bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Career chance experience of Korean women workers
Authors: Kim Namhee , Jang Suh Young , Baek Pyounggu
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand Korean women’s lived experience with career chance given the unique cultural traditions.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopted a basic qualitative research design. The data from semi-structured person-to-person, in-depth interviews were analyzed using a constant comparative method.

Findings

The findings revealed that the participants dealt with their career chance events to maintain harmony. Their experienced chance events were scattered over a period of time, but as a whole, these events became meaningful for their career development. The lessons learned through their experiences transformed their priorities in career decisions and life values.

Research limitations/implications

This study yielded insightful theoretical and practical implications. From a theoretical perspective, this study identified the key elements of career chance events and interactions among these experiences, which can be further developed for future theory building.

Practical implications

From a practical perspective, this study sheds light on career education and counseling programs for adult women in an educational setting. In an organizational setting, this study recommends creating an employee career development culture where women employees are encouraged to take advantage of unpredicted career chance experiences.

Originality/value

This study provides culturally unique contributions to the body of literature on career chance events experienced by Korean women, which may not be adequately accounted for in most existing theories driven by western individualistic ideas of careers.
Too painful to think about: chemsex and trauma
Authors: Morris Stephen
Published: January 2019

Purpose

Whilst chemsex is a relatively new phenomenon, trauma is not. Freud borrowed the word from physical medicine, where it was used to describe tissue damage, and applied it, for the first time, as a metaphor to a psychological process by which the protective functioning of the mind can too be pierced and wounded by events. The chemsex environment hosts a myriad of potentially traumatising scenarios and experiences, though perhaps disguised as exhilaration or excitement. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is a practitioner’s experience.

Findings

These experiences piled on top of childhood experiences of being “less than” for being gay, can be responsible for widespread undiagnosed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among those who engage in chemsex. This paper explores this possibility and offers solutions.

Originality/value

Compounded trauma and PTSD symptoms amongst MSM who engage in chemsex has to date, not been researched.
Spatial combined cable element for cable-supported bridges
Authors: Wei Jiandong , Guan Manyu , Cao Qi , Wang Ruibin
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the cable-supported bridges more efficiently by building the finite element model with the spatial combined cable element.

Design/methodology/approach

The spatial combined cable element with rigid arms and elastic segments was derived. By using the analytical solution of the elastic catenary to establish the flexibility matrix at the end of the cable segment and adding it to the flexibility matrix at the ends of the two elastic segments, the flexibility matrix at the end of the cable body is obtained. Then the stiffness matrix of the cable body is established and the end force vector of cable body is given. Using the displacement transformation relationship between the two ends of the rigid arm, the stiffness matrix of the combined cable element is derived. By assigning zero to the length of the elastic segment(s) or/and the rigid arm(s), many subdivisions of the combined cable element can be obtained, even the elastic catenary element.

Findings

The examples in this field and specially designed examples proved the correctness of the proposed spatial combined cable element.

Originality/value

The combined cable element proposed in this study can be used for the design and analysis of cable-stayed bridges. Case studies show that it is able to simulate cable accurately and could also be used to simulate the suspenders in arch bridges as well in suspension bridges.
The global carbon budget and the Paris agreement
Authors: Alcaraz Olga , Buenestado Pablo , Escribano Beatriz , Sureda Bàrbara , Turon Albert , Xercavins Josep
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The main purpose of this paper is to introduce the concept of global carbon budget (GCB) as a key concept that should be introduced as a reference when countries formulate their mitigation contributions in the context of the Paris Agreement and in all the monitoring, reporting and verification processes that must be implemented according to the decisions of the Paris Summit.

Design/methodology/approach

A method based on carbon budget accounting is used to analyze the intended nationally determined contributions (INDCs) submitted by the 15 countries that currently head the ranking of global emissions. Moreover, these INDCs are analyzed and compared with each other. Sometimes, inadequate methodologies and a diverse level of ambition in the formulated targets are observed.

Findings

It is found that the INDCs of those 15 countries alone imply the release into the atmosphere of 84 per cent of the GCB for the period 2011-2030, and 40 per cent of the GCB available until the end of the century.

Originality/value

This is the first time the INDCs of the top 15 emitters are analyzed. It is also the first analysis made using the GCB approach. This paper suggests methodological changes in the way that the future NDCs might be formulated.
CRM and organizational performance
Authors: Rafiki Ahmad , Hidayat Sutan Emir , Al Abdul Razzaq Deema
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between customer relationship management (CRM) dimensions (i.e. top management support, customer orientation, training orientation, customer data, customer information-processing and integration) and organizational performance in telecommunication companies in Kuwait.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a quantitative study, and the response came from 167 employees of three telecommunication companies. Data collected were subjected to correlation and regression analyses in pursuance of the study’s stated objective.

Findings

The results of this study found that top management support, customer data and customer information processing are positively related to organizational performance, while other variables of customer orientation, training orientation and integration of CRM have no significant influence on organizational performance.

Originality/value

The paper addresses CRM dimensions issues specifically for telecommunication companies in Kuwait.
Collaboration in reverse: a conceptual framework for reverse logistics operations
Authors: Mahadevan Kumaraguru
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the research carried out on the development of a conceptual framework termed as the reverse collaboration framework (RCF) to provide supply chain (SC) visibility and information sharing to practitioners in a reverse logistics (RL) operations.

Design/methodology/approach

The research methodology used in this research is a combination of concept mapping, and the extension of the work of other researchers (deductive approach) to develop a RCF that connects tools, techniques, systems and RL processes.

Findings

This research shows that by integrating tools, systems, tools and techniques with RL processes by means of the RCF will increase performance and productivity of a RL operations. This is demonstrated by applying the RCF to a consumer electronics business that proves that the time taken for the end to end RL operations is reduced by 20%.

Research limitations/implications

The RCF has been demonstrated with the data from a consumer electronics organisation. Literature points out that there are many different mathematical models for RL across a number of industries. Thus, at this stage, it is not clear if the RCF developed in this research will work in other industries, such as the newspaper, plastic bottles and online retailers industry where product returns are high. This research work can be extended in developing an IT solution by future researchers that can be linked to the main ERP system of an organisation.

Practical implications

SC managers can use the RCF in the extended form of an IT solution to manage the RL operations of their organisations.

Originality/value

There is a lack of research in the space of reverse collaboration in the broader field of SC management. This paper has fulfilled that gap.
Cloud-based sustainable management of electrical and electronic equipment from production to end-of-life
Authors: Conti Massimo , Orcioni Simone
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe a system and a database structure for the tracing of the waste of electric and electronic equipment (WEEE) using radio-frequency identification tags.

Design/methodology/approach

The problems related to the management of WEEE and the international directives have been presented and analyzed. The authors propose a traceability system to extend the tracing in the reverse logistics.

Findings

The proposed systems allow a more efficient management of the reuse, repair and recycle phase of the products and components, thus reducing the disposal of the electric and electronic equipment. There are many possible positive impacts of the system. The authors investigate, in particular, the impact of the single component tracing on the disposal cost reduction and on the reliability improvement using reused components.

Research limitations/implications

The system has been tested in the production chain of a company that produces electronic equipment for elevators. Up to now, the results and impact are limited to the company.

Practical implications

The system has been applied in the management of reused components of a specific company. The immediate result was that the system allowed the redesign of the electronic product with a cost reduction and reliability improvement.

Social implications

The authors think that the proposed solution allows a step forward in the reduction of WEEE.

Originality/value

The database structure and the web application, used to track the entire working life of an electronic appliance, are original. Original is also the idea of tracing all the single components of the electronic products.
From humanitarianism to family building
Authors: Onayemi Olayinka Modupe
Published: January 2019

Purpose

Adoption practice is originally designed as a live-saving option for some category of children. In recent times, this purpose has been challenged by several social, biological and cultural exigencies. Hence, a notable morphing of the practice to satisfying adopters’ need has been observed, however, requiring further interrogations. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected through sessions of interviews with six adoption officials (social workers), four orphanage managers, three legal practitioners and 13 prospective and successful adopters, across three selected states.

Findings

The study records contemporary adoption practices as mostly a management strategy for infertility by bringing to fore diverse narratives that reveal adoption as now primarily construed, subconsciously implemented and ultimately serving in many ways as the social security mechanism for adopters than for securing the children who are to be adopted.

Social implications

This by implication results in poor adoptive parent–child bonding, disservice and maltreatments in diverse ways.

Originality/value

This study heralds the “rebranded” security benefits of adoption and enlarges the scope and genres of social security implications of child adoption in the contemporary Nigerian society.
Emotion in enterprise social media systems
Authors: Reychav Iris , Inbar Ofer , Simon Tomer , McHaney Roger , Zhu Lin
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate enterprise social media systems and quantified gender and status influences on emotional content presented in these systems.

Design/methodology/approach

Internal social media messages were collected from a global software company running an enterprise social media system. An indirect observatory test using Berlo’s “source–message–channel–receiver” model served as a framework to evaluate sender, message, channel and receiver for each text. These texts were categorized by gender and status using text analytics with SAP SA to produce sentiment indications.

Findings

Results reveal women use positive language 2.1 times more than men. Senior managers express positive language 1.7 times more than non-managers, and feeling rules affect all genders and statuses, but not necessarily as predicted by theory. Other findings show that public messages contained less emotional content, and women expressed more positivity to lower status colleagues. Men expressed more positivity to those in higher positions. Many gender and status stereotypes found in face-to-face studies are also present in digital enterprise social networks.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations include generalizability: all data were collected from a single enterprise social media system.

Practical implications

Managers establishing codes of conduct for social media use will find this research useful, particularly when promoting awareness of emotional expressiveness in online venues with subordinate colleagues.

Originality/value

This study offers a behavioral measurement approach free from validity issues found in self-reported surveys, direct observations and interviews. The collected data offered new perspectives on existing social theories within a new environment of computerized, enterprise social media.
Mitigating financial leakages through effective money laundering investigation
Authors: Syed Mustapha Nazri Sharifah Nazatul Faiza , Zolkaflil Salwa , Omar Normah
Published: January 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to conduct a comparison on the effectiveness of the law enforcement agencies (LEAs) of Australia and Malaysia in investigating money laundering cases by looking into the legal system and operational issues faced in conducting the investigation.

Design/methodology/approach

The purpose of this paper is to review and analyze the data collected from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Mutual Evaluation Report, focusing on the information outlined in the third chapter. The legal system and operational issues cover the area of technical compliance and effectiveness compliance, which were introduced in the latest FATF Evaluation Methodology issued in 2013.

Findings

The results show that both countries have the power needed to investigate money laundering and terrorism financing under their respective Anti-Money Laundering Act. However, Australia is seen to have a better investigative support system to assist LEAs during the investigation process. This explains the reason for difficulties in increasing the number of prosecutions for money laundering and terrorism financing cases. Hence, improvement actions are needed in curbing this issue.

Practical implications

The result suggests that Malaysia should strengthen the cooperation, coordination and capacity among LEAs to ensure effective targeting, investigation and prosecution of money laundering. The government should also revise the money laundering investigation time frame and broaden the power of LEAs in retrieving information during the investigation process. Malaysia should also enhance the investigative support system, which will be helpful for LEAs in gathering sufficient evidence to support their money laundering charges. Unlimited power in gathering evidence is prominent to charge money launders as it helps to gather information required for prosecution.

Originality/value

Prior literature focuses on the prevention mechanism, where this paper aims to focus on detection and investigation mechanism focusing on money laundering investigation conducted by LEAs. Lack of study on money laundering investigation calls for this research to be done to understand the strengths and weaknesses to improve its effectiveness in the future.
A framework for enterprise risk identification and management: the resource-based view
Authors: Mishra Birendra K. , Rolland Erik , Satpathy Asish , Moore Michael
Published: January 2019

Purpose

This study aims to examine the factors influencing enterprise risk management and propose a framework for identifying and explaining the components of enterprise risk management. To enable broader analytical thinking about risk factors, the framework utilizes the resource-based theory to link various classes of risks to an extended set of organizational resources.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper opted for an exploratory study using a sample from an online survey. The survey subjects were recruited from the membership database of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, focusing primarily on CFOs. The survey consisted of six sections: demographics, a section on each of the four risk types included in ERM: strategic risk, operational risk, financial risk and hazard risk, and exit questions (where very general questions about ERM were asked). The survey yielded a data set of 227 valid responses.

Findings

Using the associated sample survey data, the paper provides empirical validation of the proposed framework that managers in any organizations could use to identify and manage risks.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed model does have limitations that predominantly exist from the fact that human judgment in decision-making is not always data-driven, and hence, a proper risk exposure could be ignored based on pure arguments of cost and benefits from domain experts. Therefore, researchers and practitioners are encouraged to test the proposed framework further.

Practical implications

Risk exposure is not a snapshot event in an organization’s time horizon. Rather, risk identification is an ongoing process and the proposed framework allows organizations to handle increasing complex risks and/or identifying them based on how the organizational resources may be exposed over time. Managers could use a form of risk control analytics (monitoring dashboard of all identified risks under each interaction sets on a regular basis) to become more proactive in managing risk or exploiting opportunities across enterprise.

Originality/value

This paper fulfills an identified need to study how enterprise risks exposure can be proactively assessed and managed.
Path planning method based on discontinuous grid partition algorithm of point cloud for in situ printing
Authors: Lian Qin , Li Xiao , Li Dichen , Gu Heng , Bian Weiguo , He Xiaoning
Published: January 2019

Purpose

Path planning is an important part of three-dimensional (3D) printing data processing technology. This study aims to propose a new path planning method based on a discontinuous grid partition algorithm of point cloud for in situ printing.

Design/methodology/approach

Three types of parameters (i.e. structural, process and path interruption parameters) were designed to establish the algorithm model with the path error and the computation amount as the dependent variables. The path error (i.e. boundary error and internal error) was further studied and the influence of each parameter on the path point density was analyzed quantitatively. The feasibility of this method was verified by skin in situ printing experiments.

Findings

Path point density was positively correlated with Grid_size and negatively related to other parameters. Point_space, Sparsity and Line_space had greater influence on path point density than Indentation and Grid_size. In skin in situ printing experiment, two layers of orthogonal printing path were generated, and the material was printed accurately in the defect, which proved the feasibility of this method.

Originality/value

This study proposed a new path planning method that converted 3D point cloud data to a printing path directly, providing a new path planning solution for in situ printing. The discontinuous grid partition algorithm achieved controllability of the path planning accuracy and computation amount that could be applied to different processes.
Malignant solitary fibrous tumor in the subcutis: Report of a rare superficial malignant type and review of published work
Authors: Kiyohara Takahiro , Tanimura Hirotsugu , Takewaki Haruka , Suzuki Kenji
Published: January 2019

An 82‐year‐old Japanese man presented with a 90 mm × 80 mm subcutaneous nodule on the left chest, not connected to the pleura, described as hypointense on T1‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging. Histologically, a well‐demarcated nodule demonstrated a patternless pattern composed of hemangiopericytoma‐like and short storiform patterns from the subcutis into deeper tissue. Antler‐like branching blood vessels and keloidal‐type collagen bundles were seen. Myxoid change was seen in hypocellular areas. Bizarre cells and multinucleated giant cells could be easily identified. Approximately 5 mitoses per 10 high‐power fields could be detected. The majority of proliferating spindle cells were positive for CD34, CD99 and BCL2 expression. Signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)6 was strongly expressed in the nuclei. The Ki‐67 proliferation index was 60%. We performed wide local excision with a 30‐mm margin, along with resection of intercostal muscles, fasciae and periostea. Neither local recurrence nor distant metastases have occurred in 16 months of follow up. The present case is consistent with malignant solitary fibrous tumor in the subcutis histologically mimicking myxofibrosarcoma or undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma, definitively diagnosed by immunoexpression of STAT6. We performed a review of the published work and identified six previously reported patients with malignant superficial solitary fibrous tumor to validate the characteristics of this rare type. Four men and two women were included. The sarcomas involved the head area, trunk and thigh. Only one tumor‐associated death occurred despite excision and radiotherapy. Complete excision is a possible treatment choice for this tumor type.
Clinical value of 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography for interstitial lung disease and myositis in patients with dermatomyositis
Authors: Motegi Sei‐ichiro , Fujiwara Chisako , Sekiguchi Akiko , Hara Kenichiro , Yamaguchi Koichi , Maeno Toshitaka , Higuchi Tetsuya , Hirasawa Hiromi , Kodaira Sayaka , Tomonaga Hiroyasu , Tsushima Yoshito , Ishikawa Osamu
Published: January 2019

18F‐Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) is usually used to screen malignancy in patients with dermatomyositis (DM). Additionally, it is well known that FDG‐PET/CT provides valuable information for evaluating the activity of several inflammatory diseases, such as sarcoidosis, atherosclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease and rheumatoid arthritis. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical usefulness of FDG‐PET/CT for the detection of inflammatory lesions and disease activity of both myopathy and interstitial lung disease (ILD) in DM patients. We measured the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) in the muscles and lungs in 22 DM patients, and compared with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and high‐resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings in the same muscle and lung regions as well as with clinical findings. We found that the location of increased FDG uptake was nearly consistent with the region of ILD and myositis detected by HRCT or MRI, respectively. There was a significant positive correlation between lung HRCT score and SUVmax in each lung. Serum Krebs von den Lungen‐6 levels also revealed significant positive correlation with total SUVmax of right and left lungs. Regarding FDG‐PET/CT and myopathy, total SUVmax in the muscles was significantly correlated with serum cytokeratin levels. Our results suggest that FDG uptake (SUVmax) might be useful for not only the detection of malignant tumors, but also the evaluation of the location and activity of ILD and myositis in DM patients.
Botfly infections impair the aerobic performance and survival of montane populations of deer mice, Peromyscus maniculatus rufinus
Authors: Wilde Luke R. , Wolf Cole J. , Porter Stephanie M. , Stager Maria , Cheviron Zachary A. , Senner Nathan R.
Published: January 2019

Elevations >2,000 m represent consistently harsh environments for small endotherms because of abiotic stressors such as cold temperatures and hypoxia.

These environmental stressors may limit the ability of populations living at these elevations to respond to biotic selection pressures—such as parasites or pathogens—that in other environmental contexts would impose only minimal energetic‐ and fitness‐related costs.

We studied deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus rufinus) living along two elevational transects (2,300–4,400 m) in the Colorado Rockies and found that infection prevalence by botfly larvae (Cuterebridae) declined at higher elevations. We found no evidence of infections at elevations >2,400 m, but that 33.6% of all deer mice, and 52.2% of adults, were infected at elevations <2,400 m.

Botfly infections were associated with reductions in haematocrit levels of 23%, haemoglobin concentrations of 27% and cold‐induced VO2max measures of 19% compared to uninfected individuals. In turn, these reductions in aerobic performance appeared to influence fitness, as infected individuals exhibited 19‐34% lower daily survival rates.

In contrast to studies at lower elevations, we found evidence indicating that botfly infections influence the aerobic capabilities and fitness of deer mice living at elevations between 2,000 and 2,400 m. Our results therefore suggest that the interaction between botflies and small rodents is likely highly context‐dependent and that, more generally, high‐elevation populations may be susceptible to additional biotic selection pressures.

A plain language summary is available for this article.
Curriculum requirements and subsequent civic engagement: is there a difference between ‘forced’ and ‘free’ community service?
Authors: Henderson Ailsa , Brown Steven D. , Pancer S. Mark
Published: January 2019

Despite figures showing the growth of mandatory community service programmes, there is mixed empirical evidence of their effectiveness. This paper addresses the relationship of mandated community service to one of its purported aims: subsequent volunteerism. It compares current volunteerism among four university student cohorts: those doing no service in secondary school, those volunteering with no requirement, those volunteering both before and after the introduction of a requirement, and those introduced to service through a requirement. The analysis indicates that (1) students who were introduced to service through a mandated programme exhibit current levels of engagement no greater than non‐volunteers; (2) this relationship stems largely from the different service experiences of our four cohorts and relates to the fact that service satisfaction and duration, as well as background variables account for current levels of civic engagement. The findings suggest that mandatory service programmes might well be failing the very population they seek to target, particularly in weaker, less structured programmes.
New approaches to measuring the comprehensiveness of primary care physicians
Authors: O'Malley Ann S. , Rich Eugene C. , Shang Lisa , Rose Tyler , Ghosh Arkadipta , Poznyak Dmitriy , Peikes Deborah
Published: January 2019

Objective

To develop claims‐based measures of comprehensiveness of primary care physicians (PCPs) and summarize their associations with health care utilization and cost.

Data Sources and Study Setting

A total of 5359PCPs caring for over 1 million Medicare fee‐for‐service beneficiaries from 1404 practices.

Study Design

We developed Medicare claims‐based measures of physician comprehensiveness (involvement in patient conditionsandnew problem management) and used a previously developedrange of servicesmeasure. We analyzed the association ofPCPs’ comprehensiveness in 2013 with their beneficiaries’ emergency department, hospitalizations rates, and ambulatory care‐sensitive condition (ACSC) admissions (each per 1000 beneficiaries per year), and Medicare expenditures (per beneficiary per month) in 2014, adjusting for beneficiary, physician, practice, and market characteristics, and clustering.

Principal Findings

Each measure varied acrossPCPs and had low correlation with the other measures—as intended, they capture different aspects of comprehensiveness. For patients whosePCPs’ comprehensiveness score was at the 75th vs 25th percentile (more vs less comprehensive), patients had lower service use (P < 0.05) in one or more measures:involvement with patient conditions: total Medicare expenditures, −$17.4 (−2.2 percent); hospitalizations, −5.5 (−1.9 percent); emergency department (ED) visits, −16.3 (−2.4 percent);new problem management: total Medicare expenditures, −$13.3 (−1.7 percent); hospitalizations, −7.0 (−2.4 percent);EDvisits, −19.7 (−2.9 percent);range of services:EDvisits, −17.1 (−2.5 percent). There were no significant associations between the comprehensiveness measures andACSCadmission rates.

Conclusions

These measures demonstrate strong content and predictive validity and reliability. Medicare beneficiaries ofPCPs providing more comprehensive care had lower hospitalization rates,EDvisits, and total Medicare expenditures.
Adults with diabetes residing in “food swamps” have higher hospitalization rates
Authors: Phillips Aryn Z. , Rodriguez Hector P.
Published: January 2019

Objective

To examine the relationship between food swamps and hospitalization rates among adults with diabetes.

Data Sources

Blue Cross Blue Shield Association Community Health Management Hub® 2014, AHRQ Health Care Cost and Utilization Project state inpatient databases 2014, and HHS Area Health Resources File 2010‐2014.

Study Design

Cross‐sectional analysis of 784 counties across 15 states. Food swamps were measured using a ratio of fast food outlets to grocers. Multivariate linear regression estimated the association of food swamp severity and hospitalization rates. Population‐weighted models were controlled for comorbidities; Medicaid; emergency room utilization; percentage of population that is female, Black, Hispanic, and over age 65; and state fixed effects. Analyses were stratified by rural‐urban category.

Principal Findings

Adults with diabetes residing in more severe food swamps had higher hospitalization rates. In adjusted analyses, a one unit higher food swamp score was significantly associated with 49.79 (95 percent confidence interval (CI) = 19.28, 80.29) additional all‐cause hospitalizations and 19.12 (95 percent CI = 11.09, 27.15) additional ambulatory care‐sensitive hospitalizations per 1000 adults with diabetes. The food swamp/all‐cause hospitalization rate relationship was stronger in rural counties than urban counties.

Conclusions

Food swamps are significantly associated with higher hospitalization rates among adults with diabetes. Improving the local food environment may help reduce this disparity.
Leaf and wood classification framework for terrestrial LiDAR point clouds
Authors: Vicari Matheus B. , Disney Mathias , Wilkes Phil , Burt Andrew , Calders Kim , Woodgate William
Published: January 2019

Leaf and wood separation is a key step to allow a new range of estimates from Terrestrial LiDAR data, such as quantifying above‐ground biomass, leaf and wood area and their 3D spatial distributions. We present a new method to separate leaf and wood from single tree point clouds automatically. Our approach combines unsupervised classification of geometric features and shortest path analysis.

The automated separation algorithm and its intermediate steps are presented and validated. Validation consisted of using a testing framework with synthetic point clouds, simulated using ray‐tracing and 3D tree models and 10 field scanned tree point clouds. To evaluate results we calculated accuracy, kappa coefficient and F‐score.

Validation using simulated data resulted in an overall accuracy of 0.83, ranging from 0.71 to 0.94. Per tree average accuracy from synthetic data ranged from 0.77 to 0.89. Field data results presented and overall average accuracy of 0.89. Analysis of each step showed accuracy ranging from 0.75 to 0.98. F‐scores from both simulated and field data were similar, with scores from leaf usually higher than for wood.

Our separation method showed results similar to others in literature, albeit from a completely automated workflow. Analysis of each separation step suggests that the addition of path analysis improved the robustness of our algorithm. Accuracy can be improved with per tree parameter optimization. The library containing our separation script can be easily installed and applied to single tree point cloud. Average processing times are below 10 min for each tree.
Circumventing senescence is associated with stem cell properties and metformin sensitivity
Authors: Deschênes‐Simard Xavier , Parisotto Maxime , Rowell Marie‐Camille , Le Calvé Benjamin , Igelmann Sebastian , Moineau‐Vallée Karine , Saint‐Germain Emmanuelle , Kalegari Paloma , Bourdeau Véronique , Kottakis Filippos , Bardeesy Nabeel , Ferbeyre Gerardo
Published: January 2019

Most cancers arise in old individuals, which also accumulate senescent cells. Cellular senescence can be experimentally induced by expression of oncogenes or telomere shortening during serial passage in culture. In vivo, precursor lesions of several cancer types accumulate senescent cells, which are thought to represent a barrier to malignant progression and a response to the aberrant activation of growth signaling pathways by oncogenes (oncogene toxicity). Here, we sought to define gene expression changes associated with cells that bypass senescence induced by oncogenic RAS. In the context of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), oncogenic KRAS induces benign pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasias (PanINs), which exhibit features of oncogene‐induced senescence. We found that the bypass of senescence in PanINs leads to malignant PDAC cells characterized by gene signatures of epithelial‐mesenchymal transition, stem cells, and mitochondria. Stem cell properties were similarly acquired in PanIN cells treated with LPS, and in primary fibroblasts and mammary epithelial cells that bypassed Ras‐induced senescence after reduction of ERK signaling. Intriguingly, maintenance of cells that circumvented senescence and acquired stem cell properties was blocked by metformin, an inhibitor of complex I of the electron transport chain or depletion of STAT3, a protein required for mitochondrial functions and stemness. Thus, our studies link bypass of senescence in premalignant lesions to loss of differentiation, acquisition of stemness features, and increased reliance on mitochondrial functions.
Association of raised levels of IL‐4 and anti‐TPO with hyperprolactinemia
Authors: Kalsi Amanpreet Kaur , Halder Ashutosh , Jain Manish , Chaturvedi Pradeep K. , Mathew Mary , Sharma Jai Bhagwan
Published: January 2019

Background and objective

The modulatory role of prolactin in autoimmune regulation is well established. Hyperprolactinemia is often associated with autoimmune disease like systemic lupus erythematosus and autoimmune thyroid diseases. The objective was to compare levels of direct and indirect autoimmune factors in different categories of hyperprolactinemia cases and predict the direction of association between hyperprolactinemia and autoimmune factors, if any.

Methods

A total of 102 hyperprolactinemia cases (>100 ng/mL serum prolactin level) were included along with 24 controls. Among 102 hyperprolactinemia cases, there were 36 idiopathic cases, 19 pituitary adenoma cases, 36 drug‐induced cases, and 11 cases associated with other secondary/systemic diseases (chronic renal failure, chronic hepatic failure, etc).

Measurements

Direct autoimmune markers, IL‐2, IFN‐γ, IL‐4, and IL‐5, were measured in serum by ELISA. Indirect autoimmune markers, anti‐TPO, anti‐tg, anti‐CCP, VDRL, platelet count, and aPTT, were measured as per laboratory‐defined protocol.

Results

Serum levels of IL‐4 and anti‐TPO were significantly high in idiopathic hyperprolactinemia cases. Serum IL‐4 levels were also significantly high in pituitary adenoma cases, drug‐induced cases, and in cases with other secondary causes of hyperprolactinemia. Serum anti‐TPO levels were also significantly high in drug‐induced hyperprolactinemia cases.

Conclusion

No significant difference in autoimmune factors is observed between macroprolactinemia and true hyperprolactinemia. Serum IL‐4 and anti‐TPO were high in all categories of hyperprolactinemia. This suggests a possible association of hyperprolactinemia with autoimmune conditions (high IL‐4 and anti‐TPO), mostly subclinical. Thus, hyperprolactinemia case with serum prolactin level >100 ng/mL may require long‐term follow‐up for the development of autoimmune disease in future.
The underdeveloped innate immunity in embryonic stem cells: The molecular basis and biological perspectives from early embryogenesis
Authors: Guo Yan‐Lin
Published: January 2019

Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) have been intensively studied as a promising cell source for regenerative medicine. The rapid advancements in the field have not only proven the feasibility of ESC‐based cell therapy, but also led to a better understanding of pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) as a unique cell population at an early stage of embryogenesis. Recent studies have revealed that both human and mouse ESCs have attenuated innate immune responses to infectious agents and inflammatory cytokines. These findings raise interesting questions about the rationale for ESCs, the PSCs experimentally derived from preimplantation stage embryos, to not have an innate defense mechanism that has been adapted so well in somatic cells. All somatic cells have innate immune systems that can be activated by pathogen‐associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) or cellular damage‐associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), leading to production of cytokines. The underdeveloped innate immunity represents a unique property of PSCs that may have important implications. This review discusses the immunological properties of PSCs, the molecular basis underlying their diminished innate immune responses, and the hypothesis that the attenuated innate immune responses could be an adaptive mechanism that allows PSCs to avoid cytotoxicity associated with inflammation and immune responses during early embryogenesis.
Effects of human demand on conservation planning for biodiversity and ecosystem services
Authors: Watson Keri B. , Galford Gillian L. , Sonter Laura J. , Koh Insu , Ricketts Taylor H.
Published: January 2019

Safeguarding ecosystem services and biodiversity is critical to achieving sustainable development. To date, ecosystem services quantification has focused on the biophysical supply of services with less emphasis on human beneficiaries (i.e., demand). Only when both occur do ecosystems benefit people, but demand may shift ecosystem service priorities toward human‐dominated landscapes that support less biodiversity. We quantified how accounting for demand affects the efficiency of conservation in capturing both human benefits and biodiversity by comparing conservation priorities identified with and without accounting for demand. We mapped supply and benefit for 3 ecosystem services (flood mitigation, crop pollination, and nature‐based recreation) by adapting existing ecosystem service models to include and exclude factors representing human demand. We then identified conservation priorities for each with the conservation planning program Marxan. Particularly for flood mitigation and crop pollination, supply served as a poor proxy for benefit because demand changed the spatial distribution of ecosystem service provision. Including demand when jointly targeting biodiversity and ecosystem service increased the efficiency of conservation efforts targeting ecosystem services without reducing biodiversity outcomes. Our results highlight the importance of incorporating demand when quantifying ecosystem services for conservation planning.
Family factors associated with participation of children with disabilities: a systematic review
Authors: Arakelyan Stella , Maciver Donald , Rush Robert , O'hare Anne , Forsyth Kirsty
Published: January 2019

Aim

The aim of this review was to synthesize empirical evidence of family factors associated with participation of children with disabilities aged 5 to 12 years to inform the development of family‐centred participation‐fostering interventions.

Method

A systematic search was performed for articles published in English between 2001 and 2017 in MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Scopus, and ASSIA following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Quality of evidence was appraised using the Research Triangle Institute Item Bank. Family factors associated with participation were identified and assessed using a multistage ‘semi‐quantitative’ approach.

Results

Thirty studies were included in the review. Four non‐modifiable ‘status’ factors consistently associated with participation were parental ethnicity, parental education, family type, and family socio‐economic status. Six modifiable ‘process’ factors with consistent associations with participation were parental mental and physical health functioning, parental self‐efficacy beliefs, parental support, parental time, family preferences, and activity orientation.

Interpretation

Rehabilitation professionals should direct their focus towards modifiable family factors as primary targets for family‐centred interventions. Strategies that can improve families’ access to information, counselling, and community support services are likely to support children's participation by empowering families and optimizing their health and well‐being.

What this paper adds

Non‐modifiable ‘status’ and modifiable ‘process’ factors are important in participation of children with disabilities.

Disadvantaged family circumstances shaped by status factors are associated with reduced participation.

Key process factors for intervention are parental mental and physical health and parental self‐efficacy beliefs.

Other important process factors for intervention are parental support and time, family preferences, and activity orientation.
Ethnicity and Type 2 diabetes in the UK
Authors: Goff L. M.
Published: January 2019

Type 2 diabetes is a major UK public health priority. Among minority ethnic communities, the prevalence is alarmingly high, approximately three to five times higher than in the white British population. Particularly striking is the earlier onset of Type 2 diabetes, which occurs some 10–12 years younger, with a significant proportion of cases being diagnosed before the age of 40 years. This review focuses on the UK context and Type 2 diabetes in adult populations, exploring the available evidence regarding the complex interplay of biological, lifestyle, social, clinical and healthcare system factors that are known to drive these disparities.
Sleep and synaptic down‐selection
Authors: Tononi Giulio , Cirelli Chiara
Published: January 2019

The synaptic homeostasis hypothesis (SHY) proposes that sleep is an essential process needed by the brain to maintain the total amount of synaptic strength under control. SHY predicts that by the end of a waking day the synaptic connections of many neural circuits undergo a net increase in synaptic strength due to ongoing learning, which is mainly mediated by synaptic potentiation. Stronger synapses require more energy and supplies and are prone to saturation, creating the need for synaptic renormalization. Such renormalization should mainly occur during sleep, when the brain is disconnected from the environment and neural circuits can be broadly reactivated off‐line to undergo a systematic but specific synaptic down‐selection. In short, according to SHY sleep is the price to pay for waking plasticity, to avoid runaway potentiation, decreased signal‐to‐noise ratio, and impaired learning due to saturation. In this review, we briefly discuss the rationale of the hypothesis and recent supportive ultrastructural evidence obtained in our laboratory. We then examine recent studies by other groups showing the causal role of cortical slow waves and hippocampal sharp waves/ripples in sleep‐dependent down‐selection of neural activity and synaptic strength. Finally, we discuss some of the molecular mechanisms that could mediate synaptic weakening during sleep.
Reaction norm analysis reveals rapid shifts toward delayed maturation in harvested Lake Erie yellow perch (Perca flavescens)
Authors: Gíslason Davíð , Heino Mikko , Robinson Beren W. , McLaughlin Robert B. , Dunlop Erin S.
Published: January 2019

Harvested marine fish stocks often show a rapid and substantial decline in the age and size at maturation. Such changes can arise from multiple processes including fisheries‐induced evolution, phenotypic plasticity, and responses to environmental factors other than harvest. The relative importance of these processes could differ systematically between marine and freshwater systems. We tested for temporal shifts in the mean and within‐cohort variability of age‐ and size‐based maturation probabilities of female yellow perch (Perca flavescens Mitchill) from four management units (MUs) in Lake Erie. Lake Erie yellow perch have been commercially harvested for more than a century, and age and size at maturation have varied since sampling began in the 1980s. Our analysis compared probabilistic maturation reaction norms (PMRNs) for cohorts when abundance was lower and harvest higher (1993–1998) to cohorts when abundance was higher and harvest lower (2005–2010). PMRNs have been used in previous studies to detect signs of evolutionary change in response to harvest. Maturation size threshold increased between the early and late cohorts, and the increases were statistically significant for the youngest age in the western MU1 and for older ages in the eastern MU3. Maturation envelope widths, a measure of the variability in maturation among individuals in a cohort, also increased between early and late cohorts in the western MUs where harvest was highest. The highest rates of change in size at maturation for a given age were as large or larger than rates reported for harvested marine fishes where declines in age and size at maturation have been observed. Contrary to the general observation of earlier maturation evolving in harvested stocks, female yellow perch in Lake Erie may be rapidly evolving delayed maturation since harvest was relaxed in the late 1990s, providing a rare example of possible evolutionary recovery.
The Effect of CEO Extraversion on Analyst Forecasts: Stereotypes and Similarity Bias
Authors: Becker Jochen , Medjedovic Josip , Merkle Christoph
Published: January 2019

In an experiment with professional analysts, we study their reliance on CEO personality information when producing financial forecasts. Drawing on social cognition research, we suggest analysts apply a stereotyping heuristic, believing that extraverted CEOs are more successful. The between‐subjects results with CEO extraversion as treatment variable confirm that analysts issue more favorable forecasts (earnings per share, long‐term earnings growth, and target price) for firms led by extraverted CEOs. Increased forecast uncertainty leads to even stronger stereotyping. Additionally, personality similarity between analysts and CEOs has a large effect on financial forecasts. Analysts issue more positive forecasts for CEOs similar to themselves.