bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Promoting responsible sovereign lending and borrowing: the role of sovereign wealth funds
Authors: Pavlidis Georgios
Published: June 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the idea of building responsible borrowing and lending into sovereign wealth fund (SWF) decision-making. SWFs, which currently manage US$8 trillion in assets, are influential institutional investors, but their role in sovereign debt markets needs to be further explored. In this context, this paper aims to critically assess the linkages and convergences between the Santiago Principles on SWF and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) principles on responsible sovereign lending and borrowing.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper draws on legal scholarship, reports, policy papers and other open-source data to explore the role of SWFs in sovereign lending, borrowing and debt restructuring.

Findings

Building responsible borrowing and lending into SWF decision-making is feasible and justified on the grounds of both ethics and public duty. It is also justified in financial terms because it would protect SWFs from irresponsible lending and borrowing practices at the micro level while contributing to global financial stability at the macro level.

Originality/value

This is the first comprehensive study to juxtapose two important normative processes, the Santiago Principles and the UNCTAD Principles.
The causal effects of referential vs ideological justification of change
Authors: Arnestad Mads Nordmo , Selart Marcus , Lines Rune
Published: June 2019

Purpose

This paper details an experimental study (n=197) that explores how different types of managerial change justifications affect employees’ reactions. The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of managerial justification of a controversial decision in referential terms, ideological terms or a combination of the two.

Design/methodology/approach

A randomized controlled experiment was used applying case-based video clips to ensure vividness and realism in the experimental manipulation.

Findings

The results show that referential justification caused a drop in the perceived trustworthiness of management, such that it reduced employees’ perceptions of the manager’s integrity. The effect was most pronounced in participants having elevated levels of dispositional resistance to change. The drop in perceived integrity was indirectly associated with reduced intention to support the change together with adverse affective and cognitive reactions to change.

Originality/value

A robust test of different change justifications in a randomized, controlled setting, which also highlights the psychological mechanisms through which referential change justifications reduce follower trust. This result should help managers more readily understand the components of successful communication in organizational change.
Open innovation in small and medium enterprises: a bibliometric analysis
Authors: Odriozola-Fernández Ignacio , Berbegal-Mirabent Jasmina , Merigó-Lindahl José M.
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The open innovation (OI) paradigm suggests that firms should use inflows and outflows of knowledge in order to accelerate innovation and leverage markets. Literature examining how firms are adopting OI practices is rich; notwithstanding, little research has addressed this topic from the perspective of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Given the relevance of SMEs in worldwide economies, the purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive overview of research on OI in SMEs.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 112 academic articles were selected from the Web of Science database. Following a bibliometric analysis, the most relevant authors, journals, institutions and countries are presented. Additionally, the main areas these articles cover are summarized.

Findings

Results are consistent in that the most prolific authors are affiliated with the universities leading the ranking of institutions. However, it is remarkable that top authors in this field do not possess a large number of publications on OI in SMEs, but combine this research topic with other related ones. At the country level, European countries are on the top together with South Korea.

Research limitations/implications

Despite following a rigorous method, other relevant documents not included in the selected databases might have been ignored.

Practical implications

This paper outlines the main topics of interest within this area: impact of OI on firm performance and on organizations’ structure, OI as a mechanism to hasten new product development, the analysis of the inbound/outbound dimensions of OI, and legal issues related to intellectual property right management when OI is implemented.

Originality/value

The study uses a combination of bibliometric indicators with a literature review.
Value of social robots in services: social cognition perspective
Authors: Čaić Martina , Mahr Dominik , Oderkerken-Schröder Gaby
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The technological revolution in the service sector is radically changing the ways in which and with whom consumers co-create value. This conceptual paper considers social robots in elderly care services and outlines ways in which their human-like affect and cognition influence users’ social perceptions and anticipations of robots’ value co-creation or co-destruction potential. A future research agenda offers relevant, conceptually robust directions for stimulating the advancement of knowledge and understanding in this nascent field.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing from service, robotics and social cognition research, this paper develops a conceptual understanding of the value co-creation/destruction potential of social robots in services.

Findings

Three theoretical propositions construct an iterative framework of users’ evaluations of social robots in services. First, social robots offer users value propositions leveraging affective and cognitive resources. Second, users’ personal values become salient through interactions with social robots’ affective and cognitive resources. Third, users evaluate social robots’ value co-creation/destruction potential according to social cognition dimensions.

Originality/value

Social robots in services are an emerging topic in service research and hold promising implications for organizations and users. This relevant, conceptually robust framework advances scholarly understanding of their opportunities and pitfalls for realizing value. This study also identifies guidelines for service managers for designing and introducing social robots into complex service environments.
An in-app purchase framework for location-based AR games: the case of Pokémon Go
Authors: Hsiao Kuo-Lun , Lytras Miltiadis D. , Chen Chia-Chen
Published: June 2019

Purpose

Although location-based augmented reality (AR) games are popular in recent years, the motivation of in-app purchases still needs further investigation. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the antecedents of the intention to make a purchase in location-based AR games.

Design/methodology/approach

This research develops a conceptual model and hypotheses based on the theory of perceived values and satisfaction to investigate the antecedents. An online questionnaire was developed and distributed on popular websites to collect data, and 662 usable responses were collected from the players of Pokémon Go in Taiwan.

Findings

In total, 22 hypotheses were validated by using partial least squares techniques. Among the antecedents of in-app purchases intention in the model, the perceived value and satisfaction were found to have strong direct effects. The antecedents of the perceived value (flow, design aesthetic, social self-expression and good price) have direct influences on the perceived value of all players. Design aesthetic, reward and the perceived value were found to have a direct impact on all players’ satisfaction. Moreover, the differences between paying users and non-paying users were discussed and verified.

Originality/value

The model demonstrated relatively good explanatory power for purchase intention in the context of location-based AR game. The proposed model can provide insights to location-based AR game developers to design their games and marketing strategies.
Research of data mining and web technology in university discipline construction decision support system based on MVC model
Authors: Huang Zhaokun , Liang Yufang
Published: June 2019

Purpose

Taking the discipline construction in colleges and universities as the application background, based on the research on data mining technology and decision support system technology, the data generated by university management information system are effectively utilized. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the Beijing Key Discipline Information Platform as the data source, the decision tree algorithm of data mining is studied. On the basis of decision tree C4.5, the Bayesian theory is applied to the post-pruning operation of the decision tree.

Findings

A decision tree post-pruning algorithm based on the Bayesian theory is studied and put forward in order to simplify the decision tree, which improves the generalization ability of the whole algorithm. Finally, the algorithm is used to build the prediction model of key disciplines. Combined with the decision support system architecture, data warehouse and the data mining algorithm constructed by university discipline, based on J2EE standard enterprise system specification, MVC model is applied. Moreover, a prototype system of decision support system for discipline construction in colleges and universities with browser/server (B/S) structure is completed and implemented.

Originality/value

A decision tree post-pruning algorithm based on the Bayesian theory is studied and put forward in order to simplify the decision tree, which improves the generalization ability of the whole algorithm. Finally, the algorithm is used to build the prediction model of key disciplines. Combined with the decision support system architecture, data warehouse and the data mining algorithm constructed by university discipline, based on J2EE standard enterprise system specification, MVC model is applied. Moreover, a prototype system of decision support system for discipline construction in colleges and universities with B/S structure is completed and implemented.
From stock selection to multi-asset investment management
Authors: Ascioglu Asli , Maloney Kevin John
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to trace the evolution of the Archway Investment Fund (AIF) at Bryant University from its founding in 2005 as a portfolio focused exclusively on US equities to a multi-asset program that incorporates US equities, non-US equities, equity ETFs, REITs, individual bonds, fixed income ETFs and options. It also describes the explicit introduction of environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations into the investment process.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper follows a case study approach.

Findings

The paper describes the programmatic changes that accompanied this evolution in these areas: finance department curriculum innovations; the investment guidelines and constraints that govern the AIF; the investment process utilized; the oversight and governance process; and the reporting, presentation, and publicity initiatives that keep critical constituencies (university administration, faculty, alumni and students) informed and engaged in this program to sustain its success.

Originality/value

The vast majority of student-managed funds are equity funds focused on individual stock selection. The AIF is a multi-asset fund with separate equity and fixed income sub-portfolios that explicitly incorporates ESG factors into the security selection process.
Interactive trilateral foreign exchange exposure: insights from scenario analysis
Authors: O’Brien Thomas
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present scenarios of interactive trilateral foreign exchange (FX) exposure, where a company’s exposures to two foreign currencies depend on those currencies’ FX rate with each other.

Design/methodology/approach

A pro forma analysis of three-way FX rate changes illustrates interactive trilateral FX exposure and generates observations for a multivariate regression estimation of FX exposure coefficients.

Findings

The multivariate regression estimates of FX exposure provide the basis for a useful financial hedging strategy for interactive trilateral FX exposure. Some of the FX exposure estimates have surprising signs and magnitudes.

Research limitations/implications

Scenario analysis does not result in a general theory of interactive FX exposure, but the study’s diverse and rich scenarios may provide helpful insights to theoretical and empirical researchers.

Practical implications

The scenarios relate to many common real-world situations and thus may help managers and educators better understand how to manage FX exposure.

Originality/value

The topic of interactive FX exposure is under-researched and under-covered in contemporary textbooks or the applied finance literature.
Exploring the relationship between reverse logistics and sustainability performance
Authors: Banihashemi Taknaz Alsadat , Fei Jiangang , Chen Peggy Shu-Ling
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The implementation of reverse logistics (RL) as a strategic decision has gained significant attention amongst organisations due to its benefits to sustainable development. The purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive review of the literature to evaluate the performance of the RL process based on the three dimensions of sustainability including environmental, economic and social aspects.

Design/methodology/approach

Content analysis was adopted to collect and analyse the information.

Findings

The findings of this research show that most of the studies have focused on the performance evaluation of RL by considering the factors associated with economic and environmental performance. The social aspect of RL has been overlooked and requires investigation due to its contribution to positive social outcomes. In addition, no research has been conducted to assess the impact of each of the disposition options on the triple-bottom-line sustainability performance in one study.

Originality/value

Although RL can make a significant contribution to improving the sustainability performance of firms, little research has been undertaken on exploring the relationship between RL and sustainability performance. This paper provides practitioners, academics and researchers a broad and complete view of the relationship between RL and sustainability performance with suggestion for future research.
Voluntary hedging disclosure and corporate governance
Authors: Hoelscher Seth A.
Published: June 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the implications of governance quality on a firm’s information environment in the context of voluntary changes in hedging disclosures made by oil and gas companies.

Design/methodology/approach

The research utilizes a Factiva-guided search to hand-collect public disclosures related to changes in hedging policies along with the hand collection of financial derivatives positions and operational hedging contracts data using 10-K filings. The paper addresses self-selection bias, which typically plagues voluntary disclosure studies, by implementing a Heckman (1979) two-step model to estimate the decision process, make changes in their hedge program and, conditional on making changes to their hedging activities, provide disclosure.

Findings

Oil and gas firms with relatively poor governance are more likely to voluntarily disclose hedging changes and do so more frequently (substitution hypothesis). There is evidence that poorly governed firms in the presence of large shareholders (i.e. high institutional ownership) are more likely to provide transparency of hedging policy changes.

Originality/value

This is the first study to combine hand-collected changes in hedging voluntary disclosures and hand-collected derivative position data to investigate the interaction of corporate governance and voluntary disclosure. The sample allows for analysis between three sub-samples: companies that do not make changes in hedging and do not hedge, firms that make changes in their hedging policies but do not disclose the changes during a given year and companies that change their hedging activities and provide voluntary disclosure. This unique setting helps to alleviate concerns of self-selection bias associated with voluntary disclosure.
Estimating local administrators’ participation in planning: case of “Egypt vision 2030”
Authors: Moghaieb Heba Saleh
Published: June 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to address to what extent local administration is involved in national planning focusing on drafting and reviewing processes of “Egypt Vision 2030”.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper plan to use focus group discussions and descriptive-analytical approach with representatives of local administration in three governorates.

Findings

Importance of local participation is not any more a question; however, participation concept and methodology are what matters. Participatory approach is not complex-free. It is crucial to consider conflicts of interest groups, ideologies, and political trends, communities’ high expectations, particularly of those who were marginalized and deprived for long time. Definitions should not be unified on national, regional and local levels. Each community needs to agree on its own definitions, needs, dreams and paths toward development. Accordingly, the role of the planner is to expand choices and opportunities for each citizen. Participation in planning for the future must include the coming generation who are opting to live this tomorrow. That requires institutionalization of youth participation in the decision-making processes.

Research limitations/implications

It was difficult to ensure meeting adequate sample; however, the author does believe that the participated sample represents the case.

Practical implications

The impact of public participation in planning on enhancing the planning processes and strategic planning outcomes and implementation is not a matter of questioning anymore, although governments do not pay due attention.

Social implications

Public participation in planning processes named participative planning is crucial for achieving development, social justice, economic development and public trust in governments.

Originality/value

The paper depends on focus-group discussions that were conducted by the author. Analysis and discussions reflect the author’s academic and practical experiences.
MicroRNA‐33a‐5p suppresses colorectal cancer cell growth by inhibiting MTHFD2
Authors: Yan Yan , Zhang Ding , Lei Ting , Zhao Chang'an , Han Jia , Cui Jiarui , Wang Yili
Published: June 2019

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignancies with high levels of invasiveness, drug resistance and mortality, but the internal mechanisms of CRC are largely unknown. MicroRNAs (miRs) have been reported to be involved in the development of CRC, and numerous studies have demonstrated that the abnormal expression of miR‐33a‐5p might be associated with CRC. However, the function and downstream mechanism of miR‐33a‐5p in colorectal cancer (CRC) remains unclear. Methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase 2 (MTHFD2), a mitochondrial enzyme involved in folic acid metabolism, interestingly was confirmed to be one of the target genes of miR‐33a‐5p in the present study. We first confirmed that miR‐33a‐5p in CRC tissues and cell lines were downregulated (P < 0.05), and that the proliferation, clone formation capacities, G1/S progression, and migration capacities of the two CRC cell lines HCT116 cells and HT29 were suppressed by miR‐33a‐5p overexpression in vitro (P < 0.05). Ctrl HCT116 and miR‐33a‐5p‐overexpressing HCT116 were injected into nude mice. In vivo tumour formation was significantly suppressed by miR‐33a‐5p overexpression (P < 0.05) as well as the proliferation marker Ki67 (P < 0.05). Additionally, MTHFD2 protein expression was significantly enhanced in CRC tissues. From bioinformatics predictions and a luciferase report analysis, MTHFD2 was confirmed to be one of the target genes of miR‐33a‐5p. In contrast to the role of miR‐33a‐5p overexpression, MTHFD2 overexpression promoted the proliferation and migration of HCT116 and HT29 cells (P < 0.05), which confirmed that MTHFD2 was a functional target gene of miR‐33a‐5p. In conclusion, miR‐33a‐5p inhibits the growth and migration of CRC by targeting MTHFD2.
Inhibition of mitochondrial respiration by tigecycline selectively targets thyroid carcinoma and increases chemosensitivity
Authors: Wang Yuehua , Xie Fei , Chen Dejie , Wang Ling
Published: June 2019

The role of mitochondria in cancer and mitochondria‐targeted therapy has been gaining attention for its effectiveness and selectivity between cancer and normal cells. In line with this notion, our work demonstrates that inducing mitochondrial dysfunction by tigecycline, a FDA‐approved antibiotic, selectively targets thyroid cancer and enhances chemosensitivity. We found that tigecycline inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis in a panel of thyroid cancer cell lines. Consistently, tigecycline inhibited thyroid cancer growth in mice without causing significant toxicity. The combination of tigecycline with paclitaxel achieved greater efficacy than paclitaxel alone in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, tigecycline inhibited mitochondrial respiration and ATP reduction through decreasing mitochondrial membrane potential and inhibiting mitochondrial translation, leading to oxidative stress and damage. In contrast, tigecycline was ineffective in mitochondrial respiration‐deficient cells, confirming that tigecycline acts on thyroid cancer via inhibiting mitochondrial respiration. Interestingly, although tigecycline inhibited mitochondrial respiration in both thyroid cancer and normal thyroid cells in a similar manner, tigecycline was more effective in thyroid cancer than normal thyroid cells, suggesting that thyroid cancer cells are more dependent on mitochondrial functions than normal thyroid cells. This was supported by our observations that thyroid cancer cells had higher level of mitochondrial biogenesis compared to normal thyroid cells. Our work is the first to demonstrate that the combination of chemotherapy with tigecycline is a potential sensitizing strategy for thyroid cancer treatment. Our findings also highlight the higher dependence of thyroid cancer cells on mitochondrial functions than normal thyroid cells.
Embedded Enclaves: Cultural Mimicry and Urban Social Exclusion in Iran
Authors: Hashemi Manata
Published: June 2019

This article argues that symbolic boundaries and their spatial manifestation into embedded enclaves have become new forms of urban social exclusion. Based on participant observation and interviews among lower‐ and middle‐/upper‐class residents in the city of Sari, Iran, the article analyzes how the poor's physical circulations in the city and their performances of class and status have led to an elite backlash, as the latter find more refined markers of social separation in an effort to bolster their own exclusivity. Social distancing through the denigration of the poor and the construction of embedded enclaves brings to the fore the class tensions that are temporarily masked by the urban poor's spatial practices and cultural mimicry. As an advanced form of codified status inequality, embedded enclaves rely on the poor's citywide circulations and on increasing inter‐class interactions in order to communicate difference. Embedded—rather than cordoned off—in prominent areas of the city, such enclaves function as a reminder to the poor of all they cannot have. The upsurge of such establishments in the wake of Iran's shifting economic environment represents an attempt to shore up social position and restore the status quo.
Forty‐Three Fatalities Involving the Synthetic Cannabinoid, 5‐Fluoro‐ADB: Forensic Pathology and Toxicology Implications
Authors: Boland Diane M. , Reidy Lisa J. , Seither Joshua M. , Radtke Jay M. , Lew Emma O.
Published: June 2019

Forty‐three fatalities involving the potent synthetic cannabinoid, 5‐Fluoro‐ADB, are summarized. For each case, a description of the terminal event, autopsy findings, cause of death, qualitative identification of 5‐Fluoro‐ADB and its ester hydrolysis metabolite, 5‐Fluoro‐ADB metabolite 7, in urine, and the quantitative values obtained in the blood specimens are outlined. Central blood concentrations ranged from 0.010 to 2.2 ng/mL for 5‐Fluoro‐ADB and 2.0 to 166 ng/mL for 5‐Fluoro‐ADB metabolite 7. Peripheral blood concentrations ranged from 0.010 to 0.77 ng/mL and 2.0 to 110 ng/mL for 5‐Fluoro‐ADB and 5‐Fluoro‐ADB metabolite 7, respectively. The majority of cases resulted in central to peripheral blood concentration ratios greater than 1 for 5‐Fluoro‐ADB (58%) and 5‐Fluoro‐ADB metabolite 7 (71%) suggesting that postmortem redistribution occurs to some extent. Combining the increased cardiac weight and/or gastric volume and toxicology data identifying 5‐Fluoro‐ADB, it is hypothesized that abuse of this substance may precipitate a dysrhythmia and cause sudden death.
Expression fusion immunogen by live attenuated Escherichia coli against enterotoxins infection in mice
Authors: Feng Ni , Guan Weikun
Published: June 2019

Previous epidemiological studies have shown that enterotoxins from enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) appear to be the most important causes of neonatal piglet and porcine post‐weaning diarrhoea (PWD). Thus, it is necessary to develop an effective vaccine against ETEC infection. In the present study, the Kil cassette was inserted into the pseudogene yaiT by homologous recombination to create an attenuated E. coli double selection platform O142(yaiT‐Kil). After that, PRPL‐Kil was replaced with a fusion gene (LTA1‐STa13‐STb‐LTA2‐LTB‐STa13‐STb) to establish oral vaccines O142(yaiT::LTA1‐STa13‐STb‐LTA2‐LTB‐STa13‐STb) (ER‐T). Subsequently, BALB/c mice were orally immunized with ER‐T. Results showed that serum IgG and faecal sIgA responded against all ETEC enterotoxins and induced F41 antibody in BALB/c mice by orogastrically inoculation with recombinant E. coli ER‐T. Moreover, the determination of cellular immune response demonstrated that the stimulation index (SI) was significantly higher in immunized mice than in control mice, and a clear trend in the helper T‐cell (Th) response was Th2‐cell (IL‐4) exceed Th1‐cell (IFN‐γ).Our results indicated that recombinant E. coli ER‐T provides effective protection against ETEC infection.
Low levels of pannexin‐1 in Behçet’s syndrome
Authors: Şahin Ali , İlhan Abdullah , Derin Mehmet Emin , Doğan Halef Okan , Şahin Mehtap
Published: June 2019

Objective

Behçet's syndrome (BS) is a chronic, multisystemic and inflammatory syndrome. In our study, we aimed to compare the initiator, effector and inflammatory caspases and pannexin channel protein, which is thought to have an activity in inflammation, in the inflammatory process of BS, with healthy subjects, to investigate their level in patients and their relationship with the clinical findings.

Method

Forty‐six patients who were under follow‐up for BS in the Sivas Cumhuriyet University Medical Faculty Department of Internal Diseases, Rheumatology Unit, between January 2017 and June 2017 and 44 healthy controls (HC) who did not have any rheumatic, systemic or metabolic diseases, were enrolled in this study.

Results

The mean serum pannexin‐1 level was 6.36 (4.21‐527.2) pg/mL in the BS group and 255.8 (5.38‐2000) pg/mL in the HC group. Serum pannexin‐1 levels were statistically significantly lower in the BS group (P < 0.0001). The measured mean serum caspase‐3 level was 12.04 (11.25‐43.69) pg/mL in the group with BS and 12.1 (11.19‐484.3) pg/mL in the HC group (P = 0.143), mean serum caspase‐9 level was 22 (5.14‐29.33) pg/mL in the BS group and 22.01 (11.23‐850) pg/mL in the HC group (P = 0.593), mean serum caspase‐14 level was 6 (5.2‐8.21) pg/mL in the BS group and 6.15 (5.7‐353) pg/mL in the HC group (P = 0.053).

Conclusion

Comparison of serum caspase‐3, caspase‐9 and caspase‐14 levels in subjects with BS and in the HC group did not reveal any statistically significant differences. On the other hand, serum pannexin‐1 levels were statistically significantly lower in the BS group.
Incidence of delayed venous thromboembolic events in patients undergoing abdominal and pelvic surgery for cancer: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Serrano Pablo E. , Parpia Sameer , Valencia Marlie , Simunovic Marko , Bhandari Mohit , Levine Mark
Published: June 2019

Background

Incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) following discharge for abdominal cancer surgery is uncertain.

Methods

We searched MEDLINE and Embase for studies evaluating the incidence of VTE at 3 months from surgery. Studies indicating use of post‐hospital VTE prophylaxis were excluded. Two independent reviewers performed study selection, data abstraction and risk of bias. Random‐effects model was used to estimate pooled incidence, and weights were estimated using inverse variance method. Statistical heterogeneity was explored via subgroup analysis.

Results

Of 4215 abstracts retrieved, 11 reported the incidence of VTE at 3 months. There were three randomized trials (n = 520), one prospective cohort study (n = 284) and seven retrospective cohort studies (n = 65 308). VTE incidence among prospective studies was 9.6% (95% confidence interval (CI) 2.9–16.4), while for retrospective studies was 2.2% (95% CI 1.4–3.0). Heterogeneity was high (I2 = 92% and 81%, respectively). The incidence of symptomatic VTE was 1.3% (95% CI 0.4–2.3) for prospective studies. VTE was diagnosed by screening venography in most of the prospective studies, whereas retrospective studies did not use a screening method. Subgroup analysis based on the type of organ surgery performed explained the heterogeneity.

Conclusions

VTE incidence following abdominal cancer surgery varies greatly depending on the study type, with differences largely explained by the method of assessment of VTE. The fact that VTE incidence among retrospective studies was closer to the incidence of symptomatic events (non‐screen detected) in the prospective studies, suggests that the screened events were mostly asymptomatic and their clinical significance is unclear.
Teburu—Open source 3D printable bioreactor for tissue slices as dynamic three‐dimensional cell culture models
Authors: Daneshgar Assal , Tang Peter , Remde Christopher , Lommel Michael , Moosburner Simon , Kertzscher Ulrich , Klein Oliver , Weinhart Marie , Pratschke Johann , Sauer Igor M. , Hillebrandt Karl H.
Published: June 2019

Three‐dimensional tissue cultures are important models for the study of cell‐cell and cell‐matrix interactions, as well as, to investigate tissue repair and reconstruction pathways. Therefore, we designed a reproducible and easy to handle printable bioreactor system (Teburu), that is applicable for different approaches of pathway investigation and targeted tissue repair using human tissue slices as a three‐dimensional cell culture model. Here, we definitively describe Teburu as a controlled environment to reseed a 500‐µm thick decellularized human liver slice using human mesenchymal stroma cells. During a cultivation period of eight days, Teburu, as a semi‐open and low consumption system, was capable to maintain steady pH and oxygenation levels. Its combination with additional modules delivers an applicability for a wide range of tissue engineering approaches under optimal culture conditions.
An innovative method to obtain porous porcine aorta scaffolds for tissue engineering
Authors: Liu Xiaohong , Cai Yang , Xia Cuiping , Wu Hao , Li Qin , Xu Zhiyun , Lu Fanglin
Published: June 2019

Decellularized porcine aorta (PA) is a promising biomaterial for vascular substitutes. However, decellularized PAs suffer from mechanical weakness and have less pores, which limit cellular ingrowth into the grafts and hinder the remodeling. In this study, PAs were decellularized by vacuum‐freeze‐thawing cycles and 0.3% of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) buffer (VLS). Results showed that the application of vacuum‐freeze‐thawing significantly improved the decellularization efficiency of SDS while effectively preserved the mechanical function of PA tissues, decreased residual SDS, and minimized cytotoxicity. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) examination demonstrated that VLS generated interconnected pores with uniform distribution. In vivo subcutaneous implantation assay further demonstrated that VLS implants had less calcification and adverse inflammatory response. Moreover, VLS treatment markedly enhanced ingrowth of myofibroblasts and endothelial cells, and thereby promoted synthesis of extracellular matrix and vascularization. These results suggest that the application of vacuum‐freeze‐thawing into the decellularization process may produce a promising vascular graft candidate for tissue engineering application.
Quality factor based correction for SD‐OCT measurements in cataract patients
Authors: Darma Stanley , van den Berg Thomas J. T. P. , Kok Pauline H. B. , Hulsman Caroline A. , Mourits Maarten P. , Schlingemann Reinier O. , Verbraak Frank D.
Published: June 2019

Purpose

To correct peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer (pRNFL) measurements performed with spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD‐OCT) for low image quality factor (QF) in patients with cataract, using measurements before and after cataract surgery.

Methods

SD‐OCT (Topcon 3DOCT‐2000) volume scans of the optic disc of 13 cataract patients were used. A set of three reflective filters with optical density ranging from 0.11 to 0.54 were used. The correlation was calculated between the change in thickness measurements and the change in image quality factor. Changes before and after cataract surgery were analysed. A correction for scans with a lower QF was calculated using an equation which was formulated based on the relationship between the change in thickness measurements and the change in image quality factor.

Results

Thirteen right eyes of thirteen cataract patients were included in this study. pRNFL thickness measurements before and after cataract differed significantly (96 versus 99 micron, p < 0.01). Preoperative linear regression lines showed a different slope than postoperative regression lines. Corrected pRNFL thickness measurements of before cataract surgery differed significantly with pRNFL thickness measurements after cataract surgery.

Conclusions

The presence of cataract influences the QF‐pRNFL relationship. The lower the image QF, the higher the pRNFL thickness underestimation. We found a rather curvilinear relationship between QF and pRNFL. Our corrected measurements of the pRNFL thickness in case of lower image QF due to cataract still differed significantly from the pRNFL thickness measurements after cataract surgery.
Antimicrobial ratings: the importance of importance
Authors: Jordan D
Published: June 2019

Debate about antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in animals and the impact on humans is often inappropriately focussed on the crude amount of antimicrobials used in animals without deference to issues of ‘intensity of use’, ‘quality of use’ and especially the class of agents being administered. In the latter case, tools for helping to manage how the use of specific antimicrobial agents impact on the risk and consequences of antimicrobial resistance in humans have been available for almost two decades. These consist of antimicrobial ratings systems, which formally define the importance of each individual agent in human health by assigning them to a position on a graduated scale of ‘importance’ comprising up to four categories of risk. Until recently, these published ratings have only had a modest impact on antimicrobial stewardship at the frontline of medical and veterinary practice, although they will undoubtedly have a substantial influence into the future. This article considers the evolution of the available ‘antimicrobial ratings systems’ applicable to Australian and international settings and their pivotal future‐role in the educating of animal managers, policy makers and prescribers. Faithful application of these rating systems at all levels of decision making to do with antimicrobial use is now seen as central to the protection of animals, humans and economies from the scourge of AMR.
The role of peer mindsets in students’ learning: An experimental study
Authors: Sheffler Pamela C. , Cheung Cecilia S.
Published: June 2019

Background

Research indicates that implicit theories of intelligence, specifically growth mindset, are conducive to students’ academic achievement and engagement. While much research has focused on the role of teachers and parents, it is unclear how implicit theories of intelligence operate in the peer context.

Aims

This study examined the effects of peers’ mindsets on students’ learning outcomes. We predicted that participants surrounded by peers endorsing a growth mindset would show increased learning outcomes; in contrast, such outcomes would be dampened for individuals in a fixed mindset peer context. We also expected that perceptions of peers’ competence would serve as a mechanism underlying the effects of growth mindset.

Sample

A total of 134 undergraduate students (88 females) participated in the study. Students were of diverse ethnic background.

Methods

Participants were randomly assigned to one of two experimental conditions where they interacted with trained confederates who endorsed either a growth or fixed mindset viewpoint. Confederates were trained to include specific phrases regarding the nature of ability in a conversation they had with the participants. Participants subsequently completed a problem‐solving task and a survey.

Results

Participants who interacted with peers endorsing a growth (vs. fixed) mindset viewpoint showed increased task value on the problem‐solving task. Perceptions of peers’ competence mediated the relationship between a growth mindset peer context and participants’ task value.

Conclusions

Findings provide preliminary evidence that peer mindsets can influence individuals’ valuing of a task. As such, peers may be an important resource to be considered when designing growth mindset interventions.
Teachers' role in identifying young children at risk for developmental delay and disabilities: Usefulness of the Parents Evaluation of Developmental Status tool
Authors: Kiing Jennifer S.H. , Neihart Maureen , Chan Yiong‐Huak
Published: June 2019

Background

Identifying children with developmental delays and disabilities more effectively will require the participation of others such as preschool teachers who often have extended contact with the child in their first few years. We wished to determine how preschool teachers' reports of concerns compared with norming data from the Parents Evaluation of Developmental Status (PEDS).

Methods

A total of 1,357 English responses from teachers of nine preschool centres were analyzed and matched with expected rates of concerns from the U.S. norming sample.

Results

The preschool teachers' reporting of rates of concerns fell within the range of scores reported in norming studies from parent reports in the United States. Teachers were most concerned about children's language and behaviours.

Conclusions

The preschool teacher reports of concerns are similar to expected parents PEDS ratings in the United States. Preschool teachers can screen children's development. There may be a role for the PEDS to be used as a developmental screener by preschool teachers for monitoring of developmental status. Further studies on the PEDS are recommended in the Singapore context.
A qualitative investigation of families' needs in the transition to early intervention after diagnosis of hearing loss
Authors: Nickbakht Mansoureh , Meyer Carly , Scarinci Nerina , Beswick Rachael
Published: June 2019

Background

Families of children with hearing loss must make a number of decisions during the transition from diagnosis of hearing loss to enrolment in early intervention and thus require a wealth of information and support. This study aimed to investigate families' needs during this period and explore how these needs might differ for families of children with hearing loss who have additional disabilities.

Methods

An exploratory qualitative study incorporating semistructured in‐depth interviews and thematic analysis was used. A total of 28 participants from two groups were involved: (a) family members of children with hearing loss (n = 17) and (b) professionals who support these families during the transition period from diagnosis of hearing loss to enrolment in early intervention (n = 11).

Results

Analysis of qualitative data revealed four major themes: (a) families require information that meet their specific needs; (b) families require supportive professionals to “walk the journey” with them; (c) some families want to connect with other families who “are in the same boat”; and (d) professional support needs differ for children with hearing loss who have additional disabilities.

Conclusions

Families and professionals in this study identified a wide range of family needs during the transition to early intervention. The results highlighted the importance of providing individualized services and considering families' needs when providing family‐centred services.
Multi‐representational convolutional neural networks for text classification
Authors: Jin Rize , Lu Liangfu , Lee Joomin , Usman Anwar
Published: June 2019

Various studies have demonstrated that convolutional neural networks (CNNs) can be directly applied to different levels of text embedding, such as character‐, word‐, or document‐levels. However, the effectiveness of different embeddings is limited in the reported result and there is a lack of clear guidance on some aspects of their use, including choosing the proper level of embedding and switching word semantics from one domain to another when appropriate. In this paper, we propose a new architecture of CNN based on multiple representations for text classification, by constructing multiple planes so that more information can be dumped into the networks, such as different parts of text obtained through named entity recognizer or part‐of‐speech tagging tools, different levels of text embedding, or contextual sentences. Various large‐scale, domain‐specific datasets are used to validate the proposed architecture. Tasks analyzed include ontology document classification, biomedical event categorization, and sentiment analysis, showing that multi‐representational CNNs, which learns to focus attention to specific representations of text, can obtain further gains in performance over state‐of‐the‐art deep neural network models.
Seasonal occurrence and abundance of dabbling ducks across the continental United States: Joint spatio‐temporal modelling for the GenusAnas
Authors: Humphreys John M. , Murrow Jennifer L. , Sullivan Jeffery D. , Prosser Diann J.
Published: June 2019

Aim

Estimating the distribution and abundance of wildlife is an essential task in species conservation, wildlife management and habitat prioritization. Although a host of methods and tools have been proposed to accomplish this undertaking, several challenges remain in accurately forecasting occurrence and abundance for highly mobile species. Exhibiting extensive geographic ranges with seasonally varying local occupancy, migratory ducks are exemplar highly mobile species and are foci for waterfowl conservation and management globally. With the goal of informing species conservation and management, our aim was to leverage citizen science data to estimate occurrence and relative abundance for ten dabbling duck species across the continental United States.

Location

Conterminous United States.

Methods

We applied spatially and temporally explicit Bayesian hierarchical modelling to jointly estimate season‐specific occurrence and relative abundance for ten dabbling duck species in the GenusAnas. Our conditionally dependent model design enabled relative abundance estimates to be informed by occurrence probability while accounting for cumulative spatial and temporal errors across shared model components.

Results

Outcomes suggest that although dabbling duck distributions show little inter‐annual variability at the continental scale, local relative abundances may differ year to year. Commensurate with being highly mobile migratory species, estimates indicate considerable intra‐annual variation with occurrence probability, local abundance and habitat preferences differing by season and species.

Main conclusions

Our approach offers a powerful and flexible framework for quantifying intra‐/inter‐annual duck occurrence and relative abundance while accounting for spatial, temporal and data collection biases. We believe that model produced maps can be applied to inform waterfowl conservation and management throughout the continental United States.
Bone marrow WT1 levels in patients with myeloid neoplasms treated with 5‐azacytidine: Identification of responding patients
Authors: Santaliestra Marta , Garrido Ana , Carricondo Maite , Bussaglia Elena , Pratcorona Marta , Blanco Maria L. , Gich Ignasi , Hoyos Montserrat , Esquirol Albert , García‐Cadenas Irene , Brunet Salut , Martino Rodrigo , Sierra Jorge , Nomdedéu Josep F.
Published: June 2019

Introduction

Increased levels of Wilms’ tumor (WT1) mRNA have been used to establish risk categories in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Raised values of WT1 have been associated with progression in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the available bone marrow (BM) samples from 115 patients with myeloid neoplasms obtained before and during treatment with 5‐azacytidine. A threshold of 100 copies in BM was used to define risk groups: group 1: patients with WT1 levels always below < 100 copies; group 2: cases with initial WT1 levels greater than 100 copies but with a conversion to sustained levels below 100; and group 3: cases with follow‐up WT1 levels greater than 100.

Results

Twenty patients were included in group 1, 17 in group 2, and 78 in group 3. Survival analysis showed statistically significant differences in terms of OS between groups (p: 0.016). Patients in group 2 showed the best 5‐year overall survival (OS). In multivariate analysis, only the cytogenetic risk category and receiving an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT) independently predicted the survival.

Conclusions

Further studies are needed to assess whether BM WT1 levels could be useful to predict the survival of patients with myeloid neoplasms treated with 5‐azacytidine.