bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Heterogeneous alteration of the ERBB3–MYC axis associated with MEK inhibitor resistance in a KRAS-mutated low-grade serous ovarian cancer patient
Authors: Colombo Ilaria , Garg Swati , Danesh Arnavaz , Bruce Jeffrey , Shaw Patricia , Tan Qian , Quevedo Rene , Braunstein Marsela , Oza Amit M. , Pugh Trevor , Lheureux Stephanie
Published: December 2019

Low-grade serous ovarian cancer (LGSOC) is relatively chemoresistant, and no precision therapy is approved for this indication. Despite promising results in phase II trials, MEK inhibitors have failed to show improved progression-free survival in a phase III trial when compared to physician's choice chemotherapy. We report for the first time temporal changes in the tumor genome assessed in sequential tumor samples of a 48-yr-old patient with a KRAS-mutated LGSOC treated with the MEK inhibitor binimetinib. After an initial long-lasting partial response, rapidly progressive brain metastasis occurred, ultimately leading to patient death. Our study demonstrates that novel genomic alterations accumulated during the course of treatment as a result of therapeutic pressures led to MEK inhibitor resistance and, ultimately, disease evolution with an aggressive behavior observed in this patient. In particular, we describe the presence of ERBB3 amplification and aberrant ERBB3–MYC signaling as a potential mechanism of acquired MEK inhibitor resistance in a patient with LGSOC, which is similar to previous observations in KRAS-mutated colon and lung cancers. Our study highlights the need for an individualized approach to better understand tumor genome evolution and suggests that LGSOC patients may derive improved therapeutic benefit by using a combinatorial strategy used in other cancers in order to overcome emergent resistance to targeted therapies.
1q21.1 deletion and a rare functional polymorphism in siblings with thrombocytopenia-absent radius–like phenotypes
Authors: Brodie Seth A. , Rodriguez-Aulet Jean Paul , Giri Neelam , Dai Jieqiong , Steinberg Mia , Waterfall Joshua J. , Roberson David , Ballew Bari J. , Zhou Weiyin , Anzick Sarah L. , Jiang Yuan , Wang Yonghong , Zhu Yuelin J. , Meltzer Paul S. , Boland Joseph , Alter Blanche P. , Savage Sharon A.
Published: December 2019

Thrombocytopenia-absent radii (TAR) syndrome, characterized by neonatal thrombocytopenia and bilateral radial aplasia with thumbs present, is typically caused by the inheritance of a 1q21.1 deletion and a single-nucelotide polymorphism in RBM8A on the nondeleted allele. We evaluated two siblings with TAR-like dysmorphology but lacking thrombocytopenia in infancy. Family NCI-107 participated in an IRB-approved cohort study and underwent comprehensive clinical and genomic evaluations, including aCGH, whole-exome, whole-genome, and targeted sequencing. Gene expression assays and electromobility shift assays (EMSAs) were performed to evaluate the variant of interest. The previously identified TAR-associated 1q21.1 deletion was present in the affected siblings and one healthy parent. Multiple sequencing approaches did not identify previously described TAR-associated SNPs or mutations in relevant genes. We discovered rs61746197 A > G heterozygosity in the parent without the deletion and apparent hemizygosity in both siblings. rs61746197 A > G overlaps a RelA–p65 binding motif, and EMSAs indicate the A allele has higher transcription factor binding efficiency than the G allele. Stimulation of K562 cells to induce megakaryocyte differentiation abrogated the shift of both reference and alternative probes. The 1q21.1 TAR-associated deletion in combination with the G variant of rs61746197 on the nondeleted allele is associated with a TAR-like phenotype. rs61746197 G could be a functional enhancer/repressor element, but more studies are required to identify the specific factor(s) responsible. Overall, our findings suggest a role of rs61746197 A > G and human disease in the setting of a 1q21.1 deletion on the other chromosome.
Supplier performance assessment
Authors: Romule Kristina , Bak Ozlem , Colicchia Claudia , Shaw Sarah
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The discussion of supplier performance assessment and implementation challenges has been evidenced well in the academic literature. However, the analysis of supplier performance assessment has been limited in terms of inclusion of suppliers’ perspective, especially in terms of what key performance indicators they deem to be relevant and aligned with their goals. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to shed light on supplier performance assessment, taking into account both manufacturing company’s and suppliers’ perspective, to evaluate to what extent the utilised performance measures are beneficial to all parties.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on literature review on supplier performance assessment, ten categories of performance measures were established and explored in a case study involving a UK manufacturing company and its suppliers. A questionnaire was distributed to the manufacturing company and their 30 suppliers, resulting with a total of 41 responses.

Findings

From the established ten categories only five categories were highly rated which were: net profits, flexibility and responsiveness, delivery performance and time and cycle time, product quality and availability, which were aligned to financial and internal business process categories.

Research limitations/implications

This study focused on a UK-based company and its relationship with its suppliers and how performance measures were assessed within this context. A further study needs to be conducted in terms of comparing the results of the study to other companies’ supplier performance assessment.

Originality/value

The research on the topic of supplier performance assessment often relates to measurement and highlights measures for assessing suppliers’ performance to a particular industry or area of performance measurement. Hence, this study embeds three distinctive angles including the academic literature on supplier performance assessment, suppliers’ and the manufacturing company’s perspectives.
E-procurement in small and medium sized enterprises; facilitators, obstacles and effect on performance
Authors: Sánchez-Rodríguez Cristóbal , Martínez-Lorente Angel Rafael , Hemsworth David
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze e-procurement in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and its relationship with top management support, IT obstacles and strategic purchasing and the effect of e-procurement on performance (procurement performance and business performance).

Design/methodology/approach

The hypotheses were tested using a sample of 199 managers from SMEs in manufacturing.

Findings

The results indicated a significant relationship between e-procurement in SMEs and top management support, IT obstacles and strategic purchasing. Similarly, the authors found a positive relationship between e-procurement and procurement process performance and business performance.

Practical implications

The findings stress to SME managers, the need to pay attention to top management support, IT obstacles and strategic purchasing when implementing e-procurement. Similarly, it provides evidence of the benefits of e-procurement on procurement process performance and business performance.

Originality/value

This study fills a gap in the literature regarding e-procurement in SMEs and its impact on performance. SMEs constitute a significant part of today’s economies and e-procurement can significantly impact the performance of these organizations.
Employee engagement in generating ideas on internal social media
Authors: Gode Helle Eskesen , Johansen Winni , Thomsen Christa
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore employees’ perceptions of enablers and barriers to engage in multi-vocal dialogues about ideas (ideation) on internal social media (ISM) within a context of corporate communication.

Design/methodology/approach

This exploratory study is based on four data sets: online observations of employee ideation on ISM from 2011 to 2018, semi-structured interviews and informal conversations with two managers (2015–2016), archival material, and semi-structured interviews with 14 employees (2017–2018) in a large, knowledge-intensive Danish organization.

Findings

The study identified various enablers and barriers to engagement related to psychological engagement conditions of meaningfulness, safety and availability. Managers’ communication role or importance of innovation, as well as tensions, e.g. obligation vs option to ideate or employee influence vs no influence, were identified as enabling or constraining employee engagement in ideation on ISM.

Research limitations/implications

Broadening interviews to include employees who decided not to participate in online ideation would increase insights and nuance this study’s results.

Practical implications

Managers need to be aware of the psychological engagement conditions and balance identified enablers, barriers and tensions by acknowledging communication reciprocity on ISM. Not only employees, but also managers, are dialogue partners in employee ideation on ISM.

Originality/value

The study is one of the first to explore enablers of and barriers to psychological engagement conditions in a context central to corporate communication, namely internal innovation communication on ISM, and to study ideation from a coworker perspective.
State-owned enterprises in China: their reform process, performance efficiency and future road
Authors: Huang Qunhui , Jing Yu
Published: December 2019

Purpose

In the 40 years of reform and opening-up toward a more rational micro-economic structure, the proportion of output of state-owned enterprises shows a declining trend. Over the past decade, on one hand, the operational efficiency of state-owned enterprises has tended to be low as compared to other ownership enterprises; on the other hand, the asset–liability ratio of state-owned enterprises has risen against the trend, and still remains high under the recent national policy of “deleveraging.” The paper aims to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

This indicates that the inefficiency of state-owned enterprises that once hindered China’s economic development has not yet been fundamentally solved, and the task of deepening state-owned enterprises reform is still arduous.

Findings

In the process of establishing China’s modern economic system, there will be some “new state-owned enterprises” growing into world-class ones. This requires more effort in enhancing the capacity for independent innovation, improving the level of organizational control, expanding international market opportunities and fulfilling enterprise social responsibilities with high standards.

Originality/value

It is more appropriate for China to have a micro-economic structure in which public ownership predominates and diverse forms of ownership enjoy common prosperity and development.
How Indian home-grown businesses outsmart the MNCs
Authors: Singh Swati , Wagner Ralf
Published: December 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to focus on how home-grown Indian companies explored the potential of Indian middle class and realized an opportunity to seize the market gap not catered by MNCs in India. Across three distinct business contexts, the authors describe the companies’ procedures of developing segment-specific offerings. Doing so, the authors outline novel strategies implemented by these companies to cater to specific needs of the segments.

Design/methodology/approach

Seizing Bandura’s (1986) framework that stresses on the role of cognitive, vicarious, self-reflective and self-regulatory processes, the authors develop a four-layered model of the Indian middle class consumers. Building upon this model, they took multiple case (three caselets) approach for illustrating the strategies of home-grown companies. The authors identify their potential to explore the unknown terrains of various market segments and rework with unique local solutions.

Findings

The study highlights the power of home-grown companies over MNCs in terms of better market understanding and realistic offerings best suited to their needs. Across the divergent business contexts the companies’ strategies have four features in common: customer targeting and developing; localization of business models, particularly services; relating the products to the Indian society; and ethnocentrism and pride.

Research limitations/implications

This study gives priority to a “thick” description of the proceedings without claiming causality. The authors limit this qualitative investigation to pinpointing congruence and contradictions to previous established results.

Practical implications

A key implication of this paper is the relevance of linking firm’s strategy to social-psychological development of customers in emerging economies component. This study provides critical insights for both managers and policymakers on the economic and social upswing as socially responsible and ethical practices are likely to gain public awareness.

Originality/value

The study’s originality springs from understanding the domestic company’s strategies when facing the pressure of (mainly Western) MNCs entering the emerging economies markets. While the latter takes advantage of economies of scale, country of origin effects and the powerful brands, the home-grown businesses are forced to develop divergent advantages and capabilities. Notably, earlier literature focused on changed demand pattern brought by MNCs in emerging economies and not on later part whereby, home-grown companies carve a space for themselves with specially designed improved products and innovative strategies.
Plant responses to diversity‐driven selection and associated rhizosphere microbial communities
Authors: Hahl Terhi , van Moorsel Sofia J. , Schmid Marc W. , Zuppinger‐Dingley Debra , Schmid Bernhard , Wagg Cameron
Published: December 2019

Plant diversity loss can alter plant–plant and plant–rhizosphere microbiome interactions. These altered interactions, in turn, may exert diversity‐driven selection pressure to which plants respond with phenotypic changes. Diverse plant communities may favour the survival and fitness of individuals with traits that avoid competition. Conversely, monocultures may accumulate species‐specific pests favouring greater investment in defence traits. Yet, it is unknown how altered plant rhizosphere interactions influence the plant diversity‐driven selection for altered plant phenotypes.

We tested for plant diversity‐driven selection on plant above‐ground traits and how these traits are modified by their rhizosphere microbial communities after 11 years in experimental plant monocultures and mixtures. Plants propagated from monocultures or mixtures were grown in combination with their ‘home’ versus ‘away’ arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) or non‐AMF microbes in two separate experiments using five and eight plant species, respectively. We hypothesized that plants in monocultures may be selected for better defence and better performance in association with rhizosphere microbial communities compared with plants in mixtures.

Monoculture and mixture plants significantly differed in their above‐ground phenotypes. As predicted, plant traits related to defence (greater leaf mass per area and leaf dry matter content, reduced leaf damage) were more pronounced in monoculture plants in both experiments. Effects of the rhizosphere microbial communities, which generally enhanced plant growth, tended to be species‐specific. Significant three‐way interactions between diversity‐driven selection, AMF treatment and plant species showed that home versus away effects could be positive or negative, depending on plant species.

We conclude that long‐term differences in plant diversity lead to selection for altered plant phenotypes. Such differences may be further modified in association with the AMF microbial communities derived from the different plant diversity treatments, but often outcomes are species‐specific. This suggests that plant species differ in their capacity to respond to diversity loss and associated changes in rhizosphere microbial communities, making it complicated to predict community‐level responses to such loss.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Sámi knowledge and ecosystem‐based adaptation strategies for managing pastures under threat from multiple land uses
Authors: Hausner Vera H. , Engen Sigrid , Brattland Camilla , Fauchald Per
Published: December 2019

Ecosystem‐based adaptation (EbA) relies upon the capacity of ecosystems to buffer communities against the adverse impacts of climate change. Maintaining ecosystems that deliver critical services to communities can also provide co‐benefits beyond adaptation, such as climate mitigation and protection of biological diversity and livelihoods. EbA has, to a limited extent, drawn upon indigenous and local knowledge for defining critical services and for implementing EbA in decision‐making. This is a paradox given that the primary focus of EbA is to enable communities to adapt to climate change.

The purpose of this study was to elucidate EbA strategies that take into account the knowledge of Sámi reindeer herders about pastures in tundra regions. We first examined what constitutes critical services through a synthesis of data and literature. We thereafter used content analysis of 91 land use cases from 2010 to 2018 to investigate to what extent the herders’ knowledge and maps over seasonal pastures and migratory routes are used in local decision‐making. Finally, we propose EbA strategies of relevance to Sámi communities and pastoral communities elsewhere.

Our analysis revealed that reindeer herders and organizations representing their interests perceived threats from green energy development, tourism, recreation, public road construction and powerlines. These threats included the loss of key habitats and the loss of connectivity for migration between seasonal pastures. Pastoralists’ knowledge is incorporated through participatory tools to protect the ecosystems and services crucial for pastoralists, but multiple competing land uses result in incremental loss of pastures regardless.

Synthesis and applications. Protecting pasture ecosystems and the services they deliver, including the connectivity between pastures, are necessary Ecosystem‐based adaptation (EbA) strategies to buffer the adverse effects of climate change. Drawing on pastoralists’ knowledge to elicit EbA strategies can inform decision‐making, but it is equally important to implement this knowledge for prioritizing adaptation needs in the assessment of competing land use.
Intra‐ and interspecific density‐dependent growth and maturation of Pacific salmon in the Bering Sea
Authors: Morita Kentaro , Fukuwaka Masa‐aki
Published: December 2019

Many studies have reported density‐dependent growth in single species, but density‐dependent growth can also occur between species when overlap in resource use occurs. We interrogate long‐term (1972–2010) monitoring data from the Bering Sea for evidence of intra‐ and interspecific density‐dependent growth among three species of Pacific salmon: sockeye, chum and pink. Partial correlation analysis, using intraspecific density as a control variable, identified interspecific density‐dependent growth among these three salmon species. As growth condition affects maturation, the maturity rates also depend on intra‐ and interspecific densities. Pacific salmon in the Bering Sea are of mixed origin, from North American and Asian rivers. As salmon return to their natal rivers, density‐dependent effects on their ocean growth and maturity during migration might have cascading effects on salmon returning to each continent, as salmon‐derived nutrients play important roles in riparian and terrestrial ecosystems.
Adoption of climate‐smart practices and its impact on farm performance and risk exposure among smallholder farmers in Ghana
Authors: Issahaku Gazali , Abdulai Awudu
Published: December 2019

Increased climate variability during the last four decades has made the agricultural environment in many developing countries more uncertain, resulting in increasing exposure to risk when producing crops. In this study, we use recent farm‐level data from Ghana to examine the drivers of individual and joint adoption of crop choice and soil and water conservation practices, and how adoption of these practices impacts on farm performance (crop revenue) and exposure to risks (skewness of crop yield). We employ a multinomial endogenous switching regression model to account for selectivity bias due to both observable and unobservable factors. The empirical results reveal that farmers’ adoption of crop choice and soil and water conservation leads to higher crop revenues and reduced riskiness in crop production, with the largest impact on crop revenues coming from joint adoption. The findings also show that education of the household head, access to extension and weather information influence the likelihood of adopting these practices. Thus, enhancing extension services and access to climate information and irrigation can reduce gaps in adoption of soil and water conservation and crop choice, considered as climate‐smart practices that will eventually improve crop revenues and reduce farmers’ exposure to climate‐related production risks.
Prefix Allomorphy and the Phonologisation of s‐Deletion in Latin
Authors: Cser András
Published: December 2019

Latin s‐final prefixes show extensive allomorphy, which can be ascribed to different diachronic processes such as the drive to maintain contrast, analogical attraction and a sound change that deleted s before voiced consonants. We argue that the latter sound change led to three different phonologisation processes due to distributional imbalance in the relevant segments as well as a simultaneous sound change that also affected s. The evidence for the competing phonologisation processes is provided by the different alternations displayed by the s‐final prefixes.
Differentiation of Cosmetic Foundation Creams Using Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier‐Transform Infrared Spectroscopy: A Rapid and NonDestructive Approach in Trace Evidence Analysis
Authors: Sharma Sweety , Chophi Rito , Kaur Harkamalpreet , Singh Rajinder
Published: December 2019

Cosmetic foundation creams are encountered as evidentiary material in criminal investigations, particularly in cases related to sexual and physical assault against women. Analyzing foundation cream exhibit is a challenging task as the exhibit is recovered in trace quantity with similar hue. In the present study, ATR FTIR spectroscopy which is a rapid, nondestructive, sensitive, reliable, and safe alternative to other analytical techniques has been used to differentiate 31 cosmetic foundation creams belonging to 23 different brands supported by chemometric methods such as principal component analysis (PCA) and linear discriminant analysis (LDA). The discriminating power of visual analysis is found to be 98.0%, while PCA and LDA further increased the discriminating power to 99.3% and 100%, respectively. The blind test is conducted with three unknown samples (pretended to be unknown to the analyst), which were correctly linked with their respective source. Further, the effect of substrate such as tissue paper (dry and wet) and white cotton cloth during sample analysis are also examined to simulate the actual forensic casework conditions. The stains on substrates could be identified and linked to its parent product as well. The reported method provides significant results for the differentiation of cosmetic foundation creams.
Progerin in muscle leads to thermogenic and metabolic defects via impaired calcium homeostasis
Authors: Wang Wan‐Ping , Wang Jing‐Ya , Lin Wen‐Hsin , Kao Cheng‐Heng , Hung Ming‐Chun , Teng Yuan‐Chi , Tsai Ting‐Fen , Chi Ya‐Hui
Published: December 2019

Mutations in lamin A (LMNA) are responsible for a variety of human dystrophic and metabolic diseases. Here, we created a mouse model in which progerin, the lamin A mutant protein that causes Hutchinson–Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS), can be inducibly overexpressed. Muscle‐specific overexpression of progerin was sufficient to induce muscular dystrophy and alter whole‐body energy expenditure, leading to premature death. Intriguingly, sarcolipin (Sln), an endoplasmic reticulum (ER)‐associated protein involved in heat production, is upregulated in progerin‐expressing and Lmna knockout (Lmna−/−) skeletal muscle. The depletion of Sln accelerated the early death of Lmna−/− mice. An examination at the molecular level revealed that progerin recruits Sln and Calnexin to the nuclear periphery. Furthermore, progerin‐expressing myoblasts presented enhanced store‐operated Ca2+ entry, as well as increased co‐localization of STIM1 and ORAI1. These findings suggest that progerin dysregulates calcium homeostasis through an interaction with a subset of ER‐associated proteins, resulting in thermogenic and metabolic abnormalities.
Sex differences in oral oxycodone self‐administration and stress‐primed reinstatement in rats
Authors: Fulenwider Hannah D. , Nennig Sadie E. , Hafeez Hiba , Price Michaela E. , Baruffaldi Federico , Pravetoni Marco , Cheng Kejun , Rice Kenner C. , Manvich Daniel F. , Schank Jesse R.
Published: December 2019

The opioid epidemic has become a severe public health problem, with approximately 130 opioid‐induced deaths occurring each day in the United States. Prescription opioids are responsible for approximately 40% of these deaths. Oxycodone is one of the most commonly abused prescription opioids, but despite its prevalent misuse, the number of preclinical studies investigating oxycodone‐seeking behaviors is relatively limited. Furthermore, preclinical oxycodone studies that include female subjects are even more scarce, and it is critical that future work includes both sexes. Additionally, the oral route of administration is one of the most common routes for recreational users, especially in the early stages of drug experimentation. However, currently, only two studies have been published investigating operant oral oxycodone self‐administration in rodents. Therefore, the primary goal of the present study was to establish an oral oxycodone operant self‐administration model in adult male and female rats, as well as to examine a potential mechanism of stress‐primed reinstatement. We found that females consumed significantly more oral oxycodone than males in operant self‐administration sessions. We also found that active oxycodone self‐administration was reduced by mu opioid receptor antagonism and by substitution of water for oxycodone solution. Lastly, we induced stress‐primed reinstatement and found that this behavior was significantly attenuated by antagonism of the neurokinin‐1 receptor, consistent with our prior work examining stress‐induced reinstatement of alcohol‐ and cocaine‐seeking.
A critical role for c‐Myc in group 2 innate lymphoid cell activation
Authors: Ye Longyun , Pan Jiexue , Liang Mingwei , Pasha Muhammad Asghar , Shen Xiaofei , D'Souza Shanti S. , Fung Ivan Ting Hin , Wang Yinna , Patel Gargi , Tang Dale D. , Yang Qi
Published: December 2019

Background

Asthma is a complicated chronic inflammatory disorder characterized by airway inflammation and bronchial hyperresponsiveness. Group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2) are tissue‐resident innate effector cells that can mediate airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness through production of IL‐5, IL‐13 and VEGFA. ILC2 in asthma patients exhibit an activated phenotype. However, molecular pathways that control ILC2 activation are not well understood.

Methods

MYC expression was examined in ILC2 sorted from peripheral blood of healthy controls and asthma patients or cultured with or without activating cytokines. CRISPR knockout technique was used to delete c‐Myc in primary murine lung ILC2 or an ILC2 cell line. Cell proliferation was examined, gene expression pattern was profiled by genome‐wide microarray analysis, and direct gene targets were identified by Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP). ILC2 responses, airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness were examined in Balb/c mice challenged with Alternaria extracts, with or without treatment with JQ1.

Results

ILC2 from asthma patients expressed increased amounts of MYC. Deletion of c‐Myc in ILC2 results in reduced proliferation, decreased cytokine production, and reduced expression of many lymphocyte activation genes. ChIP identified Stat6 as a direct gene target of c‐Myc in ILC2. In vivo inhibition of c‐Myc by JQ1 treatment repressed ILC2 activity and suppressed Alternaria‐induced airway inflammation and AHR.

Conclusion

c‐Myc expression is upregulated during ILC2 activation. c‐Myc is essential for ILC2 activation and their in vivo pathogenic effects. These findings suggest that targeting c‐Myc may unlock novel strategies to combat asthma or asthma exacerbation.
Intra‐session repeatability of quantitative metrics using widefield optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in elderly subjects
Authors: Hong Jimmy , Tan Bingyao , Quang Nguyen Duc , Gupta Preeti , Lin Emily , Wong Damon , Ang Marcus , Lamoureux Ecosse , Schmetterer Leopold , Chua Jacqueline
Published: December 2019

Purpose

To assess the repeatability of retinal vascular metrics using different postprocessing methods as obtained from the swept‐source optical coherence tomography angiography (SS‐OCTA).

Methods

Thirty‐two participants (63% males; mean [SD] age, 70 [7] years) underwent SS‐OCTA imaging (PLEX® Elite 9000, Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc., Dublin, USA). Each participant underwent 2 repeated scans of 2 scan protocols: a macular‐centred 3 × 3‐mm2 and a widefield 12 × 12‐mm2 for a total of 4 acquisitions. Images of superficial vascular plexuses (SVP) and deep vascular plexuses (DVP) were processed using different filters to generate the perfusion density (PD) and vessel density (VD). Vessel enhancement filters ranged from vessel targeted (Hessian and Gabor filters), classical denoising (Gaussian filter), to a scale‐selective adaption (modified Bayesian residual transform [MBRT]). Intra‐session repeatability of the different filters and their correlation with the original data set were calculated with the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Pearson's r.

Results

Of the 32 eyes, 17 and 15 were right and left eyes, respectively. For 3 × 3‐mm2 scans, both MBRT and Gabor filters yielded very good repeatable PD and VD (both ICCs > 0.87) values. Gabor filter was the most correlated with the original data set for the OCTA metrics (r = 0.95–0.97). For 12 × 12‐mm2 scans, MBRT filter produced good‐to‐moderate ICC values for SVP (ICC>0.89) and DVP (ICC>0.73) metrics. Both the MBRT and Gabor filters were highly correlated with the original 12 × 12‐mm2 scan data set (r = 0.96–0.98). The ICCs for the agreement between 3 × 3‐mm2 and cropped 12 × 12‐mm2 were high only for the PD values at the SVP layer and were poor for the VD at SVP and DVP measurements (ICC < 0.50).

Conclusion

Our findings show that with the proper choice of postimaging processing methods, SS‐OCTA metrics can be obtained with high repeatability, which supports its use in various clinical settings.
Effects of a concept mapping‐based flipped learning approach on EFL students’ English speaking performance, critical thinking awareness and speaking anxiety
Authors: Chen Mei‐Rong Alice , Hwang Gwo‐Jen
Published: December 2019

The present study explored the impact of concept mapping‐based flipped learning as a listening‐speaking strategy on learning achievement, English as a foreign language (EFL) learners’ critical thinking awareness and EFL speaking anxiety. The study utilized a pretest/posttest control and a quasi‐experimental design. Seventy‐two EFL learners were assigned to experimental (n = 37) and control (n = 35) groups. The results of the pretest indicated that the participants of the two groups were homogeneous concerning their proficiency level, critical thinking awareness and EFL speaking anxiety. The experimental group was instructed to construct concept maps after each listening task, and formulated their answers to the required speaking tasks from their concept maps. The results of the posttest indicated that concept mapping has a positive and significant influence on EFL learners’ English speaking performance and critical thinking awareness, and can decrease their speaking anxiety. Moreover, the relationships between concept mapping, learning performance, and critical thinking are statistically correlated. The results also revealed a significant negative relationship between speaking anxiety and the other variables.

Practitioner Notes

What is already known about this topic

Students learn at their own pace and learn with repeated exposure to the same material to strengthen and deepen their understanding until they acquire the knowledge in flipped learning.

The strategy of concept mapping is not only to support learners to organize concepts, but also to develop their ideas.

Concept mapping can foster learners’ confidence and build up their background knowledge, so it will facilitate their speaking ability.

What this paper adds

A concept mapping‐based flipped learning as a listening‐speaking strategy is proposed to help improve students’ listening and speaking skills, EFL learners’ critical thinking awareness, and decrease speaking anxiety.

In addition to supporting students’ foreign language learning, the results showed that the proposed approach provides positive results on the concept mapping‐based flipped learning for speaking training course.

Implications for practice and/or policy

The concept maps served as an approach to help students draw complex conceptual relationships and as an outcome measurement.

The learners’ language performance and critical thinking are positively correlated.

The learners’ concept mapping scores revealed not only in their performances, but also in speaking, conceptualization, and formulation.
Building the role of ICT coordinators in primary schools: A typology based on task prioritisation
Authors: León‐Jariego José C. , Rodríguez‐Miranda Francisco P. , Pozuelos‐Estrada Francisco J.
Published: December 2019

Although the school ICT coordinator’s role has been institutionally defined by the Andalusian Education Administration (Spain), individual factors may be key in the emerging role‐building process. Multidimensional scaling (MDS) of the priority given by coordinators to their different functions and a subsequent cluster analysis of the MDS solution were used to identify role orientations among ICT coordinators in primary schools of Andalucía (Spain). Three orientation clusters were identified: “support of ICT use in the classroom” (67.1%), “promote ICT use in the classroom” (17.8%) and “planning and maintenance of ICT equipment in the school” (15.1%). The interest in separating technical and pedagogical duties into two profiles and the perceived organisational support from the Teachers Centres (TCs) differed in the three role orientation types. Finally, strategies are suggested to reduce role ambiguity and role conflict in ICT coordinators. A clearer definition of the role would improve their leadership in ICT implementation in schools.
Evaluating sixty years of UK trials research in acute myeloid leukaemia: lessons for trial design, past, present and future
Authors: Hills Robert K.
Published: December 2019

Since the launch of their first trial in Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) in 1959, the Medical Research Council (and latterly National Cancer Research Institute) has conducted randomised trials in AML uninterrupted for six decades. These sixty years have seen a transformation in the way we diagnose, characterise and treat the disease, (and indeed a sea change in clinical trial regulations) and a continuing improvement in outcomes. The increasing refinement of diagnosis, leading to the advent of tailored therapies, and the use of disease monitoring both have the potential to improve outcomes further, but the associated complexities will require an evolution in our approach to trial design. This article looks at the extent to which the guiding principles of the first AML trials remain relevant today, and the challenges facing the next generation of trials methodologists.
Developments in the mechanisms of allergy in 2018 through the eyes of Clinical and Experimental Allergy, Part I
Authors: Roberts Graham , Almqvist Catarina , Boyle Robert , Crane Julian , Hogan Simon P. , Marsland Ben , Saglani Segal , Woodfolk Judith A.
Published: December 2019

In the first of two linked articles, we describe the development in the mechanisms underlying allergy as described by Clinical & Experimental Allergy and other journals in 2018. Experimental models of allergic disease, basic mechanisms and clinical mechanisms are all covered.
Comparison of outcomes in lung and heart transplant recipients from the same multiorgan donor
Authors: Takahashi Tsuyoshi , Terada Yuriko , Pasque Michael K. , Itoh Akinobu , Nava Ruben G. , Puri Varun , Kreisel Daniel , Patterson Alexander G. , Hachem Ramsey R.
Published: December 2019

Background

Primary graft dysfunction (PGD) and acute cellular rejection (ACR) are important causes of early morbidity and mortality following lung and heart transplantation. While many studies have elucidated donor‐related risk factors of PGD and ACR, these complications often occur even with “ideal” donors. Therefore, we investigated potential associations of PGD and ACR between bilateral lung and heart transplant recipients from the same multiorgan donor, respectively.

Methods

Between 2011 and 2017, 100 donors contributed 100 bilateral lung transplants and 100 heart transplants performed. Logistic regression analysis for PGD and Cox proportional hazards regression analysis for ACR were used to estimate the relationship of heart and lung transplants.

Results

The incidence of PGD was 33% among lung and 17% among heart transplant recipients. Similarly, the incidence of ACR grade ≥ A2 for lung recipients was 38% (30/80), and the incidence of ACR grade ≥ 2R for heart recipients was 19% (15/80). There was no association between the development of PGD and ACR in lung and heart transplant recipients from the same donor, respectively.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that inherent donor factors are not critical to the development of PGD and ACR after lung and heart transplantation.
Feasibility and outcomes of anti‐reflux mucosectomy for proton pump inhibitor dependent gastroesophageal reflux disease: First Indian study (with video)
Authors: Patil Gaurav , Dalal Ankit , Maydeo Amit
Published: December 2019

Background

Anti‐reflux mucosectomy (ARMS) is a newfangled minimally invasive technique, with successful outcomes for the management of gastroesophageal reflux (GER). We present our initial experience (success rate) and safety profile for this procedure.

Methods

Consecutive patients with daily dependence on proton pump inhibitor (PPI) for GER were prospectively enrolled from September 2016 to August 2019 and underwent ARMS using a cap assisted endoscopic mucosal resection. Severity was assessed by gastroesophageal reflux disease questionnaire. Gastroscopy and 24‐h pH‐metry was done pre and post procedure. Patient characteristics, PPI requirement, adverse events and follow‐up were documented.

Results

Sixty‐two patients [44 (71%) male] underwent successful ARMS with a mean age (SD) of 36 (9.9) years. Technical success was achieved in 100 % of patients. Intraoperative bleeding was noted in 62 (100%) patients, endoscopic hemostasis was successfully achieved. At follow‐up dysphagia was seen in 5 (8%) patients which needed a single session of endoscopic dilation. At 2 months, mean (SD) DeMeester score normalized in 45 (72.5%) patients from 76.8 (18.3) to 14.3 (6.1) (P < 0.001). PPI could be stopped in 43 (69.4%) patients. The mean (SD) GERD‐Q score reduced from 10.6 (1.9) to 3.4 (1.5) (P < 0.001). However, in 12 (19.3%) patients low dose of PPIs was continued, while 7 (11.3%) patients continued full dose. Thirty‐eight (61.3%) patients telephonically reported symptomatic improvement and were off PPIs at 12 months.

Conclusions

Anti‐reflux mucosectomy is safe and effective for treatment of GER. The long term outcomes are favorable, response is durable and promising at our center. Appropriate patient selection still remains primal to the overall success of ARMS.
Distinct directional couplings between slow and fast gamma power to the phase of theta oscillations in the rat hippocampus
Authors: Jiang Haiteng , Bahramisharif Ali , van Gerven Marcel A. J. , Jensen Ole
Published: December 2019

It is well‐established that theta (~4–10 Hz) and gamma (~25–100 Hz) oscillations interact in the rat hippocampus. This cross‐frequency coupling might facilitate neuronal coordination both within and between brain areas. However, it remains unclear whether the phase of theta oscillations controls the power of slow and fast gamma activity or vice versa. We here applied spectral Granger causality, phase slope index and a newly developed cross‐frequency directionality (CFD) measure to investigate directional interactions between local field potentials recorded within and across hippocampal subregions of CA1 and CA3 of freely exploring rats. Given the well‐known CA3 to CA1 anatomical connection, we hypothesized that interregional directional interactions were constrained by anatomical connection, and within‐frequency and cross‐frequency directional interactions were always from CA3 to CA1. As expected, we found that CA3 drove CA1 in the theta band, and theta phase‐to‐gamma power coupling was prominent both within and between CA3 and CA1 regions. The CFD measure further demonstrated that distinct directional couplings with respect to theta phase was different between slow and fast gamma activity. Importantly, CA3 slow gamma power phase‐adjusted CA1 theta oscillations, suggesting that slow gamma activity in CA3 entrains theta oscillations in CA1. In contrast, CA3 theta phase controls CA1 fast gamma activity, indicating that communication at CA1 fast gamma is coordinated by CA3 theta phase. Overall, these findings demonstrate dynamic directional interactions between theta and slow/fast gamma oscillations in the hippocampal network, suggesting that anatomical connections constrain the directional interactions.
The new kid on the block: immigrant males win big whereas females pay fitness cost after dispersal
Authors: Martinig April Robin , McAdam Andrew G. , Dantzer Ben , Lane Jeffrey E. , Coltman David W. , Boutin Stan
Published: December 2019

Dispersal is nearly universal; yet, which sex tends to disperse more and their success thereafter depends on the fitness consequences of dispersal. We asked if lifetime fitness differed between residents and immigrants (successful between‐population dispersers) and their offspring using 29 years of monitoring from North American red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) in Canada. Compared to residents, immigrant females had 23% lower lifetime breeding success (LBS), while immigrant males had 29% higher LBS. Male immigration and female residency were favoured. Offspring born to immigrants had 15–43% lower LBS than offspring born to residents. We conclude that immigration benefitted males, but not females, which appeared to be making the best of a bad lot. Our results are in line with male‐biased dispersal being driven by local mate competition and local resource enhancement, while the intergenerational cost to immigration is a new complication in explaining the drivers of sex‐biased dispersal.
Leaf gall polymorphism and molecular phylogeny of a new Bruggmanniella species (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae: Asphondyliini) associated with Litsea acuminata (Lauraceae) in Taiwan, with ecological comparisons and a species description
Authors: Lin Sheng‐Feng , Tokuda Makoto , Yang Man‐Miao
Published: December 2019

Two types of cecidomyiid leaf galls, cup‐shaped and umbrella‐shaped, occur on Litsea acuminata (Lauraceae) in Taiwan. Based on the concept of gall shapes as “extended phenotypes” of gall inducers, these two types could be induced by different gall midge species. However, galls with intermediate shapes between the two types were recently discovered, which implies that possible genetic exchanges occur between the gall inducers of both types. To clarify the taxonomic status of gall midges responsible for the two types of galls on L. acuminata, we undertook taxonomic, molecular phylogenetic and ecological studies. Our findings show that the two gall types are induced by the same Bruggmanniella species and the species is new to science. We describe the species forming this range of galls as Bruggmanniella litseae sp. n., and compare their geographical distribution, galling position and morphometry. Based on our results, a possible evolutionary scenario of B. litseae sp. n. is discussed.
Fluvial CO2 and CH4 patterns across wildfire‐disturbed ecozones of subarctic Canada: Current status and implications for future change
Authors: Hutchins Ryan H. S. , Tank Suzanne E. , Olefeldt David , Quinton William L. , Spence Christopher , Dion Nicole , Estop‐Aragonés Cristian , Mengistu Samson G.
Published: December 2019

Despite occupying a small fraction of the landscape, fluvial networks are disproportionately large emitters of CO2 and CH4, with the potential to offset terrestrial carbon sinks. Yet the extent of this offset remains uncertain, because current estimates of fluvial emissions often do not integrate beyond individual river reaches and over the entire fluvial network in complex landscapes. Here we studied broad patterns of concentrations and isotopic signatures of CO2 and CH4 in 50 streams in the western boreal biome of Canada, across an area of 250,000 km2. Our study watersheds differ starkly in their geology (sedimentary and shield), permafrost extent (sporadic to extensive discontinuous) and land cover (large variability in lake and wetland extents). We also investigated the effect of wildfire, as half of our study streams drained watersheds affected by megafires that occurred 3 years prior. Similar to other boreal regions, we found that stream CO2 concentrations were primarily associated with greater terrestrial productivity and warmer climates, and decreased downstream within the fluvial network. No effects of recent wildfire, bedrock geology or land cover composition were found. The isotopic signatures suggested dominance of biogenic CO2 sources, despite dominant carbonate bedrock in parts of the study region. Fluvial CH4 concentrations had a high variability which could not be explained by any landscape factors. Estimated fluvial CO2 emissions were 0.63 (0.09–6.06, 95% CI) and 0.29 (0.17–0.44, 95% CI) g C m−2 year−1 at the landscape scale using a stream network modelling and a mass balance approach, respectively, a small but potentially important component of the landscape C balance. These fluvial CO2 emissions are lower than in other northern regions, likely due to a drier climate. Overall, our study suggests that fluvial CO2 emissions are unlikely to be sensitive to altered fire regimes, but that warming and permafrost thaw will increase emissions significantly.