bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Early retirement incentive programs as a human resources restructuring strategy in public sector
Authors: Shabat Manal Elsayed
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the conceptual framework about human resources downsizing and restructuring and how organizations of the public sector can do that effectively and efficiently. These facts drive to the conclusion that the implementation of early retirement incentives requires the most elaborate planning and execution to be effective, predictable and safe in the long term.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper adopts an analytical, descriptive methodology approach to describe the basic features of the data by using the descriptive research design. Data have been collected through different sources, which include secondary data, to introduce the theoretical literature of the subject as books, journals, articles, published working papers and referred previous studies related to the same subject.

Findings

Downsizing process is a deliberate administrative process that includes, but is not limited to, workforce reduction and is primarily aimed at achieving efficiency in public organizations. The definition of workforce downsizing may be narrowed to reducing the number of workers, or more likely to refer to general efforts to restructuring human resources in public organizations, Early Retirement Incentive Programs (ERIP) represents a viable alternative for organizations seeking to reduce staff. For the ERIP to be successful, the program coordinator must understand the business objectives and goals that the organization is trying to obtain.

Originality/value

Human resources strategies concerning downsizing public administration workforce should be more appropriate to those who leave the organization and those who stay at work, reducing the negative psychological, administrative and economical effects. This could be achieved through a strategy called early retirement incentive programs.
Social responsibility skepticism: shareholder and stakeholder perspectives
Authors: Paul Karen , Elango B. , Kundu Sumit
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce the notion of social responsibility skepticism (SRS) and demonstrate its importance to the existing social responsibility literature. Stakeholder-emphasizing perspective (STEP) and shareholder-emphasizing perspective (SHEP) are tested as independent constructs that both serve to reduce skepticism. SHEP, STEP and SRS are shown to be interrelated but independent ideas.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on a primary questionnaire survey of managers. Multivariate regression analysis is used for analysis, level of management is a moderating variable and age and gender are control variables.

Findings

Managers who accept either the shareholder emphasis or the stakeholder emphasis have lower social responsibility skepticism. STEP and SHEP appear to be two independent constructs that both serve to reduce skepticism, although STEP is slightly more effective. The relationship is stronger for STEP managers and for higher level managers.

Research limitations/implications

Findings may be influenced by the existing political or business milieu. Findings on the moderating effect of level of management and age may reflect generational differences. Changes in gender roles may also affect findings.

Practical implications

Acceptance of management theories oriented either toward a stakeholder perspective or a shareholder perspective is associated with less skepticism. The legitimacy and value of each perspective should be acknowledged.

Social implications

Managers require support for decisions taking social responsibility into account. This study demonstrates that grounding in stakeholder theory or shareholder theory can reduce SRS.

Originality/value

This study introduces the new concept of SRS and provides a scale to measure this new variable. New scales are also provided for SHEP and STEP. Both perspectives negate tendencies toward SRS.
Commentary on “Dietitians’ challenges when consulting to adults with intellectual disabilities”
Authors: Triantafyllopoulou Paraskevi
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to consider issues around obesity and overweight for people with intellectual disabilities (IDs).

Design/methodology/approach

A review of the literature is provided looking at issues around overweight and obesity for adults with IDs. Both prevalence studies and intervention studies were considered.

Findings

The prevalence of overweight and obesity is considerably higher for adults with IDs when compared to the general population. Intervention studies focusing on multiple components seem to be the most effective. However, future research should focus on randomised control trials taking into consideration the views of people with IDs.

Originality/value

This paper synthesizes some of the available evidence on obesity and overweight for adults with IDs providing clear recommendations for the future.
Human Rights in a Post‐Brexit UK
Authors: Wright Rebecca
Published: October 2019

This special issue was written to reflect on the current role of human rights in the United Kingdom, seventy years after the United Nations General Assembly voted in favour of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Human rights are explored by the authors in this issue from a wide variety of perspectives. Some authors are critical of the failure of the state to implement human rights principles in practice; others lament how human rights often appear of little relevance to most people’s lives in the UK. The overall message, however, remains consistent: a human rights framework brings many positive elements to our country, ensuring it is a society where individuals, no matter their actions or characteristics, are treated with dignity.
Validating TrueAllele® Interpretation of DNA Mixtures Containing up to Ten Unknown Contributors
Authors: Bauer David W. , Butt Nasir , Hornyak Jennifer M. , Perlin Mark W.
Published: October 2019

Most DNA evidence is a mixture of two or more people. Cybergenetics TrueAllele® system uses Bayesian computing to separate genotypes from mixture data and compare genotypes to calculate likelihood ratio (LR) match statistics. This validation study examined the reliability of TrueAllele computing on laboratory‐generated DNA mixtures containing up to ten unknown contributors. Using log(LR) match information, the study measured sensitivity, specificity, and reproducibility. These reliability metrics were assessed under different conditions, including varying the number of assumed contributors, statistical sampling duration, and setting known genotypes. The main determiner of match information and variability was how much DNA a person contributed to a mixture. Observed contributor number based on data peaks gave better results than the number known from experimental design. The study found that TrueAllele is a reliable method for analyzing DNA mixtures containing up to ten unknown contributors.
Development of an SNP‐based parentage verification panel for lovebirds
Authors: van der Zwan H. , Visser C. , Schoonen M. , van der Sluis R.
Published: October 2019

The genus Agapornis, or lovebirds, are popular pet parrots worldwide. Currently, breeders are dependent on pedigree records as a selection tool as no molecular parentage verification test is available for any of the nine species. The A. roseicollis reference genome was recently assembled. This was followed by the sequencing of the whole genomes of the parents of the reference genome individual at 30× coverage. The parents’ reads were mapped against the reference genome to identify SNPs. Over 1.6 million SNPs, shared between the parents, were discovered using the Genome Analysis Toolkit pipeline. SNPs were filtered to a panel of 480 SNPs based on Genome Analysis Toolkit parameters. The panel of 480 SNPs was genotyped in a population of 960 lovebirds across seven species. A panel of 262 SNPs was compiled that included SNPs successfully amplified across all species. The 262‐SNP panel was reduced based on the observed heterozygosity (HO) and minor allele frequency (MAF) values per SNP to include the lowest number of SNPs with the highest exclusion power for parentage verification. Two smaller panels consisting of 195 SNPs with MAF and HO values >0.1 and 40 SNPs with MAF and HO values >0.3, were constructed. The panels were verified using 43 families from different species with known relationships to evaluate the exclusion power of each panel. The 195 SNP panel with an average exclusion probability of 99.9% and MAF and HO values >0.1 was proposed as the routine Agapornis parentage verification panel.
Impact of service‐wide initiatives to support healthy pregnancy weight gain on weight‐related documentation
Authors: Yim Shi Ying , Guthrie Taylor , de Jersey Susan J.
Published: October 2019

Background

Excess gestational weight gain is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Addressing barriers to the provision of best practice care that supports healthy pregnancy weight gain could assist staff in clinical care; however, little is known about changes to staff practices after ameliorating barriers.

Aims

To evaluate if service initiatives to promote healthy pregnancy weight gain improve weight‐related documentation by antenatal staff throughout pregnancy care.

Materials and Methods

Service initiatives including staff training, familiarisation with a pregnancy weight gain chart and placement of scales in clinic rooms were introduced. Pregnancy health records were audited for deliveries pre‐ (2014) and post‐implementation (2017) to obtain weight‐related measures. Measures assessed included the documentation of pre‐pregnancy weight, height, pre‐pregnancy body mass index (BMI), referral to dietetic services (if overweight) and the accuracy of pre‐pregnancy BMI calculation. The proportion of visits with weight recorded during pregnancy was also audited.

Results

A total of 1003 and 1050 records were included from the pre‐ and post‐intervention groups respectively. Significant improvements over time were observed in the documentation of pre‐pregnancy weight (P < 0.001), BMI (P < 0.001), accuracy of BMI calculation (P < 0.001) and for obese women proportion of visits with weight recorded (P = 0.02). There was a non‐significant increase in the documentation of dietetic referral for overweight women (1.1% vs 2.2%, P = 0.27) and proportion of visits with weight recorded for women across all pre‐pregnancy BMI groups (49% vs 51%, P = 0.07).

Conclusions

Addressing barriers to supporting healthy pregnancy weight gain through service‐wide initiatives may improve weight‐related documentation by antenatal staff.
Maternal and perinatal outcomes for women with body mass index ≥50 kg/m2 in a non‐tertiary hospital setting
Authors: Pratt Anita , Howat Paul , Hui Lisa
Published: October 2019

Background

Obesity is prevalent in the Australian antenatal population, but there are scarce data on the prevalence and associated outcomes of body mass index (BMI) ≥50 kg/m2.

Aims

To examine the prevalence and outcomes for women with BMI ≥50 kg/m2 delivering in a non‐tertiary hospital.

Materials and Methods

Retrospective cohort study of women delivering a singleton pregnancy in a non‐tertiary Victorian hospital during 2011–2016. Women >180 kg were excluded as their care was managed in a tertiary centre. Maternal and perinatal outcomes were analysed by BMI group. Statistical analysis was performed using χ2, Kruskal–Wallis and logistic regression with a significance level of 0.05.

Results

Of the 18 518 births between 2011 and 2016, 99.4% had a maternal BMI recorded. The prevalence of BMI ≥50 kg/m2 was 0.5%. Highest complication rates were observed among women with BMI ≥50 kg/m2, including gestational diabetes (29%), hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (20%) and caesarean section (48%). Of infants born to women with BMI ≥50 kg/m2, 12% were late‐pre‐term, 23% required special or intensive care and 20% had birth weight ≥4.0 kg. When compared with obese women with BMI 30–49 kg/m2, women with BMI ≥50 kg/m2 were significantly more likely to develop a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy (preeclampsia adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 3.98 (1.93–8.18), pregnancy‐induced hypertension aOR 3.55 (1.79–7.03)) and deliver a late pre‐term infant (aOR 2.45 (1.31–4.58)).

Conclusions

The prevalence of severe maternal obesity in our non‐tertiary setting is higher than previous national estimates. Women with BMI ≥50 kg/m2 are an important subgroup of the obese obstetric population who experience high rates of complications and interventions. Health services need to respond to evolving needs of the antenatal population to achieve the best outcomes for mothers and babies.
Computed tomography‐guided coil localization for video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery of sub‐solid lung nodules: a retrospective study
Authors: Teng Fei , Wang Zi‐Shan , Wu An‐Le , Fu Yu‐Fei , Yang Shan
Published: October 2019

Background

Wedge resection via video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is the best choice for the diagnosis of sub‐solid lung nodules. Preoperative localization is utilized to increase the success rate of this procedure. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of preoperative coil localization in VATS wedge resection for sub‐solid lung nodules.

Methods

From October 2015 to August 2018, 42 patients with 55 sub‐solid lung nodules underwent computed tomography‐guided coil localization with subsequent VATS wedge resection in our centre. Data regarding visible coil rates, technical success of the wedge resection and pathological results were collected and analysed retrospectively.

Results

A total of 55 sub‐solid lung nodules were localized in 42 patients. Thirty‐three patients had one nodule and nine patients had multiple nodules. Fifty‐two coils (52/55, 94.5%) were visible during the VATS. The mean duration of each coil localization was 14.3 ± 4.8 min (range 7–40 min). Three patients (7%) experienced pneumothorax after coil localization. VATS wedge resection was successfully performed for 53 nodules (53/55, 96.4%). The remaining two nodules were treated directly with lobectomy. The nine patients who had multiple nodules underwent one‐stage VATS wedge resection of all nodules. The mean duration of the VATS in the 42 patients was 159.3 ± 83.4 min (range 60–360 min) while the mean blood loss was 119.3 ± 115.3 mL (range 10–700 mL).

Conclusion

Preoperative computed tomography‐guided coil localization is a safe and effective method to facilitate high success rates for diagnostic VATS wedge resection for sub‐solid nodules.
Disease aetiology‐based design of multifunctional microemulsion eye drops for moderate or severe dry eye: a randomized, quadruple‐masked and active‐controlled clinical trial
Authors: Laihia Jarmo , Järvinen Riikka , Wylęgała Edward , Kaarniranta Kai
Published: October 2019

Purpose

To assess the safety and efficacy of multi‐ingredient sacha inchi microemulsion (SIME) eye drops designed to target (1) tear film instability, (2) tear hyperosmolarity, and (3) ocular surface damage and inflammation in moderate or severe dry eye.

Methods

This randomized, quadruple‐masked, active‐controlled parallel study in 64 adult patients comprised three parts. Part 1 (n = 3): one eye was treated with SIME for one day. Part 2 (n = 9): randomized eyes were treated with SIME and 0.2% hyaluronic acid (HA) control eye drops 3 times a day for 10 days. Part 3 (n = 26 + 26): randomized treatment was applied on both eyes 3 times a day for 30 days. OSDI change was tested for superiority of SIME over HA. Ocular assessments were performed at baseline and after the last dose.

Results

Both treatments were well tolerated without adverse device effects. Tear film break‐up time (p = 0.0025) and ocular protection index (p = 0.0026; change vs. HA, p = 0.047) increased significantly with SIME after 30 days. Tear osmolarity decreased more in SIME than in the HA group and significantly with both eye drops in hyperosmolar subgroups. Corneal (p = 0.014) and nasal conjunctival staining (p = 0.043) were reduced with SIME in per‐protocol patients (n = 24). Conjunctival (p = 0.001) and lid redness (p = 0.012) decreased with SIME in all patients (n = 26). Symptoms decreased by about 25 OSDI units with both treatments (p < 0.0001) and with nonsignificant difference between treatments.

Conclusions

Sacha inchi microemulsion (SIME) proved safe and efficacious in improving each aetiologic factor for dry eye as revealed through objective tests. Hyperosmolar stress dominating blink cycles must be disrupted by biophysical protection of the ocular surface to facilitate resolution of cellular damage and inflammation, and relief of ocular symptoms.
Long‐term outcome of lacrimal stent intubation for complete acquired lacrimal drainage obstructions
Authors: Bohman Elin , Kugelberg Maria , Dafgård Kopp Eva
Published: October 2019

Purpose

To investigate long‐term outcome and report reoperation rate of non‐infected, complete acquired lacrimal drainage obstruction (ALDO) treated with canaliculodacryocystoplasty (CDCP) depending on site of stenosis.

Method

Consecutive adult patients with non‐infected, complete ALDO treated with CDCP were followed for 76 months. Location of stenosis at preoperative visit and intraoperative probing was recorded, and during follow‐up, recurrence of stenosis prompting additional surgery and complications were noted. Survival analysis was applied to compare reoperation rate depending on site of stenosis. A follow‐up questionnaire was sent to patients not requiring reoperation asking to grade current epiphora problems.

Results

Among 85 included cases (71 patients), 57 were classified as canalicular stenosis and 28 as nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO) preoperatively. At the end of follow‐up, 39% (33/85) of cases had required additional surgery due to persistent/recurrent symptoms. No statistical difference was found between these groups.

During CDCP, 25 of the 57 preoperatively classified canalicular stenosis were found to have an additional obstruction below the sac. The group with only canalicular stenosis had a statistically significant higher survival compared with cases with NLDO or multiple obstructions (p = 0.03). Of patients responding to the follow‐up questionnaire, 11/37 cases experienced epiphora often or constant.

Conclusion

Treating complete NLDO with CDCP results in a high reoperation rate and seems an insufficient alternative. Canaliculodacryocystoplasty (CDCP) may be discussed if preoperative examination indicates canalicular stenosis and dacryocystorhinostomy is not desirable. However, the patient needs to be aware of the higher risk for additional surgery, especially if a second stenosis is found during probing.
Infectious diseases detected by screening after arrival to Denmark in internationally adopted children
Authors: Nielsen Agnethe Vale , Kjærgaard Jesper , Pedersen Tine Marie , Helmuth Ida Glode , Nygaard Ulrikka , Nielsen Helle Winter , Christensen Vibeke Brix , Kurtzhals Jørgen Anders Lindholm , Poulsen Anja
Published: October 2019

Aim

To show the prevalence of selected infectious diseases among internationally adopted children (IAC) in Denmark.

Background

Each year approximately 200 IAC arrive in Denmark. These are at increased risk of infectious diseases rarely seen in Danish children. Studies from the 1990s showed that 60% of IAC had infectious diseases and that the majority of these were undetected without screening.

Methods

The study is a prospective study of medical records from children seen in the adoption clinic at Copenhagen University Hospital in the period 2009‐2013. Screening was done for hepatitis A (HAV), B (HBV) and C (HCV), syphilis, HIV, tuberculosis (TB) and intestinal parasites. Results: In 245 IAC tested, 2% had evidence of recent HAV infection, 3% with HBV and one child with HCV, and no cases of HIV were found. One child had antibodies against syphilis (anti‐Trpa AB positivity), and 2% were latently infected with tuberculosis. We found 30% infected with pathogenic intestinal parasites. Only 46% had serologic evidence of immunisation against HBV.

Conclusion

The prevalence of infections in IAC was lower than previously reported but compared to the general population, a higher prevalence of intestinal parasites, hepatitis and tuberculosis was found. We recommend that IAC are offered screening shortly after arrival.
Does Listening to Music Regulate Negative Affect in a Stressful Situation? Examining the Effects of Self‐Selected and Researcher‐Selected Music Using Both Silent and Active Controls
Authors: Groarke Jenny M. , Groarke AnnMarie , Hogan Michael J. , Costello Laura , Lynch Danielle
Published: October 2019

Background

Stress and anxiety are increasingly common among young people. The current research describes two studies comparing the effects of self‐selected and researcher‐selected music on induced negative affect (state anxiety and physiological arousal), and state mindfulness.

Method

In Study 1, 70 undergraduates were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: researcher‐selected music, self‐selected music, or a silent control condition. In Study 2, with 75 undergraduates, effects of music were compared to an active control (listening to a radio show). Negative affect was induced using a speech preparation and arithmetic task, followed by music listening or control. Self‐reported anxiety and blood pressure were measured at baseline, post‐induction, and post‐intervention. Study 2 included state mindfulness as a dependent measure.

Results

Study 1 indicated that participants who listened to music (self‐selected and researcher‐selected) reported significantly greater anxiety reduction than participants in the silent control condition. Music did not reduce anxiety compared to an active control in Study 2. However, music listening significantly increased levels of state mindfulness, which predicted lower anxiety after self‐selected music listening.

Conclusions

Music may provide regulation in preparation for stressful events. Yet, the results of Study 2 indicate that other activities have similar benefits, and shows, for the first time, that music listening increases mindfulness following a stressor.
The impact of anti‐TNFα therapy on colectomy rates and corticosteroid treatment among 3001 paediatric and adolescent patients with ulcerative colitis—a nationwide study from 1995 to 2015
Authors: Lund Ken , Larsen Michael Due , Knudsen Torben , Kjeldsen Jens , Nielsen Rasmus Gaardskjaer , Nørgård Bente Mertz
Published: October 2019

Background

The long‐term effects of anti‐TNFα therapy in ulcerative colitis are debatable.

Aim

To examine whether anti‐TNFα therapy changed the colectomy proportion and reduced the use of corticosteroids.

Methods

A nationwide cohort study among patients (age 0‐20) diagnosed with ulcerative colitis through 1995‐2015 from Danish health registries. We calculated the cumulative 5‐year risk of colectomy after diagnosis and used a Cox regression model for comparison between a historical pre‐anti‐TNFα cohort 1 (1995‐2003) and a cohort 2 for the era of anti‐TNFα (2004‐2015). Based on anti‐TNFα users, defined as patients who had at least four anti‐TNFα treatments within 4 months, we examined the subsequent need for corticosteroids.

Results

We identified 3001 patients from 1995 to 2015. The 5‐year cumulative proportion of colectomy in cohort 2 was 9.7% (95% confidence interval [CI] 8.4‐11.1) and 12.3% (95% CI 10.4‐14.6) in cohort 1. The adjusted 5‐year hazard ratio (HR) was 0.76 (95% CI 0.60‐0.96) for colectomy in cohort 2 compared to cohort 1. A total of 334 patients received anti‐TNFα treatments, and 16.8% (56/334) were prescribed corticosteroids in the subsequent 3‐month period. Corticosteroid treatment declined with follow‐up after 6 and 12 months, 5.4% and 1.2%, respectively.

Conclusion

In patient's ≤20 years, the HR for colectomy within a period of 5 years from the time of diagnosis was reduced in the era of anti‐TNFα compared to a historical cohort. In patients treated with anti‐TNFα, prescriptions of corticosteroids were virtually ceased after 12 months.
New library of pyrazole–imidazo[1,2‐α]pyridine molecular conjugates: Synthesis, antibacterial activity and molecular docking studies
Authors: Ebenezer Oluwakemi , Awolade Paul , Koorbanally Neil , Singh Parvesh
Published: October 2019

A library of novel pyrazole–imidazo[1,2‐α]pyridine scaffolds was designed and synthesized through a one‐pot three‐component tandem reaction. The structures of synthesized conjugates were confirmed by spectroscopic techniques (NMR, IR and HRMS). In vitro antibacterial evaluation of the twelve synthesized molecules (7a, 8a–k) against methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus and normal strains of Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, Klebsiella pneumonia and Pseudomonas aeruginosa established 8b, 8d, 8e, 8h and 8i as potent antibacterial agents with superior minimum bactericidal concentration, compared with standard drug ciprofloxacin. Molecular docking studies of all active compounds into the binding site of glucosamine‐6‐phosphate synthase were further performed in order to have a comprehensive understanding of putative binding modes within the active sites of the receptor.
The role of innate immunity in asthma development and protection: Lessons from the environment
Authors: Pivniouk Vadim , Gimenes Junior Joao Antonio , Honeker Linnea K. , Vercelli Donata
Published: October 2019

Asthma, a complex, chronic disease characterized by airway inflammation, hyperresponsiveness and remodelling, affects over 300 million people worldwide. While the disease is typically associated with exaggerated allergen‐induced type 2 immune responses, these responses are strongly influenced by environmental exposures that stimulate innate immune pathways capable of promoting or protecting from asthma. The dual role played by innate immunity in asthma pathogenesis offers multiple opportunities for both research and clinical interventions and is the subject of this review.
Healthcare utilisation, follow‐up of guidelines and practice variation on rhinosinusitis in adults: A healthcare reimbursement claims study in The Netherlands
Authors: Kaper Nina M. , Aarts Mark C. J. , Stokroos Robert J. , van der Heijden Geert J. M. G.
Published: October 2019

Objectives

To provide insight into healthcare utilisation of rhinosinusitis, compare data with clinical practice guideline recommendations and assess practice variation.

Design

Anonymised data from claims reimbursement registries of healthcare insurers were analysed, from 1 January 2016 until 31 December 2016.

Setting

Secondary and tertiary care in the Netherlands.

Participants

Patients ≥18 years with diagnostic code “sinusitis.”

Main outcome measures

Healthcare utilisation (prevalence, co‐morbidity, diagnostic testing, surgery), costs, comparison with guideline recommendation, practice variation.

Results

We identified 56 825 patients, prevalence was 0.4%. Costs were € 45 979 554—that is 0.2% of total hospital‐related care costs (€21 831.3 × 106). Most patients were <75 years, with a slight female preponderance. 29% had comorbidities (usually COPD/asthma). 9% underwent skin prick testing, 61% nasal endoscopy, 2% X‐ray and 51% CT. Surgery rate was 16%, mostly in daycare. Nearly, all surgical procedures were performed endonasally and concerned the maxillary and/or ethmoid sinus. Seven recommendations (25%) could be (partially) compared to the distribution of claims data. Except for endoscopy, healthcare utilisation patterns were in line with guideline recommendations. We compared results for three geographical regions and found generally corresponding rates of diagnostic testing and surgery.

Conclusion

Prevalence was lower than reported previously. Within the boundaries of guideline recommendations, we encountered acceptable variation in healthcare utilisation in Dutch hospitals. Health reimbursement claims data can provide insight into healthcare utilisation, but they do not allow evaluation of the quality and outcomes of care, and therefore, results should be interpreted with caution.
Normal patterns of left ventricle rest myocardial perfusion assessed by third‐generation cardiac computed tomography
Authors: Forte Ernesto , Punzo Bruna , Gentile Federico , Salvatore Marco , Cavaliere Carlo , Cademartiri Filippo
Published: October 2019

Purpose

To investigate diastolic and systolic patterns of segmental and transmural rest perfusion of the left ventricle (LV) in normal subjects (NS) undergoing third‐generation dual‐source cardiac computed tomography (CCT).

Methods

Forty consecutive NS, with normal coronary arteries and cardiac chambers both anatomically and functionally on the basis of CCT, were retrospectively enrolled in the study. Relative normalized myocardial attenuation density (rnMAD) and transmural perfusion ratio (TPR) were calculated in diastole and systole for each segment and layer of the LV and then pooled into territories.

Results

Statistical analysis showed that sub‐endocardial rnMAD was significantly higher than intra‐myocardial and sub‐epicardial for all myocardial territories both in systolic and diastolic phases (P<0·001). Basal and mid‐ventricular rnMAD were higher than apical for all myocardial layers (P<0·001). Septum displayed higher rnMAD in intra‐myocardium and sub‐epicardium (179 ± 61 and 170 ± 59 in diastole and 172 ± 60 and 166 ± 58 in systole, respectively) than the anterior, lateral and inferior wall (P<0·001). Diastolic and systolic TPR were significantly different for the anterior and lateral wall (P<0·001), while septal TPR (1·06 ± 0·06 in diastole and 1·05 ± 0·06 in systole, respectively) was the lowest as compared to other territories’ TPR. Finally, basal, mid‐ventricular and apical TPR showed a significant linear trend with basal lower than mid‐ventricular and apical values.

Conclusion

Inter‐territory and inter‐layer myocardial perfusion differences can be accurately assessed with CCT in NS. This assessment is the basic step to further evaluate abnormal rest perfusion patterns in ischaemic and non‐ischaemic diseases.
An evaluation of stringent filtering to improve species distribution models from citizen science data
Authors: Steen Valerie A. , Elphick Chris S. , Tingley Morgan W.
Published: October 2019

Aim

Citizen science data are increasingly used for modelling species distributions because they offer broad spatiotemporal coverage of local observations. However, such data are often collected without experimental design or set survey methods, raising the risk that bias and noise will compromise modelled predictions. We tested the ability of species distribution models (SDMs) built from these low‐structure citizen science data to match the quality of SDMs from systematically collected data and tested whether stringent data filtering improved predictions.

Location

Northeastern USA.

Methods

We evaluated models built from a rapidly growing dataset of avian occurrences reported by birders—eBird—against models built from four independent, systematically collected datasets. We developed SDMs for 96 species using both data sources and compared their predictive abilities. We also tested whether culling eBird data by applying stringent data filters on survey effort or observer expertise improved predictions.

Results

We found that SDMs built from low‐structure citizen science data matched or exceeded performance of SDMs from systematically collected datasets for 12%–31% of species ( = 22%), depending on the dataset. At least one culling option produced equivalent or better performance for 40%–70% of species ( = 49%). Data culling by restricting survey effort improved predictions more than restricting by observer expertise. The optimal effort restriction differed by dataset, and for three of the datasets was further informed by species traits.

Main conclusions

Species distribution models developed using low‐structure citizen science data sometimes performed as well as those from systematic data. Culling generally improved models, but results were heterogeneous, prohibiting clear recommendations for how to cull. Our results indicate that the growing availability of citizen science data holds potential for creating high‐quality spatial predictions, but that time should be invested in determining how best to cull datasets and that one‐size‐fits‐all solutions beyond basic outlier filtering may be hard to find.
Endoscopic submucosal dissection of colorectal tumors using a novel monopolar scissor‐type knife “SB Knife Jr.2”
Authors: Tamaru Yuzuru , Kuwai Toshio , Ishaq Sauid
Published: October 2019

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Usefulness of cricoid pressure in patients with poor gastric wall extension as a result of eructation in upper gastrointestinal endoscopy
Authors: Horii Toshiki , Ikehara Hisatomo , Kusano Chika
Published: October 2019

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Efficacy and safety of scheduled early endoscopic ultrasonography‐guided ethanol reinjection for patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors: Prospective pilot study
Authors: Matsumoto Kazuyuki , Kato Hironari , Kawano Seiji , Fujiwara Hiroyasu , Nishida Kenji , Harada Ryo , Fujii Masakuni , Yoshida Ryuichi , Umeda Yuzo , Hinotsu Shiro , Yagi Takahito , Okada Hiroyuki
Published: October 2019

Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS)‐guided ethanol injection was recently proposed for treatment of patients with small pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (p‐NET); however, tips on how to carry out safe and effective procedures are unclear. We launched a pilot study for scheduled early EUS‐guided ethanol reinjection for small p‐NET. Major eligibility criteria were presence of pathologically diagnosed grade (G) 1 or G2, tumor size ≤2 cm and being a poor or rejected candidate for surgery. For the treatment, we used a 25‐gauge needle and pure ethanol. Contrast‐enhanced computed tomography (CE‐CT) was carried out on postoperative day 3, and if enhanced areas of the tumor were still apparent, an additional session was scheduled during the same hospitalization period. Primary endpoint was complete ablation rate at 1 month after treatment, and secondary endpoint was procedure‐related adverse events. A total of five patients were treated. Median size of the tumor was 10 (range: 7–14) mm. Of the five patients, three underwent an additional session. Median volume of ethanol injection per session was 0.8 (range: 0.3–1.0) mL, and the total was 1.0 (0.9–1.8) mL. Complete ablation was achieved in four of the five tumors (80%) with no adverse events. During 1 year of follow up, none of the patients reported any procedure‐related adverse events, and no recurrence of tumor. Scheduled early EUS‐guided ethanol reinjection appears to be safe and effective for treating small p‐NET (UMIN number: 000018834).
Congenital myopathies: an update
Authors: Claeys Kristl G
Published: October 2019

Congenital myopathies comprise a clinical, histopathological, and genetic heterogeneous group of rare hereditary muscle diseases that are defined by architectural abnormalities in the muscle fibres. They are subdivided by the predominant structural pathological change on muscle biopsy, resulting in five subgroups: (1) core myopathies; (2) nemaline myopathies; (3) centronuclear myopathies; (4) congenital fibre type disproportion myopathy; and (5) myosin storage myopathy. Besides the clinical features, muscle biopsy, muscle imaging, and genetic analyses are essential in the diagnosis of congenital myopathies. Using next‐generation sequencing techniques, a large number of new genes are being identified as the cause of congenital myopathies as well as new mutations in known genes, broadening the phenotype–genotype spectrum of congenital myopathies. Management is performed by a multidisciplinary team specialized in neuromuscular disorders, where the (paediatric) neurologist has an essential role. To date, only supportive treatment is available, but novel pathomechanisms are being discovered and gene therapies are being explored.

What this paper adds

Many new genes are being identified in congenital myopathies, broadening the phenotype–genotype spectrum.

Management is performed by a multidisciplinary team specialized in neuromuscular disorders.
Join hands or walk alone? Evidence on lobbying for trade policy in India
Authors: Saha Amrita
Published: October 2019

Using primary evidence for 146 Indian manufacturing firms, I examine single and dual lobbying strategies for trade policy influence, and the factors driving firm's choice of these strategies. Firms can adopt a single strategy, by lobbying collectively as a group (Join Hands), or lobbying individually as a firm (Walk Alone). Firms can also adopt a dual strategy, that is, a combination of collective and individual lobbying. The choice of strategy is affected by sector concentration and by tradeoffs between lobbying intensity for sector‐wide and firm‐specific outcomes. The following findings are new for India: First, majority of Indian firms (more than 64% in the sample) use a dual strategy, suggesting the importance to better understand what drives dual strategies. Second, the likelihood of adopting a dual lobbying is higher in sectors that are characterized by low concentration (dispersion is higher), indicating a strong competition effect over free‐riding. Third, relative to the single strategy of collective lobbying, Indian manufacturing firms are likely to join hands while walking alone when targeting firm‐specific outcomes, but prefer to walk alone (single strategy of individual lobbying) when there are tradeoffs between different outcomes, to react quickly. Finally, the availability of resources and firm's perceived effectiveness of its lobbying are significant drivers for the strategy choice.
Ecological drivers of fish metacommunities: Environmental and spatial factors surpass predation in structuring metacommunities of intermittent rivers
Authors: Faustino de Queiroz Amanda Caroline , Terra Bianca de Freitas
Published: October 2019

Metacommunity theory is a new approach for explaining how local and regional processes contribute to community organisation and integrative studies are needed to fully characterise the processes underlying its structure and function. We analysed, through variation partitioning and distance decay relationships, how metacommunities of fish in pools of intermittent rivers are structured by environmental, species interaction and spatial factors. The results indicate that both species sorting and dispersal limitation (spatial factors) were important in shaping fish metacommunities. Species sorting was the most influential driver within fish metacommunities, but predation was much less relevant and did not show any pure effect in metacommunity structure. However, environmental factors were determinant among metacommunity patches.
Genetic population structure and variation at phenology‐related loci in anadromous Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus)
Authors: Madsen Rikke P. A. , Jacobsen Magnus W. , O'Malley Kathleen G. , Nygaard Rasmus , Præbel Kim , Jónsson Bjarni , Pujolar Jose M. , Fraser Dylan J. , Bernatchez Louis , Hansen Michael M.
Published: October 2019

The Arctic will be especially affected by climate change, resulting in altered seasonal timing. Anadromous Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus) is strongly influenced by sea surface temperature (SST) delimiting time periods available for foraging in the sea. Recent studies of salmonid species have shown variation at phenology‐related loci associated with timing of migration and spawning. We contrasted genetic population structure at 53 SNPs versus four phenology‐related loci among 15 anadromous Arctic char populations from Western Greenland and three outgroup populations. Among anadromous populations, the time period available for foraging at sea (>2°C) ranges from a few weeks to several months, motivating two research questions: (a) Is population structure compatible with possibilities for evolutionary rescue of anadromous populations during climate change? (b) Does selection associated with latitude or SST regimes act on phenology‐related loci? In Western Greenland, strong isolation by distance at SNPs was observed and spatial autocorrelation analysis showed genetic patch size up to 450 km, documenting contingency and gene flow among populations. Outlier tests provided no evidence for selection at phenology‐related loci. However, in Western Greenland, mean allele length at OtsClock1b was positively associated with the time of year when SST first exceeded 2°C and negatively associated with duration of the period where SST exceeded 2°C. This is consistent with local adaptation for making full use of the time period available for foraging in the sea. Current adaptation may become maladaptive under climate change, but long‐distance connectivity of anadromous populations could redistribute adaptive variation across populations and lead to evolutionary rescue.
Dissolved oxygen controls summer habitat of Clear Lake Hitch (Lavinia exilicauda chi), an imperilled potamodromous cyprinid
Authors: Feyrer Frederick , Young Matthew , Patton Oliver , Ayers David
Published: October 2019

Clear Lake Hitch is an imperilled minnow endemic to Clear Lake, Lake County, California, United States listed as threatened under the California Endangered Species Act (ESA) and a candidate for listing under the United States ESA. It exhibits a potamodromous life cycle whereby adults, which reach up to 6 + years in age and over 350 mm in length, migrate into Clear Lake's ephemeral tributaries briefly during spring to spawn. Conservation and management of Clear Lake Hitch is inhibited, in part, by a lack of information on the lacustrine habitat of nonbreeding individuals within Clear Lake. To address this problem, we sampled Clear Lake Hitch with gill nets in a stratified random sampling design to determine the distribution and habitat associations in early summer 2017 and 2018. We identified abundance‐habitat relationships for juveniles and adults using Bayesian zero‐inflated negative binomial generalised linear mixed modelling. Results indicated that dissolved oxygen concentration was the most important habitat feature measured; juveniles and adults were substantially more abundant in normoxic (≥2 mg/l) than in hypoxic (<2 mg/l) habitat. Both also exhibited weak positive relationships with chlorophyll fluorescence, suggesting relatively productive habitats may support higher numbers of Clear Lake Hitch. Spatially, juveniles were most abundant in nearshore habitats while adults were ubiquitous, indicating an ontogenetic habitat expansion that may be associated with a resource availability‐predation risk trade‐off. Management actions undertaken to improve hypoxia problems in Clear Lake would also improve Clear Lake Hitch habitat.
Metabolic rates from Bluntnose minnow (Pimephales notatus) populations at lower latitudes are more sensitive to changes in temperature than populations at higher latitudes
Authors: Beachum Collin E. , Michel Matt J. , Knouft Jason H.
Published: October 2019

Predicting the potential effects of changes in climate on freshwater species requires an understanding of the relationships between physiological traits and environmental conditions among populations. While water temperature is a primary factor regulating metabolic rates in freshwater ectotherms, how metabolic rates vary across the species range is unclear. In addition, photoperiod has also been hypothesised to influence metabolic rates in freshwater taxa based on seasonal changes in activity rates. Using an experimental approach, we investigated whether variation in routine metabolic rate (RMR) and sensitivity of RMR to changes in temperature are correlated with local thermal regimes, photoperiods and body mass among ten populations across the geographic range of the Bluntnose minnow (Pimephales notatus), a North American freshwater fish species. Routine metabolic rate data were collected from populations acclimatised to three temperature treatments (9, 18 and 27°C) and correlated with water temperature and photoperiod estimates at collection locations for each population. Routine metabolic rate was negatively correlated with minimum photoperiod at 9°C, negatively correlated with weekly high temperature at 18°C and positively correlated with weekly high temperature at 27°C. Body mass was also a predictor of RMR at each temperature treatment. Thermal sensitivity of RMR was positively correlated with weekly high temperature, indicating that individuals from warmer low latitude populations experienced greater sensitivity of RMR to changes in temperature than individuals from cooler high latitude populations. These results indicate differential responses among populations to variation in temperature and suggest the importance of recognising this variation when characterising responses of freshwater taxa to increases in water temperature.
Risk‐taking in free‐living spotted hyenas is associated with anthropogenic disturbance, predicts survivorship, and is consistent across experimental contexts
Authors: Turner Julie W. , LaFleur Rebecca M. , Richardson Allie T. , Holekamp Kay E.
Published: October 2019

Anthropogenic disturbance can have important influences on the fitness and behaviors of wild animals, including their boldness when exposed to risky conditions. We presented spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta) from two populations, each exposed to a different level of human activity, with a life‐size model hyena representing an intruder from another clan. The high‐disturbance population lived adjacent to human settlements, and the low‐disturbance population inhabited a relatively undisturbed part of the same national park in Kenya. The mock intruder was presented to individual hyenas to assess their reactions to an alien hyena, and to determine whether their reactions varied with their exposure to anthropogenic activity. We found that human disturbance was indeed associated with hyena risk‐taking behavior in response to the model intruder. Hyenas tested in the low‐disturbance area exhibited more risk‐taking behaviors by approaching the mock intruder more closely, and spending more time near it, than did their counterparts living in high‐disturbance areas. Hyenas that spent less time in close proximity to the model had greater survivorship than those that spent more time in close proximity to it, regardless of disturbance level. Furthermore, the individual differences in risk‐taking measured here were consistent with those obtained previously from the same animals using a different set of experimental manipulations. However, the experimentally induced behaviors were not consistent with naturally occurring risk‐taking behaviors in proximity to lions; this suggests that risk‐taking behaviors are consistent within individuals across experimental contexts, but that exposure to lions elicits different responses. Although our results are consistent with those from earlier tests of anthropogenic disturbance and boldness in spotted hyenas and other predators, they differ from results obtained from birds and small mammals, which are generally found to be bolder in areas characterized by human disturbance.