bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hyper-personalization – fashion sustainability through digital clienteling
Authors: Jain Geetika , Rakesh Sapna , Kamalun Nabi Mohd , Chaturvedi K.R.
Published: June 2018

Purpose

This study aims to find the model fit to understand the consumer behavior in context to the hyper-personalization through digital clienteling by using structural equation modeling. The traditional method of customer passive observance has been transformed to dominance, where, the fundamental challenge for companies is to understand consumer behavior, work on cost-efficiency and implement sustainable innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

To investigate this emerging issue, this study aims to find the model fit via applying “Technology Acceptance Model” (TAM) and “Theory of Reasoned Action” (TRA) in context to the hyper-personalization through digital clienteling with special reference to women ethnic fashion wear.

Findings

The study findings depict the perceived ease of use (PEOU) and perceived usefulness (PU) of technology, attitude toward clienteling and subjective norm toward customization impact on customer intensions. The findings posited that perceived usefulness is having the strong relationship with purchase intention as compare to other variables. So, the analysis postulated that customer considered hyper-personalization is having perceived usefulness for customer and it also helps customer in getting the information about the product on the Web page.

Research limitations/implications

Because of lack of availability of resources, a specified sampling method has been used for this study. A new research, which will cover the fashion apparel from all the categories with a detailed study from the branded and non-branded point of view, will provide better description on this topic.

Practical implications

By having personalized Web page through big data analytics, customer will have positive experience and positive association with the company. The other parameters also play an important role toward the customer behavioral intention. The current study approaches new way of understanding the participative management of the personalization and tool to guide the work of strategy professionals and management of fashion e-commerce sector internationally and even in the other sectors also.

Social implications

Because of advancement of technology, the usage of online media is increasing day by day and this change is having high impact on the society, though we can innovate in any field or industry. Hyper-personalization has an impact on the online consumer buying behavior, which will affect the methods of searching information for consumers.

Originality/value

This new area of research is having large scope of future research from the fashion industry point of view. This paper is working as one of the element in the area of hyper-personalization through digital clienteling to gain sustainable results in the fashion industry.
Portable Pocket colposcopy performs comparably to standard‐of‐care clinical colposcopy using acetic acid and Lugol's iodine as contrast mediators: an investigational study in Peru
Authors: Mueller JL , Lam CT , Dahl D , Asiedu MN , Krieger MS , Bellido‐Fuentes Y , Kellish M , Peters J , Erkanli A , Ortiz EJ , Muasher LC , Taylor PT , Schmitt JW , Venegas G , Ramanujam N
Published: June 2018

Objective

Our goal was to develop a tele‐colposcopy platform for primary‐care clinics to improve screening sensitivity and access. Specifically, we developed a low‐cost, portable Pocket colposcope and evaluated its performance in a tertiary healthcare centre in Peru.

Design and setting

Images of the cervix were captured with a standard‐of‐care and Pocket colposcope at la Liga Contra el Cáncer in Lima, Peru.

Population

Two hundred Peruvian women with abnormal cytology and/or human papillomavirus positivity were enrolled.

Methods

Images were collected using acetic acid and Lugol's iodine as contrast agents. Biopsies were taken as per standard‐of‐care procedures.

Main outcome measures

After passing quality review, images from 129 women were sent to four physicians who provided a diagnosis for each image.

Results

Physician interpretation of images from the two colposcopes agreed 83.1% of the time. The average sensitivity and specificity of physician interpretation compared with pathology was similar for the Pocket (sensitivity = 71.2%, specificity = 57.5%) and standard‐of‐care (sensitivity = 79.8%, specificity = 56.6%) colposcopes. When compared with a previous study where only acetic acid was applied to the cervix, results indicated that adding Lugol's iodine as a secondary contrast agent improved the percent agreement between colposcopes for all pathological categories by up to 8.9% and the sensitivity and specificity of physician interpretation compared with pathology by over 6.0 and 9.0%, respectively.

Conclusions

The Pocket colposcope performance was similar to that of a standard‐of‐care colposcope when used to identify precancerous and cancerous lesions using acetic acid and Lugol's iodine during colposcopy examinations in Peru.

Tweetable abstract

The Pocket colposcope performance was similar to that of a standard‐of‐care colposcope when identifying cervical lesions.
A new paradigm for retrieval medicine
Authors: Moloney John
Published: June 2018

A number of new time critical medical interventions are highly specialised. As such, they are not available in many hospitals and EDs. This necessitates transfer to another facility, which is often associated with some degree of delay. Processes to facilitate timely access to these interventions should aim to replicate or improve on that which would have been available should the patient have been in the community, and responded to, primarily, by an emergency medical service.
Permeable Gas Cavity at Elevated Pressure Enhances Modified Atmosphere Packaging of Fresh Produce
Authors: Boz Ziynet , Welt Bruce A.
Published: June 2018

Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) of fresh produce involves exploiting package properties to satisfy respiration activity of produce. While effective, package material properties are not infinitely adjustable to match needs of all products. Additional ways of providing favorable in‐package gaseous environments are needed. This work explores the use of permeable inserts filled with gas at elevated pressures as a means to achieve in‐package gaseous atmospheres that may not be possible by the package alone. Mathematical models were developed to predict transient package atmospheres for packages containing respiring produce and pressurized permeable inserts. The model was validated for semirigid tray packages containing grape tomatoes and Granny Smith apples. With inserts initially pressurized with oxygen at approximately 200 to 300 kPa (about 30 to 45 psi), about 2 weeks additional shelf life was observed relative to controls for both tomatoes and apples in test packages. Additionally, simulations provide design guidance for pressurized inserts for the case of very high respiration rate produce such as spinach.

Practical Application

This work promises to expand application of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP). Currently, applications are limited by gas transfer material properties of existing packaging films. However, packaging offers other important functions that may not be well served by materials that satisfy critical gas permeation requirements. This work demonstrates an approach that disconnects packaging material specifications from MAP design.
Phase I safety and pharmacokinetic study of cipatinib, an original dual tyrosine kinase inhibitor
Authors: Wang Jiayu , Han Yiqun , Shi Xiuqing , Li Qing , Zhang Pin , Yuan Peng , Ma Fei , Luo Yang , Cai Ruigang , Fan Ying , Chen Shanshan , Li Qiao , Xu Binghe
Published: June 2018

Background

Cipatinib is a novel tyrosine kinase inhibitor against both EGFR and HER2/neu. This phase I trial was conducted to assess the safety, dose‐limiting toxicities (DLTs), and maximum‐tolerated dose of cipatinib in HER2‐positive patients with advanced breast cancer.

Methods

Eligible adults with advanced breast cancer were administered cipatinib 200 mg/day (n = 3) as an initial dose, with escalating dosages of 400 mg (n = 4), 800 mg (n = 2), 1200 mg (n = 3), 1400 mg (n = 3), 1600 mg (n = 3), and 1800 mg (n = 2) in 21 day cycles. DLTs were monitored until the end of cycle 2. Physical examinations, vital signs, blood sampling for hematology, clinical chemistry, and pharmacokinetics were performed throughout the trial.

Results

Of the 26 subjects enrolled, 23 completed the trial. A total of 143 adverse events (AEs) were reported, of which 87 were associated with cipatinib treatment and comprised: neutropenia (38%), hypertriglyceridemia (15%), fatigue (15%), nausea (12%), fever (19%), and myocardial ischemia (19%). Six AEs were graded 3–4 (neutropenia, increases in aspartate aminotransferase, and total bilirubin, fatigue, dizziness and nodal tachycardia), but none of the AEs observed were considered to be DLTs.

Conclusion

This tolerability study revealed that despite a mild toxicity profile, cipatinib was well tolerated up to the anticipated maximum dosage of 1800 mg/m2. Further clinical trials are warranted.
The Complementarity between Tax Avoidance and Manager Diversion: Evidence from Tax Haven Firms
Authors: Atwood T. J. , Lewellen Christina
Published: June 2018

We investigate whether tax avoidance and manager diversion are complementary when the costs of diversion are low by comparing dividend payouts, performance, and overinvestments of tax haven firms versus other multinational firms based in countries with weak and strong investor protections. Desai and Dharmapala (2006, 2009a, b) and Desai et al. (2007) set forth a theory of tax avoidance within an agency framework (the D&D theory) based on the assumption that tax avoidance and manager diversion are complementary when the corporate governance system is “ineffective” (i.e., the manager's expected costs of diversion are low). Tax haven firms are corporate groups whose parent firms are incorporated in tax haven countries that are not the countries where the groups’ headquarters or primary operations are located (i.e., their “base” countries). We argue that tax haven incorporation potentially lowers the costs of diversion for managers of firms based in countries with weak investor protections. Using a sample from 28 base countries, we provide evidence that manager diversion and tax avoidance are complementary for tax haven firms based in countries with weak investor protections but not for tax haven firms based in countries with strong investor protections. Our results are consistent with the complementarity assumption underlying the D&D model and provide additional insights into the potential impact of the decentralization of the global firm.
Anastomotic leaks in stage IV colorectal cancer
Authors: Ng Suat Chin , Stupart Douglas , Bartolo David , Watters David
Published: June 2018

Background

The purpose of this study was to determine the anastomotic leak rate for colorectal cancer resections in patients with metastases (compared to those without), and to determine the impact of anastomotic leaks on survival.

Methods

This is a retrospective analysis of all patients who underwent resection and primary anastomosis for colorectal adenocarcinoma at a single institution between January 2002 and December 2014.

Results

A total of 843 patients underwent a resection and primary anastomosis for colorectal adenocarcinoma (661 colon and 182 rectal). Of these, 135 (16%) had metastases and 708 (84%) did not. Anastomotic leaks occurred in 17 of 135 (13%) patients with metastases, and in 37 of 798 (5.2%) patients without metastases (P = 0.003). Peri‐operative mortality occurred in 13 of 135 (9.6%) patients with metastases, compared with 19 of 708 (2.7%) patients without metastases (P = 0.0003). Anastomotic leak was associated with a reduction in overall survival (median survival 121 months without anastomotic leak versus 66 months in patients who had an anastomotic leak (P = 0.02)). If the patients who died peri‐operatively are excluded from this analysis, however, long‐term mortality was similar (125 months versus 101 months; P = 0.70).

Conclusion

Metastatic disease was associated with an increased risk of anastomotic leak and a higher peri‐operative mortality rate after colorectal resections for cancer. Patients with anastomotic leaks had a higher peri‐operative mortality rate, but long‐term survival was unaffected beyond the peri‐operative phase.
Urological outcomes following pelvic exenteration for advanced pelvic cancer are not inferior to those following radical cystectomy
Authors: Aslim Edwin J. , Chew Min Hoe , Chew Ghee Kheng , Lee Lui Shiong
Published: June 2018

Background

Pelvic exenteration (PE) for locally advanced pelvic malignancy requires a multi‐disciplinary approach and is associated with significant morbidity. Urinary reconstruction forms a major component of this procedure. The aim of the study is to review the urological outcomes following PE in a newly established pelvic oncology unit, to compare with those following radical cystectomy (RC) for bladder cancer.

Methods

Patients were identified from prospectively maintained PE and bladder cancer databases, inclusive of all cases performed between January 2012 and December 2016. Those without urinary reconstructions and follow‐up durations of less than 3 months were excluded. The outcomes of PE and RC cases were compared, stratifying surgical complications using the Clavien‐Dindo classification. Statistical significance was defined as P < 0.05.

Results

There were 22 PE cases and 27 RC cases. The median age at surgery was 56 and 65 years, with a median follow‐up of 11.7 and 19.8 months, in the PE and RC groups, respectively. Urinary reconstructions comprised n = 20 (91%) conduit diversions and n = 2 (9%) ureteral reimplantations in the PE group, and n = 5 (19%) orthotopic bladder substitutes and n = 22 (81%) ileal conduits in the RC group. The 30‐day urological complication rate was 23% in the PE group (n = 4 Clavien‐Dindo Grade 1–2, and n = 1 Grade 3) versus 11% in the RC group (n = 1 Grade 1–2, and n = 2 Grade 3), P = 0.801. There were no Grade 4–5 complications in this series.

Conclusion

The urological outcomes following PE in complex pelvic oncology are reasonable and not inferior to those after primary RC alone.
Gynecological cancer patients’ attitudes toward follow‐up care after cancer treatment: Do preferences reflect patients’ experience? A cross‐sectional questionnaire study
Authors: Fidjeland Heidi L. , Brekke Mette , Stokstad Trine , Vistad Ingvild
Published: June 2018

Introduction

Due to an increasing number of cancer patients, new follow‐up models are being debated, among them follow‐up by general practitioners. Before changing surveillance, it is important to explore patients’ views. The purpose of this study was to compare attitudes toward follow‐up care among patients treated for gynecological cancer who had not yet started a follow‐up regimen, with those who had been attending a hospital‐based follow‐up regimen for more than one year.

Material and methods

We conducted a cross‐sectional survey among gynecological cancer patients recruited from three Norwegian hospitals in 2013‐2015: Sørlandet Hospital Kristiansand, Sørlandet Hospital Arendal and St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim.

Results

In all, 239 patients agreed to participate, 100 who had not yet started follow‐up and 139 who had been attending more than one year of follow‐up. Patients reported that they preferred to be followed up by a gynecologist rather than by their GP, whom they viewed as less competent for this purpose. However, patients who had not yet started follow‐up were more willing to be followed up by a GP. Overall, patients rated detection of recurrence as the most important aspect of follow‐up visits.

Conclusions

The gynecological cancer patients in our study preferred a hospital‐based follow‐up model. However, patients who had not yet started follow‐up were more willing to be followed up by a GP. If follow‐up is to be provided by GPs for selected patients, it is important that these patients are informed early of the value and limitations of follow‐up visits, to ensure that they feel safe.
Identifying Disease-Associated Copy Number Variations by a Doubly Penalized Regression Model
Authors: Cheng Yichen , Dai James Y. , Wang Xiaoyu , Kooperberg Charles
Published: June 2018

Copy number variation (CNV) of DNA plays an important role in the development of many diseases. However, due to the irregularity and sparsity of the CNVs, studying the association between CNVs and a disease outcome or a trait can be challenging. Up to now, not many methods have been proposed in the literature for this problem. Most of the current researchers reply on an ad hoc two-stage procedure by first identifying CNVs in each individual genome and then performing an association test using these identified CNVs. This potentially leads to information loss and as a result a lower power to identify disease associated CNVs. In this article, we describe a new method that combines the two steps into a single coherent model to identify the common CNV across patients that are associated with certain diseases. We use a double penalty model to capture CNVs’ association with both the intensities and the disease trait. We validate its performance in simulated datasets and a data example on platinum resistance and CNV in ovarian cancer genome.
Do we access meaning when we name Arabic digits? Electrophysiological evidence
Authors: Macizo Pedro , Álvarez Alejandro
Published: June 2018

In this study, we evaluated whether the naming of Arabic digits required access to semantic information. Participants named pictures and Arabic digits blocked by category or intermixed with exemplars of other categories while behavioural and electrophysiological measures were gathered. Pictures were named slower and Arabic digits faster in the blocked context relative to the mixed context. Around 350–450 ms after the presentation of pictures and Arabic digits, brain waves were more positive in anterior regions and more negative in posterior regions when the blocked context was compared with the mixed context. The pattern of electrophysiological results suggests that pictures and Arabic digits are both processed semantically and they are subject to repetition effects during the naming task.
Pre‐pregnancy weight loss in women with obesity requesting removal of their intra‐uterine contraceptive device in order to conceive: a pilot study of full meal replacement
Authors: Brackenridge L. , Finer N. , Batterham R. L. , Pedram K. , Ding T. , Stephenson J. , Barry J. , Hardiman P.
Published: June 2018

Obesity during pregnancy is associated with increased risks of thromboembolism, gestational diabetes, pre‐eclampsia, miscarriage, congenital anomaly, macrosomia and stillbirth. The current practice, directed at reducing gestational weight gain, is largely ineffective. The present pilot study was designed to assess the acceptability of a 24‐week intensive weight management programme (IWMP; full meal replacement followed by partial meal replacement and weight stabilization) to achieve weight loss for women with obesity requesting removal of their intra‐uterine contraceptive device in order to conceive. Twenty six (65%) of eligible participants consented to the IWMP; three received this as routine National Health Service care in the University College Hospital clinic and 14 participated in the study. The commonest reasons for not participating were dislike of milk, anxiety and lack of support from family and friends. Omitting one woman who dropped out because of problems unrelated to the intervention, the completion rate was 46.2%. Including all women who started the programme, mean body mass index decreased significantly (P = 0.005) from 37.8 to 35.3 kg/m2. The median percentage decrease was significantly (P = 0.007) greater for women who completed the study (14.2) compared to those who dropped out (1.2). These results suggest an impressive level of weight loss in about one third of all women offered the IWMP who had to defer what they were seeking (pregnancy) while following a challenging programme that they were not seeking. However, studies of other interventions, such as partial meal replacement or commercial products, which may have higher rates of completion are still required.
THE EFFECTS OF LOTTO GAME CHANGES AND LARGE JACKPOTS ON INCOME ELASTICITIES AND SALES
Authors: Combs Kathryn L. , Spry John A.
Published: June 2018

Using daily lottery data from Washington State by zip code from January 2011 through mid‐March 2016, we estimate that Powerball income elasticities range from −0.16 to 0.16 as the Powerball jackpot increases from its minimum to $1.5 billion, while Mega Millions income elasticities range from −0.08 to 0.03 as the Mega Millions jackpot increases from its minimum to $640 million. Controlling for jackpot size, each of three major game changes during this time period has a significant effect on own‐game and cross‐game sales. Despite these significant game changes, however, these lotto games are a highly regressive source of revenue for Washington State. (JEL H22, H71, L83)
Sonographic quantification of the forearm muscles in relation with handgrip strength
Authors: Kara Murat , Ata Ayşe Merve , Kaymak Bayram , Özçakar Levent
Published: June 2018

Click here to view the Response from Abe and Loenneke
Neoplasms with cytoplasmic vacuoles – Many differential diagnoses on cytology
Authors: Gochhait D. , Rangarajan V. , Umamahesweran S. , Subramanian H. , Dehuri P. , Siddaraju N.
Published: June 2018

The origin of metastatic tumours with cytoplasmic vacuoles can be difficult to determine. Not all primary tumours are adenocarcinomas. A rare sub type of a non‐epithelial tumour is described and confirmed with the help of immunohistochemical markers.
Effects of liraglutide on gallbladder emptying: A randomized, placebo‐controlled trial in adults with overweight or obesity
Authors: Nexøe‐Larsen Christina C. , Sørensen Pernille H. , Hausner Helene , Agersnap Mikkel , Baekdal Mille , Brønden Andreas , Gustafsson Lea N. , Sonne David P. , Vedtofte Louise , Vilsbøll Tina , Knop Filip K.
Published: June 2018

Aims

Treatment with liraglutide 3.0 mg has been associated with gallbladder‐related adverse events. To conduct a single‐centre, double‐blind, 12‐week trial comparing the effect of 0.6 mg liraglutide and steady‐state liraglutide 3.0 mg with placebo on gallbladder emptying in adults with body mass index (BMI) ≥27 kg/m2 and without diabetes.

Methods

Participants were randomized 1:1 to once‐daily subcutaneous liraglutide (n = 26) or placebo (n = 26), starting at 0.6 mg with 0.6‐mg weekly increments to 3.0 mg, with nutritional and physical activity counselling. A 600‐kcal (23.7 g fat) liquid meal test was performed at baseline, after the first dose and after 12 weeks. The primary endpoint was the 12‐week maximum postprandial gallbladder ejection fraction (GBEFmax), measured over 240 minutes after starting the meal.

Results

Baseline characteristics were similar between groups (mean ± SD overall age 47.6 ± 10.0 years, BMI 32.6 ±3.4 kg/m2, 50% women). Mean 12‐week GBEFmax (treatment difference −3.7%, 95% confidence interval [CI] −13.1, 5.7) and area under the GBEF curve in the first 60 minutes (−390% × min, 95% CI −919, 140) did not differ for liraglutide 3.0 mg (n = 23) vs placebo (n = 24). The median (range) time to GBEFmax was 151 (11‐240) minutes with liraglutide 3.0 mg and 77 (22‐212) minutes with placebo. Similar findings were noted after the first 0.6‐mg liraglutide dose. Gastrointestinal disorders, notably nausea and constipation, were the most frequently reported adverse events.

Conclusions

Treatment with liraglutide did not affect the GBEFmax but appeared to prolong the time to GBEFmax.
Comparative study of the effects of ipragliflozin and sitagliptin on multiple metabolic variables in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes: A multicentre, randomized, prospective, open‐label, active‐controlled study
Authors: Tsurutani Yuya , Nakai Kazuki , Inoue Kosuke , Azuma Kosuke , Mukai Sei , Maruyama Seitaro , Iizuka Takashi , Matsuzawa Yoko , Saito Jun , Omura Masao , Nishikawa Tetsuo
Published: June 2018

In the present randomized study, we assessed the efficacy of ipragliflozin compared with sitagliptin in 124 Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes. Sodium‐glucose co‐transporter‐2 inhibitor‐naïve and incretin‐related agent‐naïve patients were randomly assigned to receive additional 50 mg ipragliflozin or sitagliptin. The primary endpoint was the proportion of participants with >0.5% decrease in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) without body weight gain at 12 weeks. For secondary endpoints, we measured several biomarkers related to metabolic changes. After 12 weeks, 53.9% of participants in the ipragliflozin and 42.9% in the sitagliptin group reached the primary endpoint (P = 0.32). Decreases in homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance, body fat percentage and skeletal muscle mass index, and increases in free fatty acids, ketone body concentration and HDL cholesterol levels were greater in the ipragliflozin group. Increases in homeostatic model assessment of β‐cell function and decreases in proinsulin‐to‐insulin ratio were greater in the sitagliptin group. No serious adverse events occurred in either group. In conclusion, ipragliflozin had beneficial effects on fat reduction, insulin resistance and lipid metabolism, while sitagliptin had beneficial effects on β‐cell function.
Effect of once‐weekly semaglutide on the counterregulatory response to hypoglycaemia in people with type 2 diabetes: A randomized, placebo‐controlled, double‐blind, crossover trial
Authors: Korsatko Stefan , Jensen Lene , Brunner Martina , Sach‐Friedl Stefanie , Tarp Maja D. , Holst Anders G. , Heller Simon R. , Pieber Thomas R.
Published: June 2018

Aims

To investigate the effects of semaglutide vs placebo on glucagon and other counterregulatory hormones during hypoglycaemia in type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Methods

In this double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, single‐centre trial, we randomized 38 men and women (treated only with metformin) 1:1 to 2 12‐week crossover periods of once‐weekly subcutaneous semaglutide or placebo, each followed by a hypoglycaemic clamp procedure. The primary endpoint was change in glucagon concentration from target plasma glucose (PG) level 5.5 mmol/L to nadir (target 2.5 mmol/L).

Results

The mean (range) participant age was 54.2 (41‐64) years, body mass index 29.4 (23.3‐36.1) kg/m2, glycated haemoglobin 60.8 (44.3‐83.6) mmol/mol (7.7 [6.2‐9.8]%), and diabetes duration 4.5 (0.3‐13.2) years. A total of 35 participants completed the trial and were included in the analyses. During the hypoglycaemic clamp from 5.5 mmol/L PG to nadir, the absolute change in mean glucagon concentration was similar for semaglutide vs placebo: 88.3 vs 83.1 pg/mL (estimated difference 5.2 pg/mL [95% confidence interval −7.7 to 18.1]). Concentrations of other counterregulatory hormones increased with both treatments, with a statistically significantly lower increase for noradrenaline and cortisol with semaglutide vs placebo. The glucose infusion rate to maintain constant clamp levels was similar for each treatment group, suggesting an overall similar counterregulatory response. The mean hypoglycaemic symptom score and proportion of participants recognizing hypoglycaemia during the study were lower for semaglutide vs placebo treatment at nadir, but cognitive function test results were similar. No new safety issues were observed for semaglutide.

Conclusions

Semaglutide treatment did not compromise the counterregulatory glucagon response during experimental hypoglycaemia in people with T2D.
Body height in paediatric inflammatory bowel diseases: A structural equation model analysis
Authors: Chouliaras Giorgos , Mantzou Aimilia , Margoni Daphne , Tsilifis Nikolaos , Pervanidou Panagiota , Panayotou Ioanna , Kanaka‐Gantenbein Christina , Chrousos George P. , Roma‐Giannikou Eleftheria
Published: June 2018

Background

Linear growth restriction is a unique feature of paediatric inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), and reduced insulin‐like growth factor (IGF‐1) is a major determinant of short stature. We aimed to assess factors influencing somatic height in children suffering from IBD.

Materials and Methods

This was a retrospective, cross‐sectional study conducted after approval by Institutional authorities. Anthropometric data, disease‐related factors, biochemical and clinical indices of inflammation and endocrine parameters were recorded and considered as explanatory covariates. A structural equation model analysis was utilized. Somatic height was the outcome of interest, and possible associations of explanatory covariates directly or through the mediation effect of IGF‐1 were assessed.

Results

Systemic inflammation, as expressed by high‐sensitivity intereukin‐6 (IL‐6), and nutritional status described by body mass index (BMI) were the pathways that significantly affected stature through the mediation effect of IGF‐1. Cortisol showed a direct, positive and independent of IGF‐1 association with height.

Conclusions

Insulin‐like growth factor‐1 is a key player in the process that results in impaired linear growth. Malnutrition and systemic inflammation have a restrictive action on growth by reducing circulating IGF‐1. The positive relation of serum cortisol to height could correspond to suppressed pituitary‐adrenal axis due to long‐term use of glucocorticoids.
Thermophysiology, microclimates, and species distributions of lizards in the mountains of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest
Authors: Strangas Maria L. , Navas Carlos A. , Rodrigues Miguel T. , Carnaval Ana C.
Published: June 2018

Thermophysiological traits, particularly thermal tolerances and sensitivity, are key to understanding how organisms are affected by environmental conditions. In the face of ongoing climate change, determining how physiological traits structure species’ ranges is especially important in tropical montane systems. In this study, we ask whether thermal sensitivity in physiological performance restricts montane lizards to high elevations and excludes them from the warmer environments reported at low elevations. For three montane lizard species in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, we collect thermophysiological data from lizards in the highest elevation site of each species’ distribution, and ask how well the individuals exhibiting those traits would perform across the Atlantic Forest. We use microclimatic and organism‐specific models to directly relate environmental conditions to an organism's body temperature and physiological traits, and estimate measures of thermophysiological performance. Our findings demonstrate that thermophysiological constraints do not restrict montane lizards to high elevations in this system, and thus likely do not determine the warm boundaries of these montane species’ distributions. Results also suggest that competition may be important in limiting the warm boundaries of the species’ ranges for two of the focal species. These experimental results suggest that caution should be used when claiming that physiology drives patterns of diversity and endemism within montane environments. They also highlight the importance of interdisciplinary experimental studies that bridge the fields of evolution and ecology to improve predictions of biological responses to future environmental shifts.
Vertical stratification influences global patterns of biodiversity
Authors: Oliveira Brunno F. , Scheffers Brett R.
Published: June 2018

Species distributions in terrestrial ecosystems are three‐dimensional, spanning both the horizontal landscape and the vertical space provided by the physical environment. Classical hypotheses suggest that communities become more vertically stratified with increasing species richness, owing to reduced competition or finer niche subdivision. However, this assertion remains untested in the context of the broader realm of biogeography. Here, integrating traits and distribution data for amphibians globally, we show how vertical strategies interact with the physical and climatic environments to govern global patterns of species richness and community composition. Our results reveal a marked latitudinal shift in strategies of vertical habitat use, from highly arboreal assemblages in the tropics to highly fossorial assemblages in sub‐tropical and temperate regions. Arboreality is strongly associated with precipitation, vegetation structure and climatic stability, whereas fossoriality is more common in dry environments with high diurnal temperature range and low vegetation structure. These analyses shed light on the importance of vertical stratification for species coexistence in species‐rich regions. As certain tropical habitats become drier from climate change, the rich biological diversity that is emblematic of the tropics may transition from vertically stratified to ‘flattened’, with future communities living mostly on or beneath the ground.
Spatial scale, topography and thermoregulatory behaviour interact when modelling species’ thermal niches
Authors: Barton Madeleine G. , Clusella‐Trullas Susana , Terblanche John S.
Published: June 2018

The spatial scale at which climate and species’ occupancy data are gathered, and the resolution at which ecological models are run, can strongly influence predictions of species performance and distributions. Running model simulations at coarse rather than fine spatial resolutions, for example, can determine if a model accurately predicts the distribution of a species. The impacts of spatial scale on a model's accuracy are particularly pronounced across mountainous terrain. Understanding how these discrepancies arise requires a modelling approach in which the underlying processes that determine a species’ distribution are explicitly described. Here we use a process‐based model to explore how spatial resolution, topography and behaviour alter predictions of a species thermal niche, which in turn constrains its survival and geographic distribution. The model incorporates biophysical equations to predict the operative temperature (Te), thermal‐dependent performance and survival of a typical insect, with a complex life‐cycle, in its microclimate. We run this model with geographic data from a mountainous terrain in South Africa using climate data at three spatial resolutions. We also explore how behavioural thermoregulation affects predictions of a species performance and survival by allowing the animal to select the optimum thermal location within each coarse‐grid cell. At the regional level, coarse‐resolution models predicted lower Teat low elevations and higher Teat high elevations than models run at fine‐resolutions. These differences were more prominent on steep, north‐facing slopes. The discrepancies in Tein turn affected estimates of the species thermal niche. The modelling framework revealed how spatial resolution and topography influence predictions of species distribution models, including the potential impacts of climate change. These systematic biases must be accounted for when interpreting the outputs of future modelling studies, particularly when species distributions are predicted to shift from uniform to topographically heterogeneous landscapes.
Effects of contemporary environment and Quaternary climate change on drylands plant diversity differ between growth forms
Authors: Liu Yunpeng , Su Xiangyan , Shrestha Nawal , Xu Xiaoting , Wang Siyang , Li Yaoqi , Wang Qinggang , Sandanov Denis , Wang Zhiheng
Published: June 2018

Previous studies on large‐scale patterns in plant richness and underlying mechanisms have mostly focused on forests and mountains, while drylands covering most of the world's grasslands and deserts are more poorly investigated for lack of data. Here, we aim to 1) evaluate the plant richness patterns in Inner Asian drylands; 2) compare the relative importance of contemporary environment, historical climate, vegetation changes, and mid‐domain effect (MDE); and 3) explore whether the dominant drivers of species richness differ across growth forms (woody vs herbaceous) and range sizes (common vs rare). Distribution data and growth forms of 13 248 seed plants were compiled from literature and species range sizes were estimated. Generalized linear models and hierarchical partitioning were used to evaluate the relative contribution of different factors. We found that habitat heterogeneity strongly affected both woody and herbaceous species. Precipitation, climate change since the mid‐Holocene and climate seasonality dominated herbaceous richness patterns, while climate change since the Last Glacial Maximum dominated woody richness patterns. Rare species richness was strongly correlated with precipitation, habitat heterogeneity and historical climatic changes, while common species richness was strongly correlated with MDE (woody) or climate seasonality (herbaceous). Temperature had little effects on the species richness patterns of all groups. This study represents the first evaluation of the large‐scale patterns of plant species richness in the Inner Asian drylands. Our results suggest that increasing water deficit due to anthropogenic activities combined with future global warming may increase the extinction risk of many grassland species. Rare species (both herbaceous and woody) may face severe challenges in the future due to increased habitat destruction caused by urbanization and resource exploitation. Overall, our findings indicate that the hypotheses on species richness patterns based on woody plants alone can be insufficient to explain the richness patterns of herbaceous species.
Stream diatoms exhibit weak niche conservation along global environmental and climatic gradients
Authors: Soininen Janne , Jamoneau Aurélien , Rosebery Juliette , Leboucher Thibault , Wang Jianjun , Kokociński Mikolaj , Passy Sophia I.
Published: June 2018

Niche conservatism (NC) describes the scenario in which species retain similar characteristics or traits over time and space, and thus has potentially important implications for understanding their biogeographic distributions. Evidence consistent with NC includes similar niche properties across geographically distant regions. We investigated whether NC was evident in stream diatom morphospecies by modeling species responses to environmental and climatic variables in a set of calibration sites (from the US) and then evaluated the models with test sets (from France, Finland, New Zealand, Antilles and La Réunion). We also examined whether diatom species showed congruency in environmental niche optima and niche breadths between the study regions, and whether species occupancy and functional traits influenced the observed patterns. We used boosted regression tree models with local environmental variables and climatic variables as predictors. We detected low NC in both environmental and climate models and a lack of consistent differences in NC between widely distributed and regionally rare species and among functional groups. For all species, diatom environmental and climatic optima varied clearly between the regions but showed some positive relationships especially for pH and total phosphorus. Diatom niche breadths were only weakly correlated between the US and the other regions. We demonstrated that diatoms showed overall relatively little NC globally, and NC was especially low for climatic variables. Collectively, these findings suggest that there may exist locally adapted lineages within the diatom morphospecies or diatoms possess some adaptation potential for differences in temperature. We argue that in diatoms, environmental and especially climate models may not be transferrable in space globally but need regional diatom data for calibration because species niches seem to differ among geographical regions.
Quantifying immature platelets as markers of increased platelet production after coronary artery bypass grafting surgery
Authors: Xu Ke , Chan Noel C. , Hirsh Jack , Ginsberg Jeffrey S. , Bhagirath Vinai , Kruger Paul , Dale Brian , Crowther Mark , Whitlock Richard P. , Li Chunjian , Eikelboom John W.
Published: June 2018

Objectives

An increased rate of platelet production is a possible cause of reduced antithrombotic response to once‐daily aspirin. Markers of immature platelets (IPs), such as immature platelet count (IPC), immature platelet fraction (IPF), and mean platelet volume (MPV) might be useful for identifying patients who have an increase in their rate of platelet production. However, their potential as markers of platelet production has not been rigorously evaluated. We aimed to investigate the utility of the IPC, IPF, and MPV as surrogates for increased platelet production using coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) as a model of enhanced thrombopoiesis.

Methods

Daily changes in platelet count, IPC, IPF, and MPV were followed in 45 patients undergoing CABG.

Results

The rise in IP markers preceded that in the platelet count. IPC (16% per day increase from nadir) but not IPF or MPV showed a significant and sustained rise, which paralleled the pattern observed with platelet count (18% per day increase from nadir).

Conclusions

Of the 3 markers, IPC was the most promising as surrogates for platelet production. Future studies should evaluate the utility of the IPC to identify patients with cardiovascular disease with reduced response to aspirin who might benefit from twice‐daily aspirin.
Executive Network Centrality and Stock Liquidity
Authors: Egginton Jared F. , McCumber William R.
Published: June 2018

We examine the relationship between stock market liquidity and the network centrality of firm executives. We find that firms whose executive officers are more central in the network of executives have narrower bid‐ask spreads. We use an exogenous network centrality shock of executive turnover and report that liquidity improves after firms hire executives with greater centrality. We present evidence that improved liquidity is attributable to efficient information flows around executives in more advantageous network positions.
Validation of a whole‐slide image‐based teleconsultation network
Authors: Baidoshvili Alexi , Stathonikos Nikolas , Freling Gerard , Bart Jos , ‘t Hart Nils , van der Laak Jeroen , Doff Jan , van der Vegt Bert , Kluin Philip M. , van Diest Paul J
Published: June 2018

Aims

Most validation studies on digital pathology diagnostics have been performed in single institutes. Because rapid consultation on cases with extramural experts is one of the most important uses for digital pathology laboratory networks, the aim of this study was to validate a whole‐slide image‐based teleconsultation network between three independent laboratories.

Methods and results

Each laboratory contributed 30 biopsies and/or excisions, totalling 90 specimens (776 slides) of varying difficulty and covering a wide variety of organs and subspecialties. All slides were scanned centrally at ×40 scanning magnification and uploaded, and subsequently assessed digitally by 16 pathologists using the same image management system and viewer. Each laboratory was excluded from digital assessment of their own cases. Concordance rates between the two diagnostic modalities (light microscopic versus digital) were compared. Loading speed of the images, zooming latency and focus quality were scored. Leaving out eight minor discrepancies without any clinical significance, the concordance rate between remote digital and original microscopic diagnoses was 97.8%. The two cases with a major discordance (for which the light microscopic diagnoses were deemed to be the better ones) resulted from a different interpretation of diagnostic criteria in one case and an image quality issue in the other case. Average scores for loading speed of the images, zooming latency and focus quality were 2.37 (on a scale up to 3), 2.39 (scale up to 3) and 3.06 (scale up to 4), respectively.

Conclusions

This validation study demonstrates the suitability of a teleconsultation network for remote digital consultation using whole‐slide images. Such networks may contribute to faster revision and consultation in pathology while maintaining diagnostic standards.
Leptin and Leptin receptor polymorphisms, plasma Leptin levels and obesity in Tunisian volunteers
Authors: Nesrine Zayani , Haithem Hamdouni , Imen Boumaiza , Fadoua Neffati , Asma Omezzine , Fadhel Najjar Mohamed , Ali Bouslama
Published: June 2018

Adipose tissue is an important endocrine organ that secretes a number of adipokines, like Leptin (LEP). The aim this study was to investigate the prevalence of single nucleotide polymorphisms in LEP gene (LEP 3′UTR A/C, −2548 G/A) and LEPR (K109R and Q223R) and their association with Leptin level and obesity. We recruited 169 non‐obese (body mass index [BMI] = 24.51‐3.69 kg/m2) and 160 obese (BMI = 36‐4.78 kg/m2) patients. Genotyping was performed using polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism, BMI was calculated, and Leptin level was measured by ELISA. Statistical analyses were performed by spss19.0. According to LEP 3′UTR A/C polymorphism, AC and CC genotype carriers had higher Leptin levels than AA genotype carriers, respectively, 31[0.05‐148.8] (P = .008) vs 41[0.05‐111.6] (P = .003). The K109R polymorphism was associated with obesity (P = .025) and seems to significantly decrease the LEP levels (P < .001). Concerning LEP G2548A polymorphism, our results showed that the OR of obesity associated with 2548 AA/GG was 1.87[1.106‐2.78] P = .028 vs 1.41[1.035‐1.85] P = .045 for 223AA/GG polymorphism. In our haplotype analysis, one haplotype seems to be the more protective and one other seems to be the highest risk to obesity. LEP 3′UTR A/C and LEPR K109R polymorphisms were associated with Leptin level and obesity.
Bi‐criteria formulation for green scheduling with unrelated parallel machines with sequence‐dependent setup times
Authors: Cota Luciano P. , Coelho Vitor N. , Guimarães Frederico G. , Souza Marcone J. F.
Published: June 2018

Given the important role of machine scheduling in manufacturing industry, we discuss power consumption in sequencing jobs in a scheduling problem, assuming variable speed operation in machines. The problem involves defining the allocation of jobs to machines, the order of processing jobs and the speed of processing each job in each machine. This problem can be viewed as a type of green scheduling problem, dealing with sustainable use of energy consumption and environmental effects. We propose a mixed integer linear programming (MILP) model for the unrelated parallel machine‐scheduling problem with sequence‐dependent setup times, with independent and non‐preemptible jobs, minimizing the makespan and the total consumption of electricity. Furthermore, we employ a novel math‐heuristic algorithm, named multi‐objective smart pool search matheuristic (or simply smart pool), for finding solutions near the Pareto front, in a restricted computational budget. As a case study, a new set of instances is created for the problem. Those instances are solved using the classical ε‐constrained method and the smart pool method. The obtained sets of non‐dominated solutions indicate the conflict between both objectives, highlighting the relevance of the suggested approach to industry. From the obtained results, it was verified that the smart pool achieved good convergence towards the true Pareto front, as indicated by the hyper‐volume metric, presenting lower average time for finding solutions on the Pareto front. In small to medium size instances, the smart pool search method can achieve very good approximations of the Pareto front with less computational effort than traditional methods.