bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lonely or alone? Solitary dining in Japan and Taiwan
Authors: Chang Yevvon Yi-Chi
Published: September 2020

Purpose

Solitary dining is a growing worldwide trend, but still evokes a strong emotional response. Some solo diners choose to be alone; others feel lonely due to circumstances. This study aims to explore solitary dining in Japan and Taiwan, moderated by negative emotions.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a survey of 372 participants, this study uses structural equation modeling to examine anticipated loneliness and anticipated negative evaluation from others (the “spotlight effect”) associated with solitary dining intention among university students in Japan and Taiwan.

Findings

Taiwanese university students report solo dining behaviors and intentions with as much frequency as their Japanese counterparts. While Japanese university students associate solitary dining with neutral or positive emotions, Taiwanese university students associate solitary dining with negative emotions, anticipating loneliness and negative evaluation from others.

Research limitations/implications

This study concludes with future research directions for both cross-cultural and post-colonial studies of solitary dining behavioral intention.

Practical implications

From a managerial perspective, the findings provide useful insights to restaurant practitioners and managers in East Asia, recommending settings designed to enhance warmth, quiet and a sense of belonging.

Social implications

This study examines colonial and post-colonial influences, and concludes with recommendations for future research on both cross-cultural and post-colonial approaches solitary dining behavioral intention.

Originality/value

This study contributes to existing cross-cultural studies in Europe and East Asia, but is the first to compare solitary dining in a Chinese linguistic context and the first to compare solitary dining in Taiwan and Japan.
Experts in entrepreneurship: opportunities and context evaluation from the perspective of entrepreneurs and non-entrepreneurs
Authors: Poblete Carlos , Mandakovic Vesna
Published: September 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to analyze how different experts in entrepreneurship perceive their surrounding environment and business opportunities. The authors suggest that people act the way they do not only because of different interpretations of the environment but also because of the relative importance they give to the context and themselves in their mental scripts.

Design/methodology/approach

A Mann–Whitney U non-parametric test and principal component analysis were conducted to examine the national expert survey from the global entrepreneurship monitor database of Chilean exports.

Findings

When experts in entrepreneurship are compared, entrepreneurs and non-entrepreneurs differ in their use of certain cognitive resources about past or current events, but they map out future situations similarly, suggesting that their mental simulations may converge into similar patterns.

Originality/value

This study provides useful insights regarding the impact that mental representation has on experts’ perception, by discussing how experts who are entrepreneurs perceive the entrepreneurial ecosystem and current opportunities differently than experts who are not entrepreneurs. The specific context plays a key role in the way entrepreneurs and non-entrepreneurs analyze their surrounding environment but not necessarily opportunities.
Brand tourism effect in the luxury hotel industry
Authors: Lee Seunghwan , Kim Dae-Young
Published: September 2020

Purpose

This study aims to examine the brand tourism effect observed in luxury hotels. The study assumed that when loyal customers of luxury hotels perceive two different types of non-loyal customers, loyal customers’ perceptions might influence their behavioral intention. In addition, two emotions (i.e. anger and pride) might mediate the relationship between perceptions and behavioral intention.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a scenario-based experimental design. Data from 1,013 responses were analyzed using partial least squares-structural equation modeling.

Findings

The study reveals that when loyal customers view brand tourists, infringement has a positive influence on switching intention, and likability positively effects brand loyalty. This study indicated that loyal customers perceive brand immigrants negatively, whereas brand tourists are comparably positively perceived by loyal customers. Only pride mediates these two relationships, respectively.

Originality/value

The study confirmed the brand tourism effect in luxury hotels by indicating a clearer relation between perception, emotion and behavioral intention. The theoretical implications could suggest insightful guidelines for future studies regarding loyalty in luxury hotels.
Complex phonological tasks predict reading in 7 to 11 years of age typically developing Russian children
Authors: Dorofeeva Svetlana V. , Laurinavichyute Anna , Reshetnikova Victoria , Akhutina Tatyana V. , Tops Wim , Dragoy Olga
Published: September 2020

Background

The important role of phonological processing for reading has been demonstrated by many studies. The purpose of this research was to investigate the role of phonological processing for reading in Russian. Specifically, we tested whether the overall complexity of a phonological task predicts reading fluency and reading comprehension.

Method

We used seven phonological tests ranked according to the number of linguistic processes involved in each task. We examined the relative difficulty of the tests and the relationship between phonological processing and reading skills (reading fluency and comprehension of simpler and more difficult texts) in 90 typically developing 7 to 11 years‐of‐age Russian‐speaking children.

Results

Phonological tests that involved more linguistic processes had lower response accuracies. At the individual level, a greater estimated cost of adding a linguistic process to a phonological test was associated with a reliable decrease in reading fluency but not reading comprehension.

Conclusions

Our findings confirmed the substantial role of phonological processing in reading acquisition while stressing a higher predictive value of more complex phonological tests for reading fluency. The relationship between phonological processing and reading comprehension, in Russian, needs further investigations.
Determinants of credit loan securitization in Chinese banking
Authors: Li Jie , Sheng Zhenyu , Smallwood Aaron D.
Published: September 2020

This paper investigates the factors that drive securitization in China using a panel dataset drawn from the financial statements of 83 commercial banks. Given the unique banking and regulatory environment in China, we consider both conventional motivations for securitization and the role of nontraditional factors, including shadow banking. Across a variety of econometric specifications, there is little evidence that banks securitize for typical reasons, including to fund liquidity, transfer credit risk, or reduce regulatory capital. We do find, however, that as banks approach limits on loan to deposit ratios, subsequent securitization activities rise. In addition, robust evidence is presented to show that high levels of nontraditional banking activities precede a decision to securitize. As there is little evidence to suggest that shadow banking activities are receding, the overall findings indicate that banks may be using securitization to mitigate regulatory risk.
Evaluation of the status quo of polyphenols analysis: Part II—Analysis methods and food processing effects
Authors: Sanches Silva Ana , Reboredo‐Rodríguez Patricia , Sanchez‐Machado Dalia I. , López‐Cervantes Jaime , Barreca Davide , Pittala Valeria , Samec Dunja , Orhan Ilkay Erdogan , Gulcan H. Ozan , Forbes‐Hernandez Tamara Y. , Battino Maurizio , Nabavi Seyed Fazel , Devi Kasi Pandima , Nabavi Seyed Mohammad
Published: September 2020

Nowadays due to the concern with the environmental impact of analytical techniques and in order to reduce the ecological footprint there is a tendency to use more efficient and faster procedures that use a smaller amount of organic solvents. Polyphenols have been widely studied in plant‐based matrices due to their wide and potent biological properties; however there are no standardized procedures both for sample preparation and analysis of these compounds. The second of a two‐part review will carry out a critical review of the extraction procedures and analytical methods applied to polyphenols and their selection criteria over a wide range of factors in relation to commerce‐associated, environmental, and economic factors. It is foreseen that in the future the analysis of polyphenols in plant‐based matrices includes the use of techniques that allow the simultaneous determination of different subclasses of polyphenols using fast, sophisticated, and automated techniques that allow the minimal consumption of solvents.
An InR/mir‐9a/NlUbx regulatory cascade regulates wing diphenism in brown planthoppers
Authors: Li Xiang , Zhao Mu‐Hua , Tian Miao‐Miao , Zhao Jing , Cai Wan‐Lun , Hua Hong‐Xia
Published: September 2020

Wing polymorphism significantly contributes to the ecological success of some insect species. For example, the brown planthopper (BPH) Nilaparvata lugens, which is one of the most destructive rice pests in Asia, can develop into either highly mobile long‐winged or highly fecund short‐winged adult morphs. A recent study reported a highly provocative result that the Hox gene Ultrabithorax (Ubx) is expressed in BPH forewings and showed that this wing development gene is differentially expressed in nymphs that develop into long‐winged versus short‐winged morphs. Here, we found that Ubx may be a mir‐9a target, and used dual luciferase reporter assays and injected micro RNA (miRNA) mimics and inhibitors to confirm the interactions between mir‐9a and NlUbx. We measured the mir‐9a and NlUbx expression profiles in nymphs and found that the expression of these two biomolecules was negatively correlated. By rearing BPH nymphs on host rice plants with different nutritional status, we were able to characterize a regulatory cascade between insulin receptor genes, mir‐9a, and NlUbx that regulate wing length in BPHs. When host quality was low, NlInR1 expression in the nymph terga increased and NlInR2 expression decreased; this led to a higher mir‐9a level, which in turn reduced the NlUbx transcript level and ultimately resulted in longer wing lengths. Beyond extending our understanding of the interplay between host plant status and genetic events that modulate polymorphism, we demonstrated both the upstream signal and miRNA‐based regulatory mechanism that control Ubx expression in BPH forewings.
Early identification of bipolar disorder among young adults – a 22‐year community birth cohort
Authors: Rabelo‐da‐Ponte F. D. , Feiten J. G. , Mwangi B. , Barros F. C. , Wehrmeister F. C. , Menezes A. M. , Kapczinski F. , Passos I. C. , Kunz M.
Published: September 2020

Objective

We set forth to build a prediction model of individuals who would develop bipolar disorder (BD) using machine learning techniques in a large birth cohort.

Methods

A total of 3748 subjects were studied at birth, 11, 15, 18, and 22 years of age in a community birth cohort. We used the elastic net algorithm with 10‐fold cross‐validation to predict which individuals would develop BD at endpoint (22 years) at each follow‐up visit before diagnosis (from birth up to 18 years). Afterward, we used the best model to calculate the subgroups of subjects at higher and lower risk of developing BD and analyzed the clinical differences among them.

Results

A total of 107 (2.8%) individuals within the cohort presented with BD type I, 26 (0.6%) with BD type II, and 87 (2.3%) with BD not otherwise specified. Frequency of female individuals was 58.82% (n = 150) in the BD sample and 53.02% (n = 1868) among the unaffected population. The model with variables assessed at the 18‐year follow‐up visit achieved the best performance: AUC 0.82 (CI 0.75–0.88), balanced accuracy 0.75, sensitivity 0.72, and specificity 0.77. The most important variables to detect BD at the 18‐year follow‐up visit were suicide risk, generalized anxiety disorder, parental physical abuse, and financial problems. Additionally, the high‐risk subgroup of BD showed a high frequency of drug use and depressive symptoms.

Conclusions

We developed a risk calculator for BD incorporating both demographic and clinical variables from a 22‐year birth cohort. Our findings support previous studies in high‐risk samples showing the significance of suicide risk and generalized anxiety disorder prior to the onset of BD, and highlight the role of social factors and adverse life events.
Multidimensional Representation
Authors: Wolkenstein Fabio , Wratil Christopher
Published: September 2020

The study of representation is a major research field in quantitative political science. Since the early 2000s, it has been accompanied by a range of important conceptual innovations by political theorists working on the topic. Yet, although many quantitative scholars are familiar with the conceptual literature, even the most complex quantitative studies eschew engaging with the “new wave” of more sophisticated concepts of representation that theorists have developed. We discuss what we take to be the main reasons for this gap between theory and empirics, and present four novel conceptions of representation that are both sensitive to theorists’ conceptual impulses and operationalizable for quantitative scholars. In doing so, we advance an alternative research agenda on representation that moves significantly beyond the status quo of the field.
Systematic review of perioperative mortality risk prediction models for adults undergoing inpatient non‐cardiac surgery
Authors: Reilly Jennifer R. , Gabbe Belinda J. , Brown Wendy A. , Hodgson Carol L. , Myles Paul S.
Published: September 2020

Background

Risk prediction tools can be used in the perioperative setting to identify high‐risk patients who may benefit from increased surveillance and monitoring in the postoperative period, to aid shared decision‐making, and to benchmark risk‐adjusted hospital performance. We evaluated perioperative risk prediction tools relevant to an Australian context.

Methods

A systematic review of perioperative mortality risk prediction tools used for adults undergoing inpatient noncardiac surgery, published between 2011 and 2019 (following an earlier systematic review). We searched Medline via OVID using medical subject headings consistent with the three main areas of risk, surgery and mortality/morbidity. A similar search was conducted in Embase. Tools predicting morbidity but not mortality were excluded, as were those predicting a composite outcome that did not report predictive performance for mortality separately. Tools were also excluded if they were specifically designed for use in cardiac or other highly specialized surgery, emergency surgery, paediatrics or elderly patients.

Results

Literature search identified 2568 studies for screening, of which 19 studies identified 21 risk prediction tools for inclusion.

Conclusion

Four tools are candidates for adapting in the Australian context, including the Surgical Mortality Probability Model (SMPM), Preoperative Score to Predict Postoperative Mortality (POSPOM), Surgical Outcome Risk Tool (SORT) and NZRISK. SORT has similar predictive performance to POSPOM, using only six variables instead of 17, contains all variables of the SMPM, and the original model developed in the UK has already been successfully adapted in New Zealand as NZRISK. Collecting the SORT and NZRISK variables in a national surgical outcomes study in Australia would present an opportunity to simultaneously investigate three of our four shortlisted models and to develop a locally valid perioperative mortality risk prediction model with high predictive performance.
Silicone oil in vitreoretinal surgery: indications, complications, new developments and alternative long‐term tamponade agents
Authors: Chen Ying , Kearns Victoria R , Zhou Liangyu , Sandinha Teresa , Lam Wai Ching , Steel David H , Chan Yau Kei
Published: September 2020

Silicone oil (SO) has been used as a long‐term tamponade agent in the treatment of complicated vitreoretinal diseases for about half a century, during which time many advances in surgical techniques and technologies have been made. This review summarizes the chemical and physical properties of SO, its indications and complications, including particularly emulsification. The mechanisms and risk factors for emulsification are discussed, as well as novel strategies for its effective removal. Finally, the review focuses on new improved formulations of SO, including research into slow‐release pharmacological agents within SO and provides an overview of alternatives to SO for the purpose of long‐term tamponade that are being developed.
Articulating Body, Territory, and the Defence of Life: The Politics of Strategic Equivalencing between Women in Anti‐Mining Movements and the Feminist Movement in Peru
Authors: Leinius Johanna
Published: September 2020

In Latin America, rural and indigenous women have mobilised in defence of their territories and built strategic alliances with urban and mestiza feminist movements. This paper focuses on how these processes have played out in Peru, tracing the development of the discourse on ‘body as territory’, which articulates sexual and reproductive rights with territorial autonomy. It discusses the ‘cosmopolitics’ of translating the distinct concerns and worldviews of the women involved, arguing that this discourse has enabled partial recognition and strategic equivalencing but that it has failed to fundamentally transform the underlying asymmetric relations of power and privilege.
An audit of process and outcome for emergency colectomy in England and Wales
Authors: Burns E. M. , Poulton T. , Deputy M. , Pinkney T. , Guy R.
Published: September 2020

Aim

The aim of this work was to describe process and outcome for patients undergoing emergency colectomy for colitis in England and Wales.

Method

The National Emergency Laparotomy Audit (NELA) is a national audit including patients undergoing emergency laparotomy and laparoscopic resectional procedures. Data from adult patients under 65 years of age who underwent emergency subtotal colectomy or panproctocolectomy for colitis between 2013 and 2016 were analysed.

Results

In total 1204 patients were included. Although approximately a third of patients underwent a colectomy within 5 days of admission [37% (440/1204)], 32% (383/1204) were admitted for more than 10 days prior to surgery. Colorectal surgeons were present at operation in 72% (869/1204) of cases and consultant surgeons attended 94% (1137/1204) of procedures. Laparoscopy was attempted in 32% (390/1204) of operations with wide institutional variation in its use (0–100% of cases). The overall 30‐day inpatient mortality was 2.9% (35/1204). On multivariable regression analysis, age > 55 years [OR 3.59 (1.05–12.21), P = 0.041], female gender [OR 2.88 (1.27–6.52), P = 0.011] and American Society of Anesthesiologists grade 5 [OR 37.43 (2.72–514.52), P = 0.007] were associated with increased mortality.

Conclusion

There is a consultant‐driven service that is largely delivered by specialist colorectal surgeons. Laparoscopy rates were high although there was wide variation in use across institutions. Preoperative delays were evident, and further work is necessary to determine the underlying reasons for these.
Indigenous plant naming and experimentation reveal a plant–insect relationship in New Zealand forests
Authors: Wehi Priscilla M. , Brownstein Gretchen , Morgan‐Richards Mary
Published: September 2020

Drawing from both Indigenous and “Western” scientific knowledge offers the opportunity to better incorporate ecological systems knowledge into conservation science. Here, we demonstrate a “two‐eyed” approach that weaves Indigenous ecological knowledge (IK) with experimental data to provide detailed and comprehensive information about regional plant–insect interactions in New Zealand forests. We first examined Māori names for a common forest tree, Carpodetus serratus, that suggest a close species interaction between an herbivorous, hole‐dwelling insect, and host trees. We detected consistent regional variation in both Māori names for C. serratus and the plant–insect relationship that reflect Hemideina spp. abundances, mediated by the presence of a wood‐boring moth species. We found that in regions with moths C. serratus trees are home to more wētā than adjacent forest species and that these wētā readily ate C. serratus leaves, fruits and seeds. These findings confirm that a joint IK—experimental approach can stimulate new hypotheses and reveal spatially important ecological patterns. We recommend that conservation managers partner with local IK‐holders to develop two‐eyed seeing approaches that weave IK with quantitative data to assist planning and management. Next steps in our system could include assembling IK species names within each locality to construct a multilayered understanding of local ecosystems through an IK lens.
Terminology for melanocytic skin lesions and the MPATH‐Dx classification schema: A survey of dermatopathologists
Authors: Radick Andrea C. , Reisch Lisa M. , Shucard Hannah L. , Piepkorn Michael W. , Kerr Kathleen F. , Elder David E. , Barnhill Raymond L. , Knezevich Stevan R. , Oster Natalia , Elmore Joann G.
Published: September 2020

Background

Diagnostic terms used in histopathology reports of cutaneous melanocytic lesions are not standardized. We describe dermatopathologists' views regarding diverse diagnostic terminology and the utility of the Melanocytic Pathology Assessment Tool and Hierarchy for Diagnosis (MPATH‐Dx) for categorizing melanocytic lesions.

Methods

July 2018‐2019 survey of board‐certified and/or fellowship‐trained dermatopathologists with experience interpreting melanocytic lesions.

Results

Among 160 participants, 99% reported witnessing different terminology being used for the same melanocytic lesion. Most viewed diverse terminology as confusing to primary care physicians (98%), frustrating to pathologists (83%), requiring more of their time as a consultant (64%), and providing necessary clinical information (52%). Most perceived that adoption of the MPATH‐Dx would: improve communication with other pathologists and treating physicians (87%), generally be a change for the better (80%), improve patient care (79%), be acceptable to clinical colleagues (68%), save time in pathology report documentation (53%), and protect from malpractice (51%).

Conclusions

Most dermatopathologists view diverse terminology as contributing to miscommunication with clinicians and patients, adversely impacting patient care. They view the MPATH‐Dx as a promising tool to standardize terminology and improve communication. The MPATH‐Dx may be a useful supplement to conventional pathology reports. Further revision and refinement are necessary for widespread clinical use.
Stingless bees (Apidae: Meliponini) seek sodium at carrion baits in Costa Rica
Authors: Dorian Nicholas N. , Bonoan Rachael E.
Published: September 2020

1. Many terrestrial herbivores supplement their diets with minerals. Neotropical stingless bees (Apidae: Meliponini) supplement their floral diets by visiting diverse non‐floral resources such as rotting fruit and muddy water.

2. Some stingless bees also visit carrion; however, it is unknown whether bees visit carrion for minerals or for another resource. Here, we investigated the mineral preferences of stingless bees visiting carrion.

3. We deployed raw chicken baits at La Selva Biological Station in Costa Rica consisting of six treatments: baits soaked in sodium, calcium, potassium, magnesium, or deionised water, and unsoaked baits. We identified and counted bee and non‐bee visitors to baits over three days.

4. We observed five species from three genera of stingless bee on the baits. Sodium baits and unsoaked baits were visited more often than other baits. Our findings demonstrate that stingless bees do forage for minerals on carrion, but that preferences are mineral‐specific.

5. In addition, three species packed carrion into their corbiculae. We hypothesise that facultatively necrophagous stingless bees may be using carrion as an alternative source of protein or nest‐building materials.
Progression of fatigue in Parkinson’s disease – a 9‐year follow‐up
Authors: Ongre S. O. , Dalen I. , Tysnes O.‐B. , Alves G. , Herlofson K.
Published: September 2020

Background and purpose

Although highly disabling, the pathogenesis and evolution of fatigue in Parkinson’s disease (PD) is largely unknown, and no sufficiently documented treatment currently exists. The aim of the present study was to investigate the evolution of fatigue during the first 9 years after diagnosis.

Methods

This study is part of the Norwegian ParkWest collaboration, a prospective population‐based longitudinal cohort study. The present study comprised 191 newly diagnosed patients and 170 control participants. Fatigue was assessed by the Fatigue Severity Scale, with examinations at baseline and then every other year up to 9 years of follow‐up. Linear mixed models were applied to investigate possible variables associated with fatigue.

Results

It was found that there was a statistically significant increase in the proportion of PD patients with fatigue during the first 9 years after diagnosis. A large proportion of patients had a significant increase or decrease in fatigue score between consecutive visits. In addition, the relative risk of persistent fatigue and ever having fatigue was higher than for controls. There were statistically significant longitudinal associations between higher levels of fatigue and female gender, comorbidity at baseline, depressive symptoms, dependency in activities of daily living and better cognitive functioning. Lower levels of fatigue were associated with the use of dopamine agonists.

Conclusion

Fatigue is a common, severely limiting symptom in PD. This study demonstrates associations with other factors that could yield a better understanding of the symptom and thus possible treatment strategies, although further investigations are necessary to establish causal relationships.
An updated review: Laboratory investigation of equine renal disease
Authors: Gratwick Z.
Published: September 2020

A variety of laboratory tests are available to assist the clinician in the assessment of kidney health and function. The majority of widely used tests are indicative of altered renal function, not becoming abnormal until function is significantly compromised. These include serum urea and creatinine concentrations, serum electrolyte concentrations, urine specific gravity (USG), fractional electrolyte excretion ratios and symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) concentrations. Some of these parameters may also be affected by nonrenal disease. The results of a further group of tests can indicate renal damage, but do not reflect renal function. These include urine tubular enzyme concentrations, urine protein concentrations, urine neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin (NGAL) concentrations and cytological abnormalities.
Recommendation of users in social networks: A semantic and social based classification approach
Authors: Berkani Lamia , Belkacem Sami , Ouafi Mounira , Guessoum Ahmed
Published: September 2020

Recently, the study of social network‐based recommender systems has become an active research topic. The integration of the social relationships that exist between users can improve the accuracy of recommendation results since the users' preferences are similar or influenced by their connected friends. We focus in this article on the recommendation of users in social networks. Our approach is based on semantic and social representations of the users' profiles. We have formalized and illustrated these two dimensions using the Yelp social network. The novelty of our approach concerns the modelling of the credibility of the user, through his/her trust and commitment in the social network. Moreover, in order to optimize the performance of the recommendation process, we have used two classification techniques: an unsupervised technique that uses the K‐means algorithm (applied initially to all users); and a supervised technique that uses the K‐Nearest Neighbours algorithm (applied to newly added users). A recommendation algorithm has been proposed taking into account the cold‐start and sparsity problems. A prototype of a recommender system has been developed and tested using two publicly available datasets: the Yelp database and the Rich Epinions database. The comparative evaluation results show the effectiveness of combining the semantic, the social and the credibility information in an approach that appropriately uses the K‐means and K‐Nearest Neighbours algorithms.
Stakeholder attitudes towards audit credibility in English local government: A post‐Audit Commission analysis
Authors: de Widt Dennis , Llewelyn Iolo , Thorogood Tim
Published: September 2020

In recent years, substantial changes have been implemented to the audit regimes for local authorities in several countries. Following the abolishment of the Audit Commission, a unique regime for the audit of local authorities has emerged in England, with external audit now fully conducted by private sector audit firms. Auditor appointments for the vast majority of local authorities are now managed by a new organisation, Public Sector Audit Appointments Limited (PSAA). Drawing on the determinants of audit credibility developed by Funnell, Wade and Jupe (2016), this paper examines how local authority stakeholders in the transformed landscape of local public audit in England perceive audit credibility, including the role of PSAA and other audit stakeholders. Findings show that the impact of current arrangements is positively perceived by stakeholders in relation to auditors’ technical competence and independence, at least in the short term, however significant concern is found amongst stakeholders regarding the usefulness of local public audits. Compared to Funnell et al. (2016), we ascribe these differences to the different context of audit in English local government and suggest the relative weighting of determinants of audit credibility are contingent.
Family Engagement and Collaborative Decision‐Making Processes Provide Multiple Benefits in Child Welfare Cases
Authors: Browe Olson Kelly
Published: September 2020

This article is about the importance of family engagement and collaborative decision making in child welfare cases. It briefly reviews the history of mediation and family group meetings and suggests that juvenile courts and child welfare agencies should thoughtfully prioritize and expand their use of the techniques and processes of interdisciplinary collaborative decision‐making and dispute resolution that have been successful for over thirty‐five years.
Depression‐like behavior is associated with lower Per2 mRNA expression in the lateral habenula of rats
Authors: Li Yang , Li Guangjian , Li Jicheng , Cai Xuewei , Sun Yanfei , Zhang Beilin , Zhao Hua
Published: September 2020

Circadian rhythm dysfunction is primary symptom of depression and is closely related to depression onset. The role of the lateral habenula (LHb) of the thalamus in the pathogenesis of depression has been a research topic of great interest. The neuronal activity of this structure has circadian characteristics, which are related to the regulation of circadian rhythms. However, in depression model of rats, the role of clock genes in the LHb has not been assessed. To address this gap, we used a clomipramine (CLI) injection‐induced depression model in rats to assess the daily expression of rhythmic genes in the LHb and depression‐like behavior in rats at multiple time points. In determining the role of the Per2 gene in the development of depression‐like behavior in the LHb, we found that the expression of this clock gene differed in a circadian manner. Per2 expression was also significantly decreased in CLI‐treated rats in late afternoon (17:00) and in the middle of the night (1:00). Furthermore, silencing Per2 in the LHb of normal rats induced depression‐like behavior at night, suggesting that Per2 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of depression. Collectively, these results indicate that decreased Per2 expression in the LHb may be related to increased depression‐like behavior at night in depression model of rats.
A micrometer‐scale snapshot on phototroph spatial distributions: mass spectrometry imaging of microbial mats in Octopus Spring, Yellowstone National Park
Authors: Wörmer Lars , Gajendra Niroshan , Schubotz Florence , Matys Emily D. , Evans Thomas W. , Summons Roger E. , Hinrichs Kai‐Uwe
Published: September 2020

Microbial mats from alkaline hot springs in the Yellowstone National Park are ideal natural laboratories to study photosynthetic life under extreme conditions, as well as the nuanced interactions of oxygenic and anoxygenic phototrophs. They represent distinctive examples of chlorophototroph (i.e., chlorophyll or bacteriochlorophyll‐based phototroph) diversity, and several novel phototrophs have been first described in these systems, all confined in space, coexisting and competing for niches defined by parameters such as light, oxygen, or temperature. In a novel approach, we employed mass spectrometry imaging of chloropigments, quinones, and intact polar lipids (IPLs) to describe the spatial distribution of different groups of chlorophototrophs along the ~ 1 cm thick microbial mat at 75 µm resolution and in the top ~ 1.5 mm green part of the mat at 25 µm resolution. We observed a fine‐tuned sequence of oxygenic and anoxygenic chlorophototrophs with distinctive biomarker signatures populating the microbial mat. The transition of oxic to anoxic conditions is characterized by an accumulation of biomarkers indicative of anoxygenic phototrophy. It is also identified as a clear boundary for different species and ecotypes, which adjust their biomarker inventory, particularly the interplay of quinones and chloropigments, to prevailing conditions. Colocalization of the different biomarker groups led to the identification of characteristic IPL signatures and indicates that glycosidic diether glycerolipids are diagnostic for anoxygenic phototrophs in this mat system. The zoom‐in into the upper green part further reveals how oxygenic and anoxygenic phototrophs share this microenvironment and informs on subtle, microscale adjustments in lipid composition ofSynechococcusspp.
The societal burden of haemophilia A. II – The cost of moderate and severe haemophilia A in Australia
Authors: Brown Laurie J. , La Hai A. , Li Jinjing , Brunner Matthias , Snoke Martin , Kerr Annette M.
Published: September 2020

Introduction

Although the costs for people with haemophilia A (PwHA) in Europe and the United States have been well characterized, to date, there are no cost estimates for PwHA in Australia. The purpose of this study was to estimate direct and indirect costs of moderate and severe haemophilia A (HA) in Australia under current treatment practices.

Methods

The number of Australian males with moderate or severe HA was projected from Australian Bleeding Disorders Registry (ABDR) data. We estimated the prevalence in 2018 of adults with moderate HA to be 159 people, severe to be 416; and 68 and 283, respectively, in the paediatric (aged < 18 years) population. We used a ‘bottom‐up prevalence based cost of illness approach’ to estimate costs; that is, we estimated the per capita cost for different groups of PwHA; for example, by age and disease severity, and these per capita costs were scaled up to the estimated population with HA. Costs were estimated based on publicly available secondary data and literature review.

Results

The treatment‐related costs, direct and indirect costs, of moderate to severe HA are significant, totalling over AUD$111M in 2018, equating to a yearly per patient cost of approximately AUD$120 000 (equivalent to ~EUR€74 000 or ~USD$85 000).

Conclusion

Although HA affects a relatively small number of people within the Australian population, it is associated with high aggregate costs and imposes a high economic burden.
Strategy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma based on liver function and portal vein tumor thrombosis
Authors: Kaneko Shun , Tsuchiya Kaoru , Yasui Yutaka , Inada Kento , Kirino Sakura , Yamashita Koji , Osawa Leona , Hayakawa Yuka , Sekiguchi Shuhei , Higuchi Mayu , Takaura Kenta , Maeyashiki Chiaki , Tamaki Nobuharu , Takeguchi Takaya , Takeguchi Yuko , Nagano Takuya , Nakanishi Hiroyuki , Itakura Jun , Takahashi Yuka , Himeno Yoshiro , Hoshi Akihiko , Kurosaki Masayuki , Izumi Namiki
Published: September 2020

Aim

Tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy resulted in better prognosis for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, some cases with Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage C disease still had poor prognosis. This study aimed to investigate prognosis and characteristics of patients with HCC treated with TKI based on liver function and the extent of portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT).

Methods

Patients receiving TKI therapy (n = 345) were recruited retrospectively. Child–Pugh score and albumin–bilirubin (ALBI) score were used for assessment of liver function. The extent of PVTT was classified from Vp0 to Vp4. Radiotherapy or hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy were carried out as additional therapy to TKI. The end‐point for this analysis was overall survival (OS).

Results

A total of 291 and 54 patients received sorafenib and lenvatinib as first‐line TKI therapy, respectively. The median OS of patients treated with TKI were significantly stratified by ALBI grade (grade 1, 20.1 months; grade 2a, 16.3 months; grades 2b and 3, 9.8 months; P = 0.0003). The classification of PVTT significantly stratified the prognosis of patients treated with TKI (median OS: Vp0, 18.5 months; Vp1/2, 14.4 months; Vp3/4, 5.5 months; P < 0.0001). In the ALBI 2b/3 and Vp3/4 groups, the median OS of patients treated with TKI and additional therapies was significantly longer than those treated with TKI only (9.2 months vs.. 3.6 months; P = 0.0129).

Conclusion

Liver function and PVTT are useful for stratifying prognosis of HCC patients treated with TKI. The applicative classification could lead to appropriate therapy and better prognosis.
La norma ISO 45001 y la controvertida regulación privada transnacional sobre seguridad y salud en el trabajo
Authors: HERAS‐SAIZARBITORIA Iñaki , BOIRAL Olivier , IBARLOZA Ander
Published: September 2020

Este artículo analiza la génesis de la norma ISO 45001 sobre seguridad y salud en el trabajo, una nueva iniciativa de regulación privada transnacional. Resume los resultados de un trabajo de campo basado en entrevistas con actores involucrados en el diseño, aprobación y difusión inicial de la norma y de un análisis cualitativo de documentación interna del comité responsable de su aprobación que dibujan un panorama controvertido. Al igual que sucediera con sus predecesoras, ISO 14001 e ISO 26000, ciertas partes interesadas plantean serias dudas sobre la norma, ya que esta aborda cuestiones políticas, sociales y regulatorias sustantivas.
Pricing Dynamics in the Truckload Sector: The Moderating Role of the Electronic Logging Device Mandate
Authors: Miller Jason W. , Scott Alex , Williams Brent D.
Published: September 2020

Most truckload freight in the United States is priced using long‐term contracts. It is widely recognized in industry that contract prices evolve based on prices shippers pay for one‐time spot market transactions. This research examines whether the impact of spot market prices on contract prices has become more pronounced following the start of the electronic logging device (ELD) mandate. We draw on economic theories regarding how firms process information to explain why the ELD mandate, by reducing carriers’ ability to artificially adjust capacity up or down as spot prices changed, should strengthen this relationship. To test this prediction, we construct a database that combines monthly proprietary spot market pricing data from DAT Solutions with monthly public contract pricing data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. We test our predictions using time series regression and evaluate the robustness of our findings using both instrumental variable estimation and seemingly unrelated regression to rule out reverse causality. Consistent with our theorizing, we further this relationship has become more pronounced since the ELD mandate started. We explain the importance of these findings to theory and practice.
Is the abnormal conduction zone of the left atrium a precursor to a low voltage area in patients with atrial fibrillation?
Authors: Kishima Hideyuki , Mine Takanao , Fukuhara Eiji , Takahashi Satoshi , Ishihara Masaharu
Published: September 2020

Background

The abnormal conduction zone (ACZ) in the left atrium (LA) has attracted attention as an arrhythmia source in atrial fibrillation (AF). We investigated the hypothesis that the ACZ is related to the low voltage area (LVA) or the LA anatomical contact areas (CoAs) with other organs.

Methods and Results

We studied 100 patients (49 non‐paroxysmal AF, 66 males, and 67.9 ± 9.9 years) who received catheter ablation for AF. High‐density LA mapping during high right atrial pacing was constructed. Isochronal activation maps were created at 5‐ms interval setting, and the ACZ was identified on the activation map by locating a site with isochronal crowding of ≥3 isochrones, which are calculated as ≤27 cm/s. The LVA was defined as the following; mild ( < 1.3 mV), moderate (<1.0 mV), and severe LVA (<0.5 mV). The CoAs (ascending aorta‐anterior LA, descending aorta‐posterior LA, and vertebrae‐posterior LA) were assessed using computed tomography. The ACZ was linearly distributed, and observed in 95 patients (95%). The ACZ was most frequently observed in the anterior wall region (77%). A longer ACZ was significantly associated with a larger LA size and a prevalence of non‐PAF. The 51.2 ± 36.2% of ACZ overlapped with mild LVA, 32.9 ± 32.8% of ACZ with moderate LVA, and 14.6 ± 22.0% of ACZ with severe LVA. In contrast, only 25.6 ± 28.0% of ACZ matched with the CoAs.

Conclusion

The ACZ reflects LA electrical remodeling and may be a precursor finding of the low voltage zone and not the LA CoAs in patients with atrial fibrillation.
Randomized elimination and prolongation of ACE inhibitors and ARBs in coronavirus 2019 (REPLACE COVID) Trial Protocol
Authors: Cohen Jordana B. , Hanff Thomas C. , Corrales‐Medina Vicente , William Preethi , Renna Nicolas , Rosado‐Santander Nelson R. , Rodriguez‐Mori Juan E. , Spaak Jonas , Andrade‐Villanueva Jaime , Chang Tara I. , Barbagelata Alejandro , Alfonso Carlos E. , Bernales‐Salas Eduardo , Coacalla Johanna , Castro‐Callirgos Carlos Augusto , Tupayachi‐Venero Karen E. , Medina Carola , Valdivia Renzo , Villavicencio Mirko , Vasquez Charles R. , Harhay Michael O. , Chittams Jesse , Sharkoski Tiffany , Byrd James Brian , Edmonston Daniel L. , Sweitzer Nancy , Chirinos Julio A.
Published: September 2020

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), the virus responsible for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), is associated with high incidence of multiorgan dysfunction and death. Angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), which facilitates SARS‐CoV‐2 host cell entry, may be impacted by angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), two commonly used antihypertensive classes. In a multicenter, international randomized controlled trial that began enrollment on March 31, 2020, participants are randomized to continuation vs withdrawal of their long‐term outpatient ACEI or ARB upon hospitalization with COVID‐19. The primary outcome is a hierarchical global rank score incorporating time to death, duration of mechanical ventilation, duration of renal replacement or vasopressor therapy, and multiorgan dysfunction severity. Approval for the study has been obtained from the Institutional Review Board of each participating institution, and all participants will provide informed consent. A data safety monitoring board has been assembled to provide independent oversight of the project.
Brodalumab for the treatment of moderate‐to‐severe plaque‐type psoriasis: a real‐life, retrospective 24‐week experience
Authors: Fargnoli M.C. , Esposito M. , Dapavo P. , Parodi A. , Rossi M. , Tiberio R. , Dastoli S. , Offidani A.M. , Argenziano G. , Gisondi P. , Lo Schiavo A. , Loconsole F. , Pella P. , Bardazzi F. , Cusano F. , Gattoni M. , Nacca M. , Cannavò S.P. , Pellegrini C. , Costanzo A. ,   BRILLIANT Working Group
Published: September 2020

Background

Brodalumab was efficacious and safe in moderate‐to‐severe plaque‐type psoriasis in the AMAGINE trials; published reports under real‐life conditions are limited.

Objectives

To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of brodalumab in patients with moderate‐to‐severe plaque‐type psoriasis in a real‐world setting.

Methods

This observational, retrospective study enrolled adult patients (≥18 years) with moderate‐to‐severe plaque‐type psoriasis who underwent 24 weeks of treatment with brodalumab at 17 Italian dermatological centres. Baseline data included demographics, comorbidities, age of onset and duration of psoriasis and previous treatments. Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), Physician Global Assessment (PGA), static PGA of Genitalia, Dermatology Life Quality Index and patient satisfaction were assessed at weeks 0, 4, 12 and 24; adverse events were recorded.

Results

Seventy‐eight patients (mean age 47.9 years, 71.8% male, average disease duration 16.8 years) were enrolled. A rapid and significant reduction in mean PASI score was observed after 4 weeks of treatment, decreasing further at weeks 12 and 24 (all P < 0.0001 vs. baseline). A higher number of cardiometabolic comorbidities and previous therapies were negatively associated with the achievement of PASI 90 at all assessments. Brodalumab was effective in bio‐experienced patients, including those who had failed on anti‐interleukin (IL)‐17 therapies. Quality of life and patient satisfaction increased significantly during treatment (P < 0.0001 and P < 0.01 vs. baseline, respectively). Treatment was interrupted in 9 (11.5%) patients due to adverse events (n = 4), lack of efficacy (n = 3), lost to follow‐up (n = 1) and surgical procedure (n = 1).

Conclusions

Brodalumab is effective and safe in the treatment of moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis in a real‐world setting, including in patients with failure to anti‐IL17 therapies.