bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thermal cycling, microstructure and tensile performance of PLA-PHA polymer printed using fused deposition modelling technique
Authors: Guessasma Sofiane , Belhabib Sofiane , Nouri Hedi
Published: August 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the effect of printing temperature on the thermal and the mechanical behaviour of polylactic acid (PLA)-polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) blend printed using fused deposition modelling (FDM).

Design/methodology/Approach

Because of the use of an infra-red camera, thermal cycling during the laying down is quantified. In addition, X-ray micro-tomography is considered to reveal the microstructural arrangement within the three-dimensional printed material. Tensile loading conditions are used to derive Young’s modulus, tensile strength and fracture toughness, and relate these to the printing temperature. Finite element computation based on three-dimensional microstructure information is used to predict the role of defects on the tensile performance.

Findings

The results show a remarkable cohesive structure of PLA-PHA, particularly at 240°C. This cohesive structure is explained by the ability to ensure heat accumulation during laying down as evidenced by the nature of thermal cycling. The printing temperature is found to be a key factor for tuning the ductility of the printed PLA-PHA allowing full restoration of tensile strength at high printing temperature.

Originality/value

This study reports new results related to the thermo-mechanical behaviour of PLA-PHA that did not receive much attention in three-dimensional printing despite its potential as a candidate for pharmacological and medical applications. This study concludes by a wide range of possible printing temperatures for PLA-PHA and a remarkable low porosity generated by FDM.
Information literacy in Utah: a state of the state
Authors: Diekema Anne R. , Gerrity Caitlin , Mitchell Paula
Published: August 2019

Purpose

Ideally, information literacy instruction is sequenced throughout students’ academic careers, reinforcing and building on earlier instruction. The purpose of this exploratory study is to identify structural problems that potentially impact student learning. This research surveyed school librarians and academic instruction librarians along the K-20 pipeline to capture information about their instruction programs, their pedagogical approaches and their perceptions on student information literacy skills at points of transition.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses a 58-item survey instrument to capture the perceptions on elements of information literacy instruction from school librarians and academic instruction librarians in the state of Utah. The exploratory survey generated 255 eligible responses.

Findings

The study identifies several areas where the information literacy pipeline has challenges: staffing, scheduling, curriculum integration, teacher collaboration and student assessment. Suggestions for improvement include providing educational support for paraprofessionals, facilitating cross-institutional collaboration and creating a scope and sequence document that spans the entire educational spectrum paired with specifically teaching for transfer.

Research limitations/implications

The study was limited to surveying the perceptions of library employees who teach students information literacy as part of a school or university. Study findings imply that better support for information literacy learners requires increased collaboration across the pipeline.

Originality/value

Information literacy education is often siloed – in the way it is taught, studied and discussed. This research is unique in that it explores the information literacy pipeline as a whole, as each level of instruction is related to the next and studying a single section might obscure larger issues.
The power of peers: approaches from writing and libraries
Authors: Maxson Bronwen K. , Neely Michelle E. , Roberts Lindsay M. , Stone Sean M. , Lowe M. Sara , Macy Katharine V. , Miller Willie
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss different strategies for implementing peer teaching as well as different roles for peer teachers in both academic libraries and writing-intensive courses. It explores connections to critical pedagogy, sociocultural theory, open educational practices and high-impact practices.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology for implementing the three scenarios discussed in the paper differs widely. All approaches include some form of student feedback through focus groups, exit surveys or end-of-class assessments.

Findings

In both library and writing program settings, students have experience with and a favorable opinion of peer-assisted learning strategies.

Practical implications

These case studies provide concrete examples of how to develop different types of peer teaching interventions. The cases also detail benefits as well as challenges to implementation.

Social implications

Providing opportunities for peers to lead through teaching others has the potential to boost an individual’s sense of confidence, leadership and improve their own learning, as well as give students’ experiences to build upon and apply to their everyday lives and future careers.

Originality/value

While peer teaching is widely implemented in many disciplines, such as science, technology, engineering and medicine, its adoption in academic libraries has sometimes been viewed as controversial. This case study adds to the body of literature demonstrating that peer teaching is possible and desirable.
Online active-learning: information literacy instruction for graduate students
Authors: Parramore Sarah
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the challenges of teaching information literacy online to graduate students and evaluate software that supports using active learning techniques.

Design/methodology/approach

This conceptual paper analyzes different software tools and their functionality to aid in active learning, as well as describes elements of online teaching that facilitate active learning for information literacy.

Findings

Although software serves as the delivery tool, there is not one standalone product that provides all the needed aids to conduct active learning. Many other digital tools are needed in addition to the tutorial software to create active learning activities.

Practical implications

This paper provides activities and ideas to incorporate into the online information literacy session that contain active learning elements.

Originality/value

Although there is a wealth of literature about active learning of information literacy, very little surrounds teaching it online to graduate students. This paper focuses on this specific element of teaching information literacy through active learning methods in an online environment to graduate students.
On the same page: collaborative research assignment design with graduate teaching assistants
Authors: Murphy Maggie
Published: August 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to explore how collaborative research assignment design consultations between instruction librarians and new graduate teaching assistants (GTAs) have the potential to improve the design of research assignments for first-year writing courses.

Design/methodology/approach

The author conducted a small number of questionnaires and structured interviews with first-time GTAs who serve as first-year composition instructors to explore their conceptions about teaching researched writing. Thematic analysis of the results of these qualitative instruments led to the design of a new framework for working with incoming cohorts of GTAs at her institution prior to the start of each fall semester.

Findings

New GTAs often emphasize strict source type parameters in research assignment design and expect their students to engage in expert research behaviors. Emphasizing the assignment design expertise of instruction librarians during new GTA orientation may lead to more assignment design consultations with first-time college writing instructors. Collaborative assignment design consultations between librarians and GTAs can improve the alignment of research assignment parameters with their shared goals for students' research and writing skills and habits of mind, including seeing research and writing as iterative and inquiry-based processes.

Research limitations/implications

While not every instruction librarian works with GTAs, working with instructors to collaboratively design research assignments that shift focus away from using specific search tools and locating particular types of sources opens possibilities for what librarians are able to achieve in one-shot instruction sessions, in terms of both lesson content and pedagogical strategies used.

Originality/value

The existing literature on first-year writing addressing faculty and librarian assignment design collaborations, and research assignments more generally, does not often explicitly examine the experiences of librarians who primarily work with GTAs. This paper adds to this literature by highlighting specific obstacles and unique opportunities in librarian–GTA teaching partnerships in first-year writing courses.
From Instagram overuse to instastress and emotional fatigue: the mediation of addiction
Authors: Sanz-Blas Silvia , Buzova Daniela , Miquel-Romero María José
Published: August 2019

Purpose

Today’s society interest in mobile photography drives consumers’ and brands’ growing usage of Instagram. This paper aims to address the consequences of excessive use of Instagram on the negative feeling of losing information when not connected and the emotional fatigue resulting from an overcharge with new information. The mediating role of addiction between Instagram overuse and the two outcomes is also analyzed.

Design/methodology/approach

Data from 342 active Instagram users were used to test the proposed model, applying the partial least square equation modeling method (SmartPLS 3).

Findings

Addiction partially mediates the impact of overuse on emotional fatigue and instastress. Addiction to Instagram was mainly due to respondents’ lack of control over the time spent on it resulting in incapability to reduce its usage.

Social implications

Social networking site managers, educators, families and public institutions should promote an adequate use of Instagram, making users (especially the young) aware of the potential threats of its excessive usage. The control on the amount of time devoted to Instagram is a key factor for detaining overuse and addiction, as well as avoiding the negative outcomes analyzed in this research.

Originality/value

The findings contribute to the extant knowledge on the negative side of the digitization of the individual, as little is known about it to the best of the authors’ knowledge.
Transcriptomic investigation into polyketide toxin synthesis in Ostreopsis (Dinophyceae) species
Authors: Verma Arjun , Kohli Gurjeet S. , Harwood D. Tim , Ralph Peter J. , Murray Shauna A.
Published: August 2019

In marine ecosystems, dinoflagellates can become highly abundant and even dominant at times, despite their comparatively slow growth. Their ecological success may be related to their production of complex toxic polyketide compounds. Ostreopsis species produce potent palytoxin‐like compounds (PLTX), which are associated with human skin and eye irritations, and illnesses through the consumption of contaminated seafood. To investigate the genetic basis of PLTX‐like compounds, we sequenced and annotated transcriptomes from two PLTX‐producing Ostreopsis species; O. cf. ovata, O. cf. siamensis, one non‐PLTX producing species, O. rhodesae and compared them to a close phylogenetic relative and non‐PLTX producer, Coolia malayensis. We found no clear differences in the presence or diversity of ketosynthase and ketoreductase transcripts between PLTX producing and non‐producing Ostreopsis and Coolia species, as both groups contained >90 and > 10 phylogenetically diverse ketosynthase and ketoreductase transcripts, respectively. We report for the first‐time type I single‐, multi‐domain polyketide synthases (PKSs) and hybrid non‐ribosomal peptide synthase/PKS transcripts from all species. The long multi‐modular PKSs were insufficient by themselves to synthesize the large complex polyether backbone of PLTX‐like compounds. This implies that numerous PKS domains, including both single and multi‐, work together on the biosynthesis of PLTX‐like and other related polyketide compounds.
Editorial: real‐world short‐term effectiveness of ustekinumab in 305 patients with Crohn’s disease—results from the ENEIDA registry
Authors: Frasca Joseph D. , Cheifetz Adam S.
Published: August 2019

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Iborra et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15371 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15447.
Letter: risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma in untreated HBeAg‐negative chronic hepatitis B patients with high viral load and no significant ALT elevation
Authors: Huang Rui , Wang Jian , Yan Xiaomin , Xia Juan , Wu Chao
Published: August 2019

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Choi et al and Choi and Lim papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15311 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15451.
Letter: elderly AIH patients—an important subgroup. Authors’ reply
Authors: Nicoll Amanda J , Roberts Stuart K. , Mitchell Joanne , Strasser Simone I. , McCaughan Geoffrey W. ,   for the Australian Liver Association Clinical Research Network
Published: August 2019

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Nicoll et al and Fan et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15248 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15407.
Letter: Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG offers no benefit over placebo in children with acute gastroenteritis. Authors’ reply
Authors: Szajewska Hania , Kołodziej Maciej , Shamir Raanan
Published: August 2019

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Szajewska et al and Schnadower et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15267 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15418.
Editorial: gut microbial profile associated with primary sclerosing cholangitis—what is new and how do we progress from here? Authors’ reply
Authors: Rühlemann Malte , Franke Andre
Published: August 2019

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Rühlemann et al and Quraishi and Shaheen papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15375 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15424.
Editorial: moderate alcoholic hepatitis—hiding in plain sight
Authors: Daniel Kimberly E. , Lucey Michael R.
Published: August 2019

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Bennett paper. To view this article, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15376.
Editorial: awareness and prevention of intravenous iron‐induced hypophosphataemia
Authors: Musgrove John , Wolf Myles
Published: August 2019

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Detlie et al and Detlie and Jahnsen et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15386 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15443.
Letter: risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma in untreated HBeAg‐negative chronic hepatitis B patients with high viral load and no significant ALT elevation. Authors' reply
Authors: Choi Gwang Hyeon , Lim Young‐Suk
Published: August 2019

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Choi et al and Huang et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15311 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15423.
Outcomes of minimally invasive endoscopic pilonidal sinus surgery
Authors: Eastment Jacques , Slater Kellee
Published: August 2019

Introduction

Pilonidal disease is a common condition that is often treated with morbid and painful surgeries. A minimally invasive, endoscopic approach has been described as an alternative to traditional open procedures. It allows the full visualization of the sinus tracks, leaves minimal scarring and results in less pain and a quicker recovery.

Methods

Patients who underwent minimally invasive endoscopic surgery for pilonidal disease at a major metropolitan hospital in Australia were retrospectively identified. Their operative reports and medical records were assessed to determine analgesic requirements, lengths of hospital stay, recurrence rates of pilonidal disease, and wound complications.

Results

Nine patients had endoscopic sinus surgery (six male, three female). All patients received treatment from the same surgeon. No patients required opiate analgesia for pain and only one stayed post‐operatively in hospital overnight. There were no recorded wound complications. The median follow‐up period was 28 months (range, 8–36 months). Eight patients had satisfactory healing recorded during their post‐operative consultations. Three patients suffered recurrent disease.

Conclusion

Minimally invasive surgery is safe and well tolerated when employed to treat pilonidal disease. It could be considered as a first‐line treatment for the obliteration of symptomatic pilonidal sinuses.
Academic Hiring Networks and Institutional Prestige: A Case Study of Canadian Sociology
Authors: Nevin Andrew D.
Published: August 2019

This article examines the academic job market for Canadian sociology through its PhD exchange network. Using an original data set of employed faculty members in 2015 (N = 1,157), I map the hiring relationships between institutions and analyze the observed network structure. My findings show that institutional prestige is a likely organizing force within this network, reflective of a disproportionate number of faculty coming from a few centralized high‐status institutions, as well as predominantly downward flows in hiring patterns. However, further investigation is needed to understand the role of prestige in Canadian higher education, which has been previously characterized as having a flat social structure. This requires attention toward the interrelationships between institutional prestige, scholarly competence, and department size situated within a segmented academic field in Canada. Overall, this study aims to encourage collective self‐reflection and motivate discourse about status‐based inequalities in our own discipline.
Effectiveness of individual and group programmes to treat obesity and reduce cardiovascular disease risk factors in pre‐pubertal children
Authors: Farpour‐Lambert Nathalie J. , Martin Xavier E. , Bucher Della Torre Sophie , von Haller Lydia , Ells Louisa J. , Herrmann François R. , Aggoun Yacine
Published: August 2019

Childhood obesity results in premature atherosclerosis and requires early intervention. Compare the effectiveness of 6‐month lifestyle interventions (with choice of either individual or group therapy) with standard care on body mass index (BMI) z‐score and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risks factors in children with obesity. This 6‐month randomized controlled trial with a 6‐month follow‐up included 74 pre‐pubertal children with obesity (7.5‐11.9 years) assigned randomly (2:1) to intervention or control. Families in the intervention arm choose between an individually delivered treatment (3 hours paediatrician + 4 hours dietician) or group treatment (35 hours with a multidisciplinary team). Children participated also to a weekly physical activity programme. We measured BMI, BMI z‐score; waist circumference (WC); total and abdominal fat; blood pressure; common carotid artery intima‐media thickness and incremental elastic modulus (Einc); endothelium‐dependent and independent dilation (nitroglycerin‐mediated dilation [NTGMD]) of the brachial artery; fasting plasma glucose, insulin, lipids; and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP). Compared to controls, at 6 months, abdominal fat and hs‐CRP were reduced in both interventions. The group intervention was also effective in reducing BMI (−0.55 kg/m2; 95% confidence interval −1.16 to 0.06) and BMI z‐score (−0.08; −0.15 to 0.00) at 6 months and BMI, BMI z‐score, WC, NTGMD, total and abdominal fat at 12 months. Abdominal fat and low‐grade inflammation were significantly decreased in both interventions. High‐intensity group treatment improved early signs of atherosclerosis in children with obesity. These findings are important for the promotion of cardiometabolic health in this population.
Identifying obesity‐related multimorbidity combinations in the United States
Authors: Madlock‐Brown Charisse , Reynolds Rebecca B.
Published: August 2019

Interest in understanding the effects of multimorbidity on outcomes has increased in recent years. This paper presents the most common obesity‐related groupings of multimorbidity in the United States. Using Cerner HealthFacts data, we applied the frequent pattern growth algorithm to identify prevalent multimorbidity groupings of 3 or more diseases (one being obesity) by race using a dataset of 574 172 patients with obesity from all over the United States. We set the minimum prevalence to 10% and identified groupings of ICD10‐CM diagnoses that occur in our dataset at or above the minimum prevalence level. We provide binomial proportion confidence interval estimates to demonstrate the validity of the proportions. We performed g‐test for independence to validate differences in prevalence by race. We found 18 multimorbidity combinations with prevalence higher than or equal to 10%. Our results indicate that there are multiple common multimorbidities groupings for patients with obesity. Each multimorbidity combination is composed of diseases from the following clinical categories: endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases; diseases of the circulatory system; diseases of the digestive system; diseases of the nervous system; and diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue. For each multimorbidity pattern, the prevalence was found to be significantly different by race according to the g‐test with P‐value < .001. Most frequent patterns include essential hypertension or disorder of lipid metabolism. This study identifies common groupings of multimorbidity. We believe our data can be useful for those developing integrated care plans, particularly for those serving diverse communities.
Shareholder voting in China: The role of large shareholders and institutional investors
Authors: Song Shunlin , Xu Xin , Yi Yang
Published: August 2019

Manuscript Type

Empirical

Research Question/Issue

Shareholders of nearly every company are given the right to vote, yet relatively little is known about the determinants of their voting behavior. Unique data in China render the votes of large shareholders observable, providing a rare opportunity to study the determinants of shareholder voting.

Research Findings/Insights

We find that (a) large shareholders are significantly less likely to vote against reform proposals than small shareholders and (b) institutional investors—especially mutual funds (the largest institutional investors in China)—are significantly less likely to vote against proposals than individual investors.

Theoretical/Academic Implications

We provide strong evidence for insider intervention in the voting process. Our study also adds to the understanding of voting behavior of large shareholders and institutional investors along with their governance roles in countries with weak legal protection for investors.

Practitioner/Policy Implications

To improve the governance role of shareholder voting in countries with weak investor protection, it is necessary to strengthen the level of disclosure and supervision of shareholder voting decisions.
Association between individual cholesterol and proteinuria response and exposure to atorvastatin or rosuvastatin
Authors: Kroonen Marjolein Y. A. M. , Stevens Jasper , de Zeeuw Dick , Heerspink Hiddo J. L.
Published: August 2019

Aim

The PLANET trials showed that atorvastatin 80 mg but not rosuvastatin at either 10 or 40 mg reduced urinary protein to creatinine ratio (UPCR) at similar effects on LDL‐cholesterol. However, individual changes in both UPCR and LDL‐cholesterol during treatment with these statins varied widely between patients. This inter‐individual variability could not be explained by patients’ physical or biochemical characteristics. We assessed whether the plasma concentrations of both statins were associated with LDL‐cholesterol and UPCR response.

Materials and methods

The PLANET trials randomized patients with a UPCR of 500‐5000 mg/g and fasting LDL‐cholesterol >2.33 mmol/L to a 52‐week treatment with atorvastatin 80 mg, rosuvastatin 10 mg or 40 mg. For the current analysis, patients with available samples at week 52 and treatment compliance >80% by pill count were included (N = 295). The main outcome measurements were percentage change in UPCR and absolute change in LDL‐cholesterol (delta LDL) from baseline to week 52.

Results

Median (interquartile range) plasma concentration at week 52 for atorvastatin 80 mg was 3.9 ng/mL (IQR: 2.1 to 8.7), for rosuvastatin 10 mg 1.0 ng/mL (IQR: 0.7 to 2.0) and for rosuvastatin 40 mg 3.5 ng/mL (IQR: 2.0 to 6.8). Higher plasma concentration of statin was associated with larger LDL‐cholesterol reductions at week 52 [rosuvastatin r = −0.40 (P < .001); atorvastatin r = −0.28 (P = .006)]. The plasma concentration of both statins did not correlate with UPCR change [rosuvastatin r = 0.07 (P = .30); atorvastatin r = 0.16 (P = .13)].

Conclusions

Individual variation in plasma concentrations of rosuvastatin and atorvastatin was associated with LDL‐cholesterol changes in patients. The individual variation in UPCR change was not associated with the plasma concentration of both statins.
THE POT RUSH: IS LEGALIZED MARIJUANA A POSITIVE LOCAL AMENITY?
Authors: Zambiasi Diego , Stillman Steven
Published: August 2019

This paper examines the amenity value of legalized marijuana by analyzing the impact of marijuana legalization on migration to Colorado. Colorado is the pioneering state in this area having legalized medical marijuana in 2000 and recreational marijuana in 2012. We test whether potential migrants to Colorado view legalized marijuana as a positive or negative local amenity. We use the synthetic control methodology to examine in‐ and out‐migration to/from Colorado versus migration to/from counterfactual versions of Colorado that have not legalized marijuana. We find strong evidence that potential migrants view legalized marijuana as a positive amenity with in‐migration significantly higher in Colorado compared with synthetic‐Colorado after the writing of the Ogden memo in 2009 that effectively allowed state laws already in place to be activated, and additionally after marijuana was legalized in 2013 for recreational use. When we employ permutation methods to assess the statistical likelihood of our results given our sample, we find that Colorado is a clear and significant outlier. We find no evidence for changes in out‐migration from Colorado suggesting that marijuana legalization did not change the equilibrium for individuals already living in the state. (JEL I18, R23, K42, C22)
How climate change affects the seasonal ecology of insect parasitoids
Authors: Tougeron Kévin , Brodeur Jacques , Le Lann Cécile , van Baaren Joan
Published: August 2019

1. In the context of global change, modifications in winter conditions may disrupt the seasonal phenology patterns of organisms, modify the synchrony of closely interacting species and lead to unpredictable outcomes at different ecological scales.

2. Parasites are present in almost every food web and their interactions with hosts greatly contribute to ecosystem functioning. Among upper trophic levels of terrestrial ecosystems, insect parasitoids are key components in terms of functioning and species richness. Parasitoids respond to climate change in similar ways to other insects, but their close relationship with their hosts and their particular life cycle – alternating between parasitic and free‐living forms – make them special cases.

3. This article reviews of the mechanisms likely to undergo plastic or evolutionary adjustments when exposed to climate change that could modify insect seasonal strategies. Different scenarios are then proposed for the evolution of parasitoid insect seasonal ecology by exploring three anticipated outcomes of climate change: (i) decreased severity of winter cold; (ii) decreased winter duration; and (iii) increased extreme seasonal climatic events and environmental stochasticity.

4. The capacities of insects to adapt to new environmental conditions, either through plasticity or genetic evolution, are highlighted. They may reduce diapause expression, adapt to changing cues to initiate or terminate diapause, increase voltinism, or develop overwintering bet‐hedging strategies, but parasitoids' responses will be highly constrained by those of their hosts.

5. Changes in the seasonal ecology of parasitoids may have consequences on host–parasitoid synchrony and population cycles, food‐web functioning, and ecosystem services such as biological pest control.
Gender differences in early onset of chronic physical multimorbidities in schizophrenia spectrum disorder: Do women suffer more?
Authors: Šimunović Filipčić Ivona , Ivezić Ena , Jakšić Nenad , Mayer Nina , Grah Majda , Rojnić Kuzman Martina , Bajić Zarko , Svab Vesna , Herceg Miroslav , Filipčić Igor
Published: August 2019

Aim

The association between various physical illnesses and schizophrenia spectrum disorder (SSD) is well‐established. However, the role of gender remains unclear. The present study explored the gender‐based differences in the prevalence and early onset of chronic physical multimorbidities (CPM) in patients with SSD and the general population (GEP).

Methods

We recruited 329 SSD patients and 837 GEP controls in this nested cross‐sectional study. The primary outcome was the prevalence of the chronic physical multimorbidities, especially in the youngest age group (<35 years).

Results

Women with SSD had more than double the odds for having CPM than men (OR = 2.47; 95% CI 1.35‐4.50), while the gender‐related burden of chronic diseases in controls was nearly the same (OR = 0.89; 95% CI 0.65‐1.22). Furthermore, the prevalence of chronic disease in younger women patients was significantly higher than in controls (P = .002), while younger men did not seem to experience this increased comorbidity burden.

Conclusions

This study suggests that women with SSD are at increased physical comorbidity risk compared to men, particularly early in the course of psychiatric illness. Tailored and individualized treatment plans must consider this, aiming to deliver holistic care and effective treatment outcomes.
Does Angry Temperament Undermine the Beneficial Effects of Expatriates' Proactive Personality?
Authors: Stoermer Sebastian , Lauring Jakob , Selmer Jan
Published: August 2019

Personal proactivity and emotional self‐regulation have been shown to be central aspects in a successful international relocation process. However, we do not know how these elements function in combination. Drawing from the proactive motivation model, we examine if and how low emotional self‐regulation, in the form of angry temperament, interacts with proactive personality in the prediction of expatriate performance outcomes. Results from regression analyses based on a sample of 531 business expatriates in East Asia confirm our proposed moderated mediation model. Thus, findings indicate that angry temperament inhibits the beneficial effects of proactive personality on time to proficiency. Moreover, results suggest that time to proficiency functions as a mediator in the relationship between proactive personality and performance. This mediation effect was found to be conditional and accordingly hinges on the level of expatriates' angry temperament. Our research implies that organizations should consider expatriates' personality and particularly assess proactive personality and angry temperament in selection processes.
Chemosensory discrimination of male age by female Psammodromus algirus lizards based on femoral secretions and feces
Authors: Nisa Ramiro Carolina , Rodríguez‐Ruiz Gonzalo , López Pílar , da Silva Junior Pedro Ismael , Trefaut Rodrigues Miguel , Martín José
Published: August 2019

Chemical communication plays an essential role in several social and reproductive behaviors of many animals. In lizards, the main sources of semiochemicals are femoral or pre‐anal gland secretions and feces. In male lizards Psammodromus algirus, there are age‐related differences in the chemical composition of femoral gland secretions and in the reproductive strategies, with older males defending territories and females, while younger males adopting sneak‐mating strategies. Females flee more often from mating advances of young males than from those of old males, which are more successful in obtaining matings. This suggests that age discrimination of males may be important for females. We tested here whether females showed differential chemosensory responses to chemical cues (femoral gland secretion and feces) of males of two age classes, and whether females use information from substrate scent marks of males of different ages to select where to stay. We found that females elicited more tongue‐flicks to the secretion and feces of old males than to control or secretion and feces of young males. Also, the time spent by females on a scented paper depended on the treatment, suggesting that females tended to spend more time on scent marks made with femoral secretions of old males. Adult females seemed capable to discriminate between young and old males based on chemical cues alone and showed more interest in scents of old males. However, substrate scent marks did not seem to entirely determine site selection by females, suggesting that females might need additional cues to perform the choice. These results can be explained by the different age‐dependent reproductive strategies of males, which can affect differentially to females.
Effect of long‐term clarithromycin therapy on prevention of pneumonia in older adults: A randomized, controlled trial
Authors: Yamasue Mari , Komiya Kosaku , Yoshikawa Hiroki , Kohno Yoshihisa , Imamura Yoshifumi , Otani Satoshi , Shigenaga Takehiko , Koga Hironobu , Kishi Kenji , Ichimiya Tomoku , Tanaka Hironori , Hara Kanako , Noguchi Shingo , Yatera Kazuhiro , Mukae Hiroshi , Hiramatsu Kazufumi , Kadota Jun‐Ichi
Published: August 2019

Aim

Pneumonia in older adults is increasingly recognized as a healthcare issue in countries with an aging population. Long‐term macrolide therapy reduces exacerbations of chronic respiratory diseases, but its effects on the prevention of pneumonia have not been determined.

Methods

We carried out a randomized, controlled trial to test the effect of long‐term clarithromycin therapy on the prevention of pneumonia among older adults. People aged ≥65 years who had recovered from pneumonia within the previous 3 months were recruited and randomly allocated to a long‐term, low‐dose clarithromycin (CAM) therapy group (n = 13) or a control group (n = 15).

Results

Both groups were followed up until recurrence of pneumonia. The median follow‐up period was 251 days (95% CI 171–330) in the CAM group and 132 days (95% CI 67–196) in the control group (P = 0.627). The recurrence rate of pneumonia was two out of 13 (15%) in the CAM group and five out of 15 (33%) in the control group (P = 0.268). The median time to recurrence of pneumonia was 315 days (95% CI 249–382) in the CAM group and 260 days (95% CI 184–335) in the control group (P = 0.260). None of the differences between groups were statistically significant.

Conclusions

No statistically significant suppressive effects of long‐term, low‐dose macrolide therapy on the development of pneumonia among older people were found in this small sample. A large‐scale, randomized, controlled study is required. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2019; 19: 1006–1009.
Groundwater Complexity in Urban Catchments: Shenzhen, Southern China
Authors: Lancia Michele , Zheng Chunmiao , He Xin , Lerner David N. , Andrews Charles
Published: August 2019

Groundwater interactions with surface water and sewers in an urban setting are complex, and classic hydrogeological approaches must be combined with anthropogenic elements to characterize them. The level of detail needed to understand these interactions is illustrated by the analysis of an urban subcatchment in the megacity of Shenzhen in southern China that has had a drastic urban expansion in the last 40 years. The study area is characterized by the Yanshanian granite that is widespread across southern‐eastern China. The urban setting is studied using multitemporal analysis of satellite images, borehole investigations and field surveys. Given the local hydrostratigraphy, a conceptual model was developed to identify the physical and anthropogenic factors that regulate the urban groundwater system. Based on the conceptual model and the data collected from the field or compiled from the literature, the average annual effective recharge is estimated to be 290 mm/year, after the urbanization process. From rural to urban conditions, it is estimated that the effective recharge increased by 170% and sewers intercept at least 23% of the effective recharge. Groundwater captured by sewers reduces river flows and increases the required capacity and costs for waste water treatment plants.
Vaccine‐induced gastric CD4+ tissue‐resident memory T cells proliferate in situ to amplify immune response against Helicobacter pylori insult
Authors: Xu Ningyin , Ruan Guojing , Liu Wei , Hu Chupeng , Huang An , Zeng Zhiqin , Luo Shuanghui , Zhang Zhenxing , Fan Menghui , Ye Feng , Xi Tao , Xing Yingying
Published: August 2019

Background

Tissue‐resident memory T cells accelerate the clearance of pathogens during recall response. However, whether CD4+ TRM cells themselves can provide gastric immunity is unclear.

Materials and methods

We established a parabiosis model between the enhanced green fluorescent protein and wild‐type mice that the circulation system was shared, and the wild‐type partner was vaccinated with H pylori vaccine composed of CCF and silk fibroin in gastric subserous layer to induce gastric EGFP+ CD4+ TRM cells. Antigen‐specific EGFP+ CD4+ T cells and proliferous TRM cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. The colonization of H pylori was detected by quantitative real‐time PCR. EGFP+ CD4+ TRM cells and the inflammation of the stomach were observed by histology.

Results

A parabiosis animal model was employed to identify the cells that introduced by vaccination in GSL. Antigen‐specific EGFP+ CD4+ T cells could be detected at day 7 post‐vaccination. Thirty days later, EGFP+ CD4+ TRM cells were established with a phenotype of CD69+ CD103‐. Of note, we found that when circulating lymphocytes were depleted by FTY720 administration, these TRM cells could proliferate in situ and differentiate into effector Th1 cells after H pylori challenge. A decrease in H pylori colonization was observed in the vaccinated mice but not unvaccinated mice. Further, we found that although FTY720 was administrated, mounted pro‐inflammatory myeloid cells still emerged in the stomach of the vaccinated mice, which might contribute to the reduction of H pylori colonization.

Conclusions

Our study reveals that H pylori vaccine‐induced CD4+ TRM cells can proliferate and differentiate in situ to enhance gastric local immunity during recall response.
Reflecting on shared decision making: A reflection‐quantification study
Authors: Kunneman Marleen , LaVecchia Christina M. , Singh Ospina Naykky , Abu Dabrh Abd Moain , Behnken Emma M. , Wilson Patrick , Branda Megan E. , Hargraves Ian G. , Yost Kathleen J. , Frankel Richard M. , Montori Victor M.
Published: August 2019

Background

Reflecting (“stop‐and‐think”) before rating may help patients consider the quality of shared decision making (SDM) and mitigate ceiling/halo effects that limit the performance of self‐reported SDM measures.

Methods

We asked a diverse patient sample from the United States to reflect on their care before completing the 3‐item CollaboRATE SDM measure. Study 1 focused on rephrasing CollaboRATE items to promote reflection before each item. Study 2 used 5 open‐ended questions (about what went well and what could be improved upon, signs that the clinician understood the patient's situation, how the situation will be addressed, and why this treatment plan makes sense) to invite reflection before using the whole scale. A linear analogue scale assessed the extent to which the plan of care made sense to the patient.

Results

In Study 1, 107 participants completed surveys (84% response rate), 43 (40%) rated a clinical decision of which 27 (63%) after responding to reflection questions. Adding reflection lowered CollaboRATE scores (“less” SDM) and reduced the proportion of patients giving maximum (ceiling) scores (not statistically significant). In Study 2, 103 of 212 responders (49%) fully completed the version containing reflection questions. Reflection did not significantly change the distribution of CollaboRATE scores or of top scores. Participants indicated high scores on the sense of their care plan (mean 9.7 out of 10, SD 0.79). This rating was weakly correlated with total CollaboRATE scores (rho = .4, P = .0001).

Conclusion

Reflection‐before‐quantification interventions may not improve the performance of patient‐reported measures of SDM with substantial ceiling/halo effects.
Who’s About to Leave? A Global Survey of Aspirations and Intentions to Migrate
Authors: Migali Silvia , Scipioni Marco
Published: August 2019

This article analyses aspirations and intentions to migrate based on Gallup World Poll for the period 2010–2015. We estimate individual‐level traits associated with aspirations and intentions to migrate across groups of countries in different regions and with different income levels. This paper brings together previous hypotheses regarding migration aspirations and tests them under several specifications, while keeping separate findings according to migration aspirations and intentions to appreciate differences between them. Being dissatisfied with one’s own standard of living is associated with a higher probability of desiring to move, while the relation with the actual preparation to migrate is less clear. Some individual traits remain significant across (almost) all specifications: being male, foreign‐born, highly educated, and having networks abroad are associated with higher probability of preparing for international migration. Aspects related to one’s economic situation are not consistently significant across specifications, signalling the importance of contextual analyses for these factors.
Multivariate Small Area Estimation of Multidimensional Latent Economic Well‐being Indicators
Authors: Moretti Angelo , Shlomo Natalie , Sakshaug Joseph W.
Published: August 2019

Factor analysis models are used in data dimensionality reduction problems where the variability among observed variables can be described through a smaller number of unobserved latent variables. This approach is often used to estimate the multidimensionality of well‐being. We employ factor analysis models and use multivariate empirical best linear unbiased predictor (EBLUP) under a unit‐level small area estimation approach to predict a vector of means of factor scores representing well‐being for small areas. We compare this approach with the standard approach whereby we use small area estimation (univariate and multivariate) to estimate a dashboard of EBLUPs of the means of the original variables and then averaged. Our simulation study shows that the use of factor scores provides estimates with lower variability than weighted and simple averages of standardised multivariate EBLUPs and univariate EBLUPs. Moreover, we find that when the correlation in the observed data is taken into account before small area estimates are computed, multivariate modelling does not provide large improvements in the precision of the estimates over the univariate modelling. We close with an application using the European Union Statistics on Income and Living Conditions data.
Sleep monitoring of an Asian elephant Elephas maximus calf at Night Safari, Singapore: testing whether sleep time is a significant predictor of cortisol or the onset of positive elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus viraemia
Authors: Kalirathinam U. K. , Elangkovan S. , Kawi J. , Cabana F.
Published: August 2019

A number of methods for measuring the welfare of elephants in human care have been used within zoological associations and rescue centres worldwide. The measurement of glucocorticoids in relation to stress has been particularly well validated. Measuring stress is especially important for Asian elephant Elephas maximus calves between one and 8 years of age which are highly susceptible to developing elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV) haemorrhagic disease. Sleep monitoring has been used as a possible means of assessing the welfare state of animals, although the efficacy of this method has not been validated. Our aim was to test whether sleep time or cortisol provided the most significant predictor for the onset of positive EEHV blood viraemia in a 2 year‐old calf at Night Safari, Singapore. Faecal samples were collected twice per week and assayed for glucocorticoids. Using closed‐circuit television, the time the calf slept each night was measured between December 2017 and September 2018. Sleep was not a predictor of viraemia nor of cortisol concentration in this study. However, cortisol appeared to be related to the occurrence of viraemia.
Sorption isotherms of ready‐to‐puff preconditioned brown rice: Development of classical models and artificial neural network approach
Authors: Mahanti Naveen K. , Chakraborty Subir K. , Babu V. Bhusana
Published: August 2019

Moisture sorption isotherm data of ready‐to‐puff preconditioned brown rice shall enable in finding solutions for prolonging the period between preconditioning and puffing. Designed full factorial experiments were conducted with ready‐to‐puff preconditioned brown rice at five different salt concentrations (SC) ranging 0–4%, varying temperature (T), 20–30°C within eight levels of moisture content (MC), and 3–25% to obtain sorption isotherms. Preconditioning was carried out at 75(±3)°C using a fluidized bed dryer to attain a final MC of 11%, optimum for puffing. Water activity (aw) of the sample increased with increasing T and decreased with increasing SC. The individual and interaction effects of T, SC, and MC on aw are highly significant (p < .001). The experimental sorption data at each SC were fitted with the traditional model at a given temperature. All the models were statistically (p < .001) significant. A feedforward artificial neural network model was developed with three input variables T, SC, and MC as the input layer and aw as the output layer. Inter‐relationship among the process variables is explained better by artificial neural network (R2 = 0.991) and second‐order model (R2 = 0.973) as compared with traditional models, which are limited in their ability to express the relationship among the variables.

Practical Applications

The key to quality puffed rice is the preconditioning process during its manufacture. During preconditioning, salts and moisture penetrate the rice matrix to give a desirable product. The preconditioned rice should be immediately processed, else absorption or desorption of moisture from the atmospheric air takes place. This leads to finished puffed rice with compromised quality. Liberty of using the preconditioned rice for further processing will wrest upon the processor if suitable packaging is provided to this rice. Extensive knowledge of moisture sorption isotherms is required for designing such packaging material and conditions. The present study is carried out to study the sorption isotherm of ready‐to‐puff preconditioned brown rice. The information available in the present study is useful for food industries to develop a suitable packaging material for time‐independent use of preconditioned rice.
The agility of ants: lessons for grappling with complexity in health care teamwork
Authors: Cristancho Sayra M , Taylor Taryn
Published: August 2019

The authors offer biological analogies of complexity as a useful lens through which to think about the collective adaptation required to produce self‐healing teams.