bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Soft Tissue Neck Infections and Inflammation
Authors: Hito Rania , Abujudeh Hani H.
Published: February 2016

This chapter outlines the essential anatomy required to accurately describe and diagnose infections and inflammatory processes involving the face and soft tissues of the neck. Common emergency infectious and inflammatory processes involving the face and soft tissues of the neck are reviewed. Differential diagnoses based on location and appearance are detailed. As timely recognition of complications such as internal jugular vein thrombosis, mediastinitis, and airway compromise is imperative, the critical complications are listed and examples are given.
Nontraumatic Spinal Emergencies
Authors: Borja Maria J. , Rapalino Otto
Published: February 2016

Non-traumatic emergencies of the spine include conditions resulting in acute or rapid development of neurological symptoms pertaining to the spinal cord from either intrinsic or extrinsic cord pathology, and that require prompt treatment to prevent further or irreversible neurological dysfunction. Non-traumatic spinal emergencies can be grouped into three main clinical categories: Compressive myelopathy, acute non-compressive myelopathy, and vertebral infection. Myelopathy is a generic term used to describe signs and symptoms of spinal cord dysfunction secondary to a lesion affecting the cord. Acute compressive myelopathy is usually a neurosurgical emergency that requires rapid diagnosis and management to avoid permanent neurological deficit.
Traumatic Disorders of the Chest
Authors: Lo Hao S. , Marone Louis , Hayim Morris , Abujudeh Hani H.
Published: February 2016

Thoracic trauma generally refers to injury to the thoracic (chest) cavity, which includes structures of the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, neuroendocrine, and lymphatic systems. Thoracic trauma accounts for approximately 25% of all traumatic injuries in the United States, second only to head trauma. Blunt trauma refers to injury caused by direct impact or a non-penetrating force. Penetrating trauma refers to injury caused by a foreign object entering the body.
Urolithiasis
Authors: Uyeda Jennifer W. , Harisinghani Mukesh
Published: February 2016

Nephrolithiasis and ureterolithiasis are formed by crystallization of supersaturated materials in the urine that form stones. They can form in the kidneys, ureters, or bladder. The prevalence is increasing, and 1.2 million Americans are affected annually. The rate of recurrence is high, up to 50% within 5-10 years and 75% within 20 years.
Emergencies of the Pelvis
Authors: Bolar Divya S. , Huang Ambrose J. , Abujudeh Hani H. , Chang Connie Y.
Published: February 2016

Most pelvic fractures are due to high-energy trauma, and they range from minor injuries to prehospital death (the patient is dead on arrival). In the United States, the annual incidence of pelvic fractures is estimated at 37 per 100,000 individuals. General categories of pelvic fractures include acetabular fractures, unstable pelvic ring fractures, stable pelvic fractures without ring disruption, and avulsion fractures.
Emergencies of the Hand
Authors: Bolar Divya S. , Chang Connie Y. , Abujudeh Hani H. , Huang Ambrose J.
Published: February 2016

Hand injuries are the most common upper extremity injuries seen in the Emergency Department. Conventional radiography is the imaging approach of choice for initial evaluation. This chapter first provides an overview of the radiographic hand anatomy and formulates a systematic approach for evaluating osseous, ligamentous, and tendinous injury on multiple views. A discussion of unique radiographic features for fractures and ligamentous and tendinous injury types follows. This is divided into phalangeal avulsion fractures, osseous and ligamentous injuries of the thumb, metacarpal-neck fractures, and tuft fractures. Injury mechanisms, management strategies, associated complications, and the role of additional imaging with CT/MRI are also briefly discussed. Finally, “not to miss” injuries are highlighted, with emphasis on the associated imaging findings.
Pediatric Hip Pain
Authors: Balza Rene , Shailam Randheer
Published: February 2016

Hip pain in children is a common cause of visits to emergency departments and orthopedic offices; it can be caused by many different clinical entities, which include trauma, infection, tumor, rheumatological disease, and internal joint derangement. One of the most common causes of pain is transient synovitis, which is a benign, self-limiting condition; it may be undistinguishable, however, from more serious conditions like septic arthritis, osteomyelitis, slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) and Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease.
Aortic and Other Vascular Emergencies
Authors: Omer Dara , Mansouri Mohammad , Abujudeh Hani H. , Nicola Refky
Published: February 2016

Arterial and vascular emergencies are important to recognize because they have a significant effect on the acute care patients in the emergency room. This chapter discusses both the urgent and chronic conditions, which can have serious complications such as rupture or end-organ infarction. The most commonly encountered problems are aortic aneurysms, aortic dissection, and arterial occlusion. The less common conditions include subclavian steal syndrome, aortoenteric fistula, chronic mesenteric ischemia, and mycotic aneurysms. Both CT and MRI are important in the initial diagnosis and the management of patients in the emergency department.
Malpositioned Lines and Tubes
Authors: Whitesell Ryan T. , Abujudeh Hani H.
Published: February 2016

Support lines and tubes, including central venous catheters (CVCs) and endotracheal, enteric, gastrostomy, and thoracostomy tubes, are commonly placed for both emergency and elective indications in a wide variety of clinical settings. Precise anatomical positioning is needed to ensure proper functioning and reduce the risk of complications that may be attributable to improper placement. By definition, a malpositioned line or tube is one that is not placed in appropriate proximity to expected anatomical landmarks that indicate that the device may be used safely and effectively. Malpositioned lines and tubes should be repositioned in a timely fashion.
Panoramic Radiograph and other Maxillofacial Imaging in the Emergency Setting
Authors: Grammer Rebecca L. , Abujudeh Hani H. , Troulis Maria J.
Published: February 2016

Panoramic imaging is a technique for producing a single tomographic image of the facial structures that includes both maxillary and mandibular dental arches and their supporting structures. This is a curvilinear variant of conventional tomography, and it is also based on the principle of the reciprocal movement of an X-ray source and an image receptor around a central point or plane called the ‘image layer,’ in which the object of interest is located. Panoramic radiographs include broad coverage of facial bones and teeth, with low radiation dose, and are useful in patients unable to open their mouth. Drawbacks including less fine detail of dental anatomy, and that patients must be able to sit up or stand for the image, precluding patients who are intubated, bed-bound, or unable to cooperate.
Biopsy Techniques for Melanoma
Authors: Yamamoto Maki , Zager Jonathan S.
Published: February 2016

In 2014, the incidence of cutaneous melanoma in the United States was 76,100, making it the fifth most common malignancy in males and seventh amongst females. Early diagnosis has clear implications for overall survival and depends on the liberal use of biopsies of suspicious cutaneous lesions. Proper surgical treatment of the primary tumor (determination of margins of excision) and the decision whether to surgically evaluate the regional nodal basin when it is clinically negative (by sentinel lymph node biopsy) both rely on precise preoperative assessment of primary tumor pathological factors. Accurate measurement of the Breslow thickness, as well as assessment for the presence of ulceration, mitotic rate (especially in thin ≤1 mm melanomas), amongst other primary tumor factors (lymphovascular invasion, satellitosis, regression, Clark’s level), all play a role in the surgical decision-making process. Debate continues regarding the optimal biopsy technique for the diagnosis and initial microstaging of melanoma.
Melanoma Staging and Risk Stratification
Authors: Philips Prejesh , Gabriel Emmanuel , Santillan Alfredo A.
Published: February 2016

Melanoma staging has historically been a dynamic and continuously evolving process. It is based on the existing evidence of factors known to impact prognosis as well as deliver guided therapy. Over the last few decades, clinical melanoma-staging systems have incorporated a wide array of radiological and biochemical modalities. Staging systems are essential to clinicians in order to provide prognostic information to patients, develop tailored treatment strategies, and guide the evaluation of clinical trials. Melanoma staging has evolved as more prognostic factors are characterized. This chapter outlines the major developments in melanoma staging and their impact on current staging systems and risk stratification.
Focal fibrocartilaginous dysplasia in the ulna with the radial head dislocation: a case report and literature review
Authors: Nakura Akio , Kawabata Hidehiko , Tamura Daisuke , Sugita Atsushi
Published: February 2016

Focal fibrocartilaginous dysplasia (FFCD) is a rare benign bone lesion, which mainly occurs in the proximal tibia. In the upper extremity, only 21 cases have been reported so far and 14 of these involved the ulna. We present an additional case of FFCD in the distal ulna that showed progressive bowing of the right forearm and the radial head dislocation. Resection of the abnormal tissue, osteotomy of the radius and ulna, and gradual lengthening of the ulna were performed. On the basis of the previously published data of 14 cases and our data, we have summarized the etiology, clinical features, natural history, and treatment of FFCD in the ulna.
Impact of a Comparative Study on the Management of Scoliosis in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: Are Corticosteroids Decreasing the Rate of Scoliosis Surgery in the United States?
Authors: Raudenbush Brandon L. , Thirukumaran Caroline P. , Li Yue , Sanders James O. , Rubery Paul T. , Mesfin Addisu
Published: February 2016

Study Design.

A cross-sectional analysis.

Objective.

The aim of this study was to determine whether the surgical treatment for scoliosis due to Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) has decreased over a recent 11-year period, specifically, after the wide acceptance of glucocorticoid treatment for DMD.

Summary of Background Data.

DMD can result in a flaccid neuromuscular scoliosis that has been traditionally treated surgically. In 2004, a comparative study demonstrated that glucocorticoid treatment decreased the progression of scoliosis in DMD.

Methods.

We used the Nationwide Inpatient Sample from 2001 to 2012 to identify patients with DMD undergoing spinal fusion. Demographic information (age, hospital size, location, geographic status) was collected. We examined the distribution of patient and hospital characteristics among cohorts undergoing spinal fusion from 2001 to 2004 (period 1; before publication of the comparative study), 2005 to 2008 (period 2; immediately following publication of the comparative study), and 2009 to 2012 (period 3; moderate duration following publication of the comparative study).

Results.

We identified 1874 males undergoing spinal fusion. During this period, the overall rate of DMD surgeries declined by 48%—from 1.87 surgeries in 2001 to 0.97 surgeries in 2012 per million US males per year. This decline was significantly pronounced following the publication of the comparative study [periods 2 and 3; For period 2 vs. period 1: incidence rate ratio (IRR) = 0.71, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 0.56–0.91, P = 0.01; For period 3 vs. period 1: IRR = 0.77, 95% CI = 0.61–0.97, P = 0.03].

Conclusion.

Our study demonstrates a significant decrease in the rate of scoliosis surgery for DMD from 2001 to 2012. It appears that the decline in surgical treatment could be related to the publication and landmark study demonstrating decreased progression of scoliosis with glucocorticoid treatment.

Level of Evidence: 3
A Plasma-Based, Amiodarone-Impregnated Material Decreases Susceptibility to Atrial Fibrillation in a Post–Cardiac Surgery Model
Authors: Schwartzman David , Badhwar Vinay , Kormos Robert L. , Smith Jason D. , Campbell Phil G. , Weiss Lee E.
Published: February 2016

Objective

This study aimed to test the impact of a plasma-based, material (PBM) impregnated with amiodarone on atrial electrophysiology and atrial fibrillation susceptibility in a porcine post–cardiac surgery model.

Methods

Ten healthy pigs underwent implantation of transvenous pacing systems, after which sterile talc was infused into the pericardial sac via a pericardiotomy. In five animals, PBM was applied to the atrial epicardial surface just before talc infusion. Electrophysiologic evaluations were performed using the pacing system immediately after chest closure and 7 days later. Atrial histologic evaluations were performed.

Results

Immediately after chest closure, there were no significant differences in electrophysiologic parameters between talc-only and talc + PBM animals, and atrial fibrillation was largely noninducible. On postsurgical day 7, electrophysiologic evaluation revealed significantly shorter sinus cycle length and atrioventricular nodal refractoriness among talc-only animals relative to talc + PBM animals, possibly suggesting attenuated sympathetic nervous system activation in the latter. Atrial fibrillation inducibility and duration were significantly greater among talc-only animals. No significant differences in atrial refractoriness or conduction time between groups were apparent. Histologic evaluation revealed a relative reduction in epicardial inflammation and less myolysis among talc + PBM animals.

Conclusions

Epicardial application of a plasma-based, amiodarone-impregnated material was associated with a significant reduction in atrial inflammation and susceptibility to fibrillation.
Comparative Performance of Diagnosis-based and Prescription-based Comorbidity Scores to Predict Health-related Quality of Life
Authors: Mehta Hemalkumar B. , Sura Sneha D. , Sharma Manvi , Johnson Michael L. , Riall Taylor S.
Published: February 2016

Objectives:

To compare the performance of the health-related quality of life-comorbidity index (HRQoL-CI) with the diagnosis-based Charlson, Elixhauser, and combined comorbidity scores and the prescription-based chronic disease score (CDS) in predicting HRQoL in Agency of Healthcare Research and Quality priority conditions (asthma, breast cancer, diabetes, and heart failure).

Methods:

The Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (2005 and 2007–2011) data was used for this retrospective study. Four disease-specific cohorts were developed that included adult patients (age 18 y and above) with the particular disease condition. The outcome HRQoL [physical component score (PCS) and mental component score (MCS)] was measured using the Short Form Health Survey, Version 2 (SF-12v2). Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted with the PCS and MCS as dependent variables. Comorbidity scores were compared using adjusted R
2.

Results:

Of 140,046 adult participants, the study cohort included 7436 asthma (5.3%), 1054 breast cancer (0.8%), 13,829 diabetes (9.9%), and 937 heart failure (0.7%) patients. Among individual scores, HRQoL-CI was best at predicting PCS and MCS. Adding prescription-based comorbidity scores to HRQoL-CI in the same model improved prediction of PCS and MCS. HRQoL-CI+CDS performed the best in predicting PCS (adjusted R
2): asthma (43.7%), breast cancer (31.7%), diabetes (32.7%), and heart failure (20.0%). HRQoL-CI+CDS and Elixhauser+CDS had superior and comparable performance in predicting MCS (adjusted R
2): asthma (HRQoL-CI+CDS=20.1%; Elixhauser+CDS=19.6%), breast cancer (HRQoL-CI+CDS=12.9%; Elixhauser+CDS=14.1%), diabetes (HRQoL-CI+CDS=17.7%; Elixhauser+CDS=17.7%), and heart failure (HRQoL-CI+CDS=18.1%; Elixhauser+CDS=17.7%).

Conclusions:

HRQoL-CI performed best in predicting HRQoL. Combining prescription-based scores to diagnosis-based scores improved the prediction of HRQoL.
Food Intake Adequacy in Children and Adolescents With Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Hartman Corina , Marderfeld Luba , Davidson Keren , Mozer‐Glassberg Yael , Poraz Irit , Silbermintz Ari , Zevit Noam , Shamir Raanan
Published: February 2016

Objectives:

Diet assessment is essential in the care of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We aimed to study food intake in children with IBD and evaluated the relation of dietary intake with disease activity and nutritional status in these children.

Methods:

This cross‐sectional study investigated 68 children and adolescents with IBD (57 Crohn disease, 11 ulcerative colitis). Evaluation included clinical, laboratory, and nutritional assessment including 3 days diet record.

Results:

Compared with recommended daily allowance, the intake of patients with IBD was significantly poor for carbohydrates (75%, P = 0.016), calcium (49%, P < 0.05), magnesium (76%, P < 0.05), vitamin A (72%, P < 0.05), vitamin E (57%, P < 0.05), and fiber (44%, P < 0.05) and higher for protein (175%, P < 0.05), iron (112%, P < 0.05), and water‐soluble vitamins (118%–189% P < 0.05). Compared with the intakes of healthy children from National Nutritional Survey, the intake of IBD group was lower for calories (78%, P = 0.012), carbohydrates (61% P < 0.05), magnesium (67% P < 0.05), vitamin C (34%, P < 0.05), and fiber (54%, P < 0.05) and high for B12 (141%, P < 0.05). Fifty subjects ate ordinary diets, 7 of 68 children were on exclusive enteral nutrition and 11 of 68 consumed regular food with different polymeric formulas supplements. Compared with children without supplements, children on exclusive enteral nutrition and nutritional supplements (18/68) had significantly better intakes of energy (1870 ± 755 vs 2267 ± 432, P < 0.05), carbohydrates (223 ± 97 vs 292 ± 99, P < 0.05), and all minerals (P < 0.05) and micronutrients (P < 0.05). Dietary intake was not different by disease status (remission or relapse).

Conclusions:

In the absence of nutritional supplements, food intake is inadequate for many nutrients in many children with IBD.
Interventions for Cognitive Deficits in Breast Cancer Survivors Treated With Chemotherapy
Authors: Vance David E. , Frank Jennifer Sandson , Bail Jennifer , Triebel Kristen L. , Niccolai Lindsay M. , Gerstenecker Adam , Meneses Karen
Published: February 2016

Background:

Cognitive deficits are distressing adverse effects of chemotherapy that have a negative effect on quality of life in breast cancer survivors (BCSs). Cognitive deficits in cancer survivors are a top research and clinical practice priority.

Objective:

The aims of this study were to describe cognitive deficits that occur after chemotherapy, describe deficits in BCSs treated with chemotherapy within a framework of cognitive reserve and neuroplasticity, and discuss cognitive interventions (ie, cognitive training interventions, compensatory strategies with cognitive training interventions, pharmacological interventions, and complementary and integrative medicine interventions).

Methods:

PubMed search yielded 21 intervention studies of cognitive deficits in BCSs.

Results:

Cognitive training interventions and compensatory strategies with cognitive training resulted in improvement of cognitive deficits. Methylphenidate did not result in cognitive improvement. Modafinil showed improvement in attention. Some complementary and integrative medicine interventions are promising.

Conclusions:

Cognitive training has been most beneficial. Effectiveness of pharmacologic and complementary and integrative medicine interventions has not yet been established.

Implications for Practice:

While limited evidence is available to guide clinical management of cognitive deficits in BCSs, validating patients’ symptom experience and evaluating co-occurring symptom clusters such as fatigue, sleep, and depression, are suggested.
Horizontally transferred gene clusters inE. colimatch size expectations from uber-operons
Authors: Pang Tin Yau , Lercher Martin J.
Published: February 2016

Adaptation of bacteria occurs predominantly via horizontal gene transfer. While it is widely recognized that horizontal gene acquisitions frequently encompass multiple genes, it is currently unclear what the size distribution of successfully transferred DNA segments looks like and what evolutionary forces shape this distribution. Here, we identified 7,538 gene pairs that were consistently co-gained on the same branches across a phylogeny of 53E. colistrains. These pairs are significantly enriched in genes that share the same GO annotation. We estimated the genomic distances of these co-gained pairs at the time they were transferred to their host genomes, which shows a sharp upper bound at 30kb. This upper bound is significantly lower than the size limit on gene co-transfers imposed by the carrying capacity of the transfer agents. The observed distance distribution also appears inconsistent with a model based on the co-transfer of genes within operons; instead, we found that the distance distribution of co-transferred genes closely matches the distribution expected from the transfer of uber-operons, i.e., genomic clusters of co-functioning genes beyond operons.
Structures ofC-mannosylated anti-adhesives bound to the type 1 fimbrial FimH adhesin
Authors: de Ruyck Jerome , Lensink Marc F. , Bouckaert Julie
Published: February 2016

Selective inhibitors of the type 1 fimbrial adhesin FimH are recognized as attractive alternatives for antibiotic therapies and prophylaxes againstEscherichia coliinfections such as urinary-tract infections. To construct these inhibitors, the α-D-mannopyranoside of high-mannoseN-glycans, recognized with exclusive specificity on glycoprotein receptors by FimH, forms the basal structure. A hydrophobic aglycon is then linked to the mannose by the O1 oxygen inherently present in the α-anomeric configuration. Substitution of this O atom by a carbon introduces aC-glycosidic bond, which may enhance the therapeutic potential of such compounds owing to the inability of enzymes to degradeC-glycosidic bonds. Here, the first crystal structures of theE. coliFimH adhesin in complex withC-glycosidically linked mannopyranosides are presented. These findings explain the role of the spacer in positioning biphenyl ligands for interactions by means of aromatic stacking in the tyrosine gate of FimH and how the normally hydratedC-glycosidic link is tolerated. As these new compounds can bind FimH, it can be assumed that they have the potential to serve as potent new antagonists of FimH, paving the way for the design of a new family of anti-adhesive compounds against urinary-tract infections.
Using media to promote artisan food and beverages: insights from the television industry
Authors: Phillipov Michelle
Published: February 2016

Purpose

– The increasing frequency with which food and beverage producers feature in mainstream media, including television cooking shows, provide opportunities and pitfalls for using media to promote artisan food and beverage businesses. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate these, as experienced by a group of food and beverage producers who appeared on the popular Australian television show, Gourmet Farmer.

Design/methodology/approach

– Findings are based on semi-structured interviews with 14 of the producers featured on the show, plus textual analysis of relevant segments of the show.

Findings

– While all of the producers felt that food television offered a good promotional tool, those who were most familiar with the practices of media production and whose businesses offered experiences through which viewers could access (or imagine) a “taste” of the Gourmet Farmer life tended to be more satisfied than those who were less familiar with the practices of media production and who expected a greater focus on their products and production practices.

Practical implications

– The development of media skills is essential for artisan producers to get the best outcomes when using media to promote their businesses.

Originality/value

– The experiences of food and beverage producers using food television to promote their businesses have not previously been the subject of thoroughgoing research. This paper offers new insights into how artisan producers can best capitalize on the opportunities offered by food media.
Food private label brands: the role of consumer trust on loyalty and purchase intention
Authors: Calvo Porral Cristina , Levy-Mangin Jean-Pierre
Published: February 2016

Purpose

– Private label brands of food products are an important component of many consumers’ purchases, as well as an integral element of the retail industry. The purpose of this paper is to examine the moderating role of trust on food private label brands’ purchase intention and loyalty.

Design/methodology/approach

– For this purpose, the authors propose and empirically test a conceptual model comprising variables such as price, familiarity and store image. A sample of 445 respondents was gathered, and the hypotheses were tested performing structural equation modelling.

Findings

– The findings highlight the moderating influence of trust on consumers’ loyalty to food private label brands. In addition, the results obtained reveal the substantially great influence of private label brand familiarity on purchase intention and loyalty. So, it seems that consumer trust and loyalty are strongly associated regarding food private label brands.

Research limitations/implications

– The authors suggest that trust of food private label brands allows retailers to increase consumer loyalty.

Practical implications

– Consequently retail managers should consider the enhancement of trust in the context of a marketing strategy formulation for food private label brands.

Originality/value

– The present study provides insights into the moderating effect of trust on loyalty to food private label brands, as well as evidence of the strong influence of familiarity on private label brands’ proneness, related to food products.
Intentions to purchase food through the internet: developing and testing a model
Authors: Quevedo-Silva Filipe , Freire Otavio , Lima-Filho Dario de Oliveira , Brandão Marcelo Moll , Isabella Giuliana , Moreira Luísa Brito
Published: February 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to assess the factors affecting intentions to purchase food through the internet. Based on the available literature – more specifically, on Ajzen’s (1985) theory of planned behaviour and Grunert and Ramus’ model (2004) – this study proposes and tests a model of planned food purchases via the internet.

Design/methodology/approach

– A quantitative study was conducted among 403 respondents. Data were analyzed using structural equation modelling.

Findings

– The main results demonstrated that attitude and perceived difficulty are the antecedents of purchase intentions. Perceived risk had a negative relationship with attitude. With respect to lifestyle, novelty was positively related to attitude, and freshness was negatively related. In addition, novelty had only an indirect effect on intention, which was mediated by attitude. A wired lifestyle had a positive relationship with attitude, and a negative relationship with perceived difficulty.

Originality/value

– This study operationalizes and improves Grunert and Ramus’ (2004) model of intention to buy food over the internet, by developing, testing and presenting a more comprehensive model.
Identifying determinants to predict intention to complete a health risk assessment
Authors: Ettinger Locke , Adams Ted , Joy Liz , Flint Terri
Published: February 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to determine which constructs (factors) will significantly predict and influence the intention to complete a health risk assessment (HRA) in a hospital employee population.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors used a cross-sectional design using the theory of planned behavior to design a questionnaire to determine the variables associated with intention to complete an HRA. From a sample of those who completed (n=17) and those who did not complete (n=16) the HRA, the authors used elicitation inquiry to determine the leading factors associated with the intention to complete an HRA. The authors used the responses from this inquiry to develop a questionnaire for a hospital population (n=1,550). A total of 503 hospital employees completed and returned this questionnaire. Using the returned questionnaire data, the authors used logistic regression analysis to determine the best fit model for predicting intention to complete an HRA.

Findings

– The predictive model was statistically significant at the p
<
0.001 level. Discriminant analysis correctly verified the predictive model classified intenders and non-intenders the majority (84 percent) of the time. These study results indicated that perceived behavioral control factors such as having time to complete the HRA, confidence in completing the HRA and trust that the information divulged in the HRA would be kept confidential had the strongest influence (OR=5.39) in predicting participation in taking an HRA.

Research limitations/implications

– Potential limitations of this study include; response and selection bias, homogeneity for age and sex and generalizability. These results help to identify key behavioral-related factors predicting hospital employee participation to complete an HRA.

Practical implications

– Administrators of worksite health promotion programs can systematically explore means of addressing identified participation barriers for the purpose of increasing overall HRA participation success beyond financial incentives.

Originality/value

– The HRA has become a widely accepted assessment tool used to help mitigate the rise in chronic disease. However, HRA completion rates are reported to be low to moderate with very limited research focussed on factors predicting HRA participation.
The promise of tailoring incentives for healthy behaviors
Authors: Kullgren Jeffrey T. , Williams Geoffrey C , Resnicow Kenneth , An Lawrence C , Rothberg Amy , Volpp Kevin G , Heisler Michele
Published: February 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to describe how tailoring financial incentives for healthy behaviors to employees’ goals, values, and aspirations might improve the efficacy of incentives.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors integrate insights from self-determination theory (SDT) with principles from behavioral economics in the design of financial incentives by linking how incentives could help meet an employee’s life goals, values, or aspirations.

Findings

– Tailored financial incentives could be more effective than standard incentives in promoting autonomous motivation necessary to initiate healthy behaviors and sustain them after incentives are removed.

Research limitations/implications

– Previous efforts to improve the design of financial incentives have tested different incentive designs that vary the size, schedule, timing, and target of incentives. The strategy for tailoring incentives builds on strong evidence that difficult behavior changes are more successful when integrated with important life goals and values. The authors outline necessary research to examine the effectiveness of this approach among at-risk employees.

Practical implications

– Instead of offering simple financial rewards for engaging in healthy behaviors, existing programs could leverage incentives to promote employees’ autonomous motivation for sustained health improvements.

Social implications

– Effective application of these concepts could lead to programs more effective at improving health, potentially at lower cost.

Originality/value

– The approach for the first time integrates key insights from SDT, behavioral economics, and tailoring to turn an extrinsic reward for behavior change into an internalized, self-sustaining motivator for long-term engagement in risk-reducing behaviors.
Information Literacy in participatory environments
Authors: Spiranec Sonja , Banek Zorica Mihaela , Kos Denis
Published: February 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to make a contribution to the theoretical and pragmatic positioning of critical information literacy by interpreting it in the light of epistemological shifts brought about by Web 2.0. Epistemological shifts are elaborated from educational and institutional perspectives as well as from that of scientific research.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper brings a theoretical analysis drawing on relevant literature for the purpose of identifying the grounds for the mapping of concepts associated with critical information literacy and participatory information environments. Based on descriptive analysis, the paper clarifies distinctions between/participatory/and /information bank/environments and identifies correlations existing between CIL and participatory information environments.

Findings

– There are conceptual disagreements between IL as it was defined and perceived by Zurkowski and how it has to be perceived in the context of contemporary participatory information environments. Current environments are congruent with the core principles and values of critical information literacy and call for the reshaping of IL by introducing into it critical and transformative elements. Not technological aspects of Web 2.0 are crucial in this regard, but epistemological shifts.

Practical implications

– Owing to the fact that Web 2.0 and critical information literacy share many similar features, information environments based on participatory technologies and services provide a context ideally suited for the application of the principles of CIL.

Social implications

– The paper highlights the correlating dimensions between Web 2.0 and critical information literacy and proposes that Web 2.0 makes necessary a more critical outlook on information literacy.

Originality/value

– The paper highlights the correlating dimensions between Web 2.0 and critical information literacy, indicates specific differences between information literacy and critical information literacy and closes with the conclusion that Web 2.0 makes necessary a more critical outlook on information literacy.
Implementation of the overall equipment cost loss (OECL) methodology for comparison with overall equipment effectiveness (OEE)
Authors: Wudhikarn Ratapol
Published: February 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to describe the overall equipment cost loss (OECL) methodology and an implementation of this methodology, to compare the outcomes of OECL with those of overall equipment effectiveness (OEE), and finally to identify the benefits offered by this new methodology.

Design/methodology/approach

– The proposed methodology, OECL, combines six large loss models and a financial model in the performance evaluation of equipment. The six large losses are converted into monetary units. OECL is a new way of evaluating equipment performance that differs from the original OEE methodology and overcomes some of the limitations of OEE. This new methodology can be used to rank problematic machines by accounting for production elements together with finance elements.

Findings

– The OECL and OEE methodologies rank problematic machines differently.

Research limitations/implications

– Efforts were made in this research to identify factors affecting OECL outcomes, but it was found that it was not possible to apply OECL to all scenarios.

Practical implications

– The OECL model can be implemented in a real manufacturing company to help decision-makers better determine the magnitudes of equipment problems and rank problematic pieces of equipment appropriately.

Originality/value

– This OECL method is able to overcome some of OEE’s weaknesses. It can properly prioritise problematic machines by considering both cost and losses.
Efficacy and safety of secukinumab in patients with generalized pustular psoriasis: A 52‐week analysis from phase III open‐label multicenter Japanese study
Authors: Imafuku Shinichi , Honma Masaru , Okubo Yukari , Komine Mayumi , Ohtsuki Mamitaro , Morita Akimichi , Seko Noriko , Kawashima Naoko , Ito Saori , Shima Tomohiro , Nakagawa Hidemi
Published: February 2016

Generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) is a severe inflammatory skin disease characterized by the presence of sterile pustules covering almost the entire body and systemic symptoms such as fever. Secukinumab, a fully human‐recombinant anti‐interleukin‐17A monoclonal antibody was indicated for psoriasis vulgaris and psoriatic arthritis in Japan but is not yet investigated for GPP. In this phase III, open‐label multicenter single arm study, the efficacy and safety of secukinumab as monotherapy or with co‐medication was evaluated in 12 Japanese patients with GPP. All the patients received secukinumab 150 mg s.c. at baseline, week 1, 2, 3 and 4, and then every 4 weeks. Two non‐responders were up‐titrated to 300 mg. Change in GPP severity from baseline was evaluated by clinical global impression (CGI) categorized as “worsened”, “no change”, “minimally improved”, “much improved” or “very much improved”. Treatment success was achieved by 83.3% (n = 10) of patients at week 16 (primary end‐point) with CGI evaluated as “very much improved” (n = 9) and “much improved” (n = 1). Moreover, the area of erythema with pustules improved as early as week 1 and resolved by week 16 in most of the patients. The improvements were sustained throughout 52 weeks. Over the 52‐week treatment period, secukinumab was well tolerated with no unexpected safety signals. Nasopharyngitis, urticaria, diabetes mellitus and arthralgia were the frequent adverse events reported. The data from this study shows that secukinumab can become one of the potent treatment options for GPP.
Root traits are multidimensional: specific root length is independent from root tissue density and the plant economic spectrum
Authors: Kramer‐Walter Kris R. , Bellingham Peter J. , Millar Timothy R. , Smissen Rob D. , Richardson Sarah J. , Laughlin Daniel C.
Published: February 2016

Root, stem and leaf traits are thought to be functionally coordinated to maximize the efficiency of acquiring and using limited resources. However, evidence is mixed for consistent whole‐plant trait coordination among woody plants, and we lack a clear understanding of the adaptive value of root traits along soil resource gradients. If fine roots are the below‐ground analogue to leaves, then low specific root length (SRL) and high tissue density should be common on infertile soil. Here, we test the prediction that root, stem and leaf traits and relative growth rate respond in unison with soil fertility gradients.

We measured fine root, stem and leaf traits and relative growth rate on individual seedlings of 66 tree species grown in controlled conditions. Our objectives were (i) to determine whether multiple root traits align with growth rate, leaf and stem traits and with each other and (ii) to quantify the relationships between community‐weighted mean root traits and two strong soil fertility gradients that differed in spatial extent and community composition.

At the species level, fast growth rates were associated with low root and stem tissue density and high specific leaf area. SRL and root diameter were not clearly related to growth rate and loaded on a separate principal component from the plant economic spectrum.

At the community level, growth rate was positively related to soil fertility, and root tissue density (RTD) and branching were negatively related to soil fertility. SRL was negatively related and root diameter was positively related to soil fertility on the large‐scale gradient that included ectomycorrhizal angiosperms.

Synthesis. Root, stem and leaf tissue traits of tree seedlings are coordinated and influence fitness along soil fertility gradients. RTD responds in unison with above‐ground traits to soil fertility gradients; however, root traits are multidimensional because SRL is orthogonal to the plant economic spectrum. In contrast to leaves, trees are not constrained in the way they construct fine roots: plants can construct high or low SRL roots of any tissue density. High RTD is the most consistent below‐ground trait that reflects adaptation to infertile soil.
Resilience of peatland ecosystem services over millennial timescales: evidence from a degraded British bog
Authors: Swindles Graeme T. , Morris Paul J. , Wheeler Jane , Smith Mark W. , Bacon Karen L. , Edward Turner T. , Headley Alistair , Galloway Jennifer M.
Published: February 2016

Many peatland ecosystems in Europe have become degraded in the last century owing to the effects of drainage, burning, pollution and climate change. There is a need to understand the drivers of peatland degradation because management and restoration interventions are expensive and can affect the natural ecohydrological dynamics of such sensitive environments. However, if given enough time, peatlands may have the ability to recover spontaneously without deliberate action.

We use a detailed multiproxy palaeoecological data set from a degraded raised bog in Northern England to examine its ecosystem stability and long‐term dynamics in response to anthropogenic disturbance over a variety of timescales. One feature of many degraded peatlands (including our study site) is the local dominance of Molinia caerulea (purple moor‐grass), which has expanded at the expense of characteristic peatland plants, including sedges and Sphagnum mosses.

Our data show that there has been a long history of human impacts at the site which have culminated in its current unfavourable condition. Several distinct episodes of past peat cutting are evident as hiatuses in peat accumulation; however, peat accumulation and plant community structure have subsequently recovered spontaneously. The appearance of M. caerulea occurs coevally with an unprecedented variety of recent anthropogenic impacts, all of which have contributed to providing a suitable environment for its rise to dominance. We have dated the appearance of M. caerulea to the latter half of the twentieth century which corresponds to a number of anthropogenic press disturbances, including the following: dust loading from post‐war expansion of the adjacent quarry; burning; drainage; airborne pollution; and contamination from soil dust and agrochemicals.

[Synthesis] Our study demonstrates the importance of palaeoecology for understanding the trajectories of peatland development and ecosystem dynamics, including their resilience and resistance to pulse and press disturbances. We show that peatlands have the capability to recover spontaneously from severe disturbances such as peat cutting, albeit on timescales much longer than those applied to contemporary monitoring of restoration efforts. The implications are relevant for determining whether it is preferable to manage and restore peatlands, or to allow them to recover naturally without human intervention.
‘Candidatus Adiutrix intracellularis’, an endosymbiont of termite gut flagellates, is the first representative of a deep‐branching clade of Deltaproteobacteria and a putative homoacetogen
Authors: Ikeda‐Ohtsubo Wakako , Strassert Jürgen F. H. , Köhler Tim , Mikaelyan Aram , Gregor Ivan , McHardy Alice C. , Tringe Susannah Green , Hugenholtz Phil , Radek Renate , Brune Andreas
Published: February 2016

Termite gut flagellates are typically colonized by specific bacterial symbionts. Here we describe the phylogeny, ultrastructure and subcellular location of ‘Candidatus Adiutrix intracellularis’, an intracellular symbiont of Trichonympha collaris in the termite Zootermopsis nevadensis. It represents a novel, deep‐branching clade of uncultured Deltaproteobacteria widely distributed in intestinal tracts of termites and cockroaches. Fluorescence in situ hybridization and transmission electron microscopy localized the endosymbiont near hydrogenosomes in the posterior part and near the ectosymbiont ‘Candidatus Desulfovibrio trichonymphae’ in the anterior part of the host cell. The draft genome of ‘Ca. Adiutrix intracellularis’ obtained from a metagenomic library revealed the presence of a complete gene set encoding the Wood–Ljungdahl pathway, including two homologs of fdhF encoding hydrogenase‐linked formate dehydrogenases (FDHH) and all other components of the recently described hydrogen‐dependent carbon dioxide reductase (HDCR) complex, which substantiates previous claims that the symbiont is capable of reductive acetogenesis from CO2 and H2. The close phylogenetic relationship between the HDCR components and their homologs in homoacetogenic Firmicutes and Spirochaetes suggests that the deltaproteobacterium acquired the capacity for homoacetogenesis via lateral gene transfer. The presence of genes for nitrogen fixation and the biosynthesis of amino acids and cofactors indicate the nutritional nature of the symbiosis.
Bacterial community dissimilarity between the surface and subsurface soils equals horizontal differences over several kilometers in the western Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Chu Haiyan , Sun Huaibo , Tripathi Binu M. , Adams Jonathan M. , Huang Rong , Zhang Yangjian , Shi Yu
Published: February 2016

Many studies have investigated patterns in the near‐surface soil microbial community over large spatial scales. However, less is known about variation in subsurface (15–30 cm of depth) microbial communities. Here we studied depth profiles of microbial communities in high‐elevation soils from Tibet. The relative abundance of Acidobacteria, Chloroflexi and Alphaproteobacteria was higher in near‐surface layers, while the relative abundance of Actinobacteria, Gemmatimonadetes and Betaproteobacteria was higher in the subsurface samples. The microbial community structure was distinct between the surface and subsurface soil layers, strongly correlating with variation in total carbon (TC) and carbon to nitrogen ratio (C/N). The differences in the microbial community between the layers were about the same as the horizontal differences between sites separated by many kilometers. Overall, we found that TC and C/N were the best predictors for both surface and subsurface microbial community distribution. Exploration of the relative contribution of distance and environmental variables to community composition suggests that the contemporary environment is the primary driver of microbial distribution in this region. Reflecting niche conservatism in evolution, the microbial communities in each soil site and layer tended to be more phylogenetically clustered than expected by chance, and surface soil layer samples were more likely to be clustered than subsurface samples.
Modularity of nitrogen‐oxide reducing soil bacteria: linking phenotype to genotype
Authors: Roco Constance A. , Bergaust Linda L. , Bakken Lars R. , Yavitt Joseph B. , Shapleigh James P.
Published: February 2016

Model denitrifiers convert to N2, but it appears that a significant fraction of natural populations are truncated, conducting only one or two steps of the pathway. To better understand the diversity of partial denitrifiers in soil and whether discrepancies arise between the presence of known N‐oxide reductase genes and phenotypic features, bacteria able to reduce
to
were isolated from soil, N‐oxide gas products were measured for eight isolates, and six were genome sequenced. Gas phase analyses revealed that two were complete denitrifiers, which genome sequencing corroborated. The remaining six accumulated NO and N2O to varying degrees and genome sequencing of four indicated that two isolates held genes encoding nitrate reductase as the only dissimilatory N‐oxide reductase, one contained genes for both nitrate and nitric oxide reductase, and one had nitrate and nitrite reductase. The results demonstrated that N‐oxide production was not always predicted by the genetic potential and suggested that partial denitrifiers could be readily isolated among soil bacteria. This supported the hypothesis that each N‐oxide reductase could provide a selectable benefit on its own, and therefore, reduction of nitrate to dinitrogen may not be obligatorily linked to complete denitrifiers but instead a consequence of a functionally diverse community.