bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sleep quality in individuals diagnosed with colorectal cancer: Factors associated with sleep disturbance as patients transition off treatment
Authors: Coles Theresa , Tan Xianming , Bennett Antonia V. , Sanoff Hanna K. , Basch Ethan , Jensen Roxanne E. , Reeve Bryce B.
Published: November 2017

Objective

To identify patient characteristics associated with sleep disturbance and worsening of sleep in individuals diagnosed with localized colorectal cancer and assess heterogeneity in these relationships.

Methods

Data were from the MY‐Health study, a community‐based observational study of adults diagnosed with cancer. Patient‐Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System® Sleep Disturbance, Anxiety, Depression, Fatigue, and Pain Interference measures were administered. Participants self‐reported demographics, comorbidities, and treatment information. Regression mixture and multiple regression models were used to evaluate the relationship between sleep disturbance and patient characteristics cross‐sectionally at an average of 10 months after diagnosis (n = 613) as well as change in sleep disturbance over a 6‐month period (n = 361).

Results

Pain, anxiety, fatigue, and the existence of multiple comorbid conditions had statistically significant relationships with sleep disturbance (B = 0.09, 0.22, 0.29, and 1.53, respectively; P < 0.05). Retirement (B = –2.49) was associated with sleep quality in the cross‐sectional model. Worsening anxiety (B = 0.14) and fatigue (B = 0.20) were associated with worsening sleep disturbance, and more severe sleep disturbance 10 months after diagnosis (B = −0.21) was associated with improvement in sleep quality after diagnosis (P < 0.05). No evidence of latent subgroups of patients (heterogeneity) was present.

Conclusions

Pain, anxiety, fatigue, employment, and comorbid conditions were associated with sleep disturbance, but regression coefficients were small (< |2.5|). Results suggest that screening for anxiety, depression, fatigue, or pain is not sufficient for identifying sleep disturbance. Given the negative consequences of sleep disturbance, sleep disturbance screening may be warranted.
A hierarchical combinatorial reliability model for smart home systems
Authors: Zhao Guilin , Xing Liudong , Zhang Qun , Jia Xujie
Published: November 2017

As an application of the Internet of Things, smart home systems have received significant attentions in recent years due to their precedent advantages, eg, in ensuring efficient electricity transmission and integration with renewable energy. This paper proposes a hierarchical and combinatorial methodology for modeling and evaluating reliability of a smart home system. Particularly, the proposed methodology encompasses a multi‐valued decision diagram‐based method for addressing phased‐mission, standby sparing, and functional dependence behaviors in the physical layer; and a combinatorial procedure based on the total probability theorem for addressing probabilistic competing failure behavior with random propagation time in the communication layer. The methods are applicable to arbitrary types of time‐to‐failure and time‐to‐propagation distributions for system components. A detailed case study of an example smart home system is performed to demonstrate applications of the proposed method and effects of different component parameters on the system reliability.
Nano‐Biohybrids: In Vivo Synthesis of Metal–Organic Frameworks inside Living Plants
Authors: Richardson Joseph J. , Liang Kang
Published: November 2017

Plants have a complex passive fluid transport system capable of internalizing small molecules from the environment, and this system offers an ideal route for augmenting plants with functional nanomaterials. Current plant augmentation techniques use pre‐formed nanomaterials and permeabilizing agents or plant cuttings. A so far unexplored concept is the formation of the functional material, in situ, from precursors small enough to be passively internalized through the roots without harming the plants. Metal–organic frameworks are ideal for in situ synthesis as they are composed of metal ions coordinated with organic ligands and have recently been mineralized around single‐celled organisms in mild aqueous conditions. Herein, the synthesis of two types of metal‐organic frameworks, zinc(2‐methylimidazole)2 and lanthanide2(terephthalate)3, are reported inside a variety of plants. In situ synchrotron experiments help elucidate the formation kinetics and crystal phases of the nano‐biohybrid plants. Plants augmented with luminescent metal‐organic frameworks are utilized for small molecule sensing, although other applications, such as pathogen sensing, proton conductive plants, improved CO2 capture, bacteria‐free nitrogen fixation, drought and fungi‐resistance, and enhanced photosynthesis and photocatalysis, are foreseeable. Overall, the generation of functional materials inside of fully intact plants could lead to more complex nano‐biohybrid sensors and organisms augmented with superior performance characteristics.
Study on the deterioration process of cement‐based materials under sulfate attack and drying–wetting cycles
Authors: Chen Huaicheng , Huang Haoliang , Qian Chunxiang
Published: November 2017

In this paper, the deterioration process of mortars degraded by sulfate under the restricted and unconstrained condition was investigated, respectively. Sodium sulfate (5 wt%) and dry–wet circulation method was adopted to accelerate the deterioration process. The deformation, damage rate, and porosity were measured by linear variable differential transducers (LVDTs), ultrasonic velocity measuring technology, and X‐ray computed tomography (XCT), respectively. Mass loss and loss rates of flexural strength and compressive strength were also measured to evaluate the deterioration results. Scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy‐dispersive Spectrometer (EDS), and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) were used to analyze the degradation mechanisms. The experimental results indicate that the greater the water–cement (w/c) ratio of mortars, the more serious the deterioration. XCT images and analysis results of porosities show that, among the mortars after being degraded by sulfate solution for 360 drying–wetting cycles, the M30‐SR sample under restricted condition is deteriorated most seriously. SEM/EDS and XRD analysis results indicate that the microstructure of hydration products changed obviously. Sodium sulfate and gypsum are observed after being degraded by sodium sulfate.
Stress–strain evaluation of steel‐strapped high‐strength concrete with modified self‐regulating end clips
Authors: Chin Chee‐Loong , Ma Chau‐Khun , Awang Abdullah Zawawi , Omar Wahid , Kueh Ahmad Beng Hong
Published: November 2017

High‐strength concrete (HSC) is increasingly used in columns of building all over the world. Although it offers superior properties, it is relatively a brittle material. This study intends to improve the ductility of HSC using modified pretensioning confinement technique. It investigates the effects of the technique on the performance of the column and develops equations to predict the stress–strain. The basis of the technique is to apply a pretensioning force to relatively low‐cost steel straps wrapped around the specimens. A modified end clip which is able to be self‐regulated is used to secure the strap ends. The parameters studied include various spacing between straps and number of layers of straps. The confined specimens were tested in compression until failure under monotonic loading conditions, focusing particularly on the mode of failure, loads at peak and ultimate conditions and longitudinal and lateral strains in both concrete and straps. It was observed that the pretensioning technique using steel straps enhanced the ductility as well as the strength of the concrete as the confining ratio increases. Moreover, the layers of straps had also delayed the onset of volumetric expansion and therefore, the concrete failure. Based on the regression analysis, new equations of strength and strain for the confined HSC column have been developed to predict its stress–strain behavior.
Innovative design concepts: Application of textile reinforced concrete to shell structures
Authors: Hegger Josef , Curbach Manfred , Stark Alexander , Wilhelm Sebastian , Farwig Kristina
Published: November 2017

Today's challenges comprise climate change, urbanization, and demographic change. The building industry is of major technical and economic importance for these subjects. Due to the versatility, structural concrete is the major applied material in building industry. The associated cement production contributes significantly to the CO2 emissions. Hence, new technologies and planning methods as well as production and recycling techniques have to be developed to account for a fast changing world and to reduce the carbon footprint. High‐performance materials, such as textile reinforced concrete, in combination with new construction methods and conceptual designs, can reduce the material usage significantly. In this paper, new construction methods as well as conceptual designs are proposed, which result in economic structural members.
Advanced models for water simulations
Authors: Demerdash Omar , Wang Lee‐Ping , Head‐Gordon Teresa
Published: November 2017

Molecular simulations of water using classical, molecular mechanic potential energy functions have enjoyed a 50‐year history of development, and much has been learned regarding their parameterization and the essential physics that must be captured in order to reproduce water properties across the phase diagram and across system sizes, from the dimer to the condensed phase. While pairwise‐additive force fields using fixed, point charge‐based electrostatics have dominated this history owing to computational cost, their limitations in transferability are being recognized, owing particularly to the lack of many‐body effects, as well as an inherent difficulty in capturing quantum mechanical effects that become important at short intermolecular separation. This has spurred an impressive development of novel functional forms and parameterization schemes to account for such effects, especially the leading many‐body effect of polarization. This review discusses recent efforts in the development of advanced models of water, particularly with regard to important details of their parameterization from quantum mechanical or experimental data, the development of novel functional forms including machine learning‐based models, and algorithms that reduce the computational cost of polarization dramatically, permitting them to potentially become competitive with pairwise‐additive models as the standby of condensed‐phase simulation. These technical developments are appraised based on their ability to impact numerical calculations on water, particularly the condensed phase, and it is hoped that this article provides a clear connection between the essential physics captured by the model and their fitness across a range of environments. WIREs Comput Mol Sci 2018, 8:e1355. doi: 10.1002/wcms.1355

This article is categorized under:

Computer and Information Science > Computer Algorithms and Programming

Molecular and Statistical Mechanics > Molecular Interactions

Software > Simulation Methods
Angular distribution of polarised Λb baryons decaying to Λℓ+ℓ−
Authors: Blake Thomas , Kreps Michal
Published: November 2017

Abstract

Rare b → sℓ
+
ℓ
− flavour-changing-neutral-current processes provide important tests of the Standard Model of particle physics. Angular observables in exclusive b → sℓ
+
ℓ
− processes can be particularly powerful as they allow hadronic uncertainties to be controlled. Amongst the exclusive processes that have been studied by experiments, the decay Λ
b
→ Λℓ
+
ℓ
− is unique in that the Λ
b
baryon can be produced polarised. In this paper, we derive an expression for the angular distribution of the Λ
b
→ Λℓ
+
ℓ
− decay for the case where the Λ
b
baryon is produced polarised. This extends the number of angular observables in this decay from 10 to 34. Standard Model expectations for the new observables are provided and the sensitivity of the observables is explored under a variety of new physics models. At low-hadronic recoil, four of the new observables have a new short distance dependence that is absent in the unpolarised case. The remaining observables depend on the same short distance contributions as the unpolarised observables, but with different dependence on hadronic form-factors. These relations provide possibilities for novel tests of the SM that could be carried out with the data that will become available at the LHC or a future e
+
e
− collider.
Low momentum expansion of one loop amplitudes in heterotic string theory
Authors: Basu Anirban
Published: November 2017

Abstract

We consider the low momentum expansion of the four graviton and the two graviton-two gluon amplitudes in heterotic string theory at one loop in ten dimensions, and analyze contributions upto the

$$ {D}^2{\mathrm{\mathcal{R}}}^4 $$

D
2

ℛ
4

interaction from the four graviton amplitude, and the

$$ {D}^4{\mathrm{\mathcal{R}}}^2{\mathrm{\mathcal{F}}}^2 $$

D
4

ℛ
2

ℱ
2

interaction from the two graviton-two gluon amplitude. The calculations are performed by obtaining equations for the relevant modular graph functions that arise in the modular invariant integrals, and involve amalgamating techniques used in the type II theory and the calculation of the elliptic genus in the heterotic theory.
Quantum vacua of 2d maximally supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory
Authors: Koloğlu Murat
Published: November 2017

Abstract

We analyze the classical and quantum vacua of 2d

$$ \mathcal{N}=\left(8,8\right) $$

N
=

8
8

supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory with SU(N) and U(N) gauge group, describing the worldvolume interactions of N parallel D1-branes with flat transverse directions

$$ {\mathrm{\mathbb{R}}}^8 $$

ℝ
8

. We claim that the IR limit of the SU(N) theory in the superselection sector labeled M (mod N) — identified with the internal dynamics of (M, N)-string bound states of the Type IIB string theory — is described by the symmetric orbifold

$$ \mathcal{N}=\left(8,8\right) $$

N
=

8
8

sigma model into

$$ {\left({\mathrm{\mathbb{R}}}^8\right)}^{D-1}/{\mathbb{S}}_D $$

ℝ
8

D
−
1

/

S
D

when D = gcd(M, N) > 1, and by a single massive vacuum when D = 1, generalizing the conjectures of E. Witten and others. The full worldvolume theory of the D1-branes is the U(N) theory with an additional U(1) 2-form gauge field B coming from the string theory Kalb-Ramond field. This U(N) + B theory has generalized field configurations, labeled by the

$$ \mathrm{\mathbb{Z}} $$

ℤ

-valued generalized electric flux and an independent

$$ {\mathrm{\mathbb{Z}}}_N $$

ℤ
N

-valued ’t Hooft flux. We argue that in the quantum mechanical theory, the (M, N)-string sector with M units of electric flux has a

$$ {\mathrm{\mathbb{Z}}}_N $$

ℤ
N

-valued discrete θ angle specified by M (mod N) dual to the ’t Hooft flux. Adding the brane center-of-mass degrees of freedom to the SU(N) theory, we claim that the IR limit of the U(N) + B theory in the sector with M bound F-strings is described by the

$$ \mathcal{N}=\left(8,8\right) $$

N
=

8
8

sigma model into

$$ {\mathrm{Sym}}^D\left({\mathrm{\mathbb{R}}}^8\right) $$

S
y
m

D

ℝ
8

. We provide strong evidence for these claims by computing an

$$ \mathcal{N}=\left(8,8\right) $$

N
=

8
8

analog of the elliptic genus of the UV gauge theories and of their conjectured IR limit sigma models, and showing they agree. Agreement is established by noting that the elliptic genera are modular-invariant Abelian (multi-periodic and meromorphic) functions, which turns out to be very restrictive.
Non-uniqueness of the supersymmetric extension of the O(3) σ-model
Authors: Queiruga Jose M. , Wereszczynski A.
Published: November 2017

Abstract

We study the supersymmetric extensions of the O(3) σ-model in 1+1 and 2+1 dimensions. We show that it is possible to construct non-equivalent supersymmetric versions of a given model sharing the same bosonic sector and free from higher-derivative terms.
Labelled tree graphs, Feynman diagrams and disk integrals
Authors: Gao Xiangrui , He Song , Zhang Yong
Published: November 2017

Abstract

In this note, we introduce and study a new class of “half integrands” in Cachazo-He-Yuan (CHY) formula, which naturally generalize the so-called Parke-Taylor factors; these are dubbed Cayley functions as each of them corresponds to a labelled tree graph. The CHY formula with a Cayley function squared gives a sum of Feynman diagrams, and we represent it by a combinatoric polytope whose vertices correspond to Feynman diagrams. We provide a simple graphic rule to derive the polytope from a labelled tree graph, and classify such polytopes ranging from the associahedron to the permutohedron. Furthermore, we study the linear space of such half integrands and find (1) a closed-form formula reducing any Cayley function to a sum of Parke-Taylor factors in the Kleiss-Kuijf basis (2) a set of Cayley functions as a new basis of the space; each element has the remarkable property that its CHY formula with a given Parke-Taylor factor gives either a single Feynman diagram or zero. We also briefly discuss applications of Cayley functions and the new basis in certain disk integrals of superstring theory.
Transanal hemorrhoidal dearterialization (THD) for hemorrhoidal disease: a single-center study on 1000 consecutive cases and a review of the literature
Authors: Ratto Carlo , Campennì Paola , Papeo Francesco , Donisi Lorenza , Litta Francesco , Parello Angelo
Published: November 2017

Background

The transanal hemorrhoidal dearterialization (THD) Doppler procedure is a minimally invasive technique to treat symptomatic hemorrhoids. The aim of the study was to assess the clinical efficacy and the satisfaction of patients in a large series treated with THD and to review the relevant literature.

Methods

In this retrospective, single-institution, study consecutive patients with grade 2, 3, or 4 hemorrhoidal disease were treated with the THD Doppler procedure. Dearterialization was performed in all cases and mucopexy in case of prolapse. The dearterialization procedure evolved from “proximal artery ligation” to “distal Doppler-guided dearterialization.” Follow-up was scheduled at 15 days, 1, 3, 12 months, and once a year thereafter. Complications were recorded. Clinical efficacy was assessed comparing both frequency of symptoms and disease grading (Goligher’s classification) at baseline versus last follow-up. Uni-/multivariate analysis evaluated factors affecting the outcome.

Results

There were 1000 patients (619 men; mean age: 48.6 years, range 19–88 years). Acute postoperative bleeding was observed in 14 patients (1.4%), pain/tenesmus in 31 patients (3.1%), and urinary retention in 23 patients (2.3%). At mean follow-up duration of 44 ± 29 months, the symptomatic recurrence rate was 9.5% (95 patients; bleeding in 12 (1.2%), prolapse in 46 (4.6%), and bleeding and prolapse in 37 (3.7%) patients). The recurrence rate was 8.5, 8.7, and 18.1% in patients with grade 2, 3, and 4 hemorrhoids, respectively. Seventy out of 95 patients with recurrence needed surgery (reoperation rate: 7.0%). At final follow-up and taking into account the reoperations, 95.7% of patients had no hemorrhoidal disease on examination. Younger age, grade 4 disease, and high artery ligation affected the outcome negatively.

Conclusions

Our results show that the THD Doppler procedure is safe and effective in patients with hemorrhoidal disease and associated with low morbidity and recurrence rates and a high rate percentage of treatment success.
Influence of aging on brain and web characteristics of an orb web spider
Authors: Pasquet Alain , Toscani Camille , Anotaux Mylène
Published: November 2017

In animals, it is known that age affects the abilities of the brain. In spiders, we showed that aging affects web characteristics due to behavioral alterations during web building. In this study, we investigated the effects of age on the associations between morphological changes to the spider brain and changes in web characteristics. The orb web spider Zygiella x-notata (Araneae, Araneidae) was used to test these relationships. Experiments were conducted on young (19 ± 2 days after adult molt, N = 13) and old (146 ± 32 days, N = 20) virgin females. The brain volume decreased with age (by 10%). Age also had an impact on the number of anomalies in the capture area generated during web building. The statistical relationships between the volume of the brain and web characteristics showed that there was an effect of age on both. Our results showed that in spiders, aging affects the brain volume and correlates with characteristics (anomalies) of the web. As web building is the result of complex behavioral processes, we suggest that aging affects spider behavior by causing some brain alterations.
Towards integrated oncogenic marker recognition through mutual information‐based statistically significant feature extraction: an association rule mining based study on cancer expression and methylation profiles
Authors: Mallik Saurav , Zhao Zhongming
Published: November 2017

Background

Marker detection is an important task in complex disease studies. Here we provide an association rule mining (ARM) based approach for identifying integrated markers through mutual information (MI) based statistically significant feature extraction, and apply it to acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and prostate carcinoma (PC) gene expression and methylation profiles.

Methods

We first collect the genes having both expression and methylation values in AML as well as PC. Next, we run Jarque‐Bera normality test on the expression/methylation data to divide the whole dataset into two parts: one that follows normal distribution and the other that does not follow normal distribution. Thus, we have now four parts of the dataset: normally distributed expression data, normally distributed methylation data, non‐normally distributed expression data, and non‐normally distributed methylated data. A feature‐extraction technique, “ mRMR” is then utilized on each part. This results in a list of top‐ranked genes. Next, we apply Welch t‐test (parametric test) and Shrink t‐test (non‐parametric test) on the expression/methylation data for the top selected normally distributed genes and non‐normally distributed genes, respectively. We then use a recent weighted ARM method, “RANWAR” to combine all/specific resultant genes to generate top oncogenic rules along with respective integrated markers. Finally, we perform literature search as well as KEGG pathway and Gene‐Ontology (GO) analyses using Enrichr database for in silico validation of the prioritized oncogenes as the markers and labeling the markers as existing or novel.

Results

The novel markers of AML are {ABCB11↑ ∪ KRT17↓} (i.e., ABCB11 as up‐regulated, & KRT17 as down‐regulated), and {AP1S1‐ ∪ KRT17↓ ∪ NEIL2‐ ∪ DYDC1↓}) (i.e., AP1S1 and NEIL2 both as hypo‐methylated, & KRT17 and DYDC1 both as down‐regulated). The novel marker of PC is {UBIAD1¶ ∪ APBA2‡ ∪ C4orf31‡} (i.e., UBIAD1 as up‐regulated and hypo‐methylated, & APBA2 and C4orf31 both as down‐regulated and hyper‐methylated).

Conclusion

The identified novel markers might have critical roles in AML as well as PC. The approach can be applied to other complex disease.
The Ontology of Biological and Clinical Statistics (OBCS)‐based statistical method standardization and meta‐analysis of host responses to yellow fever vaccines
Authors: Zheng Jie , Li Huan , Liu Qingzhi , He Yongqun
Published: November 2017

Background

The community‐based Ontology of Biological and Clinical Statistics (OBCS) represents and standardizes biological and clinical data and statistical methods.

Methods

Both OBCS and the Vaccine Ontology (VO) were used to ontologically model various components and relations in a typical host response to vaccination study. Such a model was then applied to represent and compare three microarray studies of host responses to the yellow fever vaccine YF‐17D. A literature meta‐analysis was then conducted to survey yellow fever vaccine response papers and summarize statistical methods, using OBCS.

Results

A general ontological model was developed to identify major components in a typical host response to vaccination. Our ontology modeling of three similar studies identified common and different components which may contribute to varying conclusions. Although these three studies all used the same vaccine, human blood samples, similar sample collection time post vaccination, and microarray assays, statistically differentially expressed genes and associated gene functions differed, likely due to the differences in specific variables (e.g., microarray type and human variations). Our manual annotation of 95 papers in human responses to yellow fever vaccines identified 38 data analysis methods. These statistical methods were consistently represented and classified with OBCS. Eight statistical methods not available in existing ontologies were added to OBCS.

Conclusions

The study represents the first single use case of applying OBCS ontology to standardize, integrate, and use biomedical data and statistical methods. Our ontology‐based meta‐analysis showed that different experimental results might be due to different experimental assays and conditions, sample variations, and data analysis methods.
Results of the 2017 AORN Salary and Compensation Survey
Authors: Bacon Donald R. , Stewart Kim A.
Published: November 2017

AORN conducted its 15th annual compensation survey for perioperative nurses in June 2017. A multiple regression model was used to examine how several variables, including job title, educational level, certification, experience, and geographic region, affect nurse compensation. Comparisons between the 2017 data and data from previous years are presented. The effects of other forms of compensation (eg, on‐call compensation, overtime, bonuses, shift differentials, benefits) on base compensation rates are examined. Additional analyses explore the current state of the nursing shortage and the sources of job satisfaction and dissatisfaction.
Minimizing Sources of Airborne, Aerosolized, and Contact Contaminants in the OR Environment
Authors: Armellino Donna
Published: November 2017

Surgical site infections are unintended consequences of surgery that can cause harm to patients and place financial burdens on health care organizations. Extrinsic factors in the OR—including health care providers’ behavior and practices that modify air movement, the physical environment, equipment, or surgical instruments—can increase microbial contamination. Microbes can be transported into the surgical incision by airborne or contact routes and contribute to a surgical site infection. Simple practices to prevent infection—such as minimizing airborne particles and contaminants, maintaining equipment according to the manufacturer's recommendations, cleaning and disinfecting the environment and surgical instruments, and performing proper hand hygiene—can reduce the degree of microbial contamination. Perioperative leaders and health care providers can help decrease the patient's risk of surgical site infection with proactive preventive practices that break the chain of infection.
Evaluation of a Brief Team Training Intervention in Surgery: A Mixed‐Methods Study
Authors: Gillespie Brigid M. , Steel Catherine , Kang Evelyn , Harbeck Emma , Nikolic Kristina , Fairweather Nicole , Chaboyer Wendy
Published: November 2017

The aim of this study was to evaluate a brief team training program in relation to teams’ observed nontechnical skills (NTSs) in surgery, teams’ perceptions of safety culture, and the training implementation. We used mixed methods to analyze structured observations of 179 surgeries, semistructured interviews with surgical team members from four selected surgical specialties, and a survey. There were significant (P < .001) improvements in surgical teams’ observed NTSs and in the use of the World Health Organization's Surgical Safety Checklist after participation in the training program. Nonsignificant results included increased perceived safety climate and decreased perceived teamwork climate. From participant interviews, we identified that production pressure and time constraints were the biggest barriers to implementation and the greatest enabler was the organization's support for staff education initiatives. Most participants perceived the content of the program to be useful. These results highlight the complexities inherent in the development and evaluation of interdisciplinary patient safety interventions.
Navigating Nursing Education
Authors: Hicks Rodney W. , Patterson Robert
Published: November 2017

All nurses must embrace lifelong learning and engage in academic progression to help transform health care. This article explores the various forms of nursing education and focuses on the types of degrees available, different practice roles and pathways, types of educational institutions and programs, and accreditation and its governing bodies. The benefits to nurses who pursue additional education include career mobility, additional responsibilities, and personal satisfaction. The benefits to patients include receiving the most current evidence‐based care from a more highly educated and competent workforce.
Clinical Issues—December 2017
Authors: Ogg Mary J.
Published: November 2017

This Month

Bed bugs

Key words: bed bugs, pest management, infestation, transmission.

Warming irrigation fluids

Key words: irrigation fluid, warming fluid, hypothermia, warming cabinet.

Fasting before surgery

Key words: fasting, NPO, liquids, solids.

Advanced cardiac life support requirements for perioperative nurses

Key words: advanced cardiac life support, ACLS certification, pediatric advanced life support, PALS certification, basic life support.
Effects of Tariff Concessions on Japanese Beef Imports by Product and Source
Authors: Muhammad Andrew , Countryman Amanda M. , Heerman Kari E. R.
Published: November 2017

Withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) could be costly for U.S. beef exports to Japan given existing trade agreements such as the Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement (JAEPA). We estimate the demand for imported beef in Japan by source and product and assess the impact of tariff reductions on exporting countries. Our results suggest JAEPA will result in considerable increases in Australian beef exports to Japan, largely at the expense of the U.S. beef. However, similar tariff reductions for U.S. beef could eliminate these negative effects and even result in a net increase in beef imports from both countries.
X-ray computed tomography of adhesive wicking into carbon foam
Authors: Chima Sav
Published: November 2017

Laser target components consist of multicomponent porous and nonporous materials that are adhesively bonded together. In order to assess the extent and quantity of adhesive wicking into porous foam, micro X-ray computed tomography (CT) and image processing software have been utilized. Two different laser target configurations have been assessed in situ and volume rendered images of the distribution and quantities of adhesive have been determined for each.
Coercion: an understudied issue in mental health
Authors: O’Donoghue B.
Published: November 2017

Coercion in mental health services is a controversial practice, yet it is a relatively understudied area. This special themed edition draws upon research from the international community with the aim of addressing issues related to coercion and involuntary admission. The issue covers topics such as community treatment orders, service users’ perspectives, alternative models of involving service users in their treatment, and future directions for coercion research. It is hoped that this edition will encourage funding and inspire future research on this important topic.
Abnormal carbohydrate metabolism in a canine model for muscular dystrophy
Authors: Amaral Andressa R. , Brunetto Márcio A. , Brólio Marina P. , Cima Daniela S. , Miglino Maria A. , Santos João Paulo F. , Ambrósio Carlos E.
Published: November 2017

The canine golden retriever muscular dystrophy (GRMD) model is the best animal model for studying Duchenne muscular dystrophy in humans. Considering the importance of glucose metabolism in the muscles, the existence of metabolic and endocrine alterations in a wide range of muscular dystrophies, and the pre-existing relationship between blood insulin concentration and muscular atrophy, the present study aimed to evaluate the postprandial glucose and insulin response in GRMD dogs. A total of eighteen golden retriever dogs were randomly distributed into three experimental groups: healthy/control (G1), female GRMD carriers (G2), and male dogs affected by GRMD (G3). Higher plasma resting glucose levels (P = 0·0047) were seen in G2 and G3 compared with G1, as was the case for minimum (P = <0·0001), mean (P = 0·0002) and maximum (P = 0·0359) glucose values for G3 compared with G1. Fructosamine concentrations were in accordance with reference values found in the literature for dogs. Insulin levels were lower in G3 compared with G1 (P = 0·0065); however, there was no evidence of insulin resistance according to the homeostasis model assessment index values obtained. As for the evaluation of postprandial responses, fluctuations of glucose (P = 0·0007) and insulin (P = 0·0149) were observed in G1 and G2, while in G3 the values remained constant. The results allowed us to identify metabolic changes related to carbohydrate metabolism in GRMD dogs, highlighting the importance of adequate food management for these animals.
Kiasu and Creativity in Singapore: An Empirical Test of the Situated Dynamics Framework
Authors: Cheng Chi-Ying , Hong Ying-Yi
Published: November 2017

This article investigates how Singaporeans’ creativity is influenced byKiasu, an indigenous construct corresponding to fear of losing out. We examine the impact of Kiasu on creativity, both as a personal value and a shared cultural norm in four studies. Study 1 showed that Singaporeans’ Kiasu value endorsement predicts lower individual creativity. Study 2 demonstrated that this negative relationship is mediated by a self-regulatory focus on prevention. Study 3 further showed the impact of Kiasu as a personal value and a cultural norm by finding a significant three-way interaction effect of Kiasu prime, personal Kiasu value endorsement, and need for cognitive closure on participants’ creativity. Study 4 addressed the Singaporean paradox and found that Singaporeans exhibit higher creativity when primed with their multi-ethnic culture than under control conditions. However, those who associated Singapore with Kiasu lost this advantage. These findings support the situated dynamics framework of cultural influence on behavior such that values, norms, and situational cues play a role in producing a cultural pattern of creative performance. This research also has implications for how to incubate creative performance in Asian countries.
Super-AGB Stars and their Role as Electron Capture Supernova Progenitors
Authors: Doherty Carolyn L. , Gil-Pons Pilar , Siess Lionel , Lattanzio John C.
Published: November 2017

We review the lives, deaths and nucleosynthetic signatures of intermediate-mass stars in the range ≈6–12 M⊙, which form super-AGB stars near the end of their lives. The critical mass boundaries both between different types of massive white dwarfs (CO, CO–Ne, ONe), and between white dwarfs and supernovae, are examined along with the relative fraction of super-AGB stars that end life either as an ONe white dwarf or as a neutron star (or an ONeFe white dwarf), after undergoing an electron capture supernova event. The contribution of the other potential single-star channel to electron-capture supernovae, that of the failed massive stars, is also discussed. The factors that influence these different final fates and mass limits, such as composition, rotation, the efficiency of convection, the nuclear reaction rates, mass-loss rates, and third dredge-up efficiency, are described. We stress the importance of the binary evolution channels for producing electron-capture supernovae. Recent nucleosynthesis calculations and elemental yield results are discussed and a new set of s-process heavy element yields is presented. The contribution of super-AGB star nucleosynthesis is assessed within a Galactic perspective, and the (super-)AGB scenario is considered in the context of the multiple stellar populations seen in globular clusters. A brief summary of recent works on dust production is included. Last, we conclude with a discussion of the observational constraints and potential future advances for study into these stars on the low mass/high mass star boundary.
Long-term sex-differential effects of neonatal vitamin A supplementation onin vitrocytokine responses
Authors: Jensen Kristoffer J. , Søndergaard Mia J. , Andersen Andreas , Martins Cesario , Erikstrup Christian , Aaby Peter , Flanagan Katie L. , Benn Christine Stabell
Published: November 2017

High-dose vitamin A supplementation (VAS) may affect mortality to infectious diseases in a sex-differential manner. Here, we analysed the long-term immunological effects of neonatal vitamin A supplementation (NVAS) in 247 children, who had been randomly allocated to 50 000 or 25 000 IU vitamin A (15mg and 7·5mg retinol equivalents, respectively) or placebo at birth. At 4–6 months of age, we assessed bacille Calmette–Guérin (BCG) scarification, and we analysedin vitroresponses of TNF-α, IL-5, IL-10, IL-13 and IFN-γin whole blood stimulations to phytohaemagglutinin (PHA), purified protein derivative (PPD), tetanus toxoid and lipopolysaccharide. There were no differences between the two doses of NVAS, and thus they were analysed combined as NVAS (any dose)v. placebo. All analyses were performed unstratified and by sex. NVAS increased the chance of having a scar after BCG vaccination in females (NVASv. placebo: 96v. 71 %, proportion ratio: 1·24; 95 % CI 1·09, 1·42), but not in males (Pfor interaction=0·012). NVAS was associated with significant sex-differential effects on the pro- to anti-inflammatory cytokine ratios (TNF-α:IL-10) to PPD, tetanus toxoid and medium alone, which were increased in females but decreased in males. In addition, IL-17 responses tended to be increased in NVASv. placebo recipients in males but not in females, significantly so for the PHA stimulation. The study corroborates sex-differential effects of VAS on the immune system, emphasising the importance of analysing VAS effects by sex.
Mating system, age, and reproductive performance inTenuisvalvae notata, a long-lived ladybird beetle
Authors: Túler Amanda C. , Silva-Torres C.S.A. , Torres J.B. , Moraes R.B. , Rodrigues A.R.S.
Published: November 2017

The long-lived polygynandrous ladybird beetleTenuisvalvae notata(Mulsant) found in Brazil was evaluated in the laboratory for the effects of multiple mating and aging on its reproductive performance. This species is native to South America and is an important predator of mealybugs. Specifically studied were partner choice, female reproductive success, adult longevity, male virility, and offspring development. Young (5–10 days old) and older virgin females (95–100 days old) were subjected to either a single mate or multiple mating with the same or different males of various mating status (virgin or previously mated once, twice, and thrice). Results revealed a preference in both genders to mate with previously known partners. Additionally, younger females had higher fecundity and greater longevity when mated only once in comparison to those mated multiple times. Fecundity, fertility, and offspring development were similar across the treatments regardless of the number of mating or male mating history. Fecundity and fertility decreased throughout the oviposition period regardless of mating treatment.
Organic vs. organic – soil arthropods as bioindicators of ecological sustainability in greenhouse system experiment under Mediterranean conditions
Authors: Madzaric Suzana , Ceglie F.G. , Depalo L. , Al Bitar L. , Mimiola G. , Tittarelli F. , Burgio G.
Published: November 2017

Organic greenhouse (OGH) production is characterized by different systems and agricultural practices with diverse environmental impact. Soil arthropods are widely used as bioindicators of ecological sustainability in open field studies, while there is a lack of research on organic production for protected systems. This study assessed the soil arthropod abundance and diversity over a 2-year crop rotation in three systems of OGH production in the Mediterranean. The systems under assessment differed in soil fertility management: SUBST – a simplified system of organic production, based on an input substitution approach (use of guano and organic liquid fertilizers), AGROCOM – soil fertility mainly based on compost application and agroecological services crops (ASC) cultivation (tailored use of cover crops) as part of crop rotation, and AGROMAN – animal manure and ASC cultivation as part of crop rotation. Monitoring of soil fauna was performed by using pitfall traps and seven taxa were considered: Carabidae, Staphylinidae, Araneae, Opiliones, Isopoda, Myriapoda, and Collembola. Results demonstrated high potential of ASC cultivation as a technique for beneficial soil arthropod conservation in OGH conditions. SUBST system was dominated by Collembola in all crops, while AGROMAN and AGROCOM had more balanced relative abundance of Isopoda, Staphylinidae, and Aranea. Opiliones and Myriapoda were more affected by season, while Carabidae were poorly represented in the whole monitoring period. Despite the fact that all three production systems are in accordance with the European Union regulation on organic farming, findings of this study displayed significant differences among them and confirmed the suitability of soil arthropods as bioindicators in protected systems of organic farming.
Wutuchelys eocenican. gen. n. sp., an Eocene stem testudinoid turtle from Wutu, Shandong Province, China
Authors: TONG HAIYAN , CLAUDE JULIEN , LI CHENG-SEN , YANG JIAN , SMITH THIERRY
Published: November 2017

We describe here a new turtle from the early Eocene of Wutu, Shandong Province, China. This turtle with a full row of well-developed inframarginal scutes is assigned to the basalmost testudinoids while stem testudinoids were believed to disappear by the Palaeocene–Eocene boundary. This account shows that stem testudinoids crossed this boundary in their original range. The first comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of stem and modern testudinoids performed here demonstrates that the stem testudinoids, previously placed in the family ‘Lindholmemydidae’, do not form a monophyletic group, and the two major clades of testudinoids (Emydidae and Geoemydidae+Testudinidae) split one from another well before the Palaeocene/Eocene boundary, prior to the Late Cretaceous.
Electoral clientelism as status affirmation in Africa: evidence from Ghana
Authors: Gadjanova Elena
Published: November 2017

Why does electoral clientelism persist when ballots are secret and elections are competitive? The provision of material rewards during campaigns is seen as the standard way politicians secure votes in ‘patronage democracies’. Yet monitoring clientelistic bargains is difficult when voting is secret, several competitors may provide material inducements simultaneously, voters view such inducements as gifts and not obligations, and candidates' records are more credible signals of future performance. I argue that where elections are competitive and voters expect gifts, candidates engage in a two-pronged strategy: affirm their own status through public displays of wealth, and undermine opponents' rewards by matching inducements or encouraging voters to break reciprocity norms. In result, neither side's gifts are sufficient for a win, and parties are forced to pursue different linkage mechanisms to voters. One such mechanism involves defining and targeting broader constituencies through policy proposals. Micro-level data from Ghana confirm these expectations. The theory is better suited to environments where candidates' past records are known to constituents than existing explanations, and accounts for the apparent contradiction between the ubiquity of campaign clientelism in Sub-Saharan Africa and recent empirical findings that performance evaluations and non-contingent incentives matter most to voters.
The challenge of reforming land governance in Kenya under the 2010 Constitution
Authors: Bassett Ellen M.
Published: November 2017

In August 2010, Kenya's citizens adopted a new Constitution. Intended to rein in an imperial presidency, the Constitution initiated one of the most ambitious governance reforms seen in Sub-Saharan Africa. ‘Devolution’ establishes 47 counties with extensive powers led by a directly elected governor and legislative assembly. The transition has exposed fault lines as actors struggle over the delineation of power. This paper presents the fight between the National Land Commission and the Ministry of Lands over the right to manage public land in the period 2013–2016. The paper argues that the difficulties associated with land reform arise because of the centrality of land allocation to the maintenance of power in the country. NLC's potential to transform land relations – by addressing land grabbing, effecting land redistribution, and ensuring land access by marginalised groups – is limited. This is due to the paucity of unallocated public land and the continued strength of Kenya's statist land tenure regime.
A drift-kinetic analytical model for scrape-off layer plasma dynamics at arbitrary collisionality
Authors: Jorge R. , Ricci P. , Loureiro N. F.
Published: November 2017

A drift-kinetic model to describe the plasma dynamics in the scrape-off layer region of tokamak devices at arbitrary collisionality is derived. Our formulation is based on a gyroaveraged Lagrangian description of the charged particle motion, and the corresponding drift-kinetic Boltzmann equation that includes a full Coulomb collision operator. Using a Hermite–Laguerre velocity space decomposition of the gyroaveraged distribution function, a set of equations to evolve the coefficients of the expansion is presented. By evaluating explicitly the moments of the Coulomb collision operator, distribution functions arbitrarily far from equilibrium can be studied at arbitrary collisionalities. A fluid closure in the high-collisionality limit is presented, and the corresponding fluid equations are compared with previously derived fluid models.
Vowel categories and allophonic lowering among Bolivian Quechua–Spanish bilinguals
Authors: Holliday Nicole , Martin Sean
Published: November 2017

This paper is an acoustic study describing the vowel spaces of bilingual Quechua–Spanish speakers in Cochabamba, Bolivia, with a particular focus on the height of mid and high vowels, in order to explore longstanding questions about the nature of Quechua vowel categories. South Bolivian Quechua is generally described as phonemically trivocalic with high-vowel lowering in presence of uvular consonants, but there has been little acoustic study of vowel formant characteristics (Cerrón-Palomino 1987, Laime Ajacopa, Cazazola & Pairumani 2007). The current study quantifies previous impressionistic observations of the vowel system and describes the acoustic properties of the Quechua vowels. Eleven bilingual speakers of South Bolivian Quechua and Spanish were recorded in a Quechua translation task and a Spanish list-reading task. Results of Bayesian models indicate that Quechua high vowels do appear to undergo systematic lowering following uvular consonants, supporting earlier descriptions. The results also demonstrate that lowering is consistent throughout the duration of the vowels, challenging a purely coarticulatory motivation for the observed lowering pattern. The allophonic mid-vowels of Quechua and the phonemic high and mid vowels of Spanish also have formant characteristics that may differ from one another, providing evidence for the hypothesis that these bilingual speakers could potentially command two separate vowel systems with different bases of articulation. These findings are also relevant for questions related to the nature of three-vowel systems, and whether or not they may contain true mid-vowel allophones.