bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Research on optimization of index system design and its inspection method
Authors: Kedong Yin , Zhou Shiwei , Xu Tongtong
Published: December 2019

Purpose

To construct a scientific and reasonable indicator system, it is necessary to design a set of standardized indicator primary selection and optimization inspection process. The purpose of this paper is to provide theoretical guidance and reference standards for the indicator system design process, laying a solid foundation for the application of the indicator system, by systematically exploring the expert evaluation method to optimize the index system to enhance its credibility and reliability, to improve its resolution and accuracy and reduce its objectivity and randomness.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on system theory and statistics, and it designs the main line of “relevant theoretical analysis – identification of indicators – expert assignment and quality inspection” to achieve the design and optimization of the indicator system. First, the theoretical basis analysis, relevant factor analysis and physical process description are used to clarify the comprehensive evaluation problem and the correlation mechanism. Second, the system structure analysis, hierarchical decomposition and indicator set identification are used to complete the initial establishment of the indicator system. Third, based on expert assignment method, such as Delphi assignments, statistical analysis, t-test and non-parametric test are used to complete the expert assignment quality diagnosis of a single index, the reliability and validity test is used to perform single-index assignment correction and consistency test is used for KENDALL coordination coefficient and F-test multi-indicator expert assignment quality diagnosis.

Findings

Compared with the traditional index system construction method, the optimization process used in the study standardizes the process of index establishment, reduces subjectivity and randomness, and enhances objectivity and scientificity.

Originality/value

The innovation point and value of the paper are embodied in three aspects. First, the system design process of the combined indicator system, the multi-dimensional index screening and system optimization are carried out to ensure that the index system is scientific, reasonable and comprehensive. Second, the experts’ background is comprehensively evaluated. The objectivity and reliability of experts’ assignment are analyzed and improved on the basis of traditional methods. Third, aim at the quality of expert assignment, conduct t-test, non-parametric test of single index, and multi-optimal test of coordination and importance of multiple indicators, enhance experts the practicality of assignment and ensures the quality of expert assignment.
Understanding high-quality development of marine economy in China: a literature review
Authors: Zhao Aiwu , Guan Hongjun , Sun Zhenzhen
Published: December 2019

Purpose

High-quality development of marine economy is a new concept put forward in response to the current national strategy in China. The purpose of this paper is to thoroughly understand the connotation and significance of high-quality development of marine economy through literature review, and further analyze the prospects for further research.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors first use the information visualization technology of CiteSpace to present a systematic review of the published literature from 2010 to 2019. Then, the authors analyze the researches on high-quality development of marine economy in terms of connotation, evaluation dimension, development path and guarantee mechanism.

Findings

Analysis results show that there is still insufficient understanding of the differences and links between the high-quality development of marine economy and the construction of marine power, intelligent ocean and transparent ocean.

Originality/value

Based on a thorough understanding of the subject, this paper puts forward the direction of further research on evaluation index system, path design scheme and policy system construction for high-quality development of marine economy.
Female directors and corporate cash holdings: monitoring vs executive roles
Authors: Cambrea Domenico Rocco , Tenuta Paolo , Vastola Vincenzo
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of gender diversity on corporate cash holdings by scrutinizing different positions covered by female board directors.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper examines a sample of Italian listed companies between 2006 and 2015. Fixed-effects regressions are employed as the base empirical methodology. In addition, because the link between corporate governance variables and cash may suffer from endogeneity issues, the study employs several tests to control for this potential problem.

Findings

The empirical findings demonstrate that the relationship between gender diversity and cash holdings depends on the role of female directors on the boards. Specifically, the evidence shows that women in monitoring functions, ruled by independent directors and female chairs, led to a decrease in cash reserves. Conversely, companies managed by female CEOs have larger cash holdings.

Research limitations/implications

The paper refers to Italian listed companies only and does not analyze whether and how the financial crisis has affected the link between female directors and cash reserves.

Practical implications

The study provides insights for the diverse effects of female directors on cash management decision and contributes to the debate on gender diversity capabilities for improving firm financial flexibility.

Originality/value

This paper is the first empirical study to attempt to disentangle the effect of gender diversity on cash holdings. It sheds light on the consequences of appointing female directors on cash policies and explores the Italian context after the introduction of the gender quotas law.
Framing the hydrothermal features of magnetized TiO2–CoFe2O4 water-based steady hybrid nanofluid flow over a radiative revolving disk
Authors: Acharya Nilankush , Maity Suprakash , Kundu Prabir Kumar
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Hybrid nanofluids are of significant engrossment for their considerable heat transport rate. The steady flow of an incompressible viscous electrically conducted hybrid nanofluid is considered over a rotating disk under a magnetic field. Titanium oxide (TiO2) and ferrous (CoFe2O4) nanoparticles are used with their physical properties and water is considered as host liquid. The purpose of this paper is to analyze how hydrothermal integrity varies for hybrid nanosuspension over a spinning disk in the presence of magnetic orientation.

Design/methodology/approach

Governing equations with boundary conditions are transformed by similarity transformations and then solved numerically with RK-4 method. A comparison of linear and nonlinear thermal radiation for the above-mentioned parameters is taken and the efficiency of nonlinear radiation is established, the same over nanofluid and hybrid nanofluid is also discussed. Heat lines are observed and discussed for various parameters like magnetic field, concentration, suction and injection parameter, radiation effect and Prandtl number.

Findings

Suction and increasing nanoparticle concentration foster the radial and cross-radial velocities, whereas magnetization and injection confirm the reverse trend. The rate of increment of radial friction is quite higher for the usual nanosuspension. The calculated data demonstrate that the rate for hybrid nanofluid is 8.97 percent, whereas for nanofluid it is 15.06 percent. Double-particle suspension amplifies the thermal efficiency than that of a single particle. Magnetic and radiation parameters aid the heat transfer, but nanoparticle concentration and suction explore the opposite syndrome. The magnetic parameter increases the heat transport at 36.58 and 42.71 percent for nonlinear radiation and hybrid nanosuspension, respectively.

Originality/value

Nonlinear radiation gives a higher heat transport rate and for the radiation parameter it is almost double. This result is very significant for comparison between linear and nonlinear radiation. Heat lines may be observed by taking different nanoparticle materials to get some diverse result. Hydrothermal study of such hybrid liquid is noteworthy because outcomes of this study will aid nanoscience and nanotechnology in an efficient way.
Radiation and non-uniform heat sink/source effects on 2D MHD flow of CNTs-H2O nanofluid over a flat porous plate
Authors: Upreti Himanshu , Rawat Sawan Kumar , Kumar Manoj
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the velocity and temperature profile for a two-dimensional flow of single- and multi-walled nanotubes (CNTs)/H2O nanofluid over a flat porous plate, under the impact of non-uniform heat sink/source and radiation. The influence of suction/blowing, viscous dissipation and magnetic field is also incorporated.

Design/methodology/approach

The solution of the PDEs describing the flow of nanofluid is accomplished using Runge–Kutta–Fehlberg approach with shooting scheme.

Findings

Quantities of physical importance such as local Nusselt number and skin friction coefficient for both types of nanotubes are computed and shown in tables. Also, the impact of copious factors like Prandtl number, magnetic field, Eckert number, porosity parameter, radiation parameter, non-linear stretching parameter, injection/suction, heating variable, particle volume fraction and non-uniform heat sink/source parameter on temperature and velocity profile is explained in detail with the aid of graphs.

Originality/value

Till date, no study has been reported that examines the role of radiation and non-uniform heat sink/source on MHD flow of CNTs‒water nanofluid over a porous plate. The numerical outcomes attained for the existing work are original and their originality is authenticated by comparing them with earlier published work. This problem is of importance, as there are many applications of the fluid flowing over a flat porous plate.
PSEG and the promise of wind power
Authors: Rosenberg Stuart
Published: December 2019

Theoretical basis

The following theoretical concepts are applicable to the case and its learning objectives: Stakeholder Power-Interest Matrix and Carroll’s Pyramid of Corporate Social Responsibility.

Research methodology

Information was obtained in three separate interviews with PSEG. In February 2018, an introductory phone conference was conducted with a number of senior managers within PSEG, including the Director of Development and Strategic Issues, Kate Gerlach. In April 2018, an onsite interview was conducted with Gerlach, who connected the author with Scott Jennings. A phone interview was conducted with Scott Jennings in May 2018 and follow-up communication with him was handled via e-mail. The information obtained from these interviews was supplemented by material obtained from secondary sources. None of the information in the case has been disguised.

Case overview/synopsis

Scott Jennings, a Vice President at PSEG, the diversified New Jersey-based energy company, was the project leader for a large commercial wind farm that was to be built off the coast. The project, Garden State Offshore Energy, a joint venture between PSEG and Deepwater Wind, an experienced developer of offshore wind projects, had been announced over six years earlier, in late 2008. In the time that had passed, the Garden State Offshore Energy project team had waited for the New Jersey Bureau of Public Utilities, which had been tasked by Governor Chris Christie to evaluate the project costs before it could authorize the actual construction of the wind turbines. Justifying the project on a cost basis proved to be difficult; despite the growing public sentiment in favor of projects that utilized renewable energy sources such as wind power, the Garden State Offshore Energy team was unable to move the project forward. Scott needed to decide whether it made sense to continue to hold regular meetings with the Garden State Offshore Energy team. Scott’s colleagues suggested that Scott speak with senior management at PSEG to find out if the resources that had been dedicated to the Garden State Offshore Energy project could be shifted to other projects that might be more feasible.

Complexity academic level

This case is suitable for courses in Sustainability. It is appropriate to use the case in undergraduate courses to illustrate decision making in a regulated industry. Sufficient information is presented in the case to debate both sides of the offshore wind authorization issue.
Performance of the National Water Model in Iowa Using Independent Observations
Authors: Rojas Marcela , Quintero Felipe , Krajewski Witold F.
Published: December 2019

This paper explores the performance of the analysis‐and‐assimilation configuration of the National Water Model (NWM) v1.0 in Iowa. The NWM assimilates streamflow observations from the United States Geological Survey (USGS), which increases the performance but also limits the available data for model evaluation. In this study, Iowa Flood Center Bridge Sensors (IFCBS) data provided an independent nonassimilated dataset for evaluation analyses. The authors compared NWM outputs for the period between May 2016 and April 2017, with two datasets: USGS streamflow and velocity observations; Stage and streamflow data from IFCBS. The distribution of Spearman rank correlation (rs), Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (E), and Kling–Gupta efficiency (KGE) provided quantification of model performance. We found the performance was linked with the spatial scale of the basins. Analysis at USGS gauges showed the strongest performance in large (>10,000 km2) basins (rs = 0.9, E = 0.9, KGE = 0.8), with some decrease at small (<1,000 km2) basins (rs = 0.6, E = −0.25, KGE = −0.2). Analysis with independent IFCBS observations was used to report performance at large basins (rs = 0.6, KGE = 0.1) and small basins (rs = 0.2, KGE = −0.4). Data assimilation improves simulations at downstream basins. We found differences in the characterization of the model and observed data flow velocity distributions. The authors recommend checking the connection of USGS gauges and NHDPlus reaches for selected locations where performance is weak.
Does Affirmative Action Worsen Bureaucratic Performance? Evidence from the Indian Administrative Service
Authors: Bhavnani Rikhil R. , Lee Alexander
Published: December 2019

Although many countries recruit bureaucrats using affirmative action, the effect of affirmative action recruits on bureaucratic performance has rarely been examined. Some worry that affirmative action worsens bureaucratic performance by diminishing the quality of recruits, whereas others posit that it improves performance by making recruits more representative of and responsive to the population. We test for these possibilities using unusually detailed data on the recruitment, background, and careers of India's elite bureaucracy. We examine the effect of affirmative action hires on district‐level implementation of MGNREGA, the world's largest anti‐poverty program. The data suggest that disadvantaged group members recruited via affirmative action perform no worse than others.
On the frontiers of change: breast surgeons' views on demarcation between surgical sub‐specialties in Australia
Authors: Flitcroft Kathy , Brennan Meagan , Spillane Andrew
Published: December 2019

Background

The emergence of breast oncoplastic surgery provides women with more surgical options for improved aesthetics following breast‐conserving surgery and for breast reconstruction (BR) following mastectomy. For some established breast and plastic surgeons, this development may be perceived as increasing competition for patients and raises the potential for demarcation issues between and within surgical sub‐specialties. The objectives of the study were to document surgeons' views on demarcation between general/breast, oncoplastic/breast and plastic reconstructive breast surgeons in Australia, to examine the potential impact demarcation issues may have on informed patient choice and to recommend ways of reducing them.

Methods

In‐depth qualitative interviews were conducted with a convenience sample of 31 (22 oncoplastic and nine plastic reconstructive) surgeons who performed BR.

Results

Descriptive analysis of the interviews revealed a range in the perceptions of the extent of demarcation. Six common themes were identified: oncoplastic techniques are unnecessary and potentially unsafe; reconstructive surgery should be left to ‘the experts’; non‐referral of patients for discussion of surgical options they do not offer; professional jealousy; workload capacity; and the old versus the new guard. Potential solutions suggested by the participants focused on improving relations between oncoplastic and plastic reconstructive surgeons and changes to breast surgical training.

Conclusion

While most surgeons were optimistic about the current divide diminishing with time, a more pro‐active stance is required if patient‐centred care is to be improved. Roundtable discussions with a broad range of stakeholders are planned to begin this process.
Effects of photoperiod on circadian clock genes in skin contribute to the regulation of hair follicle cycling of Inner Mongolia white cashmere goats
Authors: Zhang Chong Zhi , Sun Hai Zhou , Zhang Chun Hua , Jin Lu , Sang Dan , Li Sheng Li
Published: December 2019

This study investigated how the effects of photoperiod on circadian clock genes in the skin contribute to the regulation of hair follicle cycling of Inner Mongolia white cashmere goats. Twenty‐four female (non‐pregnant) Inner Mongolia white cashmere goats aged 1 − 1.5 years old with similar live weights (mean, 20.36 ± 2.63 kg) were randomly allocated into two groups: a natural daily photoperiod group (NDPP group:10 − 16 hr Light, n = 12) and a short daily photoperiod group (SDPP group: 7 hr Light:17 hr Dark, n = 12). All goats were housed in individual pens from May 15 to October 15, 2015 and were fed the same diets. We detected the mRNA expression of brain and muscle arnt‐like protein‐1 (Bmal1), circadian locomotor output control kaput (Clock), cryptochrome‐1 (Cry1), period homolog‐1 (Per1) and Rev‐erbα genes in the goat skin. ANOVA revealed a significant 24 hr (10:00 hr, 14:00 hr, 18:00 hr, 22:00 hr, 02:00 hr, 06:00 hr, 10:00 hr) variation between the SDPP and NDPP groups for three months (July, September, and October). In summary, the current results confirm that an intrinsic oscillating molecular clock exists in goat skin, and that the clock is important for potential timing mechanisms at the anagen phase of hair follicles, which would contribute to the regulation mechanisms of hair follicle cell proliferation.
Meat production and maintaining biodiversity: Grazing by traditional breeds and crossbred beef cattle in marshes and grasslands
Authors: Kovácsné Koncz Nóra , Béri Béla , Deák Balázs , Kelemen András , Tóth Katalin , Kiss Réka , Radócz Szilvia , Miglécz Tamás , Tóthmérész Béla , Valkó Orsolya
Published: December 2019

Questions

Sustainable rangeland utilization considering traditions and economic reasons is compulsory for harmonising the needs of the agricultural and nature conservation sectors. For proper rangeland management it is crucial to compare the grazing effects of traditional breeds and crossbred animals of the same species that might have different effects on the rangelands. To fill this knowledge gap, in a grazing experiment, we investigated the effect of cattle breeds on the vegetation to test the effects on nature conservation value and agricultural production value. We hypothesized that the effects of cattle grazing on habitat conservation values and forage quality depend on the grazing breed, because breeds differ in selectivity, body size and trampling effect.

Location

Marshes and alkaline wet grasslands in Hortobágy National Park, Hungary.

Methods

We recorded the percentage cover of vascular plants in three consecutive years in a total of 60 plots in 12 areas grazed by traditional (0.61 AU/ha) and large‐sized crossbred beef cattle (0.68 AU/ha).

Results

We found that the effect of cattle breed on the habitat conservation values and forage quality is dependent on the habitat type. The traditional breed maintained a significantly higher species number and Shannon diversity in marshes than the crossbred beef cattle. Grazing of crossbred cattle led to decreasing moisture indicator values in marsh habitats.

Conclusions

Our findings revealed that traditional breeds should be prioritized in the management of wet alkaline grasslands and marshes. Crossbred beef cattle might be a substitute but only in case traditional breeds are not available for the management of alkaline wet grasslands. In marshes, however, we recommend prioritizing the traditional breeds as they maintain higher diversity compared to crossbred beef cattle.
Nitric oxide and endothelium‐dependent hyperpolarization mediated by hydrogen peroxide in health and disease
Authors: Shimokawa Hiroaki , Godo Shigeo
Published: December 2019

The endothelium plays crucial roles in modulating vascular tone by synthesizing and releasing endothelium‐derived relaxing factors (EDRFs), including vasodilator prostaglandins, nitric oxide (NO) and endothelium‐dependent hyperpolarization (EDH) factors. Thus, endothelial dysfunction is the hallmark of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases. Importantly, the contribution of EDRFs to endothelium‐dependent vasodilatation varies in a distinct vessel size‐dependent manner; NO mainly mediates vasodilatation of relatively large, conduit vessels (eg epicardial coronary arteries), while EDH factors in small resistance vessels (eg coronary microvessels). Endothelium‐derived hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a physiological signalling molecule serving as one of the major EDH factors especially in microcirculations and has gained increasing attention in view of its emerging relevance for cardiovascular diseases. In the clinical settings, therapeutic approaches targeting NO (eg NO donors) or non‐specific elimination of reactive oxygen species (eg antioxidant supplements) are disappointingly ineffective for the treatment of various cardiovascular diseases, in which endothelial dysfunction and coronary microvascular dysfunction are substantially involved. These lines of evidence indicate the potential importance of the physiological balance between NO and H2O2/EDH factor. Further characterization and better understanding of endothelium‐dependent vasodilatations are important to develop novel therapeutic strategies in cardiovascular medicine. In this MiniReview, we will briefly summarize the current knowledge on the emerging regulatory roles of endothelium‐dependent vasodilatations in the cardiovascular system, with a special reference to the two major EDRFs, NO and H2O2/EDH factor, in health and disease.
Blockchain and business ethics
Authors: Dierksmeier Claus , Seele Peter
Published: December 2019

This paper provides, from a business ethics perspective, a basic clustering of the morally (a) favorable, (b) unfavorable, and (c) ambivalent dimensions of blockchain technology and its various emergent applications. Instead of proffering specific assessments on particular aspects of blockchain‐based business models, we aim to offer an initial overview that charters the territory so that future research can bring about such moral assessments in an informed and orderly fashion. The main contribution of this paper lies in identifying several morally ambivalent dimensions of blockchain technology, which we finally link to two strands of business ethics research: ethical and legal aspects of legislation as well as a link to Habermasian corporate social responsibility theory arguing for transparent data production and consumption on the blockchain. We conclude that future research is necessary for moral assessment of the ambivalent cases, since their ethical evaluation changes depending on whether one analyzes them through the lenses of utilitarianism, contractarianism, deontology, and virtue ethics, respectively.
Climate change resilience in the Canadian Arctic: The need for collaboration in the face of a changing landscape
Authors: MacDonald Seghan , Birchall S. Jeff
Published: December 2019

Human‐induced changes to global climate have become increasingly difficult to ignore in recent years. As the frequency and severity of extreme weather events increases, the impacts on both natural and human systems are becoming difficult to manage with the current policies. In Canada, one of the most vulnerable regions to climate change is the Arctic, where temperatures are rising at a rate two to three times that of the global average. Warmer seasonal temperatures have led to melting permafrost and increased variability in sea ice conditions, which has contributed to a rise in coastal erosion. The ongoing resilience of Arctic communities will depend heavily on their ability to implement successful long‐term adaptation policies. The development and implementation of any action on climate change adaptation should involve collaboration with local stakeholders in order to reflect the views and experience of those living in the Arctic.
Ubiquitin C‐terminal hydrolase‐L1 has prognostic relevance and is a therapeutic target for high‐grade neuroendocrine lung cancers
Authors: Shimada Yoshihisa , Kudo Yujin , Maehara Sachio , Matsubayashi Jun , Otaki Yoichi , Kajiwara Naohiro , Ohira Tatsuo , Minna John D. , Ikeda Norihiko
Published: December 2019

High‐grade neuroendocrine lung cancer (HGNEC), which includes small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) of the lung is a rapidly proliferating, aggressive form of lung cancer. The initial standard chemotherapeutic regimens of platinum doublets are recommended for SCLC and have been frequently used for LCNEC. However, there are currently no molecularly targeted agents with proven clinical benefit for this disease. The deubiquitinating enzyme ubiquitin C‐terminal hydrolase‐L1 (UCHL1) is a neuroendocrine cell‐specific product that is known as a potential oncogene in several types of cancer, but little is known about the biological function of UCHL1 and its therapeutic potential in HGNEC. In this study, we found that preclinical efficacy evoked by targeting UCHL1 was relevant to prognosis in HGNEC. UCHL1 was found to be expressed in HGNEC, particularly in cell lines and patient samples of SCLC, and the combined use of platinum doublets with selective UCHL1 inhibitors improved its therapeutic response in vitro. Immunohistochemical expression of UCHL1 was significantly associated with postoperative survival in patients with HGNEC and contributed towards distinguishing SCLC from LCNEC. Circulating extracellular vesicles (EV), including exosomes isolated from lung cancer cell lines and serum from early‐stage HGNEC, were verified by electron microscopy and nanoparticle tracking analysis. Higher levels of UCHL1 mRNA in EV were found in the samples of patients with early‐stage HGNEC than those with early‐stage NSCLC and healthy donors’ EV. Taken together, UCHL1 may be a potential prognostic marker and a promising druggable target for HGNEC.
Front Cover
Authors: Avagliano Laura , Parenti Ilaria , Grazioli Paolo , Di Fede Elisabetta , Parodi Chiara , Mariani Milena , Kaiser Frank J. , Selicorni Angelo , Gervasini Cristina , Massa Valentina
Published: December 2019

The cover image is based on the Review Article Chromatinopathies: a focus on Cornelia de Lange Syndrome by Laura Avagliano et al., https://doi.org/10.1111/cge.13674.

image
New evidence that biallelic loss of function in EEF1B2 gene leads to intellectual disability
Authors: Larcher Lise , Buratti Julien , Héron‐Longe Bénédicte , Benzacken Brigitte , Pipiras Eva , Keren Boris , Delahaye‐Duriez Andrée
Published: December 2019

The guanine exchange factor subunit eEF1Bα encoded by the EEF1B2 gene belongs to the eukaryotic elongation translational machinery. Pathogen variants in genes of the translational machinery have been associated with several neurodevelopmental disorders. However, only one family of three siblings with intellectual disability (ID) has been reported so far with a homozygous variant in EEF1B2. Here, we report a second family with a novel homozygous loss of function (LoF) variant p.(Ser128*), carried by two siblings with moderate ID and seizures. Our findings confirm the role of EEF1B2 variants in the pathogenesis of autosomal‐recessive ID, expand the variant spectrum and precisely describe the clinical consequences of the LoF of EEF1B2.
The effect of three‐dimensional visualisation on performance in endoscopic sinus surgery: A clinical training study using surgical navigation for movement analysis in a randomised crossover design
Authors: ten Dam Ellen , Helder Herman M. , van der Laan Bernard F. A. M. , Feijen Robert A. , Korsten‐Meijer Astrid G. W.
Published: December 2019

Objectives

Endoscopic imaging techniques and endoscopic endonasal surgery (EES) expertise have evolved rapidly. Only few studies have assessed the effect of three‐dimensional (3D) endoscopy on endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). The present study aimed to objectively and subjectively assess the additional value of 3D high‐definition (HD) endoscopy in ESS.

Design

A randomized crossover study of endoscopic surgery performance, using five ESS tasks of varying complexity, performed on Thiel embalmed human specimens.

Setting

Simulated surgical environment.

Participants

Thirty participants, inexperienced in ESS.

Main outcome measures

Performance was assessed using video imaging, surgical navigation and questionnaires. Main outcome measures were as follows: efficiency (defined by time to task completion), distance covered inside the nose, average velocity towards target, accuracy (measured by error rate), and subjective assessment of endoscope characteristics.

Results

During ESS tasks, both efficiency and accuracy did not differ significantly between 2D HD and 3D HD endoscopy. Subjectively, imaging characteristics of the 3D HD endoscope were rated significantly better.

Conclusions

ESS performance of inexperienced participants was not significantly improved by the use of 3D HD endoscopy during ESS tasks, although imaging characteristics of the 3D HD endoscope were rated significantly better. Surgical field characteristics and surgical techniques are likely to influence any additional value of 3D HD endoscopy.
Evaluating the distribution of freshwater fish diversity using a multispecies habitat suitability model to assess impacts of proposed dam development in Gabon, Africa
Authors: Cutler Joseph S. , Olivos Juan Andrés , Sidlauskas Brian , Arismendi Ivan
Published: December 2019

Data scarcity impedes a comprehensive impact assessment of the 38 dams currently proposed within the highly biodiverse central African nation of Gabon. Here, we present a multiple‐species MaxEnt distribution modeling approach to assess species richness for freshwater fishes at the landscape level and demonstrate its utility in identifying proposed dam sites in Gabon that fall in highly diverse areas. We modeled habitat suitability for 202 of Gabon's fresh and brackish water fish species based on georeferenced presence data from museum specimens and a set of ecologically meaningful environmental conditions. We removed poor performing species from the model and compiled the distributions of 114 well‐performing species to generate a new metric, the species pseudorichness index (pR), defined as the cumulative number of species that are highly suited to the habitat in a given segment of river. We used pR as a proxy for true species richness and use this metric to evaluate the distribution of freshwater fish diversity relative to the proposed dam development in Gabon. We found that more than 80% of the proposed dams in Gabon overlap with areas of high pR, implying that planned hydroelectric development in Gabon may disproportionately affect high diversity areas. These dams deserve more focused baseline assessments and conservation action. This approach provides a rapid way to initiate a landscape‐scale assessment of freshwater fish diversity to inform conservation decisions in areas that are species rich, but data poor.
Factors influencing transfusion‐associated HLA sensitization in patients bridged to heart transplantation using ventricular assist device
Authors: Elkind Jae , Sobczyk Juliana , Ostberg‐Braun Oscar , Silva Enciso Jorge , Adler Eric , Morris Gerald P.
Published: December 2019

Background

Bridging heart failure patients with mechanical ventricular assist devices (VAD) enables access to transplantation. However, VAD is associated with increased risk for anti‐HLA antibodies associated with rejection of subsequent allografts. Factors determining alloantibody formation in these patients remain undefined.

Methods

We performed a single‐center retrospective cohort study of 164 patients undergoing heart transplantation from 2014 to 2017. Medical records including use of VAD, transfused blood products, anti‐HLA antibody testing, crossmatch, and time to transplant were evaluated.

Results

Patients received an average of 13.8 red blood cell and 1.9 single‐donor platelet units associated with VAD. There was a 28.7% increase in the incidence of anti‐HLA antibodies after VAD. Development of anti‐HLA antibodies did not correlate with volume or type of blood products, but with pre‐VAD HLA sensitization status; relative risk of new alloantibodies in patients with pre‐VAD antibodies was 3.5‐fold higher than those without prior antibodies (P = .008). Development of new anti‐HLA antibodies was associated with an increased time to transplant (169 vs 330 days, P = .013).

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that the presence of anti‐HLA antibodies pre‐VAD was the most significant risk factor for developing additional antibodies post‐VAD, suggesting that a subset of patients may be predisposed to alloantibody formation.
Diagnoses of hospitalized patients with skin abnormalities prompting biopsy by consulting dermatologists: A 3‐year review from a tertiary care center
Authors: Ellis Ariana , Billings Steven D. , Khanna Urmi , Warren Christine B. , Piliang Melissa , Vij Alok , Ko Jennifer S. , Bergfeld Wilma F. , Fernandez Anthony P.
Published: December 2019

Background

Dermatologists play an important role in diagnosing and managing hospitalized patients with cutaneous abnormalities. Skin biopsies remain an indispensable tool for aiding dermatologists in accurate diagnosis and treatment. We aimed to determine the range of conditions, and the most common conditions, prompting skin biopsy by dermatology hospital consultation (HCON) services to aid in evaluation of hospitalized patients.

Methods

All hospitalized patients seen by a single tertiary care center dermatology HCON service between 2015 and 2018 who had associated skin biopsies were identified. Histologic features and clinical diagnoses of each patient were classified into 13 histologic reaction pattern categories.

Results

Eight hundred and thirty one inpatients evaluated by our dermatology HCON service had 914 skin biopsies. The most frequent diagnostic categories prompting biopsy were vasculopathic (17.6%), interface dermatitis (16.5%), infectious (12.6%), and spongiotic dermatitis (10.9%). The most frequent diagnostic categories included drug reaction (13.2%), leukocytoclastic vasculitis (8.5%), skin cancer (5.4%), graft‐vs‐host disease (3.5%), connective tissue disease (3.3%), and calciphylaxis (3.0%).

Conclusion

Our study suggests a variety of serious diseases affecting inpatients prompts biopsy by dermatology consultation services. Educational curricula for dermatology and pathology residents, fellows, and staff designed with these data may enhance knowledge that improves the quality of inpatient dermatology care.
Parental Efficacy Moderates the Association Between Empathy and Burden Among Parents of Children Admitted to a Psychiatric Ward
Authors: Ben‐Pazi Ayala , Goldzweig Gil , Pijnenborg Gerdina Hendrika Maria , Roe David , Hasson‐Ohayon Ilanit
Published: December 2019

Empathy is considered a positive aspect of caregiving, although in certain circumstances, being empathic might increase the burden of caregivers. The current study assessed the associations between empathy, parental efficacy, and family burden among parents of children who were hospitalized in a psychiatric unit. Specifically, we examined whether the association between empathy and family burden was moderated by the parents’ sense of self‐efficacy. Seventy parents of children with psychiatric disorders, hospitalized in an inpatient psychiatric unit, filled out questionnaires of empathy, parental efficacy, and family burden. Results supported a moderating role of parental efficacy between empathy and family burden (interaction effect: β = −1.72, p = .0406). Specifically, empathy was positively related to family burden among parents with low self‐efficacy (conditional effect = 0.70, p = .032) and negatively related to family burden among parents with high self‐efficacy (conditional effect = −0.39, p = N.S). Implications for practice include the importance of self‐efficacy and address the possible negative implications of empathy among parents of children treated in a psychiatric hospital.
Imaging spectroscopy reveals the effects of topography and logging on the leaf chemistry of tropical forest canopy trees
Authors: Swinfield Tom , Both Sabine , Riutta Terhi , Bongalov Boris , Elias Dafydd , Majalap‐Lee Noreen , Ostle Nicholas , Svátek Martin , Kvasnica Jakub , Milodowski David , Jucker Tommaso , Ewers Robert M. , Zhang Yi , Johnson David , Teh Yit Arn , Burslem David F. R. P. , Malhi Yadvinder , Coomes David
Published: December 2019

Logging, pervasive across the lowland tropics, affects millions of hectares of forest, yet its influence on nutrient cycling remains poorly understood. One hypothesis is that logging influences phosphorus (P) cycling, because this scarce nutrient is removed in extracted timber and eroded soil, leading to shifts in ecosystem functioning and community composition. However, testing this is challenging because P varies within landscapes as a function of geology, topography and climate. Superimposed upon these trends are compositional changes in logged forests, with species with more acquisitive traits, characterized by higher foliar P concentrations, more dominant. It is difficult to resolve these patterns using traditional field approaches alone. Here, we use airborne light detection and ranging‐guided hyperspectral imagery to map foliar nutrient (i.e. P, nitrogen [N]) concentrations, calibrated using field measured traits, over 400 km2 of northeastern Borneo, including a landscape‐level disturbance gradient spanning old‐growth to repeatedly logged forests. The maps reveal that canopy foliar P and N concentrations decrease with elevation. These relationships were not identified using traditional field measurements of leaf and soil nutrients. After controlling for topography, canopy foliar nutrient concentrations were lower in logged forest than in old‐growth areas, reflecting decreased nutrient availability. However, foliar nutrient concentrations and specific leaf area were greatest in relatively short patches in logged areas, reflecting a shift in composition to pioneer species with acquisitive traits. N:P ratio increased in logged forest, suggesting reduced soil P availability through disturbance. Through the first landscape scale assessment of how functional leaf traits change in response to logging, we find that differences from old‐growth forest become more pronounced as logged forests increase in stature over time, suggesting exacerbated phosphorus limitation as forests recover.
Alternative pathways to diversity across ecologically distinct lizard radiations
Authors: Skeels Alexander , Esquerré Damien , Cardillo Marcel
Published: December 2019

Aim

Lizard assemblages vary greatly in taxonomic, ecological and phenotypic diversity, yet the mechanisms that generate and maintain these patterns at a macroecological scale are not well understood. We aimed to characterize the ecological and environmental drivers of species richness patterns in the context of macroecological theory for 10 independent lizard radiations.

Location

Global.

Time period

Present day.

Major taxa

Lizards.

Methods

We analysed patterns of species and functional trait diversity in 10 ecologically distinct and widely distributed clades encompassing nearly all known lizard species. Using recently published spatial, phylogenetic, and functional trait datasets, we built spatially explicit structural equation models to ask whether species richness was directly or indirectly related to functional divergence or convergence within communities, and with features of the environment, including measures of productivity, complexity and harshness.

Results

Our results show that high species richness is achieved via different pathways in different lizard clades, with both functionally divergent and convergent assemblages harbouring high diversity in different clades. More generally, we also find common, positive effects of temperature, productivity and topography on species richness within lizard clades.

Main conclusions

Thermal constraints, topographic complexity and spatial structuring of functional diversity help explain the presence of highly diverse lizard assemblages, suggesting the importance of environmental filters in shaping present‐day diversity and assemblage structure. Our results show how different pathways to high richness in different clades have contributed to the overall global pattern of species richness in reptiles.
Application of 1013 Ω Amplifiers in Low‐Signal Plasma‐Source Isotope Ratio Measurements by MC‐ICP‐MS: A Case Study with Pt Isotopes
Authors: Creech John B. , Schaefer Bruce F. , Turner Simon P.
Published: December 2019

Recent developments in amplifier hardware enable low‐noise measurements of exceedingly small ion beams in isotope ratio analysis, yielding higher precision from smaller samples than ever before. To date, these amplifiers have largely been employed in thermal ionisation instruments, with few applications using plasma‐source (i.e., MC‐ICP‐MS) instruments. Here, we demonstrate the utility of these new generation 1013 Ω amplifiers in MC‐ICP‐MS, employing Pt isotopes as a case study, a system that could greatly benefit from the promised advances. The data demonstrate that for samples with low Pt abundance, for a modest increase in uncertainties, the amount of sample required can be reduced by a factor of 50–100. This technique thereby opens up new possibilities for analysis of samples that have low Pt mass fractions or were otherwise impossible to obtain in sufficient quantities.
Groundwater Origin in Qanats, Chemo‐Isotopic, and Hydrogeological Evidence
Authors: Moghadam Hojat Mirani , Bagheri Rahim , Karami Gholam Hossein , Jafari Hadi
Published: December 2019

A systematic study of the chemo‐isotopic characteristics and origin of the groundwater was carried out at six major qanats in the hyper‐arid Gonabad area, eastern Iran. These qanats as a sustainable groundwater extraction technology have a long history, supporting human life for more than a thousand years in this region. The Gonabad qanats are characterized by outlet electrical conductivity (EC) values of 750 to 3900 µS/cm and HCO3‐Na‐Mg and Cl‐Na water types. The Gonabad meteoric water line (GnMWL) was drawn at the local scale as δ2H = 6.32×δ18O + 8.35 (with R2 = 0.90). It has a lower slope and intercept than the global meteoric water line due to different water vapor sources and isotope kinetic fractionation effects during precipitation in this arid region. The altitude effects on isotopic content of precipitation data were derived as δ18O = (−0.0031 × H(m.a.s.l))−1.3). The δ2H and δ18O isotopes signatures demonstrate a meteoric origin of the groundwater of these qanats. The shift of the qanat's water samples from the local meteoric water line (LMWL) in a dry period with higher temperatures is most probably due to evaporation during the infiltration process and water movement in qanat gallery. Based on the isotopic results and mass balance calculations, the qanats are locally recharged from an area between 2000 to 2400 m.a.s.l of nearby carbonate formations and coarse alluvial sediments. The dissolution of evaporate interlayers in Neogene deposits deteriorates the groundwater quality, especially in Baidokht qanat.
Understanding militarism after the end of the Cold War: History, international relations, and media studies ask new questions
Authors: Dunnage Jonathan , Jackson Susan T. , Miakinkov Eugene , Sheehan Michael
Published: December 2019

Since the end of the Cold War, the study of militarism and militarization has been eclipsed by other, newer, concepts especially in the fields of history, international relations, and media studies. With the dissolution of the Soviet Union, militarization has taken a back seat in discussions and questions concerning new types of conflicts, security, and actors that began to emerge in the 1990s. In this article, we document the work that has continued on the subject of militarism in various fields, explore the relevance of militarism as a concept in post‐Cold War literature, and address what questions the field of militarism is equipped to answer.
Vulval squamous cell carcinoma and its precursors
Authors: Singh Naveena , Gilks C Blake
Published: December 2019

Vulval squamous cell carcinoma (VSCC) can arise through two distinct pathways [human papillomavirus (HPV)‐associated and HPV‐independent], and these VSCC variants are recognised as different disease entities on the basis of different aetiologies, morphological features, molecular events during oncogenesis, precursor lesions, prognosis, and response to treatment. The precursor of HPV‐associated VSCC, variously referred to as high‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) [vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN) 2/3] or usual‐type VIN, is morphologically identical to the more common HSIL (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2/3) of the cervix. The precursor lesions of HPV‐independent VSCC include differentiated VIN, differentiated exophytic vulvar intraepithelial lesion, and vulvar acanthosis with altered differentiation; these have been under‐recognised by pathologists in the past, leading to delays in treatment. This review will discuss the recent advances in diagnostic surgical pathology of VSCC and its precursors, and how these diagnoses can impact on patient management.
The coming 15 years in gynaecological pathology: digitisation, artificial intelligence, and new technologies
Authors: Farnell David A , Huntsman David , Bashashati Ali
Published: December 2019

Surgical pathology forms the cornerstone of modern oncological medicine, owing to the wealth of clinically relevant information that can be obtained from tissue morphology. Although several ancillary testing modalities have been added to surgical pathology, the way in which we view and interpret tissue morphology has remained largely unchanged since the inception of our profession. In this review, we discuss new technological advances that promise to transform the way in which we access tissue morphology and how we use it to guide patient care.