bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring the relationship between school leadership and teacher professional learning through structural equation modeling
Authors: Tayag Jarrent , Ayuyao Nunilon
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the relationship between leadership and teacher professional learning considering two mediating variables – teacher trust and teacher agency.

Design/methodology/approach

The study utilized structural equation modeling in analyzing the responses from 1,654 secondary public teachers from 43 schools in the Philippines.

Findings

Leadership does not have a direct relationship with teacher professional learning. The established relationship of leadership and professional learning from literature exists through the mediation of teacher trust and teacher agency.

Originality/value

The results point out that school leaders must affect teacher trust and teacher agency to influence the engagement of teachers to professional learning. Contrary to what has been accepted in educational management that leaders can directly impact teachers, the findings of this study dictate that the full effects of leadership are coursed through mediating pathways.
Exploring employee performance dimensionality in Indian public sector units
Authors: Pattnaik Subhra , Pattnaik Susmita
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Performance is considered to be a multi-dimensional construct with three underlying dimensions such as Task Performance (TP), Interpersonal Facilitation (IPF), and Job Dedication (JD). Yet, these dimensions exhibit high inter-correlations in many studies. This study explores the dimensionality of performance as perceived by managers in Indian Public Sector Units (PSUs) and its implications on the sustainability of performance practices in these organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

Performance data of 588 PSU executives was obtained from their respective managers (162 in number) using a pen-paper survey. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) followed by a Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was employed to test the dimensionality of the performance construct using SPSS 25 and AMOS 24.

Findings

The data obtained had best fit when performance was modelled as a second order factor with the three dimensions drawing on it as first order indicators. However, the measurement model with employee performance modelled as a one-dimensional first order factor had poor fit. This indicates that PSU managers do perceive an implicit differentiation between the performance dimensions, but the performance ratings do not explicitly reflect that differentiation.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first ever study in Indian context that explores the perception of PSU managers on performance dimensionality. It discusses if Indian PSUs could sustain the dynamism of the future workplace with the present performance management practices and makes relevant suggestions in that direction.
Therapy with exonerated clients: review and recommendations
Authors: Heilbrun Kirk , Fishel Sarah , Lankford Claire , Ratkalkar Mina
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The conviction of innocent individuals has emerged as an international concern, resulting in substantial attention to the legal needs that stem from exoneration. However, many other challenges can also arise in the aftermath of an exoneration, including financial, psychosocial and mental health needs. Relatively little has been written about the particular reentry needs of individuals who are exonerated of their charges, and even fewer studies have considered the effectiveness of various treatment approaches. The purpose of this paper is to reviews the available literature, identifies gaps and provides clinical recommendations for the development of treatment interventions for exonerees.

Design/methodology/approach

The research addressing the needs and challenges that arise in the aftermath of exoneration is reviewed and analysed for implications that can guide treatment-planning in this area.

Findings

This paper reviews key finds from the literature and provides recommendations for developing a semi-structured approach to treating exonerees.

Practical implications

Practical applications for the development of effective therapeutic interventions for exonerated individuals are identified and discussed.

Originality/value

Currently, there is very limited literature addressing the specific reentry needs and effective therapeutic interventions for exonerated individuals.
Complainers' resource investment and mobilization in digital environments using Conservation of Resources theory
Authors: Beh Yean Shan , Sajtos Laszlo , Cao Joanne T.
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to consider whether consumers can recover from a service failure by utilizing internal and external energy resources that are available to them at the time of an online complaint. Based on the Conservation of Resources (COR) theory, this research conceptualizes the complainers' act of complaining through internal and external energy resources. By investing (direct utilization of resources) and mobilizing (utilizing resources to change the trajectory of a loss) these resources, this study aims to understand which resources (internal or external) and what strategies (investment or mobilization) are effective in the face of a resource loss.

Design//methodology/approach

Study 1 aimed to test the impact of energy resources (motivation and affordance) on consumers' negative emotions and satisfaction with their complaints through an online panel survey. Study 2 was a between-subjects design experiment aimed to overcome the diversity of the circumstances around a service failure, complaint motivation and complaints that were captured in Study 1.

Findings

This study provides evidence of the negative and positive effects of internal and external energy resources, respectively, in altering the consumer's emotions and behavioral intentions. The findings of this study underline the role of affordances of features, specifically perceived conversationality of digital features, in improving consumers' relationship with the defaulting firm.

Practical implications

Based on the findings related to the perceived conversationality of digital features, managers are urged to explore the affordances of online features that consumers use for communications, in general, or for complaints, in particular.

Originality/value

To our understanding, this paper is the first study to employ COR theory as a conceptual background, and in turn, the first to conceptualize complaint motivations and online complaint features as internal and external resources, respectively. As such, this study is the first of its kind to examine complaint media systematically.
Market risk assessment
Authors: Kokoris Athanasios , Archontakis Fragiskos , Grose Christos
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This study aims to examine whether the methodology proposed by the European Supervisory Authorities (ESAs) within Delegated Regulation (European Union) 2017/653 for the calculation of market risk of certain packaged retail and insurance-based investment products (PRIIPs) is the most appropriate.

Design/methodology/approach

Risk models are put into effect to validate the appropriateness of the methodology announced by ESAs. ESAs have announced that the unit-linked (UL) products, labeled as Category II PRIIPs, will be subject to the Cornish–Fisher value-at-risk (CFVaR) methodology for their market risk assessment. We test CFVaR at 97.5% confidence level on 70 UL products, and we test Cornish–Fisher expected shortfall (CFES) at the same confidence level, which acts as a counter methodology for CFVaR.

Findings

The paper provides empirical insights about the Cornish-Fisher (CF) expansion being a method that incorporates the possibility of financial instability. When CFVaR by ESAs is calculated, it is shown that CF is in general a more robust risk model than the simpler historical ones. However, when CFES is applied, important points are derived. First, only in half of the occasions the CF expansion can be considered as a reliable method. Second, the CFES is a more coherent risk measure than CFVaR. We conclude that the CF expansion is unable to accurately estimate the market risk of UL products when excessive fat-tailed or non-symmetrical distributions are present. Hence, we suggest that a different methodology could also be considered by the regulatory bodies which will capture the excessive values of products in financial distress.

Originality/value

Literature, both theoretical and applied, regarding PRIIPs, is not extended. Although business and regulators research has begun to intensify in the last two years, to our knowledge this is one of the first studies that uses the CFES methodology for market risk assessment of Category II PRIIPs. In addition, we use a unique data set from a country in the headwinds of the recent financial crisis. This research contributes both to the academic and business community by enriching the existing literature and aiding risk managers in assessing the market risk of certain Category II PRIIPs. Considering the recent efforts of the regulatory authorities at the beginning of 2020 to implement certain amendments to the PRIIPs, we indicate relative risks related with the calculation of the market risk of the aforementioned products. Our findings could contribute to regulatory authorities’ persistent efforts in wrapping up this ongoing project.
Tourism biosecurity risk management and planning: an international comparative analysis and implications for Ireland
Authors: Melly Domhnall , Hanrahan James
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to review the state of national biosecurity planning. The authors recognised tourist vectoring can increase the risk of invasive alien species (IAS) and disease; representing substantial biosecurity risk for tourism destinations worldwide. This research assesses the provision of biosecurity mitigation measures within national biosecurity plans and guidelines internationally. The author’s position in this issue contends that a lack of sufficient biosecurity risk management and planning in place for tourism could have severe impacts on a destination’s environment, society, and economy.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors systematically reviewed national biosecurity planning through a mixed-method research approach. Frist, essential criteria identified from international literature allowed for content analysis to assess specific national biosecurity plans and strategies. Second, qualitative data was then gathered by conducting semi-structured interviews within national governing bodies and organisations.

Findings

Planning for tourism biosecurity varies around the world with some destinations demonstrating highly evolved plans such as Hawaii, New Zealand, and Australia. However, this is not the case in Ireland where planning for biosecurity at a national level is severely limited. Biosecurity planning, pathway management, communication, quarantine and plans for tourism risk are inadequate to prevent the introduction and spread of IAS and disease in Ireland. Recommendations offer destinations globally and with “island status” an opportunity for biosecurity to be improved by using surveillance, communication, guidelines and specific capacities at the border stages within a specific national biosecurity plan.

Originality/value

This review on the state of national planning for biosecurity provides new knowledge specifically for tourism destinations worldwide, which can adopt the essential elements identified within this research for a national tourism biosecurity risk framework.
Variation in abundances of common bird species associated with roads
Authors: Cooke Sophia C. , Balmford Andrew , Johnston Alison , Newson Stuart E. , Donald Paul F.
Published: April 2020

The global road network, currently over 45 million lane‐km in length, is expected to reach 70 million lane‐km by 2050, while the number of vehicles utilizing it is expected to double. Roads have been shown to affect a range of wildlife, including birds, but most studies have been relatively small scale.

We use data from across Great Britain to analyse the relationships between roads and the spatial distributions of bird populations. We model counts of 51 common and widespread species from the U.K. Breeding Bird Survey in relation to road exposure, which we calculated for each count site using the density, distance and traffic volume of all roads within a 5‐km radius. In these models, we incorporate other factors known to affect bird populations, including agricultural intensity, human population, habitat and climate. Importantly, we also account for differences in detectability of birds near to roads.

The abundances of 30 species were strongly significantly related to exposure to either major or minor roads. Species were generally in higher abundances with increasing exposure to minor roads (20/28). In contrast, most significant associations between major road exposure and bird abundance were negative (7/8).

For species with significant effects of road exposure, we assessed how estimated abundance changed across the central 50% of road exposure experienced for each species. The mean decrease in abundance was 19% and the mean increase was 47%. These changes in bird abundance were up to half as large as those associated with increasing agricultural intensity, a factor often cited as a major cause of bird population changes.

Synthesis and applications. Our research shows many species to vary in abundance with increasing road exposure. This suggests that roads may modify bird populations on a national scale and that their potential as drivers of biodiversity change should not be overlooked. Our work highlights the need for appropriate mitigation of roads, particularly in areas important for avian biodiversity. This could include efforts to reduce impacts of road noise and/or collisions, such as reduced speed limits or quieter road surfaces in sensitive areas.
Contextualizing employee perceptions of human resource management: a review of China‐based literature and future directions
Authors: Xiao Qijie , Cooke Fang Lee
Published: April 2020

Employee perceptions of human resource management (HRM) have attracted increasing attention in recent years. This review study aimed to examine the extent to which employee perceptions of HRM have been contextualized in China. We conducted a systematic literature search and review of 25 China‐based empirical studies published in peer‐reviewed academic journals in English. The review demonstrates that extant research mainly focuses on three distinct but inter‐related dimensions: perceived HRM content, HRM system strength, and HRM attributions. We identify several research avenues and call for qualitative studies to go beyond interview methods and quantitative research to develop context‐driven measurement scales. We also suggest that future research should integrate multi‐level theoretical paradigms to identify the organizational and institutional contexts within which HR perceptions are framed. Finally, future research needs to examine HR perceptions across different employees, employment groups, and nations, with the aim of addressing the complex and context‐specific nature of HR perceptions.
Soil and organic carbon losses from varying land uses: a global meta‐analysis
Authors: Abdalla Khatab , Mutema Macdex , Hill Trevor
Published: April 2020

Key insights

The key main finding from the study was that soil surface cover by vegetation and organic materials has the potential to significantly decrease the impact of key drivers of soil erosion processes such as rainfall and slope. Natural vegetation cover appeared more effective in terms of controlling erosion processes and enhancing ecosystem functionality of soils. The results also suggest that abandoning degraded agricultural lands might not be a sound option because the erosion processes might accelerate beyond control during the bare phase. Instead, soil cover practices such as the use of straw, manure, and even rock fragments should be encouraged.
Metagenomic analysis of historical herbarium specimens reveals a postmortem microbial community
Authors: Bieker Vanessa C. , Sánchez Barreiro Fátima , Rasmussen Jacob A. , Brunier Marie , Wales Nathan , Martin Michael D.
Published: April 2020

Advances in DNA extraction and next‐generation sequencing have made a vast number of historical herbarium specimens available for genomic investigation. These specimens contain not only genomic information from the individual plants themselves, but also from associated microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi. These microorganisms may have colonized the living plant (e.g., pathogens or host‐associated commensal taxa) or may result from postmortem colonization that may include decomposition processes or contamination during sample handling. Here we characterize the metagenomic profile from shotgun sequencing data from herbarium specimens of two widespread plant species (Ambrosia artemisiifolia and Arabidopsis thaliana) collected up to 180 years ago. We used blast searching in combination with megan and were able to infer the metagenomic community even from the oldest herbarium sample. Through comparison with contemporary plant collections, we identify three microbial species that are nearly exclusive to herbarium specimens, including the fungus Alternaria alternata, which can comprise up to 7% of the total sequencing reads. This species probably colonizes the herbarium specimens during preparation for mounting or during storage. By removing the probable contaminating taxa, we observe a temporal shift in the metagenomic composition of the invasive weed Am. artemisiifolia. Our findings demonstrate that it is generally possible to use herbarium specimens for metagenomic analyses, but that the results should be treated with caution, as some of the identified species may be herbarium contaminants rather than representing the natural metagenomic community of the host plant.
Continuing epidural analgesia during the second stage and ACOG definition of arrest of labor on maternal‐fetal outcomes
Authors: Zheng ShengXing , Zheng Wenwen , Zhu Tianqi , Lan Haiyan , Wang Qian , Sun Xiao , Hu MingPin
Published: April 2020

Background

Despite an increase in the rates of epidural labor analgesia, continuation of epidural labor analgesia in the second stage of labor (CEADSSOL) was interrupted by care providers due to fears of increased risk of operative delivery and adverse neonatal outcomes. Therefore, we evaluated the effect of CEADSSOL and the newer American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) definition of arrest of labor on the length of secondary stage of labor, newborn outcomes, and mode of delivery.

Methods

This is a retrospective cohort study. Data collection began during March 2014 and ended in May 2015, 1 year after implementation of both interventions. The primary outcome was the length of secondary stage of labor, mode of delivery and neonatal outcome (Apgar < 7, at 5 minutes). The implementation of continuing epidural analgesia during the second stage of labor was performed with 0.08%‐0.15% ropivacaine and 0.1‐0.2 µg/mL sufentanil.

Results

There were a total 10 414 deliveries during the study period. The length of the second stage of labor has no significant differences among groups. The cesarean delivery rate decreased 4.1% (36% vs 40.1%, P = .0038). Moreover, no significant difference was found in neonatal Apgar scores less than 7 at 5 minutes between two phases. Maternal outcomes remained unchanged. Post‐intervention neonatal parameters including NICU admissions (P < .001), incidences of antibiotics usage (P < .0001), intubation (P = .0003), and 7 days mortality (P = .0020) were remarkably reduced compared to pre‐interventions.

Conclusion

The important finding of this study was the improvement in neonatal outcomes by implementing two simultaneous interventions without a cost of increased operative delivery.
Comparison of inbred mouse strains shows diverse phenotypic outcomes of intervertebral disc aging
Authors: Novais Emanuel J. , Tran Victoria A. , Miao Jingya , Slaver Katie , Sinensky Andrew , Dyment Nathaniel A. , Addya Sankar , Szeri Flora , van de Wetering Koen , Shapiro Irving M. , Risbud Makarand V.
Published: April 2020

Intervertebral disc degeneration presents a wide spectrum of clinically degenerative disc phenotypes; however, the contribution of genetic background to the degenerative outcomes has not been established. We characterized the spinal phenotype of 3 mouse strains with varying cartilage‐regenerative potential at 6 and 23 months: C57BL/6, LG/J and SM/J. All strains showed different aging phenotypes. Importantly, LG/J mice showed an increased prevalence of dystrophic disc calcification in caudal discs with aging. Quantitative‐histological analyses of LG/J and SM/J caudal discs evidenced accelerated degeneration compared to BL6, with cellular disorganization and cell loss together with fibrosis of the NP, respectively. Along with the higher grades of disc degeneration, SM/J, at 6M, also differed the most in terms of NP gene expression compared to other strains. Moreover, although we found common DEGs between BL6 and LG/J aging, most of them were divergent between the strains. Noteworthy, the common DEGs altered in both LG/J and BL6 aging were associated with inflammatory processes, response to stress, cell differentiation, cell metabolism and cell division. Results suggested that disc calcification in LG/J resulted from a dystrophic calcification process likely aggravated by cell death, matrix remodelling, changes in calcium/phosphate homeostasis and cell transformation. Lastly, we report 7 distinct phenotypes of human disc degeneration based on transcriptomic profiles, that presented similar pathways and DEGs found in aging mouse strains. Together, our results suggest that disc aging and degeneration depends on the genetic background and involves changes in various molecular pathways, which might help to explain the diverse phenotypes seen during disc disease.
Early Self‐Proning in Awake, Non‐intubated Patients in the Emergency Department: A Single ED’s Experience During the COVID‐19 Pandemic
Authors: Caputo Nicholas D. , Strayer Reuben J. , Levitan Richard
Published: April 2020

Objective

Prolonged and unaddressed hypoxia can lead to poor patient outcomes. Proning has become a standard treatment in the management of patients with ARDS who have difficulty achieving adequate oxygen saturation. The purpose of this study was to describe the use of early proning of awake, non‐intubated patients in the emergency department (ED) during the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Methods

This pilot study was carried out in a single urban ED in New York City. We included patients suspected of having COVID‐19 with hypoxia on arrival. A standard pulse oximeter was used to measure SpO2. SpO2 measurements were recorded at triage and after 5 minutes of proning. Supplemental oxygenation methods included non‐rebreather mask (NRB) and nasal cannula. We also characterized post‐proning failure rates of intubation within the first 24 hours of arrival to the ED.

Results

Fifty patients were included. Overall, the median SpO2 at triage was 80% (IQR 69 to 85). After application of supplemental oxygen was given to patients on room air it was 84% (IQR 75 to 90). After 5 minutes of proning was added SpO2 improved to 94% (IQR 90 to 95). Comparison of the pre‐ to post‐median by the Wilcoxon Rank‐sum test yielded P = 0.001. Thirteen patients (24%) failed to improve or maintain their oxygen saturations and required endotracheal intubation within 24 hours of arrival to the ED.

Conclusion

Awake early self‐proning in the emergency department demonstrated improved oxygen saturation in our COVID‐19 positive patients. Further studies are needed to support causality and determine the effect of proning on disease severity and mortality.
Examining adverse fetal/neonatal outcomes associated with severe maternal morbidity
Authors: Lawton Beverley , Filoche Sara , MacDonald Evelyn Jane , Stanley James , Meeks Maggie , Stone Peter , Storey Francesca , Geller Stacie E.
Published: April 2020

Background

While there is a global focus on severe maternal morbidity (SMM), less is known about the impact of SMM on fetal and neonatal outcomes.

Aims

To examine fetal/neonatal outcomes associated with SMM.

Materials and Methods

A national New Zealand (NZ) retrospective cohort study describing fetal/neonatal outcomes of all women with SMM admitted to a NZ Intensive Care Unit (ICU) or High Dependency Unit (HDU) in 2014. Adverse fetal/neonatal outcomes were defined as one or more of the following: fetal or early neonatal death, hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy, Apgar score less than seven at five minutes, admission to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit or Special Care Baby Unit.

Results

There were 400 women with SMM admitted to NZ ICU/HDU units in 2014, and 395 (98.8%) had complete birth/pregnancy outcome information. Of these, 49.4% (195/395) were associated with an adverse fetal/neonatal outcome. Indigenous Māori women had a 30% higher rate of adverse fetal/neonatal outcome compared to NZ European women (63.7% and 48.9% respectively; relative risk = 1.30, 95% CI 1.04–1.64). Pre‐eclampsia was associated with an adverse fetal/neonatal outcome in 67% (81/120). Perinatal‐related mortality rate was 53.1 per 1000 total births compared to NZ perinatal mortality of 11.2 per 1000 total births for 2014.

Conclusion

SMM events are associated with high rates of adverse fetal/neonatal outcomes with a higher burden of adverse events for Māori. Further research is needed to explore opportunities in maternal and neonatal care pathways to improve fetal/neonatal outcomes and address inequities.
“There are No Votes in Africa”?: Australia, Africa and the UN Security Council
Authors: Mickler David , PijoviĆ Nikola
Published: April 2020

This article examines how Australia's successful campaign for a non‐permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) (2008‐12) and its subsequent term on the Council (2013‐14) both encouraged and impacted on the country's engagement with Africa. Drawing on extensive interviews with senior Australian politicians and government officials with intimate knowledge of the country's campaign for the UNSC and its time on the Council, as well as with senior African diplomats, the article contributes new knowledge on how Canberra campaigned to secure African UN votes and how it engaged with the Council's Africa‐dominated agenda. The article concludes by evaluating the legacy of this period of high engagement for both ongoing Australia‐Africa relations and Australia's new campaign for a UNSC seat during the 2029‐30 term.
The Formation of the Queensland Liberal National Party: Origins, Prospects and Implications for Australian Political Systems
Authors: Cockfield Geoff
Published: April 2020

In Australia, two‐and‐a‐half party systems are common with the Liberal and National parties, usually needing to collaborate to form governments. In Queensland, the 2008 merger of two of these state parties to create the Liberal National Party (LNP) created instead a two‐party system. This review examines the forces for the merger and prospects for the continuation of the LNP, the likelihood of change as a result of the Queensland merger in the remaining two‐and‐a‐half party systems, and how the drivers of this merger compare with those observed in studies of other non‐Australian party and electoral systems. Pressures and conditions for a merger similar to those in other, mostly European systems, were evident in the case of the LNP. The particular structure of the pre‐merger party competition and relationships was, however, a likely factor in the merger in that two collaborating parties could avoid a contested switch in party seniority. This aspect, unlikely to occur in other Australian party systems, combined with the very limited success of the LNP in gaining and holding government since the merger, does not suggest an imperative for further mergers in other Australian systems.
Australian Labor as a Federal Organisation: State Uniformity or Distinctiveness?
Authors: Gauja Anika , Grömping Max
Published: April 2020

Is the Australian Labor Party (ALP) one party, or eight? Academic accounts of the ALP throughout its history have emphasised the importance of state‐based policy‐making and organisation as evidence that the “life of the party” occurs within state and territory branches. However, over the last three decades, changes to the national conference and constitution, the increasing prominence of national leaders and the professionalisation of campaigning practices have arguably created the conditions for a far more centralised organisation, raising the question of whether, in 2019, there is anything distinctive about the ALP state and territory branches beyond the jurisdictions in which they operate. In this article, we investigate the distinctiveness of state Labor branches in terms of their formal organisational diversity and the characteristics and attitudes of their supporters. Using data from an original survey of Australian party supporters conducted in 2016, as well as undertaking an analysis of formal party rules, we show that the ALP exhibits a high degree of organisational uniformity across its branches, and supporters of the party in all states and territories very closely resemble each other. We conclude that even though the party maintains a federal structure it is possible to study its supportership and formal structure as a national organisation.
Change in prevalence of major levator ani muscle defects from 6 weeks to 1 year postpartum, and maternal and obstetric risk factors: A longitudinal ultrasound study
Authors: Halle Tuva Kristine , Stær‐Jensen Jette , Hilde Gunvor , Bø Kari , Ellström Engh Marie , Siafarikas Franziska
Published: April 2020

Introduction

The present study aimed first to investigate the change in prevalence of major levator ani muscle (LAM) defects, also called avulsions, from 6 weeks to 1 year postpartum, and second to assess maternal and obstetric risk factors for having persistent major LAM defects/avulsions at 1 year postpartum.

Material and methods

This is a secondary analysis of data from a prospective cohort study including 300 nulliparous women at 17‐19 weeks of gestation. Major LAM defects were diagnosed at 6 weeks and 1 year postpartum using transperineal ultrasonography. We defined persistent major LAM defects as a defect diagnosed both at 6 weeks and 1 year postpartum. Maternal and obstetric data were obtained from the hospital’s electronic birth records. Pelvic floor muscle function was measured vaginally by manometer at 21 weeks of gestation. The main outcome measurement was change in prevalence of major LAM defects. Maternal and obstetric risk factors for having persistent major LAM defect were also assessed.

Results

Prevalence of major LAM defects was 19.4% at 6 weeks and 10.4% at 1 year postpartum. No new major LAM defects were diagnosed at 1 year postpartum. Persisting major LAM defects were associated with longer second stage of labor (median 74.5 minutes vs median 48.0 minutes, P = .012) and higher neonatal birthweight (mean difference of 232.3 g, 95% confidence interval [CI] 21.5‐443.1). Vacuum delivery was independently associated with persistent major LAM defects, adjusted OR 3.0 (95% CI 1.0‐9.0).

Conclusions

There was a 50% reduction of sonographically diagnosed major LAM defects from 6 weeks to 1 year postpartum. This finding suggests that assessment of the major LAM 6 weeks postpartum may be too early to diagnose defects/avulsions. Long second stage of labor, high neonatal birthweight and vacuum delivery were associated with persistent major LAM defects/avulsions.
Effect of artificial liver support system on short‐term prognosis of patients with hepatitis B virus‐related acute‐on‐chronic liver failure
Authors: Liu Hua , Zhang Qian , Liu Lei , Cao Yingying , Ye Qing , Liu Fang , Liang Jing , Wen Jing , Li Ying , Han Tao
Published: April 2020

Hepatitis B virus‐related acute‐on‐chronic liver failure (HBV‐ACLF) is difficult to treat and carries a high risk of short‐term mortality. This study aimed to explore the effect of artificial liver support system (ALSS) on the survival of HBV‐ACLF patients and to investigate which HBV‐ACLF patients may benefit from ALSS treatment. We enrolled 132 patients hospitalized for HBV‐ACLF according to the criteria of the Chinese Group on the Study of Severe Hepatitis B‐ACLF (COSSH‐ACLF) from 425 ACLF patients who were determined to at least meet the Asian Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver criteria and followed up for 90 days. Overall 132 eligible patients were divided into two groups: standard medical treatment (SMT) group, which included 54 patients who underwent SMT alone, and ALSS group, which included 78 patients who underwent ALSS treatment plus SMT. The proportion of HBV‐ACLF grade 1, 2, and 3 was 57.69%, 37.18%, and 5.13% in the ALSS group and 51.85%, 35.19%, and 12.96% in the SMT group, respectively. Bacterial infection was present in 43.6% of patients in the ALSS group and in 55.6% of patients in the SMT group. The mortality rates in the ALSS group at 28 and 90 days were significantly lower than those in the SMT group (23.08% vs. 48.15% and 33.33% vs. 57.41%, P < 0.05). ALSS was an independent factor related to both the 28‐ and 90‐day survival of HBV‐ACLF patients. Particularly, a higher cumulative survival rate in either patients with HBV‐ACLF grade 1 or those with HBV‐ACLF with bacterial infection was observed in the ALSS group. Moreover, ALSS had an independent influence on mortality. Based on the COSSH‐ACLF criteria, ALSS could better improve the short‐term survival of HBV‐ACLF patients than SMT alone, especially in those with HBV‐ACLF grade 1 or HBV‐ACLF with infection.
Control of ventricular unloading using an electrocardiogram‐synchronized pulsatile ventricular assist device under high stroke ratios
Authors: Magkoutas Konstantinos , Rebholz Mathias , Sündermann Simon , Alogna Alessio , Faragli Alessandro , Falk Volkmar , Meboldt Mirko , Schmid Daners Marianne
Published: April 2020

Pulsatile ventricular assist devices (pVADs) yield a blood flow that imitates the pulsatile flow of the heart and, therefore, could diminish the adverse events related to the continuous flow provided by the ventricular assist devices that are commonly used. However, their intrinsic characteristics of larger size and higher weight set a burden to their implantation, that along with the frequent mechanical failures and thrombosis events, reduce the usage of pVADs in the clinical environment. In this study, we investigated the possibility to reduce the pump size by using high pump stroke ratios while maintaining the ability to control the hemodynamics of the cardiovascular system (CVS). In vitro and in vivo experiments were conducted with a custom pVAD implemented on a hybrid mock circulation system and in five sheep, respectively. The actuation of the pVAD was synchronized with the heartbeat. Variations of the pump stroke ratio, time delay between the pump stroke and the heart stroke, as well as duration of the pump systole in respect to the total cardiac cycle duration were used to evaluate the effects of various pump settings on the hemodynamics of the CVS. The results suggest that by varying the operating settings of the pVAD, a pulsatile flow that provides physiological hemodynamic parameters, as well as a control over the hemodynamic parameters, can be achieved. Additionally, by employing high pump stroke ratios, the size of the pVAD can be significantly reduced; however, at those high pump stroke ratios, the effect of the other pump parameters diminishes.
EndOxy: Mid‐term stability and shear stress resistance of endothelial cells on PDMS gas exchange membranes
Authors: Hellmann Ariane , Klein Sarah , Hesselmann Felix , Djeljadini Suzana , Schmitz‐Rode Thomas , Jockenhoevel Stefan , Cornelissen Christian G. , Thiebes Anja Lena
Published: April 2020

Endothelialized oxygenator devices (EndOxy) with a physiological, nonthrombogenic, and anti‐inflammatory surface offer the potential to overcome current shortcomings of conventional extracorporeal membrane oxygenation such as complications like thromboembolism and bleeding that deteriorate adequate long‐term hemocompatibility. The approach of endothelialization of gas exchange membranes, and thus the formation of a nonthrombogenic and anti‐inflammatory surface, is promising. In this study, we investigated the mid‐term shear stress resistance as well as gas transfer rates and cell densities of endothelial cells seeded on RGD‐conjugated polydimethylsiloxane (RGD‐PDMS) gas exchange membranes under dynamic conditions. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were seeded on RGD‐PDMS and exposed to defined shear stresses in a microfluidic bioreactor. Endothelial cell morphology was assessed by bright field microscopy and immunocytochemistry. Furthermore, gas transfer measurement of blank, RGD‐conjugated, and endothelialized PDMS oxygenator membranes was performed. RGD‐PDMS gas exchange membranes proved suitable for the dynamic culture of endothelial cells for up to 21 days at a wall shear stress of 2.9 dyn/cm2. Furthermore, the cells resisted increased wall shear stresses up to 8.6 dyn/cm2 after a previous dynamic preculture of each one hour at 2.9 dyn/cm2 and 5.7 dyn/cm2. Also, after a longer dynamic preculture of three days at 2.9 dyn/cm2 and one hour at 5.7 dyn/cm2, increased wall shear stresses of 8.6 dyn/cm2 were tolerated by the cells and cell integrity could be remained. Gas transfer (GT) tests revealed that neither RGD conjugation nor endothelialization of RGD‐PDMS significantly decrease the gas transfer rates of the membranes during short‐term trials. Gas transfer rates are stable for at least 72 hours of dynamic cultivation of endothelial cells. Immunocytochemistry showed that the cell layer stained positive for typical endothelial cell markers CD31 and von Willebrand factor (VWF) after all trials. Cell density of EC on RGD‐PDMS increased between 3 and 21 days of dynamic culture. In this study, we show the suitability of RGD‐PDMS membranes for flow resistant endothelialization of gas‐permeable membranes, demonstrating the feasibility of this approach for a biohybrid lung.
Safety and efficacy of laparoscopy‐assisted percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in infants and small children weighing less than 10 kg: A comparison with larger patients
Authors: Zenitani Masahiro , Nose Satoko , Sasaki Takashi , Oue Takaharu
Published: April 2020

Introduction

Laparoscopy‐assisted percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (LAPEG) can reduce the risk of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy‐related complications, such as intra‐abdominal organ injury, and determine the optimal position for placement of the gastrostomy tube. We first employed LAPEG 10 years ago but limited its application to elderly patients. Indications for LAPEG have now expanded to small children. This retrospective study aimed to determine the feasibility of LAPEG in children weighing <10 kg.

Methods

Our LAPEG procedure for small children involves three essential techniques: gastric insufflation with CO2 to prevent intestinal dilation, a T‐fastener device to overcome the difficulties of gastropexy, and primary placement of a button gastrostomy to create less torque than tube gastrostomy at the insertion site and to prevent early tube dislodgement. The medical records of 48 patients with physical and mental disabilities who underwent LAPEG between 2010 and 2018 were evaluated. The outcomes of LAPEG in patients weighing <10 kg (group A, n=11) and ≥10 kg (group B, n=37) were compared.

Results

The LAPEG procedure was completed in all cases without intraoperative complications or open conversion. The median bodyweight of group A was 6.3 kg (range, 3.6‐8.2 kg). None of the patients in group A developed postoperative complications such as stomal infection or dislodgement. The operative time was significantly shorter in group A than in group B (P < .05).

Conclusion

By improving surgical techniques for small children, our LAPEG procedure might be feasible and safe for treating children weighing <10 kg, including those weighing as little as 3.6 kg.
Learning design and learning analytics in mobile and ubiquitous learning: A systematic review
Authors: Pishtari Gerti , Rodríguez‐Triana María J. , Sarmiento‐Márquez Edna M. , Pérez‐Sanagustín Mar , Ruiz‐Calleja Adolfo , Santos Patricia , P. Prieto Luis , Serrano-Iglesias Sergio , Väljataga Terje
Published: April 2020

Mobile and Ubiquitous Learning (m/u‐learning) are finding an increasing adoption in education. They are often distinguished by hybrid learning environments that encompass elements of formal and informal learning, in activities that happen in distributed settings (indoors and outdoors), across physical and virtual spaces. Despite their purported benefits, these environments imply additional complexity in the design, monitoring and evaluation of learning activities. The research literature on learning design (LD) and learning analytics (LA) has started to deal with these issues. This paper presents a systematic literature review of LD and LA, in m/u‐learning. Apart from providing an overview of the current research in the field, this review elicits elements of common ground between both communities, as shown by the similar learning contexts and complementary research contributions, and based on the research gaps, proposes to: address m/u‐learning beyond higher education settings, reinforce the connection between physical and virtual learning spaces, and more systematically align LD and LA processes.
Post‐orogenic sediment drape in the Northern Pyrenees explained using a box model
Authors: Bernard Thomas , Sinclair Hugh D. , Naylor Mark , Christophoul Frédéric , Ford Mary
Published: April 2020

The transition to a post‐orogenic state in mountain ranges has been identified by a change from active subsidence to isostatic rebound of the foreland basin. However, the nature of the interplay between isostatic rebound and sediment supply, and their impact on the topographic evolution of a range and foreland basin during this transition, has not been fully investigated. Here, we use a box model to explore the syn‐ to post‐orogenic evolution of foreland basin/thrust wedge systems. Using a set of parameter values that approximate the northern Pyrenees and the neighbouring Aquitaine foreland basin, we evaluate the controls on sediment drape over the frontal parts of the retro‐wedge following cessation of crustal thickening. Conglomerates preserved at approximately 600‐m elevation, which is ~ 300 m above the present mountain front in the northern Pyrenees are ca. 12 Ma, approximately 10 Myrs younger than the last evidence of crustal thickening in the wedge. Using the model, this post‐orogenic sediment drape is explained by the combination of a sustained, high sediment influx from the range into the basin relative to the efflux out of the basin, combined with cessation of the generation of accommodation space through basin subsidence. Post‐orogenic sediment drape is considered a generic process that is likely to be responsible for elevated low‐gradient surfaces and preserved remnants of continental sedimentation draping the outer margins of the northern Pyrenean thrust wedge.
Antitumour properties based on the self‐assembly of camptothecin and carbamoylmannose conjugates
Authors: Wang Jia‐Li , Wang Kai‐Xin , Han Tian‐Lei , Li Jin‐Mei , He Xu , Rong Rui‐Xue , Cao Zhi‐Ran , Li Xiao‐Liu , Wang Ke‐Rang
Published: April 2020

Camptothecin (CPT) and its analogues show potent antitumour activity. However, poor water solubility and severe side effects have restricted their applications in clinical practice. In this paper, a novel self‐assembly based on camptothecin and carbamoylmannose conjugates (CPT‐Man) was constructed. The self‐assembly increased the water solubility of camptothecin to 0.64 mg/ml and antitumour activity. Moreover, CPT‐Man could induce obvious cancer cell apoptosis. This work provides a new approach for exploring carbohydrate‐modified antitumour properties by self‐assembled CPT drugs.
Ultrasound systems for risk stratification of thyroid nodules prompt inappropriate biopsy in autonomously functioning thyroid nodules
Authors: Castellana Marco , Virili Camilla , Paone Gaetano , Scappaticcio Lorenzo , Piccardo Arnoldo , Giovanella Luca , Trimboli Pierpaolo
Published: April 2020

Objective

Ultrasound (US) risk stratification systems (RSSs) have been developed to reduce the number of unnecessary fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) biopsies in patients with thyroid nodules. Autonomously functioning thyroid nodules (AFTN) account for 5%‐10% of palpable lesions and are very rarely malignant. The present study was undertaken to investigate how RSSs classify AFTNs and whether RSSs are able to avoid unnecessary FNA biopsies in such cases.

Methods

Patients with AFTN who had undergone US, scintigraphy and thyroid function evaluation from December 2016 to December 2017 were selected. US images were retrospectively reviewed and AFTN reclassified according to AACE/ACE/AME, ACR‐TIRADS, ATA, BTA, EU‐TIRADS, K‐TIRADS and TIRADS. Risk class and indication for FNA were assessed.

Results

A number of 87 AFTNs from 85 consecutive patients were enrolled. A median diameter of 22 mm (range 10‐59) was found, with an ovoid isoechoic nodule being the most frequent US presentation. When AFTNs were reclassified according to US RSSs, the most common categories were low and intermediate risk. AFTNs were assessed as being at high risk/high suspicion/malignant in 1%‐9%, with good agreement among AACE/ACE/AME, ATA, EU‐TIRADS, K‐TIRADS and TIRADS. Remarkably, FNA was indicated in 27%‐90% of AFTNs. A statistically significant difference among the systems was found; 8% of cases were nonclassifiable by one or more US RSS.

Conclusions

Ultrasound RSSs prompt inappropriate FNA in a significant number of patients with AFTN.
RGS16 promotes glioma progression and serves as a prognostic factor
Authors: Huang Ruoyu , Li Guanzhang , Zhao Zheng , Zeng Fan , Zhang Kenan , Liu Yanwei , Wang Kuanyu , Hu Huimin
Published: April 2020

Background

RGS protein family members have recently became new potentially promising therapeutic targets in many cancers. However, as a key member of RGS family, RGS16 has seldom been studied in glioma. The present study was designed to investigate the prognostic value and biological function of RGS16 based on large‐scale databases and functional assays in vitro.

Methods

Here, we performed comprehensive analysis for the expression characteristic of RGS16 in Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (CGGA) microarray database with 301 patients and validated in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) microarray and RNA sequencing database. Student's t‐test, one‐way ANOVA test and long‐rank test were used to assess differences between groups. Kaplan‐Meier survival, univariate and multivariate Cox analysis and ROC curve were used to estimate the survival distributions. Biological implication of abnormal expression of RGS16 in glioma was also explored. Functional analysis of RGS16 was performed in several glioblastoma (GBM) cell lines. R language and SPSS were used for statistical analysis and graphical work.

Results

We found that the expression of RGS16 was positively related to the grade of glioma. High level of RGS16 commonly gathered in glioma of mesenchymal subtype and wild‐type IDH1. Moreover, higher expression level of RGS16 was found to be significantly correlated with poor prognosis. The univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis and ROC curve showed that RGS16 was an independent prognostic factor for glioma patients. Gene ontology analysis, gene set enrichment analysis, and gene set variation analysis suggested that the overexpression of RGS16 tightly related to cell proliferation, migration, epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT), immune and inflammatory response of glioma. Knockdown of RGS16 in glioma cell lines also showed that RGS16 promoted the malignant progress of glioma cell lines.

Conclusions

RGS16 plays an important role in glioma progression and serves as an independent prognostic factor, especially in GBM patients.