bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Metabolic approaches to understanding climate change impacts on seasonal host‐macroparasite dynamics
Authors: Molnár Péter K. , Kutz Susan J. , Hoar Bryanne M. , Dobson Andrew P. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractClimate change is expected to alter the dynamics of infectious diseases around the globe. Predictive models remain elusive due to the complexity of host–parasite systems and insufficient data describing how environmental conditions affect various system components. Here, we link host–macroparasite models with the Metabolic Theory of Ecology, providing a mechanistic framework that allows integrating multiple nonlinear environmental effects to estimate parasite fitness under novel conditions. The models allow determining the fundamental thermal niche of a parasite, and thus, whether climate change leads to range contraction or may permit a range expansion. Applying the models to seasonal environments, and using an arctic nematode with an endotherm host for illustration, we show that climate warming can split a continuous spring‐to‐fall transmission season into two separate transmission seasons with altered timings. Although the models are strategic and most suitable to evaluate broad‐scale patterns of climate change impacts, close correspondence between model predictions and empirical data indicates model applicability also at the species level. As the application of Metabolic Theory considerably aids thea prioriestimation of model parameters, even in data‐sparse systems, we suggest that the presented approach could provide a framework for understanding and predicting climatic impacts for many host–parasite systems worldwide.
Knowledge transfer in offshore outsourcing software development projects: an analysis of the challenges and solutions from German clients
Authors: Betz Stefanie , Oberweis Andreas , Stephan Rolf 
Published: November 2012

AbstractKnowledge transfer is a critical factor in ensuring the success of offshore outsourcing software development projects and is, in many cases, neglected. Compared to in‐house or co‐located projects, however, such globally distributed projects feature far greater complexity. In addition to language barriers, factors such as cultural differences, time zone variance, distinct methods and practices, as well as unique equipment and infrastructure can all lead to problems that negatively impact knowledge transfer, and as a result, a project's overall success. In order to help minimise such risks to knowledge transfer, we conducted a research study based on expert interviews in six projects. Our study used German clients and focused on offshore outsourcing software development projects. We first identified known problems in knowledge transfer that can occur with offshore outsourcing projects. Then we collected best‐practice solutions proven to overcome the types of problems described. Afterward, we conducted a follow‐up study to evaluate our findings. In this subsequent stage, we presented our findings to a different group of experts in five projects and asked them to evaluate these solutions and recommendations in terms of our original goal, namely to find ways to minimise knowledge‐transfer problems in offshore outsourcing software development projects. Thus, the result of our study is a catalog of evaluated solutions and associated recommendations mapped to the identified problem areas.
Serum tumor necrosis factor‐alpha level in hepatitis E virus‐related acute viral hepatitis and fulminant hepatic failure in pregnant women
Authors: Salam Gyaneshwori Devi , Kumar Ashok , Kar Premashis , Aggarwal Sarita , Husain Akhtar , Sharma Shashi 
Published: November 2012

AimThe host response in hepatitis E virus (HEV)‐related liver disease of pregnant women is unclear. This study was carried out to evaluate the serum concentration of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α in HEV‐related acute viral hepatitis (AVH) and fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) in pregnant women in relation to pregnancy outcome.MethodsThe study included 262 pregnant and 158 non‐pregnant women with jaundice. There were 160 healthy asymptomatic pregnant women and 124 healthy asymptomatic non‐pregnant women as controls. The jaundiced patients were classified as AVH or FHF. Serum TNF‐α level was assayed by commercially available enzyme‐linked immunoassay kits.ResultsA significantly higher level of TNF‐α was observed in HEV‐infected pregnant women than non‐HEV pregnant women (P < 0.001). TNF‐α level was significantly higher in AVH and FHF of HEV‐infected pregnant women compared with AVH and FHF of HEV infected non‐pregnant women (P = 0.036 and P = 0.010, respectively). The HEV‐infected pregnant FHF expired group had significantly higher levels of TNF‐α than the non‐pregnant FHF expired group (P = 0.025). TNF‐α levels were significantly higher in AVH of HEV‐infected pregnant women than healthy pregnant controls (P < 0.001). Higher TNF‐α levels were observed in HEV‐infected women having preterm delivery and low birthweight newborns compared with non‐HEV and healthy pregnant women.ConclusionHigher serum concentration of TNF‐α observed in HEV infected AVH and FHF pregnant cases shows that pregnancy with HEV infection increases TNF‐α secretion. TNF‐α may be an important factor in the outcomes of pregnancy due to HEV infection.
Academic Workload and Working Time: Retrospective Perceptions Versus Time‐Series Data
Authors: Kyvik Svein 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThe purpose of this article is to examine the validity of perceptions by academic staff about their past and present workload and working hours. Retrospective assessments are compared with time‐series data. The data are drawn from four mail surveys among academic staff in Norwegian universities undertaken in the period 1982–2008. The findings show that many academic staff retrospectively perceive that expectations of their work and task performance have increased and hence that they now work longer hours. In contrast, when time‐ series data are used to measure changes in time use (on an aggregate level) no empirical evidence is found in support of this claim; instead, a slight decline in the average number of weekly working hours can be observed. Two possible reasons for this disparity are discussed. First, that heavier workloads do not necessarily imply that academic staff work longer hours. Second, that younger generations of academic staff may report fewer work hours than previous counterparts.
The vulnerable healthcare consumer: an interpretive synthesis of the patient experience literature
Authors: Hare Caroline , Law James , Brennan Carol 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThe increased policy emphasis on the ‘patient experience’ places the health consumer in centre stage as the driver for healthcare delivery. This poses challenges for service providers to meet the needs of more vulnerable groups, notably those with disabilities, who are often more likely to be both in greater need of services and, at the same time, less able to access them. This paper reports an interpretive synthesis of qualitative research studies in the UK and US on the experience of vulnerable patient groups using a broad range of health services. An interpretive review method was adopted to capture the complexity of the data. Eighteen papers were identified as meeting the inclusion criteria for the review. Seven key themes were identified: life experience, service design, point of delivery, accessibility, availability, specialist education/training and consumer typology. Although policy makers and providers often refer to the need for greater consumerism in the development of health services, our review suggests that it may be appropriate to consider a model of ‘mediated consumerism’ for some groups of service users. While some concerns are common to both mainstream and vulnerable consumers, others such as accessibility of services, and the resulting experience of health care, are particular to specific vulnerable groups. Accessing the experiences of these more vulnerable groups therefore warrants close attention in the development of both policy and practice in health service delivery.
The adoption of sustainable laundry technologies by US consumers
Authors: Hustvedt Gwendolyn , Ahn Mira , Emmel JoAnn 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThe adoption of sustainable laundry technologies by US consumers has lagged behind that of other countries and even behind the projections for adoption made by the US government. Most US household currently own and use the top‐loading vertical axis (v‐axis) agitator type washers, which use large amounts of water as well as additional energy to heat the water. More sustainable laundry practices include the use of energy‐ and water‐efficient front‐loading horizontal‐axis (h‐axis) washers. These washers have been demonstrated to use 38% less water and 58% less energy than the standard top‐loading v‐axis models. The adoption of more energy‐efficient washing technologies is of interest to many, including policy makers, because of their water‐ and energy‐saving potential. Little is known about the attributes and issues consumers use in their decision to adopt high‐efficiency washers for their home.This study uses Roger's Diffusion of Innovations Theory to understand the adoption of h‐axis washers by US consumers. An online survey of 330 consumers who own washing machines found that 23% currently own h‐axis washers and 24% of consumers intend to purchase an h‐axis when they replace their top‐loading vertical (v‐axis) washers. Energy and water savings are the most frequently cited reasons overall for adopting the h‐axis washer and cost was the main reason for not adopting the technology. Other issues, such as dissatisfaction with cleaning power and problems with machine cleanliness and maintenance, did not play a major role in adoption. Specific marketing and education channels, where US consumers are looking for information about h‐axis washers, are also identified. Overall, the results suggest that the rate of h‐axis adoption in the US is accelerating, but that many of the benefits of the technology are not easily observed by non‐owners.
Coordinated employer bargaining and globalisation: a study of the men's clothing industry in Quebec, 1974–2012
Authors: Laroche Mélanie , Murray Gregor 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThis article looks at the political economy of employer coordination of collective bargaining in the clothing or apparel manufacturing industry in Canada over three phases of globalisation: from the Multi‐Fiber Agreement in 1974 to the impact of the entry of China in the WTO. Although prevailing accounts emphasise the force of exogenous change and the likely decentralisation of bargaining structures and demise of bargaining coordination by employers, this case highlights how unions and employers sought to preserve their institutional model. We find that actor strategies and their interrelations are a central part of the explanation of this apparent institutional stability, despite the real force of economic, organisational and public policy factors. However, it is a dynamic stability in which change processes, reflecting shifting power relations, are leading to important shifts in the nature of employer coordination.
Structuration bridging diffusion of innovations and gender relations theories: a case of paradigmatic pluralism in IS research
Authors: Pozzebon Marlei , Mackrell Dale , Nielsen Susan 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThis paper discusses the adoption of a pluralist theoretical framework – one that is also multiparadigmatic – for conducting and publishing information system (IS) research. The discussion is illustrated by a single case study involving the Australian cotton industry. The theoretical framework is informed by three sociological theories, each with its particular paradigmatic assumptions: structuration theory as a meta‐theory, and diffusion of innovations and gender relations as lower‐level theories from notionally opposing paradigms. Theoretical pluralism helped to produce rich findings, illuminating both the social nature of women farmers' roles, the materiality of the cotton farming context, the characteristics of the decision support systems in use and the recursive way in which human agency and institutional pressures shape each other. Because users of so‐called divergent paradigms often face criticism based on the incommensurability issue, one of the main contributions of this paper is to discuss the value of a pluralist and multiparadigmatic theoretical framework in dealing with complex IS social phenomena.
Demographic and Economic Consequences of Conflict
Authors: Kugler Tadeusz , Kang Kyung Kook , Kugler Jacek , Arbetman-Rabinowitz Marina , Thomas John 
Published: November 2012

Abstract
Research on conflict traditionally focuses on its initiation, duration, and severity, but seldom on its consequences. Yet, demographic and economic recovery from the consequences of war lasts far longer and may be more devastating than the waging war. Our concern is with war losses and post-war recovery leading to convergence with pre-war performance. To test this proposition, we choose the most severe international and civil wars after 1920. We find that all belligerents recover or overtake demographic losses incurred in war. Economic assessments differ. The most-developed belligerents recover like a “phoenix” from immense destruction in one generation. For less-developed societies, the outcomes are mixed. The less-developed belligerents recover only a portion of their pre-war performance. The least-developed societies suffer the most and fall into lasting poverty traps. The overlapping generation growth model accounts for such differences in recovery rates based on pre-war performance challenging arguments from Solow's neoclassical growth perspective. Our results imply that foreign aid is incidental to the post-war convergence for the most-developed societies, can prompt recovery for the less-developed societies, and is not effective—unless it is massive and sustained—for the least-developed societies. World War II may provide a poor guide to current post-war challenges in Iraq and in Afghanistan.
Low serum albumin level as an independent risk factor for the onset of pressure ulcers in intensive care unit patients
Authors: Serra Raffaele , Caroleo Santo , Buffone Gianluca , Lugarà Marina , Molinari Vincenzo , Tropea Francesco , Amantea Bruno , de Franciscis Stefano 
Published: November 2012

AbstractCritically ill patients are at high risk of developing pressure ulcers (PUs) and patients who develop PUs remain significantly longer in the intensive care unit (ICU) with significantly increased morbidity and mortality. Therefore, the identification of patients at truly increased risk is important. The aim of this study was to examine the association of low serum albumin present at admission in ICU patients with the onset of PUs. We conducted a retrospective cohort study on 610 patients who were admitted to intensive care unit. Level of serum albumin and other biochemical indices, recorded at the time of admission, were collected. We collected information about PU occurrence after admission and conducted a statistical analysis with biomarkers at ICU admission and during hospital stay. The incidence of PU in the ICUs was 31% and about 70% of patients with PUs had hypoalbuminemia at admission. The lowest values of serum albumin in patients with PUs were directly proportional to the severity of ulcers. In this study, we found a close association between serum albumin and PUs. In fact serum albumin was negatively correlated with PU and may be considered one of the independent determinants of PU occurrence in patients admitted to ICUs.
Large‐scale preparation of Shiga toxin 2 in Escherichia coli for toxoid vaccine antigen production
Authors: Arimitsu Hideyuki , Sasaki Keiko , Shimizu Takeshi , Tsukamoto Kentaro , Shimizu Toshiyasu , Tsuji Takao 
Published: November 2012

AbstractEnterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) causes hemorrhagic colitis, and in more severe cases, a serious clinical complication called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Shiga toxin (Stx)is one of the factors that cause HUS. Serotypes of Stx produced by EHEC include Stx1 and Stx2. Although some genetically mutated toxoids of Stx have been developed, large‐scale preparation of Stx that is practical for vaccine development has not been reported. Therefore, overexpression methods for Stx2 and mutant Stx2 (mStx2) in E. coli were developed. The expression plasmid pBSK‐Stx2(His) was constructed by inserting the full‐length Stx2 gene, in which a six‐histidine tag gene was fused at the end of the B subunit into the lacZα fragment gene of the pBluescript II SK(+) vector. An E. coli MV1184 strain transformed with pBSK‐Stx2(His) overexpressed histidine‐tagged Stx2 (Stx2‐His) in cells cultured in CAYE broth in the presence of lincomycin. Stx2‐His was purified using TALON metal affinity resin followed by hydroxyapatite chromatography. From 1 L of culture, 68.8 mg of Stx2‐His and 61.1 mg of mStx2‐His, which was generated by site‐directed mutagenesis, were obtained. Stx2‐His had a cytotoxic effect on HeLa cells and was lethal to mice. However, the toxicity of mStx2‐His was approximately 1000‐fold lower than that of Stx2‐His. Mice immunized with mStx2‐His produced specific antibodies that neutralized the toxicity of Stx2 in HeLa cells. Moreover, these mice survived challenge with high doses of Stx2‐His. Therefore, the lincomycin‐inducible overexpression method is suitable for large‐scale preparation of Stx2 vaccine antigens.
Palaeogenetics of western French sturgeons spotlights the relationships between Acipenser sturio and Acipenser oxyrinchus
Authors: Chassaing Olivier , Desse‐Berset Nathalie , Duffraisse Marilyne , Hughes Sandrine , Hänni Catherine , Berrebi Patrick 
Published: November 2012

AbstractAimThe Atlantic sturgeon, Acipenser oxyrinchus, was long considered an American species, but recent discoveries based on analyses of archaeological remains proved its presence in the Baltic Sea and in France. This came as a surprise, as the European sturgeon, Acipenser sturio, was thought to be the only sturgeon species present on the European Atlantic coast. It was hypothesized that migrants from North America founded the Baltic population of Atlantic sturgeons around 1200 years ago.LocationThe sampling is composed of five sturgeon archaeological remains (5000–1800 yr bp) and 21 naturalized or ethanol‐preserved museum specimens from the 19th and 20th centuries, originating from the French Atlantic coast.MethodsAnalyses of ancient DNA were performed following the strict criteria of the field to avoid contamination and to ensure sequence authentication. A 210‐bp fragment of the control region (CR) was sequenced and three microsatellite loci were sized and sequenced.ResultsOut of a total of 26 samples, three archaeological remains and six museum specimens produced A. oxyrinchus mitochondrial or nuclear sequences; two of these museum samples showed signs of hybridization between A. sturio and A. oxyrinchus. All the other samples yielded only A. sturio DNA sequences, and a new CR haplotype was described in this species.Main conclusionsMolecular evidence of sympatry and natural hybridization between A. sturio and A. oxyrinchus on the French Atlantic coast – specifically the hybrid evidence of two museum specimens collected from the Seine River in 1823 and 1858 – challenge our understanding of the species' past relationships. In light of these findings, new hypotheses are presented to explain the history and geographical range of A. oxyrinchus in Europe.
Evaluation of an educational practice development programme for staff working in mental health inpatient environments
Authors: CHAMBERS M. , GILLARD S. , TURNER K. , BORSCHMANN R. 
Published: November 2012

Accessible summary
Clinical practice in acute inpatient environments can be both complex and demanding for clinicians. Often, the majority of nursing staff working in such environments are recently qualified with limited experience, as these clinical areas are considered the right place to consolidate knowledge following registration.
In this paper, we describe an evaluation of a mental health staff practice development training programme aimed to enhance clinicians’ skills and optimise service users’ experience of hospitalization.
Clinicians found the training course to be motivating and valuable to their daily clinical practice. At follow‐up, they reported an increased sense of competence and confidence when interacting with service users.
It is possible for healthcare professionals to achieve enhanced interaction and therapeutic skills with a short, focused education programme. Further research is needed to investigate the impact of service user involvement during the design and facilitation of the programme.
AbstractThis paper describes key components of a mental health practice development training programme, which aimed to translate into practice a deeper, more evidence‐based understanding of the lived experience of service users detained under the Mental Health Act (1983/2007), using action research as the underpinning paradigm. The programme explored the myriad applications of the six categories of intervention initially proposed by Heron and the widespread applicability of solution‐focused brief therapy. The programme evaluation used open‐ended questionnaires in order to obtain participants' views on facilitation and workshop content, in addition to two focus groups. The aim of the evaluation was to provide insight into participants' experience of the programme. Feedback from participants reflected a high degree of skill acquisition and enhancement and a noticeable change in ward culture after completing the programme. Service user researchers were intimately involved during all stages of the design, implementation and analysis including service user interviews for Phase 1 and the education intervention element of the practice development programme. Implications for evidence‐based mental health nursing practice, service user involvement in research and directions for future research are discussed.