bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development and validation of a measurement scale for the experience capability construct
Authors: Ponsignon Frédéric , Smith Jeffery S. , Smart Andi
Published: June 2020

Purpose

This study aims to develop and empirically validate the concept of experience capability, which represents an organisation's ability to be adept at managing the customer experience. Organisations that build an experience capability develop an expertise in deploying a set of resources and routines to understand, evaluate and improve how they interact with customers across all the points of contact.

Design/methodology/approach

A rigorous process was employed to identify, operationally define, evaluate and validate six dimensions reflecting experience capability. The dimensions were developed and validated using relevant literature, expert interviews, item-sorting techniques, a pilot survey and two surveys, providing a degree of certainty that the intellectual insights are generalisable.

Findings

The experience capability concept is identified as comprising six dimensions that are informed by 27 measurement items. The six dimensions are employee training, employee empowerment, employee evaluation, experience performance management, cross-functional work and channel integration. The findings provide evidence suggesting that the multi-item measurement scale exhibits appropriate psychometric properties.

Practical implications

The empirically validated 27-item measurement scale provides practitioners with an approach to evaluate and improve their organisation's experience capability. It permits both longitudinal comparisons of individual organisations and competitive benchmarking both within and across industry sectors. The approach alerts managers to the critical operational areas that should be measured and provides a structured method to pursue competitive advantage through customer experience capability.

Originality/value

Developing valid and reliable measurement scales is an essential first step in effective theory-building. The paper proposes a theoretical foundation for the experience capability construct and validates a corresponding measurement scale. The scale was developed carefully to achieve the specificity required to undertake meaningful practitioner-centric assessment while maintaining relevance across sectorial contexts. The results complement existing customer-centric experience research by providing distinct intellectual insights from a practitioner perspective. The developed scale permits future intellectual investigation through capability comparisons both within and between companies in different industries/sectors.
Bridging the gap: from service user to service provider
Authors: Faith Maddi
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to share the author’s personal experiences as both a service user for the past 10 years and becoming a professional working in the same field. This paper aims to provide an insight into some of the barriers faced relating to support and procedures, as well as provide advice and guidance to service users and professionals.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is designed primarily as a narrative; a first-person approach is taken.

Findings

Advice and reflections for service users is given as well as guidance for professionals.

Originality/value

This paper is a narrative of an individual’s personal experiences and observations therefore providing a unique outlook. This paper contributes to both service users who may feel unsure about or overwhelmed by their treatment and their involvement in decisions, as well as professionals trying to develop their understanding and awareness of less thought about needs for autonomy for service users and improving their practice.
Feng Shui principles and the Malaysian housing market: what matters in property selection and pricing?
Authors: Yap Jeffrey Boon Hui , Lum Kah Chuan
Published: June 2020

Purpose

This study aims to investigate Feng Shui elements that can influence housing selection and property pricing in the Malaysian housing market.

Design/methodology/approach

A structured questionnaire encompassing 26 Feng Shui elements, which were shortlisted based on relevant previous studies, was distributed to prospective homebuyers in the Klang Valley region. The elements were inferred and ranked according to frequency, significance and importance scores. Kruskal–Wallis ANOVA tests were used to assess the ratings provided by the different respondent groups, while Spearman's rank correlation tests were utilised to measure the degree of agreement or disagreement among each pair of the ethnic group.

Findings

The results obtained indicate the following as the five most influential elements: orientation, main entrance, street location, house number and living room. Despite a multiethnic and multicultural society in Malaysia, Spearman's rank correlation tests showed that there are no differences in the prioritisation of Feng Shui elements between three distinct ethnic groups (Malay, Chinese and Indian). However, the distribution scores are statistically different between the groups. Comparing income level with Feng Shui inclinations, the three most frequently considered elements across the three income groups consistently include orientation, main entrance and street location.

Practical implications

The findings of this study are expected to provide guidance to property stakeholders (developers, real estate agencies, architects, local authorities) in their future development projects. For homebuyers, this study serves as a property Feng Shui checklist for home selection and investment.

Originality/value

This study explored the association of Feng Shui principles to housing selection and property pricing based on cultural and income factors. These findings provide useful insights for designing and positioning of residential properties in both primary and secondary housing markets in Malaysia and beyond.
Melt pool morphology and surface roughness relationship for direct metal laser solidification of Hastelloy X
Authors: Tian Yang , Tomus Dacian , Huang Aijun , Wu Xinhua
Published: June 2020

Purpose

Limited research has attempted to reveal the different modes of the melt pool formation in additive manufacturing. This paper aims to study the mechanisms of surface roughness formation, especially on the aspect of melt pool formation which determine the surface profile and consequently significantly influence the surface roughness.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, the conditions under which different modes of melt pool formation (conduction mode and keyhole mode) occur for the case of as-fabricated Hastelloy X using direct metal laser solidification (DMLS) are derived and validated experimentally. Top surfaces of uni-directionally built samples under various processing conditions are cut, grinded, polished and etched to reveal their individual melt pool morphologies. Similarly, up-skin (slope angle < 90°) and down-skin (slope angle > 90°) melt pool morphologies are also investigated to compare the differences. Surface tension gradients and resultant Marangoni flow, which dominate the melt flow in the melt pool, is also calculated to help better evaluate the melt pool shape forming.

Findings

Two types of melt pool formation modes are dominating in DMLS: conduction mode and keyhole mode. Melt pool formed by conduction mode generally has an aspect ratio of 1:2 (depth vs width) and is in elliptical shape. Appropriate selection of scanning laser power and speed are required to maintain a low characteristic length and width ratio to prevent ballings. Melt pool formed by keyhole mode has an aspect ratio of 1:1 or less. High-energy contour promotes formation of key-hole-shaped melt pool which fills the gaps between layers and smoothens the up-skin surface roughness. Low-energy contour scan is necessary for down-skin surface to form small melt pool profiles and achieve low Ra.

Originality/value

This paper provides valuable insight into the origins of surface quality problem of DMLS, which is a very critical issue for upgrading the process for manufacturing real components. This paper helps promote the understanding of the attributes and capabilities of this rapidly evolving three-dimensional printing technology and allow appropriate control of processing parameters for successful fabrication of components with sound surface quality.
New insights from legacy seismic data: reprocessing of legacy 2D seismic data for imaging of iron‐oxide mineralization near Sishen Mine, South Africa
Authors: Westgate Michael , Manzi Musa S.D. , James Ian , Harrison Wesley
Published: June 2020

Two overlapping legacy seismic profiles, 130 km long end to end, were shot in the 1990s over the Kuruman Hills on the western margin of the Kaapvaal Craton in southern Africa. The 6‐s profiles were aimed at investigating the crustal structure of the western Kaapvaal Craton as well as to locate potential continuation of the Witwatersrand gold‐bearing horizons beneath the cover rocks, the latter of which was unsuccessful. In this study, the legacy seismic data are reprocessed and used to image the iron‐oxide (mainly haematite) mineralization found in the Kuruman Formation of the Griqualand‐West Supergroup, which outcrops along the two seismic profiles. The seismic profiles are located close to the Sishen open pit iron mine, where one of the world's largest iron ore concentrations (986 Mt) is mined. The reprocessed and merged seismic data are combined with magnetic, magnetotelluric, borehole and outcrop data to constrain the interpretation, and all indicate the mineralization host rocks to have ∼500 m thickness and 950 m depth. The seismic data further reveal seismic reflections associated with multiple iron ore horizons, which are affected by a first‐order scale syncline and numerous near‐vertically dipping (∼65–80°) normal and reverse faults of various orientations and throws, thus providing insight into the structurally controlled iron ore mineralization in the area. Seismic tomography and magnetotellurics characterize the sediments to have a velocity ranging between 5000 and 6000 m/s and a resistivity of <10 Ωm. The seismic imaging of the syncline and associated structural disruptions is important for future mining purposes and plans in the area as these structures might have preserved iron‐oxide mineralization from erosion. The reprocessed data thus provide information that could be incorporated in potential future underground mine planning in the area, improving the resource evaluation of the iron‐oxide deposit. Legacy seismic data are thus shown to hold intrinsic quality and possible untapped potential that can be realized via data reprocessing.
International migrant remittances and labour force participation in Nigeria
Authors: Nwokoye Ebele Stella , Igbanugo Clement Izuchukwu , Dimnwobi Stephen Kelechi
Published: June 2020

This study examines the effect of remittances inflow to Nigeria on labour force participation in the country using the propensity score matching and Heckman two‐step benchmark model. With data sourced from Nigeria's 2015/16 General Household Survey, results reveal that receipt of remittances increased both labour force participation for non‐farm economic activities and labour force participation in urban areas, perhaps as a result of investing received remittances in new business ventures. In addition, remittance inflows raised economic activeness of the younger members of the labour force who constituted a greater percentage. The study recommends the proper functioning of institutions aimed at facilitating remittance inflows as well as enhancing the utilization of such remittances in industry‐based business start‐ups.
Effects of financial reform on business entry in sub‐Saharan African countries: Do resource dependence and institutional quality matter?
Authors: Ogbeide Frank Iyekoretin , Adeboje Oluwafemi Mathew
Published: June 2020

This paper examined the effects of the financial liberalization strategy adopted on the African continent over 25 years ago in promoting new business entry using data from 22 sub‐Saharan African (SSA) countries in 2006–2017. Results from the dynamic generalized method of moments models show that: financial development via a policy of financial liberalization does not have a uniform effect on entrepreneurship; the interest rate gap significantly undermines the entrance of new firms; the ratio of broad money/gross domestic product (GDP) was positive and statistically significant while real interest rate had mixed findings; interactive effects of interest rate spread and real interest rate with regulatory quality was negative; the interaction of interest rate spread and real interest rate with natural resources confirms its destabilizing effect, although there was evidence suggesting that natural resources do not directly undermine entrepreneurship growth. Other results show real GDP and private credit have a significantly positive effect, and the cost of getting electricity significantly undermines entrepreneurship. The study calls for the need to deepen the financial sector though targeted reforms across SSA countries to reap its growth‐inducing effects on economic outcomes, while promoting institutional quality and efficient use of natural resources to achieve a non‐declining infusion of SMEs on the continent.
Price adjustment after hyperinflation in Zimbabwe
Authors: Nyawo Mike , Rankin Neil
Published: June 2020

This paper examines—post‐dollarization in Zimbabwe—the extent of price dispersion within Zimbabwe and between Zimbabwe and South Africa. We document the adjustment process, and the mechanisms of price adjustment after the introduction of the new currency system in Zimbabwe. We show that prices converged post‐dollarization. We argue that the fall in price dispersion is not a product or a Southern Africa region effect. Rather it is a Zimbabwe specific effect and given that price convergence happens quicker the closer the month is to the dollarization, we argue that the observed results are driven by the change in currency. Price dispersion happens faster between major cities and secondary cities, suggesting improvements in information and trade signals between major and secondary cities. These results suggest that the positive effects of a stable currency fall disproportionally on secondary cities, implying price stability not only has macroeconomic benefits, but also developmental benefits since secondary cities and rural areas are on average, poorer than main cities.
Prenatal anxiety and obstetric decisions among pregnant women in Wuhan and Chongqing during the COVID‐19 outbreak: a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Liu X , Chen M , Wang Y , Sun L , Zhang J , Shi Y , Wang J , Zhang H , Sun G , Baker PN , Luo X , Qi H
Published: June 2020

Objectives

To investigate the mental status of pregnant women and to determine their obstetric decisions during the COVID‐19 outbreak.

Design

Cross‐sectional study.

Setting

Two cities in China––Wuhan (epicentre) and Chongqing (a less affected city).

Population

A total of 1947 pregnant women.

Methods

We collected demographic, pregnancy and epidemic information from our pregnant subjects, along with their attitudes towards COVID‐19 (using a self‐constructed five‐point scale). The Self‐Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) was used to assess anxiety status. Obstetric decision‐making was also evaluated. The differences between cities in all of the above factors were compared and the factors that influenced anxiety levels were identified by multivariable analysis.

Main outcome measures

Anxiety status and its influencing factors. Obstetric decision‐making.

Results

Differences were observed between cities in some background characteristics and women's attitudes towards COVID‐19 in Wuhan were more extreme. More women in Wuhan felt anxious (24.5 versus 10.4%). Factors that influenced anxiety also included household income, subjective symptom and attitudes. Overall, obstetric decisions also revealed city‐based differences; these decisions mainly concerned hospital preference, time of prenatal care or delivery, mode of delivery and infant feeding.

Conclusions

The outbreak aggravated prenatal anxiety and the associated factors could be targets for psychological care. In parallel, key obstetric decision‐making changed, emphasising the need for pertinent professional advice. Special support is essential for pregnant mothers during epidemics.

Tweetable abstract

The COVID‐19 outbreak increased pregnant women's anxiety and affected their decision‐making.
Bedside ultrasound in the emergency department for reduction and radial manipulation of distal radial fractures
Authors: Smiles John P , Simonian Marcus , Zhang Michael , Digby Shane , Vidler Sam , Flannagan Scott
Published: June 2020

Objective

Distal radial fracture reduction is a common procedure in the ED. Previous studies have suggested that ultrasound (US)‐guided reduction improves outcomes for patients who undergo manipulation and reduction of distal radial fractures in the ED. We aimed to investigate this with the first randomised controlled trial looking at US‐guided distal radial fracture reduction. Our primary objective was to compare rates of operative intervention between the study groups. Rate of re‐manipulation was compared as a secondary outcome.

Methods

ED patients were prospectively randomised to either standard landmark guided or US‐guided closed reduction of distal radial fractures. The closed reductions were performed by senior emergency clinicians and the USs were performed by emergency physicians experienced in point‐of‐care US. Following reduction patients were managed equally and referred to the local orthopaedic service who were blinded to whether US was used to assist manipulation or not. This service decided on the need for re‐manipulation or operative intervention.

Results

One hundred patients were enrolled and randomised equally into each cohort. We found no statistically significant difference between the control and intervention groups of our study. In the control group, 46% of patients underwent operative fixation, compared to 48% in the US‐guided group (P = 0.36). Our secondary intervention of re‐manipulation in the ED or theatre following the initial reduction showed no statistically significant difference between the groups (P = 1.0).

Conclusion

US‐guided reduction of dorsally displaced, distal radius fractures in the ED setting, did not improve measured clinical outcomes.
National Study of Adult Oral Health 2017–18: Study design and methods
Authors: Chrisopoulos Sergio , Ellershaw Anne , Luzzi Liana
Published: June 2020

The National Study of Adult Oral Health (NSAOH) is Australia’s third national oral examination survey of a representative sample of Australian adults. The study was undertaken primarily to describe levels of oral health in the population and to describe trends since the first survey, conducted in 1987–88. The aim of the study was to complete 7,200 examinations, necessitating approximately 15,200 completed interviews. Survey participants were selected using a multi‐stage probability sampling design that began with the sampling of postcodes within states/territories in Australia. Individuals within selected postcodes were then selected by the Australian Government Department of Human Services (DHS) from the Medicare database. Following an initial opt‐out period, participants were given the option to either complete the questionnaire online or to complete the questionnaire via a computer‐assisted telephone interview. Participants were asked a series of questions about their oral health and dental service use and those who reported having one or more of their own natural teeth were invited to undergo a standardised oral examination. Examinations were conducted by state/territory dental practitioners who underwent prior training and calibration in survey procedures by the Australian Research Centre for Population Oral Health (ARCPOH), The University of Adelaide.
National Study of Adult Oral Health 2017–18: participation and representativeness
Authors: Ellershaw Anne , Chrisopoulos Sergio , Luzzi Liana
Published: June 2020

The National Study of Adult Oral Health (NSAOH) 2017–18 collected information from a sample of the Australian population aged 15 years and over. The Study comprised an interview questionnaire, completed by telephone or online, and an oral epidemiological examination among dentate participants. Participation in the Study was voluntary and therefore relied on the goodwill of selected participants. This paper provides a summary of participation rates for the Interview and Examination phases of the study. The potential for biased population estimates due to variation in participation rates is explored. The weighting procedure implemented to ensure the sample is representative of the target population is described and a comparison of the estimated population distributions derived from the weighted sample and the actual population distributions is provided for a range of socioeconomic characteristics. In summary, it can be concluded that estimates derived from the weighted Interview and Examination samples are valid estimates of the Australian population aged 15 years and over.
Oral hygiene behaviours among Australian adults in the National Study of Adult Oral Health (NSAOH) 2017–18
Authors: Luzzi Liana , Chrisopoulos Sergio , Kapellas Kostas , Brennan David S
Published: June 2020

Background

This paper examines oral hygiene behaviours (tooth brushing, mouthwash use and dental floss) by a range of explanatory variables.

Methods

Explanatory variables included age, sex, region, income, area‐based SES, dental insurance and visiting pattern. The data reported were collected in the interview survey in NSAOH 2017–18.

Results

A higher percentage of females brushed with toothpaste at least daily (98.0%) and used floss in the last week (62.6%) than males (94.6% and 48.5% respectively). There was an income gradient in tooth brushing. Higher percentages brushed in the high income (96.8%) than middle (96.2%) and low‐income tertiles (93.6%). A higher percentage of the high‐income tertile (58.2%) flossed than the lower tertile (53.3%). Those with unfavourable visit patterns had lower percentages who brushed daily (92.7%) than the intermediate (96.7%) or favourable (98.2%) groups. There was a gradient in flossing by visiting, with a lower percentage flossing for the unfavourable visiting group (38.5%) than for the intermediate (52.8%) or favourable groups (67.6%).

Conclusions

Oral hygiene behaviours were associated with gender, socioeconomic status and dental visiting. A higher percentage of women brushed and flossed than men. Lower socioeconomic status and those with unfavourable visiting patterns had lower frequencies of brushing and flossing.
Eosinophilic cellulitis successfully treated with Methotrexate
Authors: Yeon Janice , Chan Renee CF , Zagarella Samuel
Published: June 2020

Eosinophilic cellulitis is a rare inflammatory skin disease of unknown aetiology, first described by George Wells in 1971 as a recurrent granulomatous dermatitis with eosinophilia. It is typically characterised by recurrent pruritic erythematous plaques, vesicles or bullae usually involving the extremities and trunk. Many cases of eosinophilic cellulitis are difficult to treat and traditionally require long course of oral steroids, resulting in steroid side effects. This case adds to the literature in that we report the use of methotrexate to treat eosinophilic cellulitis, as a safe and efficacious therapeutic alternative.
Changes in subsets of immunocytes in endometrial hyperplasia
Authors: Lai Zhen‐Zhen , Ruan Lu‐Yu , Wang Yan , Yang Hui‐Li , Shi Jia‐Wei , Wu Jiang‐Nan , Qiu Xue‐Min , Ha Si‐Yao , Shen Hui‐Hui , Yang Shao‐Liang , Zheng Zi‐Meng , Shao Jun , Ye Jiang‐Feng , Li Ming‐Qing
Published: June 2020

Problem

Endometrial hyperplasia (EH) is characterized by an endometrial gland‐to‐stroma ratio >1 and is one of the most common gynecological diseases in the world. The role of immunocyte subsets in the development of EH remains unknown.

Methods

Patients who underwent dilatation and curettage due to abnormal uterine bleeding were recruited in the present study. Alterations in the numbers of different types of immune cell subsets in the endometrium of patients were analyzed by flow cytometry.

Results

The present study included 48 patients who were divided into three groups, based on the pathological results: (a) proliferative period (PP, n = 12); (b) simple EH (SEH, n = 30); and (c) complex EH (CEH, n = 6). The results showed that immune cell subpopulations were significantly different between these three groups. Compared with the PP group, the proportion of CD45+ cells and neutrophils and the subtypes of T cells and macrophages were significantly increased in the SEH patients. Compared with the PP and SEH groups, subsets of immunocytes in the CEH group were significantly decreased, including the population of CD45+ cells and the subtypes of T cells and natural killer cells; in contrast, the proportion of macrophages was significantly increased. There were no significant differences between the other cell subsets in each group.

Conclusion

The changes in immune cell subsets may be closely associated with the progression of EH. Although the specific role of different immune cell subsets in the development of the diseases requires further study, the changes in the proportions of immune cell subsets should not be ignored.
Immunology of COVID‐19: Mechanisms, clinical outcome, diagnostics, and perspectives—A report of the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI)
Authors: Sokolowska Milena , Lukasik Zuzanna M. , Agache Ioana , Akdis Cezmi A. , Akdis Deniz , Akdis Mübeccel , Barcik Weronika , Brough Helen A. , Eiwegger Thomas , Eljaszewicz Andrzej , Eyerich Stefanie , Feleszko Wojciech , Gomez‐Casado Cristina , Hoffmann‐Sommergruber Karin , Janda Jozef , Jiménez‐Saiz Rodrigo , Jutel Marek , Knol Edward F. , Kortekaas Krohn Inge , Kothari Akash , Makowska Joanna , Moniuszko Marcin , Morita Hideaki , O'Mahony Liam , Nadeau Kari , Ozdemir Cevdet , Pali‐Schöll Isabella , Palomares Oscar , Papaleo Francesco , Prunicki Mary , Schmidt‐Weber Carsten B. , Sediva Anna , Schwarze Jürgen , Shamji Mohamed H. , Tramper‐Stranders Gerdien A. , van de Veen Willem , Untersmayr Eva
Published: June 2020

With the worldwide spread of the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus‐2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) resulting in declaration of a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) on March 11, 2020, the SARS‐CoV‐2‐induced coronavirus disease‐19 (COVID‐19) has become one of the main challenges of our times. The high infection rate and the severe disease course led to major safety and social restriction measures worldwide. There is an urgent need of unbiased expert knowledge guiding the development of efficient treatment and prevention strategies. This report summarizes current immunological data on mechanisms associated with the SARS‐CoV‐2 infection and COVID‐19 development and progression to the most severe forms. We characterize the differences between adequate innate and adaptive immune response in mild disease and the deep immune dysfunction in the severe multiorgan disease. The similarities of the human immune response to SARS‐CoV‐2 and the SARS‐CoV and MERS‐CoV are underlined. We also summarize known and potential SARS‐CoV‐2 receptors on epithelial barriers, immune cells, endothelium and clinically involved organs such as lung, gut, kidney, cardiovascular, and neuronal system. Finally, we discuss the known and potential mechanisms underlying the involvement of comorbidities, gender, and age in development of COVID‐19. Consequently, we highlight the knowledge gaps and urgent research requirements to provide a quick roadmap for ongoing and needed COVID‐19 studies.
The differentiation argument: If newborns outrank animals, so do fetuses
Authors: Blanchette Kyle
Published: June 2020

Common‐sense morality seems to dictate that newborn babies strictly outrank non‐human animals on an ordered list of subjects of moral consideration. This is best described as the view that newborn babies have a higher moral status than any non‐human animal. In this article, I will argue that this common‐sense claim about the special moral status of newborn babies makes it hard to avoid the conclusion that fetuses, including pre‐conscious fetuses, also have a higher moral status than any non‐human animal—indeed, as high as newborn babies. While this conclusion does not quite entail that abortion is generally seriously immoral, it does seem to follow that it would be no less difficult to justify (even relatively early) abortion than it would be to justify killing a newborn.
Is micronucleus assay a suitable tumour marker in cervical carcinogenesis? Some concepts and paradigms
Authors: Ribeiro Daniel A.
Published: June 2020

This letter discusses a previously published article in Cytopathology and provides comments the author believes allow better understanding regarding validating the micronucleus assay as a tumor marker in cervical carcinogenesis.
Patterns of abundance across geographical ranges as a predictor for responses to climate change: Evidence from UK rocky shores
Authors: Vye Siobhan R. , Dickens Stephanie , Adams Leoni , Bohn Katrin , Chenery Jade , Dobson Nicola , Dunn Ruth E. , Earp Hannah S. , Evans Megan , Foster Charlotte , Grist Hannah , Holt Ben , Hull Sue , Jenkins Stuart R. , Lamont Peter , Long Sarah , Mieszkowska Nova , Millard Justine , Morrall Zoe , Pack Kathryn , Parry‐Wilson Hannah , Pocklington Jacqueline , Pottas Jane , Richardson Leonie , Scott Abigail , Sugden Heather , Watson Gordon , West Victoria , Winton Debbie , Delany Jane , Burrows Michael T.
Published: June 2020

Aim

Understanding patterns in the abundance of species across thermal ranges can give useful insights into the potential impacts of climate change. The abundant‐centre hypothesis suggests that species will reach peak abundance at the centre of their thermal range where conditions are optimal, but evidence in support of this hypothesis is mixed and limited in geographical and taxonomic scope. We tested the applicability of the abundant‐centre hypothesis across a range of intertidal organisms using a large, citizen science‐generated data set.

Location

UK.

Methods

Species' abundance records were matched with their location within their thermal range. Patterns in abundance distribution for individual species, and across aggregated species abundances, were analysed using Kruskal–Wallis tests and quantile general additive models.

Results

Individually, invertebrate species showed increasing abundances in the cooler half of the thermal range and decreasing abundances in the warmer half of the thermal range. The overall shape for aggregated invertebrate species abundances reflected a broad peak, with a cool‐skewed maximum abundance. Algal species showed little evidence for an abundant‐centre distribution individually, but overall the aggregated species abundances suggested a hump‐backed abundance distribution.

Main Conclusions

Our study follows others in showing mixed support for the abundant‐centre hypothesis at an individual species level, but demonstrates an increased predictability in species responses when an aggregated overall response is considered.
The role of resistin and myeloperoxidase in severe sepsis and septic shock: Results from the ALBIOS trial
Authors: Bonaventura Aldo , Carbone Federico , Vecchié Alessandra , Meessen Jennifer , Ferraris Sandra , Beck Eduardo , Keim Roberto , Minetti Silvia , Elia Edoardo , Ferrara Daniele , Ansaldo Anna Maria , Novelli Deborah , Caironi Pietro , Latini Roberto , Montecucco Fabrizio
Published: June 2020

Background

Inflammatory biomarkers are useful in detecting patients with sepsis. The prognostic role of resistin and myeloperoxidase (MPO) has been investigated in sepsis.

Materials and Methods

Plasma resistin and MPO were measured on days 1, 2 and 7 in 957 patients enrolled in the Albumin Italian Outcome Sepsis (ALBIOS) trial. The association between resistin and MPO levels on day 1, 2 and 7 and 90‐day mortality was assessed.

Results

Plasma resistin and MPO concentrations were higher at day 1 and decreased until day 7. Both biomarkers were positively correlated with each other and with physiological parameters. Higher levels of resistin and MPO on day 1 were associated with the development of new organ failures. Patients experiencing death at 90 days showed higher levels of resistin and MPO compared with survivors. At day 1, only MPO in the 4th quartile (Q4), but not resistin, was found to predict 90‐day death (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.55 vs Q1). At day 2, resistin in the Q3 and Q4 predicted a > 40% increase in mortality as also did MPO in the Q4. On day 7, Q4 resistin was able to predict 90‐day mortality, while all quartiles of MPO were not.

Conclusions

High levels of MPO, but not of resistin, on day 1 were able to predict 90‐day mortality. These findings may either suggest that early hyper‐activation of neutrophils is detrimental in patients with sepsis or reflect the burden of the inflammatory process caused by sepsis. Further studies are warranted to deepen these aspects (ALBIOS ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00707122).
Non‐specific analgesia during a clinical trial in fibromyalgia
Authors: Dualé Christian , Macian Nicolas , Giron Fatiha , Pickering Gisèle
Published: June 2020

Background

When patients suffering from fibromyalgia undergo a therapeutic trial, a non‐negligible part of analgesia is not explained by the drug itself. The mechanisms of this non‐specific effect need to be understood.

Materials and methods

We undertook secondary analyses of a double‐blind randomized trial in fibromyalgia patients in which 100 mg/day milnacipran was not found superior to placebo. Data from 49 patients belonging to both groups were pooled. Both before treatment and one month after treatment, all patients underwent a CaNTAB® neuropsychological test (related to spatial planning, reaction time, decision‐making and risk‐taking, and ability to name objects), and measurements of sensation and pain thresholds to heat and cold, supraliminal heat pain threshold, punctuate mechanical pain threshold and temporal summation, mechanical allodynia to skin brushing, and response to conditioned pain modulation. We studied the baseline predictors of analgesia and the indicators of change associated to analgesia separately. A stepwise approach was used to select the factors to enter into the final ANCOVAs, in which age, body mass index, treatment group and pain at baseline were covariates.

Results

No baseline predictor of non‐specific analgesia other than pain at baseline was found to be predictive. Conversely, several neuropsychological (higher performance) or psychophysical (lower sensitivity) changes correlated with analgesia in unadjusted analyses. Multivariable analyses identified increases in warm/heat thermal thresholds and an increased ability to name objects, as factors associated with analgesia.

Conclusions

The changes observed concomitantly to non‐specific pain analgesia might be related to mild changes in brain functioning, based on convergent literature data.
Neurocan genome‐wide psychiatric risk variant affects explicit memory performance and hippocampal function in healthy humans
Authors: Assmann Anne , Richter Anni , Schütze Hartmut , Soch Joram , Barman Adriana , Behnisch Gusalija , Knopf Lea , Raschick Matthias , Schult Annika , Wüstenberg Torsten , Behr Joachim , Düzel Emrah , Seidenbecher Constanze I. , Schott Björn H.
Published: June 2020

Alterations of the brain extracellular matrix (ECM) can perturb the structure and function of brain networks like the hippocampus, a key region in human memory that is commonly affected in psychiatric disorders. Here, we investigated the potential effects of a genome‐wide psychiatric risk variant in the NCAN gene encoding the ECM proteoglycan neurocan (rs1064395) on memory performance, hippocampal function and cortical morphology in young, healthy volunteers. We assessed verbal memory performance in two cohorts (N = 572, 302) and found reduced recall performance in risk allele (A) carriers across both cohorts. In 117 participants, we performed functional magnetic resonance imaging using a novelty‐encoding task with visual scenes. Risk allele carriers showed higher false alarm rates during recognition, accompanied by inefficiently increased left hippocampal activation. To assess effects of rs1064395 on brain morphology, we performed voxel‐based morphometry in 420 participants from four independent cohorts and found lower grey matter density in the ventrolateral and rostral prefrontal cortex of risk allele carriers. In silico eQTL analysis revealed that rs1064395 SNP is linked not only to increased prefrontal expression of the NCAN gene itself, but also of the neighbouring HAPLN4 gene, suggesting a more complex effect of the SNP on ECM composition. Our results suggest that the NCAN rs1064395 A allele is associated with lower hippocampus‐dependent memory function, variation of prefrontal cortex structure and ECM composition. Considering the well‐documented hippocampal and prefrontal dysfunction in bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, our results may reflect an intermediate phenotype by which NCAN rs1064395 contributes to disease risk.
Visual behaviors in disorders of consciousness: Disentangling conscious visual processing by a multimodal approach
Authors: Sattin Davide , Rossi Sebastiano Davide , D’Incerti Ludovico , Guido Davide , Marotta Giorgio , Benti Riccardo , Tirelli Simone , Magnani Francesca Giulia , Bersano Anna , Duran Dunja , Ferraro Stefania , Minati Ludovico , Nigri Anna , Rosazza Cristina , Bianchi Marzoli Stefania , Leonardi Matilde
Published: June 2020

One of the major challenges for clinicians who treat patients with Disorders of Consciousness (DoCs) concerns the detection of signs of consciousness that distinguish patients in Vegetative State from those in Minimally Conscious State. Recent studies showed how visual responses to tailored stimuli are one of the first evidence revealing that one patient is changing from one state to another. This study aimed to explore the integrity of the neural structures being part of the visual system in patients with DoCs manifesting a reflexive behavior (visual blink) and in those manifesting a cognitively and cortically mediated behavior (visual pursuit). We collected instrumental data using specialized equipment (EEG following the rules of the International 10–20 system, 3T Magnetic Resonance, and Positron Emission Tomography) in 54 DoC patients. Our results indicated that visual pursuit group showed a better fVEPs response than the visual blink group, because of a greater area under the N2/P2 component of fVEPs (AUC could be seen as an indicator of the residual activity of visual areas). Considering neuroimaging data, the main structural differences between groups were found in the retrochiasmatic areas, specifically in the right optic radiation and visual cortex (V1), areas statistically less impaired in patients able to perform a visual pursuit. FDG‐PET analysis confirmed difference between groups at the level of the right calcarine cortex and neighboring right lingual gyrus. In conclusion, although there are methodological and theoretical limitations that should be considered, our study suggests a new perspective to consider for a future diagnostic protocol.
Background nutrient concentration determines phytoplankton bloom response to marine heatwaves
Authors: Hayashida Hakase , Matear Richard J. , Strutton Peter G.
Published: June 2020

Ocean temperature extreme events such as marine heatwaves are expected to intensify in coming decades due to anthropogenic global warming. Reported ecological and economic impacts of marine heatwaves include coral bleaching, local extinction of mangrove and kelp forests and elevated mortalities of invertebrates, fishes, seabirds and marine mammals. In contrast, little is known about the impacts of marine heatwaves on microbes that regulate biogeochemical processes in the ocean. Here we analyse the daily output of a near‐global ocean physical–biogeochemical model simulation to characterize the impacts of marine heatwaves on phytoplankton blooms in 23 tropical and temperate oceanographic regions from 1992 to 2014. The results reveal regionally coherent anomalies of shallower surface mixing layers and lower surface nitrate concentrations during marine heatwaves. These anomalies exert counteracting effects on phytoplankton growth through light and nutrient limitation. Consequently, the responses of phytoplankton blooms are mixed, but can be related to the background nutrient conditions of the study regions. The blooms are weaker during marine heatwaves in nutrient‐poor waters, whereas in nutrient‐rich waters, the heatwave blooms are stronger. The corresponding analyses of sea‐surface temperature, chlorophyll a and nitrate based on satellite observations and in situ climatology support this relationship between phytoplankton bloom anomalies and background nitrate concentration. Given that nutrient‐poor waters are projected to expand globally in the 21st century, this study suggests increased occurrence of weaker blooms during marine heatwaves in coming decades, with implications for higher trophic levels and biogeochemical cycling of key elements.
Detecting the intellectual pathway of resilience thinking in urban and regional studies: A critical reflection on resilience literature
Authors: Mai Xin , Chan Roger C. K.
Published: June 2020

Confronted with increasing natural and anthropogenic crises, sustainable urban and regional development requires a sound understanding of how cities and regions respond to those crises and how that response shapes their continued development. The conceptual ambiguity and missing link among varied perspectives of resilience studies have given rise to a sneaking suspicion about the contribution of resilience thinking. By conducting a network analysis of 1,274 papers published between 1991 and 2019 using CiteSpace, we detect and visualize the intellectual pathway of resilience thinking and argue for its malleability to deepen our understanding about human‐environment dynamics. Three major research clusters were identified: adaptive capacity of ecosystems, regional variation in economic resilience, and social resilience of disadvantaged communities. Resistance and recovery of systems are the key concerns in the first two clusters, whereas social resilience emphasizes opportunities and processes of restructuring rather than returning to the pre‐crisis status. The extension of resilience thinking to the social realm is a promising area for future research. It calls for a shift of epistemology from the deterministic structure‐function hypothesis which is place‐less toward a situated understanding of context, relation, and human adaptation despite the methodological challenges ahead.
Characterisation of alkaline and enzymatic modified insoluble dietary fibre from Undaria pinnatifida
Authors: Zhou Dingpeng , Liu Jing , Liu Shaowei , Liu Xue , Tang Xiaozhi , Lv Xueze
Published: June 2020

Undaria pinnatifida insoluble dietary fibre (UIDF) was modified by alkali (NaOH solution) and complex enzyme (xylanase and cellulase) to improve the physicochemical properties. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the surface structure after modification was rough and loose. The characteristic absorption peaks in Fourier transfer infrared spectrometry and X‐ray diffraction patterns showed that enzymes can further hydrolyse the UIDF than alkali mainly in amorphous region, and increased the soluble dietary fibre content to 16.31%. The alkaline and complex enzymatic modification both resulted in higher water retention capacity, water swelling capacity, oil absorption capacity, glucose adsorption capacity and the inhibition ability towards α‐amylase. The complex enzymatic modification exhibited better features in almost all properties, and the modification did not change the inhibiting mechanism on α‐amylase (non‐competitive type). Overall, both two modifications could effectively improve the properties of UIDF, which may promote its use in food applications.
Conceptualising Art Education as Environmental Activism in Preservice Teacher Education
Authors: Inwood Hilary , Kennedy Alysse
Published: June 2020

This article explores how art and design education can contribute to the imperative of climate change and help societies adapt to living more sustainably. Drawing on methods from arts‐based research and qualitative case study, it reports on an investigation into what can be learned from creating environmental art installations with preservice teachers (those training to be K‐12 teachers), as part of an environmental art education programme in a leading Canadian university. Findings support that preservice teachers experienced behavioural and attitudinal shifts towards sustainability after engaging in the processes of creating environmental art; involvement in the programme also provided opportunities for building community, engaging multiple domains of learning, modelling sustainable art‐making practices and prompting environmental activism. The results of this study inform a developing pedagogy for environmental art education in higher education settings.
Up‐regulation of CHMP4B alleviates microglial necroptosis induced by traumatic brain injury
Authors: Zhao Pengzhan , Li Chong , Chen Binglin , Sun Guangchi , Chao Honglu , Tu Yiming , Bao Zhongyuan , Fan Liang , Du Xiaoliu , Ji Jing
Published: June 2020

Microglial cells are key component of central nervous system (CNS) and mediate the immune response of the brain under physiological or pathological conditions. It tends to activate into a pro‐inflammatory M1 phenotype after traumatic brain injury (TBI) and promote secondary brain damage. Recently, necroptosis was found to promote microglial activation and neuroinflammation after TBI. However, the mechanism and specific interventions of microglial necroptosis after TBI remain poorly investigated. Here, we reported that overexpress the charged multivesicular body protein 4b (CHMP4B) which is a core member of the endosomal sorting required for transport complex III (ESCRT‐III) significantly decreased the level of necroptosis in microglia, improved neurological function recovery and protected against cell death after TBI. Further investigation showed that forkhead transcription factor O1 (FOXO1) was a crucial transcription factor that increased CHMP4B transcription by binding to the promoter region, thereby inhibiting necroptosis in microglia. Collectively, our findings demonstrated that CHMP4B relieved microglial necroptosis and neuroinflammation after TBI, and promote the recovery of nerve function. FOXO1 is an important factor in promoting CHMP4B expression. This study provides the novel viewpoint for TBI prevention and treatment.