bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Carbon isotope differences between grassland and savanna herbivores reveal environmentally driven rather than phylogenetically conserved niches
Authors: Malindie S. , Buschke F.T. , Codron D.
Published: January 2020

Stable isotope analyses provide insights into large herbivore diets. Carbon isotopes are particularly useful for analysing diet given their ability to reflect C3 or C4 photosynthetic pathways and, therefore, distinguish between browser and grazer diets. Although isotopes are useful for comparing diets across a range of spatial and temporal scales, most studies have focused on either interspecific differences within habitats or single species averages across their geographic range. In this study, we use both new and existing carbon isotopic data to compare large mammal herbivore diets across habitat types in southern and east Africa. We examined whether species in the grassland biome of central South Africa had the same carbon isotopic signatures as counterparts from savannas in southern and east Africa. Within the grassland biome, isotopic signatures from faecal samples were strongly correlated with signatures from bone and dentine collagen samples, supporting our approach of comparing faecal data from the grasslands with savanna data obtained mainly through analysis of skeletal materials. Regression analysis comparing grasslands and savannas confirmed that species' isotopic niches within communities were conserved across different geographic regions. However, herbivore δ13C values were generally lower in the grassland compared with the savanna biome, highlighted particularly by the lower δ13C values of several grazer species (but not browsers), indicating greater consumption of C3 vegetation in grasslands. This finding is counter‐intuitive and suggests that non‐woody C3 vegetation may be an important component of grazer diets in the grassland biome. We speculate on various environmental factors, related to food abundance that could underline the pattern.
On perceptual expertise
Authors: Stokes Dustin
Published: January 2020

Expertise is a cognitive achievement that involves experience and learning and that requires explicit, time‐consuming training specific to the relevant domain. It is intuitive that many such experts—radiologists, bird watchers, fingerprint examiners, and so forth—are better perceivers in the domain(s) of their expertise. The goal of this paper is to motivate three related claims. Perceptual expertise is genuinely perceptualandgenuinely cognitive, and this phenomenon reveals how we can become epistemically better perceivers. These claims are defended against opponents that deny significant cognitive effects on perception, and opponents who maintain that any such effects on perception are epistemically pernicious.
Epidemiological features of nosocomial candidaemia in neonates, infants and children: A multicentre study in Iran
Authors: Ahangarkani Fatemeh , Shokohi Tahereh , Rezai Mohammad Sadegh , Ilkit Macit , Mahmoodi Nesheli Hassan , Karami Hossein , Tamaddoni Ahmad , Alizadeh‐Navaei Reza , Khodavaisy Sadegh , Meis Jacques F. , Badali Hamid
Published: January 2020

Nosocomial bloodstream candidaemia is a life‐threatening fungal infection with high morbidity and mortality, especially among paediatric patients undergoing intensive immunosuppressive therapy. Limited data on the epidemiology of candidaemia and susceptibility profiles are available for Iran. To characterise candidaemia epidemiology, comorbidity risk factors, species distribution, and antifungal susceptibility profiles among paediatric patients in Iran. This observational cross‐sectional study enrolled 26 189 patients <18 years old at three reference paediatric hospitals in Mazandaran and Tehran over 2 years. Blood samples from patients with suspected fungal bloodstream infection were analysed using the BACTEC culture system. Fungal isolates were identified using matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionisation time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF) and DNA sequencing. Antifungal susceptibility testing was performed using the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute broth microdilution guideline. We observed 109 episodes of nosocomial candidaemia in paediatric patients with or without immunosuppressive therapy. The most common healthcare‐associated factor was central vascular catheter use (97%). The all‐cause mortality rate was 40%, of which 48% was attributable to candidaemia. While Candida albicans was the most frequent causative agent (49%), emerging and uncommon Candida species were also isolated. Candidaemia mortality by non‐albicans Candida species was significantly higher than that by C. albicans (P < .05). All fluconazole‐resistant species were non‐albicans Candida species. Uncommon Candida species with reduced susceptibility to antifungals are emerging as major agents of nosocomial candidaemia in high‐risk paediatric patients in Iran. Appropriate source control, antifungal regimens and improved antifungal stewardship are warranted for managing and decreasing the burden of nosocomial candidaemia.
Predictive Validity of the Braden Scale for Pressure Ulcer Risk in Critical Care: A Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Wei Min , Wu Ling , Chen Yan , Fu Qiaomei , Chen Wenyue , Yang Dongliang
Published: January 2020

Background

Pressure ulcers (PUs) are encountered in all types of care settings. The incidence of PUs in the intensive care unit (ICU) is higher for a variety of reasons. The Braden Scale is a widely used tool to assess the risk of PU, but its predictive power is controversial in ICU settings. In this systematic review and meta‐analysis, we aimed to evaluate the predictive accuracy of the Braden Scale for measurement of risk of PU in adult ICU patients.

Methods

A comprehensive literature search in English databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, OVID, and Web of Science), Chinese databases (SinoMed, CNKI, and Wanfang), and gray literature was performed. Studies assessing the predictive value of the Braden Scale for risk of PU in adult ICU patients were searched. Quality of the studies was scored with Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies‐2. Country, study design, setting, blinding, and characteristics of included studies were extracted.

Results

Eleven full‐text articles containing 10 044 patients, comprising 1058 patients with PUs were included. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of the Braden Scale for predicting PU risk in ICU adults were 0.89 (95% CI, 0.87‐0.91; I2 = 94.9%, P = .0000) and 0.28 (95% CI, 0.27‐0.29; I2 = 99.2%, P = .0000), respectively. The pooled DOR was 6.29 (95% CI: 4.09‐9.68). The overall weighted AUC was 0.7812 ± 0.0331 (95% CI: 0.7163‐0.8461) and the Q* value was 0.7196 ± 0.0283 (95% CI: 0.6641‐0.7751). Significant heterogeneity was noted among the included studies. Meta‐regression analysis showed that there was no heterogeneity in blinding (P = .074), study design (P = .679), or cut‐off value (P = .821).

Conclusions

This meta‐analysis demonstrated that the Braden Scale had a moderate predictive validity with good sensitivity and low specificity in adult critically ill patients. Further development and modification of this tool or generation of a new tool with higher predictive power is warranted for use in ICU populations.

Relevance to clinical practice

The first step in prevention of PU is risk assessment. In this meta‐analysis, we aimed to evaluate the predictive power of the Braden Scale for assessing risk of PU in ICU adult patients, which could potentially guide clinical practice.
Some mycoheterotrophic orchids depend on carbon from dead wood: novel evidence from a radiocarbon approach
Authors: Suetsugu Kenji , Matsubayashi Jun , Tayasu Ichiro
Published: January 2020

Mycoheterotrophic plants depend entirely on fungal associations for organic nutrients. While most mycoheterotrophic plants are associated with the mycorrhizal partners of surrounding green plants, some mycoheterotrophs are believed to obtain carbon from decaying litter or dead wood by parasitising saprotrophic fungi, based on culture experiments and 13C and 15N isotopic signatures.

The carbon age (the time since carbon was fixed from atmospheric CO2 by photosynthesis) can be estimated by measuring the concentration of 14C arising from the bomb tests of the 1950s and 1960s. Given that mycorrhizal fungi obtain photosynthate from their plant partners, and saprotrophic wood‐decaying fungi obtain carbon from older sources, radiocarbon could represent a new and powerful tool to investigate carbon sources of mycoheterotrophic plants.

We showed that the Δ14C values of mycoheterotrophs exploiting ectomycorrhizal fungi were close to 0‰, similar to those of autotrophic plants. By contrast, the Δ14C values of mycoheterotrophs exploiting saprotrophic fungi ranged from 110.7‰ to 324.8‰, due to the 14C‐enriched bomb carbon from dead wood via saprotrophic fungi.

Our study provides evidence supporting that some mycoheterotrophic orchids depend on forest woody debris. Our study also indicates that radiocarbon could be used to predict the trophic strategies of mycoheterotroph‐associated fungal symbionts.
Does phenology explain plant–pollinator interactions at different latitudes? An assessment of its explanatory power in plant–hoverfly networks in French calcareous grasslands
Authors: de Manincor Natasha , Hautekeete Nina , Piquot Yves , Schatz Bertrand , Vanappelghem Cédric , Massol François
Published: January 2020

For plant–pollinator interactions to occur, the flowering of plants and the flying period of pollinators (i.e. their phenologies) have to overlap. Yet, few models make use of this principle to predict interactions and fewer still are able to compare interaction networks of different sizes. Here, we tackled both challenges using Bayesian structural equation models (SEM), incorporating the effect of phenological overlap in six plant–hoverfly networks. Insect and plant abundances were strong determinants of the number of visits, while phenology overlap alone was not sufficient, but significantly improved model fit. Phenology overlap was a stronger determinant of plant–pollinator interactions in sites where the average overlap was longer and network compartmentalization was weaker, i.e. at higher latitudes. Our approach highlights the advantages of using Bayesian SEMs to compare interaction networks of different sizes along environmental gradients and articulates the various steps needed to do so.
Community‐wide trait means and variations affect biomass in a biodiversity experiment with tree seedlings
Authors: Luo Shan , Schmid Bernhard , Wagg Cameron , Chen Yuxin , Jiang Bin , Liang Minxia , Liu Xubing , Yu Shixiao
Published: January 2020

The structure of a plant community in terms of functional traits can strongly affect community productivity. Two components may contribute to this, community‐wide trait means (mass‐ratio hypothesis) or community‐wide trait variations (diversity hypothesis) across species and individuals. We compared the explanatory power of the two hypotheses for explaining biomass variation among individuals and communities as measures of productivity. We set up experimental communities of tree seedlings that ranged in species richness from 1 to 8. We measured above‐ and belowground biomass, leaf area, specific leaf area and height of all individuals separately after 16 months of growth and calculated species‐level values by averaging across all individuals of each species grown in monoculture. Using species‐ and individual‐level trait data, we calculated community‐ (CWM) and neighbourhood‐weighted mean (NWM) values to assess the mass‐ratio hypothesis and community functional dissimilarity (FD) and average trait dissimilarity of target individuals to neighbours (ATD), i.e. trait variations, to assess the diversity hypothesis. CWMs explained much more variation in community biomass than did species richness or FD, supporting the mass‐ratio hypothesis. The explanatory power of CWMs increased when calculated with individual‐level data, demonstrating positive effects of trait adjustments of individuals in response to species richness, i.e. plasticity in the broad sense. FD calculated with individual‐level data also increased community biomass, lending some support to the diversity hypothesis. The effects of trait means and variations on community biomass were related to effects of trait means and variations on the biomass of individuals. Overall, our results suggest that trait means rather than trait variations may drive community biomass productivity at the earliest stage of forest development.
Examining the linkage between human capital and energy consumption: cross‐country evidence
Authors: Akram Vaseem , Jangam Bhushan Praveen , Rath Badri Narayan
Published: January 2020

Though voluminous empirical studies examine the linkage between energy consumption (EC) and economic growth, the impact of human capital on EC is scarce. This paper investigates this research issue by using annual data of 73 countries over the period 1990–2014. Furthermore, we classify 73 countries based on income (developed, developing and emerging economies) and regions (Asia, Africa, Europe and Latin America). The empirical results indicate that human capital negatively affects EC. This implies that EC can be lowered by improving human capital, which ultimately can help in energy conservation and environmental protection. Policies promoting substitutability between energy inputs and human capital, and structural policies like improving economic efficiency and improving human capital through educational levels can help economies in achieving greater sustainable growth with low EC.
A rare case of parosteal osteosarcoma of the maxilla in a 14‐year old and a review of the current literature
Authors: Dioufa N. , Zhang P. , Black R. , Khurana J. , Kuklani R.
Published: January 2020

Parosteal osteosarcoma of craniofacial location was first described in 1961 and since then, less than 20 cases have been reported in the English literature. This rare tumour of the jaws most commonly affects middle aged men, is considered a low grade, well‐differentiated neoplasm, characterised by spindle cell stroma with minimal atypia and rare mitotic figures, separating irregular well‐developed trabeculae of woven bone. It is considered to have a favourable prognosis and low metastatic potential if treated by radical excision, compared to conventional and periosteal osteosarcomas. Clinically and radiographically it can be mistaken for a benign lesion, therefore high clinical suspicion is advised. Herein we report a case of parosteal osteosarcoma located at the posterior maxilla in a 14‐year‐old male and review of the literature with respect to clinical, radiographical and histopathological features of these lesions.
Comparison of the structure of chinchilla sperm isolated from semen and from the tail of the epididymis
Authors: Andraszek Katarzyna , Banaszewska Dorota , Szeleszczuk Olga , Niedbała Piotr , Kuchta‐Gładysz Marta
Published: January 2020

Sperm cells isolated from the tail of the epididymis and from the semen of the same individuals were analysed. The use of silver nitrate to stain sperm cells isolated from the tail of the epididymis made it possible to identify structures that were not visible in the sperm from semen. Silver nitrate very clearly distinguished the acrosomal and distal parts of the sperm head. Following silver nitrate staining, the sperm isolated from the tail of the epididymis were characterized by dark ‘collars’ in the distal part of the head. These ‘collars’ are not visible in the sperm cells isolated from semen. The results of the study indicate differences in the dimensions of sperm isolated from the tail of the epididymis and sperm in semen. Sperm isolated from the tail of the epididymis had smaller heads, despite their longer length, and had longer midpieces and tails than ejaculate sperm. Silver nitrate staining is a simple and fast technique. Silver nitrate makes it possible to identify the acrosome and post‐acrosomal region of the sperm head and to clearly identify the midpiece. Therefore, it can be successfully used to supplement routine techniques for evaluating sperm morphology or as an independent technique.
Situated Food Safety Risk and the Influence of Social Norms
Authors: Veflen Nina , Scholderer Joachim , Langsrud Solveig
Published: January 2020

Previous studies of risk behavior observed weak or inconsistent relationships between risk perception and risk‐taking. One aspect that has often been neglected in such studies is the situational context in which risk behavior is embedded: Even though a person may perceive a behavior as risky, the social norms governing the situation may work as a counteracting force, overriding the influence of risk perception. Three food context studies are reported. In Study 1 (N = 200), we assess how norm strength varies across different social situations, relate the variation in norm strength to the social characteristics of the situation, and identify situations with consistently low and high levels of pressure to comply with the social norm. In Study 2 (N = 502), we investigate how willingness to accept 15 different foods that vary in terms of objective risk relates to perceived risk in situations with low and high pressure to comply with a social norm. In Study 3 (N = 1,200), we test how risk‐taking is jointly influenced by the perceived risk associated with the products and the social norms governing the situations in which the products are served. The results indicate that the effects of risk perception and social norm are additive, influencing risk‐taking simultaneously but as counteracting forces. Social norm had a slightly stronger absolute effect, leading to a net effect of increased risk‐taking. The relationships were stable over different social situations and food safety risks and did not disappear when detailed risk information was presented.
Family‐centred empowerment program for health literacy and self‐efficacy in family caregivers of patients with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Jafari Yasaman , Tehrani Hadi , Esmaily Habibollah , Shariati Mohammad , Vahedian‐shahroodi Mohammad
Published: January 2020

Background

With the obtained advancement in solving health problems, family caregivers are replaced with the care institutions. The accompanying and supporting patients during the disease treatment is very effective in the Iranian culture.

Aim

This study aims at determining the effect of health intervention based on family‐centred empowerment model on health literacy and self‐efficacy among caregivers of patients with multiple sclerosis.

Methods

In this quasi‐experimental study, 70 family caregivers were randomly assigned to the two control and experimental groups, who were evaluated using demographic TOFHLA health literacy and self‐efficacy questionnaires. Then, based on training needs in the experimental group, intervention was conducted based on the family‐centred empowerment model during one month. The control group received no intervention, and immediately after training and three months after implementing the program, the health literacy and self‐efficacy in both the experimental and control groups were re‐evaluated.

Results

Before intervention, mean of health literacy in the experimental group was 57.2 ± 9.15 and 3 months after intervention, it reached 62.45 ± 9.39, (p < 0.001). The self‐efficacy score in the experimental group was 17.2 ± 3.48 before intervention and it reached to 19.34 ± 11.3 after intervention, which was also significant(p < 0.001).

Conclusion

interventions based on family‐centred empowerment approach can improve the health literacy and self‐efficacy of caregivers, assist them to provide specialised and efficient care and lead to improved quality of care in caregiving.
Healthcare costs and productivity losses associated with county‐based home‐care service for sick children in Sweden
Authors: Castor Charlotte , Bolin Kristian , Hansson Helena , Landgren Kajsa , Kristensson Hallström Inger
Published: January 2020

Aims

The aim of this study was to estimate the healthcare costs and productivity losses associated with county‐based home‐care services (HCS) for sick children.

Methods

In this observational follow‐up study, a combination of hospital care and HCS was compared to estimated alternative care solely at the hospital. Data on one year of healthcare utilisation for 32 children, supplied by the hospital and HCS, were collected from administrative systems. Corresponding healthcare unit prices were collected from healthcare pricelists. The human‐capital approach was applied to estimate productivity losses and the value of productivity losses for 25 parents. Family characteristics, including parental work absenteeism and income, were collected by a questionnaire distributed to parents at five time points during a year. Descriptive and comparative statistics were used for analysis and carried out with ethical approval.

Results

Healthcare costs for children receiving a combination of hospital care and HCS varied among children with estimated average healthcare cost savings of SEK 50 101 per child compared to the alternative of care provided only in the hospital. The reduced costs were related to children receiving nonpalliative HCS care tasks. Average annual productivity losses due to parental work absenteeism were estimated at 348 hours with an associated monetary value estimated at SEK 137 524 per parent.

Conclusion

County‐based HCS, provided as complement to and substitute for hospital care for ill children, does not increase healthcare cost and should be a prioritized area when organising paediatric health care. Productivity losses vary greatly among parents and are pronounced also when children receive HCS with signs of gender‐related differences.
Patient preferences for heart failure education and perceptions of patient–provider communication
Authors: Ivynian Serra E. , Newton Phillip J. , DiGiacomo Michelle
Published: January 2020

Objective

For people managing chronic illness, such as heart failure, adequate health literacy is crucial to understand the complex information that underpins self‐care, yet evidence suggests poor understanding in this patient population. To better understand patients' heart failure comprehension and why knowledge gaps may exist, this study sought to explore perceptions of patient–provider communication and ascertain unmet educational needs and preferences.

Methods

Semi‐structured in‐depth interviews were conducted with 15 symptomatic inpatients with heart failure. Data collection and analysis occurred simultaneously until saturation was reached. Transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis.

Results

Participants relied heavily on providers for HF information and support, expressed numerous unmet educational needs and had mixed feelings about quality of communication. Participants expressed the need for credible, tailored heart failure information that accounted for comorbid conditions and preference for face‐to‐face information delivery. Knowledge gaps included heart failure pharmacotherapy, symptom appraisal and management, cause and chronicity of heart failure, and a specific action plan for heart failure symptom exacerbation. Barriers to effective patient–provider communication included providers using complex medical terminology, lack of adequately detailed information, relationships that did not foster open communication and participants' memory problems.

Conclusion

Gaps in knowledge and poor communication may indicate inadequate availability of multidisciplinary heart failure management programmes and/or fidelity to guideline recommendations.

Practice implications

Evaluating heart failure management programmes is important to ensure consistent delivery of best‐practice education and care. Nurses play a key role in the delivery of patient‐focused health information.
High leisure‐time physical activity reduces the risk of long‐term sickness absence
Authors: López‐Bueno Rubén , Sundstrup Emil , Vinstrup Jonas , Casajús José A. , Andersen Lars L.
Published: January 2020

Objectives

This study examined the association of leisure‐time physical activity (LTPA) with the risk of long‐term sickness absence (LTSA).

Methods

A total of 10 427 subjects from the general working population in Denmark answered questions about physical activity habits, health and work environment in the 2010 Danish Work Environment Cohort Study (DWECS). Data on LTSA (≥6 consecutive weeks during 2‐year follow‐up) were obtained from the Danish Register for Evaluation of Marginalization (DREAM). Cox regression analysis censored for competing events and adjusted for potential confounders (age, sex, BMI, smoking habits, depression, cancer, back diseases, previous LTSA, occupational social class, and psychosocial work environment) estimated the association between the predictor (LTPA) and the outcome variable (LTSA). During the 2‐year follow‐up period, 9.2% of the studied population experienced LTSA.

Results

In the general working population, moderate LTPA was not associated with LTSA (HR = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.72‐1.09), while high LTPA showed a tendency (HR = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.59‐1.01). In subgroup analyses, women below the age of 45 years with high LTPA showed a significantly lower risk of LTSA when compared with their low LTPA counterparts (HR = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.25‐0.78).

Conclusion

The results suggest that high levels of physical activity during leisure are associated with a lowered risk of LTSA, especially among younger women.
The reporting and help‐seeking behaviors of domestic violence victims with criminal backgrounds
Authors: Iratzoqui Amaia , Cohn Ellen G.
Published: January 2020

The decision to report domestic violence is often conditional on whether victims were satisfied with their prior treatment by the criminal justice system. One issue in reporting victimization is that victims of domestic violence may also be involved with the system as offenders. The current paper systematically reviews research on this overlap, finding that most research supports that victims who also have criminal backgrounds are significantly less likely to report subsequent experiences of domestic violence, and are less likely and able to seek out social services, particularly when they report prior negative experiences. The paper then identifies theoretical and policy‐based implications of the review findings.
The Efficiency Gap After Gill v. Whitford
Authors: Rush Mark
Published: January 2020

Objective

The objective of this article is to analyze the reasoning underpinning the Supreme Court's rejection of the efficiency gap in Gill v. Whitford as a useful measure of partisan fairness in redistricting.

Methods

I undertake this analysis by reviewing prior judicial commentary on measures of partisan fairness and debates among political science professionals concerning how and whether to use aggregate statewide seat and vote totals to assess whether there is bias across legislative district elections.

Results

The analysis reveals that the Supreme Court's rejection of the efficiency gap and other statewide measures of partisan fairness is based upon thoughtful skepticism of the extent to which votes cast under different conditions in different legislative districts for choices among discrete slates of candidates can be aggregated meaningfully into statewide measures that ignore these district‐specific conditions. This skepticism is reinforced by debates among scholars about how and whether partisan votes can be aggregated in this manner.

Conclusion

The Court's rejection of the efficiency gap and skepticism about other aggregate measures of partisan fairness in redistricting reinforces the extensive criticism of using the single‐member district electoral system. It distorts electoral outcomes, limits voter choice, and, thereby, renders comparisons of partisan votes in different districts quite questionable. A shift to multimember districts with some form of proportional representation such as ranked choice voting would resolve much of the criticism of and uncertainty in redistricting analysis based on the statewide aggregation of discrete legislative district election results.
Rent Sharing and Gender Discrimination: Causal Evidence from Collegiate Athletics
Authors: Lackner Mario , Zulehner Christine
Published: January 2020

Objective

In this article, we analyze whether firms with market power—measured by their market share—fill top management positions differently than firms with no market power. Market power gives firms the opportunity to share rents with their employees. If these firms or their owners also have a taste for discrimination, they may share their rents in a discriminatory way. Using data from top‐level collegiate athletics, we assess the effect of market power—measured by market share—on the relative employment and wages of female coaches.

Methods

To account for the potential endogeneity of market power and unobserved productivity of female coaches, we exploit the effect of an institutionalized cartel, that is, the Bowl Championship Series (BCS), on a college's athletic department market share. By exploiting particular organizational characteristics of the BCS as an exogenous shock, we establish a causal link between market power and female employment.

Results

Our results show that an increase in the market share has a negative effect on females relative to males among coaches.

Conclusion

We interpret this as evidence for Becker's (1957) theory on employer discrimination.
High turnaround times and low viral resuppression rates after reinforced adherence counselling following a confirmed virological failure diagnostic algorithm in HIV‐infected patients on first‐line antiretroviral therapy from Tanzania
Authors: Kroidl Arne , Burger Tassilo , Urio Agatha , Mugeniwalwo Roki , Mgaya Jimson , Mlagalila Faith , Hoelscher Michael , Däumer Martin , Salehe Omar , Sangare Anthony , Lennemann Tessa , Maganga Lucas
Published: January 2020

Objective

Early identification of confirmed virological failure is paramount to avoid accumulation of drug resistance in patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART). Scale‐up of HIV‐RNA monitoring in Africa and timely switch to second‐line regimens are challenged.

Methods

A WHO adapted confirmed virological treatment screening algorithm (HIV‐RNA screening, enhanced adherence counselling, confirmatory HIV‐RNA testing) was evaluated in HIV‐infected patients on first‐line ART from Tanzania. The main endpoints included viral resuppression and virological failure rates, retention and turnaround time of the screening algorithm until second‐line ART initiation. Secondary endpoints included risk factors for virological treatment failure and patterns of genotypic drug resistance.

Results

HIV‐RNA >1000 copies/ml at first screening was detected in 58/356 (16.3%) patients (median time‐on‐treatment 6.3 years, 25% immunological treatment failure). Adjusted risk factors for virological failure were age <30 years (RR 5.2 [95% CI: 2.5–10.8]), years on ART ≥3 years (RR 3.0 [1.0–8.9]), CD4‐counts <200 cells/µl (RR 9.3 [4.0–21.8]) and poor self‐reported treatment adherence (RR 2.0 [1.2–3.4]). Resuppression of HIV‐RNA <1000 copies/ml was observed in 5/50 (10%) cases after enhanced adherence counselling. Confirmatory testing within 3 months was performed in only 46.6% and switch to second‐line ART within 6 months in 60.4% of patients. Major NNRTI‐mutation were detected in all of 30 patients, NRTI mutations in 96.7% and ≥3 thymidine‐analogue mutations in 40%. No remaining NRTI options were predicted in 57% and limited susceptibility in 23% of patients.

Conclusion

We observed low levels of viral resuppression following adherence counselling, associated with high levels of accumulated drug resistance. High visit burden and turnaround times for confirmed virological failure diagnosis further delayed switching to second‐line treatment which could be improved using novel point‐of‐care viral load monitoring systems.
Affective life, “vulnerable” youths, and international volunteering in a residential care programme in Cusco, Peru
Authors: Lin Chih‐Chen Trista , Minca Claudio
Published: January 2020

This paper critically engages with the implications of the “affect turn” in the geographies of development and volunteering. By way of considering “affective life” at a residential youth care centre in Peru through an ethnographic study, we aim to contribute to current discussions of “(self‐)transformation” taking place through affectivity in the experience of volunteering. Conceptually, our approach to investigating “affective life” and volunteering involves two steps. First, we critically review this body of work's recent focus on the individualistic mode of volunteer self‐transformation in encountering “vulnerable others.” We identify the need to think about affect and embodiment also from the perspectives of the “vulnerable” groups whose lives are entangled with the presence of international volunteering. Second, we argue for an affect‐informed approach to socio‐politically shaped vulnerability, with a particular emphasis on lived experiences and affective capacities related to enduring social and material conditions. Against the backdrop of marginalisation of adolescent mothers from rural and indigenous backgrounds, many of whom are survivors of sexual abuse, we analyse the experiences of these youths living at a specific residential care centre and interacting with volunteers on a daily basis. In doing so, we employ a series of perspectives from the residents, while taking into account the organisational environment. We also show the complex ways in which resident–volunteer encounters are at play in life‐enhancing affective states, capacities, and relations emerging among the residents. Our findings on the residents' self‐ and shared capacity of transformation highlights the importance of attending to the spatialities of affective life in academic work focused on the contemporary geographies of international volunteering.
Epigenetic biomarkers indicate islet cell death in xenotransplantation
Authors: Faulk Christopher , Mueller Kate R. , Cheishvili David , Colwell Mathia , Pepin Anne‐Sophie , Syzf Moshe , Hering Bernhard J. , Burlak Christopher
Published: January 2020

Background

Xenotransplantation of porcine islets has emerged in recent decades as a potential treatment for type 1 diabetes (T1D). Current methods of detection, indicative of successful engraftment, occur downstream of actual islet death. Epigenetic biomarkers can be detected in circulating cell‐free DNA (cfDNA) to provide an earlier indication of graft dysfunction.

Aims

The present study identified a biomarker of islet death using differential methylation of the insulin gene, INS, originating from β‐cells in porcine islets.

Materials & Methods

Pyrosequencing primers specific for porcine INS were designed to quantify hypomethylation along 12 cysteine‐guanine dinucleotide (CpG) sites, including three sites in the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) response element (CRE) binding protein 2 (CRE2) binding region of the 5′ untranslated region (UTR) and nine sites within intron 2.

Results

PCR amplification of bisulfite‐converted DNA combined with pyrosequencing data support the conclusion that hypomethylated porcine INS is specific to islet origin.

Conclusion

Moreover, the results of this study indicate a highly specific epigenetic biomarker, capable of detecting a single islet, supporting the measurement of cfDNA as a biomarker for transplanted islet death. Defining the epigenetic characteristics of porcine‐derived islets within cfDNA will be crucial to develop a better understanding of graft survival immunology for transplantation.
Prolongation of rat‐to‐mouse islets xenograft survival by co‐transplantation of autologous IL‐10 differentiated murine tolerogenic dendritic cells
Authors: Madelon Natacha , Montanari Elisa , Gruaz Lyssia , Pimenta Joel , Muller Yannick D. , Bühler Leo H. , Puga Yung Gisella L. , Seebach Jörg D.
Published: January 2020

Background

Tolerogenic dendritic cells (DCs) represent a promising approach to promote transplantation tolerance. In this study, the potential of autologous bone marrow (BM)–derived murine DC to protect rat‐to‐mouse islets xenografts was analyzed.

Methods

Tolerogenic DCs were generated by differentiating BM cells in the presence of granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor and interleukin 10 (IL‐10, IL‐10 DC). The phenotype of IL‐10 DC was characterized in vitro by expression of costimulatory/inhibitory molecules (flow cytometry) and cytokines (Luminex and ELISA), their function by phagocytosis and T‐cell stimulation assays. To study transplant tolerance in vivo, rat islets were transplanted alone or in combination with autologous murine IL‐10 DC under the kidney capsule of streptozotocin‐induced diabetic C57BL/6 mice. Xenograft survival was evaluated by monitoring glycemia, cellular infiltration of xenografts by microscopy and flow cytometry 10 days post‐transplantation.

Results

Compared with control DC, IL‐10 DC exhibited lower levels of major histocompatibility complex class II, costimulatory molecules (CD40, CD86, CD205), lower production of pro‐inflammatory cytokines (IL‐12p70, TNF, IL‐6), and higher production of IL‐10. Phagocytosis of xenogeneic rat splenocytes was not impaired in IL‐10 DC, whereas stimulation of T‐cell proliferation was reduced in the presence of IL‐10 DC. Xenograft survival of rat islets in diabetic mice co‐transplanted with autologous murine IL‐10 DC was significantly prolonged from 12 to 21 days, without additional immunosuppressive treatment. Overall, infiltration of xenografts by T cells and myeloid cells was not different in IL‐10 DC recipient mice, but enriched for CD8+ T cells and myeloid cells with suppressor‐associated phenotype.

Conclusions

Autologous IL‐10‐differentiated DC with tolerogenic properties prolong rat‐to‐mouse islets xenograft survival, potentially by locally inducing immune regulatory cells, indicating their potential for regulatory immune cell therapy in xenotransplantation.
Análisis de la relación entre diferentes variables psicológicas en el contexto deportivo de los futbolistas
Authors: Iglesias Enrique , Cecchini José Antonio , Cueli Marisol , González-Castro Paloma
Published: January 2020

En el rendimiento deportivo, influyen variables psicológicas como el clima motivacional, las orientaciones de meta, las necesidades psicológicas básicas del deporte y la cohesión del equipo. Este estudio plantea como objetivo examinar la relación entre este conjunto de variables psicológicas (clima motivacional, la orientación de meta, las necesidades psicológicas básicas del deporte y la cohesión) en varones y mujeres futbolistas. Participaron 175 futbolistas de entre 12 y 26 años (M = 15.59, DE = 2.8) que compiten en clubs de diferentes categorías de la Liga Española de Futbol. Todos ellos realizan cuatro cuestionarios dirigidos a valorar el clima motivacional (de maestría y ejecución), las orientaciones de meta (a la tarea o al yo), las necesidades psicológicas (de competencia, autonomía y relación) y la cohesión (de tarea-grupal o de grupo-social). Los análisis de correlación y regresión reflejan relaciones estadísticamente significativas, destacando la relación entre el clima de maestría, la orientación a la tarea y las tres necesidades psicológicas básicas del deporte. Además, la variable con mayor poder predictivo de la satisfacción de las necesidades psicológicas es el clima de maestría. La presencia de un clima motivacional de maestría se relaciona significativamente con otras variables psicológicas positivas para la práctica deportiva.
Detección de las dificultades lingüísticas expresivas en la edad escolar
Authors: Garrido Dunia , Carballo Gloria , Garcia-Retamero Rocio
Published: January 2020

Los problemas lingüísticos menos severos son detectados a menudo en la edad escolar por los docentes, quienes presentan sobrecarga laboral. Estas dificultades se asocian con consecuencias negativas en el desarrollo curricular posterior. El principal objetivo de este trabajo es investigar si es posible ofrecer a los profesores un screening breve para detectar problemas de lenguaje (a nivel comprensivo y expresivo). Se llevaron a cabo dos estudios exploratorios de muestreo de cadena en los que participaron un total de 96 niños de entre 3 y 9 años (M = 6.03; DE = 1.42) y 16 docentes de entre 30 y 56 años (M = 41.25; DE = 7.22). En el estudio 1, se examinó la precisión del juicio de los docentes sobre la detección de dificultades en el lenguaje expresivo y comprensivo. Los resultados mostraron una mayor precisión de los docentes sobre las dificultades de expresión. Tras analizar los datos de forma inferencial y correlacional, se seleccionaron los ítems con mejores propiedades psicométricas para reducir la escala original utilizada.  En el estudio 2, se procedió a la validación de la reducción de la escala y, en línea con el estudio previo, los resultados mostraron que la escala breve tenía unas buenas propiedades psicométricas (alpha de Cronbach = 0.96). Se desarrolló y validó una versión breve de una escala de observación que puede ser utilizada como prueba de screening para detectar dificultades expresivas de forma efectiva y rápida.
¿Difieren las influencias personales, sociales, ambientales y psicológicas en la actividad física en base al tipo desplazamiento al centro escolar?
Authors: Abarca Sos Alberto , Gallardo Laura O. , Generelo Lanaspa Eduardo , Julián Clemente José Antonio , Zaragoza Casterad Javier
Published: January 2020

El objetivo del estudio es conocer el papel de un desplazamiento activo o pasivo en un modelo con influencias económicas, como la ocupación del padre y de la madre, psicológicas, como la percepción individual de salud, y variables demográficas sobre la actividad física. 1618 adolescentes (734 chicas) de primero a cuarto curso de Educación Secundaria Obligatoria (Medad = 14.46; DT = 1.28), muestra representativa de Aragón (3 %), contestaron cuestionarios sobre las variables estudiadas. El modelo de ecuaciones estructurales mixto multigrupo para clases conocidas muestra que en aquellos adolescentes que se desplazan activamente al centro escolar, su salud percibida está muy relacionada con su actividad física, y con el nivel socioeconómico parental, mientras que la influencia de género y edad permanece constante entre subpoblaciones.
Inteligencia emocional y ajuste psicológico en estudiantes: nivel académico y rama de estudios
Authors: Carballeira Abella Mónica , Marrero Carreira Betsabé , Abrante Rodríguez Desiré
Published: January 2020

El objetivo principal de este estudio ha sido analizar la inteligencia emocional (IE) de 147 estudiantes adultos de distintos niveles educativos. Se realizaron correlaciones de las tres escalas de IE ―percepción, comprensión y regulación emocional― con variables de personalidad, autoestima, apoyo social y sintomatología general. La regulación emocional fue la escala de IE con mayor número de relaciones, fundamentalmente con responsabilidad, apertura a la experiencia, extraversión, autoestima y apoyo social. No se encontraron diferencias en las puntuaciones de IE entre los tres niveles académicos ―formación profesional, grado universitario y máster universitario―. El contraste entre estudiantes con puntuaciones extremas en cada una de las tres escalas de IE, mostró patrones diferenciales en características sociodemográficas, autoestima, apoyo social y sintomatología general. Además, se llevó a cabo un contraste en las escalas de IE, autoestima y apoyo social de aquellos participantes de la muestra original de las ramas de Ciencias Sociales y Ciencias de la Salud, frente a una muestra de estudiantes de Ingeniería Informática. Estos mostraron menor apoyo social y percepción emocional. Los presentes hallazgos aportan información complementaria a los estudios realizados al respecto, con el fin de implementar intervenciones psicológicas dirigidas a promover la inteligencia emocional entre estudiantes de diferentes niveles académicos.
Incidencia de la experiencia docente con el TDAH en los conocimientos, la autoeficacia y los niveles de estrés docente
Authors: Soriano-Ferrer Manuel , Echegaray-Bengoa Joyce
Published: January 2020

Los estudios que han comparado los conocimientos que tienen los profesores sin experiencia (PSE) y los profesores con experiencia profesional (PCE) sobre el Trastorno por Déficit de Atención e Hiperactividad (TDAH) han mostrado resultados contradictorios. Además, el papel que tiene la experiencia docente con niños con TDAH sobre los conocimientos, la autoeficacia y el estrés docente no ha sido abordado en los estudios previos. Por ello, el presente estudio pretende: a) comparar los conocimientos, las creencias erróneas y las lagunas de conocimiento de los PCE y PSE de España, acerca del TDAH; b) analizar la experiencia de los PCE con niños con TDAH y la relación con los conocimientos, la autoeficacia, y el estrés docente; c) analizar las relaciones de los conocimientos acerca del TDAH con las variables sociodemográficas. Participaron 134 PSE y 115 PCE. Cumplimentaron la Escala de Conocimientos sobre el Trastorno por Déficit de Atención con Hiperactividad (Kadds), el Índice de Estrés Docente (ITS) y un cuestionario de información sociodemográfica. Los resultados indican que los conocimientos de ambos grupos son similares, aunque los PSE obtuvieron más aciertos sobre síntomas/diagnóstico y los PCE presentaron más creencias erróneas en la escala total y sobre síntomas/diagnóstico. Los PCE que tuvieron experiencia con niños con TDAH experimentaron mayor nivel de estrés docente y mayor autoeficacia. Los conocimientos sobre el TDAH correlacionaron con las asignaturas de carrera, los cursos sobre TDAH y los años de experiencia profesional.
Neoliberalismo y declive institucional en Chile. La individualización del malestar laboral en psicólogos
Authors: De Armas Pedraza Tania , Venegas Ahumada Cristian , Salas Gonzalo , Aguilar-Bustamante María Constanza
Published: January 2020

El objetivo del estudio fue describir la experiencia del malestar laboral narrada por psicólogos chilenos en grupos Facebook relacionados con la formación y ejercicio profesional de la psicología. Se realizó un estudio cualitativo aplicado a tres grupos, mediante el software NVivo 11 y orientado por un análisis sociológico de contenido, complementado con datos cuantitativos. Los hallazgos indican que el neoliberalismo produce descolectivización, que se asocia a la crisis de representación del Colegio de Psicólogos de Chile (COLEPSI), por cuanto existe una escasa legitimidad organizacional expresada en la merma de la legitimidad moral. El 25 % de los comentarios señalan que el COLEPSI no se pronuncia sobre la precariedad laboral ni la desregulación de la oferta de pregrado (22 %). Finalmente, frente al declive institucional, los psicólogos deben asumir la tramitación de su malestar laboral, específicamente, mediante la publicación en diversos grupos Facebook que poseen potencialidad de articulación política para generar cambios.
Rendimiento académico, lenguaje escrito y motivación en adolescentes españoles
Authors: González-Valenzuela María José , Martín Ruiz Isaias
Published: January 2020

Este estudio examina la contribución individual y conjunta de la motivación, la comprensión lectora y la composición escrita en el rendimiento académico de adolescentes españoles de distintos niveles educativos. La muestra está formada por 203 sujetos, de edades comprendidas entre 12 y 14 años [1.º de ESO (M = 12.4 y DE =1.28), 2.º de ESO (M = 13.6 y DE = 1.02) y 3º de ESO (M = 14.2 y DE = 1.34)], de nivel sociocultural medio y con niveles intelectuales normales. Se evalúa el rendimiento académico, la comprensión lectora, la composición escrita y la motivación de logro. Se realizan análisis de correlación y análisis de regresión lineal. Los resultados indican que las variables conjuntamente estudiadas contribuyen a explicar un relevante porcentaje del rendimiento académico en los distintos niveles educativos. La comprensión lectora y la motivación explican entre un 44 y 64 % y entre un 27 y 36 %, respectivamente, de la variabilidad el rendimiento académico en las distintas edades. Se pone de manifiesto la importancia de las variables motivacionales y lingüísticas, en concreto, de la comprensión lectora, para la mejora del rendimiento académico y de la prevención del fracaso escolar en adolescentes españoles.