bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence and predictors of flare after immunosuppressant discontinuation in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus in remission
Authors: Zen Margherita , Saccon Francesca , Gatto Mariele , Montesso Giulia , Larosa Maddalena , Benvenuti Francesco , Iaccarino Luca , Doria Andrea
Published: August 2019

Objectives

Patients with SLE are often exposed to prolonged immunosuppression since few data on flare recurrence in remitted patients who discontinued immunosuppressants are available. We aimed to assess the rate and predictors of flare after immunosuppressant withdrawal in SLE patients in remission.

Methods

SLE patients diagnosed between 1990 and 2018 (according to the ACR criteria), ever treated with immunosuppressants and currently in follow-up were considered. Immunosuppressant discontinuation was defined as complete withdrawal of any immunosuppressive drug. Reasons for discontinuation were remission, defined as clinical SLEDAI-2K = 0 on a stable immunosuppressive and/or antimalarial therapy and/or on prednisone ⩽5 mg/day, or poor adherence/intolerance. Flares were defined according to the SLEDAI Flare Index. Predictors of a subsequent flare were analysed by multivariate logistic regression.

Results

There were 319 eligible patients out of 456 (69.9%). Of the 319 patients, 139 (43.5%) discontinued immunosuppressants, 105 (75.5%) due to remission, 34 (24.5%) due to poor adherence/intolerance. The mean (s.d.) follow-up time after immunosuppressant withdrawal was 91 (71) months (range 6–372). Among the patients who discontinued immunosuppressants, 26/105 remitted (24.7%) and 23/34 unremitted patients (67.6%) experienced a flare (P < 0.001) after a median (range) follow-up of 57 (6–264) and 8 months (1–72), respectively (P = 0.009). In patients who discontinued immunosuppressants due to remission, maintenance therapy with antimalarials (OR 0.243, 95% CI 0.070, 0.842) and the duration of remission at immunosuppressant discontinuation (OR 0.870, 0.824–0.996) were independent protective factors against disease flare.

Conclusion

SLE flares are not uncommon after immunosuppressant discontinuation, even in remitted patients; however, antimalarial therapy and durable remission can significantly reduce the risk of flare.
Couple Interventions for Chronic Pain
Authors: Smith Shannon M. , Li Rui , Wolfe Hannah , Swanger-Gagne Michelle S. , Bonham Adrienne D. , Kreher Donna A. , Poleshuck Ellen L.
Published: August 2019

Objective:

Couple interventions for chronic pain have been shown to more effectively reduce pain intensity for individuals with chronic pain (ICPs) than individual behavioral interventions or usual care. This systematic review identified randomized controlled trials of couple interventions to highlight strategies that could be incorporated into psychotherapy with ICPs and their romantic partners.

Methods:

The authors identified articles reporting randomized controlled trials of couple interventions for chronic pain. Three databases were searched (ie, PubMed, Embase, and PsycInfo), resulting in 18 studies and 22 articles.

Results:

Couple interventions resulted in statistically significant improvements in pain intensity compared with other conditions in 8% to 40% of the studies depending on the comparator group (i.e., control, individual intervention, another couple intervention), and in statistically significant improvements on a pain-related outcome compared with other conditions in 31% to 50% of the studies depending on the comparator group (ie, control, individual intervention, another couple intervention). Educating couples about pain was the most common strategy (83%). Jointly administered relaxation or meditation skills were included in nearly half of the interventions (48%). Many interventions taught cognitive-behavioral skills jointly to couples (39%) or to the ICP with partner encouragement (30%). Teaching couples how to request and provide assistance (30%), and encouraging partners to avoid reinforcing pain behaviors (39%), occurred frequently. ICPs and their partners were often asked to set goals (30%).

Discussion:

This review outlined strategies included in couple interventions for chronic pain that are derived from the cognitive-behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and operant behavioral traditions, but delivered relationally. Therapists working with ICPs and their partners may integrate these strategies into their practice to help couples who are managing chronic pain.
A Distorted Body Schema and Susceptibility to Experiencing Anomalous Somatosensory Sensations in Fibromyalgia Syndrome
Authors: Martínez Endika , Guillen Virginia , Buesa Itsaso , Azkue Jon J.
Published: August 2019

Objective:

Evidence suggests that there is an association between chronic pain and disruption of the body schema. We tested the hypothesis in fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS).

Materials and Methods:

We investigated distinct perceptual aspects of the body schema both in a sample of patients with FMS and in pain-free controls. Performances on the left/right judgment task were measured; tactile acuity was assessed by using the 2-point discrimination test. Furthermore, we evaluated sensations evoked by tactile stimulation with von Frey filaments to body parts that were experiencing pain. Anomalous sensations elicited by sensory-motor conflict (SMC) were also investigated.

Results:

Patients with FMS showed inferior performance on the right/left judgment task, both in terms of correct matches (75.38% vs. 89.67%, respectively;P<0.05) and response time (2.58 s vs. 1.89 s, respectively;P<0.05). Effect sizes were large and very large, respectively. Two-point discrimination thresholds were significantly higher (P<0.05) in participants from the FMS sample (mean of 49.71 mm, SD: 12.09 mm) relative to controls (mean of 37.36 mm, SD: 7.81 mm). Nine of 14 participants with FMS, but no control participants, reported referred sensations upon tactile stimulation, including tingling, pins and needles, weight, and cramps. Referral sites included regions both adjacent and remote to stimulated sites. Patients with FMS scored across all items within the administered questionnaire addressing anomalous sensations on the mirror setup (Cohend=1.04 to 2.42 across all items), and FMS patients perceived pain during the SMC (the required statistical power for it to be statistically significant was 96% and for it to be recognized as a difference of means in pain item).

Conclusion:

Our present findings suggest a disrupted body schema and propensity to experiencing anomalous somatosensory sensations during SMC in people with FMS.
Cognitive and Personality Factors Implicated in Pain Experience in Women With Endometriosis
Authors: Zarbo Cristina , Brugnera Agostino , Dessì Valentina , Barbetta Pietro , Candeloro Ilario , Secomandi Rita , Betto Enrico , Malandrino Chiara , Bellia Adriano , Trezzi Gaetano , Rabboni Massimo , Compare Angelo , Frigerio Luigi
Published: August 2019

Objective:

The impact of pain on quality of life and mental health of women with endometriosis is well known. However, the role that personality traits and coping strategies might have in influencing pain experience is still poorly understood and was the chief purpose of this study.

Materials and Methods:

We conducted a mixed-method sequential explanatory study, composed of a quantitative survey followed by qualitative interviews. The first quantitative phase included 162 women with endometriosis who completed a battery of validated questionnaires. After statistical analysis, a semistructured qualitative interview has been developed and conducted with 6 of them, in order to help explain findings obtained in the first phase. Thereafter, both analyses were combined in a metamatrix.

Results:

From the metamatrix, it emerged that acute pain experience, fear of its occurrence, its unpredictability, and control difficulties are the main concerns of women with endometriosis. Worry trait characteristics (ie, the need for control, anticipatory anxiety, intrusive worry thoughts) and maladaptive thoughts such as coping strategies (ie, self-blame, rumination, catastrophizing) were common in this sample and seem to indirectly affect pain experience. Indeed, the unsuccessful struggle in controlling pain reinforces negative thoughts/beliefs and feelings of powerlessness, leading, in turn, to psychological distress and higher pain experience.

Discussion:

From the study emerged a model of onset and maintenance of acute pain in women with endometriosis. Findings have clinical implications for the medical team and psychologists.
The Impact of the ACA Medicaid Expansions on Dental Visits by Dental Coverage Generosity and Dentist Supply
Authors: Wehby George L. , Lyu Wei , Shane Dan M.
Published: August 2019

Background:

Low-income adults in the United States have historically had limited access to dental coverage and poor dental health outcomes.

Objective:

We examined the effects of the Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansions on dental visits among low-income adults focusing on the generosity of dental coverage and heterogeneity in effects by dentist supply.

Research Design:

We used data from 2012, 2014, and 2016 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System surveys. The main analytical sample included nearly 117,000 individuals <138% federal poverty level. We employed a quasi-experimental difference-in-differences design to identify the impact of the state Medicaid expansions on having a dental visit in the past 12 months by the generosity of dental coverage and dentist supply.

Results:

Medicaid expansions were associated with a nearly 6 percentage-point increase in the likelihood of any dental visits in 2016 (over 10% increase from preexpansion rate) for individuals in Medicaid expanding states with extensive dental benefits. This increase, however, was concentrated in states with high dentist supply with no evidence of improvement in utilization in states with limited dental coverage or low dentist supply.

Conclusions:

Expanding Medicaid with generous dental coverage improved dental care use only in areas with high dentist supply with no evidence of benefits with low dentist supply or less generous coverage. Improving access to dental care may require both generous coverage and supply-side interventions to increase dentist availability.
Xanthogranulomatous Salpingitis
Authors: Chiesa-Vottero Andres
Published: August 2019

There are approximately a dozen cases of xanthogranulomatous salpingitis reported in the literature, mostly as case reports. Thirteen such cases were identified from 2003 to 2018 at our institution. Patient’s ages ranged from 21 to 75 yr old (median and mean, 49 yr). Clinical presentations and surgical indications included pelvic inflammatory disease (5 cases), endometrial carcinoma (4 cases), suspicion of ovarian malignancy (1 case), symptomatic fibroids (1 case), endometriosis (1 case), and infertility (1 case). Surgical-pathologic correlation resulted in diagnoses of tubo-ovarian abscess (4 cases), ovarian abscess (2 cases), pyosalpinx (2 cases), and chronic endometritis (2 cases). Of the remaining 3 cases, 2 presented clinically as pelvic inflammatory disease and the other was seen in the context of an endometrial carcinoma. In summary, this case series from a single institution shows that xanthogranulomatous salpingitis is an uncommon form of chronic inflammation that may be diagnosed from reproductive to menopausal age. With one exception, the cases in this series represent pelvic inflammatory disease despite variable clinical presentations. Pseudoxanthomatous salpingitis should be in the differential diagnosis.
Measuring stroke outcomes using linked administrative data: Population-based estimates and validation of “home-time” as a surrogate measure of functional status
Authors: Gattellari Melina , Goumas Chris , Jalaludin Bin , Worthington John
Published: August 2019

Background

Administrative data offer cost-effective, whole-of-population stroke surveillance yet the lack of validated outcomes is a short-coming. The number of days spent living at home after stroke (“home-time”) is a patient-centred outcome that can be objectively ascertained from administrative data. Population-based validation against both severity and outcome measures and for all subtypes is lacking.

Methods

Stroke hospitalisations from a state-wide census in New South Wales, Australia, from July 1, 2005 to March 31, 2014 were linked to pre-hospital data, post-stroke admissions and deaths. We calculated correlations between 90-day home-time and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores, measured upon a patient’s initial contact with paramedics, and Functional Independence Measure (FIM) scores, measured upon entry to rehabilitation after the acute hospital stroke admission. Negative binomial regression models were used to identify predictors of home-time.

Results

Patients with stroke (N=74,501) spent a median of 53 days living at home after the event. Median home-time was 60 days after ischaemic stroke, 49 days after subarachnoid haemorrhage and 0 days after intracerebral haemorrhage. GCS and FIM scores significantly correlated with home-time (p-values<0.001). Female sex predicted less home-time in ischaemic stroke, while being married increased home time after ischaemic stroke and subarachnoid haemorrhage.

Conclusions

Home-time measured using administrative data is a robust, replicable and valid patient-centred outcome enabling inexpensive population-based surveillance.
The state of discovery-driven neuroscience research and experimental organism usage in the United States
Authors: Farris Sarah M.
Published: August 2019

Purely discovery-driven biological research “…performed without thought of practical ends…” establishes fundamental conceptual frameworks for technological and medical breakthroughs that often occur many years later. Despite the critical importance of discovery-driven research for scientific progress, there is increasing concern that it is increasingly less favored by funding agencies than research with explicit goals of application and innovation, resulting in a decline in discovery-driven research output. This in turn appears to promote the use of genetically modified organisms (those with advanced molecular toolkits for gene manipulation and visualization) for which genetic models of human disease can be studied at molecular and cellular resolution using state of the art methodology, and to discourage use of other experimental organisms that provide necessary evolutionary context. This field of neuroscience encompasses both applied and discovery-driven research, providing an opportunity to empirically determine whether funding and publication rates for the latter have indeed declined. Additionally, the diversity of experimental organisms traditionally employed in neuroscience research provides a means to quantify changes in use of study organisms that lack genetic tools over time. In particular, the basic research field of neuroethology is characterized by its distinct approach to selection of study organisms based on their adaptive behaviors, evolutionary history, and suitability for answering the question of interest, providing a stronger basis for the assumption that findings reflect fundamental concepts of nervous system function and behavior. A 30-year analysis of National Science Foundation (NSF) funding of neuroethology research finds that the agency has funded progressively fewer researchers with smaller average award amounts, with a decline in awards for research on non-genetically modified organisms. Neuroscience funding by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) shows the same trend but also increasing support for genetically modified organisms. The same pattern is observed in the neuroscience literature but occurs prior to changes in funding, suggesting that the shift to genetically modified organisms was likely initiated by researchers but may potentially have been later reinforced by funding agency and journal publisher preferences.
The role of ANGIOGENIN, or lack thereof, in the generation of stress-induced tRNA halves and of smaller tRNA fragments that enter Argonaute complexes
Authors: Su Zhangli , Kuscu Canan , Malik Asrar , Shibata Etsuko , Dutta Anindya
Published: August 2019

Overexpressed Angiogenin (ANG) cleaves tRNA anticodons to produce tRNA halves similar to those produced in response to stress, but it is not clear whether endogenous ANG is essential for producing the stress-induced tRNA halves. It is also not clear whether smaller tRNA fragments (tRFs) are generated from the tRNA halves. Global short RNAseq experiments reveal that ANG over-expression selectively cleaves a subset of tRNAs (tRNAGlu, tRNAGly, tRNALys, tRNAVal, tRNAHis, tRNAAspand tRNASeC) to produce tRNA halves and 26-30 bases long tRF-5s. Surprisingly, knockout of ANG reveals that the majority of stress-induced tRNA halves except 5’ half from tRNAHisGTGand 3’ half from tRNAAspGTCare ANG-independent, suggesting there are other RNases that can produce tRNA halves. The 17-25 bases long tRF-3s and tRF-5s that could enter into Argonaute complexes are not induced by ANG overexpression, suggesting that they are generated independently from tRNA halves. Consistent with this, knockout of ANG did not decrease tRF-3 levels or gene-silencing activity. Therefore ANG cleaves specific tRNAs, is not the only RNAse that creates tRNA halves and the shorter tRFs are not generated from the tRNA halves or from independent tRNA cleavage by ANG.
How to make methodological decisions when inferring social networks
Authors: Ferreira André C. , Covas Rita , Silva Liliana R. , Esteves Sandra C. , Duarte Inês F. , Fortuna Rita , Theron Franck , Doutrelant Claire , Farine Damien R.
Published: August 2019

Constructing and analysing social networks data can be challenging. When designing new studies, researchers are confronted with having to make decisions about how data are collected and networks are constructed, and the answers are not always straightforward. The current lack of guidance on building a social network for a new study system might lead researchers to try several different methods, and risk generating false results arising from multiple hypotheses testing. We suggest an approach for making decisions when developing a network without jeopardising the validity of future hypothesis tests. We argue that choosing the best edge definition for a network can be made using a priori knowledge of the species, and testing hypotheses that are known and independent from those that the network will ultimately be used to evaluate. We illustrate this approach by conducting a pilot study with the aim of identifying how to construct a social network for colonies of cooperatively breeding sociable weavers. We first identified two ways of collecting data using different numbers of feeders and three ways to define associations among birds. We then identified which combination of data collection and association definition maximised (i) the assortment of individuals into ‘breeding groups’ (birds that contribute towards the same nest and maintain cohesion when foraging), and (ii) socially differentiated relationships (more strong and weak relationships than expected by chance). Our approach highlights how existing knowledge about a system can be used to help navigate the myriad of methodological decisions about data collection and network inference.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT

General guidance on how to analyse social networks has been provided in recent papers. However less attention has been given to system-specific methodological decisions when designing new studies, specifically on how data are collected, and how edge weights are defined from the collected data. This lack of guidance can lead researchers into being less critical about their study design and making arbitrary decisions or trying several different methods driven by a given preferred hypothesis of interest without realising the consequences of such approaches. Here we show that pilot studies combined with a priori knowledge of the study species’ social behaviour can greatly facilitate making methodological decisions. Furthermore, we empirically show that different decisions, even if data are collected under the same context (e.g. foraging), can affect the quality of a network.
Protocol development for discovery of angiogenesis inhibitors via automated methods using zebrafish
Authors: Mauro Antonio , Ng Robin , Li Jamie Yuanjun , Guan Rui , Wang Youdong , Singh Krishna Kumar , Wen Xiao-Yan
Published: August 2019

Their optical clarity as larvae and embryos, small size, and high fecundity make zebrafish ideal for whole animal high throughput screening. A high-throughput drug discovery platform (HTP) has been built to perform fully automated screens of compound libraries with zebrafish embryos. A Tg(Flk1:EGFP) line, marking endothelial cell cytoplasm, was used in this work to help develop protocols and functional algorithms for the system, with the intent of screening for angiogenesis inhibitors. Indirubin 3’ Monoxime (I3M), a known angiogenesis inhibitor, was used at various concentrations to validate the protocols. Consistent with previous studies, a dose dependant inhibitory effect of I3M on angiogenesis was confirmed. The methods and protocols developed here could significantly increase the throughput of drug screens, while limiting human errors. These methods are expected to facilitate the discovery of novel anti-angiogenesis compounds and can be adapted for many other applications in which samples have a good fluorescent signal.
Pragmatic selection of larval mosquito diets for insectary rearing ofAnopheles gambiaeandAedes aegypti
Authors: Benedict Mark Q. , Hunt Catherine M. , Vella Michael G. , Gonzalez Kasandra M. , Dotson Ellen M. , Collins C. Matilda
Published: August 2019

Larval mosquitoes are aquatic omnivorous scavengers which scrape food from submerged surfaces and collect suspended food particles with their mouth brushes. The composition of diets that have been used in insectaries varies widely though necessarily provides sufficient nutrition to allow colonies to be maintained. Issues such as cost, availability and experience influence which diet is selected. One component of larval diets, essential fatty acids, appears to be necessary for normal flight though deficiencies may not be evident in laboratory cages and are likely more important when mosquitoes are reared for release into the field in e.g. mark-release-recapture and genetic control activities.

In this study, four diets were compared for rearingAnopheles gambiaeandAedes aegypti, all of which provide these essential fatty acids. Two diets were custom formulations specifically designed for mosquitoes (Damiens) and two were commercially available fish foods: Doctors Foster and Smith Koi Staple Diet and TetraMin Plus Flakes. Development rate, survival, dry weight and adult longevity of mosquitoes reared with these four diets were measured. The method of presentation of one diet, Koi pellets, was additionally fed in two forms, pellets or a slurry, to determine any effect of food presentation on survival and development rate.

While various criteria might be selected to choose ‘the best’ food, the readily-available Koi pellets resulted in development rates and adult longevity equal to the other diets, high survival to the adult stage and, additionally, this is available at low cost.
The role of accounting in mediating empathic care for the “other”
Authors: Dellaportas Steven
Published: August 2019

Purpose

This paper hypothesizes that a system of accounting underpinned by attributions of harm has the capacity, more than conventional accounting, to elicit empathic concern among managers, by becoming the mediating link between organisational responsibility and concern for the “other”.

Design/methodology/approach

The literature-inspired reflections presented in this paper stem from the theoretical perspective of care-ethics supported by the notions of empathy and proximity to highlight how the propensity to empathise is mediated by attributions of harm and responsibility.

Findings

The proposed “new” accounting, coined “connected accounting” is proposed because of its potential to make visible the neglected and marginalised segments of society that presently lie hidden in conventional accounting. Accounting for the effects of organisational practice on people and society is expected to strengthen the care-ethic relationship between key actors – managers, accountants and stakeholders.

Research limitations/implications

The paper is limited by the assumptions that underpin the conceptualised notion of “Connected Accounting”.

Originality/value

This essay introduces to the accounting ethics literature the role of emotion and empathic care in accounting, including sociological aspects of accounting reflecting the ongoing quest for understanding the processes and consequences of accounting as a social practice.
Investigation of graphene effect on the anti-corrosion behaviour of polyurethane coatings in sea-water
Authors: Tan Hai , Wang Deguo , Guo Yanbao
Published: August 2019

Purpose

Abundant oil and gas reservoirs in the deep-water are the valuable non-renewable energy sources. However, sea-water could enhance the corrosion of marine equipment such as submarine pipe trees. Various coatings, for example, polyurethane (PU) coatings are sprayed on the steel surfaces to enhance the anti-corrosion performance. Thus, to improve the anti-corrosion behavior of PU coatings in sea-water is imperative.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the corrosion behaviors of 4130 carbon steel with and without PU coatings were discussed by electrochemical mean in sea-water. And the graphene additive in different concentrations (0.1, 0.3, 0.6 and 0.9 per cent) were also studied. A series of characterized methods were introduced to identify the anti-corrosion performances of 4130 carbon steel with and without coatings, respectively.

Findings

The results showed that the anti-corrosion property of 4130 carbon steel can enhance obviously with the PU coatings. The graphene additive can further improve the anti-corrosion behaviour of PU coatings and in the concentration of 0.6 per cent the PU/graphene coatings worked best.

Originality/value

This is beneficial for enhancing the service life of marine equipment in an eco-friendly method.
Reliability model and probability analysis method for pitting corrosion under mechanical loading
Authors: Liu Xiaoxiao , Liu Ming
Published: August 2019

Purpose

Corrosion is one of the common damage mechanisms in many engineering structures such as marine structures, petroleum pipelines, aerospace and nuclear reactor. However, the service performance of metal materials and structures is gradually degenerating with the increase of service life due to the rapid growth of corrosion damages. Thus, the coupled effects for corrosion damage in reliability analysis should be considered urgently. Then, the purpose of this paper is to develop the corrosion damage physical model and the corresponding reliability analysis methods, which consider the coupled effect of corrosion damage.

Design/methodology/approach

A failure physical model, considering the coupled effect of pitting growth, crack and crack propagation, is presented in this paper. Sequentially, the corrosion reliability with respect to pitting physical damage can be investigated. The presented pitting damage physical model is formulated as time-variant performance limit state functions, which include the crack transition, crack growth and fracture failure mechanics. The first-passage failure criterion is used to construct the corrosion reliability framework, involving in the pitting damage model with the increase of service life.

Findings

Results demonstrate that the multiplicative dimensional reduction (MDR) method behaves much better than FORM no matter in accuracy or efficiency. The proposed corrosion reliability method is applicable for dealing with the damage failure model of the structural pitting corrosion.

Originality/value

The MDR method is used to calculate the corrosion reliability index of a given structure with fewer function calls. Finally, an aeronautical metal material is used to demonstrate the efficiency and precision of the proposed corrosion reliability method when the failure physical model considering the coupled effects of mechanical stresses and corrosion environment is adopted.
Millennial knowledge workers
Authors: Aydogmus Ceren
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the potential effects of Millennial knowledge workers’ emotional intelligence (EI) on their subjective career success (SCS) through their protean career attitudes (PCAs) and psychological empowerment (PE).

Design/methodology/approach

Survey methodology was used to collect data from 623 Millennial knowledge workers in 42 Turkish Information Technology companies. Participants answered the surveys at three different points within a 12-week period. Measures of EI, PCAs, PE and SCS were analyzed using structural equation modeling and the bootstrapping method.

Findings

The empirical results provide support for the author’s proposed model that positive relations between EI and Millennial knowledge workers’ SCS are mediated by their PCAs and PE.

Research limitations/implications

To generalize the study findings, future research should be conducted for Millennial knowledge workers in different cultures and countries.

Practical implications

Particularly for Millennial knowledge workers, managers need to be aware of positive influence of EI on employees’ SCS and should consider implementing policies and procedures that recognize EI as a key ingredient for their SCS. Additionally, human resource professionals should aim to create an organizational culture around career development, in addition to career attitudes trainings, and provide career growth opportunities to retain Millennial talent. Finally, organizational development professionals should establish work environments that increase employee empowerment and thus improve SCS.

Originality/value

The findings advance the understanding of how Millennial knowledge workers’ EI can influence their SCS through focusing on PCAs and PE. The results underpin the self-determination theory, contextualist action theory of career development and job design theory.
Social justice leadership, instructional leadership, and the goals of schooling
Authors: Shaked Haim
Published: August 2019

Purpose

School principals should see themselves as social justice leaders, who have the ability to allow all students to succeed, regardless of their characteristics and backgrounds. At the same time, school principals are also called upon to demonstrate instructional leadership, which emphasizes the teaching and learning aspects of school principalship. The purpose of this paper is to examine the relations between these two roles of today’s school principals.

Design/methodology/approach

To investigate the relations between social justice leadership and instructional leadership, this paper adds the question of the goal of schooling to the mix. After identifying possible goals of schooling, the paper conceptualizes social justice leadership and instructional leadership, respectively, while also examining their relations with schools’ major goals. Possible commonalities and contradictions between social justice leadership and instructional leadership are discussed.

Findings

The prevalent expectation that school leaders should give top priority to ongoing improvement of teaching quality and academic outcomes may be seen as reducing school leaders’ involvement in some aspects of social justice leadership, such as nurturing students’ active citizenship.

Research limitations/implications

This paper opens new research avenues. Based on the findings of this paper, the connection between principals’ perceptions regarding the goals of schooling and their leadership behaviors should be explored.

Practical implications

It seems advisable to discuss the interplay between social justice leadership and instructional leadership with prospective and current principals, as well as with other school stakeholders.

Originality/value

Insofar as the relations between social justice leadership and instructional leadership have not been explored so far, this paper narrows a gap in the available knowledge.
Broadening borders to build better schools
Authors: Carpenter Daniel , Munshower Paul
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore how rural teachers provided a PLC by leveraging virtual technologies to connect educators of like subject disciplines from several schools, foreign and domestic.

Design/methodology/approach

A phenomenological case study-based approach was leveraged to investigate established vPLCs at schools (Creswell, 2013; Stake, 2010). Qualitative data were collected from multiple sources to obtain rural teacher perceptions on the impact vPLCs had on their practice (Creswell, 2013).

Findings

Teacher collaborative teams build relationships comparable to teams that met face to face as part of a similar PLC and PD experience. Participant reflections in this investigation showed that rural educators favored face-to-face meetings; however, vPLCs provided similar teacher experiences to that of the face-to-face PBL model. Results indicated that educators recognized virtual collaboration just as valuable a tool for enabling PLCs than face-to-face collaborations while still offering similarities to improved teacher practice.

Research limitations/implications

The research was limited to teachers in rural settings in the USA (Texas) and in the Dominican Republic. The research was limited to teacher perceptions of change, and observed changes as part of their participation in a research-based virtual PLC model. The research was limited to the school setting over an academic year.

Practical implications

The findings from this study have practical implications for rural teachers and school implementation of a professional learning community model.

Originality/value

The promise provided by this study is that vPLCs may provide opportunity for rural schools to provide a job-embedded professional development model (Croftet al., 2010) for otherwise isolated teachers (Barrettet al., 2015).
Pedagogical dilemmas among Bedouin-Palestinian peace educators in Israel
Authors: Litvak Hirsch Tal , Lazar Alon , Abu Hadubah Kamal
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to learn how minority peace educators grapple with dilemmas related to their involvement in peace programs.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 15 male teachers, members of the minority Bedouin community in Israel, all peace educators, provided their reactions to three dilemmas, addressing various facets of the strained relations of their community with the Jewish-Israeli majority, as influenced by the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.

Findings

The responses to these dilemmas suggest that when it comes to questions of the identity of these teachers as members of a marginalized community, their responses considerably diverge. This is not the case when it comes to their identity as peace educators.

Originality/value

This suggests that if the aim is to bring peace educators, members of minority groups in conflict zones, to harness their potential to bring about positive change, their peace activist identities must be strengthened.
Value creation through quality and innovation – a case study on Portugal
Authors: Santos Gilberto , Gomes Sergio , Braga Vitor , Braga Alexandra , Lima Vanda , Teixeira Paulo , Sá José Carlos
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the best way to create value in Portugal through quality and innovation and also to check what needs to be improved.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire was applied to population of 152 companies, with the research and development (R&D) management certified by Portuguese Standard NP 4457. The final sample was 66 companies, which correspond to 45 percent of the population. Statistical analysis of the data collected was performed using IBM SPSS Statistical Software.

Findings

The authors highlighted the main reasons/motivations that led companies to implement the NP 4457, which were, among others, competitive advantage and creating value. The systematization of information and the generation and management of ideas were highlighted as the main advantages. The lack of methodologies for innovation management and knowledge management was the difficulty experienced in the implementation of NP 4457. Portugal needs to increase patent registration and it also needs to know how to take advantage of the investment made in R&D, in order to decrease the unit cost of knowledge. Portuguese engineering should be more about product design than production processes. The involvement of top management must be greater.

Originality/value

This investigation contributes to the innovation and quality body of knowledge, since it explores the complementarity between the two concepts as sources of value creation. This case study is one of the first Portuguese empirical research works about value creation through quality and innovation in Portugal. It also allows to know in detail the Portuguese business reality in terms of innovation management.
Performance investigation of a solar-driven ejector refrigeration cycle
Authors: Saleh B. , Aly Ayman A. , Alsehli M. , Bassuoni M.M. , Elfasakhany A.
Published: August 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the performance and working fluids screening for an ejector refrigeration cycle (ERC) activated by solar energy. Several common and new hydrofluorocarbons, hydrocarbons, hydrofluoroolefins and hydrofluoroethers are proposed as refrigerants for the ERC to determine the most appropriate one.

Design/methodology/approach

The ejector performance is characterized by the ejector area ratio (EAR) and entrainment ratio (ω), while the cycle performance is described by the coefficient of performance (COP). The influences of many working parameters like the evaporator, condenser and generator temperatures on the ejector and cycle performances are investigated for all candidates as well.

Findings

The results indicate that the best ejector and cycle performances are attained with the highest critical temperature dry refrigerant, i.e. R601 under all studied working conditions. From the perspective of energy efficiency and environmental issues, R601 can be considered the most appropriate working fluid amongst all candidates. However, extra attention should be considered against its flammability. The maximum COP, the corresponding ω and the necessary EAR using R601 are 0.743, 1.02 and 15.5, respectively, with 25 ºC condenser temperature and the typical values for the rest operating conditions.

Originality/value

Many common and new hydrofluorocarbons, hydrocarbons, hydrofluoroolefins and hydrofluoroethers are suggested as working fluids for the ERC to determine the most appropriate one. The mixing process inside the ejector constant-area section is assumed constant-pressure process.
Development of Nanozymes for Food Quality and Safety Detection: Principles and Recent Applications
Authors: Huang Lunjie , Sun Da‐Wen , Pu Hongbin , Wei Qingyi
Published: August 2019

The public concerns about agrifood safety call for innovative and reformative analytical techniques to meet the inspection requirements of high sensitivity, specificity, and reproducibility. Enzyme‐mimetic nanomaterials or nanozymes, which combine enzyme‐like properties with nanoscale features, emerge as an excellent tool for quality and safety detection in the agrifood sector, due to not only their robust capacity in detection but also their attraction in future‐oriented exploitations. However, in‐depth understanding about the fundamental principles of nanozymes for food quality and safety detection remains limited, which makes their applications largely empirical. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the principles, designs, and applications of nanozyme‐based detection technique in the agrifood industry. The discussion mainly involves three mimicking types, that is, peroxidase, oxidase, and catalase‐like nanozymes, capable of detecting major agrifood analytes. The current principles and strategies are classified and then discussed in details through discriminating the roles of nanozymes in diverse detection platforms. Thereafter, recent applications of nanozymes in detecting various endogenous ingredients and exogenous contaminants in foods are reviewed, and the outlook of profound developments are explained. Evidenced by the increasing publications, nanozyme‐based detection techniques are narrowing the gap to practical‐oriented food analytical methods, while some challenges in optimization of nanozymes, diversification of recognition‐to‐signal manners, and sustainability of methodology need to conquer in the future.
Effect of cleaning guidelines implementation on microbial colony count of laparoscopic instruments: A study in a public hospital in Iran
Authors: Aarabi Akram , Mosleh Sorour , Fazeli Hossein , Farahmand Hassan
Published: August 2019

Introduction

Some countries have implemented reuse of laparoscopic instruments for cost‐effective purposes. An accurate cleaning as the first step of reprocessing would lead to the effective sterilization. The purpose was to evaluate the effect of cleaning guidelines implementation on microbial load of laparoscopic instruments which were used in laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery.

Methods

This experimental study was done in an educational hospital, in 2017 and included a total of 128 laparoscopic instruments randomly selected from cholecystectomy surgeries and divided into two cleaning groups. The instruments were checked out in terms of number (colony‐forming units [CFU]/mL) and type of microorganisms in two groups of routine cleaning and according to guideline cleaning. This guideline was indigenous and taken from successful instruction in this context that was presented by the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI). The appropriate statistical analysis was conducted by SPSS version 19.

Results

The average microbial load was 2.4 × 106 CFU/100 mL after clinical use. It was reduced to 7.2 × 105 CFU/100 mL in the control group and 3.4 × 104 CFU/100 mL in the intervention group, after the cleaning process. The most common microorganisms that were isolated immediately after clinical use were Escherichia coli 81.2%, Pseudomonas 68.8%, Klebsiella 57.8%, and spp., and so on.

Conclusion

The AAMI cleaning method is recommended to be utilized by operating room nurses for laparoscopic instruments.
Effects of inorganic nitrate in a rat model of monocrotaline‐induced pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Malikova Eva , Carlström Mattias , Kmecova Zuzana , Marusakova Margareta , Zsigmondova Bianka , Krenek Peter , Klimas Jan , Henrohn Dan
Published: August 2019

The nitrate‐nitrite‐nitric oxide (NO) pathway represents an alternative source of NO generation, which is independent of NO synthase and potentiated by hypoxia. Augmentation of this pathway by dietary nitrate has proven favourable effects in several cardiovascular disease models. However, less is known regarding its potential value in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). The aim of this study was to assess the effects of oral inorganic nitrate administration in monocrotaline (MCT)‐induced PAH. Male 12‐week‐old Wistar rats were injected subcutaneously with monocrotaline (MCT, 60 mg/kg). Nitrate treatment (0.3 or 1 mmol/kg/d; drinking water) commenced on day 12 following the MCT injection and continued for 16 days. Nitrate administration did not attenuate right ventricular (RV) hypertrophy, increased lung weight and up‐regulated mRNA expression of brain natriuretic peptide. Plasma nitrate and nitrite levels were significantly increased as well as lung nitrate level, whereas nitrite lung level was decreased following nitrate treatment (1 mmol/kg/d). MCT‐induced PAH resulted in an increased MnSOD protein level, which was not observed following nitrate treatment. MCT‐associated up‐regulation of nNOS in the lung appeared to be dose‐dependently prevented by nitrate treatment. Western blot analysis did not reveal any differences in eNOS, iNOS, XO or gp91phox expression in the lungs among the groups. In conclusion, nitrate treatment did not significantly attenuate pathological RV and lung remodelling in the rat MCT model of PAH. The suppression of MnSOD and nNOS expression by nitrate could be interpreted as reduced demand of endogenous antioxidant defence in this model.
Characterisation of nerve‐mediated ATP release from bladder detrusor muscle and its pathological implications
Authors: McCarthy Carly J. , Ikeda Youko , Skennerton Deborah , Chakrabarty Basu , Kanai Anthony J. , Jabr Rita I. , Fry Christopher H.
Published: August 2019

Background and Purpose

This study aims to characterise the molecular mechanisms that determine variability of atropine resistance of nerve‐mediated contractions in human and guinea pig detrusor smooth muscle.

Experimental Approach

Atropine resistance of nerve‐mediated contractions and the role of P2X1 receptors, were assessed in isolated preparations from guinea pigs and also humans with or without overactive bladder syndrome, from which the mucosa was removed. Nerve‐mediated ATP release was measured directly with amperometric ATP‐sensitive electrodes. Ecto‐ATPase activity of guinea pig and human detrusor samples was measured in vitro by measuring the concentration‐dependent rate of ATP breakdown. The transcription of ecto‐ATPase subtypes in human samples was measured by qPCR.

Key Results

Atropine resistance was greatest in guinea pig detrusor, absent in human tissue from normally functioning bladders, and intermediate in human overactive bladder. Greater atropine resistance correlated with reduction of contractions by the ATP‐diphosphohydrolase apyrase, directly implicating ATP in their generation. E‐NTPDase‐1 was the most abundantly transcribed ecto‐ATPase of those tested, and transcription was reduced in tissue from human overactive, compared to normal, bladders. E‐NTPDase‐1 enzymic activity was inversely related to the magnitude of atropine resistance. Nerve‐mediated ATP release was continually measured and varied with stimulation frequency over the range of 1–16 Hz.

Conclusion and Implications

Atropine resistance in nerve‐mediated detrusor contractions is due to ATP release and its magnitude is inversely related to E‐NTPDase‐1 activity. ATP is released under different stimulation conditions compared with ACh, implying different routes for their release.
Syrian refugee resettlement and the role of local immigration partnerships in Ontario, Canada
Authors: Walton‐Roberts Margaret , Veronis Luisa , Wayland Sarah V. , Dam Huyen , Cullen Blair
Published: August 2019

We examine Canada's recent Syrian Refugee Resettlement Initiative (SRRI) paying close attention to the resettlement role played by mid‐sized urban communities. We elaborate on a key policy dimension at work at this scale of action: local immigration partnerships (LIPs). We start with a very brief review of Canada's history of mass refugee resettlement. Second, we assess the policy of LIPs, particularly how they have been presented as a form of “place‐based policy,” and third, we offer an overview of the role the LIPs played in three case study communities (Hamilton, Ottawa, and Waterloo) during the SRRI. Finally, we present three overarching themes that emerged from our research in each of these communities: the importance of each community's history of immigration and refugee resettlement; the embeddedness of the LIP and its leadership in the local community; and how the positioning of each LIP relative to the three levels of government and its official Resettlement Assistance Program agreement holders impacted its ability to act. The history, location, and place characteristics of each community influenced the nature of intersectoral and intergovernmental relations in distinctive ways, and differentially shaped the effectiveness of each LIP's ability to contribute to the SRRI.