bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Individual choice of management research agendas
Authors: El-Bassiouny Noha , Amin Ahmed , Jamal Ahmad
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The main research attempts guiding questions about management research agendas had been relevance questions versus rigor questions. Researchers have also attempted to set management research agendas in particular sectors. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no research, however, has addressed the infrastructural and foundational questions of what moral priorities and ethical principles should guide the future development of management research. Because the Islamic theological approach is a “transcendental values integration” approach, it presents a potentially viable source of reference particularly for scholars interested in ethical philosophical paradigmatic approaches. Islamic literature has presented guiding principles as to how to balance priorities through the Jurisprudence of Priorities (Fiqh Al-Awlawiyyat). The purpose of this exploratory conceptual paper is to synchronize the Islamic background literature on the jurisprudence of priorities with management research development and agendas. The research is exploratory in nature.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is conceptual, merging Islamic literature with management research for the development of a framework to potentially guide management researchers in prioritizing their research agendas.

Findings

The research resulted in the conceptualization of a framework aiding researchers in the prioritization of their research agendas.

Research limitations/implications

The research has implications for management scholars who are interested to prioritize their research projects and agendas. The research presents a schematic diagram and guiding framework through which scholars can reflect on their choice of research topics.

Practical implications

The research is also relevant to funding agencies as they devise the funding priorities in the management field.

Originality/value

This paper addresses the unique and foundational question of what moral priorities and ethical principles should guide the future development of management research. The authors build on a religious-philosophical approach, drawing on the Islamic jurisprudence of priorities as a literature base. The authors, therefore, address the key principles of responsible research regarding how it can be relevant on the infrastructural level to society and how the benefit to key stakeholders should be tackled. To the authors’ knowledge, this was not done in previous literature.
Purchasing functional foods to stay fit
Authors: Hassan Hasliza , Sade Abu Bakar , Subramaniam Lohan Selva
Published: February 2020

Purpose

Health fitness has become a major issue in Malaysia since the population of overweight and obesity is becoming critical. One of the ways to achieve optimum health fitness is by consistently consuming balanced diet meals. Hence, this paper aims to focus on the willingness of society to purchase functional foods as an alternative for their daily meals to stay fit.

Design/methodology/approach

The research framework was developed based on a combination of findings by other research scholars within a similar field. The willingness to purchase functional foods to stay fit is positioned as the dependent variable, while lifestyle adaptation, social media influence and food consumption awareness are placed as the independent variables. Quantitative research was conducted by collecting primary data from respondents in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The collected data were analysed using descriptive and regression analyses.

Findings

The willingness to purchase functional foods to stay fit is dependent on the lifestyle adaptation, social media influence and food consumption awareness.

Research limitations/implications

Although the current market for functional foods in Malaysia is still at a small scale, the market for this industry seems very promising. Nevertheless, greater awareness on functional food is still needed.

Practical implications

Functional food producers should make an effort to gain the untapped market by focussing on the lifestyle adaptation, social media influence and food consumption awareness.

Originality/value

This research is a breakthrough to discover the willingness of Malaysians to purchase functional food to stay fit, which is influenced by lifestyle adaptation, social media and food consumption awareness.
Logistics innovation capability and its impacts on the supply chain risks in the Industry 4.0 era
Authors: Wang Michael , Asian Sobhan , Wood Lincoln C. , Wang Bill
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to present an empirical study on the logistics innovation capability and its impacts on the supply chain risk in the Australian courier firms. Based on the resource-based review, logistics innovation capability provides valuable insight into mitigating supply chain risks in the Industry 4.0 era.

Design/methodology/approach

The research model focuses on the relationships between logistics innovation capability and supply chain risk. Partial least squares approach for structural equation modelling is used to validate the research model by empirically analysing survey data.

Findings

The empirical result shows negative relationships between logistics innovation capability and supply chain risks. These relationships may imply that firms can mitigate the negative impacts of supply chain risks by developing logistics innovation capabilities. The findings demonstrate the applicability of logistics innovation capability for mitigating supply chain risks in the Australian courier firms.

Originality/value

There are very few empirical studies on the mitigating supply chain risk through logistics innovation capability. The empirical results provide an insight into innovation management and risk management in logistics and supply chain. This insight offers practical guidance for developing and deploying logistics innovation capability to support and enable supply chain risk management strategies in the Industry 4.0 era.
Effect of nAl2O3 on the part density and microstructure during the laser-based powder bed fusion of AlSi10Mg composite
Authors: Du Zhenglin , Chen Hui-Chi , Tan Ming Jen , Bi Guijun , Chua Chee Kai
Published: February 2020

Purpose

In recent years, additive manufacturing techniques have attracted much research attention because of their ability to fabricate customised parts with complex geometry. The range of composites suitable for laser-based powder bed fusion technique is limited, and has not been investigated yet. This paper aims to study the fabrication of AlSi10Mg reinforced with nAl2O3 using the laser-based powder bed fusion technique.

Design/methodology/approach

An experimental approach was used to investigate the densification of AlSi10Mg–nAl2O3 composites using laser-based powder bed fusion technique. Optimisation of the porosity was performed, and microstructure evolution was evaluated.

Findings

In this study, laser volumetric energy density (approximately 109 J/mm3) was found to be required for the fabrication of AlSi10Mg–nAl2O3 composites with a relative volumetric density approximating 99%. The use of laser volumetric energy density resulted in larger grains. Columnar grain structure was observed via the use of electron backscatter diffraction mapping.

Originality/value

This paper examines the processing of new aluminium composite material suitable for the fabrication via the laser-based powder bed fusion technique.
Researching Bears Ears: reference practice for civic engagement
Authors: Brunvand Amy
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to describe practical, generalizable competencies for reference librarians to promote civic engagement and social justice while assisting with politicized queries.

Design/methodology/approach

Working through an example of tension between land development and protection of an indigenous sacred place illustrates reference strategies that model an ideally inclusive community dialogue.

Findings

To promote civic engagement, librarians have a role to teach basic civics and to help identify opportunities for public comments and other “leverage points” in a system. An information trail for civic engagement is generated though an interaction between government planning, industry lobbying and citizen activism; it is supported by online and gray literature sources that typically fall outside of typical library collections and databases. A way to grapple with contentious and distorting political claims is to model ideal stakeholder inclusivity, a strategy that also helps to bring marginalized voices into the civic dialogue. Sources from the humanities express cultural and spiritual considerations that are absent from typical political discourse.

Research limitations/implications

Strategies are based on experience as a staff writer for a community magazine.

Practical implications

Specific strategies and competencies promote civic engagement during the time period allowed by a typical extended reference dialogue.

Social implications

An overly sunny view of community problem-solving glosses over some messy realities. To promote civic engagement, librarians must develop competencies to help citizens grapple with marginalization and distorting claims.

Originality/value

Calls to promote civic engagement and social justice in libraries require librarians to develop new competencies. Working through a case study illustrates specific knowledge and reference practices that support strong democracy.
Economic assessment of special events: a perspective article
Authors: Dwyer Larry
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to provide a perspective on the economic assessment of special events.

Design/methodology/approach

Three main approaches to the economic evaluation of special events are distinguished. These are: standard economic impact analysis, computable general equilibrium modelling, and cost benefit analysis. An historical account of the use of these approaches is given together with a discussion of the advantages and limitations of each.

Findings

An important conclusion is that the evaluation of special events should go beyond economic impact analysis in favour of a more comprehensive “hybrid” assessment.

Originality/value

The paper puts event evaluation into perspective and points to a promising future direction of study. An expected outcome of the use of hybrid models is a narrowing of the divide between practitioners and theorists regarding best practice event evaluation to the benefit of all stakeholders.
Turning off low and high currents in a transmitter loop used in the transient electromagnetic method
Authors: Kozhevnikov Nikolai O. , Sharlov Maxim V. , Stefanenko Sergei M.
Published: February 2020

In near‐surface transient electromagnetic studies, it is desirable to measure the transient response starting from the earliest possible time. This requires the current in the transmitter loop to be switched off quickly, which necessitates working with a low transmitter current. As for deep‐target transient electromagnetic studies, the transmitter current is as high as possible. The transmitter current's turn‐off waveform and total duration affect the transient voltage response, especially at early times, which is to be accounted for when interpreting transient electromagnetic data. This article discusses the difference in switching off low and high current in a horizontal loop used as the source of the primary magnetic field in the transient electromagnetic method. Low and high currents are turned off in fundamentally different ways. When the current to be switched off is low, the loop can be represented as a symmetric combination of two transmission lines grounded at the middle of the loop perimeter. Such a representation of a loop allows calculating the current turn‐off waveform at any point of the loop. The waveform and total duration of switching off a low current does not depend on its magnitude, but is determined by the period of natural oscillations of the current in the loop and the resistance of a shunting resistor. Switching off a low current in a loop can be represented as the sum of stepped current waves travelling along the loop wire. As a consequence, the current at different points of the loop perimeter is turned off at different times. In contrast to a low current, a high current is switched off linearly in time and synchronously at all points of the loop perimeter. The wave phenomena appear only at the very beginning of the current shutdown for a time interval that is much less than the total current turn‐off duration. Presentation of the loop using a simple lumped‐circuit model predicts the waveform and duration of the high current turn‐off that coincide with the measured ones. There are two reasons why the article may be of interest to those engaged in the theory and/or practice of electromagnetic geophysical methods. First, it contributes to a general understanding of how the current in the transmitter loop is turned off. Second, the article shows how the parameters of a transmitter loop determine the current turn‐off duration and thus the minimum depth of the transient electromagnetic sounding method.
Intergenerational Transmission of Body Mass and Obesity Status in Australia
Authors: James Adrian , Mendolia Silvia , Paloyo Alfredo R.
Published: February 2020

We estimate the intergenerational transmission of the body‐mass index (BMI) and obesity status using the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia Survey. The intergenerational elasticity of BMI between mother and adolescent is 0.242, which is consistent with estimates from other countries. Controlling for adolescent‐specific fixed effects reduces the estimated elasticity to 0.043. This suggests that genetics and the permanent environment may explain much of the observed persistence of BMI across generations. Adolescents in Australia whose mothers are obese are expected to have an increased probability of being obese themselves by 0.094 percentage points, where the adolescent obesity prevalence rate is 7.70 per cent. This intergenerational persistence in obesity status is much stronger when the mother is morbidly obese. The degree of intergenerational persistence of BMI and obesity status exhibits a socioeconomic gradient: the transmission is stronger among disadvantaged households than better‐off households. When coupled with prevailing socioeconomic disparities in obesity rates specifically and health status generally, this dynamic feature of Australian society may further contribute to the inequity in health outcomes in the future.
Patient perceptions of participation in emergency medicine research projects
Authors: de Tonnerre Erik J , Smith Jesse L , Spencer William S , Date Patrick A , Taylor David McD
Published: February 2020

Objective

To determine if ED research reflects patient expectations.

Method

A cross‐sectional ED patient survey.

Results

Three hundred and nine (98.1%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 95.7–99.2) of 315 patients believed that ED research was important. Two hundred and twelve (68.4%, 95% CI 62.9–73.5) would welcome involvement, only 26 (8.4%, 95% CI 5.7–12.3) felt pressured to do so. Two hundred and thirty‐one (75.7%, 95% CI 70.5–80.4) and 279 (91.5%, 95% CI 87.6–94.3) believed consent was necessary for observational and experimental studies, respectively. One hundred and one (32.4%, 95% CI 27.3–37.9) disagreed with medical records being accessed without consent.

Conclusion

Patient expectations are not always consistent with current practice. The expectation of consent prior to record access is worthy of further consideration.
Antioxidant activities of mamao luang (Antidesma thwaitesianum Müll. Arg.) fruit: Extraction and application in raw chicken patties
Authors: Chinprahast Ninnart , Boonying Jirapat , Popuang Nuntanut
Published: February 2020

Extraction of mamao luang (hereafter called mamao) with different solvents and varying solid to liquid (S:L) ratio was conducted to verify its antioxidant activities. Total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content, total monomeric anthocyanin content, and antioxidant activities, namely, 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) of the unrefined extracts, were analyzed. The extraction with 70% acetone and 70% methanol and the S:L ratio of 1:30 seemed to be more appropriate and gave significantly (P < 0.05) higher values of the previously mentioned properties. Whole ground fruits were then incorporated into the blended chicken patties to compare their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties with butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA). During refrigeration storage of 20 days, the highest level (1,000 mg TPC/kg meat) could retard lipid oxidation relatively comparable to the efficiency of BHA (200 ppm). However, when microbiological aspect was considered together, a limited storage of 12 days was consequently suggested.

Practical Application

Mamao fruit is a splendid source of phenolic compounds. The antioxidant properties have been demonstrated using DPPH and FRAP assay. The suitable type of solvent and S:L ratio were provided for the extraction. Our findings have shown that addition of mamao, a source of natural antioxidants, especially at the highest level increased oxidative stability of chicken patties. The research outcomes identify the potential bioactive compound and provide beneficial information related to the feasibility of incorporation of mamao phenolics as antioxidant agents in suitable food matrices. However, further investigation is still required for successful application in meat and meat products.
An expanded CRISPRi toolbox for tunable control of gene expression in Pseudomonas putida
Authors: Batianis Christos , Kozaeva Ekaterina , Damalas Stamatios G. , Martín‐Pascual María , Volke Daniel C. , Nikel Pablo I. , Martins dos Santos Vitor A.P.
Published: February 2020

Owing to its wide metabolic versatility and physiological robustness, together with amenability to genetic manipulations and high resistance to stressful conditions, Pseudomonas putida is increasingly becoming the organism of choice for a range of applications in both industrial and environmental applications. However, a range of applied synthetic biology and metabolic engineering approaches are still limited by the lack of specific genetic tools to effectively and efficiently regulate the expression of target genes. Here, we present a single‐plasmid CRISPR‐interference (CRISPRi) system expressing a nuclease‐deficient cas9 gene under the control of the inducible XylS/Pm expression system, along with the option of adopting constitutively expressed guide RNAs (either sgRNA or crRNA and tracrRNA). We showed that the system enables tunable, tightly controlled gene repression (up to 90%) of chromosomally expressed genes encoding fluorescent proteins, either individually or simultaneously. In addition, we demonstrate that this method allows for suppressing the expression of the essential genes pyrF and ftsZ, resulting in significantly low growth rates or morphological changes respectively. This versatile system expands the capabilities of the current CRISPRi toolbox for efficient, targeted and controllable manipulation of gene expression in P. putida.
The other side tells the story
Authors: Mathur Namit , Lau Kenneth K
Published: February 2020

We present a patient who presented to the emergency department with a bisphosphonate‐induced femoral fracture (BIFF). Clinical presentation, pathogenesis and management of BIFF are discussed. We also highlight the importance of imaging the contralateral femur, as these patients may need prophylactic surgical fixation of the contralateral femur.
Jurisdictional Competition in the International Financial System
Authors: Price Edward
Published: February 2020

Policy makers, economic or otherwise, are increasingly interested in global trade. Largely, this is due to the advent of 21st century protectionism in the form of tariffs on goods, raw materials and concerns over proliferated intellectual property (IP). The same policy makers should, however, also study jurisdictional competition in the international financial system. This more subtle phenomenon entails examining how jurisdictions attempt a balancing act to gain positive net economic effects of financial capital via their financial regulation and economic policy.
Serum anti‐recoverin antibodies is found in elderly patients with retinitis pigmentosa and cancer
Authors: Sato Taimu , Nishiguchi Koji M. , Fujita Kosuke , Miya Fuyuki , Inoue Takashi , Sasaki Erika , Asano Toshifumi , Tsuda Satoru , Shiga Yukihiro , Kunikata Hiroshi , Nakazawa Mitsuru , Nakazawa Toru
Published: February 2020

Purpose

To screen for anti‐recoverin antibodies in elderly patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) with or without cancer and cross‐sectionally characterize the seropositive patients clinically.

Methods

Serum from 75 RP patients who had been tested for mutations in a panel of 83 RP genes and 73 normal controls, all aged 50–80 years, were screened for anti‐recoverin antibodies by Western blot using recombinant recoverin, retinal lysate from a marmoset and commercial anti‐recoverin antibodies as a control.

Results

Three RP patients with typical pigmentary degeneration of the 75 (4.0%) were seropositive for anti‐recoverin antibody. Pathogenic mutations were identified in two seropositive RP patients. All three patients had visual impairment since childhood and were diagnosed as RP by the age of 30. The severity of the retinopathy varied greatly among these three patients, ranging in visual acuity from light perception OU to 20/30 OU. Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) patients with a history of cancer were more likely to have anti‐recoverin antibodies (3/14; 21.4%) than those without (0/61; 0%; p = 0.005, Fischer exact test). All 73 healthy controls with no history of cancer were also seronegative.

Conclusion

Our results show that serum anti‐recoverin antibodies can be detected in typical RP patients with identified pathogenic mutations and that a history of cancer may increase the risk of developing anti‐recoverin antibodies.
Phospholipase Cζ (PLCζ) versus postacrosomal sheath WW domain‐binding protein (PAWP): Which molecule will survive as a sperm factor?
Authors: Nakai Michiko , Ito Junya , Suyama Ayumi , Kageyama Atsuko , Tobari Yasuko , Kashiwazaki Naomi
Published: February 2020

During mammalian fertilization, sperm is fused with the oocyte's membrane, triggering the resumption of meiosis from the metaphase II arrest, the extrusion of the second polar body, and the exocytosis of cortical granules; these events are collectively called 'oocyte activation.' In all species studied to date, the transient rise in the cytosolic level of calcium (in particular, the repeated calcium increases called 'calcium oscillations' in mammals) is required for these events. Researchers have focused on identifying the factor(s) that can induce calcium oscillations during fertilization. Sperm‐specific phospholipase C, i.e., PLC zeta (PLCζ), is a strong candidate of the factor(s), and several research groups using different species obtained evidence that PLCζ is a sperm factor that can induce calcium oscillations during fertilization. However, postacrosomal sheath Tryptophan‐Tryptophan (WW)—domain‐binding protein (PAWP) was recently shown to have a pivotal role in inducing calcium oscillations in some species. In this review, we focus on PLCζ and PAWP as sperm factors, and we discuss this controversy: Which of these two molecules survives as a sperm factor?
Deep learning computer vision algorithm for detecting kidney stone composition
Authors: Black Kristian M. , Law Hei , Aldoukhi Ali , Deng Jia , Ghani Khurshid R.
Published: February 2020

Objectives

To assess the recall of a deep learning (DL) method to automatically detect kidney stones composition from digital photographs of stones.

Materials and Methods

A total of 63 human kidney stones of varied compositions were obtained from a stone laboratory including calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM), uric acid (UA), magnesium ammonium phosphate hexahydrate (MAPH/struvite), calcium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate (CHPD/brushite), and cystine stones. At least two images of the stones, both surface and inner core, were captured on a digital camera for all stones. A deep convolutional neural network (CNN), ResNet‐101 (ResNet, Microsoft), was applied as a multi‐class classification model, to each image. This model was assessed using leave‐one‐out cross‐validation with the primary outcome being network prediction recall.

Results

The composition prediction recall for each composition was as follows: UA 94% (n = 17), COM 90% (n = 21), MAPH/struvite 86% (n = 7), cystine 75% (n = 4), CHPD/brushite 71% (n = 14). The overall weighted recall of the CNNs composition analysis was 85% for the entire cohort. Specificity and precision for each stone type were as follows: UA (97.83%, 94.12%), COM (97.62%, 95%), struvite (91.84%, 71.43%), cystine (98.31%, 75%), and brushite (96.43%, 75%).

Conclusion

Deep CNNs can be used to identify kidney stone composition from digital photographs with good recall. Future work is needed to see if DL can be used for detecting stone composition during digital endoscopy. This technology may enable integrated endoscopic and laser systems that automatically provide laser settings based on stone composition recognition with the goal to improve surgical efficiency.
“Wilderness” revisited: Is Canadian park management moving beyond the “wilderness” ethic?
Authors: Youdelis Megan , Nakoochee Roberta , O'Neil Colin , Lunstrum Elizabeth , Roth Robin
Published: February 2020

This paper questions whether the rescaling of conservation practice in Canada to include local and Indigenous communities, NGOs, and private market‐based actors represents a move away from wilderness‐thinking in conservation, and what implications this might have for the future of conservation in Canada. We explore the links between Cronon's “wilderness” ethic and coloniality, racism/sexism/classism, and political economy, and the extent to which recent trends in conservation practice, such as co‐management arrangements, private tourism proposals, and a shift in programming to attract a diverse public to parks, help us to move beyond the limited vision for conservation and environmentalism that the wilderness ethic provides. We interrogate the ways in which the concept of wilderness is being employed, resisted, and transformed by a multitude of actors in three parks and conservation areas across Canada. We argue that although recent developments in conservation practice help to redress some of the worrisome aspects of wilderness‐thinking in parks, they also reinforce and re‐emphasize problematic lines of thinking and praxis. While the wilderness character of Canadian parks has shifted a great deal since the turn of the 20thcentury, the wilderness ethic remains deeply embedded within conservation discourse and practice.
Molecular characterization of Spanish patients with MECP2 duplication syndrome
Authors: Pascual‐Alonso Ainhoa , Blasco Laura , Vidal Silvia , Gean Esther , Rubio Patricia , O'Callaghan Mar , Martínez‐Monseny Antonio F. , Castells Alba Aina , Xiol Clara , Català Vicenç , Brandi Nuria , Pacheco Paola , Ros Carlota , del Campo Miguel , Guillén Encarna , Ibañez Salva , Sánchez María J. , Lapunzina Pablo , Nevado Julián , Santos Fernando , Lloveras Elisabet , Ortigoza‐Escobar Juan D. , Tejada María I. , Maortua Hiart , Martínez Francisco , Orellana Carmen , Roselló Mónica , Mesas María A. , Obón María , Plaja Alberto , Fernández‐Ramos Joaquín A. , Tizzano Eduardo , Marín Rosario , Peña‐Segura José L. , Alcántara Soledad , Armstrong Judith
Published: February 2020

MECP2 duplication syndrome (MDS) is an X‐linked neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by a severe to profound intellectual disability, early onset hypotonia and diverse psycho‐motor and behavioural features. To date, fewer than 200 cases have been published. We report the clinical and molecular characterization of a Spanish MDS cohort that included 19 boys and 2 girls. Clinical suspicions were confirmed by array comparative genomic hybridization and multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification (MLPA). Using, a custom in‐house MLPA assay, we performed a thorough study of the minimal duplicated region, from which we concluded a complete duplication of both MECP2 and IRAK1 was necessary for a correct MDS diagnosis, as patients with partial MECP2 duplications lacked some typical clinical traits present in other MDS patients. In addition, the duplication location may be related to phenotypic severity. This observation may provide a new approach for genotype‐phenotype correlations, and thus more personalized genetic counselling.
Genetics of Wilson disease and Wilson‐like phenotype in a clinical series from eastern Spain
Authors: Sánchez‐Monteagudo Ana , Álvarez‐Sauco María , Sastre Isabel , Martínez‐Torres Irene , Lupo Vincenzo , Berenguer Marina , Espinós Carmen
Published: February 2020

Wilson's disease (WD) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by ATP7B mutations. Subjects with only one mutation may show clinical signs and individuals with biallelic changes may remain asymptomatic. We aimed to achieve a conclusive genetic diagnosis for 34 patients clinically diagnosed of WD. Genetic analysis comprised from analysis of exons to WES (whole exome sequencing), including promoter, introns, UTRs (untranslated regions), besides of study of large deletions/duplications by MLPA (multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification). Biallelic ATP7B mutations were identified in 30 patients, so that four patients were analyzed using WES. Two affected siblings resulted to be compound heterozygous for mutations in CCDC115, which is involved in a form of congenital disorder of glycosylation. In sum, the majority of patients with a WD phenotype carry ATP7B mutations. However, if genetic diagnosis is not achieved, additional genes should be considered because other disorders may mimic WD.
Natural history and genotype‐phenotype correlation of pantothenate kinase‐associated neurodegeneration
Authors: Chang Xuting , Zhang Jie , Jiang Yuwu , Wang Jingmin , Wu Ye
Published: February 2020

Aims

To investigate the natural history and genotype‐phenotype correlation of pantothenate kinase‐associated neurodegeneration.

Methods

We collected data of patients with PKAN by searching from available publications in English and Chinese. Patients diagnosed in our center (Peking University First Hospital) were also included. The difference in natural history and genotype between early‐onset (<10 year of age at onset) and late‐onset patients (≥10 year of age at onset) with PKAN was compared.

Results

A total of 248 patients were included. The median age at onset was 3.0 years in the early‐onset group and 18.0 years in the late‐onset group. Dystonia in lower limbs was the most common initial symptom in both groups. In the early‐onset group, the median interval between the disease onset and occurrence of oromandibular dystonia, generalized dystonia, loss of independent ambulance was 6.0 years, 5.0 years, and 5.0 years. The corresponding values in late‐onset group were 1.0 year, 4.0 years, and 6.0 years. About 20.0% died at median age of 12.5 years and 9.5 years after the onset in early‐onset group. About 2.0% of the late‐onset patients died during the follow‐up. A total of 176 mutations were identified. Patients carrying two null alleles in PANK2 showed significantly earlier age of disease onset and progressed more rapidly to loss of independent ambulance.

Conclusions

This study provided a comprehensive review on the natural history and genotype of 248 patients with PKAN. The results will serve as a historical control data for future clinical trial on PKAN.
Development of neural oscillatory activity in response to speech in children from 4 to 6 years old
Authors: Ríos‐López Paula , Molinaro Nicola , Bourguignon Mathieu , Lallier Marie
Published: February 2020

Recent neurophysiological theories propose that the cerebral hemispheres collaborate to resolve the complex temporal nature of speech, such that left‐hemisphere (or bilateral) gamma‐band oscillatory activity would specialize in coding information at fast rates (phonemic information), whereas right‐hemisphere delta‐ and theta‐band activity would code for speech's slow temporal components (syllabic and prosodic information). Despite the relevance that neural entrainment to speech might have for reading acquisition and for core speech perception operations such as the perception of intelligible speech, no study had yet explored its development in young children. In the current study, speech‐brain entrainment was recorded via EEG in a cohort of children at three different time points since they were 4–5 to 6–7 years of age. Our results showed that speech‐brain entrainment occurred only at delta frequencies (0.5 Hz) at all testing times. The fact that, from the longitudinal perspective, coherence increased in bilateral temporal electrodes suggests that, contrary to previous hypotheses claiming for an innate right‐hemispheric bias for processing prosodic information, at 7 years of age the low‐frequency components of speech are processed in a bilateral manner. Lastly, delta speech‐brain entrainment in the right hemisphere was related to an indirect measure of intelligibility, providing preliminary evidence that the entrainment phenomenon might support core linguistic operations since early childhood.
Echocardiographic parameters, speckle tracking, and brain natriuretic peptide levels as indicators of progression of indeterminate stage to Chagas cardiomyopathy
Authors: Echeverría Luis E. , Rojas Lyda Z. , Villamizar María C. , Luengas Carlos , Chaves Angel M. , Rodríguez Jaime A. , Campo Rafael , Clavijo Claudia , Redondo Adriana M. , López Luis A. , Gómez‐Ochoa Sergio Alejandro , Morillo Carlos A. , Rueda‐Ochoa Oscar L. , Franco Oscar H.
Published: February 2020

Background

Chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCM) is characterized by a unique type of cardiac involvement. Few studies have characterized echocardiographic (Echo) transitions from the indeterminate Chagas disease (ChD) form to CCM. The objective of this study was to identify the best cutoffs in multiple Echo parameters, speckle tracking, and N‐terminal pro B‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) to distinguish patients without CCM (stage A) vs patients with myocardial involvement (stages B, C, or D).

Methods

Cross‐sectional study conducted in 273 consecutive patients with different CCM stages. Echo parameters, NT‐proBNP, and other clinical variables were measured. Logistic regression models (dichotomized in stage A versus B, C, and D) adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, and NT‐proBNP were performed.

Results

Left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LV‐GLS), mitral flow E velocity, LV mass index, and NT‐proBNP identified early changes that differentiated stages A vs B, C, and D. The LV‐GLS with a cutoff −20.5% showed the highest performance (AUC 92.99%; accuracy 84.56% and negative predictive value (NPV) 88.82%), which improved when it was additionally adjusted by NT‐proBNP with a cutoff −20.0% (AUC 94.30%; accuracy 88.42% and NPV 93.55%).

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that Echo parameters and NT‐proBNP may be used as diagnostic variables in detecting the onset of myocardial alterations in patients with the indeterminate stage of ChD. LV‐GLS was the more accurate measurement regarding stage A differentiation from the stages B, C, and D. Prospective longitudinal studies are needed to validate these findings.
Selective extinction through cognitive evaluation: Linking emotion regulation and extinction
Authors: Macdonald Birthe , Wake Shannon , Johnstone Tom
Published: February 2020

The extinction of a previously conditioned response can be modulated through cognitive processes, including feature‐based information, and explicit instruction. Here, we introduce a selective extinction through cognitive evaluation (SECE) task in which information is cognitively evaluated on a trial‐by‐trial basis to ascertain the extinction contingencies. Participants were conditioned to expect an electric shock during the presentation of one of two letters (CS+/CS−). During the SECE task, the letters were presented within words belonging to two categories, one of which indicated safety (COG−_CS+ trials), while risk of shock was maintained for the other category (COG+_CS+ trials). Skin conductance responses indicated that participants reduced their response to COG−_CS+ trials compared to COG+_CS+ trials. Clusters in bilateral insula and anterior cingulate cortex showed activation for COG+_CS+ trials that was reduced for COG−_CS+ trials. A network of brain regions, including left inferior frontal gyrus, and bilateral temporal and parietal cortices showed greater activation for COG−_CS+ versus COG+_CS+ trials. This is consistent with the semantic processing and decision‐making necessary to evaluate the trial contingencies. We compared activation in the SECE task to activation in a cognitive reappraisal task in which participants were asked to attend to, or regulate their emotional reactions to affective IAPS images. This task replicated prefrontal activation seen in previous reappraisal studies. A voxelwise conjunction analysis found no overlap between the cognitive reappraisal and the SECE task, but we did find evidence for common activation in follow‐up ROI analyses, supporting the idea of common lateral prefrontal mechanisms involved in both processes.
Assessing the effectiveness of subjective cognitive decline plus criteria in predicting the progression to Alzheimer’s disease: an 11‐year follow‐up study
Authors: Mazzeo S. , Padiglioni S. , Bagnoli S. , Carraro M. , Piaceri I. , Bracco L. , Nacmias B. , Sorbi S. , Bessi V.
Published: February 2020

Background and purpose

Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) is a self‐experienced decline in cognitive capacity with normal performance on standardized cognitive tests and has been shown to increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). SCD could also be related to other conditions such as normal aging, psychiatric, neurological or medical disorders. The SCD Initiative proposed a set of features (SCD‐plus) that increase the likelihood of preclinical AD in individuals with SCD. Our aim was to assess the effect of these features on the risk of conversion from SCD to AD.

Methods

In total 150 SCD subjects who underwent extensive neuropsychological investigation, assessment of cognitive complaints and apolipoprotein E (ApoE) genotyping at baseline and clinical‐neuropsychological follow‐up for a mean time of 11 years were included.

Results

During the follow‐up, 20 subjects developed AD. Considering SCD‐plus features, age at onset ≥60 years and ApoE ε4 significantly increased the risk of conversion from SCD to AD. When our sample was stratified into three groups (no risk factor, one risk factor, two risk factors), the proportion of conversion was statistically significantly different between the three groups.

Conclusions

Our model allows the risk of AD to be stratified in patients experiencing SCD according to age at onset and ApoE genotype.
Potential for soil organic carbon sequestration in grasslands in East African countries: A review
Authors: Tessema Bezaye , Sommer Rolf , Piikki Kristin , Söderström Mats , Namirembe Sara , Notenbaert An , Tamene Lulseged , Nyawira Sylvia , Paul Birthe
Published: February 2020

Grasslands occupy almost half of the world's land area. Soil organic carbon (SOC) is a key indicator of soil fertility and grassland productivity. Increasing SOC stocks (so‐called SOC sequestration) improves soil fertility and contributes to climate change mitigation by binding atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2). Grasslands constitute about 70% of all agricultural land, but their potential for SOC sequestration is largely unknown. This review paper quantitatively summarizes observation‐based studies on the SOC sequestration potential of grasslands in six East African countries (Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda) and seeks to identify knowledge gaps related to SOC sequestration potential in the region. In the studies reviewed, SOC stocks in grasslands range from 3 to 93 Mg C/ha in the upper 0.3 m of the soil profile, while SOC sequestration rate ranges from 0.1 to 3.1 Mg C ha‐1 year‐1 under different management strategies. Grazing management is reported to have a considerable impact on SOC sequestration rates, and grassland regeneration and protection are recommended as options to stimulate SOC sequestration. However, a very limited number of relevant studies are available (n = 23) and there is a need for fundamental information on SOC sequestration potential in the region. The effectiveness of potential incentive mechanisms, such as payments for environmental services, to foster uptake of SOC‐enhancing practices should also be assessed.
Experience‐based co‐design—Adapting the method for a researcher‐initiated study in a multi‐site setting
Authors: Raynor David K. , Ismail Hanif , Blenkinsopp Alison , Fylan Beth , Armitage Gerry , Silcock Jonathan
Published: February 2020

Background

Experience‐based co‐design (EBCD) brings patients and staff together to co‐design services. It is normally conducted in one organization which initiates and implements the process. We used the traditional EBCD method with a number of adaptations as part of a larger research study in the British National Health Service.

Methods

The primary aim was to assess the feasibility and acceptability of conducting research‐initiated EBCD, to enhance intervention development prior to testing. As well as embedding the method in a research study, there were 3 further key adaptations: (a) working across primary and secondary care sectors, (b) working on multiple sites and (c) incorporating theory‐informed analysis.

Results

We recruited four sites (covering both primary and secondary care) and, on each site, conducted the initial traditional EBCD meetings, with separate staff and patient groups—followed by a single joint patient‐staff event, where four priority areas for co‐design were agreed. This event was driven by theory‐informed analysis, as well as the traditional trigger film of patient experiences. Each site worked on one priority area, and the four co‐design groups met over 2‐3 months to design prototype tools. A second joint event was held (not usually undertaken in single‐site EBCD) where they shared and compared outputs. The research team combined elements of these outputs to create an intervention, now being tested in a cluster randomized controlled trial.

Conclusions

EBCD can be successfully adapted for use across an entire patient pathway with multiple organizations and as part of a research process to identify an intervention for subsequent testing in a randomized trial. Our pragmatic approach used the patient experience to identify areas for improvement and co‐designed an intervention which directly reflected patient priorities.
More than Meals: A Narrative Criminological Analysis of Inmate‐Authored Cookbooks
Authors: STEARNS A.E.
Published: February 2020

Cookbooks are cultural artifacts, providing glimpses into the ways in which a society views itself. Cookbooks of incarcerated individuals are notably absent from the landscape of scholarly work, although the genre can tell us much about a largely invisible segment of society. Using a narrative criminology approach, this project situates inmate‐authored cookbooks as narrative and examines 13 inmate‐authored cookbooks to determine how the structural elements of these narratives establish (or fail to establish) links with wider, mainstream society. Results suggest that the majority of inmate‐authored cookbooks employ narrative structures and strategies that engage with outside society by challenging the nature of ‘otherness’. Only a few cookbooks utilise such strategies as inside humour or violent narratives to mark the boundaries of prison culture. Findings help to extend the theoretical usefulness of narrative criminology, broaden and deepen our understanding of the prison experience, and establish the prison cookbook as a valid form of narrative.
SILICA and its process zone
Authors: Rountree Cindy L. , Feng Weiying
Published: February 2020

This article reviews recent works concerning the damage area size ahead of a crack front in oxide glasses. Literature exemplifies the importance of understanding the crack propagation dynamics in oxide glasses with a number of papers concerning dynamic and stress corrosion cracking in complex (and simplified) oxide glasses. In general, the linear elastic fracture mechanic equation breaks down near the crack front, in a zone frequently called the process zone. The question is how large is this zone near the crack tip? This paper reviews four different techniques to capture the process zone size in pure silica: Atomic force microscopy imaging, neutron diffraction, photon capture, and molecular dynamics simulations. Velocities of the crack front range between stress corrosion cracking dynamics and dynamic fracture, thus providing a better understanding of how the process zone depends on the velocity of the crack front.
Recent trends in cardiac electrophysiology and catheter ablation in New Zealand
Authors: Foo Fang Shawn , Stiles Martin K. , Clare Geoffrey C. , Lever Nigel , Hooks Darren , Heaven David , Boddington Dean ,   Heart Rhythm New Zealand (HRNZ)
Published: February 2020

Background

Catheter ablation has rapidly become an integral part of the management of many arrhythmias.

Aims

To provide a history of clinical cardiac electrophysiology (EP) in New Zealand (NZ) and analysis of recent trends in EP procedures and catheter ablations across NZ, which has not previously been reported.

Methods

EP case type and volume were obtained from the EP databases from each of the four public and four private EP centres in NZ from 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2018. Procedure rates were expressed as per million population.

Results

A total of 7695 EP cases was performed, including 5929 (77%) in the public sector. Atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation was the most common procedure at 29%. EP procedure rates increased by 21% (to 353 per million in 2018), predominantly due to AF ablation rates increasing by 46%. Ventricular tachycardia ablation rates increased by 41% but only comprised 8% of procedures. There was a striking difference in the growth of EP procedure rates in the public compared to the private sector (4% vs 106%), as well as considerable differences in EP procedure and AF ablation rates across the public EP centres. NZ had lower ablation rates compared to countries with similar healthcare expenditure.

Conclusion

There has been a substantial increase in EP procedure and AF ablation rates in NZ and international trends suggest this growth will continue. However, there is considerable variation in procedure rates and growth trends between EP centres, highlighting inequities in access within the country.