bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Healthcare middle managers’ capacity and capability to quality improvement
Authors: Hartviksen Trude Anita , Aspfors Jessica , Uhrenfeldt Lisbeth
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to identify and critically discuss how healthcare middle managers’ (HMMs) development of the capacity and capability for leadership are experienced to influence quality improvement (QI) in nursing homes.

Design/methodology/approach

This study had a critical hermeneutic perspective with data gathered using focus groups, one individual interview and participative observations. Analysis was guided by a qualitative interpretive approach.

Findings

The results show how HMMs’ development of the capacity and capability for leadership are experienced to influence QI in nursing homes through grasping complexity in a conflicting practice. This involves continuous knowledge development and compensating contrasted by resource shortages, role conflicts and the lack of trust and cooperation.

Originality/value

HMMs have a key role in implementing QIs in healthcare. There are few studies on how HMMs develop the capacity and capability for leadership and it is unclear how clinical contexts are influenced by HMMs’ development. This study provides new knowledge supporting a change facilitating HMMs’ developmental processes targeting practical influence; it emphasizes continuity, coherence, presence and trust.
Non-monetary levers to enhance employee engagement in organizations – “GREAT” model of motivation during the Covid-19 crisis
Authors: Mani Swaminathan , Mishra Mridula
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify non-monetary variables that can be leveraged by HR practitioners to enhance employee motivation and engagement in their companies. Covid-19 has plunged the corporate world into a severe crisis. Companies are struggling to conserve cash. HR managers who had used monetary levers such as salaries to motivate their staff have to now use non-monetary levers such as appreciation and career growth to keep the morale high.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors have undertaken extensive literature review to identify the non-monetary variables that enhances employee motivation. Exploratory survey to validate the relevance of these variables was conducted. Operational definition of the variables is provided apart from logically grouping them into a framework that can be leveraged by HR practitioners.

Findings

In total, 20 variables were grouped into a framework of five levers called “GREAT” that expands to growth, renewal, enabling, aspirational and transparency levers. All these levers on their own and used in conjunction with other levers have shown to increase employee morale and motivation. The GREAT framework gives an additional lens for HR practitioners to evaluate their employee engagement programs using non-monetary variables.

Originality/value

This paper provides insights into this important concept of employee engagement during a crisis situation of unprecedented proportion. While employee morale is the first casualty in a crisis, it (the motivation) should be the last one to lose in a battle of this magnitude. HR managers now have a strategic framework (“GREAT”) to use to evaluate their interventions to enhance the teams’ morale.
Reliability assessment of ball grid array joints under combined application of thermal and power cycling: solder geometry effect
Authors: Kumar Sathish , Kuzichkin Oleg R. , Siddiqi Ahmed Faisal , Pustokhina Inna , Krasnopevtsev Aleksandr Yu
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This study aims to investigate simultaneous power and thermal loading.

Design/methodology/approach

Finite element method simulations coupled with experiments.

Findings

The effects of power cycling have been determined.

Originality/value

This paper aims to testify the combined effects of thermal and power cycling loads on the reliability of solder ball joints with barrel- and hourglass-type geometries in an electronic system. The finite element simulation outcomes showed that the maximum strain energy was accumulated at the edges of barrel-type solder, whereas the hourglass-type was vulnerable at the necking side. It was also found that the hourglass-type solder showed a reliable behavior when the sole thermal cycling was exerted to the electronic system, whereas the barrel-type solder was a better choice under simultaneous application of thermal and power loadings. The experimental results also confirmed the finite element simulation and indicated that the solder joint reliability strongly depends on the geometry of interconnection in different operating conditions. An extensive discussion was presented to shed light on the paramount importance of combined thermal/power cycling on the reliability of solder joints.
Impact of Industry4.0/ICTs, Lean Six Sigma and quality management systems on organisational performance
Authors: Yadav Neeraj , Shankar Ravi , Singh Surya Prakash
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This paper compares impact of Industry 4.0 / emerging information and communication Technologies (ICTs), for example, Internet of things (IOT), machine learning, artificial intelligence (AI), robotics and cloud computing, on 22 organisational performance indicators under nine combinations of Lean Six Sigma (LSS) and quality management systems (QMS).

Design/methodology/approach

Survey of 105 Indian organisations was done about their experience of using QMS, Lean Six Sigma and emerging ICTs. Respondents included both manufacturing and service enterprises of different scales and sectors. The responses collected were compared, and statistically significant difference among them was evaluated using chi-square test.

Findings

The study confirmed statistically significant difference among 20 organisational performance indicators under different combinations of QMS, LSS and ICTs. These indicators include quality performance, delivery performance, sales turnover, inventory level and so forth. However, for two indicators, namely, absenteeism and throughput, significant difference in responses was not established.

Research limitations/implications

All possible combinations of QMS, LSS, only LSS tools and ICTs were not studied because of either theoretical impossibility (e.g. using LSS without LSS tools) or practically rare situations (e.g. organisations using ICTs and LSS without QMS). Furthermore, the impact from different sequences of implementing QMS, LSS and ICTs can be studied.

Practical implications

Using this study, practitioners can identify which LSS, Quality System and ICT combination results in best performance and quick success. On theoretical front, the study confirms impact of LSS and QMS on organisational performance.

Originality/value

This study evaluates organisational performance under several possible combinations of QMS, LSS, and emerging ICTs, which was so far unexplored.
Fiction or reality? Hotel leaders’ perception on climate action and sustainable business models
Authors: Dick-Forde Emily Gaynor , Oftedal Elin Merethe , Bertella Giovanna Merethe
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the perceptions of key actors in the Caribbean’s hotel industry on the development of business models that are inclusive of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and resilient to climate change challenges. The objectives are to gain a better understanding of the central actors’ perspective and to explore the potential of scenario thinking as a pragmatic tool to provoke deep and practical reflections on business model innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is based on a questionnaire survey conducted via email to senior personnel in the hotel industry across the region as well as to national and regional tourism and hospitality associations/agencies and government ministries. The questionnaire used a mix of close- and open-ended questions, as well as fictional scenarios to gain insight about perceptions from key actors in the tourism sector, including respondents’ personal beliefs about the reality of climate science and the need for action at the levels of individuals, governments, local, regional and multinational institutions.

Findings

The study found that while the awareness of climate change and willingness to action is high, respondents perceive that hotels are not prepared for the climate crisis. Respondents had an overall view that the hotel sector in the Caribbean was unprepared for the negative impacts of climate change. Recommendations from the study include the need for immediate action on the part of all to both raise awareness and implement focused climate action to secure the future of tourism in the Caribbean.

Research limitations/implications

The use of a survey has considerable challenges, including low response rates and the limitations of using perceptions to understand a phenomenon. The survey was conducted across the Caribbean from The Bahamas to Belize and down to Trinidad and Tobago so that views from across the similar, yet diverse, regions could be gathered, included and compared for a comprehensive view of perceptions and possible ideas for climate smart action.

Practical implications

The 2030 Agenda for SDGs is based on policy and academic debates. This study helps to bridge the academic and policy discussion with the needs of the industry.

Originality/value

This study contributes a consideration for climate-resilient business models for hotels in the tourism industry as a definitive action toward achieving SDG 13. This combined with the use of fictional climate change scenarios to access perceptions about the future of the hotel industry in the light of climate change, adds originality to the study.
Transcription factor MoMsn2 targets the putative 3‐methylglutaconyl‐CoA hydratase‐encoding gene MoAUH1 to govern infectious growth via mitochondrial fusion/fission balance in Magnaporthe oryzae
Authors: Xiao Yuhan , Liu Luping , Zhang Ting , Zhou Ruiwen , Ren Yuan , Li Xinrui , Shu Haidong , Ye Wenwu , Zheng Xiaobo , Zhang Zhengguang , Zhang Haifeng
Published: May 2020

Mitochondrial quality and quantity are essential for a cell to maintain normal cellular functions. Our previous study revealed that the transcription factor MoMsn2 plays important roles in the development and virulence of Magnaporthe oryzae. However, to date, no study has reported its underlying regulatory mechanism in phytopathogens. Here, we explored the downstream target genes of MoMsn2 using a chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP‐Seq) approach. In total, 332 target genes and five putative MoMsn2‐binding sites were identified. The 332 genes exhibited a diverse array of functions and the highly represented were genes involved in metabolic and catalytic processes. Based on the ChIP‐Seq data, we found that MoMsn2 plays a role in maintaining mitochondrial morphology, likely by targeting a number of mitochondria‐related genes. Further investigation revealed that MoMsn2 targets the putative 3‐methylglutaconyl‐CoA hydratase‐encoding gene (MoAUH1) to control mitochondrial morphology and mitophagy, which are critical for the infectious growth of the pathogen. Meanwhile, the deletion of MoAUH1 resulted in phenotypes similar to the ΔMomsn2 mutant in mitochondrial morphology, mitophagy and virulence. Overall, our results provide evidence for the regulatory mechanisms of MoMsn2, which targets MoAUH1 to modulate its transcript levels, thereby disturbing the mitochondrial fusion/fission balance. This ultimately affects the development and virulence of M. oryzae.
Glycosylated fibronectin point‐of‐care test for diagnosis of pre‐eclampsia in a low‐resource setting: a prospective Southeast Asian population study
Authors: Nagalla SR , Janaki V , Vijayalakshmi AR , Chayadevi K , Pratibha D , Rao PV , Sage KM , Nair‐Schaef D , Bean E , Roberts CT , Gravett MG
Published: May 2020

Objective

To determine the performance of a glycosylated fibronectin (GlyFn) point‐of‐care (POC) test for pre‐eclampsia (PE) in a large Southeast Asian cohort (India) in comparison to previously described biomarkers.

Design

A total of 798 pregnant women at ≥20 weeks of gestation were enrolled in a prospective case‐control study. Study participants included 469 normotensive women with urinary mg protein/mmol creatinine ratio <0.3, 135 with PE (hypertension with urinary mg protein/mmol creatinine ratio ≥0.3) and 194 with gestational hypertension (hypertension with urinary mg protein/mmol creatinine ratio <0.3).

Methods

GlyFn levels were determined using a POC device and PIGF, sFlt‐1 and PAPPA2 levels were determined by immunoassay. Performance was assessed using logistic regression modelling and receiver‐operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Classification performance and positive and negative predictive values are reported at specific thresholds.

Results

Increased levels of GlyFn, soluble fms‐like tyrosine kinase‐1 (sFlt‐1) and pregnancy‐associated placental protein A2 (PAPPA2), and decreased levels of placental growth factor (PlGF) were significantly associated (P < 0.01) with clinically defined PE. Area under the ROC (AUROC) values with 95% confidence intervals were: GlyFn, 0.99 (0.98–0.99); PlGF, 0.96 (0.94–0.98); sFlt‐1, 0.86 (0.83–0.89); and PAPPA2, 0.96 (0.94–0.97). Of subjects with GH, 48% were positive for more than two PE biomarkers, and 70% of these delivered preterm.

Conclusions

The Lumella™ GlyFn POC test has been validated in a low/middle‐income country setting for PE diagnosis and may be a useful adjunctive tool for early identification, appropriate triage, and improved outcomes.

Tweetable abstract

The Lumella™ point‐of‐care test had excellent performance in diagnosing PE in a large Southeast Asian cohort.
The effect of COVID‐19 lockdowns on political support: Some good news for democracy?
Authors: BOL DAMIEN , GIANI MARCO , BLAIS ANDRÉ , LOEWEN PETER JOHN
Published: May 2020

Major crises can act as critical junctures or reinforce the political status quo, depending on how citizens view the performance of central institutions. We use an interrupted time series to study the political effect of the enforcement of a strict confinement policy in response to the COVID‐19 pandemic. Specifically, we take advantage of a unique representative web‐based survey that was fielded in March and April 2020 in Western Europe to compare the political support of those who took the survey right before and right after the start of the lockdown in their country. We find that lockdowns have increased vote intentions for the party of the Prime Minister/President, trust in government and satisfaction with democracy. Furthermore, we find that, while rallying individuals around current leaders and institutions, they have had no effect on traditional left–right attitudes.
Coyote (Canis latrans) in South America: potential routes of colonization
Authors: MONROY‐VILCHIS Octavio , GONZÁLEZ‐MAYA José F. , BALBUENA‐SERRANO Ángel , ELVIR Fausto , ZARCO‐GONZÁLEZ Martha M. , RODRÍGUEZ‐SOTO Clarita
Published: May 2020

During the last century, the coyote (Canis latrans) has increased its distribution in Central America. Before the 1980s, it had not been recorded in Panama. New records show that coyotes have crossed the Panama Canal, indicating that continues to expand; therefore, there is a possibility that it will reach northern South America. Our objectives were to identify potential coyote colonization routes to South America, and the variables that favor its expansion. We hypothesized that habitat fragmentation benefits coyote expansion. We applied 7 algorithms to model the potential distribution of the coyote, using 196 presence records and 12 variables. The models with better performance were used to generate a consensus model. Using our consensus model and the areas with highest probability of presence, a potential colonization route was generated between Central America and northern South America. This route lies through southern Costa Rica, along the Pacific coast of Panama to the south, to the Andean mountains in northern Colombia. The variables that explained potential coyote distribution were human population density, altitude, and percentage of crops with positive influence, and tropical broadleaf forests with negative influence. These results indicate that human activities and deforestation are related to coyote distribution expansion. Actions can be implemented within the identified route to improve environmental management, in order to avoid the presence of the coyote in the ecosystems of northern South America.
Effects of an Orexin‐2 Receptor Antagonist on Sleep and Event‐Related Oscillations in Female Rats Exposed to Chronic Intermittent Ethanol During Adolescence
Authors: Amodeo Leslie R. , Wills Derek N. , Sanchez‐Alavez Manuel , Ehlers Cindy L.
Published: May 2020

Background

Alcohol use is on the rise among women in the United States which is especially concerning since women who drink have a higher risk of alcohol‐related problems. Orexin (hypocretin) receptor antagonists may have some therapeutic value for alcohol‐induced insomnia; however, the use of this class of drugs following female adolescent binge drinking is limited. The current study will address whether adolescent intermittent ethanol (AIE) in female rats can result in lasting changes in sleep pathology and whether orexin‐targeted treatment can alleviate these deficits.

Methods

Following a 5‐week AIE vapor model, young adult rats were evaluated on waking event‐related oscillations (EROs) and EEG sleep. Subsequently, AIE rats were treated with orexin receptor 2 (OX2R) antagonist (MK‐1064; 10, 20mg/kg) to test for modifications in sleep pathology and waking ERO.

Results

Female AIE rats exhibited lasting changes in sleep compared to controls. This was demonstrated by increased fragmentation of slow wave sleep (SWS) and rapid eye movement sleep, as well as reductions in delta and theta power during SWS. There was no impact of AIE on waking EROs. Acute MK‐1064 hastened SWS onset and increased the number of SWS episodes, without increasing sleep fragmentation in AIE and controls. While treatment with MK‐1064 did not impact sleep EEG spectra, waking ERO energy was increased in delta, theta, and beta frequency bands.

Conclusions

These results demonstrate that AIE can produce lasting changes in sleep in female rats, highly similar to what we previously found in males. Additionally, while the OX2R antagonist promoted sleep in both alcohol‐exposed and unexposed rats, it did not reverse most of the alcohol‐induced disruptions in sleep. Thus, OX2R antagonism may serve as a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of insomnia, but not the specific signs of alcohol‐induced insomnia.
Permanent brain arrest as the sole criterion of death in systemic circulatory arrest
Authors: Gardiner D. , McGee A. , Bernat J. L.
Published: May 2020

Historically, there has been a tendency to think that there are two types of death: circulatory and neurological. Holding onto this tendency is making it harder to navigate emerging resuscitative technologies, such as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and the recent well‐publicised experiment that demonstrated the possibility of restoring cellular function to some brain neurons 4 h after normothermic circulatory arrest (decapitation) in pigs. Attempts have been made to respond to these difficulties by proposing a unified brain‐based criterion for human death, which we call ‘permanent brain arrest’. The clinical characteristics of permanent brain arrest are the permanent loss of capacity for consciousness and permanent loss of all brainstem functions, including the capacity to breathe. These losses could arise from a primary brain injury or as a result of systemic circulatory arrest. We argue that permanent brain arrest is the true and sole criterion for the death of human beings and show that this is already implicit in the circulatory‐respiratory criterion itself. We argue that accepting the concept of permanent cessation of brain function in patients with systemic permanent circulatory arrest will help us better navigate the medical advances and new technologies of the future whilst continuing to provide sound medical criteria for the determination of death.
The rise of organ donation after circulatory death: a narrative review
Authors: Gardiner D. , Charlesworth M. , Rubino A. , Madden S.
Published: May 2020

Solid organ transplantation saves and transforms lives. The original type of organ donation from deceased patients was controlled donation after circulatory death, previously referred to as non‐heart beating organ donation. The rise of donation after circulatory death in the UK came about through advances in critical care and transplant medicine and support from several key organisations in developing a robust ethical, legal and professional framework. The transplant waiting list reached a historic peak in 2009–2010 of 8000 patients, but fell by 25% to 6000 in 2017–2018. There has also been a steady rise in the number of deceased donors and the number of donations after circulatory death. The contribution of donation after circulatory death to the total number of donations rose steadily between 2000 and 2012 and has remained about 40% since. Although the situation has improved for patients waiting for a transplant, deaths and long waits remain common. Changes to legislative, technical and peri‐mortem procedures may greatly change future practices in donation after circulatory death in the UK.
Editorial: the most commonly used IBD indices still fail to represent real life and subjective patient experience
Authors: Creemers Rob H. , Bloem Sjaak , van Bodegraven Adriaan A.
Published: May 2020

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Lauriot dit Prevost et al and Pariente papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15681 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15736.
Self‐care performance in children with cerebral palsy: a longitudinal study
Authors: Burgess Andrea , Boyd Roslyn N , Chatfield Mark D , Ziviani Jenny , Sakzewski Leanne
Published: May 2020

Aim

To investigate self‐care developmental trajectories in children with cerebral palsy (CP) across all functional ability levels, according to Manual Ability Classification System (MACS) levels.

Method

This was a prospective longitudinal population‐based study of 71 children aged from 2 years 6 months to 12 years, with CP (47 [66%] males, 24 [34%] females). Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) measures were taken at 2 years 6 months, 3, 4, and 5 years, and the PEDI ‐ Computer Adaptive Test (PEDI‐CAT) between 8 and 12 years. At 8 to 12 years, children were classified in MACS levels I (21; 30%), II (22; 31%), III (16; 23%), IV (6; 8%), and V (6; 8%). Longitudinal analysis of the PEDI Functional Skills Scale self‐care and PEDI‐CAT daily activities domains used the published linking equation, and multilevel mixed‐effects regression modelling with interaction between age and MACS.

Results

Between 5 and 12 years of age, children classified in MACS levels I to III continued to show progress in self‐care development (PEDI‐CAT scaled scores estimated change per year: I, 0.72; II, 0.49; III, 0.48). Children classified in MACS level IV showed an upward non‐significant trend between 5 and 8 to 12 years (estimated change 0.42; 95% confidence interval [CI] −0.04 to 0.88). Children in MACS level V showed a decline in self‐care (estimated change: −0.65; 95% CI −1.16 to −0.14).

Interpretation

Self‐care development attained by 8 to 12 years of age was related to the severity of manual ability impairment. Application of the linking equation from PEDI to PEDI‐CAT is somewhat uncertain at the extreme lower end of the scale. Our study supports recommendations for items to be added to the PEDI‐CAT to address floor effect.

What this paper adds

Manual Ability Classification System (MACS) levels are most appropriate to use in models predicting self‐care performance.

Children classified in MACS levels I to III showed steady rates of improvement in self‐care.

Children in MACS level IV showed an upward trend of improvement in self‐care.

Children in MACS level V showed a decline in self‐care.

Manual ability and self‐care are closely linked in children with cerebral palsy across childhood.
Spatial graphs highlight how multi‐generational dispersal shapes landscape genetic patterns
Authors: Boulanger Emilie , Dalongeville Alicia , Andrello Marco , Mouillot David , Manel Stéphanie
Published: May 2020

Current approaches that compare spatial genetic structure of a given species and the dispersal of its mobile phase can detect a mismatch between both patterns mainly due to processes acting at different temporal scales. Genetic structure result from gene flow and other evolutionary and demographic processes over many generations, while dispersal predicted from the mobile phase often represents solely one generation on a single time‐step. In this study, we present a spatial graph approach to landscape genetics that extends connectivity networks with a stepping‐stone model to represent dispersal between suitable habitat patches over multiple generations. We illustrate the approach with the case of the striped red mullet Mullus surmuletus in the Mediterranean Sea. The genetic connectivity of M. surmuletus was not correlate with the estimated dispersal probability over one generation, but with the stepping‐stone estimate of larval dispersal, revealing the temporal scale of connectivity across the Mediterranean Sea. Our results highlight the importance of considering multiple generations and different time scales when relating demographic and genetic connectivity. The spatial graph of genetic distances further untangles intra‐population genetic structure revealing the Siculo‐Tunisian Strait as an important corridor rather than a barrier for gene flow between the Western‐ and Eastern Mediterranean basins, and identifying Mediterranean islands as important stepping‐stones for gene flow between continental populations. Our approach can be easily extended to other systems and environments.
Deriving site‐specific species pools from large databases
Authors: Bruelheide Helge , Jiménez‐Alfaro Borja , Jandt Ute , Sabatini Francesco Maria
Published: May 2020

Defining the species pool of a community is crucial for many types of ecological analyses, providing a foundation to metacommunity, null modelling or dark diversity frameworks. It is a challenge to derive the species pool empirically from large and heterogeneous databases. Here, we propose a method to define a site‐specific species pool (SSSP), i.e. the probabilistic set of species that may co‐occur with the species of a target community. Using large databases with geo‐referenced records that comprise full plant community surveys, our approach characterizes each site by its own species pool without requiring a pre‐defined habitat classification. We calculate the probabilities of each species in the database to occur in the target community using Beals’ index of sociological favourability, and then build sample‐based rarefaction curves from neighbouring records with similar species composition to estimate the asymptotic species pool size. A corresponding number of species is then selected among the species having the highest occurrence probability, thus defining both size and composition of the species pool. We tested the robustness of this approach by comparing SSSPs obtained with different spatial extents and dissimilarity thresholds, fitting different models to the rarefaction curves, and comparing the results obtained when using Beals co‐occurrence probabilities or presence/absence data. As an example application, we calculated the SSSPs for all calcareous grassland records in the German Vegetation Reference Database, and show how our method could be used to 1) produce grain‐dependent estimations of species richness across plots, 2) derive scalable maps of species richness and 3) define the full list of species composing the SSSP of each target site. By deriving the species pool exclusively from community characteristics, the SSSP framework presented here provides a robust approach to bridge biodiversity estimations across spatial scales.
Seeing yourself clearly: Self‐identification of a body image problem in adolescents with an eating disorder
Authors: Fatt Scott J. , Mond Jonathan , Bussey Kay , Griffiths Scott , Murray Stuart B. , Lonergan Alexandra , Hay Phillipa , Pike Kathleen , Trompeter Nora , Mitchison Deborah
Published: May 2020

Aim

Many adolescents who meet diagnostic criteria for an eating disorder do not self‐identify as having a problem and may consequently be less likely to seek help. Extant research investigating self‐identification has been limited to specific populations (ie, girls meeting criteria for bulimic‐type eating disorders). This study investigated how self‐identification varied across sex, eating disorder diagnoses, and the presence of extreme eating behaviours, and how self‐identification was related to help‐seeking in adolescents.

Methods

Participants included 1002 Australian school students (75.5% female, Mage = 15.14 years, SD = 1.40) who met DSM‐5 diagnostic criteria for an eating disorder. An online survey assessed self‐identification of having a body image problem, as well as sex, eating disorder diagnosis, extreme eating behaviours, help‐seeking for a body image problem, and other potential correlates of self‐identification (demographics, psychological distress, social function, weight and shape concerns).

Results

Approximately, 2 in 3 adolescents with an eating disorder self‐identified as having a body image problem. Girls who met criteria for a major eating disorder diagnosis, and those engaging in extreme eating behaviours, were more likely to self‐identify. When adjusting for covariates, only sex remained significantly associated with self‐identification. Adolescents who self‐identified were 2.71 times more likely to seek help for a body image problem, adjusting for covariates.

Conclusions

Public health strategies ought to promote awareness regarding the different ways that body image problems might manifest among both girls and boys, as well as the potential gravity of such problems. Awareness among parents, teachers and primary care providers should also be considered.
Principals supporting teacher leadership: The effects of learning‐centred leadership on teacher leadership practices with the mediating role of teacher agency
Authors: Bellibaş Mehmet Şükrü , Gümüş Sedat , Kılınç Ali Çağatay
Published: May 2020

Teacher leadership has attracted scholarly interest over the past decade because of its potential to build internal capacity for sustainable school improvement. However, the existing studies have mostly been descriptive and limited to qualitative studies, lacking in terms of showing whether and to what extent principal leadership might influence teacher leadership. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of principals' learning‐centred leadership in fostering teacher leadership and the mediating role of teacher agency in Turkey. The study conducted a cross‐sectional survey design. Structural equation modeling was used for estimating relationships among variables in the conceptual model. Findings demonstrated that principals' learning‐centred leadership had a moderate but statistically significant direct effect on teacher leadership and a significant and moderate effect on teacher agency. Findings also highlighted teacher agency as a significant mediator in the relationship between principals' learning‐centred leadership and teacher leadership. The research confirmed that principals' leadership practices with specific emphasis on teaching and learning were important for enhancing a school culture in which teachers' participation in decisions and their enthusiasm for undertaking leadership practices are supported.
Statistical approaches for spatial sample survey: Persistent misconceptions and new developments
Authors: Brus Dick J.
Published: May 2020

Several misconceptions about the design‐based approach for sampling and statistical inference, based on classical sampling theory, seem to be quite persistent. These misconceptions are the result of confusion about basic statistical concepts such as independence, expectation, and bias and variance of estimators or predictors. These concepts have a different meaning in the design‐based and model‐based approach, because they consider different sources of randomness. Also, a population mean is still often confused with a model mean, and a population variance with a model‐variance, leading to invalid formulas for the variance of an estimator of the population mean. In this paper the fundamental differences between these two approaches are illustrated with simulations, so that hopefully more pedometricians get a better understanding of this subject. An overview is presented of how in the design‐based approach we can make use of knowledge of the spatial structure of the study variable. In the second part, new developments in both the design‐based and model‐based approach are described that try to combine the strengths of the two approaches.

Highlights

Ignorance of fundamental differences between design‐based and model‐based approaches still cause errors in statistical inference.

Basic statistical concepts such as independence, variance and bias of an estimator have a different meaning in the two approaches.

In estimating and testing it is important to distinguish population parameters from model parameters.

Hybrid methods that combine the strengths of the two approaches are reviewed.
Comparison of forest above‐ground biomass from dynamic global vegetation models with spatially explicit remotely sensed observation‐based estimates
Authors: Yang Hui , Ciais Philippe , Santoro Maurizio , Huang Yuanyuan , Li Wei , Wang Yilong , Bastos Ana , Goll Daniel , Arneth Almut , Anthoni Peter , Arora Vivek K. , Friedlingstein Pierre , Harverd Vanessa , Joetzjer Emilie , Kautz Markus , Lienert Sebastian , Nabel Julia E. M. S. , O'Sullivan Michael , Sitch Stephen , Vuichard Nicolas , Wiltshire Andy , Zhu Dan
Published: May 2020

Gaps in our current understanding and quantification of biomass carbon stocks, particularly in tropics, lead to large uncertainty in future projections of the terrestrial carbon balance. We use the recently published GlobBiomass data set of forest above‐ground biomass (AGB) density for the year 2010, obtained from multiple remote sensing and in situ observations at 100 m spatial resolution to evaluate AGB estimated by nine dynamic global vegetation models (DGVMs). The global total forest AGB of the nine DGVMs is 365 ± 66 Pg C, the spread corresponding to the standard deviation between models, compared to 275 Pg C with an uncertainty of ~13.5% from GlobBiomass. Model‐data discrepancy in total forest AGB can be attributed to their discrepancies in the AGB density and/or forest area. While DGVMs represent the global spatial gradients of AGB density reasonably well, they only have modest ability to reproduce the regional spatial gradients of AGB density at scales below 1000 km. The 95th percentile of AGB density (AGB95) in tropics can be considered as the potential maximum of AGB density which can be reached for a given annual precipitation. GlobBiomass data show local deficits of AGB density compared to the AGB95, particularly in transitional and/or wet regions in tropics. We hypothesize that local human disturbances cause more AGB density deficits from GlobBiomass than from DGVMs, which rarely represent human disturbances. We then analyse empirical relationships between AGB density deficits and forest cover changes, population density, burned areas and livestock density. Regression analysis indicated that more than 40% of the spatial variance of AGB density deficits in South America and Africa can be explained; in Southeast Asia, these factors explain only ~25%. This result suggests TRENDY v6 DGVMs tend to underestimate biomass loss from diverse and widespread anthropogenic disturbances, and as a result overestimate turnover time in AGB.
High‐yield lipid production from lignocellulosic biomass using engineered xylose‐utilizing Yarrowia lipolytica
Authors: Yook Sang Do , Kim Jiwon , Gong Gyeongtack , Ko Ja Kyong , Um Youngsoon , Han Sung Ok , Lee Sun‐Mi
Published: May 2020

Lignocellulosic biomass shows high potential as a renewable feedstock for use in biodiesel production via microbial fermentation. Yarrowia lipolytica, an emerging oleaginous yeast, has been engineered to efficiently convert xylose, the second most abundant sugar in lignocellulosic biomass, into lipids for lignocellulosic biodiesel production. Yet, the lipid yield from xylose or lignocellulosic biomass remains far lower than that from glucose. Here we developed an efficient xylose‐utilizing Y. lipolytica strain, expressing an isomerase‐based pathway, to achieve high‐yield lipid production from lignocellulosic biomass. The newly developed xylose‐utilizing Y. lipolytica, YSXID, produced 12.01 g/L lipids with a maximum yield of 0.16 g/g, the highest ever reported, from lignocellulosic hydrolysates. Consequently, this study shows the potential of isomerase‐based xylose‐utilizing Y. lipolytica for economical and sustainable production of biodiesel and oleochemicals from lignocellulosic biomass.
Evaluating the Redistribution Policy and the Right to Social Welfare in Kant’s Philosophy
Authors: Saadat Niaki Hamidreza , Taheri Ali Fath
Published: May 2020

The notion of social welfare was created by the paradigm shift from duty‐based to right‐based morality, in which the satisfaction of human needs is a right in line with preserving human dignity. This paper investigates Kant’s view on social welfare in light of redistribution policy. Kant bases his political philosophy on external freedom. Notwithstanding the ethical principles of his philosophy, he is the first prominent thinker to clearly emphasize the necessity of a redistribution policy by the government toward providing for the needs of the poor and the needy. The important question remaining is whether or not the Kantian ideas of external freedom and redistribution for the sake of satisfying the right to social welfare can reach a compromise. It seems that Kant believes the redistribution policy to be not the right of the poor to be provided welfare by the state, but the right of the state, and as such, the states' right to task the people with providing for the welfare of the poor. Such a policy challenges the freedom of the wealthier class and apparently leads to an inconsistency between the two pillars of Kant’s sociopolitical philosophy. The current paper aims to find Kant’s response to this challenge by referring to his scattered arguments.
Pulmonary embolism: clinical presentation and diagnosis in the oldest old
Authors: Chan Ting F. , Ngian Vincent J. J. , Hsu Kelvin , Frankel Anthony , Ong Bin S.
Published: May 2020

The incidence of pulmonary embolism (PE) in the oldest old (persons aged ≥85) is increasing, but there are limited data on its clinical features and diagnosis. We performed a retrospective cohort study of 302 consecutive patients with confirmed PE and compared the oldest old to the young (aged <65) and the younger old (aged 65–84). The most common symptoms in the oldest old were dyspnoea (74.3%) and tachypnoea (71.4%), but the prevalence of chest pain decreased with advancing age. Delayed diagnosis was most common in the oldest old and was associated with increasing age, absence of dyspnoea, presence of cardiorespiratory disease and a higher Charlson Comorbidity index. Better age‐specific diagnostic pathways are required in this population.
Enhancing community of inquiry and reflective thinking skills of undergraduates through using learning analytics‐based process feedback
Authors: Yılmaz Ramazan
Published: May 2020

This research aims to investigate into the effect of using learning analytics (LA)‐based process feedback on students' perceptions of community of inquiry (teaching, social and cognitive presence) and their reflective thinking skills. By using a mixed‐method research approach (QUAN + qual), this study was conducted as an experimental design with the pretest–posttest control group. A total of 104 university students who were randomly assigned to the experiment group (EG) and control group (CG) were recruited in this study. The procedure was conducted within the scope of the computing course based on the flipped classroom (FC) model. While the participants in the EG received LA‐based process feedback which shows their LA results in a weekly manner, those in the CG did not get any LA‐based process feedback. The data were collected through the Community of Inquiry Scale, the Reflective Thinking Scale and a semi‐structured student opinion form. The findings indicated that sending feedback including the students' LA results had a statistically significant effect on the students' perceptions of community of inquiry and reflective thinking skills. Based on the findings of the study, several recommendations for teachers, instructional designers and researchers have been made.
The cumulative blood pressure load and target organ damage in patients with essential hypertension
Authors: Zhou Bingqing , Li Chuanwei , Shou Jialing , Zhang Yu , Wen Chunlan , Zeng Chunyu
Published: May 2020

The area under the blood pressure curve is associated with target organ damage, but accurately estimating its value is challenging. This study aimed to improve the utility of the area under the blood pressure curve to predict hypertensive target organ damage. This retrospective cohort study comprised of 634 consecutive patients with essential hypertension for >1 year. Target organ damage was defined as the presence of left ventricular hypertrophy and/or carotid artery plaques. We evaluated the associations between the cumulative blood pressure load, which was derived from ambulatory blood pressure monitoring data, and target organ damage. The predictive value of the cumulative blood pressure load for target organ damage was assessed using receiver operating characteristic curves. Left ventricular hypertrophy and carotid artery plaques were present in 392 (61.8%) and 316 (49.8%) patients, respectively. Patients with left ventricular hypertrophy and/or carotid artery plaques had higher 24‐hour blood pressure, nocturnal cumulative systolic blood pressure, and nocturnal cumulative pulse pressure load. The nocturnal cumulative systolic blood pressure load was an independent predictor of left ventricular hypertrophy (odds ratio = 1.002, 95% confidence interval: 1.001‐1.004; P = .000) and carotid artery plaques (odds ratio = 1.003, 95% confidence interval: 1.002‐1.007; P = .007). The nocturnal cumulative systolic blood pressure and cumulative pulse pressure load, relative to mean blood pressure, were superior in predicting hypertensive target organ damage. Hence, the cumulative blood pressure load is a better indicator of blood pressure consequences, and the nocturnal cumulative systolic blood pressure and cumulative pulse pressure loads could predict target organ damage.
Impaired nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) metabolism in diabetes and diabetic tissues: Implications for nicotinamide‐related compound treatment
Authors: Fan Lan , Cacicedo Jose M. , Ido Yasuo
Published: May 2020

One of the biochemical abnormalities found in diabetic tissues is a decrease in the cytosolic oxidized to reduced forms of the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide ratio (NAD+/NADH also known as pseudohypoxia) caused by oxidation of excessive substrates (glucose through the polyol pathway, free fatty acids and lactate). Subsequently, a decline in NAD+ levels as a result of the activation of poly adenine nucleotide diphosphate‐ribose polymerase (mainly in type 1 diabetes) or the inhibition of adenine nucleotide monophosphate‐activated protein kinase (in type 2 diabetes). Thus, replenishment of NAD+ levels by nicotinamide‐related compounds could be beneficial. However, these compounds also increase nicotinamide catabolites that cause oxidative stress. This is particularly troublesome for patients with diabetes, because they have impaired nicotinamide salvage pathway reactions at the level of nicotinamide phosphoribosyl transferase and phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate, which occurs by the following mechanisms. First, phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate synthesis from pentose phosphate pathway is compromised by a decrease in plasma thiamine and transketolase activity. Second, nicotinamide phosphoribosyl transferase expression is decreased because of reduced adenosine monophosphate‐activated protein kinase activity, which occurs in type 2 diabetes. The adenosine monophosphate‐activated protein kinase inhibition is caused by an activation of protein kinase C and D1 as a result of enhanced diacylglycerol synthesis caused by pseudohypoxia and increased fatty acids levels. In this regard, nicotinamide‐related compounds should be given with caution to treat diabetes. To minimize the risk and maximize the benefit, nicotinamide‐related compounds should be taken with insulin sensitizers (for type 2 diabetes), polyphenols, benfotiamine, acetyl‐L‐carnitine and aldose reductase inhibitors. The efficacy of these regimens can be monitored by measuring serum NAD+ and urinary nicotinamide catabolites.
Secukinumab treatment leads to normalization of quality of life and disease symptoms in psoriasis patients with or without prior systemic psoriasis therapy: the PROSE study results
Authors: Augustin M. , Dauden E. , Mrowietz U. , Konstantinou M.P. , Gerdes S. , Kingo K. , Szepietowski J.C. , Perrot J.L. , Cuccia A. , Rissler M. , Gathmann S. , Sieder C. , Orsenigo R. , Jagiello P. , Bachhuber T.
Published: May 2020

Introduction

Psoriatic disease is associated with considerable impairment of quality of life (QoL). The PROSE study (NCT02752776) investigated the impact of secukinumab treatment on patient‐reported outcomes (PRO) in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis stratified by their treatment history.

Methods

PROSE was a prospective, non‐randomised, multicentre study. Patients were categorized at baseline according to treatment history as naïve [naïve to any systemic therapy (N = 663)], conventional systemic [previously exposed to ≥1 conventional systemic (CS) therapy (N = 673)] and biologics [previously exposed to ≥1 biologic therapy (N = 324)]. QoL PROs, efficacy and safety of secukinumab 300 mg were assessed for a period of 52 weeks.

Results

The primary objective was met with 70.8% patients achieving a Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) 0/1 response at Week 16 (naϊve, 74.7%; CS, 71.3%; biologic, 61.7%), with effects sustained up to Week 52. Mean Family DLQI (FDLQI) score decreased from 11.5 at baseline (naϊve, 11.3; CS, 11.4; biologic, 12.1) to 2.5 at Week 16 (naϊve, 2.5; CS, 2.3; biologic: 3.5). Substantial improvements in EuroQoL 5‐Dimension Health Questionnaire, Numeric Rating Scale for pain, itching and scaling, Health Assessment Questionnaire‐Disability Index, Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication, and Patient Benefit Index were also observed at Week 16. The QoL gains were associated with substantial improvements in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index and Investigator Global Assessment mod 2011 0/1 response. No meaningful difference was observed in the efficacy or QoL improvements across patient subpopulations. All QoL and efficacy parameter improvements were sustained up to Week 52. Secukinumab treatment was well‐tolerated, and no new safety signals were observed.

Conclusion

Secukinumab treatment resulted in complete normalization of QoL in a substantial proportion of psoriasis patients, and their families, regardless of their prior treatment history.