bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integration of non-financial benefits: a systematic review for engaged scholars
Authors: Caron Marie-Andrée , Radu Camélia , Drouin Nathalie
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The complexity of the integration of non-financial benefits (NFB) in major infrastructure projects (MIP) engenders the formulation of networked knowledge between researchers and practitioners. The authors’ research question is as follows: To what extent does scientific knowledge about the integration of NFB into MIP support engaged scholarship or co-construction of knowledge between researchers and practitioners?

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses a review of literature published in academic journals on the integration of NFB in MIP. Nearly 300 papers are analysed in depth, based on categories (aspects and sub-aspects) inspired from engaged scholarship and paradoxical participation approaches. The culture of collaboration and the notion of boundary objects are the two main aspects of this categorization of journal papers.

Findings

First, research on the integration of NFB into MIP is either project-oriented or society-oriented but in a larger proportion for society-oriented. Second, a lot of researches favour an analytic over a holistic approach, despite their openness to dialogue with practitioners through the complexity and conflict.

Practical implications

It contributes to the theorization of the engaged scholarship. It also provides insights about research avenues to be exploited where these aspects were not sufficiently exploited, as it is often the case with sustainability, for a better collaboration between researchers and practitioners. Linking the culture of collaboration, boundary objects and knowledge co-creation in the engaged scholarship setting encourages a better understanding of the needs (problem to be resolved) of practitioners, by themselves and the researchers.

Originality/value

The systematic review was conducted in parallel with the organization of two workshops with participants concerned by the integration of NFB into MIP. The paper identified four clusters from their level of compatibility with engaged scholarship.
Verification of the IEC 61508 PFH formula for 2oo3 configuration using Markov chains and Petri nets
Authors: Omeiri Hanane , Hamaidi Brahim , Innal Fares , Liu Yiliu
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to check the consistency of the IEC 61508 standard formula related to the average failure frequency (PFH: the probability of dangerous failure per hour) for a commonly used safety instrumented system (SIS) architecture in the process industry: 2-out-of-3 voting (2oo3), also known as Triple Modular Redundancy (TMR).

Design/methodology/approach

IEC 61508 standard provided PFH formulas for different SIS architectures, without explanations, assuming that the SIS puts the equipment under control into a safe state on the detection of dangerous failure. This assumption renders the use of classical reliability approaches such as fault trees and reliability block diagrams impractical for PFH calculation. That said, the consistency verification was performed thanks to a dynamic and flexible reliability approach, namely Markov chains following these steps: (1) developing the multi-phase Markov chains (MPMC) model for 2oo3 configuration, (2) deducing the related classical Markov chains (CMC) model and (3) deriving a new PFH formula for the 2oo3 architecture based on the CMC model and thoroughly comparing it to that given in the IEC 61508. Moreover, 2oo3 architecture has been modeled through Petri nets for numerical comparison purposes. That comparison has been carried out between the numerical results obtained from IEC 61508 formula, the newly derived formula, Markov chains and Petri nets models.

Findings

The newly obtained formula for 2oo3 configuration contains extra terms compared with the IEC 61508 one. Therefore, this latter formula induces an underestimated PFH results, which is dangerous from a safety point of view. This fact was corroborated by the numerical comparison.

Research limitations/implications

This paper does not consider the different configurations given in IEC 61508.

Originality/value

In our knowledge, no verification works have been conducted before on the IEC 61508 PFH formulas with shutdown capability. Therefore, the nonaccuracy of the PFH formula related to the 2oo3 has not been stated before. This paper proposes a new and more accurate formula.
Analysing trademark and social media in the fashion industry: tools that impact performance and internationalization for SMEs
Authors: Rienda Laura , Ruiz-Fernández Lorena , Carey Lindsey
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This research investigates the role that having a trademark and a social media presence play in the development of international activities as well as their influence on performance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating within the fashion sector of the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Design/methodology/approach

Quantitative analysis was carried out by integrating information from several data sources. The hypotheses proposed in the authors’ research model are tested on a sample of 102 SMEs, applying bivariate analysis and variance-based structural equation modelling (partial least squares).

Findings

Based on the authors’ empirical evidence, the fashion SMEs could improve their performance through two important marketing tools: registered trademark and social media. On the one hand, SMEs with a registered trademark are more present in the international markets, and it also implies higher performance. On the other hand, there is no significant relationship between SMEs with social media and a presence in international markets.

Originality/value

The aim of this paper is to investigate the effect of trademark and social media participation on firms which varies depending on what managers of fashion-related SME companies want to prioritize. Hence, these two marketing tools could be useful for managers to decide on what resources to invest, to register a trademark or to be present in social media, subject to their firms' strategy and objectives.
Profit- and loss-sharing impact on Islamic bank liquidity in GCC countries
Authors: Ben Jedidia Khoutem
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to empirically assess the impact of the principle of profit- and loss-sharing (PLS) on the exposure to liquidity risk of Islamic banks in Gulf Corporation Council (GCC) countries. The Islamic bank activity is distinguished by a PLS principle, which is likely to involve specificities in the bank liquidity issue.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper investigates the determinants of Islamic bank liquidity over the period 2005–2016 using a panel of 23 Islamic banks in GCC. The system of generalized method of moment estimators is applied.

Findings

The findings reveal that while profit-sharing investment accounts (PSIAs) are inversely proportional to Islamic bank liquidity, the PLS investment does not seem to act as a determinant of the bank liquidity. The fact that PSIAs are globally short-run accounts, but finance long-run projects leads to a substantial maturity mismatches, which limits the availability of liquidity buffer and exacerbates the bank’s exposure to liquidity risk. Moreover, capital adequacy ratio has significant and positive association with bank liquidity, as a strong capital ratio helps to strengthen the liquidity control. However, return on assets has a negative significant impact on bank liquidity. For instance, if the bank holds more cash, it deprives itself from placing funds and earning returns, which causes its profitability to decline.

Practical implications

This paper gives further insights to better improve the liquidity risk management in a context of scarcity of Shariah-compliant instruments. Islamic bank needs to determine the PLS purpose and goals to be consistent with the “bank’s financing policy” and convince its depositors to use their deposits for medium and long-run investments.

Originality/value

Unlike previous empirical research, this investigation tries to better grasp the Islamic bank liquidity issue by focusing on the PLS impact on liquidity risk. It aims to fill in the gap in the empirical literature on this topic.
What makes followers loyal? The role of influencer interactivity in building influencer brand equity
Authors: Jun Sunghee , Yi Jisu
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to present a mechanism that explains how followers become loyal to social media influencers. It suggests influencer interactivity as a unique feature of influencer brands and investigates how it affects influencer authenticity, emotional attachment, and thus brand loyalty.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional survey of 282 social media users was conducted to estimate the conceptual model. Participants were asked to respond to the survey questions based on their perceptions of a specific influencer they follow on social media. The relationships among variables were tested via structural equation modeling.

Findings

The findings show that influencer interactivity is positively related to influencer authenticity and emotional attachment. Influencer authenticity mediates the effect of interactivity on emotional attachment and directly affects brand trust. Furthermore, the results demonstrate that followers’ emotional attachment to influencer brands increases brand loyalty through brand trust.

Originality/value

This study is the first to approach influencers as a brand, rather than a brand endorser. Specifically, this study conceptualizes the influencer brand’s interactivity and finds a link between influencer interactivity and the followers’ perception of influencer authenticity. It discusses why influencer interactivity and authenticity play key roles in shaping influencer brand equity. This study contributes to both the human brands and the influencer marketing literature by proposing a model to understand how the brand equity of the influencer brand is formed.
Dividend policy in India: reconciling theory and evidence
Authors: Dixit Bipin Kumar , Gupta Nilesh , Saurabh Suman
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the dividend payout behavior of Indian firms and test whether the three prominent dividend policy theories (signaling, life-cycle and catering) explain the dividend policy of Indian firms.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors test the three theories using the methodology based on the studies of Nissim and Ziv (2001), DeAngelo et al. (2006) and Baker and Wurgler (2004). For testing the signaling theory, the authors regress the change in earnings on the rate of change in dividends using the pooled and Fama–Macbeth regressions. The life cycle theory is tested by running a logistic regression of the dividend payment decision on two proxies of life-cycle measured by the ratio of earned to total equity. Finally, the catering theory tests the relationship between the decision to pay a dividend and the dividend premium.

Findings

The results based on a sample of Indian firms from 1992 to 2017 show that the dividend policy of Indian firms can be explained using the life-cycle theory. However, there is no evidence in support of the signaling and catering theories.

Originality/value

It provides insights into the dividend policy of Indian firms. Though there have been a few studies examining the dividend payout in India, none of the existing studies tests these theories of dividend payout. The existing research using the Indian data provides indirect evidence about the life-cycle theory. This study is the first one to test the application of these theories for Indian firms.
Robotic Chinese language tutor: personalising progress assessment and feedback or taking over your job?
Authors: Chew Esyin , Chua Xin Ni
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The shortage of Chinese language teachers have been identified as a pressing issue globally. This paper aims to respond to the needs by investigating and designing the learning innovation with autonomous programmable robot, NAO.

Design/methodology/approach

By thoughtfully embedding NAO robot into teaching basic Chinese language, this research demonstrates an inquiry qualitative case study of artificial intelligence design principles and learning engagement with rule-based reasoning and progress test design.

Findings

This state-of-the arts robot use its emotion recognition and body language automated (LED eye with various colours) to demonstrate the Chinese words, to increase learners’ understanding and enhance their memory of the words learned. The responses conclude that the novel learning experience is more fun and interesting, thus the engagement from the axis of novelty, interactivity, motivation and interest is enhanced.

Research limitations/implications

It is recognised that the number of research participants was small, but the qualitative finding demonstrate key issues and recommendation that may inspire future empirical research.

Practical implications

Today, robotics is a rapidly growing field and has received significant attention in education. Humanoid robots are now increasingly used in fields such as education, hospitality, entertainment and health care. Educational robots are anticipated to serve as teaching assistants.

Originality/value

The learning engagement paradigm has shifted from manual engagement to personal response systems or mixed-reality on mobile platforms, and now with the humanoid robot, the recommendation of four principles and future work and for designing humanoid robot as a language tutor are discussed. The educational robot model can be changed to a newer robot such as CANBOT U05E.
Predicting soccer consumption: do eSports matter? Empirical insights from a machine learning approach
Authors: Lettieri Emanuele , Orsenigo Carlotta
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to shed novel light to further the ongoing debate about the relationship between traditional sports and eSports by gathering empirical evidence on the role that eSports play on the consumption of traditional sports (i.e. live matches at the Stadium, TV matches spectating, merchandise or sponsor purchase), in the peculiar context of soccer.

Design/methodology/approach

An extensive literature review on both sports and eSports consumption has informed the creation of a novel dataset through the design and administration of a structured questionnaire to Italian citizens 18+. Questions were about eSports and soccer consumption, information-seeking behaviour and psychometric factors. All constructs have been measured against validated scales. A total of 279 high-quality responses have been analysed through a prediction model based on regression trees in the Machine Learning domain.

Findings

Results show that soccer consumption is predicted by the degree of vicarious achievement (positive effect), the degree of playing sport-related eSports (positive effect) and the degree of playing non-sport-related eSports (negative effect). Vertical analyses have been on sub-dimensions of soccer consumption (attending live matches at the Stadium, spectating TV matches, buying merchandise or sponsors’ products).

Originality/value

To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to offer empirical evidence to bridge two main limitations: the lack of studies about the eSports-soccer consumptions relationship and the reduction of soccer consumption as just Stadium attendance. Our results have both theoretical and practical implications.
Factors influencing innovation performance in higher education institutions
Authors: Asiedu Mercy Asaa , Anyigba Hod , Ofori Kwame Simpe , Ampong George Oppong Appiagyei , Addae John Agyekum
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between transformational leadership, knowledge management capabilities, organizational learning and innovation performance in the context of higher education institutions.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a survey research design, data was collected from 219 respondents comprising faculty and administrative staff from two public and five private universities in Ghana. The data were analysed by using the partial least squares approach to structural equation modelling with the use of Smart PLS software.

Findings

The results revealed that transformational leadership significantly predicts knowledge management capabilities and organizational learning and also has a positive effect on innovation performance.

Originality/value

Although some studies have covered the theoretical and empirical analyses of links between transformational leadership, innovation performance and some knowledge management capabilities, this study examines the direct links between transformational leadership and knowledge management capabilities, on one hand, and transformational leadership and organizational learning on the other, as well as their overall effect on innovation performance, which has been less discussed in literature, particularly in the tertiary educational sector and in the Ghanaian context.
A citizen science approach reveals long‐term social network structure in an urban parrot, Cacatua galerita
Authors: Aplin Lucy M. , Major Richard E. , Davis Adrian , Martin John M.
Published: July 2020

Parrots are often referenced in discussions of social and cognitive complexity, yet relatively little is known of their social organization in the wild. In particular, the presence of long‐lasting social ties has been highlighted as a hallmark of social complexity; however, the presence of such ties can be masked in fission–fusion systems like that exhibited by most parrot species. Social network analysis has the potential to elucidate such multi‐level dynamics.

While most parrot species are tropical canopy dwellers, a subset has successfully colonized urban habitats, where they are often the focus of much public interest. Our study takes advantage of this to use citizen science to collect observations of wing‐tagged sulphur‐crested cockatoos in central Sydney and record their social associations over multiple years.

Using a specifically designed mobile phone application ‘Wingtags’, we collected over >27,000 citizen science reports of wing‐tagged cockatoos, and built social networks from spatial‐temporal co‐occurrences in observations for 130 tagged birds. To validate this novel methodology, we GPS‐tagged a subset of wing‐tagged birds and compared networks built from both data collection methods. We then examined correlates of social network structure before exploring the temporal dynamics of network structure and social associations.

Social networks constructed from GPS data and citizen science data were highly correlated, suggesting that this novel methodology is robust. Network structure exhibited little seasonal variability and was largely driven by roost site choice; however, individuals also showed a surprising degree of mixing between roosts in their foraging associations. Finally, within this larger fission–fusion system, individuals tended to maintain specific social ties for long periods of time. There was an effect of age on these temporal dynamics, with aging individuals increasing both social stability and longevity of associations.

Our findings highlight the utility of citizen science to measure social networks in urban species, and add to the evidence that long‐lasting social associations can persist in fission–fusion social systems such as those observed in wild sulphur‐crested cockatoos.
Assessing New Zealand’s Cannabis Legalization and Control Bill: prospects and challenges
Authors: Wilkins Chris , Rychert Marta
Published: July 2020

Background

Few countries have developed detailed legislative proposals for legalizing cannabis. New Zealand recently released the Cannabis Legalization and Control Bill (CLCB) that will be the subject of a referendum in September 2020.

Aims

To assess the CLCB, drawing on emerging evidence from cannabis legalization overseas, public health research on alcohol and tobacco and the attempt to establish a regulated market for ‘legal highs’ in New Zealand.

Discussion

The CLCB proposes a strictly regulated commercial cannabis market that resembles the Canadian approach, but notably without on‐line sales or regional heterogeneity in retail distribution. The objective of the CLCB of lowering cannabis use over time appears at odds with the largely commercial cannabis sector that will focus on expanding sales. The CLCB includes provision for home cultivation and social benefit operators, but it is not clear what priority these operators will receive. A potency cap of 15% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) for cannabis plants is included, and this is at the high end of black‐market cannabis. The proposed progressive product tax based on THC will be challenging to implement. There is no formal minimum price, but rather discretionary powers to raise the excise if the price drops too much. The CLCB includes a comprehensive ban on advertising, but non‐conventional on‐line promotion will be difficult to suppress. The central government cannabis authority is tasked with developing local retail outlet policies. We caution against the temptation to employ an interim regulatory regime following a positive referendum result, because a partially regulated market will expose users to health risks and undermine public support.

Conclusions

New Zealand’s Cannabis Legalization and Control Bill’s objective of reducing cannabis use via a commercial market will be challenging to achieve. The bill could be strengthened with formal minimum pricing, lower potency cap and greater clarity concerning social benefit operators and the role of local government.
A pilot randomized controlled trial of assertive treatment including family involvement and home delivery of medication for young adults with opioid use disorder
Authors: Fishman Marc , Wenzel Kevin , Vo Hoa , Wildberger Jared , Burgower Rachael
Published: July 2020

Background and Aims

Although medications for opioid use disorder (OUD), including extended‐release naltrexone (XR‐NTX), have demonstrated effectiveness, adherence is often low. We tested the preliminary efficacy of youth opioid recovery support (YORS), a multi‐component intervention designed to improve engagement and medication adherence for young adults with OUD.

Design

Single‐site randomized controlled trial with 24‐week follow‐up.

Setting

Community substance use disorder treatment program in Baltimore, MD, USA.

Participants

Young adults aged 18–26 years enrolled in inpatient/residential OUD treatment intending to pursue outpatient OUD treatment with XR‐NTX. Twenty‐one participants were randomized to YORS and 20 to treatment as usual (TAU). The analyzed sample was 65.8% male.

Intervention and comparator

Components of YORS include: (1) home delivery of XR‐NTX; (2) family engagement; (3) assertive outreach; and (4) contingency management for receipt of XR‐NTX doses. The comparator was TAU, which consisted of a standard referral to outpatient care following an inpatient stay.

Measurements

Primary outcomes were number of XR‐NTX doses received over 24 weeks and relapse to opioid use (defined as ≥ 10 days of use within 28 days) at 24 weeks.

Findings

Participants in the YORS condition received more XR‐NTX doses [mean = 4.28; standard deviation (SD) = 2.3] compared with those in TAU (mean = 0.70; SD = 1.2), P < 0.01. Participants in the YORS group compared with TAU had lower rates of relapse (61 versus 95%; P < 0.01). Survival analyses revealed group differences on time to relapse with participants in TAU being more likely to relapse sooner compared with participants in the YORS condition [hazard ratio (HR) = 2.72, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.26–5.88, P < 0.01].

Conclusions

The youth opioid recovery support intervention for extended‐release naltrexone adherence and opioid relapse prevention among young adults with opioid use disorder appeared to improve treatment and relapse outcomes compared with standard treatment.
Impact of psychological stress measured in three different scales on testis function: A cross‐sectional study of 1362 young men
Authors: Nordkap Loa , Priskorn Lærke , Bräuner Elvira V. , Marie Hansen Åse , Kirstine Bang Anne , Holmboe Stine A. , Winge Sofia B. , Egeberg Palme Dorte L. , Mørup Nina , Erik Skakkebæk Niels , Kold Jensen Tina , Jørgensen Niels
Published: July 2020

Background

Studies have reported associations between psychological stress and semen quality, but most have been performed on selected populations using different stress measures. Thus, it is uncertain which stress scale best quantifies the effects of stress on testicular function.

Objective

To study the association between three different measures of stress and testicular function in young men.

Material and Methods

In total, 1362 men (median age 19 years) delivered semen and blood samples. They also answered a questionnaire including information from three stress scales: Stress Symptoms, Stressful Life Events and Perceived Stress. Various statistical analyses for associations between stress and testicular function (semen quality and reproductive hormones) were performed.

Results

Perceived Stress was negatively associated with sperm concentration, total count and motility and positively associated with serum FSH. Men with the highest scores (>30 points) had 38% (95% CI 3‐84%) lower sperm concentration, 42% (95% CI 5‐91%) lower total count and 22% (95% CI 2‐32%) lower proportion of motile spermatozoa than men with the lowest scores (0‐10 points). For the stress symptoms score, men with highest scores (>95th percentile vs. lower) had lower sperm concentration, total sperm count, motility and serum Inhibin‐B/FSH‐ratio. Although men with highest stress levels were characterized by an unhealthier lifestyle, adjusting for lifestyle factors did not attenuate results suggesting that the associations between stress and testicular function were not mediated by lifestyle. Stressful Life Events were not associated with testicular function.

Discussion and Conclusion

The linear association between Perceived Stress and semen parameters and lack of dose‐response association for the other two stress scales indicated that perceived stress was the most sensitive marker of stress affecting semen quality in young men. The lack of associations between Stressful Life Events and testis function confirmed that the perception of stressful events rather than the stressful event per se matters.
Neuromuscular responses to fatiguing locomotor exercise
Authors: Brownstein Callum G. , Millet Guillaume Y. , Thomas Kevin
Published: July 2020

Over the last two decades, an abundance of research has explored the impact of fatiguing locomotor exercise on the neuromuscular system. Neurostimulation techniques have been implemented prior to and following locomotor exercise tasks of a wide variety of intensities, durations, and modes. These techniques have allowed for the assessment of alterations occurring within the central nervous system and the muscle, while techniques such as transcranial magnetic stimulation and spinal electrical stimulation have permitted further segmentalization of locomotor exercise‐induced changes along the motor pathway. To this end, the present review provides a comprehensive synopsis of the literature pertaining to neuromuscular responses to locomotor exercise. Sections of the review were divided to discuss neuromuscular responses to maximal, severe, heavy and moderate intensity, high‐intensity intermittent exercise, and differences in neuromuscular responses between exercise modalities. During maximal and severe intensity exercise, alterations in neuromuscular function reside primarily within the muscle. Although post‐exercise reductions in voluntary activation following maximal and severe intensity exercise are generally modest, several studies have observed alterations occurring at the cortical and/or spinal level. During prolonged heavy and moderate intensity exercise, impairments in contractile function are attenuated with respect to severe intensity exercise, but are still widely observed. While reductions in voluntary activation are greater during heavy and moderate intensity exercise, the specific alterations occurring within the central nervous system remain unclear. Further work utilizing stimulation techniques during exercise and integrating new and emerging techniques such as high‐density electromyography is warranted to provide further insight into neuromuscular responses to locomotor exercise.
Healthcare use, work loss and total costs in incident and prevalent Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis: results from a nationwide study in Sweden
Authors: Khalili Hamed , Everhov Åsa H. , Halfvarson Jonas , Ludvigsson Jonas F. , Askling Johan , Myrelid Pär , Söderling Jonas , Olen Ola , Neovius Martin ,   SWIBREG Group
Published: July 2020

Background

There are limited data on population‐wide assessment of cost in Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC).

Aim

To estimate the societal cost of actively treated CD and UC in Sweden.

Methods

We identified 10 117 prevalent CD and 19 762 prevalent UC patients, aged ≥18 years on 1 January 2014 and 4028 adult incident CD cases and 8659 adult incident UC cases (2010‐2013) from Swedish Patient Register. Each case was matched to five population comparators. Healthcare costs were calculated from medications, outpatient visits, hospitalisations and surgery. Cost of productivity losses was derived from disability pension and sick leave.

Results

The mean annual societal costs per working‐age patient (18‐64 years) with CD and UC were $22 813 (vs $7533 per comparator) and $14 136 (vs $7351 per comparator), respectively. In patients aged ≥65 years, the mean annual costs of CD and UC were $9726 and $8072 vs $3875 and $4016 per comparator, respectively. The majority of cost for both CD (56%) and UC (59%) patients originated from productivity losses. Higher societal cost of working‐age CD patients as compared to UC patients was related to greater utilisation of anti‐TNF (22.2% vs 7.4%) and increased annual disability pension (44 days vs 25 days). Among incident CD and UC patients, the mean total cost over the first year per patient was over three times higher than comparators.

Conclusion

In Sweden, the societal cost of incident and prevalent CD and UC patients was consistently two to three times higher than the general population.
Overestimation and contraction biases of depth information stored in working memory depend on spatial configuration
Authors: Zhang Ke , Gao Dingguo , Qian Jiehui
Published: July 2020

Depth perception is essential for effective interaction with the environment. Although the accuracy of depth perception has been studied extensively, it is unclear how accurate the depth information is stored in working memory. In this study, we investigated the accuracy and systematic biases of depth representation by a delayed estimation task. The memory array consisted of items presented at various stereoscopic depth positions, and the participants were instructed to estimate the depth position of one target item after a retention interval. We examined the effect of spatial configuration by comparing the memory performance in the whole‐display condition where non‐target memory items were present during retrieval with that in the single‐display condition where non‐target memory items were absent. In the single‐display condition, we found an overestimation bias that the depth estimates were farther than the corresponding depth positions defined by disparity, and a contraction bias that the stored depth positions near the observer were overestimated and those far from the observer were underestimated. The magnitude of these biases increased with the number of to‐be‐stored items. However, in the whole‐display condition, the overestimation bias was corrected and the contraction bias did not increase with the number of to‐be‐stored items. Our findings suggested that the number of to‐be‐stored items could affect the accuracy of depth working memory, and its effect depended crucially on whether the information of spatial configuration of memory display was available at the retrieval stage.
Prostate cancer survivorship essentials framework: guidelines for practitioners
Authors: Dunn Jeff , Green Anna , Ralph Nicholas , Newton Robert U. , Kneebone Andrew , Frydenberg Mark , Chambers Suzanne K.
Published: July 2020

Objective

To develop contemporary and inclusive prostate cancer survivorship guidelines for the Australian setting.

Participants and Methods

A four‐round iterative policy Delphi was used, with a 47‐member expert panel that included leaders from key Australian and New Zealand clinical and community groups and consumers from diverse backgrounds, including LGBTQIA people and those from regional, rural and urban settings. The first three rounds were undertaken using an online survey (94–96% response) followed by a fourth final face‐to‐face panel meeting. Descriptors for men’s current prostate cancer survivorship experience were generated, along with survivorship elements that were assessed for importance and feasibility. From these, survivorship domains were generated for consideration.

Results

Six key descriptors for men’s current prostate cancer survivorship experience that emerged were: dealing with side effects; challenging; medically focused; uncoordinated; unmet needs; and anxious. In all, 26 survivorship elements were identified within six domains: health promotion and advocacy; shared management; vigilance; personal agency; care coordination; and evidence‐based survivorship interventions. Consensus was high for all domains as being essential. All elements were rated high on importance but consensus was mixed for feasibility. Seven priorities were derived for immediate action.

Conclusion

The policy Delphi allowed a uniquely inclusive expert clinical and community group to develop prostate cancer survivorship domains that extend beyond traditional healthcare parameters. These domains provide guidance for policymakers, clinicians, community and consumers on what is essential for step change in prostate cancer survivorship outcomes.
Outside in: Roles of complement in autophagy
Authors: King Ben C. , Kulak Klaudia , Colineau Lucie , Blom Anna M.
Published: July 2020

The complement system is a well‐characterized cascade of extracellular serum proteins that is activated by pathogens and unwanted waste material. Products of activated complement signal to the host cells via cell surface receptors, eliciting responses such as removal of the stimulus by phagocytosis. The complement system therefore functions as a warning system, resulting in removal of unwanted material. This review describes how extracellular activation of the complement system can also trigger autophagic responses within cells, up‐regulating protective homeostatic autophagy in response to perceived stress, but also initiating targeted anti‐microbial autophagy in order to kill intracellular cytoinvasive pathogens. In particular, we will focus on recent discoveries that indicate that complement may also have roles in detection and autophagy‐mediated disposal of unwanted materials within the intracellular environment. We therefore summarize the current evidence for complement involvement in autophagy, both by transducing signals across the cell membrane, as well as roles within the cellular environment.

Linked Articles

This article is part of a themed issue on Canonical and non‐canonical functions of the complement system in health and disease. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v178.14/issuetoc
Activated inducible co-stimulator-positive programmed cell death 1-positive follicular helper T cells indicate disease activity and severity in ulcerative colitis patients
Authors: Long Y , Zhao X , Liu Chang , Xia C , Liu Chen
Published: July 2020

Inducible co-stimulator-positive (ICOS) and programmed cell death 1-positive (PD-1) are important markers for follicular helper T cells (Tfh); however, their roles and clinical values in ulcerative colitis (UC) remain unknown. In this study, we recruited 68 UC patients and 34 healthy controls. Circulating ICOS+, PD-1+ and ICOS+PD-1+ Tfh subsets were analyzed by flow cytometry. Twelve active UC patients achieving remission after treatment with 5-aminosalicylic acid were followed-up and Tfh subset changes were analyzed. Serum immunoglobulin (Ig)G, C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-21 levels and B cell subsets were analyzed and Mayo scores were calculated. Correlation analyses were performed between Tfh subsets and the clinical indicators. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated to evaluate the efficiency of Tfh subsets for disease monitoring. We found that levels of ICOS+, PD-1+ and ICOS+PD-1+ Tfh cells were significantly increased in active UC and significantly decreased when achieving clinical remission. Activated ICOS+PD-1+Tfh cells were positively correlated with serum CRP and Mayo scores. Furthermore, ICOS+PD-1+ Tfh cells were significantly correlated with circulating new memory B cells and plasmablasts, as well as serum IgG, IL-4 and IL-21. ROC analyses showed that when ICOS+PD-1+ Tfh cells were used in combination with PD-1+ Tfh cells, the diagnostic efficacy in distinguishing active UC from stable remission patients was higher than that of any one used alone, with area under curve (AUC) value 0·931. Our findings suggest that increased ICOS+PD-1+ Tfh cells are associated with the activation of B cells in the pathogenesis of UC, and may be a potential biomarker for UC disease monitoring.
Childhood Ethics: An ontological advancement for childhood studies
Authors: Carnevale Franco A. , Collin‐Vézina Delphine , Macdonald Mary Ellen , Ménard Jean‐Frédéric , Talwar Victoria , Van Praagh Shauna
Published: July 2020

We describe an ontological approach to childhood studies that we refer to asChildhood Ethics. This involves an interdisciplinary hermeneutic orientation towards examining the morally meaningful dimensions of matters that affect young people. We draw on our empirical research with young people from 3‐ to 17‐years old, examining their experiences in a diversity of contexts and geographical settings. Our investigations challenge dominant binary conceptions of young people along lines of decisional in/capacity and im/maturity. We argue for a view of children as active agents with meaningful relational engagements and participation interests and capacities and outline corresponding implications for research and practice.
Video consultation for new colorectal patients
Authors: Sellars H. , Ramsay G. , Sunny A. , Gunner C. K. , Oliphant R. , Watson A. J. M.
Published: July 2020

Aim

For patients, an outpatient review can lead to a stressful journey to hospital with the resultant risks associated with breaching social distancing. Despite this, video consultations (VCs) have not been frequently used in colorectal practice. We assessed outcomes, including the economic and environmental impact, of a VC clinic for new colorectal referrals.

Method

This was a prospective observational study. Fifty consecutive patients attending a VC colorectal appointment were reviewed between March 2019 and February 2020. Face‐to‐face appointments during the same time period were also assessed. The distance, time, cost and carbon emissions of journeys were estimated using web‐based resources. Estimated loss of earnings used data from the Office for National Statistics. The subsequent management plans were also recorded.

Results

Of 50 patients using VC, 40 used home devices and 10 used equipment in their local medical facility. Three patients had difficulties with the technology and converted to telephone review. Failure to attend VC appointments was less than for face‐to‐face appointments (4% vs 6.1%). VC appointments saved 6685 miles of travel (range 2–364 miles), 148 h travelling time and £1767 costs. Additional savings for loss of earnings were approximately £33.56 per patient. The carbon emissions saved was 4659 lb CO2 equivalent, corresponding to over 250 000 charges of a smartphone.

Conclusion

The use of VC resulted in significant savings related to travel and reduced time and costs for patients who chose to use the service, in addition to the environmental benefits. In this current climate VC clinics have a central role in outpatient care for both new patients and follow‐ups.
No evidence that rapid adaptation impedes biological control of an invasive plant
Authors: Stastny M. , Russell‐Mercier J.L. , Sargent R.D.
Published: July 2020

Biological control is a popular tool for invasive species management, but its success in nature is difficult to predict. One risk is that invasive plants, which may have adapted to lower herbivore pressure in the introduced range, could rapidly evolve defences upon re‐association with their biocontrol agent(s). Previous studies have demonstrated that populations of the invasive plant purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) exposed to biocontrol exhibit traits consistent with the rapid evolution of defence. However, to date, no one has tested this hypothesis under field‐natural levels of herbivory. Using seed from 17 populations of purple loosestrife growing in eastern Canada, that varied in their history of exposure to their biocontrol agent, the leaf beetle Neogalerucella spp., we transplanted 1,088 seedlings from 136 maternal families into a common garden under ambient herbivory. Over the following three and half years, we assessed plant performance in the face of biocontrol by measuring early‐season plant size, defoliation, flowering, and season‐end biomass. We discovered that a population history with biocontrol explained little variation in herbivory or plant performance, suggesting that adaptation is not hindering biocontrol effectiveness. Instead, plant size, subsequent defoliation, and spatio‐temporal variables were the main predictors of plant growth and flowering during the study. The high individual variability we observed in plant performance underscores that flexible strategies of allocation and phenology are important contributors to the persistence of invasive plants. Our findings suggest that plant adaptation to biocontrol is unlikely to be a strong impediment to biological control in this species, however, the high survival and variable defoliation of plants in our study also indicate that biocontrol alone is unlikely to result in significant population decline. We recommend that the application of multiple forms of control simultaneously (e.g. thinning plus biocontrol) could help to prevent the existence of refuges of large, reproductive individuals.
Fasten the seat belt: Increasing safety of CAR T‐cell therapy
Authors: Simon Bianca , Uslu Ugur
Published: July 2020

After the recent success and approvals of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells in haematological malignancies, its efficacy is currently evaluated in a broad spectrum of tumor entities including melanoma. However, severe and potentially life‐threatening side effects like cytokine release syndrome, neurologic toxicities, and the competing risk of morbidity and mortality from the treatment itself are still a major limiting factor in the current CAR T‐cell landscape. In addition, especially in solid tumors, the lack of ideal target antigens to avoid on‐target/off‐tumor toxicities also restricts its use. While various groups are working on strategies to boost CAR T‐cell efficacy, mechanisms to increase engineered T‐cell safety should not move out of focus. Thus, the aim of this article is to summarize and to discuss current and potential future strategies and mechanisms to increase CAR T‐cell safety in order to enable the wide use of this promising approach in melanoma and other tumor entities.
Impact of bariatric surgery on oral anticoagulants pharmacology, and consequences for clinical practice: a narrative review
Authors: Leven Cyril , Hoffmann Clément , Roche Charles , Couturaud Francis , Thereaux Jérémie , Lacut Karine
Published: July 2020

The prevalence of obesity has been steadily increasing in recent years worldwide. At the same time bariatric surgery, the best therapeutic strategy to date in terms of sustainable weight loss and improvement of associated comorbidities has been also increasing. However, these surgeries, whether primarily restrictive or malabsorptive, raise questions about the pharmacology of oral drugs. Among widely used drugs, anticoagulants are the referent therapy to treat some cardiovascular diseases such as atrial fibrillation and venous thromboembolism. How bariatric surgery may impact pharmacological properties of oral anticoagulants, and more specifically, direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are difficult to anticipate. In this review, we describe available data concerning the potential impact of bariatric surgery on the pharmacology of oral anticoagulants. The vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) requirements for the same international normalized ratio target are reduced after bariatric surgery. Limited data available for dabigatran 150 mg twice daily indicate a risk of insufficient efficacy in atrial fibrillation after gastric bypass due to probable impaired absorption. Data for rivaroxaban at the prophylactic dose of 10 mg per day suggest no impact of bariatric surgery from 3 days to 8 months post‐surgery. However, no conclusive data are available for other anticoagulants or the use of DOACs at therapeutic doses. To date, DOACs are not recommended in patients who have undergone bariatric surgery, because of limited available data. Pending new studies to confirm the predictable pharmacokinetics and safety of DOACs in this population, especially at therapeutic doses, VKAs remain the first option for chronic anticoagulation.
Predicting soil carbon changes in switchgrass grown on marginal lands under climate change and adaptation strategies
Authors: Martinez‐Feria Rafael , Basso Bruno
Published: July 2020

The United States Great Lakes Region (USGLR) is a critical geographic area for future bioenergy production. Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) is widely considered a carbon (C)‐neutral or C‐negative bioenergy production system, but projected increases in air temperature and precipitation due to climate change might substantially alter soil organic C (SOC) dynamics and storage in soils. This study examined long‐term SOC changes in switchgrass grown on marginal land in the USGLR under current and projected climate, predicted using a process‐based model (Systems Approach to Land‐Use Sustainability) extensively calibrated with a wealth of plant and soil measurements at nine experimental sites. Simulations indicate that these soils are likely a net C sink under switchgrass (average gain 0.87 Mg C ha−1 year−1), although substantial variation in the rate of SOC accumulation was predicted (range: 0.2–1.3 Mg C ha−1 year−1). Principal component analysis revealed that the predicted intersite variability in SOC sequestration was related in part to differences in climatic characteristics, and to a lesser extent, to heterogeneous soils. Although climate change impacts on switchgrass plant growth were predicted to be small (4%–6% decrease on average), the increased soil respiration was predicted to partially negate SOC accumulations down to 70% below historical rates in the most extreme scenarios. Increasing N fertilizer rate and decreasing harvest intensity both had modest SOC sequestration benefits under projected climate, whereas introducing genotypes better adapted to the longer growing seasons was a much more effective strategy. Best‐performing adaptation scenarios were able to offset >60% of the climate change impacts, leading to SOC sequestration 0.7 Mg C ha−1 year−1 under projected climate. On average, this was 0.3 Mg C ha−1 year−1 more C sequestered than the no adaptation baseline. These findings provide crucial knowledge needed to guide policy and operational management for maximizing SOC sequestration of future bioenergy production on marginal lands in the USGLR.