bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of a tool for measuring building information modeling (BIM) user satisfaction – method selection, scale development and case study
Authors: Liu Honglei , Song Jiule , Wang Guangbin
Published: May 2020

Purpose

With the increasing attention acquired from researchers and practitioners in Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry, building information modeling (BIM) has fundamentally changed the approach we design, construct and delivery, as well as operate and maintenance of buildings and civil infrastructures. This study tries to provide an innovative perspective on BIM research. This study aims to analyze the necessity and feasibility of BIM user satisfaction research and define what BIM user satisfaction is, and then to develop a quantitative method for the measurement of BIM user satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

As it is indicated in the content, BIM user satisfaction is measured by the sum of the user's weighted reactions to a set of factors. To be specific, the entropy method was adopted to calculate the “weighting” of the factors, and the triangular fuzzy number (TFN) method was selected to compute the “scoring” of the factors. Through the literature review, methodology and tool development, as well as case study and discussions, this paper was generated sequentially.

Findings

This study found that the proposed tool for the measurement of BIM success is valid and reliable; it formerly translated the conceptual definition of BIM user satisfaction into an accurate measurement instrument. It also indicated that many factors are affecting the BIM users' satisfaction, and each of the factors inherited various importance and score, and the findings are expected to improve the performance and effectiveness of BIM management.

Originality/value

Through the translation of the conceptual BIM user satisfaction into a valid quantitative measurement instrument, this research provides an excellent framework for the management of BIM from the user's perspective, and it could help to stimulate user's acceptance of BIM in the AEC industry in future.
Patterns simulation in the 3D virtual stitching and try-on system
Authors: Zhu Guangzhou , Song Wenfang
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The paper presents a method for the patterns simulation in the 3D virtual stitching and try-on system.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the patterns are designed using the garment CAD software and stored in the DXF format. Second, the regular grid method is employed to mesh the patterns to be quadrangular, and the patterns triangular meshing can be obtained by connecting the diagonal of the quadrangular. Then a mass-spring model is established, and the forces analysis and the explicit Euler integration method are employed to accomplish the patterns simulation. The paper demonstrates the robustness of our simulation through two sets of experiments, including a lady’s dress patterns meshing experiments and the experiments of the virtual stitching of the lady’s dress.

Findings

The patterns meshing algorithm can meet the requirements of the internal meshing and the boundary meshing, and it is very important to select an appropriate meshing density. The implementation of the virtual stitching of the lady’s dress proves the effectiveness and usability of the simulation methods.

Research limitations/implications

The lady’s dress used in the experiments is a relatively simple fashion style, with only the front and back pattern. It is very worthy of further research on the effectiveness of the complex structure of clothing.

Practical implications

The paper includes practical implications of the methods of the patterns meshing and the virtual stitching of the simple fashion styles.

Originality/value

The simulation system is developed using VC++ 2015 with the help of the OpenGL functions library, which is proved as a simple, lower computation and robustness for the patterns simulation of the simple garments.
Performance gaming: a systematic review of the literature in public administration and other disciplines with directions for future research
Authors: Benaine Shawn L.
Published: May 2020

Purpose

Through comparative analysis with other social science disciplines, gaps are identified in the performance gaming literature of public administration as it compares to other social science disciplines in order to understand directions for future research in this space.

Design/methodology/approach

This study involves a systematic review of the performance gaming literature, focusing on important drivers of performance gaming. Using Google Scholar, Web of Science, and ProQuest Central, the systematic review covers years ranging from 1990 through 2019 and revealed empirical studies that were deemed relevant based on whether an article was (1) an empirical study and (2) performance gaming or cheating behavior was the outcome variable. Out of the 81 articles surmised from the search, 51 were regarded as relevant by meeting these criteria.

Findings

The main finding is that public administration has primarily focused on drivers that are embedded in the performance system. The other social sciences (psychology and economics, in particular) focus mainly on individual factors, mostly cognitive in nature. Public administration has also looked at organizational drivers, though this is a burgeoning area. Scholars in public administration may benefit from the other social sciences by determining how individual drivers work within the context of public organizations and how these shape organizational behavior.

Originality/value

Per my knowledge, the paper is the first to systematically compare the performance gaming literature of public administration to other social science disciplines. The paper provides a direction for this burgeoning area of research.
The nexus of asset pricing, volatility and the business cycle
Authors: Roy Rahul , Shijin Santhakumar
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to examine the dynamics in the troika of asset pricing, volatility, and the business cycle in the US and Japan.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses a six-factor asset pricing model to derive the realized volatility measure for the GARCH-type models.

Findings

The comprehensive empirical investigation led to the following conclusion. First, the results infer that the market portfolio and human capital are the primary discounting factors in asset return predictability during various phases of the subprime crisis phenomenon for the US and Japan. Second, the empirical estimates neither show any significant impact of past conditional volatility on the current conditional volatility nor any significant effect of subprime crisis episodes on the current conditional volatility in the US and Japan. Third, there is no asymmetric volatility effect during the subprime crisis phenomenon in the US and Japan except the asymmetric volatility effect during the post-subprime crisis period in the US and full period in Japan. Fourth, the volatility persistence is relatively higher during the subprime crisis period in the US, whereas during the subprime crisis transition period in Japan than the rest of the phases of the subprime crisis phenomenon.

Originality/value

The study argues that the empirical investigations that employed the autoregressive method to derive the realized volatility measure for the parameter estimation of GARCH-type models may result in incurring spurious estimates. Further, the empirical results of the study show that using the six-factor asset pricing model in an intertemporal framework to derive the realized volatility measure yields better estimation results while estimating the parameters of GARCH-type models.
Asymmetry cointegration and the J-curve: new evidence from Africa
Authors: Bahmani-Oskooee Mohsen , Arize Augustine Chuck
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The purpose is to assess the asymmetric effects of exchange rate changes on the trade balance using data from African nations.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology is based on the most recent development in asymmetry cointegration and error-correction modeling.

Findings

While the authors find short-run asymmetric effects in many of the countries in their sample, asymmetry cointegration yields support for the new definition of the J-curve in Algeria, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Morocco, Tanzania and Zambia.

Originality/value

This is the first study that applies nonlinear ARDL approach of Shin et al. (2014) using data from each of the 13 countries in Africa.
Learning disability screening: impact on prison programmes
Authors: Ramsay Laura , Wakeling Helen , De Lucchi Rebecca , Gilbert Hannah
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine staff views’ of the usefulness of the Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) screening tools for learning disability and/or learning challenges (LDC) on offending behaviour programme selection and programme participant’s learning experiences.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 11 treatment managers (TMs) and 10 programme graduates across 4 prison sites, from a range of HMPPS accredited programmes were interviewed. The interviews were transcribed, analysed and interpreted using Braun and Clarke’s (2006) method of thematic analysis.

Findings

Overall, TMs found the screening tools useful in aiding programme allocation decisions, particularly, in terms of the triangulated approach and were, in general, using them in line with the guidance. A number of key factors influenced programme allocation decisions, including participant factors, information gathered from a number of sources and from a range of staff and in collaboration with the individual. The importance of being responsive to the needs of the individual was highlighted. Group participants generally felt they were on the right programme according to their needs and found the programmes responsive. Suggestions for further research and improving programme selection are made.

Research limitations/implications

Data were collected from four prisons, each providing a number of different accredited programmes. Caution is, therefore, needed when generalising the findings.

Originality/value

This research contributes to ensuring that those with LDC have equality of opportunity in reducing their risk of reoffending through accessing HMPPS accredited offending behaviour programmes most responsive to their learning needs. It also contributes to the growing evidence base about the effective use of LDC screening tools in forensic settings.
Understanding why people share in the sharing economy
Authors: Huang Shiu-Li , Kuo Shu-Yu
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The sharing economy is an emerging trend that takes advantage of underused assets and generates enormous amount of economic value. However, little research has been done to understand the factors that drive people to share assets.

Design/methodology/approach

This study develops two models, one based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and another based on social capital theory (SCT), to explain why individuals want to share their assets with others. An Internet survey is conducted to collect data and test the proposed models. Most of respondents were members of Airbnb or Uber – accommodation sharing and taxi services.

Findings

The results show that the TPB model has greater explanatory power than the SCT model. The individual's motivations, attitude, perceived behavioral control, facilitating technological conditions and identification with the community increase their intention to share assets.

Originality/value

This study distinguishes asset suppliers from consumers to clearly understand the factors that influence the intention to provide underused assets. The research findings can help companies participating in the sharing economy to induce people to share.
Using arguments and myths to lobby over controversial accounting issues: evidence from Japan
Authors: Tsunogaya Noriyuki , Hellmann Andreas
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This study aims to examine the (overt) arguments and (covert) myths the Business Accounting Council (BAC) members have used to lobby over controversial accounting issues, such as the application of fair value accounting (FVA) and the adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in Japan.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used a content analysis to examine 85 statements included in multiperiod BAC meeting minutes and 68 articles prepared by International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) representatives from Japan.

Findings

The results reveal that together with the arguments, myths were created and amplified by opponents of FVA and the Financial Services Agency to hide the latter’s strong regulatory power. They created these myths, using covert stories of the importance of manufacturing activities and tax accounting (for small- and medium-sized enterprises [SMEs]), to oppose mandatory IFRS adoption in Japan and, thus, to maintain vested rights in preparing the Japanese generally accepted accounting principles and Japanese accounting standards for SMEs.

Originality/value

First, this study contributes to the lobbying literature by focusing on the coalition (network) effect of influential stakeholder groups. Second, although lobbying activities have been investigated mostly using comment letters, this study reviews multiperiod BAC meeting minutes and articles prepared by IASB representatives from Japan. Third, the study examines both overt arguments and covert myths, both of which are important in unmasking the fundamental structures of power within influential organizations, such as government agencies and standard-setters.
Work environment and job satisfaction among nurses in government tertiary hospitals in Nigeria
Authors: Akinwale Olusegun Emmanuel , George Olusoji James
Published: May 2020

Purpose

Job satisfaction is indispensable in the daily life of the workforce, and the mechanism that drives job satisfaction requires the attention of the management of corporate organisations. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the predictors of work environment on job satisfaction among nurses in both federal and state tertiary hospitals in Lagos State.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used the longitudinal research design to elicit information from the respondents. The research instrument used is a nursing work index scale by Aiken and Patrician which has been established to have a high internal reliability coefficient. The simple random sampling strategy was used to administer the research instrument to 364 nurses. The study used hierarchical multiple regression to analyse the data obtained.

Findings

This study discovered that all the variables collectively determined nurses job satisfaction; however, the salary was the most fundamental essential predictor that drive nurses’ job satisfaction followed by advancement and promotion. All seven predictors, namely, socio-political climate; administrative and managerial support, autonomy and responsibility, salary, supervision and working condition, recognition and achievement, advancement and promotion, collectively exert positive relationship with nurses’ job satisfaction. The study concluded that to retain and prevent turnover intention among nurses, and other health-care workers, the management of hospitals must pay due attention to issues relating to job satisfaction, as this is likely to increase health-care system effectiveness, boost mental and social health of the nurses.

Originality/value

This study shows that job satisfaction in the workplace comes from diverse techniques, as other factors have been proven effective other than salary in international cultures and regions, but in Nigeria, salary and career promotion take pre-eminence above other factors. This is because of Nigerian socio-cultural realities and that is another paradigm shift.
Asymmetric effect of extreme changes in the exchange rate volatility on the US imports
Authors: Chang Bisharat Hussain , Rajput Suresh Kumar Oad , Bhutto Niaz Ahmed , Abro Zahida
Published: May 2020

Purpose

Recent literature has shifted to examining whether exchange rate volatility symmetrically or asymmetrically affects the trade flows. This study aims to extend the existing literature by examining the effects of extremely large to extremely small changes in exchange rate volatility series on the US imports from Brazil, India, Mexico and South Africa.

Design/methodology/approach

For examining the effects of extreme changes, multiple threshold nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag (MTNARDL) model is used and the exchange rate volatility series is divided into quintiles and deciles. It helps to examine the effects of each quintile/decile of exchange rate volatility series on the US imports.

Findings

Findings indicate that the effects of extremely large changes in the exchange rate volatility series significantly differ from the effects of extremely small changes in the exchange rate volatility series on the US imports.

Practical implications

The findings of this study are very important. These findings help to consider the effect of extreme changes before devising policies related to trade flows.

Originality/value

This study mainly focuses on US imports from Brazil, India, Mexico and South Africa. In addition, this study extends the existing literature by using a novel methodology called MTNARDL model.
Selective etching and hardness properties of quenched SAC305 solder joints
Authors: Yahaya Muhamad Zamri , Salleh Nor Azmira , Kheawhom Soorathep , Illes Balazs , Mohd Nazeri Muhammad Firdaus , Mohamad Ahmad Azmin
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the morphology of intermetallic (IMC) compounds and the mechanical properties of SAC305 solder alloy under different cooling conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

SAC305 solder joints were prepared under different cooling conditions/rates. The performance of three different etching methods was investigated: simple chemical etching, deep etching based on the Jackson method and selective removal of β-Sn by a standard three-electrode cell method. Phase and structural analyses were conducted by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The morphology of etched solder was examined by a field emission scanning electron microscope. The hardness evaluations of the solder joints were conducted by a Vickers microhardness tester.

Findings

The Ag3Sn network was significantly refined by the ice-quenching process. Further, the thickness of the Cu6Sn5 layer decreased with an increase in the cooling rate. The finer Ag3Sn network and the thinner Cu6Sn5 IMC layer were the results of the reduced solidification time. The ice-quenched solder joints showed the highest hardness values because of the refinement of the Ag3Sn and Cu6Sn5 phases.

Originality/value

The reduction in the XRD peak intensities showed the influence of the cooling condition on the formation of the different phases. The micrographs prepared by electrochemical etching revealed better observations regarding the shape and texture of the IMC phases than those prepared by the conventional etching method. The lower grain orientation sensitivity of the electrochemical etching method (unlike chemical etching) significantly improved the micrographs and enabled accurate observation of IMC phases.
Three‐dimensional Marchenko internal multiple attenuation on narrow azimuth streamer data of the Santos Basin, Brazil
Authors: Staring Myrna , Wapenaar Kees
Published: May 2020

In recent years, a variety of Marchenko methods for the attenuation of internal multiples has been developed. These methods have been extensively tested on two‐dimensional synthetic data and applied to two‐dimensional field data, but only little is known about their behaviour on three‐dimensional synthetic data and three‐dimensional field data. Particularly, it is not known whether Marchenko methods are sufficiently robust for sparse acquisition geometries that are found in practice. Therefore, we start by performing a series of synthetic tests to identify the key acquisition parameters and limitations that affect the result of three‐dimensional Marchenko internal multiple prediction and subtraction using an adaptive double‐focusing method. Based on these tests, we define an interpolation strategy and use it for the field data application. Starting from a wide azimuth dense grid of sources and receivers, a series of decimation tests are performed until a narrow azimuth streamer geometry remains. We evaluate the effect of the removal of sail lines, near offsets, far offsets and outer cables on the result of the adaptive double‐focusing method. These tests show that our method is most sensitive to the limited aperture in the crossline direction and the sail line spacing when applying it to synthetic narrow azimuth streamer data. The sail line spacing can be interpolated, but the aperture in the crossline direction is a limitation of the acquisition. Next, we apply the adaptive Marchenko double‐focusing method to the narrow azimuth streamer field data from the Santos Basin, Brazil. Internal multiples are predicted and adaptively subtracted, thereby improving the geological interpretation of the target area. These results imply that our adaptive double‐focusing method is sufficiently robust for the application to three‐dimensional field data, although the key acquisition parameters and limitations will naturally differ in other geological settings and for other types of acquisition.
Cerebroplacental ratio in predicting adverse perinatal outcome: a meta‐analysis of individual participant data
Authors: Vollgraff Heidweiller‐Schreurs CA , van Osch IR , Heymans MW , Ganzevoort W , Schoonmade LJ , Bax CJ , Mol BWJ , de Groot CJM , Bossuyt PMM , de Boer MA ,   the CPR IPD Study Group
Published: May 2020

Objective

To investigate if cerebroplacental ratio (CPR) adds to the predictive value of umbilical artery pulsatility index (UA PI) alone – standard of practice – for adverse perinatal outcome in singleton pregnancies.

Design and setting

Meta‐analysis based on individual participant data (IPD).

Population or sample

Ten centres provided 17 data sets for 21 661 participants, 18 731 of which could be included. Sample sizes per data set ranged from 207 to 9215 individuals. Patient populations varied from uncomplicated to complicated pregnancies.

Methods

In a collaborative, pooled analysis, we compared the prognostic value of combining CPR with UA PI, versus UA PI only and CPR only, with a one‐stage IPD approach. After multiple imputation of missing values, we used multilevel multivariable logistic regression to develop prediction models. We evaluated the classification performance of all models with receiver operating characteristics analysis. We performed subgroup analyses according to gestational age, birthweight centile and estimated fetal weight centile.

Main outcome measures

Composite adverse perinatal outcome, defined as perinatal death, caesarean section for fetal distress or neonatal unit admission.

Results

Adverse outcomes occurred in 3423 (18%) participants. The model with UA PI alone resulted in an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.775 (95% CI 0.709–0.828) and with CPR alone in an AUC of 0.778 (95% CI 0.715–0.831). Addition of CPR to the UA PI model resulted in an increase in the AUC of 0.003 points (0.778, 95% CI 0.714–0.831). These results were consistent across all subgroups.

Conclusions

Cerebroplacental ratio added no predictive value for adverse perinatal outcome beyond UA PI, when assessing singleton pregnancies, irrespective of gestational age or fetal size.

Tweetable abstract

Doppler measurement of cerebroplacental ratio in clinical practice has limited added predictive value to umbilical artery alone.
Biotransformation of d‐xylose to d‐xylonate coupled to medium‐chain‐length polyhydroxyalkanoate production in cellobiose‐grown Pseudomonas putida EM42
Authors: Dvořák Pavel , Kováč Jozef , de Lorenzo Víctor
Published: May 2020

Co‐production of two or more desirable compounds from low‐cost substrates by a single microbial catalyst could greatly improve the economic competitiveness of many biotechnological processes. However, reports demonstrating the adoption of such co‐production strategy are still scarce. In this study, the ability of genome‐edited strain Pseudomonas putida EM42 to simultaneously valorize d‐xylose and d‐cellobiose – two important lignocellulosic carbohydrates – by converting them into the platform chemical d‐xylonate and medium‐chain‐length polyhydroxyalkanoates, respectively, was investigated. Biotransformation experiments performed with P. putida resting cells showed that promiscuous periplasmic glucose oxidation route can efficiently generate extracellular xylonate with a high yield. Xylose oxidation was subsequently coupled to the growth of P. putida with cytoplasmic β‐glucosidase BglC from Thermobifida fusca on d‐cellobiose. This disaccharide turned out to be a better co‐substrate for xylose‐to‐xylonate biotransformation than monomeric glucose. This was because unlike glucose, cellobiose did not block oxidation of the pentose by periplasmic glucose dehydrogenase Gcd, but, similarly to glucose, it was a suitable substrate for polyhydroxyalkanoate formation in P. putida. Co‐production of extracellular xylose‐born xylonate and intracellular cellobiose‐born medium‐chain‐length polyhydroxyalkanoates was established in proof‐of‐concept experiments with P. putida grown on the disaccharide. This study highlights the potential of P. putida EM42 as a microbial platform for the production of xylonate, identifies cellobiose as a new substrate for mcl‐PHA production, and proposes a fresh strategy for the simultaneous valorization of xylose and cellobiose.
Lessons from the public health responses to the US outbreak of vaping‐related lung injury
Authors: Hall Wayne , Gartner Coral , Bonevski Billie
Published: May 2020

Aim

To describe an outbreak of lung injuries in 2019 among people who vaped in the United States (type of injuries, people afflicted, substances vaped and cause of the injuries) and to analyse critically the regulatory responses of public health authorities and the media reporting of the outbreak.

Methods

Case studies of the reporting of the e‐cigarette or vaping product use associated lung injury (EVALI) outbreak. We examined data on the number of cases of lung injury provided by the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC), public advice on the causes of the outbreak provided by the CDC and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), major media reports of the outbreak and proposed regulatory responses by governments in the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom.

Results

The CDC initially suggested that the cause of the outbreak was nicotine vaping because the outbreak followed a large increase in nicotine vaping among US adolescents. Case–control studies revealed that the majority of cases had vaped illicit cannabis oils that were contaminated by vitamin E acetate. The CDC's public advice and the media were slow to report the evidence on the role of cannabis vaping. Popular government regulatory proposals—bans on sales of nicotine flavours and vaporizers—were based on the assumption that nicotine vaping was the cause of the outbreak.

Conclusions

Media reporting in the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom of the US Centers for Disease Control's analysis of the causes of the e‐cigarette or vaping product use associated lung injury outbreak contributed to regulatory over‐reactions to nicotine vaping by the public health community.
Anatomical, histological and biochemical studies of desert rodent Gerbillus tarabuli (Thomas, 1902) kidney
Authors: Nemiri Naima , Ouali‐Hassenaoui Saliha
Published: May 2020

The present work aimed to study the anatomy, histology, cytology and some biochemical parameters (urea, osmolality, haematocrit, serum natrium, serum kalium) of the kidney of Gerbillus tarabuli. The investigated animals (n = 16) were collected from the desert, weighed and transferred alive to the laboratory in separate cages. A blood sample was taken by puncture at the retro‐orbital sinus of each animal using a Pasteur‐type capillary pipette capillary. They were anaesthetized with urethane injection (25%), after which they were carefully dissected; their organs were taken out and prepared for the histological and cytological studies. Pasteur pipette capillary type the kidney of the Gerbillus tarabuli is subdivided into three regions: Cortex (1193.625±60μm), Outer Medulla (1316.72±73μm), Inner Medulla (2525.08±85 μm). Pasteur pipette capillary type the kidney of the Gerbillus tarabuli is subdivided into three regions: Cortex (1193.625±60μm), Outer Medulla (1316.72±73μm), Inner Medulla (2525.08±85 μm). The concentration of the biochemical parameters of urea (0.41 ± 0.02 g/L), osmolality (300.75 ± 3.33 mOs/kg), haematocrit (34.18 ± 1.3%), serum natrium (141.37 ± 2.31 mmol/L) and serum kalium (7.69 ± 0.39 mmol/L) is in the interval of the norm compared with several studies on desert and semi‐desert rodents and also on the Wistar rat. These findings revealed the adaptive morphology and physiological function in the kidney of G. tarabuli to the desert environment.
Review article: opportunities to improve and expand thiopurine therapy for autoimmune hepatitis
Authors: Czaja Albert J.
Published: May 2020

Background

Thiopurines in combination with glucocorticoids are used as first‐line, second‐line and maintenance therapies in autoimmune hepatitis and opportunities exist to improve and expand their use.

Aims

To describe the metabolic pathways and key factors implicated in the efficacy and toxicity of the thiopurine drugs and to indicate the opportunities to improve outcomes by monitoring and manipulating metabolic pathways, individualising dosage and strengthening the response.

Methods

English abstracts were identified in PubMed by multiple search terms. Full‐length articles were selected for review, and secondary and tertiary bibliographies were developed.

Results

Thiopurine methyltransferase activity and 6‐tioguanine (6‐thioguanine) nucleotide levels influence drug efficacy and safety, and they can be manipulated to improve treatment response and prevent myelosuppression. Methylated thiopurine metabolites are associated with hepatotoxicity, drug intolerance and nonresponse and their production can be reduced or bypassed. Universal pre‐treatment assessment of thiopurine methyltransferase activity and individualisation of dosage to manipulate metabolite thresholds could improve outcomes. Early detection of thiopurine resistance by metabolite testing, accurate estimations of drug onset and strength by surrogate markers and adjunctive use of allopurinol could improve the management of refractory disease. Dose‐restricted tioguanine (thioguanine) could expand treatment options by reducing methylated metabolites, increasing the bioavailability of 6‐tioguanine nucleotides and ameliorating thiopurine intolerance or resistance.

Conclusions

The efficacy and safety of thiopurines in autoimmune hepatitis can be improved by investigational efforts that establish monitoring strategies that allow individualisation of dosage and prediction of outcome, increase bioavailability of the active metabolites and demonstrate superiority to alternative agents.
From the Piedmont to the Coast: LA‐ICP‐MS 87Sr/86Sr evidence for short‐term, long‐distance mobility in the American Southeast
Authors: Quinn R. L. , Prizzi M. , Godfrey L. , Setera J. B.
Published: May 2020

Mounting evidence suggests that the Archaic Southeast shell mound builders had large‐scale trade networks and engaged in social aggregations. Here, incremental 87Sr/86Sr values were measured by laser ablation‐inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry (LA‐ICP‐MS) in third molar enamel samples of 11 individuals interred in the Middle Archaic Harris Creek shell burial mound in St. John's River Valley (SJRV), Florida. Results reveal that SJRV residents engaged in short‐term, long‐distance mobility up to the Piedmont margin and excursions into coastal areas, consistent with direct trading and social gatherings. Two individuals are interpreted as migrants from central Tennessee, suggesting a link to the Ohio River Valley shell mound builders.
Central control of energy balance by amylin and calcitonin receptor agonists and their potential for treatment of metabolic diseases
Authors: Zakariassen Hannah Louise , John Linu Mary , Lutz Thomas Alexander
Published: May 2020

The prevalence of obesity and associated comorbidities such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease is increasing globally. Body‐weight loss reduces the risk of morbidity and mortality in obese individuals, and thus, pharmacotherapies that induce weight loss can be of great value in improving the health and well‐being of people living with obesity. Treatment with amylin and calcitonin receptor agonists reduces food intake and induces weight loss in several animal models, and a number of companies have started clinical testing for peptide analogues in the treatment of obesity and/or type 2 diabetes. Studies predominantly performed in rodent models show that amylin and the dual amylin/calcitonin receptor agonist salmon calcitonin achieve their metabolic effects by engaging areas in the brain associated with regulating homeostatic energy balance. In particular, signalling via neuronal circuits in the caudal hindbrain and the hypothalamus is implicated in mediating effects on food intake and energy expenditure. We review the current literature investigating the interaction of amylin/calcitonin receptor agonists with neurocircuits that induce the observed metabolic effects. Moreover, the status of drug development of amylin and calcitonin receptor agonists for the treatment of metabolic diseases is summarized.
On using electronic health records to improve optimal treatment rules in randomized trials
Authors: Wu Peng , Zeng Donglin , Fu Haoda , Wang Yuanjia
Published: May 2020

Individualized treatment rules (ITRs) tailor medical treatments according to patient‐specific characteristics in order to optimize patient outcomes. Data from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are used to infer valid ITRs using statistical and machine learning methods. However, RCTs are usually conducted under specific inclusion/exclusion criteria, thus limiting their generalizability to a broader patient population in real‐world practice settings. Because electronic health records (EHRs) document treatment prescriptions in the real world, transferring information in EHRs to RCTs, if done appropriately, could potentially improve the performance of ITRs, in terms of precision and generalizability. In this work, we propose a new domain adaptation method to learn ITRs by incorporating information from EHRs. Unless we assume that there is no unmeasured confounding in EHRs, we cannot directly learn the optimal ITR from the combined EHR and RCT data. Instead, we first pretrain “super” features from EHRs that summarize physician treatment decisions and patient observed benefits in the real world, as these are likely to be informative of the optimal ITRs. We then augment the feature space of the RCT and learn the optimal ITRs by stratifying by super features using subjects enrolled in RCT. We adopt Q‐learning and a modified matched‐learning algorithm for estimation. We present heuristic justification of our method and conduct simulation studies to demonstrate the performance of super features. Finally, we apply our method to transfer information learned from EHRs of patients with type 2 diabetes to learn individualized insulin therapies from RCT data.
Using IL-2R/lymphocytes for predicting the clinical progression of patients with COVID-19
Authors: Hou H , Zhang B , Huang H , Luo Y , Wu S , Tang G , Liu W , Mao L , Mao L , Wang F , Sun Z
Published: May 2020

Effective laboratory markers for the estimation of disease severity and predicting the clinical progression of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is urgently needed. Laboratory tests, including blood routine, cytokine profiles and infection markers, were collected from 389 confirmed COVID-19 patients. The included patients were classified into mild (n = 168), severe (n = 169) and critical groups (n = 52). The leukocytes, neutrophils, infection biomarkers [such as C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT) and ferritin] and the concentrations of cytokines [interleukin (IL)-2R, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α] were significantly increased, while lymphocytes were significantly decreased with increased severity of illness. The amount of IL-2R was positively correlated with the other cytokines and negatively correlated with lymphocyte number. The ratio of IL-2R to lymphocytes was found to be remarkably increased in severe and critical patients. IL-2R/lymphocytes were superior compared with other markers for the identification of COVID-19 with critical illness, not only from mild but also from severe illness. Moreover, the cytokine profiles and IL-2R/lymphocytes were significantly decreased in recovered patients, but further increased in disease-deteriorated patients, which might be correlated with the outcome of COVID-19. Lymphopenia and increased levels of cytokines were closely associated with disease severity. The IL-2R/lymphocyte was a prominent biomarker for early identification of severe COVID-19 and predicting the clinical progression of the disease.
Side asymmetry in nasal resistance correlate with nasal obstruction severity in patients with septal deformities: Computational fluid dynamics study
Authors: Janović Nataša , Ćoćić Aleksandar , Stamenić Mirjana , Janović Aleksa , Djurić Marija
Published: May 2020

Objectives

The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between side asymmetry in nasal resistance (NR) and severity of the nasal airway obstruction (NAO) in patients with different types of nasal septal deformity (NSD).

Design

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) study.

Setting

The study was conducted in a tertiary medical centre.

Participants

The study included 232 patients, who were referred to the CT examination of the paranasal sinuses. Exclusion criteria were sinonasal and respiratory diseases that may interfere with the nasal obstruction. The presence and the type of NSD were recorded according to the Mladina's classification.

Main outcome measures

The presence and severity of NAO in each patient were assessed by NOSE questionnaire. Eight computational models of the nasal cavity were created from CT scans. Models represented seven Mladina's NSD types and a straight septum of a symptomless patient. CFD calculated airflow partitioning and NR for each nasal passage. Side differences in NR were calculated by the equation ∆NR = NRleft − NRright. The relationship between NOSE scores, airflow partitioning and side differences in NR was explored using Spearman's correlation analysis.

Results

Mladina's types of NSD showed differences in airflow partitioning and the degree of side asymmetry in NR. A significant positive correlation was detected between side differences in NR and NOSE scores (R = .762, P = .028). A significant negative correlation was found between the per cent of unilateral airflow and NR (R = −.524, P = .037).

Conclusions

Our results demonstrated that side asymmetry in NR could explain differences in NAO severity related to the NSD type.
Association of low skeletal muscle mass with the presence of advanced colorectal neoplasm: integrative analysis using three skeletal muscle mass indices
Authors: Lee H. J. , Lee J. Y. , Lee M. J. , Kim H.‐K. , Kim N. , Kim G.‐U. , Lee J.‐S. , Park H. W. , Chang H.‐S. , Yang D.‐H. , Choe J. , Byeon J.‐S.
Published: May 2020

Aim

This study aimed to evaluate an association between colorectal neoplasm (CRN) and skeletal muscle mass using three widely accepted skeletal muscle mass indices (SMIs) in a large population at average risk.

Method

We performed a cross‐sectional study using a screening colonoscopy database of 33 958 asymptomatic subjects aged 40–75 years. Appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) was measured using a bioelectrical impedance analyser. ASM adjusted for height squared (ASM/ht2), weight (ASM/wt) and body mass index (ASM/BMI) were used as indices for muscle mass. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate the association between SMIs and CRN.

Results

In a multivariable‐adjusted model, the risk of an advanced CRN increased linearly with decreasing quartiles for all three SMIs. The adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for advanced CRN in quartiles 1, 2 and 3 of ASM/wt compared with that in quartile 4 were 1.279, 1.196 and 1.179, respectively (Ptrend = 0.017); for ASM/BMI, ORs were 1.307, 1.144 and 1.091, respectively (Ptrend = 0.002); and for ASM/ht2, ORs were 1.342, 1.169 and 1.062, respectively (Ptrend = 0.002). The risk of distally located advanced CRN was higher in quartile 1 than in quartile 4 for all three SMIs (ASM/wt, OR = 1.356; ASM/BMI, OR = 1.383; ASM/ht2, OR = 1.430).

Conclusion

Our study demonstrated that low skeletal muscle mass was consistently associated with the presence of advanced CRN in a population at average risk regardless of the operational definition of the SMI, and it was particularly associated with distal advanced CRN.
The overexpression of long intergenic ncRNA00162 induced by RelA/p65 promotes growth of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Lu Yu , Wu Min , Fu Jie , Sun Yichen , Furukawa Kenei , Ling Jianhua , Qin Xue , Chiao Paul J.
Published: May 2020

Objectives

Recent observations have emphasized the role of long non‐coding RNA (lncRNA) in cancer progression; however, a genetic profile of lncRNAs in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains an ongoing study.

Materials and Methods

In this research, RNA sequencing showed that LINC00162 is dramatically increased in patient‐derived tumour cell lines (PATC) compared with the human pancreatic nestin‐positive epithelial (HPNE) cells.

Results

These data were validated in several PDAC cell lines, and significant upregulation of LINC00162 was found in all of them. Knock‐down of LINC00162 significantly inhibited the proliferation, colony formation and migration of PATC cells in vitro and suppressed the growth of PATC xenografts in vivo. Overexpression of LINC00162 in PDAC cell lines (AsPc‐1) showed consistent results, with significantly increased proliferation, colony formation and migration of AsPc‐1 cells, as well as enhanced tumour growth of the AsPc‐1 xenografts in vivo. Furthermore, the result of Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay revealed that RelA/p65 directly bound to LINC00162, and the expression of LINC00162 in PDAC decreased after RelA/p65 knock‐down, the proliferation ability of AsPc‐1 also significantly inhibited after knocking down LINC00162 and RelA/p65 simultaneously, indicating that RelA/p65 directly involve in the transcriptional regulation of LINC00162.

Conclusions

In sum, our results provide first evidence for the role of LINC00162 in promoting PDAC progression and the potential underlying mechanism of LINC00162 overexpression.
A new model to determine Optimal Exposure to Tacrolimus and Mycophenolate Mofetil after renal transplantation
Authors: Pankewycz Oleh , Onan Engin , Rucker Dane , Wang Dongliang , Gruessner Angelika , Gruessner Rainer , Laftavi Mark R.
Published: May 2020

Background

Drug dosing for Tacrolimus (TAC) and Mycophenolate Mofetil (MMF) after kidney transplantation remains challenging. Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) offers a means to individualize drug dosing and improve outcomes.

Methods

In this observational study, patients having mycophenolic acid (MPA) exposure assessed by limited sampling strategy (LSS) within the first 6 months were included and followed for 1 year.

Results

A total of 113 clinical events occurring in 110 patients were classified into 3 groups: Group 1 Stable (n = 34), Group 2 Over drug exposed (n = 64) having infections or drug toxicity and Group 3 Under drug exposed (n = 15) developing rejection or de novo donor‐specific alloantibodies. Although TAC levels, MMF dose, MPA, and MPA Glucuronide (MPAG) exposure, expressed as area under curve (AUC), individually failed to predict outcomes, a scoring model incorporating all 3 drug levels TAC TDM × (MPA AUC + MPAG/10 AUC) correctly classified outcomes. A score over 1071 had a sensitivity and specificity of 0.94 (95% CI 0.56‐0.83) and 0.84 (95% CI 0.69‐0.89) for over exposure. A score below 625 had a sensitivity and specificity of 0.76 (95% CI 0.53‐0.93) and 0.80 (95% CI 0.41‐0.70) for under exposure.

Conclusions

This integrated model of assessing TAC and MMF exposure may facilitate individualized therapy.
Digital Literacy and Liberative Community Engagement
Authors: Chow‐Thomas Ann
Published: May 2020

How can institutions really open up and promote their archival collections through creative interventions? This question was posed when devising the In Our Minds project, a collaborative project between The National Archives U.K. and University for the Creative Arts (UCA) Archive, U.K. This article reflects on digital literacy as a means to create content and use digital platforms to engage, promote and disseminate information as part of the project's aims and outcomes. It also assesses how creative interventions can open up and increase awareness to certain collections through the defined theme of mental health, by individual creative practitioners, and developing exhibition strategies for a touring exhibition with physical and digital artworks.
The Partnership Quilt: An Interactive Living Archive of Sex Worker Voices
Authors: Strohmayer Angelika , Meissner Janis
Published: May 2020

Working alongside people who use and manage a local charity and professional quilters, we sewed a quilted blanket which we augmented with capacitive touch sensors to turn the craft Piece into an interactive archiver. In this way, the quilt tells the story of the women who were involved in making it not only through the seams, but also with our embedded voices. We describe the process of quilting a digitally augmented social fabric and the ways in which the sewing allowed us to learn through the seams, we present a project that brings together aspects of human connection, crafted learning, and living archival practice.
iGlarLixi effectively reduces residual hyperglycaemia in patients with type 2 diabetes on basal insulin: A post hoc analysis from the LixiLan‐L study
Authors: Morea Nicola , Retnakaran Ravi , Vidal Josep , Aroda Vanita R. , Liu Minzhi , Saremi Aramesh , Giorgino Francesco
Published: May 2020

Globally, nearly half of patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) do not successfully achieve target HbA1c with basal insulin, despite meeting fasting plasma glucose (FPG) targets. In this post hoc analysis of the LixiLan‐L study, we determined whether iGlarLixi, a fixed‐ratio combination of insulin glargine Gla‐100 (iGlar) and the glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonist lixisenatide (Lixi), addresses the challenge of reducing residual hyperglycaemia in patients with T2D. In LixiLan‐L, a randomized, open‐label study, 1018 patients with T2D on basal insulin for ≥6 months ± oral antidiabetes drugs entered a 6‐week run‐in period, during which they were switched to and/or optimized for a daily dose of iGlar while continuing only metformin. Following the run‐in period, 736 patients were then randomized to receive iGlarLixi or were continued on iGlar for 30 weeks ± metformin. Residual hyperglycaemia was defined as HbA1c ≥ 7.0% despite FPG of <140 mg/dL. The proportion of patients with residual hyperglycaemia was similar in both treatment arms at screening (~~42%), and increased after the run‐in period (~~62%). After 30 weeks, the proportion of patients with residual hyperglycaemia declined to 23.8% in the iGlarLixi versus 47.1% in the iGlar arm (P < .0001). The proportion of patients achieving both HbA1c (<7.0%) and FPG (<140 mg/dL) targets was higher in the iGlarLixi compared with the iGlar arm (50.3% vs. 27.4%, respectively; P < .0001). iGlarLixi effectively reduces residual hyperglycaemia in patients with T2D on basal insulin therapy.