bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Strategic positioning, differentiation and performance of Brazilian wineries
Authors: Klinger Cristiano Pinto , Silveira-Martins Elvis , Castro Gabriela Jurak de , Rossetto Carlos Ricardo
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to verify whether managers’ strategic orientation influences decision-making related to differentiation and whether these two factors impact on the performance of the firms in the Brazilian wine industry.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was conducted with representatives from 123 wineries located in the following Brazilian states: 78.86 per cent in Rio Grande do Sul; 13.01 per cent in Santa Catarina; 2.44 per cent in Paraná; 2.44 per cent in São Paulo; 1.63 per cent in Bahia; and 1.63 per cent in Pernambuco. The data were analyzed using multivariate statistical techniques, resulting in a structural equations model of the constructs.

Findings

The research findings show that there is a positive association between prospector orientation and differentiation. Analyst positioning was negatively associated with differentiation of winery companies. It was also possible to show that differentiation has a positive relationship with performance.

Originality/value

While a previous study attempted to identify wineries’ strategic orientation using other theoretical constructs, this study makes a contribution to consolidating reflections on strategic orientation focused on differentiation and performance. The results contribute to expanding the scientific debate by filling a gap in existing theory and also provide information of use to decision-makers, demonstrating, which approaches improve differentiation, and hence, performance.
Interventions as the centrepiece of psychosocial risk assessment – why so difficult?
Authors: Schuller Katja
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Due to the “European Union Framework Directive on Safety and Health at work” (Directive 89/391/EEC, 1989), every employer is obliged to avoid psychosocial hazards when designing work. Little is known empirically about the barriers that workplace actors experience while developing and implementing OSH measures that prevent psychosocial hazards. The purpose of this paper is to explore barriers, causes and attempts to overcome them and discusses them with reference to relevant theoretical concepts and models that help to explain how these barriers hinder the development and implementation of OSH measures.

Design/methodology/approach

Semi-structured interviews with workplace actors in charge of psychosocial risk assessment (PRA) were conducted in 41 business cases, and transcripts were analysed using a thematic analysis approach. Barriers, causes and attempts to overcome them were extracted inductively and discussed with reference to relevant theories and explanatory models.

Findings

The complex nature of psychosocial risks, hindering general beliefs, lack of a perceived scope for risk avoidance, lack of assumptions of responsibility among players on all hierarchical levels, discrepancies between formal responsibility and decision authority, and low reflexivity on processes of development and implementation of interventions were described as barriers. Causes and attempts to overcome these barriers were reflected upon by workplace actors.

Practical implications

Recommendations on the organisation of PRA will be given with respect to the reported results and relevant research in this field.

Originality/value

This qualitative study explores the barriers to developing and implementing OSH measures to eliminate psychosocial hazards, from the perspective of actors in charge of PRA, and why they might fail.
Students’ use of digital learning resources: diversity, motivations and challenges
Authors: Alphonce Swiga , Mwantimwa Kelefa
Published: December 2019

Purpose

With the advent of ICTs, a large percentage of university students are shifting their interest and focus on digital learning resources from print ones. This study aims to examine the diversity, motivations and challenges students face in using these learning resources at Teofilo Kisanji University (TEKU) in Tanzania.

Design/methodology/approach

The researchers used elements of both quantitative and qualitative research approaches in a complementary fashion. The study draws upon cross-section survey data collected from students (n = 90) alongside follow-up key informants semi-structured interviews with library and academic staff (n = 10).

Findings

The study’s findings signify that internet resources are significantly deployed by students than other resources such as CD-ROM, e-books, journals, slides and audio clips. The findings further inform that the wide range of these resources and 24/7 convenient access are important motivating factors for their usage. On the other hand, the cost of internet services, limited searching competencies and limited subscribed databases inhibit effective and efficient usage of these by students at TEKU.

Originality/value

The present study clearly discloses students’ motivations for accessing and using digital learning resources.
Yard and berth planning efficiency with estimated handling time
Authors: Nishimura Etsuko
Published: December 2019

Purpose

To achieve a high container handling efficiency at transshipment hub ports, there are a variety of scheduling problem as ship-to-berth assignment (BAP), container-to-yard arrangement (YAP), etc. As it is difficult to acquire the actual data of an existing terminal under various circumstances, this study aims to develop the time estimation model of container handling. Additionally, to achieve an efficient handling of containers at the yard, this study proposes the way to optimize the yard arrangement along with the berth allocation simultaneously by using estimated handling time.

Design/methodology/approach

To obtain the handling time based on various situations of the terminal operated, the discrete simulation model of container handling is constructed. The model to estimate the handling time of a quay crane assigned to a relevant ship by multiple regression analysis is developed. To find a feasible solution to minimize the total service time which includes YAP and BAP simultaneously, a genetic algorithm based on heuristics is developed.

Findings

The proposed regression model has high performance to estimate the time spent of container handling. In the total service time, the proposed approach outperformed the existing 2-step process approach.

Originality/value

As it is difficult to acquire the actual information of an existing marine terminal under various circumstances, the paper contains a regression model to estimate the container handling time based on simulation data, and the regression model is used in an optimization model to minimize the ship turnaround time.
Most appropriate time for the adaptive reuse of historic buildings using ARP model
Authors: Sharifi Ali
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The concept of adaptive reuse is an effective strategy for enhancing heritage assets, economic, cultural and social values. The purpose of this paper is to propose a method to reuse historic buildings within appropriate time frames. The adaptive reuse potential (ARP) model assesses the potential of buildings based on obsolescence criteria in order to determine the optimal time for changing the use of such assets.

Design/methodology/approach

Both quantitative and qualitative methods have been used in this research to evaluate the reuse potential of The Mashrooteh Building by using the ARP model. Predicting and evaluating the physical life, useful life and potential of the historic Mashrooteh building in Tabriz will ensure its reuse and will increase its future life.

Findings

Findings have shown that to increase the future life of The Mashrooteh Building, its adaptive reuse quality needs to be improved for the next intervention within a reasonable time. Further procedures can be outlined when the appropriate time for future rehabilitation is known.

Originality/value

With an emphasis on conservation of national heritage as well as promoting sustainable development, the overall future life of assets can be extended. The significance of this study is closely related to organizations dealing with the conservation and rehabilitation of historical buildings with the emphasis on sustainable improvement of environmental, economic, social and functional aspects in the best possible time frame. The result of this study will add a value to existing sustainable reuse database in Tabriz and other countries in the Middle East region.
An evaluation model for an effective risk assessment in the rent to buy property market
Authors: Tajani Francesco , Morano Pierluigi , Salvo Francesca , De Ruggiero Manuela
Published: December 2019

Purpose

In this research a model for the rationalization of the assessment in a rent to buy contract has been proposed, in order to contextualize the economic amounts involved in the negotiation according to the specific market risk of the area where the property is located. The paper aims to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

The model borrows the logical principles of operational research, in order to take into account the convenience constraints of the parties involved (seller and buyer) and to determine the minimum amount of the additional annual rent to be charged as down payment on the final sale price, compensating the investment risk. The procedure proposed for the risk assessment combines the discrete modeling of real option analysis and the exponentially weighted moving average method, in order to weigh appropriately the data available for the specific area in the analysis.

Findings

Considering the limit conditions of variability of the property market value at the time provided for the notarial deed, the proposed model returns two values (minimum and maximum) for a fixed contract duration and for a specific market area for the annual additional rent, which define the reference range to ensure the compliance with the convenience constraints of the parties involved.

Practical implications

In order to test the reliability of the developed methodology, the model has been implemented to the 24 “microzones” defined by the Italian Revenue Agency for the city of Bari (Southern Italy). The results obtained were then georeferenced, in order to create thematic maps of convenience for the subjects interested in the rent to buy formula. The developed maps define a useful support to be consulted in the negotiation phase between the seller and the buyer, allowing both to verify the investment conveniences within the limits of their disposable incomes and their needs.

Originality/value

The tabulated values of the down-payment amounts and the related thematic maps constitute a valid support for both the parties in the initial negotiation phase of the contractual conditions: in fact, if comparable data for the assessment of the market value and the market rent at the time of the stipulation of the contract are ordinarily available, the increase in the rent, to be charged as the annual down payment on the final purchase price, is generally entrusted to the contractual capabilities of the subjects involved, since there is no market reference that can direct an appropriate assessment.
Perceived environment of ethnic diversity as a determinant of organisational identification in the public sector
Authors: Pepple Dennis Gabriel , Davies Eleanor
Published: December 2019

Purpose

As public sector managers implement the policy of employing people that broadly reflects the social make up of a local society, there is a need to ensure that employees have a positive perception of ethnic diversity. Perceived environment of ethnic diversity (PEED) is conceptualised as employees’ view of how they are treated at work irrespective of where they come from. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between PEED and organisational identification (OID).

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected by means of a survey of 908 employees from four public sector organisations in a state in Nigeria. Regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

Findings showed that OID may be fostered among multi-ethnic employees through the following framework: first, PEED had a direct relationship with OID and support was found, which was explained by the mediating role of co-worker social support (CWSS). Second, the effect of CWSS mediation was moderated by employees’ ethnic self-identification (ESI) such that those with strong ESI experienced lower OID.

Practical implications

As employee compositions in organisations increase in diversity, CWSS is presented in this study as a veritable measure for managers to foster OID.

Originality/value

This study is novel as it is one of the first to examine the mechanisms for linking PEED to OID through mediating effect of CWSS at different levels of ESI. Other contributions are discussed in detail in the study.
Virucidal activity and the antiviral mechanism of acidic polysaccharides against Enterovirus 71 infectionin vitro
Authors: Li Zhihui , Cui Bin , Liu Xiaowen , Wang Laicheng , Xian Qingjie , Lu Zhaoxi , Liu Shuntao , Cao Yinguang , Zhao Yueran
Published: December 2019

Enterovirus 71 (EV71) is the predominant pathogen for severe hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) in children younger than 5 years, and currently no effective drugs are available for EV71. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop new drugs for the control of EV71 infection. In this study, LJ04 was extracted fromLaminaria japonicausing diethylaminoethyl cellulose‐52 with 0.4 mol/l NaCl as the eluent, and its virucidal activity was evaluated based on its cytopathic effects on a microplate. LJ04 is composed of fucose, galactose, and mannose and mainly showed good virucidal activity against EV71. The antiviral mechanisms of LJ04 were the direct inactivation of the virus, the blockage of virus binding, disruptions to viral entry, and weak inhibitory activity against the nonstructural protein 3C. The two most important findings from this study were that LJ04 inhibited EV71 proliferation in HM1900 cells, which are a human microglia cell line, and that LJ04 can directly inactivate EV71 within 2 hr at 37°C. This study demonstrates for the first time the ability of a polysaccharide fromL. japonicato inhibit viral and 3C activity; importantly, the inhibition of 3C might have a minor effect on the antiviral effect of LJ04. Consequently, our results identify LJ04 as a potential drug candidate for the control of severe EV71 infection in clinical settings.
Using limiting similarity to enhance invasion resistance: Theoretical and practical concerns
Authors: Hess Manon C. M. , Buisson Elise , Jaunatre Renaud , Mesléard François
Published: December 2019

The control of invasive species is a central topic of both applied and theoretical research. Understanding how and which ecological theories can be used to improve invasion resistance of plant communities is essential, to design effective control strategies.

The theory of limiting similarity, stating that coexistence between species is more limited by competitive exclusion when species share niche properties, is often considered by applied ecologists as a possible approach to limiting plant invasions at the local scale.

The complexity of measuring ecological niche overlap between species as well as the difficulty of disentangling niche from fitness processes currently limit the demonstration and application of this theory. Limiting similarity appears to operate at a time‐scale that is too long for efficient impact on invasive species' early establishment. It may also be ineffective against invasions in the long term, due to environmental changes and community instability. Finally, limiting similarity is not applicable to the most common situations, where there are multiple co‐occurring invasive species or no prior identification of potential invasives.

Synthesis and applications. Whether the theory of limiting similarity, predicting competitive exclusion when species display niche similarities, can be successfully applied to limit plant invasions—or not—is an important issue for practitioners facing invasive species. In practice, using limiting similarity to design invasion‐resistant plant communities appears to be complex, ineffective and unsuitable for most common situations.
Habitat fragmentation and eradication of invading insect herbivores
Authors: Barron Mandy C. , Liebhold Andrew M. , Kean John M. , Richardson Brian , Brockerhoff Eckehard G.
Published: December 2019

Invasions by non‐native pests and diseases represent serious threats to biodiversity, agriculture and human health. Under current border arrival rates associated with international trade not all such invasions can be prevented, so early detection and eradication (forced extinction) are important strategies for preventing establishment and long‐term impacts. Removal of host plants has historically been a common tool used alone and in concert with other tools for eradication of plant pests but there is little scientific theory specific to the management of invasive species to guide the application of this eradication strategy.

We drew upon extensive conservation biology literature documenting the effect of habitat destruction or fragmentation driving extinction. We applied a previously developed spatially explicit model of gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar, spatial dynamics to explore how fragmentation affects population persistence. This model accounts for a component Allee effect driven by mate‐finding failure that interacts with dispersal.

We observed a nonlinear dependency of population persistence on the fraction of habitat cover and the level of habitat fragmentation. Simulation of active habitat fragmentation via the removal of habitat in swaths of varying widths or the application of pesticide in varying swaths showed that removal of hosts or pesticide application in narrow swaths (i.e. 40 m wide) caused the greatest probabilities of extinction. Generally, habitat removal was more effective than one‐off pesticide treatments at causing extinction.

Synthesis and applications. Spatially explicit modelling of Allee dynamics in invading gypsy moth populations showed that host removal can be an effective method to eradicate invasive plant‐feeding insects especially when habitat fragmentation is applied at a desirable level. Furthermore, this can be used as an alternative to, or in conjunction with, pesticide treatments, to provide more options for carrying out eradications and to increase the probability of eradication success.
Epidemics and anthropologists
Authors: Leach Melissa
Published: December 2019

This guest editorial reflects on the role of anthropology in the recent outbreaks of Ebola virus epidemics in West Africa and the opportunities and challenges in contributing to the management epidemics in general.
‘Live where the terrorists live’: Urban safety, diverse neighbourhoods and bomb blasts in Manchester and Mumbai
Authors: SEN ATREYEE
Published: December 2019

This article is a brief commentary on new geographies of urban fear emerging in ‘post‐blast’ cities. Most anthropologists studying the city through its blasts and bombs and exploring the aftermath of violence in areas afflicted by religious, racial and communal tensions, show how these events subsequently lead to ghettoization and segregated living, as majority communities both edge out and cordon off areas from minority inhabitants and mixed ethnic life. Using Manchester and Mumbai as ethnographic landscapes, the author shows how certain residential areas in both cities turn towards accommodating large numbers of Muslim residents – not to overtly sustain interreligious and interracial trust and communication, but as a form of safety and security in everyday urban life.
Expectations and experiences of women presenting to emergency departments with early pregnancy bleeding
Authors: See Stephanie YC , Blecher Gabriel E , Craig Simon S , Egerton‐Warburton Diana
Published: December 2019

Objective

To explore women's expectations and experiences when presenting to the ED with early pregnancy bleeding.

Methods

We conducted a qualitative study where women presenting to the ED with early pregnancy bleeding participated in two semi‐structured interviews. An initial interview explored expectations of care and was conducted prior to ED treatment. A follow‐up interview about experiences with care was conducted after discharge from the ED. Women were recruited from three EDs in suburban Melbourne: one tertiary referral centre and two urban district hospitals.

Results

Thirty women with early pregnancy bleeding completed the initial interview and 22 completed the follow‐up interview. Eleven participants were primigravid women and 21 participants had never experienced early pregnancy bleeding prior to their ED presentation. Four themes relating to the patient experience were identified: (i) Acknowledgement of patients' concerns by hospital staff, including informing patients of progress and explanation of investigation results; (ii) Early pregnancy bleeding as a distressing experience, with most participants expecting that this would be acknowledged by ED staff, and privacy provided to allow for grieving; (iii) Prolonged waiting time for an urgent medical condition; and (iv) Ongoing care and support, such as providing recommendations of available services to support patients on discharge from the ED.

Conclusion

Early pregnancy bleeding is a distressing and anxiety‐provoking experience for women attending the ED. Appropriate emotional support is critical to the holistic care for those seeking emergency care.
Camponotus ants mine sand for vertebrate urine to extract nitrogen
Authors: Petit Sophie , Stonor M. Bernard , Weyland John J. , Gibbs Joan , Amato Bianca
Published: December 2019

The ability of some ant species (including Camponotus spp.) to forage on vertebrate urine to extract urea may extend their niche in competitive and strongly nitrogen‐limited environments. We examined the preference of Camponotus terebrans, a sand‐dwelling ant widespread in southern Australia, for baits including urine, and the duration of their foraging on those baits. We baited ants with liquid stains of urine (human and kangaroo), urea in water (2.5%. 3.5%, 7.0%, 10.0%) and sucrose in water (20% and 40%) poured directly on the ground, as well as hard baits in plots drawn on sandy soil (Kangaroo Island, South Australia). We counted individuals of this mostly nocturnal species to determine their attraction to different baits for one month. We checked plant growth on the plots after nine and 13 months. Ants collected insects and meat; they foraged for at least 29 days on stains. Ants were most numerous on 10% urea, followed by 7% urea, 3.5% urea, urine (which contains ~2.5% urea) and 2.5% urea, 40% sucrose and 20% sucrose; sucrose was less attractive to them than equimolar urea bait. Ants were attracted to human, kangaroo, and unidentified urines, and they collected bird guano. Baits and ant foraging did not affect plant recruitment in plots. We observed incidentally Camponotus consobrinus foraging on urine, which may be a common resource for this genus at the site. The remarkable ability of C. terebrans to extract nitrogen from dry sand over weeks explains partly its success on sandy soils. Foraging on urine may be an important strategy to address nitrogen limitation on sandy soils and exploit commensally niches in which hosts are kangaroos, wallabies and other vertebrates. The understanding of plant–vertebrate interactions must factor in the role of ants as commensal organisms. Such ants could also reduce greenhouse gas emissions from urine.
National data with high validity and completeness showed that only 0.04% of Danish children had been registered with diagnosed hypertension
Authors: Langhoff Adam F. , Børresen Malene Landbo , Wason Malgorzata P. , Andersson Mikael , Jeppesen Dorthe L. , Schmidt Ida M. , Cortes Dina
Published: December 2019

Aim

Hypertension has been reported in up to 4.0% of American children, but no national data exist in Europe. We studied the frequency of registered hypertension in Danish children and evaluated the data.

Methods

This 2014‐2015 study focused on patients under the age of 16 registered with hypertension in the Danish National Patient Register and 10 paediatric departments in central and eastern Denmark. The diagnoses were coded according to the International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision. All the subjects’ medical records were reviewed, including any confirmed diagnoses.

Results

There were 55 784 children under 16 in the study regions at 30 April 2014. By May 2015, 222 of those had been registered with hypertension: 200 in the Danish National Patient Register and 191 in the 10 paediatric departments. Their medical records confirmed hypertension in 187 and 185 cases, respectively. The prevalence of registered and confirmed hypertension was 222/553 784 (0.04%). The positive predictive values of hypertension were 187/200 (94%) and 185/191 (97%), and the completeness of diagnosed hypertension was 187/222 (84%) and 185/222 (83%).

Conclusion

The registers had high‐quality positive predictive values and completeness, but only 0.04% of the Danish children were registered with a verified diagnosis of hypertension.
STMN1 upregulation mediates hepatocellular carcinoma and hepatic stellate cell crosstalk to aggravate cancer by triggering the MET pathway
Authors: Zhang Rui , Gao Xiaomei , Zuo Jieliang , Hu Beiyuan , Yang Jimeng , Zhao Jing , Chen Jinhong
Published: December 2019

STMN1 has been regarded as an oncogene and its upregulation is closely associated with malignant behavior and poor prognosis in multiple cancers. However, the detailed functions and underlying mechanisms of STMN1 are still largely unknown in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development. Herein, we analyzed STMN1 expression and the related clinical significance in HCC by using well‐established Protein Atlas, The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) cancer databases. Analysis indicated that STMN1 was highly expressed in HCC and closely associated with vascular invasion, higher histological grade, advanced clinical grade and shorter survival time in HCC patients. Overexpressing and silencing STMN1 in HCC cell lines showed that STMN1 could regulate cell proliferation, migration, drug resistance, cancer stem cell properties in vitro as well as tumor growth in vivo. Further experiments showed that STMN1 mediated intricate crosstalk between HCC and hepatic stellate cells (HSC) by triggering the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)/MET signal pathway. When HSC were cocultured with HCC cells, HSC secreted more HGF to stimulate the expression of STMN1 in HCC cells. Mutually, STMN1 upregulation in HCC cells facilitated HSC activation to acquire cancer‐associated fibroblast (CAF) features. The MET inhibitor crizotinib significantly blocked this crosstalk and slowed tumor growth in vivo. In conclusion, our findings shed new insight on STMN1 function, and suggest that STMN1 may be used as a potential marker to identify patients who may benefit from MET inhibitor treatment.
Stretching the Social: Broadening the Behavioral Indicators of Sociality
Authors: Akhtar Nameera , Jaswal Vikram K.
Published: December 2019

Human infants are social by nature. Early behaviors taken as evidence of an innate desire to connect with others generally include eye contact, smiles, and positive vocalizations. Studies have shown that, as infants mature, they begin to alternate gaze between objects of interest and their social partners (joint attention), and show signs that some people are special to them by becoming distressed when separated from them (attachment). In this article, we seek to highlight less frequently studied ways that infants and young children show their desire to connect and communicate with others. To do so, we draw on studies of infants in underrepresented communities, interviews with parents of autistic children, and a recent study of interactions between autistic adults.
The effect of deep inhalation on mannitol responsiveness
Authors: Blais Christianne M. , Davis Beth E. , Cockcroft Donald W.
Published: December 2019

Background

Mannitol inhalation testing is specific for asthmatics with eosinophilic airway inflammation, a factor that has been negatively correlated with the development of deep inhalation bronchoprotection.

Objective

To evaluate the effect of deep inhalations on responsiveness to inhaled mannitol in correlation with the degree of airway inflammation.

Methods

Twenty participants with stable asthma completed this randomized, crossover study. A screening visit assessed responsiveness to methacholine and airway inflammation through fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) measures and sputum induction. Participants next completed two mannitol challenges, one with deep inhalations (standard method) and one with inhalations to half of total lung capacity, and two methacholine challenges, one with tidal breathing (standard method) and one with deep inhalations. Only the inhalation technique for dose administration differed between repeat mannitol or methacholine challenges.

Results

Deep inhalations did not significantly influence the provocative dose of mannitol causing a 15% fall in forced expiratory volume in 1 second ((P = .73; n = 7) or the mannitol dose‐response slope (P = .26; n = 20). Deep inhalations produced significant bronchoprotection against methacholine (P = .03; n = 20). FeNO levels were significantly correlated to sputum eosinophilia (P = .02; n = 15), responsiveness to deep inhalation methacholine (P = .005; n = 20), the dose‐response slopes from deep inhalation mannitol (P = .01; n = 20), and the dose‐response slope from non–deep inhalation mannitol (P = .005; n = 20).

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

Deep inhalations did not produce significant bronchoprotection against inhaled mannitol. This result is in agreement with past findings linking airway inflammation with loss of deep inhalation bronchoprotection.

Clinical Trial Registration

This study was prospectively registered on clinicaltrials.gov (NCT 03505489).
Thyroid disorders in programmed death 1 inhibitor‐treated patients: Is previous therapy with tyrosine kinase inhibitors a predisposing factor?
Authors: Sbardella Emilia , Tenuta Marta , Sirgiovanni Grazia , Gianfrilli Daniele , Pozza Carlotta , Venneri Mary Anna , Cortesi Enrico , Marchetti Paolo , Lenzi Andrea , Gelibter Alain J. , Isidori Andrea M.
Published: December 2019

Background

Programmed death 1 (PD‐1) inhibitors are frequently associated with thyroid‐related adverse events (TAEs), but many aspects remain unclear. This study aims to evaluate the incidence and characteristics of such events and to find any predictive factor for its development.

Methods

We retrospectively analysed data from patients with advanced solid tumours (non‐small‐cell lung carcinoma, renal cell carcinoma, metastatic melanoma) treated with PD‐1 inhibitors (nivolumab, pembrolizumab) in Oncology Unit B, Policlinico Umberto I of Rome, from June 2015 to December 2018. All patients underwent baseline thyroid function evaluations repeated monthly.

Results

The cohort consisted of 126 patients (66.7% male, mean age 66.4 ± 9.7 years). One hundred and seven received nivolumab and 19 pembrolizumab. Twenty‐three per cent of patients experienced TAEs (mainly CTCAE grade 1), with hypothyroidism in 15.1% (subclinical: 11.9%, overt: 3.2%) and hyperthyroidism in 8.0% (subclinical: 4.8%, overt: 3.2%). Median time to TAE onset was 8.7 ± 6.8 weeks (10.4 ± 7.6 weeks for hypothyroidism, 5.4 ± 3.0 weeks for hyperthyroidism). Most TAEs (89.7%) appeared within the first 3 months, none after 8 months. Most hypothyroid patients (63.2%) had previously been treated with a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI). Logistic regression analysis showed that pretreatment with a TKI was a major predisposing factor for the development of hypothyroidism (OR 9.2, 95% CI: 1.4‐59.9, P = .020).

Conclusions

TAEs are common during anti‐PD‐1 therapy and usually occur within the first 3 months of treatment. This is the first study evaluating the impact of previous oncologic therapies on TAEs, identifying TKI as a major risk factor for the development of hypothyroidism in patients treated with anti‐PD‐1.
A histomorphometric study on treated and untreated ceramic filled PEEK implants versus titanium implants: Preclinical in vivo study
Authors: El Awadly Tarek A. , Wu Gang , Ayad Mohamed , Radi Iman A. W. , Wismeijer Daniel , Abo El Fetouh Hamdy , Osman Reham B.
Published: December 2019

Objectives

To investigate the osseo‐integrative behavior of untreated (UCFP) and sandblasted ceramic filled PEEK (SCFP) implants in comparison with titanium implants through measurement of bone implant contact (BIC) and bone density (BD).

Materials and methods

Nine implants from each type were inserted into 9 dogs in which every experimental dog received the three different implants in the lower border of the mandible. The animals were euthanized after 3 months and extracting bone blocks containing implants followed by blocks preparation for histological examinations.

Results

BIC and BD were significantly higher in titanium and SCFP compared with UCFP group (p = .007) and (p = .012), respectively. Aluminum blasting increased the bone ingrowth and bone implant contact when compared to machined surfaces of untreated PEEK implants.

Conclusion

In conclusion, sandblasting with 110 µm aluminum oxide particles can be proposed as a suitable surface treatment that enhances hydrophilicity of CFP. Further in vivo animal studies are still needed to confirm the findings of this study.
Evaluation of metastases to the pancreas with fine needle aspiration: A case series from a single centre with review of the literature
Authors: Ioakim Kalliopi J. , Sydney Guy I. , Michaelides Constantinos , Sepsa Athanasia , Psarras Konstantinos , Tsiotos Gregory G. , Salla Charitini , Nikas Ilias P.
Published: December 2019

Objective

Fine needle aspiration (FNA) is a minimally invasive albeit highly effective modality used to detect solid and cystic pancreatic lesions. This manuscript aims to present our experience in diagnosing metastases to the pancreas and highlight the importance of immunocytochemistry in the diagnostic process. It also aims to provide a brief review of the literature on this topic.

Methods

We retrospectively searched our archives for cases of metastatic deposits to the pancreas diagnosed with FNA over a 5‐year period. We also reviewed the literature for such cases.

Results

We describe seven cases from our archives that metastasised to the pancreas. Three of them (43%) represented metastatic renal cell carcinoma while the rest four comprised deposits from a lung adenocarcinoma, a colon adenocarcinoma, an adrenal leiomyosarcoma, and a small cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder, respectively. History of primary malignancy was available for all seven patients. All diagnoses were confirmed with the use of immunostains. In our literature review, similar to our case series, renal cell carcinoma was the most common metastasis to the pancreas managed with FNA (around one out of three patients; 35%). Of interest, our endoscopic ultrasound‐FNA case of pancreatic metastasis from urinary bladder small cell carcinoma is the first reported.

Conclusions

As metastases to the pancreas are commonly accompanied by diverse prognostic signatures and management strategies compared to primary pancreatic malignancies, their accurate identification is imperative. Pancreatic FNA is a diagnostic modality that can confirm or exclude metastasis to the organ, especially when immunocytochemistry is applied.
The impact of street service care on frontline service utilisation during high‐alcohol use hours in one night‐time entertainment precinct in Australia
Authors: Taylor Nicholas , Coomber Kerri , Curtis Ashlee , Mayshak Richelle , Harries Travis , Ferris Jason , Patafio Brittany , Hides Leanne , de Andrade Dominique , Miller Peter
Published: December 2019

Introduction and Aims

Street service care providers in Queensland, Australia are organisations tasked with assisting vulnerable individuals and aiding intoxicated patrons that are at risk of harm in night‐time entertainment precincts (NEP). Members of these organisations patrol NEPs and provide services, such as first aid, to individuals in need. There has been no research conducted on their impact on crime, injuries and on the duties of Australian frontline service resources (e.g. police and ambulance services). This study evaluated the introduction of a single street service care in the Cairns NEP on police‐recorded assaults, emergency department injury presentations and ambulance service utilisation during high‐alcohol hours.

Design and Methods

Police‐recorded assaults (common and serious), emergency department injury presentations and ambulance attendances for the Cairns suburbs were examined. Autoregressive integrated moving average time series analyses were used to determine the impact of street service care on monthly counts for each dataset.

Results

Serious assaults during high‐alcohol hours significantly declined after the introduction of the support service in Cairns, with a one‐month lagged impact (B = −1.66, 95% confidence interval −3.02, −0.30). No other significant impact on common assaults, emergency department injury presentations or ambulance attendances were found.

Discussion and Conclusions

This study provides preliminary evidence that street service care may help to decrease assaults within a single NEP. However, further research investigating the impact of street services in larger cities, and determining what other roles the service may be able to play in preventing alcohol‐related harm, is needed.
Supply Chain Contracts in the Presence of Gray Markets
Authors: Srivastava Abhishek , Mateen Arqum
Published: December 2019

Abuse of channel incentives by a manufacturer's authorized retailers often encourages gray markets to emerge, which affects supply chain profit as well as the manufacturer's brand image. Therefore, myopically selecting a product distribution contract can be harmful. We analyze the performance of a number of contracts in the presence of a gray market—primarily wholesale price, revenue sharing, and quantity discounts—and analyze their impact on prices charged, quantity ordered, as well as profits. We also investigate their impact on consumer surplus and social welfare. Our results indicate that selection of an appropriate contract is quite crucial, as different contracts give different results across a variety of operating parameters. Their performance is governed by the relative trade‐offs involving diversion of excess quantity to the gray market at the end of the season, an extension of target market due to lower prices in the alternate channel, and the negative impact on the manufacturer's brand that also affects its revenue. We delineate these characteristics and find that, in general, the quantity discount contract performs the worst. Interestingly, if the blowback suffered by the manufacturer on account of product availability in the gray market is high, the wholesale price contract may outperform the other contracts, including the revenue‐sharing contract with a truthful retailer, which otherwise is a more attractive option. We discuss the implications of our analysis, and also provide strategies and pointers to manage the impact of gray markets.
Is inferior vena cava compression an alternative for valsalva maneuver in contrast‐enhanced transcranial doppler？
Authors: He Yitao , Deng Jian , Tu Jingmei , Zhang Hui , Guo Yi
Published: December 2019

Objectives

To evaluate whether inferior vena cava compression (IVCC) can be an alternative for valsalva maneuver (VM) in contrast‐enhanced transcranial doppler (c‐TCD).

Methods

Patients diagnosed with ischemic stroke, transient ischemic attack, and migraine were enrolled in this study. C‐TCD was conducted at resting state, after VM and IVCC to detect right to left shunt (RLS). Then, the RLS was compared to examine whether IVCC could be an alternative for VM in c‐TCD.

Results

A total of 246 patients were enrolled in this study. Via Wilcoxon signed‐rank test of paired data, the detection for RLS of c‐TCD conducted after IVCC was superior to at resting state, but inferior to after VM (P ＜ .001, P = .01, respectively); the detection for RLS of c‐TCD conducted after IVCC was inferior to after VM for patients with good cooperation of VM, but was superior for patients with poor cooperation of VM (P ＜ .001, P ＜ .001, respectively); the detection for RLS of c‐TCD conducted after IVCC and after VM showed no significant difference for patients with good cooperation of VM and without abdominal obesity, or with poor cooperation of VM and with abdominal obesity (P = .201, P = .157, respectively); the detection for RLS of c‐TCD conducted after IVCC was superior to at resting state for patients with abdominal obesity (P ＜ .001).

Conclusions

For patients with poor cooperation of VM, IVCC could be used as an effective supplement to increase the detection of RLS in c‐TCD.
Fatigue strength of fillet‐welded joints at subzero temperatures
Authors: Braun Moritz , Scheffer Robert , Fricke Wolfgang , Ehlers Sören
Published: December 2019

Ships and offshore structures may be operated in areas with seasonal freezing temperatures and extreme environmental conditions. While current standards state that attention should be given to the validity of fatigue design curves at subzero temperatures, studies on fatigue strength of structural steel at subzero temperatures are scarce. This study addresses the issue by analysing the fatigue strength of welded steel joints under subzero temperatures. Although critical weld details in large welded structures are mostly fillet‐welded joints, most published data are based on fatigue crack growth rate specimens cut out of butt‐welded joints. This study analyses fillet‐welded specimens at −20°C and −50°C against controls at room temperature. Significantly higher fatigue strength was measured in comparison to estimates based on international standards and data from design codes even at temperatures far below the allowed service temperature based on fracture toughness results.
Relationship of serum magnesium level with body composition and survival in hemodialysis patients
Authors: Mizuiri Sonoo , Nishizawa Yoshiko , Yamashita Kazuomi , Ono Kyoka , Usui Koji , Arita Michiko , Naito Takayuki , Doi Shigehiro , Masaki Takao , Shigemoto Kenichiro
Published: December 2019

Introduction

A relationship between serum magnesium (Mg) and body composition parameters has not been reported in hemodialysis (HD) patients. We aimed to clarify whether serum Mg has any association with body composition parameters, or survival in HD patients.

Methods

This study included 215 consecutive maintenance HD patients. Laboratory data collection and postdialysis body composition analysis were performed at baseline. The patients were divided based on baseline serum Mg level tertiles (low, medium, and high Mg groups). Kaplan–Meier survival, logistic regression analyses and Cox proportional hazard analyses were conducted.

Findings

Among all patients, the median age and dialysis vintage were 73 (65–81) years and 44 (8–96) months, respectively. The serum Mg levels were < 2.3, 2.3–2.5, and > 2.5 mg/dL for the low (n = 67), middle (n = 76), and high (n = 72) Mg groups, respectively. Compared to other groups, low Mg group showed significantly higher age and C‐reactive protein levels, but lower serum albumin, normalized protein catabolic rates and frequency of on‐line hemodiafiltration. The low, middle, and high Mg groups differed significantly regarding body cell mass (fat‐free mass without bone mineral mass and extracellular water) index (BCMI): [5.6 (4.2–6.8), 6.0 (4.8–8.1), 6.7 (4.9–7.5) kg/m2, respectively] and overhydration/extracellular water ratio (OH/ECW) [11.7 (4.5–21.9), 4.8 (1.0–14.1), 8.5 (−0.5–15.0) %, respectively] but not regarding body mass index, lean tissue index, fat tissue index. Hypomagnesemia was significantly associated with BCMI [odds ratio (OR) [95% confidence interval (CI)]: 0.85 [0.73–1.00] and OH/ECW (OR [95% CI]: 1.03 [1.01–1.05]), respectively. Kaplan‐Meyer 3‐year survival rates were 53.6%, 69.7%, and 71.7% in low, middle, and high Mg groups, respectively. However, hypomagnesemia was not significantly associated with 3‐year all‐cause mortality independent of age, serum albumin and C‐reactive protein.

Discussion

Hypomagnesemia was associated with lower BCMI, more pronounced OH/ECW and poorer Kaplan–Meier 3‐year cumulative survival, but was not an independent risk factor for mortality in HD patients.
Appraisal of Headache Trigger Patterns Using Calendars
Authors: Turner Dana P. , Leffert Lisa R. , Houle Timothy T.
Published: December 2019

Objective

Using experimental, yet realistic, headache calendars, this laboratory study evaluated the ability of individuals to identify the degree of association between triggers and headaches.

Background

Individuals with headache often record daily diaries or calendars to identify their patterns of triggers.

Methods

This cross‐sectional, observational study included adults with migraine, tension‐type, or cluster headache who had ever experienced more than 5 attacks. Participants (N = 300) were presented with headache calendars and asked to rate the strength of the relationship (how strongly one causes the other) between 3 experimental triggers (high stress, poor sleep, and cinnamon) and headache using a 0 (“no relationship”) to 10 (“perfect relationship”) scale for each calendar.

Results

Calendars with a high positive correlation between trigger and headache had higher participant ratings than those with low correlations. The median [25th, 75th] of ratings for each correlation level was low correlation: 1 [0, 4], medium: 4 [2, 5], and high: 5 [4, 8], P < .0001. However, participants appeared to ignore negative associations (ie, trigger present with no headache) and rated calendars with more headache days as having higher associations, regardless of the true relationship. The ratings for 2, 6, and 26 headache days were 1 [0, 3], 4 [1, 6], and 8 [0, 10], respectively (P < .0001). Participants’ previous beliefs about the triggers also affected their ratings (average correlation across triggers: r = 0.25, P < .0001).

Conclusions

This laboratory task supports the notion that individuals with headache are able to identify the association between headaches and triggers using headache calendars. However, these judgments can be biased by the individuals’ previous beliefs about the trigger and by the degree of headache activity.