bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Perceptions and Practice Patterns of General Gynecologists Regarding Urogynecology and Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery
Authors: Yune Junchan Joshua , Siddighi Sam 
Published: June 2013

Objectives
The purpose of this study was to describe the current practice patterns of general gynecologists regarding management of various urogynecologic conditions.

Methods
A 15-item Web-based survey was sent to obstetrician and gynecologists in 2011. Subjects who chose to participate answered questions about their comfort level with management of various urogynecologic conditions, their perceptions of the need for a pelvic reconstructive surgeon in their community, and when they feel it is appropriate to refer to a specialist.

Results
Two hundred ninety-four obstetrics/gynecology generalists responded to the survey with overall 33% response rate. There was a wide range of comfort level depending on the complexity of the condition. Most of the subjects felt comfortable in the management of stress and urge incontinence, cystocele, rectocele, and uterine prolapse. On the other hand, most of the subjects were uncomfortable with management of intrinsic sphincter deficiency, fecal incontinence, recurrent incontinence after failed surgery, and complications of vaginal mesh surgery. In addition, there was wide variation in types of surgical options offered by different practitioners. When we compared the results by age, younger gynecologists have a smaller repertoire of procedures they offer for treatment of urogynecologic conditions. Burch colposuspension, uterosacral ligament suspension, and colpocleisis were performed more often by older surgeons than younger surgeons. On the other hand, cystoscopy was performed more commonly by the younger group.

Conclusions
Among general gynecologists, there is a wide range in both comfort level for management of different urogynecologic conditions and types of urogynecologic services performed.
Pathologic Evaluation of Explanted Vaginal Mesh
Authors: Smith Tovia M. , Smith Steven C. , DeLancey John O. , Fenner Dee E. , Schimpf Megan O. , Roh Michael H. , Morgan Daniel M. 
Published: June 2013

Objectives
In light of vaginal mesh safety concerns, we reviewed our institutional experience with analytic processes and pathologic findings of explanted vaginal mesh to identify problems and opportunities to facilitate improved documentation and research.

Methods
We reviewed gross and microscopic pathology reports and archival slides of explanted mesh specimens from January 2010 through February 2012. Specimen requisition clinical history, number of mesh specimens per case, and type of examination (gross or histologic) were abstracted from pathology records using the initial search word “mesh”.

Results
One hundred two cases were reviewed. Explanted mesh specimens included tissue in 97%. Forty-eight percent of these cases were submitted for histopathologic evaluation (as opposed to gross examination only). Specimen requisitions listed clinical history as pain (28.4%), vaginal mesh erosion (24.5%), erosion (17.6%), urinary retention (5.9%), and infection (2.9%). When no history was provided (24.5%), the case was more frequently submitted for histologic examination (74% vs 41%, P = 0.05). In all but 2 cases, the mesh material was polypropylene; no requisition mentioned this information. Gross descriptions of mesh varied significantly; in 18% of the cases, mesh was inaccurately described as “metallic”. No cases of neoplasm were diagnosed histologically; all tissue diagnoses described benign reactive processes.

Conclusions
Our experience suggests that either gross or histopathologic examination is appropriate for mesh explants. Documentation of clinical history, mesh product, and material was frequently incomplete and associated with increased submission of tissue for histologic examination and inaccurate gross impression of material type. We recommend improved documentation to aid pathologic examination and enable future pathophysiologic study of mesh complications.
Are Systems‐Centered® teams more collaborative, productive and creative?
Authors: O'Neill Richard , Murphy Verena , Mogle Jacqueline , MacGregor Kristin L. , MacKenzie Michael J. , Parekh Mariam , Pearson Mindy 
Published: June 2013

PurposeResearch from numerous theories shows teams' information sharing and discussion enhances effectiveness. Likewise, team communication structure can increase information sharing, manage conflict productively and foster creativity. However, the lack of unifying theory hinders understanding of the disparate research findings. Agazarian aims to unify the field with her meta‐theoretical, multi‐level Theory of Living Human Systems (TLHS). Furthermore, her TLHS‐derived Systems‐Centered Training (SCT) presents an innovative structure to improve team performance. The purpose of this paper is to compare the verbal process, productivity, and creativity of pre‐existing work groups using SCT methods or Robert's Rules of Order (RRO), to test TLHS/SCT reliability and validity.Design/methodology/approachThe verbal characteristics, information sharing, productivity, and creativity in SCT and RRO teams were compared using the System for Analyzing Verbal Interaction (SAVI), Group Productivity Scale and Work Group Inventory.FindingsSCT teams, compared to groups using RRO, talked in ways more likely to transfer and integrate task‐related information. Furthermore, SCT teams were more productive, better performing, and more creative.Research limitations/implicationsThe study's design does not permit cause‐and‐effect conclusions. Proposals for future research are made.Practical implicationsThe results suggest SCT methods improve team communication, productivity, and creativity. Because this study examined “real‐world” teams, the findings may apply to similar groups in various workplaces.Social implicationsHaving the ability to use differences as resources could improve society.Originality/valueThis paper suggests SCT methods offer innovative communication structures that focus teams effectively, perhaps by minimizing off‐task communications and conflict. Also, as SCT operationally defines TLHS, these results support the validity of TLHS.
Eggshell coloration reflects both yolk characteristics and dietary carotenoid history of female mallards
Authors: Butler Michael W. , McGraw Kevin J. 
Published: June 2013

Summary

Avian eggshell coloration has frequently been examined in a functional context (e.g. mimicry, camouflage), but in recent years, an interest has emerged in identifying the mechanisms that drive eggshell colour variation.

Eggshell coloration is predominately caused by pigment deposition; one such pigment is the antioxidant biliverdin, and deposition of biliverdin into eggshells may be costly to mothers due to depletion of their antioxidant reserves. Previous work has shown that dietary supplementation during laying with another type of antioxidant – carotenoid pigments – induces females to produce more biliverdin‐rich eggshells. However, the impact of pre‐laying nutrition – including the developmental period early in life – on eggshell coloration has not been investigated.

Here, we raised female mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) from hatching, supplemented their diets with carotenoids during early‐, mid‐ or late‐developmental periods, and at adulthood measured female circulating carotenoid levels, yolk carotenoid levels, and eggshell coloration. We found that carotenoid supplementation during the late stages of development (transitional period from juvenile to adult plumage) promoted the laying of eggs with more biliverdin‐rich eggshells. Independent of developmental dietary treatment, females with higher circulating carotenoid levels at the time of egg laying produced more biliverdin‐rich eggshells and more carotenoid‐rich yolks. When controlling for female identity, we found that more biliverdin‐rich eggshells were associated with more carotenoid‐rich, but smaller, yolks. We also detected a laying order effect; later‐laid eggs had larger, less carotenoid‐rich yolks and less biliverdin‐rich eggshells.

Taken together, these results demonstrate that eggshell coloration reveals carotenoid status of both mothers and yolks and that diet quality more than 1 month prior to laying can affect eggshell coloration in a waterfowl species. As mallards are considered to be capital breeders in terms of lipid stores, our findings provide a new developmental perspective on the carryover of lipid‐soluble and antioxidant nutrient reserves for breeding.
Increasing density leads to generalization in both coarse‐grained habitat selection and fine‐grained resource selection in a large mammal
Authors: van Beest Floris M. , Uzal Antonio , Vander Wal Eric , Laforge Michel P. , Contasti Adrienne L. , Colville David , McLoughlin Philip D. 
Published: June 2013

SummaryDensity is a fundamental driver of many ecological processes including habitat selection. Theory on density‐dependent habitat selection predicts that animals should be distributed relative to profitability of habitat, resulting in reduced specialization in selection (i.e. generalization) as density increases and competition intensifies.Despite mounting empirical support for density‐dependent habitat selection using isodars to describe coarse‐grained (interhabitat) animal movements, we know little of how density affects fine‐grained resource selection of animals within habitats [e.g. using resource selection functions (RSFs)].Using isodars andRSFs, we tested whether density simultaneously modified habitat selection and within‐habitat resource selection in a rapidly growing population of feral horses (Equus ferus caballusLinnaeus;SableIsland,NovaScotia,Canada; 42% increase in population size from 2008 to 2012).Among three heterogeneous habitat zones onSableIsland describing population clusters distributed along a west–east resource gradient (west–central–east), isodars revealed that horses used available habitat in a density‐dependent manner. Intercepts and slopes of isodars demonstrated a pattern of habitat selection that first favoured the west, which generalized to include central and east habitats with increasing population size consistent with our understanding of habitat quality on Sable Island.Resource selection functions revealed that horses selected for vegetation associations similarly at two scales of extent (total island and within‐habitat zone). When densities were locally low, horses were able to select for sites of the most productive forage (grasslands) relative to those of poorer quality. However, as local carrying capacity was approached, selection for the best of available forage types weakened while selection for lower‐quality vegetation increased (and eventually exceeded that of grasslands).Isodars can effectively describe coarse‐grained habitat selection in large mammals. Our study also shows that the main predictions of density‐dependent habitat selection are highly relevant to our interpretation ofRSFs in space and time. At low but not necessarily high population size, density will be a leading indicator of habitat quality. Fitness maximization from specialist vs. generalist strategies of habitat and resource selection may well be apparent at multiple spatial extents and grains of resolution.
Homoserine catabolism by Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae 3841 requires a plasmid‐borne gene cluster that also affects competitiveness for nodulation
Authors: Vanderlinde Elizabeth M. , Hynes Michael F. , Yost Christopher K. 
Published: June 2013

SummaryHomoserine represents a substantial component of pea root exudate that may be important for plant–microbe interactions in the rhizosphere. We identified a gene cluster on plasmid pRL8JI that is required for homoserine utilization by Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae. The genes are arranged as two divergently expressed predicted operons that were induced by L‐homoserine, pea root exudate, and were expressed on pea roots. A mutation in gene pRL80083 that prevented utilization of homoserine as a sole carbon and energy source affected the mutant's ability to nodulate peas and lentils competitively. The homoserine gene cluster was present in approximately 47% of natural R. leguminosarum isolates (n = 59) and was strongly correlated with homoserine utilization. Conjugation of pRL8JI to R. leguminosarum 4292 or Agrobacterium tumefaciens UBAPF2 was sufficient for homoserine utilization. The presence of L‐homoserine increased conjugation efficiency of pRL8JI from R. leguminosarum to a pRL8JI‐cured derivative of R. leguminosarum 1062 and to A. tumefaciens UBAPF2, and induced expression of the plasmid transfer gene trbB; however, there was no difference in conjugation efficiency or trbB expression with A. tumefaciens UBAPF2pRL8‐Gm as the donor suggesting that other genes in R. leguminosarum may contribute to regulating conjugation of pRL8 in the presence of homoserine.
Three‐dimensional structure of the Z‐ring as a random network of FtsZ filaments
Authors: Piro Oreste , Carmon Gideon , Feingold Mario , Fishov Itzhak 
Published: June 2013

SummaryThe spatial organization of the Z‐ring, the central element of the bacterial division machinery, is not yet fully understood. Using optical tweezers and subpixel image analysis, we have recently shown that the radial width of the Z‐ring in unconstricted Escherichia coli is about 100 nm. The relatively large width is consistent with the observations of others. Moreover, simulation of the experimental FtsZ distribution using the theoretical three‐dimensional (3D) point spread function was strongly in favour of a toroidal rather than a thin cylindrical model of the Z‐ring. Here, we show that the low density of FtsZ filaments in the ring coincides within experimental uncertainty with the critical density of a 3D random network of cylindrical sticks. This suggests that the Z‐ring may consist of a percolating network of FtsZ filaments. Several factors that are expected to affect the polymerization state and the extent of self‐interaction of FtsZ within the Z‐ring, as well as the functional implications of its sparse toroidal structure, are discussed in terms of percolation theory.
Increased risk of severe maternal morbidity (near‐miss) among immigrant women in Sweden: a population register‐based study
Authors: Wahlberg Å , Rööst M , Haglund B , Högberg U , Essén B 
Published: June 2013

ObjectiveTo determine if immigrant women from low‐, middle‐ and high‐income countries have an increased risk of severe maternal morbidity (near‐miss) when they deliver in Sweden.DesignPopulation register‐based study.SettingNationwide study including all singleton deliveries (≥28 weeks of gestation) between 1998 and 2007.PopulationWomen with a near‐miss event; all women with a singleton delivery ≥28 weeks of gestation during the same period acted as reference group.MethodsNear‐miss was defined by a combined clinical and management approach with use of International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision codes for severe maternal morbidity. A woman's country of origin was designated as low‐, middle‐ or high‐income according to the World Bank Classification of 2009. Unconditional logistic regression models were used in the analysis.Main outcome measuresMaternal near‐miss frequencies per 1000 deliveries and odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals.ResultsThere were 914 474 deliveries during the study period and 2655 near‐misses (2.9 per 1000 deliveries). In comparison to Swedish‐born women, those from low‐income countries had an increased risk of near‐miss (odds ratio 2.3, 95% confidence interval 1.9–2.8) that was significant in all morbidity groups except for cardiovascular diseases and sepsis. Women from middle‐ and high‐income countries showed no increased risk of near‐miss.ConclusionsWomen from low‐income countries have an increased risk of maternal near‐miss morbidity compared with women born in Sweden. Although the rate is low it should alert healthcare providers.
Explaining variation in coalition agreements: The electoral and policy motivations for drafting agreements
Authors: Eichorst Jason 
Published: June 2013

AbstractThis article explores the question of why coalition partners negotiate and publish coalition agreements before entering into a cabinet and why the content of these agreements varies so widely. Some scholars suggest that coalition partners draft agreements for electoral purposes, while others suggest that coalition agreements can be used to commit to policy negotiations. Although both sides of the debate have uncovered supportive evidence, the literature remains in disagreement. This article provides new organisation of previous work on agreements and develops two alternative theoretical arguments about the crafting of coalition agreements. It is argued here that coalition partners consider both electoral and policy motivations during the drafting of agreements and that the dominance of one of these motivations is conditional on the degree of issue saliency and division between partners. Empirical support is found for the theoretical argument that coalition partners include low saliency issues in the coalition agreement on policy dimensions on which they are less divided, and that coalition partners include high saliency issues in the coalition agreement on policy dimensions on which they are more divided.
Labour market risks and political preferences: The case of temporary employment
Authors: Marx Paul 
Published: June 2013

AbstractThe political economy literature has gathered compelling evidence that labour market risks shape political preferences. Accordingly, insecurity fuels support for redistribution and left parties. This article analyses this argument for temporary workers, a so far neglected risk category which has increased dramatically in the past two decades. Temporary workers also have been in the focus of recent insider‐outsider debates. Some authors in this line of research have argued that temporary work leads to political disenchantment – for example, non‐instrumental responses such as vote abstention or protest voting. This contradicts risk‐based explanations of political preferences. The article discusses both theoretical perspectives and derives conflicting hypotheses for the empirical analysis of temporary workers' policy and party preferences. The review reveals considerable ambiguity regarding the questions which parties temporary workers can be expected to support and what the underlying motives for party choice are. Synthesising arguments from both perspectives, the article proposes an alternative argument according to which temporary workers are expected to support the ‘new’ left – that is, green and other left‐libertarian parties. It is argued that this party family combines redistributive policies with outsider‐friendly policy design. Using individual‐level data from the European Social Survey for 15 European countries, the article supports this argument by showing that temporary, compared to permanent, workers exhibit higher demand for redistribution and stronger support for the new left. Neither the risk‐based nor the insider‐outsider explanations receive full support. In particular, no signs of political disenchantment of temporary workers can be found. Thus, the findings challenge central claims of the insider‐outsider literature.
Recovery from TNBS‐induced colitis leads to the resistance to recurrent colitis and an increased ratio of FOXP3 to CD3 mRNA
Authors: Chen Da Fan , Lu Lun Gen , Tao Kai Zhong , Lu Zhan Jun , Yuan Yao Zong 
Published: June 2013

ObjectiveThe aim of our study was to investigate the effects of the recovery from acute colitis on recurrent colitis with 2,4,6‐trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)‐induced colitis in mice.MethodsAcute colitis was induced via an intrarectal injection of TNBS. For recurrent colitis, mice were intrarectally treated with a repeated TNBS 14 days after the first TNBS administration. And another two groups (control and recovery groups) were added to the analysis. Disease activity index (DAI), macroscopic and histological assessments, mRNA expression of interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), IL‐10, forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) and the ratio of FOXP3 to CD3 in the colonic tissues were evaluated.ResultsMice developed colitis after treated with TNBS. After the last TNBS administration, DAI in the recurrent colitis group was lower than that in the acute colitis group. In the recurrent colitis group, the mice exhibited longer colon length, reduced histological damage and lower IL‐1β, IL‐6, TNF, IL‐10 mRNA expression in the colon compared with the acute colitis group. The ratio of FOXP3 to CD3 mRNA expression in the colon of recurrent colitis was higher than that in the acute colitis. There was a significant negative correlation between the ratio of FOXP3 to CD3 mRNA expression and DAI in the acute and recurrent colitis groups (r = −0.808, P < 0.05).ConclusionsMice that recovered from TNBS‐induced acute colitis with intestinal epithelial disruption are resistant to recurrent colitis, which is associated with an increased ratio of FOXP3 to CD3 mRNA expression.
Effect of bolus injection of 20 ml saline with arm elevation on the onset time of vecuronium administered via a peripheral vein: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Nitahara K. , Sugi Y. , Shigematsu K. , Kusumoto G. , Abe S. , Higa K. 
Published: June 2013

SummaryWe investigated whether a bolus injection of 20 ml saline with arm elevation might shorten the onset time of vecuronium administered via a dorsal hand vein. Thirty patients were randomly allocated to the bolus saline group or control group. General anaesthesia was induced and maintained with remifentanil and propofol. Vecuronium 0.1 mg.kg−1 was administered to all patients, followed in the treatment group by bolus injection of 20 ml saline and arm elevation. Response to train‐of‐four stimulation was measured by acceleromyography at the adductor pollicis muscle. The mean (SD) lag time was 47.2 (14.5) s in the bolus saline group and 67.9 (12.2) s in the control group (p = 0.0002). The time to 95% block of T1 was 104.6 (29.9) s in the bolus saline group and 128.3 (15.8) s in the control group (p = 0.011). Bolus saline injection results in shortened lag time and onset time of neuromuscular block with vecuronium.
Ecosystem services provided by waterbirds
Authors: Green Andy J. , Elmberg Johan 
Published: June 2013

ABSTRACTEcosystem services are ecosystem processes that directly or indirectly benefit human well‐being. There has been much recent literature identifying different services and the communities and species that provide them. This is a vital first step towards management and maintenance of these services. In this review, we specifically address the waterbirds, which play key functional roles in many aquatic ecosystems, including as predators, herbivores and vectors of seeds, invertebrates and nutrients, although these roles have often been overlooked. Waterbirds can maintain the diversity of other organisms, control pests, be effective bioindicators of ecological conditions, and act as sentinels of potential disease outbreaks. They also provide important provisioning (meat, feathers, eggs, etc.) and cultural services to both indigenous and westernized societies. We identify key gaps in the understanding of ecosystem services provided by waterbirds and areas for future research required to clarify their functional role in ecosystems and the services they provide. We consider how the economic value of these services could be calculated, giving some examples. Such valuation will provide powerful arguments for waterbird conservation.