bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bioactive Components and Antioxidant Capacity of Fruits from Nine Sorbus Genotypes
Authors: Mikulic‐Petkovsek Maja , Krska Boris , Kiprovski Biljana , Veberic Robert
Published: February 2017

In this study, biochemical profile of fruits of 9 Sorbus genotypes was analyzed. The content of total sugars ranged from 69.7 g/kg (‘Titan’) to 217.5 g/kg (Sorbus torminalis) and total organic acids from 17.7 g/kg (‘Businka’) to 40.2 g/kg (S. torminalis). The highest content of total anthocyanins had ‘Burka’ (871 mg/kg FW) and ‘Businka’ (856 mg/kg FW). Quercetin derivatives represented more than 95% of total flavonols. ‘Alaja krupnaja’ had 3.5‐ to 29‐fold higher rutin content than other analyzed genotypes. S. torminalis fruits had the greatest diversity of isorhamnetin and kaempferol derivatives. Chlorogenic acid was the major hydroxycinnamic acid and its share was 33% to 73% of total analyzed hydoxycinnamic acid derivatives. The richest in chlorogenic acid were ‘Krasavica’ and ‘Alaja krupnaja’ fruits. Cultivar ‘Businka’ had the highest content of epicatechin (40.7 mg/kg) and neochlorogenic acid (1061 mg/kg). Different procyanidin oligomers were detected among flavanols in Sorbus fruits. The highest content of total flavanols was measured in ‘Alaja Krupnaja’ fruits. Cultivars ‘Krasavica’ (84.5 mg/kg) and ‘Burka’ (85.1 mg/kg) had 1.2‐ to 6.9‐fold higher amount of total carotenoids. ‘Businka’ was highlighted as the richest in total tannin and phenolic contents (3768 mg GAE/kg) and consequently, it had the highest antioxidant activity (57.6 mM TE/kg FW). Being abundant in polyphenolics, some extracts of Sorbus genotypes, for example, ‘Businka,’ ‘Burka,’ and ‘Alaja krupnaja’ could serve as valuable resource of bioactive compounds to food and pharmaceutical industries.
Startup Financing with Patent Signaling under Ambiguity
Authors: Hahn Guangsug , Kim Kwanho , Kwon Joon Yeop
Published: February 2017

One of the most important challenges for startup companies is securing financing. Indeed, it is crucial for startups to demonstrate their projects’ profitability to potential investors. We develop a model of single‐stage startup financing with signaling under ambiguity. Nature determines the ability of a technology entrepreneur (startup), who strategically chooses a costly patent level to signal his ability to potential investors. Because the project undertaken by a startup may involve highly innovative technology and may not be well known to agents, they might face ambiguity about the value of the project. To examine ambiguity effects on startup financing, we provide three different financing models in view of the degree of ambiguity: (i) no ambiguity; (ii) only investors face ambiguity; (iii) all agents face ambiguity. In each model, we derive perfect Bayesian equilibria and refine them into a unique equilibrium by imposing the Intuitive Criterion of Cho and Kreps (Quarterly Journal of Economics, 102, 1987, 179) or its extension. We analyze the refined equilibria from the perspectives of agents’ equity shares and expected profits, and equilibrium patent levels.
Endometriosis increases the risk of obstetrical and neonatal complications
Authors: Berlac Janne Foss , Hartwell Dorthe , Skovlund Charlotte Wessel , Langhoff‐Roos Jens , Lidegaard Øjvind
Published: February 2017

Introduction

The objective of this study was to assess obstetrical complications and neonatal outcomes in women with endometriosis as compared with women without endometriosis.

Material and methods

National cohort including all delivering women and their newborns in Denmark 1997–2014. Data were extracted from the Danish Health Register and the Medical Birth Register. Logistic regression analysis provided odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Sub‐analyses were made for primiparous women with a singleton pregnancy and for women with endometriosis who underwent gynecological surgery before pregnancy.

Results

In 19 331 deliveries, women with endometriosis had a higher risk of severe preeclampsia (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.5–2.0), hemorrhage in pregnancy (OR 2.3, 95% CI 2.0–2.5), placental abruption (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.7–2.3), placenta previa (OR 3.9, 95% CI 3.5–4.3), premature rupture of membranes (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.5–1.8), and retained placenta (OR 3.1, 95% CI 1.4–6.6). The neonates had increased risks of preterm birth before 28 weeks (OR 3.1, 95% CI 2.7–3.6), being small for gestational age (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.4–1.6), being diagnosed with congenital malformations (OR 1.3, 95% CI 1.3–1.4), and neonatal death (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.4–2.1). Results were similar in primiparous women with a singleton pregnancy. Gynecological surgery for endometriosis before pregnancy carried a further increased risk.

Conclusion

Women with endometriosis had a significantly higher risk of several complications, such as preeclampsia and placental complications in pregnancy and at delivery. The newborns had increased risk of being delivered preterm, having congenital malformations, and having a higher neonatal death rate. Pregnant women with endometriosis require increased antenatal surveillance.
Comparing intravenous and oral proton pump inhibitor therapy for bleeding peptic ulcers following endoscopic management: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Tringali Alberto , Manta Raffaele , Sica Mariano , Bassotti Gabrio , Marmo Riccardo , Mutignani Massimiliano
Published: February 2017

Background and Aims

The efficacy of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) has been demonstrated for bleeding peptic ulcers but the route of administration remains controversial. Several studies have demonstrated that high‐dose oral PPIs are as effective as intravenous PPIs in reducing recurrent bleeding. However, current guidelines recommend intravenous PPIs after endoscopic treatment. Previous data based on numbers that were too small to enable a firm conclusion to be reached suggested that oral and intravenous PPIs had equivalent efficacy. We undertook a meta‐analysis to compare oral and intravenous PPIs in patients with bleeding peptic ulcers after endoscopic management.

Methods

A literature search was undertaken using MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library, between 1990 and February 2016, to identify all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that assessed the efficacy of PPIs administered by different routes. Nine RCTs, involving 1036 patients, were analysed. Outcomes were: recurrent bleeding, blood transfusion requirement, duration of hospital stay, a need for repeat endoscopy, surgery and 30‐day mortality.

Results

There were no differences in the rebleeding rates [odds ratio (OR) 0.93, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.60, 1.46; P = 0.77], need for surgery (OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.25, 2.40; P = 0.65), need for repeat endoscopy (OR 0.69, 95% CI 0.39, 1.21; P = 0.19), need for blood transfusion [(MD) –0.03, 95% CI –0.26, 0.19; P = 0.76], duration of hospital stay (MD –0.61, 95% CI –1.45, 0.23; P = 0.16) or 30‐day mortality (OR 0.89, 95% CI 0.27, 2.43; P = 0.84) according to the route of administration.

Conclusions

Oral PPIs represent better value for money, with clinical efficacy equivalent to intravenous PPIs.
The Place of Crowdfunding in the Discovery of Scientific and Social Value of Medical Research
Authors: del Savio Lorenzo
Published: February 2017

Crowdfunding is increasingly common in medical research. Some critics are concerned that by adopting crowdfunding, some researchers may sidestep the established systems of review of the social and scientific value of studies (e.g. impact on disease burden, issues of justice), especially mechanisms of expert‐based review. I argue firstly that such concerns are based on a misleading picture of how research value is assessed and secondly that crowdfunding may turn out to be an useful complement of extant funding systems. I start with the idea that medical knowledge is a structured and intermediate public good and explain from this perspective that funding systems as a whole, rather than any of their parts (such as expert‐based reviews) ought to be considered devices for the discovery of the social and scientific value of research. If so, we should not be concerned with whether crowdfunding bypasses expert reviews, but with whether it may constitute an improvement of extant funding systems. In the second part, I speculate that crowdfunding may ameliorate, albeit limitedly, some recalcitrant failures of funding systems, such as the sponsorship of research on neglected diseases, and smooth funding adaptations for scientific transitions. If, after trial, such hypotheses turn out to be true, crowdfunding ought to be promoted.
Pearson's Chi-Square Test and Rank Correlation Inferences for Clustered Data
Authors: Shih Joanna H. , Fay Michael P.
Published: February 2017

Pearson's chi-square test has been widely used in testing for association between two categorical responses. Spearman rank correlation and Kendall's tau are often used for measuring and testing association between two continuous or ordered categorical responses. However, the established statistical properties of these tests are only valid when each pair of responses are independent, where each sampling unit has only one pair of responses. When each sampling unit consists of a cluster of paired responses, the assumption of independent pairs is violated. In this article, we apply the within-cluster resampling technique to U-statistics to form new tests and rank-based correlation estimators for possibly tied clustered data. We develop large sample properties of the new proposed tests and estimators and evaluate their performance by simulations. The proposed methods are applied to a data set collected from a PET/CT imaging study for illustration.
Changes in penile length after radical prostatectomy: investigation of the underlying anatomical mechanism
Authors: Kadono Yoshifumi , Machioka Kazuaki , Nakashima Kazufumi , Iijima Masashi , Shigehara Kazuyoshi , Nohara Takahiro , Narimoto Kazutaka , Izumi Kouji , Kitagawa Yasuhide , Konaka Hiroyuki , Gabata Toshifumi , Mizokami Atsushi
Published: February 2017

Objective

To measure changes in penile length (PL) over time before and after radical prostatectomy (RP), and to investigate the underlying mechanisms for these changes.

Patients and Methods

The stretched PL (SPL) of 102 patients was measured before, 10 days after, and at 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18 and 24 months after RP. The perpendicular distance from the distal end of the membranous urethra to the midline of the pelvic outlet was measured on mid‐sagittal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) slice at three time points: preoperatively; 10 days after RP; and 12 months after RP. Pre‐ and postoperative SPLs were compared using paired Student's t‐test. Predictors of PL shortening at 10 days and at 12 months after RP were evaluated on univariate and multivariate analyses.

Results

The SPL was shortest 10 days after RP (mean PL shortening from preoperative level: 19.9 mm), and gradually recovered thereafter. SPL at 12 months after RP was not significantly different from preoperative SPL. On MRI examination, the distal end of membranous urethra was found to have moved proximally (mean proximal displacement: 3.9 mm) at 10 days after RP, and to have returned to the preoperative position at 12 months after RP. On univariate analysis, only the volume of the removed prostate was a predictor of SPL change at 10 days after surgery; on multivariate analysis, the association was not statistically significant. No predictor of SPL change was found at 12 months after RP.

Conclusion

The SPL was shortest at 10 days after RP and gradually recovered thereafter in the present study. Anatomically, the glans and corpus spongiosum surrounding the urethra are an integral structure, and the proximal urethra is drawn into the pelvis during urethrovesical anastomosis. This is the first report showing that slight vertical repositioning of the membranous urethra after RP causes changes in SPL over time. These results can help inform patients about changes in penile appearance after RP.
Detection and oncological effect of circulating tumour cells in patients with variant urothelial carcinoma histology treated with radical cystectomy
Authors: Soave Armin , Riethdorf Sabine , Dahlem Roland , Minner Sarah , Weisbach Lars , Engel Oliver , Fisch Margit , Pantel Klaus , Rink Michael
Published: February 2017

Objectives

To investigate for the presence of circulating tumour cells (CTC) in patients with variant urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (UCB) histology treated with radical cystectomy (RC), and to determine their impact on oncological outcomes.

Patients and methods

We prospectively collected data of 188 patients with UCB treated with RC without neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Pathological specimens were meticulously reviewed for pure and variant UCB histology. Preoperatively collected blood samples (7.5 mL) were analysed for CTC using the CellSearch® system (Janssen, Raritan, NJ, USA).

Results

Variant UCB histology was found in 47 patients (25.0%), most frequently of squamous cell differentiation (16.5%). CTC were present in 30 patients (21.3%) and 12 patients (25.5%) with pure and variant UCB histology, respectively. At a median follow‐up of 25 months, the presence of CTC and non‐squamous cell differentiation were associated with reduced recurrence‐free survival (RFS) and cancer‐specific survival (pairwise P ≤ 0.016). Patients without CTC had better RFS, independent of UCB histology, than patients with CTC with any UCB histology (pairwise P < 0.05). In multivariable analyses, the presence of CTC, but not variant UCB histology, was an independent predictor for disease recurrence [hazard ratio (HR) 3.45; P < 0.001] and cancer‐specific mortality (HR 2.62; P = 0.002).

Conclusion

CTC are detectable in about a quarter of patients with pure or variant UCB histology before RC, and represent an independent predictor for outcomes, when adjusting for histological subtype. In addition, our prospective data confirm the unfavourable influence of non‐squamous cell‐differentiated UCB on outcomes.
Recurrent copy number alterations in low‐grade and anaplastic pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma with and without BRAF V600E mutation
Authors: Vaubel Rachael A. , Caron Alissa A. , Yamada Seiji , Decker Paul A. , Eckel Passow Jeanette E. , Rodriguez Fausto J. , Nageswara Rao Amulya A. , Lachance Daniel , Parney Ian , Jenkins Robert , Giannini Caterina
Published: February 2017

Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (PXA) is a rare localized glioma characterized by frequent BRAF V600E mutation and CDKN2A/B deletion. We explored the association of copy‐number variants (CNVs) with BRAF mutations, tumor grade, and patient survival in a cohort of 41 PXA patients using OncoScan chromosomal microarray. Primary resection specimens were available in 38 cases, including 24 PXA and 14 anaplastic PXA (A‐PXA), 23 BRAF V600E mutant tumors (61%). CNVs were identified in all cases and most frequently involved chromosome 9 with homozygous CDKN2A/B deletion (n = 33, 87%), a higher proportion than previously detected by comparative genomic hybridization (50%–60%) (37). CDKN2A/B deletion was present in similar proportion of PXA (83%), A‐PXA (93%), BRAF V600E (87%), and wild‐type (87%) tumors. Whole chromosome gains/losses were frequent, including gains +7 (n = 15), +2 (n = 11), +5 (n = 10), +21 (n = 10), +20 (n = 9), +12 (n = 8), +15 (n = 8), and losses −22 (n = 11), −14 (n = 7), −13 (n = 5). Losses and copy‐neutral loss of heterozygosity were significantly more common in A‐PXA, involving chromosomes 22 (P = 0.009) and 14 (P = 0.03). Amplification of 8p and 12q was identified in a single tumor. Histologic grade was a robust predictor of overall survival (P = 0.003), while other copy‐number changes, including CDKN2A/B deletion, did not show significant association with survival. Distinct histologic patterns of anaplasia included increased mitotic activity in an otherwise classic PXA or associated with small cell, fibrillary, or epithelioid morphology, with loss of SMARCB1 expression in one case. In 10 cases, matched specimens were compared, including A‐PXA with areas of distinct low‐ and high‐grade morphology (n = 2), matched primary/tumor recurrence (n = 7), or both (n = 1). Copy‐number changes on recurrence/anaplastic transformation were complex and highly variable, from nearly identical profiles to numerous copy‐number changes. Overall, we confirm CDKN2A/B deletion as key a feature of PXA not associated with tumor grade or BRAF mutation, but central to the underlying genetics of PXA.
Effect of a hypoxic microenvironment after radiofrequency ablation on residual hepatocellular cell migration and invasion
Authors: Tong Yuyang , Yang Haiyun , Xu Xiaolin , Ruan Jingliang , Liang Ming , Wu Jiayi , Luo Baoming
Published: February 2017

Clinical observations have shown that the boundary of tumor ablation is often less than safe border and that the use of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) may probably accelerate its recurrence and metastasis. RFA can cause the formation of a transition zone between normal liver tissues and necrotic coagulation, where blood stagnation and thrombosis expose residual cancer cells to a hypoxic microenvironment. As the blocked vessels are slowly reperfused, the oxygen supply is gradually restored. Here, HCC cells underwent heat treatment and were cultured under hypoxic conditions to mimic the aforementioned situation, and morphological changes were observed in the surviving cells. Compared with their parental cells, hypoxic HCC cells showed changes that include enhanced invasive, metastatic, and chemoresistant abilities as well as mesenchymal characteristics. There was also a higher percentage of stem‐like cells. However, either improving the hypoxic microenvironment or silencing hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)‐1α signaling significantly reduced the invasive, metastatic, and chemoresistant potential and reversed the epithelial‐mesenchymal transition to varying degrees. Together, these results indicated that a sustained hypoxic microenvironment after RFA may exert a negative impact on the prognosis of HCC patients, and minimizing exposure to a hypoxic microenvironment and targeting HIF‐1α signaling might be effective strategies for patients who experience insufficient RFA therapy.
Bullying and Negotiated Identities: Perspectives of 7th and 8th Grade Girls
Authors: Forsberg Camilla
Published: February 2017

The aim of this study is to explore 40 Swedish 7th and 8th grade girls’ perspectives on bullying by listening to how they discuss and understand bullying. Pair and group interviews were conducted and analysed using grounded theory. Symbolic interactionism was used as a theoretical perspective focusing on social processes and interaction. The participants constructed bullying as an identity process involving gendered identities, victim identities and socially‐valuable identities where bullying was located within a gendered order. These identities were negotiated with the concept of self‐confidence, where the girls both aligned with and distanced themselves from the gendered order.
Phylogeny, host association and biogeographical patterns in the diverse millipede‐parasitoid genusMyriophoraBrown (Diptera:Phoridae)
Authors: Hash John M. , Heraty John M. , Brown Brian V.
Published: February 2017

Myriophorais the most species‐rich group of parasitoids that attack toxic, chemically defended millipedes in the superorder Juliformia and order Polydesmida—a resource that few insect predators and parasitoids are able to exploit. Worldwide, there are an estimated 200 species ofMyriophora, with the majority of the diversity centred in the Neotropical region. The phylogeny ofMyriophorais unknown, biogeographical patterns are not documented, and known host associations have not been assessed in a phylogenetic context. We provide the first phylogenetic study of the genus from a data set composed of 52 taxa primarily from the Neotropical region including 10 outgroups, 40 morphological characters, and molecular data from three mitochondrial (16S,COIandND1) and one nuclear marker (AK). We find thatMyriophoradispersed from the New World to the Old World in a single event before subsequently spreading to the Afrotropical region. The ancestral hosts reconstructed forMyriophoraare the benzoquinone‐producing Juliformia, and this association has been retained in the Old World clade. In the Neotropical region,Myriophorathat are associated with cyanide‐producing polydesmidan millipedes are confined to a single clade that shows remarkably little genetic variation between clearly morphologically diagnosable species.
De novo DQ donor‐specific antibodies are associated with worse outcomes compared to non‐DQ de novo donor‐specific antibodies following heart transplantation
Authors: Cole Robert Townsend , Gandhi Jonathan , Bray Robert A. , Gebel Howard M. , Morris Alanna , McCue Andrew , Yin Michael , Laskar S. Raja , Book Wendy , Jokhadar Maan , Smith Andrew , Nguyen Duc , Vega J. David , Gupta Divya
Published: February 2017

Background

Antibody‐mediated rejection (AMR) resulting from de novo donor‐specific antibodies (dnDSA) leads to adverse outcomes following heart transplantation (HTx). It remains unclear what role dnDSA to specific HLA antigens play in adverse outcomes. This study compares outcomes in patients developing dnDSA to DQ antigens with those developing non‐DQ dnDSA and those free from dnDSA.

Methods

The present study was a single‐center, retrospective analysis of 122 consecutive HTx recipients. The primary outcome was a composite of death or graft dysfunction.

Results

After 3.3 years of follow‐up, 31 (28%) patients developed dnDSA. Mean time to dnDSA was 539 days. Of 31 patients, 19 developed DQ antibodies and 12 developed non‐DQ antibodies. Compared to non‐DQ dnDSA, DQ antibodies presented with higher MFI values (P=.001) were more likely persistent (P=.001) and appeared later post‐HTx (654 vs 359 days, P=.035). In a multivariable analysis, DQ dnDSA was associated with increased risk of the primary endpoint (HR 6.15, 95% CI 2.57‐14.75, P=.001), whereas no increased risk was seen with non‐DQ dnDSA (P=.749).

Conclusions

dnDSA to DQ antigens following HTx are associated with increased risk of death and graft dysfunction.
Hypoglycaemia manifestations and recurrent events: Lessons from the SAVOR‐TIMI 53 outcome study
Authors: Cahn Avivit , Mosenzon Ofri , Bhatt Deepak L. , Leibowitz Gil , Yanuv Ilan , Rozenberg Aliza , Iqbal Nayyar , Hirshberg Boaz , Stahre Christina , Im KyungAh , Kanevsky Estella , Raz Itamar
Published: February 2017

Hypoglycaemia is a well‐known risk associated with the use of sulphonylureas and insulin, often limiting achievement of glycaemic goals. Recognizing the precipitants and recurrence patterns of hypoglycaemic events, particularly major events, is therefore clinically important. The SAVOR‐TIMI‐53 trial was a cardiovascular outcome study of 16 492 patients allocated to saxagliptin vs placebo added to conventional care for a median of 2.1 years. Hypoglycaemic events were a prespecified outcome in the study and were defined as a symptomatic episode that recovered with carbohydrates or any recorded blood glucose <3.0 mmol/l (<54 mg/dL). A major event was defined as one that required third‐party assistance. Analysis of the features of the first hypoglycaemic event for each patient showed that a precipitant for the event was recognized by fewer than half of the patients, with the precipitant most often being a missed meal. In 40% of patients reporting major hypoglycaemic events, no precipitating factor was recognized, and in >60%, no previous hypoglycaemic event was reported during the timespan of the study, underscoring the lack of predictability of such an event.
Bank Competition and Leverage Adjustments
Authors: Jiang Fuxiu , Jiang Zhan , Huang Jicheng , Kim Kenneth A. , Nofsinger John R.
Published: February 2017

We test whether bank competition affects firms’ leverage adjustment speeds. Using Chinese data where bank concentration varies across both years and provinces, we find that underlevered firms move to their target leverage faster when bank competition is high. Tests surrounding an exogenous shock to bank competition lead to the same conclusion. We also find that small firms and nonstate‐owned firms exhibit faster leverage adjustments when bank competition is high, which is consistent with the conjecture that bank risk taking increases with competition.
Remediation of upstream passage for migrating Galaxias (Family: Galaxiidae) through a pipe culvert
Authors: Amtstaetter F. , O'Connor J. , Borg D. , Stuart I. , Moloney P.
Published: February 2017

Movement through streams is critical for the maintenance of diadromous fish populations. Numerous fish passage improvement techniques exist, and knowledge of their effectiveness is required to conserve target species. An existing 70‐m pipe culvert was considered a barrier to the passage success of young‐of‐year (YOY) Galaxias spp. as a result of high water velocity (0.9 m/s). Water velocity in the pipe culvert was reduced by installing a concrete weir downstream of the culvert. A lateral ridge rock‐ramp fishway was installed to provide for the passage of fish over the weir, and baffles were installed in the upstream portion of the culvert to provide refuge from higher water velocity at this location. A BACI design was used to determine whether passage success, measured using a mark–recapture technique, improved as a result of the remediation works. The probability of successful passage of YOY Galaxias spp. through the culvert increased from 0.03 to 0.41 following remediation works and was similar to levels observed at a control site (0.33). The success of the fishway and baffles at this culvert provides an important case study for managers to adopt this technique to improve fish passage on a broader scale and range of other sites.
High fluid shear strain causes injury in silver shark: Preliminary implications for Mekong hydropower turbine design
Authors: Baumgartner L. J. , Thorncraft G. , Phonekhampheng O. , Boys C. , Navarro A. , Robinson W. , Brown R. , Deng Z. D.
Published: February 2017

The Lower Mekong Basin is facing unprecedented threats to fish diversity from hydropower development. There is increasing pressure on developers and construction authorities to design solutions to improve fish survival through turbines, thus protecting the resources in regions being developed for hydropower. A hydraulic characteristic of hydropower turbines with known fisheries impacts is fluid shear stress. Elevated shear stress occurs where rapidly flowing water passes near spillways, screens and within turbine draft tubes. Shear stress can have adverse impacts on fish, but no work has assessed whether this holds true for Mekong River species. A flume was used to determine critical tolerances of silver shark, Balantiocheilos melanopterus (Bleeker), to shear stress rates at a high‐velocity jet which simulated a hydropower turbine. Fish were assessed for injury or mortality following exposure. Results were compared against a no‐shear control. Injury and mortality were greater at higher shear stress exposures. Injuries occurred at all shear exposure levels with mortality at shear levels higher than 600/s. This approach should help design future hydropower turbines if data on other species demonstrate similar results. If the likelihood of adverse impact is high, then shear stress will need to be considered in the design of future hydropower facilities.
Can fish sampling protocol (CEN, 2005) be amended for Mediterranean lakes?
Authors: Petriki O. , Stergiou K. I. , Bobori D. C.
Published: February 2017

The CEN (2005) methodology for fish monitoring of mesotrophic to eutrophic Mediterranean lakes was evaluated. The contribution of gillnet (benthic and pelagic) and electrofishing catches on species richness was examined. Additionally, the contribution of benthic gillnet sampling effort on species richness and precision of catch‐per‐unit‐effort (CPUE) estimates, considering both number of specimens (ΝPUE) and biomass (BPUE), was assessed. Subsequently, the impact of reduction in sampling effort on the parameters mentioned above was estimated and the effort needed to acquire the desired precision level considering different NPUE values was modelled. The use of different sampling gears was found to contribute to species richness assessment, while sampling effort could be reduced in the deepest zones of the lakes. The resultant model can reliably guide assessment of the sampling effort required in the Mediterranean and central European lakes with high fish densities.
Contrasting responses of leaf stomatal characteristics to climate change: a considerable challenge to predict carbon and water cycles
Authors: Yan Weiming , Zhong Yangquanwei , Shangguan Zhouping
Published: February 2017

Stomata control the cycling of water and carbon between plants and the atmosphere; however, no consistent conclusions have been drawn regarding the response of stomatal frequency to climate change. Here, we conducted a meta‐analysis of 1854 globally obtained data series to determine the response of stomatal frequency to climate change, which including four plant life forms (over 900 species), at altitudes ranging from 0 to 4500 m and over a time span of more than one hundred thousand years. Stomatal frequency decreased with increasing CO2 concentration and increased with elevated temperature and drought stress; it was also dependent on the species and experimental conditions. The response of stomatal frequency to climate change showed a trade‐off between stomatal control strategies and environmental factors, such as the CO2 concentration, temperature, and soil water availability. Moreover, threshold effects of elevated CO2 and temperature on stomatal frequency were detected, indicating that the response of stomatal density to increasing CO2 concentration will decrease over the next few years. The results also suggested that the stomatal index may be more reliable than stomatal density for determination of the historic CO2 concentration. Our findings indicate that the contrasting responses of stomata to climate change bring a considerable challenge in predicting future water and carbon cycles.
Freshwater ecosystems could become the biggest losers of the Paris Agreement
Authors: Hermoso Virgilio
Published: February 2017

Securing access to energy for a growing population under the international commitment of reduction of greenhouse emissions requires increasing the contribution of renewable sources to the global share. Hydropower energy, which accounts for >80% of green energy, is experiencing a boom fostered by international investment mainly in developing countries. This boom could be further accelerated by the recent climate agreement reached in Paris. Despite its flexibility, hydropower production entails social, economic and ecological risks that need to be carefully considered before investing in the development of potentially thousands of planned hydropower projects worldwide. This is especially relevant given the weak or nonexistent legislation that regulates hydropower project approval and construction in many countries. I highlight the need for adequate policy to provide the Paris Agreement with new financial and planning mechanisms to avoid further and irreversible damage to freshwater ecosystem services and biodiversity.
Predicting microcystin concentrations in lakes and reservoirs at a continental scale: A new framework for modelling an important health risk factor
Authors: Taranu Zofia E. , Gregory‐Eaves Irene , Steele Russell J. , Beaulieu Marieke , Legendre Pierre
Published: February 2017

Aim

Scientists, governments and non‐governmental organizations are increasingly moving towards the collection of large, open‐access data. In aquatic sciences, this effort is expanding the scope of questions and analyses that can be performed to further our knowledge of the global drivers of water quality. Cyanotoxin concentration is one variable that has received considerable attention, and although strong local‐scale models have been described in the literature, modelling cyanotoxin concentrations across broader spatial scales has been more difficult. Commonly used statistical frameworks have not fully captured the complex response of toxic algal blooms to global change, limiting our ability to predict and mitigate the impairment of freshwaters by toxic algae. Here, we advance our understanding of emergent drivers of cyanotoxins across a structured landscape by applying a hierarchical “hurdle” model.

Location

Lakes and reservoirs in the conterminous United States [n = 1127].

Methods

We studied cyanobacteria and their toxins [microcystins] during the 2007 summer period. We applied a hierarchical zero‐altered model to test the importance of multi‐scale interactions among environmental features in driving microcystin concentrations above the limit of detection. We then used boosted regression trees [BRTs] to identify environmental thresholds associated with severe impairment by microcystins.

Results

Accounting for numerous non‐detections, spatial heterogeneity and cross‐scale interactions substantially improved continental‐scale predictions of bloom toxicity. Our model accounted for 55% of the variance in the probability of detecting microcystins across the United States, and 26% of the variability in microcystin concentrations once detected. BRTs further showed that although both local and regional drivers were associated with microcystin concentrations at low to intermediate provisional guidelines, only local drivers came into play when predicting higher limits.

Main conclusions

Identifying the interaction between local and regional processes is key to understanding the heterogeneous responses of microcystins to environmental change. Our framework could increase the effectiveness of continental‐scale analyses for many different water variables.
Comparative economic evaluation of home‐based and hospital‐based palliative care for terminal cancer patients
Authors: Kato Koki , Fukuda Haruhisa
Published: February 2017

Aim

To quantify the difference between adjusted costs for home‐based palliative care and hospital‐based palliative care in terminally ill cancer patients.

Methods

We carried out a case–control study of home‐care patients (cases) who had died at home between January 2009 and December 2013, and hospital‐care patients (controls) who had died at a hospital between April 2008 and December 2013. Data on patient characteristics were obtained from insurance claims data and medical records. We identified the determinants of home care using a multivariate logistic regression analysis. Cox proportional hazards analysis was used to examine treatment duration in both types of care, and a generalized linear model was used to estimate the reduction in treatment costs associated with home care.

Results

The case and control groups comprised 48 and 99 patients, respectively. Home care was associated with one or more person(s) living with the patient (adjusted OR 6.54, 95% CI 1.18–36.05), required assistance for activities of daily living (adjusted OR 3.61, 95% CI 1.12–10.51), non‐use of oxygen inhalation therapy (adjusted OR 12.75, 95% CI 3.53–46.02), oral or suppository opioid use (adjusted OR 5.74, 95% CI 1.11–29.54) and transdermal patch opioid use (adjusted OR 8.30, 95% CI 1.97–34.93). The adjusted hazard ratio of home care for treatment duration was not significant (adjusted OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.59–1.53). However, home care was significantly associated with a reduction of $7523 (95% CI $7093–7991, P = 0.015) in treatment costs.

Conclusions

Despite similar treatment durations between the groups, treatment costs were substantially lower in the home‐care group. These findings might inform the policymaking process for improving the home‐care support system. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 2247–2254.
Sebaceous carcinoma in solid organ transplant recipients
Authors: Hoss Elika , Nelson Steven A. , Sharma Amit
Published: February 2017

Background

Though a rare tumor, sebaceous carcinoma is relatively well‐described in immunocompetent patients, in whom it often occurs in a periorbital distribution where it has an overall poor prognosis with a high metastasis rate. The effect of transplant‐related immunosuppression on the development of sebaceous carcinoma and its outcomes has not been characterized.

Methods

We collected 9 cases from a single institution of patients developing sebaceous carcinoma after solid organ transplantation. We analyzed clinicopathologic features.

Results

We estimate the prevalence of sebaceous carcinoma post‐solid organ transplantation to be 0.09%. The mean age at diagnosis was 66.1 years (std 7.0 years). The mean time between transplantation and sebaceous carcinoma diagnosis was 7.1 years (std 5.1 years). All tumors occurred in extra‐ocular distribution. Two patients likely had Muir‐Torre syndrome, of whom 1 died from metastatic sebaceous carcinoma. No other patients developed metastatic disease or had disease‐related death. Mohs micrographic surgery and wide local excision were equally effective and there were no recurrences with either procedure.

Conclusions

Our study found that sebaceous carcinoma in solid organ transplant recipients occurs in in an extraorbital distribution with only 1 patient developing metastatic disease. Both Mohs micrographic surgery and wide local excision are acceptable treatment modalities for sebaceous carcinoma in transplant recipients.
Wholesale price contract versus consignment contract in a supply chain considering dynamic advertising
Authors: Lu Fuxiao , Zhang Jianxiong , Tang Wansheng
Published: February 2017

Supply chain contracts are widely considered as useful and necessary tools to guide and restrict channel members' behaviors. Considering the effect of dynamic advertising, we investigate two distinct types of contracts between a dominant retailer and her manufacturer. One contract is a traditional wholesale price contract and the other is a consignment contract. The results show that, compared to the wholesale price contract, the consignment contract is always more desirable from the perspectives of the retailer and the entire channel and brings more consumer surplus. When the dominant retailer's advertising effort is very effective or channel members have enough patience, the dominant retailer and the manufacturer can achieve a Pareto improvement under the consignment contract; otherwise the manufacturer prefers the wholesale price contract.
Modulation of Brassica napus source–sink physiology through film antitranspirant induced drought tolerance amelioration that is dependent on the stress magnitude
Authors: Faralli M. , Grove I. G. , Hare M. C. , Alcalde‐Barrios A. , Williams K. S. , Corke F. M. K. , Kettlewell P. S.
Published: February 2017

Increase in drought conditions during the oilseed rape (OSR) reproductive phase is predicted to occur more often in the temperate zone, leading to significant yield losses. Crop management solutions such as film antitranspirant (AT) applied at key drought‐sensitive growth stages on both wheat and oilseed rape have recently been shown to alleviate drought‐induced yield losses. However, there is a lack of information regarding potential AT effectiveness to reduce drought damage on OSR plants at different soil moisture regimes. Therefore, two similar experiments were performed in a computer‐controlled glasshouse/phenotyping centre to investigate the physiological responses of OSR to well‐watered (WW), moderate water stress (MWS), water stress (WS) and severe water stress (SWS) conditions. Stress treatments were imposed at the initiation of flowering and treated with an AT or water onto the leaf canopy. Stress limited the gas‐exchange and increased leaf temperature, leaf‐to‐air temperature, bud‐to‐air temperature and ABA concentrations which increased with stress intensity in all tissues analysed. Yield components were significantly reduced by WS and SWS treatments when compared to the WW plants. Application of AT counteracted the detrimental effect of WS and SWS by decreasing water use over the first few days of stress application thus improving relative water content and leaf water‐use efficiency, decreasing ABA accumulation in leaf and all the reproductive organs analysed (buds, flowers and pods) and avoiding bud‐to‐air temperature increases. AT application sustained pod formation and seed production under WS but only seed production under SWS conditions. These data suggest that leaf‐canopy application of AT at key phenological stages under particular magnitudes of soil moisture deficit may sustain OSR reproduction and reduce yield losses.
Developing an instrument to measure emotional behaviour abilities of meaningful learning through the Delphi technique
Authors: Cadorin Lucia , Bagnasco Annamaria , Tolotti Angela , Pagnucci Nicola , Sasso Loredana
Published: February 2017

Aim

To identify items for a new instrument that measures emotional behaviour abilities of meaningful learning, according to Fink's Taxonomy.

Background

Meaningful learning is an active process that promotes a wider and deeper understanding of concepts. It is the result of an interaction between new and previous knowledge and produces a long‐term change of knowledge and skills. To measure meaningful learning capability, it is very important in the education of health professionals to identify problems or special learning needs. For this reason, it is necessary to create valid instruments.

Design

A Delphi Study technique was implemented in four phases by means of e‐mail.

Methods

The study was conducted from April–September 2015. An expert panel consisting of ten researchers with experience in Fink's Taxonomy was established to identify the items of the instrument. Data were analysed for conceptual description and item characteristics and attributes were rated. Expert consensus was sought in each of these phases. An 87·5% consensus cut‐off was established.

Results

After four rounds, consensus was obtained for validation of the content of the instrument ‘Assessment of Meaningful learning Behavioural and Emotional Abilities’. This instrument consists of 56 items evaluated on a 6‐point Likert‐type scale. Foundational Knowledge, Application, Integration, Human Dimension, Caring and Learning How to Learn were the six major categories explored.

Conclusions

This content validated tool can help educators (teachers, trainers and tutors) to identify and improve the strategies to support students’ learning capability, which could increase their awareness of and/or responsibility in the learning process.
The development of professional practice standards for Australian general practice nurses
Authors: Halcomb Elizabeth , Stephens Moira , Bryce Julianne , Foley Elizabeth , Ashley Christine
Published: February 2017

Aims

The aim of this study was to explore the current role of general practice nurses and the scope of nursing practice to inform the development of national professional practice standards for Australian general practice nurses.

Background

Increasing numbers of nurses have been employed in Australian general practice to meet the growing demand for primary care services. This has brought significant changes to the nursing role. Competency standards for nurses working in general practice were first developed in Australia in 2005, but limited attention has been placed on articulating the contemporary scope of practice for nurses in this setting.

Design

Concurrent mixed methods design.

Methods

Data collection was conducted during 2013–2014 and involved two online surveys of Registered and Enrolled Nurses currently working in general practice, a series of 14 focus groups across Australia and a series of consultations with key experts.

Findings

Data collection enabled the development of 22 Practice Standards separated into four domains: (i) Professional Practice; (ii) Nursing Care; (iii) General Practice Environment and (iv) Collaborative Practice. To differentiate the variations in enacting these Standards, performance indicators for the Enrolled Nurse, Registered Nurse and Registered Nurse Advanced Practice are provided under each Standard.

Conclusion

The development of national professional practice standards for nurses working in Australian general practice will support ongoing workforce development. These Standards are also an important means of articulating the role and scope of the nurses’ practice for both consumers and other health professionals, as well as being a guide for curriculum development and measurement of performance.
Adaptation of the Practice Environment Scale for military nurses: a psychometric analysis
Authors: Swiger Pauline A. , Raju Dheeraj , Breckenridge‐Sproat Sara , Patrician Patricia A.
Published: February 2017

Aim

The aim of this study was to confirm the psychometric properties of Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index in a military population. This study also demonstrates association rule analysis, a contemporary exploratory technique.

Background

One of the instruments most commonly used to evaluate the nursing practice environment is the Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index. Although the instrument has been widely used, the reliability, validity and individual item function are not commonly evaluated. Gaps exist with regard to confirmatory evaluation of the subscale factors, individual item analysis and evaluation in the outpatient setting and with non‐registered nursing staff.

Design

This was a secondary data analysis of existing survey data.

Methods

Multiple psychometric methods were used for this analysis using survey data collected in 2014. First, descriptive analyses were conducted, including exploration using association rules. Next, internal consistency was tested and confirmatory factor analysis was performed to test the factor structure. The specified factor structure did not hold; therefore, exploratory factor analysis was performed. Finally, item analysis was executed using item response theory. The differential item functioning technique allowed the comparison of responses by care setting and nurse type.

Results

The results of this study indicate that responses differ between groups and that several individual items could be removed without altering the psychometric properties of the instrument.

Conclusion

The instrument functions moderately well in a military population; however, researchers may want to consider nurse type and care setting during analysis to identify any meaningful variation in responses.
Factors associated with school‐aged children's body mass index in Korean American families
Authors: Jang Myoungock , Grey Margaret , Sadler Lois , Jeon Sangchoon , Nam Soohyun , Song Hee‐Jung , Whittemore Robin
Published: February 2017

Aims

To examine factors associated with children's body mass index and obesity‐risk behaviours in Korean American families.

Background

Limited data are available about family factors related to overweight and obesity in Korean American children.

Design

A cross‐sectional study.

Methods

Convenient sampling was employed to recruit Korean American families in the Northeast of the United States between August 2014 and January 2015. Child, family and societal/demographic/community factors were measured with self‐report questionnaires completed by mothers and children. Height and weight were measured to calculate body mass index. Data were analyzed using mixed effects models incorporating within‐group correlation in siblings.

Results

The sample included 170 Korean American children and 137 mothers. In bivariate analyses, more child screen time, number of children in the household, greater parental underestimation of child's weight and children's participation in the school lunch program were significantly associated with higher child body mass index. In multivariate analyses that included variables showing significant bivariate relationship, no variable was associated with child body mass index.

Conclusion

There were no child, family and societal/demographic/community factors related to child body mass index in Korean American families in the multivariate analysis, which is contrary to research in other racial/ethnic groups. In bivariate analyses, there is evidence that some factors were significantly related to child body mass index. Further research is needed to understand the unique behavioural, social and cultural features that contribute to childhood obesity in Korean American families.