bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
East Asian films in the European market: the roles of cultural distance and cultural specificity
Authors: Wang Xiaoyan , Pan Haibo Raymond , Zhu Nibing , Cai Shaohan
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This study investigates the impact of cultural distance on foreign box office performance of East Asian cinematic production in European markets. Predicated on two dimensions of a film's cultural specificity, namely content- and aesthetics-based components, this research advances current knowledge on the moderating effects of cultural specificity.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors compile a data set of 515 East Asian films released in European countries during the 2010–2018 period. Data are analyzed by hierarchical linear modeling.

Findings

Results show that cultural distance plays a negative role in affecting foreign box office performance and that aesthetics specificity of films weakens such a relationship, while content specificity of films can further strengthen the relationship.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that cultural specificity is a crucial element and a relevant marketing tool in the cross-country film trade. Film producers and distributors need to consider both distribution strategy and intercultural context in order to align effectively with differing cultural distance and specificity.

Originality/value

This study proposes a new categorization framework of cultural specificity and demonstrates the moderating roles of content and aesthetics specificity on the relationship between cultural distance and films' foreign box office performance. It offers implications for both theory and practice in global film marketing and trade.
Automatic robotic recharging systems – development and challenges
Authors: Bi Zhuming , Luo Chaomin , Miao Zhonghua , Zhang Bing , Zhang Chris W.J.
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Since the market penetrations of service robots are only successful to a limited types of services, the purpose of the paper is to look into the reasons why the market penetrations are lagged from both technical and nontechnical perspectives. Automatic robotic recharging services, especially robotic refueling systems, are used as the case study for the investigation.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper surveyed the relevant technologies and products and conducted the feasibility study and risk management for new development of automated robotic refueling systems. This paper developed a cost model for the evaluation of robotic refueling systems.

Findings

There are no major technical barriers that exist for the development of robotic refueling systems, but two main risks of developing new robotic refueling systems are interference of existing patents and the extreme effort to further reduce the development cost of automated refueling systems. The recommendations have been made to new developers of service robots.

Research limitations/implications

The suggestions are made for further development on service robots, in general; however, this paper does not cover the physical development of service robots.

Practical implications

This study was actually conducted for a client company who has a strong interest in developing new products for automatic robotic refueling systems. The reported work has great significance for new comers in this area to understand the state of the art, technological challenges and some potential risks in the field.

Originality/value

To the best of authors’ knowledge, it will be the first academic paper to summarize the research and development effort on automatic recharging business. The targeted field is very typical in promoting robots in services. Even robotic refueling was proposed at very early stage of robotic application, the market penetration of refueling robots the market penetration is very limited, not because the technology readiness but some other factors. This work has its significance to identify technical and nontechnical challenges to promote robots in services.
The role of transaction cost and trust in e-loyalty: a mixed-methods study of ride-sharing
Authors: Hou Tingting , Cheng Xusen , Cheng Xiankun
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the trust antecedents and the effect of trust and transaction cost on passengers' e-loyalty in the context of mobile commerce enabled ride-sharing.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed-methods research is adopted to investigate the phenomena of interest. The qualitative study was used to identify the context-specific trust antecedents. The quantitative study investigated the effects of trust and transaction cost on e-loyalty by combining the results of qualitative study.

Findings

Three important context-specific trust antecedents were identified in qualitative study, namely online rating score, service quality and driving skills. The quantitative study indicates that driving skills, explicit cost and implicit cost are positively associated with trust. Trust and implicit cost have direct and positive effects on e-loyalty.

Research limitations/implications

This study contributes to understanding passengers' trust towards drivers in the context of mobile commerce enabled ride-sharing and the effect of trust on e-loyalty by including the transaction cost.

Practical implications

Management to enhance passengers' e-loyalty to ride-sharing might involve the measures to promote trust relationship.

Originality/value

Limited research has explored trust relationship for enhancing e-loyalty in the context of ride-sharing. The current study provides a novel contribution through an exploration of trust antecedents and the effects of transaction cost and trust on e-loyalty. The study has thrown light on the use of mixed-methods design in the research of user behavior in sharing economy.
Why do customers intend to continue using internet-based sharing economy service platforms? Roles of network externality and service quality
Authors: Cheng Yung-Ming
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to integrate network externality and service quality as antecedents to the synthesis of expectation–confirmation model (ECM) and perceived ease of use (PEOU) in explaining customers’ continuance intention of internet-based sharing economy service platforms.

Design/methodology/approach

Sample data for this study were collected from students enrolled in a comprehensive university in Taipei, Taiwan. A total of 600 questionnaires were distributed in various campus locations, and 510 usable questionnaires were analyzed in this study, with a usable response rate of 85.0%. Collected data were analyzed using structural equation modeling.

Findings

The primary findings are as follows. First, service enablers’ online service quality positively affected customers’ perceived usefulness (PU), confirmation and PEOU of internet-based sharing economy service platforms, which directly or indirectly explained customers’ satisfaction and continuance intention of the platforms. Next, service providers’ offline service quality positively influenced customers’ PU of internet-based sharing economy service platforms, which in turn caused customers’ satisfaction and continuance intention of the platforms. Finally, network externality from customers’ side and service providers’ side all positively affected customers’ PU of internet-based sharing economy service platforms, which in turn led to customers’ continuance intention of the platforms.

Originality/value

First, this study contributes to the identification of network externality and service quality that may reveal deep insights to the understanding of customers’ continuance intention of internet-based sharing economy service platforms greatly driven by their confirmation of expectations and satisfaction with the platforms. Next, the empirical evidence on capturing ECM and PEOU for completely explaining the antecedents of customers’ continuance intention of internet-based sharing economy service platforms is well documented. Hence, this study’s findings have significantly shed light on the possible formulation of a richer post-adoption model.
Activist identity construction of Madam C.J. Walker
Authors: Hasan Md. Kamrul , Hayek Mario Joseph , Williams, Jr Wallace A. , Pane-Haden Stephanie , Gelvez Maria Paula Martinez
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is twofold. First, this paper seeks to formalize a definition of activist entrepreneurship and differentiate it from social entrepreneurship. Second, this paper proposes a model that explains how the storytelling process, in the form of the message and means of communication, influences the activist identity process and consequently the legitimacy of the activist entrepreneur.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper explains the historical method and offers an overview of the unique case of Madam C.J. Walker and analyzes how she gained legitimacy as an activist entrepreneur by conveying psychological capital (Psycap) concepts in her message and political skill in the means of her communication. The paper also analyzed books being written on her and also letters that were exchanged between herself and her lawyer F.B. Ransom.

Findings

The authors have found out that Madam Walker used Psycap elements such as self-efficacy, hope, resiliency and optimism as message and elements of political skill such as social astuteness, interpersonal skill, networking ability and apparent sincerity as means to communicate the message toward her followers and built a legitimate social identity where she had won the trust of them.

Research limitations/implications

The primary limitation of this paper is that it is theoretical in nature and uses only one case study to support the theoretical model. However, when analyzing complex relationships, historical cases offer a wealth of insight to solve the problem at hand.

Originality/value

By using the elements of the model discussed in the research paper properly, people could create a legitimate identity for themselves where any message they give to their employees, colleagues and sub-ordinates would be viewed as a selfless one and that would increase the chances of their messages or orders being accepted and obeyed by the followers.
A data mining approach for lubricant-based fault diagnosis
Authors: Wakiru James , Pintelon Liliane , Muchiri Peter , Chemweno Peter
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a maintenance decision support system (DSS) framework using in-service lubricant data for fault diagnosis. The DSS reveals embedded patterns in the data (knowledge discovery) and automatically quantifies the influence of lubricant parameters on the unhealthy state of the machine using alternative classifiers. The classifiers are compared for robustness from which decision-makers select an appropriate classifier given a specific lubricant data set.

Design/methodology/approach

The DSS embeds a framework integrating cluster and principal component analysis, for feature extraction, and eight classifiers among them extreme gradient boosting (XGB), random forest (RF), decision trees (DT) and logistic regression (LR). A qualitative and quantitative criterion is developed in conjunction with practitioners for comparing the classifier models.

Findings

The results show the importance of embedded knowledge, explored via a knowledge discovery approach. Moreover, the efficacy of the embedded knowledge on maintenance DSS is emphasized. Importantly, the proposed framework is demonstrated as plausible for decision support due to its high accuracy and consideration of practitioners needs.

Practical implications

The proposed framework will potentially assist maintenance managers in accurately exploiting lubricant data for maintenance DSS, while offering insights with reduced time and errors.

Originality/value

Advances in lubricant-based intelligent approach for fault diagnosis is seldom utilized in practice, however, may be incorporated in the information management systems offering high predictive accuracy. The classification models' comparison approach, will inevitably assist the industry in selecting amongst divergent models' for DSS.
Immigrant entrepreneurs and community social capital: an exploration of motivations and agency
Authors: Gomez Claudia , Perera B. Yasanthi , Wesinger Judith Y. , Tobey David H.
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The social capital used to access ethnic community resources is widely recognized in the literature as being important for immigrant entrepreneurship. However, there is limited knowledge regarding the extent to which immigrant entrepreneurs' agency, specifically their motivations, influence their use of, and contributions to, their ethnic social capital. In this paper, the authors explore this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a qualitative approach, this research utilizes semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis to identify the motivations, sources and effects of ethnic social capital.

Findings

This research indicates that immigrant entrepreneurs have mixed motives when engaging with their ethnic communities. The findings suggest that the immigrant entrepreneurs' social capital–mediated interactions within their ethnic community are driven not only by the social structure but that their agency, specifically their motivations, play an important role in them. While entrepreneurs hold mixed motives, they recognize the importance of business success. Thus, they make concessions to their ethnic community and utilize its resources if doing so benefits their business.

Research limitations/implications

This research explores the role that immigrant entrepreneurs' motivations play in how they use and contribute to immigrant community social capital. By doing so, this study brings agency to the forefront of the discussion on immigrant entrepreneurship and social capital.

Practical implications

This study provides insight into the connection between the extent to which immigrant entrepreneurs utilize and contribute to their ethnic community's social capital, their motivations for doing so and the effect that these factors have on the businesses as well as their ethnic communities. This understanding might be useful for organizations seeking to foster immigrant entrepreneurship as well as for entrepreneurs themselves.

Originality/value

Individuals' motivations as they relate to social capital involve a variable that is rarely, if ever, considered – that is, individual agency. Thus, this research contributes this perspective to the immigrant entrepreneurship literature but also more broadly to the social capital and entrepreneurship fields. This research can be extended to understand the impact of entrepreneurs' motivations on the communities in which they are embedded.
Comparative study of graphic-based tag clouds: theory and experimental evaluation for information search
Authors: Ma Xiaoyue , Ma Hao
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Graphic-based tag clouds aim to visually represent tag content and tag structure, and then to better represent tagged information for later search. However, few studies have clarified the features among varied visualization approaches involved in graphic-based tag clouds and compared them for the purpose of information search.

Design/methodology/approach

After reviewing four kinds of graphic-based tag clouds, an experimental demonstration was conducted in our study to verify how user performs in information search for a general seeking task by using them. Precision ratio, recall ratio, clicks on search and time for search were four variables tested in the experiment. Also, two supplementary tests were respectively carried out to manifest how graphic-based tag clouds contributed to the identification of target tags and tag clusters.

Findings

The experimental results showed that compared to tag content visual tag structure was more important to find related tags from tag clouds for information search. In addition, tag clouds that visually represented the semantic relationships within tags could make user more confident about their search result and carry out a shorter learning process during searching, which signified a tag-based information search path when visual elements were applied.

Originality/value

This research is one of the first to illustrate systematically the graphic-based tag clouds and their impacts on information search. The research findings could suggest on how to build up more effective and interactive tag clouds and make proposition for the design of search user interface by using graphic-based tag clouds.
A methodology for identifying critical factors influencing land value in urban areas: a case study of Kerala, India
Authors: BV Binoy , MA Naseer , PP Anil Kumar
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Land value is a measure of the specific features of a property, excluding buildings and other developments. Land value varies depending on the economic, geographic and political aspects of a particular location. The primary purpose of the paper is to identify the general and location-specific attributes impacting property prices in urban Kerala.

Design/methodology/approach

The objective of the current study was achieved through a three-cycle Delphi survey and relative importance index (RII) approach. The experts who aided in the survey had a mutual interest in the subject but came from different backgrounds like property valuation, real estate, urban and environmental planning. The initial group of variables identified from the literature was expanded and scrutinized in the first cycle of the Delphi survey. The variables were grouped into five major categories and 13 subcategories based on the literature and expert opinion. In the subsequent stages, the short-listed variables were rated on a seven-point Likert scale until a consensus was attained. The top-ranked variables were identified through the RII method as the critical factors influencing land value in urban Kerala.

Findings

The results indicate that road accessibility and proximity to nuisance sources are the most crucial parameters. The outcome of the study will provide a better understanding of the dynamics of land value and the influencing factors in urban areas.

Originality/value

Previous studies do not give much consideration for the location-specific variability on the influencing parameters. Property management research has not considered the usage of expert opinion and RII for variable selection.
Organizational politics and work-family conflict: the hospitality industry in Bangladesh
Authors: Arefin Md. Shamsul , Alam Md. Shariful , Islam Nazrul , Molasy Mateusz
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Researchers have shown increasing interest, in recent times, in organizational politics and how it affects employees and organizations. This paper aims to investigate how perceived organizational politics (POPS) impact employee behaviors such as task performance, organizational citizenship and turnover intention, by affecting work-family conflict.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 287 full-time frontline hotel employees in Bangladesh was collected. A hierarchical regression analysis was applied to test the hypotheses. Data were analyzed using SPSS and AMOS software.

Findings

The results show that work–family conflict plays a mediating role in the indirect effect of POPS on task performance, organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) and turnover intention. The findings of the study also suggest that POPS has a positive association with work–family conflict and turnover intention, and negative association with task performance and OCB.

Research limitations/implications

This study cannot confirm causal inference, which can be the scope for future studies.

Practical implications

Managers may design the work environment in ways that ensure work and family interface and employee retention. Training programs can help employees deal with organizational politics and potential impact on work and nonwork problems. Managers should provide employees with the necessary support to sustain in-role and extra-role behavior in the political environment.

Originality/value

To the best of our knowledge, no prior studies have been carried out with this scope in the South Asian context.
Production of high‐titer transmission‐defective RNA virus‐based episomal vector using tangential flow filtration
Authors: Komatsu Yumiko , Kakuya Yoji , Tomonaga Keizo
Published: July 2020

In recent years, viral vector based in vivo gene delivery strategies have achieved a significant success in the treatment of genetic diseases. RNA virus‐based episomal vector lacking viral glycoprotein gene (ΔG‐REVec) is a nontransmissive gene delivery system that enables long‐term gene expression in a variety of cell types in vitro, yet in vivo gene delivery has not been successful due to the difficulty in producing high titer vector. The present study showed that tangential flow filtration (TFF) can be effectively employed to increase the titer of ΔG‐REVec. Concentration and diafiltration of ΔG‐REVec using TFF significantly increased its titer without loss of infectious activity. Importantly, intracranial administration of high titer vector enabled persistent transgene expression in rodent brain.
Safeguarding the House of the Dead: Configurations of Risk and Protection in the Urban Cemetery
Authors: Klaufus Christien
Published: July 2020

In Lima's pueblos jóvenes—the vast informal settlements that surround the city—migrants who settled there also founded graveyards. Cemeteries are a natural socio‐spatial extension of the settlements and houses that urbanites constructed with their own hands. Lima's peripheral cemeteries are permeable spaces which are often regarded as zones of risk and insecurity. Visitors, vendors and taxi drivers fear theft or assault. Grave looting and trafficking of burial land are common occurrences. Moreover, as a breeding ground for mosquitos, cemeteries are potential hotbeds of lethal diseases. Adding to such ‘measurable’ risks are the intangible risks and risk aversion connected with spiritual activities. This essay grapples with the conceptualizations of insecurity and risk in areas where the houses of the living and the dead converge, taking Lima's municipal district of Villa María del Triunfo and its Virgen de Lourdes cemetery as a case study. This intervention hence proposes a spatially inclusive conceptualization of security which embraces deathscapes as part of the inhabited urban space. Furthermore, based on the diverse ‘threats’ and ‘risks’ encountered in the cemetery space, I propose an intersectional approach sensitive to tangible and intangible insecurities and to the responses to avert these. With this approach I aim to unravel the various dimensions of (im)materiality in the security debate.
Walking with preschool‐aged children to explore their local wellbeing affordances
Authors: Ergler Christina R. , Freeman Claire , Guiney Tess
Published: July 2020

An increasingly well‐developed body of research uses neighbourhood walks to better understand primary school children's experiences of local environments, yet virtually nothing is known about preschool‐aged children's connections to their neighbourhoods. A reason for this omission is the commonly held view that preschool children lack competency to reflect on lived environments beyond playgrounds, kindergartens, and other confined settings that dominate early childhood. However, preliterate children walk around, use, and create intimate relationships with local environments as shown by 10 children aged 3–5 years from Dunedin in New Zealand during go‐along interviews. We asked each to walk us around their locale, explaining and pointing out favourite and less beloved places and activities. In this article, we advance two arguments: first that preschoolersareknowledgeable meaning makers of place; second that walking with them is a key step to understanding their life worlds and provides a way for preliterate and preverbal children to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of their spatial worlds, including as research participants. We challenge the idea that children of this age lack large‐scale spatial competency and understanding. Walking with them generated an in‐depth appreciation of their experiences of environments and revealed deep connections they had with their locales at varied scales. The work enables us to offer novel insights into spatial competency, sociospatial complexities, and the multiple dimensions of young children's wellbeing affordances in urban environments. Such insights are highly relevant for geographers, planners, and others who shape children's urban environments.
Meta‐analysis of immune‐related adverse events of immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy in cancer patients
Authors: Song Peng , Zhang Dingding , Cui Xiaoxia , Zhang Li
Published: July 2020

Background

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have significant clinical efficacy in the treatment of non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC); however, the incidence of immune‐related adverse events (irAEs) of up to 50% has prevented their widespread use. With the increase in the use of ICIs alone or as combination therapy, clinicians are required to have a better understanding of irAEs and be able to manage them systematically. In this study, we aimed to assess the incidence of irAEs associated with ICIs.

Methods

We searched PubMed, Embase, and the Web of Science databases, and also included relevant literature references to widen our search. The relevant data with inclusion criteria were performed using RevMan 3.6.0 for meta‐analysis. We undertook a systematic literature search which included published data up to December 2019.

Results

Overall, 147 articles and 23 761 cancer patients with 11 different ICI treatment‐related (grade 1–5 and 3–5) irAEs were included in the study. There were 46 articles on pembrolizumab (6598 patients), 27 on nivolumab (3576 patients), 13 on atezolizumab (2787 patients), 12 on avelumab (3213 patients), 10 on durvalumab (1780 patients), 22 on ipilimumab (4067 patients), eight on tremelimumab (1158 patients), three on JS001 (223 patients), four on camrelizumab (SHR‐1210) (178 patients), one on sintilimab (96 patients), and one on cemiplimab (85 patients). Grade 1–5 irAEs were: cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA‐4) (82.87%), programmed cell death 1 (PD‐1) (71.89%), and programmed cell death ligand‐1 (PD‐L1) (58.95%). Subgroup analysis was: Avelumab (44.53%), durvalumab (66.63%), pembrolizumab (67.25%), atezolizumab (68.77%), nivolumab (76.25%), Ipilimumab (82.18%), and tremelimumab (86.78%). Grade 3–5 irAEs were: CTLA‐4 (27.22%), PD‐1(17.29%), and PD‐L1(17.29%). Subgroup analysis was: Avelumab (5.86%), durvalumab (13.43%), atezolizumab (14.45%), nivolumab (15.72%), pembrolizumab (16.58%), tremelimumab (22.04%), and ipilimumab (28.27%).

Conclusions

This meta‐analysis confirmed that anti‐PD‐1 and anti‐PD‐L1 inhibitors had a lower incidence of irAEs compared with anti‐CTLA‐4 inhibitors.
Novel long non‐coding RNA LINC02323 promotes epithelial‐mesenchymal transition and metastasis via sponging miR‐1343‐3p in lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Zhang Xiaoshi , Du Lutao , Han Jingyi , Li Xiaoli , Wang Hongchun , Zheng Guixi , Wang Yunshan , Yang Yongmei , Hu Ying , Wang Chuanxin
Published: July 2020

Background

We have previously developed a unique metastasis‐associated signature consisting of six long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs), including a novel lncRNA, namely LINC02323. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the underlying roles of LINC02323 in the migration, invasion and TGF‐β‐induced epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) cells.

Methods

The distribution of LINC02323 was detected by the nuclear‐plasma separation experiment. Cell proliferation was assessd by MTT assay, and cell migration and invation were detected by transwell assays. EMT was detected by RT‐qPCR and western blotting. Interaction between miRNA and LINC02323 was predicted by starBase v2.0 and confirmed by the double luciferase reporting system.

Results

LINC02323 was distributed in the cytoplasm and nucleus. The overexpression or deletion of LINC02323 did not affect the proliferation of LUAD cells, while significantly affected the migration and invasion of LUAD cells. TGF‐β‐induced EMT process was significantly affected by both RNA interference (RNAi) and overexpression of LINC02323. The predicted results showed that there were binding sites between LINC02323 and miR‐1343‐3p. The expression of LINC02323 was found to be negatively correlated with miR‐1343‐3p in LUAD by analyzing The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. The double luciferase reporting system, RT‐qPCR and western blotting experiments confirmed that LINC02323 could bind to miR‐1343‐3p, which bound to TGF‐β receptor 1 (TGFBR1). Inhibition of miR‐1343‐3p reversed LINC02323 silencing‐mediated suppression of migration, invasion and EMT.

Conclusions

LINC02323 acts as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA), which sponged miR‐1343‐3p to upregulate the TGFBR1 expression and promote the EMT and metastasis in LUAD.

Key points

Significant findings of the study

LINC02323 promotes epithelial‐mesenchymal transition and metastasis via sponging miR‐1343‐3p in lung adenocarcinoma.

What this study adds

LINC02323 is a key molecule in the process of invasion and metastasis of LUAD and might be used as a potential target in metastatic cancer.
The impact of metabolically healthy obesity in primary infertile men: Results from a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Cazzaniga Walter , Candela Luigi , Boeri Luca , Capogrosso Paolo , Pozzi Edoardo , Belladelli Federico , Baudo Andrea , Ventimiglia Eugenio , Alfano Massimo , Abbate Costantino , Montorsi Francesco , Salonia Andrea
Published: July 2020

Background

A number of studies showed that obesity may negatively impact on sperm quality and consequently couple's fertility. Recently, specific attention was given to a clinical condition known as metabolically healthy obesity (MHO).

Objectives

To evaluate the effects of MHO on semen and hormonal parameters of men presenting for primary couple's infertility associated with pure male factor infertility (MFI).

Materials and methods

Data from a homogenous cohort of 512 white‐European primary infertile men belonging to couples with pure MFI have been cross‐sectionally analyzed. Semen analysis was based on 2010 WHO reference criteria. Patients were segregated into eugonadal, secondary hypogonadal, primary hypogonadal, and compensated hypogonadal. The Harmonized International Diabetes Federation criteria were used to define metabolic syndrome (MetS). Based on BMI and MetS, patients were further segregated into the following: (a) metabolically healthy non‐obese (MHNO); (b) metabolically unhealthy non‐obese (MUNO) (c) metabolically healthy obesity (MHO); and, (d) metabolically unhealthy obesity (MUHO). Main outcome measures were the prevalence of MHO and the impact of MHO on semen and hormonal parameters in this cohort of MFI primary infertile men.

Results

Overall, MHNO, MUNO, MHO, and MUHO were found in 462 (90%), 13 (2.5%), 27 (5.2%), and 10 (1.9%) men, respectively. MHO patients had lower total testosterone and SHBG levels (all P < .05) but higher E2 values (P < .005) compared with MHNO men. Groups did not differ in terms of semen parameters. At multivariable logistic regression, analysis MHO was associated with an increased risk of primary and secondary hypogonadism (all P ≤ .02) compared with MHNO, after accounting for age and comorbid conditions.

Discussion and conclusions

Metabolically healthy obesity is threefold more prevalent than unhealthy obesity in primary infertile men. Despite semen parameters are comparable among groups, MHO patients show worse endocrine parameters and a higher risk of primary and secondary hypogonadism compared with metabolically healthy normal infertile men.
Clinical experience of using the NGENUITY three‐dimensional surgery system in ophthalmic surgical procedures
Authors: Liu Juping , Wu Di , Ren Xinjun , Li Xiaorong
Published: July 2020

Purpose

To assess the clinical experience of using a three‐dimensional (3D) system for ophthalmic surgical procedures.

Methods

We retrospectively analysed video recordings of patients who underwent 3D ophthalmic surgery, using the NGENUITY® 3D visualization system, or traditional microsurgery at our hospital, from August 2017 to February 2018. Patients underwent phacoemulsification or phacoemulsification combined with vitrectomy. Diagnoses, operation type, duration of continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis (CCC), number of forceps nips during CCC and capsulorhexis complications were recorded. Five surgeons and four assistants answered a 3D surgery questionnaire.

Results

Twenty‐six of 46 patients who underwent 3D surgery, and 31 of 51 patients who underwent traditional microsurgery (control group) were enrolled. The mean CCC duration in the study and control groups was 31.2 ± 10.8 and 28.7 ± 13.2 seconds (p = 0.071), and the mean number of forceps nips was 5 ± 2 and 5 ± 2 (p = 0.634), respectively. The anterior capsular rupture rate of phacoemulsification under 3D and traditional conditions was 3.85% (1/26 cases) and 3.23% (1/31 cases), respectively. The complication rate was similar between the two groups (p > 0.999). Four of five surgeons and two of four assistants believed the clarity of 3D surgery was similar or better than that of traditional microsurgery. The occurrence of dizziness (p > 0.999), shoulder and neck pain (p = 0.262), backache (p = 0.471) and visual fatigue (p = 0.347) did not differ significantly between the two methods.

Conclusion

The 3D surgical system facilitated similar operation speed and stability as the traditional microscope and provided reliable support for ophthalmic surgery.
A wearable lower extremity support for laparoscopic surgeons: A pilot study
Authors: Kawahira Hiroshi , Nakamura Ryoichi , Shimomura Yoshihiro , Oshiro Takashi , Okazumi Shinichi , Lefor Alan K.
Published: July 2020

Surgeons have increased physical stress during laparoscopic surgery due to operative site constraints. We developed a wearable device to reduce the physical stress on surgeons’ lower extremities. The device mechanically facilitates maintaining a near‐upright posture. The surgeon's knees are gently bent by a knee‐joint locking mechanism, and fixing and releasing are performed independently on each side. The subjects were one female and two male surgeons, who wore the device during laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair or high anterior resection. Surface electromyogram (EMG) was conducted for both iliopsoas muscles. Control values were determined with the subject not wearing the device. Participants completed a post‐procedure questionnaire. With the device, EMG activity had a tendency to decrease in the left iliopsoas muscle (P = .055), but it changed little on the right (P = .406). The post‐procedure questionnaire showed an overall positive impression, although subjects reported some difficulty walking. This device decreases EMG activity and may improve a surgeon's work environment.
Medication use among older people in Europe: Implications for regulatory assessment and co‐prescription of new medicines
Authors: Strampelli Anna , Cerreta Francesca , Vučić Katarina
Published: July 2020

Aims

The aim of this study was to elucidate drug prescription patterns in older European people with the objective to support regulatory contextualisation of (1) the suitability of enrolment criteria for new clinical trials; and (2) the understanding of the potential interactions/incompatibilities of newly authorised medicines with those most frequently used by older people.

Methods

Medicines agencies in Portugal, Poland, Slovakia and England were approached to provide a list of the 10 most frequent prescriptions in 2016 for systemically used medicines per active substances (i.e. ATC level 5), in older people. For each active substance and for the most common therapeutic subgroups (i.e. ATC level 2), the percentages of older patients receiving at least one prescription were calculated per older age categories (65–74; 75–84; 85+) and gender.

Results

There was considerable alignment in the most commonly prescribed active substances and therapeutic subgroups represented; these were gastroprotectants (A02), lipid‐modifying agents (C10) and analgesics (N02). Some gender differences were observed (A02 and N02 were prescribed more frequently to women), but trends on age categories were consistent; A02 and N02 prescriptions continued to rise with age, while C10 slightly decreased in the 85+ age group in all countries.

Conclusions

The findings of this study are consistent with the major chronic diseases reported in the older European population. Evidence on co‐medication of newly applied medicines with the currently identified most commonly used medicines in older people should be generated during the (non)clinical development of new medicines to support regulatory assessment and adequate user information.
Patterns and factors influencing oral anticoagulant prescription in people with atrial fibrillation and dementia: Results from UK primary care
Authors: Mongkhon Pajaree , Alwafi Hassan , Fanning Laura , Lau Wallis C.Y. , Wei Li , Kongkaew Chuenjid , Wong Ian C.K.
Published: July 2020

Aims

Oral anticoagulant (OAC) is recommended for preventing stroke in atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the OAC utilisation in AF patients with dementia or cognitive impairment (CI) is limited. This study aimed to examine the prevalence of OAC prescriptions in AF patients with dementia/CI and to identify factors associated with OAC treatment within 180 days after dementia/CI diagnosis.

Methods

Using The Health Improvement Network database, the annual trends of OAC between 2000 and 2015 were calculated. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with OAC treatment.

Results

The prevalence rate of OAC prescriptions increased from 6.1% in 2000 to 45.9% in 2015. Among OAC users, the proportion of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) use increased significantly from 0.1% in 2011 to 33.8% in 2015 (P‐trend < 0.001), while the proportion of vitamin K antagonist use decreased by 28.6% from 100% in 2000 to 71.4% in 2015 (P‐trend < 0.001). In the multivariable analysis, younger age, very old age, female sex, higher Charlson Comorbidity Index, having a HAS‐BLED score ≥3, a history of intracranial bleeding, falls and polypharmacy were significantly associated with lower odds of receiving OAC.

Conclusions

In UK primary care, OAC use increased from 2000 to 2015 in AF patients with dementia/CI, with a substantial increase in use of DOACs. Characteristics related to frailty are associated with lower odds of OAC prescription. Given the increasing use of DOACs in patients with dementia/CI, further studies are needed to investigate the safety and effectiveness of DOACs in this important patient group.
Long‐term survival following elective colon cancer surgery in the aged. A population‐based cohort study
Authors: Niemeläinen S. , Huhtala H. , Ehrlich A. , Kössi J. , Jämsen E. , Hyöty M.
Published: July 2020

Aim

The number of colorectal cancer patients increases with age. Long‐term data support personalized management due to heterogeneity within the older population. This registry‐ and population‐based study aimed to analyse long‐term survival, and causes of death, after elective colon cancer surgery in the aged, focusing on patients who survived more than 3 months postoperatively.

Methods

The data included patients ≥ 80 years who had elective surgery for Stage I–III colon cancer in four Finnish centres. The prospectively collected data included comorbidities, functional status, postoperative outcomes and long‐term survival. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis were conducted to determine factors associated with long‐term survival.

Results

A total of 386 surgical patients were included, of whom 357 survived over 3 months. Survival rates for all patients at 1, 3 and 5 years were 85%, 66% and 55%, compared to 92%, 71% and 59% for patients alive 3 months postoperatively, respectively. Higher age, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score ≥ 4, Charlson Comorbidity Index ≥ 6, tumour Stage III, open compared to laparoscopic surgery and severe postoperative complications were independently associated with reduced overall survival. Higher age (hazard ratio 1.97, 1.14–3.40), diabetes (1.56, 1.07–2.27), ASA score ≥ 4 (3.27, 1.53–6.99) and tumour Stage III (2.04, 1.48–2.81) were the patient‐related variables affecting survival amongst those surviving more than 3 months postoperatively. Median survival time for patients given adjuvant chemotherapy was 5.4 years, compared to 3.3 years for patients not given postoperative treatment.

Conclusions

Fit aged colon cancer patients can achieve good long‐term outcomes and survival with radical, minimally invasive surgical treatment, even with additional chemotherapy.
A systematic review of CT chest in COVID‐19 diagnosis and its potential application in a surgical setting
Authors: Shao J. M. , Ayuso S. A. , Deerenberg E. B. , Elhage S. A. , Augenstein V. A. , Heniford B. T.
Published: July 2020

Aim

The aim of this work was to investigate the sensitivity and utility of CT of the chest in diagnosing active SARS‐Cov‐2 (COVID‐19) infection, and its potential application to the surgical setting.

Method

A literature review was conducted using Google Scholar® and MEDLINE®/PubMed® to identify current available evidence regarding the sensitivity of CT chest compared with RT‐PCR for the diagnosis of COVID‐19‐positive patients. GRADE criteria and the QUADAS 2 tool were used to assess the level of evidence.

Results

A total of 20 articles were identified that addressed the question of sensitivity of CT for diagnosis of symptomatic and asymptomatic COVID‐19‐positive patients. Overall sensitivity of CT scan ranged from 57%–100% for symptomatic and 46%–100% for asymptomatic COVID‐19 patients, while that of RT‐PCR ranged from 39%–89%. CT chest was a better diagnostic modality and capable of detecting active infection earlier in the time course of infection than RT‐PCR in symptomatic patients. In asymptomatic patients, disease prevalence seems to play a role in the positive predictive value. Minimal evidence exists regarding the sensitivity of CT in patients who are asymptomatic.

Conclusions

In surgical patients, CT chest should be considered as an important adjunct for detection of COVID‐19 infection in patients who are symptomatic with negative RT‐PCR prior to any operation. For surgical patients who are asymptomatic, there is insufficient evidence to recommend routine preoperative CT chest for COVID‐19 screening.
Change in Student Perceptions of Course and Instructor Following Curriculum Change
Authors: Agrawal Vipin K. , Khanna Poonam , Agrawal Vijay K. , Hughes Larry W.
Published: July 2020

Ongoing curriculum change in higher education is essential to enhance student learning and better prepare them for the job‐market. However, research shows that faculty are reluctant to implement such changes because students generally react adversely thereby negating any potential benefits, and moreover, sanction faculty through lower evaluations and future enrollment. Yet, understanding of the effect of curriculum changes on students’ course and instructor perceptions is limited. In this article we attempt to fill this gap. Drawing on two empirical findings—students’ motivation to attend college becoming increasingly extrinsic since the 1960s and their inability to recognize, ex ante, the value‐added by a curriculum change—and the norm life‐cycle theory, we argue that any effort‐increasing or grade‐threatening change is viewed as non‐normative and will lead to an adverse student reaction. However, this adverse reaction will dissipate over time once a critical mass of students is convinced of the merits of the new curriculum. We find support for our hypotheses by analyzing change in student perceptions following curriculum changes at a U.S. University. In addition, we also find that once the adverse reaction dissipates, students’ perceptions of the new curriculum become more positive than the old curriculum, only to be reversed once the revised curriculum is accepted as the new norm.
Global responses of health science librarians to the COVID‐19 (Corona virus) pandemic: a desktop analysis
Authors: Yuvaraj Mayank
Published: July 2020

The COVID‐19 pandemic has posed significant challenges for health science librarians. During this pandemic, librarians are playing an active role by increasing the public’s awareness of the virus, maintaining document delivery services and providing research support. This paper uses the method of desktop analysis of the websites of selected library associations to identify the responses of health science librarians to the COVID‐19 pandemic. The study highlights significant initiatives taken by some health science librarians which can be replicated by others to meet the needs of library users in the COVID‐19 health crisis.J.M
A nomogram prediction for mandibular molar survival in Chinese patients with periodontitis: A 10‐year retrospective cohort study
Authors: Shi Shuwen , Meng Yang , Li Wenjing , Jiao Jian , Meng Huanxin , Feng Xianghui
Published: July 2020

Aims

To develop a nomogram prediction model of mandibular molar survival by comprehensively analysing clinical and radiographic risk factors of mandibular molar loss.

Materials and Methods

Four hundred and seventy‐eight mandibular molars of 139 subjects who underwent non‐surgical periodontal treatment were examined retrospectively within a mean follow‐up period of 11.1 years. The association of risk factors including clinical and radiographic parameters with mandibular molar loss was assessed using univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. A nomogram prediction model was developed, and the validation and discriminatory ability of it were analysed.

Results

Hundred and four molars were lost in this study. Probing depth (PD), attachment loss (AL), furcation involvement (FI), bleeding on probing (BOP), tooth mobility and radiographic bone loss were significantly associated with tooth loss (p < .01). A gradient effect of degree of FI on mandibular molar loss existed increasing from degree Ⅱ (HR = 2.37, 95% CI: 1.48, 3.79) to Ⅲ (HR = 5.61, 95% CI: 3.01, 10.45) versus none & degree Ⅰ. The area under the curve (AUC) of the model was 0.891. The calibration curve and decision curve analysis demonstrated good performance and high net benefit of nomogram, respectively.

Conclusions

A specific nomogram could be adopted to predict the mandibular molar survival and formulate tailored treatment plans in Chinese.