bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“We're just building!”: a study of collaborative coaching interactions
Authors: LeeKeenan Kira
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to clarify opportunities for collaborative interactions between cooperating teachers (CTs) and preservice teachers (PTs) in practice-based teacher preparation programs (TPPs). The study aimed to explore the discursive moves that facilitate collaboration between one CT and PT.

Design/methodology/approach

Grounded in the critical sociocultural theory, this study applied a qualitative microanalytic approach to the study of coaching interactions for the purpose of understanding why and how collaborative discourse developed between a CT and a PT.

Findings

This study of discourse moves within collaborative coaching interactions revealed collaborative interactions developed from strategic repositioning of social roles, which created space for authentic problem-posing by both the CT and the PT, and the co-construction of teaching events, which supported more specific planning toward future lessons; and routine and appreciative use of observational data created space for co-construction and co-inquiry.

Practical implications

This study illuminated the complex social and discursive dance embedded within collaborative interactions. The findings also suggested that the project of co-constructing curriculum with someone is a powerful and necessary experience for a PT because it is through this co-construction that PTs learn how to design meaningful curriculum and critically reflect on practice.

Originality/value

This study offers new understandings around how collaborative talk in educational discourse transpires and why providing opportunities for PTs to take a more active role in their own learning is important.
The use of audio diaries to support reflective mentoring practice in Hungarian teacher training
Authors: Káplár-Kodácsy Kinga , Dorner Helga
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The aim of this study is to explore how mentors' and mentees' self-concepts and related reflective practices in mentored teacher training are supported by using audio diaries within the framework of Dialogical Self Theory (Hermans, 2001), and how it could be used in the wider context of teacher training.

Design/methodology/approach

This study explores a specific qualitative methodology, the use of audio diary in self-reflective activities, in the context of teacher training in Hungary. When analysing the data, we used the thematic analysis approach to employ a relatively high level of interpretation.

Findings

Multi-level meta-position reflections have emerged from the data that were comparable at a given point in time. We found five different I-positions (Hermans, 2001) that suggest that mentors and mentees perceived of these as shared themes of the emerging incidents in mentoring. However, those aspects of the mentoring process on which mentors and mentees reflected only vaguely or have not reflected mutually in their audio diaries involved a certain level of mis-positioning and further tension.

Practical implications

Audio diaries are beneficial for personal and professional development. The tools and the methodology around them could be leveraged to broaden mentor–mentee dyads, which may lead to including university-based teacher educators and researchers from the field.

Originality/value

The value of this study arises from the process of recording audio diary logs as a direct representation of thoughts during the mentorship process.
Low interest rate environment: inventory management in Finland and Baltic states
Authors: Hilmola Olli-Pekka , Li Weidong , Tolli Andres
Published: April 2020

Purpose

For decades, it was emphasized that manufacturing and trading companies should aim to be lean with very small inventories. However, in the recent decade, time-significant change has taken place as nearly all of the “old west” countries have now low interest rates. Holding inventories have been beneficial for the sake of customer service and for achieving savings in transportation and fixed ordering costs.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, inventory management change is examined in publicly traded manufacturing and trade companies of Finland and three Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania) during the years 2010–2018.

Findings

Inventory efficiency has been leveled off or falling in these countries and mostly declining development has concerned small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It is also found that inventory efficiency is in general lower in SMEs than in larger companies. Two companies sustaining in inventory efficiency are used as an example that lean has still significance, and higher inventories as well as lower inventory efficiency should not be the objective. Two companies show exemplary financial performance as well as shareholder value creation.

Research limitations/implications

Work concerns only four smaller countries, and this limits its generalization power. Research is one illustration what happens to private sector companies under low interest rate policies.

Practical implications

Continuous improvement of inventory efficiency becomes questionable in the light of current research and the low interest rate environment.

Originality/value

This is one of the seminal studies from inventory efficiency as the global financial crisis taken place in 2008–2009 and there is the implementation of low interest rates.
On progress and reason: stories of gods, animals and humans
Authors: Thomas Alexander
Published: April 2020

Purpose

While transhumanists and posthumanists understand the human condition as mutable, for transhumanists, this represents the possibility for enhancement, opening up a teleological narrative of evolution toward. For posthumanists, it represents a fracturing of the liberal human subject, undermining its hegemonic principles. The former advocates the potentiality of instrumental rationality, the latter engages with values, demanding ethical consideration of the implications of the unmooring. This paper aims to conceive of a way to underpin posthumanist thought to enable to serve a more effective critique of transhumanist aims.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a theoretical paper that outlines a history of transhumanist thought and the roots of posthumanism. It provides a partially reconstructed enlightenment humanist framework to bolster the effectiveness of posthumanism as a critique of transhumanist thought.

Findings

The paper recognizes Theodor Adorno's conception that the central contradiction inherent to enlightenment thinking is the entanglement of knowledge and power. Hence, the metanarrative of progress as historical fact is fundamentally imbued with an imperial, colonizing force. For reason to achieve its promise as the organ of progress, it must become self-aware of its own limitations and its own potential destructiveness. Humility is, thus, vital in the task of preventing instrumental reason leading to inhuman ends.

Originality/value

Whilst developments such as “metahumanism” attempt to bring “posthumanism” and “transhumanism” into direct conversation, it is done from the perspective of uniting their positions. Here, the author endeavors instead to consider their antithetical nature and in particular whether posthumanism can provide an effective critique of transhumanism. Drawing on Adorno and Feenberg in particular, the author attempts to justify the posthuamanist theory but also to employ a partially reconstructed enlightenment humanism to bolster its fruitfulness as a critique of transhumanism.
Developing a storytelling experience: the case of craft spirits distilleries in Chicago
Authors: Williams Alistair , Atwal Glyn , Bryson Douglas
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to identify how craft spirits distilleries use elements of the storytelling narrative as part of a storytelling marketing strategy.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study approach was undertaken based on seven craft distilleries in and around Chicago, IL. Data were collected from various sources including direct observation and secondary data based on online press coverage company websites and social media.

Findings

In the sample of firms, the authors identified the following seven categories of storytelling themes: craft, innovation, origins, myth, celebrity, provenance and collectability. These categories comprise both functional and emotional components which are strongly associated with the concept of authenticity.

Originality/value

This research is the first of its kind to investigate storytelling within the craft spirits sector. The results are relevant to develop strategies for marketing craft spirits brands. Findings are relevant for spirits distilleries in Chicago, IL but have transferable learnings for beverage categories who desire to stage meaningful, valued customer experiences.
The workplace meal: a migrant workers' perspective
Authors: Turkoglu Hande , Brown Lorraine , Hudson Philippa
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Employees eat at least one meal per day in the workplace on a regular basis, carrying implications for their physical and emotional well-being. For migrants, this can be challenging, owing to food culture differences. This study explores migrant workers’ perceptions of the food eaten in the hospitality workplace.

Design/methodology/approach

Eleven in-depth, face-to-face, semi-structured interviews were carried out with migrant workers in three- and four-star hotels in the southwest of England.

Findings

The findings show that the food eaten in the workplace is perceived as unhealthy and fattening and therefore unappealing. This partly informs a decision to eat home country food away from work.

Research limitations/implications

Further research is needed across many more organisations to investigate whether this would actually have the positive impact on employee well-being (migrant or home national) and employer reputation.

Practical implications

Providing additional “off-menu” meals for migrant employees is recognised. However, staff turnover within the hotel environment may mean that dishes acceptable to one nationality may not be acceptable to another. Alternatively, it may be that attention to such details and the provision of a food offering that is seen as fit for purpose by staff may reduce turnover and demonstrate “care” on the part of the employer. An annual staff survey could be conducted to gauge employee opinion.

Social implications

This study helps to show the significance of food for migrant well-being. It highlights that in increasingly globalised workplaces, food provision is important for both emotional and physical health. The study's findings have relevance to other multicultural workplaces where the food provided to staff may have consequences for employee well-being.

Originality/value

Little research has focused on the link between the food consumed in the hospitality workplace and migrant worker well-being. This study therefore makes an important contribution to knowledge by exploring feelings about the food eaten at work from the perspective of migrant workers themselves.
Preference for parboiled rice: empirical evidence from Sri Lanka
Authors: Pallegedara Asankha
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Understanding parboiled rice consumption trends by households is important because parboiled rice provides economic benefits as well as health benefits compared to non-parboiled ordinary milled rice. Thus, the objective of this study is to examine the patterns and determinants of parboiled rice consumption by Sri Lankan households.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses the Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES) data compiled by the Department of Census and Statistics (DCS) of Sri Lanka in 2002, 2006/2007 and 2012/2013. This paper analyses the parboiled rice consumption behaviour of households using information from 56,000 households. Specifically, present paper estimates the determinants of parboiled rice consumption within two-part model econometric framework controlling for demand side factors as well as location and time fixed-effects.

Findings

Despite its nutritional and health benefits, results show that the likelihood of consuming parboiled rice has decreased over the years. There are significant ethnic and regional differences of consuming parboiled rice supporting the claim of heterogeneous distribution of rice consumption patterns even within the same country.

Research limitations/implications

Use of repeated cross-sectional data due to lack of panel data and missing data on several districts due to security concerns are limitations of the study.

Originality/value

To our knowledge, this is the first study for Sri Lanka that examines parboiled rice consumption behaviour using nationwide data for last 2 decade.
Contract farming and rice production efficiency in Ghana
Authors: Bidzakin John Kanburi , Fialor Simon C. , Awunyo-Vitor Dadson , Yahaya Iddrisu
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Even though many studies identify positive effects of contract farming (CF) on the livelihood of farmers, the use of CF as a tool to increase farm performance is unsettled debate. Information on CF is relatively not available in staple food chains. Theoretical considerations have shown that there are challenges in employing CF in staple food chains such as rice. With the increasing trend of rice CF in Ghana, it is very critical to establish its performance in rice production in Ghana. It is therefore imperative to analyse the impact of CF on the performance of smallholder rice farmers.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was conducted where 350 rice farmers selected through a stratified sampling technique using structured questionnaires were interviewed. Descriptive and inferential statistics including stochastic frontier analyses and endogenous treatment effect regression were used to analyse the data.

Findings

The results from the endogenous treatment effect regression model show that CF improves rice farmers' technical, allocative and economic efficiencies by 21, 23 and 26%, respectively. Farm size and CF were identified as common factors influencing technical, allocative and economic efficiency measures of the farmers positively. It further identified age of farmer, educational level and household labour as factors influencing farmers' participation in CF positively.

Research limitations/implications

It is recommended that CF is a good tool to enhance rice production efficiency, and hence, farmers should be encouraged to participate in CF as strategy to enhance the local rice production in Ghana.

Social implications

The outcome of this study has the potential to influence rice production in the country. The country is a net importer of rice and just about 35% self-sufficient in rice production.

Originality/value

This study is the first to assess performance of CF in rice crop production in Ghana and also one of the few to use efficiency as a performance measure.
Corporate governance mechanism and the risk exposure of Islamic mutual funds: evidence from Islamic countries
Authors: Naveed Farrukh , Zain Ul Abdin Syed
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This study aims to analyze the impact of corporate governance characteristics on the risk exposure of Islamic mutual funds prevailing in different Islamic countries (Pakistan and Malaysia).

Design/methodology/approach

This study used dynamic panel regression model for analysis and estimated the results using system generalized method of moment technique. A sample of 185 Islamic funds is used in the current research, which is selected using judgmental sampling. The data span of this study consists nine years from 2009 to 2017.

Findings

The results showed that the corporate governance characteristics such as board independence, directors and institutional ownership and overall governance quality are helpful in reducing the total and downside risk exposure of Islamic mutual funds. The findings also suggest that board size and Chief Extractive officer duality play no role in mitigating the risk of Islamic funds prevailing in both countries.

Practical implications

This study has implication for industry practitioners and fund managers. This study showed that the corporate governance characteristics are helpful in reducing the risk exposure of Islamic mutual funds. Therefore, this study provides input to the investment firms to improve the quality of corporate governance for lowering the risk exposure of mutual funds.

Originality value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first attempt to analyze the impact of corporate governance characteristics on the risk exposure of Islamic mutual funds and hence provides significant contribution in the literature of mutual funds.
A prediction model for the secure issuance scale of Chinese local government bonds
Authors: Jia Bowen , Wu Jiaying , Du Juan , Ji Yun , Zhu Lina
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to calculate the local guaranteed fiscal revenue with the local fiscal revenue of 31 provinces, and predict their guaranteed fiscal revenue in 2018 with the artificial neural network (ANN).

Design/methodology/approach

The principal components analysis (PCA), particle swarm optimization (PSO) and extreme learning machine (ELM) model was designed to produce the inputs of KMV model. Then the KMV model was used for obtaining the default probabilities under different issuance scales. Data were collected from Wind Database. MATLAB 2018b and SPSS 22 were used in the field of modeling and results analysis.

Findings

This study’s findings show that PCA–PSO–ELM proposed in this research has the highest accuracy in terms of the prediction compared with ELM, back propagation neural network and auto regression. And PCA–PSO–ELM–KMV model can calculate the secure issuance scale of local government bonds effectively.

Practical implications

The sustainability forecast in this study can help local governments effectively control the scale of debt issuance, strengthen the budget management of local debt and establish the corresponding risk warning mechanism, which could make local governments maintain good credit ratings.

Originality/value

This study sheds new light on helping local governments avoid financial risks effectively, and it is conducive to establish a debt repayment reserve system for local governments and the proper arrangement for stock debt.
Convergent social responsibility as the key to corporate strategic success
Authors: Raikov Alexander Nikolaevich
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to increase corporate social responsibility (CSR), including business acting in an ethical and transparent way, through the prism of strategic conversation with applying the author’s convergent methodology that ensures the integrity, purposefulness and sustainability of development of corporations in the external environment.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology is based on the integration of following approaches and methods: international CSR standards, strategic planning, networked virtual collaboration, group cognitive (conceptual) modelling, inverse problem-solving in topological spaces, categories theory, control thermodynamics, big data analysis for cognitive models verification and quantum semantic approach.

Findings

The convergent methodology helps to visualize the strategic situation in a corporation and gives more chances to get a clear feeling for every employee that his or her social responsibility helps to achieve not only his or her own goals but the goals of the company. This approach helps to accelerate the raising of the level of CSR.

Research limitations/implications

The strategic situation for raising the level of CSR has to be represented during strategic conversations. The strategic process should cover all the employees of the corporation. Groups can be hierarchically organized. The number of participants of one group can be about 35, and the duration of one conversation is up to 5 hours.

Practical implications

The convergent methodology was applied many times for creating a high-level CSR atmosphere by the collective building of companies’ strategies.

Social implications

The convergent approach provides proactive identification of adverse effects of the external environment on the level of CSR and prevention of such impacts. The approach also provides acceleration of corporate strategic planning, processes of network democracy and group decision-making processes.

Originality/value

The main developing problem, which is beyond the state of the art, is that the CSR situation cannot be described in a clear, logical and formalised way, and a traditional computer model cannot be created for this case with formalised approach. The proposed convergent methodology with cognitive modelling helps to do it.
Predicting entrepreneurial intention among business students of public sector universities of Pakistan: an application of the entrepreneurial event model
Authors: Soomro Bahadur Ali , Lakhan Ghulam Rasool , Mangi Shahnawaz , Shah Naimatullah
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This paper tries to examine the entrepreneurial intention of business students of public sector universities of Pakistan through the entrepreneurial event model (EEM).

Design/methodology/approach

The study is a quantitative study and is based on cross-sectional data. The data is collected through a survey questionnaire. The random sample technique is used for data collection. The respondents are the business students of different public sector universities of Pakistan. In total 310 valid samples are utilized for final analysis.

Findings

By employing to SEM through Analysis of Moment Structure (AMOS) version 26.0, the overall findings show a positive and significant impact of perceived feasibility (PF), perceived desirability (PD) and self-efficacy on entrepreneurial intention (EI).

Practical implications

The outcomes of the study may be helpful for policymakers to formulate the policies regarding the promotion of entrepreneurship and self-employment for reducing the burden of unemployment. Possibly, it may prove as an appliance for prosperity and income generation through boosting entrepreneurship. Moreover, it may contribute to the literature of entrepreneurship, mainly for Pakistan and the developing world.

Originality/value

The study would support in achieving economic development by diverting individuals' intention for entrepreneurship.
Huge bacteriophages: bridging the gap?
Authors: Brüssow Harald
Published: April 2020

Huge bacteriophages display genome sizes that bridge the gap between viral and bacterial genomes. Large Pseudomonas phages elaborate a nucleus‐like structure in the infected bacterial cell and a tubulin‐like phage protein forms a kind of spindle apparatus. While this probably represents cases of convergent evolution, these observations revive the discussion on the origin of eukaryotic cells.
Continuing education: Toward a life‐course perspective on social learning
Authors: Giordano Peggy C.
Published: April 2020

Sutherland's differential association theory and the life‐course perspective have at times been conceptualized as contrasting theories of criminal behavior. I argue instead that our understanding of delinquency, the dynamics underlying criminal persistence and desistance, and intergenerational patterns will be enhanced by a more explicit integration of these two traditions. I focus on family processes as these are foundational intimate relationships that remain underappreciated as a source of lifelong learning and influence. Although family support and variations in parental supervision have been amply investigated, “direct transmission” takes place within the family as well as within the confines of the more heavily studied world of adolescent peer groups. I identify five dimensions of direct transmission and illustrate these dynamic processes with qualitative data from two longitudinal studies and results of recent quantitative analyses. The analysis is generally in line with Sutherland's original formulation but includes several extensions and modifications. It is important to include a role for human agency, and for “noncriminal” definitions and lifestyle factors, in addition to the directly criminogenic definitions Sutherland and subsequent researchers have emphasized. The focus on social processes is, however, consistent with Sutherland's goal of highlighting limitations of psychological and biological differences explanations.
Population‐based analysis of treatment patterns and outcomes for pancreas cancer in Victoria
Authors: Pilgrim Charles H. C. , te Marvelde Luc , Stuart Ella , Croagh Dan , Deutscher David , Nikfarjam Mehrdad , Lee Belinda , Christophi Christopher
Published: April 2020

Background

The Victorian Pancreas Cancer summit 2017 analysed state‐wide data on management of Victorians with pancreas cancer between 2011 and 2015 to identify variations in care and outcomes. Pancreas cancer remains a formidable disease but systemic therapies are increasingly effective. Surgery remains essential but insufficient alone for cure. Understanding patterns of care and identifying variations in treatment is critical to improving outcomes.

Methods

This population‐based study analysed data collected prospectively by Department of Health and Human services (Victorian state government). Data were extracted from Victorian Cancer Registry (covering all Victorian cancer diagnoses), Victorian Admitted‐Episodes Dataset (all inpatient data), Victorian Radiotherapy Minimum Dataset and Victorian Death Index providing demographics, tumour and treatment characteristics, age‐standardized incidence, overall and median survival.

Results

Of 3962 Victorian patients with any form of pancreatic malignancy, 82% were ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), of whom 67% had metastases at diagnosis. One‐year overall survival for PDAC was 30% (60% non‐metastatic, 15% if metastatic). Median survival with metastases increased from 2.7 to 3.9 months, and from 13.3 to 15.9 months for non‐metastatic PDAC between 2011 and 2015. Thirty‐one percent of non‐metastatic patients underwent pancreatectomy. About 1.5% were treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy/chemoradiation. Of patients undergoing intended curative resection, 77% proceeded to adjuvant therapy. Fifty‐one percent of metastatic PDAC patients never received anti‐tumour therapy.

Conclusions

Nearly one‐fourth of surgically treated patients never received systemic therapy. More than two‐thirds of non‐metastatic patients never proceeded to surgery. Further consideration of neoadjuvant therapy should be given to borderline resectable patients. Most patients with PDAC still die soon after diagnosis, but median survival is increasing.
A numerical investigation to evaluate the washout of blood compartments in a total artificial heart
Authors: Luraghi Giulia , De Gaetano Francesco , Rodriguez Matas José Félix , Dubini Gabriele , Costantino Maria Laura , De Castilla Hector , Griffaton Nicolas , Vignale Davide , Palmisano Anna , Gentile Giuseppe , Esposito Antonio , Migliavacca Francesco
Published: April 2020

Total artificial heart (TAH) represents the only valid alternative to heart transplantation, whose number is continuously increasing in recent years. The TAH used in this work, is a biventricular pulsatile, electrically powered, hydraulically actuated flow pump with all components embodied in a single device. One of the major issues for TAHs is the washout capability of the device, strictly correlated with the presence of blood stagnation sites. The aim of this work was to develop a numerical methodology to study the washout coupled with the fluid dynamics evaluation of a total artificial heart under nominal working conditions. The first part of this study focussed on the CT scan analysis of the hybrid membrane kinematics during TAH operation, which was replicated with a fluid‐structure interaction simulation in the second part. The difference in percentage between the in vitro and in silico flow rates and stroke volume is 9.7% and 6.3%, respectively. An injection of contrast blood was simulated, and a good washout performance was observed and quantified with the volume fraction of the contrast blood still in the ventricle. The left chamber of the device showed a superior washout performance, with a contrast volume still inside the device after four washout cycles of 6.2%, with the right chamber showing 15%.
High-throughput analysis of T cell–monocyte interaction in human tuberculosis
Authors: Habtamu M , Abrahamsen G , Aseffa A , Andargie E , Ayalew S , Abebe M , Spurkland A
Published: April 2020

The lack of efficient tools for identifying immunological correlates of tuberculosis (TB) protection or risk of disease progression impedes the development of improved control strategies. To more clearly understand the host response in TB, we recently established an imaging flow cytometer-based in-vitro assay, which assesses multiple aspects of T cell–monocyte interaction. Here, we extended our previous work and characterized communication between T cells and monocytes using clinical samples from individuals with different TB infection status and healthy controls from a TB endemic setting. To identify T cell–monocyte conjugates, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were stimulated with ds-Red-expressing Mycobacterium bovis bacille Calmette–Guérin or 6-kDa early secreted antigenic target (ESAT 6) peptides for 6 h, and analyzed by imaging flow cytometer (IFC). We then enumerated T cell–monocyte conjugates using polarization of T cell receptor (TCR) and F-actin as markers for synapse formation, and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) nuclear translocation in the T cells. We observed a reduced frequency of T cell–monocyte conjugates in cells from patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis (pTB) compared to latent TB-infected (LTBI) and healthy controls. When we monitored NF-κB nuclear translocation in T cells interacting with monocytes, the proportion of responding cells was significantly higher in active pTB compared with LTBI and controls. Overall, these data underscore the need to consider multiple immunological parameters against TB, where IFC could be a valuable tool.
Effects of amusing memes on concern for unappealing species
Authors: Lenda Magdalena , Skórka Pjoter , Mazur Błażej , Sutherland William , Tryjanowski Piotr , Moroń Dawid , Meijaard Erik , Possingham Hugh P. , Wilson Kerrie A.
Published: April 2020

There is limited knowledge of the mechanisms that can inspire people's concern and engagement in the protection of unpopular and unappealing species. We analyzed Polish people's interest in themed internet memes featuring the proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus) and the consequences of this interest for conservation marketing. We examined Google Trends data, used Google Search, and searched popular media materials to estimate interest in the proboscis monkey in Poland. Photos of the proboscis monkey when presented with humor in internet memes attracted as much interest as usually more popular species (e.g., koala, panda, and orangutan) used in marketing by nongovernmental organizations. Amusing internet memes spread by social media positively correlated with increasing interest in the unappealing species, such as proboscis monkey. Interest in amusing internet memes positively correlated with individuals’ decisions to donate to 6 crowdfunding actions. Thus, conservation marketing that includes amusing memes and social media may provide a worthwhile complement to traditional campaigns and are likely to influence individuals who are unaffected by the usual means.
Review of biologics in allergic contact dermatitis
Authors: Bhatia Jushya , Sarin Ankur , Wollina Uwe , Lotti Torello , Navarini Alexander A. , Mueller Simon M. , Grabbe Stephan , Saloga Joachim , Rokni Ghasem R. , Goldust Mohamad
Published: April 2020

The resistant and recalcitrant nature of severe allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) makes its management challenging. With advances in the understanding of the cellular and molecular pathogenesis of ACD, newer therapeutic targets are becoming apparent. In particular, the use of biologics has gained momentum, given the specificity of their action. This article aims to review the presently available data on the use of biologics in ACD. English‐language–based literature available on the use of biological therapy was thoroughly probed in the following databases as on October 14, 2019: PubMed, Google Scholar, The Cochrane library, Embase, Scopus, and EBSCO. The following keywords were used: “contact dermatitis”, “allergens”, “delayed‐type hypersensitivity reaction”, “biologics”, “biological therapy”, “monoclonal antibodies”, “patch testing”, “TNF‐α inhibitors”, “infliximab”, “adalimumab”, “etanercept”, “dupilumab”, “omalizumab”, “secukinumab”, “ustekinumab”, “rituximab”.
Low anterior resection syndrome in a Scandinavian population of patients with rectal cancer: a longitudinal follow‐up within the QoLiRECT study
Authors: Sandberg S. , Asplund D. , Bisgaard T. , Bock D. , González E. , Karlsson L. , Matthiessen P. , Ohlsson B. , Park J. , Rosenberg J. , Skullman S. , Sörensson M. , Angenete E.
Published: April 2020

Aim

Low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) is common after low anterior resection. Our aim was to evaluate the prevalence and ‘bother’ (subjective, symptom‐associated distress) of major LARS after 1 and 2 years, identify possible risk factors and relate the bowel function to a reference population.

Method

The QoLiRECT (Quality of Life in RECTal cancer) study is a Scandinavian prospective multicentre study including 1248 patients with rectal cancer, of whom 552 had an anterior resection. Patient questionnaires were distributed at diagnosis and after 1, 2 and 5 years. Data from the baseline and at 1‐ and 2‐year follow‐up were included in this study.

Results

The LARS score was calculated for 309 patients at 1 year and 334 patients at 2 years. Prevalence was assessed by a generalized linear mixed effects model. Major LARS was found in 63% at 1 year and 56% at 2 years. Bother was evident in 55% at 1 year, decreasing to 46% at 2 years. Major LARS was most common among younger women (69%). Among younger patients, only marginal improvement was seen over time (63–59%), for older patients there was more improvement (62–52%). In the reference population, the highest prevalence of major LARS‐like symptoms was noted in older women (12%). Preoperative radiotherapy, defunctioning stoma and tumour height were found to be associated with major LARS.

Conclusion

Major LARS is common and possibly persistent over time. Younger patients, especially women, are more affected, and perhaps these patients should be prioritized for early stoma closure to improve the chance of a more normal bowel function.
Advanced phenology of intraguild predators shifts herbivore host plant preference and performance
Authors: Mullins Maria , Den Uyl James , Cruz Emily , Trail Samantha , Davidson Benjamin , Campbell Diane , Mooney Emily
Published: April 2020

1. The abundance of insect herbivores is mediated by interactions with higher and lower trophic levels. This research asks (i) how phenological change across trophic levels affects host plant quality and selection for aphids, and (ii) what higher trophic level mechanisms drive aphid abundance.

2. Ligusticum porteri is a perennial host for the sap‐feeding aphid Aphis asclepiadis and intraguild mirid predators (chiefly Lygus hesperus) in Colorado. We used long‐term observational data to discover that aphids and mirids respond differently to phenological cues. These unique responses can impact aphid abundance through changes to host plant selection and quality.

3. We used behavioural choice assays to assess how advanced mirid phenology influences aphid host plant selection. More alates landed and reproduced on mirid‐free control plants relative to host plants with prior mirid feeding. However, this preference did not correlate with aphid performance when we compared aphid relative growth rates between treatments. This suggests that advanced mirid phenology would impact aphid populations more through host plant choice, rather than reductions in host quality. The addition of mirids to experimental aphid colonies also demonstrated reduced aphid colony growth via predation.

4. We measured plant cues involved in host selection and found differences in volatile composition between plants with prior mirid feeding compared to control plants, providing the potential for aphids to detect enemy‐free space using volatile cues.
Student generation and peer review of examination questions in the dental curriculum: Enhancing student engagement and learning
Authors: Nguyen Ky‐Anh , Lucas Cherie , Leadbeatter Delyse
Published: April 2020

Background

Writing, sharing, answering, discussing and rating examination questions are a way to involve students in creating content and applying their knowledge. The PeerWise online question‐setting platform facilitates student communities in this activity. This mixed‐methods study asks the question: Does students' writing and answering examination questions enhance their engagement and learning of Neurology as a Life Science topic?

Methods

Over a 2‐year period, self‐assembled groups of 3‐4 students submitted 1‐2 multiple‐choice questions (MCQs) every 2 weeks into the PeerWise portal for review by their peers. Summative examination results were compared with previous year's control group. Data were also collected regarding student engagement (number of MCQs answered or submitted comments) are compared to summative assessment results at the end of semester. Post‐intervention student satisfaction surveys were analysed qualitatively and quantitatively to assess the effectiveness of the exercise.

Results

With 174 and 80 student participants in intervention and control groups, respectively, no statistical difference was found in the average marks between the cohorts. However, within intervention group, positive correlation (Spearman's r = .272‐.333) was found between higher level of student engagement with PeerWise and higher examination result. Positive correlation remained persistent after completion of the PeerWise exercise. Student survey revealed greater engagement with subject content, and qualitative thematic analysis was mapped to define various ways students engaged with the PeerWise activity.

Conclusion

Tasking students to regularly generate and review MCQs enhances engagement with the topic, and higher engagement with PeerWise correlating to higher examination scores.
Embedding inquiry‐based practices in schools: The strategic role of school leaders
Authors: Geijsel Femke , Schenke Wouter , van Driel Jan , Volman Monique
Published: April 2020

The context of this study were research and development projects in Dutch secondary education, particularly funded by government to combine practice‐based research with school development goals for inquiry‐based culture. Aiming at better understanding of the strategic role that school leaders play in embedding inquiry‐based practices in schools, the research question of this study was to explore to what extent and how do school leaders use the opportunity of participating in funded research and development projects for encouraging and integrating inquiry‐based practices in their schools? Differences concerning the integration of inquiry‐based working in the school as professional learning community were examined, distinguishing between school leaders’ strategies of capacity building. Twenty‐eight school leaders of Dutch secondary schools, involved in nineteen projects, were interviewed retrospectively. Analyses showed the majority of the school leaders to be convinced that inquiry‐based working is important for their schools’ development as a professional community. Their strategies for achieving school level project significance differed in school leaders’ successive attention on personal or interpersonal capacity building with regard to inquiry‐based practices. Moreover, while some school leaders were actively involved with capacity building right from the start of the research and development projects projects, almost two‐third of the school leaders developed interest in inquiry‐based practices during the projects and started to enact in the final year of the project. In discussing the results, it is proposed that the interaction of strategy and context needs further study, for instance to inform peer learning among school leaders that are novice and experienced in inquiry‐based practices as a means to develop the school as a professional learning community.
Landscape simplification shapes pathogen prevalence in plant‐pollinator networks
Authors: Figueroa Laura L. , Grab Heather , Ng Wee Hao , Myers Christopher R. , Graystock Peter , McFrederick Quinn S. , McArt Scott H.
Published: April 2020

Species interaction networks, which play an important role in determining pathogen transmission and spread in ecological communities, can shift in response to agricultural landscape simplification. However, we know surprisingly little about how landscape simplification‐driven changes in network structure impact epidemiological patterns. Here, we combine mathematical modelling and data from eleven bipartite plant‐pollinator networks observed along a landscape simplification gradient to elucidate how changes in network structure shape disease dynamics. Our empirical data show that landscape simplification reduces pathogen prevalence in bee communities via increased diet breadth of the dominant species. Furthermore, our empirical data and theoretical model indicate that increased connectance reduces the likelihood of a disease outbreak and decreases variance in prevalence among bee species in the community, resulting in a dilution effect. Because infectious diseases are implicated in pollinator declines worldwide, a better understanding of how land use change impacts species interactions is therefore critical for conserving pollinator health.
Large vessel occlusion is independently associated with atrial fibrillation detection
Authors: Pagola J. , Juega J. , Francisco‐Pascual J. , Bustamante A. , Penalba A. , Pala E. , Rodriguez M. , De Lera Alfonso M. , Arenillas J. F. , Cabezas J. A. , Moniche F. , de Torres R. , Montaner J. , González‐Alujas T. , Alvarez‐Sabin J. , Molina C. A. ,   the Crypto‐AF study group
Published: April 2020

Background and purpose

Covert paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (pAF) is the most frequent cause of cardiac embolism. Our goal was to discover parameters associated with early pAF detection with intensive cardiac monitoring.

Method

Crypto‐AF was a multicentre prospective study (four Comprehensive Stroke Centres) to detect pAF in non‐lacunar cryptogenic stroke continuously monitored within the first 28 days. Stroke severity, infarct pattern, large vessel occlusion (LVO) at baseline, electrocardiography analysis, supraventricular extrasystolia in the Holter examination, left atrial volume index and brain natriuretic peptide level were assessed. The percentage of pAF detection and pAF episodes lasting more than 5 h were registered.

Results

Out of 296 patients, 264 patients completed the monitoring period with 23.1% (61/264) of pAF detection. Patients with pAF were older [odds ratio (OR) 1.04, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01–1.08], they had more haemorrhagic infarction (OR 4.03, 95% CI 1.44–11.22), they were more likely to have LVO (OR 4.29, 95% CI 2.31–7.97) (P < 0.0001), they had a larger left atrial volume index (OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.01–1.1) (P = 0.0002) and they had a higher level of brain natriuretic peptide (OR 1.01, 95% CI 1.0–1.1). Age and LVO were independently associated with pAF detection (OR 1.06, 95% CI 1.00–1.16, and OR 4.58, 95% CI 2.27– 21.38, respectively). Patients with LVO had higher cumulative incidence of pAF (log rank P < 0.001) and more percentage of pAF > 5 h [29.6% (21/71) vs. 8.3% (12/144); OR 4.62, 95% CI 2.11–10.08; P < 0.001]. In a mean follow‐up of 26.82 months (SD 10.15) the stroke recurrence rate was 4.6% (12/260).

Conclusions

Large vessel occlusion in cryptogenic stroke emerged as an independent marker of pAF.
CADASIL: yesterday, today, tomorrow
Authors: Chabriat H. , Joutel A. , Tournier‐Lasserve E. , Bousser M. G.
Published: April 2020

Background and purpose

In 2019, the Brain Prize crowned the discovery of CADASIL in the 1990s and research efforts on this archetypal small vessel disease of the brain over 40 years.

Methods and results

The hereditary origin of this arteriolopathy was discovered from a first clinical case and detailed observation of the patient’s family. Thereafter, the role of causative mutations within the NOTCH3 gene were identified, allowing the development of a genetic test and then of an animal model of the disease. These crucial steps led to the discovery progressively that CADASIL is the most common genetic cerebral small vessel disease, to describing for the first time the natural history of a cerebral ischaemic small vessel disease from silent cerebral tissue lesions up to severe motor disability and dementia at the end stage, to demonstrating the central role of matrix proteins in its pathophysiology and to opening the door to the discovery of several other genes involved in monogenic cerebral small vessel diseases.

Discussion

Today, CADASIL is known to every neurologist, but the disease has not yet revealed all its secrets. A lot of effort is still needed to understand the intimate mechanisms of the disease and the most efficient targets or approaches for the development of efficient therapeutics. The history of CADASIL will be further enriched by multiple ongoing research projects worldwide, at clinical and preclinical level, and will continue to enlighten research in the field of cerebral small vessel disorders.
Interactions between in vivo neuronal‐glial markers, side of hippocampal sclerosis, and pharmacoresponse in temporal lobe epilepsy
Authors: Pimentel‐Silva Luciana R. , Casseb Raphael F. , Cordeiro Mônica M. , Campos Bruno A. G. , Alvim Marina K. M. , Rogerio Fábio , Yasuda Clarissa L. , Cendes Fernando
Published: April 2020

Objective

To evaluate the interactions of metabolic neuronal‐glial changes with the presence and hemispheric‐side of hippocampal sclerosis (HS) and its potential role in predicting pharmacoresistance in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE).

Methods

We included structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H‐MRS) metabolic data for 91 patients with unilateral TLE and 50 healthy controls. We measured the values of total N‐acetyl aspartate/total creatine (tNAA/tCr), glutamate/tCr (Glu/tCr), and myo‐inositol/tCr (mIns/tCr). To assess the influence of the pharmacoresponse and hemispheric‐side of HS on metabolic data, the relationship between clinical and MRI data, and the predictive value of NAA/Cr, we used analysis of variance/covariance and built a logistic regression model. We used bootstrap simulations to evaluate reproducibility.

Results

Bilateral tNAA/tCr reduction was associated with pharmacoresistance and with left HS, a decrease of Glu/tCr ipsilateral to the seizure focus was associated with pharmacoresistance, and ipsilateral mIns/tCr increase was related to pharmacoresistance and the presence of left HS. The logistic regression model containing clinical and 1H‐MRS data discriminated pharmacoresistance (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.78). However, the reduction of tNAA/tCr was the main predictor, with the odds 2.48 greater for pharmacoresistance.

Significance

Our study revealed a spectrum of neuronal‐glial changes in TLE, which was associated with pharmacoresistance, being more severe in left‐sided HS and less severe in MRI‐negative TLE. These noninvasive, in vivo biomarkers provide valuable additional information about the interhemispheric differences in metabolic dysfunction, seizure burden, and HS, and may help to predict pharmacoresistance.