bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
D.C. etching anode aluminum foil to form branch tunnels by electroless depositing Cu
Authors: Liu Zhenqi , Wang Jie , Chen Jianhan , Liu Xiya , Yin Yibin , Ban Chaolei
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the mechanism of branch pits and tunnels formation and increase the specific surface area and capacitance of anode Al foil for high voltage electrolytic capacitor by D.C. etching in acidic solution and neutral.

Design/methodology/approach

Al foil was first D.C. etched in HCl-H2SO4 mixed acidic solution to form main tunnels perpendicular to the Al surface, and then D.C. etched in neutral NaCl solution including 0.5 per cent C6H8O7 and Cu(NO3)2 with different concentration to form branch tunnels normal to Al surface. Between two etching, Cu nuclei were electroless deposited on the interior surface of main tunnels by natural occluded corrosion cell effect to form micro Cu-Al galvanic local cells. The effects of electroless deposited Cu nuclei on cross-section etching morphologies and electrochemical behavior of Al foil was investigated with SEM, polarization curve and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS).

Findings

The results show that sub branch tunnels can form along the main tunnels owing to the formation of Cu-Al micro-batteries, in which Cu is cathode and Al is anode. With increase in Cu(NO3)2 concentration, more Cu nuclei can be electroless deposited and serve as the favorable sites for branch tunnel initiation along the whole length of main tunnels, leading to enhancement in specific capacitance of anode Al foil.

Originality/value

Cu nuclei were electroless deposited on the interior surface of main tunnels by natural occluded corrosion cell effect to form micro Cu-Al galvanic local cells, which can serve as the favorable sites for branch tunnel initiation along the main tunnels to enhance specific capacitance of anode Al foil.
Multi-agent simulation for managing design changes in prefabricated construction projects
Authors: Du Juan , Jing Hengqing , Castro-Lacouture Daniel , Sugumaran Vijayan
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a multi-agent-based model for quantitatively measuring how the design change management strategies improve project performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on questionnaires and interviews, this paper investigates the coordination mechanism of risks due to design changes in prefabricated construction (PC) projects. Combined with all the variables related with design change risks, a multi-agent-based simulation model is proposed to evaluate the design change management effect.

Findings

The coordination mechanism between design change factors, design change events, risk consequence and management strategy in PC projects is described and then the simulation-based design change management mechanism in PC projects is used to assess the effect of management strategies under dynamic scenarios.

Originality/value

PC projects have rapidly increased in recent years due to the advantages of fast construction, high quality and labor savings. Different from traditional on-site construction, the impact and risk from design changes are likely to be greater due to the prefabricated project being multi-stage, highly interactive and complex. The simulations presented in this paper make it possible to test different design change management strategies in order to study their effectiveness and support managerial decision making.
Improving education delivery through community – school partnership
Authors: Essuman Ato
Published: August 2019

Purpose

One of the most debated policy discourses that have engaged the attention of countries as well as the donor community is the varied pathways in improving the delivery of education through decentralisation and community participation. A key policy expectation is that through the active participation of the community, education quality and related outcomes would improve. The purpose of this paper is to explore the policy and practices of community and school partnership and the extent to which the “social contract” between communities and schools has been executed. It also explores the challenges they face as they engage in the governance of schools and how such engagement shapes education delivery.

Design/methodology/approach

This research was guided by a semi-structured interview schedule focused on two selected basic (i.e. primary and junior secondary) schools and their communities within a Municipality in a Coastal Region of Ghana as a single case for the study. Data were read thoroughly to identify common themes which included the multiple perspectives of participation, teacher management, conflicts and tensions, the role of community elites in school-community partnerships, capacity constraints, parental roles, and issues about the “social contract” among others.

Findings

Drawing on case study data, the paper argues that although decentralisation policies aim at strengthening local democracy and participation, they do not fully consider the conditions under which this might be achieved. Furthermore, in community–school partnership discourses, the impression has often times been given that the policy of education decentralisation is about what communities could do to support schools located within them. The fact of it being a two-way relationship is often not stressed, thus, diminishing the role the school plays or could play in the life of communities.

Originality/value

The study reinforced the point that the relationship was a two-way one based on reciprocity, and that it was the fulfilment of the expectations of both parties that shaped the relationship between them and determined the nature of communities’ participation in the governance of its schools. Anything to the contrary thus weakens the relationship.
An Ontology-based Bayesian network modelling for supply chain risk propagation
Authors: Cao Shoufeng , Bryceson Kim , Hine Damian
Published: August 2019

Purpose

Supply chain risks (SCRs) do not work in isolation and have impact both on each member of a chain and the performance of the entire supply chain. The purpose of this paper is to quantitatively assess the impact of dynamic risk propagation within and between integrated firms in global fresh produce supply chains.

Design/methodology/approach

A risk propagation ontology-based Bayesian network (BN) model was developed to measure dynamic SCR propagation. The proposed model was applied to a two-tier Australia-China table grape supply chain (ACTGSC) featured with an upstream Australian integrated grower and exporter and a downstream Chinese integrated importer and online retailer.

Findings

An ontology-based BN can be generated to accurately represent the risk domain of interest using the knowledge and inference capabilities inherent in a risk propagation ontology. In addition, the analyses revealed that supply discontinuity, product inconsistency and/or delivery delay originating in the upstream firm can propagate to increase the downstream firm’s customer value risk and business performance risk.

Research limitations/implications

The work was conducted in an Australian-China table grape supply chain, so results are only product chain-specific in nature. Additionally, only two state values were considered for all nodes in the model, and finally, while the proposed methodology does provide a large-scale risk network map, it may not be appropriate for a large supply chain network as it only follows the process flow of a single supply chain.

Practical implications

This study supports the backward-looking traceability of risk root causes through the ACTGSC and the forward-looking prediction of risk propagation to key risk performance measures.

Social implications

The methodology used in this paper provides an evidence-based decision-making capability as part of a system-wide risk management approach and fosters collaborative SCR management, which can yield numerous societal benefits.

Originality/value

The proposed methodology addresses the challenges in using a knowledge-based approach to develop a BN model, particularly with a large-scale model and integrates risk and performance for a holistic risk propagation assessment. The combination of modelling approaches to address the issue is unique.
Production data analysis system using novel process capability indices-based circular economy
Authors: Lin Kuo-Ping , Yu Chun-Min , Chen Kuen-Suan
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to establish mechanisms for process improvement so that production efficiency and product quality can be expected, and create a sustainable development in terms of circular economy.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors obtain a critical value from statistical hypothesis testing, and thereby construct a process capability indices chart, which both lowers the chance of quality level misjudgment caused by sampling error and provides reference for the processes improvement in poor quality levels. The authors used the bottom bracket of bicycles as an example to demonstrate the model and methods proposed in this study.

Findings

This approach enables us to plot multiple quality characteristics, despite varying attributes and specifications, onto the same process capability analysis chart. And it therefore increases accuracy and precision to reduce rework and scrap rates (reduce), increase product availability, reduce maintenance frequency and increase reuse (reuse), increase the recycle rates of components (recycle) and lengthen service life, which will delay recovery time (recovery).

Originality/value

Parts manufacturers in the industry chain can upload their production data to the cloud platform. The quality control center of the bicycle manufacturer can utilized the production data analysis model to identify critical-to-quality characteristics. The platform also offers reference for improvement and adds the improvement achievements and experience to its knowledge management to provide the entire industry chain. Feedback is also given to the R&D department of the bicycle manufacturer as reference for more robust product designs, more reasonable tolerance designs, and selection criteria for better parts suppliers, thereby forming an intelligent manufacturing loop system.
Let’s talk about adaptation! How individuals discuss adaptation during evidence-based practice implementation
Authors: Lengnick-Hall Rebecca , Fenwick Karissa , Hurlburt Michael S. , Green Amy , Askew Rachel A. , Aarons Gregory A.
Published: August 2019

Purpose

Researchers suggest that adaptation should be a planned process, with practitioners actively consulting with program developers or academic partners, but few studies have examined how adaptation unfolds during evidence-based practice (EBP) implementation. The purpose of this paper is to describe real-world adaptation discussions and the conditions under which they occurred during the implementation of a new practice across multiple county child welfare systems.

Design/methodology/approach

This study qualitatively examines 127 meeting notes to understand how implementers and researchers talk about adaptation during the implementation of SafeCare, an EBP aimed at reducing child maltreatment and neglect.

Findings

Several types of adaptation discussions emerged. First, because it appeared difficult to get staff to talk about adaptation in group settings, meeting participants discussed factors that hindered adaptation conversations. Next, they discussed types of adaptations that they made or would like to make. Finally, they discussed adaptation as a normal part of SafeCare implementation.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations include data collection by a single research team member and focus on a particular EBP. However, this study provides new insight into how stakeholders naturally discuss adaptation needs, ideas and concerns.

Practical implications

Understanding adaptation discussions can help managers engage frontline staff who are using newly implemented EBPs, identify adaptation needs and solutions, and proactively support individuals who are balancing adaptation and fidelity during implementation.

Originality/value

This study’s unique data captured in vivo interactions that occurred at various time points during the implementation of an EBP rather than drawing upon data collected from more scripted and cross-sectional formats. Multiple child welfare and implementation stakeholders and types of interactions were examined.
Validation of a digital intelligence quotient questionnaire for employee of small and medium-sized Thai enterprises using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis
Authors: Na-Nan Khahan , Roopleam Theerawat , Wongsuwan Natthaya
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a digital intelligence quotient (DIQ) scale questionnaire that encompasses the digital identity, digital use, digital safety, digital security, digital emotional intelligence, digital communication, digital literacy and digital rights.

Design/methodology/approach

DIQ research was conducted in two phases to develop an assessment scale. First, 33 questions were developed based on previous DIQ concepts and theories. These questions were then validated using exploratory factor analysis into eight dimensions as digital identity, digital use, digital safety, digital security, digital emotional intelligence, digital communication, digital literacy and digital rights. A survey was conducted comprising 409 admins and clerks in SMEs. Second, confirmatory factor analysis and convergent validity were tested along the eight digital dimensions.

Findings

This study extended the DIQ concept to provide theoretical contribution for DIQ with intelligence study. Eight dimensions were developed to measure DIQ, including aspects of digital identity, digital use, digital safety, digital security, digital emotional intelligence, digital communication, digital literacy and digital rights.

Research limitations/implications

The DIQ questionnaire was a single-source, self-assessed data collection, as the sample included only employees of SMEs in Thailand. Results showed a good fit but require further refinement and validation using a larger sample size and various supplementary sampling contexts.

Practical implications

The eight DIQ dimensions and questionnaire results will assist organisations and supervisors to focus on employees’ DIQ using both work and lifestyle parameters. This knowledge will help supervisors to encourage employees to increase their DIQ for more effective usage of digital literacy. Researchers and academics will be able to apply this instrument in future studies.

Originality/value

The DIQ questionnaire is a new instrument which comprehensively explores relevant dimensions to increase employee understanding of digital identity, digital use, digital safety, digital security, digital emotional intelligence, digital communication, digital literacy and digital rights.
A rock physics model to map gross lithology using compaction
Authors: Gallop Jeremy , Babak Olena , Liu Kun
Published: August 2019

Differential compaction has long been used by seismic interpreters to infer subsurface geology using knowledge of the relative compaction of different types of sediments. We outline a method to infer the gross fraction of shale in an interval between two seismic horizons using sandstone and shale compaction laws. A key component of the method involves reconstruction of a smooth depositional horizon by interpolating decompacted thicknesses from well control. We derive analytic formulae for decompaction calculations using known porosity–stress relations and do not employ discrete layer iterative methods; these formulae were found to depend not only upon the gross fraction of shale but also on the clay content of the shales and the thickness of the interval. The relative merits of several interpolation options were explored, and found to depend upon the structural setting. The method was successfully applied to an oil sands project in Alberta, Canada.
Do traits and phylogeny support congruent community diversity patterns and assembly inferences?
Authors: Cadotte Marc W. , Carboni Marta , Si Xingfeng , Tatsumi Shinichi
Published: August 2019

It is now commonplace in community ecology to assess patterns of phylogenetic or functional diversity in order to inform our understanding of the assembly mechanisms that structure communities. While both phylogenetic and functional approaches have been used in conceptually similar ways, it is not clear if they both in fact reveal similar community diversity patterns or support similar inferences. We review studies that use both measures to determine the degree to which they support congruent patterns and inferences about communities.

We performed a literature review with 188 analyses from 79 published papers that compared some facet of phylogenetic (PD) and functional diversity (FD) in community ecology. These studies generally report four main cases in which phylogenetic and functional information are used together in community analyses, to determine if: (a) there were phylogenetic signals in the measured traits in communities; (b) PD and FD were correlated with one another; (c) standardized PD and FD measures similarly revealed patterns of community over‐ or under‐dispersion; and (d) PD and FD were both related to other explanatory variables (e.g. elevation) similarly.

We found that the vast majority of studies found both strong phylogenetic signals in their traits and positive correlations of PD and FD measures across sites. However, and surprisingly, we found substantial incongruencies for the other tests. Phylogenetic and functional dispersion patterns were congruent only about half the time. Specifically, when communities were phylogenetically over‐dispersed, these same communities were more likely to be functionally under‐dispersed. Similarly, we found that phylogenetic and functional relationships with independent predictors were incongruent in about half of the analyses.

Synthesis. Phylogenetic signal tests and PD–FD correlations appear to strongly support the congruence between traits and phylogeny. It is surprising that strong phylogenetic signals appeared so ubiquitous given that ecological studies often analyse phylogenetically incomplete sets of species that have undergone ecological sorting. Despite the largely congruent findings based on phylogenetic signal tests and PD‐FD correlations, we found substantial incongruencies when researchers assessed either dispersion patterns or relationships with independent predictors. We discuss a number of potential ecological, evolutionary and methodological reasons for these incongruencies. Phylogenetic and functional information might reflect species ecological differences unequally with phylogenies better reflecting multivariate conserved elements of ecological similarity, and single traits better able to capture recent divergence, and both elements influence ecological patterns.
Shifts in plant functional composition following long‐term drought in grasslands
Authors: Griffin‐Nolan Robert J. , Blumenthal Dana M. , Collins Scott L. , Farkas Timothy E. , Hoffman Ava M. , Mueller Kevin E. , Ocheltree Troy W. , Smith Melinda D. , Whitney Kenneth D. , Knapp Alan K.
Published: August 2019

Plant traits can provide unique insights into plant performance at the community scale. Functional composition, defined by both functional diversity and community‐weighted trait means (CWMs), can affect the stability of above‐ground net primary production (ANPP) in response to climate extremes. Further complexity arises, however, when functional composition itself responds to environmental change. The duration of climate extremes, such as drought, is expected to increase with rising global temperatures; thus, understanding the impacts of long‐term drought on functional composition and the corresponding effect that has on ecosystem function could improve predictions of ecosystem sensitivity to climate change.

We experimentally reduced growing season precipitation by 66% across six temperate grasslands for 4 years and measured changes in three indices of functional diversity (functional dispersion, richness and evenness), community‐weighted trait means and phylogenetic diversity (PD). Specific leaf area (SLA), leaf nitrogen content (LNC) and (at most sites) leaf turgor loss point (πTLP) were measured for species cumulatively representing ~90% plant cover at each site.

Long‐term drought led to increased community functional dispersion in three sites, with negligible effects on the remaining sites. Species re‐ordering following the mortality/senescence of dominant species was the main driver of increased functional dispersion. The response of functional diversity was not consistently matched by changes in phylogenetic diversity. Community‐level drought strategies (assessed as CWMs) largely shifted from drought tolerance to drought avoidance and/or escape strategies, as evidenced by higher community‐weightedπTLP, SLA and LNC. Lastly, ecosystem drought sensitivity (i.e. relative reduction in ANPP in drought plots) was positively correlated with community‐weighted SLA and negatively correlated with functional diversity.

Synthesis.Increased functional diversity following long‐term drought may stabilize ecosystem functioning in response to future drought. However, shifts in community‐scale drought strategies may increase ecosystem drought sensitivity, depending on the nature and timing of drought. Thus, our results highlight the importance of considering both functional diversity and abundance‐weighted traits means of plant communities as their collective effect may either stabilize or enhance ecosystem sensitivity to drought.
Resisting big data exploitations in public healthcare: free riding or distributive justice?
Authors: Vezyridis Paraskevas , Timmons Stephen
Published: August 2019

We draw on findings from qualitative interviews with health data researchers, GPs and citizens who opted out from NHS England's care.data programme to explore controversies and negotiations around data sharing in the NHS. Drawing on theoretical perspectives from science and technology studies, we show that the new socio‐technical, ethical and economic arrangements were resisted not only on the basis of individual autonomy and protection from exploitation, but also as a collective effort to protect NHS services and patient data. We argue that the resulting opt‐outs were a call for more personal control over data use. This was not because these citizens placed their personal interests above those of society. It was because they resisted proposed arrangements by networks of stakeholders, not seen as legitimate, to control flows and benefits of NHS patient data. Approaching informed consent this way helps us to explore resistance as a collective action for influencing the direction of such big data programmes towards the preservation of public access to healthcare as well as the distribution of ethical decision‐making between independent, trustworthy institutions and individual citizens.
The Effect of Overrun, Fat Destabilization, and Ice Cream Mix Viscosity on Entire Meltdown Behavior
Authors: Wu Biqing , Freire Dieyckson O , Hartel Richard W.
Published: August 2019

This study aims at exploring ice cream meltdown behavior by changing the levels of stabilizer (ST), polysorbate 80 (PS80), and overrun (OR). By adjusting the formulation of ice cream, the degree of fat destabilization (FD), mix viscosity (MV), and overrun can be controlled within a certain range, which in turn presents different meltdown behaviors for study. In addition to the drip‐through test, the shape of ice cream as it melts was recorded as height change to further investigate ice cream meltdown. Mix viscosity (at 50 s−1) and fat destabilization were found to have a significant effect not only on drip‐through rate, but also the induction time, final weight of the drip‐through part, height‐change rate, and final height of melted ice cream. On the other side, overrun was found only to have an effect on meltdown when no stabilizers were added. These results indicate serum phase viscosity (mix viscosity) and fat destabilization are important parameters to describe ice cream meltdown. Besides, the entire ice cream meltdown curve and height collapse curve provide important information on ice cream meltdown behavior.

Practical application

A new direction of analysis of ice cream meltdown behavior is provided in this study. The induction time, the final drip‐through weight, and the height change during the meltdown process were found to be the indicators on the influence of microstructure on ice cream meltdown behavior for the future study.
‘Who Bravely Fights, and Like Achilles Bleeds': The Ideal of the Front‐Line Soldier during the Long Eighteenth Century
Authors: Taylor Jonathan
Published: August 2019

Augmenting recent efforts to recover a broader spectrum of eighteenth‐century attitudes towards martial models of masculinity, this article challenges traditional arguments that eighteenth‐century Britain either rejected or softened martial ideals by examining the period's under‐explored veneration of the sanguinary front‐line soldier. Connecting examples from literature and material culture, it demonstrates that eighteenth‐century artists valorised Achilles, literature's most bloodthirsty hero, as the archetype for this battlefield figure and made anachronistic comparisons with Homer's hero the subject of numerous encomiums on successive eighteenth‐century leaders. The conclusion outlines the persistence of this British cult of Achilles from the nineteenth century to the twenty‐first.
Convolution kernel and iterative reconstruction affect the diagnostic performance of radiomics and deep learning in lung adenocarcinoma pathological subtypes
Authors: Zhao Wei , Zhang Wei , Sun Yingli , Ye Yuxiang , Yang Jiancheng , Chen Wufei , Gao Pan , Li Jianying , Li Cheng , Jin Liang , Wang Peijun , Hua Yanqing , Li Ming
Published: August 2019

Background

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of convolution kernel and iterative reconstruction on the diagnostic performance of radiomics and deep learning (DL) in lung adenocarcinomas.

Methods

A total of 183 patients with 215 lung adenocarcinomas were included in this study. All CT imaging data was reconstructed with three reconstruction algorithms (ASiR at 0%, 30%, 60% strength), each with two convolution kernels (bone and standard). A total of 171 nodules were selected as the training‐validation set, whereas 44 nodules were selected as the testing set. Logistic regression and a DL framework‐DenseNets were selected to tackle the task. Three logical experiments were implemented to fully explore the influence of the studied parameters on the diagnostic performance. The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was used to evaluate the performance of constructed models.

Results

In Experiments A and B, no statistically significant results were found in the radiomic method, whereas two and six pairs were statistically significant (P < 0.05) in the DL method. In Experiment_C, significant differences in one and four models were found in the radiomics and DL methods, respectively. Moreover, models constructed with standard convolution kernel data outperformed that constructed with bone convolution kernel data in all studied ASiR levels in the DL method. In the DL method, B0 and S60 performed best in bone and standard convolution kernel, respectively.

Conclusion

The results demonstrated that DL was more susceptible to CT parameter variability than radiomics. Standard convolution kernel images seem to be more appropriate for imaging analysis. Further investigation with a larger sample size is needed.
The nlrx r package: A next‐generation framework for reproducible NetLogo model analyses
Authors: Salecker Jan , Sciaini Marco , Meyer Katrin M. , Wiegand Kerstin
Published: August 2019

Agent‐based models find wide application in all fields of science where large‐scale patterns emerge from properties of individuals. Due to increasing capacities of computing resources it was possible to improve the level of detail and structural realism of next‐generation models in recent years. However, this is at the expense of increased model complexity, which requires more efficient tools for model exploration, analysis and documentation that enable reproducibility, repeatability and parallelization. NetLogo is a widely used environment for agent‐based model development, but it does not provide sufficient built‐in tools for extensive model exploration, such as sensitivity analyses. One tool for controlling NetLogo externally is the r‐package RNetLogo. However, this package is not suited for efficient, reproducible research as it has stability and resource allocation issues, is not straightforward to be setup and used on high performance computing clusters and does not provide utilities, such as storing and exchanging metadata, in an easy way.

We present the r‐package nlrx, which overcomes stability and resource allocation issues by running NetLogo simulations via dynamically created XML experiment files. Class objects make setting up experiments more convenient and helper functions provide many parameter exploration approaches, such as Latin Hypercube designs, Sobol sensitivity analyses or optimization approaches. Output is automatically collected in user‐friendly formats and can be post‐processed with provided utility functions. nlrx enables reproducibility by storing all relevant information and simulation output of experiments in one r object which can conveniently be archived and shared.

We provide a detailed description of the nlrx package functions and the overall workflow. We also present a use case scenario using a NetLogo model, for which we performed a sensitivity analysis and a genetic algorithm optimization.

The nlrx package is the first framework for documentation and application of reproducible NetLogo simulation model analysis.
Improved mitochondrial stress response in long‐lived Snell dwarf mice
Authors: Ozkurede Ulas , Miller Richard A.
Published: August 2019

Prolonged lifespan and improved health in late adulthood can be achieved by partial inhibition of mitochondrial proteins in yeast, worms, fruit flies, and mice. Upregulation of the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (mtUPR) has been proposed as a common pathway in lifespan extension induced by mitochondrial defects. However, it is not known whether mtUPR is elevated in long‐lived mouse models. Here, we report that Snell dwarf mice, which show 30%–40% lifespan extension and prolonged healthspan, exhibit augmented mitochondrial stress responses. Cultured cells from Snell mice show elevated levels of the mitochondrial chaperone HSP60 and mitochondrial protease LONP1, two components of the mtUPR. In response to mitochondrial stress, the increase in Tfam (mitochondrial transcription factor A), a regulator of mitochondrial transcription, is higher in Snell cells, while Pgc‐1α, the main regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis, is upregulated only in Snell cells. Consistent with these differences, Snell cells maintain oxidative respiration rate, ATP content, and expression of mitochondrial‐DNA‐encoded genes after exposure to doxycycline stress. In vivo, compared to normal mice, Snell mice show stronger hepatic mtUPR induction and maintain mitochondrial protein stoichiometry after mitochondrial stress exposure. Overall, our work demonstrates that a long‐lived mouse model exhibits improved mitochondrial stress response, and provides a rationale for future mouse lifespan studies involving compounds that induce mtUPR. Further research on mitochondrial homeostasis in long‐lived mice may facilitate development of interventions that blunt mitochondrial deterioration in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's and postpone diseases of aging in humans.
Can natural enemies of current insect pests provide biotic resistance to future pests?
Authors: Horrocks Kiran J. , Ward Darren , Suckling David M.
Published: August 2019

Economic pests jeopardize agricultural production worldwide. Classical biological control, comprising the import of exotic natural enemies to control target pest populations, has a successful history in many countries. However, little is known about how these natural enemies contribute to the suppression of pests that are yet to arrive. Biotic resistance theory, though, posits that communities resist species invasions as a result of natural enemies.

We assessed the potential of the resident exotic parasitoid wasp fauna in New Zealand (intentionally‐introduced biological control agents and unintentionally‐introduced species) to provide biotic resistance against possible future pests. A dataset was generated containing resident exotic parasitoid species (Ichneumonoidea: Braconidae; Ichneumonidae) in New Zealand, as well as their known global host ranges and the pest status of host species, to infer the potential for biotic resistance.

The known exotic ichneumonoid fauna in New Zealand comprises 65 species. These species associate with 107 host species in New Zealand, of which 54 species are pests. However, the current exotic species could potentially suppress 442 pest species not yet occurring in New Zealand.

This approach could be used to inform pest management programmes worldwide. Future research should consider how biotic resistance from the established parasitoid fauna can be used to inform specific decisions with respect to classical biological control.
Spectral‐domain optical coherence tomography of retinal vessels in Waldenström's macroglobulinemia
Authors: Willerslev Anne , Larsen Michael , Rothenbuehler Simon P. , Sørensen Torben L. , Hammer Troels , Paques Michel , Munch Inger Christine
Published: August 2019

Purpose

To image retinal blood vessels in patients with Waldenström's macroglobulinemia using optical coherence tomography (OCT).

Methods

Retrospective case series examining fundus photographs and OCT scans of 16 eyes in eight patients with Waldenström's macroglobulinemia. Analyses included intravascular OCT reflectivity profiles and vessel diameters, and their relation to total immunoglobulin M (IgM) levels.

Results

In six out of eight patients, cross‐sectional OCT scans of larger retinal vessels (diameter > 100 μm) showed normal intravascular reflectivity and retrovascular shadowing. In two patients with the highest total IgM > 60 g/l, altered intravascular reflectivity, distinct anterior and posterior vessel wall reflexes, and retrovascular hyposhadowing were seen. Normalization of the OCT reflectivity in these patients occurred after reduction of total IgM to < 17 g/l and was accompanied by decreasing venous tortuosity and disappearance of retinal haemorrhages and cotton wool spots.

Conclusion

This study found that Waldenström's macroglobulinemia and total IgM > 60 g/l were associated with abnormal intravascular reflectivity and retrovascular shadowing on OCT. Awareness of these signs of hyperviscosity could potentially enable earlier detection of critical conditions in patients with Waldenström's macroglobulinemia and improve the assessment of severity and treatment effect.
Effects of corporate social responsibility on customer satisfaction and organizational attractiveness: A signaling perspective
Authors: Zhang Qingyu , Cao Mei , Zhang Fangfang , Liu Jing , Li Xin
Published: August 2019

In recent years, many researchers have attempted to determine the mechanisms of how corporate social responsibility (CSR) brings financial benefits to a firm. However, many chief financial officers (CFOs) throughout the world are uncertain about the strategic value of CSR, and no consensus has been reached on defining how CSR creates value. Drawing on signaling theory, we explore the effects of the multidimensional construct of CSR on organizational performance by examining the relationships among CSR, corporate reputation, customer satisfaction, and organizational attractiveness from the perspectives of both customers as well as job seekers. Consistent with the European Commission's view, CSR is defined as having three components: CSR for employees, CSR for customers, and CSR for social public welfare. Data are collected through an online survey of a convenient sample of 500 individuals from different organizations in China. Results indicate that corporate reputation plays a mediating role in the relationship between CSR and customer satisfaction and that between CSR and organizational attractiveness. Further, the impact mechanisms of the three components of CSR are different. For CSR for employees, both cognitive and affective reputation work as mediators, with the former playing a bigger mediating role than the latter. For CSR for customers, only cognitive reputation works as a mediator, whereas for CSR for social public welfare, only affective reputation works as a mediator. This study's findings show that the abovementioned relationships are more complex than previous studies have revealed. These insights provide guidelines for firms to better adjust their CSR strategies to improve customer satisfaction and organizational attractiveness.
Platelets in myeloproliferative neoplasms have a distinct transcript signature in the presence of marrow fibrosis
Authors: Guo Belinda B. , Linden Matthew D. , Fuller Kathryn A. , Phillips Michael , Mirzai Bob , Wilson Lynne , Chuah Hun , Liang James , Howman Rebecca , Grove Carolyn S. , Malherbe Jacques A. , Leahy Michael F. , Allcock Richard J. , Erber Wendy N.
Published: August 2019

Marrow fibrosis is a significant complication of myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) that affects up to 20% of patients and is associated with a poor prognosis. The pathological processes that lead to fibrotic progression are not well understood, but megakaryocytes have been implicated in the process. The aim of this study was to determine whether platelets, derived from megakaryocytes, have transcriptomic alterations associated with fibrosis. Platelets from MPN patients with and without fibrosis and non‐malignant control individuals were assessed using next generation sequencing. Results from the initial training cohort showed discrete changes in platelet transcripts in the presence of marrow fibrosis. We identified more than 1000 differentially expressed transcripts from which a putative 3‐gene fibrotic platelet signature (CCND1,H2AX[previously termedH2AFX] andCEP55) could be identified. This fibrosis‐associated signature was assessed blinded on platelets from an independent test MPN patient cohort. The 3‐gene signature was able to discriminate between patients with and without marrow fibrosis with a positive predictive value of 71% (93% specificity, 71% sensitivity). This demonstrates that assessment of dysregulated transcripts in platelets may be a useful monitoring tool in MPN to identify progression to marrow fibrosis. Further, sequential monitoring could have clinical applications for early prediction of progression to fibrosis.
Pre‐transplant short telomeres are associated with high mortality risk after unrelated donor haematopoietic cell transplant for severe aplastic anaemia
Authors: Wang Youjin , McReynolds Lisa J. , Dagnall Casey , Katki Hormuzd A. , Spellman Stephen R. , Wang Tao , Hicks Belynda , Freedman Neal D. , Jones Kristine , Lee Stephanie J. , Savage Sharon A. , Gadalla Shahinaz M.
Published: August 2019

Telomeres are essential for chromosomal stability and markers of biological age. We evaluated the effect of pre‐transplant short (<10th percentile‐for‐age) or very short (<5th or <1st percentile‐for‐age) leucocyte telomere length on survival after unrelated donor haematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) for acquired severe aplastic anaemia (SAA). Patient pre‐transplant blood samples and clinical data were available at the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research. We used quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction to measure relative telomere length (RTL) in 490 SAA patients who received HCT between 1990 and 2013 (median age = 20 years). One hundred and twelve patients (22·86%) had pre‐HCT RTL <10th percentile‐for‐age, with the majority below the 5th percentile (N = 80, 71·43%). RTL <10th percentile‐for‐age was associated with a higher risk of post‐HCT mortality (hazard ratio [HR] = 1·78, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1·18–2·69, P = 0·006) compared with RTL ≥50th percentile; no survival differences were noted in longer RTL categories (P > 0·10). Time‐dependent effects for post‐HCT mortality were only observed in relation to very short RTL; HR comparing RTL <5th versus ≥5th percentile = 1·38, P = 0·15 for the first 12 months after HCT, and HR = 3·91, P < 0·0001, thereafter, P‐heterogeneity = 0·008; the corresponding HRs for RTL <1st versus ≥1st percentile = 1·29, P = 0·41, and HR = 5·18, P < 0·0001, P‐heterogeneity = 0·005. The study suggests a potential role for telomere length in risk stratification of SAA patients in regard to their HCT survival.
Treatment efficacy for adult persistent immune thrombocytopenia: a systematic review and network meta‐analysis
Authors: Puavilai Teeraya , Thadanipon Kunlawat , Rattanasiri Sasivimol , Ingsathit Atiporn , McEvoy Mark , Attia John , Thakkinstian Ammarin
Published: August 2019

Persistent immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) patients require second‐line treatments, for which information on clinical outcomes are lacking. A systematic review and network meta‐analysis (NMA) were conducted. Only randomised controlled trials (RCT) of second‐line drugs in adult persistent ITP patients with platelet response, platelet count, any bleeding or serious adverse events (SAE) outcome were eligible. Twelve RCTs (n = 1313) were included in NMA. For platelet response outcome, eltrombopag and romiplostin were the best relative to placebo; the former had a non‐significant advantage [risk ratio (RR) = 1·10 (95% confidence interval: 0·46, 2·67)]. Both treatments were superior to rituximab and recombinant human thrombopoietin (rhTPO)+rituximab, with corresponding RRs of 4·56 (1·89, 10·96) and 4·18 (1·21, 14·49) for eltrombopag; 4·13 (1·56, 10·94) and 3·79 (1·02, 14·09) for romiplostim. For platelet count, romiplostim ranked highest, followed by eltrombopag, rhTPO+rituximab, and rituximab. For bleeding, rituximab had lowest risk, followed by eltrombopag and romiplostim. For SAEs, rhTPO+rituximab had highest risk, followed by rituximab, eltrombopag and romiplostim. From clustered ranking, romiplostim had the best balance between short‐term efficacy and SAEs, followed by eltrombopag. In conclusion, romiplostim and eltrombopag may yield high efficacy and safety. Rituximab may not be beneficial due to lower efficacy and higher complications compared with the thrombopoietin receptor agonists. RCTs with long‐term clinical outcomes are required.
Withdrawn: Dexamethasone resets the circadian clock in hippocampus via multiple mechanisms involving lithium‐independent GSK3β signalling
Authors: Šuchmanová Karolína , Sládek Martin , Čečmanová Vendula , Shrestha Tenjin C. , Ralph Martin R. , Sumová Alena
Published: August 2019

The above article from British Journal of Pharmacology, published online as an Accepted Article on 19 August 2019 in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com), has been withdrawn by agreement between the authors, the journal Editor‐in‐Chief Professor Amrita Ahluwalia, and John Wiley & Sons Limited. The withdrawal has been agreed owing to new findings that necessitate re‐interpretation of the results.
NO and hepatocellular cancer
Authors: Wang Ronghua , Geller David A. , Wink David A. , Cheng Bin , Billiar Timothy R.
Published: August 2019

NO has broad and sometimes dichotomous roles in cancer. The effects of NO in tumours depend on the type and localization of NOS isoforms, concentration and duration of NO exposure, and cellular sensitivity to NO. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common and lethal disease for which no effective therapy other than surgical resection exists. Over two decades of research has yielded evidence that NO generated by the inducible NOS (iNOS or NOS2) contributes to HCC progression in at least a subset of patients with HCC. The co‐expression of iNOS with COX‐2 may portend a particularly aggressive cancer phenotype in HCC and at the same time reveal an opportunity for pharmacological intervention. In this review, we focus on what is known about the influence of NO in HCC neoplastic transformation, proliferation and apoptosis, angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis, cancer stem cells, and the host immune response against the tumour. We discuss the implications of recent findings for targeting the NO pathways in HCC.
Histological and immunohistochemical comparison of two different allogeneic bone grafting materials for alveolar ridge reconstruction: A prospective randomized trial in humans
Authors: Solakoglu Önder , Götz Werner , Heydecke Guido , Schwarzenbach Heidi
Published: August 2019

Background

Preclinical studies have hypothesized a possible immunological reponse to allogeneic materials due to detection of remnants of potential immunogenic molecules. However, their impact on integration, bone remodeling and immunological reaction after the augmentation procedure is largely unknown and a direct correlation of analytical data and evaluation of human biopsies is missing.

Purpose

The present study aimed to compare two commercially available allogeneic materials regarding their content of cellular remnants as well as the bone remodeling, and integration and potential immunologic reactions on a histological and immunohistochemical level, integrating also in vitro analytical evaluation of the specific batches that were used clinically.

Materials and Methods

Twenty patients were randomly assigned to treatment with Maxgraft or Puros for lateral ridge augmentation in a two‐stage surgery. After a mean healing period of 5 months, implants were placed and biopsies were taken for histological, immunhistochemical, and histomorphometrical evaluation regarding bone remodeling and inflammation, protein concentrations in vitro and the presence of MHC molecules of the same batches used clinically.

Results

No differences in clinical outcome, histological, immunohistochemical, and in vitro protein analysis between the two bone grafting materials were observed. Active bone remodeling, amount of newly formed bone, and residual grafting material was independent of the materials used, but varied between subjects. MHC1 residues were not detected in any sample.

Conclusions

Within the limitations of this study, both tested materials yielded equivalent results in terms of clinical outcome, new bone formation, and lack of immunological potential on a histological and immunohistochemical level.