bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Portuguese translation of the Systemic Clinical Outcome and Routine Evaluation (SCORE): the psychometric properties of the 15‐ and 28‐item versions
Authors: Vilaça Margarida , Relvas Ana Paula , Stratton Peter
Published: September 2017

The Systemic Clinical Outcome and Routine Evaluation (SCORE) is one of the most effective evaluation instruments to assess family functioning and to test family therapy results. To determine its applicability in the Portuguese context, we analysed the psychometric characteristics of the short (SCORE‐15) and long (SCORE‐28) versions using a combined sample of 538 Portuguese participants. Results indicate that both versions demonstrate good internal consistency, replicate the original trifactorial solution and significantly differentiate between clinical and community samples. The SCORE‐15 predicted 93.3 per cent of the SCORE‐28 results. Both instruments' reference values and cut‐off points were established. These findings allow us to claim that the current Portuguese translation provides data that are comparable with, and of the same quality as, those obtained using the English language versions. The Portuguese versions can therefore be recommended to measure family functioning in routine clinical practice and research.

Practitioner points

SCORE‐15 and 28 are effective in the measurement of the family relationships in general and the family strengths, communication and difficulties in particular

They represent sound and useful tools that may be used for research and intervention purposes, both in clinical and community contexts, when a Portuguese version is required

The short version is most appropriate for the clinical context due to its conciseness and stronger capacity to predict family functioning
Minocycline increases firing rates of accumbal neurons and modifies the effects of morphine on neuronal activity
Authors: Arezoomandan Reza , Riahi Esmail , Haghparast Abbas
Published: September 2017

Accumulating evidence indicated that minocycline, a glial cell modulator, is able to modify a variety of morphine effects. Here, we investigated minocycline effects on electrical activity of nucleus accumbens (NAc) neurons using single unit recording in urethane‐anesthetized rats. In addition, we investigated whether minocycline can modify the effects of morphine on NAc neural activity during reinstatement of morphine‐seeking behavior. Minocycline increased the NAc firing activity in intact animals. Electrophysiological recording in morphine‐treated animals was performed, following the acquisition of morphine‐induced conditioned place preference (5 mg/kg, s.c., 3 days) and a drug‐free extinction period. In acutely minocycline‐ treated animals, the neurons were recorded for 40 minutes following a single injection of either minocycline (50 μg/5 μl, i.c.v.) or saline. Then a priming dose of morphine (1 mg/kg, s.c.) was injected while the recording was continued for an additional 40 minutes. Minocycline significantly increased the firing rates of neurons and significantly modified morphine inhibitory effects on NAc neurons. In subchronically minocycline‐treated groups, the rats were given daily injections of minocycline (50 μg/5 μl, i.c.v) during the extinction period. Then, on the reinstatement day, NAc neurons were recorded for 10 minutes, the priming dose of morphine was administered and the recording was continued for 45 minutes. Our results showed the failure of minocycline to significantly modify the inhibitory effects of morphine. In conclusion, our findings indicated that minocycline modifies morphine‐induced decreases in the firing rates of NAc neurons in the reinstatement phase.
Becoming Selfless: The Evolving Not‐Self
Authors: Pamutto Tahn
Published: September 2017

Venerable “Than” Pamutto was ordained in 2010 in the austere forest tradition of Theravada Buddhism. He lives as a mendicant monk traveling among the towns and forests of rural New England. The Buddha's teaching to avoid identification with the “five aggregates subject to clinging” (form, feeling, perception, formations, and consciousness) promises disenchantment with the outward manifestations of a person and an opening to seeing and appreciating the being right in front of us.
A New Look at Gaia's Relationship with Water
Authors: Champoux Peter
Published: September 2017

An exploration of the interconnectedness of the geometries of a water molecule, the geologic and geographic regions of our planet, and the universe as a whole. Water is shown as a crucial “bridge” passing from the microscopic to the stellar and interstellar.
Suffering and the Human Terroir
Authors: Muller Rick
Published: September 2017

Fully embracing one's embodied suffering, rather than denying it or mentally explaining it away, can open an individual to a broader sense of interbeing, to the ability to endure, survive, and move through pain and toward a deeper sense of compassion, peace, joy, and liberation. The self benefits from exploring interbeing using an environmental metaphor to consider the human body: the body as terroir. Terroir is analogous to the specific microclimate and natural environment in which quality wine is produced. Appreciation of oneself as a unique mobile terroir can reveal estranged aspects of the host/guest (ghos‐ti) relationship of interbeing within the individual body/self. Perhaps this is what those who practice interbeing in the real world have come to understand.
Who Is the Green Man?
Authors: Goodridge Tom
Published: September 2017

The author engages the enigmatic Green Man, a mythical figure of uncertain and even independent global arisings, to connect postindustrial people with their evolutionary origin and their kinship with all life. He traces the stream of ecologically oriented cultural critiques from Lynn White, Thomas Berry, Paul Shepard, and on through the school of Deep Ecologists, as they explore how modern humanity has alienated itself from the Earth. Green Man's spiritual path of sensory integration with our earthly habitat can help disenfranchised earthlings return to their planetary home, relate to their biodiverse kin, and discover their own true nature.
Symmetry in the Charlie Brown Christmas
Authors: Booker Pamela
Published: September 2017

The televised Charlie Brown Christmas tale and its bawdy Peanuts characters taught me important lessons while growing up as the awkwardly drawn, “blockhead” sibling. This essay explores the down and dirty deities that reside in each of us, including Brown and Pig Pen, at once seen as contemporary symbols of the globally inter challenged‐being and surprising instruments of sacred expression. Ruminations on the Bhagavad Gita, Immanuel Kant, Jessye Norman, bell hooks, and Thich Nhat Hahn encourage us to reimagine contexts for power and authority, racial mistrust and injustice, and restoring our slumping spirits.
An unusual mortality event in Johnstone River snapping turtles Elseya irwini (Johnstone) in Far North Queensland, Australia
Authors: Ariel E , Freeman AB , Elliott E , Wirth W , Mashkour N , Scott J
Published: September 2017

Background

An unusual mortality event in Johnstone River snapping turtles (Elseya irwini) in Far North Queensland, Australia, occurred during the summer months of December 2014 and January 2015. We report the data collected during the mortality event, including counts of sick and dead animals, clinical appearance and one necropsy.

Outbreak description

Moribund animals appeared lethargic with variable degrees of necrotising dermatitis. Postmortem investigation of one freshly dead animal revealed bacterial and fungal involvement in the skin lesions as well as multifocal fibrinous hepatitis and splenitis and necrotising enteritis with vascular thrombosis. Aeromonas hydrophila was isolated from liver, spleen and skin lesions. All samples tested negative for ranavirus, and water and soil testing for environmental contaminants were negative. All affected E. irwini either died or were euthanased and no other species of animals in the river were affected.

Conclusion

Aeromonas hydrophila is ubiquitous in the freshwater environment and although it caused septicaemia in the one individual that was submitted for laboratory diagnosis, the primary aetiology of the outbreak may not have been identified.
Survey of Victorian small ruminant herds for mycoplasmas associated with contagious agalactia and molecular characterisation of Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies capri isolates from one herd
Authors: Olaogun OM , Kanci A , Barber SR , Tivendale KA , Markham PF , Marenda MS , Browning GF
Published: September 2017

Objective

Regarded as one of the most expensive production diseases of dairy sheep and goats, contagious agalactia (CA) is caused by any of four agents: Mycoplasma agalactiae, M. mycoides subspecies capri (Mmc), M. capricolum subspecies capricolum (Mcc) and M. putrefaciens. Although CA is worldwide in distribution, it has not been reported in Australia, even though studies between the 1950s and 1980s isolated each agent from sheep or goats without any clinical signs associated with it. The aim of this study was to examine sheep and goats in Victoria, Australia, for the presence of CA‐associated mycoplasmas and to investigate the evolutionary relationships of these isolates by comparing their genetic differences with their counterparts from other parts of the world.

Methods

A 3‐year epidemiological survey of small ruminant populations in Victoria, Australia, was conducted for the presence of CA‐associated mycoplasmas and the isolates obtained were genotyped by multilocus sequence typing (MLST).

Results

Mmc was the only CA‐associated agent isolated from the 1358 samples analysed in the study, but was not associated with CA on the property where it was found. MLST analyses of Mmc strains revealed a distinct clustering of Australian isolates into a novel clade, with the closest relatives being strains from Europe. The distinct clustering is consistent with the absence of clinical disease in Australia.

Conclusion

The isolation of Mmc indicates that this subspecies persists in Australian small ruminant populations. However, full genome sequencing and in vitro animal experimentation are needed to unequivocally demonstrate the avirulence of Australian strains.
The effect of “here and now” learning on student engagement and academic achievement
Authors: Northey Gavin , Govind Rahul , Bucic Tania , Chylinski Mathew , Dolan Rebecca , van Esch Patrick
Published: September 2017

Commitment, persistence and effort have long been considered critical components for an individual's academic success. Yet, according to the old proverb, two heads are better than one and collaborative learning may yield greater benefits than what might be achieved by an individual. Because of this, collaborative learning has been labelled a “social imperative” (DuFour & Marzano, ) that has a positive impact on individual learning behaviours, academic outcomes and the overall level of group knowledge. As such, the need for collaborative learning has become an increasingly important factor in instructional design. This is especially so in the modern technologically advanced world, where learning is no longer constrained by time or place. Instead porous boundaries that allow round‐the‐clock, “here and now” learning (Martin & Ertzberger, ) are shifting the locus of control from instructor to student and creating a new breed of active learners. The current study involves a quasi‐experimental, between‐subjects design, where the effects of “here and now” learning on student engagement and academic achievement are examined. The study develops and tests a low‐investment blended learning approach, using Facebook as the asynchronous engagement platform to facilitate collaboration outside the classroom. Findings from the study show “here and now” learning has a positive influence on student learning behaviours, student engagement and academic outcomes.
Mesenchymal stem cells and conditioned media in the treatment of multiple sclerosis patients: Clinical, ophthalmological and radiological assessments of safety and efficacy
Authors: Dahbour Said , Jamali Fatima , Alhattab Dana , Al‐Radaideh Ali , Ababneh Osama , Al‐Ryalat Nosaiba , Al‐Bdour Muawyeh , Hourani Bayan , Msallam Mohammed , Rasheed Murad , Huneiti Ammar , Bahou Yacoub , Tarawneh Emad , Awidi Abdalla
Published: September 2017

Aims

This open‐label prospective phase I/IIa clinical study used autologous bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stromal cells (BM‐MSCs) followed by mesenchymal stromal cells conditioned media (MSC‐CM) for the first time to treat multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. The primary goal was to assess the safety and feasibility and the secondary was efficacy. The correlation between the MSC‐CM content and treatment outcome was investigated.

Methods

Ten MS patients who failed conventional therapy were enrolled. Adverse events were recorded to assess safety. The Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) was the primary efficacy measurement, the secondary included clinical (25WFT, 9‐PHT), cognitive (MMS), ophthalmology (OCT, VEP), and radiological (MRI lesion and volume) tests. The MSCs‐CM concentration of 27 inflammatory biomarkers was investigated.

Results

The treatment protocol was well tolerated by patients. There was an overall trend of improvement in all the tests, except the lesion volume which increased significantly. A decrease of 4 and 3.5 points on the EDSS was achieved in two patients. We report a correlation between a decreased lesion number at baseline and higher IL‐6, IL‐8, and VEGF MSC‐CM content.

Conclusion

The used protocol was safe and feasible with possible efficacy. The addition of MSC‐CM could be related to the magnitude of EDSS improvement observed.
Claudin‐5 regulates blood‐brain barrier permeability by modifying brain microvascular endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and adhesion to prevent lung cancer metastasis
Authors: Ma Shun‐Chang , Li Qi , Peng Jia‐Yi , Zhouwen Jian‐Long , Diao Jin‐Fu , Niu Jian‐Xing , Wang Xi , Guan Xiu‐Dong , Jia Wang , Jiang Wen‐Guo
Published: September 2017

Aims

To investigate the roles of Claudin‐5 (CLDN5) in regulating the permeability of the blood‐brain barrier (BBB) during lung cancer brain metastasis.

Results

By silencing and overexpressing the CLDN5 gene in human brain vascular endothelial (hCMEC/D3) cells, we demonstrated the attenuation of cell migration ability and CLDN5's significant positive role in cell proliferation in CLDN5‐overexpressing hCMEC/D3 cells and observed the opposite result in the CLDN5 knockdown group. The reinforced CLDN5 expression reduced the paracellular permeability of hCMEC/D3 cells and decreased the invasion of lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells. Overall, 1685 genes were found to be differentially expressed between the CLDN5‐overexpressing cells and the control cells using the Affymetrix Human Transcriptome Array 2.0 (HTA 2.0), and the function of these genes was determined by Gene Ontology and pathway analyses. The possible biological functions of the 1685 genes include cell proliferation, adhesion molecules, and the Jak‐STAT, PI3K‐Akt, Wnt, and Notch signaling pathways. The identified sets of mRNAs that were specific to CLDN5‐overexpressing hCMEC/D3 cells were verified by a qRT‐PCR experiment.

Conclusion

CLDN5 regulates the permeability of BBB by regulating the proliferation, migration, and permeability of hCMEC/D3 cells, especially through the cell adhesion molecule signaling pathway, to enhance the function of the tight junctions, which was involved in reducing the formation of lung cancer brain metastasis.
Surgery for constipation: systematic review and practice recommendations
Authors: Pilkington S. A. , Emmett C. , Knowles C. H. , Mason J. , Yiannakou Y. ,   the NIHR CapaCiTY working group,   Pelvic floor Society
Published: September 2017

Aim

To assess the outcomes of sacral nerve stimulation in adults with chronic constipation.

Method

Standardised methods and reporting of benefits and harms were used for all CapaCiTY reviews that closely adhered to PRISMA 2016 guidance. Main conclusions were presented as summary evidence statements with a summative Oxford Centre for Evidence‐Based Medicine (2009) level.

Results

Seven articles were identified, providing data on outcomes in 375 patients. Length of procedures and length of stay was not reported. Data on harms were inconsistently reported and heterogeneous, making estimates of harm tentative and imprecise. Morbidity rates ranged between 13 and 34%, with overall device removal rate between 8 and 23%. Although inconsistently reported, pooled treatment success was typically 57–87% for patients receiving permanent implants, although there was significant variation between studies. Patient selection was inconsistently documented. No conclusions could be drawn regarding particular phenotypes that responded favourably or unfavourably to sacral nerve stimulation.

Conclusion

Evidence supporting sacral nerve stimulation is derived from poor quality studies. Three methodologically robust trials are have reported since this review and all have all urged greater caution.
Changes in inflammatory mediators as a result of intermittent hypoxia in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome
Authors: Sozer Volkan , Kutnu Müge , Atahan Ersan , Calıskaner Ozturk Buket , Hysi Ergi , Cabuk Cansu , Musellim Benan , Simsek Gonul , Uzun Hafize
Published: September 2017

Background

Inflammation plays an important role in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship of serum C‐reactive protein (CRP), pentraxin‐3 (PTX‐3), procalcitonin (ProCT), interleukin‐33 (IL‐33) and its soluble receptor ST2 (sST2) with the syndrome severity and to show theirs importance as biomarkers.

Methods

This study comprises a total of 84 identical (sex and age wise) cases. Full‐night polysomnography was performed in each patient. OSAS diagnosis and severity index being based on the widely used criterion known as Apnea Hypopnea Index(AHI). Subgroups were as follows: 24(AHI < 5) controls, 28 mild‐moderate OSAS(AHI 5–30) and 32 severe OSAS(AHI > 30).

Results

PTX‐3, IL‐33 and sST2 receptors were significantly higher in OSAS groups than the control group (P < .001). However, both CRP and ProCT levels were similar in all subjects. There was a positive correlation between PTX‐3 and BMI (r = 0.446; P < .01), ODI (r = 0.555; P < .01), IL‐33 (r = 0.348; P = .001) and sST2 (r = 326; P = .002), while there was a negative correlation with minimum SaO2 (r = −0.672; P < .01) in patient group. PTX‐3 as a predictor of OSAS showed highest specificity (%91.7) and sensitivity (%91.7) (P < .001).

Conclusions

PTX‐3 can be a new indicator reflecting the inflammatory state in patients with OSAS. Since patients with OSAS could have more hypoxic state during sleep, we found higher PTX‐3 level in those patients and a negative correlation between PTX‐3 and minimum SaO2, which could explain that PTX‐3 levels can increase with the severity of disease. Our results suggest that PTX‐3 as an inflammatory biomarker may play a crucial role as an indicator of syndrome severity in OSAS.
The Investment CAPM
Authors: Zhang Lu
Published: September 2017

A new class of Capital Asset Pricing Models (CAPM) arises from the first principle of real investment for individual firms. Conceptually as ‘causal’ as the consumption CAPM, yet empirically more tractable, the investment CAPM emerges as a leading asset pricing paradigm. Firms do a good job in aligning investment policies with costs of capital, and this alignment drives many empirical patterns that are anomalous in the consumption CAPM. Most important, integrating the anomalies literature in finance and accounting with neoclassical economics, the investment CAPM has succeeded in mounting an efficient markets counterrevolution to behavioural finance over the past 15 years.
Macroecology of seed banks: The role of biogeography, environmental stochasticity and sampling
Authors: Jabot Franck , Pottier Julien
Published: September 2017

Aim

The study of seed banks has been mainly conducted at local scales, thereby hampering our general understanding of the assembly processes of these biodiversity reservoirs. Here, we aim to document worldwide macroecological patterns of seed bank diversity and of their similarity with aboveground vegetation. Our second aim is to investigate the likely drivers of these macroecological patterns and to lay the foundation of a metacommunity theory of seed banks.

Location

Worldwide.

Time period

1989–2005.

Major taxa studied

Plants.

Methods

We compiled a worldwide dataset of 130 seed banks located in grasslands. We assessed the likely drivers of seed bank diversity and similarity with aboveground vegetation, using structural equation modelling. We then developed a time‐averaged neutral model of coupled seed bank–vegetation (S‐V) dynamics that includes the effect of environmental stochasticity, and we compared its predictions with empirical findings.

Results

We found evidence for two weak latitudinal gradients in seed bank diversity and S‐V similarity, with larger species richness and smaller similarity closer to the tropics. We then showed that seed bank richness and S‐V similarity are correlated with the following four distinct drivers: local environmental variability, plant regional diversity, seed bank density and sampling area. Finally, we showed that the predictions of the time‐averaged neutral model are remarkably in accord with empirical observations.

Main conclusions

Our results lay the foundations of a metacommunity theory for seed banks. They challenge the standard view that seed banks are principally structured by environmental variability, by highlighting the additional key roles of dispersal and stochastic sampling on seed bank diversity patterns.
Sécurité sociale et résultats des entreprises: l'exemple des PME au Viet Nam
Authors: LEE Sangheon , TORM Nina
Published: September 2017

Les auteurs examinent les effets de la sécurité sociale – critère du caractère formel de l'activité – sur les résultats des PME vietnamiennes. À partir de données sur les entreprises déclarées (2006–2011), ils constatent qu'une élévation de 10 pour cent de la couverture du personnel est associée à une augmentation du chiffre d'affaires et des profits allant respectivement de 1,4 à 2 pour cent et jusqu'à 1,8 pour cent par travailleur. Toutefois, étant donné le décalage entre l'«investissement» (versement des cotisations) et son rendement (performances supérieures), des politiques d'accompagnement sont nécessaires pour encourager les petites entreprises à s'annoncer aux régimes obligatoires.
Subventions à l'embauche et handicap: les enseignements d'une expérience à petite échelle
Authors: DEUCHERT Eva , KAUER Lukas
Published: September 2017

L'efficacité des subventions à l'embauche destinées à faciliter l'insertion des personnes handicapées reste incertaine, car plusieurs effets – d'aubaine, de substitution et de signal – se superposent. Pour en savoir plus, les auteurs proposent un protocole original, dans lequel les employeurs sont informés de façon aléatoire du droit à subvention. L'analyse des taux de convocation à un entretien montre que la subvention a un effet nul, voire contre‐productif, pour un échantillon de jeunes fraîchement diplômés de l'enseignement professionnel. Cependant, l'effet de signal défavorable ainsi mis en évidence est nettement plus faible pour d'autres sujets suivis par un service d'orientation spécifique, déjà actifs avant l'acquisition du handicap.
Seis características centrales del mercado laboral chino. Revisión bibliográfica
Authors: SONG Yang
Published: September 2017

En esta exhaustiva síntesis analítica del mercado laboral chino, el autor destaca: el desarrollo del sector privado en las zonas urbanas; el aumento de los salarios y de la desigualdad de ingresos; la persistencia del sistema hukou, que genera discriminación laboral, déficit de trabajadores en las zonas urbanas y excedente en las rurales; una estructura salarial de mercado, pero segmentada según el tipo de empresa; un desempleo relativamente bajo, y un papel relativamente débil de instituciones laborales tradicionales como el salario mínimo y los sindicatos. El artículo pretende contribuir a la elaboración de modelos teóricos más adaptados a China con miras a análisis de políticas más sólidos.
Reforma laboral en Turquía mediante la transposición de normas de múltiples fuentes
Authors: Ozkan Umut Riza
Published: September 2017

Basándose en investigaciones recientes sobre «ideas en circulación» y «transposición», el autor analiza la introducción y adaptación de normas internacionales del trabajo de la OIT y directivas de la UE durante el proceso de reforma laboral en Turquía por los interlocutores sociales y la comisión que redactó la Ley del Trabajo de 2003. Tras examinar las motivaciones de todos ellos, se describe el proceso por el cual se modificaron y adaptaron dichas normas, conservando en ocasiones componentes de la antigua legislación, como las disposiciones sobre indemnización por despido.
Predicting aggressive behaviour in acute forensic mental health units: A re‐examination of the dynamic appraisal of situational aggression's predictive validity
Authors: Maguire Tessa , Daffern Michael , Bowe Steven J. , McKenna Brian
Published: September 2017

In the present study, we explored the predictive validity of the Dynamic Appraisal of Situational Aggression (DASA) assessment tool in male (n = 30) and female (n = 30) patients admitted to the acute units of a forensic mental health hospital. We also tested the psychometric properties of the original DASA bands and novel risk bands. The first 60 days of each patient's file was reviewed to identify daily DASA scores and subsequent risk‐related nursing interventions and aggressive behaviour within the following 24 hours. Risk assessments, followed by documented nursing interventions, were removed to preserve the integrity of the risk‐assessment analysis. Receiver–operator characteristics were used to test the predictive accuracy of the DASA, and generalized estimating equations (GEE) were used to account for repeated risk assessments, which occurs when analysing short‐term risk‐assessment data. The results revealed modest predictive validity for males and females. GEE analyses suggested the need to adjust the DASA risk bands to the following (with associated odds ratios (OR) for aggressive behaviour): 0 = low risk; 1, 2, 3 = moderate‐risk OR, 4.70 (95% confidence interval (CI): 2.84–7.80); and 4, 5, 6, 7 = high‐risk OR, 16.13 (95% CI: 9.71–26.78). The adjusted DASA risk bands could assist nurses by prompting violence‐prevention interventions when the level of risk is elevated.
Multidimensional approach to restraint minimization: The journey of a specialized mental health organization
Authors: Hernandez Alexandra , Riahi Sanaz , Stuckey Melanie I. , Mildon Barbara A. , Klassen Philip E.
Published: September 2017

The executive‐level witnessing and review of restraint events has been identified as a key strategy for restraint minimization. In the present study, we examined the changes in restraint practices at a tertiary‐level mental health‐care facility with implementation of an initiative, in which representatives from senior management, professional practice, peer support, and clinical ethics witnessed seclusion and restraint events, and rounded with clinical teams to discuss timely release and brainstorm prevention strategies. Interrupted time series analysis compared the change from pre‐implementation (14 months prior) to postimplementation (35 months’ following) in the number of incidents/month, total hours/month, and average hours/incident/month for each of seclusion and mechanical restraint. With implementation, there was a step decrease in average hours/seclusion (–28.3 hours/seclusion, P < 0.001) and total seclusion hours (–1264.5 hours, P = 0.002). The postimplementation rate of decrease of –0.9 hours/incident/month was different than the pre‐implementation rate of increase of 0.7 hours/incident/month for mechanical restraint (P = 0.03). Pre‐implementation, there was a rate of decrease of 6.1 incidents/month (P < 0.001) and 4.5 incidents/month (P = 0.001) for seclusion and mechanical restraint, respectively. Postimplementation, there was a rate of increase of 0.3 incidents/month and a rate of decrease of 0.05 incidents/month for seclusion and mechanical restraint, respectively, both of which were different than pre‐implementation (seclusion: P < 0.001, mechanical restraint: P = 0.002). In conclusion, the total hours of seclusion and average hours per seclusion and per restraint incident were reduced, demonstrating the value of leadership witnessing and daily rounds in promoting restraint minimization in tertiary‐level mental health care.
Is restraint a ‘necessary evil’ in mental health care? Mental health inpatients’ and staff members’ experience of physical restraint
Authors: Wilson Ceri , Rouse Lorna , Rae Sarah , Kar Ray Manaan
Published: September 2017

Restraint in mental health care has negative consequences, and guidelines/policies calling for its reduction have emerged internationally. However, there is tension between reducing restraint and maintaining safety. In order to reduce restraint, it is important to gain an understanding of the experience for all involved. The aim of the present study was to improve understanding of the experience of restraint for patients and staff with direct experience and witnesses. Interviews were conducted with 13 patients and 22 staff members from one UK National Health Service trust. The overarching theme, ‘is restraint a necessary evil?’, contained subthemes fitting into two ideas represented in the quote: ‘it never is very nice but…it's a necessary evil’. It ‘never is very nice’ was demonstrated by the predominantly negative emotional and relational outcomes reported (distress, fear, dehumanizing, negative impact on staff/patient relationships, decreased job satisfaction). However, a common theme from both staff and patients was that, while restraint is ‘never very nice’, it is a ‘necessary evil’ when used as a last resort due to safety concerns. Mental health‐care providers are under political pressure from national governments to reduce restraint, which is important in terms of reducing its negative outcomes for patients and staff; however, more research is needed into alternatives to restraint, while addressing the safety concerns of all parties. We need to ensure that by reducing or eliminating restraint, mental health wards neither become, nor feel, unsafe to patients or staff.
Violations of health information privacy: The role of attributions and anticipated regret in shaping whistle‐blowing intentions
Authors: Keil Mark , Park Eun Hee , Ramesh Balasubramaniam
Published: September 2017

We examine the role of attributions, the seriousness of wrongdoing, and emotion in shaping individuals' whistle‐blowing intentions in the context of health information privacy violations. Based on 3 studies in which the intentionality of wrongdoing and the stability of wrongdoing were manipulated independently, we found consistent evidence that the intentionality of wrongdoing affects anticipated regret about remaining silent. The findings regarding the effect of stability, however, were mixed. In study 1, the stability of wrongdoing was found to affect anticipated regret about remaining silent, and in studies 2 and 3, stability was found to have a direct effect on whistle‐blowing intention but no effect on anticipated regret about remaining silent. In the 3 studies, the seriousness of wrongdoing was found to have an effect on whistle‐blowing intentions, but this effect was mediated by anticipated regret about remaining silent. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
Prevalence of tooth forms and their gender correlation
Authors: Mahn Eduardo , Walls Stephanie , Jorquera Gilbert , Valdés Ana María , Val Alejandra , Sampaio Camila S.
Published: September 2017

Objective

This study evaluated different tooth shapes from female and male genders, matching them with the firstly proposed pure basic forms, and proposed different hybrid shapes; it also evaluated the percentage of correct gender identification of lay people, dentists and dental students.

Materials and Methods

Standardized digital photos were taken from 460 people and analyzed by 3 experts regarding genders and tooth forms: pure basic forms—oval (O), triangular (T), square (S) and rectangular (R); and combined hybrid forms—oval‐rectangular (OR), triangular‐rectangular (TR), triangular‐oval (TO), square‐oval with flat lateral incisors (SOF), and square‐oval with scalloped lateral incisors (SOS). Then, correct gender identification (%) was evaluated among lay people, dentists and dental students (n = 10).

Results

Pure forms showed less prevalence in the population studied (O:6.52%; S:3.48%; T:3.26%; R:2.39%) than hybrid ones (TO:20.87%; SOS:20.65%; OR:19.57%; SOF:16.96%;TR: 6.30%). Tooth gender selection among different evaluators was not significantly different (≈50% correct answers).

Conclusions

No correspondence exists between tooth shapes and patient genders. Pre‐standardized pure tooth forms appeared less than hybrid ones, while the most frequently found in the population studied were TO, SOS, and OR forms, disregarding genders.

Clinical significance

Esthetic perception is an increasingly important criterion critical to satisfy patients. The correlation of reported tooth shapes with specific genders was not reliably observed in natural smiles. Tooth shapes should be selected according to the wishes of the patient rather than by previously believed gender specific tooth shapes. Pure basic tooth forms should be complemented with the addition of combination forms to more accurately portray forms found in nature.
Antibacterial activity of Thymus capitatus and Thymus algeriensis essential oils against four food‐borne pathogens inoculated in minced beef meat
Authors: Jayari Asma , El Abed Nariman , Jouini Ahlem , Mohammed Saed Abdul‐Wahab Osama , Maaroufi Abderrazak , Ben Hadj Ahmed Sami
Published: September 2017

The antibacterial activity of the essential oils extracted from Thymus capitatus and Thymus algeriensis was studied against Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In this study, the disk method showed that T. capitatus EO has a strong antibacterial effect, whereas T. algeriensis EO showed a moderate activity. In addition, the inhibitory effect of both EOs was evaluated against four pathogenic strains inoculated experimentally (108 CFU/g) in the minced beef meat, mixed with different concentrations of EOs, and stored for 15 days. Both EOs at low concentrations (0.01 and 0.05% [vol/wt]) exerted a bacteriostatic effect (p < .001), only against E. coli and S. typhimurium. However, at higher concentrations (1 and 3% [vol/wt]), the bactericidal activity was pronounced (p < .0001), in particular in the case of T. capitatus EO against all strains, except P. aeruginosa. The latter was still present after 15 days of storage, which explains its resistance.

Practical applications

Results from this study were confirmed that both thyme EOs could be considered as a very promising natural preservatives for foods from microbial spoilage in the food industries, also they can serve to inhibit or prevent the growth of food‐borne pathogens.
Statistical Projection of Material Intensity: Evidence from the Global Economy and 107 Countries
Authors: Efthimiou George C. , Kalimeris Panos , Andronopoulos Spyros , Bartzis John G.
Published: September 2017

The material intensity (MI) of the economy remains among the most widely cited indicators in international statistics and reports, evaluating the efficient use and productivity of natural resources in the economic process. In the context of the contemporary economy‐wide material flow accounting framework, the material intensity of a country is evaluated through the estimation of the ratio of the domestic material consumption (DMC) to the gross domestic product (GDP) index (DMC/GDP). Indeed, the essential contribution of natural resources to the economic process requires the establishment of reliable projections of this intricate relationship to the future. These projections may provide critical information to policy makers and practitioners in order to evaluate the future dynamics of the efficient use of natural resources in the production process. Toward this objective, the present study evaluates and proposes an alternative novel methodology for MI statistical projections, based on the beta distribution, by using a deterministic model for predicting the maximum expected values. The parameters of the deterministic model are calculated from the estimated MI of the global economy. The evaluation of the model is then performed by using MI estimates from 107 individual countries. The agreement between the model and the estimates is very good. The proposed method's merit is its simplicity, as by using two statistics of the material intensity (mean and variance) and an integral time scale, it is feasible to calculate the probabilities of the MI of any country with a high degree of confidence.
A Multicountry Perspective on Cultural Competence Among Baccalaureate Nursing Students
Authors: Cruz Jonas Preposi , Aguinaldo Alexis Nacionales , Estacio Joel Casuga , Alotaibi Abdullelah , Arguvanli Sibel , Cayaban Arcalyd Rose Ramos , John Cecily Helen Shaji , Machuca Contreras Felipe Aliro , Hussein Adraa , Idemudia Erhabor Sunday , Mohamed Shihab Aldeen Mourtada , Sebaeng Jeanette
Published: September 2017

Purpose

To assess cultural competence among nursing students from nine countries to provide an international perspective on cultural competence.

Design

A descriptive, cross‐sectional design.

Methods

A convenience sample of 2,163 nursing students from nine countries was surveyed using the Cultural Capacity Scale from April to November 2016.

Results

The study found a moderate range of cultural competence among the students. The ability to teach and guide other nursing colleagues to display culturally appropriate behavior received the highest competence rating, while the ability to discuss differences between the client's health beliefs or behaviors and nursing knowledge with each client received the lowest competence rating. Differences in cultural competence were observed between students from different countries. Country of residence, gender, age, year of study, attendance at cultural‐related training, the experience of taking care of patients from culturally diverse backgrounds and patients belonging to special population groups, and living in a multicultural environment were identified as factors affecting cultural competence.

Conclusions

The international perspective of cultural competence among nursing students provided by this study serves as a vital preview of where nursing education currently stands in terms of providing the necessary preparatory competence in the cultural aspect of care. The variation of cultural competence among nursing students from different nations should serve as a cue for designing a focused yet multimodal nursing education program in guiding them to be culturally sensitive, culturally adaptive, and culturally motivated.

Clinical Relevance

The training of nursing students in providing competent culturally appropriate care should be ensured considering that adequate preparation of nursing students guarantees future competent nursing practice, which can positively impact the nursing profession in any part of the globe.
The Relationship of Person‐Environment Fit to Perceptions of Autonomy, Competency and Satisfaction Among Older Adults with Developmental Disabilities
Authors: Hutchings B. Lynn , Chaplin Erica
Published: September 2017

The overlay of age‐related cognitive and physical impairments onto existing intellectual and physical disabilities, a paucity of informal social relationships, a limited education and low income levels place the current generation of aging adults with intellectual disabilities at risk of premature behavioral limitations and increased dependency. Person‐environment fit and its relationship to perceptions of autonomy, competency, and satisfaction were explored through qualitative data collected from consumers. Face‐to‐face, in home interviews were conducted with 91 consumers who were asked to assess their own ability to carry out self‐care and household tasks. Interviewers then observed consumers performing these tasks. A multi‐stage data analysis process identified emergent themes that included issues related to autonomy versus dependence, belonging versus isolation, residential permanency versus transience, and social inclusion versus exclusion. The study also collected quantitative data, both from consumers and interviewers acting as observers. Consumer ratings of their own ability were consistently lower than observer ratings. Fostering home‐based independence and autonomy among people aging with developmental disabilities are discussed in relation to perspectives on the home environment.
Invasive Clinical Intervention Education for Social Care Support Workers of Adults: A Review of the Current Literature
Authors: Hoyle Louise , Brown Michael , Donaldson Jayne , Karatzias Thanos
Published: September 2017

As with the general population, people with intellectual disabilities are ageing, are living longer often with coexisting complex needs and with more requiring care and support. The focus of care is community‐based rather than institutional and it is therefore necessary to ensure that the workforce responsible for delivering care has the appropriate knowledge and skills to safely deliver the interventions required. The aim of this review is to evaluate the scope of invasive clinical interventions (ICIs) that social care support workers (SCSWs) are currently delivering and the preparation received to undertake these procedures or the knowledge held about the intervention. A search of educational, health, psychology, and social science databases was conducted, using a variety of combinations of search words to detect relevant literature. Only five studies published between 1999 and 2013 were identified and included in the review. The evidence shows that education can improve social carers' knowledge and when education is undertaken it needs to involve both a theoretical and practice‐related component. The current evidence is limited due to the small number of studies identified and the limitations of the study designs that were adopted. More research is required to identify whether ICIs currently being delivered by these SCSWs and the effectiveness and appropriateness of the education staff are receiving in relation to these.
Clinical Characteristics of Dogs with Progressive Myelomalacia Following Acute Intervertebral Disc Extrusion
Authors: Castel A. , Olby N.J. , Mariani C.L. , Muñana K.R. , Early P.J.
Published: September 2017

Background

Progressive myelomalacia (PMM) is a catastrophic disease associated with acute intervertebral disc extrusion (IVDE). Published data on the clinical characteristics of this disease are limited.

Objective

To describe the onset and progression of clinical signs of PMM in a large case cohort.

Animals

Fifty‐one dogs, 18 with histopathologically confirmed PMM, 33 presumptively diagnosed based on clinical signs and diagnostic imaging.

Methods

Retrospective study. Dogs with confirmed IVDE and either a histopathologic diagnosis of PMM or a high clinical suspicion were identified by medical record search. Data on nature and progression of signs were extracted.

Results

Twenty‐four of 51 dogs were Dachshunds. T12–T13 was the most common site of disc extrusion (12 of 56), and 18 of 55 of mid‐to‐caudal lumbar discs (between L3 and L6) were affected. Onset of PMM signs ranged from present at first evaluation (17/51) to 5 days after presentation, with 25 of 51 cases developing signs within 48 hours. Progression of signs from onset of PMM to euthanasia or death, excluding 7 cases euthanized at presentation, ranged from 1 to 13 days with 23 being euthanized within 3 days. Nonspecific systemic signs were documented in 30 of 51 dogs.

Conclusion and Clinical Importance

The majority of dogs developed PMM within 2 days of presentation and was euthanized within another 3 days. However, onset can be delayed up to 5 days after presentation with progression to euthanasia taking as long as 2 weeks. Mid‐to‐caudal lumbar discs might be associated with an increased risk of PMM.
Maternal plasma cholesterol and duration of pregnancy: A prospective cohort study in Ghana
Authors: Oaks Brietta M. , Stewart Christine P. , Laugero Kevin D. , Adu‐Afarwuah Seth , Lartey Anna , Vosti Stephen A. , Ashorn Per , Dewey Kathryn G.
Published: September 2017

Low plasma cholesterol may be associated with preterm birth; however, results are mixed and limited primarily to high‐income countries. Our objective was to determine whether maternal plasma lipid concentrations are associated with pregnancy duration. We performed a nested cohort (n = 320) study of pregnant Ghanaian women enrolled in a randomized controlled trial. Total cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C), low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglyceride concentrations were analyzed in plasma at ≤20and 36 weeks gestation as continuous variables and also categorized into low, referent, or high (<10th, 10th–90th, >90th percentile). At ≤20 weeks, plasma lipid concentrations were not associated with pregnancy duration. At 36 weeks, total cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations were not associated with pregnancy duration. Higher HDL‐C at 36 weeks was associated with a longer pregnancy duration (adjusted β‐coefficient ± standard error: 0.05 ± 0.02 days mg−1/dL,p = .02); pregnancy duration was 5.9 ± 2.0 (mean ± standard error) days shorter among women with low HDL‐C compared with the referent group (10th–90th percentile) (p = .02) and 8.6 ± 2.6 days shorter when compared with the high HDL‐C group (p = .003). Pregnancy duration was 4.9 ± 2.1 days longer among women with low low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol at 36 weeks gestation when compared with the referent group (p = .051). Our data suggest that low HDL‐C in the third trimester of pregnancy is associated with a shorter duration of pregnancy in this study population but do not support the hypothesis that low total cholesterol is associated with a shorter pregnancy duration.
Jumping genes: Genomic ballast or powerhouse of biological diversification
Authors: Choudhury Rimjhim Roy , Parisod Christian
Published: September 2017

Studying hybridization has the potential to elucidate challenging questions in evolutionary biology such as the nature of adaptive genetic variation and reproductive isolation. A growing body of work highlights that the merging of divergent genomes goes beyond the reshuffling of standing variation from related species and promotes mutations (Abbott et al., ). However, to what extent such genome instability generates evolutionary significant variation remains largely elusive. In this issue of Molecular Ecology, Dennenmoser et al. () report considerable dynamics of transposable elements (TEs) in a recent invasive fish species of hybrid origin (Cottus; Figure ). It adds to the recent examples from plants to support TE‐specific genome variation following hybridization. Insights from early, as well as established, hybrids are largely coherent with increased TE activity, and this fish system thus represents an inspiring opportunity to further address the possible association between genome dynamics and “rapid evolution of hybrid species.” This work based on genome (re)sequencing contrasts with prior transcriptomics or PCR‐based studies of TEs and illustrates how unprecedented amount of information promises a better understanding of the multiple patterns of variation across eukaryotic genomes; provided that we get the better of methodological advances. As discussed here, unbiased assessment of TE variation from genome surveys indeed remains a challenge precluding firm conclusions to be reached about the evolutionary significance of TEs. Despite methodological and conceptual developments that appear necessary to unambiguously uncover the unexplored iceberg below the known tip, the role of coding genes vs. TEs in promoting adaptation and speciation might be clarified in a not so remote future.