bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of Corduk (Echinophora tenuifolia subsp. sibthorpiana) on safety and quality of kofte, a Turkish style meatball
Authors: Sengun Ilkin Yucel , Yildiz Turp Gulen , Kilic Gulden , Sucu Cisem
Published: August 2017

In this research, the effect of Echinophora tenuifolia subsp. sibthorpiana (Corduk) on the inactivation of Salmonella Typhimurium in kofte (Turkish style meatball) was evaluated; as well as the quality characteristics of kofte (proximate composition, oxidation level, color parameters, microbiological, and sensory properties), during storage period at 4 °C for 7 days. Using Corduk at concentrations of 0.5, 1, and 1.5% in kofte was reduced the number of Salmonella cells in the range of 0.35–1.0 log cfu/g. The lowest total mesophilic aerobic bacteria count was obtained from kofte containing 1.5% of Corduk, after 7 days of storage. Corduk improved the color properties of kofte; hence, at the end of the storage period, samples containing 1 and 1.5% of Corduk significantly had higher scores than the control samples. The results of this study indicate that using Corduk in kofte could give an opportunity to improve the safety of meat products while improving the sensory characteristics.

Practical applications

The natural substances from aromatic plants and spices can act as antimicrobial agents while improving quality attributes of the product. Kofte is a Turkish style meatball widely consumed in Turkey. This study was focused on the inclusion of Corduk into kofte formulation to improve the safety and quality of the product. Results indicate that Corduk can be considered as effective natural preservative for meat products without any adverse effect on the sensory quality.
Detection of total viable count in spiced beef using hyperspectral imaging combined with wavelet transform and multiway partial least squares algorithm
Authors: Yang Dong , Lu Anxiang , Ren Dong , Wang Jihua
Published: August 2017

The feasibility of using hyperspectral imaging technology combined with wavelet transform and multiway partial least squares (N‐PLS) algorithm to predict the total viable count (TVC) of spiced beef during storage was investigated. The mean spectral data were extracted from the hyperspectral images and further decomposed in nine levels by daubechies8 (db8) wavelet function to obtain an approximation coefficient (A9) and nine detail coefficients (D1–D9). Selecting wavelet coefficients to compose different three‐dimension matrixes, further integrating N‐PLS algorithm to establish the predictive models for detecting TVC in spiced beef. The experimental results show that the N‐PLS model with D4, D5, D6, D7 coefficient (also named D4,5,6,7‐N‐PLS) exhibit an excellent prediction capability for TVC of spiced beef sample with a higher determination coefficients in prediction (
) of 0.934 and lower root mean squared errors estimated by prediction of 0.755 than other N‐PLS models, raw spectra PLS model, and Unfold‐PLS models. Therefore, the established model using three‐dimension data array and N‐PLS algorithm has great potential in the TVC value detection of spiced beef and other meat productions.

Practical applications

Spiced beef is one of the most popular meat products in China owing to its good taste, low fat, and high protein. Unfortunately, the spiced beef during storage is just a suitable habitat for many pathogens and spoilage microbes to colonize. Thus, it is necessary to monitor the microbiological contamination to guarantee the sanitary quality of meat productions. The total viable count (TVC) of bacteria was considered as a key indicator for the freshness evaluation of meat productions, Traditional techniques for determination of TVC are laborious, time consuming, and unsuitable for modern meat industrial processing and production technologies. Therefore, this study attempted to use hyperspectral imaging technology combined with wavelet transform and multiway partial least squares (N‐PLS) algorithm to predict the TVC of spiced beef during storage. The proposed method is helpful for most consumers to judge easily the freshness state of meat productions and further purchase them.
Neural networks modeling of Aspergillus flavus growth in tomato paste containing microencapsulated olive leaf extract
Authors: Jafari Seid Mahdi , Ghanbari Vahid , Dehnad Danial , Ganje Mohammad
Published: August 2017

Our aim was to incorporate olive leaf extract in both microencapsulated (ME) and nonencapsulated (NE) forms into tomato paste to get benefit from antimicrobial properties of the extract. Response variables were diametrical growth of Aspergillus flavus, total soluble solids (TSS), pH, and color indices of inoculated tomato paste. NE was more successful than ME to restrict growth of the fungus at both temperatures of 25 and 30 °C. Although the rate of TSS decreasing over the storage time was higher for ME samples than NE ones, but it remained constant for ME samples at the end of storage; TSS index of ME samples at 25 °C was kept unchanged for four final days of storage. Also, ME olive leaf extract could stabilize pH index equal to 4.75 (at 10th day of storage at 30 °C) for the rest of storage. ME samples enjoyed higher a* values than NE samples during storage at 30 °C. Considering fitting indices, Feed‐Forward‐Back‐Propagation network, Levenberg–Marquardt training algorithm, hyperbolic tangent sigmoid transfer function with 3‐5‐6 and 3‐6‐6 topologies represented the best artificial neural network models to predict both physicochemical and microbial properties of ME and NE samples when inoculated by A. flavus, respectively.

Practical applications

Antimicrobial properties of herbs and spices have been recognized for several years. Natural herbs or spices tend to lose their efficiency and fail to release their beneficial effects evenly over a longtime period. Simultaneously, it has been proved that microencapsulation is able to build a barrier between components of particles and their environment. Thus, it might be applied for olive leaf extract to keep favorable properties of tomato paste. Our aim was to incorporate microencapsulated (ME) olive leaf extract into tomato paste to get benefit from antimicrobial properties of the extract (against Aspergillus flavus) over short and longtime storage. Also, our another objective was to model the physicochemical and fungal changes within tomato paste containing nonencapsulated and ME olive leaf extract for the first time.
Item response theory analysis applied to the Spanish version of the Personal Outcomes Scale
Authors: Guàrdia‐Olmos J. , Carbó‐Carreté M. , Peró‐Cebollero M. , Giné C.
Published: August 2017

Background

The study of measurements of quality of life (QoL) is one of the great challenges of modern psychology and psychometric approaches. This issue has greater importance when examining QoL in populations that were historically treated on the basis of their deficiency, and recently, the focus has shifted to what each person values and desires in their life, as in cases of people with intellectual disability (ID). Many studies of QoL scales applied in this area have attempted to improve the validity and reliability of their components by incorporating various sources of information to achieve consistency in the data obtained. The adaptation of the Personal Outcomes Scale (POS) in Spanish has shown excellent psychometric attributes, and its administration has three sources of information: self‐assessment, practitioner and family. The study of possible congruence or incongruence of observed distributions of each item between sources is therefore essential to ensure a correct interpretation of the measure. The aim of this paper was to analyse the observed distribution of items and dimensions from the three Spanish POS information sources cited earlier, using the item response theory.

Method

We studied a sample of 529 people with ID and their respective practitioners and family member, and in each case, we analysed items and factors using Samejima's model of polytomic ordinal scales.

Results

The results indicated an important number of items with differential effects regarding sources, and in some cases, they indicated significant differences in the distribution of items, factors and sources of information.

Conclusions

As a result of this analysis, we must affirm that the administration of the POS, considering three sources of information, was adequate overall, but a correct interpretation of the results requires that it obtain much more information to consider, as well as some specific items in specific dimensions. The overall ratings, if these comments are considered, could result in bias.
Women's experiences with healthcare professionals after suffering from gender‐based violence: An interview study
Authors: Wallin Lundell Inger , Eulau Louise , Bjarneby Frida , Westerbotn Margareta
Published: August 2017

Aims and objectives

This study sought to describe how women in Mexico who have suffered from gender‐based violence experience their encounters with healthcare professionals.

Background

Gender‐based violence is a worldwide problem. Previous studies have described that women feel they are not being cared for appropriately during their encounters with healthcare professionals. This study was conducted in Mexico, which has a high rate of gender inequality.

Design

A descriptive, qualitative study was conducted.

Methods

Face‐to‐face interviews were conducted with seven women. An inductive content analysis was used to analyse the interviews.

Results

The analyses resulted in four categories: Feelings of guilt about being abused, Feelings of being unimportant, Feelings of taking time and Feelings of being insecure/secure. The women emphasised the importance of healthcare professionals taking time out of their busy schedules for them. When they treated the women with respect and genuine interest, the women felt secure. When the healthcare professionals did not meet these expectations, feelings of frustration and mistrust were elicited.

Conclusions

Feelings of being listened to and safety were considered important aspects in a positive encounter, whereas feeling a lack of time or interest often led to negative experiences such as frustration with and distrust of the healthcare system. These results imply that healthcare professionals may have deficiencies with regard to how these women are treated because these women do not feel that they receive the proper support.

Relevance to clinical practice

Education regarding how to approach women who have suffered from gender‐based violence is essential for healthcare professionals to establish respectful encounters. The findings of this study stress that relatively simple efforts such as listening to these women's stories and providing them with genuine attention might substantially improve care.
Menstruation, objectification and health‐related quality of life: A questionnaire study
Authors: Sveinsdóttir Herdís
Published: August 2017

Aims and objectives

To explore young women's health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) and investigate whether menstrual and menarche experiences and objectification predict mental and physical health components of HRQOL.

Background

Menstruation plays a fundamental role in female biology, in women's relationship to their bodies and consequently in women's health and their HRQOL.

Design

Cross‐sectional explorative survey design.

Method

A questionnaire that included the SF‐36v2, the Self‐objectification Questionnaire (SOQ), the Body Surveillance and Body Shame subscales of the Objectified Body Consciousness Scale, the Belief and Attitudes Towards Menstruation Questionnaire (four subscales), and questions on menarche and menstruation was administered at the end of 2013 to 319 Icelandic women who represented the population by age. The SF‐36v2 includes eight dimensions addressing the mental and physical components of HRQOL. Scores are presented as raw data scores and scores based on standardised score of American women and range from 0 to 100 with higher scores indicating better HRQL. A hierarchical multiple linear regression model was employed to calculate significant predictors of mental and physical health components of HRQOL.

Results

Mean raw data scores on SF36‐v2 dimensions ranged from 54.7 to 91.5. The participants scored below the standardised, mean norm‐based score for all dimensions. Secrecy of menstruation, experience of body shame and pain during menstruation predicted worse mental HRQOL. To believe in the proscriptive role and the unpleasantness of menstruation, experience of body shame, medication for menstrual pain and not holding a university education predicted worse physical HRQOL. These two models explained 30% and 22% of the variance of the mental and physical components of SF36‐v2, respectively.

Conclusion

Young women's mental and physical HRQOL is influenced by the specific context of their lives.

Relevance to clinical practice

Women's health education should take into account the various relationships women may have with their bodies.
The culture contributing to interruptions in the nursing work environment: An ethnography
Authors: Hopkinson Susan G , Wiegand Debra L
Published: August 2017

Aims and objectives

To understand the occurrence of interruptions within the culture of the medical nursing unit work environment.

Background

Interruptions may lead to errors in nursing work. Little is known about how the culture of the nursing work environment contributes to interruptions.

Design

A micro‐focused ethnographic study was conducted.

Method

Data collection involved extensive observation of a nursing unit, 1:1 observations of nurses and follow‐up interviews with the nurses. Data were analysed from unstructured field notes and interview transcripts. The definitions of interruption and culture guided coding, categorising and identification of themes.

Results

A framework was developed that describes the medical nursing unit as a complex culture full of unpredictable, nonlinear changes that affect the entire interconnected system, often in the form of an interruption. The cultural elements contributing to interruptions included (i) the value placed on excellence in patient care and meeting personal needs, (ii) the beliefs that the nurses had to do everything by themselves and that every phone call was important, (iii) the patterns of changing patients, patient transport and coordination of resources and (iv) the normative practices of communicating and adapting.

Conclusions

Interruptions are an integral part of the culture of a medical nursing unit. Uniformly decreasing interruptions may disrupt current practices, such as communication to coordinate care, that are central to nursing work. In future research, the nursing work environment must be looked at through the lens of a complex system.

Relevance to clinical practice

Interventions to minimise the negative impact of interruptions must take into account the culture of the nursing as a complex adaptive system. Nurses should be educated on their own contribution to interruptions and issues addressed at a system level, rather than isolating the interruption as the central issue.
The quality improvement attitude survey: Development and preliminary psychometric characteristics
Authors: Dunagan Pamela B
Published: August 2017

Aims and objectives

To report the development of a tool to measure nurse's attitudes about quality improvement in their practice setting and to examine preliminary psychometric characteristics of the Quality Improvement Nursing Attitude Scale.

Background

Human factors such as nursing attitudes of complacency have been identified as root causes of sentinel events. Attitudes of nurses concerning use of Quality and Safety Education for nurse's competencies can be most challenging to teach and to change. No tool has been developed measuring attitudes of nurses concerning their role in quality improvement.

Design

A descriptive study design with preliminary psychometric evaluation was used to examine the preliminary psychometric characteristics of the Quality Improvement Nursing Attitude Scale. Registered bedside clinical nurses comprised the sample for the study (n = 57).

Methods

Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Cronbach's alpha reliability. Total score and individual item statistics were evaluated. Two open‐ended items were used to collect statements about nurses’ feelings regarding their experience in quality improvement efforts.

Results

Strong support for the internal consistency reliability and face validity of the Quality Improvement Nursing Attitude Scale was found. Total scale scores were high indicating nurse participants valued Quality and Safety Education for Nurse competencies in practice. However, item‐level statistics indicated nurses felt powerless when other nurses deviate from care standards. Additionally, the sample indicated they did not consistently report patient safety issues and did not have a feeling of value in efforts to improve care.

Conclusions

Findings suggested organisational culture fosters nurses’ reporting safety issues and feeling valued in efforts to improve care. Participants’ narrative comments and item analysis revealed the need to generate new items for the Quality Improvement Nursing Attitude Scale focused on nurses’ perception of their importance in quality and safety and their power to enact principles.

Relevance to the practice

The Quality Improvement Nursing Attitude Scale‐Revised edition was designed to help in understanding nurses’ attitudes and values. It can be used to further explore broad concepts of quality improvement efforts.
In‐hospital and long‐term outcomes of percutaneous balloon aortic valvuloplasty with concomitant percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with severe aortic stenosis
Authors: Daniec Marzena , Sorysz Danuta , Dziewierz Artur , Kleczyński Paweł , Rzeszutko Łukasz , Krawczyk‐Ożóg Agata , Dudek Dariusz
Published: August 2017

Background

Severe aortic stenosis (AS) often coexists with significant coronary artery disease.

Objective

To evaluate procedural complications and long‐term outcomes of patients with severe AS undergoing balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods

A total of 97 patients with severe AS underwent 104 BAVs as palliative procedure, bridge to definitive treatment, or before urgent non‐cardiac surgery. Patients were followed‐up for at least 12 months.

Results

Of the 97 patients, 34 (35.0%) underwent standalone BAV, 45 (46.4%) underwent BAV with coronary angiography, and 18 (18.6%) BAV with PCI. There were no differences in baseline characteristics and indications for BAV among the groups (P > 0.05). No higher risk of complications after BAV performed with concomitant coronary angiography/PCI was observed. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation was performed after BAV in 13 (13.4%) patients and surgical aortic valve replacement in three (3.1%) patients. In spite of no difference in in‐hospital mortality (5.6% vs. 8.9%; P = 0.76), patients with BAV and concomitant PCI had lower long‐term mortality than patients with BAV and concomitant coronary angiography (28.5% vs. 51.0%; P = 0.03). In multivariable Cox analysis adjusted for age, sex, and body mass index, the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Predicted Risk of Mortality score was identified as the only independent predictor of long‐term mortality for all patients (HR: 1.09, 95%CI: 1.04‐1.15, P = 0.0006).

Conclusions

Concomitant PCI or coronary angiography performed with BAV may not increase the risk of major and vascular complications. Patients with BAV and concomitant PCI may have better survival than patients with BAV and concomitant coronary angiography.
Financing Recovery After Disasters: Explaining Community Credit Market Responses to Severe Events
Authors: Collier Benjamin L. , Babich Volodymyr O.
Published: August 2017

Credit provides a means for uninsured households and businesses to manage disaster losses, but access to credit may be tenuous after severe events. Using lender fixed effects models, we examine how natural disasters affect the amount of credit supplied by community lenders in developing and emerging economies. We find that disasters reduce lending. We consider two potential causes of lending reductions: (1) disasters reduce expected returns on loans made after the event or (2) capital constraints (lenders’ difficulty replacing equity lost during the event). We develop a dynamic model that informs our empirical identification of these causes and conclude that capital constraints cause observed credit contractions. We also examine the effects of insurance market development and find evidence that insurance preserves the creditworthiness of borrowers. Our results demonstrate pervasive disaster‐related credit supply shocks in developing and emerging economies and identify new insurance market opportunities.
Melatonin limits paclitaxel‐induced mitochondrial dysfunction in vitro and protects against paclitaxel‐induced neuropathic pain in the rat
Authors: Galley Helen F. , McCormick Barry , Wilson Kirsten L. , Lowes Damon A. , Colvin Lesley , Torsney Carole
Published: August 2017

Chemotherapy‐induced neuropathic pain is a debilitating and common side effect of cancer treatment. Mitochondrial dysfunction associated with oxidative stress in peripheral nerves has been implicated in the underlying mechanism. We investigated the potential of melatonin, a potent antioxidant that preferentially acts within mitochondria, to reduce mitochondrial damage and neuropathic pain resulting from the chemotherapeutic drug paclitaxel. In vitro, paclitaxel caused a 50% reduction in mitochondrial membrane potential and metabolic rate, independent of concentration (20‐100 μmol/L). Mitochondrial volume was increased dose‐dependently by paclitaxel (200% increase at 100 μmol/L). These effects were prevented by co‐treatment with 1 μmol/L melatonin. Paclitaxel cytotoxicity against cancer cells was not affected by co‐exposure to 1 μmol/L melatonin of either the breast cancer cell line MCF‐7 or the ovarian carcinoma cell line A2780. In a rat model of paclitaxel‐induced painful peripheral neuropathy, pretreatment with oral melatonin (5/10/50 mg/kg), given as a daily bolus dose, was protective, dose‐dependently limiting development of mechanical hypersensitivity (19/43/47% difference from paclitaxel control, respectively). Melatonin (10 mg/kg/day) was similarly effective when administered continuously in drinking water (39% difference). Melatonin also reduced paclitaxel‐induced elevated 8‐isoprostane F2α levels in peripheral nerves (by 22% in sciatic; 41% in saphenous) and limited paclitaxel‐induced reduction in C‐fibre activity‐dependent slowing (by 64%). Notably, melatonin limited the development of mechanical hypersensitivity in both male and female animals (by 50/41%, respectively), and an additive effect was found when melatonin was given with the current treatment, duloxetine (75/62% difference, respectively). Melatonin is therefore a potential treatment to limit the development of painful neuropathy resulting from chemotherapy treatment.
Population transcriptomic characterization of the genetic and expression variation of a candidate progenitor of Miscanthus energy crops
Authors: Yan Juan , Song Zhihong , Xu Qin , Kang Lifang , Zhu Caiyun , Xing Shilai , Liu Wei , Greimler Josef , Züst Tobias , Li Jianqiang , Sang Tao
Published: August 2017

The use of transcriptome data in the study of the population genetics of a species can capture faint signals of both genetic variation and expression variation and can provide a broad picture of a species’ genomic response to environmental conditions. In this study, we characterized the genetic and expression diversity of Miscanthus lutarioriparius by comparing more than 16,225 transcripts obtained from 78 individuals, belonging to 10 populations distributed across the species’ entire geographic range. We only observed a low level of nucleotide diversity (π = 0.000434) among the transcriptome data of these populations, which is consistent with highly conserved sequences of functional elements and protein‐coding genes captured with this method. Tests of population divergence using the transcriptome data were consistent with previous microsatellite data but proved to be more sensitive, particularly if gene expression variation was considered as well. For example, the analysis of expression data showed that genes involved in photosynthetic processes and responses to temperature or reactive oxygen species stimuli were significantly enriched in certain populations. This differential gene expression was primarily observed among populations and not within populations. Interestingly, nucleotide diversity was significantly negatively correlated with expression diversity within populations, while this correlation was positive among populations. This suggests that genetic and expression variation play separate roles in adaptation and population persistence. Combining analyses of genetic and gene expression variation represents a promising approach for studying the population genetics of wild species and may uncover both adaptive and nonadaptive processes.
Exploring spatially varying relationships between children's lead poisoning and environmental factors
Authors: Shao Liyang , Zhang Lianjun , Zhen Zhen
Published: August 2017

Children's lead poisoning continues to compromise children's health and development, particularly in the inner cities of the United States. We applied a global Poisson model, a Poisson with random effects model, and a geographically weighted Poisson regression (GWPR) model to deal with the spatial dependence and heterogeneity of the number of children's lead poisoning cases in Syracuse, New York. We used three environmental factors—the building year (i.e., the year of construction) of houses, the town taxable value of houses, and the soil lead concentration—averaged at the census block level to explore the spatially varying relationships between children's lead poisoning and environmental factors. The results indicated that GWPR not only produced better model fitting and reduced the spatial dependence and heterogeneity in the model residuals but also improved the model predictions for the spatial clusters, or hot spots, of children's lead poisoning across inner city neighborhoods. Furthermore, the spatially varying model coefficients and their associated statistical tests were visualized using geographical information system maps to show the high‐risk areas for the impacts of the environmental factors on the response variable. This information can provide valuable insights for public health agencies to make better decisions on lead hazard intervention, mitigation, and control programs.
Acclimation responses to short‐term temperature treatments during early life stages causes long lasting changes in spontaneous activity of adult Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: MacLean Heidi J. , Kristensen Torsten N. , Overgaard Johannes , Sørensen Jesper G. , Bahrndorff Simon
Published: August 2017

Ecotherms adjust their physiology to environmental temperatures. Long‐term exposures to heat or cold typically induce acclimation responses that generate directional, but reversible shifts in thermal tolerance and performance. However, less is known about how short exposure in different life stages will affect the adult phenotype. In the present study, we compared the effects of long‐term temperature exposure to 15, 19 and 31 °C with that of brief (16 h) exposure periods at the same temperatures in Drosophila melanogaster eggs, larvae, pupae, or adults, respectively. The acclimation responses are evaluated using activity measurements at 11, 15, 19, 27, 31 and 33 °C and by measuring upper and lower thermal limits (CTmax and CTmin) in 5‐day‐old adult males. As expected, long‐term cold exposure reduces relative CTmin, whereas long‐term heat exposure increases relative CTmax. By contrast, we find little effect on thermal limits when using short‐term exposures at different life stages. Long‐term exposures to 31 and 15 °C both suppressed activity relative to the 19 °C control, suggesting that development at high and low temperatures may lead to reduced activity later in life. Short‐term cold exposure early in development reduces activity in the adult stage, whereas the effects of short‐term heat exposure on behaviour are dependent on life stage and test temperature. Together, our results highlight how the thermal sensitivity of the trait measured determines the ability to detect acclimation responses.
P‐removal for restoration ofNardusgrasslands on former agricultural land: cutting traditions
Authors: Schelfhout Stephanie , Mertens Jan , Perring Michael P. , Raman Maud , Baeten Lander , Demey Andreas , Reubens Bert , Oosterlynck Simon , Gibson‐Roy Paul , Verheyen Kris , De Schrijver An
Published: August 2017

Past intensive land use complicates the successful restoration of oligotrophic species‐rich grassland types. One of the major bottlenecks are the elevated nutrient levels due to fertilization, especially residual phosphorus (P). Aiming to deplete nutrients, managers often reintroduce traditional haymaking management, sometimes combined with grazing. Here, we evaluate whether this technique restores the abiotic and biotic boundary conditions for restoration ofNardusgrassland. Seven grasslands were selected in Flanders, Belgium, which had elevated nutrient levels after the cessation of intensive agriculture 16–24 years ago, and which have been mown and grazed since. We compared soil and vegetation data of these postfertilization grasslands with 34 well‐developed oligotrophicNardusgrasslands. Mowing and grazing did not cause community composition to resemble that ofNardusgrassland. Furthermore, bioavailable P‐concentrations were significantly higher in the postfertilization grasslands and P‐limitation was not obtained. Restoring P‐poor soil conditions through continued mowing and grazing management would take at least decades. Phosphorus‐mining can shorten the restoration time by increased P‐removal. Given our results, we propose a decision framework to aid planners and managers in their choice of interventions. Cost‐effective efforts for restoration should be well‐prepared, including measurements of important initial soil characteristics. This allows for an evaluation of “distance to target” and the selection of an effective restoration technique. These techniques may involve cutting the mowing tradition, and utilizing P‐mining or topsoil removal instead.
Parents' experiences of their child being admitted to a paediatric intensive care unit: a qualitative study–like being in another world
Authors: Dahav Pia , Sjöström‐Strand Annica
Published: August 2017

Background

There is very little research on the parent's experiences of having a child admitted to a paediatric intensive care unit. Identifying and describing ‘such experiences’ could facilitate better parental support from the paediatric intensive care team and help the parents manage a stressful situation.

Aims

This study aimed to describe parents' experiences of having their child admitted to a paediatric intensive care unit.

Methods

Interviews were conducted with 12 parents whose children had been admitted to a paediatric intensive care unit. A qualitative design was used, and the interviews were analysed based on content analysis.

Result

The analysis revealed two categories: ‘being involved’ and ‘being informed’ with seven subcategories: ‘caring for the parents’, ‘security and trust’, ‘altering the parental role’, ‘stress and fear’, ‘the importance of knowing’, ‘interaction in the care process’ and ‘being prepared’. An overarching theme emerged: the experience was ‘like being in another world’. The study concludes that a child's admission to a paediatric intensive care unit is a stressful situation, and for the parents to be able to handle the anxiety and stress, they need to be informed of and involved in their child's care.

Conclusions

The parents' experience when their child is admitted to a paediatric intensive care unit is fraught with a range of emotion and fear. There are indications that things such as good information, involvement and a positive experience of the transfer to the paediatric ward reduce the stress and anxiety associated with paediatric intensive care admission. The result of this study could be used as a basis for a post‐paediatric intensive care follow‐up service for the children and their families.
Facilitating the transition from a nursing student to a Registered Nurse in the final clinical practicum: a scoping literature review
Authors: Kaihlanen Anu‐Marja , Haavisto Elina , Strandell‐Laine Camilla , Salminen Leena
Published: August 2017

Background

Transition from a nursing student to a Registered Nurse is a stressful and challenging process. Different postgraduate residency and orientation programmes have been developed to ease the first year of employment, but less attention has been paid to pregraduate programmes and how the final clinical practicum of nursing education should be conducted to facilitate this transition.

Aim

To review the empirical studies concerning interventions that aim to facilitate the transition from nursing student to Registered Nurse in the final clinical practicum of nursing education. The aim was to scrutinise the structures and contents of the interventions and factors connected with the facilitated transition.

Method

A scoping literature review was conducted with systematic searches in three electronic databases: CINAHL, MEDLINE and ERIC. The searches were limited to studies that were written in English, had available abstract and were published between 2005 and 2016. Two researchers assessed the studies regarding their eligibility with reference to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and 17 articles were included in this review. Inductive content analysis was used to categorise the contents of studies.

Results

The structures of the interventions described included: the participation, learning environment, amount of clinical work, supervisor criteria and supervision methods. The contents of the interventions included supervisor support, transition supportive learning activities and the student's practicum duties. The factors that were connected with facilitated transition were the quality of the supervision, adjusting to a professional nurse's role, achieved comfort and confidence and achieved competence.

Conclusion

This scoping review offers insight into the diversity of interventions facilitating transition implemented in the final clinical practicum of nursing education. In order to unify these practices and determine the elements necessary to include, studies with stronger designs need to be conducted.
The Emotional Underpinnings of Populism: How Anger and Fear Affect Populist Attitudes
Authors: Rico Guillem , Guinjoan Marc , Anduiza Eva
Published: August 2017

Popular accounts of populist movements often point to negative emotions as a key motivating factor underlying their support. However, little systematic research has been devoted to examining differences in how distinct negative emotions affect levels of populism among voters. This paper attempts to fill this gap by focusing on the influence of the two emotions most frequently connected to populism in political commentary: fear and anger. Informed by appraisal theories of emotions, we hypothesize that populist attitudes are driven by feelings of anger, rather than fear. Using a three‐wave online panel survey of Spanish citizens between 2014 and 2016, we find that anger expressed over the economic crisis is consistently associated with variations in support for populism both between individuals and over time, whereas no significant effects emerge for expressions of fear. We discuss the implications of these findings for understanding the nature of populist support.
Improving the experimental protocol for a more accurate identification of a given mechanical behaviour in a single assay: Application to skin
Authors: Affagard J‐S. , Wijanto F. , Allain J‐M.
Published: August 2017

Mechanical properties of the skin, the external organ of the human body, are important for many applications such as surgery or cosmetics. Due to the highly hierarchical structure of the tissue, it is interesting to develop microstructural models that have better predictability and should reduce the consequences of sample variability. However, these models generally include a quite large number of mechanical parameters. Therefore, complex assays are required to achieve a proper identification of the microstructural models. We investigated here the best experimental protocol to identify a nonlinear, anisotropic, model of skin behaviour, namely, the Holzapfel law, using displacement field and force measurements. This was done through a sensitivity analysis of the different parameters. We determined first the optimal assay, which appears to be a biaxial test with an alternated loading: first a stretch in one direction, then in the perpendicular one, and so on. To further improve the quality of the assay, we also determined the optimal geometry. Interestingly, slightly asymmetric geometries are more adequate than symmetric ones, while being easier to realise.
Magnetic resonance imaging versus computed tomography to plan hemilaminectomies in chondrodystrophic dogs with intervertebral disc extrusion
Authors: Noyes Julie A. , Thomovsky Stephanie A. , Chen Annie V. , Owen Tina J. , Fransson Boel A. , Carbonneau Kira J. , Matthew Susan M.
Published: August 2017

Objective

To determine the influence of preoperative computed tomography (CT) versus magnetic resonance (MR) on hemilaminectomies planned to treat thoracolumbar (TL) intervertebral disc (IVD) extrusions in chondrodystrophic dogs.

Study design

Prospective clinical study.

Sample population

Forty chondrodystrophic dogs with TL IVD extrusion and preoperative CT and MR studies.

Methods

MR and CT images were randomized and reviewed by 4 observers masked to the dog's identity and corresponding imaging studies. Observers planned the location along the spine, side, and extent (number of articular facets to be removed) based on individual reviews of CT and MR studies. Intra‐observer agreement was determined between overall surgical plan, location, side, and size of the hemilaminectomy planned on CT versus MR of the same dog.

Results

Similar surgical plans were developed based on MR versus CT in 43.5%‐66.6% of dogs, depending on the observer. Intra‐observer agreement in location, side, and size of the planned hemilaminectomy based on CT versus MR ranged between 48.7%‐66.6%, 87%‐92%, and 51.2%‐71.7% of dogs, respectively. Observers tended to plan larger laminectomy defects based on MR versus CT of the same dog.

Conclusion

Findings from this study indicated considerable differences in hemilaminectomies planned on preoperative MR versus CT imaging. Surgical location and size varied the most; the side of planned hemilaminectomies was most consistent between imaging modalities.
Preliminary insights into the occurrence of similar clones of extended‐spectrum beta‐lactamase‐producing bacteria in humans, animals and the environment in Tanzania: A systematic review and meta‐analysis between 2005 and 2016
Authors: Seni J. , Moremi N. , Matee M. , van der Meer F. , DeVinney R. , Mshana S. E. , D Pitout J. D.
Published: August 2017

The emergence and spread of extended‐spectrum beta‐lactamase producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL‐PE) are complex and of the public health concern across the globe. This review aimed at assessing the ESBL‐PE clones circulating in humans, animals and the environment to provide evidence‐based insights for combating ESBL‐PE using One Health approach. Systematic search from Medline/PubMed, Google Scholar and African Journals Online was carried out and retrieved nine eligible articles (of 131) based on phenotypic and genotypic detection of ESBL‐PE between 2005 and 2016 in Tanzania. Analysis was performed using STATA 11.0 software to delineate the prevalence of ESBL‐PE, phenotypic resistance profiles and clones circulating in the three interfaces. The overall prevalence of ESBL‐PE in the three interfaces was 22.6% (95% CI: 21.1–24.2) with the predominance of Escherichia coli (E. coli) strains (51.6%). The majority of ESBL‐PE were resistant to the commonly used antimicrobials such as trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole and tetracycline/doxycycline, 38%–55% were resistant to ciprofloxacin and all were sensitive to meropenem/imipenem. ESBL‐PE infections were more associated with deaths compared to non‐ESBL‐PE infections. Strikingly, E. coli ST38, ST131 and ST2852 were found to intersect variably across the three interfaces. The predominant allele, blaCTX‐M‐15, was found mostly in the conjugative IncF plasmids connoting transmission potential. The high prevalence of ESBL‐PE and shared clones across the three interfaces, including the global E. coli ST131 clone, indicates wide and inter‐compartmental spread that calls for One Health genomic‐driven studies to track the resistome flow.
Evaluation of Certain Biochemical Parameters of Wrestlers before and after the 20 m Shuttle Run Test
Authors: Türkmen Mehmet
Published: August 2017

This study was conducted to determine the acute changes after the 20 m shuttle run test in the biochemical parameters and heart rates of wrestlers competing in international competitions on a study population of 21 wrestlers. The mean age of participants was 24.14±2.01years, mean heights 176±0.06 cm, body weight 76.48±14.76 kg, MaxVO2 52.78±3.20 ml/kg/min, and mean BMI 24.44±2.63 kg/m2.20-meter run and sit-up test was applied to measure the MaxVO2 scores of included subjects. Heart rates were monitored using a Polar heart rate monitor before and after the tests. The blood samples that collected at the same time intervals from the vena cephalica were stored in tubes without anticoagulants. The samples were then centrifuged for 10 minutes at 5000 rpm to obtain serum samples, and analyzed. The data obtained were treated using SPSS 15.0 software.This study showed that there was a significant increase (p<0.05) in post-test glucose, HDL-cholesterol and urea concentrations compared to pre-test levels. While the post-test LDL cholesterol concentration was significantly reduced (p<0.05), acute changes in other biochemical parameters were found to be statistically insignificant (p>0.05).It can be concluded that mean glucose, HDL and urea were increased while LDL was reduced after the 20 m shuttle run test in wrestlers.
Trayectoria constitucional del patrimonio cultural en Brasil
Authors: Campos Yussef Daibert Salomão de
Published: August 2017

El objetivo principal de este trabajo es indicar cómo la actual Constitución brasileña innova al definir qué es el patrimonio cultural y al establecer medidas para su conservación. Con este objetivo, se hará una genealogía de las llamadas “Cartas Políticas” brasileñas, que trataron temas relacionados al patrimonio. Sin profundizar en el proceso que condujo a la formación de dichas cartas, se pretende demostrar cómo la actual constitución amplía el concepto de patrimonio, aunque con algunas limitaciones, tales como la naturalización de la diversidad cultural.
Visionarias de la perspectiva de género en el arte contemporáneo del Caribe colombiano
Authors: Cuesta Flórez Alexa
Published: August 2017

La perspectiva de género en el arte del Caribe colombiano se puede contextualizar con el movimiento feminista planetario. La comparación se establece en las creaciones de mujeres artistas de esta región, ya que subvierten, manifiestan y revelan con denotada libertad expresiva, no solamente sus inquietudes intimistas, sino toda una serie de cuestionamientos a las condiciones que culturalmente se le han impuesto a la mujer en el Caribe. Son dos generaciones diferentes; las primeras, analizadas en esta entrega, pueden ser catalogadas como pioneras de la perspectiva de género en el arte colombiano. Las segundas, consolidan problemáticas en apuestas individuales, de manera diaspórica y cada vez más comprometidas con el movimiento social de mujeres. En ambos casos lo hacen a través de las artes visuales, audiovisuales, performáticas e híbridas. Estamos ante artistas vanguardistas, de las artes visuales y performáticas en el Caribe colombiano; preferimos llamarlas, en ambos casos, visionarias.
Violencia, paz y justicia en la Edad Media
Authors: López Abel
Published: August 2017

Este artículo demuestra que, en la Edad Media, si bien se recurría a la venganza personal y a las guerras privadas para resolver conflictos, a la vez había controles distintos a la violencia. Por esto, Norbert Elias no tiene razón al atribuir a la sociedad medieval una agresividad incontrolada; tampoco la tiene el historiador Marc Bloch al suponer que la violencia era consecuencia de una inestabilidad emocional o de un fondo de primitivismo propio de la Edad Feudal. Se argumenta, por una parte, que desde el siglo XII la progresiva consolidación de las monarquías y una renovada administración de justicia contribuyeron a la reducción de la violencia; y por otra, que ello no impidió que las justicias privadas continuaran con un propósito similar al de la monarquía: la paz por encima del castigo. Y se concluye que esos mismos poderes centralizados, papado y monarquías, promovieron sus propias violencias contra disidentes internos y el Islam: fueron las cruzadas, guerras en extremo violentas. Estas tesis se desarrollan con base en el método historiográfico. Es decir, el contraste entre estudios de ayer y de hoy sobre la violencia en la Edad Media.
Análisis factorial de las escalas FACES (Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scales) con familias en situación de riesgo psicosocial
Authors: Jiménez Lucía , Menéndez Susana , Lorence Bárbara , Hidalgo Victoria
Published: August 2017

En este artículo se presenta un análisis factorial de las escalas FACES III con una muestra de familias en situación de riesgo psicosocial (N = 324). Los resultados no replican la estructura bidimensional original de la prueba, e indican que solo la escala de cohesión (prescindiendo de tres ítems) obtiene propiedades psicométricas aceptables en esta muestra. Las significativas relaciones de las puntuaciones de esta escala con las de otras dimensiones relevantes del microsistema familiar ofrecen algunas evidencias de la validez de esta solución. Se discute la necesidad de revisar la escala de adaptabilidad propuesta por los autores y reformularla para poder evaluar empíricamente este constructo formulado teóricamente desde el modelo circumplejo del funcionamiento familiar.
Adaptación y validación en población mexicana del Cuestionario de personalidad tipo C (PCTC)
Authors: Ceballos Fontes Marina , García Oramas María José , Lagunes Córdoba Roberto
Published: August 2017

El objetivo de este trabajo es la adaptación y validación del Cuestionario de personalidad tipo C, elaborado por López, Ramírez, Esteve y Anarte (1998, 2002). Se realizó una adaptación lingüística del Cuestionario y se aplicó a una muestra de 391 personas en las ciudades de Chihuahua y Xalapa, México. El análisis factorial llevó a eliminar seis de los reactivos de la escala original. El resto de los reactivos se agrupan en cuatro factores. El análisis factorial confirmatorio indica que los factores constitutivos del constructo de personalidad tipo C son los de comprensión y no expresión emocional. La confiabilidad total de la escala fue de =0.757 y de las cuatro subescalas osciló entre =0.645 y =0.842.