bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Potential implications of the Matzak judgment (quality of rest time, right to disconnect)
Authors: Mitrus Leszek
Published: November 2019

The present elaboration is dedicated to one of the aspects of the Matzak judgment, where CJEU ruled that a standby time which a volunteer firefighter spends at home with the duty to respond to calls from his employer within a few minutes, very significantly restricting the opportunities to do other activities, must be regarded as working time under the Directive 2003/88. The position of the Advocate General, who suggested that ‘the degree of freedom enjoyed by the worker’ and ‘the quality of time’ while a worker is on standby duty should be assessed, as well as the Court’s opinion, that the temporal and geographical constraints imposed on the on-call worker are of decisive importance, have been analysed. In the Author’s view, the binary relationship between ‘working time’ and ‘rest period’, as provided by Directive 2003/88, does not always meet the requirements of the current labour market. Moreover, in the digital age the ‘rest period’ does not necessarily amount to genuine free time. The Author examines possible further legislative developments concerning the concepts of working time and rest period, including the newly emerging idea of the right to disconnect, i.e. the worker’s ability to disconnect from work, especially by not engaging in electronic work-related communications during his rest period.
Pulmonary endarterectomy in a 12‐year‐old boy with multiple comorbidities
Authors: Verbelen Tom , Cools Bjorn , Fejzic Zina , Van Den Eynde Raf , Maleux Geert , Delcroix Marion , Meyns Bart
Published: November 2019

A 10‐year‐old boy, with multiple comorbidities presented with fever, exertional dyspnea, fatigue and an obliterated brachiocephalic and inferior caval vein. Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) was diagnosed. Nadroparine, antibiotics and supplemental oxygen were successfully started. Aged 12 years, supplemental oxygen was permanently needed with progressive exertional dyspnea and fatigue. In the country of residence the patient was considered as inoperable. The right ventricle was severely dilated, hypocontractile and hypertrophic. Mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) was 79 mmHg and cardiac output 2.2 L/min. Pulmonary endarterectomy was uneventful. Four days later, mPAP was 33 mmHg and cardiac output 6.4 L/min. Three months later the boy restarted his education without supplemental oxygen. Six months after surgery right ventricular size and function and mPAP (14 mmHg) were normal. We demonstrated that pulmonary endarterectomy in young aged children is feasible and well‐tolerated, even in the presence of severe co‐morbidities. CTEPH should be an important diagnostic consideration in symptomatic children with a known hypercoaguable state, a history of thrombo‐embolism or venous catheter placement, and/or a diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension. Hesitating to refer children for surgical consideration, or attempting to treat them by medication, only postpones the single potentially curable treatment and may worsen their prognosis.
Efficacy and safety of daptomycin: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Rosanova María Teresa , Bes David , Serrano-Aguilar Pedro , Sberna Norma , Herrera-Ramos Estefania , Lede Roberto Luis
Published: November 2019

Background:

The aim of this study was to assess whether daptomycin is safer and more efficacious than comparators for the treatment of serious infection caused by gram-positive microorganisms.

Methods:

Electronic databases (Medline, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and clinical registered trials) were searched to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that assessed the efficacy and safety of daptomycin versus therapy with any other antibiotic comparator. Two reviewers independently applied selection criteria, performed a quality assessment and extracted the data. Heterogeneity was assessed, and a random-effects or fixed-effects model, when appropriate, was used for estimates of risk ratio (RR). The primary outcome assessed was the risk of clinical treatment failure among the intention-to-treat population and the presence of any treatment related adverse event (AEs).

Results:

A total of seven trials fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Daptomycin treatment failure rates were no different to comparator regimens (RR = 0.96; CI 95% 0.86–1.06). No significantly different treatment related AEs were identified when comparing groups (RR = 0.91; CI 95% 0.83–1.01).

Conclusions:

No significant differences in treatment failure rates and safety were found using daptomycin or any of the comparators treatment.
The diagnostic value of a change in bowel habit for colorectal cancer within different age groups
Authors: McCulloch Sofia M , Aziz Imran , Polster Annikka V , Pischel Andreas‐Bernd , Stålsmeden Henrik , Shafazand Morteza , Block Mattias , Byröd Gunnar , Lindkvist Björn , Törnblom Hans , Jonefjäll Börje , Simren Magnus
Published: November 2019

Background

Change in bowel habit as a sole alarm symptom for colorectal cancer is disputed.

Objective

We investigated the diagnostic value of change in bowel habit for colorectal cancer, particularly as a single symptom and within different age groups.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study examined colorectal cancer fast track referrals and outcomes across four Swedish hospitals (April 2016–May 2017). Entry criteria constituted one or more of three alarm features: anaemia, visible rectal bleeding, or change in bowel habit for more than 4 weeks in patients over 40 years of age. Patients were grouped as having only change in bowel habit, change in bowel habit plus anaemia/bleeding or anaemia/bleeding only.

Results

Of 628 patients, 22% were diagnosed with colorectal cancer. There were no cases of colorectal cancer in the only change in bowel habit group under 55 years, while this was 6% for 55–64 years, 8% for 65–74 years and 14% for 75 years and older. Among subjects under 55 years, 2% with anaemia/bleeding had colorectal cancer, this increased to 34% for 55 years and older (P  < 0.0001). Change in bowel habit plus anaemia/bleeding gave a colorectal cancer prevalence of 16% in under 55 years and increased to 30% for 55 years and older (P  = 0.07).

Conclusion

Change in bowel habit as the only alarm feature has a low diagnostic yield for colorectal cancer in patients under 55 years.
From data politics to the contentious politics of data
Authors: Beraldo Davide , Milan Stefania
Published: November 2019

This article approaches the paradigm shift of datafication from the perspective of civil society. Looking at how individuals and groups engage with datafication, it complements the notion of “data politics” by exploring what we call the “contentious politics of data”. By contentious politics of data we indicate the bottom-up, transformative initiatives interfering with and/or hijacking dominant processes of datafication, contesting existing power relations or re-appropriating data practices and infrastructure for purposes distinct from the intended. Said contentious politics of data is articulated in an array of practices of data activism taking a critical stance towards datafication. In data activism, data as mediators take a central role, both as part of an action repertoire or as objects of struggle in their own right. Leveraging social movement studies and science and technology studies, this theoretical essay argues that data activism can be mapped along two analytical dimensions: “data as stakes” (as issues and/or objects of political struggle in their own right) vs. “data as repertoires” (or modular tools for political struggle), and “individual practice vs. collective action”. Mapping action repertoires and tactics along these axes allows us to chart the potential emergence of a political ( contentious) data subject at the intersection of these two dimensions. This furthers our understanding of people’s engagement with data in relation to other forms of activism and existing work in social movement studies. It also helps us interpreting potential trajectories of contemporary social movements, as they increasingly interface with data, devices and platforms.
Affective Body Politics of Social Media
Authors: Hynnä Kaisu , Lehto Mari , Paasonen Susanna
Published: November 2019

In this introduction to special issue, we elaborate our use of the concept affective body politics in the context of social media. Bringing together two theoretical concepts, the notion of “body politics” and that of “affective politics,” we direct attention to the carnal ways in which bodies experience practices of governance, how they affect and are affected by other bodies. The introduction maps out some of the interdisciplinary voices that study affect online, provides an overview of the papers in this special issue, and concludes by considering ideas for further discussion.
Sensitivity to Status-Based Rejection: Implications for Female and Minority Criminal Justice Majors
Authors: Tapia Natalia D. , Pollock Wendi , Kelly Christopher
Published: November 2019

Now more than ever, criminal justice agencies are looking to fill their ranks with a diverse workforce that reflects the populations they serve. Criminal justice is a field where diversity matters, is encouraged, and is sought after in recruitment efforts. Also, research shows that females are highly effective in this discipline due to their unique communication skills. Therefore, it is important for females and minorities to feel they are welcomed and belong in those agencies. This article explores how perceptions affect the employability of women and people of color. Exploring their level of confidence or anxiety about their future ability to adapt to their work environment could offer insights on how to better support criminal justice students and on how to help agencies to better integrate and maintain diversity in their organizations. This study examines criminal justice students’ sensitivity to status-based rejection. Specifically, college students in the field of criminal justice were surveyed regarding their anxieties and beliefs about how others’ perceptions of their status (gender, race, and/or ethnicity) might affect their professional careers. Results suggest that while females of all races and African American students of any gender are significantly more likely to be concerned about the potential for status-based rejection when employed, or trying to become employed, in the field of criminal justice, female Hispanic students are concerned about the combined effects of their race and gender on their future careers. Policy implications are discussed.
The Gandhian Way to Healthy Living
Authors: Roy Tushar
Published: November 2019

This article is a succinct account of the ideas of Gandhi on health and illness. Gandhi was an ardent follower of nature cure. He propagated the ideas of naturopathy not only in his own life but also resorted to others. He tried his best to avoid both Ayurvedic and Allopathic medicines. For him, health is to be viewed in holistic terms, including the psychological aspects. Today, many of the practices that Gandhi patronised are being recommended by the fraternity of the physicians.
Role of Mahatma Gandhi in the Life and Anthropology of Nirmal Kumar Bose
Authors: Bagchi Tilak
Published: November 2019

Nirmal Kumar Bose, a doyen of Indian anthropology, was very much motivated by the life, philosophy and vision of Mahatma Gandhi. Bose may truly be considered as a Gandhian anthropologist. His journey on Gandhian philosophy started in the 1930s when he left the University and joined the Salt Satyagraha Movement launched by Gandhi. Bose was engaged in Gandhian social reconstruction work in a Harijan slum. The slum was inhabited by the so-called untouchable people, like the Mochi, Hadi and Bauri. Later, along with some of his friends, Bose published Harijan, a journal of Mahatma Gandhi, and a few other writings of Gandhi in Bengali in 1942, when Gandhi initiated the Quit India Movement. In 1946, after the communal strike, Gandhi came to Noakhali on a peace mission. He invited Bose to stay with him as a Bengali teacher and interpreter. During this period, Gandhi often deputed his personal secretary, Pyarelal, for peace work in some villages. During the absence of Pyarelal, Bose had to perform the secretariat work of Gandhi as well. All this moulded the life of Bose on Gandhian thought and philosophy.
Is Apollo Tyres Creating or Destroying Shareholders’ Wealth?
Authors: Mamilla Rajesh , Vasumathi A.
Published: November 2019

There has been a growing concern about the performance measures based on traditional accounting information such as return on equity (ROE), return on capital employed (ROCE), return on net worth (RONW), earning per shares (EPS), net operating profit after taxes (NOPAT) and return on investment (ROI). These measures although widely used fail to capture the shareholders’ value creation/destruction as a result of management actions. The concept of economic value added (EVA) and market value added (MVA) have gained popularity all over the world particularly in the USA, the UK and European countries. EVA and MVA are finding acceptance as internal and external performance measures because these two measures are consistent with the organizational objective of shareholders’ value creation. Due to its popularity, a lot of research work has been conducted in the late 1990s covering diverse issues on EVA and MVA. In the light of the above, the present study made an attempt to calculate EVA as well as MVA and to analyze whether Apollo Tyres is creating or destroying shareholders’ wealth during the study period.
Berbera Port Special Economic Zone: Golden Calf or Trojan Horse?
Authors: Noor Abdulkadir , Amponstira Fuangfa , Walsh John
Published: November 2019

The African country of Somalia has been designated a ‘failed state’ because of its persistent warfare, the presence of terrorist groups and the collapse of the central government. There is no effective rule of law and little protection of the private sector. The only real forms of income for the country are international assistance and remittances received from overseas Somalis. One possible means of increasing economic activity is to build a special economic zone in connection with Berbera Port, which has historically been an important trading centre linking East Africa and West Asia. Dubai’s DP World signed a contract to provide just such a development, but that agreement has subsequently been repudiated as a result of diplomatic issues. Meanwhile, China is seeking to extend its engagement in the region. Investment from either of these two sources would be problematic but it seems there are no other options available. Is it possible for Somalia to pursue a policy of economic development under current conditions without ceding sovereignty of its territory and its economic activities? Would it matter if this did happen? This case would be useful for students taking courses in international business or the political economy of international business.
Bright Paint Industries: Expansion Through Internationalization
Authors: Rafay Abdul , Singh Nimisha
Published: November 2019

One fine evening of February 2018, while sitting on his rocking chair, the CEO of Bright Paint Industries (BPI) recalled the experience of exporting paints to Afghanistan and its financial returns. At the same time, he recalled the exhibitions of UAE in 2015 and 2016. Since 2016–2017, the top management was analyzing growing demands in local and foreign markets and very much concerned about implications of (1) rising competition from unorganized paint sector, (2) the customers’ trend towards using alternatives to paints like wallpapers, etc. and (3) ease of doing business in Pakistan due to persistent energy crises and other factors. Keeping in view the above-said issues and its existing presence in paint industry for the last four decades, the company is now considering two options: (1) expand its existing operations in Pakistan and cater the foreign markets by export from here or (2) set up a plant at some foreign location and fulfil orders from there.
Correction of Cupping Artifacts in Axial Cone-Beam Computed Tomography Images by Using Image Processing Algorithms
Authors: Razi Tahmineh , Manaf Nader Vahdani , Yadekar Morteza , Razi Sedigheh , Gheibi Shiva
Published: November 2019

Objectives:

One of the most important problems of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging technique is the presence of dense objects, such as implants, amalgam fillings, and metal veneers, which result in beam-hardening artifacts. With an increase in the application of CBCT images and considering the problems in relation to cupping artifacts, some algorithms have been presented to reduce these artifacts. The aim was to present an algorithm to eliminate cupping artifacts from axial and other reconstructed CBCT images.

Materials and Methods:

We used CBCT images of NewTom VG imaging system (Verona, Italy, at Dentistry Faculty, Medical Sciences University, Tabriz, Iran) in which every image has a resolution of 366 × 320 in DICOM format. 50 images of patients with cupping artifacts were selected. Using Sobel edge detector and nonlinear gamma correction coefficient, the difference was calculated between the density of axial images in the main image and the image resulting from nonlinear gamma correction at the exact location of the radiopaque dental materials detected by Sobel. The points at which this density difference was out of a definite limit were treated as image artifacts and were eliminated from the main image by the inpainting method.

Results:

The resultant axial images, for producing reconstructed cross-sectional, panoramic images without cupping artifacts, were imported into NTT viewer V5.6 and utilized.

Conclusions:

With comparison, acquired images observed that the offering algorithm is practical and effective for reducing the cupping artifacts and preserving the quality of the reconstructed images. This algorithm does not need any additional equipment.
Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis Presenting as Progressively Worsening Neck Pain: A Case Report With a Review of Literature
Authors: Krishnan Nithya , Zuberi Lara , Shukri Amal , Gopinath Arun , Haymes Dalys
Published: November 2019

A 29-year-old female with past medical history of chronic serous otitis media presented with worsening neck stiffness and pain over a period of 2 weeks. The patient described non-specific symptoms that were localized to the right side of her neck. She presented to the hospital only when the pain was so extreme that it limited her range of motion. The differential for acute neck pain without fever, chills or any inciting trauma is vast. They include medical emergencies such as meningitis, acute coronary syndromes and extend to rheumatologic diseases or simply musculoskeletal strain. On review of systems, she denied dizziness, headache, vision changes, dysphagia, or other facial pain. Based on the severity of her pain, she underwent a Computed Tomography scan of the neck, which was concerning for erosive calavarial lesions. Further imaging revealed multiple lytic foci and erosions from the right maxillary sinus to the right mandible to the C1 vertebra. Following requisite surgical intervention, she was found to have Langerhans cell histiocytosis, a rare disease of myeloid cells, usually affecting pediatric populations. Little is known about the adult manifestations of Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis. This review contributes to broadening the literature on this topic which can present with complaints as typical as neck pain.
A Review of the Presentation of Overdiagnosis in Cancer Screening Patient Decision Aids
Authors: Housten Ashley J. , Lowenstein Lisa M. , Hoffman Aubri , Jacobs Lianne E. , Zirari Zineb , Hoover Diana S. , Stacey Dawn , Pratt Greg , Bevers Therese B. , Volk Robert J.
Published: November 2019

Introduction. Patient decision aid (PDA) certification standards recommend including the positive and negative features of each option of the decision. This review describes the inclusion of concepts related to overdiagnosis and overtreatment, negative features often ambiguously defined, in cancer screening PDAs. Methods. Our process followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. We reviewed 1) current systematic reviews of decision aids, 2) the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute Decision Aid Library Inventory, and 3) a web-based, gray literature search. Two independent reviewers identified and evaluated PDAs using content analysis. Reviewers coded whether overdiagnosis/overtreatment was described as 1) detecting cancer that would not lead to death, 2) detecting cancer that would not cause symptoms, and/or 3) a potential harm or consequence of screening. Coding discrepancies were resolved through consensus. Results. A total of 904 records (e.g., articles, PDAs) were reviewed and 85 PDAs were identified: prostate ( n = 36), breast ( n = 26), lung ( n = 10), colorectal ( n = 10), and other ( n = 3). Sixty-seven PDAs included concepts related to overdiagnosis/overtreatment; 57 (67.1%) used a term other than overdiagnosis/overtreatment, 23 (27.1%) used the specific term “overdiagnosis,” and 13 (15.3%) used “overtreatment.” PDAs described overdiagnosis/overtreatment as a potential harm or consequence of screening ( n = 62) and/or a detection of a cancer that would not cause symptoms (n = 49). Thirty-six described overdiagnosis as the detection of a cancer that would not result in death. Twenty PDAs described the probabilities associated with overdiagnosis/overtreatment. Conclusions. Over three quarters of cancer screening PDAs addressed concepts related to overdiagnosis/overtreatment, yet terminology was inconsistent and few included probability estimates. Consistent terminology and minimum standards to describe overdiagnosis/overtreatment would help guide the design and certification of cancer screening PDAs.
‘This is what we’ve always wanted’: Perspectives on young autistic people’s transition from special school to mainstream satellite classes
Authors: Croydon Abigail , Remington Anna , Kenny Lorcan , Pellicano Elizabeth
Published: November 2019

Background & aims

According to parents, teachers and policymakers alike, including autistic children and young people in mainstream schools is notoriously difficult – especially so for the significant minority of young people on the autism spectrum with additional intellectual, communication and behavioural needs. The current study sought to understand the perceived impact of one particular, emerging model of education, in which selected students from special schools are transferred to dedicated ‘satellite’ classes in local, mainstream partner schools, while continuing to receive the tailored curriculum and specialist teaching of the originating school.

Methods

We conducted interviews with London-based young autistic people ( n = 19), their parents/carers and teachers to understand their experiences of transitioning from specialist to satellite mainstream provision.

Results

Participants overwhelmingly welcomed the prospect of transition and its perceived benefits in the short and longer term. Young people and families celebrated achieving access to ‘more normal places and things’, ‘seeing what others are doing’, and greater autonomy, without losing the trusted expert support of their former special school. Young people also felt a deep sense of belonging to their new mainstream school, despite only being minimally included in regular mainstream classes and activities. Teachers were equally positive and felt that their students had responded to higher expectations in their new mainstream schools, reportedly resulting in better behavioural regulation and more sustained attention in the classroom.

Conclusions

The strikingly positive evaluations provided by all participants suggest that this satellite model of education might have advantages for young autistic people with additional intellectual disability, when appropriate support extends across transition and beyond.

Implications

These findings shed light on the experiences of an under-researched group of autistic students and a specific model of education – following a needs-based perspective on inclusion – that seeks to extend their participation in local schools. Future research should examine the potential effects of satellite classrooms on the knowledge of, and attitudes toward, autism in non-autistic mainstream peers.
The two and half minute walk: Fast charging of electric vehicles and the economic value of walkability
Authors: Mashhoodi Bardia , van Timmeren Arjan , van der Blij Nils
Published: November 2019

The number of electric vehicles in the Netherlands has sharply increased over the past decade. This has caused a need for the allocation of a substantial amount of new electric vehicle chargers around the country, which in turn has been acknowledged by a variety of legislative bodies. However, the approach of how these new charging infrastructures need to be spatially distributed has yet to be decided, including the distance that an electric vehicle charger could be allocated from the final destination of its driver. The hypothesis of this study is that if residents walk a longer distance to/from these charging stations, the chargers could be shared by a greater number of electric vehicle owners, and the total cost of the new charging infrastructure could be reduced. By using linear integer programming, the minimum cost of allocating new fast-charging stations in a central, densely populated area of Amsterdam, accounting for 7% of the city’s population, is calculated. The results show that if residents were to walk for five minutes (roughly 400 metres) instead of two and half minutes (roughly 200 metres), the overall cost of new electric vehicle chargers could be reduced by more than 1 million euros. The study also found that both the cost of new charging stations and their efficiency of use are vastly affected by the portion of the charging infrastructure that is saved for people visiting the area. The findings of this study are discussed in detail, including the proposal of potential further studies.
Planning the 2015 Chennai floods
Authors: Bremner Lindsay
Published: November 2019

This paper approaches the floods of 2015 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, as the consequence of policies, plans and procedures that, over many years, had erased monsoon water and wetness from the city and its imaginary. In order to do this, it examines a number of plans that authorized spatial development in Chennai from the early 20th century onwards. It approaches them as urban cosmograms, in which heterogeneous entities were accommodated, congealed, concealed or expelled in the description of the urban territory and the composition of the urban world. The paper undertakes this analysis in order to deepen understanding of the relations between spatial planning, capitalist urbanization and the more-than-human vitalities of the monsoon. It approaches the flood waters that rose and fell in 2015 as a cosmopolitical situation and cause for thinking, which, putting people in the presence of the monsoon and its potency in new ways, forced them to confront the precariousness of their co-existence with it and experiment with ways to re-compose the urban monsoonal world differently. This discussion draws from Stenger’s notion of cosmopolitics as a mode of collective practice that proceeds in the company of those who would otherwise be likely to be disqualified as having idiotically nothing to propose, including the more-than-human. The paper makes some critical observations about these experiments and concludes by speculating on whether planning itself might be envisaged as a more inclusive, cosmopolitical project.
Is a universal influenza vaccine feasible?
Authors: Phillipson Joshua E. , Babecoff Ron , Ben-Yedidia Tamar
Published: November 2019

The influenza virus causes significant human morbidity and mortality annually and poses a pandemic threat. In addition, the virus frequently mutates, contributing to thousands of identified strains. Current influenza vaccine solutions are strain specific, target existing strains, and achieve only approximately 40% vaccine effectiveness (VE). The need for broadly protective Universal Influenza Vaccines (UIVs) is clear. UIV research and development efforts focus on widely conserved (i.e. not strain specific) influenza epitopes. The most clinically advanced UIV candidate, the Multimeric-001 (M-001), is currently undergoing a pivotal, clinical efficacy, phase III trial. Completed clinical trials indicate M-001 is safe, well tolerated, and immunogenic to a broad range of influenza strains. Additional candidates are also under development, supported by public and private funding. Research results suggest that it is only a matter of time until a broadly protective influenza vaccine is approved for licensure.
Short- and Long-Term Effects on Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes About a Sonography Training Concept for Medical Students
Authors: Vennemann Sabrina , Holzmann-Littig Christopher , Marten-Mittag Birgitt , Vo Cong Minh , Berberat Pascal , Stock Konrad
Published: November 2019

Objectives:

Worldwide medical schools that provide sonography training appear to be very heterogeneous in their offerings. A medical school has developed a training program with limited resources, which used a peer teaching method, to provide sonography training. The implemented courses consist of a voluntary laboratory practical and a required didactic seminar.

Methods:

To analyze this concept, the effects on knowledge, skills, and attitudes were examined by using surveys, multiple-choice tests, and practical tests.

Results:

The teaching concept demonstrated a positive effect on theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and attitudes. Nevertheless, some practical skills such as conducting gallbladder sonography deteriorated over the time of the study.

Discussion:

The peer-teaching approach with well-trained students as instructors and tutorials in smaller groups appeared to be a key element for success. This cohort study underlines the need to provide both theoretical and practical mandatory training.

Conclusion:

Peer teaching may be a cost-effective way to teach sonography skills to medical students during their training.
The Practice of Public Engagement on Projects: From Managing External Stakeholders to Facilitating Active Contributors
Authors: Chow Vivien , Leiringer Roine
Published: November 2019

The premise of public engagement is to invite community members into the project’s decision-making processes. In project management research, public engagement is usually addressed under the umbrella of stakeholder management, which, although a useful perspective to adopt, has its limitations. In this article, a processual view is advocated, which treats public engagement as dynamic and emergent. Drawing on ethnographic data, we demonstrate how observing public engagement “in the making” helps explain the politics behind engagement efforts. This allows for conclusions to be drawn about the practice of engagement that reflects the evolving needs of stakeholders and how best to manage them.
Differential DNA methylation in bronchial biopsies between persistent asthma and asthma in remission
Authors: Vermeulen Cornelis J. , Xu Cheng-Jian , Vonk Judith M. , ten Hacken Nick H.T. , Timens Wim , Heijink Irene H. , Nawijn Martijn C. , Boekhoudt Jeunard , van Oosterhout Antoon J. , Affleck Karen , Weckmann Markus , Koppelman Gerard H. , van den Berge Maarten
Published: November 2019

Approximately 40% of asthmatics experience remission of asthma symptoms. A better understanding of biological pathways leading to asthma remission may provide insight into new therapeutic targets for asthma. As an important mechanism of gene regulation, investigation of DNA methylation provides a promising approach. Our objective was to identify differences in epigenome wide DNA methylation levels in bronchial biopsies between subjects with asthma remission and subjects with persistent asthma or healthy controls.

We analysed differential DNA methylation in bronchial biopsies from 26 subjects with persistent asthma, 39 remission subjects and 70 healthy controls, using the limma package. The comb-p tool was used to identify differentially methylated regions. DNA methylation of CpG-sites was associated to expression of nearby genes from the same biopsies to understand function.

Four CpG-sites and 42 regions were differentially methylated between persistent asthma and remission. DNA methylation at two sites was correlatedinciswith gene expression atACKR2andDGKQ. Between remission subjects and healthy controls 1163 CpG-sites and 328 regions were differentially methylated. DNA methylation was associated with expression of a set of genes expressed in ciliated epithelium.

CpGs differentially methylated between remission and persistent asthma identify genetic loci associated with resolution of inflammation and airway responsiveness. Despite the absence of symptoms, remission subjects have a DNA methylation profile that is distinct from that of healthy controls, partly due to changes in cellular composition, with a higher gene expression signal related to ciliated epithelium in remissionversushealthy controls.
Hecaton: reliably detecting copy number variation in plant genomes using short read sequencing data
Authors: Wijfjes Raúl Y. , Smit Sandra , de Ridder Dick
Published: November 2019

Background

Copy number variation (CNV) is thought to actively contribute to adaptive evolution of plant species. While many computational algorithms are available to detect copy number variation from whole genome sequencing datasets, the typical complexity of plant data likely introduces false positive calls.

Results

To enable reliable and comprehensive detection of CNV in plant genomes, we developed Hecaton, a novel computational workflow tailored to plants, that integrates calls from multiple state-of-the-art algorithms through a machine-learning approach. In this paper, we demonstrate that Hecaton outperforms current methods when applied to short read sequencing data of Arabidopsis thaliana, rice, maize, and tomato. Moreover, it correctly detects dispersed duplications, a type of CNV commonly found in plant species, in contrast to several state-of-the-art tools that erroneously represent this type of CNV as overlapping deletions and tandem duplications. Finally, Hecaton scales well in terms of memory usage and running time when applied to short read datasets of domesticated and wild tomato accessions.

Conclusions

Hecaton provides a robust method to detect CNV in plants. We expect it to be of immediate interest to both applied and fundamental research on the relationship between genotype and phenotype in plants.
Integrative analysis of transcriptomic data related to the liver of laying hens: from physiological basics to newly identified functions
Authors: Gloux Audrey , Duclos Michel J. , Brionne Aurélien , Bourin Marie , Nys Yves , Réhault-Godbert Sophie
Published: November 2019

Background

At sexual maturity, the liver of laying hens undergoes many metabolic changes to support vitellogenesis. In published transcriptomic approaches, hundreds of genes were reported to be overexpressed in laying hens and functional gene annotation using gene ontology tools have essentially revealed an enrichment in lipid and protein metabolisms. We reanalyzed some data from a previously published article comparing 38-week old versus 10-week old hens to give a more integrative view of the functions stimulated in the liver at sexual maturity and to move beyond current physiological knowledge. Functions were defined based on information available in Uniprot database and published literature.

Results

Of the 516 genes previously shown to be overexpressed in the liver of laying hens, 475 were intracellular (1.23–50.72 fold changes), while only 36 were predicted to be secreted (1.35–66.93 fold changes) and 5 had no related information on their cellular location. Besides lipogenesis and protein metabolism, we demonstrated that the liver of laying hens overexpresses several clock genes (which supports the circadian control of liver metabolic functions) and was likely to be involved in a liver/brain/liver circuit (neurotransmitter transport), in thyroid and steroid hormones metabolisms. Many genes were associated with anatomical structure development, organ homeostasis but also regulation of blood pressure. As expected, several secreted proteins are incorporated in yolky follicles but we also evidenced that some proteins are likely participating in fertilization (ZP1, MFGE8, LINC00954, OVOCH1) and in thyroid hormone maturation (CPQ). We also proposed that secreted proteins (PHOSPHO1, FGF23, BMP7 but also vitamin-binding proteins) may contribute to the development of peripheral organs including the formation of medullar bones to provide labile calcium for eggshell formation. Thirteen genes are uniquely found in chicken/bird but not in human species, which strengthens that some of these genes may be specifically related to avian reproduction.

Conclusions

This study gives additional hypotheses on some molecular actors and mechanisms that are involved in basic physiological function of the liver at sexual maturity of hen. It also revealed some additional functions that accompany reproductive capacities of laying hens, and that are usually underestimated when using classical gene ontology approaches.
Analysis of pooled genome sequences from Djallonke and Sahelian sheep of Ghana reveals co-localisation of regions of reduced heterozygosity with candidate genes for disease resistance and adaptation to a tropical environment
Authors: Yaro M. , Munyard K. A. , Morgan E. , Allcock R. J. N. , Stear M. J. , Groth D. M.
Published: November 2019

Background

The Djallonke sheep is well adapted to harsh environmental conditions, and is relatively resistant to Haemonchosis and resilient to animal trypanosomiasis. The larger Sahelian sheep, which cohabit the same region, is less well adapted to these disease challenges. Haemonchosis and Trypanosomiasis collectively cost the worldwide animal industry billions of dollars in production losses annually.

Results

Here, we separately sequenced and then pooled according to breed the genomes from five unrelated individuals from each of the Djallonke and Sahelian sheep breeds (sourced from Ghana), at greater than 22-fold combined coverage for each breed. A total of approximately 404 million (97%) and 343 million (97%) sequence reads from the Djallonke and Sahelian breeds respectively, were successfully mapped to the sheep reference genome Oar v3.1. We identified approximately 11.1 million and 10.9 million single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the Djallonke and Sahelian breeds, with approximately 15 and 16% respectively of these not previously reported in sheep. Multiple regions of reduced heterozygosity were also found; 70 co-localised within genomic regions harbouring genes that mediate disease resistance, immune response and adaptation in sheep or cattle. Thirty- three of the regions of reduced heterozygosity co-localised with previously reported genes for resistance to haemonchosis and trypanosomiasis.

Conclusions

Our analyses suggest that these regions of reduced heterozygosity may be signatures of selection for these economically important diseases.
Integrated mRNA and small RNA sequencing reveals microRNA regulatory network associated with internode elongation in sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.)
Authors: Qiu Lihang , Chen Rongfa , Fan Yegeng , Huang Xing , Luo Hanmin , Xiong Faqian , Liu Junxian , Zhang Ronghua , Lei Jingchao , Zhou Huiwen , Wu Jianming , Li Yangrui
Published: November 2019

Background

Internode elongation is one of the most important traits in sugarcane because of its relation to crop productivity. Understanding the microRNA (miRNA) and mRNA expression profiles related to sugarcane internode elongation would help develop molecular improvement strategies but they are not yet well-investigated. To identify genes and miRNAs involved in internode elongation, the cDNA and small RNA libraries from the pre-elongation stage (EI), early elongation stage (EII) and rapid elongation stage (EIII) were sequenced and their expression were studied.

Results

Based on the sequencing results, 499,495,518 reads and 80,745 unigenes were identified from stem internodes of sugarcane. The comparisons of EI vs. EII, EI vs. EIII, and EII vs. EIII identified 493, 5035 and 3041 differentially expressed genes, respectively. Further analysis revealed that the differentially expressed genes were enriched in the GO terms oxidoreductase activity and tetrapyrrole binding. KEGG pathway annotation showed significant enrichment in “zeatin biosynthesis”, “nitrogen metabolism” and “plant hormone signal transduction”, which might be participating in internode elongation. miRNA identification showed 241 known miRNAs and 245 novel candidate miRNAs. By pairwise comparison, 11, 42 and 26 differentially expressed miRNAs were identified from EI and EII, EI and EIII, and EII and EIII comparisons, respectively. The target prediction revealed that the genes involved in “zeatin biosynthesis”, “nitrogen metabolism” and “plant hormone signal transduction” pathways are targets of the miRNAs. We found that the known miRNAs miR2592-y, miR1520-x, miR390-x, miR5658-x, miR6169-x and miR8154-x were likely regulators of genes with internode elongation in sugarcane.

Conclusions

The results of this study provided a global view of mRNA and miRNA regulation during sugarcane internode elongation. A genetic network of miRNA-mRNA was identified with miRNA-mediated gene expression as a mechanism in sugarcane internode elongation. Such evidence will be valuable for further investigations of the molecular regulatory mechanisms underpinning sugarcane growth and development.
Routine frailty assessment predicts postoperative complications in elderly patients across surgical disciplines – a retrospective observational study
Authors: Birkelbach Oliver , Mörgeli Rudolf , Spies Claudia , Olbert Maria , Weiss Björn , Brauner Maximilian , Neuner Bruno , Francis Roland C. E. , Treskatsch Sascha , Balzer Felix
Published: November 2019

Background

Frailty is a frequent and underdiagnosed functional syndrome involving reduced physiological reserves and an increased vulnerability against stressors, with severe individual and socioeconomic consequences. A routine frailty assessment was implemented at our preoperative anaesthesia clinic to identify patients at risk.

Objective

This study examines the relationship between frailty status and the incidence of in-hospital postoperative complications in elderly surgical patients across several surgical disciplines.

Design

Retrospective observational analysis.

Setting

Single center, major tertiary care university hospital. Data collection took place between June 2016 and March 2017.

Patients

Patients 65 years old or older were evaluated for frailty using Fried’s 5-point frailty assessment prior to elective non-cardiac surgery. Patients were classified into non-frail (0 criteria, reference group), pre-frail (1–2 positive criteria) and frail (3–5 positive criteria) groups.

Main outcome measures

The incidence of postoperative complications was assessed until discharge from the hospital, using the roster from the National VA Surgical Quality Improvement Program. Propensity score matching and logistic regression analysis were performed.

Results

From 1186 elderly patients, 46.9% were classified as pre-frail (n = 556), and 11.4% as frail (n = 135). The rate of complications were significantly higher in the pre-frail (34.7%) and frail groups (47.4%), as compared to the non-frail group (27.5%). Similarly, length of stay (non-frail: 5.0 [3.0;7.0], pre-frail: 7.0 [3.0;9.0], frail 8.0 [4.5;12.0]; p < 0.001) and discharges to care facilities (non-frail:1.6%, pre-frail: 7.4%, frail: 17.8%); p < 0.001) were significantly associated with frailty status. After propensity score matching and logistic regression analysis, the risk for developing postoperative complications was approximately two-fold for pre-frail (OR 1.78; 95% CI 1.04–3.05) and frail (OR 2.08; 95% CI 1.21–3.60) patients.

Conclusions

The preoperative frailty assessment of elderly patients identified pre-frail and frail subgroups to have the highest rate of postoperative complications, regardless of age, surgical discipline, and surgical risk. Significantly increased length of hospitalisation and discharges to care facilities were also observed. Implementation of routine frailty assessments appear to be an effective tool in identifying patients with increased risk. Now future studies are needed to investigate whether patients benefit from optimization of patient counselling, process planning, and risk reduction protocols based on the application of risk stratification.
Predictors of mortality and validation of burn mortality prognostic scores in a Malaysian burns intensive care unit
Authors: Lip Henry Tan Chor , Idris Mohamad Azim Md. , Imran Farrah-Hani , Azmah Tuan Nur’ , Huei Tan Jih , Thomas Mathew
Published: November 2019

Background

Majority burn mortality prognostic scores were developed and validated in western populations. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate and identify possible risk factors which may be used to predict burns mortality in a local Malaysian burns intensive care unit. The secondary objective was to validate the five well known burn prognostic scores (Baux score, Abbreviated Burn Severity Index (ABSI) score, Ryan score, Belgium Outcome Burn Injury (BOBI) score and revised Baux score) to predict burn mortality prediction.

Methods

Patients that were treated at the Hospital Sultan Ismail’s Burns Intensive Care (BICU) unit for acute burn injuries between 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2017 were included. Risk factors to predict in-patient burn mortality were gender, age, mechanism of injury, total body surface area burn (TBSA), inhalational injury, mechanical ventilation, presence of tracheotomy, time from of burn injury to BICU admission and initial centre of first emergency treatment was administered. These variables were analysed using univariate and multivariate analysis for the outcomes of death. All patients were scored retrospectively using the five-burn mortality prognostic scores. Predictive ability for burn mortality was analysed using the area under receiver operating curve (AUROC).

Results

A total of 525 patients (372 males and 153 females) with mean age of 34.5 ± 14.6 years were included. There were 463 survivors and 62 deaths (11.8% mortality rate). The outcome of the primary objective showed that amongst the burn mortality risk factors that remained after multivariate analysis were older age (p = 0.004), wider TBSA burn (p < 0.001) and presence of mechanical ventilation (p < 0.001). Outcome of secondary objective showed good AUROC value for the prediction of burn death for all five burn prediction scores (Baux score; AUROC:0.9, ABSI score; AUROC:0.92, Ryan score; AUROC:0.87, BOBI score; AUROC:0.91 and revised Baux score; AUROC:0.94). The revised Baux score had the best AUROC value of 0.94 to predict burns mortality.

Conclusion

Current study evaluated and identified older age, total body surface area burns, and mechanical ventilation as significant predictors of burn mortality. In addition, the revised Baux score was the most accurate burn mortality risk score to predict mortality in a Malaysian burn’s population.