bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nutrition in ornamental aquaculture: the raise of anthropocentrism in aquaculture?
Authors: Sicuro Benedetto
Published: March 2017

Ornamental aquaculture nutrition is profoundly different from conventional aquaculture nutrition from several points of views as the prices, finality and diversity. This paper tries to answer to some simple questions: do modern ornamental fish feeds reflect more physiological fish needs or aquarist expectations? What are the driving forces behind the modern aquarium nutrition? On the light of the considerations made in this paper, it emerges that popularity of ornamental aquaculture is largely influenced by a progressive humanization of ornamental fish. Obesity and longevity transfer is the most evident nutritional effect of pet proximity to humans and this special kind of ‘contagion’ is observable in ornamental fish too. Assuming that aquarium fish have been humanized, ornamental fish industry has taken profit from this. A drastic change happens to fish feeds after crossing the human doorstep. This is probably ignored by humans, but not by ornamental aquafeed companies that sometimes induce erroneous customer expectations to improve their profits. Feeding an ornamental fish in our modern society represents a symbolic action more referred to humans than to fish physiological needs; therefore, human psychology affects the ornamental fish feeds quality much more than the fish physiology. This is the main and illogical conclusion of this paper. This paper tries to enlighten some unexpected relationship between us (humans) and this modern category of domesticated animals: aquarium fish and to give some possible future perspectives.
Bilateral oblique facial clefts, rudimentary eyes and hydrocephalus in an aborted equine foetus
Authors: Agerholm JS , Pedersen HG , McEvoy FJ , Heegaard S
Published: March 2017

Contents

Knowledge of congenital malformations and their causes in horses is generally sparse. Such conditions require more scientific attention to improve their diagnostics and inform prevention strategies. Here, a unique syndrome of bilateral oblique facial clefts (meloschisis), rudimentary eyes and hydrocephalus is reported in an equine foetus spontaneously aborted at gestation day 224. The cause of abortion was considered to be intrauterine death caused by umbilical cord torsions and subsequent compromised blood flow, but the aetiology of the malformation could not be determined. A detailed history, which includes exposure to a range of pharmaceutical compounds during the early stages of pregnancy, is provided and emphasizes the need for accurate recording of treatments in pregnant animals.
Not in My Backyard: CCS Sites and Public Perception of CCS
Authors: Braun Carola
Published: March 2017

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a technology that counteracts climate change by capturing atmospheric emissions of CO2 from human activities, storing them in geological formations underground. However, CCS also involves major risks and side effects, and faces strong public opposition. The whereabouts of 408 potential CCS sites in Germany were released in 2011. Using detailed survey data on the public perception of CCS, this study quantifies how living close to a potential storage site affects the acceptance of CCS. It also analyzes the influence of other regional characteristics on the acceptance of CCS. The study finds that respondents who live close to a potential CCS site have significantly lower acceptance rates than those who do not. Living in a coal‐mining region also markedly decreases acceptance.
Literacy and the Migrant–Native Wage Gap
Authors: Himmler Oliver , Jäckle Robert
Published: March 2017

Being able to read and write is one of the most important skills in modern economies. Literacy frequently is a prerequisite for employment and its relevance for productivity and wages is magnified by the fact that it is only through literacy that many other skills become usable. More so than for natives, this argument applies to migrants: even those with high levels of human capital acquired in the country of origin often have it rendered worthless by the absence of literacy in the host‐country language. Using novel data from a large‐scale German adult literacy test (“leo.—Level‐One Studie”, or “LEO”), we investigate the determinants of literacy and show that migrants have systematically lower language skills than natives. We find that any observed raw employment and wage gaps between natives and migrants can be fully explained by these differences.
Three Cultural Boundaries of Science, Institutions, and Policy: A Cultural Theory of Coproduction, Boundary‐Work, and Change
Authors: Swedlow Brendon
Published: March 2017

To help explain the role scientists play in policy change, concepts such as coproduction, boundary‐work, and pollution and purity claims as they are used in science studies should be incorporated into policy theory. Moreover improved policy theory should specify the kinds of boundary‐work that can occur and the kinds of values and beliefs that drive boundary‐work, explaining how boundary‐work leads to policy change. The cultural theory (CT) developed by Mary Douglas, Michael Thompson, Aaron Wildavsky, and others can help specify conditions for coproduction and change in science, institutions, and policy when recast as a theory involving three critical institutional boundaries. This theory‐development article uses this recast version of CT to help explain the most recent dramatic shift in federal land and wildlife management policy in the Pacific Northwest. The article illustrates how cultural combatants use boundary‐work including pollution and purity claims to align themselves and the domain of authoritative science with scientists whose constructs of nature and policy prescriptions are functional for their preferred institutions.
Attitudes Toward “Fracking”: Perceived and Actual Geographic Proximity
Authors: Alcorn Jessica , Rupp John , Graham John D.
Published: March 2017

Prior surveys have sought to gauge American public opinion toward shale gas development. Research on environmental hazards has produced conflicting findings related to the role of proximity in predicting attitudes. This study analyzes how perceived and actual proximity to active shale gas development in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Texas predicts individual preferences for moratoria. We implement a conditionally parametric probit, which accounts for geographic variation in coefficient values. Our results suggest that attitudes toward the potential benefits and risks associated with shale gas development play a larger and more consistent role in predicting preference for moratoria than proximity or other sociodemographic factors. Our methodology allows for inferences related to the extent of geographic variation in coefficient values. Our results indicate that the role of proximity in predicting preference for moratoria differs based on whether a respondent resides in an urban or rural area or within a shale play.
Reflexives Markers in Oceanic Languages
Authors: Moyse‐Faurie Claire
Published: March 2017

The goal of this article is to present a typological survey of reflexive markers found in Oceanic languages, their distributional properties, their uses and the notions they derive from. The low degree of grammaticalization of most of these markers largely explains the fact that they have often been overlooked. In Oceanic languages, morphological markers used to encode reflexivity usually differ from the ones used to encode reciprocal and middle situations. They are seldom obligatory, and their sources are strikingly diverse, either reflecting a larger range of the well‐known sources for intensifiers also used to encode reflexivity (such as expressions for body parts), or deriving from notions (‘singularity’, ‘veracity’ or ‘spontaneity’) rarely leading to markers of binding and co‐reference. Reflexive markers derived from spatial notions (‘return’, ‘downwards’) are also common in Oceanic languages, but seldom used as intensifiers.
The effect of Ferralsol mineralogy on the distribution of organic C across aggregate size fractions under native vegetation and no‐tillage agriculture
Authors: Maltoni K. L. , De Mello L. M. M. , Dubbin W. E.
Published: March 2017

No‐tillage management can increase soil surface layer organic C (OC) levels compared with conventional tillage. The mechanisms underlying this increase in highly weathered tropical soils, such as Ferralsols, are not well established. The objective of this study was therefore to evaluate the influence of mineralogy on aggregation and the apportionment of OC across aggregate size fractions in a Brazilian Ferralsol under native vegetation (NV) and no‐tillage management for 10 (NT10) or 20 (NT20) yrs. Under native vegetation, soil OC generally increased with increasing aggregate size while, in response to changing management, soil OC increased in the order NT10 (8.8 g/kg) < NT20 (12.7 g/kg) < NV (19.1 g/kg). There were no significant differences in the mineralogy of the clay size fractions among the three treatments, with the notable exception of the CBD‐extractable Fe oxide fraction (FeCBD). The FeCBD fraction comprises various pedogenic Fe(hydr)oxides and increased from NT10 (33.9 g/kg) to NT20 (64.2 g/kg). The OC/FeCBD mass ratio within aggregates increased in the order NT10 <  NT20 <  NV while R2 values for OC and FeCBD occurrence follow this same trend, with the NT10 soil showing a weaker correlation (R2 = 0.178) compared with the NV soil (R2 = 0.533). We propose that formation of organo‐Fe(III) oxide associations is promoted with implementation of NT management and the consequent reduction in macroaggregate turnover. The development of the OC‐Fe(III) oxide associations and their evolution over time within aggregates to more thermodynamically stable entities will strongly influence the long‐term preservation of soil OC.
Predicting soil workability and fragmentation in tillage: a review
Authors: Obour P. B. , Lamandé M. , Edwards G. , Sørensen C. G. , Munkholm L. J.
Published: March 2017

Soil workability and friability are required parameters to consider when creating suitable seedbeds for crop establishment and growth. Knowledge of soil workability is important for scheduling tillage operations and for reducing the risk of tillage‐induced structural degradation of soils. A reliable evaluation of soil workability implies a distinctive definition of the critical water content (wet and dry limits) for tillage. In this review, we provide a comprehensive assessment of the methods for determining soil workability, and the effects of soil properties and tillage systems on soil workability and fragmentation. The strengths and limitations of the different methods for evaluating the water content for soil workability, such as the plastic limit, soil water retention curve (SWRC), standard Proctor compaction test, field assessment, moisture‐pressure‐volume diagram, air permeability and drop‐shatter tests are discussed. Our review reveals that there is limited information on the dry limit and the range of water content for soil workability for different textured soils. We identify the need for further research to evaluate soil workability on undisturbed soils using a combination of SWRC and the drop‐shatter tests or tensile strength; (i) to quantify the effects of soil texture, organic matter and compaction on soil workability; and (ii) to compare soil water content for workability in the field with theoretical soil workability, thereby improving the prediction of soil workability as part of a decision support system for tillage operations.
Can the agronomic performance of urea equal calcium ammonium nitrate across nitrogen rates in temperate grassland?
Authors: Forrestal P. J. , Harty M. A. , Carolan R. , Watson C. J. , Lanigan G. J. , Wall D. P. , Hennessy D. , Richards K. G.
Published: March 2017

In temperate grassland, urea has been shown to have lower nitrous oxide emissions compared to ammonium nitrate‐based fertilizer and is less expensive. However, nitrogen (N) loss via ammonia volatilization from urea raises questions regarding yield performance and efficiency. This study compares the yield and N offtake of grass fertilized with urea, calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) and urea treated with the urease inhibitor N‐(n‐butyl) thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT) at six site‐years. Five annual fertilizer N rates (100–500 kg N/ha) were applied in five equal splits of 20–100 kg N/ha during the growing season. On average, urea produced slightly better yields than CAN in spring (103.5% of CAN yield) and slightly poorer yields in summer (98.4% of CAN yield). There was no significant difference in annual grass yield between urea, CAN and urea + NBPT. Urea had the lowest cost per tonne of DM grass yield produced. However, the urea treatment had lower N offtake than CAN and this difference was more pronounced as the N rate increased. There was no difference in N offtake between urea + NBPT and CAN. While this study shows that urea produced yields comparable to CAN, urea apparent fertilizer N recovery (AFNR) tends to be lower. Urea selection in place of CAN will increase national ammonia emissions which is problematic for countries with targets to reduce ammonia emissions. Promisingly, NBPT allows the agronomic performance of urea to consistently equal CAN across N rates by addressing the ammonia loss limitations of urea.
Identification of 2 novel HLA‐B alleles, HLA‐B*55:02:09 and HLA‐B*55:80 in Chinese individuals
Authors: Tao S.‐D. , Dong L.‐N. , Han Z.‐D. , He J. , Zhu F.‐M.
Published: March 2017

HLA‐B*55:02:09 and HLA‐B*55:80 differ from HLA‐B*55:02:01 by 1 single nucleotide substitution, respectively.
Selective modes determine evolutionary rates, gene compactness and expression patterns in Brassica
Authors: Guo Yue , Liu Jing , Zhang Jiefu , Liu Shengyi , Du Jianchang
Published: March 2017

It has been well documented that most nuclear protein‐coding genes in organisms can be classified into two categories: positively selected genes (PSGs) and negatively selected genes (NSGs). The characteristics and evolutionary fates of different types of genes, however, have been poorly understood. In this study, the rates of nonsynonymous substitution (Ka) and the rates of synonymous substitution (Ks) were investigated by comparing the orthologs between the two sequenced Brassica species, Brassica rapa and Brassica oleracea, and the evolutionary rates, gene structures, expression patterns, and codon bias were compared between PSGs and NSGs. The resulting data show that PSGs have higher protein evolutionary rates, lower synonymous substitution rates, shorter gene length, fewer exons, higher functional specificity, lower expression level, higher tissue‐specific expression and stronger codon bias than NSGs. Although the quantities and values are different, the relative features of PSGs and NSGs have been largely verified in the model species Arabidopsis. These data suggest that PSGs and NSGs differ not only under selective pressure (Ka/Ks), but also in their evolutionary, structural and functional properties, indicating that selective modes may serve as a determinant factor for measuring evolutionary rates, gene compactness and expression patterns in Brassica.
Global analysis of canola genes targeted by SHORT HYPOCOTYL UNDER BLUE 1 during endosperm and embryo development
Authors: Zhang Huanan , Cheng Feng , Xiao Yuguo , Kang Xiaojun , Wang Xiaowu , Kuang Rui , Ni Min
Published: March 2017

Seed development in dicots includes early endosperm proliferation followed by growth of the embryo to replace the endosperm. Endosperm proliferation in dicots not only provides nutrient supplies for subsequent embryo development but also enforces a space limitation, influencing final seed size. Overexpression of Arabidopsis SHORT HYPOCOTYL UNDER BLUE1::uidA (SHB1:uidA) in canola produces large seeds. We performed global analysis of the canola genes that were expressed and influenced by SHB1 during early endosperm proliferation at 8 days after pollination (DAP) and late embryo development at 13 DAP. Overexpression of SHB1 altered the expression of 973 genes at 8 DAP and 1035 genes at 13 DAP. We also surveyed the global SHB1 association sites, and merging of these sites with the RNA sequencing data identified a set of canola genes targeted by SHB1. The 8‐DAP list includes positive and negative genes that influence endosperm proliferation and are homologous to Arabidopsis MINI3, IKU2, SHB1, AGL62, FIE and AP2. We revealed a major role for SHB1 in canola endosperm development based on the dynamics of SHB1‐altered gene expression, the magnitude of SHB1 chromatin immunoprecipitation enrichment and the over‐representation of eight regulatory genes for endosperm development. Our studies focus on an important agronomic trait in a major crop for global agriculture. The datasets on stage‐specific and SHB1‐induced gene expression and genes targeted by SHB1 also provide a useful resource in the field of endosperm development and seed size engineering. Our practices in an allotetraploid species will impact similar studies in other crop species.
Evaluation of targeted exome sequencing for 28 protein‐based blood group systems, including the homologous gene systems, for blood group genotyping
Authors: Schoeman Elizna M. , Lopez Genghis H. , McGowan Eunike C. , Millard Glenda M. , O'Brien Helen , Roulis Eileen V. , Liew Yew‐Wah , Martin Jacqueline R. , McGrath Kelli A. , Powley Tanya , Flower Robert L. , Hyland Catherine A.
Published: March 2017

BACKGROUND

Blood group single nucleotide polymorphism genotyping probes for a limited range of polymorphisms. This study investigated whether massively parallel sequencing (also known as next‐generation sequencing), with a targeted exome strategy, provides an extended blood group genotype and the extent to which massively parallel sequencing correctly genotypes in homologous gene systems, such as RH and MNS.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Donor samples (n = 28) that were extensively phenotyped and genotyped using single nucleotide polymorphism typing, were analyzed using the TruSight One Sequencing Panel and MiSeq platform. Genes for 28 protein‐based blood group systems, GATA1, and KLF1 were analyzed. Copy number variation analysis was used to characterize complex structural variants in the GYPC and RH systems.

RESULTS

The average sequencing depth per target region was 66.2 ± 39.8. Each sample harbored on average 43 ± 9 variants, of which 10 ± 3 were used for genotyping. For the 28 samples, massively parallel sequencing variant sequences correctly matched expected sequences based on single nucleotide polymorphism genotyping data. Copy number variation analysis defined the Rh C/c alleles and complex RHD hybrids. Hybrid RHD*D‐CE‐D variants were correctly identified, but copy number variation analysis did not confidently distinguish between D and CE exon deletion versus rearrangement.

CONCLUSION

The targeted exome sequencing strategy employed extended the range of blood group genotypes detected compared with single nucleotide polymorphism typing. This single‐test format included detection of complex MNS hybrid cases and, with copy number variation analysis, defined RH hybrid genes along with the RHCE*C allele hitherto difficult to resolve by variant detection. The approach is economical compared with whole‐genome sequencing and is suitable for a red blood cell reference laboratory setting.
Efficacy and safety of the drugs used to reverse direct oral anticoagulants: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: da Luz Luis Teodoro , Marchand Mylene , Nascimento Bartolomeu , Tien Homer , Nathens Avery , Shah Prakesh
Published: March 2017

BACKGROUND

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are effective and safe for prophylaxis and treatment of thromboembolic phenomena. However, managing DOACs during bleeding emergencies is challenging. A systematic review and meta‐analysis was conducted on studies addressing efficacy and safety of the drugs used for reversal of DOACs.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched up to September 2016. Studies that examined clinical and laboratory effects of drugs used to reverse DOACs were included. Risk of bias was assessed using Newcastle‐Ottawa scale and Cochrane Collaboration tool. Primary and secondary outcomes assessed were reversal of clinical bleeding, clotting assays, and safety, respectively. Overall effect estimates were pooled, and clinical and statistical heterogeneity were assessed. Meta‐analysis was conducted using random‐effects model.

RESULTS

Four cohort studies in bleeding patients (n = 230) and eight randomized controlled trials in healthy volunteers (n = 381) were included, both with moderate risk of bias. Reversal of clotting assays in healthy volunteers was frequently reported, demonstrating that prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC) reversed prothrombin time (PT) and endogenous thrombin potential (ETP) substantially. For PT, pooled mean difference was 1.68 seconds (95% confidence interval [CI], −0.33 to 3.70 sec; p < 0.01; I2 = 97%). For ETP, pooled mean difference was 2.16 seconds (95% CI, 0.57 to 3.75 sec; p < 0.01; I2 = 98%). Andexanet alfa and idarucizumab both reverse clotting assays. No important safety concerns were identified.

CONCLUSIONS

Clotting assays are partially reversed by PCC in healthy volunteers. Idarucizumab and andexanet alfa have solid laboratory reversal effect and potential to be clinically efficacious and safe. However, clinical evidence is still lacking for all agents.
Automatic washing of thawed haematopoietic progenitor cell grafts: a preclinical evaluation
Authors: Abonnenc M. , Pesse B. , Tissot J.‐D. , Barelli S. , Lion N.
Published: March 2017

Background and Objectives

Autologous haematopoietic progenitor cell (HPC) is a prerequisite for high‐dose chemotherapy in treatment of several haematologic and non‐haematologic malignancies. HPCs are collected by apheresis and cryopreserved until infusion. Postinfusion adverse events have been in part related to the dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) used as cryoprotectant. The aim was to evaluate (i) an automated sequential washing procedure for DMSO removal in thawed HPC grafts and (ii) washing solutions in replacement of hydroxyethyl starch (HES)‐based solutions.

Materials and Methods

A total of 26 HPC bags cryopreserved with 10% DMSO and intended for disposal were used. The Sepax‐2 (Biosafe, Eysins, Switzerland) was evaluated using a sequential washing procedure. Outcomes were CD34+ cell recovery and viability after washing.

Results

The Ringer lactate supplemented or not with albumin 2·5–5% presented satisfactory results compared with HES solution in terms of CD34+ cell recovery and viability after washing. However, the apparition of aggregates led us to renounce to these alternative solutions. Using HES solution and a sequential washing of three bags, we showed the elimination of 95% of the DMSO, a postwash viable CD34+ cell recovery of 79·9 ± 9·4% and a total nucleated cell viability of 66·5 ± 9·3%.

Conclusion

The preclinical evaluation of an automated sequential washing procedure for DMSO removal in thawed HPC grafts has proven to be effective and comparable to previously published data. Despite our attempt to find an alternative solution to the HES solution, more efforts should be done on this side to reach a consensus on cryopreservation protocols.
Further characterization of computed tomographic and clinical features for staging and prognosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in West Highland white terriers
Authors: Thierry Florence , Handel Ian , Hammond Gawain , King Lesley G. , Corcoran Brendan M. , Schwarz Tobias
Published: March 2017

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is an interstitial lung disease of unknown etiology resulting in progressive interstitial fibrosis, with a known predilection in West Highland white terriers. In humans, computed tomography (CT) is a standard method for providing diagnostic and prognostic information, and plays a major role in the idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis staging process. Objectives of this retrospective, analytical, cross‐sectional study were to establish descriptive criteria for reporting CT findings and test correlations among CT, clinical findings and survival time in West Highland white terriers with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Inclusion criteria for affected West Highland white terriers were a diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and available CT, bronchoscopy, bronchoalveolar lavage, echocardiography, and routine blood analysis findings. Clinically normal West Highland white terriers were recruited for the control group. Survival times were recorded for affected dogs. The main CT lung pattern and clinical data were blindly and separately graded as mild, moderate, or severe. Twenty‐one West Highland white terriers with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and 11 control West Highland white terriers were included. The severity of pulmonary CT findings was positively correlated with severity of clinical signs (ρ = 0.48, P = 0.029) and negatively associated with survival time after diagnosis (ρ = –0.56, P = 0.025). Affected dogs had higher lung attenuation (median: –563 Hounsfield Units (HU)) than control dogs (median: –761 HU), (P < 0.001). The most common CT characteristics were ground‐glass pattern (16/21) considered as a mild degree of severity, and focal reticular and mosaic ground‐glass patterns (10/21) considered as a moderate degree of severity. Findings supported the use of thoracic CT as a method for characterizing idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in West Highland white terriers and providing prognostic information for owners.
Identifying pathways of exposure to highway pollutants in great crested newt (Triturus cristatus) road mitigation tunnels
Authors: White Katie J. , Mayes William M. , Petrovan Silviu O.
Published: March 2017

Road mitigation tunnels are increasingly deployed for amphibians but very little is known about chemical pollution in such schemes. We assessed pollution pressures associated with road runoff at a major great crested newt mitigation scheme in England. Sediments and waters in the mitigation system were analysed for major physico‐chemical parameters, trace metals and total petroleum hydrocarbons and compared to a nearby reference site. Seven out of eight tested metals including copper, zinc, lead and iron were in significantly greater concentrations in the tunnels than at a reference site and at environmentally significant concentrations. Water samples also exhibited elevated concentrations of aluminium and chromium and occasionally extreme alkaline pH associated with leaching of portlandite in tunnel cements. High conductivity values in waters and sediments corresponding with seasonal de‐icing salt application were also apparent. The study highlights the potential pollutant pressures for amphibians associated with large‐scale urban development and road mitigation schemes.
Human‐influenced streamflow during extreme drought: identifying driving forces, modifiers, and impacts in an urbanized catchment in central Poland
Authors: Somorowska Urszula , Łaszewski Maksym
Published: March 2017

This study investigates the response of the streamflow to an extremely hot and dry summer 2015 in the urbanized catchment of the Utrata River in central Poland. The objectives were to: reveal changes in the flow regime, assess anomalies in summer river flows, estimate the natural and wastewater effluent contribution and provide an ecological context for the in‐stream conditions. The mean annual flow rate in the period 1996–2015 increased by 0.61 m3/s as compared to 1951–1970. The mean annual wastewater inflow rate to the river in 2015 was approximately 0.770 m3/s, constituting 39% of the observed flow. Almost the entire period of August this contribution approached 100%. The optimum river water temperature threshold for warm‐water fish species was exceeded. Streamflow modifications are attributed to an increase of wastewater discharge, urban impact through an increase in imperviousness, and the variability of climatic driving forces.
Effectiveness of an Evidence‐Based Practice Nurse Mentor Training Program
Authors: Spiva LeeAnna , Hart Patricia L. , Patrick Sara , Waggoner Jessica , Jackson Charon , Threatt Jamie L.
Published: March 2017

Background

Multiple reasons are cited for why nurses do not incorporate evidence into clinical practice, including lack of knowledge and skills, training, time, and organizational support.

Aims

To investigate the effectiveness of a mentor training program on mentors’ perceptions of knowledge, attitude, skill, and confidence levels, and organizational readiness related to evidence‐based practice (EBP) and research utilization; and to investigate the effectiveness of creating a formalized structure to enculturate EBP in order to prepare nurses to incorporate EBP into clinical practice on nurses’ perceptions of knowledge, attitude, skill levels, barriers, nursing leadership, and organizational support related to EBP and research utilization.

Methods

A two‐group pretest–posttest quasi‐experimental, interventional design was used. A convenience sample of 66 mentors and 367 nurses working at a five hospital integrated healthcare system located in the Southeastern United States participated.

Findings

Nurse mentors’ knowledge, attitude, skill level, and organizational readiness related to EBP, t = −8.64, p < .001, and confidence, t = −6.36, p < .001, improved after training. Nurses’ knowledge, attitude, and skill level related to EBP, t = −19.12, p < .001, and barriers to research utilization, t = 20.86, p < .001, EBP work environment t = −20.18, p < .001, and EBP nurse leadership, t = −16.50, p < .001, improved after a formalized structure was implemented.

Linking Evidence to Action

EBP mentors are effective in educating and supporting nurses in evidence‐based care. Leaders should use a multifaceted approach to build and sustain EBP, including developing a critical mass of EBP mentors to work with point of care staff.
Relationship between Organizational Justice Perceptions and Organizational Commitment Levels of School of Physical Education and Sports Academicians
Authors: Ari Abdil , Çağlayan Hakan Salim
Published: March 2017

This study was conducted to determine organizational justice perceptions and organizational commitment levels of the school of physical education and sports academicians and to establish whether there is a relation between their organizational justice perceptions and organizational commitment levels or not.In the study, a method for the descriptive survey and relational survey aiming at the revelation of the current state was used. The sample group of the study was constituted by aggregately 524 academicians [Professors(n=5),Associate Professors(n=62), Assistant Associate Professors (n=172), Lecturers(n=104), Instructors(n=82), Research Assistants(n=99)]. As a data collection tool, the “Organizational Justice Scale” developed by Niehoff and Moorman (1993) and adapted in Turkish by Yıldırım (2002), the “Organizational Commitment Scale” developed by Meyer et al (1993), and “Personal Information Form” developed by the researcher were utilized in the study.In the analysis of the data, Spearman Brown Rank Correlation (r) coefficient technique was used to reveal the difference between the organizational justice perceptions and the organizational commitment levels of the academicians. In the study, α=0.05 was chosen as a level of significance.In consequence of the study, the highest perceptions of the school of physical education and sports academicians regarding justice was determined to be in the allocative justice dimension, which was followed by the interactional justice and transactional justice dimensions, and that the allocative, interactional, and transactional justice perceptions of the academicians regarding their institutions was at “moderate” levels in general, that is to say, they were not content with the decisions taken at the latter justice dimensions.It was determined that the highest perception of the school of physical education and sports academicians regarding commitment were in the emotional commitment dimension, that it was followed by the attendance commitment and normative commitment dimensions, and that, in general, the emotional commitments of the academicians regarding their institutions was high and their attendance and normative commitments were at “moderate” level.It was determined that moderate and low level positive relationships between the organizational justice dimensions and organizational commitment dimensions of the school of physical education and sports academicians are present.
Placental phenotype and the insulin‐like growth factors: resource allocation to fetal growth
Authors: Sferruzzi‐Perri Amanda N. , Sandovici Ionel , Constancia Miguel , Fowden Abigail L.
Published: March 2017

The placenta is the main determinant of fetal growth and development in utero. It supplies all the nutrients and oxygen required for fetal growth and secretes hormones that facilitate maternal allocation of nutrients to the fetus. Furthermore, the placenta responds to nutritional and metabolic signals in the mother by altering its structural and functional phenotype, which can lead to changes in maternal resource allocation to the fetus. The molecular mechanisms by which the placenta senses and responds to environmental cues are poorly understood. This review discusses the role of the insulin‐like growth factors (IGFs) in controlling placental resource allocation to fetal growth, particularly in response to adverse gestational environments. In particular, it assesses the impact of the IGFs and their signalling machinery on placental morphogenesis, substrate transport and hormone secretion, primarily in the laboratory species, although it draws on data from human and other species where relevant. It also considers the role of the IGFs as environmental signals in linking resource availability to fetal growth through changes in the morphological and functional phenotype of the placenta. As altered fetal growth is associated with increased perinatal morbidity and mortality and a greater risk of developing adult‐onset diseases in later life, understanding the role of IGFs during pregnancy in regulating placental resource allocation to fetal growth is important for identifying the mechanisms underlying the developmental programming of offspring phenotype by suboptimal intrauterine growth.

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Phosphate increase during fatigue affects crossbridge kinetics in intact mouse muscle at physiological temperature
Authors: Nocella M. , Cecchi G. , Colombini B.
Published: March 2017

Key points

Actomyosin ATP hydrolysis occurring during muscle contraction releases inorganic phosphate [Pi] in the myoplasm. High [Pi] reduces force and affects force kinetics in skinned muscle fibres at low temperature. These effects decrease at high temperature, raising the question of their importance under physiological conditions.

This study provides the first analysis of the effects of Pi on muscle performance in intact mammalian fibres at physiological temperature. Myoplasmic [Pi] was raised by fatiguing the fibres with a series of tetanic contractions.

[Pi] increase reduces muscular force mainly by decreasing the force of the single molecular motor, the crossbridge, and alters the crossbridge response to fast length perturbation indicating faster kinetics.

These results are in agreement with schemes of actomyosin ATPase and the crossbridge cycle including a low‐ or no‐force state and show that fibre length changes perturb the Pi‐sensitive force generation of the crossbridge cycle.

Actomyosin ATP hydrolysis during muscle contraction releases inorganic phosphate, increasing [Pi] in the myoplasm. Experiments in skinned fibres at low temperature (10–12°C) have shown that [Pi] increase depresses isometric force and alters the kinetics of actomyosin interaction. However, the effects of Pi decrease with temperature and this raises the question of the role of Pi under physiological conditions. The present experiments were performed to investigate this point. Intact fibre bundles isolated from the flexor digitorum brevis of C57BL/6 mice were stimulated with a series of tetanic contractions at 1.5 s intervals at 33°C. As show previously the most significant change induced by a bout of contractile activity similar to the initial 10 tetani of the series was an increase of [Pi] without significant Ca2+ or pH changes. Measurements of force, stiffness and responses to fast stretches and releases were therefore made on the 10th tetanus of the series and compared with control. We found that (i) tetanic force at the 10th tetanus was ∼20% smaller than control without a significant decrease of crossbridge stiffness; and (ii) the force recovery following quick stretches and releases was faster than in control. These results indicate that at physiological temperature the increase of [Pi] occurring during early fatigue reduces tetanic force mainly by depressing the individual crossbridge force and accelerating crossbridge kinetics.
Characterisation and functional mapping of surface potentials in the rat dorsal column nuclei
Authors: Loutit Alastair J. , Maddess Ted , Redmond Stephen J. , Morley John W. , Stuart Greg J. , Potas Jason R.
Published: March 2017

Key points

The brainstem dorsal column nuclei (DCN) process sensory information arising from the body before it reaches the brain and becomes conscious.

Despite significant investigations into sensory coding in peripheral nerves and the somatosensory cortex, little is known about how sensory information arising from the periphery is represented in the DCN.

Following stimulation of hind‐limb nerves, we mapped and characterised the evoked electrical signatures across the DCN surface.

We show that evoked responses recorded from the DCN surface are highly reproducible and are unique to nerves carrying specific sensory information.

The brainstem dorsal column nuclei (DCN) play a role in early processing of somatosensory information arising from a variety of functionally distinct peripheral structures, before being transmitted to the cortex via the thalamus. To improve our understanding of how sensory information is represented by the DCN, we characterised and mapped low‐ (<200 Hz) and high‐frequency (550–3300 Hz) components of nerve‐evoked DCN surface potentials. DCN surface potentials were evoked by electrical stimulation of the left and right nerves innervating cutaneous structures (sural nerve), or a mix of cutaneous and deep structures (peroneal nerve), in 8‐week‐old urethane‐anaesthetised male Wistar rats. Peroneal nerve‐evoked DCN responses demonstrated low‐frequency events with significantly longer durations, more high‐frequency events and larger magnitudes compared to responses evoked from sural nerve stimulation. Hotspots of low‐ and high‐frequency DCN activity were found ipsilateral to stimulated nerves but were not symmetrically organised. In conclusion, we find that sensory inputs from peripheral nerves evoke unique and characteristic DCN activity patterns that are highly reproducible both within and across animals.
Frequency and function in the basal ganglia: the origins of beta and gamma band activity
Authors: Blenkinsop Alexander , Anderson Sean , Gurney Kevin
Published: March 2017

Key points

Neuronal oscillations in the basal ganglia have been observed to correlate with behaviours, although the causal mechanisms and functional significance of these oscillations remain unknown.

We present a novel computational model of the healthy basal ganglia, constrained by single unit recordings from non‐human primates.

When the model is run using inputs that might be expected during performance of a motor task, the network shows emergent phenomena: it functions as a selection mechanism and shows spectral properties that match those seen in vivo.

Beta frequency oscillations are shown to require pallido‐striatal feedback, and occur with behaviourally relevant cortical input. Gamma oscillations arise in the subthalamic–globus pallidus feedback loop, and occur during movement.

The model provides a coherent framework for the study of spectral, temporal and functional analyses of the basal ganglia and lays the foundation for an integrated approach to study basal ganglia pathologies such as Parkinson's disease in silico.

Neural oscillations in the basal ganglia (BG) are well studied yet remain poorly understood. Behavioural correlates of spectral activity are well described, yet a quantitative hypothesis linking time domain dynamics and spectral properties to BG function has been lacking. We show, for the first time, that a unified description is possible by interpreting previously ignored structure in data describing globus pallidus interna responses to cortical stimulation. These data were used to expose a pair of distinctive neuronal responses to the stimulation. This observation formed the basis for a new mathematical model of the BG, quantitatively fitted to the data, which describes the dynamics in the data, and is validated against other stimulus protocol experiments. A key new result is that when the model is run using inputs hypothesised to occur during the performance of a motor task, beta and gamma frequency oscillations emerge naturally during static‐force and movement, respectively, consistent with experimental local field potentials. This new model predicts that the pallido‐striatum connection has a key role in the generation of beta band activity, and that the gamma band activity associated with motor task performance has its origins in the pallido‐subthalamic feedback loop. The network's functionality as a selection mechanism also occurs as an emergent property, and closer fits to the data gave better selection properties. The model provides a coherent framework for the study of spectral, temporal and functional analyses of the BG and therefore lays the foundation for an integrated approach to study BG pathologies such as Parkinson's disease in silico.
Estimating Optimized Stress Bounds in Early Stage Design of Compliant Mechanisms
Authors: Patiballa Sree Kalyan , Krishnan Girish
Published: March 2017

Design synthesis of distributed compliant mechanisms is often a two-stage process involving (a) conceptual topology synthesis and a subsequent (b) refinement stage to meet strength and manufacturing specifications. The usefulness of a solution is ascertained only after the sequential completion of these two steps that are, in general, computationally intensive. This paper presents a strategy to rapidly estimate final operating stresses even before the actual refinement process. This strategy is based on the uniform stress distribution metric, and a functional characterization of the different members that constitute the compliant mechanism topology. Furthermore, this paper uses the underlying mechanics of stress bound estimation to propose two rule of thumb guidelines for insightful selection of topologies and systematically modifying them for an application. The selection of the best conceptual solution in the early stage design avoids refinement of topologies that inherently may not meet the stress constraints. This paper presents two examples that illustrate these guidelines through the selection and refinement of topologies for a planar compliant gripper application.
Stationary Response Probability Distribution of SDOF Nonlinear Stochastic Systems
Authors: Chen Lincong , Liu Jun , Sun Jian-Qiao
Published: March 2017

There has been no significant progress in developing new techniques for obtaining exact stationary probability density functions (PDFs) of nonlinear stochastic systems since the development of the method of generalized probability potential in 1990s. In this paper, a general technique is proposed for constructing approximate stationary PDF solutions of single degree of freedom (SDOF) nonlinear systems under external and parametric Gaussian white noise excitations. This technique consists of two novel components. The first one is the introduction of new trial solutions for the reduced Fokker–Planck–Kolmogorov (FPK) equation. The second one is the iterative method of weighted residuals to determine the unknown parameters in the trial solution. Numerical results of four challenging examples show that the proposed technique will converge to the exact solutions if they exist, or a highly accurate solution with a relatively low computational effort. Furthermore, the proposed technique can be extended to multi degree of freedom (MDOF) systems.
Analytical Solution Strategy for Building Energy Dynamics With Stochastic Thermal Gains and External Temperature
Authors: Zhang Zili , Basu Biswajit , Nielsen Søren R. K.
Published: March 2017

Energy dynamics in buildings are inherently stochastic in nature due to random fluctuations from various factors such as heat gain (including the solar) and ambient temperature. This paper proposes a theoretical framework for stochastic modeling of building thermal dynamics as well as its analytical solution strategies. Both the external temperature and the heat gain are modeled as stochastic processes, composed of a periodic (daily) mean-value function and a zero-mean deviation process obtained as the output process of a unit Gaussian white noise passing through a rational filter. Based on the measured climate data, the indicated mean-value functions and rational filters have been identified for different months of a year. Stochastic differential equations in the state vector form driven by white noise processes have been established, and analytical solutions for the mean-value function and covariance matrix of the state vector are obtained. This framework would allow a simple and efficient way to carry out predictions and parametric studies on energy dynamics of buildings with random and uncertain climate effects. It would also provide a basis for the robust design of energy efficient buildings with predictive controllers.
Ranges of Cervical Intervertebral Disc Deformation During an In Vivo Dynamic Flexion–Extension of the Neck
Authors: Yu Yan , Mao Haiqing , Li Jing-Sheng , Tsai Tsung-Yuan , Cheng Liming , Wood Kirkham B. , Li Guoan , Cha Thomas D.
Published: March 2017

While abnormal loading is widely believed to cause cervical spine disc diseases, in vivo cervical disc deformation during dynamic neck motion has not been well delineated. This study investigated the range of cervical disc deformation during an in vivo functional flexion–extension of the neck. Ten asymptomatic human subjects were tested using a combined dual fluoroscopic imaging system (DFIS) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based three-dimensional (3D) modeling technique. Overall disc deformation was determined using the changes of the space geometry between upper and lower endplates of each intervertebral segment (C3/4, C4/5, C5/6, and C6/7). Five points (anterior, center, posterior, left, and right) of each disc were analyzed to examine the disc deformation distributions. The data indicated that between the functional maximum flexion and extension of the neck, the anterior points of the discs experienced large changes of distraction/compression deformation and shear deformation. The higher level discs experienced higher ranges of disc deformation. No significant difference was found in deformation ranges at posterior points of all the discs. The data indicated that the range of disc deformation is disc level dependent and the anterior region experienced larger changes of deformation than the center and posterior regions, except for the C6/7 disc. The data obtained from this study could serve as baseline knowledge for the understanding of the cervical spine disc biomechanics and for investigation of the biomechanical etiology of disc diseases. These data could also provide insights for development of motion preservation surgeries for cervical spine.