bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Beyond self-selection: the multilayered online review biases at the intersection of users, platforms and culture
Authors: Shen Xiangyou , Pan Bing , Hu Tao , Chen Kaijun , Qiao Lin , Zhu Jinyue
Published: August 2020

Purpose

Online review bias research has predominantly focused on self-selection biases on the user’s side. By collecting online reviews from multiple platforms and examining their biases in the unique digital environment of “Chinanet,” this paper aims to shed new light on the multiple sources of biases embedded in online reviews and potential interactions among users, technical platforms and the broader social–cultural norms.

Design/methodology/approach

In the first study, online restaurant reviews were collected from Dianping.com, one of China's largest review platforms. Their distribution and underlying biases were examined via comparisons with offline reviews collected from on-site surveys. In the second study, user and platform ratings were collected from three additional major online review platforms – Koubei, Meituan and Ele.me – and compared for possible indications of biases in platform's review aggregation.

Findings

The results revealed a distinct exponential-curved distribution of Chinese users’ online reviews, suggesting a deviation from previous findings based on Western user data. The lack of online “moaning” on Chinese review platforms points to the social–cultural complexity of Chinese consumer behavior and online environment that goes beyond self-selection at the individual user level. The results also documented a prevalent usage of customized aggregation methods by review service providers in China, implicating an additional layer of biases introduced by technical platforms.

Originality/value

Using an online–offline design and multi-platform data sets, this paper elucidates online review biases among Chinese users, the world's largest and understudied (in terms of review biases) online user group. The results provide insights into the unique social–cultural cyber norm in China's digital environment and bring to light the multilayered nature of online review biases at the intersection of users, platforms and culture.
The sharing economy: the influence of perceived corporate social responsibility on brand commitment
Authors: Fatma Mobin , Khan Imran , Rahman Zillur , Pérez Andrea
Published: September 2020

Purpose

This study aims to identify the influence of perceived corporate social responsibility (PCSR) on consumer brand commitment in ridesharing services.

Design/methodology/approach

PCSR is a second-order construct reflecting three dimensions – economic, environment and ethics. A total of 423 useable responses were collected through an online survey. To test the hypotheses, structural equation modelling was used via AMOS 22.0.

Findings

Findings reveal that PCSR has a significant influence on consumer brand trust and brand identification. However, no direct relationship is observed between PCSR and brand commitment. The effect of PCSR and brand commitment is significantly mediated by brand trust and brand identification.

Practical implications

The investment of resources in corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities has many advantages because it increases trust and identification towards the brand. Ridesharing business firms are growing in size, so they should harness CSR activities by investing money into them that benefits society.

Originality/value

Sharing economy services have the potential to assist the global and local economy towards environmental friendliness. Yet, there is a lack of research on how the sharing economy model works the social responsibility aspects of the model and its impact on consumer response. This study assesses the dimensions of PCSR and its influence on brand commitment via a brand trust and brand identification towards ridesharing services.
Examining the boundaries of entrepreneurial marketing: a bibliographic analysis
Authors: Ferreira Caitlin , Robertson Jeandri
Published: September 2020

Purpose

Literature in the entrepreneurial marketing (EM) field continues to flourish with a noted increase in publications in recent years. This study aims to conduct a bibliographic analysis of EM literature, to examine the intellectual landscape of the field and assess scientific productivity and impact.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 1,363 EM papers, extracted from the Web of Science database, were identified between 2005 and 2019. Co-authorship, citation, co-citation and keyword co-occurrence were examined, identifying the most-prominent authors, articles, journals and countries of publication, citation and co-citation. Network maps were created using VOSviewer.

Findings

The findings indicate that EM has become a thriving, multidisciplinary field that has reached a point of maturity, where exploration is seemingly a major focus of the field’s expansion. This maturity is mirrored in the evolution of the EM operationalisation – moving from a narrowly defined scope to a far broader and encompassing operationalisation. Distinct schools of thought emerging in the literature have been identified and emerging trends guiding the future growth of the EM field have been discussed. The expansion of the field continues to be assembled on the foundation of a number of seminal papers.

Originality/value

This research offers an updated examination of the EM field, in particular, including a period of recent expansion in the field. The incorporation of network maps offers a visual depiction of the intellectual landscape of the field.
Performance of steel-plate shear wall at high temperature
Authors: Jamshidi Morteza , Dashti NaserAbadi Heydar , Oliaei Mohammadreza
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The high heat induced by fire can substantially decrease the load-bearing capacity, which is more critical in unprotected steel structures than concrete reinforced structures. One of the conventional steel structures is a steel-plate shear wall (SPSW) in which thin infill steel plates are used to resist against the lateral loads. Due to the small thickness of infill plates, high heat seems to dramatically influence the lateral load-bearing capacity of this type of structures. Therefore, this study aims to provide an investigation into the performance of SPSW with reduced beam section at high temperature.

Design/methodology/approach

In the present paper, to examine the seismic performance of SPSW at high temperature, 48 single-span single-story steel frames equipped with steel plates with the thicknesses of 2.64 mm, 5 mm and 7 mm and yield stresses of 85 MPa, 165 MPa, 256 MPa and 300 MPa were numerically modeled. Furthermore, their behavioral indices, namely, strength, stiffness, ductility and hysteresis behavior, were studied at the temperatures of 20, 458, 642 and 917? The simulated models in the present paper are based on the experimental specimen presented by Vian and Bruneau (2004).

Findings

The obtained results revealed that the high heat harshly diminishes the seismic performance of SPSW so that the lateral strength is reduced even by 95% at substantially high temperatures. Therefore, SPSW starts losing its strength and stiffness at high temperature such that it completely loses its capacity of strength, stiffness and energy dissipation at the temperature of 917? Moreover, it was proved that by separating the percentage of their participations variations of the infill plate in SPSW, their behavior and the bare frame can be examined even at high temperatures.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the seismic performance of SPSW at different temperatures has not been evaluated and compared yet.
Effects of different starter cultures on the ripening characteristics of Golot cheese
Authors: Sekban Hayriye , Tarakci Zekai
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate the chemical, textural and sensory properties of some starter cultures fruit-added Golot cheese.

Design/methodology/approach

Six types of Golot cheeses were produced in this study. While the control sample contained no starter cultures, five different starter culture combinations (GS1: Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris, L. lactis subsp. lactis and Lactobacillus bulgaricus; GS2: S. thermophilus and L. bulgaricus; GS3: S. thermophilus; GS4: S. thermophilus and Lactobacillus helveticus; and GS5: S. thermophilus, L. lactis subsp. cremoris and L. lactis subsp. lactis) were applied to the other cheese samples using an immersion technique. Then, all cheeses were vacuum-packed and ripened at 4 ± 1°C for three months and their chemical, biochemical, sensory and textural analyses were performed on the 2nd, 15th, 30th, 60th and 90th days of ripening.

Findings

Results indicated that generally starter cultures have positive effects on the chemical, biochemical and sensory properties of Golot cheese. Considering the final values, the addition of starter cultures enhanced the ripening index of Golot cheeses (8.4%–9.2%), except the GS3 (7.4%), compared to the control (8.1%). At the end of the ripening period, meltability values of GS4 (16.5 mm) cultured cheeses were higher than those of other cultured cheeses (13.0–15.5 mm) and control cheese (14.5 mm). While lipolysis values were low in fresh cheese, it increased during ripening. Overall, GS3 (2.46 acid degree value [ADV]) and GS4 (2.40 ADV) had the highest lipolysis rate, while GS1 (2.14 ADV) had the lowest (p = 0.07). Electrophoretograms indicated that the highest fragmentation of α- and ß-casein occurred in GS5 (48.43%) and GS1 (44.24%), respectively. Also, GS5 was the most appreciated and preferred cheese in terms of sensory. Regarding texture, hardness, cohesiveness, adhesiveness, springiness and gumminess values were determined to be statistically important in terms of ripening time and cheese variety (p < 0.01).

Originality/value

Consequently, all starters had a positive impact on Golot cheese samples and among all S. thermophilus and L. helveticus starter were determined to be the most applicable one considering ripening, texture, sensory and melting properties.
Moving in and adjusting to a new country without the support of an employer? Tapping into personal dispositions and capabilities to achieve social well-being
Authors: Presbitero Alfred
Published: September 2020

Purpose

Social well-being is the perception and feeling of belongingness and integration within the community and the broader society. For self-initiated expatriates (SIEs) who rely on their own personal resources and network, the achievement of high levels of social well-being can be challenging (compared to corporate-initiated expatriates who typically receive pre-departure training and relocation assistance from their employers). Hence, in this study, we examine personal factors and theoretically ground how they can be helpful and influence the achievement of high levels of social well-being among SIEs.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted a survey study (n = 215) involving SIEs to determine how specific personal factors influence the achievement of social well-being.

Findings

The authors analyzed the data using PROCESS approach and results show that cultural intelligence positively and significantly relates to social well-being. In addition, cross-cultural adjustment is shown to exert an influence as a mediator and further found to be moderated by a personality trait (i.e. emotional stability). Supplementary analyses further show support for the critical role of each of the dimensions of cultural intelligence in the moderated-mediation process.

Originality/value

This study offers novel insights relevant for SIEs who move in to another country and try to socially integrate without any support from employers. The study highlights how personal resources and capabilities could help in the achievement of social well-being. Specifically, the findings suggest the important role of cultural intelligence which needs to be developed prior and after the relocation. Also, the study suggests how a personality trait such as emotional stability can be tapped to increase the likelihood of achieving social well-being among SIEs.
Leaving the area under the receiving operating characteristic curve behind: An evaluation method for species distribution modelling applications based on presence‐only data
Authors: Jiménez Laura , Soberón Jorge
Published: August 2020

The area under the curve (AUC) of the receiving‐operating characteristic (or certain modifications of it) is almost universally used to assess the performance of species distribution models (SDMs), despite the well‐recognized problems encountered with this approach, mainly present when dealing with presence‐only data.

We present a probabilistic treatment of the presence‐only problem and derive a method to assess the performance of SDMs based on the analysis of an area‐presence plot and the SDM outputs represented in both geographic and environmental spaces.

We show how our method is useful to solve the two main tasks for which the AUC is used: assessing the performance of an SDM and comparing the performance of different SDMs. Our results build on previous work and constitute a rigorous method for assessing the performance of SDMs in relation to a random classifier.

We establish comparisons with two of the most popular approaches used to assess the performance of an SDM, the AUC and the Boyce index, and identified cases in which our method has advantages over these two approaches.

We suggest that the performance of an algorithm that classifies presence‐only data can be assessed by two factors: (a) the degree of non‐randomness of the classification at every step in the accumulation curve of presences, and (b) the amount of uninformative niche space used for the classification. The method we developed can be applied to any SDM output by using the R functions available at: https://github.com/LauraJim/SDM‐hyperTest.
Effects of smoking behaviour changes on depression in older people: a retrospective study
Authors: Gyeong Son Hye
Published: September 2020

Objective

This study aimed to identify the effects of changes in smoking behaviour on the presence of depression in participants aged 65 years and over.

Methods

Data from the 1st to 6th Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging were used in this study. The participants comprised 374 older adults aged 65 years and over, who had smoked in the past. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify the effects of smoking behaviour change on the presence of depression.

Results

Changes in smoking behaviour were categorised into three groups: (1) dramatically reduced (66.8%), (2) slightly reduced (19.8%), and (3) increased (13.4%). Those participants who showed significantly reduced smoking were more likely to have depression than those who increased smoking.

Conclusion

It is necessary to develop practical protocols and educational programs aimed at preventing and managing depression in older adults aged 65 years and above.
Pregnancy outcomes among multi‐ethnic women with different degrees of hyperglycaemia during pregnancy in an urban New Zealand population and their association with postnatal HbA1c uptake
Authors: Immanuel Jincy , Eagleton Carl , Baker John , Simmons David
Published: September 2020

Background

Adverse pregnancy outcomes are more common in women with hyperglycaemia. Many women have suboptimal uptake of HbA1c testing postdelivery.

Aims

To compare pregnancy outcomes among multi‐ethnic women with different degrees of hyperglycaemia during pregnancy, and their association with postnatal HbA1c uptake after the introduction of email reminders.

Materials and Methods

A retrospective and prospective single‐centre study was conducted in South Auckland in 2639 women with early gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) (diagnosed < 20 weeks), late GDM (diagnosed ≥ 20 weeks), overt diabetes in pregnancy, or known type 2 diabetes (T2DM) during pregnancy. Automated email reminders were sent to general practitioners to increase postnatal HbA1c screening.

Results

HbA1c during pregnancy increased across the late GDM (n = 1425), early GDM (n = 148), overt diabetes (n = 573) and T2DM (n = 493) groups (P < 0.001). Stillbirth was least common in the late GDM group (0, 0.7, 0.5, and 1.9%, respectively, P < 0.001), as were caesarean delivery (32.7, 45.1, 39.4, and 53.5%, respectively, P < 0.001), large for gestational age (LGA) (14.7, 18.2, 22.3, and 30.5%, respectively, P < 0.001), small for gestational age (8.8, 16.7, 11.0, and 11.1%, respectively, P = 0.02), and preeclampsia/eclampsia (7.7, 9.2, 13.0, and 14.8%, respectively, P < 0.001). LGA and preeclampsia/eclampsia were more common among Pacific and Māori women than European women (LGA, 30.1, 22.7, 10.3%, respectively, P < 0.001; preeclampsia/eclampsia, 13.5, 14.0, and 8.1%, respectively, P < 0.001). Postpartum HbA1c screening increased among women with GDM/overt diabetes after the introduction of the reminder emails (39.6% vs 34.0%, P = 0.03).

Conclusions

Women with late GDM are least likely to experience adverse outcomes. Email reminders to improve postpartum HbA1c screening warrant further investigation.
Cesarean delivery after non‐medically indicated induction of labor: A population‐based study using different definitions of expectant management
Authors: Zenzmaier Christoph , Pfeifer Bernhard , Leitner Hermann , König‐Bachmann Martina
Published: September 2020

Introduction

Most observational studies found that non‐medically indicated induction of labor (IOL) is not associated with an increased risk of cesarean delivery compared with expectant management, defined as all births at a later gestation. However, given the higher rate of cesarean delivery at late term, this definition of the expectant management group might bias the results of observational studies in favor of IOL at early or full term when estimating the risk of short‐term (eg up to 1 week) expectant management.

Material and methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study including 447 066 singleton term and post‐term hospital births that occurred in Austria between 2008 and 2016. Multivariate logistic regression was used to test the association of IOL and cesarean delivery at each week of gestation from 37‐41. Expectant management was either defined as all births at “next week or beyond” or “at next week”.

Results

Non‐medically indicated IOL was associated with increased odds for cesarean delivery at 37 and 38 weeks, and reduced odds at 40 and 41 weeks. At 39 weeks, IOL resulted in comparable cesarean rates compared with expectant management defined as “next week or beyond” (17.2% vs 16.2%; adjusted odds ratio [OR] 0.93; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.86‐1.00; P = .059). However, when defined as births “at the next week”, expectant management was associated with significantly reduced odds for cesarean delivery (13.6%; adjusted OR 0.76; 95% CI 0.70‐0.82; P < .001). Comparison of the cesarean delivery rates for the two definitions of expectant management showed that the “next week and beyond” model underestimates the benefit of short‐term expectant management by up to 1 week, particularly for IOL at weeks 38 and 39.

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrate that the definition of the expectant management group has a significant impact when analyzing the outcome of IOL in retrospective cohort studies. Non‐medically indicated IOL is not an all‐or‐none choice between “elective” induction and indefinite expectant management. Thus, to define the control group as all births at the next week could be useful for clinical decision‐making, as it allows to estimate the risks of expectant management until the next appointment compared with immediate IOL.
Pain in the Past and Pleasure in the Future: The Development of Past–Future Preferences for Hedonic Goods
Authors: Lee Ruth , Hoerl Christoph , Burns Patrick , Fernandes Alison S. , O'Connor Patrick A. , McCormack Teresa
Published: August 2020

It seems self‐evident that people prefer painful experiences to be in the past and pleasurable experiences to lie in the future. Indeed, it has been claimed that, for hedonic goods, this preference is absolute (Sullivan, 2018). Yet very little is known about the extent to which people demonstrate explicit preferences regarding the temporal location of hedonic experiences, about the developmental trajectory of such preferences, and about whether such preferences are impervious to differences in the quantity of envisaged past and future pain or pleasure. We find consistent evidence that, all else being equal, adults and children aged 7 and over prefer pleasure to lie in the future and pain in the past and believe that other people will, too. They also predict that other people will be happier when pleasure is in the future rather than the past but sadder when pain is in the future rather than the past. Younger children have the same temporal preferences as adults for their own painful experiences, but they prefer their pleasure to lie in the past and do not predict that others' levels of happiness or sadness vary dependent on whether experiences lie in the past or the future. However, from the age of 7, temporal preferences were typically abandoned at the earliest opportunity when the quantity of past pain or pleasure was greater than the quantity located in the future. Past–future preferences for hedonic goods emerge early developmentally but are surprisingly flexible.
Causal Information‐Seeking Strategies Change Across Childhood and Adolescence
Authors: Nussenbaum Kate , Cohen Alexandra O. , Davis Zachary J. , Halpern David J. , Gureckis Todd M. , Hartley Catherine A.
Published: September 2020

Intervening on causal systems can illuminate their underlying structures. Past work has shown that, relative to adults, young children often make intervention decisions that appear to confirm a single hypothesis rather than those that optimally discriminate alternative hypotheses. Here, we investigated how the ability to make informative causal interventions changes across development. Ninety participants between the ages of 7 and 25 completed 40 different puzzles in which they had to intervene on various causal systems to determine their underlying structures. Each puzzle comprised a three‐ or four‐node computer chip with hidden wires. On each trial, participants viewed two possible arrangements of the chip's hidden wires and had to select a single node to activate. After observing the outcome of their intervention, participants selected a wire configuration and rated their confidence in their selection. We characterized participant choices with a Bayesian measurement model that indexed the extent to which participants selected nodes that would best disambiguate the two possible causal structures versus those that had high causal centrality in one of the two causal hypotheses but did not necessarily discriminate between them. Our model estimates revealed that the use of a discriminatory strategy increased through early adolescence. Further, developmental improvements in intervention strategy were related to changes in the ability to accurately judge the strength of evidence that interventions revealed, as indexed by participants' confidence in their selections. Our results suggest that improvements in causal information‐seeking extend into adolescence and may be driven by metacognitive sensitivity to the efficacy of previous interventions in discriminating competing ideas.
Pandemic preparedness and cooperative justice
Authors: Timmermann Cristian
Published: September 2020

By examining the global public good nature of pandemic preparedness we can identify key social justice issues that need to be confronted to increase citizens’ voluntary compliance with prevention and mitigation measures. As people tend to cooperate on a voluntary basis only with systems they consider fair, it becomes difficult to ensure compliance with public health measures in a context of extreme inequality. Among the major inequalities that need to be addressed we can find major differences in the extensiveness and intensiveness of quarantine experiences, lack of opportunities to participate in common efforts, hardship in complying with disease control recommendations, and an unfair distribution of the cooperative surplus.
Diversity in Design and Healthcare: A Personal and Professional Commitment
Authors: Kim Somi
Published: August 2020

Well‐being is not just about physical health, but also emotional health, with increasing recognition of the impact that systemic racism and the isolation or risks involved during a global pandemic have on mental health.

Participating in programs designed to inspire youth in STEM and design fields, Johnson & Johnson is committed to improving gender and racial diversity in its ranks.
Critical care ultrasonography during COVID‐19 pandemic: The ORACLE protocol
Authors: García‐Cruz Edgar , Manzur‐Sandoval Daniel , Rascón‐Sabido Rafael , Gopar‐Nieto Rodrigo , Barajas‐Campos Ricardo Leopoldo , Jordán‐Ríos Antonio , Sierra‐Lara Martínez Daniel , Jiménez‐Rodríguez Gian Manuel , Murillo‐Ochoa Adriana Lizeth , Díaz‐Méndez Arturo , Lazcano‐Díaz Emmanuel , Araiza‐Garaygordobil Diego , Cabello‐López Alejandro , Melano‐Carranza Efrén , Bucio‐Reta Eduardo , González‐Ruiz Francisco Javier , Cota‐Apodaca Luis Antonio , Santos‐Martínez Luis Efrén , Fernández‐de la Reguera Guillermo , Ramos‐Enríquez Ángel , Rojas‐Velasco Gustavo , Álvarez‐Álvarez Rolando Joel , Baranda‐Tovar Francisco
Published: August 2020

Background

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) is characterized by severe lung involvement and hemodynamic alterations. Critical care ultrasonography is vital because it provides real time information for diagnosis and treatment. Suggested protocols for image acquisition and measurements have not yet been evaluated.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study was conducted at two centers from 1 April 2020 to 30 May 2020 in adult patients with confirmed COVID‐19 infection admitted to the critical care unit. Cardiac and pulmonary evaluations were performed using the ORACLE protocol, specifically designed for this study, to ensure a structured process of image acquisition and limit staff exposure to the infection.

Results

Eighty‐two consecutively admitted patients were evaluated. Most of the patients were males, with a median age of 56 years, and the most frequent comorbidities were hypertension and type 2 diabetes, and 25% of the patients had severe acute respiratory distress syndrome. The most frequent ultrasonographic findings were elevated pulmonary artery systolic pressure (69.5%), E/e’ ratio > 14 (29.3%), and right ventricular dilatation (28%) and dysfunction (26.8%). A high rate of fluid responsiveness (82.9%) was observed. The median score (19 points) on pulmonary ultrasound did not reveal any variation between the groups. Elevated pulmonary artery systolic pressure was associated with higher in‐hospital mortality.

Conclusion

The ORACLE protocol was a feasible, rapid, and safe bedside tool for hemodynamic and respiratory evaluation of patients with COVID‐19. Further studies should be performed on the alteration in pulmonary hemodynamics and right ventricular function and its relationship with outcomes.
Psychotic like experiences among Nigerian school adolescents: Findings from the Lagos Schools Emotional and Behavioral Health Survey
Authors: Adewuya Abiodun O. , Wright Kilelomo , Njokanma Fidelis
Published: September 2020

Aim

This study aimed to explore the presence of psychotic like experience (PLE) symptoms and evaluate for the possible socio‐demographic, family, school and mental health variables associated with clinically significant PLE symptoms in Nigeria school adolescent.

Methods

A total of 9441 adolescents from 47 secondary schools in Lagos Nigeria completed questionnaire detailing sociodemographic, family and school related variables. Mental health was assessed with the Mini International Diagnostic Interview for children and adolescents (MINI‐KID). PLE was assessed using the 16‐item version of Prodromal Questionnaire (PQ‐16).

Results

The mean age in years was 15.6 (SD 1.5) and 50.4% were females. The mean PQ‐16 score was 2.18 (SD 2.38) with 95% CI 2‐15‐2.21. A total of 2878 (30.5%) adolescents had no PLE symptoms while 990 (10.5%) had clinically significant PLE symptoms. The most experienced symptoms were “déjà vu” (35.5%) and loss of interest (29.6%). The variables independently associated with clinically significant PLE symptoms were “having no close friend in school” (OR 2.66, 95% CI 2.08‐3.41), “often beaten by parents” (OR 1.98, 95% CI 1.67‐2.34) “from a polygamous family” (OR 1.80, 95% CI 1.49‐2.18), and “diagnosis of depression” (OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.09‐1.63).

Conclusion

We have shown that PLE symptoms are relatively common in non‐help seeking Nigerian school adolescents and that personal and family factors are significantly associated. Longitudinal studies will be needed to chart the path of symptoms and determinants of distress, help seeking and development of psychosis.
Association between heart diseases, social factors and physical frailty in community‐dwelling older populations: The septuagenarians, octogenarians, nonagenarians investigation with centenarians study
Authors: Klinpudtan Nonglak , Kabayama Mai , Gondo Yasuyuki , Masui Yukie , Akagi Yuya , Srithumsuk Werayuth , Kiyoshige Eri , Godai Kayo , Sugimoto Ken , Akasaka Hiroshi , Takami Yoichi , Takeya Yasushi , Yamamoto Koichi , Ikebe Kazunori , Yasumoto Saori , Ogawa Madoka , Inagaki Hiroki , Ishizaki Tatsuro , Rakugi Hiromi , Kamide Kei
Published: September 2020

Aim

Heart diseases and social factors are associated with physical frailty, but there are few studies of older people living in the community. Consequently, the aim of this study was to examine the association between heart diseases, social factors and physical frailty in community‐dwelling older populations including the oldest‐old people.

Methods

The cross‐sectional study included 1882 participants of community‐dwelling older and oldest‐old people. The survey site assessed questionnaires on medical history, social factors, blood samples and physical examination. Physical frailty was based on slow gait speed or weak grip strength. Associations were analyzed using multiple logistic regression with adjustments for covariate factors.

Results

Subjects with heart disease had a higher prevalence of physical frailty than those without heart disease. After adjusting the covariate factors, heart diseases were associated with a slow gait speed (odds ratio [OR] = 1.62; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.13–2.32, P = 0.009). Frequency of going outdoors and direct interaction with relatives or friends were associated with a slow gait speed (OR = 0.83, 95% CI 0.75–0.91, P ≤ 0.001 and OR = 0.87, 95% CI 0.81–0.94, P < 0.001), and associated with physical frailty (OR = 0.80, 95% CI 0.72–0.89, P ≤ 0.001 and OR = 0.88, 95% CI 0.82–0.95, P = 0.002). Living alone and frequency of direct interaction with relatives or friends were associated with physical frailty in subjects with heart disease.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that in community‐dwelling older people, heart diseases and social factors were associated with physical frailty. Older people with heart disease, those living alone and the frequency of direct interaction with relatives or friends were associated with physical frailty. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; 20: 974–979.
The effects of implementation barriers in virtually proctored examination: A randomised field experiment in Dutch higher education
Authors: van Halem Nicolette , van Klaveren Chris , Cornelisz Ilja
Published: August 2020

Virtual proctoring technology is credited with increasing the accessibility of exams by enabling students to participate in exams at any time and place. In this field experiment, students were randomly assigned to virtual proctoring or traditional on‐campus examination to evaluate the effect, nature and timing of implementation barriers for online proctoring in higher education. The results show that the uptake in the traditional examination setting in this study was six times higher due to technical hurdles that students experienced with the virtual proctoring software. When alleviating these implementation barriers by offering all students the chance to participate in an unproctored retake, students initially assigned to virtual proctoring still showed a significantly lower uptake rate. Uptake could not be related to student characteristics, such as performance levels and motivation.
Association between obstructive sleep apnea and non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease in pediatric patients: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Chen Li‐Da , Chen Meng‐Xue , Chen Gong‐Ping , Lin Xue‐Jun , Huang Jie‐Feng , Zeng Ai‐Ming , Huang Ya‐Ping , Lin Qi‐Chang
Published: September 2020

Background

Some studies have reported a relationship between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in pediatric population. However, this issue remains controversial.

Objectives

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the association between OSA and NAFLD in pediatric population.

Methods

We systematically searched PubMed, Web of Science, Embase for eligible studies. The data involving markers of NAFLD including alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), hepatic inflammation, hepatic fibrosis of both OSA group and control group were extracted. Pooled standardised mean difference (SMD) and weighted mean difference (WMD) were appropriately calculated through a fixed or random‐effect model.

Results

Nine cross‐sectional studies with 1133 children and adolescents were included. OSA was significantly associated with ALT, AST, and NAFLD fibrosis stage, but not NAFLD inflammation grade. Subgroup analysis indicated that both mild OSA and severe OSA were significantly associated with elevated ALT and AST. Furthermore, in the studies with all main confounding factors (age, gender, and BMI) matched, OSA group had higher ALT and AST levels than control group.

Conclusions

This meta‐analysis suggested that OSA was associated with NAFLD evidenced by elevated liver enzymes and progressive hepatic fibrosis in pediatric population. Screening and monitoring of NAFLD in pediatric patients with obesity‐related OSA are necessary.
Associations between objective physical activity and emotional eating among adiposity‐discordant siblings using ecological momentary assessment and accelerometers
Authors: Smith Kathryn E. , O'Connor Shannon M. , Mason Tyler B. , Wang Shirlene , Dzubur Eldin , Crosby Ross D. , Wonderlich Stephen A. , Salvy Sarah‐Jeanne , Feda Denise M. , Roemmich James N.
Published: September 2020

Background

Emotional eating is associated with obesity, though less is known regarding factors that predict emotional eating episodes in children and adolescents.

Objectives

To investigate whether moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) or total activity counts 60 minutes prior to psychological stress predicted stress‐related eating and positive emotional eating (ie, eating while happy), and whether adiposity (z‐BMI) moderated these associations.

Methods

Participants were drawn from a prior study of siblings (N = 77; mean age = 15.4 ± 1.4 years) discordant for weight status (39 non‐overweight siblings, 38 siblings with overweight/obesity) who completed an ecological momentary assessment protocol with accelerometer‐based assessment of physical activity.

Results

Greater MVPA was associated with lower stress‐related eating across the sample. Lower total activity (between‐person effects) and lower MVPA (within‐person effects) were associated with greater stress‐related eating for siblings with greater z‐BMI. Greater total activity was associated with lower positive emotional eating for siblings with lower z‐BMI (between‐ and within‐person).

Conclusions

Findings demonstrate potential regulating effects of prior physical activity on emotional eating at the individual and momentary level, though there are nuances depending on z‐BMI. Future work is needed to examine underlying mechanisms and timescale of effects, and particularly the extent to which enhancing MVPA time among youth with z‐BMI may mitigate momentary risk of stress‐related eating episodes.
Positive parenting approaches and their association with child eating and weight: A narrative review from infancy to adolescence
Authors: Balantekin Katherine N. , Anzman‐Frasca Stephanie , Francis Lori A. , Ventura Alison K. , Fisher Jennifer O. , Johnson Susan L.
Published: September 2020

Parents play a critical role in the development of children's eating behaviours and weight status, serving as providers, models and regulators of the food environment. Many research reviews have focused on the robust body of evidence on coercive control in feeding: how parenting practices such as restriction and pressure to eat increase children's risk for developing undesirable eating behaviours and unhealthy weight outcomes. Fewer reviews adopt a strengths‐based perspective focusing on the ways that parents can actively support the development of healthy eating behaviours and weight trajectories. Emerging research on such positive parenting styles and practices offers solutions beyond the avoidance of coercive control, as well as opportunities to highlight parallels between research on food parenting and the broader, well‐established developmental literature on positive parenting. The focus of this review is to summarize what is known regarding benefits of positive parenting styles and practices for child eating and weight outcomes and discuss recommendations for future research. Current evidence supports starting with responsive feeding and parenting during infancy and incorporating structure and limit setting in early childhood, with monitoring and mealtime structure remaining important during middle childhood and adolescence. Areas for future research include: (1) further examination of the implications of identified food parenting practices and styles among diverse groups and caregivers; (2) increased consideration of child factors (eg, temperament) as moderators or mediators; and (3) further clarification of the relationship between general parenting and food parenting.
Scaling of ctenes and consequences for swimming performance in the ctenophore Pleurobrachia bachei
Authors: Heimbichner Goebel Wyatt L. , Colin Sean P. , Costello John H. , Gemmell Brad J. , Sutherland Kelly R.
Published: August 2020

Ctenophores coordinate large macrociliary structures called ctenes to propel themselves through the water. The morphology and kinematics of the ctenes mediate swimming performance. We investigated morphological and kinematic factors affecting swimming performance in free‐swimming ctenophores (Pleurobrachia bachei) using high speed videography. Our morphological results showed that the relationship between body size and ctene morphology and arrangement in P. bachei were well described using linear (i.e., isometric) relationships, which suggests functional limitations of ctenes that vary among individuals of different sizes. Our kinematic results showed that isometric constraints on swimming performance can potentially be overcome by alterations in kinematics: (a) swimming speed in P. bachei increased with ctene beat frequency over a range of body lengths, and (b) the separation of ctenes into clumps of cilia allowed the ctene to increase in width during the effective stroke and decrease in width during recovery. Separation increases the surface area of the ctene during the effective stroke, likely increasing the thrust produced. The finding that ctenes are not monoliths and instead are separated into clumps of cilia has not been previously described, and we subsequently observed this trait in three other ctenophore species: Euplokamis dunlapae, Bolinopsis infundibulum, and Beroe mitrata. Flexibility in function may be a necessary corollary to isometric development of the ctenes as propulsive structures.
Regional wind patterns likely shape a seasonal migration detour
Authors: Patchett R. , Cresswell W.
Published: September 2020

Migrating animals should optimise time and energy use when migrating, travelling directly to their destination. Detours from the most direct route may arise however because of barriers and weather conditions. Identifying how such situations arise from variable weather conditions is crucial to understand population response in the light of increased anthropogenic climate change. Here we used light‐level geolocators to follow Cyprus wheatears for their full annual cycle in two separate years migrating between Cyprus, over the Mediterranean and the Sahara to winter in north–east sub‐Saharan Africa. We predicted that any route detours would be related to wind conditions experienced during migration. We found that spring migration for all birds included an eastern detour, whilst autumn migrations were direct across the Sahara. The direct autumn migration was likely a consequence of consistent tail‐winds, whilst the eastern detour in spring is likely to be more efficient given the wind conditions which are against a direct route. Such variable migration routes shaped by coincidence with prevailing winds are probably common suggesting that some birds may be able to adapt to future changes in wind conditions.
The association between systolic blood pressure reduction during clonidine suppression testing and the decrease in plasma catecholamines and metanephrines
Authors: Golani Tiran , Fishman Boris , Sharabi Yehonatan , Olswang‐Kutz Yael , Leibowitz Avshalom , Grossman Ehud , Shlomai Gadi
Published: September 2020

Borderline isolated norepinephrine (NE) and normetanephrine (NMT) elevation is common among patients with suspected pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma (PPGL). The clonidine suppression test (CST) may help establish the etiology in these cases. Prolonged laboratory processing and/or paucity of reliable biochemical assays may limit the utility of CST. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether blood pressure (BP) reduction during CST is associated with alterations in plasma NMT/NE, thereby potentially providing an immediate indication of CST results. In this cross‐sectional study, the authors included all consecutive patients with suspected PPGL who underwent CST from January 1, 2014, to December 31, 2019. Linear regression models were conducted to evaluate the association between BP reduction and decrease in plasma NMT/NE. The final analysis included 36 patients (17 males). The decrease in systolic BP (SBP) 90 minutes postclonidine was associated with a decrease in plasma NMT (R = 0.668, P = .025) and NE (R = 0.562, P = .005). A 40% decrease in NMT and NE correlated with a 9.74% and 7.16% decrease in SBP, respectively. Subgroup analyses demonstrated that the association between SBP reduction and the decrease in plasma NMT (R = 0.764, P = .046) and NE (R = 0.714, P = .003) strengthens among patients with hypertension and among those with diabetes mellitus (R = 0.974, P = .026 for NMT). In conclusion, SBP reduction during CST is associated with plasma NMT and NE decrease. Therefore, the decrease in SBP 90 minutes postclonidine may serve as an immediate complementary clinical tool for PPGL diagnosis.
The neurofibromatosis type I gene promotes autophagy via mTORC1 signalling pathway to enhance new bone formation after fracture
Authors: Tan Qian , Wu Jiang‐Yan , Liu Yao‐Xi , Liu Kun , Tang Jin , Ye Wei‐Hua , Zhu Guang‐Hui , Mei Hai‐Bo , Yang Ge
Published: August 2020

Bone fracture is one of the most common injuries. Despite the high regenerative capacity of bones, failure of healing still occurs to near 10% of the patients. Herein, we aim to investigate the modulatory role of neurofibromatosis type I gene (NF1) to osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and new bone formation after fracture in a rat model. We studied the NF1 gene expression in normal and non‐union bone fracture models. Then, we evaluated how NF1 overexpression modulated osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs, autophagy activity, mTORC1 signalling and osteoclastic bone resorption by qRT‐PCR, Western blot and immunostaining assays. Finally, we injected lentivirus‐NF1 (Lv‐NF1) to rat non‐union bone fracture model and analysed the bone formation process. The NF1 gene expression was significantly down‐regulated in non‐union bone fracture group, indicating NF1 is critical in bone healing process. In the NF1 overexpressing BMSCs, autophagy activity and osteogenic differentiation were significantly enhanced. Meanwhile, the NF1 overexpression inhibited mTORC1 signalling and osteoclastic bone resorption. In rat non‐union bone fracture model, the NF1 overexpression significantly promoted bone formation during fracture healing. In summary, we proved the NF1 gene is critical in non‐union bone healing, and NF1 overexpression promoted new bone formation after fracture by enhancing autophagy and inhibiting mTORC1 signalling. Our results may provide a novel therapeutic clue of promoting bone fracture healing.
A tool to predict progression of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease in severely obese patients
Authors: Bauvin Pierre , Delacôte Claire , Lassailly Guillaume , Ntandja Wandji Line Carolle , Gnemmi Viviane , Dautrecque Flavien , Louvet Alexandre , Caiazzo Robert , Raverdy Violeta , Leteurtre Emmanuelle , Pattou François , Deuffic‐Burban Sylvie , Mathurin Philippe
Published: September 2020

Background & Aims

Severely obese patients are a growing population at risk of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Considering the increasing burden, a predictive tool of NAFLD progression would be of interest. Our objective was to provide a tool allowing general practitioners to identify and refer the patients most at risk, and specialists to estimate disease progression and adapt the therapeutic strategy.

Methods

This predictive tool is based on a Markov model simulating steatosis, fibrosis and non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) evolution. This model was developped from data of 1801 severely obese, bariatric surgery candidates, with histological assessment, integrating duration of exposure to risk factors. It is then able to predict current disease severity in the absence of assessment, and future cirrhosis risk based on current stage.

Results

The model quantifies the impact of sex, body‐mass index at 20, diabetes, age of overweight onset, on progression. For example, for 40‐year‐old severely obese patients seen by the general practitioners: (a) non‐diabetic woman overweight at 20, and (b) diabetic man overweight at 10, without disease assessment, the model predicts their current risk to have NASH or F3‐F4: for (a) 5.7% and 0.6%, for (b) 16.1% and 10.0% respectively. If those patients have been diagnosed F2 by the specialist, the model predicts the 5‐year cirrhosis risk: 1.8% in the absence of NASH and 6.0% in its presence for (a), 10.3% and 26.7% respectively, for (b).

Conclusions

This model provides a decision‐making tool to predict the risk of liver disease that could help manage severely obese patients.
The technological challenges of reformulating with different dietary fibres
Authors: Bingley C.
Published: September 2020

There is a need to increase fibre consumption in the general population as intake is generally below recommendations. This has resulted in an increasing number of fibre‐containing products being developed by food manufacturers. In addition, fibres are widely used by the food industry for their functional properties such as texturisers and stabilisers or as bulking agents for replacement of sugar. This paper discusses the types of fibre ingredients available for use and the factors to consider when formulating with fibres, as well as the criteria for making nutrition claims for fibre content and authorised health claims for fibres.