bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring career choices of Emirati women in the technology sector
Authors: Howe-Walsh Liza , Turnbull Sarah , Khan Saleena , Pereira Vijay
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The study aims to explore the factors that influence Emirati women's career choice in the UAE. This study contributes to the influence of context in career choices by investigating how Emirati women chose information technology (IT) as a profession through the lens of the social cognitive career theory.

Design/methodology/approach

This study undertook in-depth interviews with 21 Emirati women working in technology in the UAE. The study considers women's career choices at three levels, i.e. from an individual, organisational and national context perspective.

Findings

The key findings include identifying the importance of national context in influencing career choices among other factors such as family centrality, desire to be seen as a role model, company reputation and government policy.

Practical implications

The study has wider implications for women's career choices in other contexts. The findings highlight the challenges women face, such as a lack of role models and family centrality, which need to be considered in recruitment policies and practices in other national contexts.

Originality/value

The originality of the study is its contribution to the literature developing understanding of the influences on women's career choices in the Emirates. While previous studies have identified the role of patriarchal influence on women's careers, we have less understanding of the importance attributed to individual factors such as being perceived as a role model within their family and to society. Similarly, the literature provides limited evidence of the influence of factors such as government sponsorship and company reputation.
Exchange-traded fund investing as European open-end diversified core equity real-estate funds' cash substitute
Authors: Jadevicius Arvydas
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The study is set to explore a viability for substituting part of cash holdings within European open-end diversified core equity (ODCE) real-estate funds with listed real-estate exchange-traded fund (ETF) alternative. Academically, this research bridges a knowledge gap within private real-estate market research.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the study investigates the correlation between ODCE and ETFs to assess series interdependence. Next, the study generates a blended ODCE and ETF portfolio and examines its performance by quantifying a) the contribution to returns and b) the diversification benefits.

Findings

The findings suggest that a 1 percent spare cash allocation to an ETF increases ODCE fund returns by few bps although the diversification benefits are more nuanced.

Practical implications

Real estate and other investment vehicles are encouraged to review their cash-holding strategies. Real estate, infrastructure or private equity vehicles could designate a small proportion of available cash to asset class-specific ETFs. These cash substitutes are likely to increase returns and could strengthen diversification, although there are some caveats. For ESG-conscious investors, sustainable ETFs and associated passive conduits with strong responsible investment characteristics could provide cash replacement alternatives at the margin.

Originality/value

The study adds additional evidence on the contested issue of blending private and public real estate.
Entrepreneurial reentry after failure: a review and future research agenda
Authors: Tipu Syed Awais Ahmad
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to review the academic literature on entrepreneurial reentry after failure in an attempt to highlight the contribution to the knowledge, identify research gaps and outline an agenda for future research.

Design/methodology/approach

Several databases such as ABI/Inform Global, Academic Search Complete, Business Source Premier and Emerald Full Text were used to find peer-reviewed journal articles. Different search terms were used, such as entrepreneurial reentry, failure of habitual entrepreneurs, reentry intentions, entrepreneurial failure, serial entrepreneurship and venture failure. A total of 27 articles were finally selected and included in the final analysis. Using thematic codes, the selected articles were manually coded.

Findings

The concept of entrepreneurial reentry after failure has recently gained some attention from entrepreneurship scholars, but still, there are significant gaps in the literature. A wide range of entrepreneurship theories can potentially provide the necessary impetus to guide future research. The current literature remains largely inconclusive with inconsistent findings. This underlines the need to focus on this domain to conduct more studies to develop knowledge. The available literature is largely focused on exploring antecedents of entrepreneurial reentry after failure. Therefore, the author’s understanding remains limited with regard to other aspects of entrepreneurial reentry after failure, such as context of reentry and outcomes of reentry. Moreover, future studies also need to include the developing country context for better understanding of entrepreneurial reentry after failure.

Originality/value

To the best of the author's knowledge, the current paper is the first identifiable review of the literature on entrepreneurial reentry after failure. The suggested areas of future research will potentially help in addressing the identified research gaps and further strengthening the theoretical foundations of this emerging research domain. Identified themes in the literature will also potentially help aspiring entrepreneurs to better understand the antecedents, contextual settings and outcomes of reentry after failure. This practical perspective will help failed entrepreneurs in particular to be more aware of the dynamics of reentry after failure and better manage the reentry process.
Reconsidering concept of knowledge sharing: search for quality dimensions
Authors: Doronin Dmitrii , Lei Shen , Shah Syed Hamad Hassan
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Importance of knowledge sharing is undeniable; however, a number of studies have shown it is not always beneficial. The purpose of this study is to breakdown existing definitions of knowledge sharing to understand what elements of it might be considered in quality dimension measures and based on those synthesize a more comprehensive definition.

Design/methodology/approach

Through bibliometric investigation, the most influential definitions were investigated and the concept of knowledge sharing was redefined according to a process structure with the help of Grounded Theory.

Findings

The research has revealed the dual nature of knowledge sharing, that is, knowledge as input and sharing as a process. Related quality measures were proposed.

Originality/value

This study opens up a basis for future research of how companies and organization can improve the benefits of knowledge sharing by paying attention to its quality rather than quantity.
Exploring the influence of CEO and chief diversity officers' relational demography on organizational diversity management
Authors: Ng Eddy S. , Sears Greg J. , Arnold Kara A.
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Drawing on the relational demography literature and a social identity perspective, several research propositions in which the authors postulate that demographic characteristics (e.g. gender and race) of senior leaders will influence the implementation and effectiveness of diversity management practices were presented. Specifically, the authors focus on the Chief Executive Officer/Chief Diversity Officer (CEO/CDO) dyad and explore independent and joint effects of CEO and CDO majority–minority group status on workplace diversity outcomes, outlining key identity-based and relational moderators (e.g. value threat, relational identity and leader–member exchange) of these relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

The literature on relational demography and leader–member exchange to develop propositions for future research was integrated.

Findings

This is a conceptual paper. There is no empirical data reported testing the propositions.

Research limitations/implications

The authors extended theory and research on relational demography by focusing on senior leaders in the organization and proposing that the influence of CEO and CDO demographic characteristics on the enactment of diversity practices may be contingent on key identity-based and relational processes.

Originality/value

The authors are not aware of any studies investigating how personal characteristics and relational processes relating to the CEO and CDO may influence the implementation and effectiveness of workplace diversity management practices. In a similar vein, the authors contribute to the research literatures on relational demography and social identity by extending the application of these theories to senior leaders in organizations and in relation to the work of CEOs and CDOs.
How do knowledge governance mechanisms impact on repatriate knowledge transfer intention? The moderating role of perceived career and repatriation support and person-organization fit
Authors: Ye Xiaoqian , Wang Zequn , Zhang Yi , Li Huifeng
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the moderation effect of person-organization fit and perceived career and repatriation support on the relationship between knowledge governance and knowledge transfer intention of repatriates at multinational corporations.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey data were collected from 243 repatriates who had been contacted beforehand from MNCs in China. Hierarchical regression, AMOS, and PROCESS tools were used to examine the data.

Findings

The results revealed that the repatriate knowledge governance mechanism was positively related to repatriate knowledge transfer intentions. What's more, person-organization fit and perceived career and repatriation support significantly moderate the effect of knowledge governance mechanisms on repatriate knowledge transfer intention.

Originality/value

This is the initial empirical research on the influence of person-organization fit and perceived career and repatriation support on the relationship between knowledge governance and repatriate knowledge transfer; it may help readers understand the complex process and relationships associated with repatriate knowledge transfer, and the results may be useful for repatriate knowledge governance in multinational corporations.
The impact of interdependence on behavioral engagement in online communities
Authors: Zhang Xiaodan , Gong Yanping , Peng Luluo
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Online communities are increasingly important for organizations and marketers. However, the issue of how structural features of online communities affect consumers' behavioral engagement remains relatively unexplored. The purpose of this study is to examine how and why different types of interdependence within online communities (i.e. task/outcome interdependence) influence individual engagement in group activities, thereby providing insights regarding online community design.

Design/methodology/approach

Two surveys were conducted with two online groups in China. One is a task-interdependent group from Douban Forum, and the other is an outcome-interdependent group from Sina Forum. A total of 159 valid responses from the task-interdependent group and 162 valid responses from the outcome-interdependent group were received. We analyzed the data using multivariate regression with Smart PLS and SPSS.

Findings

The results reveal that both task and outcome interdependence are positively related to individual behavioral engagement in online group behavior, and collective efficacy mediates the aforementioned effects. In addition, task complexity moderates the relationship between task interdependence and individual behavioral engagement; communication within group moderates the relationship between outcome interdependence and behavioral engagement, and the effect is mediated by collective efficacy.

Originality/value

This study is the first to investigate the role of an important factor of group structure, namely, interdependence, in fueling individual behavioral engagement in online communities. The results shed light on companies' design strategies to develop and retain online community members and also provide important insights for researchers interested in social network marketing.
Analysis of radiative magneto nano pseudo-plastic material over three dimensional nonlinear stretched surface with passive control of mass flux and chemically responsive species
Authors: Sohail Muhammad , Raza Rabeeah
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The current determination is committed to characterize the boundary layer flow of Williamson nanofluid prompted by nonlinear strained superficial under heat and mass transport mechanisms. Buongiorno model is presented to view the influence of nanoparticles in fluid flow. Scrutiny has been conceded under the action of the transversely smeared magnetic field. Heat and mass relocation exploration are conducted in the companionship of radiation effects and actinic compensation.

Design/methodology/approach

Similarity variable is designated to transmute nonlinear partial differential equations of conservation laws of mass, momentum, energy and species into ordinary dimensional expressions. These constitutive and complicated ordinary differential expressions assessing the flow situation are handled efficaciously by manipulating Runge–Kutta–Fehlberg procedure (RK-5) with shooting routine.

Findings

The graphical demonstration is deliberated to scrutinize the variation in velocity, temperature and concentration profiles with respect to flow regulating parameters. Numerical data are displayed through tables in order to surmise variation in skin friction coefficient and Nusselt number. The augmenting values of fluid parameter and magnetic parameter reduces the horizontal fluid velocity, whereas normal velocity upsurges for mounting values of stretching ratio parameter. Moreover, mounting values of radiation parameter and thermophoresis parameter upsurges the temperature profile, whereas, growing values of Prandtl number lessen the temperature field.

Practical implications

The current exploration is used in many industrial and engineering applications in order to discuss the transport phenomenon.

Originality/value

Flow over a nonlinear stretched surface has numerous applications in the industry. The present attempt examines the combined influence of various physical characteristics for the flow of Williamson fluid and no such attempt exist in the available literature.
Using Lean Six Sigma implied assumptions
Authors: Kane Victor E.
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The intent of this work is to state the implied assumptions that define the setting for using a Lean Six Sigma (LSS) business strategy to conduct successful improvement projects.

Design/methodology/approach

The execution of define, measure, analyze, improve, and control (DMAIC) phases utilizes philosophies, principles, concepts, success factors, and so forth for successful project completion. These traditional concepts form implied setting assumptions for conducting a successful project.

Findings

To establish the desired setting, it is necessary to state organizational performance modeling assumptions required for the use of many tools. Since Lean Six Sigma requires a unique organizational support structure, these assumptions must be added for completeness. Using the 15 collective assumptions is shown to provide benefits in four areas: training clarity, project assessment, leadership support, and theory foundation.

Research limitations/implications

Any list of assumptions is likely incomplete since project application settings are varied and some tools may have unique requirements.

Practical implications

The most useful of the four benefits for practitioners is establishing a familiar framework for communicating with leadership. Management is trained to evaluate assumptions for any new business strategy such as an LSS process improvement initiative. A thoughtful leader will expect to evaluate LSS assumptions for a proposed project. Stating these implied assumptions will meet those expectations.

Originality/value

Most of the stated assumptions exist in some implied form in the Lean Six Sigma literature. However, the familiar term “assumption” is not typically used in presenting Lean Six Sigma methodology. Using this traditional framework is shown to produce multiple benefits for learners and users.
The advancement of hospitality and tourism education in Malaysia
Authors: Ahmad Abdul Murad , Hussain Kashif , Ekiz Erdogan , Tang Thienming
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore some of the ways in which hospitality and tourism education in Malaysia is working with the Malaysian Industry 4.0 framework.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative research approach was used to conduct 30 interviews with respondents working for academic institutions and local or foreign companies.

Findings

The analysis of data helped to identify themes relating to current foreign partnerships within this area of industry.

Originality/value

Through the resolution of this research question, specific recommendations for policymakers and stakeholders are made, which, if implemented, may facilitate further improvements in tourism and hospitality education in support of industry in Malaysia.
Age attenuates the T‐type CaV3.2‐RyR axis in vascular smooth muscle
Authors: Fan Gang , Kaßmann Mario , Cui Yingqiu , Matthaeus Claudia , Kunz Séverine , Zhong Cheng , Zhu Shuai , Xie Yu , Tsvetkov Dmitry , Daumke Oliver , Huang Yu , Gollasch Maik
Published: March 2020

Caveolae position CaV3.2 (T‐type Ca2+ channel encoded by the α‐3.2 subunit) sufficiently close to RyR (ryanodine receptors) for extracellular Ca2+ influx to trigger Ca2+ sparks and large‐conductance Ca2+‐activated K+ channel feedback in vascular smooth muscle. We hypothesize that this mechanism of Ca2+ spark generation is affected by age. Using smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) from mouse mesenteric arteries, we found that both Cav3.2 channel inhibition by Ni2+ (50 µM) and caveolae disruption by methyl‐ß‐cyclodextrin or genetic abolition of Eps15 homology domain‐containing protein (EHD2) inhibited Ca2+ sparks in cells from young (4 months) but not old (12 months) mice. In accordance, expression of Cav3.2 channel was higher in mesenteric arteries from young than old mice. Similar effects were observed for caveolae density. Using SMAKO Cav1.2−/− mice, caffeine (RyR activator) and thapsigargin (Ca2+ transport ATPase inhibitor), we found that sufficient SR Ca2+ load is a prerequisite for the CaV3.2‐RyR axis to generate Ca2+ sparks. We identified a fraction of Ca2+ sparks in aged VSMCs, which is sensitive to the TRP channel blocker Gd3+ (100 µM), but insensitive to CaV1.2 and CaV3.2 channel blockade. Our data demonstrate that the VSMC CaV3.2‐RyR axis is down‐regulated by aging. This defective CaV3.2‐RyR coupling is counterbalanced by a Gd3+ sensitive Ca2+ pathway providing compensatory Ca2+ influx for triggering Ca2+ sparks in aged VSMCs.
Systematic Review of Aortic Dissection Detection Risk Score Plus D‐dimer for Diagnostic Rule‐out Of Suspected Acute Aortic Syndromes
Authors: Bima Paolo , Pivetta Emanuele , Nazerian Peiman , Toyofuku Mamoru , Gorla Riccardo , Bossone Eduardo , Erbel Raimund , Lupia Enrico , Morello Fulvio
Published: March 2020

Objectives

In patients at low clinical probability of acute aortic syndromes (AASs), decision on advanced aortic imaging is cumbersome. Integration of the aortic dissection detection risk score (ADD‐RS) with D‐dimer (DD) provides a potential pipeline for standardized diagnostic rule‐out. We systematically reviewed and summarized supporting data.

Methods

Cross‐sectional studies assessing integration of ADD‐RS with DD for diagnosis of AASs were identified on MEDLINE, EMBASE and Web Of Science databases. Two reviewers independently screened articles, assessed quality, and extracted data. The quality of design and reporting was evaluated with the QUADAS‐2 and STARD tools. Individual patient data were obtained, to allow analysis of both conventional (500 ng/mL) and age‐adjusted (DDage‐adj) DD cutoffs. Data were summarized for four diagnostic strategies combining ADD‐RS = 0 or ≤ 1, with DD < 500 ng/mL or < DDage‐adj. The statistical heterogeneity of the diagnostic variables was estimated with Higgins’ I2. Pooled values were calculated for variables showing nonsignificant heterogeneity.

Results

After screening of 680 studies, four articles (including a total of 3,804 patients) met inclusion criteria. One prospective study provided a low risk of bias/applicability concerns, while methodologic limitations were found in the other three retrospective studies. Statistical heterogeneity was negligible for sensitivity and negative likelihood ratio (LR) values and significant for specificity and positive LR values of all diagnostic strategies. Pooled sensitivity was 99.9% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 99.3% to 100%, I2 = 0) for ADD‐RS = 0 and DD < 500 ng/mL or < DDage‐adj, 98.9% (95% CI = 97.9% to 99.9%, I2 = 0) for ADD‐RS ≤ 1 and DD < 500 ng/mL, and 97.6% (95% CI = 96.3% to 98.9%, I2 = 0) for ADD‐RS ≤ 1 and DD < DDage‐adj.

Conclusions

Despite methodologic limitations, integration of ADD‐RS = 0 or ≤ 1 with DD < 500 ng/mL shows negligible heterogeneity and consistently high sensitivity across studies, thus supporting reliability for diagnostic rule‐out of AASs. Data supporting ADD‐RS = 0 plus DDage‐adj appear preliminary and require further scrutiny.
At‐Large Elections and Minority Representation in Local Government
Authors: Abott Carolyn , Magazinnik Asya
Published: March 2020

Despite a long history of legal challenges alleging that elections conducted at‐large suppress minority representation, this remains the dominant electoral system in local governments throughout the United States. Moreover, a large empirical literature remains divided over the present‐day impact of at‐large elections on the political success of underrepresented groups. We reconcile the competing findings in this literature by providing contingent, causal estimates of the effect of conversion from at‐large to ward elections on minority officeholding, using a novel identification strategy afforded by the California Voting Rights Act of 2001. We find a dramatic positive effect of conversion in districts where Latinos constitute a sufficiently large share of the voting population, and in large and residentially segregated districts. When these conditions are not satisfied, we consistently see null estimated effects.
The impact of circulation in a heart–lung machine on function and survival characteristics of red blood cells
Authors: Freitas Leal Joames , Vermeer Harry , Lazari Dan , van Garsse Leen , Brock Roland , Adjobo‐Hermans Merel , Bosman Giel
Published: March 2020

Extracorporeal circulation is accompanied by changes in red blood cell morphology and structural integrity that affect cell function and survival, and thereby may contribute to the various side effects of heart–lung machine‐assisted surgery. Our main objectives were to determine the effect of circulation of red blood cells in a stand‐alone extracorporeal circuit on several parameters that are known to be affected by, as well as contribute to red blood cell aging. As a source of RBCs, we employed blood bank storage units of different ages. In order to assess the relevance of our in vitro observations for the characterization of extracorporal circulation technology, we compared these changes in those of patients undergoing extracorporeal circulation‐assisted cardiac surgery. Our results show that circulation in a heart–lung machine is accompanied by changes in red blood cell volume, an increase in osmotic fragility, changes in deformability and aggregation behavior, and alterations in the exposure of phosphatidylserine and in microvesicle generation. RBCs from 1‐week‐old concentrates showed the highest similarities with the in vivo situation. These changes in key characteristics of the red blood cell aging process likely increase the susceptibility of red blood cells to the various mechanical, osmotic, and immunological stress conditions encountered during and after surgery in the patient’s circulation, and thereby contribute to the side effects of surgery. Thus, aging‐related parameters in red blood cell structure and function provide a foundation for the validation and improvement of extracorporeal circulation technology.
Atypical clinical presentation of mechanical small bowel obstruction with superior mesenteric vein occlusion caused by a retained free intraperitoneal staple after laparoscopic appendectomy: A case report
Authors: Tamura Koji , Nakayama Hiromichi , Kono Hiroshi , Kuroki Rumi , Maeyama Ryo , Yamamoto Hirofumi , Ueki Takashi , Okido Masayuki , Ichimiya Hitoshi
Published: March 2020

Mechanical small bowel obstruction (SBO) is a common postoperative complication, and most cases are caused by postoperative adhesions. We herein report a case of SBO with superior mesenteric vein occlusion caused by a metal staple after laparoscopic appendectomy. A 35‐year‐old Japanese woman presented to our department with severe upper abdominal pain and vomiting. She had undergone laparoscopic appendectomy using a linear stapler 7 years before. Abdominal CT showed mild small intestinal dilation with mesenteric edema and volvulus of the small bowel mesentery. Moreover, occlusion of the superior mesenteric vein was observed. Emergency exploratory laparoscopy revealed a strangulated SBO caused by a free unformed staple. The obstruction was released by a laparoscopic technique without bowel resection. The number of laparoscopic surgeries has recently been increasing, and complications specific to laparoscopic surgery have been recognized. All spilled and unformed staples should be removed to the greatest extent possible during laparoscopic operations.
An examination of changes in skeletal muscle thickness, echo intensity, strength and soreness following resistance exercise
Authors: Yitzchaki Noam , Zhu Wenyuan G. , Kuehne Tayla E. , Vasenina Ecaterina , Dankel Scott J. , Buckner Samuel L.
Published: March 2020

It is suggested that changes in echo intensity (EI) measured through ultrasound can detect muscle swelling. However, changes in EI have never been examined relative to a non‐exercise control following naïve exposure to exercise.

Purpose

Examine the changes in muscle thickness (MT), EI and isometric strength (ISO) before, immediately after, and 24, and 48 hr following biceps curls.

Methods

Twenty‐seven non‐resistance‐trained individuals visited the laboratory four times. During visit 1, paperwork was completed and strength was measured. During visit 2, MT and ISO were measured before four sets of curls. Additional measures were taken immediately after exercise, as well as 24 and 48 hr post. Results are displayed as means (SD).

Results

For MT, there was an interaction (p < .001). For the experimental condition, MT increased from pre [2.88(0.64) cm] to post [3.27(0.67) cm] and remained elevated 48 hr post. There were no changes for MT in the control arm. In the experimental arm, EI increased from pre [22.9(9.6) AU] to post [29.1(12.3) AU] exercise and returned to baseline by 24 hr. For the control condition, EI was different between pre [24.8(10.2) AU] and 48 hr [21.5(10.7) AU]. The change in EI in the experimental condition was greater than the control condition immediately post (p = .039) and at 48 hr (p = .016). For ISO, there was an interaction (p < .001). In the experimental condition, ISO decreased from pre [40.6(14.7) Nm)] to post [24.8(9.4) Nm] and remained depressed.

Conclusions

Exercise produced a swelling response, which was elevated 48 hr post. Despite a sustained increase in MT, EI was only elevated immediately post exercise.
Cutaneous pleomorphic fibromas arising in patients with germline TP53 mutations
Authors: Cloutier Jeffrey M. , Shalin Sara C. , Lindberg Matthew , Gardner Jerad M. , Fernandez‐Pol Sebastian , Zaba Lisa , Novoa Roberto , Brown Ryanne A.
Published: March 2020

Pleomorphic fibromas are rare benign cutaneous neoplasms associated with deletion/loss of chromosomes 13q and 17p, where RB1 and TP53 are located, respectively. Herein, we report five cases of pleomorphic fibroma arising in patients with germline TP53 mutations, suggesting a potential link with Li‐Fraumeni syndrome. All three patients were female and young (mean age 27) with a strong personal and/or family oncologic history and confirmed pathogenic germline TP53 mutations. In two patients, multiple pleomorphic fibromas were diagnosed. Clinically, the lesions arose at various cutaneous sites and were small (≤2 cm) and raised (4/5). Histopathologically, the tumors were paucicellular, composed of atypical spindled to stellate cells with hyperchromatic and variably pleomorphic nuclei. Mitotic activity was exceedingly low, although rare atypical mitotic figures were seen in one case. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were diffusely positive for p16 (3/3) and showed loss of Rb expression (5/5). All cases showed aberrant p53 expression (overexpression in 4, complete loss in 1). The tumors have followed a benign clinical course with no evidence of progression or recurrence. In conclusion, the development of multiple pleomorphic fibromas in a young patient may be a clue to an underlying genetic cancer syndrome involving TP53.
Feasibility of a distal pigtail shaped stent placement above the papilla for biliary obstruction
Authors: Hirata Koji , Kuwatani Masaki , Sakamoto Naoya
Published: March 2020

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Thresholds in seascape connectivity: the spatial arrangement of nursery habitats structure fish communities on nearby reefs
Authors: Berkström C. , Eggertsen L. , Goodell W. , Cordeiro C. A. M. M. , Lucena M. B. , Gustafsson R. , Bandeira S. , Jiddawi N. , Ferreira C.E. L.
Published: March 2020

Ecosystems are linked by the movement of organisms across habitat boundaries and the arrangement of habitat patches can affect species abundance and composition. In tropical seascapes many coral reef fishes settle in adjacent habitats and undergo ontogenetic habitat shifts to coral reefs as they grow. Few studies have attempted to measure at what distances from nursery habitats these fish migrations (connectivity) cease to exist and how the abundance, biomass and proportion of nursery species change on coral reefs along distance gradients away from nursery areas. The present study examines seascape spatial arrangement, including distances between habitats, and its consequences on connectivity within a tropical seascape in Mozambique using a seascape ecology approach. Fish and habitat surveys were undertaken in 2016/2017 and a thematic habitat map was created in ArcGIS, where cover and distances between habitat patches were calculated. Distance to mangroves and seagrasses were significant predictors for abundance and biomass of most nursery species. The proportions of nursery species were highest in the south of the archipelago, where mangroves were present and decreased with distance to nurseries (mangroves and seagrasses). Some nursery species were absent on reef sites farthest from nursery habitats, at 80 km from mangroves and at 12 km from seagrass habitats. The proportion of nursery/non‐nursery snapper and parrotfish species, as well as abundance and biomass of seagrass nursery species abruptly declined at 8 km from seagrass habitats, indicating a threshold distance at which migrations may cease. Additionally, reefs isolated by large stretches of sand and deep water had very low abundances of several nursery species despite being within moderate distances from nursery habitats. This highlights the importance of considering the matrix (sand and deep water) as barriers for fish migration.
Plasma metabolomic profiling of healthy pregnant mares and mares with experimentally induced placentitis
Authors: Beachler Theresa M. , Gracz Hanna S. , Morgan David R. , Bembenek Bailey Stasia A. , Borst Luke , Ellis Katey E. , Von Dollen Karen A. , Lyle Sara K. , Nebel Amber , Andrews Natalie C. , Koipalli Joanna , Gadsby John E. , Bailey Christopher S.
Published: March 2020

Background

Metabolomics may represent an avenue for diagnosis of equine ascending placentitis.

Objectives

To characterise the plasma metabolomic profile in healthy mares and mares with induced ascending placentitis, with the goal of identifying metabolites with potential clinical value for early diagnosis of placentitis.

Study design

Controlled in vivo experiment.

Methods

Placentitis was induced in 10 late‐term pregnant pony mares viaStreptococcal equisubsp.zooepidemicusinoculation in five mares between days 285 and 290 of gestation, while five mares served as healthy controls. Repeated ultrasound examinations and jugular venipuncture were performed to obtain combined thickness of the uterus and placenta (CTUP) and plasma for NMR spectroscopy. Mares with increased CTUP were diagnosed with placentitis and treated in accordance with published therapeutic recommendations. NMR metabolomic analysis was performed to identify and quantify plasma metabolites at each time point. Concentrations were compared using ANOVA with repeated‐measures and PLS‐DA analysis.

Results

Four hours post‐inoculation, a significant increase was detected in the metabolites alanine, phenylalanine, histidine, pyruvate, citrate, glucose, creatine, glycolate, lactate and 3‐hydroxyisobutyrate that returned to baseline by 12 hours. On day 4, a significant reduction in the metabolites alanine, phenylalanine, histidine, tyrosine, pyruvate, citrate, glycolate, lactate and dimethylsulfone was seen in infected mares compared with controls.

Main limitations

There were small numbers of mares within groups. In addition, this work compares healthy animals with animals treated with multimodal therapeutics following diagnosis of placentitis without an untreated cohort.

Conclusions

Two phases of metabolite changes were noted after experimental infection: An immediate rise in metabolite concentration involved in energy, nitrogen, hydrogen and oxygen metabolism within 4 hours after inoculation that was followed by a decrease in metabolite concentrations involved in energy and nitrogen metabolism at 4 days, coinciding with ultrasonographic diagnosis of placentitis.
Counting of Pennisetum alopecuroides at heading stage in a grazed pasture using images from an unmanned aerial vehicle
Authors: Yuba Norio , Kawamura Kensuke , Yasuda Taisuke , Lim Jihyun , Yoshitoshi Rena , Kurokawa Yuzo , Maeda Teruo
Published: March 2020

This study focused on the fact that Pennisetum alopecuroides ears are black that represents a black dots in image from sky and developed a simple algorithm to count the number of P. alopecuroides plants from unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) images. Ortho‐mosaicked red‐green‐blue (RGB) images from different flight altitudes (28, 56 and 82 m) were obtained in the heading growth stage. To remove small noisy pixels, various sized median filters (3 × 3–21 × 21) were tested. While the relationship between field and image counts was positive for most images obtained from 56 and 82 m altitudes, images in the 28‐m flight altitude (the highest spatial resolution) with small and moderate‐sized median filters (3 × 3–9 × 9) were overestimated. Moreover, higher resolution images from lower altitudes of UAV images decrease the operating efficiency (areas covered per 10 min). Overall, the best accuracy (80.3%) and lowest mean absolute error (MAE = 12.93) were obtained for the 56‐m flight altitude (ground sampling distance [GSD] = 1.82 cm) with a 7 × 7 filter size.
METHOD AND MEANING: RANKE AND DROYSEN ON THE HISTORIAN'S DISCIPLINARY ETHOS
Authors: KINZEL KATHERINA
Published: March 2020

In this article I revisit nineteenth‐century debates over historical objectivity and the political functions of historiography. I focus on two influential contributors to these debates: Leopold von Ranke and Johann Gustav Droysen. In their takes on objectivity and subjectivity, impartiality and political engagement, I reveal diametrically opposed solutions to shared concerns: how can historians reveal history to be meaningful without resorting to speculative philosophy? And how can they produce a knowledge that is relevant to the present when the project of “exemplary” history has been abandoned?

I focus especially on the relativist themes in Ranke's and Droysen's answers to these questions. Ranke's demand for impartiality leads him to think of all historical epochs as equally valid, whereas Droysen's emphasis on subjectivity relativizes historical truth. In order to explain why Ranke and Droysen nevertheless remained unfazed by the problem of historical relativism, I analyze their normative conceptions of the historian's disciplinary ethos. I show that Ranke and Droysen think of objective impartiality and subjective partiality not only in methodological terms but also in terms of justice and ethical duty. By way of this normative element, their historical methodologies secure for the professional study of history an ethical‐political relevance for the present.
LANDSCAPE IN ITS PLACE: THE IMAGINATION OF KASHMIR IN SANSKRIT AND BEYOND
Authors: Obrock Luther
Published: March 2020

Around the turn of the first millennium, new and experimental types of Sanskrit literature flourished in Kashmir. Poets like Bilhaṇa (eleventh century ce) and Maṅkha (first half of the twelfth century ce) embedded their works in the lived experience of medieval Kashmir, describing their home and family against the backdrop of the valley's mountains and cities. This regional self‐awareness reached a peak in the twelfth‐century poetic description of Kashmir, its kings, and its politics, the Rājataraṅgiṇī (River of Kings) written by Kalhaṇa. Kashmiri Sanskrit literature delighted in descriptions of the valley, yet this use of place and space has been until now little theorized. How is this sense of place constructed? What can the imagination of place in Kashmiri Sanskrit texts tell us about how the authors saw themselves in the world? This essay looks at these questions through a critical evaluation of Shonaleeka Kaul's monograph, The Making of Early Kashmir: Landscape and Identity in the Rajataraṅgiṇī. Kaul attempts to demarcate a specific Indic identity for Kashmir. Through a reading of the Rājataraṅgiṇī she posits a regionally coherent Kashmiriness that is nevertheless integrated into the wider Sanskrit cultural realm of the subcontinent. This essay both nuances and questions Kaul's broad claims while urging a careful reevaluation of Kalhaṇa's Rājataraṅginī and other literary representations of Kashmir's landscape. Here I argue that the descriptions of landscape must be contextualized within the broader rhetorical strategies of the text itself, and question Kaul's underlying claim of a Sanskrit identity that speaks itself through Kalhaṇa. By doing so I hope to highlight both the historical embeddedness and agency of Kashmiri poets in the eleventh and twelfth centuries.
Nepheline crystallization and the residual glass composition: Understanding waste glass durability
Authors: McClane Devon L. , Amoroso Jake W. , Fox Kevin M. , Hsieh Madison C. , Kesterson Matthew R. , Kruger Albert A.
Published: March 2020

The vast majority of High‐Level Waste (HLW) originating from defense nuclear programs is sequestered and immobilized in borosilicate glass. Borosilicate glass is universally accepted for immobilizing HLW, but its efficiency has limitations based on the compositional makeup of the waste stream. The chemical durability of the glass is the most important factor in determining the longevity and usefulness of the final glass waste form. The primary detriment to this durability in glasses containing high levels of aluminum is nepheline (NaAlSiO4) crystallization, as it is generally accompanied by a measurable decrease in the glass's chemical durability. This work seeks to understand nepheline crystallization, within the context of thermal history, and to elucidate the influence of compositional shifts in the residual glass (after crystallization) on the measured durability. The results presented within show a distinct deviation in leaching behavior as a function of structural makeup (calculated Q units). This understanding will provide practical information required for broadening glass compositional regions needed to more efficiently vitrify HLW.
The role of metabolic checkpoint regulators in B cell survival and transformation
Authors: Jellusova Julia
Published: March 2020

In response to mitogenic stimulation, B cells activate different pro‐anabolic signaling pathways such as c‐Myc‐ and mTORC1‐dependent networks to satisfy the energetic demands of biomass synthesis and proliferation. In order to preserve viability and function, cell growth cannot progress unchecked and must be adjusted according to the availability of nutrients. Nutrient‐sensing proteins such as AMPK antagonize mTORC1 activity in response to starvation. If pro‐anabolic signaling pathways are aberrantly activated, B cells may lack the metabolic capacity to accommodate their energetic needs, which can lead to cell death. On the other hand, metabolic hyperactivation is a salient feature of cancer cells, suggesting that mechanisms exist, which allow B cells to cope with metabolic stress. The aim of this review is to discuss how B cells respond to a mismatch between energy supply and demand and what the consequences are of metabolic dysregulation in normal and malignant B cells.
A systematic review of the effects of character strengths‐based intervention on the psychological well‐being of patients suffering from chronic illnesses
Authors: Yan Tingting , Chan Carmen W. H. , Chow Ka Ming , Zheng Wei , Sun Meng
Published: March 2020

Aims

To identify and evaluate the available evidence on the effectiveness of character strengths‐based intervention on the psychological well‐being of patients with chronic illnesses.

Design

A systematic review with meta‐analysis.

Data sources

Six electronic databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, EBSCO (CINAHL® and MEDLINE), Web of Science, and PsycINFO, were searched from inception to December 2018.

Review methods

The quality appraisal of evidence and summary of studies were undertaken following Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal checklists and the standard guidelines of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses statement. Meta‐analysis was conducted according to Cochrane methods using RevMan 5.1.

Results

Clinical studies on the character strengths‐based intervention for patients with chronic illnesses are limited. Eight studies involving 692 patients were identified and critically appraised in this review. Meta‐analysis results for three comparable studies indicated that character strengths‐based intervention was effective in improving the self‐esteem of patients with chronic illnesses and it significantly enhanced their general self‐efficacy and reduced their depression.

Conclusions

The findings support the effectiveness of character strengths‐based intervention on improving the psychological well‐being of patients with chronic illnesses. However, caution is needed in interpreting these results due to limited studies and heterogeneity across studies. Further research is needed to provide strong evidence on the applicability of the intervention in clinical practice.

Impact

This rigorous review provided current evidence on using character strengths‐based intervention to improve the psychological well‐being of patients with chronic illnesses. Character strengths‐based intervention provides a creative approach for patients because it may help improve their well‐being, happiness, self‐esteem, and self‐efficacy, and reduce depression and mental symptoms. Studies in different groups of patients suffering from chronic illnesses are recommended in the future. The character strengths‐based intervention should be replicated in various inpatient facilities and include a larger and a more ethnically and socioeconomically diverse sample.
Bitumen surface microstructure evolution in subzero environments
Authors: TARPOUDI BAHERI F. , SCHUTZIUS T.M. , POULIKAKOS D. , POULIKAKOS L.D.
Published: March 2020

Bitumen is a widely used material employed as a binder in pavement engineering and as a surface sealant in construction. Its surface microstructure and microscale properties have been shown to be temperature‐dependent, with effects manifesting themselves on surface composition and texture, including the formation of the visually striking catana ‘bee’‐like structures. Despite the importance of a good performance of bitumen in subzero environments (<0°C), the behaviour of bitumen surface texture and composition at cold temperatures, affecting cracking, degradation and road icing, has received practically no attention. In particular, such knowledge is relevant to world regions experiencing long periods of subzero temperatures during the year. Employing advanced atomic force microscopy combined with infrared spectroscopy (AFM‐IR) and an environmental chamber, we demonstrate the ability to characterise surface structure and composition with nanoscale precision for a broad range of temperatures. We show that cooling bitumen to subzero temperatures can have several interesting effects on its surface microtexture, nanotexture and composition, especially on its three surface domains, catana, peri and para. We found that the para domain coarsens and extends to form an interfacial transition domain (characterised by increasing surface roughness with peri domain composition) between the para and peri domains. We show that the catana and peri domains have a similar composition, but have different mechanical and chemical properties compared to the para domain. The essential findings of this work improve our understanding of the behaviour of bitumen in subzero environments, aiding us in our quest towards attaining better road and sealant performance.
Protease inhibitor effects on prevalence of bacterial vaginosis and human papillomavirus‐related lesions
Authors: Marques Marcos P. C. , Pinto Amanda C. , Soares Leila C. , Macedo Jacyara M. B. , dos Santos Débora F. , de Oliveira Marco A. P.
Published: March 2020

Aim

Antiretrovirals of the protease inhibitor (PI) class tend to achieve low concentrations in biological fluids. This study aimed to analyze possible changes in the vaginal microbiome and frequency of cervical human papillomavirus (HPV)‐DNA and HPV‐related lesions associated with the use of PI in antiretroviral therapy (ART).

Methods

Eighty‐eight women with human immunodeficiency virus infection were divided in two groups: ART with PI and without PI. All the participants underwent anamnesis with demographic data collection. The total DNA, used as the template in the polymerase chain reaction‐based assays for the detection of HPV‐DNA, was extracted from cervical samples during cervical cytopathology.

Results

There were no differences between the groups with respect to HPV‐related lesions. Despite the higher prevalence of bacterial vaginosis (BV) in the PI group (33.96% vs 17.14%), the difference was insignificant when considering all women (P = 0.066). When women with a detectable viral load and a CD4+ T‐cell count <200 were excluded in both groups, BV was found to be more prevalent in the PI group (odds ratio, 3.349; 95% confidence interval, 1.113–11.41, P = 0.049). No associations were found between BV and age, condom use, cervical HPV, time with current ART regimen, unprotected receptive anal intercourse and cervical HPV‐related lesions.

Conclusion

The use of PI did not alter the frequencies of HPV‐DNA and HPV‐related lesions. However, an increased frequency of BV was found in women using PI after excluding women with a detectable viral load and a CD4+ T‐cell count of <200.