bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antecedents and consequences of managerial decision-making styles in the Arabian Gulf
Authors: Siddique C. Muhammad , Siddique Hinna Fatima
Published: March 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to examine managerial decision-making approaches, their antecedents and consequences in the Arabian Gulf context. Using recent survey data, the study offers a critical assessment of prevailing myths about decision-making styles in the Arabian Gulf.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey data were collected from a sample of 432 managers working in public and private sector companies in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). A combination of statistical techniques including confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and hierarchical regression analysis was used to test research hypotheses.

Findings

The findings of this study question the myth that UAE or Gulf managers mostly pursue consultative and participative styles of management. Most UAE managers continue to practice an autocratic and a pseudo-consultative style of decision-making, undermining the value of employee input in the decision-making process. The data revealed a strong negative relationship between autocratic management style and a range of personal and organizational outcomes such as job satisfaction, organizational commitment, organizational citizenship behavior, performance and innovative human resource management practices pertaining to work-family life balance and diversity programs. Most employees perceived autocratic management style as a major source of job stress, absenteeism and turnover. Socio-demographic characteristics of managers and their work organizations, considered as antecedents of decision-making styles, played a limited role in shaping decision-making approaches or their consequences. Globalization and associated socio-cultural changes that UAE and other Gulf region countries have experienced over the past two decades seem to have only a marginal impact on decision-making styles.

Research limitations/implications

Use of perceptual survey data places some constraints on the generalizability of our findings. Future research may address this issue with multiple data sources including an in-depth case study.

Practical implications

The findings of this research should be of special interest to both domestic and multinational companies in seeking alignment of their management approaches with the emerging competitive business environment in UAE and other Gulf countries. Theoretically, the paper documents the value of the continuum theory of managerial behavior in UAE and the Arabian Gulf context.

Originality/value

The study represents a first major effort to develop and test a comprehensive conceptual model of antecedents and consequences of managerial decision-making styles in UAE, which may be extended to other countries in the Arabian Gulf region. The value-added contribution of the study may be seen in its critical analysis of prevailing beliefs and assumptions about management practices in the Arabian Gulf.
Stepping off the drunkard’s path to walk the “wild side”
Authors: Brunker Nicole
Published: March 2019

Purpose

Working creatively as a researcher should be a core foundation in doctoral studies, though it may be an isolating, even risky, endeavour. The purpose of this paper is to share the author’s journey through the “darkness” of innovation in research methodology.

Design/methodology/approach

At the heart of this research journey was Portraiture (Lawrence-Lightfoot, 1983), which emerged early in the post-modern evolution of qualitative research. While exploring Portraiture, the author found researchers used this methodology in varying ways: application, appropriation and interpretation. In stumbling through Portraiture, the author discovered patchwork as their bricoleur’s toolbag. Patchwork provided a torch that gave light to the darkness of the research process enabling interpretation of Portraiture for alignment of method and research problematic[1].

Findings

Looking back at the research journey, the author recognises the steps into post-qualitative research and the need for methodological innovators to share their journeys for inspiration, to develop understanding and open the way to greater creativity and innovation during the research process.

Originality/value

This paper provides an original view to Portraiture along with the addition of patchwork as a way of engaging with methodology as well as data.
An overview of use of nanoadditives in enhancing the properties of pavement construction binder bitumen
Authors: P. Deepa , Laad Meena , Sangita Sangita , Singh Rina
Published: March 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the recent work carried out in enhancing the properties of bitumen using nano-additives. Bitumen is a by-product obtained from the refining process of crude oil, therefore making it a diminishing product. It has been used by mankind since ages for various applications like sealants, binders, waterproof coatings and pavement construction material. It is a black viscous substance with adhesive nature.

Design/methodology/approach

Bitumen is used as a binding material because of its ability to become liquid when heated and become solid when cooled and thus used largely in construction of roads because of its unique properties. Low softening point of bitumen leads to melting of bitumen during summer and causes rutting of roads, whereas during winter it leads to cracking as bitumen acts brittle in nature during low temperature. Increasing global demand of bitumen has created gap between demand and supply which is increasing with the passage of time. Further modern life has created very high traffic volume and heavy load which makes it essential to improve performance of bitumen.

Findings

Research studies have reported that the thermal properties of bitumen are enhanced by using thermoplastic polymers such as styrene-butadiene-styrene, polyethylene and ethylene-vinyl acetate, rubber and bio waste etc.

Originality/value

This paper reviews various types of materials which have been used to improve the properties of bitumen and explores the possibility to synthesise bitumen composite materials with nanoadditives with improved structural, mechanical and thermal properties.
A gray wolf optimized FPD plus (1+PI) multistage controller for AGC of multisource non-linear power system
Authors: Sahu Prakash Chandra , Prusty Ramesh Chandra , Panda Sidhartha
Published: March 2019

Purpose

The paper has proposed to implement gray wolf optimization (GWO)-based filter-type proportional derivative with (FPD) plus (1+ proportional integral) multistage controller in a three-area integrated source-type interlinked power network for achieving automatic generation control.

Design/methodology/approach

For analysis, a three area interconnected power system of which each area comprises three different generating units where thermal and hydro system as common. Micro sources like wind generator, diesel generator and gas unit are integrated with area1, area2 and area3 respectively. For realization of system nonlinearity some physical constraints like generation rate constraint, governor dead band and boiler dynamics are effected in the system.

Findings

The supremacy of multistage controller structure over simple proportional integral (PI), proportional integral, derivative (PID) and GWO technique over genetic algorithm, differential evolution techniques has been demonstrated. A comparison is made on performances of different controllers and sensitivity analysis on settling times, overshoots and undershoots of different dynamic responses of system as well as integral based error criteria subsequent a step load perturbation (SLP). Finally, sensitive analysis has been analyzed by varying size of SLP and network parameters in range ±50 per cent from its nominal value.

Originality/value

Design and implementation of a robust FPD plus (1 + PI) controller for AGC of nonlinear power system. The gains of the proposed controller are optimized by the application of GWO algorithm. An investigation has been done on the dynamic performances of the suggested system by conducting a comparative analysis with conventional PID controller tuned by various optimization techniques to verify its supremacy. Establishment of the robustness and sensitiveness of the controller by varying the size and position of the SLP, varying the loading of the system randomly and varying the time constants of the system.
Geochemistry, Monazite U–Pb Dating, and Li–Nd Isotopes of the Madi Rare Metal Granite in the Northeastern Part of the North China Craton
Authors: HOU Jianglong , JIANG Biao , DAI Hongzhang
Published: March 2019

The Madi rare metal granite is a complex massif, which contains a variety of rare metals, such as Nb, Ta, Li, and Be. In this paper, the geochemical characteristics of the granite were obtained by multi‐collector inductively coupled mass spectrometry (MC‐ICP‐MS). The precise crystalline age of the granite was obtained from monazite U‐Pb dating, and the source of the granite was determined using Li‐Nd isotopes. The Madi rare metal granite is a high‐K (calc‐alkaline), peraluminous, S‐type granite. The U‐Pb monazite age indicates that the crystalline age of the granite is 175.6 Ma, which is Early Jurassic. The granite is characterized by a relatively wide range of δ7Li values (+2.99‰ to +5.83‰) and high lithium concentrations (181 ppm to 1022 ppm). The lithium isotopic composition of the granite does not significantly correlate with the degree of magmatic differentiation. An insignificant amount of lithium isotope fractionation occurred during the granitic differentiation. The lithium isotopic composition of the granite significantly differs from that of the wall rock, but it is very similar to that of a primitive mantle peridotite xenolith (mean δ7Li value +3.5‰). The plot of Li concentration versus δ7Li indicates that the Li isotopic composition of the granite is similar to that of island arc lavas. Based on the above‐described evidence, the granite was mainly derived from the crust, but it was contaminated by a deep granitic magma.
Features and Origin of Turbidity Current Sediment Waves in the Huatung Basin off the Eastern Taiwan Island
Authors: LIU Jie , SUN Meijing , GAO Hongfang , LI Xuejie
Published: March 2019

Based on numerous high‐resolution seismic profiles, sediment waves and their distribution, morphological characteristics, internal structure, and potential origins were revealed in the eastern waters of Taiwan. The sediment waves are located at the junction between the Taitung Canyon and other canyons in the slope. The wave length and the wave height of a single waveform ranged from 0.8 to 7.2 km and from 18 to 75 m, respectively (NE‐SW direction). Sediment waves, located inside the bend of the Taitung Canyon, were characterized by an upward migration and showed mass transport deposits (MTDs) at the bottom, while the inner curve of the bend was subdivided into lower and upper wavy transition units. The sediment waves on the outer curve of the bend were characterized by vertical accumulation, and there was no mass flow deposit at the bottom. According to the geometry of the sediment waves, the calculated flow thicknesses across the entire wave field ranged from 196 to 356 m, and the current velocity ranged from 15 to 21 cm/s. The morphological characteristics, the internal structure, and the distribution of sediment waves, as well as the numerical calculations, evidenced that these sediment waves had formed by turbidity currents. The development of the sediment wave field in eastern Taiwan was found to be similar to that in southwestern Taiwan. It was the sedimentary response of the tectonic movement between 3 and ∼1 Ma which created the sedimentary systems where gravity flow processes predominated. Turbidity current sediments settled in the place of less topographical constraints or overflowed in the bend section of the Taitung Canyon, which resulted in the formation of sediment wave fields.
Facies Architecture Model of the Shimentan Formation Pyroclastic Rocks in the Block‐T Units, Xihu Sag, East China Sea Basin, and its Exploration Significance
Authors: DAI Xiaojuan , TANG Huafeng , ZHANG Tao , ZHAO Pengjiu , XU Chunming , KONG Tan , ZHAO Tianliang , WANG Pujun
Published: March 2019

A gas field consisting of volcanic reservoir rocks was discovered in the block‐T units of the Xihu Sag, East China Sea Basin. The lithology of the volcanic rocks is dominated by tuff and reworked tuff. The lithofacies are dominated by base surge deposits of explosive facies. As the architecture model of volcanic facies is still uncertain, it has restricted the exploration and development of mineral resources in this area. Using core and cuttings data, the lithology, lithofacies, geochemistry as well as grain size characteristics of volcanic rocks were analyzed. Based on these analyses, the volcanic rocks in the well section are divided into three eruptive stages. The transport direction of each volcanic eruption is analyzed using crystal fragment size analysis. The facies architecture of the block‐T units was established based on the reconstruction results of paleo‐geomorphology. The results show that the drilling reveals proximal facies (PF) and distal facies (DF) of the volcanic edifices. However, the crater‐near crater facies (CNCF) are not revealed. Compared with the reservoirs of the Songliao Basin, it is shown that the volcanic rocks in the Xihu Sag have good exploration potential; a favorable target area is the CNCF near the contemporaneous fault.
Precise Seismic Substructural Model of the Eocene Chorgali Limestone in the Turkwal Oil Field, Central Potwar, Pakistan
Authors: AHMED Khawar Ashfaq , KHAN Sarfraz , SULTAN Mahmood , UMAIR Bin Nisar , ULLAH Kalim , MU'AYYAD Al ‐Hseinat
Published: March 2019

The precise seismic substructural interpretation of the Turkwal oil field in the Central Potwar region of district Chakwal of Pakistan has been carried out. The research work was confined to the large fore‐thrust that serves as an anticlinal structural trap through ten 2D seismic lines. A precise seismic substructural model of the Eocene Chorgali Limestone with precise orientation of thrust and oblique slip faults shows the presence of a huge fracture, which made this deposit a good reservoir. The abrupt surface changes in dip azimuth for the Eocene Chorgali Limestone verifies the structural trends and also the presence of structural traps in the Turkwal field. The logs of three wells (Turkwal deep X‐2, Turkwal‐01 and Fimkassar‐01) were analyzed for petrophysical studies, well synthetic results and generation of an Amplitude Versus Offset (AVO) model for the area. The AVO model of Turkwal deep X‐2 shows abrupt changes in amplitude, which depicts the presence of hydrocarbon content. Well correlation technique was used to define the overall stratigraphic setting and the thickness of the reservoir formation in two wells, Turkwal‐01 and Turkwal deep X‐2. The Eocene Chorgali Limestone in Turkwal‐01 is an upward thrusted anticlinal structure and because of the close position of both wells to the faulted anticlinal structure, its lesser thickness differs compared to Turkwal deep X‐2. The overall results confirm that the Turkwal field is comparable to several similar thrust‐bound oil‐bearing structures in the Potwar basin.
A Quantitative Evaluation of Shale Gas Content in Different Occurrence States of the Longmaxi Formation: A New Insight from Well JY‐A in the Fuling Shale Gas Field, Sichuan Basin
Authors: TANG Ling , SONG Yan , LI Qianwen , PANG Xiongqi , JIANG Zhenxue , LI Zhuo , TANG Xianglu , YU Hailong , SUN Yue , FAN Shichao , ZHU Lin
Published: March 2019

Comprehensive quantitative evaluation of shale gas content and the controlling factors in different occurrence states is of great significance for accurately assessing gas‐bearing capacity and providing effective well‐production strategies. A total of 122 core samples from well JY‐A in the Fuling shale gas field were studied to reveal the characteristics of S1l shale, 15 of which were selected to further predict the shale gas content in different occurrence states, which are dependent on geological factors in the thermal evolution process. Geological parameters were researched by a number of laboratory programs, and the factors influential in controlling shale gas content were extracted by both PCA and GRA methods and prediction models were confirmed by the BE method using SPSS software. Results reveal that the adsorbed gas content is mainly controlled by TOC, Ro, SSA, PD and pyrite content, and the free gas content is mainly controlled by S2, quartz content, gas saturation and formation pressure for S1l in well JY‐A. Three methods, including the on‐site gas desorption method, the empirical formula method, and the multiple regression analysis method were used in combination to evaluate the shale gas capacity of well JY‐A, all of which show that the overall shale gas content of well JY‐A is in the range of 2.0–5.0 m3/t and that the free gas ratio is about 50%, lower than that of well JY‐1. Cause analysis further confirms the tectonics and preservation conditions of S1l in the geological processes, especially the influence of eastern boundary faults on well JY‐A, as the fundamental reasons for the differences in shale gas enrichment in the Jiaoshiba area.
Choices of sampling method bias functional components estimation and ability to discriminate assembly mechanisms
Authors: Lee Roger H. , Guénard Benoit
Published: March 2019

The understanding and prediction of species distributions have been advanced by the development of community assembly theories and functional trait‐based approaches. Coupled with null models, trait dispersion patterns are commonly used to gauge the relative importance of niche versus neutral‐based processes on shaping local communities. However, asymmetrical trait dispersion patterns of identical communities may artificially arise as a result of sampling methods choice. This non‐random filtering on traits is overlooked, and it may bias the estimation of functional components as well as the detection of underlying assembly mechanisms—especially for species‐rich arthropod communities.

We sampled subtropical ground‐dwelling ant communities using a paired treatment design comprising pitfall traps and Winkler extractors (Winklers), two commonly used sampling techniques for terrestrial arthropods, in 17 shrublands and 33 secondary forest 400 m2 plots in Hong Kong to determine the effect of sampling filters on functional composition (community means of six morphological traits) and functional diversity (range and variance of individual traits; size and filling properties of multidimensional trait space) using a null model approach for each habitat.

We found, as hypothesized, that sampling filters from different methods affected the trait composition and diversity of ant communities asymmetrically. In shrublands and forests, the trait compositions of communities sampled by pitfall traps were dominated by larger sized, slender‐shaped and long‐legged ants as compared to those sampled by Winklers. The latter method also underestimated the diversity of individual traits related to body size as well as the size and filling properties of multidimensional trait space.

Our results highlight that the usage of particular sampling methods without prior knowledge on their potential filtering effects on traits can affect the detection of assembly processes, and interpretation of functional proxies, such as body size. Additional care should be taken when comparing trait components obtained from studies using different sampling methods, so as to distinguish the sampling artefacts from actual ecological phenomena. Hence, it is important to consider the potential biases that different sampling methods may introduce to functional trait‐based research.
Reduced Compsilura concinnata parasitism of New England saturniid larvae
Authors: Baranowski Alex K. , Conroy Catherine , Boettner George H. , Elkinton Joseph S. , Preisser Evan L.
Published: March 2019

In the northeastern U.S.A., the non‐native generalist parasitoid Compsilura concinnata, introduced in the early 20th Century to control forest pests, has been linked to the decline of giant silk moths (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae).

Field research conducted in New England in the late 1990s on two saturniid species, Hyalophora cecropia and Callosamia promethea, found that C. concinnata parasitized 81% and 68%, respectively, when larvae were reared outdoors and replaced weekly. These parasitism rates, extrapolated over the larval period, would prevent any larvae from reaching pupation.

In 2017 and 2018, this field experiment was repeated using these same two saturniid species for the same duration and at the same site, location and time of year. In 2017, C. concinnata parasitized only 19% of H. cecropia larvae and 1% of C. promethea larvae; in 2018, parasitism rates were 3% and 0%, respectively.
Marginal Analysis of Ordinal Clustered Longitudinal Data With Informative Cluster Size
Authors: Mitani Aya A. , Kaye Elizabeth K. , Nelson Kerrie P.
Published: March 2019

The issue of informative cluster size (ICS) often arises in the analysis of dental data. ICS describes a situation where the outcome of interest is related to cluster size. Much of the work on modeling marginal inference in longitudinal studies with potential ICS has focused on continuous outcomes. However, periodontal disease outcomes, including clinical attachment loss, are often assessed using ordinal scoring systems. In addition, participants may lose teeth over the course of the study due to advancing disease status. Here we develop longitudinal cluster-weighted generalized estimating equations (CWGEE) to model the association of ordinal clustered longitudinal outcomes with participant-level health-related covariates, including metabolic syndrome and smoking status, and potentially decreasing cluster size due to tooth-loss, by fitting a proportional odds logistic regression model. The within-teeth correlation coefficient over time is estimated using the two-stage quasi-least squares method. The motivation for our work stems from the Department of Veterans Affairs Dental Longitudinal Study in which participants regularly received general and oral health examinations. In an extensive simulation study, we compare results obtained from CWGEE with various working correlation structures to those obtained from conventional GEE which does not account for ICS. Our proposed method yields results with very low bias and excellent coverage probability in contrast to a conventional generalized estimating equations approach.
High Dimensional Mediation Analysis With Latent Variables
Authors: Derkach Andriy , Pfeiffer Ruth M. , Chen Ting-Huei , Sampson Joshua N.
Published: March 2019

We propose a model for high dimensional mediation analysis that includes latent variables. We describe our model in the context of an epidemiologic study for incident breast cancer with one exposure and a large number of biomarkers (i.e., potential mediators). We assume that the exposure directly influences a group of latent, or unmeasured, factors which are associated with both the outcome and a subset of the biomarkers. The biomarkers associated with the latent factors linking the exposure to the outcome are considered “mediators.” We derive the likelihood for this model and develop an expectation-maximization algorithm to maximize an L1-penalized version of this likelihood to limit the number of factors and associated biomarkers. We show that the resulting estimates are consistent and that the estimates of the nonzero parameters have an asymptotically normal distribution. In simulations, procedures based on this new model can have significantly higher power for detecting the mediating biomarkers compared with the simpler approaches. We apply our method to a study that evaluates the relationship between body mass index, 481 metabolic measurements, and estrogen-receptor positive breast cancer.
Comparison between pars plana and anterior endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation for the treatment of glaucoma
Authors: Feinstein Max A. , Lee Jun H. , Amoozgar Behzad , Liu Kelsey , Stewart Jay M. , Lazcano‐Gomez Gabriel , Porco Travis , Han Ying
Published: March 2019

Importance

This is the first study to compare the efficacy and safety of endocyclophotocoagulation (ECP) via pars plana (ECP‐plus) with ECP via limbus (anterior ECP) for treating glaucoma.

Background

There is no direct comparison of treatment outcomes between ECP‐plus and anterior ECP.

Design

Retrospective study.

Participants

Fifty‐four consecutive patients.

Methods

Fifty‐eight eyes from 54 consecutive patients underwent anterior ECP (33 eyes) or ECP‐plus (25 eyes) with 2‐year follow‐up. Linear mixed model was used to analyse the surgical outcomes.

Main Outcome Measures

Intraocular Pressure (IOP) was the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes were best‐corrected visual acuity, number of glaucoma medications, complications and success rate.

Results

Compared to anterior ECP, patients in the ECP‐plus group had lower IOP (estimate of effect size [EES] = −3.7 mmHg, P = 0.023) and used fewer number of glaucoma medications (EES = −1.11, P = 0.003), after adjusting for degrees of treatment, preoperative IOP, and presence of combined ECP and phacoemulsification procedure. Patients with ECP‐plus achieved a higher success rate at 2 years postoperatively (80% vs 33.3%, P < 0.001). The decrease in IOP between the preoperative and last follow‐up visit was greater in the ECP‐plus group compared to the anterior ECP group (14.3 mmHg (52%) vs 5.2 mmHg (24%), P = 0.001). There was no significant difference in complication rates between the two groups (28% vs 33%, P = 0.561).

Conclusions and Relevance

Anterior ECP and ECP‐plus have a similar safety profile, and ECP‐plus may offer superior IOP control for the management of glaucoma.
Anterior atrophic mandible restoration using cancellous bone block allograft
Authors: Chaushu Liat , Chaushu Gavriel , Kolerman Roni , Vered Marilena , Naishlos Sarit , Nissan Joseph
Published: March 2019

Background

Bone block grafting may be required to restore the alveolar process prior to implant placement in Kennedy Class IV partial edentulism of the anterior mandible.

Purpose

Evaluate the application of allograft cancellous bone blocks for the augmentation of the anterior atrophic mandible.

Materials and Methods

Fourteen consecutive patients underwent augmentation with cancellous bone block allografts in the anterior mandible. A bony deficiency of at least 3 mm horizontally and up to 3 mm vertically according to computerized tomography para‐axial reconstruction served as inclusion criteria. Following 6 months, 26 implants were placed and a cylindrical sample core was collected. All specimens were prepared for histological and histomorphometrical examination. The rehabilitation scheme was two dental implants, placed in the lateral incisor area, supporting a 4‐unit implant‐supported prosthesis.

Results

Twenty‐four blocks were placed in 14 patients. Mean follow‐up was 26 ± 17 months. Mean bone gain was 5 ± 0.5 mm horizontally, and 2 ± 0.5 mm vertically. Twenty‐six implants were used. Marginal bone loss at last follow up did not extend beyond the first thread. Block and implant survival rates were 91.6% and 100%, respectively. All patients but one received a fixed implant‐supported prosthesis. Histomorphometrically, the mean fraction of the newly formed bone was 42%, that of the residual cancellous block‐allograft 17%, and of the marrow and connective tissue 41%.

Conclusions

The potential of cancellous bone block allografts for reconstruction of Kennedy Class IV partial edentulism in the anterior mandible seems promising but still has to be evaluated scientifically in long‐term observations.
Herpes simplex virus infections in solid organ transplantation: Guidelines from the American Society of Transplantation Infectious Diseases Community of Practice
Authors: Lee Dong H. , Zuckerman Richard A. ,   on behalf of the AST Infectious Diseases Community of Practice
Published: March 2019

These updated guidelines from the Infectious Diseases Community of Practice of the American Society of Transplantation review the diagnosis, prevention, and management of HSV in the pre‐ and post‐transplant period. A majority of transplant recipients are seropositive for HSV‐1 or 2. Compared with immunocompetent persons, SOT recipients shed HSV more frequently, have more severe clinical manifestations, and are slower to respond to therapy. Most HSV infection is diagnosed on clinical grounds, but patients may present with atypical lesions and/or other clinical manifestations. Acquisition from the donor is rare. Polymerase chain reaction is the preferred diagnostic test unless culture is needed for resistance testing. For limited mucocutaneous lesions, oral therapy can be used; however, in severe, disseminated, visceral or CNS involvement, acyclovir doses of up to 10 mg/kg every 8 hours intravenously should be initiated. Acyclovir‐resistant HSV is less common in SOT patients than in HSCT and can be treated with foscarnet, though other novel therapies are currently under investigation. HSV‐specific prophylaxis should be considered for all HSV‐1 and HSV‐2–seropositive organ recipients who are not receiving antiviral medication for CMV prevention that has activity against HSV.
A century of decline: Loss of genetic diversity in a southern African lion‐conservation stronghold
Authors: Dures Simon G. , Carbone Chris , Loveridge Andrew J. , Maude Glyn , Midlane Neil , Aschenborn Ortwin , Gottelli Dada
Published: March 2019

Aim

There is a dearth of evidence that determines the genetic diversity of populations contained within present‐day protected areas compared with their historical state prior to large‐scale species declines, making inferences about a species’ conservation genetic status difficult to assess. The aim of this paper was to demonstrate the use of historical specimens to assess the change in genetic diversity over a defined spatial area.

Location

Like many other species, African lion populations (Panthera leo) are undergoing dramatic contractions in range and declines in numbers, motivating the identification of a number of lion‐conservation strongholds across East and southern Africa. We focus on one such stronghold, the Kavango–Zambezi transfrontier conservation area (KAZA) of Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Methods

We compare genetic diversity between historical museum specimens, collected during the late 19th and early 20th century, with samples from the modern extant population. We use 16 microsatellite markers and sequence 337 base pairs of the hypervariable control region (HVR1) of the mitochondrial genome. We use bootstrap resampling to allow for comparisons between the historical and modern data.

Results

We show that the genetic diversity of the modern population was reduced by 12%–17%, with a reduction in allelic diversity of approximately 15%, compared to historical populations, in addition to having lost a number of mitochondrial haplotypes. We also identify a number of “ghost alleles” in the historical samples which are no longer present in the extant population.

Main Conclusions

We argue a rapid decline in allelic richness after 1895 suggests the erosion of genetic diversity coincides with the rise of a European colonial presence and the outbreak of rinderpest in the region. Our results support the need to improved connectivity between protected areas in order to prevent further loss of genetic diversity in the region.
Continuous liquid‐suction catheter attachment for endoscope reduces volume of liquid reflux to the mouth in esophageal endoscopic submucosal dissection
Authors: Hatta Waku , Koike Tomoyuki , Okata Hideki , Hanzawa Takashi , Saito Masahiro , Kondo Yutaka , Ara Nobuyuki , Asanuma Kiyotaka , Uno Kaname , Asano Naoki , Imatani Akira , Iijima Katsunori , Nakamura Tomohiro , Nakaya Naoki , Masamune Atsushi
Published: March 2019

Background and Aim

Pooling of liquid in the esophageal lumen can worsen the field of vision and cause liquid reflux to the mouth, which leads to aspiration pneumonia, in esophageal endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). We developed a continuous liquid‐suction catheter attachment for the endoscope (CLCA) that has multiple tiny holes and can suction the liquid without causing mucosal injury. Thus, we aim to show the efficacy of CLCA in esophageal ESD.

Methods

This was a single‐blinded, randomized controlled trial involving patients with superficial esophageal cancer. The enrolled patients were randomly assigned to the conventional ESD (C‐ESD) or ESD with CLCA (CLCA‐ESD) groups. Primary endpoint was volume of liquid reflux to the mouth during the ESD procedure. Secondary endpoints were incidence of aspiration pneumonia and procedure time.

Results

Fifty patients were enrolled in this trial. Volume of liquid reflux to the mouth was significantly lower in the CLCA‐ESD group than in the C‐ESD group (mean: 10 vs 73 mL, P = 0.010). Furthermore, the incidence of aspiration pneumonia on computed tomography (CT) scan between the two groups was also significantly different (4.0% vs 32.0%, P = 0.023), although no significant difference was observed through chest radiography. In addition, procedure time tended to be shorter in the CLCA‐ESD group (P = 0.054).

Conclusion

This study first showed that use of CLCA in esophageal ESD reduced the volume of liquid reflux to the mouth and contributed to decreased incidence of aspiration pneumonia on CT scan (UMIN000018167).
Cover Image, Volume 21, Issue 4
Authors: Kim Jin Hee , Lee Minyoung , Kim Soo Hyun , Kim So Ra , Lee Byung‐Wan , Kang Eun Seok , Cha Bong‐Soo , Cho Jin Won , Lee Yong‐ho
Published: March 2019

The cover image is based on the Original Article Sodium‐glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors regulate ketone body metabolism via inter‐organ crosstalk by Jin Hee Kim et al., 10.1111/dom.13577.

image
Procyanidin B2 from lotus seedpod regulate NO/ADMA/DDAH pathway to treat insomnia in rats
Authors: Xiao Hong‐Bo , Wang Yi‐Shan , Liang Lin , Lu XiangYang , Sun Zhi‐Liang
Published: March 2019

Recent studies show that nitric oxide/asymmetric dimethylarginine/dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase (NO/ADMA/DDAH) pathway may contribute to the development of sleep disorder. The objective of this study was to explore the inhibitory effect of procyanidin B2 from lotus seedpod (LSPC), a naturally occurring catechin compound, on insomnia and the mechanisms involved. The experiments were performed in brain from Sprague‐Dawley rat control and insomniac rats treated or not with LSPC (15, 30, and 45 mg/kg, intragastrically) for 7 days. LSPC treatment reduced walking time and forelimb lifting‐up frequency, cerebral levels of noradrenaline, glutamic acid, ADMA, sleep latency, and 8‐isoprostane; increased sleep duration, cerebral concentrations of 5‐hydroxytryptamine, γ‐aminobutyric acid, and NO concomitantly with upregulated cerebral expression of DDAH 1, DDAH2, and neuronal NO synthases in insomniac rats. The present results suggest that LSPC may regulate NO/ADMA/DDAH pathway by inhibiting oxidative stress to treat insomnia in rats when sleep evaluation was achieved on the basis of behavioral criteria.
Cyclo‐oxygenase selectivity and chemical groups of nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs and the frequency of reporting hypersensitivity reactions: a case/noncase study in VigiBase
Authors: Bakhriansyah Mohammad , Meyboom Ronald H.B. , Souverein Patrick C. , de Boer Anthonius , Klungel Olaf H.
Published: March 2019

To date, no reports of hypersensitivity reactions (HSRs) among nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) according to cyclo‐oxygenase (COX) selectivity and chemical groups have been published in a single study. The present study assessed the reporting frequency of HSRs for NSAIDs based on their relative inhibitory potency toward COX enzymes and chemical groups, including the presence/absence of a functional sulfonamide group, in strata observed 5 years after market authorization. A case/noncase study was performed among individual case safety reports (ICSRs) with NSAIDs as suspected drugs in VigiBase, the WHO spontaneous reporting database. Cases were ICSRs mentioning angioedema and anaphylactic/anaphylactoid shock conditions, while noncases were ICSRs without HSRs. NSAIDs were categorized into (i) NSAIDs with high COX‐2 selectivity (coxibs), (ii) noncoxib NSAIDs with COX‐2 preference, (iii) NSAIDs with poor selectivity, or (iv) NSAIDs with unknown selectivity. Chemical groups were defined based on the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical classification system and the presence/absence of a functional sulfonamide group. Reporting odds ratios (RORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated using logistic regression analysis. We identified 13 229 cases and 106 444 noncases. In the first 5 years after marketing, poor‐selectivity NSAIDs and acetic acid derivatives were associated with the highest ROR of HSRs (age‐ and sex‐adjusted ROR 2.12, 95% CI 1.98–2.28; and ROR 2.21, 95% CI 1.83–2.66, respectively) compared with coxibs, and sulfonamide NSAIDs were associated with the highest ROR of HSRs compared with nonsulfonamide NSAIDs (age‐ and sex‐adjusted ROR 1.38, 95% CI 1.29–1.47). After the first 5 years of marketing, most of the RORs returned to approximately 1.
Within‐syndicate conflicts, loan covenants, and syndicate formation
Authors: Dass Nishant , Nanda Vikram , Wang Qinghai
Published: March 2019

We study how conflicts within a lending syndicate affect loan contract and syndicate formation. We argue that loan provisions serve an important dual function: In addition to moderating borrower–lender conflicts, they reduce within‐syndicate conflicts. We show that greater potential for within‐syndicate conflicts is associated with more and stricter covenants. Loans are less restrictive when the interests of participants and the lead arrangers are better aligned, for example, when participant–banks have stronger relationships with the lead arranger or hold borrower's equity (indirectly). Overall, our results show that covenant choice, syndicate formation, and lead arranger's loan allocation all play an important role in reducing within‐syndicate conflicts.
Local religious beliefs and municipal bond market outcomes
Authors: Abakah Alex Annan
Published: March 2019

This study investigates whether religion‐induced risk aversion affects municipal bond market outcomes from 1990 to 2017. The results indicate that local government bonds issued from U.S. counties with a high Catholic‐to‐Protestant population ratio have lower credit risk ratings and lower yield spreads, and are less likely to have credit enhancement. The results stand up to additional tests. I control for issuer's county political party affiliation and state term limits, and continue to find significant effects. The effects are not driven by the issuer's county fiscal policies. Furthermore, the effects persist when I use an alternate specification that controls for omitted factors that are time invariant. Overall, my evidence suggests that a bond issuer's religion‐induced risk aversion plays a significant role in the pricing of local government bonds.
Exploring regional variations in the cross‐cultural, international implementation of the Patient Reported Outcomes Burdens and Experience (PROBE) study
Authors: Chai‐Adisaksopha Chatree , Skinner Mark W. , Curtis Randall , Frick Neil , Nichol Michael B. , Noone Declan , O'Mahony Brian , Page David , Stonebraker Jeffrey , Thabane Lehana , Crowther Mark A. , Iorio Alfonso
Published: March 2019

Background

The Patient Reported Outcomes Burdens and Experience (PROBE) study has developed and validated the PROBE questionnaire for assessing patient‐reported outcomes in people with haemophilia and participants without bleeding disorders.

Objective

To explore the regional variations in the international implementation of the PROBE questionnaire.

Methods

Data were collected from participants in four regions (Western Pacific, South America, North America and Europe). Participants were able to choose English or translated versions of the PROBE questionnaire into their first language. We used analysis of variance methods and multivariable regression to determine the relative contribution of the variance explained by region controlling for haemophilia diagnosis, age group and levels of educations. We also explored interactions between region and the other components.

Results

We used 862 questionnaires from 14 countries. Mean age of participants was 40.03 years (standard deviation 13.89), and 73.67% were male. After adjusting, region contributed 0.44%‐7.98% of the variance component in subitem scores and 0.26% in the PROBE score. Years of education contributed 0.34% in the PROBE score. Age and haemophilia diagnosis contributed 3.42% and 22.42% of the PROBE score.

Conclusions

The results demonstrate that the PROBE questionnaire is valid to implement for assessing health status among patients with haemophilia and participants without bleeding disorders across regions.
The effect of a hemodialysis patient education program on fluid control and dietary compliance
Authors: Başer Esra , Mollaoğlu Mukadder
Published: March 2019

Introduction: Some hemodialysis patients may experience problems in completing activities of daily living and adhering to diet and fluid restrictions due to a decrease in self‐care power and a loss of competence.

Methods: The study was conducted with 78 people assigned to the intervention (N = 38) and control groups (N = 40). Data were collected using the sociodemographic characteristics questionnaire, dialysis diet and fluid nonadherence questionnaire (DDFQ), and fluid control in hemodialysis patients scale (FCHPS). The participants in the intervention group were given the “Nutrition Education Booklet for Dialysis Patients”. The participants in the intervention group were trained through four education sessions across 4 months, and the measurement tools were administered to them. The participants in the control group were interviewed twice, once at the onset of the study and once 2 months later and the measurement tools were administered to them.

Findings: In the intervention group, a decrease was observed in the pre‐ and postdialysis interdialytic weight gain, ultrafiltration (UF) volume, and blood pressure values of the patients after the training. There was a statistically significant decrease in the mean scores for the frequency and degree of nonadherence to diet restriction, and for the frequency and degree of nonadherence to fluid restriction in the participants in the intervention group compared to the participants in the control group (P < 0.05). There was a statistically significant increase in the mean scores obtained from the FCHPS and its subscales by the participants in the intervention group compared to the participants in the control group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: The training given to the hemodialysis patients positively contributed to their adherence to diet and fluid restrictions. The patients' adherence to diet and fluid restriction increased.
The effect of increased frequency of hemodialysis on serum cystatin C and β2‐microglobulin concentrations: A secondary analysis of the frequent hemodialysis network (FHN) trial
Authors: Huang Shih‐Han S. , Kaysen George A. , Levin Nathan W. , Kliger Alan S. , Beck Gerald J. , Rocco Michael V. , Filler Guido , Lindsay Robert M. ,   the Frequent Hemodialysis Network (FHN) Group
Published: March 2019

Introduction: Small molecular weight toxin clearance is the main method of assessment of hemodialysis efficiency. Middle molecules including cystatin C (CysC) and Beta‐2 microglobulin (β2‐M) are understudied. We hypothesized that lowering of predialysis CysC and β2‐M serum concentrations would be affected by switching to more frequent hemodialysis.

Methods: Predialysis CysC and β2‐M serum concentrations were measured from serum samples of the Frequent Hemodialysis Network (FHN) Daily and Nocturnal Trials. The differences between predialysis concentrations at baseline (while on conventional thrice weekly dialysis) and those after 12‐months of study (on more frequent dialysis) were compared separately by trial (Nocturnal, Daily). We tested the associations between predialysis serum CysC and β2‐M concentrations and outcomes.

Findings: Forty‐nine percent and 52% of the patients from the FHN Daily and Nocturnal Trials respectively were included in this ancillary study. Predialysis serum CysC concentrations remained unchanged after intensifying hemodialysis dose by either modality. There was significant lowering of the serum β2‐M concentrations in the frequent Daily Trial hemodialysis group at 12 months in all patients and in patients without residual renal function at baseline (−3.8 ± 12.62 μg/mL, P = 0.004; −5.9 ± 12.99 μg/mL, P = 0.02, respectively). There were no significant differences between the baseline and the 12‐months predialysis β2‐M serum concentrations in the two control groups (Daily 3× and Nocturnal 3× groups). No association between the changes in the two biomarkers between baseline and 12‐months and in changes in left ventricular mass, physical‐health composite scores, hospitalization rate, and death were found. The numbers of hospitalizations and deaths were small.

Discussion: β2‐M may be a better biomarker of dialysis dose than CysC. Reduction in the concentration of potentially toxic long‐lived proteins of the size of β‐2M is one potential long‐term benefit of more intensive dialysis that may be explored.
THE GHOST OF DARWIN'S ANIMALS: PRESENCE AND THE RETURN OF THE REAL
Authors: LYTJE MAREN
Published: March 2019

This essay takes its point of departure from the emergence of the concept of presence in the field of history and theory. The essay suggests that the emergence of presence is related to the events of September 11 and signals a weariness of the postmodern condition and a longing for the real. Advocates of presence, the essay argues, have stressed how the material traces of the past move us in the present, and in doing so have played down the problematic relationship between past experience and historical representation, which was a concern of the linguistic turn. The essay argues that this interest in the trace points to a shift away from the meaning‐making of symbolic practices and toward the moment when the master signifier enables (symbolic) meaning to occur. This indicates that there is a desire for the real at play in the move toward presence. Through an analysis of Eelco Runia's concept of presence, the essay argues that this desire for the real is related to a repression of Darwin's evolutionary framework, which has been considered bad taste in the social sciences and humanities since the end of the Second World War.
THE HISTORY OF SEXUALITY: AN ASSESSMENT OF THE STATE OF THE FIELD
Authors: D'Emilio John
Published: March 2019

In this concise volume, Jeffrey Weeks traces the development of the history of sexuality from its earliest days, more than a century ago, to the present. He identifies dominant themes and subject matter as well as analyzing and commenting upon some of the key theoretical frameworks that have driven this scholarly endeavor. He devotes special attention to LGBT history, to histories of gender, power, and sexuality, and to globalization and the transnational turn in historical writing. He gives attention to the tensions that have often existed between a community‐based activist history produced from within the LGBT community and the history produced within the academy. Finally, he considers the degree to which sexual history has been mainstreamed and the dangers and the value of that process.