bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nurses’ disaster preparedness and core competencies in Turkey: a descriptive correlational design
Authors: Taskiran G. , Baykal U. 
Published: February 2019

AimThis descriptive correlational study aimed to identify nurses’ perceptions of their own disaster preparedness and core competencies.BackgroundAs disasters have increased in number and severity in recent years, it is crucial that nurses should be appropriately prepared. There is still limited research on this issue in Turkey.IntroductionWith changes in disaster policies in the last decade, the need to improve the disaster core competencies of nurses has also increased.MethodsA sample of 406 nurses selected with convenience sampling and working in an 1816‐bed capacity university hospital was included in this descriptive correlational study. A single‐item visual scale and the 45‐item Nurses Perceptions of Disaster Core Competencies Scale were used.Results‘Technical Skills’ scored highest across the subscales of the scale, and ‘Critical Thinking Skills’ scored lowest. When the total and subscale scores were compared by age group, professional experience, working position and prior disaster experience, there were statistically significant differences.ConclusionsThe Turkish nurses had different levels of disaster core competencies and considered themselves more competent in some areas of disaster preparedness than in others. There are clearly gaps to be filled in disaster preparedness and core competencies in Turkish nurses.Implications for nursing and policyNurse managers should advocate for increasing disaster preparedness for all nurses. This could be accomplished by offering formal training in disaster preparedness and/or by scheduling regular disaster drills, perhaps using a mix of tabletop exercises with occasional hospital‐wide disaster scenarios. In addition, managers should regularly evaluate nurses’ disaster core competencies to achieve effective preparation plans and training.
The impact of a prospective 4‐year longitudinal school intervention for improving oral health and oral health inequalities in primary schoolchildren in Flanders‐Belgium
Authors: Lambert Martijn Jacky , De Visschere Luc M. J. , Martens Luc C. , Deschepper Ellen , Vanobbergen Jacques 
Published: February 2019

BackgroundOral diseases and socio‐economic inequalities in children are a persisting problem.AimTo investigate the 4‐year longitudinal impact of an oral health promotion programme on oral health, knowledge, and socio‐economic inequalities in primary schoolchildren.DesignThe intervention was carried out between 2010 and 2014 within a random sample of Flemish primary schoolchildren (born in 2002). It consisted of an annual oral health education session. ICDAS/DMFT, care level, knowledge scores, and plaque index were used as outcome variables. Being entitled to a corrective policy measure was used as social indicator. Mixed model analyses were conducted to evaluate changes over time between intervention and control group and between higher and lower social subgroups.ResultsA total of 1058 participants (23.8%) attended all four sessions. The intervention had a stabilizing effect on the number of decayed teeth and increased knowledge scores. No statistically different effect on the two social groups could be demonstrated. Socio‐economic inequalities were present both at T0 and T4.ConclusionThe oral health promotion programme had a positive impact on oral health knowledge and stabilized the number of decayed teeth. No impact on inequalities could be demonstrated, although a higher dropout rate in children with a lower social status was seen.
An exact algorithm for the maximum quasi‐clique problem
Authors: Ribeiro Celso C. , Riveaux José A. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractGiven a graph and a threshold , the maximum quasi‐clique problem amounts to finding a maximum cardinality subset of the vertices in V such that the edge density of the graph induced in G by is greater than or equal to the threshold. This problem is NP‐hard and has a number of applications in data mining, for example, in social networks or phone call graphs. In this work, we present an exact algorithm to solve this problem, based on a quasi‐hereditary property. We also propose a new upper bound that is used for pruning the search tree. Numerical results show that the new approach is competitive and outperforms the best integer programming approaches in the literature. The new upper bound is consistently tighter than previously existing bounds.
Diversity in daytime and night‐time transpiration dynamics in barley indicates adaptation to drought regimes across the Middle‐East
Authors: Sadok Walid , Tamang Bishal G. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractA challenge to breeding drought‐tolerant barley in the Middle‐East is that precipitation and evaporative demand patterns dictate opposite water use strategies (conservative vs. risk‐taking). To characterize these strategies, we examined high‐resolution, whole‐plant transpiration rate (TR) responses to increasing vapour pressure deficit (VPD) and nocturnal TR (TRN) dynamics among 25 local barley genotypes, using a novel phenotyping system. These traits were specifically selected because they exist under modalities enabling the expression of both strategies. The genotypes were selected from locations spread across a large aridity gradient represented by temperature and precipitation data spanning 30 years. Here, we uncovered a substantial diversity in TR responses to VPD where slopes of the linear responses correlated negatively with local maximal temperatures, pointing to opposite drought tolerance strategies. Low canopy conductance (low slopes) was associated with higher aridity, likely to enable water‐saving, while higher conductance was associated with wetter areas, likely to enable a more aggressive water use to maximize physiological activity. TRN was highly diverse and represented up to 15% of maximal daytime TR, pointing to the possibility of increasing water‐saving by reducing TRN. Furthermore, we detected pre‐dawn variation in TRN that negatively correlated with local precipitation, indicating that a tighter circadian control is associated with adaptation to drought, consistently with a circadian resonance mechanism. These findings indicate that canopy conductance and TRN are potentially beneficial to design drought‐tolerant barley germplasm adapted to different drought regimes taking place in the Middle‐East.
The role of professional commitment in improving nurses’ professional capabilities and reducing their intention to leave: Two‐wave surveys
Authors: Chang Hao‐Yuan , Lee I‐Chen , Chu Tsung‐Lan , Liu Ying‐Chen , Liao Yen‐Ni , Teng Ching‐I 
Published: February 2019

AbstractBackgroundSocial cognitive career theory (SCCT) can explain the mechanism underlying the formulation of nurse turnover intention. However, little is known about the role of professional commitment in such a mechanism.AimsThe aim of this study was to explore how elements of SCCT have an impact on the three aspects of professional commitment and thus nurses’ intention to leave the profession.DesignThis study used surveys to collect two‐wave data.MethodsThe participants were sampled in all available units of a major medical centre in 2017. By using proportionate random sampling methods, we successfully followed up a representative sample of 524 full‐time nurses. Most participants (98.1%) were female. Items came from Cunningham et al.'s Self‐Efficacy Scale, Outcome Expectations Scale, Human Capital Scale and Vocational Interest Scale; Meyer et al.'s Professional Commitment Scale; and Teng et al.'s Turnover Intention Scale. Structural equation modelling was used to test the hypotheses.ResultsSelf‐efficacy was positively related to outcome expectation. Outcome expectation was positively related to career interest. Career interest was positively related to affective professional commitment. Human capital was positively related to normative professional commitment. Affective professional commitment was positively related to intention to improve professional capabilities, which was further negatively related to intention to leave the profession.ConclusionAspects of professional commitment are important process variables in the impact of self‐efficacy and outcome expectation on nurses’ turnover intention.
Adherence to oral antihypertensive medications, are all medications equal?
Authors: Shani Michal , Lustman Alex , Vinker Shlomo 
Published: February 2019

Good medication adherence is a key factor in chronic disease management. Poor adherence is associated with adverse outcomes and high costs. We aimed to explore adherence rates among oral antihypertensive medications. The study included members of the Central District of Clalit Health Services in Israel aged between 40 and 75 years, who were diagnosed with hypertension before 2012 and who filled at least one prescription per year during 2012‐2014, for the following medications: hydrochlorothiazide, nifedipine, amlodipine, lercanidipine hydrochloride, atenolol, bisoprolol, angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI), angiotensin II receptor antagonists (ARBs), and statins. Purchase of at least nine monthly prescriptions during 2013 was considered as “good medication adherence.” We compared systolic blood pressure and LDL levels, according to medication adherence, for each medication and cross‐adherence rates between medications. The study included 31 530 subjects. The rates of good medication adherence varied widely among the medications investigated, ranging from 53% for statins and hydrochlorothiazide to 71% for amlodipine. Mean systolic BP and LDL levels were statistically significantly lower among persons with good, compared to lower adherence, for each of the medications investigated. Both advanced age and more chronic medications were associated with higher adherence rates for all medications tested. Poor adherence to any single medication was found to be associated with lower adherence to other medications. Different antihypertensive medications have different adherence rates. Since adherence to one medication is related to adherence to other medications, investing in medication adherence may be highly beneficial.
Adaptation to developmental diet influences the response to selection on age at reproduction in the fruit fly
Authors: May Christina M. , van den Heuvel Joost , Doroszuk Agnieszka , Hoedjes Katja M. , Flatt Thomas , Zwaan Bas J. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractExperimental evolution (EE) is a powerful tool for addressing how environmental factors influence life‐history evolution. While in nature different selection pressures experienced across the lifespan shape life histories, EE studies typically apply selection pressures one at a time. Here, we assess the consequences of adaptation to three different developmental diets in combination with classical selection for early or late reproduction in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. We find that the response to each selection pressure is similar to that observed when they are applied independently, but the overall magnitude of the response depends on the selection regime experienced in the other life stage. For example, adaptation to increased age at reproduction increased lifespan across all diets; however, the extent of the increase was dependent on the dietary selection regime. Similarly, adaptation to a lower calorie developmental diet led to faster development and decreased adult weight, but the magnitude of the response was dependent on the age‐at‐reproduction selection regime. Given that multiple selection pressures are prevalent in nature, our findings suggest that trade‐offs should be considered not only among traits within an organism, but also among adaptive responses to different—sometimes conflicting—selection pressures, including across life stages.
Molecular characterization and interactome analysis of aerolysin (aer) gene from fish pathogen Aeromonas veronii: The pathogenicity inferred from sequence divergence and linked to histidine kinase (cheA)
Authors: Foysal Md Javed , Momtaz Farhana , Ali Md Hazrat , Siddik Muhammad A. B. , Chaklader Md Reaz , Rahman Md Mahbubur , Prodhan Md Shamsul Haque , Cole Anthony 
Published: February 2019

AbstractAerolysin (aer) is one of the most important and abundant virulence factors in the infection of fish by Aeromonas veronii. A comprehensive study on the molecular characterization and pathogenicity of the aer gene from 34 A. veronii isolates from diseased carp and catfish was carried out and its interactome was analysed to observe the functional correlations between aer and other proteins within the A. veronii network. The PCR‐based amplification of aer from the 34 isolates of A. veronii showed more aer‐positive isolates from catfish with a high pathogenic potential in the in vivo challenge test than the carp fish. The analysis of aer gene sequence from challenged fish revealed significant sequence divergence according to the types and geographical distribution of the fish. The networking analysis of aer from the model A. veronii B565 revealed histidine kinase (cheA) as the most functional interacting partner. The study of the interaction between aer from the experimental A. veronii and cheA demonstrated that the A chain of cheA plays a more important role than the corresponding B chain during contact, and a linker sequence of 15 residues controlled the entire interaction process. Therefore, cheA could be an excellent drug target for controlling A. veronii infection of fish.
Development of enrobed fish products: Improvement of functionality of coated materials by added aquatic polymers
Authors: Hauzoukim  , Martin Xavier K.A. , Kannuchamy Nagalakshmi , Balange Amjad , Gudipati Venkateshwarlu 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe study was aimed at evaluating three polymer hydrocolloids from aquatic sources in batter composition for developing enrobed fish fingers with less oil uptake and improved coating properties. Alginate, chitosan, and fish gelatin were incorporated at 1% (wt/wt) level in batter mix and coating parameters such as coating pickup, adhesion degree, frying loss, and cooked yield were studied. Proximate composition, chemical quality parameters, and oil absorption/oil reduction due to hydrocolloids were studied, and the results indicated that chitosan‐treated fish fingers are found to have better coating functions, biochemical quality with lower total volatile basic nitrogen value (6.02 mg/100 g), peroxide value (0.05 meq O2/kg), and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (0.15 MDA/kg fat) than alginate and gelatin treated samples. The results indicated that lowest fat uptake (3.73%), lowest hardness value, and highest fat reduction were observed in fish finger coated with chitosan containing batter. Among the three aquatic polymers evaluated, chitosan was found to be more effective in oil reduction and physicochemical quality improvement as compared to alginate and fish gelatin.Practical applicationsThis study highlights the screening and evaluation of three biological macromolecules of aquatic origins such as alginate, chitosan, and gelatin for the development of battered and breaded fish finger with better functional qualities including minimum oil absorption and improved shelf‐life. The outcome of this work can be used to extend the development of functional fishery products, and it can be utilized to extend the market potential of alginate and chitosan and promote the battered and breaded product consumption with more health benefits.
Intraluminal therapy for Helicobacter pylori infection
Authors: Liou Tai‐Cherng , Liao Po‐Hao , Lin Yu‐Chun , Chu Cheng‐Hsin , Shih Shou‐Chuan 
Published: February 2019

AbstractBackground and AimSeveral strategies have been proposed to increase the eradication rate of Helicobacter pylori. However, the widespread increasing resistance rates to current multiple‐dose oral antibiotic therapies call for alternative therapeutic approaches. We aim to develop a novel intraluminal therapy for H. pylori infection (ILTHPI).MethodsFrom April 2017 to December 2017, 100 H. pylori‐infected treatment‐naïve patients with upper abdominal pain or discomfort underwent endoscopic examinations and concomitant ILTHPI, which comprised the control of intragastric pH, the irrigation of gastric mucosal surface with a mucolytic agent, and the application of single‐dose medicaments containing antibiotic powders. The safety profiles while conducting ILTHPI and adverse events after ILTHPI were evaluated. The success of eradication was assessed based on the result of the 13C‐urea breath test 6 weeks after ILTHPI. In addition, a patient with successful ILTHPI was reconfirmed by a negative H. pylori stool antigen test four to 6 months after ILTHPI to exclude short‐term recurrence.ResultsAll the 100 enrolled patients completed the ILTHPI with good safety profiles and mild adverse events (6%). Five patients dropped out, and 51 of 95 patients (53.7%) achieved successful eradication immediately after endoscopic examinations. All 51 patients revealed negative stool H. pylori antigen tests four to 6 months after successful ILTHPI. No short‐term recurrence was observed.ConclusionsWe have developed a novel therapeutic approach. With the ILTHPI, H. pylori can be eradicated immediately by administrating a single‐dose regimen while conducting an endoscopic examination.Clinical Trials NumberNCT03124420
Peri‐implantitis risk factors: A prospective evaluation
Authors: Mazel Anthony , Belkacemi Souad , Tavitian Patrick , Stéphan Grégory , Tardivo Delphine , Catherine Jean Hugues , Aboudharam Gérard 
Published: February 2019

AbstractAimThe aim of the present study was to create a tool to evaluate the risk of peri‐implantitis according its severity.MethodsAfter ethics committee approval, 43 patients provided signed consent and were included prospectively. Forty‐five observations were recorded. The following criteria were recorded: number of implant faces showing bleeding and/or suppuration, pocket depth on at least two faces of the implant, bone loss as a function of the length of the implant evaluated on X‐rays, number of implant faces with bacterial plaque, the parameters required for determination of excess cement (screwed or sealed prosthesis, burying of sealed prostheses), periodontal status, glycemia, and annual consumption of tobacco. Each of these parameters was plotted on a chart using Microsoft Excel.ResultsSeventeen of 45 (37.8%) cases were identified as having high peri‐implantitis risk, two of 45 (4.4%) had low risk, and 11 of 45 (24.4%) had moderate risk; 33.3% patients did not have peri‐implantitis and were considered at very low risk.ConclusionThe observed results applied to the evaluation model are an effective diagnostic tool in assessing the risk of peri‐implantitis. The tool takes into account parameters, which have not been taken into account until now. The information is automatically processed and allows early management of peri‐implantitis.
Hospital readmissions among older people with intellectual disability in comparison with the general population
Authors: Axmon A. , Björkman M. , Ahlström G. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractBackgroundOlder people with intellectual disability have high multimorbidity and poor physical and mental health compared with the general population. Consequently, they have a greater need for health care. Hospital readmissions may be an indicator of the quality of health care. However, so far, only a few studies have investigated this outcome in populations of people with intellectual disability. None has focused on older people.MethodWe identified a cohort of people with intellectual disability aged 55+ years and alive at the end of 2012 (n = 7936). Moreover, we established a reference cohort from the general population, one‐to‐one matched by sex and year of birth. Data on hospital visits during the period 2002–2012 were collected from the Swedish National Patient Register. Readmissions were defined as unplanned visits with the same diagnosis occurring within 30 days of discharge and with no planned visit for the same diagnosis during this time.ResultsCompared with the general population, people with intellectual disability had increased risk of readmissions for diseases of the nervous system [relative risk (RR) 2.62], respiratory system (RR 1.48), digestive system (RR 1.40) and musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (RR 2.10). Within these diagnostic groups, increased risks were found for arthropathies (RR 3.73), disorders of gallbladder, biliary tract and pancreas (RR 1.78), other diseases of intestines (RR 1.30), and other forms of heart disease (RR 1.23). Decreased risk of readmissions was found for mental and behavioural disorders (RR 0.78) and diseases of the circulatory system (RR 0.64).ConclusionsThe increased risk for readmissions related to diseases of the nervous and musculoskeletal systems has a clear relation to the prevalence of comorbidities in these areas. People with intellectual disability often also have inborn limitations and damages in these systems which with time lead to complications and risk for diseases, which can be difficult to discover. The increased risk for readmissions for disease of the respiratory system, together with the already known increased prevalence of such diagnoses and their occurrence as a cause for death, warrants further investigations and considerations of potential preventive measures. The pattern of readmissions among older people with intellectual disability cannot be explained solely by a higher prevalence of disorders in this group. Our finding of increased risks for readmissions for diseases in the digestive system could be interpreted as communication problems, which sometimes result in too rapid discharges and their consequential early readmissions.
Nominal GDP Targeting and the Taylor Rule on an Even Playing Field
Authors: BECKWORTH DAVID , HENDRICKSON JOSHUA R. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractSome economists advocate nominal GDP targeting as an alternative to the Taylor Rule. These arguments are largely based on the idea that nominal GDP targeting would require less knowledge on the part of policymakers than a traditional Taylor Rule. In particular, a nominal GDP targeting rule would not require real‐time knowledge of the output gap. We examine the importance of this claim by amending a standard New Keynesian model to assume that the central bank has imperfect information about the output gap and therefore must forecast the output gap based on previous information. Forecast errors by the central bank can then potentially induce unanticipated changes in the short‐term nominal interest rate, distinct from a standard monetary policy shock. We show that forecast errors of the output gap by the Federal Reserve can account for up to 13% of the fluctuations in the output gap. In addition, our simulations imply that a nominal GDP targeting rule would produce lower volatility in both inflation and the output gap in comparison with the Taylor Rule under imperfect information.