bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Action learning partnerships: carbon, commerce and community co-learning at a Canadian university
Authors: Booth Annie , Earley Sinead , Aben Kyle , Otter Barbara , Corrigal Todd , Ray Christie
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss an innovative course offered as a partnership between the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) (Canada), the Prince George Chamber of Commerce (Canada) and local businesses: UNBC’s third-year undergraduate/graduate course, carbon and energy management.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors have all participated in the development, design and/or delivery of the course and have provided their reflections on the experience. In addition, they sought insights from students and other interested people on the impact and significance of this course.

Findings

Carbon and energy management is an action learning-based co-created course initiated by the Chamber to address an interest in mitigating climate change amongst local businesses. Among businesses, the carbon economy is under considerable discussion. The increased awareness of climate change, and the need to better manage carbon, has led to local businesses eager to reduce greenhouse gases but lacking the expertise necessary. UNBC students (undergraduate and graduate) learn innovative and practical skills through creating carbon footprint analyses for small- to medium-sized business/non-profit clients, providing recommendations on reducing reliance on fossil fuels and formally presenting their findings to their clients. After five years, 46 businesses and non-profit organizations have participated in the course along with over 30 students and 5 separately hired student interns. The Chamber is now rolling out the program for Canadian Chamber of Commerce interested in similar community–university partnerships.

Originality/value

This paper describes a course that is a novel approach to university–community partnerships, both in approach and focus area. The linking, through the course, of small- to medium-sized businesses with the provision of plans for carbon reduction developed by university students is an unusual approach. However, there is significant value to all partners in the approach. Allowing the main community partner to serve as the lead in the project also offers an unusual experience and perspective for the university partner, as often such partnerships are largely driven by the post-secondary institution’s interests and needs, which can create a challenging power dynamic. Instead, the course offers a lesson in how a university can be clearly in service to the community at the community’s invitation. Finally, this paper offers reflections on the value of this type of project for creating sustainability initiatives from the perspective of all participants, students, faculty, university administration, city government, participating businesses and the Chamber of Commerce, demonstrating the critical need for understanding a project as an intersection of all participating actors.
Dealing with social networking site addiction: a cognitive-affective model of discontinuance decisions
Authors: Vaghefi Isaac , Qahri-Saremi Hamed , Turel Ofir
Published: May 2020

Purpose

Extant research has shown the prevalence of social networking site (SNS) addiction and provided evidence for its negative consequences. Given such consequences, it is conceivable that some users decide to discontinue their SNS use in response to SNS addiction. This paper examines key mechanisms that translate SNS addiction into discontinuance decisions.

Design/methodology/approach

A theoretical model is proposed based on the cognitive-affective model of behavior. It is empirically tested with data from 499 SNS users.

Findings

Results show that cognitive dissonance (as primary cognitive response) and guilt (as primary affective response) mediate the relation between SNS addiction and decision to discontinue SNS use, whereas self-accountability and perceived self-efficacy play positive and negative moderating roles. Additional analysis reveals that the effect of guilt on decision to discontinue SNS use follows a nonlinear pattern.

Research limitations/implications

Additional cognitive and affective responses, beyond cognitive dissonance and guilt, as well as additional contextual factors may influence the relation between SNS addiction and decision to discontinue SNS use. In addition, the relation between decisions and actual discontinuance should be examined by future research.

Originality/value

This study highlights important key antecedents of the decision to discontinue SNS use, namely cognitive dissonance, guilt, self-accountability, and perceived self-efficacy, and the mechanisms underlying their influence. It also explains the nonlinear effect of guilt on the decision to discontinue SNS use.
Competition between conventional and Islamic banks in Malaysia revisited
Authors: Harkati Rafik , Alhabshi Syed Musa , Kassim Salina
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to assess the nature of competition between conventional and Islamic banks operating in Malaysia. It is an effort to enrich the existing literature by offering an empirical compromise on the differences in the results of studies related to competition between the two types of banks.

Design/methodology/approach

Secondary data on all banks operating in Malaysia’s diversified banking sector is collected from the FitchConnect database for the period 2011-2017. A non-structural measure of competition (H-statistic) as informed by Panzar–Rosse is used to measure the competition between conventional and Islamic banks. Panel data analysis techniques are used to estimate H-statistic. Wald test for the market structure of perfect competition/monopoly is used to affirm the validity and consistency of the results.

Findings

The findings of this study signify that the Malaysian banking sector operated under monopolistic competition during the period of study. The long-run equilibrium condition holds for the Malaysian banking sector. Competition among conventional banks is more intense than that among Islamic banks. Financial reform endeavours of Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) along with the liberalisation wave of the financial system were successful in promoting competition, rendering the financial system contestable, resilient and dynamic.

Practical implications

Regulators and policymakers may find the results beneficial in terms of rethinking the number of banks operating in the Islamic sector. The number of banks, however, is not the only determinant of competition in the banking sector. Implications of competition change for stability and risk-taking behaviour of banks should be considered.

Originality/value

Within the context of Malaysia’s diversified banking system, given the contradictory results reported in studies on competition, this study is an effort to provide a plausible middle ground. It suggests a possible answer as to why competition nature has not changed since the policy change initiatives of BNM, namely, banks merger, expansion of Islamic banking operation scope and liberalisation process.
The moderating effect of cultural distance on the cross-border knowledge management and innovation quality of multinational corporations
Authors: Duan Yunlong , Huang Lei , Cheng Hao , Yang Lisheng , Ren Tianzhou
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The key to the success of multinational corporations’ (MNCs) business models is the improvement of their innovation quality. From the cross-border knowledge management perspective, this paper aims to analyze the improvement path of innovation quality of MNCs and construct the functional path of the relationships among the knowledge creation, knowledge application and innovation quality of MNCs in the cross-border knowledge management process, so as to achieve the success of their business models. Based on this, this paper introduces cultural distance to further analyze how such relationships will change with the cultural distance level.

Design/methodology/approach

Using data from Chinese A-share listed MNCs with production operations located in the Asia-Pacific region from 2014 to 2018, this paper constructs a panel data model to test the mediating effect of knowledge application and the moderating effect of cultural distance on such relationships.

Findings

This paper obtains the following research findings: knowledge creation and knowledge application each have a significant, inverted U-shaped relationship with innovation quality; knowledge creation has a significantly positive correlation with knowledge application and knowledge application has a partial mediating effect on the relationship between knowledge creation and innovation quality; cultural distance has a moderating effect on such relationships. The specific moderating direction depends on the extent of the knowledge creation and knowledge application.

Practical implications

The findings are helpful to MNCs’ managers, providing guidance and serve as a reference for them to make strategic decisions on cross-board knowledge management and business models innovation.

Originality/value

The theoretical contributions are summarized as follows: First, it further enriches and expands the theoretical of knowledge management and innovation quality relationship. Second, it further enriches and expands the theoretical framework of knowledge management. Third, it further enriches the theoretical framework of cross-cultural management.
Age identity, stereotypes and older consumers’ service experiences
Authors: Westberg Kate , Reid Mike , Kopanidis Foula
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This study aims to use the lens of the stereotype threat theory to explore older consumers’ age identity and experiences with service providers.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used semi-structured interviews with Australian consumers aged between 55 and 69. Data were examined using thematic analysis.

Findings

Older consumers justify a younger cognitive age by distancing themselves from the negative stereotypes associated with ageing and by associating themselves with attitudes and behaviours consistent with a younger age identity. Older consumers are confronted with age-based stereotype threats in a services context through four practices. Exposure to these threats results in service failure and can have a negative impact on both consumers’ ability to function effectively as consumers and their overall well-being.

Research limitations/implications

A more diverse sample is required to identify the extent to which age-based stereotype threats are experienced and which services marketing practices have the most detrimental impact on older consumers.

Practical implications

The findings provide insight for services marketers seeking to effectively cater for older consumers and have implications for service staff training, service technology and communications.

Social implications

The findings have implications for the well-being of older consumers in terms of their self-efficacy and self-esteem as well as their ability to function effectively as consumers.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the nascent understanding of older consumers’ experiences and their expectations of service interactions and advertising communication. The findings also extend the literature on service failure by demonstrating how age-based stereotypes threaten age identity, resulting in a negative customer experience.
Cross-border mergers and acquisitions: links between acquiring firm capabilities and resources and target country location
Authors: Parente Ronaldo , Kelley Keith James , Thams Yannick , Alvarado-Vargas Marcelo J.
Published: May 2020

Purpose

Drawing upon the eclectic paradigm and the regulative dimension of institutional distance theory, it is posited that to understand a firms’ cross-border merger and acquisition (CBMA) location choices, it is critical to examine the acquirers’ ownership advantages.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a sample of CBMAs undertaken by US firms from 1999 to 2015, the paper explores the extent to which acquiring firm ownership advantages – financial and innovation capabilities – influence target firm country selection in relation to regulative distance.

Findings

It is shown that acquiring firms with greater innovative capabilities are likely to choose target firms in nations with less regulative distance from their home market; whereas firms with greater financial capabilities target firms in more distant nations.

Originality/value

This paper builds on the important research on CBMA activity, focusing on the largely neglected pre-acquisition resources in relation to the regulative distance between target firms and the acquirer.
Extending full protection inside existing marine protected areas, or reducing fishing effort outside, can reconcile conservation and fisheries goals
Authors: Belharet Mokrane , Di Franco Antonio , Calò Antonio , Mari Lorenzo , Claudet Joachim , Casagrandi Renato , Gatto Marino , Lloret Josep , Sève Charlotte , Guidetti Paolo , Melià Paco
Published: May 2020

Most fish stocks world‐wide are fished at maximum sustainable yield (MSY) or overfished, as many fisheries management strategies have failed to achieve sustainable fishing. Identifying effective fisheries management strategies has now become urgent.

Here, we developed a spatially explicit metapopulation model accounting for population connectivity in the north‐western Mediterranean Sea, and parameterized it for three ecologically and economically important coastal fish species: the white seabream Diplodus sargus, the two‐banded seabream Diplodus vulgaris and the dusky grouper Epinephelus marginatus.

We used the model to assess how stock biomass and catches respond to changes in fishing mortality rate (F) and in the size of fully protected areas within the existing system of multiple‐use marine protected areas (MPAs). For each species, we estimated MSY and the corresponding values of stock biomass (BMSY) and fishing mortality rate (FMSY), providing crucial reference points for the assessment of fisheries management.

Diplodus sargus is currently in low overfishing, while D. vulgaris and E. marginatus are in high overfishing. Stock recovery to BMSY for the last two species requires a reduction of current F around 50%. This would guarantee an increase in both stock biomass (around 50% and 75% for D. vulgaris and E. marginatus respectively) and catch (around 15% and 30%) after a transient time of ~15–30 years. Alternatively, doubling the size of fully protected areas over fishable areas within the existing network of MPAs would lead to positive conservation effects for all three species without substantially affecting the overall productivity of the fishery and the total economic value of the catch.

Synthesis and applications. We provide the first assessment of stock status for three coastal species in the north‐western Mediterranean and evaluate the ecological and fisheries outcomes of different management strategies. Extending full protection inside existing multiple‐use marine protected areas or reducing fishing effort outside can deliver both conservation and fisheries benefits.
Idea paper: Incorporating sexual differences in dispersal decision making into metapopulation theory
Authors: Chou Chun‐Chia , Nakazawa Takefumi
Published: May 2020

Dispersal is crucial for both individual fitness and spatiotemporal population dynamics. In sexual organisms, females and males have different reproductive strategies and therefore have different reproductive demands (i.e., reproductive resources and mating partners, respectively), which leads to differences in dispersal decision making between sexes. Although many studies have described sexual differences in dispersal behavior, little is known about the consequences for spatiotemporal population dynamics because metapopulation theory has considered only either nonrandom dispersal in asexual systems or random dispersal in sexual systems. To fill the knowledge gap, we propose a modeling framework that incorporates nonrandom and sex‐specific dispersal into metapopulation theory. It allows us to ask how female‐biased (e.g., in mammals) or male‐biased (e.g., in birds) dispersal can influence persistence of sexual organisms.
An explosion of perfume: Mass flowering and sphingophily in the Caatinga dry region in Brazil
Authors: Albuquerque‐Lima Sinzinando , Domingos‐Melo Arthur , Nadia Tarcila C. L. , Bezerra Elisângela L. S. , Navarro Daniela M. A. F. , Milet‐Pinheiro Paulo , Machado Isabel C.
Published: May 2020

'Big Bang' flowering is common among geophyte plants and is a strategy particularly important in arid areas.Griffiniais a genus whose species have very ephemeral flowering. Not surprisingly, there is so far no information on the reproductive biology and pollination ecology of anyGriffiniaspecies. Here, we highlight an amazing phenomenon of massive flowering inGriffinia gardneriana, a species that blooms for only one or two nights and emits a remarkable odor plume in the Caatinga night. The flowering event of the species varied depending on the locality, but it was always associated with the rainy season. The high number of white tubular flowers produce a strong sweet perfume dominated by (E)‐nerolidol (42%), linalool (33%) and (E)‐β‐ocimene (15%).Agrius cingulata(Sphingidae) was the only pollinator recorded. BecauseG. gardnerianaset only a few fruits by self‐pollination, in contrast to a high number of fruits under natural conditions, this hawkmoth pollination system seems to be very efficient.
Dynamic effects of changes to Japanese immigration policy
Authors: Bradford Scott C. , Phillips Kerk L.
Published: May 2020

This paper uses a single‐sector dynamic stochastic general equilibrium model with heterogeneous households to analyse Japanese immigration policy. We examine the effects on output, consumption, factor prices, and utility. We do this for both steady states and transition paths. We find that: (a) aggregate output, investment, and consumption in Japan are likely to rise with any sort of loosening of immigration restrictions; (b) allowing more skilled immigration generates greater aggregate changes; (c) raising skilled immigration relative to unskilled immigration drives down skilled workers’ wages, consumption, and utility, while cutting the skilled to unskilled immigration share has the opposite effects; and (d) such immigration policy changes have small effects compared to those that occur naturally due to business cycle fluctuations
Investigating the “Carnegie Effect”
Authors: B⊘ Erlend E. , Halvorsen Elin , Thoresen Thor O.
Published: May 2020

Industrialist Andrew Carnegie claimed that parents who bequeath vast fortunes to their children deaden the “talents and energies” of their offspring. But do inheritances really have such effects, and can those effects be quantified? Erlend E. B⊘, Elin Halvorsen and Thor O. Thoresen investigate
Have Data Leaks been Plugged?
Authors: Baxter Michael
Published: May 2020

A new analysis suggests that UK government statistics were once leaking early, but no longer. Michael Baxter reports
The Two Faces of Meta-Analysis
Authors: Kabat Geoffrey C.
Published: May 2020

Meta-analysis is a statistical technique for combining studies in order to obtain a larger sample size and produce a more stable estimate of an effect. But, like any technique, it can be well used or abused, says Geoffrey C. Kabat
How do Epidemiologists know how many People will get Covid-19?
Authors: Ball Patrick
Published: May 2020

Patrick Ball explains the SIR model
Galton's Gleam Visual Thinking and Graphic Discoveries
Authors: Friendly Michael , Wainer Howard
Published: May 2020

Michael Friendly and Howard Wainer recount the tale of Francis Galton and his discovery of weather patterns, which led to modern weather maps – providing a glimpse into the history of visual thinking and graphic communication, the subject of their new book
Shetty test in ankle and foot trauma: An emergency department pilot study assessing specificity and sensitivity
Authors: Jovic David , Johnson David , Tolmie Louise , Stanier Paul , Hutchins Rene
Published: May 2020

Objective

To assess the potential impact of the Shetty test over Ottawa ankle foot rules (OAFR) on plain imaging utilisation in the ED.

Methods

Nursing and medical staff assessed both Shetty test and OAFR in ED. All patients received ankle and foot radiographs.

Results

Fifty‐four participants were assessed. Shetty test specificity at triage was 0.40 (95% CI 0.25–0.57), compared to OAFR 0.10 (95% CI 0.03–0.24), McNemar's P < 0.01. Shetty test and OAFR sensitivity at triage was 0.92 (95% CI 0.64–0.99), McNemar's P = 1.00.

Conclusion

Shetty test may safely reduce unneeded radiographs in ED. Further research is warranted.
“High prepregnancy HbA1c is challenging to improve and affects insulin requirements, gestational length, and birthweight”
Authors: Skajaa Gitte Oeskov , Kampmann Ulla , Fuglsang Jens , Ovesen Per Glud
Published: May 2020

Background

The aim of this study was to explore how prepregnancy glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) affects the course of HbA1c and insulin requirements during pregnancy, the gestational length, and birthweight.

Methods

An observational cohort study was conducted consisting of 380 women with type 1 diabetes who gave birth 530 times from 2004 to 2014. The participants were divided into four groups according to prepregnancy HbA1c.

Results

HbA1c was significantly different between the groups at all time intervals from week 5 to 10 to week 33 to 36 (P ≤ .01).

In group 1, with the lowest prepregnancy HbA1c (<6.5% [48 mmol/mol]), HbA1c stayed at the same level throughout pregnancy.

In the other groups (group 2: 6.5% [48 mmol/mol]‐7.9% [63 mmol/mol], group 3: 8% [64 mmol/mol]‐9.9% [86 mmol/mol], and group 4: > 10% [86 mmol/mol]) a decrease in HbA1c was seen in early pregnancy but stabilized from midpregnancy onward.

Group 1 had the lowest daily insulin requirements throughout pregnancy among the four groups (P = .001).

The relationship between birthweight and prepregnancy HbA1c was found to be inversely U‐shaped. Mean gestational length in group 4 was significantly shorter than in group 1 (P = .001).

Conclusions

In this very large cohort, we found that a poor prepregnancy HbA1c is a predictor for poor glycemic control during pregnancy and that HbA1c decreases until midpregnancy and then plateaus. A very poor prepregnancy HbA1c is associated with shorter gestational length and lower birthweight, which is contrary to the common assumption that poor glycemic control leads to higher birthweight.
Macronychia (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) goes cosmopolitan: description and molecular delineation of the first Australasian species
Authors: Johnston Nikolas P , Wallman James F , Pape Thomas , Whitmore Daniel
Published: May 2020

Macronychia (Moschusa) rubesca sp. nov. is described from Australia and represents the first record of this genus from the Australasian region. An updated key to the world species of Macronychia is provided. In addition, molecular markers are analysed to place Macronychia Rondani within the most recent phylogeny of the subfamily Miltogramminae. The genus is resolved as a monophyletic clade and placed within the ‘higher’ miltogrammines as sister to Oebalia Robineau‐Desvoidy.
Investing in Queensland's rural medical leaders: Lessons from the Queensland Rural Generalist Program
Authors: Bond Deanne , Chong Hwee Sin
Published: May 2020

Objective

To improve the leadership capacity of existing Queensland Rural Generalists and support the emerging leaders needed to assume future leadership roles.

Design

A customised leadership program for medical Rural Generalists, embedded in professional standards, was developed and delivered during 2016‐2018. Pre and post‐program and individual module evaluations from two Program cohorts were analysed. Qualitative, semi‐structured phone interviews (n = 30) discussing participant views on leadership in a rural context and their Program experience were also conducted.

Setting

The Rural Generalist Leadership for Clinicians Training Program runs over twelve months and includes three residential modules as well as online learning sets.

Participants

Forty‐four participants completed the Program and obtained Associate Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators.

Interventions

Development and delivery of the Rural Generalist Leadership for Clinicians Training Program.

Main outcome measure(s)

Participant’s ability to apply Program learning in a rural leadership context. Participant views on leadership in a rural context.

Results

Participants indicated they benefited most from the ‘understanding self’ and management aspects of the Program such as finance, budgeting, and understanding and navigating broader health system governance. They greatly valued the opportunity to enhance their professional networks and relationships and have since developed a regular forum to assist in the transition from individual leadership development to the development of the broader workforce and organisation.

Conclusion

The results of this study suggest that further attention and investment in medical leadership is warranted to support and enable the Rural Generalist workforce to continue to meet the complex, context‐specific needs of the communities within which they deliver vital health services.
British Association of Urological Surgeons suprapubic catheter practice guidelines – revised
Authors: Jane Hall Susan , Harrison Simon , Harding Chris , Reid Sheilagh , Parkinson Richard
Published: May 2020

Aims

To report the updated and revised British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS) guideline on indications, safe insertion and subsequent care of suprapubic catheters (SPCs).

Methods

The existing BAUS guideline on the insertion of SPCs was reviewed and has been updated in light of both activity and outcome data published since the original guideline was written. A systematic review of all new data from 2010 onwards was carried out. This updated guideline is largely evidence‐based but, where evidence was lacking, is based on the consensus of expert opinion from members of the BAUS Section of Female, Neurological and Urodynamic Urology.

Results

Suprapubic catheterization is widely used and generally considered a safe procedure. There is, however, a small risk of serious complications including bowel injury. The BAUS has produced an updated consensus statement on SPC use with the aim of minimizing risks and establishing best practice. Areas for future research and development are also highlighted. This review has been commissioned and approved by the BAUS and the Section of Female, Neurological and Urodynamic Urology.

Conclusions

While SPC insertion is generally regarded as a safe procedure, the risk of serious morbidity and death must always be considered and outlined to patients. These revised guidelines should assist in minimizing the morbidity associated with SPC usage.
Detection of clinically significant cancer in the anterior prostate by transperineal biopsy
Authors: Cowan Tim , Baker Emily , McCray Gabriella , Reeves Fairleigh , Houlihan Kimberley , Johns‐Putra Lydia
Published: May 2020

Objective

To determine the incidence of clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa) detected exclusively in the anterior prostate using transperineal prostate biopsy.

Patients and Methods

Histopathology results of all patients who underwent transperineal prostate biopsy between February 2016 and March 2018 at a single institution were assessed for distribution of cancer within the prostate. Patients with cancer found exclusively in the anterior prostate were then compared to those with any cancer found in the posterior or lateral prostate with International Society of Urological Pathology Grade Group 2–5 cancers being considered csPCa.

Results

A total of 508 patients were included. Overall, 12.0% of the cohort had csPCa detected only in anterior biopsies. When stratified by prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) level, 6.6% of men with a PSA level of 4.1–10.0 ng/mL and 8.2% of men with a PSA level of >10.0 ng/mL had csPCa detected in the anterior prostate alone.

Conclusion

Transperineal biopsy has the ability to diagnose anteriorly located csPCa that would potentially have been missed by the transrectal approach.
The Open Body – A Hydraulic System: Alcohol and Bodily Fluids as Nourishment forNon‐HumanEntities in the Bolivian Andes
Authors: Geffroy Céline
Published: May 2020

Based on a broad fieldwork in the Bolivian Andes, the aim of this article is to analyse the concept of the body as a hydraulic system, and more especially the drunken body. The latter is considered a vessel where bodily humours as well as ingested beverages circulate. To allow these liquids to enter and drain away, the body must open itself, a dangerous act since it provides demons with the chance to penetrate it. Nevertheless, it may be assumed that, at the same time, this opening furthers a chain of reciprocity with the dead as well as non‐human entities. In this context, the drinker places himself in an interaction with the social world but also creates a sacrificial relationship with the sacred world.
Four‐week outcomes of vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors for neovascular age‐related macular degeneration
Authors: Wiryasaputra Shaan , Nguyen Vuong , Arnold Jennifer J. , Ferrier Ross , Hinchcliffe Peter , Barthelmes Daniel , Gillies Mark C.
Published: May 2020

Importance

To assess early outcomes of intravitreal vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitor treatment in neovascular age‐related macular degeneration (nAMD) before patients have a chance to miss or discontinue treatment.

Background

Intravitreal VEGF inhibitors used to treat nAMD have been compared in various ways. The present study compared the 4‐week responses to the first injection of either aflibercept, bevacizumab, or ranibizumab.

Design

Observational study.

Participants

Treatment‐naïve nAMD patients with visual acuity (VA) taken 22 to 48 days after the first treatment with an intravitreal VEGF inhibitor.

Methods

An observational study from a prospectively designed database.

Main outcome measures

VA change from baseline and proportion of eyes judged active 22 to 48 days after the first treatment.

Results

The overall mean (95% confidence interval [CI]) VA change at 4 weeks was +3.7 (3.3, 4.0) letters. No pairwise comparisons in crude VA change or VA change after multivariate adjustment between the three agents were significant. However, after multivariate adjustment, more eyes treated with bevacizumab (90%) had active disease 4 weeks after the first injection than ranibizumab (84%; P = .013) and aflibercept (82%; P = .004). Older age, higher baseline vision and larger lesions were associated with lower VA change.

Conclusion

There was no significant difference in VA gains amongst all three drugs but ranibizumab and aflibercept seemed to be more efficacious in quelling disease activity 4 weeks after the first treatment. VA change after the first injection was driven largely by baseline characteristics such as age, baseline VA and lesion size.
Decision‐making for older patients undergoing emergency laparotomy: defining patient and clinician values and priorities
Authors: Law J. , Welch C. , Javanmard‐Emamghissi H. , Clark M. , Bisset C. N. , O’Neil P. , Moug S. J. ,   the ELF study group
Published: May 2020

Aim

There remains limited knowledge on what patients value and prioritize in their decision to undergo emergency laparotomy (ELap) and during their subsequent recovery. The aim of this study was to explore factors in decision‐making and to reach a consensus amongst patients on the 10 most important priorities in decision‐making in ELap.

Methods

Patients aged over 65 years who had required an ELap decision within the preceding 12 months (regardless of management) were identified and invited to attend a modified Delphi process focus group.

Results

A total of 20 participants attended: eight patients, four relatives and eight perioperative specialists. The perioperative specialists group defined 12 important factors for perioperative decision‐making. The patient group agreed that only six (50%) of these factors were important: independence, postoperative complications, readmission to hospital, requirement for stoma formation, delirium (including long‐term cognition) and presence of an advocate (such as a friend or family member). Open discussion refined multiple themes. Agreement was reached by patients and relatives about 10 factors that they valued as most important in their ELap patient journey: return to independence, realistic expectations, postoperative complications, what to expect postoperatively, readmission to hospital, nutrition, postoperative communication, stoma, follow‐up and delirium.

Conclusion

Patients and clinicians have different values and priorities when discussing the risks and implications of undergoing ELap. Patients value quality of life outcomes, in particular, the formation of a stoma, returning to their own home and remaining independent. This work is the first to combine both perspectives to guide future ELap research outcomes.
Repositionable hemostasis clip for uncontrollable bleeding during gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection
Authors: Inoue Takahiro , Kanesaka Takashi , Ishihara Ryu
Published: May 2020

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Appraisals of Self in the Caregiver Role as Made by Married Custodial Grandparents
Authors: Smith Gregory C. , Lee Jeongeun
Published: May 2020

Objective

We examined how married custodial grandparents from the same household appraise the impact of caring for a grandchild on their sense of self, and how these appraisals are related to their psychological well‐being.

Background

This study is important because there is scant information on how custodial grandmothers and grandfathers both experience their caregiver role, even though 70% of these grandparents are married.

Method

Four competing measurement and structural models from the combined perspectives of the stress process model and the two‐factor model of caregivers' psychological well‐being were tested with 193 married grandmothers and grandfathers.

Results

The best fitting model was one in which two positive (personal gain and satisfaction) and two negative (loss of self and role captivity) appraisals emerged as distinct first‐order constructs. Both negative appraisals correlated highest with negative affect, and both positive appraisals correlated highest with positive affect. The measurement and structural components of this model were largely invariant by grandparent gender. Mean comparisons showed that grandmothers reported significantly higher negative appraisals than grandfathers, with the latter reporting significantly greater perceived gain in the caregiving role. Bivariate correlations between grandmothers' and grandfathers' appraisals were nonsignificant for perceived gain and loss of self and of only moderate magnitude for caregiver satisfaction and role captivity.

Conclusions

Given that appraisals are a core component of coping with stressors, our findings have important practice implications and point to meaningful directions for future research regarding custodial grandparent families.
A broad theoretical investigation of R‐3, R3c, and R‐3c polymorphs of FeCrO3
Authors: Lacerda Luis Henrique da Silveira , de Lazaro Sergio Ricardo
Published: May 2020

The FeCrO3 is a semiconductor founded in nature as a mineral. Such material exists in three different polymorphs whose properties have been few studied. Therefore, this work has performed a broad computational investigation based on a DFT approach aiming to present the nonreported properties; such as optoelectronic, photocatalytic, and phase stability under pressure. The results have indicated that the magnetic properties of the bulk for the three polymorphs present an antiferromagnetic overall ordering, being the residual magnetism experimentally reported caused by a morphology magnetization and not by a specific surface outcrop. Likewise, as electronic as photocatalytic properties predictions have suggested a bandgap in agreement to interest for applications in chemical processes; however, but the corundum phase has shown a significant photocatalytic activity due to charge carriers’ stability. In particular, the R3c phase of the FeCrO3 has presented a multiferroic behavior, since a magnetoelectric coupling is expected. From all the results exposed in this work, we propose that the FeCrO3 material can be suggested as a high‐level candidate for technological purposes.
Dimensions of group home culture as predictors of quality of life outcomes
Authors: Humphreys Lincoln , Bigby Christine , Iacono Teresa
Published: May 2020

Background

Research has shown that there is variability in quality of life (QOL) outcomes for people with intellectual disabilities who live in group homes. The aim was to examine dimensions of group home culture as predictors of QOL outcomes.

Method

The Group Home Culture Scale (GHCS) was used to measure staff perceptions of culture in 23 group homes. QOL data were available from 98 people with intellectual disabilities. Multilevel modelling was used to examine the associations between the GHCS subscales and four QOL‐dependent variables.

Results

Of the GHCS subscales, Effective Team Leadership and Alignment of Staff with Organizational Values significantly predicted residents’ engagement in activities. Supporting Well‐Being significantly predicted residents’ community involvement. None of the GHCS subscales significantly predicted domestic participation and choice making.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that strategies to improve Effective Team Leadership and Supporting Well‐Being dimensions of culture may contribute to enhancing certain QOL outcomes.
Sirtuin 3 is essential for hypertension‐induced cardiac fibrosis via mediating pericyte transition
Authors: Su Han , Zeng Heng , Liu Bo , Chen Jian‐Xiong
Published: May 2020

Hypertension is the key factor for the development of cardiac fibrosis and diastolic dysfunction. Our previous study showed that knockout of sirtuin 3 (SIRT3) resulted in diastolic dysfunction in mice. In the present study, we explored the role of SIRT3 in angiotensin II (Ang‐II)–induced cardiac fibrosis and pericyte‐myofibroblast transition. NG2 tracing reporter NG2‐DsRed mouse was crossed with wild‐type (WT) mice and SIRT3KO mice. Cardiac function, cardiac fibrosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured. Mice infused with Ang‐II for 28 days showed a significant reduction of SIRT3 expression in the mouse hearts. Knockout of SIRT3 sensitized Ang‐II‐induced elevation of isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT) and reduction of ejection fraction (EF) and fractional shortening (FS). Ang‐II‐induced cardiac fibrosis, capillary rarefaction and hypertrophy were further enhanced by knockout of SIRT3. NG2 pericyte tracing reporter mice infused with Ang‐II had a significantly increased number of NG2‐DsRed pericyte in the heart. Knockout of SIRT3 further enhanced Ang‐II‐induced increase of pericytes. To examine pericyte‐myofibroblast/fibroblast transition, DsRed pericytes were co‐stained with FSP‐1 and α‐SMA. Ang‐II infusion led to a significant increase in numbers of DsRed+/FSP‐1+ and DsRed+/α‐SMA+ cells, while SIRT3KO further developed pericyte‐myofibroblast/fibroblast transition. In addition, knockout of SIRT3 promoted Ang‐II‐induced NADPH oxidase‐derived ROS formation together with increased expression of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF‐β1). We concluded that Ang‐II induced cardiac fibrosis partly by the mechanisms involving SIRT3‐mediated pericyte‐myofibroblast/fibroblast transition and ROS‐TGF‐β1 pathway.
Viral encephalopathy and retinopathy is endemic in wild groupers (genus Epinephelus spp.) of the Algerian coast
Authors: Boukedjouta Rachid , Pretto Tobia , Abbadi Miriam , Biasini Lorena , Toffan Anna , Mezali Karim
Published: May 2020

This work describes betanodavirus infection in two species of groupers (family Serranidae) from the Algerian coast: the dusky grouper Epinephelus marginatus and the golden grouper Epinephelus costae. At necropsy, characteristic clinical signs, external injuries, clouded eyes and brain congestion, generally associated with viral encephalopathy and retinopathy (VER) infection were observed. The partial sequences of RNA1 and RNA2 from two viral strains were obtained, and the phylogenetic analysis revealed the presence of the red‐spotted grouper nervous necrosis virus (RGNNV) genotype closely related to strains previously detected in groupers in the same geographic area. Results obtained in this study support the hypothesis that VER disease is endemic in the Algerian grouper population.
Impact of the sexual abstinence period on the production of seminal reactive oxygen species in patients undergoing intrauterine insemination: A randomized trial
Authors: Degirmenci Yaman , Demirdag Erhan , Guler Ismail , Yildiz Sule , Erdem Mehmet , Erdem Ahmet
Published: May 2020

Aim

To evaluate whether the duration of sexual abstinence has impact on oxidative stress in semen samples.

Methods

Oxidative reaction was tested for different levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by nitro blue tetrazolium assay in 90 patients with the diagnosis of unexplained or male factor infertility that were grouped into 3 groups as 0–2 (group 1), 3–4 (group 2) and >4 days (group 3) of duration of sexual abstinence. Subsequently, the remaining semen was prepared by gradient method for ovarian stimulation and intrauterine insemination (IUI) cycles to compare pregnancy rates in terms of different levels of ROS and different abstinence periods.

Results

Increased staining pigment intensity was related to higher level of ROS in >4 days' group as compared to groups 0–2 and 3–4 days (70% vs 43.3% and 50%, P = 0.013 and P = 0.014, respectively). Pregnancy rates significantly decrease with prolonged abstinence period (26.7%, 16.7% and 6.7% in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively, P = 0.039). Progressive motile sperm count after gradient method of sperm preparation for IUI was highest in 3–4 days of abstinence period than shorter and longer abstinence groups.

Conclusion

Longer duration of sexual abstinence causes higher oxidative stress and decreases pregnancy rates in IUI cycles.
Delayed rhythm formation of normal‐structured, growth‐restricted fetuses using fetal heart rate monitoring patterns
Authors: Sumiyoshi Kaeko , Kawagoe Yasuyuki , Ohhashi Masanao , Furukawa Seishi , Sameshima Hiroshi , Ikenoue Tsuyomu
Published: May 2020

Aims

Growth‐restricted fetuses have delayed rhythm formation in utero. The awake–sleep cycle of fetal heart rate pattern is thought to represent fetal rhythm. We aimed to study if the emergence of rhythm formation on fetal heart rate pattern delays in fetal growth restriction compared to appropriate‐for‐date fetuses.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study including 75, normal‐structured, singleton fetuses. Of them, 21 were fetal growth restriction and the remaining 54 were appropriate‐for‐date infants. We examined timing of emergence of rhythm formation on fetal heart rate pattern comparing between fetal growth restriction and appropriate‐for‐date fetuses after adjusting possible confounding factors as outcome measures.

Results

Rhythm formation was significantly delayed in fetal growth restriction (<10th percentile) compared to the appropriate‐for‐date subgroups (10–30, 30–50, 50–70 and 70–90th percentile) by 1–2 weeks. After adjusting confounding factors, growth restriction was the only independent variable to delay fetal rhythm formation. One infant for each group had neurodevelopmental disorder and the incidence did not reach statistically significant.

Conclusion

Based on fetal heart rate pattern analysis, growth‐restricted fetuses show 1–2 weeks delay in rhythm formation compared to appropriate‐for‐date fetuses.
CT‐Based Classification of Acute Cerebral Edema: Association with Intracranial Pressure and Outcome
Authors: Lietke Stefanie , Zausinger Stefan , Patzig Maximilian , Holtmanspötter Markus , Kunz Mathias
Published: May 2020

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Brain edema after acute cerebral lesions may lead to raised intracranial pressure (ICP) and worsen outcome. Notwithstanding, no CT‐based scoring system to quantify edema formation exists. This retrospective correlative analysis aimed to establish a valid and definite CT score quantifying brain edema after common acute cerebral lesions.

METHODS

A total of 169 CT investigations in 60 patients were analyzed: traumatic brain injury (TBI; n = 47), subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH; n = 70), intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH; n = 42), and ischemic stroke (n = 10). Edema formation was classified as 0: no edema, 1: focal edema confined to 1 lobe, 2: unilateral edema > 1 lobe, 3: bilateral edema, 4: global edema with disappearance of sulcal relief, and 5: global edema with basal cisterns effacement. ICP and Glasgow Outcome Score (GOS) were correlated to edema formation.

RESULTS

Median ICP values were 12.0, 14.0, 14.9, 18.2, and 25.9 mm Hg in grades 1‐5, respectively. Edema grading significantly correlated with ICP (r = .51; P < .0001) in focal and global cerebral edema, particularly in patients with TBI, SAH, and ICH (r = .5, P < .001; r = .5; P < .0001; r = .6, P < .0001, respectively). At discharge, 23.7% of patients achieved a GOS of 5 or 4, 65.0% reached a GOS of 3 or 2, and 11.9% died (GOS 1). CT‐score of cerebral edema in all patients correlated with outcome (r = −.3, P = .046).

CONCLUSION

The proposed CT‐based grading of extent of cerebral edema significantly correlated with ICP and outcome in TBI, SAH, and ICH patients and might be helpful for standardized description of CT‐images and as parameter for clinical studies, for example, measuring effects of antiedematous therapies.
Chloroplast mRNAs are 3′ polyuridylylated in the Green Alga Pithophora roettleri (Cladophorales)
Authors: Meade Marcus J. , Proulex Grayson C. R. , Manoylov Kalina M. , Cahoon A. Bruce
Published: May 2020

Species within the green algal order Cladophorales have an unconventional plastome structure where individual coding regions or small numbers of genes occur as linear single‐stranded DNAs folded into hairpin structures. Another group of photosynthetic organisms with an equivalently reduced chloroplast genome are the peridinin dinoflagellates of the Alveolata eukaryotic lineage whose plastomes are mini‐circles carrying one or a few genes required for photosynthesis. One unusual aspect of the Alveolata is the polyuridylylation of mRNA 3′ ends among peridinin dinoflagellates and the chromerid algae. This study was conducted to understand if an unconventional highly reduced plastome structure co‐occurs with unconventional RNA processing. To address this, the 5′ and 3′ mRNA termini of the known chloroplast genes of Pithophora roettleri (order Cladophorales) were analyzed for evidence of post‐transcriptional processing. Circular Reverse Transcriptase PCR (cRT‐PCR) followed by deep sequencing of the amplicons was used to analyze 5′ and 3′ mRNA termini. Evidence of several processing events were collected, most notably the 3′ termini of six of the eight genes were polyuridylylated, which has not been reported for any lineage outside of the Alveolata. Other processing events include poly(A) and heteropolymeric 3′ additions, 5′ primary transcript start sites, as well as the presence of circularized RNAs. Five other species representing other green algal lineages were also tested and poly(U) additions appear to be limited to the order Cladophorales. These results demonstrate that chloroplast mRNA polyuridylylation is not the sole provenance of photosynthetic alveolates and may have convergently evolved in two distinct photosynthetic lineages.