bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Pransky interview: Tony (Harvey) Koselka, Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer, Vision Robotics Corporation
Authors: Pransky Joanne
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The following paper is a “Q&A interview” conducted by Joanne Pransky of Industrial Robot Journal as a method to impart the combined technological, business and personal experience of a robotic industry engineer-turned-innovator regarding the challenges of bringing technological discoveries to fruition. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

The interviewee is Tony Koselka, Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer, Vision Robotics Corporation (VRC). In this interview, Koselka shares how he first got started in the robotics field along with his experiences in running his start-up.

Findings

Koselka earned a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from MIT. Prior to his work at VRC, he successfully co-founded and sold his first start-up, CyberGear. VRC was formed in 1999 with the goal to develop autonomous robotic solutions that focused on vision-based mapping. With strategic partners, the team began work on consumer applications that enabled the company to create a uniquely robust and cost-effective approach to robotics. It entered the agricultural market in 2004 with a feasibility study for harvesting oranges. While waiting for picking-hand technology to catch up with the machine vision, the initial concept transformed into a deployable crop-load estimation system for tree fruit. In 2011, VRC was approached by lettuce growers to develop a lettuce thinner. In a few months, the company built its lettuce thinner, which was released in 2012 and since then has collectively thinned hundreds of thousands of acres.

Originality/value

Koselka is an award-winning design engineer who holds 21 US patents. He has managed the design of all the mechanical systems of his start-up, VRC, including those on the lettuce thinner and the grapevine pruner, which enable robots to intelligently and accurately perform myriad tasks, including pruning, weeding and thinning.
What makes a brand interesting? Why care?
Authors: Alexandrov Aliosha , Leisen Pollack Birgit
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Despite the common understanding of what interestingness is, few people can explain what makes something interesting. The purpose of this paper is to explore the theoretical foundation of interestingness and test if it has merit in the branding context. It aims to help practitioners understand how to make a brand interesting and what outcomes to expect from it.

Design/methodology/approach

Three preliminary studies (Studies 1, 2 and 3) provide proof of concept. Study 4 tests the antecedences and outcomes of brand interestingness (BI) across 66 brands by accounting for individual and brand variations. Study 5 examines the moderating effects of brand use and brand familiarity on BI and its outcomes.

Findings

A broad literature review reveals that interestingness is an emotion and is, therefore, an affective state. The findings from two exploratory studies show that customers naturally associate interestingness with specific brands and interesting brands are associated with novelty. Study 3 demonstrates that from all affective states arising from the evaluation of a brand (i.e. easiness, pleasantness, interestingness, challenge and difficulty), BI has the highest effect on purchase intention (PI). Study 4 demonstrates that the antecedents of BI are the novelty associated with the symbolic and functional aspects of a brand, and also the ability to cope with those novelty components. Two positive outcomes of BI are PI and word of mouth (WOM). Study 5 demonstrates that brand familiarity and brand use moderate the effect of BI on purchase intent and WOM. The research concludes with an operational definition of the BI concept and future research suggestions.

Originality/value

The research introduces the interesting concept in the brand context. Based on a broad literature review and several studies, it identifies the antecedents and outcomes of BI. It helps practitioners understand how they can increase the interestingness of brands and what outcomes to expect.
Entrepreneurial-oriented strategic renewal in a Brazilian SME: a case study
Authors: Moretti Débora Monteiro , Alves Flávia Chaves , Bomtempo José Vitor
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Firms around the world seek new paths to maintain competitiveness and renew their businesses. Although entrepreneurial-orientation (EO) is extensively researched, there is some ambiguity regarding different variables that mediate the effects of such strategy on business performance. Hence, current literature lacks in-depth studies that provide useful tools for companies to implement effective change, in contrast to the quantitative methods normally applied.

Design/methodology/approach

Through an in-depth case study, the authors explored whether the implementation of an entrepreneurial-oriented strategy by an incumbent firm in Brazil would renew its business and potentially increase its performance.

Findings

The study showed that performance is achieved when the pervasiveness of EO activities spurs the company's boundaries, promoting not only intraorganizational changes but also multiple-stakeholder engagement.

Research limitations/implications

This study reinforces the idea that EO alone may not be sufficient to increase firm performance and must be considered more comprehensively. Although case studies always suffer from the problem of generalization, the authors provide a good illustration of a strategy being implemented in a constrained-resource environment.

Practical implications

This paper contributes to practice by discussing a real-life situation of a small company from an emerging economy.

Originality/value

The authors provide a holistic view of the firm, presenting the managerial changes in a new framework, which combines EO and inward- and outward-looking perspectives.
Untangling knowledge fields and knowledge dynamics within the decision-making process
Authors: Bratianu Constantin , Vătămănescu Elena-Mădălina , Anagnoste Sorin , Dominici Gandolfo
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the influences of different types of knowledge and their inherent dynamics on the effectiveness of the decision-making (DM) process. Knowledge dynamics (KD) is envisioned through the lens of the knowledge fields theory while effective DM process is objectivised via organisational appreciation and reward, higher business performance, sustainable partnerships and managerial satisfaction with previous achievements.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire-based survey was conducted with 275 middle managers from companies operating in the business consulting field. The conceptual and structural model was tested using the partial least squares structural equation modelling technique.

Findings

The study advances novel insights into the significant positive influences of various knowledge fields on KD on the DM process within real-life business environments. Even though rational knowledge exerts a noteworthy effect on DM, its influence is exceeded by the KD, which proves that integrating emotional and spiritual knowledge in the decisional equation may become a pivotal input to making good managerial decisions regardless of the level of regulation and standardisation in the field.

Research limitations/implications

The research relied on threefold knowledge fields as predictors for the DM process, thus providing a starting point for the development of more complex models.

Originality/value

The study emerges as a groundbreaking approach via the integration and application of the knowledge fields theory within a more comprehensive and empirical outlook on the DM process. Simultaneously, it places DM beyond the unidimensional outcomes of rationality and intuition by urging its intricate and interactional nature.
Strategic entrepreneurship
Authors: Lombardi Rosa , Tiscini Riccardo , Trequattrini Raffaele , Martiniello Laura
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the characteristics and personal values of a successful entrepreneur in order to understand the quality of such characteristics. Thus, this paper aims to investigate how these characteristics and personal values impact strategic decision-making and outcomes driving the success and growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Design/methodology/approach

The research question is answered through a single case study approach based on the case of the charismatic and flourishing entrepreneur and owner of Gemar Balloons, a balloon-manufacturing company established in the centre of Italy a century ago.

Findings

The paper shows how the success of SMEs in a dynamic environment is influenced by the central resource, “the entrepreneur”, whose entrepreneurial mindset, culture and leadership are essential and partially replicable. They allow strategic management to seek opportunities and develop innovation, achieving competitive advantages and creating wealth.

Practical implications

This paper contributes to an understanding of how values and specific personal characteristics establish an entrepreneurial mindset, culture and leadership, and whether and how these factors are exportable and repeatable. In this way, it allows a better understanding of how possible it is to establish an entrepreneurial mindset and culture by working on a younger generation's values and characteristics. Moreover, it explains why and how entrepreneurial SME leaders are best able to make decisions and manage resources strategically to create competitive advantages.

Originality/value

The paper is new because it shows the distinctive values and characteristics influencing the emerging strategic decision-making model and corporate outcomes.
Multi-material 3D printed hydraulic actuator for medical robots
Authors: Siegfarth Marius , Pusch Tim Philipp , Pfeil Antoine , Renaud Pierre , Stallkamp Jan
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the potential of using polymer multi-material additive manufacturing (MMAM) to produce miniature hydraulic piston actuators combining rigid structures and flexible seals. Such actuators offer great potential for medical robots in X-ray and magnetic resonance environments, where conventional piston actuators cannot be used because of safety issues caused by metal components.

Design/methodology/approach

Hydraulic pistons with two different integrated flexible seal shapes are designed and manufactured using MMAM. Design 1 features a ring-shaped seal made from a flexible material that is printed on the surface of the rigid piston shaft. Design 2 appears identical from the outside, yet an axial opening in the piston shaft is added to enable self-reinforced sealing as fluid pressure increases. For both designs, samples with three different outer diameters are fabricated leading to a total of six different piston versions. The pistons are then evaluated regarding leakage, friction and durability.

Findings

Measurement results show that the friction force for Design 2 is lower than that of Design 1, making Design 2 more suitable for the intended application. None of the versions of Design 2 shows leakage for pressures up to 1.5 MPa. For Design 1, leak-tightness varies with the outer diameter, yet none of the versions is consistently leak-tight at 1.5 MPa. Furthermore, the results show that prolonged exposure to water decreases the durability of the flexible material significantly. The durability the authors observe may, however, be sufficient for short-term or single-use devices.

Originality/value

The authors investigate a novel design approach for hydraulic piston actuators based on MMAM. These actuators are of particular interest for patient-specific medical devices used in radiological interventions, where metal-free components are required to safely operate in X-ray and magnetic resonance environments. This study may serve as a basis for the development of new actuators, as it shows a feasible solution, yet pointing out critical aspects such as the influence of small geometry changes or material performance changes caused by water absorption.
Influence of corticosteroid therapy on viral reactivation in drug‐induced hypersensitivity syndrome/drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms
Authors: Tohyama Mikiko , Hashimoto Koji , Oda Fumiko , Namba Chika , Sayama Koji
Published: March 2020

Drug‐induced hypersensitivity syndrome (DIHS)/drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) is a severe adverse drug reaction characteristically associated with sequential reactivation of herpesviruses, such as human herpesvirus 6 (HHV‐6), Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV), and cytomegalovirus (CMV). Since systemic corticosteroids are thought to result in viral reactivation due to their immunosuppressive effects, we clarified the influence of systemic corticosteroid therapy on viral reactivation in DIHS/DRESS. Viral DNA in peripheral whole blood and serum sIL‐2R level were measured during the disease course in twenty DIHS/DRESS patients. Six of seven patients treated without corticosteroids experienced HHV‐6 viremia associated with elevated serum sIL‐2R levels. In contrast, high‐dose corticosteroids started within 1 week after onset tended to inhibit the occurrence of HHV‐6 reactivation with remarkable suppression of serum sIL‐2R level. Low‐dose corticosteroids or late‐start high‐dose corticosteroids did not suppress occurrence of HHV‐6 viremia and the increase of sIL‐2R levels. HHV‐6 load in the blood was clearly correlated with the serum sIL‐2R level. On the other hand, increased CMV load were found in patients treated with corticosteroids regardless of the start time. The frequency of detection of EBV DNA in peripheral blood was similarly observed in all groups. In conclusion, high‐dose corticosteroids started within 1 week tended to suppress HHV‐6 reactivation through suppression of T cell activation. However, CMV proliferation was promoted by corticosteroids regardless of the start time. These observations suggested that careful consideration should be given to the dose and timing of administration of systemic corticosteroids in the treatment of DIHS/DRESS.
Trait‐based food web model reveals the underlying mechanisms of biodiversity–ecosystem functioning relationships
Authors: Maureaud Aurore , Andersen Ken H. , Zhang Lai , Lindegren Martin
Published: March 2020

The concept of biodiversity–ecosystem functioning (BEF) has been studied over the last three decades using experiments, theoretical models and more recently observational data. While theoretical models revealed that species richness is the best metric summarizing ecosystem functioning, it is clear that ecosystem function is explained by other variables besides species richness. Additionally, theoretical models rarely focus on more than one ecosystem function, limiting ecosystem functioning to biomass or production. There is a lack of theoretical background to verify how other components of biodiversity and species interactions support ecosystem functioning.

Here, using simulations from a food web model based on a community assembly process and a trait‐based approach, we test how species biodiversity, food web structure and predator–prey interactions determine several ecosystem functions (biomass, metabolism, production and productivity).

Our results demonstrate that the relationship between species richness and ecosystem functioning depends on the type of ecosystem function considered and the importance of diversity and food web structure differs across functions. Particularly, we show that dominance plays a major role in determining the level of biomass, and it is at least as important as the number of species. We find that dominance occurs in the food web when species do not experience strong predation.

By manipulating the structure of the food web, we show that species using a wider trait space (generalist communities) result in more connected food webs and generally reach the same level of functioning with less species. The model shows the importance of generalist versus specialist communities on BEF relationships, and as such, empirical studies should focus on quantifying the importance of diet/habitat use on ecosystem functioning.

Our study provides a better understanding of BEF underlying mechanisms and generates research hypotheses that can be considered and tested in observational studies. We recommend that studies investigating links between biodiversity and ecosystem functions should include metrics of dominance, species composition, trophic structure and possibly environmental trait space. We also advise that more effort should be made into calculating several ecosystem functions and properties with data from natural multitrophic systems.
Inclusion complexes of tea polyphenols with HP‐β‐cyclodextrin:Preparation, characterization, molecular docking, and antioxidant activity
Authors: Zhong Yuanyuan , Li Wenhui , Ran Lidan , Hou Ran , Han Ping , Lu Shiling , Wang Qingling , Zhao Wei , Zhu Yi , Dong Juan
Published: March 2020

The purpose of this study was to prepare and characterize inclusion complexes between tea polyphenol (TP) and hydroxypropyl‐β‐cyclodextrin (HP‐β‐CD), and to evaluate their antioxidant properties. Freeze‐drying was used to prepare the inclusion complex of TP/HP‐β‐CD at different component ratios (1:0.5, 1:1, and 1:2). The supermolecular structure of the TP/HP‐β‐CD complex was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Molecular docking was used to simulate the positions and interactions of the binding sites of TP/HP‐β‐CD inclusion complexes and target protein receptors. In addition, the effects of TP/HP‐β‐CD inclusion complexes on myofibrillar protein (MP) from lamb tripe were observed under oxidative conditions. Results showed that TP was encapsulated in the cavity of HP‐β‐CD to form an optimal complex with 1:2 molar ratio of stoichiometry, while the FTIR, TGA, and SEM studies also support the inclusion process. Molecular modeling results were systematically analyzed to determine the stability of inclusion complexes and protein. Furthermore, the addition of an appropriate concentration (5 to 105 µmol/g) of TP/HP‐β‐CD inclusion complex decreased the carbonyl content, hydrophobicity, and protein aggregation of MP from lamb tripe, whereas it increased the sulfhydryl content. This improved antioxidant activity and bioavailability of the inclusion complexes will be beneficial for its potential applications in food.

Practical Application

Tea polyphenol was an antioxidant with potential for the field of food. In this study, the unstable properties of tea polyphenols were evaluated and were improved by inclusion of HP‐β‐cyclodextrin. The binding mode of the inclusion complex with protein was revealed via the molecular docking method, and the application of inclusion complex to control protein oxidation was studied. Results showed that the inclusion complex could effectively inhibit protein oxidation, which can provide a reference for the application of polyphenols in meat products and the improvement of protein properties.
Product safety, contracts, and liability
Authors: Hua Xinyu , Spier Kathryn E.
Published: March 2020

A firm sells a dangerous product to heterogeneous consumers. Higher consumer types suffer accidents more often but may enjoy higher gross benefits. The firm invests resources to reduce the frequency of accidents. When the consumer's net benefit function (gross benefits minus expected harms) is decreasing in consumer type, the firm contractually accepts liability for accident losses and invests efficiently. When the consumer's net benefit function is increasing in consumer type, the firm contractually disclaims liability and underinvests. Legal interventions, including products liability and limits on contractual waivers and disclaimers, are necessary to raise the level of product safety.
Interruption of Aspergillus niger spore germination by the bacterially produced secondary metabolite collimomycin
Authors: Mosquera Sandra , Stergiopoulos Ioannis , Leveau Johan H. J.
Published: March 2020

Collimonas fungivorans Ter331 (CfTer331) is a soil bacterium that produces collimomycin, a secondary metabolite that inhibits the vegetative growth of fungi. Here we show that CfTer331 can also interfere with fungal spore germination and that collimomycin biosynthesis is required for this activity. More specifically, in co‐cultures of Aspergillus niger N402 (AnN402) co‐nidiospores with CfTer331, the rate of transition from the isotropic to polarized stage of the germination process was reduced and the relatively few AnN402 conidiospores that completed the germination process were less likely to survive than those that were arrested in the isotropic phase. By contrast, a collimomycin‐deficient mutant of CfTer331 had no effect on germination: in its presence, as in the absence or delayed presence of CfTer331, unhindered germination of conidiospores allowed rapid establishment of AnN402 mycelium and the subsequent acidification of the culture medium to the detriment of any bacteria present. However, when challenged early enough with CfTer331, the collimomycin‐dependent arrest of the AnN402 germination process enabled CfTer331 to prevent AnN402 from forming mycelia and to gain dominance in the culture. We propose that the collimomycin‐dependent arrest of spore germination represents an early intervention strategy used by CfTer331 to mitigate niche construction by fungi in nature.
Current use of noninvasive prenatal testing in Europe, Australia and the USA: A graphical presentation
Authors: Gadsbøll Kasper , Petersen Olav B. , Gatinois Vincent , Strange Heather , Jacobsson Bo , Wapner Ronald , Vermeesch Joris R. ,   The NIPT‐map Study Group, Vogel Ida
Published: March 2020

Introduction

Noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) using cell‐free fetal DNA has increasingly been adopted as a screening tool for fetal aneuploidies. Several studies have discussed benefits and limitations of NIPT compared with both ultrasound and invasive procedures, but in spite of some shortcomings NIPT has become extensively used within the last 5 years. This study aims to describe the current use of NIPT in Europe, Australia and the USA.

Material and methods

We conducted a survey to describe the current use of NIPT. Colleagues filled in a simple email‐based questionnaire on NIPT in their own country, providing information on (a) access to NIPT, (b) NIPT’s chromosomal coverage, (c) financial coverage of NIPT for the patient and (d) the proportion of women using NIPT in pregnancy. Some data are best clinical estimates, due to a lack of national data.

Results

In Europe, 14 countries have adopted NIPT into a national policy/program. Two countries (Belgium and the Netherlands) offer NIPT for all pregnant women, whereas most other European countries have implemented NIPT as an offer for higher risk women after first trimester screening. In Australia, either combined first trimester screening (cFTS) or NIPT is used as a primary prenatal screening test. In the USA, there are no national consensus policies on the use of NIPT; however, NIPT is widely implemented. In most European countries offering NIPT, the proportion of women using NIPT is well below 25%. In the Netherlands, Austria, Italy, Spain and most Australian and American States, 25%‐50% of women have NIPT performed and in Belgium testing is above 75%. In most countries, NIPT reports on trisomy 13, 18 and 21, and often also on sex chromosome aneuploidies. Only in Belgium, the Netherlands, Lithuania, Greece, Cyprus and Italy is NIPT offered predominantly as a genome‐wide test (including some microdeletions or a whole genome coverage).

Conclusions

Noninvasive prenatal testing has been widely adopted throughout Europe, Australia and the USA, but only a few countries/states have a national policy on the use of NIPT. The variation in NIPT utilization is considerable.
Endogenous brain‐sparing responses in brain pH and PO2 in a rodent model of birth asphyxia
Authors: Pospelov Alexey S. , Puskarjov Martin , Kaila Kai , Voipio Juha
Published: March 2020

Aim

To study brain‐sparing physiological responses in a rodent model of birth asphyxia which reproduces the asphyxia‐defining systemic hypoxia and hypercapnia.

Methods

Steady or intermittent asphyxia was induced for 15‐45 minutes in anaesthetized 6‐ and 11‐days old rats and neonatal guinea pigs using gases containing 5% or 9% O2 plus 20% CO2 (in N2). Hypoxia and hypercapnia were induced with low O2 and high CO2 respectively. Oxygen partial pressure (PO2) and pH were measured with microsensors within the brain and subcutaneous (“body”) tissue. Blood lactate was measured after asphyxia.

Results

Brain and body PO2 fell to apparent zero with little recovery during 5% O2 asphyxia and 5% or 9% O2 hypoxia, and increased more than twofold during 20% CO2 hypercapnia. Unlike body PO2, brain PO2 recovered rapidly to control after a transient fall (rat), or was slightly higher than control (guinea pig) during 9% O2 asphyxia. Asphyxia (5% O2) induced a respiratory acidosis paralleled by a progressive metabolic (lact)acidosis that was much smaller within than outside the brain. Hypoxia (5% O2) produced a brain‐confined alkalosis. Hypercapnia outlasting asphyxia suppressed pH recovery and prolonged the post‐asphyxia PO2 overshoot. All pH changes were accompanied by consistent shifts in the blood‐brain barrier potential.

Conclusion

Regardless of brain maturation stage, hypercapnia can restore brain PO2 and protect the brain against metabolic acidosis despite compromised oxygen availability during asphyxia. This effect extends to the recovery phase if normocapnia is restored slowly, and it is absent during hypoxia, demonstrating that exposure to hypoxia does not mimic asphyxia.
Letter: are opioid prescriptions associated with hepatic encephalopathy in patients with compensated cirrhosis? Authors' reply
Authors: Moon Andrew M. , Jiang Yue , Rogal Shari S. , Tapper Elliot B. , Lieber Sarah R. , Barritt A. Sidney
Published: March 2020

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Moon et al and Li et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15639 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15661.
Association of the CAV1‐CAV2 locus with normal‐tension glaucoma in Chinese and Japanese
Authors: Lu Shi Yao , Rong Shi Song , Wu Zhenggen , Huang Chukai , Matsushita Kenji , Ng Tsz Kin , Leung Christopher K.S. , Kawashima Rumi , Usui Shinichi , Tam Pancy O.S. , Tsujikawa Motokazu , Young Alvin L. , Zhang Mingzhi , Wiggs Janey L. , Nishida Kohji , Tham Clement C. , Pang Chi Pui , Chen Li Jia
Published: March 2020

Background

The CAV1‐CAV2 locus has been associated with primary open‐angle glaucoma (POAG) and intraocular pressure. However, its association with normal‐tension glaucoma (NTG) was inconclusive. Therefore, we evaluated this association in Chinese and Japanese.

Methods

Two single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs, rs4236601 and rs1052990) from previous genome‐wide association studies of POAG were genotyped in a total of 2220 study subjects: a Hong Kong Chinese cohort of 537 NTG patients and 490 controls, a Shantou Chinese cohort of 102 NTG and 731 controls and an Osaka Japanese cohort of 153 NTG and 207 controls. Subgroup analysis by gender was conducted. Outcomes from different cohorts were combined using meta‐analysis.

Results

SNP rs4236601 was significantly associated with NTG in the two Chinese cohorts (Pmeta = .0019, OR = 4.55, I2 = 0). In contrast, rs4236601 was monomorphic in the Osaka cohort. The association of rs1052990 was insignificant in a meta‐analysis combining Chinese and Japanese cohorts (Pmeta = .81, OR = 1.05; I2 = 64%), and the OR tended towards opposite directions between Chinese (OR = 1.26) and Japanese (OR = 0.69). Gender‐specific effects of the SNPs were not statistically significant in the logistic regression or Breslow‐day tests of ORs (P > .05), although rs4236601 was significant in males (P = .0068; OR = 10.30) but not in females (P = .14; OR = 2.65) in the meta‐analysis of Chinese subjects.

Conclusions

In this study, we confirmed the association of rs4236601 at the CAV1‐CAV2 locus with NTG in Chinese. SNP rs4236601 is monomorphic, and rs1052990 tends towards a different direction in the Japanese cohort. Further studies are warranted to verify the ethnic difference and gender‐specific effects of this locus.
Feasibility study of ultrasound video bronchoscopy for sampling endobronchial lesions
Authors: Oki Masahide , Saka Hideo , Kogure Yoshihito , Oka Saori , Nakahata Masashi , Shigematsu Fumie , Ishida Akane , Kitagawa Chiyoe
Published: March 2020

Introduction

Endobronchial biopsy using forceps is generally performed with a standard bronchoscope, while a needle is used with an endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) bronchoscope. An EBUS video bronchoscope, such as the EB‐530US instrument (Fujifilm, Tokyo, Japan), provides good visibility and may, therefore, enable both forceps biopsies and needle aspirations to be performed.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of performing forceps biopsies and needle aspirations using the EBUS video bronchoscope for diagnosing endobronchial lesions.

Methods

Seventy patients with suspected endobronchial lesions based on a computed tomography scan were recruited and underwent forceps biopsy using the EB‐530US EBUS bronchoscope. If the result of a rapid on‐site cytological evaluation was negative, an additional needle aspiration of the same lesion or other target lesions was performed. The primary outcome was the completion rate of bronchoscopy, using only the EBUS bronchoscope without removal.

Results

In the 70 patients, forceps biopsies and/or needle aspirations using the EBUS video bronchoscope were performed and completed without removing the EBUS bronchoscope in 67 patients (95.7%). The remaining three patients required the removal of the EBUS bronchoscope from the trachea (blood clot obstruction of the working channel in one patient and change to a thin bronchoscope to sample an EBUS bronchoscope‐inaccessible lesion in two others). The EBUS bronchoscope provided diagnostic material in 66 patients (94.3%). One case each of bleeding and pneumonia were observed (1.4%).

Conclusion

Both forceps biopsy and needle aspiration are feasible using a Fujifilm EB‐530US EBUS video bronchoscope.
Is there enough naloxone to deter the diversion? Effect of concurrent administration of intravenous naloxone on opioid agonist effects of intravenous buprenorphine: A randomised, double‐blind, within‐subject, crossover study among opioid‐dependent subjects
Authors: Dhagudu Naveen K. , Ambekar Atul , Agrawal Alok , Rao Ravindra , Mishra Ashwani K. , Jain Raka , Singh Shalini
Published: March 2020

Introduction and Aims

We aimed to evaluate and compare the effect of different intravenous doses of naloxone on reinforcing effect of intravenous buprenorphine (2 mg) in patients stabilised on sublingual buprenorphine.

Design and Methods

This is a double‐blind, within‐subject, randomised, crossover study. Opioid‐dependent patients, with history of intravenous drug use, stabilised on buprenorphine maintenance treatment were included after informed consent (n = 14). We administered and assessed the reinforcing effects of six test conditions: buprenorphine and naloxone co‐formulation (BNX) in 4:1, 2:1 and 1:1 dose ratio (i.e. buprenorphine 2 mg + naloxone 0.5, 1 and 2 mg, respectively), buprenorphine alone (2 mg), pheniramine maleate (45.5 mg) and saline at 24 hourly intervals.

Results

No significant opioid withdrawals were precipitated during any test conditions. Compared to buprenorphine alone, 4:1 BNX had comparable euphoria, drug recognition, subjective opiate sensations and drug liking (P > 0.05); 2:1 BNX condition had significantly different subjective euphoria (P = 0.001), opioid recognition (P = 0.002), subjective opioid sensations at 60 min (P = 0.027) and drug liking (P < 0.001), while 1:1 BNX had significantly different objective euphoria (P = 0.002), opioid recognition (P = 0.030), subjective opioid sensations (P < 0.001) and drug liking (P < 0.001). No significant difference was noted on sedation scores between buprenorphine alone and all three combinations of BNX.

Discussion and Conclusions

The 4:1 BNX condition did not impact the reinforcing agonist effects of buprenorphine. None of the intravenous BNX combination ratios precipitated opioid withdrawals. Findings emphasise the need for exploring more abuse deterrent mechanisms.
Toward a Presentist Pedagogy of Interest
Authors: Zipory Oded
Published: March 2020

In this essay, Oded Zipory assigns a different meaning to presentism in education: one that signifies respect for the present, especially for the actual student in his here‐and‐now. Zipory suggests that the key component of such a presentist pedagogy is interest and argues that focusing on children's current and possible interests instead of, or at least in addition to, working toward their expected future achievement is both respectful of children as meaning‐makers and promising in regard to their autonomy. First, he lays out principles for a presentist pedagogy of interest. Following Harry Frankfurt's work on the concept of care, Zipory suggests that schools should pay attention to the fact that students care about various things in addition to focusing on children's required knowledge and desired behavior. He then shows that being interested in something is a particular form of caring about it, and that this form is closely connected to education and learning. After showing the importance of interests to education, Zipory presents the challenges to incorporating them into a curriculum, and, drawing on P. S. Wilson's work, suggests strategies for coping with these challenges. He concludes by addressing the temporal tension embedded in the word “interest” itself and suggests that, in order to distance education from instrumentalization and commodification, a present‐oriented meaning of interest should be adopted.
Inherited RORB pathogenic variants: Overlap of photosensitive genetic generalized and occipital lobe epilepsy
Authors: Sadleir Lynette G. , de Valles‐Ibáñez Guillem , King Chontelle , Coleman Matthew , Mossman Stuart , Paterson Sarah , Nguyen John , Berkovic Samuel F. , Mullen Saul , Bahlo Melanie , Hildebrand Michael S. , Mefford Heather C. , Scheffer Ingrid E.
Published: March 2020

Variants in RORB have been reported in eight individuals with epilepsy, with phenotypes ranging from eyelid myoclonia with absence epilepsy to developmental and epileptic encephalopathies. We identified novel RORB variants in 11 affected individuals from four families. One was from whole genome sequencing and three were from RORB screening of three epilepsy cohorts: developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (n = 1021), overlap of generalized and occipital epilepsy (n = 84), and photosensitivity (n = 123). Following interviews and review of medical records, individuals' seizure and epilepsy syndromes were classified. Three novel missense variants and one exon 3 deletion were predicted to be pathogenic by in silico tools, not found in population databases, and located in key evolutionary conserved domains. Median age at seizure onset was 3.5 years (0.5‐10 years). Generalized, predominantly absence and myoclonic, and occipital seizures were seen in all families, often within the same individual (6/11). All individuals with epilepsy were photosensitive, and seven of 11 had cognitive abnormalities. Electroencephalograms showed generalized spike and wave and/or polyspike and wave. Here we show a striking RORB phenotype of overlap of photosensitive generalized and occipital epilepsy in both individuals and families. This is the first report of a gene associated with this overlap of epilepsy syndromes.
Spatio‐temporal analyses of marine predator diets from data‐rich and data‐limited systems
Authors: Grüss Arnaud , Thorson James T. , Carroll Gemma , Ng Elizabeth L. , Holsman Kirstin K. , Aydin Kerim , Kotwicki Stan , Morzaria‐Luna Hem N. , Ainsworth Cameron H. , Thompson Kevin A.
Published: March 2020

Accounting for variation in prey mortality and predator metabolic potential arising from spatial variation in consumption is an important task in ecology and resource management. However, there is no statistical method for processing stomach content data that accounts for fine‐scale spatio‐temporal structure while expanding individual stomach samples to population‐level estimates of predation. Therefore, we developed an approach that fits a spatio‐temporal model to both prey‐biomass‐per‐predator‐biomass data (i.e. the ratio of prey biomass in stomachs to predator weight) and predator biomass survey data, to predict “predator‐expanded‐stomach‐contents” (PESCs). PESC estimates can be used to visualize either the annual landscape of PESCs (spatio‐temporal variation), or can be aggregated across space to calculate annual variation in diet proportions (variation among prey items and among years). We demonstrated our approach in two contrasting scenarios: a data‐rich situation involving eastern Bering Sea (EBS) large‐size walleye pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus, Gadidae) for 1992–2015; and a data‐limited situation involving West Florida Shelf red grouper (Epinephelus morio, Epinephelidae) for 2011–2015. Large walleye pollock PESC was predicted to be higher in very warm years on the Middle Shelf of the EBS, where food is abundant. Red grouper PESC was variable in north‐western Florida waters, presumably due to spatio‐temporal variation in harmful algal bloom severity. Our approach can be employed to parameterize or validate diverse ecosystem models, and can serve to address many fundamental ecological questions, such as providing an improved understanding of how climate‐driven changes in spatial overlap between predator and prey distributions might influence predation pressure.
Scale dependence of temporal biodiversity change in modern and fossil marine plankton
Authors: Lewandowska Aleksandra M. , Jonkers Lukas , Auel Holger , Freund Jan A. , Hagen Wilhelm , Kucera Michal , Hillebrand Helmut
Published: March 2020

Aim

Biodiversity dynamics comprise evolutionary and ecological changes on multiple temporal scales from millions of years to decades, but they are often interpreted within a single time frame. Planktonic foraminifera communities offer a unique opportunity for analysing the dynamics of marine biodiversity over different temporal scales. Our study aims to provide a baseline for assessments of biodiversity patterns over multiple time‐scales, which is urgently needed to interpret biodiversity responses to increasing anthropogenic pressure.

Location

Global (26 sites).

Time period

Five time‐scales: multi‐million‐year (0–7 Myr), million‐year (0–0.5 Myr), multi‐millennial (0–15 thousand years), millennial (0–1,100 years) and decadal (0–32 years).

Major taxa studied

Planktonic foraminifera.

Methods

We analysed community composition of planktonic foraminifera at five time‐scales, combining measures of standing diversity (richness and effective number of species, ENS) with measures of temporal community turnover (presence–absence‐based, dominance‐based). Observed biodiversity patterns were compared with the outcome of a neutral model to separate the effects of sampling resolution (the highest in the shortest time series) from biological responses.

Results

Richness and ENS decreased from multi‐million‐year to millennial time‐scales, but higher standing diversity was observed on the decadal scale. As predicted by the neutral model, turnover in species identity and dominance was strongest at the multi‐million‐year time‐scale and decreased towards the millennial scale. However, contrary to the model predictions, modern time series show rapid decadal variation in the dominance structure of foraminifera communities, which is of comparable magnitude as over much longer time periods. Community turnover was significantly correlated with global temperature change, but not on the shortest time‐scale.

Main conclusions

Biodiversity patterns can be to some degree predicted from the scaling effects related to different durations of time series, but changes in the dominance structure observed over the last few decades reach higher magnitude, probably forced by anthropogenic effects, than those observed over much longer durations.
Gender differences in social network of cognitive function among community‐dwelling older adults
Authors: Lee Sungwon , Lee Seungwon , Lee Eun , Youm Yoosik , Cho Hyun Sang , Kim Woo Jung
Published: March 2020

Aim

A social network, which is a set of people connected through socially meaningful relationships, is considered protective for neurocognitive disorders. Men and women have been found to have different opportunities for social participation and it is possible social networks do not form the same way. We hypothesized, male and female social networks would have different protective influences on cognitive function.

Methods

The Korean Social Life, Health, and Aging Project, a cohort study involving health examination and social network survey among adults aged ≥60 years in South Korea was conducted from 2014 to 2015. In total, 501 participants (208 men and 293 women) were included in the study. Through face‐to‐face sessions, participants were asked to answer questionnaires about general characteristics, depressive symptoms, instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), social activity, cognitive function and social network variables (degree, betweenness, and closeness centrality and brokerage roles). Multiple linear regression models were used to investigate whether cognitive functions of men and women are differently influenced by their social networks, and path analysis was used to find the direct/indirect influence of social networks on cognitive function.

Results

Out‐degree centrality and social activity scores were positively correlated with Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores only in women. In both genders, age and IADL scores were negatively associated with MMSE scores, while educational level was positively correlated.

Conclusions

Cognitive function of women was influenced by social activity and the number of members they considered friends. This finding suggests the influence of social networks on cognitive function differ by gender. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; 20: 467–473.
Rural families food intake behaviour in relation to livelihood diversification, income differences and family size
Authors: Haq Shamsheer ul , Boz Ismet , Shahbaz Pomi , Murtaza Muhammad Ramiz
Published: March 2020

The livelihood diversification significantly contributes to the family income having effect on food varieties' consumption in rural families of different sizes. This study investigated the food intake differences among rural families considering different income levels and family sizes. Moreover, barriers faced by the rural families to increase the consumption of food varieties were also analysed. A total of 200 rural families were selected through multistage purposive and random sampling techniques in the Punjab province of Pakistan and were directly interviewed and categorized first into low and high livelihood diversified families. The food groups were derived by assigning individual food to conventional food group taxonomies, and two‐way ANOVA (4 (income groups) × 3 (family size groups) was separately conducted for low and high livelihood diversified families. The income instability, prices of food items, market distance and storage were perceived as barriers for increasing food consumption. The high livelihood diversified families significantly and regularly consumed more food items than low diversified families. The rural households both in low and high livelihood diversified family categories having low income and high family size consumed less expensive food items. The regular consumption of fruits, bakery products, and livestock and dairy items was greatly associated with high income and small family size. One of the most remarkable findings of the multivariate multiple regression model was the households belonging to the lowest income group were significantly lowering the consumption of livestock and dairy food items as the family size increased from small to large family size. The interaction effect was highly associated with per capita income because the consumption of food items increased with the rise in income irrespective of the family size. However, family size groups showed different patterns of food intakes with different income levels. Government agencies should assist rural households to diversify their income portfolios for better nutrition.
Drug survival, discontinuation rates, and safety profile of secukinumab in real‐world patients: a 152‐week, multicenter, retrospective study
Authors: Ruiz‐Villaverde Ricardo , Rodriguez‐Fernandez‐Freire Lourdes , Galán‐Gutierrez Manuel , Armario‐HIta Jose C. , Martinez‐Pilar Leandro
Published: March 2020

Background

Psoriasis is a chronic systemic disease that requires long‐term management. Despite data on follow‐up studies going back 5 years, little is known about the condition's sustainability based on patient profiles. The aim of this study was to analyze drug survival and discontinuation rates for secukinumab treatment under real‐world conditions.

Patients and Methods

Patients with moderate‐to‐severe plaque psoriasis treated in the dermatology department of five Spanish medical centers between 2015 and 2019 were included in our retrospective study. Drug survival was assessed with Kaplan–Meier analysis plots and multivariate regression.

Results

In total, 171 treated patients were retrospectively recorded and analyzed for 152 weeks (37.40% had been diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis [PsA]). The discontinuation rate in the PsA group was 14.10% vs. 12.10% among those who had no PsA. The mean survival time of discontinuation was 63 weeks for PsA vs. 65 weeks for no PsA (P = 0.913). Secukinumab's estimated mean survival in PsA patients was 86% (estimated mean survival time 130 weeks) vs. 88% (estimated mean survival time of 133 weeks) in non‐PsA patients (P = 0.676).

Conclusion

The mean survival time of patients in secukinumab treatment was comparable in all patient profiles and better than the data found in clinical trials and real‐life studies.
Cervicofacial actinomycosis
Authors: Karanfilian Katrice M. , Valentin Monica N. , Kapila Rajendra , Bhate Chinmoy , Fatahzadeh Mahnaz , Micali Giuseppe , Schwartz Robert A.
Published: March 2020

Cervicofacial actinomycosis is an uncommon, chronic, suppurative, and granulomatous bacterial infection. It is often of dental origin and tends to mimic other dental infections, granulomatous disorders, and cancers. The initial diagnostic workup, predicated upon imaging and tissue biopsies, is frequently nonspecific. A definitive diagnosis is usually rendered only after surgical excision and histologic examination of the cervicofacial mass. We propose a classification of three stages: localized infection without sinus involvement, localized infection with sinus involvement, and disseminated infection, to facilitate recognition, diagnosis, and early aggressive treatment. Untreated infection may be life‐threatening. Therapy may require long‐term antibiotics; however, many cases may also necessitate complete surgical excision.
Equity and the environment: An application of the Berliant–Strauss vertical and horizontal equity framework to measuring the distributional effects of air quality regulation
Authors: Heo Jinhyok , Strauss Robert P.
Published: March 2020

The distributional effects of a major air regulation in the United State in 2015 were analyzed using Berliant and Strauss Index Numbers, a set of theoretical and empirical equity metrics, and reduced‐form models that estimate the mortality effects of air pollutant emissions and their source contributions. By viewing the effects of pollution on human mortality as an implicit tax, we found progressivity in 54% to 56% of vertical comparisons and inequity in 92% to 94% of horizontal comparisons. The introduction of the proposed policy made 58% of vertical comparisons more progressive and was equitable to 70% of horizontal comparisons.