bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Factors predicting Registered Nurses’ intentions to leave their organization and profession: A job demands‐resources framework
Authors: Moloney Willoughby , Boxall Peter , Parsons Matthew , Cheung Gordon
Published: November 2017

Aims

To develop a comprehensive model of nursing turnover intention by examining the effects of job demands, job resources, personal demands and personal resources on burnout and work engagement and subsequently on the intention to leave the organization and profession.

Background

The ageing population and a growing prevalence of multimorbidity are placing increasing strain on an ageing nursing workforce. Solutions that address the anticipated nursing shortage should focus on reducing burnout and enhancing the engagement of Registered Nurses (RNs) to improve retention.

Design

A cross‐sectional survey design.

Method

Data were collected in 2014–2015 via an e‐survey from 2,876 RNs working in New Zealand. Data were analysed with structural equation modelling.

Results

Higher engagement results in lower intention to leave the organization and profession. Burnout has significant effects on intentions to leave through lower engagement. While most of the demands and resources’ variables (except professional development) have effects on intentions to leave, greater workload and greater work‐life interference result in higher burnout and are the strongest predictors of intentions to leave. Greater emotional demands (challenges) and greater self‐efficacy also have strong effects in lowering intentions to leave through higher engagement.

Conclusions

Employee burnout and work engagement play an important role in transmitting the impacts of job demands, job resources, personal demands and personal resources into RN intention to leave the organization and profession. Work‐life interference and high workloads are major threats to nursing retention while challenge demands and higher levels of self‐efficacy support better retention.
The Female Self‐Advocacy in Cancer Survivorship Scale: A validation study
Authors: Hagan Teresa L. , Cohen Susan M. , Rosenzweig Margaret Q. , Zorn Kristin , Stone Clement A. , Donovan Heidi S.
Published: November 2017

Aim

To develop and psychometrically test the validity of the Female Self‐Advocacy in Cancer Survivorship Scale.

Background

Female cancer survivors need to self‐advocate to overcome challenges associated with cancer yet no valid measure of self‐advocacy exists.

Design

Instrument development. Mixed‐mode cross‐sectional survey design.

Participants

We recruited adult females (18+ years; N = 317) with a history of invasive cancer from local and national tumour registries and advocacy organizations to complete online or paper questionnaires.

Methods

Between July 2014 ‐ March 2015 to evaluate the construct validity based on evidence of the scale's: (1) internal structure consistent with the underlying model of self‐advocacy; (2) sensitivity to differences between groups known to differ in self‐advocacy skills; (3) relationships between self‐advocacy and key potential predictors (openness and conscientiousness; information engagement; social support) and outcomes (symptom burden and healthcare utilization); (4) relationships between self‐advocacy and related concepts (patient activation; self‐advocacy within another patient population); and (5) relationships between self‐advocacy and criterion measures. Analyses included an exploratory factor analysis, t tests, and bivariate correlations using validated, reliable measures for constructs.

Results

Evidence from all five hypotheses supported the construct validity of the Female Self‐Advocacy in Cancer Survivorship Scale. The factor analysis confirmed the three underlying dimensions of self‐advocacy resulting in a 20‐item measure with strong internal consistency that explained almost half of response variance.

Conclusion

The Female Self‐Advocacy in Cancer Survivorship Scale is a valid, reliable measure of how well adult female cancer survivors can get their needs met in the face of adversity.
Factors affecting quality of nurse shift handover in the emergency department
Authors: Thomson Heather , Tourangeau Ann , Jeffs Lianne , Puts Martine
Published: November 2017

Aim

The aim of this study was to explore and test factors hypothesized to influence quality of Emergency Department nurse‐to‐nurse shift handover communication.

Background

Nurse‐to‐nurse shift handover communication includes the transfer of information and responsibility for patients at shift change. The unique environment of the Emergency Department, where there is a high degree of patient unpredictability, increased patient volumes and rapid patient turnover, can create challenges for high quality handover communication. There is considerable literature addressing handover communication and factors that influence quality or effectiveness. However, few studies have empirically tested those factors.

Design

A quantitative, cross‐sectional design was used to test a conceptual model of factors hypothesized to influence quality of handover communication.

Methods

In 2014, data were gathered using surveys mailed to Emergency Department nurses across Ontario, Canada.

Results

The final eligible sample was 231 of 576 for an overall response rate of 40.1%. Analysis was performed using backwards elimination stepwise multiple linear regression. Four statistically significant explanatory variables were retained in the final multiple regression model, explaining 34% (p < .0001) of variance in handover quality. Handover quality was increased when patients flowed smoothly through triage, when nurses experienced positive intrusions, in the presence of a positive safety climate and when there were positive relationships between incoming and outgoing nurses.

Conclusions

By understanding those factors that contribute to handover quality, it is possible to develop targeted interventions aimed at improving the quality of Emergency Department nurse‐to‐nurse shift handover.
Mediating role of psychological well‐being in the relationship between organizational support and nurses’ outcomes: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Pahlevan Sharif Saeed , Ahadzadeh Ashraf Sadat , Sharif Nia Hamid
Published: November 2017

Aim

To examine the relationship between organizational support for nursing practice and nurse‐assessed quality of care and nurses’ job satisfaction in hospital settings and to investigate the mediating role of psychological well‐being in the aforementioned relationships.

Background

There has been growing concern about quality of care in healthcare organizations. The past research has documented the effect of nurse practice environment on nurses’ quality of care and job satisfaction. However, little is known about the underlying mechanism behind these associations.

Design

A cross‐sectional survey was undertaken.

Methods

Data were collected from two large public hospitals in Iran between February ‐ March 2017. A sample of 345 nurses participated in the study. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and partial least squared‐structural equation modelling.

Results

The results showed that nurses’ perception of organizational support was related to their quality of care, job satisfaction and psychological well‐being. Also, there was a positive relationship between nurses’ psychological well‐being and their quality of care and job satisfaction. Moreover, psychological well‐being partially mediated the relationship between organizational support with nurse‐assessed quality of care and nurses’ job satisfaction.

Conclusion

The findings suggest that organizational support for nursing practice and psychological well‐being are two factors that contribute to caring behaviour of nurses and their job satisfaction. Also, positively perceived organizational support generates favourable psychological well‐being which in turn enhances nurses’ quality of care and job satisfaction. The findings highlight the importance of establishing a supportive nurse practice environment and paying attention to the nurses’ psychological well‐being in healthcare sectors.
Imagined contact in high conflict settings: The role of ethnic group identification and the perspective of minority group members
Authors: Bagci Sabahat Cigdem , Piyale Zeynep Ecem , Ebcim Efsane
Published: November 2017

Recent contact literature has shown that imagining a positive intergroup encounter improves intergroup attitudes and behaviors, yet less is known about the effects of imagined contact in high conflict settings. We conducted three studies to understand the potential effects of imagined intergroup contact among ethnic Turks (majority status) and ethnic Kurds (minority status) in the Turkish‐Kurdish interethnic conflict setting. Study 1 (N = 47, Turkish) tested standard imagined contact effects (neutral vs. standard imagined contact condition) among majority Turks and showed that imagined contact was effective on outgroup attitudes, perceived threat, intergroup anxiety, and support for multiculturalism only among participants with higher ethnic identification. Study 2 (N = 107, Turkish) examined how ethnic identification of the contact partner would influence the effectiveness of the standard imagined contact scenario (neutral vs. standard vs. ethnic identification condition) and demonstrated that imagined contact effects were more negative when the contact partner identified with his/her ethnic group during imagined contact. Study 3 (N = 55, Kurdish) investigated imagined contact effects (neutral vs. standard imagined contact condition) among an ethnic minority group and showed that imagined contact did not improve minority group members' outgroup attitudes, but did decrease intergroup anxiety and perceived discrimination (marginally significantly) and increased perceived positive attitudes from the majority group. Practical implications of the use of imagined intergroup contact strategy in conflict‐ridden settings were discussed.
Immune response patterns in non‐communicable inflammatory skin diseases
Authors: Eyerich K. , Eyerich S.
Published: November 2017

Non‐communicable inflammatory skin diseases (ncISD) such as psoriasis or atopic eczema are a major cause of global disease burden. Due to their impact and complexity, ncISD represent a major challenge of modern medicine. Dermatology textbooks describe more than 100 different ncISD based on clinical phenotype and histological architecture. In the last decades, this historical description was complemented by increasing molecular knowledge – and this knowledge is now being translated into specific therapeutics. Combining the enormous advances made in lymphocyte immunology and molecular genetics with clinical and histological phenotyping reveals six immune response patterns of the skin – type I immune cells cause the lichenoid pattern characterized by immune‐mediated cell death of keratinocytes; type II immune cells underlie the eczematous pattern with impaired epidermal barrier, infection and eosinophils as well as the bullous pattern with loss of epithelial integrity; Th17 cells and ILC3 mediate the psoriatic pattern characterized by acanthosis, high metabolic activity and neutrophils; dysbalance of regulatory T cells causes either the fibrogenic pattern with rarefication of cells and dermal thickening or the granulomatous pattern defined by formation of granulomas. With more and more specific therapeutic agents approved, classifying ncISD also according to their immune response pattern will become highly relevant. This review defines the six immune response patterns of ncISD and highlights therapeutic strategies targeting key lymphocyte mediators.
Reinterpreting dermoscopic pigment network with reflectance confocal microscopy for identification of melanoma‐specific features
Authors: De Pace B. , Farnetani F. , Losi A. , Ciardo S. , De Carvalho N. , Cesinaro A.M. , Reggiani Bonetti L. , Chester J. , Kaleci S. , Del Duca E. , Nisticò S.P. , Longo C. , Pellacani G.
Published: November 2017

Background

Pigment network is an important dermoscopic feature for melanocytic lesions, but alterations in grid line thickness are also observed in melanomas.

Objective

To investigate features of thick, thin and mixed pigment networks at dermoscopy and their respective features at reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) for differential diagnosis, correlated with histology.

Methods

All melanocytic lesions with histological diagnosis, evaluated between January 2010 and May 2014, were enrolled and classified according to dermoscopy evaluation of the pigment networks: thin, thick and mixed.

Results

Thin network in melanoma was characterized by a honeycombed pattern (P < 0.001), dendritic cells (P < 0.001), atypical ringed pattern (P = 0.035) and structureless area (P = 0.012), whereas round cells (P < 0.001), dendritic cells (P < 0.001) and atypical meshwork pattern (<0.001) characterized thick network in melanoma. Mixed network type in melanoma shared honeycombed (P = 0.049) and typical ringed patterns (P = 0.045) in the thin area and round cells (P < 0.001) and atypical meshwork pattern (P < 0.001) in the thick area. Thin network in nevi was characterized by cobblestone (P < 0.001) and typical ringed patterns (P = 0.035), whereas thick network in nevi showed a typical meshwork pattern (P < 0.001). Mixed nevi shared the same features and patterns, but more frequently with inflammatory infiltrate (P = 0.047).

Conclusion

Differential diagnosis between melanocytic lesions (nevi or melanoma) in thin, thick and mixed pigment networks observed at dermoscopy can be assisted by RCM to improve diagnostic accuracy.
A detailed analysis of ‘not relevant’ responses on the DLQI in psoriasis: potential biases in treatment decisions
Authors: Rencz F. , Poór A.K. , Péntek M. , Holló P. , Kárpáti S. , Gulácsi L. , Szegedi A. , Remenyik É. , Hidvégi B. , Herszényi K. , Jókai H. , Beretzky Z. , Brodszky V.
Published: November 2017

Background

Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) is the most common health‐related quality of life measure in dermatology that is widely used in treatment guidelines for psoriasis. Eight of the 10 questions of the DLQI offer a ‘not relevant’ response (NRR) option that is scored as the item had no impact on patients’ life at all.

Objective

To explore the occurrence of NRRs on the DLQI in psoriasis patients and to examine the effect of several socio‐demographic and clinical factors on giving NRRs.

Methods

Data were obtained from two cross‐sectional surveys among psoriasis patients at two academic dermatology clinics in Hungary. Health‐related quality of life was measured by employing DLQI and EQ‐5D‐3L, while disease severity was graded by Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI). Multivariate logistic regression was applied to determine the predictors of providing NRRs.

Results

Mean age of the 428 patients was 49 years, and 65% were males. Mean PASI, DLQI and EQ‐5D‐3L index scores were 8.4 ± 9.5, 6.8 ± 7.4 and 0.74 ± 0.28, respectively. Overall, 38.8% of the patients had at least one NRR: 19.6% (one), 11.5% (two), 5.1% (three) and 2.6% (more than three). Most NRRs occurred in sport, sexual difficulties and working/studying items of the DLQI (28.4%, 16.4% and 14.0%, respectively). Female gender (OR 1.65; 95% CI 1.04–2.61), older age (OR 1.05; 95% CI 1.03–1.07) and higher PASI score (OR 1.03; 95% CI 1.01–1.06) were associated with providing more NRRs, whereas highly educated patients (OR 0.34; 95% CI 0.16–0.72) and those with a full‐time job (OR 0.47; 95% CI 0.29–0.77) less frequently tended to tick NRRs.

Conclusion

The high rate of psoriasis patients with NRRs, especially among women, less educated and elderly patients, indicates a content validity problem of the measure. A reconsideration of the use of the DLQI for medical and financial decision‐making in psoriasis patients is suggested.
Actinic keratosis area and severity index (AKASI) is associated with the incidence of squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Schmitz L. , Gambichler T. , Gupta G. , Stücker M. , Dirschka T.
Published: November 2017

Background

Actinic keratoses (AKs) are commonly diagnosed clinically. Actinic keratosis area and severity index (AKASI) is a new easy‐to‐use tool to assess the severity of AKs on the head.

Objectives

To determine the association between chronically UV‐induced tumours such as basal cell carcinomas (BCC) or squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) and AKASI.

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of patients who had undergone oncological surgery due to UV‐induced tumours and who were assessed for AKASI and Physician's global assessment (PGA) prior to surgery. Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate correlation between AKASI, PGA and invasive carcinomas.

Results

Of the 210 patients included, 26 patients had histologically diagnosed SCCs and presented with a median (range) AKASI of 6.9 (0–13.0) and PGA of 2 (0–4). In contrast, the 82 patients with BCCs showed a median (range) AKASI of 3.3 (0–15.2) and PGA of 1 (0–4). The Mann–Whitney U‐test showed significant differences (P = 0.0018) between AKASI of patients with SCC and BCC. In addition, we found a significantly higher AKASI in patients with SCC compared to patients with non‐invasive lesions like AK and Bowen disease (BD) (P = 0.0275). Spearman's coefficient of rank correlation between AKASI and PGA indicates that these measures of AK severity were strongly correlated (P < 0.0001; r = 0.90; 95% CI 0.865–0.920).

Conclusions

Patients with SCC show significantly higher AKASI than patients with BCC or patients without invasive tumours. Hence, AKASI may be used to stratify risk for developing invasive SCC.
Association Between Obesity, Age, and Functional Decline in Survivors of Cardiac Surgery
Authors: Gaulton Timothy G. , Neuman Mark D.
Published: November 2017

Background/Objectives

Little is known about the effect of obesity on functional decline after cardiac surgery, especially in elderly adults. Our goal was to determine the association between obesity and functional decline in the 2 years after cardiac surgery and the interaction between obesity and age.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

The Health and Retirement Study, 2004–2014.

Participants

U.S. adults aged 50 and older who indicated having cardiac surgery and had a body mass index (BMI) of 18.5 kg/m2 or greater (N = 1,731).

Measurements

BMI was classified as normal or overweight (18.5–29.9 kg/m2) and obese (≥30 kg/m2). Primary outcome was decline in ability to perform an activity of daily living (ADL) after surgery.

Results

Respondents had a median age of 71, 59.3% were female, and 34.3% were obese. Obese respondents had a higher incidence of ADL decline (22.4%) than those who were not obese (17.1%) (P = .007). In the multivariable analysis of our full cohort, obesity was not associated with ADL decline (odds ratio (OR)=1.20, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.90–1.59, P = .21) after cardiac surgery, although obese respondents aged 50 to 79 had greater odds of ADL decline (OR=1.45, 95% CI=1.06–2.00, P = .02). Obese respondents aged 80 and older had nonstatistically significantly lower odds of ADL decline (OR=0.61, 95% CI=0.30–1.24, P = .18) compared to non‐obese respondents.

Conclusion

The association between obesity and postoperative functional decline in survivors of cardiac surgery differed according to age. Additional research is needed to identify interventions to improve outcomes in groups of older adults in whom obesity may increase the risk of postoperative functional decline.
Reported gum disease as a cardiovascular risk factor in adults with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Hsieh K. , Murthy S. , Heller T. , Rimmer J. H. , Yen G.
Published: November 2017

Background

Several risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) have been identified among adults with intellectual disabilities (ID). Periodontitis has been reported to increase the risk of developing a CVD in the general population. Given that individuals with ID have been reported to have a higher prevalence of poor oral health than the general population, the purpose of this study was to determine whether adults with ID with informant reported gum disease present greater reported CVD than those who do not have reported gum disease and whether gum disease can be considered a risk factor for CVD.

Methods

Using baseline data from the Longitudinal Health and Intellectual Disability Study from which informant survey data were collected, 128 participants with reported gum disease and 1252 subjects without reported gum disease were identified. A series of univariate logistic regressions was conducted to identify potential confounding factors for a multiple logistic regression.

Results

The series of univariate logistic regressions identified age, Down syndrome, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, reported gum disease, daily consumption of fruits and vegetables and the addition of table salt as significant risk factors for reported CVD. When the significant factors from the univariate logistic regression were included in the multiple logistic analysis, reported gum disease remained as an independent risk factor for reported CVD after adjusting for the remaining risk factors. Compared with the adults with ID without reported gum disease, adults in the gum disease group demonstrated a significantly higher prevalence of reported CVD (19.5% vs. 9.7%; P = .001).

Conclusion

After controlling for other risk factors, reported gum disease among adults with ID may be associated with a higher risk of CVD. However, further research that also includes clinical indices of periodontal disease and CVD for this population is needed to determine if there is a causal relationship between gum disease and CVD.
Recent developments and the future of low‐T calorimetric investigations in the Earth sciences: Consequences for thermodynamic calculations and databases
Authors: Geiger Charles A. , Dachs Edgar
Published: November 2017

Low‐T calorimetry is an experimental science that measures the thermodynamic function heat capacity, Cp(T), from which the standard third‐law entropy (298.15 K), S°, is calculated. The recent technological development of relaxation calorimetry allows both new experimental strategies and types of Cp investigations to be made, which were previously not possible. The Cp measurements are fast and automated and can be made on mg‐sized mineralogical samples between 2 and 400 K. These advantages, when careful measurement procedures are used, permit better determinations of Cp(T) behaviour. The Cp of synthetic single‐crystal MgO was measured between 5 and 302 K, and S° calculated using relaxation calorimetry to further investigate the method's precision and accuracy. A number of synthetic and natural end‐member or nearly end‐member compositions of silicate garnet were investigated in the past via adiabatic calorimetry, an old and established technique, and more recently and extensively with the relaxation method. First Cp(T) and S° results, using relaxation calorimetry, have been obtained on spessartine (Mn3Al2Si3O12) and knorringite (Mg3Cr2Si3O12). Furthermore, reinvestigations on pyrope (Mg3Al2Si3O12), almandine (Fe3Al2Si3O12), grossular (Ca3Al2Si3O12) and andradite (Ca3Al2Si3O12), often on multiple samples, have resolved uncertainties and certain problems with published thermodynamic data. S° can be affected by various low‐T physical phenomena, such as cooperative magnetic phase transitions or Schottky anomalies at temperatures of <15 K, which were not described fully in some older adiabatic calorimetric studies. New Cp results show that small differences in the thermodynamic behaviour between some natural and synthetic silicates may exist as demonstrated by extensive work on grossular. Important and “new” research questions on the thermodynamic behaviour of minerals are coming to light and are being investigated. The Cp behaviour and S° values for six silicate garnet end‐members are analysed and the latter are compared to the “best fit or optimized” S° values given in various internally consistent thermodynamic databases. Conclusions are drawn on what types and directions of calorimetric study are required in order to obtain better thermodynamic property determinations of minerals, as well as achieving a better understanding of the underlying microscopic physical behaviour that determines the macroscopic Cp and S° functions.
Annual Report of the Perinatology Committee, Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2016: Overall report on a comprehensive retrospective study of obstetric management of preterm labor and preterm premature rupture of the membranes
Authors: Sameshima Hiroshi , Saito Shigeru , Matsuda Yoshio , Kamitomo Masato , Makino Shintaro , Ohashi Masanao , Kino Emi , Kanayama Naohiro , Takeda Satoru
Published: November 2017

We conducted a questionnaire survey on the current obstetric management of preterm labor (PL) and preterm premature rupture of the membranes (pPROM). The questionnaire covered approximately a third of all preterm deliveries and nearly half of the preterm deliveries before 32 gestational weeks. The diagnostic criterion for PL was either painful uterine contractions or cervical dilatation. Tocolytic agents were primarily used as long‐term maintenance therapy.

Intrauterine infection was clinically diagnosed at most responding institutions. Amniocentesis was performed for PL or pPROM at only a small number (10%) of institutions. Prenatal steroids were administered for PL or pPROM, if indicated, at approximately 40–60% of responding institutions. Prophylactic antibiotics to maintain pregnancy were administered for pPROM at approximately 90% and for PL at approximately 20% of institutions. Maintenance therapy with a tocolytic agent was used for pPROM at approximately 90% of institutions.
Pharmacokinetics of Single Oral Dose Extended‐Release Levetiracetam in Healthy Cats
Authors: Barnard L. , Barnes Heller H. , Boothe D.M.
Published: November 2017

Background

Repeated PO dosing of anti‐epileptic drugs may contribute to poor compliance in treated cats. Intermediate‐release levetiracetam has been used safely in cats, but must be given q8h to maintain serum concentrations in the therapeutic interval for humans (5–45 μg/mL). Approved extended‐release levetiracetam (XRL) for human use may require less frequent dosing, but the large dosing unit has limited its use in cats.

Hypotheses

In healthy cats, serum levetiracetam concentration will remain above 5 μg/mL for at least 24 hours after administration of a single dose of XRL PO and will be well tolerated.

Animals

7 healthy cats.

Methods

Extended‐release levetiracetam (500 mg) was administered PO. Blood was collected and neurologic examination findings recorded at scheduled times over 30 hours. Serum levetiracetam concentration was quantitated by an immunoassay validated in cats. Data were subjected to noncompartmental analysis. Descriptive statistics were reported.

Results

The median dosage of 86.2 mg/kg, (range, 80–94.3) achieved a mean maximum concentration (Cmax) of 89.8 ± 25.8 μg/mL at 4.9 ±1.57 hours. Serum levetiracetam was >5 μg/mL in all cats by 90 minutes. Mean concentrations were 43.7 ± 18.4 and 4.9 ± 3.4 μg/mL at 12 and 24 hours, respectively. The half‐life was 4.1 ± 1.0 hours. The drug was well tolerated.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

A single 500 mg PO dose of XRL safely maintained serum levetiracetam concentration ≥5 μg/mL in healthy cats for at least 21 hours. Clinical efficacy studies in epileptic cats receiving XRL are indicated; however, monitoring should be implemented for individual cats.
Quality Control of Compounded Crystalloid Fluids for Intravenous Delivery to Horses
Authors: Magnusson C.B. , Poulsen K.P. , Budde J.A. , Hartmann F.A. , Aulik N.A. , Raabis S.M. , Moreira A.S.D. , Darien B.J. , Peek S.F.
Published: November 2017

Background

Periodic lack of availability and high cost of commercially produced isotonic fluids for intravenous (IV) use in horses have increasingly led to use of home‐made or commercially compound fluids by veterinarians. Data regarding the quality control and safety of compounded fluids would be of benefit to equine veterinarians.

Objectives

To compare electrolyte concentrations, sterility, and endotoxin contamination of commercially available fluids to 2 forms of compounded isotonic crystalloid fluids intended for IV use in horses.

Methods

Prospective study. Two methods of preparing compounded crystalloids formulated to replicate commercial Plasma‐Lyte A (Abbott, Chicago, IL) were compared. One formulation was prepared by a hand‐mixed method involving chlorinated drinking water commonly employed by equine practitioners, and the other was prepared by means of ingredients obtained from a commercial compounding pharmacy. The variables for comparison were electrolyte concentrations, sterility, and presence of endotoxin contamination.

Results

Electrolyte concentrations were consistent within each product but different between types of fluids (P < 0.0001). Hand‐mixed fluids had significantly more bacterial contamination compared to commercial Plasma‐Lyte A (P = 0.0014). One of the hand‐mixed fluid samples had detectable endotoxin contamination.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Chlorinated drinking water is not an acceptable source of water to compound isotonic fluids for IV administration. Equine practitioners should be aware of this risk and obtain the informed consent of their clients.
How cyclical and predictable are Central European temperate forest dynamics in terms of development phases?
Authors: Král Kamil , Daněk Pavel , Janík David , Krůček Martin , Vrška Tomáš
Published: November 2017

Questions

Recently there have been vital discussions about the validity of the European patch‐mosaic conceptual model of forest dynamics – the traditional concept of a shifting patch‐mosaic of development stages and phases, also known as the forest cycle concept. Here we try to answer the fundamental questions of this debate: (1) how much do forest dynamics proceed along a predictable path (in a chronological sequence: growth—optimum—breakdown); or (2) vice versa, are the patches rather a result of disturbances and/or other stochastic growth and mortality patterns?

Location

Five long‐term research plots in four different study sites of Central European natural temperate forests.

Methods

The long‐term evolution of forest development phases was analysed with a GIS‐based, spatially explicit, fully reproducible method enabling accurate verification of the functionality of the model forest cycle. We analysed long‐term transitions among forest development phases from the 1970s through the 1990s to 2000s. Observed phase‐to‐phase transitions were compared to a random transition model. We identified preferential pathways within the forest cycle model as well as the proportion of cyclic/acyclic transitions.

Results

In total, across all sites and observation periods, about 65% of all observed phase‐to‐phase transitions were realized through preferential pathways, about 28% of observed transitions went along pathways of random frequency and only about 7% of observed transitions were realized through uncommon development pathways. On the other hand, less than 40% of all observed transitions might be classified as cyclic (following the model cycle), and thus more than 60% of the transitions were acyclic (moving across or backward in the model cycle). The overall pattern of all observed transitions resembled a complex web rather than a simple repeating cycle.

Conclusions

Although in all sites we documented signs of the cyclic and predictable development anticipated by the forest cycle concept, the predominance and stochastic nature of multiple acyclic development pathways gave rise to reasonable doubts on the legitimacy and usability of the concept for descriptions of forest dynamics. On the other hand, the verification of the concept may contribute significantly to our understanding of the complexity of forest dynamics.
Below the radar innovations and emerging property right approaches in Tibetan medicine
Authors: Madhavan Harilal
Published: November 2017

Outside the established legal framework of intellectual property rights, countries have pursued multiple pathways to protect and promote traditional medicine. As Tibetan medicine is a late entrant into commercialization, the proposals to propertize generally fall within the rationale of existing sui‐generis paradigms of Intellectual property. In this context, the article enquires the state of innovations in this sector viz‐a‐viz the property right approaches in place especially in India and China. It argues that beyond the usual complex medical science and technology led—innovations, the pathways of cumulative processes and creative additions through informal experiential learning platforms, where the transfers of knowledge become part of livelihood and social benefits (we call them “below the radar innovations”) is ubiquitous in Tibetan medicine. The trends and politics in two recent strategies of protection, that is, Tibetan medicine as economic property (emphasizing patents here among many others) and as a cultural property (intangible cultural heritage) are juxtaposed with these informal innovative attempts. The paper underlines that the productivity‐based economic rationale of these protection mechanisms should not obscure sustainability alternatives of “below the radar” (BtR) innovations in Tibetan medicine.
TK unlimited: The emerging but incoherent international law of traditional knowledge protection
Authors: Dutfield Graham
Published: November 2017

There is an emerging international regime complex concerning traditional knowledge (TK). Debate continues on what form legal protection should take including how benefits from commercial use ought to be shared. This article considers how far progress is feasible. It makes three related claims. First, dominant in policy debates has been a tendency to position “tradition” in direct and binary opposition to “modern”. We show how this is ahistorical, reinforcing misconceptions regarding the nature of TK, and its relationship to other knowledge systems. It also tends to discourage possibilities for mutually advantageous collaborations based on respect for local norms regulating access, control and ownership. The second claim is that many TK advocates, by misconceiving it this way, are too expansive in terms of the knowledge that they demand the proposed international regimes should cover. This precludes possibilities for policy coherence. The third is that the access and benefit sharing measures envisaged by the Convention on Biological Diversity tend to downplay the social and cultural value of TK for holders and their communities themselves. This matters because of TK's significance to local people's lives, which is likely to outweigh potential monetary value that may arise from its translation into biotechnological knowledge inputs.
Deciphering the demographic history of allochronic differentiation in the pine processionary moth Thaumetopoea pityocampa
Authors: Leblois R. , Gautier M. , Rohfritsch A. , Foucaud J. , Burban C. , Galan M. , Loiseau A. , Sauné L. , Branco M. , Gharbi K. , Vitalis R. , Kerdelhué C.
Published: November 2017

Understanding the processes of adaptive divergence, which may ultimately lead to speciation, is a major question in evolutionary biology. Allochronic differentiation refers to a particular situation where gene flow is primarily impeded by temporal isolation between early and late reproducers. This process has been suggested to occur in a large array of organisms, even though it is still overlooked in the literature. We here focused on a well‐documented case of incipient allochronic speciation in the winter pine processionary moth Thaumetopoea pityocampa. This species typically reproduces in summer and larval development occurs throughout autumn and winter. A unique, phenologically shifted population (SP) was discovered in 1997 in Portugal. It was proved to be strongly differentiated from the sympatric “winter population” (WP), but its evolutionary history could only now be explored. We took advantage of the recent assembly of a draft genome and of the development of pan‐genomic RAD‐seq markers to decipher the demographic history of the differentiating populations and develop genome scans of adaptive differentiation. We showed that the SP diverged relatively recently, that is, few hundred years ago, and went through two successive bottlenecks followed by population size expansions, while the sympatric WP is currently experiencing a population decline. We identified outlier SNPs that were mapped onto the genome, but none were associated with the phenological shift or with subsequent adaptations. The strong genetic drift that occurred along the SP lineage certainly challenged our capacity to reveal functionally important loci.
Fast and robust detection of ancestral selective sweeps
Authors: Cheng Xiaoheng , Xu Cheng , DeGiorgio Michael
Published: November 2017

There are few methods tailored for detecting signals of positive selection in populations directly ancestral to multiple descendent populations. We introduce the ancestral branch statistic (ABS), a four‐population summary statistic for identifying selective sweeps occurring in the direct ancestor of a pair of populations. Simulations show that ABS performs at least as well as, and often better under model violations, than the complementary likelihood approach of 3P‐CLR across diverse selection scenarios and parameter values. We first applied ABS to contemporary human genomic data to identify genes that may have been adaptive in ancestral East Asian populations, uncovering the well‐established candidate EDAR, as well as a novel candidate SLC35F3, which encodes a putative thiamine transporter that may have been involved in adaptation to eating polished grains. Next, we performed scans with ancient European genomic data to reexamine evidence of recent positive selection in ancestral Europeans. The MCM6/LCT cluster and the SLC45A2 and HERC2 genes are strong outliers, agreeing with previous studies. Novel candidates, such as SLC30A9 and CYP1A2, may have been involved in adaptation to local nutrient sufficiency and lifestyle changes. Finally, we provide open‐source software, CalcABS, which can perform genomic scans of ancestral sweeps with ABS from population allele frequency data.
Ancient symbiosis confers desiccation resistance to stored grain pest beetles
Authors: Engl Tobias , Eberl Nadia , Gorse Carla , Krüger Theresa , Schmidt Thorsten H. P. , Plarre Rudy , Adler Cornel , Kaltenpoth Martin
Published: November 2017

Microbial symbionts of insects provide a range of ecological traits to their hosts that are beneficial in the context of biotic interactions. However, little is known about insect symbiont‐mediated adaptation to the abiotic environment, for example, temperature and humidity. Here, we report on an ancient clade of intracellular, bacteriome‐located Bacteroidetes symbionts that are associated with grain and wood pest beetles of the phylogenetically distant families Silvanidae and Bostrichidae. In the saw‐toothed grain beetle Oryzaephilus surinamensis, we demonstrate that the symbionts affect cuticle thickness, melanization and hydrocarbon profile, enhancing desiccation resistance and thereby strongly improving fitness under dry conditions. Together with earlier observations on symbiont contributions to cuticle biosynthesis in weevils, our findings indicate that convergent acquisitions of bacterial mutualists represented key adaptations enabling diverse pest beetle groups to survive and proliferate under the low ambient humidity that characterizes dry grain storage facilities.
Pavement Crack Width Measurement Based on Laplace's Equation for Continuity and Unambiguity
Authors: Wang Wenjuan , Zhang Allen , Wang Kelvin C. P. , Braham Andrew F. , Qiu Shi
Published: November 2017

Crack is one of the most important pavement condition indicators that are immediately relevant to water ingress and pavement deterioration. In practices of pavement management, crack width has been extensively referenced by highway agencies to determine pavement crack severity. Accurate measurement of pavement crack width is meaningful for highway agencies in understanding the mechanism of crack formation, and in predicting crack propagation. This article presents a new automatic method for measuring crack width using the binary crack map images. The proposed method introduces a new crack width definition and formulates it using the Laplace's Equation so that crack width can be continuously and unambiguously measured. Two algorithms, including the crack blob extraction algorithm and the crack boundary extraction algorithm, are developed to implement the proposed formulation in an automated fashion. Experimental tests using both synthetic data and field data are conducted to demonstrate the accuracy and reliability of the proposed method. A case study on crack width propagation is also performed to demonstrate the practical capacity of the proposed method. The results of the experimental tests and the outcome of the case study have demonstrated that the proposed method, together with the existing crack map extraction algorithms, provides a promising means for consistent and unambiguous crack width measurement supporting automated pavement condition evaluation.
Dental properties, ultrastructure, and pulp cells associated with a novel DSPP mutation
Authors: Porntaveetus T , Osathanon T , Nowwarote N , Pavasant P , Srichomthong C , Suphapeetiporn K , Shotelersuk V
Published: November 2017

Objective

To investigate physical characteristics and behaviours of dental pulp cells of teeth isolated from a dentinogenesis imperfecta (DGI) patient with a novel dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP) mutation.

Subjects and Methods

Whole exome and Sanger sequencing were employed to identify mutations. Physical characteristics of the teeth were examined. Pulp cells’ behaviours including cell proliferation, colony‐forming unit, osteogenic differentiation, pluripotent markers, and mesenchymal stem cell markers were investigated.

Results

The proband had opalescent brown primary teeth with extensive loss of enamel. Mutation analysis revealed a novel heterozygous 4‐bp deletion, c.1915_1918delAAGT (p.K639QfsX674), in exon 5 of the DSPP associated with DGI. Analysis of the extracted primary incisor demonstrated a decrease in brightness but an increase in yellow and red chroma. The dentin showed reduced mineral density. The dentinal tubules were present in the predentin, but progressively collapsed in the dentin. The pulp cells exhibited markedly reduced CD105 expression, decreased cell proliferation, and smaller colony‐forming units.

Conclusions

We identified a novel mutation in the DSPP gene which disturbed dentin characteristics and pulp cells’ behaviours. Our study expands the mutation spectrum and understanding of pathologic dentin phenotypes related to the frameshift deletion in the dentin phosphoprotein (DPP) region of the DSPP gene.
Providing Sanctuary or Fostering Crime? A Review of the Research on “Sanctuary Cities” and Crime​
Authors: Martínez Daniel E. , Martínez‐Schuldt Ricardo D. , Cantor Guillermo
Published: November 2017

Recent high‐profile, isolated incidents of violent crime committed by deportable noncitizens have led to increased public attention paid to so‐called “sanctuary” cities, with some policymakers calling for the eradication of policies limiting local officials' role in the enforcement of immigration law. This current public and political debate provides an opportunity to critically examine the existing literature on immigrant “sanctuaries.” We begin by offering a broad definition and description of “sanctuary” policies. We follow by discussing how and why such policies have evolved since the early 1980s. Considering the public safety concerns often articulated in contemporary political discourse, we then offer possible sociological explanations regarding how these policies might either be positively or negatively associated with crime. We subsequently highlight findings from existing empirical research that examines the relationship between the adoption or presence of “sanctuary” policies and crime. The few empirical studies that exist illustrate a “null” or negative relationship between these policies and crime. We conclude by offering possible directions for future research.
Connections between preschoolers' temperament traits and social behaviors as observed in a preschool setting
Authors: Gornik Allison E. , Neal Jennifer W. , Lo Sharon L. , Durbin C. Emily
Published: November 2017

A growing literature has focused on the role children's temperament traits play in social behavior, but associations have traditionally been explored through informant report. We utilized a longitudinal, observational approach to (a) examine how children's traits related to their social behaviors when aggregated across the school year; (b) explore how traits and social behavior relate to children's age and sex; and (c) test how prior traits predicted subsequent change in solitary, reticent, and social play, above and beyond mean‐level change in play behavior over the course of the year. Fifty‐three children were observed in their preschool classroom, where coders rated children's traits and social behaviors over the course of one school year (N = 26,673 observations). Results found positive age‐related associations for positive emotionality (PE) and social play. In addition, aggregated traits explained a significant amount of the variance for every social behavior. Prior levels of lower PE, higher negative emotionality (NE), and higher effortful control (EC) predicted more subsequent time spent in reticent play, while NE and EC approached significance as predictors of solitary play. These results emphasize the role of early disposition on mean levels and rates of change in social behavior in a classroom.
A specific device for enhanced measurement of mechanical dissipation in specimens subjected to long‐term tensile tests in fatigue
Authors: Delpueyo D. , Balandraud X. , Grédiac M. , Stanciu S. , Cimpoesu N.
Published: November 2017

This paper presents a calorimetric approach to the measurement of mechanical dissipation in specimens subjected to cyclic tensile tests. Mechanical dissipation, that is, the heat power produced by the material due to mechanical irreversibility, can potentially be deduced from the temperature changes captured on the specimen surface by infrared thermography. However, a difficulty arises for long‐term cyclic tests: Results are easily skewed by any change in the specimen's environment. The problem is amplified by the fact that mechanical dissipation is in general small compared to the heat sources associated with thermomechanical couplings, making its estimation difficult. The paper proposes a simple procedure to extract a well‐resolved estimation of mechanical dissipation by solving two key points specific to long‐term cyclic tests: (a) the reduction of the parasitic effects associated with changes in the specimen's environment by using a specific device based on two references samples and (b) the choice of relevant thermal data acquisition parameters. A test is performed on a copper‐based shape‐memory alloy whose calorific response comprises three origins of heat sources: thermoelastic coupling, phase transformation, and mechanical irreversibility. The results obtained demonstrate the relevancy of the approach in extracting mechanical dissipation from the thermal response of the specimen subjected to long‐term tensile tests in fatigue.