bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Management information system adoption at the farm level: evidence from the literature
Authors: Giua Carlo , Materia Valentina Cristiana , Camanzi Luca
Published: October 2020

Purpose

This paper reviews the academic contributions that have emerged to date on the broad definition of farm-level management information systems (MISs). The purpose is twofold: (1) to identify the theories used in the literature to study the adoption of digital technologies and (2) to identify the drivers of and barriers to the adoption of such technologies.

Design/methodology/approach

The literature review was based on a comprehensive review of contributions published in the 1998–2019 period. The search was both automated and manual, browsing through references of works previously found via high-quality digital libraries.

Findings

Diffusion of innovations (DOIs) is the most frequently used theoretical framework in the literature reviewed, though it is often combined with other innovation adoption theories. In addition, farms’ and farmers’ traits, together with technological features, play a key role in explaining the adoption of these technologies.

Research limitations/implications

So far, research has positioned the determinants of digital technology adoption mainly within the boundaries of the farm.

Practical implications

On the practical level, the extensive determinants’ review has potential to serve the aim of policymakers and technology industries, to clearly and thoroughly understand adoption dynamics and elaborate specific strategies to deal with them.

Originality/value

This study’s contribution to the existing body of knowledge on the farm-level adoption of digital technologies is twofold: (1) it combines smart farming and existing technologies within the same category of farm-level MIS and (2) it extends the analysis to studies which not only focus directly on adoption but also on software architecture design and development.
The role of sustainability in the relationship between migration and smart cities: a bibliometric review
Authors: Mouazen Ali Mohamad , Hernández-Lara Ana Beatriz
Published: October 2020

Purpose

Smart cities attract efficient and profitable economic activities, contribute to the societal welfare of their citizens and foster the efficient use and conservation of natural resources. Developing smart cities has become a priority for many developed countries, but as they are preferred destinations for migrants, this raises sustainability issues. They attract people who are seeking a better quality of life, smart services and solutions, a better environment and business activities. The purpose of this paper is to review the state of the art on the relationship between smart cities and migration, with a view to determining sustainability.

Design/methodology/approach

A bibliometric review and text mining analyses were conducted on publications between 2000 and 2019.

Findings

The results determined the main parameters of this research topic in terms of its growth, top journals and articles. The role of sustainability in the relationship between smart cities and migration is also identified, highlighting the special interest of its social dimension.

Originality/value

A bibliometric approach has not been used previously to investigate the link between smart cities and migration. However, given the current relevance of both phenomena, their emergence and growth, this approach is appropriate in determining the state of the art and its main descriptors, with special emphasis on the sustainability implications.
Optimal support vector machine and hybrid tracking model for behaviour recognition in highly dense crowd videos
Authors: Satya Sujith K. , Sasikala G.
Published: October 2020

Purpose

Object detection models have gained considerable popularity as they aid in lot of applications, like monitoring, video surveillance, etc. Object detection through the video tracking faces lot of challenges, as most of the videos obtained as the real time stream are affected due to the environmental factors.

Design/methodology/approach

This research develops a system for crowd tracking and crowd behaviour recognition using hybrid tracking model. The input for the proposed crowd tracking system is high density crowd videos containing hundreds of people. The first step is to detect human through visual recognition algorithms. Here, a priori knowledge of location point is given as input to visual recognition algorithm. The visual recognition algorithm identifies the human through the constraints defined within Minimum Bounding Rectangle (MBR). Then, the spatial tracking model based tracks the path of the human object movement in the video frame, and the tracking is carried out by extraction of color histogram and texture features. Also, the temporal tracking model is applied based on NARX neural network model, which is effectively utilized to detect the location of moving objects. Once the path of the person is tracked, the behaviour of every human object is identified using the Optimal Support Vector Machine which is newly developed by combing SVM and optimization algorithm, namely MBSO. The proposed MBSO algorithm is developed through the integration of the existing techniques, like BSA and MBO.

Findings

The dataset for the object tracking is utilized from Tracking in high crowd density dataset. The proposed OSVM classifier has attained improved performance with the values of 0.95 for accuracy.

Originality/value

This paper presents a hybrid high density video tracking model, and the behaviour recognition model. The proposed hybrid tracking model tracks the path of the object in the video through the temporal tracking and spatial tracking. The features train the proposed OSVM classifier based on the weights selected by the proposed MBSO algorithm. The proposed MBSO algorithm can be regarded as the modified version of the BSO algorithm.
Constructing race in white spaces of Dutch education (1968–2017)
Authors: Sijpenhof Maria Luce
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The key purpose of this paper is to explore how teachers' historical constructions of race and racism may reify whiteness in Dutch classrooms. How has whiteness contributed to how teachers understand and teach race and (historical) racism in white educational spaces in the years 1968–2017?

Design/methodology/approach

Interview data are obtained from a selection of Dutch secondary school (former) teachers, mostly history teachers, who have taught in the period between 1968–2017 (N = 28). Grounded theory and critical discourse analysis are used for analytical purposes.

Findings

The findings reveal that most teachers minimize and distort (historical) racism and its connection to the normalization of whiteness in the Netherlands. These teachers are constantly (re)constructing race based on their own histories, which silences race. This implicates contemporary educational spaces in numerous ways. Among other things, teachers normalize whiteness, while racializing the “other”, they explain racial inequities by reference to factors that exclude racism, and perpetuate whiteness through their teaching.

Originality/value

While in the USA, critical scholars have long provided evidence for racism in educational contexts, racism in Dutch education remains largely unexamined. This paper offers a critical perspective on teachers' racial contributions.
Relationship between achievement goals and attention of university instructors in higher education professional training courses
Authors: Kücherer Benjamin , Dresel Markus , Daumiller Martin
Published: October 2020

Purpose

Professional training courses play an important role for higher education instructors and their teaching quality. However, participants strongly differ in how much they learn in these courses. The present study seeks to explain these differences by focusing on attention as a central aspect of their behavioral engagement that can stem from participants' achievement motivations.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors investigated the attention of participants in full-day higher education professional training courses and how differences therein are associated with their achievement goals. Prior to course participation, 117 university instructors (49.6% male, 79.5% with PhD, average age 31.4 years) reported their achievement goals. Using an adapted observational instrument (Hommel, 2012a), two raters subsequently observed and coded the participants' attention during the course (ICC2 = 0.83).

Findings

The results documented very high attention levels, although with substantial interindividual differences. Multilevel analyses indicated that learning goals positively and work avoidance goals negatively predicted observed attention.

Originality/value

The findings provide insight into the value of an observational approach to measuring a fundamental aspect of learning engagement, and contribute to the understanding of interindividual differences in an important higher education learning environment. The study illuminates the relevance of personal predictors for university instructors' successful learning. Specifically, the findings point to the significance of goals as a relevant, but surprisingly hitherto uninvestigated, premise of learning engagement.
Higher dimensional integrable Vakhnenko–Parkes equation: multiple soliton solutions
Authors: Wazwaz Abdul-Majid
Published: October 2020

Purpose

This study aims to develop a new (3 + 1)-dimensional Painlevé-integrable extended Vakhnenko–Parkes equation. The author formally derives multiple soliton solutions for this developed model.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used the simplified Hirota’s method for deriving multiple soliton solutions.

Findings

The study finds that the developed (3 + 1)-dimensional Vakhnenko–Parkes model exhibits complete integrability in analogy with the standard Vakhnenko–Parkes equation.

Research limitations/implications

This study addresses the integrability features of this model via using the Painlevé analysis. The study also reports multiple soliton solutions for this equation by using the simplified Hirota’s method.

Practical implications

The work reports extension of the (1 + 1)-dimensional standard equation to a (3 + 1)-dimensional model.

Social implications

The work presents useful algorithms for constructing new integrable equations and for handling these equations.

Originality/value

The paper presents an original work with newly developed integrable equation and shows useful findings.
Lesson study as transformative learning for international graduate teaching assistants: “It's like we have a second life”
Authors: Collet Vicki Stewart , Peñaflorida Jennifer
Published: October 2020

Purpose

This study aims to consider how lesson study (LS) supports international graduate assistants (IGAs) teaching in settings that are culturally different from their own prior experiences as learners.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used a single-case design to understand LS, including two IGAs and a domestic GA teaching at a US university. Data sources include audio recordings and field notes from LS sessions and lesson observations, data collected from online interactions, and individual interviews.

Findings

Qualitative analysis indicates IGAs felt their instruction improved as a result of participation, and they incorporated instructional practices aligned with norms in their new context. Through practical work with a narrow focus, IGAs collaborated with one another and with a more-experienced other. This created a context that reduced IGAs' cognitive dissonance, resulting in transformative teacher learning.

Practical implications

The findings suggest LS might provide supports for transformative learning for IGAs and other teachers, especially when they experience cognitive dissonance, such as that caused by culturally different classroom expectations.

Originality/value

This paper speaks to the identified need for supporting IGAs' understanding of values and norms undergirding pedagogy in their new contexts.
Inside sales agent’s sales activities influence on work outcomes and sales agent tenure through autonomous motivation
Authors: Conde Richard , Prybutok Victor
Published: October 2020

Purpose

Previous sales research remains limited to analyzing the influence of sales activities with sales agent tenure. To date, research on this subject has focused on the downstream direct or indirect impact of sales activities to sales performance, failing to consider whether sales activities impact a sales agent’s tenure. This paper aims to assess the effect of sales activities on sales performance and sales agent engagement on sales agent tenure through the lens of autonomous motivation to better understand sales activities as an overall sales process antecedent

Design/methodology/approach

Through the utilization of secondary sales operational data, this research demonstrates the influence of sales activities on multiple sales agent outcomes, while depicting the importance of sales managers creating an autonomous motivational climate.

Findings

This research demonstrates the direct relationship between sales activities to job engagement and sales performance. However, sales activities have a negative relationship to sales agent tenure, which require a sales manager to create an autonomous motivation to mediate the relationship between sales activities and sales agent tenure.

Practical implications

Organizations are provided with sample methodology and analysis to better determine how a culture grounded in autonomous motivation mediates sales activities and can be a catalyst for improving sales agent tenure. Then, provide a better understanding of the effect of actual sales activities on important sales department work outcomes.

Originality/value

The model is the first to test holistically the influence of sales activities on sales performance, sales agent engagement and tenure jointly by using actual secondary operational data. This study provides a glimpse of the real world balance a sales manager must consider between climate and activities. Plus, this study takes initial steps to study sales agent engagement, an under-researched construct in sales research.
Risk management in small family firms: insights into a paradox
Authors: Mitter Christine , Postlmayr Maria , Kuttner Michael
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to provide insights into the risk management practices of small family firms (SFFs).

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based on a multi-site case study approach among ten SFFs (that employ between 10 and less than 50 employees according to the European Commission's recommendation 2003/361/EC) and draws on the concept of social capital.

Findings

The study demonstrates that the vast majority of sample SFFs lacks a formal risk management system and does not prepare for crises and emergencies. However, they are aware of most of their specific risks and draw on a number of risk-mitigation measures to address them. Social capital emerges as common thread and overarching principle in these risk-reduction initiatives, as the SFFs rely on long-standing, trusting and fair relationships with key stakeholders to cushion their businesses from adverse impacts. This prevalence of informal risk management mechanisms may partially explain the paradox as to why formal risk management tools are rarely applied in SFFs.

Practical implications

As the study findings suggest that social capital serves SFFs as risk-reduction measure, owner-managers should capitalise on this specific strength. However, they should also invest in more systematic risk management initiatives to better equip their businesses with the tools to fend off adverse scenarios.

Originality/value

This study is among the first to analyse risk management in SFFs.
An examination of organizational and community effects on police response time
Authors: Salimbene Nicholas Andrew , Zhang Yan
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The primary objective of the current study is to examine the impact that the size of a police department and workload on a department have on response time. Secondarily, the authors look at the effect that incident-level factors such as the severity of a call for service (CFS) and community-level factors such as ethnic diversity have on police response time.

Design/methodology/approach

The current study examined CFSs data collected over a three-year period and organizational information from 26 police departments in Northeast Texas, as well as community-level information. In order to measure the effect of organizational variables, community factors and incident-level variables on police response time, the authors employed the use of hierarchical linear models (HLMs).

Findings

The results of hierarchical linear modeling indicated that incident-level factors and police department size are significant predictors of response time.

Research limitations/implications

There are two primary limitations: first, there were a lack of available organizational structure correlates such as age and differentiation. Second, the primary data set had a significant number of incomplete or repeating cases, thereby limiting the accuracy of the current study’s analysis.

Originality/value

The most unique aspect of this manuscript is that it examines how organizational factors affect police response time. Numerous studies analyzed determinants of police response time such as incident- and community-level factors, but the importance of organizational factors has not been analyzed.
Critical factors for total quality management implementation in the Brazilian construction industry
Authors: Reinaldo Lívia da Silveira Pereira , Vieira Neto Julio , Goyannes Gusmão Caiado Rodrigo , Gonçalves Quelhas Osvaldo Luiz
Published: October 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to identify the critical success factors (CSFs) that affect the implementation of total quality management (TQM) and to investigate, from the perspective of Brazil, the latent factors for TQM implementation in the construction industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology consists of two methods. First, a literature review was conducted to identify CSFs for TQM implementation. Then, empirical research was conducted from a survey questionnaire applied to 130 professionals who have experience in the Brazilian construction industry. SPSS version-25 was used for data analysis, using descriptive statistics, and, finally, principal component analysis for identifying the latent factors.

Findings

The study findings portray convergences regarding the practitioners' perception in the light of the 20 critical factors identified in the literature, which can serve to make construction professionals aware of the key factors to TQM implementation. In addition, two latent factors, quality practices and human factor were identified, and they can assist the leaders and decision-makers for the implementation of TQM in the construction industry of a developing country.

Originality/value

It fills the gap of practical studies that compare the academic and practitioners' perspectives regarding the CSFs for TQM implementation in construction industry.
Incorporating marine macrophytes in plant–soil feedbacks: Emerging evidence and opportunities to advance the field
Authors: Piercey Rebecca S. , Gribben Paul E. , Hanley Torrance C. , Moles Angela T. , Hughes A. Randall
Published: October 2020

Plants can change the biotic and abiotic characteristics of soil, which can in turn affect the growth of plants. For example, changes in below‐ground microbial composition by one plant can affect the relative performance of a second plant, in turn affecting the outcome of plant–plant interactions, invasive species success, species abundance distributions, successional processes and plant community composition and diversity.

The effects of plant–soil feedbacks on population, community and ecosystem processes in coastal and marine soft‐sediment systems have received relatively little attention, yet several recent examples offer compelling evidence for their importance.

Marine soft‐sediment systems offer an ideal opportunity to test key theoretical predictions for when plant–soil feedbacks may contribute to species coexistence and influence community composition, including the role of phylogenetic distance and relatedness, the potential for intraspecific feedbacks, the importance of environmental context, the influence of climate change and the implications for ecosystem function.

Synthesis. There is a documented disconnect between marine and terrestrial research that slows the advancement of generalisable theory. We suggest that bridging this gap in our understanding of plant–soil feedbacks may provide a unifying framework underlying plant community structure in both terrestrial and marine ecosystems.
Networks of epiphytic lichens and host trees along elevation gradients: Climate change implications in mountain ranges
Authors: Saiz Hugo , Dainese Matteo , Chiarucci Alessandro , Nascimbene Juri
Published: October 2020

Several studies have evaluated lichen responses in terms of shifts in species climate suitability, species richness and community composition. In contrast, patterns of co‐occurrence among species that could be related to complex species interactions have received less consideration. Biotic interactions play a major role in shaping species niches, fitness and adaptation to new environments. Therefore, considering the specific relationships among co‐occurring species is essential to further deepen our knowledge of biodiversity response to climate change. In this perspective, the analysis of lichen ecological networks across elevational gradients may provide a powerful tool to understand how communities are structured and how biotic interactions are modulated by changing climatic conditions.

We evaluated the contribution of environmental and species biological attributes to the structure of epiphytic lichen–host tree networks. Specifically, we studied lichen communities considering two different network levels: the whole lichen community, and groups of lichen species that presented similar biological traits. In this framework, we (a) characterized the structure of the epiphytic lichen–host tree networks; (b) assessed how network structure varied with climate, forest attributes and community trait diversity and (c) evaluated the role that biological traits played in the connections established between co‐occurring lichens.

On the one hand, results indicate that epiphytic lichen communities are dominated by local segregation, suggesting habitat specialization among lichens within their host tree, and that climatic conditions and, to a lesser extent, lichen diversity are the main drivers of community assemblage. On the other hand, the role of lichen species in the networks depends on their particular biological traits, supporting the hypothesis that biological traits contribute to shape network structure by influencing the ability of the species to interact between each other. These findings warn about the potential impact of climate change on epiphytic lichen communities.

Synthesis. This study builds towards a better understanding of lichen community assembly and on biodiversity response to climate change in forest alpine ecosystems. In particular, our results highlight the value of lichen–tree networks to inform about assemblage processes acting at different organizational levels and indicate that lichens might become one of the most threatened groups under global change scenarios.
Local uncoordinated gene 5H2 contributes to nerve injury‐induced mechanical allodynia associated to its role in autophagy
Authors: Chen Jing‐Yan , Huang Zi , Xiao Pei‐Yao , Yu Jian , Liao Song‐Jie
Published: October 2020

Lesions of the peripheral nerves can lead to lifelong neuropathic pain (NP). Autophagic deficiency in the Schwann cells (SCs) is an early event in the origin of NP chronification. Uncoordinated gene 5H2 (UNC5H2), one of the repulsive netrin receptors, mediated the effect of netrin‐1 on autophagic activation and cell survival in endothelial cells. However, its role on autophagy regulation in peripheral nerves during NP process remains unidentified. Chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the left sciatic nerve was induced in Sprague‐Dawley rats, and UNC5H2 small interfering RNA was transfected to the ipsilateral sciatic nerve immediately after injury. Mechanical allodynia was assessed. Sciatic UNC5H2 and netrin‐1 protein levels were investigated. Autophagy in the ipsilateral sciatic nerves was evaluated by detecting punctate light chain 3(LC3) and autophagosomes, as well as the levels of LC3 II, p62 and phosphorylated UNC51‐like kinase (ULK1). After CCI, UNC5H2 of the sciatic nerves was upregulated, exclusively expressed in SCs. Small interfering RNA transfection resulted in significant decrease of UNC5H2 and netrin‐1 protein, leading to exaggeration of mechanical allodynia through 14 days after CCI. Autophagy was activated but autophagic influx was interfered within a week after CCI, shown by the elevated levels of both LC3II and p62, which was further deteriorated with UNC5H2 knockdown. In addition, the injury‐induced augmentation of phosphorylated ULK1 was significantly diminished by UNC5H2 knockdown. Altogether, the results suggest that local UNC5H2 of the peripheral nerve plays a significant role in the process of injury‐induced mechanical allodynia, probably associated to its contribution to autophagic regulation.
Patient‐reported outcomes collected in ambulatory oncology practices: Feasibility, patterns, and correlates
Authors: Friese Christopher R. , Fauer Alex J. , Kuisell Clare , Mendelsohn‐Victor Kari , Wright Nathan C. , Griggs Jennifer J. , Manojlovich Milisa
Published: October 2020

Objective

To examine the feasibility of soliciting outcomes from adults who received chemotherapy treatment for cancer and describe the patterns and correlates of patient‐reported toxicities.

Data Sources

Patient survey data from 29 Michigan ambulatory oncology practices collected in 2017.

Study Design

Secondary analysis of patient survey data. Descriptive statistics were generated at the patient and practice levels. Thematic analysis of open‐text comments identified clusters of frequently reported toxicities.

Data Collection Methods

Patients completed 11 items from the Patient‐Reported Outcomes version of the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events. Using a 5‐point Likert scale, patients rated the frequency of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and pain; the severity of nausea, vomiting, constipation, numbness/tingling, and pain; and how much numbness/tingling and pain interfered with usual or daily activities. Patients could also report two toxicities in open‐text comments. Finally, patients reported unplanned health care service for toxicity or side effect management.

Principal Findings

Of 3565 eligible patients, 2245 participated (63%) and 457 (20%) rated at least one toxicity as severe/very severe. Across practices, the proportion of patients who reported at least one severe/very severe toxicity ranged from 8% to 50%. Troubling toxicities included pain frequency (mean 2.3, SD 1.3), pain severity (2.1, 1.1), and diarrhea frequency (1.9, 1.0). From completed assessments, 1653 (74%) reported at least one toxicity in open‐text comments; fatigue (n = 182), stomach discomfort (n = 53), and skin/nail changes (n = 41) were most frequently reported. Regarding consequences, 156 patients (7%) reported unplanned health care service use: 41 (26%) visited an emergency department and 32 (21%) were admitted to a hospital.

Conclusions

Querying patients on chemotherapy treatment experiences and toxicities was feasible. Toxicity rates varied across practices, which informed quality improvement. Toxicity severity and service use incidence exceed previously published trial data, particularly for pain, fatigue, and gastrointestinal issues. Open‐text questions enabled exploration with newer treatment regimens.
Predicting preventable hospital readmissions with causal machine learning
Authors: Marafino Ben J. , Schuler Alejandro , Liu Vincent X. , Escobar Gabriel J. , Baiocchi Mike
Published: October 2020

Objective

To assess both the feasibility and potential impact of predicting preventable hospital readmissions using causal machine learning applied to data from the implementation of a readmissions prevention intervention (the Transitions Program).

Data Sources

Electronic health records maintained by Kaiser Permanente Northern California (KPNC).

Study Design

Retrospective causal forest analysis of postdischarge outcomes among KPNC inpatients. Using data from both before and after implementation, we apply causal forests to estimate individual‐level treatment effects of the Transitions Program intervention on 30‐day readmission. These estimates are used to characterize treatment effect heterogeneity and to assess the notional impacts of alternative targeting strategies in terms of the number of readmissions prevented.

Data Collection

1 539 285 index hospitalizations meeting the inclusion criteria and occurring between June 2010 and December 2018 at 21 KPNC hospitals.

Principal Findings

There appears to be substantial heterogeneity in patients’ responses to the intervention (omnibus test for heterogeneity p = 2.23 × 10−7), particularly across levels of predicted risk. Notably, predicted treatment effects become more positive as predicted risk increases; patients at somewhat lower risk appear to have the largest predicted effects. Moreover, these estimates appear to be well calibrated, yielding the same estimate of annual readmissions prevented in the actual treatment subgroup (1246, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1110‐1381) as did a formal evaluation of the Transitions Program (1210, 95% CI 990‐1430). Estimates of the impacts of alternative targeting strategies suggest that as many as 4458 (95% CI 3925‐4990) readmissions could be prevented annually, while decreasing the number needed to treat from 33 to 23, by targeting patients with the largest predicted effects rather than those at highest risk.

Conclusions

Causal machine learning can be used to identify preventable hospital readmissions, if the requisite interventional data are available. Moreover, our results suggest a mismatch between risk and treatment effects.
Linear perioral atrophoderma along blaschko's lines‐ a retrospective study describing 14 cases of atrophia maculosa varioliformis cutis
Authors: Sharma Reena K. , Gupta Mudita , Gulati Anchna
Published: October 2020

Background

Spontaneous atrophic scarring is characterised by an idiopathic, non‐inflammatory macular atrophy that typically occurs on the face and presents as shallow atrophic scars having sharp margins and may be linear, rectangular or varioliform.

Aim

To describe the cases of spontaneous atrophic scarring over perioral region of face having specific feline band pattern in a retrospective study.

Materials and Methods

All patients with facial atrophoderma (perioral region) were evaluated clinically and histopathologically in tertiary care centres over 3 years. Patients with facial atrophoderma but no perioral involvement and secondary atrophoderma were excluded from the study. Patients were evaluated for number, sites, size and shape of lesions and were confirmed histopathologically.

Results

There were 14 patients (10 females) with facial atrophoderma particularly over the perioral region. Three patients had perioral involvement with a few lesions on the cheeks and forehead. All patients developed atrophoderma spontaneously without preceding inflammation. Most of the patients were asymptomatic except for mild pain or burning at the time of development of atrophic lesions; however, none of the patients were symptomatic at the time of presentation. Histopathology in 5 patients showed epidermal and upper dermal atrophy with no/minimal signs of inflammation.

Conclusion

Idiopathic atrophodermas over the face can be due to spontaneous atrophia maculosa varioliformis cutis or atrophoderma of Moulin.
Formal mentoring support and protégé creativity: A self‐regulatory perspective
Authors: Chen Cheng , Wen Peng , Chen Zhixia , Liao Shudi , Shu Xiaobing
Published: October 2020

Recent studies have shown that formal mentoring support plays a vital role in protégés’ creativity. The psychological mechanisms linking formal mentoring support to protégés’ creativity and its boundary conditions, however, are less clear. To fill this gap, this study aims to examine how and when formal mentors exert their impact on protégés’ creativity, drawing upon a self‐regulatory perspective. By using 231 ongoing mentor–protégé dyads in China, our results indicate that protégés’ feedback seeking from mentors mediates the relationship between formal mentoring support and protégés’ creativity. Furthermore, we found that the chronic promotion focus of protégés plays a significant moderating role in the relationships between formal mentoring support and protégés’ feedback seeking from mentors, and between feedback seeking from mentors and protégés’ creativity, as well as the association between formal mentoring support and protégé creativity via feedback seeking from mentors. Those relationships tend to be stronger when protégés have high levels of chronic promotion focus. Some implications for theory and organizational practices are discussed, as well as suggestions for further areas of research.
Global burden and gender disparity of vision loss associated with diabetes retinopathy
Authors: Xu Yufeng , Wang Aihong , Lin Xiling , Xu Jingya , Shan Yi , Pan Xiaowen , Ye Juan , Shan Peng‐Fei
Published: October 2020

Purpose

To assess the trend patterns and gender disparity in global burden of vision loss due to diabetic retinopathy (DR) by year, age, region and socioeconomic status using prevalence and years lived with disability (YLDs) from Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study 2017.

Methods

Prevalence and YLDs data of vision loss attributable to DR were extracted from GBD Study 2017 in 195 countries and territories. Socio‐demographic Index (SDI) in 2017 was cited as indicators of socioeconomic status. Kruskal–Wallis test, Dunn’s multiple comparisons and Pearson linear correlation were adopted to evaluate the gender disparity and association with socioeconomic levels.

Results

Globally, total age‐standardized prevalence and YLDs rates of vision loss due to DR peaked around 2005, with prevalence rate of 58.98 [95% uncertainty interval (UI) 50.95–68.56] and YLDs rate of 5.00 (95% UI 3.51–6.84) per 100 000 population, respectively. The burden were expected to increase to 65.74 (95% UI 60.14–70.86) and 5.68 (95% UI 4.07–7.22) by 2050. The burden would increase according to our projection based on current epidemiological situation. However, gender disparity has existed since 1990 and been enlarging in recent years, with female being more heavily impacted. This pattern remained with ageing among different stages of vision impairments and varied through GBD super regions. Gender difference (females minus males) of age‐standardized prevalence rates was positively related to SDI (r = 0.1661, p = 0.0203). Diabetes has become a more important risk over the past 3 decades among the leading causes of vision loss.

Conclusions

The DR‐related vision loss burden tended to increase under ageing population according to our projection with significant gender disparity. Public awareness of DR and gender sensitive health policy should be emphasized.
Therapeutic effects of acupuncture in typical dry eye: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Na Ji‐Ho , Jung Ji‐Hyeo , Park Joon‐Gon , Song Phil Hyun , Song Chang‐Hyun
Published: October 2020

Acupuncture is a treatment option for dry eye syndrome (DES), but its efficacy remains still controversial. We assessed the effectiveness of this treatment for typical DES without specific aetiologies. Eight databases up through June 2018 were searched for randomized clinical trials (RCTs) comparing treatments of acupuncture with artificial tears. The risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane criteria, and a random effects model was used for meta‐analyses on tear‐film breakup time (BUT), Schirmer test, corneal fluorescein staining (CFS), ocular surface disease index, visual analogue scale and score of symptoms (SOS). Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were conducted to explore the heterogeneity, and publication bias was assessed by funnel plot using Egger’s test. Twenty‐one RCTs in 19 studies (n = 1542 eyes) met our eligible criteria. The results demonstrated the superiority of acupuncture in improving the symptoms of BUT, Schirmer test, CFS and SOS, compared to artificial tears acting alone. The BUT and Schirmer test were also more improved in acupuncture combination with artificial tears than artificial tears alone. Further subgroup analyses suggest that acupuncture applied at 2.0–3.0 times per week for 21–30 days may be optimal for treating typical DES. This provides useful information for guiding acupuncture in the clinical trials.
Association between C‐reactive protein and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Borgersen Nanna Jo , Møller‐Lorentzen Thomas , Sørensen Torben Lykke , Subhi Yousif
Published: October 2020

Aetiological processes of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) remains poorly understood, but several studies indicate that immunity may play a role and report elevated levels of systemic C‐reactive protein (CRP). In this systematic review and meta‐analysis, we summarize available evidence in the field. We searched the databases PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science and the Cochrane Central on 19 March 2020. Two independent authors reviewed the studies and extracted data. Two independent authors reviewed the studies, extracted data and evaluated risk of bias within individual studies. Studies were reviewed in the text qualitatively and measures of association were included for quantitative analyses. Results from univariate analyses and multivariate‐adjusted analyses were included for separate meta‐analyses to evaluate whether the association was only due to factors associated with PCV. Four studies (246 patients with PCV and 2861 control individuals) were identified and included for a qualitative and quantitative analysis. Increased CRP was associated with PCV when pooling both univariate measures (OR 3.54, 95% CI: 2.13–5.89, p < 0.0001) and multivariate‐adjusted measures (OR 3.05, 95% CI: 1.56–5.98, p = 0.0011). Sensitivity analyses confirmed robustness of the results. Increased CRP is associated to PCV, even after adjusting for demographics, lifestyle factors and co‐morbidities. Clinical value of CRP in relation to PCV remains unclear, but the association gives much needed insight into the aetiology of a poorly understood disease.
Impact of pacing frequency in amiodarone interaction with cardiomyocytes near physiological temperature in health and disease conditions
Authors: S. Beserra Samuel , Roman‐Campos Danilo
Published: October 2020

Long QT syndrome type 3 (LQT‐3) is a disease related to abnormal cardiac sodium channel function (Nav 1.5), usually due to augmented late sodium current (INaL), and may lead to ventricular fibrillation. Amiodarone is approved for ventricular fibrillation. Thus, we investigated whether pacing frequency impacts the ability of amiodarone to reverse the arrhythmic phenotype observed in LQT‐3. Anemone neurotoxin 2 (ATX‐II, here named only ATX) was used to enhance INaL in mice left ventricular myocytes (LVM). A video detector system monitored sarcomere shortening. At 1 Hz, amiodarone attenuated sarcomere shortening only at 10 µmol/L; at 3 and 5 Hz, 0.1 and 1 µmol/L amiodarone also reduced sarcomere shortening. However, no effect of amiodarone was observed on time to 50% of sarcomere contraction and relaxation. In LVM exposed to ATX (10 nmol/L), an arrhythmic phenotype was observed, and it was more severe when cells were paced at 1 Hz. Amiodarone failed to reverse the ATX induced phenotype at different pacing frequencies. Thus, our results suggest that amiodarone's ability to reverse arrhythmias induced by augmentation of INaL is limited. These findings suggest further experimentation will be required to clarify whether a clinical effect can be ascribed to an effect of amiodarone on other ion channels in LQT‐3.
A comparison of safe sleep violations in child care and family child care learning homes in Georgia
Authors: Neuharth‐Pritchett Stacey , Salm Ward Trina , McLaughlin Kacie C. , Jackson Victoria M.
Published: October 2020

Background

High rates of infant death associated with sleeping practices continue to persist in the United States. Infants spend a large portion of their day with child care and family child care learning home providers. Safe sleeping practices continue to be an area of need for care providers of young children.

Method

The current study examines data drawn from a publicly available database of child care licensing reports in Georgia (n = 3,501), which contained data on child care centres and family child care learning homes. Information in the database included characteristics of the centres, year of data collection and the specific violations by child care provider type.

Results

Results indicated clear differences in the prevalence of violations between child care centres and family child care learning homes. Within the overall sample, 13.3% of centres and family child care learning homes were cited for safe sleeping practice violations with higher prevalence in licensed child care centres and unaccredited centres. Violations were consistent with those commonly found in child care environments and inconsistent with the American Academy of Pediatrics safe sleep recommendations.

Conclusions

Data from the current study suggest a continued need for professional learning on safe sleep practices.
Adaptive Compositing and Navigation of Variable Resolution Images
Authors: Licorish C. , Faraj N. , Summa B.
Published: October 2020

We present a new, high‐quality compositing pipeline and navigation approach for variable resolution imagery. The motivation of this work is to explore the use of variable resolution images as a quick and accessible alternative to traditional gigapixel mosaics. Instead of the common tedious acquisition of many images using specialized hardware, variable resolution images can achieve similarly deep zooms as large mosaics, but with only a handful of images. For this approach to be a viable alternative, the state‐of‐the‐art in variable resolution compositing needs to be improved to match the high‐quality approaches commonly used in mosaic compositing. To this end, we provide a novel, variable resolution mosaic seam calculation and gradient domain color correction. This approach includes a new priority order graph cuts computation along with a practical data structure to keep memory overhead low. In addition, navigating variable resolution images is challenging, especially at the zoom factors targeted in this work. To address this challenge, we introduce a new image interaction for variable resolution imagery: a pan that automatically, and smoothly, hugs available resolution. Finally, we provide several real‐world examples of our approach producing high‐quality variable resolution mosaics with deep zooms typically associated with gigapixel photography.
Accuracy of preoperative staging with multidetector computed tomography in colon cancer
Authors: Olsen Anna Sofie Friis , Gundestrup Anders Kierkegaard , Kleif Jakob , Thanon Tara , Bertelsen Claus Anders
Published: October 2020

Aim

Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) is the main preoperative decision‐making tool in colon cancer treatment, thus the validation of daily clinical practice is warranted. The only published study validating the accuracy of MDCT in a national cohort was performed more than a decade ago. With neoadjuvant chemotherapy for patients with preoperatively assessed locally advanced cancer and the emergence of other personalized treatments we aimed to validate the accuracy of MDCT in a national cohort.

Method

The study is based on the Danish Colorectal Cancer Group (DCCG) database and included all Danish patients diagnosed with primary colon adenocarcinoma between January 2015 and December 2018. The primary study outcome was the accuracy of MDCT in identifying patients with locally advanced disease. The secondary outcomes were the accuracy of predicting UICC Stage I based on predicting the tumour category (pT3–T4 versus pT1–T2) and lymph node metastasis.

Results

A total 3465 patients were included in the analyses regarding locally advanced colon cancer. The sensitivity and specificity were 0.61 (0.58–0.64) and 0.85 (0.83–0.86), respectively, for CT to predict locally advanced disease. The sensitivity and specificity were 0.63 (0.59–0.66) and 0.80 (0.78–0.81), respectively, for predicting UICC Stage I in 4496 patients. Thirty six per cent of the patients assessed as having locally advanced disease and 58% assessed as Stage I were misclassified by MDCT.

Conclusion

The present standard in Denmark questions whether the implementation of personalized medicine such as neoadjuvant adjuvant chemotherapy and tailor‐made resections based on MDCT is justified.
Association between urinary function and resected pattern of the autonomic nerve system after transanal total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer
Authors: Shiraishi Takuya , Ito Masaaki , Sasaki Takeshi , Nishizawa Yuji , Tsukada Yuichiro , Ikeda Koji
Published: October 2020

Aim

Transanal total mesorectal excision (TaTME) is expected to improve the quality of total mesorectal excision as well as preserve urinary function. We aimed to study the frequency and risk factors of urinary dysfunction in rectal cancer patients after TaTME. Moreover, we analysed the association between urinary function and resected pattern of the autonomic nerve system (ANS) in TaTME.

Method

We retrospectively analysed 231 patients who underwent TaTME at our hospital from 2013 to 2018. Independent risk factors for urinary dysfunction were assessed by multivariate analysis. Urinary dysfunction was defined as a condition that requires urethral catheterisation. We intraoperatively judged and classified the preserved or resected pattern of ANS into four categories.

Results

The rate of urinary dysfunction after TaTME was 12.1% at discharge. Multivariate analysis revealed that beyond TME and ANS resection were the two major independent risk factors for urinary dysfunction. Total ANS preservation had reduced rates of urinary dysfunction, and all patients were free from catheterisation 6 months post‐surgery. There was a higher rate of urinary dysfunction in total ANS resection than in partial ANS resection at 6 months post‐surgery.

Conclusion

This study showed that urinary function after TaTME was associated with resection of the ANS. Furthermore, the rate of urinary dysfunction and recovery time were closely related to the pattern of ANS resection.