bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Law enforcement perceptions of cyberbullying: evolving perspectives
Authors: Patchin Justin W. , Schafer Joseph , Jarvis John P.
Published: February 2020

Purpose

Cyberbullying – using technology to intentionally and repeatedly engage in bullying behaviors – has gained considerable public attention over the last decade. Parents and educators regularly instruct students about appropriate online behaviors and threaten consequences for misbehaviors. The role and responsibility of law enforcement officers in preventing and responding to cyberbullying incidents remains uncertain. While clear violations of the law (e.g. threats of physical harm) most directly implicate the police, other – more common behaviors – such as rumor spreading or hurtful online commenting do not. The paper aims to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

The current study surveyed 1,596 law enforcement supervisors attending the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Academy (NA) program. The survey instrument assessed perceptions of law enforcement responsibility in cyberbullying incidents. Data were collected in three waves over a nine-year period, allowing the measurement of attitudinal changes over time.

Findings

The authors find that certain officer characteristics are associated with a greater interest in responding to different types of cyberbullying (including having children at home and having previous experience dealing with cyberbullying) and that these perceptions have evolved over time.

Research limitations/implications

The data are specific to law enforcement leaders who participated in the NA and are therefore not generalizable to all officers. Nevertheless, implications for explaining variance and law enforcement involvement in cyberbullying incidents are discussed.

Originality/value

This is the first study to survey law enforcement leaders over time to assess their evolving perceptions of law enforcement’s role in addressing cyberbullying among youth.
Online wine purchasing: a comparison between South Africa and Italy
Authors: Cobelli Nicola , Wilkinson Georgina
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore South African and Italian consumers' attitude toward online wine purchasing. In detail, through the application of the technology acceptance model (TAM), this research intends to explain the antecedents of consumers actual online purchasing of wine in South Africa and Italy.

Design/methodology/approach

Two questionnaire-based surveys were conducted, yielding a sample of 190 consumers in South Africa and 179 in Italy. Data were analyzed through several techniques including t-tests, principal component factor analyses, and binary logistic regressions.

Findings

Overall, the findings show that South African and Italian online wine consumers are more similar than the offline wine consumers. However, perceived usefulness has an impact on the use of the online channel to purchase wine in Italy but not in South Africa, whereas perceived complexity has an effect in South Africa but not in Italy.

Research limitations/implications

This study adopts a convenience sampling technique, suggesting that the used samples are not representative of the whole population. Moreover, TAM offers a simple and clear understanding of the actual use of wine e-commerce but overlooks other potential explanatory factors.

Practical implications

Targeting online wine consumers in South Africa and Italy opens up the opportunity for using cross-national highly standardized product and communication strategies. However, different approaches are required to convert offline wine consumers to online wine consumers in South Africa and Italy.

Originality/value

This is the first cross-national study investigating consumers' attitude toward online wine purchasing in South Africa and Italy. Moreover, it offers a comparison of online and offline wine consumers in the two countries. In addition, the research offers a new point of view over consumers of Italy and South Africa, two important countries in terms of wine production and consumption that can be very beneficial for wineries owners and managers.
From tourism and disability to accessible tourism: a perspective article
Authors: Darcy Simon , McKercher Bob , Schweinsberg Stephen
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the development of disability and tourism to the conceptualising and defining of accessible tourism.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses a limited review of the literature as its main approach.

Findings

In reviewing the development of the field from disability and tourism to accessible tourism, it became apparent that there has been a change in focus on the accessibility of the key sectors of tourism (e.g. transport, accommodation and attractions) to incorporating an embodied understanding of tourism in developing accessible destination experiences that provide an equality of offering to that of nondisabled tourists.

Originality/value

This paper makes a contribution by clearly following the development of the field from papers that only considered tourism and disability to conceptualise and define the accessible tourism field. It then goes on to identify a significant challenge due to an underlying empirical data gap through a lack of nationally and regionally collected tourism data that incorporates disability questions.
Experimentally increased brood size accelerates actuarial senescence and increases subsequent reproductive effort in a wild bird population
Authors: Boonekamp Jelle J. , Bauch Christina , Verhulst Simon
Published: February 2020

The assumption that reproductive effort decreases somatic state, accelerating ageing, is central to our understanding of life‐history variation. Maximal reproductive effort early in life is predicted to be maladaptive by accelerating ageing disproportionally, decreasing fitness.

Optimality theory predicts that reproductive effort is restrained early in life to balance the fitness contribution of reproduction against the survival cost induced by the reproductive effort. When adaptive, the level of reproductive restraint is predicted to be inversely linked to the remaining life expectancy, potentially resulting in a terminal effort in the last period of reproduction.

Experimental tests of the reproductive restraint hypothesis require manipulation of somatic state and subsequent investigation of reproductive effort and residual life span. To our knowledge the available evidence remains inconclusive, and hence reproductive restraint remains to be demonstrated.

We modulated somatic state through a lifelong brood size manipulation in wild jackdaws and measured its consequences for age‐dependent mortality and reproductive success.

The assumption that lifelong increased brood size reduced somatic state was supported: Birds rearing enlarged broods showed subsequent increased rate of actuarial senescence, resulting in reduced residual life span.

The treatment induced a reproductive response in later seasons: Egg volume and nestling survival were higher in subsequent seasons in the increased versus reduced broods' treatment group. We detected these increases in egg volume and nestling survival despite the expectation that in the absence of a change in reproductive effort, the reduced somatic state indicated by the increased mortality rate would result in lower reproductive output. This leads us to conclude that the higher reproductive success we observed was the result of higher reproductive effort.

Our findings show that reproductive effort negatively covaries with remaining life expectancy, supporting optimality theory and confirming reproductive restraint as a key factor underpinning life‐history variation.
Electronic cigarettes and obstetric outcomes: a prospective observational study
Authors: McDonnell BP , Dicker P , Regan CL
Published: February 2020

Objective

To compare the obstetric outcomes and socio‐demographic factors in electronic cigarette (EC) users with cigarette smokers and non‐smokers in pregnancy.

Design

Prospective observational cohort study.

Setting

A large urban maternity hospital delivering almost 8500 infants per year.

Population

Pregnant women attending for antenatal care.

Methods

Electronic cigarette users at time of booking history were prospectively identified. Maternal and neonatal outcomes were compared with those of pregnant smokers and non‐smokers. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate the association between the explanatory variables and birthweight.

Main outcomes measures

Infant birthweight, gestation at delivery, incidence of low birthweight.

Results

A total of 218 women with exclusive EC use and 195 women with dual use of both cigarettes and EC, had a live birth during the study period. EC users were of higher socio‐economic status than smokers. Infants born to EC users had a mean birthweight of 3470 g (± 555 g), which was similar to that of non‐smokers (3471 ± 504 g, P = 0.97) and significantly greater than that of smokers (3166 ± 502 g, P < 0.001). The mean birth centile of EC users was similar to non‐smokers (51st centile versus 47th centile, P = 0.28) and significantly greater than that of smokers (27th centile, P < 0.001). Dual users had a mean birthweight and birth centile similar to that of smokers.

Conclusion

The birthweight of infants born to EC users is similar to that of non‐smokers, and significantly greater than cigarette smokers. Dual users of both cigarettes and EC have a birthweight similar to that of smokers.

Tweetable extract

Birthweight of infants born to electronic cigarette users appears to be similar to that of non‐smokers.
The Australasian Resuscitation In Sepsis Evaluation: Fluids or vasopressors in emergency department sepsis (ARISE FLUIDS), a multi‐centre observational study describing current practice in Australia and New Zealand
Authors: Keijzers Gerben , Macdonald Stephen PJ , Udy Andrew A , Arendts Glenn , Bailey Michael , Bellomo Rinaldo , Blecher Gabriel E , Burcham Jonathon , Coggins Andrew R , Delaney Anthony , Fatovich Daniel M , Fraser John F , Harley Amanda , Jones Peter , Kinnear Frances B , May Katya , Peake Sandra , Taylor David McD , Williams Patricia ,   the ARISE FLUIDS Observational Study Group
Published: February 2020

Objectives

To describe haemodynamic resuscitation practices in ED patients with suspected sepsis and hypotension.

Methods

This was a prospective, multicentre, observational study conducted in 70 hospitals in Australia and New Zealand between September 2018 and January 2019. Consecutive adults presenting to the ED during a 30‐day period at each site, with suspected sepsis and hypotension (systolic blood pressure <100 mmHg) despite at least 1000 mL fluid resuscitation, were eligible. Data included baseline demographics, clinical and laboratory variables and intravenous fluid volume administered, vasopressor administration at baseline and 6‐ and 24‐h post‐enrolment, time to antimicrobial administration, intensive care admission, organ support and in‐hospital mortality.

Results

A total of 4477 patients were screened and 591 were included with a mean (standard deviation) age of 62 (19) years, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score 15.2 (6.6) and a median (interquartile range) systolic blood pressure of 94 mmHg (87–100). Median time to first intravenous antimicrobials was 77 min (42–148). A vasopressor infusion was commenced within 24 h in 177 (30.2%) patients, with noradrenaline the most frequently used (n = 138, 78%). A median of 2000 mL (1500–3000) of intravenous fluids was administered prior to commencing vasopressors. The total volume of fluid administered from pre‐enrolment to 24 h was 4200 mL (3000–5661), with a range from 1000 to 12 200 mL. Two hundred and eighteen patients (37.1%) were admitted to an intensive care unit. Overall in‐hospital mortality was 6.2% (95% confidence interval 4.4–8.5%).

Conclusion

Current resuscitation practice in patients with sepsis and hypotension varies widely and occupies the spectrum between a restricted volume/earlier vasopressor and liberal fluid/later vasopressor strategy.
The ‘Little Palaces’ of St James's: Ladies, Lords, and Political Association under the later Stuarts
Authors: Harris Frances
Published: February 2020

Clubs, coffee houses, and taverns, the most widely studied sites of political gathering in later Stuart London, largely excluded women. This essay argues that places of ‘intermixed conversation’ which existed alongside them should also be taken into account, and considers several examples of regular, semi‐private assemblies, chiefly hosted by elite women (including duchesse de Mazarin, Lady Pulteney, and Barbara Villiers, Lady Fitzhardinge) and frequented by both sexes for the overt purpose of card playing, which were also significant places of political association at this period.
Influence of remoteness of residence on timeliness of diagnosis and treatment of oral cavity and oropharynx cancer: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Venchiarutti Rebecca L , Clark Jonathan R , Palme Carsten E , Shakespare Thomas P , Hill Jacques , Tahir Abdul Rahim Mohd , Dwyer Patrick , Young Jane M
Published: February 2020

Introduction

Geographic disparities in head and neck cancer (HNC) outcomes in Australia may be mediated by timeliness of diagnosis and treatment. This retrospective cohort study examines geographic variations in survival and time intervals leading up to treatment for HNC at two tertiary referral centres in New South Wales.

Methods

Eligible patients were NSW residents aged ≥18 years, diagnosed with primary oropharynx or oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) between 01 July 2008 and 30 June 2013, and treated with curative intent. Main outcomes were times from diagnosis to treatment and from surgery to post‐operative radiotherapy and overall survival. Differences based on remoteness of residence (regional/remote or metropolitan) were assessed.

Results

A total of 224 patients were eligible. Median time from symptom onset to treatment was longer for regional/remote patients with oropharynx SCC (4.7 vs. 3.8 months, P = 0.044) and oral cavity SCC (6.4 vs. 3.3 months, P = 0.003). Median time from diagnosis to treatment was longer for regional/remote patients with oropharyngeal SCC (47 days vs. 36 days, P = 0.003). Time from surgery to adjuvant radiotherapy was longer among regional/remote patients with oral cavity SCC (66 vs. 42 days, P = 0.001). Overall survival did not differ based on remoteness.

Conclusion

Regional/remote HNC patients experienced longer times to diagnosis and treatment, and regardless of remoteness of residence, fewer than half of patients were treated within guideline recommended timeframes. Despite this non‐adherence to guidelines, there were no differences in survival outcomes among this cohort. However, the impact of not meeting guidelines on patient outcomes other than survival warrants further investigation.
Outcomes of curative (chemo)radiotherapy for patients with non‐p16 positive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma who are borderline for curative treatment
Authors: Xing Daniel , Tiong Albert , Bressel Mathias , Rischin Danny , Tran Phillip , Corry June
Published: February 2020

Introduction

Appropriate selection of head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) patients for curative treatment is difficult, and it is a very understudied issue. The aim of this study was to review the outcomes of curative intent treatment in non‐p16 positive HNSCC patients assessed as having borderline curability.

Methods

A single institution retrospective review of the clinical outcomes of non‐p16 positive HNSCC patients with borderline curability. Predefined criteria for borderline curability were as follows: (i) T4 and/or N3 disease; or (ii) ECOG status ≥2; or (iii) age ≥75 years.

Results

A total of 114 patients were identified. A total of 56 had N3/T4, 32 were >ECOG 2 and 57 were >75 years. A total of 29 had two or more borderline curability criteria. Progression‐free survival rate (PFS) at 1 and 2 years was 72% (95% confidence interval (CI), 63–79) and 53% (95% CI, 43–62), respectively. Overall survival (OS) at 1 and 2 years was 76% (95% CI, 67–83) and 61% (95% CI, 51–69), respectively. On multivariable analysis, the only independent prognostic factor for OS was the adult comorbidity evaluation‐27 (ACE‐27) grade (HR 1.4; 95% CI, 1.1–1.8; P = 0.018).

Conclusions

Patients with borderline curability criteria treated with curative intent achieved good PFS and OS. ACE‐27 was an important prognostic factor in this population.
Discrepancies between positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography/computed tomography in a cohort of oncological patients
Authors: Oh Geon , O’Mahoney Eoin , Jeavons Susanne , Law Phillip , Ngai Stanley , McGill George , Yu Chris , Miles Kenneth A
Published: February 2020

Introduction

This study aims to evaluate discrepant findings between positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (PET/MRI) and positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in a cohort of oncological patients and to undertake a phantom study to assess the potential for extended PET acquisitions to lead to false‐positive findings on PET/MRI.

Methods

Discrepant findings from a series of 106 patients undergoing same‐day 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)‐PET/CT and PET/MRI were reviewed. Phantom studies explored the potential for PET acquisition time to contribute to discrepancy.

Results

There were 14 discrepant cases, 5 (35.7%) of which related to PET/MRI acquisitions that had been extended to 10 min. Three of these five cases proved to be falsely positive. Phantom studies showed greater contrast recovery and signal to noise ratio for 10‐min PET/MRI acquisitions compared to 2‐min acquisitions using PET/CT. There were no discrepancies when PET/CT showed disseminated disease (P = 0.036).

Conclusions

Extended PET/MRI acquisitions used to accommodate multiple MRI sequences may be associated with false‐positive findings compared to PET/CT. PET/MRI is more likely to have incremental value when the prior probability for disseminated disease is low.
Mercury geochemistry and microbial diversity in meromictic Glacier Lake, Jamesville, NY
Authors: Yoshimura Kristin M. , Todorova Svetoslava , Biddle Jennifer F.
Published: February 2020

Meromictic lakes are stratified lakes that typically stimulate phototrophic anoxic microbial metabolism, including the transformation of sulphur. Less studied are the transformations of mercury in these environments, and the microorganisms, which mediate these reactions. In order to further an understanding of redox species, mercury and microbial populations in meromictic lakes, we examined the geochemistry and microbiology of Glacier Lake in Jamesville, NY. We found an anoxic transition at a depth of 6 m, followed by active nitrate and sulphate utilization. A chlorophyll a maximum was located at 11 m, coinciding with peaks of several photoautotrophic microbial lineages and total mercury and methyl mercury. Via amplicon sequencing, the microbial population showed pronounced peaks of cyanobacteria at 10 m, Chlorobi at 12 m and Chloroflexi at 14 m. Sulphate‐reducing bacteria were also most abundant between 10 and 14 m depth. A functional gene indicating the potential for the production of methyl mercury, hgcA, was detected at several depths in the lake. Our work suggests that in addition to the sulphur cycle, the cycling of mercury may be indirectly coupled with phototrophic processes in Glacier Lake.
The future trajectory for environmental finance: planetary boundaries and environmental, social and governance analysis
Authors: Ding Ashley , Daugaard Dan , Linnenluecke Martina K.
Published: February 2020

Urgent issues such as climate change have drawn increasing attention from finance scholars. Most research has situated a corporate response within the context of the environmental, social and governance performance. However, other disciplines express concerns around environmental degradation within broader frameworks, such as the Planetary Boundaries framework. We highlight the different conceptualisations of ESG and planetary boundaries and call for further research that links finance research to the Planetary Boundaries framework. We describe how contributions in theAccounting & FinanceSpecial Issue on Environmental Finance advance research in this area and explore implications for future research that responds to the imperatives of remaining within Planetary Boundaries.
Diversity and distribution patterns of aquatic macrophytes in selected ecosystems of south western Nigeria
Authors: Oyebanji Oyetola O. , Bolarinwa Kehinde A. , Olowokudejo James D.
Published: February 2020

The present study investigates the macrophytes diversity from selected aquatic ecosystems in South‐Western Nigeria using quadrat method. The survey revealed two major aquatic ecosystem types (mangrove and freshwater swamp) and recorded a total of 83 species belonging to 77 genera and 41 families. Three species (Sacciolepis africana, Ipomoea asarifolia and Commelina diffusa) were found present in all the surveyed areas. However, species such as Acrostichum aureum, Avicennia germinans and Rhizophora racemosa were restricted in its distribution. Poaceae and Ludwigia were the dominant family and genus, respectively. In addition, our study recorded Hallea ledermannii classified as vulnerable by IUCN Red List. Diversity analysis revealed high species richness in all the studied locations especially in Lagos State. Similar diversity pattern was observed for Osun and Oyo States. Further, our results reflect that macrophytes assemblages in South‐Western Nigeria could be influenced by human activities. Hence, we recommend further studies that would test hypothesis on how human activities affect the diversity and distribution of flora in the area. Additionally, conservation of the aquatic environments of the region appears necessary. The findings of this study provide insights on the patterns of macrophyte diversity in South‐Western Nigeria, thus, forms a guideline for initiating effective conservation policies in the area.
Patterns of permit requests and issuance for regulated alien and invasive species in South Africa for the period 2015‐2018
Authors: Moshobane Moleseng C. , Nnzeru Livhuwani R. , Nelukalo Khathutshelo , Mothapo Natasha P.
Published: February 2020

Invasive species typically establish in areas outside their natural distribution through accidental introduction and accidental release or escape. Some species are introduced legally for economic and social benefits such as recreational hunting, the pet trade and research through established permitting processes driven by appropriate laws and regulations. The aim of this study was to determine whether there is a trend in demand for regulated alien taxa based on permit requests and to ascertain the activities for which permits requested in order to infer the drivers of alien taxa demand in South Africa. We examined the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) species permitting application database records from October 2015 to February 2018. From the total of 1,390 permit applications during this period, 79.2% of the permits were issued for various economic and social activities associated with the following species: Red lechwe (Kobus leche leche, Gray), fallow deer (Dama dama Linnaeus), Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella Valenciennes), Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus Linnaeus) and rose‐ring parakeet (Psittacula krameri Scopoli). Our results suggest that economic activities such as hunting and sport fishing are driving the demand for some regulated species. We suggest reinforced monitoring and inspection for permit compliance for species sought to minimise potential escape.
Study of colorectal cancer resection patterns across the state of Victoria using validated administrative data algorithms
Authors: MacCallum Caroline , Da Silva Nigel , Skandarajah Anita , Hayes Ian
Published: February 2020

Background

Administrative data provide a unique opportunity to examine whole‐of‐state colorectal cancer (CRC) data. The purpose of this study was to compare types of CRC resection across Victorian geographical zones, using hospital volume and accredited training‐post status.

Methods

All CRC resections in Victorian public hospitals between 2008 and 2013 were analysed using validated algorithms of administrative data from the Victorian Admitted Episodes Dataset. Hospitals were grouped according to Colorectal Surgical Society of Australia and New Zealand (CSSANZ) training‐post status, case‐volume (high >200 in 5 years) and remoteness of location. Resection frequency and type were compared.

Results

In 44 public hospitals over 6 years, 7596 CRC resections were performed. Patient age, American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status Classification System score and tumour stage were similar among groups. CSSANZ accounted for nearly 50% of cases but the lowest percentage of emergencies (16.8%). The ratio of right‐sided to left‐sided plus rectal resections was greater for low‐volume than high‐volume centres (56.8% versus 40.4%), while left colon and rectal resections comprised a larger proportion of high‐volume workload. High‐ compared with low‐volume favoured ultra‐low anterior resections (62% versus 33%) over abdominoperineal resections (38% versus 67%). Work patterns among high‐volume hospitals were similar regardless of remoteness or CSSANZ status.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that administrative data can provide granular, clinically relevant information with population‐wide coverage. Most public CRC resections in Victoria were performed in metropolitan hospitals. The majority of rectal cancer resections were performed in high‐volume metropolitan centres but 15% were performed by low‐volume regional hospitals.
ROME'S Rise to Power. Geochemical Analysis of Silver Coinage from the Western Mediterranean (Fourth to Second Centuries BCE)
Authors: Westner K. J. , Birch T. , Kemmers F. , Klein S. , Höfer H. E. , Seitz H.‐M.
Published: February 2020

We present the results of geochemical analysis of silver coinage issued by Rome and dated between the fourth and second century BCE, which are complemented by data of coinage issued by Carthage, the Brettii, and the Greek colony of Emporion. Each of these minting authorities represents one of the major parties involved in the struggle for hegemony in the fourth to second centuries BCE Western Mediterranean region. This study retraces how the metal supply shifts in response to the transforming power relations and how this change is related to Rome's rise to the virtually uncontested ruler of the region.
Surgical management and long‐term outcome of dogs with cervical spondylomyelopathy with an anchored intervertebral titanium device
Authors: King JC , Corfield GS , Mouatt JG , Kan CY , Moses PA
Published: February 2020

Objective

To assess the short‐ and long‐term outcome of an anchored intervertebral titanium device (C‐LOX) for the treatment of 10 dogs with disc‐associated cervical spondylomyelopathy (DACSM) and 1 dog with osseous‐associated cervical spondylomyelopathy.

Design

Retrospective case series.

Methods

Dogs were included if they were diagnosed with either DACSM or osseous‐associated cervical spondylomyelopathy via myelography with or without advanced imaging and underwent surgical distraction and stabilisation of the affected intervertebral disc with a C‐LOX implant. Assessment included short‐term neurological outcome, radiography immediately and 6 weeks' postsurgery, owner questionnaire and veterinary clinical assessment.

Results

The mean follow‐up time was 12 months. Improvement in neurological status was noted in 10 of 11 dogs. Screw loosening or subsidence occurred in five dogs. Revision surgery was performed in two dogs due to implant fracture (n = 1) and recurrence of spinal cord compression due to endplate subsidence around the implant (n = 1). Adjacent segment disease occurred in three dogs (30%) with DACSM at a mean of 11 months postsurgery.

Conclusion

The use of the C‐LOX implant for dogs with cervical spondylomyelopathy resulted in a high rate of initial neurological improvement; however, there is a moderate incidence of minor and major complications that is comparable to previously described distraction–stabilisation techniques.
Brachycephalic airway syndrome: management of post‐operative respiratory complications in 248 dogs
Authors: Lindsay B , Cook D , Wetzel J‐M , Siess S , Moses P
Published: February 2020

Objective

As ownership of brachycephalic dog breeds rises, the surgical correction of components of brachycephalic airway syndrome (BAS) is increasingly recommended by veterinarians. This study's objective was to describe the incidence of, and strategies for the management of post‐operative respiratory complications in brachycephalic dogs undergoing surgical correction of one or more components of BAS.

Methods

Medical records of 248 brachycephalic dogs treated surgically for BAS were retrospectively reviewed for demographic information, procedures performed, post‐operative complications and treatment implemented, hospitalisation time, and necessity for further surgery.

Results

Pugs, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and British Bulldogs were the most commonly encountered breeds. Dogs which experienced a complication were significantly older (mean was 5.5 years, compared with 4.1 years [P < 0.01]). Fifty‐eight dogs (23.4%) had complications which included: dyspnoea managed with supplemental oxygen alone (7.3%, n = 18), dyspnoea requiring anaesthesia and re‐intubation (8.9%, n = 22), dyspnoea necessitating treatment with a temporary tracheostomy (8.9%, n = 22), aspiration pneumonia (4%, n = 10), and respiratory or cardiac arrest (2.4%, n = 6). Five of the 22 dogs requiring anaesthesia and re‐intubation deteriorated 12 or more hours after post‐surgical anaesthetic recovery. The overall mortality rate in this study was 2.4% (n = 6). Age, concurrent airway pathology, and emergency presentation significantly predicted post‐operative complications.

Conclusion

Our data show the importance of close monitoring for a minimum of 24 h following surgery by an experienced veterinarian or veterinary technician. Surgical intervention for BAS symptomatic dogs should be considered at an earlier age as an elective procedure, to reduce the risk of post‐operative complications.
Post‐haematopoietic cell transplantation outcomes: why ST2 became a ‘golden nugget’ biomarker
Authors: Paczesny Sophie
Published: February 2020

Immunotherapies have emerged as highly promising approaches to treat cancer patients. Allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is the most validated tumour immunotherapy available to date but its clinical efficacy is limited by toxicities, such as graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD) and treatment resistance leading to relapse. The problems with new cellular therapies and checkpoint inhibitors are similar. However, development of biomarkers post‐HCT, particularly for toxicities, has taken off in the last decade and has expanded greatly. Thanks to the advances in genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and cytomics technologies, blood biomarkers have been identified and validated in promising diagnostic tests, prognostic tests stratifying for future occurrence of GVHD, and predictive tests for responsiveness to GVHD therapy and non‐relapse mortality. These biomarkers may facilitate timely and selective therapeutic intervention. This review outlines a path from biomarker discovery to first clinical correlation, focusing on soluble STimulation‐2 (sST2) ‒ the interleukin (IL)‐33‐decoy receptor ‒ which is the most validated biomarker.
Causal illusion as a cognitive basis of pseudoscientific beliefs
Authors: Torres Marta N. , Barberia Itxaso , Rodríguez‐Ferreiro Javier
Published: February 2020

Causal illusion has been proposed as a cognitive mediator of pseudoscientific beliefs. However, previous studies have only tested the association between this cognitive bias and a closely related but different type of unwarranted beliefs, those related to superstition and paranormal phenomena. Participants (n = 225) responded to a novel questionnaire of pseudoscientific beliefs designed for this study. They also completed a contingency learning task in which a possible cause, infusion intake, and a desired effect, headache remission, were actually non‐contingent. Volunteers with higher scores on the questionnaire also presented stronger causal illusion effects. These results support the hypothesis that causal illusions might play a fundamental role in the endorsement of pseudoscientific beliefs.
Utility of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging in the risk stratification of men with Grade Group 1 prostate cancer on active surveillance
Authors: Mamawala Mufaddal K. , Meyer Alexa R. , Landis Patricia K. , Macura Katarzyna J. , Epstein Jonathan I. , Partin Alan W. , Carter Ballentine H. , Gorin Michael A.
Published: February 2020

Objective

To assess if the adoption of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) in active surveillance (AS) has improved the identification of occult higher‐grade prostate cancer (PCa).

Patients and Methods

We retrospectively identified men from the Johns Hopkins AS registry enrolled since 2013 (year of mpMRI adoption) with Grade Group (GG) 1 PCa and who underwent a single mpMRI. Men in this group were dichotomised by the presence (n = 207) or absence (negative mpMRI, n = 225) of one or more lesions with a Prostate Imaging‐Reporting and Data System (PI‐RADS) score of ≥ 3. Both groups were compared to a third cohort of men with GG1 PCa enrolled in AS prior to 2013 (pre‐mpMRI era, n = 669). The risk of upgrading to GG ≥ 2 PCa on follow‐up biopsies (performed with or without MRI targeting) was evaluated among the groups using survival analysis.

Results

Men in both mpMRI groups underwent a median (interquartile range [IQR]) of 2 (2–3) biopsies separated by a median (IQR) interval of 13 (12–16) months, whereas men in the pre‐MRI era underwent a median (IQR) of 3 (2–5) biopsies, separated by a median (IQR) interval of 12 (12–14) months. The 2‐ and 4‐year upgrade‐free survival rates were 93% and 83%, 74% and 59%; and, 87% and 76% for the negative mpMRI, PI‐RADS ≥ 3, and pre‐mpMRI‐era groups, respectively (P < 0.001). On multivariable analysis, both mpMRI groups had significantly different risk of upgrading compared to pre‐mpMRI‐era group (negative mpMRI group: hazard ratio [HR] 0.61, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.39–0.95, P = 0.03; PI‐RADS ≥ 3 group: HR 1.96, 95% CI 1.36–2.82, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

mpMRI improves the risk stratification of men on AS and should be used to aid enrolment and monitoring decisions.
El Niño impacts on human‐modified tropical forests: Consequences for dung beetle diversity and associated ecological processes
Authors: França Filipe M. , Ferreira Joice , Vaz‐de‐Mello Fernando Z. , Maia Laís F. , Berenguer Erika , Ferraz Palmeira Alessandro , Fadini Rodrigo , Louzada Júlio , Braga Rodrigo , Hugo Oliveira Victor , Barlow Jos
Published: February 2020

Our knowledge of how tropical forest biodiversity and functioning respond to anthropogenic and climate‐associated stressors is limited. Research exploring El Niño impacts are scarce or based on single post‐disturbance assessments, and few studies assess forests previously affected by anthropogenic disturbance. Focusing on dung beetles and associated ecological functions, we assessed (a) the ecological effects of a strong El Niño, (b) if post‐El Niño beetle responses were influenced by previous forest disturbance, and (c) how these responses compare between forests impacted only by drought and those affected by both drought and fires. We sampled 30 Amazonian forest plots distributed across a gradient of human disturbance in 2010, 2016, and 2017—approximately 5 years before, and 3–6 and 15–18 months after the 2015–16 El Niño. We found 14,451 beetles from 98 species and quantified the beetle‐mediated dispersal of >8,600 seed mimics and the removal of c. 30 kg of dung. All dung beetle responses (species richness, abundance, biomass, compositional similarity to pre‐El Niño condition, and rates of dung removal and seed dispersal) declined after the 2015–16 El Niño, but the greatest immediate losses (i.e., in 2016) were observed within fire‐affected forests. Previous forest disturbance also influenced post‐El Niño dung beetle species richness, abundance, and species composition. We demonstrate that dung beetles and their ecological functions are negatively affected by climate‐associated disturbances in human‐modified Amazonian forests and suggest that the interaction between local anthropogenic and climate‐related stressors merits further investigation.

Abstract in Portuguese is available with online material.
Research joint venture with technology transfer
Authors: Ko Chiu Yu , Zhang Xuyao
Published: February 2020

Kamien et al. (1992) show that an industry‐wide research joint venture (RJV), compared to the case without any RJV, does not lead to better technological development or a higher consumer surplus. In contrast, we show that every non‐industry‐wide RJV leads to strict improvements in both measures and it also results in higher production efficiency. Furthermore, when technology transfer is possible after making R&D investment, our results continue to hold, and when research efficiency is low, these improvements are further magnified. Governments should encourage innovation through independent collaboration with technology transfer as an alternative to establishing industry‐wide research consortiums.
Healthcare needs and utilization patterns of sex‐trafficked youth: Missed opportunities at a children's hospital
Authors: Ertl Serwa , Bokor Brooke , Tuchman Lisa , Miller Elizabeth , Kappel Rachel , Deye Katherine
Published: February 2020

Background

Domestic minor sex‐trafficked (DMST) youth experience profound medical and mental health consequences. This retrospective study reviewed healthcare utilization patterns and documented individualized risk factors of sex‐trafficked youth in the 5 years prior to presenting to a healthcare setting. The primary aim of this study was to examine healthcare utilization patterns among DMST youth with the goal of determining opportunities for earlier identification within the healthcare system.

Methods

A chart review was conducted of all patients <18 years old referred for suspected or confirmed sex trafficking to a child and adolescent protection centre (CAPC) in an urban, academic children's hospital in Washington, DC from January 1, 2006 to March 1, 2017. Patients were seen by a child abuse pediatrician or a trauma‐informed social worker in an inpatient, outpatient, or emergency department setting. Demographics and medical, psychiatric, and social history were abstracted from encounters within the hospital's healthcare system along with provider concern for DMST up to 5 years prior to their initial CAPC visit. Descriptive statistics were performed.

Results

Thirty‐nine patients were identified with a mean age of 14.6 years (SD = 1.7). Ninety percent (n = 35/39) of patients were seen in the healthcare system within the 5 years prior to their initial CAPC visit, totaling 191 encounters. Of the visits, 57% (n = 108/191) occurred in the emergency department. The most common chief complaints for encounters were psychiatric (21%, n = 41/191). Less than half of the youth, 43%, had any documented provider concern for sex trafficking in their medical record prior to identification as DMST.

Conclusion

Most of this cohort was previously evaluated within the healthcare system. However, there was limited provider documentation of concern for DMST despite the presence of risk factors. Provider recognition of youth at risk for DMST is crucial for providing care for youth.
Categorizing mothers' and fathers' conceptualizations of children's serious play‐related injuries: “You won't grow a finger back”
Authors: Bauer Michelle E. E. , Brussoni Mariana , Giles Audrey R.
Published: February 2020

Background

There is inconsistency across child development and care literature in operationalizing serious play‐related injury and also a lack of understanding of how mothers and fathers conceptualize serious play‐related injury. The current study explores parents' perspectives of their 2‐ to 7‐year‐old children's serious play‐related injuries in urban and rural areas of British Columbia and Québec, Canada, and provides an urban/rural and gender analysis of the results.

Methods

We conducted semistructured interviews with 41 mothers and 63 fathers from 57 families, a total of 104 participants, in urban and rural locations in British Columbia and Québec, Canada. We used a social constructionist approach to the research and reflexive thematic analysis to construct themes from participant responses and to inform the consequent categorizations of serious play‐related injury.

Results

The results indicate four categories of parents' conceptualizations of serious play‐related injury: (a) injury requiring medical intervention, (b) injury resulting in head trauma, (c) injury resulting in debilitation, and (d) broken bones.

Conclusions

Child development and care advocates can use these categories to strengthen their communications with parents and to improve understanding of parents' conceptualizations of children's serious play‐related injury.
International consensus definition of low anterior resection syndrome
Authors: Keane C. , Fearnhead N. S. , Bordeianou L. , Christensen P. , Espin Basany E. , Laurberg S. , Mellgren A. , Messick C. , Orangio G. R. , Verjee A. , Wing K. , Bissett I. ,   the LARS International Collaborative Group
Published: February 2020

Aim

Low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) is pragmatically defined as disordered bowel function after rectal resection leading to a detriment in quality of life. This broad characterization does not allow for precise estimates of prevalence. The LARS score was designed as a simple tool for clinical evaluation of LARS. Although the LARS score has good clinical utility, it may not capture all important aspects that patients may experience. The aim of this collaboration was to develop an international consensus definition of LARS that encompasses all aspects of the condition and is informed by all stakeholders.

Method

This international patient–provider initiative used an online Delphi survey, regional patient consultation meetings, and an international consensus meeting. Three expert groups participated: patients, surgeons and other health professionals from five regions (Australasia, Denmark, Spain, Great Britain and Ireland, and North America) and in three languages (English, Spanish, and Danish). The primary outcome measured was the priorities for the definition of LARS.

Results

Three hundred twenty‐five participants (156 patients) registered. The response rates for successive rounds of the Delphi survey were 86%, 96% and 99%. Eighteen priorities emerged from the Delphi survey. Patient consultation and consensus meetings refined these priorities to eight symptoms and eight consequences that capture essential aspects of the syndrome. Sampling bias may have been present, in particular, in the patient panel because social media was used extensively in recruitment. There was also dominance of the surgical panel at the final consensus meeting despite attempts to mitigate this.

Conclusion

This is the first definition of LARS developed with direct input from a large international patient panel. The involvement of patients in all phases has ensured that the definition presented encompasses the vital aspects of the patient experience of LARS. The novel separation of symptoms and consequences may enable greater sensitivity to detect changes in LARS over time and with intervention.
Early detection and follow‐up of colorectal neoplasia based on faecal volatile organic compounds
Authors: Bosch S. , Bot R. , Wicaksono A. , Savelkoul E. , van der Hulst R. , Kuijvenhoven J. , Stokkers P. , Daulton E. , Covington J. A. , de Meij T. G. J. , de Boer N. K. H.
Published: February 2020

Aim

Early detection and removal of colorectal cancer (CRC) and advanced adenomas (AAs) decreases the incidence of and mortality from the disease. We aimed to evaluate the potential of faecal volatile organic compounds (VOCs) for detection and follow‐up of colorectal adenoma using advanced electronic nose technology.

Method

This was a prospective multi‐centre case–control cohort including two district hospitals and one tertiary referral hospital. Patients undergoing colonoscopy were instructed to collect a faecal sample prior to bowel cleansing and were included in the study when CRC, AAs, large adenomas (LAs; 0.5–1.0 cm), small adenomas (SAs; 0.1–0.5 cm) or no endoscopic abnormalities (controls) were observed. Patients undergoing polypectomy and controls were asked for a second sample after 3 months. Faecal VOCs were measured with gas chromatography–ion mobility spectrometry. Random forest, support vector machine, Gaussian process and neural net classification were used to evaluate accuracy.

Results

In total, 14 patients with CRC, 64 with AAs, 69 with LAs, 127 with SAs and 227 controls were included. A second sample was collected from 32 polypectomy patients and 32 controls. Faecal VOCs discriminated CRC and adenomas from control [AUC (95% CI): CRC vs control 0.96 (0.89–1); AA vs control 0.96 (0.93–1); LA vs control 0.96 (0.92–0.99); SA vs control 0.96 (0.94–0.99)]. There were no significant differences between CRC and adenoma groups. Patients with adenomas and controls were discriminated prior to polypectomy, whereas 3 months after polypectomy VOC profiles were similar [T0 adenoma vs control 0.98 (0.95–1); T1 adenoma vs control 0.55 (0.40–0.69)].

Conclusions

Faecal VOC profiles may be useful for early detection of CRC and adenomas and the timing of polyp surveillance as polypectomy led to a normalization of the VOC profile.
Drought vulnerability among China's ungulates and mitigation offered by protected areas
Authors: Zhang Lyubing , Pacifici Michela , Li Binbin V. , Gibson Luke
Published: February 2020

Ongoing perturbations in the global climate have triggered changes in the frequency or magnitude of extreme climatic events, including drought. Increasingly common or intense droughts have threatened ungulates. Intensifying trend of drought has been observed in China since the 1980s. We assessed drought vulnerability of 60 ungulate taxa distributed in China by synthesizing information on drought exposure and intrinsic vulnerability related to biological traits. In total, 27 taxa were identified as vulnerable to drought, which represent over half of the taxa assessed as threatened in the IUCN Red List and China's National Red List. We identified hotspots where a high number of drought‐vulnerable taxa are concentrated, including Northeast Himalayan subalpine conifer forests, alpine conifer and mixed forests of Nujiang‐Lancang Gorge, and Qionglai‐Minshan conifer forests, which are all located in Southwest China. We also assessed conservation efforts that China has allocated to ungulate taxa vulnerable to drought. Drought‐vulnerable taxa that are endemic to China have significantly lower coverage in China's National Nature Reserve system compared with nonvulnerable taxa. These findings reveal the gaps in existing conservation efforts and indicate possible improvements that might be needed to maintain species resistance in the face of increasing and intensifying drought impacts.