bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of job stress on job satisfaction among younger bank employees in China
Authors: Wu Xiaoyu
Published: December 2019

Purpose

This study aims to examine distinct influences of two dimension job stress on job satisfaction and the moderating effects of guanxi-oriented attitude on the relationship between job stress and job satisfaction under cognitive appraisal theory and transactional theory.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, surveys are conducted among state-owned younger bank employees. The author uses the scale of job challenge stress and hindrance stress developed among Chinese younger bank employees to measure the two dimension job stress. After demonstrating guanxi-relative concepts, the moderating effects of guanxi-oriented attitude are examined in this study.

Findings

The results demonstrate that guanxi-oriented attitude does not significantly moderate the influence of challenge stress on job satisfaction, while it significantly moderates the noxious influence of hindrance stress on job satisfaction. Theoretical contributions are also discussed.

Originality/value

First, this study suggests specific procedures to conduct hierarchical regression analysis and confirms the effects by parameters. It also proposes and summarizes specific procedures on how to calculate regression equations and draw regression lines to check the interaction received from the hierarchical regression analysis visually. Second, based on cognitive appraisal theory, guanxi-oriented attitude, a Chinese indigenous cognitive concept, was verified in this study. According to the importance of guanxi in Chinese society, the paper shows that employees who value guanxi more will buffer the noxious effects of job stress. Trainings and counseling should be designed to regulate the normal guanxi-oriented-related cognition.
Governance and coordination in health care: organic processes and structural capacity
Authors: Nugus Peter , Denis Jean-Louis , Chênevert Denis
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to articulate cutting-edge conceptions of the relationship between local processes in the here-and-now, and the broader influences on those processes, that are both organic and overtly designed, and to discern the implications of this relationship for future research, policy and practice.

Design/methodology/approach

A focused and structured approach was taken to give effect to this purpose by reviewing the chosen articles in this collection, which from the 2018 Organizational Behavior in Health Care conference papers.

Findings

Research in coordination within and across health care boundaries increasingly recognizes: the multilevel influences on human action and interaction in health care delivery; the challenge of balancing individual or local agency with overt interventions; the everchanging the local circumstances of healthcare delivery; and the need to foster reflexivity, that is, self-improvement capacity, in healthcare organizations.

Research limitations/implications

Interventions to improve care coordination must be grounded in the reality of changing local circumstances and incentives for action from the broader environment.

Originality/value

This paper articulates the implied tension in health care delivery between individual and local agency, and imposed structures that may contradict, but are at the same time necessary, to foster such agency.
An adaptive model predictive approach for automated vehicle control in fallback procedure based on virtual vehicle scheme
Authors: Xue Wei , Zheng Rencheng , Yang Bo , Wang Zheng , Kaizuka Tsutomu , Nakano Kimihiko
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Automated driving systems (ADSs) are being developed to avoid human error and improve driving safety. However, limited focus has been given to the fallback behavior of automated vehicles, which act as a fail-safe mechanism to deal with safety issues resulting from sensor failure. Therefore, this study aims to establish a fallback control approach aimed at driving an automated vehicle to a safe parking lane under perceptive sensor malfunction.

Design/methodology/approach

Owing to an undetected area resulting from a front sensor malfunction, the proposed ADS first creates virtual vehicles to replace existing vehicles in the undetected area. Afterward, the virtual vehicles are assumed to perform the most hazardous driving behavior toward the host vehicle; an adaptive model predictive control algorithm is then presented to optimize the control task during the fallback procedure, avoiding potential collisions with surrounding vehicles. This fallback approach was tested in typical cases related to car-following and lane changes.

Findings

It is confirmed that the host vehicle avoid collision with the surrounding vehicles during the fallback procedure, revealing that the proposed method is effective for the test scenarios.

Originality/value

This study presents a model for the path-planning problem regarding an automated vehicle under perceptive sensor failure, and it proposes an original path-planning approach based on virtual vehicle scheme to improve the safety of an automated vehicle during a fallback procedure. This proposal gives a different view on the fallback safety problem from the normal strategy, in which the mode is switched to manual if a driver is available or the vehicle is instantly stopped.
Improved Area of Origin Estimation for Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Using 3D Scanning
Authors: Esaias Owen , Noonan Grant W. , Everist Shane , Roberts Michell , Thompson Cassie , Krosch Matt N.
Published: December 2019

An important component of crime scene reconstruction is bloodstain pattern analysis (BPA). Where BPA concerns impact patterns, estimating the area of origin is critical information for scene reconstruction. Traditionally, this is achieved by measuring individual bloodstains and performing trigonometric calculations; however, 3D scanning has been proposed as a viable alternative for overcoming logistical and practical concerns with the manual method. Therefore, this project aimed to establish whether the FARO Focus 3D scanner and FARO Zone 3D software can improve the accuracy of area of origin estimates relative to the manual method. We created a series of eight bloodstain impact patterns and performed paired analysis using the two methods to estimate areas of origin for each pattern. Our data suggested that FARO‐derived estimates were generally more accurate than using the manual method. FARO‐estimated heights of origin areas were generally closer to the true distance. Both methods underestimated the distance from the wall for most patterns originating 150mm or greater from the wall, but overestimated distances for patterns originating closer to the wall. The degree to which distances were underestimated increased significantly the further the blood source was from the wall and was greater for FARO‐derived estimates. The results of this research contribute to the validation of these instruments for operational implementation for BPA and should be considered alongside the practical benefits of 3D scanning relative to manual methods. Further, 3D scanning can provide reliable BPA reconstruction documentation for technical review and court presentation.
Development of a risk assessment model to differentiate malignant and benign musculoskeletal soft‐tissue masses on magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Obaid Haron , Vassos Nicholas , Adams Scott J , Bryce Rhonda , Donuru Achala , Sinclair Nicolette
Published: December 2019

Introduction

This study aimed to develop a risk stratification model to differentiate benign and malignant MRI‐imaged musculoskeletal soft‐tissue tumours, informing decisions surrounding biopsy and follow‐up imaging.

Methods

Imaging of patients who underwent MRI and subsequent biopsy to evaluate a soft‐tissue mass was retrospectively reviewed. Features analysed included patient age; tumour size; shape; margins; enhancement pattern; signal intensity pattern; deep fascia, neurovascular bundle, bone and joint involvement; and the presence of necrosis, haemorrhage, oedema and intralesional fat. Univariate comparisons, by final histopathological status, employed t‐tests and chi‐square tests, followed by simple and multiple logistic regressions. Variables included in the final multiple regression model were used to define a three‐level risk stratification strategy.

Results

One‐hundred and ten patients were included in the analysis. Univariate relationships were identified between malignancy and age, tumour size, deep fascia involvement, neurovascular involvement, necrosis, haemorrhage, oedema and heterogeneous enhancement (all P < 0.01). Final multiple regression modelling included size, enhancement and oedema. Thirty of 40 (75%) tumours >5 cm with surrounding oedema (‘high risk’) were malignant, 13 of 47 (28%) tumours with one or more of tumour size >5 cm, surrounding oedema or heterogeneous enhancement (‘moderate risk’) were malignant, and none of the 16 tumours ≤5 cm with the absence of surrounding oedema and heterogeneous enhancement (‘low risk’) were malignant.

Conclusions

A model including tumour size, enhancement and oedema has potential to stratify soft‐tissue tumours into high‐, intermediate‐ and low‐risk categories; this may inform decisions surrounding biopsy and follow‐up imaging.
Quantitative Colour Pattern Analysis (QCPA): A comprehensive framework for the analysis of colour patterns in nature
Authors: van den Berg Cedric P. , Troscianko Jolyon , Endler John A. , Marshall N. Justin , Cheney Karen L.
Published: December 2019

To understand the function of colour signals in nature, we require robust quantitative analytical frameworks to enable us to estimate how animal and plant colour patterns appear against their natural background as viewed by ecologically relevant species. Due to the quantitative limitations of existing methods, colour and pattern are rarely analysed in conjunction with one another, despite a large body of literature and decades of research on the importance of spatio‐chromatic colour pattern analyses. Furthermore, key physiological limitations of animal visual systems such as spatial acuity, spectral sensitivities, photoreceptor abundances and receptor noise levels are rarely considered together in colour pattern analyses.

Here, we present a novel analytical framework, called the Quantitative Colour Pattern Analysis (QCPA). We have overcome many quantitative and qualitative limitations of existing colour pattern analyses by combining calibrated digital photography and visual modelling. We have integrated and updated existing spatio‐chromatic colour pattern analyses, including adjacency, visual contrast and boundary strength analysis, to be implemented using calibrated digital photography through the Multispectral Image Analysis and Calibration (MICA) Toolbox.

This combination of calibrated photography and spatio‐chromatic colour pattern analyses is enabled by the inclusion of psychophysical colour and luminance discrimination thresholds for image segmentation, which we call ‘Receptor Noise Limited Clustering’, used here for the first time. Furthermore, QCPA provides a novel psycho‐physiological approach to the modelling of spatial acuity using convolution in the spatial or frequency domains, followed by ‘Receptor Noise Limited Ranked Filtering’ to eliminate intermediate edge artefacts and recover sharp boundaries following smoothing. We also present a new type of colour pattern analysis, the ‘local edge intensity analysis’ as well as a range of novel psycho‐physiological approaches to the visualization of spatio‐chromatic data.

QCPA combines novel and existing pattern analysis frameworks into what we hope is a unified, free and open source toolbox and introduces a range of novel analytical and data‐visualization approaches. These analyses and tools have been seamlessly integrated into the MICA toolbox providing a dynamic and user‐friendly workflow.
Genome‐wide analyses reveal the regions involved in the phenotypic diversity in Sicilian pigs
Authors: D’Alessandro E. , Sottile G. , Sardina M.T. , Criscione A. , Bordonaro S. , Sutera A.M. , Zumbo A. , Portolano B. , Mastrangelo S.
Published: December 2019

Nero Siciliano (Sicilian Black, SB) is a local pig breed generally of uniform black color. In addition to this officially recognized breed, there are animals showing morphological characteristics resembling the SB but with gray hair (Sicilian Grey, SG). The SG, compared with the SB, also shows a more compact structure with greater transverse diameters, higher average daily gains and lower thickness of the back fat. In this study, using the Illumina PorcineSNP60 BeadChip, we run genome‐wide analyses to identify regions that may explain the phenotypic differences between SB (n = 21) and SG (n = 27) individuals. Combining the results of the two case–control approaches (GWAS and FST), we identified two significant regions, one on SSC5 (95 401 083 bp) and one on SSC15 (55 051 435 bp), which contains several candidate genes related to growth traits in pig. The results of the Bayesian population differentiation approach identified a marker near the MGAT4C, a gene associated with average daily gain in pigs. Finally, scanning the genome for runs of homozygosity islands, we found that the two groups have different runs of homozygosity islands, with several candidate genes involved in coat color (in SG) or related to different pig performance traits (in SB). In summary, the two analyzed groups differed for several phenotypic traits, and genes involved in these traits (growth, meat traits and coat color) were detected. This study provided another contribution to the identification of genomic regions involved in phenotypic variability in local pig populations
The effect of a low‐dose naloxone infusion on the incidence of respiratory depression after intrathecal morphine administration for major open hepatobiliary surgery: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Cosgrave D. , Vencken S. , Galligan M. , McGuinness S. , Soukhin E. , McMullan V. , Nair S. , Puttappa A. , Boylan J. , Hussain R. , Conlon N. , Doran P. , Nichol A.
Published: December 2019

Intrathecal morphine is an analgesic option for major hepatopancreaticobiliary procedures but is associated with a risk of respiratory depression. We hypothesised that a postoperative low‐dose naloxone infusion would reduce the incidence of respiratory depression without an increase in pain scores. Patients scheduled for major open hepatopancreaticobiliary surgery and who were receiving 10 μg.kg−1 intrathecal morphine were eligible for inclusion. Patients were allocated randomly to receive a postoperative infusion of naloxone 5 μg.kg−1.h−1 (naloxone group) or saline at an identical infusion rate (control group) until the morning after surgery. Clinicians, nursing staff and patients were blinded to group allocation. The primary outcome measure was the incidence of respiratory depression (respiratory rate < 10 breaths.min−1 and/or oxygen saturation < 90%). Secondary outcome measures included: arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide; pain score; requirement for supplemental analgesic; and incidence of nausea and vomiting, pruritus and sedation. In total, data from 95 patients (48 in the naloxone group and 47 in the control group) were analysed. The incidence of respiratory depression was lower in the naloxone group compared with the control group (10/48 vs. 21/47 patients, respectively; p = 0.037, relative risk 0.47 (95%CI 0.25–0.87). Maximum pain scores were greater for patients allocated to the naloxone group compared with control (median 5 (95%CI 4–6) vs. 4 (95%CI 2–4), respectively; p < 0.001). A low‐dose naloxone infusion decreases the incidence of respiratory depression following intrathecal morphine administration in patients having major hepatopancreaticobiliary surgery at the expense of a small increase in postoperative pain.
Effects of continuous‐flow left ventricular assist devices on cerebral hemodynamics
Authors: Karahan Mehmet , Kocabeyoglu Sinan Sabit , Kervan Umit , Sert Dogan Emre , Aygun Emre , Tola Muharrem , Demirkan Burcu , Mungan Semra , Kursun Oguzhan , Catav Zeki , Pac Mustafa
Published: December 2019

Continuous‐flow left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) reduce peak systolic flow, increase diastolic flow, and eliminate pulsatility of circulation. Altered blood flow may lead to a change in end‐organ perfusion. Analysis of the flow dynamics of the arteries of end organs, such as the brain, may indicate whether an organ is perfused sufficiently. The aim of this study is to evaluate and identify the flow pattern changes of carotid (CA) and middle cerebral arteries (MCA) in LVAD patients and to compare with heart failure patients and healthy volunteers. Eighty‐nine individuals were included in this cross‐sectional study. Participants were divided into three groups: LVAD patients (n = 31), heart failure patients (n = 26), and healthy volunteers (n = 27). Carotid and transcranial Doppler ultrasonography were performed for all study groups for peak systolic velocity (PSV), end‐diastolic velocity (EDV), pulsatility (PI), and resistive (RI) indices of CA and MCA. Flow dynamics were compared between the groups. Doppler ultrasonographic data were analyzed at a median 12 (3‐47) months after LVAD implantation. CA‐PSV was lower in LVAD group compared with the other two groups (P < .001), MCA‐PSV of LVAD and heart failure groups were similar and lower than healthy volunteers (P < .05). The highest values for CA‐EDV were found in the LVAD group (P < .05). MCA‐EDV values were found to be lowest in heart failure group (P < .05). For PI and RI, in all CA and MCA, the LVAD group had lower indices compared with the other two groups (P < .001). In addition, MCA flow analysis in patients with LVADs was identified for the first time with this study.
The effect of information system utilization and education and training on organizational innovation in public social welfare officers: Focused on the moderating effect of organizational trust
Authors: Jeon Sun Young
Published: December 2019

The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of information system utilization and education and training on organizational innovation for public social welfare officers in Seoul and verify whether organizational trust plays a role as a moderator variable in these relationships. First, information system utilization and education and training have positive effects on organizational innovation. Second, as a result of investigating the moderating effects of organizational trust, organizational trust has a positive effect on the relationship between information system utilization and organizational innovation, as well as education and training and organizational innovation. Therefore, it is found that information system utilization and education and training are important for innovation of public welfare service. The stronger relationship we have, the higher organizational trust we acquire. Therefore, in order to innovate the organization, it is necessary to strengthen the education training that can utilize the network and the expertise to share information and communicate. It is also necessary to focus on enhancing organizational trust such as mutual consideration, information sharing, and assistance within an organization.
Pathologic fracture healing after femoral limb salvage in a dog
Authors: Hayes MA , Jemilo S , Muir P , Sullivan R , Bleedorn JA
Published: December 2019

Background

Bone sarcomas are a significant cause of pain, disability, and mortality in dogs. A variety of surgical limb salvage options are available to preserve limb function with comparable prognosis to amputation.

Case Report

This report describes successful healing after plate fixation of an undifferentiated sarcoma pathologic femoral fracture in a dog. The fracture was treated surgically with curettage of the tumour site, placement of autogenous bone graft, and then stabilized using a locking plate rod construct. The patient regained excellent mobility after surgery and was managed with monthly pamidronate therapy. Serial radiographs demonstrate progressive healing of the pathologic fracture. Ultimately, the patient developed a maxillary fibrosarcoma and was euthanased 1 year after treatment of the femoral fracture. Postmortem histopathological evaluation of the pathologic fracture site demonstrated complete bone healing.

Conclusion

This case highlights the possibilities of limb salvage by fracture stabilization and bone healing as a viable option in select patients.
Birds, Birds, Birds: Co‐Worker Similarity, Workplace Diversity and Job Switches
Authors: Hirsch Boris , Jahn Elke J. , Zwick Thomas
Published: December 2019

We investigate how the demographic composition of the workforce along the sex, nationality, education, age and tenure dimensions affects job switches. Fitting duration models for workers’ job‐to‐job turnover rate that control for workplace fixed effects in a representative sample of large manufacturing plants in Germany during 1975–2016, we find that larger co‐worker similarity in all five dimensions substantially depresses job‐to‐job moves, whereas workplace diversity is of limited importance. In line with conventional wisdom, which has that birds of a feather flock together, our interpretation of the results is that workers prefer having co‐workers of their kind and place less value on diverse workplaces.
What drives the (un)empathic bystander to intervene? Insights from eye tracking
Authors: Hu Yang , Fiedler Susann , Weber Bernd
Published: December 2019

Norm violations (e.g., unfair transgressions) are often met with punishment even by people who are not directly affected. However, punishing a transgressor is not the only option for a bystander to restore justice. Empathic concerns may dictate instead to give a helping hand to a victim. Using a pre‐registered, fully incentivized eye‐tracking study (N = 47), we investigated the cognitive mechanism linking bystanders’ empathic concern and justice‐restoring intervention behaviour. The results show that not only the decision to intervene (i.e., either costly compensating the victim or punishing the transgressor) but also the attention directed towards a victim’s payoffs (i.e., measured by the proportion of fixations) during the decision‐making period systematically varied with the individual level of empathic concern. Exploring this link further, we additionally instructed participants to focus on specific components of the norm violation, namely the (un)fair conduct of the offender or the victim's feelings. Surprisingly, highly empathic bystanders were more likely to punish the offender when the norm violation was highlighted. However, we did not observe the modulation of the instructed focus on the link between gaze‐based measures and empathic concern. Overall, these results provide initial evidence about the interacting impact of empathic concern as well as the focus on specific components of the norm violation when bystanders respond to unfair transgressions.
Use of peripheral plasma aldosterone concentration and response to ACTH during simultaneous bilateral adrenal veins sampling to predict the source of aldosterone secretion in primary aldosteronism
Authors: St‐Jean Matthieu , Bourdeau Isabelle , Therasse Éric , Lacroix André
Published: December 2019

Context

Previous studies suggested that plasma aldosterone (PAC) response to ACTH stimulation could predict the subtypes of primary aldosteronism (PA) and avoid adrenal venous sampling (AVS).

Objective

Assess the usefulness of peripheral (P) PAC response to ACTH stimulation during AVS to identify the source of aldosterone in patients with PA.

Methods

Two hundred and fifteen patients were assigned to four different lateralization ratio (LR) groups based on different combinations of basal (≥ or <2) and post‐ACTH LR (≥ or <4). The P vein parameters analysed included as follows: mean basal PAC, maximal PAC (PACmax), and PAC/C ratio (PACmax/C), PAC absolute increase, PAC relative increase following ACTH bolus (250 mcg IV) and maximal variation of PAC/C ratio between post‐ACTH and basal measures.

Results

Mean basal PAC was significantly higher in group 1 (basal LR > 2 and post‐ACTH > 4) than in group 2 (basal LR > 2, post‐ACTH < 4) or group 4 (basal LR < 2 post‐ACTH < 4) (P < .001). PACmax, PACmax/C and PAC absolute increase following ACTH were higher in group 1 than the others (P < .017). Using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves analysis of groups 1 and 4, best AUC were obtained with mean basal PAC (AUC: 0.757 95% IC: 0.653‐0.861), PACmax (AUC: 0.753 95% IC: 0.646‐0.860) and PACmax/C (AUC: 0.750 95% IC: 0.646‐0.853).

Conclusion

P mean basal PAC and PACmax and PACmax/C are higher in basal and ACTH lateralized PA than in other groups. Peripheral PAC cut‐off values fail to adequately distinguish all groups and cannot replace the requirement to conduct AVS.
Rbm14 maintains the integrity of genomic DNA during early mouse embryogenesis via mediating alternative splicing
Authors: Li Jing , Wang Chenxin , Feng Guihai , Zhang Linlin , Chen Guilai , Sun Hao , Wang Jiaqiang , Zhang Ying , Zhou Qi , Li Wei
Published: December 2019

Objective

In this study, we generated an Rbm14 knockout mouse model to explore its functions during early mouse embryogenesis.

Materials and methods

The Rbm14 knockout mouse model was generated by a combination of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9 and microinjection techniques. The developmental defects of the knockout embryos were characterized by histological analyses. The accumulation of DNA damage in mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) was detected by γH2AX staining and comet assay. The altered mRNA splicing of DNA damage response (DDR)‐related genes was detected by RNA‐Seq analysis and confirmed by semi‐quantitative PCR. The interaction of RBM14 with alternative splicing‐related genes was detected by immunoprecipitation‐mass spectra (IP‐MS) and confirmed by co‐immunoprecipitation (Co‐IP).

Results

Rbm14 knockout in mice results in apoptosis and cell proliferation defects in early post‐implantation epiblast cells, leading to gastrulation disruption and embryonic lethality. FACS and immunostaining demonstrate accumulation of DNA damage in Rbm14 knockout ES cells. We also identified altered splicing of DDR‐related genes in the knockout mouse ESCs by RNA‐Seq, indicating that RBM14‐mediated alternative splicing is required for the maintenance of genome integrity during early mouse embryogenesis.

Conclusions

Our work reveals that Rbm14 plays an essential role in the maintenance of genome integrity during early mouse embryonic development by regulating alternative splicing of DDR‐related genes.
Vasodilator‐stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) is recruited into dendritic spines via G‐actin‐dependent mechanism and contributes to spine enlargement and stabilization
Authors: Iwasaki Kanako , Obashi Kazuki , Okabe Shigeo
Published: December 2019

Actin organization and dynamics are modulated by diverse actin regulators during dendritic spine development. To understand the molecular network that regulates actin organization and spine morphology, it is important to investigate dynamic redistribution of actin regulators during spine development. One of the actin regulators, vasodilator‐stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP), has multiple functions in actin regulation and is known to regulate spine morphology. However, dynamics and temporal regulation of VASP during spine development have not been clarified. In this study, we performed time‐lapse imaging of mouse hippocampal dissociated neurons to analyse the change in localization of VASP during spine development. We found that accumulation of VASP within spines precedes the start of persistent F‐actin increase, which are temporally coupled with spine enlargement. Using domain deletion or mutation constructs of VASP, we revealed that the interaction with G‐actin is important for the preceding accumulation of VASP. Furthermore, we showed that accumulation of VASP contributes to actin enrichment within spines and stabilization of spine morphology by dominant negative experiments. These data suggest that G‐actin‐dependent VASP recruitment has dual functions in spine development, enlargement and stabilization, through the interaction with actin and other cytoskeletal regulators.
Effects of bilateral transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation on constipation severity in geriatric patients: A prospective clinical study
Authors: Gokce Aylin Hande , Gokce Feridun Suat
Published: December 2019

Aim

Constipation is the most common digestive complaint in the general population, and one of the most frequently encountered health problems in the geriatric population. In the present study, we aimed to determine whether bilateral transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation affects constipation severity in geriatric patients with refractory chronic constipation.

Methods

Bilateral transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation was carried out three times per week for 30 min in geriatric patients aged >65 years with less than three defecations per week. The patients were evaluated, and constipation severity was compared before the treatment, at the end of the 6‐week treatment and 12 weeks after the end of the treatment.

Results

Assessment carried out using the Constipation Severity Instrument showed that the scores for subscales; that is, obstructive defecation, colonic inertia and pain, improved significantly by the end of the treatment compared with the scores obtained before the treatment. Furthermore, the improvement in pain continued for 12 weeks after the treatment, and although there was a slight decrease in the scores for the other subscales, they significantly improved compared with the scores obtained before the treatment.

Conclusions

During the 12‐week follow‐up period, bilateral transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation significantly improved constipation severity in geriatric patients with refractory chronic constipation. We believe that this easy‐to‐use and low‐cost method can be applied to eligible geriatric patients who cannot be treated through dietary adjustments and/or medical interventions. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; 20: 101–105.
Nail manifestations in atopic dermatitis: a systematic review
Authors: Chng Wei Qiang , Yew Yik Weng
Published: December 2019

Background

Nail involvement is not well‐studied in atopic dermatitis but is believed to be more common than what is known. The spectrum of nail disorders that result from underlying atopic dermatitis (AD) is wide and has been reported in several studies, but there has been no systematic review so far to understand and quantify its prevalence.

Objective

To determine the prevalence and type of nail disorders seen in AD, either as a complication of the underlying condition or as a clue to its early diagnosis.

Methods

The authors performed a systematic review of English and non‐English articles using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane which reported the proportion of nail changes among AD patients. Only studies specifically looking at AD and its associated nail manifestations were included. Data were extracted and summarized descriptively.

Results

Twelve studies reported proportion of nail changes among AD patients. One study reported numbers in both adults and children cohorts, allowing 13 cohorts for final systematic review.

Conclusions

Knowledge of the types and prevalence of nail changes in AD raises awareness among physicians managing AD.
The outcome of using different surgical modalities and laser therapy in the treatment of small‐ and medium‐sized congenital melanocytic nevi: a systematic review
Authors: ALMutairi Hanadi M. , Al‐hothali Ghadah I.
Published: December 2019

Objectives

The purpose of this study is to review the published articles regarding different surgical modalities including laser therapy in the treatment of congenital melanocytic nevi (CMN).

Methods

A systematic review was done using several databases including PubMed, Ovid Medline, Google Scholar, and Medline to search for articles related to surgical excisions and different treatment modalities of CMN.

Results

Fourteen studies were included according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The results have shown that the Q‐switched ruby laser therapy was the most commonly used laser therapy to treat CMN. Overall, using laser therapy had positive outcomes in CMN treatment. However, limited knowledge was available regarding patient satisfaction with the outcomes of laser therapy.

Conclusion

We concluded that the most acceptable surgical choice was using excision with tissue expanders. Laser‐intense pulsed light (IPL) alone and in combination with Erbium:yttrium‐aluminum‐garnet (Er:YAG) has a risk of recurrence. Combination of types of the laser is more effective than a single one.
Effect of ageing process on carcinogen ethyl carbamate (EC), its main precursors and aroma compound variation in Hakka Huangjiu produced in southern China
Authors: Liu Xiaoyan , Qian Min , Dong Hao , Bai Weidong , Zhao Wenhong , Li Xiangluan , Liu Gongliang
Published: December 2019

Wine ageing is of great importance to the quality and organoleptic properties of Huangjiu. The aim of the present work was to investigate the effect of ageing temperature on the content changes in ethyl carbamate (EC) and its precursors including citrulline, arginine, ornithine and urea in Hakka Huangjiu. Aroma compound changes were also detected using headspace solid‐phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography spectrometry. Results indicated that with the increase in ageing temperature, citrulline and EC concentrations increased, whereas arginine and ornithine concentrations decreased. Urea was decreased slightly from 4 to 20 °C while increased at 37 °C. Pearson test demonstrated that ageing temperature had significant correlation with EC and arginine. The concentrations of aroma compounds, especially esters, alcohols, acids and heterocyclic compounds were different in different ageing temperatures. Ageing temperature of Hakka Huangjiu was suggested setting in a lower temperature as for strictly controlling contents of urea and citrulline, as well as EC.
Reaction of food‐specific antibodies with different tissue antigens
Authors: Vojdani Aristo
Published: December 2019

Wheat, milk, peanuts, soy, egg and corn are among the most major sources of immunoreactive proteins. The first goal of this study was to examine the reactivity of food‐specific antibodies with human tissue antigens. Affinity‐purified rabbit anti‐food antibodies were applied to sixty‐five tissue antigens. Anti‐peanut antibody had the most reactions with twenty‐four out of the sixty‐five antigens, followed by anti‐alpha‐gliadin with twenty, anti‐egg with seventeen, anti‐wheat with fifteen, anti‐milk with fourteen, and both anti‐corn and anti‐soy with ten each tissue antigens. Serial dilutions and inhibition study confirmed that these reactions were specific. The second goal was to determine the percentage of blood donors with elevations in IgG, IgA, IgM and IgE antibodies against these food antigens. A significant percentage of the tested blood samples showed elevations in antibodies against different food antigens. This reaction of food‐specific antibodies with different tissue antigens indicates that cross‐reactivity between food and human tissue antigens exists, and these antibodies, if detected in blood, may contribute to different autoimmune diseases.
Product design crowdsourcing in a dual‐channel supply chain: joint reviews from manufacturer and consumers
Authors: Li Jizi , Yu Yue , Liu Chunling
Published: December 2019

As an effective paradigm to aggregate a crowd's wisdom for new product development, crowdsourcing has attracted much attention in recent years. This paper investigates the issue of joint online reviews on crowdsourcing in a dual‐channel supply chain with one manufacturer and one retailer. The manufacturer makes customized products of two types: crowdsourcing products (CPs) and noncrowdsourcing products (NCPs), designed by crowdsourcees and the interfirm employees, respectively. We formulate a utility model composed of a pool of consumers who make utility maximizing choices. Utilizing this model, a supply chain framework related to ex ante joint online reviews is developed under the decentralized and centralized setting, to find the joint online review conditions under which the crowdsourcing solutions are accepted prior to putting into production, then derive the CP's and NCP's optimal demand and price and review level. Furthermore, comparison study is conducted concerning the three scenarios: without any online reviews, with only online reviews from consumers, and with joint online reviews from manufacturer and consumers, to examine the impacts of crowdsourcing, online reviews, and both interactions on supply chain performance. The results show, although public opinion suggests that increase in crowdsourcing customized degree facilitates widespread adoption of crowdsourcing design, we find some conditions impede firms from implementing it. Meanwhile, among different combinations of online reviews and decision‐making settings, only in joint online reviews and centralized setting, the objective of selecting crowdsourcing design is aligned to maximizing the total supply chain's profit. Additionally, when the customized degree ratio is at a medium level, even if the CP demand is less than NCP, the manufacturer and the retailer gain more payoffs from CPs than from NCPs.
The supplier's optimal guarantee policy in newsvendor finance
Authors: Li Yanhai , Jiang Xuan
Published: December 2019

The retailer is a capital‐constrained newsvendor and can borrow money from the bank if necessary. To help the retailer get a bank loan at a lower interest rate, the supplier provides guarantee for the retailer's loan up to a prespecified amount. In a Stackelberg game, the supplier decides the wholesale price and the guarantee amount as a leader, and then the retailer determines the order quantity and the amount of the loan as a follower. The supplier is risk‐neutral while the retailer's risk preference is reflected by a spectral risk measure (risk‐neutral, risk‐averse, or risk‐seeking). For a given wholesale price and guarantee amount, the retailer's objective function is quasi‐concave in the order quantity. The optimal solutions for the supplier and the retailer are derived. The supplier's expected profit with optimized wholesale price increases with the guarantee amount, and thus the supplier's optimal policy is to provide a full guarantee for the retailer's loan. When the supplier can limit his guarantee responsibility by a proportion of the outstanding loan obligation, the supplier's optimal policy is also to provide a full guarantee. Even if the retailer incurs bankruptcy costs in the event of repayment default, the supplier's optimal guarantee policy remains the same in these two different forms of limited guarantee. However, when the wholesale price is exogenous, that is, not a decision variable, the full guarantee is not necessarily optimal for supplier.
Redesign of vaccine distribution networks
Authors: Lim Jung , Norman Bryan A. , Rajgopal Jayant
Published: December 2019

In most low‐ and middle‐income countries supported by the World Health Organization's Expanded Program on Immunization, vaccines are distributed through a legacy medical supply chain that is typically not cost‐efficient. Vaccines require storage and transport in a temperature‐controlled environment; this requires a “cold” distribution chain with capacity constraints on cold storage and cold transport. We propose an approach to redesigning the vaccine distribution chain that includes locating a set of intermediate distribution centers (DCs) and determining the flow paths from the central store (where vaccines are received into a country) through one or more of these to health clinics where vaccination actually occurs. In addition, the transport vehicles to allocate to each flow path, and the cold storage devices to use at each clinic or intermediate DC are determined. The redesigned network does not have to follow the current four‐tiered, arborescent structure commonly found in practice, but can use alternative network structures. To redesign this network optimally, we develop a mixed‐integer programming (MIP) model that can be used for small‐to‐medium‐sized problems and also present a hybrid heuristic–MIP method to obtain good solutions for larger problems. Numerical results are shown using data reflecting distribution networks in several countries in sub‐Saharan Africa.
Outrage and the emotional labour associated with environmental activism among nurses
Authors: Terry Louise , Bowman Karen
Published: December 2019

Aim

To investigate the emotions associated with environmental activism among nurses.

Background

Nursing has a long history of political activism in relation to social justice issues. Some nurses are environmental activists.

Design

Ethnography.

Methods

Focus groups and individual interviews were triangulated with additional observational data. The 40 participants (USA = 23, UK = 17) were nurses actively engaged with environmental/sustainability issues. Data collection was from March–October 2017. Data were analysed using discourse analysis.

Results

The trigger for nurses' environmental activism was a strong emotional response to recognizing risks to human health. Their activism results in an additional emotion burden above which they routinely experience in caring for patients. Many feel over‐whelmed by the magnitude of the issues. Nurses in America feel more supported and empowered to be activists than UK nurses.

Conclusion

This study reveals for the first time that advocating for the environment is emotional labour, additional to the previously recognized emotional labour associated with caring for patients. Encouragement and support from others, particularly fellow nurses, helps nurse environmental activists continue to fight for the health of communities and the planet.

Impact

Outrage at threats to human health triggers nurses' environmental activism. Environmental activism creates an additional emotional burden above that routinely experienced in caring for patients. Nurses in America feel more supported and empowered to be activists than UK. Nurses whose practice embraces environmental activism need practical and emotional support from other nurses.
IL‐8 promotes cell migration through regulating EMT by activating the Wnt/β‐catenin pathway in ovarian cancer
Authors: Wen Jirui , Zhao Zhiwei , Huang Liwei , Wang Ling , Miao Yali , Wu Jiang
Published: December 2019

Interleukin‐8 (IL‐8), as an inflammatory chemokine, has been previously shown to contribute to tumorigenesis in several malignancies including the ovarian cancer. However, little is known about how IL‐8 promotes the metastasis and invasion of ovarian cancers cells. In this study, we found that IL‐8 and its receptors CXCR1 and CXCR2 were up‐regulated in advanced ovarian serous cancer tissues. Furthermore, the level of IL‐8 and its receptors CXCR1 and CXCR2 expression were associated with ovarian cancer stage, grade and lymph node metastasis. In vitro, IL‐8 promoted ovarian cancer cell migration, initiated the epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) program and activated Wnt/β‐catenin signalling. However, when treated with Reparixin (inhibitor of both IL‐8 receptors CXCR1 and CXCR2), effect of both endogenous and exogenous IL‐8 was reversed. Together, our results indicated that IL‐8 triggered ovarian cancer cells migration partly through Wnt/β‐catenin pathway mediated EMT, and IL‐8 may be an important molecule in the invasion and metastasis of ovarian cancer.
The Patient‐Oriented Eczema Measure: estimating the minimal important change in an outpatient clinic cohort
Authors: Yew Y.W. , Zhao X. , Apfelbacher C.J.
Published: December 2019

Background

Patient‐Oriented Eczema Measure (POEM) measures patient‐reported symptoms in atopic dermatitis (AD). It is the recommended core outcome instrument to capture the symptoms domain in AD clinical trials. Understanding the minimal important change (MIC) in the POEM score is therefore important in both trial and clinical care settings. Previous studies have mainly evaluated MIC estimates among children in trial settings. The MIC estimate for POEM in a clinical setting is often lacking.

Objectives

We aim to estimate the MIC of the POEM using both distribution‐based and anchor‐based methods in a clinical cohort of adult eczema patients.

Methods

Both distribution‐based and anchor‐based methods were used to calculate the MIC of the POEM in a clinical cohort of Asian adult patients attending the eczema clinic at a tertiary dermatology centre in Singapore. Scoring AD (SCORAD) was used as the disease severity anchor for the anchor‐based methods. The smallest detectable change (SDC) for POEM was also calculated as the threshold for any measurement error.

Results

There were a total of 85 adult AD patients in the cohort that contributed a total of 114 paired measurements of both POEM and SCORAD. The SDC in our study was 1.68. The MIC estimates were 3.64 and 1.46 based on 0.5 standard deviation (SD) and 0.2 SD distribution‐based methods. Anchor‐based methods such as the receiver operating curve and predictive modelling methods yielded MIC values of 0.50 and 1.05, respectively.

Conclusions

Minimal important change for POEM varied according to the methods and approaches used. Only a change of two points or more in POEM could be considered beyond any measurement errors and clinically important. This finding is consistent even in a clinical setting of Asian adults with eczema.
Increased frequency of interleukin‐4 and reduced frequency of interferon‐γ and IL‐17‐producing CD4+ and CD8+ cells in scleromyxedema
Authors: Kalli F. , Cioni M. , Parodi A. , Altosole T. , Ferrera F. , Barra G. , De Palma R. , Fenoglio D. , Filaci G. , Rongioletti F.
Published: December 2019

Background

Little is known about the pathogenesis of scleromyxedema, a life‐threatening fibromucinosis disease with immunological dysregulation.

Objectives

To investigate on T‐cell phenotype, function and cytokine biology in search of new insights supporting the immunopathogenesis of the disease.

Methods

We analysed the frequency of circulating lymphocyte subsets, the T‐cell maturation stage, the generation of antigen‐specific T‐cell lines and T‐cell cytokine secretion.

Results

The analysis of T‐cell maturation stage and the TCR spectratyping findings revealed that scleromyxedema patients showed clear immunological signs of long‐lasting immune system activation and stimulation leading to a skewed T‐cell repertoire. Moreover, these analyses showed that both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells from scleromyxedema patients have a profound deficiency (even after stimulation) relatively to the production of IFN‐γ and IL17 with respect to healthy donor control cells, while they are massively skewed towards IL4 secretion after stimulation.

Conclusions

Our data indicate that a chronic Th2‐skewed T‐cell response against an unknown target antigen leading to abnormally high IL4 secretion, a pro‐fibrotic cytokine, is a main immunological hallmark of scleromyxedema patients. These results, never reported before, may have a translational therapeutic value due to the availability of anti‐IL4 agents such as dupilumab.