bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Police practice in cases of sudden and unexpected child death in England and Wales: an investigative deficit?
Authors: Fox John
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The system in England and Wales involves a joint agency response to the sudden and unexpected death of a child (SUDC) and, for various reasons, the police contribution to that investigation is sometimes inadequate. The purpose of this paper is to explore some of the dilemmas which explain this inadequacy.

Design/methodology/approach

The arguments presented in the paper are made on the basis of empirically derived findings, drawing from original research based upon qualitative interviews with nine senior detectives working in the areas of child abuse or major crime, as well as focus groups of senior detectives, and a limited contribution from pathologists.

Findings

This paper explores whether there is an investigative deficit in respect of potential child homicide when compared to an adult domestic homicide, and it concludes that in some areas the most vulnerable people in society may be at risk because of issues such as inadequate training, inflexible force policies and under-resourced police investigation of child death.

Practical implications

It is possible to kill a child and leave few, if any, physical clues on the body. To determine if homicide is the cause of death, the overall police investigation therefore has to be of high quality to identify any clues that have been left by the perpetrator at the scene or in other ways. It is usual for Child Abuse Investigation Unit detectives to investigate SUDC but they are often trying to do so with little training and few resources. Cuts to police service budgets since 2010 have affected all elements of policing, including Major Crime Teams. As a result, these teams are more discerning about which cases they take on and there is evidence they are not taking on child death investigations even if there are suspicions of homicide. The findings reveal important implications for police investigative training and a clear and significant deficit in the investigative resources available to the lead investigator on a SUDC investigation which may or may not be a homicide, compared with the resources available to the senior investigating officer on a straightforward domestic homicide when the victim is an adult. If homicide is missed, then siblings or future siblings with that family may be left at risk of harm. The College of Policing suggested standards for SUDC investigation are sometimes not being adhered to in respect of training and resources.

Originality/value

The paper is informed by original qualitative research conducted in 2019. The findings are of value to police policy makers, the College of Policing, and police senior leadership teams.
The effective outsourcing of building retrofitting: key decisions and motivators
Authors: Fasna M.F.F. , Gunatilake Sachie
Published: September 2019

Purpose

Despite their energy conservation potential, still existing buildings are slow in embracing building energy efficiency retrofits (BEER), mainly because of the absence of a clearly defined process to deliver the BEER projects, and the lack of proactive guidance for project teams. Further, the identification of factors that can facilitate BEER projects is also important to ensure the project success. This is particularly true in energy service company (ESCO)-led projects. Hence, this study aims at investigating the decision-making process, including the motivators for the successful execution of each stage in implementing BEER when projects are outsourced to a third party.

Design/methodology/approach

An in-depth case study was carried out to investigate the decision-making process and motivators in implementing BEER in a selected hotel building. Seven semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect the required data within the case.

Findings

Study disclosed the 13 key decisions made and 37 key activities performed in each stage of the project. A total of 19 motivators for the successful execution of the respective stages were also elicited. Ultimately, the research findings are mapped against the five key stages of BEER decision-making process.

Originality/value

The outcome of this study will provide the industry practitioners a basis for the effective adoption and implementation of BEER in existing hotel buildings when an external contractor is involved.
Analysis of supply chain risk in the ceramic industry using the TOPSIS method under a fuzzy environment
Authors: Zubayer Md. Abdullah Al , Mithun Ali Syd , Kabir Golam
Published: September 2019

Purpose

Risk management has emerged as a critical issue in operating a supply chain effectively in the presence of uncertainties that result from unexpected variations. Assessing and managing supply chain risks are receiving significant attention from practitioners and academics. At present, the ceramic industry in Bangladesh is growing. Thus, managers in the industry need to properly assess supply chain risks for mitigation purposes. This study aims to identify and analyze various supply chain risks occurring in a ceramic factory in Bangladesh.

Design/methodology/approach

A model is proposed based on a fuzzy technique for order preference using similarity to an ideal solution (fuzzy-TOPSIS) for evaluating supply chain risks. For this, 20 supply chain risk factors were identified through an extensive literature review and while consulting with experts from the ceramic factories. Fuzzy-TOPSIS contributed to the analysis and assessment of those risks.

Findings

The results of this research indicate that among the identified 20 supply chain risks, lack of operational quality, lack of material quality and damage to inventory were the major risks for the ceramic sector in Bangladesh.

Research limitations/implications

The impact of supply chain risks was not shown in this study and the risks were considered independent. Therefore, research can be continued to address these two factors.

Practical implications

The outcome of this research is expected to assist industrial managers and practitioners in the ceramic sector in taking proactive action to minimize supply chain risks. A sensitivity analysis was performed to determine the relative stability of the risks.

Originality/value

This study uses survey data to analyze and evaluate the major supply chain risks related to the ceramic sector. An original methodology is provided for identifying and evaluating the major supply chain risks in the ceramic sector of Bangladesh.
Putting workplace spirituality in context
Authors: Bhaskar A. Uday , Mishra Bijaya
Published: September 2019

Purpose

Workplace spirituality (WPS) has emerged as a key concept in management literature but has, thus far, remained inadequately explored in research studies. The purpose of this paper is to draw WPS upon the organizational support theory and WPS literature to develop and test a model. The role of WPS and its moderating effect is examined in its relationship with perceived organizational support (POS), career satisfaction (CS) and turnover intentions (TIs).

Design/methodology/approach

Using a survey research design, data were collected from 314 respondents to test the proposed model. Serial mediation was tested using the two dimensions of WPS (meaningful work (MW) and sense of community (SC)) as mediators between POS and CS. For moderation, these two dimensions of WPS were used to test the variables of POS and TI.

Findings

This study found that the relationship between POS and CS is sequentially mediated by the two dimensions of WPS, namely, MW and SC, while WPS is found to enhance CS among employees, it has been found to significantly reduce their TIs by moderating the relationship between POS and TI. Thus, employee TIs are found to be lower when the relationship between POS and MW is stronger.

Practical implications

The findings of this study will help managers develop strategies and formulate effective interventions that would improve the CS of employees and reduce their intentions to quit, leading to desirable individual and organizational outcomes.

Originality/value

WPS is a relatively new construct both at the workplace and in academia and to the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study which has examined the role of WPS in the relationship between POS, CS and TIs. By examining how organizational support has a significant influence on the employee in shaping positive work attitudes, the study will contribute to the existing knowledge and address questions hitherto unexplored. The findings of this research will thus have direct implications for the practitioner as well as the manager.
Exploring the potential of Epicoccum nigrum for pigment production under variable conditions
Authors: Kaur Sawinder , Mumbarkar Vivek , Panesar Paramjit S. , Gurumayum Sushma , Rasane Prasad
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to isolate yellow pigment producing fungal strain and to determine the media requirement for growth and secondary metabolite production.

Design/methodology/approach

Fifteen soil samples were collected and studied for a pigment producing fungal sources. Selection of a fungus was based on pigment produced and further conditions, such as effect of media composition and light wavelength on pigment production and growth parameters were optimised.

Findings

Out of the isolates analysed, Epicoccum nigrum was selected for further study as this strain has the potential for pigment production. Among all the media evaluated, potato dextrose agar (PDA) was found to be the best media for growth and sporulation, whilst sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) was only 29 per cent as capable as the best medium. The radial growth rate in case of PDA was 3 ± 0.02 mm/day, while in case of SDA, it was only 1.09 mm/day. Whilst starch as a carbon source was found to increase the radial growth to 5.15 ± 0.02 mm/day, sucrose significantly (p < 0.05) influenced the sporulation (224,000 ± 1,550 spores/ml) of Epicoccum nigrum. Amongst the various nitrogen sources analysed, peptone significantly increased (p < 0.05) the radial growth (6.55 ± 0.02 mm/day) as well as sporulation (220,000 ± 2,100 spores/ml). The observations also indicated that E. nigrum is able to sense and differentiate between light in different wavelength ranges and respond differently in growth and sporulation. The light passing through a red colour sheet resulted in better radial growth (8.5 ± 0.02 mm/day) in comparison to unfiltered light (3 ± 0.02 mm/day). Yellow pigment production in terms of hue values was significantly influenced by the presence of dextrose, peptone and darkness.

Research limitations/implications

The isolated strain could be studied for variable conditions and stress factors for optimal production of the pigment. Recovery and purification studies could be carried out at pilot and industrial scale.

Practical implications

The isolation of a strain producing valuable microbial pigment will increase the alternatives of natural food colours and enhance the its commercial applications

Originality/value

This study identifies Epicoccum nigrum as a potential source of microbial pigment and facilitates its growth and production for possible applications in industrial pigment production.
The moderating role of transport chain location in cargo theft risk
Authors: Ekwall Daniel , Lantz Björn
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore cargo theft risk and security for different product types at different locations along a transport chain.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is based on a system-theoretical approach. The research method is deductive, as the analysis is based on secondary data and results from a questionnaire. The results are analysed based on supply chain risk management (SCRM) theories.

Findings

Due to substantial interaction effects, the type of product and transport chain location must be considered to determine the correct level of security. Specifically, the product type is more significant, since the general cargo theft risk is higher. Furthermore, the transport industry has three perspectives on security responses to cargo theft, namely, demanded, needed and actual security, which differ depending on the product type and transport chain location.

Research limitations/implications

This database is structured according to the global Transported Asset Protection Association organisational structure, which implies that there are three main databases: Europe, Middle East and Africa, Americas, and Asia-Pacific.

Practical implications

This study has both research and practical implications, as it examines security within freight transport from three perspectives, linked to general cargo theft risk and goods owners’ requirements.

Originality/value

This study addresses the contemporary SCRM problem of cargo theft using actual crime statistics and the industry understanding of required generic security levels.
Lean Six Sigma approach to reduce LOS through a diagnostic-therapeutic-assistance path at A.O.R.N. A. Cardarelli
Authors: Ricciardi Carlo , Fiorillo Antonella , Valente Antonio Saverio , Borrelli Anna , Verdoliva Ciro , Triassi Maria , Improta Giovanni
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The rise of the mean age incremented the occurrence of femur fractures with respect to the past, leading thus to serious consequences, as regards morbidity and socio-economic impact. The direction of the A.O.R.N. Cardarelli of Naples has introduced a DTAP whose aim was the reduction of LOS. The paper aims to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

The aim of this paper is to analyze the introduction of DTAP, employing Lean Thinking and Six Sigma methodology based on the DMAIC cycle. To evaluate the effectiveness of DTAP, two groups of patients have been observed for 14 months (before and after the implementation of DTAP).

Findings

Statistical tests were performed on the groups and graphics were provided to visualize the decrease of LOS (29.9 per cent). The overall population was also divided in subgroups according to six variables potentially influencing LOS.

Research limitations/implications

Authors considered six variables of influences; yet, others could be taken into account in the future.

Practical implications

The decrease of costs due to the management of elderly patients with femur fracture, the optimization of care processes in hospitals and a faster recovery for patients is the tangible contribute of DTAP.

Originality/value

The implementation of DTAP allowed the hospital to obtain a significant reduction of LOS with a consequently decrease of costs alleviating the hospital and the society from the socio-economic burden and the morbidity of this pathology.
Developing a taxonomy of citizen science projects in primary school
Authors: Ciasullo Maria Vincenza , Manna Rosalba , Palumbo Rocco
Published: September 2019

Purpose

Educational institutions are facing a growing number of challenges, which impair their ability to provide high quality and effective educational services. The involvement of pupils in co-creating learning experiences is a fundamental ingredient of the recipe for increased educational quality. Inter alia, the implementation of citizen science initiatives at schools allows pupils to be active co-producers of educational services. The purpose of this paper to shed light on the attributes of citizen science projects targeted at pupils (aged between six and ten) attending primary schools, in order to identify their potential implications in terms of educational services’ quality improvement.

Design/methodology/approach

Secondary data were collected from the Scistarter® web platform. Projects addressed to primary schools and provided with specific classroom materials were taken into consideration (n=65). A qualitative, comparative and bird’s eye analysis was performed: first, looking at the role and the tasks assigned to pupils, the projects were grouped in four categories; second, the potential implications of citizen science on educational services’ quality were investigated.

Findings

Citizen science at school paves the way for pupils’ empowerment and for their direct involvement in the co-production of educational services. Moreover, it enhances the relationship between teachers and pupils, engaging them in a co-creating partnership intended at addressing real scientific issues at school. However, citizen science is still poorly integrated into conventional educational curricula in primary schools.

Practical implications

From a management point of view, citizen science is thought to contribute to the improvement of educational services’ quality, stimulating pupils to partner with their peers and with teachers for the purpose of knowledge co-production; in addition, it allows for the enrichment of educational activities in primary schools. From a policy perspective, citizen science at school harmonizes with the democratization of scientific knowledge.

Originality/value

This is one of the first research papers to demonstrate the potential implications of citizen science on educational services’ quality and effectiveness in primary schools.
Evaluating the Stability of School Performance Estimates over Time
Authors: Minaya Veronica , Agasisti Tommaso
Published: September 2019

When using school performance indicators for the purposes of accountability and school choice, it is very important that measures are stable over time. This issue is very relevant when the system is based on the allocation of students to the same teachers for the whole educational cycle (e.g. at primary school level). Using administrative data provided by the National Evaluation Committee for Education (INVALSI), we explore the stability of performance estimates for Italian primary schools. We first construct school performance metrics using INVALSI standardised tests, by taking advantage of a rich array of individual‐level variables (including prior achievement) that allow us to estimate a school effect in a ‘value added’ perspective. We assess differences in performance across schools and the persistence of these differences across cohorts. We find that controlling for compositional differences is important; therefore, estimates of school performances are unstable across metrics, and correlations across cohorts decline over time.
Spatial and Seasonal Response of Municipal Water Use to Weather across the Contiguous U.S.
Authors: Opalinski Nicole F. , Bhaskar Aditi S. , Manning Dale T.
Published: September 2019

Weather variability has the potential to influence municipal water use, particularly in dry regions such as the western United States (U.S.). Outdoor water use can account for more than half of annual household water use and may be particularly responsive to weather, but little is known about how the expected magnitude of these responses varies across the U.S. This nationwide study identified the response of municipal water use to monthly weather (i.e., temperature, precipitation, evapotranspiration [ET]) using monthly water deliveries for 229 cities in the contiguous U.S. Using city‐specific multiple regression and region‐specific models with city fixed effects, we investigated what portion of the variability in municipal water use was explained by weather across cities, and also estimated responses to weather across seasons and climate regions. Our findings indicated municipal water use was generally well‐explained by weather, with median adjusted R2 ranging from 63% to 95% across climate regions. Weather was more predictive of water use in dry climates compared to wet, and temperature had more explanatory power than precipitation or ET. In response to a 1°C increase in monthly maximum temperature, municipal water use was shown to increase by 3.2% and 3.9% in dry cities in winter and summer, respectively, with smaller changes in wet cities. Quantifying these responses allows urban water managers to plan for weather‐driven variability in water use.
Circulating interleukin‐6 as a biomarker in a randomized controlled trial of modified‐release prednisone vs immediate‐release prednisolone, in newly diagnosed patients with giant cell arteritis
Authors: Miler Emma , Stapleton Philip P. , Mapplebeck Sarah , Mackerness Craig , Gayford Dawn , Aung Tin , Wilson Lisa , Schofield Paul , Dasgupta Bhaskar
Published: September 2019

Objectives

To measure serial interleukin (IL)‐6 levels in newly diagnosed patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA), treated in a randomized controlled trial of modified‐release prednisone (MR) vs immediate‐release prednisolone (IR) used in a tapering regimen conforming to British Society for Rheumatology GCA guidelines.

Methods

Patients (n = 12) were randomized into 2 treatment arms (7 MR, 5 IR) and followed over 26 weeks. We measured IL‐6 with additional markers.

Results

A significantly higher overall mean IL‐6 level (P < .05) was seen in IR (mean = 12.15, standard error [SE] = 1.90) compared with MR (mean = 4.39, SE = 1.84). Mean collagen type 1 cross‐linked C‐telopeptide (CTX) concentration was significantly higher (P < .05) in both groups at week 4 (mean = 0.29, SE = 0.04) compared with week 26 (mean = 0.13, SE = 0.02). MR patients had adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) suppression compared with IR (P < .05) throughout without differences in cortisol levels (P = .34). No significant differences were seen between arms in other markers.

Conclusion

Our study suggests that elevated levels of IL‐6 in new GCA are better suppressed by MR prednisone compared with IR prednisolone. CTX was significantly reduced in both treatment arms indicating early metabolic effect of glucocorticoids on bone. ACTH suppression with MR prednisone may reflect a greater impact on the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal axis although cortisol was not affected. MR prednisone warrants further investigation in GCA.
Cannabis, Decision‐Making, and Online Assistance Seeking
Authors: Evans Mark , Ogeil Rowan P. , Phillips James G.
Published: September 2019

Background and Objectives

Maladaptive decision‐making strategies could contribute to cannabis‐related problems, as some individuals may neither select safe patterns of cannabis use, nor seek treatment.

Methods

To explore decision‐making styles and their relationship to cannabis‐related harm, 153 respondents completed the Cannabis Use Disorders Identification Test‐Revised (CUDIT‐R), the Melbourne Decision Making Questionnaire (MDMQ), and answered questions about their willingness to seek online: (1) further information or (2) treatment for cannabis‐related issues.

Results

Multiple regression considered relationships between problematic cannabis use, decision‐making style, and cannabis use within the past month. Subscales of the CUDIT‐R revealed that: (1) hazardous use was associated with higher hypervigilance and higher decisional self‐esteem; (2) dependence symptoms were associated with lower vigilance and higher procrastination; and (3) harmful use was associated with higher procrastination. People with symptoms of CUD were less likely to seek further help or support online if prone to procrastination or buckpasssing.

Discussion and Conclusions

Decisional style influenced cannabis use and symptoms. Those people with cannabis‐related problems that did not seek online assistance were defensively avoidant.

Scientific Significance

Procrastination is a feature of problematic cannabis use. Online offers of assistance may be ignored by defensively avoidant CUD clients. (Am J Addict 2019;00:1–7)
Implication of inflammatory cytokines in the aqueous humour for management of macular diseases
Authors: Yi Quan‐Yong , Wang Yan‐Yan , Chen Li‐Shuang , Li Wen‐Die , Shen Yu , Jin Yuanhui , Yang Jie , Wang Yuwen , Yuan Jianshu , Cheng Lingyun
Published: September 2019

Purpose

To characterize profile of cytokines in aqueous humour of common macular diseases during intravitreal anti‐VEGF therapy.

Methods

Aqueous humour from eyes with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO), diabetic macular oedema (DME), neovascular age‐related macular degeneration (nAMD) or pathologic myopia associated choroidal neovascularization (pmCNV) was sampled prior to 1st (n = 144) and 2nd (n = 48) intravitreal anti‐VEGF therapy. Cytokines including vascular endothelium growth factor (VEGF), intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM‐1) and interleukin 6 (IL‐6) were quantitated and analysed along with retinal thickness data by optical coherence tomography (OCT) across two intravitreal injections and five macular disease types.

Results

ICAM‐1, IL‐6 and VEGF are positively associated in the aqueous humour of naive eyes (r = 0.39–0.77, p = 0.018 to <0.0001). ICAM‐1, VEGF and IL‐6 were significantly higher in CRVO and DME while lowest in pmCNV (p < 0.0001). Reduction of central retinal thickness (CRT) as a favourable response to anti‐VEGF therapy was in the order of CRVO, BRVO, DME and nAMD/pmCNV (p < 0.0001). The strongest predictor for favourable CRT reduction was baseline CRT (p < 0.0001) followed by baseline ICAM‐1 (p = 0.04). After the 1st intravitreal anti‐VEGF therapy, VEGF in aqueous humour lowered significantly but ICAM‐1 and IL‐6 levels remained unchanged. ICAM‐1 was not predictive for CRT reduction following 2nd anti‐VEGF therapy.

Conclusion

Rate of cytokine production is disease‐dependent and higher in CRVO and DME. Anatomical response to intravitreal anti‐VEGF therapy is disease‐specific and best in RVO patients. A combination therapy using both anti‐VEGF and anti‐inflammatory therapeutics may be superior to single anti‐VEGF therapy, at least for RVO and DME.
Editorial: anti‐TNF therapy—a double‐edged sword?
Authors: Schreiner Philipp , Biedermann Luc
Published: September 2019

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Korzenik et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15370 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15459.
Editorial: understanding differences in patient response to ondansetron in irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhoea—are we any closer?
Authors: Black Christopher J. , Ford Alexander C. , Houghton Lesley A.
Published: September 2019

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Gunn et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15420 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15465.
Editorial: anti‐TNF therapy—a double‐edged sword? Authors' reply
Authors: Korzenik Joshua , Larsen Michael Due , Nielsen Jan , Kjeldsen Jens , Nørgård Bente Mertz
Published: September 2019

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Korzenik et al and Schreiner and Biedermann papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15370 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15401.
Editorial: when, who and how—the ever evolving management of pancreatic cystic lesions
Authors: Yang Dennis , Forsmark Chris E.
Published: September 2019

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Overbeek et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15440 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15492.
Editorial: when, who and how—the ever‐evolving management of pancreatic cystic lesions. Authors’ reply
Authors: Overbeek Kasper A. , Cahen Djuna L. , Bruno Marco J.
Published: September 2019

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Overbeek et al and Yang and Forsmark papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15440 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15471.
Trends of mobile learning: A review of the top 100 highly cited papers
Authors: Lai Chiu‐Lin
Published: September 2019

Highly cited papers can be representative of the latest changes in specific research issues, as they reflect the important issues or research trends that researchers have paid attention to recently. Through reading highly cited papers, researchers can identify some important issues for consideration in their own research, which can then catch other researchers’ eyes easily and efficiently. In order to explore the feature of the latest changes in mobile learning, in this study, a review of the top 100 highly cited mobile learning papers was conducted. According to the review, four advantages were identified from the highly cited mobile learning studies: proposing new learning strategies, applying mobile learning to seldom‐considered subjects, applying mobile learning to seldom‐investigated domains and investigating seldom‐discussed issues. It was found that the studies focused more on comparing different mobile learning modes for finding more effective mobile learning approaches rather than comparing the impacts of mobile learning with traditional instruction. Moreover, the studies focused more on learners’ higher order thinking performance and learning behaviors. Some suggestions, differing from those presented by previous mobile learning reviews, are provided as reference for researchers to conduct related research.

Practitioner Notes

What is already known about this topic

Mobile learning has been regarded as a tool for improving learners’ learning and bridging students’ learning in class and in the field.

Research trends can be highlighted and provide a more accurate view of the publication patterns.

Highly cited papers can be used to identify the advance of the research foci.

What this paper adds

Most highly cited studies mainly focused on comparing the different mobile learning modes to find more effective approaches for conducting mobile learning activities.

The mobile learning places have changed from classrooms to real‐world contexts; in addition, the number of across‐context studies is increasing.

The highly cited papers started to focus more on learners’ higher‐order thinking performance and learning behaviors.

Implications for practice and/or policy

Researchers can consider proposing new learning strategies, applying mobile learning to seldom‐considered subjects, applying mobile learning to seldom‐investigated domains, and investigating seldom‐discussed issues.

Adopting mixed methods is becoming the mainstream of mobile learning studies.

Several seldom‐discussed issues, such as higher order thinking, collaboration/communication skills, and learning behaviors are potential mobile learning research topics.
Classical Ehlers‐Danlos syndrome with a propensity to arterial events: A new report on a French family with a COL1A1 p.(Arg312Cys) variant
Authors: Adham Salma , Dupuis‐Girod Sophie , Charpentier Etienne , Mazzella Jean‐Michaël , Jeunemaitre Xavier , Legrand Anne
Published: September 2019

Ehlers‐Danlos syndromes (EDS) are a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of connective tissue disorders. Overlapping features including arterial aneurysms/dissections in both classical and vascular EDS are a major challenge in the clinical diagnosis of these subtypes. The COL1A1 p.(Arg312Cys) variant leads to a phenotype of classical EDS with a propensity to arterial complications. Our report describes a two‐generation family with one individual presenting with a dissection of the right external iliac artery. The primary suspicion of vascular EDS with the unsatisfactory identification of a COL3A1 benign variant was secondarily readjusted with the identification of COL1A1 p.(Arg312Cys) variant. This raises the question of the association of COL1A1 p.(Arg312Cys) with arterial complications and the need for a gene panel including not only the usual genes tested in search of classical or vascular EDS but also COL1A1.
Racial disparities in patient selection for liver transplantation: An ongoing challenge
Authors: Jesse Michelle T. , Abouljoud Marwan , Goldstein Eric D. , Rebhan Nicholas , Ho Chuan‐Xing , Macaulay Taylor , Bebanic Mubera , Shkokani Lina , Moonka Dilip , Yoshida Atsushi
Published: September 2019

Ample evidence suggests continued racial disparities once listed for liver transplantation, though few studies examine disparities in the selection process for listing. The objective of this study, via retrospective chart review, was to determine whether listing for liver transplantation was influenced by socioeconomic status and race/ethnicity. We identified 1968 patients with end‐stage liver disease who underwent evaluation at a large, Midwestern center from January 1, 2004 through December 31, 2012 (72.9% white, 19.6% black, and 7.5% other). Over half (54.6%) of evaluated patients were listed; the three most common reasons for not listing were medical contraindications (11.9%), patient expired during evaluation (7.0%), and psychosocial contraindications (5.9%). In multivariable logistic regressions (listed vs not listed), across the three racial categories, the odds of being listed were lower for alcohol‐induced hepatitis (±hepatitis C), unmarried, more than one insurance, inadequate insurance, and lower annual household income quartile. Similar factors predicted time to transplant listing, including being identified as black race. Black race, even when adjusting for the above mentioned medical and socioeconomic factors, was associated with 26% lower odds of being listed and a longer time to listing decision compared to all other patients.
Protecting and assisting refugee children: how child neurologists can help
Authors: Ventevogel Peter , Melville Amanda
Published: September 2019

This commentary is on the Letter to the Editor by Fazzi et al. on page 1348 of this issue.
The University Classroom, Harassment, and Challenging Provocation
Authors: Harless Jessica
Published: September 2019

The university exhibits particular complexities when it comes to understanding and addressing the gendered harassment that takes place within it. Notions about the nature of higher education and the pedagogical commitments therein can make it difficult to determine the hostility of an environment (a factor crucial to diagnosing harassment). In this article, Jessica Harless taps into some of the vast literature on classroom dialogue, pedagogies of discomfort, and provocative teaching in order to outline difficulties that can arise when attempting to distinguish a challenging learning environment from a harassing one. Harless suggests that rather than relying on descriptive, objective definitions of harassing hostility, we look at subjective factors and the consequences of harassment to try to clarify what it is. Participation, which is expressly protected by Title IX, is one concept available to help gauge the nature of the learning environment. However, the type of participation to be ensured is full participation — unthwarted participant flourishing that goes beyond mere presence or access. This article ultimately focuses on the role and effects of teachers within the classroom environment and highlights a kind of pedagogical commitment that sustains both provocation of challenge and reduction of hostility and harassment.
Stop Being So Melodramatic! Or, the Problem with Sexual Harassment Policies
Authors: Howlett Caitlin
Published: September 2019

In this article, Caitlin Howlett offers a critical framework for understanding the limits of prohibitive and individually oriented sexual harassment policies in academia through a discussion of melodrama. Howlett draws on the work of Linda Williams, Emma Goldman, and Carole Vance in arguing that such sexual harassment policies participate in melodrama and thus fail to address the structural or institutional conditions that allow for sexual harassment. She then turns to the work of Sara Ahmed to examine what is at stake in this failure, before concluding that this understanding of sexual harassment policies points to their insufficiency and inadequacy within the academy.
Reaction Is Not Enough: Decreasing Gendered Harassment in Academic Contexts in Chile, Hong Kong, and the United States
Authors: Jackson Liz , Muñoz‐García Ana Luisa
Published: September 2019

In diverse academic spaces around the world, sexual and gendered harassment is increasingly recognized as a problem. High‐profile cases continue to emerge that underscore how gendered harassment is normalized in elite research contexts. In this article, Liz Jackson and Ana Luisa Muñoz‐García analyze three recent policy cases for decreasing sexual and gendered harassment. These cases involve three levels of analysis and three cultural contexts. The first is that of the higher education community in Chile; the second is the University of Hong Kong; and the third is the Philosophy of Education Society, an international academic society based in North America. In each case we analyze how sexual and gendered harassment has been (1) conceptualized, (2) responded to, and (3) contextualized. Through their analysis of these cases, Jackson and Muñoz‐García invite readers to reflect on practical and philosophical recommendations for moving forward antiharassment policies and programs, seen broadly.
The Right to Be Frivolous? An Intersectional Analysis of Gendered Harassment
Authors: Li Huey‐li
Published: September 2019

In this essay, Huey‐li Li first undertakes a reexamination of the theoretical and practical merits of applying intersectionality to analyze how gender infiltrates and becomes entangled with other registers of nonsexual harassment. She further presents three vignettes of ambiguous nonsexual harassment in order to inquire into how the intersections among gender, disciplinary identity, disability, linguistic identity, and race/ethnicity shape divergent, unsettled, and ambiguous perceptions of harassment. Instead of seeking legal remedies for non‐monolithic gendered harassment, Li argues for systematic educational remedies that attend to the complex and complicated intersections between gender and the other registers of harassment in order to transform discriminatory and oppressive cultural practices.
Working days in a London construction team in the eighteenth century: evidence from St Paul's Cathedral
Authors: Stephenson Judy Z.
Published: September 2019

This article provides new information and data on the work and pay of skilled and semi‐skilled men on a large London construction project in the early 1700s. It offers firm‐level evidence on the employment relation in the construction industry at the time and sheds some light on the number of days worked per year and per week, showing that employment was more irregular and seasonal than current estimates of income infer. The patterns are considered in the context of new debates about industriousness and economic growth.
Inclusion of discards in stock assessment models
Authors: Cook Robin M.
Published: September 2019

A large portion of the catch in many stocks may comprise discards which need to be accounted for in assessments in order to avoid bias in estimates of fishing mortality, stock biomass and reference points. In age‐structured assessment models, discards are sometimes treated as a separate fleet or are added to the landings before fitting so that information about discard behaviour and sampling error is lost. In this paper, an assessment model is developed to describe the discard process with size as a covariate while retaining age‐structured population dynamics. Discard size selection, high grading and bulk dumping of fish at sea are modelled so that the temporal dynamics of the process can be quantified within the assessment. The model is used to show that discarding practices have changed over time in a range of Northeast Atlantic demersal fish. In some stocks, there is a substantial increase in high grading and evidence for bulk discarding which can be related to regulatory measures. The model offers a means of identifying transient effects in the discard process that should be removed from both short‐term forecasts and equilibrium reference point calculations.
Osteocytic miR21 deficiency improves bone strength independent of sex despite having sex divergent effects on osteocyte viability and bone turnover
Authors: Davis Hannah M. , Deosthale Padmini J. , Pacheco‐Costa Rafael , Essex Alyson L. , Atkinson Emily G. , Aref Mohammad W. , Dilley Julian E. , Bellido Teresita , Ivan Mircea , Allen Matthew R. , Plotkin Lilian I.
Published: September 2019

Osteocytes play a critical role in mediating cell–cell communication and regulating bone homeostasis, and osteocyte apoptosis is associated with increased bone resorption. miR21, an oncogenic microRNA, regulates bone metabolism by acting directly on osteoblasts and osteoclasts, but its role in osteocytes is not clear. Here, we show that osteocytic miR21 deletion has sex‐divergent effects in bone. In females, miR21 deletion reduces osteocyte viability, but suppresses bone turnover. Conversely, in males, miR21 deletion increases osteocyte viability, but stimulates bone turnover and enhances bone structure. Further, miR21 deletion differentially alters osteocyte cytokine production in the two sexes. Interestingly, despite these changes, miR21 deletion increases bone mechanical properties in both sexes, albeit to a greater extent in males. Collectively, our findings suggest that miR21 exerts both sex‐divergent and sex‐equivalent roles in osteocytes, regulating osteocyte viability and altering bone metabolism through paracrine actions on osteoblasts and osteoclasts differentially in males vs females, whereas, influencing bone mechanical properties independent of sex.
Polysaccharide oxidation by lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase is enhanced by engineered cellobiose dehydrogenase
Authors: Kracher Daniel , Forsberg Zarah , Bissaro Bastien , Gangl Sonja , Preims Marita , Sygmund Christoph , Eijsink Vincent G. H. , Ludwig Roland
Published: September 2019

The catalytic function of lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) to cleave and decrystallize recalcitrant polysaccharides put these enzymes in the spotlight of fundamental and applied research. Here we demonstrate that the demand of LPMO for an electron donor and an oxygen species as cosubstrate can be fulfilled by a single auxiliary enzyme: an engineered fungal cellobiose dehydrogenase (CDH) with increased oxidase activity. The engineered CDH was about 30 times more efficient in driving the LPMO reaction due to its 27 time increased production of H2O2 acting as a cosubstrate for LPMO. Transient kinetic measurements confirmed that intra‐ and intermolecular electron transfer rates of the engineered CDH were similar to the wild‐type CDH, meaning that the mutations had not compromised CDH’s role as an electron donor. These results support the notion of H2O2‐driven LPMO activity and shed new light on the role of CDH in activating LPMOs. Importantly, the results also demonstrate that the use of the engineered CDH results in fast and steady LPMO reactions with CDH‐generated H2O2 as a cosubstrate, which may provide new opportunities to employ LPMOs in biomass hydrolysis to generate fuels and chemicals.
Characterising the biophysical, economic and social impacts of soil carbon sequestration as a greenhouse gas removal technology
Authors: Sykes Alasdair J. , Macleod Michael , Eory Vera , Rees Robert M. , Payen Florian , Myrgiotis Vasilis , Williams Mathew , Sohi Saran , Hillier Jon , Moran Dominic , Manning David A. C. , Goglio Pietro , Seghetta Michele , Williams Adrian , Harris Jim , Dondini Marta , Walton Jack , House Joanna , Smith Pete
Published: September 2019

To limit warming to well below 2°C, most scenario projections rely on greenhouse gas removal technologies (GGRTs); one such GGRT uses soil carbon sequestration (SCS) in agricultural land. In addition to their role in mitigating climate change, SCS practices play a role in delivering agroecosystem resilience, climate change adaptability and food security. Environmental heterogeneity and differences in agricultural practices challenge the practical implementation of SCS, and our analysis addresses the associated knowledge gap. Previous assessments have focused on global potentials, but there is a need among policymakers to operationalise SCS. Here, we assess a range of practices already proposed to deliver SCS, and distil these into a subset of specific measures. We provide a multidisciplinary summary of the barriers and potential incentives towards practical implementation of these measures. First, we identify specific practices with potential for both a positive impact on SCS at farm level and an uptake rate compatible with global impact. These focus on: (a) optimising crop primary productivity (e.g. nutrient optimisation, pH management, irrigation); (b) reducing soil disturbance and managing soil physical properties (e.g. improved rotations, minimum till); (c) minimising deliberate removal of C or lateral transport via erosion processes (e.g. support measures, bare fallow reduction); (d) addition of C produced outside the system (e.g. organic manure amendments, biochar addition); (e) provision of additional C inputs within the cropping system (e.g. agroforestry, cover cropping). We then consider economic and non‐cost barriers and incentives for land managers implementing these measures, along with the potential externalised impacts of implementation. This offers a framework and reference point for holistic assessment of the impacts of SCS. Finally, we summarise and discuss the ability of extant scientific approaches to quantify the technical potential and externalities of SCS measures, and the barriers and incentives to their implementation in global agricultural systems.
Canopy height explains species richness in the largest clade of Neotropical lianas
Authors: Meyer Leila , Diniz‐Filho José Alexandre F. , Lohmann Lúcia G. , Hortal Joaquín , Barreto Elisa , Rangel Thiago , Kissling W. Daniel
Published: September 2019

Aim

Tall and structurally complex forests can provide ample habitat and niche space for climbing plants, supporting high liana species richness. We test to what extent canopy height (as a proxy of 3‐D habitat structure), climate and soil interact to determine species richness in the largest clade of Neotropical lianas. We expect that the effect of canopy height on species richness is higher for lianas from closed tropical rain forests compared to riparian and savanna habitats.

Location

Neotropics.

Time period

Present.

Major taxa studied

Tribe Bignonieae (Bignoniaceae).

Methods

We used structural equation models to evaluate direct and indirect effects of canopy height, climate (temperature, precipitation and precipitation seasonality), and soil (cation exchange capacity and soil types) on overall Bignonieae species richness (339 liana species), as well as on species richness of lianas from forest, riparian and savanna habitats, respectively. We further performed multiple regression models with Moran's eigenvector maps to account for spatial autocorrelation.

Results

Canopy height was a key driver of liana species richness, in addition to climate and soil. Species richness of forest lianas showed a strong positive relationship with canopy height whereas the relationship was less pronounced for riparian species. Richness of savanna species decreased with increasing canopy height. Climate also explained a substantial proportion of variation in liana species richness whereas soil variables showed little explanatory power.

Main conclusions

The relationship between canopy height and liana species richness differs among habitats. While forest and riparian lianas benefit from tall and complex habitats that provide physical support to reach the canopy to escape low light availability in the understorey, high light availability in open habitats and an increased risk of embolism of conductive vessels for lianas with long stems living in areas with high seasonality might explain the inverse relationship between species richness and canopy height in savannas.