bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ethical leadership and organizational cynicism: the mediating role of leader-member exchange and organizational identification
Authors: Qian Yuxia , Jian Guowei
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This study aims to construct and empirically test a theoretical model of a mediated relationship between ethical leadership and organizational cynicism.

Design/methodology/approach

From a communication perspective, this study examines the underlying mechanism of the association between ethical leadership and organizational cynicism. A cross-sectional survey was sent to participants in different occupations. Path analysis was used to test the overall model fit.

Findings

The results indicate that ethical leadership has both a direct and indirect effect on organizational cynicism through the mediating role of leader-member exchange (LMX) and organizational identification. However, a surprising finding is that the mediating mechanisms of LMX and organizational identification are not in a parallel structure, but in a serial pattern. That is, the mediating role of LMX is further mediated by organizational identification.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature in several aspects. First, the study sheds light on leadership as an important source of organizational cynicism. In particular, the theoretical model presents pathways that show how the predictive effects of ethical leadership on organizational cynicism are mediated through leader-member relationships and organizational identification. Second, the theoretical analysis on the mediating process highlights the role of communication in facilitating the influence of leadership and constructing organizational identification. Third, the mediating model offers concrete guidance for organizations in their attempt to mitigate organizational cynicism.
Management control of collaborative innovation: design and structuring mode
Authors: Kherrazi Soufiane
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This paper addresses the issue of management control (MC) of collaborative innovation. It attempts to fill this gap in MC literature by considering both contingency and internal consistency perspectives influencing the MC setting, especially in the context of R&D alliances. Opening the boundaries of R&D has implications for the design of MC. It involves particular challenges and raises specific tensions of competing demands between control and innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a quantitative survey of sponsored European consortia and using the structural equation modeling method, we design an interfirm MC model to support collaborative innovation.

Findings

Our results show that the innovation ecosystem plays a critical role as an institutional element shaping the MC design. We also infer based on our findings that the package approach is more suitable than the system one to set up control practices within a collaborative innovation context. Thus, the package allows several configurations of MC in an ongoing process that, in turn, leads to deal with organizational tensions and conflicting pressures in a dynamic way. Accordingly, the package's effectiveness seems to be related to its “fit” with the alliance context rather than its “internal consistency”.

Research limitations/implications

This study advances MC literature by combining two theoretical perspectives to address interfirm MC, especially in the field of innovation that raises specific challenges. The findings lead also to build a bridge with a new perspective, i.e. evolutionary perspective, as the package suggests an ongoing process of resolving dynamic tensions between control requirements and innovation needs.

Practical implications

The study suggests a model of MC package that provides managers with a range of viable configurations and alternatives to support collaborative innovation, control activities, adapt to changes, resolve tensions and drive performance.

Originality/value

Instead of prior studies, the study relies upon both contingency and internal consistency perspectives to examine the MC design and structuring mode. In addition, the empirical part of this research deals with the case of European sponsored R&D consortia as a form of collaborative innovation. Unlike traditional R&D alliances, management control within sponsored consortia seems to be more complex to address as the consortium is multilateral, the grants are public and the goals may diverge given the broad variety of organizations the consortium involves.
The role of discrete positive emotions in consumer response to place-of-origin
Authors: Orth Ulrich R. , Crouch Roberta Carolyn , Bruwer Johan , Cohen Justin
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to adopt a functional perspective to integrate and extend three streams of research, the first distinguishing between global affect and discrete emotional episodes, the second highlighting the capability of places to elicit emotions and the third demonstrating the differential impact of discrete emotions on consumer response. Doing so shows that four positive place emotions have a significant and variable influence on consumer purchase intentions for brands originating there.

Design/methodology/approach

A focus group pilot corroborates that places relate to contentment, enchantment, happiness and pride, which impact consumer response. Study 1 uses landscape photographs to show the four place emotions influence purchase intention for bottled water. Study 2 retests the impact of place emotions, using short vignettes and establishes the moderating role of product hedonic nature. Study 3 replicates emotion effects, corroborating their non-conscious nature and establishing their impact in the presence of place cognitions.

Findings

Together, the empirical studies provide evidence for effects of four discrete place emotions, especially with hedonic products and under conditions of cognitive load. Effects are robust when a person’s mood, buying volume, category knowledge, impulse buying tendencies and place cognitions are included as controls.

Research limitations/implications

The study contributes to a better understanding of the emotional dimension of origin effects by adopting a novel, theory-based perspective on discrete positive place emotions impacting consumer response.

Practical implications

Managers invest substantially in places to elicit positive feelings, gravitating toward the view that all they need to do is create a global positive effect with consumers. The study informs this perspective by demonstrating how discrete emotions influence consumer response.

Originality/value

This study is among the first to examine discrete positive place emotions as possible drivers of consumers’ purchase intention.
Does incivility impact the quality of work-life and ethical climate of nurses?
Authors: Itzkovich Yariv , Dolev Niva , Shnapper-Cohen Moran
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to assess the relationship between incivility and two organizational and personal attitudes, namely, perceived ethical climate and perceived quality of work-life of nurses, in the framework of organizational climate.

Design/methodology/approach

Quantitative data of 148 nurses working in a medium-sized hospital in Israel were collected. Furthermore, qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 12 nurses and 14 doctors from the same hospital, constructing a mixed-method approach.

Findings

Findings revealed that witnessing or experiencing incivility affected the nurses' perception of the ethical climate of their work unit and their perceived quality of their work-life. Additionally, we found that the relationship between incivility and nurses' perceived quality of work-life was partially mediated through their perceived ethical climate. The qualitative data supported some of the findings.

Originality/value

The article stretches the incivility theory beyond its dyadic boundaries, prominently showing the spillover effect of incivility as an organizational problem. Additionally, it offers some evidence-based support for the multidimensionality of incivility, strengthening the need for a construct cleanup.
Behind the length of contract during market transitions
Authors: Chen Xin , Xie En , Peng Mike W. , Pinkham Brian C.
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine an important yet underexplored research question in the literature: What determines the length of contract governing buyer–supplier relationships during market transitions? The length of contract is a solid indicator of the comprehensiveness of a contract. By integrating transaction costs economics, the embeddedness perspective and the institution-based view, the paper develops a model that incorporates specific investments and perceived opportunism, strategies to select suppliers and buyer firms’ confidence in the institutional environment. It further posits how buyer firms’ dependence on suppliers moderates these relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected nationwide via face-to-face interviews with 328 executives in 164 Chinese firms who shared information pertaining to 774 buyer–supplier contracts. A fine-grained mixed-empirical method was designed to test the proposed hypotheses, to confirm the reliability and to generalize the research findings.

Findings

All the proposed factors significantly influence the length of the contract. Results obtained through a moderated mediating model suggest that buyers with supplier-specific investments and that choose market-based selection relative to a relationship-based tend to perceive more opportunism in buyer–supplier relationships, which will lead to shortening the length of the contract. However, the buyer’s perception of opportunism will decrease when buyers perceive higher levels of confidence in their legal institutions.

Practical implications

The study discusses several practical implications for B2B managers who typically involve in interfirm exchanges as well as for emerging economies’ institutions.

Originality/value

Leveraging theoretical insights from transaction cost economics, the institution-based view and buyer–supplier relationships literature, this empirical study adds unique contributions to B2B research in general and emerging economies’ institutional literature in particular.
The value of business accelerators and incubators – an entrepreneur’s perspective
Authors: Lange Ginger S. , Johnston Wesley J.
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Inspired by an efficacy debate, this paper aims to understand to what extent do entrepreneurs value business accelerators and what contributes to this value. And as entrepreneurs consider accelerators to be a viable alternative to traditional business incubators, the research seeks to compare these startup support options.

Design/methodology/approach

Guided by resource-based theory, the researchers constructed a variance model and analyzed it using quantitative methods based upon data collected from 205 accelerators users as well as 66 incubator users for comparison.

Findings

Results indicate that the accelerator users find the programs to be very valuable for improving their business outcomes. Moreover, the users feel the program experience to be valuable regardless of whether their businesses ultimately survive. Knowledge- and culture-related resources contribute significantly to users’ perceptions of value. Findings indicate notable differences in the perceptions of accelerator versus incubator users.

Research limitations/implications

The research contributes to the ongoing academic debate concerning the efficacy of accelerators and provides a model for predicting user value. The research is limited to the USA.

Practical implications

Research serves as a practical guide for prospective accelerator users, as well as provides valuable insights to accelerator administrators and marketers for enhancing their programs.

Originality/value

The study uniquely provides a user’s perspective and highlights distinct differences in the perceptions between accelerators and incubators users.
New product creativity and alliance ambidexterity: the moderating effect of causal ambiguity
Authors: Huang Jing-Wen
Published: April 2020

Purpose

There has been little research discussing the role that new product creativity plays in achieving alliance ambidexterity and how causal ambiguity may be a potential moderator in the association between new product creativity and alliance ambidexterity. The purpose of this study is to identify the contingent role of causal ambiguity and examine the relationships between new product creativity, causal ambiguity and alliance ambidexterity.

Design/methodology/approach

In this empirical study, a questionnaire approach is used to collect data, and moderated structural equation modeling is used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The findings indicate that new product creativity has a positive influence on alliance ambidexterity, whereas causal ambiguity moderates these associations. When causal ambiguity increases, the positive impact of new product creativity on alliance ambidexterity is attenuated.

Research limitations/implications

This study integrates the ambidexterity literature and the alliance literature by applying the concept of ambidexterity to a strategic alliance context. The moderating role of causal ambiguity echoes previous research postulating causal ambiguity as a barrier to knowledge transfer in alliances. Given a higher level of causal ambiguity, firms face more difficulty when they attempt to develop new product creativity to achieve the desired level of alliance ambidexterity.

Practical implications

Managers could initiate incentive programs and build supportive environments that facilitate new product creativity. Firms will be capable of elaborating the potential of new product creativity to further facilitate alliance ambidexterity. Managers need to pay attention to causal ambiguity that may have a moderating influence on the relationship between new product creativity and alliance ambidexterity.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the synthesis of new product creativity and alliance ambidexterity and helps scholars and managers to better understand the moderating effect of causal ambiguity in the context of the innovation and ambidexterity literature.
Market orientation and performance: industrial supplier and customer perspectives
Authors: Powers Thomas L. , Kennedy Karen Norman , Choi Seongwon
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to contribute industrial marketing literature by examining the relationship between market orientation and performance based on multiple perspectives and measures. Although the relationship between market orientation and firm performance has been examined in prior research a gap in the literature exists, as this relationship has not been examined from separate perspectives of managers, salespersons and customers. In addition to this gap in the literature, a further gap exists as these multiple assessments of market orientation have not been examined relative to both subjective and objectives measures of industrial firm performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is based on data obtained from 111 sales branches of a Fortune 500 industrial supplier.

Findings

The results indicate that managers, salespersons and customers all indicate a positive relationship between market orientation and perceived performance. Market orientation and actual branch performance were not related when assessed by any of the three respondent groups. Only salespersons were able to significantly relate perceived firm performance to actual performance.

Research limitations/implications

These findings add a new dimensions to the existing stream of literature on the industrial marketing orientation and performance relationship.

Originality/value

These findings add new dimensions to the existing stream of literature on the industrial marketing orientation and performance relationship.
Wage–employment elasticity: a meta-analysis referring to Colombia
Authors: Mora Jhon J. , Muro Juan
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The article clarifies the wage–employment relation in a developing country. Several years ago, many articles in the United States indicated that the relation between increasing wages and increasing unemployment is unclear. These articles from the United States are insufficient to be applicable to all countries, especially developing countries such as Colombia where institutions and the wage–employment relation differ from those in the United States.

Design/methodology/approach

A meta-analysis methodology was used as 28 estimates of long-run wage–employment elasticity in Colombia from 1998 to 2016 were analyzed.

Findings

This article provides insights into how real wages affect employment. Despite publication biases, results showed that a 1% increase in wages results in a 0.11% decline in employment in the long run.

Research limitations/implications

Due to the publication bias, it is not considered how variables such as sectors, estimation strategies (panel data, partial adjustment, cointegration and non-linear least squares, among others), formal/informal urban sectors, government services and transportation, and qualified and unskilled workers affect the true elasticity value.

Practical implications

This paper includes implications for public policy because the results are important to minimum wages policy in a developing country.

Originality/value

There are no studies regarding the wage–employment relation in a developing country. The empirical results obtained in this article are useful for regulators, policy makers and researchers to understand whether employment is affected by real wages.
The influence of emotional intelligence on team performance through knowledge sharing, team conflict, and the structure mechanism
Authors: Zulfadil  , Hendriani Susi , Machasin
Published: April 2020

Purpose

To analyze the influence of emotional intelligence on team performance, knowledge sharing, team conflict, and the structure mechanism, the influence of knowledge sharing, team conflict, the structure mechanism, and emotional intelligence on team performance, and the influence of emotional intelligence on team performance through knowledge sharing, team conflict, and the structure mechanism.

Design/methodology/approach

This research uses the quantitative research method and is included in explanatory research. Data collection was done cross-sectionally. This research was conducted at provincial hospitals in South Sulawesi and in Central Sulawesi.

Findings

Emotional intelligence directly influences knowledge sharing, conflict in teams, the structure mechanism, and team performance. There is a direct influence of knowledge sharing, team conflict, and the structure mechanism on team performance. Then, there is an indirect influence of emotional intelligence on team performance through the mediation of knowledge sharing, team conflict, and the structure mechanism.

Originality/value

The novelty of this research is in its effort to observe the mediation of knowledge sharing, team conflict and the structure mechanism with other variables developed in the research model. No previous studies have found a relationship between emotional intelligence and team performance, knowledge sharing, team conflict, and the structure mechanism, or the influence of knowledge sharing, team conflict, the structure mechanism, and emotional intelligence on team performance.
Public libraries' role in supporting e-learning and spreading lifelong education: a case study
Authors: Abumandour El-Shaimaa Talaat
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Public libraries play a pivotal role in supporting education and literacy. They provide numerous services, activities, collections and resources for education and leisure. Bibliotheca Alexandrina (BA) is an international renowned public library that provides numerous services for different users worldwide. E-learning is an emergent and promising method for teaching and learning different subjects such as the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The e-learning educational system is quite novel in Africa and the Middle East; hence, this paper presents the whole concept to the reader. In addition, it demonstrates number of e-courses tackling different domains provided by different educational institutions, national and public libraries worldwide.

Design/methodology/approach

In 2017, the BA inaugurated its e-learning services to cope with the new educational trend and to consolidate the lifelong learning concept in the community. The author showed special interest to the case of e-learning in the BA, as it is a regional public library. The main idea of this paper is to attract attention toward public libraries as a promising venue for e-learning implementation for general knowledge, library information sciences, soft skills, elementary and informal STEM education. The paper discusses in details e-learning and its characteristics.

Findings

In addition, the paper compares traditional education (face-to-face) with e-learning education, mentions both their pros and cons and recommends blending the two educational methods as they complement each other. Furthermore, the author has selected a sample of different STEM e-courses (203 different e-courses). These e-courses were selected to assert the possibility of presenting STEM topics in the form of e-courses.

Originality/value

This study would be one of the emergent research studies that connect e-learning to both STEM disciplines and public libraries. Additionally, this research highlights the importance of public libraries and all the services they provide. In the mean time, it shed light on the important and unique role of specialized librarians. Briefly, public libraries with all their resources, services and expert librarians could provide an exceptional e-learning experience to their community and be of great help to educational institutions and organizations.
Introducing a multi-criteria evaluation method using Pythagorean fuzzy sets
Authors: Mohagheghi Vahid , Mousavi Seyed Meysam , Mojtahedi Mohammad , Newton Sidney
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Project selection is a critical decision for any organization seeking to commission a large-scale construction project. Project selection is a complex multi-criteria decision-making problem with significant uncertainty and high risks. Fuzzy set theory has been used to address various aspects of project uncertainty, but with key practical limitations. This study aims to develop and apply a novel Pythagorean fuzzy sets (PFSs) approach that overcomes these key limitations.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is particular to complex project selection in the context of increasing interest in resilience as a key project selection criterion. Project resilience is proposed and considered in the specific situation of a large-scale construction project selection case study. The case study develops and applies a PFS approach to manage project uncertainty. The case study is presented to demonstrate how PFS is applied to a practical problem of realistic complexity. Working through the case study highlights some of the key benefits of the PFS approach for practicing project managers and decision-makers in general.

Findings

The PFSs approach proposed in this study is shown to be scalable, efficient, generalizable and practical. The results confirm that the inclusion of last aggregation and last defuzzification avoids the potentially critical information loss and relative lack of transparency. Most especially, the developed PFS is able to accommodate and manage domain expert expressions of uncertainty that are realistic and practical.

Originality/value

The main novelty of this study is to address project resilience in the form of multi-criteria evaluation and decision-making under PFS uncertainty. The approach is defined mathematically and presented as a six-step approach to decision-making. The PFS approach is given to allow multiple domain experts to focus more clearly on accurate expressions of their agreement and disagreement. PFS is shown to be an important new direction in practical multi-criteria decision-making methods for the project management practitioner.
The biosynthesis of the molybdenum cofactors in Escherichia coli
Authors: Leimkühler Silke
Published: April 2020

The biosynthesis of the molybdenum cofactor (Moco) is highly conserved among all kingdoms of life. In all molybdoenzymes containing Moco, the molybdenum atom is coordinated to a dithiolene group present in the pterin‐based 6‐alkyl side chain of molybdopterin (MPT). In general, the biosynthesis of Moco can be divided into four steps in in bacteria: (i) the starting point is the formation of the cyclic pyranopterin monophosphate (cPMP) from 5′‐GTP, (ii) in the second step the two sulfur atoms are inserted into cPMP leading to the formation of MPT, (iii) in the third step the molybdenum atom is inserted into MPT to form Moco and (iv) in the fourth step bis‐Mo‐MPT is formed and an additional modification of Moco is possible with the attachment of a nucleotide (CMP or GMP) to the phosphate group of MPT, forming the dinucleotide variants of Moco. This review presents an update on the well‐characterized Moco biosynthesis in the model organism Escherichia coli including novel discoveries from the recent years.
Uncommon complication from left atrial appendage occluder (LAAO)
Authors: Lau Kwun‐wang Ambrose , Chum Hoi‐Leung , Cheung Hung‐Leong
Published: April 2020

To decrease the risk of stroke due to atrial fibrillation, cardiologists will insert a device known as a left atrial appendage occluder to the left atrial appendage. This will decrease the stagnant flow of blood in that particular region. Known complications of this procedure include perforation, migration and dislodgement.We report a case with uncommon late complication of this device causing erosion of the left ventricle, in which open heart operation was carried out to repair the defect.
Risk disclosure and informed consent: Practice caveats in the post Montgomery era
Authors: Lee Danny W. H. , Lai Paul B. S.
Published: April 2020

The UK Supreme Court decision in Montgomery v Lanarkshire Health Board has overturned the use of the “accepted practice test” (Bolam) in deciding breach of duty cases related to risk disclosure and informed consent. Following Montgomery, a doctor is under a legal duty to take reasonable care to ensure his patient is aware of any material risks involved in the recommended treatment, and of any reasonable alternative or variant treatments. Based on Montgomery and a number of relevant published cases, this article highlights some practice caveats for surgeons to take note of when they participate in the consent process with the following headings: the objective and subjective elements of the legal test of materiality of risks; postoperative risks, follow‐up and management; timing and adequacy of risk disclosure; withholding information and therapeutic exception; and the incorporation of Montgomery into local professional code and case law. In order to minimize legal risks, surgeons are also encouraged to keep abreast of the medico‐legal development in this area, to reflect on their own practices, and to take proactive steps to enhance their interactions with patients.
Evaluation of the anterior inferior tibiofibular and anterior talofibular ligaments using 2D oblique coronal imaging and 3D isotropic resolution T2‐weighted fast spin‐echo sequences at 3.0 T: Is there additional diagnostic value?
Authors: Khil Eun Kyung , Cha Jang Gyu , Lee Young Koo , Kim Hyun‐Joo
Published: April 2020

Introduction

To compare diagnostic performance of additional two‐dimensional (2D) oblique coronal view and three‐dimensional (3D) T2‐weighted fast spin‐echo(FSE) images for diagnosing injury of the anterior inferior tibiofibular (AiTFL) and anterior talofibular ligaments (ATFL).

Methods

This study included 48 patients with ankle sprain who had undergone MRI using standard protocol and two additional sequences with 2D oblique coronal and 3D isotropic images, followed by arthroscopic surgery. Ligament injuries was subdivided by intact tendon, partial or complete tear. Retrospectively, two musculoskeletal radiologists respectively reviewed three image sets of MR including 2D axial image only (set 1), 2D axial and oblique coronal images (set 2), and 2D axial with 3D‐isotropic images (set 3). Using arthroscopic findings as reference standard, diagnostic performances of both methods were analysed by the area under the curve (AUC).

Results

Arthroscopy confirmed 13 AiTFL and 41 ATFL injuries. For AiTFL, when set 1 and set 3 were compared, AUC value was significantly higher for set 3 (P < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference between AUC values for set 2 and set 3 sequences by either reader for either type of tear (P > 0.05). For ATFL, both readers found there was no significant difference in AUC values between set 1 and set 3 and between set 2 and set 3.

Conclusion

Additional oblique coronal sequence demonstrated better diagnostic performance for AiTFL injury than conventional and isotropic imaging did. This sequence showed as much diagnostic accuracy as isotropic sequence for evaluation of ATFL injury.
Hospital admission and associated factors among individuals presenting to healthcare facilities for low back pain in Ethiopia
Authors: Beyera Getahun Kebede , O'Brien Jane , Campbell Steven
Published: April 2020

Aim

The aim of this paper is to analyze hospital admission and associated factors following presentation to healthcare facilities for low back pain (LBP) in Ethiopia.

Methods

A population‐based cross‐sectional study was conducted between June and November 2018 in South‐west Shewa zone of Oromia regional state. Data were collected by face‐to‐face interviews of adults (≥18 years) with self‐reported LBP using a newly developed and validated instrument. All the statistical analyses of (n = 543) individuals with a 1‐year history of presentation to healthcare facilities for LBP were performed using R version 3.5.1. The log‐binomial regression model was fitted and prevalence ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to identify factors associated with hospitalization and the significance level was considered at the P value of ≤ .05.

Results

The proportion of hospital admissions following presentation to healthcare facilities for LBP was 14.4%, 95% CI 11.4‐17.3, with an average length of stay (LOS) 7.4 days, 95% CI 6.4‐8.8. The admission rate was 18.5%, 95% CI 13.4‐23.3 in females and 11.4%, 95% CI 8.0‐15.1 in males. Multiple factors, such as gender, age, living conditions, residential environment, alcohol consumption status, intensity of pain, and presence of additional spinal pain, were found to be independently associated with hospitalization for LBP.

Conclusions

The burden on the individuals and the Ethiopian healthcare system as a result of LBP is evident by the rate of hospital admissions. Further evidence on LBP case referral procedures is needed to allow health policy makers to develop appropriate management strategies capable of dealing with the increasing epidemiology of LBP.
Estimation of genomic breed composition of individual animals in composite beef cattle
Authors: Li Z. , Wu X.‐L. , Guo W. , He J. , Li H. , Rosa G. J. M. , Gianola D. , Tait R. G. , Parham J. , Genho J. , Schultz T. , Bauck S.
Published: April 2020

Three statistical models (an admixture model, linear regression, and ridge‐regression BLUP) and two strategies for selecting SNP panels (uniformly spaced vs. maximum Euclidean distance of SNP allele frequencies between ancestral breeds) were compared for estimating genomic‐estimated breed composition (GBC) in Brangus and Santa Gertrudis cattle, respectively. Animals were genotyped with a GeneSeek Genomic Profiler bovine low‐density version 4 SNP chip. The estimated GBC was consistent among the uniformly spaced SNP panels, and values were similar between the three models. However, estimated GBC varied considerably between the three methods when using fewer than 10 000 SNPs that maximized the Euclidean distance of allele frequencies between the ancestral breeds. The admixture model performed most consistently across various SNP panel sizes. For the other two models, stabilized estimates were obtained with an SNP panel size of 20 000 SNPs or more. Based on the uniformly spaced 20K SNP panel, the estimated GBC was 69.8–70.5% Angus and 29.5–30.2% Brahman for Brangus, and 63.9–65.3% Shorthorn and 34.7–36.1% Brahman in Santa Gertrudis. The estimated GBC of ancestries for Santa Gertrudis roughly agreed with the pedigree‐expected values. However, the estimated GBC in Brangus showed a considerably larger Angus composition than the pedigree‐expected value (62.5%). The elevated Angus composition in the Brangus could be due to the mixture of some 1/2 Ultrablack animals (Brangus × Angus). Another reason could be the consequences of selection in Brangus cattle for phenotypes where the Angus breed has advantages.
Effects of blood pump orientation on performance: In vitro assessment of universal advanced ventricular assist device
Authors: Miyamoto Takuma , Kado Yuichiro , Polakowski Anthony R. , Horvath David J. , Kuban Barry D. , Fukamachi Kiyotaka , Karimov Jamshid H.
Published: April 2020

An advanced ventricular assist device (VAD), which is under development in our institution, has specific features that allow changes in the axial rotor position and pump performance by intrapump pressure difference. However, performance could be influenced by the pump orientation because of the effect of gravity on the rotor position. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of pump orientation on the pump performance, including pulse pressure and regurgitant flow through the pump when the pump was stopped. Bench testing of the VAD was performed on a static or pulsatile mock loop with a pneumatic device to simulate the native ventricle. The pump performance, including pressure–flow curve, pulsatility, and regurgitant flow, was evaluated at several angles, ranging from −90° (inlet pointed upward) to +90° (inlet pointed downward) at pump speeds of 2000, 2500, 3000, and 3500 rpm. The pump performance was slightly lower at +90° at all rotational speeds, compared with −90°. The pulse pressure on the pulsatile mock loop (80 bpm) was 50 mm Hg without pump support, remained at 50 mm Hg during pump support, and was not changed by orientation (−90°, 0°, and +90°). When the pump was stopped, the regurgitant flow was near 0 L/min at all angles. Pump orientation had a minor effect on pump performance, with no effect on pulse pressure or regurgitant flow when the pump was stopped. This indicates that the effect of gravity on the rotor assembly is insignificant.
Salivary pepsin A detection related to gastro‐oesophageal reflux episodes in children undergoing impedance probe monitoring
Authors: Haddad Hadeel Alatrash , He Zhaoping , Shaffer Stephen E. , Molle‐Rios Zarela L.
Published: April 2020

Aim

Gastro‐oesophageal reflux is routinely diagnosed with invasive intraluminal impedance pH probe monitoring. This study aimed to determine whether gastric pepsin A detected in saliva of children correlates with gastro‐oesophageal reflux.

Methods

Patients undergoing probe monitoring were prospectively recruited between 2014 and 2016 at a paediatric hospital. Standard impedance and demographic data were obtained from electronic medical records. Salivary samples were collected during impedance and measured for gastric pepsin A with an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Impedance probe and pepsin data were analysed and compared for correlation.

Results

From 52 enrolled subjects, 28 males and 24 females with mean age 8.0 ± 5.9 and range 0.58‐18.0 years, 417 salivary samples were collected. Positive pepsin was found in 14% of samples and 48% patients. The sensitivity of pepsin A in predicting an abnormal impedance was 43% and specificity, 50%. Among pepsin A positive samples, 72% corresponded with a gastro‐oesophageal reflux episode. Pepsin peak levels significantly correlated with acidic reflux.

Conclusion

Pepsin A was presented in saliva of children undergoing gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease investigation. Positive pepsin A was associated with a gastro‐oesophageal reflux episode, and its peak value correlated with acidic reflux. Salivary pepsin as a marker for gastro‐oesophageal reflux needs further investigation.
Towards learning analytics adoption: A mixed methods study of data‐related practices and policies in Latin American universities
Authors: Hilliger Isabel , Ortiz‐Rojas Margarita , Pesántez‐Cabrera Paola , Scheihing Eliana , Tsai Yi‐Shan , Muñoz‐Merino Pedro J. , Broos Tom , Whitelock‐Wainwright Alexander , Gašević Dragan , Pérez‐Sanagustín Mar
Published: April 2020

In Latin American universities, Learning Analytics (LA) has been perceived as a promising opportunity to leverage data to meet the needs of a diverse student cohort. Although universities have been collecting educational data for years, the adoption of LA in this region is still limited due to the lack of expertise and policies for processing and using educational data. In order to get a better picture of how existing data‐related practices and policies might affect the incorporation of LA in Latin American institutions, we conducted a mixed methods study in four Latin American universities (two Chilean and two Ecuadorian). In this paper, the qualitative data were based on 37 interviews with managers and 16 focus groups with 51 teaching staff and 45 students; the quantitative data were collected through two surveys answered by 1884 students and 368 teachers, respectively. The findings reveal opportunities to incorporate LA services into existing data practices in the four case studies. However, the lack of reliable information systems and policies to regulate the use of data imposes challenges that need to be overcome for future LA adoption.
Stopping rules for multi‐category computerized classification testing
Authors: Wang Chun , Chen Ping , Huebner Alan
Published: April 2020

Computerized classification testing (CCT) aims to classify persons into one of two or more possible categories to make decisions such as mastery/non‐mastery or meet most/meet all/exceed. A defining feature of CCT is its stopping criterion: the test terminates when there is enough confidence to make a decision. There is abundant research on CCT with a single cut‐off, and two common stopping criteria are the sequential probability ratio test (SPRT) statistic and the generalized likelihood ratio statistic (GLR). However, there is a relative scarcity of research extending the SPRT to the multi‐hypothesis case for when there is more than one cut‐off. In this paper, we propose a new multi‐category GLR (mGLR) statistic as well as a stochastically curtailed version of the CCT with three or more categories. A simulation study was conducted to show that the mGLR statistic outperformed the existing stopping rules by generating shorter average test length without sacrificing classification accuracy. Results also revealed that the stochastically curtailed mGLR successfully increased test efficiency in certain testing conditions.
B cell rich meningeal inflammation associates with increased spinal cord pathology in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Reali Camilla , Magliozzi Roberta , Roncaroli Federico , Nicholas Richard , Howell Owain W. , Reynolds Richard
Published: April 2020

Increased inflammation in the cerebral meninges is associated with extensive subpial cortical grey matter pathology in the forebrain and a more severe disease course in a substantial proportion of secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS) cases. It is not known whether this relationship extends to spinal cord pathology. We assessed the contribution of meningeal and parenchymal immune infiltrates to spinal cord pathology in SPMS cases characterized in the presence (F+) or absence (F−) of lymphoid‐like structures in the forebrain meninges. Transverse cryosections of cervical, thoracic and lumbar cord of 22 SPMS and five control cases were analyzed for CD20+ B cells, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, microglia/macrophages (IBA‐1+), demyelination (myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein+) and axon density (neurofilament‐H+). Lymphoid‐like structures containing follicular dendritic cell networks and dividing B cells were seen in the spinal meninges of 3 out of 11 F+ SPMS cases. CD4+ and CD20+ cell counts were increased in F+ SPMS compared to F− SPMS and controls, whilst axon loss was greatest in motor and sensory tracts of the F+ SPMS cases (P < 0.01). The density of CD20+ B cells of the spinal leptomeninges correlated with CD4+ T cells and total B and T cells of the meninges; with the density of white matter perivascular CD20+ and CD4+ lymphocytes (P < 0.05); with white matter lesion area (P < 0.05); and the extent of axon loss (P < 0.05) in F+ SPMS cases only. We show that the presence of lymphoid‐like structures in the forebrain is associated with a profound spinal cord pathology and local B cell rich meningeal inflammation associates with the extent of cord pathology. Our work supports a principal role for B cells in sustaining inflammation and tissue injury throughout the CNS in the progressive disease stage.
Towards an approach using grammars for automatic classification of masses in mammograms
Authors: Dias Pedro Ricardo Wandré , Machado‐Lima Ariane , Nunes Fátima L. S.
Published: April 2020

Approximately 15% of all cancer deaths among women worldwide is due to breast cancer. Mammography is one of the most useful methods for the early detection of this disease. Over the last decade, several papers were published reporting the usage of different computer‐aided diagnosis systems using pattern recognition techniques as a second opinion to obtain a more accurate diagnosis. However, the theory of formal languages has not been explored in this field. In this context, the main contribution of this study is to present the usage of a new syntactic approach that is able to classify breast masses found in mammograms as benign or malignant. The experimental tests were performed using a dataset that contains 111 images from different sources. The grammar‐based classifiers achieved accuracy values ranging from 89% to 100% depending on the features and the model employed. Furthermore, to achieve a feature dimension reduction, a feature selection technique based on the Gini importance of each feature was employed. Additionally, we compared the obtained results with the grammar‐based classifiers to the more traditional classifiers used in this research area, such as artificial neural networks, support vector machines, k‐nearest neighbors, and random forest. The best result achieved by the grammar‐based classifiers was approximately 10% higher, in terms of accuracy, than the best results produced by the traditional classifiers, showing the strength of this grammatical approach.
Regional right ventricular longitudinal systolic strain for detection of severely impaired right ventricular performance in pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Zhai Ya‐Nan , Li Ai‐Li , Tao Xin‐Cao , Xie Wan‐Mu , Wan Jun , Zhang Yu , Zhai Zhen‐Guo , Liu Min
Published: April 2020

Objectives

Right ventricular (RV) function is identified as a key determinant of the outcome in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH). Several studies have assessed the role of peak global longitudinal RV strain in PH patients; however, less emphasis was given to the RV regional longitudinal strain. The aim of this study was to evaluate the regional RV systolic strain in PH patients and investigate the relationship of these parameters with the severity of PH.

Methods

RV regional longitudinal peak systolic strain (LPSS) and strain rate (LPSSR) were measured using speckle tracking echocardiography on 100 patients with PH who underwent right heart catheterization, and 29 control subjects. Severe PH was identified by a decreased cardiac index (CI) (<2.0 L/min/m2).

Results

LPSS and LPSSR of the RV free wall were significantly lower in PH patients than control subjects, especially when comparing the basal and mid regions (P < .001). When comparing severe PH and nonsevere PH, basal and mid LPSS and LPSSR were significantly lower (P < .001). RV free wall mid LPSSR correlated with CI (r = −.703, P < .001). In the multiple logistic regression analysis, mid LPSSR was identified as an independent predictor of severe PH (odds ratio 1.82; 95% confidential interval 1.39–2.40; P < .001). In the receiver operating characteristics curve analysis, a cutoff value of mid LPSSR of −0.92 s−1 predicted severe PH, with a sensitivity and specificity of 75.0% and 93.7%, respectively (AUC = 0.889, P < .001).

Conclusions

RV free wall mid longitudinal peak systolic strain rate may be useful for the detection of severely impaired RV performance in PH.
Multimodality approach to the diagnosis and management of constrictive pericarditis
Authors: Ansari‐Gilani Kianoush , Gilkeson Robert C. , Kikano Elias G. , Hoit Brian D.
Published: April 2020

Despite advances in cardiovascular imaging, the diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis remains challenging. A multimodality approach to the diagnosis of CP is essential to (a) fully assess the extent of pericardial thickening and calcification, (b) detect the functional and hemodynamic consequences of the constricting pericardium, and (c) implement the optimal management strategy in these often complex cases. This case‐based review highlights the role and diagnostic ambiguities of multimodality imaging.
Effect of augmented reality simulation on administration of local anaesthesia in paediatric patients
Authors: Mladenovic Rasa , Dakovic Dragana , Pereira Leandro , Matvijenko Vladimir , Mladenovic Kristina
Published: April 2020

Background

Augmented reality (AR) is a simulation of a three‐dimensional environment created using hardware and software that provides the user with realistic experiences and ability to interact. The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of AR simulator on the perception of learning and acute stress level in students administering local anaesthesia to paediatric patients relative to standard teaching methods.

Material and methods

The prospective study included 21 fourth‐ and fifth‐year students enrolled in 5‐year dental programme. In addition to conventional training, the students of the study group used the augmented reality simulator in a dental office 2 hours weekly in 2 weeks. The level of salivary cortisol was measured before and after the anaesthetic procedure as one of the indicators of acute stress.

Results

A statistically significant shorter time to perform infiltrative anaesthesia technique for the anterior superior alveolar nerve was observed in students using the AR technique (28.91 ± 9.06 seconds in the study group and 39.80 ± 9.29 seconds in the control group). The level of cortisol before and after anaesthesia was statistically significant in all subjects (cortisol concentration was 0.53 μg/dL before anaesthesia and 2.44 μg/dL after the procedure); however, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups.

Conclusion

The AR concept may influence better manipulation and control of the syringe in students administering their first anaesthetic injection to paediatric patients, but may not reduce acute stress.