bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of the motivation program to quit smoking in Royal Thai Air Force officers with non-communicable disease risks
Authors: Chalermrueangrong Jatuporn , Preechawong Sunida
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to compare the outcome of a smoking cessation program based on the protection motivation theory and a brief intervention among Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) officers, with non-communicable disease (NCD) risks.

Design/methodology/approach

This quasi-experimental study involved sixty RTAF officers, with NCD risks. The first 30 participants were assigned to a control group and the latter 30 to an experimental group. The control group received brief advice on quitting smoking while the experimental group took part in an eight-week motivational program. The primary outcome was biochemically verified seven-day point prevalence abstinence from smoking. A measurement of carbon monoxide (CO)<8 ppm in exhaled breath was considered indicative of abstinence.

Findings

Most participants were non-commissioned officers, with an age range of 21–59 years and a mean age of 38.27 years (SD=10.59). No significant difference in the Fagerström test for nicotine dependence scores between control and experimental groups was observed. The proportion of the participants reporting the seven-day point prevalence abstinence verified by exhaled CO was significantly higher in the experiment group than in the control group (20.0 percent vs 3.3 percent; p<0.05). Numbers of cigarettes per day decreased from 12.87±7.23 and 10.53 ± 7.45 at the baseline to 7.23 ± 5.90 and 8.83 ± 6.13 at the end of study in experimental and control group, respectively.

Originality/value

This motivation-based program to quit smoking had a promising outcome in terms of smoking abstinence and smoking reduction.
The impact of open innovation on SMEs’ innovation outcomes
Authors: Expósito Alfonso , Fernández-Serrano José , Liñán Francisco
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of open innovation (OI) cooperation strategies on innovation outcomes of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), considering the mediating effect of firm age. The data come from six Spanish regions in the period 2009–2011. The authors analyse the impacts of two different types of innovation cooperation (with market and institutional agents) on four types of innovation outcomes: product, process, organisational and marketing.

Design/methodology/approach

The analytical method is based on logit regressions in order to assess the impact of OI variables on SMEs’ innovation outcomes. The regressions include a number of control variables related to the characteristics of the business, the entrepreneur and the environment.

Findings

The empirical results show that OI plays a significant role in explaining the innovation outcome of SMEs. Firm age is found to moderate this relationship. R&D cooperation with market agents exhibits the highest relationship to innovation, while the impact of institutional cooperation is comparatively lower.

Originality/value

There are few studies on OI addressing OI practices in SMEs. This research contributes to shedding light on the role of OI in innovation processes in SMEs. It also shows how this relationship changes depending on the partner, the type of innovation and the age of the firm.
Open innovation: past, present and future trends
Authors: Fernandes Cristina , Ferreira João , Peris-Ortiz Marta
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide interested parties with the means of grasping how the literature on open innovation has evolved over the course of time. In this way, the authors furthermore contribute towards a better understanding, scaling and positioning of this field of research.

Design/methodology/approach

This study applies a combination of bibliometric techniques, such as citations, co-citations and social network analysis in order to map the scientific domain of open innovation. Currently, bibliometric analysis represents a methodology in effect on a global scale to evaluate the existing state of fields of research (Mutschkeet al., 2011). This spans the application of quantitative and statistical analysis to publications such as articles and their respective citations and serving to evaluate the performance of research through returning data on all of the activities ongoing in a scientific field with summaries of these data generating a broad perspective on the research activities and impacts, especially as regards the researchers, journals, countries and universities (Hawkins, 1977; Osareh, 1996; Thomsom Reuters, 2008).

Findings

This research aims to map and analyse the intellectual knowledge held on open innovation. To this end, the authors carried out a bibliometric study with recourse to co-citations. Based on cluster and factorial analyses, it is possible identify and classify the several theoretical perspectives on open innovation across six areas: open innovation concept, open innovation and networks, open innovation and knowledge, open Innovation, and innovation spillovers, open innovation management and open innovation and technology.

Originality/value

This paper aims to map and analyse the intellectual knowledge held on open innovation.
Increasing procurement efficiency through optimal e-commerce enablement scheduling
Authors: Cholette Susan , Clark Andrew G. , Özlük Özgür
Published: June 2019

Purpose

This study aims to show how cost savings can be achieved through optimizing the scheduling of e-commerce enablements. The University of California is one of the largest, most prestigious public education and research systems in the world, yet diminished state support is driving the search for system-wide cost savings.

Design/methodology/approach

This study documents the preparation for and rollout of an e-procurement system across a subset of campuses. A math programing tool was developed for prioritizing the gradual rollout to generate the greatest expected savings subject to resource constraints.

Findings

The authors conclude by summarizing the results of the rollout, discussing lessons learned and their benefit to decision-makers at other public institutions.

Originality/value

The pilot program comprising three campuses has been predicted to yield $1.2m in savings over a one-year period; additional sensitivity analysis with respect to savings, project timelines and other rollout decisions illustrate the robustness of these findings.
Digital transformation: harnessing digital technologies for the next generation of services
Authors: Zaki Mohamed
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss digital transformation and its four trajectories – digital technology, digital strategy, customer experience and data-driven business models – that could shape the next generation of services. This includes a discussion on whether both the market and organizations are all ready for the digital change and what are the opportunities that will enable firms to create and capture value though new business models.

Design/methodology/approach

Providing services is a proven and effective way to secure a competitive position, deliver long-term stable revenues and open up new market opportunities. However, it is also clear that some organisations are struggling to digitally transform. Therefore, the commentary provides a brief insight into how firms explore the possibilities of digital transformation and navigate these uncharted waters.

Findings

Today’s digital technologies affect the organisation outside and in, enabling the creation of new business models and transforming the customer experience. The incumbents are acutely aware that they need to transform strategically – to build new networks and value chains.

Originality/value

This commentary extends earlier work exploring the digital disruption within services to highlight a number of connected areas: the challenges and opportunities of digital transformation at a strategic level, as well as understanding and enhancing the customer experience and seeing how new data-driven business models can underpin service transformation.
Share classes, families and asset purchases: Canadian evidence
Authors: Guo Lingfeng , Kryzanowski Lawrence , Nie Yinlin
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to test if relative asset purchase values (RAPVs) differ between single- and dual-class purchasers (not) differentiated by family ownership for Canadian firms.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses multivariate regressions and 2SLS estimations of simultaneous equations models with both continuous and dichotomous endogenous variables. Data on share structures and family involvements are hand collected.

Findings

RAPVs for dual-class purchasers are significantly different (larger) than their single-class counterparts only for family-controlled samples. Larger RAPVs for dual-class purchases are associated with higher degrees of dual-class structures, higher family ownerships and with boards with no more than one family member.

Research limitations/implications

RAPV is important because of its common use as a primary determinant of the wealth effects of M&As, its use as an exchange-rate proxy in two-stage regressions used to determine the amount of abnormal returns attributable to short selling activity around M&A announcements, and its use as a channel for conveying information about deal complexity, seller’s bargaining power, additional monitoring benefits from purchase and/or greater challenges in incorporating a purchase into existing assets. Larger sample size would facilitate more differentiated examinations.

Practical implications

Findings imply that dual-class share structures assist family shareholders in elevating their control over corporate decisions involving asset purchases.

Social implications

This paper furthers the authors’ knowledge about the effects of agency issues on corporate decisions.

Originality/value

It provides an extension and robustness test of the US evidence for asset purchases by providing evidence for Canada given its greater preponderance of families as the ultimate controlling shareholders, restricted or subordinated voting shares issued and pyramidal structures.
Analysis and application of modern supply chain system in China
Authors: Chen Lihua , Lu Yi , Zhao Rui
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is make a significant contribution to the supply chain knowledge system through research on modern supply chain system in China, providing guidance for theoretical research such as methodology of dynamic resource allocation and application of innovative small- and middle-sized service system in the supply chain.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses structural analysis of Chinese competitive advantage, and it applies comparative analysis of supply chain models in China, the USA and Japan through the factor disintegration of trading environment.

Findings

China’s supply chain model has virtual scale and virtual capabilities. The relationship with suppliers is more dynamic. The requirements for resolving uncertainty are higher. Business transfer is more frequent.

Research limitations/implications

Researchers are encouraged to propose the specific supply chain models in China further with the game theory, auction theory, etc.

Practical implications

It provides advice for government policy making and gives Chinese enterprises guidance to improve operation management.

Originality/value

This paper specifically analyzes characteristics of China supply chain and gives enlightenment for supply chain innovation.
Antecedents and outcomes of supply chain management in Bangladesh
Authors: Uddin Mohammed Belal , Akhter Bilkis
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the institutional and significant competences that have allowed organizations to employ supply chain management (SCM) practices, the practices of SCM and the benefits of SCM practices for both buyers and suppers.

Design/methodology/approach

A theoretical model (including hypotheses) has been proposed regarding antecedents, SCM practices and outcomes of SCM. Using purposive sampling method, data were collected from different manufacturing, distributing, wholesaling and retailing organizations. Collected data were analyzed in a principal component analysis and structural equation modeling, including confirmatory factor analysis, and path analysis.

Findings

The empirical results provided supportive evidences in favor of the hypotheses and theoretical arguments except one hypothesis. This study did not a find positive relationship between organizational compatibility and SCM practices. The study found relationships between mutual trust and SCM practices, communication and SCM practices, and cooperation and SCM practices, which were positive and significant. Again, the relationships between SCM practices and competitive advantages, and SCM practices and long-term orientation and growth were also positive and significant.

Practical implications

Practitioners could also use the findings to align SCM with business strategy and gain an insight for better utilization of the available resources and technology to perform better.

Originality/value

This study will provide guidance as to the preconditions that need to be in place in order for a company to implement SCM with its suppliers and customers. It will remind practitioners to stay focused on the ultimate goals of SCM – lower costs, increased customer value and satisfaction, and, ultimately, competitive advantage.
An analysis of the factors affecting mobile commerce adoption in developing countries
Authors: Tarhini Ali , Alalwan Ali Abdallah , Shammout Ahmad Bahjat , Al-Badi Ali
Published: June 2019

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the factors that may hinder or facilitate consumers’ adoption of mobile-commerce (m-commerce) activities in the context of developing countries exemplified here by Oman.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual model was developed through integrating factors from UTAUT2 (performance expectancy, expectancy effort, social influence, facilitating conditions, hedonic motivation, price value, habit and self-efficacy) and SERVQUAL (system quality, service quality and information quality). Data were collected from 530 Omani m-commerce users through a cross-sectional survey.

Findings

The results of the structural equation modelling showed that consumers’ behavioural intention (BI) towards m-commerce adoption was significantly influenced by information quality, habit, performance expectancy, trust, hedonic motivation, service quality, price value and facilitating conditions, in their order of influencing strength, and explained 65.5 per cent of the variance in BI. Unexpectedly, effort expectancy, social influence, self-efficacy and system quality had no significant effect on BI.

Practical implications

This study will explain the currently relatively low penetration rate of m-commerce adoption in Oman, which will help local m-commerce businesses to develop the right organizational strategies, especially related to marketing strategies and developing mobile applications, which will draw the attention of many users.

Originality/value

This is one of the few studies that integrates UTAUT2 with SERVQUAL and tests the proposed model in non-Western cultural contexts. Specifically, in contrast to previous studies, diversity of individuals’ acceptance behaviour is examined in Oman.
Esculetin inhibits histamine‐induced expression of inflammatory cytokines and mucin in nasal epithelial cells
Authors: Sun Bin , Wang Botao , Xu Min
Published: June 2019

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a type of respiratory disease closely associated with chronic inflammation. Esculetin is a natural coumarin derivative and has been reported to possess anti‐allergic and anti‐inflammatory effects. However, the roles of esculetin in AR have not been studied. In this study, we aimed to examine the effect of esculetin on AR using an in vitro model. The human nasal epithelial cells (HNEpC) were stimulated by histamine for 24 hours with or without the pretreatment of esculetin. The mRNA levels and production of inflammatory cytokines including IL‐6 and IL‐8, as well as mucin 5AC (MUC5AC) were measured using qRT‐PCR and ELISA, respectively. The results showed that esculetin suppressed histamine‐induced expression and secretion of IL‐6, IL‐8, and MUC5AC in HNEpCs. Furthermore, we examined the effect of esculetin on NF‐κB pathway by detecting the expression levels of NF‐κB p65, p‐p65 and IκBα using western blot analysis. Esculetin treatment suppressed the histamine‐induced p‐p65 expression and p‐IκBα degradation. Inhibiting NF‐κB pathway suppressed histamine‐induced production of IL‐6, IL‐8, and MUC5AC in HNEpCs. These findings suggested that esculetin suppressed histamine‐induced production of inflammatory cytokines and mucin in HNEpCs, which were partly mediated by the inhibition of NF‐κB pathway.
Frequency of Alterations in Apheresis‐Related Abstracts Prior to Publications as Peer‐Reviewed Articles
Authors: Simmons Sierra C , Bui Chau M , Kim Chong H , Feldman Alexander Z , Staley Elizabeth M , Pham Huy P
Published: June 2019

High‐quality evidence supporting clinical practice is lacking in apheresis. A potential source of evidence is provided by abstracts submitted to the Annual Meetings of the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) and the American Society for Apheresis (ASFA). However, there is potential for study conclusions to be altered significantly following abstract presentations prior to publications in peer‐reviewed journals. Therefore, we evaluated the discordance rate between apheresis‐related meeting abstracts and their corresponding published articles. Abstracts accepted to either AABB or ASFA Annual Meetings from 2005 to 2012 and corresponding PubMed‐indexed peer‐reviewed articles' abstracts published prior to 9/2014 were reviewed for altered methods, results, and conclusions. When present, changes were evaluated for clinical significance. During the 8‐year period, 198 out of 1152 abstracts were published as peer‐reviewed articles. Of these, 36 (18.2%) presented discordant results, six of which (16.7%) were potentially clinically significant. An alteration in results (58.3%) was the leading reason for discordance. The discordance rate for ASFA abstracts was significantly higher (HR = 4.69, P = 0.0028) than the AABB ones. However, clinically significant alterations occurred more frequently among AABB abstracts (P = 0.025). Approximately 18% of meeting abstracts demonstrated alterations prior to publication in peer‐reviewed journals. Given that approximately one in six changes represented clinically significant alterations, potentially affecting clinical practice, we recommend caution when modifying one's clinical practice based on abstract presentations at Annual Meetings. Future studies involving abstracts from both the International Society for Apheresis and the World Apheresis Association should also be performed.
The utility of fluorine‐18‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography in the diagnosis and monitoring of large vessel vasculitis: A South Australian retrospective audit
Authors: Nguyen Ai Duyen , Crowhurst Thomas , Lester Susan , Dobson Rachael , Bartholomeusz Dylan , Hill Catherine
Published: June 2019

Aims

To investigate the utility of fluorine‐18‐labelled deoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG‐PET) in routine clinical practice to diagnose and monitor disease activity and treatment response in large vessel vasculitis in a South Australian cohort.

Methods

We performed a retrospective clinical audit of adult patients who received a FDG‐PET at a tertiary referral center between August 2010 and August 2015, where the term “vasculitis” appeared in either the request or report.

Results

A total of 45 patients met the inclusion criteria. Nine patients (20%) had a positive FDG‐PET for large vessel vasculitis. FDG‐PET was positive in 3/6 (50%) patients who met the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria for giant cell arteritis or Takayasu's arteritis (TA) on retrospective review. A positive FDG‐PET for large vessel inflammation assisted the primary clinician in making the diagnosis of unclassified large vessel vasculitis in six patients. Four of the seven patients who had more than one scan for large vessel vasculitis demonstrated normalized FDG uptake on subsequent scans after a period on glucocorticoid treatment. The remaining three patients persisted in having increased FDG uptake on FDG‐PET imaging while on active treatment.

Conclusion

Fluorine‐18‐labelled deoxyglucose positron emission tomography has a role in the diagnosis of large vessel vasculitis, particularly in patients with a high suspicion of active large vessel vasculitis who do not meet the ACR criteria. FDG‐PET may have a role in monitoring disease activity in selected patients with large vessel vasculitis especially in identifying occult sites of large vessel inflammation or to titrate prednisolone therapy.
The mechanics of spiral flow: Enhanced washout and transport
Authors: Huang Zhang Pablo , Tkatch Colin , Newman Robert , Grimme William , Vainchtein Dmitri , Kresh J. Yasha
Published: June 2019

Spiral/helical forms of blood flow have been observed in large arteries of the cardiovascular system, but their benefits remain underappreciated. Spiral flow has been postulated to improve near‐wall washout, promoting anti‐atherothrombotic conditions. This research aims to study the washout characteristics of spiral flow, specifically, its ability to increase velocity and wall shear stress (WSS) in atherothrombotic‐prone regions. Using 1.2 cm diameter angled test‐conduits (45°, 90°, 135°) with known recirculation/stasis regions at the bend corners, spiral flow washout potential was evaluated in terms of low velocity and low WSS. Two sub‐studies were conducted: the first utilized a spiral flow‐inducing device to enable qualitative analysis of washout‐potential in both computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulations and benchtop ultrasound visualization; the second used CFD to study the impact of several induced helical wavelengths on the conduit‐dependent recirculation/stasis zones. Physical models of the angled conduits and spiral flow‐inducer were 3D‐printed to facilitate ultrasound visualization. Compared to straight flow, spiral flow generated by the flow‐inducer significantly cleared the recirculation/stasis zones at the corners of the angled conduits. CFD simulations demonstrated that past a geometry‐dependent threshold, increased helical content improved washout, denoted by decreased regions of low velocity and low WSS. Overall, spiral flow markedly improved washout in difficult to reach areas in the angled conduits. This has several important clinical implications: spiral flow shows great promise in reducing blood‐transport‐related complications and can be used to enhance the performance of future medical devices (eg grafts, mechanical circulatory support devices, hemodialysis access ports).
Reversing the dominant directionality: Evidence of the East Asian model of gentrification in LA's Koreatown
Authors: DeVerteuil Geoff , Yun Ohsoon
Published: June 2019

Reversing the usual directionality of gentrification theory and process emanating from Anglo‐American models, we work from an East Asian model of gentrification via Seoul to see whether it has been emulated in the Global North, in this case Koreatown, Los Angeles. Focusing on the style, density, scale, scope and pace of the East Asian model and using interviews with 25 Korean gentrifiers and 10 key informants alongside secondary data, the results showed a mix of explicit emulation (density, new‐build) and no emulation at all (slow pace, small‐scale, punctuated scope), yielding a distinctly hybrid, Los Angeles‐style model that builds up a wider geography of gentrification.
Species distribution modelling supports “nectar corridor” hypothesis for migratory nectarivorous bats and conservation of tropical dry forest
Authors: Burke Rachel A. , Frey Jennifer K. , Ganguli Amy , Stoner Kathryn E.
Published: June 2019

Aim

The Mexican long‐tongued bat (Choeronycteris mexicana), Mexican long‐nosed bat (Leptonycteris nivalis) and lesser long‐nosed bat (Leptonycteris yerbabuenae) (Phyllostomidae: Glossophaginae) undertake long‐distance migrations from south‐central Mexico to the south‐western United States. It is proposed that these bats migrate along a nectar corridor of columnar cacti andAgavespecies, but this has not been tested with independent data and the spatiotemporal nature of this relationship is poorly understood. Our goal was to test this nectar corridor hypothesis and determine the relative importance of food plant and abiotic variables to the distribution and seasonal movements of these migratory nectarivores.

Location

Mexico and the south‐western United States.

Methods

We generated species distribution models (SDMs) of documented food plants for these bats. We then created SDMs for each bat following a model selection approach, using food plant and abiotic predictor variables. We modelled migration pathways forC. mexicanaandL. yerbabuenaeusing circuit theory and seasonal SDMs based on seasonally available food plants.

Main conclusions

Food plants were more important than climatic and topographic variables in shaping the distribution of these bats. The most important predictors of distribution wereAgave, columnar cacti and species richness of food plants.Species richness of food plants was the most consistently important variable, but the components of this diversity varied by bat species:Choeronycteris mexicanawas influenced byAgaveand cacti;Leptonycteris nivaliswas influenced solely byAgave;Leptonycteris yerbabuenaewas influenced more generally by cacti,Agaveand C3 plants. Migration models forC. mexicanaandL. yerbabuenaeprovided independent support for the nectar corridor hypothesis and indicate shifts in relative importance of specific food plants throughout the year. These results suggest that conservation of these bats should focus more broadly on management for species richness of food plants, especially in tropical dry forests.
Global patterns of body size evolution are driven by precipitation in legless amphibians
Authors: Pincheira‐Donoso Daniel , Meiri Shai , Jara Manuel , Olalla‐Tárraga Miguel Ángel , Hodgson Dave J.
Published: June 2019

Body size shapes ecological interactions across and within species, ultimately influencing the evolution of large‐scale biodiversity patterns. Therefore, macroecological studies of body size provide a link between spatial variation in selection regimes and the evolution of animal assemblages through space. Multiple hypotheses have been formulated to explain the evolution of spatial gradients of animal body size, predominantly driven by thermal (Bergmann's rule), humidity (‘water conservation hypothesis’) and resource constraints (‘resource rule’, ‘seasonality rule’) on physiological homeostasis. However, while integrative tests of all four hypotheses combined are needed, the focus of such empirical efforts needs to move beyond the traditional endotherm–ectotherm dichotomy, to instead interrogate the role that variation in lifestyles within major lineages (e.g. classes) play in creating neglected scenarios of selection via analyses of largely overlooked environment–body size interactions. Here, we test all four rules above using a global database spanning 99% of modern species of an entire Order of legless, predominantly underground‐dwelling amphibians (Gymnophiona, or caecilians). We found a consistent effect of increasing precipitation (and resource abundance) on body size reductions (supporting the water conservation hypothesis), while Bergmann's, the seasonality and resource rules are rejected. We argue that subterranean lifestyles minimize the effects of aboveground selection agents, making humidity a dominant selection pressure – aridity promotes larger body sizes that reduce risk of evaporative dehydration, while smaller sizes occur in wetter environments where dehydration constraints are relaxed. We discuss the links between these principles with the physiological constraints that may have influenced the tropically‐restricted global radiation of caecilians.
Effects of cannabidiol on brivaracetam plasma levels
Authors: Klotz Kerstin A. , Hirsch Martin , Heers Marcel , Schulze‐Bonhage Andreas , Jacobs Julia
Published: June 2019

The use of cannabidiol (CBD) for treatment of pharmacoresistant epilepsies is increasing. CBD is metabolized via UDP‐glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) and cytochrome 450 (CYP) enzymes, but information on interactions with common anticonvulsive drugs is incomplete. We report a case series of five patients receiving adjunctive treatment with CBD who showed increases in brivaracetam (BRV) levels by 95% to 280%. Only two patients reported mild adverse events, leading to a reduction of BRV in one patient. One possible mechanism contributing at least partially to increasing BRV level is the inhibition of CYP2C19 by cannabidiol. Further pharmacokinetic studies are required to understand other possible mechanisms of brivaracetam‐cannabidiol interaction.
Influences of fish on food web structure and function in mountain lakes
Authors: Detmer Thomas , Lewis William M.
Published: June 2019

Introduction of new fish species to lakes that contain fish is known to disrupt food webs, but few studies have quantified the effects of introduced fish on flow of organic matter and mechanisms governing food web structure in historically fishless lakes. Contrasting flow of organic matter and food web structure in macroinvertebrate communities in lakes with and without fish provides an opportunity to characterise resiliency of macroinvertebrate food web function when there are changes in community composition and reductions in biomass.

Organic matter flow and food web structure were characterised in six lakes with and six lakes without fish at high elevation in the southern Rocky Mountains of Colorado, U.S.A. Carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) were used to determine the proportionate contribution of organic matter from primary organic matter sources (periphyton, phytoplankton, terrestrial plants) to consumers including herbivores and higher trophic levels. Contributions of organic matter sources to macroinvertebrates were combined with estimates of littoral macroinvertebrate production in quantifying the contribution of each primary source to total invertebrate production.

Although introduced fish altered community composition, body size, and biomass, they did not alter contributions of the organic matter sources to production of macroinvertebrates. The dominant resources contributing to macroinvertebrate production were periphyton and phytoplankton, which combined contributed to 80% of macroinvertebrate production.

Despite occupying the highest trophic position (difference in δ15N relative to primary sources), fish did not alter trophic structure of littoral macroinvertebrate communities in maximum macroinvertebrate trophic position and community trophic position. Community trophic position weighted by production for macroinvertebrates was related to macroinvertebrate production per unit area but was independent of lake area. In lakes with fish, maximum macroinvertebrate trophic position was similar to that of lakes without fish because large predators (predaceous beetles and dragonflies) were replaced by small predators (tanypod chironomids).

The present study indicates that macroinvertebrate food webs can exhibit resilience to introduced or invasive fish even when there are changes in community composition and biomass. This suggests that changes in structure (e.g. biomass, community composition) associated with introduced or invasive species do not necessarily equate to changes in food web function (e.g. flow of organic matter, maximum trophic position). Further, the present study suggests that although maximum trophic position has been shown to increase with lake size for lakes containing fish, the pattern is unlikely to extend to lakes without fish. The relationship between lake size and maximum trophic position for lakes containing fish may occur because fish have expandable niches associated with high motility and indeterminate growth, in contrast to macroinvertebrates.
Periprostatic nerve block alone versus combined with perineal pudendal nerve block or intrarectal local anesthesia during transrectal ultrasound‐guided prostate biopsy: A prospective randomized controlled trial
Authors: Aslan Rahmi , Erbin Akif , Celik Sebahattin , Ucpinar Burak , Eryilmaz Recep , Taken Kerem
Published: June 2019

Objectives

To compare the efficacy, safety and cost of combinations of perineal pudendal nerve block + periprostatic nerve block and intrarectal local anesthesia + periprostatic nerve block with the standard technique (periprostatic nerve block).

Methods

The study was designed as a randomized prospective controlled trial. Patients with elevated serum prostate‐specific antigen values (prostate‐specific antigen ≥4 ng/mL) and/or abnormal digital rectal examination findings were included in the study. Patients with anorectal diseases, chronic prostatitis, previous history of prostate biopsy and anorectal surgery were excluded from the study. A total of 148 patients (group 1 [periprostatic nerve block], n = 48; group 2 [intrarectal local anesthesia + periprostatic nerve block], n = 51; group 3 [perineal pudendal nerve block + periprostatic nerve block], n = 49) were included in the final analysis. Pain during insertion and manipulation of the transrectal ultrasound probe was recorded as visual analog scale 1, pain during penetration of the biopsy needle into the prostate and sampling was recorded as visual analog scale 2, and pain during the entire procedure recorded as visual analog scale 3.

Results

The mean visual analog scale 1 score was significantly lower in group 3, when compared with group 1 and group 2 (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of the mean visual analog scale 2 score. The mean visual analog scale 3 score was significantly lower in group 3 when compared with other groups (P < 0.001). The total cost for transrectal ultrasound‐guided biopsy in the intrarectal local anesthesia + periprostatic nerve block group was significantly higher than the other two groups.

Conclusions

The combination of perineal pudendal nerve block and periprostatic nerve block provides more effective pain control than intrarectal local anesthesia plus periprostatic nerve block and periprostatic nerve block alone, with similar complication rates and without increasing cost.
Contemporary trends in stroke complicating cardiac catheterisation
Authors: Whitehead Nicholas , Williams Trent , Brienesse Stephen , Ferreira David , Murray Natalia , Inder Kerry , Beautement Stephen , Spratt Neil , Boyle Andrew J. , Collins Nicholas
Published: June 2019

Background

Stroke remains an important complication of diagnostic cardiac catheterisation and percutaneous coronary intervention and is associated with high rates of in‐hospital mortality.

Aims

To evaluate the incidence of stroke over a 10‐year period and assess the long‐term influence of stroke following cardiac catheterisation and PCI on functional outcomes, based on modified Rankin score and mortality.

Methods

The study was performed using a case–control design in a single tertiary referral centre. Patients were identified by correlating those patients undergoing cardiac catheterisation between October 2006 and December 2016 with patients who underwent neuroimaging within 7 days to identify possible cases of suspected stroke or transient ischaemic attack.

Results

A total of 21 510 patients underwent cardiac catheterisation during the study period. Sixty (0.28%) patients experienced stroke or transient ischaemic attack. Compared to control patients, those who did experience cerebral ischaemic events were older (70.5 vs 64 years; P < 0.001), with higher rates of atrial fibrillation, hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Stroke complicating cardiac catheterisation was associated with an increased risk of readmission, with a significantly higher hazard of readmission for stroke noted. Despite minimal functional impairment based on modified Rankin score, stroke was associated with a significant risk of early and cumulative mortality. Stroke incidence remained stable over the study period despite changes in procedural practice.

Conclusions

The incidence and functional severity of stroke remains low despite evolving procedural practice with a stable incidence over time despite changes in procedural practice; however, post‐procedural stroke confirms an increased mortality hazard.
Gender equity within medical specialties of Australia and New Zealand: cardiology's outlier status
Authors: Burgess Sonya , Shaw Elizabeth , Ellenberger Katherine A. , Segan Louise , Castles Anastasia V. , Biswas Sinjini , Thomas Liza , Zaman Sarah
Published: June 2019

Background

Gender disparity remains a prominent medical workforce issue, extending beyond surgical specialties with low proportions of female doctors.

Aims

To examine female representation within Australia and New Zealand (NZ) among physician specialties and certain comparator surgical specialties with a focus on cardiology as an outlier of workforce gender equality.

Methods

Data of practising medical specialists, new consultants and trainees were sought from the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, the Medical Council of NZ and the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (2015–2017). The stratified data pertaining to interventional cardiologists were obtained through direct contact with individual hospitals (from 2017 to 2018) and derived from state‐based cardiac registries.

Results

In Australia and NZ, there were fewer female practising adult medicine physician consultants (n = 8956, 32%, P < 0.001), with gender disparities seen across most physician specialties. Cardiology (15%) was the only physician specialty with <20% representation; gastroenterology (23%), neurology (27%) and respiratory medicine (29%) had <30% female representation at the consultant level. The rates of cardiology (15%) and interventional cardiology (5%) were similar to general surgery (15%) and orthopaedics (4%). Although more than half of physician trainees are female, and most physician specialties are approaching or have equal gender ratios at the trainee level, cardiology (23%) and interventional cardiology (9%) remain significantly underrepresented.

Conclusions

Cardiology is the only physician specialty with <20% female consultants, and this disparity is reflected throughout every stage of the cardiology training programme. Increased awareness and proactive strategies are needed to improve gender disparity within this underrepresented medical specialty.
A quantitative analysis of the indentation fracture of fused silica
Authors: Li Changsheng , Zhang Liangchi , Sun Lin , Yang Shuming , Wu Chuhan , Long Xingyuan , Ding Jianjun , Jiang Zhuangde
Published: June 2019

It is unclear how the densification of fused silica influences the damage of its precision optics subjected to machining. This paper presents a quantitative analysis of the indentation fracture of fused silica involving densification with the embedded center of dilation (ECD) model. The Hertzian stress field and the ECD‐induced stress field were superposed to provide the overall stress distribution in the loading stage. A new method was established to accurately determine the strength of the ECD‐induced stress field with densification effects. With the aid of the ECD model, the starting locations, initiation stages and initiation sequence of crack morphologies were predicted by analyzing the stress fields. To quantitatively study the initiation of conical cracks in fused silica, the strain energy release rate was calculated by linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM). The predicted minimum threshold load leading to conical cracking was consistent with the measured values.
High surface area SiC(O)‐based ceramic by pyrolysis of poly (ethylene glycol) methacrylate‐modified polycarbosilane
Authors: Kaur Sarabjeet , Fischer Simon , Falta Jens , Rezwan Kurosch , Wilhelm Michaela
Published: June 2019

In the present work, a high surface area SiC(O)‐based ceramic powder was synthesized upon thermal transformation of a polymer‐derived macromolecular precursor, which was obtained by the chemical modification of a allylhyldrido polycarbosilane with poly(ethylene glycol) methaacrylate under argon environment. The pyrolysis of developed precursor led to the formation of amorphous and high surface area SiC(O)‐based ceramic powder with in situ generated micro/meso‐porosity. The specific surface area of the obtained powders depends on the processing temperature. It decreases from 363 to 122 m2/g as the pyrolysis temperature increases from 600 to 1200°C, respectively. Furthermore the promising samples were fabricated using pressing technique, which led to crack‐free SiC(O) monoliths on subsquent heat treatment. The present study also emphasizes the potential of produced SiC(O) ceramic powder to support NiO catalyst. The impregnation method were used to produce high surface area NiO@SiC(O) ceramic powder (NiO as a catalyst; SiC(O) as a catalyst support) for further catalytic applications. Interestingly, the distribution of the NiO was shown to strongly depend on the oxygen content present in the SiC(O) matrix. Thus, larger oxygen contents induce homogeneously distributed flower‐like NiO catalyst onto SiC(O).
Significance of the combination of inter‐limb blood pressure differences in the elderly: The Northern Shanghai Study
Authors: Yu Shikai , Ji Hongwei , Lu Yuyan , Chen Shanquan , Xiong Jing , Chi Chen , Teliewubai Jiadela , Fan Ximin , Blacher Jacque , Li Jue , Zhang Yi , Xu Yawei ,   On behalf of the Northern Shanghai Study investigators
Published: June 2019

Whether the combination of inter‐arm and inter‐leg systolic blood pressure differences (BPDs) and ankle‐brachial index is of clinical significance remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association of the combination of inter‐limb systolic BPDs with cardiovascular risk factors and hypertension‐mediated organ damage (HMOD). A total of 2621 elderly subjects from the Northern Shanghai Study were divided into Group A, B, and C consisting of participants with 0, 1, and ≥2 abnormal inter‐limb systolic BPDs, respectively. Comparisons of cardiovascular risk factors and parameters of cardiac, vascular, and renal damage between groups and logistic regression models were conducted. The proportions of subjects presenting 0, 1, and ≥2 abnormal inter‐limb systolic BPDs were 60.9%, 25.1%, and 14.0%, respectively. Upward trends, from Group A, through Group B, to Group C, were observed for the level or prevalence of nearly all cardiovascular risk factors and HMOD (P for trend ≤0.007 for all). In multiple logistic regression, Group C showed significantly higher odds for carotid plaque (vs Group A: Odds ratio [OR] = 1.88, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.43‐2.48; vs Group B: OR = 1.46, 95% CI = 1.08‐1.97), arterial stiffness (vs Group A: OR = 1.26, 95% CI = 0.96‐1.65; vs Group B: OR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.01‐1.83), and left ventricular hypertrophy (vs Group A: OR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.04‐1.76; vs Group B: OR = 1.25, 95% CI = 0.93‐1.67), when compared with Group A and B. In conclusion, the combination of abnormal inter‐limb systolic BPDs significantly associates with greater burden of cardiovascular risk factors and higher likelihood for HMOD, especially carotid plaque, arterial stiffness, and left ventricular hypertrophy.
Fixed capital in the corn‐tractor model
Authors: Steedman Ian
Published: June 2019

When fixed capital use is introduced into the simple corn‐tractor model, capital‐reversing, reswitching and consumption reversal can occur even with equal proportions and triple‐switching of techniques is possible.
LYSOPHOSPHATIDIC ACID ACYLTRANSFERASES 4 and 5 are involved in glycerolipid metabolism and nitrogen starvation response in Arabidopsis
Authors: Angkawijaya Artik Elisa , Nguyen Van Cam , Nakamura Yuki
Published: June 2019

Nitrogen (N) deficiency triggers an accumulation of a storage lipid triacylglycerol (TAG) in seed plants and algae. Whereas the metabolic pathway and regulatory mechanism to synthesize TAG from diacylglycerol are well known, enzymes involved in the supply of diacylglycerol remain elusive under N starvation.

Lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferase (LPAT) catalyzes an important step of the de novo phospholipid biosynthesis pathway and thus has a strong flux control in the biosynthesis of phospholipids and TAG. Five LPAT isoforms are known in Arabidopsis; however, the functions of LPAT4 and LPAT5 remain elusive.

Here, we show that LPAT4 and LPAT5 are functional endoplasmic‐reticulum‐localized LPATs. Seedlings of the double knockout mutant lpat4‐1 lpat5‐1 showed reduced content of phospholipids and TAG under normal growth condition. Under N starvation, lpat4‐1 lpat5‐1 seedlings showed severer growth defect than the wild‐type in shoot. The phenotype was similar to dgat1‐4, which affects a major TAG biosynthesis pathway and showed similarly reduced TAG content as the lpat4‐1 lpat5‐1.

We suggest that LPAT4 and LPAT5 may redundantly function in endoplasmic‐reticulum‐localized de novo glycerolipid biosynthesis for phospholipids and TAG, which is important for the N starvation response in Arabidopsis.
Low‐density barriers for controlling plant crowd diseases: How far and fast can pathogens spread?
Authors: Rodriguez‐Quinones Leoncio , Gordillo Luis F.
Published: June 2019

We explore numerically the possibility of controlling the spread of plant diseases characterized by relatively low dispersal (crowd diseases) through the introduction of a spatial barrier with low density of susceptible hosts. We use the diffusion approximation to Kendall's spatially extended version of the Kermack–McKendrick epidemic model and illustrate our findings within the context of a representative viral disease that affects cocoa trees.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MANAGERS:

Our numerical results suggest that using low‐density barriers of hosts in crowd plant diseases might be an effective way of halting the spatial dispersal of pathogens. The introduction of these barriers may reduce the economic impact when compared with other methods of controlling the disease spread.

Before using the model to approximate suitable sizes of barriers, it is necessary to execute an exhaustive assessment of the model appropriateness for any particular disease under consideration.

Our results suggest that to improve the efficiency of low‐density barriers it is important to explore their use in combination of current alternative control methods.