bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unintentional Pediatric Poisoning Exposures in an Emergency Department
Authors: Johnson Amberly R. , Tak Casey R. , Mundorff Michael , Plumb Jennifer , Crouch Barbara I.
Published: March 2020

Objectives

The purpose of this study is to describe the demographics and clinical characteristics of patients referred to a pediatric emergency department (ED) for unintentional poisoning exposures by a poison control center (PCC) compared with patients/caregivers who self-refer.

Methods

The electronic data warehouse at a pediatric hospital was queried from October 1, 2014, to September 30, 2015, for unintentional poisoning-related ED visits and subsequent inpatient admissions. Eligible patients aged 18 years and younger were identified by International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes for pharmaceuticals, non-pharmaceuticalchemicals, fumes/vapors, foreign bodies, adverse food reactions, food poisoning, and bites/stings. Referral classification (PCC referral vs self-refer) was determined by PCC and hospital medical records.

Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the patient demographics and ED visits by referral classification and age group. Simple and multiple logistic regression models examined the individual and combined impact of demographic and clinical characteristics on self-referral.

Results

Of the 705 patients identified, 84.4% presented as caregiver/self-referred compared with PCC-referred. As compared with those who self-referred, a higher percentage of patients who contacted the PCC before ED presentation were white (93.9% [89.4–98.2%] vs 83.8% [80.7–86.7%]) and had commercial insurance (62.7% [51.5–69.5%] vs 53.0% [48.9–57.0%]). Pharmaceutical (71.9%) and chemical (14.0%) exposures were the most common exposure types for PCC-referred patients whereas foreign bodies (54.3%) were the most common for self-referred patients. The largest predictors of self-referral were age, insurance, and exposure type.

Conclusions

Among patients presenting at 1 pediatric ED, disparities with PCC utilization exist among age groups, racial identification, and poison exposure type. Educational outreach interventions are needed to ensure optimal use of the PCC services by patients, caregivers, and health care professionals.
Integrated Electromyography: Discriminant Analysis and Prediction of Recovery 3 to 6 Years After Brachial Plexus Birth Injury
Authors: Elnaggar Ragab K.
Published: March 2020

Purpose:

To assess the recovery likelihood, 3 to 6 years after brachial plexus birth injury (BPBI), and predict the functional recovery from integrated electromyography (IEMG).

Methods:

Thirty children with BPBI limited to C5-C6 lesion participated. Maximal electromyography activity of deltoid and biceps brachii was measured at entry. Shoulder and elbow functions were assessed at the baseline and at 4 intervals across 2 years.

Results:

Shoulder and elbow function significantly changed across the follow-up period. Shoulder and elbow functions were significantly dependent on deltoid and biceps brachii muscles' IEMG level, respectively, with the groups showing higher IEMG achieving better recovery. The deltoid and biceps IEMG explained a portion of the improvement in shoulder and elbow function over 2 years.

Conclusion:

Recovery of the shoulder and elbow function continues 3 to 6 years after BPBI. IEMG may partially explain variation in the prognosis for children with BPBI.
Thymic Granuloma Mimicking Malignancy on 18F-FDG PET/CT
Authors: Zhang Jun , Lin Xumiao , Bai Yushu , Dong Aisheng , Wang Yang
Published: March 2020

We present a case with an unexpected nodule in the thymus showing increased 18F-FDG uptake on PET/CT. The nodule was surgically removed. Histopathologic examination revealed granuloma in the thymus. This case indicates physicians and radiologists must be aware that although thymic granuloma is rare, it should be included in the differential diagnosis of the thymic lesions with 18F-FDG accumulation along with neoplastic and nonneoplastic conditions.
Quality and Safety in Healthcare, Part LXVIII
Authors: Harolds Jay A.
Published: March 2020

Suggestions to improve the well-being in medical students include establishing learning communities, having pass-fail grading at least in the freshman and sophomore years, giving the students some control over their learning environment (such as with evaluations and serving on the curriculum committee), encouraging more protected time and more money for faculty teaching and mentoring, and eliminating mistreatment of medical students. Also, the Medical Student and Physician Well-Being Index should be freely available to the medical students and staff for both self-evaluation and for evaluating the learning environment. Burnout in medical school may continue in residency and not only causes misery to the individual, but adversely affects professionalism and patient care.
Avulsion Fat Graft Gluteoplasty
Authors: Isakson Matthew H. , Vasilakis Vasileios , Kortesis Bill G. , Hunstad Joseph P. , Bharti Gaurav
Published: March 2020

Background

The popularity of gluteoplasty has grown significantly in recent years, and there are a variety of techniques described to address gluteal aesthetic deformities. The aim of this study was to describe the avulsion fat graft gluteoplasty technique.

Methods

A review of all consecutive patients undergone avulsion fat graft gluteoplasty from February 2018 to March 2019 was performed. Data included demographics, operative details, and clinical outcomes.

Results

A total of 7 patients with a minimum of 6 months follow-up were analyzed and included in the study. The avulsion fat graft gluteoplasty technique is described in a step-by-step fashion and illustrated by preoperative, postoperative, and intraoperative photographs, as well as video. The average total weight of the avulsed specimen was 372 g (range, 176–596 g) per patient. The average total volume of fat grafting was 593 mL (range, 344–900 mL) per patient.

Conclusions

The avulsion fat graft gluteoplasty is a powerful technique with consistent results and low-risk profile. It provides durable lift and augmentation and produces a predictable and aesthetic scar.
Role of Local Flaps to Achieve Primary Wound Closure in Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaws Osseous-Resective Surgery
Authors: Marcianò Antonia , Peditto Matteo , Cicciù Marco , Rubino Erasmo , Oteri Giacomo
Published: March 2020

The aim of the present work is to evaluate the most suitable surgical technique in relation to location and extent of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (MRONJ) through comparison of success rate between the routinely used mucoperiostal flaps and different local flaps designs and propose a standardization of surgical procedures according to MRONJ stage and localization with 2 objectives: to provide the surgeon with an algorithm of treatment according to MRONJ localization and extension; to maximize the success of surgical treatment.

Thirteen consecutive patients affected by focal MRONJ were surgically treated with radical osteotomy at the Center for Treatment of the Osteonecrosis of the Jaws (University of Messina, Italy).

Initial defects were classified according to the classification of the Italian Societies of Oral Medicine and Maxillofacial Surgery (the SICMF-SIPMO staging system) which consider not only bone exposure but also radiological bone involvement. Treatment outcome was retrospectively assessed according to the different adopted surgical procedure: mucoperiostal flaps (GROUP A) advanced mucoperiostal flaps or rotation flaps (GROUP B) local flaps (GROUP C).

Outcome after surgical treatment of focal MRONJ was positive in every group irrespective of MRONJ localization and extension. This may be due to the appropriate selection of surgical procedure.

The results obtained demonstrated that focal MRONJ surgical treatment is a reliable procedure irrespective of the initial clinical situation. Radical osteotomy combined with appropriate selection of soft tissue management is crucial.
Sapphire-Supported Nanopores for Low-Noise DNA Sensing
Authors: Xia Pengkun , Zuo Jiawei , Paudel Pravin , Choi Shinhyuk , Chen Xiahui , Song Weisi , Im JongOne , Wang Chao
Published: March 2020

Silicon-supported (SiS) solid-state nanopores have broad applications in single-molecule biosensing and diagnostics, but their high capacitive noise has seriously limited both their sensing accuracy and recording speed. Nanopores on insulating glass have demonstrated reduced capacitance and noise, but it remains challenging to bulk-etch amorphous glass to create membranes reproducibly and uniformly. Here a new approach is reported to form triangular sapphire-supported (SaS) nanopore membranes by batch-processing-compatible anisotropic wet etching of sapphire, with membrane dimension demonstrated from ~200 μm to 5 μm. A SaS nanopore in 68 μm-wide silicon nitride membrane has 130 times smaller capacitance (10 pF) compared to a SiS nanopore (~4 μm SiN membrane, ~1.3 nF), despite a 100 times larger membrane. It has a current noise of 18 pA over 100 kHz bandwidth, much smaller than that from our SiS nanopore (46 pA) and comparable with the best reported low-noise nanopores. Further, the SaS nanopore displays a higher signal-to-noise ratio (SNR, 21 versus 11 for SiS nanopore) in DNA sensing, although the SNR can be further improved using thinner membranes and smaller pores. The SaS nanopore presents a simple platform in both fabrication and structure that is particularly suitable for low-noise and high-speed molecular diagnostics.
Functional modeling of NMIHBA-causingPRUNE1variants reveals a requirement for its exopolyphosphatase activity
Authors: Nistala Harikiran , Dronzek John , Gonzaga-Jauregui Claudia , Chim Shek Man , Rajamani Saathyaki , Nuwayhid Samer , Delgado Dennis , Burke Elizabeth , Karaca Ender , Franklin Matthew C. , Sarangapani Prasad , Podgorski Michael , Tang Yajun , Dominguez Melissa G. , Withers Marjorie , Deckelbaum Ron A. , Scheonherr Christopher J. , Gahl William A. , Malicdan May C. , Zambrowicz Brian , Gale Nicholas W. , Gibbs Richard A. , Chung Wendy K. , Lupski James R. , Economides Aris N.
Published: March 2020

Neurodevelopmental disorder with microcephaly, hypotonia, and variable brain anomalies (NMIHBA) is an autosomal recessive neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorder characterized by global developmental delay and severe intellectual disability. Microcephaly, progressive cortical atrophy, cerebellar hypoplasia and delayed myelination are neurological hallmarks in affected individuals. NMIHBA is caused by biallelic variants inPRUNE1encoding prune exopolyphosphatase 1. We provide in-depth clinical description of two affected siblings harboring compound heterozygous variant alleles, c.383G>A (p.Arg128Gln), c.520G>T (p.Gly174*) inPRUNE1. To gain insights into disease biology, we biochemically characterized missense variants within the conserved N-terminal aspartic acid-histidine-histidine (DHH) motif and provide evidence that they result in the destabilization of protein structure and/or loss of exopolyphosphatase activity. Genetic ablation ofPrune1results in midgestational lethality in mice, associated with perturbations to embryonic growth and vascular development. Our findings suggest that NMIHBA results from hypomorphic variant alleles in humans and underscore the potential key role of PRUNE1 exopolyphoshatase activity in neurodevelopment.
BoneMA – Synthesis and Characterization of a Methacrylated Bone-derived Hydrogel for Bioprinting of Vascularized Tissues
Authors: Parthiban S. Prakash , Athirasala Avathamsa , Tahayeri Anthony , Abdelmoniem Reyan , George Anne , Bertassoni Luiz E.
Published: March 2020

It has long been proposed that recapitulating the extracellular matrix (ECM) of native human tissues in the laboratory may enhance the regenerative capacity of engineered scaffolds in-vivo. Organ- and tissue-derived decellularized ECM biomaterials have been widely used for tissue repair, especially due to their intrinsic biochemical cues that can facilitate repair and regeneration. The main purpose of this study was to synthesize a new photocrosslinkable human bone-derived ECM hydrogel for bioprinting of vascularized scaffolds. To that end, we demineralized and decellularized human bone fragments to obtain a bone matrix, which was further processed and functionalized with methacrylate groups to form a photocrosslinkable methacrylate bone ECM hydrogel – BoneMA. The mechanical properties of BoneMA were tunable, with the elastic modulus increasing as a function of photocrosslinking time, while still retaining the nanoscale features of the polymer networks. The intrinsic cell-compatibility of the bone matrix ensured the synthesis of a highly cytocompatible hydrogel. The bioprinted BoneMA scaffolds supported vascularization of endothelial cells and within a day led to the formation of interconnected vascular networks. We propose that such a quick vascular network formation was due to the host of pro-angiogenic biomolecules present in the bone ECM matrix. Further, we also demonstrate the bioprintability of BoneMA in microdimensions as injectable ECM-based building blocks for microscale tissue engineering in a minimally invasive manner. We conclude that BoneMA may be a useful hydrogel system for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
Cardiac CapZ regulation during acute exercise
Authors: Laskary Andrew , Townsend Logan K. , Wright David , Pyle W. Glen
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Exercise requires a rapid cardiac response to maintain cardiovascular function. CapZ is a critical stress-response protein in cardiac myocytes. While its role in the pathological stress response has been explored, its part in the physiological response to exercise is unknown. This study examined CapZ regulation during acute exercise and sought to determine its importance in the cardiac response to exercise.

Methods

Wildtype or cardiac CapZ-deficient transgenic mice were subjected to 20 min of swimming, or exhaustive exercise protocols. Time to exhaustion was a measurement of exercise capacity. Following submaximal exercise, cardiac myofilaments were isolated and probed for CapZ and key regulatory proteins. Myofilament function was assessed using an actomyosin MgATPase assay and total protein phosphorylation quantified with ProQ Diamond staining. Myofilament regulatory proteins following submaximal exercise were quantified by immunoblotting.

Results

Total myofilament CapZ was unaffected by exercise but increased total CapZIP and decreased phosphorylated CapZIP indicated weakened CapZ-actin interaction. CapZ-deficient transgenic myofilaments lacked changes in CapZIP but BAG3 increased 10%. Time to exhaustion was lower in CapZ-deficient mice in both swimming and running protocols. Actomyosin MgATPase activity was maintained in wildtype mice and impaired with CapZ deficiency. Exercise increased the phosphorylation of several myofilament proteins in wildtype mice but not transgenic animals. Exercise-dependent Increases in myofilament PKC-α and -ε were mitigated in CapZ-deficient mice. Tcap levels decreased 39 ± 8% in CapZ-deficient myofilaments with exercise and leiomodin 2 increased 78 ± 28% in wildtype myofilaments.

Conclusions

Cardiac CapZ is a critical player in the physiological response to exercise. CapZ-actin binding is rapidly altered with exercise. Decreased cardiac CapZ limits exercise capacity, impairs myofilament regulation, and leads to a less stable contractile apparatus.
Proofreading deficiency in mitochondrial DNA polymerase does not affect total dNTP pools in mouse embryos
Authors: Sharma Sushma , Koolmeister Camilla , Tran Phong , Nilsson Anna Karin , Larsson Nils-Göran , Chabes Andrei
Published: March 2020

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutator mice express proofreading-deficient mtDNA polymerase gamma (PolgD257A) and age prematurely1,2, whereas mice with other mitochondrial defects do not show global signs of early aging. The reason for this discrepancy is not completely understood. Hämäläinenet al.recently reported that both induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and primary mutator embryonic fibroblasts harboring PolgD257Ademonstrate increased mtDNA replication frequency leading to depletion of the total cellular dNTP pool3. The authors proposed that the decreased availability of cellular dNTPs for nuclear genome replication leads to compromised nuclear genome maintenance and premature aging. Here we report that total cellular dNTP pools are normal in mtDNA mutator mouse embryos (genotype:PolgD257A/D257A), which shows that a living organism exclusively expressing PolgD257Ahas normal total dNTP pools despite ubiquitous rapid cell division.
Cargo crowding drives sorting stringency in COPII vesicles
Authors: Gomez-Navarro Natalia , Melero Alejandro , Boulanger Jerome , Kukulski Wanda , Miller Elizabeth A.
Published: March 2020

Accurate maintenance of organelle identity in the secretory pathway relies on retention and retrieval of resident proteins. In the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), secretory proteins are packaged into COPII vesicles that largely exclude ER residents and misfolded proteins by mechanisms that remain unresolved. Here we combined biochemistry and genetics with correlative light and electron microscopy (CLEM) to explore how selectivity is achieved. Our data suggest that vesicle occupancy dictates ER retention: in the absence of abundant cargo, non-specific bulk flow increases. We demonstrate that ER leakage is influenced by vesicle size and cargo occupancy: overexpressing an inert cargo protein, or reducing vesicle size restores sorting stringency. We propose that cargo recruitment into vesicles creates lumenal steric pressure that drives selectivity. Sorting stringency is thus an emergent property of the biophysical process of cargo enrichment into a constrained spherical membrane-bound carrier.

Combining correlative light and electron microscopy with yeast genetics and biochemistry, Gomez-Navarro, Melero and colleagues show that cargo recruitment into a constrained COPII vesicle restricts bulk flow, thereby contributing to sorting stringency and ER quality control.
Global gut content data synthesis and phylogeny delineate reef fish trophic guilds
Authors: Parravicini Valeriano , Casey Jordan M. , Schiettekatte Nina M. D. , Brandl Simon J. , Pozas-Schacre Chloé , Carlot Jérémy , Edgar Graham J. , Graham Nicholas A. J. , Harmelin-Vivien Mireille , Kulbicki Michel , Strona Giovanni , Stuart-Smith Rick D. , Vii Jason
Published: March 2020

The diversity of life on our planet has produced a remarkable variety of biological traits that characterize different species. Such traits are widely employed instead of taxonomy to increase our understanding of biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. However, for species’ trophic niches, one of the most critical aspects of organismal ecology, a paucity of empirical information has led to inconsistent definitions of trophic guilds based on expert opinion. Using coral reef fishes as a model, we show that experts often disagree on the assignment of trophic guilds for the same species. Even when broad categories are assigned, 60% of the evaluated trait schemes disagree on the attribution of trophic categories for at least 20% of the species. This disagreement greatly hampers comparability across studies. Here, we introduce a quantitative, unbiased, and fully reproducible framework to define species’ trophic guilds based on empirical data. First, we synthesize data from community-wide visual gut content analysis of tropical coral reef fishes, resulting in trophic information from 13,961 individuals belonging to 615 reef fish species across all ocean basins. We then use network analysis to cluster the resulting global bipartite food web into distinct trophic guilds, resulting in eight trophic guilds, and employ a Bayesian phylogenetic model to predict trophic guilds based on phylogeny and maximum body size. Our model achieved a misclassification error of 5%, indicating that our approach results in a quantitative and reproducible trophic categorization scheme, which can be updated as new information becomes available. Although our case study is for reef fishes, the most diverse vertebrate consumer group, our approach can be applied to other organismal groups to advance reproducibility in trait-based ecology. As such, our work provides an empirical and conceptual advancement for trait-based ecology and a viable approach to monitor ecosystem functioning in our changing world.
Low frequency traveling waves in the human cortex coordinate neural activity across spatial scales
Authors: Sreekumar Vishnu , Wittig John H. , Chapeton Julio I. , Inati Sara K. , Zaghloul Kareem A.
Published: March 2020

Traveling waves of oscillatory activity are thought to influence neuronal spiking, providing a spatiotemporal frame-work for neural communication. However, no direct link has been established between traveling waves and neuronal spiking in humans. We examined traveling waves in the human lateral temporal lobe by using recordings from intracranial electrodes implanted in twenty participants for seizure monitoring as they performed a paired-associates verbal memory task. We observed ubiquitous low frequency traveling waves across the temporal lobe. While wave occurrence in a broad low frequency range did not differ between successful and unsuccessful memory conditions, in a subset of participants with microelectrode recordings, we found that macro-scale waves co-occurred with micro-scale waves, which in turn were temporally locked to single unit spiking. This temporal coordination between traveling waves at different spatial scales and between waves and neuronal spiking in the human brain suggests a role for traveling waves in neural communication.
Germplasm of Brazilian winter squash (Cucurbita moschataD.) displays vast genetic variability, allowing identification of promising genotypes for agro-morphological traits
Authors: Gomes Ronaldo Silva , Júnior Ronaldo Machado , de Almeida Cleverson Freitas , Chagas Rafael Ravaneli , de Oliveira Rebeca Lourenço , Delazari Fabio Teixeira , da Silva Derly José Henriques
Published: March 2020

Winter squash fruits (Cucurbita moschataD.) are among the best sources of vitamin A precursors and constitute sources of bioactive components such as phenolic compounds and flavonoids. Approximately 70% ofC. moschataseed oil is made up of unsaturated fatty acids, with high levels of monounsaturated fatty acids and components such as vitamin E and carotenoids, which represent a promising nutritional aspect in the production of this vegetable.C. moschatagermplasm expresses high genetic variability, especially in Brazil. We assessed 91C. moschataaccessions, from different regions of Brazil, and maintained at the UFV Vegetable Germplasm Bank, to identify early-flowering accessions with high levels of carotenoids in the fruit pulp and high yields of seed and seed oil. Results showed that the accessions have high variability in the number and mass of seeds per fruit, number of accumulated degree-days for flowering, total carotenoid content, and fruit productivity, which allowed selection for considerable gains in these characteristics. Analysis of the correlation between these characteristics provided information that will assist in selection to improve this crop. Cluster analysis resulted in the formation of 16 groups, confirming the variability of the accessions.Per seanalysis identified accessions BGH-6749, BGH-5639, and BGH-219 as those with the earliest flowering. Accessions BGH-5455A and BGH-5598A had the highest carotenoid content, with averages greater than 170.00 μg g-1of fresh mass. With a productivity of 0.13 t ha-1, accessions BGH-5485A, BGH-4610A, and BGH-5472A were the most promising for seed oil production. These last two accessions corresponded to those with higher seed productivity, averaging 0.58 and 0.54 t ha-1, respectively. This study confirms the high potential of this germplasm for use in breeding for promotion of earlier flowering and increase in total carotenoid content of the fruit pulp and in seed and seed oil productivity.
12-Ethyl-6a,10a-dihydro-5H-6-oxachrysene
Authors: Lough Alan J. , Pounder Austin , Tam William
Published: March 2020

In the title compound, C19H16O, the pyran ring is in a half-chair conformation. The essentially planar naphthalene ring system (r.m.s. deviation = 0.020 Å) forms a dihedral angle of 14.37 (5)° with the fused benzene ring. In the crystal, pairs of molecules are connected into inversion dimers by weak C—H...O hydrogen bonds to generate R
2
2(6) loops.
1,2,3,5-Tetrahydronaphtho[2,1-c]oxepine
Authors: Lough Alan J. , Pounder Austin , Wicks Christopher , Tam William
Published: March 2020

In the title compound, C14H14O, the seven-membered ring is in a pseudo-chair conformation. In the crystal, molecules are linked by weak C—H...O hydrogen bonds forming layers parallel to (010). In addition, there are weak π–π stacking interactions between inversion-related naphthalene ring systems, with a ring centroid–ring centroid distance of 3.518 (5) Å.
Effect of stretch goals on work–family conflict
Authors: Chen Chang , Zhang Zhe , Jia Ming
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the destructive effects of stretch goals on employees’ work–family conflict (WFC). Drawing on the conservation of resources (COR) theory, this study examines the mediating role of resource scarcity. By integrating the paradox theory with the COR theory, this study explores the moderating role of employees’ paradox mind-set.

Design/methodology/approach

Two-wave data were collected from a sample of MBA students in Northwestern China (N= 294). PROCESS was used to assess a moderated mediation model.

Findings

This study found a positive relationship between stretch goals and WFC, and resource scarcity mediated this relationship. For employees with a high paradox mind-set, the relationship between resource scarcity and WFC was weak; and the indirect effect of stretch goals on WFC via resource scarcity was weak.

Practical implications

Organizations should provide enough resources to employees when using stretch goals. Human resource managers could recruit candidates with high paradox mind-set and foster employees’ paradox mind-set through training.

Originality/value

This study makes contributions to the literature on stretch goals by examining the negative spillover effect of stretch goals on the family domain and exploring the mediating mechanism. This study also extends the paradox theory by using it at micro level to address questions on WFC.
Store brand and perceived risk on private label brand attitude
Authors: Manikandan M.K.M.
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to find the influence of retailer equity and perceived risk on attitudes toward private label brand (PLB) grocery products.

Design/methodology/approach

Retailer equity includes four variables: retailer awareness, retailer association, retailer perceived quality and retailer loyalty. The perceived risk factors include functional risk, financial risk and social risk. The attitude toward PLBs was taken as the dependent variable. The study was carried out by using a standardized questionnaire for all three constructs. The convenience sampling method was adopted to carry out data collection from customers of organized retail stores in the city of Coimbatore, in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. The relationship between the three variables was studied with structural equation modeling using IBM SPSS Amos software.

Findings

The study revealed that excluding the Financial Risk and the Social Risk, functional risk alone has significant influence over the PLB Attitude. The Retailer Equity variables, retailer perceived quality and retailer loyalty have positive influence on the PLB Attitude, while the other two variables do not show any influence. Retailer Awareness shows a negative influence over the social risk. Retailer Association does not show any influence on any of the three risk factors. Retailer perceived quality shows negative influence over the functional risk while retailer loyalty negatively influences social risk.

Research limitations/implications

The research study was carried out in cities that are populous in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. All the respondents came from three cities in Tamil Nadu, namely, Coimbatore, Tiruppur and Madurai. Hence, extending the findings of the study to other countries where organized retail penetration is deeper may be attempted with caution.

Practical implications

The study will offer managers in the retail industry some understanding of the risk-relieving factors in operation when buying grocery goods.

Originality/value

The research paper contributes to the literature concerning the role played by retailer equity and perceived risk factors on attitudes toward PLBs.
Culture and green supply chain management (GSCM)
Authors: Elbaz Jamal , Iddik Saadia
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This paper seeks to explore, summarize, and interpret the existing literature linking green supply chain management (GSCM) to culture. To achieve this goal, three main questions are answered: (1) How culture has been linked to GSCM in prior works? (2) What are the general problems exposed? (3) What gaps to detect?

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review related to culture–GSCM was conducted. The review combines descriptive and content analysis of 46 academic peer-reviewed English papers from 30 international journals.

Findings

Around 90 percent of the articles are empirical papers, only 10 percent are conceptual papers. These papers systematically focused on two issues: the largest number deal with the organizational culture–environmental practices, then national culture–environmental practices. The GSCM–culture relationship underlines contrast findings stemmed from various factors, levels of analysis, different sample, research design, contexts, and so on. Among the results, a conceptual model is developed, allowing suggestions for future research.

Research limitations/implications

This review is limited by the environmental practices of SCM raised in the literature, excluding corporate responsibility or ethics researches. This study may not be exhaustive and expose all papers in the field, but it does definitively assess a wider number of papers available and to which access is provided. Future researchers empirically test the conceptual model proposed toward more clarifications.

Practical implications

This paper provides managers with an extra element to take into consideration while accustoming with GSCM, which is better understanding the role and the sensitivity of cultural values in order to harmonize with the changes.

Originality/value

This paper had extended the prior reviews to add recent and new papers. It does not only update the understanding related to culture–GSCM but goes beyond that to propose a multidisciplinary model theorizing the existing links and calling for ultimate investigations for the detected gaps.
Research on a non-linear calibration method for dynamometer
Authors: Jun Zhang , Qingbing Chang , Zongjin Ren
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to solve the problem that the relationship between loading forces, which were applied at different positions on a plane, and output values of load-sharing dynamometer is non-linear.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the analytical model of ISPM (isodynamic surface proportional mapping method) method, which is used to calibrate dynamometer, was established. Then, a series of axial force calibration tests were performed on a load-sharing dynamometer at different loading positions. Finally, according to output values, calibration forces at different loading positions were calculated by ISPM method, and corresponding distribution histogram of calibration force error was generated.

Findings

The largest error between calculated force and standard force is 2.92 per cent, and the probability of calculated force error within 1 per cent is 91.03 per cent, which verify that the ISPM method is reliable for non-linear calibration of dynamometers.

Originality/value

The proposed ISPM method can achieve non-linear calibration between measured force and output signal of load-sharing dynamometer at different positions. In addition, ISPM method can also solve some complex non-linear problems, such as prediction of plane cutting force under the influence of multiple parameters, the force measurement of multi-degree-of-freedom platform and so on.
Multi-objective optimization of wire electrical discharge machining of 20MnCr5 alloy steel
Authors: Kumar Naresh , Goyal Khushdeep
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Wire electric discharge machining (WEDM) is a non-conventional machining process, which is used to provide difficult and intricate shapes. The purpose of this research work is to apply Taguchi’s technique to optimize the process parameters in WEDM. Alloy steel 20MnCr5 has been selected as base material for experimentation. The effects of the input process parameters such as wire type, pulse-on time, pulse-off time, peak current, wire feed rate and servo voltage have been calculated on the material removal rate (MRR) and surface roughness (Ra) in WEDM operation.

Design/methodology/approach

In the research work, Taguchi's technique is applied to optimize the process parameters in WEDM.

Findings

ANOVA indicated that pulse-off time was the most significant factor for the MRR, and servo voltage was the most significant factor for surface roughness (SR). As a part of the project, 20MnCr5 was machined in wire electric discharge machine, and the optimal control parameters were found to get higher MRR and better SR using Taguchi’s technique.

Originality/value

To the best of authors’ knowledge, after reviewing the literature, materials including alloys of metals such as 16MnCr5 and 20MnCr5 have not been investigated so far, and research regarding machining of these materials is limited. Therefore, 20MnCr5 material has been selected for this research work to generate WEDM data.
Splitting the Tactical Vote? Coordination Problems with Polling Model‐Driven Tactical Voting Websites
Authors: Nicholls Tom , Hayton Richard
Published: March 2020

The 2019 general election gave prominence to tactical voting advice websites, particularly those projecting constituency‐level results using national polling data and sophisticated multi‐level regression and poststratification (MRP) polling models. We see tactical voting as an example of a coordination game and argue that polling‐model driven advice websites are disruptive to the existing focal points for strategic voting. Although such websites may well help identify the strongest candidate based on constituency demographics, the article argues they are unlikely to coalesce support behind that single candidate, a prerequisite for successful tactical voting. In practice, there are multiple competing models and websites as well as other key sources of information to voters. Furthermore, the heuristic of relying on tactical voting websites is vulnerable to strategic action by partisans. In short, it is argued that the emergence of these websites risks muddying the waters further for electors seeking to vote tactically, potentially splitting the tactical vote rather than unifying it.
Negotiating the ‘buffet’ of choice: advances in technology and end‐of‐life decision‐making in the intensive care unit setting
Authors: Bandini Julia I.
Published: March 2020

In recent years, increases in medical technologies in the critical care setting have advanced the practice of medicine, enabling patients to live longer while also creating dilemmas for end‐of‐life decision‐making. Clinicians have increasingly been called on to involve patients and family members in decision‐making through a process of shared decision‐making (SDM), yet less is known about howSDMplays out in the critical care setting and the ways in which clinicians engage inSDM. Using observational data from 14 months of ethnographic fieldwork in two intensive care units and interviews with 33 family members of 25 critically ill patients and 51 clinicians, I explore how clinicians refer to the choices available in medical decision‐making paradoxically as a ‘buffet’ of choice while they simultaneously recognise that such rhetoric is misaligned with complex and emotional decision‐making, often involving pain and suffering. Lastly, this paper considers the role ofSDMand the ways in which clinicians push back on the ‘buffet’ rhetoric and engage in practices to guide families in end‐of‐life decision‐making bygranting permissionfor families to make decisions andvalidatingtheir decisions to decline treatment when there is an opportunity for more treatment.
Standard guidelines for the publication of telomere qPCR results in evolutionary ecology
Authors: Morinha Francisco , Magalhães Paula , Blanco Guillermo
Published: March 2020

Telomere length has been used as a proxy of fitness, aging and lifespan in vertebrates. In the last decade, dozens of articles reporting on telomere dynamics in the fields of ecology and evolution have been published for a wide range of taxa. With this growing interest, it is necessary to ensure the accuracy and reproducibility of telomere length measurement techniques. Real‐time quantitative PCR (qPCR) is routinely applied to measure relative telomere length. However, this technique is highly sensitive to several methodological variables and the optimization of qPCR telomere assays remains highly variable between studies. Therefore, standardized guidelines are required to enable the optimization of robust protocols, and to help in judging the validity of the presented results. This review provides an overview of preanalytical and analytical factors that can lead to qPCR inconsistencies and biases, including: (a) sample type, collection and storage; (b) DNA extraction, storage and quality; (c) qPCR primers, laboratory reagents, and assay conditions; and (d) data analysis. We propose a minimum level of information for publication of qPCR telomere assays in evolutionary ecology considering the methodological pitfalls and sources of error. This review highlights the complexity of the optimization and validation of qPCR for telomere measurement per se, demonstrating the importance of transparency and clarity of reporting methodological details required for reliable, reproducible and comparable qPCR telomere assays. We encourage efforts to implement standardized protocols that ensure the rigour and quality of telomere dynamics studies.
Dynamic competition with network externalities: how history matters
Authors: Halaburda Hanna , Jullien Bruno , Yehezkel Yaron
Published: March 2020

We consider dynamic competition among platforms in a market with network externalities. A platform that dominated the market in the previous period becomes “focal” in the current period, in that agents play the equilibrium in which they join the focal platform whenever such equilibrium exists. Yet when faced with higher‐quality competition, can a low‐quality platform remain focal? In the finite‐horizon case, the unique equilibrium is efficient for “patient” platforms; with an infinite time horizon, however, there are multiple equilibria where either the low‐ or high‐quality platform dominates. If qualities are stochastic, the platform with a better average quality wins with a higher probability, even when its realized quality is lower, and this probability increases as platforms become more patient. Hence, social welfare may decline as platforms become more forward looking.
Measuring competition in spatial retail
Authors: Ellickson Paul B. , Grieco Paul L.E. , Khvastunov Oleksii
Published: March 2020

We propose and estimate a spatially aggregated discrete‐choice model with overlapping consumer choice sets and demographic‐driven heterogeneity that varies by chain. Our approach avoids the need to define markets ex ante and captures rich substitution patterns, even in the absence of price data. An application to the US grocery industry illustrates the importance of location, format, and the spatial distribution of consumers in shaping the competitive environment. Contrary to conventional wisdom, we find substantial cross‐format competition between supercenters, clubs, and traditional grocers. Finally, we evaluate two representative mergers between supermarket chains to demonstrate how our estimates inform antitrust policy.
Gastric mucosal microbiota in a Mongolian population with gastric cancer and precursor conditions
Authors: Gantuya Boldbaatar , El Serag Hashem B. , Matsumoto Takashi , Ajami Nadim J. , Uchida Tomohisa , Oyuntsetseg Khasag , Bolor Dashdorj , Yamaoka Yoshio
Published: March 2020

Background

Incidence and mortality of gastric cancer (GC) are high in Mongolia despite Helicobacter pylori in the Mongolian population being less virulent.

Aim

To evaluate gastric bacterial microbiota profiles in patients with GC and its precursor histological conditions.

Methods

We conducted a case‐control study among 48 GC and 120 noncancer patients (20 normal gastric mucosa [control], 20 gastritis, 40 with atrophy and 40 intestinal metaplasia [IM]). We performed 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and compared taxonomic and functional prediction profiles based on the diagnosis group and H pylori infection status.

Results

The highest overall bacterial alpha diversity metrics were observed in the control group, followed by the IM and cancer groups. The gastritis and atrophy groups had the least diversity. Lactobacilli and Enterococci were the dominant genus in several cancer patients especially in the absence of H pylori. In addition, Carnobacterium, Glutamicibacter, Paeniglutamicibacter, Fusobacterium and Parvimonas were associated with GC regardless of H pylori infection. Firmicutes were decreased in the gastritis and atrophy groups and increased in the IM and cancer groups. The functional metabolic activity of the Embden‐Meyerhof‐Parnas pathway and the utilization of sugar, were significantly increased in cancer group compared with the noncancer group.

Conclusion

Microbial factors other than H pylori may play a role in Mongolian GC. We identified novel associations between GC and the genera Enterococcus, Lactobacillus, Carnobacterium, Glutamicibacter, Paeniglutamicibacter, Fusobacterium, and Parvimonas.
Oesophageal and proximal gastric adenocarcinomas are rare after detection of Helicobacter pylori infection
Authors: Kumar Shria , Metz David C. , Ginsberg Gregory G. , Kaplan David E. , Goldberg David S.
Published: March 2020

Background

Helicobacter pylori infection is the most important risk factor for non‐proximal gastric adenocarcinoma, yet some posit it is protective against oesophageal adenocarcinoma and proximal gastric cancers.

Aims

To evaluate the incidence of and risk factors for future oesophageal and proximal gastric cancers, utilizing the largest North American cohort of patients with previously identified H pylori. Also to identify whether treatment and eradication of H pylori alter future oesophageal and proximal gastric cancer risk.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study within the Veterans Administration of 36 803 patients (median age 60.4 years; 91.8% male) with confirmed H pylori between 01 January 1994 and 31 December 2018. Primary outcome was diagnosis of future oesophageal and proximal gastric cancers. A time to event with competing risk analysis was performed, evaluating patient factors and whether the patient received H pylori treatment. Secondary analysis of those treated evaluated whether confirmed eradication was associated with cancer.

Results

The cumulative incidence of oesophageal and proximal gastric cancers 5, 10 and 15 years after H pylori detection was 0.145%, 0.26% and 0.34%. Risk of future oesophageal or proximal gastric cancer was similar amongst whites (reference), African Americans (SHR 0.87, 95%CI 0.57‐1.43) and American Indians (SHR 1.31, 95%CI 0.18‐9.60) but substantially reduced in those of Asian (no cases amongst 213 H pylori positive) or native Hawaiian origin (no cases amongst 295 H pylori positive) (P < .001). Increasing age (SHR 1.17 per 5 years, 95% CI: 1.09‐1.25, P < 0.001) and smoking (SHR 2.06, 95% CI: 1.33‐3.18, P = 0.001) were associated with oesophageal and proximal gastric cancers. Neither treatment of H pylori nor eradication status were associated with cancer (P > 0.20).

Conclusions

In the largest study of US patients with H pylori, we demonstrate that rates of oesophageal and proximal gastric cancers after treatment of H pylori are low. Older age, and smoking are associated with future cancer, whilst Asian or Native Hawaiian race are protective. H pylori treatment and eradication are not associated with future cancer.
Beyond petroleum or bottom line profits only? An ethical analysis of BP and the Gulf oil spill
Authors: Schwartz Mark S.
Published: March 2020

On April 20th, 2010, an incident was to take place 49 miles off the Louisiana coast at the Macondo Prospect location in the Gulf of Mexico that would potentially change the future of offshore oil drilling. On that day, 11 men would lose their lives when the 33,000 ton Deepwater Horizon rig, owned by Transocean but leased by BP PLC, exploded. As a result of the explosion, millions of barrels of oil would be released into the Gulf of Mexico, leading to widespread environmental harm and devastation to the shoreline communities. To better examine the underlying reasons for how such an event could take place in 2010, this paper will unfold as follows. First, we provide context to the oil spill by discussing the history of BP, including its transformation into an “environmental” firm in 1995. Second, we explore and analyze the catastrophe through the lens of ethics. Finally, we analyze the disaster through a comparison with the U.S. 2008 financial crisis with a view to identify the root causes of the disaster and the string of ethical failures that have scarred the market economy over the past three or four decades.
Modified diagnostic criteria, grading classification and newly elucidated pathophysiology of hepatic SOS/VOD after haematopoietic cell transplantation
Authors: Cairo Mitchell S. , Cooke Kenneth R. , Lazarus Hillard M. , Chao Nelson
Published: March 2020

Sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS), previously known as hepatic veno‐occlusive disease (VOD), remains a multi‐organ system complication following haematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). When SOS/VOD is accompanied by multi‐organ dysfunction, overall mortality rates remain >80%. However, the definitions related to the diagnosis and grading of SOS/VOD after HCT are almost 25 years old and require new and contemporary modifications. Importantly, the pathophysiology of SOS/VOD, including the contribution of dysregulated inflammatory and coagulation cascades as well as the critical importance of liver and vascular derived endothelial dysfunction, have been elucidated. Here we summarise new information on pathogenesis of SOS/VOD; identify modifiable and unmodifiable risk factors for disease development; propose novel, contemporary and panel opinion‐based diagnostic criteria and an innovative organ‐based method of SOS/VOD grading classification; and review current approaches for prophylaxis and treatment of SOS/VOD. This review will hopefully illuminate pathways responsible for drug‐induced liver injury and manifestations of disease, sharpen awareness of risk for disease development and enhance the timely and correct diagnosis of SOS/VOD post‐HCT.