bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intelligent fault diagnosis method of rolling bearing based on stacked denoising autoencoder and convolutional neural network
Authors: Che Changchang , Wang Huawei , Ni Xiaomei , Fu Qiang
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to analyze the intelligent fault diagnosis method of rolling bearing.

Design/methodology/approach

The vibration signal data of rolling bearing has long time series and strong noise interference, which brings great difficulties for the accurate diagnosis of bearing faults. To solve those problems, an intelligent fault diagnosis model based on stacked denoising autoencoder (SDAE) and convolutional neural network (CNN) is proposed in this paper. The SDAE is used to process the time series data with multiple dimensions and noise interference. Then the dimension-reduced samples can be put into CNN model, and the fault classification results can be obtained by convolution and pooling operations of hidden layers in CNN.

Findings

The effectiveness of the proposed method is validated through experimental verification and comparative experimental analysis. The results demonstrate that the proposed model can achieve an average classification accuracy of 96.5% under three noise levels, which is 3-13% higher than the traditional models and single deep-learning models.

Originality/value

The combined SDAE–CNN model proposed in this paper can denoise and reduce dimensions of raw vibration signal data, and extract the in-depth features in image samples of rolling bearing. Consequently, the proposed model has more accurate fault diagnosis results for the rolling bearing vibration signal data with long time series and noise interference.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-11-2019-0496/
A strategic conflict analysis in IT outsourcing using the graph model for conflict resolution
Authors: Silva Maisa Mendonça , Poleto Thiago , de Gusmão Ana Paula Henriques , Costa Ana Paula Cabral Seixas
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a strategic conflict analysis, based on the graph model for conflict resolution (GMCR), that is applied to information technology outsourcing (ITO) in a real-world software development and implementation process in Brazil.

Design/methodology/approach

Because the idea of this study is to answer “why” the ITO conflicts occur and “how” they can be avoided, the case study methodology was adopted. The software GMCR II was used to analyze the interactions between an IT vendor and an IT client.

Findings

The results suggest that a lack of relational governance is a critical issue that could be handled to improve the interaction between those involved.

Research limitations/implications

The main results are restricted to the case study and cannot be generalized. Moreover, a specific limitation of this paper pertains to the use of the GMCR and the consequent difficulty for IT vendors and IT clients to work with a large number of actions and to set preferences for several states of conflict.

Practical implications

The strategic analysis of outsourcing conflicts provides a holistic view of the current situation that may assist the client and vendor in future decisions and identify guidelines to ensure successful ITO. Therefore, this paper provides an effective guide for clients and vendors to better manage conflicts and establish a contingency vision to avoid such disputes.

Originality/value

The ITO conflict is analyzed using the GMCR, considering both perspectives of the outsourcing process (vendors and clients).
Association of uric acid with metabolic parameters and obesity
Authors: Mahdavi-Roshan Marjan , Movahedian Mina , Kord Varkaneh Hamed , Salari Arsalan , Sedanur Macit Melahat , Rezazadeh Arezoo
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Recent studies have shown that hyperuricemia is a predictor of non-communicable disease and an increment of mortality rate. Also, elevated serum uric acid may be associated with obesity in the adult population. This study aims to evaluate the association between serum uric acid levels with metabolic parameters and risk of obesity in the Iranian population.

Design/methodology/approach

The cross-sectional study was done on 550 participants, who were referred to a hospital for elective angiography in Rasht, Iran; anthropometric indices (waist circumference (WC) and body mass index (BMI)) and hematological factors were measured using the standard approaches. Based to the angiography results, the severity of atherosclerosis was defined.

Findings

The mean (SD) concentration of serum uric acid for all participants was 5.15 (1.37) mg/dl. Individuals who were at the highest tertile had higher mean (SD) of weight (p = 0.004), creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (p < 0.001) lower fasting blood sugar (FBS) (p = 0.000) and HbA1c (p = 0.016), and they were mostly men compared with those in the lowest tertile. After adjusting for confounders, FBS (ß = –0.145, p = 0.001) and HbA1c (%) (ß = –0.130, p = 0.019) had inverse and weight (ß = 0.156, p = 0.001) had direct association with serum uric acid. After adjustment for additionally potential confounders subjects in the highest tertile of serum uric acid had 92 per cent higher chance of obesity compared with subjects in the lowest tertile (OR 1.92; 95 per cent CI 1.13, 3.23).

Originality/value

The present study has concluded that increase serum uric acid related to high risk of obesity and low mean of FBS and HbA1c.
Crossing the kingdom border: Human diseases caused by plant pathogens
Authors: Kim Jun‐Seob , Yoon Sung‐Jin , Park Young‐Jun , Kim Seon‐Yeong , Ryu Choong‐Min
Published: April 2020

Interactions between pathogenic microorganisms and their hosts are varied and complex, encompassing open‐field scale interactions to interactions at the molecular level. The capacity of plant pathogenic bacteria and fungi to cause diseases in human and animal systems was, until recently, considered of minor importance. However, recent evidence suggests that animal and human infections caused by plant pathogenic fungi, bacteria and viruses may have critical impacts on human and animal health and safety. This review analyses previous research on plant pathogens as causal factors of animal illness. In addition, a case study involving disruption of type III effector‐mediated phagocytosis in a human cell line upon infection with an opportunistic phytopathogen, Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato, is discussed. Further knowledge regarding the molecular interactions between plant pathogens and human and animal hosts is needed to understand the extent of disease incidence and determine mechanisms for disease prevention.
Global value chain and growth convergence: Applied especially to China
Authors: Cheng Dazhong , Wang Jian , Xiao Zhiguo
Published: April 2020

We propose a new convergence potential indicator for standard growth convergence regressions: the global value chain (GVC) position index, measured by the contribution of high‐skilled labour in total domestic value added. Our convergence indicator can avoid the lagged dependent variable problem discussed in Barro (2015 and 2016) and deliver more accurate forecasts for China’s GDP growth than GDP per capita does. Using the GVC position index, we predict that China’s growth potential remains at 7–8% between 2010 and 2015, while the predictions using GDP per capita as the convergence potential indicator are much lower.
Stochasticity in microbiology: managing unpredictability to reach the Sustainable Development Goals
Authors: De Vrieze Jo , De Mulder Thijs , Matassa Silvio , Zhou Jizhong , Angenent Largus T. , Boon Nico , Verstraete Willy
Published: April 2020

Pure (single) cultures of microorganisms and mixed microbial communities (microbiomes) have been important for centuries in providing renewable energy, clean water and food products to human society and will continue to play a crucial role to pursue the Sustainable Development Goals. To use microorganisms effectively, microbial engineered processes require adequate control. Microbial communities are shaped by manageable deterministic processes, but also by stochastic processes, which can promote unforeseeable variations and adaptations. Here, we highlight the impact of stochasticity in single culture and microbiome engineering. First, we discuss the concepts and mechanisms of stochasticity in relation to microbial ecology of single cultures and microbiomes. Second, we discuss the consequences of stochasticity in relation to process performance and human health, which are reflected in key disadvantages and important opportunities. Third, we propose a suitable decision tool to deal with stochasticity in which monitoring of stochasticity and setting the boundaries of stochasticity by regulators are central aspects. Stochasticity may give rise to some risks, such as the presence of pathogens in microbiomes. We argue here that by taking the necessary precautions and through clever monitoring and interpretation, these risks can be mitigated.
Identifying error and accurately interpreting environmental DNA metabarcoding results: A case study to detect vertebrates at arid zone waterholes
Authors: Furlan Elise M. , Davis Jenny , Duncan Richard P.
Published: April 2020

Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding surveys enable rapid, noninvasive identification of taxa from trace samples with wide‐ranging applications from characterizing local biodiversity to identifying food‐web interactions. However, the technique is prone to error from two major sources: (a) contamination through foreign DNA entering the workflow, and (b) misidentification of DNA within the workflow. Both types of error have the potential to obscure true taxon presence or to increase taxonomic richness by incorrectly identifying taxa as present at sample sites, but multiple error sources can remain unaccounted for in metabarcoding studies. Here, we use data from an eDNA metabarcoding study designed to detect vertebrate species at waterholes in Australia's arid zone to illustrate where and how in the workflow errors can arise, and how to mitigate those errors. We detected the DNA of 36 taxa spanning 34 families, 19 orders and five vertebrate classes in water samples from waterholes, demonstrating the potential for eDNA metabarcoding surveys to provide rapid, noninvasive detection in remote locations, and to widely sample taxonomic diversity from aquatic through to terrestrial taxa. However, we initially identified 152 taxa in the samples, meaning there were many false positive detections. We identified the sources of these errors, allowing us to design a stepwise process to detect and remove error, and provide a template to minimize similar errors that are likely to arise in other metabarcoding studies. Our findings suggest eDNA metabarcoding surveys need to be carefully conducted and screened for errors to ensure their accuracy.
Age‐dependent changes in response property and morphology of a thermosensory neuron and thermotaxis behavior in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Huang Tzu‐Ting , Matsuyama Hironori J. , Tsukada Yuki , Singhvi Aakanksha , Syu Ru‐Ting , Lu Yun , Shaham Shai , Mori Ikue , Pan Chun‐Liang
Published: April 2020

Age‐dependent cognitive and behavioral deterioration may arise from defects in different components of the nervous system, including those of neurons, synapses, glial cells, or a combination of them. We find that AFD, the primary thermosensory neuron of Caenorhabditis elegans, in aged animals is characterized by loss of sensory ending integrity, including reduced actin‐based microvilli abundance and aggregation of thermosensory guanylyl cyclases. At the functional level, AFD neurons in aged animals are hypersensitive to high temperatures and show sustained sensory‐evoked calcium dynamics, resulting in a prolonged operating range. At the behavioral level, senescent animals display cryophilic behaviors that remain plastic to acute temperature changes. Excessive cyclase activity of the AFD‐specific guanylyl cyclase, GCY‐8, is associated with developmental defects in AFD sensory ending and cryophilic behavior. Surprisingly, loss of the GCY‐8 cyclase domain reduces these age‐dependent morphological and behavioral changes, while a prolonged AFD operating range still exists in gcy‐8 animals. The lack of apparent correlation between age‐dependent changes in the morphology or stimuli‐evoked response properties of primary sensory neurons and those in related behaviors highlights the importance of quantitative analyses of aging features when interpreting age‐related changes at structural and functional levels. Our work identifies aging hallmarks in AFD receptive ending, temperature‐evoked AFD responses, and experience‐based thermotaxis behavior, which serve as a foundation to further elucidate the neural basis of cognitive aging.
Aberrations in Incentive Learning and Responding to Heroin in Male Rats After Adolescent or Adult Chronic Binge‐Like Alcohol Exposure
Authors: Galaj Ewa , Barrera Eddy , Morris Debra , Ma Yao‐Ying , Ranaldi Robert
Published: April 2020

Background and Purpose

Binge drinking is a serious problem among adolescents and young adults despite its adverse consequences on the brain and behavior. One area that remains poorly understood concerns the impact of chronic intermittent ethanol (CIE) exposure on incentive learning.

Methods

Here, we examined the effects of CIE exposure during different developmental stages on conditioned approach and conditioned reward learning in rats experiencing acute or protracted withdrawal from alcohol. Two or 21 days after adolescent or adult CIE exposure, male rats were exposed to pairings of a light stimulus (CS) and food pellets for 3 consecutive daily sessions (30 CS‐food pellet pairings per session). This was followed by conditioned approach testing measuring responses (food trough head entries) to the CS‐only presentations and by conditioned reward testing measuring responses on a lever producing the CS and on another producing a tone. We then measured behavioral sensitization to repeated injections of heroin (2 mg/kg/d for 9 days).

Results

Adolescent and adult alcohol‐treated rats showed significantly impaired conditioned reward learning regardless of withdrawal period (acute or prolonged). We found no evidence of changes to conditioned approach learning after adolescent or adult exposure to CIE. Finally, in addition to producing long‐term impairments in incentive learning, CIE exposure enhanced locomotor activity in response to heroin and had no effect on behavioral sensitization to heroin regardless of age and withdrawal period.

Conclusions

Our work sets a framework for identifying CIE‐induced alterations in incentive learning and inducing susceptibility to subsequent opioid effects.
The gut microbiome and inflammation in obsessive‐compulsive disorder patients compared to age‐ and sex‐matched controls: a pilot study
Authors: Turna J. , Grosman Kaplan K. , Anglin R. , Patterson B. , Soreni N. , Bercik P. , Surette M. G. , Van Ameringen M.
Published: April 2020

Objective

To compare the gut microbiome profile (by way of taxon analysis and indices of β‐ and α‐diversity) and inflammatory markers (C‐reactive protein [CRP], interleukin‐6[IL‐6] and tumour necrosis factor‐α [TNF‐α]) of obsessive‐compulsive disorder (OCD) outpatients and non‐psychiatric community controls.

Methods

We collected morning stool and blood samples from 21 non‐depressed, medication‐free OCD patients and 22 age‐ and sex‐matched non‐psychiatric community controls. Microbiota analysis was performed using Illumina sequencing of the V3 region of 16S rRNA; serum CRP samples were analysed using immunoturbidimetry and plasma IL‐6/TNF‐α were examined by high‐sensitivity ELISA. Multiple comparisons were corrected for using the false discovery rate (α = 0.05).

Results

Compared to controls, the OCD group presented lower species richness/evenness (α‐diversity, Inverse Simpson) and lower relative abundance of three butyrate producing genera (Oscillospira, Odoribacter and Anaerostipes). Compared to controls, mean CRP, but not IL‐6 and TNF‐α, was elevated OCD patients. CRP revealed moderate to strong associations with psychiatric symptomatology.

Conclusion

To our knowledge, this is the first investigation of the gut microbiome in OCD. In addition, our findings lend further support for the potential association of inflammation and OCD. These results suggest the gut microbiome may be a potential pathway of interest for future OCD research.
Sugar intake and craving during alcohol withdrawal in alcohol use disorder inpatients
Authors: Alarcon Régis , Tiberghien Margaux , Trouillet Raphael , Pelletier Stéphanie , Luquiens Amandine , Ahmed Serge H. , Nalpas Bertrand , Alaux‐Cantin Stéphanie , Naassila Mickaël , Perney Pascal
Published: April 2020

To assess whether changes in sugar intake and craving occur during alcohol withdrawal in humans, we conducted a prospective, observational study in a university hospital addictions treatment center. Recruited patients had severe alcohol use disorder and were hospitalized for 7 days in the short‐stay unit for alcohol withdrawal and then for 6 weeks in the rehabilitation unit. During the hospital stay, they had no access to alcohol but had full access to sweet products and beverages in a shop and vending machines located inside the hospital. Alcohol craving was assessed using a visual analogue scale on Days 1, 15, and 45. Sugar craving, sweet products stored by patients in their rooms, and weight were assessed on the same days. Thirty‐five patients were included. Sugar craving increased in 14 patients during the hospital stay, whereas no change was observed in the remaining 21. Significant increases in both the amounts of sweet products stored in the patients' rooms (p < 0.02) and weight (p < 0.05) were observed only in the sugar craving group. During the same period, alcohol craving decreased significantly in all patients. Changes in tobacco smoking were not different according to the sugar craving status and therefore cannot explain the observed differences. In conclusion, increased intake and craving for sugar after alcohol withdrawal were observed in 40% of the patients included in our prospective study, and these results were similar to those of a study conducted in the alcohol post‐dependent state model in rats.
On the stability and the progression of gambling problems: longitudinal relations between different problems related to gambling
Authors: Sleczka Pawel , Romild Ulla
Published: April 2020

Background and Aims

In psychiatric diagnosis, different symptoms of gambling problems are usually aggregated into a single indicator of disorder severity, which has resulted in a knowledge gap on the specific roles of the different issues with which some gamblers struggle. This study estimated the association between baseline symptoms of gambling problems and (i) other symptoms, (ii) the overall severity of gambling problems after 12 months, and the estimated stability rates of various gambling problems after (iii) 12 months and (iv) 5 years. Design and Setting Secondary analysis of data derived from the Swedish Longitudinal Gambling Study (SWELOGS), a prospective representative cohort study conducted between 2008 and 2014 in Sweden.

Participants

A total of 8165 respondents from 16–84 years of age recruited in a stratified random sampling procedure. Among them, 6021 answered the 1‐year follow‐up survey and 3559 answered the 5‐year follow‐up survey.

Measurements

Nine symptoms related to gambling were assessed using the Problem Gambling Severity Index (excessive gambling, tolerance, chasing, loans, insight, health problems, criticism, financial problems, and guilt).

Findings

Excessive gambling, tolerance, chasing, loans and guilt significantly increased the risk of a range of other symptoms. Chasing and tolerance also tripled the risk of transitioning to more severe gambling problems (OR = 2.9, 95% CI = [1.5–5.5], P = 0.001 and OR = 2.7, 95% CI = [1.6–4.5], P < 0.001, respectively). Stability rates of the different symptoms ranged between 22% (95% CI = [12–31%]) and 42% (95% CI = [35–48%]) after 1 year and 3% (95% CI = [0–10%]) and 19% (95% CI = [7–30%]) after 5 years with chasing being the most stable problem (42% [95% CI = (35–48%)] after 1 year and 17% [95% CI = (6–28%)] after 5 years).

Conclusions

In psychiatric diagnosis, four symptoms of problem gambling (chasing, tolerance, excessive gambling and guilt) appear to have prognostic validity in assessing gambling‐related risk. The symptoms of tolerance and chasing appear to increase the risk of progressing to more severe gambling problems.
Cytokine mRNA and protein expression by cell cultures of epithelial ovarian cancer—Methodological considerations on the choice of analytical method for cytokine analyses
Authors: Israelsson Pernilla , Dehlin Eva , Nagaev Ivan , Lundin Eva , Ottander Ulrika , Mincheva‐Nilsson Lucia
Published: April 2020

Problem

To get a comprehensive picture of cytokine expression in health and disease is difficult, cytokines are transiently and locally expressed, and protein analyses are burdened by biological modifications, technical issues, and sensitivity to handling of samples. Thus, alternative methods, based on molecular techniques for cytokine mRNA analyses, are often used. We compared cytokine mRNA and protein expression to evaluate whether cytokine mRNA profiles can be used instead of protein analyses.

Method of study

In kinetic experiments, cytokine mRNA and protein expression of IL‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐8, TNF‐α, and TNF‐β/LTA were studied using real‐time RT‐qPCR and Luminex® microarrays in the ovarian cancer cell lines OVCAR‐3, SKOV‐3 and the T‐cell line Jurkat, after activation of transcription by thermal stress. In addition, we analyzed IL‐6 and IL‐8 mRNA and protein in a small number of ovarian cancer patients.

Results

Ovarian cancer cells can express cytokines on both mRNA and protein level, with 1‐4 hours’ time delay between the mRNA and protein peak and a negative Spearman correlation. The mRNA and protein expression in patient samples was poorly correlated, reflecting previous studies.

Conclusion

Cytokine mRNA and protein expression levels show diverging results, depending on the material analyzed and the method used. Considering the high sensitivity and reproducibility of real‐time RT‐qPCR, we suggest that cytokine mRNA profiles could be used as a proxy for protein expression for some specific purposes, such as comparisons between different patient groups, and in defining mechanistic pathways involved in the pathogenesis of cancer and other pathological conditions.
Prospective evaluation of the uterocervical angle as a predictor of spontaneous preterm birth
Authors: Farràs Llobet Alba , Higueras Teresa , Calero Inés Z. , Regincós Martí Laia , Maiz Nerea , Goya María M. , Carreras Elena
Published: April 2020

Introduction

The uterocervical angle has been proposed as an ultrasound marker to predict spontaneous preterm birth; however, the studies that provided this evidence were retrospective and their results heterogeneous. This study aimed to assess the ability of the uterocervical angle to predict spontaneous preterm birth before 34 and 37 weeks of gestation.

Material and methods

A prospective cohort study with singleton pregnancies between 19.0 and 22.6 weeks of gestation. Uterocervical angle and cervical length were measured by transvaginal ultrasound. Maternal history and pregnancy data were recorded. Delivery data were subsequently collected.

Results

The final analysis included 1453 singleton pregnancies. Spontaneous preterm birth before 37 weeks occurred in 52 cases (3.6%) and before 34 weeks in 17 (1.2%). For the prediction of spontaneous preterm birth before 34 weeks, the area under the curve for the uterocervical angle was 0.67 (95% CI 0.54‐0.79) and the detection rates were 5.9% and 23.5% for fixed false‐positive rates of 5% and 10%, respectively. For the prediction of spontaneous preterm birth before 37 weeks, the area under the curve was 0.58 (95% CI 0.50‐0.67) and the detection rates were 5.8% and 18% for fixed false‐positive rates of 5% and 10%, respectively. Combined predictive models were studied. To predict spontaneous preterm birth before 34 weeks, the best model was provided by a combination of uterocervical angle and cervical length (area under the curve 0.72; 95% CI 0.58‐0.86). The detection rates of this model were 35.3% and 41.2% for fixed false‐positive rates of 5% and 10%, respectively. To predict spontaneous preterm birth before 37 weeks of gestation, the best model was provided by a combination of uterocervical angle, cervical length, and previous history of spontaneous preterm birth (area under the curve 0.64; 95% CI 0.55‐0.72). The detection rates of this model were 15.4% and 30.8% for fixed false‐positive rates of 5% and 10%, respectively. Obese women and those with a history of cesarean section had a wider uterocervical angle.

Conclusions

The uterocervical angle, measured mid‐trimester, is a poor predictor of spontaneous preterm birth.
Paediatricians provide higher quality care to children and adolescents in primary care: A systematic review
Authors: Aparicio Rodrigo María , Ruiz Canela Juan , Buñuel Álvarez Jose Cristóbal , García Vera César , Esparza Olcina Maria Jesús , Barroso Espadero Domingo , González Rodríguez Paz , Juanes Toledo Blanca , Martínez Rubio Victoria , Ortega Páez Eduardo
Published: April 2020

Aim

The number of primary care paediatricians is decreasing in Europe without a justifiable reason. We aimed to compare the clinical practice of paediatricians and family doctors attending children and adolescents in primary care.

Methods

MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL, TRIP and Google Scholar were searched from December 2008 to February 2018. No language or study design restrictions were applied. Three reviewers assessed eligibility of the studies. Seven pairs of reviewers performed the data extraction and assessed the methodological quality independently. Discrepancies were resolved by consensus.

Results

Fifty‐four, out of 1150 studies preselected, were included. We found that paediatricians show more appropriate pharmacology prescription patterns for the illness being treated; they achieve higher vaccination rates and have better knowledge of vaccines and fewer doubts about vaccine safety; their knowledge and implementation of different screening tests are better; they prescribe psychoactive drugs more cautiously and more in line with current practice guidelines; their evaluation and treatment of obesity and lipid disorders follow criteria more consistently with current clinical practice guidelines; and they perform fewer diagnostic test, show a more suitable use of the test and request fewer referrals to specialists.

Conclusion

According to published data, in developed countries, paediatricians provide higher quality care to children than family doctors.
Reactive oxygen species in renal vascular function
Authors: Xu Nan , Jiang Shan , Persson Pontus B. , Persson Erik A. G. , Lai En Yin , Patzak Andreas
Published: April 2020

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced by the aerobic metabolism. The imbalance between production of ROS and antioxidant defence in any cell compartment is associated with cell damage and may play an important role in the pathogenesis of renal disease. NADPH oxidase (NOX) family is the major ROS source in the vasculature and modulates renal perfusion. Upregulation of Ang II and adenosine activates NOX via AT1R and A1R in renal microvessels, leading to superoxide production. Oxidative stress in the kidney prompts renal vascular remodelling and increases preglomerular resistance. These are key elements in hypertension, acute and chronic kidney injury, as well as diabetic nephropathy. Renal afferent arterioles (Af), the primary resistance vessel in the kidney, fine tune renal hemodynamics and impact on blood pressure. Vice versa, ROS increase hypertension and diabetes, resulting in upregulation of Af vasoconstriction, enhancement of myogenic responses and change of tubuloglomerular feedback (TGF), which further promotes hypertension and diabetic nephropathy. In the following, we highlight oxidative stress in the function and dysfunction of renal hemodynamics. The renal microcirculatory alterations brought about by ROS importantly contribute to the pathophysiology of kidney injury, hypertension and diabetes.
Overall justice and supervisor conscientiousness: Implications for ethical leadership and employee self‐esteem
Authors: Rice Darryl B. , Young Nicole C. J. , Johnson Devante , Walton Rayshawn , Stacy Sydney
Published: April 2020

Research on organizational justice demonstrates its consistent effect on employee organization‐based self‐esteem. However, little research considers how organizational justice affects employee organization‐based self‐esteem and when the relationship is attenuated. In an effort to extend the research regarding this particular relationship, we draw on social cognitive theory to suggest that supervisors’ perceptions of overall organizational justice trickle down to impact employees’ organization‐based self‐esteem. Specifically, we propose that supervisory ethical leadership mediates this relationship. We also examine the moderating influence of supervisor conscientiousness on this proposed trickle‐down effect. We analyze these relationships in a multisource field study and find support for the mediating effect of supervisory ethical leadership and the proposed moderated mediation model. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Repeated measures random forests (RMRF): Identifying factors associated with nocturnal hypoglycemia
Authors: Calhoun Peter , Levine Richard A. , Fan Juanjuan
Published: April 2020

Nocturnal hypoglycemia is a common phenomenon among patients with diabetes and can lead to a broad range of adverse events and complications. Identifying factors associated with hypoglycemia can improve glucose control and patient care. We propose a repeated measures random forest (RMRF) algorithm that can handle nonlinear relationships and interactions and the correlated responses from patients evaluated over several nights. Simulation results show that our proposed algorithm captures the informative variable more often than naïvely assuming independence. RMRF also outperforms standard random forest and extremely randomized trees algorithms. We demonstrate scenarios where RMRF attains greater prediction accuracy than generalized linear models. We apply the RMRF algorithm to analyze a diabetes study with 2524 nights from 127 patients with type 1 diabetes. We find that nocturnal hypoglycemia is associated with HbA1c, bedtime blood glucose (BG), insulin on board, time system activated, exercise intensity, and daytime hypoglycemia. The RMRF can accurately classify nights at high risk of nocturnal hypoglycemia.
Banning mobile phones from classrooms—An opportunity to advance understandings of technology addiction, distraction and cyberbullying
Authors: Selwyn Neil , Aagaard Jesper
Published: April 2020

There is now an emerging worldwide trend for mobile phones being banned from classrooms and schools. While some academics working in the area of educational technology have raised concerns, many others have so far failed to respond to what is a significant shift in the ongoing development of digital education. The paper considers how academic researchers and other educational technology stakeholders can respond to what might be perceived as the curtailment of some forms of digital education. In particular, the paper argues that this current turn away from digital devices offers an opportunity to advance understandings about a number of seemingly problematic issues regarding the continued use of digital technologies in schools. In particular, the paper reconsiders five such areas of concern that are associated with banning phones from school: (1) technology addition; (2) digital distraction; (3) cyberbullying; (4) surveillance capitalism; and (5) environmental sustainability of digital education.
Innovation in chimpanzees
Authors: Bandini Elisa , Harrison Rachel A.
Published: April 2020

The study of innovation in non‐human animals (henceforth: animals) has recently gained momentum across fields including primatology, animal behaviour and cultural evolution. Examining the rate of innovations, and the cognitive mechanisms driving these innovations across species, can provide insights into the evolution of human culture. Especially relevant to the study of human culture is one of our closest living relatives, the chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes). Both wild and captive chimpanzees demonstrate an impressive ability to innovate solutions to novel problems, but also a striking level of conservatism in some contexts, creating a unique and at times puzzling, picture of animal innovation. Whilst the animal innovation field is rife with potential for expanding our knowledge of human and non‐human cognition and problem‐solving, it is undermined by a lack of consistency across studies. The field is yet to settle on a definition of the term ‘innovation’, leading to studies being incomparable across and even within the same species. Here, we fill two gaps in the literature. First, we discuss some of the most prevalent definitions of ‘innovation’ from different fields, highlighting similarities and differences between them. Secondly, we provide an up‐to‐date review of accounts of innovations in both wild and captive chimpanzees. We hope this review will provide a resource for researchers interested in the study of innovation in chimpanzees and other animals, as well as emphasising the need for consistency in the way in which innovations are reported.
Ecosystem functions in natural and anthropogenic ecosystems across the East African coastal forest landscape
Authors: Habel Jan Christian , Ulrich Werner
Published: April 2020

Habitat identity and landscape configuration significantly shape species communities and affect ecosystem functions. The conservation of natural ecosystems is of particular relevance in regions where landscapes have already been largely transformed into farmland and where habitats suffer under resource exploitation. The spillover of ecosystem functions from natural ecosystems into farmland may positively influence agricultural productivity and human livelihood quality. We measured three proxies of ecosystem functioning: Pollinator diversity (using pan traps), seed dispersal (with a seed removal experiment), and predation (using dummy caterpillars). We assessed these ecosystem functions in three forest types of the East African dry coastal forest (Brachystegia forest, Cynometra forest, and mixed forest), as well as in adjoining farmland and in plantations of exotic trees (Eucalyptus mainly). We measured ecosystem functions at 20 plots for each habitat type, and along gradients ranging from the forest into farmland. We also recorded various environmental parameters for each study plot. We did not find significant differences of ecosystem functions when combining all proxies assessed, neither among the three natural forest types, nor between natural forest and plantations. However, we found trends for single ecosystem functions. We identified highest pollinator diversity along the forest margin and in farmlands. Vegetation cover and blossom density affected the level of predation positively. Based on our findings, we suggest that flowering gardens around housings and woodlots across farmland areas support ecosystem functioning and thus improve human livelihood quality. We conclude that levels of overall ecosystem functions are affected by entire landscapes, and high landscape heterogeneity, as found in our case, might blur potential negative effects and trends arising from habitat destruction and degradation.
Ultra‐Conserved Elements and morphology reciprocally illuminate conflicting phylogenetic hypotheses in Chalcididae (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea)
Authors: Cruaud Astrid , Delvare Gérard , Nidelet Sabine , Sauné Laure , Ratnasingham Sujeevan , Chartois Marguerite , Blaimer Bonnie B. , Gates Michael , Brady Seán G. , Faure Sariana , van Noort Simon , Rossi Jean‐Pierre , Rasplus Jean‐Yves
Published: April 2020

Recent technical advances combined with novel computational approaches have promised the acceleration of our understanding of the tree of life. However, when it comes to hyperdiverse and poorly known groups of invertebrates, studies are still scarce. As published phylogenies will be rarely challenged by future taxonomists, careful attention must be paid to potential analytical bias. We present the first molecular phylogenetic hypothesis for the family Chalcididae, a group of parasitoid wasps, with a representative sampling (144 ingroups and seven outgroups) that covers all described subfamilies and tribes, and 82% of the known genera. Analyses of 538 Ultra‐Conserved Elements (UCEs) with supermatrix (RAxML and IQTREE) and gene tree reconciliation approaches (ASTRAL, ASTRID) resulted in highly supported topologies in overall agreement with morphology but reveal conflicting topologies for some of the deepest nodes. To resolve these conflicts, we explored the phylogenetic tree space with clustering and gene genealogy interrogation methods, analyzed marker and taxon properties that could bias inferences and performed a thorough morphological analysis (130 characters encoded for 40 taxa representative of the diversity). This joint analysis reveals that UCEs enable attainment of resolution between ancestry and convergent/divergent evolution when morphology is not informative enough, but also shows that a systematic exploration of bias with different analytical methods and a careful analysis of morphological features is required to prevent publication of artifactual results. We highlight a GC content bias for maximum‐likelihood approaches, an artifactual mid‐point rooting of the ASTRAL tree and a deleterious effect of high percentage of missing data (>85% missing UCEs) on gene tree reconciliation methods. Based on the results we propose a new classification of the family into eight subfamilies and ten tribes that lay the foundation for future studies on the evolutionary history of Chalcididae.
Optoacoustic mesoscopy shows potential to increase accuracy of allergy patch testing
Authors: Hindelang Benedikt , Aguirre Juan , Berezhnoi Andrei , He Hailong , Eyerich Kilian , Ntziachristos Vasilis , Biedermann Tilo , Darsow Ulf
Published: April 2020

Background

Differentiation between irritant and allergic skin reactions in epicutaneous patch testing is based largely on subjective clinical criteria, with the risk of high intraobserver and interobserver variability. Novel dermatological imaging using optoacoustic mesoscopy allows quantitative three‐dimensional assessment of microvascular biomarkers.

Objectives

We investigated the potential of optoacoustic imaging to improve the precision of patch test evaluation.

Methods

Sixty‐nine test reactions and 48 healthy skin sections in 52 patients with suspected type IV allergy were examined using raster‐scan optoacoustic mesoscopy.

Results

We identified biomarkers from the optoacoustic images. Allergic reactions were associated with higher fragmentation of skin vasculature than irritant reactions (19.5 ± 9.7 vs 14.3 ± 3.7 fragments/100 pixels2; P < .05), as well as lower ratio of low‐ to high‐frequency acoustic signals (1.6 ± 0.5 vs 2.0 ± 0.6, P < .05). Allergic reactions graded “++” showed higher vessel fragmentation than reactions graded “+” (25.4 ± 13.2 vs 17.1 ± 6.5 fragments/100 pixels2; P < .05). A linear model combining the biomarkers fragmentation and frequency ratio could differentiate allergic from irritant test reactions with an area under the receiving operator characteristic curve of 0.80 (95% confidence interval 0.64‐0.91), reaching a sensitivity of 81% and specificity of 63%.

Conclusions

Optoacoustic mesoscopy shows potential to help in differentiating between allergic and irritant test reactions based on novel biomarkers that may reflect vasodilation, vessel tortuosity, and edema.
MUTYH‐associated polyposis – colorectal phenotype and management
Authors: Patel R. , McGinty P. , Cuthill V. , Hawkins M. , Moorghen M. , Clark S. K. , Latchford A.
Published: April 2020

Aim

The aim was to determine the presentation, management and outcomes of MUTYH‐associated polyposis (MAP).

Method

A prospectively maintained database was used to identify patients with MAP. Demographic data and data on germline mutation, surgical management, histopathology of tumours and endoscopic surveillance were collected.

Results

In all, 134 patients with MAP were identified. The majority presented symptomatically (n = 83). Sixty‐eight patients developed cancer (seven synchronous, 12 metachronous). The median age at diagnosis of first colorectal cancer was 47 years (range 33–74 years). Cancers occurred in the context of a few adenomas (< 10). The majority of patients (n = 108) had surgery as the first line management. One patient received palliative care. Twenty‐five patients had endoscopic surveillance as first line management; no cancers occurred in this group. Patients who had segmental resection and postoperative surveillance still appeared to be at risk of metachronous cancer (5/30, 17%).

Conclusions

MUTYH testing should be considered even in the context of cancers occurring with fewer than 10 adenomas. In cases of primary colorectal cancers, extended surgery should be considered if patients do not have access to high quality endoscopic surveillance postoperatively. For some patients, endoscopic therapy is an appropriate and safe option in expert hands.
Serum KL‐6 levels in pulmonary Langerhans’ cell histiocytosis
Authors: d’Alessandro Miriana , Bergantini Laura , Cameli Paolo , Lanzarone Nicola , Antonietta Mazzei Maria , Alonzi Valerio , Sestini Piersante , Bargagli Elena
Published: April 2020

Background

Serum Krebs von den Lungen‐6 (sKL‐6) is an high‐molecular‐weight (200 kDa) glycoprotein predominantly expressed by damaged alveolar type II cells, and it has been proposed as a potential biomarker of different ILD. This is a prognostic biomarker for chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis (cHP) and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), two diseases that share several clinical and radiological features. Little data are available on the potential role of KL‐6 in granulomatous and cystic interstitial lung diseases, including the orphan disease known as pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis (PLCH).

Methods

For the first time, sKL‐6 concentrations were assayed and compared in 96 patients (17 PLCH, 22 IPF, 34 cHP) and 22 healthy controls.

Results

Serum KL‐6 concentrations were significantly higher in PLCH (599 ± 594 U/mL), IPF (1645 ± 846 U/mL) and cHP patients (1691 ± 1643 U/mL) than in healthy controls (268 U/mL) (P = .037). Area‐under‐the‐curve values of sKL‐6 were 73.4% between PLCH and healthy controls, 84.5% between IPF and PLCH and 78% between cHP and PLCH. An indirect correlation between sKL‐6 concentrations and peripheral CD1a‐positive cells was demonstrated (r = −0.82; P = .034).

Conclusion

Serum KL‐6 concentrations were higher in PLCH patients than in controls, reflecting the alveolar damage typical of this rare interstitial lung disease.
MR‐ proADM to detect specific types of organ failure in infection
Authors: Andrés Cristina , Andaluz‐Ojeda David , Cicuendez Ramón , Nogales Leonor , Martín Silvia , Martin‐Fernandez Marta , Almansa Raquel , Calvo Dolores , Esteban‐Velasco Maria Carmen , Vaquero‐Roncero Luis Mario , Ríos‐Llorente Alberto , Sanchez‐Barrado Elisa , Muñoz‐Bellvís Luis , Aldecoa César , Bermejo‐Martin Jesus F.
Published: April 2020

Background

Following the SEPSIS‐3 consensus, detection of organ failure as assessed by the SOFA (Sequential Organ Failure Assessment) score, is mandatory to detect sepsis. Calculating SOFA outside of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is challenging. The alternative in this scenario, the quick SOFA, is very specific but less sensible. Biomarkers could help to detect the presence of organ failure secondary to infection either in ICU and non‐ICU settings.

Materials and methods

We evaluated the ability of four biomarkers (C‐Reactive protein (CRP), lactate, mid‐regional proadrenomedullin (MR‐proADM) and procalcitonin (PCT)) to detect each kind of organ failure considered in the SOFA in 213 patients with infection, sepsis or septic shock, by using multivariate regression analysis and calculation of the area under the receiver operating curve (AUROC).

Results

In the multivariate analysis, MR‐proADM was an independent predictor of five different failures (respiratory, coagulation, cardiovascular, neurological and renal). In turn, lactate predicted three (coagulation, cardiovascular and neurological) and PCT two (cardiovascular and renal). CRP did not predict any of the individual components of SOFA. The highest AUROCs were those of MR‐proADM and PCT to detect cardiovascular (AUROC, CI95%): MR‐proADM (0.82 [0.76‐0.88]), PCT (0.81 [0.75‐0.87] (P < .05) and renal failure: MR‐proADM (0.87 [0.82‐0.92]), PCT (0.81 [0.75‐0.86]), (P < .05). None of the biomarkers tested was able to detect hepatic failure.

Conclusions

In patients with infection, MR‐proADM was the biomarker detecting the largest number of SOFA score components, with the exception of hepatic failure.
Relative risks and odds ratios: Simple rules on when and how to use them
Authors: McKenzie Dean P. , Thomas Christopher
Published: April 2020

Aim

Relative risks and odds ratios are widely reported in the medical literature, but can be very difficult to understand. We sought to further clarify these important indices.

Methods

We illustrated both relative risks and odds ratios using bar charts, then looked at the types of study for which each statistic is suited. We demonstrated calculation of relative risks and odds ratios through analysis of tabled data from a recent published longitudinal study, using a 2 × 2 table and R, the open‐source statistical programming language. Simple rules for when and how to use relative risks and odds ratios are presented.

Conclusion

Understanding the difference between relative risks and odds ratios and when and how to use them may aid clinical interpretation, dissemination and translation of research findings.
The ‘Parma‐Early Psychosis’ programme: Characterization of help‐seekers with first episode psychosis
Authors: Landi Giulia , Leuci Emanuela , Quattrone Emanuela , Azzali Silvia , Pellegrini Clara , Pellegrini Pietro , Pelizza Lorenzo
Published: April 2020

Aim

Research on early psychosis paradigm has demonstrated the importance of early intervention (EI) in reducing illness severity and persistence. From January 2013, the Parma Department of Mental Health developed a specific care pathway [the ‘Parma‐Early Psychosis’ (Pr‐EP) programme] as a diffused EI infrastructure aimed to offer an evidence‐based protocol of care to help‐seekers with a first episode psychosis (FEP). Aim of this study was to investigate sources of referral, drop‐out rate, sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of patients enrolled in the Pr‐EP programme during the first 6 years of activity.

Methods

Participants (n = 279) were individuals (aged 12‐54 years) completing an ad‐hoc socio‐demographic/clinical schedule.

Results

At baseline, the most frequent diagnoses were schizophreniform disorder (30.5%) and schizophrenia (29.4%). Only 31 (11.1%) subjects dropped out during the first year of treatment. FEP participants were mainly referred by general practitioners (36.9%) and emergency room/general hospital (28.7%). FEP individuals who were referred by emergency room/general hospital showed a higher percentage of current suicidal ideation compared to those entering the Pr‐EP protocol through other sources of referrals.

Conclusions

EI in FEP help‐seekers within Italian public mental health services is feasible and desirable, also in adolescence, where the risk of falling through the child‐adult service gap is high.