bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MRI multicentre prospective survey in thalassaemia major patients treated with deferasirox versus deferiprone and desferrioxamine
Authors: Pepe Alessia , Meloni Antonella , Pistoia Laura , Cuccia Liana , Gamberini Maria R. , Lisi Roberto , D'Ascola Domenico G. , Rosso Rosamaria , Allò Massimo , Spasiano Anna , Restaino Gennaro , Righi Riccardo , Mangione Maurizio , Positano Vincenzo , Ricchi Paolo
Published: October 2018

We prospectively assessed the efficacy of deferasirox versus deferiprone or desferrioxamine as monotherapy in thalassaemia major (TM) patients by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We selected the patients enrolled in the Myocardial Iron Overload in Thalassaemia network who received only one chelator between two MRIs (deferasirox = 235, deferiprone = 142, desferrioxamine = 162). Iron overload was measured by T2* technique and biventricular function by cine images. Among the patients with baseline myocardial iron, in all three groups there was a significant improvement in global heart T2* values. The deferiprone and desferrioxamine groups showed a significant improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Only the deferiprone group showed a significant improvement in right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF). The improvement in global heart T2* was significantly lower in the deferasirox versus the deferiprone group. The improvement in the LVEF was significantly higher in the deferiprone and desferrioxamine groups than in the deferasirox group and the improvement in the RVEF was significantly higher in the deferiprone than in deferasirox group. Among the patients with baseline hepatic iron, the changes in hepatic iron were comparable in deferasirox versus the other groups. Deferasirox monotherapy was less effective than deferiprone in improving myocardial siderosis and biventricular function and less effective than desferrioxamine in improving the LVEF.
Palestinian children's narratives about living with spina bifida: Stigma, vulnerability, and social exclusion
Authors: Nahal Maha Sudki , Axelsson Åsa B. , Imam Asma , Wigert Helena
Published: October 2018

Background

Living with spina bifida in Palestine is a critical issue that might influence various aspects of the individual's life. It is a challenge for children, their families, and health care providers because it requires lifelong treatment and follow‐up of care provision. However, little focus has been placed on these children's perceptions about their daily life experiences with spina bifida.

Purpose

To illuminate the lived experience of children with spina bifida in the West Bank, Palestine.

Methods

A qualitative study was conducted using the phenomenological hermeneutical method to interpret the meaning of being a child with spina bifida in Palestine. Ten children with spina bifida, aged 7–18 years, were interviewed. The two local authors independently analyzed the Arabic transcriptions, whereas the two Swedish authors analyzed the transcriptions after translation to English. Finally, the four authors discussed their analysis and reached agreement about the themes.

Results

Studying the children's experience with spina bifida helped us highlight their feelings, needs, and challenges. The findings were formulated into one main theme, Vulnerability and suffering due to social exclusion and stigma, which was grounded in three themes: Experiencing negative self‐concept, Experiencing vulnerability, and Obtaining a sense of security. These three themes were in turn derived from subthemes.

Conclusion

The Palestinian children in this study faced physical, emotional, and psychosocial challenges, which negatively influenced their health and development. They were vulnerable and stigmatized, and they lived with a negative self‐concept. The findings could help health professionals, families, and caregivers to achieve a deeper understanding of what being a child with disabilities entails, and the findings may also serve as a platform for interventions that seek to promote these children's development and to enable them to experience childhood as a meaningful and positive process.
Young carers in Sweden—A pilot study of care activities, view of caring, and psychological well‐being
Authors: Järkestig‐Berggren Ulrika , Bergman Ann‐Sofie , Eriksson Maria , Priebe Gisela
Published: October 2018

Children who have parents with any kind of illness may become young carers who take a responsibility not expected of children for household tasks, or personal or emotional care for parents and siblings. So far, little is known about children in Sweden who are at risk of becoming young carers. The aim of this article is therefore to explore the extent and impact of children's caring activities as reported in a pilot study by a sample of children in Sweden. A number of international questionnaires measuring the amount of caring activities, impact of caring, quality of life, and psychological well‐being were translated and combined into a survey. The pilot survey was completed by 30 children 10–18 years of age. Also, when completing the survey, the children were interviewed concerning their experiences of caregiving. The participants report on a group level emotional symptoms such as fear and nervousness above the clinical cut‐off value. They also rate a lower level of caring compared with findings from the United Kingdom, but they report a higher degree of negative impact of caring than young carers in the United Kingdom.
“We are not weak, we just experience domestic violence”—Immigrant women's experiences of encounters with service providers as a result of domestic violence
Authors: Kiamanesh Parvin , Hauge Mona‐Iren
Published: October 2018

Domestic violence continues to be a serious social problem and represents a challenge for those who are exposed to it and those in public services. In Norway, a variety of services are provided to help victims of domestic violence and improve knowledge among professionals who meet with adults and children exposed to domestic violence. Studies in Norway show that families with immigrant backgrounds are overrepresented among social service users as a result of domestic violence. However, contextualized knowledge to provide background information about this overrepresentation is limited. This paper explores women's need for support and their experience with service providers when faced with difficult and unpredictable situations, namely, escaping from violence and leaving home with no financial resources or limited supportive network and turning to service providers for support. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 18 women who were staying in or were in touch with shelters with their children or alone. Five central themes emerged in the analysis of these interviews: (a) help becoming a burden; (b) timely economic measures; (c) economic support and domestic violence; (d) displaced focus; and (e) flexibility and the victim's background.
Practicing Urban Transformation: Places of Solidarity and Creative Traditionalism in Transatlantic Comparison
Authors: Ufer Ulrich
Published: October 2018

In this paper, I make use of the comparative method to discuss two social movements for urban grassroots transformation, Collectif 7‐à‐Nous in Montréal, Canada, and Project Gängeviertel in Hamburg, Germany. For my analysis, I develop and apply two concepts – terrain solidaire and creative traditionalism – to discuss the differences and similarities in how both social movements have been justifying their claims to urban property with reference to and in dialogue with local culture, local space, and local temporalities in order to withstand adverse dynamics of entrepreneurial urbanism. How have activists constructed urban imaginaries that tie the historically grounded identity of place to current practices of solidarity amongst local dwellers? Moreover, how have creative practices of rediscovering and rewriting local history and memory in activists’ narratives of belonging contributed to rooting their claims in local contexts and against the currents of presentist temporalities? Finally, I discuss the difficulty of activist projects and narratives in escaping the increasing tendencies of commodifying urban culture. [Urban Social Movements; Urban Transformation; Solidarity; Narrative; Presentism; Urban Imaginary]
MiR‐34b/c‐5p and the neurokinin‐1 receptor regulate breast cancer cell proliferation and apoptosis
Authors: Zhang Lufang , Wang Lushan , Dong Dong , Wang Zhiyong , Ji Wei , Yu Man , Zhang Fei , Niu Ruifang , Zhou Yunli
Published: October 2018

Objectives

MiR‐34 is a tumour suppressor in breast cancer. Neurokinin‐1 receptor (NK1R), which is the predicted target of the miR‐34 family, is overexpressed in many cancers. This study investigated the correlation and clinical significance of miR‐34 and NK1R in breast cancer.

Materials and Methods

Western blotting, quantitative reverse transcription‐PCR (qRT‐PCR) and luciferase assays were conducted to analyse the regulation of NK1R by miR‐34 in MDA‐MB‐231, MCF‐7, T47D, SK‐BR‐3 and HEK‐293 T cells. MiR‐34b/c‐5p, full‐length NK1R (NK1R‐FL) and truncated NK1R (NK1R‐Tr) expression in fifty patients were quantified by qRT‐PCR and correlated with their clinicopathological parameters. CCK‐8 assays, colony formation assays and flow cytometry were used to measure cell proliferation and apoptosis in MDA‐MB‐231 and MCF‐7 cells transfected with miR‐34b/c‐5p or NK1R‐siRNA and before treatment with or without Substance P (SP), an endogenous peptide agonists of NK1R. The effect of NK1R antagonist aprepitant was also investigated. In vivo xenograft models were used to further verify the regulation of NK1R by miR‐34b/c‐5p.

Results

Expression levels of miR‐34b/c‐5p and NK1R‐Tr, but not NK1R‐FL, were associated with enhanced malignant potential, such as tumour stage and Ki67 expression. The overexpression of miR‐34b/c‐5p or NK1R silencing potently suppressed cell proliferation and induced G2/M phase arrest and the apoptosis of MDA‐MB‐231 and MCF‐7 cells. The NK1R antagonist aprepitant had similar effects. In vivo studies confirmed that miR‐34b/c‐5p overexpression or NK1R silencing reduced the tumorigenicity of breast cancer. In addition, SP rescued the effects of miR‐34b/c‐5p overexpression or NK1R silencing on cell proliferation and apoptosis in vitro and in vivo assays.

Conclusions

MiR‐34b/c‐5p and NK1R contribute to breast cancer cell proliferation and apoptosis and are potential targets for breast cancer therapeutics.
Therapeutic management of vitiligo
Authors: Bleuel Rachela , Eberlein Bernadette
Published: October 2018

Affecting 0.5 % of the world's population, vitiligo is an acquired skin disorder that poses major challenges in terms of dermatological care. Characterized by patchy depigmentation, the disease is frequently associated with cosmetic disfigurement and considerable psychological distress. The primary pathophysiological causes for the loss of functional melanocytes are thought to include genetic predisposition, autoimmune mechanisms, and oxidative stress. The present article highlights treatment recommendations contained in the European guidelines as well as those provided by recent reviews on vitiligo. Current therapeutic options are based on three approaches: (1) Regulation of the autoimmune response using topical and systemic immunomodulatory agents (corticosteroids and calcineurin inhibitors); (2) decrease in oxidative stress in melanocytes by means of topical and systemic antioxidants; and (3) activation of melanocyte regeneration using phototherapy (UVB in particular) and transplantation of pigment cells. In addition, patients should be educated in techniques for cosmetic camouflage. Following successful repigmentation, application of calcineurin inhibitors is recommended to prevent recurrences. Combination therapies of the aforementioned approaches are generally considered to be more successful than monotherapies. Early initiation of treatment is associated with a more favorable prognosis. Using the above treatment options, it may be possible to halt disease progression, stabilize depigmented lesions, and achieve repigmentation. Only in exceptional cases should permanent depigmentation be considered as a possible option. New insights into the pathogenesis of vitiligo will likely give rise to novel therapeutic approaches.
The Bank of England Over 325 Years
Authors: Capie Forrest
Published: October 2018

The Bank of England's emergence as a central bank was the end of a long process that began soon after its founding in the late seventeenth century and continued until the third quarter of the nineteenth century. Its current two core principles emerged at different times. Monetary stability came first, a consequence of its responsibility for the gold standard. Financial stability followed in the course of the nineteenth century as the Bank slowly acquired the role of lender of last resort. Its mandate was a consequence of the two‐way relationship with government and some external forces.
Chinese Manufacturing in the Shadow of the China–US Trade War
Authors: Liu Kerry
Published: October 2018

A trade war between China and the US has been looming since March 2018, and effectively started on 6 July. A key to this dispute is the ‘Made in China 2025' plan, which aims to greatly improve the competitiveness of Chinese manufacturing industry and enable China to become the world's manufacturing powerhouse. This study examines the present state of Chinese manufacturing, including its size, structure and problems. It explains Made in China 2025, its background, and the chances of its success. It concludes that the importance of Made in China 2025 for the future of the Chinese economy means it will be very difficult for China to make substantial concessions during a trade war.
The link between morphosyntactic accuracy and textbook presentation: The morphosyntax of subject‐verb agreement in Arabic
Authors: Azaz Mahmoud
Published: October 2018

The acquisition of morphosyntax presents challenges for learners of all second/foreign languages. This cross‐sectional study investigated English‐speaking learners’ morphosyntactic accuracy in the symmetrical subject‐verb agreement type (in subject‐initial sentences) and in the asymmetrical subject‐verb agreement type (in verb‐initial sentences) in Arabic. In addition, it examined the extent to which their accuracy rates were reflected in implicit exposure to and explicit presentation of those structures. The results of a prompted production task showed that first‐, second‐, and third‐year learners exhibited low morphosyntactic accuracy rates only in the asymmetrical type. In addition, the production of Group 2 (second‐year) and Group 3 (third‐year) was patterned after that of Group 1 (first‐year) in the symmetrical type but exhibited greater variation in the asymmetrical type. Implications for explicit textbook presentation and instruction of morphosyntactic intricacies are discussed.
Nationwide Shift From Percutaneous Rhizotomy to Microvascular Decompression for Treatment of Trigeminal and Other Cranial Nerve Neuralgias
Authors: Kundu Bornali , Rolston John D.
Published: October 2018

Objective

The aim of this study was to report the trends in the use of common surgical interventions over the past decade to treat cranial nerve neuralgias.

Methods

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Part B National Summary Data File from 2000 to 2016 were studied.

Results

A total of 57.1 million persons were enrolled in 2016, up from 39.6 million persons in 2000. Suboccipital craniectomy done for cranial nerve decompressions (including cranial nerves V, VII, and IX) increased by 33.9 cases per year so that in 2016 the number of cases was 167% of what it was 17 years earlier (ie, from 655 cases in 2000 to 1096 cases in 2016). The less commonly used subtemporal approach craniectomy to treat trigeminal neuralgia (TN) increased by 1.13 cases per year (ie, from 25 cases in 2000 to 46 cases in 2016). The less invasive percutaneous rhizotomy procedures, including glycerol and radiofrequency ablation, for treatment of TN decreased by 42.9 cases per year (64%; ie, from 2578 cases in 2000 to 1206 cases in 2016).

Conclusions

Overall trends show increased use of open surgery and decreased use of percutaneous rhizotomy, including destruction of the trigeminal nerve using balloon compression, glycerol injection, or thermal injury. These trends may be related to differences in outcomes between treatment modalities.
ANZ‐Pacific Migration Governance System
Authors: Chand Satish , Markowski Stefan
Published: October 2018

International migration governance can be represented as a system set up to manage cross‐border mobility of people in the interest of participating states; mostly by means of bilateral agreements between countries and top‐down, UN‐mediated multilateral and EU‐directed plurilateral arrangements. The latter have often failed to work effectively, so we ask if there is another way. We argue that Australia and New Zealand, together with several Pacific nations, form the ANZ Pacific Migration Governance System (ANZPAC), which provides an alternative way of regional migration governance. We call it an idiorhythmic system of governance: a bottom‐up arrangement between states using devolved and/or self‐regulating coordinating mechanisms to allow participating states sufficient freedom to pursue their own agendas at a pace determined mostly uni‐nationally. ANZPAC facilitates enhanced mobility of migrants to and within the region while also helping to reticulate inflows of unauthorized immigrants. It offers interesting, albeit at times controversial, lessons for other countries.

Polish Research Foundation NCNOPUS 10 research support scheme (research project 2015/19/B/HS4/00364 ‘The impact of wealth formation by economic migrants on their mobility and integration: Polish migrants in countries of the European Community and Australia’).
Living with uncertain work
Authors: Heyes Jason , Moore Sian , Newsome Kirsty , Tomlinson Mark
Published: October 2018

This article examines the different forms of uncertainty that workers in precarious jobs experience on a day‐to‐day basis. The article highlights the various ways in which uncertainty at work spills over into workers' lives away from the workplace and provides a representative and up‐to‐date comparison of the experiences of workers in permanent, fixed‐term and casual forms of employment. The article achieves its objectives through a mixed‐methods research design comprising an analysis of data from the Understanding Society survey and interviews with workers in the retail, higher education, logistics and social care sectors.
Interruptions during intravenous medication administration: A multicentre observational study
Authors: Schutijser Bernadette C. F. M. , Klopotowska Joanna E. , Jongerden Irene P. , Spreeuwenberg Peter M. M. , De Bruijne Martine C. , Wagner Cordula
Published: October 2018

Aims

The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and cause of interruptions during intravenous medication administration, which factors are associated with interruptions and to what extent interruptions influence protocol compliance.

Background

Hospital nurses are frequently interrupted during medication administration, which contributes to the occurrence of administration errors. Errors with intravenous medication are especially worrisome, given their immediate therapeutic effects. However, knowledge about the extent and type of interruptions during intravenous medication administration is limited.

Design

Multicentre observational study.

Methods

Data were collected during two national evaluation studies (2011 ‐ 2012 & 2015 ‐ 2016). Nurses were directly observed during intravenous medication administration. An interruption was defined as a situation where a break during the administration was needed or where a nurse was distracted but could process without a break. Interruptions were categorized according to source and cause. Multilevel logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess the associations between explanatory variables and interruptions or complete protocol compliance.

Results

In total, 2,526 intravenous medication administration processes were observed. During 291 (12%) observations, nurses were interrupted 321 times. Most interruptions were externally initiated by other nurses (19%) or patients (19%). Less interruptions occurred during the evening (odds ratio: 0.23 [95% confidence interval: 0.08–0.62]). Do‐not‐disturb vests were worn by 61 (2%) nurses. No significant association was found between being interrupted and complete protocol compliance.

Conclusion

An interruption occurred in every eight observed intravenous medication administration, mainly caused by other nurses or patients. One needs to consider critically which strategies effectively improve safety during the high‐risk nursing‐task of intravenous medication administration.
A predictive model for fall risk in hospitalized adults: A case–control study
Authors: Severo Isis M. , Kuchenbecker Ricardo , Vieira Débora F. V. B. , Pinto Luciana R. C. , Hervé Michele E. W. , Lucena Amália F. , Almeida Miriam A.
Published: October 2018

Aim

To develop and validate a predictive model for falls in hospitalized adult clinical and surgical patients, assessing intrinsic (i.e. patient‐related) and extrinsic factors (i.e. care process‐related).

Background

To identify factors predictive of falls and enable appropriate management of fall risk it is necessary to understand patient and environmental factors, along with care delivery processes.

Design

A matched case–control study.

Methods

This study was conducted in the medical and surgical wards of a Brazilian teaching hospital. The sample included 536 patients, with data collected in 2013–2014. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and conditional logistic regression. Cases of patients aged 18 years or older who fell while hospitalized were included. One patient who did not fall during hospitalization, matched by sex, ward and admission date, was selected as a control for each included case.

Results

The SAK Fall Scale (Severo‐Almeida‐Kuchenbecker) was developed and validated. The scale includes seven variables: disorientation/confusion, frequent urination, walking limitations, lack of caregiver, postoperative status, previous falls and number of medications administered within 72 hr prior to the fall. This scale showed acceptable predictive accuracy.

Conclusions

The newly developed SAK Fall Scale includes five intrinsic and two extrinsic variables and differs from other predictive scales for falls. The findings of this study are broad and the scale, which is easy to apply, can be used worldwide by nurses in health services. In advanced practice, the testing of a new model for fall risk contributes to preventive interventions and thus has an impact on patient safety.
Entrepreneurs as rulers? Insights from the relationship between social dominance orientation and entrepreneurial intention
Authors: Choi David Y. , Gutierrez Angélica S. , Kang Jae Hyeung , Park Joo Yeon , Sung Chang‐Soo
Published: October 2018

Can individuals’ preference for social hierarchies and inequality affect their intention to pursue entrepreneurship? We surveyed university students in two countries and discovered that the answer may be context‐dependent. Findings suggest that the respondents’ views toward hierarchy and group‐based dominance in society, as indicated by social dominance orientation‐dominance (SDO‐D), is related to their Entrepreneurial Intentions (EI) for starting for‐profit companies. Perceived behavioral control (PBC) mediated the relationship between SDO‐D and EI, implying that higher SDO‐D influences people to think more positively about their own capabilities which in turn leads to higher EIs. These general patterns held in the U.S. sample. However, in South Korea's hierarchical society, respondents’ SDO‐D had little effect on EI as SDO‐D did not significantly affect PBC. Our findings suggest that individuals' SDO is an important and overlooked personality trait that may offer additional insights when added to models of EI.
Quercetin impairs Streptococcus pneumoniae biofilm formation by inhibiting sortase A activity
Authors: Wang Jianfeng , Song Meng , Pan Juan , Shen Xue , Liu Wentao , Zhang Xueke , Li Hongen , Deng Xuming
Published: October 2018

Biofilm formation mediated by sortase A (srtA) is important for bacterial colonisation and resistance to antibiotics. Thus, the inhibitor of SrtA may represent a promising agent for bacterial infection. The structure of Streptococcus pneumoniae D39 srtA has been characterised by crystallisation. Site‐directed mutagenesis was used for the determination of the key residues for the activity of S. pneumoniae D39 srtA. An effective srtA inhibitor, quercetin, and its mechanism was further identified using srtA activity inhibition assay and molecular modelling. In this study, the crystal structure of S. pneumoniae D39 srtA has been solved and shown to contain a unique domain B. Additionally, its transpeptidase activity was evaluated in vitro. Based on the structure, we identified Cys207 as the catalytic residue, with His141 and Arg215 serving as binding sites for the peptide substrate. We found that quercetin can specifically compete with the natural substrate, leading to a significant decrease in the catalytic activity of this enzyme. In cells co‐cultured with this small molecule inhibitor, NanA cannot anchor to the cell wall effectively, and biofilm formation and biomass decrease significantly. Interestingly, when we supplemented cultures with sialic acid, a crucial signal for pneumococcal coloniation and the invasion of the host in the co‐culture system, biofilm loss did not occur. This result indicates that quercetin inhibits biofilm formation by affecting sialic acid production. In conclusion, the inhibition of pneumococcal srtA by the small molecule quercetin offers a novel strategy for pneumococcal preventative therapy.
NSD2 promotes ventricular remodelling mediated by the regulation of H3K36me2
Authors: Zhou Xue‐liang , Zhu Rong‐rong , Wu Xia , Xu Hua , Li Yun‐yun , Xu Qi‐rong , Liu Sheng , Huang Huang , Xu Xinping , Wan Li , Wu Qi‐cai , Liu Ji‐chun
Published: October 2018

Histone lysine methylation plays an important role in the regulation of ventricular remodelling. NSD2 is involved in many types of tumours through enhancing H3K36me2 expression. However, the role of NSD2 in the regulation of histone lysine methylation during ventricular remodelling remains unclear. In this study, we established cardiac hypertrophy model in C57BL/6 mice by transverse aortic constriction and found that histone lysine methylation participated in ventricular remodelling regulation via the up‐regulation of H3K27me2 and H3K36me2 expression. In addition, we constructed transgenic C57BL/6 mice with conditional knockout of NSD2 (NSD2−/−) in the myocardium. NSD2−/− C57BL/6 mice had milder ventricular remodelling and significantly improved cardiac function compared with wild‐type mice, and the expression of H3K36me2 but not H3K27me2 was down‐regulated. In conclusion, NSD2 promotes ventricular remodelling mediated by the regulation of H3K36me2.
The problems associated with adolescent pregnancy in Romania: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Dimitriu Mihai , Ionescu Cringu Antoniu , Matei Alexandra , Viezuina Roxana , Rosu George , Ilinca Corina , Banacu Mihai , Ples Liana
Published: October 2018

Rationale

The extent of pregnancy in adolescents and young adults, especially in low and middle‐income countries, is a source of increasing concern given its social and economic impact.

Aims and Objective

We hypothesized that there would be correlations between female patients becoming pregnant at a young age and practices such as harmful alcohol misuse, cigarette smoking, and drug use, the use of toxic substances, low educational attainment, and an essential absence of health care seeking about the outcome of adolescent pregnancies.

Methods

We performed a prospective cross‐sectional study of patients who gave birth between August and November 2017 at St. Pantelimon Emergency Hospital in Bucharest, Romania. Seventy‐four patients aged 14 to 20 years, with a mean maternal age of 18.07 years, were enrolled in the study and answered a 15‐item questionnaire about their social, educational, and medical background.

Results

Fifty‐three patients (71.6%) gave birth by caesarean section and 21 (28.3%) by vaginal delivery. Notably, patients aged 14 to 16 years had a lower rate of caesarean delivery compared with those aged 17 to 20 years. Moreover, 83.0% of the caesarean sections and 76.1% of the vaginal deliveries were at term. With reference to age and type of delivery, women are more likely to give birth by caesarean section at any age group (the association is not statistically significant at P < .05), except for the age of 15 years (five out of six patients in our sample had a spontaneous birth). Smoking was the most common risk behavior in the sample (45.9%, n = 34), followed by alcohol consumption (17.5%, n = 13) and drug use (5.40%, n = 4).

Conclusions

A high percentage of caesarean delivery was reported, particularly in patients aged >17 years. The percentage of female participants who underwent a caesarean delivery for their second pregnancy was significantly higher than compared with primipara participants. Patients receiving consistent antenatal care visits compared with those who did not monitor their pregnancy did not differ in the likelihood of undergoing a caesarean section.
Knowing in general dental practice: Anticipation, constraint, and collective bricolage
Authors: Hurst Dominic , Greenhalgh Trish
Published: October 2018

Rationale, aims, and objectives

Much of the literature concerned with health care practice tends to focus on a decision‐making model in which knowledge sits within the minds and bodies of health care workers. Practice theories de‐centre knowledge from human actors, instead situatingknowingin the interactions between all human and non‐human actors. The purpose of this study was to explore how practice arises in the moment‐to‐moment interactions between general dental practitioners (GDPs), patients, nurses, and things.

Method

Eight GDPs in two dental practices, their respective nurses, 23 patients, and material things were video‐recorded as they interacted within clinical encounters. Videos were analysed using a performative approach. Several analytic methods were used: coding of interactions in‐video; pencil drawings with transcripts; and dynamic transcription. These were used pragmatically and in combination. Detailed reflective notes were recorded at all stages of the analysis, and, as new insights developed, theory was sought to help inform these.

Results

We theorized that knowing in dental practice arises as actors translate embodied knowing through sayings and doings that anticipate but cannot predict responses, that knowing is constrained by the interactions of the practice but that the interactions at the same time are a collective bricolage—using the actors' respective embodied knowing to generate and solve problems together.

Conclusion

Practices are ongoing ecological accomplishments to which people and things skilfully contribute through translation of their respective embodied knowing of multiple practices. Based on this, we argue that practices are more likely to improve if people and things embody practices of improvement.
Reply to: Update on Aging Statistics and Geriatrics Development in China
Authors: Li Xin , Fan Li , Leng Sean X.
Published: October 2018

This letter comments on the letter by Chen et al.
Hybridisation in European ungulates: an overview of the current status, causes, and consequences
Authors: Iacolina Laura , Corlatti Luca , Buzan Elena , Safner Toni , Šprem Nikica
Published: October 2018

Hybridisation and gene introgression are important sources of diversification, the relevance of which in the evolutionary processes is well recognised. Their fitness consequences in animal populations, however, are not sufficiently well understood, despite hybridisation rates becoming increasingly important worldwide following human‐related activities such as domestication, game management and habitat alteration.

In Europe, the density and distribution of native ungulates have largely been influenced by humans since pre‐historic times. This, alongside the introduction of non‐native and domesticated species, may bear major consequences at the genetic and population levels. We provide an updated overview of recent hybridisation events in wild European ungulates; we describe their ecological drivers, extent, current distribution, potential consequences and proposed management strategies.

We reviewed the scientific literature published between 2000 and 2018 and found that confirmed hybridisation was described in 75 of the 89 references we included, involving nearly all the species that we investigated. Most researchers relied on genetic information for hybrid identification, which often involved a domestic counterpart. However, introductions and translocations also led to crossbreeding between wild ungulate (sub)species. Only 43 papers provided management recommendations, mostly focused on preventing hybridisation and removing hybrids.

Hybridisation proved to be relatively common in several ungulate taxa in Europe. Despite reported changes in phenotype and fitness‐related traits in some species, the consequences of hybridisation for adaptation, life history, and evolutionary potential remain largely unknown. The current conservation paradigm aims to prevent the spread of domestic or non‐native genes in native populations; accordingly, conservation plans should: 1) determine the genetic origin of possible source populations; 2) protect native populations from the risk of crossbreeding with non‐native ones, and 3) establish permanent monitoring.
How Power Distance Interacts with Culture and Status to Explain Intra‐ and Intercultural Negotiation Behaviors: A Multilevel Analysis
Authors: Liu Meina
Published: October 2018

This study examines how culture and status qualify the effects of power distance (PD) values on bargaining tactics in intra‐ and intercultural negotiations, as well as Chinese and American negotiators’ behavioral difference in these contexts. Data were collected from 34 intercultural dyads, 32 American dyads, and 35 Chinese dyads that completed job offer negotiations. Results showed substantial contextual variations in the actor and partner effects ofPDvalues. Whereas Chinese employees’PDvalues positively influenced American managers’ priority information exchange, American employees’PDvalues had a negative partner effect on it. Whereas Chinese employees’PDvalues negatively influenced Chinese managers’ relationship building, American employees’PDvalues had a positive partner effect on it. American managers and employees both used significantly fewer integrative tactics and more distributive tactics in intercultural than intracultural negotiations, but neither Chinese managers nor Chinese employees exhibited behavioral difference. Theoretical and practical implications of the study are discussed.
Using intervention mapping to design a self‐management programme for older people with chronic conditions
Authors: Burrell Beverley , Jordan Jennifer , Crowe Marie , Wilkinson Amanda , Jones Virginia , Harris Shirley , Gillon Deborah
Published: October 2018

Self‐management programmes provide strategies to optimise health while educating and providing resources for living with enduring illnesses. The current paper describes the development of a community‐based programme that combines a transdiagnostic approach to self‐management with mindfulness to enhance psychological coping for older people with long‐term multimorbidity. The six steps of intervention mapping (IM) were used to develop the programme. From a needs assessment, the objectives of the programme were formulated; the theoretical underpinnings then aligned to the objectives, which informed programme design, decisions on implementation, programme adoption and evaluation steps. Bandura's social cognitive theory informed the methods and practical strategies of delivery. Among the features addressed with participants are transdiagnostic dimensions such as fatigue, pain, breathlessness, sleep disturbances. The programme utilises mindfulness to aid coping and ameliorate the psychological distresses associated with chronicity. Findings from an initial feasibility study and subsequent pilot assisted in conceptualising our programme. In conclusion, applying IM gave the planners confidence the programme is robust and evidence‐based with clearly articulated links between the behavioural goals and design elements to obtain the desired outcomes.
Cosmetic outcomes and quality of life in children with cardiac implantable electronic devices
Authors: Gist Katja M. , Marino Bradley S. , Palmer Claire , Fish Frank A. , Moore Jeremy P. , Czosek Richard J. , Cassedy Amy , LaPage Martin J. , Law Ian H. , Garnreiter Jason , Cannon Bryan C. , Collins Kathryn K.
Published: October 2018

Background

Axillary implant location is an alternative implant location in patients for cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) for the purposes of improved cosmetic outcome. The impact from the patient's perspective is unknown. The purpose of this study was to compare scar perception scores and quality of life (QOL) in pediatric patients with axillary CIED implant location versus the standard infraclavicular approach.

Methods

This is a multicenter prospective study conducted at eight pediatric centers and it includes patients aged from 8 to 18 years with a CIED. Patients with prior sternotomy were excluded. Scar perception and QOL outcomes were compared between the infraclavicular and axillary implant locations.

Results

A total of 141 patients (83 implantable cardioverter defibrillator [ICD]/58 pacemakers) were included, 55 with an axillary device and 86 with an infraclavicular device. Patients with an ICD in the axillary position had better perception of scar appearance and consciousness. Patients in the axillary group reported, on average, a total Pediatric QOL Inventory score that was 6 (1, 11) units higher than the infraclavicular group, after adjusting for sex and race (P = 0.02).

Conclusions

QOL is significantly improved in axillary in comparison to the infraclavicular CIED position, regardless of device type. Scar perception is improved in patients with ICD in the axillary position.
“No Fracking Way” vs. “Drill Baby Drill”: A Restructuring of Who Is Pitted Against Whom in the Narrative Policy Framework
Authors: Gottlieb Madeline , Bertone Oehninger Ernst , Arnold Gwen
Published: October 2018

Narratives are highly consequential in policy processes because they shape public perception of policy issues. The Narrative Policy Framework (NPF) seeks to predict the extent to which narratives are strategically used to influence policy outcomes. Its core hypotheses center around a winning vs. losing dichotomy, in which winning and losing narratives employ distinct sets of strategies. Due to the newness of the theory, there are few empirical tests of its components, and their results are inconclusive. We posit that the winning–losing paradigm does not accurately predict narrative strategy use. To test this hypothesis, we examine a policy dilemma where contextually similar jurisdictions adopted multiple different policy solutions over a common time period. From 2008 to 2012, more than 260 New York municipalities passed policies related to hydraulic fracturing (fracking). We analyze editorial content from two local newspapers in central New York whose distribution covers municipalities that adopted anti‐ and pro‐fracking policies. Our findings reveal that narrators consistently use narrative strategies that correspond to the side of the issue they support, regardless of whether they are winning or losing the policy debate. This suggests the NPF's winning–losing dichotomy may not be not well suited to predicting narrative strategy use or policy outcomes.
Deserving a Just Pension: A Factorial Survey Approach*
Authors: Castillo Juan Carlos , Olivos Francisco , Azar Ariel
Published: October 2018

Objective

This study analyzes which characteristics of pension recipients are taken into account when evaluating the fairness of pensions. Furthermore, it identifies some respondents’ characteristics and preferences that could be related to the justice evaluation of different pension amounts.

Methods

A factorial survey was designed to simultaneously analyze the association of respondents’ and recipients’ characteristics with the pensions’ justice evaluation.

Results

Findings indicate that although there is a consensual demand for larger pensions, it is still believed that pensions should be allocated primarily based on individual achievement.

Conclusions

Although in general, larger pensions are on average considered as more just, the justice criteria rely heavily on individual achievement over redistributive considerations, showing willingness to accept very low pensions for those considered not deserving them.
The Relationship Between the Music Teacher Candidates’ Computer-Assisted Teaching Attitudes and Exam Anxiety in Computer Literacy
Authors: Arici Ismet
Published: October 2018

Today, improving instructional technologies have increased at a significant pace particularly with the introduction of computers in education. Computers have contributed greatly to every field of education. Computers have supported the preparation of powerful audio-visual materials with multiple-media features and have also empowered the education sector with the software options intended for different fields. Consequently; computer-assisted education (CAE) has come into its own.As the use of computers has become widespread and computers have found an important place in education, attitudes about computer-assisted education have become important, as well. Particularly the empowerment of the attitudes of teacher candidates, as the educators of the future, toward computer-assisted education, is a significant gain for education.Computer literacy lessons provided for in education faculties are significant in that they may help teacher candidates to prepare computer-assisted education materials and to use computers effectively in education process.Finding out whether the attitudes toward computer-assisted education have positive impact on exam anxiety in computer lessons, analysing the factors which determine the attitudes, and understanding the reasons for anxiety will be useful in carrying out new researchers in order to make significant contributions to education processes.This research included 46 teacher candidates studying Computer-Assisted Music Teaching in the Department of Music Teaching Education at Marmara University. The students completed the exam anxiety inventory and CAE attitude scale prior to administration of the computer-assisted music education exam. The results of the research indicated a significant negative relationship between the students’ CAE attitude levels and their anxiety levels. Findings of the scales showed that, CAE attitudes were high and anxiety levels were low. Findings of the study indicated that the computer education they received contributed positively to their computer experiences and their attitudes towards CAE.
Random ordering in modulus of consecutive Hecke eigenvalues of primitive forms
Authors: Bilu Yuri F. , Deshouillers Jean-Marc , Gun Sanoli , Luca Florian
Published: October 2018

Let $\unicode[STIX]{x1D70F}(\cdot )$ be the classical Ramanujan $\unicode[STIX]{x1D70F}$-function and let $k$ be a positive integer such that $\unicode[STIX]{x1D70F}(n)\neq 0$ for $1\leqslant n\leqslant k/2$. (This is known to be true for $k<10^{23}$, and, conjecturally, for all $k$.) Further, let $\unicode[STIX]{x1D70E}$ be a permutation of the set $\{1,\ldots ,k\}$. We show that there exist infinitely many positive integers $m$ such that $|\unicode[STIX]{x1D70F}(m+\unicode[STIX]{x1D70E}(1))|<|\unicode[STIX]{x1D70F}(m+\unicode[STIX]{x1D70E}(2))|<\cdots <|\unicode[STIX]{x1D70F}(m+\unicode[STIX]{x1D70E}(k))|$. We also obtain a similar result for Hecke eigenvalues of primitive forms of square-free level.
Spinal control of muscle synergies for adult mammalian locomotion
Authors: Desrochers Etienne , Harnie Jonathan , Doelman Adam , Hurteau Marie‐France , Frigon Alain
Published: October 2018

Key points

The control of locomotion is thought to be generated by activating groups of muscles that perform similar actions, which are termed muscle synergies.

Here, we investigated if muscle synergies are controlled at the level of the spinal cord.

We did this by comparing muscle activity in the legs of cats during stepping on a treadmill before and after a complete spinal transection that abolishes commands from the brain.

We show that muscle synergies were maintained following spinal transection, validating the concept that muscle synergies for locomotion are primarily controlled by circuits of neurons within the spinal cord.

Locomotion is thought to involve the sequential activation of functional modules or muscle synergies. Here, we tested the hypothesis that muscle synergies for locomotion are organized within the spinal cord. We recorded bursts of muscle activity in the same cats (n = 7) before and after spinal transection during tied‐belt locomotion at three speeds and split‐belt locomotion at three left–right speed differences. We identified seven muscles synergies before (intact state) and after (spinal state) spinal transection. The muscles comprising the different synergies were the same in the intact and spinal states as well as at different speeds or left–right speed differences. However, there were some significant shifts in the onsets and offsets of certain synergies as a function of state, speed and left–right speed differences. The most notable difference between the intact and spinal states was a change in the timing between the knee flexor and hip flexor muscle synergies. In the intact state, the knee flexor synergy preceded the hip flexor synergy, whereas in the spinal state both synergies occurred concurrently. Afferent inputs also appear important for the expression of some muscle synergies, specifically those involving biphasic patterns of muscle activity. We propose that muscle synergies for locomotion are primarily organized within the spinal cord, although their full expression and proper timing requires inputs from supraspinal structures and/or limb afferents.