bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Everyday discrimination in the Australian workplace: Assessing its prevalence and age and gender differences
Authors: Taylor Philip , McLoughlin Christopher , Earl Catherine
Published: December 2018

Objective

This study aimed to increase understanding of the nature and prevalence of discriminatory experiences in the workplace, focusing on issues of age and gender.

Methods

The concept of everyday discrimination was operationalised in a survey of a representative sample of Australian workers.

Results

It was observed that overall, experiences of everyday discrimination were rare. Among men, such experiences declined with age, whereas for women almost no age differences were observed.

Conclusion

It is argued that the nature of labour market age barriers has been misunderstood and the extent of discrimination faced by older workers possibly overstated.
Clinico‐pathological predictors of mismatch repair deficiency in sebaceous neoplasia: A large case series from a single Australian private pathology service
Authors: Walsh Michael D , Jayasekara Harindra , Huang Alvin , Winship Ingrid M , Buchanan Daniel D
Published: December 2018

Background/Objectives

Loss of expression of mismatch repair (MMR) proteins is frequently observed in sebaceous skin lesions and can be a herald for Lynch syndrome. The aim of this study was to identify clinico‐pathological predictors of MMR deficiency in sebaceous neoplasia that could aid dermatologists and pathologists in determining which sebaceous lesions should undergo MMR immunohistochemistry (IHC).

Methods

An audit of sebaceous skin lesions (excluding hyperplasia) where pathologist‐initiated MMR IHC was performed between January 2009 to December 2016 was undertaken from a single pathology practice identifying 928 lesions from 882 individuals. Lesions were further analysed for differences in gender, age at diagnosis, lesion type and anatomic location, stratified by MMR status.

Results

The 882 individuals (67.7% male) had a mean (SD) age of diagnosis of 68.4 ± 13.3 years. Nearly two‐thirds of the lesions were sebaceous adenomas, with 82.6% of all lesions occurring on the head and neck. MMR deficiency, observed in 282 of the 919 lesions (30.7%), was most common in sebaceous adenomas (210/282; 74.5%). MMR‐deficient lesions occurred predominantly on the trunk or limbs (64.7%), compared with 23.2% in head or neck (P < 0.001). Loss of MSH2 and MSH6 protein expression was most frequent pattern of loss (187/281; 66.5%). The highest AUC for discriminating MMR‐deficient sebaceous lesions from MMR‐proficient lesions was observed for the ROC curve based on subgroups defined by type and anatomic location of the sebaceous lesion (AUC = 0.68).

Conclusion

The best combination of measured clinico‐pathological features achieved only modest positive predictive values, sensitivity and specificity for identifying MMR‐deficient sebaceous skin lesions.
Is transperitoneal laparoscopic radical nephrectomy suitable for patients with a history of abdominal surgery?
Authors: Yanai Yoshinori , Takeda Toshikazu , Miyajima Akira , Matsumoto Kazuhiro , Hagiwara Masayuki , Mizuno Ryuichi , Kikuchi Eiji , Asanuma Hiroshi , Oya Mototsugu
Published: December 2018

Introduction

Laparoscopic radical nephrectomy is the gold standard for treatment of renal cell carcinoma. However, previous abdominal surgery is generally regarded as a contraindication to the laparoscopic approach because it causes intraperitoneal adhesions, which are thought to interfere with subsequent laparoscopic procedures inside the abdominal cavity. Few studies have examined the influence of prior surgery on laparoscopic nephrectomy. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of previous laparotomy on laparoscopic nephrectomy.

Methods

The records of 251 consecutive patients who had undergone laparoscopic nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma at our hospital between 2005 and 2015 were reviewed retrospectively.

Results

Of the 251 laparoscopic nephrectomy patients, 76 patients (30%) had undergone prior abdominal surgery (surgery group), whereas the remaining 175 patients (70%) had not previously had abdominal surgery (control group). There were no significant differences between the control group and the surgery group with regard to pneumoperitoneum time (143 vs 135 min, P = 0.241) or blood loss (39 vs 36 mL, P = 0.763). Next, we divided the patients into two cohorts based on surgeon experience: 98 patients had been treated by an expert (i.e. someone who performs more than 50 laparoscopic procedures per year) and 153 patients had been treated by a non‐expert. There was no significant difference in pneumoperitoneum time between the control and surgery groups in each cohort (treated by experts, 108 vs 103 min; treated by non‐experts: 162 vs 166 min).

Conclusion

We conclude that laparoscopic nephrectomy may be feasible after previous abdominal surgery and could be one of the surgical options.
Optimization and pharmacological characterization of receptor‐mediated Gi/o activation in postmortem human prefrontal cortex
Authors: Odagaki Yuji , Kinoshita Masakazu , Ota Toshio , Meana J. Javier , Callado Luis F. , García‐Sevilla Jesús A.
Published: December 2018

The biochemical abnormalities in transmembrane signal transduction mediated through G protein‐coupled receptors (GPCRs) have been postulated as underlying pathophysiology of psychiatric diseases such as schizophrenia and mood disorders. In the present study, the experimental conditions of agonist‐induced [35S]GTPγS binding in postmortem human brain membranes were optimized, and the responses induced by a series of agonists were pharmacologically characterized. The [35S]GTPγS binding assay was performed in postmortem human prefrontal cortical membranes by means of filtration techniques, and standardized as to GDP concentration, membrane protein content, MgCl2 and NaCl concentrations in assay buffer, incubation period and effect of white matter contamination. Under the standard assay conditions, the specific [35S]GTPγS binding was stimulated by the addition of 15 compounds in a concentration‐dependent manner. Of these agonists, R(+)‐8‐OH‐DPAT, UK‐14,304, DAMGO and DPDPE showed apparently biphasic concentration‐response curves. As for these four responses, only higher‐potency site was pharmacologically characterized. The receptors involved in the responses investigated were 5‐HT1A receptor (probed with R(+)‐8‐OH‐DPAT or 5‐HT), α2A‐adrenoceptor (UK‐14,304 or (−)‐epinephrine), M2/M4 mAChRs (carbachol), adenosine A1 receptor (adenosine), histamine H3 receptor (histamine), group II mGlu (l‐glutamate), GABAB receptor (baclofen), μ‐opioid receptor (DAMGO or endomophin‐1), δ‐opioid receptor (DPDPE or SNC‐80) and NOP (nociceptin). Although dopamine also activated specific [35S]GTPγS binding, this response was likely mediated via α2A‐adrenoceptor, but not dopamine receptor subtypes. The present study provides us with fundamental aspects of the strategy for elucidation of probable abnormalities of neural signalling mediated by G proteins activated through multiple GPCRs in the brain of psychiatric patients.
A feasibility study of a cross‐diagnostic, CBT‐based psychological intervention for acute mental health inpatients: Results, challenges, and methodological implications
Authors: Paterson Charlotte , Karatzias Thanos , Harper Sean , Dougall Nadine , Dickson Adele , Hutton Paul
Published: December 2018

Objectives

Acute psychiatric inpatient wards are characterized by minimal provision of therapeutic activities and high readmission rates. Implementation of a comprehensive inpatient psychological intervention service has been recommended to overcome these problems; however, whether this is feasible or effective remains unclear.

Methods

This non‐randomized parallel cluster feasibility trial examined the feasibility of delivering and evaluating cross‐diagnostic psychologically informed acute psychiatric care the Edinburgh‐Acute Psychological Inpatient Therapy Service (EDAPTS) and gathered preliminary clinical outcome data. Patients able to consent and complete questionnaires were recruited from two adult acute wards (i.e., clusters) and received either EDAPTS plus TAU or TAU.

Results

Between October 2015 and October 2016, 96 inpatients were recruited. Findings suggested that there were good data completion rates for several clinical outcomes, that several EDAPTS components were successfully delivered, and that some initial effects appeared to favour the intervention, depending on outcome. However, difficulties relating to the recruitment process were also identified, as well as problems relating to adequate delivery of group therapies, participant engagement in some intervention components, and data completion at follow‐up.

Conclusion

These issues, and the feasibility of randomization and rater‐blinding, have important implications for the design of future trials. Overall, this study provides an important insight into the challenges and complexities of developing and evaluating a comprehensive psychological intervention service in an acute psychiatric setting.

Practitioner points

Individual therapy sessions can be delivered in the acute environment.

The EDAPTS intervention showed some promise on outcomes of distress and self‐efficacy.

Delivery of nurse‐led groups was challenging and may need to be embedded into routine clinical practice to increase intervention and outcome reach.

More parameters, for example, randomization at cluster level, should be tested before progressing to an adequately powered, single‐blind, definitive cluster RCT.
MANAGING THE SUPPLY OF SHORT‐LIFE PRODUCTS. A DURATION ANALYSIS APPROACH USING THE UK FILM INDUSTRY
Authors: Izquierdo‐Sanchez Sofia
Published: December 2018

Movies are uncertain products. Nobody knows much about them prior to their screening and their attempt to survive in the risky motion picture market week by week. This paper studies short‐life products using the example of the UK film industry, including high and low‐budget films. Using a clog‐log methodology and a sample of 552 films, the empirical results highlight the importance of the distributor's strategy and word‐of‐mouth for success in experience goods industries. Two strategies, cross‐subsidisation and opportunity cost, not previously addressed are considered. The results show these effects to be especially significant for low budget movies.
Distribution and prognostic impact of microglia/macrophage subpopulations in gliomas
Authors: Zeiner Pia S. , Preusse Corinna , Golebiewska Anna , Zinke Jenny , Iriondo Ane , Muller Arnaud , Kaoma Tony , Filipski Katharina , Müller‐Eschner Monika , Bernatz Simon , Blank Anna‐Eva , Baumgarten Peter , Ilina Elena , Grote Anne , Hansmann Martin L. , Verhoff Marcel A. , Franz Kea , Feuerhake Friedrich , Steinbach Joachim P. , Wischhusen Jörg , Stenzel Werner , Niclou Simone P. , Harter Patrick N. , Mittelbronn Michel
Published: December 2018

While the central nervous system is considered an immunoprivileged site and brain tumors display immunosuppressive features, both innate and adaptive immune responses affect glioblastoma (GBM) growth and treatment resistance. However, the impact of the major immune cell population in gliomas, represented by glioma‐associated microglia/macrophages (GAMs), on patients’ clinical course is still unclear. Thus, we aimed at assessing the immunohistochemical expression of selected microglia and macrophage markers in 344 gliomas (including gliomas from WHO grade I–IV). Furthermore, we analyzed a cohort of 241 IDH1R132H‐non‐mutant GBM patients for association of GAM subtypes and patient overall survival. Phenotypical properties of GAMs, isolated from high‐grade astrocytomas by CD11b‐based magnetic cell sorting, were analyzed by immunocytochemistry, mRNA microarray, qRT‐PCR and bioinformatic analyses. A higher amount of CD68‐, CD163‐ and CD206‐positive GAMs in the vital tumor core was associated with beneficial patient survival. The mRNA expression profile of GAMs displayed an upregulation of factors that are considered as pro‐inflammatory M1 (eg, CCL2, CCL3L3, CCL4, PTGS2) and anti‐inflammatory M2 polarization markers (eg, MRC1, LGMN, CD163, IL10, MSR1), the latter rather being associated with phagocytic functions in the GBM microenvironment. In summary, we present evidence that human GBMs contain mixed M1/M2‐like polarized GAMs and that the levels of different GAM subpopulations in the tumor core are positively associated with overall survival of patients with IDH1R132H‐non‐mutant GBMs.
Are environmental risk factors for current wheeze in the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) phase three due to reverse causation?
Authors: Silverwood Richard J. , Rutter Charlotte E. , Mitchell Edwin A. , Asher M. Innes , Garcia‐Marcos Luis , Strachan David P. , Pearce Neil ,   the ISAAC Phase Three Study Group
Published: December 2018

Background

Phase Three of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) measured the global prevalence of symptoms of asthma in children. We undertook comprehensive analyses addressing risk factors for asthma symptoms in combination, at both the individual and the school level, to explore the potential role of reverse causation due to selective avoidance or confounding by indication.

Objective

To explore the role of reverse causation in risk factors of asthma symptoms.

Methods

We compared two sets of multilevel logistic regression analyses, using (a) individual level exposure data and (b) school level average exposure (ie prevalence), in two different age groups. In individual level analyses, reverse causation is a possible concern if individual level exposure statuses were changed as a result of asthma symptoms or diagnosis. School level analyses may suffer from ecologic confounding, but reverse causation is less of a concern because individual changes in exposure status as a result of asthma symptoms would only have a small effect on overall school exposure levels.

Results

There were 131 924 children aged 6‐7 years (2428 schools, 25 countries) with complete exposure, outcome and confounder data. The strongest associations in individual level analyses (fully adjusted) were for current paracetamol use (odds ratio = 2.06; 95% confidence interval 1.97‐2.16), early life antibiotic use (1.65; 1.58‐1.73) and open fire cooking (1.44; 1.26‐1.65). In school level analyses, these risk factors again showed increased risks.

There were 238 586 adolescents aged 13‐14 years (2072 schools, 42 countries) with complete exposure, outcome and confounder data. The strongest associations in individual level analyses (fully adjusted) were for current paracetamol use (1.80; 1.75‐1.86), cooking on an open fire (1.32; 1.22‐1.43) and maternal tobacco use (1.23; 1.18‐1.27). In school level analyses, these risk factors again showed increased risks.

Conclusions & clinical relevance

These analyses strengthen the potentially causal interpretation of previously reported individual level findings, by providing evidence against reverse causation.
Effects in Disguise: The Importance of Controlling for Constructs at Multiple Levels in Macro–Level Immigration and Crime Research
Authors: Ramos Javier , Wenger Marin
Published: December 2018

Contemporary research suggests that immigrant communities often have lower rates of crime despite their disadvantaged status. Yet prior work often examines the immigration and crime association using only one level of analysis without regard for how this relationship might vary when analyzed across multiple levels of analysis simultaneously. Research also suggests that the immigration–crime link varies across spatial contexts. Using hierarchical Poisson Regression among a sample of 6,660 tracts nested within 55 cities, we examine whether the relationship between immigration and crime varies when examined at the tract and city levels simultaneously. We also include a cross–level interaction in our model to test whether the tract–level association between immigration and crime varies by the size of the foreign–born population at the city level. Results show that the immigration–crime link depends on the level of analysis, such that the relationship is positive at the tract level but negative at the city level. However, we find no support for our cross–level interaction.
Tertiary prevention of occupational skin diseases: Prevalence of allergic contact dermatitis and pattern of patch test results
Authors: Brans Richard , Schröder‐Kraft Claudia , Skudlik Christoph , John Swen M. , Geier Johannes
Published: December 2018

Background

Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is one of the most common occupational skin diseases (OSDs). Its prevalence and the causative allergens differ between occupations.

Objectives

To evaluate the prevalence of ACD and the pattern of patch test results of patients taking part in a tertiary individual prevention programme (TIP) for OSD in Germany.

Patients and Methods

In a retrospective cohort study, the data of 3411 TIP patients patch tested between 2007 and 2016 were analysed.

Results

In 2687 (78.8%) patients, work‐related skin disease was diagnosed, mostly hand dermatitis. The highest proportion of face dermatitis was seen in painters (8.1%). ACD was most common in painters (56.8%), hairdressers (45.8%), construction workers (31.5%), gardeners/florists (26.7%), and metalworkers (26.5%). On average, hairdressers had the youngest age (31.4 ± 12.6 years, P < 0.0001) and the shortest time in the profession prior to the TIP (mean 13.7 years). The pattern of patch test reactivity showed occupation‐specific differences related to work exposures.

Conclusions

Identification of occupational groups at risk for ACD and relevant allergens may help in the development and implementation of targeted prevention strategies. Our data suggest that there should be a particular focus on hairdressers and painters.
Increase anti‐poaching law‐enforcement or reduce demand for wildlife products? A framework to guide strategic conservation investments
Authors: Holden Matthew H. , Biggs Duan , Brink Henry , Bal Payal , Rhodes Jonathan , McDonald‐Madden Eve
Published: December 2018

Donors, NGOs, and governments increasingly invest in campaigns to reduce consumer demand for wildlife products in an attempt to prevent the decline of overexploited and poached species. We provide a novel framework to aid these investment decisions based on a demand reduction campaign's return on investment compared to antipoaching law enforcement. A resulting decision rule shows that the relative effectiveness of demand reduction compared to increased enforcement depends entirely on social and economic uncertainties rather than ecological ones. Illustrative case studies on bushmeat and ivory reveal that campaigning to reduce demand may be more cost‐effective than antipoaching enforcement if demand reduction campaigns drive modest price reductions. The outputs from this framework can link targeted monitoring of wildlife product prices to management decisions that protect species threatened by harvest and trade.
Heart filling exceeds emptying during late ventricular systole in patients with systolic heart failure and healthy subjects – a cardiac MRI study
Authors: Carlsson Marcus , Ugander Martin , Kanski Mikael , Borgquist Rasmus , Ekelund Ulf , Arheden Håkan
Published: December 2018

Background

Total heart volume (THV) within the pericardium is not constant throughout the cardiac cycle and THV would intuitively be lowest at end systole. We have, however, observed a phase shift between ventricular outflow and atrial inflow which causes the minimum THV to occur before end systole. The aims were to explain the mechanism of the late‐systolic net inflow to the heart and determine whether this net inflow is affected by increased cardiac output or systolic heart failure.

Methods and Results

Healthy controls (n = 21) and patients with EF<35% (n = 14) underwent magnetic resonance imaging with flow measurements in vessels to and from the heart, and this was repeated in nine controls during 140 μgram kg−1 min−1 adenosine infusion. Minimum THV occurred 78 ± 6 ms before end of systolic ejection (8 ± 1% of the cardiac cycle) in controls. The late‐systolic net inflow was 12·3 ± 1·1 ml or 6·0 ± 0·5% of total stroke volume (TSV). Cardiac output increased 66 ± 8% during adenosine but late‐systolic net inflow to the heart did not change (P = 0·73). In patients with heart failure, late‐systolic net inflow of the heart′s left side was lower (3·4 ± 0·5%) compared to healthy subjects (5·3 ± 0·6%, P = 0·03).

Conclusions

Heart size increases before end systole due to a late‐systolic net inflow which is unaffected by increased cardiac output. This may be explained by inertia of blood that flows into the atria generated by ventricular systole. The lower late‐systolic net inflow in patients with systolic heart failure may be a measure of decreased ventricular filling due to decreased systolic function, thus linking systolic to diastolic dysfunction.
Acute skeletal muscle responses to very low‐load resistance exercise with and without the application of blood flow restriction in the upper body
Authors: Buckner Samuel L. , Jessee Matthew B. , Dankel Scott J. , Mattocks Kevin T. , Mouser J. Grant , Bell Zachary W. , Abe Takashi , Loenneke Jeremy P.
Published: December 2018

The purpose was to examine the acute skeletal muscle response to high load exercise and low‐load exercise with and without different levels of applied pressure (BFR). A total of 22 participants completed the following four conditions: elbow flexion exercise to failure using a traditional high load [70% 1RM, (7000)], low load [15% 1RM,(1500)], low load with moderate BFR [15%1RM+40%BFR(1540)] or low load with greater BFR [15% 1RM+80%BFR(1580)]. Torque and muscle thickness were measured prior to, immediately post, and 15 min postexercise. Muscle electromyography (EMG) amplitude was measured throughout. Immediately following exercise, the 7000 condition had lower muscle thickness [4·2(1·0)cm] compared to the 1500 [4·4 (1·1)cm], 1540 [4·4(1·1)cm] and 1580 [4·5(1·0)cm] conditions. This continued 15 min post. Immediately following exercise, torque was lower in the 1500 [31·8 (20) Nm], 1540 [28·3(16·9) Nm, P<0·001] and 1580 [29·5 (17) Nm] conditions compared to the 7000 condition [40 (19) Nm]. Fifteen minutes post, 1500 and 1540 conditions demonstrated lower torque compared to the 7000 condition. For the last three repetitions percentage EMG was greater in the 7000 compared to the 1580 condition. Very low‐load exercise (with or without BFR) appears to result in greater acute muscle swelling and greater muscular fatigue compared to high load exercise.
A diagnostically‐challenging case of melanoma ex blue nevus with comprehensive molecular analysis, including the 23‐gene expression signature (myPath melanoma)
Authors: Castillo Stephanie A. , Pham Anh K. , Barton Dorothea T. , Lefferts Joel A. , Yan Shaofeng , Bridge Julia A. , Linos Konstantinos
Published: December 2018

Melanoma ex blue nevus (MEBN) is a rare, aggressive, and potentially lethal neoplasm. Distinguishing MEBN from an atypical cellular blue nevus can be very challenging. We report a diagnostically difficult case of MEBN with lymph node metastases, in which single nucleotide polymorphism array and fluorescence in situ hybridization were used to arrive at the correct diagnosis. It was also analyzed by the recently‐introduced proprietary 23‐gene expression signature test. To the best of our knowledge, this is the second reported case of MEBN analyzed by the 23‐gene expression signature, which provided a false‐negative result. More studies are needed to assess the sensitivity and specificity of this test in various melanocytic proliferations.
Specialist health care services use in a European cohort of infants born very preterm
Authors: Seppänen Anna‐Veera , Bodeau‐Livinec Florence , Boyle Elaine M , Edstedt‐Bonamy Anna‐Karin , Cuttini Marina , Toome Liis , Maier Rolf F , Cloet Eva , Koopman‐Esseboom Corine , Pedersen Pernille , Gadzinowski Janusz , Barros Henrique , Zeitlin Jennifer ,   Effective Perinatal Intensive Care in Europe (EPICE) research group
Published: December 2018

Aim

Children born very preterm require additional specialist care because of the health and developmental risks associated with preterm birth, but information on their health service use is sparse. We sought to describe the use of specialist services by children born very preterm in Europe.

Method

We analysed data from the multi‐regional, population‐based Effective Perinatal Intensive Care in Europe (EPICE) cohort of births before 32 weeks’ gestation in 11 European countries. Perinatal data were abstracted from medical records and parents completed a questionnaire at 2 years corrected age (4322 children; 2026 females, 2296 males; median gestational age 29wks, interquartile range [IQR] 27–31wks; median birthweight 1230g, IQR 970–1511g). We compared parent‐reported use of specialist services by country, perinatal risk (based on gestational age, small for gestational age, and neonatal morbidities), maternal education, and birthplace.

Results

Seventy‐six per cent of the children had consulted at least one specialist, ranging across countries from 53.7% to 100%. Ophthalmologists (53.4%) and physiotherapists (48.0%) were most frequently consulted, but individual specialists varied greatly by country. Perinatal risk was associated with specialist use, but the gradient differed across countries. Children with more educated mothers had higher proportions of specialist use in three countries.

Interpretation

Large variations in the use of specialist services across Europe were not explained by perinatal risk and raise questions about the strengths and limits of existing models of care.

What this paper adds

Use of specialist services by children born very preterm varied across Europe.

This variation was observed for types and number of specialists consulted.

Perinatal risk was associated with specialist care, but did not explain country‐level differences.

In some countries, mothers’ educational level affected use of specialist services.
Children exposed to maternal methadone treatment prenatally are at risk of abnormal neurodevelopment
Authors: Skranes Jon
Published: December 2018

This commentary is on the systematic review by Monnelly et al. on pages 750–760 of this issue.
A conceptual framework to study soil aggregate dynamics
Authors: Márquez Carmen O. , García Víctor J. , Schultz Richard C. , Isenhart Tom M.
Published: December 2018

The objective of this study was to develop a conceptual framework to study soil aggregate dynamics through the integration of aggregation, disruption, stabilization and destabilization processes of soil constituent units. We used aggregate‐size distribution and water stability of macroaggregates to evaluate changes in soil aggregates in two ecosystems where one is the ‘reference’ state and the other is the ‘new’ state. The framework was validated with data from (a) a non‐buffered annual row crop (ARC) system, (b) a no‐till (NT) system and (c) a bare fallow (BF) system. The dynamics of soil aggregates in the ARC were dominated by the disruption of aggregates (the aggregation–disruption index (ADI) was −0.08), in NT they were dominated by the aggregation process (ADI = 0.03) and in BF dominated by the disruption of aggregates (ADI = −0.20). Three pathways were observed: (a) expression of the aggregation process, which is essential in reestablishing soil structure and functionality, (b) expression of the disruption process, which is critical in the destruction of soil structure and (c) prevalence of mixed behaviour, where the dominant process depended on the relative rate of aggregation and disruption. The proposed framework and study of the carbon associated with aggregates could pave the way for the development of a methodology for the quantitative study of soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics, carbon inputs (outputs), soil carbon fractions, and edaphic and biotic conditions that regulate SOC dynamics.

Highlights

Soil aggregate dynamics were assessed within multiple management systems.

A new methodology is proposed for the quantitative study of soil aggregate dynamics.

Provided an understanding of aggregation, disruption, stabilization and destabilization in aggregate dynamics.

Aggregate dynamic pathways of value in land management can minimize deterioration of the environment.
Artificial dispersal of the lichen Crocodia aurata (Lobariaceae) using asexual propagules and gel‐filled gauze packets
Authors: Leddy Nadine , Blanchon Dan J. , Wiapo Charmaine , Eruera Tamia , Cameron Kristie E. , Kahui‐McConnell Richelle
Published: December 2018

Lichens are an essential component of ecosystem processes. Many lichen species are habitat specialists that rely on specific tree substrates and moisture regimes of old‐growth forests and are not found in early‐successional forests, small isolated forest fragments or restoration projects, making them useful bioindicators of forest health. Pressures from habitat loss and fragmentation have affected the viability and survival of lichen species that are often limited by low dispersal ability. As a rule, lichens are rarely included in ecological restoration programmes despite translocation methods being available. We trialled a combination of two of the more successful methods (gauze packets and use of adhesive gels). Three different gelling agents were used in attempt to immobilize living soredia of the lichen Crocodia aurata on trunks of Ti Kouka/Cabbage Tree (Cordyline australis) for long enough for them to develop into thallus lobes. The effectiveness of these methods was tracked over a 2‐year period. Our results show that all three gel treatments were effective at immobilizing soredia in the gauze packets. Lobe formation occurred in all three gel treatments after 36 weeks, with methyl cellulose the most successful with six packets producing lobes, five Ac‐Di‐Sol® and two agarose packets also producing lobes, out of a possible total 100 gauze packets. Lobe formation was slightly more successful on the south sides of trees (seven of thirteen packets), despite initial survival and vitality of soredia being higher on the north sides of the trees.
Message in a bottle: Inadvertent loss of seeds of native grassland species as a result of rudimentary long‐term storage
Authors: Morgan John W. , Salmon Karina L.
Published: December 2018

Many practitioners are likely to have collected seeds with the intention of using that seed for conservation and/or restoration plantings, but have not got around to using the seed, sometimes for many years. Currently, it is not clear what species have short‐lived or long‐lived seed when stored under rudimentary conditions such as in paper bags or in a refrigerator. We report the germinability of 12 temperate native grassland species, comprising 16 populations, whose seeds were collected with the purpose of raising seedlings to plant into the wild, but whose seeds were subsequently stored at ~2–4°C for 25+ years. We conclude that most of the grassland species that we assessed do not have viable seed after 25 years when stored in such conditions; only two species germinated despite evidence that seed germinates well for most species when first collected. Inadvertent loss of seeds of as a result of long‐term storage is most likely in readily germinable species (e.g. members of the Asteraceae). The ways in which seeds are stored by practitioners deserves consideration given the risk of seed mortality with long‐term storage under rudimentary conditions.
Numerical simulation of supershear ruptures in rock mass based on general particle dynamics
Authors: Zhou Xiaoping , Xie Yuanxin , Bi Jing , Berto Filippo
Published: December 2018

In this paper, general particle dynamics code is developed to simulate initiation and growth of earthquake ruptures in rocks subjected to spontaneous dynamic unloading as well as the elastic stress distributions. The Mohr‐Coulomb criterion is applied to determine initiation and propagation of dynamic cracks. The effects of factors on the threshold of earthquake rupture from the slow, sub‐Rayleigh to supershear mode are investigated. The thresholds of the slow, sub‐Rayleigh and supershear mode are determined as well as the rupture velocity on the fault trace. It is found from the numerical results that the supershear rupture occurs when the ratio of shear stress to the normal stress acting on the surface of fault is larger than the critical threshold value; the supershear rupture also appears when friction coefficient, the stress drop ratio, confining pressure, and residual strength are less than the critical threshold value. The near‐field signatures in the both of ground velocity and stress records are determined. Moreover, both velocity wave and stress wave in the near field of supershear Mach fronts in the plane are analysed using general particle dynamics code.
Water‐related dermatoses
Authors: Hamie Lamiaa , Abou‐Rahal Jihane
Published: December 2018

Water‐related dermatoses are a spectrum of diseases that are associated with water exposure. They result either from the direct influence of water or after injury from water inhabitants. In this review, clinical entities that manifest after water exposure (aquagenic pruritus, aquagenic urticaria, and aquagenic wrinkling of the palms) will be discussed with particular focus on the reported pathogenesis. Aquatic organisms and activities can be linked to cutaneous injuries that require identification and distinct management. Marine and freshwater dermatoses were summarized to provide physicians with easy access to the causative organism, method of injury, and appropriate management.
Annexin A1 expression is correlated with malignant potential of renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Yamanoi Mariko , Yamanoi Kazuhiro , Fujii Chifumi , Fukuda Michiko N , Nakayama Jun
Published: December 2018

Objectives

To evaluate the expression of annexin A1 protein in patients with renal cell carcinoma.

Methods

Annexin A1 expression was examined in renal cell carcinoma specimens from 27 patients, and their disease‐free survival was analyzed using the log–rank test. Annexin A1 knockdown in the human renal cell carcinoma cell line Caki‐1 was carried out, and its proliferation, invasion, motility and adhesion were compared with those of control cells.

Results

In 13 out of 27 patients, annexin A1 was highly expressed in the membrane of renal cell carcinoma tumor cells, whereas in the rest of the patients, annexin A1 expression was weak or negligible in the membrane of those cells. Patients with high annexin A1 expression had significantly poorer disease‐free survival than those with weak or negligible annexin A1 expression (P = 0.031). In the renal cell carcinoma cell line, annexin A1 knockdown cells showed significantly decreased proliferation, invasion, motility and adhesion relative to control cells, and expressed lower relative levels of membrane‐type 1 matrix metalloproteinase and hypoxia‐inducible factor 1‐alpha transcripts, showing a potential pathway regulated by annexin A1.

Conclusion

Annexin A1 is associated with renal cell carcinoma malignant potential and could serve as a marker of poor prognosis.
Categorical Perception of Facial Emotions in Infancy
Authors: White Hannah , Chroust Alyson , Heck Alison , Jubran Rachel , Galati Ashley , Bhatt Ramesh S.
Published: December 2018

Categorical perception, indicated by superior discrimination between stimuli that cross categorical boundaries than between stimuli within a category, is an efficient manner of classification. The current study examined the development of categorical perception of emotional stimuli in infancy. We used morphed facial images to investigate whether infants find contrasts between emotional facial images that cross categorical boundaries to be more salient than those that do not, while matching the degree of differences in the two contrasts. Five‐month‐olds exhibited sensitivity to the categorical boundary between sadness and disgust, between happiness and surprise, as well as between sadness and anger but not between anger and disgust. Even 9‐month‐olds failed to exhibit evidence of a definitive category boundary between anger and disgust. These findings indicate the presence of discrete boundaries between some, but not all, of the basic emotions early in life. Implications of these findings for the major theories of emotion representation are discussed.
Measuring the social impact of nursing research: An insight into altmetrics
Authors: Dardas Latefa Ali , Woodward Amanda , Scott Jewel , Xu Hanzhang , Sawair Faleh A.
Published: December 2018

Aims

The objectives of this study were to (a) identifynursing journalarticles that provoked the most online activity and discussion and (b) assess the association between these articles’ altmetric scores and publication characteristics, citation counts; and publishing journals metrics.

Background

Altmetrics, or alternative metrics, have recently emerged as a complementary way of measuring the societal impact of research by assessing the public engagement with research output. To date, no studies have yet investigated the online attention about scientific papers published in the nursing field.

Design

Integration of quantitative and qualitative synthesized evidence.

Data sources and review methods

InCites Journal Citation Report was used to identify a list of nursing journals indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection. Altmetric Explorer was selected as an altmetrics harvesting tool. The search in Altmetric Explorer yielded 66,608 research outputs from 118 nursing journals. The articles with the top 100 altmetric attention score (AAS) were identified and a new search, limited to only those 100 articles, was run to produce aggregate metrics specific to those articles. The articles were also exported for thematic analysis.

Results

The medianAASfor the 100 articles was 248, ranging from 138 – 649. The articles were mostly discussed on Twitter, followed by news outlets and Mendeley. Articles indexed in the nursing journals category attracted low online attention compared with articles published in other health journal categories. Twitter remained the dominant source of attention over the years 2012–2018, followed distantly by news outlets. Most online attention came from theUSAand theUK. Of the top 100 articles included in the study, theJournal of Advanced Nursingpublished the highest number of articles (N = 26; MedianAAS = 179). TheAASwas not significantly different between articles published in Q1 journals and those published in Q2 and Q3 journals. There was a significant relationship between articles’AASs and their citation counts on Scopus and Web of Science. Publication date was significantly related to citation counts on Scopus and Web of Science but not withAASs.

Conclusion

Altmetrics will likely continue to evolve alongside the rapidly expanding use of social media and online platforms. As nursing continues to strive to have our research and scholarship inform policy, translated into practice and recognized for its scientific merit, we have to remain vigilant about the best ways to disseminate the important work we are doing. Research, such as this study, will allow nursing scholars to benchmark our progress as we adapt to the changing environment for measuring impact and quality in the digital age.
The coastal North Pacific: Origins and history of a dominant marine biota
Authors: Vermeij Geerat J. , Banker Roxanne , Capece Lena R. , Hernandez Emilia Sakai , Salley Sydney O. , Padilla Vriesman Veronica , Wortham Barbara E.
Published: December 2018

Aims

Some biogeographical regions act primarily as donors of colonists to other regions, while others act predominantly as recipient areas. How some biotas become dominant while others do not is a largely historical question that has received surprisingly little attention from biogeographers. Here, we seek to answer this question for the cold‐water North Pacific biota, which did not exist forty million years ago but which is now the principal donor biota outside the tropics.

Location

We focus on the cool‐temperate coastal North Pacific Ocean over the last 36.5 million years.

Taxon

We consider all multicellular taxa for which adequate fossil, phylogenetic and biogeographical data exist.

Methods

After placing North Pacific geographical events in the broader context of ocean gateways opening and closing elsewhere in the world, we discuss the history and factors affecting the planktonic and benthic productivity in the North Pacific based on a review and critical evaluation of the literature. A synthesis of primary sources was used to evaluate the origins and fates of North Pacific lineages, with special emphasis on movements to, within and from the North Pacific during the Cenozoic era.

Results

During the Late Eocene to earliest Miocene, the cooling North Pacific received colonists from adjacent warm‐water regions and the cold Southern Hemisphere, where temperate conditions had existed since at least the Cretaceous. From the Miocene onward, the North Pacific biota began to spread to the Southern Hemisphere and through Bering Strait to the Arctic and North Atlantic Oceans. Within the North Pacific, lineages during the early cooling phases spread predominantly from west to east, but in the Early Middle Miocene this pattern reversed, with later expansions going in both directions. An increase in productivity, powered by the evolution of highly productive seaweeds and by consumers with high metabolic rates, accompanied the transformation of the North Pacific from a recipient to donor biota.

Main conclusions

The North Pacific replaced the Southern Hemisphere temperate biota as the principal donor biota during the Miocene through a combination of increasing productivity, low magnitudes of extinction and intense competition and predation in an ocean basin with a long coastline.
Traffic accidents, maxillofacial injuries and risk factors: A systematic review of observational studies
Authors: da Nóbrega Lorena Marques , de Macedo Bernardino Ítalo , Leal Paula Miliana , de Castro Martins Carolina , Granville‐Garcia Ana Flávia , d'Avila Sérgio
Published: December 2018

Aim

This study aimed to evaluate the scientific evidence regarding the risk factors for maxillofacial injuries among victims of traffic accidents.

Method

A systematic review of articles published until February 2017 was carried out in the following databases: PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library. Studies were selected by two independent reviewers (ϰ = 0.841). The risk of bias in the selected studies was assessed using an adapted version of the Newcastle‐Ottawa Scale for observational studies.

Results

A total of 2703 records were found, of which only three articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were analyzed, including 422 244 patients. The male/female ratio ranged from 3.4: 1 to 6: 1. All eligible studies performed the multivariate statistical analysis. Eleven risk factors for maxillofacial traumas were identified: victim's gender (P < 0.05), age group (P < 0.05), residence region (P < 0.05), impact characteristics (P < 0.05), increased net change in velocity due to collision (P < 0.05), increase in occupant's height (P < 0.05), nonuse of protective equipment (P < 0.05), type of accident (P < 0.05), time of occurrence (P < 0.05), lesion severity (P < 0.05), and occurrence of concomitant lesions (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The results suggest that sociodemographic characteristics, as well as those related to the collision patterns and circumstances of traffic accidents, may influence the occurrence of maxillofacial injuries. However, the results should be interpreted with caution due to the high heterogeneity among studies.
Balancing quality improvement and unintended effects: The impact of implementing admission order sets for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and heart failure at two teaching hospitals
Authors: Lander Bryn , Balka Ellen
Published: December 2018

Rationale, aims, and objectives

Local health administrators implemented chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and heart failure admission order sets to increase guideline adherence. We explored the impact of these order sets on workflows and guideline adherence in the internal medicine specialty in two Canadian teaching hospitals.

Methods

A mixed methods study combined shadowing care providers (250 h), meeting observation and interviews (11 h), and patient medical chart audits for heart failure (n = 120) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (n = 120) patients. The chart audits analysed details of the admission process and 14 guideline elements associated with heart failure (nine) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (five).

Results

A subset (10/14) of the evaluated guideline elements were included in the heart failure or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease order sets. Order set use significantly increased adherence to some (4/10) of these elements. However, our qualitative work uncovered a perception that use of these two order sets increased order duplication. Our chart audits supported this perception. Order set use increased order duplication for heart failure (92% vs 43%) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (75% vs 43%).

Conclusion

It is unclear whether, for these two hospitals, the gains brought by implementation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and heart failure admission order sets were worth their associated organisational shortcomings. Problems with order set implementation appeared to stem from poor integration with pre‐existing complex organisational systems. Health administrators and clinicians interested in implementing order sets within their own hospitals need to remain cognizant of how these tools will fit into existing systems and practices.
Effect of microwave and infrared drying over polyphenol content in Vaccinium meridionale (Swartz) dry leaves
Authors: Borda‐Yepes Victor H. , Chejne Farid , Daza‐Olivella Laura V. , Alzate‐Arbelaez Andres F. , Rojano Benjamin A. , Raghavan Vijaya G. S.
Published: December 2018

In the present work the drying of blueberry (mortiño) leaves (Vaccinium meridionale‐Swartz) was done using a hybrid equipment with infrared drying and normal microwave drying. During the drying tests there was a record of moisture content versus time; samples of leaves were taken during the drying time to analyze total phenol (PT) content, FRAP assay and catechin measures by HPLC‐DAD. The PT analysis shows that its content in dry blueberries, increased 12 times more with the microwave drying than infrarred drying. While FRAP assay shows that dry blueberries antioxidant capacity increased nine times more with microwave process in comparison to infrared process. In the catechins content by HPLC‐DAD in dry blueberries, a better result for concentration was found in microwave process than in infrared process. Similar result occurred for (−) epicatechin. Finally, (+) catechin concentrations in blueberry leaves were compared with commercial materials such as tea leaves and mate leaves.

Practical applications

The consumption of nutraceutical products rich in polyphenols has become important in the last decades. In this research, the effect of microwave and infrared drying on the content of polyphenols on blueberry leaves (Vaccinium meridionale, Swartz) was studied because it was found in previous studies that the leaves contain a potential of polyphenols that can be used to develop nutraceutical beverages similar to tea drinks.