bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Building entrepreneurial potential abroad – exploring return migrant experience
Authors: Pauli Urban , Osowska Renata
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how entrepreneurial potential is built abroad during the periods of EU economic migration and how this affects the entrepreneurial behaviour of individuals after returning to their home country.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed-methods approach was employed via developing a structured interview discussion guide with open and closed questions centred around the topic of migration, reasons for starting a business and capital (e.g. human, financial, relational) gained abroad. The study covered 54 Polish return entrepreneurs identified through random purposive sampling.

Findings

The findings suggest an important role of migration on the decision to start a business as almost half of the respondents formulated a business idea during the migration. The capital gains affecting entrepreneurial potential development were mostly observed in terms of financial and human capital with relational capital only applied to a business idea. This may explain individual preferences to setting up a business when returning to the home country. Overall, the findings confirm the important role of economic migration in building the entrepreneurial potential of returnee entrepreneurs.

Originality/value

The study explores an alternative to the mainstream assumptions on migration by investigating entrepreneurial individuals, processes and practices that happen during reverse migration. Furthermore, by applying the resource-based view of the firm theory, this research expands the understanding of the inter-relationship between processes of economic migration and entrepreneurial potential development.
Achieving triple bottom line sustainability in supply chains
Authors: Miemczyk Joe , Luzzini Davide
Published: December 2018

Purpose

Companies are increasingly challenged by sustainability-related supply chain risks. Research has developed linking supply chain sustainability priorities, practices and triple bottom line performance; however, risk is rarely included in these models. The purpose of this paper is to understand the link between sustainable supply chain strategies, practices and performance, and to test the importance of risk management practices in this relationship focusing on the product category level.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper includes a survey of supply managers in four countries with 305 responses, with a focus on upstream supply chain strategies at the product category level.

Findings

The environmental and social sustainability strategies lead to sustainable supply sustainable performance, through focused practices in either area, but the effect on operational and cost performance is not significant. Social supply chain strategies positively impact environmental and cost performance when mediated by risk assessment practices.

Originality/value

This paper shows a more nuanced view of the impact of supply chain practices on the strategy–performance link. It is one of the first papers to empirically test the role of risk practices in sustainable supply chain management and emphasize the importance of alignment across the main dimensions of sustainability to achieve positive sustainable performance outcomes, but not necessarily cost and operational performance. Unlike other studies, social sustainability priorities may positively impact environmental and social performance and is linked to cost advantage when implemented with risk assessment practices.
Real-time learning analytics system for improvement of on-site lectures
Authors: Shimada Atsushi , Konomi Shin’ichi , Ogata Hiroaki
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to propose a real-time lecture supporting system. The target of this study is on-site classrooms where teachers give lectures and a lot of students listen to teachers’ explanations, conduct exercises, etc.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed system uses an e-learning system and an e-book system to collect teaching and learning activities from a teacher and students in real time. The collected data are immediately analyzed to provide feedback to the teacher just before the lecture starts and during the lecture. For example, the teacher can check which pages were well previewed and which pages were not previewed by students using the preview achievement graph. During the lecture, real-time analytics graphs are shown on the teacher’s PC. The teacher can easily grasp students’ status and whether or not students are following the teacher’s explanation.

Findings

Through the case study, the authors first confirmed the effectiveness of each tool developed in this study. Then, the authors conducted a large-scale experiment using a real-time analytics graph and investigated whether the proposed system could improve the teaching and learning in on-site classrooms. The results indicated that teachers could adjust the speed of their lecture based on the real-time feedback system, which also resulted in encouraging students to put bookmarks and highlights on keywords and sentences.

Originality/value

Real-time learning analytics enables teachers and students to enhance their teaching and learning during lectures. Teachers should start considering this new strategy to improve their lectures immediately.
Dynamic supplier selection approach for mining equipment company
Authors: Ahmad Md. Tanweer , Mondal Sandeep
Published: December 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to address the supplier selection (SS) problem under dynamic business environments to optimize the procurement cost of spare-parts in the context of a mining equipment company (MEC). Practically, involved parameters’ value does not remain constant as planning periods due to fluctuation in the demand and their market dynamics. Therefore, dynamicity in the parameter is considered as an important factor when a company forms a responsive chain through most eligible suppliers with respect to planning periods. This area of study may be considered for their complexities to the approaches toward order-allocations with bi-products of unused and repair spare-parts.

Design/methodology/approach

An integrated methodology of analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and mixed-integer non-linear programming (MILP) is implemented in the two stages during each planning periods. In the first stage, AHP is used to obtain the relative weights with respect to each spare-parts of each criterion and based on that, the ranking is evaluated in accordance with case considered. And in the second stage, MILP is formulated to find the allocations of each spare-part with two distinct approaches through Model-1 and Model-2 separately. Moreover, Model-1 and Model-2 are outlined based on the ranking and efficient parameters-value under cost, limited capacities, quality level and delay lead time respectively.

Findings

The ranking and their optimal order-allocation of potential suppliers are obtained during consecutive planning periods for both unused and repair spare-parts. Subsequently, sensitivity analysis is conducted to deduce the key nuggets with the comparison of Model-1 and Model-2 in the changing of capacity, demand and cost per spare-parts. From this analysis, it is found that suppliers who have optimal parameter settings would be better for order-allocations than ranking during the changing planning period.

Practical implications

This paper points out the situation-specific approach for SS problem for a mining industry which often faces disruptive supplying environments. The managerial implication between ranking and parameters are highlighted through Model-1 and Model-2 by sensitivity analysis.

Originality/value

It provides useful directions for managers who are involved in the procurement of spare-parts in the mining environment. For this, suppliers are selected for order-allocation by using Model-1 and Model-2 in the dynamic business environment. The solvability of the model is presented using LINGO 17. Furthermore, the case company selected in this study can be extended to other sectors.
The impact of Benin’s first public procurement code and its amendment on healthcare equipment acquisition prices
Authors: Houngbo Pamphile Thierry , Kishna Maikel , Zweekhorst Marjolein , Medenou Daton , Bunder-Aelen Joske G.F.
Published: December 2018

Purpose

To satisfy donors and reduce public procurement acquisition prices, Benin has implemented and amended its first public procurement code guided by top-down principles of good governance.

Design/methodology/approach

This study aims to measure the impact of the code and its amendment on public procurement acquisition prices of health-care equipment from 1995 to 2010.

Findings

A segmented linear regression analysis was performed using interrupted time-series data. The analysis shows that the code and its amendment did not reduce acquisition prices, indicating the limited impact of the code. The authors recommend the implementation of bottom-up processes in establishing the public procurement system, and the development of a reference pricelist of the most widely used health-care equipment, as possible solutions for improving the effectiveness of the code.
The integration between knowledge management and dynamic capabilities in agile organizations
Authors: Oliva Fábio Lotti , Couto Marcelo Henrique Gomes , Santos Ricardo Fernandes , Bresciani Stefano
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe and analyze how the integration between knowledge management and dynamic capabilities in contexts that demand organizational agility contributes to the management by objectives.

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve the proposed objective, the present paper adopts the single case study in the startup Effecti. For data collection, semi-structured interviews were carried out, analyzeda posteriorithrough the technique of content analysis. From the loads of evidence observed, a model was presented that consists of different management theories and that guides the management by objectives process of a startup.

Findings

The proposed model proves to be able to describe the modus operandi of a startup and enables it to develop the cycles of testing, measurement and seizure of knowledge, largely stimulated and inherent to the creation process of new businesses in dynamic and uncertain contexts.

Practical implications

It is expected that the research results presented in details can illustrate concrete examples of application of the main concepts: agile organization, dynamic capabilities, knowledge management, performance assessment, enterprise risk management and management by objectives.

Originality/value

The originality of this study is focused on the integration of conceptual triad and its application in the case study of a startup: agile organization, dynamic capabilities and knowledge management.
Boundary layer flow and melting heat transfer of Prandtl fluid over a stretching surface by considering Joule heating effect
Authors: Kumar K. Ganesh , Krishnamurthy M.R. , N.G. Rudraswamy
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the impact of Joule heating on boundary layer flow and melting heat transfer of Prandtl fluid over a stretching sheet in the presence of fluid particles suspension. The transformed boundary layer equations are solved numerically by RKF-45 method. The influence of the non-dimensional parameters on velocity and temperature growths in the boundary layer region is analyzed in detail and the results are shown graphically. The results indicate that the larger estimation ofαandβreduces for both velocity and temperature profile. Further, the rate of heat transfer decreases by increasing melting parameter.

Design/methodology/approach

The converted set of boundary layer equations is solved numerically by RKF-45 method. Obtained numerical results for flow and heat transfer characteristics are deliberated for various physical parameters. Furthermore, the skin friction coefficient and Nusselt number are also presented.

Findings

It is found that the heat transfer rates are advanced in the occurrence of non-linear radiation camper to linear radiation. Also, it is noticed that velocity profile increases by increasing Prandtl parameter but establishes opposite results for temperature profile.

Originality/value

The authors intend to analyze the boundary layer flow and melting heat transfer of a Prandtl fluid over a stretching surface in the presence of fluid particles suspension. The governing systems of partial differential equations have been transformed to a set of coupled ordinary differential equations by applying appropriate similarity transformations. The reduced equations are solved numerically. The pertinent parameters are discussed through graphs and plotted graphs. The present results are compared with the existing limiting solutions, showing good agreement with each other.
Variation of circulating 25-Hydroxyvitamin D levels with life style in a cohort group in Sri Lanka
Authors: Ranasinghe Shirani , Jayalath Thilak , Thennakoon Sampath , Jayasekara Ranjith , Shiva Ran , Bandara Tharanga
Published: December 2018

Purpose

Purpose of this study is to measure the Vitamin D status of healthy adults and to correlate with their lifestyle and feeding habits. Plasma 25-Hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) is the most common marker of vitamin D status of an individual. Deficiency of vitamin D is defined as the serum level less than 20 ng/mL and insufficiency as 30 ng/mL which can be prevented.

Design/methodology/approach

Vitamin D status of healthy adults (n = 82), both male and females between the age of 18 – 50 years who were attending to the National Transport Authority, Kandy, Sri Lanka from February to March 2016, was measured and correlated with their lifestyle, feeding habits, etc.

Findings

The mean total serum D (25(OH)D in this study was 40.15 ± 3.74 nmol/l with the mean value of 42.8 ± 28.8 and 37.5 ± 16.6 for women and men, respectively. The serum calcium levels of both female and male were around 8 mg/dl and the serum total protein was 6.5 and 7 g/dl in women and men, respectively. The serum Vitamin D, calcium and total protein were not statistically significantly different between the sexes. In this study, 84 per cent of the total subjects were normocalcemic, and there was no signiﬁcant relationship between vitamin D levels and their calcium levels.

Research limitations/implications

This study demonstrates that there was no statistically significant correlation between the serum vitamin D with age, serum calcium or total proteins. The majority of participants who had exposure to the sunlight more than 30 mins/day had sufficient level of vitamin D and less than 30 min/day exposure had deficiency of vitamin D. Daily intake of multivitamin influenced vitamin D status of the study group.

Practical implications

These findings will implicate the importance of cultural, feed and social habits for the nutritional status of an individual.and there are no reported studies on vitamin D status with reference to the variation of life style.

Social implications

It is very important to investigate the factors affecting to the vitamin D status of a population as such, vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency can be prevented. In Sri Lanka, the population is consisting with many ethnic groups, different ethnic groups may find some nutritional problems according to their main cultural habits.

Originality/value

The objectives of this study are to evaluate the Vitamin D status in a group of healthy adults between 20 and 50 years in both men and women and to find out the correlation of their vitamin D status with their lifestyle and feeding habits, etc.
The bright side of indebtedness
Authors: Faldetta Guglielmo
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show that indebtedness can have a positive meaning for people who are embedded in social relationships in organizations if it is meant in the light of the notion of gratitude, gift-giving and generalized reciprocity.

Design/methodology/approach

The study reviews the literature on the common notion of indebtedness and integrates it with the literature on gratitude, gift-giving and generalized reciprocity.

Findings

The study reveals that through the notion of gratitude, gift-giving and generalized reciprocity people may conceive their indebtedness as gratitude for having received something, so triggering giving behaviors that does not necessarily aim to repay the debt, but to develop and feed their social relationships.

Originality/value

In the past indebtedness has been conceived as a negative feeling. This study reveals that it may have also a bright side when it is applied to people in flesh and bones, as they are immersed in good quality social relationships.
Early steps in learning about organizational learning in customization settings
Authors: Engström Annika , Käkelä Nikolas
Published: December 2018

Purpose

This study aims to empirically investigate the role of learning for suppliers of individualized customizations from a communication perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

Five companies providing individualized customizations are investigated through an in-depth qualitative approach. The empirical material is based on data from five presentations in one workshop and seven interviews.

Findings

Four important categories of communication processes between suppliers and customers that stimulate learning were identified: the identification and confirmation of existing knowledge, the identification of knowledge gaps and the creation of new knowledge, the definition of relations and procedures and evaluation and learning.

Practical implications

These findings can help suppliers of individualized customizations become aware of the important role of organizational learning in their day-to-day operations and the value of improving as a learning organization.

Originality/value

This cross-disciplinary study brings together organizational learning and customization research. It is a study that focuses on communication in customization tasks as a base for learning.
Impact of three‐dimensional attitude variations of an unmanned aerial vehicle magnetometry system on magnetic data quality
Authors: Walter Callum A. , Braun A. , Fotopoulos G.
Published: December 2018

Optically pumped vapour magnetometers have an orientation dependency in measuring the scalar component of the ambient magnetic field which leads to challenges for integration with mobile platforms. Quantifying the three‐dimensional attitude variations (yaw, pitch and roll) of an optically pumped vapour magnetometer, while in‐flight and suspended underneath a rotary unmanned aerial vehicle, aids in the successful development of reliable, high‐resolution unmanned aerial vehicle magnetometry surveys. This study investigates the in‐flight three‐dimensional attitude characteristics of a GEM Systems Inc. GSMP‐35U potassium vapour magnetometer suspended 3 m underneath a Dà‐Jiāng Innovations S900 multi‐rotor unmanned aerial vehicle. A series of unmanned aerial vehicle‐borne attitude surveys quantified the three‐dimensional attitude variations that a simulated magnetometer payload experienced while freely (or semi‐rigidly) suspended underneath the unmanned aerial vehicle in fair weather. Analysis of the compiled yaw, pitch and roll data resulted in the design of a specialized semi‐rigid magnetometer mount, implemented to limit magnetometer rotation about the yaw axis. A subsequent unmanned aerial vehicle‐borne magnetic survey applying this specialized mount resulted in more than 99% of gathered GSMP‐35U magnetic data being within industry standards. Overall, this study validates that maintaining magnetometer attitude variations within quantified limits (±5° yaw, ±10° pitch and roll) during flight can yield reliable, continuous and high‐resolution unmanned aerial vehicle‐borne magnetic measurements.
Class‐based masculinity, cardiovascular health and rehabilitation
Authors: Taylor Smith Adam , Dumas Alex
Published: December 2018

Men in economically advanced societies are more at‐risk of dying prematurely due to heart disease than women, and this risk is inversely related to their socioeconomic status (SES). While the strong influence of socioeconomic factors on self‐management of chronic diseases is important, the impact of masculinity must also be considered. This study examines the social variation in preventive health lifestyles of men from two contrasting socioeconomic groups who have suffered from a cardiovascular incident requiring hospitalization. It draws chiefly on Pierre Bourdieu's sociocultural theory of the practice (habitus and symbolic violence). Qualitative data was collected through 60 in‐depth, semi‐structured interviews with Canadian men (average age 57.3). Results indicate that participants from both socioeconomic groups share aspirations towards personal fulfilment (achieving a sense of security, preserving autonomy and gaining social recognition) after their heart incident, but apply different strategies in pursuit of these aspirations that have distinctive effects on healthy lifestyles. This study emphasise the importance of drawing on theoretical approaches in public health that have the potential to combine universal with context‐specific views of human experience in order further understand health and lifestyle inequalities.
Reflective assessments: differentiation by Individualities
Authors: Deorukhkar Suneeta
Published: December 2018

This article considers some aspects of the ‘what, why and how’ of individualising reflective assessments. It is an attempt to understand what works well in a special needs setting but it can also be applied within a mainstream context. The article comprises evidence, in the form of practitioner observations, during the author’s work with eight students with complex, severe learning difficulties in a special needs school located in Greater London, as a part of a project called ‘Brent Schools Reflective Writing’. Its findings, with an emphasis on developing independence amongst all SEND learners, support many of the recommendations contained in the final report of the Rochford Review (2013).
Incentives to move up: Effects of pay gaps between levels on employee performance
Authors: Chi Wei , Liao Hui , Wang Lei , Zhao Rui , Ye Qing
Published: December 2018

Employees of a certain rank are motivated by the pay gap between them and the levels above (upward comparison), and the pay gap between them and the levels below (downward comparison). In some cases, employees face multiple upward comparisons such as immediate and subsequent upward comparisons. We hypothesise that upward comparison matters more than downward comparison, and in the case of multiple upward comparisons, the immediate one matters more than the subsequent ones. We also hypothesise that the pay gap effect resulting from the upward/downward comparison ought to be non‐linear in that performance increases with pay gap size at a decreasing rate. The results from two empirical studies, namely, a longitudinal field study and a laboratory experiment, largely support our hypotheses.
A single‐center experience with methotrexate in the treatment of Chinese Crohn’s disease patients
Authors: Wang Tian Rong , Qiao Yu Qi , Zou Duo Wu , Ran Zhi Hua
Published: December 2018

Objective

Methotrexate (MTX) can be used as an alternative for patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) who are intolerant of thiopurine. This retrospective study aimed to provide some clues about MTX treatment in Chinese patients with CD.

Methods

Medical records of 27 adult patients with CD who were treated with MTX between 2012 and 2017 at Renji Hospital were reviewed. MTX was administered at 15 mg or 20 mg intramuscularly once per week. The remission and response rates and adverse reactions of MTX were recorded and analyzed.

Results

Thirteen (48.1%) of the patients achieved remission for more than 12 months, whereas four (14.8%) responded clinically. Eight (29.6%) patients discontinued MTX due to adverse events. The mean age of those who maintained remission was significantly younger than that of those who did not ([35.62 ± 10.99] years vs. [45.43 ± 11.93] years, P < 0.05). The pretreatment C‐reactive protein (CRP) level was higher in the group who maintained remission than that in those who did not ([17.20 ± 17.26] mg/L vs. [6.98 ± 5.66] mg/L, P < 0.05).

Conclusions

MTX is effective and relatively safe for patients at doses of 15 mg/week or 20 mg/week and may be an alternative therapy for patients who are intolerant of thiopurine. Elderly patients with CD and patients with normal pretreatment CRP level may have a reduced response to MTX.
Relationship between EGFR mutation and computed tomography characteristics of the lung in patients with lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Qiu Xiaowei , Yuan Hang , Sima Bin
Published: December 2018

Background

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between EGFR mutation and computed tomography (CT) features in patients with adenocarcinoma of the lung.

Methods

One hundred and ninety two lung adenocarcinoma patients who underwent surgery were retrospectively included in this study. Examination of EGFR gene mutation was performed on all resected tumor samples. The 192 recruited lung adenocarcinoma patients were divided into groups according to EGFR mutation status: patients with mutations in exons 18–21 (effective mutated, n = 61) and non‐mutated (n = 131). The clinical characteristics and lung CT imaging features of the two groups were recorded and compared. Univariate and logistic regression analysis were performed to identify the independent risk factors relevant to effective EGFR gene mutation.

Results

The independent risk factors relevant to effective EGFR mutation were evaluated by logistic regression test. The results indicated that female gender (odds ratio [OR] 3.23), lung CT features of lymphangitis carcinomatosa (OR 2.66), semi‐solid lesion density (OR 3.56), and spicule sign (OR 1.61) were independent risk factors relevant to EGFR mutation.

Conclusion

Female patients with lung CT features of lymphangitis carcinomatosa, semi‐solid lesion density, and spicule sign are more prone to harbor EGFR gene mutations and are more likely to benefit from targeted therapy.
Nurr1 (NR4A2) regulates Alzheimer’s disease‐related pathogenesis and cognitive function in the 5XFAD mouse model
Authors: Moon Minho , Jung Eun Sun , Jeon Seong Gak , Cha Moon‐Yong , Jang Yongwoo , Kim Woori , Lopes Claudia , Mook‐Jung Inhee , Kim Kwang‐Soo
Published: December 2018

The orphan nuclear receptor Nurr1 (also known as NR4A2) is critical for the development and maintenance of midbrain dopaminergic neurons, and is associated with Parkinson's disease. However, an association between Nurr1 and Alzheimer's disease (AD)‐related pathology has not previously been reported. Here, we provide evidence that Nurr1 is expressed in a neuron‐specific manner in AD‐related brain regions; specifically, it is selectively expressed in glutamatergic neurons in the subiculum and the cortex of both normal and AD brains. Based on Nurr1’s expression patterns, we investigated potential functional roles of Nurr1 in AD pathology. Nurr1 expression was examined in the hippocampus and cortex of AD mouse model and postmortem human AD subjects. In addition, we performed both gain‐of‐function and loss‐of‐function studies of Nurr1 and its pharmacological activation in 5XFAD mice. We found that knockdown of Nurr1 significantly aggravated AD pathology while its overexpression alleviated it, including effects on Aβ accumulation, neuroinflammation, and neurodegeneration. Importantly, 5XFAD mice treated with amodiaquine, a highly selective synthetic Nurr1 agonist, showed robust reduction in typical AD features including deposition of Aβ plaques, neuronal loss, microgliosis, and impairment of adult hippocampal neurogenesis, leading to significant improvement of cognitive impairment. These in vivo and in vitro findings suggest that Nurr1 critically regulates AD‐related pathophysiology and identify Nurr1 as a novel AD therapeutic target.
Socioeconomic status in Danish women with polycystic ovary syndrome: A register‐based cohort study
Authors: Rubin Katrine H. , Andersen Marianne S. , Abrahamsen Bo , Glintborg Dorte
Published: December 2018

Introduction

Low socioeconomic status (SES) may be associated with increased risk of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and vice versa. Possible associations between SES, obesity and ethnicity in PCOS are undetermined.

Material and methods

National register‐based study including women with PCOS aged 25 years or above (PCOS Denmark and an embedded cohort; PCOS Odense University Hospital [OUH]) and one control population. PCOS Denmark (n = 13 891) included women with PCOS in the Danish National Patient Register. Women in PCOS OUH underwent clinical examination (n = 814). Three age‐matched controls were included per patient (n = 41 584). The main outcome measure was SES (personal income, occupational status and education).

Results

The median (Q1; Q3) age of women in PCOS Denmark and controls was 33 (29; 39) years. Women with personal income in the lower tertile had a higher probability of a PCOS diagnosis than women in the high‐income tertile (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.4‐1.6). Women who were unemployed or on welfare payment (aOR 1.5, 95% CI 1.4‐1.6), or who retired early (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.7‐2.0) had a higher probability of a PCOS diagnosis than women affiliated to the labor market. Women originating from the Middle East more often had PCOS (aOR 3.2, 95% CI 2.8‐3.7) compared with women originating from Europe. In PCOS OUH, SES was lower in obese than in normal weight women.

Conclusions

A diagnosis of PCOS was associated with lower SES. In PCOS, women of foreign origin and women with obesity more often had low SES.
Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation in children after open heart surgery
Authors: Guo Zheng , Yang Yinyu , Zhang Wei , Shen Jia , Jiang Lei , Yu Xindi , Wang Wei
Published: December 2018

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) provides cardiorespiratory support during cardiopulmonary resuscitation unresponsive to conventional methods. Here, we analyzed the extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) results of children in a cardiac arrest setting after cardiac surgery. Of 3119 cases of pediatric open‐heart surgery, 31 required postoperative ECMO. Among the 31 patients, 11 experienced cardiac arrest and ECPR in the early postoperative period. These 11 patients’ median age is 1.5 [range, 0.1‐19] months and median weight is 3.9 [range, 2.9‐10.3] kg. The medical records of ECPR cases were analyzed. The median ECMO‐assisted time was 68 (range, 13‐456) hours and 4 cases (36.4%) survived. The ECMO‐assisted times were ≤2 days in 4 patients (all eventually died), ≥6 days in 3 patients (all also died), and all 4 cases supported for 2‐6 days were discharged successfully (P = 0.006). In the survivors and nonsurvivors, peak lactate levels were 10.8 ± 7.04 and 22.8 ± 6.98 mmol/L (P = 0.023) and peak creatinine levels were 47.50 ± 25.9 and 153.7 ± 73.9 mg/dL (P = 0.035), respectively. In these 11 ECPR cases, the most common complications were bleeding requiring re‐exploration (n = 6, 54.5%) and renal failure (n = 6, 54.5%). The incidence of renal failure was significantly correlated with hypoperfusion time (P = 0.015). ECPR is valuable in children with postoperative cardiac arrest. The higher peak lactate level, higher peak creatinine level, and prolonged ECMO duration were associated with higher mortality. Early diagnosis and intervention of residual anatomical problems could improve survival. Bleeding and renal failure were the most common complications and the incidence of renal failure may be correlated with longer hypoperfusion duration.
The sterol regulatory element‐binding protein 2 is dysregulated by tau alterations in Alzheimer disease
Authors: Wang Chunyu , Zhao Fanpeng , Shen Katie , Wang Wenzhang , Siedlak Sandra L. , Lee Hyoung‐gon , Phelix Clyde F. , Perry George , Shen Lu , Tang Beisha , Yan Riqiang , Zhu Xiongwei
Published: December 2018

Disturbed neuronal cholesterol homeostasis has been observed in Alzheimer disease (AD) and contributes to the pathogenesis of AD. As the master switch of cholesterol biosynthesis, the sterol regulatory element‐binding protein 2 (SREBP‐2) translocates to the nucleus after cleavage/activation, but its expression and activation have not been studied in AD which is the focus of the current study. We found both a significant decrease in the nuclear translocation of N‐terminal SREBP‐2 accompanied by a significant accumulation of C‐terminal SREBP‐2 in NFT‐containing pyramidal neurons in AD. N‐terminal‐ SREBP‐2 is also found in dystrophic neurites around plaques in AD brain. Western blot confirmed a significantly reduced nuclear translocation of mature SREBP‐2 (mSREBP‐2) in AD brain. Interestingly, reduced nuclear mSREBP‐2 was only found in animal models of tauopathies such as 3XTg AD mice and P301L Tau Tg mice but not in CRND8 APP transgenic mice, suggesting that tau alterations likely are involved in the changes of mSREBP‐2 distribution and activation in AD. Altogether, our study demonstrated disturbed SREBP‐2 signaling in AD and related models, and proved for the first time that tau alterations contribute to disturbed cholesterol homeostasis in AD likely through modulation of nuclear mSREBP‐2 translocation.
Cullin‐3/KCTD10 E3 complex is essential for Rac1 activation through RhoB degradation in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2‐positive breast cancer cells
Authors: Murakami Akari , Maekawa Masashi , Kawai Katsuhisa , Nakayama Jun , Araki Nobukazu , Semba Kentaro , Taguchi Tomohiko , Kamei Yoshiaki , Takada Yasutsugu , Higashiyama Shigeki
Published: December 2018

Rho GTPase Rac1 is a central regulator of F‐actin organization and signal transduction to control plasma membrane dynamics and cell proliferation. Dysregulated Rac1 activity is often observed in various cancers including breast cancer and is suggested to be critical for malignancy. Here, we showed that the ubiquitin E3 ligase complex Cullin‐3 (CUL3)/KCTD10 is essential for epidermal growth factor (EGF)‐induced/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)‐dependent Rac1 activation in HER2‐positive breast cancer cells. EGF‐induced dorsal membrane ruffle formation and cell proliferation that depends on both Rac1 and HER2 were suppressed in CUL3‐ or KCTD10‐depleted cells. Mechanistically, CUL3/KCTD10 ubiquitinated RhoB for degradation, another Rho GTPase that inhibits Rac1 activation at the plasma membrane by suppressing endosome‐to‐plasma membrane traffic of Rac1. In HER2‐positive breast cancers, high expression of Rac1 mRNA significantly correlated with poor prognosis of the patients. This study shows that this novel molecular axis (CUL3/KCTD10/RhoB) positively regulates the activity of Rac1 in HER2‐positive breast cancers, and our findings may lead to new treatment options for HER2‐ and Rac1‐positive breast cancers.
Temperamental Emotionality Attributes as Antecedents of Children's Social Information Processing
Authors: Davies Patrick T. , Coe Jesse L. , Hentges Rochelle F. , Sturge‐Apple Melissa L. , Ripple Michael T.
Published: December 2018

This study examined temperament dimensions of emotion as precursors of children's social information processing (SIP) of stressful peer events. Two hundred and forty‐three preschool children (M = 4.60 years) and their primary caregivers participated in two measurement occasions spaced 2 years apart. Observations of temperamental anger, fearful distress, positive affect, and effortful control were assessed in multiple laboratory tasks across two visits at Wave 1. SIP assessments from vignettes of peer challenges were repeated across two waves and included: eye tracking measures of attention to peer emotion displays, hostile attribution bias, hostile solutions, and subjective distress. Findings from structural equation models with inclusion of autoregressive controls indicated that effortful control, fear, and anger predicted subsequent changes in specific SIP dimensions.
Abnormal choroidal flow on optical coherence tomography angiography in central serous chorioretinopathy
Authors: Seo Eoi Jong , Um Taewoong , Yoon Young Hee
Published: December 2018

Importance

Analysing choroidal flow in central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) with novel device.

Background

To examine the abnormal morphology of choriocapillary flow with optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) according to the presence of subretinal fluid (SRF) in CSC.

Design

A hospital‐based retrospective study.

Participants

We analysed OCTA results of 68 eyes (68 patients) diagnosed as CSC with or without SRF (active and resolved CSC, respectively) at the Asan Medical Center.

Methods

We classified OCTA choriocapillary images into three pattern groups: mixed perfusion, hyper‐perfusion and normal perfusion. Data analysis included age, follow‐up duration, treatment modalities, number of treatments, subfoveal choroidal thickness and SRF height.

Main Outcome Measures

The relationship between CSC activity and choriocapillary pattern.

Results

Abnormal choroidal flow (mixed and hyper‐perfusion) was more frequently found in eyes with active CSC (100%) than resolved CSC (47.5%, P < 0.001). In active CSC eyes, mixed perfusion was predominant (71.4%), while hyper‐perfusion was predominant in those with resolved CSC (73.7%). Eyes with recently resolved CSC (SRF absorption present for <2 months) had abnormal choriocapillary flow more often than the remaining eyes with resolved CSC (83.3% vs 32.1%, P = 0.005). Resolved CSC eyes with abnormal choriocapillary flow demonstrated more recurrence than eyes with normal choriocapillary flow (42.1% vs 9.5%, P = 0.017).

Conclusions and Relevance

The pattern of choriocapillary flow abnormalities on OCTA can indicate CSC disease activity. Because eyes with resolved CSC showing abnormal choroidal flow have a high recurrence rate, they should be carefully followed‐up.
Deep learning for predicting in‐hospital mortality among heart disease patients based on echocardiography
Authors: Kwon Joon‐myoung , Kim Kyung‐Hee , Jeon Ki‐Hyun , Park Jinsik
Published: December 2018

Background

Heart disease (HD) is the leading cause of global death; there are several mortality prediction models of HD for identifying critically‐ill patients and for guiding decision making. The existing models, however, cannot be used during initial treatment or screening. This study aimed to derive and validate an echocardiography‐based mortality prediction model for HD using deep learning (DL).

Methods

In this multicenter retrospective cohort study, the subjects were admitted adult (age ≥ 18 years) HD patients who underwent echocardiography. The outcome was in‐hospital mortality. We extracted predictor variables from echocardiography reports using text mining. We developed deep learning‐based prediction model using derivation data of a hospital A. And we conducted external validation using echocardiography report of hospital B. We conducted subgroup analysis of coronary heart disease (CHD) and heart failure (HF) patients of hospital B and compared DL with the currently used predictive models (eg, Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) score, Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction score (TIMI), Meta‐Analysis Global Group in Chronic Heart Failure (MAGGIC) score, and Get With The Guidelines‐Heart Failure (GWTG‐HF) score).

Results

The study subjects comprised 25 776 patients with 1026 mortalities. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of the DL model were 0.912, 0.898, 0.958, and 0.913 for internal validation, external validation, CHD, and HF, respectively, and these results significantly outperformed other comparison models.

Conclusions

This echocardiography‐based deep learning model predicted in‐hospital mortality among HD patients more accurately than existing prediction models and other machine learning models.
Microplastic ingestion ubiquitous in marine turtles
Authors: Duncan Emily M. , Broderick Annette C. , Fuller Wayne J. , Galloway Tamara S. , Godfrey Matthew H. , Hamann Mark , Limpus Colin J. , Lindeque Penelope K. , Mayes Andrew G. , Omeyer Lucy C. M. , Santillo David , Snape Robin T. E. , Godley Brendan J.
Published: December 2018

Despite concerns regarding the environmental impacts of microplastics, knowledge of the incidence and levels of synthetic particles in large marine vertebrates is lacking. Here, we utilize an optimized enzymatic digestion methodology, previously developed for zooplankton, to explore whether synthetic particles could be isolated from marine turtle ingesta. We report the presence of synthetic particles in every turtle subjected to investigation (n = 102) which included individuals from all seven species of marine turtle, sampled from three ocean basins (Atlantic [ATL]: n = 30, four species; Mediterranean (MED): n = 56, two species; Pacific (PAC): n = 16, five species). Most particles (n = 811) were fibres (ATL: 77.1% MED: 85.3% PAC: 64.8%) with blue and black being the dominant colours. In lesser quantities were fragments (ATL: 22.9%: MED: 14.7% PAC: 20.2%) and microbeads (4.8%; PAC only; to our knowledge the first isolation of microbeads from marine megavertebrates). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR) of a subsample of particles (n = 169) showed a range of synthetic materials such as elastomers (MED: 61.2%; PAC: 3.4%), thermoplastics (ATL: 36.8%: MED: 20.7% PAC: 27.7%) and synthetic regenerated cellulosic fibres (SRCF; ATL: 63.2%: MED: 5.8% PAC: 68.9%). Synthetic particles being isolated from species occupying different trophic levels suggest the possibility of multiple ingestion pathways. These include exposure from polluted seawater and sediments and/or additional trophic transfer from contaminated prey/forage items. We assess the likelihood that microplastic ingestion presents a significant conservation problem at current levels compared to other anthropogenic threats.
Hospital dental hygienist intervention improves activities of daily living, home discharge and mortality in post‐acute rehabilitation
Authors: Shiraishi Ai , Yoshimura Yoshihiro , Wakabayashi Hidetaka , Tsuji Yuri , Yamaga Makio , Koga Hiroaki
Published: December 2018

Aim

To examine the effects of oral management provided by dental hygienists (DH) on patient outcomes in post‐acute rehabilitation.

Methods

We carried out a retrospective cohort study with 1056 patients newly admitted to a post‐rehabilitation hospital in Japan. DH care was defined as two or more consecutive instances of oral management provided by a ward DH during hospitalization. The primary outcome was the motor domain of Functional Independence Measure score at discharge. Other outcomes included the rate of home discharge; length of stay, all‐cause in‐hospital mortality, and oral, swallowing and nutritional status at discharge. Propensity score matching was carried out to control and adjust for patients’ backgrounds to compare outcomes between patients who did or did not receive DH care.

Results

Of 1056 patients enrolled (mean age 71 years; 52.0% women; 73.1% with oral problems), 415 (39.3%) received DH care. Multivariate analyses using pair‐matched patients showed that DH care was significantly associated with higher motor domain of Functional Independence Measure score at discharge (β = 0.281, P = 0.041), shorter length of stay (β = 0.446, P = 0.044), higher rate of home discharge (odds ratio 1.202, 95% confidence interval 1.026–1.491, P = 0.037) and lower mortality (hazard ratio 0.818, 95% confidence interval 0.738–0.952, P = 0.037) after adjusting for potential covariates.

Conclusions

DH oral management improves patient outcomes, including activities of daily living, home discharge and in‐hospital mortality in post‐acute rehabilitation. Early detection of oral problems, early oral treatment by dental professionals, and cooperation between medical and dental professionals should be implemented. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2019; 19: 189–196.
The governance and standardisation of research information in different science systems: A comparative analysis of Germany and Italy
Authors: Biesenbender Sophie
Published: December 2018

This paper takes a policy‐analytical perspective on the evolution of standards of research information (RI) and provides a framework for analysing processes of RI standardisation in different research systems. It focuses on the choice of policy instruments on the macro level (government) and their effects with regard to policy reactions, decisions and practices on the meso level (Higher Education institutions). Next to providing a conceptual frame for analysing and comparing—direct and indirect—RI standardisation processes, the paper presents exploratory evidence with regard to the German and Italian science systems. The empirical analysis shows that policies (indirectly) regulating the institutional processing of RI (e.g., evaluation policies) might indeed lead to the standardisation of RI in a science system. Policy reactions on the meso or organisational level, which largely shape the standardisation dynamics, depend on the strategic relevance of the policy and on available implementation support.
Maternal lipid levels during pregnancy and child weight status at 3 years of age
Authors: Martin Chantel L. , Vladutiu Catherine J. , Zikry Tarek M. , Grace Matthew R. , Siega‐Riz Anna Maria
Published: December 2018

Background

The intrauterine environment is critical in the development of child obesity.

Objective

To investigate the association between maternal lipid levels during pregnancy and child weight status.

Methods

Maternal lipid levels (total cholesterol, high‐density and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides) collected from fasting blood samples collected at less than 20 and 24–29 weeks' gestation and child weight status at age 3 were examined prospectively among 183 mother‐child dyads enrolled in the Pregnancy, Infection, and Nutrition. Measured height and weight at 3 years were used to calculate age‐ and sex‐specific body mass index z‐scores. Child risk of overweight/obesity was defined as body mass index greater than or equal to 85th percentile for age and sex. Regression models estimated the association between maternal lipid levels and child body mass index z‐score and risk of being affected by overweight/obesity, respectively.

Results

Higher triglyceride levels at less than 20 and 24–29 weeks of pregnancy were associated with higher body mass index z‐scores (β = 0.23; 95% CI: 0.07‐0.38 and β = 0.15; 95% CI: 0.01‐0.29; respectively) after adjusting for confounders. There was no evidence of an association between total or low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and child weight status at age 3.

Conclusions

Early childhood body mass index may be influenced by maternal triglyceride levels during pregnancy.