bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study on the transition process of a molten salt pump transporting media with crystalline particles by modeling test and numerical simulation
Authors: Shao Chunlei , He Aixia , Zhang Zhongyuan , Zhou Jianfeng
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the transition process from the crystalline particles appearing before the pump inlet to the stable operation of the pump.

Design/methodology/approach

Firstly, a modeling test method was put forward for the high-temperature molten salt pump. Then, according to a modeling test scheme, the experiment of the solid–liquid two-phase flow was carried out by using a model pump similar to the prototype pump. Meanwhile, the numerical method to simulate the transition process of a molten salt pump was studied, and the correctness of the numerical model was verified by the experimental results. Finally, the transition process of the molten salt pump was studied by the verified numerical model in detail.

Findings

In the simulation of the transition process, it is more accurate to judge the end of the transition process based on the unchanged particle volume fraction (PVF) at the pump outlet than on the periodic fluctuation of the outlet pressure. The outlet pressure is closely related to the PVF in the pump. The variation of the outlet pressure is slightly prior to that of the PVF at the pump outlet and mainly affected by the PVF in the impeller and volute. After 0.63 s, the PVF at each monitoring point changes periodically, and the time-averaged value does not change with time.

Practical implications

This study is of great significance to further improve the design method of molten salt pump and predict the abrasion characteristic of the pump due to interactions with solid particles.

Originality/value

A numerical method is established to simulate the transition process of a molten salt pump, and a method is proposed to verify the numerical model of two-phase flow by modeling test.
The antecedents of tourist attitudes to revisit and revisit intentions for coastal tourism
Authors: Hasan Md Kamrul , Abdullah Shamsul Kamariah , Lew Tek Yew , Islam Md Faridul
Published: June 2019

Purpose

This study aims to empirically examine the factors that are likely to affect tourists’ attitudes to revisit, which, in turn, influence their revisit intentions towards beach destinations.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected through a personal-administered survey of 601 tourists from three leading beach destinations in Bangladesh.

Findings

The empirical results indicate that perceived destination risks affect neither tourists’ attitudes to revisit nor their revisit intentions. However, tourists’ satisfaction and destination image directly affect both their attitudes to revisit and their revisit intentions.

Practical implications

The findings of this study contribute to the extension of the body of knowledge, especially in beach tourism settings where the proposed relationships have yet to be studied.

Originality/value

Coastal-based beach tourism is one of the least researched areas in tourism literature. The relationship between tourist attitude to revisit and revisit intention is exclusive in tourism literature.
The mediation effect of job satisfaction and organizational commitment on the organizational learning effect of the employee performance
Authors: Hendri Muhammad Irfani
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to test the effect of organizational learning on employees’ job satisfaction, the effect of organizational learning on the employees’ organizational commitment, the effect of the organizational learning on employees’ performance, the effect of job satisfaction on the employees’ performance and the effect of organizational commitment on employees’ performance in PTPN XIII (Limited Liability Company) in West Kalimantan.

Design/methodology/approach

The population in this research refers to all employees of PTPN XIII (Limited Liability Company) in West Kalimantan, with the criteria that the employees are from class III‒IV (population of access). The size of the sample is determined by using the partial least square approach, which is 10 times of the size of formative indicator, that is, job satisfaction with five indicators plus employee performance with eight indicators, with the total being 13 × 10 = 130 employees. The sampling method used is proportional random sampling technique, which is based on work area (three working areas: Head Office, West Kalimantan I District and West Kalimantan District II).

Findings

Learning organization has a significant and positive effect on job satisfaction and organizational commitment, but it has no significant effect on the employee performance. Job satisfaction and organizational commitment have a significant effect on employee performance.

Originality/value

The phenomenon that existed in PTPN XIII (Limited Liability Company) and referring from various previous research results, the study regarding employee performance was conducted using organizational learning variable as an exogenous variable and using job satisfaction and organizational commitment variable as an intervening variable. Robbins (1996) revealed that the relationship between organizational learning and performance is not very close. It is necessary to have other variables that can reinforce the relationship and to determine the extent to which the organizational learning can contribute to the improvement of the performance.
The relationship between halal traceability system adoption and environmental factors on halal food supply chain integrity in Malaysia
Authors: Ab Rashid Norasekin , Bojei Jamil
Published: June 2019

Purpose

Muslim consumers have been shocked with the news of cross-contamination issues in the Halal food that they consumed. These issues make them put more effort in ensuring the products that they purchased being monitored throughout the supply chain. In this case, food companies must be prepared to implement systematic traceability system to ensure the authenticity of Halal products and comprehend the importance of Halal industry environmental factors (HIEF) in enhancing integrity of Halal food supply chain and protect from any risk of cross-contaminations. This paper aims to clarify the relationship between the Halal traceability system adoption (HTSA) and HIEFs on Halal food supply chain integrity (HFSCIn).

Design/methodology/approach

The study opted quantitative research approach by using the self-administrated questionnaires. The questionnaires were distributed during Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) 2014 and Halal Fiesta Malaysia (HALFEST) 2014. 127 Malaysian Halal food and beverages companies have been involved in the study. Most of the respondents are the general manager or owner of the company, Halal executives, quality assurance managers, operation managers and sales manager.

Findings

The study found that there is a significant relationship between HTSA and HIEF on HFSCIn. The study also found that the highest adoptions of Halal traceability system are among the producer and end user, while the highest contributions in influencing the HIEF are the economic and socio-cultural factors.

Research limitations/implications

This study only focused on Halal food industry particularly the food and beverages category. Thus, future study can explore further on every category in food industry such as raw materials and ingredients; poultry, meat and dairy; fast food and premises and make comparison between pharmaceutical, cosmetics and health care in Halal industry. In addition, the sample size (N = 127) can be considered small; therefore, it is recommended that in future the subject matter be explored with a much larger sample to allow generalization of the result.

Originality/value

This study provided, perhaps for the first time, an analysis of the relationship between traceability adoptions and HIEF on HFSCIn.
A model for examining the effect of knowledge sharing and new IT-based technologies on the success of the supply chain management systems
Authors: Zeraati Habibeh , Rajabion Lila , Molavi Homa , Navimipour Nima Jafari
Published: June 2019

Purpose

This research specifies the factors impacting on the success of supply chain management (SCM) systems in the organizations. This paper aims to assess the effect of knowledge sharing, the vehicular ad hoc network (VANET), radio frequency identification technology (RFID) and near field communications (NFC) and the social capabilities of information technology (IT) and information and communication technology (ICT)on the success of the SCM systems and the simplification of the SCM challenges and other factors affecting its success.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire is designed for measuring the elements of the proposed model. The questionnaires are revised by experts with experiences in SCM. For statistical analysis, SPSS 24.0 and SMART- PLS (partial least squares) 3.2.6 software package are used. The structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis procedure is conducted in two stages. The reliability analysis and confirmatory factor for analyzing the dimensions and items are included in the first stage. The second stage involves evaluating the assumptions through the SEM.

Findings

The results have depicted that four variables (knowledge sharing, VANET, RFID and NFC, and the social capabilities of using IT) affect the success of SCM systems.

Originality/value

This research specifies the factors impacting on the success of SCM in the organizations. These technologies aid companies in improving their performance in the SCM and facilitating coherence and collaboration.
Value and growth stocks and shareholder value creation in Brazil
Authors: Vasconcelos Lucas Nogueira Cabral de , Martins Orleans Silva
Published: June 2019

Purpose

Investors label high (low) book-to-market (B/M) firms as value (growth) companies. The conventional wisdom supports that growth stocks grow faster than the value ones, creating greater shareholder value. The Purpose of this paper is to analyze how stocks of growth and value companies create value for their shareholders in Brazil, compared to the USA market. For this, the authors analyze three dimensions of return.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the authors perform portfolios to analyze the growth rates of shareholders’ return. Then, the authors perform regressions to study the explanatory power of the B/M in growth. The data come from Thomson Reuters Eikon database and the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics. The authors select all non-financial firms with available data from 1997 to 2017.

Findings

The profitability of growth firms is higher than the value ones, in almost every year after the portfolios’ formation, with little variation. Contrary to the findings for the US market, growth companies in Brazil show higher dividend growth than value companies.

Research limitations/implications

It is possible that the database does not contain complete and entirely reliable accounting data, which may partially affect the results.

Practical implications

The findings contradict those exposed in the USA. The implications are the inverse of the US study: the duration-based explanation could be a vital factor for the value premium in the Brazilian stock market. Also, the findings support the standard valuation techniques and help the growth rates estimation in the valuation process (top-down approach).

Originality/value

This study is the first to compare the profitability and dividend growth of growth/value stocks in the Brazilian market. Overall, growth stocks have considerable profitability, and dividend growth compared to value stocks.
Hot corrosion behaviour of different Cr3C2–NiCr coatings on boiler tube steel at elevated temperature
Authors: Singh Karanjit , Goyal Khushdeep , Goyal Rakesh
Published: June 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate hot corrosion behaviour of different Cr3C2–NiCr coatings on boiler tube steel.

Design/methodology/approach

High velocity oxy fuel technique has been used to deposit different coatings on commercially available ASTM-SA213-T22 boiler tube steel. The hot corrosion studies have been performed in molten salt environment at 900°C temperature in silicon tube furnace in laboratory.

Findings

The results showed that uncoated superalloy suffered intense spalling and the weight change was massive during each cycle on studies of hot corrosion 900°C. The 100 per cent NiCr and 10 per cent (Cr3C2) – 90 per cent (NiCr) coatings provided better protection to T22 steel against the hot corrosion because of the formation of Ni and Cr3C2 layers.

Originality/value

In this research a variety of coatings have been used. This research work has been aimed to investigate the hot corrosion behavior of Boiler Steel b with different Cr3C2–NiCr coatings, under molten salt environment in Silicon tube furnace at 900°C, under cyclic conditions.
Plant adaptation to different climates shapes the strengths of chemically mediated tritrophic interactions
Authors: Kergunteuil Alan , Humair Lauréline , Münzbergová Zuzana , Rasmann Sergio
Published: June 2019

How plant traits evolve along geographical and climatic gradients has recently received increased attention because of anticipated climate change and associated shifts in insect distribution, whether they are herbivores or predators. This issue is particularly relevant for traits related to growth and anti‐herbivore defence of plants, because both sets of traits are closely tied to fitness, and because being sessile organisms, plants tend to experience strong local selection. Despite widespread recognition that the abiotic environment imposes selection on plant traits, how temperature and water availability independently select for allocation to growth and defence against herbivores is not well‐resolved, and even more so, when considering under‐ground herbivory and tritrophic interactions involving plant herbivores and their predators.

To address heritable, climate‐driven variation in root traits mediating tritrophic interactions, we performed a common garden experiment with four populations of common red fescue (Festuca rubra) encompassing the four corners of a precipitation by temperature gradient matrix.

We found that plants originating from wetter and warmer conditions, in addition to producing more biomass, also produced a blend of volatile organic compounds more attractive for predatory nematodes of root insect herbivores. Moreover, across populations, variation in nematode attraction was mediated by balancing the emissions of attractive and repulsive volatile compounds.

Our work builds towards better understanding how plant adaptation to climate interacts with adaptations to herbivores and their predators.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Direct effects of a non‐native invader erode native plant fitness in the forest understory
Authors: Bialic‐Murphy Lalasia , Brouwer Nathan L. , Kalisz Susan
Published: June 2019

The direct role of non‐native plant invaders in driving negative population‐ and community‐level processes of native species has been recently questioned. Addressing this controversy requires determining quantitatively if invaders negatively affect native population fitness. Because the invasion of non‐natives often coincides with other anthropogenic stressors, experiments that partition the putative impact of non‐natives from other known stressors and assess their potential synergies are required. While many studies have examined the effects of non‐natives on components of native plant performance, studies that decompose the net fitness effects of non‐natives from other anthropogenic stressors on population growth rate are lacking.

We used 6 years of detailed demographic data to parameterize a size‐dependent integral projection model to examine the individual and combined effects of an allelochemical‐producing invader (Alliaria petiolata) and an overabundant ungulate herbivore (Odocoileus virginianus) on the population dynamics of an understory perennial (Trillium erectum).

We show that Alliaria consistently and negatively affects the population dynamics of Trillium. Specifically, this invader reduces native population growth rate and alters the size distribution of the population at equilibrium. Alliaria also works in concert with the known negative impacts of overabundant white‐tailed deer, illustrating the additive effects of anthropogenic stressors on native plant dynamics.

Synthesis. Alliaria's effects on vital rates differed in magnitude and sign across the native's life cycle, highlighting the importance of detailed demographic analyses. Our study provides novel empirical support for the claim that non‐native invasive species can significantly and directly reduce the fitness of native plants.
Peanut Allergy: Characteristics and Approaches for Mitigation
Authors: Shah Faisal , Shi Aimin , Ashley Jon , Kronfel Christina , Wang Qiang , Maleki Soheila J. , Adhikari Benu , Zhang Jinchuang
Published: June 2019

Peanut allergy has garnered significant attention because of the high sensitization rate, increase in allergy, and severity of the reaction. Sufficiently reliable therapies and efficient mitigating techniques to combat peanut allergy are still lacking. Current management relies on avoiding peanuts and nuts and seeds with homologous proteins, although adverse events mostly occur with accidental ingestion. There is a need for hypoallergenic peanut products to protect sensitized individuals and perhaps serve as immunotherapeutic products. Alongside traditional practices of thermal and chemical treatment, novel processing approaches such as high‐pressure processing, pulsed ultraviolet light, high‐intensity ultrasound, irradiation, and pulsed electric field have been performed toward reducing the immunoreactivity of peanut. Covalent and noncovalent chemical modifications to proteins also have the tendency to alter peanut allergenicity. Enzymatic hydrolysis seems to be the most advantageous technique in diminishing the allergenic potential of peanut. Furthermore, the combined processing approach (hurdle technologies) such as enzymatic hydrolysis followed by, or in conjunction with, roasting, high pressure and heat, ultrasound with enzymatic treatment, or germination have shown a significant reduction of peanut immunoreactivity and may emerge as useful techniques in reducing the allergenicity of peanut and other foods. This study represents our current knowledge about the alterations in allergenic properties of peanut via different processing mechanisms as well as evaluating its future potential, geographical based data on increasing sensitization, clinical relevance, eliciting dose, and current management of peanut allergy. Furthermore, the molecular characteristics and clinical relevance of peanut allergens have been discussed.
Lactobionic Acid as a Potential Food Ingredient: Recent Studies and Applications
Authors: Cardoso Taís , Marques Caroline , Dagostin João Luiz Andreotti , Masson Maria Lúcia
Published: June 2019

Lactobionic acid (LBA) is a bionic acid naturally found in the “Caspian Sea yogurt” and chemically constituted of a gluconic acid bonded to a galactose. The compound is known for its numerous proven attributes as an antioxidant, chelator, and moisturizer agent. There is a growing interest of the academic community and industry research sectors in the application of LBA as a food ingredient. Thus, this review describes the current methods of LBA production, patents related, general applications and regulations, research statistics, future prospects, and an overview of the challenges faced by the food industry to incorporate the acid in their products. Studies associated to food application and human intake are scarce in the literature. To date, they account for only a small amount of all available research papers and patents on the subject, which is due to LBA prohibitions despite the approval of its salt (calcium lactobionate) and the lack of regulation in most countries. Further studies on the safety of consumption should be carried out in coming years in order to elucidate its toxicological aspects and to extend the technological possibilities of the food processing industry.
REMEMBERING ROMAN SYRIA: VALUING TADMOR-PALMYRA, FROM ‘DISCOVERY’ TO DESTRUCTION
Authors: BAIRD J. A. , KAMASH ZENA
Published: June 2019

The 1753 publication of The Ruins of Palmyra by Robert Wood was key in the formation of archaeological understandings of the site. Examining the original notebooks and drawings of the expedition, which formed the basis for this publication (now held by the Combined Library of the Institute of Classical Studies and the Hellenic and Roman Societies in London), this article examines the relationship between those first documents, the publication, and some of its afterlives. We demonstrate how Wood's treatment of Tadmor-Palmyra and its inhabitants has shaped memories of the site, prioritizing certain narratives and occluding others, a process that continues today.
MONUMENTS, LANDSCAPE, AND MEMORY: THE EMERGENCE OF TOWER-TOMBS IN TADMOR-PALMYRA
Authors: DE JONG LIDEWIJDE
Published: June 2019

Little is known about the emergence of the iconic tower-tombs in the first century bce in Tadmor-Palmyra, the oasis settlement on the eastern edge of the Roman Empire. Scholarship has concentrated on the grand towers erected in the first two centuries ce, yet it is the older and simpler group of towers that holds the key for understanding their appearance. They reveal breaks with existing burial customs and a need to carve out a new memorial landscape in the desert. This article offers a new perspective on the tower-tombs, building on theoretical approaches to monumentality, landscape, and memory. In settings that were simultaneously conspicuous and distant, the towers represent monumental proclamations aimed at the residents of Tadmor-Palmyra and the people of the desert. As tombs, they kept alive the memory of some members of the community, becoming focal points for the (re)production of lineage identity. Internal developments, sedentarization, or migration made such identities vulnerable, and new avenues for competitive innovations about the shared past were sought. The tower-tombs provide the first glimpses of a new Tadmor-Palmyra.
Folic acid supplementation improves erectile function in patients with idiopathic vasculogenic erectile dysfunction by lowering peripheral and penile homocysteine plasma levels: a case‐control study
Authors: Elshahid A. R. M. , Shahein I. M. , Mohammed Y. F. , Ismail N. F. , Zakarria H. B. Abd El-Razek , GamalEl Din S. F.
Published: June 2019

Background

Erectile dysfunction (ED) has common risk factors with many cardiovascular (CV) impairments. In view of these facts, hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcys) has been postulated for involvement in endothelial dysfunction.

Objectives

We evaluated peripheral and penile homocysteine (Hcys) plasma levels before and after folic acid supplementation in idiopathic vasculogenic erectile dysfunction (ED) patients. Materials and methods: This study included 50 consecutive patients and 50 consecutive healthy controls that were recruited from December 2017 to December 2018. The patients received folic acid (FA) daily for 3 months and were evaluated by the abridged 5‐item International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF‐5) and penile duplex before and after therapy, in addition to plasma Hcys levels.

Results

Our study showed improvement in the severity of ED in our patients as all of them became mild to moderate ED after folic acid administration. Additionally, the median scores of IIEF‐5 significantly increased from 6 to 14, respectively (p < 0.001). Furthermore, the median peripheral and penile Hcys plasma levels (μmol/l) significantly decreased after folic acid administration as 39 patients with moderate ED and 11 patients with severe ED were 0.62, 0.34, 5.37, 0.37, respectively, became mild to moderate ED with their median peripheral and penile Hcys plasma levels became 0.19, 0.15, p < 0.001, <0.001, respectively. Peripheral Hcys level correlates significantly with penile Hcys before and after folic acid administration (r: −0.06 p: 0.8, r: 0.9, p < 0.001, respectively).

Discussion and conclusion

Recently, an emerging body of evidence suggests a role for Hcys and folate in erectile function. Interestingly, our interventional study is one of the first that evaluated the effect of folic acid supplementation on HHcys where it demonstrated a significant decrease in peripheral and penile Hcys plasma levels after folic acid administration. Thus, FA should be prescribed concomitantly with phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors in ED patients.
Sexual, bladder, bowel and ovarian function 1 year after robot‐assisted radical hysterectomy for early‐stage cervical cancer
Authors: Wallin Emelie , Falconer Henrik , Rådestad Angelique F.
Published: June 2019

Introduction

Surgery by open radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer is associated with sexual dysfunction as well as lymphedema and bladder problems. Our aim was to assess the impact of robot‐assisted laparoscopic radical hysterectomy (RRH) with pelvic lymphadenectomy for early‐stage cervical cancer on sexual, bowel, bladder, and lymphatic function and to measure ovarian function after RRH.

Material and methods

Twenty‐six women with early‐stage cervical cancer during 2011‐2013 were investigated before and 1 year after RRH using a validated questionnaire measuring psychological well‐being and sexual, bowel, bladder, and lymphatic function. Blood samples for follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), sex‐hormone‐binding globulin (SHBG), estradiol, total testosterone, androstenedione, and anti‐Müllerian hormone (AMH) were analyzed at baseline and 1 year after treatment.

Results

Anxiety and depression increased in 17/26 (62%) and 16/26 (65%) of the women respectively. Sexual distress symptoms reported 1 year after RRH were numbness of the labia (P = 0.04) and deep pain during intercourse (P = 0.02). Twelve of 26 (46%) had lymphedema, and 10/26 (35%) had bladder problems 1 year after surgery. Levels of FSH and LH were significantly increased (P < 0.01) and AMH decreased (P = 0.02) 1 year after RRH in women <45 years with preserved ovaries. Androgen levels were unchanged.

Conclusions

In our study, RRH was associated with minor sexual dysfunction. RRH may facilitate the preservation of posterior branches from the hypogastric nerve that are important for arousal and orgasm. Bladder problems and lymphedema remain the most frequently reported sequelae. Women with preserved ovaries after RRH may have an early onset of menopause.
Effects of direct exposure to cold weather under grazing in winter on the physiological, immunological, and behavioral conditions of Japanese Black beef cattle in central Japan
Authors: Nakajima Noriaki , Doi Kazuya , Tamiya Sae , Yayota Masato
Published: June 2019

This study aimed to reveal the effects of direct exposure to cold weather under grazing in winter (GW) on the health of Japanese Black beef cattle, as assessed using physiological, immunological, and behavioral parameters. Ten Japanese Black beef cattle (328 ± 45 kg, 7.6 ± 3.4 years of age) were used in this experiment. In winter, five of the 10 cattle grazed for 2 months in a 1.8 ha pasture (GW), and the remaining cattle were fed under confined conditions with tethering (control [CT]). The two groups were fed similar feed during the experiment, except for the grazing forage. Blood samples were collected approximately every 2 weeks. The numbers of neutrophils and monocytes and antioxidant enzyme activity were higher in the GW group than in the CT group (p < 0.05). The proportions of CD4‐single‐positive cells were lower in GW cattle than in CT cattle (p = 0.06). This study showed that direct exposure of beef cattle to cold weather under GW enhanced the levels of circulating neutrophils and monocytes and contributed to the kinetic homeostasis of lymphocytes but also activated antioxidant enzymes due to an increase in oxidative stress.
Glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) regulates the expression of MyHC2a in goat skeletal muscle satellite cells (SMSCs)
Authors: Wang Linjie , Zhu Yuehua , Liu Xin , Chao Zhe , Wang Yan , Zhong Tao , Guo Jiazhong , Zhan Siyuan , Li Li , Zhang Hongping
Published: June 2019

Glycogen synthase kinase beta (GSK3β) plays an important role in skeletal muscle growth, regeneration, and repair. However, the mechanism of GSK3β regulating MyHC2a expression is currently not clear. In this study, GSK3β inhibition promoted skeletal muscle satellite cells (SMSCs) differentiation and increased expression of MyoD, MyoG, MyHC1, and MyHC2a genes. Then we cloned approximately 1.1 kb of goat MyHC2a gene promoter. The deletion fragment (−514/+55) of MyHC2a promoter exhibited the highest level of promoter activity, and a NFATc2 element in this region was responsible for MyHC2a promoter activity. Treatment of SB216713 significantly decreased the transcriptional activity of the fragment (−514/+55). Furthermore, GSK3β inhibition had no effect on the luciferase activity of MyHC2a promoter after mutating the NFATc2‐binding site. These results demonstrated that GSK3β inhibition promoted SMSCs differentiation and regulated the MyHC2a gene expression through NFATc2 in goat‐differentiated SMSCs.
Veterinary antimicrobial stewardship in North America
Authors: Prescott JF
Published: June 2019

Major changes are occurring in veterinary antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) in food animals in Canada and the USA. Advances have been ending the use of medically important antimicrobials (MIAs) as growth promoters and bringing all MIAs for food animals under veterinary prescription in Canada (2018) or MIAs in feed or water under veterinary prescription (2017) in the USA. The USA proposes bringing all MIAs for food and companion animals under veterinary oversight, to reduce the duration of preventive use for food animals and to develop a strategy for companion animals. Both countries are taking a ‘One Health’ approach as part of their national strategies on addressing AMS. Federal state or province jurisdictional issues have impeded development and implementation of regulation‐based stewardship approaches. Veterinary regulatory bodies in some of the larger states and provinces are active in AMS. Both the American and Canadian veterinary medical associations are independently heavily engaged in promoting AMS, as are, variably, the different veterinary ‘specialty’ groups. Regulatory changes and market demand are markedly reducing the use of antimicrobials in food animals. The promotion of veterinary AMS is happening at an increasing pace.
Optimal route for administering tranexamic acid in primary unilateral total hip arthroplasty: Results from a multicenter cohort study
Authors: Xie Jinwei , Zhang Shaoyun , Chen Guo , Xu Hong , Zhou Zongke , Pei Fuxing
Published: June 2019

Aim

This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of different tranexamic acid (TXA) routes following primary total hip arthroplasty (THA).

Methods

We collected data from the National Health Database on patients registered from January 2013 to September 2017. The patients were divided based on TXA administration route into a control group (without TXA), intravenous group, topical group and combined group. The primary outcome was transfusion; secondary outcomes were total blood loss, haemoglobin level, decrease in haemoglobin on postoperative day 3, and incidence of complications.

Results

Data were collected on 7667 primary THA, 4662 with TXA and 3005 without TXA. The transfusion rate was 28.7% in the control group, 12.7% in the topical group, 8.9% in the intravenous group, and 6.1% in the combined group, and the inter‐group differences were significant (P < .01). The combined group showed significantly smaller total blood loss (1.23 ± 0.52 L), smaller reduction in haemoglobin level (26.5 ± 11.1 g/L) and higher haemoglobin level on postoperative day 3 (107.0 ± 15.5 g/L) than the other three groups (P < .05). The three TXA groups showed significantly lower incidence of deep vein thrombosis than the control group (0.08% vs 0.47%, P = .001) as well as a lower rate of other complications (0.34% vs 0.67%, P = .044).

Conclusion

TXA is effective and safe to decrease blood loss and transfusion following primary THA, regardless of whether it is administered intravenously, topically or both. Intravenous or combined routes may produce better haemostatic effects, so they may be suggested in the absence of contraindications.
The potential for student performance prediction in small cohorts with minimal available attributes
Authors: Wakelam Edward , Jefferies Amanda , Davey Neil , Sun Yi
Published: June 2019

The measurement of student performance during their progress through university study provides academic leadership with critical information on each student’s likelihood of success. Academics have traditionally used their interactions with individual students through class activities and interim assessments to identify those “at risk” of failure/withdrawal. However, modern university environments, offering easy on‐line availability of course material, may see reduced lecture/tutorial attendance, making such identification more challenging. Modern data mining and machine learning techniques provide increasingly accurate predictions of student examination assessment marks, although these approaches have focussed upon large student populations and wide ranges of data attributes per student. However, many university modules comprise relatively small student cohorts, with institutional protocols limiting the student attributes available for analysis. It appears that very little research attention has been devoted to this area of analysis and prediction. We describe an experiment conducted on a final‐year university module student cohort of 23, where individual student data are limited to lecture/tutorial attendance, virtual learning environment accesses and intermediate assessments. We found potential for predicting individual student interim and final assessment marks in small student cohorts with very limited attributes and that these predictions could be useful to support module leaders in identifying students potentially “at risk.”
Energy metabolism and drug response in myeloid leukaemic stem cells
Authors: Bencomo‐Alvarez Alfonso E. , Rubio Andres J. , Gonzalez Mayra A. , Eiring Anna M.
Published: June 2019

Despite significant advances in the treatment of myeloid malignancies, many patients become resistant to therapy and ultimately succumb to their disease. Accumulating evidence over the past several years has suggested that the inadequacy of many leukaemia therapies results from their failure to target the leukaemic stem cell (LSC). For this reason, the LSC population currently represents the most critical target in the treatment of myeloid malignancies. However, while LSCs are ideal targets in the treatment of these diseases, they are also the most difficult population to target. This is due to both their heterogeneity within the LSC population, and also their phenotypic similarities with normal haematopoietic stem cells. This review will highlight the current landscape surrounding LSC biology in myeloid malignancies, with a focus on altered energy metabolism, and how that knowledge is being translated into clinical advances for the treatment of chronic and acute myeloid leukaemia and myelodysplastic syndromes.
Clinical trials for multiple sclerosis: Outcome measures and impact on cognitive function
Authors: Ochi Hirofumi
Published: June 2019

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a complex immune‐mediated disease characterized by recurrent demyelinating episodes of the central nervous system, which is the most common disabling neurological disease of young people. Cognitive impairment is common and one of the disabling symptoms ofMS, resulting in reduced quality of life. This often emerges early in the disease and is independent of physical disability; however, it is more prevalent in progressive disease. With the advent of a number of disease‐modifying drugs, including agents with high efficacy at reducing inflammatory activity, patients withMScan receive more efficacious treatment. Although the currently available disease‐modifying drugs have been shown to reduce the inflammatory disease activity, their effects on the neurodegenerative aspect or cognitive functions are still unclear. Cognitive rehabilitation and physical exercise are promising strategies to prevent cognitive decline or improve brain function. Beneficial effects of these interventions have been reported, but the evidence is still sparse. The present review article describes the clinical trial data on interventions for cognitive impairment inMS.
RayCaching: Amortized Isosurface Rendering for Virtual Reality
Authors: Nysjö F. , Malmberg F. , Nyström I.
Published: June 2019

Real‐time virtual reality requires efficient rendering methods to deal with high‐ resolution stereoscopic displays and low latency head‐tracking. Our proposed RayCaching method renders isosurfaces of large volume datasets by amortizing raycasting over several frames and caching primary rays as small bricks that can be efficiently rasterized. An occupancy map in form of a clipmap provides level of detail and ensures that only bricks corresponding to visible points on the isosurface are being cached and rendered. Hard shadows and ambient occlusion from secondary rays are also accumulated and stored in the cache. Our method supports real‐time isosurface rendering with dynamic isovalue and allows stereoscopic visualization and exploration of large volume datasets at framerates suitable for virtual reality applications.
Functional relevance of computational fluid dynamics in the field of nasal obstruction: A literature review
Authors: Radulesco Thomas , Meister Lionel , Bouchet Gilles , Giordano Jérôme , Dessi Patrick , Perrier Pierre , Michel Justin
Published: June 2019

Background

Nasal airway obstruction (nasal obstruction) is a common symptom affecting the quality of life of patients. It can be estimated by patient perception or physical measurements. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) can be used to analyse nasal ventilation modalities. There is a lack of comparative studies investigating the correlations between CFD variables and patient perception or physical measurements.

Objective of the review

Our goal was to define correlations between CFD variables and patient perception and physical measurements. We also aimed to identify the most reliable CFD variable (heat flux, WSS, total pressure, temperature…) characterising nasal breathing perception.

Type of review

Systematic literature review using PRISMA guidelines.

Search strategy

The selected studies were obtained from the US National Library of Medicine (PubMed) online database, MEDLINE (Ovid), Google Scholar and the Cochrane Library using a combination of MeSH terms (nose, paranasal sinus, fluid dynamics, rhinology) and non‐MeSH terms (CFD, nasal airway, nasal airflow, numerical, nasal symptoms). Studies that did not incorporate objective or subjective clinical assessment were excluded.

Evaluation method

We compared all results obtained by authors regarding CFD variables and assessment of nasal airway obstruction (clinical or physical).

Results

To compare nasal obstruction with CFD variables, most authors use CFD‐calculated nasal resistances, airflow, heat flux, wall shear stress, total pressure, velocities and streamlines. We found that heat flux appears to be the CFD variable most closely correlated with patient perception. Total pressure, wall shear stress and velocities are also useful and show good correlations. Correlations between CFD‐calculated nasal resistances and patient perception are stronger after correction of the nasal cycle.

Conclusions

The growing number of CFD studies on the nose has led to a better understanding of nasal obstruction. The clinical interpretation of previously unknown data, such as WSS and heat flux, is opening up new horizons in the understanding of this symptom. Heat fluxes are among the best CFD values correlated with patient perception. More studies need to be performed including temperature and humidity exchanges.
Acoustic and camera surveys inform models of current and future vertebrate distributions in a changing desert ecosystem
Authors: Rich Lindsey N. , Furnas Brett J. , Newton D. Scott , Brashares Justin S.
Published: June 2019

Aim

Maintaining biodiversity in the face of land use and climate change is a paramount challenge, particularly when distributions of many species remain incompletely known. Emerging technologies help address this data deficiency by facilitating the collection of spatially explicit data for multiple species from multiple taxa. In this study, we combine acoustic and visual sensor surveys to inform conservation and land use planning in an area experiencing rapid climate and land use change.

Location

Mojave Desert, California, United States.

Methods

We deployed camera traps and acoustic detectors at 210 sites between March and July 2016. We identified photographic detections of mammals and acoustic recordings of songbirds to the species level and used multispecies occupancy models to estimate and evaluate species' occupancy probabilities. We then extrapolated model results to the region and forecasted how projected climate and land use changes might affect species' occupancy probabilities in 50 years. Lastly, we identified areas with high conservation value (i.e., high relative species richness) now and in 50 years, and related the distributions of these areas to land use designations.

Results

We detected 15 mammal and 68 songbird species. At the community level, occupancy decreased with increasing temperatures and distances to woodlands. We forecasted that occupancy probabilities and areas with high conservation value would decline in 50 years due to projected increases in maximum temperatures and identified that up to 43%, 24% and 27% of land designated for renewable energy development, recreation and military activities, respectively, encompassed these high value areas.

Main conclusions

Cooler areas close to woodlands and water are of high conservation value to mammals and songbirds in the Mojave. These areas will become increasingly limited with changing climate, however, making their protection from human disturbance imperative. We encourage continued use of visual and acoustic sensors across large spatial, temporal and taxonomic scales as tools to inform land use and wildlife conservation.
Clinical outcomes of per‐oral endoscopic tumor resection for submucosal tumors in the esophagus and gastric cardia
Authors: Onimaru Manabu , Inoue Haruhiro , Bechara Robert , Tanabe Mayo , Abad Mary Raina Angeli , Ueno Akiko , Shimamura Yuto , Sumi Kazuya , Ikeda Haruo , Ito Hiroaki
Published: June 2019

Objectives

The clinical success of per‐oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) has led to the development of a new field of ‘submucosal endoscopy’. This study aimed to evaluate the safety, efficacy, and limitations of per‐oral endoscopic tumor resection (POET) in the management of submucosal tumors (SMTs) in the esophagus and the gastric cardia.

Methods

POET was performed in 47 patients from January 2011 to December 2017. The indication for POET was SMTs ≤ 30 mm in minor axis diameter. Patient and tumor characteristics (age, gender, tumor location, size, and histology), operative and clinical results of POET (procedure time and completion rate, en bloc resection rate, length of hospitalization, adverse events and tumor recurrence) were analyzed retrospectively.

Results

POET was successfully completed in 43 patients (91.5%) without any major adverse events (Clavien‐Dindo IIIb‐IV). Four patients required conversion to an open surgical procedure due to suboptimal visualization during POET. Four patients underwent piecemeal resection of their SMTs including GISTs. Median follow‐up was 44 months (10–96 months), during that time, there were no incidences of tumor recurrence. Tumors that had a minor axis diameter > 30 mm or a tumor mass index (TMI) [major axis diameter (mm) × minor axis diameter (mm)] >1000 had a high likelihood of being converted to surgical resection.

Conclusions

POET is a safe and effective treatment for SMTs. However, in patients where the minor axis diameter is > 30 mm or the TMI > 1000, surgical excision should be considered. Furthermore, application of POET for SMTs with malignant potential should be carefully considered to ensure optimal oncologic outcomes.
Examining conservation agriculture soil profiles: Outcomes from northeastern Italian silty soils combining indirect geophysical and direct assessment methods
Authors: Piccoli Ilaria , Furlan Lorenzo , Lazzaro Barbara , Morari Francesco
Published: June 2019

Conservation agriculture (CA) is an agronomic system, including no‐tillage, cover crops and residue retention on the soil surface, which represents more sustainable management compared to conventional ploughing systems (CV). Conservation agriculture is widespread in some parts of the world (i.e. South America and the USA), whereas it is still developing in others (i.e. Europe). One of the main reasons for the slow European uptake of CA is low yield because of the worsening of soil physical quality, in particular increased compaction and reduced hydraulic permeability. The effects of CA on soil physical dynamics are poorly documented, particularly during the transition phase between CV and CA and for fine‐textured soils. Therefore, in this study, the effects of CA on soil volumetric water content, bulk density, penetration resistance and electrical resistivity are presented over a 3‐year monitoring period. The experiment was established in 2010 on four farms in the Veneto region (northeastern Italy) with silty soils, where CA practice was compared with CV. The dynamics of soil physical properties were monitored from 2014 to 2016 following a 3‐year crop rotation cycle. Every year, bulk density analysis, a penetration resistance test and three‐dimensional electrical resistivity tomography were performed. The results showed that soil physical properties clustered depending on soil texture: in silty loam soils any specific improvements were highlighted after 6 years of CA, whereas in loamy soils soil compaction was observed in both CA and CV. Indeed, CA resulted in soil compaction below a depth of 10 cm (+107% of degree of compaction), whereas CV resulted in the formation of a plough pan in the 35–55‐cm layer (+111% of degree of compaction). The low soil organic carbon and low clay contents made loamy soil particularly prone to compaction, highlighting the influence of fine texture on soil structure evolution during the transition phase.

Highlights

Greater organic matter content and biological activity might offset compaction in CA during transition phase

CA did not suffer from soil compaction on silty soil while ERT detected a plough pan in loamy soil under CV

Geophysics integrated with direct assessment methods is a useful tool for studying soil structure evolution

No specific benefits or drawbacks were highlighted after 6 years of CA adoption with respect to CV in silty soil
Overwintering of reproductively mature females of a pro‐ovigenic parasitic wasp, Leptopilina heterotoma (Hymenoptera: Figitidae)
Authors: Kimura Masahito T.
Published: June 2019

Leptopilina heterotoma is a Drosophila parasitoid mainly occurring in temperate regions, and females of this species are pro‐ovigenic (i.e. all or nearly all of their lifetime eggs are already mature at emergence). Here I investigated how L. heterotoma overwinters in Sapporo, Japan, a cool temperate region, by outdoor and laboratory experiments. Females of this species had mature eggs at emergence as expected, and they did not resorb eggs even if they were exposed to cold or starvation. Nevertheless, females were able to overwinter, and post‐overwintering females retained parasitization capacity. In this species, thus, adult overwintering is not associated with reproductive diapause. However, females grown in late autumn or at low temperatures (e.g. 5°C) had a fewer number of mature eggs and higher winter survival. At low temperatures, female larvae could save energy by reducing egg production and allocate the saved energy to expenditure for overwintering. In contrast to females, males and pre‐adult individuals were not able to overwinter.