bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Academic excellence as “competitiveness enhancement” in Russian higher education
Authors: Tsvetkova Elena , Lomer Sylvie
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse critically the Russian Academic Excellence Initiative (the Project 5-100), designed to propel five leading Russian universities into world university rankings (WURs) by 2020, and research it through the lens of neoliberalism. The paper seeks to reveal recurrent discourses and dominant orders of discourse constituting the overall concept of “excellence” in Russian higher education (HE) policy.

Design/methodology/approach

Since the Project 5-100 has been designed in line with a neoliberal model of academic excellence initiatives, emphasising “competition as a driver of excellence” (Hazelkorn, 2009), Fairclough’s approach to critical discourse analysis (CDA) has been adopted as a qualitative research method. There is no universally accepted definition of “excellence” in HE policy; therefore, this CDA also aims at revealing the Russian government’s vision of the concept and its voice in HE policy.

Findings

The paper concludes that the government reinforces neoliberal discourse on the HE agenda and transforms the 5-100 Universities’ identities through emphasising the role of WURs in modernising the HE system. Consequently, within the neoliberal paradigm, the Project 5-100 can be regarded as a manifestation of the commodification of “excellence” in Russian HE policy.

Originality/value

This research intends to broaden knowledge of excellence initiatives in HE policy and reveal their features and neoliberal natures. It also seeks to contribute in terms of showcasing a qualitative study of the Project 5-100 for future comparative analyses of similar HE policies.
Positively supporting women faculty in the academy through a novel mentoring community model
Authors: Koontz Amanda , Walters Linda , Edkin Sarah
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the ways in which an innovative higher education women’s faculty mentoring community model fosters supportive networking and career-life balance. The secondary goal is to better understand the factors that both promote and limit retention of women faculty at a large, metropolitan university.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper examines data from the survey component of an applied research project on understanding and supporting the complex processes of women faculty’s pathways toward self-defined success. Adopting a mixed method research approach, this manuscript focuses on the survey questions related to four key issues related to retention: mentor experiences, gender-based obstacles, a sense of support and community, and goal attainment. In addition to quantitatively examining shifts in perceptions between pre- and post-survey Likert scale questions, the authors performed a qualitative analysis of the supplemental open-ended questions, utilizing a social constructionist lens to further understand perceived influences of the mentoring community on these issues.

Findings

The findings revealed qualitatively important shifts in increased awareness surrounding mentoring, gender-based obstacles, interpersonal support, and career-life choices, offering critical insight into the intangible, and thus often difficult to capture, forms of support a mentoring community model can offer women faculty. Findings also reveal how definitions of success can be integrated into community mentoring models to support retention and empowering women faculty.

Research limitations/implications

This study is limited by its exploratory nature with one mentoring community cohort. Ongoing implementations are in place to increase the participant size and further test the mentoring model, while future research is encouraged to implement and expand the research to additional higher education institutions.

Practical implications

This research offers a model that can be implemented across higher education institutions for all faculty, along with offering insight into particular points that can be emphasized to increase perceptions of support, offering concrete mentoring options.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the advancement of mentoring models, helping to address concerns for better supporting and advancing women faculty, with implications for further supporting marginalized faculty. It offers insight into the ways in which a mentoring model can help to address key issues of retention. Additionally, analyzing quantitative and qualitative findings concurrently allowed for insight into areas that may otherwise be overlooked due to seemingly contradictory or non-significant statistical findings.
A practical, multidisciplinary approach for assessing leadership in project management education
Authors: Mazzetto Silvia
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a practical approach to the teaching of project management as it was applied in the Department of Architecture and Urban Planning and the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering at the College of Engineering, Qatar University. The leadership skills of the project managers, leading several working groups, were evaluated by running a multidisciplinary collaborative project.

Design/methodology/approach

The main aim of the research was to propose a practical approach for assessing the extent to which the knowledge and skills of a leader are important for ensuring that a project is completed successfully. The research exercise highlighted the fact that some of the leadership attitudes of the project manager are fundamental to the success of the work. The project manager’s ability to lead a team through the different work stages of a project is seen as a fundamental contributor to its success.

Findings

This practical approach to the appraisal of leadership brings the theoretical teaching of project management closer to its practical applications, by encouraging students to learn the techniques and tools commonly used in the professional setting. The paper concludes by suggesting that there is a need to focus more attentively on assessing leadership skills when selecting a project manager, in either an academic or a professional context.

Originality/value

The research exercise highlighted the fact that some of the leadership attitudes of the project manager are fundamental to the success of the work. The project manager’s ability to lead a team through the different work stages of a project is seen as a fundamental contributor to its success.
Who’s responsible? Representatives’ autonomy alters customers’ emotion and repurchase intentions toward organizations
Authors: Shank Daniel B. , Robinson Dawn T.
Published: January 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to present and test a model of how the autonomy of an organization’s representative alters the effects of customer experiences on customer emotions and repurchasing intentions toward the organization. Specifically, this paper offers a moderated mediation model whereby representative autonomy alters attributions of organizational responsibility, which moderate the effect of service experience on emotion and emotion mediates the effects of service experiences on repurchasing intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

Study 1 is a laboratory experiment (N = 115), where participants engaged in a multi-round product purchasing task through an online representative of a company. Study 2 is a vignette experiment (N = 393), where participants responded to situations of purchasing either a car, furniture, haircut or vacation package from a representative of a company. In both studies, manipulated representative autonomy information was either low or high and manipulated customer experience was either positive or negative. Measures included responsibility, emotion toward the organization and repurchase intention.

Findings

Structural equation models support the proposed model. In the presence of information about representative autonomy, the link between customer experience and repurchasing intent is amplified and mediated by emotion toward the organization.

Research limitations/implications

Because of the experimental approach, the findings may not be generalizable, but the experimental method allows for a controlled test of the process, ordering and relationship among variables.

Originality/value

Understanding how representatives’ autonomy ultimately alters repurchasing and how this process involves responsibility attributions contributes to both practice and theory.
Motivation factors of knowledge collaboration in virtual communities of practice: a perspective from system dynamics
Authors: Wang Jun , Zhang Ruilin , Hao Jin-Xing , Chen Xuanyi
Published: January 2019

Purpose

Although researchers have demonstrated a significant interest in motivation factors of knowledge collaboration, previous studies have seldom explored the dynamic interrelations in virtual communities of practice (VCoPs) over time that involve the iteratively melding of knowledge collaboration motivations and behaviours. Therefore, this study aims to unveil the interactive dynamics amongst motivation factors of knowledge collaboration in VCoPs from a perspective of system dynamics (SD).

Design/methodology/approach

According to the SD method proposed by Forrester, this paper develops an SD model of motivation factors of knowledge collaboration in VCoP by identifying interactions of motivation factors based on behavioural theories, validating the proposed model by structural tests and behaviour tests involving historical data from 939 Wikipedians and analysing the impacts of policy regulations on knowledge collaboration behaviours in Wikipedia.

Findings

In accordance with current literature, this study categorises intrinsic, extrinsic and community motivation factors of knowledge collaborations in VCoPs. According to the SD method, this study develops and validates an SD model to reveal interesting non-linear dynamics of these motivation factors which are neglected by prior studies. This study also conducts dynamic what-if analyses to suggest policy regulations to promote knowledge collaborations in the context of Wikipedia.

Originality/value

Different from prior empirical studies which normally take on a snapshot of motivation factors, this study discloses a dynamic picture of their interrelations by unfolding their behaviour patterns over time. The main contribution of this paper is to develop and validate an SD model of motivation factors of knowledge collaboration in VCoP and to reveal and elaborate their dynamics for policy regulations in VCoPs based on simulation results.
The double-edged sword of external search in collaboration networks: embeddedness in knowledge networks as moderators
Authors: Shi Xiaoxiao , Zhang Qingpu , Zheng Zuolong
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the inverted U-shaped relationship between external search in the collaboration network and firm innovation outcomes. It also seeks to explore whether these curvilinear relationships are moderated by the network centrality and structural holes in the knowledge network.

Design/methodology/approach

In this empirical research, the authors collected a sample of patents in the smartphone industry over the period of 2000-2017. Then the authors examined the direct roles of external search breadth and depth in the collaboration network and the moderating role of network embeddedness in the knowledge network by using negative binomial regression.

Findings

Results found that external search in the collaboration network contributes more to firm innovation outcomes when the breadth and depth of the external search are moderate rather than high or low. Furthermore, both network centrality and structural holes in the knowledge network have positive effects on the external search breadth – innovation outcomes and external search depth – innovation outcomes relationships.

Research limitations/implications

The authors collected the patent data within the single industry and excluded other types of industries. This may limit the generalization of the findings.

Practical implications

The paper has practical implications for adopting appropriate search strategies in the collaboration network and developing a better understanding of the effect of network embeddedness in the knowledge network on firm innovation outcomes. The findings suggest future directions for technology-intensive industries to improve their innovation output.

Originality/value

This study adds value to open innovation literature by pointing out a curvilinear relationship (inverted U-shaped) between external search breadth/depth and innovation outcomes in collaboration networks, in contrast to studies focused on firms’ external collaboration strategies in a certain industry context. Furthermore, this study reinforces the key contingent role of embeddedness in knowledge networks. This study provides a valuable theoretical framework of innovation outcome determinants by connecting the network perspective of open innovation theory with an embeddedness view.
Analyzing depletion of groundwater level using operations management and control
Authors: A.D. Sheena
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The analysis of groundwater level below the earth surface is focused on current and future scenarios. To analyze the wells under the threat of water level depletion, a study is conducted on the groundwater level using control charts. To improve watershed management, the important criteria are to increase infiltration as well as water storage capacity. There are 15 over-exploited zones in the study area (Dynamic GW Resources 2011). The purpose of this paper is to help in understanding the importance of wells for improving the water level to a certain extent for sustainable development.

Design/methodology/approach

The water levels in the wells are located with the help of x, y, z plotting on the ground using ArcGIS software. This water level mapping is done at a micro-watershed level to increase the clarity of information at the micro-level. In this study, the problem of depleted wells is sorted out, and the water level present in depleted wells pre-monsoon and post-monsoon is evaluated for the two years. Also, water level analysis is done using a control chart to find out the critical wells. On the basis of Poisson distribution, C-chart is used here to analyze the quality of wells and the water levels in those wells to be improved.

Findings

The outcome of the C-chart helps to track the wells that can be improved further to increase the water level. This paper presents the study of estimation of appropriate sites to be given importance and the rate of water level depletion to be controlled, which also helps to select a site suitable for artificial restoration by targeting groundwater potential zones.

Originality/value

This paper gives an outlook idea of wells that can be improved and the area that should be given more attention. Analyzing water level depletion helps to identify a suitable site for groundwater restoration using a remote sensing and geographical information system. These measures help the government and public sectors for proper planning and management of natural resources.
The magnetotelluric impedance tensor through Clifford algebras: part II — a constrained stochastic heuristic method for recovering the magnetotelluric regional impedance tensor in 2D/3D case
Authors: Romero‐Ruiz Ivan , Pous Jaume
Published: January 2019

A method for obtaining the galvanic distortion matrix is presented so that the regional impedance tensor (free of distortion) is recovered. The method is a constrained stochastic heuristic method, which consists in randomly exploring the space of the distortion parameters. Constraints are imposed on the shortest periods of the regional impedance tensor that, at these short periods, tends to be two dimensional (or one dimensional). Depending on the constraints used, two different methods to recover the regional impedance tensor in this 2D/3D case are presented. Method 1 needs to find the strike of the short periods and Method 2 applies to the measurement directions. Twist, shear and anisotropy parameters are obtained. Thus, the regional impedance tensor is recovered with the only exception being the vertical shift due to the gain, which is equal for all the components of the tensor. Examples with synthetic impedance tensors from 2D/3D models perturbed with galvanic distortion are presented to illustrate how the algorithm works. The presence of noise in data is considered and rules for proceeding are provided. The same examples perturbed by Gaussian noise together with experimental data illustrate the capabilities of the algorithm.
Reflection‐in‐practice: A survey of Australian occupational therapists
Authors: Knightbridge Lisa
Published: January 2019

Introduction

The ability to reflect on practice and context is an essential professional behaviour required by occupational therapists and included within practice guidelines and standards. Research has demonstrated the benefits of reflection within specialist areas of practice. However, there is a lack of research into reflection within, and across, work place practice.

The aim of this study was to understand how occupational therapists define, conceptualise and engage in reflection in practice.

Methods

Occupational therapists (N = 112) participated in a cross sectional study, which utilised a self‐administered, purpose designed survey distributed via the Occupational Therapy Australia (OTA), e‐bulletin. Data were summarised using frequency and percentage distributions, mean and standard deviation, and Pearson's r correlation coefficients was used to measure relationships between variables.

Results

There was a high level of interest and engagement in self‐reflection, and a positive relationship between ‘years since graduation’ and ‘level of engagement in self‐reflection’. Respondents strongly agreed that the purpose of reflection was to learn from experiences and that it was key to being a self‐directed learner. They disagreed that its purpose was ‘to describe and record my new learning’ and that ‘reflective practice is no different to clinical reasoning’. The highest ranked barrier was workplace demands, and participant knowledge of reflection theories was low.

Conclusions

These participants were interested in and valued reflection‐in‐practice; however, workplace demands on time may explain low engagement in reflective journaling. Participants indicated low knowledge of reflection theories, and they identified this as a barrier. Their purposes for engaging in reflection were generally consistent with the professional standards pertaining to reflection. In the preferred definition, reflection was associated with contextual and systemic factors, concepts central to an occupational justice perspective. The findings of this study will contribute to developing an expansive understanding of reflection applicable to occupational therapy professional practice.
Implementation and Optimization of the Sodium‐Rhodizonate Method for Chemographic Shooting Distance Estimation
Authors: Geusens Nadia , Nys Bart , Charles Sébastien
Published: January 2019

In shooting incident investigations where it is important to estimate the shooting distance, the sodium‐rhodizonate coloring method has been used for the visualization of GSR patterns extensively. This publication describes the optimization of this method by the use of a heated press for the transfer of GSR traces on garments, as well as variation of a number of other important process parameters. Our final aim for this project was to prepare a formal validation of the coloring method as prerequisite for its inclusion into the scope of ISO17025‐certified methods in the GSR Laboratory. A number of important factors and process parameters were identified, such as buffer composition and pH, type of textile used as a substrate and resolution of the documentation of the results. Results were tested using a synthetic proficiency test. Our optimized method has been found to be a very effective technique for visualization of macroscopic GSR traces.
The future is now: Amplicon sequencing and sequence capture usher in the conservation genomics era
Authors: Meek Mariah H. , Larson Wesley A.
Published: January 2019

The genomics revolution has initiated a new era of population genetics where genome‐wide data are frequently used to understand complex patterns of population structure and selection. However, the application of genomic tools to inform management and conservation has been somewhat rare outside a few well studied species. Fortunately, two recently developed approaches, amplicon sequencing and sequence capture, have the potential to significantly advance the field of conservation genomics. Here, amplicon sequencing refers to highly multiplexed PCR followed by high‐throughput sequencing (e.g., GTseq), and sequence capture refers to using capture probes to isolate loci from reduced‐representation libraries (e.g., Rapture). Both approaches allow sequencing of thousands of individuals at relatively low costs, do not require any specialized equipment for library preparation, and generate data that can be analyzed without sophisticated computational infrastructure. Here, we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each method and provide a decision framework for geneticists who are looking to integrate these methods into their research programme. While it will always be important to consider the specifics of the biological question and system, we believe that amplicon sequencing is best suited for projects aiming to genotype <500 loci on many individuals (>1,500) or for species where continued monitoring is anticipated (e.g., long‐term pedigrees). Sequence capture, on the other hand, is best applied to projects including fewer individuals or where >500 loci are required. Both of these techniques should smooth the transition from traditional genetic techniques to genomics, helping to usher in the conservation genomics era.
A parsimony estimator of the number of populations from a STRUCTURE‐like analysis
Authors: Wang Jinliang
Published: January 2019

Population genetics model based Bayesian methods have been proposed and widely applied to making unsupervised inference of population structure from a sample of multilocus genotypes. Usually they provide good estimates of the ancestry (or population membership) of sampled individuals by clustering them probabilistically or proportionally into (anonymous) populations. However, they have difficulties in accurately estimating the number of populations (K) represented by the sampled individuals. This study proposed a new ad hoc estimator of K, calculable from the output of a population clustering program such as STRUCTURE or ADMIXTURE. The new criterion, called parsimony index (PI), aims to identify the number of populations (K) which yields consistently the minimal admixture estimates of sampled individuals. Extensive simulated and empirical data were used to compare the accuracy of PI and two popular K estimators based on Pr[X|K] (i.e., the probability of genotype data X given K) and ΔK (i.e., the rate of change of the probability of data as a function of K) calculated from STRUCTURE outputs, and the accuracy of PI and the cross‐validation method calculated from ADMIXTURE outputs. It was shown that PI was more accurate than the other methods consistently in various population structure (e.g., hierarchical island model, different extents of differentiation) and sampling (e.g., unbalanced sample sizes, different marker information contents) scenarios. The ΔK method was more accurate than the Pr[X|K] method only for hierarchically structured or highly inbred populations, and the opposite was true in the other scenarios. The PI method was implemented in a computer program, KFinder, which can be run on all major computer platforms.
Accuracy of image analysis tools for functional root traits: A comment on Delory et al. (2017)
Authors: Rose Laura , Lobet Guillaume
Published: January 2019

Root traits get increasing attention as functional equivalents of above‐ground traits. Image analysis software such as WinRhizo™ and IJ_Rhizo facilitate root trait analyses. Delory et al. () presented a comparison between the accuracy of WinRhizo™ and IJ_Rhizo for measuring root length. We complement their analyses with a comparison of diameter and volume estimates and a comparison of different image resolutions with manual and automatic threshold.

We analysed 100 images of fibrous and taproot systems, which were obtained using the root model ArchiSimple. As a result, for each image, diameter, length and volume were known. The images were analysed with WinRhizo™ and IJ_Rhizo and we compared the estimates of diameter, length and volume to ground‐truth values. We further computed relative errors and their magnitude and analysed their dependency on image characteristics and root system properties.

At 1,200 and 800 dpi, diameter and length estimates provided by WinRhizo™ and IJ_Rhizo were of comparable accuracy. Diameter errors were balanced. Volume estimates were subjected to a systematic error caused by the assumption of constant diameter. WinRhizo™, however, provides the opportunity to calculate correctly computed volumes from diameter classes. At 1,200 dpi, IJ_Rhizo failed to automatically find an appropriate threshold for pixel classification, which fundamentally decreased accuracy.

The magnitude of diameter errors increased with root overlap for IJ_Rhizo. The length errors increased with increasing root length, overlap and root length density for WinRhizo™. The magnitude of underestimation of the volume (WinRhizo™) decreased with volume. It was higher for taproot than for fibrous root systems. All errors increased with lower resolution.

Our results confirm the results of Delory et al. () regarding the accuracy for length. They further confirm that estimates derived from different software packages or at different resolution should not be compared directly. The characteristics of root systems should be standardized for image analysis. The dependency of errors on the response variable of interest can influence the effect size and increase the probability of errors. Validation of methods should be conducted for each analysed dataset. New image analysis tools should be validated against a real ground‐truth.
Clinical implications of the association between fluoroquinolones and tendon rupture: The magnitude of the effect with and without corticosteroids
Authors: Persson Rebecca , Jick Susan
Published: January 2019

Aims

To estimate the relative, absolute and attributable risk of non‐traumatic tendon rupture, at various sites, associated with use of fluoroquinolones, with and without concomitant corticosteroids.

Methods

We conducted cohort and nested case–control studies among fluoroquinolone users in the United Kingdom Clinical Practice Research Datalink Gold. We estimated the excess risk (cohort analysis) and odds ratios (ORs) (case control) of tendon rupture by fluoroquinolone (current, recent and past use versus unexposed) and corticosteroid (current versus unexposed) use.

Results

Among 740 926 patients with a fluoroquinolone prescription, 3957 cases of tendon rupture were identified. The excess risk due to current fluoroquinolone use was low: any tendon rupture 3.73 (95% confidence interval, CI, 2.08–5.39) per 10 000 person‐years (PY) and Achilles tendon rupture 2.91 (1.71–4.11) per 10 000 PY. The excess risk of any tendon rupture was much higher for current concomitant fluoroquinolone and corticosteroid use versus corticosteroids alone: 21.2 (11.3–31.2) per 10 000 PY. In the case–control, OR (95% CI) among current fluoroquinolone users versus unexposed patients was elevated: any tendon rupture 1.60 (1.22–2.09), Achilles tendon 2.71 (1.76–4.17) and bicep tendon 1.53 (0.85–2.73). The risk of any tendon rupture was higher among women (OR 2.27 [1.54–3.34]), patients aged 60+ (OR 2.42 [1.74–3.37]), and concomitant corticosteroid use (OR 6.64 [3.99–11.1]).

Conclusions

Fluoroquinolones increase the risk of Achilles tendon rupture and, to a lesser extent, bicep tendon rupture, but the attributable risk is low. The risk is materially increased with concomitant use of corticosteroids.
Respect for autonomy in systems of postmortem organ procurement: A comment
Authors: den Hartogh Govert
Published: January 2019

In 2015 Robert Veatch published the second edition of his Transplantation ethics, this time together with Lainie Ross. The chapters on postmortem organ procurement distinguish between ‘giving’ and ‘taking’ systems, and argue that ‘taking’ systems may promise a greater yield of organs for transplantation, but inevitably violate a requirement of respect for the deceased's autonomy. That argument has been very influential, and is also representative of a way of thinking that is widespread in the literature and in public debate. In this paper I contend that it is conceptually flawed in a number of important respects. These concern the understanding of both the concept of ‘consent’ and the requirement of respect for autonomy, the role of the relatives in any procurement system, and the factors that actually determine the extent to which a system respects autonomy, under any interpretation of that requirement.
Can an integrated obstetric emergency simulation training improve respectful maternity care? Results from a pilot study in Ghana
Authors: Afulani Patience A. , Aborigo Raymond A. , Walker Dilys , Moyer Cheryl A. , Cohen Susanna , Williams John
Published: January 2019

Background

Few evidence‐based interventions exist on how to improve respectful maternity care (RMC) in low‐resource settings. We sought to evaluate the effect of an integrated simulation‐based training on provision of RMC.

Methods

The pilot project was in East Mamprusi District in northern Ghana. We integrated specific components of RMC, emphasizing dignity and respect, communication and autonomy, and supportive care, into a simulation training to improve identification and management of obstetric and neonatal emergencies. Forty‐three providers were trained. For evaluation, we conducted surveys at baseline (N = 215) and endline (N = 318) 6 months later, with recently delivered women to assess their experiences of care using the person‐centered maternity care scale. Higher scores on the scale represent more respectful care.

Results

Compared to the baseline, women in the endline reported more respectful care. The average person‐centered maternity care score increased from 50 at baseline to 72 at endline, a relative increase of 43%. Scores on the subscales also increased between baseline and endline: 15% increase for dignity and respect, 87% increase for communication and autonomy, and 55% increase for supportive care. These differences remained significant in multivariate analysis controlling for several potential confounders.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that integrated provider trainings that give providers the opportunity to learn, practice, and reflect on their provision of RMC in the context of stressful emergency obstetric simulations have the potential to improve women's childbirth experiences in low‐resource settings. Incorporating such trainings into preservice and in‐service training of providers will help advance global efforts to promote RMC.
Expression of ELF1, a lymphoid ETS domain‐containing transcription factor, is recurrently lost in classical Hodgkin lymphoma
Authors: Paczkowska Julia , Soloch Natalia , Bodnar Magdalena , Kiwerska Katarzyna , Janiszewska Joanna , Vogt Julia , Domanowska Ewa , Martin‐Subero José I. , Ammerpohl Ole , Klapper Wolfram , Marszalek Andrzej , Siebert Reiner , Giefing Maciej
Published: January 2019

Loss of B cell‐specific transcription factors (TFs) and the resulting loss of B‐cell phenotype of Hodgkin and Reed‐Sternberg (HRS) cells is a hallmark of classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL). Here we have analysed two members of ETS domain containing TFs, ELF1 and ELF2, regarding (epi)genomic changes as well as gene and protein expression. We observed absence or lower levels of ELF1 protein in HRS cells of 31/35 (89%) cases compared to the bystander cells and significant (P < 0·01) downregulation of the gene on mRNA as well as protein level in cHL compared to non‐cHL cell lines. However, no recurrent loss of ELF2 protein was observed. Moreover, ELF1 was targeted by heterozygous deletions combined with hypermethylation of the remaining allele(s) in 4/7 (57%) cell lines. Indeed, DNA hypermethylation (range 95–99%, mean 98%) detected in the vicinity of the ELF1 transcription start site was found in all 7/7 (100%) cHL cell lines. Similarly, 5/18 (28%) analysed primary biopsies carried heterozygous deletions of the gene. We demonstrate that expression of ELF1 is impaired in cHL through genetic and epigenetic alterations, and thus, it may represent an additional member of a TF network whose downregulation contributes to the loss of B‐cell phenotype of HRS cells.
Contribution of immunoglobulin lambda light chain gene rearrangement analysis in the diagnosis of B‐cell neoplasms
Authors: Paterson Anna L. , El‐Daly Hesham , Raso‐Barnett Livia , Du Ming‐Qing , Giger Olivier , Soilleux Elizabeth , Roberts Thomas , Huang Yuanxue , Bibawi Hani , Matharu Baljinder , Bench Anthony , Scott Mike A. , Liu Hongxiang
Published: January 2019

Identification of clonal IGH, IGK and IGL gene rearrangements offers diagnostic adjunct in suspected B‐cell neoplasms. However, many centres omit IGL analysis as its value is uncertain. A review of 567 cases with IGH, IGK and IGL rearrangement assessed using BIOMED‐2 assays showed clonal immunoglobulin gene rearrangement in 54% of cases, of which 24% had a clonal IGL rearrangement. In two cases, the clonal rearrangement was detected exclusively by IGL analysis. This finding demonstrates the added value of IGL analysis for clonality assessment, especially in suspected B‐cell neoplasms in which a clonal IGH and/or IGK rearrangement is not detected or is equivocal.
Cell type‐specific structural plasticity of the ciliary transition zone in C. elegans
Authors: Akella Jyothi S. , Silva Malan , Morsci Natalia S. , Nguyen Ken C. , Rice William J. , Hall David H. , Barr Maureen M.
Published: January 2019

Background information

The current consensus on cilia development posits that the ciliary transition zone (TZ) is formed via extension of nine centrosomal microtubules. In this model, TZ structure remains unchanged in microtubule number throughout the cilium life cycle. This model does not however explain structural variations of TZ structure seen in nature and could also lend itself to the misinterpretation that deviations from nine‐doublet microtubule ultrastructure represent an abnormal phenotype. Thus, a better understanding of events that occur at the TZ in vivo during metazoan development is required.

Results

To address this issue, we characterized ultrastructure of two types of sensory cilia in developing Caenorhabditis elegans. We discovered that, in cephalic male (CEM) and inner labial quadrant (IL2Q) sensory neurons, ciliary TZs are structurally plastic and remodel from one structure to another during animal development. The number of microtubule doublets forming the TZ can be increased or decreased over time, depending on cilia type. Both cases result in structural TZ intermediates different from TZ in cilia of adult animals. In CEM cilia, axonemal extension and maturation occurs concurrently with TZ structural maturation.

Conclusions and Significance

Our work extends the current model to include the structural plasticity of metazoan transition zone, which can be structurally delayed, maintained or remodelled in cell type‐specific manner.
Pharmacological impact of antiretroviral therapy on platelet function to investigate human immunodeficiency virus‐associated cardiovascular risk
Authors: Taylor Kirk A. , Smyth Erica , Rauzi Francesca , Cerrone Maddalena , Khawaja Akif A. , Gazzard Brian , Nelson Mark , Boffito Marta , Emerson Michael
Published: January 2019

Background and purpose

Some clinical studies have reported increased myocardial infarction in people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) taking the antiretroviral abacavir sulphate (ABC). Given that clinical studies contain confounding variables (e.g., HIV‐associated factors), we investigated the pharmacological effects of antiretrovirals on platelet function in HIV‐negative volunteers in order to identify mechanisms of increased cardiovascular risk.

Experimental approach

Platelets were isolated from healthy volunteers and HIV‐negative subjects enrolled on a Phase I clinical trial and platelet function evaluated using aggregometry and flow cytometry. In vivo platelet thromboembolism was monitored in anaesthetized mice.

Key results

Human platelet aggregation was unaffected by all antiretrovirals tested, but ABC treatment led uniquely to increased platelet granule release. ABC also interrupted NO‐mediated inhibition of platelet aggregation and increased in vivo aggregation in mice. Another antiretroviral, tenofovir, did not affect platelet function. Furthermore, aggregation and activation of platelets isolated from 20 subjects taking clinically relevant doses of tenofovir were comparable to baseline samples.

Conclusions and implications

ABC can enhance platelet activation, independently of variables that confound clinical studies, suggesting a potential pharmacological effect that is absent with tenofovir. Mechanistically, we propose that ABC enhances platelet degranulation and interrupts NO‐mediated platelet inhibition. The interaction of ABC with NO signalling is demonstrated by ABC‐mediated enhancement of aggregation in vivo and in vitro that persisted in the presence of NO. Although an association between ABC and platelet activation has not been confirmed in patients, these findings provide evidence of a mechanistic link between platelet activation and antiretroviral therapy.
The growth ring concept: seeking a broader and unambiguous approach covering tropical species
Authors: Silva Marcelo dos S. , Funch Ligia S. , da Silva Lazaro B.
Published: January 2019

The concept of growth rings is little discussed in the literature and their treatment remains somewhat confusing in terms of the diversity of structures described. This situation has a major impact on the study of growth rings in tropical species, in which variations and complexity are greater and accuracy of identification less good. The rigid conceptual delimitations used by dendrochronologists and wood anatomists of temperate regions cannot be applied to the study of growth rings in most tropical species, which has led to neglect of this subject. With the objective of discussing the concept of growth rings, the present study consists of a survey of anatomical, periodicity, causal and evolutionary aspects of the treatment of these structures as evidenced in previous studies, and the evaluation of their application and limitations to the development of this concept. Anatomical aspects arise through radial integrity, or the presence of early and late wood; the degree of distinction of the rings, which may vary from well to poorly defined; and tangential continuity, meaning that rings may form a complete circle in the transverse section of the trunk, or instead be tangentially discontinuous, lens‐shaped or in wedges. In addition there are a diversity of anatomical markers which enable us to recognize growth rings. Regarding periodicity, the rings may be annual, infra‐annual or supra‐annual. Causal aspects include genetic, endogenous and environmental components. Evolutionary aspects continue to be insufficiently investigated, and although most comparative studies treat growth rings recognized by different markers as though they were a single character, it remains questionable whether they can be regarded as homologous or the result of homoplasy. We conclude that the elaboration of a robust but broad definition which can include all the variation observed in growth rings of tropical species is a complex task, which is only possible by overcoming the restrictions adopted by dendrochronologists and wood anatomists of temperate regions for whom growth rings are essentially annual, strongly demarcated, tangentially continuous and restricted to the most pronounced markers.
LncRNA MIR22HG inhibits growth, migration and invasion through regulating the miR‐10a‐5p/NCOR2 axis in hepatocellular carcinoma cells
Authors: Wu Yangjun , Zhou Yuqiang , Huan Lin , Xu Linguo , Shen Mengting , Huang Shenglin , Liang Linhui
Published: January 2019

Despite the rapidly identified numbers of lncRNA in humans, exploration of the molecular mechanisms of lncRNA is lagging, because the molecular mechanisms of lncRNA can be various and complex in different conditions. In this study, we found a new molecular mechanism for a versatile molecule, MIR22HG. MIR22HG is an lncRNA that contributes to the initiation and progression of many human cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We report that MIR22HG was downregulated in 120 HCC samples compared with adjacent nontumor liver tissues. More interestingly, decreased expression of MIR22HG in HCC could predict poor prognosis of HCC patients. Knockdown of MIR22HG promoted the growth, migration and invasion of HCC cells. In exploring the molecular mechanism of MIR22HG, we found that MIR22HG functioned as a tumor suppressor in hepatocellular carcinomas, in part through serving as a competing endogenous RNA to modulate the miRNA‐10a‐5p level. Moreover, NCOR2 was verified to act as the downstream target gene of MIR22HG/miR‐10a‐5p. In addition, the MIR22HG/miRNA‐10a‐5p/NCOR2 axis inhibited the activation of the Wnt/β‐catenin pathway. Together, our results demonstrated that MIR22HG inhibited HCC progression in part through the miR‐10a‐5p/NCOR2 signaling axis and might act as a new prognostic biomarker for HCC patients.
Screening for hand dermatitis in healthcare workers: Comparing workplace screening with dermatologist photo screening
Authors: Nichol Kathryn , Copes Ray , Kersey Karon , Eriksson Jonas , Holness Dorothy L.
Published: January 2019

Background

Healthcare workers are at increased risk for occupational contact dermatitis, owing to wet work exposure. Early detection and management improves outcomes. Although several diagnostic tools are available, none is appropriate for rapid screening.

Objectives

To assess the validity and feasibility of the Hand Dermatitis Screening Tool in the acute healthcare sector.

Methods

Screening of 508 employees at three hospitals in Ontario, Canada was performed with the Hand Dermatitis Screening Tool either by an occupational health nurse (N = 225) or by self‐administration (N = 283). Two occupational dermatologists rated photographs of participants’ hands.

Results

Of the participants, 30.5% screened positive for hand dermatitis. A positive screen was associated with wet work, history of eczema, dermatitis, or other rash, and currently having a rash. Ninety‐four per cent of participants reported that using the tool took <2 minutes, 99% indicated that the tool was easy to use, and 86% stated that workplace screening was very important. Workplace and dermatologist photo screening showed fair agreement.

Conclusions

The prevalence of hand dermatitis and identified risk factors were consistent with the literature. These findings, along with positive feasibility results, support further testing of the tool despite only fair agreement between workplace and dermatologist screening.
IgG/IgA pemphigus in a patient with a history of pemphigus vulgaris: An example of epitope spreading?
Authors: Chapman Courtney M. , Kwock Jessica , Cresce Nicole , Privette Emily , Cropley Thomas , Gru Alejandro A.
Published: January 2019

We report a case of IgG/IgA pemphigus presenting as pemphigus foliaceus following diagnosis and treatment of classic IgG‐mediated pemphigus vulgaris. The dual presentation of IgG and IgA positivity on direct immunofluorescence (DIF) constitutes a rare form of pemphigus with a wide variety of clinicopathologic manifestations. The progression of pemphigus vulgaris is commonly because of epitope spreading. However, the patient's disease was partially refractory to rituximab and showed a change in the DIF with dual staining for IgG and IgA. This indicates that class‐switching may have occurred with epitope spreading or that there was autoreactive IgA at the onset of disease below the threshold of detection by DIF. Our case indicates that in progressive autoimmune disease refractory to treatment, re‐evaluation of the patient for antibody isotypes absent on initial diagnosis may offer key information in better identifying the cause of progression as well as in directing the necessary treatment.
Alcohol consumption and suicide risk in medical internship: A Peruvian multicentric study
Authors: Carrasco‐Farfan Carlos A. , Alvarez‐Cutipa Daniela , Vilchez‐Cornejo Jennifer , Lizana‐Medrano Magaly , Durand‐Anahua Paula A. , Rengifo‐Sanchez Jorge A. , Rebatta‐Acuña Alexis , Cubas Wildor S. , Arroyo‐Hernandez Hugo , Toro‐Huamanchumo Carlos J.
Published: January 2019

Introduction and Aim

Suicide and harmful alcohol consumption are major health problems, especially in medical students. This study aimed to evaluate the association between risk for alcohol abuse and suicide risk in medical interns of Peruvian hospitals.

Design and Methods

We conducted a multicentre cross‐sectional study in medical interns from 18 Peruvian hospitals. We measured suicide risk, risk for alcohol abuse, depression and self‐esteem using the Plutchik Suicide Risk Scale, CAGE, Zung Self‐Rating Depression Scale and Rosenberg Self‐Esteem Scale, respectively. We used χ2 and Student t‐tests for descriptive analysis. To evaluate the association between risk for alcohol abuse and suicide risk we generated crude and adjusted Poisson regression models with robust variance and estimated prevalence ratios with 95% confidence intervals.

Results

We surveyed 433 medical interns. The prevalence of suicide risk and risk for alcohol abuse was 19.6% and 27.5%, respectively. We found significant differences in suicide risk according to age (P < 0.001), region of origin (P = 0.002), with whom the participant lived (P < 0.001), university of origin (P = 0.040), type of hospital (P = 0.042), family history of attempted suicide (P = 0.043), self‐esteem level (P < 0.001) and alcohol consumption (P < 0.001). In the adjusted model, age (PRa: 1.11, 95% confidence interval 1.05–1.17) and risk for alcohol abuse (PRa: 7.60, 95% confidence interval 4.46–12, 96) were associated with suicide risk.

Discussion and Conclusions

Two out of 10 medical interns had a positive screening for suicide risk. Age and especially risk for alcohol abuse were the associated variables.