bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bulk polarity of 3,5,7-trinitro-1-azaadamantane mediated by asymmetric NO2(lone pair)...NO2(π-hole) supramolecular bonding
Authors: Domasevitch Kostiantyn V. , Senchyk Ganna A. , Krautscheid Harald
Published: May 2020

Molecular crystals exhibiting polar symmetry are important paradigms for developing new electrooptical materials. Though accessing bulk polarity still presents a significant challenge, in some cases it may be rationalized as being associated with the specific molecular shapes and symmetries and subtle features of supramolecular interactions. In the crystal structure of 3,5,7-trinitro-1-azaadamantane, C9H12N4O6, the polar symmetry of the molecular arrangement is a result of complementary prerequisites, namely the C
3v
symmetry of the molecules is suited to the generation of polar stacks and the inherent asymmetry of the principal supramolecular bonding, as is provided by NO2(lone pair)...NO2(π-hole) interactions. These bonds arrange the molecules into a trigonal network. In spite of the apparent simplicity, the structure comprises three unique molecules (Z′ = 1 \over 3 + 1 \over 3 + 1 \over 3), two of which are donors and acceptors of three N...O interactions and the third being primarily important for weak C—H...O hydrogen bonding. These distinct structural roles agree with the results of Hirshfeld surface analysis. A set of weak C—H...O and C—H...N hydrogen bonds yields three kinds of stacks. The orientation of the stacks is identical and therefore the polarity of each molecule contributes additively to the net dipole moment of the crystal. This suggests a special potential of asymmetric NO2(lone pair)...NO2(π-hole) interactions for the supramolecular synthesis of acentric materials.
Crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis of diethyl 5-(2-cyanophenoxy)isophthalate
Authors: Muslim Mohd , Ali Arif , Kamaal Saima , Ahmad Musheer , Afzal Mohd , Plutenko Maksym O.
Published: May 2020

The title compound, C19H17NO5, obtained by ether bond formation between the reagents, crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/c. The compound is non-planar, subtending a dihedral angle of 82.38 (4)° between the plane of hydroxy isophthalate-based ester and that of the benzonitrile moiety. The molecule is bent at the ether linkage, with a Caryl—O—Caryl bond angle of 116.74 (11)°. In the crystal, molecules are linked by C—H...O hydrogen bonds and other weak interactions forming a supramolecular framework. A Hirshfeld surface analysis was performed to generate two-dimensional fingerprint plots, which reveal the type of interactions occurring in the vicinity of the molecule.
Crystal structure, Hirshfeld surface analysis and interaction energy, DFT and antibacterial activity studies of (Z)-4-hexyl-2-(4-methylbenzylidene)-2H-benzo[b][1,4]thiazin-3(4H)-one
Authors: Sebbar Ghizlane , Hni Brahim , Hökelek Tuncer , Mague Joel T. , Sebbar Nada Kheira , Belkadi Bouchra , Essassi El Mokhtar
Published: May 2020

The title compound, C22H25NOS, consists of methylbenzylidene and benzothiazine units linked to a hexyl moiety, where the thiazine ring adopts a screw-boat conformation. In the crystal, inversion dimers are formed by weak C—HMthn...OBnzthz hydrogen bonds and are linked into chains extending along the a-axis direction by weak C—HBnz...OBnzthz (Bnz = benzene, Bnzthz = benzothiazine and Mthn = methine) hydrogen bonds. A Hirshfeld surface analysis of the crystal structure indicates that the most important contributions for the crystal packing are from H...H (59.2%) and H...C/C...H (27.9%) interactions. Hydrogen bonding and van der Waals interactions are the dominant interactions in the crystal packing. Computational chemistry indicates that in the crystal, the C—HBnz...OBnzthz and C—HMthn...OBnzthz hydrogen-bond energies are 75.3 and 56.5 kJ mol−1, respectively. Density functional theory (DFT) optimized structures at the B3LYP/ 6–311 G(d,p) level are compared with the experimentally determined molecular structure in the solid state. The HOMO—LUMO behaviour was elucidated to determine the energy gap. Moreover, the antibacterial activity of the title compound was evaluated against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.
Crystal structure of a 1:1 co-crystal of the anticancer drug gefitinib with azelaic acid
Authors: George Christy P. , Sangtani Ekta , Gonnade Rajesh G.
Published: May 2020

In the title co-crystal, C22H24ClFN4O3·C9H16O4, gefitinib (GTB; systematic name: quinazolin-4-amine) co-crystallizes with azelaic acid (AA; systematic name: nonanedioic acid). The co-crystal has the monoclinic P21/n centrosymmetric space group, containing one molecule each of GTB and AA in the asymmetric unit. A structure overlay of the GTB molecule in the co-crystal with that of its most stable polymorph revealed a significant difference in the conformation of the morpholine moiety. The significant deviation in the conformation of one of the acidic groups of azelaic acid from its usual linear chain structure could be due to the encapsulation of one acidic group in the pocket formed between the two pincers of GTB namely, the morpholine and phenyl moieties. Both GTB and AA molecules form N—H...O, O—H...N, C—H...O hydrogen bonds with C—H...F close contacts along with off-stacked aromatic π–π interactions between the GTB molecules.
Contesting conformity: how and why academics may oppose the conforming influences of intra-organizational performance evaluations
Authors: Englund Hans , Gerdin Jonas
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a theoretical model elaborating on the type of conditions that can inhibit (or at least temporarily hold back) “reactive conformance” in the wake of an increasing reliance on quantitative performance evaluations of academic research and researchers.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative study of a research group at a Swedish university who was recurrently exposed to quantitative performance evaluations of their research activities.

Findings

The empirical findings show how the research group under study exhibited a surprisingly high level of non-compliance and non-conformity in relation to what was deemed important and legitimate by the prevailing performance evaluations. Based on this, we identify four important qualities of pre-existing research/er ideals that seem to make them particularly resilient to an infiltration of an “academic performer ideal,” namely that they are (1) central and since-long established, (2) orthogonal to (i.e. very different from) the academic performer ideal as materialized by the performance measurement system, (3) largely shared within the research group and (4) externally legitimate. The premise is that these qualities form an important basis and motivation for not only criticizing, but also contesting, the academic performer ideal.

Originality/value

Extant research generally finds that the proliferation of quantitatively oriented performance evaluations within academia makes researchers adopt a new type of academic performer ideal which promotes research conformity and superficiality. This study draws upon, and adds to, an emerging literature that has begun to problematize this “reactive conformance-thesis” through identifying four qualities of pre-existing research/er ideals that can inhibit (or at least temporarily hold back) such “reactive research conformance.”
The discrete Fourier transformation for seasonality and anomaly detection of an application to rare data
Authors: Collins Jackson Aryana , Lacey Seán
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The discrete Fourier transformation (DFT) has been proven to be a successful method for determining whether a discrete time series is seasonal and, if so, for detecting the period. This paper deals exclusively with rare data, in which instances occur periodically at a low frequency.

Design/methodology/approach

Data based on real-world situations is simulated for analysis.

Findings

Cycle number detection is done with spectral analysis, period detection is completed using DFT coefficients and signal shifts in the time domain are found using the convolution theorem. Additionally, a new method for detecting anomalies in binary, rare data is presented: the sum of distances. Using this method, expected events which have not occurred and unexpected events which have occurred at various sampling frequencies can be detected. Anomalies which are not considered outliers to be found.

Research limitations/implications

Aliasing can contribute to extra frequencies which point to extra periods in the time domain. This can be reduced or removed with techniques such as windowing. In future work, this will be explored.

Practical implications

Applications include determining seasonality and thus investigating the underlying causes of hard drive failure, power outages and other undesired events. This work will also lend itself well to finding patterns among missing desired events, such as a scheduled hard drive backup or an employee's regular login to a server.

Originality/value

This paper has shown how seasonality and anomalies are successfully detected in seasonal, discrete, rare and binary data. Previously, the DFT has only been used for non-rare data.
Understanding sustainable strategies in low-cost housing
Authors: J. Gokul Krishna , R. Roshan , S.V. Sivapriya
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to understand the incorporation of sustainability methods of construction through the study of a low-cost housing Tamil Nadu Housing Board settlement in a locality in Chennai, India. Such a study helps to arrive at proper design decisions and incorporate a participatory approach involving the residents to enable the developers, here the decision-makers of the government, cater to the local interests.

Design/methodology/approach

First, a survey was conducted to understand the local conditions and people’s aspirations. Along with this, the parameters pertaining to a green housing were derived and compared with the needs of the locals, to arrive at the most influencing parameters by decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory model (DEMATEL) analysis.

Findings

The study finds that parameters viz. “ensuring basic services” and “social inclusivity” happen to be the causal factors that seem to influence the needs of the locals. These factors therefore can guide the future plans to redevelop the settlement or construct similar settlements in a more sustainable way.

Originality/value

This paper is a unique study to combine the twin pillars of low-cost housing and sustainability, which helps in developing settlements that are conducive to the city’s socio-developmental requirements as well as respectful of the natural environment. Further, the analysis conducted through DEMATEL method could essentially guide the decision-maker to tackle urban challenges in the most locally suitable and sustainable approach.
Impact of board size on the accounting returns and the asset quality of Indian banks
Authors: Shukla Ankur , Narayanasamy Sivasankaran , Krishnakumar Ramachandran
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to explore the impact of board size on the accounting returns and asset quality of Indian banks.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses ordinary least squares regression, robust regression and panel data methods for estimation, based on data collected for a sample of 29 Indian banks that are listed on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and form part of the NSE-500 index over a period of eight financial years 2009-2016. The data pertaining to the board size of the sample banks is collected from the annual reports of banks, whereas the data relating to return on assets (ROA) and ratio of the gross non-performing assets to total assets and control variables (bank age and bank size) is extracted from ACE Equity database.

Findings

This paper concludes that the size of the governing board has a positive impact on the accounting returns (measured through ROA) of the Indian banks. Further, board size is observed to be insignificant in determining the asset quality of Indian banks.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the literature and practitioners in a number of ways. First, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study on the impact of board size on the accounting returns and asset quality of Indian banks. The findings of the study contribute new theoretical insights to the body of knowledge on the influence of the size of the board, which may be useful for future researchers. Second, banks may enhance their financial performance by taking cognizance of the findings of this study. Finally, equity investors may make use of the findings of this article in deciding on whether to invest in a bank’s stock/lend to the bank based on board size of the bank.
Effect of crystal size on the tribological properties of lithium disilicate glass-ceramics sliding against alumina and tungsten carbide spheres
Authors: da Cruz Crislaine , Mathias Ivan , Senk Mariza Veiga , Biscaia de Souza Gelson , Serbena Francisco Carlos
Published: May 2020

Purpose

Lithium disilicate glass-ceramics (LS2 GC) are widely used as dental prosthetics and dental restorations. Based LS2 GC have hardness and translucency similar to that of natural teeth. This study aims to investigate the tribological features of LS2 GC with crystalline volume fraction of 64% and different crystal sizes from 8 µm to 34 µm for different counterparts.

Design/methodology/approach

The tribological behavior was investigated using a pin-on-disc tribometer with alumina and tungsten carbide (WC) spheres, applied load of 5 N and sliding speed of 5 cm/s at normal conditions. The coefficient of friction was measured continuously up to 10,000 sliding cycles. The specific wear rate was calculated from tribological and profile measurements. The wear mechanism was investigated by surface morphology analysis.

Findings

The coefficient of friction during running-in varied from 0.8 to 1.0 for the alumina counterpart, because of severe wear. Afterwards, it reduced and reached a stationary regime, characterized by a mild wear regime and the formation of a tribolayer formed by the debris. For the WC counterpart, the coefficient of friction curves increased initially with sliding cycles up to a stationary regime. The samples tested against WC presented the lowest specific wear rate (k), and no variation of wear rate with crystal size was observed. For samples tested against the alumina, crystallization and crystal size increased the wear resistance.

Originality/value

This study evaluated the effect of different counterfaces on the tribological properties of the LS2 GC, an important glass-ceramic base for many dental prosthetics and dental restorations, discussing results in light of the contact mechanics. Different specific wear rates, wear regimes and dependence on the glass-ceramic microstructure were observed depending on the counterpart.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at:https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-08-2019-0352/
A realist evaluation of a “single point of contact” end-of-life care service
Authors: Efstathiou Nikolaos , Lock Anna , Ahmed Suha , Parkes Linda , Davies Tammy , Law Susan
Published: May 2020

Purpose

Following the development of a service that consisted of a “single point of contact” to coordinate end-of-life care (EoLC), including EoLC facilitators and an urgent response team, we aimed to explore whether the provision of coordinated EoLC would support patients being cared or dying in their preferred place and avoid unwanted hospital admissions.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a realist evaluation approach, the authors examined “what worked for whom, how, in what circumstances and why”. Multiple data were collected, including activity/performance indicators, observations of management meetings, documents, satisfaction survey and 30 interviews with service providers and users.

Findings

Advance care planning (ACP) increased through the first three years of the service (from 45% to 83%) and on average 74% of patients achieved preferred place of death. More than 70% of patients avoided an emergency or unplanned hospital admission in their last month of life. The mechanisms and context identified as driving forces of the service included: 7/7 single point of contact; coordinating services across providers; recruiting and developing the workforce; understanding and clarifying new roles; and managing expectations.

Research limitations/implications

This was a service evaluation and the outcomes are related to the specific context and mechanisms. However, findings can be transferable to similar settings.

Practical implications

“Single point of contact” services that offer coordinated EoLC can contribute in supporting people to be cared and die in their preferred place.

Originality/value

This paper provides an evaluation of a novel approach to EoLC and creates a set of hypotheses that could be further tested in similar services in the future.
Organisational development to support integrated care in East London: the perspective of clinicians and social workers on the ground
Authors: Bussu Sonia , Marshall Martin
Published: May 2020

Purpose

Organisational Development (OD), with its focus on partnership working and distributed leadership, is increasingly advocated as an effective approach to driving change. Our evaluation of the impact of OD on delivery of integrated care in three London boroughs sheds light on how OD is being understood and implemented within health services, and what impact it is having on delivery of care.

Design/methodology/approach

The findings presented here are based on a qualitative and participatory evaluation. The authors looked at how health and social care professionals communicated and coordinated delivery of care and evaluated the impact of current OD activities on the ground to evidence whether and to which degree they are enabling frontline staff to change their working routines towards greater coordination.

Findings

Our findings highlight the limited reach and scope of a top-down approach to OD based on ad hoc coaching and staff engagement events, often delivered by external consultancies, and mostly focused at the senior management level. This approach fell short of enabling the creation of sustainable, integrated and collaborative organisations. Instead, some of the professionals that participated in our study tried to develop spaces that facilitated ongoing dialogue and mutual support among professionals on the ground.

Practical implications

Initiatives of bottom-up OD such as those described in this paper have greater potential to change working routines as they enable staff to move towards more collaborative and coordinated work.

Originality/value

These findings contribute to the literature on OD in public services and highlight the benefits of a context-sensitive, pragmatic, and long-term approach to OD to help create sustainable collaborative organisations.
Studying musical creativity for managing music library services
Authors: Lavranos Charilaos , Manolitzas Panagiotis , Kostagiolas Petros , Grigoroudis Evangelos
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study and quantify musicians' creativity in order to tune music library services and pinpoint potential musical creative activities.

Design/methodology/approach/methodology/approach

Webster's conceptual framework for the creative thinking process in music is informing our survey while the analysis adopts a multiple criteria method for quantifying musical creativity. strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis is also adopted developing strategic decisions based on musicians' creativity behaviours.

Findings

Mental representations of the music heard (listening) is the most important dimension for creative thinking in music while dimensions such as recorded improvisations (improvisation), written analysis (analysis) and composed music scores (composition) follow. SWOT analysis provides further indications for music library services development based on musicians' creativity behaviours.

Originality/value

This study proposes a novel research vein based on multicriteria analysis within the contexts of musical creativity for managing music library services.
Information and telecommunications diplomacy in the context of international security at the United Nations
Authors: Pauletto Christian
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The development of technologies for the conduct of cyber operations represents an opportunity for states to defend their interests in international relations but also bears risks and challenges. Since the early 2000s, the United Nations “group of governmental experts (GGE) on developments in the field of information and telecommunications in the context of international security” debates on this issue. This paper aims to investigate how states are challenged in the development of international cyber norms and where capacity to act is idle, i.e. to assess how much has been reached in the international community’s debate on cyber threats and malicious behaviors in the international security context and to identify directions to move GGE work further.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology uses an extensive text-based desk research and relies on a thorough collection, analysis and interpretation of the United Nations (UNs) documents. When specific substantial topics are addressed in the GGE, the content of the debate was confronted with issue-specific academic literature on those matters.

Findings

The results highlight that the GGE managed to gather consensus on a number of cooperation and normative measures in this politically highly sensitive topic and more deliverables are expected during this and next year. The paper identifies a weakness in terms of operational implementation though. The paper proposes a few examples of concrete headways that could complement existing consensus, especially on the implementation side.

Originality/value

Because of its political sensitivity, the GGE has worked with discretion and has attracted little academic attention. This paper is an original and timely attempt to assess the achievements and possible outlook of this endeavor of the international community, including the incipient work of a recently established open-ended working group. It also attempts to connect the subject matter discussed in the UN with related academic literature, including in respect of definitional and conceptual issues.
Continuance intention to use Facebook: understanding the roles of attitude and habit
Authors: Law Monica
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This study aims to propose a model for examining different effects of attitude, continued intention to use Facebook and habitual usage on social-information seeking and self-disclosure. Specifically, the proposed model aims to enhance continued intention to use and strengthen specific social networking behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

This study involved a group of undergraduates, between 20 and 25 years. Most measurement items in this study came from relevant prior studies, and the questionnaire was prepared in English. On the basis of over 400 data points, all items were tested with structural equation modelling.

Findings

Two major findings emerged: attitude, continued intention to use and habitual usage affect self-disclosure; and habitual usage is the only factor that affects social-information seeking.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed model amplifies the significance of attitude, continued intention to use and habitual usage. The model also affords researchers an enhanced understanding of the Facebook usage of young adults. The key limitation of this study is that it only involves undergraduate students.

Practical implications

This study suggests that online marketers should prepare diverse kinds of strategies, particularly to understand different behaviours of their fan pages’ followers. Specific communication strategies should be used.

Originality/value

To the best of the author’s knowledge, this study is the first to investigate the impacts of the three factors in one study. It enriches the extent to which prior studies identified and acknowledged the roles played by attitude, continued intention to use and habitual usage.
Physicochemical characterisation of native micellar casein concentrates from buffalo and cow skim milk harvested using microfiltration
Authors: Hooda Ankita , Mann Bimlesh , Sharma Rajan , Bajaj Rajesh
Published: May 2020

In the present study, the physicochemical properties of micellar casein concentrate (MCC) prepared from skim milk (buffalo and cow), using microfiltration (MF), were assessed. There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) between the average particle size of skim milk casein micelles (cow and buffalo) and their respective MCC. The casein‐to‐whey protein ratio increased from 4.91 and 4.75 in skim milk to 135.16 and 159.22 in MCC of buffalo and cow, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images showed an interwoven intact structure in both buffalo skim milk and MCC as compared to cow MCC. MCC showed excellent heat stability with type B characteristic curve.
Intrapartum‐related perinatal deaths in births planned in midwifery‐led settings in Great Britain: findings and recommendations from the ESMiE confidential enquiry
Authors: Rowe R , Draper ES , Kenyon S , Bevan C , Dickens J , Forrester M , Scanlan R , Tuffnell D , Kurinczuk JJ
Published: May 2020

Objective

To review quality of care in births planned in midwifery‐led settings, resulting in an intrapartum‐related perinatal death.

Design

Confidential enquiry.

Setting

England, Scotland and Wales.

Sample

Intrapartum stillbirths and intrapartum‐related neonatal deaths in births planned in alongside midwifery units, freestanding midwifery units or at home, sampled from national perinatal surveillance data for 2015/16 (alongside midwifery units) and 2013–16 (freestanding midwifery units and home births).

Methods

Multidisciplinary panels reviewed medical notes for each death, assessing and grading quality of care by consensus, with reference to national standards and guidance. Data were analysed using thematic analysis and descriptive statistics.

Results

Sixty‐four deaths were reviewed, 30 stillbirths and 34 neonatal deaths. At the start of labour care, 23 women were planning birth in an alongside midwifery unit, 26 in a freestanding midwifery unit and 15 at home. In 75% of deaths, improvements in care were identified that may have made a difference to the outcome for the baby. Improvements in care were identified that may have made a difference to the mother's physical and psychological health and wellbeing in 75% of deaths. Issues with care were identified around risk assessment and decisions about planning place of birth, intermittent auscultation, transfer during labour, resuscitation and neonatal transfer, follow up and local review.

Conclusions

These confidential enquiry findings do not address the overall safety of midwifery‐led settings for healthy women with straightforward pregnancies, but suggest areas where the safety of care can be improved. Maternity services should review their care with respect to our recommendations.

Tweetable abstract

Confidential enquiry of intrapartum‐related baby deaths highlights areas where care in midwifery‐led settings can be made even safer.
Changes in Assortative Matching and Inequality in Income: Evidence for the UK*
Authors: Chiappori Pierre‐André , Costa‐Dias Monica , Crossman Sam , Meghir Costas
Published: May 2020

The extent to which like‐with‐like marry is important for inequality as well as for the outcomes of children who result from the union. In this paper, we present evidence on changes in assortative mating and its implications for household inequality in the UK. Our approach contrasts with others in the literature in that it is consistent with an underlying model of the marriage market. We argue that a key advantage of this approach is that it creates a direct connection between changes in assortativeness in marriage and changes in the value of marriage for the various possible matches by education group. Our empirical results do not show a clear direction of change in assortativeness in the UK between the birth cohorts of 1945–54 and 1965–74. We find that changes in assortativeness pushed income inequality up slightly, but that the strong changes in education attainment across the two cohorts contributed to scale down inequality.
A polling experiment on public opinion on the future expansion of Medicare and Medicaid
Authors: Karra Mahesh , Sandoe Emma
Published: May 2020

Objective

To conduct a polling experiment to understand the possible framing effects that drive constituents’ views around Medicare For All (MFA) and Medicaid Buy‐In (MBI).

Data Sources and Study Setting

Five thousand and fifty‐one US adults aged 18 and older were recruited to participate in an online poll conducted between September 12, 2018, and September 26, 2018.

Study Design

Participants were randomized to receive one of four polls: (a) a poll measuring respondent approval for MFA, with the name of the proposal stated with a description; (b) a poll measuring approval for MFA, with only a description of the proposal; (c) a poll measuring approval for MBI, with the name stated with a description; or (d) a poll measuring approval for MBI, with only a description.

Principal Findings

Including the names “Medicare For All” and “Medicaid Buy‐In” increases approval by 3.4 (from 32.7 percent to 36.1 percent) and 5.0 (from 50.1 percent to 55.1 percent) percentage points, respectively. Support varies by age, where MBI is most strongly supported by Millennials, while Baby Boomers and those older than 65 are more likely to support MFA.

Conclusions

Constituents are more likely to support a proposal when given the names of the proposal. Approval is also higher for health policies that are framed as expansions of existing policies than as new programs.
Fusobacterium nucleatum exacerbates colitis by damaging epithelial barriers and inducing aberrant inflammation
Authors: Liu Hua , Hong Xia Lu , Sun Tian Tian , Huang Xiao Wen , Wang Ji Lin , Xiong Hua
Published: May 2020

Objective

Fusobacterium nucleatum (F. nucleatum) has been reported to be enriched in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This study aimed to explore the role of F. nucleatum in IBD and its pathogenic mechanism.

Methods

Several bacteria that have been reported to be associated with IBD or colorectal cancer were measured in the fecal samples of 91 patients with IBD and 43 healthy individuals. Mice with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)‐induced colitis and a Caco‐2 cell line were used to explore the pathogenicity of F. nucleatum. Barrier damage was evaluated by a transmission electron microscope, the permeability of fluorescein isothiocyanate‐dextran, transepithelial electrical resistance and immunofluorescence. Protein levels of the cell‐cell junction and activation of the STAT3 signaling pathway were detected by immunohistochemistry and immunoblot. Cytokine secretion and T‐cell differentiation were measured by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction and flow cytometry.

Results

F. nucleatum was significantly enriched in the feces of patients with IBD and its abundance correlated with disease activity. Administration of F. nucleatum markedly exacerbated colitis in a DSS mouse model. Mechanistically, F. nucleatum damaged epithelial integrity and increased permeability by regulating the expression and distribution of tight junction proteins zonula occludens‐1 and occludin. Moreover, F. nucleatum promoted the secretion of cytokines (tumor necrosis factor‐α, interferon‐γ, interleukin [IL]‐1β, IL‐6, and IL‐17), activated the STAT3 signaling pathway, and induced CD4+T cell proliferation and Th1 and Th17 subset differentiations.

Conclusion

F. nucleatum can damage the intestinal barrier and induce aberrant inflammation, which exacerbates colitis.
Assessment of renal vascular anatomy on multi‐detector computed tomography in living renal donors
Authors: O’Neill Damien C. , Murphy Blathnaid , Carmody Emma , Trench Luke , Dunne Ruth , Lee Michael J , Little Dilly , Morrin Martina M
Published: May 2020

Background

Prospective renal donors are a select population of healthy individuals who have been thoroughly screened for significant comorbidities before they undergo multi‐detector computed tomography angiography and urography (MDCT).

Purpose

The aim of this study is to describe the anatomy of potential living renal donor subjects using MDCT over a 2‐year period. The primary objective is to identify the renal arterial anatomy variations, with a secondary objective of identifying venous and collecting system/ureteric variations.

Materials and Methods

A prospective study was performed of prospective living kidney transplant donors at a national kidney transplant centre. Study inclusion criteria were all potential kidney donors who underwent MDCT during the living‐donor assessment process over a 2‐year period.

Results

Our cohort included 160 potential living donors who had MDCT; mean age was 45.6 years (range, 21–71). Two renal arteries were identified on the left in 40 subjects (25%) and on the right in 42 subjects (26.3%). A total of 3 or more renal arteries were identified on the left in 7 subjects (4.4%) and on the right in 7 subjects (4.4%). On the left, the distances between multiple arteries ranged from 1 mm to 43 mm, and on the right, they were 1 mm to 84 mm.

Conclusions

Conventionally described anatomy was only seen on the left side in 70.6% and 69.4% on the right side of subjects. Single renal arteries are seen in 54.4% showing that conventional anatomy has a relatively low incidence.
Primary pleural liposarcoma combined spindle cell lipoma of the lung
Authors: Kang Lae Hyung , Hwang Chung Su , Yoon Seong Hoon
Published: May 2020

Liposarcoma is a malignant adipose tissue tumor which mainly originates from the extremities and retroperitoneum. Primary pleural liposarcoma is very rare. Spindle cell lipoma is a rare benign adipose tissue tumor. A 66‐year‐old male was referred to our hospital for the evaluation of a mass‐like opacity visible on chest X‐ray. Computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a well‐defined soft tissue mass with internal low attenuations and adjacent multiple nodules in the upper lobe of the left lung, and surgical excision was subsequently performed. Histopathological findings revealed adipose tissue with lipoblasts and spindle cells and immunohistochemical staining (IHC) revealed the tumor cells were strongly positive for CDK4 and MDM2. Histopathological examination of the small lung nodules showed spindle cell proliferation and adipose tissue without positivity for MDM2. Here, we report a rare case of primary pleural liposarcoma combined adjacent spindle cell lipoma of the lung.
Comprehensive Assessment of Alcohol Consumption in People Living with HIV (PLWH): The New Orleans Alcohol Use in HIV Study
Authors: Ferguson Tekeda F. , Theall Katherine P. , Brashear Meghan , Maffei Vincent , Beauchamp Alaina , Siggins Robert W. , Simon Liz , Mercante Donald , Nelson Steve , Welsh David A. , Molina Patricia E.
Published: May 2020

Background

High frequency of alcohol use among people living with HIV (PLWH) warrants careful assessment and screening to better understand its impact on HIV disease progression and development of comorbidities. Due to the limitations of the tools used to measure alcohol use, the links to health consequences are not fully understood.

Methods

We completed a cross‐sectional analysis to examine the prevalence of alcohol consumption using multiple alcohol assessment tools and their correlation and consistency in a cohort of PLWH (N = 365) enrolled in the New Orleans Alcohol Use in HIV (NOAH) Study. Alcohol use was assessed with the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), timeline followback (TLFB) Calendar, lifetime drinking history, Alcohol and Drug Addiction Severity Index, and blood levels of phosphatidylethanol (PEth). Spearman’s correlations were estimated for continuous measures of alcohol consumption; Wilcoxon rank‐sum tests were used to compare means; and logistic regression was used to estimate odds of alcohol use by demographic characteristics.

Results

Self‐report of current alcohol use varied from 58.9 to 73.7% depending on the assessment. All the self‐reported alcohol measures showed statistically significant correlations with the biological marker PEth. The highest correlation was with TLFB grams (r = 0.67, p < 0.001). Using TLFB, 73.7% of the cohort reported using alcohol in the last 30 days, and 61.6% had a positive PEth value. The prevalence of risky drinkers, meeting the TLFB > 3 (women) or >4 (men) drinks/day or>7 (women) or>14 (men) drinks/week, was 49.0%. Medium‐risk drinking defined as an AUDIT score ≥ 8 was reported in 40.3%, and high‐risk drinkers/probable AUD (AUDIT score ≥ 16) was met by 17.0% of the cohort.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate the importance of comprehensive assessments for alcohol use, including self‐report via multiple assessment tools administered by trained staff, as well as the addition of biomarkers for improved classification of subjects into different drinking categories.
Using monitors to monitor ecological restoration: Presence may not indicate persistence
Authors: Cross Sophie L. , Craig Michael D. , Tomlinson Sean , Dixon Kingsley W. , Bateman Philip W.
Published: May 2020

Habitat loss is a leading cause of biodiversity declines globally, and there has been increasing recognition in recent years of the importance of restoring degraded habitats to functional ecosystems to ameliorate this loss. Despite the critical roles animals play in ecosystems, animals are often overlooked in assessments of ecological restoration success, particularly beyond their presence or absence in these habitats. Apex predators are critical to ecosystems, regulating predator–prey dynamics, and in arid Australia, monitor lizards (Reptilia: Varanidae) often fill high‐order predatory roles. Varanids are highly diverse in size and occupy a variety of ecological niches, providing an ideal group for assessing habitat change over multiple spatial scales. Here, we assess the responses of varanids to early‐stage habitat restoration following the discontinuation of mining activities, by mapping behavioural signs of habitat usage including burrows, tracks and diggings. We recorded burrow size and track measurements to gauge the size of varanids utilising reference and restored habitats, and mapped tortuosity of tracks to assess their movement through habitats. Restored areas had significantly fewer signs of varanid presence than the reference bushland and largely appeared to be just traversed or used only by larger individuals. Restored landscapes, particularly those in early successional stages, often lack established vegetation cover and present increased metabolic costs and predation risks. Providing fauna refuges (e.g. hollow logs) to mitigate the metabolic costs and predation risks in areas undergoing restoration may aid in facilitating the return of varanids and of other animal populations, particularly during the early stages of vegetation establishment. Understanding the behavioural responses and movement ecology of animals within landscapes undergoing restoration is key to facilitating the conservation of self‐sustaining and functional ecosystems.
APPEAL‐1: A pan‐European survey of patient/caregiver perceptions of peanut allergy management
Authors: Blumchen Katharina , DunnGalvin Audrey , Timmermans Frans , Regent Lynne , Schnadt Sabine , Podestà Marcia , Sánchez Angel , Couratier Pascale , Feeney Mary , Hjorth Betina , Patel Ram , Lush Tessa , Ryan Robert , Vereda Andrea , Fisher Helen R. , Fernández‐Rivas Montserrat
Published: May 2020

Background

Peanut allergy (PA) is associated with marked quality‐of‐life (QoL) impairment. However, data are lacking on the experience and impact of living with PA from the perspectives of persons with PA (PwPA) and their caregivers. Allergy to Peanuts imPacting Emotions And Life study 1 (APPEAL‐1) was a pan‐European survey investigating these perspectives. This first of two articles reports clinical characteristics of PwPA and PA management practices.

Methods

APPEAL‐1 was a quantitative, online survey conducted in eight European countries, developed by eight representatives of patient advocacy groups and five healthcare professionals and researchers. Eligible participants included adults with PA and parents/caregivers of PwPA who responded by self‐report and provided proxy‐report for the PwPA under their care. Data were summarized using nonweighted descriptive statistics.

Results

Of 1846 completed/analysed questionnaires, 528 were from adults with PA (self‐report); 437 by proxy for children with PA (34 aged 0‐3 years, 287 aged 4‐12 years, 116 aged 13‐17 years) and 881 from parents/caregivers (self‐report). Of PwPA (N = 965), 95% reported diagnosis by healthcare professionals, mostly by clinical history and peanut‐specific allergy testing. Rates of allergic rhinitis, asthma and other food allergies in PwPA were 50%, 42% and 79%, respectively. Only 31% of PwPA received HCP advice/support following their worst allergic reaction, and 28% had not been prescribed an adrenaline auto‐injector. Results were similar by country but varied by age group.

Conclusions

The APPEAL‐1 findings contribute to greater understanding of PA impact on PwPA, caregivers and family members and the need for improved PA management across Europe.
Gestational age reference ranges for umbilical cord blood lactate: An external validation study of post‐date pregnancies
Authors: Bowe Sophie , Staff Anne C. , Sugulle Meryam
Published: May 2020

A previous study published in 2008 by Wiberg et al demonstrated increasing umbilical cord blood lactate at delivery by gestational age in vigorous offspring (n = 10 169, gestational age 24‐43 weeks). Based on these results the authors concluded that gestational age‐independent umbilical cord lactate cut‐off could give false‐negative or false‐positive diagnosis of lacticemia. To our knowledge, these findings have not been incorporated into clinical interpretations in delivery units. To perform an external validity study for the findings by Wiberg et al, we analyzed umbilical cord blood lactate levels according to gestational age in a post‐date delivery study population at our large, tertiary obstetric unit. The parallel finding of our study to that of Wiberg et al highlights the importance of using available gestational age dependent reference ranges (eg as presented in Wiberg’s publication), when interpreting umbilical cord blood lactate levels for fetal wellbeing.
Approaches to Representing Social Hierarchy Level and Social Constructs: Methodological Exploration and Recommendations
Authors: Weeks Matthew , Estes Madeline
Published: May 2020

Recent social psychological investigations on the social hierarchy have largely occurred without clear delineations in the language used to reference the different strata in the hierarchy (e.g., upper‐class vs. rich vs. high socioeconomic status [SES]). Both within and between research reports, labels can be used inconsistently. We report four studies comparing social hierarchy category labels (SHCLs) on empirically relevant dimensions. Study 1 examined the subjective SES associated with different SHCLs and found that, despite considerable similarity in terms at both the lower and upper ends of the hierarchy, substantive differences occurred. Study 2 examined perceptions of group entitativity and found that pairs of SHCLs (e.g., Rich/Poor vs. Upper‐/Lower‐Class) differ in judgment‐relevant properties. Study 3 compared four types of SHCLs on dimensions of power, status, and resources. Finally, Study 4 provided an experimental demonstration of the impact of interchanging SHCLs. Implications of the findings and recommendations for ongoing empirical efforts are discussed.
Genetic analysis of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) in Queensland, Australia
Authors: Mone NK , Clark NJ , Kyaw‐Tanner M , Turni C , Barnes TS , Parke CR , Alawneh JA , Blackall PJ , Meers J
Published: May 2020

Objective

To determine the current porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) genotypes circulating in pigs in Queensland (QLD).

Methods

The PCV2 infection status of pigs was determined by real‐time PCR testing of 210 lymph nodes and 30 serum samples derived from 45 QLD farms. PCV2‐positive samples from 22 pigs from 15 farms were subjected to conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing of the full PCV2 genome. Phylogenetic analysis of 17 of these sequences in relation to published PCV2 sequences was then performed, and the genotypes were compared.

Results

PCV2 DNA was detected in 95 lymph nodes and 15 serum samples. Phylogenetic analysis of 17 PCV2 sequences demonstrated that seven belonged to genotype PCV2b, two to PCV2d, one to PCV2f and seven to an “intermediate group” that clustered with PCV2d on the full genome analysis.

Conclusion

This work confirms earlier studies reporting the presence of PCV2b in Australia. It is the first study to report that PCV2d and PCV2f are also present in this country. PCV2d is currently a fast‐spreading genotype globally, with reported high virulence. The potential implications of these findings with respect to pathogenicity and vaccine efficacy require further investigation.
How executive functions contribute to reading comprehension
Authors: Nouwens Suzan , Groen Margriet A. , Kleemans Tijs , Verhoeven Ludo
Published: May 2020

Background

Executive functions have been proposed to account for individual variation in reading comprehension beyond the contributions of decoding skills and language skills. However, insight into the direct and indirect effects of multiple executive functions on fifth‐grade reading comprehension, while accounting for decoding and language skills, is limited.

Aim

The present study investigated the direct and indirect effects of fourth‐grade executive functions (i.e., working memory, inhibition, and planning) on fifth‐grade reading comprehension, after accounting for decoding and language skills.

Sample

The sample included 113 fourth‐grade children (including 65 boys and 48 girls; Age M = 9.89; SD = .44 years).

Methods

The participants were tested on their executive functions (working memory, inhibition and planning), and their decoding skills, language skills (vocabulary and syntax knowledge) and reading comprehension, one year later.

Results

Using structural equation modelling, the results indicated direct effects of working memory and planning on reading comprehension, as well as indirect effects of working memory and inhibition via decoding (χ2 = 2.46).

Conclusions

The results of the present study highlight the importance of executive functions for reading comprehension after taking variance in decoding and language skills into account: Both working memory and planning uniquely contributed to reading comprehension. In addition, working memory and inhibition also supported decoding. As a practical implication, educational professionals should not only consider the decoding and language skills children bring into the classroom, but their executive functions as well.
An exploratory analysis of the latent structure of process data via action sequence autoencoders
Authors: Tang Xueying , Wang Zhi , Liu Jingchen , Ying Zhiliang
Published: May 2020

Computer simulations have become a popular tool for assessing complex skills such as problem‐solving. Log files of computer‐based items record the human–computer interactive processes for each respondent in full. The response processes are very diverse, noisy, and of non‐standard formats. Few generic methods have been developed to exploit the information contained in process data. In this paper we propose a method to extract latent variables from process data. The method utilizes a sequence‐to‐sequence autoencoder to compress response processes into standard numerical vectors. It does not require prior knowledge of the specific items and human–computer interaction patterns. The proposed method is applied to both simulated and real process data to demonstrate that the resulting latent variables extract useful information from the response processes.