bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Real-world outcomes in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease initiating long-acting mono bronchodilator therapy
Authors: Bengtson Lindsay G.S. , DePietro Michael , McPheeters Jeffrey , Fox Kathleen M.
Published: May 2018

Background:

Randomized clinical trials have shown long-acting mono bronchodilator therapy to be efficacious in improving lung function and dyspnea, while reducing exacerbations; however, less is known regarding the effectiveness in routine clinical practice. This study examined treatment patterns, rescue medication use, healthcare resource utilization and costs, and exacerbations in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who initiated long-acting mono bronchodilator therapy in real-world settings.

Methods:

This retrospective study used US claims data from adult patients with COPD initiating long-acting mono bronchodilator therapy between 1 January 2008 and 31 January 2015. Patients were required to have continuous health plan enrollment 12 months prior to (baseline period) and 12 months following therapy initiation (follow-up period). Outcomes, including treatment patterns, rescue medication use, exacerbations, and healthcare utilization and costs, were measured until the earliest of treatment augmentation or discontinuation, death, health plan disenrollment, or the end of the study period. Results were analyzed descriptively for all measures. Baseline and follow-up measures of all-cause and COPD-related healthcare costs and exacerbations [per patient per month (PPPM)] were compared using paired t tests.

Results:

Among 27,394 patients with a mean follow up of 6.3 months, 18.2% augmented, 74.2% discontinued, and 7.6% continued long-acting mono bronchodilator therapy. Rescue medication use was prevalent during the follow-up period, with an average of 1.0 short-acting β agonist (SABA) fills/month and 0.8 short-acting muscarinic antagonist (SAMA) fills/month, among patients with at least one fill for the medication of interest. PPPM mean number of exacerbations was more than triple (0.17 versus 0.05, p < 0.001) and PPPM exacerbation-related costs were more than double over the follow-up period compared with baseline ($1070 versus $485). COPD-related costs accounted for 50% of all-cause costs during the follow-up period and were significantly higher compared with baseline ($1206 versus $592, p < 0.001).

Conclusions:

Patients initiating long-acting mono bronchodilator therapy had high rates of medication discontinuation or augmentation. Patients used more rescue medications and experienced significantly more COPD exacerbations with higher healthcare costs compared with baseline. Further research is warranted to determine whether more aggressive initial therapy would result in symptom improvement.
Using social media for health research: Methodological and ethical considerations for recruitment and intervention delivery
Authors: Arigo Danielle , Pagoto Sherry , Carter-Harris Lisa , Lillie Sarah E , Nebeker Camille
Published: May 2018

As the popularity and diversity of social media platforms increases so does their utility for health research. Using social media for recruitment into clinical studies and/or delivering health behavior interventions may increase reach to a broader audience. However, evidence supporting the efficacy of these approaches is limited, and key questions remain with respect to optimal benchmarks, intervention development and methodology, participant engagement, informed consent, privacy, and data management. Little methodological guidance is available to researchers interested in using social media for health research. In this Tutorial, we summarize the content of the 2017 Society for Behavioral Medicine Pre-Conference Course entitled ‘Using Social Media for Research,’ at which the authors presented their experiences with methodological and ethical issues relating to social media-enabled research recruitment and intervention delivery. We identify common pitfalls and provide recommendations for recruitment and intervention via social media. We also discuss the ethical and responsible conduct of research using social media for each of these purposes.
Thyroid dysfunction and semen quality
Authors: La Vignera Sandro , Vita Roberto
Published: May 2018

Thyroid hormones act on testis in multiple ways and exert their effect on different cell types, including Leydig and Sertoli cells, and germ cells. An excess or deficit of thyroid hormones results in alterations of testis function, including semen abnormalities. More frequently, hyperthyroidism has been associated with reduced semen volume and reduced sperm density, motility, and morphology, whereas hypothyroidism is associated with reduced sperm morphology. Therefore, thyroid function tests should be part of the diagnostic workup of the infertile man. This article is aimed at (1) elucidating how hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism lead to a reduction in semen quality, briefly reviewing the current literature on murine models and humans, and (2) pinpointing the limitations of the studies carried out so far and identifying new perspectives for future research.
Family Engagement: A Collaborative, Systemic Approach for Middle School Counselors
Authors: Davis Keith M. , Lambie Glenn W.
Published: May 2018

Early adolescence is a period of intrapersonal and interpersonal transformation; thus, middle school counselors need to provide services that appropriately match their students’ and families’ developmental needs. A collaborative, systemic approach is one way that counselors can work with other school-based professionals to support parental/caregiver involvement. In this article, the authors discuss family disengagement in the middle school years and the middle school counselor as a collaborator of systemic change.
An After-School Counseling Program for High-Risk Middle School Students
Authors: Kruczek Theresa , Alexander Charlene M. , Harris Kevin
Published: May 2018

There are a number of middle school students who experience difficulty making the transition from childhood to early adolescence and may be described as high-risk. This article describes an after-school program designed to promote healthy identity and adaptive personal choice behaviors in a high-risk group of middle school students.
Using Service Learning to Achieve Middle School Comprehensive Guidance Program Goals
Authors: Stott Kathryn A. , Jackson Aaron P.
Published: May 2018

Service-learning classes taught by professional middle school counselors and teachers can help middle school students meet comprehensive guidance program goals related to academic/learning development, life/career development, personal/social development, and multicultural/global citizenship. An example is provided of a service-learning class where middle school students received comprehensive guidance curriculum instruction and then taught a similar curriculum to elementary school students. Results from a phenomenological evaluation describe yielded five major themes pertinent to middle school student development and demonstrate comprehensive guidance program goal achievement: personal awareness, social skills, learning skills, career interests and character education. The themes were personal awareness, social skills, learning skills, career interests, and character education.
Evaluation of an Innovative Approach to Improving Middle School Students’ Academic Achievement
Authors: Poynton Timothy A. , Carlson Matt W. , Hopper James A. , Carey John C.
Published: May 2018

This article presents the results of an evaluation conducted by two middle school counselors, in collaboration with university researchers, to assess the effectiveness of a classroom intervention designed to impact academic achievement. The intervention utilized was a standardized conflict resolution curriculum, which then was linked to problem-solving strategies across core academic areas. The results of the evaluation indicate that students’ self-efficacy beliefs regarding problem solving were higher in the intervention group than in the comparison group; however, no significant differences in academic achievement were found.
Using Problem-Based Learning with Victims of Bullying Behavior
Authors: Hall Kimberly R.
Published: May 2018

Victims of bullying need assistance in developing better strategies for effectively responding to bullies. Utilizing a new intervention strategy, problem-based learning (PBL), school counselors can incorporate problem-solving and literature-based lessons. This strategy provides the possibility of increasing awareness and knowledge of bullying, achieving teacher/parent involvement, and teaching assertiveness skills. A single-subject design was utilized to determine the effectiveness of PBL with five victims of bullying behavior. Results and implications for school counselors are discussed.
School Reentry for Students with a Chronic Illness: A Role for Professional School Counselors
Authors: Kaffenberger Carol J.
Published: May 2018

Approximately 20% of all children have a chronic illness, and about one-third of that number experience consequences severe enough to interfere with school functioning and performance. This article describes challenges that schools face in their efforts to serve students with chronic illness and their families, and it suggests the role that professional school counselors can play in facilitating support.
The Impact of Institutional Pressures of Climate Change Concerns on Corporate Environmental Reporting Practices: A Descriptive Study of Malaysia’s Environmentally Sensitive Public Listed Companies
Authors: Jaaffar Amar Hisham , Amran Azlan , Rajadurai Jegatheesan
Published: May 2018

Malaysian companies have dramatically increased their corporate environmental reporting (CER) practices in response to institutional pressures related to concerns about climate change. Based on a content analysis of annual reports, sustainability reports, and websites of 209 Malaysian environmentally sensitive public listed companies (ESPLCs), we describe CER practices with respect to various environmental strategies implemented by companies over a 5-year period. The results show that environmental strategies include pursuing sequential progression from noncompliance to compliance, and beyond in response to external factors such as institutional pressures and climate change concerns. This progression is manifested by the extent and quality of CER practices as pursued by Malaysian ESPLCs.
Can Reducing Income Inequality Decouple Economic Growth from CO2 Emissions?
Authors: McGee Julius Alexander , Greiner Patrick Trent
Published: May 2018

In the past two decades, income inequality has steadily increased in most developed nations. During this same period, the growth rate of CO2 emissions has declined in many developed nations, cumulating to a recent period of decoupling between economic growth and CO2 emissions. The aim of the present study is to advance research on socioeconomic drivers of CO2 emissions by assessing how the distribution of income affects the relationship between economic growth and CO2 emissions. The authors find that from 1985 to 2011, rising income inequality leads to a tighter coupling between economic growth and CO2 emissions in developed nations. Additionally, the authors find that increases in the top 20 percent of income earners’ share of national income have resulted in a larger association between economic growth and CO2 emissions, while increases in the bottom 20 percent of income earners’ share of national income reduced the association between economic growth and CO2 emissions.
Oral care after stroke: Where are we now?
Authors: Lyons Mary , Smith Craig , Boaden Elizabeth , Brady Marian C , Brocklehurst Paul , Dickinson Hazel , Hamdy Shaheen , Higham Susan , Langhorne Peter , Lightbody Catherine , McCracken Giles , Medina-Lara Antonieta , Sproson Lise , Walls Angus , Watkins Dame Caroline
Published: May 2018

Purpose

There appears to be an association between poor oral hygiene and increased risk of aspiration pneumonia – a leading cause of mortality post-stroke. We aim to synthesise what is known about oral care after stroke, identify knowledge gaps and outline priorities for research that will provide evidence to inform best practice.

Methods

A narrative review from a multidisciplinary perspective, drawing on evidence from systematic reviews, literature, expert and lay opinion to scrutinise current practice in oral care after a stroke and seek consensus on research priorities. Findings: Oral care tends to be of poor quality and delegated to the least qualified members of the caring team. Nursing staff often work in a pressured environment where other aspects of clinical care take priority. Guidelines that exist are based on weak evidence and lack detail about how best to provide oral care.

Discussion

Oral health after a stroke is important from a social as well as physical health perspective, yet tends to be neglected. Multidisciplinary research is needed to improve understanding of the complexities associated with delivering good oral care for stroke patients. Also to provide the evidence for practice that will improve wellbeing and may reduce risk of aspiration pneumonia and other serious sequelae.

Conclusion

Although there is evidence of an association, there is only weak evidence about whether improving oral care reduces risk of pneumonia or mortality after a stroke. Clinically relevant, feasible, cost-effective, evidence-based oral care interventions to improve patient outcomes in stroke care are urgently needed.
Health-related quality of life in adults with relapsed/refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia treated with blinatumomab
Authors: Topp Max S. , Zimmerman Zachary , Cannell Paul , Dombret Hervé , Maertens Johan , Stein Anthony , Franklin Janet , Tran Qui , Cong Ze , Schuh Andre C.
Published: May 2018

Key Points

Blinatumomab delays deterioration in HRQL in adults with R/R ALL.
Towards the elimination of paediatric tuberculosis in high-income, immigrant-receiving countries: a 25-year conventional and molecular epidemiological case study
Authors: Dhawan Vivek , Bown Jennifer , Lau Angela , Langlois-Klassen Deanne , Kunimoto Dennis , Bhargava Ravi , Chui Linda , Collin Simon M. , Long Richard
Published: May 2018

The epidemiology of tuberculosis (TB) in high-income countries is increasingly dictated by immigration. The influence of this trend on paediatric TB and TB elimination are not well defined.

We undertook a 25-year conventional and molecular epidemiologic study of paediatric TB in Alberta, one of four major immigrant-receiving provinces in Canada. All isolates ofMycobacterium tuberculosiswere DNA fingerprinted using standard methodology.

Between 1990 and 2014, 176 children aged 0–14 years were diagnosed with TB. Foreign-born children or Canadian-born children of foreign-born parents accounted for an increasingly large proportion of total cases during the study period (from 32.1% to 89.5%). Of the 78 culture-positive cases, 35 (44.9%) had a putative source case identified by conventional epidemiology, with 34 (97.1%) having a concordant molecular profile. Of the remaining 43 culture-positive cases, molecular profiling identified spatially and temporally related sources in six cases (14.0%). These six children, along with four other children whose source cases were discovered through reverse-contact tracing, had a high morbidity and mortality.

The increasing burden of paediatric TB in both foreign-born children and Canadian-born children of foreign-born parents calls for more timely diagnosis of source cases and more targeted screening for latent TB infection.
Preeclampsia and gestational weight gain in the Norwegian Fit for Delivery trial
Authors: Hillesund E. R. , Seland S. , Bere E. , Sagedal L. R. , Torstveit M. K. , Lohne-Seiler H. , Vistad I. , Øverby N. C.
Published: May 2018

Objective

Excessive gestational weight gain is linked to risk of preeclampsia, but it is not clear whether the association is causal. The purpose of this paper was to examine gestational weight gain in the Norwegian Fit for Delivery study among women who developed preeclampsia compared to those who did not, and to further explore associations between weight gain and preeclampsia by including data on body composition (bioimpedance) assessed in the last trimester of pregnancy.

Results

A total of 550 women were eligible for the study. Women who developed preeclampsia gained more weight than women who did not (difference 3.7 kg, p = 0.004), with a 3.5 kg difference in total body water observed in week 36 (p = 0.040). Adjusted for age, education, pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), randomization, and fat mass, a one kg increase in GWG was associated with 1.3 times higher odds of preeclampsia (OR: 1.31, 95% CI 1.15–1.49, p < 0.001). An independent inverse association between fat mass in week 36 and odds of preeclampsia was observed (OR: 0.79, 95% CI 0.68–0.92, p = 0.002). Given the observed difference in total body water, these findings point to excess fluid as the component driving the association between gestational weight gain and preeclampsia in the present study.

Trial registration The NFFD trial has the Clinical Trials registration: clinicaltrial.gov NCT0100168
Transcriptional induction of cell wall remodelling genes is coupled to microtubule-driven growth isotropy at the shoot apex in Arabidopsis
Authors: Armezzani Alessia , Abad Ursula , Ali Olivier , Robin Amélie Andres , Vachez Laetitia , Larrieu Antoine , Mellerowicz Ewa J. , Taconnat Ludivine , Battu Virginie , Stanislas Thomas , Liu Mengying , Vernoux Teva , Traas Jan , Sassi Massimiliano
Published: May 2018

The shoot apical meristem of higher plants continuously generates new tissues and organs through complex changes in growth rates and directions of its individual cells. Cell growth, driven by turgor pressure, largely depends on the cell walls, which allow cell expansion through synthesis and structural changes. A previous study revealed a major contribution of wall isotropy in organ emergence, through the disorganization of cortical microtubules. We show here that this disorganization is coupled with the transcriptional control of genes involved in wall remodelling. Some of these genes are induced when microtubules are disorganized and cells shift to isotropic growth. Mechanical modelling shows that this coupling has the potential to compensate for reduced cell expansion rates induced by the shift to isotropic growth. Reciprocally, cell wall loosening induced by different treatments or altered cell wall composition promotes a disruption of microtubule alignment. Our data thus indicate the existence of a regulatory module activated during organ outgrowth, linking microtubule arrangements to cell wall remodelling.
Overlapping functions of Krüppel-like factor family members: targeting multiple transcription factors to maintain the naïve pluripotency of mouse embryonic stem cells
Authors: Yamane Mariko , Ohtsuka Satoshi , Matsuura Kumi , Nakamura Akira , Niwa Hitoshi
Published: May 2018

Krüppel-like factors (Klfs) have a pivotal role in maintaining self-renewal of mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs). The functions of three Klf family members (Klf2, Klf4 and Klf5) have been identified, and are suggested to largely overlap. For further dissection of their functions, we applied an inducible knockout system for these Klf family members and assessed the effects of combinatorial loss of function. As a result, we confirmed that any one of Klf2, Klf4 and Klf5 was sufficient to support self-renewal, whereas the removal of all three compromised it. The activity of any single transcription factor, except for a Klf family member, was not sufficient to restore self-renewal of triple-knockout mESCs. However, some particular combinations of transcription factors were capable of the restoration. The triple-knockout mESCs were successfully captured at primed state. These data indicate that the pivotal function of a Klf family member is transduced into the activation of multiple transcription factors in a naïve-state-specific manner.
NvERTx: a gene expression database to compare embryogenesis and regeneration in the sea anemone Nematostella vectensis
Authors: Warner Jacob F. , Guerlais Vincent , Amiel Aldine R. , Johnston Hereroa , Nedoncelle Karine , Röttinger Eric
Published: May 2018

For over a century, researchers have been comparing embryogenesis and regeneration hoping that lessons learned from embryonic development will unlock hidden regenerative potential. This problem has historically been a difficult one to investigate because the best regenerative model systems are poor embryonic models and vice versa. Recently, however, there has been renewed interest in this question, as emerging models have allowed researchers to investigate these processes in the same organism. This interest has been further fueled by the advent of high-throughput transcriptomic analyses that provide virtual mountains of data. Here, we present Nematostella vectensis Embryogenesis and Regeneration Transcriptomics (NvERTx), a platform for comparing gene expression during embryogenesis and regeneration. NvERTx consists of close to 50 transcriptomic data sets spanning embryogenesis and regeneration in Nematostella. These data were used to perform a robust de novo transcriptome assembly, with which users can search, conduct BLAST analyses, and plot the expression of multiple genes during these two developmental processes. The site is also home to the results of gene clustering analyses, to further mine the data and identify groups of co-expressed genes. The site can be accessed at http://nvertx.kahikai.org.
Obituary: John Sulston (1942-2018)
Authors: White John
Published: May 2018

John Sulston, a pioneer in the developmental studies of the nematode C. elegans who went on to spearhead the sequencing of the genome of this organism and ultimately the human genome, died on 6th March 2018, shortly after being diagnosed with stomach cancer. Here, I reflect on John's life and work, with a particular focus on his time working on the developmental genetics and lineage of C. elegans.
Etiology and treatment of adrenoleukodystrophy: new insights from Drosophila
Authors: Gordon Hannah B. , Valdez Lourdes , Letsou Anthea
Published: May 2018

Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) is a fatal progressive neurodegenerative disorder affecting brain white matter. The most common form of ALD is X-linked (X-ALD) and results from mutation of the ABCD1-encoded very long chain fatty acid (VLCFA) transporter. X-ALD is clinically heterogeneous, with the cerebral form being the most severe. Diagnosed in boys usually between the ages of 4 and 8, cerebral X-ALD symptoms progress rapidly (in as little as two years) through declines in cognition, learning, and behavior, to paralysis and ultimately to a vegetative state and death. Currently, there are no good treatments for X-ALD. Here we exploit the Drosophila bubblegum (bgm) double bubble (dbb) model of neurometabolic disease to expand diagnostic power and therapeutic potential for adrenoleukodystrophy. We show that loss of the Drosophila long/very long chain acyl-CoA synthetase genes bgm and/or dbb is indistinguishable from loss of the Drosophila ABC transporter gene dABCD1. Shared loss-of-function phenotypes for synthetase and transporter mutants point to a lipid metabolic pathway association with ALD-like neurodegenerative disease in Drosophila; a pathway association that has yet to be established in humans. We also show that manipulation of environment increases the severity of neurodegeneration in bgm and dbb flies, adding even further to a suite of new candidate ALD disease-causing genes and pathways in humans. Finally, we show that it is a lack of lipid metabolic pathway product and not (as commonly thought) an accumulation of pathway precursor that is causative of neurometabolic disease: addition of medium chain fatty acids to the diet of bgm or dbb flies prevents the onset of neurodegeneration. Taken together, our data provide new foundations both for diagnosing adrenoleukodystrophy and for designing effective, mechanism-based treatment protocols.
Variation in hearing within a wild population of beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas)
Authors: Mooney T. Aran , Castellote Manuel , Quakenbush Lori , Hobbs Roderick , Gaglione Eric , Goertz Caroline
Published: May 2018

Documenting hearing abilities is vital to understanding a species’ acoustic ecology and for predicting the impacts of increasing anthropogenic noise. Cetaceans use sound for essential biological functions such as foraging, navigation and communication; hearing is considered to be their primary sensory modality. Yet, we know little regarding the hearing of most, if not all, cetacean populations, which limits our understanding of their sensory ecology, population level variability and the potential impacts of increasing anthropogenic noise. We obtained audiograms (5.6–150 kHz) of 26 wild beluga whales to measure hearing thresholds during capture–release events in Bristol Bay, AK, USA, using auditory evoked potential methods. The goal was to establish the baseline population audiogram, incidences of hearing loss and general variability in wild beluga whales. In general, belugas showed sensitive hearing with low thresholds (<80 dB) from 16 to 100 kHz, and most individuals (76%) responded to at least 120 kHz. Despite belugas often showing sensitive hearing, thresholds were usually above or approached the low ambient noise levels measured in the area, suggesting that a quiet environment may be associated with hearing sensitivity and that hearing thresholds in the most sensitive animals may have been masked. Although this is just one wild population, the success of the method suggests that it should be applied to other populations and species to better assess potential differences. Bristol Bay beluga audiograms showed substantial (30–70 dB) variation among individuals; this variation increased at higher frequencies. Differences among individual belugas reflect that testing multiple individuals of a population is necessary to best describe maximum sensitivity and population variance. The results of this study quadruple the number of individual beluga whales for which audiograms have been conducted and provide the first auditory data for a population of healthy wild odontocetes.
Selection for relative brain size affects context-dependent male preferences, but not discrimination, of female body size in guppies
Authors: Corral-López Alberto , Kotrschal Alexander , Kolm Niclas
Published: May 2018

Understanding what drives animal decisions is fundamental in evolutionary biology, and mate choice decisions are arguably some of the most important decisions in any individual's life. As cognitive ability can impact decision-making, elucidating the link between mate choice and cognitive ability is necessary to fully understand mate choice. To experimentally study this link, we used guppies (Poecilia reticulata) artificially selected for divergence in relative brain size and with previously demonstrated differences in cognitive ability. A previous test in our female guppy selection lines demonstrated the impact of brain size and cognitive ability on information processing during female mate choice decisions. Here we evaluated the effect of brain size and cognitive ability on male mate choice decisions. Specifically, we investigated the preferences of large-brained, small-brained, and non-selected guppy males for female body size, a key indicator of female fecundity in this species. For this, male preferences were quantified in dichotomous choice tests when presented to dyads of females with small, medium and large body size differences. All types of males showed preference for larger females but no effect of brain size was found in the ability to discriminate between differently sized females. However, we found that non-selected and large-brained males, but not small-brained males, showed context-dependent preferences for larger females depending on the difference in female size. Our results have two important implications. First, they provide further evidence that male mate choice occurs also in a species in which secondary sexual ornamentation occurs only in males. Second, they show that brain size and cognitive ability have important effects on individual variation in mating preferences and sexually selected traits.
The systematic approach to improving care for Frail Older Patients (SAFE) study: A protocol for co-designing a frail older person’s pathway
Authors: Ní Shé Éidín , McCarthy Mary , O'Donnell Deirdre , Collins Orla , Hughes Graham , Salter Nigel , Cogan Lisa , O'Donoghue Coailfhionn , McGrath Emmet , O'Donovan John , Patton Andrew , McAuliffe Eilish , O'Shea Diarmuid , Cooney Marie Therese
Published: May 2018

Background: Frailty is the age-accelerated decline across multiple organ systems which leads to vulnerability to poor resolution of homeostasis after a stressor event. This loss of reserve means that a minor illness can result in a disproportionate loss of functional ability. Improving acute care for frail older patients is now a national priority and an important aspect of the National Programme for Older People in Ireland. Evidence suggests that an interdisciplinary approach incorporating rapid comprehensive geriatric assessment and early intervention by an interdisciplinary team can reduces susceptibility to hospitalisation related functional decline. The aim of the Systematic Approach to Improving Care for Frail Older Patients (SAFE) is to develop and explore the process of implementing a model of excellence in the delivery of patient-centred integrated care within the context of frail older people’s acute admissions.

Methods: The SAFE study will employ a mixed methodology approach, including a rapid realist review of the current literature alongside a review of baseline data for older people attending the emergency department. Semi-structured interviews will be undertaken to document the current pathway. The intervention processes and outcomes will be jointly co-designed by a patient and public involvement (PPI) group together with the interdisciplinary healthcare professionals from hospital, community and rehabilitation settings. Successive rounds of Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles will then be undertaken to test and refine the pathway for full implementation.

Discussion: This research project will result in a plan for implementing an integrated, patient-centred pathway for acute care of the frail older people which has been tested in the Irish setting. During the process of development, each element of the new pathway will be tested in turn to ensure that patient centred outcomes are being realised. This will ensure the resulting model of care is ready for implementation in the context of the Irish health service.
Modeling and Validating Public–Private Partnerships in Disaster Management
Authors: Guan Peiqiu , Zhang Jing , Payyappalli Vineet M. , Zhuang Jun
Published: May 2018

This paper applies game theory and expected utility theory models to study the optimal public–private partnerships (PPPs) in disaster preparedness considering the uncertain consequences of the disasters, the investment costs, and the private sector’s potential risk attitudes, including risk-seeking behavior, risk aversion, and risk neutrality. We study the private sector’s best response and the subgame perfect Nash equilibrium solutions. Our results show that the public sector provides the least amount of subsidy to the risk-averse private sector and the highest amount of subsidy to the risk-seeking private sector. On the contrary, the risk-averse private sector invests the most, and the risk-seeking private sector invests the least. Finally, we validate the model results using a two-stage experiment with 91 participants. This paper provides insights into how to construct win–win PPPs in disaster preparedness with considerations of the private sector’s risk behavior.
On the Road to Making Science of “Art”: Risk Bias in Market Scoring Rules
Authors: Karimi Majid , Dimitrov Stanko
Published: May 2018

We study market scoring rule (MSR) prediction markets in the presence of risk-averse or risk-seeking agents that have unknown yet bounded risk preferences. It is well known that if agents can be prescreened, then MSRs can be corrected to elicit agents’ beliefs. However, agents cannot always be screened, and instead, an online MSR mechanism is needed. We show that agents’ submitted reports always deviate from their beliefs, unless their beliefs are identical to the current market estimate. This means, in most cases it is impossible for a MSR prediction market to elicit an individual agent’s exact belief. To analyze this issue, we introduce a measure to calculate the deviation between an agent’s reported belief and personal belief. We further derive the necessary and sufficient conditions for a MSR to yield a lower deviation relative to another MSR. We find that the deviation of a MSR prediction market is related to the liquidity provided in the MSR’s corresponding cost-function prediction market. We use the relation between deviation and liquidity to present a systematic approach to help determine the amount of liquidity required for cost-function prediction markets, an activity that up to this point has been described as “art” in the literature.
Product Life Cycle Data Set: Raw and Cleaned Data of Weekly Orders for Personal Computers
Authors: Acimovic Jason , Erize Francisco , Hu Kejia , Thomas Douglas J. , Mieghem Jan A. Van
Published: May 2018

We provide and describe a data set of N = 8,935 weekly, normalized customer orders over the entire product life cycle for 170 Dell computer products sold in North America over a three and a half year period, from 2013–2016. Total orders for these products exceeded four million units and well over one billion dollars in revenue. While Dell is historically known for fulfilling customer demand with a build-to-order approach, the products in this data set were designated as build-to-stock products. There are three elements in the data that, depending on the research application, researchers may want to identify or mitigate. First, some products have seemingly anomalous orders representing one-time purchases from large customers. Second, there are negative values for some products representing order cancellations. Third, end-of-life sales may be significantly influenced by management action. We present approaches for cleaning the data to address these issues.

The supplemental material is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/msom.2017.0692 .
Could you use a mystery shopper?
Authors: Fowler John
Published: May 2018

In the second part of this series on professional relationships, John Fowler explores ways of developing successful and fruitful interaction with those at the heart of any practice – the patients!
How to be a leader
Authors: Dawson Trudie
Published: May 2018

Trudie Dawson looks at the impact of effective and ineffective leadership and how this can influence team morale and staff turnover
A shining example
Authors: Collett Sharon
Published: May 2018

Former dental nurse and dental hygienist Sharon Collett talks about running her own practice
Denture hygiene – why, when and how
Authors: King Elizabeth , Morgan Gemma
Published: May 2018

This article considers the importance of denture hygiene, the consequences of poor practice and the different denture cleaning products and recommendations
Helping the homeless – a look behind the scenes
Authors: Buday Emma
Published: May 2018

As part of a series looking at dentistry in ‘unusual environments’, Emma Buday, dental nurse and practice manager, details her involvement with Dentaid's mobile unit scheme for the homeless
Gastrointestinal nurses of the year
Authors: Campbell Louise , North Jacqui , Avery Pearl
Published: May 2018

We speak to the winners of the British Journal of Nursing‘s Nurse of the Year awards for liver, stoma care and IBD nursing
Supporting young ostomates at school: a nurse's guide
Authors: Murphy Claire
Published: May 2018

Claire Murphy, Community Specialist Stoma Nurse, Respond Healthcare, draws on her experiences caring for children with a stoma through school
Predicting and preventing alcohol relapse in alcohol-related liver disease
Authors: Ranasinghe Iyoni , Sin Jacqueline , Norman Ian , Lau-Walker Margaret
Published: May 2018

Background:

despite a 450% increase in UK alcohol-related liver disease mortality over the past 30 years, little evidence-based guidance exists regarding preventing recidivism post-liver transplant for alcohol-related liver disease.

Method:

a systematic literature review was conducted to identify demographic variables predictive of alcohol relapse and effective psychosocial interventions for alcohol-related liver disease patients post-liver transplant.

Results:

variables most significantly predictive of alcohol relapse post-transplant were—less than 12 months pre-liver transplant abstinence; patients with children; poor pre-liver transplant psychosomatic evaluation; non-compliance with post-liver transplant treatment plan; and patients with active insurance policies. Structured management was the most effective psychosocial intervention in preventing alcohol relapse.

Conclusion:

findings should be interpreted cautiously, due to limited and poor-quality evidence. Rigorously designed further research of the psychosocial interventions targeting predictive demographic variables is recommended.
Making your portfolio work for you
Authors: Harrison Penny
Published: May 2018

Penny Harrison, Senior Lecturer in Adult Nursing at De Montfort University, Leicester, covers how to prepare a portfolio for revalidation and appraisal
Research roundup: May 2018
Authors: Som Rita
Published: May 2018

In brief

Better health and nutrition of parents at periconception will improve outcomes for offspring and women More trials needed to reduce reliance on off-label drug use in neonates Insights into challenges to medication safety in community nursing
Vaccine storage and administration
Authors: Driver Carolyn
Published: May 2018

Immunisation is one of the most important public health interventions. Its success depends on the biological products being stored and administered correctly. It is essential, therefore, that health professionals involved in immunisation programmes are knowledgeable about vaccine storage and administration.
Immunolocalization of Advanced Glycation End Products, Mitogen Activated Protein Kinases, and Transforming Growth Factor-β/Smads in Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Authors: Vetuschi Antonella , Pompili Simona , Gallone Anna , D’Alfonso Angela , Carbone Maria Gabriella , Carta Gaspare , Festuccia Claudio , Gaudio Eugenio , Colapietro Alessandro , Sferra Roberta
Published: May 2018

Collagen and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) play a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) as a switch between type I and III collagen together with a simultaneous activation of MMPs have been observed in the vaginal wall. The aim of this study was to evaluate the Advanced Glycation End (AGE) products, ERK1/2 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β/Smad pathway expression in muscularis propria in women with POP compared with control patients. We examined 20 patients with POP and 10 control patients treated for uterine fibromatosis. Immunohistochemical analysis using AGE, RAGE, ERK1/2, Smads-2/3, Smad-7, MMP-3, and collagen I-III, TIMP, and α-SMA were performed. Smad-2/3, Smad-7, AGE, ERK1/2, p-ERK, and p-Smad3 were also evaluated using Western-blot analysis. POP samples from the anterior vaginal wall showed disorganization of the normal muscularis architecture. In POP samples, AGE, ERK1/2, Smad-2/3, MMP-3, and collagen III were upregulated in muscularis whereas in controls, Smad-7 and collagen I were increased. The receptor for AGEs (RAGE) was mild or absent both in controls and prolapse. We demonstrated the involvement of these markers in women with POP but further studies are required to elucidate if the overexpression of these molecules could play a crucial role in the pathophysiology of POP disease.
Hacia una Sociedad de la Información inclusiva. Competencia tecnológica y habilidades relacionadas con las Tecnologías de la Información y la Comunicación (TIC) de los adultos maduros
Authors: Iñiguez-Berrozpe Tatiana , Valero-Errazu Diana , Elboj-Saso Carmen
Published: May 2018

El llamado Darwinismo Social, provocado por la revolución tecnológica actual, está dando paso a una Sociedad de la Información (SI) más inclusiva, en la que colectivos en riesgo de exclusión se están incorporando a ella de manera activa. En la presente contribución nos centramos en uno de estos grupos sociales, los adultos maduros (AM, mayores de 55), analizando su acceso y uso de las TIC y su competencia tecnológica en la resolución de problemas cotidianos. Para ello hemos empleado los microdatos de la encuesta PIAAC europea. Con ella hemos realizado un estudio estadístico bivariante para caracterizar la muestra, y analizar los coeficientes de correlación entre las variables relacionadas con las habilidades implicadas en el uso de las TIC y las competencias evaluadas en la encuesta. Finalmente hemos implementado una regresión logística binaria, para analizar la relación entre las características sociopersonales y las habilidades tecnológicas de los AM. Los resultados muestran una progresiva inclusión de este grupo social en la SI, siendo relevantes el nivel educativo y la participación en actividades de aprendizaje permanente para el desarrollo de estas competencias. Por otra parte, se evidencia que el dominio de las habilidades tecnológicas está relacionado con una mayor puntuación en las otras habilidades medidas en la escala.
Mídia, governamento e meio ambiente: provocações sobre Educação Ambiental
Authors: Silva Lorena Santos da , Henning Paula Corrêa
Published: May 2018

O presente artigo segue sua linha da análise a partir do conceito de governamento presente nos estudos de Michel Foucault (2008). Como material empírico utiliza três propagandas circulantes na televisão brasileira e internet no primeiro trimestre de 2016. Campanhas de conscientização a favor da diminuição ou eliminação dos criadouros do mosquito Aedes aegypti. Tais artefatos midiáticos como produtores de saberes que ensinam e educam certos modos de agir, representar e relacionar-se com o meio ambiente. As considerações deste artigo enxergam no uso da estatística, dos saberes produzidos nos artefatos midiáticos legitimados pelo discurso científico, técnicas de governamento que incidem nas condutas e sentidos tomados como indispensáveis para a manutenção e bem-estar da população.
Pedagogias culturais na revista Todateen: produzindo modos de ser feminina
Authors: De Almeida Saionara Vitória , Quadrado Raquel Pereira
Published: May 2018

Este trabalho tem por objetivo problematizar uma seção de uma revista disponibilizada na WEB, que se destina ao público adolescente feminino – a Revista Todateen, mais especificamente a sessão “Toda Diva”. A proposta é a de discutir as questões apresentadas pela revista voltadas a ensinar procedimentos para diversos fins assim como a linguagem usada nessas informações que têm o público adolescente como leitores. Muito mais do que seduzir a consumidora ou induzi-la a obter determinado produto, a publicidade que ali se apresenta comporta um tipo de pedagogia e de currículo culturais. Estes, entre outras coisas, produzem valores e saberes; regulam condutas e modos de ser; re-produzem identidades e representações; constituem certas relações de poder e ensinam modos de ser mulher e de ser homem, formas de feminilidade e de masculinidade.
Palavras-chave: feminilidade, pedagogia, publicidade.
O sujeito professor em charges brasileiras: discursos, representações e identidades
Authors: Oliveira Ataualpa Luiz de , Silva Rhuan Jonathan da
Published: May 2018

Este estudo fundamenta-se nos pressupostos teóricos da Análise de Discurso de linha francesa e tem como propósito investigar os efeitos de sentidos em charges que representam o professor a partir de um confronto entre “o ontem e o hoje”. Para tanto, serão analisadas as imagens – forma singular de representação do gênero em estudo – buscando responder ao seguinte questionamento: como se dá a representação de sujeito professor instaurada a partir de charges brasileiras? Diante disso, buscou-se refletir acerca da representação da identidade do sujeito professor pelo suposto modo despretensioso que a charge conduz o seu discurso, atentando para o fato de que, revestidos pelo humor, tais imagens sedimentam e naturalizam práticas de depreciação e exclusão em relação às identidades sociais. Percebeu-se, então, que paira sobre o sujeito professor determinados estereótipos que marcam-no como vítima; como um ser fraco e passivo não só diante de todo o maquinário sistémico-social, mas também da sua própria identificação enquanto profissional docente.
Educação Ambiental e narrativa transmídia: pedagogia popular e fenomenologia recriando o espaço escolar
Authors: Sato Michèle , Moreira Benedito Dielcio , Cury Luiz Thiago
Published: May 2018

O presente texto sumariza um projeto intitulado “Educomunicação, ciência e outros saberes: um estudo do trabalho colaborativo em narrativas transmídias”, coordenado pela Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso em parceria com a Secretaria de Estado de Educação (Seduc). Nos anos de 2015 e 2016, o projeto atuou em nove escolas públicas [piloto] de Mato Grosso – urbanas e rurais –, trabalhando a construção coletiva do conhecimento em três grandes áreas intrinsecamente relacionadas: história, criatividade e Educação Ambiental. Tendo como motor a narrativa transmídia, professoras(es) e estudantes construíram e compartilharam os conhecimentos produzidos, arquitetando comunidades de aprendizagens. As intervenções nas escolas coadunam com os métodos participativos de Paulo Freire, e as interpretações dos resultados caminharam num horizonte fenomenológico de Merleau-Ponty.
Vampiras e a sexualidade livre das mulheres: uma análise a partir do seriado televisivo “The Vampire Diaries”
Authors: Quitschal Patrícia Maia , Piassi Luís Paulo de Carvalho
Published: May 2018

Nosso objetivo é verificar a atribuição de um teor de negatividade para a liberação sexual feminina em produtos culturais, focando no seriado “The Vampire Diaries”, considerando a concepção de feminino predominante na cultura ocidental e os significados que a figura da vampira nela adquirem. Para isso, consideramos a cultura de violência contra a mulher, os preconceitos que a justificam e como isso aparece em produtos culturais como parâmetro para comparar a vampira Katherine Pierce e seu duplo, a humana Elena Gilbert, a partir da semiótica. Verificamos que a mensagem a velada é de que Katherine e sua sexualidade exuberante representam o mal, enquanto Elena e sua conduta recatada representam o bem, concluindo que a sexualidade feminina é apresentada de forma negativa, reflexo de valores arraigados na cultura ocidental. A conduta sexual é utilizada como definidor do caráter de personagens femininos em produtos culturais, sendo que a atividade sexual “excessiva” predominantemente acarreta punições.
Pedagogias culturais, homo economicus e neoliberalismo: uma proposta para pensar a educação contemporânea
Authors: De Andrade Paula Deporte , Da Silva Mozart Linhares
Published: May 2018

Teorizações como as produzidas nos Estudos Culturais em Educação e nos Estudos Foucaultianos tem nos permitido compreender que as educabilidades contemporâneas são balizadas pelos ideais de governo presentes na nossa sociedade. Deste modo, nos valendo da articulação entre estas teorizações, objetivamos, neste texto, problematizar as pedagogias culturais como constituidoras dos sujeitos contemporâneos a partir do ethos do neoliberalismo. Para isso selecionamos como artefato cultural peças publicitárias veiculadas na Revista Veja durante os meses de junho e julho de 2017. A partir da análise percebemos que os anúncios analisados constituem exemplos de como os processos de educabilidade atuam na produção de subjetividades, regulando novas demandas de investimento no capital humano e exigindo que os sujeitos tornem-se empreendedores de si por meio de práticas permanentes de formação e aprendizado.