bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Martin Buber's Philosophy of Dialogue and Implications for Qualitative Family Research
Authors: Fife Stephen T.
Published: September 2015

Martin Buber is well‐known for his seminal book I and Thou and his philosophy of dialogue. Although he is often characterized as an existentialist, Buber referred to himself as a philosophical anthropologist, given his study of the wholeness and uniqueness of human being. Buber viewed human existence as grounded in relationships. However, in spite of his view of human being as fundamentally relational, his ideas have received relatively little attention in family theory and research. As part of the special issue on qualitative family scholarship and innovative theories in the interpretive tradition, this article first examines the intersection of Buber's philosophy with the interpretive tradition in social science research. It then presents an overview of Buber's relational constructs I–It and I–Thou and his philosophy of dialogue. Finally, the implications of Buber's ideas for the process of qualitative family research, particularly qualitative interviewing, are discussed, followed by a presentation of several potential qualitative studies that draw on Buber's theoretical framework of dialogue and way of being.
Science‐Based Carbon Targets for the Corporate World: The Ultimate Sustainability Commitment, or a Costly Distraction?
Authors: Trexler Mark , Schendler Auden
Published: September 2015

Dr. Alice Stewart conclusively demonstrated, in 1958, that pediatric X‐rays doubled the risk of childhood leukemia. Nevertheless, doctors continued X‐raying mothers‐to‐be until 1980. Margaret Heffernan's (2011) book, Willful Blindness: Why We Ignore the Obvious at Our Peril, documents this and numerous other examples of our skill at ignoring information that points to something we don't want to know. Specifically, on the topic of climate change, Heffernan notes: “[I]n failing to confront the greatest challenge of our age – climate change – all the forces of willful blindness come together, like synchronized swimmers in a spectacular water ballet.”

When it comes to corporate sustainability, we're seeing some recent efforts to get past willful blindness. In 2013, we saw examples such as Auden Schendler (co‐author of this piece) and Michael Toffel's (2013) publication in Grist, Corporate Sustainability is Not Sustainable, which itself built upon Professor Robin Craig's (2012) article provocatively entitled “Climate Change Means the Death of Sustainability.” More recently, in Lima, Unilever's Paul Polman said that “.. most CEOs…know that their companies cannot prosper in a world with runaway climate change.” Perhaps, after years of corporate sustainability flag waving, it is no longer possible to ignore the fact that much of what companies classify as “sustainability” is, at best, green fluff that is fundamentally out of touch with the realities of anticipated climate change.

Significantly, chief executive officers (CEOs) themselves are questioning the historic focus on corporate sustainability policies and targets. As summarized in the CEO Study on Sustainability, jointly published by the United Nations (UN) Global Compact and Accenture (2013): “Business leaders [now] believe that only with greater government intervention — at global, national and local levels — can sustainability move from sporadic incremental advances to a collective and transformative impact.”
Real and Accrual‐Based Earnings Management in the Pre‐ and Post‐IFRS Periods: Evidence from China
Authors: Ho Li‐Chin Jennifer , Liao Qunfeng , Taylor Martin
Published: September 2015

The purpose of this study is to investigate the prevalence of both accrual‐ and activities‐based earnings management for Chinese A‐share firms surrounding the adoption of substantially IFRS‐convergent accounting standards. Since 2007, all listed A‐share firms in China have been required to comply with a new set of accounting standards that have substantially conformed to IFRS. The new reform also produced a set of new auditing standards and internal control reporting requirements. Based on a sample of 4,050 firm‐year observations from 2002 to 2011, we find that Chinese firms in the post‐IFRS period (2007–2011) are less likely to engage in accrual‐based earnings management. The magnitude of discretionary accruals also declines after IFRS adoption. In response, we see firms turning to real activities manipulation as a substitute for upward earnings management. The reduction in accrual‐based earnings management could stem from higher quality accounting standards associated with IFRS adoption and/or concurrent changes in the governance regimes introduced with the IFRS mandate. A further analysis, however, indicates that the benefits of IFRS adoption in curbing upward accrual‐based earnings manipulation are not evenly distributed across firms. Specifically, the benefit diminishes for firms that are controlled by Chinese central or local governments, are located in less developed regions, and that have weak financial performance and therefore subject to delisting status. We also find that the benefit is less pronounced for manufacturing firms than for their non‐manufacturing counterparts.
Reliability and validity of a self‐report emotional expressivity measure: The Japanese version of the Berkeley Expressivity Questionnaire
Authors: Lin Mingming , Soi‐Kawase Sayaka , Narita‐Ohtaki Ryoko , Itoh Mariko , Kim Yoshiharu
Published: September 2015

Aim

This study developed the Japanese version of the Berkeley Expressivity Questionnaire (BEQ), a self‐report measure of three emotional expressivity facets, and provided evidence of its reliability and validity.

Methods

Five hundred and four students answered an online survey. To determine test–retest reliability, 241 of the participants completed the Japanese version of the BEQ again approximately 1 month after initial surveying was completed.

Results

Cronbach's alpha coefficients were 0.83 for the BEQ full scale, and 0.61–0.77 for subscales. Test–retest correlations were 0.61 for the full scale, and 0.57–0.61 for subscales. Construct validity was demonstrated by correlations between BEQ scores and scores on measures of emotional expressivity, self‐monitoring, self‐esteem, depression, “Big Five” (neuroticism, extraversion, openness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness) personality traits, and emotional control.

Conclusion

The Japanese version of the BEQ has adequate internal consistency, reliability, and construct validity. Test–retest reliability was lower than that of the original scale. This study was the first in Japan to develop a self‐rating questionnaire assessing multiple facets of emotional expressivity.
Rasch‐built Overall Disability Scale for Multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN‐RODS©)
Authors: Vanhoutte Els K. , Faber Catharina G. , van Nes Sonja I. , Cats Elisabeth A. , Van der Pol W.-Ludo , Gorson Kenneth C. , van Doorn Pieter A. , Cornblath David R. , van den Berg Leonard H. , Merkies Ingemar S. J. ,   on behalf of the PeriNomS Study Group
Published: September 2015

Clinical trials in multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) have often used ordinal‐based measures that may not accurately capture changes. We aimed to construct a disability interval outcome measure specifically for MMN using the Rasch model and to examine its clinimetric properties. A total of 146 preliminary activity and participation items were assessed twice (reliability studies) in 96 clinically stable MMN patients. These patients also assessed the ordinal‐based overall disability sum score (construct, sample‐dependent validity). The final Rasch‐built overall disability scale for MMN (MMN‐RODS©) was serially applied in 26 patients with newly diagnosed or relapsing MMN, treated with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) (1‐year follow‐up; responsiveness study). The magnitude of change for each patient was calculated using the minimum clinically important difference technique related to the individually obtained standard errors. A total of 121 items not fulfilling Rasch requirements were removed. The final 25‐item MMN‐RODS© fulfilled all Rasch model's expectations and showed acceptable reliability and validity including good discriminatory capacity. Most serially examined patients improved, but its magnitude was low, reflecting poor responsiveness. The constructed MMN‐RODS© is a disease‐specific, interval measure to detect activity limitations in patients with MMN and overcomes the shortcomings of ordinal scales. However, future clinimetric studies are needed to improve the MMN‐RODS©'s responsiveness by longer observations and/or more rigorous treatment regimens.
An Empowerment Model of Youth Financial Behavior
Authors: Angulo‐Ruiz Fernando , Pergelova Albena
Published: September 2015

The current study examines the antecedents of youth financial behavior. By grounding the conceptual framework on empowerment theory, we argue that in addition to financial knowledge other elements such as intrapersonal (e.g., locus of control and motivation) and interactional elements (e.g., parental financial teaching and behavior) also impact youth financial behavior. To test the hypotheses, structural equation modeling is used on a data set of youth from Western Canada. The results indicate that external locus of control has the highest total effect on youth financial behavior followed by parental influence and motivation. Findings are validated by performing several robustness checks and multigroup analysis. Organizations trying to influence youth financial behavior should broaden the understanding of empowerment to include personal worldview, motivation, as well as social surroundings.
Challenges and opportunities of undertaking a video ethnographic study to understand medication communication
Authors: Liu Wei , Gerdtz Marie , Manias Elizabeth
Published: September 2015

Aims and objectives

To examine the challenges and opportunities of undertaking a video ethnographic study on medication communication among nurses, doctors, pharmacists and patients.

Background

Video ethnography has proved to be a dynamic and useful method to explore clinical communication activities. This approach involves filming actual behaviours and activities of clinicians to develop new knowledge and to stimulate reflections of clinicians on their behaviours and activities. However, there is limited information about the complex negotiations required to use video ethnography in actual clinical practice.

Design

Discursive paper.

Method

A video ethnographic approach was used to gain better understanding of medication communication processes in two general medical wards of a metropolitan hospital in Melbourne, Australia. This paper presents the arduous and delicate process of gaining access into hospital wards to video‐record actual clinical practice and the methodological and ethical issues associated with video‐recording.

Conclusions

Obtaining access to clinical settings and clinician consent are the first hurdles of conducting a video ethnographic study. Clinicians may still feel intimidated or self‐conscious in being video recorded about their medication communication practices, which they could perceive as judgements being passed about their clinical competence. By thoughtful and strategic planning, video ethnography can provide in‐depth understandings of medication communication in acute care hospital settings. Ethical issues of informed consent, patient safety and respect for the confidentiality of patients and clinicians need to be carefully addressed to build up and maintain trusting relationships between researchers and participants in the clinical environment.

Relevance to clinical practice

By prudently considering the complex ethical and methodological concerns of using video ethnography, this approach can help to reveal the unpredictability and messiness of clinical practice. The visual data generated can stimulate clinicians' reflexivity about their norms of practice and bring about improved communication about managing medications.
‘The challenge to take charge of life with long‐term illness’: nurses' experiences of supporting patients' learning with the didactic model
Authors: Andersson Susanne , Svanström Rune , Ek Kristina , Rosén Helena , Berglund Mia
Published: September 2015

Aims and objectives

The aim of this implementation study is to describe nurses' experiences of supporting patient learning using the model called ‘The challenge to take charge of life with long‐term illness’.

Background

Supporting patient learning for those suffering from a long‐term illness is a complex art in nursing. Genuine learning occurs at a deep and existential level. If the patient's resistance to illness can be challenged and reflected upon, the patient may take charge of his/her life.

Design

The project lasted for 2 years and was initiated by a former patient on an assisted haemodialysis ward and involved 14 registered nurses. The project began with a session to review patients' learning and the didactic model. Monthly reflective meetings and group supervisions were held that focused on the nurses' experiences of supporting patient learning. Notes were written during these reflective meetings and group sessions.

Methods

Data collected from interviews, notes and written stories were subjected to phenomenological analysis.

Results

Three aspects of nurses' experiences of the learning support approach were assessed: To have the courage to listen sincerely, a movement from providing information to supporting learning, and to let the patient indicate the direction. The approach resulted in an increased focus on genuine dialogue and the courage to encourage patients to take charge of their health process.

Conclusions

The changes in nurses' approach to learning support reveal that they shift from providing information on the disease, illness and treatment to strengthening and supporting the patient in making decisions and taking responsibility. For nurses, the change entails accepting the patient's goals and regarding their own role as supportive rather than controlling. The didactic model and involved supervision contributed to the change in the nurses' approach.

Relevance to clinical practice

The didactic model might be useful in caring for persons with long‐term illness, making the care more person‐centred and enhancing the patient's self‐care ability.
Adherence to hand hygiene guidelines – significance of measuring fidelity
Authors: Korhonen Anne , Ojanperä Helena , Puhto Teija , Järvinen Raija , Kejonen Pirjo , Holopainen Arja
Published: September 2015

Aims and objectives

The aim was to evaluate the usability of fidelity measures in compliance evaluation of hand hygiene.

Background

Adherence to hand hygiene guidelines is important in terms of patient safety. Compliance measures seldom describe how exactly the guidelines are followed.

Design and methods

A cross‐sectional observation study in a university hospital setting was conducted. Direct observation by trained staff was performed using a standardised observation form supplemented by fidelity criteria. A total of 830 occasions were observed in 13 units. Descriptive statistics (frequency, mean, percentages and range) were used as well as compliance rate by using a standard web‐based tool. In addition, the binomial standard normal deviate test was conducted for comparing different methods used in evaluation of hand hygiene and in comparison between professional groups.

Results

Measuring fidelity to guidelines was revealed to be useful in uncovering gaps in hand hygiene practices. The main gap related to too short duration of hand rubbing. Thus, although compliance with hand hygiene guidelines measured using a standard web‐based tool was satisfactory, the degree of how exactly the guidelines were followed seemed to be critical.

Conclusions

Combining the measurement of fidelity to guidelines with the compliance rate is beneficial in revealing inconsistency between optimal and actual hand hygiene behaviour.

Relevance to clinical practice

Evaluating fidelity measures is useful in terms of revealing the gaps between optimal and actual performance in hand hygiene. Fidelity measures are suitable in different healthcare contexts and easy to measure according to the relevant indicators of fidelity, such as the length of hand rubbing. Knowing the gap facilitates improvements in clinical practice.
Core self‐evaluations, perceptions of group potency, and job performance: The moderating role of individualism and collectivism cultural profiles
Authors: O'Neill Thomas A. , McLarnon Matthew J. W. , Xiu Luyao , Law Stephanie J.
Published: September 2015

The current study examines the contingency role of individualism‐collectivism profiles on relationships involving core self‐evaluations (CSE), perceptions of group potency (PGP), and job performance. Theories of individualism and collectivism have thus far been mixed as to whether these are two distinct constructs or a single bipolar continuum, so latent profiles were considered as a novel perspective on this issue. A sample of 167 employees working in a Chinese vehicle manufacturing facility completed self‐report measures of all study variables except job performance, which was measured through supervisor ratings. Latent profile analyses revealed two profiles with either individualism or collectivism as dominant but not both. Further, CSE was a stronger predictor of job performance in employees with an individualism‐dominant cultural profile, whereas PGP was a stronger predictor of job performance in employees with a collectivism‐dominant cultural profile. As such, research investigating the main effects of CSE and PGP may overlook the qualifier of individualism‐ versus collectivism‐dominant cultural orientations. We offer theoretical and practical considerations regarding how employees experience individualism and collectivism simultaneously and how these experiences affect the interplay of predictor–criterion relations.

Practitioner points

Employees appear to experience one of two patterns or profiles of individualism or collectivism, such that the employee is relatively high on one construct and low on the other.

Supervisors, trainers, and coaches need to consider profiles of individualism and collectivism, as the value of emphasizing core self‐evaluations versus perceptions of group potency to enhance job performance depends on the particular employee's dominance on either individualism or collectivism.
Periodontal treatment and HbA1c levels in subjects with diabetes mellitus
Authors: Altamash M. , Klinge B. , Engström P.‐E.
Published: September 2015

It has earlier been reported that individuals with poorly controlled diabetes have severe periodontal disease (PD) compared to well‐controlled diabetes. This longitudinal interventional study compared periodontal treatment outcomes with HbA1c level changes in four groups of diabetic and non‐diabetic patients with or without PD, respectively. HbA1c, bleeding on probing (BOP), plaque index and periodontal pocket depth (PPD) 4 < 6 mm and ≥6 mm were recorded at baseline to 3 months after non‐surgical treatment and 3–6 months for surgical treatment in subjects with or without T2D, and with or without PD. A total of 129 patients were followed from baseline to 6 months. Diabetics with PD and without PD showed reductions in HbA1c levels with a mean value of 0·3% after 3 months and mean values of 1% and 0·8%, respectively, after 6 months. Diabetics with PD showed higher levels of BOP versus non‐diabetics without PD (P < 0·01) and versus diabetics without PD (P < 0·05) at baseline. After 6 months, diabetics with PD showed higher number of PPD 4 < 6 mm versus diabetics without PD (P < 0·01) and non‐diabetics with PD (P < 0·01). Diabetics without PD showed higher levels of PPD 4 < 6 mm versus non‐diabetics without PD (P < 0·01). Surgical and non‐surgical periodontal treatment in all groups improved periodontal inflammatory conditions with a decrease in HbA1c levels in a period of three and 6 months. No change was seen in the number of pockets PPD 4 < 6 mm in diabetic subjects with PD after non‐surgical and surgical treatment.
Nucleotide‐binding oligomerization domain 2 (NOD2) activation induces apoptosis of human oral squamous cell carcinoma cells
Authors: Yoon Hyo‐Eun , Ahn Mee‐Young , Kwon Seong‐Min , Kim Dong‐Jae , Lee Jun , Yoon Jung‐Hoon
Published: September 2015

Objectives

Microbial Pattern‐recognition receptors (PRRs), such as nucleotide‐binding oligomerization domains (NODs), are essential for mammalian innate immune response. This study was designed to determine the effect of NOD1 and NOD2 agonist on innate immune responses and antitumor activity in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells.

Materials and Methods

NODs expression was examined by RT‐PCR, and IL‐8 production by NODs agonist was examined by ELISA. Western blot analysis was performed to determine the MAPK activation in response to their agonist. Cell proliferation was determined by MTT assay. Flow cytometry and Western blot analysis were performed to determine the MDP‐induced cell death.

Results

The levels of NODs were apparently expressed in OSCC cells. NODs agonist, Tri‐DAP and MDP, led to the production of IL‐8 and MAPK activation. NOD2 agonist, MDP, inhibited the proliferation of YD‐10B cells in a dose‐dependent manner. Also, the ratio of Annexin V‐positive cells and cleaved PARP was increased by MDP treatment in YD‐10B cells, suggesting that MDP‐induced cell death in YD‐10B cells may be owing to apoptosis.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that NODs are functionally expressed in OSCC cells and can trigger innate immune responses. In addition, NOD2 agonist inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis. These findings provide the potential value of MDP as novel candidates for antitumor agents of OSCC.
CLA and CD62E expression in oral lichen planus lesions
Authors: Werneck Juliana Tristão , Dias Eliane Pedra , Gonçalves Lucio Souza , Silva Junior Arley
Published: September 2015

Objective

There are few reports on the migration of CLA+ T cells through E‐selectin in cutaneous lichen planus, with only one study on oral lichen planus (OLP). This study aimed to analyze CLA expression and assess whether there is a correlation with E‐selectin (CD62E) in OLP lesions.

Material and methods

Biopsies were performed on 11 patients including two areas: one without clinical and histopathological features of OLP [perilesional group (PLG)] and the other with clinical and histopathological features of OLP [OLP group (OLPG)]. The specimens obtained were divided into two: One was fixed in formalin for routine analysis (H&E), and the other was frozen for CD3, CD4, CD8, CLA, and CD62E immunofluorescence markers.

Results

More CD4+ (median 1409, range 860–2519), CD8+ (median 1568, range 654–3258), and CLA+ T cells (median 958, range 453–2198) and higher CD62E expression (median 37, range 27–85) were identified in OLPG (P = 0.003; P = 0.003; P = 0.004; P = 0.003, respectively) than those in PLG. The median prevalence analysis was also significantly higher for CLA+CD8+ T cells in OLPG (OLPG = 39.4%, range 18.4–64.2; PLG = 29.4%, range 12.1–47.1) (P = 0.026). None of the correlations between CD3+ or CLA+ T cells and CD62E in OLPG and in PLG were significant.

Conclusion

The significant presence of CLA+ T cells and E‐selectin expressions in the OLPG suggests their involvement in the etiopathogenesis of OLP; however, only a weak correlation between CLA+ T cells and E‐selectin was observed.
Middle School Students' Perceptions of Safety: A Mixed‐Methods Study
Authors: Sweeney Shannon M. , Von Hagen Leigh Ann
Published: September 2015

BACKGROUND

Active travel to school has been on the decline, despite its beneficial influence on children's current and future well‐being. Adults' safety perceptions have been shown to influence children's active travel. Children's perceptions, particularly of safety, may be an important link not only to their present health and travel behaviors, but also their future health and behaviors. This study examined middle school students' perceptions of the built environment and safety.

METHODS

Overall, 776 students from 3 schools in Hudson County, New Jersey participated in a visual survey and structured, interactive classroom discussions. Emergent themes from the discussions were tested using multivariate statistical models.

RESULTS

Findings suggest that older students, boys, and students who self‐identified as black, rated built environment scenes as safer. Students also perceived being near adults, traveling in a group, and using crosswalks as significantly safer and want additional recognition of these to further improve safety. Students perceived that being near a school, in daylight, and aesthetics as factors contributing to safety.

CONCLUSIONS

Schools and municipalities may increase programs for students to travel in groups, prioritize maintenance in school zones, and increase the number of crossing guards, particularly outside the immediate school proximity to further improve safety.
Utilizing Wisconsin Afterschool Programs to Increase Physical Activity in Youth
Authors: Cavanagh Bradley D. , Meinen Amy
Published: September 2015

BACKGROUND

Approximately 31.7% of children in the United States are overweight or obese. Interventions in the afterschool setting may help combat childhood obesity. Research exists on interventions in school settings, but a few data exist for interventions about afterschool programs. This study investigates increasing physical activity (PA) in Wisconsin afterschool programs.

METHODS

A literature review was used to develop key informant interviews. Utilizing a constant comparative method, interview data were coded and themes were identified. The themes, literature review, and expert opinions were used to formulate recommendations for improving PA in afterschool programs.

RESULTS

Programs had success in utilizing different resources to improve PA. Key barriers to improving PA included grant‐imposed academic restrictions, the need for provider education, fears of conflict and competitiveness, and a lack of understanding between health and sedentariness.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a clear need for additional exploration into improving PA in Wisconsin afterschool programs. This study resulted in specific recommendations to increase PA in afterschool programming, including utilizing school wellness policies and staff professional development to improve PA in afterschool programs.
A New Method for Identifying Recombinations of Existing Knowledge Associated with High‐Impact Innovation
Authors: Mukherjee Satyam , Uzzi Brian , Jones Ben , Stringer Michael
Published: September 2015

How existing technologies and ideas are recombined into new innovations remains an important question, particularly as the store of prior technology, art, and work expands at an increasing rate. Yet, methodologies for identifying effective recombinations remain a nascent area of research. This paper extends our previous work, which developed a network methodology for assessing a scientific article's recombinations of prior work. The methodology uses information from the entire co‐citation network of all papers recorded in the Web of Science to identify combinations of prior work that are conventional or atypical and then identifies the virtuous mix of conventional and atypical pairings associated with high impact work. Here, we summarize our prior method and findings, present new findings, and perform a case study application to the field of management science. First, the results show that despite an ever‐increasing frontier of possible new combinations of prior work, atypical combinations of prior work are becoming increasingly rare with time, while the distribution of conventional pairings is increasing with time. Second, our analyses show that with time the atypical pairings found in hit papers have a relatively stable mean rate at which they become conventional pairing. Nevertheless, the variance around the mean is growing significantly, which indicates that there is a greater tendency over time for novel pairings either to be virtually never used again or to become conventional pairings.
Cardiovascular–renal axis disorders in the domestic dog and cat: a veterinary consensus statement
Authors: Pouchelon J. L. , Atkins C. E. , Bussadori C. , Oyama M. A. , Vaden S. L. , Bonagura J. D. , Chetboul V. , Cowgill L. D. , Elliot J. , Francey T. , Grauer G. F. , Luis Fuentes V. , Sydney Moise N. , Polzin D. J. , Van Dongen A. M. , Van Israël N.
Published: September 2015

OBJECTIVES

There is a growing understanding of the complexity of interplay between renal and cardiovascular systems in both health and disease. The medical profession has adopted the term “cardiorenal syndrome” (CRS) to describe the pathophysiological relationship between the kidney and heart in disease.CRShas yet to be formally defined and described by the veterinary profession and its existence and importance in dogs and cats warrant investigation. TheCRSConsensus Group, comprising nine veterinary cardiologists and seven nephrologists from Europe and North America, sought to achieve consensus around the definition, pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of dogs and cats with “cardiovascular‐renal disorders” (CvRD). To this end, the Delphi formal methodology for defining/building consensus and defining guidelines was utilised.

METHODS

Following a literature review, 13 candidate statements regardingCvRDin dogs and cats were tested for consensus, using a modified Delphi method. As a new area of interest, well‐designed studies, specific toCRS/CvRD, are lacking, particularly in dogs and cats. Hence, while scientific justification of all the recommendations was sought and used when available, recommendations were largely reliant on theory, expert opinion, small clinical studies and extrapolation from data derived from other species.

RESULTS

Of the 13 statements, 11 achieved consensus and 2 did not. The modified Delphi approach worked well to achieve consensus in an objective manner and to develop initial guidelines forCvRD.

DISCUSSION

The resultant manuscript describes consensus statements for the definition, classification, diagnosis and management strategies for veterinary patients withCvRD, with an emphasis on the pathological interplay between the two organ systems. By formulating consensus statements regardingCvRDin veterinary medicine, the authors hope to stimulate interest in and advancement of the understanding and management ofCvRDin dogs and cats. The use of a formalised method for consensus and guideline development should be considered for other topics in veterinary medicine.
Association Between Objectively Measured Physical Activity and Erectile Dysfunction among a Nationally Representative Sample of American Men
Authors: Loprinzi Paul D. , Edwards Meghan
Published: September 2015

Introduction

Emerging work suggests an inverse association between physical activity and erectile dysfunction (ED). The majority of this cross-sectional research comes from convenience samples and all studies on this topic have employed self-report physical activity methodology.

Aim

Therefore, the purpose of this brief-report, confirmatory research study was to examine the association between objectively measured physical activity and ED in a national sample of Americans.

Methods

Data from the 2003–2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were used. Six hundred ninety-two adults between the ages of 50 and 85 years (representing 33.2 million adults) constituted the analytic sample. Participants wore an ActiGraph 7164 accelerometer (ActiGraph, Pensacola, FL, USA) for up to 7 days with ED assessed via self-report.

Main Outcome Measure

The main outcome measure used was ED assessed via self-report.

Results

After adjustments, for every 30 min/day increase in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, participants had a 43% reduced odds of having ED (odds ratioadjusted = 0.57; 95% confidence interval: 0.40–0.81; P = 0.004).

Conclusion

This confirmatory study employing an objective measure of physical activity in a national sample suggests an inverse association between physical activity and ED.
Effect of Vortioxetine vs. Escitalopram on Sexual Functioning in Adults with Well-Treated Major Depressive Disorder Experiencing SSRI-Induced Sexual Dysfunction
Authors: Jacobsen P. L. , Mahableshwarkar A. R. , Chen Y. , Chrones L. , Clayton A. H.
Published: September 2015

Introduction

Sexual dysfunction is common with serotonergic antidepressants, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), and does not resolve in most patients. Vortioxetine, an antidepressant with a multimodal mechanism of action, has shown low rates of sexual dysfunction in previous major depressive disorder (MDD) trials.

Aim

This study compared the effects of vortioxetine and escitalopram on sexual functioning in adults with well-treated MDD experiencing treatment-emergent sexual dysfunction (TESD).

Methods

Participants treated with, and responding to, citalopram, paroxetine, or sertraline were randomized to switch to either vortioxetine (10/20 mg; n = 225) or escitalopram (10/20 mg; n = 222) for 8 weeks. Sexual function was assessed using the Changes in Sexual Functioning Questionnaire Short Form (CSFQ-14), and antidepressant efficacy was assessed using the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), Clinical Global Impressions (CGI) scale, and Profile of Mood States brief form (POMS-brief). Safety and tolerability were also assessed.

Main Outcome Measures

The primary endpoint was change from baseline in the CSFQ-14 total score after 8 weeks of treatment. The MADRS, CGI, and POMS-brief were used to assess antidepressant efficacy. Safety was assessed via adverse events, vital signs, electrocardiograms, laboratory values, weight, and physical examination findings.

Results

Vortioxetine showed significantly greater improvements in CSFQ-14 total score (8.8 ± 0.64, mean ± standard error) vs. escitalopram (6.6 ± 0.64; P  = 0.013). Benefits vs. escitalopram were significant on four of five dimensions and all three phases of sexual functioning assessed by the CSFQ-14 (P  < 0.05). Antidepressant efficacy continued in both groups, with similar, but slight, improvements in MADRS and CGI scores. Vortioxetine and escitalopram had similar clinical efficacy profiles in this study, with safety profiles similar to previous trials. Nausea (n = 9, 4.0%) was the most common treatment-emergent adverse event leading to discontinuation of vortioxetine.

Conclusion

Switching antidepressant therapy to vortioxetine may be beneficial for patients experiencing sexual dysfunction during antidepressant therapy with SSRIs.
Thoracic Ultrasonography and Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid Analysis inHolstein Calves with Subclinical Lung Lesions
Authors: Ollivett T.L. , Caswell J.L. , Nydam D.V. , Duffield T. , Leslie K.E. , Hewson J. , Kelton D.
Published: September 2015

Background

Thoracic ultrasonography (US) and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) analysis are antemortem methods used to identify the lung lesions associated with bovine respiratory disease (BRD). Accuracy ofUSand the cell distributions inBALFhave not been characterized in calves with subclinical disease.

Objectives

To evaluate the accuracy ofUSandBALFand describeBALFcharacteristics in calves with subclinical lung lesions.

Animals

Twenty‐five Holstein calves, 1–12 weeks old.

Methods

In this prospective study, calves with low respiratory scores underwentUS,BALFand postmortem examination (normalUS, n = 5; comet‐tails, n = 5; consolidation, n = 15). Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was collected and analyzed for total and differential cell counts. Lung lesions were assessed by gross and histopathologic examination. Data were analyzed using nonparametric methods and relative risk analysis. The accuracy ofUSandBALFwere estimated relative to postmortem examination.

Results

The sensitivity and specificity ofUSfor detecting lung lesions was 94% (95%CI, 69–100%) and 100% (95%CI, 64–100%), respectively. A cut‐point of ≥4%BALFneutrophils was associated with the highestBALFsensitivity and specificity, 81% (95%CI, 56–94%) and 75% (95%CI, 36–95%). The presence of consolidation onUSincreased the risk of having aBALFneutrophil proportion ≥4% (RR, 3.9; 95%CI, 1.13–13.45;P = .003).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Ultrasonography accurately detects lung lesions in calves with subclinical disease. Clinicians should use a cut‐point of ≥4%BALFneutrophils to diagnose subclinical respiratory disease.
“You Can Turn off the Light If You'd Like”: Pediatric Health Care Visits for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder as an Interactional Achievement
Authors: Solomon Olga , Angell Amber M. , Yin Larry , Lawlor Mary C.
Published: September 2015

Substantial scholarship has been generated in medical anthropology and other social science fields on typically developing child–parent–doctor interactions during health care visits. This article contributes an ethnographic, longitudinal, discourse analytic account of a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)–parent–doctor interactions that occur during pediatric and neurology visits. The analysis shows that when a child with ASD walks into the doctor's office, the tacit expectations about the visit may have to be renegotiated to facilitate the child's, the parent's, and the doctor's participation in the interaction. A successful visit then becomes a hard‐won achievement that requires the interactional and relational work of all three participants. We demonstrate that communicative and sensory limitations imposed by ASD present unique challenges to all the participants and consider how health care disparities may invade the pediatric encounter, making visible the structural and interactional processes that engender them.
Predictors of micronutrient powder sachet coverage in Nepal
Authors: Jefferds Maria Elena D. , Mirkovic Kelsey R. , Subedi Giri Raj , Mebrahtu Saba , Dahal Pradiumna , Perrine Cria G.
Published: September 2015

Many countries implement micronutrient powder (MNP) programmes to improve the nutritional status of young children. Little is known about the predictors of MNP coverage for different delivery models. We describe MNP coverage of an infant and young child feeding and MNP intervention for children aged 6–23 months comparing two delivery models piloted in rural Nepal: distributing MNPs either by female community health volunteers (FCHVs) or at health facilities (HFs). Cross‐sectional household cluster surveys were conducted in four pilot districts among mothers of children 6–23 months after starting MNP distribution. FCHVs in each cluster were also surveyed. We used logistic regression to describe predictors of initial coverage (obtaining a batch of 60 MNP sachets) at 3 months and repeat coverage (≥2 times coverage among eligible children) at 15 months after project launch. At 15 months, initial and repeat coverage were higher in the FCHV model, although no differences were observed at 3 months. Attending an FCHV‐led mothers' group meeting where MNP was discussed increased odds of any coverage in both models at 3 months and of repeat coverage in the HF model at 15 months. Perceiving ≥1 positive effects in the child increased odds of repeat coverage in both delivery models. A greater portion of FCHV volunteers from the FCHV model vs. the HF model reported increased burden at 3 and 15 months (not statistically significant). Designing MNP programmes that maximise coverage without overburdening the system can be challenging and more than one delivery model may be needed.
Flight‐induced changes in gene expression in the Glanville fritillary butterfly
Authors: Kvist Jouni , Mattila Anniina L. K. , Somervuo Panu , Ahola Virpi , Koskinen Patrik , Paulin Lars , Salmela Leena , Fountain Toby , Rastas Pasi , Ruokolainen Annukka , Taipale Minna , Holm Liisa , Auvinen Petri , Lehtonen Rainer , Frilander Mikko J. , Hanski Ilkka
Published: September 2015

Insect flight is one of the most energetically demanding activities in the animal kingdom, yet for many insects flight is necessary for reproduction and foraging. Moreover, dispersal by flight is essential for the viability of species living in fragmented landscapes. Here, working on the Glanville fritillary butterfly (Melitaea cinxia), we use transcriptome sequencing to investigate gene expression changes caused by 15 min of flight in two contrasting populations and the two sexes. Male butterflies and individuals from a large metapopulation had significantly higher peak flight metabolic rate (FMR) than female butterflies and those from a small inbred population. In the pooled data, FMR was significantly positively correlated with genome‐wide heterozygosity, a surrogate of individual inbreeding. The flight experiment changed the expression level of 1513 genes, including genes related to major energy metabolism pathways, ribosome biogenesis and RNA processing, and stress and immune responses. Males and butterflies from the population with high FMR had higher basal expression of genes related to energy metabolism, whereas females and butterflies from the small population with low FMR had higher expression of genes related to ribosome/RNA processing and immune response. Following the flight treatment, genes related to energy metabolism were generally down‐regulated, while genes related to ribosome/RNA processing and immune response were up‐regulated. These results suggest that common molecular mechanisms respond to flight and can influence differences in flight metabolic capacity between populations and sexes.
Effect of Pulse‐and‐Glide Strategy on Traffic Flow for a Platoon of Mixed Automated and Manually Driven Vehicles
Authors: Li Shengbo Eben , Deng Kun , Zheng Yang , Peng Huei
Published: September 2015

The fuel consumption of ground vehicles is significantly affected by how they are driven. The fuel‐optimized vehicular automation technique can improve fuel economy for the host vehicle, but their effectiveness on a platoon of vehicles is still unknown. This article studies the performance of a well‐known fuel‐optimized vehicle automation strategy, i.e., Pulse‐and‐Glide (PnG) operation, on traffic smoothness and fuel economy in a mixed traffic flow. The mixed traffic flow is assumed to be a single‐lane highway on flat road consisting of both driverless and manually driven vehicles. The driverless vehicles are equipped with fuel economy‐oriented automated controller using the PnG strategy. The manually driven vehicles are simulated using the Intelligent Driver Models (IDM) to mimic the average car‐following behavior of human drivers in naturalistic traffics. A series of simulations are conducted with three scenarios, i.e., a single car, a car section, and a car platoon. The simulation results show that the PnG strategy can significantly improve the fuel economy of individual vehicles. For traffic flows, the fuel economy and traffic smoothness vary significantly under the PnG strategy.
Stereochemical conversion of C3‐vinyl group to 1‐hydroxyethyl group in bacteriochlorophyll c by the hydratases BchF and BchV: adaptation of green sulfur bacteria to limited‐light environments
Authors: Harada Jiro , Teramura Misato , Mizoguchi Tadashi , Tsukatani Yusuke , Yamamoto Ken , Tamiaki Hitoshi
Published: September 2015

Photosynthetic green sulfur bacteria inhabit anaerobic environments with very low‐light conditions. To adapt to such environments, these bacteria have evolved efficient light‐harvesting antenna complexes called as chlorosomes, which comprise self‐aggregated bacteriochlorophyll c in the model green sulfur, bacterium Chlorobaculum tepidum. The pigment possess a hydroxy group at the C31 position that produces a chiral center with R‐ or S‐stereochemistry and the C31‐hydroxy group serves as a connecting moiety for the self‐aggregation. Chlorobaculum tepidum carries the two possible homologous genes for C3‐vinyl hydratase, bchF and bchV. In the present study, we constructed deletion mutants of each of these genes. Pigment analyses of the bchF‐inactivated mutant, which still has BchV as a sole hydratase, showed higher ratios of S‐epimeric bacteriochlorophyll c than the wild‐type strain. The heightened prevalence of S‐stereoisomers in the mutant was more remarkable at lower light intensities and caused a red shift of the chlorosomal Qy absorption band leading to advantages for light‐energy transfer. In contrast, the bchV‐mutant possessing only BchF showed a significant decrease of the S‐epimers and accumulations of C3‐vinyl BChl c species. As trans‐ criptional level of bchV was upregulated at lower light intensity, the Chlorobaculum tepidum adapted to low‐light environments by control of the bchV transcription.
Reactive responses of zebras to lion encounters shape their predator–prey space game at large scale
Authors: Courbin Nicolas , Loveridge Andrew J. , Macdonald David W. , Fritz Hervé , Valeix Marion , Makuwe Edwin T. , Chamaillé‐Jammes Simon
Published: September 2015

The predator–prey space game and the costs associated with risk effects are affected by prey 1) proactive adjustments (when prey modify their behaviour in response to an a priori assessment of the risk level) and 2) reactive adjustments (when prey have detected an immediate threat). Proactive adjustments are generally well‐studied, whereas the frequency, strength and duration of reactive adjustments remain largely unknown. We studied the space use and habitat selection of GPS‐collared zebrasEquus quaggafrom 2 to 48 h after an encounter with lionsPanthera leo. Lion–zebra encounters generally occurred close to artificial waterholes (< 1 km). Two hours after an encounter, zebras were more likely to have fled than stay when the encounter occurred in more risky bushy areas. During their flight, zebras selected grasslands more than usual, getting great visibility. Regardless of their initial response, zebras finally fled at the end of the night and reached areas located far from waterholes where encounters with lions are less frequent. The large‐scale flights (∼4–5 km) of zebras led to a local zebra depression for lions. Zebras that had fled immediately after the encounter resumed their behaviour of coming close to waterholes on the following day. However, zebras that had initially stayed remained far from waterholes for an extra 24 h, remaining an elusive prey for longer. The delay in the flight decision had different short‐term consequences on the lion–zebra game. We reveal that the spatial context of the encounter shapes the immediate response of prey, and that encountering predators induces strong behavioural responses: prey flee towards distant, safer, areas and have a constrained use of key resource areas which are at the heart of the predator–prey game at larger spatio‐temporal scales. Nighttime encounters were infrequent (once every 35 days on average), zebra responses were short‐lived (< 36 h) but occurred over a large spatial scale (several km).