bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Benefits of stroke treatment delivered using a mobile stroke unit trial
Authors: Yamal Jose-Miguel , Rajan Suja S , Parker Stephanie A , Jacob Asha P , Gonzalez Michael O , Gonzales Nicole R , Bowry Ritvij , Barreto Andrew D , Wu Tzu-Ching , Lairson David R , Persse David , Tilley Barbara C , Chiu David , Suarez Jose I , Jones William J , Alexandrov Andrei , Grotta James C
Published: June 2017

Rationale

Mobile stroke units speed treatment for acute ischemic stroke, thereby possibly improving outcomes.

Aim

To compare mobile stroke unit and standard management clinical outcomes, healthcare utilization, and cost-effectiveness in tissue plasminogen activator-eligible acute ischemic stroke patients calling 911.

Sample size

693. Eighty percent power with 0.05 type I error rate to detect a difference of 0.09 in mean utility-weighted modified Rankin scale between groups.

Design

Phase III, multicenter, prospective cluster-randomized (mobile stroke unit versus standard management weeks) comparative effectiveness study in tissue plasminogen activator-eligible patients.

Outcomes

Primary: Ninety-day mean utility-weighted modified Rankin scale. Coprimary: cost-effectiveness based on EQ5D quality of life and one year poststroke costs.

Analysis

Two-sample t-test and linear regression adjusting for covariates; incremental cost-effectiveness ratio and net benefit regression.

Results

As of March 2017, 288 tissue plasminogen activator-eligible patients have been enrolled (173 in the mobile stroke unit arm and 115 in the standard management arm). Two new centers start in early 2017 with target end of recruitment September 2019.

Conclusion

This is the first randomized study to test for disability, healthcare utilization, and cost-effectiveness of a mobile stroke unit. The progress of the study suggests that it is feasible. Management of tissue plasminogen activator eligible acute ischemic stroke patients by a mobile stroke unit could potentially result in less disability and healthcare utilization, and be cost effective. Mobile stroke units are very costly. This trial may determine if the fixed cost can be justified by a reduction in disability and healthcare utilization.

Clinical Trial Registration

NCT02190500.
In-patient physiotherapy for adults on veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation – United Kingdom ECMO Physiotherapy Network: A consensus agreement for best practice
Authors: Eden Allaina , Purkiss Claire , Cork Gabriella , Baddeley Adam , Morris Kelly , Carey Leah , Brown Mike , McGarrigle Laura , Kennedy Samantha
Published: June 2017

Clinical specialist physiotherapists from the five severe respiratory failure centres in England where respiratory extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is practiced have established this consensus agreement for physiotherapy best practice. The severe respiratory failure centres are Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester; Glenfield Hospital, Leicester; Papworth Hospital, Cambridge; Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital, London and The Royal Brompton Hospital, London. Although research into physiotherapy and ECMO is increasing, there is not a sufficient amount to write evidence-based guidelines; hence the development of a consensus document, using knowledge and experience of the specialist physiotherapists working with patients receiving ECMO. The document outlines safety aspects, practicalities and additional treatment considerations for physiotherapists conducting respiratory care and physical rehabilitation.
Outcomes of flexor tendon repairs in zone 2 subzones with early active mobilization
Authors: Moriya K. , Yoshizu T. , Tsubokawa N. , Narisawa H. , Matsuzawa S. , Maki Y.
Published: June 2017

We report on the outcomes of flexor tendon repair in zone 2 subzones with early active mobilization in 102 fingers in 88 consecutive patients. There were 28, 53, 15, and six fingers with repairs in zones 2A to 2D, respectively. Rupture of the repair occurred in four fingers, all in zone 2B. Excluding those with repair ruptures, the mean total active motion was 230° (range 143°–286°). Evaluated with Tang’s criteria, the outcomes were ranked excellent in 39 fingers, good in 46, fair in ten, poor in three, and failure in four. The outcomes in zone 2C were significantly inferior to those in zones 2B and 2D ( p = 0.02). Our results suggest that the tendon laceration in the area covered by the A2 pulley (zone 2C) is the most difficult area to obtain satisfactory active digital motion and tendon repair in zone 2B is the area where the risk of rupture is highest.

Level of evidence: IV
Novel therapeutic strategies in the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer
Authors: Oualla Karima , El-Zawahry Heba M. , Arun Banu , Reuben James M. , Woodward Wendy A. , Gamal El-Din Heba , Lim Bora , Mellas Nawfel , Ueno Naoto T. , Fouad Tamer M.
Published: June 2017

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a heterogeneous subtype of breast cancer that is defined by negative estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status. Treating patients with TNBC remains clinically challenging, as patients are not candidates for endocrine or HER2-directed therapy. As a result, chemotherapy with traditional agents such as anthracyclines and taxanes remains the only available option with moderate success. Recent discoveries have revealed that TNBC is a heterogeneous disease at the clinical, histological and molecular levels. The use of biomarkers to identify distinct subsets of TNBC that derive the greatest benefit from presently approved as well as novel therapeutics has become the main focus of current research. The aim of this review is to explore the clinical and biological complexity of TNBC as well as identify novel therapeutic options that target the various molecular subsets of TNBC.
Parenting practices of Singaporean mothers of children with ADHD
Authors: Nomanbhoy Alefiya , Hawkins Russell
Published: June 2017

Objectives:

We wanted to determine: (1) whether ADHD symptoms were more common in mothers of children with ADHD; (2) whether mothers of children with ADHD differed in their parenting strategies; and (3) whether there was a difference in care-giving arrangements for children with ADHD and without ADHD. This was done by comparing mothers of children with ADHD with mothers of children without ADHD in Singapore.

Methods:

Mothers of children with ADHD ( n=46) and mothers of children without ADHD ( n=45) completed the Conners’ Parent Rating Scale-Revised, the Conners’ Adult ADHD Rating Scale-Self Report and the Alabama Parenting Questionnaire.

Results:

Mothers of children with ADHD did not report higher levels of current ADHD symptoms compared with the control group. However, they did use less adaptive parenting strategies. There were also no differences in the reported behaviours of children cared for by a paid worker and those cared for by mothers.

Conclusions:

Data support the Singapore Clinical Guidelines recommendations for the promotion of parenting skills, and referral to parenting programmes for parents of children with ADHD. The promotion of parenting skills and referral to parenting programmes for mothers of children with ADHD might include the option of electronic forms of programme delivery. The model of using paid help in the home, which is commonplace in Singapore, does not seem to disadvantage children with ADHD.
Frequent attenders at the emergency department: an analysis of characteristics and utilisation trends
Authors: Chan Joanna Shi-En , Tin Aung Soe , Chow Wai Leng , Tiah Ling , Tiru Mohan , Lee Chien Earn
Published: June 2017

Background:

Frequent attenders (FAs) place a disproportionate burden on emergency department (ED) resources.

Objectives:

Our study aimed to describe characteristics of ED visits by FAs to our hospital so as to identify potential strategies to better manage ED demand.

Methods:

This was a retrospective observational study. All visits to the ED from 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2011 were included. FAs were defined as patients with ⩾5 visits to the ED over the study period. They were further stratified by visit frequency.

Results:

FAs showed a bimodal age distribution, with visits by FAs aged 16–25 years old and the elderly aged 66 years and above accounting for the largest proportion of ED visits relative to the number of visits by their non-FA counterparts. Using the age group of 26–45 years as reference, the odds ratio (OR) of FAs being 16–25 years old was 3.037 (95% confidence interval (CI) 2.708–3.407, p < 0.001). Above the age of 65, the OR of FAs falling into a given age group increased for every additional decade of life, up to 3.118 (2.495–3.898, p <0.001) for the age group of 86 and above. FAs were more likely to be male. Diagnoses which accounted for a higher percentage of visits with increasing visit frequency were asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, upper respiratory tract infection and headache.

Conclusions:

FAs include the high-acuity chronic sick as well as young adults with low-acuity complaints. Disease optimisation programmes, case management, robust community-based healthcare and public education are possible avenues to optimise ED resources in an ageing society.
Disaster mental health preparedness in the community: A systematic review study
Authors: Roudini Juliet , Khankeh Hamid Reza , Witruk Evelin
Published: June 2017

The objective of this study was to perform a systematic review of articles that cover aspects of disaster mental health preparedness. This assessment was done by a thorough review and summary of the available studies which provided a considerable background and amplified the gaps in knowledge about community mental health preparedness. By this systematic review, we tried to identify available concept of community mental health preparedness and related tools that communities and individuals will need to prepare for natural disasters. We found there is a lack of mental health preparedness in the majority of countries; valid and reliable tools and context-bound programs should be developed based on the experiences and perceptions of the community.
Personality Disorders in Primary Care: Impact on Depression Outcomes Within Collaborative Care
Authors: Angstman Kurt B. , Seshadri Ashok , Marcelin Alberto , Gonzalez Cesar A. , Garrison Gregory M. , Allen Jay-Sheree
Published: June 2017

Background:Individuals with personality disorders (PDs) are high utilizers of primary care and mental health services; however, they struggle to utilize the care effectively and studies have shown a strong association between having a PD and higher impairment in social role functioning. This is especially important because PDs are highly comorbid with a wide range of other mental health disorders. The collaborative care model (CCM) for depression was developed with an emphasis on patient engagement and aimed to reduce health care utilization, while improving treatment outcomes in primary care. We hypothesized that the diagnosis of a personality disorder in primary care patients will negatively affect 6-month depression outcomes after enrollment into a CCM. Methods: This retrospective chart review study was conducted on patients enrolled into CCM over a period of 7 years with collection of 6-month follow-up data. A total of 2826 patients were enrolled into CCM with a clinical diagnosis of depression and a baseline Patient Health Questionnaire–9 (PHQ-9) ≥10 were included in the study cohort. Using the depression database, baseline and 6-month follow-up data were obtained. Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) were determined for both remission and persistent depressive symptoms using logistic regression modeling for the 6-month PHQ-9 outcome; while retaining all the study variables. Results: Of the 2826 CCM patients with depression in our study, 216 (7.6%) were found to have a PD. Patients with PD were younger (37.7 vs 42.5 years, P < .001) and more likely to be unmarried (36.1% vs 55.6%, P < .001) than patients without a PD. While age, marital status, clinical diagnosis, and Mood Disorders Questionnaire (MDQ) score were significant predictors of remission; anxiety symptoms, gender, and race were not. The presence of a PD diagnosis was associated with a 60% lower likelihood of remission at 6 months (AOR = 0.39; 95% CI 0.28-0.54). Conversely, patients without a PD were 2.5 times as likely to experience remission at 6-month remission compared to patients with PD (AOR =2.57; 95% CI 1.85-3.56). Conclusion: Patients with a personality disorder were more likely to have a recurrent depressive disorder diagnosis, an abnormal MDQ score, increased anxiety symptoms, and higher baseline PHQ-9 score. Patients with PD had worse CCM outcomes at 6 months with only 25.0% able to achieve remission versus 54.3% ( P < .001) without a PD. The presence of a PD with depression was associated with poor outcomes (reduced remission rates and increased persistent depressive symptoms rates) in comparison to patients without a diagnosis of PD, while treated within CCM.
Successful Truncal Valve Replacement With a Mechanical Valve After Bilateral Pulmonary Artery Banding
Authors: Yoshitake Shuichi , Kaneko Yukihiro , Yakuwa Kazuki , Achiwa Ikuya
Published: June 2017

Surgical management of truncus arteriosus, or common arterial trunk, has expanded over the past three decades to include earlier surgical intervention, initially during infancy and now chiefly in the neonatal period. Many studies have shown that preoperative truncal valve insufficiency is an independent risk factor for mortality. We herein present the case of a five-month-old boy with severe truncal valve insufficiency who underwent repair of common arterial trunk and prosthetic replacement of the truncal valve with associated annular enlargement after initial stabilization in the newborn period via palliative bilateral pulmonary artery banding. We believe that initial bilateral pulmonary artery banding represents a viable option for some cases of common arterial trunk involving truncal valve insufficiency.
Lobbying Practices of Citizens’ Groups in China
Authors: Popović Emina
Published: June 2017

As previous research indicates, some advocacy groups in China work hard to represent their members and to have their voice heard in the policy-making process. However, little is known about how those groups influence decision-making, what channels they use, and what they offer in exchange for access. This study is thus designed to provide better insight into political activities of citizens’ groups and to set the stage for testing plausible hypotheses on interest representation in China. To increase understanding of advocacy groups’ interactions with policy makers and their endeavours to mobilize the public over policy issues, 38 interviews were conducted. The interviews revealed that even though citizens’ groups extensively use their resources as access goods in exchange for participation in policy-making, public backing for their policy positions is considered even more important for accomplishing advocacy goals than direct access to decision makers. The findings suggest that interest representation theories and concepts developed in Western societies, despite the differences in political systems, can be useful for explaining China’s advocacy groups’ political activities.
Factors Influencing Diabetes Self-Management Among Medically Underserved Patients With Type II Diabetes
Authors: Reyes Jimmy , Tripp-Reimer Toni , Parker Edith , Muller Brandi , Laroche Helena
Published: June 2017

In this study, researchers compare and contrast issues regarding diabetes self-management between persons in good versus poor glycemic control. The sample comprises low-income racially diverse adults with diabetes from four mid-western community health centers; 44 patients participated in eight focus groups divided by control status (HbA1c of > 9 [uncontrolled] or < 7 [controlled]). Themes common to both groups included the impact of dietary restrictions on social interactions, food cravings, the impact of mental health on self-management, and the importance of formal and informal (friends and family) support. Those in the uncontrolled groups described fear about being able to control their diabetes, confusion about self-management, and difficulty managing their diabetes while caring for family members. Although those in the controlled groups acknowledged difficulties, they discussed resisting cravings, making improvements with small changes, positive feelings about their ability to control their diabetes, and enjoying new foods and exercise. Interventions should include mental health support, incorporate formal and informal patient support structures, and address literacy issues. Health care providers and intervention personnel should be very concrete about how to do self-management tasks and guide patients on how to alter their diabetes regimens for social and other important life events.
Sarcopenia and Predictors of Skeletal Muscle Mass in Elderly Men With and Without Obesity
Authors: Stoever Katja , Heber Anke , Eichberg Sabine , Brixius Klara
Published: June 2017

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the variables which show the highest association with muscle mass and to identify the most important predictors for muscle mass in elderly men with and without sarcopenia. Methods: A total of 71 men participated, aged ≥65 years. Sarcopenia was assessed using the definition of the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People with determining skeletal muscle index (SMI), hand-grip strength (HGS), and Short Physical Performance Battery. In addition, maximum strength at upper and lower extremities and physical activity were measured. Results: Strong correlations existed between SMI and gait speed, HGS, maximum isometric strength at leg and chest press. Physical activity showed low correlations with muscle strength. Regression analysis revealed HGS and gait speed as key predictors for SMI. Discussion: The recommendation is measuring gait speed and HGS in clinical practice at first followed by measuring muscle mass for determining sarcopenia.
Hmga2 collaborates with JAK2V617F in the development of myeloproliferative neoplasms
Authors: Ueda Koki , Ikeda Kazuhiko , Ikezoe Takayuki , Harada-Shirado Kayo , Ogawa Kazuei , Hashimoto Yuko , Sano Takahiro , Ohkawara Hiroshi , Kimura Satoshi , Shichishima-Nakamura Akiko , Nakamura Yuichi , Shikama Yayoi , Mori Tsutomu , Mason Philip J. , Bessler Monica , Morishita Soji , Komatsu Norio , Shide Kotaro , Shimoda Kazuya , Koide Shuhei , Aoyama Kazumasa , Oshima Motohiko , Iwama Atsushi , Takeishi Yasuchika
Published: June 2017

Key Points

In patients with MPNs, repression of MIRlet-7 and mutations in the polycomb genes EZH2 and ASXL1 correlate with HMGA2 overexpression. Hmga2 overexpression collaborates with JAK2V617F to promote lethal MPN in mice, highlighting the crucial role of Hmga2.
Effect of Age on the Efficacy and Safety of Lenvatinib in Radioiodine-Refractory Differentiated Thyroid Cancer in the Phase III SELECT Trial
Authors: Brose Marcia S. , Worden Francis P. , Newbold Kate L. , Guo Matthew , Hurria Arti
Published: June 2017

Purpose

In the Study of (E7080) Lenvatinib in Differentiated Cancer of the Thyroid (SELECT), lenvatinib significantly prolonged progression-free survival (PFS) versus placebo in patients with radioiodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer (RR-DTC). This prespecified subanalysis investigated the effect of age on the efficacy and safety of lenvatinib.

Patients and Methods

This randomized, double-blind, phase III study enrolled patients with histologically confirmed RR-DTC stratified by age (≤ 65 or > 65 years). Patients (N = 392) received lenvatinib 24 mg/day (n = 261) or placebo (n = 131). The primary end point was PFS; secondary end points included overall survival (OS), objective response rate, and safety.

Results

In both treatment arms, median ages were 56 (younger group) and 71 years (older group). PFS benefit was maintained with lenvatinib versus placebo in the younger and older age groups, with median PFS of 20.2 versus 3.2 months (hazard ratio [HR], 0.19; 95% CI, 0.13 to 0.27; P < .001) and 16.7 versus 3.7 months (HR, 0.27; 95% CI, 0.17 to 0.43; P < .001), respectively. PFS did not differ with age in either treatment arm. OS was improved in older lenvatinib-treated patients versus placebo (HR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.31 to 0.91; P = .020). Younger lenvatinib-treated patients showed significantly higher ORR (72% v 55%; P = .0038), longer time to first dose reduction (3.7 v 1.5 months), and lower proportion of grade ≥ 3 treatment-related adverse events (67% v 89%; P < .001) compared with older patients.

Conclusion

This subanalysis demonstrated improved PFS with lenvatinib treatment versus placebo in both age groups, although higher toxicity was observed in older patients. Despite the allowance of crossover after disease progression, the OS benefit was observed in older patients, suggesting that lenvatinib should be considered for treatment of patients of any age with RR-DTC.
Pump Priming Practices and Anticoagulation in Cardiac Surgery: Results From the Global Cardiopulmonary Bypass Survey
Authors: Miles Lachlan F. , Coulson Timothy G. , Galhardo Carlos , Falter Florian
Published: June 2017

BACKGROUND:

Regional patterns of practice in cardiopulmonary bypass remain poorly understood with conflicting evidence regarding the best choices in pump priming preferences with respect to colloid and crystalloid and different types of fluid within these categories. In light of the variation in the literature, we hypothesized there would be considerable regional differences in cardiopulmonary bypass practice, particularly with respect to the type of fluid used to prime the extracorporeal circuit.

METHODS:

A 16-question, Internet-based survey was distributed by various regional specialist societies, targeting adult cardiac anesthesiologists. One question was directly relevant to activated clotting time and 5 concerned pump priming choices with respect to crystalloid and colloid types and additives. The remaining questions concerned cardioplegia choices. The survey remained open from June 2015 to May 2016.

RESULTS:

A total of 923 responses were analyzed. Estimated response rates from Europe, North America, Australia/New Zealand, and South America were 19.77%, 8.06%, 16.30%, and 1.68%, respectively. The majority of respondents worldwide considered an activated clotting time of <400 seconds as unsafe for bypass (92.5%). Crystalloid as a sole fluid type remains the most common priming solution worldwide (38.1%) although combinations with colloid (23.8%) were also popular. Retrograde autologous priming was used by 17.9% of respondents. Heparin was the most frequently used prime additive (43.0%) followed by mannitol (35.2%). Variation was demonstrated within some of these categories reflective of differences in regional practices.

CONCLUSIONS:

Differences exist in some specific areas between regional cardiopulmonary bypass techniques with respect to pump priming and anticoagulation practices. The significance of these differences with respect to patient outcome is uncertain and requires further study.
Rapturous Bodies: A Conversation with Camille Norment
Authors: García-Antón Katya , Cataldo Antonio
Published: June 2017

Our senses, and in particular sound, can be reconsidered as gateways of knowledge, instruments of power, and sources of pain and of pleasure. Furthermore, it is important to acknowledge that they are subject to dramatically different constructions in different societies and periods. Placing the sensory experience at the forefront of cultural analysis and activity has been one of the driving forces behind Camille Norment’s practice as a whole, and her project Rapture, in particular. Her practice has been inspired by the contextual relationships between sound and music, and her research critically explores the sociopolitical encoding of sound historically and in the present, reflecting upon the power of dissonance to carve out a space for new and affirmative thinking. Raising questions around alienation and emancipation, she excavates aspects of the forgotten or the repressed through a cross-disciplinary pursuit that draws from social, psychological, political, and cultural orientations, broadening and interweaving perspectives on how sound marks collective experience and affects our collective consciousness. In this interview, which spans across the last twenty years of her work, Camille Norment speaks with Office for Contemporary Art Norway curators Katya García-Antón and Antonio Cataldo to reveal the reasoning behind her artistic practice, which seeks to remystify the shaping of sound upon our collective consciousness.
Fashioning Modernity: Dressing the Body in Ethiopian Portraiture
Authors: Werts Julia Kim
Published: June 2017

Throughout the mid-twentieth century, Ethiopia experienced a period of rapid modernization that affected the ways in which the Ethiopian people—particularly those in the capital city of Addis Ababa—navigated the shifting world around them. Their relationship with a modernizing urban center is explored in this article through the lens of portraiture and fashion. Examining the unique social presence of the Ethiopian royal family in the media, both at home and abroad, this article presents an analysis of the fashionably dressed bodies of Emperor Haile Selassie and his children within a broader scope of the politics of embodiment and the formation of a modern Ethiopian identity, one that specifically celebrated the successes of the Ethiopian monarchy.
Sharjah Biennial 12: The Past, the Present, the Possible
Authors: Nzewi Ugochukwu-Smooth C.
Published: June 2017

This essay reviews the twelfth iteration of the Sharjah Biennial, 2015, a major event in the international art calendar and the most significant fulcrum of cultural and artistic activities in the Middle East and North Africa. I examine how curator Eungie Joo articulated her theme of The Past, the Present, the Possible by looking closely at the exhibits and some of the key issues that framed the conversations during the March Meeting, the ancillary talk shop event that is as important as the various exhibitions. I explore selected works that either mirror the arc of art history from a Middle Eastern perspective or address some of the critical issues that are emblematic of our contemporary world. Finally, I consider how the biennial disrupts and/or affirms the typological structures and narratives that shape our understanding and experience of art biennials—what some scholars have described as the biennialization of contemporary art and of the art world.
Hotter nests produce hatchling lizards with lower thermal tolerance
Authors: Dayananda Buddhi , Murray Brad R. , Webb Jonathan K.
Published: June 2017

In many regions, the frequency and duration of summer heatwaves is predicted to increase in future. Hotter summers could result in higher temperatures inside lizard nests, potentially exposing embryos to thermally stressful conditions during development. Potentially, developmentally plastic shifts in thermal tolerance could allow lizards to adapt to climate warming. To determine how higher nest temperatures affect the thermal tolerance of hatchling geckos, we incubated eggs of the rock-dwelling velvet gecko, Amalosia lesueurii, at two fluctuating temperature regimes to mimic current nest temperatures (mean 23.2°C, range 10–33°C, ‘cold’) and future nest temperatures (mean 27.0°C, range 14–37°C, ‘hot’). Hatchlings from the hot incubation group hatched 27 days earlier and had a lower critical thermal maximum (CTmax 38.7°C) and a higher critical thermal minimum (CTmin 6.2°C) than hatchlings from cold incubation group (40.2 and 5.7°C, respectively). In the field, hatchlings typically settle under rocks near communal nests. During the hatching period, rock temperatures ranged from 13 to 59°C, and regularly exceeded the CTmax of both hot- and cold-incubated hatchlings. Because rock temperatures were so high, the heat tolerance of lizards had little effect on their ability to exploit rocks as retreat sites. Instead, the timing of hatching dictated whether lizards could exploit rocks as retreat sites; that is, cold-incubated lizards that hatched later encountered less thermally stressful environments than earlier hatching hot-incubated lizards. In conclusion, we found no evidence that CTmax can shift upwards in response to higher incubation temperatures, suggesting that hotter summers may increase the vulnerability of lizards to climate warming.
Hunting with sticky tape: functional shift in silk glands of araneophagous ground spiders (Gnaphosidae)
Authors: Wolff Jonas O. , Řezáč Milan , Krejčí Tomáš , Gorb Stanislav N.
Published: June 2017

Foraging is one of the main evolutionary driving forces shaping the phenotype of organisms. In predators, a significant, though understudied, cost of foraging is the risk of being injured by struggling prey. Hunting spiders that feed on dangerous prey like ants or other spiders are an extreme example of dangerous feeding, risking their own life over a meal. Here, we describe an intriguing example of the use of attachment silk (piriform silk) for prey immobilization that comes with the costs of reduced silk anchorage function, increased piriform silk production and additional modifications of the extrusion structures (spigots) to prevent their clogging. We show that the piriform silk of gnaphosids is very stretchy and tough, which is an outstanding feat for a functional glue. This is gained by the combination of an elastic central fibre and a bi-layered glue coat consisting of aligned nanofibrils. This represents the first tensile test data on the ubiquitous piriform gland silk, adding an important puzzle piece to the mechanical catalogue of silken products in spiders.
Cognitive specialization for learning faces is associated with shifts in the brain transcriptome of a social wasp
Authors: Berens Ali J. , Tibbetts Elizabeth A. , Toth Amy L.
Published: June 2017

The specialized ability to learn and recall individuals based on distinct facial features is known in only a few, large-brained social taxa. Social paper wasps in the genus Polistes are the only insects known to possess this form of cognitive specialization. We analyzed genome-wide brain gene expression during facial and pattern training for two species of paper wasps (P. fuscatus, which has face recognition, and P. metricus, which does not) using RNA sequencing. We identified 237 transcripts associated with face specialization in P. fuscatus, including some transcripts involved in neuronal signaling (serotonin receptor and tachykinin). Polistes metricus that learned faces (without specialized learning) and P. fuscatus in social interactions with familiar partners (from a previous study) showed distinct sets of brain differentially expressed transcripts. These data suggest face specialization in P. fuscatus is related to shifts in the brain transcriptome associated with genes distinct from those related to general visual learning and social interactions.
The Effects of Corporate Venture Capital, Founder Incumbency, and Their Interaction on Entrepreneurial Firms’ R&D Investment Strategies
Authors: Paik Yongwook , Woo Heejin
Published: June 2017

Corporate venture capital (CVC) investment has increasingly become an important source of entrepreneurial finance. Accordingly, while scholars have traditionally focused on understanding the main motivations behind CVC activity and its impact on the investing corporate firm, more recently, scholars have also started to emphasize the importance of understanding the impact of CVC investment on the investee venture. In particular, these recent studies commonly show that CVC investment has a positive effect on the venture’s innovation. While the positive link between CVC investment and the venture’s innovation output is well established in the literature, the organizational mechanisms through which this relationship unfolds within the venture remain relatively underexplored. In this study, we fill this gap in the literature by examining the effects of CVC ownership, founder incumbency, and the CVC investor–founder interaction on research and development (R&D) investment strategies in venture capital (VC)-financed, technology-based entrepreneurial ventures. In doing so, we aim to provide a novel explanation of the organizational mechanisms that lead to greater investment in research and development (R&D), especially with regard to the interaction between CVC investors and founder managers. We argue that CVC ownership and founder incumbency positively affect entrepreneurial firms’ R&D investment and, more importantly, that the CVC ownership effect is effectively amplified when the founder is an incumbent top manager because of goal congruence and knowledge spillover from the CVC firm. Our empirical analysis supports our hypotheses while addressing potential endogeneity concerns. Our results also support various mechanisms by utilizing the data on CVC investor’s board membership, CVC investor heterogeneity, the founder’s technological background, and the investee venture’s industry.

The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.2017.1133 .
Anti-Bullying Week 2017: ‘All Different, All Equal’
Authors: Evans Martha
Published: June 2017

Discrimination in schools is still a real challenge and young people have recently revealed their key priorities for tackling bullying. Martha Evans explains more
School nurses' perceptions of undergraduate children's nursing safeguarding education
Authors: David Morgan Llewellyn , Spargo Dwynwen
Published: June 2017

Safeguarding children is a substantial practice area for children's nurses and school nurses, remaining a challenging environment to work within. The literature suggests that professionals involved in safeguarding have been under-prepared by their training to work in this area. This small qualitative study aimed to explore school nurse perceptions of their undergraduate children's nursing education to ascertain if they were adequately prepared to practice in this area.

This study used interpretative phenomenological analysis as a methodology, and three practicing school nurses, who are qualified children's nurses were interviewed. Themes highlight that undergraduate education did not prepare them to practice in safeguarding through a combination of factors. These included lack of exposure to practice in this area as a student and as an inexperienced staff nurse; lack of adequate succession planning; and lack of information sharing, leading to a feeling of practice isolation.
Cardiac resynchronization therapy and its role in the management of heart failure
Authors: McAloon Christopher J , Theodoreson Mark D , Hayat Sajad , Osman Faizel
Published: June 2017

The prevalence of heart failure is increasing and it is associated with significant mortality and morbidity. Optimal medical therapy improves outcome, but heart failure continues to have a substantial impact on both the individual patient and wider society. Over the last two decades, cardiac resynchronization therapy has revolutionized the treatment of selected patients who have heart failure. Cardiac resynchronization therapy significantly reduces mortality and hospitalization through reverse cardiac remodelling. This review informs non-specialists about cardiac resynchronization therapy and for which patients it should be considered.
Eight questions to ask before writing an article
Authors: Albert Tim
Published: June 2017

Health professionals often have to write articles for publication in academic journals. Many of them find this difficult and suffer from one or more variations of writer's block. A good way of avoiding these setbacks is to prepare thoroughly for the writing project, and this article proposes eight different questions writers can ask before they start. The first is whether they are in a good position to complete the task, and if not whether they should try to negotiate their way out of the project. If they commit to going ahead, writers should work out where they will find the necessary time, and set deadlines for ensuring that they do. They should also decide on their co-authors, because getting them involved early should make the rewriting more straightforward as well as reducing the danger of ghost authors emerging once the work has been done. Writers should put their research away and reflect on the most appropriate message – a simple sentence that sums up the main implication of the paper. Armed with this message, they can identify a suitable journal for publication – and thereafter can use articles in this journal to guide them on matters of substance and style. If the article is published in that target journal authors can consider that they have written a successful paper.
Recruiting a successful team
Authors: Gray Patricia
Published: June 2017

High-performing GP practices recruit and retain the right people, and keep staff motivated by creating a positive environment. How can practice managers recruit a successful team? Patricia Gray offers some advice
Planning for GP partner retirement
Authors: Taylor Keith
Published: June 2017

GP partner retirement is on the rise, placing a further burden on practice managers, says Keith Taylor
Características Qualitativas da Pesquisa Científica: Uma visão para pesquisas qualitativas e quantitativas
Authors: Silva Leilson Vanderson Barbosa da , Monte Marciel José Do , Galvão Nadielli Maria Dos Santos , Correia José Jonas Alves
Published: June 2017

A pesquisa se constitui em uma importante atividade no âmbito das instituições de ensino superior, com o propósito de desenvolver e/ou aperfeiçoar técnicas e estratégias de trabalho e ação nos diversos ramos de atividade, além de constituir-se como algo fundamental para o avanço do conhecimento e construção de soluções para os problemas sociais. Este comment discute os conceitos de validade, confiabilidade e generalização, usuais às pesquisas quantitativas, como possibilidade também nas pesquisas de cunho qualitativo.
Avaliação da percepção de indicadores de qualidade de vida no trabalho em um abatedouro de frangos
Authors: Takeda Fabiano , Vergara Lizandra Garcia Lupi , Moro Antonio Renato Pereira
Published: June 2017

Considerando os altos índices de produção e exportação de produtos de origem animal no Brasil, manter níveis de qualidade de vida no trabalho (QVT) tornou-se essencial para as empresas se manterem competitivas. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a percepção dos supervisores e gerentes de um abatedouro de frangos em relação à qualidade de vida no trabalho de sua equipe para verificar se as condições percebidas pelos entrevistados atendem os requisitos mínimos de QVT. O método utilizado para levantamento foi um questionário estruturado com 11 perguntas que foram realizadas na forma de entrevista. Para análise dos dados utilizou-se a ferramenta de análise de conteúdo proposto por Bardin (2011) e o questionário adaptado do modelo de QVT proposto por Walton (1973). O estudo limitou-se na aplicação de entrevistas em apenas funcionários do cargo de gestão de equipes. Os resultados da pesquisa apontam que em geral a percepção dos entrevistados é que a empresa atende as condições de QVT conforme modelo utilizado, evidenciando-se fatores positivos e negativos a serem analisados pela empresa, possibilitando mensurar as necessidades da empresa no nível gerencial que contribuem na QVT dos funcionários.
Uma heurística robusta para programação de máquinas paralelas com tempos de setup dependentes da sequência
Authors: Mundim Leandro Resende , Fuchigami Helio Yochihiro
Published: June 2017

O propósito deste trabalho foi elaborar uma heurística robusta e eficiente para o problema de programação de um conjunto de n tarefas com tempos de setup explícitos e dependentes da sequência em um conjunto de m máquinas de forma a minimizar o makespan (duração total da programação). Os resultados foram testados com instâncias artificiais baseadas em trabalhos publicados na literatura específica e comparados com um limitante inferior (lower bound) proposto a partir de um modelo de programação linear inteira mista. A qualidade da solução heurística foi medida com base no desvio percentual em relação ao limitante inferior. A experimentação demonstrou tanto a eficácia da solução, com desvio relativo médio de 5,51%, como a eficiência computacional da heurística, com tempos de execução desprezível.
Modularidade em serviços: aplicação em uma empresa de telecomunicações
Authors: Luna Marina Battistella , Fettermann Diego , Cauchick Miguel Paulo A
Published: June 2017

A crescente participação dos serviços na economia alterou a forma como as empresas gerenciam e desenvolvem os seus serviços. Esta transformação direciona as empresas para o desenvolvimento e aplicação de metodologias e ferramentas que contribuam para uma redução dos efeitos operacionais de uma maior variedade de serviços oferecidos pelas empresas. Uma das estratégias mais referenciadas para esta finalidade é a modularidade aplicada a serviços. Nesse contexto, este trabalho propõe uma aplicação dos princípios de modularidade para o desenvolvimento de serviços em uma empresa do setor Telecomunicações. A construção da proposta foi realizada a partir de uma revisão da literatura sobre métodos para a promoção da modularidade, tanto no desenvolvimento de novos produtos quanto de serviços. A aplicação realizada busca atender uma lacuna na literatura relacionada à adaptação da modularidade às características do serviço a ser desenvolvido. Dentre os resultados, o trabalho apresenta um roteiro para a aplicação da modularidade no desenvolvimento de um serviço da empresa, ilustrando o potencial de sua aplicação na modularização de serviços.
Задача Дирихле для уравнения смешанного типа с сильным характеристическим вырождением и сингулярным коэффициентом
Authors: Сафина Римма Марселевна , Safina Rimma Marselevna
Published: June 2017

Для уравнения смешанного типа второго рода с сингулярным коэффициентом исследована первая
граничная задача в прямоугольной области.
Для исследования поставленной задачи используются методы спектрального анализа.
Предварительно решается одномерная спектральная задача.
Установлен критерий единственности решения задачи.
Единственность решения задачи доказывается на основании полноты системы собственных функций
соответствующей одномерной спектральной задачи.
Решение задачи построено в явном виде как сумма ряда Фурье-Бесселя.
При обосновании равномерной сходимости построенного ряда возникает проблема малых знаменателей.
В связи с этим найдена оценка отделенности от нуля малого знаменателя с соответствующей асимптотикой.
Полученная оценка позволила доказать сходимость ряда и его производных до второго порядка включительно, а также теорему существования в классе регулярных решений данного уравнения.
О нелокальной задаче с дробной производной Римана-Лиувилля для уравнения смешанного типа
Authors: Тарасенко Анна Валерьевна , Tarasenko Anna Valerievna , Егорова Ирина Петровна , Egorova Irina Petrovna
Published: June 2017

Для уравнения с частной дробной производной Римана-Лиувилля исследована однозначная разрешимость задачи с обобщенным оператором дробного интегро-дифференцирования в краевом условии.
Теорема единственности решения поставленной задачи доказана на основании принципа экстремума для нелокального параболического уравнения и принципа экстремума для операторов дробного дифференцирования в смысле Римана-Лиувилля.
Доказательство существования решения эквивалентно сводится к вопросу разрешимости дифференциального уравнения дробного порядка.
Решение рассматриваемой задачи получено в явном виде.
Мезоскопические модели для определения упругих характеристик мягких магнитных эластомеров
Authors: Биллер Анастасия Михайловна , Biller Anastasiya Mikhailovna , Столбов Олег Валерьевич , Stolbov Oleg Valer'evich
Published: June 2017

В качестве модели мезоскопического структурного элемента мягкого магнитного эластомера рассмотрена пара намагничивающихся частиц, заключенных в цилиндр из высокоэластичного (гиперупругого) материала.
Под действием внешнего магнитного поля частицы намагничиваются, и между ними возникает силовое взаимодействие. Частицы меняют свое положение в эластомерной матрице, насколько это позволяет ее упругое сопротивление. Равновесное положение частиц в образце определяется балансом магнитных и упругих сил и соответствует минимуму общей энергии системы.
При ее вычислении учитывались как нелинейность и неоднородность намагничивания частиц, так и нелинейность упругих свойств эластомера. Это существенно приближает нас к случаю реального магнитореологического композита, представляющего собой мягкий эластомер наполненный микронными частицами ферромагнетика. Рассматриваемая система проявляет бистабильность - при увеличении и уменьшении приложенного магнитного поля расстояние между частицами сокращается гистерезисным образом, от величины порядка нескольких радиусов до плотного контакта (коллапс). Такое поведение значительно влияет на способность мезоскопического элемента сопротивляться внешней нагрузке.
Коллапс частиц под действием магнитного поля или сжимающей нагрузки приводит к резкому росту жесткости.
Зависимость механических характеристик от приложенного магнитного поля изучена для элементов различной относительной податливости. Эта зависимость также имеет гистерезисный характер. Несмотря на свою простоту, модель в целом верно описывает индуцированную полем перестройку внутренней структуры мягких магнитных эластомеров. Полученные результаты использованы для качественного рассмотрения макроскопической магнитомеханики композита, это сделано с помощью процедуры гомогенизации, основанной на гипотезе Фойгта. Полученная зависимость жесткости мягкого магнитного эластомера от внешнего магнитного поля качественно совпадает с экспериментальными результатами, опубликованными в литературе.
О скорости стабилизации решений задачи Коши для уравнения Карлемана с периодическими начальными данными
Authors: Духновский Сергей Анатольевич , Dukhnovskii Sergei A
Published: June 2017

Исследуется одномерная система уравнений для дискретной модели газа (система уравнений Карлемана). Система Карлемана является кинетическим уравнением Больцмана модельного одномерного газа, состоящего из двух частиц. Для этой модели не сохраняются импульс и энергия. На примере модели Карлемана хорошо видна суть уравнения Больцмана, которое описывает смесь «конкурирующих» процессов: релаксацию и свободное движение. Доказывается существование глобального решения задачи Коши для возмущения состояния равновесия с периодическими начальными данными. Впервые устанавливается скорость стабилизации к состоянию равновесия (экспоненциальная стабилизация).
Существование решений в $\mathbb{R}^n$ для стохастических дифференциальных включений с текущими скоростями при наличии аппроксимаций с равномерно ограниченными первыми частными производными
Authors: Макарова Алла Викторовна , Makarova Alla Viktorovna , Демчук Анжелика Анатольевна , Demchuk Anzhelika Anatolievna , Новикова Светлана Сергеевна , Novikova Svetlana Sergeevna
Published: June 2017

Естественный аналог обычной физической скорости детерминированной кривой - текущая скорость (симметрическая производная в среднем случайного процесса, введенная Э. Нельсоном). Если заданы текущая скорость и квадратичная производная в среднем, то при некоторых условиях можно построить процесс, имеющий заданную текущую скорость и квадратичную производную. С. В. Азариной и Ю. Е. Гликлихом получено утверждение о существовании решения для случая, когда заданы многозначная текущая скорость и однозначная квадратичная производная при некоторых очень строгих условиях. Поэтому важно дальнейшее исследование разрешимости подобного рода включений, в более общих случаях, для текущей скорости и квадратичной производной. В данной работе доказана теорема о существовании решений для дифференциальных включений, заданных в терминах текущих скоростей в $\mathbb{R}^n$. Правая часть включения является многозначной и удовлетворяет некоторым условиям.