bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Flight, symmetry and barb angle evolution in the feathers of birds and other dinosaurs
Authors: Wang Xia , Tang Ho Kwan , Clarke Julia A.
Published: December 2019

There has been much discussion over whether basal birds (e.g.ArchaeopteryxandConfuciusornis)exhibited active flight. A recent study of barb angles has suggested they likely could not but instead may have exhibited a gliding phase. Pennaceous primary flight feathers were proposed to show significant shifts in barb angle values of relevance to the inference of flight in these extinct taxa. However, evolutionary trends in the evolution of these barb angle traits in extant volant taxa were not analysed in a phylogenetic frame. Neither the ancestral crown avian condition nor the condition in outgroup dinosaurs with symmetrical feathers were assessed. Here, we expand the fossil sample and reanalyse these data in a phylogenetic frame. We show that extant taxa, including strong flyers (e.g. some songbirds), show convergence on trailing barb angles and barb angle asymmetry observed in Mesozoic taxa that were proposed not to be active fliers. Trailing barb angles in these Mesozoic taxa are similar to symmetrical feathers in outgroup dinosaurs, indicating that selective regimes acted to modify primarily the leading-edge barb angles. These trends inform dynamics in feather shape evolution and challenge the notion that barb angle and barb angle ratios in extant birds directly inform the reconstruction of function in extinct stem taxa.
Multivariable regulation of gene expression plasticity in metazoans
Authors: Xiao Long , Zhao Zhiguang , He Fei , Du Zhuo
Published: December 2019

An important capacity of genes is the rapid change of expression levels to cope with the environment, known as expression responsiveness or plasticity. Elucidating the genomic mechanisms determining expression plasticity is critical for understanding the molecular basis of phenotypic plasticity, fitness and adaptation. In this study, we systematically quantified gene expression plasticity in four metazoan species by integrating changes of expression levels under a large number of genetic and environmental conditions. From this, we demonstrated that expression plasticity measures a distinct feature of gene expression that is orthogonal to other well-studied features, including gene expression level and tissue specificity/broadness. Expression plasticity is conserved across species with important physiological implications. The magnitude of expression plasticity is highly correlated with gene function and genes with high plasticity are implicated in disease susceptibility. Genome-wide analysis identified many conserved promoter
cis
-elements,
trans
-acting factors (such as CTCF), and gene body histone modifications (H3K36me3, H3K79me2 and H4K20me1) that are significantly associated with expression plasticity. Analysis of expression changes in perturbation experiments further validated a causal role of specific transcription factors and histone modifications. Collectively, this work reveals the general properties, physiological implications and multivariable regulation of gene expression plasticity in metazoans, extending the mechanistic understanding of gene regulation.
Microscopic characterization and strength characteristics of cemented backfill under different humidity curing conditions
Authors: HU Jianhua , Zhao Fengwen , Ren Qifan , Kuang Ye , Zhou Tan , Luo Zhouquan
Published: December 2019

Under different exploitive conditions, the humidity levels of the backfill stopes are not the same. Humidity greatly affects the strength and microscopic characterization of the backfill. Cemented paste backfill (CPB) specimens were cured using 0, 30, 70% and standard curing (20°C, 99%) under four different humidity conditions. At 28 days, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques were used to obtain the microscopic features of the CPB specimens. The relationships between the permeability and uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) of the CPB specimens, and the microscopic characteristics of the CPB specimens, were established. The results showed the following: (i) The permeability of the CPB had an exponential functional relationship with its stone powder content. (ii) The stone powder content of CPB and the peak area of the
T
2
spectrum are negatively correlated with the UCS. However, there was a
T
2
peak area corresponding to the worst UCS with the same stone powder content. (iii) The peak area of the
T
2
spectrum showed that the proportion of area of a small pore size was more than 80%, indicating that the pore size was mainly small. The pore diameter of small pores was linearly and inversely proportional to the UCS of the specimens. It can be found that the factors affecting the strength characteristics of CPB include not only the stone powder content, but also the curing conditions of different humidity.
Bespoke extensional elasticity through helical lattice systems
Authors: Dixon Maximillian D. X. , O'Donnell Matthew P. , Pirrera Alberto , Chenchiah Isaac V.
Published: December 2019

Nonlinear structural behaviour offers a richness of response that cannot be replicated within a traditional linear design paradigm. However, designing robust and reliable nonlinearity remains a challenge, in part, due to the difficulty in describing the behaviour of nonlinear systems in an intuitive manner. Here, we present an approach that overcomes this difficulty by constructing an effectively one-dimensional system that can be tuned to produce bespoke nonlinear responses in a systematic and understandable manner. Specifically, given a continuous energy function E and a tolerance
ϵ
 > 0, we construct a system whose energy is approximately E up to an additive constant, with L
∞
-error no more that
ϵ
. The system is composed of helical lattices that act as one-dimensional nonlinear springs in parallel. We demonstrate that the energy of the system can approximate any polynomial and, thus, by Weierstrass approximation theorem, any continuous function. We implement an algorithm to tune the geometry, stiffness and pre-strain of each lattice to obtain the desired system behaviour systematically. Examples are provided to show the richness of the design space and highlight how the system can exhibit increasingly complex behaviours including tailored deformation-dependent stiffness, snap-through buckling and multi-stability.
Syncytium cell growth increases IK1 contribution in human iPS-cardiomyocytes
Authors: Li Weizhen , Entcheva Emilia
Published: December 2019

Human induced pluripotent stem-cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPS-CMs) enable cardiotoxicity testing and personalized medicine. However, their maturity is of concern, including relatively depolarized resting membrane potential and more spontaneous activity compared to adult cardiomyocytes, implicating low or lacking inward-rectifier potassium current (Ik1). Here, protein quantification confirms Ik1 expression in hiPS-CM syncytia, albeit several times lower than in adult heart tissue. We find that hiPS-CM cell culture density influences Ik1 expression and the associated electrophysiology phenotype. All-optical cardiac electrophysiology and pharmacological treatments reveal reduction of spontaneous and irregular activity in denser cultures. Blocking Ik1 with BaCl2 increased spontaneous frequency and blunted action potential upstrokes during pacing in a dose-dependent manner only in the highest-density cultures, in line with Ik1’s role in regulating the resting membrane potential. Our results emphasize the importance of syncytial growth of hiPS-CM for more physiologically-relevant phenotype and the power of all-optical electrophysiology to study cardiomyocytes in their multicellular setting.
Detection of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) genes and plasmid replicons in Enterobacteriaceae using PlasmidSPAdes assembly of short-read sequence data
Authors: Stohr Joep J.J.M. , Kluytmans-van den Bergh Marjolein F.Q. , Wedema Ronald , Friedrich Alexander W. , Kluytmans Jan A.J.W. , Rossen John W.A.
Published: December 2019

INTRODUCTION

Knowledge of the epidemiology of plasmids is essential for understanding the evolution and spread of antimicrobial resistance. PlasmidSPAdes attempts to reconstruct plasmids using short-read sequence data. Accurate detection of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) genes and plasmid replicon genes is a prerequisite for the use of plasmid assembly tools to investigate the role of plasmids in the spread and evolution of ESBL production in Enterobacteriaceae. This study evaluated the performance of PlasmidSPAdes plasmid assembly for Enterobacteriaceae in terms of detection of ESBL-encoding genes, plasmid replicons and chromosomal genes, and assessed the effect of k-mer size.

METHODS

Short-read sequence data of 59 ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae were assembled with PlasmidSPAdes using different k-mer sizes (21, 33, 55, 77, 99 and 127). For every k-mer size, the presence of ESBL genes, plasmid replicons and a selection of chromosomal genes in the plasmid assembly was determined.

RESULTS

Out of 241 plasmid replicons and 66 ESBL genes detected by whole-genome assemblies, 213 plasmid replicons (88%; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 83.9-91.9) and 43 ESBL genes (65%; 95%CI: 53.1-75.6) were detected in the plasmid assemblies obtained by PlasmidSPAdes. For most ESBL genes (83.3%) and plasmid replicons (72.0%), detection results did not differ between the k-mer sizes used in the plasmid assembly. No optimal k-mer size could be defined for the number of ESBL genes and plasmid replicons detected. For most isolates, the number of chromosomal genes detected in the plasmid assemblies decreased with increasing k-mer size.

CONCLUSION

Based on our findings, PlasmidSPAdes is not a suitable plasmid assembly tool for short-read sequence data of ESBL-encoding plasmids of Enterobacteriaceae.
Summer drought decreases the predictability of local extinctions in a butterfly metapopulation
Authors: van Bergen Erik , Dallas Tad , DiLeo Michelle F. , Kahilainen Aapo , Mattila Anniina L. K. , Luoto Miska , Saastamoinen Marjo
Published: December 2019

The ecological impacts of extreme climatic events on population dynamics and/or community composition are profound and predominantly negative. Here, using extensive data of an ecological model system, we test whether predictions from ecological models remain robust when environmental conditions are outside the bounds of observation. First, we report a 10-fold demographic decline of the Glanville fritillary butterfly metapopulation on the Åland islands (Finland). Next, using climatic and satellite data we show that the summer of 2018 was an anomaly in terms of water balance and vegetation productivity indices across the habitats of the butterfly, and demonstrate that population growth rates are strongly associated with spatio-temporal variation in climatic water balance. Finally, we demonstrate that covariates that have previously been identified to impact the extinction probability of local populations in this system are less informative when populations are exposed to (severe) drought during the summer months. Our results highlight the unpredictable responses of natural populations to extreme climatic events.
Deep exploration networks for rapid engineering of functional DNA sequences
Authors: Linder Johannes , Bogard Nicholas , Rosenberg Alexander B. , Seelig Georg
Published: December 2019

Engineering gene sequences with defined functional properties is a major goal of synthetic biology. Deep neural network models, together with gradient ascent-style optimization, show promise for sequence generation. The generated sequences can however get stuck in local minima, have low diversity and their fitness depends heavily on initialization. Here, we develop deep exploration networks (DENs), a type of generative model tailor-made for searching a sequence space to minimize the cost of a neural network fitness predictor. By making the network compete with itself to control sequence diversity during training, we obtain generators capable of sampling hundreds of thousands of high-fitness sequences. We demonstrate the power of DENs in the context of engineering RNA isoforms, including polyadenylation and cell type-specific differential splicing. Using DENs, we engineered polyadenylation signals with more than 10-fold higher selection odds than the best gradient ascent-generated patterns and identified splice regulatory elements predicted to result in highly differential splicing between cell lines.
R&D volatility and market value: the role of executive overconfidence
Authors: Hai Benlu , Gao Qingzhu , Yin Ximing , Chen Jin
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Significant increase or decrease in research and development (R&D) expenditure may have an immense impact on market value. Based on the punctuated equilibrium theory, this paper aims to empirically analyze the impact of R&D volatilities on market value and the moderating effect of executive overconfidence.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses the panel data set that covers 902 Shanghai and Shenzhen A-share manufacturing listed firms and multiple regression method to test the theoretical hypotheses.

Findings

The results show that both positive and negative R&D volatilities have a robust and significant positive impact on the market value. Further analysis shows that the executive overconfidence positively moderates the relationship between R&D volatilities and market value.

Research limitations/implications

In a rapidly changing and highly competitive environment, firms should recognize that the balance of innovation strategies will help to bring higher market value. Furthermore, firms could improve corporate governance to make the best of managerial characteristics, such as overconfidence, on the innovation decision-making process.

Originality/value

By pushing the static perspective to a dynamic perspective and empirically documenting the role of executive overconfidence, this study contributes to the literature on the relationship between R&D expenditure and market value, generating theoretical and practical insights for firms to improve innovation governance and innovation strategies to achieve better business performance.
De Sobornos a corrupción internacional: el caso Odebrecht
Authors: Morales Sergio , Morales Oswaldo
Published: December 2019

Learning outcomes

La contribución del presente caso yace en la mirada crítica que debe ejercer todo actor de negocios –sea gerente general, mando intermedio, supervisor o ejecutivo– al momento de construir una sólida cultura organizacional en entornos políticos corruptos.

Case overview/synopsis

El presente caso de estudio tiene por objetivo explorar el dilema en el que se halló Marcelo Odebrecht, otrora CEO de Odebrecht: determinar si debe continuar con el modelo de negocio instaurado por los fundadores de Odebrecht o emprender un nuevo camino para la organización. Tras explorar los actos corruptos de Odebrecht y los alcances de la Operación Lava Jato, el lector podrá reflexionar sobre la importancia de la cultura organizacional (según los tres niveles propuestos por Schein) frente a la emergencia de la corrupción. Generando discusiones sobre cultura organizacional, ética empresarial, cultura política y corrupción, se problematiza la cultura organizacional de Odebrecht en relación a su comportamiento real.

Complexity academic level

Estudiantes de administración, negocios y negocios internacionales de pregrado y posgrado, así como miembros de la alta dirección en compañías del sector infraestructura. Asimismo, dada la pluralidad de posibles lecturas, se recomienda que el caso sea empleado también en cursos o especializaciones de psicología organizacional, sociología organizacional o antropología organizacional.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.

Subject code

CSS 5: International Business
Exploring bullying among Indian managers: a grounded theory approach
Authors: Agarwal Upasna A. , Rai Arpana
Published: December 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the phenomenon of workplace bullying – its nature, antecedents, direct and indirect effects – from victim’s perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopted grounded theory approach and centered on the participants experiences and interpretations of bullying. A total of 23 self-reported victims formed the sample of our study. Data from interviews were analyzed using the coding procedure of grounded theory methodology. To enhance validity of results, in addition to interviews, creative drawings were used for triangulation.

Findings

The study reveals some similarities and culturally relevant variation in the sources and outcomes of bullying. The role of culture on bullying is visible. The study also adds to the limited literature on underlying and intervening factors in bullying–outcome relationship.

Research limitations/implications

The study examined bullying from the victim’s perspective. Perpetrator and bystander’s perspectives would have added interesting insights into the findings.

Practical implications

Effective identification of, prevention of and intervention in workplace bullying are imperative for individuals and organizations. Rich descriptions from victims on enablers of bullying and how these events have affected their everyday experiences may also boost practitioners’ and policymakers’ willingness to rectify the potential issues leading to bullying in organizations.

Originality/value

The present study contributes to the workplace bullying research in general and Indian context in particular by examining contextually relevant antecedents, consequences as well as underlying and intervening factors.
Do female and male entrepreneurs differ in their proneness to heuristics and biases?
Authors: Nouri Pouria , AhmadiKafeshani Abdollah
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Although heuristics and biases seal the fate of entrepreneurial enterprises by directly influencing entrepreneurs’ decisions, previous studies have ignored the role of gender in this regard by considering female and male entrepreneurs homogeneous in their susceptibility to heuristics and biases. Thus, this paper aims to advance the existing body of knowledge on heuristics and biases in the field of entrepreneurship by exploring two heuristics of affect and representativeness as well as three biases of overconfidence, escalation of commitment and illusion of control in female and male entrepreneurs’ entry and opportunity-related decisions.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were gathered through semi-structured and in-depth interviews with ten male and nine female Iranian techno-entrepreneurs active in advanced medicine and biotechnology. The gathered data were analyzed by thematic and narrative data analysis.

Findings

According to the results, while both male and female entrepreneurs show certain heuristics and biases, there are some noteworthy distinctions. More precisely, contrary to their male counterparts, the female entrepreneurs neither rely on the representativeness heuristic nor show any signs of the escalation of commitment in their decisions.

Practical implications

There are some valuable implications emanated from this study which could be of use for not only future researchers but also entrepreneurs, especially the ones founding and running small businesses themselves.

Originality/value

While there is a strong body of literature on heuristics and biases in the field of entrepreneurship, previous studies have considered female and male entrepreneurs homogeneous in their proneness to heuristics and biases. Thus, the current study enriches the body of knowledge by being the first comparative study of heuristics and biases in female and male entrepreneurs’ decisions.
Adopting traditional fermented foods as carriers for probiotics
Authors: Mukisa Ivan Muzira , Byakika Stellah , Meeme Rehema , Wacoo Alex Paul , Sybesma Wilbert , Kort Remco
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Traditional fermented products can be adopted as probiotic carriers. This study was aimed at evaluating the potential of usingObushera, a traditional sorghum beverage from Uganda, as a carrier forLactobacillus rhamnosus yoba.

Design/methodology/approach

ProbioticObusherawas produced by fermenting sorghum malt withLb. rhamnosus yoba2012 and Streptococcus thermophilus C106 at 30 °C and at room temperature (21°C-25 °C) for 24 h. Acidity, pH, total soluble solids and microbial counts were monitored. Consumer acceptability and purchase index of probioticObusherawere compared to four commercial non-probiotic brands. Shelf stability of probioticObusherawas determined by monitoring changes in pH, acidity, soluble solids, microbial counts and consumer acceptability during refrigerated storage.

Findings

Lactobacillus rhamnosus yoba2012 multiplied and lowered the pH ofObusherafrom 5.3 to < 4.0 (p< 0.0001) whilst increasing acidity from 0.21 to 0.46 per cent (p< 0.0001) in 9 h at 30 °C. Consumer acceptability varied withObusherabrand (p< 0.0001). The overall acceptability score of probioticObushera(score of 6.4 = like slightly) was similar to that of the two most acceptable commercial brands (scores of 5.8 and 6.6). Acidity, pH andLb. rhamnosuscounts of probioticObusheravaried within 0.6 per cent –1.05 per cent (p< 0.0001), 3.3–3.4 (p< 0.0001), and 8.2-9.2 log cfu/ml (p< 0.0001), respectively during two months of storage. The overall acceptability of probioticObushera(scores of 6.9-7.8) did not change significantly during storage (p= 0.185).

Practical Implications

Traditional fermented foods such asObusheracan be adopted as carriers of probiotic microorganisms.

Originality/value

Use of commercial probiotic strains in traditional fermented foods is a novel approach that can be adopted to improve safety of traditional fermentations and health of consumers.
A discussion frame for explaining records that are based on algorithmic output
Authors: Andresen Herbjørn
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to raise attention within the records management community about evolving demands for explanations that make it possible to understand the content of records, also when they reflect output from algorithms.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodological approach is a conceptual analysis based in records management theory and the philosophy of science. The concepts that are developed are thereafter applied to “the right to an explanation” and “an algorithmic ethics approach,” respectively, to further examine their viability.

Findings

Different forms of explanations, ranging from “certain” explanations to predictions, as well as varying degrees of control over the input data to algorithms, affect the nature of the explanations and what kinds of records the explanations may reside in.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to a conceptual frame for discussing where explanations to algorithms may be documented, within different kinds of records, emanating from different kinds of processes.
Measuring phenotypes in fluctuating environments
Authors: Burton Tim , Lakka Hanna‐Kaisa , Einum Sigurd
Published: December 2019

Despite considerable theoretical interest in how the evolution of phenotypic plasticity should be shaped by environmental variability and stochasticity, how individuals actually respond to these aspects of the environment within their own lifetimes remains unclear.

We propose that this understanding has been hampered by experimental approaches that expose organisms to fluctuating environments (typically treatments where fluctuations in the environment are cyclical vs. erratic) for a pre‐determined duration while ensuring that the mean environment over that the entire exposure period is invariable. This approach implicitly assumes that responses to the mean and variance/predictability in the environment occur over the same time‐scale. If this assumption is false, one potential outcome is that phenotypic differences among the treatment groups might arise in response to differences in the mean environment that are present over shorter time periods among those same treatment groups.

We illustrate an experimental design that (a) creates variation in the level of environmental predictability, (b) allows for estimation of the time‐scale over which the phenotypic response to the mean environment occurs and (c) permits statistical estimation of the effect of predictability in the environmental variable of interest while controlling for any effect of the mean environment over the relevant temporal scale.

Using the clonally reproducing zooplankton species Daphnia magna, we test for within‐generation plasticity in the ability to tolerate high temperature following exposure to multiple temperature treatments with the same overall mean, but where the pattern of fluctuations differed among them. This approach revealed that heat tolerance in Daphnia was not influenced by variability in temperature per se nor the predictability of fluctuations in temperature but adjusted in response to the mean temperature they experienced 24 hr prior to measurement.

Our results suggest that conclusions arising from studies that employ a single manipulation of environmental predictability and which cannot consider such potentially confounding effects may be premature.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Paediatric intubation in Australasian emergency departments: A report from the ANZEDAR
Authors: Ghedina Nicole , Alkhouri Hatem , Badge Helen , Fogg Toby , McCarthy Sally
Published: December 2019

Objectives

To describe the epidemiology, clinical practice and outcomes of paediatric ED intubation in Australia and New Zealand.

Method

Prospectively collected airway management audit data from 43 EDs in Australia and New Zealand that was submitted to the Australia and New Zealand Emergency Department Airway Registry between 2010 and 2015.

Results

Paediatric cases accounted for 4.94% (270/5463) of cases (median age = 3, interquartile range [IQR] = 2–9). A median of 5 (IQR = 2–9) intubations were reported per department per year. Most intubations were performed for medical indications (72.2%), including seizure (25.2%) and respiratory failure (15.2%). Patients were physiologically compromised prior to intubation with 69.5% comatose, 50.9% outside of the normal age‐adjusted range for respiratory rate, 15.9% hypoxic and 12.6% hypotensive. Complication rate was 33.3% and desaturation was the most common (18.5%). The ED mortality rate was 3.8%. First pass success (FPS) was 80% (95% CI 75.2–84.8). Infants less than 1 year of age had lower FPS, higher rates of difficult laryngoscopy and higher rates of desaturation than other age groups.

Conclusion

Paediatric intubation in Australasian EDs is rare from a departmental and individual provider viewpoint. Success rates are similar to contemporary international registries. Complications are common and ongoing collaborative multicentre audit with resultant quality improvement is desirable to facilitate improved success and reduced complications.
Testing hot‐spots police patrols against no‐treatment controls: Temporal and spatial deterrence effects in the London Underground experiment
Authors: Ariel Barak , Sherman Lawrence W. , Newton Mark
Published: December 2019

Our understanding of causality and effect size in randomized field experiments is challenged by variations in levels of baseline treatment dosage in control groups across experiments testing similar treatments. The clearest design is to compare treated cases with no‐treatment controls in a sample that lacks any prior treatment at baseline. We applied that strategy in a randomized test of hot‐spots police patrols on the previously never‐patrolled, track‐level platforms of the London Underground (LU). In a pretest–posttest, control‐group design, we randomly assigned 57 of the LU's 115 highest crime platforms to receive foot patrol by officers in 15‐minute doses, 4 times per day, during 8‐hour shifts on 4 days a week for 6 months. The effect of 23,272 police arrivals at the treatment hot spots over 26 weeks was to reduce public calls for service by 21 percent on treated platforms relative to controls, primarily when police were absent (97 percent of the measured effect). This effect was six times larger than the mean standardized effect size found in the leading systematic review. This finding provides a benchmark against the baseline counterfactual of no patrol in hot spots, with strong evidence of residual deterrence and no evidence of local displacement.
Systematic review of nutritional interventions for people admitted to hospital for alcohol withdrawal
Authors: McLean Cameron , Tapsell Linda , Grafenauer Sara , McMahon Anne‐Therese
Published: December 2019

Aim

The aim of this review is to describe the nature of nutritional interventions for people admitted to hospital for alcohol withdrawal reported in the scientific literature and the health outcomes achieved.

Methods

The review protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42017081884). The following databases were systematically searched following the PRISMA protocol: CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycARTICLES, PsycINFO, Scopus and Web of Science. Eligible studies were those published in English, in a hospital inpatient setting with the primary reason for admission being alcohol withdrawal. Studies of patient populations with the diagnosis of pancreatitis or liver cirrhosis were excluded. Studies were screened for eligibility, and data were extracted and descriptively analysed. Identified articles were assessed using the Quality Criteria Checklist for Primary Research produced by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Results

Fourteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Given the heterogeneity of studies, only a descriptive analysis of interventions could be achieved. Nutrition interventions included supplementation with thiamine, multivitamins, amino acids, antioxidant compounds, probiotics, magnesium or were educational interventions. Outcome measures included memory function, biochemical and anthropometrical indices, withdrawal symptoms, bowel flora levels and nutrition knowledge. However, the overall body of evidence was limited, particularly as there was a wide variation in participant age, study designs and duration of interventions.

Conclusions

A wide range of nutrition interventions were identified, mostly involving nutrient supplements ameliorating inadequacies. Future research might also consider total dietary interventions as well as studies on the perspectives of people undergoing alcohol withdrawal.
Oncogene addiction and tumor mutational burden in non‐small‐cell lung cancer: Clinical significance and limitations
Authors: Smolle Elisabeth , Leithner Katharina , Olschewski Horst
Published: December 2019

Lung cancer incidence has increased worldwide over the past decades, with non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounting for the vast majority (85%) of lung cancer specimens. It is estimated that lung cancer causes about 1.7 million global deaths per year worldwide. Multiple trials have been carried out, with the aim of finding new effective treatment options. Lately, special focus has been placed on immune checkpoint (PD1/PD‐L1) inhibitors which impact the tumor immune microenvironment. Tumor mutational burden (TMB) has been found to predict response to immune checkpoint inhibitors. Conversely, recent studies have weakened the significance of TMB as a predictor of response to therapy and survival. In this review article, we discuss the significance of TMB, as well as possible limitations. Furthermore, we give a concise overview of mutations frequently found in NSCLC, and discuss the significance of oncogene addiction in lung cancer as an essential driver of tumorigenesis and tumor progression.
Accuracy of the Defining Characteristics of the Sexual Dysfunction Nursing Diagnosis in Women with Breast Cancer
Authors: Ferreira Iarlla Silva , Fernandes Ana Fátima Carvalho , Rodrigues Andrea Bezerra , Santiago Jênifa Cavalcante dos Santos , de Sousa Vanessa Emille Carvalho , Lopes Marcos Venícios de Oliveira , Moreira Camila Brasil
Published: December 2019

Purpose

To analyze the accuracy of the defining characteristics of the nursing diagnosis of sexual dysfunction in women undergoing pharmacological treatment for breast cancer.

Methods

A cross‐sectional accuracy study with statistical analysis.

Findings

Alteration in sexual satisfaction was the defining characteristic with the highest sensitivity value, while perceived sexual limitation was the defining characteristic with the highest value for both sensitivity and specificity.

Conclusions

Perceived sexual limitation is a good clinical indicator to infer initial stages of sexual dysfunction and to confirm its presence.

Implications For Nursing Practice

Accurate diagnostics allow devising an action plan directed to the patients’ real needs, helping prescribe and deliver the appropriate nursing interventions.
Type 2 diabetes–associated polymorphisms correlate with SIRT1 and TGF‐β1 gene expression
Authors: Ramírez Ángeles , Hernández Miriam , Suárez‐Sánchez Rocío , Ortega Clara , Peralta Jesús , Gómez Jaime , Valladares Adán , Cruz Miguel , Vázquez‐Moreno Miguel Alexander , Suárez‐Sánchez Fernando
Published: December 2019

The polymorphisms rs3758391 and rs1800470 located in SIRT1 and TGF‐β1 have been associated with type 2 diabetes in different populations but its functional effect is not clear. In this study, we evaluated their effect on the expression of SIRT1 and TGF‐β1 in peripheral blood as well as their participation in the formation of DNA–protein complexes in a pancreas‐derived cell line. It has been described that SIRT1 and TGF‐β1 participate in cell growth and regulation of production and secretion of insulin in the pancreas. Anthropometric and biochemical profiles of 127 adults were measured. Genotypes for rs3758391 and rs1800470 were determined using TaqMan assays. Expression analysis of SIRT1 and TGF‐β1 were performed using real‐time PCR. Gene expression of these genes increased 1.8 ± 0.6‐ and 1.3 ± 0.6‐fold in patients carrying the TT genotype of rs3758391 and rs1800470 when compared to carriers of the CC genotype. Then, we tested whether these single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (and rs932658, which is in linkage disequilibrium with rs3758391) are located in regulatory DNA‐protein binding sites by electrophoretic mobility shift assays using nuclear extract from the pancreas‐derived cell line BxPC‐3. The electrophoretic mobility shift assay showed no binding of nuclear proteins to DNA. In conclusion, the genotypes of rs3758391 and rs1800470 are associated with modifications in the expression of the genes SIRT1 and TGF‐β1, respectively, but none of the tested SNPs are located in regulatory DNA‐protein binding sites.
Brief Report: Problem Gambling in International and Domestic University Students
Authors: Dowling Nicki A. , Brown Meredith , Aarsman Stephanie , Merkouris Stephanie S.
Published: December 2019

Background and Objectives

International students comprise an ethnic minority subpopulation who may be at increased risk for the development of gambling problems. This study aimed to explore the psychosocial factors associated with gambling problems in international and domestic university students in Australia.

Methods

One hundred seventy‐three (n = 173) university students (127 domestic, 45 international) completed measures of gambling participation, problem gambling, psychosocial factors (depression, anxiety, perceived social support, loneliness, gambling‐related cognitive distortions) and English language difficulties.

Results

Gambling participation, but not problem gambling status, was lower in international than domestic students. Only anxiety and cognitive distortions were associated with problem gambling in domestic students; and only cognitive distortions were associated with problem gambling in international students. International student status failed to moderate the relationships between any psychosocial factor and problem gambling status.

Conclusions and Scientific Significance

Future research is required to elucidate problem gambling risk and protective factors in this ethnic minority subgroup, with a view to guide culturally sensitive initiatives. (Am J Addict 2019;00:00–00)
Eight principles for newborn care in neonatal units: Findings from a national survey
Authors: Lopez-Maestro Maria , De la Cruz Javier , Perapoch‐Lopez Josep , Gimeno‐Navarro Ana , Vazquez‐Roman Sara , Alonso‐Diaz Clara , Muñoz‐Amat Bárbara , Morales‐Betancourt Catalina , Soriano‐Ramos María , Pallas‐Alonso Carmen
Published: December 2019

Aim

To assess, at national level, the implementation of eight principles for infant‐ and family‐centred developmental care (IFCDC) in neonatal units. A European expert group established eight ‘Principles of care’ in 2018 that define neurodevelopmental and family‐centred care.

Methods

The implementation of each principle was assessed by a survey sent to level‐III Spanish units. A principle was considered to be implemented if all answers to the principle‐associated questions were positive.

Results

The response rate was 84.5% (65/77). No unit had implemented eight principles. Principle 1 (free parental access) was implemented in 21.5% of the centres; Principle 2 (psychological support) 40%; Principle 3 (pain management) 7.7%; Principle 4 (environmental influences) 29%; Principle 5 (postural support) 84.6%; Principle 6 (kangaroo‐care) 67.7%; Principle 7 (breastfeeding) 23% and Principle 8 (sleep protection) in 46%. In units attending ≥50 very low birth weight (VLBW) infants, four or more principles had been implemented in 31% vs 13% <50 VLBW neonates (odds ratio 3.0 CI 95% 0.9‐10.1, P .07).

Conclusion

The principle with the highest implementation was related to newborn body positioning. Pain management was the principle with lowest implementation. More principles for IFCDC tend to be implemented in units providing care for a higher number of VLBW infants.
A review of using partial least square structural equation modeling in e‐learning research
Authors: Lin Hung‐Ming , Lee Min‐Hsien , Liang Jyh‐Chong , Chang Hsin‐Yi , Huang Pinchi , Tsai Chin‐Chung
Published: December 2019

Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS‐SEM) has become a key multivariate statistical modeling technique that educational researchers frequently use. This paper reviews the uses of PLS‐SEM in 16 major e‐learning journals, and provides guidelines for improving the use of PLS‐SEM as well as recommendations for future applications in e‐learning research. A total of 53 articles using PLS‐SEM published in January 2009–August 2019 are reviewed. We assess these published applications in terms of the following key criteria: reasons for using PLS‐SEM, model characteristics, sample characteristics, model evaluations and reporting. Our results reveal that small sample size and nonnormal data are the first two major reasons for using PLS‐SEM. Moreover, we have identified how to extend the applications of PLS‐SEM in the e‐learning research field.
Lymphovascular invasion and presence of embryonal carcinoma as risk factors for occult metastatic disease in clinical stage I nonseminomatous germ cell tumour: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Blok Joost M. , Pluim Ilse , Daugaard Gedske , Wagner Thomas , Jóźwiak Katarzyna , Wilthagen Erica A. , Looijenga Leendert H.J. , Meijer Richard P. , Bosch J.L.H. Ruud , Horenblas Simon
Published: December 2019

Objective

To systematically review the literature on the prognostic value of lymphovascular invasion (LVI) and embryonal carcinoma (EC) for occult metastatic disease in clinical stage I nonseminomatous germ cell tumour (CS I NSGCT).

Materials and methods

The PubMed, Embase (OVID) and SCOPUS databases were searched up to March 2019. Studies reporting on the association between LVI and/or EC and occult metastatic disease were considered for inclusion. The quality and risk of bias were evaluated by the Quality in Prognosis Studies tool.

Results

We screened 5287 abstracts and 207 full‐text articles. We included 35 studies in the narrative synthesis and 24 studies in a meta‐analysis. LVI showed the strongest effect. Pooled rates of occult metastasis were 47.5% and 16.9% for LVI‐positive and LVI‐negative patients, respectively (odds ratio [OR] 4.33, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.55–5.30; P < 0.001). Pooled rates of occult metastasis were 33.2% for EC presence and 16.2% for EC absence (OR 2.49, 95% CI 1.64–3.77; P < 0.001). Pooled rates of occult metastasis were 40.0% for EC >50% and 20.0% for EC <50% (OR 2.62, 95% CI 1.93–3.56; P < 0.001).

Conclusions

LVI is the strongest risk factor for relapse. The prognostic value of EC is high, but there is no common agreement on how to define this risk factor. Both EC presence and EC >50% have similar ORs for occult metastasis. This shows that the assessment of EC presence is sufficient for the classification of EC.
Differences in epiphyte biomass and community composition along landscape and within‐crown spatial scales
Authors: Amici Autumn A. , Nadkarni Nalini M. , Williams Cameron B. , Gotsch Sybil G.
Published: December 2019

Vascular epiphytes contribute to the structural, compositional, and functional complexity of tropical montane cloud forests because of their high biomass, diversity, and ability to intercept and retain water and nutrients from atmospheric sources. However, human‐caused climate change and forest‐to‐pasture conversion are rapidly altering tropical montane cloud forests. Epiphyte communities may be particularly vulnerable to these changes because of their dependence on direct atmospheric inputs and host trees for survival. In Monteverde, Costa Rica, we measured vascular epiphyte biomass, community composition, and richness at two spatial scales: (1) along an elevation gradient spanning premontane forests to montane cloud forests and (2) within trees along branches from inner to outer crown positions. We also compared epiphyte biomass and distribution at these scales between two different land‐cover types, comparing trees in closed canopy forest to isolated trees in pastures. An ordination of epiphyte communities at the level of trees grouped forested sites above versus below the cloud base, and separated forest versus pasture trees. Species richness increased with increasing elevation and decreased from inner to outer branch positions. Although richness did not differ between land‐cover types, there were significant differences in community composition. The variability in epiphyte community organization between the two spatial scales and between land‐cover types underscores the potential complexity of epiphyte responses to climate and land‐cover changes.

Abstract in Spanish is available with online material.
Risk factors and reoperative survival rate of failed narrow‐diameter implants in the maxillary anterior region
Authors: Yang Guangwen , Chen Li , Gao Ying , Liu Hui , Dong Heng , Mou Yongbin
Published: December 2019

Background

Narrow‐diameter implants (NDIs) have been proposed to address the dilemma of implant installation in cases of insufficient bone volume. However, the potential risk factors of failed NDIs, and whether reimplants with reliable efficacy are still controversial.

Purpose

This study aimed to evaluate the survival/success rate of NDIs in the maxillary anterior region and that of reimplants at the same site, as well as to explore the potential risk factors of original and replaced implants.

Materials and Methods

From January 2015 to April 2019, patients receiving NDIs in the anterior maxilla were enrolled in the present study. Multiple variables were assessed to exploit the risk factor of failed NDIs, including age, sex, implant sites, length, surface characteristics, and healing abutment designs. The relationship between bone augmentation and the number of missing teeth was assessed. For failed NDIs, the reasons for NDIs removal and marginal bone loss (MBL) were analyzed. The details and outcomes of reimplants were evaluated.

Results

Cumulative survival rates (CSRs) and success rates of 1095 NDIs installed in 835 patients were 96.99% and 96.51%, respectively. In total, 33 of these NDIs failed. TiUnite (TU) surface was a risk factor and it affected the success rate (92.56%) and CSR (92.4%) of NDIs (P < .001). The single NDIs with bone augmentation have lower failure rate. The average MBL for 33 failed NDIs was 1.92 ± 1.91 mm. Additionally, 22 patients with 23 NDIs accepted reimplantation of previously failed NDIs, and the success rate of reimplants was 95.65%.

Conclusions

Surface characteristic (TU surface) was a risk factor for failure of NDIs in the maxillary anterior region. Bone augmentation simultaneously performed during NDIs implantation was favorable for a single missing tooth. As an alternative plan, the reimplantation of failed NDIs was reliable and stable after successful bone reconstruction.
Therapeutic potentials and modulatory mechanisms of fatty acids in bone
Authors: Bao Minyue , Zhang Kaiwen , Wei Yangyini , Hua Weihan , Gao Yanzi , Li Xin , Ye Ling
Published: December 2019

Bone metabolism is a lifelong process that includes bone formation and resorption. Osteoblasts and osteoclasts are the predominant cell types associated with bone metabolism, which is facilitated by other cells such as bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs), osteocytes and chondrocytes. As an important component in our daily diet, fatty acids are mainly categorized as long‐chain fatty acids including polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs), monounsaturated fatty acids (LCMUFAs), saturated fatty acids (LCSFAs), medium‐/short‐chain fatty acids (MCFAs/SCFAs) as well as their metabolites. Fatty acids are closely associated with bone metabolism and associated bone disorders. In this review, we summarized the important roles and potential therapeutic implications of fatty acids in multiple bone disorders, reviewed the diverse range of critical effects displayed by fatty acids on bone metabolism, and elucidated their modulatory roles and mechanisms on specific bone cell types. The evidence supporting close implications of fatty acids in bone metabolism and disorders suggests fatty acids as potential therapeutic and nutritional agents for the treatment and prevention of metabolic bone diseases.
Preference of neuromuscular patients regarding equipment for daytime mouthpiece ventilation: A randomized crossover study
Authors: Toussaint Michel , Chatwin Michelle , Verhulst Stijn , Reychler Gregory
Published: December 2019

Background

Patients with neuromuscular disorders (NMDs) are likely to develop respiratory failure which requires noninvasive ventilation (NIV). Ventilation via a mouthpiece (MPV) is an option to offer daytime NIV.

Objectives

To determine the preferred equipment for MPV by patients with NMDs.

Methods

Two MPV equipment sets were compared in 20 patients with NMDs. Set 1, consisted of a non‐dedicated ventilator for MPV (PB560, Covidien) with a plastic angled mouthpiece. Set 2, consisted of a dedicated MPV ventilator (Trilogy 100, Philips Respironics) without backup rate and kiss trigger combined with a silicone straw mouthpiece. The Borg dyspnea score, ventilator free time, transcutaneous oxygen saturation (SpO2) and carbon dioxide tension (TcCO2) were recorded with and without MPV. Patient perception was assessed by a 17‐items list.

Results

Carbon dioxide tension measurements and total perception score were not different between the two MPV sets. Dyspnea score was lower with the non‐dedicated versus dedicated equipment, 1 (0.5) versus 3 (1‐6), P < 0.01. All patients with a ventilator free time lower than 6 hours preferred a set backup rate rather than a kiss trigger. Sixty five percent of patients preferred the commercial arm support and 55% preferred the plastic angled mouthpiece.

Conclusions

Dedicated and non‐dedicated MPV equipment are deemed effective and comfortable. Individualization of arm support and mouthpiece is advised to ensure success of MPV. A ventilator free time lower than 6 hours seems to be a useful indicator to a priori set a backup rate rather than a rate at zero associated to the kiss trigger.