bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Is There an Informative Effect of Law? An Experimental Test
Authors: Noguera José A. , Tena‐Sánchez Jordi , León Francisco J.
Published: November 2014

Debates on how the law affects citizens' behaviour have traditionally focused on two mechanisms: deterrence and perceptions of legitimacy. In recent years, some scholars have suggested that the law may also affect compliance through expressive mechanisms that reveal information about the world (for example, by eliciting the risks associated with a particular behaviour). Dharmapala and McAdams have called this the informative effect of law. However, to date very little empirical evidence of the existence of such an effect has emerged. In this article, we present the results of an experiment that tests for three different hypotheses as to how this effect may be produced. Our findings show that legislators' sincerity or their access to expert knowledge is not sufficient to produce information effects. Instead, we suggest an ‘asymmetry’ hypothesis: the fact that a law is passed or rejected has an asymmetrical information effect on subjects' risk perceptions.
Classification of Ocular Atopic/Allergic Disorders and Conditions: an Unsolved Problem
Authors: Calonge Margarita
Published: November 2014

Purpose: To review the different classifications of ocular allergic diseases and to define the most suitable one according to the current understanding of the pathophysiology and clinical course of these disorders.

Methods: Review of the major published ocular allergy classifications.

Results: Based on past and present classifications, the author proposes the following classification: 1. allergic conjunctivitis (acute and chronic); 2. giant papillary conjunctivitis; 3. vernal keratoconjunctivitis; and 4. atopic keratoconjunctivitis. In addition, use of the term “allergic conjunctivitis” as a synonym for all ocular allergic disease is discouraged.

Conclusion: The proposed classification for ocular allergic disorders intends to unify the present criteria and to serve as an initial forum of discussion. This should enhance a common understanding among and between ophthalmologists and other allergy specialists. Constructive criticism of this classification system is required for further improvement.
INHERITED RETINAL DETACHMENT
Authors: SCHERMAN OLOF , TÖRNQUIST RAGNAR
Published: November 2014

Patients with retinal detachment and their relatives with the same disease (Group F) are compared to a group of unselected cases of retinal detachment from the Swedish population (Group C). The prevalence of bilaterality is greater in Group F. The age‐distribution shows younger patients. Myopic refraction is common. More cases with aphakia, lattice degeneration and large tears are found. All these differences are highly significant. Multiple retinal holes are also significantly more common in Group F. After operation, healing is achieved in 78.8% which is not significantly different in comparison with the cure rate in Group C. (83.4%).
A FOLLOW‐UP STUDY ON SERPIGINOUS CHOROIDITIS
Authors: LAATIKAINEN L. , ERKKILÄ H.
Published: November 2014

Fifteen patients suffering from serpiginous choroiditis were followed up for 1 to 10 years (mean 4.9 years). There were 7 women and 8 men with ages ranging from 20 to 65 years (mean 35 years). In 13 patients both eyes were involved. Ten of the 15 patients had both inactive scars and fresh lesions when first seen. The individual lesions resolved in a few weeks but, due to the gradual extension of the primary lesions centripetally in the shape of halos or pseudopods, signs of activity were observed for 1 to 9 months after the initial examination. After an interval of 3 months to 4 years, new recurrences were found in 8 patients; in some of them progression was noticed on serial fundus photographs only. Central vision was lost in 6 eyes, in 2 of them due to a subretinal neovascular membrane. Progression and recurrences could not be prevented by antituberculous medication or systemic corticosteroids. The cause of serpiginous choroiditis remains unknown but, on the basis of the fluorescein angiography, occlusion of the uveal vessels, possibly due to an immune vasculitis, is suggested. Immunological studies revealed no signs of diffuse vasculitis. Of the histocompatibility antigens, HLA‐A2 was found in five and HLA‐B7 in 4 of the 6 patients studied.
ANTIBODIES AGAINST TOXOPLASMA GONDII IN THE AQUEOUS HUMOUR OF PATIENTS WITH ACTIVE RETINOCHOROIDITIS
Authors: PEDERSEN O. ØYVIND , LORENTZEN‐STYR ANNE‐MARIE
Published: November 2014

In active cases of ocular toxoplasmosis, antibodies against the parasite are produced locally in the eye. This antibody production may be revealed by examination of the aqueous humour, and comparing the antibody titer with that of serum. We examined the dye test titer as well as the total IgG concentration of the aqueous humour and serum in 10 patients with active retinochoroiditis. Six of the 10 patients had a significantly higher antibody titer in the aqueous humour than in serum, in relation to their contents of total IgG, proving that the retinochoroiditis was caused by infection with Toxoplasma gondii. Negative results do not exclude the possibility that the inflammation is caused by this parasite. False negative results may occur when the total IgG concentration is either very low, or very high. The time at which the test is performed, in relation to the onset of the inflammation, is also of importance. Our results also suggest that the larger the size of the active lesion is, the higher is the chance of obtaining a definite diagnosis. It is concluded that aqueous humour analysis for antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii should be considered in cases of active retinochoroiditis of unclear or suspected toxoplasmic etiology.
A‐BETA‐LIPOPROTEINAEMIA
Authors: EHLERS NIELS , HANSEN HANS JACOB
Published: November 2014

A‐beta‐lipoproteinaemia in a Danish woman is reported. The ocular involvement comprised pigmentary retinopathy, anisocoria and reduced corneal sensibility. Serum concentrations of vitamin A and retinol‐binding protein (RBP) were low, but were normalized after vitamin treatment. Serum concentration of carotene was low, and not altered by treatment. The retinopathy progressed over a 2 1/2 year period in spite of controlled serum vitamin A and RBP concentrations. The possible role of vitamin A in the development of retinopathy is discussed.
THE c‐WAVE OF THE ELECTRORETINOGRAM IN VITELLIRUPTIVE MACULAR DEGENERATION (ÄLVDALSSJUKAN)
Authors: SKOOG KLAS‐OLAV , NILSSON SVEN ERIK G.
Published: November 2014

The d.c. ERG and the EOG were recorded from 6 patients with vitelliruptive macular degeneration (VMD, Älvdalssjukan). All EOGs were highly pathological. The a‐ and b‐waves of the ERG were normal. These are pathognomonic findings in VMD, which starts as a generalized disturbance of the pigment epithelium. No signs of a c‐wave were seen in 4 patients. Small c‐waves occurred in 2 patients, but only under certain stimulus conditions. The major positive component of the c‐wave is produced by the pigment epithelium – receptor complex. Absent or pathological c‐waves in VMD, a pigment epithelial disease, are in good agreement with what is known about the origin of the c‐wave.
High‐Pressure Investigation in the System SiO2–GeO2: Mutual Solubility of Si and Ge in Quartz, Coesite and Rutile Phases
Authors: Gullikson Amber L. , Leinenweber Kurt , Stoyanov Emil , Zhang Hui , Malik Abds‐Sami
Published: November 2014

Mutual solubilities in crystalline phases in the system SiO2–GeO2 have been investigated up to 10 GPa pressure and 1500°C temperature, using a bulk composition of 50 mol% GeO2. Solid solution of up to 40 mol% GeO2 into the mineral quartz has been confirmed as well as solubility of Si into GeO2 rutile (argutite) and Ge into SiO2 rutile (stishovite) phases and limited Ge into coesite. Solubility of Ge in quartz is very high, and decreases with pressure, with the univariant quartz‐out reaction occurring near 3.4 GPa at 1200°C. The solubility of GeO2 in coesite is highest at 3.4 GPa (about 8 mol%) and decreases with increasing pressure. Significantly more extensive solubility than previously reported for the rutile phases has been found and measured in detail as a function of pressure and temperature. Extensive solubility of SiO2 in GeO2 is found in argutite at 1200°C, increasing strongly with pressure and reaching a maximum of 25.2 mol% SiO2 in GeO2 at 9 GPa. At this point coesite (ss) plus argutite (ss) react to form a stishovite phase with 18 mol% GeO2, and the mutual solubility in both phases decreases above this pressure. At 1500°C, similar solubilities are observed but the maximum SiO2 solubility in argutite of just over 25 mol% occurs near 10 GPa. All these solid solutions can be recovered to ambient temperature and pressure. Phase diagrams and unit cell information of the phases are presented here. Based on these results, a useful and industrially relevant, application for accurately measuring high pressure is suggested.
Self‐rated health and health‐strengthening factors in community‐living frail older people
Authors: Ebrahimi Zahra , Dahlin‐Ivanoff Synneve , Eklund Kajsa , Jakobsson Annika , Wilhelmson Katarina
Published: November 2014

Aim

The aim of this study was to analyse the explanatory power of variables measuring health‐strengthening factors for self‐rated health among community‐living frail older people.

Background

Frailty is commonly constructed as a multi‐dimensional geriatric syndrome ascribed to the multi‐system deterioration of the reserve capacity in older age. Frailty in older people is associated with decreased physical and psychological well‐being. However, knowledge about the experiences of health in frail older people is still limited.

Design

The design of the study was cross‐sectional.

Method

The data were collected between October 2008 and November 2010 through face‐to‐face structured interviews with older people aged 65–96 years (N = 161). Binary logistic regression was used to analyse whether a set of explanatory relevant variables is associated with self‐rated health.

Results

The results from the final model showed that satisfaction with one's ability to take care of oneself, having 10 or fewer symptoms and not feeling lonely had the best explanatory power for community‐living frail older peoples' experiences of good health.

Conclusion

The results indicate that a multi‐disciplinary approach is desirable, where the focus should not only be on medical problems but also on providing supportive services to older people to maintain their independence and experiences of health despite frailty.
Qualitative systematic review: barriers and facilitators to smoking cessation experienced by women in pregnancy and following childbirth
Authors: Flemming Kate , McCaughan Dorothy , Angus Kathryn , Graham Hilary
Published: November 2014

Aim

To explore barriers and facilitators to smoking cessation experienced by women during pregnancy and postpartum by undertaking a synthesis of qualitative studies.

Background

The majority of pregnant women are aware that smoking in pregnancy compromises maternal and infant health. Despite this knowledge, quit rates among pregnant women remain low, particularly among women in disadvantaged circumstances; disadvantage also increases the chances of living with a partner who smokes and returning to smoking after birth. A deeper understanding of what hinders and what helps pregnant smokers to quit and remain ex‐smokers postpartum is needed.

Design

A synthesis of qualitative research using meta‐ethnography.

Data sources

Five electronic databases (January 1990–May 2013) were searched comprehensively, updating and extending the search for an earlier review to identify qualitative research related to the review's aims.

Review methods

Following appraisal, 38 studies reported in 42 papers were included and synthesized following the principles of meta‐ethnography. Over 1100 pregnant women were represented, the majority drawn from disadvantaged groups.

Results

Four factors were identified that acted both as barriers and facilitators to women's ability to quit smoking in pregnancy and postpartum: psychological well‐being, relationships with significant others, changing connections with her baby through and after pregnancy; appraisal of the risk of smoking.

Conclusion

The synthesis indicates that barriers and facilitators are not fixed and mutually exclusive categories; instead, they are factors with a latent capacity to help or hinder smoking cessation. For disadvantaged smokers, these factors are more often experienced as barriers than facilitators to quitting.
Dementia care in European countries, from the perspective of people with dementia and their caregivers
Authors: Karlsson Staffan , Bleijlevens Michel , Roe Brenda , Saks Kai , Martin Maria Soto , Stephan Astrid , Suhonen Riita , Zabalegui Adelaida , Hallberg Ingalill R. ,   the RightTimeCarePlace Consortium
Published: November 2014

Aim

To investigate persons with dementia and their informal caregivers' views of inter‐sectoral information, communication and collaboration throughout the trajectory of dementia care, in eight European countries.

Background

Living with dementia and being next of kin to a person with dementia means having to live through stages that have different characteristics, needs, challenges and requirements.

Design

Qualitative research. Focus groups were conducted in England, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Spain and Sweden.

Methods

Persons with dementia and their informal caregivers (N = 137) participated in focus group interviews during 2011. Content analysis generated a tentative model of information, communication and collaboration for people with dementia and their caregivers, which was then tested.

Results

The core finding was that information, communication and collaboration were to be focused on the persons with dementia and the informal caregivers. Entering into the trajectory of the disease and its consequences was addressed as an important point of departure. The relation to professional care required establishing a trusting relationship, tailor‐made intervention and a single person or organization to contact. Professional knowledge and commitment, variation in service and care adapted to needs were important.

Conclusion

As focus of care is on the person with dementia and their informal caregivers, a dyadic approach seems most suitable for dementia care. A trusting relationship and a specific person or organization to contact seem to be indicators of best practice, as does adaptation to the needs of the person with dementia and their informal caregiver.
Generation‐specific incentives and disincentives for nurse faculty to remain employed
Authors: Tourangeau Ann E. , Wong Matthew , Saari Margaret , Patterson Erin
Published: November 2014

Aims

The aims of this paper are to: (1) describe work characteristics that nurse faculty report encourage them to remain in or leave their academic positions; and (2) determine if there are generational differences in work characteristics selected.

Background

Nurse faculty play key roles in preparing new nurses and graduate nurses. However, educational institutions are challenged to maintain full employment in faculty positions.

Design

A cross‐sectional, descriptive survey design was employed.

Methods

Ontario nurse faculty were asked to select, from a list, work characteristics that entice them to remain in or leave their faculty positions. Respondent data (n = 650) were collected using mailed surveys over four months in 2011.

Results

While preferred work characteristics differed across generations, the most frequently selected incentives enticing nurse faculty to stay were having: a supportive director/dean, reasonable workloads, supportive colleagues, adequate resources, manageable class sizes and work/life balance. The most frequently selected disincentives included: unmanageable workloads, unsupportive organizations, poor work environments, exposure to bullying, belittling and other types of incivility in the workplace and having an unsupportive director/dean.

Conclusion

This research yields new and important knowledge about work characteristics that nurse faculty report shape their decisions to remain in or leave their current employment. Certain work characteristics were rated as important among all generations. Where similarities exist, broad strategies addressing work characteristics may effectively promote nurse faculty retention. However, where generational differences exist, retention‐promoting strategies should target generation‐specific preferences.
Testing assumptions of central place foraging theory: a study of Adélie penguins Pygoscelis adeliae in the Ross Sea
Authors: Ford R. Glenn , Ainley David G. , Lescroël Amelie , Lyver Phil O'B. , Toniolo Viola , Ballard Grant
Published: November 2014

We investigated central place foraging (CPF) in the context of optimal foraging theory in Adélie penguins Pygoscelis adeliae of the southern Ross Sea by using satellite tracking and time‐depth recorders to explore foraging at two spatio‐temporal scales: within the day‐to‐day (sub‐mesoscale: single foraging trip, 10s of km2) and the entire breeding season (mesoscale: trips by multiple individuals across the collective foraging area, 100s of km2). Specifically, we examine whether three basic assumptions of the Orians–Pearson CPF model, shown to occur in other CPF species, are met: 1) within a patch, the rate of prey acquisition declines with time spent in that patch; 2) food is distributed in discrete patches and is not available between those patches; and 3) CPF species have knowledge of the potential (or average, at least) feeding rate within their universe of patches, and use this knowledge to determine their foraging strategy when planning or engaging in a foraging trip. We found that prey consumption rates did not decline with time spent in patches, and penguins foraged to some degree most of the time when at sea. Food availability, as measured by foraging dive rate, appeared to be predictable within the same day at the same location, but predictability broke down after 2 d at distances > 10 km away. We conclude that the assumptions of the Orians–Pearson CPF model are not a good fit to the circumstances of Ross Sea penguins, which clearly are central place foragers.
The Impact of the Management Approach on Segment Reporting
Authors: Bugeja Martin , Czernkowski Robert , Moran Daryl
Published: November 2014

Accounting standard setters have increasingly attempted to align external segment reporting disclosures to a firm's internal reporting structure. We study how this move to the management approach for segment reporting impacted the number of reported segments and the extent of line item disclosures when Australia adopted IAS 14 (revised) and IFRS 8. We find that both standards led to firms disclosing a greater number of segments. An examination of the motives behind the non‐disclosure of segments suggests that segment information was withheld for agency cost reasons. We find only limited support for the proprietary cost motive for non‐reporting of segments. We also document that IFRS 8 led to a reduction in the amount of line item disclosure. Consistent with a proprietary cost explanation, the decrease in disclosure is greatest for firms with a higher number of profitable segments. Our results indicate that the change to the management approach to segment identification is not associated with the properties of analyst forecasts, nor did it lead to increased analyst following.
How much can history constrain adaptive evolution? A real‐time evolutionary approach of inversion polymorphisms in Drosophila subobscura
Authors: Fragata I. , Lopes‐Cunha M. , Bárbaro M. , Kellen B. , Lima M. , Santos M. A. , Faria G. S. , Santos M. , Matos M. , Simões P.
Published: November 2014

Chromosomal inversions are present in a wide range of animals and plants, having an important role in adaptation and speciation. Although empirical evidence of their adaptive value is abundant, the role of different processes underlying evolution of chromosomal polymorphisms is not fully understood. History and selection are likely to shape inversion polymorphism variation to an extent yet largely unknown. Here, we perform a real‐time evolution study addressing the role of historical constraints and selection in the evolution of these polymorphisms. We founded laboratory populations of Drosophila subobscura derived from three locations along the European cline and followed the evolutionary dynamics of inversion polymorphisms throughout the first 40 generations. At the beginning, populations were highly differentiated and remained so throughout generations. We report evidence of positive selection for some inversions, variable between foundations. Signs of negative selection were more frequent, in particular for most cold‐climate standard inversions across the three foundations. We found that previously observed convergence at the phenotypic level in these populations was not associated with convergence in inversion frequencies. In conclusion, our study shows that selection has shaped the evolutionary dynamics of inversion frequencies, but doing so within the constraints imposed by previous history. Both history and selection are therefore fundamental to predict the evolutionary potential of different populations to respond to global environmental changes.
Virulence of Beauveria brongniartii and B. bassiana against Schizonycha affinis white grubs and adults (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)
Authors: Goble T. A. , Conlong D. E. , Hill M. P.
Published: November 2014

Two endemic scarab pests, Schizonycha affinis Boheman and Hypopholis sommeri Burmeister (Coleoptera: Melolonthinae) have increased in prevalence in the sugarcane producing regions of the KwaZulu‐Natal Midlands, South Africa. The crop losses associated with their feeding, the failure of chemical insecticides applied for their control, and the recent discovery of Beauveria brongniartii (Sacc.) Petch (Ascomycota: Cordycipitaceae) epizootics on these pests, have generated interest in the development of a mycoinsecticide targeting adults and larvae of these species. Previous research, using microsatellite markers, identified low levels of genetic diversity among isolates of B. brongniartii collected from two field sites where epizootics occurred. The virulence of 21 of these closely related B. brongniartii isolates and two isolates of Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin was evaluated. Bioassays were conducted against adults and larvae of S. affinis, and adult Tenebrio molitor (L.) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) as a surrogate test insect. The closely related B. brongniartii isolates varied significantly in their virulence towards both S. affinis (50.1–95% mortality) and T. molitor (39–74% mortality), with a number of these not highly virulent against either of these insect species. Those isolates sharing a haplotype did not vary in virulence. Adults of S. affinis were more susceptible than larvae to isolates of B. brongniartii. The median lethal concentration (LC50) required to kill half the adult S. affinis test insects was 7.65 × 106 conidia per millilitre. Schizonycha affinis second instar larvae had a median survival time of 17.5 days when exposed to some B. brongniartii isolates; however, third instars survived significantly longer with a median of 21 days. Third instars exposed to the highest concentration of B. brongniartii isolate HHWG1 survived for a median time of 15 days. Bioassays supported the finding that genetically closely related isolates may vary in their virulence, even if they were obtained from the same field epizootics.
Effect of formulated Metarhizium anisopliae on eggs and eclosing nymphs of Triatoma infestans
Authors: Rodrigues J. , Lobo L. S. , Fernandes É. K. K. , Luz C.
Published: November 2014

Little is known about the ovicidal effects of fungi that attack nymphs and adults of triatomine vectors. A combined formulation of Metarhizium anisopliae IP 46 conidia prepared with diatomaceous earth (DE) and vegetable oil was tested against eggs of Triatoma infestans. Eggs were highly susceptible to fungal infection at relative humidity close to saturation [>98% relative humidity (RH)] but not at 75% RH regardless of the formulation applied. Susceptibility of eggs decreased with longer post‐ovipositional embryonation periods before treatments. The eventual eclosion of nymphs was best suppressed by application of conidia prepared with DE + oil and at a >98% RH incubation. Moreover, nymphs were less affected by the fungus when exposed for only a 24‐h period after eclosion to a treated surface than individuals that were in constant contact with the conidia. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the potential of M. anisopliae as an agent against all developmental stages of T. infestans.
Beneficial effect of supplementing an artificial diet for Amblyseius swirskii with Hermetia illucens haemolymph
Authors: Nguyen D. T. , Bouguet V. , Spranghers T. , Vangansbeke D. , De Clercq P.
Published: November 2014

Artificial diets have been developed to sustain the mass rearing of a wide range of arthropod natural enemies, with varying success. In some cases, such diets can be optimized using insect‐derived materials, such as haemolymph. In this study, we examined the effect of supplementing haemolymph of the black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens, to a basic artificial diet for the phytoseiid mite Amblyseius swirskii. The survival, development and reproduction of the predatory mite were assessed when fed on artificial diets composed of honey, sucrose, tryptone, yeast extract and egg yolk, supplemented with 5%, 10%, or 20% of H. illucens pre‐pupal haemolymph. Developmental time from larva to adult was shorter for males and females offered artificial diets supplemented with 20% haemolymph vs. the basic diet. The oviposition rate and total fecundity of females reared on the basic diet were substantially lower than those of females supplied with the enriched diets. The intrinsic rate of increase was highest on the diet containing 20% haemolymph, followed by those containing 10% and 5% haemolymph. In a subsequent diet‐switching experiment, mites fed on the basic diet in their juvenile stages were switched upon adulthood to diet enriched with different concentrations of H. illucens haemolymph. The females that were fed with the enriched diets from the adult stage on had higher oviposition rates and fecundities than those maintained on the basic diet, but their reproductive parameters were not significantly affected by the concentration of the haemolymph in the artificial diet. In conclusion, supplementing artificial diets with black soldier fly haemolymph significantly improved their nutritional value for A. swirskii. Our findings indicate the potential of using H. illucens as a cheap source for haemolymph in artificial diets, as the fly can be cost‐effectively produced at a large scale on organic waste materials.
Spatiotemporal population dynamics of the banana rind thrips, Elixothrips brevisetis (Bagnall) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)
Authors: Carval D. , Cotté V. , Notaro M. , Ryckewaert P. , Tixier P.
Published: November 2014

The understanding of how environmental factors and agricultural practices affect population dynamics of insect pests is necessary for pest management. Here, we provide insight into the ecology of the banana rind thrips Elixothrips brevisetis (Bagnall) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) by collecting and analysing a spatiotemporal database of population estimates in Martinique (West French Indies). We assessed the influence of climatic variables (which were rainfall and temperature) and biotic variables (which were banana and three weed species) on the adult thrips abundance for different components of the banana plant (sucker, mother plant and bunch) and evaluated the effect of thrips abundance and standard bunch covers on damages. The abundance of thrips on the sucker, the mother plant, and the bunch was significantly related to the abundance on neighbouring banana plants, and spatial autocorrelation indicated that E. brevisetis dispersed for only short distances. The number of thrips on the mother plant and on the bunch was positively related to the number of thrips on the sucker, suggesting that the thrips may disperse from the sucker to the mother plant and then to the bunch. The abundance of thrips on the sucker increased with sucker height and was positively correlated with the mean daily rainfall during the 17 days before sampling; the length of that period might correspond with the time required for an individual to complete its life cycle. Covered bunches had 98% fewer thrips than non‐covered bunches, and the damage caused by thrips was linearly related to the number of thrips present between the 2nd and 4th week after flowering. Finally, we found that the presence of Alocasia cucullata, Dieffenbachia seguine and Peperomia pellucida is significantly related with a decrease in thrips abundance on banana plants, suggesting the use of these weeds as potential trap plants.
Molecular cloning and functional analysis of the FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) homolog GhFT1 from Gossypium hirsutum
Authors: Guo Danli , Li Chao , Dong Rui , Li Xiaobo , Xiao Xiangwen , Huang Xianzhong
Published: November 2014

FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) encodes a member of the phosphatidylethanolamine‐binding protein (PEBP) family that functions as the mobile floral signal, playing an important role in regulating the floral transition in angiosperms. We isolated an FT‐homolog (GhFT1) from Gossypium hirsutum L. cultivar, Xinluzao 33 GhFT1 was predominantly expressed in stamens and sepals, and had a relatively higher expression level during the initiation stage of fiber development. GhFT1 mRNA displayed diurnal oscillations in both long‐day and short‐day condition, suggesting that the expression of this gene may be under the control of the circadian clock. Subcellular analysis revealed that GhFT1 protein located in the cytoplasm and nucleus. Ectopic expression of GhFT1 in transgenic arabidopsis plants resulted in early flowering compared with wild‐type plants. In addition, ectopic expression of GhFT1 in arabidopsis ft‐10 mutants partially rescued the extremely late flowering phenotype. Finally, several flowering related genes functioning downstream of AtFT were highly upregulated in the 35S::GhFT1 transgenic arabidopsis plants. In summary, GhFT1 is an FT‐homologous gene in cotton that regulates flower transition similar to its orthologs in other plant species and thus it may be a candidate target for promoting early maturation in cotton breeding.
Patients' experiences of postoperative intermediate care and standard surgical ward care after emergency abdominal surgery: a qualitative sub‐study of the Incare trial
Authors: Thomsen Thordis , Vester‐Andersen Morten , Nielsen Martin Vedel , Waldau Tina , Møller Ann Merete , Rosenberg Jacob , Møller Morten Hylander , Nystrup Kristin Brønnum , Esbensen Bente Appel
Published: November 2014

Aims and objectives

To elicit knowledge of patient experiences of postoperative intermediate care in an intensive care unit and standard postoperative care in a surgical ward after emergency abdominal surgery.

Background

Emergency abdominal surgery is common, but little is known about how patients experience postoperative care. The patient population is generally older with multiple comorbidities, and the short‐term postoperative mortality rate is 15–20%. Thus, vigilant surgeon and nursing attention is essential. The present study is a qualitative sub‐study of a randomised trial evaluating postoperative intermediate care after emergency abdominal surgery, the InCare trial.

Design

A qualitative study with individual semi‐structured interviews.

Methods

We analysed interviews using Systematic Text Condensation.

Results

Eighteen patients (nine intervention/nine controls) were strategically sampled from the InCare trial. Data analysis resulted in three distinct descriptions of intermediate care; two of standard surgical ward care. Intermediate care was described as ‘luxury service’ or ‘a life saver.’ The latter description was prevalent among patients with a perceived complicated disease course. Intermediate care patients felt constrained by continuous monitoring of vital signs as they recovered from surgery. Standard surgical ward care was described as either ‘ok – no more, no less’ or ‘suboptimal’. Experiencing suboptimal care was related to patient perceptions of heavy staff workloads, lack of staff availability and subsequent concerns about the quality of care.

Conclusion

Postoperative intermediate care enhanced perceptions of quality of care, specifically in patients with a perceived complicated disease course. Patients were eager to contribute actively to their recovery; however, intermediate care patients felt hindered in doing so by continuous monitoring of vital signs.

Relevance to clinical practice

Intermediate care may increase patient perceptions of quality and safety of care.
Towards a better understanding of readmissions after stroke: partnering with stroke survivors and caregivers
Authors: White Carole L , Brady Tracy L , Saucedo Laura L , Motz Deb , Sharp Johanna , Birnbaum Lee A
Published: November 2014

Aims and objectives

To describe the experience of readmission from the perspective of the stroke survivor and family caregiver.

Background

Older stroke survivors are at an increased risk for readmission with approximately 40% being readmitted in the first year after stroke. Patients and their families are best positioned to provide information about factors associated with readmission, yet their perspectives have rarely been elicited.

Design

Descriptive qualitative study.

Methods

This study included older stroke survivors who were readmitted to acute care from home in the six months following stroke, and their family caregivers. Participants were interviewed by telephone at approximately two weeks after discharge and a sub‐set was also interviewed in person during the readmission. Interviews were audio‐taped and content analysis was used to identify themes.

Results

From the 29 semi‐structured interviews conducted with 20 stroke survivors and/or their caregivers, the following themes were identified: preparing to go home after the stroke, what to expect at home, complexity of medication management, support for self‐care in the community and the influence of social factors.

Conclusions

This study provides the critical perspective of the stroke survivor and family caregiver into furthering our understanding of readmissions after stroke. Participants identified several areas for intervention including better discharge preparation and the need for support in the community for medication management and self‐care. The findings suggest that interventions designed to reduce readmissions after stroke should be multifaceted in approach and extend across the continuum of care.

Relevance to clinical practice

The hospital level has been the focus of interventions to reduce preventable readmissions, but the results of this study suggest the importance of community‐level care. The individual nature of each situation must be taken into account, including the postdischarge environment and the availability of social support.
THEORY AND PRACTICE OF GVAR MODELLING
Authors: Chudik Alexander , Pesaran M. Hashem
Published: November 2014

The Global Vector Autoregressive (GVAR) approach has proven to be a very useful approach to analyse interactions in the global macroeconomy and other data networks where both the cross‐section and the time dimensions are large. This paper surveys the latest developments in the GVAR modelling, examining both the theoretical foundations of the approach and its numerous empirical applications. We provide a synthesis of existing literature and highlight areas for future research.
Resting heart rate is associated with renal disease outcomes in patients with vascular disease: results of the ONTARGET and TRANSCEND studies
Authors: Böhm M. , Schumacher H. , Schmieder R. E. , Mann J. F. E. , Teo K. , Lonn E. , Sleight P. , Mancia G. , Linz D. , Mahfoud F. , Ukena C. , Sliwa K. , Bakris G. , Yusuf S.
Published: November 2014

Background

Resting heart rate (RHR) is associated with cardiovascular disease outcomes in high‐risk patients. It is not known whether RHR is predictive of renal outcomes such as albuminuria, end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) or doubling of creatinine. We evaluated whether RHR could predict renal endpoints in patients at a high risk of cardiovascular disease. We also tested the effects of RHR at different levels of systolic blood pressure (SBP).

Methods

We analysed data from 28 757 patients in the ONTARGET and TRANSCEND trials. RHR and SBP were available for a mean of 4.9 ± 0.4 visits (range 3–5) within the first 2 years of the studies. Albuminuria was determined at baseline, at 2 years and at study end.

Results

Mean RHR was predictive of incident micro‐albuminuria [hazard ratio (HR) for RHR ≥80 vs. <60 beats min−1 1.49, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.29–1.71, P < 0.0001], incident macro‐albuminuria (HR 1.84, 95% CI 1.39–2.42, P < 0.0001), doubling of creatinine (HR 1.47, 95% CI 1.00–2.17, P = 0.050) and ESRD (HR 1.78, 95% CI 1.00–3.16, P = 0.050), and the combined renal end‐point (HR 1.51, 95% CI 1.32–1.74, P < 0.0001). Associations were robust at SBPs from <120 to ≥150 mmHg, with the lowest risk at a SBP of 130–140 mmHg.

Conclusion

Resting heart rate is a potent predictor of these renal outcomes, as well as their combination, in patients with cardiovascular disease. RHR at all SBP levels should be considered as a possible renal disease risk predictor and should be investigated as a treatment target with RHR‐reducing agents.
Applicant attraction to flexible work arrangements: Separating the influence of flextime and flexplace
Authors: Thompson Rebecca J. , Payne Stephanie C. , Taylor Aaron B.
Published: November 2014

Flexible work arrangements (FWAs) are widely implemented for organizational purposes including recruitment. Theoretically, these arrangements alter temporal and physical boundaries around work. However, the time and place dimensions are frequently confounded in research, making the separate and joint effect of each on various outcomes unclear. To determine the relative importance of FWA dimensions as anticipated resources, this study experimentally manipulates discretion over when (flextime) and where (flexplace) one is expected to work on anticipated organizational support (AOS) and organization attraction. Prospective employees (N = 130) participated in a 3 × 3 within‐subject experiment in which they rated nine hypothetical organizations that varied in flextime and flexplace. Results indicated main effects for both flextime and flexplace on both AOS and organization attraction with flextime having the stronger impact. Although the combination of a high level of both flextime and flexplace yielded the highest ratings of AOS and organization attraction, the interaction between flextime and flexplace was not statistically significant, suggesting flextime and flexplace have independent effects on recruitment outcomes. Relationships between flextime and flexplace and organizational attraction were slightly stronger for individuals who prefer to integrate their work and non‐work roles. Managerial implications and directions for future research are discussed.

Practitioner points

Potential applicants rate flextime without a required core time as significantly more supportive and attractive than flextime with core time.

Potential applicants rate flextime with a required core time as significantly more supportive and attractive than no flextime.

Potential applicants rate working from home 2 to 3 days a week as significantly more supportive and attractive than not being able to work from home at all.

The supportiveness and attractiveness of flextime does not depend on the supportiveness or attractiveness of flexplace or vice versa.
Melatonin promotes hepatic differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells: clinical implications for the prevention of liver fibrosis
Authors: Cho Young‐Ah , Noh Kwantae , Jue Seong‐Suk , Lee So‐Youn , Kim Eun‐Cheol
Published: November 2014

Melatonin's effect on hepatic differentiation of stem cells remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the action of melatonin on hepatic differentiation as well as its related signaling pathways of human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) and to examine the therapeutic effects of a combination of melatonin and hDPSC transplantation on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)‐induced liver fibrosis in mice. In vitro hepatic differentiation was assessed by periodic acid‐Schiff (PAS) staining and mRNA expression for hepatocyte markers. Liver fibrosis model was established by injecting 0.5 mL/kg CCl4 followed by treatment with melatonin (5 mg/kg, twice a week) and hDPSCs. In vivo therapeutic effects were evaluated by histopathology and by means of liver function tests including measurement of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), and ammonia levels. Melatonin promoted hepatic differentiation based on mRNA expression of differentiation markers and PAS‐stained glycogen‐laden cells. In addition, melatonin increased bone morphogenic protein (BMP)‐2 expression and Smad1/5/8 phosphorylation, which was blocked by the BMP antagonist noggin. Furthermore, melatonin activated p38, extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK), and nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) in hDPSCs. Melatonin‐induced hepatic differentiation was attenuated by inhibitors of BMP, p38, ERK, and NF‐κB. Compared to treatment of CCl4‐injured mice with either melatonin or hDPSC transplantation alone, the combination of melatonin and hDPSC significantly suppressed liver fibrosis and restored ALT, AST, and ammonia levels. For the first time, this study demonstrates that melatonin promotes hepatic differentiation of hDPSCs by modulating the BMP, p38, ERK, and NF‐κB pathway. Combined treatment of grafted hDPSCs and melatonin could be a viable approach for the treatment of liver cirrhosis.
Quality of life among untreated sleep apnea patients compared with the general population and changes after treatment with positive airway pressure
Authors: Bjornsdottir Erla , Keenan Brendan T. , Eysteinsdottir Bjorg , Arnardottir Erna Sif , Janson Christer , Gislason Thorarinn , Sigurdsson Jon Fridrik , Kuna Samuel T. , Pack Allan I. , Benediktsdottir Bryndis
Published: November 2014

Obstructive sleep apnea leads to recurrent arousals from sleep, oxygen desaturations, daytime sleepiness and fatigue. This can have an adverse impact on quality of life. The aims of this study were to compare: (i) quality of life between the general population and untreated patients with obstructive sleep apnea; and (ii) changes of quality of life among patients with obstructive sleep apnea after 2 years of positive airway pressure treatment between adherent patients and non‐users. Propensity score methodologies were used in order to minimize selection bias and strengthen causal inferences. The enrolled obstructive sleep apnea subjects (n = 822) were newly diagnosed with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea who were starting positive airway pressure treatment, and the general population subjects (n = 742) were randomly selected Icelanders. The Short Form 12 was used to measure quality of life. Untreated patients with obstructive sleep apnea had a worse quality of life when compared with the general population. This effect remained significant after using propensity scores to select samples, balanced with regard to age, body mass index, gender, smoking, diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease. We did not find significant overall differences between full and non‐users of positive airway pressure in improvement of quality of life from baseline to follow‐up. However, there was a trend towards more improvement in physical quality of life for positive airway pressure‐adherent patients, and the most obese subjects improved their physical quality of life more. The results suggest that co‐morbidities of obstructive sleep apnea, such as obesity, insomnia and daytime sleepiness, have a great effect on life qualities and need to be taken into account and addressed with additional interventions.
Pharmacokinetics of oral amantadine in greyhound dogs
Authors: Norkus C. , Rankin D. , Warner M. , KuKanich B.
Published: November 2014

This study reports the pharmacokinetics of amantadine in greyhound dogs after oral administration. Five healthy greyhound dogs were used. A single oral dose of 100 mg amantadine hydrochloride (mean dose 2.8 mg/kg as amantadine hydrochloride) was administered to nonfasted subjects. Blood samples were collected at predetermined time points from 0 to 24 h after administration, and plasma concentrations of amantadine were measured by liquid chromatography with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry. Noncompartmental pharmacokinetic analyses were performed. Amantadine was well tolerated in all dogs with no adverse effects observed. The mean (range) amantadine CMAX was 275 ng/mL (225–351 ng/mL) at 2.6 h (1–4 h) with a terminal half‐life of 4.96 h (4.11–6.59 h). The results of this study can be used to design dosages to assess multidose pharmacokinetics and dosages designed to achieve targeted concentrations in order to assess the clinical effects of amantadine in a variety of conditions including chronic pain. Further studies should also assess the pharmacokinetics of amantadine in other dog breeds or using population pharmacokinetics studies including multiple dog breeds to assess potential breed‐specific differences in the pharmacokinetics of amantadine in dogs.
What Kind of Data is it? Situating Sociolinguistic Corpora in Context
Authors: Tagliamonte Sali A.
Published: November 2014

In this paper, I discuss how sociolinguistic corpora can be compiled so as to document and maximize access to the context of its collection. This is no doubt a murky issue for the coding and categorization enterprise, but it is as critical as demographic information if we are going to be able to compare data sets from different communities, eras, or across research projects. However, how far does the researcher go in documenting this type of information? My goal will be to outline what I have found to be ‘best practice’ in my own research while at the same time highlighting issues and problems I have encountered along the way. I build on the foundations of earlier corpus‐building projects and on data arising from my own fieldwork conducted in the UK and Canada between 1995–2011.
Ethnolinguistic Orientation and Language Variation: Measuring and Archiving Ethnolinguistic Vitality, Attitudes, and Identity
Authors: Noels Kimberly A. , Kil Hali , Fang Yang
Published: November 2014

Sociolinguists and social psychologists have long been interested in how language variation is associated with social psychological variables, including people's beliefs about and attitudes toward languages and their speakers, as well as their feelings of affiliation with ethnolinguistic groups, and there is a growing interest in archiving such information along with sociolinguistic data for subsequent research. With this end in mind, we suggest some brief, quantitative indices that might be appropriate and useful for documenting social psychological variables for contemporary and future purposes. The first construct considered is ethnolinguistic vitality, which refers to those characteristics that make a language group likely to behave as an active collective entity in language contact situations. The second is language attitudes, which refer to the feelings and beliefs that people hold with regard to their own and others' languages and the associated language community/ies. The third is ethnolinguistic identity, which refers to the manner and extent to which individuals define themselves as members of an ethnolinguistic group. Although we maintain that more extensive, detailed coding should be included in sociolinguistic archives, we suggest that these three sets of indices should be minimally included in a battery to assess a speaker's ethnolinguistic orientation.