bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reforming post‐Communist bureaucracies: The effect of transitional justice
Authors: Kostadinova Tatiana , Neshkova Milena I.
Published: July 2019

Observers of post‐Communist politics recognize that civil service reform, an important part of the institutional transformation in Eastern Europe, was initiated at a very uneven pace. Hungary and Poland adopted changes quickly after the fall of Communism, while Romania and Slovakia waited longer. How can one explain the timing of civil service reform after 1989? Previous research blames a number of factors but inconsistencies between predictions and actual outcomes warrant a more thorough investigation. What has been overlooked, we argue, are the policies of transitional justice that altered the costs and benefits for elites to keep the institutional status quo. The empirical analysis reveals that when in place, lustration by vetting of public officials reduced the likelihood of passing a civil service reform act. This effect is conditioned by the legislative strength of ex‐Communist parties, as demonstrated by results from logistic regression tests on data from 11 countries.
Relationship of Migraine and Tension‐Type Headache With Hypothyroidism: A Literature Review
Authors: Spanou Ioanna , Bougea Anastasia , Liakakis George , Rizonaki Konstantina , Anagnostou Evangelos , Duntas Leonidas , Kararizou Evangelia
Published: July 2019

Background

Migraine, tension‐type headache, and hypothyroidism constitute very common medical conditions. Headache is one of the most common symptoms of hypothyroidism, occurring in approximately one‐third of the patients. To date, data about the relationship between migraine and tension‐type headache and thyroid dysfunction, and in particular hypothyroidism have been contradictory, while the underlying pathophysiological basis explaining this association is still unclear.

Objective

In this review, we investigated the association between primary headaches and hypothyroidism, with the aim of shedding light on its pathophysiological basis.

Methods

We conducted a systematic search in the MEDLINE database using both subject headings and keywords for headache, migraine, tension‐type headache, thyroid hormones, and hypothyroidism, and we also examined manually the reference lists of all articles that met the inclusion criteria. Included studies were related to headache and thyroid disease comorbidity, with emphasis on hypothyroidism (ideally demonstrated by hormonal measurements), and with the term headache including migraine, tension‐type headache, and headache attributed to hypothyroidism (HAH) based on the International Classification of Headache Disorders IIIb. Quality of studies was assessed by the Newcastle‐Ottawa scale.

Results

Of a total of 640 identified articles, 9 studies were included. Overall, there was vast heterogeneity across the included studies concerning population, study design and outcomes. Two studies investigated the HAH, with emphasis on the clinical characteristics of headache (time of onset, localization, quality, intensity, and response to hormonal replacement treatment). Five studies investigated comorbidity between migraine and thyroid disorders, especially hypothyroidism, and in the majority of them a positive association was demonstrated. One study found that headache, and particularly migraine, may increase the risk of developing hypothyroidism. Finally, only 1 study on chronic tension‐type headache found coexistence of migraine and hypoactivity of the hypothalamus‐pituitary‐thyroid axis. The strengths and limitations of these studies are analyzed and possible pathophysiological mechanisms are suggested.

Conclusions

The existing data are considered inadequate to answer with certainty the relationship between headaches and thyroid disorders. According to our analysis, it seems that suggestions for a possible bidirectional association between headaches and especially migraine and hypothyroidism could exist. It hence lays the foundation for further research into the aforementioned association and its pathogenesis via large prospective multicenter studies.
Parent escalation of care for the deteriorating child in hospital: A health‐care improvement study
Authors: Gill Fenella J. , Leslie Gavin D. , Marshall Andrea P.
Published: July 2019

Objective

To evaluate the implementation of an intervention for parents to escalate care if concerned about their child's clinical condition.

Design

Mixed‐methods health‐care improvement approach guided by the Theoretical Domains Framework.

Methods

Implementation of the ‘Calling for Help’ (C4H) intervention was informed by previously identified barriers and facilitators. Evaluation involved audit, review of clinical deterioration incidents, interviews and focus groups.

Setting

Australian specialist paediatric hospital.

Participants

Convenience sample of 75 parents from inpatient areas during the audit, interviews with ten parents who had expressed concern about their child's clinical condition; five focus groups with 35 ward nurses.

Main outcome measures

Parent awareness and utilization of C4H, parent and nurse views of factors influencing implementation.

Results

Parent awareness of C4H improved to 35% (25/75). Parent concern was documented prior to 21/174 (12%) clinical deterioration events. All interviewed parents and nurses who participated in focus groups were positive about C4H. Parents preferred to be informed about C4H by nurses, but nurses described this as time‐consuming and selectively chose parents who they believed would benefit most. Parents and nurses described frustrations with and trepidation in escalating care. Nurses had used C4H to expedite urgent medical review.

Conclusions

There was an improvement in the level of parent awareness of C4H, which was viewed positively by parents and nurses alike. To achieve a high level of parent awareness in a sustainable way, a multifaceted approach is required. Further strategies will be required for parents to feel confident enough to use C4H and to address interprofessional communication barriers.
Lynch syndrome screening in gynaecological cancers: results of an international survey with recommendations for uniform reporting terminology for mismatch repair immunohistochemistry results
Authors: Ryan Neil , Wall Johanna , Crosbie Emma J , Arends Mark , Bosse Tjalling , Arif Saimah , Faruqi Asma , Frayling Ian , Ganesan Raji , Hock Ye L , McMahon Raymond , Manchanda Ranjit , McCluggage W Glenn , Mukonoweshuro Pinias , van Schalkwyk Gerhard , Side Lucy , Smith John H , Tanchel Bruce , Evans D Gareth , Gilks C Blake , Singh Naveena
Published: July 2019

Aims

Lynch syndrome (LS) is associated with an increased risk of developing endometrial carcinoma (EC) and ovarian carcinoma (OC). There is considerable variability in current practices and opinions related to screening of newly diagnosed patients with EC/OC for LS. An online survey was undertaken to explore the extent of these differences.

Methods and results

An online questionnaire was developed by a panel of experts and sent to all members of the British Association of Gynaecological Pathologists (BAGP) and the International Society of Gynecological Pathologists (ISGyP). Anonymised results were received and analysed. Thirty‐six BAGP and 44 ISGyP members completed the survey. More than 90% of respondents were aware of the association of LS with both EC and OC, but 34% were not aware of specific guidelines for LS screening. Seventy‐one per cent of respondents agreed that universal screening for LS should be carried out in all newly diagnosed EC cases, with immunohistochemistry (IHC) alone as the preferred approach. Only 36% of respondents currently performed IHC or microsatellite instability testing on all newly diagnosed EC cases, with most of the remaining respondents practising selective screening, based on clinical or pathological features or both. A significant minority of respondents (35%) believed that patient consent was required before performance of mismatch repair (MMR) protein IHC. Almost all respondents favoured the use of standardised terminology for reporting MMR protein staining results, and this is proposed herein.

Conclusion

There is wide support for universal LS screening in patients with EC, but this survey highlights areas of considerable variation in practice.
Morphometric characteristics of feminine eyebrows: variations with ethnicities and age
Authors: Flament F. , Seyrek I. , Francois G. , Zhu T. , Ye C. , Saint‐Leger D.
Published: July 2019

Objective

To explore some morphological features of the eyebrows of women of different ethnicities and ages.

Materials and Methods

Standard digital photographs of 3600 women of six ethnicities, aged 18–84 years, previously used to describe the morphology of the human eyes, allowed us to focus on their eyebrows, as supplementary and opportunistic study. Photographs of both eyebrows were analysed partly by manual markings and automatically by dedicated algorithms. Six parameters of the eyebrows were recorded: length, waviness/curvature, oblique aspect, size (vertical height), total surface and hair coverage (density).

Results

Most criteria present ethnic specificities. These are: length (longer eyebrows of Indian, shorter among African women); waviness where the straighter eyebrows were found among Chinese and Japanese women. In general, the longer the eyebrows, the higher their waviness and vice versa. Thickness (or height) of the eyebrows presents a wide ethnic variability as well as hair coverage, where African women present the lower hair density, inversely to Indian women. The same holds true with regard to the total surface of eyebrows, of a large variability (by about four times). Some criteria appear more individually dependent than ethnic‐specific, such as the oblique positioning, at the exception of Indian women with less oblique eyebrows. In all subjects, the criteria of both eyebrows (Left vs. Right) were found to be highly correlated (r > 0.7, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

The present investigation brings new findings on a scarcely studied facial element, the morphologic features of which are, for most, ethnic‐dependent. As applied consequences, the results of the present work pave the road to better adapt adorning procedures of the eyebrows vis‐à‐vis ethnic and age specificities.
Assessing the impact of an aerial chronic urban pollution (UP) on some facial signs of differently‐aged Chinese men
Authors: Flament F. , Ye C. , Amar D.
Published: July 2019

Objective

To assess the impact of an aerial chronic urban pollution (UP) on the severities of some facial signs of Chinese men living in two close but differently polluted Chinese cities.

Materials and Methods

Standardized digital photographs were taken on 201 subjects from two cohorts of Chinese men (100 inhabitants of Baoding/very polluted and 101 inhabitants of Dalian/less polluted) differently aged (20–60 years) allowing a focus on 17 different facial signs. The latter were graded by 15 experts, using a clinical referential skin atlas. A questionnaire was filled by all subjects collecting their habits and uses with regard sun‐exposures and skincare products. A naïve panel of 80 Chinese women, of comparable ages, attributed a perceived age to each subject under blind conditions.

Results

These confirm previous data obtained on Chinese women, with a similar protocol, i.e. that some facial signs show an increased severity in the more polluted city. However, changes in facial signs, with age, are of a different pattern according to gender. In Chinese men, most signs show early onsets with however low age‐related changes, inversely to those observed in women, at the exception of vascular disorders. Habits of sun‐exposures and uses of skincare product were found totally similar in both cohorts, reinforcing the specific role of UP in the progressive changes of facial signs. Similar to the results previously obtained on Chinese women, men living in a more polluted city were judged older than those living in a less polluted aerial environment.

Conclusion

The present work confirms that a more severe UP increases the severities of some facial signs in Chinese men.
Projecting the future size of the Lebanese pharmacy workforce: forecasts until the year 2050
Authors: Hallit Souheil , Sacre Hala , Hajj Aline , Sili Georges , Zeenny Rony M , Salameh Pascale
Published: July 2019

Background

Despite the rigorous regulations governing the pharmacy profession in Lebanon, the increasing numbers of pharmacy graduates seem to be the greatest threat of demise. No forecast is available to assess the long-term projections of pharmacists supply.

Objective

The objective of this manuscript is to project the future size of the Lebanese pharmacy workforce till 2050 and discuss their potential consequences on the labour market.

Methods

This study was carried out in collaboration with the Lebanese Order of Pharmacists (OPL), where official numbers were retrieved from the registered pharmacists’ database from 2006 to 2017. The data were analyzed as time series using the Auto-Regressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) method. Projected numbers were plotted using Microsoft Excel office.

Results

The ratio of pharmacists to 10 000 inhabitants up till the end of 2017 was estimated at 17.52, compared with a worldwide mean of 5.09, with a continuous increase seen with the coming years, possibly reaching an estimated 41.17 pharmacists per 10 000 inhabitants by the year 2050. The total number of pharmacies increased from 1546 in 2006 up to 3174 at the end of 2017 nationwide, with a major increase seen in Bekaa (206.35%) and South Lebanon (171.08%) governorates, respectively.

Conclusion

Our study shows that the dramatic increase in pharmacy graduates will worsen with time. To curb it, it is important to vote and apply new laws, and initiate a collaborative work between academia, professional associations, and employers from all sectors to find innovative solutions.
Changing the current health system's vision for disease prevention and health promotion
Authors: Madjar B. , Shachaf S. , Zlotnick C.
Published: July 2019

Aim

Using the case of Israel, we examine the confluence of current philosophies of health care along with the historical trends of health promotion/disease prevention services to consider strategies for increasing inclusiveness and for updating and improving their service delivery.

Background

Health services in Israel are at a crossroads. Plans to integrate the historic, nurse‐operated, nationwide programme, providing health promotion/disease prevention services to pregnant women and young children for all residents (Tipat Halav) into the National Health Service System's existing Sickness Funds are under discussion.

Sources of evidence

Using a discourse approach, this paper examines the current and historical context of health promotion/disease prevention services. Our history shows an increasingly treatment‐based perspective and dwindling support for inclusive services. In the current health system, Tipat Halav nurses solely provide inclusive health promotion/disease prevention services to pregnant women and young children. Informed by the World Health Organization, a reorientation to health promotion/disease prevention is essential in an ageing society where chronic rather than infectious diseases are the reigning health problems.

Conclusion

Israel needs to reorganize the health system using a public health approach that both incorporates existing structures and establishes new ones, such as creating a network to elicit community input, and instituting nurse‐operated clinics designed to provide health promotion/disease prevention services for all ages and all residents.

Implications for health and nursing policy

The newly created health system framework demands activism among all health professionals to legislate for an inclusive, holistic orientation. Master's level clinical programmes in community health nursing are vital to ensure the provision of optimal health promotion/disease prevention services.
Fluoroscopy‐guided axillary vein access vs cephalic vein access in pacemaker and defibrillator implantation: Randomized clinical trial of efficacy and safety
Authors: Jiménez‐Díaz Javier , Higuera‐Sobrino Felipe , Piqueras‐Flores Jesús , Pérez‐Díaz Pedro , González‐Marín María Arantzazu
Published: July 2019

Introduction

The most widespread venous sites of access for implantation intravenous implantable cardiac electronic device (CIED) are the cephalic and subclavian vein. Fluoroscopy‐guided axillary venous access is an alternative, but efficacy and safety have not been studied under equal conditions. The aim of the present study is to compare the efficacy and safety of fluoroscopy‐guided axillary vs cephalic vein access in CIED implant.

Methods and Results

Two hundred and forty patients were randomized to receive CIED implantation by the fluoroscopy‐guided axillary vein access vs cephalic vein access. The implantation success, the procedure times and the complications were recorded. A comparison of the results of operators was made. The success rate of the randomized venous access was superior in the axillary group than in cephalic (98.3% vs 76.7%, P < .001). Time to access (6.8 ± 3.1 minute vs 13.1 ± 5.8 minutes, P < .001) and implantation duration was significantly shorter in the axillary group than in the cephalic group (42.3 ± 11.6 minutes vs 50.5 ± 13.3 minutes, P < .001). There was no difference in the incidence of complication and inter‐operator success rate, complications rate and time to access.

Conclusion

The fluoroscopy‐guided axillary venous access is safe and has a better success rate and faster execution time compared with the cephalic vein access. When the results were compared among the study operators, neither in the axillary nor in the cephalic group there were differences in the success rate, the complication rate, and the time to access.

Trial Registration: www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT03860090
Differences in the electrophysiological findings of repeat ablation between patients who first underwent cryoballoon ablation and radiofrequency catheter ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation
Authors: Inamura Yukihiro , Nitta Junichi , Inaba Osamu , Kono Toshikazu , Ikenouchi Takashi , Murata Kazuya , Takamiya Tomomasa , Sato Akira , Matsumura Yutaka , Takahashi Yoshihide , Goya Masahiko , Hirao Kenzo
Published: July 2019

Introduction

Several studies have revealed that second‐generation cryoballoon (CB)‐based pulmonary vein (PV) isolation is noninferior to radiofrequency (RF)‐based PV isolation for patients with drug‐refractory paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF). However, electrophysiological differences in repeat ablation remain unclear.

Methods and Results

This study examined electrophysiological differences during the repeat ablation between patients who first underwent RF catheter ablation and CB ablation; PV durability and non‐PV AF foci were assessed for these patients. We enrolled 919 and 491 patients who underwent CB ablation (CB group) and RF catheter ablation (RF group), respectively, for paroxysmal AF between January 2013 and June 2017 at our institution. PV isolation using RF ablation involved the left atrium (LA) antrum and part of the LA posterior wall. After 2 years of follow‐up, 62 and 80 patients in the CB and RF groups, respectively, underwent repeat ablation. PV reconnections were more frequent in the RF group than in the CB group (left superior PV: 46.2% and 14.5%, P < .001; left inferior PV: 35.0% and 11.2%,
P = .001; right superior PV: 40.0% and 22.6%,
P = .031; right inferior PV: 36.2% and 19.4%,
P = .039; PVs: 39.8% and 16.9%,
P < .001). LA AF foci were more frequent in the CB group than in the RF group (27.4% and 7.5%;
P = .002). Other non‐PV foci were prevalent in both groups.

Conclusion

Fewer LA‐PV reconnections occurred with CB ablation. However, extensive PV isolation may eliminate many LA AF foci.
Lesion distribution after cryoballoon ablation and hotballoon ablation: Late‐gadolinium enhancement magnetic resonance imaging analysis
Authors: Akita Tomomi , Kiuchi Kunihiko , Fukuzawa Koji , Shimane Akira , Matsuyama Sonoko , Takami Mitsuru , Kurose Jun , Oonishi Hiroyuki , Shigeru Mayumi , Nagamatsu Yu‐Ichi , Suehiro Hideya , Takemoto Makoto , Nakamura Toshihiro , Sakai Jun , Yatomi Atsusuke , Mori Shumpei , Shimoyama Shinsuke , Negi Noriyuki , Kyotani Katsusuke , Hirata Ken‐Ichi
Published: July 2019

Introduction

Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) lesions after cryoballoon ablation (CBA) are wide and continuous, however, the distribution can depend on the pulmonary vein (PV) size. We sought to assess the relationship between the lesion distribution and PV size after CBA and hotballoon ablation (HBA).

Methods and Results

A total of 80 consecutive patients who underwent PVI were enrolled (40 with CBA). The lesions were visualized by late‐gadolinium enhancement magnetic resonance imaging. The lesion width, lesion gaps, and distance from the PV ostium (PVos) to distal lesion edge (DLE) were assessed. If the DLE extended inside the PV, the value was expressed as a negative value. Although the lesion width was significantly wider in the CB group (7.8 ± 2.0 vs 4.9 ± 1.0 mm, P < .001), the number of lesion gaps was significantly less in the HB group (2.9 ± 2.4 vs 1.3 ± 1.4 gaps, P = .001). The distance from the PVos to DLE was a negative value in both groups, but the impact was significantly greater (−1.5 ± 1.8 vs −0.2 ± 1.2 mm, P < .001) and negatively correlated with PV size in the CB group, but not in HB group (r = −0.27, P = .007). The AF recurrence 12 months after the procedure did not differ (5 [12.5%] of 40 in the CB group vs 4 [10%] of 40 in the HB group, P = .695).

Conclusions

The PVI lesions after HBA were characterized by (a) narrower, but (b) more continuous, (c) smaller lesion inside the PV, and (d) irrespective of PV size as compared to that after CBA.
Performance of Person‐Fit Statistics Under Model Misspecification
Authors: Hong Seong Eun , Monroe Scott , Falk Carl F.
Published: July 2019

In educational and psychological measurement, a person‐fit statistic (PFS) is designed to identify aberrant response patterns. For parametric PFSs, valid inference depends on several assumptions, one of which is that the item response theory (IRT) model is correctly specified. Previous studies have used empirical data sets to explore the effects of model misspecification on PFSs. We further this line of research by using a simulation study, which allows us to explore issues that may be of interest to practitioners. Results show that, depending on the generating and analysis item models, Type I error rates at fixed values of the latent variable may be greatly inflated, even when the aggregate rates are relatively accurate. Results also show that misspecification is most likely to affect PFSs for examinees with extreme latent variable scores. Two empirical data analyses are used to illustrate the importance of model specification.
Effect of a 7‐day acute inpatient neurophysiotherapy service on physiotherapy provision, length of stay, and patient experience
Authors: McGlinchey Mark P. , Buttery Charlotte
Published: July 2019

Rationale, aims, and objectives

National policy, guided by research, suggests several patient and service benefits achieved by providing 7‐day health care. Therefore, a 7‐day inpatient neurophysiotherapy service was introduced at a large teaching hospital in London. The study's aim was to evaluate the effect of the 7‐day service on physiotherapy provision, length of stay (LOS), and patient experience.

Method

Baseline data from the 5‐day service were collected for 6 months. Data included time to first neurophysiotherapy assessment, average number of sessions per week, total number of physiotherapy minutes provided, physiotherapy LOS, and hospital LOS. Once 7‐day working (7DW) commenced, involving daily physiotherapy for all patients applicable for physiotherapy, data were collected for 6 months and compared with the 5‐day service. Patient and carer feedback were also obtained through structured interviews from a sample of patients and their carers.

Results

Data from 286 patients (148 patients pre and 138 patients post 7DW) were analysed. Post 7DW, the percentage of patients seen by a physiotherapist within 24 hours increased from 69.9% to 94.9%. Patients also received more physiotherapy sessions per week during their hospital LOS. For demographically similar patients, physiotherapy LOS (24.8‐17.4 d, P = .02) and total hospital LOS (32‐23.4 d, P = .04) significantly reduced. Twenty‐four structured interviews were completed (17 patients and seven carers). Carers preferred a 7‐day physiotherapy service as it was perceived to provide more physiotherapy for patients. However, patients valued the consistency of seeing the same therapist during the 5‐day service, as this was perceived to develop therapeutic relationships and result in faster treatment progression.

Conclusions

This study has demonstrated that 7DW can improve timely access to more intensive physiotherapy whilst reducing LOS for demographically similar patients. Whilst patients and carers liked having daily physiotherapy, consideration is required to ensure consistency of therapists treating patients.
Histopathological changes induced by the digenean intestinal parasite Masenia nkomatiensis Dumbo, Dos Santos, & Avenant‐Oldewage, 2019 of the catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell) from Incomati Basin, Mozambique
Authors: Dumbo José Chissiua , Avenant‐Oldewage Annemariè
Published: July 2019

The intestines of 154 Clarias gariepinus were examined of which 29 were naturally infected with Masenia nkomatiensis, and of these, seven (intensity ranging from 8 to 231) were examined for pathology. Destruction of the epithelium covering the villi, detachment of epithelial cells and parts of villi were observed. Excessive mucus secretion occurred in the vicinity of the worm and catarrh was observed, indicative of an inflammatory response. The number of mucous and mast cells was higher at the attachment site than at an area 5,000 µm away and in uninfected individuals, suggesting that the parasite triggered a localized innate immune response. The number of neutrophils, basophils and lymphocytes in infected tissue was not significantly different from uninfected tissue confirming that no acquired immune response was produced against the maseniid. The caecae in the anterior part of the parasites' intestine consisted of convoluted epithelium forming invaginations or “crypts.” Contraction of the thick layer of circular muscle fibres of the caeca facilitates the movement of digested material. Observation of digested host cells and cell debris within the caecae provides further evidence that M. nkomatiensis is consuming host cells.
Extraordinary grip strength and specialized myology in the hyper‐derived hand of Perodicticus potto?
Authors: Boettcher Marissa L. , Leonard Kaitlyn C. , Dickinson Edwin , Herrel Anthony , Hartstone‐Rose Adam
Published: July 2019

Previous behavioral reports of the African lorisid, Perodicticus potto, have speculated that these animals have an extraordinary grip strength. This ability is hypothesized to be facilitated by a range of anatomical features within the forelimb, ranging from the presence of a retia mirabilia in its wrist to the hyper‐abduction of its pollex. Despite numerous behavioral reports, however, this claim of extraordinary grip strength has not been empirically substantiated. This study quantifies the physiological cross‐sectional area of the digital flexor muscles within P. potto. These data are compared with a broad primate sample, including several similarly sized strepsirrhines. Contrary to expectation, we found that P. potto actually has relatively below‐average digital flexor PCSA. However, we identified other myological characteristics in the upper limb of P. potto that were unexpected, including the largest brachioradialis muscle (an elbow flexor) among our primate sample, and – despite P. potto having only a vestigial second digit – an independent digital extensor indicis that is absent in almost a quarter of our primate sample.
Global sex differences in personality: Replication with an open online dataset
Authors: Kaiser Tim , Del Giudice Marco , Booth Tom
Published: July 2019

Objective

Sex differences in personality are a matter of continuing debate. In a study on the United States standardization sample of Cattell's 16PF (fifth edition), Del Giudice and colleagues (2012; PLoS ONE, 7, e29265) estimated global sex differences in personality with multigroup covariance and mean structure analysis. The study found a surprisingly large multivariate effect, D = 2.71. Here we replicated the original analysis with an open online dataset employing an equivalent version of the 16PF.

Method

We closely replicated the original MG‐MCSA analysis on N = 21,567 U.S. participants (63% females, age 16–90); for robustness, we also analyzed N = 31,637 participants across English‐speaking countries (61% females, age 16–90).

Results

The size of global sex differences was D = 2.06 in the United States and D = 2.10 across English‐speaking countries. Parcel‐allocation variability analysis showed that results were robust to changes in parceling (U.S.: median D = 2.09, IQR [1.89, 2.37]; English‐speaking countries: median D = 2.17, IQR [1.98, 2.47]).

Conclusions

Our results corroborate the original study (with a comparable if somewhat smaller effect size) and provide new information on the impact of parcel allocation. We discuss the implications of these and similar findings for the psychology of sex differences.
Looking on the bright side of life: Gratitude and experiences of interpersonal transgressions in adulthood and daily life
Authors: Stieger Mirjam , Hill Patrick L. , Allemand Mathias
Published: July 2019

Objective

Gratitude plays an important role in individual and social well‐being. However, less is known about the link between gratitude and experiences of interpersonal stressors. The current research examined the associations between gratitude and interpersonal transgressions.

Method

One cross‐sectional study with a broad age range and two daily diary studies (total N = 2,348; total age range: 18–91) were used to test the associations on the between‐ and within‐person level.

Results

A consistent result across all studies was that dispositionally grateful individuals tended to report fewer interpersonal transgressions than less grateful people. In turn, people who generally reported more interpersonal transgressions were less grateful in daily life. Moreover, higher gratitude on one specific day was associated with fewer reported transgressions on the same day. However, the results from the daily diary studies indicated differences between the samples. Whereas gratitude was consistently associated with interpersonal transgressions in one daily diary sample, the findings in the second daily diary sample were less consistent.

Conclusion

The present findings suggest that grateful people tend to perceive their social exchanges differently and/or actually experience fewer interpersonal transgressions. Future work is needed to test the underlying mechanisms of this negative association.
Common ground among beech forest development stages: Matrix versus stage‐typical live tree structure
Authors: Peck JeriLynn E. , Zenner Eric K.
Published: July 2019

Questions

Doubt has recently been shed on the validity of the European patch mosaic‐forest life cycle model involving the assignment of stages of development to natural forests. To partially explain the inconsistency in development stage assignment, we ask: does the high neighborhood‐scale structural heterogeneity inherent to old‐growth beech forests subject to small‐scale gap dynamics transcend development stages?

Location

Natural Oriental beech (Fagus orientalisLipsky) forests in four regions of the Elborz Mountain range in northern Iran.

Methods

Natural tree neighborhoods at three different scales (ca. 112, 508, and 1,228 m2) were identified within 1.0 ha plots in each of the three main development stages (Initial, Optimum, Decay) in each region using the spatially explicit Delaunay‐triangulation‐based floating neighborhood approach. The diameter distribution across all neighborhoods in all three stages was summarized using Principal Components Analysis. Neighborhoods exhibiting shared structure among stages were identified as those within one standard deviation of the centroid of the 2D ordination space.

Results

Shared neighborhoods, which were highly heterogeneous with a weakly rotated sigmoid size class structure, were found to consistently occur in ca. 10%–20% of neighborhoods in all three development stages. Only neighborhoods more than one, and particularly more than two, standard deviations from the centroid differed among development stages in size class structure, with stage‐typical distributions observed in each development stage (i.e., negative exponential in the Initial stage, normal in the Optimum, and bimodal in the Decay).

Conclusions

Regardless of development stage, forested beech stands subject to a small‐scale disturbance regime share a common core of tree neighborhoods with similar, heterogeneous live tree structure. We conjecture that this structure reflects temporal and spatial variation in gap dynamics, with variously aged but relatively newer gap patches with relatively high within‐patch homogeneity nested within a matrix of the highly heterogeneous neighborhoods that develop in the absence of recent disturbance.
The impact of neonatal unit policies on breast milk feeding at discharge of moderate preterm infants: The EPIPAGE‐2 cohort study
Authors: Mitha Ayoub , Piedvache Aurélie , Khoshnood Babak , Fresson Jeanne , Glorieux Isabelle , Roué Jean‐Michel , Blondel Béatrice , Durox Mélanie , Burguet Antoine , Ancel Pierre‐Yves , Kaminski Monique , Pierrat Véronique
Published: July 2019

Facilitating factors and barriers to breast milk feeding (BMF) for preterm infants have been mainly studied in very preterm populations, but little is known about moderate preterm infants. We aimed to analyze hospital unit characteristics and BMF policies associated with BMF at discharge for infants born at 32 to 34 weeks' gestation. EPIPAGE‐2, a French national cohort of preterm births, included 883 infants born at 32 to 34 weeks' gestation. We investigated kangaroo care in the first 24 hr, early involvement of parents in feeding support, volume of the unit, BMF information given to mothers hospitalized for threatened preterm delivery, protocols for BMF, presence of a professional trained in human lactation, unit training in neurodevelopmental care, and regional BMF initiation rates in the general population. Multilevel logistic regression analysis was used to investigate associations between unit policies and BMF at discharge, adjusted for individual characteristics and estimating odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Overall, 59% (490/828) of infants received BMF at discharge (27% to 87% between units). Rates of BMF at discharge were higher with kangaroo care (adjusted OR 2.03 [95% CI 1.01, 4.10]), early involvement of parents in feeding support (1.94 [1.23, 3.04]), unit training in a neurodevelopmental care programme (2.57 [1.18, 5.60]), and in regions with a high level of BMF initiation in the general population (1.85 [1.05, 3.28]). Creating synergies by interventions at the unit and population level may reduce the variability in BMF rates at discharge for moderate preterm infants.
Jackhammer esophagus with and without esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction demonstrates altered neural control resembling type 3 achalasia
Authors: Quader Farhan , Mauro Aurelio , Savarino Edoardo , Tolone Salvatore , de Bortoli Nicola , Franchina Marianna , Ghisa Matteo , Edelman Krista , Jha Lokesh K. , Penagini Roberto , Gyawali C. Prakash
Published: July 2019

Background

Esophageal hypercontractility can manifest with and without esophagogastric junction (EGJ) outflow obstruction. We investigated clinical presentations and motility patterns in patients with esophageal hypercontractile disorders.

Methods

Esophageal HRM studies fulfilling Chicago Classification 3.0 criteria for jackhammer esophagus (distal contractile integral, DCI >8000 mmHg.cm.s in ≥ 20% swallows) with (n = 30) and without (n = 83) EGJ obstruction (integrated relaxation pressure, IRP > 15 mm Hg) were retrospectively reviewed from five centers (4 in Europe, 1 in US). Single swallows (SS) and multiple rapid swallows (MRS) were analyzed using HRM software tools (IRP, DCI, distal latency, DL); MRS: SS DCI ratio >1 defined contraction reserve. Comparison groups were achalasia type 3 (n = 72, positive control for abnormal inhibition and EGJ obstruction) and healthy controls (n = 18). Symptoms, HRM metrics, and MRS contraction reserve were analyzed within jackhammer subgroups and comparison groups.

Key Results

The esophageal smooth muscle was excessively stimulated at baseline in jackhammer subgroups, with lack of augmentation following MRS identified more often compared with controls (P = .003) and type 3 achalasia (P = .07). Consistently abnormal inhibition was identified in type 3 achalasia (47%), and to a lower extent in jackhammer with obstruction (37%, P = .33), jackhammer esophagus (28%, P = .01), and controls (11%, P < .01 compared with type 3 achalasia). Perceptive symptoms (heartburn, chest pain) were common in jackhammer esophagus (P < .01 compared with type 3 achalasia), while transit symptoms (dysphagia) were more frequent with presence of EGJ obstruction (P ≤ .01 compared with jackhammer without obstruction).

Conclusions and inferences

The balance of excessive excitation and abnormal inhibition defines clinical and manometric manifestations in esophageal hypercontractile disorders.
Hybridization and a loss of sex shape genome‐wide diversity and the origin of species in the evening primroses (Oenothera, Onagraceae)
Authors: Hollister Jesse D. , Greiner Stephan , Johnson Marc T. J. , Wright Stephen I.
Published: July 2019

Hybridization is thought to promote speciation in at least two ways – by fixation of heterozygosity from diploid progenitors in allopolyploids, and by generation of transgressive phenotypes and shifting fitness optima during homoploid hybrid speciation. While recent studies support a hybrid origin for a growing number of species, the extent to which hybrid origins shape patterns of diversity in asexual species remains underexplored.

Here we employed transcriptome sequencing and population genomic analysis to describe patterns of genomic variation in the 13 species belonging to Oenothera subsection Oenothera. Eight of these species are functionally asexual and arose by hybrid speciation from parents spanning a range of phylogenetic divergence.

We showed that genomic divergence between parents has been retained as heterozygosity in functionally asexual species, and that genome‐wide levels of heterozygosity in these asexuals largely reflects the divergence of parental haplotypes coupled with a breakdown in recombination and segregation across the genome.

These results show that divergence between parental species and loss of sex in hybrids shape patterns of whole‐genome diversity and the origin of asexual species.
Innovation as a policy strategy for natural resource protection
Authors: Peterson Jeffrey M.
Published: July 2019

Growing global food demands place major strains on water resources, including quality impairments and increased water scarcity. Drawing on the largely separate bodies of literature on externalities and technological innovation, this article develops a dynamic framework to explore the long‐term impacts of alternative policy approaches to the agricultural impacts on water resources. Environmental policies, which focus on correcting environmental externalities, lead to an overall gain because costs to farmers are more than offset by reduced environmental damages. Technology policies, which direct public investments into agricultural eco‐innovations, lead to benefits for farmers as well as the environment. Joint implementation of both types of policies leads to the largest overall gain. In principle, a technology policy alone could have greater environmental benefits than an environmental policy alone. This outcome is most likely in cases where the productivity effect of new technology is large and the cost of research is low.

Recommendations for research managers

As an alternative to traditional environmental policy, investments in research can provide win–win solutions that benefit the environment and agricultural producers.

Conceivably, eco‐innovations could lead to environmental conditions that are better than those achieved by environmental policy alone.

Adding research investments to existing environmental policy would lead to further improvements in environmental quality while also benefitting farmers.

Unlike environmental policies that are perceived to impose costs on agriculture, technology policies impart benefits to farmers and are less likely to face political opposition from industry.

Technology policies are likely to be the most effective when eco‐innovation leads to technologies that meaningfully reduce environmental impacts and also raise farm productivity.
The Impact of Tropical Storms on Households: Evidence from Panel Data on Consumption
Authors: Henry Michael , Spencer Nekeisha , Strobl Eric
Published: July 2019

This paper investigates the impact of tropical storms on Jamaican household consumption. We build a panel data set that follows individual households over time thus enabling us to take account of time invariant household and location unobservables that could be correlated with mean tropical storm exposure. Our results show that while the average damaging hurricane reduces per capita consumption by approximately 1.1%, more destructive events can cause losses multiple times this amount. There are, however, heterogeneous impacts across households, where only those that live in buildings with less wind resistant walls are affected. Additionally, we find that households are able to partially buffer the negative impact on consumption through remittances and savings, as well as by shifting funds away from non‐regular expenditures. Again, households differ in the nature of this buffering according to the wind resistance of their buildings.
Dental deaths in Italy as reported by online press articles
Authors: Minoli Margherita , Zechini Giacomo , Capparé Paolo , Landoni Giovanni
Published: July 2019

Objectives

Mortality on the dental chair is a rare and underreported event. This study aimed to identify all deaths that occurred during dental procedures in Italy.

Methods

We searched PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and Internet archives looking for patients who died before, during, or after a dental procedure in Italy from 1990 to 2019.

Results

All the 36 identified fatal events were reported by national or regional newspapers, and none was reported by scientific databases. Interestingly, no cases regarding patients ≤16 years old were found and there was no variation in the number of reported deaths over the years. Most of the cases (n = 29) occurred in out‐of‐hospital private dental offices. Tooth extraction represented the most frequent culprit operation (39%), while myocardial infarction (28%) was the leading cause of death, followed by cardiac arrest (25%), allergies (11%), and infections (8%). In four cases, death was preprocedural, in 10 intraprocedural and in 21 postprocedural. In 17 cases, a temporal association between injection of anesthesia/sedation and death was observed.

Conclusion

This is the first report on Italian dental procedure‐related deaths. Most of these deaths were only temporally associated with a dental procedure and could not to be attributed to malpractice.
Effectiveness of Combination of Ultrasonography‐Guided Pulsed Radiofrequency Neuromodulation With Steroid at the Suprascapular Nerve in Chronic Shoulder Pain
Authors: Sinha Pratyusha , Sarkar Biplab , Goswami Subrata , Ray Karmakar Prasanta , Dasgupta Santi Ranjan , Basu Sagarmay
Published: July 2019

Background

Suprascapular nerve (SSN) block is a useful tool for pain control of different chronic shoulder pain syndromes. If the short‐term effect of nerve block using local anesthetics is not sufficient, pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) neuromodulation of the SSN may provide long‐term pain relief.

Aim of Investigation

The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of ultrasonography‐guided PRF of the SSN for management of chronic shoulder pain.

Subjects and Method

Thirty patients with chronic shoulder pain underwent diagnostic ultrasonography‐guided SSN block. After confirmation of positive results (>50% pain relief) via diagnostic testing, PRF of the SSN was performed in 27 patients, followed by application of dexamethasone; however, 2 patients had negative results with diagnostic block and 1 patient dropped out after positive results with diagnostic block. Pain was recorded using the VAS, and active range of motion of the affected shoulder was measured by goniometry (flexion, extension, adduction, abduction, external rotation, internal rotation). Assessments were done on day 0 and after 4, 8, 12, and 24 weeks.

Statistical Test

One‐way analysis of variance testing.

Results

The VAS score decreased significantly (P < 0.05) immediately after injection, and pain reduction was sustained for up to 24 weeks. Active range of motion in all directions also increased significantly (P < 0.5) after the procedure.

Conclusion

PRF of the SSN under ultrasonography guidance is a safe and effective treatment modality for management of chronic shoulder pain. The effect of a combination of PRF and a short‐acting corticosteroid lasts up to 24 weeks, thereby assisting patients in undergoing relatively painless physiotherapy.
Genetic polymorphism in core promoter sequence of ACTRIIB gene and association analysis with growth traits in chicken
Authors: Guru Vishnu Pothanaboyina , Bhattacharya Tarun Kumar , Bhushan Bharat , Paswan Chandan , Rajendra Prasad Athe , Divya Devara
Published: July 2019

Molecular breeding exploiting candidate genes is burgeoning reproductive approach to improve growth traits in poultry. The activin type IIB receptor (ACTRIIB) is a negative growth regulator, modulating action of many muscle growth regulators. PCR–single‐strand conformation polymorphism was employed to unravel polymorphism in promoter region of the ACTRIIB gene and delineate its association with growth traits in Aseel and control broiler (CB). Analysis of 5′ promoter region (1122bp) of ACTRIIB gene identified five SNPs, that is g. [56 G > C (SNP1), 352A > C (SNP2), 580G > A (SNP3), 625C > T (SNP4) and 962C > T (SNP5)] at SMAD, paired box 7 homeodomain binding motif, GC box and bHLH‐PAS type transcription factors in CB and Aseel. CB had significantly higher body weight (BW) and average daily gain (ADG) at all SNP sites, except at SNP 1. The haplotype construction resulted 8 haplotypes in CB and Aseel population. The BW and ADG differed significantly (p < .05) at all ages in CB and Aseel. The diplotypes H1H8 and H1H4 manifested higher BW and ADG, while diplotypes H3H8 and H3H7 displayed BW and ADG at each age in both lines (p < .05). Aseel exhibited higher expression of ACTRIIB gene than CB by 70.17, 4.83, 1.41, 2.38, 5.13, 1.20, 2.90, 6.53 and 11.75 times for h1h2, h1h3, h1h4, h1h6, h1h7, h1h8 h3h4, h3h7 and h3h8, respectively. The H3H8 and H3H7 diplotypes exhibited higher level of mRNA and protein than H1H8 and H1H4. The regulatory upstream region of ACTRIIB gene demonstrates high degree of genetic diversity and can be harnessed as potential marker in genetic selection programmes for increasing meat production.