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In the agricultural sector, the Law of Jante—a Scandinavian form of cultural intolerance towards standing out, being different and overachieving (akin to the Tall Poppy Syndrome and The nail that sticks out gets hammered downculture found in other countries)—may play an important role by influencing when entrepreneurship is an acceptable strategic choice to adversity. Based on a three group, between-subjects experiment of 122 Swedish university students studying agricultural and rural management, we tested whether the advice our participants gave to a fictitious farmer to pursue entrepreneurial activity depended on information regarding the farmer's motivation to pursue entrepreneurship (experimental treatments included motivation scenarios based on necessity vs. opportunity driven vs. control). Moreover, we test whether entrepreneurial advice is moderated by the participants own “Jante-ness”. Unexpectedly, we found that our participants did not adapt the entrepreneurship advice they give to the situational context, nor does Jante play a moderating role; instead we found that Jante had a significant and negative main effect on the entrepreneurial advice given. This finding suggests that Jante is still very much alive and may play an important role in explaining relatively low rates of innovation and entrepreneurship in (Swedish) agriculture.

AbstractAntibiotics are frequently prescribed inappropriately for acute respiratory infections in the outpatient setting. We report the implementation of a multifaceted outpatient antimicrobial stewardship initiative resulting in a 12.3% absolute reduction of antibiotic prescribing for acute bronchitis in primary care clinics receiving active interventions.

Business risk management (BRM) programs in agriculture aim to enable producers to better protect their farms against threats to the sustainability and resilience of their business. While BRM programs are broadly considered beneficial to producers, the extent to which these programs could evoke negative environmental externalities remains understudied, especially concerning rangeland management. The purpose of this review was to investigate the link between BRM programs and the voluntary conservation of grasslands and its associated multiple species habitat, as well as the factors driving adoption of BRM, extension, or other government programs by beef cattle producers. A secondary focus of this review included identifying the factors motivating the adoption of beneficial management practices (BMP) and grassland conversion. Using a variety of search tools and terms, the application of our search strategy resulted in 30 articles meeting inclusion criteria, of which four were reviews, 14 were producer focused surveys, 11 conducted empirical analyses, and one utilized spatial analysis. From these articles, we were able to answer our five main global research objectives. Several studies found a link between BRM programs and negative environmental effects (including motivating grassland conversion). Producer characteristics such as age, education level, previous participation in government programs, and external motivations were found to impact the likelihood of adopting a BMP or new BRM program. Producers were also found to favour individually-led risk management strategies, and preferred learning about risk through independent self-study or from a trusted professional. Research gaps included the level of governmental support desired by producers, a connection between non-crop insurance BRM programs and rangeland conversion, and connections between BRM and rangeland management decisions.

Transtelephonic monitoring of a single-lead electrocardiogram and on-demand 2-way voice communication were accomplished at 1,865 exercise sessions for 67 cardiac patients. Exercise sessions occurred either at the patients' homes or at remote hospital sites and began an average of 25 or 14 weeks, respectively, after hospital dismissal. Monitoring centers provided experienced nurses to direct all exercise sessions. The trans-telephonic monitoring equipment was reliable with only one instance of system failure observed. A broad spectrum of patients with coronary artery disease, including some classified at higher risk, participated in the program. Patients exercised with a variety of equipment (cycle ergometer, treadmill, arm ergometer, cross-country ski simulator, combination arm-leg cycle ergometer, rowing machine), for 30 to 50 minutes, 1 to 3 times each week. No medical emergencies occurred, although 18 specific problems were discovered that led to further evaluation or change in the medical program of specific patients. Transtelephonic monitoring of cardiac rehabilitation exercise sessions at home and at remote hospitals appears safe and is attractive because not all patients have access to supervised exercise programs; this exercise assessment helps to maximally use highly trained cardiac rehabilitation personnel. (Am J Cardiol 1991;67:962-964), Aerobic exercise is now an integral part of cardiac rehabilitation, and helps reduce many of the symptoms of heart disease. It is estimated that total mortality, cardiovascular mortality, and fatal heart attacks are reduced up to 25 percent for patients enrolled in rehabilitation programs. In spite of this, only 11 percent of patients enter such programs. Monitoring of the electrocardiogram by telephone from the patient's home to a medical center has been successful in detecting and diagnosing abnormal heart rhythms and assessing pacemaker function with exercise. Sixty-seven patients with coronary artery disease entered outpatient cardiac rehabilitation, and were monitored telegraphically. Forty-one of these patients had had an uncomplicated heart attack. This new approach proved to be safe and easily accomplished, and is an alternative to traditional cardiac rehabilitation programs. Patients felt more confident with monitoring, which was accomplished without requiring expensive equipment on-site. Hospital staff spent less time administering the program, and trained staff were better utilized. The convenience and accessibility were important to keeping the patients active in the program. Low- and moderate-risk patients can have therapy individually adapted, and high-risk patients who live in remote areas without exercise programs can be monitored. Patients who currently do not have exercise programs available can now join telephonically supervised programs. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

AbstractExternal urinary collection devices (EUCDs) may reduce indwelling catheter usage and catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs). In this retrospective quasi-experimental study, we demonstrated that EUCD implementation in women was associated with significantly decreased indwelling catheter usage and a trend (P= .10) toward decreased CAUTI per 1,000 patient days.

AbstractThis narrative review addresses vascular access device choice from peripheral intravenous catheters through central venous catheters, including the evolving use of midline catheters. The review incorporates best practices, published algorithms, and complications extending beyond CLABSI and phlebitis to assist clinicians in navigating complex vascular access decisions.

The accessories market awakens as cosmetics manufacturers begin to see applicators as an essential element of the complete product. Marketers of cosmetic products are relentlessly focused on delivering high-quality ingredients [...]

WITH SAMPLING SYSTEMS NOW AVAILABLE FOR EVERYTHING FROM EYELINERS TO THE SCENT OF WINE, MORE AND MORE CONSUMERS ARE DEMANDING TO 'TRY BEFORE THEY BUY.' Sampling has come a long [...]

Will practices that were considered 'responisble' in the '90s meet public standards in the 21st century? When it was established in 1988, the Chemical Manufacturers Association's (CMA) Responsible Care(R) initiative [...]

Using traditional packages in unconventional ways, packagers are helping personal care manufacturers discover a new method of product marketing. These days, consumers are seeing it all: nail polish that comes [...]

New long-lasting, brightening and moisturizing formulas give consumers something to dye for. Since the dawn of hair coloring, a number of consumers have had a list of reasons not to [...]

Inch by inch, preservatives for personal care are moving toward greater versatility an global acceptance. With the consumer, preservatives go fairly disregarded. When a shopper happens upon an economy-sized bottle [...]

At smell THIS(R), creativity is risk, and the product is hero. While consumers certainly appreciate the art of fine fragrance, the scents they are often most passionate about are comfort [...]

As the reemergence of cigars, martinis, pearls and swing dancing has evidenced, an age of luxury and romance is approaching. With a new millennium on the horizon, people have begun [...]

Aiming for a revolution in over-the-counter skin treatment, industry is drawing from medical science -- but very carefully. With skin treatment remaining one of industry's fastest-growing segments, it's no wonder [...]

Marketers get that tingling sensation as bathers worldwide take hold of the carbonating bath tablet trend. What could be more enticing than a portable, aromatic whirlpool - one that costs [...]

AbstractMarketing and strategy scholars have established the importance of a market orientation and innovativeness as drivers of firm performance. This study examines how a market orientation, innovativeness, entrepreneurship, organizational learning, and a cost focus contribute to a positional advantage within the context of agricultural SMEs. Using a sample of 307 Illinois beef farmers, we empirically measure and test the construct of positional advantage and examine the relationship between positional advantage and firm performance. Our results indicate that market orientation, entrepreneurship, innovativeness, organizational learning and a cost focus are first-order indicators of positional advantage and that organizational learning, market orientation, and experience are positively related to firm performance.

Landpflanzen nehmen auf drei Wegen Einfluss auf die klimatischen Verhältnisse: über Veränderungen der Strahlungsbilanz, der Stoffkreisläufe und des Impulsaustausches. Beispiele aus der Erdgeschichte zeigen, wie groß dieser Einfluss der Vegetation auf das Klimageschehen sein kann. Im Karbon führte offensichtlich die Besiedlung des Festlandes durch Pflanzen zur Entwicklung eines Eishausklimas mit ausgedehnter Vereisung. Umgekehrt erlaubte zu Zeiten von Treibhausklimaten mit hohen CO2-Konzentrationen die Ausbreitung der Wälder bis in hohe Breiten erst die Entwicklung eines global relativ ausgeglichenen Klimas mit warmen und eisfreien Polarregionen. Für alle Modelle, die das Klima der kommenden Jahrzehnte berechnen sollen, ist diese Wechselwirkung von entscheidender Bedeutung.

Reports on the growth of antibacterial toilet preparations for children in the United States. Factors driving the demand for antibacterial products; Product lines from various manufacturers; Approaches in marketing antibacterial products; Formulations of children's brands. INSET: SDA and CFTA `bac' up antibacterial wash products..

Noninvasive monitoring of deep-tissue pH has been demonstrated with the use of near-infrared spectroscopic measurements and the partial least-squares (PLS) multivariate calibration technique. The near-infrared reflectance spectra (700 to 1100 nm) of the teres major muscle in five New Zealand rabbits were obtained in vivo, along with reference pH values in the muscle measured by microelectrodes. The muscle pH was varied by controlling the blood supply to the muscle. PLS analysis with cross-validation techniques, along with several data preprocessing methods, was used to relate the tissue pH to spectra. When multi-subject PLS calibration models were used to predict a new independent subject, a subject-dependent offset was observed. Several strategies for minimizing the subject-dependent offset were discussed. With a baseline subtraction procedure, the subject-dependent offset was minimized to less than 0.1 pH units while the average standard error of prediction (SEP) was close to 0.05 pH units. This result suggests that it is possible to build a single robust calibration model for all new independent subjects. Tissue chemistry during ischemia (blood flow reduction) is different from the chemistry of reperfusion (blood flow restoration), and it was found that separate calibration models permit more accurate prediction of pH.

The microcirculation in burned patients' skin has been studied on day 3 after the accident with Laser Doppler Flowmetry (LDF). A schedule for interpretation of LDF values has been designed.

Laser Doppler Flowmetry (LDF) is a new non-invasive technique by which microcirculation changes in tissue can be studied. This has been done in a Burns Unit on burned as well as non-burned patients (volunteers). There were no infection problems with this device in a Burns Unit. Four kHz was the upper wave length limit analysing the doppler signal from burns. A topical temperature load test was defined and used in different situations. Homogeneous flows in reference points from a control group were demonstrated in unheated and heated skin, in this way standardizing the LDF analyses of skin microflow. Ability of LDF to define different degrees of burns was demonstrated.

Fluorescence kinetics indicate that photoexcited dimers of 7-azaindole undergo a double proton transfer in less than 5 ps at room temperature and 77 K. The photoautomerization at 77 K is found to be dependent on the excitation wavelength. A double well excited state potential surface is used to interpret the results.

Objective. Tissue pH measurement has a number of clinical applications, including the monitoring of both muscle pH and organ pH as an indicator of compromised blood flow and anaerobic metabolism. The objective of this work was to demonstrate the feasibility of a noninvasive measurement of deep tissue pH using near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy and multivariate calibration techniques.Methods. Six studies were done on five New Zealand white rabbits. Two pH electrodes were implanted in the teres major muscle and a vascular clamp placed across the single artery feeding the muscle. Reflected light was collected through the skin from a site between the two electrodes as the pH was lowered by closing the clamp and raised by opening the clamp. Partial least squares analysis with cross-validation techniques was used to relate pH to light absorption at 201 evenly spaced wavelengths between 700 and 1100 nm.Results. On average, the tissue, pH started at 7.13 ± 0.09 and decreased to 6.74 ± 0.09, returning to 7.13 ± 0.09 after reperfusion. Calibration models fit for each rabbit had an average of nine factors with an R2of 0.98 and a prediction error of 0.016 ± 0.002 pH units.Conclusions. We believe this to be the firstin vivodemonstration of a noninvasive method for measuring tissue pH in skin-covered muscle using near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy and multivariate calibration techniques.

Zusammenfassung: Es wurde bei 10 Hunden Blut zur Fibrinbestimmung und Durchfhrung der Elektrophorese aus den Vv. hepaticae, der V. portae, der Aorta abdominalis und der V. cava caudalis entnommen. Die gleichen Untersuchungen wurden nach vorhergehender Pyrexalinjektion an weiteren 7 Hunden durchgefhrt. Auf Grund der gewonnenen Ergebnisse glauben wir, folgende Aussagen machen zu knnen:

Background:Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are a common hospital-acquired infection (HAI) resulting in excess morbidity, mortality, and cost. Urine management can be a challenging issue, particularly in women, due to limited options for control of urinary incontinence. Issues with urinary leakage and worry for subsequent skin break down often leads to indwelling catheter insertion. In the spring of 2018, our facility implemented a female external urine collection device (EUCD) in efforts to decrease catheter days and to limit CAUTIs. Methods:Retrospective, 32-month (January 2017–August 2019), quasi-experimental, before-and-after study. Catheter use and CAUTI were defined according to CDC NHSN criteria. Poisson regression was used to model the rate of CAUTI (per 1,000 patient days [PD] and per 1,000 catheter days [CD]) comparing the 14 months prior to EUCD introduction with the 14 months after introduction and allowing a 3-month introduction period. Results:The CAUTI rate did not change significantly. The overall CAUTI rate per 1,000 PD decreased slightly from 0.24 to 0.20 (P= 0.44; model risk, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.58–1.26) whereas the rate per 1,000 CD increased slightly 1.5 to 1.6 (P= 0.76; model risk, 1.06; 95% CI, 0.73-–1.56). The CAUTI rate for men increased from 0.09 to 0.11 per 1,000 PD (P= 0.42; model risk, 1.29) and from 0.99 to 1.55 per 1,000 CD (P= 0.17; model risk, 1.56). For women, the rate of CAUTI decreased from 0.15 to 0.09 per 1,000 PD (P= 0.10; model risk, 0.61) and from 2.12 to 1.65 per 1,000 CD (P= 0.38; model risk, 0.38). A significant decrease in catheter days (CD per 1,000 PD; P< .0001) was observed for all hospitalized patients (from 158.56 to 128.3; model risk, 0.81), for men (from 87.06 to 72.15; model risk, 0.83), and for women (from 71.49 to 56.15; model risk, 0.79). Of 2,347 adverse events, 5 (0.2%) involved perineal skin breakdown and redness. Three events were related to malposition of the ECUD or inappropriate level of suction and 1 event was related to latex allergy and EUCD use. Conclusions:The introduction of a EUCD for women was associated with a significant decrease in indwelling catheter usage. A trend toward a decrease in CAUTI per 1,000 PD for women was observed (P= .10). Additional studies on whether the EUCD is associated with changes in UTI rates (both CAUTIs and noncatheter UTIs) as well as cost implications of EUCD are warranted.Funding:NoneDisclosures:None

Background:Central-line–associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) result in increased patient morbidity. Guidelines recommend against peripheral venous catheters when access is required for longer than 6 days, often leading to central venous catheter (CVC) placement. To improve vascular access device choice and reduce the potential risk of CLABSI, we implemented a quality improvement initiative comprised of a vascular access algorithm and introduction of a midline vascular access device (MVAD). We report complications associated with MVAD use including deep vein thrombosis (DVT), thrombophlebitis, and BSI. Methods:A prospective quality improvement assessment from October 2017 through March 2018. All MVADs were monitored for DVT, thrombophlebitis, and BSI. Insertion time and removal of MVAD were tracked, as well as presence of other vascular access devices. Results:From October 2017 through March 2018, 858 MVADs were inserted in 726 different patients, yielding 3,588 MVD days. In total, 6 primary BSIs occurred in patients with MVADs. In patients with only a MVAD, the rate was 0.72 BSI per 1,000 MVAD days, whereas patients with an MVAD as well as a CVC had a rate of 1.98 per 1,000 MVAD days. The overall CLABSI rate at the institution during this period of time was 1.24 per 1,000 CVC days. Also, 29 cases of thrombophlebitis occurred, for a rate of 3.84 per 1,000 catheter days in patients with only an MVAD compared to 4.63 per 1,000 catheter days in patients with an MVAD and a CVC. Also, 25 DVTs occurred during this time, resulting in a rate of 2.88 per 1,000 catheter days in patients with only an MVAD and 4.63 per 1,000 catheter days in patients with multiple vascular-access devices. A significant correlation was noted between MVAD indwell time and BSI (P= .0021) and thrombophlebitis (P= .0041). The median indwell time for patients experiencing BSI was 16.17 days ± 8.04 days, whereas the median indwell time for patients experiencing thrombophlebitis was 9.24 days ± 7.99 days. Conclusions:The implementation of a vascular-access algorithm including MVAD may effectively reduce CVC insertions and BSIs. The rate of BSI in MVAD was below that of CLABSI during the assessment period. Known complications associated with MVAD include DVTs and thrombophlebitis, which correlates with the duration of catheterization, and these risks appear to be further compounded in patients requiring multiple devices for vascular access. Further research into comparing the risk of vascular access of MVAD with CVC is warranted.Funding:NoneDisclosures:None

Three groups of extensive burn patients of the surgical intensive care unit (ICU) have been compared: Group I: twenty patients, who were treated locally without silver sulfadiazinate (1968-1970);Group II: the twenty first patients topically treated with silver sulfadiazinate (1970-1972); Group III: twenty similarly treated patients, with silver sulfadiazinate, six years later (1976-1977). The groups are statistically comparable. All bacteriological samples were computerized; the chi-square method was used for statistical analysis of the data. The main conclusions are: (A) Silver sulfadiazinate treatment reduced Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus sepsis. No change in Coliform bacilli sepsis was observed. After six years, a rise in Klebsiella sepsis and Candida sepsis was noted. (B) A quantitative estimate of infections in each group was made by measuring the percentage of positive samples, taking into account the five above-mentioned strains. In the beginning, silver sulfadiazinate reduced quantitative sepsis, but this benefit decreased after six years; the same evolution was demonstrated for positive blood bacteriology; severe septicaemia showed a parallel pattern.

Presents letters to the editor referencing articles and topics discussed in previous issues. "A New Competitor: Brazil's Ethanol," which focused on ethanol production; "Used Combine Prices Soar," which showed the market value of farms; "Practical Engineering at Risk," which discussed agricultural engineering.