bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Grassroots inter-professional networks: the case of organizing care for older cancer patients
Authors: Bagayogo Fatou Farima , Lepage Annick , Denis Jean-Louis , Lamothe Lise , Lapointe Liette , Vedel Isabelle
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper of inter-professional networks is to analyze the evolution of relationships between professional groups enacting new forms of collaboration to address clinical imperatives.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses a case study based on semi-structured interviews with physicians and nurses, document analysis and informal discussions.

Findings

This study documents how two inter-professional networks were developed through professional agency. The findings show that the means by which networks are developed influence the form of collaboration therein. One of the networks developed from day-to-day, immediately relevant, exchange, for patient care. The other one developed from more formal and infrequent research and training exchanges that were seen as less decisive in facilitating patient care. The latter resulted in a loosely knit network based on a small number of ad hoc referrals while the other resulted in a tightly knit network based on frequent referrals and advice seeking.

Practical implications

Developing inter-professional networks likely require a sustained phase of interpersonal contacts characterized by persuasion, knowledge sharing, skill demonstration and trust building from less powerful professional groups to obtain buy-in from more powerful professional groups. The nature of the collaboration in any resulting network depends largely on the nature of these initial contacts.

Originality/value

The literature on inter-professional healthcare networks focusses on mandated networks such as NHS managed care networks. There is a lack of research on inter-professional networks that emerged from the bottom up at the initiative of healthcare professionals in response to clinical imperatives. This study looks at some forms of collaboration that these “grass-root” initiatives engender and how they are consolidated.
Formal priority setting in health care: the Swedish experience
Authors: Garpenby Peter , Bäckman Karin
Published: September 2016

Purpose

From the late 1980s and onwards health care in Sweden has come under increasing financial pressure, forcing policy makers to consider restrictions. The purpose of this paper is to review experiences and to establish lessons of formal priority setting in four Swedish regional health authorities during the period 2003-2012.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper draws on a variety of sources, and evidence is organised according to three broad aspects: design and implementation of models and processes, application of evidence and decision analysis tools and decision making and implementation of decisions.

Findings

The processes accounted for here have resulted in useful experiences concerning technical arrangements as well as political and public strategies. All four sites used a particular model for priority setting that combined top-down- and bottom-up-driven elements. Although the process was authorised from the top it was clearly bottom-up driven and the template followed a professional rationale. New meeting grounds were introduced between politicians and clinical leaders. Overall a limited group of stakeholders were involved. By defusing political conflicts the likelihood that clinical leaders would regard this undertaking as important increased.

Originality/value

One tendency today is to unburden regional authorities of the hard decisions by introducing arrangements at national level. This study suggests that regional health authorities, in spite of being politically governed organisations, have the potential to execute a formal priority-setting process. Still, to make priority-setting processes more robust to internal as well as external threat remains a challenge.
Key success factors behind electronic medical record adoption in Thailand
Authors: Narattharaksa Kanida , Speece Mark , Newton Charles , Bulyalert Damrongsak
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the elements that health care personnel in Thailand believe are necessary for successful adoption of electronic medical record (EMR) systems.

Design/methodology/approach

Initial qualitative in-depth interviews with physicians to adapt key elements from the literature to the Thai context. The 12 elements identified included things related to managing the implementation and to IT expertise. The nationwide survey was supported by the Ministry of Public Health and returned 1,069 usable questionnaires (response rate 42 percent) from a range of medical personnel.

Findings

The key elements clearly separated into a managerial dimension and an IT dimension. All were considered fairly important, but managerial expertise was more critical. In particular, there should be clear EMR project goals and scope, adequate budget allocation, clinical staff must be involved in implementation, and the IT should facilitate good electronic communication.

Research limitations/implications

Thailand is representative of middle-income developing countries, but there is no guarantee findings can be generalized. National policies differ, as do economic structures of health care industries. The focus is on management at the organizational level, but future research must also examine macro-level issues, as well as gain more depth into thinking of individual health care personnel.

Practical implications

Technical issues of EMR implementation are certainly important. However, it is clear actual adoption and use of the system also depends very heavily on managerial issues.

Originality/value

Most research on EMR implementation has been in developed countries, and has often focussed more on technical issues rather than examining managerial issues closely. Health IT is also critical in developing economies, and management of health IT implementation must be well understood.
Do Basel III Higher Common Equity Capital Requirements Matter for Bank Risk‐taking Behaviour? Lessons from South Africa
Authors: Adesina Kolade Sunday , Mwamba John Muteba
Published: September 2016

This paper examines the role of common equity capital in determining the risk‐taking behaviour of banks in South Africa. Using system GMM, the results show that higher common equity capital is associated with lower bank risk. Additionally, the results show that there is a negative and significant relationship between business cycles and bank risk, while the relationship between bank market power and risk is positive and significant. The findings remain robust after using alternative measures of bank risk. On the whole, this study recommends that an increase in common equity capital should be coupled with control of bank market power to achieve the goal of curtailing excessive risk appetite of banks.
Does Information Sharing Promote or Detract from Bank Returns: Evidence from Ghana
Authors: Kusi Baah Aye , Agbloyor Elikplimi Komla , Fiador Vera Ogeh , Osei Kofi Achampong
Published: September 2016

This study examines the effect of information sharing through credit reference bureaus (CRBs) on the profitability of banks in Ghana. We adopt a Prais‐Winsten panel regression for 25 banks across four years to examine the empirical relations. We establish that information sharing through CRBs is positively related to bank profitability. This implies that as banks use the services of CRBs (indicating information sharing) they are able to boost their profitability. This is because information sharing can lead to an increase in interest income by reducing incomplete and false information which in turn leads to a reduction in collateral constraints. Further, information sharing reduces information asymmetry by lowering the evaluation (adverse selection) and monitoring costs (moral hazard) associated with the lending proposition. The major implications of our findings are that sharing information across banks is important for the profitability of the banking system as a whole. In this regard, it would be useful to find more efficient and cost‐effective ways to provide information sharing services to banks and other non‐bank financial institutions. We recommend that the laws that mandate the gathering of credit information be expanded to include credit data from tax agencies, utility agencies and court rulings on financial matters.
Analysis of retinal function using chromatic pupillography in retinitis pigmentosa and the relationship to electrically evoked phosphene thresholds
Authors: Kelbsch Carina , Maeda Fumiatsu , Lisowska Jolanta , Lisowski Lukasz , Strasser Torsten , Stingl Krunoslav , Wilhelm Barbara , Wilhelm Helmut , Peters Tobias
Published: September 2016

Purpose

To analyse pupil responses to specific chromatic stimuli in patients with advanced retinitis pigmentosa (RP) to ascertain whether chromatic pupillography can be used as an objective marker for residual retinal function. To examine correlations between parameters of the pupil response and the perception threshold of electrically evoked phosphenes.

Methods

Chromatic pupillography was performed in 40 patients with advanced RP (visual acuity < 0.02 or visual field ≤5°, non‐recordable ERGs) and 40 age‐matched healthy subjects. Pupil responses to full‐field red (605 nm) and blue (420 nm) stimuli of 28 lx corneal illumination were recorded and analysed for two stimulus durations (1 and 4 seconds). The perception threshold of phosphenes to transcorneal electrostimulation was ascertained and correlated to the pupil responses and visual acuity.

Results

Patients with RP showed significantly reduced pupil responses to red and blue stimuli compared with the controls. With red stimuli, pupillary escape could be observed; blue stimuli resulted in a well‐preserved postillumination pupil response. Phosphene thresholds were significantly increased in patients with RP and correlated with the parameters of the pupil response if all subjects were considered. Within the RP group alone, this relationship was less pronounced and statistically not significant.

Conclusions

Chromatic pupillography demonstrated a significant decrease in outer retinal photoreceptor responses but a persisting and disinhibited intrinsic photosensitive retinal ganglion cell function in advanced RP. These phenomena may be useful as an objective marker for the efficacy of any interventional treatment for hereditary retinal diseases as well as for the selection of suitable patients for an electronic retinal implant.
Development of an in vivo target‐engagement biomarker for TRPA1 antagonists in humans
Authors: Buntinx Linde , Chang Lin , Amin Aasim , Morlion Bart , de Hoon Jan
Published: September 2016

Aim

To develop a non‐invasive, safe and reproducible target‐engagement biomarker for future TRPA1 antagonists in healthy volunteers.

Methods

Dose finding (n = 11): 3%, 10%, and 30% cinnamaldehyde (CA) and placebo (= vehicle) was topically applied on the right forearm. One‐way ANOVA with post‐hoc Bonferroni was used to compare between doses. Reproducibility: 10% CA doses were topically applied during one visit on both arms (n = 10) or during two visits (n = 23) separated by a washout period of 7 days. CA‐induced dermal blood flow (DBF) was assessed by laser Doppler imaging (LDI) at baseline and at 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 min post‐CA. Paired t‐test was used to compare between arms or visits. Concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) was calculated to assess reproducibility. Data are expressed as percent change from baseline (mean ± 95% CI).

Results

All three doses increased DBF compared to vehicle at all time‐points, with the maximum response at 10–20 min post‐CA. Dose response was found when comparing AUC0–50min of 30% CA (51 364 ± 8475%*min) with 10% CA (32 239 ± 8034%*min, P = 0.03) and 3% CA (30 226 ± 11 958%*min, P = 0.015). 10% CA was chosen as an effective and safe dose. DBF response to 10% CA was found to be reproducible between arms (AUC0–50min, CCC = 0.91) and visits (AUC0–50min, CCC = 0.83). Based on sample size calculations, this model allows a change in CA‐induced DBF of 30–50% to be detected between two independent groups of maximum 10–15 subjects with 80% power.

Conclusions

Evaluation of CA‐induced changes in DBF offers a safe, non‐invasive and reproducible target‐engagement biomarker in vivo in humans to evaluate TRPA1 antagonists.
Educational differences in responses to breast cancer symptoms: A qualitative comparative study
Authors: Marcu Afrodita , Black Georgia , Vedsted Peter , Lyratzopoulos Georgios , Whitaker Katriina L.
Published: September 2016

Objective

Advanced stage at diagnosis for breast cancer is associated with lower socio‐economic status (SES). We explored what factors in the patient interval (time from noticing a bodily change to first consultation with a health care professional) may contribute to this inequality.

Design

Qualitative comparative study.

Methods

Semi‐structured interviews with a sample of women (≥47 years) from higher (n = 15) and lower (n = 15) educational backgrounds, who had experienced at least one potential breast cancer symptom. Half the participants (n = 15) had sought medical help, half had not (n = 15). Without making breast cancer explicit, we elicited women's sense‐making around their symptoms and help‐seeking decisions.

Results

Containment of symptoms and confidence in acting upon symptoms emerged as two broad themes that differentiated lower and higher educational groups. Women from lower educational backgrounds tended to attribute their breast symptoms to trivial factors and were reticent in using the word ‘cancer’. Despite ‘knowing’ that symptoms could be related to cancer, women with lower education invoked lack of medical knowledge – ‘I am not a doctor’ – to express uncertainty about interpreting symptoms and accessing help. Women with higher education were confident about interpreting symptoms, seeking information online, and seeking medical help.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that knowledge of breast cancer alone may not explain socio‐economic differences in how women respond to breast cancer symptoms as women with lower education had ‘reasons’ not to react. Research is needed on how to overcome a wider spectrum of psycho‐social factors to reduce future inequality.

Statement of contribution

What is already known on this subject?

Seven of ten breast cancers in the UK are diagnosed after people contact their doctor with symptoms.

Women from lower socio‐economic backgrounds are more likely to be diagnosed with advanced disease.

There is little evidence related to potential drivers of this SES inequality.

What does this study add?

We qualitatively explored socio‐economic (SES) differences in help‐seeking for breast symptoms.

Women with higher education were more confident about interpreting symptoms and navigating health care.

Women with lower education were more reluctant to seek help due to fear of cancer.
Collective synchrony increases prosociality towards non‐performers and outgroup members
Authors: Reddish Paul , Tong Eddie M. W. , Jong Jonathan , Lanman Jonathan A. , Whitehouse Harvey
Published: September 2016

Previous research has found that behavioural synchrony between people leads to greater prosocial tendencies towards co‐performers. In this study, we investigated the scope of this prosocial effect: does it extend beyond the performance group to an extended ingroup (extended parochial prosociality) or even to other people in general (generalized prosociality)? Participants performed a simple rhythmic movement either in time (synchrony condition) or out of time (asynchrony condition) with each other. Before and during the rhythmic movement, participants were exposed to a prime that made salient an extended ingroup identity. After the task, half of the participants had the opportunity to help an extended ingroup member; the other half had the opportunity to help an outgroup member. We found a main effect of our synchrony manipulation across both help targets suggesting that the prosocial effects of synchrony extend to non‐performers. Furthermore, there was a significantly higher proportion of participants willing to help an outgroup member after moving collectively in synchrony. This study shows that under certain intergroup contexts synchrony can lead to generalized prosociality with performers displaying greater prosociality even towards outgroup members.
Nutraceuticals in hypercholesterolaemia: an overview
Authors: Santini Antonello , Novellino Ettore
Published: September 2016

Growing attention is now being given to the possible preventive/alternative ways to avoid illness onset. Changes in lifestyle and food habits are taking over from the conventional pharmaceutical‐based approach, especially for chronic pathologies. Nutraceuticals have been proposed as key tools for the prevention and cure of some pathological conditions. This is leading research to develop new formulations based on these pharma‐foods addressed in a specific way to prevent and cure health issues, which, in turn, will have an effect on therapy‐related costs sustained by any National Health Organization. According to existing regulations, nutraceuticals cannot be categorized as either food or drugs but, by definition, often inhabit a grey area in between the two, being assimilated into food supplements, notwithstanding the beneficial properties that they can provide for some pathological conditions. A nutraceuticals‐based approach for health management, in particular for some pathological conditions, has resulted in a worldwide growing ‘nutraceutical’ revolution. An outstanding example is the approach to the ‘metabolic syndrome’, which includes overweight, obesity and cardiovascular‐related diseases, causing a sort of cascade of chronic health conditions, which is becoming a norm in modern life. Hypercholesterolaemia is one of these. It represents an example of a pathology that can be linked to both a poor lifestyle and dietary habits. The nutraceutical approach to hypercholesterolaemia is described in the present review as a possible alternative to the conventional drug‐based therapy.

Linked Articles

This article is part of a themed section on Principles of Pharmacological Research of Nutraceuticals. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v174.11/issuetoc
Perceived Peer and Parent Out‐Group Norms, Cultural Identity, and Adolescents’ Reasoning About Peer Intergroup Exclusion
Authors: Brenick Alaina , Romano Kelly
Published: September 2016

Cultural group identity and group norms are significantly related to social exclusion evaluations (Bennett,). This study examined 241 Jewish‐American mid (M = 14.18 years,SD = 0.42) to late (M = 17.21 years,SD = 0.43;MageTOTAL = 15.54 years,SD = 1.57) adolescents’ cultural identities and contextually salient perceived group norms in relation to their evaluations of Arab‐American inclusion and exclusion across two contexts (peers vs. family at home). Results suggest that perceived group norms are related to the context in which they are applied: parents in the home and peers in the peer context. Peers remained a significant source of perceived group norms in the home context. Significant interactions emerged between perceived parent group norms and cultural identity. Findings highlight the need to address group‐specific norms by context to ensure maximum effectiveness for intergroup interventions.
Growing Up Amid Ethno‐Political Conflict: Aggression and Emotional Desensitization Promote Hostility to Ethnic Outgroups
Authors: Niwa Erika Y. , Boxer Paul , Dubow Eric , Huesmann L. R. , Shikaki Khalil , Landau Simha , Gvirsman Shira D.
Published: September 2016

Ethno‐political violence impacts thousands of youth and is associated with numerous negative outcomes. Yet little research examines adaptation to ethno‐political violence over time or across multiple outcomes simultaneously. This study examines longitudinal patterns of aggressive behavior and emotional distress as they co‐occur among Palestinian (n = 600) youth exposed to ethno‐political violence over 3 years in three age cohorts (starting ages: 8, 11, and 14). Findings indicate distinct profiles of aggressive behavior and emotional distress, and unique joint patterns. Furthermore, youth among key joint profiles (e.g., high aggression–emotional desensitization) are more likely to endorse normative beliefs about aggression toward ethnic outgroups. This study offers a dynamic perspective on emotional and behavioral adaptation to ethno‐political violence and the implications of those processes.
Estimating the effects of maternal education on child dental caries using marginal structural models: The Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Australian Children
Authors: Ju Xiangqun , Jamieson Lisa M. , Mejia Gloria C.
Published: September 2016

Objective

To estimate the effect of mothers’ education on Indigenous Australian children's dental caries experience while controlling for the mediating effect of children's sweet food intake.

Methods

The Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children is a study of two representative cohorts of Indigenous Australian children, aged from 6 months to 2 years (baby cohort) and from 3.5 to 5 years (child cohort) at baseline. The children's primary caregiver undertook a face‐to‐face interview in 2008 and repeated annually for the next 4 years. Data included household demographics, child health (nutrition information and dental health), maternal conditions and highest qualification levels. Mother's educational level was classified into four categories: 0–9 years, 10 years, 11–12 years and >12 years. Children's mean sweet food intake was categorized as <20%, 20–30%, and >30%. After multiple imputation of missing values, a marginal structural model with stabilized inverse probability weights was used to estimate the direct effect of mothers’ education level on children's dental decay experience.

Results

From 2008 to 2012, complete data on 1720 mother–child dyads were available. Dental caries experience for children was 42.3% over the 5‐year period. The controlled direct effect estimates of mother's education on child dental caries were 1.21 (95% CI: 1.01–1.45), 1.03 (95% CI: 0.91–1.18) and 1.07 (95% CI: 0.93–1.22); after multiple imputation of missing values, the effects were 1.21 (95% CI: 1.05–1.39), 1.06 (95% CI: 0.94–1.19) and 1.06 (95% CI: 0.95–1.19), comparing ‘0–9’, ‘10’ and ‘11–12’ years to > 12 years of education.

Conclusion

Mothers’ education level had a direct effect on children's dental decay experience that was not mediated by sweet food intake and other risk factors when estimated using a marginal structural model.
Expansion of the GLE1‐associated arthrogryposis multiplex congenita clinical spectrum
Authors: Smith C. , Parboosingh J.S. , Boycott K.M. , Bönnemann C.G. , Mah J.K. ,   Care4Rare Canada Consortium, Lamont R.E. , Micheil Innes A. , Bernier F.P.
Published: September 2016

Mutations in GLE1 cause two recessive subtypes of arthrogryposis multiplex congenita (AMC), a condition characterized by joint contractures at birth, and all previously reported patients died in the perinatal period. GLE1 related AMC has been almost exclusively reported in the Finnish population and is caused by a relatively common pathogenic splicing mutation in that population. Here, we report two non‐Finnish brothers with novel compound heterozygous splicing mutations in GLE1, one of whom has survived to 12 years of age. We also demonstrate low levels of residual wild type transcript in fibroblasts from the surviving brother, suggesting that this residual wild‐type transcript may contribute to the relatively longer‐term survival in this family. We provide a detailed clinical report on the surviving patient, providing the first insight into the natural history of this rare neuromuscular disease. We also suggest that lethal congenital contracture syndrome 1 (LCCS1) and lethal arthrogryposis with anterior horn disease (LAAHD), the two AMC subtypes related to GLE1, do not have sufficient clinical or molecular differentiation to be considered allelic disorders. Rather, GLE1 mutations cause a variable spectrum of AMC severity including a non‐lethal variant described herein.
Monophasic ß‐TCP vs. biphasic HA/ß‐TCP in two‐stage sinus floor augmentation procedures – a prospective randomized clinical trial
Authors: Jelusic Damir , Zirk Matthias L. , Fienitz Tim , Plancak Darije , Puhar Ivan , Rothamel Daniel
Published: September 2016

Objectives

To compare a monophasic (100% ß‐TCP) and a biphasic (60% HA and 40% ß‐TCP) bone substitute material (BSM) regarding biocompatibility, osteoconductivity and implant stability using histological, radiological and resonance frequency analysis.

Material and Methods

Sixty‐seven sinus floor elevations were performed in 60 patients. One patient group (monophasic bone substitute [MBS], 30 patients, 32 sinuses) was augmented by the use of the monophasic material (Bioresorb®, Sybron Implant Solutions, Bremen, Germany), while the second group (biphasic bone substitute (BBS), 30 patients, 35 sinuses) received a biphasic material (Maxresorb®, Botiss Biomaterials, Berlin, Germany). Cone beam CT images were taken immediately after augmentation and prior to implant placement after 6 months. Trephines were harvested, while the implant bed was prepared. Resonance frequency analysis was performed immediately after implant placement and 6 months later. Descriptive analysis was performed on all augmented sinus (n = 67). For statistical comparison of the groups, one sinus of each bilaterally treated patient was randomly excluded, resulting in 30 sinuses grafted with MBS and 30 sinuses grafted with BBS (n = 60).

Results

Histomorphometrical analysis of all sinuses displayed comparable results for both groups regarding new bone matrix (MBS 36.16 ± 19.37%, BBS 38.42 ± 12.61%), residual BSM (MBS 30.26 ± 11.7%, BBS 32.66 ± 12.57%) and non‐mineralized tissue (MBS 34.29 ± 18.32%, BBS 28.92 ± 15.04) %) (P > 0.05, respectively). Radiological volume of BBS was significantly more stable (volume loss of 22.2% for MBS, 6.66% for BBS; P < 0.001), and homogeneity of the graft after 6 months was higher for BBS than that for MBS (P < 0.05). Resonance frequency analysis endorsed a higher implant stability quotient for BBS after 6 months than that for MBS (MBS 78.31 ± 5.81, BBS 80.42 ± 6.31; P < 0.05, Mann–Whitney U‐test, respectively).

Conclusion

Both monophasic and biphasic materials show good biocompatibility and osteoconductivity with satisfactory support on implant stability. BBS remains more stable in terms of volume maintenance and radiological graft homogeneity after a healing period of 6 months.
Microcephaly risk with RUSC2
Authors: Abramowicz Marc
Published: September 2016

This commentary is on the case report by Alwadei et al. on pages 1317–1322 of this issue.
Assessing the real‐world effect of laparoscopic bariatric surgery on the management of obesity‐related comorbidities: A retrospective matched cohort study using a US Claims Database
Authors: Patkar Anuprita , Fegelman Elliott , R. Kashyap Sangeeta , Brethauer Stacy , Bour Eric , Yoo Andrew , Li Gang
Published: September 2016

Aims

To evaluate the real‐world effect of laparoscopic bariatric surgery, comprising adjustable gastric banding (LAGB), laparoscopic Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) and laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG), on the management of obesity‐related comorbidities.

Methods

Patients who underwent laparoscopic bariatric surgeries between 2006 and 2013 were identified from the Optum Clinformatics administrative claims database. Those surgical patients were matched to medically managed patients (controls) on selected patient characteristics. Comorbidity management was assessed every 6 months up to 5 years after the surgery or an assigned index date for control subjects (follow‐up), by evaluating the number of medication classes used to treat type 2 diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidaemia, as well as by evaluating the percentages of patients free of medications for these comorbidities.

Results

Patients who underwent LAGB (n = 4208, mean age 46.3 years), LRYGB (n = 4308, mean age 46.4 years) or LSG (n = 545, mean age 45.1 years) and patients in the control cohort (n = 9061, mean age 46.4 years) were similar in age, and the majority of patients in each study cohort were female (69.4%‐75.8%). Compared with control subjects, patients who had laparoscopic bariatric surgery had significantly lower medication usage for obesity‐related comorbidities, a trend that was evident at 6 months and that continued for up to 5 years of follow‐up. Sub‐analyses of changes in selected laboratory test values over follow‐up corroborated the primary analyses.

Conclusions

Patients who had laparoscopic bariatric surgery used fewer medications for type 2 diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidaemia and had significant improvement in cardiometabolic risk factors for up to 5 years of follow‐up compared with matched control subjects.
Influences of interpolation of species ranges on elevational species richness gradients
Authors: Hu Wanzhao , Wu Fei , Gao Jianyun , Yan Dao , Liu Luming , Yang Xiaojun
Published: September 2016

Interpolation of species ranges has been a common approach to compensate for the unevenness or incompleteness in sampling effort in studies of geographic species richness gradients. However, potential biases introduced by this estimation method remain unclear. Here, we presented an explicit examination of the influences of one‐dimensional interpolation on elevational species richness gradients, and discussed potential causes and processes of these influences. We conducted intensive surveys of birds along the elevational gradients of the Ailao Mountains, southwestern China, and compared richness patterns based on interpolation with raw data as well as estimated data from rarefaction and Chao1 non‐parametric estimator; we also compared results of multiple linear regressions and hierarchical partitioning analyses explaining these four measures of richness. Actual evapotranspiration (AET) and the mid‐domain effect (MDE) were highly correlated and separately provided a good potential explanation for the unimodal richness pattern in the Ailao Mountains, with modifying and suppressive effects of other variables such as area. Interpolation consistently and significantly increased the effects of AET/MDE, while it reduced contributions of area and human disturbance. Our results demonstrated that while compensating for biases in sampling effort, interpolation may also spuriously fill genuine distribution gaps, and tend to underestimate the effects of the non‐monotonic or discontinuous influencing factors that are responsible for these gaps, and overestimate the effects of other factors actually suppressed by these factors. These influences were most strong for species with relatively medium elevational ranges. We conclude that at the regional scale, interpolation method is a potential source of bias in identifying and explaining species richness gradients and should be used with careful consideration. It may be advantageous to adopt other robust estimation methods besides interpolation to gain a more accurate assessment of species richness and a more objective understanding of their underlying mechanisms.
Isolation by distance, not rivers, control the distribution of termite species in the Amazonian rain forest
Authors: Dambros Cristian S. , Morais José W. , Azevedo Renato A. , Gotelli Nicholas J.
Published: September 2016

The spatial distribution of species is affected by dispersal barriers, local environmental conditions and climate. However, the effect of species dispersal and their adaptation to the environment across geographic scales is poorly understood. To investigate the distribution of species from local to broad geographic scales, we sampled termites in 198 transects distributed in 13 sampling grids in the Brazilian Amazonian forest. The sampling grids encompassed an area of 271 500 km2 and included the five major biogeographic regions delimited by Amazonian rivers. Environmental data for each transect were obtained from local measurements and remote sensing. Similar to previous studies, termite species composition at the local scale was mostly associated with measures of soil texture and chemistry. In contrast, termite species composition at broad geographic scales was associated with soil nutrients, and the geographic position of the transects. Between 17 and 30% of the variance in termite species composition could be attributed exclusively to the geographic position of the transects, but could not be attributed to measured environmental variables or the presence of major rivers. Isolation by distance may have strong effects on termite species composition due to historic processes and the spatially structured environments along distinct geological formations of Amazonia. However, in contrast to many taxa in Amazonia, there is no evidence that major rivers are important barriers to termite dispersal.
Back into the wild—Apply untapped genetic diversity of wild relatives for crop improvement
Authors: Zhang Hengyou , Mittal Neha , Leamy Larry J. , Barazani Oz , Song Bao‐Hua
Published: September 2016

Deleterious effects of climate change and human activities, as well as diverse environmental stresses, present critical challenges to food production and the maintenance of natural diversity. These challenges may be met by the development of novel crop varieties with increased biotic or abiotic resistance that enables them to thrive in marginal lands. However, considering the diverse interactions between crops and environmental factors, it is surprising that evolutionary principles have been underexploited in addressing these food and environmental challenges. Compared with domesticated cultivars, crop wild relatives (CWRs) have been challenged in natural environments for thousands of years and maintain a much higher level of genetic diversity. In this review, we highlight the significance of CWRs for crop improvement by providing examples of CWRs that have been used to increase biotic and abiotic stress resistance/tolerance and overall yield in various crop species. We also discuss the surge of advanced biotechnologies, such as next‐generation sequencing technologies and omics, with particular emphasis on how they have facilitated gene discovery in CWRs. We end the review by discussing the available resources and conservation of CWRs, including the urgent need for CWR prioritization and collection to ensure continuous crop improvement for food sustainability.
Effects of high latitude protected areas on bird communities under rapid climate change
Authors: Santangeli Andrea , Rajasärkkä Ari , Lehikoinen Aleksi
Published: September 2016

Anthropogenic climate change is rapidly becoming one of the main threats to biodiversity, along with other threats triggered by human‐driven land‐use change. Species are already responding to climate change by shifting their distributions polewards. This shift may create a spatial mismatch between dynamic species distributions and static protected areas (PAs). As protected areas represent one of the main pillars for preserving biodiversity today and in the future, it is important to assess their contribution in sheltering the biodiversity communities, they were designated to protect. A recent development to investigate climate‐driven impacts on biological communities is represented by the community temperature index (CTI). CTI provides a measure of the relative temperature average of a community in a specific assemblage. CTI value will be higher for assemblages dominated by warm species compared with those dominated by cold‐dwelling species. We here model changes in the CTI of Finnish bird assemblages, as well as changes in species densities, within and outside of PAs during the past four decades in a large boreal landscape under rapid change. We show that CTI has markedly increased over time across Finland, with this change being similar within and outside PAs and five to seven times slower than the temperature increase. Moreover, CTI has been constantly lower within than outside of PAs, and PAs still support communities, which show colder thermal index than those outside of PAs in the 1970s and 1980s. This result can be explained by the higher relative density of northern species within PAs than outside. Overall, our results provide some, albeit inconclusive, evidence that PAs may play a role in supporting the community of northern species. Results also suggest that communities are, however, shifting rapidly, both inside and outside of PAs, highlighting the need for adjusting conservation measures before it is too late.
Tsunami deposit associated with the 2011 Tohoku‐oki tsunami in the Hasunuma site of the Kujukuri coastal plain, Japan
Authors: Matsumoto Dan , Sawai Yuki , Tanigawa Koichiro , Fujiwara Osamu , Namegaya Yuichi , Shishikura Masanobu , Kagohara Kyoko , Kimura Haruo
Published: September 2016

We describe the detailed sedimentary characteristics of a tsunami deposit associated with the 2011 Tohoku‐oki tsunami in Hasunuma, a site on the Kujukuri coastal plain, Japan. The thick tsunami deposit was limited to within 350 m from the coastline whereas the inundation area extended about 1 km from the coastline. The tsunami deposit was sampled by excavation at 29 locations along three transects and studied using peels, soft‐X imaging and grain‐size analysis. The deposit covers the pre‐existing soil and reached a maximum measured thickness of 35 cm. It consists mainly of well‐sorted medium to fine sand. On the basis of sedimentary structures and changes in grain size, we divided the tsunami deposit into several sedimentary units, which may correspond to multiple inundation flows. The numbers of units and their sedimentary features vary among the three transects, despite the similar topography. This variation implies a considerable influence of local effects such as elevation, vegetation, microtopography, and distance from footpaths, on the tsunami‐related sedimentation.
Genetic divergence among invasive and native populations of the yellow peacock cichlid Cichla kelberi
Authors: Marques A. C. P. B. , Franco A. C. S. , Salgueiro F. , García‐Berthou E. , Santos L. N.
Published: September 2016

This study used the hypervariable domain of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region (CR) to assess the genetic divergence among native and invasive populations of Cichla kelberi, which is considered the first peacock cichlid introduced and established throughout Brazil and is among the most invasive populations of this genus worldwide. The maximum likelihood tree based on 53 CR sequences with strong bootstrap support revealed that C. kelberi forms a monophyletic clade, confirming that all 30 C. kelberi studied belong to this morphotype. Additionally, the haplotype analysis of the C. kelberi sequences from 11 sampling sites revealed that invasive populations are much less diverse than native ones and largely dominated by a single haplotype that prevailed in reservoirs at the Paraíba do Sul River basin. Two haplotypes were recorded exclusively in an invasive population at Porto Rico, southern Brazil, and one private haplotype was detected in two reservoirs from Paraíba do Sul (Pereira Passos and Paracambi), suggesting more than one introduction event and that native populations should be better evaluated to encompass the entire genetic diversity of native C. kelberi. The possible route and pathways of C. kelberi introduction are also briefly discussed.
Life‐history studies by non‐lethal sampling: using microchemical constituents of fin rays as chronological recorders
Authors: Tzadik O. E. , Peebles E. B. , Stallings C. D.
Published: September 2016

Chemical properties of fin rays were investigated in nine fish species to test whether life‐history characteristics can be analysed using a non‐lethal and minimally invasive methodology. Fish specimens from public aquariums were acquired after fishes died in captivity. Analyses concentrated on exploring the differences between the wild and captive life periods of each fish, which were known from aquarium records. Differences between the two life periods were observed in both the trace‐element and stable‐isotope compositions of the chemical matrix of the fin ray. Trace‐element concentrations in fin rays were compared with those in otoliths using measures of resolved variance and cross‐correlation to test the assumption of conserved matrices in the fin ray. Divalent ions and positively charged transition metals (i.e. Fe and Co) had strong associations between the two structures, suggesting conservation of material. Stable‐isotope values of δ13C and δ15N differed between the wild and captive life periods in most of the fishes, also suggesting conserved matrices. δ13C and δ15N were derived from the organic matrix within the fin ray, which may present a stable‐isotope chronology. Future studies can use these chronologies to study diet and movement trends on a temporal scale consistent with the entire lifetime of an individual.
Survey: interpolation methods for whole slide image processing
Authors: ROSZKOWIAK L. , KORZYNSKA A. , ZAK J. , PIJANOWSKA D. , SWIDERSKA‐CHADAJ Z. , MARKIEWICZ T.
Published: September 2016

Evaluating whole slide images of histological and cytological samples is used in pathology for diagnostics, grading and prognosis . It is often necessary to rescale whole slide images of a very large size. Image resizing is one of the most common applications of interpolation. We collect the advantages and drawbacks of nine interpolation methods, and as a result of our analysis, we try to select one interpolation method as the preferred solution. To compare the performance of interpolation methods, test images were scaled and then rescaled to the original size using the same algorithm. The modified image was compared to the original image in various aspects. The time needed for calculations and results of quantification performance on modified images were also compared. For evaluation purposes, we used four general test images and 12 specialized biological immunohistochemically stained tissue sample images. The purpose of this survey is to determine which method of interpolation is the best to resize whole slide images, so they can be further processed using quantification methods. As a result, the interpolation method has to be selected depending on the task involving whole slide images.
Growth and characterization of V2O5 thin film on conductive electrode
Authors: MOLA GENENE T. , ARBAB ELHADI A. A. , TALEATU BIDINI A. , KAVIYARASU K. , AHMAD ISHAQ , MAAZA M.
Published: September 2016

Vanadium pentoxide V2O5 thin films were grown at room temperature on ITO coated glass substrates by electrochemical deposition. The resulting films were annealed at 300, 400 and 500°C for 1 h in ambient environment. The effect of heat treatment on the films properties such as surface morphology, crystal structure, optical absorption and photoluminescence were investigated. The x‐ray diffraction study showed that the films are well crystallized with temperatures. Strong reflection from plane (400) indicated the film's preferred growth orientation. The V2O5 films are found to be highly transparent across the visible spectrum and the measured photoluminescence quenching suggested the film's potential application in OPV device fabrication.
Communication between patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome and healthcare personnel during the initial visit to a continuous positive airway pressure clinic
Authors: Broström Anders , Fridlund Bengt , Hedberg Berith , Nilsen Per , Ulander Martin
Published: September 2016

Aims and objectives

To describe facilitators and barriers from a patient perspective in communications between patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome and healthcare personnel during the first meeting when continuous positive airway pressure is initiated.

Background

Adherence to continuous positive airway pressure treatment tends to be poor, especially at the initial phase of treatment. Communication between the patient and healthcare personnel has not been studied from the patient perspective, as either a barrier or facilitator for adherence.

Methods

A descriptive design using qualitative content analysis was used. Interviews with 25 patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome took place after their initial visit at four continuous positive airway pressure clinics. A deductive analysis based on The 4 Habits Model (i.e. emphasise the importance of investing in the beginning of the consultation, elicit the patient's perspective, demonstrate empathy and invest in the end of the consultation) was conducted.

Results

Building confidence (i.e. structure building, information transfer, commitment) or hindering confidence (i.e. organisational insufficiency, stress behaviour, interaction deficit) was associated with investing in the beginning. Motivating (i.e. situational insight, knowledge transfer, practical training) or demotivating (i.e. expectations, dominance and power asymmetry, barriers) was associated with eliciting the patient's perspective. Building hope (i.e. awareness, sensitivity, demonstration of understanding) or hindering hope (i.e. unprepared, uncommitted, incomprehension) was associated with showing empathy. Agreement (i.e. confirmation, responsibilities, comprehensive information) or disagreement (i.e. structural obscurity, irresponsibility, absent‐mindedness) was associated with investing in the end.

Conclusions

Understanding of facilitators and barriers, as described by patients, can be used to improve contextual conditions and communication skills among healthcare personnel.

Relevance to clinical practice

A patient‐centred communication technique should be used in relation to all stages of The 4 Habits Model to facilitate shared decision‐making and improve adherence to continuous positive airway pressure treatment.
The liminal self in people with multiple sclerosis: an interpretative phenomenological exploration of being diagnosed
Authors: Strickland Karen , Worth Allison , Kennedy Catriona
Published: September 2016

Aims and objectives

To explore the lived experience of the meaning of being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis on the individual's sense of self.

Background

The time leading up to and immediately following the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis has been identified as a time period shrouded by uncertainty and one where individuals have a heightened desire to seek accurate information and support. The diagnosis brings changes to the way one views the self which has consequences for biographical construction.

Design

A hermeneutic phenomenological study.

Methods

In‐depth qualitative interviews were conducted with 10 people recently diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. The data were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis.

Findings

This study presents the three master themes: the ‘road to diagnosis’, ‘the liminal self’ and ‘learning to live with multiple sclerosis’. The diagnosis of multiple sclerosis may be conceptualised as a ‘threshold moment’ where the individual's sense of self is disrupted from the former taken‐for‐granted way of being and propose a framework which articulates the transition.

Conclusion

The findings highlight the need for healthcare professionals to develop interventions to better support people affected by a new diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. The conceptual framework which has been developed from the data and presented in this study provides a new way of understanding the impact of the diagnosis on the individual's sense of self when affected by a new diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. This framework can guide healthcare professionals in the provision of supportive care around the time of diagnosis.

Relevance for Clinical Practice

The findings provide practitioners with a new way of understanding the impact of the diagnosis on the individual’s sense of self and a framework which can guide them in the provision of supportive care around the time of diagnosis.