bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Outcome measures for adult and pediatric hemophilia patients with inhibitors
Authors: Hermans Cedric , Auerswald Günter , Benson Gary , Dolan Gerry , Duffy Anne , Jiménez‐Yuste Victor , Ljung Rolf , Morfini Massimo , Lambert Thierry , Osooli Mehdi , Zupančić Šalek Silva
Published: March 2017

Recent advancements in almost all aspects of hemophilia treatment have vastly improved patient care and management, and new and emerging treatments hold the promise of further progress. However, there remains a scarcity of data on long‐term outcomes in hemophilia, particularly among those patients with inhibitors, for whom no validated outcome assessment tools are currently available. At the 15th Zürich Haemophilia Forum, an expert panel reviewed the most important outcome measures in inhibitor patients and considered the challenges associated with assessing outcomes in this population. A framework for outcome assessment in inhibitor patients incorporates traditional hemophilia outcome measures, such as bleed frequency and mortality, alongside measures of health, functioning, disability, social participation, quality of life, and economic considerations. It is important to remember that inhibitor patients differ in their clinical needs, perspectives, and priorities according to age, inhibitor status, degree of joint disease, and activity levels; as a result, the relative importance of different outcome measures will change throughout an inhibitor patient's life. Challenges inherent in measuring long‐term outcomes in inhibitor patients include the small number of known patients, the subjective nature of many outcome assessment tools, and the risk of overburdening patients with repeated requests to complete questionnaires or participate in studies. Therefore, there is an urgent need to reach consensus on the most important and appropriate assessment tools for measuring outcomes in this population. These tools should ideally be standardized, easily applied, and internationally applicable in order to collect and generate quality outcome data.
Social Capital Formation in EU ICT SMEs: The Role Played by the Mobility of Knowledge Workers
Authors: Nikolopoulos Kanellos‐Panagiotis , Dana Leo‐Paul
Published: March 2017

This paper aims to describe the process of social capital formation in information and communication technologies (ICT) small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in incubators in various European Union regions as part of the entrepreneurial process. It provides insights regarding understanding the growth process in EU ICT SMEs by connecting the formation of social capital and networks with current work trends of ICT knowledge workers. Utilising Bourdieu and Wacquant's reflexive sociology and their comprehensive theory of capital transformation, including cultural capital, it stresses the central role played by social capital formation in company growth in the sector under study. Simultaneously, it provides a theoretical explanation for challenges ICT entrepreneurs face in this process because of changing work patterns.
Visual hallucinations in patients with acute stroke: a prospective exploratory study
Authors: Morenas‐Rodríguez E. , Camps‐Renom P. , Pérez‐Cordón A. , Horta‐Barba A. , Simón‐Talero M. , Cortés‐Vicente E. , Guisado‐Alonso D. , Vilaplana E. , García‐Sánchez C. , Gironell A. , Roig C. , Delgado‐Mederos R. , Martí‐Fàbregas J.
Published: March 2017

Background and purpose

The incidence, underlying physiopathology, features and association with lesion topography of visual hallucinations in acute stroke have scarcely been investigated.

Methods

Patients with a diagnosis of acute stroke (ischaemic or haemorrhagic) in any vascular territory, admitted within 24 h after the onset of symptoms, were consecutively included in the study. Patients with a previous history of psychosis or cognitive impairment were excluded. They and/or their caregivers answered a structured hallucination and sleep questionnaire at admission, within the first 15 days and at the clinical follow‐up 3–6 months after discharge. Lesion location (IMAIOS online atlas) and leukoaraiosis (Wahlund scale) were determined by magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography scan. Subsets of patients also underwent a neuropsychological evaluation (N = 50) and an electroencephalogram (N = 33) before discharge.

Results

In all, 77 patients with a mean age of 71 ± 12 years were included of whom 57.1% were men. The incidence of visual hallucinations was 16.7%. These hallucinations were mostly complex, in black and white and self‐limited. The appearance of hallucinations was not influenced by age, sex, neuropsychological performance during admission or modified Rankin scale score at discharge. Visual hallucinations were associated with occipital cortex lesions (P = 0.04), and with sleep disturbances during and before admission (P = 0.041 and P = 0.03 respectively).

Conclusions

Visual hallucinations are relatively frequent in patients with acute stroke and they are self‐limited. Patients with occipital lesions and sleep disturbances are more likely to suffer them.
Long‐term white matter tract reorganization following prolonged febrile seizures
Authors: Pujar Suresh S. , Seunarine Kiran K. , Martinos Marina M. , Neville Brian G. R. , Scott Rod C. , Chin Richard F. M. , Clark Chris A.
Published: March 2017

Objective

Diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies have demonstrated acute white matter changes following prolonged febrile seizures (PFS), but their longer‐term evolution is unknown. We investigated a population‐based cohort to determine white matter diffusion properties 8 years after PFS.

Methods

We used diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and applied Tract‐Based Spatial Statistics for voxel‐wise comparison of white matter microstructure between 26 children with PFS and 27 age‐matched healthy controls. Age, gender, handedness, and hippocampal volumes were entered as covariates for voxel‐wise analysis.

Results

Mean duration between the episode of PFS and follow‐up was 8.2 years (range 6.7–9.6). All children were neurologically normal, and had normal conventional neuroimaging. On voxel‐wise analysis, compared to controls, the PFS group had (1) increased fractional anisotropy in early maturing central white matter tracts, (2) increased mean and axial diffusivity in several peripheral white matter tracts and late‐maturing central white matter tracts, and (3) increased radial diffusivity in peripheral white matter tracts. None of the tracts had reduced fractional anisotropy or diffusivity indices in the PFS group.

Significance

In this homogeneous, population‐based sample, we found increased fractional anisotropy in early maturing central white matter tracts and increased mean and axial diffusivity with/without increased radial diffusivity in several late‐maturing peripheral white matter tracts 8 years post‐PFS. We propose disruption in white matter maturation secondary to seizure‐induced axonal injury, with subsequent neuroplasticity and microstructural reorganization as a plausible explanation.
Synonymy and circum‐tropical biogeography of the Devonian calcareous alga Zeapora Penecke, 1894 (Chlorophyta, Bryopsidales)
Authors: Hubmann Bernhard , Reuter Markus
Published: March 2017

The taxonomy of Zeapora Penecke, 1894 has a long but inconsistent taxonomic history. Originally identified as cyclostomate bryozoan, it was later assigned to the trepostomate bryozoans, amphiporid stromatoporoids, thamnoporid tabulate corals and dasycladacean algae before it was finally classified as Halimedaceae or Udoteaceae. Based on newly collected material from the type locality in the Graz Paleozoic (Eastern Alps, Austria) the taxonomic description of the type species Z. gracilis is emended and the udoteacean genus Litanaella Schuysky & Schirschova, 1987 is placed in synonymy with Zeapora. Following this opinion, Zeapora remains no longer endemic in the alpine Noric Terrane but shows a peculiar circum‐tropical distribution during the Early to Middle Devonian similar to modern Halimeda.
Ceria‐doped scandia‐stabilized zirconia (10Sc2O3·1CeO2·89ZrO2) as electrolyte for SOFCs: Sintering and ionic conductivity of thin, flat sheets
Authors: Escardino Agustín , Belda Adriana , Orts Maria‐Jose , Gozalbo Ana
Published: March 2017

In this study, thin, flat sheets, about 90 μm thick, were prepared from ceria‐doped scandia‐stabilized zirconia with molecular formula 10Sc2O3·1CeO2·89 ZrO2 (10Sc1CeSZ) by tape casting and subsequent sintering at different thermal cycles. A sintering thermal cycle was selected that yielded defect‐free flat sheets, with practically negligible porosity (between 0.35% and 0.10%) and average grain diameters ranging from 1.32 to 6.30 μm. Ionic conductivity at 600°C was as high as 21 mS/cm. Ionic conductivity increased with average grain diameters up to 2.7 μm. At higher average grain diameters, conductivity remained practically constant.
Impact of diabetic ketoacidosis management in the medical intensive care unit after order set implementation
Authors: Laliberte Benjamin , Yeung Siu Yan Amy , Gonzales Jeffrey P
Published: March 2017

Objective

To determine the rate of compliance to the 2006 and 2009 ADA DKA guidelines in the medical intensive care unit (MICU) at a large academic medical centre after the implementation of a computerised DKA order set and protocol.

Methods

Retrospective chart review of adult patients with DKA admitted to the MICU. Results of pre-order set (PRE) were compared to those of data post-order set (POST). The primary outcome was a composite administration of intravenous fluid resuscitation in the first 24 h, insulin bolus and initial insulin infusion rate.

Key findings

Twelve of 60 patients (20%) in the PRE group received treatment compliant with the 2006 guidelines versus 14 of 55 patients (25.5%) in the POST group (OR 1.22 95% CI 0.44 to 3.4, P = 0.51). Compliance to the 2009 guidelines was significantly higher in the POST group (31.7% versus 65.5%, OR 4.44 95% CI 1.8 to 10.92, P = 0.0004). Compliance for individual components was 26.7% versus 70.9% for fluid resuscitation (P = 0.0001), 55% versus 49.1% for insulin bolus (P = 0.58) and 60% versus 81.3% for initial insulin infusion rate (P = 0.014), respectively. Time to DKA resolution was decreased (P = 0.04), and hypoglycaemia was increased (P = 0.0022).

Conclusion

Implementation of a computerised DKA order set and protocol was associated with improved compliance to the 2009 ADA DKA guidelines, 24-h fluid resuscitation, initial insulin infusion rate, time to DKA resolution and appropriate transition to subcutaneous insulin. However, patients in the POST implementation group were more likely to exhibit hypoglycaemia. Future assessment is warranted.
Determinants of Homeownership among Immigrants: Changes during the Great Recession and Beyond
Authors: Mundra Kusum , Oyelere Ruth Uwaifo
Published: March 2017

In this paper, we explore factors correlated with immigrant homeownership before and after the Great Recession. We focus solely on immigrants because of recent evidence that suggests homeownership rates declined less for immigrants than natives in the United States during the recession and onward. Specifically, we examine to what extent an immigrant's income, savings, length of stay in the destination country, citizenship status, and birthplace networks affected the probability of homeownership before the recession, and how these impacts on homeownership changed since the recession. We examine these questions using microdata for the years 2000–2012. Our results suggest that citizenship status, birthplace network, family size, savings, household income, and length of stay are significant for an immigrant's homeownership. In comparing the pre‐recession period to the period afterward, we find that the impact of birthplace networks on homeownership probabilities doubled while the impact of savings slightly declined.
Influence of catastrophizing on pain intensity, disability, side effects, and opioid misuse among pain patients in primary care
Authors: Lazaridou Asimina , Franceschelli Olivia , Buliteanu Alexandra , Cornelius Marise , Edwards Robert R. , Jamison Robert N.
Published: March 2017

There is increasing concern among primary care practitioners (PCPs) regarding medication misuse and noncompliance while attempting to effectively manage chronic pain patients prescribed opioids for pain. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect pain catastrophizing has on self‐reported pain intensity, disability, side effects, and opioid misuse in chronic pain patients prescribed opioids within primary care. Fifty‐six PCPs and 253 chronic pain patients prescribed opioids or considered for opioid therapy were recruited into the study. All patients completed baseline measures, including the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) and were followed for 6 months to monitor pain and opioid compliance. Patients were divided evenly based on median‐split scores on the PCS and participated in phone interviews at 1 and 6 months. The subjects repeated the baseline measures and completed measures of opioid compliance at the end of the study period. Patients who scored high on catastrophizing reported significantly greater pain intensity, activity interference, negative affect, and a higher percentage of medication‐related adverse effects compared with those lower on the Pain Catastrophizing Scale at the start of the study and over a 6‐month period (p < .01). In addition, those chronic pain patients classified as high pain catastrophizers reported significantly higher opioid misuse (p < .01). This study demonstrates the important role of pain catastrophizing among chronic pain patients who are prescribed opioid medication for pain within primary care. These findings support the benefits of carefully monitoring patients who are prescribed opioids in primary care and possible benefits of offering interventions to reduce pain catastrophizing.
Pain catastrophizing: An historical perspective
Authors: Neblett Randy
Published: March 2017

Pain catastrophizing has become an in increasingly popular subject in pain research. It has been found to be associated with self‐reported pain severity, depressive and anxiety symptoms, and disability. This construct is an important component of the well‐established, and continually evolving, Fear‐Avoidance Model of Chronic Pain. More recently, a Communal Model of Pain Catastrophizing has been proposed. The concept of pain catastrophizing has an interesting history. This article discusses the origins, various definitions, and conceptual evolution of the catastrophizing in clinical evaluation and research.
Introduction to the “Special Issue on Pain Catastrophizing”
Authors: Gatchel Robert J.
Published: March 2017

The construct of pain catastrophizing has emerged as playing an important role in pain. This construct has earlier been defined as “…an exaggerated negative orientation toward actual or anticipated pain experience…current conceptualizations most often describe it in terms of appraisal or a set of maladaptive beliefs.” There has also been a great deal of additional research which has demonstrated its heuristic value in areas such as pain‐treatment outcomes, genetics research, as well as in the area of brain imaging. The current Special Issue includes some of the most recent studies of pain catastrophizing, and highlights the increasing complexity of this construct, which will need to be better understood and validated for the future development of the most variable overall model of it.
Collagen type XV and the ‘osteogenic status’
Authors: Lisignoli Gina , Lambertini Elisabetta , Manferdini Cristina , Gabusi Elena , Penolazzi Letizia , Paolella Francesca , Angelozzi Marco , Casagranda Veronica , Piva Roberta
Published: March 2017

We have previously demonstrated that collagen type XV (ColXV) is a novel bone extracellular matrix (ECM) protein. It is well known that the complex mixture of multiple components present in ECM can help both to maintain stemness or to promote differentiation of stromal cells following change in qualitative characteristics or concentrations. We investigated the possible correlation between ColXV expression and mineral matrix deposition by human mesenchymal stromal cells (hMSCs) with different osteogenic potential and by osteoblasts (hOBs) that are able to grow in culture medium with or without calcium. Analysing the osteogenic process, we have shown that ColXV basal levels are lower in cells less prone to osteo‐induction such as hMSCs from Wharton Jelly (hWJMSCs), compared to hMSCs that are prone to osteo‐induction such as those from the bone marrow (hBMMSCs). In the group of samples identified as ‘mineralized MSCs’, during successful osteogenic induction, ColXV protein continued to be detected at substantial levels until early stage of differentiation, but it significantly decreased and then disappeared at the end of culture when the matrix formed was completely calcified. The possibility to grow hOBs in culture medium without calcium corroborated the results obtained with hMSCs demonstrating that calcium deposits organized in a calcified matrix, and not calcium ‘per se’, negatively affected ColXV expression. As a whole, our data suggest that ColXV may participate in ECM organization in the early‐phases of the osteogenic process and that this is a prerequisite to promote the subsequent deposition of mineral matrix.
Long non‐coding RNA 00312 regulated by HOXA5 inhibits tumour proliferation and promotes apoptosis in Non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Zhu Qingqing , Lv Tangfeng , Wu Ying , Shi Xuefei , Liu Hongbing , Song Yong
Published: March 2017

Non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most prevalent type of lung cancer. The abnormal expression of many long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) has been reported involved in the progression of various tumours, which can be used as diagnostic indicators or antitumour targets. Here, we found that the long non‐coding RNA 00312 was down‐regulated in paired NSCLC tissues and correlated with poor clinical outcome; decreased linc00312 expression in NSCLC was associated with larger and later stage tumours. Functional experiments showed that linc00312 could inhibit cell proliferation and promote apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, we found that HOXA5 could bind in the promoter of linc00312 and up‐regulated the expression of it. Moreover, linc00312 was down‐regulated in the plasma of NSCLC patients compared with that of healthy volunteers or other pulmonary diseases patients. Taken together, our findings indicated that linc00312 could be a novel diagnosis biomarker and a promising therapeutic target for NSCLC.
Solubility as a fundamental variable in the characterization of wall material by spray drying of food components: Application to microencapsulation of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis
Authors: Rodríguez‐Restrepo Yeimy A. , Giraldo Gloria I. , Rodríguez‐Barona Sneyder
Published: March 2017

The physical and chemical properties of wall materials used in the microencapsulation of active compounds obtained by spray drying determine their application and incorporation into food matrices. Mixtures of 20% wt/wt protein and gum arabic in the following proportions were spray‐dried: 75:25 50:50 25:75. The proteinaceous materials used were whole milk powder, soy protein isolate, and skimmed milk powder. The solubility, hygroscopicity, water activity, moisture, bulk density, and the morphology of the powders were evaluated. The physicochemical characterization revealed that increasing the gum arabic concentration in the dispersion to be encapsulated leads to increases in the hygroscopicity and solubility of the powders. In turn, the solubility was increased at low protein concentrations in skimmed milk powder. In conclusion, the physicochemical characterization of spray‐dried powders ensures that the selected wall material possesses the necessary requirements for application in various food matrices. The microorganism probiotics have been widely used in the food industry interested in improving the human health and can be conserved by spray drying using different wall materials.

Practical applications

This study evaluated the physicochemical and morphological properties of mixtures with varying proportions of different wall materials and their application potential in the encapsulation of probiotic microorganisms as the Bifidobacterium animalis. Application of wall materials with a low solubility favored the stability of the probiotic strain encapsulated during storage; this property plays an important role for the subsequent application of the encapsulated food compound, either for release or for the retention of the compound encapsulated. In all cases, these evaluated materials could be used to partially replace gum arabic.
Response to Endurance Exercise Training in Older Adults with Heart Failure with Preserved or Reduced Ejection Fraction
Authors: Pandey Ambarish , Kitzman Dalane W. , Brubaker Peter , Haykowsky Mark J. , Morgan Timothy , Becton J. Thomas , Berry Jarett D.
Published: March 2017

Objectives

To systematically examine the relative magnitude and predictors of responses to exercise training in older adult with heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), and preserved EF (HFpEF).

Design

Secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial.

Setting

Outpatient cardiac rehabilitation program.

Participants

Individuals with HF (24 HFrEF, 24 HFpEF) who underwent supervised exercise training.

Measurements

The study included individual‐level data from the exercise training arms of a randomized controlled trial that evaluated the effect of 16 weeks of supervised moderate‐intensity endurance exercise training in older adults with chronic, stable HFpEF and HFrEF. Changes in peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) in response to supervised training in individuals with HFpEF were compared with that of individuals with HFrEF. The significant clinical predictors of changes in VO2peak with exercise training were assessed using univariate and multivariate regression models.

Results

Training‐related improvement in VO2peak was higher in participants with HFpEF than in those with HFrEF (change: 18.7 ± 17.6% vs −0.3 ± 15.4%, P < .001). In univariate analysis, echocardiographic abnormalities in left ventricular structure and function and lower body mass index were associated with blunted response of VO2peak with exercise training. In multivariate regression analysis using stepwise selection, submaximal exercise systolic blood pressure, and resting early deceleration time were independent predictors of change in VO2peak.

Conclusion

The change in VO2peak in response to endurance exercise training in older adults with HF differs significantly according to HF subtype, with greater VO2peak improvement in HFpEF than HFrEF. These results suggest that the current Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services policy excluding individuals with HFpEF from reimbursement from cardiac rehabilitation may need to be revisited.
Arabidopsis Forkhead‐Associated Domain Protein 3 negatively regulates peroxisome division
Authors: Desai Mintu , Pan Ronghui , Hu Jianping
Published: March 2017

Peroxisomes are ubiquitous and dynamic eukaryotic organelles capable of altering their abundance in response to environmental and developmental cues, yet the regulatory mechanism of plant peroxisome division/proliferation is unclear. To identify transcriptional regulators of the peroxisome division factor gene PEX11b, we performed a nuclear pull‐down experiment and identified Arabidopsis Forkhead‐Associated Domain Protein 3 (FHA3) as a novel protein that binds to the promoter of PEX11b. Our data supported the conclusion that, in contrast to the previously identified HY5 HOMOLOG (HYH) protein that promotes the transcription of PEX11b, FHA3 is a negative regulator of PEX11b expression and peroxisome division.
Parental attributions for positive behaviours in children with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Bussanich P. , Hartley S. L. , Bolt D.
Published: March 2017

Background

The present study examined parental attributions for positive child behaviour in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their association with parent outcomes.

Method

In total, 175 couples who had a child with ASD (5–12 years) completed measures about the child's positive behaviour, ASD symptoms, functional skills and negative behaviour problems, and their own positive and negative affect and closeness in the parent–child relationship. A comparison group of 170 couples who had a child without a neurodevelopmental disability also completed measures.

Results

Dyadic multilevel models were conducted. Parents of children with ASD believed that their child's positive behaviour was due to factors less internal to the child, less stable and less controllable by the child than the comparison group. Beliefs about stability were associated with closeness in the parent–child relationship. Child age and level of impairment and parent education were associated with parental attributions.

Conclusions

Interventions that alter parental attributions may offer pathways to increase closeness in the parent–child relationship.
Schoolteachers and National “Public” Education in Honduras: Navigating the Reforms and Refounding the State
Authors: Levy Jordan D.
Published: March 2017

Este artículo examina el trabajo de los maestros en la Honduras pos‐golpe mientras navegan a través del primer año de reformas al sector educativo, el cual intenta privatizar y descentralizar el sistema de educación pública del país. Desde el golpe de estado de junio de 2009, los maestros hondureños han sido líderes del movimiento de resistencia contra el golpe que ahora desafía el actual estatus quo y propone ‘refundar’ el estado. A pesar de que los maestros hondureños están en desacuerdo con estas reformas y otros aspectos de la práctica gubernamental pos‐golpe, en el fondo ellos son los agentes del estado responsables por implementar estas nuevas políticas educativas. Basándome en mi investigación etnográfica en el Departamento de Valle, ubicado en el sur, yo exploro la naturaleza contradictoria del trabajo de agentes del estado vista desde la perspectiva de las políticas educativas y de cómo la legislación realmente se pone en práctica.
Minimising central line‐associated bloodstream infection rate in inserting central venous catheters in the adult intensive care units
Authors: Hina Hedaya Rateb , McDowell Joan R. S.
Published: March 2017

Aims and objectives

To investigate the procedural aspects in inserting central venous catheters that minimise central line‐associated bloodstream infection rates in adult intensive care units through a structured literature review.

Background

In adult intensive care units, central line‐associated bloodstream infections are a major cause of high mortality rates and increased in costs due to the consequences of complications.

Methods

Eligible articles were identified by combining indexed keywords using Boolean operator of “AND” under databases of Ovid and CINAHL. Titles and abstract of retrieved papers were screened and duplicates removed. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to derive the final papers, which contained seminal studies. The quality of papers was assessed using a special data extraction form.

Results

The number of papers retrieved from all databases was 337, reduced to 302 after removing duplicates. Papers were scanned for titles and abstract to locate those relevant to the review question. After this, 250 papers were excluded for different reasons and a total of 52 papers were fully accessed to assess for eligibility. The final number of papers included was 10 articles.

Conclusion

Many interventions can be implemented in the adult intensive care unit during the insertion of a central venous catheter to minimise central line‐associated bloodstream infections rates. These include choosing the subclavian site to insert the catheters as the least infectious and decolonising patients' skin with alcoholic chlorhexidine gluconate preparation due to its broad antimicrobial effect and durability.

Relevance to clinical practice

Choosing optimal sites for central venous catheter insertion is a complex process that relies on many factors. Furthermore, the introduction of chlorhexidine gluconate preparations should be accompanied with multifaceted interventions including quality improvement initiatives to improve healthcare workers' compliance. As a quality marker in adult intensive care units, healthcare sectors should work on establishing benchmarks with other sectors around the world.
Same‐Ethnic, Interethnic, and Interracial Friendships Among Asian Early Adolescents
Authors: Chen Xiaochen , Graham Sandra
Published: March 2017

This study examined the psychological functions of three friendship types (i.e., same ethnic, interethnic, and interracial) in a sample of 785 sixth‐grade Asian students (Mage = 11.5 years). Participants listed their friends in sixth grade and whether each nominated friend was the same or a different ethnic group. They also reported on their ethnic identity, intergroup relations, and perceived school safety. Results showed that same‐ethnic friendships were related to stronger ethnic identity and interracial friendships were uniquely related to school safety. Interethnic friendships (an Asian friend from a different country of origin) when perceived as same ethnic functioned similarly to same‐ethnic friendships, whereas interethnic friendships perceived as from a different ethnic group, like interracial friendships, were associated with better intergroup relations. Implications for studying friendships in ethnically diverse samples are discussed.
Missed opportunities for antimicrobial stewardship in pre‐school children admitted to hospital with lower respiratory tract infection
Authors: Walls Tony , Stark Erika , Pattemore Philip , Jennings Lance
Published: March 2017

Aim

To describe the usage of multiplex polymerase chain reaction on nasopharyngeal swab (NPS) samples in pre‐school children presenting with lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) at Christchurch Hospital, and its impact on the use of antibiotics empirically and at discharge.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study included 237 children, ages 3 months to 5 years, admitted to hospital during the winter months of 2012–2015 with a diagnosis of community‐acquired LRTI. Children were identified by discharge coding and their notes reviewed.

Results

A significantly larger proportion of children who had a NPS sample taken (42/146, 36%) received no empiric antibiotics compared with children who did not have a sample taken (7/91, 7.7%, P < 0.001). Of those who did have a NPS sample taken 17 of 146 (11.6%) had their antibiotics discontinued prior to or at the time of discharge compared with only 3 of 91 (3.3%) of those who did not have a NPS sample (P < 0.025). Children with influenza detected were more likely to receive no antibiotics or have their antibiotics discontinued prior to or at discharge. Only a small proportion of children with other viruses identified had their antibiotics discontinued.

Conclusions

It appears that clinicians were generally reluctant to stop antibiotics prior to discharge in young children with LRTI in whom influenza or other viruses were identified. In our view, it makes sense to stop antibiotics when the clinical presentation and NPS testing is consistent with a viral aetiology. Not stopping antibiotics at or before discharge in these children represents a missed opportunity for antimicrobial stewardship.
Community Paramedicine Applied in a Rural Community
Authors: Bennett Kevin J. , Yuen Matt W. , Merrell Melinda A.
Published: March 2017

Research Objective

Abbeville County Emergency Management Services (ACEMS) began a community paramedicine (CP) program to utilize trained paramedics to serve patients who frequently use the emergency department (ED) and have 1 or more of the following diagnoses: hypertension, diabetes, chronic heart failure, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The objective of this study was to determine if the CP program reduced ED visits in Abbeville while improving patient outcomes.

Design

A pre/posttest with a comparison group study design was used to evaluate the CP program. The study population had 193 patients (68 enrollees and 125 comparisons) who resided in Abbeville County, South Carolina. Frequent users of the ED were recruited and enrolled in the program by Abbeville Area Medical Center (AAMC) staff starting in October 2013. Records from both AAMC and ACEMS were examined to determine the impact of the CP program.

Results

Hypertensive patients decreased an average of 7.2 mmHg (P < .0001) in systolic blood pressure and 4.0 mmHg (p < .0001) in diastolic blood pressure. Diabetic patients decreased blood glucose by an average of 33.7 mmol/L (p = .0013). Following enrollment into the program, CP participants decreased ED visits by 58.7% and inpatient visits by 68.8%. Conversely, the comparison group increased ED visits by 4.0% and inpatient visits by 187.5%.

Conclusions

The CP program demonstrated a meaningful difference in the health of participants while reducing their health care utilization. CP patients reduced their ED and inpatient use, required less intensive care, had better health outcomes, and reduced health expenses to the community.
Size, season and offspring sex affect milk composition and juvenile survival in wild kangaroos
Authors: Quesnel L. , MacKay A. , Forsyth D. M. , Nicholas K. R. , Festa‐Bianchet M.
Published: March 2017

The main component of mammalian maternal care is milk production. The composition of milk has been hypothesized to determine offspring survival, and to vary with offspring sex. Few studies, however, have examined variation in milk composition of wild mammals in seasonal environments, where environmental conditions can impact the ability of mothers to provide care. We investigated individual differences in milk composition and offspring survival in wild eastern grey kangaroos (Macropus giganteus). We analyzed total protein and lipid concentrations in 103 milk samples from 91 females over 2 years. In a year of low forage production, few females that lactated were in poorer condition and produced milk of lower energy content compared to females lactating in a year of high forage production. Females nursing in late winter produced milk with more lipids compared to females at the same stage of lactation in late spring, whose milk had a higher proportion of protein. The milk of larger females contained more protein than lipid, and females in better condition allocated higher proportions of protein to sons than to daughters. Increased protein concentration in milk was correlated with offspring longevity, and this effect was stronger for sons than daughters. A seasonally modulated lactation strategy enables the adjustment of milk composition to available resources. Condition‐specific protein allocation in favor of sons for mothers of higher caring ability suggests adaptive sex‐biased maternal care in this highly sexually dimorphic mammal.
Finance proud and industry vulnerable: When governments fail to defend the economic realm, citizens revolt
Authors: Pettifor Ann
Published: March 2017

The subordination of society to self‐regulating international markets is the reason why British workers and industries so often fall prey to predatory financiers, writes Ann Pettifor. It is also a fundamental cause of current political crises throughout the west – just as Karl Polanyi described almost 80 years ago.
‘The world needs more Canada’: Are there lessons for European progressives in the Liberals' comeback?
Authors: Chwalisz Claudia
Published: March 2017

As centre‐left parties falter across Europe, Claudia Chwalisz wonders whether progressives can find the roots of a resurgence in Justin Trudeau's victory. Or is there nothing for them to learn from this uniquely Canadian tale?
Basic income: Beyond left and right?
Authors: Chrisp Joe
Published: March 2017

For so long a fanciful dream on the fringes of serious politics, Joe Chrisp explores why calls for a basic income are being embraced by the mainstream in both the UK and around the world. But with advocates on both left and right, is the vision being blurred by a familiar ideological battleground?
Future proof: Britain in the 2020s
Authors: Lawrence Mathew
Published: March 2017

Knowing what the next decade has in store can help progressives to shape the future. Mathew Lawrence outlines the major factors that will impact British lives over the next 10 years – including Brexit, ecological instability, and technological transformations in social and economic life – and argues for a future‐focussed strategy for change.
Labour's Richmond problem: Why isn't Labour more worried about losing Remain supporters to the Lib Dems?
Authors: Curtice John
Published: March 2017

Labour's anxiety about being outflanked by Ukip and the Conservatives on the Leave side, while justified, may be blinding it to a more urgent problem in its electoral base, warns John Curtice. Tim Farron's Liberal Democrats are setting out a stall for Remain voters that Labour supporters are steadily trickling, if not flocking, towards.
Making money and meaning in the modern economy: Why we need prosperity with a purpose – and how we work towards it
Authors: Leadbeater Charles
Published: March 2017

When global markets leave resources and power in the hands of too few people, everybody suffers, says Charles Leadbeater. The ALT/Now programme – a Canadian group of social entrepreneurs – demonstrates how an ethic of stewardship can shift our economy towards one that puts people first.
Revisiting the nomenclature of Psychotria filipes (Rubiaceae)
Authors: Kottaimuthu Ramalingam
Published: March 2017

Psychotria waasii Sohmer, a replacement name for the later homonym Psychotria filipes Hook.f., has been found illegitimate because of being superfluous when published. The new combination Psychotria josephi (Kuntze) Kottaim. is proposed based on the earliest available name Uragoga josephi Kuntze.
Systematic wood anatomy of Indian Antidesmatoideae (Phyllanthaceae), with remarks on the generic distinctness of Aporosa and Baccaurea
Authors: Jangid Prem Prakash , Gupta Sangeeta
Published: March 2017

We provide a comprehensive wood anatomical survey of 11 Indian species belonging to four genera of the subfamily Antidesmatoideae (Phyllanthaceae) and evaluate their relationships and ecological adaptations in this context. Wood microstructure of the subfamily was found to be highly heterogeneous reflecting the unnatural classification of the subfamily. With some exceptions, our results do not corroborate recent morphological and molecular phylogenetic circumscriptions. The wood anatomy of Aporosa and Baccaurea was remarkably similar and they lack distinguishing wood anatomical characters. Antidesma showed adaptations to a xeric environment and Aporosa and Baccaurea showed adaptations to mesic environments. It is concluded that from a wood anatomical point of view, Antidesma and Bischofia are advanced while Aporosa and Baccaurea are primitive genera in the subfamily.
Impact of Changes in Consumer Preferences on Sectoral Labour Reallocation: Evidence from the Italian Economy
Authors: Addessi William , Pulina Manuela , Sallusti Federico
Published: March 2017

This study empirically investigates the impact of changes in consumer preferences on labour reallocation across the Italian economic sectors. For this purpose, coherent sectoral time series of consumer preferences and labour units are constructed from Italian national accounts and consumption expenditure data. In line with recent firm‐level evidence, empirical findings indicate a positive and significant effect of preference changes on labour reallocation. Results are robust to several econometric specifications, different procedures to elicit preference changes, as well as the introduction of time‐varying price coefficient and sector‐specific effects of total consumption expenditure.
Monetary Policy and Macroprudential Policy: New Evidence from a World Panel of Countries
Authors: Apergis Nicholas
Published: March 2017

The event of the recent financial crisis raises the question of whether policy makers could have done more or something different to prevent the build‐up of financial imbalances. This paper contributes to the field of regulatory impact by tackling the debate on whether central banks should ‘lean against the wind’, while in case the response is positive, how macroprudential policies should be combined with monetary policy. Using an augmented Taylor rule and a sample of 127 global economies, the results provide evidence on the importance of macroprudential issues for the implementation of an effective monetary policy. They also document that the type of adopted macroprudential instrument has a substantial effect on such effectiveness, with this policy mix being less ‘integrated’ when the monetary rule aims at primarily safeguarding inflation stability. The results survive robustness checks under alternative assets.
Dorsal Column Stimulation vs. Dorsal Root Ganglion Stimulation for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Confined to the Knee: Patients’ Preference Following the Trial Period
Authors: van Bussel Catelijne M. , Stronks Dirk L. , Huygen Frank J.P.M.
Published: March 2017

Background and Objectives

Patients with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) confined to the knee are often therapy resistant. Neurostimulation is an accepted treatment for CRPS. Although results with dorsal column (DC) stimulation in patients with CRPS confined to the knee are often disappointing, the availability of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) stimulation may provide new opportunities for this complaint. Therefore, this study explores patients’ preference for DC stimulation vs. DRG stimulation in treating chronic pain due to CRPS confined to the knee.

Methods

A prospective, observational crossover cohort study was conducted comparing 2 methods of neurostimulation, in randomized order, in patients with CRPS confined to the knee. After receiving DC and DRG stimulation during a trial period of 16 days, patients were asked which of the 2 methods they preferred. Patients with a successful trial period with one or both stimulation methods received a fully implantable system.

Results

Twelve patients were included. After finishing the trial period, 10 patients (83.3%) preferred DRG stimulation and 2 (16.7%) preferred DC stimulation (P = 0.04).

Conclusion

To our knowledge, this is the first study to compare these 2 neurostimulation methods in patients with CRPS confined to the knee. Results show that the probability of the preference for either neurostimulation treatment significantly deviates from chance in favor of DRG stimulation.
Plant essential oils as fish diet additives: benefits on fish health and stability in feed
Authors: Sutili Fernando J. , Gatlin Delbert M. , Heinzmann Berta M. , Baldisserotto Bernardo
Published: March 2017

Nutritional strategies focused on the use of phytochemicals as modulators of immunological and physiological responses, as well as antistress and antioxidant therapies and health promoters of the gastrointestinal tract have attracted increased interest in animal production. Over the past two decades, several studies have reported positive results of using plant essential oils (EOs) as dietary additive in several farm animal species. Recently, these nutritional alternatives have been evaluated and reported in fish production in order to enhance the resistance to diseases and prevent outbreaks, as well as to improve fish growth, animal welfare and feed utilization. However, despite the diverse and relevant biological activities reported, these phytochemicals are composed of often unstable and volatile molecules, which makes the chemical and physical characteristics of the EOs important aspects to be considered in fish nutrition research. This review summarizes the current knowledge regarding the use of plant EOs as fish dietary additives, focusing on their potential as modulators of the gut bacterial community and discussing some aspects regarding their stability in feeds.
Pollutant Ground Concentrations of Nonneutrally Buoyant Particles
Authors: Mandel Alon , Stern Eli , Ullmann Amos , Brauner Neima
Published: March 2017

A methodology is suggested for the estimation of the mass density and the cumulative ground deposition of a nonvolatile, nonneutrally buoyant, air pollutant (liquid or solid) released from a polluted column (following an explosion caused during routine operation in, e.g., the chemical industry or due to any kind of hostile act) and deposited on the ground via gravitational settling. In many cases, the deposited mass due to gravitational settling constitutes a significant fraction of the original inventory released from the source. Implementation of the methodology in preliminary risk assessments can serve as an efficient tool for emergency planning for both immediate and long‐term measures such as evacuation and decontamination. The methodology considers, inter alia, an estimation of the critical particle diameter, particle size, and mass distributions along the polluted column. This methodology was developed to apply in rural regions since proper application of relevant meteorological input data can be accomplished mainly for such areas.
Young People's Place‐Making in a Regional Australian Town
Authors: Waite Catherine
Published: March 2017

The intensification of globalising flows associated with the current condition of globalisation has had a significant impact on the ways that people relate to, talk about, and construct place. In the context of non‐urban places, impacts of globalisation are felt by young people who are uniquely ‘embedded’ in local places. However, the ways that young people construct place under these conditions is opaque and complex. This article addresses Farrugia, D. (). Journal of Youth Studies 17 (3) pp. 293–307 call for greater focus on the experiences of young rural people constructing place under the conditions of globalisation. A recent focus group study in regional Australian with 16‐28 year‐old people builds on the work of rural sociologists investigating this area. Place‐making is demonstrated for analysis in this article through young people's discursive narratives combined with verbal expressions of a more experiential and embodied place‐making practice. This article illustrates that young people's place‐making ‘beyond the metropole’ endures in robust and unique ways.
Class, Race, Ethnicity, and Justice in Safe Drinking Water Compliance*
Authors: Switzer David , Teodoro Manuel P.
Published: March 2017

Objective

Past research yields inconsistent evidence of disparities in environmental quality by socioeconomic status (SES), race, and/or ethnicity. Since the political significance of race/ethnicity may be contingent upon SES, this study advances environmental justice research by examining interactively the effects of race, ethnicity, and SES on environmental quality.

Methods

We match 2010–2013 Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) compliance records with demographic and economic data for U.S. local government water utilities serving populations greater than 1,000. Statistical regression isolates direct and interactive relationships between communities’ racial/ethnic populations, SES, and SDWA compliance.

Results

We find that community racial/ethnic composition predicts drinking water quality, but also that SES conditions the effect; specifically, black and Hispanic populations most strongly predict SDWA violations in low‐SES communities.

Conclusions

Our findings highlight the importance of analyzing race, ethnicity, and SES interactively in environmental justice research. Results also carry troubling implications for drinking water quality in the United States.