bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigating consumer intention to accept mobile payment systems through unified theory of acceptance model
Authors: Gupta Kanishk , Arora Nupur
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of key antecedents of unified theory of acceptance and use of technology model 2 on behavioral intention to accept and use mobile payment systems in National Capital Region, India.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 267 mobile payment system users in National Capital Region was obtained through an online survey. A partial least squares method was used to find out whether key antecedents of UTAUT2 predict behavioral intention to accept mobile payment systems which further predicts use behavior toward mobile payment systems.

Findings

The research substantiates that performance expectancy, effort expectancy, habit and facilitating conditions significantly predict behavioral intention, which in turn significantly predict use behavior to use mobile payment systems. Both social influence and hedonic motivation were weak predictors of behavioral intention.

Research limitations/implications

The research substantiates that performance expectancy, effort expectancy, habit and facilitating conditions significantly predict behavioral intention, which in turn significantly predict use behavior to use mobile payment systems. Both social influence and hedonic motivation were weak predictors of behavioral intention.

Originality/value

The research substantiates that performance expectancy, effort expectancy, habit and facilitating conditions significantly predict behavioral intention, which in turn significantly predict use behavior to use mobile payment systems. Both social influence and hedonic motivation were weak predictors of behavioral intention.
Does Ban on Futures trading (de)stabilise spot volatility?
Authors: Sobti Neharika
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to ascertain the possible consequences of ban on futures trading of agriculture commodities in India by examining three critical issues: first, the author explores whether price discovery dominance changes between futures and spot in the pre-ban and post-relaunch phase both in the long run and short run. Second, the author examines the impact of ban and relaunch of futures trading on its underlying spot volatility for five sample cases of agriculture commodities (Wheat, Sugar, Soya Refined Oil, Rubber and Chana) using both parametric and non-parametric tests. Third, the author revisits the destabilization hypothesis in the light of ban on futures trading by examining the impact of unexpected component of liquidity of futures on spot volatility.

Design/methodology/approach

The author uses widely adopted methodology of co-integration to examine long-run relationship between spot and futures, while the short-run relationship is investigated using vector error correction model (VECM) and Granger causality to test price discovery in the pre-ban and post-relaunch phases. The second objective is explored using a combination of parametric and non-parametric tests such as Welch one-way ANOVA and Kruskal–Wallis test, respectively, to gauge the impact of ban on futures trading on spot volatility along with post hoc tests to investigate pairwise comparison of spot volatility among three phases (pre-ban, ban and post-relaunch) using Dunn Test. In addition, extensive robustness test is undertaken by adopting augmented E-GARCH model to ascertain the impact of ban and relaunch of futures trading on spot volatility. The third objective is investigated using Granger causality test between spot volatility and unexpected component of liquidity of futures estimated using Hodrick and Prescott (HP) filter to re-visit the destabilization hypothesis.

Findings

The author found extensive evidence for the dominance of futures market in the price discovery of agriculture commodities both in the pre-ban and post-relaunch phases in India. The ban on futures trading is found to have a destabilizing impact on spot volatility as evident from the findings of Wheat, Sugar and Rubber. In addition, it is observed that spot volatility was highest during the ban phase as compared to the pre-ban and post-relaunch phases for all four commodities barring Chana. The author found that destabilisation hypothesis holds true during the pre ban phase, while weakening of destabilization hypothesis is observed in the post-relaunch phase as unexpected futures liquidity has no role in driving the spot volatility.

Originality/value

This study is a novel attempt to empirically examine the potential impact of ban and relaunch of futures trading of agriculture commodities on two key market quality dimensions – price discovery and spot volatility. In addition, destabilization hypothesis is revisited to investigate the impact of futures trading on spot volatility during the pre-ban and post-relaunch period.
Towards sustainable cities: about redundancy, voids and the potentials of the land
Authors: Roggema Rob
Published: January 2020

Purpose

With future (extreme) change ahead of us, there are many serious problems humankind has to face. The pace of mitigating climate change through an energy transition to renewables is slow, global mean temperature is increasing and sea level seems to rise at an accelerated pace. This puts many livelihoods at risk and communities have to face an uncertain future. Therefore, continuing the way contemporary cities are developing and developed is not an option. The new normal should also be reflected in urbanism. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the answer to this question is sought in understanding traditional attitudes to living and their relation to the land. How these cultures have been capable of coping with disruptions lies in the way their mental paradigm respects their environment. A more resilient future can be achieved when the traditional values of the relation of societies with the land they live on are considered important and indigenous knowledge and perspectives are used to design cities.

Findings

Current society seems to have forgotten what it means and how to put into practice sharing resources and space, giving back more to the environment than used to live. Also, mankind seems to be lacking the ability to move and search for the potentials where to live. Furthermore, choosing to live in safe places, hence being less vulnerable for disruptions, is a principle that has long been neglected. These characteristics of traditional cultures are translated in four principles that are valuable in design processes: first, making use of the energy and power a disaster might bring and turning it into an advantage; second, using imagination to anticipate an unknown future; third, accommodating all paces of urban change; and fourth, designing redundancy for flexibility. The use of these principles is illustrated in three Sydney-based examples.

Originality/value

The link between indigenous knowledge and current urban design practice is new.
Stakeholders’ relevance in sustainable residential property development
Authors: Komolafe Markson Opeyemi , Oyewole Matthew Oluwole , Gbadegesin Job Taiwo
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relative awareness and influence of stakeholders on sustainable residential property development in Lagos, Nigeria. This is with a view to identifying the key stakeholders pertinent to enhancing sustainable residential property development in the country.

Design/methodology/approach

Data on awareness and influence of stakeholders on decisions to adopt sustainable residential property were elicited from residential property users, building contractors, property investors, estate surveyors and valuers and government regulatory agencies in Lagos residential property sector. The data were collected by using a questionnaire and analysed using mean item score and analysis of variance.

Findings

The result showed that the government regulatory agencies and the building professionals were aware of sustainable buildings, as mean scores measuring their awareness were higher than 2.5 on a scale of 1–5. The level of awareness of users was, however, low (mean score of 2.39). The users and the government regulatory agencies were identified by the stakeholders as being most influential on their decisions to adopt sustainable residential property.

Practical implications

Findings from this study indicate that there is need to promote the users and government regulatory agencies’ activities on sustainable residential property development as the activities of these stakeholders have higher influence on sustainable residential property development decisions in the study area.

Originality/value

This study particularly examines the interrelationships between the activities of stakeholders in sustainable residential property development in Nigeria. This has not been adequately studied in extant literature.
Performance of liquid–liquid hydrocyclone (LLHC) for treating produced water from surfactant flooding produced water
Authors: Ku Ishak Ku Esyra Hani , Abdalla Ayoub Mohammed
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the performance of the fabricated liquid–liquid hydrocyclone (LLHC) with dimensions similar to those of one of the Malaysian oilfields with the presence of an anionic surfactant, S672. The effect of salinity and initial oil concentration were also investigated following the actual range concentration.

Design/methodology/approach

The current control system’s pressure drop ratio (PDR) does not necessarily lead to an efficient LLHC. Therefore, rather than using the PDR, the efficiency of the LLHC was analyzed by comparing the concentration of oil in the effluents with the concentration of oil at the feed of the LLHC. An LLHC test rig was developed at Centre of Enhanced Oil Recovery, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS. Emulsions were prepared by mixing the brines, S672 and oil by using Ultra Turrax ultrasonic mixer. The emulsion was pumped into the LLHC at different feed flowrate and split ratio. The brines concentration, initial oil concentration and S672 concentration were also varied in this study. Samples were taken at the underflow of the LLHC and the oil in water concentration analysis was done for the samples using TD-500D equipment.

Findings

It was found that the efficiency of oil removal decreased with an increase in S672 concentration but increased with the increase in salinity and initial oil concentration.

Originality/value

The optimum feed flowrate for the LLHC of 45 mm diameter and length of 1,125 mm with the presence of S672 surfactant was found to be 40 L/min with a split ratio of 14%. This study can be used as a guidance for future optimization of the LLHC in the presence of the surfactant.
Research perspectives and state-of-the-art methods in photovoltaic microgrids
Authors: Thangam Thomas , K. Muthuvel , Kazem Hussein A.
Published: January 2020

Purpose

Increased investment of a photovoltaic (PV) array makes it essential for the client to attain better results from the PV system. The nonlinearity of the PV array and the revolution and rotation of the earth require the appliance of maximum power point tracking (MPPT) to the system. Accordingly, grid connected PV systems have turn out to be renowned, because they do not require battery back-ups to accomplish MPPT. Stand-alone systems could also attain MPPT; however, they require appropriate battery back-ups for this function.

Design/methodology/approach

This survey intends to formulate a review on the PV-based microgrid (MG) systems. Here, the literature analyses on diverse techniques associated with PV-based MG systems. It reviews 65 research papers and states the significant analysis. Initially, the analysis depicts various controllers that are contributed in different papers. Subsequently, the analysis also focuses on various features such as PV capacity and inverter topology, and it also analyses the renewable grid source that are exploited in each paper. Furthermore, this paper provides the detailed study regarding the chronological review and performance achievements in each contribution. Finally, it extends the various research issues which can be useful for the researchers to accomplish further research on PV-based MG systems.

Findings

This paper has presented a detailed review on PV-based MG systems that were enumerated in the above sections. Here, various controllers along with their better achievements were analyzed and described. From the review, it was known that several PV-based MG systems were really at the point for enabling better power output and conversion efficiency. In conclusion, this paper reviewed about 65 research papers and declared the significant analysis. Initially, the analysis also focused on various controller classifications in PV-based MG systems that were reviewed in this paper. Subsequently, the analysis also focused on various features, such as PV capacity and inverter topology. The analysis also reviewed the performance achievements and renewable gird source that were exploited in PV-based MG systems. At last, this paper has presented various research issues which can be useful for the researchers to accomplish further research on the features of PV-based MG systems.

Originality/value

This paper presents a brief analysis of PV-based MG systems. This is the first work that uses PV-based MG systems for better regulation of MPPT.
E190V substitution of H6 hemagglutinin is one of key factors for binding to sulfated sialylated glycan receptor and infection to chickens
Authors: Kikutani Yuto , Okamatsu Masatoshi , Nishihara Shoko , Takase‐Yoden Sayaka , Hiono Takahiro , de Vries Robert P. , McBride Ryan , Matsuno Keita , Kida Hiroshi , Sakoda Yoshihiro
Published: January 2020

Avian influenza viruses (AIVs) recognize sialic acid linked α2,3 to galactose (SAα2,3Gal) glycans as receptors. In this study, the interactions between hemagglutinins (HAs) of AIVs and sulfated SAα2,3Gal glycans were analyzed to clarify the molecular basis of interspecies transmission of AIVs from ducks to chickens. It was revealed that E190V and N192D substitutions of the HA increased the recovery of viruses derived from an H6 duck virus isolate, A/duck/Hong Kong/960/1980 (H6N2), in chickens. Recombinant HAs from an H6 chicken virus, A/chicken/Tainan/V156/1999 (H6N1), bound to sulfated SAα2,3Gal glycans, whereas the HAs from an H6 duck virus did not. Binding preference of mutant HAs revealed that an E190V substitution is critical for the recognition of sulfated SAα2,3Gal glycans. These results suggest that the binding of the HA from H6 AIVs to sulfated SAα2,3Gal glycans explains a part of mechanisms of interspecies transmission of AIVs from ducks to chickens.
Sex‐independent senescence in a cooperatively breeding mammal
Authors: Thorley Jack , Duncan Christopher , Sharp Stuart P. , Gaynor David , Manser Marta B. , Clutton‐Brock Tim
Published: January 2020

Researchers studying mammals have frequently interpreted earlier or faster rates of ageing in males as resulting from polygyny and the associated higher costs of reproductive competition.

Yet, few studies conducted on wild populations have compared sex‐specific senescence trajectories outside of polygynous species, making it difficult to make generalized inferences on the role of reproductive competition in driving senescence, particularly when other differences between males and females might also contribute to sex‐specific changes in performance across lifespan.

Here, we examine age‐related variation in body mass, reproductive output and survival in dominant male and female meerkats,Suricata suricatta. Meerkats are socially monogamous cooperative breeders where a single dominant pair virtually monopolizes reproduction in each group and subordinate group members help to rear offspring produced by breeders.

In contrast to many polygynous societies, we find that neither the onset nor the rate of senescence in body mass or reproductive output shows clear differences between males and females. Both sexes also display similar patterns of age‐related survival across lifespan, but unlike most wild vertebrates, survival senescence (increases in annual mortality with rising age) was absent in dominants of both sexes, and as a result, the fitness costs of senescence were entirely attributable to declines in reproductive output from mid‐ to late‐life.

We suggest that the potential for intrasexual competition to increase rates of senescence in females—who are hormonally masculinized and frequently aggressive—is offset by their ability to maintain longer tenures of dominance than males, and that these processes when combined lead to similar patterns of senescence in both sexes.

Our results stress the need to consider the form and intensity of sexual competition as well as other sex‐specific features of life history when investigating the operation of senescence in wild populations.
Who is eating fructose within the Aedes albopictus gut microbiota?
Authors: Guégan Morgane , Tran Van Van , Martin Edwige , Minard Guillaume , Tran Florence‐Hélène , Fel Benjamin , Hay Anne‐Emmanuelle , Simon Laurent , Barakat Mohamed , Potier Patrick , Haichar Feth el Zahar , Valiente Moro Claire
Published: January 2020

The Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus is a major public health concern because of its invasive success and its ability to transmit pathogens. Given the low availability of treatments against mosquito‐borne diseases, vector control remains the most suitable strategy. The methods used thus far are becoming less effective, but recent strategies have emerged from the study of mosquito‐associated microorganisms. Although the role of the microbiota in insect biology does not require further proof, much remains to be deciphered in mosquitoes, especially the contribution of the microbiota to host nutrient metabolism. Mosquitoes feed on plant nectar, composed of mostly fructose. We used stable isotope probing to identify bacteria and fungi assimilating fructose within the gut of Ae. albopictus. Mosquitoes were fed a 13C‐labelled fructose solution for 24 h. Differences in the active microbial community according to the sex of mosquitoes were highlighted. The bacterium Lelliottia and the fungi Cladosporium and Aspergillus dominated the active microbiota in males, whereas the bacterium Ampullimonas and the yeast Cyberlindnera were the most active in females. This study is the first to investigate trophic interactions between Ae. albopictus and its microbiota, thus underscoring the importance of the microbial component in nectar feeding in mosquitoes.
Covenanting for Nature: A Comparative Study of the Utility and Potential of Conservation Covenants
Authors: Rodgers Christopher , Grinlinton David
Published: January 2020

Conservation covenants over private land are extensively used in some jurisdictions to secure a wide range of public benefits: in some cases primarily to promote nature conservation, while elsewhere to foster conservation alongside greater public access to ‘green’ space. This article considers the use of conservation covenants in New Zealand, Scotland, and England and Wales. It argues that they can play a unique role in balancing nature conservation, property rights and increased public access to private land. It reviews proposals for new legislation in England and Wales and argues that, if it is to be successful, the potential of conservation covenants to secure greater public access to private land should be more strongly emphasised. Their successful use in New Zealand shows that, while recognising the important balancing function that they can perform, this emphasis is critically important if covenants are to fulfil their potential to ‘reconnect’ people and nature.
The State as Both Regulator and Player: The Politics of Transfer of Development Rights in China
Authors: Shao Zinan , Xu Jiang , Chung Calvin King Lam , Spit Tejo , Wu Qun
Published: January 2020

The conventional argument that the introduction of transfer of development rights (TDR) shifts the power of land use regulation from the state to the market is increasingly under challenge. In China, the state's grip on land is reinforced through TDR, in which the state is both regulator and player. This state‐dominated form of TDR affects China in three ways. First, competing aspirations of different scales of government complicate how TDR is implemented. Although the central state promotes TDR to maintain a national balance of arable land, some local states instrumentalize it to expand their landed basis of accumulation. Secondly, TDR tends to benefit the state but not its people. It may increase the fiscal income of the sending government and lessen the land shortage of the receiving government, but sometimes at the expense of the interests of land users without land ownership. Thirdly, given the state's deep involvement in TDR programs, the key for China's TDR to protect arable land lies not so much in clear property rights or a fully fledged market as in effective checks and balances regarding the state's powers over TDR. These three observations attest to the embeddedness of TDR in the local political economy.
Co‐existence or displacement: Do street trials of intelligent vehicles test society?
Authors: Marres Noortje
Published: January 2020

This paper examines recent street tests of autonomous vehicles (AVs) in the UK and makes the case for an experimental approach in the sociology of intelligent technology. In recent years intelligent vehicle testing has moved from the laboratory to the street, raising the question of whether technology trials equally constitute tests of society. To adequately address this question, I argue, we need to move beyond analytic frameworks developed in 1990s Science and Technology Studies, which stipulated “a social deficit” of both intelligent technology and technology testing. This diagnosis no longer provides an effective starting point for sociological analysis, as real‐world tests of intelligent technology explicitly seek to bring social phenomena within the remit of technology testing. I propose that we examine instead whether and how the introduction of intelligent vehicles into the street involves the qualification and re‐qualification of relations and dynamics between social actors. I develop this proposal through a discussion of a field study of AV street trials in three cities in the UK—London, Milton Keynes, and Coventry. These urban trials were accompanied by the claim that automotive testing on the open road will enable cars to operate in tune with the social environment, and I show how iterations of street testing undo this proposition and compel its reformulation. Current test designs are limited by their narrow conception of sociality in terms of interaction between cars and other road users. They exclude from consideration the relational capacities of vehicles and human road users alike—their ability to co‐exist on the open road. I conclude by making the case for methodological innovation in social studies of intelligent technology: by combining social research and design methods, we can re‐purpose real‐world test environments in order to elucidate social issues and dynamics raised by intelligent vehicles in society by experimental means, and, possibly, test society.
Mistreatment from patients and nurses’ career withdrawal intention: does political skill matter?
Authors: Cai Di , Li Fengyu , Feng Taiwen , Liu Bing , Qi Lei , Men Chenghao
Published: January 2020

Based on conservation of resources theory, we propose that mistreatment from patients can affect nurses’ career withdrawal intention through job burnout. We further suggest that these effects are contingent upon political skill. A study of 277 nurses from three hospitals located in China revealed a positive relationship between mistreatment from patients and nurses’ career withdrawal intention. Job burnout mediated the relationship between mistreatment from patients and nurses’ career withdrawal intention. The results also showed that the relationship between mistreatment from patients and job burnout was negatively moderated by political skill. Nurses with higher‐level political skills were less likely to suffer from job burnout after being mistreated. This study enriches the research on mistreatment and career withdrawal intention and provides practical implications for hospital managers.
Detection of circulating tumor DNA from non‐small cell lung cancer brain metastasis in cerebrospinal fluid samples
Authors: Ma Chunhua , Yang Xueling , Xing Wenge , Yu Haipeng , Si Tongguo , Guo Zhi
Published: January 2020

Background

Evaluating the molecular characteristics of brain metastases is limited by difficult access and by the blood–brain barrier, which prevents circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) from entering the blood. In this study, we aimed to compare the sequencing results from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) ctDNA versus plasma ctDNA, plasma circulating tumor cells (CTCs), and brain tissue specimens from patients with brain metastasis from non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods

This was a prospective study of 21 consecutive patients with NSCLC and brain metastasis diagnosed between April 2018 and January 2019. Samples of CSF and peripheral blood were obtained from all 21 patients. Brain tissues were obtained from five patients after surgical resection. Next‐generation sequencing was performed using the Ion system. Single nucleotide variants (SNVs) and small insertions or deletions (indels) were searched.

Results

Mutations were detected in the CSF ctDNA of 20 (95.2%) patients. The detection rate of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations in CSF ctDNA was 57.1% (12/21) whereas this rate was only 23.8% (5/21) in peripheral blood ctDNA and in CTCs. EGFR mutations were found in the CSF of 9 of 11 (81.8%) patients with leptomeningeal metastases, as compared with three of 10 (30%) patients with brain parenchymal metastases. Mutations were also detected in KIT, PIK3CA, TP53, SMAD4, ATM, SMARCB1, PTEN, FLT3, GNAS, STK11, MET, CTNNB1, APC, FBXW7, ERBB4, and KDR (all >10%). The status of EGFR and TP53 mutations was consistent between CSF ctDNA and brain lesion tissue in all five patients.

Conclusion

Sequencing of CSF ctDNA revealed specific mutation patterns in driver genes among patients with NSCLC and brain metastasis.

Key points

In some small‐sample studies, the importance of cerebrospinal fluid in guiding the treatment of cancerous brain lesions has been verified in that it may reflect genomic mutations of brain tumors relatively accurately.

Cerebrospinal fluid is a new form of liquid biopsy that can be helpful in improving the management of patients with brain metastasis from non‐small cell lung cancer by detecting genetic abnormalities specific to brain metastases.
Metformin mediates cardioprotection against aging‐induced ischemic necroptosis
Authors: Li Chen , Mu Nan , Gu Chunhu , Liu Manling , Yang Zheng , Yin Yue , Chen Mai , Wang Yishi , Han Yuehu , Yu Lu , Ma Heng
Published: January 2020

Necroptosis is crucially involved in severe cardiac pathological conditions. However, whether necroptosis contributes to age‐related intolerance to ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury remains elusive. In addition, metformin as a potential anti‐aging related injury drug, how it interacts with myocardial necroptosis is not yet clear. Male C57BL/6 mice at 3–4‐ (young) and 22–24 months of age (aged) and RIPK3‐deficient (Ripk3−/−) mice were used to investigate aging‐related I/R injury in vivo. Metformin (125 μg/kg, i.p.), necrostatin‐1 (3.5 mg/kg), and adenovirus vector encoding p62‐shRNAs (Ad‐sh‐p62) were used to treat aging mice. I/R‐induced myocardial necroptosis was exaggerated in aged mice, which correlated with autophagy defects characterized by p62 accumulation in aged hearts or aged human myocardium. Functionally, blocking autophagic flux promoted H/R‐evoked cardiomyocyte necroptosis in vitro. We further revealed that p62 forms a complex with RIP1‐RIP3 (necrosome) and promotes the binding of RIP1 and RIP3. In mice, necrostatin‐1 treatment (a RIP1 inhibitor), RIP3 deficiency, and cardiac p62 knockdown in vivo demonstrated that p62‐RIP1‐RIP3‐dependent myocardial necroptosis contributes to aging‐related myocardial vulnerability to I/R injury. Notably, metformin treatment disrupted p62‐RIP1‐RIP3 complexes and effectively repressed I/R‐induced necroptosis in aged hearts, ultimately reducing mortality in this model. These findings highlight previously unknown mechanisms of aging‐related myocardial ischemic vulnerability: p62‐necrosome‐dependent necroptosis. Metformin acts as a cardioprotective agent that inhibits this unfavorable chain mechanism of aging‐related I/R susceptibility.
Outcomes of an acute care surgery model: a 10‐year follow‐up study
Authors: Kaya Cigdem , Yang Phillip F. , Wong Shing W. , Truskett Philip G.
Published: January 2020

Background

Many hospitals across Australia and New Zealand have implemented acute care surgery (ACS) models over the past decade, often with improved outcomes such as reductions in wait time to surgery, complications and length of stay. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of patients who underwent non‐elective appendicectomy and cholecystectomy and compare these with the results observed shortly after the implementation of an ACS model at our institution 10 years earlier.

Methods

A retrospective review of contemporary patients who underwent non‐elective appendicectomy and cholecystectomy compared with historical data was performed. Primary outcomes were wait time to surgery, surgical complications and length of stay.

Results

In the contemporary cohort, 263 patients underwent non‐elective appendicectomy over a 1‐year period compared with 226 patients in the historical cohort. The median wait time to surgery had increased (17.7 versus 9.6 h, P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in a composite end‐point of complications and readmissions (8.0% versus 9.3%, P = 0.61). The length of stay was unchanged. There was greater use of preoperative imaging and reduced overnight operating. For non‐elective cholecystectomies, 132 patients underwent this procedure in the contemporary cohort over a 2‐year period compared with 115 patients in the historical cohort. There were no significant differences in wait time to surgery (2 versus 1 day, P = 0.13) or complications (9.8% versus 8.7%, P = 0.75). The length of stay was unchanged.

Conclusion

The majority of improvements seen shortly following the implementation of an ACS model have been sustained after 10 years.
Is arterial stiffness in the carotid artery associated with choroidal thinning in patients with pseudoxanthoma elasticum or controls?
Authors: Risseeuw Sara , Bartstra Jonas , Ossewaarde – van Norel Jeannette , Geurts Lennart J. , Li Catherina H.Z. , Imhof Saskia M. , Spiering Wilko , de Jong Pim A. , van Leeuwen Redmer
Published: January 2020

Purpose

Patients with pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) develop calcification of Bruch's membrane (BM) and choroidal thinning, as well as calcification of intracranial arteries, leading to arterial stiffness. We investigated whether arterial stiffness is associated with choroidal thinning in PXE patients, besides the presumed effect of BM calcification.

Methods

Cross‐sectional study with 75 PXE patients and 40 controls. Macular choroidal thickness was measured using optical coherence tomography scans. Functional magnetic resonance imaging was used to calculate the pulsatility index (PI) of the carotid siphon as a measure of arterial stiffness. Associations between PI and choroidal thickness were investigated using linear mixed effects models adjusted for age and ocular axial length. Furthermore, we investigated choroidal thickness in relation to the presence of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) atrophy, its topographical distribution and age.

Results

Median age was 58 years (IQR 53–66) in PXE patients and 62 years (IQR 56–67) in controls (p = 0.08). Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) patients had a thinner choroid than controls (138 μm versus 248 μm, p < 0.01). No association was observed between PI and choroidal thickness in PXE patients (β = −1.6, 95% CI −59.4 to 54.5) nor in controls (β =−47.6, 95% CI −129.7 to 31.9). In PXE patients, RPE atrophy was associated with a thinner choroid (p < 0.01). Also, the nasal choroid was thinner than the temporal choroid, and choroidal thickness already decreased with age in PXE eyes without RPE atrophy.

Conclusion

There was no independent association between measures of arterial stiffness and choroidal thinning in PXE patients and controls. Probably, changes in BM lead to choroidal thinning in PXE.
Cerebral and peripheral tissue oxygenation in stable neonates: Absent influence of cardiac function
Authors: Bruckner Marlies , Binder‐Heschl Corinna , Schwaberger Bernhard , Mileder Lukas Peter , Baik‐Schneditz Nariae , Koestenberger Martin , Avian Alexander , Urlesberger Berndt , Pichler Gerhard
Published: January 2020

Aim

Cardiac function is a major factor for tissue perfusion and therefore may affect the tissue oxygen saturation. Aim was to analyse possible associations between cardiac function parameters and cerebral and peripheral tissue oxygenation in neonates on the first day after birth.

Methods

For the present study, we analysed secondary outcome parameters of a previously performed prospective single centre observational study. The prospective study was conducted at the Medical University of Graz, Austria between September 2011 and June 2013. We included preterm and term neonates who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit and in whom simultaneous near‐infrared spectroscopy measurements and echocardiography were obtained on the first day after birth. Cardiac function parameters were correlated to cerebral and peripheral tissue oxygen saturation and cerebral and peripheral fractional tissue oxygen extraction at the time of echocardiography.

Results

A total of 60 neonates of whom 47 were preterm and 13 were term (median gestational age: 34; IQR 33‐35 weeks, mean birth weight: 2276 ± 774 grams) were included. There were no statistically significant correlations between cardiac function parameters and regional tissue oxygenation parameters.

Conclusion

In the present study, we found no correlation between regional tissue oxygenation and parameters of cardiac function in cardio‐circulatory stable neonates on the first day after birth.
Upregulation ofAKR1C1in mesenchymal stromal cells promotes the survival of acute myeloid leukaemia cells
Authors: Jiang Yajing , Li Ying , Cheng Jingying , Ma Jiao , Li Qinghua , Pang Tianxiang
Published: January 2020

The leukaemic bone marrow microenvironment, comprising abnormal mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), is responsible for the poor prognosis of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). Therefore, it is essential to determine the mechanisms underlying the supportive role of MSCs in the survival of leukaemia cells. Throughin silicoanalyses, we identified a total of 271 aberrantly expressed genes in the MSCs derived from acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients that were associated with adipogenic differentiation, of which aldo‐keto reductase 1C1 (AKR1C1) was significantly upregulated in the AML‐MSCs. Knockdown ofAKR1C1in the MSCs suppressed adipogenesis and promoted osteogenesis, and inhibited the growth of co‐cultured AML cell lines compared to the situation in wild‐ type AML‐derived MSCs. Introduction of recombinant human AKR1C1 in the MSCs partially alleviated the effects ofAKR1C1knockdown. In addition, the absence ofAKR1C1reduced secretion of cytokines such as MCP‐1, IL‐6 and G‐CSF from the MSCs, along with inactivation of STAT3 and ERK1/2 in the co‐cultured AML cells.AKR1C1is an essential factor driving the adipogenic differentiation of leukaemic MSCs and mediates its pro‐survival effects on AML cells by promoting cytokine secretion and activating the downstream pathways in the AML cells.
“An understanding, a way of life”: An exploration of learning disability professionals’ experiences of compassion
Authors: Brennan Hope , Westbrook Jenna , Parry Sarah
Published: January 2020

Accessible summary

Compassion is described as a sensitivity to suffering in oneself and others, with an intent to alleviate and prevent it (Gilbert, Advances in Psychiatric Treatment, 2009, 15, 199). A population within health care that has limited research on compassionate care is that of learning disabilities.

The current study aimed to explore the experiences of compassion of professionals within learning disability services. Attention was given to the flow of compassion between professionals and service users, as well as the growth of compassion, over time.

The findings suggested that compassion is difficult to foster in learning disability services that also value time‐pressured, target‐driven outputs. More needs to be done to support services to encourage compassion in care, for example by considering candidates’ compassion at recruitment and through supportive supervision and group reflection, for both people with learning disabilities and the healthcare professionals employed.

Background

Compassion is one of the six core principles that the NHS means to promote within health care. Research concerning compassion within learning disability services is scarce; therefore, the current study aimed to explore the experiences of compassion of professionals within learning disability services.

Materials and Methods

Twelve professionals from learning disability services completed a quantitative measure of professional quality of life and answered a series of qualitative questions regarding their experiences of compassion, in either an online survey or interview.

Results

Narrative analysis was used to interpret participants’ experiences of compassion. Three chapters were generated based on thematic and linguistic connections. In chapter 1, participants explored their compassionate identities. In chapter 2, participants detailed the flow of compassion, experienced interpersonally and intrapersonally. In chapter 3, participants described their compassionate growth, owing to significant life events over time.

Conclusions

Recommendations for improving compassionate care have been made, including encouraging self‐compassion for professionals through training screening for compassion during recruitment and including people with learning disabilities on interview panels.
Outcomes of completion total mesorectal excision are not compromised by prior transanal minimally invasive surgery
Authors: Clermonts S. H. E. M. , Köeter T. , Pottel H. , Stassen L. P. S. , Wasowicz D. K. , Zimmerman D. D. E.
Published: January 2020

Aim

Transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS) is used increasingly often as an organ‐preserving treatment for early rectal cancer. If final pathology reveals unfavourable histological prognostic features, completion total mesorectal excision (cTME) is recommended. This study is the first to investigate the results of cTME after TAMIS.

Method

Data were retrieved from the prospective database of the Elisabeth‐TweeSteden Hospital. Completion TME patients were case matched with a control group of patients undergoing primary TME (pTME). Primary and secondary outcomes were surgical outcomes and oncological outcomes, respectively.

Results

From 2011 to 2017, 20 patients underwent cTME and were compared with 40 patients undergoing pTME. There were no significant differences in operating time (238 min vs 226 min, P = 0.53), blood loss (137 ml vs. 158 ml, P = 0.88) or complications (45% vs 55%, P = 0.07) between both groups. There was no 90‐day mortality in the cTME group. The mesorectal fascia was incomplete in three patients (15%) in the cTME group compared with no breaches in the pTME group (P = 0.083). There were no local recurrences in either group. In three patients (15%), distant metastases were detected after cTME compared with one patient (2.5%) in the pTME group (P = 0.069). After cTME patients had a 1‐ and 5‐year disease‐free survival of 85% compared with 97.5% for the pTME group (P = 0.062).

Conclusion

Completion TME surgery after TAMIS is not associated with increased peri‐ or postoperative morbidity or mortality compared with pTME surgery. After cTME surgery patients have a similar disease‐free and overall survival when compared with patients undergoing pTME.
Safety and efficacy of laparoscopic near‐total colectomy and ileo‐distal sigmoid anastomosis as a modification of total colectomy and ileorectal anastomosis for prophylactic surgery in patients with adenomatous polyposis syndromes: a comparative study
Authors: Anele C. C. , Nachiappan S. , Sinha A. , Cuthill V. , Jenkins J. T. , Clark S. K. , Latchford A. , Faiz O. D.
Published: January 2020

Aim

Colectomy in patients with adenomatous polyposis (AP) syndromes demands good oncological and surgical outcome. Total colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis (TC‐IRA) is one surgical option for these patients. Anastomotic leakage rates of 11% have been reported following TC‐IRA. Ileo‐distal sigmoid anastomosis (IDSA) is a recent modification of our practice. Our aim was to compare postoperative outcome in patients with AP following near‐total colectomy with IDSA (NT‐IDSA) and TC‐IRA at a single institution.

Method

A prospectively maintained database was reviewed to identify patients with AP who underwent laparoscopic NT‐IDSA and TC‐IRA. Patient demographics, early morbidity and mortality and outcome of endoscopic surveillance were evaluated.

Results

A total of 191 patients with AP underwent laparoscopic colectomy between 2006 and 2017, of whom 139 (72.8%) underwent TC‐IRA and 52 (27.2%) NT‐IDSA. The median age at surgery in the TC‐IRA and NT‐IDSA groups was 20 years (IQR 17–45) and 27 years (IQR 19–50), respectively. Grade II complications were comparable between the two groups. There were no anastomotic leakages in the NT‐IDSA group compared with 15 (10.8%) in the TC‐IRA group (P = 0.0125) and no reoperation in the NT‐IDSA group compared with 17 (12.2%) in the TC‐IRA group (P = 0.008). The frequency of polypectomies per flexible sigmoidoscopy was comparable between the two groups.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that laparoscopic NT‐IDSA for polyposis is associated with a significant improvement in anastomotic leakage rates and surgical outcome. It is too soon to tell whether NT‐IDSA alters the need for further intervention, either endoscopic polypectomy or further surgery.
Artificial bee colony algorithm for content‐based image retrieval
Authors: Banharnsakun Anan
Published: January 2020

Image retrieval is the process of searching for digital images from a large database. There exist two distinctive research groups, which employ the content‐based and description‐based approaches, respectively. However, research in the content‐based domain is currently dominant in the field, while the other approaches are not as widely utilized. Although there are a number of different techniques that are available for image retrieval, the development of more effective methods is still necessary. In recent years, previous research has shown that biologically inspired metaheuristic algorithms have great potential for use in solving problems in many science and engineering domains. The artificial bee colony (ABC) algorithm is one of the more promising biologically inspired metaheuristic approaches used to find optimal solutions as it has the advantages of convenient implementation and efficient performance. In this article, a new efficient method based on a combination of the gray‐level cooccurrence matrix (GLCM) with the ABC, referred to as “GLCM‐ABC,” is proposed for use in content‐based image retrieval (CBIR). The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed approach works well for CBIR and can classify specific types of material surfaces in images with a reasonably high level of accuracy as well as outperform other existing algorithms.
Operational Risk in Airline Crew Scheduling: Do Features of Flight Delays Matter?*
Authors: Sun Xuting , Chung Sai‐Ho , Ma Hoi‐Lam
Published: January 2020

Our work is motivated by the increasing demand in the aviation sector and simultaneously aggravated poor punctuality. The airlines play an important role in improving their service level and mitigate the profit risks incurred due to their poor resources planning. However, to identify and mitigate operational risks faced by the airlines is complicated, as they are coming from both internal and external factors. Due to the realistic nature, we explore the flying time characteristics, and further model the consecutive interdependent departure‐arrival times. It is a key feature included in this study that has not been studied in literature. We characterize the flying time of each flight by the heteroscedastic regression model. The analytical closed‐form for the recursive relationship of the expected departure and arrival times of connective flight legs is then carried out. Accordingly, we propose a novel data‐driven bicriteria mathematical model in which the interdependent structures of the departure and arrival times of the consecutive flights is incorporated into the robust optimization. A column generation‐based algorithm is developed to solve the proposed model. We find that, for more than 23% of the flights explored, the expected flying times are significantly influenced by its actual departure times. The real‐data based computational examples identify that our proposed model sufficiently improves the reliability of the crew pairings decisions by reducing the total deviated time from the schedules with a slight increase of the total basic crew operations cost. Some managerial implications for robust crew pairing and determination of robustness level are discussed as well.
Making sense out of missense mutations: Mechanistic dissection of Notch receptors through structure‐function studies inDrosophila
Authors: Yamamoto Shinya
Published: January 2020

Notch signaling is involved in the development of almost all organ systems and is required post‐developmentally to modulate tissue homeostasis. Rare variants in Notch signaling pathway genes are found in patients with rare Mendelian disorders, while unique or recurrent somatic mutations in a similar set of genes are identified in cancer. The human genome contains four genes that encode Notch receptors,NOTCH1‐4, all of which are linked to genetic diseases and cancer. Although some mutations have been classified as clear loss‐ or gain‐of‐function alleles based on cellular or rodent based assay systems, the functional consequence of many variants/mutations in human Notch receptors remain unknown. In this review, I will first provide an overview of the domain structure of Notch receptors and discuss how each module is known to regulate Notch signaling activity in vivo using theDrosophilaNotch receptor as an example. Next, I will introduce some interesting mutant alleles that have been isolated in the flyNotchgene over the past > 100 years of research and discuss how studies of these mutations have facilitated the understanding of Notch biology. By identifying unique alleles of the flyNotchgene through forward genetic screens, mapping their molecular lesions and characterizing their phenotypes in depth, one can begin to unravel new mechanistic insights into how different domains of Notch fine‐tune signaling output. Such information can be useful in deciphering the functional consequences of rare variants/mutations in human Notch receptors, which in turn can influence disease management and therapy.