bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An experimental methodology to analyse the structural behaviour of FDM parts with variable process parameters
Authors: Cerda-Avila Steffany N. , Medellín-Castillo Hugo Iván , Lim Theodore
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the structural behaviour of polylactic acid (PLA) parts fabricated by fused deposition modelling (FDM) to support the development of analytical and numerical models to predict the structural performance of FDM components and categories of similar additive manufactured parts.

Design/methodology/approach

A new methodology based on uniaxial tensile tests of filaments and FDM specimens, infill measurement and normalization of the results is proposed and implemented. A total of 396 specimens made of PLA were evaluated by using variable process parameters.

Findings

The infill and the build orientation have a large influence on the elastic modulus and ultimate tensile stress, whereas the layer thickness and the infill pattern have a low influence on these properties. The elongation at break is not influenced by the process parameters except by the build orientation. Furthermore, the infill values measured on the test specimens differ from the nominal values provided by the system.

Research limitations/implications

The analysis of the structural properties of FDM samples is limited to uniaxial loading conditions.

Practical implications

The obtained results are valuable for the structural analysis and numerical simulation of FDM components and for potential studies using machine learning techniques to predict the structural response of FDM parts.

Originality/value

A new experimental methodology that considers the measurement of the real infill percentage and the normalization of the results for inter-comparison with other studies is proposed. Moreover, a new set of experimental results of FDM-PLA parts is presented and extends the existing results in the literature.
Impact of knowledge management capability on supply chain management and organizational practices in logistics industry
Authors: Bahar Nurhidayah , Wahab Siti Norida , Rahman Mahfuzur
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the impact of knowledge management capability (KMC) on supply chain management practices (SCMPs), organizational learning (OL) and organizational performance (OP) in the Malaysian logistics industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were gathered using a self-administered questionnaire from the management team in the logistics companies. A total of 412 questionnaires were collected out of which 183 responses were included in the data analysis. This represents a response rate of 44.4%. The respondents were those with managerial and/or supervisory experience where their job title or functions included Managers, Head of the Department, Owners, Chief Executive Officer, Senior Executive Officer and at the very least, Assistant Manager or Supervisors. To investigate the correlations between all the elements (e.g. KMC, OL, SCMPs and OP), this study used different analysis techniques including correlation analysis, reliability and validity test, as well as a structural model.

Findings

The results indicated that KMC is strongly correlated and has a positive impact on SCMPs in addition to being positively correlated to OL and OP. Also, OL is positively related to OP and SCMPs.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of this research contribute to the growing body of literature linking KMC with SCMPs, OL and OP.

Practical implications

The findings provide insight on the importance of knowledge management and OL toward improving SCMPs within organizations. Therefore, the findings are useful for shedding light upon formulating strategies for SCMPs among the decision-makers that will ultimately enhance the overall OP.

Originality/value

This study meaningfully contributes to enhancing the understanding of the state of affairs of the impact of management capability on SCMPs, OL and OP in the logistics industry. Practitioners may formulate strategies to further improve the study presented here for a better implementation of knowledge management and SCMPs within their organizations.
Human resource practices and organizational innovation capability: role of knowledge management
Authors: Iqbal Salman , Rasheed Mamoona , Khan Huma , Siddiqi Ahmed
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to probe and explore the mediation role of knowledge management (KM), in the relationship between human resource (HR) practices and organizational innovation capability.

Design/methodology/approach

The investigation is carried out by using a stratified-multi-stage sampling technique of 120-sample size. The data is amassed by both male and female employees working in the service sectors. A structural equation modelling is applied, and three methods are implemented for mediation analysis.

Findings

The findings suggest that the mediation role of KM is statistically significant, among the association of HR practices and organizational innovation capability. The fact that the mediation role of KM is established both for male and female employees is also noteworthy.

Practical implications

It can be possible to enhance the organizational innovation capability, if the HR practices are instigated by the HR managers effectively. Through HR practices the knowledge can be administrated and shared effectively that will aid in attaining organizational innovation, as well as competitive advantages.

Originality/value

The developing countries have opted for solutions such as empowering employees in decision-making to maximize innovation. Promoting KM and intellectual capabilities are now among the core parts of the HR policies for developing countries. Therefore, this paper will help in bringing awareness amid developing countries, Pakistan, in particular, to include KM and intellectual capabilities for increasing organizational capabilities.
Inclusion body myositis in the rheumatology clinic
Authors: Balakrishnan Anu , Aggarwal Rohit , Agarwal Vikas , Gupta Latika
Published: July 2020

Inclusion body myositis is a rare sporadic inflammatory‐degenerative myopathy of the elderly. Despite being the commonest type of acquired myopathy after the age of 50, misdiagnosis is extremely common. The most frequent hurdle in identifying new cases is the wrong diagnosis of polymyositis or motor neuron disease. Novel insights into pathogenic mechanisms have heralded the quest for newer therapeutics as well as drug repurposing in this otherwise progressive disorder.
Institutional investors’ information seeking and stock price crash risk: nonlinear relationship based on management’s opportunistic behaviour
Authors: Wang Jiangyuan , Liu Guangqiang , Xiong Qisong
Published: July 2020

This paper examines the influence of management’s opportunistic behaviour on the relationship between institutional investors’ visits and stock price crash risk. We find that the relationship between visit frequency and stock price crash risk is inverted U‐shaped because of management’s opportunistic behaviour aiming at avoiding the negative impacts of visit. Institutional investors’ visits raise stock price crash risk when visit frequency is low and it can reduce crash risk just when visit frequency is high enough. This nonlinear relationship is more significant when management’s opportunistic behaviour is highly motivated and the implementation space is larger.
Genome‐wide association study of shank length and diameter at different developmental stages in chicken F2 resource population
Authors: Emrani H. , Masoudi A. A. , Vaez Torshizi R. , Ehsani A.
Published: July 2020

In order to find SNPs and genes affecting shank traits, we performed a GWAS in a chicken F2 population of eight half‐sib families from five hatches derived from reciprocal crosses between an Arian fast‐growing line and an Urmia indigenous slow‐growing chicken. A total of 308 birds were genotyped using a 60K chicken SNP chip. Shank traits including shank length and diameter were measured weekly from birth to 12 weeks of age. A generalized linear model and a compressed mixed linear model (CMLM) were applied to achieve the significant regions. The value of the average genomic inflation factor (λ statistic) of the CMLM model (0.99) indicated that the CMLM was more effective than the generalized linear model in controlling the population structure. The genes surrounding significant SNPs and their biological functions were identified from NCBI, Ensembl and UniProt databases. The results indicated that 12 SNPs at 12 different ages passed the LD‐adjusted 5% Bonferroni significant threshold. Two SNPs were significant for shank length and nine SNPs were significant for shank diameter. The significant SNPs were located near to or inside 11 candidate genes. The results showed that a number of significant SNPs in the middle ages were higher than the rest. The MXRA8 gene was related to the significant SNP at week 1 that promotes proliferation of growth plate chondrocytes. A unique SNP of Gga_rs16689511 located on chicken Z chromosome within the LOC101747628 gene was related to shank length at three different ages of birds (weeks 8, 9 and 11). The significant SNPs for shank diameter were found at weeks 4 and 7 (four and five SNPs respectively). The identifications of SNPs and genes here could contribute to a better understanding of the genetic control of shank traits in chicken.
Husbands’ and wives’ risk preferences and improved maize adoption in Tanzania
Authors: Magnan Nicholas , Love Abby M. , Mishili Fulgence J. , Sheremenko Ganna
Published: July 2020

Research on technology adoption typically assumes that the preferences of a single individual—the household head—determine household‐level decisions. This study uses experimentally derived prospect theory‐based risk preferences from couples in Tanzania to test whether men's and women's risk preferences, which often diverge, influence the adoption of improved maize varieties. We find that women's risk aversion and men's loss aversion are negatively correlated with improved variety use. The tendency of men to overweight small probabilities is negatively associated with adoption, whereas the tendency of women to do so is positively associated. These findings suggest that technology adoption research should look beyond the preferences of the household head, and that technology promoters should consider targeting both men and women in their education and dissemination efforts.
Variance estimation in inverse probability weighted Cox models
Authors: Shu Di , Young Jessica G. , Toh Sengwee , Wang Rui
Published: July 2020

Inverse probability weighted Cox models can be used to estimate marginal hazard ratios under different point treatments in observational studies. To obtain variance estimates, the robust sandwich variance estimator is often recommended to account for the induced correlation among weighted observations. However, this estimator does not incorporate the uncertainty in estimating the weights and tends to overestimate the variance, leading to inefficient inference. Here we propose a new variance estimator that combines the estimation procedures for the hazard ratio and weights using stacked estimating equations, with additional adjustments for the sum of terms that are not independently and identically distributed in a Cox partial likelihood score equation. We prove analytically that the robust sandwich variance estimator is conservative and establish the asymptotic equivalence between the proposed variance estimator and one obtained through linearization by Hajage et al. in 2018. In addition, we extend our proposed variance estimator to accommodate clustered data. We compare the finite sample performance of the proposed method with alternative methods through simulation studies. We illustrate these different variance methods in both independent and clustered data settings, using a bariatric surgery dataset and a multiple readmission dataset, respectively. To facilitate implementation of the proposed method, we have developed an package ipwCoxCSV.
A panel data analysis of FDI and informal labour markets
Authors: Baez‐Morales Antonio
Published: July 2020

The objective of this paper is to examine whether informal labour markets affect the stock of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and also whether this effect is similar in developed and developing countries. Panel econometric models are estimated for a sample of 65 countries over a 10‐year period (1999–2007). While the results show that informal labour markets are significant and do positively affect FDI, they do so more for developing countries than developed countries and are robust to several checks.
Are local workers better‐off from foreign presence? A firm‐level panel data analysis of a service industry
Authors: Nguyen Dao Thi Hong
Published: July 2020

This study extends the international investment literature by shedding light on the impact of foreign presence on the host country's workforce in a highly skilled service industry. The empirical analyses utilize a rich panel dataset of firms in the professional, scientific and technical service industry of Vietnam's emerging economy. The adopted estimation strategy takes into account possible endogeneity problem and measurement bias. The results indicate that local workers in the industry are generally better‐off from the presence of foreign firms which pay much higher and simultaneously induce domestic counterparts to pay higher. The subgroup analyses provide deeper insights into the heterogeneous impact of foreign presence, carrying important implications for the local labour market.
Sociodemographic Determinants of Occupational Risks of Exposure to COVID‐19 in Canada
Authors: St‐Denis Xavier
Published: July 2020

The activities performed by Canadian workers in some occupations may increase the risk of exposure to infectious diseases such as COVID‐19. This research note explores how occupational exposure risks vary by labor force characteristics using publicly available Canadian data in combination with a data set providing information on the level of physical proximity and frequency of exposure to infections or diseases faced by workers in different occupations. The results show important sociodemographic differences. First, women work in occupations associated with significantly higher average risks of exposure to COVID‐19 than men. This is driven by their overrepresentation in high‐risk broad occupational categories such as health occupations. Second, older workers (65 years or more), a group vulnerable to COVID‐19, appear to work in occupations requiring performing activities characterized by a lower level of physical proximity than their younger colleagues, with minimal differences in the frequency of exposure to diseases or infections. Finally, workers in low‐income occupations are employed in occupations that put them at greater risk of exposure to COVID‐19 than other workers. This is especially the case for women, immigrants, and members of visible minority groups in low‐income occupations. More broadly, this research note provides insights into the health‐related dimension of the literature on occupational tasks and labor market stratification.
Characterization of tumors with ultralow tumor mutational burden in Japanese cancer patients
Authors: Hatakeyama Keiichi , Nagashima Takeshi , Ohshima Keiichi , Ohnami Sumiko , Ohnami Shumpei , Shimoda Yuji , Naruoka Akane , Maruyama Koji , Iizuka Akira , Ashizawa Tadashi , Mochizuki Tohru , Urakami Kenichi , Akiyama Yasuto , Yamaguchi Ken
Published: July 2020

Tumor mutational burden analysis using whole‐exome sequencing highlights features of tumors with various mutations or known driver alterations. Cancers with few changes in the exon regions have unclear characteristics, even though low‐mutated tumors are often detected in pan‐cancer analysis. In the present study, we analyzed tumors with low tumor mutational burden listed in the Japanese version of The Cancer Genome Atlas, a data set of 5020 primary solid tumors. Our analysis revealed that detection rates of known driver mutations and copy number variation were decreased in samples with tumor mutational burden below 1.0 (ultralow tumor), compared with those in samples with low tumor mutational burden (≤5 mutations/Mb). This trend was also observed in The Cancer Genome Atlas data set. In the ultralow tumor mutational burden tumors, expression analysis showed decreased TP53 inactivation and chromosomal instability. TP53 inactivation frequently correlated with PI3K/mTOR‐related gene expression, implying suppression of the PI3K/mTOR pathway in ultralow tumor mutational burden tumors. In common with mutational burden, the T cell‐inflamed gene expression profiling signature was a potential marker for prediction of an immune checkpoint inhibitor response, and some ultralow tumor mutational burden tumor populations highly expressed this signature. Our analysis focused on how these tumors could provide insight into tumors with low somatic alteration that are difficult to detect solely using whole‐exome sequencing.
Genomics‐based re‐examination of the taxonomy and phylogeny of human and simian Mastadenoviruses: an evolving whole genomes approach, revealing putative zoonosis, anthroponosis, and amphizoonosis
Authors: Kang June , Ismail Ashrafali Mohamed , Dehghan Shoaleh , Rajaiya Jaya , Allard Marc W. , Lim Haw Chuan , Dyer David W. , Chodosh James , Seto Donald
Published: July 2020

With the advent of high‐resolution and cost‐effective genomics and bioinformatics tools and methods contributing to a large database of both human (HAdV) and simian (SAdV) adenoviruses, a genomics‐based re‐evaluation of their taxonomy is warranted. Interest in these particular adenoviruses is growing in part due to the applications of both in gene transfer protocols, including gene therapy and vaccines, as well in oncolytic protocols. In particular, the re‐evaluation of SAdVs as appropriate vectors in humans is important as zoonosis precludes the assumption that human immune system may be naïve to these vectors. Additionally, as important pathogens, adenoviruses are a model organism system for understanding viral pathogen emergence through zoonosis and anthroponosis, particularly among the primate species, along with recombination, host adaptation, and selection, as evidenced by one long‐standing human respiratory pathogen HAdV‐4 and a recent re‐evaluation of another, HAdV‐76. The latter reflects the insights on amphizoonosis, defined as infections in both directions among host species including “other than human”, that are possible with the growing database of nonhuman adenovirus genomes. HAdV‐76 is a recombinant that has been isolated from human, chimpanzee, and bonobo hosts. On‐going and potential impacts of adenoviruses on public health and translational medicine drive this evaluation of 174 whole genome sequences from HAdVs and SAdVs archived in GenBank. The conclusion is that rather than separate HAdV and SAdV phylogenetic lineages, a single, intertwined tree is observed with all HAdVs and SAdVs forming mixed clades. Therefore, a single designation of “primate adenovirus” (PrAdV) superseding either HAdV and SAdV is proposed, or alternatively, keeping HAdV for human adenovirus but expanding the SAdV nomenclature officially to include host species identification as in ChAdV for chimpanzee adenovirus, GoAdV for gorilla adenovirus, BoAdV for bonobo adenovirus, and ad libitum.
Comparative phylogenomics reveal complex evolution of life history strategies in a clade of bivalves with parasitic larvae (Bivalvia: Unionoida: Ambleminae)
Authors: Smith Chase H. , Pfeiffer John M. , Johnson Nathan A.
Published: July 2020

Freshwater mussels are a species‐rich group with biodiversity patterns strongly shaped by a life history strategy that includes an obligate parasitic larval stage. In this study, we set out to reconstruct the life history evolution and systematics in a clade of freshwater mussels adapted to parasitizing a molluscivorous host fish. Anchored hybrid enrichment and ancestral character reconstruction revealed a complex pattern of life history evolution with host switching and multiple instances of convergence, including reduction in size of larvae, increased fecundity, and growth during encapsulation. Our phylogenomic analyses also recovered non‐monophyly of taxa exhibiting multiple traits used as the basis for previous taxonomic hypotheses. Taxa with axe‐head shaped glochidia were resolved as paraphyletic, but our results strongly suggest the complex morphology is an adaptation to reduce larval size, with reduction in size further accentuated in taxa previously assigned to Leptodea. To more accurately reflect the evolutionary history of this group, we make multiple systematic changes, including the description of a new genus, Atlanticoncha gen. nov., and the synonymy of the genus Leptodea under Potamilus. Our findings contribute to the growing body of literature showing that cladistic hypotheses based solely on morphological characters, including larval morphology, can be flawed in freshwater mussels.
Abdominoperineal excision in Australasia: clinical outcomes, predictive factors and recent trends of nonrestorative rectal cancer surgery
Authors: Smith N. , Waters P. S. , Peacock O. , Kong J. C. , Lynch A. C. , McCormick J. J. , Heriot A. , Warrier S. K.
Published: July 2020

Aim

The decision to perform an abdominoperineal excision (APR) rather than restorative bowel resection relies on a number of clinical factors. There remains great variability in APR rates internationally. The aim of this study was to demonstrate trends of APR surgery in low rectal cancer (< 6 cm from the anal verge) in Australasia and identify predictors of nonrestoration.

Method

This study reviewed a prospectively maintained colorectal registry – the Binational Colorectal Cancer Audit (BCCA) – from general/colorectal surgical units across Australia and New Zealand. Data were analysed to determine factors predictive of nonrestorative resection. Patients were analysed based on the presence (control) or absence (comparison) of a primary anastomosis.

Results

Of 3628 patients with rectal cancer, 2096 were diagnosed with low rectal cancer between 2007 and 2017. The incidence of APR remained constant over the study period, with 58% of all resections of low rectal cancer being APR. The majority of resections were performed by consultants in urban hospitals (86% vs 14%). Tumours ≤ 3 cm from the anal verge, T4, M1 disease and neoadjuvant therapy were the greatest predictors of APR (P < 0.001). A significantly increased rate of restorative surgery was observed in public hospital settings (59% vs 41%, P < 0.05). The rate of positive circumferential resection margin (CRM) was 7.95%, with significantly increased rates in patients undergoing APR (12.2% vs 6.2%, P < 0.001). CRM positivity was increased in open approaches, T4, N2 and M1 staged disease and in an emergency/urgent setting (P < 0.001 and P < 0.045, respectively). Significantly increased wound and pulmonary complications were observed in the APR cohort (P < 0.01).

Conclusion

The rates of APR in Australia and New Zealand remain high but are comparable to international figures, with one‐third of rectal cancers being treated by APR. The main determinants of APR are tumour height, T stage and neoadjuvant therapy requirement. CRM positivity was higher in APR patients.
European Society of Coloproctology Colorectal Robotic Surgery Training for the Trainers Course – the first pilot experience
Authors: Eardley N. J. , Matzel K. E. , Gómez Ruiz M. , Khan J. S. , Riley S. A. , Donnelly M. T. , Tou S.
Published: July 2020

Aim

Currently, there is no established colorectal specific robotic surgery Train the Trainer (TTT) course. The aim was to develop and evaluate such a course which can then be further developed to be incorporated within the planned European Society of Coloproctology (ESCP)/European School of Coloproctology (ESC) robotic colorectal surgery training curriculum.

Method

After identifying the need for such a course within a training programme, the course was developed by a subgroup of the ESCP/ESC. A scoping literature review was performed and the content and materials for the course were developed by a team consisting of two gastroenterologists with a combined experience of 30 years of facilitating TTT courses, a robotic surgeon and proctor with laparoscopic TTT faculty experience and experienced robotic and laparoscopic colorectal trainers. The course was evaluated by asking delegates to complete pre‐ and post‐course questionnaires.

Results

There were eight delegates on the course from across Europe. Delegates increased their knowledge of each of the course learning objectives and identified learning points in order to change practice. The feedback from the delegates of the course was positive across several areas and all felt that they had achieved their own personal objectives in attending the course.

Conclusion

This pilot robotic colorectal TTT course has achieved its aim and demonstrated many positives. There is a need for such a course and the evaluation processes have provided opportunities for reflection, which will allow the development/tailoring of future robotic colorectal TTT courses to help develop robotic training further.
Operationalizing Design Thinking in Business Intelligence and Analytics Projects
Authors: Chongwatpol Jongsawas
Published: July 2020

Design Thinking has been applied successfully in many fields; however, in Information Systems research most early studies focus on applying the specific toolsets to developing product and system designs to solve strategic, managerial, and operational problems. There is little research on how Design Thinking can be embedded in the learning processes in design‐oriented IS research and enabled in the context of business intelligence (BI) and business analytics (BA). How can Design Thinking be embedded in the learning processes and enabled in the context of BI/BA projects in the classroom environment, especially in the proof of concept stage? A practical view on integrating the mindset and toolset of the Design Thinking approach and in the learning process as a case based in‐class experience is presented along with a guideline for coaching the Design Thinking team and the lessons learned from each stage of Design Thinking. The results of this study show that Design Thinking practices can be enlisted to help students frame their creations and that these practices have a valuable contribution as alternatives when designing curricula for teaching and learning.
Exploring larval phenology as predictor for range expansion in an invasive species
Authors: Giménez Luis , Exton Michael , Spitzner Franziska , Meth Rebecca , Ecker Ursula , Jungblut Simon , Harzsch Steffen , Saborowski Reinhard , Torres Gabriela
Published: July 2020

Predicting range expansion of invasive species is one of the key challenges in ecology. We modelled the phenological window for successful larval release and development (WLR) in order to predict poleward expansion of the invasive crab Hemigrapsus sanguineus along the Atlantic coast of North America and north Europe. WLR quantifies the number of opportunities (in days) when larval release leads to a successful completion of the larval phase; WLR depends on the effects of temperature on the duration of larval development and survival. Successful larval development is a necessary requirement for the establishment of self‐persistent local populations. WLR was computed from a mechanistic model, based on in situ temperature time series and a laboratory–calibrated curve predicting duration of larval development from temperature. As a validation step, we checked that model predictions of the time of larval settlement matched observations from the field for our local population (Helgoland, North Sea). We then applied our model to the North American shores because larvae from our European population showed, in the laboratory, similar responses to temperature to those of a North American population. WLR correctly predicted the northern distribution limit in North American shores, where the poleward expansion of H. sanguineus appear to have stalled (as of 2015). For north Europe, where H. sanguineus is a recent invader, WLR predicted ample room for poleward expansion towards NE England and S Norway. We also explored the importance of year‐to‐year variation in temperature for WLR and potential expansion: variations in WLR highlighted the role of heat waves as likely promoters of recruitment subsidising sink populations located at the distribution limits. Overall, phenological windows may be used as a part of a warning system enabling more targeted programs for monitoring.
792 or 793? Charlemagne’s canal project: craft, nature and memory
Authors: Werther Lukas , Nelson Jinty , Herzig Franz , Schmidt Johannes , Berg Stefanie , Ettel Peter , Linzen Sven , Zielhofer Christoph
Published: July 2020

In autumn 793, Charlemagne visited the fossatum magnum (the ‘big ditch’ or canal) between the Rhine and Danube. Excavations, dendrochronology and a re‐reading of Carolingian Annals shed new light on the chronology and setting of this canal, which was planned in 792, initiated in 793, and abandoned later that year. The abandonment is attested by both written and archaeological evidence. The different versions of the annals offer a unique opportunity for comparison with the archaeological record. Evidence that works of Vitruvius circulated in the Carolingian court suggests that Charlemagne’s advisers were drawing on classical tradition when they pitched the idea of digging the canal.
Drebrin expression patterns in patients with refractory temporal lobe epilepsy and hippocampal sclerosis
Authors: Dombroski Thaís Caroline Dallabona , Peixoto‐Santos Jose Eduardo , Maciel Karina , Baqui Munira Muhammad Abdel , Velasco Tonicarlo Rodrigues , Sakamoto Americo Ceiki , Assirati João Alberto , Carlotti Carlos Gilberto , Machado Hélio Rubens , Sousa Gleice Kelly de , Hanamura Kenji , Leite João Pereira , Costa da Costa Jaderson , Palmini André Luiz , Paglioli Eliseu , Neder Luciano , Spreafico Roberto , Shirao Tomoaki , Garbelli Rita , Martins Antonio Roberto
Published: July 2020

Objective

Drebrins are crucial for synaptic function and dendritic spine development, remodeling, and maintenance. In temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) patients, a significant hippocampal synaptic reorganization occurs, and synaptic reorganization has been associated with hippocampal hyperexcitability. This study aimed to evaluate, in TLE patients, the hippocampal expression of drebrin using immunohistochemistry with DAS2 or M2F6 antibodies that recognize adult (drebrin A) or adult and embryonic (pan‐drebrin) isoforms, respectively.

Methods

Hippocampal sections from drug‐resistant TLE patients with hippocampal sclerosis (HS; TLE, n = 33), of whom 31 presented with type 1 HS and two with type 2 HS, and autopsy control cases (n = 20) were assayed by immunohistochemistry and evaluated for neuron density, and drebrin A and pan‐drebrin expression. Double‐labeling immunofluorescences were performed to localize drebrin A–positive spines in dendrites (MAP2), and to evaluate whether drebrin colocalizes with inhibitory (GAD65) and excitatory (VGlut1) presynaptic markers.

Results

Compared to controls, TLE patients had increased pan‐drebrin in all hippocampal subfields and increased drebrin A–immunopositive area in all hippocampal subfields but CA1. Drebrin‐positive spine density followed the same pattern as total drebrin quantification. Confocal microscopy indicated juxtaposition of drebrin‐positive spines with VGlut1‐positive puncta, but not with GAD65‐positive puncta. Drebrin expression in the dentate gyrus of TLE cases was associated negatively with seizure frequency and positively with verbal memory. TLE patients with lower drebrin‐immunopositive area in inner molecular layer (IML) than in outer molecular layer (OML) had a lower seizure frequency than those with higher or comparable drebrin‐immunopositive area in IML compared with OML.

Significance

Our results suggest that changes in drebrin‐positive spines and drebrin expression in the dentate gyrus of TLE patients are associated with lower seizure frequency, more preserved verbal memory, and a better postsurgical outcome.
The “Flip”—Sustaining Complexity and Multiplicity Post‐Quarantine
Authors: Dickerson Victoria C.
Published: July 2020

This article describes poststructural ways of responding to the pandemic by looking for openings or gaps within more traditional ways of interacting with dilemmas. The author situates herself within a “positive deviance” epistemology, which looks for what already works rather than getting captured by the current problem. We “flip” what are the usual ways of responding and explore three different programs that illustrate inventive and assets‐based approaches. Linking‐Lives Storython, created specifically to utilize our COVID shelter‐in‐place experience; Re‐Authoring Teaching: Creating a Collaboratory, begun 12 years ago to meet the needs of a widespread community; and Witness to Witness, a current response to contemporary disastrous situations—all have utilized technology to open possibilities for those who are helped as well as those who are helpers. The article shows how each program has specifically flipped more traditional ways of responding, but also how this “flip” employs a practice of “disciplined improvisation.” Each program has a built‐in structure that depends on technology to make it work; each has a disciplined approach that allows the helpers to improvise to meet the needs of the receivers. It is this “flip,” this way of thinking, that can sustain us and our work in times of great complexity and multiplicity.
Significance of SOX18 expression in nonmelanoma skin cancers for prediction of high‐risk patients: a preliminary study
Authors: Neinaa Yomna Mazid El‐Hamd , El‐Ashmawy Amal Ahmad , Alshenawy Hanan Al‐Saeid , Arakeeb Enas Elsaid Ahmed
Published: July 2020

Background

SOX18 is an integral transcription factor that is involved in endothelial cells differentiation during both angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis. Therefore, it has been implicated in tumor progression and metastasis.

Objective

To study SOX18 expression in nonmelanoma skin cancers (NMSCs) in comparison to seborrheic keratosis (SK) and normal control skin, and to assess its probable role in tumor evolution and progression.

Patients and Methods

This study was conducted on 60 specimens of NMSCs: 30 basal cell carcinomas (BCC) and 30 squamous cell carcinomas (SCC), 30 specimens of SK, and 30 normal skin specimens. All were examined for immunohistochemical expression of SOX18 antibody. Additionally, morphometric assessment of vessel density (blood & lymphatic) in each specimen was estimated.

Results

Significant SOX18 overexpression was observed in all studied cutaneous tumors in comparison to control skin. The highest score of SOX18 expression was detected in SCC, then BCC, and the least expression was reported in SK with significant difference between them. Furthermore, significant upregulation of SOX18 expression was observed in high‐risk types of both BCC and SCC compared to low‐risk types. Stromal vessel density showed significant differences between the studied tumors with the highest mean value in SCC, followed by BCC and then SK. Positive correlation between SOX18 expression in the studied tumors and their vessel density was detected.

Conclusions

SOX18 may have a potential role in the evolution as well as progression of NMSCs, possibly through induction of both angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis. Furthermore, it could be beneficial for prediction of NMSC patients with poor prognosis.
Considerations for the use of gonadotropin‐releasing hormone agonists and antagonists in patients with prostate cancer
Authors: Van Poppel Hendrik , Abrahamsson Per‐Anders
Published: July 2020

Prostate cancer is the second most common cause of cancer‐related deaths in men, representing a major source of morbidity and mortality. Androgen deprivation therapy is the primary treatment for patients with advanced prostate cancer at disease presentation, which can be achieved either with surgical or chemical castration. The development of gonadotropin‐releasing hormone agonists revolutionized the treatment of advanced prostate cancer, replacing the need for surgical castration. Agonists downregulate gonadotropin‐releasing hormone agonist receptors in the pituitary gland, and thus decrease the release of luteinizing hormone and testosterone. Although agonists are a common therapeutic option to date, their use is associated with testosterone surges, metabolic dysfunction and an increase in the risk of cardiovascular disease; they might contribute to tumor flares and potentially an increase in non‐cancer mortality. More recently, gonadotropin‐releasing hormone antagonists have entered the prostate cancer treatment landscape. Unlike agonists, antagonists directly inhibit the androgen receptor in the pituitary gland, and thus do not cause initial testosterone surges. In this article, we provide a concise review of the mechanism of actions, safety and efficacy of the approved agonists and antagonists for prostate cancer treatment.
Trends in burn injuries in Galicia (Spain): An epidemiological study
Authors: Palacios García Pablo , Pacheco Compaña Francisco Javier , Rodríguez Pérez Esther , Bugallo Sanz Juan Ignacio , Fernández‐Quinto Alejandro , Avellaneda‐Oviedo Edgar Mauricio
Published: July 2020

The treatment of burns is one of the earliest medical activities on record, probably because of the powerful impact of their physical consequences among other sequelae. The aim of the present paper is to perform an epidemiological study of burn patients. The data were obtained by reviewing the medical histories of all those patients admitted or treated in the Outpatients Department of the Burn Unit of our hospital between 2013 and 2017. A sample was gathered of 1401 patients, made up of 716 males (51.11%) and 685 females (48.89%), in a ratio of males to females of 1.05, with a mean age of 40.74 years old. The burns were mainly suffered in a domestic setting (60.96%), mostly as a result of contact with hot liquids. Most of the burns were second degree superficial burns (60.03%), and affected a mean total body surface area (TBSA) of 4.61%. They were most often produced on the hands. It was found that the frequency of burns increased during the summer and during the main mealtimes of the day. These data may be used to make specific plans of prevention, and as a basis for new studies and databases to be made.
Complete clearance and psoriasis area and severity index response for brodalumab and ustekinumab in AMAGINE‐2 and ‐3
Authors: Warren R.B. , Hansen J.B. , Reich K. , Paul C. , Puig L.
Published: July 2020

Background

Modern biologics achieve complete skin clearance [100% improvement in psoriasis area and severity index (PASI 100)] in 30–45% of psoriasis patients. Cumulative benefit considering rapidity, frequency and sustainability of response has not been thoroughly investigated.

Objectives

Compare the frequency, rapidity and sustainability of PASI 90 and 100 response in patients with moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis treated with brodalumab or ustekinumab.

Methods

Integrated analyses of the brodalumab Phase III AMAGINE‐2 (NCT01708603) and ‐3 (NCT01708629) trials were performed to determine proportion of patients achieving PASI response per visit; corresponding odds ratios (OR) were calculated. Cumulative clinical benefit of treatment was determined with area‐under‐the‐curve (AUC) analysis. Cumulative incidence of response was analysed using a competing risk model of PASI response or rescue. Sustained response was evaluated by time to inadequate response using Kaplan–Meier methods. Proportion of time spent in different response states was descriptively analysed. Association between PASI response and health‐related quality of life [Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI)] was assessed using data from all treatment groups from AMAGINE‐1, ‐2 and ‐3.

Results

A significantly higher proportion of patients treated with brodalumab achieved PASI 100 vs. ustekinumab (Week 52: 51% vs. 28%; OR [95% CI] 2.8 [2.1, 3.7]; P < 0.0001), with significant differences observed from Week 4. Cumulative benefit through 52 weeks was 69% higher with brodalumab (AUC ratio: 1.69; P < 0.001). Brodalumab patients were also significantly more likely to achieve a PASI 100 at least once over 52 weeks vs. ustekinumab (76% vs. 52%; P < 0.0001). Once response was achieved, brodalumab patients had a low likelihood of failure or need for rescue. There was significant positive association between PASI response level and DLQI0/1 achievement (P < 0.0001).

Conclusion

Brodalumab treatment resulted in significantly higher levels of skin clearance, longer sustained response and greater cumulative treatment benefit vs. ustekinumab.
Fluctuating environments impact thermal tolerance in an invasive insect species Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae)
Authors: Mutamiswa Reyard , Tarusikirwa Vimbai , Nyamukondiwa Casper , Chidawanyika Frank
Published: July 2020

The incidence and severity of environmental stressors associated with global climate change are increasing and insects frequently face variability in temperature and moisture regimes at variable spatio‐temporal scales. Coincidental with this, is increased thermal and hydric stress on insects as warming increases vapour pressure deficit (VPD), the drying power of the air. While the effects of mean temperatures on fitness are widely documented, fluctuations in both temperature and relative humidity (RH) are largely unexplored. Here, we investigated the effects of dynamic temperature and RH fluctuations (around the mean [28°C; 65% RH]) on low and high thermal tolerance of laboratory‐reared adult invasive Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae), measured as critical thermal minima (CTmin), critical thermal maxima (CTmax), chill coma recovery time (CCRT) and heat knockdown time (HKDT). Our results show that increased environmental amplitude significantly influenced low and high temperature responses and varied across traits tested. The highest amplitude (δ12°C; 28% RH) compromised CTmin, CCRT and HKDT traits while enhancing CTmax. Similarly, acclimation to δ3°C; 7% RH compromised both low (CTmin and CCRT) and high (CTmax and HKDT) fitness traits. Variations in fitness reported here indicate significant roles of combined thermal and moisture fluctuations on B. dorsalis fitness suggesting caveats that are worthy considering when predicting species responses to climate change. These results are significant for B. dorsalis population phenology, management, quantifying vulnerability to climate variability and may help modelling future biogeographical patterns.
New salmonid hosts for Tenacibaculum species: Expansion of tenacibaculosis in Chilean aquaculture
Authors: Avendaño‐Herrera Ruben , Collarte Constanza , Saldarriaga‐Córdoba Mónica , Irgang Rute
Published: July 2020

The success and sustainability of Chilean aquaculture largely depends on the control of endemic and emerging pathogens, including several species of the genus Tenacibaculum. Tenacibaculum dicentrarchi and “Tenacibaculum finnmarkense” have been detected and confirmed in Chilean Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). However, no outbreaks of tenacibaculosis in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) or coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) have been reported, either in Chile or globally. The aims of this study were to determine whether the mortalities recorded for rainbow trout and coho salmon from five marine fish farms located in the Los Lagos, Aysén, and Magallanes Regions could be caused by Tenacibaculum spp. The diseased fish exhibited cutaneous haemorrhages, tail and peduncle rots, and damage on the mouth and tongue. Microbiological analysis of infected external tissues yielded 13 bacterial isolates. The isolates were identified as members of the genus Tenacibaculum through biochemical analysis (e.g. Gram‐stain negative, straight rods, filamentous cells and motile by gliding), but differences existed in biochemical results, making species‐level identification through biomolecular tools essential. The 16S rRNA analysis found that the majority of isolates were more closely related to “T. finnmarkense” than T. dicentrarchi, while the phylogenetic trees resulting from multilocus sequence data recovered the four main clades (clades I to IV) identified by Olsen et al. (2017, Veterinary Microbiology, 205, 39). This is the first documented occurrence of clinical tenacibaculosis in farmed rainbow trout and coho salmon globally, and it extends the known host distribution of this pathogen in Chile. Moreover, we confirm the presence of Tenacibaculum species in the Chilean Patagonia. These findings highlight the importance of establishing preventative measures to minimize the spread of this disease within the Chilean marine aquaculture industry, as well as the need for monitoring initiatives worldwide in these farmed fish species.
Thermophysical properties of carbohydrate solutions: Correlation between thermal and transport properties
Authors: Martins Maria Júlia Neves , Guimarães Bianca , Polachini Tiago Carregari , Telis‐Romero Javier
Published: July 2020

Sugar solutions such as sucrose, glucose and fructose are often used in osmotic dehydration processes. Thus, the experimental determination of their thermophysical properties is a must for designing purposes. Density, specific heat and thermal conductivity were determined in a wide range of solute concentration (10–60 °Brix) and temperature (273.15–358.15 K). Empirical equations were considered to fit the experimental data and to evaluate the data behavior. An assessment based on the Prandtl number was considered to correlate thermal and rheological data. Higher density and lower specific heat and thermal conductivity values were observed when temperature decreased and solute concentration increased. Prandtl number behaved similarly as density, indicating that momentum transfer is favored in comparison with heat transfer in more concentrated solutions at lower temperatures. A versatile polynomial model concerning the significant variables could predict the experimental values for all solutions with good accuracy (R2 > .9863 and MRE < 1.20%). Reported data and equations showed to be essential for engineering aspects and transport phenomena analysis.

Practical Applications

Sucrose, glucose and fructose solutions are commonly used in osmotic dehydration processes to promote solute incorporation, increasing shelf‐life and quality of food products. The availability of thermophysical properties in a wide range of solute concentration and temperature covers the most of conventional and nonconventional conditions for designing osmotic dehydration and many other food processes. Among the unit operations, it could be found pumping, mixing/stirring, pasteurization, sterilization, evaporation and so on. These data are useful to understand how properties change when the conditions are altered during the processes. They also provide important information about momentum and heat transfer through the fluid. By analyzing dimensionless parameters, as Prandtl number, one phenomenon or other can be favored under specific conditions. The presence of accurate mathematical models results in greater agility and reliability in the execution of processes, especially for those operating in wide ranges of temperature and solute concentration.