bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The differential association of workplace conflicts on employee well-being
Authors: Kuriakose Vijay , S. Sreejesh , Wilson P.R. , MR Anusree
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the differential association of three different workplace conflicts on employee-related outcomes, such as loneliness and well-being. Further, the study pursues to explore the perceived social support at the workplace as a conditional factor in the relation between different conflict types and employee loneliness.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected using a self-administered survey from 554 IT employees. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to test the study postulations.

Findings

The findings indicated that all three types of conflicts differently associate on both loneliness and well-being. Besides, it found that loneliness works as a mediator between conflict types and employee well-being. Further, perceived social support at the workplace moderates the relationship between different types of conflict, such as relationship, process, task conflicts and employee loneliness at work.

Practical implications

The study provides helpful directions to HR managers by providing a clear empirical understanding of the types of conflicts and its association on employee-related outcomes. Further, the study highlights the need for developing social support in an organisation during conflict episodes, to manage the adverse association of these conflicts on employee well-being and to restore employee well-being.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, for the first time, a study has been conducted highlighting the differential association of workplace conflict and employee outcome and indicating its intervening mechanisms and conflict management conditions.
CSR in the Lebanese banking sector: a neo-institutional approach to stakeholders’ legitimacy
Authors: Chedrawi Charbel , Osta Alain , Osta Souheir
Published: January 2020

Purpose

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has become an issue in the international banking industry, where each bank must assert its stakeholders, the social fabric and the natural environment. In the same time, legitimacy which has become one of the most critical issues for corporations, can be increased in the eyes of other stakeholders or institutions by structurally or procedurally adjusting to institutional influences. By conforming to three external institutional pressures (normative, mimetic and coercive), identified by DiMaggio and Powell (1983), organizations can build, support and gain legitimacy for their activities in specific institutional environments.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a qualitative approach, this research highlights the input of neo-institutional theory in the CSR context in top Lebanese banks in Lebanon.

Findings

This paper aims to analyze the impact of neo-institutionalism and the role of stakeholders in legitimizing CSR practices in the Lebanese banking sector.

Practical implications

Top Lebanese banks cannot simply comply with institutional pressures to gain their legitimacy, they need to develop their CSR activities targeted toward legitimacy-building at the local level; as for managers they cannot simply adopt managerial perspectives instrumentally to gain societal support, they need to adapt such perspectives and practices to the local needs as expressed by their internal and external stakeholders.

Originality/value

Managers of top Lebanese banks need to proactively engage in managing institutional pressures by adopting and adapting legitimacy-seeking strategies. This study highlights that top Lebanese banks differ in their CSR orientation because of their ownership structure, number of employees and profitability.
Social value analysis: the case of Pompeu Fabra University
Authors: Ayuso Silvia , Sánchez Pablo , Retolaza José Luis , Figueras-Maz Mònica
Published: January 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to explore how to quantify the social value generated by higher education from a social accounting perspective. The proposed approach is integrated social value (ISV) analysis, a social accounting model that considers both the economic value and the social value created by an organisation for its stakeholders.

Design/methodology/approach

The ISV analysis has been applied to Pompeu Fabra University, following a participatory action research process with representatives of the university and its stakeholders.

Findings

The final ISV includes not only the social value created through the university’s economic activity – captured by economic and financial accounting indicators – but also the specific social value created for the different stakeholders by means of non-market relationships, which were monetised through the use of indicators and financial proxies.

Research limitations/implications

Like other social accounting methodologies, ISV analysis suffers from some limitations regarding data availability and economic pricing, that partly will be resolved with maturation of the methodology and increasing standardisation.

Practical implications

By using appropriate proxies, the non-market value of the university can be monetised and integrated with university’s market value. The social value results become a valuable tool for developing useful indicators for internal management and external communication.

Social implications

The process of measuring the social value created by universities provides a way to meet the rising demands for greater accountability and transparency and facilitates engagement with stakeholders on how these institutions are contributing to a sustainable society.

Originality/value

ISV is a recently proposed social accounting model that combines an organisation’s economic and social results into a single concept of value creation and thus contributes to advance the field of social accounting.
Use of micronutrient supplements in pregnant women of south‐east Queensland
Authors: McAlpine Janelle M. , Vanderlelie Jessica J. , Vincze Lisa J. , Perkins Anthony V.
Published: January 2020

Background

Multiple micronutrient supplement use in the Australian pregnant population is rising, despite little evidence of benefit in low‐risk women. While some supplement recommendations are grounded in high‐quality evidence, others warrant further investigation. This highlights a research gap regarding appropriate use of supplements during pregnancy in the Australian population.

Aims

To describe micronutrient supplement use during pregnancy in the context of current evidence and national recommendations in a population of south‐east Queensland women.

Material and Methods

A cross‐sectional observational design was used to examine data gathered from pregnant women aged 16–44 years residing in south‐east Queensland, Australia. Women were recruited to the study between 23 May 2016 and 30 September 2017.

Results

Pregnancy multivitamin use was declared by 42% of the cohort, with 26.8% declaring multivitamins in combination with individual micronutrients and 9.8% declaring specific micronutrient supplement use. Nulliparous women were more likely to declare use of supplements than their multiparous peers (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.938, 95% CI 1.053–3.571,P = 0.034); smoking (aOR 2.717, 95% CI 1.011–7.302,P = 0.047) and low socio‐economic status were associated with no supplement use (aOR 2.451, 95% CI 1.010–5.949,P = 0.048).

Conclusions

Current recommendations regarding micronutrient supplements throughout pregnancy are based on varying degrees of evidence, resulting in supplement advice of poor cohesion and consistency. Adherence to micronutrient supplement recommendations in the peri‐conception period in this population was poor; second and third trimester supplement use was high. Contemporary empirical research is required to determine what constitutes appropriate supplementation in high‐income regions and the populations they will benefit most.
Access and outcomes of general practitioner obstetrician (rural generalist)‐supported birthing units in Queensland
Authors: Tennett Debra , Kearney Lauren , Kynn Mary
Published: January 2020

Objective

To describe characteristics and outcomes of women birthing within GP‐obstetrician (rural generalist) supported rural (level 3) obstetric units in Queensland.

Design

Retrospective descriptive study.

Setting

21 GP‐obstetrician supported birthing units in Queensland.

Participants

Women (n = 3111) birthing from January 2017 to December 2017.

Main outcome measures

Patient, pregnancy and labour characteristics and key maternal and neonatal outcomes routinely recorded in the Queensland Perinatal Data Collection and Queensland Hospital Admitted Patient Data Collection were compared to Queensland public hospital aggregate data.

Results

Women birthing in rural maternity units were significantly more likely to be Aboriginal or Torrs Strait Islander (16% v 9%), < 20 years old (7% v 4%), term deliveries (96% v 91%), achieve spontaneous onset of labour (67% v 51%), and birth (71% v 60%) (p<0.001) compared with all Queensland public hospitals. They were significantly less likely to be nulliparous (36% v 40%), use pharmacological analgesia (65% v 69%), or have continuous electronic fetal monitoring in labour (54% v 66%) (p<0.001). Neonatal outcomes were comparable; with no significant difference in stillbirth rate between rural units and all Queensland public hospitals (4.8 v 7.3 per 1000 births). Precipitate delivery was the most common labour complication (36% v 33%) (p<0.001).

Conclusion

GP‐obstetrician (rural generalist) supported rural birthing units in Queensland provide important access for low and medium risk women to deliver locally, with strong indicators of quality and safety.
Challenges in optimising recovery after emergency laparotomy
Authors: Foss N. B. , Kehlet H.
Published: January 2020

Standardised peri‐operative care pathways for patients undergoing emergency laparotomy or laparoscopy for non‐traumatic pathologies have been shown to be inadequate and associated with high morbidity and mortality. Recent research has highlighted this problem and showed that simple pathways with ‘rescue’ interventions have been associated with reduced mortality when implemented successfully. These rescue pathways have focused on early diagnosis and surgery, specialist surgeon and anaesthetist involvement, goal‐directed therapy and intensive or intermediary postoperative care for high‐risk patients. In elective surgery, enhanced recovery has resulted in reduced length of stay and morbidity by the application of procedure‐specific, evidence‐based interventions inside rigorously implemented patient pathways based on multidisciplinary co‐operation. The focus has been on attenuation of peri‐operative stress and pain management to facilitate early recovery. Patients undergoing emergency laparotomy are a heterogeneous group consisting mostly of patients with intestinal perforations and/or obstruction with varying levels of comorbidity and frailty. However, present knowledge of the different pathophysiology and peri‐operative trajectory of complications in these patient groups is limited. In order to move beyond rescue pathways and to establish enhanced recovery for emergency laparotomy, it is essential that research on both the peri‐operative pathophysiology of the different main patient groups – intestinal obstruction and perforation – and the potentially differentiated impact of interventions is carried out. Procedure‐ and pathology‐specific knowledge is lacking on key elements of peri‐operative care, such as: multimodal analgesia; haemodynamic optimisation and fluid management; attenuation of surgical stress; nutritional optimisation; facilitation of mobilisation; and the optimal use and organisation of specialised wards and improved interdisciplinary collaboration. As such, the future challenges in improving peri‐operative patient care in emergency laparotomy are moving from simple rescue pathways to establish research that can form a basis for morbidity‐ and procedure‐specific enhanced recovery protocols as seen in elective surgery.
Towards high‐quality peri‐operative care: a global perspective
Authors: Santhirapala V. , Peden C. J. , Meara J. G. , Biccard B. M. , Gelb A. W. , Johnson W. D. , Lipnick M. S. , Makasa E. M. , Martin J. , Maswime S. , Mellin‐Olsen J. , McClain C. D.
Published: January 2020

Article 25 of the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights enshrines the right to health and well‐being for every individual. However, universal access to high‐quality healthcare remains the purview of a handful of wealthy nations. This is no more apparent than in peri‐operative care, where an estimated five billion individuals lack access to safe, affordable and timely surgical care. Delivery of surgery and anaesthesia in low‐resource environments presents unique challenges that, when unaddressed, result in limited access to low‐quality care. Current peri‐operative research and clinical guidance often fail to acknowledge these system‐level deficits and therefore have limited applicability in low‐resource settings. In this manuscript, the authors priority‐set the need for equitable access to high‐quality peri‐operative care and analyse the system‐level contributors to excess peri‐operative mortality rates, a key marker of quality of care. To provide examples of how research and investment may close the equity gap, a modified Delphi method was adopted to curate and appraise interventions which may, with subsequent research and evaluation, begin to address the barriers to high‐quality peri‐operative care in low‐ and middle‐income countries.
Discontinuing amiodarone treatment prior to heart transplantation lowers incidence of severe primary graft dysfunction
Authors: Hoemann Benjamin , Takayama Hiroo , Jennings Douglas L. , Han Jiho , Ando Masahiko , Restaino Susan , Colombo Paolo , Farr Maryjane , Naka Yoshifumi , Takeda Koji
Published: January 2020

Background

Recent studies have shown an increased incidence of primary graft dysfunction (PGD) in patients treated with amiodarone prior to orthotopic heart transplant (OHT). We hypothesized that discontinuation of amiodarone before OHT may lower the incidence of severe PGD.

Methods

This was a single‐center retrospective study of 381 adult OHT recipients between January 2010 and June 2017. Within 6 months prior to OHT, 197 did not receive amiodarone (Group 1), 142 continued amiodarone to OHT (Group 2), and 42 had amiodarone treatment discontinued before OHT (Group 3).

Results

53 (13.9%) participants developed severe PGD, 13 (6.6%) of which were in Group 1, 36 (25.4%) were in Group 2, and 4 (9.5%) were in Group 3 (P < .001). Multivariable analysis revealed continued amiodarone treatment to OHT (Group 2; OR, 3.70; 95% CI, 1.26‐10.88; P = .018) to be an independent risk factor for the development of severe PGD when Group 1 served as the reference group. Moreover, patients in Group 3 had no difference in the risk of severe PGD (OR = 0.416, 95% CI = 0.08‐2.15; P = .296).

Conclusion

We found that discontinuing amiodarone treatment prior to OHT resulted a lower incidence of severe PGD.
The relationship between HbA1c and hypoglycaemia in patients with diabetes treated with insulin degludec versus insulin glargine 100 units/mL
Authors: Philis‐Tsimikas Athena , Lane Wendy , Pedersen‐Bjergaard Ulrik , Wysham Carol , Bardtrum Lars , Harring Signe , Heller Simon
Published: January 2020

Aim

Treat‐to‐target, randomized controlled trials have confirmed lower rates of hypoglycaemia at equivalent glycaemic control with insulin degludec (degludec) versus insulin glargine 100 units/mL (glargine U100) in patients with type 1 (T1D) or type 2 diabetes (T2D). Treat‐to‐target trials are designed to enable comparisons of safety and tolerability at a similar HbA1c level. In this post hoc analysis of the SWITCH 1 and 2 trials, we utilised a patient‐level modelling approach to compare how glycaemic control might differ between basal insulins at a similar rate of hypoglycaemia.

Materials and Methods

Data for HbA1c and symptomatic hypoglycaemia from the SWITCH 1 and SWITCH 2 trials were analyzed separately for patients with type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes, respectively. The association between the individual patient‐level risk of hypoglycaemia and HbA1c was investigated using a Poisson regression model and used to estimate potential differences in glycaemic control with degludec versus glargine U100, at the same rate of hypoglycaemia.

Results

Improvements in glycaemic control increased the incidence of hypoglycaemia with both basal insulins across diabetes types. Our analysis suggests that patients could achieve a mean HbA1c reduction of 0.70 [0.05; 2.20]95% CI (for type 1 diabetes) or 0.96 [0.39; 1.99]95% CI (for type 2 diabetes) percentage points (8 [1; 24]95% CI or 10 [4; 22]95% CI mmol/mol, respectively) further with degludec than with glargine U100 before incurring an equivalent risk of hypoglycaemia.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that patients in clinical practice may be able to achieve lower glycaemia targets with degludec versus glargine U100, before incurring an equivalent risk of hypoglycaemia.
Business Incubator Managers’ Perceptions of their Role and Performance Success: Role Demands, Constraints, and Choices
Authors: Kakabadse Nada , Karatas‐Ozkan Mine , Theodorakopoulos Nicholas , McGowan Carmel , Nicolopoulou Katerina
Published: January 2020

Using Stewart's (1976a, 1976b) role framework as an analytical lens, this paper examines how business incubator managers perceive their role and performance, and the choices they make in dealing with constraints and competing demands. Given that the literature in this domain has not considered how these types of managers experience agency and structure in their role, this study is important in theory and practice terms. Drawing on 40 qualitative interviews in different UK regions, the findings demonstrate the ways in which business incubator managers see their role as pivotal in supporting the incubatee entrepreneurs and how they endeavour to address competing role demands against constraints. Notably, while funding is commonly viewed as an enabler, the findings suggest that the funding structure could act as a constraint on the incubator managers, due to the weight of perceived bureaucracy preventing the latter from operating effectively within the full remit of their role.
Dravet syndrome as part of the clinical and genetic spectrum of sodium channel epilepsies and encephalopathies
Authors: Mei Davide , Cetica Valentina , Marini Carla , Guerrini Renzo
Published: January 2020

Dravet syndrome is the most studied form of genetic epilepsy. It has now been clarified that the clinical spectrum of the syndrome does not have firmly established boundaries. The core phenotype is characterized by intractable, mainly clonic, seizures precipitated by increased body temperature with onset in the first year of life and subsequent appearance of multiple seizures types still precipitated by, but not confined to, hyperthermia. Cognitive impairment is invariably present when the full syndrome is manifested. This complex of symptoms is related to mutations in the SCN1A gene, which are often de novo and constitutional but can also be inherited from a parent with less severe clinical manifestations or be present as somatic mosaicism. Inheritance from less severely affected individuals, at times only having experienced a few febrile seizures, and differences in severity, even within the same family, with a subset of patients only showing fragments of the syndrome, testify to a remarkable phenotypic heterogeneity as far as severity, but less so clinical phenomenology, are concerned. This characteristic, together with underascertainment of SCN1A mutations due to human errors or technical limitations in uncovering alternative pathogenic molecular mechanisms, such as genomic rearrangements or poison exons, has contributed to making clinicians and geneticists suspicious that Dravet syndrome may be caused by more than one gene. This opinion has been further amplified by the description of other genetic disorders, such as PCDH19‐ or CHD2‐related epilepsy, whose phenotypes have included fragments of the Dravet phenotypic spectrum, and by the suboptimal characterization of phenotypes associated with mutations in SCN1B, HCN1, KCN2A, GABRA1, GABRG2, and STXBP1. The SCN1A gene–Dravet syndrome association is in our opinion highly specific. However, because the syndrome spectrum is wide, fragments of it can at times also be manifested in other genetic epilepsy syndromes, thereby leading to overdiagnosis of Dravet syndrome beyond SCN1A. Dravet syndrome is in turn a severe SCN1A phenotype within a continuum of SCN1A‐related clinical phenomenology.
Immune cell regulation of the hair cycle
Authors: Wang Etienne C. E. , Higgins Claire A.
Published: January 2020

The ability to manipulate the mammalian hair cycle will lead to novel therapies and strategies to combat all forms of alopecia. Thus, in addition to the epithelial‐mesenchymal interactions in the hair follicle, niche and microenvironmental signals that accompany the phases of growth, regression and rest need to be scrutinized. Immune cells are well described in skin homeostasis and wound healing and have recently been shown to play an important role in the mammalian hair cycle. In this review, we will summarize our current knowledge of the role of immune cells in hair cycle control and discuss their relevance to human hair cycling disorders. Increased attention to this aspect of the hair cycle will provide new avenues to manipulate hair regeneration in humans and provide better insight into developing better ex vivo models of hair growth.
An information‐motivation‐behavioural‐based model and adherence to inhalation therapy and other health outcomes in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A pilot randomized controlled trial
Authors: To Ka Wing , Lee Iris Fung‐Kam , Choi Kai Chow , Cheung Yannes Tsz Yan , Yu Doris Sau‐Fung
Published: January 2020

Aims

To explore the feasibility and effects of the programme based on information‐motivation‐behavioural skills (IMB) model (IMB programme) on adherence to inhalation therapy and other health outcomes in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients.

Background

Poor adherence to inhalation therapy is common among COPD patients. The IMB model is supported by previous studies as useful in promoting adherence to health behaviours.

Methods

This pilot randomized controlled trial randomized 35 COPD patients to receive either the IMB‐based programme or usual care. The 4‐week IMB programme consisted of a face‐to‐face and two telephone sessions to empower patients with skills and knowledge on using inhalation therapy and support their goal attainment for treatment compliance. Outcome evaluation including adherence to inhalation therapy, inhalation techniques, disease impact, and quality of life was conducted at baseline and at 6 weeks after randomization. Feasibility of the IMB programme was evaluated by a satisfaction survey and implementation experience.

Results

Thirty patients completed the study, with an attrition rate of 14.3%. The intervention group (n = 15) had significant improvements in inhalation adherence, inhalation techniques, and quality of life than the control group over the evaluation period. Patient satisfaction survey results and observations on programme implementation suggested the feasibility of the IMB programme.

Conclusion

A IMB model is a feasible and potentially effective intervention for improving COPD patients' adherence to inhalation therapy.
Communicating prognostic information: what do oncologists think patients with incurable cancer should be told?
Authors: Vasista Anuradha , Stockler Martin R. , Martin Andrew , Lawrence Nicola J. , Kiely Belinda E.
Published: January 2020

Background

People with incurable cancer require information about their prognosis to make informed decisions about their future.

Aims

To determine the frequency, form and documentation of prognostic discussions between oncologists and their patients with incurable cancer.

Methods

We surveyed medical oncologists in Australia and New Zealand about their practices communicating prognosis.

Results

A total of 206 medical oncologists completed the survey. Respondent characteristics were: median age 40 years (range 27–75), female 51%, trainee 22%; and 71% had completed specific training on communicating prognosis. Respondents reported discussing prognosis with a patient a median of 10 times per month (interquartile range 4–15); 88% reported explaining that ‘the cancer is incurable’ to all their patients with incurable cancer and 84% reported always or usually providing a quantitative estimate of survival time. The preferred method for explaining expected survival time (EST) was providing ‘multiple ranges of time with probabilities, for example best‐case, typical and worst‐case scenarios’ (52% of respondents). The most frequently reported barriers to discussing EST were: ‘family members requesting that prognostic information not be discussed’ (57% of respondents), and ‘not knowing the EST’ (46% of respondents). Twenty percent reported always documenting prognostic discussions and the EST in the patient's medical record, and 11% reported always documenting this information in their letters to other doctors.

Conclusions

Most oncologists reported providing quantitative estimates of EST to their patients with incurable cancer, but very few reported documenting this information. Methods to help oncologists estimate, explain and document survival time are needed to improve communication of prognosis.
Early versus delayed removal of the pericardial drain in patients with cardiac tamponade complicating radiofrequency ablation of atrial fibrillation
Authors: Zhao Qianqian , Li Linling , Liu Nian , Zhang Mengxia , Wu Kui , Ruan Yanfei , Bai Rong , Du Xin , Dong Jianzeng , Ma Changsheng
Published: January 2020

Introduction

Cardiac tamponade is a common life‐threatening complication during radiofrequency ablation of atrial fibrillation (RAAF) and is mostly managed by pericardiocentesis. Thus far, the optimal timing for drain removal has not been established.

Methods and Results

We retrospectively enrolled patients with cardiac tamponade complicating RAAF. The ablation was performed with interrupted novel oral anticoagulants, interrupted warfarin or uninterrupted warfarin protocols. An observation period of at least 30 minutes after the last aspiration via the drain was used to monitor the reaccumulation of pericardial fluid, and then, the patients were divided into an early removal (ER) group in the electrophysiology (EP) laboratory and a delayed removal (DR) group in the ward. A total of 51 patients were included: 25 patients in the ER group and 26 patients in the DR group. There were no significant differences in baseline demographics between the two groups, and no cardiac tamponade reoccurred in either group in the ward. Unlike the DR group, the ER group showed an association with a decreased rate of chest pain (P = .000), fever (P = .001), nausea (P = .000), in‐hospital recurrent AF (P = .010), and antibiotic use (P = .012). Anticoagulation was earlier (P = .009), and the median in‐hospital stay was shorter (P = .001) in the ER group than in the DR group.

Conclusions

ER of the pericardial drain after no evidence of pericardial bleeding for at least 30 minutes in the EP laboratory is safe and associated with a better early hospital course.
Less imitation of arbitrary actions is a specific developmental precursor to callous–unemotional traits in early childhood
Authors: Wagner Nicholas J. , Waller Rebecca , Flom Megan , Ronfard Samuel , Fenstermacher Susan , Saudino Kimberly
Published: January 2020

Objective

Callous–unemotional (CU) traits in early childhood explain heterogeneity within conduct problems and are associated with higher risk for later diagnoses of childhood disruptive behavior disorders and antisocial behavior in adulthood. Emerging research implicates impairments in affiliative processes in the etiology of CU traits. The current study tests whether the imitation of intentional actions with no functional significance –a behavior that supports the acquisition of social conventions and affiliative bonds, is a specific developmental precursor to CU traits in early childhood.

Methods

Data came from a longitudinal twin study of 628 children (Age 2: 47% females; Age 3: 44.9% females) with observations of arbitrary (i.e., nonfunctional actions) and instrumental (i.e., functional actions) imitation and parent reports of CU traits and oppositional defiant (ODD) behaviors at ages 2 and 3.

Results

Lower arbitrary imitation at age 2, but not instrumental imitation, was related to increases in CU traits from ages 2 to 3 (β = −.10,p = .02).

Conclusions

These findings establish early social and affiliative processes in the etiology of CU traits, highlighting that novel personalized treatment and intervention strategies for CU traits may benefit from targeting these processes to help reduce CU traits and risk for persistent conduct problems in children.
Comment on the article by Dr. Toshima about alopecia areata multiplex following autologous dermal micrograft injection
Authors: Trovato L. , Astarita C. , Graziano A.
Published: January 2020

Linked article: S. Toshima, et al. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2020; 34: e222–e223. https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.16177.
Phylogeny of Physarida (Amoebozoa, Myxogastria) Based on the Small‐Subunit Ribosomal RNA Gene, Redefinition of Physarum pusillum s. str. and Reinstatement of P. gravidum Morgan
Authors: Cainelli Renato , de Haan Myriam , Meyer Marianne , Bonkowski Michael , Fiore‐Donno Anna Maria
Published: January 2020

Myxomycetes (also called Myxogastria or colloquially, slime molds) are worldwide occurring soil amoeboflagellates. Among Amoebozoa, they have the notable characteristic to form, during their life cycle, macroscopic fruiting bodies, that will ultimately release spores. Some 1,000 species have been described, based on the macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of their fruiting bodies. We were interested in Physarum pusillum (Berk. & M.A. Curtis) G. Lister, a very common species described with two variants, each bearing such morphological differences that they could represent two distinct species. In order to test this, we observed key characters in a large selection of specimens attributed to P.  pusillum, to its synonyms (in particular Physarum gravidum), and to related species. In addition, the small‐subunit ribosomal RNA gene was obtained from seven of these specimens. Based on these data, we provide a comprehensive phylogeny of the order Physarida (Eukaryota: Amoebozoa: Conosa: Macromycetozoa: Fuscisporidia). Morphology and phylogeny together support the reinstatement of P. gravidum Morgan 1896 with a neotype here designated, distinct from P. pusillum, here redefined.
Parameter sensitivity analysis for a physically based distributed hydrological model based on Morris' screening method
Authors: Huang Jin‐Bai , Wen Jia‐wei , Wang Bin , Hinokidani Osamu
Published: January 2020

Achieving accurate parameter calibration is a relatively difficult problem in development and application of physically based distributed hydrological models. In the current research, Morris' screening method (one factor at a time [OAT]) and an error evaluation calibration were jointly adopted for parameter sensitivity analysis (PSA) for a distributed hydrological model developed for a single mountainous terrain. The results indicated that (1) the order of sensitivity of the parameters for rainfall−runoff calculation is thickness of the first soil layer, coefficient of permeability, infiltration velocity, porosity, and coefficient of roughness; (2) the order of the parameters for snowmelt calculation is bulk transfer coefficient, temperature correction factor, and albedo of snow cover layer surface; and (3) the value change of each parameter of the first layer in the soil vertical profile mainly impacts the numerical value of discharge of the surface flow, while the value change of each parameter of the second layer impacts the numerical value of discharge of the surface flow less, but results in the peak misplacement to some extent. The results are expected to provide methodology references for PSA and calibration for the physically based distributed hydrological model which developed for mountainous or otherwise single terrain.
Planning for a Safe Discharge: More Than a Capacity Evaluation
Authors: Wong Serena P. , Sharda Neema , Zietlow Kahli E. , Heflin Mitchell T.
Published: January 2020

Discharge decision making for hospitalized older adults can be a complicated process involving functional assessments, capacity evaluation, and coordination of resources. Providers may feel pressured to recommend that an older adult with complex care needs be discharged to a skilled nursing facility rather than home, potentially contradicting the patientʼs wishes. This can lead to a professional and ethical dilemma for providers, who value patient autonomy and shared decision making. We describe a discharge decision‐making framework focused on interprofessional evaluation and management, longitudinal follow‐up, and education and support for patients and families. By gathering and synthesizing information, eliciting goals and preferences, and identifying community resources, the healthcare team can help maximize independence for vulnerable older adults. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:859–866, 2020
Sexual‐ and Gender‐Minority Families: A 2010 to 2020 Decade in Review
Authors: Reczek Corinne
Published: January 2020

This paper critically reviews research on sexual and gender minority (SGM) families, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, asexual, intersex, and other (LGBTQAI+) families, in the past decade (2010–2020). First, this paper details the three primary subareas that make up the majority of research on SGM families: (1) SGM family of origin relationships, (2) SGM intimate relationships, and (3) SGM‐parent families. Next, this paper highlights three main gaps in this decade's research: (1) a focus on gay, lesbian, and same‐sex families (and to a lesser extent bisexual and transgender families) and a lack of attention to the diverse family ties of single SGM people as well as intersex, asexual, queer, gender non‐binary/non‐conforming, polyamorous, and other SGM families; (2) an emphasis on white, socioeconomically advantaged SGM people and a failure to account for the significant racial‐ethnic and socioeconomic diversity in the SGM population; and (3) a lack of integration of SGM experiences across the life course, from childhood to old age. Future research should refine the measurement and analysis of SGM family ties with novel theory and data across the methodological spectrum.
Research on Marital Satisfaction and Stability in the 2010s: Challenging Conventional Wisdom
Authors: Karney Benjamin R. , Bradbury Thomas N.
Published: January 2020

Although getting married is no longer a requirement for social acceptance, most people do marry in their lifetimes, and couples across the socioeconomic spectrum wish their marriages to be satisfying and long lasting. This review evaluates the past decade of research on the determinants of satisfaction and stability in marriage, concluding that the scholarship of the past 10 years has undermined three assumptions that were formerly accepted as conventional wisdom. First, research exploiting methods such as latent class growth analyses reveal that, for most couples, marital satisfaction does not decline over time but in fact remains relatively stable for long periods. Second, contrary to predictions of behavioral models of marriage, negative communication between spouses can be difficult to change, does not necessarily lead to more satisfying relationships when it is changed, and does not always predict distress in the first place. Third, dyadic processes that are reliably adaptive for middle‐class and more affluent couples may operate differently in lower income couples, suggesting that influential models of marriage may not generalize to couples living in diverse environments. Thus, the accumulated research of the past 10 years indicates that the tasks of understanding and promoting marital satisfaction and stability are more complex than we appreciated at the start of the decade, raising important questions that beg to be answered in the years ahead.
Using big data to promote precision oral health in the context of a learning healthcare system
Authors: Finkelstein Joseph , Zhang Frederick , Levitin Seth A. , Cappelli David
Published: January 2020

There has been a call for evidence‐based oral healthcare guidelines, to improve precision dentistry and oral healthcare delivery. The main challenges to this goal are the current lack of up‐to‐date evidence, the limited integrative analytical data sets, and the slow translations to routine care delivery. Overcoming these issues requires knowledge discovery pipelines based on big data and health analytics, intelligent integrative informatics approaches, and learning health systems. This article examines how this can be accomplished by utilizing big data. These data can be gathered from four major streams: patients, clinical data, biological data, and normative data sets. All these must then be uniformly combined for analysis and modelling and the meaningful findings can be implemented clinically. By executing data capture cycles and integrating the subsequent findings, practitioners are able to improve public oral health and care delivery.
Network‐level scheduling of road construction projects considering user and business impacts
Authors: Miralinaghi Mohammad , Woldemariam Wubeshet , Abraham Dulcy M. , Chen Sikai , Labi Samuel , Chen Zhibin
Published: January 2020

Construction projects are often associated with partial or full road closures, which result in user costs and community disruptions in terms of reduced business productivity. A number of studies have addressed the problem of scheduling construction projects based on a variety of stakeholder objectives. Yet still, there seems to exist a few gaps regarding (1) possible tradeoffs between road user cost reduction and business cost reduction associated with optimal scheduling, (2) role of the project type (rehabilitation and capacity expansion) on the solution methodology, and (3) lack of solution algorithm to address the problem complexity by deriving the optimal solution. In addressing these gaps, this article adopts a novel approach for developing an optimal project schedule for multiple road projects within a construction horizon. The goal is to minimize the overall cost of the projects to road users and adjacent businesses over the construction horizon. The project scheduling problem is formulated as a mixed‐integer nonlinear program. We solve the problem using a local decomposition method. The methodology is demonstrated using the Sioux Falls city network with two project types: capacity expansion and rehabilitation. The results of the numerical experiment suggest that (1) the solution algorithm converges to optimal solution in finite iterations and (2) a network‐wide scheduling of urban road projects using explicit optimization can yield a significant reduction in business disruption costs while incurring a relatively smaller increase in system travel time, and overall, is superior to a schedule developed only considering the total system travel time.
The effects of different doses of teriparatide on bisphosphonate‐related osteonecrosis of the jaw in mice
Authors: Yu Wanlu , Su Jiansheng
Published: January 2020

Objectives

This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of different doses of teriparatide (TPTD) on bisphosphonate‐related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ).

Materials and Methods

To establish the BRONJ model, 20 mice were randomly divided into two groups: a group that received tail vein administration of zoledronic acid with dexamethasone (ZA‐125 µg/kg, DEX 5 mg/kg) and a group that received saline weekly. The mice subsequently underwent bilateral maxillary first molar extraction. After 8 weeks of modelling administration, the maxilla samples were examined by micro‐computed tomography and histological staining (haematoxylin and eosin, Masson's trichrome and tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase) and the cytokine level was measured (enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and Western blot). To determine the role of TPTD in BRONJ, the same protocol as previously described was applied in 100 mice (80 received ZA + DEX, and 20 received saline). After 8 weeks of modelling administration, 80 ZA + DEX mice were randomly divided into four groups: three groups with subcutaneous administration of TPTD (i.e. T1‐3, T2‐10 and T3‐30 µg kg−1 day−1) and one group with saline daily for the next 8 weeks. The other 20 saline mice continued to receive saline daily.

Results

In Part 1, the level of receptor activator of nuclear factor‐kappa Β ligand and the numbers of osteoclasts differed between the model and control groups. In Part 2, we found that TPTD had a positive effect on BRONJ in a mouse model based on clinical and histomorphological observations. Among the three treatment groups, the T1 and T2 groups significantly differed from the model group, whereas the T3 group showed no statistical differences.

Conclusion

Subcutaneous administration of TPTD has a beneficial effect on BRONJ in mice. Nevertheless, further studies are needed to determine whether the therapeutic effect on BRONJ is dose‐dependent.
Wasteful, essential, evolutionary stepping stone? The multiple personalities of the photorespiratory pathway
Authors: Fernie Alisdair R. , Bauwe Hermann
Published: January 2020

The photorespiratory pathway, in short photorespiration, is a metabolic repair system that enables the CO2 fixation enzyme Rubisco to sustainably operate in the presence of oxygen, that is, during oxygenic photosynthesis of plants and cyanobacteria. Photorespiration is necessary because an auto‐inhibitory metabolite, 2‐phosphoglycolate (2PG), is produced when Rubisco binds oxygen instead of CO2 as a substrate and must be removed, to avoid collapse of metabolism, and recycled as efficiently as possible. The basic principle of recycling 2PG very likely evolved several billion years ago in connection with the evolution of oxyphotobacteria. It comprises the multi‐step combination of two molecules of 2PG to form 3‐phosphoglycerate. The biochemistry of this process dictates that one out of four 2PG carbons is lost as CO2, which is a long‐standing plant breeders' concern because it represents by far the largest fraction of respiratory processes that reduce gross‐photosynthesis of major crops down to about 50% and less, lowering potential yields. In addition to the ATP needed for recycling of the 2PG carbon, extra energy is needed for the refixation of liberated equal amounts of ammonia. It is thought that the energy costs of photorespiration have an additional negative impact on crop yields in at least some environments. This paper discusses recent advances concerning the origin and evolution of photorespiration, and gives an overview of contemporary and envisioned strategies to engineer the biochemistry of, or even avoid, photorespiration.
Multiple clinically relevant immunotherapies prolong the function of microencapsulated porcine islet xenografts in diabetic NOD mice without the use of anti‐CD154 mAb
Authors: Safley Susan A. , Barber Graham F. , Holdcraft Robert W. , Gazda Lawrence S. , Duncanson Stephanie , Poznansky Mark C. , Sambanis Athanassios , Weber Collin J.
Published: January 2020

Background

Our goal was to identify clinically relevant immunotherapies that synergize with microencapsulation to protect adult porcine islet (API) xenografts in diabetic NOD mice. We have shown previously that dual costimulatory blockade (CTLA4‐Ig plus anti‐CD154 mAb) combined with encapsulation protects APIs long‐term in NOD mice. Since no anti‐CD154 mAbs currently are approved for use in humans, we tested the efficacy of other targeted immunosuppression regimens that might be used for diabetic patients receiving encapsulated islets.

Methods

Microencapsulated APIs were transplanted i.p. in diabetic NOD mice given either no immunosuppression or combinations immunosuppressive reagents. Graft function was monitored by blood glucose levels, i.p. glucose tolerance tests, and histology. Mechanisms of rejection were investigated by phenotyping host peritoneal cells and measuring graft site cytokine and chemokine levels.

Results

New immunosuppressive therapies were compared to CTLA4‐Ig plus anti‐CD154 mAb, used here as a control. The most effective was triple treatment with CTLA4‐Ig, anti‐CD154 mAb, and intracapsular CXCL12, and the next most effective was a non‐depleting anti‐CD4 mAb (YTS177.9) plus intracapsular CXCL12. Three additional regimens (CTLA4‐Ig plus YTS177.9, YTS177.9 alone, and anti‐OX40‐Ligand mAb alone) significantly prolonged encapsulated API function. Dual treatment with CTLA4‐Ig plus anti‐CD40 mAb was as effective as CTLA4‐Ig plus anti‐CD154 mAb. Five other monotherapies and three combination therapies did not augment encapsulated API survival. Most peritoneal cytokines and chemokines were either absent or minimal. At necropsy, the capsules were intact, not fibrosed, and clean when function was maintained, but were coated with host cells if rejection had occurred.

Conclusions

Multiple different immunotherapies which specifically inhibit CD4+ T cells, modulate T‐cell trafficking, or interfere with antigen presentation can substitute for anti‐CD154 mAb to prolong encapsulated islet xenograft function in diabetic NOD mice.
Heat Transfer and Fluid Flow Characteristics of a Turbulent Dual Jet Impinging on a Wavy Surface
Authors: Singh Tej Pratap , Kumar Amitesh , Satapathy Ashok Kumar
Published: January 2020

A simple and effective technique is proposed to enhance the heat transfer rate significantly. The current study deals with the analysis of a fluid flow and thermal characteristics of a turbulent dual jet impinging on a wavy surface. The surface area of the wall has been varied by considering different wavy profiles. The amplitude of the wavy surface is varied between 0.1 and 0.7 with an interval of 0.1. The number of cycles and the offset ratio (OR) are fixed to 10 and 7, respectively, thus, providing a complete parametric analysis of flow characteristics and thermal characteristics of the turbulent dual jet. The decay of maximum streamwise velocity, the variation of bottom wall pressure, and the variation of local heat flux and local Nusselt number have been computed. The variation of the bottom wall temperature for adiabatic wavy wall boundary condition for various amplitudes are also presented in this paper. It is found that the pressure decreases in the recirculation region when the amplitude increases. There is a sudden drop in pressure in the recirculation region when the wavy surface is present as compared with the dual jet with a plane wall surface and this drop goes on increasing as the amplitude increases. The wavy surface provides a favorable condition for the flow which results in the increased flow strength. The increase in the flow strength ultimately enhances the heat transfer rate. But, the increase in heat transfer is not monotonous. The heat transfer rate increases till the amplitude 0.5 thereafter it decreases. A maximum increase of 12% in the heat transfer rate is observed at A = 0.5. It is hoped that the present study opens a new line for the industries which deal with the cooling phenomenon.