bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluating critical criteria for green hospital buildings
Authors: Huang Hsiang-Hsun , Huang Yu-Ying , Perng Yeng-Horng
Published: August 2020

Greening building is an increasingly important concern and a challenge in construction industry. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the weights of criteria for green hospital buildings that provides decision-makers the priorities strategy in greening process. AHP was applied in this study to establish the hierarchy structure and evaluate the weight of criteria for green hospital buildings. The result indicated that sustainable site, energy saving, and water efficiency are the top three criteria. In the overall ranking, the top three significant sub-criteria are design of layout, greening of site, and energy saving for façade. The contribution of this study is to help decision-makers understand the relatively important of criteria to make decision for green hospital projects for sustainable development.
Implementation of Design and Build Contract in Government Building Construction Project Practice
Authors: Putro Anggoro , Latief Yusuf
Published: August 2020

The Development of government infrastructure projects, which has grown rapidly in recent years, require the Indonesian Government, through the Ministry of Public Work and Housing, to socialize the breakthrough of the national construction procurement system with design and build contract. This breakthrough on construction projects is expected to accelerate the achievement of government infrastructure targets, thus supporting national economic growth. The purpose of this research is to identify DB characteristics, implementation, the advantages and disadvantages in Indonesian construction projects, and to analyze the obstacles, conflicts and problems emerging on the construction project implementation. In the construction project implementation, all participants involved hopes that the project can be completed within the objectives. The expected objectives are that the project is completed in time, does not exceed the budget and meets the quality requirements.
2020 roadmap on solid-state batteries
Authors: Pasta Mauro , Armstrong David , Brown Zachary L. , Bu Junfu , Castell Martin R , Chen Peiyu , Cocks Alan , Corr Serena A , Cussen Edmund J , Darnbrough Ed , Deshpande Vikram , Doerrer Christopher , Dyer Matthew S , El-Shinawi Hany , Fleck Norman , Grant Patrick , Gregory Georgina L. , Grovenor Chris , Hardwick Laurence J , Irvine John T S , Lee Hyeon Jeong , Li Guanchen , Liberti Emanuela , McClelland Innes , Monroe Charles , Nellist Peter D , Shearing Paul R , Shoko Elvis , Song Weixin , Jolly Dominic Spencer , Thomas Christopher I , Turrell Stephen J , Vestli Mihkel , Williams Charlotte K. , Zhou Yundong , Bruce Peter G
Published: August 2020

Li-ion batteries have revolutionized the portable electronics industry and empowered the electric vehicle (EV) revolution. Unfortunately, traditional Li-ion chemistry is approaching its physicochemical limit. The demand for higher density (longer range), high power (fast charging), and safer EVs has recently created a resurgence of interest in solid state batteries (SSB). Historically, research has focused on improving the ionic conductivity of solid electrolytes, yet ceramic solids now deliver sufficient ionic conductivity. The barriers lie within the interfaces between the electrolyte and the two electrodes, in the mechanical properties throughout the device, and in processing scalability. In 2017 the Faraday Institution, the UK’s independent institute for electrochemical energy storage research, launched the SOLBAT (solid-state lithium metal anode battery) project, aimed at understanding the fundamental science underpinning the problems of SSBs, and recognising that the paucity of such understanding is the major barrier to progress. The purpose of this Roadmap is to present an overview of the fundamental challenges impeding the development of SSBs, the advances in science and technology necessary to understand the underlying science, and the multidisciplinary approach being taken by SOLBAT researchers in facing these challenges. It is our hope that this Roadmap will guide academia, industry, and funding agencies towards the further development of these batteries in the future.
Community, suffering and entitlement: food and morality in the French front-line towns, 1914–1918
Authors: Dowdall Alex
Published: August 2020

Between 1914 and 1918, deteriorating living standards and inequalities in food supply generated powerful subjective meanings in France. A moral vocabulary arose that castigated hoarders and profiteers and exalted front-line soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the trenches. This moral language helped to regulate social tensions by defining acceptable and unacceptable behaviour. As this article demonstrates, however, this moral economy did not function in a uniform manner across the country but developed highly localized inflections. This is evident from the case of civilians living in towns under fire and under military occupation at the Western Front, who suffered greater hardships than civilians in the interior. At the front, local wartime experiences shaped attitudes towards other social groups, the state and the national community. Social class was not the only category that defined the moral economy of wartime; so too did a sense of community generated by local war experiences.
Is “Busy” Always Better? Time-Use Activities and Depressive Symptoms Among Older Mexican Adults
Authors: Gutierrez Sirena , Milani Sadaf Arefi , Wong Rebeca
Published: August 2020

Background and Objectives

Depression among older Mexican adults is underrecognized and of increasing concern due to its association with comorbidities including cognitive and functional impairments. Prior studies have found an association between low involvement levels in social activities and depression. We aimed to examine the association of time-use activities and depressive symptomatology by sex.

Research Design and Methods

We used data from the 2012 and 2015 waves of the Mexican Health and Aging Study. Participants aged 60 and older who had low or no depressive symptoms in 2012 were included in these analyses (N = 4,309). Factor analysis was used to group activities and logistic regression models were used to assess the association of baseline time use with depressive symptomatology in 2015.

Results

Among those with low or no depressive symptomatology in 2012, 21.0% reported elevated symptoms (5+) in 2015. Those with elevated depressive symptoms were more likely to be women, older, lower educated, and with at least one activity of daily living limitation. Four time-use domains emerged from the factor analysis including hobbies and indoor activities, volunteering, caregiving, and working. The hobbies and indoor activities domain was associated with lower odds of elevated symptoms for men and women (odds ratio [OR]: 0.76, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.61–0.96; and OR: 0.75, 95% CI: 0.61–0.91, respectively). Additionally, the volunteer and community activities domain was associated with lower odds of depressive symptoms for women (OR: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.58–0.89) and men (OR: 0.77, 95% CI: 0.60–0.99).

Discussion and Implications

Understanding how older Mexicans distribute their time among different activities and its associations with depressive symptoms can help guide policy and sex-specific interventions for psychological well-being. Certain domains had lower odds for elevated depressive symptomatology; future work should examine this association in other countries as well as the context of the built environment.
Lefschetz Operators, Hodge–Riemann Forms, and Representations
Authors: Fiebig Peter
Published: August 2020

For a field of characteristic $\ne 2$, we study vector spaces that are graded by the weight lattice of a root system and are endowed with linear operators in each simple root direction. We show that these data extend to a weight lattice graded semisimple representation of the corresponding Lie algebra, if and only if there exists a bilinear form that satisfies properties (roughly) analogous to those of the Hodge–Riemann forms in complex geometry. In the 2nd part of the article, we replace the field by the $p$-adic integers (with $p\ne 2$) and show that in this case the existence of a certain bilinear form is equivalent to the existence of a structure of a tilting module for the associated simply connected $p$-adic Chevalley group.
Experiences of research ethics committee members and scientists of the research protocol review process in Uganda: a case study
Authors: Ssali Agnes , Poland Fiona , Seeley Janet
Published: August 2020

Background

We investigated how relevant and responsive scientists and research ethics committee (REC) members considered the research protocol review processes for health research practice in Uganda.

Methods

Interviews were conducted with five scientists and five REC members. Data were analysed thematically.

Results

How much to compensate for time, the amount of study information shared with volunteers and sample storage for future unknown research were areas of concern for REC members. Delays in getting feedback concerned scientists.

Conclusions

Researchers and REC members need to hold regular discussions to ensure the review process is relevant and responsive.
Developments on PlagZap, the Fast and Free Textual Plagiarism Detection Solution for Universities
Authors: Băutu Elena , Băutu Andrei
Published: August 2020

Plagiarism among university students is an important issue that affects their preparation and undermines the universities’ efforts to prepare skilled graduates. Universities try to fight this problem back with strict ethics policies, but they require the proper plagiarism detection tools, at affordable costs, to implement these policies. In this paper, we present PlagZap, a cost-efficient, high-volume and high-speed plagiarism detection system built using open-source software and designed to be used on textual student assignments. We discuss the advantages of this design, plagiarism obfuscation methods and empirical results from using PlagZap.
Machine learning techniques for computer-based decision systems in the operating theatre: application to analgesia delivery
Authors: Gonzalez-Cava Jose M , Arnay Rafael , Mendez-Perez Juan Albino , León Ana , Martín María , Reboso Jose A , Jove-Perez Esteban , Calvo-Rolle Jose Luis
Published: August 2020

This work focuses on the application of machine learning techniques to assist the clinicians in the administration of analgesic drug during general anaesthesia. Specifically, the main objective is to propose the basis of an intelligent system capable of making decisions to guide the opioid dose changes based on a new nociception monitor, the analgesia nociception index (ANI). Clinical data were obtained from 15 patients undergoing cholecystectomy surgery. By means of an off-line study, machine learning techniques were applied to analyse the possible relationship between the analgesic dose changes performed by the physician due to the hemodynamic activity of the patients and the evolution of the ANI. After training different classifiers and testing the results under cross validation, a preliminary relationship between the evolution of ANI and the dosage of remifentanil was found. These results evidence the potential of the ANI as a promising index to guide the infusion of analgesia.
Dynamic Global Currency Hedging
Authors: Christensen Bent Jesper , Varneskov Rasmus Tangsgaard
Published: August 2020

This article proposes a model for discrete-time currency hedging based on continuous-time movements in portfolio and foreign exchange rate returns. The vector of optimal currency exposures is given by the negative realized regression coefficients from a one-period conditional expectation of the intraperiod quadratic covariation matrix for portfolio and exchange rate returns. Empirical results from an extensive hedging exercise for equity investments illustrate that currency exposures exhibit important time variation, leading to substantial volatility reductions when hedging, without sacrificing returns. A risk-averse investor is willing to pay several hundred annual basis points to switch from existing hedging methods to the proposed dynamic strategies.
Histone deacetylase 4 inhibits NF-κB activation by facilitating IκBα sumoylation
Authors: Yang Qi , Tang Jielin , Xu Chonghui , Zhao He , Zhou Yuan , Wang Yanyi , Yang Min , Chen Xinwen , Chen Jizheng
Published: August 2020

Protein modification by small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) is an important regulatory mechanism for multiple cellular processes. Although the canonical pathway involving the ubiquitylation or phosphorylation of IκBα has been well characterized, little is known about the sumoylation of IκBα in the control of NF-κB activity. Here, we find that histone deacetylase 4 (HDAC4) negatively regulates tumor necrosis factor-alpha- or lipopolysaccharide-triggered NF-κB activation. HDAC4 belongs to the SUMO E3 ligase family and can directly sumoylate IκBα. The cytoplasm location of HDAC4 is essential for IκBα sumoylation. The Cys292 of HDAC4 is a key site for its SUMO E3 ligase activity. The sumoylation of IκBα prevents its polyubiquitination and degradation because these two modifications occur both at the Lys21. Our findings reveal a previously undiscovered role for HDAC4 in the inflammatory response as a SUMO E3 ligase for IκBα sumoylation. Our work provides insight into mechanisms ensuring optimal mediation of the NF-κB pathway.
The Islamic State's Pattern of Sexual Violence: Ideology and Institutions, Policies and Practices
Authors: Revkin Mara Redlich , Wood Elisabeth Jean
Published: August 2020

The Islamic State (IS), which controlled significant territory in Iraq and Syria between 2014 and 2017, engaged in a wide repertoire of violence against civilians living in these areas. Despite extensive media coverage and scholarly attention, the determinants of this pattern of violence remain poorly understood. We argue that, contrary to a widespread assumption that the IS wielded violence indiscriminately, it systematically targeted different social groups with distinct forms of violence, including sexual violence. Our theory focuses on ideology, suggesting it is a necessary element of explanations of patterns of violence on the part of many armed actors. Ideologies, to varying extent, prescribe organizational policies that order or authorize particular forms of violence against specific social groups and institutions that regulate the conditions under which they occur. We find support for our theory in the case of sexual violence by IS by triangulating between several types of qualitative data: official documents; social media data generated by individuals in or near IS-controlled areas; interviews with Syrians and Iraqis who have knowledge of the organization's policies including victims of violence and former IS combatants; and secondary sources including local Arabic-language newspapers. Consistent with our theory, we find that the organization adopted ideologically motivated policies that authorized certain forms of sexual violence, including sexual slavery and child marriage. Forms of violence that violated organizational policies but were nonetheless tolerated by many commanders also occurred and we find evidence of two such practices: gang rape of Yazidi women and forced marriage of Sunni Muslim women.
Massive bleeding of a jejunal gastrointestinal stromal tumour: a rare case of a life-threatening presentation
Authors: Mahmoud Schauki , Salman Hosam
Published: August 2020

A jejunal gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST) is a rare neoplasm of the gastrointestinal tract. Massive bleeding due to a jejunal GIST is a diagnostic challenge and could present as a life-threatening situation needing urgent intervention. A 54-year-old woman presented with episodes of melaena and haematochezia for the previous 3 days. An oesophagoduodenoscopy was inconclusive. A contrast computed tomography (CT) scan showed a well-defined extraluminal mass in the proximal jejunum suggestive of a bleeding GIST. Her haemodynamic state deteriorated despite initial supportive therapy including a blood transfusion. An urgent laparotomy to excise the jejunal mass was performed. Histopathology and immunohistochemical studies confirmed the diagnosis. She subsequently received adjuvant imatinib therapy. She has remained symptom free at 5 months post-op. We therefore present a rare case of obscure massive gastrointestinal bleeding due to a jejunal GIST. The CT scan was the most effective investigation to detect the source of bleeding in this case.
PTSD Treatment Research: An Overview and Evaluation
Authors: Schnurr Paula P. , Hamblen Jessica L.
Published: August 2020

This chapter provides an overview of key concepts in designing and evaluating clinical trials, with a focus on randomized controlled trials for PTSD. The first section discusses design elements and how they influence the conclusions that can be drawn from a study. Examples from the trauma literature are provided when available to illustrate concepts. The second section explores newer developments in PTSD treatment trials. Specifically, it discusses treatment and design considerations related to common comorbid conditions of PTSD, adapting treatments for low-resource environments and optimizing treatment outcome. The chapter’s goal is to improve the ability of both clinicians and researchers to critically review PTSD clinical trials.
Regulation of mRNA Translation in Axons
Authors: Patel Priyanka , Sahoo Pabitra K. , Kar Amar N. , Twiss Jeffery L.
Published: August 2020

Axons can extend long distances from the neuronal cell body, and mRNA translation in axons is used to locally generate new proteins in these distal reaches of the neuron’s cytoplasm. Work over the past two decades has shown that axonal mRNA translation occurs in many different organisms and different neuronal systems. The field has progressed substantially over this time, moving from documenting mRNA translation in axons to understanding how axonal mRNA translation is regulated and what the protein products do for the neuron. Translational regulation in axons extends beyond merely controlling activity of the protein synthesis machinery. Transport of mRNAs into axons, stability of the mRNAs within the axons, and sequestration of mRNAs away from the translational machinery each contribute to determining what proteins are generated in axons, as well as when and where those proteins are generated within the axon. It is now known that thousands of different mRNAs can localize into axons. Based on unique responses to different axonal translation regulating stimuli and events, there clearly is specificity for when different mRNA populations are translated. How that specificity is driven is just now beginning to be understood, and studies emerging over the last five years point to multiple mechanisms for imparting specificity for regulation of axonal protein synthesis responses.
Leadership Styles of Political Executives
Authors: Keller Jonathan W.
Published: August 2020

This chapter focuses on the leadership styles of political executives—that is, the ways in which executives relate to constituents, advisers, and other leaders in the political domain. The scholarship on this topic, spanning the fields of political science, psychology, management science, and public administration, provides answers to fundamental questions about when leaders matter and which aspects of leadership style generate specific policy-making processes and outcomes. General conclusions include the dual importance of contextual factors and political skill in shaping leaders’ effectiveness, and the central roles played by leaders’ task versus relations orientations and sensitivity to the political context. Significant progress in this field will require more research on non-Western leaders, rigorous comparative analysis of political executives, methodological refinement in measuring leadership styles, ‘bridge-building’ among balkanized academic subfields, and more systematic efforts to identify areas of consensus and gaps within the existing scholarship.
One-year results after transitioning from etanercept originator to biosimilar in a setting promoting shared decision-making in rheumatology
Authors: Müskens Wieland D , Rongen-van Dartel Sanne A A , Teerenstra Steven , Adang Eddy M M , van Riel Piet L C M
Published: August 2020

Objective

The aim was to study the effect of non-mandatory transitioning from etanercept originator to etanercept biosimilar on retention rates in a setting promoting shared decision-making.

Methods

In 2016, all patients treated with etanercept originator and stable disease at the Rheumatology department in Bernhoven were offered transitioning to etanercept biosimilar by an opt-in approach. A historical cohort of patients treated with etanercept originator in 2015 was identified as the control group. Etanercept discontinuation was compared between the cohorts using Cox regression. To study the nocebo effect, reasons for discontinuation were categorized into objective reasons (e.g. laboratory abnormalities, increase in swollen joint count, allergic reaction) and subjective health complaints (symptoms perceptible only to the patient, e.g. tiredness, arthralgia). An adjusted Kaplan–Meier curve for retention of the etanercept biosimilar was made, censoring subjective health complaints as the reason for discontinuation.

Results

Seventy of the 79 patients eligible for transitioning agreed to transition (89%). The 1-year crude retention rate of etanercept in the transition cohort was 73% (95% CI: 0.62, 0.83), compared with a retention rate of 89% (95% CI: 0.81, 0.95) in the historical cohort (P = 0.013). This resulted in a higher risk of treatment discontinuation in the transition cohort (adjusted hazard ratio = 2.73; 95% CI: 1.23, 6.05, P = 0.01). After adjusting for the nocebo effect, the cohorts had comparable retention rates (86 vs 89%, P = 0.51).

Conclusion

Non-mandatory transition from etanercept originator to its biosimilar using an opt-in approach in a setting promoting shared decision-making resulted in a higher discontinuation of etanercept compared with the historical cohort. This could be attributed largely to the nocebo effect.
Botulinum Toxin A as a Treatment for Provoked Vestibulodynia
Authors: Haraldson Philip , Mühlrad Hanna , Heddini Ulrika , Nilsson Kent , Bohm-Starke Nina
Published: August 2020

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate pain reduction after two injections of 50 units botulinum toxin A compared with placebo for provoked vestibulodynia.

METHODS:

We conducted a double-blinded, placebo-controlled randomized trial of 50 units botulinum toxin A or placebo injected in the bulbocavernosus muscles twice, 3 months apart, in women with provoked vestibulodynia. Primary outcome was self-reported dyspareunia or pain at tampon use on a visual analog scale (VAS, 0–100). Secondary outcomes were pain at weekly tampon insertion (VAS score), reduction of pelvic floor hypertonicity (measured with a vaginal manometer), adverse events, and sexual function and distress. A sample size of 38 participants for each group was calculated to achieve a statistical power of 80% based on an effect size of 20 VAS units (0–100) (mean score range 56–76±31 SD).

RESULTS:

Between May 2016 and June 2018, 124 women with provoked vestibulodynia were assessed, and 88 were randomized to botulinum toxin A (BTA group, n=44) or placebo (placebo group, n=44). Primary outcome showed a lower but statistically nonsignificant pain rating by 7 VAS units (95% CI −15.0 to 0.4) in the BTA group compared with the placebo group. Secondary results showed a significant decrease in pain at weekly tampon insertion by 11 VAS units (95% CI −16.6 to 6.0) with botulinum toxin A injection. The vaginal manometer measured lower maximum contraction strength by 7 mm Hg (95% CI −12.7 to −2.4) and lower 10-second endurance strength by 4 mm Hg (95% CI −7.72 to −1.16) in the BTA group compared with the placebo group. No changes were observed for sexual function and distress, but there was a significant increase in women attempting vaginal intercourse in the BTA group (0.27, 95% CI 0.06–0.48). No severe adverse events were reported.

CONCLUSION:

Twice-repeated injections of 50 units of botulinum toxin A in women with provoked vestibulodynia did not reduce dyspareunia or pain at tampon use, but secondary outcomes suggested positive effects of the treatment.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION:

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02773641.
Neurophysiological and Behavioral Responses ofIxodes scapularisto host odors
Authors: Josek Tanya , Sperrazza Jared , Alleyne Marianne , Syed Zainulabeuddin
Published: August 2020

The black-legged tick,Ixodes scapularis(Ixodida, Ixodidae), is one of the major disease vectors in the United States and due to multiple human impact factors, such as decreasing forest size for land development and climate change, it has expanded its range and established across the United States. Throughout the life cycle, ticks locate hosts for their blood-meal and although the ecologies of this tick and their hosts have been studied in depth, the sensory physiology behind host location largely remains unexplored. Here we report establishing a robust paradigm to isolate and identify odors from the natural milieu forI. scapularis. We performed single sensillum recordings (SSR) from the olfactory sensilla on the tick tarsi, and used the SSR system as biological detector to isolate natural compounds that elicited biological activity. The SSR setup was further tested in tandem with gas chromatography (GC) wherein the ticks’ olfactory sensillum activity served as a biological detector. The GC-SSR recordings from the wall pore sensilla in the Haller’s organ, and further identification of the biologically active deer glad constituents by GC-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) revealed methyl substituted phenols as strong chemostimuli, as compared to ethyl or propyl substitutions. Strongest electrophysiological activity was elicited bymeta-cresolfollowed bypara-cresol. Ethyl- and propylphenols with any of the three,ortho, metaorparasubstitutions, did not induce any neurophysiological activity. Finally, a behavioral analysis in a dual-choice olfactometer of all these phenols at three different doses revealed no significant behavioral response, except forp-cresol at −3 dilution Overall, this study contributes to our understanding ofI. scapularistick’s neurophysiology and provides a robust platform to isolate and identify natural attractants and repellents.
Interleukin-22 mediated renal metabolic reprogramming via PFKFB3 to treat kidney injury
Authors: Chen Wei , Shen Yilan , Fan Jiajun , Zeng Xian , Zhang Xuyao , Luan Jingyun , Zhang Jinghui , Fang Si , Mei Xiaobin , Ju Dianwen
Published: August 2020

Kidney damage initiates the deteriorating metabolic states in tubule cells that lead to the development of end-stage renal disease (ESTD). Interleukin 22 (IL-22) is an effective therapeutic antidote for kidney injury via promoting kidney recovery, but little is known about the underlying molecular mechanisms. Here we first provide evidence that IL-22 attenuates kidney injury via metabolic reprogramming of renal tubular epithelial cells (TECs). Specifically, our data suggest that IL-22 regulates mitochondrial function and glycolysis in damaged TECs. Further observations indicate that IL-22 alleviates the accumulation of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) and dysfunctional mitochondria via the induction of AMPK/AKT signaling and PFBFK3 activities. In mice, amelioration of kidney injury and necrosis and improvement of kidney functions via regulation of these metabolism relevant signaling and mitochondrial fitness of recombinant IL-22 are certificated in cisplatin induced kidney damage and diabetic nephropathy (DN) animal models. Taken together, our findings unravel new mechanistic insights into protective effects of IL-22 on kidney and highlight the therapeutic opportunities of IL-22 and the involved metabolic regulators in various kidney diseases.
RIPK3 facilitates host and pathogen interactions after oralToxoplasma gondiiinfection
Authors: Cervantes Patrick W. , Knoll Laura J.
Published: August 2020

Toxoplasma gondiiinfection activates pattern recognition receptor (PRR) pathways that drive innate inflammatory responses to control infection. Necroptosis is a pro-inflammatory cell death pathway apart of the innate immune response that has evolved to control pathogenic infection. In this study we further defined the role of Z-DNA binding protein 1 (ZBP1) as a PRR and assessed its contribution to necroptosis as a host protection mechanism toT. gondiiinfection. We found that ZBP1 does not induce pro-inflammatory necroptosis cell death and ZBP1 null mice have reduced survival after oralT. gondiiinfection. In contrast, mice deleted in receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 3 (RIPK3-/-), a central mediator of necroptosis, have significantly improved survival after oralT. gondiiinfection even with higher parasite burden. The physiological consequences of RIPK3 activity did not show any differences in intestine villi immunopathology but RIPK3-/-mice showed higher immune cell infiltration and edema in the lamina propria. The contribution of necroptosis to host survival was clarified with mixed lineage kinase domain like pseudokinase null (MLKL-/-) mice. We found MLKL-/-mice to succumb to oralT. gondiiinfection the same as wild type mice, indicating necroptosis-independent RIPK3 activity impacts host survival. These results provide new insights on the impacts of pro-inflammatory cell death pathways as a mechanism of host defense to oralT. gondiiinfection.
Differences in rates of uptake of NICE clinical guidelines between Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) as evidenced by National Diabetes Audit of England and Wales
Authors: Hayward Robert C , Watkins John , Ariti Cono
Published: August 2020

OBJECTIVES
To investigate whether there were important differences in uptake of NICE clinical guidelines according to diabetes mellitus type in England and Wales from 2013 to 2018, test the hypothesis that guidelines are more successfully implemented with T2DM than T1DM, and explore possible explanations for differences.

DESIGN
Retrospective cross-sectional analyses of aggregated patient level data from the National Diabetes Audit (NDA) dataset owned by NHS Digital and commissioned by Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership.

SETTING
Diabetes specialist services, primary care (GP surgeries submitting NDA data) across England and Wales.

PARTICIPANTS
1 739 175 patients with diabetes aged ≥20 in England and Wales in 2013-14,
1 871 320 individual patients in 2014-15, 2 688 106 individual patients in 2015-16, 3 095 275 individual patients in 2016-17, and 3 357 055 individual patients in 2017-18.

INTERVENTIONS
Recommended care for diabetes mellitus as outlined in relevant NICE guidelines and delivered by either specialist clinicians or GPs.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
The recorded attainment of NICE treatment targets: HbA1c levels =<7.5% (58.5 mmol/mol), blood pressure <140/80mmHg, blood cholesterol <5mmol/l; and clinical processes: at least annual monitoring of HbA1c, blood pressure, cholesterol, albumin:creatinine ratio, smoking status, Body Mass Index.

RESULTS
Annual collections (2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16, 2016-17 and 2017-18) were individually analysed, testing associations between diabetes type and attainment of clinical targets or processes using a multivariable logistic regression model, adjusted for age and sex. Increased odds of meeting clinical targets if patients had T2DM compared with T1DM was consistent across the five years, except for cholesterol levels <5mmol/l where T2DM patients had lower odds (all associations p<.0001). Greatest differences in all five years between T1DM and T2DM was observed with patients meeting the HbA1c=<7.5% target, the largest being in 2015-16 (Odds Ratio 3.43, 95% confidence interval 3.39 to 3.47).

CONCLUSIONS
The differences between T1DM and T2DM in HbA1c target attainment is key and potentially reflects challenges of managing T1DM with insulin but suggests a point of focus for that patient population. Other important elements for consideration could be specific setting for delivery (primary care versus secondary care) and duration of illness.
Making the case for virtual competency-based education
Authors: Cates Steven Vaughn , Doyle Sean , Gallagher Lisa , Shelton Gary , Broman Noel , Escudier Blake
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a competency-based curriculum design model based on a set of ten foundational professional competencies (PCs) that prepare college graduates to meet the needs of global businesses now and in the future.

Design/methodology/approach

This phenomenological single-case study reviews literature on the foundational principles of competency-based education (CBE) and comparatively analyzes the results of qualitative interviews to create a set of ten PCs linking employee and business success.

Findings

This study presents a theoretical competency-based curriculum model (competency-based learning, performance and behavior (CBLPB)) designed for online education programs to enable a twenty-first century workforce to succeed. The curriculum design model is tested as applied by the researchers in various courses taught at an online university.

Research limitations/implications

This is a conceptual model for testing in academic research settings in colleges and universities.

Practical implications

The study suggests that higher education business curriculum should be designed using a CBE model to develop graduates with the foundational PCs that employers need and desire in educated working professionals.

Originality/value

From the faculty perspective, the CBLPB curriculum design model can enhance the design and implementation of CBE in business programs.
Corporate social responsibility and idiosyncratic risk in the restaurant industry: does brand diversification matter?
Authors: Ozdemir Ozgur , Erkmen Ezgi , Kim Minji
Published: August 2020

Purpose

This study aims to examine the link between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and idiosyncratic risk in the restaurant industry. The study also explores whether brand diversification magnifies the risk reduction effect of CSR in the restaurant industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses an unbalanced panel of 274 firm-year observations for 43 restaurant firms over the period 1995–2015. Models are estimated via fixed effect regression with robust standard errors.

Findings

The study finds that CSR involvement reduces idiosyncratic risk and this risk reduction is intensified when restaurant firms operate a portfolio of brands.

Research limitations/implications

The study’s findings are limited to restaurant industry, therefore, generalization of the findings to other industries requires delicate care. Brand diversification is a simple brand count due to a lack of brand sales data.

Practical implications

CSR activities are not cost burden for restaurant firms. Indeed, CSR could be a viable strategy to reduce the volatility in future expected cash flows, hence the idiosyncratic risk. This risk reduction could help owners/managers access to capital with lower cost. Moreover, the study suggests that CSR practices should not be implemented in isolation from firm marketing strategy such as portfolio of brands.

Originality/value

Although prior hospitality research puts forth some evidence using systematic risk as the measure of firm risk, this measure may not best suit the purpose in CSR context given that CSR is a direct, firm-specific strategy. Hence, the current study provides both new evidence with firm-specific, idiosyncratic risk and introduces an important contingency situation when the risk reduction effect of CSR would become more profound for restaurant firms.
An end-to-end deep source recording device identification system for Web media forensics
Authors: Zeng Chunyan , Zhu Dongliang , Wang Zhifeng , Wang Zhenghui , Zhao Nan , He Lu
Published: August 2020

Purpose

Most source recording device identification models for Web media forensics are based on a single feature to complete the identification task and often have the disadvantages of long time and poor accuracy. The purpose of this paper is to propose a new method for end-to-end network source identification of multi-feature fusion devices.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper proposes an efficient multi-feature fusion source recording device identification method based on end-to-end and attention mechanism, so as to achieve efficient and convenient identification of recording devices of Web media forensics.

Findings

The authors conducted sufficient experiments to prove the effectiveness of the models that they have proposed. The experiments show that the end-to-end system is improved by 7.1% compared to the baseline i-vector system, compared to the authors’ previous system, the accuracy is improved by 0.4%, and the training time is reduced by 50%.

Research limitations/implications

With the development of Web media forensics and internet technology, the use of Web media as evidence is increasing. Among them, it is particularly important to study the authenticity and accuracy of Web media audio.

Originality/value

This paper aims to promote the development of source recording device identification and provide effective technology for Web media forensics and judicial record evidence that need to apply device source identification technology.
Tactile Enumeration and Embodied Numerosity Among the Deaf
Authors: Hochman Shachar , Cohen Zahira Z. , Ben‐Shachar Mattan S. , Henik Avishai
Published: August 2020

Representations of the fingers are embodied in our cognition and influence performance in enumeration tasks. Among deaf signers, the fingers also serve as a tool for communication in sign language. Previous studies in normal hearing (NH) participants showed effects of embodiment (i.e., embodied numerosity) on tactile enumeration using the fingers of one hand. In this research, we examined the influence of extensive visuo‐manual use on tactile enumeration among the deaf. We carried out four enumeration task experiments, using 1–5 stimuli, on a profoundly deaf group (n = 16) and a matching NH group (n = 15): (a) tactile enumeration using one hand, (b) tactile enumeration using two hands, (c) visual enumeration of finger signs, and (d) visual enumeration of dots. In the tactile tasks, we found salient embodied effects in the deaf group compared to the NH group. In the visual enumeration of finger signs task, we controlled the meanings of the stimuli presentation type (e.g., finger‐counting habit, fingerspelled letters, both or neither). Interestingly, when comparing fingerspelled letters to neutrals (i.e., not letters or numerical finger‐counting signs), an inhibition pattern was observed among the deaf. The findings uncover the influence of rich visuo‐manual experiences and language on embodied representations. In addition, we propose that these influences can partially account for the lag in mathematical competencies in the deaf compared to NH peers. Lastly, we further discuss how our findings support a contemporary model for mental numerical representations and finger‐counting habits.
Predicting depth of invasion for JNET Type 2B colorectal lesions: Is there a role for magnifying chromoendoscopy?
Authors: McCarty Thomas R. , Aihara Hiroyuki
Published: August 2020

This Editorial refers to the article by K. Hosotani et al., p 425‐432 of this issue.
Towards a systematics of ecodiversity: The EcoSyst framework
Authors: Halvorsen Rune , Skarpaas Olav , Bryn Anders , Bratli Harald , Erikstad Lars , Simensen Trond , Lieungh Eva
Published: August 2020

Background

Although a standard taxonomy of organisms has existed for nearly 300 years, no consensus has yet been reached on principles for systematization of ecological diversity (i.e., the co‐ordinated variation of abiotic and biotic components of natural diversity). In a rapidly changing world, where nature is under constant pressure, standardized terms and methods for characterization of ecological diversity are urgently needed (e.g., to enhance precision and credibility of global change assessments).

Aim

The aim is to present the EcoSyst framework, a set of general principles and methods for systematization of natural diversity that simultaneously addresses biotic and abiotic variation, and to discuss perspectives opened by this framework.

Innovation

EcoSyst provides a framework for systematizing natural variation in a consistent manner across different levels of organization. At each ecodiversity level, EcoSyst principles can be used to establish: (a) an extensive attribute system with descriptive variables that cover all relevant sources of variation; (b) a hierarchical‐type system; and (c) a set of guidelines for land‐cover mapping that is consistent across spatial scales. EcoSyst type systems can be conceptualized as multidimensional models, by which a key characteristic (the response) is related to variation in one or more key sources of variation (predictors). EcoSyst type hierarchies are developed by a gradient‐based iterative procedure, by which the “ecodiversity distance” (i.e., the extent to which the key characteristic differs between adjacent candidate types) is standardized and the ecological processes behind observed patterns are explicitly taken into account.

Application

We present “Nature in Norway” (NiN), an implementation of the EcoSyst framework for Norway for the ecosystem and landscape levels of ecodiversity. Examples of applications to research and management are given.

Conclusion

The EcoSyst framework provides a theoretical platform, principles and methods that can complement and enhance initiatives towards a global‐scale systematics of ecodiversity.
Infants’ responsiveness to half‐occlusions in phantom stereograms
Authors: Kavšek Michael
Published: August 2020

The present natural preference study investigated infants 4 and 7 months of age for their ability to respond to phantom contoubrs, illusory surfaces generated by half‐occlusions in a stereoscopic display consisting of a pair of parallel vertical lines. The left line in the half‐image for the right eye and the right line in the half‐image for the left eye have a gap in the middle. The visual system accounts for the binocular unmatched gaps by perceiving an illusory contour. Infants in the experimental condition were presented with a standard phantom stereogram displaying a phantom contour versus a non‐standard phantom stereogram, the half‐images of which were exchanged. This stereogram evokes the impression of two small separate illusory contours. In both stereograms, the gaps moved up and down. The participants aged 7 but not 4 months preferred looking at the standard phantom stereogram. A control condition supported the hypothesis that the infants 7 months of age in the experimental condition indeed responded to the coherent illusory surface instead of simply detecting differences in the geometric arrangement of the half‐occlusions. The results hence indicate that infants are able to extract spatial information from monocular regions in a binocular display.
Standard Errors of Variance Components, Measurement Errors and Generalizability Coefficients for Crossed Designs
Authors: Almehrizi Rashid S.
Published: August 2020

Estimates of various variance components, universe score variance, measurement error variances, and generalizability coefficients, like all statistics, are subject to sampling variability, particularly in small samples. Such variability is quantified traditionally through estimated standard errors and/or confidence intervals. The paper derived new standard errors for all estimated statistics for two crossed designs (single‐facet design and two‐facet design) in generalizability theory. The derivation was based on the assumption of multivariate normal distribution for observation scores using delta method. The derivation was differentiating between fixed and random facets. The adequacy of the derived standard errors was examined using Mont Carlo simulation for the two designs under several test conditions and compared to the traditional existing methods as well as implementation on real data. Results showed that the derived standard errors for all estimators are converging to the empirical standard errors for all simulation conditions with the two designs for both normal and non‐normal continuous data.
Eosinophils and the burden of airway disease
Authors: James Alan
Published: August 2020

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Pulmonary Artery Stenosis: Early Interventions With Low Profile Stents Versus Delayed Interventions With Large Diameter Stents
Authors: Pewowaruk Ryan , Pettit Kevin , Larrain Carolina , Johnson Cody , Francois Christopher J. , Lamers Luke , Roldán-Alzate Alejandro
Published: August 2020

Pulmonary artery stenosis (PAS) is a common complication of heart surgery in infancy. With recent advances in low profile-small diameter stent technology, PA stenting is now often performed in infants. While PAS stenting in older children does not impact distal PA growth and multiplication, in infants still undergoing significant PA growth, the impact of PA stent timing on long term PA development is unknown and potentially important. In a swine PAS model, the effects of early and delayed stent interventions on PA growth and cardiac function were comprehensively assessed. PA stenting had a positive impact on hemodynamics, lung perfusion, and histology, but the timing of intervention, either early or late, does not make a significant difference.
A Realistic Phantom for Ultrasound-Guided Central Venous Cannulation
Authors: Ng Si Yen , Lin Chi-Lun
Published: August 2020

Ultrasound-guided central venous cannulation (CVC) has become standard to care. Ultrasound imaging allows the CVC procedure to be completed much safer than a standard blind landmark approach. To enhance medical personnel’s skill in performing challenging ultrasound-guided CVC, an adult size CVC phantom that simulated the human head to the chest, with a detachable CVC operational part, was proposed in this study to provide medical personnel with realistic needle insertion haptic feedback and ultrasound imaging. The detachable CVC operational part could be customized to simulate different patient conditions, such as adult patient (with normal standard size of vascular), the elderly (with collapsed vascular), children (with smaller diameter of vascular), vascular fibrosis patient (with hardening of vascular) and obese patient (with thick fat tissue). In the current stage of prototype development, a CVC operational part with simulated blood vessels and clavicle embedded inside the fat- and muscle-mimicking tissue was produced. Both the fat- and muscle-mimicking tissue pose mechanical and acoustic properties similar to real tissues. The target vein for CVC procedure could be recognized from the ultrasound imaging of the CVC operational part.
Design of a Modular Cost-Effective Robot Arm for Increased Dexterity in Laparoscopic Surgery
Authors: Lowery John , Nelson Carl A.
Published: August 2020

This paper outlines the design of a reconfigurable, partially disposable, tendon-driven robotic arm for providing assistance in laparoscopic surgery. The rationale for its development and design objectives are provided, followed by a description of its mechanical design. Kinematic simulations to assess workspace are presented, and a first-stage assessment of the functionality of a prototype using a custom test bench is also included.