bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improving Maternal and Reproductive Health in Ethiopia
Authors: Lailulo Yishak , Sathiya Susuman A , Blignaut Renette
Published: February 2016

This study aimed to examine the relationship between maternal health and good quality of life in an attempt to understand the years between 2005 and 2011. Data from the Ethiopia Demographic and Health Surveys 2005 and 2011 were used. Bivariate, Camer-V, chi-square and logistic regression analyses were used to determine the relative contribution of the predictor variables. The hypotheses tested in this study were that gender, wealth quintile, type of place of residence and region are highly significant with women’s education and work status. Females’ expected age (adjusted odds ratio = AOR) for some school training has dropped in 2011 from 0.678 to 0.255 for the age group 25–34, but male expected age (AOR) for some school has increased in 2011 from 0.784 to 2.274. The age of the respondent, age at first cohabitation and socio-economic variables were positively associated with having visited health facilities in the last 12 months and being visited by a family planning worker.
Polyacrylonitrile/polyaniline composite nanofiber webs with electrostatic discharge properties
Authors: Kizildag Nuray , Ucar Nuray , Onen Aysen , Karacan Ismail
Published: February 2016

In this study, composite nanofibers of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and polyaniline (PANI) were successfully produced by electrospinning technique and the effects of different dopants such as camphorsulfonic acid (CSA), dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid (DBSA) and dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid sodium salt (DBSANa+), and different solvents such as dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and N, N′-dimethylformamide (DMF) on the properties of PAN/PANI composite nanofiber webs have been investigated. It has been observed that nanofibers produced from DMSO generally had larger fiber diameters and higher breaking strength than nanofibers produced from DMF. CSA could dope better than DBSA(iso) and DBSANa+. CSA resulted in the highest conductivity when DMSO was used while it resulted in lower conductivity in DMF. The insulator PAN became a semiconductive material with the incorporation of CSA-doped PANI. The highest electrical conductivity obtained was 10−6 S/cm which is in the range suitable for electrostatic discharge applications.
Desisting from Crime in Emerging Adulthood
Authors: Hill Jessica M. , Blokland Arjan A. J. , van der Geest Victor R.
Published: February 2016

Objectives:

Test whether Moffitt’s theory of adolescence-limited offenders, which contends that as young people enter adult roles they exit the “maturity gap” of adolescence and desist from crime, still applies given the changed nature of the early adult years. Examine whether spending time in adult roles remains a driver of desistance, and whether today’s emerging adults are at risk of experiencing a maturity gap between how adult they feel and the reality of their social situation.

Methods:

Using longitudinal data from a Dutch general population sample aged 18 to 24 years, fixed-effects models were run examining the effect of within-person changes in time spent in adult roles on self-reported delinquency and moderation of this effect by feelings of adultness.

Results:

The more time spent in adult roles, the less delinquency respondents consequently reported. This effect was moderated: When spending more time in adult roles and feeling more adult, higher delinquency was reported than when spending more time in adult roles and feeling less adult.

Conclusions:

Today’s emerging adults desist from delinquency in response to taking on adult roles. Possible interpretations for the unexpected qualification of this conclusion are discussed, as well as limitations such as the simplicity of our feeling adult measure.
Music and Suicidality
Authors: Till Benedikt , Tran Ulrich S. , Voracek Martin , Niederkrotenthaler Thomas
Published: February 2016

In recent years, the question whether personal suicidality is reflected in individual music preferences has been discussed. We assessed associations of preferred music genres and cumulative exposure to and rating of 50 preselected songs, including 25 suicide-related songs, with suicide risk factors in an online survey with 943 participants. Preferences for sad music were associated with high psychoticism, while fanship of music genres with predominantly joyful contents was linked to low psychoticism. There was a dose-response relationship of positive rating of suicide songs with high life satisfaction and low hopelessness. Music preferences partly reflect suicide risk factors, but enjoyment of suicide songs is negatively associated with risk factors of suicide, which may indicate a psychological defense mechanism against suicidal impulses.
A simulation model fusing space and agent for indoor dynamic fire evacuation analysis
Authors: Niu Lei , Song Yiquan
Published: February 2016

Research on indoor fire emergency evacuations is crucial for hazard mitigation purposes, and dynamic indoor environments examined in this field demand a flexible solution. Current approaches separately address spatial and human elements of evacuations, producing superficial evacuation analysis results. In this paper, we employ a hierarchical structure to efficiently organize indoor accessible space and combine it with agents to simulate the indoor evacuation process. Thus, analysis functions from both accessible space and agent perspectives may be fused to thoroughly investigate simulation results. The experiment shows that this simulation model can be used to efficiently analyze evacuation characteristics of buildings for fire emergencies.
Service interactions modeling for improved management of public transport systems
Authors: Dragoicea Monica , Borangiu Theodor , Voinescu Iulia
Published: February 2016

This paper shows how service science principles may be used for engineering and realizing improved public transport services. It approaches a value co-creation perspective for the management of public transport service operations based on an activity-based model of a generic service system that allows capturing requirements for software intensive service systems. The main focus is on specific implementation issues of the activity-based model of the generic service system, with a strong accent on its most representative component, the service set-up and configuring unit. This model is applied in a case study for planning of a public transport service and describes how a specific service reconfiguring request is formulated. This examination is further used as a document of requirements that drives the construction of an agent-based model expressing value-creation interactions among service system’s stakeholders in public transport services. The usefulness of the developed agent-based model for the analysis of service systems operational capabilities is suggested through simulation. A business scenario related to the management of public transport services is described, and the defined agent-based model is executed with the Presage2 multi-agent programming platform in order to capture specific issues of piece-of-work planning. The proposed approach, evaluated on the simple working scenario, fosters the role of service interaction modeling in supporting a public transport service system to dynamically adapt its operational capabilities in delivering good public transport services, as more or less quantifiable changes can affect service delivery over time.
Regional inflation, spatial locations and the Balassa-Samuelson effect: Evidence from Japan
Authors: Nagayasu Jun
Published: February 2016

We empirically analyse regional inflation using data from Japan where there is no regulation to impede the free movement of labour, capital, goods and services across regions. In particular, our analysis will focus on the geographical location of regions and the productivity (known as the Balassa-Samuelson (BS)) effect as explanations for the dynamics of regional inflation. Based on a spatial model which is consistent with the theoretical specification of the BS, we have confirmed that, while it is a relatively small country in terms of land area, both spatial location and productivity are important determinants of regional inflation.
Culture-led neighbourhood transformations beyond the revitalisation/gentrification dichotomy
Authors: Gainza Xabier
Published: February 2016

In the past 30 years, culture has been used as a means for revitalising neighbourhoods and branding the urban economy. Often, culture-led urban policies have had undesirable consequences in terms of rising rents, displacement of former residents and changes in the economic and retail landscape, i.e. gentrification. However, this process is not univocal, and displacement may not occur while disrupting community life. In this paper we explore the changes that have occurred in San Francisco, a working-class neighbourhood of Bilbao where the attraction of cultural industries has been used to revitalise the area and change the city image. We employ a framework that considers the built form, the cultural cluster organisation and the socioeconomic and demographic changes and we rely on different sources of evidence, including neighbourhood level socioeconomic data, personal interviews and a participatory evaluation, to capture the edges of this complex phenomenon. Our analysis suggests a less deterministic and more complex characterisation of culture-led neighbourhood transformations beyond the revitalisation/gentrification discourses, since conflicts may be driven not by economic transformations and social class replacement, but by the symbolic representation of space and the ‘right to the neighbourhood’.
The Geographic Dispersal of Visitors
Authors: Koo Tay T.R. , Lau Pong-Lung , Dwyer Larry
Published: February 2016

This article aims to examine the conjecture that geographic dispersal of visitors follows the power law using data on international visitors’ spatial distribution in Australia. Our finding suggests that as tourism market matures, the pattern of tourist dispersal tends to converge toward a specific power law distribution. The article provides estimates of this unique power exponent for each country and tracks its temporal evolution using a novel method. One of the key implications for sustainable destination management is that for continued tourism growth, large destinations need a large number of small peripheral destinations. Our findings also shed light on the rich research literature that is fundamental in developing a power law–based theory to guide our understanding of the mechanics underpinning the spatial evolution of tourism.
Book Review: Subhash Sharma, Development and Its Discontents
Authors: Pathak Avijit
Published: February 2016

Subhash Sharma, Development and Its Discontents, Jaipur, Rawat Publications, 2015, xiv + 266 pp., ₹ 850, ISBN: 9788131607077.
Effects of Movements and Opportunities on the Adoption of Same-Sex Partner Health Benefits by Corporations
Authors: Chuang You-Ta , Church Robin , Hu Changya
Published: February 2016

In this study, we draw upon a social movement perspective to examine how movements and institutional opportunity (political and cultural) influenced a sample of Fortune 500 corporations’ adoption of a controversial organizational practice—same-sex partner health benefits. Our results show that while corporations’ gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) employee resource groups increased the rate of the corporations’ benefits adoption, the effect of the GLBT employee resource groups became weaker when the degree of resource concentration of local GLBT advocacy organizations was high. Political opportunity derived from state legal environments and cultural opportunity derived from the tenor of moral legitimacy in leading national press coverage had little influence on the rate of benefits adoption. Furthermore, the influence of a GLBT employee resource group on the rate of benefits adoption by its corporation became weaker when cultural opportunity, derived from increases in positive tenor of pragmatic legitimacy discourse used by movement and countermovement organizations in the press, was present. Accordingly, our study shows the complicated effects of movements within and outside corporations and cultural opportunity on the adoption of a controversial practice and reveals the importance of mobilizing structure (both internal and external movements) and cultural opportunity in the adoption.
Linking and using social media data for enhancing public health analytics
Authors: Ji Xiang , Chun Soon Ae , Cappellari Paolo , Geller James
Published: February 2016

There is a large amount of health information available for any patient to address his/her health concerns. The freely available health datasets include community health data at the national, state, and community level, readily accessible and downloadable. These datasets can help to assess and improve healthcare performance, as well as help to modify health-related policies. There are also patient-generated datasets, accessible through social media, on the conditions, treatments, or side effects that individual patients experience. Clinicians and healthcare providers may benefit from being aware of national health trends and individual healthcare experiences that are relevant to their current patients. The available open health datasets vary from structured to highly unstructured. Due to this variability, an information seeker has to spend time visiting many, possibly irrelevant, Websites, and has to select information from each and integrate it into a coherent mental model.

In this paper, we discuss an approach to integrating these openly available health data sources and presenting them to be easily understandable by physicians, healthcare staff, and patients. Through linked data principles and Semantic Web technologies we construct a generic model that integrates diverse open health data sources. The integration model is then used as the basis for developing a set of analytics as part of a system called ‘Social InfoButtons’, providing awareness of both community and patient health issues as well as healthcare trends that may shed light on a specific patient care situation. The prototype system provides patients, public health officials, and healthcare specialists with a unified view of health-related information from both official scientific sources and social networks, and provides the capability of exploring the current data along multiple dimensions, such as time and geographical location.
Complicating Abandonment: How a Multi-Stage Theory of Abandonment Clarifies the Evolution of an Adopted Practice
Authors: Younkin Peter
Published: February 2016

This article presents a process-model for the abandonment of a practice. This complements earlier research on adoption and abandonment by allowing for fluctuations in the level of commitment across time and by demonstrating the persistent role for both institutional pressure and performance-based concerns on the maintenance of a practice. It also provides a novel means for identifying differences in the method of abandonment through the introduction of a concept of decommitment. Further, it helps resolve the question of how firms respond when faced with conflicting internal and external evidence of the success of an adopted practice. Using the divestiture of unrelated business segments by 100 U.S. firms between 1970–96, I estimate post-adoption commitment to a practice and the likelihood of a given firm decommitting. I find that treating abandonment as a process clarifies the evolving role of institutional and performance-based concerns and helps identify when a given firm is more subject to either source of pressure. The implications of this approach and these findings for current research on resistance to adoption and de-institutionalization are explored in the conclusion.
Organizational Failure in the Aftermath of Radical Institutional Change
Authors: Oertel Simon , Thommes Kirsten , Walgenbach Peter
Published: February 2016

This paper focuses on the question of the extent to which the institutional founding environment affects organizational success after a radical institutional change. We analyse firms founded in the German Democratic Republic (GDR) that experienced the fall of the Iron Curtain in 1990 and focus on how the institutional environment of their founding period influences their failure rates. Results show that organizational failure rates vary after institutional change due to differences in institutional founding conditions. This variation is influenced by the degree of (dis)similarity between the imprinted past and the present institutional context. Discussing the time-varying effect of institutional founding conditions, we contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of imprinting and organizational failure in situations of institutional change.
I Just Can’t Fit It in! Implications of the Fit Between Work and Family on Health-Promoting Behaviors
Authors: Pagnan Colleen E. , Seidel Amber , MacDermid Wadsworth Shelley
Published: February 2016

Individuals working long hours and/or experiencing work-related stress, including work–family conflict, are less likely to engage in health-promoting behaviors. Grounded in a life course perspective and guided by the conceptualization of life course fit, this study examined appraisals of fit between work and family roles and engagement in health-promoting behaviors, specifically physical activity and family meals, using a sample of parents ( n = 811). The sample was drawn from the 2008 National Study of the Changing Workforce, a nationally representative sample of workers in the United States. Results suggest that multiple dimensions of fit were associated with greater frequency of exercise and family meals. Furthermore, parenting demands and eldercare moderated these associations. A better understanding of the proximal processes related to engagement in health-promoting behaviors would be valuable in understanding how to secure the health and well-being of families for the future.
Impact of Environmental Enrichment Devices on NTP In Vivo Studies
Authors: Churchill Sheba R. , Morgan Daniel L. , Kissling Grace E. , Travlos Gregory S. , King-Herbert Angela P.
Published: February 2016

The goal of this study was to determine whether the use of nesting material or polycarbonate shelters as enrichment devices would have an impact on end points commonly measured during the conduct of the National Toxicology Program (NTP) 13-week studies. The study design was consistent with the NTP 13-week toxicity studies. Harlan Sprague-Dawley (HSD) rats and their offspring and B6C3F1/N mice were assigned to control (unenriched) and enriched experimental groups. Body weight, food and water consumption, behavioral observations, fecal content, clinical pathology, gross pathology, organ weights, and histopathology were evaluated. Enriched male mice and male and female rats exhibited decreased feed intake without a subsequent decrease in body weight; this may have been the result of the nesting material reducing the effect of cold stress, thereby allowing for more efficient use of feed. There were statistical differences in some hematological parameters; however, these were not considered physiologically relevant since all values were within the normal range. Gross pathology and histopathological findings were background changes and were not considered enrichment-related. Nesting material and shelters were used frequently and consistently and allowed animals to display species-typical behavior. There was no significant impact on commonly measured end points in HSD rats and B6C3F1/N mice given enrichment devices.
Excluded From All Humanity
Authors: Andrighetto Luca , Riva Paolo , Gabbiadini Alessandro , Volpato Chiara
Published: February 2016

Past research suggested that—from the perspective of perpetrators—animal metaphors are a powerful means to reinforce social exclusion and to foster hostile behaviors against the targets of social exclusion. In the current work, we focus on the consequences of this dehumanizing form of social exclusion from the perspective of victims. In two studies, we manipulated the presence of animal metaphors in a variety of contexts of interpersonal social exclusion. Our results showed that when social exclusion is associated with animal metaphors, its consequences are exacerbated. In particular, labelling targets of social exclusion as animals indirectly caused them to display more aggressive tendencies compared with when they are labelled with corresponding offending, but nondehumanizing, attributes. Crucially, this increased aggressiveness was mediated by higher perceptions of being treated (Study 1) or viewed (Study 2) by others as animal-like. Overall, our research showed the detrimental effects of the interplay between social exclusion and animal metaphors from the perspective of victims.
Stimulation of astrocyte fatty acid oxidation by thyroid hormone is protective against ischemic stroke-induced damage
Authors: Sayre Naomi L , Sifuentes Mikaela , Holstein Deborah , Cheng Sheue-yann , Zhu Xuguang , Lechleiter James D
Published: February 2016

We previously demonstrated that stimulation of astrocyte mitochondrial ATP production via P2Y1 receptor agonists was neuroprotective after cerebral ischemic stroke. Another mechanism that increases ATP production is fatty acid oxidation (FAO). We show that in primary human astrocytes, FAO and ATP production are stimulated by 3,3,5 triiodo-l-thyronine (T3). We tested whether T3-stimulated FAO enhances neuroprotection, and show that T3 increased astrocyte survival after either hydrogen peroxide exposure or oxygen glucose deprivation. T3-mediated ATP production and protection were both eliminated with etomoxir, an inhibitor of FAO. T3-mediated protection in vitro was also dependent on astrocytes expressing HADHA (hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase/3-ketoacyl-CoA thiolase/enoyl-CoA hydratase), which we previously showed was critical for T3-mediated FAO in fibroblasts. Consistent with previous reports, T3-treatment decreased stroke volumes in mice. While T3 decreased stroke volume in etomoxir-treated mice, T3 had no protective effect on stroke volume in HADHA +/− mice or in mice unable to upregulate astrocyte-specific energy production. In vivo, 95% of HADHA co-localize with glial-fibrillary acidic protein, suggesting the effect of HADHA is astrocyte mediated. These results suggest that astrocyte-FAO modulates lesion size and is required for T3-mediated neuroprotection post-stroke. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a neuroprotective role for FAO in the brain.
Outcomes After Isolated Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction for the Treatment of Recurrent Lateral Patellar Dislocations
Authors: Schneider Daniel K. , Grawe Brian , Magnussen Robert A. , Ceasar Adrick , Parikh Shital N. , Wall Eric J. , Colosimo Angelo J. , Kaeding Christopher C. , Myer Gregory D.
Published: February 2016

Background:

A patellar dislocation is a common knee injury in the young, athletic patient population. Recent trends indicate that the use of long-term nonoperative treatment is decreasing, and surgical intervention is more commonly recommended for those patients who fail initial nonoperative management with recurrent patellar dislocations. Medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction has become increasingly utilized in this regard.

Purpose:

To evaluate outcomes, particularly return to sports and its relationship to postoperative instability, of isolated MPFL reconstruction for the treatment of recurrent patellar dislocations.

Study Design:

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods:

A review of the current literature was performed using the terms “medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction” and “MPFL reconstruction” in the electronic search engines PubMed and EBSCOhost (CINAHL, MEDLINE, SPORTDiscus) on July 29, 2015, yielding 1113 abstracts for review. At the conclusion of the search, 14 articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in this review of the literature. Means were calculated for population size, age, follow-up time, and postoperative Tegner scores. Pooled estimates were calculated for postoperative Kujala scores, return to play, total risk of postoperative instability, risk of positive apprehension sign, and risk of reoperation.

Results:

The mean patient age associated with MPFL reconstruction was 24.4 years, with a mean postoperative Tegner score of 5.7. The pooled estimated mean postoperative Kujala score was 85.8 (95% CI, 81.6-90.0), with 84.1% (95% CI, 71.1%-97.1%) of patients returning to sports after surgery. The pooled total risk of recurrent instability after surgery was 1.2% (95% CI, 0.3%-2.1%), with a positive apprehension sign risk of 3.6% (95% CI, 0%-7.2%) and a reoperation risk of 3.1% (95% CI, 1.1%-5.0%).

Conclusion:

A high percentage of young patients return to sports after isolated MPFL reconstruction for chronic patellar instability, with short-term results demonstrating a low incidence of recurrent instability, postoperative apprehension, and reoperations.
The Functional and Structural Outcomes of Arthroscopic Iliopsoas Release
Authors: Brandenburg Jacob B. , Kapron Ashley L. , Wylie James D. , Wilkinson Brandon G. , Maak Travis G. , Gonzalez Cristian D. , Aoki Stephen K.
Published: February 2016

Background:

Arthroscopic release of the iliopsoas tendon may alleviate pain associated with internal snapping hip, but previous reports of physical function, hip strength, and muscle atrophy after surgery are mixed.

Hypothesis:

The hips of patients who underwent arthroscopic iliopsoas release would demonstrate significantly reduced hip flexion strength and iliopsoas muscle volume when compared with their contralateral hips and the hips of patients who underwent hip arthroscopy without psoas release.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

Eighteen patients who underwent hip arthroscopy with iliopsoas release for symptomatic internal snapping hip and concomitant femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) and/or chondrolabral damage (release group) and 18 patients who underwent arthroscopy for FAI and/or chondrolabral damage without iliopsoas release (control group) were evaluated at a mean of 21 months (range, 16-30 months) postoperatively. Magnetic resonance images were performed and segmented to calculate iliopsoas volume. Isometric hip flexion strength was evaluated in the supine and seated positions with a custom testing apparatus. Differences between groups and differences between the operative and nonoperative limbs within groups were compared with unpaired and paired t tests, respectively.

Results:

In the release group, the iliopsoas muscle of the surgical limb was significantly smaller (288 ± 98 vs 384 ± 113 cm3, P < .001) and weaker in the seated position (13 ± 4.7 vs 17 ± 5.8 kg, P < .001) than the contralateral limb. Compared with the control group, the release group demonstrated a greater percentage decrease in iliopsoas volume on magnetic resonance imaging (−25% ± 9.1% vs −0.6% ± 4.6%, P < .001) and seated hip flexion strength (−19% ± 16% vs −3.9% ± 20%, P = .018) between the operative and contralateral limbs. There were no significant differences in supine strength between limbs or groups (all P > .168).

Conclusion:

Arthroscopic iliopsoas release results in iliopsoas atrophy with a 25% volume loss and a 19% reduction in seated hip flexion strength.
Multidisciplinary approach to breast angiosarcoma in an elderly patient: Repeated local relapses and significant objective responses
Authors: Mocerino Carmela , Iannaci Giuseppe , Sapere Patrizia , Luise Rossella , Canonico Silvestro , Gambardella Antonio
Published: February 2016

Angiosarcomas are malignant tumors of endovascular origin, which may be divided into primary and secondary forms. Secondary breast angiosarcomas are an increasing problem, especially in patients treated with breast-conserving surgery followed by radiotherapy.

We report a case of radiation-induced angiosarcoma of the breast in a 77-year-old woman who presented with a suspect lesion in her left breast. Excisional biopsy and subsequent immunohistochemical staining of the specimen was performed. Histological report was diagnostic for low–intermediate grade angiosarcoma. The tumor cells were diffusely positive for CD31 and CD34. We performed surgical resection with mastectomy.

A multidisciplinary approach with bleomycin-based electrochemotherapy, radiation treatment, and chemotherapy with pegylated liposomal doxorubicin has been most useful to control subsequent local relapses. To date, the patient is under close observation and is performing well. No recurrence has been demonstrated after ending of chemotherapy.
Methylation on the Circadian Gene BMAL1 Is Associated with the Effects of a Weight Loss Intervention on Serum Lipid Levels
Authors: Samblas Mirian , Milagro Fermin I. , Gómez-Abellán Purificación , Martínez J. Alfredo , Garaulet Marta
Published: February 2016

The circadian clock system has been linked to the onset and development of obesity and some accompanying comorbidities. Epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methylation, are putatively involved in the regulation of the circadian clock system. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of a weight loss intervention based on an energy-controlled Mediterranean dietary pattern in the methylation levels of 3 clock genes, BMAL1, CLOCK, and NR1D1, and the association between the methylation levels and changes induced in the serum lipid profile with the weight loss treatment. The study sample enrolled 61 women (body mass index = 28.6 ± 3.4 kg/m2; age: 42.2 ± 11.4 years), who followed a nutritional program based on a Mediterranean dietary pattern. DNA was isolated from whole blood obtained at the beginning and end point. Methylation levels at different CpG sites of BMAL1, CLOCK, and NR1D1 were analyzed by Sequenom’s MassArray. The energy-restricted intervention modified the methylation levels of different CpG sites in BMAL1 (CpGs 5, 6, 7, 9, 11, and 18) and NR1D1 (CpGs 1, 10, 17, 18, 19, and 22). Changes in cytosine methylation in the CpG 5 to 9 region of BMAL1 with the intervention positively correlated with the eveningness profile ( p = 0.019). The baseline methylation of the CpG 5 to 9 region in BMAL1 positively correlated with energy ( p = 0.047) and carbohydrate ( p = 0.017) intake and negatively correlated with the effect of the weight loss intervention on total cholesterol ( p = 0.032) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( p = 0.005). Similar significant and positive correlations were found between changes in methylation levels in the CpG 5 to 9 region of BMAL1 due to the intervention and changes in serum lipids ( p < 0.05). This research describes apparently for the first time an association between changes in the methylation of the BMAL1 gene with the intervention and the effects of a weight loss intervention on blood lipids levels.
Exploring distributed leadership in the BC Sepsis Network
Authors: Gorley Charlotte , Lindstrom Ronald R. , McKeown Shari , Krause Christina , Pamplin Chantale , Sweet David , Marsden Julian , Kennedy Colleen
Published: February 2016

Commissioned research was undertaken to explore the role of networks in supporting large-scale change and improvement. Participatory action research and social network analysis were used to study the BC Sepsis Network. Findings of this research include insights into distributed leadership, enablers and barriers within a network approach; the importance of relationships and trust; and the need for meaningful and timely data. Recommendations are made for health leaders who are considering utilizing networks for improving patient quality and safety.
Putting children first
Authors: MacLeod Stuart
Published: February 2016

For more than 50 years, the importance of studying new medicines in childhood has been widely recognized. Nonetheless, Health Canada has eschewed policies requiring such evaluation, despite effective reforms elsewhere. In 2012, the Council of Canadian Academies convened an expert panel to assess Canada’s research base for labelling of pediatric therapies. The September 2014 report has not yet resulted in action, but it deserves consideration by the new government with timely recognition of the high priority that evidence-based treatment of children deserves.
The role of change management in the District Health Authority Consolidation (Transition and Design) project in Nova Scotia
Authors: Stevenson Colin , Burstall Dawn
Published: February 2016

The District Health Authority Consolidation (Transition and Design) project in Nova Scotia was initiated to consolidate the existing nine district health authorities into one provincial health authority. This article provides an overview of the internal change management approach and activities that were developed to support the various phases of the design and transition process. Three phases of work are outlined, and specific change management activities are described as are lessons learned from the overall approach.
If we don’t change direction soon, we’ll end up where we’re going
Authors: Horne Fred
Published: February 2016

Change management initiatives are a key focus of healthcare systems across the country. This commentary, written by a former health minister, looks at change from the perspective of senior decision-makers. The need to directly link change management activities to broader transformation necessary to improve outcomes and ensure sustainability of healthcare in Canada is discussed. Suggestions for elements of a national transformation agenda, key enablers required to ensure the best change initiatives are leveraged across healthcare systems, and questions that should be asked by leaders in the evaluation of change initiatives are proposed.
Health reform in Canada
Authors: Dickson Graham
Published: February 2016

Canadian healthcare leaders are experiencing unprecedented change. In Canada and worldwide, efforts are being made to create patient-centred service delivery models. In order to participate fully in that transformation, leaders must embrace the new leadership responsibilities vital to patient-centred change. To fail to do so will marginalize their role or render them irrelevant. This article reviews literature in the past 5 years to outline the change context for leaders and what they can do to enhance their effectiveness. Leaders are encouraged to redouble their efforts to develop their leadership capacity, engage physicians as partners, embrace complexity, engage the patient and public in reform efforts, and embrace appropriate technological trends within the consumer community. To reinvent leadership supportive of patient-centred change, healthcare leaders need to act individually to grow their own capacity and collectively to take control of the leadership needed in order to fulfill their role in change.
Modified chitosan scaffolds: Proliferative, cytotoxic, apoptotic, and necrotic effects on Saos-2 cells and antimicrobial effect on Escherichia coli
Authors: Ucar Seniz , Ermis Menekse , Hasirci Nesrin
Published: February 2016

Scaffolds used in tissue engineering applications should have high biocompatibility with minimum allergic, toxic, apoptotic, or necrotic effects on the growing cells and newly forming tissue and, if possible, have antimicrobial property to prevent infection at the host site. In this study, novel micro-fibrous chitosan scaffolds, having mineralized bioactive surface to enhance cell adhesion and a model antibiotic (gentamicin) to prevent bacterial attack, were prepared. The effects of the scaffolds on proliferation, viability, apoptosis, and necrosis of Saos-2 cells are reported for the first time. Wet spinning technique was used in the scaffold preparation and biomineralization was achieved by incubating them in five-time concentrated simulated body fluid for 2, 7, or 14 days (coded as CH-BM/2, CH-BM/7, and CH-BM/14, respectively). Gentamicin, an effectively used antibiotic in bone treatments, was loaded by vacuum-pressure cycle. Energy-dispersive X-ray results demonstrated that Ca/P ratio of the mineral phase varies depending on the incubation period. When the scaffolds were cultured with Saos-2 cells, cell adhesion and extracellular matrix formation occurred on all types of scaffolds. Alamar Blue cytotoxicity tests showed correlation among mineral concentration and cytotoxicity where CH-BM/2 had significantly more favorable properties. For all types of scaffolds, apoptosis and necrosis were less than 10%, meaning the samples are biocompatible. Gentamicin-loaded scaffolds showed high antimicrobial efficacy against Escherichia coli. The presence of mineral phase enhanced the adhesive capacity of cells and entrapment efficiency of antibiotic. These results suggest that the bioactive and antimicrobial scaffolds prepared in this study can act as promising matrices in bone tissue engineering applications.
Development of an Innovative Treatment Paradigm for Intimate Partner Violence Victims With Depression and Pain Using Community-Based Participatory Research
Authors: Poleshuck Ellen , Mazzotta Catherine , Resch Kathryn , Rogachefsky Adriana , Bellenger Kelly , Raimondi Christina , Thompson Stone Jennifer , Cerulli Catherine
Published: February 2016

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a public health issue with complex physical health, mental health and social consequences that can exacerbate survivors’ barriers to health care engagement and support. Furthermore, health care professionals are often unaware of or feel ill-equipped to address survivors’ complex needs. Depression and chronic pain are particularly prevalent co-occurring problems for survivors and can impede engagement and outcomes in traditional health care. This study’s purpose was to understand what interventions might be more responsive to survivors’ myriad needs, particularlly those with depression and pain. Survivors were involved with the design, execution, analysis, and interpretation of results, based on community-based participatory research principles. Intervention development happened in two phases: the first consisted of focus groups with survivors to inform the intervention and the second included intervention design, informed by a community advisory board (CAB). Thirty-one survivors participated in Phase 1, and they reported preferring a range of support including formal help-seeking, informal coping strategies, and spirituality. In Phase 2, the CAB (comprised of survivors, health care professionals, and researchers) identified three distinct aspects of a comprehensive IPV intervention: (a) education regarding both the complex health issues and available local resources; (b) an integrated consultation service for providers to seek recommendations for responding to the full spectrum of survivors’ needs; and (c) a trauma-informed, accessible clinic. Academic medical centers could not have designed this intervention in isolation; survivors and providers played an integral part of this process, and continue to inform our current work.
Predicting Parent–Child Aggression Risk: Cognitive Factors and Their Interaction With Anger
Authors: Rodriguez Christina M.
Published: February 2016

Several cognitive elements have previously been proposed to elevate risk for physical child abuse. To predict parent–child aggression risk, the current study evaluated the role of approval of parent–child aggression, perceptions of children as poorly behaved, and discipline attributions. Several dimensions of attributions specifically tied to parents’ discipline practices were targeted. In addition, anger experienced during discipline episodes was considered a potential moderator of these cognitive processes. Using a largely multiple-indicator approach, a sample of 110 mothers reported on these cognitive and affective aspects that may occur when disciplining their children as well as responding to measures of parent–child aggression risk. Findings suggest that greater approval of parent–child aggression, negative perceptions of their child’s behavior, and discipline attributions independently predicted parent–child aggression risk, with anger significantly interacting with mothers’ perception of their child as more poorly behaved to exacerbate their parent–child aggression risk. Of the discipline attribution dimensions evaluated, mothers’ sense of external locus of control and believing their child deserved their discipline were related to increase parent–child aggression risk. Future work is encouraged to comprehensively evaluate how cognitive and affective components contribute and interact to increase risk for parent–child aggression.
Cyber Dating Abuse Victimization Among Secondary School Students From a Lifestyle-Routine Activities Theory Perspective
Authors: Van Ouytsel Joris , Ponnet Koen , Walrave Michel
Published: February 2016

Controlling one’s romantic partner through digital media is a form of cyber dating abuse. To design effective educational campaigns, a deeper understanding of how some young people become victim of this type of abuse within their romantic relationships is warranted. This study is the first to adopt a lifestyle-routine activities theory perspective toward online romantic partner monitoring, by looking at whether secondary school students’ risky digital lifestyle and their digital media use are linked to a higher chance of being controlled by a romantic partner, taking into account gender, age, and the length of the romantic relationship. The data of 466 secondary school students (71.0% girls, n = 331) between 16 and 22 years old ( M = 17.99 years; SD = 0.92) who were in a romantic relationship are analyzed. Linear regression analysis suggests that engagement in online risk behavior, the length of the romantic relationship, engagement in sexting with the romantic partner, and the amount of social networking site use were significantly linked to victimization of digital controlling behavior. The results are important to practitioners, as they indicate that messages about safe Internet use should be incorporated in prevention and educational campaigns with regard to cyber dating abuse. Suggestions for future research are discussed.
A Longitudinal Examination of Mothers’ Depression and PTSD Symptoms as Impacted by Partner-Abusive Men’s Harm to Their Children
Authors: Rivera Echo A. , Sullivan Cris M. , Zeoli April M. , Bybee Deborah
Published: February 2016

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious and widespread form of gender-based violence that disproportionately affects women. It is well established that IPV victimization contributes to depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and that many partner-abusive men continue to perpetuate abuse even after their relationship with the victim ends. In addition, when men harm their partners, they are more likely to harm their children, and evidence suggests that this harm continues post-separation. However, scant research has been conducted on men’s harm to their children as an extension of IPV perpetration, with even less known about the mental health impact this form of abuse has on mothers. For this longitudinal cohort study, 40 partner-abused mothers who had separated, or were planning to separate, from an abusive partner with whom they shared children were recruited. Women were interviewed 4 times over 1 year. Results confirmed that, in addition to men’s physical abuse perpetration relating to subsequent increases in mothers’ depression and PTSD symptoms over time, their harm to the children predicted both mothers’ depression and PTSD symptoms as well.
Why Do Web Surveys Take Longer on Smartphones?
Authors: Couper Mick P. , Peterson Gregg J.
Published: February 2016

Surveys completed on mobile web devices (smartphones) have been found to take longer than surveys completed on a PC. This has been found both in surveys where respondents can choose which device they use and in surveys where respondents are randomly assigned to devices. A number of potential explanations have been offered for these findings, including (1) slower transmission over cellular or Wi-Fi networks, (2) the difficulty of reading questions and selecting responses on a small device, and (3) the increased mobility of mobile web users who have more distractions while answering web surveys. In a secondary analysis of student surveys, we find that only about one-fifth of the time difference can be accounted for by transmission time (between-page time) with the balance being within-page time differences. Using multilevel models, we explore possible page-level (question-level) and respondent-level factors that may contribute to the time difference. We find that much of the time difference can be accounted for by the additional scrolling required on mobile devices, especially for grid questions.
Flibanserin
Authors: Vallejos Ximena , Wu Christine
Published: February 2016

Objective:

To review pivotal clinical trials, pharmacology, contraindications, precautions, and key patient education points of flibanserin for the treatment of hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) in premenopausal women.

Data Sources:

A literature search of PubMed using the key words flibanserin and HSDD was conducted in September 2015. There was no time frame to exclude relevant clinical trials. All trials referenced were published between March 2012 and June 2014. Other relevant information was obtained from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Web site, press releases, prescribing information from the manufacturer, and ClinicalTrials.gov .

Study Selection/Data Extraction:

All articles in the English language and involving human subjects were reviewed.

Data Synthesis:

There are three 24-week, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials that evaluated the efficacy of flibanserin in North American premenopausal women with HSDD. There was 1 trial that studied the effects of flibanserin in postmenopausal women. In all of the trials, the investigators found statistical significant improvements in Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) desire domain score and satisfying sexual events (SSEs). The most frequently reported adverse events in all flibanserin arms of treatment were somnolence, dizziness, and nausea.

Conclusion:

Flibanserin, a novel, nonhormonal agent that modulates excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters was studied in premenopausal women and has shown efficacy in improving sexual desire and SSEs.
Efinaconazole and Tavaborole
Authors: Poulakos Mara , Grace Yasmin , Machin Jade D. , Dorval Erin
Published: February 2016

Purpose:

The purpose of this article is to review the safety, efficacy, and role of efinaconazole and tavaborole in the treatment of onychomycosis.

Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the nail caused by dermatophytes, yeasts, and nondermatophyte fungi. Distal and lateral subungual onychomycosis (DLSO) accounts for the majority of the cases. These infections cause structural damage to the nail which makes treatment difficult. Both oral and topical agents exist for the treatment of onychomycosis. Oral medications have generally been more effective, yet adverse effects and drug interactions limit their use in some patients. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved agents in the United States for oral therapies include terbinafine, itraconazole, and griseofulvin. The only topical product available up to recently was ciclopirox.

Conclusion:

This article will review efinaconazole and tavaborole, 2 new topical antifungal agents released in 2014.