bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Knowledge creation practices at organizational boundaries: the role of ICT in sickle-cell care for tribal communities
Authors: Tripathi Vinayak Ram , Popli Manish , Ghulyani Swati , Desai Shrey , Gaur Ajai
Published: August 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the role of information and communication technology (ICT) in the knowledge creation practices adopted by a health care organization. The organization is delivering care to patients of a genetic disorder, called the sickle cell, in tribal communities. The paper identifies how ICT intermediates knowledge creation practices across the organizational boundaries wherein tribal patients, front-line counselors and expert physicians interact, which then produces context-specific, evidence-based medicine (EBM).

Design/methodology/approach

The knowledge-in-practice approach is adopted to conduct an ethnographic study of sickle cell care practices in a non-profit health care organization in Western India. The analysis focuses on ICT-mediated interactional practices among the physicians, front-line counselors, tribal patients and their families, for more than a year-long observation. These are supplemented with informal and formal interviews, archival records and vignettes based on several episodes to explicate the key knowledge creation practices.

Findings

Technology-mediated informative interactions at organizational boundaries can bridge socio-linguistic and interpretive barriers between actors, while also providing a generative structure that leads to the creation of longitudinal clinical evidence about a rare genetic disorder. Three specific ICT-entwined knowledge creation practices emerge, namely, knowing the community, increasing interactional engagement and constructing gradients of socio-clinical history. These practices generate organization-wide knowledge about the social and clinical dimensions of the genetic disorder. The findings are presented through vignettes and a novel conceptual framework.

Research limitations/implications

This study identifies various useful knowledge creation practices in health care delivery for resource-constrained emerging economy contexts. Further, the study suggests that the involvement of local front-line actors and ICT can become important resources in the delivery of health care in these settings.

Originality/value

A novel framework is developed which demonstrates knowledge creation at organizational boundaries wherein the actors use ICT-based practices for effective delivery of health care. The proposed framework may be used by health care organizations in similar contexts providing care to marginalized communities.
Dimensions of authentic leadership and patient care quality
Authors: Puni Albert , Hilton Sam Kris
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the causal relationships between the dimensions of authentic leadership and patient care quality in the nursing profession of Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used explanatory and cross-sectional survey designs. The data were obtained from 400 respondents, consisting of 200 nurses and 200 patients in selected general hospitals. The analysis was done using descriptive statistics, correlation and multi-linear regression techniques.

Findings

The study found that all four dimensions of authentic leadership, namely, self-awareness, internalized moral perspective, balanced processing and relational transparency positively correlated with patient care quality, however, only internalized moral perspective and self-awareness have positive significant association with patient care quality and internalized moral perspective being the highest predictor. Thus, the results suggest that authentic leadership can positively predict patient care quality.

Practical implications

The study contributes to the understanding of how dimensions of authentic leadership practices affect patient care quality. This understanding is relevant to academics in general and Ghanaian policymakers in particular.

Originality/value

The research makes a significant contribution to the existing authentic leadership literature by establishing that the dimensions of authentic leadership predict patient care quality with an internalized moral perspective being the highest predictor followed by self-awareness. Furthermore, the authors anticipate that the outcomes of this research, which so far is the first study in the Ghanaian context, can significantly shape nursing leadership discourse, practices and policies in Ghana and in other developing countries to improve patient care quality.
Driving forces of green consumption in sharing economy
Authors: Khan Ruqia , Awan Tahir Mumtaz , Fatima Tayyba , Javed Maria
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to identify the accelerators of sharing economy that lead to sustainability by adopting green consumption. Nostalgia is studied as a mediator along with social connectedness and past orientation. Specifically, the study is based upon a framework to explore the outcomes of sharing economy through an individual's green consumption behavior from the perspective of mortality anxiety.

Design/methodology/approach

Quantitative research technique was employed by collecting data from 537 households through snowball sampling. The model was tested using partial least squares (SEM-VB). The validity of the theoretical and measurement model was assessed.

Findings

The results revealed that nostalgia positively influences social connectedness and past orientation, whereas social connectedness and past orientation accelerate green consumption. However, it was confirmed that nostalgia decreases green consumption.

Research limitations/implications

The drivers of sharing economy lead toward environmentally friendly consumer behavior by providing opportunities for different agents to increase the usage of shared consumption. The model can be improved by introducing other mediating variables to enrich understanding.

Practical implications

The study may provide opportunities for practitioners and the government to identify the key factors in a sharing economy, specifically with reference to green consumption and social connectedness. It is predicted that it will help reduce environmental deterioration.

Originality/value

This study identifies the role of mortality anxiety and nostalgia toward green consumption, predominantly in the context of a sharing economy. It is a forward to collaborative consumption.
Transformation of do-it-yourself from altruistic to utilitarian tendency: DIY entrepreneurs and sustainable practices in shared economy market conditions
Authors: Üstündağlı Erten Elif , Güzeloğlu Ebru Belkıs
Published: August 2020

Purpose

In this study, it is aimed to examine do-it-yourself (DIY) practices from sustainable and entrepreneurship perspectives and to understand how transformation mechanism works in between altruistic and utilitarian tendencies in shared economy market conditions. Meaning, material and competency of practice theory will be indicative in explaining transformation of existing practices, how practice is transformed and diffused in market ecosystem through the introduction of new objects and opportunities to better understand how values and meanings change.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is a phenomenological research interested in explaining contingency of sustainability in between altruistic and market conditions in shared economy ecosystem through DIY practices. The sample of this study is made up of 15 participants actively carrying out DIY activities. Data is analysed with MAXQDA Analytics Pro 2018 program through grounded coding technique.

Findings

DIYers' relationship with market results them to create roles subject to their dependence on altruistic values of sustainability and their stance to anti-consumption in between alternative and mainstream economy. When they converge to the market, DIY activities turn into medium of marketing activities. When they diverge from the market, they become “transformers” embracing principles of shared economy. Contingency appears depending on three conditions: one is related with active participation in DIY or market practices. Second is related with occupation status that DIYers have. Third is related with competence that active DIYers have.

Research limitations/implications

This study is aimed only at active participants. Therefore, it is possible to see the effects of altruistic and market behaviour more clearly. However, this group represents a minor group that will make it possible to comment on a small group. This is one of the limitations of this study.

Originality/value

In the study, proximity and distance to mainstream market condition are taken as the basis and market structure is taken as an agent. By this way, DIYers' activities evaluated not only from social and economical perspective but also their transformation compared to capitalist market conditions challenging altruistic values of DIY, sustainability and sharing economy. Thus, this study is evaluating sustainability, shared economy and DIY not as an entity but as a process.
Green marketing and the SDGs: emerging market perspective
Authors: Amoako George Kofi , Dzogbenuku Robert Kwame , Doe Joshua , Adjaison Geoffrey Kwasi
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how consumers in emerging market respond to sustainable development goals initiatives by marketers and firms. The study seeks to identify how sustainable marketing strategies contribute to attaining the SDGs in Ghana, a developing and emerging country in sub-Saharan Africa.

Design/methodology/approach

A positivist methodological framework was used for the collection of data, analysis and theoretical development in this research. A total of 780 questionnaires were handed out. Out of this number, a total of 650 were returned. However, due to missing values, 622 valid responses were used for analysis. Of the valid responses, 306 (about 49.23%) were males while 316 were females, representing about 50.8%. Structural equation modelling was used to analyse data and investigate the relationship amongst advertising, packaging, pricing, green marketing strategies and purchasing behaviour.

Findings

Study findings provide insight into how marketing strategies affect consumer purchasing decisions and brand loyalty. Findings revealed positive relationship between green marketing and purchase behaviour. Empirical results from this study also confirm the mediating role of price on the relationship between green marketing strategies and purchase behaviour.

Research limitations/implications

While this study is limited to a single country Ghana, the findings can have far-reaching implications for many countries in the emerging markets sector. The study provides a vivid illustration of how environmental concerns can affect consumers' attitude towards products or services.

Practical implications

Policy on environmental issues can be developed from this study. Marketers can be more effective at how to effect consumer behaviour using findings from this research.

Social implications

Firms employing green marketing strategies must be aware of the importance the youth places on sustainability and develop strategies that enhance social acceptance by the youth.

Originality/value

To the authors' knowledge, sustainable and environmental issues have been researched on, but pricing and advertising have not been used as a mediating variable on purchasing behaviour in Ghana. Moreover investigation of green marketing strategies and purchase behaviour, advertising packaging and brand loyalty using structural equation modelling analysis within the Ghanaian public space is unique.
Core self-evaluations associated with workaholism: the mediating role of perceived job demands
Authors: An Ying , Sun Xiaomin , Wang Kai , Shi Huijie , Liu Zhenzhen , Zhu Yiming , Luo Fang
Published: August 2020

Purpose

Why do some employees choose to prolong their working hours excessively? The current study tested how core self-evaluations (CSEs) might lead to workaholism and how perceived job demands might mediate this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

Insights from the extant literature underpin the hypotheses on how CSEs would affect the development of workaholism through perceived job demands. A sample of 421 working people in China completed the online surveys, and the mediation model was tested using Mplus 7.0 (Muthén and Muthén, 1998–2012).

Findings

This study found that different components of CSEs influence workaholism in different ways. Specifically, generalized self-efficacy positively predicts workaholism, whereas emotional stability negatively predicts workaholism. Moreover, most aspects of CSEs (generalized self-efficacy, emotional stability and locus of control) influence workaholism via perceived job demands, specifically via perceived workload but not via perceived job insecurity.

Originality/value

The current study is the first to explore how individuals' fundamental evaluations of themselves (i.e. CSEs) relate to workaholism. The results are helpful for the prevention and intervention of workaholism in organizations.
Linking conservation of resource perspective to personal growth initiative and intention to leave: role of mediating variables
Authors: Srivastava Shalini , Bajpai Lata
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The present study intends to explore the underlying mechanism of the effect of personal growth initiative on employee engagement and intention to leave, in the presence of openness to experience and neuroticism as mediating variables. Support from conservation of resource theory and action regulation theory were taken to study the variables.

Design/methodology/approach

A time span of four months was taken to collect data from 382 employees belonging to hotel industry of Delhi NCR region of India. Structure equation model and mediation analysis were used in the present study.

Findings

A positive association was found between personal growth initiative, engagement and openness to experience and a negative association was found between personal growth initiative, engagement, neuroticism and intention to leave. Openness to experience and neuroticism acted as partial mediators.

Research limitations/implications

The researchers have collected the data only from service sector organizations. Hence, there is scope for a cross sectional, longitudinal and experimental intervention–based study to generalize the findings of the study. We also suggest to check the mediating effect of other constructs on the different aspects of well-being of employees at the workplace. Apart from it, if personal growth initiative among employees has a causal role to play for different outcomes, a meta-analysis based on the antecedents and consequences of personal growth initiative would be beneficial. It would further reveal many more insights and possible research themes.

Practical implications

Our results present significant practical implication for professionals engaged in day-to-day corporate affairs. As the managers at the workplace around the globe get heavily involved in decision making, and they are prone to observe negative information than the positive set of information, in the presence of both.

Social implications

With the help of the study, society can be better conscious of literature related to personality, PGI and its outcome. This way, prospective professionals can understand the significance of personality along with PGI and harness their character accordingly. This would further contribute to prepare young professionals and also fill the supply demand skill gap in the industry and society at large. Any type of imbalance would harm the sustainability of the employment cycle in society.

Originality/value

Due to limited literature available in management research on the topic, the researchers of the presented study selected personal initiative as the foundation of personal growth initiative. It has been seen that despite extensive work and interest of researchers, there is a difference in the concept and practice of employee turnover intentions. It is believed that research on human physiology and psychology affect the understanding about organizational research.
Is business performance linked to organizational culture? A study from Tunisian SMEs through subjective measures
Authors: Morched Salim , Jarboui Anis
Published: August 2020

Purpose

Every independent organization would sincerely like to have competent, loyal and engaged people, as engaged persons are typically those who have significant attachment and active involvement in their organization. Without engaging people, high quality and productivity will not be achieved. The purpose of this study is to explore the impact of organizational culture derived from Tunisian customs of firm performance. Tunisian subcultures may not be represented in the national culture.

Design/methodology/approach

This study carefully examines the impact of organizational culture on firm performance of Tunisian small and medium-sized enterprises. Results from 100 organizations and companies were collected using questionnaires for data collection analysis from employees occupying various positions in different hierarchical levels. Statistics used are tested by ordinary least squared regression. Furthermore, response bias, validity and reliability were the most important points examined by researchers.

Findings

These results reveal and confirm that the charisma that has been perceived by employees as energy state has an impact on the performance of the organization, regardless of the moderating effect of the uncertainty of the environment. Moreover, this study also showed that organizational culture has a significant effect on firm performance as well as on the interpretation of the organization, which depends on charisma.

Originality/value

The implication is that even in a country with many subcultures, excellent management still needs to pay attention to the impact of national culture at the organizational level on job attitude, work ethics and employee engagement, which are however, very limited. It is expected that this finding can contribute to the organization in that management becomes aware of the personality of the employees during their recruitments, especially the chief characteristic of being energetic. Managers need to create a conductive and rewarding environment for individuals to contribute positively.
Thermal rounding of micron-sized polymer particles in a downer reactor: direct vs indirect heating
Authors: Gomez Bonilla Juan Sebastian , Dechet Maximilian Alexander , Schmidt Jochen , Peukert Wolfgang , Bück Andreas
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of different heating approaches during thermal rounding of polymer powders on powder bulk properties such as particle size, shape and flowability, as well as on the yield of process.

Design/methodology/approach

This study focuses on the rounding of commercial high-density polyethylene polymer particles in two different downer reactor designs using heated walls (indirect heating) and preheated carrier gas (direct heating). Powder bulk properties of the product obtained from both designs are characterized and compared.

Findings

Particle rounding with direct heating leads to a considerable increase in process yield and a reduction in powder agglomeration compared to the design with indirect heating. This subsequently leads to higher powder flowability. In terms of shape, indirect heating yields not only particles with higher sphericity but also entails substantial agglomeration of the rounded particles.

Originality/value

Shape modification via thermal rounding is the decisive step for the success of a top-down process chain for selective laser sintering powders with excellent flowability, starting with polymer particles from comminution. This report provides new information on the influence of the heating mode (direct/indirect) on the performance of the rounding process and particle properties.
Adolescents’ advertising literacy and privacy protection strategies in the context of targeted advertising on social networking sites: implications for regulation
Authors: Zarouali Brahim , Verdoodt Valerie , Walrave Michel , Poels Karolien , Ponnet Koen , Lievens Eva
Published: August 2020

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the development of adolescents’ advertising literacy and privacy protection strategies in the context of targeted advertisements on social networking sites (SNSs).

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was conducted among 374 adolescents between 12 and 17 years of age, and 469 young adults (18–25 years) served as a comparative benchmark.

Findings

Results indicate that advertising literacy increases progressively throughout adolescence, and reaches adult-like levels only by the age of 16. In addition, adolescents have an inadequate awareness of commercial data collection practices. This awareness slowly increases as a function of their age until it reaches an adult level around the age of 20. Finally, findings reveal that adolescents take little action to cope with targeted advertisements by means of privacy protection strategies.

Practical implications

This paper devotes much attention to the formulation of specific recommendations for EU policymakers and regulatory bodies. In addition, it also holds implications for advertisers (e.g. the need for more in-depth data protection impact assessments), social media providers (e.g. adolescent-friendly privacy policy) and social caretakers (e.g. achieving advertising literacy and privacy education).

Originality/value

This paper fulfills the need to investigate adolescents’ advertising literacy and privacy-protective behaviors on SNSs, and, in turn, directly translates these insights into recommendations that can underpin the rationale of regulatory or policy decisions on a European level.
Nonlinear relationship between the weather phenomenon El niño and Colombian food prices
Authors: Abril‐Salcedo Davinson Stev , Melo‐Velandia Luis Fernando , Parra‐Amado Daniel
Published: August 2020

Extreme weather events, like a strong El Niño (ENSO), affect society in many different ways especially in the context of recent globe warming. In the Colombian case, ENSO had a significant impact on consumer food prices during the strongest event in 2015. Our research evaluates the relationship between ENSO and Colombian food inflation growth by using a smooth transition nonlinear model. We estimate the impacts of a strong ENSO on food inflation growth by adopting generalised impulse response functions (GIRFs). The results suggest that the weather shocks are transitory and asymmetric on inflation. A strong El Niño shock has a significant effect on the food inflation growth from five to nine months after the shock, and the accumulated elasticity is close to 730 basic points. We build the GIRFs for eight different episodes associated with a strong El Niño in the period corresponding from March 1962 to December 2018, and there is no evidence of changes in the size of Colombian food inflation growth responses over time. Finally, the negative shock, associated with a strong La Niña, shows an ambiguous effect on food prices.
An inducible constitutive expression system in Bombyx mori mediated by phiC31 integrase
Authors: Wang Feng , Ji Yan‐Ting , Tian Chi , Wang Yuan‐Cheng , Xu Shen , Wang Ri‐Yuan , Yang Qian‐Qian , Zhao Ping , Xia Qing‐You
Published: August 2020

Inducible gene‐expression systems play important roles in gene functional assays in the post‐genome era. Streptomyces phage‐derived phiC31 integrase, which mediates an irreversible site‐specific cassette exchange between the phage attachment site (attP) and the bacterial attachment site (attB), provides a promising option for the construction of a controllable gene‐expression system. Here, we report a phiC31 integrase‐mediated promoter flip system (FLIP) for the inducible expression of target genes in silkworm (Bombyx mori). First, we constructed a FLIP reporter system, in which a BmAct4 promoter with enhanced translational efficiency was flanked by the attB and attP sites in a head‐to‐head orientation and further linked in a reverse orientation to a DsRed reporter gene. The coexpression of a C‐terminal modified phiC31‐NLS integrase carrying a simian virus 40 (SV40) nuclear localization signal (NLS) effectively flipped the BmAct4 promoter through an attB/attP exchange, thereby activating the downstream expression of DsRed in a silkworm embryo‐derived cell line, BmE. Subsequently, the FLIP system, together with a system continuously expressing the phiC31‐NLS integrase, was used to construct binary transgenic silkworm lines. Hybridization between FLIP and phiC31‐NLS transgenic silkworm lines resulted in the successful flipping of the BmAct4 promoter, with an approximately 39% heritable transformation efficiency in silkworm offspring, leading to the constitutive and high‐level expression of DsRed in silkworms, which accounted for approximately 0.81% of the silkworm pupal weight. Our successful development of the FLIP system offers an effective alternative for manipulating gene expression in silkworms and other lepidopteran species.
Clinical Oncology Society of Australia: Position statement on cancer‐related malnutrition and sarcopenia
Authors: Kiss Nicole , Loeliger Jenelle , Findlay Merran , Isenring Elizabeth , Baguley Brenton J. , Boltong Anna , Butler Alexis , Deftereos Irene , Eisenhuth Michelle , Fraser Steve F. , Fichera Rebecca , Griffin Hayley , Hayes Sandi , Jeffery Emily , Johnson Catherine , Lomma Chris , van der Meij Barbara , McIntyre Carolyn , Nicholls Tracey , Pugliano Lina , Skinner Tina , Stewart Jane , Bauer Judy
Published: August 2020

This position statement describes the recommendations of the Clinical Oncology Society of Australia (COSA) regarding management of cancer‐related malnutrition and sarcopenia. A multidisciplinary working group completed a review of the literature, focused on evidence‐based guidelines, systematic reviews and meta‐analyses, to develop recommendations for the position statement. National consultation of the position statement content was undertaken through COSA members. All people with cancer should be screened for malnutrition and sarcopenia in all health settings at diagnosis and as the clinical situation changes throughout treatment and recovery. People identified as “at risk” of malnutrition or with a high‐risk cancer diagnosis or treatment plan should have a comprehensive nutrition assessment; people identified as “at risk” of sarcopenia should have a comprehensive evaluation of muscle status using a combination of assessments for muscle mass, muscle strength and function. All people with cancer‐related malnutrition and sarcopenia should have access to the core components of treatment, including medical nutrition therapy, targeted exercise prescription and physical and psychological symptom management. Treatment for cancer‐related malnutrition and sarcopenia should be individualised, in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team (MDT), and tailored to meet needs at each stage of cancer treatment. Health services should ensure a broad range of health care professionals across the MDT have the skills and confidence to recognise malnutrition and sarcopenia to facilitate timely referrals and treatment. The position statement is expected to provide guidance at a national level to improve the multidisciplinary management of cancer‐related malnutrition and sarcopenia.
The US National Security Strategy: Competing for Supremacy in a Multipolar World with a Unipolar Strategy
Authors: Wasinger Matthias
Published: August 2020

In general terms, the NSS leans towards the concept of political realism. Liberalism and idealism serve as elements facilitating the U.S. supremacy, especially when it comes to military and economy.
The COVID‐19 ibuprofen controversy: A systematic review of NSAIDs in adult acute lower respiratory tract infections
Authors: Vaja Ricky , Chan Jeffrey Shi Kai , Ferreira Plinio , Harky Amer , Rogers Luke J. , Gashaw Hime H. , Kirkby Nicholas S. , Mitchell Jane A.
Published: August 2020

Aims

In light of the recent safety concerns relating to NSAID use in COVID‐19, we sought to evaluate cardiovascular and respiratory complications in patients taking NSAIDs during acute lower respiratory tract infections.

Methods

We carried out a systematic review of randomised controlled trials and observational studies. Studies of adult patients with short‐term NSAID use during acute lower respiratory tract infections, including bacterial and viral infections, were included. Primary outcome was all‐cause mortality. Secondary outcomes were cardiovascular, renal and respiratory complications.

Results

In total, eight studies including two randomised controlled trials, three retrospective and three prospective observational studies enrolling 44 140 patients were included. Five of the studies were in patients with pneumonia, two in patients with influenza, and one in a patient with acute bronchitis. Meta‐analysis was not possible due to significant heterogeneity. There was a trend towards a reduction in mortality and an increase in pleuro‐pulmonary complications. However, all studies exhibited high risks of bias, primarily due to lack of adjustment for confounding variables. Cardiovascular outcomes were not reported by any of the included studies.

Conclusion

In this systematic review of NSAID use during acute lower respiratory tract infections in adults, we found that the existing evidence for mortality, pleuro‐pulmonary complications and rates of mechanical ventilation or organ failure is of extremely poor quality, very low certainty and should be interpreted with caution. Mechanistic and clinical studies addressing the captioned subject are urgently needed, especially in relation to COVID‐19.
Prognostic value of POD24 validation in follicular lymphoma patients initially treated with chemotherapy‐free regimens in a pooled analysis of three randomized trials of the Swiss Group for Clinical Cancer Research (SAKK)
Authors: Moccia Alden Alberto , Schär Sämi , Hayoz Stefanie , Pirosa Maria Cristina , Taverna Christian , Novak Urban , Kimby Eva , Ghielmini Michele , Zucca Emanuele
Published: August 2020

The relapse of follicular lymphoma (FL) within 24 months (POD24) of chemoimmunotherapy has been associated with poor survival. We analyzed a pooled dataset of three randomized trials including FL patients with advanced disease, conducted by the Swiss Group for Clinical Cancer Research (SAKK). Overall, POD24 was observed in 27% of 318 patients, but rate variance among studies suggested that the rituximab schedule might affect POD24 rate. POD24 was associated with lower 10‐year overall survival rates than in the reference group (69% vs. 77%; hazard ratio, 3·12; 95% confidence interval, 1·73–5·65). POD24 retains its prognostic validity in patients treated without chemotherapy and may represent a useful end‐point for future studies.
Responses to progressive exercise in subjects with chronic dyspnea and inspiratory muscle weakness
Authors: Berton Danilo C. , Gass Ricardo , Feldmann Bianca , Plachi Franciele , Hutten Debora , Mendes Nathalia Branco Schweitzer , Schroeder Elisa , Balzan Fernanda M. , Peyré‐Tartaruga Leonardo A. , Gazzana Marcelo B.
Published: August 2020

Introduction

Inspiratory muscle weakness (IMW) is a potential cause of exertional dyspnea frequently under‐appreciated in clinical practice. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is usually requested as part of the work‐up for unexplained breathlessness, but the specific pattern of exercise responses ascribed to IMW is insufficiently characterized.

Objectives

To identify the physiological and sensorial responses to progressive exercise in dyspneic patients with IMW without concomitant cardiorespiratory or neuromuscular diseases.

Methods

Twenty‐three subjects (18 females, 55.2 ± 16.9 years) complaining of chronic daily life dyspnea (mMRC = 3 [2‐3]) plus maximal inspiratory pressure < the lower limit of normal and 12 matched controls performed incremental cycling CPET. FEV1/FVC<0.7, significant abnormalities in chest CT or echocardiography, and/or an established diagnosis of neuromuscular disease were among the exclusion criteria.

Results and Conclusion

Patients presented with reduced aerobic capacity (peak V̇O2: 79 ± 26 vs 116 ± 21 %predicted), a tachypneic breathing pattern (peak breathing frequency/tidal volume = 38.4 ± 22.7 vs 21.7 ± 14.2 breaths/min/L) and exercise‐induced inspiratory capacity reduction (‐0.17 ± 0.33 vs 0.10 ± 0.30 L) (all P < .05) compared to controls. In addition, higher ventilatory response (ΔV̇E/ΔV̇CO2 = 34.1 ± 6.7 vs 27.0 ± 2.3 L/L) and symptomatic burden (dyspnea and leg discomfort) to the imposed workload were observed in patients. Of note, pulse oximetry was similar between groups. Reduced aerobic capacity in the context of a tachypneic breathing pattern, inspiratory capacity reduction and preserved oxygen exchange during progressive exercise should raise the suspicion of inspiratory muscle weakness in subjects with otherwise unexplained breathlessness.
A clinical mimicker of melanoma with distinctive histopathology: Topical silver nitrate exposure
Authors: Ondrasik Regina M. , Jordan Parisa , Sriharan Aravindhan
Published: August 2020

Exposure to silver‐containing compounds can result in reversible discoloration of the skin, presenting as an irregular brown or black macule, which can have a clinical appearance similar to melanoma. Both the clinical scenario and the histopathology are unique. Silver nitrate darkens with exposure to light, and the area can appear to change over time. On microscopic examination, there are coarse pigmented granules dispersed throughout the corneal layer, and largely absent from the remainder of the epidermis—although the precise location may depend on the duration of topical exposure. While argyria, its irreversible counterpart, has been well‐characterized, only a single source has previously reported the histopathology of transient topical silver nitrate exposure. We present two cases, review the clinical and histopathologic differentials, and detail the distinctive histopathology that enables a diagnosis to be suggested in this clinical mimicker of melanoma.
Disentangling drivers of spatial autocorrelation in species distribution models
Authors: Mielke Konrad P. , Claassen Tom , Busana Michela , Heskes Tom , Huijbregts Mark A. J. , Koffijberg Kees , Schipper Aafke M.
Published: August 2020

Species distribution models (SDMs) are frequently used to understand the influence of site properties on species occurrence. For robust model inference, SDMs need to account for the spatial autocorrelation of virtually all species occurrence data. Current methods do not routinely distinguish between extrinsic and intrinsic drivers of spatial autocorrelation, although these may have different implications for conservation.

Here, we present and test a method that disentangles extrinsic and intrinsic drivers of spatial autocorrelation using repeated observations of a species. We focus on unknown habitat characteristics and conspecific interactions as extrinsic and intrinsic drivers, respectively. We model the former with spatially correlated random effects and the latter with an autocovariate, such that the spatially correlated random effects are constant across the repeated observations whereas the autocovariate may change. We tested the performance of our model on virtual species data and applied it to observations of the corncrake Crex crex in the Netherlands.

Applying our model to virtual species data revealed that it was well able to distinguish between the two different drivers of spatial autocorrelation, outperforming models with no or a single component for spatial autocorrelation. This finding was independent of the direction of the conspecific interactions (i.e. conspecific attraction versus competitive exclusion). The simulations confirmed that the ability of our model to disentangle both drivers of autocorrelation depends on repeated observations. In the case study, we discovered that the corncrake has a stronger response to habitat characteristics compared to a model that did not include spatially correlated random effects, whereas conspecific interactions appeared to be less important. This implies that future conservation efforts should primarily focus on maximizing habitat availability.

Our study shows how to systematically disentangle extrinsic and intrinsic drivers of spatial autocorrelation. The method we propose can help to correctly identify the main drivers of species distributions.
Characterization of residual stresses from cold expansion using spatial statistics
Authors: Andrew Dallen L. , Han Hai‐Chao , Ocampo Juan , Alaeddini Adel , Thomsen Mark
Published: August 2020

Residual stress fields from cold expansion have been widely used to extend the fatigue life of aircraft structures. However, the spatial statistical character of these residual stress fields has not been established and has not been incorporated in current analysis methods. The objective of this study was to establish a spatial statistical method to quantify the residual stress field around a cold expanded hole. A framework called the Spatial Analysis of Residual Stress (SpARS) was developed utilizing spatial correlation, response surface modelling techniques and statistical resampling methods to characterize the residual stress field. Our results showed that tolerance bounds on residual stress can be quantified using this method. We also demonstrated the SpARS method using recently published round robin case studies. The newly developed model will be useful for aircraft structural fatigue crack growth analyses to incorporate residual stress fields for extending inspection intervals for fatigue and fracture critical structures.
A Southern encounter: Maternal body work and low‐income mothers in South Africa
Authors: Stumbitz Bianca , Jaga Ameeta
Published: August 2020

This article explores the maternal body work practices of black low‐income mothers from resource‐poor urban spaces in South Africa. Using Southern Theory to open our analytical lens, we recognize that location has implications for how we understand the embodiment of gender and the lactating body in the global South. We argue that maternal body work, as one form of gendered embodiment, must be understood in a postcolonial landscape where histories of colonization and indigenous gender orders continue to shape how women respond to work conditions and how they manage the competing demands of work and breastfeeding. Our analysis from 51 in‐depth interviews conducted in Cape Town, demonstrates that maternal body work practices are interpreted through the entanglement of embodiment and work and non‐work spaces. By emphasizing contextual specificities relating to low‐income workers' living, working and family realities, we advance studies on maternal body work and employment from the global South.
Fear of older adult falling questionnaire for caregivers (FOAFQ‐CG): Evidence from content validity and item‐response theory graded‐response modelling
Authors: Yang Rumei , Donaldson Gary W. , Edelman Linda S. , Cloyes Kristin G. , Sanders Natalie A. , Pepper Ginette A.
Published: August 2020

Aims

(1) Determine the content validity of the Fear of Older Adult Falling Questionnaire‐Caregivers using a panel of gerontological experts and a target sample of family caregivers (Stage 1) and (2) Examine the response patterns of the Fear of Older Adult Falling Questionnaire‐Caregivers and compare it with older adult version of Fear of Falling Questionnaire Revised using graded‐response modelling (Stage 2).

Design

Cross‐sectional mixed‐method design.

Methods

Five content experts and 10 family caregivers were involved in the Stage 1 study and 53 family caregiver–older adult dyads (N = 106) were included in the Stage 2 study. The content‐validity index and graded‐response modelling were used to analyse data.

Results

Among experts, the Fear of Older Adult Falling Questionnaire‐Caregivers content‐validity index for relevancy, importance, and clarity of individual items and total scale ranged from 0.60–1.00 and from 0.77–0.87, respectively. Among family caregivers, the ratings of the item and scale level content‐validity index for relevancy, importance, and clarity ranged from 0.90–1.00 and from 0.95–0.97, respectively. Combining feedback from both groups, we revised one item. Subsequently, the graded‐response modelling revealed that a 1‐factor, 3‐item version of the Fear of Older Adult Falling Questionnaire‐Caregivers had acceptable psychometric properties.

Conclusions

The brief 3‐item version of the Fear of Older Adult Falling Questionnaire‐Caregivers is promising for assessing caregivers’ fear of their older adult care recipient falling.

Impact

A significant concern for family caregivers is fearing that older adult care recipients will fall, but a lack of validated measures limits the study of this phenomena. A 3‐item version of the Fear of Older Adult Falling Questionnaire‐Caregivers has the potential to identify family caregivers with high fear of older adult falling so that fall risk can be appropriately assessed and addressed.
Classification strategies for non‐routine events occurring in high‐risk patient care settings: A scoping review
Authors: Alberto Emily C. , Jagannath Swathi , McCusker Maureen E. , Keller Susan , Marsic Ivan , Sarcevic Aleksandra , O'Connell Karen J. , Burd Randall S.
Published: August 2020

Introduction

Non‐routine events (NREs) are atypical or unusual occurrences in a pre‐defined process. Although some NREs in high‐risk clinical settings have no adverse effects on patient care, others can potentially cause serious patient harm. A unified strategy for identifying and describing NREs in these domains will facilitate the comparison of results between studies.

Methods

We conducted a literature search in PubMed, CINAHL, and EMBASE to identify studies related to NREs in high‐risk domains and evaluated the methods used for event observation and description. We applied The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organization (JCAHO) taxonomy (cause, impact, domain, type, prevention, and mitigation) to the descriptions of NREs from the literature.

Results

We selected 25 articles that met inclusion criteria for review. Real‐time documentation of NREs was more common than a retrospective video review. Thirteen studies used domain experts as observers and seven studies validated observations with interrater reliability. Using the JCAHO taxonomy, “cause” was the most frequently applied classification method, followed by “impact,” “type,” “domain,” and “prevention and mitigation.”

Conclusions

NREs are frequent in high‐risk medical settings. Strengths identified in several studies included the use of multiple observers with domain expertise and validation of the event ascertainment approach using interrater reliability. By applying the JCAHO taxonomy to the current literature, we provide an example of a structured approach that can be used for future analyses of NREs.
Small benthic fish strike at prey over distances that fall within theoretical predictions for active sensing using light
Authors: Neiße Niklas , Santon Matteo , Bitton Pierre‐Paul , Michiels Nico K.
Published: August 2020

Small, benthic, cryptic fishes represent a species‐rich guild on marine substrates. Most of them are micropredators that feed on crustaceans that are often smaller than 1 mm. Typical examples are seahorses and pipefishes (Syngnathidae), most gobies (Gobiidae), dragonets (Callionymidae) and triplefins (Tripterygiidae). Previous work on the yellow black‐headed triplefin Tripterygion delaisi demonstrated that it actively redirects downwelling sunlight sideways using its iris and can use this to locally illuminate objects of interest. We call this form of active sensing using light “diurnal active photolocation”. Visual modelling predicted that light redirection can be sufficient to induce a perceivable change in luminance in the eyes of one of its prey species, a cryptic gammarid crustacean (Cheirocratus sp.), over distances of 1–2 cm. Empirical validation, however, was not possible because measurements of predation distances have not been quantified for free‐ranging, small, benthic fishes before. Here, we present interaction distances measured from videos of T. delaisi approaching and striking at prey in the field. Out of 160 recordings, we were able to quantify 78 prey approaching distances and 100 striking distances. Approaching distances ranged from 2.1 to 4.1 cm (interquartile range, IQR) and involved one to five approaching steps before the actual strike occurred. The distance over which the final strike took place varied from 0.7 to 1.6 cm (IQR). Both approaching and striking distances increased with fish body size. We conclude that most approaching sequences started too far away to be explained by prey detection through light redirection. Striking distances, however, fell well with the distances predicted by the model. We conclude that if diurnal active photolocation plays a role in prey detection, it is during the final decision whether to strike or not.
Prospective study of objective physical activity and quality of life in living donor liver transplant recipients
Authors: Tanaka Satomi , Fujita Kimie , Kanaoka Maki , Makimoto Kiyoko , Yakushiji Kanako , Tanaka Rumi , Harada Noboru , Ikegami Toru , Yoshizumi Tomoharu
Published: August 2020

Aim

The aims of this study were to: (a) describe the physical activity (PA) and quality of life (QOL) in living donor liver transplant (LDLT) recipients pre‐operatively and at 3 months and 6 months post‐operatively; (b) compare PA and QOL at 6 months post‐operatively with a healthy control group; and (c) explore pre‐operative factors that predict PA changes.

Methods

Patients over 20 years of age who were undergoing LDLT were recruited. PA was measured based on the number of steps/day and time spent performing moderate‐to‐vigorous PA (MVPA) during 1 week using an accelerometer. QOL was assessed based on a physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) component summary of the eight‐item Short‐Form Health Survey. The LDLT and healthy control groups were matched for age (±3 years) and gender. Pre‐operative factors predicting a change in PA were calculated using a generalized linear mixed model.

Results

Twenty‐four patients completed the study. By 6 months post‐LDLT, the MCS and PCS were comparable to those in the control group. The number of steps (3,887 steps/day) and MVPA (29.3 min/week) showed significant improvement by 6 months post‐operatively, but remained much lower compared with those in the control group. The multivariate analysis showed that younger age (p < .01, p = .04) and higher skeletal muscle mass (SMM; p < .01, p = .03) were predictors of improvement in number of steps and MVPA.

Conclusion

This study suggests the need for pre‐operative interventions by healthcare professionals that focus on outcomes such as improving low SMM to facilitate post‐operative PA recovery.