bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Status and success
Authors: Guttormsen David S.A. , Francesco Anne Marie
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how low status expatriates (lower position, younger, female) are positioned differently compared to high status expatriates (higher position, older, male) in terms of experiencing various types of success.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on 424 responses from business expatriates working within multinational corporations operating in Asia, the study tests whether low status expatriates experience higher personal success while high status expatriates see more organization-related success.

Findings

The results demonstrate that expatriates with different status-related characteristics might experience success during an international assignment differently. Additionally, our results reveal the relevance of avoiding treating success as a single variable and of investigating the actual experiences acquired while working abroad to better appreciate how expatriates experience success differently.

Originality/value

The extant literature offers a limited understanding of expatriate success as the phenomenon has often been conceptualized in relatively simple terms, i.e., the completion of the international assignment contract. Our study offers an alternative view. Measuring success using a single outcome variable does not fully capture the experience. Success can be perceived in different ways, and different types of success are associated with different types of characteristics.
Mental health of resettled Syrian refugees: a practical cross-cultural guide for practitioners
Authors: Almoshmosh Nadim , Jefee Bahloul Hussam , Barkil-Oteo Andres , Hassan Ghayda , Kirmayer Laurence J.
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to prepare healthcare providers in high-income countries to deal with mental health and psychosocial issues among resettled Syrian refugees.

Design/methodology/approach

Collaborative work of the authors on a comprehensive review of social context, cultural frameworks and related issues in the mental health and psychosocial well-being of resettled Syrian refugees.

Findings

A practical guide that emphasizes the importance of considering the social and cultural dimensions of their predicament and highlighting principles that can help clinicians address the unique needs of Syrian refugee patients.

Originality/value

The content of this paper is inspired by the collaborative work of the authors on a report commissioned by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugee (UNHCR).
Gifts, reciprocity and ethically sound ethnographic research: a reflexive framework
Authors: Gosovic Anna Kirkebæk Johansson
Published: October 2019

Purpose

Within organizational ethnography, getting access to relevant field sites often requires us to draw on personal and professional networks. Likewise, externally funded research is no longer a rarity. The question is what such financial and social ties mean for our research practices as organizational ethnographers and for our interactions with and descriptions of the field. The purpose of this paper is to address this question and to develop our understanding and practice of organizational ethnography by expanding the methodological literature on research ethics as well as our tools to evaluate research quality.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on ethnographic fieldwork in a multinational pharmaceutical corporation, and building on previous literature on ethics and quality in qualitative research, this paper introduces a reflexive framework for understanding our personal and financial entanglements in the field and the possible impact of such entanglements on our research findings and representation of informants and events.

Findings

Drawing on anthropological theory of reciprocity and gift-giving, the paper argues that social and financial entanglements with the field will urge the ethnographer to reciprocate; e.g. by thinking twice about unflattering representations and criticism of those with whom we are entangled. However, the paper further argues that such reflections are an important part of conducting ethically sound ethnographic research.

Originality/value

Rather than subscribing to an illusion of independent research, this paper demonstrates how we as organizational ethnographers get entangled with the fields that we study and what implications this might have for our practices and representations of these fields.
Learning preferences in accounting education: a focus on the role of visualization
Authors: Bracci Enrico , Tallaki Mouhcine , Castellini Monia
Published: October 2019

Purpose

In accounting education studies, there is increasing interest in using teaching visual tools and contents. However, research about the pedagogical benefits of visual in education is still limited. This paper aims to contribute to the debate by providing evidence on the extent to which the visual represents a relevant learning preference of accounting students.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper adopted the visual, aural, read/write, and kinesthetic questionnaire as a tested means to study the learning preferences of accounting students. The empirical study is based on a survey conducted with undergraduate and postgraduate accounting students.

Findings

The results show that visualization appears to be the less-relevant learning preference of students. This result is not in line with the emergent discussion in accounting education literature, which examines how visual tools can improve the presentation of accounting information. This opens the debate about the potential use of visual tools in teaching accounting. Besides, gender and origin of students (national vs international) appeared as relevant factors in explaining a greater visual learning preference.

Originality/value

This paper attempts to contribute to the accounting literature by providing evidence on the extent to which the visual represents the relevant learning preferences of accounting students. In addition, given that most of the literature on students’ learning preferences are based on Anglo-Saxon contexts, the authors provide evidence from a Latin country.
Intention to participate in Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (clean India mission)
Authors: Sia Surendra Kumar
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the direct contribution of social identity and perceived social norm (PSN) to the intention of participating in collective India mission; more importantly, it also aims to verify the mediating role of PSN in the relationship between social identity and intention to participate in the programme of clean India mission.

Design/methodology/approach

The researcher has followed a correlational design, and the study has been carried out on a sample of 684 youths in the age range of 15‒24 years. The data were collected from respondents spread over five communes of Pondicherry, which is a union territory in the southern part of India. Sense of community (SOC) has been used as a measure of social identity. PSN has been considered as the mediator, and the participation intention (PI) in clean India mission has been taken as the outcome variable. Mediation analysis has been carried out with the help of AMOS package.

Findings

The findings indicate that both social identity and PSN exhibit significant positive contribution towards intention to participate in clean India mission activity. In addition, there is a partial mediation of perceived social participation norm in the relationship between SOC and PI.

Research limitations/implications

Social psychological research can contribute significantly to the collectivistic approach, as is observed from the present study. However, some other important variables such as collective efficacy and group emotion can also be included as intervening variables for this social collectivistic action.

Originality/value

This is a first type of study upon pro-environmental action through collective action in the Indian context. Moreover, it has wider relevance in policy formulation and curriculum design since Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (clean India mission) is an initiative by the Government of India.
The effect of subjective age on knowledge sharing in the public sector
Authors: Lazazzara Alessandra , Za Stefano
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine whether subjective age – i.e., how old or young individuals experience themselves to be – affects explicit and tacit knowledge sharing (KS) in the public sector. Moreover, the study explores the moderating effect of three socio-organisational factors, namely KS attitude, co-workers age similarity and organisational structure, on the relationship between subjective age and KS.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from employees working in public (n=144) and hybrid (n=263) Italian organisations. Hierarchical linear multiple regression analysis was employed to examine the multivariate effects on explicit and tacit KS.

Findings

Employees who perceive themselves to be older than they actually are experience lower explicit KS in the public sector. In addition, the moderating effect of age similarity and organisational structure on the relationship between subjective age and tacit KS was found to be significant.

Practical implications

This study may help managers and policy makers to manage age-diverse workforce operating in highly structured and formalised organisations and to develop HR programmes aimed at fostering KS.

Originality/value

This is the first study linking subjective age to KS in the public sector. This is an extremely interesting context due to the high average age and oldest workforce composition. In this way, the paper extends the literature on subjective age and work-related outcomes and may potentially contribute to the debate regarding KS practices in public organisations.
Analysis of strain and stress concentrations in micro-lattice structures manufactured by SLM
Authors: Boniotti Laura , Foletti Stefano , Beretta Stefano , Patriarca Luca
Published: October 2019

Purpose

Additive manufacturing (AM) enables the production of lightweight parts with complex shapes and small dimensions. Recent improvements in AM techniques have allowed a significant growth of AM for industrial applications. In particular, AM is suitable for the production of materials shaped in lattice, which are very attractive for their lightweight design and their multi-functional properties. AM parts are often characterised by geometrical imperfections, residual porosity, high surface roughness which typically lead to stress/strain localisations and decreasing the resistance of the structure. This paper aims to focus on the study of the effects of geometrical irregularities and stress concentrations derived from them.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, several technique were combined: 3D tomography, experimental tests, digital image correlation and finite elements (FE) models based on both the as-designed and the as-manufactured geometries of lattice materials. The Digital Image Correlation technique allowed to measure local deformations in the specimen during the experimental test. The micro-computed tomography allowed to reconstruct the as-manufactured geometries of the specimens, from which the geometrical quality of the micro-structure is evaluated to run FE analyses.

Findings

Experimental and numerical results were compared by means of a stress concentration factor. This factor was calculated in three different specimens obtained from three-different printing processes to compare and understand their mechanical properties. Considering the as-designed geometry, it is not possible to model geometrical imperfections, and a FE model based on an as-manufactured geometry is needed. The results show that the mechanical properties of the printed samples are directly related to the statistical distribution of the stress concentration factor.

Originality/value

In this work, several techniques were combined to study the mechanical behaviour of lattice micro-structures. Lattice materials obtained by different selective laser melting printing parameters show different mechanical behaviours. A stress concentration factor can be assumed as a measure of the quality of these mechanical properties.
Investigating Institutional, Economic and Social Determinants of European Regions for Firm Growth Through Employment Generation
Authors: Pereira Vijay , Corradini Carlo , Temouri Yama , Mellahi Kamel
Published: October 2019

This paper examines the influence of the institutional, economic and social characteristics of a region on firm growth through employment generation across 14 European countries for the time period 2010–2013. Theoretically, we utilize the resource‐based view alongside insights from institutional theory to develop a conceptual framework that captures the influence of regional characteristics on firm employment growth. Based on this framework, our empirical results indicate that not only does firm growth depend on the firm‐specific characteristics found in the literature, but regional attributes also significantly impact firm growth in a heterogeneous way for different firm types. In line with the heterogeneous nature of firm growth, our results point to significant differences in the influence of institutional, economic and social characteristics on firm growth in different‐sized groups and across different rates of growth distribution. The implications of our study suggest the importance of managers and policy‐makers realizing which firms are mostly expected to benefit from the external environment, and which in turn can be planned via tailored policy reform by regional governments and firm‐level strategy‐making by managers.
The Value of Precontract Information About an Agent's Ability in the Presence of Moral Hazard and Adverse Selection
Authors: BANKER RAJIV D. , DARROUGH MASAKO , LI SHAOPENG , THREINEN LUCAS
Published: October 2019

We analyze the expected value of information about an agent's type in the presence of moral hazard and adverse selection. Information about the agent's type enables the principal to sort/screen agents of different types. The value of the information decreases in the variability of output and the agent's risk aversion, two factors that are typically associated with the severity of the moral hazard problem. However, the value of the information about agent type first increases but ultimately decreases in the severity of adverse selection. The decrease comes about because the means available to the principal to induce effort—namely, the pay–performance sensitivity—must also be used to sort/screen agents, and these two goals conflict. This decline in value occurs despite the monotonically increasing importance of the information in determining the principal's expected profits. Further, we show that the peak value of information occurs at a predictable level of adverse selection. These results imply that over some range, the importance of the information will be increasing, and the value of the information will be simultaneously decreasing, in the severity of adverse selection.
Latent Dirichlet Allocation reveals spatial and taxonomic structure in a DNA‐based census of soil biodiversity from a tropical forest
Authors: Sommeria‐Klein Guilhem , Zinger Lucie , Coissac Eric , Iribar Amaia , Schimann Heidy , Taberlet Pierre , Chave Jérôme
Published: October 2019

High‐throughput sequencing of amplicons from environmental DNA samples permits rapid, standardized and comprehensive biodiversity assessments. However, retrieving and interpreting the structure of such data sets requires efficient methods for dimensionality reduction. Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) can be used to decompose environmental DNA samples into overlapping assemblages of co‐occurring taxa. It is a flexible model‐based method adapted to uneven sample sizes and to large and sparse data sets. Here, we compare LDA performance on abundance and occurrence data, and we quantify the robustness of the LDA decomposition by measuring its stability with respect to the algorithm's initialization. We then apply LDA to a survey of 1,131 soil DNA samples that were collected in a 12‐ha plot of primary tropical forest and amplified using standard primers for bacteria, protists, fungi and metazoans. The analysis reveals that bacteria, protists and fungi exhibit a strong spatial structure, which matches the topographical features of the plot, while metazoans do not, confirming that microbial diversity is primarily controlled by environmental variation at the studied scale. We conclude that LDA is a sensitive, robust and computationally efficient method to detect and interpret the structure of large DNA‐based biodiversity data sets. We finally discuss the possible future applications of this approach for the study of biodiversity.
Psoralen and narrowband UVB combination provides higher efficacy in treating vitiligo compared with narrowband UVB alone: A randomised clinical trial
Authors: Zabolinejad Naghmeh , Maleki Masoud , Salehi Maryam , Ashrafi Zahra , Molkara Sara , Layegh Pouran
Published: October 2019

Background/Objectives

Side effects of current treatments and the need for a safe treatment with higher efficiency necessitate seeking new treatment options for vitiligo. Few studies have investigated the combination of psoralen with narrowband ultraviolet B (NBUVB). In this study, we compared the efficacy and safety of psoralen and NBUVB combination (P‐NBUVB) with NBUVB alone in treatment of vitiligo.

Methods

This randomised clinical trial was carried out during 2015–2017 in dermatology clinics of Ghaem and Imam Reza hospitals, Mashhad, Iran on 40 vitiligo patients with 5–60% body involvement. The patients were randomly divided into two groups of NBUVB alone and P‐NBUVB. Both groups underwent 60 phototherapy sessions (three sessions per week), and the repigmentation rate was measured using vitiligo area severity index (VASI) score. SPSS v. 16 software and appropriate statistical tests were used to analyse the data. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

The mean age of patients was 33.9 ± 11.3 years. Twenty patients (50%) were females. The P‐NBUVB group showed greater VASI improvement in lower extremities (P = 0.003) and overall (P = 0.026) compared with NBUVB group. Moreover, the treatment response appeared sooner in P‐NUVB group.

Conclusion

Based on our results, we can conclude that adding psoralen to NBUVB phototherapy can result in increased efficacy. However, more studies are needed to evaluate the long‐term effects and side effects of this treatment.
Insights into implementation of routine depression screening and psychosocial assessment in a private hospital setting: A qualitative study
Authors: Reilly Nicole , Brake Elloise , Kalra Harish , Austin Marie‐Paule
Published: October 2019

Background

Studies continue to show that women who give birth in the private maternity sector are less likely to receive depression screening and psychosocial assessment as a routine component of maternity care. However, examples of successfully implemented routine psychosocial assessment programs are beginning to emerge, and there is great value in better understanding the factors that can contribute to the successful delivery of emotional health care in this context.

Aim

The aim of this study was to identify factors that facilitated successful implementation of antenatal psychosocial assessment in a private hospital setting.

Methods

This study employed a qualitative research design. Semi‐structured interviews were used to explore the views and experiences of health professionals involved in implementation of the program at the participating site.

Results

Nine health professionals participated in the study (three midwives, three obstetricians, two managers and one mental health worker). Factors that facilitated successful implementation of the program were reflected in five key themes: (i) multidisciplinary support for the program; (ii) training and clinical supervision; (iii) allocation of sufficient resources; (iv) availability of local referral pathways; and (v) normalisation of the process.

Conclusion

This study shows that barriers to implementation of perinatal depression screening and psychosocial assessment are surmountable and will provide confidence to other services, that routine ‘mental health assessment’ as required under updated Medical Benefits Scheme items for obstetric services, can be successfully implemented and sustained in private hospital settings.
Patterns of placental antimicrobial resistance in preterm birth before 30 completed weeks gestation complicated by preterm prelabour rupture of membranes
Authors: Axford Samuel B. , Andersen Chad C. , Stark Michael J.
Published: October 2019

Background

While many guidelines recommend a 10‐day course of oral erythromycin following preterm prelabour rupture of membranes (PPROM) as derived from the ORACLE I trial, evidence is emerging that this may encourage a state of antenatal genital tract dysbiosis. In addition, erythromycin’s lack of efficacy toward Gram‐negative microorganisms may promote colonisation and infection, conveying more significant unrecognised risk for very and extremely preterm newborns.

Aims

To define patterns of placental infection or colonisation in newborns born before 30 completed weeks gestation following PPROM.

Materials and Methods

Retrospective cohort study of mother‐infant dyads who delivered at < 30 completed weeks gestation following PPROM in a South Australian tertiary perinatal centre between January 2012 and December 2015. Main outcome measures included placental and neonatal culture and sensitivities within 72 h of delivery and histologic chorioamnionitis. Categorical characteristics were analysed using two‐sided Fisher’s exact test and numerical characteristics via analysis of variance.

Results

During the four years studied, 126 infant‐mother dyads were identified. Where a placental swab was taken, 23.9% cultured Gram‐negative organisms and the majority (58.8%) were antimicrobial‐resistant. Those that received erythromycin had increased incidence of antimicrobial‐resistant Gram‐negative organisms on placental swab (P = 0.02). All cases of neonatal early‐onset sepsis (EOS), including two cases of multi‐resistant Gram‐negative EOS, occurred in those who received erythromycin.

Conclusions

The current antibiotic recommendations for PPROM may promote selection of unhindered antimicrobial‐resistant Gram‐negative organisms and may increase risk of Gram‐negative EOS in very and extremely preterm newborns. Further wide‐scale examination of antibiotic recommendations in PPROM is necessary.
LA‐ICP‐MS analysis of Late Bronze Age blue glass beads from Gurob, Egypt
Authors: Kemp V. , McDonald A. , Brock F. , Shortland A. J.
Published: October 2019

Laser ablation‐inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry (LA‐ICP‐MS) analysis was undertaken on 37 blue glass beads excavated from a tomb in the southern Faiyum region of northern Egypt. The tomb was undisturbed, contained the remains of seven females and two children, and dated between the reigns of Amenhotep I (1525–1504 bce) and Tuthmosis III (1479–1425 bce). The glass beads were coloured by copper and the trace element concentrations were compositionally consistent with glasses from Mesopotamia rather than from Egypt. Therefore, these glass beads represent a rare example of Mesopotamian glass to be discovered in Egypt, in addition to being some of the earliest glass found. Gurob is known to have been the site of a ‘harem palace' established in the reign of Tuthmosis III, the implication being that these beads represent luxury items transported to Egypt by high‐ranking foreign women, possibly in connection with the harem palace.
Novel variants in CDH2 are associated with a new syndrome including Peters anomaly
Authors: Reis Linda M. , Houssin Nathalie S. , Zamora Carlos , Abdul‐Rahman Omar , Kalish Jennifer M. , Zackai Elaine H. , Plageman Timothy F. , Semina Elena V.
Published: October 2019

Peters anomaly (PA) is a congenital corneal opacity associated with corneo‐lenticular attachments. PA can be isolated or part of a syndrome with most cases remaining genetically unsolved. Exome sequencing of a trio with syndromic PA and 145 additional unexplained probands with developmental ocular conditions identified a de novo splicing and three novel missense heterozygous CDH2 variants affecting the extracellular cadherin domains in four individuals with PA. Syndromic anomalies were seen in three individuals and included left‐sided cardiac lesions, dysmorphic facial features, and decreasing height percentiles; brain magnetic resonance imaging identified agenesis of the corpus callosum and hypoplasia of the inferior cerebellar vermis. CDH2 encodes for N‐cadherin, a transmembrane protein that mediates cell‐cell adhesion in multiple tissues. Immunostaining in mouse embryonic eyes confirmed N‐cadherin is present in the lens stalk at the time of separation from the future cornea and in the developing lens and corneal endothelium at later stages, supporting a possible role in PA. Previous studies in animal models have noted the importance of Cdh2/cdh2 in the development of the eye, heart, brain, and skeletal structures, also consistent with the patient features presented here. Examination of CDH2 in additional patients with PA is indicated to confirm this association.
Broadmark: A Testing Framework for Broad‐Phase Collision Detection Algorithms
Authors: Serpa Ygor Rebouças , Rodrigues Maria Andréia Formico
Published: October 2019

Research in the area of collision detection permeates most of the literature on simulations, interaction and agents planning, being commonly regarded as one of the main bottlenecks for large‐scale systems. To this day, despite its importance, most subareas of collision detection lack a common ground to test and validate solutions, reference implementations and widely accepted benchmark suites. In this paper, we delve into the broad‐phase of collision detection systems, providing both an open‐source framework, named Broadmark, to test, compare and validate algorithms, and an in‐deep analysis of the main techniques used so far to tackle the broad‐phase problem. The technical challenges of building this framework from the software and hardware perspectives are also described. Within our framework, several original and state‐of‐the‐art implementations of CPU and GPU algorithms are bundled, alongside three benchmark scenes to stress algorithms under several conditions. Furthermore, the system is designed to be easily extensible. We use our framework to bring out an extensive performance comparison among assembled solutions, detailing the current CPU and GPU state‐of‐the‐art on a common ground. We believe that Broadmark encompasses the principal insights and tools to derive and evaluate novel algorithms, thus greatly facilitating discussion about successful broad‐phase collision detection solutions.
Vascular anatomy of the splenic flexure, focusing on the accessory middle colic artery and vein
Authors: Murono K. , Miyake H. , Hojo D. , Nozawa H. , Kawai K. , Hata K. , Tanaka T. , Nishikawa T. , Shuno Y. , Sasaki K. , Kaneko M. , Emoto S. , Ishii H. , Sonoda H. , Ishihara S.
Published: October 2019

Aim

Recently, the accessory middle colic artery (AMCA) has been recognized as the vessel that supplies blood to the splenic flexure. However, the positional relationship between the AMCA and inferior mesenteric vein (IMV) has not been evaluated. Herein, we aimed to evaluate the anatomy of the AMCA and the splenic flexure vein (SFV).

Method

Two hundred and five patients with colorectal cancer who underwent enhanced CT preoperatively were enrolled in the present study. The locations of the AMCA and IMV were evaluated, focusing on the positional relationship between the vessels and pancreas – below the pancreas or to the dorsal side of the pancreas.

Results

The AMCA was observed in 74 (36.1%) patients whereas the SFV was found in 177 (86.3%) patients. The left colic artery (LCA) was the major artery accompanying the SFV in 87 (42.4%) of patients. The AMCA accompanied the SFV in 65 (32.7%) patients. In 15 (7.8%) patients, no artery accompanied the SFV. The origin of the AMCA was located on the dorsal side of the pancreas in 15 (20.3%) of these 74 patients. Similarly, the destination of the IMV was located on the dorsal side of the pancreas in 65 (31.7%) of patients.

Conclusion

The SFV was observed in most patients, and the LCA or AMCA was the common accompanying artery. In some patients these vessels were located on the dorsal side of the pancreas and not below it. Preoperative evaluation of this anatomy may be beneficial for lymph node dissection during left‐sided hemicolectomy.
The Portsmouth protocol for intra‐operative ultrasound of the small bowel in Crohn's disease
Authors: Celentano V. , Beable R. , Ball C. , Flashman K.G. , Reeve R. , Holmes A. , Fogg C. , Harper M. , Higginson A.
Published: October 2019

Aim

Bowel preservation is paramount in Crohn's disease surgery as affected patients are typically young adults at risk of having several abdominal surgical procedures during their lifetime. Intra‐operative assessment of the extent and location of Crohn's disease is not standardized and is left to a mixture of the surgeon's experience, tactile feedback, macroscopic appearance and preoperative imaging. The aim of this study was to describe the technical steps of a standardized protocol for intra‐operative ultrasound assessment of the small bowel in patients undergoing surgery for ileocolic Crohn's disease.

Method

After laparoscopic mobilization of the bowel, a periumbilical incision is performed for extracorporeal division of the mesentery and the resection and anastomosis. A gastrointestinal consultant radiologist, with expertise in Crohn's disease imaging and abdominal ultrasound, performs full intra‐operative assessment of the small bowel by applying a sterile ultrasound probe directly to the bowel, prior to resection being performed by the surgeon. The bowel is assessed through the wound protector with a sterile technique and the length, location and number of segments is documented together with further quantitative assessment using the METRIC (MR enterography or ultrasound in Crohn's disease) scoring guide.

Results

A step‐by‐step protocol for intra‐operative ultrasound evaluation of the entire small bowel is described.

Conclusions

A standardized approach to intra‐operative evaluation of the extent and location of Crohn's disease is desirable. Intra‐operative ultrasound may provide added value for assessment of proximal and multifocal Crohn's disease.
The effect of travel costs on the ideal free distribution in stickleback
Authors: Abrahams Mark V. , Labelle Jennifer
Published: October 2019

The ideal free distribution (IFD) theory, which predicts that a population of individuals will match the distribution of a patchily distributed resource, is widely used in ecology to describe the spatial distribution of animals. While many studies have shown general support of its habitat matching prediction, others have described a systematic pattern of undermatching, where too many animals feed at patches with fewer resources, and too few animals feed in richer patches. These results have been attributed to deviations from several of the assumptions of the IFD. One possible variable, the cost of travelling between patches, has received little attention. Here, we investigated the impact on resource matching when travel costs were manipulated in a simple laboratory experiment involving two continuous input patches. This experiment allowed us to control for extraneous variables and decouple time costs from energetic costs of travel. Two experiments examined the impact of varying travel costs on movement rates between foraging patches and how these travel costs impact conformity to the IFD. Our data demonstrated that there was less movement between patches and greater discrepancies from the IFD predictions as the cost of travel increased.
Prognostic indicators and long‐term survival in 14 horses with equine multinodular pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Easton‐Jones C. A. , Cissell D. D. , Mohr F. C. , Chigerwe M. , Pusterla N.
Published: October 2019

There is limited information on long‐term follow‐up and prognostic indicators for horses diagnosed with equine multinodular pulmonary fibrosis (EMPF). The objectives of this study were to describe the signalment, clinicopathological data, radiographic and ultrasonographic findings, equine herpesvirus‐5 viral loads, clinical outcomes, and pathologic lesions associated with EMPF. Medical records from 2008 to 2016 were reviewed for this retrospective case series of 14 horses diagnosed with equine multinodular pulmonary fibrosis on lung histopathology. Independent variables associated with survival to hospital discharge (short‐term survival) were determined using Chi‐square or Fisher’s exact test. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated when applicable. Short‐term survival was 57%, with only 14% of cases surviving longer than 6 months after discharge. The odds of short‐term survival were higher in horses administered corticosteroids (OR = 0.029, 95% CI 0.002‐0.615; P = 0.026). Severity of thoracic radiographic changes and equine herpesvirus‐5 viral loads measured by quantitative PCR in the lung on presentation were not associated with survival time. Severity of thoracic radiographic changes was also not correlated to equine herpesvirus‐5 viral loads in the lung ante‐mortem. Equine multinodular pulmonary fibrosis has a poor prognosis for survival, with horses frequently displaying severe radiographic and histopathological changes at the time of diagnosis. Treatment with systemic corticosteroids reduced the odds of short‐term mortality.
Prognostic significance of serum tyrosine concentration in patients with primary biliary cholangitis under ursodeoxycholic acid therapy
Authors: Amano Nozomi , Ikeda Yuji , Hayashida Sho , Takahashi Sho , Sato Sho , Murata Ayato , Tsuzura Hironori , Sato Shunsuke , Shimada Yuji , Iijima Katsuyori , Wada Ryo , Nagahara Akihito , Genda Takuya
Published: October 2019

Aim

Chronic liver insufficiency is often associated with alteration in amino acid metabolism. We evaluated the prognostic value of changes in serum amino acid concentrations in patients with primary biliary cholangitis.

Methods

A total of 75 primary biliary cholangitis patients who started urusodeoxycholic acid therapy were retrospectively enrolled. Baseline serum concentrations of branched‐chain amino acids and tyrosine, and branched‐chain amino acid‐to‐tyrosine ratio were determined. The hazard ratios of factors associated with liver‐related events were analyzed by Cox proportional hazard analysis.

Results

Of the 75 patients enrolled, 12 showed a decrease in serum branched‐chain amino acid levels, and 15 showed an increase in serum tyrosine levels. The branched‐chain amino acid‐to‐tyrosine ratio decreased in 16 patients. During a median 5.6‐year follow up, liver‐related events occurred in 11 patients. Multivariate analysis showed that high serum tyrosine levels at baseline and high alkaline phosphatase levels 48 weeks after starting urusodeoxycholic acid therapy were independent risk factors for event occurrence. From the receiver operator characteristics curve analysis, serum tyrosine concentration >110 μmol/L was identified as a cut‐off value with an adjusted hazard ratio of 20.9 (95% confidence interval 4.3–101.5, P < 0.001). Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that the 5‐year cumulative incidences of event occurrence in patients with high and low serum tyrosine concentration were 56.5% and 5.5%, respectively (P < 0.001). The 10‐year survival probabilities also showed significant differences between patients with high and low serum tyrosine concentration (44.9% vs. 92.0%, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Elevation of serum tyrosine concentration indicates a high risk of liver‐related events in primary biliary cholangitis patients receiving urusodeoxycholic acid therapy.
Prolonged interval of total bilirubin decline is an early independent predictive factor of chronic persistent drug‐induced liver injury
Authors: Zhu Wenjing , Wang Lan , Zhao Xinyan , Wang Tailing , Shi Xiaoyan , Ou Xiaojuan , Wang Yu , Wang Xiaoming , Duan Weijia , Wang Qianyi , Jia Jidong , Ma Hong
Published: October 2019

Aim

Chronic drug‐induced liver injury (DILI) with persistent abnormal liver function tests (LFTs) >6 months after cessation of the insulting drugs could progress to cirrhosis. The aim of the present study was to identify the risk factors of chronic DILI for early recognition and better management.

Methods

History of drug intake and results of LFTs were retrospectively retrieved for patients with a discharge diagnosis of DILI for at least 1‐year follow up. The risk factors independently associated with chronic DILI were analyzed by multiple logistic regression analyses.

Results

A total of 33 of the 140 DILI patients had persistent abnormal LFTs >6 months, which were considered as chronic DILI. It was found that the time intervals of alanine aminotransferase and total bilirubin decline from the peak to their half peak (T0.5ALT, T0.5TBIL) were significantly longer in the chronic DILI group than that in the recovered group (P = 0.001 and P < 0.001). The risk factors associated with chronic DILI independently were T0.5TBIL (OR 1.315, 95% CI 1.038–1.668), longer period of insulting drug(s) intake (OR 1.018, 95% CI 1.003–1.033), mixed/cholestatic pattern (OR 97.159, 95% CI 1.866–5005.994). More importantly, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the prognostic value of T0.5TBIL for chronic DILI had a sensitivity of 60.0% at a specificity of 90.7% with the threshold of 16 days.

Conclusions

The time intervals of total bilirubin decline from its peak to half of its peak (T0.5TBIL) was an early independent predictive factor of chronic DILI, suggesting that T0.5TBIL might serve as an indicator for chronicity.
Webinar‐based approaches to maximize learning and transfer good practices: case studies from the humanitarian sector
Authors: de Rosa Cecilia , Johnson Jayna
Published: October 2019

Most of the United Nations staff covered by this note work in remote, volatile areas and have limited access to face‐to‐face learning opportunities. The learning needs of these humanitarian workers have become increasingly diverse and dynamic. The use of webinars as a tool to address such needs has grown, but such use remains to be systematized and documented. The relatively flexible format of webinars, alongside their versatility and facilitation of formal and informal learning exchange, has encouraged trainers to adopt them as key components of both stand‐alone and blended learning events. This paper provides brief description of eight case studies which show different use of webinars in blended learning solutions. What emerges from the analysis is that the webinar tool enables a meaningful learning experience in the context of blended learning approaches, and that it is particularly suitable to addressing the learning needs of humanitarian workers related to specific phases, or moments, in their work‐learn continuum. This note is a first step toward an appropriate and generalizable model for using webinars in a way that meets the needs of the humanitarian sector at large. Such a model also may be applicable more widely, particularly where there are similar challenges to learning.
A micro‐computed tomographic assessment of root canal preparation with conventional and different rotary files in primary teeth and young permanent teeth
Authors: Esentürk Gülce , Akkas Efe , Cubukcu Evren , Nagas Emre , Uyanik Ozgur , Cehreli Zafer C.
Published: October 2019

Background

Root canals of primary teeth are commonly prepared with endodontic files that are originally manufactured for permanent teeth.

Aim

This micro‐computed tomography (micro‐CT) study evaluated and compared the changes in root canal morphology after preparation with different conventional and rotary files in primary teeth and young permanent teeth.

Design

Seventy‐two extracted primary and permanent molars were selected and randomly assigned to three subgroups according to the file systems used (n = 12/each). After pre‐scanning of teeth with micro‐CT, root canals were prepared with One Shape and Revo‐S rotary systems and conventional endodontic files. After rescanning procedure, changes in canal volume, surface area, uninstrumented surface area, and apical transportation were evaluated. Mann‐Whitney U test, Kruskal‐Wallis test, and Conover's multiple comparison test were used for statistical analysis (P = .05).

Results

Instrumentation with rotary files resulted in significantly greater volume and surface area of root canals and less uninstrumented areas (P < .001) than with manual files (P < .001). Primary molars showed significantly less apical transportation than permanent teeth (P < .001).

Conclusions

Preparation of canals with rotary files could be a viable alternative to conventional files in primary teeth. Regardless of the file system used, uninstrumented areas still exist in both primary teeth and permanent teeth.
Perfusion, tissue oxygenation and peripheral temperature in the skin of heels of healthy participants exposed to pressure: a quasi‐experimental study
Authors: Gómez‐González Alberto José , Morilla‐Herrera Juan Carlos , Lupiáñez‐Pérez Inmaculada , Morales‐Asencio José Miguel , García‐Mayor Silvia , León‐Campos Álvaro , Marfil‐Gómez Raquel , Aranda‐Gallardo Marta , Moya‐Suárez Ana Belén , Kaknani‐Uttumchandani Shakira
Published: October 2019

Aim

To evaluate the relationship between the pressure exerted on the heel of one foot resting directly on a mattress, versus that exerted on the other heel, protected by a pillow beneath the Achilles tendon area and the changes thus produced in perfusion, oxygenation and temperature in the skin of heels of healthy volunteers lying in a supine position.

Design

Experimental study in a pre‐clinical phase, with healthy volunteer participants and intrapeople control.

Methods

The study was carried out from November 2017 – May 2018. A pressure measurement surface was placed between the participant and the constant low‐pressure support surface. Doppler laser devices were used to measure local temperature and perfusion. The degree of oxygenation was determined using an infrared beam close to the pressure zone in each heel. Both feet rested immobile on the bed, in a natural position, for 2 hr. To ensure intrapeople control, in every case the left heel was raised slightly, compared with the right.

Results

Eighteen participants took part in this study. Analysis of the results obtained showed that capillary blood flow was significantly reduced in the heel subjected to pressure, compared with the other heel, while no significant effects on oxygen saturation or temperature were observed. The variables associated with greater oxygen saturation were capillary blood flow, local temperature and pressure exerted. Fat‐free mass, fat mass and duration of exposure to pressure were all significantly associated with reduced oxygen saturation.

Conclusions

In healthy participants, when the heel is subjected to constant pressure against a constant low‐pressure support surface, there is a significant reduction in blood flow, compared with the heel where pressure is relieved. However, there are no significant differences in temperature or tissue oxygenation.

Impact

Significant reductions in vascular flow were observed; however, the oxygenation and temperature of the heel tissues remained unchanged. These findings, corroborated in real patients, would advance our understanding and facilitate decision‐making on measures to prevent pressure ulcers, such as repositioning or tissue protection.

Trial registration: The protocol is registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02736838).
Research on function and mechanisms of a novel small molecule WG449E for hypertrophic scar
Authors: Shao T. , Tang W. , Li Y. , Gao D. , Lv K. , He P. , Song Y. , Gao S. , Liu M. , Chen Y. , Yi Z.
Published: October 2019

Background

Hypertrophic scars are complications of severe wound healing characterized by excessive fibrosis associated with aberrant function of fibroblasts. However, no available drugs can be utilized to effectively treat these scars. The transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) signalling pathway regulates collagen synthesis and plays an important role in scar formation.

Objectives

To evaluate the anti‐scar effects of TGFβ inhibitors in vitro and in vivo.

Methods

Col1α2‐luciferase reporter assay was used to screen the compounds suppress type I collagen gene transcription. Sulforhodamine B colorimetric assay and colony formation assay were used to test the compound's effect on cell proliferation. Wound healing and transwell assay were performed to test the cell migration and invasion. Western blotting, immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry and Q‐PCR assay were used to determine the protein and mRNA levels. 3D cell contraction assay was used to examine the cell contraction. Flow cytometry was performed to analyse cell apoptosis. Masson stain, H&E stain and immunochemistry were used to analyse the scar formation in vivo.

Results

WG449E, as one of the most potent inhibitors, was identified to significantly downregulate the mRNA and protein levels of collagen in hypertrophic scar‐derived fibroblasts through inhibiting Smad2/3 phosphorylation. WG449E inhibited the proliferation, migration and contraction of fibroblasts in vitro and in vivo. In addition, WG449E induced cell apoptosis through the activation of cleaved‐caspase3. Moreover, WG449E significantly attenuated hypertrophic scar formation and collagen deposition in a mechanical load‐induced mouse model.

Conclusions

WG449E is a potential candidate for the treatment of hypertrophic scars.WG449E downregulates the mRNA and protein levels of collagen in hypertrophic scar‐derived fibroblasts through inhibiting Smad2/3 phosphorylation and nucleic localization. WG449E blocks HSF migration and invasion by regulating F‐actin assignment. In addition, WG449E induces HSF apoptosis through the activation of cleaved‐caspase3.
Mid–Century Modern Furniture Representing Modern Ideals in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey
Authors: Hasirci Deniz , Tuna Ultav Zeynep
Published: October 2019

This study focuses on how the modern furniture designed for Turkey's third parliament building, the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, represented the country's new modern ideals by breaking with its Ottoman heritage. While the architecture of this building has been studied, there are no assessments of its interiors and furniture as integral elements. This study uses archival research and interviews with interior designers who worked on the project. The findings shed light on how modernization was brought to life through the spaces and furniture in this powerful, symbolic building.