bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Structural network embeddedness and firm incremental innovation capability: the moderating role of technology cluster
Authors: Shi Xiaoxiao , Lu Lu , Zhang Wei , Zhang Qingpu
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to propose the following questions: How do structural network embeddedness influence firms’ incremental innovation capability? Does technology cluster moderate the relationships between them?

Design/methodology/approach

In this empirical research, the authors collected a sample of patent data in the smartphone industry over the period of 2000-2018. Then, the authors examined the direct roles of structural network embeddedness on firms’ incremental innovation capability and the moderating role of technology cluster by using ordinary linear squares regression.

Findings

The empirical results show that occupying the central position positively affects firms’ incremental innovation capability, and clustering strengthens this linear relationship. Furthermore, bridging structural holes has an inverted U-shaped effect on incremental innovation capability, and clustering positively moderated this nonlinear relationship, while bridging ties across different clusters plays a negative moderation role in this relationship.

Originality/value

This empirical research provides new insights into whether and how firms can grasp the benefits of structural network embeddedness to conduct incremental innovations and the moderation effects of technology cluster contingencies. It further contributes to the structural network embeddedness–incremental innovation capability issue by extending its research context to the smartphone industry.
Ideological leadership in public schools
Authors: Eyal Ori , Schwartz Talya R. , Berkovich Izhak
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This study aims to explore the conception and construct of ideological leadership (IL) as it relates to public organizations, such as public schools, and to validate a tool for its measurement in this setting.

Design/methodology/approach

Data was collected from 633 teachers working at 69 randomly-sampled Israeli public schools. In each school, an average of nine (SD = 2) randomly-sampled teachers completed questionnaires that measure IL, transformational leadership, organizational commitment, leader-member exchange and motivational factors. The data underwent validity and hypotheses tests.

Findings

The hypothesized presence of the personalized and socialized IL orientations among public-school principals has been confirmed. Only personalized IL predicted teachers' outcomes above and beyond transformational leadership, affecting measures of organizational commitment, leader-member exchange and controlled motivation.

Originality/value

New evidence supports the validity of this proposed measurement tool. New evidence also suggests that although ideology has been known to be a factor of charismatic leadership, IL in close public-school settings accentuates practices of control, rather than proselytizing coherent worldviews to teachers. This, in turn, may have a deleterious influence on work outcomes and outweigh the possible benefits of IL. Accordingly, it is suggested that school leaders should critically consider the desirability of embracing ideological zeal as part of their leadership tools.
What drives organizations to switch to cloud ERP systems? The impacts of enablers and inhibitors
Authors: Chang Yu-Wei
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Switching to public cloud enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems not only provides financial and functional benefits to organizations, but also results in sunk costs of incumbent systems and uncertainty costs of cloud systems. The purpose of this study is to investigate the enablers and inhibitors concerning switching to cloud ERP systems at the organizational level.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 212 top managers and owners of the enterprises in Taiwan, and 10 hypotheses were examined using structural equation modeling.

Findings

Technological (system quality), organizational (financial advantage), and environmental contexts (industry pressure) are found to be the antecedents of switching benefits. Perceived risk of cloud ERP systems and satisfaction with and breadth of use of incumbent ERP systems are found to be the predictors of switching costs. Switching benefits positively affect switching intention, but switching costs negatively affect switching intention.

Research limitations/implications

This study develops a theoretical model grounded in a set of theoretical foundations, including two-factor theory, technology-organization-environment (TOE) framework, information systems (IS) success model, and expectation confirmation theory (ECT). Two-factor theory is used to characterize switching benefits and costs that affect switching intention. Technological factors come from IS success model, and the factors affecting benefits are organized based on TOE framework. Sunk costs of incumbent ERP systems are developed based on ECT.

Originality/value

Different from previous studies on cloud computing adoption, this study provides insights into switching intention to cloud computing. The study also proposes an integrated model grounded in multiple perspectives to explain organizations' decisions to switch to cloud ERP systems. These findings help cloud service providers better understand how to promote cloud ERP adoption from technical, organizational, and environmental perspectives.
Determinants of mandatory disclosure compliance in Swedish municipalities
Authors: Donatella Pierre
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to examine whether, and if so, to what extent, noncoercive isomorphism determines mandatory disclosure compliance at a later stage of an accounting reform.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis of compliance is based on data from 289 Swedish municipalities for 2016, which is nearly two decades after the initial legal reform in which mandatory requirements were imposed by the Swedish government in an effort to harmonize financial reporting practice. Following the standard approach in the literature, an unweighted compliance index was used as dependent variable. Proxies for municipal accounting networks and involvement in professional government accounting associations were used to explain individual municipalities' levels of compliance.

Findings

Differences in individual municipalities' levels of compliance were strongly related to the financial reporting practice of other municipalities in their accounting network. These results suggest that normative and mimetic isomorphic pressure stemming from these local networks, where accounting departments continually meet and share experiences, is a very potent force. In contrast, isomorphic pressure stemming from involvement in activities offered by professional government accounting associations is generally not a potent force at this stage.

Practical implications

In settings where municipal accounting networks exist, it may be effective to stimulate de facto harmonization by directing information, education and other efforts toward the professional environment in which these networks operate.

Originality/value

Unlike prior literature, the data in this study are from a later stage of a public sector accounting reform.
Practitioners' experiences with the drivers and practices for implementing sustainable construction in Nigeria: a qualitative assessment
Authors: Tunji-Olayeni Patience , Kajimo-Shakantu Kahilu , Osunrayi Ewaoluwa
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to assess the drivers, practices and policies for implementing sustainable construction in Nigeria. This is with a view towards increasing the rate of implementation and diffusion of sustainable construction practice, so that more Nigerians can benefit from its environmental, social and economic dividends.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopted a qualitative research design with the use of face-to-face oral interviews. Interviewees were selected using a purposive sampling technique. Data from the interview were analysed using thematic analysis. Descriptive statistics of frequencies, percentages and rankings were also used to present the data and complement the thematic analysis.

Findings

The study identified five major drivers of sustainable construction: clients' demand, international pressure, corporate social responsibility, competitiveness and cost-effectiveness. The common sustainable practices adopted by the interviewees are compliance with health and safety regulation, waste management, energy efficiency and material reuse. The most appropriate policies for implementing sustainable construction as suggested by the interviewees were government regulations, provision of tax relief and subsidies and public awareness. A combination of regulatory policies, market-based policies and voluntary participation of stakeholders will enhance the attainment of sustainability transformations in the construction industry

Originality/value

The study is based on the findings of construction participants who have practical experience with sustainable construction in Nigeria. The study also provides empirical evidences which could guide the design and implementation of policies that will further promote the diffusion of sustainable construction in Nigeria
The effect of Bi addition on the electrical and microstructural properties of SAC405 soldered structure
Authors: Soares Delfim , Sarmento Manuel , Barros Daniel , Peixoto Helder , Figueiredo Hugo , Alves Ricardo , Delgado Isabel , Teixeira José C. , Cerqueira Fátima
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the effect of bismuth addition (up to 30 Wt%) on the microstructure and electrical conductivity of a commercial lead-free alloy (SAC405) near the solder/substrate soldered joint. The system under study is referred in this work as (SAC405 + xBi)/Cu, as Cu is the selected substrate in which the solder was casted. The electrical resistivity of this system was investigated, considering Bi addition effect on the local microstructure and chemical composition gradients within that zone.

Design/methodology/approach

Solder joints between Cu substrate and SAC405 alloy with different levels of Bi were produced. The electrical conductivity along the obtained solder/substrate interface was measured by four-point probe method. The microstructure and chemical compositions were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive spectroscopy analysis.

Findings

Two different electrical resistivity zones were identified within the solder interface copper substrate/solder alloy. At the first zone (from intermetallic compound [IMC] until approximately 100 μm) the increase of the electrical resistivity is gradual from the substrate to the solder side. This is because of the copper substrate diffusion, which established a chemical composition gradient near the IMC layer. At the second zone, electrical resistivity becomes much higher and is mainly dependent on the Bi content of the solder alloy. In both identified zones, electrical resistivity is affected by its microstructure, which is dependent on Cu and Bi content and solidification characteristics.

Originality/value

A detailed characterization of the solder/substrate zone, in terms of electrical conductivity, was done with the definition of two variation zones. With this knowledge, a better definition of processing parameters and in-service soldered electronic devices behavior can be achieved.
How off-season tourism promotion affects seasonal destinations? A multi-stakeholder perspective in Tibet
Authors: Senyao Sang , Wei He , Ma Ni
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Taking Tibet as a case study, this paper aims to develop an in-depth understanding of the influence that off-season tourism promotion (OTP) has on seasonal destinations from a multi-stakeholder perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative research method was designed using participatory observation, in-depth interviews and focus group interviews in Tibet from March 2018 to February 2019.

Findings

The results revealed the different effects of OTP on destinations from a multi-stakeholder perspective. Residents report place change as a perceived threat from off-season tourists. Additionally, the irregular nature of seasonal employment can lead to service provider–related failures. While traditional seasonal tourists viewed OTP promotions as the destruction of place identity, promotion-motivated tourists presented a lesser degree of place loyalty. The prospect of off-season tourism has also led to concerns among scholars regarding deteriorating environmental sustainability.

Practical implications

This paper can help destination managers and policymakers re-assess the effects of seasonality and off-season tourism policies.

Originality/value

This paper discusses the phenomenon of seasonality from a multi-stakeholder perspective. The study explores residents’ perception of OTP-related place change, the causes of seasonal employment and how the market segments in off-season tourism, all of which complement existing research. Lastly, using a mixed data collection and analysis method, the study provides a feasible approach to analyze tourism phenomena.
Dutch care environments for people with dementia: impressions from the perspectives of an architect and a gerontologist
Authors: Shannon Kay , Jurgenhake Birgit
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss Dutch innovative care environments for older people, including those living with dementia, from the perspectives or an architect and a social gerontologist.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors visited three care environments for older people, each offering an innovative approach to living housing older people, including people with dementia. The settings are discussed from two disciplinary perspectives, facilitating an understanding of the influence of the built environment on daily life for residents.

Findings

The three facilities were all architecturally varied and resembled “real” homes to varying degrees. Additionally, each entrance offered a different welcome to the external community, ranging from full accessibility to a closed and fortified appearance. Within each facility, the built environment afforded residents opportunities to participate in valued activities, including interacting with members of the wider community.

Originality/value

The inclusion of two disciplinary perspectives offers a richer discussion of the physical and social aspects of the care environments that would be offered by one perspective alone.
Acrophiarin (antibiotic S31794/F‐1) from Penicillium arenicola shares biosynthetic features with both Aspergillus‐ and Leotiomycete‐type echinocandins
Authors: Lan Nan , Perlatti Bruno , Kvitek Daniel J. , Wiemann Philipp , Harvey Colin J. B. , Frisvad Jens , An Zhiqiang , Bills Gerald F.
Published: April 2020

The antifungal echinocandin lipopeptide, acrophiarin, was circumscribed in a patent in 1979. We confirmed that the producing strain NRRL 8095 is Penicillium arenicola and other strains of P. arenicola produced acrophiarin and acrophiarin analogues. Genome sequencing of NRRL 8095 identified the acrophiarin gene cluster. Penicillium arenicola and echinocandin‐producing Aspergillus species belong to the family Aspergillaceae of the Eurotiomycetes, but several features of acrophiarin and its gene cluster suggest a closer relationship with echinocandins from Leotiomycete fungi. These features include hydroxy‐glutamine in the peptide core instead of a serine or threonine residue, the inclusion of a non‐heme iron, α‐ketoglutarate‐dependent oxygenase for hydroxylation of the C3 of the glutamine, and a thioesterase. In addition, P. arenicola bears similarity to Leotiomycete echinocandin‐producing species because it exhibits self‐resistance to exogenous echinocandins. Phylogenetic analysis of the genes of the echinocandin biosynthetic family indicated that most of the predicted proteins of acrophiarin gene cluster exhibited higher similarity to the predicted proteins of the pneumocandin gene cluster of the Leotiomycete Glarea lozoyensis than to those of the echinocandin B gene cluster from A. pachycristatus. The fellutamide gene cluster and related gene clusters are recognized as relatives of the echinocandins. Inclusion of the acrophiarin gene cluster into a comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of echinocandin gene clusters indicated the divergent evolutionary lineages of echinocandin gene clusters are descendants from a common ancestral progenitor. The minimal 10‐gene cluster may have undergone multiple gene acquisitions or losses and possibly horizontal gene transfer after the ancestral separation of the two lineages.
Oral delivery of dsHvlwr is a feasible method for managing the pest Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)
Authors: Lü Jing , Liu Zhuo‐Qi , Guo Wei , Guo Mu‐Juan , Chen Shi‐Min , Yang Chun‐Xiao , Zhang You‐Jun , Pan Hui‐Peng
Published: April 2020

RNA interference (RNAi) techniques have emerged as powerful tools that facilitate development of novel management strategies for insect pests, such as Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), which is a major pest of solanaceous plants in Asia. In this study, the potential of oral delivery of in vitro‐synthesized and bacterially expressed double‐stranded H. vigintioctopunctata lesswright (lwr) gene (dsHvlwr) to manage of H. vigintioctopunctata was investigated. Our results showed that the gene Hvlwr had a 480‐bp open reading frame and encoded a 160‐amino acid protein. Hvlwr expression levels were greater in the fat body than other tissue types. Hvlwr silencing led to greater H. vigintioctopunctata mortality rates and appeared to be time‐ and partially dose‐dependent, likely as a result of the number of hemocytes increasing with dsRNA concentration, but decreasing with time. Bacterially expressed dsHvlwr that was applied to leaf discs caused 88%, 66%, and 36% mortality in 1st instars, 3rd instars, and adults after 10, 10, and 14 d, respectively; when applied to living plants, there was greater mortality in 1st and 3rd instars, but there was no effect on adults. Furthermore, dsHvlwr led to improved plant protection against H. vigintioctopunctata. Our study shows an effective dietary RNAi response in H. vigintioctopunctata and that Hvlwr is a promising RNAi target gene for control of this pest species.
Investigating bee dietary preferences along a gradient of floral resources: how does resource use align with resource availability?
Authors: Kelly Tyler T. , Elle Elizabeth
Published: April 2020

Bee dietary preferences, or the floral resources that they consistently collect, likely impact where a species can persist. For this reason it is likely that bee dietary preferences are dependent upon the composition of the plant community. In this study, we evaluated floral visits and pollen loads of the mining bee, Andrena angustitarsata Viereck, across a 630 km north–south range to understand dietary preferences along a floral resource gradient. Previous research, in a more geographically limited area, suggested this species was an eclectic oligolege on predominantly Apiaceae and in part Rosaceae. In the present study we found the species predominately visited and collected pollen from Apiaceae and Rosaceae, but visited 12 flower families and collected pollen from 32, distinguishing them as generalist foragers. The frequency of Apiaceae pollen on the bees and the species‐level specialization index (a measure of visit specialization) were higher in regions with higher Apiaceae abundance. In addition Apiaceae and Rosaceae were the only plant families significantly preferred for pollen collection, regardless of floral abundance. We conclude that across our study region A. angustitarsata has a generalist dietary breadth, but also has dietary preference for Apiaceae and Rosaceae. Our study indicates that while bees may overall make generalist foraging decisions they may still prefer and likely benefit from selecting fewer flower taxa.
Diagnostic Performance of Emergency Physician Gestalt for Predicting Acute Appendicitis in Patients Age 5 to 20 Years
Authors: Simon Laura E. , Kene Mamata V. , Warton E. Margaret , Rauchwerger Adina S. , Vinson David R. , Reed Mary E. , Chettipally Uli K. , Mark Dustin G. , Sax Dana R. , McLachlan D. Ian , Cotton Dale M. , Lin James S. , Vazquez‐Benitez Gabriela , Kharbanda Anupam B. , Kharbanda Elyse O. , Ballard Dustin W.
Published: April 2020

Objectives

Pediatric appendicitis remains a challenging diagnosis in the emergency department (ED). Available risk prediction algorithms may contribute to excessive ED imaging studies. Incorporation of physician gestalt assessment could help refine predictive tools and improve diagnostic imaging decisions.

Methods

This study was a subanalysis of a parent study that prospectively enrolled patients ages 5 to 20.9 years with a chief complaint of abdominal pain presenting to 11 community EDs within an integrated delivery system between October 1, 2016, and September 30, 2018. Prior to diagnostic imaging, attending emergency physicians enrolled patients with ≤5 days of right‐sided or diffuse abdominal pain using a Web‐based application embedded in the electronic health record. Predicted risk (gestalt) of acute appendicitis was prospectively entered using a sliding scale from 1% to 100%. As a planned secondary analysis, we assessed the performance of gestalt via c‐statistics of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves; tested associations between gestalt performance and patient, physician, and facility characteristics; and examined clinical characteristics affecting gestalt estimates.

Results

Of 3,426 patients, 334 (9.8%) had confirmed appendicitis. Physician gestalt had excellent ROC curve characteristics (c‐statistic = 0.83, 95% confidence interval = 0.81 to 0.85), performing particularly well in the low‐risk strata (appendicitis rate = 1.1% in gestalt 1%–10% range, negative predictive value of 98.9% for appendicitis diagnosis). Physicians with ≥5 years since medical school graduation demonstrated improved gestalt performance over those with less experience (p = 0.007). All clinical characteristics tested, except pain <24 hours, were significantly associated with physician gestalt value (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Physician gestalt for acute appendicitis diagnosis performed well, especially in low‐risk patients and when employed by experienced physicians.
De novo stop‐lost germline mutation in FGFR3 causes severe chondrodysplasia in the progeny of a Holstein bull
Authors: Häfliger I. M. , Letko A. , Murgiano L. , Drögemüller C.
Published: April 2020

Fifteen cases of chondrodysplasia characterized by disproportionate dwarfism occurred in the progeny of a single Holstein bull. A de novo mutation event in the germline of the sire was suspected as cause. Whole‐genome sequencing revealed a single protein‐changing variant in the stop codon of FGFR3 gene on chromosome 6. Sanger sequencing of EDTA blood proved that this variant occurred de novo and segregates perfectly with the observed phenotype in the affected cattle family. FGFR3 is an important regulator gene in bone formation owing to its key role in the bone elongation induced by FGFR3‐dimers. The detected paternally inherited stop‐lost variant in FGFR3 is predicted to add 93 additional amino acids to the protein’s C‐terminus. This study provides a second example of a dominant FGFR3 stop‐lost variant as a pathogenic mutation of a severe form of chondrodysplasia. Even though FGFR3 is known to be associated with dwarfism and growth disorders in human and sheep, this study is the first to describe FGFR3‐associated chondrodysplasia in cattle.
COVID‐19 in a designated infectious diseases hospital outside Hubei Province, China
Authors: Cai Qingxian , Huang Deliang , Ou Pengcheng , Yu Hong , Zhu Zhibin , Xia Zhang , Su Yinan , Ma Zhenghua , Zhang Yiming , Li Zhiwei , He Qing , Liu Lei , Fu Yang , Chen Jun
Published: April 2020

Background

The clinical characteristics of novel coronavirus disease (COVID‐2019) patients outside the epicenter of Hubei Province are less understood.

Methods

We analyzed the epidemiological and clinical features of all COVID‐2019 cases in the only referral hospital in Shenzhen City, China, from January 11, 2020, to February 6, 2020, and followed until March 6, 2020.

Results

Among the 298 confirmed cases, 233 (81.5%) had been to Hubei, while 42 (14%) did not have a clear travel history. Only 218 (73.15%) cases had a fever as the initial symptom. Compared with the nonsevere cases, severe cases were associated with older age, those with underlying diseases, and higher levels of C‐reactive protein, interleukin‐6, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Slower clearance of the virus was associated with a higher risk of progression to critical condition. As of March 6, 2020, 268 (89.9%) patients were discharged and the overall case fatality ratio was 1.0%.

Conclusions

In a designated hospital outside Hubei Province, COVID‐2019 patients could be effectively managed by properly using the existing hospital system. Mortality may be lowered when cases are relatively mild, and there are sufficient medical resources to care and treat the disease.
Primary anterior perineal hernia: A case report and review of the literature
Authors: Watanobe Ikuo , Miyano Shozo , Machida Michio , Sugo Hiroyuki
Published: April 2020

Perineal hernia is a type of pelvic floor hernia and an extremely rare pathologic state. Perineal hernias can be classified into anterior and posterior types according to their positional relationship to the superficial transverse perineal muscle. A 49‐year‐old woman presented with bulging of the right labium major while standing. Standing external ultrasonography revealed a mass in the bulge, which could not be identified by transvaginal ultrasonography, CT, or MRI. Although hernia content could not be identified preoperatively, the patient was given a diagnosis of primary perineal hernia and underwent laparoscopic repair. Symptoms resolved postoperatively, and no sign of relapse has been noted for 8 months postoperatively. Here, we report the case details and review previous case reports.
Optimal power flow incorporating renewable uncertainty related opportunity costs
Authors: Samakpong Titipong , Ongsakul Weerakorn , Madhu Manjiparambil Nimal
Published: April 2020

In this paper, an optimal power flow solution method incorporating a cost model that associates the uncertainty‐related expense incurred with the use of renewable energy sources, viz., solar and wind, is demonstrated. Wind speed and solar radiation are assumed to follow Weibull and normal distributions and the uncertainty is simulated using Monte‐Carlo approach. Wind turbine mathematical model is used to estimate the wind generator output, while the same for solar PV is estimated using PV‐inverter models. The uncertainty‐induced opportunity cost for both the renewable sources is composed of the costs due to both power excess and deficit. These cost components are indicative of the reserve requirement and loss of benefit, due to the unavailability of the corresponding generation. This research models and integrates the opportunity costs of renewable generation into a conventional OPF formulation, which is then solved using four variants of particle swarm optimization method. Among these, mutation‐based PSO approach provided better results than others. The test system used is modified IEEE 39‐bus network and the performance of the method as well as the effect of the uncertainty cost is evaluated under multiple renewable penetration levels. The results also indicate that solar generation is preferred over wind in terms of the uncertainty cost, while the use of stochastic natured renewable systems is economically justified and preferred over thermal generators.
Incisura angularis belongs to fundic or transitional gland regions in Helicobacter pylori‐naïve normal stomach: Sub‐analysis of the prospective multi‐center study
Authors: Nakajima Shigemi , Watanabe Hidenobu , Shimbo Takuro , Fukuta Nobuhiro , Kato Takahiro , Yagi Nobuaki , Terao Shuichi , Kato Mototsugu , Kamada Tomoari , Kawashima Junichi , Uemura Naomi , Ida Kazunori ,   The Members of the Study Group for Establishing Endoscopic Diagnosis of Chronic Gastritis
Published: April 2020

Objective

Incisura angularis is one of the important parts for evaluating mucosal atrophy and cancer risk. We determined the type of mucosa at incisura angularis in Helicobacter pylori‐naïve normal stomach.

Methods

Subjects aged 40 years or older who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy for dyspepsia or a routine health checkup were recruited in 24 facilities between March 2008 and February 2009. Serum antibody to H. pylori was measured. Endoscopic atrophy was evaluated according to Updated Kimura‐Takemoto classification. Five biopsy specimens were taken from the incisura angularis and greater and lesser curvatures of the antrum and corpus. These specimens were histologically classified as fundic, pyloric or transitional. H. pylori‐naïve normal stomach was defined with the strictest criterion among various combinations of histological, endoscopic and serum findings. We determined histological type of mucosa at incisura angularis in H. pylori‐naïve normal stomach.

Results

A total of 270 subjects (122 men, mean 64.6 yo) were analyzed. The strictest criterion consists of serum antibody ≤ 3.0 U/mL, endoscopic atrophy C‐1 and histological grade 0 in all of the five items in Updated Sydney System. The numbers having fundic, transitional and pyloric mucosa at incisura angularis under the strictest criterion were 13 (50%), 13 (50%) and 0, respectively. The probability that the type of mucosa at incisura angularis would be pyloric was almost zero (97.5% confidence interval 0–0.132).

Conclusions

Incisura angularis of the stomach may not belong to pyloric, but fundic or transitional mucosa in H. pylori‐naïve normal stomach. UMIN000018218.
Expediting clinician assessment in the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Sanchez Matthew J , Constantino John N
Published: April 2020

Aim

To investigate a novel observational rating protocol designed to expedite clinical diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Method

Two hundred and forty patients referred to a tertiary autism center (median age 8y 9mo, range 2y 6mo–34y 8mo; 188 males, 52 females) were rated using an adaptation of the Childhood Autism Rating Scale, Second Edition (CARS‐2) based exclusively on patient observation (CARS‐2obs). Scores were compared to expert diagnosis of ASD, parent‐reported Social Responsiveness Scale, Second Edition (SRS‐2) and, in a selected subset of patients, the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS‐2).

Results

CARS‐2obs distinguished patients with a clinical diagnosis of ASD from those with non‐ASD neuropsychiatric disorders (mean score=18 vs 11.7, p<0.001). Severity ratings on the CARS‐2obs correlated with the ADOS‐2 (r=0.68, ρ=0.64) and SRS‐2 (r=0.31, ρ=0.32). A CARS‐2obs cutoff point equal to or greater than 16 demonstrated 95.8% specificity and 62.3% sensitivity in discriminating individuals with ASD from individuals without ASD in a specialty referral setting.

Interpretation

The CARS‐2obs allows the rapid acquisition of quantitative ratings of autistic severity by direct observation. Coupled with parent/teacher‐reported symptoms and developmental history, the measure may contribute to a low‐cost diagnostic paradigm in clinical and public health settings, where positive results might help reduce delays in diagnosis, and negative results could prompt further specialty assessment.

What this paper adds

The Childhood Autism Rating Scale, Second Edition based on patient observation distinguished individuals with versus without autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

A score equal to or greater than 16 on this assessment showed high specificity for a diagnosis of ASD.
Radiologic chest CT findings from COVID‐19 in Orleans Parish, Louisiana
Authors: Danrad Raman , Smith David L. , Kerut Edmund K.
Published: April 2020

Orleans Parish in Louisiana is in the midst of an exponentially increasing number of patient admissions with COVID‐19 and respiratory symptoms. Patients have been described having CT findings most consistent with an early‐stage (<7 days from symptoms onset) or an advanced stage (8‐14 days from symptoms onset). We describe and illustrate those early and advanced stage CT findings from patients with documented COVID‐19 who have been admitted to University Medical Center in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Local glutamate in cingulate cortex subregions differentially correlates with affective network activations during face perception
Authors: Denzel Dominik , Colic Lejla , Demenescu Liliana Ramona , von Düring Felicia , Ristow Inka , Nießen Hanna , Hermann Luisa , Kaufmann Jörn , Dannlowski Udo , Frommer Jörg , Vogel Matthias , Li Meng , Lord Anton , Walter Martin
Published: April 2020

The cingulate cortex is involved in emotion recognition/perception and regulation. Rostral and caudal subregions belong to different brain networks with distinct roles in affective perception. Despite recent accounts of the relevance of cingulate cortex glutamate (Glu) on blood‐oxygen‐level‐dependent (BOLD) responses, the specificity of the subregional Glu levels during emotional tasks remains unclear. Seventy‐two healthy participants (age = 27.33 ± 6.67, 32 women) performed an affective face‐matching task and underwent magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) at 7 Tesla. Correlations between the BOLD response during emotion perception and Glu concentration in the pregenual anterior cingulate cortex (pgACC) and anterior midcingulate cortex (aMCC) were compared on a whole‐brain level. Post hoc specificity of the association with an affect was assessed. Lower Glu in the pgACC correlated with stronger activation differences between negative and positive faces in the left inferior and superior frontal gyrus (L IFG and L SFG). In contrast, lower Glu in the aMCC correlated with BOLD contrasts in the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC). Furthermore, negative face detection was associated with prolonged response time (RT). Our results demonstrate a subregion‐specific involvement of cingulate cortex Glu in interindividual differences during viewing of affective facial expressions. Glu levels in the pgACC were correlated with frontal area brain activations, whereas Glu in the salience network component aMCC modulated responses in the PCC–precuneus. We show that region‐specific metabolite mapping enables specific activation of different BOLD signals in the brain underlying emotional perception.
Clinical and pathological features affecting cardiac sympathetic denervation in autopsy‐confirmed dementia with Lewy bodies
Authors: Takahashi M. , Uchihara T. , Yoshida M. , Wakabayashi K. , Kakita A. , Takahashi H. , Toru S. , Orimo S.
Published: April 2020

Background and purpose

The aim was to clarify the features affecting cardiac sympathetic denervation in autopsy‐confirmed dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) patients.

Methods

Fifty‐four autopsy‐confirmed DLB patients were enrolled. Tissue samples of the left ventricular anterior wall were immunostained with anti‐tyrosine hydroxylase antibody to identify catecholaminergic nerve axons. Immunostained areas were quantified as residual cardiac sympathetic nerve (CSN) axons and the relationship between the degree of residual CSN axons and clinical and neuropathological features was examined.

Results

Virtually all patients showed small amounts of residual CSN axons (0.87%, range 0.02%–9.98%), with 50 patients (92.6%) showing <2.0% of residual axons. The patients who showed psychological symptoms within the first year of the disease had significantly more residual CSN axons than the remaining patients did (1.50% vs. 0.40%, P < 0.01). Patients with a short disease duration and neocortical‐type Lewy body pathology tended to have more preserved CSN axons, although this difference was not statistically significant. Fifty‐three patients (98.1%) who had neurofibrillary tangles in the brain and strong concomitant Alzheimer’s disease pathology also had statistically significantly more preserved CSN axons. The patient with the most preserved CSN axons showed different characteristics from the results, except for the first symptom.

Conclusion

Psychological symptoms within the first year of the disease, a short disease duration, neocortical‐type Lewy body pathology and strong concomitant Alzheimer’s disease pathology may be related to mild CSN degeneration in DLB patients. Thus, DLB patients with broad Lewy body pathology in the brain in the early stages may show mild CSN degeneration.
A knock‐in mouse model for KCNQ2‐related epileptic encephalopathy displays spontaneous generalized seizures and cognitive impairment
Authors: Milh Mathieu , Roubertoux Pierre , Biba Najoua , Chavany Julie , Spiga Ghata Adeline , Fulachier Camille , Collins Stephan Christopher , Wagner Christel , Roux Jean‐Christophe , Yalcin Binnaz , Félix Marie‐Solenne , Molinari Florence , Lenck‐Santini Pierre‐Pascal , Villard Laurent
Published: April 2020

Objective

Early onset epileptic encephalopathy with suppression‐burst is one of the most severe epilepsy phenotypes in human patients. A significant proportion of cases have a genetic origin, and the most frequently mutated gene is KCNQ2, encoding Kv7.2, a voltage‐dependent potassium channel subunit, leading to so‐called KCNQ2‐related epileptic encephalopathy (KCNQ2‐REE). To study the pathophysiology of KCNQ2‐REE in detail and to provide a relevant preclinical model, we generated and described a knock‐in mouse model carrying the recurrent p.(Thr274Met) variant.

Methods

We introduced the p.(Thr274Met) variant by homologous recombination in embryonic stem cells, injected into C57Bl/6N blastocysts and implanted in pseudopregnant mice. Mice were then bred with 129Sv Cre‐deleter to generate heterozygous mice carrying the p.(Thr274Met), and animals were maintained on the 129Sv genetic background. We studied the development of this new model and performed in vivo electroencephalographic (EEG) recordings, neuroanatomical studies at different time points, and multiple behavioral tests.

Results

The Kcnq2Thr274Met/+ mice are viable and display generalized spontaneous seizures first observed between postnatal day 20 (P20) and P30. In vivo EEG recordings show that the paroxysmal events observed macroscopically are epileptic seizures. The brain of the Kcnq2Thr274Met/+ animals does not display major structural defects, similar to humans, and their body weight is normal. Kcnq2Thr274Met/+ mice have a reduced life span, with a peak of unexpected death occurring for 25% of the animals by 3 months of age. Epileptic seizures were generally not observed when animals grew older. Behavioral characterization reveals important deficits in spatial learning and memory in adults but no gross abnormality during early neurosensory development.

Significance

Taken together, our results indicate that we have generated a relevant model to study the pathophysiology of KCNQ2‐related epileptic encephalopathy and perform preclinical research for that devastating and currently intractable disease.
Myeloid‐derived suppressor cells promote epithelial ovarian cancer cell stemness by inducing the CSF2/p‐STAT3 signalling pathway
Authors: Li Xiaofeng , Wang Jiapo , Wu Weimin , Gao Hao , Liu Na , Zhan Guangxi , Li Li , Han Lingfei , Guo Xiaoqing
Published: April 2020

Myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are known to contribute to tumour immune evasion, and studies have verified that MDSCs can induce cancer stem cells (CSCs) and promote tumour immune evasion in breast cancers, cervical cancers and glioblastoma. However, the potential function of MDSCs in regulating CSCs in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) progression is unknown. Our results indicated that compared to nonmalignant ovarian patients, EOC patients showed a significantly increased proportion of MDSCs in the peripheral blood. In addition, MDSCs dramatically promoted tumour sphere formation, cell colony formation and CSC accumulation, and MDSCs enhanced the expression of the stemness biomarkers NANOG and c‐MYC in EOC cells during coculture. Moreover, the mechanisms by which MDSCs enhance EOC stemness were further explored, and 586 differentially expressed genes were found in EOC cells cocultured with or without MDSCs; during coculture, the expression level of colony‐stimulating factor 2 (CSF2) was significantly increased in EOC cells cocultured with MDSCs. Furthermore, the depletion of CSF2 in EOC cells was successfully performed, the promotive effects of MDSCs on EOC cell stemness could be markedly reversed by downregulating CSF2 expression, p‐STAT3 signalling pathway molecules were also altered, and the p‐STAT3 inhibitor could markedly reverse the promotive effects of MDSCs on EOC cell stemness. In addition, the CSF2 expression level was correlated with EOC clinical staging. Therefore, MDSCs enhance the stemness of EOC cells by inducing the CSF2/p‐STAT3 signalling pathway. Targeting MDSCs or CSF2 may be a reasonable strategy for enhancing the efficacy of conventional treatments.

Database

Gene expression data files are available in the GEO databases under the accession number(s) GSE145374.
Ecological generalism and resilience of tropical island mammals to logging: A 23 year test
Authors: Lavery Tyrone H. , Posala Corzzierrah K. , Tasker Elizabeth M. , Fisher Diana O.
Published: April 2020

Tropical forest disturbance is a key driver of global biodiversity decline. On continents, the effects of logging are greatest on endemic species, presumably because disturbance is more likely to cover narrower distributions (the “cookie cutter” model). Islands hold disproportionate biodiversity, and are subject to accelerating biotic homogenization, where specialist endemics are lost while generalists persist. We tested responses of tropical island mammals to logging at multiple spatial scales, using a long‐term experimental test in a Pacific archipelago. The most widely distributed ecological generalists did not decline after logging, and we detected no overall changes in relative abundance or species diversity. However, endemics with small ranges did decline in response to logging. The least mobile and most range‐restricted species declined even at the smallest spatial scale, supporting the cookie cutter model for sedentary species, and suggesting that habitat change due to selective logging is contributing to biotic homogenization on islands.
Pressure injury development in critically ill patients with a cervical collar in situ: A retrospective longitudinal study
Authors: Wang Harn‐Rong N. , Campbell Jill , Doubrovsky Anna , Singh Veeranjit , Collins Johnathon , Coyer Fiona
Published: April 2020

Trauma patients with a serious injury to the head or neck can remain immobilised with a cervical collar (C‐collar) device in situ and are subsequently exposed to device‐related skin integrity threats. This study aimed to determine the incidence and risk factors associated with the development of C‐collar‐related pressure injures (CRPIs) in an intensive care unit. This retrospective longitudinal cohort study was conducted in an Australian metropolitan intensive care unit. Following ethical approval, data from patients over 18 years, who received a C‐collar were retrieved over a 9‐year period. Chi square and t‐tests were used to identify variables associated with CRPI development. A logistic regression model was employed to analyse the risk factors. Data from 906 patients were analysed. Nine‐year pressure injury incidence was 16.9% (n = 154/906). Pressure injury development directly associated with a C‐collar increased by 33% with each repositioning episode (odds ratio 1.328, 95% confidence interval 1.024‐1.723, P = .033). Time in the C‐collar (10.4 to 2.5 days, P = .002) and length of stay in intensive care unit (ICU) (20.1 to 16.1 days, P < .001) were associated with pressure injury development. Patients with C‐collar devices are a vulnerable group at risk for pressure injury development because of their immobility and length of ICU stay.
Synthesis and microstructure of single‐crystalline cobalt oxyhydroxide and topotactic transformation to cobalt oxide
Authors: Kusano Yoshihiro , Kawasaki Shuji , Takada Jun , Azuma Masaki
Published: April 2020

Plate‐like cobalt oxyhydroxide (β‐CoOOH, heterogenite) single crystals, with a width of ~5 mm and a thickness of ~100 μm, were successfully synthesized using a simple method of heating a mixture of Co3O4 and NaOH in air at 650°C, and then soaking the resultant crystals in water at room temperature. The crystals were topotactically formed from sodium cobalt oxyhydrate (Na0.2(H3O)0.54CoO2·0.48H2O) by ion exchange between Na+ and H3O+, and by intercalation of water molecules in the as‐grown NaCoO2 crystals. The sodium cobalt oxyhydroxide crystals had spherical nanopores with diameters of ~5 nm.
A Novel Partial Credit Extension Using Varying Thresholds to Account for Response Tendencies
Authors: Henninger Mirka
Published: April 2020

Item Response Theory models with varying thresholds are essential tools to account for unknown types of response tendencies in rating data. However, in order to separate constructs to be measured and response tendencies, specific constraints have to be imposed on varying thresholds and their interrelations. In this article, a multidimensional extension of a Partial Credit Model using a sum‐to‐zero constraint for varying thresholds is proposed. The new model allows us to flexibly account for response tendencies and to model covariations between varying thresholds that are commonly found in empirical data. The model's ability to estimate different types of response tendencies under various data structures is shown in a simulation study. An illustrative multicountry analysis demonstrates that differences between respondents in terms of their response tendencies exist and can be captured by the new model. Furthermore, it is well suited to account for extreme and mid response styles, but also to accommodate unknown, previously unmodeled, response tendencies. Therewith, the sum‐to‐zero model can be considered a suitable candidate to examine the types response tendencies in rating data and to account for biases in construct measures due to response tendencies.
A comparison of the structure, composition and mechanical properties of anosteocytic vertebrae of medaka (O. latipes) and osteocytic vertebrae of zebrafish (D. rerio)
Authors: Ofer Lior , Zaslansky Paul , Shahar Ron
Published: April 2020

Medaka (O. latipes) and zebrafish (D. rerio) are two teleost fish increasingly used as models to study human skeletal diseases. Although they are similar in size, swimming pattern and many other characteristics, these two species are very distant from an evolutionary point of view (by at least 100 million years). A prominent difference between the skeletons of medaka and zebrafish is the total absence of osteocytes in medaka (anosteocytic), while zebrafish bone contains numerous osteocytes (osteocytic). This fundamental difference suggests the possibility that the bony elements of their skeleton may be different in a variety of other aspects, structural, mechanical or both, particularly in heavily loaded bones like the vertebrae. Here we report on the results of a comparative study that aimed to determine the similarities and differences in medaka and zebrafish vertebrae in terms of their macro‐ to nanostructure, composition and mechanical properties. Our results reveal many similarities between medaka and zebrafish vertebrae, making the lack or presence of osteocytes the only major difference between the bones of these two species.