bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Content and the customer: inbound ad strategies gain traction
Authors: Lehnert Kevin , Goupil Sarah , Brand Pete
Published: May 2020

Purpose

Marketing has radically changed in the past few years. With the rise of digital marketing, search technology, blogging and podcasts, consumer access to information and content has exploded. This paper aims to provide a critical look at one aspect of this change, inbound marketing and the creation of content to drive engagement. Inbound marketing differs from traditional marketing by pulling customers to the firm, as opposed to reaching out through traditional advertising.

Design/methodology/approach

This study provides an overview of inbound marketing and illustrate three views of inbound marketing: digital, social and content marketing.

Findings

The study highlights the importance of consumer personae, critical content creation and customer strategies.

Practical implications

The study concludes with a look to the future of inbound marketing and clear guidelines for developing an inbound strategy, including understanding the buyer personas, strategic analysis and a formulized plan for inbound content creation.

Originality/value

This work combines traditional theoretical research and analysis to provide a comprehensive and clear illustration of what inbound marketing is and where it can be used in both business strategy and academic research.
Cross-national digital humanities research collaborations: structure, patterns and themes
Authors: Su Fangli
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the structure, patterns and themes of cross-national collaborations in Digital Humanities research through the application of social network analysis and visualization tools.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample includes articles containing Digital Humanities research in the Web of Science Core Collection as of December 2018. First, co-occurrence data representing collaborations among nations were extracted from author affiliations. Second, the descriptive statistics, network indicators and international communities were calculated. Third, the research topics of different cross-national collaboration communities based on ISI keywords, author keywords, title and abstracts were detected.

Findings

The results show that the scope of international collaborations in Digital Humanities research is broad, but the distribution among nations is unbalanced. The USA, Germany and England were identified as the major contributors. Five research communities are identified, led by the USA, Germany, England, Belgium and France. The communities share common research topics such as history, GIS, text mining, visualization, while each has its own research emphasis.

Originality/value

This study applied various informetric methods and tools to reveal the collaboration structure, patterns and themes among nations in Digital Humanities research.
Original sin(s): lessons from the US model of special education and an opportunity for leaders
Authors: Cornett Jake , Knackstedt Kimberly M.
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The United States (US) system of special education committed three original sins that perpetuate inequities between children with disabilities and their peers. The purpose of this paper is to examine the history of the US system, contrast this history against international disability law and identify opportunities for leaders to transform policy and practice for inclusive education.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper explores the development of the three sins in US special education law: (1) weaving throughout it a medical model of disability, (2) failing to mandate inclusion and (3) hampering meaningful enforcement. The paper contrasts the US system with the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), an international law adopted by 180 nations that requires inclusion of people with disabilities at all levels of systems.

Findings

This paper finds that the United States has not embraced inclusion in education, but has permitted a continuum of segregation and integration. After a discussion of the three sins and the CRPD, the authors describe opportunities for international and US leaders to learn from the original sins of the United States and develop a system of true inclusion for all students through the transformation of policy and practice.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the literature on policy development and implementation, with implications for future amendments to US education law and international public administration of education.
The effect of board diversity on disclosure and management of greenhouse gas information: evidence from the United Kingdom
Authors: Al-Qahtani Maryam , Elgharbawy Adel
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The global interest in climate change makes carbon information important for decision-making. This study examines to what extent companies voluntarily disclose and manage greenhouse gas (GHG) information and whether board diversity and industry type explain variations in the level of disclosure and management of GHG information.

Design/methodology/approach

Cross-sectional data analysis is used for the Financial Stock Exchange 350 (UK FTSE 350) in 2017. Disclosure of GHG information is measured using the scores of the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), whereas board diversity is measured using gender diversity, board tenure and board skills. The control variables include firm size, leverage, industry type, board meetings, board size, board independence and CEO duality. Ordinal logistic regression (OLR) is used for data analysis.

Findings

The results indicate that representation of female directors in the board of directors positively influences disclosure and management of GHG information. Conversely, a high percentage of directors with a financial and industrial background negatively affects GHG information, while board tenure has no significant effect on GHG information. Concerning the control variables, only firm size and industry type are significant in their relationships to GHG information.

Research limitations/implications

The main limitation of the study is investigating only few variables of board diversity. Future studies could investigate other variables such as cultural diversity and age diversity. Furthermore, cross-sectional data analysis cannot capture the dynamic casual impact between the determinants of disclosure and management of GHG information. Future studies could use long-term data, which may yield results that are more significant.

Originality/value

The study emphasizes the importance of the role of female directors in ensuring more transparency toward climate change activities. The findings of this study could be of interest to policymakers and stakeholders and could be used to take initiatives to reduce gender bias and increase the percentage of women in the boardroom. It is also likely to be beneficial for investors and stakeholders to evaluate carbon footprint of businesses and to assess the extent to which they meet their environmental responsibility.
The inflation hedging capacity of Islamic and conventional equities
Authors: Umar Zaghum , Kenourgios Dimitrios , Naeem Muhammad , Abdulrahman Khadija , Al Hazaa Salma
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This study analyzes the inflation hedging of Islamic and conventional equities by employing 26 indices for the period ranging from January 1996 till August 2018. The authors investigate the decoupling hypothesis for Islamic versus conventional equities across various investment horizons.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors employ a vector autoregressive framework coupled with bootstrapping procedure to compute inflation hedging measures. The hedging measures employed account for the inflation hedging capacity in terms of hedging effectiveness as well as the cost of hedging (efficiency). The authors account for various investment horizons ranging from one month to ten years.

Findings

Although, the authors do not find consistent evidence for the decoupling hypothesis of Islamic and conventional equities in terms of their inflation hedging capacity. However, the authors document that certain Islamic equity indices can be employed to effectively hedge against the risk of inflation.

Originality/value

The main contribution of this study is that the existing literature on the comparative performance of Islamic versus conventional equities against inflation risk is sparse. The purpose of this study is to analyze the inflation hedging attributes of Islamic versus conventional equities, that is, whether Islamic equities render better real returns than their conventional counterparts. It will contribute to the growing literature on the comparison between Islamic and conventional equities by documenting the real return attributes of these two, apparently different, assets. A further contribution is that in order to account for the different investment horizons for different types of investors, this study will quantify the real return attributes of Islamic and conventional equities for short-, medium- and long-term investors.
Green energy management in India for environmental benchmarking: from concept to practice
Authors: Sangroya Deepak , Kabra Gaurav , Joshi Yatish , Yadav Mohit
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This study examines various aspects of green energy management operations in India and reports the current state, potential avenues and barriers for green energy management.

Design/methodology/approach

This study performs an extensive literature review and covers the several aspects of green energy management operations.

Findings

The findings report the current state of various aspects of green energy management operations such as: procurement, manufacturing and distribution and provides the viable business models. It further explains the various facilitators and barriers of green energy management and reports the opportunities and challenges that exist in developing and managing green energy supply chain.

Originality/value

The study is pioneer in providing a comprehensive view of developing and managing green energy operations in India. The study is useful to various organisations on drafting strategies to effectively adopt and manage green energy. The study is also useful in policy formulation for promoting green energy use. This article also set as a base for future researchers working in the area of green energy.
The layout of Boussinesq couple-stress fluid flow over an exponentially stretching sheet with slip in porous space subject to a variable magnetic field
Authors: Das S. , Patra R.R. , Jana R.N.
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to present the significance of Joule heating, viscous dissipation, magnetic field and slip condition on the boundary layer flow of an electrically conducting Boussinesq couple-stress fluid induced by an exponentially stretching sheet embedded in a porous medium under the effect of the magnetic field of the variable kind. The heat transfer phenomenon is accounted for under thermal radiation, Joule and viscous dissipation effects.

Design/methodology/approach

The governing nonlinear partial differential equations are transformed to the nonlinear ordinary differential equations (ODEs) by using some appropriate dimensionless variables and then the consequential nonlinear ODEs are solved numerically by making the use of the well-known shooting iteration technique along with the standard fourth-order Runge–Kutta integration scheme. The impact of emerging flow parameters on velocity and temperature profiles, streamlines, local skin friction coefficient and Nusselt number are described comprehensively through graphs and tables.

Findings

Results reveal that the velocity profile is observed to diminish considerably within the boundary layer in the presence of a magnetic field and slip condition. The enhanced radiation parameter is to decline the temperature field. The slip effect is favorable for fluid flow.

Originality/value

Till now, slip effect on Boussinesq couple-stress fluid over an exponentially stretching sheet embedded in a porous medium has not been explored. The present results are validated with the previously published study and found to be highly satisfactory.
Exploring the impact of various typologies of human capital on firms' productivity
Authors: Hussen Mohammed Seid
Published: May 2020

Purpose

Although the impact of human capital on productivity has long been discussed in prior studies, empirical evidence for African firms remains limited. The existing few studies have focussed on one type of human capital in isolation and failed to explore the distinct role of different types of human capital on productivity. The aim of this study is to examine the extent to which various typologies of human capital – schooling, on-the-job training (OJT) and slack time –, both in isolation and as a combination, contribute to the productivity of African firms.

Design/methodology/approach

To this end, a cross-sectional firm-level data set from 13 African countries was used. To unravel the casual relationship, propensity score matching (PSM) and multinomial endogenous switching treatment regression (MESTR) techniques were employed.

Findings

Results indicate that all typologies of human capital – schooling, slack time and OJT – have a significant and positive impact on firms' productivity. The findings of the study further point out that the highest payoff, in terms of increased productivity, is achieved when various typologies of human capital are used in combination, rather than in isolation, in the production process.

Practical implications

The policy implications are that productivity of African firms can be improved by increasing the general level of schooling; encouraging firm-sponsored OJT; and giving employees time to develop new ideas.

Originality/value

The present study provides important insights into the distinct role of different types of human capital on productivity. In addition, it provides empirical evidence for a region where empirical evidence is scant.
The inverse autotransporters of Yersinia ruckeri, YrInv and YrIlm, contribute to biofilm formation and virulence
Authors: Wrobel Agnieszka , Saragliadis Athanasios , Pérez‐Ortega Jesús , Sittman Carolin , Göttig Stephan , Liskiewicz Krystyna , Spence Maria Helle , Schneider Kenneth , Leo Jack C. , Arenas Jesús , Linke Dirk
Published: May 2020

Yersinia ruckeri causes enteric redmouth disease (ERM) that mainly affects salmonid fishes and leads to significant economic losses in the aquaculture industry. An increasing number of outbreaks and the lack of effective vaccines against some serotypes necessitates novel measures to control ERM. Importantly, Y. ruckeri survives in the environment for long periods, presumably by forming biofilms. How the pathogen forms biofilms and which molecular factors are involved in this process, remains unclear. Yersinia ruckeri produces two surface‐exposed adhesins, belonging to the inverse autotransporters (IATs), called Y. ruckeri invasin (YrInv) and Y. ruckeri invasin‐like molecule (YrIlm). Here, we investigated whether YrInv and YrIlm play a role in biofilm formation and virulence. Functional assays revealed that YrInv and YrIlm promote biofilm formation on different abiotic substrates. Confocal microscopy revealed that they are involved in microcolony interaction and formation, respectively. The effect of both IATs on biofilm formation correlated with the presence of different biopolymers in the biofilm matrix, including extracellular DNA, RNA and proteins. Moreover, YrInv and YrIlm contributed to virulence in the Galleria mellonella infection model. Taken together, we propose that both IATs are possible targets for the development of novel diagnostic and preventative strategies to control ERM.
Perspective taking and voice solicitation: a moderated mediation model
Authors: Liu Fangzhou , Dong Mei
Published: May 2020

Employee voice can be beneficial and critical for organizational success. However, evidence shows that power and position create a ‘leaders’ bubble’ that is hard to penetrate unless leaders proactively solicit voice from employees. Drawing on the situated focus theory of power and supervisor‐subordinate goal‐congruence literature, we hypothesize that followers’ perspective taking affects leaders’ voice solicitation through supervisor‐subordinate goal congruence. Furthermore, we propose that the perception of organizational politics weakens this indirect relationship, whereas information sharing strengthens it. Survey data collected from 213 Chinese employees provide support for a positive indirect relationship that existed between perspective taking and voice solicitation through supervisor‐subordinate goal congruence, and this indirect relationship was stronger when the employees’ perception of organizational politics was low.
Exploring indigenous employee voice practice: perspectives from Vietnamese public sector organisations
Authors: Alang Tho , Stanton Pauline , Trau Raymond N C
Published: May 2020

This study explores how the implementation of government policy with respect to Indigenous voice practice impacts on the workplace participation of Indigenous employees in Vietnamese public sector organisations. A qualitative case study approach was adopted capturing the perspectives of managers and Indigenous employees in three public sector agencies. The findings showed that, while government policies have led to increased Indigenous workforce participation, there are a range of barriers at the organisational level that limit and undermine workplace participation. These include first, inconsistencies in the interpretation and implementation of these policies at the organisational level due to the reliance on the discretion of individual managers. Second, the lack of awareness and commitment or even underlying racism of non‐Indigenous managers which was exacerbated by inconsistency in direct employee voice practices. Third, trade unions played a minor role in integrating Indigenous voice with collective voice. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Targeting of Water Rights Retirement Programs: Evidence from Kansas
Authors: Rosenberg Andrew B.
Published: May 2020

This article assesses the water use impacts of the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program in the Upper Arkansas River basin in Kansas, a water rights retirement program aimed at reducing depletion of the High Plains Aquifer. First, I use a fixed effects model with matched samples of farmers to determine the effect of the program on the water use of individuals who retire acreage. I find that every acre authorized for irrigation that is retired in the program represents about 1.28 acre‐feet of water that would have been used each year. Further, I do not find evidence that farmers increase their water use in an effort to satisfy program eligibility requirements. Second, I estimate a probit regression to determine which factors most influence the probability that a farmer retires a water right. Using the results of the probit regression, I then simulate enrollment decisions outside of the policy region to assess how features of the program impact its cost effectiveness and how the policy design could be improved. I find that programs that base incentives on past levels of water extraction lead to more water use reductions per dollar paid.
Tentacular Faces: Race and the Return of the Phenotype in Forensic Identification
Authors: M'charek Amade
Published: May 2020

The face, just like DNA, is taken to represent a unique individual. This article proposes to move beyond this representational model and to attend to the work that a face can do. I introduce the concept of tentacularity to capture the multiple works accomplished by the face. Drawing on the example of DNA phenotyping, which is used to produce a composite face of an unknown suspect, I first show that this novel technology does not so much produce the face of an individual suspect but that of a suspect population. Second, I demonstrate how the face draws the interest of diverse publics, who with their gaze flesh out its content and contours; the face engages and yields an affective response. I argue that the biologization of appearance by way of the face contributes to the racialization of populations. [race, phenotype, material‐semiotics, facial typologies, forensics genetics, DNA phenotyping]
Systematic review: gastrointestinal infection and incident inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Axelrad Jordan E. , Cadwell Ken H. , Colombel Jean‐Frederic , Shah Shailja C.
Published: May 2020

Background

The initiating events of chronic gastrointestinal (GI) inflammation in Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are not well‐defined, but GI infections are implicated.

Aims

To define the role of GI infections in risk of incident inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and synthesise the current body of relevant translational data to provide biological context for associations between GI infections and IBD risk.

Methods

We systematically reviewed electronic databases through February 2020. Clinical studies that provided risk estimates of the association between GI infections and incident IBD were included. Inclusion criteria were broader for translational studies aiming to define mechanisms of GI infections and predisposition to or protection from IBD.

Results

Of the studies identified, 63 met full inclusion criteria. Among studies of clinical gastroenteritis, bacteria—specifically, Salmonella species, Campylobacter species and Clostridioides difficile—demonstrated consistent positive associations with risk of incident IBD. Of viruses, norovirus was associated with increased risk of incident CD. Regarding inverse associations with incident IBD, Helicobacter pylori and helminth infections were associated with a generally consistent reduced risk of IBD. Based on a qualitative analysis of the translational data, putative mechanisms involve multiple microbial and immunologic pathways.

Conclusions

Based on this systematic review, certain enteric pathogens are associated with an increased risk of incident IBD, while others are potentially protective. Prospective studies are required to clarify the clinical implications of these enteric pathogens on the risk and course of IBD, and possible therapeutic or preventative benefit.
Effects of various genetic polymorphisms on thiopurine treatment‐associated outcomes for Korean patients with Crohn's disease
Authors: Choi Rihwa , Lee Mi‐Na , Kim Kyunga , Baek Sun‐Young , Kim Tae Jun , Hong Sung Noh , Kim Young‐Ho , Lee Soo‐Youn
Published: May 2020

Aims

This study explores the effects of various genetic polymorphisms in candidate genes on thiopurine metabolism and toxicity in adult patients with Crohn's disease in Korea.

Methods

A total of 131 adult patients with Crohn's disease receiving thiopurine treatment were included. The TPMT and NUDT15 genes and an additional 116 genetic polymorphisms (in 40 genes and 3 intergenic locations) were screened for genotyping. Among the polymorphisms screened, 91 genetic polymorphisms (in 34 genes and 3 intergenic locations) in addition to TPMT and NUDT15 genotypes were included for statistical analyses to investigate their effects on thiopurine metabolites and adverse outcomes (leukopenia, hepatotoxicity, gastrointestinal intolerance, skin rash and alopecia).

Results

The median duration of thiopurine treatment was 47.0 months (range 6.0–153.4 months). Patient sex, maintenance dose of thiopurine, and use of anti‐tumour necrosis factor agents were associated with thiopurine metabolite concentrations (P < .05). In the univariate analysis, the TPMT genotype was associated with 6‐thioguanine level (P < .05), although the significance of this did not remain in multivariate analysis. Genetic polymorphisms in the ATIC (rs3821353 and rs16853834), IMPDH2 (rs11706052) and ITPA (rs6139036) genes were associated with thiopurine metabolism (P < .05). Genetic polymorphisms in the ABCC5 (rs8180093) and NUDT15 genotypes were associated with leukopenia (P < .05).

Conclusion

The results of this study may help clinicians to understand the effects of other various polymorphisms in addition to TPMT and NUDP15 in thiopurine metabolism for management of Crohn's disease patients.
Usefulness of therapeutic drug monitoring of rilpivirine and its relationship with virologic response and resistance in a cohort of naive and pretreated HIV‐infected patients
Authors: Néant Nadège , Lê Minh Patrick , Bouazza Naïm , Gattacceca Florence , Yazdanpanah Yazdan , Dhiver Catherine , Bregigeon Sylvie , Mokhtari Saadia , Peytavin Gilles , Tamalet Catherine , Descamps Diane , Lacarelle Bruno , Solas Caroline
Published: May 2020

Aims

The purpose of this study was to assess the antiviral activity of the rilpivirine/emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate combination and to describe the pharmacokinetics of rilpivirine and its association with resistance in clinical routine.

Methods

A retrospective multicentre cohort study was performed in both naive and pretreated HIV patients receiving the once‐daily rilpivirine/emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate regimen. Immuno‐virologic and resistance data, and rilpivirine plasma trough concentrations were collected over the follow‐up. Statistical analyses were performed to evaluate the relationship between rilpivirine pharmacokinetics and virological response. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to determine the best target rilpivirine trough concentration.

Results

Overall, 379 patients were included. After a median follow‐up of 28 months, 26% of patients discontinued mainly due to toxicity and the virological success rate was 65.7%. Virological failure occurred in 5% of patients. A significant proportion of patients with HIV‐RNA > 40 copies/mL displayed rilpivirine plasma trough concentrations below the currently used 50 ng/mL efficacy threshold at both M6 (28%) and M12 (31%), in agreement with a significant lower median rilpivirine plasma trough concentration compared with patients virologically suppressed. Half of the patients with virologic failure who acquired rilpivirine resistance mutations had at least one suboptimal rilpivirine trough concentration. The optimal target for rilpivirine trough concentration was 70 ng/mL (sensitivity 75.4%; specificity 61.5%).

Conclusions

This study shows the impact of rilpivirine plasma trough concentration on both virological response and the emergence of rilpivirine mutations. Moreover, our results suggest that a higher target of rilpivirine trough concentration could be proposed in clinical practice.
Cyclic AMP in dendritic cells: A novel potential target for disease‐modifying agents in asthma and other allergic disorders
Authors: Chinn Amy M. , Insel Paul A.
Published: May 2020

Allergic diseases are immune disorders that are a global health problem, affecting a large portion of the world's population. Allergic asthma is a heterogeneous disease that alters the biology of the airway. A substantial portion of patients with asthma do not respond to conventional therapies; thus, new and effective therapeutics are needed. Dendritic cells (DCs), antigen presenting cells that regulate helper T cell differentiation, are key drivers of allergic inflammation but are not the target of current therapies. Here we review the role of dendritic cells in allergic conditions and propose a disease‐modifying strategy for treating allergic asthma: cAMP‐mediated inhibition of dendritic cells to blunt allergic inflammation. This approach contrasts with current treatments that focus on treating clinical manifestations of airway inflammation. Disease‐modifying agents that target cAMP and its signalling pathway in dendritic cells may provide a novel means to treat asthma and other allergic diseases.
Comparison of histomorphometry and microradiography of different implant designs to assess primary implant stability
Authors: Romanos Georgios , Damouras Michael , Veis Alexander A. , Hess Pablo , Schwarz Frank , Brandt Silvia
Published: May 2020

Objectives

To contribute toward optimizing the long‐term stability of dental implants. Our working hypothesis was that the degrees of immediate implant‐bone contact, and hence of primary stability, would demonstrably differ between implant systems due to their different external geometries and thread designs (macro‐design). This demonstration was provided in a bovine model (ex vivo) by employing and comparing histomorphometry and microradiography as evaluation methods.

Materials and methods

A total of 120 implants, representing six different implant thread designs, were inserted following the recommended surgical protocol in ribs of freshly slaughtered cattle. Twenty specimens of implants with surrounding bone were prepared per system and were divided into two equally sized groups of 60 specimens for analysis by either histomorphometry or micro‐computed tomography. Data were analyzed by Mann‐Whitney U test (P ≤ .05).

Results

One of the implant systems, featuring a slight tapered external geometry and a progressive thread design, consistently revealed the most favorable bone‐implant contacts in both histomorphometric and microradiographic evaluations. Overall, consistently higher values of bone‐implant contact were obtained with the microradiographic than the histomorphometric approach, and this difference reached statistical significance in three of the six implant systems tested.

Conclusions

Progressive threads offering a bone‐condensing effect can significantly help to maximize implant‐bone contact percentages. Compared to histomorphometry, microradiography is likewise a suitable method to evaluate bone‐implant contact, offering the additional benefits of being noninvasive and less time consuming.
Ways to improve stenting in unresectable malignant distal biliary obstruction: Stent design, intraductal placement, and protective role of an intact papilla?
Authors: Mukai Tsuyoshi
Published: May 2020

This Editorial refers to the article by Inoue et al., p 949–956 of this issue.
Life on a deadly trap: Buckleria paludum, a specialist herbivore of carnivorous sundew plants, licks mucilage from glands for defense
Authors: Osaki Haruka , Tagawa Kazuki
Published: May 2020

Caterpillars of Buckleria spp. (Lepidoptera: Pterophoridae) have a unique feeding habit of eating trap leaves of carnivorous sundew plants (Drosera spp.). We observed the foraging behavior of Buckleria paludum on trap leaves of Drosera spp. and discussed how the moth species avoided being caught by trap leaves. In 81.5% (66/81) of encounters with glandular hairs on adaxial surfaces of Drosera trap leaves, B. paludum larvae licked mucilage and crawled on the processed hairs. The frequency of licking mucilage was significantly higher than the frequency of other behaviors such as eating glandular hairs, chewing bases of them without eating and ignoring when encountering secreted mucilage. Licking mucilage enables the caterpillars to move safely on trap leaves and prevents bending of glandular hairs.
Translational cognitive neuroscience of dementia with touchscreen operant chambers
Authors: Lee Ji Han , Cho So Yeon , Kim Eosu
Published: May 2020

Translational cognitive neuroscience of dementia involves mainly two areas: the validation of newly developed dementia animal models and the preclinical assessment of novel drug candidates in such model animals. To validate new animal models, a multidomain panel (battery) approach is essential in that dementia is, by definition, not merely a memory disorder but rather a multidomain cognitive/behavior disorder: animal modeling with a certain type of dementia would develop cognitive impairments in multiple (two at minimum) domains in a specific order according to unique spreading patterns of its neuropathology. In new drug development, the availability of highly sensitive tools assessing animal cognition is crucial to the detection of cognitive decline at the earliest stage of the disease, which may be an optimal time point to test a drug candidate. Using interspecies translatable (analogous) cognitive tasks would also be necessary to successfully predict the efficacy of drug candidates in subsequent clinical trials. Currently, this translational prediction is seriously limited given discrepancies in behavioral assessment methods between animals and humans in the preclinical and clinical trials, respectively. Since neurodegenerative diseases are often accompanied by not only cognitive but also affective and movement disorders, simultaneous assessment of task‐relevant locomotor behavior and motivation is also important to rule out the effects of potential confounders. The touchscreen operant platform may satisfy these needs by offering several advantages over conventional methodology. In this review, we discuss the touchscreen operant chamber system and highlight some of its qualities as a promising and desirable tool for translational research of dementia.
Human‐induced globalization of insular herpetofaunas
Authors: Capinha César , Marcolin Fabio , Reino Luís
Published: May 2020

Aim

The aim was to document the impact of the globalization of human activity on the biodiversity and biogeographical patterns of reptilian and amphibian faunas across islands worldwide.

Location

Islands worldwide.

Time period

From the 15th century to the present time.

Major taxa studied

Reptiles and amphibians.

Methods

We compiled lists of the reptilian and amphibian species that occurred on islands before the 15th century and of those that occur currently. For each species group, we calculated differences in species richness and in compositional similarities among islands, between the two periods. Regression models were used: (a) to associate the observed differences with spatial patterns of geographical, climatic, biotic and human factors; and (b) to quantify changes in the relative importance of non‐human factors in explaining the spatial patterns of species richness and compositional similarity.

Results

The richness of reptile and amphibian species increased consistently across islands worldwide. Hotspots of increase were detected in the Caribbean and the Indian Ocean. The composition of species assemblages was substantially homogenized; this was particularly true for amphibians within the Caribbean Sea and for reptiles within the Caribbean Sea and Indian Ocean and between the Indian and the Pacific Oceans. Our results showed that spatial patterns of change in species richness and compositional similarity are driven by human and natural factors. The driving role of mean annual temperature is particularly consistent, and current reptile richness and compositional similarity patterns for both species groups are increasingly being shaped by the global temperature gradient.

Main conclusions

The globalization of human activity is eroding the regionalized character of insular herpetofaunas and leading to the emergence of global‐scale gradients of taxonomic composition and species richness. Projections of increasing rates of biological invasions, extinctions and climate change suggest that these changes are likely to be aggravated even further in the coming decades.
Patient and Public Involvement of young people with a chronic condition in projects in health and social care: A scoping review
Authors: van Schelven Femke , Boeije Hennie , Mariën Veerle , Rademakers Jany
Published: May 2020

Background

The involvement of young people with a chronic condition in research and implementation projects in health and social care receives growing attention. Yet, there is a lack of conceptual clarity of this so‐called ‘Patient and Public Involvement’ (PPI) and methods to systematically evaluate it are absent. This scoping review aimed to gain insight into developments in the existing literature on PPI of young people with a chronic condition by mapping reported definitions, goals, activities, experiences and impact.

Methods

We conducted searches in Cinahl, Embase, PsycINFO, PubMed and Scopus. Included articles described involvement of young people with a chronic condition in research and implementation projects, contained empirical data, were written in English and were published after 1990. Two researchers independently carried out the data extraction.

Results

Twenty‐three studies out of 4993 initial hits met the inclusion criteria. We found great variation in definitions and operationalizations of PPI. Reflections of authors on the process of PPI and its impact were similar and did not change over the years.

Discussion and conclusion

Limited progress in the evidence base of the impact of PPI with young people with a chronic condition was found. Over the years, studies continue to report similar experiences and challenges. In order to move forward, we suggest future research to make connections to existing work instead, to include thorough descriptions of what is understood by PPI and how this is translated into activities, and to use systematic and objective, but also flexible, methods to measure its impact.
Environmental barrier coatings using low pressure plasma spray process
Authors: Chen Dianying , Pegler Aaron , Dorfman Mitch
Published: May 2020

Yb2Si2O7/Si bilayer environmental barrier coatings (EBCs) on SiC ceramic substrate were produced by low pressure plasma spray (LPPS) process. Phase composition, microstructure, and thermal durability of LPPS Yb2Si2O7/Si coating were investigated. XRD analysis indicated that the coating is mainly composed of Yb2Si2O7 with ~15.5v% Yb2SiO5 phases. The LPPS EBCs have a dense microstructure with porosity less than 4%. Adhesion strength measurement indicated the LPPS EBCs have an average adhesion strength of 29.1 ± 0.8 MPa. Furnace cycle test (FCT) on the coatings in air at 1316°C was performed and the test ran for 900 cycles and there was no coating spallation/failure for LPPS Yb2Si2O7/Si EBCs. The FCT results demonstrated the excellent thermal cycle durability of LPPS EBCs. Oxidation kinetics investigation of LPPS EBCs in flowing 90% H2O (g)+10% air at 1316°C showed that the thermally grown oxide (TGO) growth rate is close to the oxidation rate of pure Si in dry air and is significantly lower than that in water vapor environment. The LPPS process is promising in making highly durable Yb2Si2O7‐based dense EBCs by impeding diffusion and ingression of water vapor/O2.
Natural antiviral compound silvestrol modulates human monocyte‐derived macrophages and dendritic cells
Authors: Blum Leonard , Geisslinger Gerd , Parnham Michael J. , Grünweller Arnold , Schiffmann Susanne
Published: May 2020

Outbreaks of infections with viruses like Sars‐CoV‐2, Ebola virus and Zika virus lead to major global health and economic problems because of limited treatment options. Therefore, new antiviral drug candidates are urgently needed. The promising new antiviral drug candidate silvestrol effectively inhibited replication of Corona‐, Ebola‐, Zika‐, Picorna‐, Hepatis E and Chikungunya viruses. Besides a direct impact on pathogens, modulation of the host immune system provides an additional facet to antiviral drug development because suitable immune modulation can boost innate defence mechanisms against the pathogens. In the present study, silvestrol down‐regulated several pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory cytokines (IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐10, CCL2, CCL18) and increased TNF‐α during differentiation and activation of M1‐macrophages, suggesting that the effects of silvestrol might cancel each other out. However, silvestrol amplified the anti‐inflammatory potential of M2‐macrophages by increasing expression of anti‐inflammatory surface markers CD206, TREM2 and reducing release of pro‐inflammatory IL‐8 and CCL2. The differentiation of dendritic cells in the presence of silvestrol is characterized by down‐regulation of several surface markers and cytokines indicating that differentiation is impaired by silvestrol. In conclusion, silvestrol influences the inflammatory status of immune cells depending on the cell type and activation status.
Influence of adult diet on fitness and reproductive traits of the egg parasitoid Anagrus virlai (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae), a potential biocontrol agent against the corn leafhopper
Authors: Hill Jorge Guillermo , Aguirre María Belén , Bruzzone Octavio Augusto , Virla Eduardo Gabriel , Luft Albarracin Erica
Published: May 2020

Dalbulus maidis is the most important leafhopper pest of maize in the Americas. Anagrus virlai is an egg parasitoid commonly associated with the corn leafhopper. We evaluated whether the performance of A. virlai is dependent on different diets provided during 24 hr or throughout adult female lifetime. Additionally, functional response of A. virlai on D. maidis eggs using maize leaves containing honeydew plus honey was described. A. virlai is a mostly pro‐ovigenic autogenic species whose females are able to parasitize eggs immediately after emergence. We found that wasps oviposit the majority of their eggs in the first day of their adult life. Realized lifetime fecundity and lifetime potential fecundity did not differ significantly among treatments, but longevity and egg production increased when honey was added to diet. Data were consistent with an intermediate functional response between type II and III, but closer to type II, indicating a high parasitism rate at low host densities and a decrease in the oviposition rate at high host densities, due to a possible egg limitation. Our results suggest that carbohydrate food sources (honeydew and honey) might not be the factor limiting reproductive success during the first 24 hr. Food supply, however, might influence egg maturation and survivorship of wasps, thus potentially enhancing biological pest control when hosts are scarce in the course of the first few days of adulthood.
AGS Position Statement: Resource Allocation Strategies and Age‐Related Considerations in the COVID‐19 Era and Beyond
Authors: Farrell Timothy W. , Ferrante Lauren E. , Brown Teneille , Francis Leslie , Widera Eric , Rhodes Ramona , Rosen Tony , Hwang Ula , Witt Leah J. , Thothala Niranjan , Liu Shan W. , Vitale Caroline A. , Braun Ursula K. , Stephens Caroline , Saliba Debra
Published: May 2020

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) continues to impact older adults disproportionately, from severe illness and hospitalization to increased mortality risk. Concurrently, concerns about potential shortages of healthcare professionals and health supplies to address these needs have focused attention on how resources are ultimately allocated and used. Some strategies misguidedly use age as an arbitrary criterion, inappropriately disfavoring older adults. This statement represents the official policy position of the American Geriatrics Society (AGS). It is intended to inform stakeholders including hospitals, health systems, and policymakers about ethical considerations to consider when developing strategies for allocating scarce resources during an emergency involving older adults. Members of the AGS Ethics Committee collaborated with interprofessional experts in ethics, law, nursing, and medicine (including geriatrics, palliative care, emergency medicine, and pulmonology/critical care) to conduct a structured literature review and examine relevant reports. The resulting recommendations defend a particular view of distributive justice that maximizes relevant clinical factors and deemphasizes or eliminates factors placing arbitrary, disproportionate weight on advanced age. The AGS positions include (1) avoiding age per se as a means for excluding anyone from care; (2) assessing comorbidities and considering the disparate impact of social determinants of health; (3) encouraging decision makers to focus primarily on potential short‐term (not long‐term) outcomes; (4) avoiding ancillary criteria such as “life‐years saved” and “long‐term predicted life expectancy” that might disadvantage older people; (5) forming and staffing triage committees tasked with allocating scarce resources; (6) developing institutional resource allocation strategies that are transparent and applied uniformly; and (7) facilitating appropriate advance care planning. The statement includes recommendations that should be immediately implemented to address resource allocation strategies during COVID‐19, aligning with AGS positions. The statement also includes recommendations for post‐pandemic review. Such review would support revised strategies to ensure that governments and institutions have equitable emergency resource allocation strategies, avoid future discriminatory language and practice, and have appropriate guidance to develop national frameworks for emergent resource allocation decisions. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:1136–1142, 2020.
Disruption of tight junctions contributes to hyposalivation of salivary glands in a mouse model of type 2 diabetes
Authors: Huang Yan , Mao Qian‐Ying , Shi Xi‐Jin , Cong Xin , Zhang Yan , Wu Li‐Ling , Yu Guang‐Yan , Xiang Ruo‐Lan
Published: May 2020

Tight junction (TJ) plays an important role in regulating paracellular fluid transport in salivary glands; however, little is known about the involvement of TJs in diabetes salivary glands. This study aimed to investigate the alterations of TJs and their possible contribution in diabetes‐induced hyposalivation. Here, we observed that the morphologies of submandibular glands (SMGs) were impaired, characterized by enlarged acini accumulation with giant secretory granules, which were significantly reduced in atrophic ducts in SMGs of db/db mice, a spontaneous model of type‐2 diabetes. However, the secretory granules were increased and scattered in the acini of diabetes parotid glands (PGs). Other ultrastructural damages including swollen mitochondria, expansive endoplasmic reticulum, and autophagosomes were observed in the diabetes group. The levels of TJ proteins including claudin‐1 (Cldn1) and claudin‐3 (Cldn3) were increased, whereas those of claudin‐4 (Cldn4), occludin (Ocln), and zonula occludens‐1 (ZO‐1) were decreased in SMGs of db/db mice. Higher Cldn1 and Cldn3 and lower claudin‐10 (Cldn10) and Ocln levels were observed in PGs of diabetes mice. Taken together, the structures of SMGs and PGs were impaired in diabetes mice, and the disruption of TJ integrity in both SMGs and PGs may contribute to diabetes‐induced hyposalivation.
Predicting MGMT Promoter Methylation of Glioblastoma from Dynamic Susceptibility Contrast Perfusion: A Radiomic Approach
Authors: Crisi Girolamo , Filice Silvano
Published: May 2020

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

This study aims to investigate whether radiomic quantitative image features (IFs) from perfusion dynamic susceptibility contrast magnetic resonance imaging (DSC‐MRI) retain sufficient strength to predict O6‐methylguanine–DNA methyltransferase promoter methylation (MGMT_pm) in newly diagnosed glioblastoma (GB) patients.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the perfusion DSC‐MRI of 59 patients with GB. Patients were classified into three groups: (1) unmethylated if MGMT_pm ≤ 9% (UM); (2) intermediate‐methylated if MGMT_pm ranged between 10% and 29% (IM); (3) methylated if MGMT_pm ≥ 30% (M). A total of 92 quantitative IFs were obtained from relative cerebral blood volume and relative cerebral blood flow maps. The Mann‐Whitney U‐test was applied to assess whether there were statistical differences in IFs between patient groups. Those IFs showing significant difference between two patient groups were termed relevant IFs (rIFs). rIFs were uploaded to a machine learning model to predict the MGMT_pm.

RESULTS

No rIFs were found between UM and IM groups. Fourteen rIFs were found among UM‐M, IM‐M, and (UM + IM)‐M groups. We built a multilayer perceptron deep learning model that classified patients as belonging to UM + IM and M group. The model performed well with 75% sensitivity, 85% specificity, and an area under the receiver‐operating curve of .84.

CONCLUSION

rIFs from perfusion DSC‐MRI are potential biomarkers in GBs with a ≥30% MGMT_pm. Otherwise, unmethylated and intermediate‐methylated GBs lack of rIFs. Five of 14 rIFs show sufficient strength to build an accurate prediction model of MGMT_pm.