bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical practice and work‐related burden among second career nurses: A cross‐sectional survey
Authors: Hama Toru , Takai Yukari , Noguchi‐Watanabe Maiko , Yamahana Reiko , Igarashi Ayumi , Yamamoto‐Mitani Noriko 
Published: May 2019

AbstractAims and ObjectivesTo explore the differences in clinical practice activities and work‐related burden between nurses with past work experience other than nursing (second career nurses: SCNs) and nurses without any past work experience (nonsecond career nurses: NSCNs).BackgroundThe number of SCNs is increasing. Some studies note that SCNs must perform additional clinical practice activities and experience more work‐related burden than NSCNs. However, there are no quantitative studies exploring SCNs' clinical practice and work‐related burden.DesignA cross‐sectional survey.MethodsResearch was conducted according to the STROBE statement. Participants were 2,013 nurses working at 56 hospitals in Japan. A 30‐item questionnaire was developed to capture clinical practice activities using clinical ladders, asking about the types of clinical practice activities participants had practiced. Every practiced activity received a score of 1. The total count of each clinical practice activity was then summed. The quantitative workload (QW) scale score was used to investigate levels of QW. Higher QW scores indicated higher levels of work‐related burden. These variables were then compared between SCNs and NSCNs, and the factors that were associated with high QW among SCNs were examined.ResultsAltogether, 961 participants (328 SCNs and 633 NSCNs) were included in the analyses. No significant differences were shown in clinical practice activities between the groups; however, SCNs' QW was significantly higher than was NSCNs' after controlling for demographic variables. SCNs' high QW was associated with the following variables: unmarried marital status, not having role model nurses and previous employment as a care worker.ConclusionsQuantitative workload was significantly higher among SCNs than among NSCNs. Tailored support for SCNs' high QW based on their specific needs should be considered.Relevance to clinical practiceThese results can help nurse managers reduce SCNs' work‐related burden and illustrate future research directions for this minority group.
Clam community composition and prey shell size impacts moon snail (Gastropod: Naticidae) drilling frequencies in South Carolina, USA
Authors: Zlatev Dimitar B. , Lordon Michael C. , Schremp Emma A. , Steffen Andrew C. , Grecco Allison E. , Bystriansky Jason S. , LaMontagne Jalene M. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractMoon snail predation on clams is a common model system of predator–prey interactions. In this system, the predator bores through the shell of its prey, leaving a distinct and identifiable hole. Some paleoecological and behavioral research on moon snails suggests a trend in predation preference directed toward clams with small shells. Rarely, however, have studies tested relative drilling frequencies across species and size ranges in natural assemblages of clam communities. We examined the clam community composition at two beaches in South Carolina, USA, and we then tested moon snail predator preferences for (a) clam prey species and (b) whether their selection is related to prey shell size. We collected a total of 1,879 clam shells, identified each shell to species and recorded their anteroposterior length. The species composition of clams differed significantly between the two beaches; Anadara ovalis was dominant at both sites, but three of ten total species were only collected at one beach. Folly Beach had nearly a 60% higher the overall drilling frequency (34.6%) versus Edisto Beach (21.8%), and this may be linked to the differences in clam community compositions at the sites. For A. ovalis and Mulinia lateralis, shells with larger lengths have lower probabilities of being bored by a moon snail. Anadara brasiliana, which generally is a thinner‐shelled clam species, had the highest total drilling frequency (77.2%), and Noetia ponderosa, a thicker‐shelled clam, had a considerably lower drilling frequency (12.0%). We conclude that both community level factors (species composition) and population characteristics (shell size distributions) may influence the local drilling frequency by moon snails.
The roles of morphological traits, resource variation and resource partitioning associated with the dietary niche expansion in the fish‐eating batMyotis pilosus
Authors: Chang Yang , Song Shengjing , Li Aoqiang , Zhang Yu , Li Zhongle , Xiao Yanhong , Jiang Tinglei , Feng Jiang , Lin Aiqing 
Published: May 2019

AbstractNiche expansion and shifts are involved in the response and adaptation to environmental changes. However, it is unclear how niche breadth evolves and changes toward higher‐quality resources.Myotis pilosusis both an insectivore and a piscivore. We examined the dietary composition and seasonality inM. pilosusand the closely relatedMyotis fimbriatususing next‐generation DNA sequencing. We tested whether resource variation or resource partitioning help explain the dietary expansion from insects to fish inM. pilosus. While diet composition and diversity varied significantly between summer and autumn, the proportion of fish‐eating individuals did not significantly change between seasons inM. pilosus. Dietary overlap betweenM. pilosusandM. fimbriatusduring the same seasons was much higher than within individual species across seasons. We recorded a larger body size, hind foot length, and body mass inM. pilosusthan inM. fimbriatusand other insectivorous trawling bats from China. Similar morphological differences were found between worldwide fishing bats and nonfishing trawling bats. Our results suggest that variation in insect availability or interspecific competition may not play important roles in the dietary expansion from insects to fish inM. pilosus.Myotis pilosushas morphological advantages that may help it use fish as a diet component. The morphological advantage promoting dietary niche evolution toward higher quality resources may be more important than variation in the original resource and the effects of interspecific competition.
Integrative modeling of performance deterioration and maintenance effectiveness for infrastructure assets with missing condition data
Authors: Lin Peiyuan , Yuan Xian‐Xun , Tovilla Edgar 
Published: May 2019

AbstractDeterioration modeling is an important analytical component in infrastructure asset management. It concerns the prediction of performance and remaining service life of assets of different designs under omnifarious working environments. For long‐term prediction, it also requires to characterize maintenance effectiveness because maintenance activities do not necessarily bring an asset to a completely renewed status. Deterioration modeling research has for decades been largely focusing on the modeling of the natural deterioration process per se, whereas the modeling of maintenance effectiveness is only a recent focus of investigation, mainly in pavement research. In practice, the asset conditions immediately before and after a given maintenance treatment both are not often known. This has made the modeling of maintenance effectiveness and long‐term deterioration prediction a challenging task. To bridge the gap, this paper presents a novel approach that integrates the modeling of deterioration and maintenance effectiveness into one process. The natural deterioration of asset performance is modeled as a continuous‐time Markov chain, whereas the effectiveness of a maintenance measure is modeled as a discrete‐time Markov chain. To account for missing condition data before and after the maintenance event, the paper also develops a robust statistical method based on Markov chain Monte Carlo simulation. A real‐life case study on a municipal sewer pipe system is carried out for demonstration of the proposed integrated modeling approach. The functional deterioration of sewer pipes and the effectiveness of flushing operations that target to bring flow capacity to intact state are modeled. Influences of pipe length, diameter, slope, and sewershed area are examined. The present work is a valuable step toward development of evidence‐based risk‐informed asset management framework.
The role of genetics in mainstreaming the production of new and orphan crops to diversify food systems and support human nutrition
Authors: Dawson Ian K. , Powell Wayne , Hendre Prasad , Bančič Jon , Hickey John M. , Kindt Roeland , Hoad Steve , Hale Iago , Jamnadass Ramni 
Published: May 2019

SummaryEspecially in low‐income nations, new and orphan crops provide important opportunities to improve diet quality and the sustainability of food production, being rich in nutrients, capable of fitting into multiple niches in production systems, and relatively adapted to low‐input conditions. The evolving space for these crops in production systems presents particular genetic improvement requirements that extensive gene pools are able to accommodate. Particular needs for genetic development identified in part with plant breeders relate to three areas of fundamental importance for addressing food production and human demographic trends and associated challenges, namely: facilitating integration into production systems; improving the processability of crop products; and reducing farm labour requirements. Here, we relate diverse involved target genes and crop development techniques. These techniques include transgressive methods that involve defining exemplar crop models for effective new and orphan crop improvement pathways. Research on new and orphan crops not only supports the genetic improvement of these crops, but they serve as important models for understanding crop evolutionary processes more broadly, guiding further major crop evolution. The bridging position of orphan crops between new and major crops provides unique opportunities for investigating genetic approaches for de novo domestications and major crop ‘rewildings’.
IL‐17A is not a treatment target in progressive vitiligo
Authors: Speeckaert Reinhart , Mylle Sofie , van Geel Nanja 
Published: May 2019

AbstractMultiple reports confirm elevated circulating IL‐17 levels and increased numbers of Th17 lymphocytes in patients with non‐segmental vitiligo. Additionally, melanocyte damaging characteristics have been ascribed to IL‐17. A single‐arm pilot study using secukinumab in active non‐segmental vitiligo was conducted. The large majority of patients developed additional skin depigmentations limiting further enrollment. Overall, laboratory analysis revealed no change in secreted chemokines or Th subsets. Th17 lymphocytes correlated with Th2, Th9, and Th22 cells while an inverse link with Th1 cells and serum sCD25 levels was observed. In contrast, Th17.1 cells correlated positively with Th1 lymphocytes. Confirmatory results were found in an independent group of patients with vitiligo showing a significant increase in Th17.1 and Th1 lymphocytes in progressive vitiligo patients compared to healthy controls, which was not found for Th17 cells. These results do not support a direct pathogenic role of IL‐17 or Th17 cells in vitiligo. Nonetheless, a delicate Th17/Th17.1/Th1 balance seems evident which changes markedly according to disease activity. This may offer new treatment options by interfering with cytokines that drive differentiation of Th17 cells toward Th1.
Combination therapy for severe portopulmonary hypertension in a child allows for liver transplantation
Authors: Serrano Ryan M. , Subbarao Girish C. , Mangus Richard S. , Montgomery Greg , Johansen Michael 
Published: May 2019

AbstractSevere PPHTN is a contraindication to liver transplantation and predicts an abysmal 5‐year outcome. It is defined as a resting mPAP >45 mm Hg with a mean pulmonary artery wedge pressure of <15 mm Hg and pulmonary vascular resistance of >3 wood units in the setting of portal hypertension. There have been limited reports of successful treatment of PPHTN leading to successful liver transplantation in adults, and one reported use of monotherapy as a bridge to successful liver transplant in pediatrics. To our knowledge, we describe the first use of combination therapy as a successful bridge to liver transplantation in a pediatric patient with severe PPHTN. This report adds to the paucity of data in pediatrics on the use of pulmonary vasodilator therapy in patients with severe PPHTN as a bridge to successful liver transplantation. Early diagnosis in order to mitigate or avoid the development of irreversible pulmonary vasculopathy that would preclude candidacy for liver transplantation is crucial, but our report demonstrates that combination therapy can be administered safely, quickly, and may allow for successful liver transplantation in patients with severe PPHTN.
The role of viscosity on skin penetration from cellulose ether‐based hydrogels
Authors: Binder Lisa , Mazál Julia , Petz Romana , Klang Victoria , Valenta Claudia 
Published: May 2019

AbstractBackgroundThe rheological properties of dermal drug delivery systems are of importance when designing new formulations. Viscosity not only affects features such as spreadability and skin feel, but may also affect the skin penetration of incorporated actives. Data on the latter aspect are controversial. Our objective was to elucidate the relation between viscosity and drug delivery performance of different model hydrogels assuming that enhanced microviscosity might delay drug release and penetration.Materials and MethodsHydrogels covering a broad viscosity range were prepared by adding either HPMC or HEC as gelling agents in different concentrations. To investigate the ability of the gels to deliver a model drug into the skin, sulphadiazine sodium was incorporated and its in vitro skin penetration was monitored using tape stripping/HPLC analysis and non‐invasive confocal Raman spectroscopy.ResultsThe trends observed with the two different experimental setups were comparable. Drug penetration depths decreased slightly with increasing viscosity, suggesting slower drug release due to the increasingly dense gel networks. However, the total penetrated drug amounts were independent of the exact formulation viscosity.ConclusionDrug penetration was largely unaffected by hydrogel viscosity. Moderately enhanced viscosity is advisable when designing cellulose ether hydrogels to allow for convenient application.
Why Georgia, Why? Peach State Residents’ Perceptions of Voting‐Related Improprieties and Their Impact on the 2018 Gubernatorial Election
Authors: Hood M. V. , McKee Seth C. 
Published: May 2019

ObjectiveIn the historic 2018 Georgia gubernatorial election, which for the first time featured a black Democratic woman against a white Republican man, we assess opinions toward voting‐related concerns and their impact on voters’ preferences.MethodsWe surveyed political behavior with a representative sample of likely Georgia voters to gauge their perceptions of voting‐related improprieties and their possible effect on vote choice.ResultsOur analysis makes it clear that not only did voters divide over election‐related concerns, which dominated the narrative of the gubernatorial contest, but opinions on this matter strongly influenced the choice for governor.ConclusionsReflecting a national development, but amplified in Georgia because demographic changes and growing minority participation are increasing competition, election administration has become highly politicized and it was the focal point of the 2018 gubernatorial campaign and the principal short‐term factor shaping mass voting behavior.
Effect of Internally Generated Revenue on Budget Implementation in Ekiti State
Authors: Olatunji Olaoye Clement , Dominic Olugbamiye Olorunleke 
Published: May 2019

The study examined the effect of internally generated revenue on budget implementation in Ekiti State. Specifically the study analyzed trends of components of internally generated revenue in Ekiti state including taxes, fines & fees, licenses, earnings and sales, interest and dividend, evaluated the relative impact of internally generated revenue components on budget implementation, and also analyzed the causal relationship between internally generated revenue components and budget implementation in Ekiti state. The study made use of time series secondary data sourced from the annual budget of Ekiti state for a period of ten years spanning form 2007 to 2016. Data collated were analyzed with trend analysis, descriptive analyzes, correlation analysis, ordinary least square regression analysis and granger causality analysis. Result revealed that components of internally generated revenue in Ekiti State has increased considerably over the last ten years, relative impact of taxes on expenditure implementation stood at 4.754741(p=0.6232 > 0.05), relative impact of fines and fees on expenditure implementation stood at 0.354370 (P=0.9624 > 0.05), relative impact of licenses on expenditure implementation stood at 1.312830 (p=0.8427 > 0.05), relative impact of earnings and sales on expenditure implementation stood at 0.166495 (p=0.9877 > 0.05), relative impact of interest and dividend on expenditure implementation stood at 2.478020(p=0.7849 > 0.05), and that there is no causal relationship between components of internally generated revenue and expenditure implementation in Ekiti state. It was concluded that though internally generated revenue components identified in the study trended predominantly upwards over the last ten years, their relative impact on the level of budget implementation is not significant. More so the study established that there is no causal relationship between components of internally generated revenue and budget implementation. The study therefore recommended that Ekiti State Government should device a new framework for boosting the level of internally generated revenue in the state, in such a way that potentials and resources lying unused in the state will be harmonize to foster effective and efficient budget implementation. Government in the state should devise an Information Technology driven revenue mobilization mechanisms to ensure that revenue generated from all sources such as taxes, fines & fees, licenses, earnings & sales, interest and dividend are monitored and properly accounted for, also there is need for reduction of external borrowing that can culminate into excessive deduction in the statutory allocation, which could dampen the capacity of sustaining efficient level of budget implementation in the state.
Women’s experiences of ceasing to breastfeed: Australian qualitative study
Authors: Ayton Jennifer Elizabeth , Tesch Leigh , Hansen Emily 
Published: May 2019

ObjectiveTo investigate mothers’ infant feeding experiences (breastfeeding/formula milk feeding) with the aim of understanding how women experience cessation of exclusive breastfeeding.DesignMultimethod, qualitative study; questionnaire, focus groups and interviews.SettingNorthern and Southern Tasmania, Australia.Participants127 mothers of childbearing age from a broad sociodemographic context completed a questionnaire and participated in 22 focus groups or 19 interviews across Tasmania, 2011–2013.ResultsMothers view breastfeeding as ‘natural’ and ‘best’ and formula milk as ‘wrong’ and ‘unnatural’. In an effort to avoid formula and prolong exclusive breastfeeding, mothers will endure multiple issues (eg, pain, low milk supply, mastitis, public shaming) and make use of various forms of social and physical capital; resources such as father/partner support, expressing breast milk, bottles and dummies. The cessation of exclusive breastfeeding was frequently experienced as unexpected and ‘devastating’, leaving mothers with ‘breastfeeding grief’ (a prolonged sense of loss and failure).Conclusions and implicationsFor many mothers, the cessation of exclusive breastfeeding results in lingering feelings of grief and failure making it harmful to women’s emotional well-being. Reframing breastfeeding as a family practice where fathers/partners are incorporated as breastfeeding partners has the potential to help women negotiate and prolong breastfeeding. Proactive counselling and debriefing are needed to assist women who are managing feelings of ‘breastfeeding grief’.
Temperature dependence of the resistance, impedance and capacitance of semitransparent PTB7-Th and PCBM sensor
Authors: Riaz Muhammad , Karimov Khasan S. , Nabi Jameel-Un 
Published: May 2019

The temperature dependences of resistance, impedance and capacitance of semitransparent sensor having structure ITO/PTB7-Th:PC[Formula: see text]BM/Graphene composite (semisurface type) were investigated. The transparency of the sensor was 58–60%. The dependences of the resistance, impedance and capacitance at different frequencies 100 Hz, 1 kHz, 10 kHz, 100 kHz and 200 kHz and temperature in the range of 23.8–80[Formula: see text]C for the sensor were studied. It was observed that as the temperature increased from 23.8[Formula: see text]C to 80[Formula: see text]C, the resistance and impedance (at 1 kHz) of the samples decreased, on average, by a factor of 3.51 and 3.79, respectively. At same experimental conditions (1 kHz), the capacitances of the samples also decreased by a factor of 9.6. It was also noted that as frequency increased from 100 Hz to 200 kHz, the impedance of the sensor decreased by a factor of 21 and 12, at temperatures 24[Formula: see text]C and 58[Formula: see text]C, respectively. Under the same conditions, the capacitance decreased by a factor of 30 and 28, respectively. The temperature resistance coefficients were measured to be −1.31%/[Formula: see text]C, −1.30%/[Formula: see text]C, −1.27%/[Formula: see text]C, −0.84%/[Formula: see text]C, −0.72%/[Formula: see text]C and −0.33%/[Formula: see text]C for R, Z (100 Hz), Z (1 kHz), Z (10 kHz), Z (100 kHz) and Z (200 kHz), respectively. For capacitance measurement, the temperature capacitance coefficients were measured as −1.39%/[Formula: see text]C, −1.38%/[Formula: see text]C, −1.37%/[Formula: see text]C, −1.36%/[Formula: see text]C and −1.34%/[Formula: see text]C, respectively. The semitransparent PTB7-Th- and PC[Formula: see text]BM-based temperature sensor can be used for measurement of the temperature as a teaching aid in situations where visual control of illumination and light intensity is required.