bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mid‐upper arm circumference as a screening tool for identifying children with obesity: a 12‐country study
Authors: Chaput J.‐P. , Katzmarzyk P. T. , Barnes J. D. , Fogelholm M. , Hu G. , Kuriyan R. , Kurpad A. , Lambert E. V. , Maher C. , Maia J. , Matsudo V. , Olds T. , Onywera V. , Sarmiento O. L. , Standage M. , Tudor‐Locke C. , Zhao P. , Tremblay M. S. ,   for the ISCOLE Research Group
Published: May 2016

Background

No studies have examined if mid‐upper arm circumference (MUAC) can be an alternative screening tool for obesity in an international sample of children differing widely in levels of human development.

Objective

Our aim is to determine whether MUAC could be used to identify obesity in children from 12 countries in five major geographic regions of the world.

Methods

This observational, multinational cross‐sectional study included 7337 children aged 9–11 years. Anthropometric measurements were objectively assessed, and obesity was defined according to the World Health Organization reference data.

Results

In the total sample, MUAC was strongly correlated with adiposity indicators in both boys and girls (r > 0.86, p < 0.001). The accuracy level of MUAC for identifying obesity was high in both sexes and across study sites (overall area under the curve of 0.97, sensitivity of 95% and specificity of 90%). The MUAC cut‐off value to identify obesity was ~25 cm for both boys and girls. In country‐specific analyses, the cut‐off value to identify obesity ranged from 23.2 cm (boys in South Africa) to 26.2 cm (girls in the UK).

Conclusions

Results from this 12‐country study suggest that MUAC is a simple and accurate measurement that may be used to identify obesity in children aged 9–11 years. MUAC may be a promising screening tool for obesity in resource‐limited settings.
Novel strategy for cystitis glandularis: Oral treatment with cyclooxygenase‐2 inhibitor
Authors: Takizawa Nae , Matsuzaki Tomoaki , Yamamoto Teppei , Mishima Takao , Miyasaka Chika , Tanaka Susumu , Kinoshita Hidefumi , Uemura Yoshiko , Yamada Hisao , Matsuda Tadashi
Published: May 2016

Cystitis glandularis, a proliferative disease of the bladder, is resistant to antibiotics, non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs, anti‐allergy drugs and transurethral resection. Cystectomy or partial cystectomy is occasionally required for refractory cystitis glandularis. It has not been defined if cystitis glandularis is a premalignant lesion. We experienced a case of remission from cystitis glandularis after combination of oral treatment with selective cyclooxygenase‐2 inhibitor, celecoxib and transurethral resection. Immunohistochemistry showed positive signals of cyclooxygenase‐2 in the epithelium of pretreatment specimens, suggesting the pathophysiological role of cyclooxygenase‐2 in cystitis glandularis. Here, we show the effectiveness of celecoxib against cystitis glandularis for the first time. Celecoxib could be one of the therapeutic strategies for cystitis glandularis.
Marine wildlife entanglement and the Seal the Loop initiative: a comparison of two free‐choice learning approaches on visitor knowledge, attitudes and conservation behaviour
Authors: Mellish S. , Pearson E. L. , Sanders B. , Litchfield C. A.
Published: May 2016

Marine debris poses a significant threat to marine wildlife. Given human action is responsible for this litter, reducing debris in the marine environment and rates of marine wildlife entanglement (MWE) (i.e. marine animals that are trapped in debris, such as fishing nets or plastic) rests on public education and action. This study investigated the effectiveness of the Seal the Loop (STL) initiative at Melbourne Zoo, Australia, which was designed to meet these aims. The research used visitor surveys following a visit to a fur‐seal exhibit and/or educational fur‐seal show experience (n = 180 visitors). The findings from this study suggest that participants understand the causes and effects of MWE after visiting the fur‐seal exhibit and/or watching the STL show, with both groups accurately appraising that MWE presents a significant risk to marine wildlife (mean = 84·28/100, sd = 17·97, and mean = 88·61/100, sd = 13·39, respectively). However, between‐group differences also emerged, with show visitors more likely to report learning something new, more likely to be familiar with the STL programme and its aims, displaying more positive attitudes towards marine animals and their conservation, and reporting both a higher willingness to change their future behaviour to support marine conservation (P = 0·052) and a higher perception that their individual action could make a difference (P < 0·05). This study adds to the literature regarding how interactive shows with storytelling can complement traditional static displays, as well as informing our understanding of the interplay between public knowledge/attitudes/behaviours in relation to marine debris and marine‐conservation issues. It is hoped this research will contribute to the ongoing development of education initiatives at zoos and aquariums to enable them to achieve their conservation missions.
Conduction Mechanisms in BaTiO3–Bi(Zn1/2Ti1/2)O3 Ceramics
Authors: Kumar Nitish , Patterson Eric A. , Frömling Till , Cann David P.
Published: May 2016

Polycrystalline BaTiO3–Bi(Zn1/2Ti1/2)O3 (BT–BZT) ceramics have superior dielectric properties for high‐temperature and high‐energy density applications as compared to the existing materials. While it has been shown that the addition of BZT to BT leads to an improvement in resistivity by two orders of magnitude, in this study impedance spectroscopy is used to demonstrate a novel change in conduction mechanism. While nominally undoped BT exhibits extrinsic‐like p‐type conduction, it is reported that BT–BZT ceramics exhibit intrinsic n‐type conduction using atmosphere‐dependent conductivity measurements. Annealing studies and Seebeck measurements were performed and confirmed this result. For BT, resistivity values were higher for samples annealed in nitrogen as compared to oxygen, whereas the opposite responses were observed for BZT‐containing solid solutions. This suggests a fundamental change in the defect equilibrium conditions upon the addition of BZT to the solid solution that lowered the carrier concentration and changed the sign of the majority charge carrier. This is then also linked to the observed improvement in resistivity in BT–BZT ceramics as compared to undoped BT.
Systematic review and meta‐analysis of the diagnostic accuracy of the water swallow test for screening aspiration in stroke patients
Authors: Chen Po‐Cheng , Chuang Ching‐Hui , Leong Chau‐Peng , Guo Su‐Er , Hsin Yi‐Jung
Published: May 2016

Aim

The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of the water swallow test for screening aspirations in stroke patients.

Background

The water swallow test is a simple bedside screening tool for aspiration among stroke patients in nursing practice, but results from different studies have not been combined before.

Design

A systematic review and meta‐analysis was conducted to provide a synthetic and critical appraisal of the included studies.

Data sources

Electronic literature inMEDLINE,EMBASE,CINAHLand other sources were searched systemically in this study. Databases and registers were searched from inception up to 30 April 2015.

Review methods

This systematic review was conducted using the recommendations from Cochrane Collaboration for Systematic Reviews of Diagnostic Test Accuracy. Bivariate random‐effects models were used to estimate the diagnostic accuracy across those studies. The tool named Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS‐2) was used to evaluate the quality of the studies.

Results

There were 770 stroke patients in the 11 studies for the meta‐analysis. The water swallow test had sensitivities between 64‐79% and specificities between 61‐81%. Meta‐regression analysis indicated that increasing water volume resulted in higher sensitivity but lower specificity of the water swallow test.

Conclusions

This systematic review showed that the water swallow test was a useful screening tool for aspiration among stroke patients. The test accuracy was related to the water volume and a 3‐oz water swallow test was recommended for aspiration screening in stroke patients.
Do student nurses experience Imposter Phenomenon? An international comparison of Final Year Undergraduate Nursing Students readiness for registration
Authors: Christensen Martin , Aubeeluck Aimee , Fergusson Diana , Craft Judy , Knight Jessica , Wirihana Lisa , Stupple Ed
Published: May 2016

Background

The transition shock or Imposter Phenomena sometimes associated with moving from student to Registered Nurse can lead to feelings of self‐doubt and insecurity especially with the increased expectations and responsibilities that registration brings.

Aim

The aim of this study was to examine the extent at which imposter phenomenon is evident in four final year nursing student cohorts in Australia, New Zealand and the UK.

Design

A survey design.

Settings

The study took place at four higher education institutes – two metropolitan campuses and two regional campuses between October 2014 – February 2015 in Australia, New Zealand and the UK. A sample of 223 final year nursing students undertaking nationally accredited nursing programmes were approached.

Results

Each cohort exhibited mild to moderate feelings of Imposter Phenomena. A positive weak correlation between imposter phenomena and preparedness for practice was found. The New Zealand cohort scored higher than both the Australian and UK cohorts on both feelings of imposterism and preparedness for practice.

Conclusions

Nursing students possess internalized feelings which suggest their performance and competence once qualified could be compromised. There is some speculation that the respective curriculums may have some bearing on preparing students for registration and beyond. It is recommended that educational programmes designed for this student cohort should be mindful of this internal conflict and potential external hostility.
Private School, College Admissions and the Value of Education
Authors: Shields Liam
Published: May 2016

In this article, I defend a proposal to cap the proportion of students admitted to elite colleges who were educated at elite, often private, schools to not more than the proportion of students who attend such schools in society as a whole. In order to defend this proposal, I draw on recent debates that pit principles of equality against principles of adequacy, and I defend the need for a pluralist account of educational fairness that includes both elements. I argue that while equality best captures our convictions about unfairness in access to the instrumental and positional benefits of education, such as job prospects and college admission, adequacy best captures our convictions about unfairness in stunting the development of human talent and the intrinsic benefits of education. The proposal to cap the proportion of private school students at elite universities advances both of these, usually conflicting, principles because it permits unequal but efficient talent development through the vehicle of private tuition and elite schooling, and yet promises to seriously curtail the unfair positional instrumental benefits of private or elite schooling by having those students compete against each other and not students who did not attend elite schools. The policy also achieves its aim consistent with preserving some attractive aspects of parental choice. Towards the end of the article I consider a number of practical objections and an alternative proposal.
Facsimiles of Flesh
Authors: Fischer Bob , Ozturk Burkay
Published: May 2016

Ed Gein was a serial killer, grave robber, and body snatcher who made a lampshade from human skin. Now consider the detective who found that lampshade. Let's suppose that he would never want to own it; however, he does find that he wants a synthetic one just like it – a perfect replica. We assume that there is something morally problematic about the detective having such a replica. We then argue that, given as much, we can reach the surprising conclusion that it's morally problematic to consume realistic fake‐meat products. After explaining why we might the detective's replica lampshade morally problematic, we clarify the analogy between the replica and fake meat products. Then, we defend it against a number of objections, the most notable one being we can sever any association between fake meat and the real stuff without moral cost. We conclude by pointing out that our argument generalises: if it works, then there is something morally problematic about many fake animal products, including fake leather and fur.
Unpredictable perturbation reduces breeding propensity regardless of pre‐laying reproductive readiness in a partial capital breeder
Authors: Legagneux Pierre , Hennin Holly L. , Gilchrist H. Grant , Williams Tony D. , Love Oliver P. , Bêty Joël
Published: May 2016

Theoretically, individuals of migratory species should optimize reproductive investment based on a combination of timing of and body condition at arrival on the breeding grounds. A minimum threshold body mass is required to initiate reproduction, and the timing of reaching this threshold is critical because of the trade‐off between delaying breeding to gain in condition against the declining value of offspring with later reproductive timing. Long‐lived species have the flexibility within their life history to skip reproduction in a given year if they are unable to achieve this theoretical mass threshold. Although the decision to breed or not is an important parameter influencing population dynamics, the mechanisms underlying this decision are poorly understood. Here, we mimicked an unpredictable environmental perturbation that induced a reduction in body mass of Arctic pre‐breeding (before the laying period) female common eidersSomateria mollissima; a long‐lived migratory seaduck, while controlling for individual variation in the pre‐laying physiological reproductive readiness via vitellogenin (VTG) – a yolk‐targeted lipoprotein. Our aim was to causally determine the interaction between body condition and pre‐laying reproductive readiness (VTG) on breeding propensity by experimentally reducing body mass in treatment females. We first demonstrated that arrival body condition was a key driver of breeding propensity. Secondly, we found that treatment and VTG levels interacted to influence breeding propensity, indicating that our experimental manipulation, mimicking an unpredictable food shortage, reduced breeding propensity, regardless of the degree of pre‐laying physiological reproductive readiness (i.e. timing of ovarian follicles recruitment). Our experiment demonstrates that momentary environmental perturbations during the pre‐breeding period can strongly affect the decision to breed, a key parameter driving population dynamics.
Low levels of hybridization across two contact zones among three species of woodpeckers (Sphyrapicussapsuckers)
Authors: Seneviratne Sampath S. , Davidson Peter , Martin Kathy , Irwin Darren E.
Published: May 2016

Three species of closely related woodpeckers (sapsuckers;Sphyrapicus) hybridize where they come into contact, presenting a rare ‘λ‐shape’ meeting of hybrid zones. Two of the three arms of this hybrid zone are located on either side of the Interior Plateau of British Columbia, Canada bordering the foothills of the Coast Mountains and the Rocky Mountains. The third arm is located in the eastern foothills of the Rocky Mountains. The zones of hybridization present high variability of phenotypes and alleles in relatively small areas and provide an opportunity to examine levels of reproductive isolation between the taxa involved. We examined phenotypes (morphometric traits and plumage) and genotypes of 175 live birds across the two hybrid zones. We used the Genotyping By Sequencing (GBS) method to identify 180 partially diagnostic single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to generate a genetic hybrid index (GHI) for each bird. Phenotypically divergedS. ruberandS. nuchalisare genetically closely related, whileS. nuchalisandS. variushave similar plumage but are well separated at the genetic markers studied. The width of both hybrid zones is narrower than expected under neutrality, and analyses of both genotypes and phenotypes indicate that hybrids are rare in the hybrid zone. Rarity of hybrids indicates assortative mating and/or some form of fitness reduction in hybrids, which might maintain the species complex despite close genetic distance and introgression. These findings further support the treatment of the three taxa as distinct species.
Diet and birdsong: short‐term nutritional enrichment improves songs of adult Bengalese finch males
Authors: Yamada Kentaro , Soma Masayo
Published: May 2016

Song is a notable sexual signal of birds, and serves as an honest indicator of male quality. Condition dependence of birdsong has been well examined from the viewpoint of the developmental stress hypothesis, which posits that complex songs assure fitness because learned acoustic features of songs are especially susceptible to early‐life stress that young birds experience in song learning periods. The effect of early stress on song phenotypes should be crucial, especially in age‐limited song learners which sing stereotyped songs throughout life. However, little attention has been paid to non‐learned song features that can change plastically even in adulthood of age‐limited song‐learners. Although it has been shown that food availability affects song rate in wild songbirds, there is limited evidence of the link between favorable nutritional conditions and song phenotypes other than song rate. Under the prediction that singing behavior reflects an individual's recent life history, we kept adult Bengalese finch males under high‐nutrition or normal diet for a short term, and examined changes in body mass and songs. We found that birds on a high‐nutrition diet showed higher song output (e.g. song rate and length) compared with those of the control group, while changes in body mass were moderate. In addition, note repertoire became more consistent and temporal structures got faster in both nutrition and control groups, which indicates that songs were subject to other factors than nutrition. Considering that female estrildid finches, including Bengalese and zebra finches, show a preference toward complex songs as well as longer songs and higher song rate, it is plausible that different aspects of singing behavior signal different male qualities, and provide multifaceted clues to females that choose mates.
Species delimitation of the white‐tailed rubythroat Calliope pectoralis complex (Aves, Muscicapidae) using an integrative taxonomic approach
Authors: Liu Yang , Chen Guoling , Huang Qin , Jia Chenxi , Carey Geoff , Leader Paul , Li Yun , Zou Fasheng , Yang Xiaojun , Olsson Urban , Alström Per
Published: May 2016

Our knowledge of the systematics and taxonomy of Asian birds has improved much in the last two decades, and the number of recognised species has increased significantly as a result of in‐depth studies using an integrative taxonomic approach. The Sino‐Himalayan mountains harbor a high level of passerine diversity. Several allopatric or parapatric taxa that are currently treated as subspecies of polytypic species within that region are likely to deserve full species status, and thus their taxonomic status needs to be revisited. Based on analyses of multilocus data, vocalizations and morphology, we propose that the white‐tailed rubythroat Calliope pectoralis should be treated as two species, the Himalayan rubythroat C. pectoralis sensu stricto in the Tian Shan and Himalayan mountains, and the Chinese rubythroat C. tschebaiewi in the mountains of southwestern and north‐central China. According to our dating analyses based on mitochondrial loci, these two species diverged approximately 2.2 million yr ago. We further found that C. tschebaiewi was paraphyletic to C. pectoralis sensu stricto in nuclear data, which demonstrates a state of mitonuclear discordance that warrants further work. Our results suggest that geographic changes and glacial cycles in the Pleistocene may have caused allopatric divergence in the C. pectoralis complex. Our study stresses the importance of applying an integrative taxonomy approach to fully unravel the true avian diversity in the Sino‐Himalayan Mountains.
Analysis of competition performance in dressage and show jumping of Dutch Warmblood horses
Authors: Rovere G. , Ducro B.J. , van Arendonk J.A.M. , Norberg E. , Madsen P.
Published: May 2016

Most Warmblood horse studbooks aim to improve the performance in dressage and show jumping. The Dutch Royal Warmblood Studbook (KWPN) includes the highest score achieved in competition by a horse to evaluate its genetic ability of performance. However, the records collected during competition are associated with some aspects that might affect the quality of the genetic evaluation based on these records. These aspects include the influence of rider, censoring and preselection of the data. The aim of this study was to quantify the impact of rider effect, censoring and preselection on the genetic analysis of competition data of dressage and show jumping of KWPN. Different models including rider effect were evaluated. To assess the impact of censoring, genetic parameters were estimated in data sets that differed in the degree of censoring. The effect of preselection on variance components was analysed by defining a binary trait (sport‐status) depending on whether the horse has a competition record or not. This trait was included in a bivariate model with the competition trait and used all horses registered by KWPN since 1984. Results showed that performance in competition for dressage and show jumping is a heritable trait (h2 ~ 0.11–0.13) and that it is important to account for the effect of rider in the genetic analysis. Censoring had a small effect on the genetic parameter for highest performance achieved by the horse. A moderate heritability obtained for sport‐status indicates that preselection has a genetic basis, but the effect on genetic parameters was relatively small.
Enhanced differentiation of human amniotic fluid‐derived stem cells into insulin‐producing cells in vitro
Authors: Mu Xu‐Peng , Ren Li‐Qun , Yan Hao‐Wei , Zhang Xin‐Min , Xu Tian‐Min , Wei An‐Hui , Jiang Jin‐Lan
Published: May 2016

Aims/Introduction

To investigate the ability of human amniotic fluid stem cells (hAFSCs) to differentiate into insulin‐producing cells.

Materials and Methods

hAFSCs were induced to differentiate into pancreatic cells by a multistep protocol. The expressions of pancreas‐related genes and proteins, including pancreatic and duodenal homeobox‐1, insulin, and glucose transporter 2, were detected by polymerase chain reaction and immunofluorescence. Insulin secreted from differentiated cells was tested by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

hAFSCs were successfully isolated from amniotic fluid that expressed the pluripotent markers of embryonic stem cells, such as Oct3/4, and mesenchymal stem cells, such as integrin β‐1 and ecto‐5′‐nucleotidase. Here, we first obtained the hAFSCs that expressed pluripotent marker stage‐specific embryonic antigen 1. Real‐time polymerase chain reaction analysis showed that pancreatic and duodenal homeobox‐1, paired box gene 4 and paired box gene 6 were expressed in the early phase of induction, and then stably expressed in the differentiated cells. The pancreas‐related genes, such as insulin, glucokinase, glucose transporter 2 and Nkx6.1, were expressed in the differentiated cells. Immunofluorescence showed that these differentiated cells co‐expressed insulin, C‐peptide, and pancreatic and duodenal homeobox‐1. Insulin was released in response to glucose stimulation in a manner similar to that of adult human islets.

Conclusions

The present study showed that hAFSCs, under selective culture conditions, could differentiate into islet‐like insulin‐producing cells, which might be used as a potential source for transplantation in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus.
Pathogenesis and neuroimaging of cerebral large and small vessel disease in type 2 diabetes: A possible link between cerebral and retinal microvascular abnormalities
Authors: Umemura Toshitaka , Kawamura Takahiko , Hotta Nigishi
Published: May 2016

Diabetes patients have more than double the risk of ischemic stroke compared with non‐diabetic individuals, and its neuroimaging characteristics have important clinical implications. To understand the pathophysiology of ischemic stroke in diabetes, it is important to focus not only on the stroke subtype, but also on the size and location of the occlusive vessels. Specifically, ischemic stroke in diabetes patients might be attributed to both large and small vessels, and intracranial internal carotid artery disease and small infarcts of the posterior circulation often occur. An additional feature is that asymptomatic lacunar infarctions are often seen in the basal ganglia and brain stem on brain magnetic resonance imaging. In particular, cerebral small vessel disease (SVD), including lacunar infarctions, white matter lesions and cerebral microbleeds, has been shown to be associated not only with stroke incidence, but also with the development and progression of dementia and diabetic microangiopathy. However, the pathogenesis of cerebral SVD is not fully understood. In addition, data on the association between neuroimaging findings of the cerebral SVD and diabetes are limited. Recently, the clinical importance of the link between cerebral SVD and retinal microvascular abnormalities has been a topic of considerable interest. Several clinical studies have shown that retinal microvascular abnormalities are closely related to cerebral SVD, suggesting that retinal microvascular abnormalities might be pathophysiologically linked to ischemic cerebral SVD. We review the literature relating to the pathophysiology and neuroimaging of cerebrovascular disease in diabetes, and discuss the problems based on the concept of cerebral large and small vessel disease.
The correlation between coloration and exploration behaviour varies across hierarchical levels in a wild passerine bird
Authors: Nicolaus M. , Piault R. , Ubels R. , Tinbergen J. M. , Dingemanse N. J.
Published: May 2016

In vertebrates, darker individuals are often found to be more active and willing to take risks (representing characteristics of a ‘proactive’ coping style), whereas lighter individuals are instead more cautious and less active (representing characteristics of a ‘reactive’ coping style). It is thus generally expected that melanin‐based coloration and proactivity form a suite of positively integrated traits at the among‐individual level. Here, we use a multigenerational pedigree of free‐living great tits (Parus major) to partition variation in, and the correlation between, melanin‐based breast stripe (‘tie’) size and exploration behaviour (a proxy for coping style) into its among‐ and within‐individual components. We show that both traits harbour heritable variation. Against predictions, tie size and speed of exploration were negatively correlated at the among‐individual level due to the combined influences of permanent environmental and additive genetic effects. By contrast, the two traits were weakly positively correlated within individuals (i.e. individuals increasing in tie size after moult tended to become more explorative). The patterns of among‐individual covariance were not caused by correlational selection as we found additive and opposite selection pressures acting on the two traits. These findings imply that testing hypotheses regarding the existence of a ‘syndrome’ at the among‐individual level strictly requires variance partitioning to avoid inappropriate interpretations as the negative ‘unpartitioned’ phenotypic correlation between exploration and tie size resulted from counteracting effects of within‐ and among‐individual correlations. Identifying sources and levels of (co)variation in phenotypic traits is thus critical to our understanding of biological patterns and evolutionary processes.
Experimentally evolved and phenotypically plastic responses to enforced monogamy in a hermaphroditic flatworm
Authors: Janicke T. , Sandner P. , Ramm S. A. , Vizoso D. B. , Schärer L.
Published: May 2016

Sexual selection is considered a potent evolutionary force in all sexually reproducing organisms, but direct tests in terms of experimental evolution of sexual traits are still lacking for simultaneously hermaphroditic animals. Here, we tested how evolution under enforced monogamy affected a suite of reproductive traits (including testis area, sex allocation, genital morphology, sperm morphology and mating behaviour) in the outcrossing hermaphroditic flatworm Macrostomum lignano, using an assay that also allowed the assessment of phenotypically plastic responses to group size. The experiment comprised 32 independent selection lines that evolved under either monogamy or polygamy for 20 generations. While we did not observe an evolutionary shift in sex allocation, we detected effects of the selection regime for two male morphological traits. Specifically, worms evolving under enforced monogamy had a distinct shape of the male copulatory organ and produced sperm with shorter appendages. Many traits that did not evolve under enforced monogamy showed phenotypic plasticity in response to group size. Notably, individuals that grew up in larger groups had a more male‐biased sex allocation and produced slightly longer sperm than individuals raised in pairs. We conclude that, in this flatworm, enforced monogamy induced moderate evolutionary but substantial phenotypically plastic responses.
The phenomenology of the intersubjective impairment
Authors: Hipolito Ines
Published: May 2016

Several studies suggest that the disorders of the self include a disturbance of the most elementary component of self – theminimal self. Characterizing these disorders and understanding the mechanisms involved remain a challenge to medical epistemology and health care professionals. In the present work, I bring together concepts of different fields, such as neuroscience, epistemology and phenomenology. The main goal is to show that the second‐person perspective can be used to point out particular features of social cognition and its related psychopathology. Taking the hypothesis that the second‐person perspective is the congruence point between an objective process and the subjective experience, I will attempt to explain schizophrenia as a self‐related deficit, first in the light of the first‐person and the third‐person perspective and afterward, in the light of the poorly less understood second‐person perspective. On the one hand, the first‐person experience is correlated both with space and time. In fact, psychiatric patients report subjective experiences that can be understood within research on the bodily self, such as (1) spatially incongruent proprioception and (2) impaired sense of time as the basic mechanism that allows conscious experience. On the other hand, the second‐person approach has already begun to prove productive within social cognition research, pointing out the importance of experiencing and interacting with others as our primarily way well‐being. I will phenomenological analyse subjective and intersubjective experience in the disorders of the self and derive practical consequences to evidence‐based medicine.
Expression of dmrt1 and vtg genes during gonad formation, differentiation and early maturation in cultured Russian sturgeon Acipenser gueldenstaedtii
Authors: Fajkowska M. , Rzepkowska M. , Adamek D. , Ostaszewska T. , Szczepkowski M.
Published: May 2016

Expression of the dmrt1 and vtg genes was described using the real‐time PCR (rt‐PCR) method from 25 to 1600 days post‐hatch (dph) in cultured Russian sturgeon Acipenser gueldenstaedtii. The level of dmrt1 transcription in gonads in subsequent studied periods increased exponentially while vtg expression increased in gonads and livers of A. gueldenstaedtii examined, but in later stages of development. Both dmrt1 and vtg genes showed elevated expression in intersex individuals probably caused by dietary exposure to phyto‐oestrogens.
Functional morphology of the tetra fish Astyanax lacustris differs between divergent habitats in the Pantanal wetlands
Authors: Costa‐Pereira R. , Araújo M. S. , Paiva F. , Tavares L. E. R.
Published: May 2016

This study investigated whether the body morphology of the tetra fish Astyanax lacustris (previously Astyanax asuncionensis) varied between populations inhabiting one lagoon (a lentic, shallow environment, with great habitat complexity created by aquatic macrophytes) and an adjacent river (a deeper, lotic environment where aquatic macrophytes are scarce) in a seasonally flooded wetland, despite population mixing during the wet season. Morphological differences matched a priori predictions of the theory relating functional body morphology and swimming performance in fishes between lagoon and river habitats. Observed morphological variation could have resulted from adaptive habitat choice by tetras, predation by piscivores and adaptive phenotypic plasticity during development.
Determinants of Voluntary Disclosure of Sales in Small Private Companies in Belgium
Authors: Ceustermans Stefanie , Breesch Diane
Published: May 2016

Small businesses are the backbone of the economy in many countries. In Europe, for example, small companies represent more than 90 per cent of all companies (e.g., Lukacs, ). Although these companies represent such an important portion of the economy, few studies have examined their voluntary disclosure decisions. Because small companies have certain unique characteristics compared with their larger counterparts, the general applicability of past voluntary disclosure studies to small companies is questionable. Drawing on agency and proprietary cost theory, this study investigates whether ownership, competition, and accountant factors influence the decision to disclose financially sensitive information on a voluntary basis. Our results (using an e‐mail questionnaire to small private companies in Belgium, n = 1,068) indicate that nearly 40 per cent of the responding companies are not aware of their disclosure behavior. For companies that are aware of their disclosure behavior, the logistic regression analysis demonstrates that factors relating to the separation of ownership and control, namely the type of ownership and number of shareholders, are among the most important determinants in the voluntary disclosure decision of small private companies. Companies with at least one legal entity as an owner of a company are less likely to disclose, while companies with more shareholders are more likely to disclose. We also provide evidence that perceived competition and the default setting of the accounting software used have a significant influence on the voluntary disclosure behavior.
Internationalization and Auditor Choice
Authors: Tsao Shou‐Min , Lu Hsueh‐Tien , Keung Edmund C.
Published: May 2016

Prior research shows that internationalization increases information asymmetry and conflicts of interest between managers and outside investors, which lead to greater agency problems. Agency theory predicts a demand for higher quality auditors when agency problems are more severe. This study investigates whether the extent of internationalization influences auditor choice and whether audit quality has performance implications for internationalization. Using a set of U.S. firms from 2003 to 2009, we find the extent of internationalization positively related to audit quality. Furthermore, higher quality audits positively moderate the relation between internationalization and firm performance. Taken together, these results suggest that higher quality audit mitigates the agency problem associated with internationalization.
Nonlinear least squares regression for single image scanning electron microscope signal‐to‐noise ratio estimation
Authors: SIM K.S. , NORHISHAM S.
Published: May 2016

A new method based on nonlinear least squares regression (NLLSR) is formulated to estimate signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) of scanning electron microscope (SEM) images. The estimation of SNR value based on NLLSR method is compared with the three existing methods of nearest neighbourhood, first‐order interpolation and the combination of both nearest neighbourhood and first‐order interpolation. Samples of SEM images with different textures, contrasts and edges were used to test the performance of NLLSR method in estimating the SNR values of the SEM images. It is shown that the NLLSR method is able to produce better estimation accuracy as compared to the other three existing methods. According to the SNR results obtained from the experiment, the NLLSR method is able to produce approximately less than 1% of SNR error difference as compared to the other three existing methods.
Empowering self‐care ability – a follow‐up study of clinical‐based perimenopausal women personal health counselling
Authors: An Chi , Yu Yen‐Yen , Chou Bee‐Chin , Szu Li‐Yun , Tsao Lee‐Ing
Published: May 2016

Aims and objectives

This study aimed to evaluate the longitudinal effects of a personal counselling intervention for perimenopausal women in northern Taiwan.

Background

Women face a variety of physical changes during menopause. Counselling intervention could enrich individual health education for menopausal women.

Design

Quasi‐experimental design.

Methods

The study used one‐on‐one personal health counselling with a ‘menopausal health passport’ for perimenopausal women. The Perceived Perimenopausal Disturbances scale, the Practice of Health Behavior scale and the Perceived Uncertainty scale were used to measure the intervention effects. Results were estimated by a Generalized Estimating Equation procedure at one and a half months, three months and six months post intervention. In addition, data regarding perceived health changes were collected qualitatively through interviews in the experimental group at the sixth month.

Results

A total of 34 women were included in the experimental group, while 33 were in the control group. Interaction effect results showed that personal health counselling significantly increased the practice of health behaviours at one and a half months and extended to three months post intervention. Additionally, content categories, including ‘relief of symptoms’, ‘establishment of health behaviors’, ‘interaction with others’ and ‘consideration from others’ were identified in quantitative analysis.

Conclusions

The results suggest that perimenopausal personal health counselling can effectively improve healthy behaviours. This study can also serve as a future reference for effective perimenopausal counselling.

Relevance to clinical practice

It is crucial to set up personal health counselling for perimenopausal women in clinics and develop information technology systems to support menopausal women in the technological era.
Clinical factors and incidence of prolonged fever in neurosurgical patients
Authors: Wang Zhuo , Shen Meifen , Qiao Meizhen , Zhang Haiyin , Tang Zaixiang
Published: May 2016

Aims and objectives

To describe the incidence of prolonged fever in patients admitted to the neurosurgery department, and the corresponding risk indicators.

Background

Prolonged fever was defined as a temperature higher than 38·3°C lasting more than five days. Prolonged fever is a common phenomenon and could lead to worsened outcomes in specific patient groups, especially for those with brain injury. However, the studies on prolonged fever in neurosurgical patients are limited and insufficient.

Design

A retrospective observational study.

Methods

Retrospective data were collected from 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2014, at the neurosurgical department of a large teaching hospital. We performed univariate and multivariate analyses to identify independent indicators for prolonged fever vs. short‐term fever.

Results

Among 2845 patients, prolonged fever occurred in 466 (16%). The older patients were associated with longer duration of mechanical ventilation and hospital stay. It predominantly occurred in patients with subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) and traumatic brain injury. Patients receiving antibiotic treatment tended to manifest prolonged fever more frequently. Multivariate analysis revealed that the use of antibiotics, central venous catheter and prolonged mechanical ventilation were independent risk predictors for prolonged fever. Patients diagnosed with brain tumour seemed to be not associated with prolonged fever.

Conclusions

Prolonged fever is the common complication in neurosurgical patients. The risks of prolonged fever in patients are attributed to antibiotic therapy, use of central venous catheter and prolonged mechanical ventilation. Indicators of prolonged fever are helpful for better identification of high‐risk patients and fever control.

Relevance to clinical practice

A better reveal on the epidemiology and predictable factors of prolonged fever in neurosurgical patients will provide a better understanding on those patients who are most at risk, and therefore contribute to fever control and better outcome.
Differences in communication within the nursing group and with members of other professions at a hospital unit
Authors: André Beate , Nøst Torunn H , Frigstad Sigrun A , Sjøvold Endre
Published: May 2016

Aims and objectives

To investigate what differences exist in nurses’ communications with each other as opposed to their communications with members of other healthcare professions.

Background

Difficulties have been reported related to the introduction of interdisciplinary collaboration in hospitals even when their efficacy has been demonstrated.

Design

This paper is a report of a project that was a cross‐sectional survey design.

Method

Nurses and assistant nurses received questionnaires that examined two different components of interdisciplinary collaboration. Using the psychometric method known as Systematizing Person‐Group Relations to gather data and for analysis, the method aims to investigate the dominant aspects of the particular work environment by identifying key characteristics of interdisciplinary collaboration.

Results

The respondents reported significant differences in six of the 12 factors; high scores on caring, acceptance, engagement and empathy characterised communication with members of their own professional group as low scores on the same factors characterised communication with other healthcare professions.

Conclusion

Findings in this study suggests that nurses behave in a more loyal, accepting and critical manner when communicating with each other than they do when communicating with members of other healthcare professions. Nurses are more influenced by behaviours characterised by assertiveness and resignation in their communication with members of other healthcare professions. The findings indicate that nurse's experience mixed emotions and behaviours that influence their communications with healthcare personnel from other professions.

Relevance to clinical practice

Nurses often hold key positions on interdisciplinary collaboration; therefore, they must develop the communicative skills required in this position to be able to improve the quality of patient care in hospitals, related to nurses’ experiences and skills.
Quantitative and mixed analyses to identify factors that affect cervical cancer screening uptake among lesbian and bisexual women and transgender men
Authors: Johnson Michael J , Mueller Martina , Eliason Michele J , Stuart Gail , Nemeth Lynne S
Published: May 2016

Aims and objectives

The purposes of this study were to measure the prevalence of, and identify factors associated with, cervical cancer screening among a sample of lesbian, bisexual and queer women, and transgender men.

Background

Past research has found that lesbian, bisexual and queer women underuse cervical screening service. Because deficient screening remains the most significant risk factor for cervical cancer, it is essential to understand the differences between routine and nonroutine screeners.

Design

A convergent‐parallel mixed methods design.

Methods

A convenience sample of 21‐ to 65‐year‐old lesbian and bisexual women and transgender men were recruited in the USA from August–December 2014. Quantitative data were collected via a 48‐item Internet questionnaire (N = 226), and qualitative data were collected through in‐depth telephone interviews (N = 20) and open‐ended questions on the Internet questionnaire.

Results

Seventy‐three per cent of the sample was routine cervical screeners. The results showed that a constellation of factors influence the use of cervical cancer screening among lesbian, bisexual and queer women. Some of those factors overlap with the general female population, whereas others are specific to the lesbian, bisexual or queer identity. Routine screeners reported feeling more welcome in the health care setting, while nonroutine screeners reported more discrimination related to their sexual orientation and gender expression. Routine screeners were also more likely to ‘out’ to their provider. The quantitative and qualitative factors were also compared and contrasted.

Conclusions

Many of the factors identified in this study to influence cervical cancer screening relate to the health care environment and to interactions between the patient and provider.

Relevance to clinical practice

Nurses should be involved with creating welcoming environments for lesbian, bisexual and queer women and their partners. Moreover, nurses play a large role in patient education and should promote self‐care behaviours among lesbian women and transgender men.
Recommendations for cardiovascular disease research with lesbian, gay and bisexual adults
Authors: Caceres Billy A , Brody Abraham , Chyun Deborah
Published: May 2016

Aims and objectives

The purpose of this paper is to provide recommendations to strengthen cardiovascular disease research with lesbian, gay and bisexual adults, and highlight implications for practice.

Background

Lesbian, gay and bisexual individuals face significant discrimination that negatively impacts their health. Health disparities research in lesbian, gay and bisexual adults have focused on mental health, sexually transmitted infections and substance use. Although cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death and many lesbian, gay and bisexual adults report increased risk factors for cardiovascular disease, there has been limited research in this area.

Design

This paper is a critical review.

Methods

A literature search was conducted that compared cardiovascular disease risk and/or prevalence between lesbian, gay and bisexual and heterosexual adults.

Results

Measures to assess cardiovascular disease risk factors and diagnoses varied widely across the 31 included studies. There was a lack of standardisation in definitions used for alcohol consumption, illicit drug use, mental health and self‐rated physical health. Most studies that reported body mass index relied on participant self‐report. Few studies included measures of physical activity and diet and those that did lacked standardisation. Only seven studies used laboratory data to establish diagnosis of cardiovascular disease.

Conclusions

This study is the first comprehensive review on this topic. In cardiovascular disease research with lesbian, gay and bisexual adults, there is a need for: (1) inclusion of stress as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, (2) standardised measures, (3) objective measures for determining the presence of cardiovascular disease, (4) data from electronic health records to strengthen the study of cardiovascular disease in this population.

Relevance to clinical practice

Strengthening cardiovascular disease research in lesbian, gay and bisexual adults is an important step in addressing health disparities in this population. Nurses and other healthcare professionals should assess sexual orientation in routine health assessments.