bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Awareness level analysis of Indonesian consumers toward halal products
Authors: Kurniawati Dwi Agustina , Savitri Hana
Published: June 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to measure and analyze the halal awareness of Indonesian consumers toward halal products. This paper also measures the religious belief, health reason, halal logo certification and exposures of Indonesian consumers and tests the correlation between those and halal awareness. The finding can be used as reference for government and halal policymakers related with halal product.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is performed using self-administrated questionnaires and convenience sampling. The questionnaires were distributed for Muslim respondents in Indonesia, male and female, aged 18 up to 60 years old. The data are statistically analyzed by Cronbach’s alpha and Pearson correlation test using SPSS 16.0.

Findings

The study found that halal awareness of Indonesian consumers is very good (very high) with index of 94.91. The halal awareness is supported with very high index of religious belief (96.61), health reason (89.83) and logo certification (84.71), and good index of exposures (78.72). The study also shows that religious belief becomes the most factor that influence the Indonesian halal awareness, followed by health reason then logo certification, while exposure is the least factor influencing the halal awareness.

Originality/value

This research is one of few studies in Indonesian context which is investigating and measuring the index of halal awareness of Indonesian consumers. The study also provided new findings of Indonesian halal awareness influence factors (religious beliefs, health reason, logo certification and exposure); its index and its correlation to the halal awareness level. The result of the study is quite different with other halal awareness studies. Therefore, this paper becomes one of the pioneer for study in the context of Indonesian halal awareness analysis.
Characteristic points of Auckland commercial property cycles
Authors: Szweizer Moshe
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to expand our understanding of processes governing commercial property cycles, and to provide tools, which enable identification of property cycles’ turning points’ location.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is divided into three parts. The first looks at the demand-supply dynamics and the location of two characteristic cyclic points, the market bottom and the cycle commencement. In the second part a property relevant formula for entropy is derived, and its relation to the cycle overheated stage and the market peak is studied. In the third part, we discuss still another characteristic point of the cycle, which relates to the stage when developers elect to undertake new projects. This analysis is done by employing the chaos theory, and its relation to the cyclic evolution.

Findings

It is found that some markets cycle, while others fluctuate only. A clear method for distinguishing among these is provided. The bottom of a cycle may overlap or be time separated from the start of a subsequent cycle. Market peaks are characterised by a sharp decrease in financial component to entropy for top quality building grades. A cycling market is characterised by crossing of a distinct vacancy rate during the cycle progression.

Practical implications

The tools developed in the paper allow for clear characterisation of the market types and their cyclic behaviour. This in turn allows for timely characterisation of the market state and for short time-frame forecasting. The depth of a cycle may be calculated and the subsequent correction level estimated.

Originality/value

The paper utilises cross-field approach by taking methods from both physics and mathematics and applying them to property markets. It breaks new ground both in property research and in applied mathematics by showing how the current frontier in pure mathematics may be applied to property.
Trust and its predictors within a cyber-physical system context
Authors: Garry Tony , Harwood Tracy
Published: June 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to provide empirically derived insights into trust and its predictors within a cyber-physical system context of a household service.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology comprises an innovative mixed methods design encompassing a videographic animated film portraying a potential “slice of life” household service-system scenario that was subsequently incorporated into a quantitative survey. A total of 400 responses were then used to examine trust dimensions and their hypothesised predictors.

Findings

Findings suggest trust is two-dimensional, with “online networking competency”, “perceptions of risk”, “propensity to trust technology in general” and “concerns about security” being significant predictors. Surprisingly, “concerns about privacy” do not have a significant effect.

Originality/value

The contribution of this research is twofold. Firstly, from a theoretical perspective, the paper offers empirical insights into trust and its predictors within a cyber-physical system context of a household service. Secondly, and from a pragmatic perspective, the model derived from this study may aid practitioners in developing trust strategies and trust management systems within such contexts.
Factors for and against resistance to smart services: role of consumer lifestyle and ecosystem related variables
Authors: Chouk Inès , Mani Zied
Published: June 2019

Purpose

Consumers are increasingly connected to, and make use of, a multitude of technologies in their daily lives. The exponential growth in the use of Internet of Things (IoT)-based services is ushering in a new era of e-services, in which the service experience is becoming autonomous (intelligence), devices are intercommunicating (connectivity) and consumers can access the service anytime, anywhere and using any device (ubiquity). However, a number of challenges have arisen. The purpose of this paper is to investigate factors that reduce consumer resistance to smart services (factors against resistance) and factors that promote this resistance (factors for resistance), by means of a dual-factor approach.

Design/methodology/approach

To test this theoretical model, the authors developed a Web-based survey and used structural equation modeling.

Findings

Results show that consumer-lifestyle factors (individual “mobiquity” and self-image congruence) reduce consumer resistance to smart services (factors against resistance). Conversely, innovation-related factors (perceived security, perceived complexity) and ecosystem-related factors (perceived government surveillance and general skepticism toward IoT) promote consumer resistance to smart services (factors for resistance). In addition, general skepticism toward IoT has a significant positive effect on perceived complexity, perceived security risk and perceived government surveillance.

Originality/value

This research investigates consumer resistance to smart services using a dual-factor perspective (Cenfetelli, 2004; Claudy et al., 2015): factors reducing resistance versus factors promoting resistance. This paper provides evidence for the importance of consumer lifestyle-related factors, innovation-related factors and ecosystem-related factors in explaining consumer resistance to smart services. This work enriches previous studies of consumer resistance to innovation (Ram and Sheth, 1989; Ram, 1987) by studying original variables (individual mobiquity, technological innovativeness, government surveillance).
Persuaded self-tracking with wearable technology: carrot or stick?
Authors: Paluch Stefanie , Tuzovic Sven
Published: June 2019

Purpose

Commercial entities (e.g. health and life insurance, airlines and supermarkets) in different countries have recently begun to introduce wearable technology as part of the consumer journey and as a means of enhancing the business value chain. While a firm’s decision to adopt such new technologies as wearable devices is often based on financial factors such as return on investment, costs and impact on profits, consumers may hold a different attitude toward the value of using smart wearables and sharing their personal data as part of their business-client relationships. The purpose of this paper is to investigate consumer perceptions of and reactions to persuaded self-tracking (PST) – a practice in which businesses actively encourage consumers to monitor, collect and share personal biometric data through wearable technologies in exchange for personalized incentives and rewards.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a qualitative research approach and a purposeful sampling method, the authors conducted personal in-depth interviews with 24 consumers (both users and non-users of wearable devices). Interviews were recorded and transcribed, resulting in 600 pages of transcripts comprising more than 203,000 words. Data coding and analysis were facilitated by using NVivo.

Findings

Consumers’ assessment of PST is based on perceived value-in-use, privacy/security concerns and perceived fairness/justice, resulting in four types of reactions to adopt or use PST (embracing, considering, debating and avoiding). Specifically, the authors identified two individual determinants (intrinsic motivation and extrinsic motivation) and four firm-related determinants (design of wearable device, assurance, transparency and controllability) that influence consumer perceptions of PST.

Research limitations/implications

Results of this study have implications for both vendors of wearable devices and firms trying to leverage smart wearables in their value chains. Identifying consumers’ perceptions, as well as barriers and enablers of acceptance, will help firms to more effectively design and develop wearable device-based services, thus gaining consumer support for using fitness trackers. The primary limitation of the study is that using a thematic analysis method diminishes the generalizability of our findings.

Originality/value

This study addresses an under-researched area: the integration of wearable technologies in a firm’s value chain through the lens of the consumers. This study is one of the first, according to authors’ knowledge, to investigate consumer perceptions of PST.
Social inclusion and social capital of the Shanghai Library as a community place for self-improvement
Authors: Lo Patrick , He Minying , Liu Yan
Published: June 2019

Purpose

Using a Shanghainese context, the purpose of this paper is to understand the effects of the public library in its community, as well as its ability to create social capital. Along with this, this paper aims to look at some socially disadvantaged groups within Shanghai and see the positive benefits that the Shanghai Library (SHL) has in society.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a total of 410 respondents from Shanghai through a questionnaire, this study investigates how different groups of disadvantaged groups (namely, students, elderly and unemployed) living in Shanghai perceived the social values, and contributions functions of the SHL to the local community, and its capacities to create social capital.

Findings

Findings of this study indicate that respondents expressed an overall highly positive outlook of the SHL’s value to the community, and they found it to have an important role in their daily lives.

Originality/value

This study will be useful for understanding the roles of the public library in a Chinese context, as well as the views and perceptions of the public library to disadvantaged user groups in China.
Goodwill hunting
Authors: Cradduck Lucy , Warren Clive M.J.
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to add to the academic discourse by developing a methodology by which a block of land’s goodwill, or lack of goodwill, can be factored into its valuation.

Design/methodology/approach

The research was undertaken utilising a mixed-methods approach, which involved doctrinal research, together with qualitative and quantitative analysis of the impact of neighbourhood disputes on real property value. The disputes engaged with for exemplar purposes were those of tree disputes resolved by QCAT order.

Findings

A dispute can adversely affect a property’s goodwill, which can impact both its saleability and value.

Research limitations/implications

Due to the sensitive nature of the valuation process and the potential negative impact that any identification of a property may have on its value, it was not appropriate to identify any properties specifically or the area in which these are located. Further, as regards the available details of disputes, the authors were only able to engage with disputes for which an order existed.

Practical implications

The methodology developed can be applied to other real property interests, for example, lots in freehold retirement village complexes or those within other strata title schemes of either residential or commercial use.

Social implications

As the number of neighbourhood disputes throughout Australia grows, addressing the impact that a dispute has for property value is a concern relevant to all valuers and owners.

Originality/value

The authors add to the academic discourse by developing a methodology by which a property’s goodwill, or lack of goodwill, can be factored into its valuation.
The evolution of project portfolio selection methods: from incremental to radical innovation
Authors: Flechas Chaparro Ximena Alejandra , de Vasconcelos Gomes Leonardo Augusto , Tromboni de Souza Nascimento Paulo
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify how project portfolio selection (PPS) methods have evolved and which approaches are more suitable for radical innovation projects. This paper addressed the following research question: how have the selection approaches evolved to better fit within radical innovation conditions? The current literature offers a number of selection approaches with different and, in some cases, conflicting nature. Therefore, there is a lack of understanding regarding when and how to use these approaches in order to select a specific type of innovation projects (from incremental to more radical ones).

Design/methodology/approach

Given the nature of the research question, the authors perform a systematic literature review method and analyze 48 portfolio selection approaches. The authors then classified and characterized these articles in order to identify techniques, tools, required data and types of examined projects, among other aspects.

Findings

The authors identify four key features related to the selection of radical innovation projects: dynamism, interdependency management, uncertainty treatment and required input data. Based on the content analysis, the authors identified that approaches based on different sources and nature of data are more appropriated for uncertain conditions, such as behavioral methods, information gap theory, real options and integrated approaches.

Originality/value

The research provides a comprehensive framework about PPS methods and how they have been evolving over time. This portfolio selection framework considers the particular aspects of incremental and radical innovation projects. The authors hope that the framework contributes to reinvigorating the literature on selection approaches for innovation projects.
Perfusive and osmotic capabilities of 3D printed hollow tube for fabricating large-scaled muscle scaffold
Authors: Lian Qin , Zhou Linian , Li Xiao , Mao Wei , Li Dichen
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a new method for the fabrication of a large-scaled muscle scaffold containing an artificial hollow tube network, which may solve the problems of nutrient supply, oxygen exchange and metabolic waste removal.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, a ferric chloride structural strength-enhanced sodium alginate hollow tube was used to build the hollow tube network. Gelatin infill was then added to make a large alginate/gelation gel soft tissue scaffold. A pilot experiment was performed and an osmotic test platform was built to study the perfusion and osmotic ability of the 3D printed hollow tube. The essential fabrication parameters (printing velocity and gap) for building the vascular (i.e., hollow tube) network-contained scaffold were investigated. Moreover, cells in culture were spread within the gelation scaffold, and the circulation characteristics of the hollow tube network were studied.

Findings

The printed large-scaled scaffold that contained a ferric chloride structural strength-enhanced sodium alginate hollow tube had good perfusion ability. The osmotic distance of the hollow tube reached 3.7 mm in 8 h in this experiment.

Research limitations/implications

The osmotic distance was confirmed by perfusing a phenol solution; although it is more reliable to test for cell viability, this will be investigated in our later research.

Practical implications

This research may provide new insights in the area of tissue engineering for large-scaled vascularized scaffold fabrication.

Originality/value

This paper presents a new method for fabricating large-scaled scaffolds, and the perfusion ability and osmotic distance of a ferric chloride structural strength-enhanced sodium alginate hollow tube are shown.
Children’s bonding with popular YouTube vloggers and their attitudes toward brand and product endorsements in vlogs: an explorative study
Authors: Folkvord Frans , Bevelander Kirsten Elizabeth , Rozendaal Esther , Hermans Roel
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study has three primary aims. The first is to examine the amount of time children spend per week on viewing vlogs. Second, the authors explored children’s awareness and understanding of the brand or product placement in vlogs. Finally, the authors explored children’s self-perceived susceptibility to the potential persuasive effects of these vlogs.

Design/methodology/approach

Self-reported measurements were assessed among children (N = 127, 10-13 years of age).

Findings

Results indicate that the majority of children frequently view vlogs and that their degree of bonding with the vlogger predicted the time spend on viewing vlogs. Children recalled products and brands that were shown in vlogs, which were mostly food and beverages and considered themselves and others affected by endorsements in vlogs.

Research limitations/implications

Only cross-sectional data were collected; these data cannot be used to analyze behavior over a period of time or draw causal inferences.

Practical implications

Considering the popularity of vlogs among young people, it is important to acquire more insight into the frequency and amount of time children spend on viewing vlogs and children’s processing of persuasive messages in vlogs. This may lead to a better understanding of underlying processes and prediction of the outcomes of advertising through this form of media content. Current findings raise further questions about the persuasive content of vlogs.

Originality/value

Because of the popularity of online (social media) channels among youth, companies dedicate a significant proportion of their marketing budget on online influencer marketing. Therefore, it is important to acquire insight into children’s processing of online persuasive messages. To the authors’ knowledge, there is no empirical research on children’s potential bonding with popular vloggers and their awareness and understanding of the brand or product placement in vlogs.
Characterization and rapid identification of phylogroup G in Escherichia coli, a lineage with high virulence and antibiotic resistance potential
Authors: Clermont Olivier , Dixit Ojas V. A. , Vangchhia Belinda , Condamine Bénédicte , Dion Sara , Bridier‐Nahmias Antoine , Denamur Erick , Gordon David
Published: June 2019

The phylogeny of the Escherichia coli species, with the identification of seven phylogroups (A, B1, B2, C, D, E and F), is linked to the lifestyle of the strains. With the accumulation of whole genome sequence data, it became clear that some strains belong to a group intermediate between the F and B2 phylogroups, designated as phylogroup G. Here, we studied the complete sequences of 112 strains representative of the G phylogroup diversity and showed that it is composed of one main sequence type complex (STc)117 and four other STcs (STc657, STc454, STc738 and STc174). STc117, which phylogeny is characterized by very short internal branches, exhibits extensive O diversity, but little H‐type and fimH allele diversity, whereas the other STcs are characterized by a main O, H and fimH type. STc117 strains possess many traits associated with extra‐intestinal virulence, are virulent in a mouse sepsis model and exhibit multi‐drug resistance such as CTX‐M production. Epidemiologic data on 4,524 Australian and French strains suggest that STc117 is a poultry‐associated lineage that can also establish in humans and cause extra‐intestinal diseases. We propose an easy identification method that will help to trace this potentially virulent and resistant phylogroup in epidemiologic studies.
A self‐preserving, partially biodegradable eDNA filter
Authors: Thomas Austen C. , Nguyen Phong L. , Howard Jesse , Goldberg Caren S.
Published: June 2019

eDNA studies often rely on water filtration in the field and immediate sample preservation to prevent DNA degradation during sample transport. However, filter membrane transfer steps for preservation can increase risk of sample contamination and the reliance on typical single‐use filter housings produces significant plastic waste.

We created a new eDNA filter housing (compatible with any suction pump) partially comprised of a biodegradable, hydrophilic material that functions to automatically preserve captured eDNA via desiccation—no filter membrane transfer steps, no chemical or cold storage required.

We tested the self‐preservation capabilities of the desiccating filter housings by filtering replicate samples in an eDNA mesocosm study and compared with ethanol preservation. Self‐preserving filters were placed back into original packaging for storage, and samples for both preservation methods were kept at room temperature until extraction at prescribed time points (11 days, 18 days, 25 days, 32 days, 60 days, 88 days, 172 days) post‐filtration. Paired field samples were also collected from six pond locations targeting an additional species to demonstrate field performance.

Quantitative PCR results from the mesocosm study indicated that both methods effectively preserved eDNA over a 6‐month storage period, with the self‐preserving filters yielding slightly more target DNA on average (SQ = 329 copies) than ethanol‐preserved samples (SQ = 288 copies) (F1,38 = 4.050, p = 0.051). Neither method showed signs of degradation after 172 days. Results from field sampling indicated a larger difference between preservation methods, with the self‐preserving filters containing approximately 2X the eDNA of ethanol‐preserved samples on average (paired t test, p = 0.020).

These data suggest that self‐preserving eDNA filter housings are a viable alternative to standard ethanol preservation methods and may provide higher detection sensitivity in some circumstances. The new filter housings should also help in reducing the risk of sample contamination, minimize protocol steps and result in less plastic waste. Such innovations are important to assure eDNA data quality and to help in facilitating the inclusion of non‐expert sample collectors (e.g. citizen scientists) in research programs.
Risk behaviours and alcohol in adolescence are negatively associated with testicular volume: results from the Amico‐Andrologo survey
Authors: Gianfrilli D. , Ferlin A. , Isidori A. M. , Garolla A. , Maggi M. , Pivonello R. , Santi D. , Sansone A. , Balercia G. , Granata A. R. M. , Sinisi A. , Lanfranco F. , Pasqualetti P. , Foresta C. , Lenzi A. ,   ‘Amico‐Andrologo’ Study Group
Published: June 2019

Background

Risk factors established during adolescence affect health outcomes in adulthood, although little is known about how adolescent health risk behaviours (HRBs) affect testicular development and reproductive health.

Objectives

To assess prevalence of HRBs among last year high school students; to describe the most prevalent andrological disorders in this cohort; to explore HRBs associated with andrological disorders and investigate factors possibly associated with impaired testicular development in puberty.

Materials and methods

The Amico‐Andrologo Survey is a permanent nationwide surveillance programme conducted by the Italian Society of Andrology and Sexual Medicine and supported by the Ministry of Health. A nationally representative survey of final‐year male high school students was conducted using a validated structured interview (n = 10124) and medical examination (n = 3816).

Results

Smoking (32.6%), drinking (80.6%) and use of illegal drugs (46.5%) are common in adolescence. 16.6% of subjects were overweight, 3.1% were underweight and 2.3% were obese. Among sexually active students (60.3%), unprotected sex was very common (48.3%). Only 11.6% had been treated for andrological disorders, despite an abnormal clinical examination in 34.6%. Bilateral testicular hypotrophy (14.0%), varicocoele (27.1%) and phimosis (7.1%) were the most prevalent disorders; 5.1% complained of premature ejaculation and 4.7% had an STI. Underweight and heavy alcohol or drug use were associated with testicular hypotrophy. HRBs emerged as significant predictors of testicular hypotrophy, explaining up to 9.6% of its variance. Limitations include risk of selection bias for voluntary physical examination and recall bias for the self‐compiled questionnaire.

Discussion

There is an emerging global adverse trend of HRBs in male high school students. A significant proportion of adolescent males with unsuspected andrological disorders engage in behaviours that could impair testicular development.

Conclusion

Greater attention to the prevention of andrological health in adolescence is needed.
ECMO without anticoagulation in patients with disease‐related severe thrombocytopenia: Feasible but futile?
Authors: Hermann Alexander , Schellongowski Peter , Bojic Andja , Robak Oliver , Buchtele Nina , Staudinger Thomas
Published: June 2019

Severe thrombocytopenia poses a high risk for bleeding thus representing a relative contraindication for anticoagulation and therefore extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). We herein report on a series of immunocompromised patients with severe thrombocytopenia undergoing long‐term ECMO without systemic anticoagulation. We retrospectively identified seven adult patients with anticoagulation withdrawal for ≥3 days (range 5–317) during venovenous ECMO therapy due to thrombocytopenia < 50 G/L treated in a university‐affiliated hospital from January 2013 to April 2017. All ECMO systems used were heparin coated. Overall, 530 ECMO days were observed, 404 (76%) of them without systemic anticoagulation. Platelet count during ECMO treatment was 24 G/L (median, range 1‐138), ECMO duration was 35 days (5‐317), and ECMO was run without any anticoagulation for 20 days (5‐317). Altogether, five clotting events were seen leading to oxygenator exchanges. Bleeding was common including one fatal intracerebral hemorrhage. Altogether, 29 platelet concentrates per patient (7‐207) were administered, which correspond to 0.8 per day (0.6‐1.3). One patient survived ICU and hospital. In patients with thrombocytopenia, ECMO can be run without anticoagulation even for considerably long periods of time. Bleeding remains common, while clotting events seem to be rare. However, prognosis of this patient population undergoing ECMO support seems grim.
Interleukin‐6 production mediated by the IRE1‐XBP1 pathway confers radioresistance in human papillomavirus‐negative oropharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Lyu Xintong , Zhang Miao , Li Guangqi , Cai Yiru , Li Guang , Qiao Qiao
Published: June 2019

Endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) plays a key role in the pathogenesis and development of tumors and protects tumor cells from radiation damage and drug‐induced stress. We previously demonstrated that EGFR confers radioresistance in human papillomavirus (HPV)‐negative human oropharyngeal carcinoma by activating ERS signaling through PERK and IRE1α. In addition, PERK confers radioresistance by activating the inflammatory cytokine NF‐κB. However, the effect of IRE1 on radiosensitivity has not yet been fully elucidated. Here, we clarified that IRE1 overexpression was associated with poor outcome in HPV‐negative patients treated with radiotherapy (P = 0.0001). In addition, a significantly higher percentage of radioresistant HPV‐negative patients than radiosensitive HPV‐negative patients exhibited high IRE expression (66.7% vs 27.8%, respectively; P = 0.001). Silencing IRE1 and XBP1 increased DNA double‐strand break (DSB) and radiation‐induced apoptosis, thereby increasing the radiosensitivity of HPV‐negative oropharyngeal carcinoma cells. IRE1‐XBP1 silencing also inhibited radiation‐induced IL‐6 expression at both the RNA and protein levels. The regulatory effect of IRE1‐XBP1 silencing on DNA DSB‐induced and radiation‐induced apoptosis was inhibited by pretreatment with IL‐6. These data indicate that IRE1 regulates radioresistance in HPV‐negative oropharyngeal carcinoma through IL‐6 activation, enhancing X‐ray‐induced DNA DSB and cell apoptosis.
Pharmacometabolomics of Respiratory Phenotypic Response to Dexamethasone in Preterm Infants at Risk for Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
Authors: Lewis Tamorah , Chalise Prabhakar , Gauldin Cheri , Truog William
Published: June 2019

A prospective cohort study was performed in preterm infants less than 32 weeks gestation at birth who were treated with dexamethasone for developing or established bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Respiratory phenotype (Respiratory Severity Score (RSS)), serum, and urine metabolomics were assessed before and after treatment. Ten infants provided nine matched serum and nine matched urine samples. There was a significant decrease in RSS with steroid treatment. Serum gluconic acid had the largest median fold change (140 times decreased, P = 0.008). In metabolite set enrichment analysis, in both serum and urine, the urea cycle, ammonia recycling, and malate‐aspartate shuttle pathways were most significantly enriched when comparing pretreatment and post‐treatment (P value < 0.05). In regression analyses, 6 serum and 28 urine metabolites were significantly associated with change in RSS. Urine gluconic acid lactone was the most significantly correlated with clinical response (correlational coefficient 0.915). Pharmacometabolomic discovery of drug response biomarkers in preterm infants may allow precision therapeutics in BPD treatment.
Racial differences in performance of HbA1c for the classification of diabetes and prediabetes among US adults of non‐Hispanic black and white race
Authors: Ford C. N. , Leet R. W. , Kipling L. M. , Rhee M. K. , Jackson S. L. , Wilson P. W. F. , Phillips L. S. , Staimez L. R.
Published: June 2019

Aim

To characterize differences between black and white people in optimal HbA1c thresholds for diagnoses of diabetes and prediabetes.

Methods

Data were included from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2005–2014. Black and white adults (age 18–70 years) who underwent an oral glucose tolerance test and had available fasting plasma glucose, 2‐h plasma glucose and HbA1c measurements were eligible for inclusion. Diabetes or prediabetes status was defined by fasting plasma glucose and 2‐h plasma glucose using American Diabetes Association criteria. Classification of diabetes, prediabetes and dysglycaemia by HbA1c was evaluated for a range of HbA1c thresholds, with optimal thresholds defined as those values that maximized the sum of sensitivity and specificity (Youden's index).

Results

In 5324 black (32.3%) and white (67.7%) individuals, Youden's index (optimal) thresholds for HbA1c were ≥42 mmol/mol (6.0%) and ≥39 mmol/mol (5.7%) for discriminating diabetes vs non‐diabetes, ≥ 44 mmol/mol (6.2%) and ≥39 mmol/mol (5.7%) for discriminating diabetes vs prediabetes (excluding normoglycaemia), ≥39 mmol/mol (5.7%) and ≥37 mmol/mol (5.5%) for discriminating dysglycaemia vs normoglycaemia, and ≥39 mmol/mol (5.7%) and ≥37 mmol/mol (5.5%) for discriminating prediabetes vs normoglycaemia (excluding diabetes), in black and white people, respectively.

Conclusions

Consistently higher optimal HbA1c thresholds in black people than in white people suggest a need to individualize HbA1c relative to glucose levels if HbA1c is used to diagnose diabetes and prediabetes.
Hydraulic Tomography: 3D Hydraulic Conductivity, Fracture Network, and Connectivity in Mudstone
Authors: Tiedeman Claire R. , Barrash Warren
Published: June 2019

We present the first demonstration of hydraulic tomography (HT) to estimate the three‐dimensional (3D) hydraulic conductivity (K) distribution of a fractured aquifer at high‐resolution field scale (HRFS), including the fracture network and connectivity through it. We invert drawdown data collected from packer‐isolated borehole intervals during 42 pumping tests in a wellfield at the former Naval Air Warfare Center, West Trenton, New Jersey, in the Newark Basin. Five additional tests were reserved for a quality check of HT results. We used an equivalent porous medium forward model and geostatistical inversion to estimate 3D K at high resolution (K blocks <1 m3), using no strict assumptions about K variability or fracture statistics. The resulting 3D K estimate ranges from approximately 0.1 (highest‐K fractures) to approximately 10−13 m/s (unfractured mudstone). Important estimated features include: (1) a highly fractured zone (HFZ) consisting of a sequence of high‐K bedding‐plane fractures; (2) a low‐K zone that disrupts the HFZ; (3) several secondary fractures of limited extent; and (4) regions of very low‐K rock matrix. The 3D K estimate explains complex drawdown behavior observed in the field. Drawdown tracing and particle tracking simulations reveal a 3D fracture network within the estimated K distribution, and connectivity routes through the network. Model fit is best in the shallower part of the wellfield, with high density of observations and tests. The capabilities of HT demonstrated for 3D fractured aquifer characterization at HRFS may support improved in situ remediation for contaminant source zones, and applications in mining, repository assessment, or geotechnical engineering.
Quasi‐Saturated Layer: Implications for Estimating Recharge and Groundwater Modeling
Authors: Gonçalves Roger D. , Teramoto Elias H. , Engelbrecht Bruno Z. , Alfaro Soto Miguel A. , Chang Hung K. , van Genuchten Martinus Th.
Published: June 2019

This study presents an extension of the concept of “quasi‐saturation” to a quasi‐saturated layer, defined as the uppermost dynamic portion of the saturated zone subject to water table fluctuations. Entrapped air here may cause substantial reductions in the hydraulic conductivity (K) and fillable pore water. Air entrapment is caused by a rising water table, usually as a result of groundwater recharge. The most significant effects of entrapped air are recharge overestimation based on methods that use specific yield (Sy), such as the water table fluctuation method (WTF), and reductions in K values. These effects impact estimation of fluid flow velocities and contaminant migration rates in groundwater. In order to quantify actual groundwater recharge rates and the effects of entrapped air, numerical simulations with the FEFLOW (Version 7.0) groundwater flow model were carried out using a quasi‐saturated layer for a pilot area in Rio Claro, Brazil. The calculated recharge rate represented 16% of the average precipitation over an 8‐year period, approximately half of estimates using the WTF method. Air entrapment amounted to a fillable porosity of 0.07, significant lower that the value of 0.17 obtained experimentally for Sy. Numerical results showed that the entrapped air volume in the quasi‐saturated layer can be very significant (0.58 of the air fraction) and hence can significantly affect estimates of groundwater recharge and groundwater flow rates near the water table.
Bringing together coproduction and community participatory research approaches: Using first person reflective narrative to explore coproduction and community involvement in mental health research
Authors: King Colin , Gillard Steve
Published: June 2019

Background

A growing literature explores the coproduction of research knowledge. Barriers to coproduction in mental health research have been identified, especially for the people from marginalized communities. There is an established body of participatory research that has potential to inform coproduction in mental health research.

Objectives

To explore and articulate how learning from community participatory approaches to research enable barriers to knowledge coproduction to be overcome in mental health research.

Setting

An evaluation of a primary care mental health service, led by an experienced survivor researcher, supported by a health service researcher and involving a team of community co‐researchers.

Design

Cycles of reflective writing (first‐person narrative) by the authors, and feedback from the co‐researcher team, on their experiences of undertaking the evaluation were used to explore the ways in which community actors, including those from marginalized communities, might be meaningfully involved in producing research knowledge about mental health services.

Results

A space was created where community co‐researchers, including those from traditionally marginalized communities, felt safe and empowered to move beyond essentialized “service user” identities and bring a range of skills and expertise to the evaluation. There was meaningful rebalancing of power between traditional university and community roles, although the issues around leadership remained complex and more could be done to explore how our different experiences of race and mental health shape the research we do.

Conclusions

Potential was demonstrated for participatory research approaches to inform coproduction of knowledge in mental health research that fully reflects the diversity of identity and experience.
Necroptotic cell binding of β2‐glycoprotein I provides a potential autoantigenic stimulus in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Salem David , Subang Rebecca , Pernet Erwan , Divangahi Maziar , Pineau Christian , Cayrol Romain , Levine Jerrold S , Rauch Joyce
Published: June 2019

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is characterized by the development of autoantibodies against diverse self‐antigens with damage to multiple organs. Immunization with the SLE autoantigen β2‐glycoprotein I (β2GPI) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a known trigger of necroptosis, induces a murine model of SLE. We hypothesized that necroptotic cells, like apoptotic cells, provide a “scaffold” of cellular self‐antigens, but, unlike apoptotic cells, necroptotic cells do so in a proinflammatory and immunogenic context. We demonstrate that β2GPI indeed binds to necroptotic cells and serves as a target for anti‐β2GPI autoantibodies. We further demonstrate that necroptotic, but not apoptotic, cells promote antigenic presentation of β2GPI to CD4 T cells by dendritic cells. Finally, we show that β2GPI/LPS‐immunized mice deficient in RIPK3 (receptor‐interacting serine/threonine‐protein kinase 3) or MLKL (mixed lineage kinase domain like), and consequently unable to undergo necroptosis, have reduced SLE autoantibody production and pathology. RIPK3−/− mice had low levels of SLE autoantibodies and no renal pathology, while MLKL−/− mice produced low levels of SLE autoantibodies initially, but later developed levels comparable with wild type (WT) mice and pathology intermediate to that of WT and RIPK3−/− mice. Serum cytokine levels induced by LPS tended to be lower in RIPK3−/− and MLKL−/− mice than in WT mice, suggesting that impaired proinflammatory cytokine production may impact the initiation of autoantibody production in both strains. Our data suggest that self‐antigen (i.e. β2GPI) presented in the context of necroptosis and proinflammatory signals may be sufficient to overcome immune tolerance and induce SLE.
Emergence of waterfowl‐originated gene cassettes in HPAI H7N9 viruses caused severe human infection in Fujian, China
Authors: Yang Lei , Xie Jianfeng , Zhang Ye , Zhu Wenfei , Li Xiyan , Wei Hejiang , Li Zi , Zhao Lin , Bo Hong , Liu Jia , Dong Jie , Chen Tao , Shu Yuelong , Weng Yuwei , Wang Dayan
Published: June 2019

Background

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H7N9) virus emerged and caused human infections during the 2016‐2017 epidemic wave of influenza A(H7N9) viruses in China. We report a human infection with HPAI H7N9 virus and six environmental isolates in Fujian Province, China.

Methods

Environmental surveillance was conducted in live poultry markets and poultry farms in Fujian, China. Clinical and epidemiologic data and samples were collected. Real‐time RT‐PCRs were conducted for each sample, and H7‐positive samples were isolated using embryonated chicken eggs. Full genomes of the isolates were obtained by next‐generation sequencing. Phylogenetic analysis and antigenic analysis were conducted.

Results

A 59‐year‐old man who raised about 1000 ducks was identified as HPAI H7N9 infection. Six HPAI H7 viruses were isolated from environmental samples, including five H7N9 viruses and one H7N6 virus. Phylogenetic results showed the human and environmental viruses are highly genetically diverse and containing significantly different gene constellation from that of other HPAI H7N9 previously reported. The internal genes derived from H7N9/H9N2, H5N6, and the Eurasian wild‐bird gene pool, indicating waterfowl‐originated genotypes, have emerged in HPAI H7N9/N6 viruses and caused human infection.

Conclusion

The new genotypes raise the concern that these HPAI H7 viruses might transmit back into migratory birds and spread to other countries as the HPAI H5Nx viruses. Considering their capability of causing severe infections in both human and poultry, the HPAI H7 viruses in this study pose a risk to public health and the poultry industry and highlight the importance of sustained surveillance of these viruses.
Detection of oseltamivir‐resistant zoonotic and animal influenza A viruses using the rapid influenza antiviral resistance test
Authors: Hodges Erin N. , Mishin Vasiliy P. , De la Cruz Juan , Guo Zhu , Nguyen Ha T. , Fallows Eric , Stevens James , Wentworth David E. , Davis Charles Todd , Gubareva Larisa V.
Published: June 2019

Mutations in the influenza virus neuraminidase (NA) that cause reduced susceptibility to the NA inhibitor (NAI) oseltamivir may occur naturally or following antiviral treatment. Currently, detection uses either a traditional NA inhibition assay or gene sequencing to identify known markers associated with reduced inhibition by oseltamivir. Both methods are laborious and require trained personnel. The influenza antiviral resistance test (iART), a prototype system developed by Becton, Dickinson and Company for research use only, offers a rapid and simple method to identify such viruses. This study investigated application of iART to influenza A viruses isolated from non‐human hosts with a variety of NA subtypes (N1‐N9).
Reduced rainfall drives biomass limitation of long‐term fire activity in Australia’s subtropical sclerophyll forests
Authors: Mariani Michela , Tibby John , Barr Cameron , Moss Patrick , Marshall Jonathan C. , McGregor Glenn B.
Published: June 2019

Aim

To understand the long‐term drivers of biomass burning in the sclerophyll‐dominated forests of Australia.

Location

Swallow Lagoon, North Stradbroke Island, Queensland, Australia.

Time period

Last ca. 8 kyr.

Major taxa studied

Eucalyptus sensu lato, Leptospermum and Casuarinaceae.

Methods

High‐resolution pollen and charcoal analyses were undertaken on a ca. 8 kyr sediment record and compared with an independent quantitative precipitation reconstruction inferred from leaf carbon isotopes from the same site. We performed Principal Component Analysis to extract the main vegetation trends around Swallow Lagoon. We then compared vegetation changes to local charcoal records to understand the climate‐vegetation‐fire relationships under different rainfall regimes. The trends in pollen, charcoal and rainfall were analysed using Generalized Additive Models and wavelet coherence.

Results

Relatively high Casuarinaceae pollen abundance and high charcoal influx were found prior to 3.4 ka, during a phase of high rainfall. Between 3.4 and 1.5 ka there was an increase in Leptospermum‐type pollen abundance in concert with a decline in both rainfall and charcoal influx. After 1.5 ka low rainfall was generally maintained and a significant increase in Eucalyptus was detected, along with an increase in microscopic charcoal.

Main conclusions

Our study, from a sclerophyll forest setting that is typical of ~30% of Australia's vegetation, provides a unique example of complex climate‐biomass‐fire feedbacks and highlights biomass limitation of fire activity. High rainfall at Swallow Lagoon is linked to dense Casuarinaceae‐dominated forests and high fire activity prior to 3.4 ka. Between 3.4 and 1.5 ka, a decline in rainfall leads to reduced biomass burning during a phase dominated by shrub communities. After 1.5 ka, a change in fuel type was related to a transition to an open eucalypt forest and greater microscopic charcoal influx.
Hypertension with primary aldosteronism is associated with increased carotid intima‐media thickness and endothelial dysfunction
Authors: Demirkiran Ahmet , Everaars Henk , Elitok Ali , van de Ven Peter M. , Smulders Yvo M. , Dreijerink Koen M. , Tanakol Refik , Ozcan Mustafa
Published: June 2019

Patients with primary aldosteronism induced hypertension are more likely to experience cardiovascular events compared to patients with essential hypertension. Primary aldosteronism may therefore have distinct adverse effects on cardiovascular structure and function, independent of hypertension. However, current data on such effects of primary aldosteronism are conflicting. The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of primary aldosteronism on vascular structure and endothelial function, using intima‐media thickness as a vascular remodeling index and flow‐mediated dilation as a functional parameter. In total, 70 participants were recruited from patients with resistant hypertension. Twenty‐nine patients diagnosed with primary aldosteronism and 41 patients with essential hypertension were prospectively enrolled. Primary aldosteronism was due to aldosterone‐producing adenoma in 10 cases and due to idiopathic adrenal hyperplasia in 19 cases. All patients underwent ultrasound of the common carotid intima‐media thickness and flow‐mediated dilation of the brachial artery. Primary aldosteronism patients had significantly lower flow‐mediated dilation (3.3 [2.4‐7.4] % vs 14.7 [10.3‐19.9] %, P < 0.01) and significantly higher carotid intima‐media thickness (0.9 [0.7‐1.0] mm vs 0.8 [0.6‐0.9] mm, P = 0.02) compared to patients with essential hypertension. These differences remained significant after adjusting for age, sex, diabetes mellitus, 24‐hours systolic blood pressure, and smoking (P < 0.01). No differences in either outcome were observed between the adenoma and adrenal hyperplasia groups (both P > 0.05). Hypertensive patients with hyperaldosteronism appear to exhibit deteriorative effects on both vascular structure and function, independent of hypertension.