bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Differentiating knowledge processes in organizational learning: a case of “two solitudes”
Authors: Hoe Siu Loon , McShane Steven
Published: November 2017

The fields of organizational behavior (OB)/strategy and marketing have taken different paths over the past two decades to understanding organizational learning. OB/strategy has been pre-occupied with theory development and case study illustrations, whereas marketing has taken a highly quantitative path. Although relying on essentially the same foundation theory, the two disciplines have had minimal crossfertilization. Furthermore, both fields tend to blur or usually ignore the distinction between structural and informal knowledge processes. The purpose of the paper is to highlight the distinction between informal and structural knowledge acquisition and dissemination processes and propose new definitions to differentiate them. Future research should bring together cross-disciplinary studies from OB/strategy and marketing to develop an organizational learning framework to test structural knowledge processes alongside informal knowledge processes.
Exploring organizational culture and performance of christian churches
Authors: Boggs W. Brady , Fields Dail L.
Published: November 2017

This study explores how dimensions of organizational culture are related to performance in a sample of Christian churches. Alternative models of the relationships of four dimensions of organizational culture with multiple measures of church performance were explored using data provided by staff and pastors describing 53 Christian churches. We identified a model that fit the data very well in which the relative strength of four organizational cultural dimensions are predictors of the levels of seven alternative measures of church performance covering membership growth, constituent satisfaction, staff and constituent learning and development, and internal business processes. Church leaders desiring to improve performance could consider focusing on strengthening the culture dimensions that may be related to each area of church operations.
The narcissistic manager, avoidant organization, and interruptions in organizational learning
Authors: Godkin Lynn , Allcorn Seth
Published: November 2017

This paper describes how Avoidant Organization Disorder, a common form of narcissism, thwarts organizational health and performance. Avoidant Organization Disorder is juxtaposed with interruptions in organizational learning. A model illustrating the possible relationship between the two and how Avoidant Organization Disorder may precipitate interruptions in organization learning is presented.
rethinking cultural control in global corporations: from personal socialization to cultural hybridizations
Authors: Shimoni Baruch
Published: November 2017

This paper claims that global corporations should rethink the concept of cultural control, which relies on an implicit culture, corporate culture, for the control of local managersș thoughts and behavior. Instead, based on hybridizations of corporate and local management cultures created through personal socialization conducted by Swedish and American corporations in local offices in Thailand and Mexico, the paper offers a perspective for cultural control that views and understands cultures in terms of change and hybridizations.
Response: Interpretive social science and democratic theory
Authors: Bevir Mark
Published: November 2017

I summarize my views on democratic governance before responding to critics. Governance arose partly from the impact of modernist social science on public policy and it limits the space for democratic action. My preferred alternative is an interpretive social science inspiring more participatory and dialogic democratic practices. In defending these arguments, I concentrate on the nature of interpretive social science and its relation to democratic theory. I define interpretive social science in theoretical terms as based on recognition of the role of meanings in human life and the holistic and historical nature of meanings. This interpretive social science does not lead to any particular methods or topics, but it does rule out reified and deterministic appeals to structures. Democratic renewal depends on promoting interpretive social science, not institutional blueprints.
Moving from maturity to renewal: An investigation of culture and innovation
Authors: Parolini Jeanine L. , Parolini Mark D.
Published: November 2017

Christian Churches in the United States are facing decline and, just like other organizations, must renew themselves. This study explores the culture of a successful Midwestern church and its climate for innovation in an effort to move this church toward renewal. Through multiple regressionanalysis, support was found for the literature’s claims that a strong adhocracy culture has a significantly positive relationship with climate for innovation. However, the findings offered startling support that a strong clan culture has an even greater significant correlation with climate for innovation. Interestingly, it was found that market and hierarchy cultures have a small inverse relationship with support for innovation, and also that market culture has a small inverse relationship with resource supply. These results have significant implications for churches, ministries, and other nonprofit leaders and their organizations.
Innovating the routine? Signs of evolving organizational performance in surveys of federal managers
Authors: Gibson Ed
Published: November 2017

Insufficient achievement of performance management in the federal government is widely acknowledged, despite the absence of an accepted way for determining when and how progress has been made. The process of maturation is traced through a model based on Stinchcombe’s innovation framework, enabling progress toward utilization of performance management to be gauged. The premise of this model is that change has to permeate the organization, reaching the level of routines, to be implemented operationally. Assessment of performance management maturity employs a match between the obstacles expected in the distinct stages of adoption and implementation and the hindrances federal agencies have encountered. Quantitative analysis of data provided by pooled Government Accountability Office surveys of federal managers points to activity at the adoption stage, but not at the implementation stage, calling into question the maturity of the performance initiative.
Unbounding bounded rationality: Heuristics as the logic of economic discovery
Authors: Grandori Anna , Cholakova Magdalena
Published: November 2017

This paper builds on a long-lasting research program on the micro-foundations of innovative decision making, founded on a development of a neglected epistemic aspect of Simon's work, and on contributions in epistemology, in which heuristics are not procedures that are uncertaintyavoiding, economizing on cognitive and search effort, and problem-space reducing, but procedures that are uncertainty-modeling, investing in research effort, and problem-expanding. The paper offers a summary of the main effective heuristics of that kind so far identified, as applied to real processes of innovative decision making under epistemic uncertainty, such as judging and investing in novel entrepreneurial projects. It argues and shows that, in contrast to the common view, a wide range of those procedures, usually thought to belong to different and rival models, can be fruitfully combined.
Trust as a mechanism to increase individual “docility”: A theoretical approach
Authors: Ossola Paola
Published: November 2017

In order to reach their goals organizations need to establish relationships with other organizations, and cooperate with them. The success of such initiatives relies on the exchange of suggestions, advice, and information. This behavior has been labeled as ’docile’ (word borrowed from the work of the late Herbert Simon). This paper elaborates on determinants of docile behavior and introduces a model that is based on trust mechanisms. The theoretical model supports the claim that trust enhances the likelihood that docile behavior appears. The study also shows that organizations may benefit from higher levels of docility that increase the chances of success when cooperation and external partnerships are established.
Picture uncertain linguistic Bonferroni mean operators and their application to multiple attribute decision making
Authors: Wei Guiwu
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop some picture uncertain linguistic aggregation operators based on Bonferroni mean operators, which is combined with multiple attribute decision-making (MADM) and has applied the proposed MADM model for selecting the service outsourcing provider of communications industry under picture uncertain linguistic environment.

Design/methodology/approach

The service outsourcing provider selection problem of communications industry can be regarded as a typical MADM problem, in which the decision information should be aggregated. In this paper, the authors investigate the MADM problems with picture uncertain linguistic information based on traditional Bonferroni mean operator.

Findings

The results show that the proposed model can solve the MADM problems within the context of picture uncertain linguistic information, in which the attributes are existing interaction phenomenon. Some picture uncertain aggregation operators based on Bonferroni mean have been developed. A case study of service outsourcing provider selection problem of communications industry is provided to illustrate the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed methods. The results show that the proposed methods are useful to aggregate the picture uncertain linguistic decision information in which the attributes are not independent so as to select the most suitable supplier.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed methods can solve the picture uncertain linguistic MADM problem, in which the interactions exist among the attributes. Therefore, it can be used to solve service outsourcing provider selection problems and other similar management decision problems.

Practical implications

This paper develops some picture uncertain aggregation operators based on Bonferroni mean and further presents two methods based on the proposed operators for solving MADM problems. It is useful to deal with multiple attribute interaction decision-making problems and suitable to solve a variety of management decision-making applications.

Social implications

It is useful to deal with multiple attribute interaction decision-making problems and suitable to solve a variety of management decision-making applications.

Originality/value

The paper investigates the MADM problems with picture uncertain linguistic information based on traditional Bonferroni mean operator and develops the picture uncertain linguistic Bonferroni mean operator and picture uncertain linguistic geometric Bonferroni mean operator, picture uncertain linguistic weighted Bonferroni mean operator and picture uncertain linguistic weighted geometric Bonferroni mean operator for aggregating the picture uncertain linguistic information, respectively. Finally, a numerical example concerning the service outsourcing provider selection problem of communications industry is provided to illustrate the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed methods.
Adaptive leadership in academic libraries
Authors: Wong Gabrielle Ka Wai , Chan Diana L.H.
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to outline the core ideas of adaptive leadership and relates them to challenges confronting academic libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper provides an overview of the adaptive leadership model and highlights the key concepts. Recent initiatives at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Library are used as cases to illustrate how the model may guide the authors’ focus to finding leverage points.

Findings

Using the model, the key role of positional leaders shifts from the traditional sense of giving direction and protection to followers, to one that orchestrates the change process with the team through difficulties and uncertainties, and to build culture and structure that facilitate adaptive changes.

Practical implications

Academic librarians can use the concepts and framework of adaptive leadership to design change strategies and manage change processes.

Originality/value

This is the first paper introducing the adaptive leadership model to academic libraries.
Improving the Progress of Research & Development (R&D) Projects by Selecting an Optimal Alliance Structure and Partner Type
Authors: Choi Jeongho , Contractor Farok J.
Published: November 2017

This paper extends the study of alliance governance structure by examining what alliance structure, coordination mechanisms and partner type best enhance the likelihood of Research and Development (R&D) progress or performance. We specially focus on the coordination and interaction mechanism of alliances, through which we classify the alliance governance structures in order to reflect the more complex alliance types and contracts used in today's R&D. Using data from 255 biopharmaceuticals between the years 2000 and 2004, we found that, ceteris paribus, a moderate degree of inter‐partner interaction and a moderately complex (non‐equity‐based) alliance contract contributes more to a better R&D alliance performance than those structures that are too simple or too organizationally embedded (e.g. equity joint ventures), which possibly increase the risk of misalignment and miscommunication between allies. In addition, due to the reduced opportunism and the diverse resource (e.g. technology) pooled in the alliance, allying with diverse organizational partners such as non‐profit research institutes and universities is more likely to enhance the R&D performance. Our findings provide insightful strategic implications to practitioners in designing an appropriate alliance governance structure and choosing the right partner type for a successful R&D collaboration.
Effects of 1α,25 Dihydroxyvitamin D3 on Pro‐inflammatory Cytokines of Palmitic Acid Treated Thp‐1 Cells
Authors: d'Arqom Annette , Luangwedchakarn Voravich , Umrod Pinklow , Wongprompitak Patimaporn , Tantibhedyangkul Wiwit
Published: November 2017

The level of saturated fatty acids, such as palmitic acid (PA), correlates with chronic inflammation in obese and metabolic syndrome patients. However, low level of vitamin D3 is observed in those conditions. The aim of this study is to investigate effects of 1α,25(OH)2D3 on PA‐treated THP‐1 cells. Using quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction, we measure mRNA expression of pro‐inflammatory cytokines: TNF‐α, Interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐6, and chemokine IL‐8 under PA and 1α,25(OH)2D3 influence. PA, at all concentrations (25–100 μM), enhanced LPS stimulatory effect on those mRNA expression compared to LPS‐treated and ‐untreated cells. Combination with 1α,25(OH)2D3 increased cytokine expression at high (10−6 M) and high‐normal (10−8 M) concentrations compared to PA + LPS and LPS alone, both for 2 and 24 h. However, low‐normal (10−10 M) and low (10−12 M) levels of 1α,25(OH)2D3 could not enhance PA effect, but mRNA expression of pro‐inflammatory cytokine was higher than LPS‐treated cells. Upstream pathway of 1α,25(OH)2D3, which is cholecalciferol, also gave the similar result. Further, inhibition of calcium pathway does not play a role in this mechanism. Thus, these findings support pro‐inflammatory effect of PA and vitamin D3 on innate immune response, especially on fat‐induced inflammation.

Practical Application

The effect of vitamin D3 on chronic inflammation in obesity is uncertain. This study shows an in vitro possibility that vitamin D3 could exaggerate inflammation when combined with high SFAs. The idea of using vitamin D3 supplement to modulate inflammation in fat‐related inflammation needs further refined experiments before its clinical application.
Longitudinal study of short‐term corticosteroid use by working‐age adults with diabetes mellitus: Risks and mitigating factors
Authors: Rogers Mary A.M. , Lin Paul , Nallamothu Brahmajee K. , Kim Catherine , Waljee Akbar K.
Published: November 2017

Background

This study assessed the frequency of short‐term oral corticosteroid use in adults with diabetes, examined the incidence of fractures, venous thromboembolism (VTE), and hospitalization for sepsis after corticosteroid use, and evaluated whether preventative medications mitigated adverse events.

Methods

A longitudinal study (2012–14) was conducted of 1 548 945 adults (aged 18–64 years) who received healthcare coverage through a large national health insurer. Incidence rate ratios (IRR) were calculated using conditional Poisson regression.

Results

Short‐term oral corticosteroids were used by 23.9%, 20.8%, and 20.9% of adults with type 2 diabetes, type 1 diabetes, and no diabetes, respectively, during the 3‐year period (P < 0.001). Baseline risks of fracture, VTE, and sepsis were greater for individuals with than without diabetes (P < 0.001). The combined effect of having diabetes and using corticosteroids was greater than the sum of the individual effects (synergy indices of 1.17, 1.23, 1.30 for fracture, VTE, and sepsis, respectively). The IRR for VTE in the 5–30 days after corticosteroid use was 3.62 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.41–5.45). Fractures increased in the 5–30 days after corticosteroid use (IRR 2.06; 95% CI 1.52, 2.80), but concomitant use of ergocalciferol mitigated this risk (IRR 1.13; 95% CI 0.12, 11.07). The risk of hospitalization for sepsis was elevated with corticosteroid use (IRR 3.79; 95% CI 2.05, 7.01), but was mitigated by the concomitant use of statins.

Conclusions

Short‐term oral corticosteroid use is common in adults with diabetes and is associated with an elevated, but low, risk of adverse events. The findings suggest that preventative medications may mitigate risk.
Autoconstruction 2.0: Social Media Contestations of Racialized Violence in Complexo do Alemão
Authors: Prouse Carolyn
Published: November 2017

Activists and journalists in Complexo do Alemão, Rio de Janeiro are using social media to intervene in the violence that shapes their communities. In this article I draw on critical urban and digital media theory to understand how militarized policing, the spatialization of race, and discourses of criminalization influence favela populations. I examine how these discursive and material violences are motivating residents to autoconstruct new digital communities. Through digital autoconstruction, journalists and activists are using social media technologies to safely direct mobility, to witness police violence, and to unsettle socio‐spatial imaginaries of endemic crime. As such, they are deploying digital practices to disrupt material, epistemological, and discursive mechanisms of social control. These actions show that digital technologies are always‐already embodied and take shape through material histories, such as those of racialized state violence. Journalists and activists in Complexo do Alemão ultimately demonstrate that targets of violence are not simply victims of digital and violent surveillance, but are active in creating new digital relationships of care across diverse scales, transforming these technologies in the process.
External validity in perinatal research
Authors: Odibo Anthony O. , Acharya Ganesh
Published: November 2017

Recent studies are beginning to focus on the external validity of well conducted internally valid research. This review gives an overview of external validity, the dimensions involved and suggestions for when future intervention trials are designed, using examples from perinatal research. Finally, we remind the perinatal researcher that it is their duty to provide extensive details beyond those needed to establish internal validity. The latter would help clinicians to determine whether the intervention is applicable to their population.
The interstitium conducts extrarenal storage of sodium and represents a third compartment essential for extracellular volume and blood pressure homeostasis
Authors: Wiig H. , Luft F. C. , Titze J. M.
Published: November 2017

The role of salt in the pathogenesis of arterial hypertension is not well understood. According to the current understanding, the central mechanism for blood pressure (BP) regulation relies on classical studies linking BP and Na+ balance, placing the kidney at the very centre of long‐term BP regulation. To maintain BP homeostasis, the effective circulating fluid volume and thereby body Na+ content has to be maintained within very narrow limits. From recent work in humans and rats, the notion has emerged that Na+ could be stored somewhere in the body without commensurate water retention to buffer free extracellular Na+ and that previously unidentified extrarenal, tissue‐specific regulatory mechanisms are operative regulating the release and storage of Na+ from a kidney‐independent reservoir. Moreover, immune cells from the mononuclear phagocyte system not only function as local on‐site sensors of interstitial electrolyte concentration, but also, together with lymphatics, act as systemic regulators of body fluid volume and BP. These studies have established new and unexpected targets in studies of BP control and thus the pathophysiology of hypertension: the interstitium/extracellular matrix of the skin, its inherent interstitial fluid and the lymphatic vasculature forming a vessel network in the interstitium. Aspects of the interstitium in relation to Na+ balance and hypertension are the focus of this review. Taken together, observations of salt storage in the skin to buffer free extracellular Na+ and macrophage modulation of the extracellular matrix and lymphatics suggest that electrolyte homeostasis in the body cannot be achieved by renal excretion alone, but also relies on extrarenal regulatory mechanisms.
The genetically determined production of the alarmin eosinophil‐derived neurotoxin is reduced in visceral leishmaniasis
Authors: Blom Kristin , Elshafie Amir I. , Jönsson Ulla‐Britt , Rönnelid Johan , Håkansson Lena Douhan , Venge Per
Published: November 2017

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is the most severe form of leishmaniasis. Recent findings indicate that dendritic cells have a key role in the defense against the Leishmania parasite and that the activity of this cell may be modified by the eosinophil secretory protein eosinophil‐derived neurotoxin (EDN). We hypothesized that the interactions between dendritic cells and EDN might be of importance in the disease development. Cellular content of EDN was analyzed by ELISA. The single‐nucleotide polymorphisms at positions 405, 416, and 1122 in the EDN gene were analyzed by real‐time PCR with TaqMan® reagents. The study cohorts comprised 239 Sudanese subjects (65 healthy controls and 174 with VL) and 300 healthy Swedish controls. The eosinophil content of EDN was lower in VL as compared with controls (p < 0.0001). The EDN405 (G>C) genotype distribution was similar among Swedish and Sudanese controls, whereas VL subjects had a higher prevalence of the EDN405‐GG genotype (p < 0.0001). The content of EDN in the eosinophils was closely linked to the EDN405 polymorphism (p = 0.0002). Our findings suggest that the predisposition to acquire VL is related to the genetic polymorphism of the EDN gene and the reduced production by the eosinophil of this gene product.
Vector Field Map Representation for Near Conformal Surface Correspondence
Authors: Wang Y. , Liu B. , Zhou K. , Tong Y.
Published: November 2017

Based on a new spectral vector field analysis on triangle meshes, we construct a compact representation for near conformal mesh surface correspondences. Generalizing the functional map representation, our representation uses the map between the low‐frequency tangent vector fields induced by the correspondence. While our representation is as efficient, it is also capable of handling a more generic class of correspondence inference. We also formulate the vector field preservation constraints and regularization terms for correspondence inference, with function preservation treated as a special case. A number of important vector field–related constraints can be implicitly enforced in our representation, including the commutativity of the mapping with the usual gradient, curl, divergence operators or angle preservation under near conformal correspondence. For function transfer between shapes, the preservation of function values on landmarks can be strictly enforced through our gradient domain representation, enabling transfer across different topologies. With the vector field map representation, a novel class of constraints can be specified for the alignment of designed or computed vector field pairs. We demonstrate the advantages of the vector field map representation in tests on conformal datasets and near‐isometric datasets.
Infantile hemangioma: pathogenesis and mechanisms of action of propranolol
Authors: Rotter Anita , de Oliveira Zilda Najjar Prado
Published: November 2017

Infantile hemangioma (IH) is the most common benign tumor of childhood, with a prevalence of 4 % to 10 %. It is characterized by a proliferative rapid growth phase, which starts after a few weeks of life, followed by a slow regression phase. In IH cases that are potentially disfiguring or life‐threatening (10 % to 15 % of all cases), systemic therapy should be promptly initiated.

Data source

The present study reviews published scientific articles available in reliable electronic databases. Selected were all studies that evaluated the pathogenesis of IH and the mechanisms of action of propranolol.

Conclusions

The pathogenesis of IH has not been fully elucidated. Studies show that, in the proliferative phase of IH, there is an imbalance of angiogenic factors and an increase in the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor and matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9. In the regression phase, the levels of these factors decrease, whereas those of antiangiogenic factors, including tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases, increase. Since 2008, propranolol has become the drug of choice in the treatment of IH, targeting vascular tone, angiogenesis, and apoptosis. Current insights into the pathogenesis of IH allow for the development of new therapeutic strategies.
Rye bread and synthetic bread odorants – effective trap bait and lure for German cockroaches
Authors: Pol Joshua , Gries Regine , Gries Gerhard
Published: November 2017

Bread‐in‐beer and bread‐in‐water are prevalent home recipe trap baits for attracting German cockroaches (GCRs), Blattella germanica (L.) (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae), which are significant urban pests. Our objectives were to (1) test the attractiveness of these baits, (2) study the underlying factors of GCR attraction, and (3) determine whether a blend of synthetic bread odorants could replace bread in a trap lure. In large‐arena laboratory experiments with laboratory‐reared GCR males, traps baited with rye bread not only captured eightfold more males than unbaited control traps but also most males released into bioassay arenas. Neither beer nor water enhanced the attractiveness of bread. Bread crust as a bait was more effective than bread crumbs. As Porapak Q headspace volatile extracts of rye bread attracted GCRs, all rye bread odorants in extracts were identified by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry. Synthetic rye bread odorants and other known bread odorants were then assembled into a master blend. This master blend, and even partial blends lacking certain groups of organic volatiles such as aldehydes and ketones, proved very attractive to GCRs. We conclude that rye bread could be used as an effective bait in retainer traps or, laced with insecticide, as a food source in bait stations. A lure of synthetic bread odorants may eventually replace bread as bait, but the minimum number of essential odorants for that lure has yet to be determined.
Evaluation of an integrated primary care‐led dementia shared care program in Singapore: An effectiveness and cost‐effectiveness study
Authors: Saxena Nakul , George Pradeep Paul , Teo Kelvin WS , Tan Woan Shin , Ng Charis , Heng Bee Hoon , Yeo Cindy Ying Ying , Anthony Philomena , Tan Colin , Low Kang Yih , Wu Valerie , Ali Noorhazlina Binte , Chong Mei Sian
Published: November 2017

Aim

With an aging Singapore population, there is an increasing demand for dementia care. The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and cost‐effectiveness of the Primary Care Dementia Clinic (PCDC) in comparison with the Memory Clinic (MC; hospital‐based) and other polyclinics.

Methods

A quasi‐experimental design was implemented. Effectiveness of PCDC was assessed through caregiver satisfaction, quality of life (caregiver‐rated) and adverse events rates. Quality‐of‐Life measures using the EuroQol 5 Dimension Questionnaire (EQ‐5D) at baseline, 6 months and 12 months was assessed. Costs were calculated from a societal perspective. The incremental cost‐effectiveness of the PCDC was compared with MC and other polyclinics.

Results

The present study showed that quality of life and the rate of adverse events at 12 months were similar between the three groups. Caregiver satisfaction at 12 months was higher in the PCDC group when compared with other polyclinics. There were no observed differences in societal cost between the three groups. At 6‐month follow up, direct medical costs for PCDC were significantly lower that of other polyclinics. At 12‐month follow up, PCDC patients had higher Quality Adjusted Life Years (QALYs) compared with the MC group.

Conclusion

PCDC provided effective care, similar to care at MC and better than care at other polyclinics. Caregiver satisfaction was higher for the PCDC group, and PCDC patients had lower direct medical costs at 6‐month follow up. Given these findings, adopting a PCDC model in other polyclinics in Singapore can be beneficial for optimal right siting of patients. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2018; 18: 479–486.
The Role of Negative Affect on Headache‐Related Disability Following Traumatic Physical Injury
Authors: Pacella Maria L. , Hruska Bryce , George Richard L. , Delahanty Douglas L.
Published: November 2017

Objective

Acute postinjury negative affect (NA) may contribute to headache pain following physical injury. Early psychiatric–headache comorbidity conveys increased vulnerability to chronic headache‐related disability and impairment. Yet, it is unknown whether NA is involved in the transition to chronic headache related‐disability after injury. This prospective observational study examined the role of acute postinjury NA on subacute and chronic headache‐related disability above and beyond nonpsychiatric factors.

Methods

Eighty adult survivors of single‐incident traumatic physical injury were assessed for negative affect (NA): a composite of depression and anxiety symptoms, and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSS) during the acute 2‐week postinjury phase. NA was examined as the primary predictor of subacute (6‐week) and chronic (3‐month) headache‐related disability; secondary analyses examined whether the individual NA components differentially impacted the outcomes.

Results

Hierarchical linear regression confirmed NA as a unique predictor of subacute (Cohen'sf 2 = 0.130;P = .005) and chronic headache related‐disability (Cohen'sf 2 = 0.160;P = .004) beyond demographic and injury‐related factors (sex, prior headaches, and closed head injury). Upon further analysis, PTSS uniquely predicted greater subacute (Cohen'sf 2 = 0.105;P = .012) and chronic headache‐related disability (Cohen'sf 2 = 0.103;P = .022) above and beyond demographic and injury‐related factors, depression, and anxiety. Avoidance was a robust predictor of subacute headache impairment (explaining 15% of the variance) and hyperarousal was a robust predictor of chronic headache impairment (10% of the variance).

Conclusion

Although NA consistently predicted headache‐related disability, PTSS alone was a unique predictor above and beyond nonpsychiatric factors, depression, and anxiety. These results are suggestive that early treatment of acute postinjury PTSS may correlate with reductions in disability and negative physical health sequelae associated with PTSS and chronic headache.
Rush hours in flower visitors over a day–night cycle
Authors: Knop Eva , Gerpe Christopher , Ryser Remo , Hofmann Fabian , Menz Myles H. M. , Trösch Sandra , Ursenbacher Stefan , Zoller Leana , Fontaine Colin
Published: November 2017

Most research on pollination has focussed on a subset of insect taxa within a narrow time window during daylight hours. As a consequence, we have a limited understanding of the diversity and activity of flower visitors during the night or belonging to taxa other than bees or syrphid flies. Here, we quantified the abundance and species richness of flower visitors in ruderal meadows over repeated 24‐h cycles (i.e. day and night), and identified abiotic factors influencing these patterns. From the plant perspective, we investigated the likelihood of being visited by an insect across a 24‐h cycle.

Activity of flower‐visiting insects never dropped to zero over 24‐h. During the day, non‐syrphid Diptera and Hymenoptera were the most abundant, and species‐rich groups of flower visitors, Lepidoptera and Coleoptera during night. While two of the seven most frequently visited plant species were most likely to be visited during the day, five also had a high likelihood to be visited during the night.

The abundance and species richness of flower visitors was positively related to temperature during both the day and the night, whereas there was only a positive relationship with brightness during the day.

We conclude that non‐syrphid Diptera and nocturnal flower visitors are currently underappreciated. As the latter seem to respond differently to abiotic factors compared to diurnal species, they may potentially increase response diversity and resilience of plant‐pollinator communities. There is an urgent need to improve our understanding of their ecological role and potential decline due to global change.
Androgen and oestrogen receptors as potential prognostic markers for patients with ductal carcinoma in situ treated with surgery and radiotherapy
Authors: Ravaioli Sara , Tumedei Maria Maddalena , Foca Flavia , Maltoni Roberta , Rocca Andrea , Massa Ilaria , Pietri Elisabetta , Bravaccini Sara
Published: November 2017

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is a heterogeneous disease that has been investigated less extensively than invasive breast cancer. Women with DCIS are mainly treated with conservative surgery almost exclusively followed by radiotherapy. However, as radiation treatment is not always effective, the search for biomarkers capable of identifying DCIS lesions that could progress to invasive cancer is ongoing. Although conventional biomarkers have been thoroughly studied in invasive tumours, little is known about the role played by androgen receptor (AR), widely expressed in DCIS. A series of 42 DCIS patients treated with quadrantectomy and radiotherapy were followed for a period of up to 95 months. Of these, 11 had recurrent DCIS or progressed to invasive cancer. All tumours were analysed for clinical pathological features. Conventional biomarkers and androgen receptor expression were determined by immunohistochemistry. Our results showed that AR was higher in tumours of relapsed patients than non‐relapsed patients (P value: 0.0005). Conversely, oestrogen receptor (ER) was higher, albeit not significantly, in non‐relapsed patients than in relapsed patients. AR/ER ratio was considerably different in the two subgroups (P value: 0.0033). Area under the curve (AUC) values were 0.85 for AR and 0.80 for the AR/ER ratio. These preliminary results highlight the potentially important role of both AR and the AR/ER ratio as prognostic markers in DCIS.
Early nurse attrition in New Zealand and associated policy implications
Authors: Walker L. , Clendon J.
Published: November 2017

Aim

To examine the factors contributing to nurses choosing to exit the nursing profession before retirement age.

Background

Population growth, ageing and growing demand for health services mean increased demand for nurses. Better retention could help meet this demand, yet little work has been done in New Zealand to understand early attrition.

Methods

An online survey of registered and enrolled nurses and nurse practitioners who had left nursing was used. This study reports analysis of responses from 285 ex‐nurses aged under 55.

Findings

The primary reasons nurses left the profession were as follows: workplace concerns; personal challenges; career factors; family reasons; lack of confidence; leaving for overseas; unwillingness to complete educational requirements; poor work–life balance; and inability to find suitable nursing work. Most nurses discussed their intentions to leave with a family member or manager and most reported gaining transferrable skills through nursing.

Conclusions

Nurses leave for many reasons. Implementing positive practice environments and individualized approaches to retaining staff may help reduce this attrition. Generational changes in the nature of work and careers mean that nurses may continue to leave the profession sooner than anticipated by policymakers.

Implications for policy

If the nursing workforce is to be able to meet projected need, education, recruitment and retention policies must urgently address issues leading to early attrition. In particular, policies improving the wider environmental context of nursing practice and ensuring that working environments are safe and nurses are well supported must be developed and implemented. Equally, national nursing workforce planning must take into account that nursing is no longer viewed as a career for life.
The electrical activity of the masticatory muscles in children with cleft lip and palate
Authors: Szyszka‐Sommerfeld Liliana , Woźniak Krzysztof , Matthews‐Brzozowska Teresa , Kawala Beata , Mikulewicz Marcin , Machoy Monika
Published: November 2017

Background

Information regarding masticatory muscle function in children with cleft lip and palate (CLP) is limited. As a consequence, research on masticatory muscle activity in cleft subjects is needed.

Aim

To assess masticatory muscle activity in children surgically treated for CLP as well as identify the possible factors associated with this activity.

Design

The sample comprised 82 children with mixed dentition and Class I occlusions (25 children with unilateral CLP and 57 subjects with no cleft abnormalities). A DAB‐Bluetooth Instrument (Zebris Medical GmbH, Germany) was used to take electromyographical (EMG) recordings of the temporal and masseter muscles both in the mandibular rest position and during maximum voluntary contraction (MVC).

Results

Patients with clefts showed a significant increase in temporal muscle activity at rest compared with the controls. The presence of clefts and unilateral posterior crossbites are factors strongly associated with increased temporal muscle EMG potentials during rest position.

Conclusions

Children with clefts have altered temporal muscle function. The presence of posterior crossbites affects the temporal muscle activity in cleft subjects. Early diagnosis and orthodontic treatment of malocclusions are necessary to achieve functional improvement in these patients.
Influenza‐associated mortality in Yancheng, China, 2011‐15
Authors: Zhang Hongjun , Xiong Qian , Wu Peng , Chen Yuyun , Leung Nancy H. L. , Cowling Benjamin J.
Published: November 2017

Introduction

The Yangtze river delta in eastern China, centered on Shanghai, is one of the most populated regions of the world with more than 100 million residents. We examined the impact of influenza on excess mortality in Yancheng, a prefecture‐level city with 8.2 million population located 250 km north of Shanghai, during 2011‐2015.

Methods

We obtained individual data on deaths by date, age, sex, and cause in Yancheng from the Chinese Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and used these to derive weekly rates of mortality from respiratory causes, respiratory and cardiovascular causes combined, and all causes. We used data on influenza‐like illnesses and laboratory detections of influenza to construct a proxy measure of the weekly incidence of influenza virus infections in the community. We used regression models to estimate the association of influenza activity with mortality and excess mortality by age, cause, and influenza type/subtype.

Results

We estimated that an annual average of 4.59 (95% confidence interval: 3.94, 7.41) excess respiratory deaths per 100 000 persons were associated with influenza, which was 4.6% of all respiratory deaths in the years studied. Almost all influenza‐associated excess deaths occurred in persons ≥65 years. Influenza A(H3N2) had the greatest impact on mortality and was associated with around 50% of the influenza‐associated respiratory deaths in the 5 years studied.

Conclusions

Influenza has a substantial impact on respiratory mortality in Yancheng, mainly in older adults. Influenza vaccination has the potential to reduce disease burden, and cost‐effectiveness analysis could be used to compare policy options.
Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. punicae uses XopL effector to suppress pomegranate immunity
Authors: Soni Madhvi , Mondal Kalyan K.
Published: November 2017

Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. punicae (Xap) causing bacterial blight is an important pathogen that incurs significant losses to the exportability of pomegranate. Xap uses the Xop TTSS‐effector, via the type three secretion system, to suppress pomegranate immunity. Here, we investigate the role of XopL during blight pathogenesis. We observed that XopL is essential for its in planta growth and full virulence. Leaves inoculated with Xap ΔxopL produced restricted water‐soaked lesions compared to those inoculated with wild‐type Xap. XopL supports Xap for its sustained multiplication in pomegranate by suppressing the plant cell death (PCD) event. We further demonstrated that XopL suppresses immune responses, such as callose deposition and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). RT‐qPCR analysis revealed that immune responsive genes were upregulated when challenged with Xap ΔxopL, whereas upregulation of such genes was compromised in the complemented strain containing the xopL gene. The transiently expressed XopL::EYFP fusion protein was localized to the plasma membrane, indicating the possible site of its action. Altogether, this study highlights that XopL is an important TTSS‐effector of Xap that suppresses plant immune responses, including PCD, presumably to support the multiplication of Xap for a sufficient time‐period during blight disease development.
Development of the human shoulder joint during the embryonic and early fetal stages: anatomical considerations for clinical practice
Authors: Hita‐Contreras Fidel , Sánchez‐Montesinos Indalecio , Martínez‐Amat Antonio , Cruz‐Díaz David , Barranco Rafael J. , Roda Olga
Published: November 2017

Although several studies have been published regarding the morphology and anatomical variations of the human shoulder joint, most have dealt with adult individuals. Those looking into the development of the joint have been focused on specific structures or have observed specimens in advanced gestational stages. The goal of this paper is to perform a complete analysis of the embryonic and early fetal development of the elements in the shoulder joint, and to clarify some contradictory data in the literature. In our study, serial sections of 32 human embryos (Carnegie stages 16–23) and 26 fetuses (9–13 weeks) were analyzed. The chondrogenic anlagen of the humerus and the medial border of the scapula can be observed from as early as Carnegie stage 17, whereas that of the rest of the scapula appears at stage 18. The osteogenic process begins in week 10 for the humeral head and week 11 for the scapula. At stage 19 the interzone becomes apparent, which will form the glenohumeral joint. In the next stage the glenohumeral joint will begin delaminating and exhibiting a looser central band. Denser lateral bands will join the humeral head (caput humeri) and the margins of the articular surface of the scapula, thus forming the glenoid labrum, which can be fully appreciated by stage 22. In 24‐mm embryos (stage 21) we can observe, for the first time, the long head of the biceps tendon (which is already inserted in the glenoid labrum by week 9), and the intertubercular sulcus, whose depth is apparent since week 12. Regarding ligamentous structures, the coracohumeral ligament is observed at the end of Carnegie stage 23, whereas the primitive glenohumeral ligament already appeared in week 10. The results of this study provide a detailed description of the morphogenesis, origin and chronological order of appearance of the main intrinsic structures of the human shoulder joint during late embryonic and early fetal development. We expect these results to help explain several functional aspects of the shoulder joint, and to clarify some contradictory data in the literature regarding this complex anatomical and biomechanical structure, helping future researchers in their efforts.
A structural model of family empowerment for families of children with special needs
Authors: Han Kuem Sun , Yang Yunkyung , Hong Yeong Seon
Published: November 2017

Aims and objectives

To explain and predict family empowerment in families of children with special needs.

Background

Family empowerment of families of children with special needs can be explained using the Double ABCX model. Although constant stressors such as parenting stress and family demands can have negative effects on family empowerment, family resources and parenting efficacy can mediate the negative effect through effective coping strategies.

Design

A cross‐sectional research design was employed.

Methods

A survey was conducted with 240 parents of children with special needs. Upon exclusion of four responses deemed inadequate to the statistics process, 236 responses were selected for the analysis. Based on the items used in the previous research, we used the scale of family demands 38, the scale of parenting stress 24, the scale of parenting efficacy 37, the scale of pattern of organisation 30, the scale of communication process 16 and the scale of family empowerment 32.

Results

In families of children with special needs, parenting stress had a negative effect on parenting efficacy and family resources, namely, pattern of organisation and communication process. Family needs had a positive effect on parenting efficacy. Parenting stress and family demands influenced family empowerment through parenting efficacy and family resources (pattern of organisation and communication process), while parenting efficacy contributed to family empowerment.

Conclusions

This study empirically analysed the usefulness of the Double ABCX model in predicting family empowerment. Family resource factors (organisation pattern and communication process) and perception or judgement factors (such as parenting efficacy) were found to mediate the negative impact of various stressors experienced by families of children with special needs.

Relevance to clinical practice

The study findings suggest that clinical practice and management should focus on providing efficient intervention methods to lower stress in families of children with special needs. Reinforcing factors contributing to family empowerment, such as parenting efficacy, organisation pattern and communication process, will alleviate families’ stress, resulting in a positive educational and developmental impact on children with special needs.