bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Changes in hippocampal synaptic functions and protein expression in monosodium glutamate‐treated obese mice during development of glucose intolerance
Authors: Sasaki‐Hamada Sachie , Hojo Yuki , Koyama Hajime , Otsuka Hayuma , Oka Jun‐Ichiro
Published: April 2015

Glucose is the sole neural fuel for the brain and is essential for cognitive function. Abnormalities in glucose tolerance may be associated with impairments in cognitive function. Experimental obese model mice can be generated by an intraperitoneal injection of monosodium glutamate (MSG; 2 mg/g) once a day for 5 days from 1 day after birth. MSG‐treated mice have been shown to develop glucose intolerance and exhibit chronic neuroendocrine dysfunction associated with marked cognitive malfunctions at 28–29  weeks old. Although hippocampal synaptic plasticity is impaired in MSG‐treated mice, changes in synaptic transmission remain unknown. Here, we investigated whether glucose intolerance influenced cognitive function, synaptic properties and protein expression in the hippocampus. We demonstrated that MSG‐treated mice developed glucose intolerance due to an impairment in the effectiveness of insulin actions, and showed cognitive impairments in the Y‐maze test. Moreover, long‐term potentiation (LTP) at Schaffer collateral–CA1 pyramidal synapses in hippocampal slices was impaired, and the relationship between the slope of extracellular field excitatory postsynaptic potential and stimulus intensity of synaptic transmission was weaker in MSG‐treated mice. The protein levels of vesicular glutamate transporter 1 and GluA1 glutamate receptor subunits decreased in the CA1 region of MSG‐treated mice. These results suggest that deficits in glutamatergic presynapses as well as postsynapses lead to impaired synaptic plasticity in MSG‐treated mice during the development of glucose intolerance, though it remains unknown whether impaired LTP is due to altered inhibitory transmission. It may be important to examine changes in glucose tolerance in order to prevent cognitive malfunctions associated with diabetes.
Comparison of different PCR tests to identify Monilinia fructicola
Authors: Riccioni L. , Valente M. T.
Published: April 2015

Monilinia fructicola was until very recently a regulated pest in the European Union, and EU countries were requested to monitor its presence on their territories. As accredited laboratories should use validated tests, the mycological laboratory of CRA‐PAV carried out a validation process for the multiplex based PCR test (Coté et al., ), that is one of the most widely used tests for the identification of M. fructicola, although this test is not described in the EPPO diagnostic protocol PM 7/18 (2) because the validation data were lacking. The performance characteristics of this multiplex PCR test were established according to the EPPO Standard PM 7/98 (1) and the test was compared in a collaborative study with the end point PCR test (Ioos & Frey, ), considered as the ‘standard test’. The validation data were obtained using different isolates of M. fructicola, M. laxa, M. fructigena and Monilia polystroma, as well as different fruit tissues. Four series of the DNA target at different concentration, repeated three times, were analyzed in four Italian laboratories. The results showed that the multiplex PCR detection test (Coté et al., ) was fit for diagnostic purpose, although the analytical sensitivity was significantly lower compared to the conventional PCR ‘standard test’.
Within‐Species Mate Preferences Do Not Contribute to the Maintenance of Sexually Monomorphic Mating Signals in Green Lacewings
Authors: Noh Suegene , Henry Charles S.
Published: April 2015

We know much less about the evolutionary forces and constraints that maintain similar mating displays in females and males than we do about sexually dimorphic mating displays. Both female and male green lacewings have sexually monomorphic vibrational mating signals and are equally choosy against heterospecific mating signals. This similarity in between‐species sex roles may explain a large part of the presence of species‐specific female signals in these species, but does not necessarily predict why female and male signals are similar. We tested for within‐species sex‐specific similarities in mate preferences in Chrysoperla lucasina that may contribute to the maintenance of sexually monomorphic mating signals in this species. We found weak preferences and low levels of discrimination for signals with varying fine‐scale temporal features (volley duration, period, and volley‐duty cycle). The longer signals that both sexes produced in response to playback were sexually monomorphic, but some females and most males also produced shorter signals with significantly reduced volley durations and periods. Notably, all of these signals had indistinguishable volley‐duty cycles, the ratio of volley duration to volley period. We propose that mating signals in C. lucasina are maintained in both sexes because of similar between‐species mate preferences, but the sexually monomorphic mating signals cannot be attributed to significant within‐species mate preferences. What differences are present in within‐species sex roles may be resolved by a male‐biased signal polymorphism, in long and short signals that are hypothesized to have distinct functions during mate calling and courtship.
Thermo‐Oxidative Stability of Polymer‐Derived Si‐B‐C Ceramics
Authors: Jiang Yun , Lu Jiarong , Huang Farong , Du Lei
Published: April 2015

Si‐B‐C ceramics with different elemental compositions and microstructures were prepared by the pyrolysis of an o‐carborane‐containing poly(silylene‐arylacetylene) (CB‐PSA) thermoset at 1000°C, 1200°C, 1300°C, and 1450°C. The thermo‐oxidative stability of the ceramics was investigated by tracing the weight loss of ceramics during the isothermal oxidation at 800°C, 1000°C, and 1200°C under dry oxygen. The chemical bonding states of the ceramics before oxidation and the elemental compositions of the ceramics after oxidation were analyzed by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The surface morphologies of the ceramics after oxidation were recorded using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results show that the Si‐B‐C ceramic prepared at 1450°C produces an integral borosilicate film on the surface of the ceramics when oxidized at both 1000°C and 1200°C and exhibits better oxidation resistance than the other Si‐B‐C ceramics prepared at 1000°C, 1200°C, and 1300°C. Oxidation temperatures, elemental compositions, and crystallites of the Si‐B‐C ceramics are found to influence the formation of the borosilicate films which plays an important role in the thermo‐oxidative stability of the ceramics.
Obesity status transitions across the elementary years: use ofMarkov chain modelling
Authors: Chen T.‐A. , Baranowski T. , Moreno J. P. , O'Connor T. M. , Hughes S. O. , Baranowski J. , Woehler D. , Kimbro R. T. , Johnston C. A.
Published: April 2015

Objective

The objective of this study was to assess overweight and obesity status transition probabilities using first‐orderMarkov transition models applied to elementary school children.

Method

Complete longitudinal data across 11 assessments were available from 1494 elementary school children (from 7599 students in 41 out of 45 schools in aSoutheastTexas school district) from kindergarten to the beginning of the fifth grade. Heights and weights were measured by trained school nurses using standard procedures at the beginning and end of each school year for the 11 consecutive assessments. To estimate the transition probabilities, first‐order three‐state (healthy weight, overweight and obese)Markov transition models were fit to the longitudinal weight status data of all assessment periods.

Results

While there was a gradual shift to more children in the overweight or obese category over 5 years, children were most likely to stay in the same weight category as the previous assessment. A consistent seasonal difference in the probability of changing weight status category was seen, with a greater probability of becoming overweight and obese during the summer compared with the school year. The transition probabilities to obesity were higher among boys, Hispanic and non‐Hispanic Black, and lower socioeconomic status children.

Conclusions

This study provides the first application of aMarkov transition model to child weight status data. The transitions into the overweight and obese categories were small, but persistent, with smaller percentages transitioning out of overweight or obese. Early monitoring and summer intervention strategies are needed to prevent the slow, but relentless, transition into the overweight and obese categories.
Lean adolescents achieve higher intensities but not higher energy expenditure while playing active video games compared with obese ones
Authors: Chaput J.P. , Genin P.M. , Le Moel B. , Pereira B. , Boirie Y. , Duclos M. , Thivel D.
Published: April 2015

Background

While decreased physical activity and increased sedentary behaviours are incriminated for their role in the progression of obesity, active video games (AVG) may offer a new alternative to increase energy expenditure in youth. This study is the first to examine the effect of a 1‐h AVG play on lean and obese adolescents' energy expenditure.

Methods

Body composition and aerobic fitness were assessed in 19 obese and 12 lean adolescent boys (12–15 years old). Participants performed a 1‐h AVG session (Kinect Sports technology) while wearing a portable indirect calorimeter (K4b2) to assess their energy expenditure and heart rate.

Results

Body weight (91.0 ± 9.5 vs. 58.5 ± 12.4 kg), body mass index (32.2 ± 3.1 vs. 20.3 ± 1.6 kg m−2) and body fat (38.1 ± 2.7 vs. 13.4 ± 3.9%) were significantly higher in obese adolescents (P < 0.001). Absolute energy expenditure was significantly higher in obese (P < 0.05) but not when corrected for body composition. Maximal heart rate reached during AVG was significantly higher in lean adolescents (190 ± 25 vs. 183 ± 28 bpm, P < 0.05). Time spent between 3 and 6 METs (Metabolic Equivalent Task) was not different between groups but time spent above 6 METs was higher in lean adolescents (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Although lean and obese adolescent boys experienced similar energy expenditure relative to their body size during a 1‐h Kinect AVG session, lean adolescents spent more time in moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity.
Hybrid imaging with 99mTc‐WBC SPECT/CT to monitor the effect of therapy in diabetic foot osteomyelitis
Authors: Lazaga Francisco , Van Asten Suzanne AV , Nichols Adam , Bhavan Kavita , La Fontaine Javier , Oz Orhan K , Lavery Lawrence A
Published: April 2015

This study sought to assess the utility of monitoring response to treatment of diabetic foot osteomyelitis (DFO) with Tc‐99m WBC‐labelled single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT/CT) imaging. This is a retrospective cohort study of 20 patients with DFO with sequential Tc‐99m WBC‐labelled SPECT/CT imaging. Radiologic findings of osteomyelitis were evaluated and imaging results were correlated with clinical outcomes subtracted from chart review. Successful treatment of osteomyelitis was defined by wound healing and/or lack of re‐admission for bone infection of the same site within 1 year. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of SPECT/CT to determine osteomyelitis treatment remission were 90%, 56%, 69% and 83%, respectively. Tc‐99m WBC‐labelled SPECT/CT imaging may be useful to help determine treatment outcomes for DFO.
Confirmation of the Dominant Defect Mechanism in Amorphous In–Zn–O Through the Application of In Situ Brouwer Analysis
Authors: Moffitt Stephanie L. , Adler Alexander U. , Gennett Thomas , Ginley David S. , Perkins John D. , Mason Thomas O.
Published: April 2015

The dominant point defect mechanism of amorphous (a‐) indium zinc oxide (IZO) was probed through in situ electrical characterization of sputtered a‐IZO thin films in response to changes in oxygen partial pressure (pO) at 300C. The results yielded a power law dependence of conductivity (σ) versus pO of ∼−1/6. This experimental method, known as Brouwer analysis, confirms doubly‐charged oxygen vacancies as the dominant defect species in a‐IZO. The success of this study suggests that Brouwer analysis is a viable method for studying the defect mechanisms of amorphous oxides.
Effect of High‐Pressure Oxygen Annealing on Electrical and Magnetoelectric Properties of BaSrCo2Fe11AlO22 Ceramics
Authors: Hirose Sakyo , Haruki Kohei , Ando Akira , Kimura Tsuyoshi
Published: April 2015

The effect of high‐pressure oxygen (HPO) annealing on the electrical, magnetic, and magnetoelectric (ME) properties of room‐temperature multiferroic BaSrCo2Fe11AlO22 ceramics was investigated. The electrical resistivity of the ceramics was found to strongly depend on the partial oxygen pressure during annealing at 1040°C. Samples annealed under ~10 atm of oxygen exhibited a resistivity of up to 1.6 × 109 Ω·cm at room temperature, more than two orders of magnitude higher than that of samples without oxygen annealing. Thermally stimulated current and complex impedance measurements suggested that the enhancement of the resistivity by the HPO annealing originated from a decrease in the amount of defects related to oxygen vacancies and an increase in the resistance of grains and interfaces. HPO annealing also affects the magnetic‐field response of spiral magnetic ordering, which is ascribed to the ME properties. Furthermore, samples subjected to HPO annealing exhibited a lower contribution of the space charges trapped at the grain boundaries and/or defects to the magnitude of the measured magnetoelectrically induced electric polarization P. The present results indicate that HPO annealing is an effective method to evaluate authentic ME effects in multiferroic BaSrCo2Fe11AlO22 ceramics.
Origin of the High Permittivity and Varistor Behavior in SnO2–Zn2SnO4 Composite Ceramics
Authors: Zang Guo‐Zhong , Liu Huan‐Huan , Lei Jian‐Fei , Wang Xiao‐Fei , Li Li‐Ben , Cao Jing‐Xiao , Li Guo‐Rong
Published: April 2015

SnO2–Zn2SnO4 composite ceramics with a colossal dielectric permittivity and varistor behavior are prepared by traditional ceramic processing. By increasing bias voltage from 0 to 10 V at a low frequency (~103 Hz) and at room temperature, the relative permittivity decreased rapidly from about 20 000 to several thousand, whereas the radius of the semicircle in the complex impedance decreased and the tail gradually disappeared. However, the peak height and the position of the imaginary part of the complex modulus in the spectra were independent of the applied DC voltage. The slope deduced from the bias voltage‐dependent straight lines of the double‐logarithmic imaginary permittivity spectra were constant with a value of −0.63 at high frequencies and they decreased to −1 at low frequencies. The results strongly indicate that a number of weekly trapped charges existed in the ceramic bulk. From the temperature‐dependent dielectric and electric modulus spectra, the trapped charge activation energy was about 0.32 eV, which may be associated with the oxygen vacancies. Based on the results, a modified equivalent circuit related to the colossal dielectric permittivity and varistor properties was proposed, in which a Warburg impedance was added in parallel with the resistance and capacitance.
Commitment to the environment: the role of subjective norms in college and community samples
Authors: Davis Jody L. , Le Benjamin , Coy Anthony E. , Rickert Jeffrey , Regan Benjamin , Ridgeway Kristen
Published: April 2015

We tested a model of antecedents and outcomes of commitment to the environment, defined as psychological attachment and long‐term orientation to the natural world, hypothesizing that satisfaction with, investments in, and subjective norms about the environment would predict commitment, which, in turn, would predict willingness to sacrifice for the environment. In two studies, the model was supported in undergraduate and community samples, and for general commitment to the environment as well as commitment to specific proenvironmental behaviors. Individuals who are satisfied with and invested in the natural world, and who believe that those close to them value it as well, are likely to be committed to the environment and be willing to forego selfish interests to behave proenvironmentally.
Visual obstruction and vigilance: a natural experiment
Authors: Beauchamp Guy
Published: April 2015

Visual obstructions can cause an increase in antipredator vigilance in prey animals by making predator detection more difficult. However, visual obstructions can also skew the perception of group size and inter‐individual distances and impair the detection of alarm signals by conspecifics. These changes within the group alone can cause an increase in vigilance. To disentangle the contribution of these various factors to changes in vigilance, I documented vigilance in a gregarious species, the semipalmated sandpiper Calidris pusilla, foraging in a habitat where a naturally‐occurring visual barrier partially prevented predator detection without altering the transfer of information about predation risk within the group. I used a matched sampling design to collect vigilance data for birds using adjacent areas with and without the visual barrier. In the visually‐obstructed area, sandpipers maintained a higher level of vigilance, occurred farther away from cover and in smaller flocks, and preferentially scanned the area of danger with one eye in particular. All these changes suggest that visual obstruction increased perceived predation risk. I conclude that it is the inability to get a good view of any approaching predator, rather than changes in intra‐group communication that caused the increase in vigilance in the visually‐obstructed area.
Class III PI3K‐mediated prolonged activation of autophagy plays a critical role in the transition of cardiac hypertrophy to heart failure
Authors: Yu Peng , Zhang Yangyang , Li Chuanfu , Li Yuehua , Jiang Surong , Zhang Xiaojin , Ding Zhengnian , Tu Fei , Wu Jun , Gao Xiang , Li Liu
Published: April 2015

Pathological cardiac hypertrophy often leads to heart failure. Activation of autophagy has been shown in pathological hypertrophic hearts. Autophagy is regulated positively by Class III phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K). However, it is unknown whether Class III PI3K plays a role in the transition of cardiac hypertrophy to heart failure. To address this question, we employed a previously established cardiac hypertrophy model in heat shock protein 27 transgenic mice which shares common features with several types of human cardiomyopathy. Age‐matched wild‐type mice served as control. Firstly, a prolonged activation of autophagy, as reflected by autophagosome accumulation, increased LC3 conversion and decreased p62 protein levels, was detected in hypertrophic hearts from adaptive stage to maladaptive stage. Moreover, morphological abnormalities in myofilaments and mitochondria were presented in the areas accumulated with autophagosomes. Secondly, activation of Class III PI3K Vacuolar protein sorting 34 (Vps34), as demonstrated by upregulation of Vps34 expression, increased interaction of Vps34 with Beclin‐1, and deceased Bcl‐2 expression, was demonstrated in hypertrophic hearts from adaptive stage to maladaptive stage. Finally, administration with Wortmaninn, a widely used autophagy inhibitor by suppressing Class III PI3K activity, significantly decreased autophagy activity, improved morphologies of intracellular apartments, and most importantly, prevented progressive cardiac dysfunction in hypertrophic hearts. Collectively, we demonstrated that Class III PI3K plays a central role in the transition of cardiac hypertrophy to heart failure via a prolonged activation of autophagy in current study. Class III PI3K may serve as a potential target for the treatment and management of maladaptive cardiac hypertrophy.
Neonatal leukaemia cutis
Authors: Handler M.Z. , Schwartz R.A.
Published: April 2015

Neonatal leukaemia cutis is a significant neoplasm that may represent a cutaneous manifestation of systemic leukaemia, usually of myeloblastic type. Rarely, it may be or appear to be limited to skin, in which case it is called neonatal aleukaemic leukaemia cutis. By definition, it presents within the first 4 weeks of life and often has a ‘blueberry muffin baby’ appearance of magenta coloured nodules affecting almost any area of the skin, usually sparing mucous membranes, palms and soles. This clinical pattern is more commonly associated with neonatal infections such rubella and toxoplasmosis, and may be evident with other neonatal neoplasms such as neuroblastoma. Due to the morbidity associated with chemotherapy and reported cases of spontaneous remission without systemic progression in those with neonatal aleukaemic leukaemia cutis without 11q23 translocation, the authors not treating the child with chemotherapy, but to simply monitor for fading of the violaceous nodules, and watch for possible signs of systemic leukaemia.
Epidemiology of superficial mycoses in Northern Greece: a 4‐year study
Authors: Nasr A. , Vyzantiadis T.A. , Patsatsi A. , Louka A. , Ioakimidou A. , Zachrou E. , Chavale A. , Kalabalikis D. , Malissiovas N. , Sotiriadis D.
Published: April 2015

Background

Superficial mycoses are defined as the fungal infections of skin, hair or nails that are caused by dermatophytes, yeasts and non‐dermatophytic moulds. Dermatophytes are the most frequently isolated fungi from specimens of patients with superficial mycoses.

Objective

Studying the possible alteration of the epidemiology of superficial mycoses in Northern Greece during the last two to three decades.

Materials and methods

Data concerning the superficial mycoses from patients coming mainly from the region of Macedonia, Northern Greece, between January 2010 and January 2014 were recorded and analysed. They included specimens from 438 patients (146 M/292 F), within an age range of 2–85 years old. 503 samples were collected from skin (81, 16.1%), hair (18, 3.6%) and nails (fingernails 84, 16.7%, toenails 320, 63.6%) lesions.

Results

Of a total of 222 positive cultures, 50 were considered as yielding clinically non‐significant isolates (saprophytes). Among the rest (172), dermatophytes were the most prevalent isolates (102, 59.3%), followed by yeasts (51, 29.7%) and non‐dermatophytic moulds (19, 11%). Trichophyton rubrum (55, 53.9%), Trichophyton mentagrophytes (18, 17.6%) and Microsporum canis (23, 22.5%) were the most common isolates among dermatophytes (total = 102). Candida parapsilosis (26, 51%), and Candida albicans (10, 19.6%) among yeasts (total = 51) whereas Fusarium (6, 31.6%) and Acremonium species (3, 15.8%) among the non‐dermatophytic moulds (total=19).

Conclusion

Compared to previous studies from Northern Greece, the epidemiology of superficial mycoses in the specific geographic region seems not to have been altered the last two to three decades.
Parasite host range and the evolution of host resistance
Authors: Gorter F. A. , Hall A. R. , Buckling A. , Scanlan P. D.
Published: April 2015

Parasite host range plays a pivotal role in the evolution and ecology of hosts and the emergence of infectious disease. Although the factors that promote host range and the epidemiological consequences of variation in host range are relatively well characterized, the effect of parasite host range on host resistance evolution is less well understood. In this study, we tested the impact of parasite host range on host resistance evolution. To do so, we used the host bacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens SBW25 and a diverse suite of coevolved viral parasites (lytic bacteriophage Φ2) with variable host ranges (defined here as the number of host genotypes that can be infected) as our experimental model organisms. Our results show that resistance evolution to coevolved phages occurred at a much lower rate than to ancestral phage (approximately 50% vs. 100%), but the host range of coevolved phages did not influence the likelihood of resistance evolution. We also show that the host range of both single parasites and populations of parasites does not affect the breadth of the resulting resistance range in a naïve host but that hosts that evolve resistance to single parasites are more likely to resist other (genetically) more closely related parasites as a correlated response. These findings have important implications for our understanding of resistance evolution in natural populations of bacteria and viruses and other host–parasite combinations with similar underlying infection genetics, as well as the development of phage therapy.
Risk factors for mortality in Down syndrome
Authors: Uppal H. , Chandran S. , Potluri R.
Published: April 2015

Background

Down syndrome is a genetic condition that contributes to a significantly shorter life expectancy compared with the general population. We investigated the most common comorbidities in a population of acute hospital patients with Down syndrome and further explored what the most common risk factors for mortality are within this population.

Method

From our database of one million patients admitted to National Health Service (NHS) Trusts in northern England, we identified 558 people who had Down syndrome. We compared this group with an age‐ and gender‐matched control group of 5580 people.

Results

The most prevalent comorbid diseases within the Down's population were hypothyroidism (22.9%) and epilepsy (20.3%). However, the conditions that had the highest relative risks (RRs) in the Down's population were septal defects and dementia. Respiratory failure, dementia and pneumonia were the most significantly related comorbidities to mortality in the Down syndrome population. In the control population, respiratory failure, dementia and renal failure were the most significant disease contributors. When these contributors were analysed using multivariate analysis, heart failure, respiratory failure, pneumonia and epilepsy were the identified risk factors for in‐hospital mortality in the Down syndrome population. Respiratory failure was the sole risk factor for mortality in the Down syndrome population [RR = 9.791 (1.6–59.9) P ≤ 0.05], when compared with the risk factors for mortality in the control population.

Conclusions

There is significant medical morbidity in Down syndrome. This morbidity contributes to the lower life expectancy. Respiratory failure is a risk factor for mortality in Down syndrome. We need to thoroughly investigate people with Down syndrome to ensure any treatable illnesses are well managed.
Catalysts of worker‐to‐worker violence and incivility in hospitals
Authors: Hamblin Lydia E , Essenmacher Lynnette , Upfal Mark J , Russell Jim , Luborsky Mark , Ager Joel , Arnetz Judith E
Published: April 2015

Aims and objectives

To identify common catalysts of worker‐to‐worker violence and incivility in hospital settings.

Background

Worker‐to‐worker violence and incivility are prevalent forms of mistreatment in healthcare workplaces. These are forms of counterproductive work behaviour that can lead to negative outcomes for employees, patients and the organisation overall. Identifying the factors that lead to co‐worker mistreatment is a critical first step in the development of interventions targeting these behaviours.

Design

Retrospective descriptive study.

Methods

Qualitative content analysis was conducted on the total sample (n = 141) of employee incident reports of worker‐to‐worker violence and incivility that were documented in 2011 at a large American hospital system.

Results

More than 50% of the incidents involved nurses, and the majority of incidents did not involve physical violence. Two primary themes emerged from the analysis: Work Behaviour and Work Organisation. Incidents in the Work Behaviour category were often sparked by unprofessional behaviour, disagreement over responsibilities for work tasks or methods of patient care, and dissatisfaction with a co‐worker's performance. Incidents in the Work Organisation category involved conflicts or aggression arising from failure to following protocol, patient assignments, limited resources and high workload.

Conclusion

Incidents of worker‐to‐worker violence and incivility stemmed from dissatisfaction with employee behaviour or from organisational practices or work constraints. These incident descriptions reflect worker dissatisfaction and frustration, resulting from poor communication and collaboration between employees, all of which threaten work productivity.

Relevance to clinical practice

Violence and incivility between hospital employees can contribute to turnover of top performers, hinder effective teamwork and jeopardise the quality of patient care. Identification of common catalysts for worker‐to‐worker violence and incivility informs the development of mistreatment prevention programmes that can be used to educate hospital staff.
The lived experience of fathers of preterm infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: a systematic review of qualitative studies
Authors: Provenzi Livio , Santoro Elena
Published: April 2015

Aims and objectives

To systematically review the experience of fathers of preterm infants hospitalised in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Background

Family‐centred care is more and more acknowledged in Neonatal Intensive Care Units, advocating for active engagement of both parents in the care journey. Nonetheless, fathers' Neonatal Intensive Care Unit experience has received limited research attention.

Design

Systematic review of qualitative studies.

Methods

Four electronic databases (CINHAL, ISI Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus) were explored and studies published between 2000–2014 were included. Preferred Reporting Item for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐analysis (PRISMA) and Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal Tool for Qualitative Studies guidelines were adopted. Key themes were extracted and synthesised.

Results

Five main themes resuming fathers' experience of preterm birth and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit stay were identified from 14 studies. Themes were: emotional roller‐coaster, paternal needs, coping strategies, self‐representation and caregiving engagement. These dimensions were found to be dynamically shaped across three critical turning points: preterm birth, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit stay and at home.

Conclusions

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit fathers of preterm infants experience ambivalence, a set of different needs and coping strategies. They modify their self‐representations along the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit journey and needs specific nursing support and intervention to sustain caregiving engagement and transition to parenthood.

Relevance to clinical practice

A systematic and deepened understanding of preterms' fathers lived experience in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit would be helpful to inform nursing practice. Specific action priorities are suggested within the frame of family‐centred care.
Solubility prediction, solvate and cocrystal screening as tools for rational crystal engineering
Authors: Loschen Christoph , Klamt Andreas
Published: April 2015

Objectives

The fact that novel drug candidates are becoming increasingly insoluble is a major problem of current drug development. Computational tools may address this issue by screening for suitable solvents or by identifying potential novel cocrystal formers that increase bioavailability. In contrast to other more specialized methods, the fluid phase thermodynamics approach COSMO-RS (conductor-like screening model for real solvents) allows for a comprehensive treatment of drug solubility, solvate and cocrystal formation and many other thermodynamics properties in liquids. This article gives an overview of recent COSMO-RS developments that are of interest for drug development and contains several new application examples for solubility prediction and solvate/cocrystal screening.

Methods

For all property predictions COSMO-RS has been used. The basic concept of COSMO-RS consists of using the screening charge density as computed from first principles calculations in combination with fast statistical thermodynamics to compute the chemical potential of a compound in solution.

Key finding

The fast and accurate assessment of drug solubility and the identification of suitable solvents, solvate or cocrystal formers is nowadays possible and may be used to complement modern drug development. Efficiency is increased by avoiding costly quantum-chemical computations using a database of previously computed molecular fragments.

COSMO-RS theory can be applied to a range of physico-chemical properties, which are of interest in rational crystal engineering. Most notably, in combination with experimental reference data, accurate quantitative solubility predictions in any solvent or solvent mixture are possible. Additionally, COSMO-RS can be extended to the prediction of cocrystal formation, which results in considerable predictive accuracy concerning coformer screening. In a recent variant costly quantum chemical calculations are avoided resulting in a significant speed-up and ease-of-use.
Perspectives of Behavioral Health Clinicians in a Rural Integrated Primary Care/Mental Health Program
Authors: Williams Dallas , Eckstrom Jessica , Avery Marc , Unützer Jürgen
Published: April 2015

Purpose

This study compares the perspectives of rural and urban mental health clinicians working in various Washington State Community Health Centers that have implemented an integrated primary care/mental health program.

Methods

We conducted a Web‐based survey of mental health clinicians (n = 71) who work in an integrated primary care/mental health program (“the program”) in 1 of 150 safety net primary care clinics in Washington State. Most participating clinics are Federally Qualified Health Centers or Rural Health Clinics. Pooled survey results from clinicians working in rural settings were compared to those working in urban settings. Semistructured interviews were conducted with a subset (n = 32) of survey respondents. Comments made during these interviews were analyzed for themes.

Findings

In the survey phase, both rural and urban clinicians generally agreed that the program benefitted their patients. Rural respondents were particularly appreciative of the flexibility that the program offered when planning care. Not surprisingly, social service limitations (such as housing or transportation services) were more often mentioned as program limitations. Rural clinicians were more likely to note a lack of awareness of program resources among other medical providers on the team.

Conclusions

Clinicians working in rural primary care clinics value the availability and flexibility of an integrated primary care/mental health program as an option for providing mental health care for their patients. Clinicians working in rural settings could benefit from additional training and program implementation support to best meet the needs of their patients.
Decreasing Marginal Impatience and Capital Accumulation in a Two‐Country World Economy
Authors: Hirose Ken‐Ichi , Ikeda Shinsuke
Published: April 2015

This research is the first to examine dynamic general equilibrium in a growing two‐country economy under decreasing marginal impatience (DMI). The stability condition is shown to be more restrictive than in the case of an endowment economy and/or under increasing marginal impatience (IMI). By analyzing global‐economy adjustment to time preference shocks, international transfers and productivity shocks, equilibrium dynamics in the presence of DMI differ drastically from what is obtained when the standard IMI model is used. For example, in a country characterized by DMI, a positive productivity shock improves the country's welfare level and lowers its steady‐state time preference and, hence, the steady‐state interest rate. This leads to an increase in the neighbouring country's capital stock.
Kant's Universal Law Formula Revisited
Authors: Nyholm Sven
Published: April 2015

Kantians are increasingly deserting the universal law formula in favor of the humanity formula. The former, they argue, is open to various decisive objections; the two are not equivalent; and it is only by appealing to the humanity formula that Kant can reliably generate substantive implications from his theory of an acceptable sort. These assessments of the universal law formula, which clash starkly with Kant's own assessment of it, are based on various widely accepted interpretative assumptions. These assumptions, it is argued in this article, depend on misleading translations of key terms; selective attention to Kant's concrete examples; not taking seriously Kant's theoretical claims about the relations among his various ideas; and a failure to take into account Kant's idiosyncratic definitions of key concepts. The article seeks to right these interpretative wrongs, and finds that the universal law formula is not open to many of the standard objections.
ErnestGellner'sWords and Things:A Case Study of Empirical Philosophy
Authors: Schubert Stefan
Published: April 2015

This article considers howErnestGellner used sociology and anthropology to attack ordinary language philosophy inWords and Things. It argues that this attack can be seen as a part of the movement to make philosophy more empirical or “naturalized,” something that has not been generally noted. It also discusses what general lessons to draw fromWords and Thingsregarding how empirical knowledge should be used in philosophy. Among other things, the article argues that one important lesson is that empirical philosophers should make more use of “soft” social sciences, such as sociology and anthropology, and not focus exclusively on “harder” disciplines, such as physics and experimental psychology. Another upshot of the discussion is that philosophers should draw on empirical knowledge not only when theysolveproblems but also when theyformulatethem.
Rethinking Knowledge
Authors: Cellucci Carlo
Published: April 2015

The view that the subject matter of epistemology is the concept of knowledge is faced with the problem that all attempts so far to define that concept are subject to counterexamples. As an alternative, this article argues that the subject matter of epistemology is knowledge itself rather than the concept of knowledge. Moreover, knowledge is not merely a state of mind but rather a certain kind of response to the environment that is essential for survival. In this perspective, the article outlines an answer to four basic questions about knowledge: What is the role of knowledge in human life? What is the relation between knowledge and reality? How is knowledge acquired? Is there anya prioriknowledge?
Evaluating Ethical Tools
Authors: Moula Payam , Sandin Per
Published: April 2015

This article reviews suggestions for how ethical tools are to be evaluated and argues that the concept of ethical soundness as presented by Kaiser et al. (2007) is unhelpful. Instead, it suggests that the quality of an ethical tool is determined by how well it achieves its assigned purpose(s). Those are different for different tools, and the article suggests a categorization of such tools into three groups. For all ethical tools, it identifies comprehensiveness and user‐friendliness as crucial. For tools that have reaching a decision in a democratic context as a main purpose, it identifies transparency, guiding users toward a decision and justification of the decision‐supporting mechanism. For tools that aim to engage the public, it identifies procedural fairness as essential. It also notes that the scope of use for ethical tools is limited to the same moral community, and that this feature is frequently overlooked.
Variations in Philosophical Genre: thePlatonic Dialogue
Authors: Futter Dylan Brian
Published: April 2015

The primary function of thePlatonic dialogue is not the communication of philosophical doctrines but the transformation of the reader's character. This article takes up the question of how, or by what means, thePlatonic dialogue accomplishes its transformative goal. An answer is developed as follows. First, the style of reading associated with analytical philosophy is not transformative, on account of its hermeneutical attachment and epistemic equality in the relationship between reader and author. Secondly, the style of reading associated with the genre of commentary is transformative because it is governed by a principle of authority. When the commentary model is applied to thePlatonic dialogue, it can be seen that the dialogue mimics the function of the authority principle in transforming the reader into a commentator, that is, someone who reads from a position of detachment and accepts responsibility for himself as moral and epistemic agent.
Spatial structure in ecological communities – a quantitative analysis
Authors: Soininen Janne
Published: April 2015

The spatial structure of communities has recently gained much attention in ecology. Spatial structure comprises an important element in communities, but the literature lacks a thorough investigation about possible among‐organism or among‐ecosystem differences in the degree of spatial structure. Here, I conducted a quantitative review to determine if the degree of spatial structure varied predictably between the major organism types and ecosystems. Spatial structure was quantified as the relative fraction of community variation explained purely by spatial variables (fraction S/E). I integrated data from 322 variation partition analyses both in a generalized linear model (GLM) and using a boosted regression tree method, and showed that a mean of 11.0% of the variation in community composition was explained purely by spatial variables. Across all taxa, a body size–S/E relationship was positive. In GLM, fraction S/E increased highly significantly with study extent, it was highest among terrestrial taxa and higher in ectotherms than in homoiotherms. Spatial structure was also higher in omnivores than in autotrophs. These results suggest that the degree of spatial structure is jointly driven by extrinsic factors such as study extent and ecosystem type, and intrinsic factors such as body size, thermoregulation and interactions between body size and dispersal mode. These results should be important not only for basic research, but also conservation and bioassessment programs would benefit from the information about the magnitude of spatial variation in nature.

Synthesis

Spatial processes comprise an important element in most ecological communities, but the degree to which spatial structure varies across organisms or ecosystems is poorly known. Here, a quantitative review of 322 variation partition analyses indicated that spatial component varied predictably across ecological communities – it was driven by study extent and ecosystem type as well as by species traits such as body size and thermoregulation. These results give deep insights into the magnitude of spatial variation in nature and should be highly beneficial for conservation and bioassessment programs that are built on the information about how communities vary in space.
The roles of RgpB and Kgp in late onset gingipain activity in the vimA‐defective mutant of Porphyromonas gingivalis W83
Authors: Dou Y. , Robles A. , Roy F. , Aruni A.W. , Sandberg L. , Nothnagel E. , Fletcher H.M.
Published: April 2015

Previous studies have shown that VimA, an acetyltransferase, can modulate gingipain biogenesis in Porphyromonas gingivalis. Inactivation of the vimA gene resulted in isogenic mutants that showed a late onset of gingipain activity that only occurred during the stationary growth phase. To further elucidate the role and contribution of the gingipains in this VimA‐dependent process, isogenic mutants defective in the gingipain genes in the vimA‐deficient genetic background were evaluated. In contrast with the wild‐type strain, RgpB and Kgp gingipain activities were absent in exponential phase in the ∆rgpA::tetQ‐vimA::ermF mutant. However, these activities increased to 31 and 53%, respectively, of that of the wild‐type during stationary phase. In the ∆rgpA::cat‐∆kgp::tetQ‐vimA::ermF mutant, the RgpB protein was observed in the extracellular fraction but no activity was present even at the stationary growth phase. There was no gingipain activity observed in the ∆rgpB::cat‐∆kgp::tetQ‐vimA::ermF mutant whereas Kgp activity in ∆rgpA::cat‐∆rgpB::tetQ‐vimA::ermF mutant was 24% of the wild‐type at late stationary phase. In contrast to RgpA, the glycosylation profile of the RgpB catalytic domain from both W83 and P. gingivalis FLL92 (vimA::ermF) showed similarity. Taken together, the results suggest multiple gingipain activation pathways in P. gingivalis. Whereas the maturation pathways for RgpA and RgpB are different, the late‐onset gingipain activity in the vimA‐defective mutant was due to activation/maturation of RgpB and Kgp. Moreover, unlike RgpA, which is VimA‐dependent, the maturation/activation pathways for RgpB and Kgp are interdependent in the absence VimA.
Why China's Leaders Benefit from a Nuclear, Threatening North Korea: Preempting and Diverting Opposition at Home and Abroad
Authors: Horowitz Shale
Published: April 2015

Since the Soviet Union's collapse and North Korea's subsequent deep economic crisis, China's economic and diplomatic support has been vital to the Northern regime's survival. Why has China provided this support? In foreign policy‐making, China's post‐Deng leaders have increasingly prioritized domestic politics over national interests. This implies that China's leaders are likely to view the North's nuclearization, proliferation efforts, and controlled provocations as increasingly beneficial – as long as these activities stop short of triggering all‐out war. China's actions, as opposed to its statements, are consistent with this analysis.
Alliance Adjustment in the Post‐Cold War Era: Convergence of Strategic Perceptions and Revitalization of the ROK–US Alliance
Authors: Kim Jaechun
Published: April 2015

The ROK–US alliance has survived the tumultuous periods following the demise of the Cold War international order and morphed into what both countries identify as a global, value‐based partnership. Skeptical assessments of the alliance's future seemed to have overlooked a number of factors. First, domestic politics can make a big difference; political leadership can play a crucial role in salvaging or damaging alliance partnership. Second, the importance of shared values and identities looms larger in modern alliances. States tend to ally with others to cope with uncertainties, not necessarily to counter manifest threats. Alliances can survive the disappearance of the common threats that had given rise to the alliances and they can be sustained in order to further various interests. All these factors and dynamics help account for why the ROK–US alliance has survived the post‐Cold War adversity. Nevertheless, these factors alone come short of explaining why the alliance has elevated to a core of US security strategy in the region; they do not explain why the alliance once again has come to occupy the very heart of the ROK's security strategy. It was the divergent strategic perceptions that mostly frayed the alliance in the first place, and it was the convergence of strategic perceptions that brought the alliance back together.