bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cybersecurity: investing for competitive outcomes
Authors: Kosutic Dejan , Pigni Federico
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to help companies address the problem of ever-increasing cybersecurity investment that does not produce tangible business value – this is achieved by explaining the relationship between cybersecurity and competitive advantage.

Design/methodology/approach

The impact of cybersecurity on competitive advantage was explored through a qualitative research study – the authors conducted an extensive literature review and conducted two rounds of semi-structured interviews with executives and security professionals from companies in four countries, from the financial, IT and security industries.

Findings

The analysis of the findings enabled the conceptualization of the Cybersecurity Competitive Advantage Model that explains how to build up cybersecurity dynamic capabilities to achieve long-term competitive advantage.

Research limitations/implications

The research presents the theorization of the model based on an extensive literature review, gathered information, insight from qualified respondents and the authors’ experience in the field. While we controlled for saturation and rigorously collected and analyzed the data, the inductive approach followed may limit the generalizability of the findings.

Practical implications

The proposed model helps explain to executives how to differentiate their company in a novel way and how to retain that competitive advantage; security professionals can use the model to organize cybersecurity and communicate to their superiors more effectively.

Originality/value

The presented model differs from existing literature, cybersecurity frameworks and industry standards by presenting a method of avoiding technological bias and for achieving competitive advantage.
The US-China trade war with increasing trade policy uncertainty
Authors: Ongan Serdar , Gocer Ismet
Published: October 2020

Purpose

This study aims to examine the impacts of changing US trade policy uncertainty (henceforth, TPU Index) on US bilateral trade balance with China from a nonlinear methodology perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

The nonlinear auto regressive distributed lag (ARDL) model, recently developed by Shin et al. (2014), is applied. This model decomposes the TPU Index series into its increases (TPU+) and decreases (TPU−) and creates two new TPU Index series.

Findings

Empirical findings indicate that increases in the TPU Index improve the US bilateral trade balance only in the short-run (no long-run impact). However, decreases in the TPU Index worsen the US trade balance in the short run but improve it in the long run. Apart from these effects detected on US–China bilateral trade balances, this empirical study draws the conclusion that changing trade policy uncertainty plays a significant determining role for bilateral trade volumes.

Originality/value

Decomposed TPU index with the nonlinear ARDL model enables us to examine the separate impacts of the changes in TPU+ and TPU− indexes on US bilateral trade balance with China. Therefore, this model may discover potentially concealed-hidden true impacts of TPU index on US bilateral trade balance with this country.
Qatar Airways: building a global brand
Authors: Hamad MA Fetais Abdulla , Al-Kwifi Osama Sam , U Ahmed Zafar , Khoa Tran Dang
Published: October 2020

Purpose

In 2017, Qatar Airways was recognized as the world's number-one airline by SKYTRAX World Airline Awards. These international awards have been described as “the Oscars of the aviation industry,” reflecting global recognition and excellence in conducting business activities at the international level. The main purpose of this case-based research is to explore and evaluate the internationalization strategies employed by Qatar Airways in becoming known as one of the best airlines in the world.

Design/methodology/approach

In accordance with the nature of this study, data were collected by interviewing managers from Qatar Airways as well as by exploiting supporting materials from secondary sources and airline-specific records. The recorded interviews were analyzed via content analysis to define airline strategies aimed at expanding globally and building a global brand.

Findings

The findings reveal that Qatar Airways has adopted effective strategies that have facilitated its aggressive global expansion and enhanced its global consumer recognition – mainly as a fast-growing network connecting important destinations that maintains a focused consumer orientation dedicated to providing an optimal travel experience. These strategies have been focused on building a superior consumer experience marked by exceptional comfort.

Practical implications

Qatar Airways' implementation of internationalization strategies in the airline industry represents an innovative approach marked by efficient operations and high-quality standards. Both international business managers and academics can learn from these strategies and their implications for enhancing airlines' global reputation and overall quality performance.

Originality/value

Unlike other research studies that investigate a wide range of firms across industries, this study focuses on exploring the factors that support the successful internationalization of a single firm, thus providing in-depth understanding of specific strategies to achieve global recognition. This study provides unique insights to analyze strategies and assess their practical relevance.
Open innovation environments as knowledge sharing enablers: the case of strategic technology and innovative management consortium
Authors: Crupi Antonio , Del Sarto Nicola , Di Minin Alberto , Phaal Rob , Piccaluga Andrea
Published: October 2020

Purpose

This study aims to understand how open innovation (OI) environments can help organizations in implementing knowledge sharing (KS) practices defusing KS barriers.

Design/methodology/approach

An in-depth case study analysis on the strategic technology and innovation management (STIM) consortium at the Institute of Manufacturing of the University of Cambridge was performed during the 2019 and 2020 STIM program editions. To analyze data, this paper used the interpretive structural model on a sample of 20 managers participating in the STIM consortium, and this paper carried out an exploratory in-depth case study analysis to validate the results.

Findings

The findings shed light on the role of OI environments in defusing KS barriers in the process of inter-organizational KS.

Originality/value

Notwithstanding the importance of KS practices among organizations, only a few studies have recognized and investigated the role played by OI arrangements in enhancing KS practices.
Dimensions of dynamic marketing capability and export performance
Authors: Hoque Mohammad Tayeenul , Ahammad Mohammad Faisal , Tzokas Nikolaos , Gabay Gillie
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a conceptual framework on the dimensions of dynamic marketing capability (DMC) and its relationship with export performance. The paper also proposes the mediating role of competitive hybrid strategy and the moderating role of environmental responsiveness in explaining the relationship between DMC and export performance.

Design/methodology/approach

By following the dynamic capability notion of the marketing and competitive strategy literature, this paper proposes a novel conceptualization of the DMC development process and the possible effect of DMC on attaining competitive advantage.

Findings

The paper postulates that a firm’s DMC can reflect complementary power when its higher-level marketing capabilities are bundled together to detect distributing channel members’ crucial needs, competitors’ action plans and satisfying market demand. As yet little is known about the main underlying dimensions of higher-level DMC construct, the paper contributes in proposing the key dimensions of DMC.

Originality/value

This research advances the knowledge-based view and resource-based views and evolves a solid foundation of DMC constructs comprising four higher-order marketing capabilities, namely, ambidextrous market orientation, customer relationship management capability, brand management capability and new product development capability. Thus, this paper contributes in DMC literature in explaining export performance.
Complexity management of corruption in Iran’s oil industry applying soft system dynamics methodology (SSDM)
Authors: Hosseinzadeh Mahnaz , Samadi Foroushani Marzieh , Tang Ou , Mehregan Mohammad Reza
Published: October 2020

Purpose

Oil is the natural resource recognized as the most important source of revenue in oil-dependent countries and is most often referred to as being susceptible to corruption owing to its strategic importance. A major challenge in addressing and encountering the problems in complex social systems, such as corruption, is how to structure the problematic situation and how to capture mental models of the stakeholders involved in the situation, and also how to identify the system’s behavior in response to various policy intervention attempts in the long run. This study aims to shed new lights on modeling and simulating corrupt system of the oil industry, as a complex social system needed to be structured according to social system theories’ principles.

Design/methodology/approach

Parson’s theory is applied as a basic framework to capture the complexities of a corrupt system, dividing the system into political and structural, economic, legal and judicial and cultural and social sub-systems. Then soft system dynamics methodology, which is a combination of the two well-known methodologies, soft system methodology and system dynamics, is applied to model and simulate the complexities involved in the oil industry of Iran, which owns the second-largest oil reservoir in the world and its economy is much dependent on the oil revenue, struggles with corruption, and plans for a large amount of anti-corruption activities.

Findings

After simulating and calibrating the model, three groups of policies, namely, “reducing corruption opportunities,” “reducing corruption demand,” and “increasing anti-corruption capacity” are implemented in the model. As to the simulation results, due to the mutual inter-causality of opportunity and demand for corruption, individual application of each group of policies will not be helpful for long, rather a combination of policies will conduce to substantial improvements in declining corruption in the oil industry.

Originality/value

The developed model addresses the dynamics of the complex socio-economic system of corruption in the system of oil industry via modeling and simulation. The developed four-dimension system dynamics framework could be considered as a guidance for corruption modeling in general and as a basic model for corruption modeling of oil-dependent countries’ systems in particular.
A comparative analysis of environmental quality and Kuznets curve between two newly industrialized economies
Authors: Sen Kanon Kumar , Abedin Md. Thasinul
Published: October 2020

Purpose

Due to large amounts of coal burning, huge carbon dioxide emission and poor environmental quality, it is important to identify whether environmental Kuznets curve exists in China and India since in downward period of environmental Kuznets curve, economic growth in these countries will largely contribute to world environmental quality. Further, it helps to make a comparative analysis between China and India on how economic growth will contribute to the environmental quality in both upward and downward period of environmental Kuznets curve due to energy consumption.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses the data of carbon dioxide emission, per capita GDP and energy consumption from 1972 to 2017 to identify individual and panel-level environmental Kuznets curve of China and India. Before going to regression and causality analysis, unit root and cointegration tests are performed.

Findings

This study finds the existence of environmental Kuznets curve in China and India at both individual and panel level. Further, due to high energy consumption, environmental quality in China will deteriorate at a lower rate in the long run than that of India. Next, the increase in economic growth or per capita GDP in the long run will deteriorate environmental quality at a lower rate in China than that of India. Besides, with the zero level of energy consumption and per capita GDP, the environmental quality of China will be worse than that of India. However, increase in per capita GDP after threshold level will improve environmental quality in India at a higher rate than that of China.

Research limitations/implications

It helps to formalize the comparative relationship between the two large Asian economies by knowing the influence of economic growth on environmental degradation due to energy consumption. However, this study cannot conclude exactly when China and India can avail the downturn in environmental Kuznets curve.

Originality/value

It firstly establishes a link among energy consumption, economic growth and environmental quality between China and India including comparative pace in both upward and downward period of environmental Kuznets curve.
Neighborhood context, police legitimacy and willingness to help the police in Shanghai, China
Authors: Liu Siyu , Wu Yuning , Sun Ivan , Li Feng
Published: October 2020

Purpose

Following social disorganization theory and the process-based model of policing, the present study aims to examine how characteristics of communities are meaningful in shaping citizens' willingness to work with the police in urban China.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on survey data from Shanghai, China, the study adopts a generalized hierarchical linear modeling (GHLM) approach to examine the effects of both individual- and neighborhood-level predictors on the outcome, while taking into consideration the unobserved additional neighborhood-level variations.

Findings

Results suggest potential need of the process-based model to be modified in a Chinese context in that while police presence matters, measures on legitimacy are nonsignificant in shaping willingness to help the police, after controlling for neighborhood characteristics. More importantly, collective efficacy at the neighborhood level is related positively to residents' willingness to work with the police. Constant attention should be paid to the promotion of a collaborative and collectively caring environment, which can contribute to better coordination with the police, and greater willingness to be part of the larger cause of public safety.

Originality/value

The paper advances the scholarship with multi-level modeling and the role of communities in building stronger relationship with the police.
Persistence of tri‐trophic interactions in seasonal environments
Authors: Casas Goncalves Guilherme , Amarasekare Priyanga
Published: October 2020

The interplay between species interactions and environmental variation is well‐understood for pairwise interactions but not for multi‐trophic interactions. Understanding how such interactions persist in a thermally variable environment is particularly important given that most biodiversity on the planet consists of ectotherms whose body temperature depends on the environmental temperature.

Here we present a trait‐based mathematical framework for investigating how tri‐trophic food chains persist in seasonal environments. We report two key findings.

First, the persistence of the tri‐trophic interaction is enhanced if species at upper trophic levels (e.g. top predators) are more cold‐adapted than those at lower levels (e.g. basal resources) by virtue of lower thermal optima, wider response breadths and lower mortality within the favourable temperature range. The important implication is that the assembly and persistence of multi‐trophic interactions requires that species at lower trophic levels be somewhat maladapted to their ambient thermal environment, as in the case of recent invasions.

Second, differential sensitivity to thermally varying environments provides a mechanistic explanation for the conflict of interest between the intermediate consumer and top predator. The same cold‐adaptations that increase the consumer's ability to increase when rare deter the predator's ability to do so. Thus, being well‐adapted to its thermal environment makes the intermediate consumer better able to acquire resources and avoid predators.

We predict that the hierarchy in cold‐adaptation should constrain the number of trophic levels that can be supported in a given thermal environment, and that ectotherm food chain lengths should increase with increasing latitude because larger‐amplitude seasonal fluctuations generate more opportunities for species to diverge in their thermal optima.
Fluorescence‐based quantitative platform for ultrasensitive food allergen detection: From immunoassays to DNA sensors
Authors: Fu Linglin , Qian Yifan , Zhou Jinru , Zheng Lei , Wang Yanbo
Published: October 2020

Food allergies are global health issue with an increasing prevalence that affect food safety; hence, food allergen detection, labeling, and management are considered to be important priorities in the food industry. In this critical review, we provide a comprehensive overview of several fluorescence‐based platforms based on different biorecognition ligands, such as antibodies, DNA, aptamers, and cells, for food allergen quantification. Traditional analytical methods are generally unsuitable for food manufacturers to accomplish the real‐time identification of food allergens in food products. Therefore, it is important to develop simple, rapid, inexpensive, accurate, and sensitive methods to improve user accessibility. A fluorescence‐based quantitative platform provides an excellent detection platform for food allergens because of its high sensitivity. This review summarizes the traditional antibody‐based fluorescent techniques for food allergen detection, such as the time‐resolved fluoroimmunoassay , immunofluorescence imaging, fluorescence enzyme‐linked immune sorbent assay, flow injection fluoroimmunoassay, and fluorescence immunosensors. However, these methods suffer from disadvantages such as the significant rate of false‐positive and false‐negative results due to antibody cross‐reactivity with nontarget food components in the complex food matrix and epitope degradation during food processing. Hence, different types of fluorescence‐based immunoassays are suitable for standardization and quantification of allergens in fresh foods. In addition, we summarize new fluorescence‐based quantitative platforms, including fluorescence genosensors, fluorescence cell sensors, and fluorescence aptamer sensors. With the advantages of high sensitivity and simple operation, fluorescence biosensors will have great potential in the future and could provide portable methods for multiallergen real‐time detection in complex food systems.
Food safety in Peru: A review of fresh produce production and challenges in the public health system
Authors: Ramirez‐Hernandez Alejandra , Galagarza Oscar A. , Álvarez Rodriguez Mariel V. , Pachari Vera Erika , Valdez Ortiz María del Carmen , Deering Amanda J. , Oliver Haley F.
Published: October 2020

Peru has a commodities‐based economy where agriculture plays an essential role in the nation's development. Among agricultural products, fruits and vegetables are foundational to Peruvian culture and a healthy and nutritious diet. Produce is also the primary income source for thousands of small‐scale farmers and producers throughout the country. Peru has significant potential to export agricultural and value‐added products. Nevertheless, the Peruvian food chain has weak food safety and quality standards, limiting access to international markets. The inherent lack of food safety surveillance and management systems negatively affects public health. In the past decade, fresh and raw produce has been associated with several foodborne outbreaks worldwide, resulting in significant health and economic losses. This alarming situation for public health officials and regulators has called for the strengthening of produce safety standards and food safety risk management for safer food and to reduce the incidence of foodborne illnesses. This review summarizes the current status of produce safety in Peru and explores opportunities (e.g., policy, university capacity development) toward a safer food system.
Toad‐kill: Prey diversity and preference of invasive guttural toads (Sclerophrys gutturalis) in Mauritius
Authors: Baxter‐Gilbert James , Florens F. B. Vincent , Baider Cláudia , Perianen Yuvna Devi , Citta Denzel Shane , Appadoo Chandani , Measey John
Published: October 2020

The invertebrate communities of Mauritius host a high degree of endemism, but are also imperilled by an array of factors, including invasive predators. Since their introduction in 1922, guttural toads (Sclerophrys gutturalis) have spread across the island and have been implicated in the decline of a number of endemic invertebrate species. In this study, we examined the feeding habits of the invasive population of guttural toads from three naturally forested locations in Mauritius across multiple years by analysing their stomach content. We also measured the relative abundance of prey items on the landscape using pitfall traps and applied these data to determine prey preference using a Relativised Electivity Index. Insects, malacostracans and gastropods constituted the bulk of the toads' diet (48.7%, 33.4% and 11.8%, respectively), which also included several rare and endemic species. We further determined that insects and malacostracans were also the two most favoured prey taxa, relative to what was available on the landscape. Our investigation has generated several recommendations for future research and provides a fundamental understanding of the diet of guttural toads in the native forests of Mauritius.
Changes in use of hormonal long‐acting reversible contraceptive methods in Australia between 2006 and 2018: A population‐based study
Authors: Grzeskowiak Luke E. , Calabretto Helen , Amos Natalie , Mazza Danielle , Ilomaki Jenni
Published: October 2020

Background

Long‐acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) are promoted internationally as a key strategy for reducing unintended pregnancy and abortion rates.

Aims

To examine trends in use of hormonal LARCs among reproductive‐aged women in Australia between 2006 and 2018 and explore trends according to age groups and state/territory of dispensing.

Materials and Methods

Retrospective population‐based study using Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) dispensing claims of a 10% random sample of females aged 15–44. We investigated rates and annual trends in dispensing claims of etonorgestrel implant and levonorgestrel intrauterine systems (IUS).

Results

Between 2006 and 2018, annual PBS claims for LARCs increased approximately two‐fold from 21.7 to 41.5 per 1000 women, with a plateau observed from 2015 onward. Absolute rate increases were similar for the implant (9.0/1000) and IUS (10.8/1000), with increases observed across all age groups and states/territories. Overall dispensing rates varied by two‐fold according to state/territory of dispensing and four‐fold according to age groups. Rate increases for the implant were highest among the 15–19 and 20–24 age groups, while rate increases for the IUS were highest among the 35–39 and 40–44 age groups. It is estimated that in 2018, 10.8% of women aged 15–44 were using a LARC; 4.5% for the implant and 6.3% for the IUS.

Conclusions

Rates of hormonal LARC use have doubled over the past decade. Investigating underlying reasons for the large observed differences in rates of use according to age and state/territory could help further improve uptake for these most effective methods of contraception.
Educational attainment and environmental concern in China: An instrumental variable approach
Authors: Olivos Francisco , Palomo‐Vélez Gonzalo , Olivos‐Jara Pablo , Liu Minhui
Published: October 2020

Formal education is theorised to be an essential vehicle to promote and trigger pro‐environmental attitudes and behavioural changes among citizens via the increase of public awareness and concern. However, robust estimations of its causal effect on individuals’ concern for the environment are scarce. This study aimed to estimate the effect of educational attainment on environmental concern in China, addressing the problem of endogeneity. China is the largest emitter of CO2 and faces severe environmental problems due to its rapid process of industrialisation and urbanisation. The findings show that educational attainment has a robust positive causal effect on environmental concern in China. After addressing potential endogeneity issues using an instrumental variable approach, the effect is stronger than a conventional ordinal least squares estimation. Thus, education is a crucial path of action to promote environmental concern and subsequent pro‐environmental behaviour in China.
Surgical management of super‐super obesity with grade III esophageal varices and liver cirrhosis: The ultimate challenge
Authors: Bhambri Amit , Singla Vitish , Kaul Aashir , Shalimar  , Kashyap Lokesh , Aggarwal Sandeep
Published: October 2020

The risk of complications after bariatric surgery is high in morbidly obese patients suffering from liver cirrhosis along with moderate to severe portal hypertension. Esophageal varices are even considered as a contraindication for bariatric surgery by many surgeons. We report the case of a 40‐year‐old gentleman with a body mass index of 65.3 kg/m2, with multiple comorbidities including type 2 diabetes mellitus, severe obstructive sleep apnea. On evaluation, he had Child‐Pugh A liver cirrhosis with portal hypertension along with grade III esophageal varices and splenomegaly. After adequate optimization, laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy was performed. The patient is doing well at a follow up of 12 months with an adequate weight loss and resolution of comorbidities. Sleeve gastrectomy can be performed in a morbidly obese Child‐Pugh A cirrhotic patient with portal hypertension and esophageal varices with proper counseling regarding more than usual risk for morbidity and mortality.
Predictors for failure of endoscopic ureteric stenting in patients with malignant ureteric obstruction: systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Guachetá‐Bomba Pedro Luis , Echeverría‐García Fernando , García‐Perdomo Herney Andrés
Published: October 2020

Objective

To determine the factors for failure of endoscopic ureteric stenting in patients with malignant ureteric obstruction.

Methods

We performed a search strategy in the Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE), the Excerpta Medica dataBASE (EMBASE), the Literatura Latino‐Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde database (LILACS), and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) databases. We included patients with malignant ureteric obstruction, who had a JJ catheter insertion. The studies reported the percentage of failure and risk factors, e.g. bladder invasion or deformity of the trigone, hydronephrosis, renal failure, previous radiotherapy, age, obstruction aetiology, and patient’s health status. We performed a meta‐analysis using R software (‘meta’ and ‘metafor’ libraries).

Results

We included nine studies that met the inclusion criteria, with 761 patients and an average age of 60.5 years. The studies assessed the time to failure during the first 30 days. The reported failure rate was 32% (95% confidence interval [CI] 21–45%; I2 = 88%). Regarding risk factors for failure, bladder invasion or deformity of the trigone had a hazard ratio (HR) of 4.8 (95% CI 1.28–8.5; I2 = 97.4%); severe hydronephrosis had a HR of 3.92 (95% CI 0.32–7.52; I2 = 93.9%); and age <65 years had a HR of 0.93 (95% CI 0.8–0.9; I2 = 0%).

Conclusions

We found a high probability of failure for endoscopic urinary decompression in patients with malignant ureteric obstruction. Factors such as bladder invasion or deformity of the trigone and age >65 years had an increased risk of failure.
Cytokine activin C ameliorates chronic neuropathic pain in peripheral nerve injury rodents by modulating the TRPV1 channel
Authors: Huang Ya‐Kun , Lu Yu‐Gang , Zhao Xin , Zhang Jing‐Bing , Zhang Feng‐Ming , Chen Yong , Bi Ling‐Bo , Gu Jia‐Hui , Jiang Zuo‐Jie , Wu Xiao‐Man , Li Qing‐Yi , Liu Yanli , Shen Jian‐Xin , Liu Xing‐Jun
Published: October 2020

Background and Purpose

The cytokine activin C is mainly expressed in small‐diameter dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons and suppresses inflammatory pain. However, the effects of activin C in neuropathic pain remain elusive.

Experimental Approach

Male rats and wild‐type and TRPV1 knockout mice with peripheral nerve injury ‐ sciatic nerve axotomy and spinal nerve ligation in rats; chronic constriction injury (CCI) in mice – provided models of chronic neuropathic pain. Ipsilateral lumbar (L)4–5 DRGs were assayed for activin C expression. Chronic neuropathic pain animals were treated with intrathecal or locally pre‐administered activin C or the vehicle. Nociceptive behaviours and pain‐related markers in L4–5 DRGs and spinal cord were evaluated. TRPV1 channel modulation by activin C was measured.

Key Results

Following peripheral nerve injury, expression of activin βC subunit mRNA and activin C protein was markedly up‐regulated in L4–5 DRGs of animals with axotomy, SNL or CCI. [Correction added on 26 November 2020, after first online publication: The preceding sentence has been corrected in this current version.] Intrathecal activin C dose‐dependently inhibited neuropathic pain in spinal nerve ligated rats. Local pre‐administration of activin C decreased neuropathic pain, macrophage infiltration into ipsilateral L4–5 DRGs and microglial reaction in L4–5 spinal cords of mice with CCI. In rat DRG neurons, activin C enhanced capsaicin‐induced TRPV1 currents. Pre‐treatment with activin C reduced capsaicin‐evoked acute hyperalgesia and normalized capsaicin‐evoked persistent hypothermia in mice. Finally, the analgesic effect of activin C was abolished in TRPV1 knockout mice with CCI.

Conclusion and Implications

Activin C inhibits neuropathic pain by modulating TRPV1 channels, revealing potential analgesic applications in chronic neuropathic pain therapy.
Maintenance and risk factors for fractures of overdentures using immediately loaded conventional diameter or mini implants with Locator abutments: A cohort study
Authors: Mifsud David P. , Cortes Arthur R. G. , Zarb Mario J. , Attard Nikolai J.
Published: October 2020

Background

Fractures in mandibular implant‐retained overdentures are a common complication. However, little is known on the related risk factors and outcome differences when using two conventional diameter or two mini implants.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was first, to evaluate the required maintenance and complications with the overdentures and second, to analyze risk factors for overdenture fractures.

Materials and Methods

This cohort study was conducted in edentulous patients with complete dentures. Patients received either two conventional (4.1 mm in diameter) and two mini (2.9 mm or less in diameter) implants, based on available buccal‐lingual ridge width. All implants were immediately loaded with mandibular overdentures retained by Locator abutments. The number of prosthodontic after care visits (scheduled and unscheduled) were recorded and compared between the two implant diameter groups. Fracture occurrence was the primary outcome variable. Risk estimates were presented as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The ORs were adjusted for potential clinical confounders (ie, necessity of relining, matrix recapture, abutment loosening, implant diameter, height of the Locator, and retention force).

Results

A total of 50 edentulous patients were analyzed. One conventional diameter and three mini implants failed within a 1‐year follow‐up period. Prosthetic maintenance requirements for overdentures on both implant diameter groups were comparable. A total of 12 overdenture fractures (four in the mini implant group and eight in the conventional diameter group) occurred. Adjusted OR (AOR) analysis showed a significant association between abutment loosening and overdenture fracture (AOR = 12.00, 95% CI = 1.11‐129.45; P = .041).

Conclusion

Within the limitations of this study, the present findings suggest that implant diameter does not affect number of prosthetic maintenance and complications, and that abutment loosening is a risk factor for overdenture fractures, regardless of the implant diameter used.
Integration of recurrent convolutional neural network and optimal encryption scheme for intrusion detection with secure data storage in the cloud
Authors: Prabhakaran Varun , Kulandasamy Ashokkumar
Published: October 2020

Data communication security is growing day after day with the proliferation of cloud computing. It is primarily because of the few security constraints and challenges occurring in the cloud environment during data transmission. Existing research has shown that the intrusion detection system (IDS) centered on the cloud is more complicated. In this article, we address the above issues by proposing an attention‐based recurrent convolutional neural network (RCNN). This proposed RCNN is used to detect whether the text data are intrusion or nonintrusion. The nonintrusion text information is then used for further processing and encrypted using a two‐way encryption scheme. We introduce the elliptical curve cryptography (ECC) approach to increase the security‐level performance of nonintrusion data. Moreover, the integration of ECC with the modified flower pollination algorithm (MFP‐ECC) creates the two‐way encryption scheme, and it is used to produce an optimal private key. The encrypted data are then stored in a cloud environment by steganography and the data with the sensitive information are replaced by some other text, thus providing security to the data at rest. The proposed MFP‐ECC approach shows maximum breaking time results and can also withstand different classical attacks when compared with other methods. As a result, the proposed intrusion detection and secure data storage mechanism is highly secured and it is never affected by any kinds of conspiracy attacks.
Antenatal diagnosis of fetal intraventricular hemorrhage: systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Dunbar Mary J , Woodward Kristine , Leijser Lara M , Kirton Adam
Published: October 2020

Aim

To determine how the severity of antenatally diagnosed germinal matrix‐intraventricular hemorrhage (GMH‐IVH) relates to morbidity and mortality, and to explore potential risk factors.

Method

We conducted a systematic review and individual patient data meta‐analysis of antenatally diagnosed fetal GMH‐IVH. The primary outcomes were mortality and morbidity. Potential associations with clinical factors during pregnancy were explored. Analysis employed Fisher’s exact test and logistic regression.

Results

We included 240 cases from 80 studies. Presence of venous infarction was associated with mortality (odds ratio [OR] 4.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.4–13.25), motor impairment (OR 103.2, 95% CI 8.6–1238), epilepsy (OR 6.46, 95% CI 2.64–16.06), and developmental delay (OR 8.55, 95% CI 2.12–48.79). Shunt placement was associated with gestational age at GMH‐IVH diagnosis and in utero progression. Many cases had uncomplicated pregnancies but possible co‐occurring conditions included twin gestation, small for gestational age, and congenital anomalies.

Interpretation

Severity of fetal GMH‐IVH, specifically venous infarction, is associated with overall mortality and morbidity. Risk factors for fetal GMH‐IVH are poorly understood and controlled studies are required.

What this paper adds

Preterm germinal matrix‐intraventricular hemorrhage (GMH‐IVH) grading can be applied to fetuses.

Many fetal germinal matrix hemorrhages occur in otherwise typical pregnancies.

Half of fetuses with post‐hemorrhagic ventricular dilatation receive a shunt after delivery.

Fetuses with grade I or II GMH‐IVH have few sequelae.

Fetuses with periventricular hemorrhagic infarction have a high burden of motor impairment.
Acquired peri‐articular ganglion cyst in the lateral femorotibial joint in an 18‐year‐old Percheron cross mare
Authors: Alsherif A. A. , Myhre G. D. , Vin R.
Published: October 2020

This report describes a case of sudden lameness in an 18‐year‐old Percheron cross mare after presumably being kicked by another horse, and the subsequent formation of a ganglion cyst originating from the lateral femorotibial joint. Physical examination, radiographic and ultrasonographic investigation identified a soft round 5 cm diameter mass attached to the left lateral femorotibial joint. After surgical removal, histopathological examination confirmed a ganglion cyst. The horse responded well to the surgical removal of the cyst, and 4 weeks after the surgery, the mare has returned back to her same athletic performance. According to the authors’ knowledge, this is the first reported case that describes a peri‐articular ganglion cyst originating from the stifle joint.
Buffering effects of soil seed banks on plant community composition in response to land use and climate
Authors: Plue Jan , Van Calster Hans , Auestad Inger , Basto Sofía , Bekker Renée M. , Bruun Hans Henrik , Chevalier Richard , Decocq Guillaume , Grandin Ulf , Hermy Martin , Jacquemyn Hans , Jakobsson Anna , Jankowska‐Błaszczuk Małgorzata , Kalamees Rein , Koch Marcus A. , Marrs Rob H. , Marteinsdóttir Bryndís , Milberg Per , Måren Inger E. , Pakeman Robin J. , Phoenix Gareth K. , Thompson Ken , Vandvik Vigdis , Wagner Markus , Auffret Alistair G.
Published: October 2020

Aim

Climate and land use are key determinants of biodiversity, with past and ongoing changes posing serious threats to global ecosystems. Unlike most other organism groups, plant species can possess dormant life‐history stages such as soil seed banks, which may help plant communities to resist or at least postpone the detrimental impact of global changes. This study investigates the potential for soil seed banks to achieve this.

Location

Europe.

Time period

1978–2014.

Major taxa studied

Flowering plants.

Methods

Using a space‐for‐time/warming approach, we study plant species richness and composition in the herb layer and the soil seed bank in 2,796 community plots from 54 datasets in managed grasslands, forests and intermediate, successional habitats across a climate gradient.

Results

Soil seed banks held more species than the herb layer, being compositionally similar across habitats. Species richness was lower in forests and successional habitats compared to grasslands, with annual temperature range more important than mean annual temperature for determining richness. Climate and land‐use effects were generally less pronounced when plant community richness included seed bank species richness, while there was no clear effect of land use and climate on compositional similarity between the seed bank and the herb layer.

Main conclusions

High seed bank diversity and compositional similarity between the herb layer and seed bank plant communities may provide a potentially important functional buffer against the impact of ongoing environmental changes on plant communities. This capacity could, however, be threatened by climate warming. Dormant life‐history stages can therefore be important sources of diversity in changing environments, potentially underpinning already observed time‐lags in plant community responses to global change. However, as soil seed banks themselves appear, albeit less, vulnerable to the same changes, their potential to buffer change can only be temporary, and major community shifts may still be expected.
Establishing hematological reference intervals in healthy adults: Ravansar non‐communicable disease cohort study, Iran
Authors: Moradinazar Mehdi , Najafi Farid , Pasdar Yahya , Hamzeh Behrooz , Shakiba Ebrahim , Bohn Mary Kathryn , Adeli Khosrow , Rahimi Zohreh
Published: October 2020

Introduction

It is necessary to establish hematological reference intervals (RIs) in each population to improve disease management and healthcare quality. This study aimed to establish age‐ and sex‐specific hematological RIs in a healthy adult Kurdish population and evaluate the influence of select lifestyle factors.

Methods

Hematological parameters were studied in 6518 individuals (3006 females, 3512 males) from Ravansar Non‐Communicable Disease (RaNCD) cohort study. Hematological parameters were measured by Beckman Coulter HmX Analyzer. After combined application of exclusion criteria and statistical outlier removal, RIs for all partitions were calculated using nonparametric methods.

Results

The present study established hematological RIs for 14 parameters in a healthy adult Iranian population. Reference values for some analytes demonstrated significant age‐ and sex‐specific differences and were slightly different when compared to RIs determined in other populations. Furthermore, the current smokers had higher levels of white blood cells (WBCs), red blood cells (RBCs), hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and mean corpuscular volume than ex‐ and nonsmokers. Also, in the presence of high physical activity, elevated levels of RBC, hemoglobin, hematocrit, monocytes, and MCH were observed, as well as lower WBC levels. Further, a significant positive association was observed between body mass index (BMI) and WBC, red cell distribution width, and plateletcrit levels.

Conclusion

Our study suggests hematological parameters are influenced by age, sex, and lifestyle factors such as physical activity and BMI. Additionally, discrepancies when compared to other population studies suggest that ethnic‐specific differences need to be considered when establishing RIs for hematological parameters.
Inhibitory anti ADAMTS13 antibodies with a new rapid fully automated CLiA assay
Authors: Montaruli Barbara , Novelli Chiara , Solfietti Laura , Valpreda Alessandra , Bazzan Mario , Luigi Andrea Beverina Ivo , Brando Bruno , Roccatello Dario , Cosseddu Domenico
Published: October 2020

Background

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a life‐threatening disorder characterized by severe ADAMTS13 deficiency. The acquired form is associated with autoantibodies directed against ADAMTS13. Both noninhibitory and inhibitory autoantibodies can be detected by ELISA assay, while only inhibitory autoantibodies are detected by Bethesda assay. Due to its short TAT and good performance, chemiluminescence (CliA) ADAMTS13 activity (HemosIL Acustar) has proven to be a good choice in the diagnosis of TTP in emergency settings. Aim of this study was to analyse the performance of the CliA ADAMTS13 activity assay in detecting inhibitory ADAMTS13 antibodies using the Bethesda assay.

Methods

A method comparison study was performed on 69 stored samples: 11 acute TTPs, 38 TTP follow‐ups, 5 TTP relapses, 1 congenital TTP, 10 HUS, 4 suspected TTPs. We retrieved the results of tests previously run in ELISA for both activity and autoantibodies. At the same time, we reran new tests including ELISA and CliA activity, ELISA autoantibodies, and ELISA and CliA Bethesda assays on thawed frozen samples.

Results

Very good correlation was observed between ELISA and CliA activity assay results (r = 0.96) and between archived ELISA and CliA activity results (r = 0.93). Agreement between the anti‐ADAMTS13 assays ranged from good (k = 0.63) to very good (k = 0.92).

Conclusions

CliA and ELISA Bethesda assays showed very good agreement with samples run at the same time using ELISA ADAMTS13‐autoantibody assay. Albeit more expensive, the CliA Bethesda assay identified inhibitory anti‐ADAMTS13 within almost the same TAT as ELISA, but with better automation and limited operator involvement.
A machine‐learning based ConvLSTM architecture for NDVI forecasting
Authors: Ahmad Rehaan , Yang Brian , Ettlin Guillermo , Berger Andrés , Rodríguez‐Bocca Pablo
Published: October 2020

Normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) is an essential remote measurement for agricultural studies because of its strong correlation with crop growth and yield. Accurate and comprehensive NDVI forecasts thus provide effective future projections of crop yield for precise agricultural planning and budgeting. Previous recurrent neural network (RNN) based forecasting methodologies have only performed single‐pixel or large‐area‐average NDVI predictions. We present an alternative RNN‐based deep‐learning architecture, the convolutional long short‐term memory (ConvLSTM), to supply much more comprehensive and detailed NDVI forecasts. In this paper, a single ConvLSTM is capable of 10,000‐pixel field‐level NDVI predictions, providing a more practical methodology for agricultural producers than single‐pixel studies. We compare our model to the parametric crop growth model (PCGM), another multipixel field‐level NDVI forecasting technique. We test each model over the same set of soybean crop field pixels with the root mean square error (RMSE) metric. The training configuration of each model is defined by the number of seasons of historical data used for weight optimization. When the best training configuration of the model found is used, the ConvLSTM obtains an RMSE of 0.0782, outperforming the PCGM's RMSE of 0.0989 (an improvement of 0.0207 in precision represents a large gain in the accuracy of production volume prediction when projected into large production areas). Finally, by comparing the ConvLSTM predictions with the ground truth data over the entire target region rather than just the soybean crop pixels, we discover that the ConvLSTM can also predict NDVI values over the nonsoybean crop as effectively.
2020 European guideline on the management of syphilis
Authors: Janier M. , Unemo M. , Dupin N. , Tiplica G.S. , Potočnik M. , Patel R.
Published: October 2020

The 2020 edition of the European guideline on the management of syphilis is an update of the 2014 edition.

Main modifications and updates include:

The ongoing epidemics of early syphilis in Europe, particularly in men who have sex with men (MSM)

The development of dual treponemal and non‐treponemal point‐of‐care (POC) tests

The progress in non‐treponemal test (NTT) automatization

The regular episodic shortage of benzathine penicillin G (BPG) in some European countries

The exclusion of azithromycin as an alternative treatment at any stage of syphilis

The pre‐exposure or immediate post‐exposure prophylaxis with doxycycline in populations at high risk of acquiring syphilis.