bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Increasing principals’ time on instructional leadership: exploring the SAM® process
Authors: Goldring Ellen , Grissom Jason , Neumerski Christine M. , Blissett Richard , Murphy Joseph , Porter Andrew
Published: August 2019

Purpose

Despite increased focus on the importance of the time principals spend on instructional leadership, there is little research on practical ways to help principals manage their time to achieve this goal. The purpose of this paper is to examine the implementation of the school administration manager (SAM) process: a unique program designed to help principals orient their time toward instructional activities.

Design/methodology/approach

This mixed-methods study combines data from multiple sources including: case studies of four districts that involved interviews with principals and program staff in 16 schools; interviews with network-level staff and administrators; a survey of 387 principals and 378 program staff; and time use data collected by shadowers as well as a time-tracking calendar system for 373 principals.

Findings

Principals and their teams implemented the SAM process with relatively high fidelity. In addition, most participated in the program to increase time spent on instructional tasks. Indeed, principals’ time use shifted from managerial to instructional tasks as they implemented the program. However, there were important challenges related to the time and personnel resources required to implement the program as well as questions about the quality of the instructional leadership time spent.

Originality/value

This study describes not only time allocation, but also a process through which principals intentionally sought to shift their time toward instructional leadership activities. The insights gained from the implementation and outcomes of this process provide concrete direction for policymakers, practitioners and researchers looking for ways to change the time principals spend on instructional leadership.
Lessons learned from Swiss born globals entering Brazil
Authors: Prystupa-Rządca Kaja , Lupina-Wegener Anna , Johannot Claudia
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to contribute to managers’ understanding of the internationalization of born global (BG) firms from developed countries in emerging markets. Adapting the new institutional sociology approach, the authors provide insights into how BGs might strive to bridge the institutional distance.

Design/methodology/approach

An explorative, multiple case study is used focusing on two Swiss BG firms in Brazil.

Findings

The study shows that these two firms faced similar institutional challenges. However, they approached them in different ways and achieved different outcomes. The comparison of these two cases highlights key factors that may influence successful internationalization, namely, niche strategies, high commitment modes of entry and the liability of outsidership.

Research limitations/implications

The main research implication is that the market mode of entry and high commitment entry modes are conductive to local market knowledge acquisition. Future research should investigate how western BGs might overcome the disadvantages of foreignness and effectively gain acceptance in emerging markets such as in Brazil, China or India. This could be done by looking at micro-processes, e.g. multiple identities in which BGs might strive to simultaneously fit in and stand out in the host market.

Practical implications

The findings, which uncover key factors that influence internationalization, shall contribute to managers’ understanding of how BG firms from developed economies enter emerging markets and overcome challenges.

Originality/value

Comparing these two cases highlights key factors that may shed light on the successful internationalization of BGs from developed countries in emerging markets. The authors first describe the institutional isomorphic pressures on the two Swiss BGs in Brazil. Second, the authors reveal how they engaged in isomorphic processes to bridge the institutional distance.
Systems transformation: learning from change in 60 countries
Authors: Braithwaite Jeffrey , Ludlow Kristiana , Churruca Kate , James Wendy , Herkes Jessica , McPherson Elise , Ellis Louise A. , Long Janet C.
Published: August 2019

Purpose

Much work about health reform and systems improvement in healthcare looks at shortcomings and universal problems facing health systems, but rarely are accomplishments dissected and analyzed internationally. The purpose of this paper is to address this knowledge gap by examining the lessons learned from health system reform and improvement efforts in 60 countries.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 60 low-, middle- and high-income countries provided a case study of successful health reform, which was gathered into a compendium as a recently published book. Here, the extensive source material was re-examined through inductive content analysis to derive broad themes of systems change internationally.

Findings

Nine themes were identified: improving policy, coverage and governance; enhancing the quality of care; keeping patients safe; regulating standards and accreditation; organizing care at the macro-level; organizing care at the meso- and micro-level; developing workforces and resources; harnessing technology and IT; and making collaboratives and partnerships work.

Practical implications

These themes provide a model of what constitutes successful systems change across a wide sample of health systems, offering a store of knowledge about how reformers and improvement initiators achieve their goals.

Originality/value

Few comparative international studies of health systems include a sufficiently wide selection of low-, middle- and high-income countries in their analysis. This paper provides a more balanced approach to consider where achievements are being made across healthcare, and what we can do to replicate and spread successful examples of systems change internationally.
Slap or clap? Impact of controversial governance practice on media coverage
Authors: Wu Chao , Lv Rongjie , Xue Youzhi
Published: August 2019

Purpose

This study aims to examine the impact of controversial governance practices on media coverage under a specific context. Based on the attribution theory, this study develops a theoretical framework to explore how antecedent factors can influence attribution process under a particular cultural context.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents a behavioral view of the media and corporate governance to demonstrate how media attributes different reasons for the same controversial governance practice in Chinese-specific context. Using 1,198 non-state-owned listed company observations in China as the study sample, cross-section data are used to build a multiple linear regression mode to test hypotheses.

Findings

The analysis indicates that the media imposes fewer penalties on founder-CEO firms than on non-founder-CEO firms for engaging in controversial governance practices, such as CEO compensation. CEO tenure negatively moderates the effect of CEO compensation on negative media coverage in non-founder-CEO firms. The positive media bias evidence for founder-CEO firms exists only when the firm is better performed.

Social implications

This study’s contribution to the governance literature starts with its logical reasoning of basic assumptions in the agency theory, and that media penalty will arise when managers impose actions that against interests of shareholders or other stakeholders. This study shows that the rule is not always true. The findings also bridge the connection of governance literature and reputation literature to better explain how media can act as a social arbitration role.

Originality/value

This study provides insights into how belief and information of reputational evaluators affect attribution consequences on controversial governance practices. Moreover, this study looks beyond the internal elements and focuses on China’s traditional cultural context as well. Specifically, the authors concentrate on the attribution process by showing the importance of evaluators’ framing tendency with regard to controversial practices. The results extend the knowledge about how conformity makes media coverage shows a bias effect on interactions during the evaluation process.
Security perception in the adoption of mobile payment and the moderating effect of gender
Authors: Hossain Md. Alamgir
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The mobile payment system has changed payment patterns and has the potential to improve people’s quality of life and increase the bank’s efficiency. In return, the risks and trust factors inevitably led to increased challenges and become a major concern in the adoption of mobile payment service. Yet, little is known about how risk and trust factors can affect the adoption of mobile payment. Hence, this paper aims to come into contact to solve these issues in the context.

Design/methodology/approach

A comprehensive research model that reflects the customer satisfaction and loyalty to the adoption of mobile payment services is developed and empirically tested using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling.

Findings

Findings reveal that the perceived risk has a significant negative impact on perceived trust and customer satisfaction. Perceived trust is the most important variable in building customer satisfaction, and customer satisfaction is the reasonable predictor of customer loyalty. In addition, gender differences moderate the adoption of the mobile payment service.

Originality/value

The results of the study hold several implications for scholars in the field of technology adoption on financial transactions and offer valuable managerial insights to design their mobile payment adoption strategies to pursue greater acceptance and diffusion of this new payment system.
The polymeric model of school evaluation in the era of accountability
Authors: Zamir Sara
Published: August 2019

Purpose

As the school evaluator’s role is multifaceted and the school elevator is the school principal’s subordinate, this paper aims to present the school evaluator's complex conduct to achieve a better understanding of his or her functioning.

Design/methodology/approach

Theoretical paper.

Findings

The two critical dimensions connected to the purpose of this paper are introduced here: the school evaluators’ credibility and the school principal’s leadership style. Hence, the polymeric model displays four frames as follow: false evaluation, confusing evaluation, unreliable evaluation and trustworthy evaluation.

Research limitations/implications

Although this is a theoretical paper, it can be transformed into a research paper by conducting a follow-up study.

Practical implications

The increased responsibility that has been placed on schools and the demand for accountability as well as transparency have obligated schools to broaden and deepen the internal evaluation activities and those have led to the position of the school evaluator. This paper sheds light on the problem and suggests some relevant insights.

Social implications

Evaluative culture in an organization requires deliberate efforts by the leadership to encourage the credible evaluators, to support their skillful and reliable work, and finally, to implement their conclusions even though management may find them tedious and time-consuming. School management that is driven by dishonest motivations (such as gaining power and control) may not only deprive the school of effective evaluation but may also harm the infrastructure of the institution and lead to its decline.

Originality/value

This paper suggests an original model for school evaluation.
“Ducking, diving and playing along”
Authors: Mphaphuli Memory , Griffin Gabriele
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the fieldwork dilemmas a young, female, heterosexual, indigenous South African researching everyday negotiations around heterosexuality within township families encountered in negotiating her own heteroerotic subjectivity within the field.

Design/methodology/approach

A heterosexuality studies approach is here combined with a critical feminist research methodological perspective.

Findings

The paper argues that researchers are often unprepared for having to negotiate their erotic subjectivity within the field and that such negotiations can be compromising to the researcher in a variety of ways.

Practical implications

The paper suggests that more might be done to prepare researchers for negotiating identity aspects such as sexuality in the field since that negotiation impacts on one’s research and the researcher’s sense of self in the field.

Social implications

The paper critically interrogates what negotiating one’s erotic subjectivity in the field might mean.

Originality/value

Little is published on female researchers negotiating their heteroerotic subjectivity in the field. The paper contributes original insights on this from fieldwork carried out by an indigenous heterosexual female researcher in South African townships. It raises important issues about the conduct of fieldwork in (non-)compromising and agentic ways.
(Re) discovering the business purpose
Authors: Atif Muhammad
Published: August 2019

Purpose

This study aims to focus on the purpose and legitimacy of business, notably, the organizational purpose, the conventional view that the purpose of business is to optimize the returns to shareholders, and the emerging view that organizations serve multiple purposes including economic returns.

Design/methodology/approach

This study applies Habermas’s discourse ethics to corporate social responsibility (CSR) and stakeholder management (SHM) and argues that discourse ethics is a balanced philosophical approach, which can effectively address the limitations of CSR and SHM.

Findings

The analysis demonstrates that discourse ethics is a distinctive philosophical approach to ethical theory and has high relevance to the field of CSR and SHM.

Originality/value

The discursive approach to CSR and SHM is unique because it allows assimilating various ethical situations – from pragmatic to normative – under one theoretical framework. The potential of the proposed approach is illustrated through a thorough discussion of its application to CSR and SHM.
Perfectly matched layer boundary conditions for the second‐order acoustic wave equation solved by the rapid expansion method
Authors: Araujo Edvaldo S. , Pestana Reynam C.
Published: August 2019

We derive a governing second‐order acoustic wave equation in the time domain with a perfectly matched layer absorbing boundary condition for general inhomogeneous media. Besides, a new scheme to solve the perfectly matched layer equation for absorbing reflections from the model boundaries based on the rapid expansion method is proposed. The suggested scheme can be easily applied to a wide class of wave equations and numerical methods for seismic modelling. The absorbing boundary condition method is formulated based on the split perfectly matched layer method and we employ the rapid expansion method to solve the derived new perfectly matched layer equation. The use of the rapid expansion method allows us to extrapolate wavefields with a time step larger than the ones commonly used by traditional finite‐difference schemes in a stable way and free of dispersion noise. Furthermore, in order to demonstrate the efficiency and applicability of the proposed perfectly matched layer scheme, numerical modelling examples are also presented. The numerical results obtained with the put forward perfectly matched layer scheme are compared with results from traditional attenuation absorbing boundary conditions and enlarged models as well. The analysis of the numerical results indicates that the proposed perfectly matched layer scheme is significantly effective and more efficient in absorbing spurious reflections from the model boundaries.
Accelerating across the landscape: The energetic costs of natal dispersal in a large herbivore
Authors: Benoit Laura , Hewison A. J. Mark , Coulon Aurélie , Debeffe Lucie , Grémillet David , Ducros Delphine , Cargnelutti Bruno , Chaval Yannick , Morellet Nicolas
Published: August 2019

Dispersal is a key mechanism enabling species to adjust their geographic range to rapid global change. However, dispersal is costly and environmental modifications are likely to modify the cost–benefit balance of individual dispersal decisions, for example, by decreasing functional connectivity.

Dispersal costs occur during departure, transience and settlement, and are levied in terms of energy, risk, time and lost opportunity, potentially influencing individual fitness. However, to the best of our knowledge, no study has yet quantified the energetic costs of dispersal across the dispersal period by comparing dispersing and philopatric individuals in the wild.

Here, we employed animal‐borne biologgers on a relatively large sample (N = 105) of juvenile roe deer to estimate energy expenditure indexed using the vector of dynamic body acceleration and mobility (distance travelled) in an intensively monitored population in the south‐west of France. We predicted that energy expenditure would be higher in dispersers compared to philopatric individuals. We expected costs to be (a) particularly high during transience, (b) especially high in the more fragmented areas of the landscape and (c) concentrated during the night to avoid disturbance caused by human activity.

There were no differences in energy expenditure between dispersers and philopatric individuals during the pre‐dispersal phase. However, dispersers expended around 22% more energy and travelled around 63% further per day than philopatric individuals during transience. Differences in energy expenditure were much less pronounced during the settlement phase. The costs of transience were almost uniquely confined to the dawn period, when dispersers spent 23% more energy and travelled 112% further than philopatric individuals. Finally, the energetic costs of transience per unit time and the total distance travelled to locate a suitable settlement range were higher in areas of high road density.

Our results provide strong support for the hypothesis that natal dispersal is energetically costly and indicate that transience is the most costly part of the process, particularly in fragmented landscapes. Further work is required to link dispersal costs with fitness components so as to understand the likely outcome of further environmental modifications on the evolution of dispersal behaviour.
Placental mitochondria and reactive oxygen species in the physiology and pathophysiology of pregnancy
Authors: Fisher Joshua J. , Bartho Lucy A. , Perkins Anthony V. , Holland Olivia J.
Published: August 2019

Mitochondria are central to cell function. The placenta forms the interface between maternal and fetal systems, and placental mitochondria have critical roles in maintaining pregnancy. The placenta is unusual in having two adjacent cell layers (cytotrophoblasts and the syncytiotrophoblast) with vastly different mitochondria that have distinct functions in health and disease. Mitochondria both produce the majority of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and are sensitive to ROS. ROS are important in allowing cells to sense their environment through mitochondrial‐centred signalling, and this signalling also helps cells/tissues adapt to changing environments. However, excessive ROS are damaging, and increased ROS levels are associated with pregnancy complications, including the important disorders preeclampsia and gestational diabetes mellitus. Here we review the function of placental mitochondria in healthy pregnancy, and also in pregnancy complications. Placental mitochondria are critical to cell function, and mitochondrial damage is a feature of pregnancy complications. However, the responsiveness of mitochondria to ROS signalling may be central to placental adaptations that mitigate damage, and placental mitochondria are an attractive target for the development of therapeutics to improve pregnancy outcomes.
The contributions of allochthonous and autochthonous materials to organic carbon in coastal sediment: A case study from Tangkhen Bay, Phuket, Thailand
Authors: Tuntiprapas Piyalap , Hayashizaki Ken‐Ichi , Ogawa Hisao , Panyawai Janmanee , Tamada Satoru , Stankovic Milica , Prathep Anchana
Published: August 2019

Coastal areas have high potential to store carbon from both terrestrial and marine materials due to the interconnectivity among the habitats. We investigated the contributions of the various sources to the sedimentary organic carbon by examining the δ13C, δ15N, %TOC (total organic carbon) and %TN (total nitrogen) of several marine macrophytes, which included three seagrass species: Cymodocea rotundata Ascherson & Schweinfurth, Cymodocea serrulata (R. Brown) Ascherson & Magnus, and Halophila ovalis (R. Brown) J.D. Hooker; three seaweed species: Halimeda macroloba Decaisne, Halimeda borneensis W.R. Taylor, and Halimeda opuntia (Linnaeus) J.V. Lamouroux; and one coral species, Porites sp., over a vertical gradient at Tangkhen Bay, Thailand. The distribution of organisms differed significantly between distances from the shore and seasons (p < .001), with seagrass occupying the area of 150–350 m from the shore, while Halimeda was most abundant from 150 to 400 m from the shore. The %TOC and %TN in the sediment were significantly different along the shore (p < .001), with the highest values at 300 m from the shore where the highest organism variability was recoded. Seagrass and Halimeda played major roles in sediment organic matter and carbon contributions, contributing up to 42% of the sedimentary organic carbon, while allochthonous sources such as ocean and terrestrial sources had lower contributions. This study elucidates the importance of macrophytes as organic carbon contributors to sedimentary carbon storage, especially in small semi‐enclosed bays.
The core seafloor microbiome in the Gulf of Mexico is remarkably consistent and shows evidence of recovery from disturbance caused by major oil spills
Authors: Overholt Will A. , Schwing Patrick , Raz Kala M. , Hastings David , Hollander David J. , Kostka Joel E.
Published: August 2019

The microbial ecology of oligotrophic deep ocean sediments is understudied relative to their shallow counterparts, and this lack of understanding hampers our ability to predict responses to current and future perturbations. The Gulf of Mexico has experienced two of the largest accidental marine oil spills, the 1979 Ixtoc‐1 blowout and the 2010 Deepwater Horizon (DWH) discharge. Here, microbial communities were characterized for 29 sites across multiple years in > 700 samples. The composition of the seafloor microbiome was broadly consistent across the region and was well approximated by the overlying water depth and depth within the sediment column, while geographic distance played a limited role. Biogeographical distributions were employed to generate predictive models for over 4000 OTU that leverage easy‐to‐obtain geospatial variables which are linked to measured sedimentary oxygen profiles. Depth stratification and putative niche diversification are evidenced by the distribution of taxa that mediate the microbial nitrogen cycle. Furthermore, these results demonstrate that sediments impacted by the DWH spill had returned to near baseline conditions after 2 years. The distributions of benthic microorganisms in the Gulf can be constrained, and moreover, deviations from these predictions may pinpoint impacted sites and aid in future response efforts or long‐term stability studies.
Thoracic Visceral Compression–A Useful Technique for Demonstrating Small Bleeding Points in the Dissected Neck at Autopsy
Authors: Byard Roger W.
Published: August 2019

A 29‐year‐old man died at the scene of an altercation from a stab wound to the left side of the neck. At autopsy, careful in situ examination of the common carotid artery did not reveal any evidence of hemorrhage or apparent vascular injury. However, applying pressure to the chest wall and underlying thoracic viscera (lungs and heart) resulted in filling of the collapsed vessel with blood causing hemorrhage from a small incision on the medial aspect of the common carotid artery. Release of pressure and drying of the dissection field enabled the artery to be opened and the small defect to be identified. This technique may be used to temporarily restore blood to a vessel to help identify a small bleeding point that may otherwise be difficult to detect.
Metabolic engineering of Pseudomonas putida for increased polyhydroxyalkanoate production from lignin
Authors: Salvachúa Davinia , Rydzak Thomas , Auwae Raquel , De Capite Annette , Black Brenna A. , Bouvier Jason T. , Cleveland Nicholas S. , Elmore Joshua R. , Furches Anna , Huenemann Jay D. , Katahira Rui , Michener William E. , Peterson Darren J. , Rohrer Holly , Vardon Derek R. , Beckham Gregg T. , Guss Adam M.
Published: August 2019

Microbial conversion offers a promising strategy for overcoming the intrinsic heterogeneity of the plant biopolymer, lignin. Soil microbes that natively harbour aromatic‐catabolic pathways are natural choices for chassis strains, and Pseudomonas putida KT2440 has emerged as a viable whole‐cell biocatalyst for funnelling lignin‐derived compounds to value‐added products, including its native carbon storage product, medium‐chain‐length polyhydroxyalkanoates (mcl‐PHA). In this work, a series of metabolic engineering targets to improve mcl‐PHA production are combined in the P. putida chromosome and evaluated in strains growing in a model aromatic compound, p‐coumaric acid, and in lignin streams. Specifically, the PHA depolymerase gene phaZ was knocked out, and the genes involved in β‐oxidation (fadBA1 and fadBA2) were deleted. Additionally, to increase carbon flux into mcl‐PHA biosynthesis, phaG, alkK, phaC1 and phaC2 were overexpressed. The best performing strain – which contains all the genetic modifications detailed above – demonstrated a 53% and 200% increase in mcl‐PHA titre (g l−1) and a 20% and 100% increase in yield (g mcl‐PHA per g cell dry weight) from p‐coumaric acid and lignin, respectively, compared with the wild type strain. Overall, these results present a promising strain to be employed in further process development for enhancing mcl‐PHA production from aromatic compounds and lignin.
Maximizing Returns from Payments for Water‐Based Ecosystem Services: Incorporating Externality Effects of Land Management
Authors: Eiswerth Mark E. , van Kooten G. Cornelis
Published: August 2019

Given the expansion of payments for water‐based ecosystem services (PWES) worldwide, two relevant issues are as follows: (1) determination of efficient allocations of payments among land managers, and (2) how this might change when paying one manager to implement a best management practice (BMP) to enhance an ecosystem service impacts the cost‐effectiveness of BMPs considered by other land managers not currently involved in PWES. Such externalities may be negative if diminishing returns dominate, or positive if mechanisms such as “social diffusion” dominate. We analyze how a planner should optimally allocate payments, depending on whether the expected externalities are negligible, negative, or positive. We employ (1) an optimal control model to gain insights on the problem’s dynamics, and (2) stochastic dynamic programming to determine optimal funding strategies using a specific application. The study contributes to the literature by identifying dynamically optimal PWES payment patterns, and illustrates how they should change when one accounts for externalities induced by the program. Because such impacts have not been addressed previously in a rigorous way, this treatment provides useful value added for PWES design and implementation.
Spatial Pattern Analysis of Regional Water Use Profile Based on the Gini Coefficient and Location Quotient
Authors: Liu Huan , Jia Yangwen , Niu Cunwen , Gan Yongde
Published: August 2019

Water resources have become a barrier hampering socioeconomic development. Changes in the spatial distribution of water use profile have direct impacts to regional water use efficiency. However, the related research is inadequate, and a more suitable way to analyze regional water use profile is necessary. The Gini coefficient and location quotient, two reliable methods commonly used in discussing the spatial distribution of elements, were introduced and calculated. Taking Gansu Province as the study area, the concentration effect of industrial water use was the strongest, followed by domestic, environmental, and agricultural water use. However, a balanced distribution of agricultural water use failed to be coordinated with the production conditions, the center of Gansu’s grain production should be established to enhance the scale effect of agricultural production. The industrial agglomeration effect remained weak, and each region’s dominant industries need to be developed vigorously. Gansu’s domestic water use was consistent with its population distribution, but it is necessary to reduce the water use gap between urban and rural areas. With a growing awareness of environmental protection, environmental water use exhibited a more balanced distribution. Overall, the methods are simple and have good applicability, and the results can provide a reference in water use optimization.
Vitex agnus‐castus cannot be used as trap plant for the vector Hyalesthes obsoletus to prevent infections by ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma solani’ in northern Italian vineyards: Experimental evidence
Authors: Moussa Abdelhameed , Mori Nicola , Faccincani Monica , Pavan Francesco , Bianco Piero Attilio , Quaglino Fabio
Published: August 2019

Bois noir (BN), the most prevalent disease of the grapevine yellows complex, causes considerable yield loss in vineyards. BN is associated with phytoplasma strains of the species ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma solani’ (taxonomic subgroup 16SrXII‐A). In Europe, the BN phytoplasma is transmitted to grapevine mainly by Hyalesthes obsoletus, a polyphagous cixiid completing its life cycle on stinging nettle and field bindweed. As a result of the complexity of BN epidemiology, no effective control strategies have been developed. In previous studies conducted in the eastern Mediterranean coast of Israel, chaste tree (Vitex agnus‐castus) was found to be the preferred host plant of H. obsoletus but did not harbour BN phytoplasma. Thus, a ‘push and pull’ strategy was suggested based on the fact that chaste tree plants located at vineyard borders was an effective trap plant for H. obsoletus adults. However, in other studies carried out in the eastern Adriatic coast of Montenegro, chaste tree was found to be a key source plant for BN phytoplasma transmission to grapevine. This study aimed to investigate (i) the interaction between chaste tree and H. obsoletus through survival, attractiveness and oviposition experiments conducted comparing the behaviour of H. obsoletus in chaste tree versus stinging nettle and grapevine and (ii) the capability of chaste tree to harbor ‘Ca. P. solani’ in northern Italy through transmission trials. H. obsoletus adults were found to survive on chaste tree and grapevine over a 1 week period and prefer chaste tree to grapevine. Moreover, H. obsoletus produced eggs and overwintered as nymphs on chaste tree, even if at a lesser extent than on stinging nettle. H. obsoletus originating from nettle was found able to transmit ‘Ca. P. solani’ to chaste tree (2 plants of 16 were found infected by the BN phytoplasma strain St5 identified in H. obsoletus specimens). These results increased our knowledge about the role of Vitex agnus‐castus as host plant of H. obsoletus and BN phytoplasma in northern Italy and do not recommend considering chaste tree as trap plant at vineyard borders.
Small fins, large trade: a snapshot of the species composition of low‐value shark fins in the Hong Kong markets
Authors: Cardeñosa D. , Shea K. H. , Zhang H. , Feldheim K. , Fischer G. A. , Chapman D. D.
Published: August 2019

The international fin trade is a major source of mortality for many threatened shark species but most of what it is known about this trade comes from assessments of large fins commanding high prices in trade hubs. There is growing international trade in ‘small, low‐value’ fins in Southeast Asia, which are used for inexpensive shark fin soup products. These fins could be derived from small species, juveniles of large species, or a combination of both. Resolving the species identification of these small fins has important conservation implications, because large sharks tend to be more vulnerable (VU) to overexploitation than small ones. Here we describe the first species‐specific assessment of the small, low‐value fins in the shark fin retail markets of Hong Kong. A total of 475 randomly collected samples were genetically identified using a portion of the cytochrome oxidase I, revealing at least 29 species. Around a third (34.5%) of the species found are in threatened International Union for the Conservation of Nature Red List categories, and 21.2% of the samples were from four species listed on Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). The size of the analyzed fins and the species composition found suggests that small fins come from a combination of small (62.9 %) and large (37.1%) species, with the majority of small fins coming from suspected juveniles of large species. We suggest the sources of most of these fins are likely to be multi‐species fisheries in shallow, coastal habitats used by large species and also occupied by small species. Our results represent the first step to better understand the trade in small shark fins on a species‐specific basis and highlight the need for market surveys and increased inspection of this fin category at border control check points for CITES‐listed species.
New genus and new species of Muscidae (Diptera) from the Andes highlands and discussion of its phylogenetic position based on morphological evidence
Authors: de Carvalho Claudio J B , Haseyama Kirstern L F , Gomes Lucas R P , Zafalon‐Silva Ândrio
Published: August 2019

The Andes harbours a rich diversity of Muscidae. A new muscid genus, Polletella de Carvalho & Haseyama, gen. nov., is described from the Ecuadorian and Peruvian highlands, and it comprises three new species: Polletella polleti de Carvalho, Haseyama & Gomes, sp. nov. (type species) and Polletella norrbomi de Carvalho, Haseyama & Gomes, sp. nov., both from Loja, Cajanuma, Ecuador, and Polletella inca de Carvalho, Haseyama & Gomes, sp. nov. from Cuzco, Peru. Collected data indicate that species of Polletella are probably confined to high‐altitude cloud Andean forests and may be abundant at 3000 m. A key to the species of Polletella is provided. The morphological features and a morphology‐based phylogenetic analysis indicate that Polletella is monophyletic and that it does not concur with the current concepts of any of the Neotropical Phaoniinae genera.
A novel mutation of MSX1 inherited from maternal mosaicism causes a severely affected child with nonsyndromic oligodontia
Authors: Ma Tengfei , Liu Yi , Zhao Xiaoxue , Wu Jing , Wang Huijuan , Chen Jing , Liu Peiwen , Zhang Xu , Zhang Xiangyu
Published: August 2019

Mutations of MSX1 have been associated with nonsyndromic hypodontia. To seek the causal gene mutation sites in a family with nonsyndromic oligodontia, whole‐exome sequencing (WES) was performed to seek the causative locus of the family. The candidate mutation was further identified by Sanger sequencing afterward. Two mutations of MSX1 were found both in the proband and her mother. One novel heterozygous missense mutation (c.C667G, p.R223G) of MSX1 inherited from the asymptomatic mother with mosaic mutation was located in the highly conserved fragment of exon 2. The other was a synonymous mutation (c.C348T, p.G116G) in exon 1, which had been reported. The novel maternal heterozygous missense mutation (c.C667G, p.R223G) was likely to be the major reason for nonsyndromic oligodontia in the family. This is the first mosaic variant that has been recorded of the MSX1 gene. Our study expands the phenotype–genotype correlation associated with MSX1 variants. Our study also suggests that the determination of the mosaicism is essential for precise genetic counseling if a disease appears to arise de novo.
Notch signaling regulates nuclear androgen receptor AR and membrane androgen receptor ZIP9 in mouse Sertoli cells
Authors: Kamińska A. , Pardyak L. , Marek S. , Wróbel K. , Kotula‐Balak M. , Bilińska B. , Hejmej A.
Published: August 2019

Background

Notch signaling pathway is involved in contact‐dependent communication between the cells of seminiferous epithelium, and its proper activity is important for undisturbed spermatogenesis.

Objectives

The aim was to assess the effect of Notch pathway inhibition on the expression of nuclear (AR) and membrane (ZIP9) androgen receptors and androgen‐regulated genes, claudin‐5 and claudin‐11, in TM4 mouse Sertoli cell line.

Materials and methods

DAPT (γ‐secretase inhibitor) treatment and recombination signal binding protein silencing were employed to reduce Notch signaling, whereas immobilized ligands were used to activate Notch pathway in TM4 cells. To reveal specific effect of each androgen receptor, AR or ZIP9 silencing was performed.

Results

Notch pathway inhibition increased the expression of AR and ZIP9 mRNA and proteins (p < 0.01; p < 0.05) in TM4 cells, whereas incubation with Notch ligands, rDLL1 or rJAG1, reduced AR (p < 0.01; p < 0.001) and ZIP9 (p < 0.05; p < 0.01) expressions, respectively. Testosterone enhanced the expression of both receptors (p < 0.05; p < 0.01). Androgen‐regulated claudin‐5 and claudin‐11 (p < 0.01; p < 0.001) and cAMP (p < 0.001) were elevated in Notch‐inhibited cells, while activation of Notch signaling by DLL1 or JAG1 reduced claudin‐11 or claudin‐5 level (p < 0.01; p < 0.001), respectively.

Discussion

Our findings indicate opposite effect of Notch and androgen signaling on the expression of androgen receptors in TM4 cells. We demonstrated that AR expression is regulated by DLL1‐mediated Notch signaling, whereas JAG1 is involved in the regulation of ZIP9. The expression of both claudins and cAMP production is under inhibitory influence of Notch pathway. The effects of Notch signaling on claudin‐5 and claudin‐11 expression are mediated by ZIP9 and AR, respectively.

Conclusion

Notch signaling may be considered as an important pathway controlling Sertoli cell physiology, and its alterations may contribute to disturbed response of Sertoli cells to androgens.
Resilience in Virtual Teams: Developing the Capacity to Bounce Back
Authors: Degbey William Y. , Einola Katja
Published: August 2019

Resilience, or the capacity to bounce back from adversity strengthened and more resourceful, can be considered an important quality of virtual teams in the contemporary working world. A team is the basic organizational unit many modern firms are composed of—and, the virtual ones are those conducting teamwork over distance using a combination of telecommunications and information technologies to accomplish an organizational task. Yet, we know little about how these teams with members who rarely meet in person can build resilience. We develop further the notion of resilience from the traditional focus on significant adversity to also include mundane yet crucial events that can become key for building resilience in virtual teams. Our study focuses on team dynamics and builds on an experimental research setting using a longitudinal, qualitative and interpretative research design to examine five anatomically similar, well‐performing virtually working teams over their life cycle. Our findings show that team members in two out of the five teams engaged in specific reflection and action mechanisms—self‐reflective practices, regulation of emotional expression, and engagement in concrete actions promoting team inclusion—that in turn helped these teams become more robust and prepared to face new adversities. Implications for practice and research are discussed.
Impact of medicines regulatory risk communications in the UK on prescribing and clinical outcomes: Systematic review, time series analysis and meta‐analysis
Authors: Weatherburn Christopher J. , Guthrie Bruce , Dreischulte Tobias , Morales Daniel R.
Published: August 2019

Aims

Regulatory risk communications are important to ensure medication safety, but their impact is poorly understood. The aim was to quantify the impact of UK risk communications on medication use and other outcomes.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review of studies reporting prescribing/health outcome data relevant to UK regulatory risk communication. Data were reanalysed using interrupted time series regression 12 months after each regulatory intervention. Mean changes were pooled using random‐effects generic inverse variance examining the following subgroups: drug withdrawals; restrictions/changes in indications; be aware messages without specific recommendations for action; communication via direct healthcare practitioner communications; communication via drug bulletins.

Results

Of 11 466 articles screened, 40 studies examining 25 UK regulatory risk communications were included. Product withdrawals, restriction in indications and be aware communications were associated with relative mean changes of −78% (95% confidence interval [CI] −60 to −96%), −34% (95% confidence interval [CI] −12 to −55%) and −11% (95%CI −8 to −15%) in targeted drug prescribing respectively. Direct healthcare professional communications were associated with relative mean changes of −47% (95%CI −27 to −68%) compared to −13% (95%CI −6 to −20%) for drug bulletins. Of 7 studies examining unique health outcomes related to the safety concern, risk communications were associated with a mean −10% (95%CI −3 to −16%) decrease in intended and a 7% (95%CI 4 to 10%) increase in unintended health outcomes.

Discussion

UK regulatory risk communications were associated with significant changes in targeted prescribing and potential changes in clinical outcomes. Further research is needed to systematically study the impact of regulatory interventions.
Ibrutinib monotherapy outside of clinical trial setting in Waldenström macroglobulinaemia: practice patterns, toxicities and outcomes
Authors: Abeykoon Jithma P. , Zanwar Saurabh , Ansell Stephen M. , Gertz Morie A. , Kumar Shaji , Manske Michelle , Novak Anne J. , King Rebecca , Greipp Patricia , Go Ronald , Inwards David , Muchtar Eli , Habermann Thomas , Witzig Thomas E. , Thompson Carrie A. , Dingli David , Lacy Martha Q. , Leung Nelson , Dispenzieri Angela , Gonsalves Wilson , Warsame Rahma , Kyle Robert A. , Rajkumar Vincent , Parikh Sameer A. , Kapoor Prashant
Published: August 2019

Ibrutinib‐related data in Waldenström macroglobulinaemia (WM) remain sparse, particularly outside of trials. We report on 80 patients [previously treated, n = 67 (84%), treatment‐naïve, n = 13 (16%)] with WM, evaluated consecutively at Mayo Clinic, who received ibrutinib off‐study after its approval in 2015 for WM. Overall response rate (ORR) was 91%; major‐response rate (MRR) was 78%. The median time to first response and best response was 2·9 [95% confidence interval (CI): 2–4] and 5·7 (95% CI: 4–12) months, respectively. The median follow‐up was 19 (95% CI: 14–21) months; 18‐month progression‐free survival (PFS) was 82%. The median time on therapy was 12·5 (95% CI: 9·3–16·7) months, and the median duration‐of‐response was 32 (range: 23–32) months. Twenty‐five patients (31%) had discontinued therapy at last follow‐up (68% due to treatment‐related toxicities) and 18% of patients required dose reduction. Fatigue (12%) and atrial‐fibrillation (11%) were common non‐haematological toxicities. IgM rebound occurred in 36% of patients who abruptly discontinued ibrutinib. Following ibrutinib discontinuation, 84% of patients received subsequent treatment, achieving an ORR of 57% and MRR of 50%. The median PFS from commencement of subsequent salvage therapy was 18 months. Ibrutinib therapy, outside of clinical trials, is effective in WM, but is associated with toxicities and challenges, including IgM rebound and a high drug discontinuation rate for reasons other than disease progression.
The role of extended venous thromboembolism prophylaxis for major urological cancer operations
Authors: Naik Rishi , Mandal Indrajeet , Hampson Alexander , Lane Tim , Adshead Jim , Rai Bhavan Prasad , Vasdev Nikhil
Published: August 2019

Objectives

Venous thromboembolism (VTE), consisting of both pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep vein thromboses (DVT), remains a well‐recognised complication of major urological cancer surgery. Several international guidelines recommend extended thromboprophylaxis (ETP) with LMWH, whereby the period of delivery is extended to the post‐discharge period, where the majority of VTE occurs. In this literature review we investigate whether ETP should be indicated for all patients undergoing major urological cancer surgery, as well procedure specific data that may influence a clinician's decision.

Methods

We performed a search of six databases (PubMed, Cochrane, EMBASE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), PsycINFO, and British Nursing Index (BNI)) from inception to June 2019, for studies looking at adult patients who received VTE prophylaxis after surgery for a major urological malignancy.

Results

Eighteen studies were analysed. VTE risk is highest in open and robotic Radical Cystectomy (RC) (2.6–11.6%) and ETP demonstrates a significant reduction in risk of VTE, but not a significant difference in Pulmonary Embolism (PE) or mortality. Risk of VTE in open Radical Prostatectomy (RP) (0.8–15.7%) is comparable to RC, but robotic RP (0.2–0.9%), open partial/radical nephrectomy (1.0–4.4%) and robotic partial/radical nephrectomy (0.7–3.9%) were lower risk. It has not been shown that ETP reduces VTE risk specifically for RP or nephrectomy.

Conclusion

The decision to use ETP is a fine balance between variables such as VTE incidence, bleeding risk and perioperative morbidity/mortality. This balance should be assessed for each specific procedure type. While ETP still remains of net benefit for open RP as well as open and robotic RC, the balance is closer for minimally invasive RP as well as radical and partial nephrectomy. Due to a lack of procedure specific evidence for the use of ETP, adherence with national guidelines remains poor. Therefore, we advocate further studies directly comparing ETP vs standard prophylaxis, for specific procedure types, in order to allow clinicians to make a more informed decision in future.