bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Research Review: Psychosocial adjustment and mental health in former child soldiers – a systematic review of the literature and recommendations for future research
Authors: Betancourt Theresa S , Borisova Ivelina , Williams Timothy P , Meyers‐Ohki Sarah E , Rubin‐Smith Julia E , Annan Jeannie , Kohrt Brandon A
Published: October 2012

Aims and scope:  This article reviews the available quantitative research on psychosocial adjustment and mental health among children (age <18 years) associated with armed forces and armed groups (CAAFAG) – commonly referred to as child soldiers.

Methods:  PRISMA standards for systematic reviews were used to search PubMed, PsycInfo, JSTOR, and Sociological Abstracts in February 2012 for all articles on former child soldiers and CAAFAG. Twenty‐one quantitative studies from 10 countries were analyzed for author, year of publication, journal, objectives, design, selection population, setting, instruments, prevalence estimates, and associations with war experiences. Opinion pieces, editorials, and qualitative studies were deemed beyond the scope of this study. Quality of evidence was rated according to the Systematic Assessment of Quality in Observational Research (SAQOR).

Findings:  According to SAQOR criteria, among the available published studies, eight studies were of high quality, four were of moderate quality, and the remaining nine were of low quality. Common limitations were lack of validated mental health measures, unclear methodology including undefined sampling approaches, and failure to report missing data. Only five studies included a comparison group of youth not involved with armed forces/armed groups, and only five studies assessed mental health at more than one point in time. Across studies, a number of risk and protective factors were associated with postconflict psychosocial adjustment and social reintegration in CAAFAG. Abduction, age of conscription, exposure to violence, gender, and community stigma were associated with increased internalizing and externalizing mental health problems. Family acceptance, social support, and educational/economic opportunities were associated with improved psychosocial adjustment.

Conclusions:  Research on the social reintegration and psychosocial adjustment of former child soldiers is nascent. A number of gaps in the available literature warrant future study. Recommendations to bolster the evidence base on psychosocial adjustment in former child soldiers and other war‐affected youth include more studies comprising longitudinal study designs, and validated cross‐cultural instruments for assessing mental health, as well as more integrated community‐based approaches to study design and research monitoring.
Measurements, composition and behaviour of a large colony of the bat Pipistrellus pipistrellus
Authors: Stebbings R. E.
Published: October 2012

A study in Dorset, England, of a very large nursing colony of the common bat Pipistrellus pipistrellus provided some much needed basic taxonomic data for this species in the British Isles. Despite the fact that 389 of 429 bats caught were juveniles the measurements were demonstrated to be comparable to adults. The sex ratio of juveniles were shown to be 1:1. No adult males were caught. Amongst the 40 adult females, eight were nulliparous (never having had young) and the remainder had all given birth and were lactating or just post lactating. It appeared that at least some Pipistrellus do not become pregnant in their first year. It was estimated that this colony consumed a minimum of 100 kg of flying insects during July and August.

The individuals tend to be 0·5 g heavier one year after weaning and a further 0·5 g heavier the following year.

Adult females leave the nursery roost immediately after weaning and it was suggested that this may be to prevent competing for food with the juveniles.

Behaviour in roost, upon emergence and in captivity is described.
A new parasitic isopod of the family Cymothoidae from clupeid fishes of Lake Tanganyika—a further Lake Tanganyika enigma
Authors: Fryer Geoffrey
Published: October 2012

A new cymothoid isopod which parasitizes clupeid fishes in Lake Tanganyika is described. That this species is a protandrous hermaphrodite is demonstrated. There are also indications that transformation from the male to the female phase may occur at different stages of development in different individuals.

Two isopods with distinctly marine affinities are now known from Lake Tanganyika but it is not certain that they are derived from a common ancestor. The marine‐like facies of the Lake Tanganyika fauna is therefore enhanced but, although no proven explanation of the facts of distribution can be given, Moore's theory that the lake is a remnant of an ancient sea is not revived.
Studies in situ on the neurosecretory system of the earthworm, Pheretima posthuma
Authors: Dogra G. S.
Published: October 2012

The neurosecretory system of the earthworm, Pheretima posthuma, has been studied by PF, PATh and PAVB bulk‐stained preparations and sections. There are three types (a, b and c) of neurosecretory cells in the cerebral ganglion, suboesophageal ganglion and the nerve cord ganglia. Axons of a‐ and b‐cells are observed in toto in the cerebral and the suboesophageal ganglions. The axons are short and their axonal ends are bulb‐like. While the axons of the neurosecretory cells of the cerebral ganglion remain directed ventrally, those of the suboesophageal ganglion converge in a small area. This area has been considered as the neurohaemal organ, but of an elementary type.

In the cerebral ganglion b‐cells exhibit a vacuolated cytoplasm. Vacuoles of varying size and number have been observed in those cells whose perikarya are loaded heavily with NSM. The vacuoles and the associated neurosecretory material extrude from the cell after rupturing the cell wall and the released material, associated with the vacuoles, is observed in the form of discrete bodies between the neurosecretory cells. After traversing the intercellular spaces the NSM accumulates on the ventral surface of the cerebral ganglion and some material is found to extend towards the suboesophageal ganglion, via the circumoesophageal connectives. It is suggested that a part of the NSM is absorbed into the blood vessels in the region of the cerebral ganglion and the remainder in the region of the suboesophageal ganglion; but the mechanism by which the liberated material is absorbed in the blood has not been determined. Thus in Pheretima there are two neurosecretory pathways—intracellular and intercellular—for the transportation of NSM elaborated by the perikaryon.
The taxonomic status of two morphotypes of the tenebrionid Onymacris rugatipennis: indications from behavioural and genetical studies
Authors: Hauffe H. C. , Searle J. B. , Seely M. K.
Published: October 2012

Onymacris rugatipennis, a tenebrionid from the Namib Desert, is currently classified as having two subspecies distinguishable in the adult phase (Penrith, 1975). However, other authors have suggested species status for the ‘waxy’ and ‘non‐waxy’ types on the basis of larval characteristics and the apparent lack of introgression of adult morphology in areas of overlap (Koch, 1962; Schulze, 1962, 1964; Osberg, Hanrahan & Seely, 1986). In a previous paper (Hauffe & Seely, In press) we took the view that waxiness in O. rugatipennis is a continuously varying character that does not define major taxonomic subdivisions. Behavioural observations reported here support this idea; daily activity patterns and precopulatory behaviour of waxy and non‐waxy adult O. rugatipennis is very similar under the same environmental conditions. In addition, allozyme analysis indicates that there is little genetic divergence between populations across the range of this species.
Geographic variation of distal genitalia in the landsnail Helix aspersa (Mollusca: Gastropoda)
Authors: Madec L. , Guiller A.
Published: October 2012

Intraspecific differentiation in Helix aspersa Müller, which essentially occurred in North Africa, was until now investigated using only conchological and biochemical features. In this study, 972 specimens were scored for 10 metric characters (nine describing the terminal genitalia, one which represents the shell size) in order to complement our knowledge of the geographic patterns of divergence between populations from the whole natural area of the species. Multivariate analyses, involving principal components and discriminant functions, emphasized the high degree of differentiation in Maghreb (east versus west pattern) and indicated that the most reliable anatomical features to distinguish individuals, which generally have a giant size in North Africa, were the penis and diverticulum (to a lesser extent, flagellum) lengths. Thus, snails from eastern Maghreb were characterized by the smallest distal genitalia, especially a short diverticulum, although their shell size was far larger than that of European snails. This reduction was less perceptible in specimens from west Maghreb and, when present, concerned only some organs; penis length, not affected by this decrease, became then an important factor of discrimination in Maghreb. Moreover, it seemed that a large part of anatomical divergence between European and north‐western African populations was only attributable to a difference in shell size (larger snails with larger genitalia), whereas isolation of populations from eastern Maghreb was based on independent changes, involving different allometric relations between terminal genitalia and shell size. Furthermore, this phenomenon was observed in colonies from north‐western Greece, which were also close to some populations from east Maghreb on the basis of allozyme data; such results would suggest exchanges between both areas.
Population structure and reproduction in brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) from pig farms, Co. Kildare, Ireland
Authors: Butler F. T. , Whelan J.
Published: October 2012

Brown rats were trapped each month for 12 months on two pig farms in Co. Kildare, Ireland. Reproduction occurred throughout the year with peaks in spring and autumn as evidenced by juvenile emergence and the pattern of adult fecundity. Fecund males and reproductively active females were those in the heaviest weight groups and with good body condition as indicated by high levels of body fat. Male rats showed signs of delayed sexual maturation and females, though fertile, did not bear litters until relatively late in life (> 300 g). The level of wounding was related to the reproductive status of the animals and males had more wounds than females. The pattern of wounding was probably caused by inter‐male conflict for access to breeding partners. Free‐living populations of brown rats maintain population stability through controls on the rate of reproduction mediated by a complex social structure.
Prediction of fetal base excess values at birth using an algorithm to interpret fetal heart rate tracings: a retrospective validation
Authors: Uccella S , Cromi A , Colombo GF , Agosti M , Bogani G , Casarin J , Ghezzi F
Published: October 2012

Objective  To evaluate whether a standardised algorithm to interpret fetal heart rate (FHR) tracings during the entire length of labour can predict umbilical artery base excess at birth, and to investigate its inter‐ and intra‐observer reproducibility.

Design  Retrospective study.

Setting  Obstetrics and gynaecology department at a tertiary referral centre in a university hospital.

Population  Group 1: 152 consecutive, generally low‐risk, labouring women. Group 2: mixed group of 30 women who delivered a fetus with pH < 7.00 and 30 women who delivered a fetus with pH ≥ 7.00.

Methods  Intrapartum FHR tracings were retrospectively and blindly evaluated by two independent assessors using an algorithm proposed by Ross and Gala to predict fetal base excess at birth.

Main outcome measures  The accuracy in predicting the base excess values of newborns was expressed as the proportion of FHR tracings in which the operator was able to correctly calculate the actual base excess at birth (approximation of ±2 mmol/l). Inter‐ and intra‐observer reproducibility were estimated using the Pearson correlation coefficient.

Results  In the group of 152 low‐risk labouring women, the two assessors correctly predicted the umbilical artery base excess in 73.1 and 76.3% of cases, respectively. Inter‐observer (Pearson correlation coefficient = 0.75) and intra‐observer (Pearson correlation coefficient = 0.80 and 0.82 for the first and second assessor, respectively) reproducibility was very good. In the 30 fetuses that were acidemic, the first and second observers correctly predicted base excess values in 23 (76.7%) and 21 (70%) cases, respectively (inter‐observer reproducibility, Pearson correlation coefficient = 0.72).

Conclusions  The algorithm proposed by Ross and Gala may be a valuable tool to estimate changes in umbilical base excess during active labour, with a high inter‐ and intra‐observer reproducibility.
Validation of Karolinska Exhaustion Scale: psychometric properties of a measure of exhaustion syndrome
Authors: Saboonchi Fredrik , Perski Aleksander , Grossi Giorgio
Published: October 2012

Background

The syndrome of exhaustion is currently a medical diagnosis in Sweden. The description of the syndrome largely corresponds to the suggested core component of burnout, that is exhaustion. Karolinska Exhaustion Scale (KES) has been constructed to provide specific assessment of exhaustion in clinical and research settings.

Aim

The purpose of the present study was to examine the psychometric properties of this scale in its original and revised versions by examining the factorial structure and measures of convergent and discriminant validity.

Methods

Data gathered from two independent samples (n1 = 358 & n2 = 403) consisting of patients diagnosed with ‘reaction to severe stress, and adjustment disorder’ were subjected to confirmatory factor analysis. The study's instruments were Karolinska Exhaustion Scale and Shirom Melam Burnout Measure. Correlation analyses were employed to follow up the established factorial structure of the scale. The study was ethically approved by Karolinska Institute regional ethic committee.

Results

The findings demonstrated adequate fit of the data to the measurement model provided by the revised version of KES Limitations: The main limitation of the present study is the lack of a gold standard of exhaustion for direct comparison with KES. (KES‐26) and partially supported convergent validity and discriminant validity of the scale.

Conclusion

The demonstrated psychometric properties of KES‐26 indicate sound construct validity for this scale encouraging use of this scale in assessment of exhaustion. The factorial structure of KES‐26 may also be used to provide information concerning possible different clinical profiles.
More Relatively‐Poor People in a Less Absolutely‐Poor World
Authors: Chen Shaohua , Ravallion Martin
Published: October 2012

Relative deprivation, shame, and social exclusion can matter to the welfare of people everywhere. The paper argues that such social effects on welfare call for a reconsideration of how we assess global poverty. We argue for using a weakly‐relative measure as the upper‐bound complement to the lower‐bound provided by a standard absolute measure. New estimates of poverty are presented. The absolute line is $1.25 a day at 2005 prices, while the relative line rises with the mean, at a gradient of 1:2 above $1.25 a day, consistently with national poverty lines. We find that the incidence of both absolute and weakly‐relative poverty in the developing world has been falling since the 1990s, but more slowly for the relative measure. While the number of absolutely poor has fallen, the number of relatively poor has changed little since the 1990s, and is higher in 2008 than 1981.
The Pro‐Poorness, Growth and Inequality Nexus: Some Findings From a Simulation Study
Authors: Groll Thomas , Lambert Peter J.
Published: October 2012

An income growth pattern is pro‐poor if it reduces a (chosen) measure of poverty by more than if all incomes were growing equiproportionately. Inequality reduction is not sufficient for pro‐poorness. In this paper, we explore the nexus between pro‐poorness, growth, and inequality in some detail using simulations involving the displaced lognormal, Singh–Maddala, and Dagum distributions. For empirically relevant parameter estimates, distributional change preserving the functional form of each of these three‐parameter distributions is often either pro‐poor and inequality reducing, or pro‐rich and inequality exacerbating, but it is also possible for pro‐rich growth to be inequality reducing. There is some capacity for each of these distributions to show trickle effects (weak pro‐richness) along with inequality‐reducing growth, but virtually no possibility of pro‐poorness for growth which increases overall inequality. Implications are considered.
Randomized clinical trial of three‐layer tubular bandaging system for venous leg ulcers
Authors: Weller Carolina D. , Evans Sue M. , Staples Margaret P. , Aldons Pat , McNeil John J.
Published: October 2012

The safety and efficacy of three‐layer (3L) tubular bandaging as a treatment for venous ulcer healing has not been evaluated despite its use in many clinical settings to treat people with venous leg ulcers. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of 3L tubular bandage compared with short‐stretch compression bandage to heal venous ulcers in a multicenter, open‐label, parallel‐group, randomized controlled trial. We randomized 45 patients with venous leg ulcers of up to 20 cm2 area and an ankle brachial pressure index of >0.8 from hospital outpatient wound clinics in Victoria and Queensland, Australia. We measured time to healing and percentage reduction of wound size from baseline to week 12. Secondary outcomes were proportion of ulcers healed, self‐reported compliance of compression bandage, and health‐related quality of life, costs, recurrence rates, and adverse events. A total of 27 ulcers healed, the proportion of healed ulcers was higher for the 3L group (17/23 [74%] vs. 10/22 [46%]) (p = 0.05). Reported bandage tolerance at all treatment visits was 21 (91%) in 3L group vs. 17 (73%) (p = 0.10). There was no difference between the groups in adverse events. Costs were substantially less in 3L group.
Periictal cerebral tissue hypoxemia: A potential marker of SUDEP risk
Authors: Moseley Brian D. , Britton Jeffrey W. , Nelson Cindy , Lee Ricky W. , So Elson
Published: October 2012

Cerebral oximetry has not been explored in patients experiencing seizures in the epilepsy monitoring unit (EMU). The purpose of our study was to evaluate the feasibility of periictal measurement of cerebral oxygenation using noninvasive cerebral tissue oximetry and to determine whether there was evidence of cerebral hypoxemia during generalized seizures. Cerebral oxygen saturation findings were subsequently correlated with sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) risk factors. We prospectively evaluated six patients admitted to our EMU with histories of generalized tonic–clonic seizures (GTCS) with prolonged scalp electroencephalography (EEG) and two regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO2) sensors. Minimum rSO2 values were recorded in the 5 min preceding seizure onset, during the seizure, and in the 5 min following seizure offset. SUDEP risk was assessed using the SUDEP‐7 Inventory. Cerebral oximetry was well tolerated, with a mean duration of rSO2 monitoring of 81.1 h. Cerebral oxygen saturation data were available from at least one sensor in 9 (90%) of 10 seizures; only 6 (60%) of 10 seizures had useable periictal digital pulse oximetry data. GTCS were associated with significantly lower minimum ictal (p = 0.003) and postictal (p = 0.004) %rSO2 values than the minimum preictal value. Patients with at least one seizure with a %rSO2 decrease of ≥20% tended to have higher SUDEP‐7 Inventory scores (mean SUDEP‐7 Inventory score 7 ± 2.8) versus patients without recorded desaturations (4.3 ± 0.5, p = 0.08). Larger studies are needed to determine the value of cerebral oximetry in the identification of patients at risk of SUDEP.
Finding a better drug for epilepsy: Antiepileptogenesis targets
Authors: Kobow Katja , Auvin Stéphane , Jensen Frances , Löscher Wolfgang , Mody Istvan , Potschka Heidrun , Prince David , Sierra Alejandra , Simonato Michele , Pitkänen Asla , Nehlig Astrid , Rho Jong M.
Published: October 2012

For several decades, both in vitro and in vivo models of seizures and epilepsy have been employed to unravel the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the occurrence of spontaneous recurrent seizures (SRS)—the defining hallmark of the epileptic brain. However, despite great advances in our understanding of seizure genesis, investigators have yet to develop reliable biomarkers and surrogate markers of the epileptogenic process. Sadly, the pathogenic mechanisms that produce the epileptic condition, especially after precipitating events such as head trauma, inflammation, or prolonged febrile convulsions, are poorly understood. A major challenge has been the inherent complexity and heterogeneity of known epileptic syndromes and the differential genetic susceptibilities exhibited by patients at risk. Therefore, it is unlikely that there is only one fundamental pathophysiologic mechanism shared by all the epilepsies. Identification of antiepileptogenesis targets has been an overarching goal over the last decade, as current anticonvulsant medications appear to influence only the acute process of ictogenesis. Clearly, there is an urgent need to develop novel therapeutic interventions that are disease modifying—therapies that either completely or partially prevent the emergence of SRS. An important secondary goal is to develop new treatments that can also lessen the burden of epilepsy comorbidities (e.g., cognitive impairment, mood disorders) by preventing or reducing the deleterious changes during the epileptogenic process. This review summarizes novel antiepileptogenesis targets that were critically discussed at the XIth Workshop on the Neurobiology of Epilepsy (WONOEP XI) meeting in Grottaferrata, Italy. Further, emerging neurometabolic links among several target mechanisms and highlights of the panel discussion are presented.
Absolute versus Relative Environmental Sustainability
Authors: Bjørn Anders , Hauschild Michael Z.
Published: October 2012

The cradle‐to‐cradle (C2C) concept has emerged as an alternative to the more established eco‐efficiency concept based on life cycle assessment (LCA). The two concepts differ fundamentally in that eco‐efficiency aims to reduce the negative environmental footprint of human activities while C2C attempts to increase the positive footprint. This article discusses the strengths and weaknesses of each concept and suggests how they may learn from each other. The eco‐efficiency concept involves no long‐term vision or strategy, the links between resource consumption and waste emissions are not well related to the sustainability state, and increases in eco‐efficiency may lead to increases in consumption levels and hence overall impact. The C2C concept's disregard for energy efficiency means that many current C2C products will likely not perform well in an LCA. Inherent drawbacks are restrictions on the development of new materials posed by the ambition of continuous loop recycling, the perception that human interactions with nature can benefit all parts of all ecosystems, and the hinted compatibility with continued economic growth. Practitioners of eco‐efficiency can benefit from the visions of C2C to avoid a narrow‐minded focus on the eco‐efficiency of products that are inherently unsustainable. Moreover, resource efficiency and positive environmental effects could be included more strongly in LCA. Practitioners of C2C on the other hand should recognize the value of LCA in addressing trade‐offs between resource conservation and energy use. Also, when designing a “healthy emission” it should be recognized that it will often have an adverse effect on parts of the exposed ecosystem.
Pulsed Radiofrequency Treatment in a Case of Eagle’s Syndrome
Authors: Mollinedo Fernando T. , Esteban Sonia L. T. , Vega Cristina G. , Orcasitas Ana C. , Maguregi Antón A.
Published: October 2012

Abstract  Eagle (Arch Otolaryngol. 1937;25:584 and Arch Otolaryngol. 1949;49:490) first identified elongation of the styloid process and ossification of the stylohyoid ligament as a cause of orofacial pain. The elongated styloid process presses on the internal carotid artery and adjacent structures, including branches of the glossopharyngeal nerve and this produce orofacial pain. Some authors define an elongated styloid process as longer than 4 cm because this length is associated with an increase in the incidence of Eagle’s syndrome. The syndrome is diagnosed by exclusion (Walkman SD. Atlas of Uncommon Pain Syndromes. Philadelphia: Elsevier Science; 2003), and the diagnosis is confirmed by radiological studies and computed tomography. Treatment can be divided into medical, interventional, and surgical techniques.

We report a patient with symptoms of glossopharyngeal neuralgia, who was diagnosed with Eagle’s syndrome on the basis of diagnostic imaging. The length of the stylohyoid process was 63 mm on the left side and 64 mm on the right. Treatment was performed by applying pulsed radiofrequency to the glossopharyngeal nerve with satisfactory results. The technique was performed twice on an outpatient basis, produced no complications or side effects, and proved effective in the short and medium term in decreasing the intensity of pain.
Neighborhoods on the Rise: A Typology of Neighborhoods Experiencing Socioeconomic Ascent
Authors: Owens Ann
Published: October 2012

Neighborhoods are an important source of inequality, and neighborhood change may lead to changing opportunities for residents. Past research on neighborhood upgrading tends to focus on one process: gentrification. I argue that a broader range of types of neighborhood socioeconomic ascent requires examination. This article documents the different types of neighborhoods ascending from 1970 to the present. Using principal components analysis and cluster analysis, I report the prevalence of socioeconomic ascent, based on increases in neighborhood income, rents, house values, and educational and occupational attainment, among five to seven types of neighborhoods in each decade. I also examine population and housing changes that co–occur with ascent to identify processes of ascent beyond gentrification. Overall, findings suggest mixed implications for neighborhood inequality. While white suburban neighborhoods make up the bulk of neighborhoods that ascend in each decade, minority and immigrant neighborhoods become increasingly likely to ascend over time, though displacement may occur.
Appointee Confirmation and Tenure: The Succession of U.S. Federal Agency Appointees, 1989–2009
Authors: Dull Matthew , Roberts Patrick S. , Keeney Michael S. , Choi Sang Ok
Published: October 2012

This article analyzes the confirmation and tenure of 2,300 Senate‐confirmed, presidential appointees to U.S. government agencies between 1989 and 2009, linking patterns of appointee confirmation and tenure to institutional politics, appointee independence, and agency context. Consistent with prior research, the authors find that nominees of new, powerful, and popular presidents enjoy expedited Senate confirmation. Contentious congressional committee oversight, by contrast, tends to delay confirmation and reduce tenure. Agency heads and positions insulated from removal, such as for fixed‐term positions and inspectors general, increase tenure. Extending empirical research, the analysis highlights program‐ and agency‐level variations that speak to the many contingencies shaping appointee politics. Appointee positions associated with national security and broad statutory discretion receive expedited confirmation. Agencies with more professionals are associated with increased tenure, whereas agencies with more appointees among managers see shorter tenures. The results speak to scholarship on appointee politics and to public knowledge about the role of appointments in American government.
Changing Health Outcomes of Vulnerable Populations Through Nursing's Influence on Neighborhood Built Environment: A Framework for Nursing Research
Authors: DeGuzman Pamela B. , Kulbok Pamela A.
Published: October 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to present a framework for nurses to study the impact of built environment on health, particularly in vulnerable populations.

Organizing Construct: The framework is adapted from Social Determinants of Health and Environmental Health Promotion, a framework describing how physical and social environments interact to influence individual and population health and health disparities via macro, community‐level, and interpersonal factors.

Methods: The original framework was modified for public health nursing using nursing research evaluating built environment and health, and supplemented with Nightingale's theory of nursing and health.

Findings: The built environment affects health through regional‐, neighborhood‐, and individual‐level factors. Nursing can affect the health of patients by evaluating the neighborhood built environment where patients reside, and by advocating for changes to the built environment.

Conclusions: Through development of built environment research, nurses can provide valuable insight into the pathways linking built environment to health of vulnerable populations, providing evidence for public health nurses to advocate for these changes on a neighborhood, state, and federal level.

Clinical Relevance: This framework can be used by public health clinicians to understand the pathways by which the built environment may be affecting the health of their patients, and by researchers to investigate the pathways, and to design and test community interventions.
A Scoping Review Identifying Contemporary Issues in Rural Nursing Leadership
Authors: Bish Melanie , Kenny Amanda , Nay Rhonda
Published: October 2012

Purpose: Rural nurse leaders on a global scale are being challenged to create structures and processes to enable excellence in nursing care. The purpose of this scoping review is to offer an indication of the available literature relating to contemporary issues in rural nursing leadership. A review of contemporary issues facing rural nurse leaders is timely to assist strategy development that will achieve the goal of excellence in nursing.

Organizing Construct: An interpretative scoping literature review methodological framework has been used with an emphasis on thematic construction.

Method: Literature published between 2008 and 2012 was reviewed from five electronic databases using the key words rural, nursing, and leadership.

Findings: Four themes have been identified: expectations of rural nursing leadership, a highly educated workforce, competing interests, and partnering within rural healthcare systems.

Conclusions: The content may resonate with rural nurse leaders and encourage a greater awareness of their relevance to leadership practices.

Clinical Relevance: The findings provide a greater awareness and understanding of contemporary issues facing rural nurse leaders and may assist with the development of context‐sensitive leadership strategies to facilitate excellence in nursing care.
The Contemporary Construction of Nurse Empowerment
Authors: Rao Aditi
Published: October 2012

Purpose: (a) To describe how nursing's construction of the concept of empowerment has selectively shaped the manner in which this concept has been applied to nursing professional practice and (b) to explicate clearly the breadth of the concept by highlighting the complex interactions that shape nurse empowerment.

Design and Methods: This integrative literature review analyzes academic literature published between 1960 and 2010 in the fields of nursing, management, and women's studies utilizing an evolutionary concept analysis method to explore the concept of nurse empowerment.

Findings: While the literature suggests that empowerment is an emergent product of interactions among individual, organizational, and sociocultural factors, nursing has adopted a construction of empowerment that focuses primarily on organizational antecedents. This construction has enabled nursing to operationalize the concept in order to address a number of pressing challenges. Yet, this construction only limitedly addresses the individual and sociocultural factors that impact nurses’ empowerment.

Conclusions: In order to promote professional practice through the mobilization of power, scholarship must further investigate the complex interactions producing empowerment.

Clinical Relevance: For nurses to practice as professionals, they must be empowered to take action and respond to challenges using professional skill and knowledge. Unless nurses feel empowered to act, they will rely too heavily on rigid bureaucratic structures rather than their own professional power to guide practice.
TEM Observations on 0.65Pb(Zr0.42Ti0.58)O3‐0.35Pb(Ni0.33Nb0.67)O3 Ceramics with CuO Additive
Authors: Kim Young Heon , Ryu Hyun , Cho Yang‐Koo , Lee Hwack‐Joo , Nahm Sahn
Published: October 2012

The microstructural properties and the chemical compositions of a 0.65Pb(Zr0.42Ti0.58)O3‐0.35Pb(Ni1/3Nb2/3)O3 (0.65PZT58‐0.35PNN) ceramic system sintered at 900°C for 4 h with 10 mol% CuO additives were studied using transmission electron microscope (TEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). CuO pockets were found as new microstructural constituents. The liquid phase has formed by the partial melting of CuO additives at the sintering temperature by reacting with Pb element in the matrix. The reaction started at the interfaces and then proceeded into the pocket through the diffusion of the Pb element. The presence of the Pb‐rich precipitates during cooling was confirmed by EDS analyses. Cu‐rich crystals in the pocket were observed near the boundaries between the matrix grain and the pocket. Rather smaller Pb‐Cu‐O‐contained particle segments were detected around the center of the pocket, demonstrating that the reaction of melting of CuO has occurred with the Pb element which was diffused from the matrix. Due to the existence of the liquid phase, a dense microstructure was achieved during the sintering process and abnormal grain growth occurred in the process.
High Power Characteristics of Lead‐Free Piezoelectric Ceramics
Authors: Lee Hyeong Jae , Ural Seyit O. , Chen Lei , Uchino Kenji , Zhang Shujun
Published: October 2012

High power characteristics of lead‐free (Bi,Na)TiO3 (BNT) and BaTiO3 (BT)‐based piezoceramics were investigated and compared to commercial “hard” Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 PZT materials. Acceptor‐modified BNT and BT‐based ceramics showed typical “hardening” characteristics, exhibiting high mechanical quality factor Qm > 800 and low dielectric loss, <0.01, comparable to “hard” PZT ceramics. Of particular significance is that BNT‐based ceramics were found to exhibit minimal variation of resonance frequency shift and high Qm under high level vibration velocity, being ~0.6% and ~800 at 0.25 m/s, respectively, due to the high domain stability associated with their high coercive fields, being on the order of 35 kV/cm.
Structural Characterization and Mechanical Evaluation of Bioactive Glass 45S5 Foams Obtained by a Powder Technology Approach
Authors: Aguilar‐Reyes Ena A. , León‐Patiño Carlos A. , Jacinto‐Diaz Benito , Lefebvre Louis‐Philippe
Published: October 2012

Bioactive glass 45S5 foams were produced using a powder technology process developed by The National Research Council Canada–Industrial Materials Institute. NRC–IMI's proprietary process, combining powder technology and polymer foam technique, allows the production of materials having different structures and properties. It can be used to produce components into various forms, such as fully porous bodies or coatings on solid structures. During foaming, the foaming agent is decomposed and expands the binder‐bioactive glass suspension. Then, the binder is burnt out by heating the sample at 500°C and finally the bioactive glass particle network is sintered to consolidate the material. Foams sintered at various temperatures were characterized from a microstructural and mechanical point of view. The foam structure and properties are affected by the sintering temperature when it is varied between 950°C and 1025°C. Foams exhibited open porosity (64%–79%) and pore size (335–530 μm) optimal for bone ingrowth. In all cases, the glass crystallized during sintering and the material was mostly composed of Na6Ca3Si6O18 and Na2Ca4(PO4)2SiO4 phases. The mechanical strength increased from 1.7 to 5.5 MPa while the density of the material increased from 0.56 to 0.97 g/cm3.
Effect of the Substrate on the Constrained Sintering of BaLa4Ti4O15 Thick Films
Authors: Amaral Luís , Jamin Christine , Senos Ana M. R. , Vilarinho Paula M. , Guillon Olivier
Published: October 2012

This study focuses on constrained sintering of BaLa4Ti4O15 (BLT) thick films on Pt foils and BLT rigid substrates. The densification of BLT films is only retarded in comparison with their bulk counterpart, but, and in opposition to other constrained systems investigated until now, grain growth is favored in constrained BLT films. An additional degree of constraint is provided by using a rigid BLT substrate instead of a compliant platinum foil, which induces even larger coarsening. These observations point to the possible effect of mechanical stress developing during constrained sintering on the microstructure development.
Individual Identification of Racehorses from Urine Samples Using a 26‐Plex Single‐Nucleotide Polymorphism Assay
Authors: Kakoi Hironaga , Kijima‐Suda Isao , Gawahara Hitoshi , Kinoshita Kenji , Tozaki Teruaki , Hirota Kei‐ichi , Yoshizawa Midori
Published: October 2012

To construct a system for identifying individual horses from urine samples that are submitted for postracing doping tests, we developed a genotyping assay based on 26‐plex single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). DNA was isolated from urine using a commercially available DNA/RNA extraction kit, and SNP genotyping was achieved with a SNaPshot™ technique. DNA profiles including 26 SNPs were acquired from urine samples and blood/hair samples. Within the studied Thoroughbred population, the 26‐plex assay showed a probability of identity of 5.80 × 10−11. Compared to the conventional short tandem repeat assay, the SNP assay used less DNA, and the rate of successful genotyping was improved to 97% using aliquots of horse urine as small as 140 μL. The urinary DNA could be successfully genotyped under proper storage concerning refrigeration or freeze–thawing. This SNP assay can be used for individual identification when suspicious results are obtained from horse doping tests.
The Influence of Footwear Sole Hardness on Slip Characteristics and Slip‐Induced Falls in Young Adults
Authors: Tsai Yi‐Ju , Powers Christopher M.
Published: October 2012

Theoretically, a shoe that provides less friction could result in a greater slip distance and foot slipping velocity, thereby increasing the likelihood of falling. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of sole hardness on the probability of slip‐induced falls. Forty young adults were randomized into a hard or a soft sole shoe group, and tested under both nonslippery and slippery floor conditions using a motion analysis system. The proportions of fall events in the hard‐ and soft‐soled shoe groups were not statistically different. No differences were observed between shoe groups for average slip distance, peak and average heel velocity, and center of mass slipping velocity. A strong association was found between slip distance and the fall probability. Our results demonstrate that the probability of a slip‐induced fall was not influenced by shoe hardness. Once a slip is induced, slip distance was the primary predictor of a slip‐induced fall.
Is there a need for keratinized mucosa around implants to maintain health and tissue stability?
Authors: Wennström Jan L. , Derks Jan
Published: October 2012

Aim

The objective of the present review was to analyze the literature with regard to the need for keratinized mucosa around implants to maintain health and tissue stability.

Methods

Human and animal studies were identified through electronic and hand searches. Predetermined outcome measures were (i) implant loss, (ii) peri‐implant health, (iii) oral hygiene, (iv) soft‐tissue recession, (v) change in marginal bone level, and (vi) patient‐centered outcomes. With respect to outcome variables, change in “attachment level”, soft‐tissue recession and change in peri‐implant bone level were only retrieved from longitudinal studies. For remaining parameters, cross‐sectional studies were also considered.

Results

Nineteen relevant publications were identified (17 human and 2 animal studies). Due to marked heterogeneity in study design and reported data, no statistical analysis of retrieved data was feasible. Twelve human studies reported plaque scores for sites with “adequate” (≥2 mm) and “inadequate” (<2 mm) width of keratinized mucosa, and in five studies, an “inadequate” width was associated with a significant higher plaque score. Half of the studies showed significantly higher bleeding scores at implants with < 2 mm of keratinized mucosa, while the majority of publications (8 of 10) found no differences for probing depths. Two of three longitudinal studies reporting on recessions described no long‐term differences with regard to the amount of keratinized mucosa. Evidence on the effect of keratinized mucosa on bone‐level changes or implant loss was scarce, and no conclusions could be drawn. No article reporting patient‐centered outcomes could be identified.

Conclusion

Collectively, the findings of this review show that evidence in support of the need for keratinized tissues around implants to maintain health and tissue stability is limited.
Non‐surgical therapy for the management of peri‐implantitis: a systematic review
Authors: Muthukuru Manoj , Zainvi Arbia , Esplugues Enrique O. , Flemmig Thomas F.
Published: October 2012

Peri‐implantitis is characterized by mucosal inflammation and loss of supporting peri‐implant bone.

Objective

The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of non‐surgical treatment of peri‐implantitis.

Materials and methods

MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science were searched to identify randomized clinical trial studies that assessed non‐surgical treatment of peri‐implantitis with a minimum follow‐up period of 3 months.

Results

From a total of 29 abstracts, nine trials were included in this systematic review. Adjunctive local delivery of antibiotics, submucosal glycine powder air polishing, or Er:YAG laser treatment resulted in greater reduction in bleeding on probing compared with submucosal debridement using curettes with adjunctive irrigation with chlorhexidine. In addition, greater reductions in probing depths were found following adjunctive local delivery of antibiotics. The evidence neither supported nor refuted the clinical efficacy of submucosal debridement using curettes or ultrasonic scalers alone. No progressive bone loss was found following any of the assessed treatments over a maximum observation period of 12 months. Only two studies reported implant survival rates, which were 100% over 6 months.

Conclusions

The available evidence suggested that submucosal debridement with adjunctive local delivery of antibiotics, submucosal glycine powder air polishing, or Er:YAG laser treatment may reduce clinical signs of peri‐implant mucosal inflammation to a greater extent relative to submucosal debridement using curettes with adjunctive irrigation with chlorhexidine. Long‐term randomized controlled trials are needed to assess the efficacy of non‐surgical therapy on progressing bone loss, implant survival rates, and measures of oral health‐related quality of life.
Implants versus short‐span fixed bridges: survival, complications, patients' benefits. A systematic review on economic aspects
Authors: Scheuber Sybille , Hicklin Stefan , Brägger Urs
Published: October 2012

Aim

To systematically evaluate the existing evidence to answer the focused question: For a patient with a single tooth to be replaced, is the implant crown, based on economic considerations, preferred to a conventional fixed partial denture?

Material and methods

PubMed MEDLINE, Cochrane‐Central and Embase databases were searched using an extended list of search terms related to economics, which were then combined with the terms “prosthodontics” and “dental implant.”

Results

The combined search for the “economic terms” and “prosthodontics” revealed 904 titles. The combination with “dental implants” revealed 2039 titles. Based on the abstracts, 73 full text publications were evaluated and data comparing outcomes with FDPs and implant crowns were retrieved from 26 publications. Initial costs for single implant crowns and FDPs on teeth were similar, but varied between tariff systems. The conditions of neighboring teeth and of the alveolar ridge defined the complexity (costs) of the treatment. Failure rates reported with single implant crowns and FDPs on teeth were similar. The long‐term financial economic comparison showed a similar outcome for single implant crowns and FDPs.

Conclusion

Other factors than costs and survival rates such as patient or provider reported factors may be more decisive when choosing between implant crowns and FDPs on teeth. The utility for the patient to keep healthy adjacent teeth unprepared makes the implant crown more economic.
What is the optimal number of implants for removable reconstructions? A systematic review on implant‐supported overdentures
Authors: Roccuzzo Mario , Bonino Francesca , Gaudioso Luigi , Zwahlen Marcel , Meijer Henny J.A.
Published: October 2012

Objectives

The aim of this systematic review was to assess the optimal number of implants for removable reconstructions.

Material and methods

Medline and The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched and complemented by hand searching. All trials published in English to October 2011 were included, in which overdentures, supported by a various number of implants, in adult edentulous individuals were compared. Only randomized controlled trials with at least 12 months follow‐up were selected. The outcomes of interest were implant loss, the amount of peri‐implant bone loss, the incidence of complications and the patient satisfaction.

Results

No articles were found providing information regarding the maxilla. Eleven studies on the mandible were included for the final comparative analysis. It was possible to make a comparison among four categories: (i) 1 vs. 2 implants; (ii) 2 implants with ball attachments vs. 4 implants with a bar; (iii) 2 implants with a bar vs. 4 implants with a bar; (iv) 2 implants splinted with a bar vs. 2 unsplinted implants.

Conclusion

For the maxilla there are no studies, at the present time, that can be utilized to address the question of how many implants should support an overdenture. For the mandible, it cannot be concluded that bone loss, patient satisfaction, or number of complications is significantly related to the number of implants supporting the overdenture. Furthermore, splinting two implants does not seem to offer additional value. Well conducted research is needed to identify the prognostic factors for long‐term success.