bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Whither the evolution of the contemporary social fabric? New technologies and old socio‐economic trends
Authors: DOSI Giovanni , VIRGILLITO Maria Enrica
Published: July 2019

This article considers whether societies are witnessing another industrial revolution in the light of an assessment of the impact of technological change on today's socio‐economic fabric, especially with respect to employment, income distribution, working conditions and labour relations. The authors argue that the processes of innovation and the spread of what they term “intelligent automation” are likely to exacerbate incumbent patterns of uneven income distribution and power, some of which existed well before the arrival of the technologies concerned, while others have emerged over the past 30 to 40 years. They venture to consider policy implications on the basis of such developments.
Urbanisation, local food crop production and tourism output of Pakistan
Authors: Naidu Suwastika , Pandaram Atishwar , Chand Anand
Published: July 2019

The high rate of urban population growth is one of the major problems constraining the growth of urban centres. The main aim of this paper is to examine the relationship between urbanisation, local food crop production and the tourism output of Pakistan. The findings show that a 1 per cent increase in local food crop production will increase tourism output by 1.77 per cent, at the 1 per cent level of significance, holding all other variables constant. There is a unidirectional causality running from local food crop production to urbanisation. This study has implications for policy‐makers and practitioners.
An observational study of the maintenance of the 30° side‐lying lateral tilt position among aged care residents at risk of developing pressure injuries when using the standard care pillow and a purpose‐designed positioning device
Authors: Kapp Suzanne , Gerdtz Marie , Gefen Amit , Prematunga Roshani , Santamaria Nick
Published: July 2019

The aim of the study was to evaluate the maintenance of the 30° side‐lying lateral tilt position among aged care residents at the risk of developing pressure injuries when using the standard care pillow and a purpose‐designed positioning device. An observational study was conducted. Participants were monitored during positioning under two conditions, with pillows and with a fluidised positioner. Body angle measurements were taken at three time points (baseline, 1 hour, and 2 hours) on 10 occasions. Repeated‐measures analysis assessed the difference in the degree of the angle of the body. The sample (n = 12) had an average age of 83 years, and the participants were immobile when in bed. The average angle with the pillow condition was 26.7° at baseline, 21.5° at 1 hour, and 16.6° at 2 hours. The average angle with the fluidised positioner condition was 30.7° at baseline, 29.3° at 1 hour, and 26.8° at 2 hours. The main effects of Condition and Time were significant: Condition: F(1,11) = 14.378, P < .001, Time: F(2,22) = 45.858, P < .001. There was a statistically significant interaction between the effects of Condition and Time on the average lateral tilt position, F(2,22) = 15.574, P < .001. The lateral tilt body position was better maintained with the positioning device than the pillow. Further research is required to determine the effectiveness of the fluidised positioner for pressure injury prevention.
Spraying exogenous synthetic cytokinin 6‐benzyladenine following the waterlogging improves grain growth of waterlogged maize in the field
Authors: Ren Baizhao , Hu Juan , Zhang Jiwang , Dong Shuting , Liu Peng , Zhao Bin
Published: July 2019

6‐Benzyladenine (6‐BA, a synthetic cytokinin) could improve the ability to resist adversity. However, very little attention has been given to its role in alleviating waterlogging damages on grain growth. A field experiment was performed to investigate effects of exogenous 6‐BA after waterlogging for 6 days at the third leaf stage (V3‐WL + 6‐BA) or the sixth leaf stage (V6‐WL + 6‐BA) on grain filling, and endogenous hormone of summer maize hybrids DengHai605 (DH605) and ZhengDan958 (ZD958), which were planted popularly in China. Exogenous 6‐BA alleviated waterlogging damages on grain filling by improving grain weight and volume, which was beneficial to yield increase. Grain yield of DH605 under V3‐WL + 6‐BA and V6‐WL + 6‐BA increased by 16% and 12%, respectively, compared with that of V3‐WL (waterlogging at the third leaf stage) and V6‐WL (waterlogging at the sixth leaf stage), while the corresponding values for ZD958 increased by 20% and 15%, respectively. Moreover, exogenous 6‐BA alleviated waterlogging damages on grain endogenous hormone content by increasing levels of endogenous indole‐3‐acetic acid, zeatin riboside, and gibberellic acid, and decreasing level of abscisic acid in grain of waterlogged summer maize during grain‐filling periods. Clearly, exogenous 6‐BA improved grain‐filling characteristics, and endogenous hormone, resulting in a significant yield increase of waterlogged summer maize.
Residual stress effect on the fracture toughness of lithium disilicate glass‐ceramics
Authors: Villas‐Boas Mariana O. C. , Serbena Francisco C. , Soares Viviane O. , Mathias Ivan , Zanotto Edgar D.
Published: July 2019

In glass‐ceramics (GCs), on cooling from the crystallization temperature, internal residual stresses are generated due to the difference between the thermal expansion coefficient (TEC) of the crystal phase(s) and the residual glass. These stresses could degrade or promote their mechanical properties. In this work, we varied the magnitude of the residual stresses in lithium silicate GCs by designing their microstructures. The level of internal stresses was measured using (Synchrotron) X‐ray diffraction. The effects of anisotropy of thermal expansion, crystal shape, and intensity of the residual stresses were analyzed and compared using theoretical models. We extended the Hsueh‐Becher model to include the thermal expansion anisotropy of the orthorhombic lithium disilicate (LS2) crystals. We found that the average residual stresses within the LS2 crystals are compressive or null (−100 to ~0) and highly anisotropic. Most importantly, within the limits of this study, we found no evidence for the influence of (compressive or null) residual stresses on the fracture toughness of the studied GCs. Within the crystal size range from 1 to 5 μm, a highly crystallized volume fraction coupled to relatively large crystals (5 μm) of high elastic modulus improved the glass‐ceramic fracture toughness. This result can guide the microstructural design of novel tough GCs.
Elastic properties and fracture toughness of SiOC‐based glass‐ceramic nanocomposites
Authors: To Theany , Stabler Christina , Ionescu Emanuel , Riedel Ralf , Célarié Fabrice , Rouxel Tanguy
Published: July 2019

Four different SiOC glass ceramics were synthesized and their fracture toughness (KIc) and fracture surface energy (γ) were assessed by means of the single‐edge precracked beam (SEPB) method. In addition, the elastic moduli were measured and the Vickers indentation behavior (hardness and microcracking) was characterized. In particular, the dependence ofKIcon the free carbon content and on the fraction of crystallized nanoparticles (SiC, ZrO2, HfO2) was investigated. An increase inKIc, from about 0.73 to 0.99 MPa √m is observed as the free carbon content is increased from less than 1 to 12 vol%. The addition of Hf and Zr (resulting in 4.5 to 7.8 vol% HfO2and ZrO2nanoparticles) was found to increaseKIcto an extent similar to the free carbon content. Moreover, predictedKIcvalues, assuming that the crack travels through all phases accounting for their respective volume fractions, disrupting the weakest links within the structural units, are in agreement with the experimental values.
Room temperature impact‐induced deposition of pure SiC coating layer by vacuum kinetic spraying
Authors: Kim Kyu‐Sik , Lee Kee‐Ahn
Published: July 2019

This study successfully manufactured a thick, pure SiC coating layer with a thickness of 83.3 μm using vacuum kinetic spray process and investigated the unique impact‐induced deposition behavior at room temperature. The simulated result of SiC particle collides with the metallic matrix, or predeposited SiC layer confirmed that particle shock pressure could increase up to the maximum pressure of 27.2 GPa. Moreover, the particles were predicted to fracture to submicrometer size after plastic deformation and those characteristics also matched microstructural observations made with a transmission electron microscope. The SiC coating layer formed an unexpected microstructure composed of bent lattices, fractured submicrometer‐sized particles, and amorphous layers. Correlating the microstructure and simulation results suggested that a pure SiC coating layer could be formed using mechanical anchoring and amorphous bonding at room temperature.
MicroRNA‐539 functions as a tumour suppressor in prostate cancer via the TGF‐β/Smad4 signalling pathway by down‐regulating DLX1
Authors: Sun Baogang , Fan Yingying , Yang Aijun , Liang Lunan , Cao Jinghe
Published: July 2019

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second leading cause of cancer‐related death in males, primarily due to its metastatic potential. The present study aims to identify the expression of microRNA‐539 (miR‐539) in PCa and further investigate its functional relevance in PCa progression both in vitro and in vivo. Initially, microarray analysis was conducted to obtain the differentially expressed gene candidates and the regulatory miRNAs, after which the possible interaction between the two was determined. Next, ectopic expression and knock‐down of the levels of miR‐539 were performed in PCa cells to identify the functional role of miR‐539 in PCa pathogenesis, followed by the measurement of E‐cadherin, vimentin, Smad4, c‐Myc, Snail1 and SLUG expression, as well as proliferation, migration and invasion of PCa cells. Finally, tumour growth was evaluated in nude mice through in vivo experiments. The results found that miR‐539 was down‐regulated and DLX1 was up‐regulated in PCa tissues and cells. miR‐539 was also found to target and negatively regulate DLX1 expression, which resulted in the inhibition of the TGF‐β/Smad4 signalling pathway. Moreover, the up‐regulation of miR‐539 or DLX1 gene silencing led to the inhibition of PCa cell proliferation, migration, invasion, EMT and tumour growth, accompanied by increased E‐cadherin expression and decreased expression of vimentin, Smad4, c‐Myc, Snail1 and SLUG. In conclusion, the overexpression of miR‐539‐mediated DLX1 inhibition could potentially impede EMT, proliferation, migration and invasion of PCa cells through the blockade of the TGF‐β/Smad4 signalling pathway, highlighting a potential miR‐539/DLX1/TGF‐β/Smad4 regulatory axis in the treatment of PCa.
The Road to Trust. A Vignette Study on the Determinants of Citizens' Trust in the European Commission
Authors: Schafheitle Simon , Weibel Antoinette , Meidert Nadine , Leuffen Dirk
Published: July 2019

This article analyses the determinants of citizens' trust in the European Commission. We examined four predictors of citizens' trust in political institutions: political participation, value congruence, performance outcomes and attributability of performance outcomes. We argue that these factors impact trust in the European Commission, which is a necessary precondition for making a risky investment and willingness to pay taxes, which can be understood as behavioural consequences of trust. To examine our hypotheses we have implemented a vignette study. Our analyses show that value congruence, the European Commission's perceived performance and attributability impact risky investments via trust, as expected. Political participation exerts a direct significant influence on risky investments.
Cutibacterium acnes phylotypes diversity loss: a trigger for skin inflammatory process
Authors: Dagnelie M.‐A. , Corvec S. , Saint‐Jean M. , Nguyen J.‐M. , Khammari A. , Dréno B.
Published: July 2019

Background

Acne has long been understood as a multifactorial chronic inflammatory disease of the pilosebaceous follicle, where Cutibacterium acnes (subdivided into six main phylotypes) is a crucial factor. In parallel, the loss of microbial diversity among the skin commensal communities has recently been shown as often accompanied by inflammatory skin disorders.

Objective

This study investigated the association of C. acnes phylotype diversity loss and the impact on Innate Immune System (IIS) activation.

Methods

The IIS response of skin after incubation with phylotypes IA1, II or III individually and with the combination of IA1 + II + III phylotypes, was studied in an in vitro skin explant system. The inflammatory response was monitored by immunohistochemistry and ELISA assays, targeting a selection of Innate Immune Markers (IIMs) (IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐10, IL‐17, TGF‐β).

Results

IIMs were significantly upregulated in skin when being incubated with phylotype IA1 alone compared with the combination IA1 + II + III. In parallel, ELISA assays confirmed these results in supernatants for IL‐17, IL‐8 and IL‐10.

Conclusion

We identify the loss of C. acnes phylotype diversity as a trigger for IIS activation, leading to cutaneous inflammation. These innovative data underline the possibility to set up new approaches to treat acne. Indeed, maintaining the balance between the different phylotypes of C. acnes may be an interesting target for the development of drugs.
Why cooperation is not running away
Authors: Geoffroy Félix , Baumard Nicolas , André Jean‐Baptiste
Published: July 2019

A growing number of experimental and theoretical studies show the importance of partner choice as a mechanism to promote the evolution of cooperation, especially in humans. In this paper, we focus on the question of the precise quantitative level of cooperation that should evolve under this mechanism. When individuals compete to be chosen by others, their level of investment in cooperation evolves towards higher values, a process called competitive altruism, or runaway cooperation. Using a classic adaptive dynamics model, we first show that when the cost of changing partner is low, this runaway process can lead to a profitless escalation of cooperation. In the extreme, when partner choice is entirely frictionless, cooperation even increases up to a level where its cost entirely cancels out its benefit. That is, at evolutionary equilibrium, individuals gain the same payoff than if they had not cooperated at all. Second, importing models from matching theory in economics we, however, show that when individuals can plastically modulate their choosiness in function of their own cooperation level, partner choice stops being a runaway competition to outbid others and becomes a competition to form the most optimal partnerships. In this case, when the cost of changing partner tends towards zero, partner choice leads to the evolution of the socially optimum level of cooperation. This last result could explain the observation that human cooperation seems to be often constrained by considerations of social efficiency.
Prevalence and characteristics of pregnancy‐ and lactation‐related calls to the National Poison Centre in Belgium: A retrospective analysis of calls from 2012 to 2017
Authors: Ceulemans Michael , Fortuin Marijke , Van Calsteren Kristel , Allegaert Karel , Foulon Veerle
Published: July 2019

Rationale, aims, and objective

In the absence of a Teratology Information Service in Belgium, the National Poison Centre might act as a substitute centre for answering pregnancy‐ and lactation‐related questions regarding medication use. The aim of this study was to define the prevalence and characteristics of pregnancy‐ and lactation‐related calls to the National Poison Centre in Belgium, as well as the type of health products involved during these calls.

Method

A retrospective, descriptive study on pregnancy‐ and lactation‐related calls involving health products received by the Belgian Poison Centre between January 2012 and December 2017 was performed. Health products were categorized as registered medicines or non‐registered health products; medicines were further classified according to the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical classification system.

Results

The Poison Centre annually received about 361 calls related to pregnancy and lactation. Pregnant and lactating women mainly called the Poison Centre themselves in case of exposure, while relatives were the predominant type of caller when preventive information was requested. The Poison Centre was mostly contacted for information about medicines and especially for preventive questions during lactation. Many questions involved over‐the‐counter medicines such as paracetamol and ibuprofen. Given the safety issues related to some involved products (eg, ibuprofen, zolpidem, benzodiazepines, and pseudoephedrine), seeking for advice was justified.

Conclusions

The Belgian Poison Centre received almost daily calls from patients and health care professionals on medication exposure during pregnancy and lactation. These findings underline the importance of evidence‐based counselling of pregnant and lactating women and should encourage health care professionals to engage themselves more actively when counselling on the rational use of medicines during pregnancy and lactation. The findings also contribute to the ongoing discussion to establish a Teratology Information Service in Belgium.
Postpartum Weight Retention in Primiparous Women and Weight Outcomes in Their Offspring
Authors: Gallagher Kelly , Ralph Jody , Petros Thomas , Qualls Clifford , Leeman Lawrence , Rogers Rebecca G.
Published: July 2019

Introduction

To explore the effect of prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) and gestational weight gain on postpartum weight retention in nulliparous women and weight‐for‐length percentiles of offspring to 2 years following birth.

Methods

A retrospective secondary analysis of a large, prospective longitudinal study of women conducted during pregnancy and after their first birth was completed to examine outcomes associated with postpartum weight retention. A chart review of the offspring of these women was completed to explore the relationship between maternal prepregnancy BMI and gestational weight gain on offspring weight‐for‐length percentiles.

Results

Data from 652 woman‐infant dyads were available for analysis. Average postpartum weight retention was 4.0 kg at one year for all groups. At 6 weeks postpartum, women who were obese prior to pregnancy retained significantly less weight than did women who were normal weight prior to pregnancy (P < .05). Women who were normal weight or overweight at the onset of pregnancy and had gestational weight gain within Institute of Medicine recommendations retained significantly less weight at 6 weeks, 6 months, and 1 year postpartum (P < .01) when compared with women in those same weight groups who had a gestational weight gain in excess of the recommended guideline. Women who entered pregnancy obese and who had a gestational weight gain within the recommended weight range during pregnancy retained significantly less weight compared with women who were obese and who gained in excess of the guideline at 6 weeks postpartum only (P < .05). No statistically significant differences were seen in offspring weight‐for‐length percentiles at any time point based on maternal prepregnancy BMI or weight gain within guidelines.

Discussion

Many women retained weight up to one year postpartum. In this study, we saw no statistically significant differences between the prepregnant BMI groups or between gestational weight gain within guidelines or in excess of guidelines on offspring weight‐for‐length percentiles.
Consumer Strategies to Improve the Efficacy of Posted Calorie Information: How Provincial Norms Nudge Consumers to Healthier Consumption
Authors: Otto Ashley S. , Davis Brennan , Wakefield Kirk , Clarkson Joshua J. , Jeffrey Inman J.
Published: July 2019

Seeking to help consumers make healthier decisions, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) mandated in 2010 the direct posting of calorie information on menus. Research, however, consistently demonstrates this mandate to not be as effective as intended despite required compliance in 2018. In response, the present research proposes a social marketing technique that leverages provincial norms (i.e., norms that are specific to consumption contexts) to nudge consumers toward healthier decisions. Across one field and two laboratory experiments, exposure to low‐calorie provincial norms consistently reduced calorie totals (relative to both a descriptive and no‐norm control condition). This reduced calorie total stemmed from a heightened motivation to align with the norm and did not undermine satisfaction, facilitate overindulgence on subsequent choices, or heighten guilt. Collectively, these findings offer an important means of increasing the efficacy of the FDA mandate while providing unique insight into how provincial norms nudge consumers toward healthier decision making.
Magnetocardiographic identification of prolonged fetal corrected QT interval in women receiving treatment for opioid use disorder
Authors: Bolin Elijah H. , Escalona‐Vargas Diana , Daily Joshua A. , Siegel Eric R. , Lowery Curtis L. , Coker Jessica , Stowe Zachary N. , Eswaran Hari
Published: July 2019

Aim

Pregnant women undergoing treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD) may be exposed to multiple QT prolonging agents. We used magnetocardiography to measure fetal QT intervals in mothers with OUD on buprenorphine therapy.

Methods

Fetal and maternal magnetocardiography was performed in pregnant women receiving buprenorphine‐assisted treatment (Disorder group); these were matched by gestational age to pregnant women who were opiate naïve (Reference group). Corrected QT intervals were determined using Bazett's formula and compared between groups.

Results

A total of eight women in the Disorder group matched to eight in the Reference group. Seven of the mothers (88%) in the Disorder group were smokers; there were no smokers in the Reference group. The average fetal corrected QT was significantly longer (P = 0.022) in the Disorder group than that in the Reference group (505 milliseconds [ms] ± 68.6 [standard deviation] vs 383 ms ± 70.3 [standard deviation]).

Conclusion

Novel data from this small sample demonstrate prolongation of fetal corrected QT in women with OUD participating in buprenorphine assisted therapy. Additional investigation from a larger sample is needed to clarify if fetal buprenorphine and/or tobacco exposure is associated with changes in fetal QT which would warrant further prenatal and postnatal testing.
The Association of Group‐Based Discrimination with Health and Well‐Being: A Comparison of Ableism with Other “Isms”
Authors: Branco Carla , Ramos Miguel R. , Hewstone Miles
Published: July 2019

Discrimination has negative consequences for the health and well‐being (HWB) of individuals belonging to disadvantaged groups. Due to social and attitudinal barriers, we argue that disabled people comprise one of the groups most affected by discrimination. Using data from the European Social Survey, including representative samples from 32 countries surveyed in seven waves (2002–2014), we compared the effects of ableism on HWB with discrimination targeting other groups (e.g., sexism and ageism). We tested these effects between individuals (i.e., comparing the effects of individuals belonging to different disadvantaged groups) and within individuals (i.e., examining the case of individuals belonging to multiple disadvantaged categories). Results indicated that facing ableism is associated with lower HWB, and that this effect has a greater magnitude when compared to the effect of being discriminated because of other disadvantaged group memberships. Our findings highlight the significance of addressing ableism in research and social policy.
Demographic, Experiential, and Temporal Variation in Ableism
Authors: Harder Jenna A. , Keller Victor N. , Chopik William J.
Published: July 2019

Data from Project Implicit were analyzed to explore trends in ableism. Over 300,000 U.S. residents with and without disabilities completed the Disability Implicit Association Test and two measures of explicit prejudice. The most consistent predictors of bias across types of prejudice were gender and contact with individuals with disabilities: Women and those who had contact were less prejudiced. Temporal analyses indicated that mean implicit prejudice increased over time (2004–2017), yet explicit bias showed a decline over the same period. Among people with disabilities, implicit and explicit prejudice were related to lower contact with others who shared one's disability, as well as to perceptions that one's disorder affects few activities and/or is primarily mental or emotional. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
On an Unidentified Fixed‐Effects Three‐Parameter Logistic Model
Authors: Ogasawara Haruhiko
Published: July 2019

For the fixed‐effects three‐parameter logistic model in item response theory, the necessary and sufficient condition of the model identification is presented synthesizing known results. An optimal transformation of parameters for model identification in Maris's unidentified case to remove or reduce the skewness of abilities is shown. In many cases, the vanishing skewnesses are obtained in the possible range of transformation for parameters with some improvements in the test response and information functions.
Manuscript studies and the eighteenth century
Authors: Havens Hilary
Published: July 2019

This essay provides an overview of recent contributions to the field of manuscript studies in the long eighteenth century. Although a number of early (and some contemporary) scholars have read print as the primary written form during the long eighteenth century, most researchers today acknowledge that manuscript traditions persisted despite the advent of print; recent scholarship reads them as complementary, where manuscript is no longer subsumed by print culture. This increased valuation of manuscript culture has shaped our understandings of literary and non‐literary genres and even the concept of authorship itself. This essay discusses the foundations and methodologies of manuscript studies of the eighteenth century, which arise out of the fields of bibliography and textual studies and corresponding developments in the early modern period. The latter part of the essay surveys some of the recent developments and directions of the field, including the intersecting disciplines of women's studies, genre theory, and readership and authorship practices.
Translating Robert Burns into Bengali: A case study of Rabindranath, Dwijendralal and Satyendranath
Authors: Sarkar Abhishek
Published: July 2019

This article closely studies the translations of Robert Burns's songs/poems made by Rabindranath Tagore (1861–1941), Dwijendralal Ray (1863–1913) and Satyendranath Dutta (1882–1922), three leading lyric poets of the Bengali language. Apart from Rabindranath's famous adaptation of the text and tune of two of Burns's songs (“Auld Lang Syne” and “Ye Banks and Braes O'Bonnie Doon”), he also translated four of Burns's songs for the monthly Bharati between 1878 and '79. He indigenizes Burns's songs and deploys the idiom of contemporary Bengali poetry (using throughout a Sanskritized poetic register) without emphasizing the foreign source. As opposed to this, the five translations of Burns's songs by Dwijendaralal Roy (included in Aryagatha, Part 2, 1893) are more innovative, if not always with a happy result. Dwijendralal's translations attempt to be closer to the source text in terms of the overarching temperament. Besides, they experiment with idioms and dialects. As opposed to these two, Satyendranath Dutta in his translation of “To a Mouse” and “A Man's a Man for A' that” (included in Tirthasalil, 1908) follows the meaning of the source text with rigorous loyalty. More importantly, he tries to approximate to the rhythm and stanza pattern of the original with startling results. As part of his vast repertoire of lyrics in translation, Satyendranath's rendition of Burns gestures towards a tacit paradigm of “world literature” and internationalism. This article attempts a comparative study of these translations of Burns with a view to assessing their underlying aesthetics and cross‐cultural negotiations.
Inference for large financial systems
Authors: Giesecke Kay , Schwenkler Gustavo , Sirignano Justin A.
Published: July 2019

We treat the parameter estimation problem for mean‐field models of large interacting financial systems such as the banking system and a pool of assets held by an institution or backing a security. We develop an asymptotic inference approach that addresses the scale and complexity of such systems. Harnessing the weak convergence results developed for mean‐field financial systems in the literature, we construct an approximate likelihood for large systems. The approximate likelihood has a conditionally Gaussian structure, enabling us to design an efficient numerical method for its evaluation. We provide a representation of the corresponding approximate estimator in terms of a weighted least‐squares estimator, and use it to analyze the large‐system and large‐sample behavior of the estimator. Numerical results for a mean‐field model of systemic financial risk highlight the efficiency and accuracy of our estimator.
Incentivising a career in older adult nursing: The views of student nurses
Authors: Naughton Corina , O’Shea Katie L. , Hayes Nicky
Published: July 2019

Background and aim

Nurse vacancy rates in older adult services are disproportionately high compared to other areas of nursing. This is partly because few student nurses consider it an attractive career option once qualified due to perceptions of low‐status, strenuous nature of the work and impoverished care environments. The study aimed to explore students' perceptions of incentives that could counterbalance the barriers for new graduate nurses joining this speciality.

Methods

A qualitative descriptive design using focus group interviews was carried out with six groups of student nurses (n = 27) following completion of their acute care older adult placements in three hospitals. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.

Results

The barriers from students' perspectives were constructed as a vicious cycle of staff shortages and inadequate resources that created impoverished environments leading to a dissonance between ideal and delivered care. Over one‐third of students were unlikely to consider a career in older adults nursing, but the remaining students could identify incentives that may tempt them. Four main themes and eight subthemes were identified: gerontological status and leadership (ward leadership; respected others); relational care (legitimising emotional support, care vs. cure goals); quality work environment (pay as recognition, 12‐hr shifts); and education‐career pathways (gerontological knowledge, career progression).

Conclusion

Radical new approaches, based on student and nurse engagement, are required to incentivise a career in gerontological nursing. A combination of shorter and longer term strategies that include education‐career pathways, a focus on relation care, and improved work conditions including financial incentives should be trialled.

Implications for practice

In terms of practice, addressing high nurse vacancy rates in older adult services that negaively impacts on patient outcomes requires a suite of incentives informed by ‘what matters’ to students and nurses working in the speciality.
How smart homes are used to support older people: An integrative review
Authors: Turjamaa Riitta , Pehkonen Aki , Kangasniemi Mari
Published: July 2019

Background

The number of healthy older people is increasing, and most of them want to live in their own homes for as long as possible. Smart home technology can support living at home, but synthetised knowledge of previous studies about their suitability for the everyday lives of older people is rare.

Methods

Data for this integrated review were obtained by searching the PubMed, CINAHL and Scopus databases from 2012 to 2019, based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, and then carrying out quality appraisals of the papers that were selected.

Results

We identified 944 papers, and 16 were included in the review. According to our analysis, smart home solutions for older people focused on devices for daily and healthy living and older people's safety. The smart home solutions they discussed were used to help older people carry out everyday activities and lead healthier and more fulfilled lives, by improving their physical safety and social communication. Older people reported that smart homes improved their sense of security, quality of daily life and activities and provided them with information about the care they could receive. However, research on older people playing an active role in developing smart home technology was lacking.

Conclusion

The existing literature focused on evaluating daily activities with routine measurements. There has been a lack of research that has focused on older people's experiences as the end users of this technology. However, the papers lacked data on how older people could maintain their social relationships and become more proactive in daily living.

Implications for practice

With further development, smart homes can be used to support older people to perform daily activities and help them maintain their social relationships. These steps will ensure that they can continue to live independently in their own homes for longer.
Replies to Comments onOntology Made Easy
Authors: Thomasson Amie L.
Published: July 2019

I'd like to begin by thanking Katherine Hawley, Daniel Korman and Stephen Schiffer for their extremely interesting and insightful comments, which very much enrich the discussion. I am both honored and grateful that such fine philosophers would spend their time and careful attention on my work. Since there doesn't seem to be significant overlap across their concerns, I will simply respond to each in turn.
The critical role of biofilms in bacterial vascular plant pathogenesis
Authors: Mina I. R. , Jara N. P. , Criollo J. E. , Castillo J. A.
Published: July 2019

Bacterial life is a combination of two lifestyles, mobile and social. In the social lifestyle, cells are usually embedded in a self‐produced matrix and attached to biotic or abiotic surfaces. These communities can be organized as either single or multilayered structures termed biofilms. Biofilms evolved to cope with the harsh environmental conditions that bacteria encounter within the host, mostly from the host’s defence response. In plant pathogenic bacteria, biofilms participate in the whole process of pathogenicity, from the first step of invasion to the full colonization of plant tissues. The specific role that biofilms play in the pathogenicity process of plant bacterial pathogens is poorly understood. In this review, the role of biofilms in the pathogenic process of major vascular plant pathogens is examined. In addition, quorum sensing signals and components that are essential for biofilm formation and therefore, for pathogenesis, are addressed. Although, in certain systems, further research is required, experimental evidence in the literature indicates that biofilms are, in most cases, essential for pathogenesis.
Effects on vegetative restoration of two treatments: erosion matting and supplemental rock cover in the alpine ecosystem
Authors: Roberts Jarret W. , Seastedt Tim R.
Published: July 2019

Unsanctioned travel routes through alpine ecosystems can influence water drainage patterns, cause sedimentation of streams, and erode soils. These disturbed areas can take decades to revegetate. In 2012, a volunteer‐driven project restored a 854‐m section of unsanctioned road along the Continental Divide in Colorado, United States. The restored area was seeded with three native grass species and then treated by installing erosion matting or adding supplemental rock cover. Four years later, results suggest that the seeding along with the use of erosion matting or supplemental rock can enhance revegetation. Matting appeared to accumulate litter, and this effect might have contributed to enhanced moisture retention. Treated areas contained 40% of the vegetation cover found on adjacent controls, which averaged 69% vascular plant absolute cover. Recovery on both treatments was markedly higher than published estimates of passive revegetation of disturbed areas measured elsewhere suggesting seeding with added cover or protection led to substantial vegetative cover after 4 years. Two of the 3 seeded grass species, Trisetum spicatum and Poa alpina, dominated the restored plots, composing 81.7% of relative vegetation cover on matting sites and 73.4% of relative cover on rock‐supplemented areas. Presumably due to its preference for moister sites, Deschampsia cespitosa had low establishment rates. Volunteer species, that is species that appeared on their own, contributed 6.3% to the absolute vegetation cover of matting and rock sites, and species such as Minuartia biflora, Minuartia obtusiloba, Poa glauca, and Festuca brachyphylla should be considered for use in future restorations.
Over‐ and under‐treatment of TB patients in Eastern China: an analysis based on health insurance claims data
Authors: Mao Wenhui , Jiang Weixi , Hamilton Carol , Zhang Hui , Huang Fei , Lucas Henry , Huan Shitong , Tang Shenglan
Published: July 2019

Objective

Poor compliance with existing guidelines for tuberculosis (TB) care and treatment is an issue of concern in China. We assessed health service use by TB patients over the entire treatment process and compared it to the recommended guidelines.

Methods

We collected insurance claims data in three counties of one province of Eastern China. Patient records with a diagnosis of ‘pulmonary TB’ in 2015 and 2016 were extracted. Treatment duration, number of outpatient (OP) visits and hospital admissions, as well as total cost, out‐of‐pocket (OOP) payments and effective reimbursement rates were analysed.

Results

A total of 1394 patients were included in the analysis. More than 48% received over the 8 months of treatment that TB guidelines recommend, and over 28% received less. 49% of Urban and Rural Resident Basic Medical Insurance (URRBMI) TB patients were hospitalised while 30% of those with Urban Employee Basic Medical Insurance (UEBMI) had at least one admission. Median total cost for patients with hospital admission was almost 10 times that of patients without. By comparison, the average OOP was 5 times higher. UEBMI patients had a shorter treatment period, more outpatient visits but considerably fewer hospital admissions than URRBMI patients.

Conclusions

We found an alarming extent of TB over‐ and under‐treatment in our study population. There is an urgent need to improve compliance with treatment guidelines in China and to better understand the drivers of divergence. Extending the coverage of health insurance schemes and increasing reimbursement rates for TB outpatient services would seem to be key factors in reducing both the overall cost and financial burden on patients.
Pathogen reduction with amotosalen/UVA reduces platelet refractoriness in a dog platelet transfusion model
Authors: Slichter Sherrill J. , Bailey S. Lawrence , Gettinger Irena , Pellham Esther , Christoffel Todd , Castro Grace , Green Jennifer M. , Stassinopoulos Adonis
Published: July 2019

Background and objectives

Pathogen reduction of donor platelets with amotosalen/UVA has been shown to effectively inactivate pathogens and also contaminating white blood cells (WBCs). We wanted to determine whether WBC inactivation could also decrease alloimmune refractoriness to donor platelets.

Materials and methods

Platelets were prepared from a donor dog's whole blood, and the platelets were either transfused without modification [standard (STD) platelets] or treated with amotosalen/UVA under conditions modelling the amotosalen/UVA Blood System for human platelets (APR) using either 4 or 3 J/cm2of UVA exposure. Platelets were transfused weekly from a single donor dog for 8 weeks or until the recipient dog became refractory to their donor's platelets. Antibody samples were drawn weekly and tested against the donor dog's platelets and WBCs (CD8 and B cells).

Results

Only 1/7 (14%) dogs that received STD platelets accepted 8 weeks of donor transfusions. Following APR 4 J/cm2donor transfusions, 3/9 (33%) recipients accepted their donor's transfusions, but only one recipient remained antibody negative. Following APR 3 J/cm2donor transfusions, the same dose as used for human platelet transfusions, 7/10 (70%) recipients accepted their donor's transfusions, but only two remained antibody negative.

Conclusion

As a very high percentage of recipient dogs (70%) accepted APR 3 J/cm2donor transfusions, these data suggest that preventing alloimmune platelet refractoriness may be another benefit of pathogen reduction using amotosalen/UVA.
Capnography monitoring of patients with obstructive sleep apnea in the post-anesthesia care unit: a best practice implementation project
Authors: Borczynski Elizabeth , Worobel-Luk Pamela
Published: July 2019

Introduction:

The prevalence of OSA is substantial in North America. Post-operative patients with OSA are at risk for respiratory complications, but about 60% of surgical patients with this condition go undiagnosed. If the presence of sleep apnea is known, non-invasive capnography monitoring can be applied post-operatively to help detect early respiratory compromise during the recovery phase. The STOP-Bang Questionnaire, a validated screening tool to evaluate the risk of OSA, can efficiently be used as part of the pre-surgical evaluation.

Objectives:

The aim of this project was to improve safety by averting post-operative respiratory events in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) through early detection of compromise during recovery from anesthesia. Specific objectives focused on implementing nurse-initiated capnography monitoring of patients with OSA in two post-anesthesia care units and, when indicated, expediently communicating abnormal end-tidal carbon dioxide excursions.

Methods:

Strategies and audit data were organized and evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute's Getting Research into Practice (GRiP) and Practical Application of Clinical Evidence Systems (PACES) tools. Medical record review was used for the baseline audit and three follow-up compliance audits of evidence-based practice. Multiple teaching methodologies were employed to reach and engage post-anesthesia care unit nurses. Equipment was maintained at the point of care. Nurses’ participation in the project was voluntary.

Results:

There was nearly full compliance with the new practice of initiating capnography, when indicated. Compliance with escalating abnormal capnography results with associated concerning assessment findings was 100%, but the escalation sample size was only two patients.

Conclusions:

Patients with known OSA benefited from non-invasive capnography monitoring during recovery from anesthesia because post-anesthesia care unit nurses were empowered to initiate evidence-based technology. Expedient adoption of the new practice was due to comprehensive nurse education, familiarity with a similar capnography monitoring process and the value nurses placed on capnography as another assessment tool to safeguard patients. A larger sample of patients is needed to evaluate compliance with escalating concerning findings to providers. Sustainability will be impacted if the post-anesthesia care unit's standards of care include capnography for patients with OSA.
Impact of unit design on intensive care unit clinicians: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Frechette Julie , Frati Francesca Y. E. , Octeau Daphné , Bitzas Vasiliki , Lavoie-Tremblay Mélanie
Published: July 2019

Objective:

This scoping review aims to identify the known impact of unit design on intensive care unit clinicians, and more specifically, to explore similarities and differences across critical care settings.

Introduction:

Construction and infrastructure renewal represent great opportunities for designing units that enhance patient care, as well as support the work of clinicians. A growing body of evidence is showing how unit design can impact clinical staff, but no reviews have been found that focus exclusively on clinicians within intensive care units.

Inclusion criteria:

The review will consider studies that include healthcare staff who offer direct patient care in adult or pediatric intensive care units. Studies that focus on the impact of design (related to physical environment features) on clinicians will be included.

Methods:

The proposed systematic review will be conducted in accordance with JBI methodology for scoping reviews. The search strategy aims to find published and unpublished studies. The databases to be searched will include Embase MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Healthstar and CINAHL. Retrieved studies will be assessed against the inclusion criteria by two independent reviewers. For the papers included in the scoping review, data will be extracted and quality assessed by two independent reviewers. The extracted data will be presented in tabular form, and a narrative summary will describe how the results relate to the review objective.
Effectiveness of deep general anesthesia compared to the standard depth of general anesthesia for acute postoperative pain and patient safety: a systematic review protocol
Authors: FitzGerald Haile , Anderson Emily , Anderson Lori Rae , Tracy Andy J. , Thomson J. Scott
Published: July 2019

Objective:

The objective of this systematic review is to synthesize the best available evidence related to the effectiveness of deep general anesthesia on acute postoperative pain and patient safety in adult patients.

Introduction:

Acute postoperative pain is a common physiological side effect of surgery that should be alleviated as soon as possible to reduce suffering and other detrimental effects. Given the adverse effects related to the use of opioids for pain management, and in the current opioid epidemic, evidence-based clinical practice recommendations are needed to reduce the use of opioids in the treatment of acute postoperative pain.

Inclusion criteria:

This review will include studies of adult patients that incorporate the intervention of deep general anesthesia (bispectral index values of 45 or less), compared to the provision of a standard depth of general anesthesia (bispectral index values 45–60). Included studies will report acute postoperative pain (within the first 48 hours after surgery) as a primary outcome variable. Secondary outcomes of interest include opioid consumption and any reported adverse outcomes.

Methods:

A three-step search strategy will be used to locate studies published in English from 1992 (advent of electroencephalography index monitoring technology) in Ovid MEDLINE, Embase and CINAHL databases. Two independent reviewers will assess retrieved studies against inclusion criteria, complete critical appraisal for methodological quality and extract data using a standardized tool. Data will be synthesized using statistical meta-analysis, where possible.