise to prion behavior, and enabled a prion-forming protein, Sup35 PrD, to partition into dynamic intracellular condensates or to form toxic aggregates. Our results suggest that nucleation barriers govern cytoplasmic inheritance, subcellular organization, and proteotoxicity.

Highlights

Distributed Amphifluoric FRET (DAmFRET) quantifies nucleation in living cells

DAmFRET rapidly distinguishes prion-like from non-prion phase transitions

Nucleation barriers allow switch-like temporal control of protein activity

Sequence-intrinsic features determine the concentration-dependence of nucleation barriers
Out of the testis: biological impacts of new genes
Authors: Nyberg Kevin G. , Carthew Richard W.
Published: October 2017

The study of newly evolved genes has long fascinated biologists, but large-scale studies of their expression dynamics and molecular function have provided conflicting interpretations of their biological impact. In this issue of Genes & Development, Kondo and colleagues (pp. 1841–1846) use extensive transcriptomic resources and current CRISPR/Cas9 technology to re-examine the functional impact of newly evolved genes in Drosophila and find evidence of their biological impact on male reproduction.
A novel tetrazolate- and cyanide-bridged three-dimensional heterometallic coordination polymer: crystal structure, thermal stability and magnetic properties
Authors: Qin Ying-Lian , Qin Jian-Fang , Sun Hong
Published: October 2017

By using environmentally friendly K3[Co(CN)6] as a cyanide source, the solvothermal reaction of CuCl2 and tetrazole (Htta) led to a novel tetrazolate- and cyanide-bridged three-dimensional heterometallic CuII–CoIII complex, namely poly[[hexa-μ2-cyanido-κ12
C:N-pentakis(μ3-tetrazolato-κ3
N
1:N
2:N
4)cobalt(III)tetracopper(II)] monohydrate], {[CoIIICuII
4(CHN4)5(CN)6]·H2O}
n
, (I). The crystal structure analysis reveals that it is the first example of a (6,8,8)-connected three-dimensional framework with a unique topology, constructed from anionic [Co(CN)6]3− and cationic [(Cu1)2(tta)2]2+ and [(Cu2Cu3)(tta)3]+ units through μ2-cyanide and μ3-tetrazolate linkers. The compound was further characterized by thermal analysis, vibrational spectroscopy (FT–IR), scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM–EDS) and magnetic measurements. The magnetic investigation indicates that the complex exhibits antiferromagnetic coupling between adjacent CuII cations.
When and why does the name of the brand still matter?
Authors: Round Griff , Roper Stuart
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to fill a current gap in the literature, through the development of theory concerned with changes that occur over time to the functions and importance of the brand name element of a branded entity.

Design/methodology/approach

An initial theoretical conceptualisation was developed from the existing literature. Study participants whose behaviour was found not to conform to this initial conceptualisation were included in subsequent research to obtain greater understanding. The study method used was a series of interviews, with the obtained qualitative data analysed using template analysis. This resulted in the development of a revised theoretical conceptualisation.

Findings

Various functions of the brand name element, identified as connotation, denotation, linking and branded entity constancy, are ongoing important providers of brand equity to some consumers for established branded entities. This challenges a position obtained from existing literature that the brand name element of an established branded entity becomes of minimal importance over time.

Originality/value

Value-generating functions of the brand name element that persist over time were identified, leading to the development of a theoretical conceptualisation of the change in the importance of brand name equity over time.
In pursuit of service productivity and customer satisfaction: the role of resources
Authors: Lee Jenny (Jiyeon) , Patterson Paul G. , Ngo Liem Viet
Published: October 2017

Purpose

In today’s global marketplace, the mantra of many service firms is enhanced efficiency and productivity. To increase their bottom line, firms must also expand revenue. They thus face the challenge of ways to increase revenue through customer satisfaction while also achieving productivity gains. The current study aims to offer insight into the role of various resources that encourage frontline employees (FLEs) to become engaged in the pursuit of achieving organisational goals, ultimately enhancing service productivity and customer satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 252 customer-FLE dyadic data were collected at a medium-sized retail bank in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Findings

Results show that personal (self-efficacy) and organisational resources impact FLE productivity directly and indirectly through employee engagement. Importantly, service productivity is then positively associated with customer satisfaction.

Research limitations/implications

Extending previous investigations based on the job demands-resources model and theories of self-efficacy and conservation of resources, this study’s findings empirically support anecdotal accounts of the positive productivity–customer satisfaction relationship.

Practical implications

The results also highlight the importance of the management of human and organisational resources to attain this two-pronged goal.

Originality value

Using dyadic data (customers and FLEs) collected at a medium-sized retail bank, the authors refute the trade-off effect between attaining employee productivity and customer satisfaction in the service industry. This paper further fills research need to study how various resources available to FLEs can achieve desirable organisational outcomes in service firms – the improvement of both service productivity and customer satisfaction.
Designing for adaptability: The Gateshead Civic Centre
Authors: Ladinski Vladimir
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of early design decisions made in the 1980s upon the future adaptability of the Gateshead Civic Centre building and the implementation of a workspace strategy in the 2010s, and how they have supported the efficiencies achieved through the increase in office workspace numbers, and the associated advantages of accommodating more employees within the Civic Centre.

Design/methodology/approach

Available documents related to the original development of the Gateshead Civic Centre and the 2010s workspace-related adaptations were examined to establish potential links between the two, and compare the findings with designing for adaptability-related research.

Findings

The results show that the early design decisions made in the 1980s have contributed to the future adaptability of the building and thus facilitated the implementation of a workspace strategy within Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council in the 2010s. In addition, they have supported the achievement of other efficiencies through the increase in office workspace numbers and location of more employees within the Civic Centre. The findings can guide future trends within the Council, as well as inform organisations on the potential benefits of designing for adaptability.

Originality/value

The study provides a prospective consideration of how an early design decision influenced the long-term adaptability of the building.
Plant role and the effectiveness of manufacturing practices
Authors: Demeter Krisztina , Szász Levente , Boer Harry
Published: October 2017

Purpose

Many firms today operate international manufacturing networks (IMN) of plants, which may serve different purposes and have different levels of competences. This diversity influences the effectiveness of different manufacturing practices, which has not yet been explored in the literature. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between plant role and the “goodness” of its manufacturing practices.

Design/methodology/approach

Data are used from a sample of 471 plants from the sixth edition of the International Manufacturing Strategy Survey.

Findings

The findings show that plants with higher competences use more practices successfully than less competent plants. Furthermore, more competent plants tend to strengthen their differentiation performance, while less competent plants focus on and achieve cost performance improvements instead.

Practical implications

The associations between plant role, manufacturing practices and performance provide important input for the global design of a firm’s IMN as a whole, and the development of local plants within the network.

Originality/value

The “goodness” of manufacturing practices has not been investigated in the plant role literature; the effect of plant role on the “goodness” of manufacturing practices has not been studied in the OM contingency literature. This paper shows that while the role of a plant in a firm’s IMN hardly affects the efforts it puts into implementing different manufacturing practices, it has an important moderating influence on the performance implications of these practices.
Why corrections? Motivations for becoming a Canadian provincial or territorial correctional officer
Authors: Ricciardelli Rose , Martin Krystle
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The growing prison population and challenges related to recruiting and retaining suitable correctional officers (COs) in Canada provided the impetus for the current study. Recruitment efforts in provinces and territories often rely on a variety of diverse testing, ranging from physical fitness to in-person interviews. However, despite such efforts, turn-over rates remain high and insight into what motivates people to seek a career in correctional work continues to require elucidation. By investigating the career development of COs, the purpose of this paper is to understand why certain men seek employment in this field.

Design/methodology/approach

Data are derived from in-depth semi-structured interviews with male officers (n=41) who have employment experience in provincial correctional facilities.

Findings

Respondents discussed their initial motivations for entering the field and their career ambitions. Some entered corrections because they lacked alternative options for employment, others as a stepping stone for a different justice-oriented occupation such as policing or parole. Many were motivated by the income and benefits or had a specific vocational self-identity toward correctional work. However, nearly all respondents indicated that, over time, they no longer felt their rate of pay justly reflected the demands of the occupation, thus factors motivating field entry fail to materialize in ways that sustain long-term employee retention.

Practical implications

CO recruitment should target individuals with interest in the field of justice more broadly. Occupational demands of the CO occupation need to be addressed to reduce turnover. Recruitment should focus not only on new graduates but also be directed toward more mature individuals. The impact of resource intensive interview processes for candidates on turnover rates needs to be evaluated.

Originality/value

The authors’ focus on COs with employment experience in provincial and territorial correctional facilities, rather than federal, is justified by the lack of research on and the high rate of CO turnover in such facilities. After exploring the qualitative responses of officers, clear themes emerged that align well with natural socio-ecological systems: the self, family and community, and wider society.
Theoretical and practical implications for engendering project team communication effectiveness in mass housing project delivery in Ghana
Authors: Kwofie Titus Ebenezer , Adinyira Emmanuel , Fugar Frank
Published: October 2017

Purpose

Communication ineffectiveness inherent in the unique attributes of Mass Housing Project (MHP) features is well admitted in the body of literature. However, the understanding of the extent and nature of this influence of the unique features of MHPs requires an empirical insight. The aim of this paper is to identify the communication ineffectiveness induced by the unique features and delineate the implications of the findings for mass housing practitioners and stakeholders towards engendering effective communication performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Through a structured questionnaire survey, data were elicited from mass housing stakeholders and project team leaders. The data were subsequently analysed using structural equation modelling, and the communication effectiveness evaluation model was developed. Subsequently, the model was validated through a questionnaire survey on ten experienced mass housing practitioners, researchers and stakeholders.

Findings

The results revealed significant, moderate and weak effects of the unique features of MHP team communication performance. This suggests that the unique features of MHPs have varying degree of influence on the communication performance among project teams’ delivery. The findings provide practical, empirical insights and understanding into the inherent communication ineffectiveness on MHPs, and thus are very useful in communication management and planning in MHP’s delivery.

Originality/value

Against the backdrop of the need to gain an in-depth understanding of the inherent communication challenges towards improving communication performance in MHP delivery, the findings have rigorously revealed and provided clear insight into the nature of communication ineffectiveness inherent in the unique features of MHPs. The findings and insights provided by this study are thus useful for aligning communication management planning and strategies to the unique MHP environment to engender communication success. Practitioners can also use these findings towards the development of their communication behavioural skills and communication infrastructure for MHP delivery.
Getting acquainted with social networks and apps: Social Media in 2017
Authors: Anderson Katie Elson
Published: October 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to review the literature on assistive technologies used in libraries and in schools, as portrayed on blogs, wikis and the internet, in the past year to highlight new trends.

Design/methodology/approach

Reports from blogs, internet sources and databases in the past year on the topic were read dealing with practical examples of assistive technologies in libraries and the education sector.

Findings

Assistive technologies are used to aid persons with disabilities, to make them more productive. The technologies can be low- or high-tech, depending on use and information available on new improvements and augmentative technologies being used.

Originality/value

This paper presents an overview of the past year and the current trends in the use of assistive technologies in libraries and schools worldwide.
Boardroom gender diversity and intellectual capital efficiency: evidence from China
Authors: Nadeem Muhammad , De Silva Tracy-Anne , Gan Christopher , Zaman Rashid
Published: October 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the relationship between boardroom gender diversity and intellectual capital (IC) efficiency in China – while the previous literature focuses only on traditional accounting-based performance measures such as return on assets or Tobin’s Q.

Design/methodology/approach

A well-developed Arrelano–Bond generalised method of moment (GMM) is applied to account for endogeneity – mainly because of simultaneity and unobserved heterogeneity. Moreover, this study uses an adjusted-value added intellectual coefficient (VAIC) model to measure the IC efficiency of 906 Chinese listed firms for 2010-2014.

Findings

The empirical analysis shows a significant relationship between gender diversity and IC efficiency, in static ordinary least square estimation, but this disappears when endogeneity is accounted for using dynamic GMM. This insignificant relationship remains consistent, even when two alternative proxies of gender diversity, i.e. the Blau index and the women dummy, are used.

Practical implications

This study provides some useful insights into the traditional Chinese corporate structure where females cannot use their powers to bring corporate changes in firms. The findings show that gender-related stereotypical attitudes continue to exist in China. The regulators, therefore, should look into strengthening gender related regulations – which are currently non-existent in China.

Originality/value

This is the first study of its kind to investigate the relationship between gender diversity and IC efficiency in China using the A-VAIC model and GMM to mitigate endogeneity.
Phenological synchrony between a butterfly and its host plants: Experimental test of effects of spring temperature
Authors: Posledovich Diana , Toftegaard Tenna , Wiklund Christer , Ehrlén Johan , Gotthard Karl
Published: October 2017

Climate‐driven changes in the relative phenologies of interacting species may potentially alter the outcome of species interactions.

Phenotypic plasticity is expected to be important for short‐term response to new climate conditions, and differences between species in plasticity are likely to influence their temporal overlap and interaction patterns. As reaction norms of interacting species may be locally adapted, any such climate‐induced change in interaction patterns may vary among localities. However, consequences of spatial variation in plastic responses for species interactions are understudied.

We experimentally explored how temperature affected synchrony between spring emergence of a butterfly, Anthocharis cardamines, and onset of flowering of five of its host plant species across a latitudinal gradient. We also studied potential effects on synchrony if climate‐driven northward expansions would be faster in the butterflies than in host plants. Lastly, to assess how changes in synchrony influence host use we carried out an experiment to examine the importance of the developmental stage of plant reproductive structures for butterfly oviposition preference.

In southern locations, the butterflies were well‐synchronized with the majority of their local host plant species across temperatures, suggesting that thermal plasticity in butterfly development matches oviposition to host plant development and that thermal reaction norms of insects and plants result in similar advancement of spring phenology in response to warming. In the most northern region, however, relative phenology between the butterfly and two of its host plant species changed with increased temperature. We also show that the developmental stage of plants was important for egg‐laying, and conclude that temperature‐induced changes in synchrony in the northernmost region are likely to lead to shifts in host use in A. cardamines if spring temperatures become warmer. Northern expansion of butterfly populations might possibly have a positive effect on keeping up with host plant phenology with more northern host plant populations.

Considering that the majority of insect herbivores exploit multiple plant species differing in their phenological response to spring temperatures, temperature‐induced changes in synchrony might lead to shifts in host use and changes in species interactions in many temperate communities.
Isotopic niche variation from the Holocene to today reveals minimal partitioning and individualistic dynamics among four sympatric desert mice
Authors: Terry Rebecca C.
Published: October 2017

Species interact with each other and their environment over a range of temporal scales, yet our understanding of resource partitioning and the mechanisms of species coexistence is largely restricted to modern time‐scales of years to decades. Furthermore, the relative magnitudes of inter‐ vs. intraspecific variation in resource use are rarely considered, despite the potential for the latter to influence a species’ ability to cope with changing environmental conditions.

Modern desert rodent communities are thought to be strongly structured by competitive interactions, with niche partitioning of food resources hypothesized to explain the coexistence of multiple sympatric granivores. Yet the stability of niche dynamics over extended temporal scales within desert rodent communities is unknown.

I examined the isotopic niche dynamics of four common sympatric desert mice (three granivores: Chaetodipus formosus, Perognathus longimembris and Reithrodontomys megalotis, and one omnivore: Peromyscus maniculatus) in the Smoke Creek Desert of northwestern Nevada using 13C and 15N isotopes obtained from “Modern” (2008–2013 CE), “Historical” (1989–2005 CE) and Holocene fossil specimens spanning the last c. 7,500 years.

I found significant variation in niche position, niche breadth and interspecific niche overlap of these species through time. The niche breadth dynamics of the cricetids (P. maniculatus and R. megalotis) were positively correlated with one another, while the niche breadth dynamics of the heteromyid C. formosus were negatively correlated with those of all other species. Body size, dietary functional group, palaeoenvironmental trends and time‐averaging provided little explanatory power. Importantly, Modern and Historical patterns of resource use and partitioning differed from Holocene baselines in terms of decreased niche overlap and in the absolute and relative position of each species’ niche in at least one isotopic axis.

These observations suggest that each species’ resource use changed individualistically over the Holocene, hence niche dynamics are poorly explained by the hypothesis of temporally stable species interactions at millennial time‐scales. Furthermore, changes to the resource base over the last century (likely due to the spread of invasive cheatgrass) may be increasing resource partitioning in the Modern, pushing species past their baseline ranges of resource use variation.
Modeling Community Discharge of Medicaid Nursing Home Residents: Implications for Money Follows the Person
Authors: Hass Zachary , Woodhouse Mark , Kane Robert , Arling Greg
Published: October 2017

Objective

To build and test a model that predicts community discharge probabilities for Medicaid‐eligible nursing home (NH) residents who remain in the nursing home at 90 days after admission and, thus, would be candidates for the Money Follows the Person (MFP) program.

Data Source

The Minimum Data Set, Medicaid Management Information Systems, and Minnesota Vital Statistics file.

Data

Cohort of 33, 590 nursing home stays that qualified for Medicaid by the 90th day of their stay from 383 Minnesota nursing homes from July 2011 to June 2013.

Study Design

Mixed effects logistic regression model to predict community discharge.

Principal Findings

The scoring system had a high level of accuracy in predicting community discharge for both the fitting and validation cohorts. Subpopulations with severe mental illness or intellectual disability were well represented across the entire score range.

Conclusions

Findings are being applied in the Minnesota's MFP initiative (Moving Home Minnesota) to target Medicaid‐eligible NH residents for transitioning to the community. This approach could be applied to MFP in other states.
Urgency of caesarean section, grading, alarm chain and intrauterine resuscitation – a survey of Scandinavian practice
Authors: Wildgaard K. , Ismaiel M. , Hetmann F.
Published: October 2017

Background

About 40,000 women have caesarean section in Scandinavia each year. Organizational factors for emergency caesarean section (CS), classification, anaesthetic practice, alarm chain, intrauterine resuscitation has all been investigated in the United Kingdom, but no information from the Scandinavian countries exists.

Methods

Using publicly available data from the National Board of Health, obstetric anaesthetic departments were identified. The heads of the departments provided e‐mail contact details of two anaesthesiologists regularly practicing obstetric anaesthesia who were then surveyed.

Results

One hundred and forty‐five specialists from 82 departments in Scandinavia replied to our survey. Ninety‐five percent of Danish specialists reported a three‐grade classification system for urgency CS. Where classification in Denmark was enumerative classification, Norwegians equally reported enumerative and verbal descriptors, whereas Swedish specialists mostly reported verbal descriptors. Local guidelines describing decision‐to‐delivery interval for emergency CS was reported by 100% of Danish specialists vs. 47% from Norway and 85% from Sweden. Mean benchmark decision‐to‐delivery interval for emergency CS was 12.7 min. General anaesthesia for emergency CS was highly favoured in Norway (95%) and Sweden (97%), compared to Denmark (49%). Twenty specialists reported existence of local guidelines for intrauterine resuscitation.

Conclusion

Our survey of Scandinavian specialists indicate emergency CS practise differs from United Kingdom practices in several aspects; general anaesthesia is by the majority of Scandinavian specialists reported as the default choice for emergency CS and benchmark for decision‐to‐delivery interval is < 20 min. Nomenclature used for classification showed considerable variance in Norway and Sweden compared to Denmark. No joint Scandinavian guidelines exist.
Enhanced inflammation and attenuated tumor suppressor pathways are associated with oncogene‐induced lung tumors in aged mice
Authors: Parikh Neha , Shuck Ryan L. , Gagea Mihai , Shen Lanlan , Donehower Lawrence A.
Published: October 2017

Aging is often accompanied by a dramatic increase in cancer susceptibility. To gain insights into how aging affects tumor susceptibility, we generated a conditional mouse model in which oncogenic KrasG12D was activated specifically in lungs of young (3–5 months) and old (19–24 months) mice. Activation of KrasG12D in old mice resulted in shorter survival and development of higher‐grade lung tumors. Six weeks after KrasG12D activation, old lung tissues contained higher numbers of adenomas than their young tissue counterparts. Lung tumors in old mice displayed higher proliferation rates, as well as attenuated DNA damage and p53 tumor suppressor responses. Gene expression comparison of lung tumors from young and old mice revealed upregulation of extracellular matrix‐related genes in young tumors, indicative of a robust cancer‐associated fibroblast response. In old tumors, numerous inflammation‐related genes such as Ccl7, IL‐1β, Cxcr6, and IL‐15ra were consistently upregulated. Increased numbers of immune cells were localized around the periphery of lung adenomas from old mice. Our experiments indicate that more aggressive lung tumor formation in older KrasG12D mice may be in part the result of subdued tumor suppressor and DNA damage responses, an enhanced inflammatory milieu, and a more accommodating tissue microenvironment.
Apnoeic oxygenation with high‐flow nasal oxygen for laryngeal surgery: a case series
Authors: Lyons C. , Callaghan M.
Published: October 2017

Surgery under apnoeic conditions with the use of high‐flow nasal oxygen is novel. Between November 2016 and May 2017, 28 patients underwent tubeless laryngeal or tracheal surgery under apnoeic conditions with high‐flow nasal oxygen as the sole method of gas exchange. Patients received total intravenous anaesthesia and neuromuscular blocking agents for the duration of their surgery. The median (IQR [range]) apnoea time was 19 (15–24 [9–37]) min. Four patients experienced an episode of oxygen desaturation to a value between 85% and 90%, lasting less than 2 min in each case. Median (IQR [range]) end‐tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) level following apnoea was 8.2 (7.2–9.4 [5.8–11.8]) kPa. The mean (SD) rate of ETCO2 increase was 0.17 (0.07) kPa.min−1 from an approximated baseline value of 5.00 kPa. Venous blood sampling from 19 patients demonstrated a mean (SD) partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PVCO2) of 6.29 (0.71) kPa at baseline and 9.44 (1.12) kPa after 15 min of apnoea. This equates to a mean (SD) PVCO2 rise of 0.21 (0.08) kPa.min−1 during this period. Mean (SD) pH was 7.40 (0.03) at baseline and 7.23 (0.04) after 15 min of apnoea. Mean (SD) standard bicarbonate was 26.7 (1.8) mmol.l−1 at baseline and 25.4 (1.8) mmol.l−1 at 15 min. We conclude that high‐flow nasal oxygen under apnoeic conditions can provide satisfactory gas exchange in order to allow tubeless anaesthesia for laryngeal surgery.