bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The possible role of the tumour necrosis factor polymorphisms and human leucocyte antigens in the development of prostate cancer
Authors: Stingl Jankovic K. , Hudolin T. , Kastelan Z. , Zunec R. , Grubic Z. 
Published: April 2016

SummaryThe cause of prostate cancer (PC), one of the most common cancers found among ageing men, remains unclear, but genetic predisposition is believed to play a major role in its aetiology. The aim of the study was to examine HLA genes polymorphism and TNF polymorphisms in PC development. Patients diagnosed with PC (N = 113) and 150 healthy individuals were tested for HLA‐A, HLA‐B and HLA‐DRB1 genes and for TNFa, TNFb and TNFd microsatellites. The comparison of patients and controls revealed a positive association of HLA‐DRB1*12, TNFa2 and TNFb5, and a negative association of HLA‐DRB1*13 and TNFb4 with PC. A division of patients into groups according to age, pre‐operative PSA level, Gleason score (GS) and involvement of prostatic capsule, seminal vesicles or bladder neck and perineural invasion of PC demonstrated the following: a positive correlation of HLA‐DRB1*12 and a negative correlation of HLA‐DRB1*13 with younger patients (<65 years), GS > 7 and the positive association of prostatic capsule, seminal vesicles, bladder neck and perineural invasion of PC; TNFb4 allele's negative association with older patients displaying higher PSA levels, higher GS and positive surrounding tissue involvement; positive association of TNFb5 allele for both older and younger patients. Investigation of HLA genes and TNF microsatellites demonstrated a possible role of HLA‐DRB1 and TNF regions in PC aetiology.
Strategies and Tools for Entrepreneurial Resource Access: A Cross‐disciplinary Review and Typology
Authors: Rawhouser Hans , Villanueva Jaume , Newbert Scott L. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractGiven that gaining access to external resources is a critical component of entrepreneurial activity, a great deal of research has been done in an attempt to predict and explain this phenomenon. Unfortunately, this literature is largely scattered across a wide variety of somewhat disconnected research streams, which makes interpreting the insights that have been hitherto gained challenging. In response, the authors identify a sample of 76 relevant articles from the leading management and entrepreneurship journals that examine entrepreneurial access to resources. Using a narrative synthesis approach, they then organize these articles based on the strategies (projective and/or interpersonal) and tools (words, actions, associations and/or intangibles) by which entrepreneurs gain access to resources. Based on this categorization, the authors discuss the major themes in the extant literature and offer suggestions for how to move research on entrepreneurial access forward in the future.
Predicting falls: considerations for screening tool selection vs. screening tool development
Authors: McKechnie Duncan , Pryor Julie , Fisher Murray J. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractAimsThis paper discusses considerations for falls risk screening tool selection vs. the need to develop new tools.BackgroundInpatient falls are a complex patient safety issue that represent a significant burden for the healthcare system. In the inpatient context, falls risk screening tools are most often used for predicting falls, but in some populations assessment tools are more suited, however in others, a clinician's clinical judgment may be just as effective. Limited external validity is a central issue with falls risk screening tools when used in different populations than the original study. There is clinical need for guidance regarding screening tool selection vs. the need to development new tools and how to effect change in relation to the prediction of falls.DesignDiscussion paper.Data sourcesThis discussion paper is based on our own experiences and research and is supported by literature.Implications for nursingThis paper provides clinicians with a better understanding of considerations for falls risk screening tool selection vs. the need to develop new tools. In doing so, it provides clinicians guidance on how to critique the efficacy and utility of their falls risk screening tool. This paper equips clinicians for effecting change in relation to the prediction of falls.ConclusionFalls risk prediction is a particularly complex patient safety issue. Clinicians need to be aware of the limitations of their tool used to predict falls.
The effects of early positive parenting and developmental delay status on child emotion dysregulation
Authors: Norona A. N. , Baker B. L. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractBackgroundEmotion regulation has been identified as a robust predictor of adaptive functioning across a variety of domains (Aldao et al. ). Furthermore, research examining early predictors of competence and deficits in ER suggests that factors internal to the individual (e.g. neuroregulatory reactivity, behavioural traits and cognitive ability) and external to the individual (e.g. caregiving styles and explicit ER training) contribute to the development of ER (Calkins ). Many studies have focused on internal sources or external sources; however, few have studied them simultaneously within one model, especially in studies examining children with developmental delays (DD). Here, we addressed this specific research gap and examined the contributions of one internal factor and one external factor on emotion dysregulation outcomes in middle childhood. Specifically, our current study used structural equation modelling (SEM) to examine prospective, predictive relationships between DD status, positive parenting at age 4 years and child emotion dysregulation at age 7 years.MethodParticipants were 151 families in the Collaborative Family Study, a longitudinal study of young children with and without DD. A positive parenting factor was composed of sensitivity and scaffolding scores from mother–child interactions at home and in the research centre at child age 4 years. A child dysregulation factor was composed of a dysregulation code from mother–child interactions and a parent‐report measure of ER and lability/negativity at age 7 years. Finally, we tested the hypothesis that positive parenting would mediate the relationship between DD and child dysregulation.ResultsMothers of children with DD exhibited fewer sensitive and scaffolding behaviours compared with mothers of typically developing children, and children with DD were more dysregulated on all measures of ER. SEM revealed that both DD status and early positive parenting predicted emotion dysregulation in middle childhood. Furthermore, findings provided support for our hypothesis that early positive parenting mediated the relationship between DD and dysregulation.ConclusionsThis work enhances our understanding of the development of ER across childhood and how endogenous child factors (DD status) and exogenous family factors (positive parenting) affect this process. Our findings provide clear implications for early intervention programmes for children with DD. Because of the predictive relationships between (a) developmental status and ER and (b) parenting and ER, the results imply that sensitive parenting behaviours should be specifically targeted in parent interventions for children with DD.
Surgical count process for prevention of retained surgical items: an integrative review
Authors: Freitas Patrícia Scotini , Silveira Renata Cristina de Campos Pereira , Clark Alexander Michael , Galvão Cristina Maria 
Published: April 2016

Aims and objectivesTo analyse the evidence reported in the literature concerning the surgical count process for surgical sponges, surgical instruments and sharps and to identify knowledge gaps for future research on the surgical count process.BackgroundThe surgical count process stands out among the practices advocated by the World Health Organization to ensure surgical safety. The literature indicates that this practice should be performed in all surgical processes. However, surgical items are still retained.DesignIntegrative review.MethodsThe literature search was conducted in the PubMed, CINAHL and LILACS databases and included studies on the surgical count process published in English, Spanish and Portuguese from January 2003–December 2013.ResultsA total of 28 primary studies were included in the sample, allowing the knowledge on the surgical count process to be summarised and grouped into three categories: risk factors for retained surgical items, how the surgical count process should be performed in the intraoperative period and the accompanying technologies that collaborate to improving the manual count process.ConclusionsThe correct implementation of the surgical count process by the perioperative nurse may contribute to preventing retained surgical items, thereby improving surgical patient safety.Relevance to clinical practiceNurses can use this review to assist in decision‐making directed towards preparing, updating and implementing a reliable system for the surgical count process based on recent evidence because the perioperative nurse plays a key role in the implementation of this practice in health services.
Subjective and objective assessment of patients’ compression therapy skills as a predicator of ulcer recurrence
Authors: Mościcka Paulina , Szewczyk Maria T. , Jawień Arkadiusz , Cierzniakowska Katarzyna , Cwajda‐Białasik Justyna 
Published: April 2016

Aims and objectivesTo verify whether the subjectively and objectively assessed patient's skills in applying compression therapy constitute a predicting factor of venous ulcer recurrence.BackgroundSystematic implementation of compression therapy by the patient is a core of prophylaxis for recurrent ulcers. Therefore, patient education constitutes a significant element of care. However, controversies remain if all individuals benefit equally from education.DesignA retrospective analysis.MethodsThe study included medical records of patients with venous ulcers (n = 351) treated between 2001 and 2011 at the Clinic for Chronic Wounds at Bydgoszcz Clinical Hospital. We compared two groups of patients, (1) with at least one episode of recurrent ulcer during the five‐year observation period, and (2) without recurrences throughout the analysed period in terms of their theoretical skills and knowledge on compression therapy recorded at baseline and after one month.ResultsVery good self‐assessment of a patient's compression therapy skills and weak assessment of these skills by a nurse proved significant risk factors for recurrence of the ulcers on univariate analysis. The significance of these variables as independent risk factors for recurrent ulcers has been also confirmed on multivariate analysis, which also took into account other clinical parameters.ConclusionsBuilding up proper compression therapy skills among the patients should be the key element of a properly construed nurse‐based prophylactic program, as it is the most significant modifiable risk factor for recurrent ulcers. Although the development of compression skills is undeniably important, also other factors should be considered, e.g. surgical correction of superficial reflux.Relevance to clinical practiceInstruction on compression therapy should be conducted by properly trained nursing personnel – the nurses should have received both content and psychological training. The compression therapy training should contain practical instruction with guided exercises and in‐depth objective assessment of the effects of the training.
HOUSEHOLD COOPERATION IN WASTE MANAGEMENT: INITIAL CONDITIONS AND INTERVENTION
Authors: Briguglio Marie 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe need to divert municipal solid waste away from landfill is an important policy goal in many countries, and the possibility that households cooperate in this endeavor, an oft pursued solution. There is a vast body of theoretical and empirical work which provides insights on the kind of household conditions and intervention that may stimulate such cooperation. This paper reviews the relevant literature in environmental and behavioural economics and synthesizes it around two themes: (1) initial conditions conducive to cooperation (including household motives and constraints and, by association, the demographics of cooperative households) and (2) intervention that may stimulate (or suppress) cooperation. Three distinct attributes of intervention are examined in particular detail, namely convenience, charges and communication. The paper concludes by providing a succinct set of cues for policy‐makers and scheme‐operators wishing to stimulate household cooperation in waste management, and by identifying gaps in the literature which merit further research.
Serum Concentrations of Symmetric Dimethylarginine and Creatinine in Dogs with Naturally Occurring Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Hall J.A. , Yerramilli M. , Obare E. , Yerramilli M. , Almes K. , Jewell D.E. 
Published: April 2016

BackgroundSerum concentrations of symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) detected chronic kidney disease (CKD) in cats an average of 17.0 months before serum creatinine (Cr) concentrations increased above the reference interval.ObjectivesTo report on the utility of measuring serum SDMA concentrations in dogs for detection of CKD before diagnosis by measurement of serum Cr.AnimalsCKD dogs (n = 19) included those persistently azotemic for ≥3 months (n = 5), dogs that were azotemic at the time of death (n = 4), and nonazotemic dogs (n = 10). CKD dogs were compared with healthy control dogs (n = 20).MethodsRetrospective study, whereby serum Cr concentrations were determined by enzymatic colorimetry and serum SDMA concentrations were determined by liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry in dogs with necropsy confirmed CKD.ResultsSerum SDMA increased before serum Cr in 17 of 19 dogs (mean, 9.8 months; range, 2.2–27.0 months). Duration of elevations in serum SDMA concentrations before the dog developed azotemia (N = 1) or before the dog died (N = 1) was not determined. Serum SDMA and Cr concentrations were linearly related (r = 0.84; P < .001). Serum SDMA (r = −0.80) and serum Cr (r = −0.89) concentrations were significantly related to glomerular filtration rate (both P < .001).Conclusion and Clinical ImportanceUsing serum SDMA as a biomarker for CKD allows earlier detection of kidney dysfunction in dogs than does measurement of serum Cr. Earlier detection might be desirable for initiating renoprotective interventions that slow progression of kidney disease.
Corruption: Transcending Borders
Authors: Correa Esteban Alemán , Jetter Michael , Agudelo Alejandra Montoya 
Published: April 2016

SummaryIs corrupt behavior transmitted internationally? Using panel data for 123 countries from 1995 to 2012, our results suggest a positive and statistically meaningful relationship between neighboring countries’ corruption levels and domestic graft. This result is robust to including two‐way fixed effects, country‐specific time trends, and the standard set of control variables. The effect becomes stronger as income increases, if capital cities are located closer to each other, and if countries share a common political union, such as the European Union. We find less evidence for common language or comparable institutional backgrounds (e.g., similar degrees of democracy), but some evidence for trade relationships as potential transmission channels. These findings allow two main conclusions. First, a country with corrupt neighbors will find it difficult to get rid of corruption. Second, on a more positive note, efforts aimed at decreasing domestic corruption levels could produce positive externalities in affecting neighboring countries. This could particularly hold true within a common institutional framework, such as the European Union.
How Do Voters React to Complex Choices in a Direct Democracy? Evidence from Switzerland
Authors: Hessami Zohal 
Published: April 2016

SummaryDirect democracy may impose significant information demands on voters, especially when individual propositions are highly complex. Yet, it remains theoretically ambiguous how proposition complexity affects referendum outcomes. To explore this question, I use a novel dataset on 153 Swiss federal referendums that took place between 1978 and 2010. The dataset includes hand‐collected data on the number of subjects per proposition based on official pre‐referendum information booklets as a measure of complexity. My estimation results suggest that the relationship between proposition complexity and the share of yes‐votes follows an inverse U‐shape. Using micro‐data from representative post‐referendum surveys, I provide evidence for two opposing channels. More complex propositions are supported by a more diverse group of voters. On the other hand, voters find it more difficult to estimate the personal consequences of complex propositions and are therefore more likely to reject them.
Do Constitutions Matter? The Effects of Constitutional Environmental Rights Provisions on Environmental Outcomes
Authors: Jeffords Chris , Minkler Lanse 
Published: April 2016

SummaryWe use a novel data set within an instrumental variables framework to test whether the presence and language of constitutional environmental rights influence environmental outcomes. The outcome variables include Yale's Environmental Performance Index and its components. We employ two‐stage least squares to account for reverse causality, that is, the possibility that a country which takes steps to protect the environment might also be more likely to constitutionalize environmental rights. Our first stage theory combines constitution norms, opposition costs, and generation effects. Our controls include country income, which means that our study is also related to the Environmental Kuznets Curve literature. We find that constitutions do indeed matter for positive environmental outcomes, which suggests that we should not only pay attention to the incentives confronting polluters and resource users, but also to the incentives and constraints confronting those policymakers who initiate, monitor, and enforce environmental policies.
Cultural Influence on Preferences and Attitudes for Environmental Quality
Authors: Kountouris Yiannis , Remoundou Kyriaki 
Published: April 2016

SummaryWe investigate national culture's influence on preferences for and attitudes to environmental quality. We use the cultural diversity of immigrants in European countries to isolate the effect of culture from the confounding effect of the economic and institutional environment. Results suggest that culture is a significant determinant of migrants' individual environmental preferences and attitudes. Migrants from countries with higher levels of environmental preferences are more willing to trade off income for environmental quality when controlling for individual characteristics, country of residence, and country of origin macroeconomic and environmental conditions. Furthermore, culture significantly influences individual beliefs about limits to growth, the fragility of the balance of nature, and the likelihood of an ecological crisis. The result is robust to alternative definitions of the cultural proxy and points to the significance of accounting for cultural influences in the design of domestic and international environmental policy and the application of environmental valuation techniques.
Messages to new mothers: an analysis of breast pump advertisements
Authors: Sheehan Athena , Bowcher Wendy L. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe mass media is replete with all kinds of advice, products and ideas about ‘motherhood’ with advertising being a major source of information on the latest products and consumer trends. Advertising is a key means of promoting ideas about infant feeding, and yet, there has been little in the way of critical analyses of breast pump advertisements in order to reveal the kinds of messages they convey about this method of feeding. This article makes an important step towards addressing this gap through analysing three advertisements for breast pumps from a popular Australian magazine for mothers. We utilize a social semiotic framework to investigate not just what choices are made in the design of the ads but also what those choices mean in terms of the overall message of the ads. Our analysis identifies three core messages: ‘breastfeeding and breast pumping are the same with the purpose being to produce breast milk only’, ‘using breast pumps facilitates quality time with the baby’ and ‘mothers need outside expertise (including breast pumps) to ensure baby's development’. We believe it is important for those who provide information and support for breastfeeding women to be aware of the subtle, naturalized messages that ads convey so that they may better understand what may be underlying women's decisions regarding methods of infant feeding. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Engineering of CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated potyvirus resistance in transgene‐free Arabidopsis plants
Authors: Pyott Douglas E. , Sheehan Emma , Molnar Attila 
Published: April 2016

SummaryMembers of the eukaryotic translation initiation factor (eIF) gene family, including eIF4E and its paralogue eIF(iso)4E, have previously been identified as recessive resistance alleles against various potyviruses in a range of different hosts. However, the identification and introgression of these alleles into important crop species is often limited. In this study, we utilise CRISPR/Cas9 technology to introduce sequence‐specific deleterious point mutations at the eIF(iso)4E locus in Arabidopsis thaliana to successfully engineer complete resistance to Turnip mosaic virus (TuMV), a major pathogen in field‐grown vegetable crops. By segregating the induced mutation from the CRISPR/Cas9 transgene, we outline a framework for the production of heritable, homozygous mutations in the transgene‐free T2 generation in self‐pollinating species. Analysis of dry weights and flowering times for four independent T3 lines revealed no differences from wild‐type plants under standard growth conditions, suggesting that homozygous mutations in eIF(iso)4E do not affect plant vigour. Thus, the established CRISPR/Cas9 technology provides a new approach for the generation of Potyvirus resistance alleles in important crops without the use of persistent transgenes.
Enhancing the management of deteriorating patients with Australian on line e‐simulation software: Acceptability, transferability, and impact in Hong Kong
Authors: Sparkes Louise , Chan Maggie Mee Kie , Cooper Simon , Pang Michelle Tsz Ha , Tiwari Agnes 
Published: April 2016

AbstractInternational concerns relating to healthcare professionals’ failure to rescue deteriorating patients exist. Web‐based training programs have been developed and evaluated in Western settings but further testing is required before application in non‐Western countries, as traditional modalities of learning may differ between cultures. We trialed an Australian English language online simulation program for the management of deteriorating patients, Feedback Incorporating Review and Simulation Techniques to Act on Clinical Trends (FIRST2ACTWeb), to test cultural acceptability, transferability, and educational impact. The study was designed as a quasi‐experimental evaluation of the FIRST2ACTWeb program with final year nursing students from a Bachelor of Nursing program at the University of Hong Kong. Participants completed pre‐course and post‐course tests, three interactive scenarios, and program evaluations. The program was positively evaluated, with significant improvements in knowledge, skills, self‐rating of performance, confidence, and competence. Outcomes were comparable to earlier evaluations with Australian students, demonstrating that an interactive simulation‐based program of patient deterioration management has cultural and language acceptability and transferability across communities with significant educational impact.