bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On the Need for Dionysian Education in Schools Today
Authors: Steel Sean
Published: April 2014

Although much has been written about Friedrich Nietzsche's views on education over the years, and much has also been written about Dionysus, god of wine and ecstasy, very little attention has been given to the meaning of, and need for, Dionysian education. In this article, Sean Steel attempts to begin that project. Drawing Nietzsche's articulation of the Dionysian, Apollonian, and anti‐Dionysian into the orbit of broader scholarship on Dionysus, Steel invites readers to think about what a Dionysian education might look like in a modern‐day school setting, as well as to consider what challenges exist for the implementation of such a vision of education.
BDNF contributes to both rapid and homeostatic alterations in AMPA receptor surface expression in nucleus accumbens medium spiny neurons
Authors: Reimers Jeremy M. , Loweth Jessica A. , Wolf Marina E.
Published: April 2014

Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a critical role in plasticity at glutamate synapses and in the effects of repeated cocaine exposure. We recently showed that intracranial injection of BDNF into the rat nucleus accumbens (NAc), a key region for cocaine addiction, rapidly increases α‐amino‐3‐hyroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazole‐propionic acid receptor (AMPAR) surface expression. To further characterize BDNF's role in both rapid AMPAR trafficking and slower, homeostatic changes in AMPAR surface expression, we investigated the effects of acute (30 min) and long‐term (24 h) treatment with BDNF on AMPAR distribution in NAc medium spiny neurons from postnatal rats co‐cultured with mouse prefrontal cortex neurons to restore excitatory inputs. Immunocytochemical studies showed that acute BDNF treatment increased cell surface GluA1 and GluA2 levels, as well as their co‐localization, on NAc neurons. This effect of BDNF, confirmed using a protein crosslinking assay, was dependent on ERK but not AKT signaling. In contrast, long‐term BDNF treatment decreased AMPAR surface expression on NAc neurons. Based on this latter result, we tested the hypothesis that BDNF plays a role in AMPAR ‘scaling down’ in response to a prolonged increase in neuronal activity produced by bicuculline (24 h). Supporting this hypothesis, decreasing BDNF signaling with the extracellular BDNF scavenger TrkB‐Fc prevented the scaling down of GluA1 and GluA2 surface levels in NAc neurons normally produced by bicuculline. In conclusion, BDNF exerts bidirectional effects on NAc AMPAR surface expression, depending on duration of exposure. Furthermore, BDNF's involvement in synaptic scaling in the NAc differs from its previously described role in the visual cortex.
Synapto‐depressive effects of amyloid beta require PICK1
Authors: Alfonso Stephanie , Kessels Helmut W. , Banos Charles C. , Chan Timothy R. , Lin Edward T. , Kumaravel Gnanasambandam , Scannevin Robert H. , Rhodes Kenneth J. , Huganir Richard , Guckian Kevin M. , Dunah Anthone W. , Malinow Roberto
Published: April 2014

Amyloid beta (Aβ), a key component in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease, is thought to target excitatory synapses early in the disease. However, the mechanism by which Aβ weakens synapses is not well understood. Here we showed that the PDZ domain protein, protein interacting with C kinase 1 (PICK1), was required for Aβ to weaken synapses. In mice lacking PICK1, elevations of Aβ failed to depress synaptic transmission in cultured brain slices. In dissociated cultured neurons, Aβ failed to reduce surface α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazolepropionic acid receptor subunit 2, a subunit of α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazolepropionic acid receptors that binds with PICK1 through a PDZ ligand–domain interaction. Lastly, a novel small molecule (BIO922) discovered through structure‐based drug design that targets the specific interactions between GluA2 and PICK1 blocked the effects of Aβ on synapses and surface receptors. We concluded that GluA2–PICK1 interactions are a key component of the effects of Aβ on synapses.
Tau phosphorylation and tau mislocalization mediate soluble Aβ oligomer‐induced AMPA glutamate receptor signaling deficits
Authors: Miller Eric C. , Teravskis Peter J. , Dummer Benjamin W. , Zhao Xiaohui , Huganir Richard L. , Liao Dezhi
Published: April 2014

In our previous studies, phosphorylation‐dependent tau mislocalization to dendritic spines resulted in early cognitive and synaptic deficits. It is well known that amyloid beta (Aβ) oligomers cause synaptic dysfunction by inducing calcineurin‐dependent AMPA receptor (AMPAR) internalization. However, it is unknown whether Aβ‐induced synaptic deficits depend upon tau phosphorylation. It is also unknown whether changes in tau can cause calcineurin‐dependent loss of AMPARs in synapses. Here, we show that tau mislocalizes to dendritic spines in cultured hippocampal neurons from APPSwe Alzheimer's disease (AD)‐transgenic mice and in cultured rat hippocampal neurons treated with soluble Aβ oligomers. Interestingly, Aβ treatment also impairs synaptic function by decreasing the amplitude of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs). The above tau mislocalization and Aβ‐induced synaptic impairment are both diminished by the expression of AP tau, indicating that these events require tau phosphorylation. The phosphatase activity of calcineurin is important for AMPAR internalization via dephosphorylation of GluA1 residue S845. The effects of Aβ oligomers on mEPSCs are blocked by the calcineurin inhibitor FK506. Aβ‐induced loss of AMPARs is diminished in neurons from knock‐in mice expressing S845A mutant GluA1 AMPA glutamate receptor subunits. This finding suggests that changes in phosphorylation state at S845 are involved in this pathogenic cascade. Furthermore, FK506 rescues deficits in surface AMPAR clustering on dendritic spines in neurons cultured from transgenic mice expressing P301L tau proteins. Together, our results support the role of tau and calcineurin as two intermediate signaling molecules between Aβ initiation and eventual synaptic dysfunction early in AD pathogenesis.
Causal evidence supporting functional dissociation of verbal and spatial working memory in the human dorsolateral prefrontal cortex
Authors: Fried Peter J. , Rushmore Richard J. , Moss Mark B. , Valero‐Cabré Antoni , Pascual‐Leone Alvaro
Published: April 2014

The human dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) is crucial for monitoring and manipulating information in working memory, but whether such contributions are domain‐specific remains unsettled. Neuroimaging studies have shown bilateral dlPFC activity associated with working memory independent of the stimulus domain, but the causality of this relationship cannot be inferred. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has the potential to test whether the left and right dlPFC contribute equally to verbal and spatial domains; however, this is the first study to investigate the interaction of task domain and hemisphere using offline rTMS to temporarily modulate dlPFC activity. In separate sessions, 20 healthy right‐handed adults received 1 Hz rTMS to the left dlPFC and right dlPFC, plus the vertex as a control site. The working memory performance was assessed pre‐rTMS and post‐rTMS using both verbal‐’letter’ and spatial‐’location’ versions of the 3‐back task. The response times were faster post‐rTMS, independent of the task domain or stimulation condition, indicating the influence of practice or other nonspecific effects. For accuracy, rTMS of the right dlPFC, but not the left dlPFC or vertex, led to a transient dissociation, reducing spatial, but increasing verbal accuracy. A post‐hoc correlation analysis found no relationship between these changes, indicating that the substrates underlying the verbal and spatial domains are functionally independent. Collapsing across time, there was a trend towards a double dissociation, suggesting a potential laterality in the functional organisation of verbal and spatial working memory. At a minimum, these findings provide human evidence for domain‐specific contributions of the dlPFC to working memory and reinforce the potential of rTMS to ameliorate cognition.
Identifying geographic hot spots of reassortment in a multipartite plant virus
Authors: Savory Fiona R. , Varma Varun , Ramakrishnan Uma
Published: April 2014

Reassortment between different species or strains plays a key role in the evolution of multipartite plant viruses and can have important epidemiological implications. Identifying geographic locations where reassortant lineages are most likely to emerge could be a valuable strategy for informing disease management and surveillance efforts. We developed a predictive framework to identify potential geographic hot spots of reassortment based upon spatially explicit analyses of genome constellation diversity. To demonstrate the utility of this approach, we examined spatial variation in the potential for reassortment among Cardamom bushy dwarf virus (CBDV; Nanoviridae, Babuvirus) isolates in Northeast India. Using sequence data corresponding to six discrete genome components for 163 CBDV isolates, a quantitative measure of genome constellation diversity was obtained for locations across the sampling region. Two key areas were identified where viruses with highly distinct genome constellations cocirculate, and these locations were designated as possible geographic hot spots of reassortment, where novel reassortant lineages could emerge. Our study demonstrates that the potential for reassortment can be spatially dependent in multipartite plant viruses and highlights the use of evolutionary analyses to identify locations which could be actively managed to facilitate the prevention of outbreaks involving novel reassortant strains.
Language Use in the Foreign Language Classroom
Authors: Thompson Gregory L. , Harrison Katie
Published: April 2014

Students' first and target language are often used by both teachers and students during instruction in the foreign language classroom (Levine, 2011). In this study, the frequency of and reasons for students' and teachers' use of English or Spanish were analyzed using video recordings of 40 class sessions taught by eight randomly selected Spanish 102 teachers and by eight randomly selected Spanish 202 teachers. All of the videos were transcribed, and a word count was made to determine the overall use of Spanish and English by the students and teachers. The relationship between the number of code‐switches by teachers and students and the overall use of Spanish and English in the classroom were analyzed. Finally, the code‐switches between languages were categorized and counted to determine if students or teachers initiated the switch and under what circumstances, as well as the influence of code‐switching on the interlocutor's subsequent language choice. The results indicate that teacher‐initiated code‐switches had the most influence on students' subsequent language choice and that teachers code‐switched more often, even though students used a higher overall percentage of the first language. In addition, there was a strong positive relationship between the number of code‐switches and the overall use of Spanish and English during instruction.
Focused Instruction in Spanish Syllabification
Authors: Kilpatrick Cynthia D. , Pierce Lori McLain
Published: April 2014

It is well established that learners transfer sounds from their first to their second language when speaking (see Major, 2008, and references therein). Recent work also indicates that learners may transfer their perception of sounds from the first to the second language. In some cases, errors in production and perception are explicitly corrected due to problems with miscommunication. On the other hand, when such errors do not lead to direct misunderstandings, the errors may be left uncorrected, which may lead to fossilization. This article examines a salient characteristic of English‐accented Spanish: putting two adjacent vowels in hiatus rather than producing them as a diphthong. Data show that a simple treatment based on direct negative evidence of syllabification can significantly improve learners' knowledge of these Spanish sound sequences.
A meta‐analysis on pyrogenic organic matter induced priming effect
Authors: Maestrini Bernardo , Nannipieri Paolo , Abiven Samuel
Published: April 2014

Pyrogenic organic matter (PyOM) is considered an important soil carbon (C) sink. However, there are evidences that its addition to soil may induce a priming effect (PE) thus influencing its C abatement potential. The direction, the size and the mechanisms responsible for PyOM induced PE are far from being understood. We collected approximately 650 data points from 18 studies to analyse the characteristics of the PE induced by PyOM. The database was divided between the PE induced on the native soil organic matter and on fresh organic matter. Most of the studies were short‐term incubation therefore the projections of findings on the long term may be critical. Our findings indicate that over 1 year PyOM induces an average positive PE of 0.3 mg C g−1 soil on native soil organic matter and a PE of approximately the same size but opposite direction on fresh organic matter. We studied the correlation of PE with several properties of soil, of the added PyOM, and time after PyOM addition. We found that PyOM primes positively the native soil organic matter in the first 20 days while negative PE appears in a later stage. Negative PE was correlated with the soil C content. PyOM characterized by a low C content induced a higher positive PE on native soil organic carbon. No correlation was found between the factors record in our database and the PE induced on the fresh organic matter. We reviewed the mechanisms proposed in literature to explain PE and discussed them based on findings from our meta‐analysis. We believe that the presence of a labile fraction in PyOM may trigger the activity of soil microorganisms on the short term and therefore induce a positive PE, while on the long term PyOM may induce a negative PE by promoting physical protection mechanisms.
The Graphic Transcript: Poaching Comic Book Grammar for Inscribing the Visual, Spatial and Temporal Aspects of Action
Authors: Laurier Eric
Published: April 2014

A brief review is presented of existing forms of transcription of talk that incorporate visual, spatial and temporal elements. The most common forms use text and a line‐by‐line‐based system, and conversation analytic transcripts have been successful in making a number of other features of talk visible. The desire of geographers to draw upon video recordings and time‐lapse photography has lead to time‐series images being used to bring those visual materials into documents. The graphic transcript is proposed as an alternative form of transcription that hybridises the qualities and evidentiary criteria of the transcript with the representational conventions of the comic strip. The comic strip itself has recently been undergoing a period of experimentation and hybridisation with other forms. The graphic transcript brings together familiar comic strip features such as panels, guttering, speech bubbles and captions with the transcript's criteria of providing an evidentiary record of earlier events that is available for re‐inspection and re‐interpretation by other analysts.
Influence of clinical practice on nursing students' mental and immune‐endocrine functions
Authors: Lei Jie , Jin Hua , Shen Simei , Li Zhiling , Gu Guixiong
Published: April 2014

This work aims to evaluate the stressful effects of clinical learning environments on nursing students and to better understand the importance of reducing anxiety. Ninety‐two female nursing students were randomly recruited. State Anxiety Inventory (SAI), General Self‐Efficacy scale (GSES), Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS), General Maladjustment Scale (GM), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the personal information questionnaire were administered along with an immune‐endocrine profile, red blood cells and plasma cortisol. The nursing students' state and trait anxiety scores were significantly higher in clinic than in school. With one‐way ANOVA, nursing students from rural areas, not liking nurse work and being pessimistic to employment prospects, and not being assigned in an ideal teaching hospital had higher scores of SAI. High levels of anxiety were associated with low scores of GSES, objective support of SSRS and high scores of GM. Additionally, the subjects' anxiety related to poor sleep quality, and students with high levels of anxiety showed a significantly lower percentage of CD3 and CD4. In conclusion, clinical practice can raise nursing students' State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory scores. The level of anxiety is related to some internal and external factors. Severe anxiety not only affects student's physical and mental health and successful practice, but also reduces T lymphocyte immune functions.
Prevalence and risk factors of frailty phenotype among vulnerable solitary elderly individuals
Authors: Chang Shu‐Fang , Yang Rong‐Sen , Nieh Hwa‐Ming , Wen Gi‐Mi
Published: April 2014

The World Health Organization has defined elderly individuals living independently as an ‘at risk’ group. This vulnerable population thus faces a disproportionate amount of frailty, disabilities and/or death. In this study, the total number of participants was 276, with 13 incomplete responses, resulting in 263 valid questionnaires. Frailty status of the subjects (n = 263) was evaluated according to the frailty criteria of osteoporotic fractures study. Overall, 35% of the study participants were frail, 19.8% were pre‐frail and 45.2% were non‐frail. Additionally, compared with non‐frail, solitary elderly individuals with basic activities of daily living limitation or heart failure more easily became pre‐frail. The research demonstrates a high prevalence of frailty in urban Taiwanese solitary elderly individuals. Pre‐frailty and frailty significantly impacts health, owing to their strong association with cardiovascular disease, disability and fracture. Results of this study could provide a valuable reference material for health‐care providers and potentially facilitate an important foundation for the planning of nursing interventions care.
Effects of an educational programme on shared decision‐making among Korean nurses
Authors: Jo Kae‐Hwa , An Gyeong‐Ju
Published: April 2014

This study was conducted to examine the effects of an educational programme on shared decision‐making on end‐of‐life care performance, moral sensitivity and attitude towards shared decision‐making among Korean nurses. A quasi‐experimental study with a non‐equivalent control group pretest–posttest design was used. Forty‐one clinical nurses were recruited as participants from two different university hospitals located in Daegu, Korea. Twenty nurses in the control group received no intervention, and 21 nurses in the experimental group received the educational programme on shared decision‐making. Data were collected with a questionnaire covering end‐of‐life care performance, moral sensitivity and attitude towards shared decision‐making. Analysis of the data was done with the chi‐square test, t‐test and Fisher's exact test using SPSS/Win 17.0 (SPSS, Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). The experimental group showed significantly higher scores in moral sensitivity and attitude towards shared decision‐making after the intervention compared with the control group. This study suggests that the educational programme on shared decision‐making was effective in increasing the moral sensitivity and attitude towards shared decision‐making among Korean nurses.
Factors influencing the confidence in core clinical skills among hospital nurses
Authors: Yang Young Ok , Kim Minju , Park Kyung‐Yeon , Yang Jin‐Hyang
Published: April 2014

The purpose of this study was to examine the confidence to perform 20 clinical skills and identify factors influencing the confidence of hospital nurses. A descriptive, cross‐sectional study was conducted with 550 hospital nurses at four hospitals in B city, Korea. The confidence to perform, frequency of performance and educational needs on 20 clinical skills identified by Korean Accreditation Board of Nursing were measured with a self‐reported questionnaire. Data were analysed by SPSS 19.0 (IBM Corporation, Armonk, New York, USA). Participants were 27 years old on average, and 49.5% had less than 3 years of total working experience. The most confident skill was measuring vital signs, whereas the least confident skill was using defibrillator. In results of stepwise regression, confidence to perform was associated with educational needs, total working experience, frequency of performance and position. It is necessary to give opportunities to practice clinical skills at both schools and clinics for producing well‐prepared nurses.
Social work and social problems: A contribution from systems theory and constructionism
Authors: Michailakis Dimitris , Schirmer Werner
Published: April 2014

Social work builds its identity on social problems. The goal is to generate knowledge about causes, consequences and solutions. However, there is a lack of theory of social problems. We suggest that research on social problems can benefit by ‘bringing the observer in’: Loseke's constructionist framework and Luhmann's systems theory. According to Loseke, social problems appear differently when constructed by different observers. Constructions vary in terms of morality, conditions, victims/villains and solutions. From Luhmann we learn that modern society consists of a multitude of social systems (e.g. politics, science, economy etc.), each operating with their own communicative codes. Combining both approaches, we hypothesise that any social system constructs its own (version of) social problems. Illustrating with the empirical case ‘suicide among mentally ill people’, we examine how a phenomenon is constructed differently as a social problem by four different social systems: the disability movement, politics, medicine and social work.
Enhanced computed tomography after partial nephrectomy in early postoperative period to detect asymptomatic renal artery pseudoaneurysm
Authors: Takagi Toshio , Kondo Tsunenori , Tajima Tsuyoshi , Campbell Steven C , Tanabe Kazunari
Published: April 2014

Objectives

We systematically examined the incidence and potential implications of renal artery pseudoaneurysm occurring after partial nephrectomy detected by computed tomography screening in the early postoperative period.

Methods

Between January and December 2012, 117 patients underwent enhanced screening computed tomography on the fourth postoperative day after partial nephrectomy to evaluate for renal artery pseudoaneurysm. The size of the renal artery pseudoaneurysm and follow‐up imaging were utilized to decide on pre‐emptive angioembolization. Patient characteristics, tumor specifics and surgical data were analyzed.

Results

A total of 17 of 117 patients (15%) were found to have renal artery pseudoaneurysm on early postoperative computed tomography. Renal artery pseudoaneurysm occurred in nine of 73 open partial nephrectomy patients (12.3%) and eight of 44 laparoscopic partial nephrectomy patients (18.2%). One early patient experienced a postoperative bleed on postoperative day 9 after diagnosis of a 3.5‐mm diameter renal artery pseudoaneurysm on postoperative day 3, and this patient was successfully managed with angioembolization. There were no other postoperative bleeding episodes. Rapid growth of a renal artery pseudoaneurysm was observed in a second patient who was treated with pre‐emptive angioembolization. Five patients were diagnosed with small renal artery pseudoaneurysm (2–4 mm) on postoperative day 4 and observed with follow‐up imaging showing resolution of the renal artery pseudoaneurysm. Another 10 patients were diagnosed with larger renal artery pseudoaneurysm (≥4 mm) and were managed with pre‐emptive angioembolization.

Conclusions

Early postoperative computed tomography screening is able to detect modest rates of asymptomatic renal artery pseudoaneurysm. The rate of postoperative bleed remained low with a policy of selective angioembolization. Renal artery pseudoaneurysm size and interval enlargement might indicate the risk of rupture. Further studies are required to assess the potential role of pre‐emptive angioembolization.
Shaping the repertoire of tumor‐infiltrating effector and regulatory T cells
Authors: Savage Peter A. , Leventhal Daniel S. , Malchow Sven
Published: April 2014

Many tumors express antigens that can be specifically or selectively recognized by T lymphocytes, suggesting that T‐cell‐mediated immunity may be harnessed for the immunotherapy of cancer. However, since tumors originate from normal cells and evolve within the context of self‐tissues, the immune mechanisms that prevent the autoimmune attack of normal tissues function in parallel to restrict anti‐tumor immunity. In particular, the purging of autoreactive T cells and the development of immune‐suppressive regulatory T cells (Tregs) are thought to be major barriers impeding anti‐tumor immune responses. Here, we discuss current understanding regarding the antigens recognized by tumor‐infiltrating T‐cell populations, the mechanisms that shape the repertoire of these cells, and the role of the transcription factor autoimmune regulator (Aire) in these processes. Further elucidation of these principles is likely to be critical for optimizing emerging cancer immunotherapies, and for the rational design of novel therapies exhibiting robust anti‐tumor activity with limited toxicity.
Genetic and epigenetic basis of Treg cell development and function: from a FoxP3‐centered view to an epigenome‐defined view of natural Treg cells
Authors: Morikawa Hiromasa , Sakaguchi Shimon
Published: April 2014

Naturally occurring regulatory T (nTreg) cells, which specifically express the transcription factor Forkhead box protein P3 (FoxP3), are indispensable for the maintenance of immunological self‐tolerance and homeostasis. Recent studies have shown that developing nTreg cells in the thymus acquire a Treg‐specific and stable hypomethylation pattern in a limited number of genes, which encode key molecules including FoxP3, essential for Treg cell function. This epigenetic change is acquired via T‐cell receptor (TCR) stimulation, beginning prior to FoxP3 expression. The Treg‐specific DNA hypomethylated regions generally act as gene enhancers in steady state nTreg cells, contributing to the stable expression of Treg function‐associated key genes including Ctla4, Il2ra, and Ikzf4 in addition to Foxp3. Upon TCR stimulation of mature nTreg cells, FoxP3 strongly represses many genes including Il2, contributing to Treg suppressive activity. Thus, the Treg‐specific epigenome alteration can determine the heritable Treg‐specific gene network including Foxp3 regulation. Considering physiological presence of non‐suppressive FoxP3+ T cells in the immune system and loss of FoxP3 in Treg cells under certain immunological conditions, functional nTreg cells can be more accurately defined as a T‐cell subpopulation possessing the Treg‐type epigenome, rather than FoxP3+ T cells. This epigenome‐based definition of Treg cells would enable better understanding of functional stability, plasticity, and heterogeneity of Treg cells.
Transnationalism and Ethnic Identification among Adolescent Children of Immigrants in the Netherlands, Germany, England, and Sweden
Authors: Schimmer Paulien , van Tubergen Frank
Published: April 2014

Inspired by the emerging literature on transnationalism in the United States, this paper studies the return visits of adolescent children of immigrants in four European countries. Using data from the Children of Immigrants Longitudinal Study, cross-classified multilevel analyses indicate that parental economic resources, ethnic motivations, and political suppression are related to adolescent children of immigrants’ return visits. Furthermore, return visits are positively related to adolescents’ identification with the origin country and negatively to adolescents’ identification with the host country.
Skin‐to‐skin contact: multicultural perspectives on birth fluids and birth ‘dirt’
Authors: Finigan V. , Long T.
Published: April 2014

Aim

To explore the experiences of women from three population groups of immediate skin‐to‐skin contact (SSC) with their newborn babies.

Method

A mixed methods approach was adopted in a phenomenological study to elicit the experiences of English, Pakistani and Bangladeshi women. Audiotaped diaries, semi‐structured interviews, photographs and video recordings were employed. Concept mapping was central to data analysis.

Results

This paper reports novel findings that women contextualized and accepted secretions and bodily fluids from birth. This contradicts the beliefs of midwives that Asian women find bodily secretions abhorrent and culturally unacceptable. All participants reported positive experiences of SSC despite varying degrees of soiling from birth fluids.

Limitations

The study was conducted in a single setting, and participants may not have been representative of others in their cultural groups. Third‐party translation may have added an unsought layer of interpretation. The imposition of cultural expectations by peers in the recruitment process excluded some potential participants.

Conclusion

Stereotypical assumptions about cultural background often characterize professional responses. When this stereotyping was put aside, women of all three cultures, whether breastfeeding or bottle‐feeding, were able to enjoy SSC with their babies.

Implications for Nursing and Health Policy

The findings suggest that changes will be needed in professional practice to be more open to women's expressed preferences, in local policy to ensure that choices are made clear and are available, and in national strategic direction to ensure widespread adoption of positive practices for opportunities to increase breastfeeding, promote parent–child bonding and support patient choice to be realized.
Age‐dependent dispersal and habitat choice in black‐tailed godwits Limosa limosa limosa across a mosaic of traditional and modern grassland habitats
Authors: Kentie Rosemarie , Both Christiaan , Hooijmeijer Jos C. E. W. , Piersma Theunis
Published: April 2014

Whether to disperse, and where to, are two of the most prominent decisions in an individual's life, with major consequences for reproductive success. We studied natal and breeding dispersal in the monogamous black‐tailed godwit Limosa limosa limosa in the Netherlands, where they breed in agricultural grasslands. The majority of these grasslands recently changed from wet herb‐rich meadows into well‐drained grassland monocultures, on which godwits have a lower reproductive success. Here we examine habitat selection with a multistate mark–recapture analysis. Habitat transition probabilities between meadows and monocultures were estimated on the basis of 1810 marked chicks and 531 adults during seven years in a 8500 ha study area. Young and adult godwits may differ in habitat selection because: 1) adults may have gained experience from previous nest success where to settle, 2) younger individuals may find it harder to compete for the best territories. Both young and adults moved at a higher rate from the predominant monocultures to meadows than the other way around, thus actively selecting the habitat with better quality. However, dispersal distance of adults was not affected by previous nest success. The average dispersal distance from place of birth of godwits breeding for the first time was ten times larger than that of adult godwits. That godwits breeding in their second calendar year arrived and laid at similar dates and were equally able to select territories in areas with high breeding densities, suggests that young birds were not competitively inferior to adults. Although on monocultures reproduction is insufficient to maintain constant populations, birds sometimes moved from meadows to monocultures. This explains why even after 30 years of land‐use intensification, godwits still breed in low‐quality habitat. The adjustment to changing habitat conditions at the population level appears to be a slow process.
Historical epidemiology of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in selected countries
Authors: Bruggmann P. , Berg T. , Øvrehus A. L. H. , Moreno C. , Brandão Mello C. E. , Roudot‐Thoraval F. , Marinho R. T. , Sherman M. , Ryder S. D. , Sperl J. , Akarca U. , Balık İ. , Bihl F. , Bilodeau M. , Blasco A. J. , Buti M. , Calinas F. , Calleja J. L. , Cheinquer H. , Christensen P. B. , Clausen M. , Coelho H. S. M. , Cornberg M. , Cramp M. E. , Dore G. J. , Doss W. , Duberg A. S. , El‐Sayed M. H. , Ergör G. , Esmat G. , Estes C. , Falconer K. , Félix J. , Ferraz M. L. G. , Ferreira P. R. , Frankova S. , García‐Samaniego J. , Gerstoft J. , Giria J. A. , Gonçales F. L. , Gower E. , Gschwantler M. , Guimarães Pessôa M. , Hézode C. , Hofer H. , Husa P. , Idilman R. , Kåberg M. , Kaita K. D. E. , Kautz A. , Kaymakoglu S. , Krajden M. , Krarup H. , Laleman W. , Lavanchy D. , Lázaro P. , Marotta P. , Mauss S. , Mendes Correa M. C. , Müllhaupt B. , Myers R. P. , Negro F. , Nemecek V. , Örmeci N. , Parkes J. , Peltekian K. M. , Ramji A. , Razavi H. , Reis N. , Roberts S. K. , Rosenberg W. M. , Sarmento‐Castro R. , Sarrazin C. , Semela D. , Shiha G. E. , Sievert W. , Stärkel P. , Stauber R. E. , Thompson A. J. , Urbanek P. , van Thiel I. , Van Vlierberghe H. , Vandijck D. , Vogel W. , Waked I. , Wedemeyer H. , Weis N. , Wiegand J. , Yosry A. , Zekry A. , Van Damme P. , Aleman S. , Hindman S. J.
Published: April 2014

Chronic infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a leading indicator for liver disease. New treatment options are becoming available, and there is a need to characterize the epidemiology and disease burden of HCV. Data for prevalence, viremia, genotype, diagnosis and treatment were obtained through literature searches and expert consensus for 16 countries. For some countries, data from centralized registries were used to estimate diagnosis and treatment rates. Data for the number of liver transplants and the proportion attributable to HCV were obtained from centralized databases. Viremic prevalence estimates varied widely between countries, ranging from 0.3% in Austria, England and Germany to 8.5% in Egypt. The largest viremic populations were in Egypt, with 6 358 000 cases in 2008 and Brazil with 2 106 000 cases in 2007. The age distribution of cases differed between countries. In most countries, prevalence rates were higher among males, reflecting higher rates of injection drug use. Diagnosis, treatment and transplant levels also differed considerably between countries. Reliable estimates characterizing HCV‐infected populations are critical for addressing HCV‐related morbidity and mortality. There is a need to quantify the burden of chronic HCV infection at the national level.
How Do Policies Affect the Exit Rate out of Unemployment? Disentangling Job Creation from Labour Market Frictions
Authors: Murtin Fabrice , de Serres Alain
Published: April 2014

This paper assesses the effects of labour market policies on the unemployment outflow rate while disentangling two channels, namely labour market tightness and employer–employee matching efficiency. Using a sample of 11 OECD countries over the period 1985–2007, we treat the endogeneity of market tightness with business cycle shocks and the tax wedge as instruments. We find that the replacement rate of unemployment benefits, Active Labour Market Policies as well as the tax wedge in countries with poorly representative unions, have a significant, robust, and large impact on market tightness. Employment protection has a negative but small impact on matching efficiency. Overall, policy effects appear to be mostly channeled through market tightness and job creation.
Ecological resistance surfaces predict fine‐scale genetic differentiation in a terrestrial woodland salamander
Authors: Peterman William E. , Connette Grant M. , Semlitsch Raymond D. , Eggert Lori S.
Published: April 2014

Landscape genetics has seen tremendous advances since its introduction, but parameterization and optimization of resistance surfaces still poses significant challenges. Despite increased availability and resolution of spatial data, few studies have integrated empirical data to directly represent ecological processes as genetic resistance surfaces. In our study, we determine the landscape and ecological factors affecting gene flow in the western slimy salamander (Plethodon albagula). We used field data to derive resistance surfaces representing salamander abundance and rate of water loss through combinations of canopy cover, topographic wetness, topographic position, solar exposure and distance from ravine. These ecologically explicit composite surfaces directly represent an ecological process or physiological limitation of our organism. Using generalized linear mixed‐effects models, we optimized resistance surfaces using a nonlinear optimization algorithm to minimize model AIC. We found clear support for the resistance surface representing the rate of water loss experienced by adult salamanders in the summer. Resistance was lowest at intermediate levels of water loss and higher when the rate of water loss was predicted to be low or high. This pattern may arise from the compensatory movement behaviour of salamanders through suboptimal habitat, but also reflects the physiological limitations of salamanders and their sensitivity to extreme environmental conditions. Our study demonstrates that composite representations of ecologically explicit processes can provide novel insight and can better explain genetic differentiation than ecologically implicit landscape resistance surfaces. Additionally, our study underscores the fact that spatial estimates of habitat suitability or abundance may not serve as adequate proxies for describing gene flow, as predicted abundance was a poor predictor of genetic differentiation.
Comparison of regional vs systemic analgesia for post‐thoracotomy care in infants
Authors: Di Pede Alessandra , Morini Francesco , Lombardi Mary H. , Sgrò Stefania , Laviani Raoul , Dotta Andrea , Picardo Sergio G.
Published: April 2014

Background

In infants, post‐thoracotomy analgesia traditionally consists of systemic opiates, while regional techniques have gained more favor in recent years. We compare the two techniques for thoracotomy in infants.

Methods

All consecutive patients below 6 months of age who underwent thoracotomy for congenital pulmonary malformations in the study period were retrospectively divided according to the chosen postoperative analgesia: Group S systemic opiates, Group R continuous regional (epidural or extrapleural paravertebral) block. We studied the following outcomes: need for NICU and mechanical ventilation, pain score, requirement for additional analgesics, heart rate 1 h postsurgery, time to pass first stool and to full feed, complications, and duration of hospitalization.

Results

Forty consecutive patients were included, 19 in Group S and 21 in Group R. Median age at surgery was 89 days (40–110) and 90 days (46–117), respectively. Five of 19 patients in Group S vs none in Group R required postoperative intensive care (P = 0.017). Patients in Group R had significantly lower postoperative heart rate (145 [138–150] vs 160 [152–169] b·min−1, P = 0.007), earlier passage of first stools (24 h [12–24] vs 36 h [24–48] P = 0.004), and earlier time to full feed (36 h [24–48] vs 84 h [60–120] P = 0.0001) than those in Group S. The only observed complication was one catheter dislocation.

Conclusion

In infants undergoing thoracotomy, loco‐regional analgesia is effective and associated with a reduced intensity of postoperative care and earlier full feeding than systemic analgesia; it should therefore be considered a better option.
Delayed graft function in pediatric deceased donor kidney transplantation: Donor‐related risk factors and impact on two‐yr graft function and survival: A single‐center analysis
Authors: Cesca Eleonora , Ghirardo Giulia , Kiblawi Rim , Murer Luisa , Gamba Piergiorgio , Zanon Giovanni Franco
Published: April 2014

There is mounting evidence that the quality of organs from cadaver donors may be influenced by events occurring around the time of brain death. Aim of this present study was to analyze the correlation of DGF with brain‐dead donor variables in a single‐center pediatric population and to evaluate DGF influence on patients‐ and grafts outcome. End‐points of the study were DGF prevalence, DGF donor‐related risk factors, graft function, patient‐ and graft survival rate, respectively, at six, 12, and 24 months FU. The univariate analysis showed that donor age above 15 yr and vascular cause of donor brain death represented risk factors for DGF. The multivariate analysis confirmed as independent risk factors for DGF donor age >15 yr. At six months FU, DGF showed a negative impact on graft function. In conclusion, among all considered brain‐dead donor resuscitation parameters, just non‐traumatic cause of death turned out to be of impact for DGF. Donor age >15 yr represented the only independent risk factor for prolonged DGF in our series of children. At two‐yr FU, DGF showed a transient negative impact on six‐month graft function.
Advocacy Coalitions and Mental Health Policy: The Adoption of Community Treatment Orders inOntario
Authors: Swigger Alexandra , Heinmiller Bruce Timothy
Published: April 2014

InCanada, the provincial level of government is primarily responsible for the provision of mental health‐care services. In 2000, theOntario government introduced community treatment orders (CTOs) as a new instrument for treating the mentally ill.CTOswere more coercive than prevailing practices, allowing mentally ill individuals to be compelled to receive treatment for their mental illness, including pharmacological treatment, on an outpatient basis. Using the advocacy coalition framework, this article explains the introduction ofCTOsby identifying the prevailing advocacy coalitions in theOntario mental health policy subsystem and by examining the power resources available to them in their efforts to influence policy decision makers. Ultimately, the pro‐CTOcoalition was successful because it had public opinion, information, and credibility advantages that the anti‐CTOcoalition simply could not match.

Related Articles

McGrath,Robert J.2009. “”Politics & Policy37():309‐336.http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1747‐1346.2009.00174.x/abstractBarnes,Nielan.2011. “”Politics & Policy39():69‐89.http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1747‐1346.2010.00283.x/abstractMorris,Mary Hallock.2007. “”Politics & Policy35():836‐871.http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1747‐1346.2007.00086.x/abstract

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Dothistromin toxin is a virulence factor in dothistroma needle blight of pines
Authors: Kabir M. S. , Ganley R. J. , Bradshaw R. E.
Published: April 2014

Dothistromin is a broad‐spectrum mycotoxin produced by the Dothideomycete pine needle pathogen Dothistroma septosporum. It accumulates in lesions, causing characteristic red bands on needles infected with this fungus. Dothistromin is similar in structure to the aflatoxin precursor versicolorin B and the biosynthetic pathways of these toxins share many common gene products. Although dothistromin is not essential for pathogenicity in dothistroma needle blight, its presence in infected needles suggests it might have a role in the disease process. The hypothesis that dothistromin is a virulence factor was tested by studying Pinus radiata infected with dothistromin‐deficient mutants of D. septosporum. The mutants were able to infect pine needles and complete their life cycle as previously shown, and were unaffected in spore germination, epiphytic growth or needle penetration. However, colonization of the mesophyll by the mutants was restricted compared to the wild type. Correspondingly, lesions produced by the mutants were smaller and produced significantly fewer spores than lesions produced by wildtype strains. Interestingly, ‘green islands’, in which chlorophyll was maintained at a higher level than in adjacent chlorotic and necrotic regions, surrounded early‐appearing lesions caused by both wildtype and mutant strains. At a later stage of disease development green islands were still present in the mutant but appeared to be masked by the extended dothistromin‐containing lesions in the wild type. Overall the results support a role for dothistromin in virulence in dothistroma needle blight.
Monitoring of plant and airborne inoculum of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in spring oilseed rape using real‐time PCR
Authors: Almquist C. , Wallenhammar A.‐C.
Published: April 2014

Sclerotinia stem rot of spring oilseed rape (Brassica napus) is caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. In Sweden, the disease leads to severe crop damage that varies from year to year. A real‐time PCR assay was developed and used to determine the incidence of S. sclerotiorum DNA on petals and leaves of spring oilseed rape as well as in air samples, with the aim of finding tools to improve precision in disease risk assessment. Five field experiments were conducted from 2008 to 2010 to detect and study pathogen development. Assessments of stem rot showed significant differences between experimental sites. The real‐time PCR assay proved fast and sensitive and the relationship between percentage of infected petals determined using a conventional agar test and the PCR assay was linear (R2 > 0·76). There were significant differences in S. sclerotiorum incidence at different stages of flowering. The incidence of S. sclerotiorum DNA on the leaves varied (0–100%), with significantly higher incidence on leaves at lower levels. In one field experiment, S. sclerotiorum DNA was not detected on petals during flowering, whereas the pathogen was detected on leaves, with a corresponding stem rot incidence of 7%. The amount of S. sclerotiorum DNA in sampled air revealed that spore release did not coincide with flowering on that experimental site. Thus, using a real‐time PCR assay to determine the incidence of S. sclerotiorum on oilseed rape leaves, rather than on petals, could potentially improve disease risk assessment.
A low K+ signal is required for functional high‐affinity K+ uptake through HAK5 transporters
Authors: Rubio Francisco , Fon Mario , Ródenas Reyes , Nieves‐Cordones Manuel , Alemán Fernando , Rivero Rosa M. , Martínez Vicente
Published: April 2014

The high‐affinity K+ transporter HAK5 is a key system for root K+ uptake and, under very low external K+, the only one capable of supplying K+ to the plant. Functional HAK5‐mediated K+ uptake should be tightly regulated for plant adaptation to different environmental conditions. Thus, it has been described that the gene encoding the transporter is transcriptionally regulated, being highly induced under K+ limitation. Here we show that environmental conditions, such as the lack of K+, NO3− or P, that induced a hyperpolarization of the plasma membrane of root cells, induce HAK5 transcription. However, only the deprivation of K+ produces functional HAK5‐mediated K+ uptake in the root. These results suggest on the one hand the existence of a posttranscriptional regulation of HAK5 elicited by the low K+ signal and on the other that HAK5 may be involved in yet‐unknown functions related to NO3− and P deficiencies. These results have been obtained here with Solanum lycopersicum (cv. Micro‐Tom) as well as Arabidopsis thaliana plants, suggesting that the posttranscriptional regulation of high‐affinity HAK transporters take place in all plant species.