bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bibliometric analysis for talent identification by the subject–author–citation three-dimensional evaluation model in the discipline of physical education
Authors: Zheng Yingying , Liu Shuang
Published: April 2020

Purpose

In order to solve the current imbalance of academic resources within the discipline, this article builds a three-dimensional talent evaluation model based on the topic–author–citation based on the z index and proposes the ZAS index to evaluate scholars on different research topics within the discipline.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the sample data of the CSSCI journals in the discipline of physical education in the past five years, the keywords were classified into 13 categories of research topics including female sports. The ZAS index of scholars on topic of female sports and so on was calculated, and quantitative indexes such as h index p index and z index were calculated. Comparative analysis of the evaluation effect was performed.

Findings

It is found that compared with the h index and p index, the z index achieves a better balance between the quantity, quality and citation distribution of scholars' results and effectively recognizes that the citation quality is higher and the number of citations of each paper is more balanced. In addition, compared to the z index, this article is based on a ZAS index model with an improved three-dimensional topic–author–citation relationship in research fields such as female sports.

Originality/value

It can identify some outstanding scholars who are engaged in small-scale or emerging topic research such as female sports and are excellent in different research areas. Talents create an objective and fair evaluation environment. At the same time, the ranking ability of ZAS indicators in the evaluation of talents is the strongest, and it is expected to be used in practical evaluations.
A curvilinear relationship between transformational leadership and employee creativity
Authors: Ma Xifang , Jiang Wan , Wang Linlin , Xiong Jing
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This study examined a curvilinear and moderated relationship between transformational leadership and employee creative performance in a real-world setting by drawing from the too-much-of-a-good-thing effect and the substitutes for leadership perspectives.

Design/methodology/approach

We used multisource data collected from 232 employees and their immediate supervisors to test all hypotheses.

Findings

We found empirical support for an inverted U-shaped relationship between transformational leadership and employee creative performance. Moreover, job factor (i.e. job formalization) and individual differences (i.e. power distance) moderated the curvilinear relationship, such that the curvilinear relationship was more pronounced with lower job formalization or higher power distance of employees.

Originality/value

Our findings shed light on the inconsistent reports of transformational leadership's effects on employee creativity in previous studies. We extended substitutes for leadership perspective by providing a more systematic view for future research on how leadership and its substitutes jointly influence employee outcomes.
The effect of earnings management on shareholder value and the role of board gender diversity
Authors: Ongsakul Viput , Jiraporn Pornsit , Kim Young Sang
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This study aims to investigate whether shareholders are convinced by earnings management. This study also explores how board gender diversity (the presence of female directors on the board) may influence the extent to which shareholders are convinced by earnings management.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors estimate the stock market reactions to the September 11 terrorist attack using the standard event study methodology. The authors then run a cross-sectional analysis to investigate whether the market reactions are influenced by the extent of earnings management. Furthermore, the authors test how board gender diversity affects the degree to which earnings management influences the stock market reactions.

Findings

The study results show that the market reactions to the attack are substantially mitigated for firms that exercise more upward discretionary accruals, implying that earnings management is successful in convincing shareholders. Additional analysis corroborates the results, including propensity score matching, instrumental variable analysis and using Oster’s (2019) method for testing coefficient stability. Crucially, the authors find that board gender diversity helps shareholders see through earnings management better. The presence of female directors significantly weakens the extent to which shareholders are persuaded by earnings management.

Originality/value

This study is the first to explore the effect of earnings management on shareholder wealth using the September 11 terrorist attack. The research design is less vulnerable to endogeneity and is thus much more likely to show a causal effect of accounting accruals on shareholder wealth.
The exercise of female sexuality between fantasy and discourse in the consumption of online pornography
Authors: Mesquita Mayte Cabral , Pinto Marcelo De Rezende
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to understand how the consumption of online pornography runs through fantasy, discourse and the exercise of female sexuality.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the study analyzed a few information obtained from a secret group of the social media Facebook. Secondly, the research was developed based on the information gathered during the observation period; 11 in-depth interviews were conducted with women that participated in the aforementioned group. In order to analyze the data, the study used the French discourse analysis as methodological tool.

Findings

It was possible to realize that the consumption of pornographic content is motivated by curiosity, pursuit of variety and sexual fantasies, and it ends up strengthening stereotypes related to the concept of beauty and body standards. Also, the consumption of pornography can be seen as an important feature in the reformulation of perceptions and creation of senses related to pornography itself, pleasure, self-knowledge and in the constitution of the subjectivities of the consumers, despite the influence of the cultural context in which they are inserted into.

Research limitations/implications

The consumption of online pornography can be seen as an important “social operator”; that is, the consumption of pornography reflects and refracts what is socially established as beautiful and adequate in terms of the human figure. The outcomes of this research lead to debates that can challenge standardized world perspectives, besides expanding the discussion of such consumption made by women.

Originality/value

Taking into consideration the significant volume of pornography consumption and the high figures that this market indicates, one can notice that literature related to consumption studies has neglected this specific theme.
Supply chain and logistics controller – two promising professions for supporting transparency in supply chain management
Authors: Dobroszek Justyna
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to identify the occupational profiles of a logistics and a supply chain (SC) controller, both promising SC professions, examining the required competences and tasks undertaken while taking into account current trends in supply chain management and its wider dimensions.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used a content analysis based on job advertisements for the position of logistics controller and SC controller. The collected material allowed the construction of an occupational competence mix model in the style of Cheetham and Chivers for the logistics and SC controller, and the identification of the level of competence of both professions, using the model proposed by Czapla. In addition, the analysis of the data was supplemented by use of the Anova test and a radar chart.

Findings

The SC and logistics controllers have a high degree of similarity in both the meta and core competences areas. Similarities also occur in the case of the analysed groups of tasks undertaken by these professions. Tasks in the areas of “definition” and “maintaining” prevail. The SC controller and the logistics controller are considered “engaged inspirers” because they have reached this level of professional competence. Both these professions can ensure an effective, sustainable and transparent SC through direct cooperation with the SC manager and/or logistics manager.

Research limitations/implications

This study uses a content analysis based on job advertisements addressed to the German market. These job advertisements are standardized, and therefore, provide only a general outline of the competences and tasks of the SC and logistics controllers.

Practical implications

The study provides information to practitioners by identifying the competences and tasks assigned to the SC and logistics controllers that are needed to improve the efficiency and transparency of the SC and its management. The research is an incentive for people involved in education to adapt changes in curricula in the business (accounting, controlling and logistics) and engineering (related to logistics) fields of study by creating courses based on SC controlling or/and logistics controlling.

Originality/value

The study shows the current, necessary changes for SC professionals (e.g. the appointment of a SC controller and/or logistics controller) resulting from changes in business and the challenges for SC management (e.g. transparency and sustainability).
Citizen science: expanding ideas of citizenship and science
Authors: Kenyon Elizabeth , Christoff Andrea , Wisdom Sonya
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This action research project determines the extent to which the authors were able to expand ideas of both citizen and scientist through their integrated science and social studies middle childhood methods course.

Design/methodology/approach

Applying the ideas of citizen science, students in the course developed inquiry projects of their choice centering on the topic of local and global water issues. In addition, students participated in book groups focusing on the ideas of citizen science explicitly. The researchers used surveys, student assessments and interviews to assess the extent to which students' ideas changed.

Findings

While the data reveal the students' conceptions of scientist and citizen both expanded, there was greater change in their conceptions of what it means to be a scientist.

Originality/value

The authors argue that the expansion of ideas of science is important for enacting critical citizenship.
Enhanced optimal trained hybrid classifiers for aging assessment of power transformer insulation oil
Authors: Singh Harkamal Deep , Singh Jashandeep
Published: April 2020

Purpose

As a result of the deregulations in the power system networks, diverse beneficial operations have been competing to optimize their operational costs and improve the consistency of their electrical infrastructure. Having certain and comprehensive state assessment of the electrical equipment helps the assortment of the suitable maintenance plan. Hence, the insulation condition monitoring and diagnostic techniques for the reliable and economic transformers are necessary to accomplish a comprehensive and proficient transformer condition assessment.

Design/methodology/approach

The main intent of this paper is to develop a new prediction model for the aging assessment of power transformer insulation oil. The data pertaining to power transformer insulation oil have been already collected using 20 working power transformers of 16-20 MVA operated at various substations in Punjab, India. It includes various parameters associated with the transformer such as breakdown voltage, moisture, resistivity, tan δ, interfacial tension and flashpoint. These data are given as input for predicting the age of the insulation oil. The proposed aging assessment model deploys a hybrid classifier model by merging the neural network (NN) and deep belief network (DBN). As the main contribution of this paper, the training algorithm of both NN and DBN is replaced by the modified lion algorithm (LA) named as a randomly modified lion algorithm (RM-LA) to reduce the error difference between the predicted and actual outcomes. Finally, the comparative analysis of different prediction models with respect to error measures proves the efficiency of the proposed model.

Findings

For the Transformer 2, root mean square error (RMSE) of the developed RM-LA-NN + DBN was 83.2, 92.5, 40.4, 57.4, 93.9 and 72 per cent improved than NN + DBN, PSO, FF, CSA, PS-CSA and LA-NN + DBN, respectively. Moreover, the RMSE of the suggested RM-LA-NN + DBN was 97.4 per cent superior to DBN + NN, 96.9 per cent superior to PSO, 81.4 per cent superior to FF, 93.2 per cent superior to CSA, 49.6 per cent superior to PS-CSA and 36.6 per cent superior to LA-based NN + DBN, respectively, for the Transformer 13.

Originality/value

This paper presents a new model for the aging assessment of transformer insulation oil using RM-LA-based DBN + NN. This is the first work uses RM-LA-based optimization for aging assessment in power transformation insulation oil.
Swarming motility growth favours the emergence of a subpopulation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa quorum‐sensing mutants
Authors: Robitaille Sophie , Groleau Marie‐Christine , Déziel Eric
Published: April 2020

Pseudomonas aeruginosa exploits several types of motility behaviours to colonize diverse environments. One of these is swarming motility, a coordinated group movement on a semi‐solid surface. This bacterium needs to express a functional flagellum and produce rhamnolipids to display this type of social motility. A ΔhptB mutant, a gene part of the Gac/Rsm signalling pathway, produces rhamnolipids and expresses a functional flagellum but has an important swarming defect. Experimental‐directed evolution was performed on this mutant under swarming conditions to obtain compensatory mutations and thus identify genes responsible for its deficient swarming phenotype. Unexpectedly, a gain‐of‐function subpopulation emerged from this evolution with mutations in lasR, which codes for a key quorum‐sensing transcriptional regulator. Furthermore, we found that lasR− mutants even emerge at high frequencies in the wild‐type strain when using the same experimental evolution strategy. The resulting evolved population, largely composed of LasR‐defective mutants, is fitter than the original strain in swarming motility. We also established that lasR− mutants have a growth advantage under swarming conditions when compared with wild‐type. Our results demonstrate that a social phenotype, that is, swarming motility, favours the emergence of mutants deficient in a quorum‐sensing regulatory pathway to the benefit of the whole population.
The Making of Pombal: Speculation, Diplomacy and the Iberian Enlightenment, c.1714–1755
Authors: JONES CORREDERA EDWARD
Published: April 2020

This article sheds light on the influence of José de Carvajal y Lancaster's establishment of shareholder companies in Spain on the economic programme of Sebastião José de Carvalho e Melo, better known as the Marquis of Pombal. Early eighteenth‐century Spanish debates on the capacity of shareholder companies to foster geopolitical reform informed the overlooked project of European cooperation of José de Carvajal y Lancaster. Carvalho studied and praised Carvajal's commercial reforms and understood that closer diplomatic and commercial collaboration between Spain and Britain would undermine Portugal's geopolitical interests. Carvalho's early economic schemes were thus the result, in part, of Iberian commercial emulation. The Iberian establishment of regulated and joint‐stock companies catalysed reform and reconfigured trans‐imperial commercial relations. Paradoxically, Carvajal and Carvalho's parallel views on European geopolitics, and their understanding of Enlightenment ideals, foreclosed the possibility of a Luso‐Spanish alliance.
Cx43 and AKAP95 regulate G1/S conversion by competitively binding to cyclin E1/E2 in lung cancer cells
Authors: Chen Renzhen , Chen Yu , Yuan Yangyang , Zou Xuan , Sun Qian , Lin Hongyan , Chen Xiaoyi , Liu Mingda , Deng Zifeng , Yao Youliang , Guo Dongbei , Zhang Yongxing
Published: April 2020

Background

This study aimed to overexpress or silence connexin 43 (Cx43) and A‐kinase anchoring protein 95 (AKAP95) in human A549 cells to explore their effects on cyclins and on G1/S conversion when the interrelationship of Cx43, AKAP95, and cyclin E1/E2 changes.

Methods

The study mainly used Western blot analysis and Co‐immuno precipitation to detect the target protein in Cx43/AKAP95 over expressed human A549 cells, and the relationship of proteins Cx43, AKAP95 and Cyclin E during G1‐S phase was explored with qualitative and quantitative analysis.

Results

The overexpression of Cx43 inhibited the expression of cyclin D1 and E1 by accelerating their degradation and reduced the Cdk2 activity that blocked the DNA transcription activity. However, the overexpression of AKAP95 increased the expression of cyclin D1 and E1 and inhibited their degradation, and enhanced the Cdk2 activity that promoted the DNA transcription activity. Cx43 and AKAP95 competitively bound to cyclin E1/E2, and the competitive binding affected the Cdk2 activity, Rb phosphorylation, DNA transcription activity, and G1/S conversion.

Conclusions

This study showed that the expression of ERK1/2, PKA, and PKB increased when BEAS‐2B cells were treated with PDGF‐BB, suggesting that ERK1/2, PKA, and PKB might be involved in the binding of AKAP95 with cyclin E, or the separation of AKAP95 from Cx43 from cyclin E1/E2. The specific mechanism underlying this process still needs further exploration.
Hospital Costs and Reimbursement Model for a Geriatric Emergency Department
Authors: Southerland Lauren T. , Savage Elizabeth L. , Muska Duff Katrina , Caterino Jeffrey M. , Bergados Tina R. , Hunold Katherine M. , Finnegan Geoffrey I. , Archual Gregory
Published: April 2020

Objectives

The American College of Emergency Physicians' geriatric emergency department (GED) guidelines recommend additional staff and geriatric equipment, which may not be financially feasible for every ED. Data from an accredited Level 1 GED was used to report equipment costs and to develop a business model for financial sustainability of a GED.

Methods

Staff salaries including the cost of fringe benefits were obtained from a Midwestern hospital with an academic ED of 80,000 annual visits. Reimbursement assumptions included 100% Medicare/Medicaid insurance payor and 8‐hour workdays with 4.5 weeks of leave annually. Equipment costs from hospital invoices were collated. Operational and patient safety metrics were compared before and after the GED.

Results

A geriatric nurse practitioner in the ED is financially self‐sustaining at 7.1 consultations, a pharmacist is self‐sustaining at 7.7 medication reconciliation consultations, and physical and occupational therapist evaluations are self‐sustaining at 5.7 and 4.6 consults per workday, respectively. Total annual equipment costs for mobility aids, delirium aids, sensory aids, and personal care items for the GED was $4,513. Comparing the 2 years before and after, in regard to operational metrics the proportions of patients with lengths of stay > 8 hours and patients placed in observation did not change. In regard to patient safety, the rate of falls decreased from 0.60/1,000 patient visits to 0.42/1,000 in the ED observation unit and 0.42/1,000 to 0.36/1,000 in the ED. ED recidivism at 7 and 30 days did not change. Estimated cost savings from the reduction in falls was $80,328.

Conclusion

The additional equipment and personnel costs for comprehensive geriatric assessment in the ED are potentially financially justified by revenue generation and improvements in patient safety measures. A geriatric ED was associated with a decrease in patient falls in the ED but did not decrease admissions or ED recidivism.
Low‐molecular weight heparin prevents portal vein system thrombosis after splenectomy: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Yang Ming , Liu Jinlong
Published: April 2020

Background

The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of low‐molecular weight heparin (LMWH) in the prevention of portal vein system thrombosis (PVST) after splenectomy.

Methods

A systematic search was performed using PubMed, EMBASE, Springer and Cochrane Library databases to screen out studies comparing the prognoses between post‐splenectomy patients treated with and without LMWH. The incidences of PVST and bleeding complications were used as parameters to assess the effect of LMWH.

Results

Six articles met the selection criteria and were included in this study. A total of 740 patients were involved in these six articles, including 336 patients treated with LMWH (LMWH group) and 385 patients not treated with LMWH (control group). The incidence of PVST in the LMWH group was significantly lower than that in the control group (relative risk 1.782 (1.449–2.192); P = 0.285; I2 = 19.7%), while the incidence of post‐operative bleeding in the LMWH group was significantly higher (relative risk 0.592 (0.195–1.799); P = 0.817; I2 = 0.0%).

Conclusion

LMWH might decrease the incidence of PVST after splenectomy without a potential risk of bleeding.
Risk‐adjusted hospital clinical management issue rates using data from the Victorian Audit of Surgical Mortality
Authors: Hansen Dylan , Retegan Claudia , Ismail Adam , McCahy Philip
Published: April 2020

Background

In recent years, there has been a concerted drive for an increase in public reporting of hospital‐level outcomes as a means of identifying strategies to improve patient safety. Surgical care, as a high‐risk area of medical practice, has come under sharp scrutiny. This study uses data from the Victorian Audit of Surgical Mortality (VASM) in conjunction with data from the Victorian Admitted Episode Dataset to compare hospital rates of clinically identified serious clinical management issues that were definitely or probably preventable and caused or contributed to the death of the patient who would otherwise be expected to survive.

Methods

Cases where the date of death was between 1 July 2015 and 30 June 2017 that completed the full VASM audit process were extracted from the VASM database and combined with data extracted from the Victorian Admitted Episode Dataset, where a surgical admission occurred in the same time period. A logistic regression model was used as a method of indirect standardization to derive the probability of preventable clinical management issues, which was then used to calculate the standardized incident rate for all Victorian surgical hospitals. Hospitals were compared by plotting the standardized incident rates on three funnel plots.

Results

There were five hospitals (8.3%) of the 60 that deviated significantly from the state‐wide rate of 0.00012.

Conclusion

The risk adjustment model identified several hospitals that may have a systematic issue which warrant further clinical quality assurance investigation.
Using 24‐hr ocular dimensional profile recorded with a sensing contact lens to identify primary open‐angle glaucoma patients with intraocular pressure constantly below the diagnostic threshold
Authors: Shioya Satomi , Higashide Tomomi , Tsuchiya Shunsuke , Simon‐Zoula Sonja , Varidel Thierry , Cerboni Sacha , Mansouri Kaweh , Sugiyama Kazuhisa
Published: April 2020

Purpose

To evaluate the use of a 24‐hr ocular dimensional profile recorded with a contact lens sensor (CLS) combined with a single tonometric intraocular pressure (IOP) reading to indicate the potential for exceeding the diagnostic threshold for normal tension glaucoma (NTG) in Japanese patients.

Methods

Intraocular pressure (IOP) of untreated Japanese NTG patients was measured with tonometry every 3 hr from 9:00 to 24:00. The subsequent day a 24‐hr CLS (SENSIMED Triggerfish, Sensimed AG, Lausanne, Switzerland) profile was recorded on the same eye. Patients initially diagnosed as NTG were reclassified as NTG when the measured IOP values were consistently <20 mmHg or as primary open‐angle glaucoma (POAG) when IOP was ≥20 mmHg in at least 1 measurement. For each patient and each IOP time‐point, IOP values were combined with information provided by the CLS profile (‘classifier’) to indicate the potential for exceeding the diagnostic threshold value. Statistical analyses were performed for each classifier.

Results

A total of 65 patients, 28 males and 37 females (mean ages: 50.8 ± 14.6 years and 52.6 ± 10.2 years, respectively), were analysed. Following IOP diurnal measurement, five patients (7.7%) were reclassified as POAG. Two classifiers (15:00 CLS and 18:00 CLS) showed high sensitivity and negative predictive value (100%), identifying all the POAG patients.

Conclusion

Contact lens sensor information can be used in conjunction with a single tonometric reading to determine patients’ potential of having IOP levels exceeding the diagnostic threshold within a 24‐hr period, without the need to perform a 24‐hr tonometric curve. This would allow clinicians to identify POAG patients who may otherwise be eventually misclassified as NTG.
Dyadic Listening in Teams: Social Relations Model
Authors: Kluger Avraham N. , Malloy Thomas E. , Pery Sarit , Itzchakov Guy , Castro Dotan R. , Lipetz Liora , Sela Yaron , Turjeman‐Levi Yaara , Lehmann Michal , New Malki , Borut Limor
Published: April 2020

Listening has powerful organizational consequences. However, studies of listening have typically focused on individual level processes. Alternatively, we hypothesized that perceptions of listening quality are inherently dyadic, positively reciprocated in dyads, and are correlated positively with intimacy, speaking ability, and helping‐organizational‐citizenship behavior, at the dyadic level. In two studies, teammates rated each other on listening and intimacy; in one, they also rated speaking ability, and helping‐organizational‐citizenship behavior, totaling 324 and 526 dyadic ratings, respectively. In both studies, social relations modeling suggested that the dyad level explained over 40 percent of the variance in both listening and intimacy, and yielded the predicted positive dyadic reciprocities. Furthermore, as predicted, listening perceptions correlated with intimacy, speaking ability, and helping behavior as reported by other workers, primarily at the dyadic level. Moreover, rating of listening, but not of speaking, by one dyad member, predicted intimacy reported by the other dyad member, and that intimacy, in turn, predicted helping‐organizational‐citizenship behavior. Counterintuitively, listening quality is more a product of the unique combination of employees than an individual difference construct. We conclude that perceived listening, but not perceived speaking, appears to be the glue that binds teammates to each other dyadically, and consequently affects helping.
Evaluation of Fe isotope values as a provenance tool for chert artefacts from the north‐eastern United States
Authors: Mathur R. , Burns J. , Powell W. , Boryk R. , Sheetz B. , D'Amico P. , Harney P.
Published: April 2020

Iron (Fe) isotope compositions of prehistoric stone tools and geological sources were compared to evaluate the robustness of this isotopic fingerprinting technique. Artefacts and source materials were collected from the Hatch site in central Pennsylvania, United States, where both veined chert (Bald Eagle chert) and stone tools coexist within several metres. Yellow artefacts (δ56Fe = 0.38 ± 0.1,n = 7) and source materials (δ56Fe = 0.42 ± 0.1,n = 8) isotopically matched within error. The source values also overlap yellow chert samples from three other Bald Eagle chert locations in the area. These values are different from six other chert locations in the north‐eastern United States. These data suggest that the Fe isotope composition of chert artefacts reflect distinct geological sources. To enhance the mechanical characteristics of the stone tools, the chert experienced heat treatment, which induced a phase shift of the Fe oxide mineral goethite to hematite. This phase shift changes the colour of the chert to red. The red chert artefacts and source material also have overlapping Fe isotope values, but are 0.2‰ higher than the initial yellow chert. Experimental work where cherts were heated with different clays shows that Fe exchange with site soils induces the +0.2 fractionation. These data demonstrate that predictable Fe isotope fractionation occurs during heating, resulting in isotopically distinct artefacts.
Osseous pathologies in the lungless salamander Desmognathus fuscus (Plethodontidae)
Authors: Danto Marylène , Witzmann Florian , Fröbisch Nadia B.
Published: April 2020

The majority of reported pathologies in lissamphibians (salamanders, caecilians and frogs) include limb deformities such as missing limbs, multiple extra limbs and digits, or incomplete limb formation. However, comparatively little is known about congenital vertebral malformations or posttraumatic pathologies (e.g. injuries, infections) in the vertebral column of salamanders. In the present study, we describe eight vertebral deformities in three cleared and stained specimens of Desmognathus fuscus. Two specimens display developmental deformities which range from a potential non‐segmented wedge vertebra to fully segmented hemivertebrae. The vertebral pathology in the third specimens possibly results from a parasitic infection. Apparently, these osseous deformities were not severe enough to prohibit survival of the specimens.
Use of antipsychotics and the risk of acute respiratory failure among adults: A disease risk score‐matched nested case–control study
Authors: Wang Meng‐Ting , Lin Chen Wei , Tsai Chen‐Liang , Wang Yun‐Han , Lai Jyun‐Heng , Yeh Chin‐Bin , Huang Ya‐Ling , Hsu Yu‐Juei
Published: April 2020

Aims

Evidence on acute respiratory failure (ARF) from antipsychotics is scant, and only 1 population‐based study examined this drug safety issue in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients. Antipsychotics have been frequently prescribed off‐label in adults, but whether antipsychotic use carries an increased ARF risk among adult patients is uncertain.

Methods

We adopted a nested case–control study analysing 716 493 adults aged ≥20 years, identified from the Taiwan nationwide healthcare claims records between January 2000 and December 2013. Among the study cohort, 7084 adults with ARF and 12,785 disease risk scored‐matched randomly selected controls were analysed. Multivariable logistic regression models were employed to estimate odds ratios of ARF with antipsychotic usages.

Results

Current, recent, and recent past use of antipsychotics was associated with a 2.33‐fold (95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.06–2.64), 1.79‐fold (95% CI = 1.43–2.25) and 1.41‐fold (95% CI = 1.20–1.66) increased risk of ARF, respectively, compared with nonuse, while antipsychotics discontinued >90 days carried no risk. A dose‐dependent association was observed with current therapy of antipsychotics (test for trend,P< .001), in which antipsychotic use at >1 defined daily dose yielded the highest risk of 6.53‐fold (95% CI = 3.33–12.79). The findings were robust to using carbamazepine as an active comparator.

Conclusion

Antipsychotic use was associated with an increased risk of ARF in adult patients. The risk was dose‐dependent and markedly higher with current use of antipsychotic agents at doses of 1 defined daily dose and above, <10% of this cohort. Physicians should be vigilant about any respiratory symptoms in patients currently receiving antipsychotics at such dose.
Histology of augmented autogenous bone covered by a platelet‐rich fibrin membrane or deproteinized bovine bone mineral and a collagen membrane: A pilot randomized controlled trial
Authors: Hartlev Jens , Erik Nørholt Sven , Spin‐Neto Rubens , Kraft David , Schou Søren , Isidor Flemming
Published: April 2020

Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate histologic and histomorphometric bone characteristics with a focus on vitality after lateral alveolar ridge augmentation using an autogenous bone graft as a block covered by either a platelet‐rich fibrin (PRF) membrane (test group) or a standard procedure involving coverage of the bone block with a deproteinized bovine bone mineral and a resorbable collagen membrane (control group).

Material and methods

A total of 27 (test = 14, control = 13) partially edentulous patients with indication for bone block augmentation before implant installation were included. For analyses, a biopsy of augmented bone was retrieved six months after bone grafting.

Results

Histologic evaluation of augmented bone revealed a predominance of non‐vital bone toward the periosteum and few localized areas of vital bone in the center of the graft in both groups. In contrast, augmented bone toward the native bone demonstrated extensive bone remodeling in both groups. Histomorphometric analyses demonstrated a mean of 14% vital bone, 80% non‐vital bone, 5% soft tissue, and 1% blood vessels in the test group. In the control group, the corresponding shares were 14% vital bone, 63% non‐vital bone, 22% soft tissue, and 1% blood vessels. We observed no significant differences between the groups (p > .05).

Conclusion

In conclusion, a comparable low bone vitality of augmented bone was observed in the PRF and in the control group. Consequently, the present study could not verify the potential beneficial effect of a PRF membrane on bone vitality of an autogenous bone graft used as a block.
Enhanced constrained application protocol for secured medical data transmission model for internet of things
Authors: Gobichettipalayam Krishnasamy Kamalam , Selvaraj Anandamurugan
Published: April 2020

The medical data produced from various sensors of sensitive information so there is a need to secure them through security solutions. At present, many security solutions are available in the market to secure the medical data. Transport layer security (TLS) is designed to transfer the client from the client to the server in a more secure manner. The major advantage of using TLS is it will not lose any data while transferring the message from client to server. Datagram transport layer security (DTLS) is designed specifically to use in constrained networks. The DTLS protocol consists of major components like base protocol, record layer, and handshake protocol. The main disadvantage of DTLS is the attacker can send multiple Hello messages to the server. This can cause an attack against the server and this attack encourages a new connection between the client and server and also it increases required bandwidth and resources for every message. The main objective of the proposed work is to use the constrained application protocol (CoAP) with DTLS in place of user datagram protocol (UDP) for the secure transmission of data. To evaluate the efficiency of the system, the packet loss ratio, data transmission time, and handshake time are calculated.
Test–retest reliability of six‐minute walk tests over a one‐year period in patients with chronic heart failure
Authors: Lans Charlotta , Cider Åsa , Nylander Eva , Brudin Lars
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The aims of this study were to determine the test–retest reliability of the duplicated six‐minute walk test (6MWT) in patients with chronic heart failure (HF), and to evaluate its variation over time.

Methods

Forty‐six patients (9 women) with HF performed duplicated 6MWT every third month for 1 year (5 follow‐ups), for a total of 198 paired tests. The patients completed two 6MWT on the same day with a 45‐min seated rest between tests.

Results

The mean distance in metres, for the first (6MWT1) versus the second (6MWT2), for each follow‐up, was 408 ± 100 versus 411 ± 96, 449 ± 94 versus 465 ± 94, 464 ± 96 versus 473 ± 100, 462 ± 103 versus 468 ± 104 and 472 ± 105 versus 482 ± 107. On average, a marginally, clinically insignificant longer walked distance, 9 m (2.0%), was seen in the second 6MWT. The standard error of a single determination (Smethod) ranged from 2.4% to 3.9% over the study period, and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) ranged from 0.96 to 0.99 (CI 95% 0.94–0.99). The variation over time of ICC or Smethod was not statistically significant.

Conclusion

The 6MWT is highly reliable over time in patients with HF, and one test is, therefore, sufficient in clinical follow‐ups.
Integration of nano‐ and biotechnology for beta‐cell and islet transplantation in type‐1 diabetes treatment
Authors: Dinnyes Andras , Schnur Andrea , Muenthaisong Suchitra , Bartenstein Peter , Burcez Charles‐Thibault , Burton Neal , Cyran Clemens , Gianello Pierre , Kemter Elisabeth , Nemeth Gabor , Nicotra Francesco , Prepost Eszter , Qiu Yi , Russo Laura , Wirth Andras , Wolf Eckhard , Ziegler Sibylle , Kobolak Julianna
Published: April 2020

Regenerative medicine using human or porcine β‐cells or islets has an excellent potential to become a clinically relevant method for the treatment of type‐1 diabetes. High‐resolution imaging of the function and faith of transplanted porcine pancreatic islets and human stem cell–derived beta cells in large animals and patients for testing advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs) is a currently unmet need for pre‐clinical/clinical trials. The iNanoBIT EU H2020 project is developing novel highly sensitive nanotechnology‐based imaging approaches allowing for monitoring of survival, engraftment, proliferation, function and whole‐body distribution of the cellular transplants in a porcine diabetes model with excellent translational potential to humans. We develop and validate the application of single‐photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and optoacoustic imaging technologies in a transgenic insulin‐deficient pig model to observe transplanted porcine xeno‐islets and in vitro differentiated human beta cells. We are progressing in generating new transgenic reporter pigs and human‐induced pluripotent cell (iPSC) lines for optoacoustic imaging and testing them in transplantable bioartificial islet devices. Novel multifunctional nanoparticles have been generated and are being tested for nuclear imaging of islets and beta cells using a new, high‐resolution SPECT imaging device. Overall, the combined multidisciplinary expertise of the project partners allows progress towards creating much needed technological toolboxes for the xenotransplantation and ATMP field, and thus reinforces the European healthcare supply chain for regenerative medicinal products.
Cutaneous arteriolitis: A novel cutaneous small vessel vasculitis disorder clinicopathologically different from cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa and cutaneous venulitis
Authors: Yamamoto Toshiyuki , Chen Ko‐Ron
Published: April 2020

Cutaneous vasculitis can be classified into two types based on the affected vessel size: small vessel vasculitis predominantly affecting dermal venules, and muscular vessel vasculitis as found in cutaneous arteritis predominantly affecting arteries located at the dermal‐subcutaneous junction. We describe two cases with a novel small vessel vasculitis disorder, which exclusively affected arterioles in the mid‐dermis, and show clinical and pathological difference distinct from cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa and cutaneous venulitis. Both patients were male, and presented with painful infiltrative plaques, involving the palms, soles, and thighs without extracutaneous involvement except for fever and arthralgia. Histopathological examination revealed vasculitis in the mid‐dermis characterized by a predominant infiltration of neutrophils with vessel wall fibrinoid necrosis and leukocytoclasia identical to the features of leukocytoclastic vasculitis, except that the affected vessels were arterioles rather than venules. Serological examinations showed normal levels of serum complements, immune complexes, and antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies, and vasculitis disorders associated with systemic diseases were excluded in both patients. The patients showed a good response to short‐term treatment with prednisolone up to 30 mg. This novel cutaneous arteriolitis clinicopathologically different from both cutaneous venulitis and cutaneous arteritis appears to be a skin‐limited disorder.
Improved self‐esteem and activity levels following a 12‐week community activity and healthy lifestyle programme in those with serious mental illness: A feasibility study
Authors: Gallagher Peter , Boland Cailín , McClenaghan Aisling , Fanning Felicity , Lawlor Elizabeth , Clarke Mary
Published: April 2020

Background

Those with serious mental illness (SMI) including both psychotic and affective disorders are recognized to have a premature mortality compared to the general population, at least in part due to elevated cardiovascular risk profile.

Aim

To examine the effect of a 12‐week, pragmatic, sustainable, low‐cost intervention involving community activity, nutritional advice and exercise that could be accessible to patients attending a community clinic.

Methods

Participants (N = 35) with SMI attending a community mental health service who were considered at risk of metabolic syndrome were referred by their clinical teams to a specialized healthy activity and nutritional programme. The intervention involved participation in exercise, dietary education and targeted lifestyle advice focused on community activities. Data on physical health and clinical parameters were collected pre‐ and post‐intervention.

Results

Physical activity increased following the intervention along with a statistically significant increase in self‐esteem scores. There was no significant reduction in body mass index or lowering of anxiety and depression scores.

Conclusions

It is feasible to develop a relatively low‐cost, community‐based physical activity programme, integrating both nutritional advice and healthy activities. This may lead to improved outcomes in cardiovascular risk profile and improved life expectancy.
Is supplementation an efficient management action to increase genetic diversity in translocated populations?
Authors: Pacioni Carlo , Atkinson Amanda , Trocini Sabrina , Rafferty Christine , Morley Kelly , Spencer Peter B. S.
Published: April 2020

It is generally assumed that population supplementation will improve the genetic diversity of the recipient populations. However, the genetic outcomes of supplementations are rarely tested. We used population modelling to predict how the supplementation programme in a translocated Woylie (Bettongia penicillata ogilbyi) population influences their genetic makeup. Our model projections were then compared against real genetic data collected before and after supplementation, to determine whether or not supplementation was effective at increasing genetic diversity and to test the accuracy of the model. Post‐supplementation genetic diversity parameters (heterozygosity and allelic richness) were significantly higher following supplementation, and there was no significant difference from those predicted by the model. These results are encouraging; however, many factors can influence supplementation outcomes and we recommend ongoing monitoring in translocated populations to ensure that population trends are on target.
Global trends of habitat destruction and consequences for parrot conservation
Authors: Vergara‐Tabares David L. , Cordier Javier M. , Landi Marcos A. , Olah George , Nori Javier
Published: April 2020

Human advance on natural habitats is a major cause of biodiversity loss. This transformation process represents a profound change in wooded environments, disrupting original communities of flora and fauna. Many species are highly dependent on forests, especially parrots (Psittaciformes) with almost a third of their species threatened by extinction. Most parrot species occur in tropical and subtropical forests, and given the forest dependence of most species, this is the main reason why habitat loss has been highlighted as the main threat for the group. Such habitat loss acts in synergy with other important threats (e.g., logging and poaching), which become especially problematic in certain developing countries along tropical latitudes. In this study, we used available information on parrot distributions, species traits, IUCN assessment, habitat loss and timber extraction for different periods, and distribution of protected areas, to determine conservation hotspots for the group, and analyze potential changes in the conservation status of these species. We detected four conservation hotspots for parrots: two in the Neotropics and two in Oceania, all of them facing different degrees of threat in regard of current habitat loss and agricultural trends. Our results suggest that the future of the group is subject to policymaking in specific regions, especially in the northeastern Andes and the Atlantic Forest. In addition, we predicted that agricultural expansion will have a further negative effect on the conservation status of parrots, pushing many parrot species to the edge of extinction in the near future. Our results have conservation implications by recommending protected areas in specific parrot conservation hotspots. Our recommendations to mitigate conservation risks to this group of umbrella species would also benefit many other coexisting species as well.
Negative effects of urbanization on terrestrial arthropod communities: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Fenoglio María Silvina , Rossetti María Rosa , Videla Martín
Published: April 2020

Aim

Urbanization is one of the most significant anthropogenic alterations of the surface of the Earth and constitutes a major threat to biodiversity at the global level. Arthropods are a very diverse group of organisms, with many species that provide essential ecosystem services. However, their response to urbanization is still unclear. Here, we describe the first meta‐analysis to evaluate the overall effects of urbanization on terrestrial arthropod communities and driving factors related to cities, arthropods and methods.

Location

Global.

Time period

1979–2019.

Major taxa studied

Arthropods.

Methods

We compiled a dataset of 162 publications that have evaluated the effects of urbanization along rural–urban gradients, which yielded 196 observations for diversity and 148 for abundance of arthropods. Moderator variables related to cities (climatic region, size, age, air pollution level and vegetation cover), arthropods (taxonomic and functional group and mobility level) and methods (study duration and type of gradient) were considered. We analysed the data through a hierarchical meta‐analysis that allowed us to take into account the dependence of multiple effect sizes obtained from one study.

Results

Overall, urbanization had a negative effect on the diversity and abundance of terrestrial arthropods. The magnitude of the changes in diversity and abundance along the urban gradient depended on the arthropod taxonomic group. Coleoptera and Lepidoptera were the most affected groups, suggesting that not all species respond in the same way to urbanization. In addition, the age of the cities had a slightly negative influence, but only on abundance.

Main conclusions

Our results indicate that terrestrial arthropod communities are less diverse and abundant in more urbanized landscapes. Considering the current biodiversity crisis and the fact that urbanization is one of the most extreme forms of global environmental change, the evidence presented here could be useful to support and direct new conservation efforts in urban habitats.