bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Outcomes from engaging urban community groups in publicly funded vegetation restoration
Authors: Ewing Christopher P. , Catterall Carla P. , Tomerini Deanna M.
Published: July 2013

Community‐based ecological restoration (CBR) has been encouraged by government funding schemes worldwide to help reverse ecosystem degradation, although many observers have questioned their longer‐term outcomes. We investigated the ecological and social outcomes of community‐based revegetation projects in an urban context, using the case study of all CBR groups located within 25 km of the Brisbane CBD which had been funded during 1997–2008 by the Australian Government's Natural Heritage Trust program to undertake revegetation works and which were also available for interview (N = 9 groups). First we reviewed the funding allocation within the region. Second, we conducted rapid on‐ground assessments of vegetation outcomes at 10 project sites several years after works were completed, which showed that the detectable area of established revegetation averaged 75% of the area planned, and the achieved revegetation areas varied greatly, both in total and in relation to cost. Third, we undertook thematic analysis of semi‐structured interviews with key group members, revealing that groups viewed the NHT scheme's short‐term funding and lack of administrative flexibility as being largely incompatible with both quantitative monitoring (which groups did not prioritise) and longer‐term maintenance of sites for successful vegetation establishment. Interactions with local governments were considered important to success, but internally‐conflicting policies of local and state governments, together with unforeseen site disturbances, acted to limit the achievement of projects' revegetation goals. Volunteer involvement and motivation were an important part of groups' activities. Overall, these CBR projects achieved modest short term environmental benefits together with a range of social benefits. There is a need for new CBR models aimed at maximising both environmental and social outcomes.
Influence of vascular risk factors and neuropsychological profile on functional performances in CADASIL: results from the MIcrovascular LEukoencephalopathy Study (MILES)
Authors: Ciolli L. , Pescini F. , Salvadori E. , Del Bene A. , Pracucci G. , Poggesi A. , Nannucci S. , Valenti R. , Basile A. M. , Squarzanti F. , Bianchi S. , Dotti M. T. , Adriano E. , Balestrino M. , Federico A. , Gandolfo C. , Inzitari D. , Pantoni L.
Published: July 2013

Background and purpose

Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) is an inherited cerebral small vessel disease that may lead to disability and whose phenotype modulators are still unknown.

Methods

In the MIcrovascular LEukoencephalopathy Study (MILES), we assessed the influence of vascular risk factors and the effect of different cognitive domains (memory, psychomotor speed and executive functions) performances on functional abilities in CADASIL in comparison with age‐related leukoencephalopathy (ARL).

Results

We evaluated 51 CADASIL patients (mean age 50.3 ± 13.8 years, 47.1% males) and 68 ARL patients (70.6 ± 7.4 years, 58.8% males). Considering vascular risk factors, after adjustment for age, CADASIL patients had higher mean BMI values than ARL patients. Stroke history frequency was similar in the two groups. After adjustment for age, more CADASIL patients were disabled (impaired on ≥2 items of the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living scale) in comparison with ARL patients, and CADASIL patients had worse functional performances evaluated with the Disability Assessment for Dementia (DAD) scale. In CADASIL patients, hypertension was related to both DAD score and disability. The cognitive profile of CADASIL and ARL patients was similar, but on a stepwise linear regression analysis functional performances were mainly associated with the memory index (β = −0.418, P < 0.003) in CADASIL patients and the executive function index (β = −0.321, P = 0.028) in ARL.

Conclusions

This study suggests that hypertension may contribute to functional impairment in CADASIL and that memory impairment has a large influence on functional decline in contrast with that observed in a sample of subjects with ARL.
Total fluoride intake and excretion in children up to 4 years of age living in fluoridated and non‐fluoridated areas
Authors: Zohoori F. V. , Buzalaf M. A. R. , Cardoso C. A. B. , Olympio K. P. K. , Levy F. M. , Grizzo L. T. , Mangueira D. F. B. , Sampaio F. C. , Maguire A.
Published: July 2013

Fractional fluoride retention is important during the early years of life when considering the risk of development of dental fluorosis. This study aimed to measure fractional fluoride retention in young children. The objectives were to investigate the relationships between fractional fluoride retention and total daily fluoride intake, age, and body mass index (BMI). Twenty‐nine healthy children, up to 4 yr of age, participated; 14 lived in a fluoridated area (0.64 μg ml−1 of fluoride in drinking water) and 15 lived in a non‐fluoridated area (0.04 μg ml−1 of fluoride in drinking water). The total daily fluoride intake of each child was calculated from the daily dietary fluoride intake and toothpaste ingestion (if fluoride toothpaste was used). Total daily fluoride excretion was measured by collecting voided urine and faeces over a 24‐h period, and fractional fluoride retention was calculated by dividing the amount of fluoride retained in the body (total daily fluoride intake minus total daily fluoride excretion) by the total daily fluoride intake. Nine children were excluded from data analysis because of suspected invalid samples. Mean (range) fractional fluoride retention for the remaining 20 children was 0.61 (0.06–0.98). There were no statistically significant correlations between fractional fluoride retention and either age or BMI. However, fractional fluoride retention was correlated with total daily fluoride intake: fractional fluoride retention = 1 − exp (−C × total daily fluoride intake), where C = 28.75 (95% CI = 19.75–37.75). The wide variation in fluoride retention in young children could have important implications when recommendations for fluoride use are being considered.
Progressive heuristic search for probabilistic planning based on interaction estimates
Authors: E‐Martín Yolanda , R‐Moreno María D. , Smith David E.
Published: July 2013

Development of real planning and scheduling applications often requires the ability to handle uncertainty. Often this uncertainty is represented using probability information on the initial conditions and on the outcomes of actions. In this paper, we describe a novel probabilistic plan graph heuristic that computes information about the interaction between actions and between propositions. This information is used to find better relaxed plans and to compute their probability of success. This information guides a forward state space search for high probability, non‐branching seed plans. These plans are then used in a planning and scheduling system that handles unexpected outcomes by runtime replanning. We briefly describe the heuristic, the search process, and the results on different domains from recent international planning competitions. We discuss the results of this study and some of the issues involved in advancing this work further.
Intermediate instability at high temperature leads to low pathway efficiency for an in vitro reconstituted system of gluconeogenesis in Sulfolobus solfataricus
Authors: Kouril Theresa , Esser Dominik , Kort Julia , Westerhoff Hans V. , Siebers Bettina , Snoep Jacky L.
Published: July 2013

Four enzymes of the gluconeogenic pathway in Sulfolobus solfataricus were purified and kinetically characterized. The enzymes were reconstituted in vitro to quantify the contribution of temperature instability of the pathway intermediates to carbon loss from the system. The reconstituted system, consisting of phosphoglycerate kinase, glyceraldehyde 3‐phosphate dehydrogenase, triose phosphate isomerase and the fructose 1,6‐bisphosphate aldolase/phosphatase, maintained a constant consumption rate of 3‐phosphoglycerate and production of fructose 6‐phosphate over a 1‐h period. Cofactors ATP and NADPH were regenerated via pyruvate kinase and glucose dehydrogenase. A mathematical model was constructed on the basis of the kinetics of the purified enzymes and the measured half‐life times of the pathway intermediates. The model quantitatively predicted the system fluxes and metabolite concentrations. Relative enzyme concentrations were chosen such that half the carbon in the system was lost due to degradation of the thermolabile intermediates dihydroxyacetone phosphate, glyceraldehyde 3‐phosphate and 1,3‐bisphosphoglycerate, indicating that intermediate instability at high temperature can significantly affect pathway efficiency.

Database

The mathematical models described here have been submitted to the JWS Online Cellular Systems Modelling Database and can be accessed at http://jjj.mib.ac.uk/database/kouril/index.html. The investigation and complete experimental data set is available on the SEEK at https://seek.sysmo-db.org/investigations/51.
Defect size dependence on threshold stress intensity for high‐strength steel with internal hydrogen
Authors: Murakami Y. , Matsunaga H. , Abyazi A. , Fukushima Y.
Published: July 2013

A series of tensile tests were carried out using hydrogen‐precharged specimens of SAE52100. Two types of tensile specimens were used: (i) smooth specimens and (ii) specimens having various shapes of artificial defects with sizes of about 35–500 µm. In the smooth specimens, fracture origins were non‐metallic inclusions with the size of 10–30 µm (e.g. Al2O3∙(CaO)x, TiN and TiC). In both types of specimens, hydrogen charging drastically decreased the tensile strength. The fracture toughness determined for the small defects at the fracture origin, that is, the threshold stress intensity KTH calculated from the defect size and the applied tensile stress at the failure of the specimen σf, showed a defect size dependence, where area denotes the area of the domain defined by projecting the defect on a plane normal to the cylindrical axis of the specimen. Namely, the threshold value was reduced with a decrease in the defect size, which is similar to the crack size dependence in the ΔKth for small fatigue crack. The values of KTH for both the non‐metallic inclusions and artificial defects were much smaller than those for large cracks measured by the standard WOL (Wedge Opening Load) and CT (Compact Tension) specimens.
Are Analysts’ Recommendations for Other Investment Banks Biased?
Authors: Devos Erik
Published: July 2013

This paper provides evidence of a “Potential conflict of interest by equity analysts” who issue recommendations for investment banks that are related to their own bank through syndication. Analysts issue significantly more optimistic recommendations for investment banks with which their bank is syndicated. Recommending banks upgrade their recommendations just before a relation is initiated, suggesting that they use analyst optimism as a means of currying favor with the syndicate lead in hopes of being invited to join. It also appears that as part of a quid pro quo of sorts, relatively optimistic recommendations are rewarded with more syndicate appointments in the year after the recommendations.
Vegetation feedbacks of nutrient addition lead to a weaker carbon sink in an ombrotrophic bog
Authors: Larmola Tuula , Bubier Jill L. , Kobyljanec Christine , Basiliko Nathan , Juutinen Sari , Humphreys Elyn , Preston Michael , Moore Tim R.
Published: July 2013

To study vegetation feedbacks of nutrient addition on carbon sequestration capacity, we investigated vegetation and ecosystem CO2 exchange at Mer Bleue Bog, Canada in plots that had been fertilized with nitrogen (N) or with N plus phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) for 7–12 years. Gross photosynthesis, ecosystem respiration, and net CO2 exchange were measured weekly during May–September 2011 using climate‐controlled chambers. A substrate‐induced respiration technique was used to determine the functional ability of the microbial community. The highest N and NPK additions were associated with 40% less net CO2 uptake than the control. In the NPK additions, a diminished C sink potential was due to a 20–30% increase in ecosystem respiration, while gross photosynthesis rates did not change as greater vascular plant biomass compensated for the decrease in Sphagnum mosses. In the highest N‐only treatment, small reductions in gross photosynthesis and no change in ecosystem respiration led to the reduced C sink. Substrate‐induced microbial respiration was significantly higher in all levels of NPK additions compared with control. The temperature sensitivity of respiration in the plots was lower with increasing cumulative N load, suggesting more labile sources of respired CO2. The weaker C sink potential could be explained by changes in nutrient availability, higher woody : foliar ratio, moss loss, and enhanced decomposition. Stronger responses to NPK fertilization than to N‐only fertilization for both shrub biomass production and decomposition suggest that the bog ecosystem is N‐P/K colimited rather than N‐limited. Negative effects of further N‐only deposition were indicated by delayed spring CO2 uptake. In contrast to forests, increased wood formation and surface litter accumulation in bogs seem to reduce the C sink potential owing to the loss of peat‐forming Sphagnum.
Response of farmland biodiversity to the introduction of bioenergy crops: effects of local factors and surrounding landscape context
Authors: Bourke David , Stanley Dara , O'Rourke Erin , Thompson Rosalyn , Carnus Tim , Dauber Jens , Emmerson Mark , Whelan Pádraig , Hecq Florence , Flynn Evelyn , Dolan Lisa , Stout Jane
Published: July 2013

The recent growth in bioenergy crop cultivation, stimulated by the need to implement measures to reduce net CO2 emissions, is driving major land‐use changes with consequences for biodiversity and ecosystem service provision. Although the type of bioenergy crop and its associated management is likely to affect biodiversity at the local (field) scale, landscape context and its interaction with crop type may also influence biodiversity on farms. In this study, we assessed the impact of replacing conventional agricultural crops with two model bioenergy crops (either oilseed rape Brassica napus or Miscanthus × giganteus) on vascular plant, bumblebee, solitary bee, hoverfly and carabid beetle richness, diversity and abundance in 50 sites in Ireland. We assessed whether within‐field biodiversity was also related to surrounding landscape structure. We found that local‐ and landscape‐scale variables correlated with biodiversity in these agricultural landscapes. Overall, the differences between the bioenergy crops and the conventional crops on farmland biodiversity were mostly positive (e.g. higher vascular plant richness in Miscanthus planted on former conventional tillage, higher solitary bee abundance and richness in Miscanthus and oilseed rape compared with conventional crops) or neutral (e.g. no differences between crop types for hoverflies and bumblebees). We showed that these crop type effects were independent of (i.e. no interactions with) the surrounding landscape composition and configuration. However, surrounding landscape context did relate to biodiversity in these farms, negatively for carabid beetles and positively for hoverflies. Although we conclude that the bioenergy crops compared favourably with conventional crops in terms of biodiversity of the taxa studied at the field scale, the effects of large‐scale planting in these landscapes could result in very different impacts. Maintaining ecosystem functioning and the delivery of ecosystem services will require a greater understanding of impacts at the landscape scale to ensure the sustainable development of climate change mitigation measures.
Fiscal Stability of High-Debt Nations under Volatile Economic Conditions
Authors: Hall Robert E.
Published: July 2013

Using a recursive empirical model of the real interest rate, GDP growth and the primary government deficit in the United States, I solve for the ergodic distribution of the debt/GDP ratio. If such a distribution exists, the government is satisfying its intertemporal budget constraint. One key finding is that historical fiscal policy would bring the current high-debt ratio back to its normal level of 0.35 over the coming decade. Forecasts of continuing increases in the ratio over the decade make the implicit assumption that fiscal policy has shifted dramatically. In the variant of the model that matches the forecast, the government would not satisfy its intertemporal budget constraint if the policy was permanent. The willingness of investors to hold US government debt implies a belief that the high-deficit policy is transitory.
Micronutrient concentrations in relation to phenological development of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and timothy (Phleum pratense L.)
Authors: Lindström B. E. M. , Frankow‐Lindberg B. E. , Dahlin A. S. , Wivstad M. , Watson C. A.
Published: July 2013

The main aim of this study was to examine how concentrations of the micronutrients cobalt, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, nickel and zinc change with phenological development in red clover, perennial ryegrass and timothy. An additional aim was to investigate micronutrient concentrations and the dry matter (DM) proportions of the leaves, stems and flowers at the flowering stage. The plants were harvested at five phenological stages, ranging from stem elongation to flowering, in a greenhouse pot experiment. The results show that micronutrient concentrations generally decreased with phenological development of the grasses, but that the reduction was larger in timothy than in perennial ryegrass. Concentrations of cobalt, iron, manganese and nickel were more constant in red clover than in the other species. Flowers and leaves had higher concentrations than stems. The generally low concentrations found in timothy were largely due to the high DM proportion of micronutrient‐poor stems. Our results suggest that harvest at an early phenological stage is not only preferred due to high digestibility but also with regard to micronutrient concentrations. They also highlight the importance of considering phenological development and DM harvested when comparing forage species with regard to micronutrient concentrations.
Group 2 innate lymphoid cells in lung inflammation
Authors: Li Bobby W. S. , Hendriks Rudi W.
Published: July 2013

Although allergic asthma is a heterogeneous disease, allergen‐specific T helper 2 (Th2) cells producing the key cytokines involved in type 2 inflammation, interleukin‐4 (IL‐4), IL‐5 and IL‐13, are thought to play a major role in asthma pathogenesis. This model is challenged by the recent discovery of group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2) that represent a critical innate source of type 2 cytokines. These ILC2 are activated by epithelial cell‐derived cytokines, including IL‐25 and IL‐33, which have been implicated in the initiation of asthma. In this review, we will discuss recent studies supporting a significant role for ILC2 in lung inflammation, with special attention to allergen‐induced asthma.
The ovaries of aphids (Hemiptera, Sternorrhyncha, Aphidoidea): morphology and phylogenetic implications
Authors: Michalik Anna , Szklarzewicz Teresa , Wegierek Piotr , Wieczorek Karina
Published: July 2013

The ovaries of aphids belonging to the families Eriosomatidae, Anoeciidae, Drepanosiphidae, Thelaxidae, Aphididae, and Lachnidae were examined at the ultrastructural level. The ovaries of these aphids are composed of several telotrophic ovarioles. The individual ovariole is differentiated into a terminal filament, tropharium, vitellarium, and pedicel (ovariolar stalk). Terminal filaments of all ovarioles join together into the suspensory ligament, which attaches the ovary to the lobe of the fat body. The tropharium houses individual trophocytes and early previtellogenic oocytes termed arrested oocytes. Trophocytes are connected with the central part of the tropharium, the trophic core, by means of broad cytoplasmic processes. One or more oocytes develop in the vitellarium. Oocytes are surrounded by a single layer of follicular cells, which do not diversify into distinct subpopulations. The general organization of the ovaries in oviparous females is similar to that of the ovaries in viviparous females, but there are significant differences in their functioning: (1) in viviparous females, all ovarioles develop, whereas in oviparous females, some of them degenerate; (2) the number of germ cells per ovariole is usually greater in females of the oviparous generation than in females of viviparous generations; (3) in oviparous females, oocytes in the vitellarium develop through three stages (previtellogenesis, vitellogenesis, and choriogenesis), whereas in viviparous females, the development of oocytes stops after previtellogenesis; and (4) in the oocyte cytoplasm of oviparous females, lipid droplets and yolk granules accumulate, whereas in viviparous females, oocytes accrue only lipid droplets. Our results indicate that a large number of germ cells per ovariole represent the ancestral state within aphids. This trait may be helpful in inferring the phylogeny of Aphidoidea.
Ten years of experience in chronic ulcers and malignant transformation
Authors: Onesti Maria G , Fino Pasquale , Fioramonti Paolo , Amorosi Vittoria , Scuderi Nicolò
Published: July 2013

Malignant degeneration of wounds is rare and often misdiagnosed. Delay in diagnosis may result in a worse prognosis. The aim of this study is to determine the number of skin cancers associated with chronic skin ulcers in our facility over a period of 10 years. Between January 2002 and December 2012, a total of about 1000 patients had consulted with us for chronic wounds, especially of vascular, diabetic and traumatic origin and pressure ulcers. Thirteen skin cancers had been detected: seven squamous cell and five basal cell carcinomas and one melanoma. We highlight how important it is to be aware of the signs suggesting a malignant change and the importance of biopsy at regular intervals during the life cycle of any chronic wound.
Photoprotection in the green tidal alga Ulva prolifera: role of LHCSR and PsbS proteins in response to high light stress
Authors: Mou S. , Zhang X. , Dong M. , Fan X. , Xu J. , Cao S. , Xu D. , Wang W. , Ye N.
Published: July 2013

Ulva prolifera, an intertidal macroalga, has to adapt to wide variations in light intensity, making this species particularly rewarding for studying the evolution of photoprotective mechanisms. Intense light induced increased non‐photochemical quenching (NPQ) and stimulated de‐epoxidation of xanthophyll cycle components, while DTT‐treated samples had lower NPQ capacity, indicating that the xanthophyll cycle must participate in photoprotection. In this work, we found that the PsbS‐related NPQ was maintained in U. prolifera. According to analysed gene expression, both LhcSR and psbS were up‐regulated in high light, suggesting that these two genes are light‐induced. LHCSR and PsbS proteins were present at different light intensities and accumulated under high light conditions, and PsbS concentrations were higher than LHCSR, showing that the NPQ mechanism of U. prolifera is more dependent on PsbS protein concentration. Moreover, the level of both LHCSR and PsbS proteins was high even in the darkness, and neither the transcript level nor protein content of LhcSR and psbS genes varied significantly following short‐term exposure to intense light. These findings suggest that this alga can modulate NPQ levels through regulation of the xanthophyll cycle and concentrations of PsbS and/or LHCSR.
Primary Cutaneous Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma Treated with Mohs Micrographic Surgery Toluidine Blue Technique
Authors: CHESSER RICHARD S. , BERTLER DAVID E. , FITZPATRICK JAMES E. , MELLETTE J. RAMSEY
Published: July 2013

A patient with primary cutaneous adenoid cystic carcinoma treated with Mohs surgery is presented. This tumor is characterized clinically by frequent local recurrences and infrequent metastases. Histologically it demonstrates cribiform islands of tumor cells with an abundance of mucin. Because toluidine blue stains this mucin metachromatically, it may be superior to hematoxylin and eosin for identifying the presence of this tumor. We recommend Mohs micrographic surgery with toluidine blue staining technique for the treatment of adenoid cystic carcinoma.
Autologous Fat Transplantation
Authors: PINSKI KEVIN S. , ROENIGK HENRY H.
Published: July 2013

We present a clinical long‐term follow‐up of our autologous fat transplantation patients. Our study group consists of 43 patients followed over 3–48 months (mean 26 months). Cosmetic defects treated include linear morphea, expression lines, acne scars, discoid lupus erythematosus scars, and post‐traumatic scarring. Postoperative complications were rare and short term. We conclude that autologous fat transplantation is a safe and effective procedure. Fat graft longevity is examined in relation to the cosmetic defect treated, the recipient site, and the donor site.
A Three Step Punchgrafting Approach
Authors: BRANDY DOMINIC A.
Published: July 2013

The author presents a variation of a previously described 3 step hair transplantation approach. Besides reducing a step from the more widely used 4 step approach, this methodology entails developing the hairline with a gradation of 1 and 2 haired micrografts, minigrafts and conventional punch grafts
Early Discharge of Patients Following Skin Graft for Extremity Melanoma
Authors: LEONG STANLEY P. L.
Published: July 2013

Wide local excision with split‐thickness skin graft is generally performed for intermediary and thick primary extremity melanoma. This report summarizes the experience of treating seven extremity melanoma patients with early immobilization and discharge using plaster casting or splinting following wide local excision and split‐thickness skin graft.
The Use of a Combination Nail Elevator and Hemostat Clamp
Authors: SEARS JOEL K.
Published: July 2013

Nail avulsion surgery is frequently accomplished using a hemostat clamp with or without a nail elevator device. Two new instruments have been developed that combine the useful design specifications of the hemostat clamp with the nail elevator device. Specifically, one blade of the hemostat is replaced with either a nail elevator spatula or a Freer septum elevator allowing nail elevation, clamping, and removal with a single instrument. Use of either device is more efficient because nail avulsion is completed using a single instrument thereby reducing procedural steps and handling and sterilization costs. Furthermore, these instruments may reduce the risk of trauma to the nail bed and matrix during nail avulsion. The instruments and their use are described.
Suitability of Canopy Temperature Depression in a Temperate Climate with Drought‐Stressed Winter Rye, Determined with Three Infrared Measurement Devices
Authors: Kottmann L. , Schittenhelm S. , Wittich K.‐P. , Wilde P.
Published: July 2013

Canopy temperature has been recognised as an indicator of crop water status and may thus be a useful secondary trait in selecting for yield under dry conditions. The aim of this study was to test the suitability of canopy temperature depression (CTD = Tair − Tcanopy) in a temperate climate with winter rye, by means of three infrared (IR) temperature measuring devices. In the years 2011 and 2012, 16 winter rye genotypes were examined under drought stress conditions in a rainout shelter and under well‐watered conditions. In each year, the CTD was determined several times during the growth period using two IR thermometers and an IR camera. By means of CTD, it was possible to detect drought stress and to differentiate between water regimes. The three measurement devices showed comparable results, despite greatly different costs. Under drought‐stress conditions, a significant positive correlation between grain yield and CTD was found on most measurement dates in 2011 and on some dates in 2012. When the CTD was pooled across water regimes, a significant positive correlation between grain yield and CTD was obtained on every measurement date. However, as genotypic differences for CTD were non‐existent, the correlations are less meaningful. The missing genotypic differences for CTD were rather caused by the limited genetic variability of the genotypes used in this study, than by climatic conditions. Due to this limitation, we were not able to make a concluding statement about the CTD in a temperature climate, although the results are quite promising and indicate that the CTD can potentially be used in a temperate climate.
A mixed‐method systematic review: support for ethical competence of nurses
Authors: Poikkeus Tarja , Numminen Olivia , Suhonen Riitta , Leino‐Kilpi Helena
Published: July 2013

Aim

The aim was to appraise and synthesize evidence of empirical studies of how nurses' ethical competence can be supported.

Background

Ethical competence is an essential element of nursing practice. Nurses increasingly need support in competence when carrying out their responsibilities towards their patients.

Design

A mixed‐method systematic review of quantitative and qualitative studies was undertaken according to the University of York's Centre for Reviews and Dissemination guidelines.

Data sources

Searches of MEDLINE, Nursing Database and British Nursing Index databases were conducted, yielding 512 citations between 1985–2012.

Methods

After a two‐stage application of inclusion and exclusion criteria, 34 articles were included. The quality of the studies was assessed using STROBE or COREQ criteria. Data were analysed by content analysis.

Results

Nurses' ethical competence has been studied from different viewpoints: ethical decision‐making, ethical sensitivity, ethical knowledge and ethical reflection. There was little empirical evidence of provided support, but studies offered recommendations on how to support ethical competence. The most common strategies to support ethical competence were ethics education, ethics rounds, ethics committee and consultation. Nurse leaders and colleagues have a key role in providing opportunities for nurses to gain ethical competence.

Conclusions

There is a need to develop evidence‐based support at the organizational and individual level to support nurses' ethical competence. Barriers for multiprofessional cooperation in ethical issues should be recognized and addressed as part of the development of organizational ethical practices. Research should pay more attention to the conceptual, theoretical and practical perspectives of ethical competence.
A descriptive exploration of the experiences of patients with significant functional impairment following a recent diagnosis of metastatic spinal cord compression
Authors: Warnock Clare , Tod Angela
Published: July 2013

Aim

To explore the experiences, concerns and priorities of patients newly diagnosed with advanced malignant spinal cord compression and had significant problems with mobility at presentation.

Background

The consequences of malignant spinal cord compression can be devastating. Patients and their families are under pressure to adapt quickly to the significant functional impairment that occurs while coping with a diagnosis of advanced cancer. Much of the literature has focused on diagnosis and treatment and little is known about patients' experiences, priorities and concerns.

Design

A descriptive qualitative methodology was adopted using semi‐structured interviews and Framework Analysis techniques.

Method

A semi‐structured interview schedule was developed to explore patient's descriptions of their experiences leading up to diagnosis and during their admission to the cancer centre along with their thoughts and feelings about their future with malignant spinal cord compression. The interviews took place after completion of radiotherapy before discharge home. Interviews were carried out between April 2009–March 2010.

Findings

Ten participants were interviewed. A dual narrative was identified in which participants talked about their concerns and emphasized their ability to cope and maintain a positive outlook. Patients' concerns and priorities were identified. Maintaining hope emerged as an important element of coping. Uncertainty was a source of hope.

Conclusion

The study provides insights into the experience of malignant spinal cord compression from symptom occurrence to diagnosis and beyond. The findings highlight the importance of early discharge planning and family involvement in meeting patients' priorities for care.
Examining antecedents and outcomes of part‐time working nurses' motives to search and not to search for a full‐time position
Authors: Halvari Hallgeir , Vansteenkiste Maarten , Brørby Steffen , Karlsen Hans Petter
Published: July 2013

Grounded in self‐determination theory, this study sought to examine the antecedents and outcomes of part‐time working nurses' (n = 404) motives for searching and not searching for full‐time employment. After controlling for various background variables, autonomous motivation and economic motivation to search for a full‐time job related positively to job search intensity, controlled motivation to search related negatively to experienced positive experiences of part‐time work, whereas autonomous motivation not to search related negatively to job search intensity and positively to positive experiences from part‐time work. Finally, experienced managerial autonomy support toward part‐time work and negative feedback from colleagues regarding part‐time work were established as contextual antecedents of part‐time nurses' autonomous and controlled motives to search and not to search.
Justice and politics: mechanisms for the underlying relationships of role demands to employees' satisfaction and turnover intentions
Authors: Yang Jun , Treadway Darren C. , Stepina Lee P.
Published: July 2013

The present study examines the influence of ambiguity and conflict surrounding employees' job specifications on their dissatisfaction and withdrawal intentions in the workplace. A model is proposed, which introduces perceptions of organizational politics and procedural justice as key mediators in the relationship between role ambiguity and conflict, and the resulting supervisor satisfaction, pay satisfaction, and intention to quit. The model is tested using a sample of 782 full‐time employees of a national retail organization. Results supported the mediating role of procedural justice and perception of politics in the relationship between role ambiguity and conflict and the three outcome measures. Implications of the findings and future research directions are discussed.
Self‐confidence, anxiety, and post‐purchase dissonance: a panel study
Authors: Keng Ching‐Jui , Liao Tze‐Hsien
Published: July 2013

This study proposes an integrated conceptual model of the antecedents of post‐purchase dissonance. Data were gathered via a two‐stage panel study among consumers who made purchase of technology items. Study results demonstrate that consumer chronic characteristics (i.e., trait anxiety and generalized self‐confidence) not only directly influence post‐purchase dissonance positively and negatively but also are mediated by consumers' temporary feelings (i.e., state anxiety and specific self‐confidence) toward a purchase situation, and then indirectly influence post‐purchase dissonance positively and negatively. Trait anxiety positively influences state anxiety and that generalized self‐confidence and specific self‐confidence negatively influence state anxiety. Furthermore, trait anxiety appears to negatively influence specific self‐confidence, and generalized self‐confidence appears to negatively influence trait anxiety and positively influence specific self‐confidence.
I am a better driver than you think: examining self‐enhancement for driving ability
Authors: Roy Michael M. , Liersch Michael J.
Published: July 2013

We examined whether people recognized that others might disagree with their high self‐assessments of driving ability, and, if so, why. Participants in four experiments expressed a belief that others would assess them as worse drivers than they assessed themselves. This difference appears to be caused by participants' use of their own, idiosyncratic definition of driving ability. In Experiments 2 and 3, participants reported that others would supply similar assessments of their ability when the skill was less ambiguous. Results of Experiment 4 indicate that participants recognize that there may be more than one way to view driving performance. Participants appear aware that others likely disagree with their self‐assessment of driving ability due to differences in how others define driving ability.
The stereotyping of science: superficial details influence perceptions of what is scientific
Authors: Krull Douglas S. , Silvera David H.
Published: July 2013

Previous research indicates that superficial details can influence judgments about science. The current research investigated whether the content of research influences judgments about whether research is scientific. In Experiment 1, participants judged topics and equipment associated with natural science to be more scientific than topics and equipment associated with behavioral science. Experiment 2 found that natural science topics combined with natural science equipment were rated as more scientific than all other combinations. Experiment 3 replicated these findings and found that research using natural science topics and natural science equipment was also judged to be more important. Thus, although science is defined by its method, the topic being investigated and the equipment being used influence judgments about what is scientific.
Flood Forecasting Using Neural Computing Techniques and Conceptual Class Segregation
Authors: Kim Sungwon , Singh Vijay P.
Published: July 2013

Various neural networks models are developed and applied for flood forecasting at Sangye station (no. 1) of the Bocheong Stream catchment, which is one of the International Hydrological Program's representative catchments, Republic of Korea. The neural networks models (NNMs) are multilayer perceptron‐neural networks model (MLP‐NNM), generalized regression neural networks model (GRNNM), and Kohonen self‐organizing feature maps neural networks model (KSOFM‐NNM). Data used for model training and testing are divided into two groups: such as floods and typhoon events. Single conventional application and class segregation implementation are applied to evaluate the neural networks models. KSOFM‐NNM forecasts flood discharge more accurately than do MLP‐NNM and GRNNM for the testing data of Methods I and II for single conventional application and class segregation implementation. This study shows that class segregation can capture the dynamics of different physical processes and overcome the difficulties using single conventional application of neural networks models.
Modeling Hydrologic Benefits of Low Impact Development: A Distributed Hydrologic Model of The Woodlands, Texas
Authors: Doubleday George , Sebastian Antonia , Luttenschlager Tatyana , Bedient Philip B.
Published: July 2013

Low Impact Development (LID) is alternative design approach to land development that conserves and utilizes natural resources to minimize the potential negative environmental impacts of development, such as flooding. The Woodlands near Houston, Texas is one of the premier master‐planned communities in the United States. Unlike in a typical urban development where riparian corridors are often replaced with concrete channels, pervious surfaces, vegetation, and natural drainage pathways were preserved as much as possible during development. In addition, a number of detention ponds were strategically located to manage runoff on site. This article uses a unique distributed hydrologic model, Vflo™, combined with historical (1974) and recent (2008 and 2009) rainfall events to evaluate the long‐term effectiveness of The Woodlands natural drainage design as a stormwater management technique. This study analyzed the influence of LID in The Woodlands by comparing the hydrologic response of the watershed under undeveloped, developed, and highly urbanized conditions. The results show that The Woodlands drainage design successfully reflects predeveloped hydrologic conditions and produces peak flows two to three times lower than highly urbanized development. Furthermore, results indicate that the LID practices employed in The Woodlands successfully attenuate the peak flow from a 100‐year design event, resulting in flows comparable to undeveloped hydrologic conditions.
Characterizing Rainwater Harvesting Performance and Demonstrating Stormwater Management Benefits in the Humid Southeast USA
Authors: DeBusk K.M. , Hunt W.F. , Wright J.D.
Published: July 2013

Rainwater harvesting (RWH) has traditionally been implemented in areas with (semi) arid climates or limited access to potable water supplies; however, recent droughts in the humid southeastern United States have led to increased implementation of RWH systems. The objectives of this study were twofold: (1) present usage characteristics and performance results for four RWH systems installed in humid North Carolina (NC) as compared with systems located in arid/semiarid regions and (2) identify system benefits and modifications that could help improve the performance of RWH systems installed in humid regions of the world. For this study four RWH systems were installed in NC. Their usage was monitored for at least one year and compared with similar studies. Results revealed that dedicated water uses and usage characteristics for RWH systems in NC differed from those previously reported in the literature. Two of the systems studied met 100 and 61% of the potable water demand with designated uses of animal kennel flushing and greenhouse irrigation, respectively. The designated uses yielding the greatest potable water replacement were often seasonal or periodic, thus necessitating the need for identifying and implementing secondary objectives for these systems, namely, stormwater management. Otherwise, the expense and effort required to implement RWH systems in humid areas will most likely preclude their use.
Runoff Curve Numbers at the Agricultural Field‐Scale and Implications for Continuous Simulation Modeling
Authors: McGinley Paul M. , Freihoefer Adam T. , Mentz Randy S.
Published: July 2013

This study used monitoring in the waterways of agricultural fields to understand the use of the runoff curve number (CN) in continuous simulation models. The CN has a long history as a design tool for estimating runoff volumes for large, single storms on small watersheds, but its use in continuous simulation models to describe runoff from smaller storms and relatively small areas is more recent and controversial. We examined 788 nonwinter rainfall events on four agricultural fields over five years (2004‐2008) during which runoff was generated in 87 events. The largest 20 runoff events on each field generated approximately 90% of the total runoff volume. The runoff event CNs showed an inverse correlation with storm depth that could not consistently be explained by previous precipitation. We review how small areas of higher runoff generation within larger areas will systematically increase the apparent CN of the larger area as the storm size decreases. If this variation is not incorporated into a model explicitly, continuous simulation modelers must understand that when source areas are aggregated or when runoff generation is spatially variable, the overall CN is not unique when smaller storms are included in the calibration set.
A Decade of Geomorphic and Hydraulic Response to the La Valle Dam Project, Baraboo River, Wisconsin
Authors: Greene Samantha L. , Krause Austin Jena , Knox James C.
Published: July 2013

We investigate stream response to the La Valle Dam removal and channel reconstruction by estimating channel hydraulic parameter values and changes in sedimentation within the reservoir. The designed channel reconstruction after the dam removal included placement of a riffle structure at the former dam site. Stream surveys undertaken in 1984 by Federal Emergency Management Agency and in 2001 by Doyle et al. were supplemented with surveys in 2009 and 2011 to study the effects of the instream structure. We created a model in HEC‐RAS IV and surface maps in Surfer© using the 1984, 2009, and 2011 surveys. The HEC‐RAS IV model for 2009 channel conditions indicates that the riffle structure decreases upstream channel shear stress and velocity, causing renewed deposition of sediment within the former reservoir. We estimate by 2009, 61% of former reservoir sediments were removed during dam removal and channel reconstruction. Between 2009 and 2011 renewed sedimentation within the former reservoir represented approximately 7.85% of the original reservoir volume. The HEC‐RAS IV models show the largest impacts of the dam and riffle structure occur at flood magnitudes at or below bankfull. Thus, the riffle and the dam similarly alter channel hydraulics and sediment transport. As such, our models indicate that the La Valle Dam project was a dam replacement rather than a removal. Our results confirm that channel reconstruction method can alter channel hydraulics, geomorphology, and sediment mobility.
Uncertainty Models for Estimates of Physical Characteristics of River Segments Over Large Areas
Authors: Lamouroux Nicolas , Pella Hervé , Snelder Ton H. , Sauquet Eric , Lejot Jérome , Shankar Ude
Published: July 2013

Spatially comprehensive estimates of the physical characteristics of river segments over large areas are required in many large‐scale analyses of river systems and for the management of multiple basins. Remote sensing and modeling are often used to estimate river characteristics over large areas, but the uncertainties associated with these estimates and their dependence on the physical characteristics of the segments and their catchments are seldom quantified. Using test data with varying degrees of independence, we derived analytical models of the uncertainty associated with estimates of upstream catchment area (CA), segment slope, and mean annual discharge for all river segments of a digital representation of the hydrographic network ofFrance. Although there were strong relationships between our test data and estimates at the scale of France, there were also large relative local uncertainties, which varied with the physical characteristics of the segments and their catchments. Discharge andCAwere relatively uncertain where discharge was low and catchments were small. Discharge uncertainty also increased in catchments with large rainfall events and low minimum temperature. The uncertainty of segment slope was strongly related to segment length. Our uncertainty models were consistent across large regions ofFrance, suggesting some degree of generality. Their analytical formulation should facilitate their use in large‐scale ecological studies and simulation models.