bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Good Passages, Bad Passages
Authors: Moser Ingunn , Law John
Published: May 2014

This chapter explores the relation between subjectivities, materialities (including technological arrangements) and bodily competencies. Starting from the assumption that all material and bodily arrangements are specific, it considers some of those specificities, and the ‘passages’ through which these specific arrangements are fitted together for a particular person, Liv, who is physically disabled. It explores the character of some of Liv's ‘passages’—some are ‘good’, some ‘bad’, some public, and some discrediting—and the ways in which they are shaped to produce personal and biographical continuity and relative autonomy for her—an autonomy and capacity discretionary decision making which she highly values. The paper thus uses some of the tools developed in the actor-network approach, but also in feminism, to interpret the material and corporeal relations involved in the formation of contemporary subjectivities.
Towards a Post-National Polity: The Emergence of the Network Society in Europe
Authors: Axford Barrie , Huggins Richard
Published: May 2014

This chapter explores the prospects for a postnational polity in Europe where the territorial base of power is replaced by a system of networks and flows in which the principal resource is knowledge. The argument depicts a united Europe as a space of flows rather than as a super- or supra-statist entity. Tensions that arise between a Europe of networks and spaces and a Europe of places are examined, partly through a study of the burgeoning European Information Society Project which attempts to harness these developing networks in the service of European integration. Issues relating to the democratic nature of governance without government in the network polity are highlighted to exemplify the difficulties of re-imagining Europe. The rhetoric surrounding the European Information Society expresses the ambivalence within a programme that foresees Europe as a web of discursive spaces while continuing to acknowledge the power of the old imagined communities based upon territory and ethnicity.
National Pride and the Meaning of ‘Europe’: A Comparative Study of Britain and Spain
Authors: Jáuregui Pablo
Published: May 2014

In this chapter, Pablo Jáuregui questions the idea that the development of the European Union means Europe is entering a ‘post-nationalist’ era. He suggests that nationalism and Europeanism are not necessarily opposed to each other or mutually incompatible. Taking the two cases of Spain and Britain, Jáuregui argues that their specific national self-images and feelings of collective pride have influenced the particular discourses on Europe in those two countries. Drawing in part on the ideas of Norbert Elias, this chapter examines the political rhetoric employed to legitimate or contest the idea of ‘going into Europe‘ in Spain and Britain, paying particular attention to the different ways this decision impacted upon perceptions of national status and sentiments of collective self-esteem. In Britain, the idea of going into Europe was associated with a decline in national status and the ‘loss of world power’. In contrast, for Spain entering Europe meant a considerable enhancement of national prestige following the collapse of a ‘backwards dictatorship’.
What is a Crypto-Utopia and Why Does it Matter?
Authors: Jacques Roy Stager
Published: May 2014

The entire world continues to dream of New York, even as New York dominates and exploits it. (Jean Baudrillard, America.)
Predicting Emotions in Groups: Some Lessons from September 11
Authors: Kemper Theodore D.
Published: May 2014

First, this chapter examines the emotional responses of 10 different publics to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Through the application of power/status theory (Kemper, 1978), different publics are hypothesized to have different emotions. In all, six emotions—anger, sadness, fear, joy, guilt and shame—are differentially attributed to the ten publics. Second, this chapter inquires into the efficacy of predicting emotions for both individuals and groups. Predictions for individuals may have somewhat greater utility, given that they provide for enlightenment and control, but for both individuals and groups, emotions may be seen as intervening variables of relatively low sociological value. It would be more important sociologically to know the coping responses the emotions lead to. Here theory is relatively scant. Four structural conditions are proposed that may advance understanding of how, under certain conditions, emotions may lead to sociologically relevant coping. Finally, this chapter considers some differences between individual emotions and what may be called ‘group’ emotions. The principle difference is that individuals, even when emotionally conflicted, experience emotions in their entirety, while groups usually experience a division of labour of the emotion, with different members differentially invested in what can be seen as the dominant emotion of the group. Unlike in individuals, where conflicting emotions are likely to be resolved by a coping response that attempts to accommodate the competing emotions, group coping responses unfold in a social process that is sometimes violent, as different factions compete to establish their emotions and preferred coping responses as conclusive for the entire group.
Yield Performance of Wheat Isolines with Different Dosages of the Short Arm of Rye Chromosome 1
Authors: Maheepala D. C. , Ehdaie B. , Waines J. G.
Published: May 2014

Translocations of the short arm of rye (Secale cereale L.) chromosome 1 (1RS) in wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Pavon 76) are known to increase root biomass. Such an increase enhances water and nutrient uptake and may improve grain yield. Two greenhouse experiments and a field experiment were carried out at the University of California, Riverside, in 2012 and 2013 under well‐watered and terminal drought treatments to evaluate phenotypic characters associated with varying dosages of 1RS, including grain yield. The genotypes used were cultivar Pavon 76 (R0), Pavon 76/Pavon1RS.1AL (F1 hybrid) with a single dosage of 1RS (R1A), Pavon 1RS.1AL with two dosages of 1RS (R2A), Pavon 1RS.1DL (R2D) also with two dosages of 1RS and Pavon 1RS.1AL‐1RS.1DL (R4AD) with four dosages of 1RS. There was a significant positive correlation between number of dosages of 1RS and root biomass. However, no correlation was found between root biomass and grain yield per plant. Drought in the field experiment reduced grain yield significantly. Under well‐watered field conditions, grain yield of R2A (215.9 g plant−1) was significantly greater than those of R2D (191.8 g plant−1) and R4AD (161.7 g plant−1). Also, grain yield of R4AD was significantly less than those of F1, Pavon 76 and R2D under well‐watered conditions. Under drought field conditions, no significant differences were found among the genotypes for grain yield was found between F1 (14.7 g plant−1) and R4AD (12.4 g plant−1). Harvest index was significantly greater in well‐watered (44.2 %) than in drought (34.6 %) field conditions. On average, genotypes F1 (42.3 %) and R2A (40.6 %) had higher harvest index than R2D (38.3 %) and R4AD (35.5 %) in the field. Also, Pavon 76 (40.2) and R2D (38.3) had higher harvest index than R4AD. Drought tolerance was lowest for R4AD due to its relatively lower grain yield potential. In general, Pavon 1RS.1AL carrying two dosages of 1RS showed higher grain yield under wet treatments. Pavon 1RS.1AL‐1RS.1DL carrying four dosages of 1RS produced the largest shoot and root biomasses, but the least grain yield.
South temperate birds have higher apparent adult survival than tropical birds in Africa
Authors: Lloyd Penn , Abadi Fitsum , Altwegg Res , Martin Thomas E.
Published: May 2014

Life history theory predicts an inverse relationship between annual adult survival and fecundity. Globally, clutch size shows a latitudinal gradient among birds, with south temperate species laying smaller clutches than north temperate species, but larger clutches than tropical species. Tropical birds often have higher adult survival than north temperate birds associated with their smaller clutches. However, the prediction that tropical birds should also have higher adult survival than south temperate birds because of smaller clutch sizes remains largely untested. We measured clutch size and apparent annual breeding adult survival for 17 south temperate African species to test two main predictions. First, we found strong support for a predicted inverse relationship between adult survival and clutch size among the south temperate species, consistent with life‐history theory. Second, we compared our clutch size and survival estimates with published estimates for congeneric tropical African species to test the prediction of larger clutch size and lower adult survival among south temperate than related tropical species. We found that south‐temperate species laid larger clutches, as predicted, but had higher, rather than lower, apparent adult survival than related tropical species. The latter result may be an artefact of different approaches to measuring survival, but the results suggest that adult survival is generally high in the south temperate region and raises questions about the importance of the cost of reproduction to adult survival.
Fragmentation of the Paced QRS Complex: A Marker of Antitachycardia Pacing Effectiveness Among ICD Patients
Authors: JIMÉNEZ‐CANDIL JAVIER , MORÍÑIGO JOSÉ L. , HERNÁNDEZ JESÚS , MARTÍN ANA , DURÁN OLGA , CARLOS RAMA JUAN , LEDESMA CLAUDIO , SÁNCHEZ PEDRO L.
Published: May 2014

Fragmented Paced QRS and ATP Effectiveness

Introduction

The presence of notches in the paced QRS complex (P‐QRS) from the right ventricular apex (RVA) reflects delays in the activation of the left ventricle and may therefore be associated with longer times of stimulus conduction. Our objective was to determine prospectively the relationship between the duration of a notch ≥0.1 mV in the P‐QRS (DN) and the effectiveness of antitachycardia pacing (ATP).

Methods and Results

We followed 286 implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator (ICD) patients with left ventricular dysfunction (pacing site: RVA) for 41 ± 27 months. ICD programming was standardized. P‐QRS (100 bpm) was obtained at implant (50 mm/s). A total of 955 monomorphic ventricular tachycardias (VTs) with a cycle length of 335 ± 32 milliseconds occurred consecutively in 108 patients. ATP was successful in 84% of VTs. DN correlated with the probability of ineffective ATP (C = 0.67; P < 0.001), the cutoff point with the best sensitivity and specificity being 50 milliseconds. The adjusted mean ATP effectiveness per patient was 76% (95% CI: 72–85). Patients with a DN ≥ 50 milliseconds had a lower ATP efficiency: 67% (56–77) versus 92% (87–97) and a higher proportion of VTs terminated with shocks (SH): 31% (21–42) versus 8% (2–14); P < 0.001 for both. Although the occurrence of VT was similar (41% vs. 40%), the incidence of VT‐related SH was higher in patients with a DN ≥ 50 (25% vs. 14%; P = 0.01) in the overall study population (n = 286).

Conclusions

When ATP is applied to the RVA, a DN ≥ 50 milliseconds is associated with a lower ATP effectiveness and a higher risk of SH due to VT.
Development of children at risk for adverse outcomes participating in early intervention in developing countries: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Wallander Jan L. , Bann Carla M. , Biasini Fred J. , Goudar Shivaprasad S. , Pasha Omrana , Chomba Elwyn , McClure Elizabeth , Carlo Waldemar A.
Published: May 2014

Background

Previous research has indicated positive effects of early developmental intervention (EDI) on the development of children in developing countries. Few studies, however, have examined longitudinally when differential treatment effects may be observed and whether differential outcomes are associated with exposure to different risk factors and country of implementation. Also, birth asphyxia as a risk condition has not been well studied. To address these limitations, we conducted a randomized controlled trial to test the hypothesis that there will be differential developmental trajectories favoring those who receive EDI versus a health education intervention in children in rural areas of India, Pakistan, and Zambia.

Methods

Children with and without birth asphyxia were randomized to EDI or control intervention, which was implemented by parents who received training in biweekly home visits initiated before child age 1 month and continuing until 36 months. Development was assessed in 376 children at ages 12, 24, and 36 months using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development and Ages & Stages Questionnaire administered by evaluators blind to intervention assignment and risk condition.

Results

Longitudinal mixed model analysis indicated that EDI resulted in better development over 36 months in cognitive abilities, regardless of risk condition, maternal resources, child gender, or country. Psychomotor development and parent‐reported general development showed similar trends as for cognitive abilities, but were not statistically different between intervention conditions. Developmental differences were observed first at 36 months of age.

Conclusion

Early developmental intervention has promise for improving development in children across developing countries when exposed to various risk conditions. EDI should be one prominent approach used to begin to address long‐term outcomes and intergenerational transmission of poverty.
Falls in hospital increase length of stay regardless of degree of harm
Authors: Dunne Tanya J. , Gaboury Isabelle , Ashe Maureen C.
Published: May 2014

Rationale, aims and objectives

Acute inpatient falls are common and serious adverse events that lead to injury, prolonged hospitalization and increased cost of care. To determine the difference in total acute hospital care length of stay (LOS) for patients with and without an in‐hospital fall (IHF), regardless of degree of harm.

Methods

This was a retrospective observational study at a 728‐bed acute care teaching hospital. We used propensity scores to match 292 patients with 330 controls by case mix group, sex, Resource Intensity Weights and week of admission. We used two administrative databases: hospital fall incident reporting system and Discharge Abstract Database. We reviewed all IHF incidents for patients 18 years and older, admitted to inpatient acute care hospital units/programs between 1 November 2009 and 31 August 2011.

Results

The average LOS for IHF cases was 37.2 days [median 26.5 days; interquartile range (IQR) 14, 54] and 25.7 days (median 13 days; IQR 5, 33) for matched control patients. Survival analysis results indicated that patients who did not have an IHF were 2.4 times (95% CI 2.1, 2.7; P < 0.001) more likely to be discharged earlier from acute care than patients who had an IHF.

Conclusions

Experiencing either an injurious or a non‐injurious fall during an acute care hospitalization was associated with prolonged LOS.
A survey of thickened fluid prescribing and monitoring practices of Australian health professionals
Authors: Murray Jo , Doeltgen Sebastian , Miller Michelle , Scholten Ingrid
Published: May 2014

Rationale, aims and objectives

This study aimed to describe (1) how thickened fluids are supplied to clients with dysphagia; (2) how clients' consumption of thickened fluids and hydration status is monitored; and (3) the impact of institutional factors on thickened fluid intake and hydration in Australian health care settings.

Methods

Speech pathologists, dietitians and nurses working in Australian health care settings were asked to voluntarily participate in an online survey that was advertised through their respective professional associations. The questions required a self‐report of their practice with respect to thickened fluids.

Results

Few health care facilities (17%) monitored thickened fluid consumption routinely even though, in the opinion of 51% the respondents, clients on thickened fluids at their facility do not drink enough. Palatability of the thickened fluid products and patients' dependence on others for drinking were thought to have a major impact on fluid intake. Respondents also highlighted institutional factors such as inadequate assistance from staff and inconsistent systems for monitoring fluid intake and signs of dehydration. The most common way to address inadequate intake was for nurses to ‘push fluids’ (87%). Free water protocols were used only 14% of the time and setting small oral fluid targets throughout the day was the least common strategy (11%).

Conclusions

There is a need for Australian health care facilities to educate all clinical staff about the risks of dehydration and develop clinical pathways for clients with dysphagia, which include routine monitoring of oral fluid consumption and dehydration and timely intervention.
Effect of boat noise and angling on lake fish behaviour
Authors: Jacobsen L. , Baktoft H. , Jepsen N. , Aarestrup K. , Berg S. , Skov C.
Published: May 2014

The effects of disturbances from recreational activities on the swimming speed and habitat use of roach Rutilus rutilus, perch Perca fluviatilis and pike Esox lucius were explored. Disturbances were applied for 4 h as (1) boating in short intervals with a small outboard internal combustion engine or (2) boating in short intervals combined with angling with artificial lures between engine runs. The response of the fish species was evaluated by high‐resolution tracking using an automatic acoustic telemetry system and transmitters with sub‐minute burst rates. Rutilus rutilus swimming speed was significantly higher during disturbances [both (1) and (2)] with an immediate reaction shortly after the engine started. Perca fluviatilis displayed increased swimming activity during the first hour of disturbance but not during the following hours. Swimming activity of E. lucius was not significantly different between disturbance periods and the same periods on days without disturbance (control). Rutilus rutilus increased their use of the central part of the lake during disturbances, whereas no habitat change was observed in P. fluviatilis and E. lucius. No difference in fish response was detected between the two types of disturbances (boating with and without angling), indicating that boating was the primary source of disturbance. This study highlights species‐specific responses to recreational boating and may have implications for management of human recreational activities in lakes.
Identification of a gene set to evaluate the potential effects of loud sounds from seismic surveys on the ears of fishes: a study with Salmo salar
Authors: Andrews C. D. , Payne J. F. , Rise M. L.
Published: May 2014

Functional genomic studies were carried out on the inner ear of Atlantic salmon Salmo salar following exposure to a seismic airgun. Microarray analyses revealed 79 unique transcripts (passing background threshold), with 42 reproducibly up‐regulated and 37 reproducibly down‐regulated in exposed v. control fish. Regarding the potential effects on cellular energetics and cellular respiration, altered transcripts included those with roles in oxygen transport, the glycolytic pathway, the Krebs cycle and the electron transport chain. Of these, a number of transcripts encoding haemoglobins that are important in oxygen transport were up‐regulated and among the most highly expressed. Up‐regulation of transcripts encoding nicotinamide riboside kinase 2, which is also important in energy production and linked to nerve cell damage, points to evidence of neuronal damage in the ear following noise exposure. Transcripts related to protein modification or degradation also indicated potential damaging effects of sound on ear tissues. Notable in this regard were transcripts associated with the proteasome–ubiquitin pathway, which is involved in protein degradation, with the transcript encoding ubiquitin family domain‐containing protein 1 displaying the highest response to exposure. The differential expression of transcripts observed for some immune responses could potentially be linked to the rupture of cell membranes. Meanwhile, the altered expression of transcripts for cytoskeletal proteins that contribute to the structural integrity of the inner ear could point to repair or regeneration of ear tissues including auditory hair cells. Regarding potential effects on hormones and vitamins, the protein carrier for thyroxine and retinol (vitamin A), namely transthyretin, was altered at the transcript expression level and it has been suggested from studies in mammalian systems that retinoic acid may play a role in the regeneration of damaged hair cells. The microarray experiment identified the transcript encoding growth hormone I as up‐regulated by loud sound, supporting previous evidence linking growth hormone to hair cell regeneration in fishes. Quantitative (q) reverse transcription (RT) polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) analyses confirmed dysregulation of some microarray‐identified transcripts and in some cases revealed a high level of biological variability in the exposed group. These results support the potential utility of molecular biomarkers to evaluate the effect of seismic surveys on fishes with studies on the ears being placed in a priority category for development of exposure–response relationships. Knowledge of such relationships is necessary for addressing the question of potential size of injury zones.
A rapid qPCR method for genetic sex identification of Salmo salar and Salmo trutta including simultaneous elucidation of interspecies hybrid paternity by high‐resolution melt analysis
Authors: Anglès d'Auriac M. B. , Urke H. A. , Kristensen T.
Published: May 2014

This study presents an improved duplex quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) method using the master sex‐determining gene sdY as a marker for simultaneous genetic sex identification of salmonids of the Salmo genus and paternity elucidation for Salmo salar × Salmo trutta hybrids. This method will provide a new, simple and economical molecular tool for ecological studies of these species as well as for aquaculture purposes.
Effects of oral nutritional supplementation in the management of malnutrition in hospital and post‐hospital discharged patients in India: a randomised, open‐label, controlled trial
Authors: Huynh D. T. T. , Devitt A. A. , Paule C. L. , Reddy B. R. , Marathe P. , Hegazi R. A. , Rosales F. J.
Published: May 2014

Background

Hospital malnutrition is a significant problem that still remains under‐recognised and under‐treated in India. The present study assessed the effects of oral nutritional supplementation (ONS) in conjunction with dietary counselling versus dietary counselling (control) alone in malnourished patients when given in hospital and post‐hospital discharge.

Methods

The present study was conducted in nine private and four public hospitals. Patients from various medical wards were screened for malnutrition using modified Subjective Global Assessment (mSGA) and randomised to control (n = 106) or ONS (n = 106) for 12 weeks. Two servings (460 mL) of ONS were prescribed daily, providing 432 kcal, 16 g of protein and 28 micronutrients. The primary outcome was weight gain over 12 weeks. Other outcomes included change in body mass index (BMI), serum pre‐albumin, albumin and C‐reactive protein levels, energy and nutrient intakes, and handgrip strength at weeks 4, 8 and 12, as well as mSGA score at week 12.

Results

The mean age of patients was 39 years. Fifty‐five percent were males and 90.3% were moderately malnourished (mSGA score B) at baseline. At week 12, ONS significantly improved certain parameters compared to control: weight (2.0 versus 0.9 kg; P < 0.001), BMI (0.76 versus 0.37 kg m–2; P < 0.001) and energy intake per day (560 versus 230 kcal; P < 0.05). There were no differences in biochemical parameters and mSGA score between groups. Additionally, patients on ONS who were more functionally impaired at baseline had significantly greater weight gain and improved handgrip strength scores than controls.

Conclusions

ONS use throughout hospital stay and post‐hospital discharge significantly improved energy intake and weight in malnourished Indian patients. Those patients with poorer functional status at baseline demonstrated the most benefit.
Psychological interventions for women with intellectual disabilities and forensic care needs: a systematic review of the literature
Authors: Hellenbach M. , Brown M. , Karatzias T. , Robinson R.
Published: May 2014

Objective

Research evidence to date concerning offending by people with intellectual disabilities (ID) has concentrated on male perpetrators and little is known about their female counterparts. This systematic literature review examines evidence on psycho‐social therapies for the female intellectually disabled population within healthcare forensic facilities.

Methods

A search of health, psychology and social science databases was conducted, using a varying combination of search words to detect relevant literature for this review. Four studies published between 2001 and 2012 were identified for inclusion. Articles were organised and compared in relation to study characteristics, sample, kind of treatment, instruments used to measure treatment impact, and study findings.

Findings

In total, four studies were identified that met the inclusion criteria. A range of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)‐orientated group interventions for people with learning disabilities were evaluated and in most studies improvements were reported in relation to reducing problem behaviour. Evidence that has been generated by the studies is, however, limited in its explanatory value because of study design and related methodological issues.

Conclusions

This review has identified a significant gap in relation to research‐based therapies for women with ID and forensic care needs. In particular, more research is needed focusing on women with a dual diagnosis of ID and psychiatric disorder who present challenging or criminal behaviour.
Looking like a proper baby: nurses' experiences of caring for extremely premature infants
Authors: Green Janet , Darbyshire Philip , Adams Anne , Jackson Debra
Published: May 2014

Aims and objectives

To explore the ways in which neonatal nurses draw meaning and deal with the challenges associated with caring for extremely premature babies.

Background

Current literature suggests that nurses face challenges providing care to certain patients because of their appearance. This article will focus on those difficulties in relation to neonatal nurses caring for infants ≤24 weeks of gestation in the neonatal intensive care unit. Extremely premature babies often have more the appearance of a foetus than the appearance of a baby, and this presented challenges for the neonatal nurses.

Design

This paper has used interviews and drew insights from interpretative phenomenology.

Methods

This paper used a series of interviews in a qualitative study informed by phenomenology. The analysis of the interview data involved the discovery of thematic statements and the analysis of the emerging themes.

Results

This paper outlines the difficulties experienced by neonatal nurses when caring for a baby that resembles a foetus more than it does a full‐term infant. The theme the challenges of caregiving was captured by three subthemes: A foetus or a viable baby?; protective strategies and attributing personality.

Conclusion

This study identified that neonatal nurses experience a range of difficulties when providing care for an infant who resembled a foetus rather than a full‐term baby. They employed strategies that minimised the foetal appearance and maximised the appearance and attributes associated with a newborn baby.

Relevance to clinical practice

Increasing survival of extremely premature infants will see nurses caring for more babies ≤24 weeks of gestation. Caring for extremely premature babies has been reported as being stressful. It is important to understand the nature of stress facing this highly specialised neonatal nursing workforce. Supportive work environments could help to ameliorate stress, facilitate better care of tiny babies and decrease staff turnover.
A review of conceptualisation of expressed emotion in caregivers of older adults with dementia
Authors: Li Chao‐Yin , Murray MaryAnne
Published: May 2014

Aims and Objectives

To clarify the concept of ‘expressed emotion’ and its application to caregivers of older adults with dementia.

Background

Expressed emotion has been a useful construct for understanding the quality of family relationships affecting patients with mental illness and their caregivers. However, this concept has been developed without precisely defining ‘expressed emotion’ as it pertains to dementia patients. Clarity regarding expressed emotion will enable nurses to apply knowledge of expressed emotion and provide important information for the development of new clinical interventions for this specific population.

Design

Integrative review.

Methods

A review of literature on expressed emotion by caregivers of older adults with dementia. The inclusion criteria were: (1) published in English or Chinese during 1970–2012; (2) included both research and theoretical review articles on expressed emotion in nursing and other disciplines such as psychology, psychiatry and sociology. Initially, 236 articles were screened, and finally, 32 articles were evaluated for this review.

Results

Emotional expression and expressed emotion were discussed to clarify the distinctions and address overlap between these two similar terms. In addition, expressed emotion was examined further from three different aspects: trait or state, social control and cross‐cultural. Finally, the results of reviewed papers for expressed emotion on dementia patients were explored and synthesised.

Conclusion

A conceptual definition and a theoretical framework for the concept of expressed emotion are urgently needed to further our understanding of this critical phenomenon. With increasing attention to caregiving for patients with dementia, including the concept of expressed emotion in the research of this field may accelerate understanding of the importance of the family dynamics in advanced ageing caregiving.

Relevance to clinical practice

The expressed emotion concept could guide much of current clinical practice and help professional nurses understand the family's experience and perspective on mental illness, especially regarding dementia within the family.
Living with hepatitis C: a phenomenological study
Authors: Hill Rebekah , Pfeil Michael , Moore Jenny , Richardson Barbara
Published: May 2014

Aims and objectives

To explore the experience of adults living with hepatitis C over time.

Background

Hepatitis C virus is a growing problem affecting thousands of people worldwide. The majority of individuals infected develop chronic liver disease, but treatment is not always successful, leaving many to live with the virus indefinitely. Experiences of living with hepatitis C are poorly understood yet essential to meet the needs of an increasing number of affected people.

Design

A qualitative study using a descriptive phenomenological methodology.

Methods

Unstructured interviews were conducted with 23 hepatitis C‐positive individuals in the East of England; participants were interviewed twice within a year.

Results

Data analysis revealed six themes of the experience of living with hepatitis C: hepatitis C and self; hepatitis C, self and others; self and handling hepatitis C; self and handling hepatitis C treatment issues; living with the consequences of hepatitis C; self, hepatitis C and thoughts of the future.

Conclusions

Diagnosis of hepatitis C can disrupt people's sense of identity and trigger a life transition. A complex range of factors create uncertainty for people living with hepatitis C. Many struggle to make a healthy transition to life with the condition, instead living in a state of sustained uncertainty.

Relevance to clinical practice

Nurses working within a chronic care framework of ongoing advice and support can improve experiences for those living with hepatitis C. Practice aimed at reducing both the disruptive effect of the diagnosis and the uncertainties it creates can help facilitate a transition to life with the disease.
The Same‐Different Method: Positive Effects of Reduced Memory Load Versus Negative Effects of Uncontrolled τ‐Criterion Variation, Using Forced‐Choice Methods as a Comparison
Authors: Olivas Ricardo , Lopez‐Malo Aurelio , Angulo Ofelia , O'Mahony Michael
Published: May 2014

The positive effects of reduced memory load for the same‐different method were tested against the negative effects of judge τ‐criterion variation, using the forced‐choice triangle, duo‐trio and ABX methods for comparison. The tests were carried out under nonlaboratory conditions in an everyday dining area, with mango juices as the stimuli. A control experiment involving sequential sensitivity analysis was performed to monitor carry‐over effects. The results of the main experiment showed no significant differences in the low d′ values for the forced‐choice methods, while a zero value was recorded for the same‐different method. This was due to variability in the τ‐criterion causing the overall value to be large enough to elicit, for sufficiently confusable stimuli, more incorrect than correct responses, when the two stimuli in the test were different.

Practical Applications

Sometimes it is required that difference tests be performed without the attribute change being described to the judges, leaving them to discover the change in attribute for themselves. In this case, the more statistically powerful methods, such as the 2‐AFC and 3‐AFC, are unsuitable. This leaves the much less powerful triangle, duo‐trio and ABX methods as the most commonly used candidates, although their reduced power implies greater cost. Before the recent emergence of the statistically more powerful unspecified tetrad method as a potential candidate of choice, the long version of the same‐different method was seen as the most powerful alternative. It has the advantage of a lesser memory load because only pairs of stimuli are assessed. However, the same‐different method has the disadvantage of uncontrolled τ‐criterion variation. There is a possibility that when data are pooled over a sample of consumers, the variance in τ‐criteria among those judges might sometimes become large enough to cause problems. As long as the stimuli are sufficiently confusable, it might elicit a value large enough for incorrect responses to outnumber the correct responses, when the pairs in the test were different. The required Thurstonian analysis would then automatically record zero d′ values. Although this has not generally been regarded as a serious problem for the method, it would seem to be worthy of investigation. Such experiments are important for providing sensory professionals with information that enables them to make decisions regarding which methods are appropriate for their particular needs, when measuring discrimination.
Body weight, meat quality and blood metabolite responses to carbohydrate administration in the drinking water during pre‐slaughter feed withdrawal in broilers
Authors: Kop‐Bozbay C. , Ocak N.
Published: May 2014

This study was conducted to determine weights of body (BW), carcass (CW), gastrointestinal tract (GTW), meat quality and some blood metabolite responses to corn starch, saccharose or glucose administration in the drinking water during pre‐slaughter feed withdrawal (FW) in broilers. On day 42 of age, 200 broilers (Ross 308) were allocated randomly to five treatments with four replicates. During a 10‐h FW, control broilers (C) were provided with non‐treated water and the standard finisher diet ad libitum, whereas fasted broilers provided with non‐treated (NFW) or treated water, 3 g glucose (G), saccharose (S) or corn starch (CS)/L. Eight birds (four males and four females) per treatment were slaughtered. Birds receiving non‐treated or treated water had lower BW and higher carcass yield than the full‐fed broilers. The full‐fed broilers had higher absolute and relative GTW than the fasted birds. Broilers consumed more readily treated water compared with non‐treated water. While the a* value of breast meat from CS birds was higher than that from NFW, the b* value of that was higher than S and C birds. The c* values of breast meat from S birds were lower compared with that from the CS treatment. The thigh meat from NFW broilers had higher h* value than that from C and G broilers. The thigh meats of C and CS broilers had higher c* value than that of G birds. The full‐fed broilers had higher plasma triglyceride concentration than NFW, S and G birds. The full‐fed broilers had higher plasma uric acid and uric acid nitrogen concentrations than S birds. These results show that carbohydrate administration in the drinking water cannot be a good alternative for the FW period before slaughter due to the fact that the carbohydrates do not reduce BW losses and do not lead to increases in meat quality.
Three new species of fleas belonging to the genus Macrostylophora from the three‐striped ground squirrel, Lariscus insignis, in Java
Authors: DURDEN L. A. , BEAUCOURNU J.‐C.
Published: May 2014

Three new species of fleas belonging to the genus Macrostylophora (Siphonaptera, Ceratophyllidae) are described from the three‐striped ground squirrel, Lariscus insignis, from Tjibodas, West Java (Jawa Barat), Indonesia at an elevation of 1500 m. Macrostylophora larisci sp. n. is described from three male specimens, Macrostylophora debilitata sp. n. is described from one male and Macrostylophora wilsoni sp. n. is described from one female. Non‐genital morphological characters of the female specimen, including ctenidial spine shapes and lengths, show that it is not the corresponding female for either M. larisci sp. n. or M. debilitata sp. n. It is unusual for three different species of congeneric fleas to parasitize the same host species in the same geographical location. These three new species represent the first known records of Macrostylophora from Java and they could be enzootic vectors between rodents of flea‐borne zoonotic pathogens such as Rickettsia typhi and Yersinia pestis, both of which are established on Java. A list is provided of the 43 known species and 12 subspecies of Macrostylophora together with their known geographical distributions and hosts. A map depicting the distributions of known Indonesian (and Bornean) species of Macrostylophora is also included.
Nurses' evaluations of the CPOT use at 12‐month post‐implementation in the intensive care unit
Authors: Gélinas Céline , Ross Melody , Boitor Madalina , Desjardins Sylvie , Vaillant Francine , Michaud Cécile
Published: May 2014

Background

Performing routine pain assessments with all intensive care unit (ICU) patients is strongly recommended in clinical practice guidelines. As many ICU patients are unable to self‐report, the Critical‐Care Pain Observation Tool (CPOT) is one of the two behavioural pain scales suggested for clinical use. Still, no study has described the evaluations of its use in ICU daily practice.

Objective

To describe the nurses' evaluation of the feasibility, clinical relevance and satisfaction with the CPOT use 12 months after its implementation in the ICU.

Method

A descriptive design was used. It was conducted in the medical‐surgical ICU of a university affiliated setting at Greenfield Park (Québec, Canada). A self‐administered evaluation questionnaire including four sections (i.e. feasibility, clinical relevance, satisfaction and socio‐demographic information) was completed by ICU nurses who were all trained to use the CPOT. The questionnaires were completed anonymously.

Results

A total of 38 ICU nurses returned their completed questionnaire (63% participation rate). Regarding its feasibility, the majority rated the CPOT as quick to use, simple to understand and easy to complete (92–100%). According to clinical relevance, close to 70% of ICU nurses acknowledged that the CPOT had influenced their practice, but lower results (<50%) were found for effective communication of pain assessment findings with the physicians and other health professionals. More than 80% of ICU nurses were satisfied with its daily use.

Conclusion

The CPOT use was deemed feasible and relevant in daily practice as per the nurses' evaluations but did not allow an effective communication with other ICU care team members.

Relevance to clinical practice

Training should be offered to all members of the ICU care team, and other implementation strategies should be explored as well to ensure optimal uptake of a pain assessment approach which impacts on their decision‐making process for pain management.
Factors associated with post‐intensive care unit adverse events: a clinical validation study
Authors: Elliott Malcolm , Page Karen , Worrall‐Carter Linda
Published: May 2014

Background

Many patients discharged from intensive care units (ICU) have complex care needs, placing them at risk of an adverse event in a ward environment. Currently, there is limited understanding of factors associated with these events in the post‐intensive care population. A recent study explored intensive care liaison nurses' opinions on factors associated with these events; 25 factors were identified, highlighting the multifaceted nature of post‐intensive care adverse events.

Aim

This study aimed to clinically validate 25 factors intensive care liaison nurses believe are associated with post‐intensive care adverse events, to determine the factors' relevance and importance to clinical practice.

Design

Prospective, clinical validation study.

Method

Data were prospectively collected on a convenience sample of 52 patients at 4 tertiary referral hospitals in an Australian capital city. All patients had experienced an adverse event after intensive care discharge.

Results

Each of the 25 factors contributed to adverse events in at least 6 patients. The factors associated with the most adverse events were those that related to the patient such as illness severity and co‐morbidities.

Conclusion

Clinical care and research should focus on modifiable factors in care processes to reduce the risk of future adverse events in post‐intensive care patients.

Relevance to clinical practice

Many patients are at risk of post‐ICUadverse events due to the contribution of non‐modifiable factors. However, by focusing on modifiable factors in care processes, the risk of post‐ICUadverse events may be reduced.
Diet, sun, and lifestyle as determinants of vitamin D status
Authors: Lips Paul , van Schoor Natasja M. , de Jongh Renate T.
Published: May 2014

Vitamin D status can be assessed by measuring concentrations of 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D). Sunlight is the most important source of vitamin D and stimulates the production of vitamin D3 in the skin during the summer, depending on age, skin pigmentation, clothing style, and sunscreen use. Seasonal variation in serum 25(OH)D is between 10 and 20 nmol/L in adults and almost absent in nursing home residents. Sunscreen use decreases, but does not abolish, vitamin D production in the skin. Clothing style has a large influence on vitamin D production. Furthermore, vitamin D status can be improved by ingestion of fatty fish and the fortification of milk or orange juice. A high dietary calcium intake has a vitamin D–sparing effect, because it increases the half‐life of 25(OH)D. A combination of sunlight exposure, nutrition, food fortification, and supplements is desirable to obtain sufficient vitamin D status in the population of most countries throughout the year.
Bone safety of low‐dose glucocorticoids in rheumatic diseases
Authors: Saag Kenneth G.
Published: May 2014

Glucocorticoids are widely used internationally for the treatment of inflammatory disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Although the benefit of glucocorticoids in RA on both disease activity and severity are well known, there remain unanswered questions about the overall bone safety of chronic low‐dose glucocorticoids in RA. Debate exists about the merits of glucocorticoids for bone health on the basis of their benefits in promoting activity and reducing proinflammatory cytokines. Overall current evidence supports the view that bone loss is a disease related both to RA and to glucocorticoid use independently. Calcium and vitamin D, along with prescription antiosteoporosis therapies, particularly bisphosphonates and teriparatide, play an important role in stabilizing bone mineral density and potentially lowering spinal fracture risk at the spine. International guidelines provide pathways for appropriate prevention of glucocorticoid‐induced osteoporosis (GIOP). Despite the evidence and these guidelines, many patients do not receive adequate management to prevent GIOP.
Safety and Outcomes of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Patients with Abandoned Pacemaker and Defibrillator Leads
Authors: HIGGINS JOHN V. , GARD JOSEPH J. , SHELDON SETH H. , ESPINOSA RAUL E. , WOOD CHRISTOPHER P. , FELMLEE JOEL P. , CHA YONG‐MEI , ASIRVATHAM SAMUEL J. , DALZELL CONNIE , ACKER NANCY , WATSON ROBERT E. , FRIEDMAN PAUL A.
Published: May 2014

Introduction

Abandoned cardiovascular implantable electronic device (CIED) leads remain a contraindication to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies, largely due to in vitro data showing endocardial heating secondary to the radiofrequency field. We tested the hypothesis that abandoned CIED leads do not pose an increased risk of clinical harm for patients undergoing MRI.

Methods

This single‐center retrospective study examined the outcomes of patients who had device generators removed before MRI, rendering the device leads abandoned. Information was gathered through chart review. Data collected included lead model, pacing threshold before MRI, anatomic region examined, threshold data after generator reimplantation, and clinical patient outcome.

Results

Patients (n = 19, 11 men and eight women) ranged in age from 19 to 85 at the time of MRI. There was a mean of 1.63 abandoned leads at the time of imaging; none of the leads were MRI conditional. Of the three implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) leads, two of three were dual coil. Most (31/35) of the scans performed were of the central nervous system, including head and spinal imaging. There were no adverse events associated with MRI in any of these patients with abandoned leads within 7 days of the scan. No lead malfunctions or clinically significant change in pacing thresholds were noted with generator reimplantation.

Conclusion

The use of MRI in patients with abandoned cardiac device leads appears feasible when performed under careful monitoring, with no adverse events, although the experience is small. MRI did not affect the function of leads that were subsequently reconnected to a cardiac device.
A reassessment of the role of sucrose synthase in the hypoxic sucrose‐ethanol transition in Arabidopsis
Authors: SANTANIELLO ANTONIETTA , LORETI ELENA , GONZALI SILVIA , NOVI GIACOMO , PERATA PIERDOMENICO
Published: May 2014

Plants under low‐oxygen availability adapt their metabolism to compensate for the lower ATP production that arises from the limited respiratory activity in mitochondria. Anaerobic glycolysis requires continuous fuelling of carbon units, also provided from sucrose. The anaerobic catabolism of sucrose is thought to require the activity of sucrose synthase, being this enzymatic reaction more energetically favourable than that of invertase. The role of sucrose synthases (SUS) for aerobic sucrose catabolism in Arabidopsis has been recently questioned since SUS mutants fail to show altered phenotype or metabolic profile. In the present paper, we analysed the role of SUS1 and SUS4, both induced by low oxygen, in plant survival and ethanol production. The results showed that mutants lacking both SUS were as tolerant to low oxygen as the wild type in most of the experimental conditions tested. Only under conditions of limiting sugar availability the requirement of SUS1 and SUS4 for ethanol production was evident, although partly compensated by invertase activities, as revealed by the use of a double mutant lacking the two major cytosolic invertases. We conclude that, contrary to general belief, the sucrose synthase pathway is not the preferential route for sucrose metabolism under hypoxia.