bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using a deliberative forum for engaging health system and health plan leaders to prioritize research topics
Authors: McTigue Kathleen M , Hartelius E Johanna , Anderson Timothey S , Allsup Andrew P , Alston Treva , Chuang Cynthia H , Dillon Stacey , Ford Daniel E , Gunturi Nivedita , Hess Rachel , Kirchner H Lester , Larson Sharon L , Leon-Jhong Anita B , McCoy David R , Paranjape Anuradha , Uhrig James R , Waheed Anam A , Mitchell Gordon R
Published: June 2018

Background: Including stakeholders in the process and outcomes of comparative effectiveness research (CER) can help ensure that research questions are relevant and findings are communicated to individuals who need them for decision-making. Yet limited strategies are available to assist researchers with stakeholder engagement.While health system leaders’ perspectives are increasingly recognized as valuable for CER planning, their inclusion in the stakeholder pool raises challenges due to differences in culture, training, incentives, priorities and language norms.Objective: To convene and evaluate a deliberative forum for engaging health system leaders and other stakeholders in order to shape health system research priorities for the PaTH Clinical Data Research Network, a member of the National Patient-Centered Clinical Research Network (PCORnet).Methods: Breakout sessions and large group deliberation solicited diverse perspectives and explored benefits and challenges of different research questions. Topic reframing, narrative integration and dynamic updating techniques facilitated communication across diverse backgrounds. Participants included 29 health system and health plan leaders, clinicians, clinical researchers and patients from the network’s 6 participating health systems. Main measures were audience response system (ARS) polling on general topic preferences and survey data on measures of engagement and deliberation success.Results: A slate of 10 specific research topics was vetted; after deliberation, the group converged to favor the characterization of high utilizers of healthcare. Audience response polling revealed opinion shifts. Participants reported high levels of satisfaction with the experience and rated it highly for markers of deliberative quality (e.g., opportunity for active participation and adequate discussion, respect for others’ opinions and awareness of different perspectives). Fifty-four percent noted their views on the issues changed. Most participants learned from the experience (93%) and agreed that the process helped them to empathize with the challenges of others (85%).Conclusions: A deliberation forum can incorporate diverse stakeholders into CER, enabling participants to inform and learn from each other’s perspectives while shaping a person-centered research trajectory.
Feasibility of large group cognitive behavioural therapy education classes for anxiety disorders
Authors: Palay Joshua , Wong Jacquelyne Y , Randall Jason R , Sala Tanya , Bolton James M , Furer Patricia , Bolton Shay-Lee , Whitney Debbie L , Thakur Vishal , Parikh Sagar V , Sareen Jitender
Published: June 2018

Rationale, aims and objectives: Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is effective in treating anxiety disorders. In publically funded systems, CBT is not easily accessible due to long wait times. In order to provide quicker access, a large group CBT intervention was implemented in a tertiary care clinic. This study describes the design, feasibility and acceptability of such an intervention as part of stepped care for anxiety disorders. Method: The intervention followed a 2-session curriculum, consisting of 90 minutes classes providing didactic instruction on key CBT topics and self-management strategies. Classes accommodated 30 patients and were led by staff psychiatrists formally trained in CBT. A retrospective analysis of patients referred to the clinic during the first year of class implementation was performed to determine class completion rate, patient satisfaction (using a usefulness Likert Scale and Session Rating Scale [SRS]) and symptom trajectory (using the GAD-7).Results: The implementation of large group CBT classes reduced waiting times from approximately one year to approximately 3 months. One hundred and thirty-one patients were screened by the clinic, 88 of whom (67%) completed the intervention. Sixty-eight percent of patients rated the classes as useful; however, SRS findings indicated that only 46% of patients were satisfied. GAD-7 scores decreased by 1.57 (95% CI 0.2 to 2.95; SMD=0.24).Conclusions: This analysis contributes preliminary evidence that large group CBT education classes may be an acceptable means to reduce waiting times for CBT for anxiety disorders. Further controlled research is required to elucidate the benefit and cost effectiveness of such classes.
The role of narratives in patient-provider discussions about contraceptive decisions
Authors: Cusanno Brianna R , Estlund Amy , Madden Tessa , Buckel Christina M , Politi Mary C
Published: June 2018

Rationale, aims and objectives: Use of contraception is essential for reducing rates of unintended pregnancy. Understanding how women acquire knowledge and develop beliefs about contraception can help providers improve person-centered contraceptive counseling and provision. In addition, investigating providers’ perspectives and strategies for contraceptive counseling may help identify strengths and weaknesses of counseling approaches. This paper explores personal and social narratives about contraception and how these narratives impact healthcare encounters and patients’ decisions.Methods: Qualitative data were collected as part of a larger study aimed at implementing a model for patient-centered contraceptive provision in community health centers. Sixty participants (13 patients between the ages of 14-45 and 47 staff and providers) were recruited from 3 Federally Qualified Health Centers to participate in semi-structured interviews. Data were contextualized according to a taxonomy of narratives to support decision-making.Results: Patients often learned about contraception through narratives told by social connections. Both patients and health center staff and providers identified narratives as important influences on women’s selection of contraceptive methods. These narratives sometimes caused women to be wary of specific methods. Patients primarily related outcome-based (as opposed to process- or experience-oriented) narratives. Staff and providers recognized the power of narratives, although they were sometimes frustrated by patients’ reliance on these narratives. Providers described a number of strategies for engaging with patients’ narratives during counseling sessions.Conclusions: Our findings underscore the strong influence of narratives on women’s selection of contraceptive methods. Health narratives are a potential strategy to facilitate informed decision-making about contraception in clinical encounters and educational campaigns.
The Singularity and the Human Condition
Authors: Berkowitz Roger ,   DePaul University
Published: June 2018

Hannah Arendt's The Human Condition is frequently read as offering a “theory” of what it means to be human. But the bite of Arendt’s book is to think through the transformation of the human condition in the modern age. She argues that the rise of a scientific worldview fundamentally alters the earthly and worldly conditions in which human beings live. Since humans are conditioned beings, the change from our pre-modern subjection to fate to our modern human capacity to create a humanly built world threatens a fundamental shift in human being. The transformation Arendt describes is the loss of our human plurality to a technological singularity. She argues, however, that we can choose to hold on to our humanity if we persist in thinking, and thus preserve our human spontaneity and freedom.
Couples Who Collaborate: James Ransome and Lesa Cline-Ransome
Authors: Gibson Jennifer
Published: June 2018

Married couple James Ransome and Lesa Cline-Ransome are a truly prolific pair. They have created a great number of award-winning picture-books together—titles like Satchel Paige, Young Pele, Quilt Alphabet, Before There Was Mozart, Words Set Me Free: The Story of Young Frederick Douglass, My Story, My Dance, and Light in Darkness.
Dogs and Pigs and Birds, Oh My! A Bevy of Animals Serve as Partners in Literacy
Authors: Kozikowski Marybeth
Published: June 2018

“Living things in the library encourage reading. They certainly provoke questions and conversations with patrons.”That quote from Kate Capps, children’s librarian and school liaison of the Olathe Indian Creek Library in Kansas, is one that I—and many other librarians—would tend to agree with, based on the number of programs nationwide that encourage kids to read to or with animals.
Fostering Eco-Literacy: One Library’s Take on Environmental Learning
Authors: Sullivan Shelia
Published: June 2018

Last year, through a Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Grant for $28,000 from the South Carolina State Library, the Georgetown County Library sparked a shift in the thinking of local young people by involving them in informal science learning activities. The funding proposal centered on technological approaches to ecological studies. The result was the multifaceted Twenty-First-Century Skills for Eco-Literacy project.
Every Child Ready to Read: ECRR Outside the Library: Providing Meaningful Family-Focused Community Outreach
Authors: Campana Kathleen , Mills J. Elizabeth , Martin Michelle H.
Published: June 2018

Do you want to reach and support ALL families in your community, especially those who are underserved, but feel like you are not reaching them through your in-house programs and services?Have you tried moving your programs and services out to community locations to reach these families where they are? In Project LOCAL (Library Outreach as a Community Anchor in Learning), an Institute of Museum and Library Services–funded National Leadership planning grant, we found that by moving programs out into the community and adapting them for particular settings, libraries are reaching families in many underserved communities.
Advocacy and Legislation: The Importance of Understanding the Difference
Authors: Spevacek Karlyn
Published: June 2018

This column by the ALSC Advocacy and Legislation Committee replaces the Everyday Advocacy column written by Jenna Nemec-Loise. This committee is focused on empowering and supporting advocacy and legislation efforts on behalf of libraries, children, and families!
As inovações tecnológicas levam o jornalismo aos agentes autônomos artificiais
Authors: Squirra Sebastião Carlos , Carreira Krishma
Published: June 2018

Nos últimos anos, inovações tecnológicas disruptivas inseriram radical tecnologização nos recursos comunicativos de massa, fazendo com que a sociedade aderisse de forma consistente na sua utilização e preferências. Tal transformação alterou fortemente os processos produtivos da área, especialmente no segmento do jornalismo, onde se consolidou uma densa automatização dos processos e, mais recentemente, Agentes autônomos artificiais passaram a controlar a apuração e redigem a própria notícia. Neste trabalho apontamos que os avanços na área da Inteligência Artificial incorporaram à realidade da produção jornalística os sistemas informatizados com os algoritmos e o Big Data que, somados à automatização crescente dos processos, reconfiguraram as lógicas produtivas com alterações nos modelos de negócios, requerendo novas habilidades e competências profissionais.
A tradição criativa e a geração de desenvolvimento socioeconômico em Campo Bom, RS, Brasil, no contexto das cidades
Authors: Nunes Raul De Souza , Ashton Mary Sandra Guerra , Schreiber Dusan
Published: June 2018

As cidades criativas vêm tornando-se modelo para o desenvolvimento social e econômico através da valorização dos saberes vinculados a cultura local. Mas, ser uma cidade criativa não é copiar modelos, pois as ações realizadas precisam partir da realidade cultural local. Nesse contexto, a análise teórica realizada no município de Campo Bom demonstra que este possui um patrimônio cultural herdado dos seus colonizadores, a tradição criativa, que pode ser utilizado na formulação de programas de desenvolvimento socioeconômico da cidade.
EVALUACIÓN DE ENTORNOS INMERSIVOS 3D COMO HERRAMIENTA DE APRENDIZAJE B-LEARNING
Authors: González-Yebra Óscar , Aguilar Manuel Ángel , Aguilar Fernando José , Lucas Matheu Manuel
Published: June 2018

El presente trabajo se ha desarrollado en el marco de un proyecto de innovación educativa para la adaptación de la Universidad de Almería al EEES. Tiene como objetivo general el estudio del potencial de los entornos inmersivos 3D para la enseñanza-aprendizaje a distancia. En este sentido se ha evaluado el uso de la plataforma Second Life para complementar y reforzar las clases presenciales de la asignatura Diseño Asistido por Ordenador mediante una alternativa eficaz y ágil para la comunicación a distancia a través de la WWW, manteniendo, en la medida de lo posible, el sentimiento de pertenencia a una clase de todas las personas participantes.El estudio se llevó a cabo a lo largo de tres fases diferenciadas. En la primera, se diseñó y planificó el procedimiento para la investigación experimental. En la segunda, se llevaron a cabo las diferentes sesiones programadas en el marco del proyecto y se procedió a la obtención de las valoraciones del alumnado. En la tercera fase se adaptó y aplicó el conocido modelo de Kano para obtener una evaluación cuantitativa de la satisfacción del grupo de estudiantes tanto con la interfaz del entorno inmersivo 3D empleado como con el propio método de enseñanza síncrona a distancia.En líneas generales la respuesta del alumnado participante en relación a la componente teórica de la asignatura ha sido ampliamente positiva, inclinándose por una docencia presencial en el caso de la componente puramente práctica o aplicada. Los hallazgos obtenidos en este estudio pueden ser de utilidad para el profesorado/personal investigador  interesado en el diseño y recreación de aulas virtuales análogas, así como para avanzar en estrategias que promuevan de una forma efectiva la enseñanza B-Learning apoyada en entornos inmersivos 3D.
EDUCACIÓN SUPERIOR EN ALTERNANCIA TRANSFRONTERIZA ENTRE FRANCIA Y ESPAÑA
Authors: Tarrats-Pons Elisenda Tarrats-Pons , Arimany-Serrat Núria Arimany-Serrat , Arando-Lasagabaster Saioa Arando-Lasagabaster , Martínez-González Mariangélica Martínez-González , Samonneau Marion Samonneau , Pilniere Veronique Pilniere , Mathieu Laetitia Mathieu
Published: June 2018

En este estudio se pretende evidenciar que la educación en alternancia estimula la creación de empleo e incentiva la innovación acorde a la revolución tecnológica actual, en sintonía con las necesidades de nuestro tiempo en el territorio transfronterizo. Por este motivo se analizan 4 experiencias en la zona transfronteriza basadas en educación superior en alternancia a ambos lados de los Pirineos, como experiencias en sintonía con el modelo de la Triple Hélice. Las instituciones de educación superior implicadas en las cuatro experiencias son: Universidad de Mondragón, Universidad de Vic-Universidad Central de Catalunya (en España), la École Superieure des Technologies Industrielles Avancées (ESTIA) y la Escuela Universitaria de Management de la Université de Pau (en Francia).  Nuestros hallazgos sugieren los elementos que debería incorporar un  modelo de educación en alternancia transfronteriza, considerando los aspectos comunes y discrepantes del análisis de las 4 experiencias, y la pertinencia de utilizar esta innovación educativa para mejorar la empleabilidad y promover la incorporación de los alumnos al mercado laboral junto con el oportuno desarrollo regional, económico y social de las zonas analizadas.
EL PROCESO DE INTEGRACIÓN Y USO PEDAGÓGICO DE LAS TIC EN LOS CENTROS EDUCATIVOS MADRILEÑOS
Authors: Fernández Cruz Francisco José , Fernández Díaz María José , Rodríguez Mantilla Jesús Miguel
Published: June 2018

Introducción: Los centros educativos están haciendo un esfuerzo importante para incorporar en sus aulas las Tecnologías de la Información y Comunicación (TIC). No obstante, su integración requiere de proyectos estructurados que incidan no solo en las infraestructuras y recursos, sino también en planes de formación tecno-pedagógica, de innovación metodológica, de liderazgo, gestión y coordinación para que puedan alcanzar su objetivo de mejora. Este estudio pretende analizar las características de los centros de Primaria y Secundaria de la Comunidad de Madrid, así como los perfiles de Competencias en TIC del profesorado y su correspondencia con los definidos por la UNESCO. Metodología: Para cumplir con estos objetivos, se ha aplicado un cuestionario que posibilita determinar cuáles son las características de los centros que inciden de manera efectiva en el perfil del docente y sus competencias digitales, haciendo que el proceso de integración y uso pedagógico de las TIC sea más eficaz. Resultados: En el presente estudio se evidencia que el profesorado todavía no dispone de las competencias digitales necesarias para trabajar con las TIC en los centros educativos estudiados. Conclusiones: Los resultados obtenidos sugieren que los aspectos que afectan en mayor grado al proceso de implementación e integración de las tecnologías en un centro educativo son la formación en competencias digitales, la coordinación tecno-pedagógica, el uso metodológico diseñado desde el currículo escolar y el liderazgo efectivo que genere un clima de aceptación de las tecnologías como elemento de innovación educativa. Igualmente, estos centros educativos deben hacer un esfuerzo importante, a través de un proyecto de integración tecno-pedagógico, para dotar a sus aulas de los recursos y de la organización/coordinación apropiada para incorporar actividades de aprendizaje innovadoras en las aulas.
EVALUACIÓN DEL DISEÑO, PROCESO Y RESULTADOS DE UNA ASIGNATURA TÉCNICA CON APRENDIZAJE BASADO EN PROBLEMAS
Authors: Delgado Trujillo Antonio , De Justo Moscardó Enrique
Published: June 2018

Este artículo evalúa el diseño e implementación del programa de una asignatura obligatoria de Estructuras en Arquitectura con aprendizaje basado en problemas (ABP). Los métodos de aprendizaje activo como el  ABP se adaptan mejor que los métodos tradicionales a los desafíos actuales de la docencia por competencias. La experiencia alcanzó a un total de 324 estudiantes y 8 profesores. Se trata del primer caso documentado de aplicación del método ABP a gran escala en la disciplina de Estructuras en España. La investigación incluye una evaluación sistemática del programa en todas las fases: diseño, proceso y resultados. Se emplea un modelo de la teoría de evaluación de programas con un enfoque mixto (cuantitativo y cualitativo) de recogida y análisis de datos. En la evaluación han participado profesores, estudiantes y expertos multidisciplinares, que han sido consultados mediante encuestas (de respuestas abiertas y cerradas) y grupos de discusión. Los criterios de evaluación empleados son la adecuación de los componentes del programa a los objetivos, la coherencia de los componentes entre sí, el control de la ejecución y la cobertura, la eficacia en la consecución de los objetivos y la satisfacción de los estudiantes y profesores. Estos criterios se han concretado en 26 variables. Los resultados indican que el programa ha sido eficaz en el logro de la mayor parte de sus objetivos, destacando los avances conseguidos en el rendimiento académico y la asistencia a clase. El estudio realizado permite concluir que el ABP se adapta bien a  una docencia práctica de Estructuras, aunque han surgido algunas dificultades relacionadas con la complejidad de aplicación del método. Las conclusiones sobre el funcionamiento del programa, sus puntos fuertes y las principales dificultades encontradas pueden ser útiles para la extrapolación de la experiencia a otros contextos cercanos en el campo de la Arquitectura y la Ingeniería.
IMPLICACIONES DE LA ACTITUD DOCENTE EN LA CALIDAD DE VIDA DEL ALUMNADO CON ALTERACIONES DEL DESARROLLO INTELECTUAL
Authors: Muñoz-Cantero Jesús Miguel , Losada-Puente Luisa
Published: June 2018

La calidad de vida ha sido reconocida como un elemento clave en evaluación de las condiciones de vida y la satisfacción del alumnado por parte del profesorado. A través de sus dimensiones, el profesorado puede conocer con mayor profundidad el bienestar experimentado por sus estudiantes y detectar posibles carencias a nivel personal, social, familiar y escolar. El objetivo de este estudio es analizar las percepciones del profesorado implicado en la educación del alumnado con alteraciones del desarrollo intelectual sobre cómo se están desarrollando las practicas escolares orientadas a la mejora de su calidad de vida. Mediante una metodología cualitativa, se emplearon entrevistas semiestructuradas con once docentes. El estudio se contextualiza en la Educación Secundaria Obligatoria (ESO). Se analizó la percepción de los docentes acerca de sus estudiantes con alteraciones del desarrollo intelectual, así como la forma en que sus expectativas, actitudes y actuaciones contribuyen a la calidad de vida de sus estudiantes. Los resultados reflejan la repercusión de las expectativas docentes sobre la actitud del alumnado, evidenciándose cómo las bajas expectativas hacia las posibilidades de éxito de sus estudiantes con alteraciones del desarrollo repercuten en su autoestima, su autoconcepto, su empoderamiento y, en definitiva, sobre su calidad de vida. Los apoyos a la mejora de la calidad de vida de este alumnado se relacionan con una actitud docente preocupada y activa, mientras que las barreras se asocian a docentes con actitudes conformistas, derrotistas o esquivas. Se finaliza el trabajo requiriendo el cambio, todavía pendiente, en el modelo educativo actual a fin de adaptarlo a la realidad diversa de los centros educativos, así como la mayor formación e información docente para desempeñar exitosamente la labor educativa.
Análisis de la complejidad y heterogeneidad de los paisajes de México
Authors: Priego Santander Angel Guadalupe , Esteve Selma Miguel Angel
Published: June 2018

La presente investigación abarca el territorio de México y su objetivo es conocer y evaluar la distribución de la complejidad y heterogeneidad de los paisajes físico-geográficos de este país. Para lograr esto, se aplicaron dos índices de complejidad; uno de riqueza y otro de diversidad al mapa de paisajes naturales de México, a escala 1:500 000. Los resultados indican que México es un mosaico geoecológico donde espacialmente alternan unidades de diversa heterogeneidad y complejidad, de forma continua. Aún los geosistemas más simples y homogéneas, contienen una elevada riqueza de unidades inferiores.
Valoración local del patrimonio natural para el desarrollo turístico en un territorio rural transfronterizo (Sierra del Larouco, Galicia-Norte de Portugal)
Authors: De Uña-Álvarez Elena , Cuquejo Bello Mª del Carmen , Villarino Pérez Montserrat
Published: June 2018

En la mayoría de los espacios rurales de montaña la oferta turístico-recreativa está basada en sus recursos naturales. El conocimiento de la percepción y las expectativas de los actores locales respecto a su valor y potencialidad es indispensable para fomentar un turismo sostenible. La Sierra del Larouco es un espacio transfronterizo que se extiende entre el sur de Galicia (Noroeste de España) y el norte de Portugal. El objetivo principal de la investigación es conocer la percepción, las ideas y las expectativas de sus actores respecto a los bienes disponibles y su utilización como recursos para el desarrollo local a través del turismo. Para ello, han sido realizadas 29 entrevistas a partir de un cuestionario-guía. Este trabajo presenta solo una parte de sus resultados en el contexto de un estudio exploratorio: los que expresan  el grado de interés y la valoración que otorgan  los actores clave al conjunto de recursos disponibles, entre los cuales el patrimonio natural ocupa una posición destacada; al mismo tiempo, inciden en el potencial que confieren a este patrimonio “propio” como un conjunto de recursos turísticos para favorecer la mejora del ámbito local.
Análisis multiescalar del paisaje semiárido de la Región de Murcia (España) y propuesta de gestión
Authors: Medina Vidal María Degania
Published: June 2018

El presente artículo expone la metodología y los resultados del análisis realizado sobre el paisaje semiárido de la Región de Murcia, planteando su uso como recurso para generar alternativas a la ordenación del territorio y usos del suelo rural tradicionales, que permitan nuevos modelos de desarrollo sostenibles. Se trabaja en diferentes escalas, concretando en la potencialidad y oportunidad que ofrece el paisaje del litoral, y realizando una propuesta de uso y gestión de una finca rural de la Sierra de la Almenara (Águilas)
Microtubules soften due to cross-sectional flattening
Authors: Memet Edvin , Hilitski Feodor , Morris Margaret A , Schwenger Walter J , Dogic Zvonimir , Mahadevan L
Published: June 2018

We use optical trapping to continuously bend an isolated microtubule while simultaneously measuring the applied force and the resulting filament strain, thus allowing us to determine its elastic properties over a wide range of applied strains. We find that, while in the low-strain regime, microtubules may be quantitatively described in terms of the classical Euler-Bernoulli elastic filament, above a critical strain they deviate from this simple elastic model, showing a softening response with increasing deformations. A three-dimensional thin-shell model, in which the increased mechanical compliance is caused by flattening and eventual buckling of the filament cross-section, captures this softening effect in the high strain regime and yields quantitative values of the effective mechanical properties of microtubules. Our results demonstrate that properties of microtubules are highly dependent on the magnitude of the applied strain and offer a new interpretation for the large variety in microtubule mechanical data measured by different methods.
Demographic Characteristics Related to Motor Skills in Children Aged 5-7 Years Old
Authors: Fu You , Burns Ryan D.
Published: June 2018

Background: Motor skill is important to young children’s overall well-being. However, there has been a paucity of work examining the demographic characteristics on young children’ motor skill. Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the differences in motor skills across socio-economic status (SES) and grade levels in elementary school children. Method: Participants were 651 kindergarten to 2nd grade children (mean age = 6.2 ± 0.9 years; 305 girls, 346 boys) recruited from two low SES schools and another two high SES schools. Selected motor skill items were measured using the Test for Gross Motor Development-3rd Edition (TGMD-3) instrument. Data were collected once at each school during physical education class and recess period. A 4 × 3 × 2 × 2 Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) test was employed to examine the differences among grade, SES, ethnicity, and sex on TGMD-3 scores. Results: There were significant main effects for grade (Wilks’ lambda = 0.34, F (2, 1274) = 229.6, p < 0.001) and SES (Wilks’ lambda = 0.70, F (2, 637) = 136.3, p < 0.001). Follow-up tests revealed statistically significant differences between grades on locomotor, object control and overall TGMD-3, with the 2nd graders displaying highest mean scores, followed by 1st graders and kindergarteners. Follow-up tests suggested that high SES children displaying statistically significant higher mean scores than low SES students on all motor skill variables. Conclusion: Older children demonstrated higher motor competence levels, and those with high SES displayed higher motor skill levels than lower SES children.
Nurses' organizational roles—Stakeholders’ expectations
Authors: Kallio Tomi , Tevameri Terhi , Vähätalo Mervi
Published: June 2018

In this study, we analysed stakeholders’ organizational role expectations for nurses. We defined organizational role expectations as a set of informal expectations in behavioural patterns and formal expectations in work tasks related to a certain position in the organization. A qualitative study was conducted, and content analysis was applied to 150 articles published in a Finnish nursing trade journal. We identified five general organizational role expectations of patients and their relatives, physicians and other healthcare professionals, the work community, the nursing association, and legislators in our analysis: “the alongside stroller,” “the patients’ advocate,” “the reliable colleague and team member,” “the expert and skills developer,” and “the organizational underdog.” This study explores these nursing roles and links stakeholder perspective to the organizational role expectations in professional services.
Cranial anatomy ofBellusaurus sui(Dinosauria: Eusauropoda) from the Middle-Late Jurassic Shishugou Formation of northwest China and a review of sauropod cranial ontogeny
Authors: Moore Andrew J. , Mo Jinyou , Clark James M. , Xu Xing
Published: June 2018

Bellusaurus suiis an enigmatic sauropod dinosaur from the Middle-Late Jurassic Shishugou Formation of northwest China.Bellusaurusis known from a monospecific bonebed preserving elements from more than a dozen juvenile individuals, including numerous bones of the skull, providing rare insight into the cranial anatomy of juvenile sauropods. Here, we present a comprehensive description of the cranial anatomy ofBellusaurus, supplementing the holotypic cranial material with additional elements recovered from recent joint Sino-American field expeditions.Bellusaurusis diagnosed by several unique autapomorphies, including a neurovascular foramen piercing the ascending process of the maxilla at midheight, the frontal process of the nasal extending farther posteriorly onto the frontal than the prefrontal, and U-shaped medial and lateral notches in the posterior margin of the ventral process of the squamosal. Several features identified here, including a preantorbital opening in the maxilla, a stepped dorsal margin of the vomerine process of the pterygoid, and the partitioning of the dorsal midline endocranial fossae associated with the dural venous sinuses into anterior and posterior components by a transverse ridge of the parietal, are consistent with recent phylogenetic hypotheses that recoverBellusaurusas a basal macronarian or close relative of Neosauropoda. We review the current state of knowledge of sauropod cranial ontogeny, placing several aspects of the cranial anatomy ofBellusaurusin an ontogenetic context and providing explicit hypotheses of ontogenetic transformations that can be tested by future discoveries of ontogenetic variants of sauropod skulls. While scoring ontogenetically variable characters as unknown may help to alleviate the biasing effects of ontogeny on the phylogenetic position of juvenile specimens, we caution that this approach may remove phylogenetically informative character information, and argue that inference methods that are known to be less sensitive to homoplasy than equal weights parsimony (i.e., implied weights parsimony; Bayesian approaches) should also be employed.
Some maternal lineages of domestic horses may have origins in East Asia revealed with further evidence of mitochondrial genomes and HVR-1 sequences
Authors: Ma Hongying , Wu Yajiang , Xiang Hai , Yang Yunzhou , Wang Min , Zhao Chunjiang , Wu Changxin
Published: June 2018

Objectives

There are large populations of indigenous horse (Equus caballus) in China and some other parts of East Asia. However, their matrilineal genetic diversity and origin remained poorly understood. Using a combination of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and hypervariable region (HVR-1) sequences, we aim to investigate the origin of matrilineal inheritance in these domestic horses.

Methods

To investigate patterns of matrilineal inheritance in domestic horses, we conducted a phylogenetic study using 31 de novo mtDNA genomes together with 317 others from the GenBank. In terms of the updated phylogeny, a total of 5,180 horse mitochondrial HVR-1 sequences were analyzed.

Results

Eightteen haplogroups (Aw-Rw) were uncovered from the analysis of the whole mitochondrial genomes. Most of which have a divergence time before the earliest domestication of wild horses (about 5,800 years ago) and during the Upper Paleolithic (35–10 KYA). The distribution of some haplogroups shows geographic patterns. The Lw haplogroup contained a significantly higher proportion of European horses than the horses from other regions, while haplogroups Jw, Rw, and some maternal lineages of Cw, have a higher frequency in the horses from East Asia. The 5,180 sequences of horse mitochondrial HVR-1 form nine major haplogroups (A-I). We revealed a corresponding relationship between the haplotypes of HVR-1 and those of whole mitochondrial DNA sequences. The data of the HVR-1 sequences also suggests that Jw, Rw, and some haplotypes of Cw may have originated in East Asia while Lw probably formed in Europe.

Conclusions

Our study supports the hypothesis of the multiple origins of the maternal lineage of domestic horses and some maternal lineages of domestic horses may have originated from East Asia.
Os herbicidas causam impactos na sobrevivência e desenvolvimento de abelhas?
Authors: Monquero Patricia Andrea , Oliveira Alessandro Santos
Published: June 2018

A polinização é um serviço ecossistêmico chave na manutenção da biodiversidade, essencial no processo reprodutivo das plantas superiores em quase todos os sistemas produtivos terrestres. Para que se possa manter a vasta biodiversidade global, incluindo de espécies cultivadas, é necessária que haja diversidade de polinizadores. No entanto, as abelhas sofrem com as ações antrópicas. Estes insetos vêm desaparecendo de áreas agrícolas devido à introdução de espécies exóticas, às grandes áreas de monocultivo, ao desmatamento para agricultura e pastagem e, principalmente, à fragmentação de habitats e ao uso excessivo ou incorreto de defensivos agrícolas. Esses pesticidas podem afetar não só a longevidade das abelhas, como também sua vitalidade o que pode, ao longo do tempo, influenciar na manutenção das colônias. No caso do uso de defensivos agrícolas, a maioria dos estudos visa avaliar os efeitos dos inseticidas sobre as abelhas, sendo escassos os estudos sobre outras classes de produtos, como os herbicidas. Esta revisão buscou dar foco aos possíveis efeitos, especialmente, de uso de herbicidas na sobrevivência e no desenvolvimento das abelhas. O uso de herbicidas que apresentam toxicidade para os insetos benéficos, como glyphosate, 2,4-D, MSMA e paraquat devem ser continuamente monitorado. As doses subletais dos herbicidas, ou seja, dose menor do que a que provoca a morte, podem provocar alterações comportamentais nos indivíduos, acarretando em sérios prejuízos à manutenção das colônias.
Biochar impact on herbicides behavior in the soils: an approach in Brazil
Authors: Mendes Kassio Ferreira , Almeida Cassio De Souza , Inoue Miriam Hiroko , Mertens Tatiane Beatriz , Tornisielo Valdemar Luiz
Published: June 2018

A aplicação de biochar (biocarvão) em solos por causa dos efeitos benéficos é comprovada por muitos pesquisadores internacionais e isto pode aumentar a sorção dos herbicidas e reduzir a eficácia destes no manejo das plantas daninhas. Impactos positivos são relatados em relação ao comportamento ambiental dos herbicidas, pois o aumento da sorção reduz a lixiviação destes produtos para as águas subterrâneas. Impactos negativos são relatados em relação ao manejo agronômico dos herbicidas, pois o aumento da sorção reduz a disponibilidade destes produtos no solo, diminuindo o efeito residual para o controle das plantas daninhas. No Brasil, o biochar é produzido por várias empresas privadas e unidades de pirólise, entretanto, o custo para produção ainda é muito alto, provavelmente por falta de incentivo do governo, baixo uso dos produtores e consciência dos benefícios. Embora o biochar seja utilizado há várias décadas em outros países, no Brasil ainda há poucos estudos desenvolvidos por pesquisadores na área de solos, e a eficiência do biochar na biodisponibilidade de herbicidas no solo ainda é desconhecida por muitos pesquisadores brasileiros na área de plantas daninhas. Diante do exposto, o objetivo desta revisão foi avaliar a biodisponibilidade de herbicidas em solos modificados com biochar e destacar a pesquisa com biochar em condições brasileiras, além de apresentar os benefícios ao solo com a adição do biochar. Pouco se sabe sobre o comportamento de herbicidas em solos brasileiros modificados com biochar, que pode ser utilizado com maior intensidade na agricultura moderna. Então, mais pesquisas são necessárias sob nossas condições para realmente entender a dinâmica deste produto no solo.
HDR brachytherapy in vivo source position verification using a 2D diode array: A Monte Carlo study
Authors: Poder Joel , Cutajar Dean , Guatelli Susanna , Petasecca Marco , Howie Andrew , Bucci Joseph , Rosenfeld Anatoly
Published: June 2018

Purpose

This study aims to assess the accuracy of source position verification during high‐dose rate (HDR) prostate brachytherapy using a novel, in‐house developed two‐dimensional (2D) diode array (the Magic Plate), embedded exactly below the patient within a carbon fiber couch. The effect of tissue inhomogeneities on source localization accuracy is examined.

Method

Monte Carlo (MC) simulations of 12 source positions from a HDR prostate brachytherapy treatment were performed using the Geant4 toolkit. An Ir‐192 Flexisource (Isodose Control, Veenendaal, the Netherlands) was simulated inside a voxelized patient geometry, and the dose deposited in each detector of the Magic Plate evaluated. The dose deposited in each detector was then used to localize the source position using a proprietary reconstruction algorithm.

Results

The accuracy of source position verification using the Magic Plate embedded in the patient couch was found to be affected by the tissue inhomogeneities within the patient, with an average difference of 2.1 ± 0.8 mm (k = 1) between the Magic Plate predicted and known source positions. Recalculation of the simulations with all voxels assigned a density of water improved this verification accuracy to within 1 mm.

Conclusion

Source position verification using the Magic Plate during a HDR prostate brachytherapy treatment was examined using MC simulations. In a homogenous geometry (water), the Magic Plate was able to localize the source to within 1 mm, however, the verification accuracy was negatively affected by inhomogeneities; this can be corrected for by using density information obtained from CT, making the proposed tool attractive for use as a real‐time in vivo quality assurance (QA) device in HDR brachytherapy for prostate cancer.
Potentiometric Parameterization of Dinaphtho[2,3‐b:2′,3′‐f]thieno[3,2‐b]thiophene Field‐Effect Transistors with a Varying Degree of Nonidealities
Authors: Kim Chang‐Hyun , Thomas Suzanne , Kim Ji Hwan , Elliott Martin , Macdonald J. Emyr , Yoon Myung‐Han
Published: June 2018

Organic transistors with different structures are investigated to address the applicability and reliability of parameter extraction. A dinaphtho[2,3‐b:2′,3′‐f]thieno[3,2‐b]thiophene channel is coupled with pristine or functionalized gold bottom and top contacts to reveal a geometrical impact on the device performance and nonidealities. Scanning Kelvin probe microscopy is employed as a key method to quantify the channel and contact potential in operation. Taking full account of the contact effects and including an explicit threshold voltage in calculation are shown to be critical to access the intrinsic carrier mobility, while simple derivative‐based extraction may over‐ or underestimate it. Further analytical developments correlate individual physical parameters, leading to the discovery that pentafluorobenzenethiol self‐assembled on gold predominantly affects the carrier mobility rather than the injection barrier.
The Role of Hydrogen from ALD‐Al2O3 in Kesterite Cu2ZnSnS4 Solar Cells: Grain Surface Passivation
Authors: Park Jongsung , Huang Jialiang , Yun Jaesung , Liu Fangyang , Ouyang Zi , Sun Heng , Yan Chang , Sun Kaiwen , Kim Kyung , Seidel Jan , Chen Shiyou , Green Martin A. , Hao Xiaojing
Published: June 2018

In this research, a new route of surface passivation is reported by introducing hydrogen from the atomic layer deposited (ALD) Al2O3 layer into pure sulfide Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) solar cells. Different amounts of hydrogen are incorporated into the Cu2ZnSnS4/CdS interface through controlling the thickness of the ALD‐Al2O3 layer. The device with three cycles of ALD‐Al2O3 yields the highest efficiency of 8.08% (without antireflection coating) with improved open‐circuit voltage of up to 70 mV. With closer examination on the passivation route of ALD‐Al2O3, it is revealed by the surface chemisty study that the Al2O3 can be etched away by ammonium hydroxide in the CdS buffer deposition process. Instead, the hydrogen is detected within a shallow depth from the CZTS surface, and makes a significant difference in the measured distribution of contact potential difference and device performance. This may be interpreted by the effect of hydrogen passivation of the CZTS surface by curing dangling bonds at the surface of CZTS grains. This work may provide a new direction of further improving the performance of kesterite solar cells.
Sex‐specific associations of obesity and N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide levels in the general population
Authors: Suthahar Navin , Meijers Wouter C. , Ho Jennifer E. , Gansevoort Ron T. , Voors Adriaan A. , van der Meer Peter , Bakker Stephan J.L. , Heymans Stephane , van Empel Vanessa , Schroen Blanche , van der Harst Pim , van Veldhuisen Dirk J. , de Boer Rudolf A.
Published: June 2018

Background

Obese subjects have lower natriuretic peptide levels, but males and females have different anthropometric characteristics and fat distribution. Whether obesity‐associated lowering of natriuretic peptides differs among males and females is unknown. Therefore, we investigated sex‐specific associations of obesity and N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) levels among adults in the general population.

Methods and results

Using 8260 participants (50.1% females) from the Prevention of REnal and Vascular ENd‐stage Disease (PREVEND) cohort, we evaluated the relationship of NT‐proBNP levels with obesity‐associated parameters, i.e. waist circumference (WC), body mass index (BMI) and body weight in the overall population, and in males and females separately. NT‐proBNP levels were higher in females (median, interquartile range: 50.5, 28.2–87.0 ng/L) than in males (24.3, 10.1–54.6 ng/L; P < 0.001). In the overall population, NT‐proBNP levels were significantly lower in heavier individuals and displayed a ‘U‐shaped’ relationship with increasing WC, but were not associated with BMI. After sex stratification, there was no significant association between NT‐proBNP concentrations and anthropometric measures in females. However, in males increasing WC and BMI were associated with higher NT‐proBNP levels (P < 0.05) while increasing body weight was associated with slightly lower NT‐proBNP levels (P < 0.05). Age strongly confounded the association of NT‐proBNP levels with obesity, and age‐associated increases in NT‐proBNP were significantly higher in males than in females (P < 0.001). In multivariable adjusted analyses, the inverse association of obesity and NT‐proBNP levels was also significantly modified by sex: NT‐proBNP levels were lower with increasing WC, BMI and body weight among females compared with males (Pinteraction < 0.05). After also accounting for BMI, abdominal obesity was associated with lower NT‐proBNP levels in females, but not in males (Pinteraction < 0.001).

Conclusions

Natriuretic peptide deficiency in obesity mostly pertains to females with abdominal obesity, whereas the relationship between obesity and natriuretic peptides appears to be more complex in males.
PROGRESS TOWARD IDENTIFYING CAUSES OF MALDEVELOPMENT INDUCED IN XENOPUS BY POND WATER AND SEDIMENT EXTRACTS FROM MINNESOTA, USA
Authors: FORT DOUGLAS J , ROGERS ROBERT L , COPLEY HOLLY F , BRUNING LIZABETH A , STOVER ENOS L , HELGEN JUDY C , BURKHART JAMES G
Published: June 2018

In previously conducted laboratory studies with the South African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis), pond water and sediment samples collected from various sites in Minnesota, USA, were demonstrated to have the potential to induce a variety of developmental abnormalities, including early embryo-larval maldevelopment, abnormal limb development, and disruption of metamorphosis. The results of exposure of X. laevis to suspect pond water and sediment samples supported the hypothesis that these samples were capable of inducing these abnormalities as the result of either the presence of developmental toxicants or the absence of essential micronutrients. Physicochemical characterization of the causes of abnormal frog embryo-larval and limb development were performed using the frog embryo teratogenesis assay—Xenopus (FETAX). Specific compounds were subsequently identified within the complex mixture fractions and tested by dilution in a control solution and native reference water using both the 4- and 30-d treatment protocols. Results from these studies suggested that a complex mixture of both naturally occurring and man-made compounds was primarily responsible for the effects observed in X. laevis. The potency of several compounds was also enhanced by the site water, thus indicating that the water matrix deserves consideration as a contributing factor for both laboratory and field studies.
Influence of variable ultraviolet radiation and oil exposure duration on survival of red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) larvae
Authors: Nielsen Kristin M. , Krasnec Michelle O. , Magnuson Jason T. , Morris Jeffrey M. , Gielazyn Michel L. , Chavez J. Ruben , Roberts Aaron P.
Published: June 2018

The toxicity of some polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) increases with ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The intensity of UV radiation varies within aquatic ecosystems, potentially providing reprieves during which tissue repair may occur. Transient/short-term PAH exposure prior to UV exposure may initiate metabolism/clearance, potentially affecting outcomes. Larval Sciaenops ocellatus were exposed to oil and UV radiation, using either variable photoperiods or pre-UV oil exposure durations. Shorter PAH exposures exhibited greater toxicity, as did exposure to shorter photoperiods. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:2372–2379. © 2018 SETAC
Fibre‐optic supported measurement methods for monitoring rock pressure
Authors: Henzinger Michael R. , Schachinger Tobias , Lienhart Werner , Buchmayer Fabian , Weilinger Walter , Stefaner Raimund , Haberler‐Weber Michaela , Haller Eva‐Maria , Steiner Michael , Schubert Wulf
Published: June 2018

Like every civil engineered structure tunnels are subject to an ageing process. The reasons for the degrading of the condition are manifold: not fully completed stress redistribution, deterioration in the rock mass quality through long‐term exposure (creeping), weathering or dynamic loads and stresses, to name but a few. All this processes lead to a deformation of the surrounding bedrock and the lining.

For a continuous monitoring of a tunnel condition the measurement of the deformation is necessary. Conventional methods are elaborate and time‐consuming and require almost always a shutdown of the tunnel for traffic. Therefore, an inspection is done selectively with large time gaps. A continuous condition assessment becomes hardly possible. Currently no robust method for permanent monitoring of tunnels exists. With a fibre optic measuring method many of these restrictions can be overcome. In the course of this research project, a novel and innovative measuring methodology has been developed to continuously and extensively measure rock deformations. The measurement results were evaluated performing laboratory tests. Subsequently, they were installed in the course of a field test at the Semmering Base Tunnel. With complementary technologies such as laser scanning, the measurement methodology could be verified for its applicability.