bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rethinking indigenous climate governance through climate change and variability discourse by a Zimbabwean rural community
Authors: Mugambiwa Shingirai Stanley , Rukema Joseph Rudigi
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess indigenous climate governance through climate change and variability discourse by a rural Zimbabwean community. In Zimbabwe, climate governance has largely been presented from a political angle as indicated in the current climate governance structure. Apparently, the structure does not directly involve rural communities who at the same time suffer the most from the effects of climate change. Hence, the study intends to demonstrate that the manner in which humans perceive climate change influences their responses and actions vis-à-vis climate governance.

Design/methodology/approach

This qualitative study used 20 participants from a rural community in Zimbabwe. Their experiences were used as lances through which indigenous climate governance could be envisioned and executed. In-depth interviews were used to collect data and thematic content analysis was used to analyse data.

Findings

The study found that climate change perceptions and observations of weather conditions informs the community’s decisions on how to adapt to the impacts of climate change vis-à-vis indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) climate governance. The study also proposed a paradigm shift from a Western-oriented climate governance structure that currently exists in Zimbabwe to an indigenous model through a proposed IKS governance structure. This was considered significant because of the fact that it closely accommodates the community based on their lifestyle.

Originality/value

The study proposes a paradigm shift from a Western-oriented climate governance structure that currently exist in Zimbabwe to an indigenous model through a proposed IKS governance structure. This is arrived at by assessing climate change perceptions, narratives and experiences by community members. This is of particular importance because a few scholars have explored climate governance via IKS.
Healthcare providers’ images of refugees and their use of health services: an exploratory study
Authors: Van den Bos Nellie , Sabar Galia , Tenenboim Shiri
Published: August 2019

Purpose

In 2017, the WHO presented a framework of priorities and guiding principles to promote the health of refugees and migrants (WHO, 2017). The purpose of this paper is to analyze a crucial but understudied aspect for the implementation of this framework, namely, healthcare providers’ images of refugees and their use of health services.

Design/methodology/approach

A preliminary study first addresses images of refugees and their use of health services derived from the literature. This is followed by an empirical case study of antenatal and delivery service to Eritrean refugee women in Israel. The case study explores providers’ (n=8) images of Eritrean women and their use of services as well as Eritrean women’s (n=10) reflections on their own use of these services, examining the degree to which providers’ images correspond with Eritrean women’s realities.

Findings

The preliminary study shows how the literature largely tends to picture refugees as medicalized and disempowered. The case study illustrates that providers of Israeli antenatal and delivery services embrace similar images, although they are more nuanced. The reflections of Eritrean women show that providers’ images partially reflect their realities. However, Eritrean women attribute these images to external constraints, whereas providers attribute these images to innate characteristics of Eritrean women. Together, these findings suggest that implementation of the recently introduced WHO framework is at stake.

Originality/value

This study raises awareness of a crucial but understudied aspect regarding implementation of a recently introduced universal framework for promoting the health of refugees and migrants.
How knowledge sharing contributes to project portfolio success
Authors: Jiao Yuanyuan , Saeed Muhammad Aamir , Fu Shihui , Wang Xinyan
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between knowledge sharing and project portfolio success in Chinese construction firms. It also examines how and under what conditions knowledge sharing contributes to project portfolio success.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors collected questionnaire survey from 178 construction enterprises in China that manage project portfolio as a main form of their business. Hierarchical multiple regression was used to test the proposed framework.

Findings

The empirical results indicate that all three types of knowledge sharing (knowledge sharing within the project, knowledge sharing among projects and knowledge sharing within the organization) are positively related to project portfolio success. Portfolio management quality (PMQ) conduits the impact of knowledge sharing on project portfolio success. Furthermore, portfolio interdependency moderates the main effect.

Originality/value

This research is among the first to explicitly differentiate three types of knowledge sharing existing in project portfolios. Also, this research contributes to the literature on the antecedents of project portfolio success by showing the effect of knowledge sharing. Furthermore, this study empirically contributes to portfolio management research by clarifying the critical role of PMQ and portfolio interdependency in the mechanism of knowledge sharing and project portfolio success.
Fitness innovativeness, duration of stay, and revisit behavior: a moderation relationship
Authors: Chang Ching-Hung , Robinson Leigh , Shu Shih-Tung , Ma Shang-Chun
Published: August 2019

Purpose

Customers’ innovativeness regarding services and products affects their purchase behavior. The purpose of this paper is to examine the moderation effect of fitness innovativeness (FI) (domain-specific innovativeness) and duration of stay on fitness customers’ revisit frequency.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a quantitative study. The purposive sampling survey method was used to obtain samples from the Taipei Nangang Fitness Center. Data were analyzed by moderated regression analysis.

Findings

The empirical results from 192 valid questionnaires that were obtained for data analysis revealed that FI has a positive impact on revisit frequency, and this impact is further increased if an individual is inclined to exercise and to stay longer at the fitness center.

Originality/value

A matrix of fitness innovator segments was developed to illustrate the research and managerial implications.
Comparative analysis of stearates as grease lubricant thickeners
Authors: Yao Lidan , Wang Lixin , Yang Haining , Li Chuan , Song Hui , Hu Xianguo
Published: August 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the influence of stearate types on the thickening ability, dropping point and fiber structure of greases.

Design/methodology/approach

Several greases were prepared from polyolefins and various stearates. The melting point of the stearates and the dropping point of the resultant greases were measured, and the intermolecular binding energies of the thickener and the radial distribution function of the metal–oxygen in the thickener were determined with the aid of molecular simulation. The microstructures of the greases were also analyzed via scanning electron microscopy.

Findings

A higher stearate binding energy was found to correlate to a higher dropping point of the resultant greases. The thickening ability of the stearate is related to the group and period of the constituent metal ion. Within a group, greater atomic numbers of the metal were correlated to lower thickening ability. In a period, as the atomic number of the metal increased, the thickening ability was enhanced. The radial distribution functions of metal and oxygen can explain the aggregation of the stearate thickeners in the grease.

Originality/value

This work compared the thickening capacity of several stearates. Guidelines for preparing stearates to tailor the resultant grease are presented.
A numerical method to investigate the mixed lubrication performances of journal-thrust coupled bearings
Authors: Guo Xiang Guo Xiang , Han Yanfeng , Chen Renxiang , Jiaxu Wang Jiaxu Wang , Xiaokang Ni
Published: August 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to present a numerical model to investigate the mixed lubrication performances of journal-thrust coupled bearings (or coupled bearings).

Design/methodology/approach

The coupled hydrodynamic effect (or coupled effect) between the journal and the thrust bearing is considered by ensuring the continuity of the hydrodynamic pressure and the flow field at the common boundary. The mixed lubrication performances of the coupled bearing are comparatively studied for the cases of considering and not considering coupled effect.

Findings

The simulated results show that the hydrodynamic pressure distributions for both the journal and thrust bearing are modified due to the coupled effect. The decreased load capacity of the journal bearing and the increased load capacity of the thrust bearing can be observed when the coupled effect is considered. And the coupled effect can facilitate in reducing the asperity contact load for both the journal and thrust bearing. Additionally, the interaction between the mixed lubrication behaviors, especially for the friction coefficient, of the journal and the thrust bearing is significant in the elastohydrodynamic lubrication regime, while it becomes weak in the mixed lubrication regime.

Originality/value

The developed model can reveal the mutual effects of the mixed lubrication behavior between the journal and the thrust bearing.
Integrating reciprocity into a social exchange model of inter-firm B2B relationships
Authors: Voss Kevin E. , Tanner Emily C. , Mohan Mayoor , Lee Yong-Ki , Kim Hong Keun
Published: August 2019

Purpose

Reciprocity has traditionally been overlooked in social exchange models of inter-firm relationships. Therefore, this research integrates reciprocity and its antecedents into a social exchange model of inter-firm relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors collected primary data from a sample of firms in the Republic of Korea using a questionnaire. They also used covariance-based structural equations modeling to fit the model given the proposed conceptualization.

Findings

Both conceptually and empirically, adding reciprocity and its antecedents to the social exchange model produce results that differ from previously published papers. Specifically, reciprocity affects information exchanged indirectly through both credibility and benevolence trust. In addition, the effect of information exchange mediates the effect of trust on calculative and affective commitment.

Research limitations/implications

The foundation of long-term inter-firm relationships is quality information exchange, which is based on the development of credibility and benevolence trust, which in turn is based on reciprocity. Thus, reciprocity is a key variable in relationship development.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is among the first to combine reciprocity and its antecedents into a social exchange model that contains trust and commitment. This model provides a bigger picture of how firms develop long-term relationships with their partner firms.
Communicating role expectations in a coworking office
Authors: Walden Justin
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand the motivations behind teleworkers’ role transitions in a coworking office and how these motivations shape role communication between independent workers in a shared office.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper draws upon observation, in-depth interviews (n=23) and temporary membership in the organization.

Findings

Self-enhancement and self-validation motivations work in concert to prompt individuals to capitalize on the networking opportunities that come with membership in this office and individuals strategically position an occupation-framed version of their identity in these networks.

Research limitations/implications

Only one coworking office was studied. However, this is countered by the richness of the data.

Practical implications

Communication managers whose organizations employ teleworkers are encouraged to provide ongoing social and task-related support to their teleworkers; coworking site proprietors are encouraged to ensure members understand what is expected of them when they join a coworking office.

Social implications

As teleworking is a widely-used flexible work arrangement, this study advances knowledge of teleworker management.

Originality/value

Scholars have not yet explored how individuals use coworking spaces and what motivates teleworkers to establish their role identities in mixed offices.
An exploratory approach for enhancing vertical and horizontal equity tests forad valoremproperty tax valuations using geographically weighted regression
Authors: Bidanset Paul , McCord Michael , Davis Peadar , Sunderman Mark
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to enhance the estimation of vertical and horizontal inequity within property valuation. Property taxation is a crucial source of finance for local government around the world – based on a presumptive tax base underpinned by estimates of property value, inaccurate real estate valuations used for suchad valoremor value-based property tax calculations potentially lead to a variety of costs, both financial and other, for tax payers and governments alike. More common are increased costs in time, staff and, in some cases, legal fees. Some governments are even bound by acceptability thresholds to promote fairness, equitability and overall government accountability with respect to valuation.

Design/methodology/approach

There exist a number of vertical inequity measurements that have undergone academic testing and scrutiny within the property tax industry since the 1970s. While these approaches have proved successful in detecting horizontal and vertical inequity, one recurring disadvantage pertains to measurement error/omitted variable bias, stemming largely from a failure to accurately account for location. A natural progression within property tax research is the application of a more spatially local weighted modelling approach to examine vertical and horizontal inequity. This research, therefore, specifies a geographically weighted regression (GWR) methodology to detect and measure vertical inequity in property valuations.

Findings

The findings show the efficacy of using more applied spatial approaches for vertical tax estimation and indeed the limitations of employing conditional mean estimates coupled with delineated boundaries for assessing property tax inequity. The GWR model findings highlight the more fluctuating nature of vertical inequity across the Belfast market for the apartment sector both in a progressive and regressive sense and at different magnitudes. Moreover, the results reveal spatial clustering in the effects and are indicative of systematic inequities related to location inferring that spatial (horizontal) tax inequities are not random. The findings further show increased GWR model predictability overall.

Originality/value

This research adds to the existing literature base for evaluating both vertical and horizontal inequity in value-based property taxation at the intra-neighbourhood level. This is accomplished by modifying the Birch–Sunderman approach by transforming the traditional OLS model architecture to a GWR model, thereby allowing coefficient estimates of inequity to vary not only across a jurisdiction, but also at a more local level, while incorporating property characteristic variables. This arguably allows assessors to identify specific geographical areas of concern, saving them money, time and resources on identifying, addressing and correcting for inequity.
“Is this restaurant halal?” Surrogate indicators and Muslim behaviour
Authors: Khan Ghazala , Khan Faiza
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate what cues or surrogate indicators Muslims use to determine whether restaurants are suitable for dining purposes in the absence of the halal logo and to examine if the cues used are different among Muslims from non-Muslim countries as opposed to Muslims from Muslim countries.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected via semi-structured interviews in one Muslim majority (Malaysia) and one non-Muslim country (the UK). A total of 16 adults participated in the study with an equal representation from both countries.

Findings

In the absence of the halal logo, participants relied on extrinsic cues such as the presence of other Muslim-looking customers and service personnel to determine whether a restaurant was deemed safe for dining in. The location of a restaurant was a strong indicator for Muslims in both Muslim and non-Muslim countries. In the absence of the halal logo, participants read the menus carefully, queried the service personnel for additional information and selected safer options, such as vegetarian and seafood.

Research limitations/implications

The study used a small sample, and therefore, the findings are tentative.

Practical implications

Given the growth of Muslim population in many non-Muslim countries, it is important for restaurants in non-Muslim countries not to marginalize this customer base. Trust is a key issue and service providers without the halal logo should gain the trust of Muslim customers by training service personnel and equipping them with knowledge of what halal means, developing menus with vegetarian and seafood options, providing detailed information on ingredients and communicating this on their websites and social media sites. They could also consider working with Muslim food and travel bloggers to promote themselves to a Muslim audience. They can develop a more Muslim sympathetic marketing approach and consider using separate cooking and serving utensils to gain trust and patronage of Muslim customers as well as to appeal to a larger market (vegans/vegetarians).

Originality/value

The present study is one of the first studies that concentrates on gaining an insight into how Muslims make decision pertaining to the selection and dining at a restaurant in the absence of the halal logo. A major contribution of the study is the identification of cues that assist Muslims when evaluating and selecting alternative food options in the absence of a halal logo.
A heuristic algorithm for multiple trip vehicle routing problems with time window constraint and outside carrier selection
Authors: Chu Ching-Wu , Hsu Hsiu-Li
Published: August 2019

Purpose

In this paper, the authors introduced a real world new problem, the multi-trip vehicle routing problem with time windows and the possible use of a less-than-truckload carrier to satisfy customer demands. The purpose of this paper is to develop a heuristic algorithm to route the private trucks with time windows and to make a selection between truckload and less-than-truckload carriers by minimizing a total cost function.

Design/methodology/approach

Both mathematical model and heuristic algorithm are developed for routing the private trucks with time windows and for selecting of less-than-truckload carriers by minimizing the total cost function.

Findings

In all, 40 test problems were examined with the heuristics. Computational results show that the algorithm obtains the optimal or near-optimal solutions efficiently in terms of time and accuracy.

Originality/value

The research described in this paper differs from the previous one on fleet planning or vehicle routing, in that it modifies the Clarke and Wright method by shifting the performance measure from a distance to cost and also incorporates the fixed cost of different types of trucks into the model. In addition, the authors simultaneously consider the multiple trip vehicle routing problems with time windows and the selection of less-than-truckload carriers that is an integrated scenario of real-world application. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this scenario has not been considered in the literature.
Shared knowledge attributes’ impact on understanding strategic priorities
Authors: Turner Karynne , Makhija Mona , Miree Cynthia
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to empirically explore the relationship between individuals’ shared core knowledge within a firm and a collective understanding of management’s strategic priorities.

Design/methodology/approach

The study develops three sets of competing hypotheses to predict how three different aspects of individuals’ shared core knowledge – extent, diversity and interpretation – are related to their understanding of the organization’s strategic priorities. The hypotheses are tested using a cognitive mapping approach within the context of a manufacturing plant in the USA.

Findings

Organizational members with a lower proportion of shared core knowledge exhibit a greater appreciation of the firm’s strategic priorities. More diversity in this shared knowledge is associated with a greater appreciation of strategic priorities and when members agree on the relative importance of different types of knowledge, whether they actually share this knowledge, they have a better understanding of the firm’s strategic priorities.

Research limitations/implications

The study uses data from a single firm in one industry.

Originality/value

This research helps to highlight and empirically isolate different aspects of shared knowledge that influence individuals’ understanding of organizational priorities. It also demonstrates the varying importance of different aspects of shared knowledge (e.g. extent, diversity and interpretation in explaining individuals’ understanding of the firm’s strategic priorities.
Salmonella Anatum, S. Infantis and S. Schwarzengrund in Brazilian Cheeses: Occurrence and antibiotic resistance profiles
Authors: da Cunha‐Neto Adelino , Carvalho Larrayane Albuês , Castro Vinicius Silva , Barcelos Flávio Gomes , Carvalho Ricardo César Tavares , Rodrigues Dália dos Prazeres , Conte‐Junior Carlos Adam , Figueiredo Eduardo Eustáquio de Souza
Published: August 2019

Salmonella is one of the major causative agents of foodborne infections. In this study, 225 samples of different types of cheeses produced by the Brazilian dairy industry were analysed. Samples were submitted to a Salmonella spp. investigation using conventional microbiology, multiplex polymerase chain reaction (multiplex PCR) and the disc‐diffusion method. The occurrence of Salmonella was 1.33% (3/225); two strains (S. Infantis and S. Schwarzengrund) were detected in Prato cheese, and one strain (S. Anatum) was detected in Mozzarella cheese. The three strains showed resistance to the antifolate pathway inhibitors trimethoprim and sulphonamide. Therefore, Salmonella spp. in cheese samples indicates a threat to consumer public health.
Competition and health plan quality in the Medicare Advantage market
Authors: Adrion Emily R.
Published: August 2019

Objective

To examine the relationship between insurer market structure, health plan quality, and health insurance premiums in the Medicare Advantage (MA) program.

Data Sources/Study Setting

Administrative data files from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, along with other secondary data sources.

Study Design

Trends in MA market concentration from 2008 to 2017 are presented, alongside logistic and linear regression models examining MA plan quality and premiums as a function of insurer market structure for 2011.

Data Collection/Extraction Methods

Data are publicly available.

Principal Findings

MA plans that tend to operate in more concentrated MA markets have a higher predicted probability of receiving a high‐quality health plan rating. Operating in more concentrated MA markets was also found to be associated with higher premiums. Among plans that tend to operate in very concentrated MA markets, high‐quality MA plans were associated with premiums as much as two times higher than premiums associated with lower‐quality plans.

Conclusions

Any policies directed at enhancing insurer competition should consider implications for health plan quality, which may be very different than the implications for enrollee premiums.
Early pubertal maturation and risk of childhood asthma: A Mendelian randomization and longitudinal study
Authors: Chen Yang‐Ching , Fan Hsien‐Yu , Yang Chen , Lee Yungling L.
Published: August 2019

Background

Studies on early puberty and incident asthma have reported inconsistent results and are mainly performed in females. In this longitudinal study, we investigated the causal relationship between pubertal maturation and asthma through Mendelian randomization (MR) and explored the joint effect of overweightness and early pubertal maturation on asthma.

Methods

We used data from the Taiwan Children Health Study with longitudinal follow‐ups of 2991 children aged 11‐17 years. Six puberty‐related single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (combined into a weighted allelic score) were used to yield genetic instrumental variables for early puberty. Early pubertal maturation was defined as reaching a certain pubertal stage earlier than the median age for that stage. Incident asthma cases were calculated by excluding children with a history of asthma prior to that age.

Results

The results of MR analysis revealed that early pubertal maturation was associated with active asthma (OR = 1.18; 95% CI: 1.08‐1.28); this effect was significant in male children. Early pubertal maturation significantly increased the risk of incident asthma outcomes at 12 and 17 years of age in both sexes (hazard ratio = 2.15; 95% CI: 1.21‐3.84). Taking non‐overweight and non–early puberty children as the reference group, we observed a synergistic effect of overweightness and early pubertal maturation on asthma risk (OR = 1.08; 95% CI: 1.04‐1.11) in children of both sexes.

Conclusions

Early screening and intervention for obesity are recommended to prevent future early pubertal onset and asthma occurrence.
Tacrolimus: 20 years of use in adult kidney transplantation. What we should know about its nephrotoxicity
Authors: Bentata Yassamine
Published: August 2019

Tacrolimus (or FK506), a calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) introduced in field of transplantation in the 1990s, is the cornerstone of most immunosuppressive regimens in solid organ transplantation. Its use has revolutionized the future of kidney transplantation (KT) and has been associated with better graft survival, a lower incidence of rejection, and improved drug tolerance with fewer side effects compared to cyclosporine. However, its monitoring remains complicated and underexposure increases the risk of rejection, whereas overexposure increases the risk of adverse effects, primarily nephrotoxicity, neurotoxicity, infections, malignancies, diabetes, and gastrointestinal complaints. Tacrolimus nephrotoxicity can be nonreversible and can lead to kidney graft loss, and its diagnosis is therefore best made with reference to the clinical context and after exclusion of other causes of graft dysfunction. Many factors contribute to its development including: systemic levels of tacrolimus; local renal exposure to tacrolimus; exposure to metabolites of tacrolimus; local susceptibility factors for CNI nephrotoxicity independent of systemic or local tacrolimus levels, such as the age of a kidney; local renal P‐glycoprotein, local intestinal and hepatic cytochrome P450A3, and renin angiotensin system activation. The aim of this review is to describe the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and mechanisms of acute and chronic tacrolimus nephrotoxicity in adult KT.
Chemical chaperones improve the functional recovery of stunned myocardium by attenuating the endoplasmic reticulum stress
Authors: Mariángelo Juan Ignacio Elio , Román Bárbara , Silvestri María Agustina , Salas Margarita , Vittone Leticia , Said Matilde , Mundiña‐Weilenmann Cecilia
Published: August 2019

Aim

Myocardial ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) produces structural and functional alterations depending on the duration of ischaemia. Brief ischaemia followed by reperfusion causes reversible contractile dysfunction (stunned heart) but long‐lasting ischaemia followed by reperfusion can result in irreversible injury with cell death. Events during I/R can alter endoplasmic reticulum (ER) function leading to the accumulation of unfolded/misfolded proteins. The resulting ER stress induces activation of several signal transduction pathways, known as unfolded protein response (UPR). Experimental evidence shows that UPR contributes to cell death in irreversible I/R injury; however, there is still uncertainty for its occurrence in the stunned myocardium. This study investigated the ER stress response and its functional impact on the post‐ischaemic cardiac performance of the stunned heart.

Methods

Perfused rat hearts were subjected to 20 minutes of ischaemia followed by 30 minutes of reperfusion. UPR markers were evaluated by qRT‐PCR and western blot. Post‐ischaemic mechanical recovery was measured in absence and presence of two chemical chaperones: tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) and 4‐phenylbutyric acid (4‐PBA).

Results

Analysis of mRNA and protein levels of various ER stress effectors demonstrated that different UPR signalling cascades, involving both pro‐survival and pro‐apoptotic pathways, are activated. Inhibition of the UPR with chemical chaperones improved the post‐ischaemic recovery of cardiac mechanical function without affecting the I/R‐induced increase in oxidative stress.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that prevention of ER stress by chemical chaperones could be a therapeutic tool to limit deterioration of the contractile function in clinical settings in which the phenomenon of myocardial stunning is present.
Optimal privatization policy with asymmetry among private firms
Authors: Haraguchi Junichi , Matsumura Toshihiro
Published: August 2019

We revisit the relationship between the optimal privatization policy and market competition indexes such as the Hirschman–Herfindahl index. It is affected by the number of the firms and asymmetry among the sizes of the firms; the smaller the number of firms and the more asymmetry among firms, the higher the market concentration index. The literature on mixed oligopolies suggested that the optimal degree of privatization increases with the number of private firms, and thus, decreases with the market competition index, assuming that all private firms are homogeneous. We investigate how asymmetry among private firms affects the optimal degree of privatization. We propose the simplest and natural model formulation to discuss asymmetry among private firms. We find that the optimal degree of privatization is either nonmonotone or monotonically increasing, and thus never monotonically decreasing, in asymmetry among private firms.
Characteristics of kidney donors and recipients in Iranian kidney market: Evidence from Mashhad
Authors: Feizi Mehdi , Moeindarbari Tannaz
Published: August 2019

The Iranian model of kidney transplantation is an example of a regulated living unrelated renal donation. In this paper, we collected and analyzed a unique dataset of 436 paired kidney donors and recipients, including their characteristics and the realized price of a kidney in Mashhad. As opposed to the global picture of kidney donation, we find that women are less likely to donate and more likely to receive a kidney. Moreover, the average price of a kidney amounts less than 2 years of work with the minimum level of wage.
Skin swelling in the axillary fold in an elderly man
Authors: Kapatia Gargi , Das Ashim , Dey Pranab
Published: August 2019

Skin appendage tumours can occasionally be diagnosed cytologically. The fine needle aspiration cytology of a eccrine spiradenoma in axillary skin is described.
Circumferential and radial deformation assessment in premature infants: Ready for primetime?
Authors: Bussmann Neidin , Smith Aisling , Cappelleri Alessia , Levy Phillip T. , McCallion Naomi , Franklin Orla , EL‐Khuffash Afif
Published: August 2019

Background

Speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) is a validated method to measure longitudinal deformation in premature infants, but there is a paucity of data on STE‐derived circumferential and radial strain in this population. We assessed the feasibility and reproducibility of circumferential and radial deformation measurements in premature infants.

Methods

In a prospective study of 40 premature infants (<29 weeks of gestation at birth), STE‐derived circumferential and radial strain, systolic strain rate (SRs), early diastolic strain rate (SRe), and late diastolic strain rate (SRa) were measured on day 2 and day 8. Intra‐ and inter‐observer reproducibility analysis were performed using Bland–Altman analysis, coefficient of variation (COV), and intra‐class correlation coefficient (ICC). The impact of a persistent patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) was analyzed.

Results

Deformation analysis was feasible in 98% of the acquisitions. Circumferential parameters demonstrated excellent intra‐ and inter‐observer reproducibility with an ICC between 0.89 and 0.99 (all P < 0.001) and a COV between 4% and 13%. Radial parameters demonstrated acceptable intra‐ and inter‐observer reproducibility with an ICC between 0.73 and 0.96 (all P < 0.001) and a COV between 14% and 27%. Infants with a PDA on day 8 (n = 21, 53%) demonstrated higher radial strain, SRs and SRe. There were no differences in circumferential parameters with a PDA at either time point.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates clinical feasibility and reproducibility of circumferential and radial strain by STE in premature infants. A PDA elevates radial deformation measures, suggesting that the increased LV preload from a PDA may augment intrinsic contractility in the radial but not circumferential plane.
Is the dopaminergic loss associated with gait and postural impairments in subjects with Parkinson's disease at different motor stages?
Authors: Corrêa Philipe Souza , Pagnussat Aline Souza , Cabeleira Maria Eduarda Parcianello , Schifino Giulia Palermo , Rieder Carlos Roberto de Mello , da Silva Junior Neivo , Cechetti Fernanda
Published: August 2019

Gait and postural control deficiencies in Parkinson's disease (PD) involve several specific motor aspects. The aim of this study was to identify and compare the main changes in gait kinematics and postural control with dopaminergic loss in the striatum region. This is a cross‐sectional study that included 42 individuals with PD at different motor stages, according to the Hoehn & Yahr scale (H&Y). Motor subsection of the Movement Disorder Society‐Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale—part III (MDS‐UPDRS III) was used to evaluate general motor aspects. Gait kinematics was assessed using a three‐dimensional motion capture system. Postural control was assessed by stabilometry using force platforms. Dopamine depletion was verified through 99mTc‐TRODAT‐1 (SPECT‐CT) examination. We included 12, 15 and 15 individuals classified as H&Y I, II and III, respectively. We identified worse values of dopamine transporter uptake, MDS‐UPDRS III, gait parameters (velocity, step length and stride length) and center of pressure displacement as the disease progressed. Our results indicate that higher dopaminergic loss and gait and postural control deficits occur between the H&Y levels II and III.
Proportional mixture of two rarefaction/extrapolation curves to forecast biodiversity changes under landscape transformation
Authors: Chao Anne , Colwell Robert K. , Gotelli Nicholas J. , Thorn Simon
Published: August 2019

Progressive habitat transformation causes global changes in landscape biodiversity patterns, but can be hard to quantify. Rarefaction/extrapolation approaches can quantify within‐habitat biodiversity, but may not be useful for cases in which one habitat type is progressively transformed into another habitat type. To quantify biodiversity patterns in such transformed landscapes, we use Hill numbers to analyse individual‐based species abundance data or replicated, sample‐based incidence data. Given biodiversity data from two distinct habitat types, when a specified proportion of original habitat is transformed, our approach utilises a proportional mixture of two within‐habitat rarefaction/extrapolation curves to analytically predict biodiversity changes, with bootstrap confidence intervals to assess sampling uncertainty. We also derive analytic formulas for assessing species composition (i.e. the numbers of shared and unique species) for any mixture of the two habitat types. Our analytical and numerical analyses revealed that species unique to each habitat type are the most important determinants of landscape biodiversity patterns.
The various shades of ER‐phagy
Authors: Stolz Alexandra , Grumati Paolo
Published: August 2019

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a large and dynamic cellular organelle. ER morphology consists of sheets, tubules, matrixes, and contact sites shared with other membranous organelles. The capacity of the ER to fulfill its numerous biological functions depends on its continuous remodeling and the quality control of its proteome. Selective turnover of the ER by autophagy, termed ER‐phagy, plays an important role in maintaining ER homeostasis. ER network integrity and turnover rely on specific ER‐phagy receptors, which influence and coordinate alterations in ER morphology and the degradation of ER contents and membranes via the lysosome, by interacting with the LC3/GABARAP family. In this commentary, we discuss general principles and identify the major players in this recently characterized form of selective autophagy, while simultaneously highlighting open questions in the field.
Transnational Entanglements: Switzerland's Newly Emerging Literary Culture of the 1960s and the Anglophone World
Authors: Leucht Robert
Published: August 2019

In 1966, Emil Staiger, one of the most prominent literary scholars in literary studies of the postwar era, gave a talk on literature and the public. In his speech, which initiated what came to be known as the Zürcher Literaturstreit, Staiger developed a normative idea of literature as an agent of social cohesion. Around the same time, a new literary culture emerged in Switzerland, one which challenged Staiger's conception by exploring literature's critical potential. This article argues that this more modern direction taken by German Swiss literature was the result of transnational dynamics. Focusing on three examples of literature written by a new generation of Swiss authors (Walter, Federspiel, Bichsel), the article explores the various transnational alliances these authors built with modernist authors, mostly beyond the German‐speaking world, as a means of breaking with literary conventions. Leaving the logic of a national literary history behind, the article argues that seemingly local literary conflicts in 1960s Switzerland arose out of transnational dynamics.
Religiöser Fanatismus in Wolfgang Jeschkes „Social‐Fiction“ Roman Dschiheads (2013)
Authors: Imam Radwa
Published: August 2019

In diesem Aufsatz wird Wolfgang Jeschkes Dschiheads (2013) als Exempel eines „Social‐Fiction“ Romans analysiert. „Social‐Fiction“ ist ein Subgenre von „Science‐Fiction“; es geht um Texte, in denen die gesellschaftliche Analyse im Mittelpunkt steht. So behandelt der Science‐Fiction Autor Wolfgang Jeschke in Dschiheads die gesellschaftliche Problematik des religiösen Fanatismus, um damit kritisch die Rolle der Religion in der Gesellschaft am Beispiel einer Reihe von Aspekten und Motiven zu thematisieren. In der Analyse werden dabei insbesondere Foucaults Thesen zum Funktionieren der Macht berücksichtigt. Der Aufsatz versteht sich als Beitrag zur Diskussion darüber, wie die Science‐Fiction als Social‐Fiction mit der Thematisierung von Religion und religiösem Fanatismus umgehen kann, und welche Perspektiven dieses Genre zur öffentlichen Auseinandersetzung über Religion und Gesellschaft beitragen kann.
Spouted‐bed drying of acerola pulp (Malpighia emarginata DC): Effects of adding milk and milk protein on process performance and characterization of dried fruit powders
Authors: Dantas Suziani Cristina de Medeiros , Pontes Júnior Severino Mosinho de , Medeiros Fábio Gonçalves Macêdo de , Santos Júnior Luiz Carlos , Alsina Odelsia Leonor Sanchez de , Medeiros Maria de Fátima Dantas de
Published: August 2019

In this work, the production of acerola (Malpighia emarginata DC) based powder formulations by spouted bed drying was investigated. Dairy matrices (milk powder, reconstituted milk and concentrated whey‐protein) were used as drying adjuvants in order to obtain an ingredient‐like ready‐to‐use final product. High‐density polyethylene particles were used in the spouted bed dryer and an intermittent feeding strategy was adopted. Physicochemical attributes of both sample formulations and final powders were assessed, and the water sorption isotherms of powdered matrices were determined at 25°C and fitted to the GAB Model. The performance of the dryer was evaluated in regard to the fluid dynamics and the thermal efficiency of the process. Spouted bed dried matrices produced with acerola pulp and milk powder presented the highest powder production rates (0.0895 g powder/min), production yields (24.75%) and satisfactory thermal efficiency (40.4%). The use of milk powder as adjuvant resulted in a significant ascorbic acid retention (72.9%) after thermal processing. The sorption isotherms showed that the addition of dairy adjuvants was responsible for reducing the equilibrium monolayer moisture of powdered samples.

Practical Application

Brazil is one of the world's largest producers of acerola fruit. The production of fruit‐flavored products is a trend to the food industry that aims to exploit the desirable marketing, flavoring and nutritional characteristics of fruits to increase products' acceptance and consumption. The motivation of this work was to evaluate the spouted bed drying as an appropriate processing strategy for producing food ingredients based on acerola and using alternative dairy‐based drying adjuvants. The data shown here can be used for the development of new acerola‐based food products and for clarifying the role that dairy adjuvants play on the physicochemical attributes of powdered matrices.
Therapeutic use of tetrasodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid solution for treatment of subcutaneous ureteral bypass device mineralization in cats
Authors: Chik Colin , Berent Allyson C. , Weisse Chick W. , Ryder Marcia
Published: August 2019

Background

Subcutaneous ureteral bypass (SUB) device placement is an increasingly popular treatment option for decompression of ureteral obstruction in cats. Mineralization occlusion of the device occurs in a minority of cases but is the most common complication.

Objective

To evaluate a 2% tetrasodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (tEDTA) solution for treatment of mineralization occlusion in cats with SUBs.

Animals

Six client‐owned cats (8 obstructed devices).

Methods

Case series. Each cat was found to have device occlusion based on a combination of ultrasound examination, SUB irrigation, and failure to identify another cause of device obstruction. Each SUB was drained, irrigated using sterile saline, and infused with 1‐2 mL of 2% tEDTA solution. Success was defined as normalization of flow during subsequent ultrasound visualization while irrigating. The volume and frequency of tEDTA instillations, time to achieve device patency, follow‐up biochemical and ultrasound findings, and future reobstruction events were recorded.

Results

Resolution of mineralization was documented in all 8 SUBs. Reobstruction events occurred in 2 cats, all of which resolved after additional tEDTA infusions, but 1 cat ultimately required device exchange at 356 days from the first tEDTA infusion. In 1 cat, a single infusion was prematurely discontinued because of persistent pelvic dilatation after 1.25 mL of tEDTA had been instilled. No complications were observed.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Tetrasodium EDTA infusions can be safely considered as a treatment option for mineralized SUB devices in cats. This solution was easily infused, well tolerated, and avoided the need for SUB device exchange in the majority of cats in which it was used.
Novel Screw Insertion Method for Anterior Surgical Treatment of Unstable Thoracolumbar Fracture: Quadrant Positioning Method
Authors: Wang Song , Duan Chun‐yan , Yang Han , Kang Jian‐ping , Wang Qing
Published: August 2019

Objective

To develop a novel screw positioning method to improve the treatment of unstable thoracolumbar fractures.

Methods

A total of 72 patients with unstable thoracolumbar fractures who were treated with anterior screw–rod interfixation from January 2011 to October 2015 were included in this clinical study. Those patients included 48 male and 24 female patients with an average age of 45.10 years (range, 26–63 years). Patients were randomly divided into two groups: an observation group (n = 36) and a control group (n = 36). The quadrant positioning method was used for screw insertion in the observation group during the operation, while the traditional screw positioning method was used in the control group. The quadrant positioning method targeted four quadrants, including the superior anterior (SA), superior posterior (SP), inferior anterior (IA) and inferior posterior (IP) quadrants, while for the traditional screw positioning, four screws were inserted into the vertebral bodies above and below the excision. Patients were followed up for approximately 40 months to record recovery. Clinical and radiological records, local angle and fractured vertebra body height, clinical outcomes, complications, neurological improvement, and fusion rate were recorded and compared between the two groups.

Results

The quadrant positioning method was successfully used for anterior screw insertion. The quadrant center in the lateral view of the vertebral body was well marked, and screws were easily located on the scheduled quadrant. Blood loss (BL), hospital stay (HS), and operation time (OP) in the observation group were 749.40 ± 379.90 mL, 17.10 ± 4.10 days, and 167.40 ± 44.70 min, respectively. While those parameters in the control group were 1198.40 ± 339.27 mL, 23.22 ± 3.77 days, and 221.47 ± 32.15 min, respectively. The average operation time and hospital stay time were significantly shorter, and blood loss was significantly less in the observation group than in the control group (P < 0.05). Local angle and vertebral body height were markedly improved and 1–2 grade improvement was achieved in patients with neurological deficits in both groups. Both groups of patients achieved bony fusion during follow‐up. No incision infection or internal fixation failure was observed in the two groups, and complications including cerebrospinal fluid and chylous leakage and hemothorax were resolved.

Conclusions

The quadrant positioning method can shorten operation time, reduce blood loss, and accelerate postoperative recovery. The technique provides an effective method for screw insertion for double screw–rod instrumentation fixation in the treatment of thoracolumbar fracture via the anterior approach.