bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Social media and student performance: the moderating role of ICT knowledge
Authors: Dzogbenuku Robert Kwame , Amoako George Kofi , Kumi Desmond K.
Published: December 2019

Purpose

This study aims to determine the impact of social media usage on university student’s academic performance in Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative research method was used for the study. With the aid of a simple random sampling technique, quantitative data were obtained from 373 out of 400 respondents representing 93 per cent of volunteered participants. Data collected was analysed using structural equation modelling to establish the relationship among social media information, social media entertainment, social media innovation, social media knowledge generation and student performance.

Findings

The findings of this study indicate that social media information, social media innovation and social media entertainment all had a significant positive influence on social media knowledge generation, which has wide learning and knowledge management implications. Also, the study indicated that information computer technology knowledge moderates the relationship between social media and student performance.

Research limitations/implications

The sample taken was mainly cross-sectional in nature rendering the inference of causal relationships between the variables impossible. Future researchers should adopt a longitudinal research design to examine causality. Finally, the study was limited to only university students in Accra, Ghana. Future research can extend to a bigger student population and to other West African and African countries.

Practical implications

This paper will serve as a profitable source of information for managers and researchers who may embark on future research on social media and academic performance. The findings that social media information, innovation and entertainment can likewise enhance social media knowledge generation can help managers and university teachers to use the vehicle of innovation and entertainment to communicate knowledge.

Social implications

The findings of this study will help policymakers in education and other industries that engage the youth to realise the important factors that can make them get the best in the social media space.

Originality/value

Social media usage in academic performance is increasingly prevalent. However, little is known about how social media knowledge generation mediates between social media usage and academic performance and, furthermore, whether the information computer technology knowledge level of students moderates the relationship between social media knowledge generation and academic performance of university students in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly Ghana. Theoretically, the findings of this study provide clear research evidence to guide various investigations that can be done on the relationships of the variables under social media usage, knowledge generation and university student performance, which advances the diffusion of new knowledge.
Study of Love-type wave vibrations in double sandy layers on half-space of viscoelastic
Authors: Kumhar Raju , Kundu Santimoy , Maity Manisha , Gupta Shishir
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the dependency of dispersion and damping behavior of Love-type waves on wave number in a heterogeneous dry sandy double layer of finite thickness superimposed on heterogeneous viscoelastic substrate under the influence of hydrostatic initial stress.

Design/methodology/approach

The mechanical properties of the material of both the dry sandy layers vary with respect to a certain depth as quadratic and hyperbolic function, while it varies as an exponential function for the viscoelastic semi-infinite medium. The method of the separation of variables is employed to obtain the complex frequency equation.

Findings

The complex frequency equation is separated into real and imaginary components corresponding to dispersion and damping equation. After that, the obtained result coincides with the pre-established classical equation of Love wave, as shown in Section 5. The response of all mechanical parameters such as heterogeneities, sandiness, hydrostatic stress, thickness ratio, attenuation and viscoelasticity on both the phase and damped velocity against real wave number has been discussed with the help of numerical example and graphical demonstrations.

Originality/value

In this work, a comparative study clarifies that the Love wave propagates with higher speed in an isotropic elastic structure as compared to the proposed model. This study may find its applications in the investigation of mechanical behavior and deformation of the sedimentary rock.
Modelling industry interdependency dynamics in a network context
Authors: Qian Ya , Härdle Wolfgang , Chen Cathy Yi-Hsuan
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Interdependency among industries is vital for understanding economic structures and managing industrial portfolios. However, it is hard to precisely model the interconnecting structure among industries. One of the reasons is that the interdependencies show a different pattern in tail events. This paper aims to investigate industry interdependency with the tail events.

Design/methodology/approach

General predictive model of Rapachet al.(2016) is extended to an interdependency model via least absolute shrinkage and selection operator quantile regression and network analysis. A dynamic network approach was applied on the Fama–French industry portfolios to study the time-varying interdependencies.

Findings

A denser network with heterogeneous central industries is found in tail cases. Significant interdependency varieties across time are shown under dynamic network analysis. Market volatility is identified as an influential factor of industry connectedness as well as clustering tendency under both normal and tail cases. Moreover, combining dynamic network with prediction direction information into out-of-sample industry return forecasting, a lower tail case is obtained, which gives the most accurate prediction of one-month forward returns. Finally, the Sharpe ratio criterion prefers high-centrality portfolios when tail risks are considered.

Originality/value

This study examines the industry portfolio interactions under the framework of network analysis and also takes into consideration tail risks. The combination of economic interpretation and statistical methodology helps in having a clear investigation of industry interdependency. Moreover, a new trading strategy based on network centrality seems profitable in our data sample.
Testing the importance of harvest refuges for phenotypic rescue of trophy‐hunted populations
Authors: Poisson Yoanna , Festa‐Bianchet Marco , Pelletier Fanie
Published: December 2019

Sustainable exploitation must minimize its impact on the ecology and evolution of exploited wildlife. Intense phenotype‐based selective harvests can induce evolutionary change. Refuges could mitigate those evolutionary effects if individuals not subject to selective hunting in harvest refuges migrated and reproduced in hunted areas. The role of harvest refuges on phenotypic rescue of trophy‐hunted species, however, has rarely been tested.

We investigated spatial and temporal variation in the effect of refuges on horn size and age at harvest in bighorn sheep Ovis canadensis. We analysed data on 5,826 males harvested over 39 years in Alberta, Canada.

Horn length, a trait targeted by hunters, and age at harvest increased with the amount of protected areas 5–40 km around each kill. Horn base circumference, however, was independent of proximity to refuges.

The number of males harvested increased during the last 10 days of the hunting season in late October, corresponding to the timing of bighorn male breeding migrations. Males shot during those 10 days were on average 17% closer to a refuge than males shot earlier in the season. Apparently, some large males exit refuges late in the hunting season, are shot, and cannot contribute to rescue. Uncertainty remains about the proportion of males exiting refuges after the hunting season and how many survive to reproduce.

Synthesis and applications. Harvest refuges are unlikely to rescue hunted populations of bighorn sheep in Alberta, because some males exiting refuges are at risk of harvest before they mate. For phenotypic rescue to be effective, unselected males must reproduce before they are shot. Closing the hunting season 10 days earlier would increase survival of unselected rams exiting refuges.
From There to Here and Beyond: A Friendly Rejoinder to Davidson et al.
Authors: Gordon David , Johnson Craig
Published: December 2019

The synthesis provided by Davidson et al. offers a welcome contribution to the study of cities and city‐networks, providing an agenda and an analytical framework that may be used for understanding and addressing critical questions of political economy, knowledge dynamics and local/institutional dimensions of urban climate governance.
Unpacking the Politics of C40: ‘Critical Friendship’ for a Second Decade
Authors: Smeds Emilia
Published: December 2019

It will be interesting to see how C40 positions itself with respect to such possible futures. Current C40 initiatives focus on cities financing climate action through debt and private investment for ‘bankable’ infrastructure projects, rather than lobbying for national government spending. Globally, a huge spending/financing ‘gap’ still exists for enabling societal transitions to low‐carbon economies and infrastructures.
Is the AIIB a China‐controlled Bank? China’s Evolving Multilateralism in Three Dimensions (3D)
Authors: Zhu Jiejin
Published: December 2019

Is the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank a China‐controlled bank? This basic question highlights the issue of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank’s (AIIB) international credibility, especially as a multilateral institution. AIIB president Jin Liqun recognized the ‘multilateral challenge’ for China from the outset of the planning to create the new Bank, and he understood that the new Bank would only be a real success for China if the AIIB is truly a multilateral development bank – inside Beijing circles, he added, ‘and only if the new Bank does better than the long‐established counterpart MDBs’. These sentiments were alluded to in Jin’s remarks in the Financial Times: ‘China benefited a lot from the existing international system. China needs to do something which can help it be recognized as a responsible member and maybe a responsible leader in the future… if it does well, that will enhance China’s credibility, but if this institution does not follow the international best practice, who will believe in China in the future’. Skeptics, however, question whether it is ever possible that China will allow the AIIB to develop into an actual multilateral bank.
MOTMOT: Models of trait macroevolution on trees (an update)
Authors: Puttick Mark N. , Ingram Travis , Clarke Magnus , Thomas Gavin H.
Published: December 2019

The disparity in species’ traits arises through variation in the tempo and mode of evolution over time and between lineages. Understanding these patterns is a core goal in evolutionary biology.

Here we present the comprehensively updated r package MOTMOT: Models Of Trait Macroevolution On Trees that contains methods to fit and test models of continuous trait evolution on phylogenies of extant and extinct species.

MOTMOT provides functions to investigate a range of evolutionary hypotheses, including flexible approaches to investigate heterogeneous rates and modes of evolution, models of trait change under interspecific competition and patterns of trait change across significant evolutionary transitions such as mass extinctions. We introduce and test novel algorithms of heterogeneous tempo and mode of evolution that allow for phylogeny‐wide shifts in evolution at specific times on a tree. We use these new MOTMOT functions to highlight an exceptionally high rate of mammalian body mass evolution for 10 million years following the Cretaceous–Palaeogene mass extinction.

These methods provide biologists and palaeontologists with the tools to analyse continuous trait data on phylogenies, including large trees of up to thousands of species.
A small molecule transcription factor EB activator ameliorates beta‐amyloid precursor protein and Tau pathology in Alzheimer's disease models
Authors: Song Ju‐Xian , Malampati Sandeep , Zeng Yu , Durairajan Siva Sundara Kumar , Yang Chuan‐Bin , Tong Benjamin Chun‐Kit , Iyaswamy Ashok , Shang Wen‐Bin , Sreenivasmurthy Sravan Gopalkrishnashetty , Zhu Zhou , Cheung King‐Ho , Lu Jia‐Hong , Tang Chunzhi , Xu Nenggui , Li Min
Published: December 2019

Accumulating studies have suggested that targeting transcription factor EB (TFEB), an essential regulator of autophagy‐lysosomal pathway (ALP), is promising for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, potent and specific small molecule TFEB activators are not available at present. Previously, we identified a novel TFEB activator named curcumin analog C1 which directly binds to and activates TFEB. In this study, we systematically investigated the efficacy of curcumin analog C1 in three AD animal models that represent beta‐amyloid precursor protein (APP) pathology (5xFAD mice), tauopathy (P301S mice) and the APP/Tau combined pathology (3xTg‐AD mice). We found that C1 efficiently activated TFEB, enhanced autophagy and lysosomal activity, and reduced APP, APP C‐terminal fragments (CTF‐β/α), β‐amyloid peptides and Tau aggregates in these models accompanied by improved synaptic and cognitive function. Knockdown of TFEB and inhibition of lysosomal activity significantly inhibited the effects of C1 on APP and Tau degradation in vitro. In summary, curcumin analog C1 is a potent TFEB activator with promise for the prevention or treatment of AD.
Low‐dose lipopolysaccharide exposure can increase in vivo bilirubin production rates in newborn mice
Authors: Iwatani Sota , Jacobsen Danielle R. , Wong Ronald J. , Stevenson David K.
Published: December 2019

Aim

Neonatal haemolysis increases bilirubin production rates, which can then lead to severe hyperbilirubinaemia and bilirubin neurotoxicity. During haemolysis, haem is degraded by haem oxygenase (HO), which can be induced under stress conditions. It is known that neonatal sepsis is a risk factor for haemolysis and severe hyperbilirubinaemia. Here, we evaluated whether an exposure to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce sepsis can upregulate HO‐1, further increasing in vivo bilirubin production rates in mouse pups under haem loads.

Methods

Three‐day‐old pups were given LPS (1250 μg/kg) or saline (controls). Liver HO enzyme activity, HO‐1 mRNA and HO‐1 protein were measured post‐LPS exposure. We then assessed the effects of LPS treatment on in vivo bilirubin production rates after haem loading.

Results

Liver HO activity significantly increased (142%) over controls 24 hours after treatment with LPS (1250 μg/kg) without mortality. Liver HO‐1 mRNA was significantly upregulated 2.47‐fold at 24 hours post‐LPS administration, while liver HO‐1 protein increased 1.29‐fold 24 hours post‐LPS treatment. After haem loading, pups exposed to LPS had significantly higher bilirubin production rates (1.30‐fold) compared with age‐matched, saline‐treated controls.

Conclusion

Low‐dose LPS treatment can upregulate liver HO‐1 expression and may underlie the severe hyperbilirubinaemia seen in septic infants, particularly when undergoing haemolysis.
Volatile organic compounds in breath can serve as a non‐invasive diagnostic biomarker for the detection of advanced adenomas and colorectal cancer
Authors: van Keulen Kelly E. , Jansen Maud E. , Schrauwen Ruud W. M. , Kolkman Jeroen J. , Siersema Peter D.
Published: December 2019

Background

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer diagnosis in the Western world.

Aim

To evaluate exhaled volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as a non‐invasive biomarker for the detection of CRC and precursor lesions using an electronic nose.

Methods

In this multicentre study adult colonoscopy patients, without inflammatory bowel disease or (previous) malignancy, were invited for breath analysis. Two‐thirds of the breath tests were randomly assigned to develop training models which were used to predict the diagnosis of the remaining patients (external validation). In the end, all data were used to develop final‐disease models to further improve the discriminatory power of the algorithms.

Results

Five hundred and eleven breath samples were collected. Sixty‐four patients were excluded due to an inadequate breath test (n = 51), incomplete colonoscopy (n = 8) or colitis (n = 5). Classification was based on the most advanced lesion found; CRC (n = 70), advanced adenomas (AAs) (n = 117), non‐advanced adenoma (n = 117), hyperplastic polyp (n = 15), normal colonoscopy (n = 125). Training models for CRC and AAs had an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.76 and 0.71 and blind validation resulted in an AUC of 0.74 and 0.61 respectively. Final models for CRC and AAs yielded an AUC of 0.84 (sensitivity 95% and specificity 64%) and 0.73 (sensitivity and specificity 79% and 59%) respectively.

Conclusions

This study suggests that exhaled VOCs could potentially serve as a non‐invasive biomarker for the detection of CRC and AAs. Future studies including more patients could further improve the discriminatory potential of VOC analysis for the detection of (pre‐)malignant colorectal lesions. (https://clinicaltrials.gov Identifier NCT03488537)
Dominant C3 tussock grasses are resilient to the re‐introduction of fire in long‐unburned temperate grasslands
Authors: Morgan John W. , Salmon Karina L.
Published: December 2019

Questions

The recovery of dominant tussock grasses following fire is crucial as they contribute disproportionately to the structure and function of grasslands. To determine how resilient native grasslands are to the re‐introduction of fire, we quantify how fire affects the resprouting of the dominant C3 tussock grasses in long‐unburned grasslands (Austrostipa spp.) and compare this to the recovery of C4 tussock grasses (Themeda triandra) in grasslands that have had regular exposure to fire. We also quantify if these two grassland types burn in different ways as a result of their different dominant grass compositions.

Location

Temperate native tussock grasslands on the Victorian volcanic plain, Australia.

Methods

To determine how fire affects tussock mortality, and whether this differs between C4 (regularly ) and C3 (long‐unburned) grasslands, tussocks were permanently marked pre‐fire and re‐censused for survival and growth at seven weeks after fire. To assess whether C3 grasslands burn in a different way to C4 grasslands, fire behaviour was quantified at 11 sites.

Results

Fire behaviour was similar in both grassland types. Both C3 and C4 grass tussocks were resilient to fire, despite decades of fire suppression in C3 grasslands. Tussock mortality was low (<5%) in both C3 and C4 grasses. Survival was independent of basal circumference in C4 Themeda tussocks, but smaller‐sized tussocks (<10 cm circumference) were less likely to survive fire in C3 Austrostipa grasslands. Basal area declined in both grasses after fire but rate of tiller regrowth after fire was similar for both grass types.

Conclusion

Long‐unburned C3 grass tussocks were resilient to a single fire. Future studies should examine the response of C3 grasses to a fire regime that comprises frequent return intervals to which C4 grasses are resilient; this may indicate whether C3 grasses are sensitive to short fire‐return intervals despite resilience to an individual fire event.
Using sufficient direction factor model to analyze latent activities associated with breast cancer survival
Authors: Baek Seungchul , Ho Yen‐Yi , Ma Yanyuan
Published: December 2019

High‐dimensional gene expression data often exhibit intricate correlation patterns as the result of coordinated genetic regulation. In practice, however, it is difficult to directly measure these coordinated underlying activities. Analysis of breast cancer survival data with gene expressions motivates us to use a two‐stage latent factor approach to estimate these unobserved coordinated biological processes. Compared to existing approaches, our proposed procedure has several unique characteristics. In the first stage, an important distinction is that our procedure incorporates prior biological knowledge about gene‐pathway membership into the analysis and explicitly model the effects of genetic pathways on the latent factors. Second, to characterize the molecular heterogeneity of breast cancer, our approach provides estimates specific to each cancer subtype. Finally, our proposed framework incorporates sparsity condition due to the fact that genetic networks are often sparse. In the second stage, we investigate the relationship between latent factor activity levels and survival time with censoring using a general dimension reduction model in the survival analysis context. Combining the factor model and sufficient direction model provides an efficient way of analyzing high‐dimensional data and reveals some interesting relations in the breast cancer gene expression data.
Does emotion matter? An investigation into the relationship between emotions and science learning outcomes in a game‐based learning environment
Authors: Cheng Meng‐Tzu , Huang Wei‐Yu , Hsu Mei‐En
Published: December 2019

Game‐based learning environments typically elicit a variety of emotions; however, the influence of emotions on game‐based learning is basically underemphasized. This study sought to investigate how emotions are related to science learning in a gaming context. Humunology, an educational game for learning about the human immune system, was used, and 112 seventh graders aged 12–13 years old took part. The results indicated that learning through playing Humunology was effective and that the long‐term effect of this approach on learning retention was promising in comparison to traditional web‐based instruction. A cluster analysis by the K‐means algorithm categorized the students who learned through playing Humunology into two core groups. Students in cluster 1 experienced substantial levels of both positive and negative emotions while learning through playing Humunology, whereas the students in cluster 2 experienced primarily positive emotions. Although students who experienced primarily positive emotions had better learning outcomes right after playing Humunology, the learning effect declined as time passed, to the extent that they performed the same as those who experienced both positive and negative emotions in terms of long‐term learning retention. The significant findings of the study and their interpretations are discussed, and limitations and suggestions for future work are provided.

Practitioner Notes

What is already known about this topic

Game‐based learning facilitates science learning.

Both cognitive and emotional involvements are critical to engagement in game‐based learning.

Most existing studies primarily provide evidence for the influence of educational games on learning from cognitive perspectives.

What this paper adds

Learning through playing Humunology can be effective, and its long‐term learning retention effects are promising.

The learning performance of the players who primarily experienced positive emotions increased significantly right after exposure to the game, but the learning effect decreased over time.

The players who experienced both positive and negative emotions exhibited short‐term learning from playing the game, as well as long‐term learning that was steadily retained over time.

Implications for practice and/or policy

Games have great potential for facilitating long‐term science learning, but this can only be accomplished through games with design elements underpinned by solid learning theories.

Negative emotions experienced by players in game‐based learning might be more beneficial for long‐term learning retention, a possibility which should not be overlooked.

The challenges that players confront in achieving game goals may create a continuous cycle of cognitive disequilibrium and accommodation, which may in turn cause negative emotions while also resulting in true learning.
FAK regulates dynein localisation and cell polarity in migrating mouse fibroblasts
Authors: Fructuoso Marta , Legrand Marlène , Mousson Antoine , Steffan Tania , Vauchelles Romain , De Mey Jan , Sick Emilie , Rondé Philippe , Dujardin Denis
Published: December 2019

Background

Fibroblasts executing directional migration position their centrosome, and their Golgi apparatus, in front of the nucleus towards the cell leading edge. Centrosome positioning relative to the nucleus has been associated to mechanical forces exerted on the centrosome by the microtubule‐dependent molecular motor cytoplasmic dynein 1, and to nuclear movements such as rearward displacement and rotation events. Dynein has been proposed to regulate the position of the centrosome by exerting pulling forces on microtubules from the cell leading edge, where the motor is enriched during migration. However, the mechanism explaining how dynein acts at the front of the cells has not been elucidated.

Results

We present here results showing that the protein Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK) interacts with dynein and regulates the enrichment of the dynein/dynactin complex at focal adhesions at the cell the leading edge of migrating fibroblasts. This suggests that focal adhesions provide anchoring sites for dynein during the polarisation process. In support of this, we present evidence indicating that the interaction between FAK and dynein, which is regulated by the phosphorylation of FAK on its Ser732 residue, is required for proper centrosome positioning. Our results further show that the polarisation of the centrosome can occur independently of nuclear movements. Although FAK regulates both nuclear and centrosome motilities, downregulating the interaction between FAK and dynein affects only the nuclear independent polarisation of the centrosome.

Conclusions

Our work highlights the role of FAK as a key player in the regulation of several aspects of cell polarity. We thus propose a model in which the transient localisation of dynein with focal adhesions provides a tuneable mechanism to bias dynein traction forces on microtubules allowing proper centrosome positioning in front of the nucleus.

Significance

We unravel here a new role for the cancer therapeutic target FAK in the regulation of cell morphogenesis.
Accuracy of intraocular lens power calculations in paediatric eyes
Authors: Li Jianbing , Liu Zhenzhen , Wang Ruixin , Cheng Huanhuan , Zhao Jing , Liu Liangping , Chen Weirong , Wu Mingxing , Liu Yizhi
Published: December 2019

Importance

There is no clear consensus on which intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation formula provides the best refractive prediction in the paediatric population.

Background

To evaluate the predictability of desired postoperative refractive outcomes by using six IOL formulas in paediatric cataract cases.

Design

Retrospective case series.

Participants

A total of 377 eyes in 377 paediatric patients (<13 years of age) who received primary IOL implants in the capsular bag.

Methods

This study utilized formulas, namely, SRK II, SRK/T, Hoffer Q, Holladay 1, T2 and Super formula. Prediction errors were calculated based on the difference between the postoperative refraction and the refraction predicted by each formula.

Main Outcome Measures

The mean prediction error, mean absolute error, median absolute error, percentages of eyes within the prediction errors of ±0.50 D, ±1.00 D and ± 2.00 D.

Results

The mean axial length was 22.48 ± 1.91 mm (<22.0 mm for 161 eyes). The average age at surgery was 55.21 ± 28.01 months (<24 months for 37 eyes). The mean prediction error was positive (hyperopic error) with all formulas. Compared to the other IOL power formulas, SRK II showed significantly higher absolute errors (P < .001). Hoffer Q and Holladay 1 generated the least absolute error, followed closely by Super formula. Multiple logistic analyses indicated that age at time of surgery was an independent factor significantly contributing to the refractive surprise using all formulas.

Conclusions and Relevance

SRK II was the least predictable formula in this study. HofferQ and Holladay 1 yielded the best predictive values.
Diagnostic strategy for females suspected of Fabry disease
Authors: Balendran Sukirthini , Oliva Petra , Sansen Stefaan , Mechtler Thomas P. , Streubel Berthold , Cobos Paulina N. , Lukacs Zoltan , Kasper David C.
Published: December 2019

A total of 11 948 females suspicious of Fabry disease were tested by a combined biochemical and genetic approach. The enzyme activity, together with the concentration of lyso‐GL‐3 (lyso‐Gb3) biomarker in dried blood spots (DBS), substantially improved the diagnostic detection of Fabry disease in females compared to the enzyme activity alone. Abnormal values for both were highly suspicious of Fabry disease (97% positive predictive value [PPV], similar to PPV in males). In cases with one abnormal biochemical value, elevated lyso‐GL‐3 is a far more important indicator than low enzyme activity (39% PPV vs 6% PPV). Cases with clearly negative results for both biochemical parameters are unlikely to have Fabry disease, even in clinically highly suspicious cases.
Desmoplastic stromal changes in cutaneous neural granular cell tumors: An under‐recognized histopathologic feature of diagnostic and prognostic importance
Authors: Fernandes Margarida S. , Leitch Claire S. , Al‐Qsous Wael , Biswas Asok
Published: December 2019

Background

Granular cell tumors (GCTs) are uncommon mucocutaneous and soft tissue neoplasms with distinctive histopathologic appearance but controversial histogenesis. Herein, we report a variant of cutaneous GCT featuring extensive desmoplastic stroma which may result in diagnostic difficulties with mesenchymal proliferations, particularly a dermatofibroma.

Methods

Following a recent case of GCT with prominent stromal desmoplasia, we reviewed all cases diagnosed as GCT during the past 10 years accessioned at the dermatopathology unit in a tertiary university hospital.

Results

Three additional cases with a similar excessive connective tissue were identified out of a total of 49 GCTs. Cytoplasmic granularity was often subtle and focal, S100 expression was weak, and nuclei had a tendency to show spindling in tumor cells entrapped within the desmoplastic areas. Of note, nuclear spindling is one of the criteria used to diagnose an atypical/malignant GCT.

Conclusion

We propose the term “desmoplastic GCT” for these tumors, which not only appropriately addresses the stromal changes but also raises an awareness of GCT being one of the cutaneous tumors which may show stromal desmoplasia. Differential diagnostic difficulties apart, awareness of this phenomenon is important so that desmoplasia and resultant spindling are not linked with potential aggressive behavior.
Endoscopic ultrasound‐guided fine‐needle biopsy for definitive diagnosis of malignant peritoneal mesothelioma
Authors: Higashino Masayuki , Sugiura Ryo , Sakamoto Naoya
Published: December 2019

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Towards a mechanistic understanding of individual‐level functional responses: Invasive crayfish as model organisms
Authors: Linzmaier Stefan M. , Jeschke Jonathan M.
Published: December 2019

In novel communities, a rising number of new and emerging invasive species interact with resident species, some of which are non‐native themselves. We implemented an innovative trophic interaction framework for novel communities and quantified the interaction strength and impact potential of a truly novel species (marbled crayfishProcambarus virginalis) with a resident non‐native counterpart (spiny‐cheek crayfishFaxonius limosus). As prey, we usedDreissenamussels, which are non‐native as well and now hold a key position in many European and North American aquatic ecosystems.

For both crayfish species, we predicted functional responses based on a mechanistic model that we parameterised with a set of experimental observations of foraging behaviour and satiation. We compared these predicted functional responses to empirically observed responses. In addition, we incorporated behavioural traits such as aggression, activity, and boldness in the comparisons between the species and individuals to determine their influence on functional responses. We tested individuals from aquarium stocks as well as naturalised individuals from invaded water bodies.

Altogether, we performed 1,095 experiments with 26 individual crayfish. We found that per capita predation of spiny‐cheek crayfish exceeded that of marbled crayfish from aquaria and naturalised individuals. Functional responses differed between species and were mostly higher for spiny‐cheek crayfish males. Marbled crayfish, however, were more voracious and reached satiation more slowly. Consumption rates correlated with aggression for marbled crayfish and with an aggressive threat response for spiny‐cheek crayfish.

We conclude that spiny‐cheek crayfish can reach higher short‐term consumption rates than marbled crayfish, but both species probably do not substantially affectDreissenamussel populations in the field. For marbled crayfish, high long‐term consumption, interspecific aggression, and reproduction rates can promote their establishment and spread. Risk assessments of these invaders should be improved by considering numerical responses, and different prey organisms and predators.
Financial relationships between patient and consumer representatives and the health industry: A systematic review
Authors: Khabsa Joanne , Semaan Aline , El‐Harakeh Amena , Khamis Assem M. , Obeid Serena , Noureldine Hussein A. , Akl Elie A.
Published: December 2019

Background

Patients and consumers are increasingly engaged in health policymaking, research and drug regulation. Having financial relationships with the health industry creates situations of conflicts of interest (COI) and might compromise their meaningful and unbiased participation.

Objective

To synthesize available evidence on the financial relationships between the health industry and patient and consumer representatives and their organizations.

Methods

We systematically searched MEDLINE and EMBASE. We selected studies and abstracted data in duplicate and independently. We reported on outcomes related to financial relationships of individuals with, and/or funding of organizations by the health industry.

Results

We identified a total of 14 510 unique citations, of which 24 reports of 23 studies were eligible. Three studies (13%) addressed the financial relationship of patient and consumer representatives with the health industry. Of these, two examined the proportion of public speakers in drug regulatory processes who have financial relationships; the proportions in the two studies were 25% and 19% respectively. Twenty studies (87%) addressed funding of patient and consumer organizations. The median proportion of organizations that reported funding from the health industry was 62% (IQR: 34%‐69%) in questionnaire surveys, and 75% (IQR: 58%‐85%) in surveys of their websites. Among organizations for which there was evidence of industry funding, a median proportion of 29% (IQR: 27%‐44%) acknowledged on their websites receiving that funding.

Conclusion

Financial relationships between the health industry and patient and consumer representatives and their organizations are common and may not be disclosed. Stricter regulation on disclosure and management is needed.
Characterisation of antibacterial peptide fractions extracted from pomelo nucleus co‐incubated with Lactobacillus
Authors: Liu Huifan , Wu Geyi , Song Haifeng , Zhang Huanyou , Ma Lukai , Brennan Charles , Li Sufen , Liu Yingjun , Wu Jihong , Wang Qin
Published: December 2019

Pomelo have been widely reported for its unique flavour and high nutritive value, whereas the antibacterial activity of pomelo nucleus peptides was still poorly understood. We characterised a co‐incubation system of pomelo nucleus and Lactobacillus amylolyticus L6 to identify peptides of high application value. We first analysed the structure of pomelo nucleus peptides (GP) and co‐incubated peptides (C‐GP) by scanning electron microscopy, high‐performance gel permeation chromatography, liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry and amino acid analysis. The results showed that the molecular weights, 89% of peptide sequences, and amino acid composition were different in the C‐GP compared with the GP fraction, and the spatial structures were quite diverse; the C‐GP peptide fraction presented irregular, amorphous and interwoven flocs. Notably, only C‐GP had antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli (minimum inhibitory concentration of 12.50 μg/mL). Further assessment of the mechanism suggested that the hydrophobic groups in the C‐GP peptide fraction were inserted into the hydrophilic sites on the surface of the E. coli cell membrane, leading to the formation of holes and bending. These findings suggest the potential value of pomelo nucleus as a nutrient source.
Parental adiposity differentially associates with newborn body composition
Authors: Diaz Eva C. , Cleves Mario A. , DiCarlo Marisha , Sobik Sarah R. , Ruebel Meghan L. , Thakali Keshari M. , Sims Clark R. , Dajani Nafisa K. , Krukowski Rebecca A. , Børsheim Elisabet , Badger Thomas M. , Shankar Kartik , Andres Aline
Published: December 2019

Background

Maternal obesity increases offspring's obesity risk. However, studies have not often considered maternal metabolic and exercise patterns as well as paternal adiposity as potential covariates.

Objective

To assess the relationship between parental and newborn adiposity.

Methods

Participants were mother‐child pairs (n = 209) and mother‐father‐offspring triads (n = 136). Parental (during gestation) and offspring (2 weeks old) percent fat mass (FM) were obtained using air displacement plethysmography. Maternal race, age, resting energy expenditure (indirect calorimetry), physical activity (accelerometry), gestational weight gain (GWG), gestational age (GA), delivery mode, infant's sex and infant feeding method were incorporated in multiple linear regression analyses. The association between parental FM and offspring insulin‐like growth factor 1 (IGF‐1) was assessed at age 2 years.

Results

Maternal adiposity was positively‐associated with male (β = 0.11, P = .015) and female (β = 0.13, P = .008) infant FM, whereas paternal adiposity was negatively‐associated with male newborn adiposity (β = ‐0.09, P = .014). Breastfeeding, female sex, GA and GWG positively associated with newborn adiposity. Vaginal and C‐section delivery methods associated with greater adiposity than vaginal induced delivery method. Plasma IGF‐1 of 2‐year‐old boys and girls positively associated with their respective fathers' and mothers' FM.

Conclusions

Maternal and paternal adiposity differentially associate with newborn adiposity. The mechanisms of this finding remain to be determined.
Publishing studies in traditional Chinese medicine
Authors: Watson Roger , Xue Chen
Published: December 2019

This article has also been published in Chinese which is available here: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/3TogaXWQm7wmU736dSlNqg
Hand eczema: epidemiology, prognosis and prevention
Authors: Agner T. , Elsner P.
Published: December 2019

Hand eczema (HE) is a heterogeneous and often chronic disease located to the hands and wrist, and frequently associated with eczema on the feet. The aetiology is diverse, and the eczema may present with a variety of clinical symptoms. Acute and chronic stages appear; severity varies from mild to moderate and severe, and flares may be frequently recurrent or rare. The divergent aetiology and varied morphology of HE is sometimes tricky and may be challenging to the dermatologist. This review has focus on epidemiology, prognosis and prevention of HE, and intends to point towards some practical advice on how to diagnose, inform and guide HE patients.
Residency and diel movement patterns of the endangered scalloped hammerhead Sphyrna lewini in the Revillagigedo National Park
Authors: Aldana‐Moreno Alejandro , Hoyos‐Padilla E. Mauricio , González‐Armas Rogelio , Galván‐Magaña Felipe , Hearn Alex , Klimley A. Peter , Winram William , Becerril‐García Edgar Eduardo , Ketchum James T.
Published: December 2019

This study is the first description of the residency and diel movements of Sphyrna lewini at the Revillagigedo National Park, Mexico. Eleven adult scalloped hammerheads of total length 200–300 cm were monitored using acoustic telemetry during 2013–2015 at four sites at San Benedicto Island. Diel and residency patterns were described based on 58,055 detections by four autonomous receivers. The sharks displayed high daytime residency in two of the four sites, with movements away into the pelagic environment at night. This study generates a baseline for effective monitoring to improve the conservation and management of an iconic but endangered species at this marine reserve.
Determining dynamic water level control boundaries for a multi‐reservoir system during flood seasons with considering channel storage
Authors: Gong Yu , Liu Pan , Cheng Lei , Chen Guiya , Zhou Yanlai , Zhang Xiaoqi , Xu Weifeng
Published: December 2019

The dynamic control of reservoir water level during flood seasons (WLFS) allows a trade‐off between flood control and water resources conservation. In this process, the WLFS dynamic control boundaries are key parameters. The channel flood routing affects the dynamic control operations. However, flood routing is seldom considered in multi‐reservoir aggregation (a popular method for tackling the curse of dimensionality in multi‐reservoir issues). To address this knowledge gap, this study conceptualises channel flood routing as a virtual channel storage reservoir (CSR) based on Muskingum flood routing in the aggregation method. The dynamic control boundaries for the multi‐reservoir WLFS are then derived using the following aggregation‐decomposition method: (a) the aggregation reservoir is created by considering channel storages, and the flood risk is quantified using pre‐discharge rules; and (b) the aggregated reservoir storages are decomposed by maximising hydropower generation with constraints. The Xiluodu, Xiangjiaba and Three Gorges reservoir system on the Yangtze River, China, were selected for a case study. The annual power generation is 175.40 billion kWh when using static operation rules. With dynamic operation, the output would be 177.05 billion kWh if CSRs were not considered and 177.53 billion kWh if CSRs were considered. Thus, the proposed method can efficiently determine the dynamic control boundaries for the multi‐reservoir WLFS.
First report of Lasiodiplodia theobromae causing spadix rot in Anthurium andraeanum
Authors: Daengsuwan Wilailuck , Wonglom Prisana , Sunpapao Anurag
Published: December 2019

Spadix rot was reported in Anthurium andraeanum cultivation farms in southern Thailand. The pathogen was identified as Lasiodiplodia theobromae, based on morphology and the nucleotide sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and translation elongation factor 1‐α (EF1‐α) genes. Pathogenicity test proved Koch's postulates, supporting that L. theobromae caused spadix rot in A. andraeanum. To our knowledge, this is the first report of L. theobromae causing spadix rot in A. andraeanum, in Thailand and elsewhere.
Paeoniflorin: a monoterpene glycoside from plants of Paeoniaceae family with diverse anticancer activities
Authors: Xiang Yongjing , Zhang Qing , Wei Shujun , Huang Cong , Li Zhengsheng , Gao Yongxiang
Published: December 2019

Objectives

Paeoniflorin, a representative pinane monoterpene glycoside in plants of Paeoniaceae family, possesses promising anticancer activities on diverse tumours. This paper summarized the advance of Paeoniflorin on cancers in vivo and in vitro, discussed the related molecular mechanisms, as well as suggested some perspectives of the future investigations.

Key findings

Anticancer activities of paeoniflorin have been comprehensively investigated, including liver cancer, gastric cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, colorectal cancer, glioma, bladder cancer and leukaemia. Furthermore, the potential molecular mechanisms corresponding to the antitumour effects of Paeoniflorin might be related to the following aspects: inhibition of tumour cell proliferation and neovascularization, induction apoptosis, and inhibition of tumour invasion and metastasis.

Paeoniflorin has wide spectrum antitumour activities; however, in vivo and clinical investigations on antitumour effect of Paeoniflorin are lacking which should be focused on further studies. Our present review on antitumour effects of Paeoniflorin would be beneficial for the further molecular mechanisms study, candidate antitumour drug development and clinical research of Paeoniflorin in the future.
Anaesthetic benefits of a ternary drug delivery system (Ropivacaine-in-Cyclodextrin-in-Liposomes): in-vitro and in-vivo evaluation
Authors: Nascimento Vieira Ana Laís , Franz-Montan Michelle , Cabeça Luís Fernando , de Paula Eneida
Published: December 2019

Objectives

To evaluate whether a ternary system composed of hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-βCD) further encapsulated into egg phosphatidylcholine liposomes (LUV) could prolong the action and reduce the toxicity of ropivacaine (RVC).

Methods

Dynamic light scattering and NMR were used to characterize the inclusion complex (RVC : HP-βCD), liposomal (RVC : LUV) and ternary (LUV : RVC : HP-βCD) systems containing 0.25% RVC. Their encapsulation efficiency, release kinetics, in-vitro cytotoxicity and in-vivo anaesthetic effect (paw-withdraw tests in mice) were also evaluated.

Key findings

1 : 1 RVC : HP-βCD inclusion complex was encapsulated in liposomes (220.2 ± 20.3 nm size, polydispersity <0.25, zeta potentials = −31.7 ± 1.4 mV). NMR (diffusion-ordered spectroscopy (DOSY)) revealed stronger anaesthetic binding to LUV : RVC : HP-βCD (Ka = 342 m−1) than to RVC : HP-βCD (Ka = 128 m−1) or liposomal formulation (Ka = 22 m−1). The formulations promoted in-vitro sustained drug release and partially reverted the cytotoxicity of RVC against 3T3 fibroblasts in the profile: LUV : RVC : HP-βCD ≥ RVC : HP-βCD > RVC : LUV. Accordingly, in-vivo sensory block of free RVC (180 min) was prolonged ca. 1.7 times with the ternary system and RVC : HP-βCD (300 min) and 1.3 times with RVC : LUV (240 min).

Conclusions

These results confirm the suitability of this double-carrier system in clinical practice, to decrease the toxicity and prolong the anaesthesia time evoked by RVC.
Mixed First‐ and Second‐Order Cointegrated Continuous Time Models with Mixed Stock and Flow Data
Authors: Hoyos Milena
Published: December 2019

This article derives the exact discrete representation corresponding to a cointegrated system of mixed first‐ and second‐order stochastic differential equations with mixed stock and flow data and observable stochastic trends. We provide some formulae to implement the Gaussian estimation and conduct a Monte Carlo experiment to examine the finite sample properties of the Gaussian estimator. We also compare the properties of the estimator based on the exact discrete representation to that based on misspecified discrete models. Results show that the use of the exact discrete representation for estimation purposes produces considerable reductions in the root mean square error of the estimate for most of the parameters.