bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Local similar solutions for flow of an oldroyd-b nanofluid with activation energy
Authors: Rashid Sadia , Hayat Tasawar , Qayyum Sumaira , Ayub Muhammad , Alsaedi Ahmed
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine outcome of activation energy in rotating flow of an Oldroyd-B nano liquid.

Design/methodology/approach

Flow is generated due to stretched surface. Binary chemical reaction is studied. Brownian and thermophoresis effects are considered. The system of nonlinear ordinary differential equations is derived. Convergent series solutions are obtained by homotopy analysis method. The resulting expressions for velocities, temperature and concentration are computed for different embedded parameters.

Findings

It is found that velocities f′ and g  have decreasing effect when rotation parameter is enhanced. Brownian and thermophoresis are increasing functions of temperature and concentration. The physical quantities are sketched and discussed numerically. Concentration and temperature fields show decreasing behavior via Brownian and thermophoresis parameters.

Originality/value

Authors investigate the Rotating flow of Oldroyd-B nano fluid with chemical reactions. This work is not done yet in literature.
Determinants of Chinese consumers’ organic wine purchase
Authors: Lu Lu , Chi Christina Geng-Qing , Zou Rong
Published: August 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the primary determinants of Chinese consumers’ attitudes and purchase intentions of imported organic wines.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a multi-stage data collection via multiple sampling techniques. Data were collected from close to 2,000 Chinese wine drinkers across 33 provincial-level administrative units in China. The consumer data were subject to a two-step structural equation modeling analysis.

Findings

Chinese consumers express favorable attitudes and are interested in making a purchase. The results also reveal distinct influences of cognitive and emotional determinants on consumers’ positive attitudes and purchase intentions of organic wines. Health benefits and symbolic value positively influence consumers’ attitudes and purchase intentions. Emotional assessment of organic wines, despite exhibiting a positive effect on attitudes, does not drive Chinese consumers’ purchase decisions.

Originality/value

China has become a world leader in consuming wines, especially wines imported from traditional wine producing countries. The increasing health concerns have also prompted Chinese consumers toward favoring organic products. Despite the evident shift in Chinese consumers’ travel expenditure toward food and wines and the growing wine consumption while dining out, existing research is scant in explaining the decision drivers of Chinese consumers’ organic wine purchase. A greater and deeper understanding of Chinese consumers’ purchase decision of organic wines not only provides marketing intelligence for countries exporting wines to China but also is meaningful for international destinations to capture a lucrative market to support local attractions and hospitality businesses.
Revisiting the tourism-economic growth nexus: evidence from the United States
Authors: Aratuo David N. , Etienne Xiaoli L. , Gebremedhin Tesfa , Fryson David M.
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the causal linkages between tourism and economic growth in the USA and determine how they respond to shocks in the system.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses a variety of time series procedures, including the bounds test, Granger causality test, impulse response functions and generalized variance decomposition to analyze the relationship between monthly tourist arrivals (TA) to the USA, real gross domestic product (GDP) and real effective exchange rates.

Findings

Results suggest that GDP Granger causes TA in the USA in the long run, indicating the economy-driven tourism growth hypothesis. Additionally, a shock to GDP generates a positive and significant effect on TA that persists in the long-run, while exchange rate shocks only have a significant effect in the first six months.

Research limitations/implications

Different tourism sectors may exert different degrees of influence on the economy. The use of aggregate data on TA in the analysis assumes homogeneity in the industry, thus, only represents the average relationship between tourism and GDP.

Practical implications

This study provides insight that shapes the investment, marketing, sustainability decisions of the public and private sectors aim at increasing tourist flows to drive economic development at the national, state and local levels.

Originality/value

Though several studies have examined the factors influencing the international tourist demand of the USA, this is the first to investigate the causal relationships between tourism, GDP and exchange rates for the USA. It is also the first in the US tourism literature to account for the nature of interactions between the three variables because of innovations in the system.
Modeling of residential property rents in Somalia using two-stage modeling
Authors: Nor Mohamed Ibrahim , Masron Tajul Ariffin , Gedi Sharif Yusuf
Published: August 2019

Purpose

Real estate is one of the fundamental growth engines for developing economies as it contributes urbanization and infrastructure development. In recent years, Somalia has witnessed massive real estate development in both housing and commercial buildings. The purpose of this study is twofold. First, the study examines the determinants of residential property rents. Second, it investigates whether residential property rents are fairly valued.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses two-stage modeling. A hedonic regression model is used in the first stage, while an artificial neural network is applied in the second stage.

Findings

After analysis, this study established that size, location and security of a residential property have a significant influence on its monthly rents. Alternatively, the study identified that residential property rents are not fairly valued in Mogadishu and overvaluation is more frequent than undervaluation.

Originality/value

This implies that Somalia’s real estate industry is more speculative-driven than real demand-driven. Though Somali real estate is an infant industry with huge potentials in the long run, it may end up disastrously following the well-known bubble-then-burst behavior. To avoid such crisis, this study recommends formulating government policies that regulates, supervises and protects the infant real estate industry without undermining the needs of the poor and low-income citizens.
Bibliometric analysis of hedonic price model using CiteSpace
Authors: Jayantha Wadu Mesthrige , Oladinrin Olugbenga Timo
Published: August 2019

Purpose

Hedonic price modeling (HPM) plays an important role in identifying factors affecting the price of goods or services. Many researchers have extensively used this modeling approach in their research work. However, there has been no bibliometric review that analyses the existing research, which makes use of HPM modeling. This study aims to provide a comprehensive visualized bibliometric and scientometric view of HPM usage in real estate research.

Design/methodology/approach

The Scopus database was used to collect the bibliographic data of 269 publications from 1970 to 2019. CiteSpace software was then used to analyze and visualize the data.

Findings

The results revealed a significant increase in the annual number of HPM study publications. Core authors, participating countries and representative references have been identified. Research hotspots for the HPM studies were identified.

Originality/value

While the study provides a methodological bibliometric review of HPM literature, the findings provide a very good platform for understanding the important elements of HPM usage in real estate research.
Financial consumer protection and economic growth
Authors: Kriese Maryam , Abor Joshua Yindenaba , Agbloyor Elipklimi
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the link between financial consumer protection (FCP) and economic growth.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use cross-country data on 114 countries surveyed in the World Bank Global Survey on FCP and Financial Literacy (2013) and endogenous treatment regressions for the estimation.

Findings

The results indicate that FCP enhances economic growth through fair treatment, responsible lending, enforcement and dispute resolution and recourse regulations. The authors find no evidence to suggest that disclosure and compliance monitoring regulations have an effect on economic growth.

Practical implications

This study provides rich insight into the important question faced by policy makers, as to which FCP regulatory mechanisms to put in place to enhance economic growth.

Originality/value

This study provides current, cross-country empirical evidence on the debate as to whether FCP enhances economic growth.
Intellectual capital and technological dynamic capability: evidence from Chinese enterprises
Authors: Wang Yanyu , Su Xin , Wang Huan , Zou Renyu
Published: August 2019

Purpose

As the carrier of knowledge, intellectual capital plays a crucial role in technology capability. However, most of the previous studies focus on technological capability from a static perspective, rather than take dynamic technology capability into consideration. Based on this research gap, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of intellectual capital and its sub-dimensions on dynamic technology capability, measuring by the factor scores of five technological input and output variables.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors combine the system dynamic method and empirical study to guarantee the internal and external validity. Specifically, the authors design the system dynamic model and simulation to analyze the system mechanism of intellectual capital and its sub-dimensions on dynamic technology capabilities from four cause and effect feedback loops. Then, the authors propose eight hypotheses based on this system dynamic model. In the empirical test phase, the authors employed a panel data set pertaining to Chinese manufacturing firms from 2007 to 2017, and adopted the fixed effect panel model according to Hausman test.

Findings

The authors find that intellectual capital efficiency (ICE) and its sub-dimensions (i.e. human capital efficiency, organizational capital efficiency and capital employed efficiency (CEE) have significantly positive impacts on dynamic technology capability. The results also show that the positive effects of ICE and OC on dynamic technology capability would be strengthened in state-owned enterprises compared with non-state-owned enterprises, while this moderation effect is weakened on the relationship between CEE and dynamic technology capability.

Originality/value

In this study, the authors first introduce the system dynamic method to explore the relationship of intellectual capital and dynamic technology capability, which is a valuable trial on combining system science and empirical study. Additionally, the authors continue to expand the dynamic technology capability from the intellectual capital perspective, and also find the moderating effect from the ownership aspect. It is beneficial to the theoretical development of intellectual capital and dynamic technology capability. Furthermore, the authors provide significant inspirations and implications for enterprise’s managers.
Polysaccharide-based component and their relevance in edible film/coating: a review
Authors: Kumar Nishant , Neeraj
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present an overview of functional properties of the polysaccharide-based component and their application in developing edible film and coating for the food processing sector.

Design/methodology/approach

In this review study, approximately 271 research and review articles focusing on studies related to polysaccharide-based components and their film-forming properties. This article also focused on the application of polysaccharide-based edible film in the food sector.

Findings

From the literature reviewed, polysaccharide components and components-based edible film/coating is the biodegradable and eco-friendly packaging of the materials and directly consumed by the consumer with food. It has been reported that the polysaccharide components have excellent properties such as being nontoxic, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antifungal and with good nutrients. The polysaccharide-based edible film has lipid and gas barrier properties with excellent transparency and mechanical strength. In various studies, researchers worked on the development of polysaccharide-based edible film and coating by incorporating plant based natural antioxidants. This was primarily done for obtaining improved physical and chemical properties of the edible film and coating. In future, the technology of developing polysaccharide-based edible film and coating could be used for extending the shelf life and preserving the quality of fruits and vegetables at a commercial level. There is more need to understand the role of edible packaging and sustainability in the food and environment sector.

Originality/value

Through this review paper, possible applications of polysaccharide-based components and their function property in the formation of the edible film and their effect on fruits, vegetables and other food products are discussed after detailed studies of literature from thesis and journal article.
Identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and non‐tuberculous mycobacteria from cutaneous sarcoidosis lesions by reverse blot hybridization assay
Authors: Lee Hanil , Eom Minseob , Kim Sang‐Ha , Wang Hye‐Young , Lee Hyeyoung , Choi Eung Ho
Published: August 2019

While the etiology of sarcoidosis remains uncertain, mycobacteria have been suggested as a causative infectious agent. To investigate the causal relationship between mycobacteria and sarcoidosis, we performed a reverse blot hybridization assay (REBA) to identify mycobacteria from the skin samples of nine patients with sarcoidosis. Six of the nine samples were shown to be positive for mycobacteria by REBA, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis and non‐tuberculous mycobacteria. This is the first study to identify mycobacteria from the skin samples of sarcoidosis patients using REBA, and our results could strengthen the etiologic association between mycobacteria and sarcoidosis.
The protective effects of L‐carnitine on myocardial ischaemia–reperfusion injury in patients with rheumatic valvular heart disease undergoing CPB surgery are associated with the suppression of NF‐κB pathway and the activation of Nrf2 pathway
Authors: Li Ming , Xu Suochun , Geng Yan , Sun Lei , Wang Ruili , Yan Yang , Wang Haichen , Li Yongxin , Yi Qiuyue , Zhang Yongjian , Hao Junjun , Deng Chao , Li Wen , Xue Li
Published: August 2019

Myocardial ischaemia–reperfusion injury (MIRI) is a main pathophysiologic change following CPB surgery. L‐carnitine, a natural amino acid, is able to transport fatty acids for generating energy and has a protective effect on MIRI. We aim to investigate the protective effect of L‐carnitine on MIRI in patients with rheumatic valvular heart disease (RVHD) performed CPB surgical operation and the underlying mechanism. In this study, patients were randomized to three groups. L‐carnitine was added to the crystalloid cardioplegic solution for experimental group 1 (6 g/L) and experimental group 2 (12 g/L), whereas no L‐carnitine was used in the control group. Our results showed that L‐carnitine significantly attenuated myocardial injury after surgery in these patients. L‐carnitine decreased serum markers of myocardial injury including CK‐MB, cTnI, hs‐cTnT and IMA. L‐carnitine increased left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) but reduced wall motion score index (WMSI) after operation. L‐carnitine also inhibited myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and inflammatory cytokines in the myocardium of patients after unclamping the aorta. Additionally, L‐carnitine increased levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) while decreased levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyl content in the myocardium of patients after unclamping the aorta. Moreover, L‐carnitine suppressed the activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB) and activated nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2). There was also no significant difference in these indices between two experimental groups after unclamping the aorta. Taken together, L‐carnitine had a protective effect against CPB‐induced MIRI in patients with RVHD, which might be related to its modulation of NF‐κB and Nrf2 activities.
Isoliquiritigenin‐induced vasodilation by activating large‐conductance Ca2+‐activated K+ channels in mouse mesenteric arteries
Authors: Ye Yang , Gao Mengru , Feng Lei , Feng Bainian , Ma Xin
Published: August 2019

Isoliquiritigenin (ISL) is a flavonoid substance with a chalcone structure, which exerts anti‐tumour, anti‐oxidation and anti‐inflammatory activity. The large‐conductance calcium‐activated potassium channel (BKCa) is an important potassium channel with negative feedback regulation on the vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) membrane. The activation of BKCa channel causes the hyperpolarization of VSMCs. It plays an important role in relaxation of blood vessels. Previous studies have shown that ISL causes the relaxation of the aorta and the basilar artery of the rat. However, there have not been studies on regulation of ISL in mesenteric arteries. To examine whether ISL causes the relaxation of the mesenteric artery of mice, we recorded vasodilation of mouse mesenteric arterial rings with a myograph. After contraction of arterial rings with phenylephrine, we added ISL to the arterial rings and measured its relaxation effect. To further examine which channel was involved in this relaxation effect, we tested the effects of ISL on endothelium‐dependent and endothelium‐independent vasodilation. Then we used BKCa channel blockers tetraethylammonium and iberiotoxin, to detect whether the BKCa channel is involved in ISL‐induced vasodilation. Mesenteric arterial smooth muscle cells were isolated by enzyme digestion. Bis‐(1, 3‐dibutylbarbituric acid) trimethine oxonol staining was used to measure membrane potential of mesenteric arterial smooth muscle cells. We identified a vasodilation effect caused by ISL on mouse mesenteric arterial rings pre‐contracted by phenylephrine in a concentration‐dependent manner, with an EC50 of 13.71 ± 1.1 μmol/L. The vasodilation effect of ISL is endothelium‐independent. K+ channel inhibitors tetraethylammonium and iberiotoxin reduced the vasodilation induced by ISL which suggested the involvement of BKCa channel.
Identification of genetic associations of ECHS1 gene with milk fatty acid traits in dairy cattle
Authors: Shi L. , Liu L. , Ma Z. , Lv X. , Li C. , Xu L. , Han B. , Li Y. , Zhao F. , Yang Y. , Sun D.
Published: August 2019

Our previous genome‐wide association study identified 83 genome‐wide significant SNPs and 20 novel promising candidate genes for milk fatty acids in Chinese Holstein. Among them, the enoyl‐CoA hydratase, short chain 1 (ECHS1) and enoyl‐CoA hydratase and 3‐hydroxyacyl CoA dehydrogenase (EHHADH) genes were located near two SNPs and one SNP respectively, and they play important roles in fatty acid metabolism pathways. We herein validated whether the two genes have genetic effects on milk fatty acid traits in dairy cattle. By re‐sequencing the full‐length coding region, partially adjacent introns and 3000 bp up/downstream flanking sequences, we identified 12 SNPs in ECHS1: two in exons, four in the 3′ flanking region and six in introns. The g.25858322C>T SNP results in an amino acid replacement from leucine to phenylalanine and changes the secondary structure of the ECHS1 protein, and single‐locus association analysis showed that it was significantly associated with three milk fatty acids (P = 0.0002–0.0013). The remaining 11 SNPs were found to be significantly associated with at least one milk fatty acid (P = <0.0001–0.0040). Also, we found that two haplotype blocks, consisting of nine and two SNPs respectively, were significantly associated with eight milk fatty acids (P = <0.0001–0.0125). However, none of polymorphisms was observed in the EHHADH gene. In conclusion, our findings are the first to indicate that the ECHS1 gene has a significant genetic impact on long‐chain unsaturated and medium‐chain saturated fatty acid traits in dairy cattle, although the biological mechanism is still undetermined and requires further in‐depth validation.
Revised threshold values for neonatal oxygen saturation at mild and moderate altitudes
Authors: Guo Fangqi , Tang Songyuan , Guo Tao , Bartell Scott , Detrano Robert
Published: August 2019

Aim

The aim of this study was to determine reference values for oxygen saturation (SpO2) in neonates at mild and moderate altitudes.

Methods

Our study included 41 097 consecutively born, asymptomatic neonates from 35 hospitals, located in Yunnan, China, with altitudes ranging from 267 to 2202 m. Pre‐and post‐ductal SpO2 of each neonate was measured at 24 hours of age and before hospital discharge. All study participants, according to the altitude of birth, were categorised into three groups: low (0‐500 m), mild (500‐1500 m) and moderate altitude (1500‐2500 m).

Results

Every 1000‐m increase in altitude was associated with a 1.54 per cent decrease in mean SpO2. The means of pre‐ductal SpO2 at low, mild and moderate groups were 97.9%, 96.4% and 95.5%, respectively. We used the 2.5th percentile of SpO2 distribution as the cut‐off for neonatal SpO2 screening and defined new cut‐off values of ≤93% for mild altitudes, ≤92% for moderate altitudes and no adjustment for low altitudes.

Conclusion

We recommend revised cut‐off values for neonatal SpO2 at mild and moderate altitudes and provide new values for paediatricians to refer to when screening neonates for severe congenital heart or lung diseases.
Nilotinib efficacy, safety, adherence and impact on quality of life in newly diagnosed patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia in chronic phase: a prospective observational study in daily clinical practice
Authors: Huguet Françoise , Cayuela Jean‐Michel , Cambier Nathalie , Carpentier Nathalie , Tindel Malka , Violet Isabelle , Zunic Patricia , Lascaux Axelle , Etienne Gabriel ,   AdheRMC Investigators
Published: August 2019

This observational, prospective study assessed, in a daily clinical practice, the molecular response, safety, quality of life (QoL) and treatment adherence in 183 patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia in chronic phase (CML‐CP), receiving nilotinib as first‐line treatment. Premature study termination before 24 months of follow‐up occurred in 61 patients (33·3%), and was essentially due to nilotinib treatment discontinuation (n = 53; 29%), motivated by treatment intolerance (n = 29; 15·8%) and inefficacy (n = 19; 10·4%). After 24 months of treatment, 112/122 patients (91·8%) had a molecular assessment, 95·5% of whom achieved a major molecular response (MMR), 32·1% achieved uMR4, defined as an undetectable molecular disease with 4‐log molecular response sensitivity (≥10 000 ABL1 transcripts). The Morisky Green Levine Medication Adherence Scale was completed by 94/122 patients (77·0%), and 89·4% of these patients obtained a satisfactory level of treatment adherence, defined as a score ≥3. Patients’ QoL was good at baseline and stable during the follow‐up period. The two most common nilotinib‐related adverse events (AEs) were pruritus (14·8%) and asthenia (13·7%). Seven patients (3·8%) experienced at least one cardiovascular ischaemic AE. This French nationwide cohort study provides relevant information in daily clinical practice indicating that nilotinib is a valuable first‐line treatment option for CML‐CP patients.
The contribution of mentoring to the life skills of youth leaving care in Israel
Authors: Sulimani‐Aidan Yafit , Melkman Eran , Greeson Johanna K.P.
Published: August 2019

The goal of this study was to examine the contribution of natural mentoring to the improvement of life skills among youth in care in core areas of education, employment, and avoidance of risk behaviours while controlling for personal characteristics and placement history. The sample includes 174 adolescents in residential care in Israel. Results showed that mentoring duration and mentoring functions including mentor as “role model,” “parental figure,” and “independence promoter” significantly contributed to the prediction of the three life skills above and beyond control variables. This study highlights both the array of meaningful roles mentors play in youth's development of life skills and identifies important practice implications regarding the mechanism by which mentoring relationships contribute to the resilience of adolescents.
Normative Social Role Concepts in Early Childhood
Authors: Foster‐Hanson Emily , Rhodes Marjorie
Published: August 2019

The current studies (N = 255, children ages 4–5 and adults) explore patterns of age‐related continuity and change in conceptual representations of social role categories (e.g., “scientist”). In Study 1, young children's judgments of category membership were shaped by both category labels and category‐normative traits, and the two were dissociable, indicating that even young children's conceptual representations for some social categories have a “dual character.” In Study 2, when labels and traits were contrasted, adults and children based their category‐based induction decisions on category‐normative traits rather than labels. Study 3 confirmed that children reason based on category‐normative traits because they view them as an obligatory part of category membership. In contrast, adults in this study viewed the category‐normative traits as informative on their own (not only as a cue to obligations). Implications for continuity and change in representations of social role categories will be discussed.
Curriculum gaps for adult climate literacy
Authors: Cooper Olivia , Keeley Annika , Merenlender Adina
Published: August 2019

Conservation scientists need to advance climate literacy so that people understand how climate affects all of life, acquire the skills to communicate about climate change, and become aware of ways to increase local resiliency. We examined syllabus content for 74 general climate change courses taught at the undergraduate college‐level to investigate the scope and extent to which these climate change courses include key topics to advance climate literacy. By analyzing the textual data, we discovered most courses had a strong focus on biogeophysical science and only 8.8 and 9.4% of the terms that occurred in this sample were connected to climate change solutions and communication, respectively. The fine category “Organisms,” which includes terms for specific animals such as “jellyfish” and “urchin” and related terms like “species”, was only observed in 26% of the syllabi; and the term “biodiversity” was mentioned seven times, “extinction” four times, and “animal” was mentioned two times across all 74 syllabi. This reveals a potential gap in addressing the impacts of climate change on biodiversity, and the role of some species in regulating climate. We recommend educators include a broader array of inter‐disciplinary topics, place‐based information, communication strategies, and mitigation and adaptation solutions to bridge the gap between climate science, literacy, and action.
New regionally modelled soil layers improve prediction of vegetation type relative to that based on global soil models
Authors: Cramer Michael D. , Wootton Lara M. , van Mazijk Ruan , Verboom George Anthony
Published: August 2019

Aim

High‐resolution spatial soil data are crucial to species distribution modelling for fundamental research and conservation planning. Recent globally modelled soil layers (e.g. SoilGrids) have transformed distribution modelling, but may fail to represent regional soil characteristics accurately. We hypothesize that in the Cape biodiversity hotspot of South Africa, the use of global soil layers has led to underestimation of the importance of edaphic factors as determinants of species’ and vegetation distributions. We present a series of new, regionally modelled layers to address this deficiency.

Location

Greater Cape Floristic Region (GCFR, South Africa).

Methods

We georeferenced edaphic characteristics from literature and other sources and used boosted regression trees (BRT) to associate edaphic characteristics with spatially explicit topographic, climatic, soil texture and biotic variables. Multinomial BRTs were used to predict mapped vegetation types from the collated edaphic and other data.

Results

BRTs reliably predicted pH (92% of variance), Na (87%), K (85%), electrical conductivity (81%) and P (73%), but were less accurate for total N (55%) and total C (61%), for which data were sparser. Soil clay and pH values differed markedly in range and in spatial variation from those in SoilGrids. Using our new edaphic layers, we were able to accurately predict spatial distributions of vegetation types within the GCFR (multi‐class AUC = 0.96). The multinomial BRT predicted vegetation less well when based on SoilGrids data alone (AUC = 0.84).

Main conclusions

The more faithful representation of soil properties in our model is attributable both to its use of ca. 10‐fold more samples, and to its regional focus. Our model of edaphic characteristics captures important edaphic variability that is vital for understanding plant and consequently faunal distributions, with wide‐ranging conservation implications. Ongoing development of global syntheses of soil data requires more samples, especially in areas with high spatial heterogeneity and extreme edaphic conditions.
Artificial intelligence using a convolutional neural network for automatic detection of small‐bowel angioectasia in capsule endoscopy images
Authors: Tsuboi Akiyoshi , Oka Shiro , Aoyama Kazuharu , Saito Hiroaki , Aoki Tomonori , Yamada Atsuo , Matsuda Tomoki , Fujishiro Mitsuhiro , Ishihara Soichiro , Nakahori Masato , Koike Kazuhiko , Tanaka Shinji , Tada Tomohiro
Published: August 2019

Background and Aim

Although small‐bowel angioectasia is reported as the most common cause of bleeding in patients and frequently diagnosed by capsule endoscopy (CE) in patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding, a computer‐aided detection method has not been established. We developed an artificial intelligence system with deep learning that can automatically detect small‐bowel angioectasia in CE images.

Methods

We trained a deep convolutional neural network (CNN) system based on Single Shot Multibox Detector using 2237 CE images of angioectasia. We assessed its diagnostic accuracy by calculating the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC‐AUC), sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value using an independent test set of 10 488 small‐bowel images, including 488 images of small‐bowel angioectasia.

Results

The AUC to detect angioectasia was 0.998. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of CNN were 98.8%, 98.4%, 75.4%, and 99.9%, respectively, at a cut‐off value of 0.36 for the probability score.

Conclusions

We developed and validated a new system based on CNN to automatically detect angioectasia in CE images. This may be well applicable to daily clinical practice to reduce the burden of physicians as well as to reduce oversight.
The rise and fall of budget support: Ownership, bargaining and donor commitment problems in foreign aid
Authors: Swedlund Haley J. , Lierl Malte
Published: August 2019

Motivation

Budget support is the form of aid most commonly associated with recipient‐country ownership. However, a number of scholars and practitioners have criticized the approach as masking new forms of conditionality. Was budget support simply a guise for increasing donor influence in recipient countries? How can we explain the rapid shift towards budget support, as well as the rapid decline in its popularity after only a few years?

Purpose

We use a bargaining framework to explain the rise and fall of budget support. Contrary to explanations that suggest that budget support was a normative decision by donors designed to increase aid effectiveness by fostering ownership, a bargaining framework emphasizes that aid policy is the result of sustained negotiations between donors and recipients. These negotiations, however, are constrained by donors’ inability to deliver aid as promised.

Approach

We use a Nash bargaining framework to formalize the predictions of a bargaining model. From the model, two testable predictions emerge: (1) in exchange for more credible commitments, recipient governments are willing to selectively offer donor agencies greater access to and influence over domestic policy decision‐making; and (2) in exchange for such influence, donor agencies are willing to exert less pressure on recipients to be politically inclusive. We then test the implications of the model using case‐study evidence from Rwanda and Tanzania.

Findings

The empirical data, based on over 80 interviews with practitioners over several periods of research in both countries, provide substantial evidence in support of the model’s core assumptions and predictions. Contrary to claims that budget support increased recipient‐country ownership, interviews (identified as personal communications) suggest that, in exchange for more credible commitments, recipient governments were willing to grant donors greater access and influence. In return, donor agencies reduced demands on the recipient government regarding political inclusivity, tacitly accepting arrangements that centralized decision‐making and excluded civil society. When donor agencies could no longer provide budget support as promised, these negotiated arrangements broke down.

Policy Implications

The findings challenge a common narrative that donors embraced budget support because of a normative commitment to ownership. They also demonstrate the value of a bargaining framework. To understand why particular forms of aid, like budget support, rise in popularity only to quickly fall by the wayside, we need to understand what donor agencies and recipient governments bargain over and why.
Aligning teacher competence frameworks to 21st century challenges: The case for the European Digital Competence Framework for Educators (Digcompedu)
Authors: Caena Francesca , Redecker Christine
Published: August 2019

Teachers need to update their competence profiles for 21st century challenges. Teaching strategies need to change and so do the competences teachers need to develop so as to empower 21st‐century learners. The European Framework for the Digital Competence of Educators (DigCompEdu) represents a paradigmatic example of this endeavour, taking stock of these needs. Defining the requirements of education professionals by teacher competence frameworks can serve multiple purposes at different levels in education systems. At the micro level, it can support and guide teachers' practice and continuous professional development. At the meso level of local education governance, it can support the development of school institutions as learning organisations, providing common ground for dialogue, collaboration and reflection in professional communities of practice. At the macro level of quality assurance, it can provide reference standards for initial teacher education, and for education professionals' quality along the career continuum. The European Framework for the Digital Competence of Educators was designed to align with institutional and contextual requirements in different countries, whilst remaining open to adaptation and updating. It links teachers' and students' digital competence development, and can be linked to institutional capacity building. At the same time, the framework is generic enough to apply to different educational settings and to allow for adaptation as technological possibilities and constraints evolve.
Extracorporeal shockwave therapy raises mechanical nociceptive threshold in horses with thoracolumbar pain
Authors: Trager L. R. , Funk R. A. , Clapp K. S. , Dahlgren L. A. , Werre S. R. , Hodgson D. R. , Pleasant R. S.
Published: August 2019

Background

Although extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) is a common treatment for horses with back pain, effects on mechanical nociceptive threshold (MNT) and multifidus muscle cross sectional area (CSA) in the spine are unknown.

Objectives

To evaluate effects of ESWT on spinal MNT and multifidus muscle CSA in horses with thoracolumbar pain.

Study design

Non‐randomised trial.

Methods

Thoracolumbar spines of 12 horses with thoracolumbar pain were radiographed to document existing pathology. Each horse received three ESWT treatments, 2 weeks apart (days 0, 14, 28). Palpation scores were documented (days 0, 45 and 65). Ultrasonographic CSA of left and right multifidus muscles was recorded at T12, T14, T16, T18, L3 and L5 (days 0, 45 and 65). MNT was measured at the same spinal sites every 7 days (day 0–56).

Results

Mechanical nociceptive threshold in 10/12 horses (83%) was greater at each time point compared with day 0 (P < 0.05). Mechanical nociceptive threshold increased at all time points at six sites in 2/12 (16%), at five sites in 3/12 (25%), at four sites in 4/12 (33%) and at one site in 1/12 (8%; P < 0.05). Mechanical nociceptive threshold average per cent  increase from day 0 to 56 was 64% for the thoracic region (T12–T18) and 29% for the lumbar region (L3–L5). There was no statistical difference in MNT from day 35 to 56 (P = 0.25). A bimodal analgesic trend was observed following ESWT. Degree of radiographic change was not associated with response to treatment. No significant change in multifidus muscle CSA was observed.

Main limitations

Small study size and lack of control group.

Conclusions

Three treatments of ESWT 2 weeks apart raised MNT over a 56‐day period in horses with back pain, but did not influence change in CSA of the multifidus muscle. While ESWT appears justifiable for analgesia, physiotherapeutic techniques may be necessary in conjunction for concurrent muscle rehabilitation.
The impact of peer corrective feedback on vocabulary development
Authors: Sippel Lieselotte
Published: August 2019

This study explored whether form‐focused instruction (FFI) and peer corrective feedback (CF) facilitated vocabulary development during peer interaction (PI). Third‐semester learners of German were assigned to a PI group (peer interaction only), PI FFI group (peer interaction and form‐focused instruction), or PI FFI CF group (peer interaction, form‐focused instruction, and peer corrective feedback). Participants in all groups engaged in peer interaction activities, but only the PI FFI group and the PI FFI CF group received form‐focused vocabulary instruction on German nouns, along with their grammatical genders and plural forms. Only the PI FFI CF group was taught to provide feedback to peers during peer interaction. Results from a pretest and two posttests revealed that both experimental groups outperformed the control group on measures of productive and receptive vocabulary, grammatical genders, and noun plurals. In addition, the PI FFI CF group outperformed the PI FFI group on measures of productive and receptive vocabulary. These results highlight the importance of metacognitive instruction for vocabulary development during peer interaction.
Global warming promotes biological invasion of a honey bee pest
Authors: Cornelissen Bram , Neumann Peter , Schweiger Oliver
Published: August 2019

Climate change and biological invasions are two major global environmental challenges. Both may interact, e.g. via altered impact and distribution of invasive alien species. Even though invasive species play a key role for compromising the health of honey bees, the impact of climate change on the severity of such species is still unknown. The small hive beetle (SHB, Aethina tumida, Murray) is a parasite of honey bee colonies. It is endemic to sub‐Saharan Africa and has established populations on all continents except Antarctica. Since SHBs pupate in soil, pupation performance is governed foremost by two abiotic factors, soil temperature and moisture, which will be affected by climate change. Here, we investigated SHB invasion risk globally under current and future climate scenarios. We modelled survival and development time during pupation (=pupal performance) in response to soil temperature and soil moisture using published and novel experimental data. Presence data on SHB distribution were used for model validation. We then linked the model with global soil data in order to classify areas (resolution: 10 arcmin; i.e. 18.6 km at the equator) as unsuitable, marginal and suitable for SHB pupation performance. Under the current climate, the results show that many areas globally yet uninvaded are actually suitable, suggesting considerable SHB invasion risk. Future scenarios of global warming project a vehement increase in climatic suitability for SHB and corresponding potential for invasion, especially in the temperate regions of the Northern hemisphere, thereby creating demand for enhanced and adapted mitigation and management. Our analysis shows, for the first time, effects of global warming on a honey bee pest and will help areas at risk to prepare adequately. In conclusion, this is a clear case for global warming promoting biological invasion of a pest species with severe potential to harm important pollinator species globally.
The role of CCR1 and therapeutic effects of anti‐CCL3 antibody in herpes simplex virus‐induced Behçet's disease mouse model
Authors: Sayeed Hasan M. , Lee Eun‐So , Byun Hae‐Ok , Sohn Seonghyang
Published: August 2019

Behçet's disease (BD) is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease with unclear etiopathogenesis. Although gene variants of CC chemokine receptor type 1 (CCR1) have been reported, the protein expression of CCR1 in patients with BD remains unclear. The objective of this study was to analyze the frequencies of CCR1+ cells in a herpes simplex virus‐induced mouse model of BD. The frequencies of CCR1+ cells on the surface and in the cytoplasm of peripheral blood mononuclear cells and lymph nodes were analyzed by flow cytometry. The CCR1+ cells were significantly down‐regulated in BD mice compared with the normal control and symptom‐free control mice. Colchicine and pentoxifylline treatment improved the symptoms of BD and increased the frequencies of CCR1+ cells in BD mice. Treatment with chemokine CC motif ligand 3 (CCL3), a ligand of CCR1, caused BD symptoms to deteriorate in 10 of 16 BD mice (62·5%) via down‐regulation of CCR1+ cells. Anti‐CCL3 antibody treatment ameliorated BD symptoms in 10 of 20 mice (50%) and significantly decreased the disease severity score compared with CCL3‐treated BD mice (P = 0·01) via up‐regulation of CCR1+ cell frequencies. In patients with BD, plasma levels of CCL3 in an active state were significantly higher than in healthy control individuals (P = 0·02). These results show that the up‐regulation of CCR1+ cells was related to the control of systemic inflammation of BD in mouse models.
Barriers to quality of work life among Bangladeshi nurses: a qualitative study
Authors: Akter N. , Akter M.K. , Turale S.
Published: August 2019

Aim

To explore and provide understanding of the barriers to quality of work life among registered nurses in Bangladesh.

Background

Globally, there is growing interest in the working environments of nurses, especially at a time of nursing shortages and with the focus on safety and care quality in health systems. In a low socio‐economic country like Bangladesh, nurses struggle in a grossly underfunded healthcare system to deliver care to the people but no studies have been conducted on their quality of work life.

Methods

This qualitative descriptive study was conducted at three Bangladeshi tertiary hospitals in May 2015–January 2016. Three focus group discussions were held with 30 registered nurses exploring their perceived barriers to quality of work life. Data were analysed with content analysis.

Findings

Seven barriers to their work‐life arose: heavy workloads; lack of government accommodation and transportation; poor health status; lack of support from nursing supervisors; lack of promotion opportunities; incomplete hospital policies and procedures; and lack of night shift and risk allowances.

Discussion

Participants described many issues and barriers impacting on their work‐life. They perceived little reward for their hard work, felt that their health suffered from their working conditions and described a low QWL.

Conclusion and policy implications

Findings provide information for nursing and health policymakers and leaders to reduce barriers to improve work‐life quality among nurses that can contribute better to quality of nursing care, and nursing retention and satisfaction. Work policies and practices, and funding and other resources need to be scrutinized to ensure better working conditions for Bangladeshi nurses.

Limitations

Interviews were conducted with nurses only in tertiary hospitals in the Bangladeshi capital, and understanding of barriers to work‐life quality of nurses in other health settings and regions needs to be explored.
Adaptation and validation of the Stanford Presenteeism Scale‐6 in healthcare professionals
Authors: Baldonedo‐Mosteiro M. , Sánchez‐Zaballos M. , Rodríguez‐Díaz F.J. , Herrero J. , Mosteiro‐Díaz M.P.
Published: August 2019

Aim

To develop and psychometrically test the Stanford Presenteeism Scale‐6 to assess presenteeism in the Spanish healthcare population.

Background

Presenteeism, referring to going to work despite being ill, has been associated with job stress, productivity losses, reduced patient safety and increased health problems among the professionals who suffer from it.

Introduction

The highest prevalence of presenteeism in the healthcare sector is among nurses. Their decision to attend work while ill has been related to role overload, lack of supervisor support, mental health and physical conditions.

Methods

A cross‐sectional and validation study was conducted between September 2015 and June 2016 in a hospital in Asturias, Spain. Four hundred and ninety‐five healthcare professionals voluntarily agreed to participate (281 nurses, 122 physicians and 92 nursing assistants).

Results

Presenteeism prevalence was high; the majority of it being in the nursing category. Bartlett's test and the Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin test indicated that the data meet the conditions for factorial analysis, evidencing a small variability in the median of each sample item and a significant standard deviation. Adjustment rates obtained in the exploratory factor analysis showed adequacy, and reliability rates also showed adequacy for both factors. It was verified by a confirmatory analysis that the factors of presenteeism are positively associated with burnout.

Conclusion

The Stanford Presenteeism Scale‐6 showed good psychometric properties to study presenteeism in the Spanish healthcare sector.

Implications for Nursing and Health Policy

Nursing leaders must develop measurements to assess and control psychosocial risks in order to improve the physical and mental health of professionals and reduce patient safety risks.