bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Is the Sky the Limit? Can Japanese Government Bonds Continue to Defy Gravity?
Authors: Hoshi Takeo , Ito Takatoshi
Published: December 2013

This paper presents a simulation model based on the growth rate, the inflation rate, and the consumption tax rate in the future. Future tax revenues and fiscal expenditures are projected using regression models estimated from past data. The fiscal situation is called unsustainable if the outstanding amount of Japanese government bonds (JGBs) becomes higher than the level of private sector financial assets. We focus on the general account of the central government, which is the source of JGB issues. We find that the higher the economic growth, the more likely it is that the fiscal situation is sustainable. When a larger portion of interest income is reinvested in JGBs, the chance is higher that the fiscal situation is sustainable. Most importantly, raising the consumption tax to 20% guarantees fiscal sustainability in most cases. Our analysis shows that without a consumption tax hike beyond the 10% rate, a fiscal crisis will be almost a certainty, even with a real economic growth rate of 2% despite a shrinking labor force. A reasonably quick hike of the consumption tax, namely a hike by 1% a year, up to 20%, combined with high or moderate economic growth rates, seems to keep the economy out of a fiscal crisis, where a moderate growth rate is defined to be generated by a productivity increase per working‐age population of 1.9%, which was the average during the Koizumi years.
Lung cancer presenting as thin‐walled cysts: An analysis of 15 cases and review of literature
Authors: Guo Juntang , Liang Chaoyang , Sun Yu'e , Zhou Naikang , Liu Yang , Chu Xiangyang
Published: December 2013

Aim

Lung cancer presenting as cysts is a rare entity in clinical practice. Differential diagnosis is difficult in the benign‐like cyst.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective analysis of the clinical records of 15 patients who underwent surgery for primary lung cancer presenting as cysts (wall thickness <5 mm) in our department between 2007 and 2012. The whole group underwent postoperative follow‐up.

Results

The subjects' age ranged from 18 to 80 years with a median age of 58.3 years. Eight cases presented with respiratory symptoms while seven showed abnormal shadows on a chest computed tomography without symptoms. Histological analysis showed that 10 cases were of adenocarcinoma, two of squamous cell carcinoma and one of large cell carcinoma. Two patients died at 13 and 26 months and the remaining 13 patients are alive and disease free at 3–38 months.

Conclusion

Cystic lung cancer should be considered in the differential diagnosis of focal benign cyst. Cystic lung cancer could achieve a good outcome if early diagnosis can be obtained.
Growth charts and long‐term sequelae in extreme preterm infants – from full‐term age to 10 years
Authors: Horemuzova Eva , Åmark Per , Jacobson Lena , Söder Olle , Hagenäs Lars
Published: December 2013

Aim

To describe growth pattern from full‐term age to 10 years in infants born before 26 weeks of gestation.

Method

This retrospective longitudinal cohort contained 123 children from Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, during 1990–2002. Length/height (Ht), weight (Wt) and head circumference (HC) were recorded monthly during the first year, every 3 months until 2 years and yearly thereafter, but HC at 15 months and at median age of 8.1/9.7 years (range 2–14) in boys/girls.

Results

For boys/girls at birth, the mean Z‐score for Ht was −0.2/−0.2, for Wt 0.0/−0.2 and for HC 0.0/−0.3. At term, the mean Z‐score for Ht was −3.8/−3.1, for Wt −3.0/−2.5 and for HC −1.7/−1.2. At 1 year, the mean Z‐score for Ht was−1.3/−1.3, for Wt −1.9/−1.7 and for HC −1.2/−1.0. At 2 years, the mean Z‐score for Ht was −1.3/−1.1, for Wt −1.6/−1.2 and at 10 years for Ht −0.7/−0.4; that was on average −0.3 below mid‐parental height; for Wt −0.2/−0.2. Long‐term sequelae were found in 48% of the boys and 34% of the girls.

Conclusion

By 10 years of age, the attained mean Ht was in accordance with their genetic potential and almost half of these children had significant long‐term sequelae.
Expert opinion‐based relative landscape isolation maps for badgers across England and Wales
Authors: Etherington Thomas R , Trewby Iain D , Wilson Gavin J , McDonald Robbie A
Published: December 2013

Landscape epidemiological studies often produce maps that visualise spatial variation in disease incidence or prevalence. Within England and Wales a component of the spatial variation in the incidence of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is endemic infection in the European badger (Meles meles) population. This reservoir of infection presents a major obstacle to control and eradication of the disease in cattle, which is currently one of the major issues in agricultural policy in England and Wales. Previous bTB maps have considered the distribution and abundance of badgers, but there is recognition in epidemiology that other landscape characteristics that may relate to disease risk need to be considered. Landscape isolation is particularly relevant for management of disease in wildlife hosts, and especially for bTB in badgers, as the potential for badgers to disperse into and out of areas under management affects the success of culling, and possibly also the success of vaccination. To map the relative levels of landscape isolation for badgers, we used expert opinion of landscape obstacles to dispersal to apply a continuous surface catchment area approach, which is based on the concept of landscape connectivity and the technique of least‐cost modelling. Our results indicate that some parts of the landscape are relatively more or less isolated than others. This finding is directly relevant in the context of potential bTB management strategies, and we hope this will encourage collation of data designed to quantify the degree of landscape isolation for wildlife disease hosts, and encourage its consideration when formulating and assessing disease management strategies.
Transforming the Local Capacity on Natural Disaster Risk Reduction in Bangladeshi Communities: A Social Work Perspective
Authors: Ali Isahaque , Hatta Zulkarnain A. , Azman Azlinda
Published: December 2013

Bangladesh has been a severe victim of its various sporadic natural disasters—flood, cyclone and storm surge, flash flood, drought, tornado, riverbank erosion, and landslide. Familial and societal lives and security of people are being seriously disturbed by these natural calamities every year. They also bring deadly damage to the economy and general environment of the country. Natural disasters cannot be pre‐empted at all, but their damage can be mitigated with effective responses. Social work has been a profession notably known for its intervention of people's vulnerability to natural and man‐made disasters. This concept paper discusses relevant intervention strategies and approaches to transform the local capacity of communities on natural disaster risk reduction in light of the social work profession.
The Interface between Internal and External Audit in the Australian Public Sector
Authors: Pilcher Robyn , Gilchrist David , Singh Harjinder , Singh Inderpal
Published: December 2013

This study seeks to answer the research question ‘using reliance as the pivotal consideration, what factors determine the efficient and effective interrelationship between internal and external audit?’, within the context of the Australian public sector. A qualitative approach, framed within agency theory, was adopted using a case study and structured interviews. Findings included factors supporting prior literature as well as some unique to the research described here. As a result, this article makes a contribution to the literature examining public sector internal and external audit interrelationships as well as the literature on police audit and performance. It also has practical implications for both the case study site and similar organisations throughout the world.
Association of thalamic serotonin transporter and interleukin‐10 in bipolar I disorder: a SPECT study
Authors: Hsu Ju‐Wei , Lirng Jiing‐Feng , Wang Shyh‐Jen , Lin Chun‐Lung , Yang Kai‐Chun , Liao Mei‐Hsiu , Chou Yuan‐Hwa
Published: December 2013

Objectives

The serotonin hypothesis plays a critical role in the etiology of bipolar disorder (BD). Although many studies have demonstrated reciprocal relationships between serotonin metabolism and immune‐inflammatory pathways that occur in depression, studies linking serotonergic function and cytokines are still limited concerning BD. The aim of this study was to investigate the interaction of brain serotonin transporter (SERT) and cytokines in BD.

Methods

Twenty patients with euthymic BD and 20 age‐ and sex‐matched healthy controls (HC) were recruited. Single photon emission computed tomography with the radiotracer 123I‐ADAM was used for the SERT imaging. The specific uptake ratio, which represents SERT availability, was the primary measured outcome. Cytokines included the pro‐inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and the anti‐inflammatory cytokine interleukin‐10 (IL‐10). Cytokine concentration was measured using an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

SERT availability was significantly lower in the midbrain and caudate of patients with BD compared with HC, but not in the thalamus and putamen. IL‐10 was significantly higher, whereas TNF‐α was not different in euthymic patients with BD compared with HC. There was a significant association of SERT availability and IL‐10 in the thalamus, but not in the midbrain, caudate, or putamen.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate the interaction of SERT availability and IL‐10 in euthymic BD. This result may further explain the role of SERT and cytokines in the etiology of BD.
Prognostic value of inflammation or granuloma after intravesival BCG in non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer
Authors: Jallad Samer , Goubet Stephanie , Symes Andrew , Larner Timothy , Thomas Philip
Published: December 2013

Objective

To evaluate the prognostic value of inflammation or granuloma after intravesical bacille Calmette‐Guérin (BCG) treatment in non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC).

Materials and Methods

Patients with NMIBC treated with intravesical BCG over a 5‐year period were identified.

The correlations between histopathological results and disease recurrence and progression were assessed, with survival analysis performed using the Kaplan–Meier method. Other relevant variables were also evaluated using univariate and multivariate analysis.

A log‐rank test was performed to compare time‐to‐event between groups.

Results

A total of 215 patients were treated with BCG for NMIBC and the median follow‐up was 32 months.

Granuloma was identified in 60 patients and inflammation in 125 patients. In 18 patients there was no evidence of either (normal histology group). A total of 12 patients did not have biopsies and were subsequently excluded.

The mean recurrence‐free survival rate was significantly higher in the granuloma and inflammation groups (65 months [95% CI: 58–72] and 56 months [95% CI: 49–63], respectively) than in the normal histology group (20 months [95% CI: 6–34]; log‐rank P < 0.001).

On the multivariate analysis, the absence of inflammation/granuloma was significantly associated with recurrence (log‐rank P < 0.001).

The progression‐free survival rate was higher in the granuloma and inflammation groups (75 months [95% CI: 71–79] and 82 months [95% CI: 78–86], respectively) compared with the normal histology group (33 months [95% CI: 17–48]; log‐rank P < 0.001).

On multivariate analysis, the absence of inflammation/granuloma was significantly associated with recurrence (log‐rank P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Inflammation or granuloma in histology samples after intravesical BCG treatment for NMIBC are positive markers of response and their absence increases the risk of recurrence and progression.
Management of disease-modifying treatments in neurological autoimmune diseases of the central nervous system
Authors: Salmen A , Gold R , Chan A
Published: December 2013

The therapeutic armamentarium for autoimmune diseases of the central nervous system, specifically multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica, is steadily increasing, with a large spectrum of immunomodulatory and immunosuppressive agents targeting different mechanisms of the immune system. However, increasingly efficacious treatment options also entail higher potential for severe adverse drug reactions. Especially in cases failing first-line treatment, thorough evaluation of the risk–benefit profile of treatment alternatives is necessary. This argues for the need of algorithms to identify patients more likely to benefit from a specific treatment. Moreover, paradigms to stratify the risk for severe adverse drug reactions need to be established. In addition to clinical/paraclinical measures, biomarkers may aid in individualized risk–benefit assessment. A recent example is the routine testing for anti-John Cunningham virus antibodies in natalizumab-treated multiple sclerosis patients to assess the risk for the development of progressive multi-focal leucoencephalopathy. Refined algorithms for individualized risk assessment may also facilitate early initiation of induction treatment schemes in patient groups with high disease activity rather than classical escalation concepts. In this review, we will discuss approaches for individiualized risk–benefit assessment both for newly introduced agents as well as medications with established side-effect profiles. In addition to clinical parameters, we will also focus on biomarkers that may assist in patient selection.
Role of fibroblast growth factors in elicitation of cell responses
Authors: Laestander C. , Engström W.
Published: December 2013

Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) are signalling peptides that control important cell processes such as proliferation, differentiation, migration, adhesion and survival. Through binding to different types of receptor on the cell surface, these peptides can have different effects on a target cell, the effect achieved depending on many features. Thus, each of the known FGFs elicits specific biological responses. FGF receptors (FGFR 1–5) initiate diverse intracellular pathways, which in turn lead to a variety of results. FGFs also bind the range of FGFRs with a series of affinities and each type of cells expresses FGFRs in different qualitative and quantitative patterns, which also affect responses. To summarize, cell response to binding of an FGF ligand depends on type of FGF, FGF receptor and target cell, all interacting in concert. This review aims to examine properties of the FGF family and its members receptors. It also aims to summarize features of intracellular signalling and highlight differential effects of the various FGFs in different circumstances.
Vasculitis in childhood – a dermatological approach
Authors: Sandrine Benoit , Goebeler Matthias
Published: December 2013

Vasculitis, an inflammatory condition affecting the blood vessels, may be restricted to a single organ or involve several organ systems. The size of the involved vessels is an important criterion for categorization of vasculitides, which is a prerequisite for rapid diagnosis and initiation of treatment. In pediatric patients, this particularly applies to Kawasaki disease. However, making the diagnosis can be challenging for dermatologists as skin involvement may be variable and non‐specific. In contrast, Henoch‐Schönlein purpura (IgA vasculitis) presents with the classic picture of palpable purpura. It predominantly affects postcapillary venules frequently following upper respiratory tract infections. Severe organ involvement is relatively rare in children and the prognosis is good. As renal involvement may occur during the course of disease, continuous monitoring is required. Acute hemorrhagic edema of infancy is considered as a distinct type of immune complex vasculitis and is characterized by a triad of fever, edema and rosette‐shaped purpura. The clinical course of this rare disease is usually benign and self‐limited. Due to the variability of clinical symptoms and manifestations, management of childhood vasculitides represents a special challenge requiring interdisciplinary collaboration. Dermatologists should be aware of their important role especially for making an early diagnosis.
Echocardiographic Particle Image Velocimetry for the Evaluation of Diastolic Function in Hypertrophic Nonobstructive Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Prinz Christian , Lehmann Roman , Brandao da Silva Douglas , Jurczak Barbara , Bitter Thomas , Faber Lothar , Horstkotte Dieter
Published: December 2013

Aims

To use particle image velocimetry (PIV) echocardiography for the evaluation of diastolic dysfunction (DD) in patients with hypertrophic nonobstructive cardiomyopathy (HNCM).

Methods

This study included 50 individuals, thereof 30 patients with DD due to HNCM and 20 healthy individuals who served as controls. HNCM patients were divided into 3 groups according to DD severity. All subjects underwent clinical assessment, exercise testing, and standard as well as PIV echocardiography.

Results

Energy dissipation was higher in DD patients than in the control group. The severity of flow pattern disturbance corresponded to the degree of DD. In a subgroup of 20 HNCM patients we found significant correlations between invasive measured left ventricular end‐diastolic pressure and noninvasive PIV parameters for intraventricular pressure differences and filling. Inter‐observer variability (mean difference ± 1.96 SD) for all tested PIV measurements was good.

Conclusion

According to DD severity, patients with HNCM have disturbed intraventricular flow and reduced intraventricular pressure differences, consistent with a reduced intraventricular suction. PIV echocardiography appears to be feasible for detailed analysis of ventricular vortex flow in DD conditions. Further research using PIV echocardiography in different cardiac pathologies seems warranted.
Knockdown of tropomyosin‐related kinase B receptor expression in the nucleus accumbens shell prevents intermittent social defeat stress‐induced cross‐sensitization to amphetamine in rats
Authors: Wang Junshi , Bina Robert W. , Wingard Jeffrey C. , Terwilliger Ernest F. , Hammer Ronald P. , Nikulina Ella M.
Published: December 2013

The nucleus accumbens (NAc) is a critical brain region for the rewarding effects of drugs of abuse. Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) can facilitate stress‐ and drug‐induced neuroadaptation in the mesocorticolimbic system. BDNF‐containing projections to the NAc originate from the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and the prefrontal cortex, and BDNF release activates tropomyosin‐related kinase B (TrkB). In this study, we examined the necessity for BDNF‐TrkB signaling in the NAc shell during social defeat stress‐induced cross‐sensitization to amphetamine. Adeno‐associated virus expressing short hairpin RNA directed against TrkB (AAV‐shTrkB) was infused bilaterally into the NAc shell to knock down TrkB, whereas AAV‐GFP (green fluorescent protein) was used as the control virus. Rats were exposed to intermittent social defeat stress or handling procedures; amphetamine challenge was given at 10 days after the last defeat and locomotor activity was measured. Stressed rats that received the control virus showed cross‐sensitization to amphetamine compared with the handled rats. In contrast, NAc TrkB knockdown prevented social defeat stress‐induced cross‐sensitization. TrkB knockdown in the NAc was found to reduce the level of phospho‐extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1 in this region. NAc TrkB knockdown also prevented stress‐induced elevation of BDNF and the glutamate receptor type 1 (GluA1) subunit of AMPA receptor in the VTA, as well as ΔFosB expression in the NAc. These findings indicated that BDNF‐TrkB signaling in the NAc shell was required for social defeat stress‐induced cross‐sensitization. NAc TrkB‐BDNF signaling also appeared to be involved in the regulation of GluA1 in the VTA, as well as in the NAc ΔFosB accumulation that could trigger cross‐sensitization after social defeat stress.
Experimental evidence for ecological selection on genome variation in the wild
Authors: Gompert Zachariah , Comeault Aaron A. , Farkas Timothy E. , Feder Jeffrey L. , Parchman Thomas L. , Buerkle C. Alex , Nosil Patrik
Published: December 2013

Understanding natural selection's effect on genetic variation is a major goal in biology, but the genome‐scale consequences of contemporary selection are not well known. In a release and recapture field experiment we transplanted stick insects to native and novel host plants and directly measured allele frequency changes within a generation at 186 576 genetic loci. We observed substantial, genome‐wide allele frequency changes during the experiment, most of which could be attributed to random mortality (genetic drift). However, we also documented that selection affected multiple genetic loci distributed across the genome, particularly in transplants to the novel host. Host‐associated selection affecting the genome acted on both a known colour‐pattern trait as well as other (unmeasured) phenotypes. We also found evidence that selection associated with elevation affected genome variation, although our experiment was not designed to test this. Our results illustrate how genomic data can identify previously underappreciated ecological sources and phenotypic targets of selection.
Land‐use conversion and changing soil carbon stocks in China's ‘Grain‐for‐Green’ Program: a synthesis
Authors: Deng Lei , Liu Guo‐bin , Shangguan Zhou‐ping
Published: December 2013

The establishment of either forest or grassland on degraded cropland has been proposed as an effective method for climate change mitigation because these land use types can increase soil carbon (C) stocks. This paper synthesized 135 recent publications (844 observations at 181 sites) focused on the conversion from cropland to grassland, shrubland or forest in China, better known as the ‘Grain‐for‐Green’ Program to determine which factors were driving changes to soil organic carbon (SOC). The results strongly indicate a positive impact of cropland conversion on soil C stocks. The temporal pattern for soil C stock changes in the 0–100 cm soil layer showed an initial decrease in soil C during the early stage (<5 years), and then an increase to net C gains (>5 years) coincident with vegetation restoration. The rates of soil C change were higher in the surface profile (0–20 cm) than in deeper soil (20–100 cm). Cropland converted to forest (arbor) had the additional benefit of a slower but more persistent C sequestration capacity than shrubland or grassland. Tree species played a significant role in determining the rate of change in soil C stocks (conifer < broadleaf, evergreen < deciduous forests). Restoration age was the main factor, not temperature and precipitation, affecting soil C stock change after cropland conversion with higher initial soil C stock sites having a negative effect on soil C accumulation. Soil C sequestration significantly increased with restoration age over the long‐term, and therefore, the large scale of land‐use change under the ‘Grain‐for‐Green’ Program will significantly increase China's C stocks.
Scale decisions can reverse conclusions on community assembly processes
Authors: Münkemüller Tamara , Gallien Laure , Lavergne Sébastien , Renaud Julien , Roquet Cristina , Abdulhak Sylvain , Dullinger Stefan , Garraud Luc , Guisan Antoine , Lenoir Jonathan , Svenning Jens‐Christian , Van Es Jérémie , Vittoz Pascal , Willner Wolfgang , Wohlgemuth Thomas , Zimmermann Niklaus E. , Thuiller Wilfried
Published: December 2013

Aim

Phylogenetic diversity patterns are increasingly being used to better understand the role of ecological and evolutionary processes in community assembly. Here, we quantify how these patterns are influenced by scale choices in terms of spatial and environmental extent and organismic scales.

Location

European Alps.

Methods

We applied 42 sampling strategies differing in their combination of focal scales. For each resulting sub‐dataset, we estimated the phylogenetic diversity of the species pools, phylogenetic α‐diversities of local communities, and statistics commonly used together with null models in order to infer non‐random diversity patterns (i.e. phylogenetic clustering versus over‐dispersion). Finally, we studied the effects of scale choices on these measures using regression analyses.

Results

Scale choices were decisive for revealing signals in diversity patterns. Notably, changes in focal scales sometimes reversed a pattern of over‐dispersion into clustering. Organismic scale had a stronger effect than spatial and environmental extent. However, we did not find general rules for the direction of change from over‐dispersion to clustering with changing scales. Importantly, these scale issues had only a weak influence when focusing on regional diversity patterns that change along abiotic gradients.

Main conclusions

Our results call for caution when combining phylogenetic data with distributional data to study how and why communities differ from random expectations of phylogenetic relatedness. These analyses seem to be robust when the focus is on relating community diversity patterns to variation in habitat conditions, such as abiotic gradients. However, if the focus is on identifying relevant assembly rules for local communities, the uncertainty arising from a certain scale choice can be immense. In the latter case, it becomes necessary to test whether emerging patterns are robust to alternative scale choices.
Doing Gender, Practising Politics: Workplace Cultures in Local and Devolved Government
Authors: Charles Nickie
Published: December 2013

This paper takes a workplace perspective to explore the ways in which institutional arrangements influence the doing of gender and the practising of politics. It compares the workplace culture of the National Assembly for Wales (NAfW) with that of local government in Wales, showing that the culture of the NAfW is experienced as less masculinized than local government and that women, and men, are less constrained to perform an aggressive, confrontational masculinity. This suggests that, in new political institutions, practising politics may be less closely tied to a particular way of doing gender and as a result may challenge the gendering of politics. Theoretically the paper engages with debates about doing, redoing and undoing gender, arguing that in order to understand how change can be brought about, attention needs to be paid to the structural context within which gender is done as well as the interactional level of doing gender.
Long‐standing prophylactic therapy vs. episodic treatment in young people with severe haemophilia: a comparison of age‐matched Danish and Russian patients
Authors: Ingerslev J. , Lethagen S. , Hvitfeldt Poulsen L. , Sørensen B. , Lopatina E. , Tentsova I. , Yastrubinetskaya O. , Plyushch O. P.
Published: December 2013

Two distinctly different substitution principles are commonly used in haemophilia: treatment at bleeding episodes only referred to as on‐demand treatment, and prophylactic factor administration. The aim of the cross‐sectional study which was undertaken in young patients suffering severe haemophilia A was to challenge our hypothesis that on‐demand treatment is inferior to prophylactic substitution in prevention of chronic joint disease at young age. The method involved an investigation of 40 patients from Russia (n = 27) and Denmark (n = 13) born between 1975 and 1990 with no history of inhibitors; Russian patients had exclusively received factor VIII on demand, while Danish patients were managed with prophylactic treatment during a mean period of 16 years since median age of 5 years. The study endpoints were clinical joint scores, Quality of Life scores and functional independence scores. Matched by identical age (±1 year) 13 Danish and 13 Russian patients were compared, while 14 age similar Russian patients served as controls. Demographic data among all groups were quite comparable. The results are that Russian patients presented with clinical joint scores at 27 ± 8.5 (mean ± SD) while matched Danish counterparts scored 3.8 ± 5.3 (mean ± SD), differences being highly significant. The number of joint bleeds in recent 5 years were 199.5 ± 135 (mean ± SD) vs. 8.1 ± 8.7 (mean ± SD). Likewise, Quality of Life and functional independence scores were significantly higher in patients on prophylaxis as compared to on‐demand treatment. In conclusion, the study outcomes confirmed our hypothesis. Longer term prophylactic factor administration during childhood and adolescence prevents joint destruction.
L'emploi informel dans les économies développées et en développement: quelles perspectives, quelles interventions?
Authors: WILLIAMS Colin C. , LANSKY Mark A.
Published: December 2013

L'objet de cet article introductif est de proposer un panorama des définitions et modes de quantification de l'activité informelle, de présenter quelques résultats sur son étendue et ses caractéristiques, ainsi que d'exposer les thèses en présence sur son rôle dans les économies contemporaines et la façon de l'aborder. Cela donne une série de cadres conceptuels permettant de mieux appréhender la littérature foisonnante sur l'emploi informel, et aussi de mieux comprendre l'apport de chacune des contributions de ce numéro spécial au progrès des connaissances sur ce phénomène.
Violations de la législation du travail au Chili
Authors: KANBUR Ravi , RONCONI Lucas , WEDENOJA Leigh
Published: December 2013

Les auteurs quantifient les violations du droit du travail au Chili en matière de salaire minimum, de limitation du temps de travail, de contrat écrit et de cotisations au régime de retraite. Un tiers des travailleurs a vu bafouer au moins l'un de ces droits, avec d'importantes variations des violations selon la période, la disposition législative et les caractéristiques des travailleurs et des entreprises. On observe un moindre respect des droits des femmes, des travailleurs d'origine étrangère, de la population indigène et des travailleurs les moins instruits, ainsi que dans les petites entreprises et les régions agricoles. Les auteurs en appellent à des recherches complémentaires pour renforcer l'application du droit.
Le choix de l'informalité: pourquoi les PME d'Afrique du Sud restreignent délibérément leur croissance
Authors: BISCHOFF Christine , WOOD Geoffrey
Published: December 2013

A partir d'entretiens, les auteurs analysent les raisons pour lesquelles de nombreuses petites entreprises d'Afrique du Sud respectent partiellement le droit du travail: elles observent plus la législation du travail que les ententes sectorielles conclues par les conseils de négociation, organes établis en vertu de la loi. Les auteurs attribuent cette sélectivité à l'attitude antisyndicale des employeurs durant la période qui a suivi l'abolition de l'apartheid. Ces conseils ciblant davantage les entreprises qui comptent de nombreux travailleurs, les PME sont réticentes à se développer et préfèrent recourir à la sous‐traitance. La taille même de l'entreprise devient dès lors une variable de flexibilité.
Cross‐linkers and the Dentin Matrix
Authors: Farias David , Miguez Patricia A. , Swift Edward J.
Published: December 2013

The formation of a hybrid layer is essential for successful dentin bonding and is achieved by adhesive penetration between exposed collagen fibrils in the demineralized dentin. Incomplete infiltration of the adhesive within the collagen network results in exposed fibrils, which may suffer enzymatic degradation over time. Methods to increase collagen resistance to proteinases (enzymes that degrade proteins) have been studied. One particular approach is to use collagen cross‐linking agents that modify collagen through addition of specific or random amino acid linkage between and within its molecules. This Critical Appraisal provides information on the effects of various cross‐linkers on dentin collagen stability, dentin properties, and resin–dentin bond strengths, and calls for critical thinking on the potential effects of this therapeutic approach.
Comparison of two laboratory extraction techniques for the detection of Epstein–Barr virus in the saliva of nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients
Authors: Shan Junwen , Pow Edmond H.N. , Tsang Peter C.S. , Perera Ranawaka A.P.M. , Kwong Dora L.W.
Published: December 2013

Aim

The aim of the present study was to compare the effectiveness of DNA extraction using an extraction kit against the standard boiling technique for the detection of Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) DNA in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients.

Methods

Stimulated whole saliva samples from newly‐diagnosed NPC patients were collected. EBV DNA was extracted by both techniques (n = 23) followed by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using the primer/probe set for BALF5.

Results

The results of the quantitative real‐time PCR were reproducible in both groups. The two techniques were moderately correlated (r = 0.67, P < 0.05), and the degree of agreement was good. However, the mean EBV DNA level in the boiling group (3.02 ± 8.67 × 106 copies/μL) was significantly higher than the extraction kit group (1.15 ± 2.66 × 106 copies/μL) (P < 0.05). The EBV DNA level was higher in patients at an advanced overall stage (P = 0.05).

Conclusion

The results of the present study showed that the performance of the extraction kit was not superior to the simple boiling technique for the detection of salivary EBV DNA in NPC patients using real‐time PCR. The salivary EBV DNA level in patients at an advanced overall stage appeared to be higher than in patients at an early stage.
The efficacy of a self‐management programme for people with diabetes, after a special training programme for healthcare workers in Taiwan: a quasi‐experimental design
Authors: Wu Shu‐Fang Vivienne , Liang Shu‐Yuan , Lee Mei‐Chen , Yu Neng‐Chun , Kao Mu‐Jung
Published: December 2013

Aims and objectivies

To analyse the efficacy of improving disease management after implementing a self‐management programme for people with type 2 diabetes administered by healthcare workers who have received special training.

Background

The needs for diabetic care include increased training for healthcare providers to enhance their confidence and skills in managing patients, both physically and mentally.

Design

Quasi‐experimental design.

Methods

This study recruited participants from outpatient clinics in 10 hospitals in Taiwan. In 2010, purposive sampling was used to recruit 228 participants from two medical centres, five regional hospitals and three district hospitals. Participants were enrolled in a ‘diabetes self‐management programme’ (watching patient videos, reading a diabetes self‐care handbook, participating in four consultation courses of diabetes self‐efficacy improvement, telephone follow‐up and positive reinforcement). Efficacy analysis of post‐test diabetes outcome variables of the experimental group was carried out. Sex, age and pretest score were used as the control variables for ancova test.

Results

Patients in the experimental group had significant improvement in body mass index (p < 0·01), waistline circumference (p < 0·001), haemoglobin A1C levels (p < 0·001), degrees of anxiety and depression (p < 0·001), self‐efficacy (p < 0·001) and levels of self‐care (p < 0·001).

Conclusion

Self‐efficacy of people with diabetes can be effectively improved by planned implementation of a ‘diabetes self‐management programme’ by trained healthcare workers.

Relevance to clinical practice

The diabetes care professionals are provided the self‐management programme to strengthen the awareness and importance of self‐management in diabetes care.
A single‐item self‐report medication adherence question predicts hospitalisation and death in patients with heart failure
Authors: Wu Jia‐Rong , DeWalt Darren A , Baker David W , Schillinger Dean , Ruo Bernice , Bibbins‐Domingo Kristen , Macabasco‐O'Connell Aurelia , Holmes George M , Broucksou Kimberly A , Erman Brian , Hawk Victoria , Cene Crystal W , Jones Christine DeLong , Pignone Michael
Published: December 2013

Aims and objectives

To determine whether a single‐item self‐report medication adherence question predicts hospitalisation and death in patients with heart failure.

Background

Poor medication adherence is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Having a simple means of identifying suboptimal medication adherence could help identify at‐risk patients for interventions.

Design

We performed a prospective cohort study in 592 participants with heart failure within a four‐site randomised trial.

Methods

Self‐report medication adherence was assessed at baseline using a single‐item question: ‘Over the past seven days, how many times did you miss a dose of any of your heart medication?’ Participants who reported no missing doses were defined as fully adherent, and those missing more than one dose were considered less than fully adherent. The primary outcome was combined all‐cause hospitalisation or death over one year and the secondary endpoint was heart failure hospitalisation. Outcomes were assessed with blinded chart reviews, and heart failure outcomes were determined by a blinded adjudication committee. We used negative binomial regression to examine the relationship between medication adherence and outcomes.

Results

Fifty‐two percent of participants were 52% male, mean age was 61 years, and 31% were of New York Heart Association class III/IV at enrolment; 72% of participants reported full adherence to their heart medicine at baseline. Participants with full medication adherence had a lower rate of all‐cause hospitalisation and death (0·71 events/year) compared with those with any nonadherence (0·86 events/year): adjusted‐for‐site incidence rate ratio was 0·83, fully adjusted incidence rate ratio 0·68. Incidence rate ratios were similar for heart failure hospitalisations.

Conclusion

A single medication adherence question at baseline predicts hospitalisation and death over one year in heart failure patients.

Relevance to clinical practice

Medication adherence is associated with all‐cause and heart failure‐related hospitalisation and death in heart failure. It is important for clinicians to assess patients' medication adherence on a regular basis at their clinical follow‐ups.
Workplace physical violence among hospital nurses and physicians in underserved areas in Jordan
Authors: AbuAlRub Raeda Fawzi , Al Khawaldeh Abdullah Talal
Published: December 2013

Aims and objectives

To: (1) examine the incidence, frequency and contributing factors to workplace violence among nurses and physicians in underserved areas in Jordan, and (2) identify the existing policies and the management modalities to tackle workplace violence.

Background

Workplace violence is a major problem in healthcare organisations. An understanding of the nature of violence is essential to implementing successful management.

Design

A descriptive exploratory research design.

Methods

The questionnaire that was developed in 2003 by the International Labor Office, the International Council of Nurses, the World Health Organization, and the Public Services International was used to collect data from a convenience sample of 521 Jordanian physicians and nurses (396 nurses, 125 physicians) who worked in hospitals located in underserved areas.

Results

Around 15% of the participants were exposed to physical violence. The factors that contributed to workplace violence were related to absence of policies, inadequate staffing and lack of communication skills. Only 16·9% of participants indicated that there were specific policies available for dealing with physical workplace violence. Strengthening security and providing training were some of the important factors indicated by participants for decreasing violence in the workplace.

Conclusions

Workplace violence is a problem in underserved areas that needs attention from administrators. Most participants were very dissatisfied with the way the administrators dealt with the incidents.

Relevance to clinical practice

Instituting firm policies against perpetrators and developing protective violence guidelines to support healthcare staff in managing workplace violence are paramount to tackle the problem of workplace violence.
Nutrition and hydration in dying patients: the perceptions of acute care nurses
Authors: Higgins Isabel , van der Riet Pamela , Sneesby Ludmilla , Good Phillip
Published: December 2013

Aims and objectives

To explore the perceptions of nurses regarding the provision and nonprovision of medical nutrition and hydration during the end stage of life when death is imminent in the acute care setting.

Background

When people are dying, they often experience a loss of appetite and desire for drinking which are natural processes at this time. The cessation of eating and drinking challenges both family members and clinical staff. This article builds on previous studies that describe the perceptions of medical doctors and palliative care nurses regarding medical nutrition and hydration during the end stage of life when death is imminent.

Design

Qualitative descriptive design.

Methods

This study included three focus group meetings with ten nurses in an acute care setting in medical, oncology and haematology units. An interview schedule was used to guide the discussions.

Results

The main theme to emerge from this study was ‘finding a comfort space/ambiguous spaces of unrest’ that included four subthemes: (1) limited involvement in decision‐making, (2) comfort vs. discomfort, (3) uncertainty and (4) the comfort of withdrawing treatment. Finding a comfort space captures the challenges nurses faced when speaking about the concerns of patients and family. In this space, there were ambiguities that created unease and unrest: a reluctance to talk about death; a reluctance to engage with the patient and the family.

Conclusions

Acute care nurses need to be more cognisant of the palliative approach to care and become more engaged with decision‐making during the end stage of life when death is imminent.

Relevance to clinical practice

Nurses in acute care settings need to be involved in decision‐making and advocate for patients and family during the dying phase. Nurses in acute care need better understanding about the palliative approach to care and nutrition and hydration for people who are dying.
The impact of educational interventions for nurses on mechanically ventilated patients' outcomes in a Jordanian university hospital
Authors: Al‐Faouri Ibrahim G , AbuAlRub Raeda Fawzi , Jumah Dalia Mohammad
Published: December 2013

Aims and objectives

To determine the effect of educational interventions for nurses on the success of weaning trials, ventilation period and reintubation incidence for mechanically ventilated patients in a Jordanian university hospital.

Background

Sharing decision between healthcare providers about weaning should be based on specific guidelines or protocols to avoid complications associated with wrong weaning estimation.

Design

A nonequivalent, pretest–post‐test (quasi‐experimental) study.

Methods

The study used a convenience sample consisting of 135 ventilated patients. The historical control group (n = 65) data were collected from patients’ files before the implementation of the educational interventions for the experimental group (n = 70), which was recruited from intensive care units at a university hospital. The experimental group received educational interventions on Burns Weaning Assessment Protocol items over one month through in‐service education, bedsides and hands‐on application. Data were collected about Burns Weaning Assessment Protocol scores, failed trials, reintubation incidence and ventilation period for all participants.

Results

The results showed that the number of failed trials and reintubation incidence was less in the experimental group compared with the control group. On the other hand, there was not any significant difference in the score of ventilation period between the experimental and control groups.

Conclusion

Educational interventions for nurses on Burns Weaning Assessment Protocol have a significant impact on reducing incidence of failed trials and reintubation.

Relevance to clinical practice

The improvement of outcomes of patients on mechanical ventilators is a result of shared decision based on effective planning and communication between nurses and physicians.
Attitudes of healthcare providers towards family involvement and presence in adult critical care units in Saudi Arabia: a quantitative study
Authors: Al Mutair Abbas , Plummer Virginia , Paul O'Brien Anthony , Clerehan Rosemary
Published: December 2013

Aims and objectives

To describe healthcare providers' attitudes to family involvement during routine care and family presence during resuscitation or other invasive procedures in adult intensive care units in Saudi Arabia.

Background

Previous research has shown that healthcare professionals have revealed a diversity of opinions on family involvement during routine care and family presence during resuscitation or other invasive procedures. Attitude assessment can provide an indication of staff acceptance or rejection of the practice and also help identify key potential barriers that will need to be addressed. It has also been evident that participation in the care has potential benefits for patients and families as well as healthcare providers.

Design

A quantitative descriptive design.

Methods

A questionnaire was used with a convenience sample of 468 healthcare providers who were recruited from eight intensive care units.

Results

The analysis found that healthcare providers had positive attitudes towards family involvement during routine care, but negative attitudes towards family presence during resuscitation or other invasive procedures. Physicians expressed more opposition to the practice than did nurses and respiratory therapists. Staff indicated a need to develop written guidelines and policies, as well as educational programmes, to address this sensitive issue in clinical practice.

Conclusion

Family is an important resource in patient care in the context of the critical care environment. Clinical barriers including resources, hospital policies and guidelines, staff and public education should be taken into account to facilitate family integration to the care model.

Relevance to clinical practice

The findings can help to develop policies and guidelines for safe implementation of the practice. They can also encourage those who design nursing and other medical curricula to place more emphasis on the role of the family especially in critical care settings.