bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimising early neonatal nutrition using translational research methodology
Authors: Page Denise , Gilroy Melissa , Hurrion Elizabeth , Clark Lisa , Wilkinson Shelley
Published: January 2017

Aim

Preterm birth has been described as a ‘nutritional emergency’, with these infants often born with minimal nutrition reserves. Failure to provide adequate early nutrition jeopardises growth and neurodevelopment. Consensual nutrition guidelines exist for infants who weigh <1500 g; however, audits have identified shortfalls in their adherence, consequently highlighting an evidence–practice gap. This work aimed to identify the barriers to the delivery of early optimal nutrition in a tertiary‐level Neonatal Critical Care Unit to inform an implementation project to ensure best practice care.

Methods

A total of 19 medical and nursing staff participated in semistructured interviews. Transcripts underwent qualitative content analysis to examine barriers to early infant feeding. Barriers were categorised into domains from the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF), and potential interventions were identified using evidence‐based strategy selection guides that articulates with the TDF.

Results

Four main themes, with associated sub‐themes, emerged, including: (i) Roles and responsibilities, (ii) decision making, (iii) disconnect between beliefs and the application of evidence and (iv) monitoring and awareness. Eight barrier ‘domains’ were identified using TDF—Knowledge; memory, attention and decision processes; skills; professional/social role and identity; beliefs about capabilities; beliefs about consequences; environmental context and resources; and social influences.

Conclusions

Using a systematic approach to analysing barriers to early nutrition and mapping through the TDF and behaviour change wheel, the most effective interventions to modify practice have been identified. These will be monitored in ongoing audits.
The significance of the washout period in preconditioning
Authors: Salie Ruduwaan , Lochner Amanda , Loubser Dirk J
Published: January 2017

Aims

Exposure of the heart to 5 min global ischaemia (I) followed by 5 min reperfusion (R) (ischaemic preconditioning, IPC) or transient Beta 2‐adrenergic receptor (B2‐AR) stimulation with formoterol (B2PC), followed by 5 min washout before index ischaemia, elicits cardioprotection against subsequent sustained ischaemia. As the washout period during preconditioning is essential for subsequent cardioprotection, the aim of this study was to investigate the involvement of protein kinase A (PKA), reactive oxygen species (ROS), extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK), PKB/Akt, p38 MAPK and c‐jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK) during this period.

Methods

Isolated perfused rat hearts were exposed to IPC (1x5min I / 5min R) or B2PC (1x5min Formoterol / 5min R) followed by 35 min regional ischaemia and reperfusion. Inhibitors for PKA (Rp‐8CPT‐cAMP)(16μM), ROS (NAC)(300μM), PKB (A‐6730)(2.5μM), ERKp44/p42 (PD98,059)(10μM), p38MAPK (SB239063)(1μM) or JNK (SP600125)(10μM) were administered for 5 minutes before 5 minutes global ischaemia / 5 min reperfusion (IPC) or for 5 minutes before and during administration of formoterol (B2PC) prior to regional ischaemia, reperfusion and infarct size (IS) determination. Hearts exposed to B2PC or IPC were freeze‐clamped during the washout period for Western blots analysis of PKB, ERKp44/p42, p38MAPK and JNK.

Results

The PKA blocker abolished both B2PC and IPC, while NAC significantly increased IS of IPC but not of B2PC. Western blot analysis showed that ERKp44/p42 and PKB activation during washout after B2PC compared to IPC was significantly increased. IPC compared to B2PC showed significant p38MAPK and JNKp54/p46 activation. PKB and ERK inhibition or p38MAPK and JNK inhibition during the washout period of B2PC and IPC respectively, significantly increased IS.

Conclusion

PKA activation before regional ischaemia is a prerequisite for cardioprotection in both B2PC and IPC. However, ROS was crucial only in IPC. Kinase activation during the washout phase of IPC and B2PC, albeit different, affords the same cardioprotective response.
Influence of the alginate production on cell‐to‐cell communication in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1
Authors: Yang Jiayue , Toyofuku Masanori , Sakai Ryosuke , Nomura Nobuhiko
Published: January 2017

Many bacteria communicate with each other through signalling molecules, a process known as cell‐to‐cell communication. During this process, it is important for the signalling molecules to: (1) reach the target cells; and (2) to be received by the cognate receptor. Barriers such as the presence of extracellular matrix may prevent signals from reaching their targets; however, the influence of the extracellular matrix on cell‐to‐cell communication has scarcely been studied. Here, we demonstrate that the overproduction of an extracellular matrix, alginate, in a Pseudomonas aeruginosa mucoid variant, alters cell‐to‐cell communication by interfering with the response to quinolone signals while having no effect on N‐acyl‐L‐homoserine lactones. The inhibition of quinolone signalling by alginate is limited to the alginate overproducer and has no effect on neighbour cells that do not produce alginate. Our study indicates that alginate overproduction affects the cell‐to‐cell communication of the mucoid variant, which may results in different downstream behaviours when it emerges in the presence of the wild‐type (WT).
Evidence of Manager Intervention to Avoid Working Capital Deficits
Authors: Dyreng Scott D. , Mayew William J. , Schipper Katherine
Published: January 2017

We study managers’ interventions in financial reporting by examining working capital deficits, measured as current ratios less than 1.0. Current ratios represent important balance sheet liquidity indicators to lenders and creditors, and have an identifiable and naturally occurring reference point at 1.0, analogous to the profit/loss income statement reference point. We find that distributions of reported current ratios of both U.S. and non‐U.S. firms exhibit a discontinuity at 1.0. For U.S. firms, we find that the discontinuity increases with exogenous increases in the cost of credit in the economy, and that determinants of the likelihood to achieve a given current ratio are diagnostic precisely at the 1.0 discontinuity location but not at other nearby locations in the current ratio distribution. U.S. firms that avoid working capital deficits report lower proportions of inventory and higher proportions of accounts receivable in current assets and, when credit is tight, higher proportions of cash, consistent with managers increasing sales volume so as to capitalize profit margins and thereby increase current assets. For non‐U.S. firms, the discontinuity is more pronounced for observations from common law countries, a proxy for jurisdictions where financial reports are more intended to provide decision‐useful information. The evidence suggests that managers intervene to achieve a balance sheet reporting objective that stems from stakeholder use of reference points.
Strain‐Dependent Effects of Acute Alcohol on Synaptic Vesicle Recycling and Post‐Tetanic Potentiation in Medial Glutamate Inputs to the Mouse Basolateral Amygdala
Authors: Gioia Dominic A. , McCool Brian
Published: January 2017

Background

Inbred mouse strains are differentially sensitive to the acute effects of ethanol (EtOH) and are useful tools for examining how unique genomes differentially affect alcohol‐related behaviors and physiology. DBA/2J mice have been shown to be sensitive to the acute anxiolytic effects of alcohol as well as the anxiogenic effects of withdrawal from chronic alcohol exposure, while B6 mice are resistant to both. Considering that the basolateral amygdala (BLA) is an important brain region for the acute and chronic effects of EtOH on fear and anxiety related behaviors, we hypothesized that there would be strain‐dependent differences in the acute effects of EtOH in BLA slices.

Methods

We utilized patch clamp electrophysiology in BLA coronal slices from 4 inbred mouse strains (A/J, BALBcJ, C57BL/6J, and DBA/2J) to examine how genetic background influences acute EtOH effects on synaptic vesicle recycling and post‐tetanic potentiation (PTP) in response to low (2 Hz)‐ and high (40 Hz)‐frequency stimulation.

Results

We found that EtOH inhibited synaptic vesicle recycling in a strain‐ and stimulation frequency‐dependent manner. Vesicle recycling in DBA/2J and BALBcJ cells was inhibited by acute EtOH during both low‐ and high‐frequency stimulation, while recycling measured from A/J cells was sensitive only during high‐frequency stimulation. Recycling at C57BL/6J synapses was insensitive to EtOH regardless of stimulation frequency. We additionally found that cells from DBA/2J and BALBcJ mice were sensitive to EtOH‐mediated inhibition of PTP.

Conclusions

Acute EtOH application inhibited vesicle recycling and PTP at glutamatergic synapses in both a strain‐ and frequency‐dependent fashion. Several presynaptic proteins that contribute to synaptic vesicle priming in addition to PTP have been implicated in alcohol‐related behaviors, including Munc13, Munc18, and RIM proteins, making them potential candidates for the molecular mechanism controlling these effects.
Women's empowerment in agriculture: Implications for technical efficiency in rural Bangladesh
Authors: Seymour Greg
Published: January 2017

Although a great deal of research exists on gender and agriculture, few studies investigate the implications of reduced gender disparities in households for technical efficiency. In this article, I compare the levels of technical efficiency achieved on plots operated by households with different levels of gender disparities. Using plot‐level data from the 2011–2012 Bangladesh Integrated Household Survey and drawing on indicators derived from the Women's Empowerment in Agriculture Index, I estimate a stochastic frontier production function model, which includes women's empowerment in agriculture as an exogenous determinant of technical inefficiency. I find that reduced gender disparities within households (measured in terms of the empowerment gap between spouses) are associated with higher levels of technical efficiency. This result extends to plots that women jointly manage with their spouses, as well as those that women do not actively manage.
The effectiveness of environment assessment tools to guide refurbishment of Australian residential aged care facilities: A systematic review
Authors: Neylon Samantha , Bulsara Caroline , Hill Anne‐Marie
Published: January 2017

Objective

To determine applicability of environment assessment tools in guiding minor refurbishments of Australian residential aged care facilities.

Method

Studies conducted in residential aged care settings using assessment tools which address the physical environment were eligible for inclusion in a systematic review. Given these studies are limited, tools which have not yet been utilised in research settings were also included. Tools were analysed using a critical appraisal screen.

Results

Forty‐three publications met the inclusion criteria. Ten environment assessment tools were identified, of which four addressed all seven minor refurbishment domains of lighting, colour and contrast, sound, flooring, furniture, signage and way finding. Only one had undergone reliability and validity testing.

Conclusion

There are four tools which may be suitable to use for minor refurbishment of Australian residential aged care facilities. Data on their reliability, validity and quality are limited.
Short‐term outcome of total clipless laparoscopic cholecystectomy for complicated gallbladder stones in cirrhotic patients
Authors: Kassem Mohamed I. , Hassouna Ehab M.
Published: January 2017

Background

Cirrhotic patients have been known to be more affected with gallstones than their non‐cirrhotic counterparts; since laparoscopy was introduced, it has been generally approved as the standard approach for cholecystectomies with the exception of end‐stage cirrhosis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of clipless laparoscopic cholecystectomy using the harmonic scalpel in complicated cholelithiasis in cirrhotic patients.

Methods

This prospective study was conducted on 62 cirrhotic patients presenting to the Gastrointestinal Surgery Unit in Alexandria Main University Hospital with complicated gallstones between March 2013 and March 2016. Both intraoperative time and blood loss were calculated in addition to rates of conversion to open cholecystectomy, morbidity and mortality.

Results

Most of our cases were females with a ratio of 1.7:1, with a mean age of 45.21 years, ranging from 25 to 65 years. The most common cause of cirrhotic liver was hepatitis C in 45.1% of patients. Among the 62 patients included in the study, 56 patients (90.3%) were presenting with acute cholecystitis and six patients were operated at the onset of acute biliary pancreatitis. The mean operative time was 72.9 min with mean blood loss 45.45 mL.

Conclusion

The study concluded safety of total clipless laparoscopic cholecystectomy using a harmonic scalpel in Child A and B type cirrhotic patients, who presented with complicated gallstones.
AN ESTIMATION OF WORKER AND FIRM EFFECTS WITH CENSORED DATA
Authors: González de San Román Ainara , Rebollo‐Sanz Yolanda F.
Published: January 2017

In this paper, we develop a new estimation method that is suitable for censored models with two high dimensional fixed effects and that is based on a sequence of least squares regressions, yielding significant savings in computing time and hence making it applicable to frameworks in which standard estimation techniques become unfeasible. We propose to apply this estimation method to investigate the role of firms in individual wage variation. Using a longitudinal match employer‐employee dataset from Spain, we show that the analysis of wage determination can be misleading when wages are censored. In particular, the role of firm wage policies in wage dispersion is overestimated by more than ten percentage points, while the role of time‐invariant individual characteristics is underestimated by fifteen percentage points. Hence, controlling for censored wages appears to reinforce the idea that when explaining individual wage dispersion, what workers ‘are’ is more important than what workers ‘do’.
Association between obesity and heart failure symptoms in male and female patients
Authors: Heo S. , Moser D. K. , Pressler S. J. , Dunbar S. B. , Lee K. S. , Kim J. , Lennie T. A.
Published: January 2017

In patients with heart failure (HF), higher body mass index (BMI) has been associated with lower rates of hospitalization and mortality (obesity paradox). Symptoms are antecedents of hospitalizations, but little is known about the relationship between BMI and symptoms and gender differences. To examine the association of BMI with symptoms in male and female patients with HF, controlling for covariates (sample characteristics, depressive symptoms and sodium intake). In this cross‐sectional correlational study, patients (N = 247) provided data on BMI, symptoms and covariates. BMI was categorized into four groups: normal/underweight (<25 kg/m2), overweight (25–29.9 kg/m2), obese I (30–34.9 kg/m2) and obese II/III (≥35 kg/m2). General linear regression was used to analyse the data. The Obese II/III group had more severe HF symptoms than other groups only in male patients. In male patients, older age, Caucasian race, more comorbidities and more severe depressive symptoms were also associated with more severe symptoms. In female patients, more severe depressive symptoms, more comorbidities and higher sodium intake were associated with more severe symptoms. The obesity paradox does not fully extend to symptoms, and gender has a role in the relationship between obesity and symptoms.
Task Scheduling in Distributed Systems Using Heap Intelligent Discrete Particle Swarm Optimization
Authors: Sarathambekai S. , Umamaheswari K.
Published: January 2017

The optimal mapping of tasks to the processors is one of the challenging issues in heterogeneous computing systems. This article presents a task scheduling problem in distributed systems using discrete particle swarm optimization (DPSO) algorithm with various neighborhood topologies. The DPSO is a recent metaheuristic population‐based algorithm. In DPSO, the set of particles in a swarm flies through the N‐dimensional search space by learning from both the personal best position and a neighborhood best position. Each particle inside the swarm belongs to a specific topology for communicating with neighboring particles in the swarm. The neighborhood topology affects the performance of DPSO significantly, because it determines the rate at which information transmits through the swarm. The proposed DPSO algorithm works on dynamic topology that is binary heap tree for communication between the particles in the swarm. The performance of the proposed topology is compared with other topologies such as star, ring, fully connected, binary tree, and Von Neumann. The three well‐known performance measures such as Makespan, mean flow time, and reliability cost are used for the comparison of the proposed topology with other neighborhood topologies. Computational simulation results indicate that the performance of DPSO algorithm has shown significant improvement with binary heap tree topology used for communication among the particles in the swarm.
Quantitative structure–property relationship modelling for photoreduction‐fast azo dyes on a nylon substrate: a methodology for thermochemical analysis of the photocleavage of azo dyes using the RM1 semi‐empirical molecular orbital method
Authors: Okada Yasuyo , Morita Zenzo
Published: January 2017

The rates of fading of 18 reactive azo dyes on polyamide fabrics and films upon exposure to a carbon arc in air have been determined from the initial slopes. The rates have been thermochemically analysed by calculating the heats of formation of the reactants, intermediates, and products by chemical equations describing (1) the second‐order disproportionation (redox reaction) between the photoinduced hydrazinyl radicals and (2) the intramolecular H‐transfer (self‐decomposition) of the radicals, using the RM1 semi‐empirical molecular orbital method. The rates of azo cleavage (or reductive fading) were studied to correlate the molecular structures with three molecular descriptors: (a) the heats of reaction for two reaction pathways, (b) the thermodynamic stability of the photoinduced hydrazinyl radicals, and (c) the quantum yields of generation. The possibility of structure optimisation of the examined azo dyes is discussed from the perspectives of (a) and (b). The light fastness of several previously reported substituted phenylazophenol (model) dyes on a polyamide substrate has been analysed by the same procedure. Two of the latter dyes exhibit typical photoreduction‐fast properties, which determine the threshold ΔrH°(gas) value of the N11‐hydrazinyl dye radical for (1), indicating that the chemical structures of azo dyes may, in principle, be modified to include reduction‐fast azo groups. The current state of reactive azo dyes is considerably below the level required to achieve reduction‐fast dye. The chemical structures of current reactive azo dyes appear not to have been optimised on the basis of the molecular descriptors (a) and (b), and only insufficiently on the basis of (c).
Pharmacological approach to understanding the control of insulin secretion in human islets
Authors: Henquin Jean‐Claude , Dufrane Denis , Gmyr Valery , Kerr‐Conte Julie , Nenquin Myriam
Published: January 2017

Aims

To understand better the control of insulin secretion by human β cells and to identify similarities to and differences from rodent models.

Methods

Dynamic insulin secretion was measured in perifused human islets treated with pharmacological agents of known modes of action.

Results

Glucokinase activation (Ro28‐1675) lowered the glucose threshold for stimulation of insulin secretion to 1 mmol/L (G1), augmented the response to G3‐G5 but not to G8‐G15, whereas tolbutamide remained active in G20, which indicates that not all KATP channels were closed by high glucose concentrations. An almost 2‐fold greater response to G15 than to supramaximal tolbutamide in G3 or to KCl+diazoxide in G15 vs G3 quantified the contribution of metabolic amplification to insulin secretion. Both disruption (latrunculin‐B) and stabilization (jasplakinolide) of microfilaments augmented insulin secretion without affecting metabolic amplification. Tolbutamide‐induced insulin secretion was consistently greater in G10 than G3, with a threshold at 1 and maximum at 10 µmol/L tolbutamide in G10, vs 10 and 25 µmol/L in G3. Sulphonylurea effects were thus clearly glucose‐dependent. Insulin secretion was also increased by inhibiting K channels other than KATP
channels: Kv or BK channels (tetraethylammonium), TASK‐1 channels (ML‐365) and SK4 channels (TRAM‐34). Opening KATP
channels with diazoxide inhibited glucose‐induced insulin secretion with half maximum inhibitory concentrations of 9.6 and 24 µmol/L at G7 and G15. Blockade of L‐type Ca channels (nimodipine) abolished insulin secretion, whereas a blocker of T‐type Ca channels (NNC‐55‐0396) was ineffective at specific concentrations. Blockade of Na channels (tetrodotoxin) did not affect glucose‐induced insulin secretion.

Conclusions

In addition to sharing a KATP channel‐dependent triggering pathway and a metabolic amplifying pathway, human and rodent β cells were found to display more similarities than differences in the control of insulin secretion.
Novel oral glucose‐lowering drugs are associated with lower risk of all‐cause mortality, cardiovascular events and severe hypoglycaemia compared with insulin in patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Nyström Thomas , Bodegard Johan , Nathanson David , Thuresson Marcus , Norhammar Anna , Eriksson Jan W.
Published: January 2017

Aims

To investigate the association of novel oral glucose‐lowering drugs (GLDs), compared with that of insulin, with risk of all‐cause mortality, cardiovascular disease (CVD) and severe hypoglycaemia.

Methods

During 2013 to 2014 all patients with type 2 diabetes in Sweden identified as new users of novel oral GLDs, either dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 (DPP‐4) inhibitors or sodium‐glucose cotransporter‐2 (SGLT2) inhibitors (only dapagliflozin available in Sweden during the study period), with those initiating insulin as a comparison group, in the Prescribed Drug Register were included and followed in the Patient and Cause of Death Registers. The novel GLD group and insulin group were matched 1:1 using propensity score. Cox regression models were used to estimate risks.

Results

Of 37 603 patients, 21 758 were matched 1:1 to novel GLD vs insulin groups, with median follow‐up times of 1.51 years (16 304 patient‐years) and 1.53 years (16 306 patient‐years), respectively. Treatment with novel GLDs was associated with a 44% (hazard ratio [HR] 0.56 [95% confidence interval {CI} 0.49‐0.64]), 15% (HR 0.85 [95% CI 0.73‐0.99]) and 74% (0.26 [95% CI 0.12‐0.57]) lower risk of all‐cause mortality, CVD and hypoglycaemia, respectively, compared with insulin treatment. In separate analyses for the two novel GLDs, dapagliflozin was associated with lower risks of all‐cause mortality and CVD (56% [HR 0.44, 95% CI 0.28‐0.70] and 49% [HR 0.51, 95% CI 0.30‐0.86], respectively), while DPP‐4 inhibitor treatment was associated with lower risk of all‐cause mortality (41% [HR 0.59, 95% CI 0.51‐0.67]), but not with CVD (HR 0.87, 95% CI 0.75‐1.01).

Conclusions

Novel oral GLD treatment was associated with lower risk of all‐cause mortality, CVD and severe hypoglycaemia compared with insulin treatment. Dapagliflozin was associated with a lower risk of both all‐cause mortality and CVD, whereas DPP‐4 inhibitor treatment was only associated with lower risk of all‐cause mortality.
Predator personality structures prey communities and trophic cascades
Authors: Start Denon , Gilbert Benjamin
Published: January 2017

Intraspecific variation is central to our understanding of evolution and population ecology, yet its consequences for community ecology are poorly understood. Animal personality – consistent individual differences in suites of behaviours – may be particularly important for trophic dynamics, where predator personality can determine activity rates and patterns of attack. We used mesocosms with aquatic food webs in which the top predator (dragonfly nymphs) varied in activity and subsequent attack rates on zooplankton, and tested the effects of predator personality. We found support for four hypotheses: (1) active predators disproportionately reduce the abundance of prey, (2) active predators select for predator‐resistant prey species, (3) active predators strengthen trophic cascades (increase phytoplankton abundance) and (4) active predators are more likely to cannibalise one another, weakening all other trends when at high densities. These results suggest that intraspecific variation in predator personality is an important determinant of prey abundance, community composition and trophic cascades.
Euphresco project VirusCollect – fulfilling the need for a common collection of plant viruses and viroids for reference
Authors: Roenhorst J. W. , Lacomme C. , Nisbet C. , Leichtfried T. , Menzel W. , Winter S. , van der Vlugt R. A. A.
Published: January 2017

The availability and accessibility of suitably characterized plant virus and viroid isolates for reference is vital for research and diagnostic laboratories. To ensure the long‐term availability of isolates and reference materials, there is a need for international collaboration. The Euphresco (European Plant Health Research Coordination) project VirusCollect aimed to establish a platform to link collections of viruses and viroids maintained by individual institutions via Q‐bank (http://www.q-bank.eu/), a database on plant pests and diseases. Within the VirusCollect project, standard operating procedures were developed and implemented by the participating laboratories to guarantee the quality of isolates and data. In addition, over 135 virus and viroid isolates of phytosanitary and/or economic importance were added to Q‐bank, which now provides links to over 500 virus isolates of almost 100 species, in addition to basic information on many more plant viruses. VirusCollect has enabled the first step in collaboration between curators and standardization of maintenance of virus collections. The project established the basis for improving the quality of individual collections and the layout of Q‐bank as a platform to share data and information. The follow‐up project, VirusCollect II, enables further international collaboration to ensure future access to reliable collections of plant viruses and viroids.
Screening for cadmium tolerance of 21 cultivars from Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam) during germination
Authors: Fang Zhigang , Hu Zhaoyang , Zhao Huihui , Yang Lei , Ding Chenglong , Lou Laiqing , Cai Qingsheng
Published: January 2017

The cadmium (Cd) tolerance of 21 Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) were investigated in this study by evaluating the process of seed germination on exposure to excess Cd. Excess Cd resulted in the significant growth inhibition, particularly of root growth. The relation between Cd concentrations and inhibition rate of root or shoot elongation can be well described by a logarithmic equation. The maximum values of IC50 (Cd concentration when the root or shoot elongation decreased to 50% compared with control) were observed in root and shoot of ‘IdyII’, whereas the minimums showed in ‘Nioudachi’ and ‘Harukaze’. Cadmium dramatically inhibited the seed germination of 21 cultivars. By comparison of physiological parameters including the absolute and relative value of root and shoot length, germination rate, germination energy, germination index and vigor index, all the tested cultivars exhibited variation when exposed to the same strength of Cd stress. In addition, the values of evaluation index, subordinate function were used to evaluate the Cd tolerance among cultivars treated with excess Cd. As a result, cultivar ‘IdyII’ was identified to be most tolerant to Cd stress, cultivar ‘Tachiwase’ was the most sensitive one. Cluster analysis indicated that 21 cultivars of Italian ryegrass can be classified into four groups, Cd‐tolerant, moderate Cd‐tolerant, low Cd‐tolerant and Cd‐sensitive groups. The results will be basic information for cultivating forage crops used as bioenergy crops in Cd polluted environments.
Wilsonian Ambitions for American Engagement in the First Gulf War
Authors: Cox Ashley
Published: January 2017

American engagement with the world is one of the most important factors in international relations. One leading example is the Wilsonian School, which has a long tradition of influencing American foreign policy. With the 25th anniversary of Operation Desert Storm, this article will review the Wilsonian influences that led the United States to intervene in the First Gulf War.

Since the end of the Cold War, visions have differed dramatically in terms of how the United States should conduct foreign policy and engage with the rest of the world. These debates continue to be dominated by a clash between a Jeffersonian neo‐isolationist call to withdraw from international conflicts and a more hawkish interventionist vision of American primacy in foreign affairs. The Wilsonian tradition has arguably received comparatively little discussion by scholars despite the important role it has played in the history of American foreign policy. As we mark the 25th anniversary of operation Desert Storm, this article argues that the Wilsonian framework is helpful in understanding why President Bush entered the First Gulf War of 1991. The article begins with a discussion of what constitutes the Wilsonian ideology in terms of its key principles and assumptions before presenting the utility of the Wilsonian viewpoint in explaining this conflict.
Depositional environments and maturity evaluated by biomarker analyses of sediments deposited across the Cenomanian–Turonian boundary in the Yezo Group, Tomamae area, Hokkaido, Japan
Authors: Ando Takuto , Sawada Ken , Nakamura Hideto , Omatsu Keita , Takashima Reishi , Nishi Hiroshi
Published: January 2017

Abstract

Biomarker analyses for evaluating maturity of organic matter and depositional environments such as redox conditions, were performed in sediments across the Cenomanian–Turonian boundary (CTB) in the Saku Formation of the Yezo Group distributed along the Shumarinai‐gawa River and the Omagari‐zawa River, both in the Tomamae area, Hokkaido, Japan. Maturity indicators using steranes and hopanes, show that organic matter in sediments from the Shumarinai‐gawa and Omagari‐zawa sections are of lower maturity than those from the Hakkin‐gawa section (Oyubari area). Moreover, the ββ hopane ratios clearly show that the maturity of the Shumarinai‐gawa samples is lower than that of the Omagari‐zawa samples. These variations in the maturity of organic matter presumably reflect the difference in their burial histories. The results for the pristane/phytane (Pr/Ph) ratios suggest that the Shumarinai‐gawa samples were deposited under dysoxic to anoxic environments across the CTB, while the depositional environments of the Omagari‐zawa samples were relatively oxic. By another paleoredox indicator using C35 homohopanoids including a homohopene index (HHenI), higher values are observed in the Shumarinai‐gawa section, particularly in the horizons of the preceding period and an early stage of the first negative shift phase and the latest oceanic anoxic event 2 (OAE2) interval. These results suggest that the Shumarinai‐gawa samples record dysoxic to anoxic environments across the CTB. In contrast, the signals for the C35 homohopanoid index values show a relatively oxic condition in the Omagari‐zawa section. The trends of stratigraphic variations in redox conditions are different from those in the OAE2 interval in the proto‐Atlantic and Tethys regions as reported previously. Hence, the redox variations in the Tomamae area were basically related to a local environmental setting rather than global anoxia. However, the prominent anoxic emphasis observed in the HHenI profile of the Shumarinai‐gawa section can be a distinctive, and possibly global, event in the North‐West Pacific just before the OAE2.
Primary cutaneous diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma presenting as chronic non‐healing ulcer
Authors: Billero Victoria L , LaSenna Charlotte E , Romanelli Marco , Giubellino Alessio , Brenes Robert A , Romanelli Paolo
Published: January 2017

Primary cutaneous diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma is an uncommon and aggressive lymphoproliferative disorder with a rapid growth rate and dismal prognosis. We present the case of a 91‐year‐old female with an unusual manifestation of primary cutaneous diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma, mimicking other more prevalent diseases like chronic non‐healing venous ulceration. Dermatopathologic evaluation rendered the correct diagnosis. A discussion of this rare presentation is important for clinician consideration to prevent misdiagnosis and prolongation of proper management in patients with chronic non‐healing leg ulcers.
Children's Vulnerability and Legitimate Authority Over Children
Authors: Gheaus Anca
Published: January 2017

Children's vulnerability gives rise to duties of justice towards children and determines when authority over them is legitimately exercised. I argue for two claims. First, children's general vulnerability to objectionable dependency on their caregivers entails that they have a right not to be subject to monopolies of care, and therefore determines the structure of legitimate authority over them. Second, children's vulnerability to the loss of some special goods of childhood determines the content of legitimate authority over them. My interest is in the so‐far little‐discussed goods of engaging in world discovery, artistic creation, philosophical pursuits and experimentation with one's self. I call these ‘special goods of childhood’ because individuals, in general, only have full access to them during childhood and they make a distinctive and weighty contribution to wellbeing. Therefore, they are part of the metric of justice towards children. The overall conclusion is that we ought to make good institutional care part of every child's upbringing.
Research Review: The effectiveness of multidimensional family therapy in treating adolescents with multiple behavior problems – a meta‐analysis
Authors: van der Pol Thimo M. , Hoeve Machteld , Noom Marc J. , Stams Geert Jan J.M. , Doreleijers Theo A.H. , van Domburgh Lieke , Vermeiren Robert R.J.M.
Published: January 2017

Background

Multidimensional family therapy (MDFT) is a well‐established treatment for adolescents showing both substance abuse and/or antisocial behavior.

Method

The effectiveness of MDFT in reducing adolescents’ substance abuse, delinquency, externalizing and internalizing psychopathology, and family malfunctioning was examined by means of a (three‐level) meta‐analysis, summarizing 61 effect sizes from 19 manuscripts (N = 1,488 participants).

Results

Compared with other therapies, the overall effect size of MDFT was significant, albeit small in magnitude (d = 0.24, p < .001), and similar across intervention outcome categories. Moderator analysis revealed that adolescents with high severity problems, including severe substance abuse and disruptive behavior disorder, benefited more from MDFT than adolescents with less severe conditions.

Conclusions

It can be concluded that MDFT is effective for adolescents with substance abuse, delinquency, and comorbid behavior problems. Subsequently, it is important to match specific characteristics of the adolescents, such as extent of impairment, with MDFT.
Cross‐cultural adaptation of the Kidney Transplant Questionnaire for Chinese adult kidney allograft recipients
Authors: Niu Yujian , Zhang Wenxin , Chen Hong , Mao Sha , Yue Yang , Zhang Hongying , Li Li , Sun Ping , Wang Jianli , Zhu Xiongwei
Published: January 2017

Objective

To provide a disease‐specific instrument for evaluating the health‐related quality life of Chinese kidney allograft recipients.

Methods

Cross‐cultural adaptation of the Kidney Transplant Questionnaire (KTQ) was performed by forward translation of the original English version into Chinese, followed by back translation and evaluation of the Chinese version by health care professionals, language professionals, and the translators.

Results

A total of 297 patients (110 women and 187 men; mean age, 43.91 ± 11.38 y; average time since transplant, 40.36 ± 32.86 mo) completed the Chinese versions of the KTQ and 36‐Item Short Form Health Survey, and the results were used to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Chinese KTQ. The Cronbach α values for all KTQ dimensions were satisfactory (physical symptoms, α = 0.876; fatigue, α = 0.896; uncertainty/fear, α = 0.686; appearance, α = 0.701; and emotions, α = 0.886) and similar to values reported for the English and Spanish versions. The correlation coefficients among the dimensions of the Chinese KTQ ranged from 0.26 to 0.69, and those between the KTQ and 36‐Item Short Form Health Survey physical component summary and mental component summary subscales were low and moderate to high, respectively, except for the appearance dimension. A good fit of the data in the confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the individual items of the translated instrument indeed evaluated the intended concepts.

Conclusion

The Chinese version of the KTQ was found to be similarly valid and reliable compared with the original version and, thus, can be used to evaluate health‐related quality of life among Chinese adult kidney allograft recipients.
Age dependency of nervous necrosis virus infection in barramundi Lates calcarifer (Bloch)
Authors: Jaramillo D , Hick P , Whittington R J
Published: January 2017

Age‐dependent susceptibility to nervous necrosis virus (NNV) was demonstrated for barramundi (Lates calcarifer). The experiment used juvenile barramundi produced from a single spawning that were challenged consecutively by immersion with a redspotted grouper nervous necrosis virus (RGNNV) isolate. The dose and environmental conditions (35 ppt salinity and 30 °C) were constant. Fish and water were sampled longitudinally for histopathology and RT‐qPCR analysis to examine the evolution of the disease, virus replication, immune response and release of virus into water. Viral nervous necrosis (VNN) disease occurred in barramundi challenged at 3 and 4 weeks of age while fish challenged at 5, 7 and 9 weeks of age developed subclinical infection. Replication of NNV occurred faster and the concentration of virus reached higher concentrations in the younger fish with clinical disease. Virus isolation and qPCR tests indicated that infectious NNV was released from carcasses into water when fish were affected with clinical disease but not when NNV infection was subclinical. Based on these observations, we consider that carcasses from clinically infected fish have a potentially important role in the horizontal transmission of NNV, and barramundi juveniles should be protected from exposure to NNV until they are 5 weeks of age and reach the disease resistance threshold.
Matrices pattern using FIB; ‘Out‐of‐the‐box’ way of thinking
Authors: FLEGER Y. , GOTLIB‐VAINSHTEIN K. , TALYOSEF Y.
Published: January 2017

Focused ion beam (FIB) is an extremely valuable tool in nanopatterning and nanofabrication for potentially high‐resolution patterning, especially when refers to He ion beam microscopy. The work presented here demonstrates an ‘out‐of‐the‐box’ method of writing using FIB, which enables creating very large matrices, up to the beam‐shift limitation, in short times and with high accuracy unachievable by any other writing technique. The new method allows combining different shapes in nanometric dimensions and high resolutions for wide ranges.
The influence of contextual factors on patient involvement during follow‐up consultations after colorectal cancer surgery: a case study
Authors: Thomsen Thora G , Soelver Lisbeth , Hølge‐Hazelton Bibi
Published: January 2017

Aims and objectives

To identify the contextual factors that influence individual patient involvement during colorectal cancer surgical follow‐up consultations.

Background

The healthcare system is subject to the requirement and expectation of greater involvement of patients and relatives. Increased patient involvement requires the development and implementation of new communication initiatives. Research shows that it is also necessary to consider the contextual circumstances surrounding patient involvement in specific situations.

Design

Case study of a single Danish outpatient clinic, which allows the issues and circumstances involved in an everyday situation to be captured.

Method

12 nonparticipative observations of outpatient visits and, subsequently, seven in‐depth patient interviews. Analysis: Content analysis based on a dialogical, interactive framework, which underpinned the identification of current contextual factors.

Results

The results showed five contextual factors that seemed to have an impact on patient involvement. The first, ‘Two dimensions of patient involvement: treatment‐oriented and person‐oriented’ highlighted a dual interpretation of patient involvement in the consultation situation. The two dimensions seemed to be influenced by four additional factors: ‘Doctors leading the agenda’, ‘Traditional health professional roles’, ‘Unclear responsibilities’ and ‘Guidance primarily focused on treatment’.

Conclusion

The results showed how patient involvement in clinical practice could be understood as a two‐way movement, in which patients are invited to participate in clinical practice, while health professionals are invited to participate in the patients’ lives. The movement will change from situation to situation and is influenced by several contextual factors.

Relevance to clinical practice

The results can help doctors and nurses to navigate using a goal‐oriented approach towards patient involvement. The study makes visible the need for research‐based development of the independent role of the nursing profession in cancer care follow‐up, with a view to enhanced patient‐centred care.
Riding off into the Sunset: Organizational Sensegiving, Shareholder Sensemaking, and Reactions to CEO Retirement
Authors: Bilgili Hansin , Tochman Campbell Joanna , Ellstrand Alan E. , Johnson Jonathan L.
Published: January 2017

We test hypotheses derived from resource dependence and sensemaking/sensegiving theoretical lenses in the context of CEO succession, focusing on an under‐researched yet prevalent type of executive turnover – CEO retirement. Using event study methodology and a sample of CEO retirements from S&P 1500 firms during the 2003–12 period, we find that, all else equal, shareholders’ perceptions of organizations’ capacity to serve their interests are adversely affected when a retirement related change occurs in the leadership structure. Specifically, in line with resource dependence theory, we find that CEO retirement disclosures typically generate negative abnormal returns. Furthermore, in line with the sensemaking perspective, we find that the magnitude of shareholders’ reactions is contingent on the lexical sensegiving cues contained in the organizational narratives that are released to capital markets via executive retirement announcements. Overall, our theory and results point to CEO retirement events as consequential in the eyes of shareholders, challenging an important assumption of extant succession research. Moreover, they suggest that shareholders’ interpretation of these events is influenced by organizational sensegiving, highlighting the important role of organizational communication around succession events.
Maternal hypertensive disorders are associated with increased use of respiratory support but not chronic lung disease or poorer neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm neonates at <29 weeks of gestation
Authors: Matić Mara , Inati Violet , Abdel‐Latif Mohamed E , Kent Alison L ,   for the NSW ACT NICUS Network
Published: January 2017

Aim

To assess whether maternal hypertensive disorders in pregnancies result in higher respiratory requirements, risk of chronic lung disease (CLD) and poorer neurodevelopmental outcome in <29‐week premature neonates.

Methods

This is a multicentre, retrospective cohort study, within a geographically defined area in Australia, served by a network of 10 neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), consisting of infants <29 weeks of gestational age who were admitted to NICUs between 1998 and 2004. Outcome measures included hospital survival, perinatal complications and functional disability at 2–3 years follow‐up.

Results

A total of 2549 mothers and infants were included in the study; 379 (14.9%) mothers had hypertensive disorders during pregnancy. Follow‐up data were obtained for 1473 (74.8%) infants at 2–3 years. Infants exposed to pre‐eclampsia had a higher need for supplemental surfactant therapy (odds ratio (OR): 2.004, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.51–2.66), longer duration of mechanical ventilation (7.0 days vs. 4.0 days), were associated with a higher incidence of CLD (OR: 1.40, 95% CI: 1.12–1.76) and received post‐natal steroids for CLD (OR: 1.82, 95% CI: 1.43–2.31) and home oxygen (OR: 1.47, 95% CI: 1.11–1.95). Multivariable analysis showed that hypertensive disease of pregnancy was not significantly associated with the development of CLD in this cohort (OR: 1.103, 95% CI: 0.845–1.441). Multivariable analysis of long‐term neurodevelopmental data available for the 1473 follow‐up infants showed no significant difference in outcomes with or without exposure to maternal hypertensive disease.

Conclusion

Maternal hypertensive disease of pregnancy does not increase the risk of CLD or long‐term neurodevelopmental complications in infants born at <29 weeks of gestation.
Humans are Detected More Efficiently than Machines in the Context of Natural Scenes
Authors: Mayer Katja M. , Vuong Quoc C. , Thornton Ian M.
Published: January 2017

In the context of natural scenes, we recently showed that detecting humans among machine distractors is more efficient than detecting machines among human distractors (Mayer, Vuong, & Thornton, 2015). We concluded that the attentional system is tuned to efficiently process human form and motion. However, our results are also consistent with the possibility that discarding machine distractors is more efficient than discarding human distractors. In the present study, we replicated our previous visual search experiment but this time embedded targets amongst the same type of distractors; namely scenes displaying natural motion (e.g., billowing clouds, trees moving in the wind). Detecting humans among natural motion was more efficient than detecting machines among the same distractors as reflected in shallower search slopes, smaller intercepts, shorter first fixation durations on targets, and higher percentages of first fixations on targets. These findings are in line with efficient detection of human targets but not with efficient discarding of machine distractors.