bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Leadership in the safety sense: where does perceived organisational support fit?
Authors: Addo Seth Ayisi , Dartey-Baah Kwasi
Published: November 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine leaders’ influence on the safety behaviours of employees and the possible mediating role of perceived organisational support (POS), focussing on transformational and transactional leadership.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were gathered through a survey from 264 engineers and technicians in the power transmission subsector in Ghana and analysed using structural equation modelling.

Findings

The analyses revealed that transformational leadership influenced safety behaviours positively while transactional leadership had no significant influence on employees’ safety behaviours. POS also mediated between the leadership styles and safety behaviours.

Practical implications

Supervisors need to exhibit more transformational leadership behaviours and organisations need to show support for their employees’ wellbeing in order to aid supervisors’ influence on employees’ safety behaviours, especially if the leaders are more transactional in nature.

Originality/value

The study addresses a dearth in literature and highlights the influences of leadership styles on the safety behaviours of the employees, as well as the importance of the organisation to commit to employees’ support and safety so as to enhance their good perceptions and consequently elicit better performance from them.
Energetic constraints on mammalian home‐range size
Authors: Boratyński Zbyszek
Published: November 2019

The metabolic theory of ecology predicts that rates of metabolic processes play a central role in constraining important fitness traits such as home‐range size. Locomotory behaviours are physiologically expensive, yet the relative importance of the animal's energetics in determining their home ranges is unknown.

It is tested here whether maintenance costs (BMR; basal metabolic rate), energetic capacity (VO2max; maximum metabolic rate) or available energy above self‐maintenance (aerobic scope) are related to the size of mammalian home ranges using phylogenetic comparative methods.

The first quantitative support for the hypothesis that home‐range size is limited by metabolic rates, accounting for variation in body mass, is presented. In particular, the negative effect of BMR, along with the positive effect of VO2max, on home‐range size revealed that aerobic scope plays a prominent role in constraining home ranges.

These findings suggest optimization of energy allocation where past selection promoted an increase in mobility at the lowest possible body maintenance costs. High aerobic capacity is needed to operate large home ranges. However, in habitats of limited productivity, the associated increase in self‐maintenance constrains energy allocation to locomotory behaviours, reinforcing the importance of metabolic processes in ecology.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Reverse time migration of ground‐penetrating radar with full wavefield decomposition based on the Hilbert transform
Authors: Zhong Shichao , Wang Yibo , Zheng Yikang , Chang Xu
Published: November 2019

The conventional reverse time migration of ground‐penetrating radar data is implemented with the two‐way wave equation. The cross‐correlation result contains low‐frequency noise and false images caused by improper wave paths. To eliminate low‐frequency noise and improve the quality of the migration image, we propose to separate the left‐up‐going, left‐down‐going, right‐up‐going and right‐down‐going wavefield components in the forward‐ and backward‐propagated wavefields based on the Hilbert transform. By applying the reverse time migration of ground‐penetrating radar data with full wavefield decomposition based on the Hilbert transform, we obtain the reverse time migration images of different wavefield components and combine correct imaging conditions to generate complete migration images. The proposed method is tested on the synthetic ground‐penetrating radar data of a tilt‐interface model and a complex model. The migration results show that the imaging condition of different wavefield components can highlight the desired structures. We further discuss the reasons for incomplete images by reverse time migration with partial wavefields. Compared with the conventional reverse time migration methods for ground‐penetrating radar data, low‐frequency noise can be eliminated in images generated by the reverse time migration method with full wavefield decomposition based on the Hilbert transform.
Comparative effectiveness of different antiplatelet agents at reducing TNF‐driven inflammatory responses in a mouse model
Authors: Lee Hae‐Ri , Park Kyung‐Yeon , Jeong Young‐Jin , Heo Tae‐Hwe
Published: November 2019

Antiplatelet drugs are conventionally used as treatments because of their anti‐coagulation functions. However, their pleiotropic effects are of great significance to the treatment of ischaemic cardiovascular diseases. Many studies have reported that an excessive amount of inflammation driven by tumour necrosis factor (TNF) is closely related to the prevalence of atherosclerosis. As the drug selection criteria and evaluation methods related to the anti‐TNF activity of antiplatelet drugs remain limited, our investigation of these drugs should prove beneficial. In this study, we compared the anti‐TNF activity of three antiplatelet agents, namely clopidogrel, sarpogrelate, and cilostazol, using the TNF‐induced inflammatory mouse model. After the oral administration of these drugs, acute inflammation was induced via injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or D‐galactosamine (D‐gal) and TNF. Serum TNF levels, and the mRNA and protein expression levels of TNF in mouse heart tissue, macrophage accumulation in aortic lesions, and mouse survival were analysed to compare the anti‐TNF effects of the three antiplatelet agents. Of the three antiplatelet agents, cilostazol significantly reduced the different levels under the most effective observation. In addition, cilostazol was found to attenuate the TNF‐stimulated phosphorylation of mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor kappa‐light‐chain‐enhancer of activated B cell (NF‐κB) p65 in the aortic vascular smooth muscle cell line, MOVAS‐1 and the D‐gal plus TNF‐challenged heart tissue of mouse. Therefore, cilostazol is the most ideal of the three antiplatelet drugs for the treatment of TNF‐mediated inflammatory disorders.
A problem‐based approach to understanding public support for referendums
Authors: WERNER HANNAH , MARIEN SOFIE , FELICETTI ANDREA
Published: November 2019

A prominent explanation of widespread popular support for referendums is dissatisfaction with the functioning of representative democracy. In this article, the aim is to gain a better understanding of how dissatisfaction affects support for referendums. Drawing on previous research, it is argued here that citizens follow a problem‐based approach in their support for referendums, in that referendums are considered a suitable solution to address some specific problems in a political system but not all. Survey data from the 2012 European Social Survey (29 countries; N = 37,070) is used to show that citizens’ expectations towards and evaluations of representatives relate to support for referendums. In particular, dissatisfaction with the ability of governments to listen to their citizens is associated with higher support for referendums. In contrast, citizens dissatisfied with the government's ability to lead are less supportive of referendums. Furthermore, the relationship between dissatisfaction with governments’ ability to listen varies across countries depending on the level of experience with decision making via referendum. In countries where referendums are used more often, the expectation of referendums being able to solve the problem of unresponsive government is weaker. This study offers important insights into the different ways in which preferences and evaluations of representative practices relate to popular support for referendums.
Hospitalists staffing levels and hospital performance
Authors: Al‐Amin Mona , Li Kate
Published: November 2019

Objective (or Study Question)

To examine the association between hospitalists staffing levels and contract type with CMS Total Performance Score (TPS).

Data Sources/Study Setting

Total performance scores were obtained from CMS, hospital‐level data from the 2015 American Hospital Association Annual Survey Database, and unemployment rates from the Area Resource Health File.

Study Design

We used cluster analysis to classify hospitals based on the distribution of various hospitalist contracts, and we used regression analysis to examine the association between TPS and hospitalist staffing levels and contract distributions. Hospital‐level predictors included hospitalists staffing levels, RN staffing levels, and Magnet status. Market‐level variables were unemployment rates and competition.

Principal Findings

Higher staffing levels of employed hospitalists or hospitalists with a group contract are associated with higher TPS (with coefficient estimates of 0.85 and 0.83, respectively, and the same standard error of 0.22). Higher staffing levels of hospitalists under individual contract are negatively associated with TPS (with coefficient estimate of −0.43 and standard error of 0.21). Based on the regression analysis using hospital clusters as independent variables, hospitals with individual contracts or without hospitalists providing care had significantly worse TPS compared to hospitals that predominantly employ hospitalists (with coefficient estimate of −1.80 and standard error of 0.61). Magnet status, RN staffing levels, and small and medium size were positively associated with TPS. Medicare share of inpatient days, teaching status, AMCs, and for‐profit and public nonfederal ownership were negatively associated with TPS.

Conclusions

Adequate hospitalist staffing level is important for hospitals to achieve better performance. Hospitals need to consider the mix of arrangements or contracts that they have with hospitalists.
Conspicuous consumption and household indebtedness
Authors: Lee Kwan Ok , Mori Masaki
Published: November 2019

Using a novel, large data set of consumer transactions in Singapore, we study how conspicuous consumption affects household indebtedness. The coexistence of private housing (condominiums) and subsidized public housing (Housing Development Board [HDB]) allows us to identify conspicuous consumers. Conditional on income and other socioeconomic characteristics, those who choose to reside in condominiums—considered a status good in Singapore—are likely to be more conspicuous than their counterparts living in HDB units. We find that condominium residents spend considerably more (by 25%) on conspicuous goods but not differently on inconspicuous goods. Compared with their matched HDB counterparts, these consumers with higher conspicuous motivation carry 7% more credit card debt and 108% more delinquent credit card debt. Our results suggest that status‐seeking‐induced conspicuous consumption is an important determinant of household indebtedness.
The earliest settlement remains at the Ubaid‐related site of Bahra 1 (Kuwait)
Authors: Pieńkowska Agnieszka
Published: November 2019

The settlement at Bahra 1 lies in the As‐Sabbiya dessert, Kuwait. The site was preliminarily dated to the Ubaid 2/3 period, with four settlement phases distinguished so far. Phases A–C yielded remains of sturdy stone architecture, while the oldest Phase D was represented by a fire‐pit horizon, as well as thin and low walls, perhaps serving as foundations for light and perishable superstructures. Even in the earliest phase, Mesopotamian influence is visible, evidenced by the structures’ orthogonal plan and the high percentage of Ubaid ware. Although the remains of the earliest phase were preserved very fragmentarily and over a limited area, they shed more light on the character of the earliest settlement activity in the region.
Cocaine experience abolishes the motivation suppressing effect of CRF in the ventral midbrain
Authors: Oliva Idaira , Donate Melissa M. , Lefner Merridee J. , Wanat Matthew J.
Published: November 2019

Stress affects dopamine‐dependent behaviors in part through the actions of corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) in the ventral tegmental area (VTA). For example, acute stress engages CRF signaling in the VTA to suppress the motivation to work for food rewards. In contrast, acute stress promotes drug‐seeking behavior through the actions of CRF in the VTA. These diverging behavioral effects in food‐ and drug‐based tasks could indicate that CRF modulates goal‐directed actions in a reinforcer‐specific manner. Alternatively, prior drug experience could functionally alter how CRF in the VTA regulates dopamine‐dependent behavior. To address these possibilities, we examined how intra‐VTA injections of CRF influenced cocaine intake and whether prior drug experience alters how CRF modulates the motivation for food rewards. Our results demonstrate that intra‐VTA injections of CRF had no effect on drug intake when self‐administering cocaine under a progressive ratio reinforcement schedule. We also found that a prior history of either contingent or noncontingent cocaine infusions abolished the capacity for CRF to reduce the motivation for food rewards. Furthermore, voltammetry recordings in the nucleus accumbens illustrate that CRF in the VTA had no effect on cocaine‐evoked dopamine release. These results collectively illustrate that exposure to abused substances functionally alters how neuropeptides act within the VTA to influence motivated behavior.
TSPO polymorphism in individuals with alcohol use disorder: Association with cholesterol levels and withdrawal severity
Authors: Wiers Corinde E. , Martins De Carvalho Luana , Hodgkinson Colin A. , Schwandt Melanie , Kim Sung Won , Diazgranados Nancy , Wang Gene‐Jack , Goldman David , Volkow Nora D.
Published: November 2019

The translocator protein (TSPO) transports cholesterol into mitochondria and is involved in steroidogenesis. The TSPO polymorphism rs6971 influences binding of cholesterol and other TSPO ligands including positron‐emission tomography (PET) imaging radiotracers. Although it is recognized that alcohol increases plasma high‐density lipoproteins (HDLs), its effects on total cholesterol and triglycerides along with its relationship to TSPO genotype have not been assessed. Here, we evaluated whether plasma cholesterol and triglycerides are disrupted in alcohol use disorder (AUD) and their association with rs6971 in 932 AUD participants (DSM IV or 5) and 546 controls. AUD participants compared with controls had significantly higher plasma levels of total cholesterol, HDL, and triglycerides, but not of low‐density lipoprotein (LDL). In the AUD group only, TSPO rs6971 had a significant effect on plasma levels of cholesterol, LDL, and triglycerides (AA (n = 62) > AG (n = 319) > GG (n = 551)), but not on HDL levels. Additionally, we showed a significant effect of TSPO rs6971 on withdrawal scores (Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol [CIWA]), with higher scores in AA (n = 50) compared with AG (n = 238) and GG (n = 428). CIWA scores in AUD participants correlated negatively with LDL and positively with HDL, but not with total cholesterol or triglycerides. These findings corroborate elevated plasma cholesterol and HDL levels in AUD and document significant increases in triglycerides. We also reveal for the first time an association in AUD participants between TSPO rs6971 genotype and plasma cholesterol, LDL, and triglyceride levels (not for HDL) and with withdrawal severity. Mediation analyses revealed that LDL (but not HDL) influenced the association between TSPO and alcohol withdrawal severity.
“I Let Not Just Their Knowledge But Their Worlds Inform What I Teach.” Difficult Knowledge in the Popular Education Classroom in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Authors: O’Donnell Jennifer Lee
Published: November 2019

Popular educators are encountering students’ past trauma and dealing with how to engage ethically with social issues through “difficult knowledge” (Britzman 1998). The force of their curriculum provides the education community the ability to learn from their social conditions and share in the difficult knowledge experienced among them. This paper focuses on work at one popular education high school, The October 14thSchool of Villa 50, in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Temporal trends in exercise physiology services in Australia—Implications for rural and remote service provision
Authors: Stanton Robert , Rosenbaum Simon
Published: November 2019

Objective

To assess temporal trends in service provision by Accredited Exercise Physiologists based on remoteness classification using Australian Bureau of Statistics remoteness classifications of Major Cities, Inner Regional, Outer Regional, Remote and Very Remote.

Design and participants

Cross‐sectional analysis of publicly available Medicare Benefits Schedule datasets, for Medicare item number 10953 from 2012‐2013 to 2016‐2017.

Main outcome measure(s)

Number of claims, benefits paid, fees charges and number of providers for Medicare item number 10953.

Results

Accredited Exercise Physiologist service delivery demonstrates growth across all areas of remoteness classification. Rebates and fees mirror service delivery trends. The rate of service growth was significantly greater in Major Cities compared with all other remoteness classifications. Provider numbers show a steady increase from 2012‐2013 to 2016‐2017 but number remains higher in Major Cities compared with all other remoteness locations.

Conclusion

Given the high proportion of chronic and complex illness in rural and remote areas, and the limited access to allied health care services, we propose more needs to be done to position Accredited Exercise Physiologists in these regions of increasing need. These findings have implications for future development of the Accredited Exercise Physiologist profession.
An in vivo image acquisition system for the evaluation of tracheal mechanics in rats
Authors: Valenga Marcelo Henrique , Vitorasso Renato de Lima , Rodrigues Thiago Guimarães , Pazetti Rogério , Cardoso Paulo Francisco Guerreiro , Moriya Henrique Takachi , Aoki Fabio Gava
Published: November 2019

Mechanical evaluation of tracheal grafts is of great relevance for transplant research. Although there are some publications demonstrating different techniques of tracheal mechanical evaluation, there is still no definitive or preferred protocol available. Here, we present a simple image processing acquisition system that can be used for in vivo experiments. Six male Wistar rats were submitted to orotracheal intubation and a longitudinal incision was made to expose the trachea. Images of tracheae were acquired from a video camera in different scenarios of bronchoconstriction using methacholine (MCh) (Basal, PBS, MCh 30 μg/kg, MCh 300 μg/kg, and postmetabolized) during imposed‐inspiration and imposed‐expiration. The area variation ratio (the ratio between areas during expiration vs. inspiration) was 1.1× for the Basal group, while the ratio for MCh 300 µg/kg was 6.5×. The area variation of imaged tracheae was statistically significant at the dose of MCh 300 µg/kg for imposed‐inspiration versus imposed‐expiration (P = .002). Likewise, elastance data of respiratory mechanics indicated a statistically significant difference at the dose of MCh 300 µg/kg for imposed‐inspiration versus imposed‐expiration (P = .026). Our image processing analysis protocol presented corresponding behavior when compared to mechanical parameters of the respiratory system. In addition, our image acquisition system was able to highlight the differences between imposed‐inspiration and imposed‐expiration. Image analysis of the tracheal area variation seems to be in agreement with the elastance of the respiratory system. Taken together, these observations may help future studies of tracheal transplantation for in situ assessment of graft patency.
Motivated, Fit, and Strong—Using Counter‐Stereotypical Images to Reduce Weight Stigma Internalisation in Women with Obesity
Authors: Myre Maxine , Berry Tanya R. , Ball Geoff D.C. , Hussey Brad
Published: November 2019

Background

This study aimed to use implicit retraining to change automatic associations between body size and physical activity (PA) in women with obesity to reduce weight bias internalisation (WBI).

Methods

A Solomon‐square experimental design was used to determine the effect of a four‐week online implicit retraining intervention on WBI (primary measure) and PA attitudes, self‐efficacy, and self‐reported behaviour (secondary measures). The intervention was a visual probe task pairing counter‐stereotypical images of active individuals with obesity with positive PA‐related words. In qualitative telephone interviews, a sub‐sample of participants provided feedback and recommendations for using counter‐stereotypical images in PA promotion.

Results

Women completed the intervention (n = 48) or a control task (n = 55). Results of a RM‐ANOVA showed no interaction or main effect of group on WBI. A main effect of time demonstrated that both groups had reduced WBI between pre‐test and post‐test, through to one‐week follow‐up. There were no differences between groups or over time for PA attitudes, self‐efficacy, or behaviour. Women who completed interviews (n = 16) discussed several benefits and drawbacks of using counter‐stereotypical images.

Conclusion

Implicit retraining did not reduce WBI but qualitative findings support the use of counter‐stereotypical PA images.
Assemblage as ethos: Conceptual genealogies and political problems
Authors: Kinkaid Eden
Published: November 2019

Assemblage thinking has increasingly made its way in geographic research and scholarship. Assemblage has been approached as a means of describing socio‐spatial formations, as a set of concepts used to understand their (re)production, and as an ethos animating geographic thought. In this paper, I critically reflect on the third usage, assemblage‐as‐ethos, which remains underdeveloped in assemblage geographies. Assemblage has been heralded as contributing a new or renewed ethos to geographic scholarship in so far as it calls into question the stability and historical necessity of socio‐spatial formations. By forwarding an ontology that privileges potential, transformation, and flux over ideas of identity, structure, and system, geographers claim that assemblage opens up new avenues for thinking about politics and social change. However, I argue here that overly simplistic investments in this ethos can function to obscure the relations of power that indelibly shape socio‐spatial formations, thus rearticulating and naturalising dominant social and symbolic regimes of value. To develop these concerns, I synthesise a set of critiques levelled at assemblage geographies, ones that revolve around the place of agency, history, and structure in its formulation. Adding to these concerns, I argue that assemblage geographies' emphasis on flux, potential, and transformation can rearticulate racialised discourses of neoliberalism, thus undermining claims to being a radical or even critical geographic paradigm. In closing, I provide some avenues for developing assemblage into a more critical ethos for geography.
Vegetation mapping using hierarchical object‐based image analysis applied to aerial imagery and lidar data
Authors: Uyeda Kellie A. , Warkentin Kelsey K. , Stow Douglas A. , O'Leary John F. , Snavely Rachel A. , Lambert Julie , Bolick Leslie A. , O'Connor Kimberly , Munson Bryan , Loerch Andrew C.
Published: November 2019

Aims: The primary objective of this study is to map the distribution and quantify the cover of vegetation alliances over the entirety of San Clemente Island (SCI). To this end, we develop and evaluate the mapping method of hierarchical object‐based classification with a rule‐based expert system.

Location: San Clemente Island, California, USA.

Methods: We developed and tested an approach based on hierarchical object‐based classification with a rule‐based expert system to effectively map vegetation communities on SCI following the Manual of California Vegetation classification system. In this mapping approach, the shrub species defining each vegetation community and non‐shrub growth forms were first mapped using aerial imagery and lidar data, then used as input in an automated mapping rule set that incorporates the percent cover rules of a field‐based mapping rule set.

Results: The final vegetation map portrays the distribution of 19 vegetation communities across SCI, with the largest areas comprised of California Annual and Perennial Grassland (35%) and three types of coastal sage scrub and maritime succulent scrub, comprising a combined 53% of the area. Map accuracy was assessed to be 79% based on fuzzy methods and 61% with a traditional accuracy assessment. The accuracy of tree identification was assessed to be 81%, but species‐level tree accuracy was 45%.

Conclusions: Semi‐automated approaches to vegetation community mapping can produce repeatable maps over large spatial extents that facilitate ecological management efforts. However, some low‐statured shrub community types were difficult to differentiate due to patchy canopies of co‐occurring species including abundant non‐native grasses characteristic of complex disturbance histories. Species‐level tree mapping accuracy was low due to the difficulty of identifying species within poorly illuminated canyons, resulting from sub‐optimal image acquisition timing.
Phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase‐δ controls endoplasmic reticulum membrane fluidity and permeability in fungus‐induced allergic inflammation in mice
Authors: Lee Hwa‐Young , Lee Geum‐Hwa , Kim Hyung‐Ryong , Lee Yong‐Chul , Chae Han‐Jung
Published: November 2019

Background and Purpose

Phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K), especially PI3K‐δ, and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress play important roles in refractory asthma induced by the fungus Aspergillus fumigatus through mechanisms that are not well understood. Here we have investigated these mechanisms, using BEAS‐2B human bronchial epithelial cells and a mouse model of A. fumigatus‐induced allergic lung inflammation.

Experimental Approach

A selective PI3K‐δ inhibitor, IC87114, and an ER folding chaperone, 4‐phenylbutyric acid (4‐PBA), were applied to a model of A. fumigatus‐induced asthma in female C57BL/6 mice. The therapeutic potential of IC87114 and 4‐PBA was assessed in relevant primary cell, tissue, and disease models, using immunohistochemistry, western blotting and assessment of ER redox state and membrane fluidity.

Key Results

Treatment with IC87114 or 4‐PBA alleviated pulmonary inflammation and airway remodelling and reduced ER stress and inflammation‐associated intra‐ER hyperoxidation, disrupting protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) chaperone activity. IC87114 and 4‐PBA also reversed changes in ER membrane fluidity and permeability and the resultant mitochondrial hyperactivation (i.e., Ca2+ accumulation) under hyperoxidation, thereby restoring the physiological state of the ER and mitochondria. These compounds also abolished mitochondria‐associated ER membrane (MAM) formation caused by the physical contact between these subcellular organelles.

Conclusion and Implications

PI3K‐δ and ER stress mediate A. fumigatus‐induced allergic lung inflammation by altering the ER redox state, PDI chaperone function, and ER membrane fluidity and permeability and by amplifying ER signalling to mitochondria through MAM formation. Thus, therapeutic strategies that target the PI3K‐δ–ER stress axis could be an effective treatment for allergic asthma caused by fungi.
Circulating extracellular vesicle‐encapsulated HULC is a potential biomarker for human pancreatic cancer
Authors: Takahashi Kenji , Ota Yu , Kogure Takayuki , Suzuki Yuko , Iwamoto Hidetaka , Yamakita Keisuke , Kitano Yohei , Fujii Satoshi , Haneda Masakazu , Patel Tushar , Ota Tsuguhito
Published: November 2019

The role of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is unclear. Some lncRNAs can be transferred by extracellular vesicles (EVs) and have potential as biomarkers. Here, we identify an lncRNA that could serve as a biomarker for PDAC and show the functional roles of the lncRNA. Expression profiling of lncRNAs revealed that highly upregulated in liver cancer (HULC) was highly expressed, and induced, by transforming growth factor‐β in PDAC cells and their EVs. Knockdown of HULC decreased PDAC cell invasion and migration by inhibiting the EMT. Thus, HULC could be transferred by EVs, and promote EMT, invasion, and migration in recipient PDAC cells. To assess the roles of HULC, PDAC cell xenografts in nude mice were established. Knockdown of HULC in PDAC cells implanted in mice inhibited tumor growth. Moreover, microRNA‐133b suppressed PDAC cell invasion and migration by inhibiting the EMT through targeting HULC. Furthermore, serum samples were obtained from 20 PDAC and 22 intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) patients, as well as 21 healthy individuals. Analysis of serum EV HULC expression by digital PCR showed that HULC expression was significantly increased in PDAC patients compared to healthy individuals or IPMN patients. Additionally, HULC showed good predictive performance for discriminating PDAC, suggesting that the analysis of EV‐encapsulated HULC would contribute to the diagnosis for human PDAC. Extracellular vesicle‐transported HULC promotes cell invasion and migration by inducing the EMT, and microRNA‐133b suppresses the EMT by targeting HULC. Extracellular vesicle‐encapsulated HULC could be a potential circulating biomarker for human PDAC.
Temporary faecal diversion in ileocolic resection for Crohn’s disease: is there an impact on long‐term surgical recurrence?
Authors: Bolckmans R. , Singh S. , Ratnatunga K. , Wickramasinghe D. , Sahnan K. , Adegbola S. , Kalman D. , Jones H. , Travis S. , Warusavitarne J. , Myrelid P. , George B.
Published: November 2019

Aim

Temporary faecal diversion after ileocolic resection (ICR) for Crohn’s disease reduces postoperative anastomotic complications in high‐risk patients. The aim of this study was to assess if this approach also reduces long‐term surgical recurrence.

Method

This was a multicentre retrospective review of prospectively maintained databases. Patient demographics, medical and surgical details were collected by three specialist centres. All patients had undergone an ICR between 2000 and 2012. The primary end‐point was surgical recurrence.

Results

Three hundred and twelve patients (80%) underwent an ICR without covering ileostomy (one stage). Seventy‐seven (20%) had undergone an ICR with end ileostomy/double‐barrel ileostomy/enterocolostomy followed by closure (two stage). The median follow‐up was 105 months [interquartile range (IQR) 76–136 months]. The median time to ileostomy closure was 9 months (IQR 5–12 months). There was no significant difference in surgical recurrence between the one‐ and two‐stage groups (18% vs 16%, P = 0.94). We noted that smokers (20% vs 34%, P = 0.01) and patients with penetrating disease (28% vs 52%, P < 0.01) were more likely to be defunctioned. A reduced recurrence rate was observed in the small high‐risk group of patients who were smokers with penetrating disease behaviour treated with a two‐stage strategy (0/10 vs 4/7, P = 0.12).

Conclusion

Despite having higher baseline risk factors, the results in terms of rate of surgical recurrence over 9 years are similar for patients having a two‐stage compared with a one‐stage procedure.
Surgery, stomas, and anxiety and depression in inflammatory bowel disease: a retrospective cohort analysis of privately insured patients
Authors: Sceats L. A. , Dehghan M. S. , Rumer K. K. , Trickey A. , Morris A. M. , Kin C.
Published: November 2019

Aim

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are diagnosed with anxiety/depression at higher rates than the general population. We aimed to determine the frequency of anxiety/depression among IBD patients and the temporal association with abdominal surgery and stoma formation.

Method

We conducted a retrospective cohort study in adult patients with IBD using difference‐in‐difference methodology and a large commercial claims database (2003–2016). Outcomes were anxiety/depression diagnoses before and after major abdominal surgery or stoma formation.

Results

We identified 10 481 IBD patients who underwent major abdominal surgery, 18.8% of whom underwent stoma formation, and 41 924 nonsurgical age‐ and sex‐matched IBD controls who were assigned random index dates. Rates of anxiety and depression increased among all cohorts (P < 0.001). Surgical patients had higher odds of anxiety [one surgery, adjusted OR 6.90 (95% CI 6.11–7.79), P < 0.001; two or more surgeries, 7.53 (5.99–9.46), P < 0.001] and depression [one surgery, 6.15 (5.57–6.80), P < 0.001; two or more surgeries, 6.88 (5.66–8.36), P < 0.001] than nonsurgical controls. Undergoing multiple surgeries was associated with a significant increase in depression from ‘pre’ to ‘post’ time periods [1.43 (1.18–1.73), P < 0.001]. Amongst surgical patients, stoma formation was independently associated with anxiety [1.40 (1.17–1.68), P < 0.001] and depression [1.23 (1.05–1.45), P = 0.01]. New ostomates experienced a greater increase in postoperative anxiety [1.24 (1.05–1.47), P = 0.01] and depression [1.19 (1.03–1.45), P = 0.01] than other surgical patients.

Conclusion

IBD patients who undergo surgery have higher rates of anxiety and depression than nonsurgical patients. Rates of anxiety and depression increase following surgery. Stoma formation represents an additional risk factor. These findings suggest the need for perioperative psychosocial support services.
Social support is a strong determinant of life satisfaction among older adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Lee Sang Hee , Lee Haejung , Kim Yun Seong , Park Hye‐Kyung , Lee Min Ki , Kim Ki Uk
Published: November 2019

Introduction

Older adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are frequently compromised in terms of social life and functional capacity, triggering reduced in life satisfaction (LS). We investigated the level of LS among elderly patients with COPD and factors associated with LS.

Materials and Methods

This was a prospective cross‐sectional survey enroling a sample of 160 COPD subjects aged 65 y or older. At enrolment, all patients completed measures of LS (the Satisfaction with Life Scale; SWLS) and social support (Personal Resource Questionnaire; PRQ). The health‐related quality of life (HRQL) was measured using St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) and 36‐item Short‐Form Health Survey (SF‐36). Anxiety and depression were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).

Results

About 30.6% of the patients reported that they were satisfied or highly satisfied with their lives. In univariate analysis, post‐bronchodilator FEV1, percentage predicted was significantly associated with SWLS score (r = 0.205, P = .009). Age (r = 0.207), diabetes (r = 0.209), osteoporosis (r = −0.190), PRQ (r = 0.388), SGRQ total (r = −0.291), SF‐36 PCS (r = 0.233), SF‐36 MCS (r = 0.274), HADS‐A (r = −0.291) and HADS‐D (r = −0.352) were also associated with SWLS score (all P < .05). Multivariate analysis revealed that FEV1 (r = 0.223, P = .04) and PRQ (r = .244, P = .002) were independently associated with SWLS score.

Conclusions

Less than one‐third of older adults with COPD reported that they were satisfied with their lives. Better lung function and greater social support were independently associated with high LS.
CHD2 epilepsy: epigenetics and the quest for precision medicine
Authors: Symonds Joseph D
Published: November 2019

This commentary is on the case series by Chen et al. on pages 647–653 of this issue.
Elevated algal and sedimentary turbidity alter prey consumption by emerald shiner (Notropis atherinoides)
Authors: Nieman Chelsey L. , Gray Suzanne M.
Published: November 2019

Anthropogenic increases to turbidity (suspended particulates) in the water column can alter the underwater visual environment, resulting in disruptions to visual signals in fishes exposed to these conditions. However, dissimilar turbidity types (e.g. sedimentary or algal particles) are expected to influence the visual environment in different ways as they exhibit differing physical characteristics. The main objective of this study was to determine the influence of elevated turbidity on prey consumption in emerald shiner (Notropis atherinoides). A secondary goal was to determine the relationship between visual morphological structures (i.e. eyes and optic lobe of brain) and prey consumption in different visual environments. We tested emerald shiner consumption of Daphnia magna in three turbidity types (sedimentary, algal and sedimentary + algal) at two different levels (20 NTU and 40 NTU) as well as in a clear (<5 NTU) control. We found that prey consumption decreased in high turbidity (40 NTU) across turbidity types relative to the control treatment. Further, consumption was lower in each treatment relative to the control with the exception of the moderate (20 NTU) sedimentary turbidity treatment. This study indicates that for emerald shiner, while high levels of turbidity are likely to suppress foraging, moderate levels of sedimentary turbidity may be slightly beneficial for foraging success. Further, it is likely that increases in algal turbidity via cultural eutrophication are likely to result in reductions in prey consumption.
Adam Smith and the Stoic principle of suicide
Authors: Lustila Getty L.
Published: November 2019

A substantial portion of Adam Smith's discussion of Stoicism in TMS VII is dedicated to the Stoic “principle of suicide,” according to which suicide is sometimes morally required. While scholars agree that Stoicism exercised considerable influence over Smith, no recent work has explored his views on suicide, despite the central role it plays in his treatment of Stoicism. I argue that Smith opposes the principle of suicide on both epistemic and moral grounds, providing an important critique of Stoicism. I also show how Smith departs from other early modern accounts of suicide by offering a notably humane analysis of this tragic act. I conclude by considering what Smith's discussion of Stoicism and suicide tells us about how his moral theory, and I forward a reading of Smith as a skeptic.
Cluster validation in clustering‐based one‐class classification
Authors: Rodríguez‐Ruiz Jorge , Monroy Raúl , Medina‐Pérez Miguel Angel , Loyola‐González Octavio , Cervantes Bárbara
Published: November 2019

Reconstruction‐based one‐class classification has shown to be very effective in a number of domains. This approach works by attempting to capture the underlying structure of the normal class, typically, by means of clusters of objects. It has the main disadvantage, however, that one has to indicate the number of clusters in advance, for this yields an efficient way of computing a clustering. In this paper, we introduce a new algorithm, OCKRA++, which achieves a better performance, by enhancing a clustering‐based one‐class ensemble classifier (OCKRA) with a cluster validity index that is used to set the best number of clusters during the classifier's training process. We have thoroughly tested OCKRA++ in a particular domain, namely masquerade detection. For this purpose, we have used the Windows‐Users and ‐Intruder simulation Logs data set repository, which contains 70 different masquerade data sets. We have found that OCKRA++ is currently the algorithm that achieves the best area under the curve, with a significant difference, in masquerade detection using the file system navigation approach.
Quality improvement for all seasons: Administrative doctrines after New Public Management
Authors: Pflueger Dane
Published: November 2019

This paper systematically analyzes the discourse of quality in public policies and reforms of the U.K. National Health Service (NHS) between 1983 and 2013. It identifies a subtle and cumulative but highly significant movement in which “quality” is transformed from a vague and largely undefined promise related to the pursuit and extension of New Public Management (NPM) doctrines into a set of catch‐all and seemingly apolitical norms for contemplating and undertaking reform. This finding contributes to debates about whether and to what extent NPM is “dead,” “comatose,” “very much alive,” and so forth, showing that quality simultaneously displaces NPM as the source of catch‐all administrative norms, and also reinvigorates and embeds them within and as part of medical professionalism though with new points of emphasis and twists. Pointing to generalizable mechanisms underlying this transformation, this paper highlights a growing international quality improvement movement as offering a new and consequential set of reform doctrines, to borrow Hood's terms, “for all seasons.”
Fatigue assessment of a marine structural steel and comparison with Thermographic Method and Static Thermographic Method
Authors: Corigliano Pasqualino , Cucinotta Filippo , Guglielmino Eugenio , Risitano Giacomo , Santonocito Dario
Published: November 2019

Fatigue properties are of fundamental importance and extremely time consuming to be assessed. The aim of this research activity is to apply the Thermographic Method (TM) and the Static Thermographic Method (STM) during fatigue and tensile tests to correlate the temperature trend to the fatigue properties of an S355 steel. The material was retrieved from an in‐service port crane. Traditional fatigue tests were performed in order to evaluate the S‐N curve with a scatter band. Step load tests were carried out deriving the fatigue limit and the Energy Parameter of the material. Static tensile tests were performed to obtain the stress at which the temperature trend deviates from the thermoelastic behavior. The fatigue properties obtained by means of the energetic methods were compared to the traditional ones showing a good agreement.
Postcolonial geographies and colonialism's mutations: The geo‐graphing of South Asia
Authors: Ashutosh Ishan
Published: November 2019

This article builds on postcolonial geography's concepts of imaginative geographies, worlding, and subaltern geopolitics by applying them to an examination of South Asia's regional formation in the mid‐20th century. Following a review of debates in postcolonial geography, I analyze the mutations of colonialism as they shaped the dynamics of South Asia in the wake of formal decolonization. First, the Indian subcontinent's partition inscribed colonial knowledge onto the imaginative geographies of postcolonial nation‐states. Second, South Asia was symptomatic of the Cold War's process of worlding, as reflected in the division of global space and the forms of knowledge generated by American area studies. Third, decolonization and postcolonial migrations provided subaltern geopolitical configurations of the region in tension with the nation‐state. This analysis emphasizes postcolonial geography's value in tracking colonialism's shifts across networks of empire and in the passage from anticolonial movements to postcolonial state territorialization.
Fabrication and rheological behavior of tape‐casting slurry for ultra‐thin multilayer transparent ceramics
Authors: Zhao Han , Tang Fei , Xie Yongzhen , Wen Zicheng , Tian Kangzhen , Nie Xinming , Cao Yongge , Tang Dingyuan
Published: November 2019

Disk transparent ceramics with multilayer composite structure serves well as laser gain medium because of its excellent thermal and optical properties. For such a type of material, the preparation of corresponding outstanding slurry is the first yet most essential step, and it may determine the quality of both subsequent green tape and the sintered ceramics. In this work, the tape‐casting slurry with typically pseudoplastic behavior was carefully modulated in the mixture solvent of anhydrous ethanol and ethyl acetate, and its rheological property was systematically investigated using fine‐controlled rotary rheometer. The obtained result reveals 4wt.% fish oil to be the best dispersed agent. With the obtained slurry for tape‐casting followed by lamination and warm isostatic‐pressing, the multilayer ultrathin TCs was successfully fabricated via high‐temperature vacuum sintering technology. The obtained full‐dense microstructure with high optical quality may endow the studied ceramic with great potential for highly efficient solid‐state laser gain medium.
Welfare Index of Migrant Workers in the Gulf: the Case of Qatar
Authors: Diop Abdoulaye , Al‐Ali Mustafa Semsia , Ewers Michael , Le Trung Kien
Published: November 2019

In December 2010, Qatar won the rights to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup games. The FIFA announcement came with increasing pressure from international human rights organizations, media and other groups for Qatar to reform its labour law, which governs the lives and working conditions of foreign workers in the country. Although Qatar continues to develop and implement major reforms to its labour laws, until now there was no one unique tool based on survey data to evaluate the impact of the government’s policies on guest workers. The objective of this article is to present the Qatar Guest Workers’ Welfare Index (GWWI),1 a multi‐dimensional comprehensive tool based on survey data of migrant workers developed by the Social and Economic Survey Research Institute (SESRI). In addition to assessing and tracking the welfare of this population, the objective of the index is to identify areas of improvement to guide policy formulation.
Ethical considerations relating to healthcare resource allocation decisions
Authors: Olver Ian , Dodds Susan , Kenner Jeremy , Kerridge Ian , McGovern Kevin , Milligan Eleanor , Mortimer Robin ,   on behalf of the Australian Health Ethics Committee of the National Health and Medical Research Council
Published: November 2019

Public policy decisions about patients' access to limited healthcare resources must be defensible and responsive to the interests of those affected. Decision‐makers should articulate their reasoning and recommendations so that citizens can judge them. While the context of policy decisions will differ, their legitimacy depends upon the transparency of the reasoning, the accountability of the decision‐makers, the testability of the evidence used to inform the decision‐making and the inclusive recognition of those the decision affects. An example of applying this framework to resource allocation is that of approving effective high‐cost anticancer drugs in a timely fashion.
Why we should stop performing vertebroplasties for osteoporotic spinal fractures
Authors: Buchbinder Rachelle , Busija Lucy
Published: November 2019

While vertebroplasty enjoys continued use in some settings, there is now high‐moderate quality evidence based on systematic review that includes five placebo‐controlled trials that it provides no benefits over placebo and these results do not differ according to pain duration (≤6 vs >6 weeks). A clinically important increased risk of incident symptomatic vertebral fractures or other serious adverse events cannot be excluded due to small event numbers. Serious harms including cord compression, ventricular perforation, pulmonary embolism, infection and death have been reported. This unfavourable risk–benefit ratio should be convincing doctors and patients to stop the use of vertebroplasty. At the very least, clinicians should fully inform their patients about the evidence including the likelihood of improving without vertebroplasty and the potential harms, so that patients can make evidence‐informed decisions about their treatment. They should also warn patients about the pitfalls of relying on information sourced from the internet or from ‘awareness raising’ campaigns.