bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of CEOs’ religious affiliations on firms’ advertising spending and shareholder value
Authors: Oh Hannah , Bae John , Currim Imran S. , Lim Jooseop , Zhang Yu
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This study aims to answer two unique related questions on the overarching relationship between a CEO’s personal religious affiliation, the firm’s advertising spending decision and its shareholder value. First, does the CEO’s religious affiliation, a proxy for risk taking, influence the firm’s advertising spending decision? Second, does the advertising spending decision mediate the relationship between the CEO’s religious affiliation and the firm’s shareholder value?

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses data on the religious affiliations of CEOs of publicly listed US firms, 1992–2014, from Marquis Who’s Who; advertising spending and shareholder value from Compustat, and panel data-based regression models including CEO characteristics from ExecuComp, and firm-, industry- and time-based controls.

Findings

We find higher advertising spending levels for Protestant over Catholic-led firms, and advertising spending mediates the relationship between a CEO’s religious affiliation and the firm’s shareholder value.

Research limitations/implications

Marketing theory needs to incorporate the missing but fundamental effect of the CEO’s religious affiliation-based values on decisions and outcomes.

Practical implications

Boards of Directors may need to align the CEO’s and their firm’s spending goals.

Originality/value

While previous studies focused on the influence of religious affiliation on consumers’ attitudes and behavior, and executives’ financial and R&D spending decisions, this study, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, is the first to investigate the effect of a CEO’s religious affiliation on the firm’s advertising spending decision and its shareholder value.
Diabetes self-management: what role does the family play?
Authors: Ligita Titan , Harvey Nichole , Wicking Kristin , Francis Karen , Nurjannah Intansari
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to explicate one of the major findings of a research study seeking to understand how Indonesian people with diabetes learn about their disease. The one key finding discussed in this paper is how families influence the learning and self-management processes adopted by Indonesian people with diabetes.

Design/methodology/approach

A grounded theory methodology was adopted to investigate how Indonesian people with diabetes learn about their disease. Twenty-eight semi-structured interviews were undertaken with Indonesian people living with diabetes, families of people living with diabetes, healthcare professionals and other healthcare providers. Data was analysed by using constant comparative analysis during three coding stages.

Findings

The study explicated the basic social process of how people with diabetes in Indonesia learn about their disease through a generated theory “Learning, choosing, and acting: self-management of diabetes in Indonesia”. This study found family engagement was integral to Indonesian people living with diabetes who were self-managing their disease. Families assisted with seeking information, providing recommendations, selecting and implementing actions, appraising implemented actions, and informing others about their experiences. By acknowledging that family is involved in this process, the healthcare professional can adequately provide health education to both the person with diabetes and their families. Involving families in health education is crucial as family can influence decision making made by people with diabetes in a proper or improper way. Thus, clinicians need to also skilfully recognise difficulties these people encounter by monitoring their self-management progress and by working closely with them and their family members.

Originality/value

This is the first study conducted in Indonesia that specifically investigates the process of how people with diabetes learn about their disease. The involvement of families in this process is a central finding of the study. Families can enhance the overall health and well-being of the person with diabetes, aid in early recognition of aberration to health status and trigger the initiation of interventions to re-establish homeostasis if they are actively engaged and supported by health professionals.
Impact of heat generation/absorption on heat and mass transfer of nanofluid over rotating disk filled with carbon nanotubes
Authors: Reddy Patakota Sudarsana , Sreedevi Paluru , Suryanarayana Rao Kavaturi Venkata
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to know the influence of heat generation/absorption and slip effects on heat and mass transfer flow of carbon nanotubes – water-based nanofluid over a rotating disk. Two types of carbon nanotubes, single and multi-walled, are considered in this analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

The non-dimensional system of governing equations is constructed using compatible transformations. These equations together with boundary conditions are solved numerically by using the most prominent Finite element method. The influence of various pertinent parameters such as magnetic parameter (0.4 – 1.0), nanoparticle volume fraction parameter (0.1 – 0.6), porosity parameter (0.3 – 0.6), radiation parameter (0.1 – 0.4), Prandtl number (2.2 – 11.2), space-dependent (−3.0 – 3.0), temperature-dependent (−3.0 – 1.5), velocity slip parameter (0.1 – 1.0), thermal slip parameter (0.1 – 0.4) and chemical reaction parameter (0.3 – 0.6) on nanofluids velocity, temperature and concentration distributions, as well as rates of velocity, temperature and concentration is calculated and the results are plotted through graphs and tables. Also, a comparative analysis is carried out to verify the validation of the present numerical code and found good agreement.

Findings

The results indicate that the temperature of the fluid elevates with rising values of nanoparticle volume fraction parameter. Furthermore, the rates of heat transfer rise from 4.8% to 14.6% when carbon nanotubes of 0.05 volume fraction are suspended into the base fluid.

Originality/value

The work carried out in this analysis is original and no part is copied from other sources.
Strategic entrepreneurship: mapping a research field
Authors: Schröder Katharina , Tiberius Victor , Bouncken Ricarda B. , Kraus Sascha
Published: December 2020

Purpose

Strategic entrepreneurship (SE) depicts the nexus of strategic management and entrepreneurship, suggesting that firms can create superior wealth when simultaneously pursuing advantage-seeking and opportunity-seeking behavior. As the rapid growth in SE research led to a multidisciplinary, scattered and fragmented literature landscape, the authors aim to structure this research field.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors employ a bibliographic coupling and literature review of the strategic entrepreneurship research field.

Findings

The authors identify and describe five major research streams with 15 sub-themes in recent SE research. Based on our findings, the authors propose an integrated research framework and research gaps for future research.

Originality/value

To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first review on SE based on a bibliographic coupling.
Training and development climate and administrative employees' productivity in higher education
Authors: Balwant Paul Tristen , Mohammed Rebecca , Singh Riann
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The purpose of the present study is to investigate mediating mechanisms in the relationship between the training and development climate at higher education institutions and administrative employees' productivity. Organizational identification theory and the job demands-resources model are used to investigate supervisor support, employees' motivation to learn and employee engagement as mediators.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey research was used to collect data from 289 administrative staff members employed at five higher education institutions in Trinidad and Tobago.

Findings

The findings supported the hypothesized mediating role of supervisor support, employees' motivation to learn and employee engagement in the relationship between organizations' training and development climate and employee productivity.

Social implications

Productivity is a major problem in Trinidad and Tobago. In Trinidad and Tobago's higher education sector, productivity deficiencies are particularly problematic because of the gradual reduction in government subsidies. Therefore, higher education institutions must improve productivity, particularly administrative employees' productivity, in order to compete with local and international tertiary education institutions. This study contributes to Trinidad and Tobago's society by showing the importance of both a positive training and development climate and supervisor support to influence administrative employees' affective states and productivity in tertiary education institutions.

Originality/value

This study adds to existing research on training and development and employee productivity by introducing novel and theoretically sound mediators to clarify how the relationship between a higher education institution's training and development climate and its administrative employees' productivity unfolds.
Influence of category attitudes on the relationship between SERVQUAL and satisfaction in Islamic banks; the role of disruptive societal-level events
Authors: Farrag Dalia Abdel Rahman , Murphy William H. , Hassan Mohammed
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to modify the service quality scale (SERVQUAL) for measuring the performance of Islamic banks after modifying and validating it to fit the Islamic banking context. Furthermore, it provides insights for the limitations good service delivery has on maintaining favorable provider’s satisfaction in Islamic banks under conditions when category attitudes have been disrupted and made salient by major disruptive events.

Design/methodology/approach

Focus groups (managers of Islamic banks) were conducted to develop context-specific service quality measures. Exploratory factor analysis and CFA have been conducted to test the validity of scales developed and questionnaires were then sent to Islamic banking customers of major Islamic banks in Egypt for testing the relationships between the research variables and hypotheses developed.

Findings

The findings of this study are two-fold; identifying a service quality dimension not previously identified in extant service quality measures (SERVQUAL, CARTER), devotion to customers and alerts brand managers that harm to category attitudes caused by societal-level disruptive events can make it difficult to gain high satisfaction even with superior customer service. In this disruptive event context, although high service quality is associated with brand satisfaction, brand satisfaction seems unexpectedly dampened by category attitudes, perhaps, due to the general malaise felt toward the category following the disruptive events.

Practical implications

Islamic institutions are alerted to the heightened need for providing superior service, as even superior service may no longer assure high satisfaction. Extrapolating to an even bigger societal disruptor, in the soon-to-come post-COVID-19 world, category attitudes toward walk-in banking services will be in turmoil and highly salient. So, brand managers will need to develop creative ways to strengthen not just brand attitudes but also to re-stabilize category attitudes if the category is to recover.

Originality/value

This is considered a pioneer study in using mixed methods to re-think the famous SERVQUAL scale in a unique context and relating findings to impacts of disruptive events on attitude toward Islamic banking.
Brand bravery: conceptualization, scale development and validation
Authors: Jain Kokil , Jajodia Isha , Sharma Piyush , Singh Gurinder
Published: December 2020

Purpose

Brands today operate in a dynamic business environment, which often requires them to take courageous actions, from taking a stand on controversial issues to responding to changing market needs. However, these actions are not merely strategic but also represent a unique aspect of the brands’ identity, which includes holding up to their core values and being resilient to social pressure. To better understand this positive virtue, the current study introduces the concept of brand bravery – a novel brand archetype that emulates the brand’s distinct identity. This study aims to conceptualize brand bravery and develop a psychometrically sound scale to measure it and investigate its relationship with positive brand relationship outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

Two qualitative studies were conducted to identify the dimensions of perceived brand bravery. Three empirical studies develop and validate the proposed measurement scale and confirm the construct’s nomological validity by proposing a framework that explains the outcomes of perceived brand bravery.

Findings

Results from multiple studies support a seven-factor second-order reflective scale of perceived brand bravery, with dimensions altruism, bold, courageous, determined, enduring, fearless and gritty. The construct of brand bravery is found discriminant from other conceptually distinct but related brand attributes. Nomological validity tests further suggest that perceived brand bravery leads to positive consumer-related outcomes such as brand advocacy behaviors, positive attitude and consumer brand identification.

Practical implications

Brand bravery provides a vital roadmap to marketers who have sought to create a leading brand that can stay relevant in times of disruption. The multi-factor scale can help managers track, which dimension of the brand bravery scale is more relevant for shaping overall bravery perception.

Originality/value

The study introduces a novel brand attribute that has not been previously discussed beyond social and moral psychology literature. It conceptualizes brand bravery that will strengthen the understanding of this specific brand characteristic and provides a practical scale to measure brand bravery.
Information asymmetry and REITs’ excess dividends: US and European market comparison
Authors: Morri Giacomo , Palmieri Federico , Sironi Emiliano
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to analyze the determinants that lead REITs to pay out more dividends than the required level to retain their tax-favored status. In particular, the focus is on the effect that information asymmetry has on REITs’ excess dividends distribution.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 341 REITs from the USA, France, the UK, Spain, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands and Italy has been analyzed for the period 2000–2016. Employing multiple linear regression models, the effects of information asymmetry, cash flow, size, ROA, leverage and treasury shares on excess dividends have been explored.

Findings

Results indicate that REITs with greater information asymmetry distribute significantly more excess dividends, with superior evidence in Europe than in the USA. Regarding other determinants, cash flow influences excess dividends the most, whereas ROA and common shares repurchase have an inverse relationship with excess dividends.

Practical implications

The paper explores the effects of excess dividends distribution on the most relevant REITs features. The joint analysis of the European and the US samples allows this study to make a comparison between the two markets and to identify affinities and differences.

Originality/value

The paper tests whether a proxy of asymmetry information plays a role in affecting the excess dividends distribution. In contrast to previous researches, it expands the analysis by comparing the US and European markets to underline any difference in the effect of asymmetry information on excess dividends. The topic has never been investigated before in relation to the European market.
Blockchain crowdfunding projects evaluation using GRA-TOPSIS
Authors: Yu Chunxia , Leng Yi , Li Jing , Yu Jiacheng
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to propose a novel blockchain crowdfunding projects evaluation approach using extended techniques for order preferences by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) under fuzzy environment.

Design/methodology/approach

By analyzing the characteristics and operation process of blockchain crowdfunding model, this paper formulates the evaluation index system from three dimensions of human resources, capital and publicity. In addition, the entropy method is used to calculate the weight of each indicator to avoid subjective judgments; different alternatives are evaluated using the grey correlation analysis (GRA) and TOPSIS-integrated method which considers the distance and similarity between alternatives simultaneously.

Findings

By analyzing the characteristics and operation process of blockchain crowdfunding model, this paper formulates the evaluation index system from three dimensions of human resources, capital and publicity. In addition, the entropy method is used to calculate the weight of each indicator to avoid subjective judgments; different alternatives are evaluated using the GRA and TOPSIS-integrated method which considers the distance and similarity between alternatives simultaneously.

Originality/value

Blockchain crowdfunding has become a new model for fund-raisers to raise funds from public investors. This paper proposes a novel blockchain crowdfunding projects evaluation approach using extended TOPSIS under fuzzy environment.
A study on online platforms’ price discrimination behavior and the same-side network effects
Authors: Yao Can-Zhong , Mo Yi-Na
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to whether competition between platforms can be effective, thus leading to efficient allocations.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the classic linear Hoteling model, this paper builds a two-period competition model for two competing platforms using two variants, namely, a discrimination pricing model and a unified pricing model.

Findings

In the case of the discrimination pricing model, the competition is moderate, and the two platforms split the market evenly in the first stage, while both platforms tended to offer preferential treatment to new users and set higher prices for regular customers in the second stage. Compared to the unified pricing model, in the first stage, the platform can provide a higher price that depends on the cross-network effect when it implements discrimination, and thus, obtains higher profits. However, in the second stage, fierce competition leads to the release of benefits, new and regular customers obtain lower prices and the platforms lose higher profits. In the long-run, discriminatory pricing is not the best option due to lower total profits. The two platforms will implement cooperative pricing or one platform becomes dominant.

Originality/value

Instead of focusing on the cross-network effects, this paper emphasizes the role of the same-side network effect on price discrimination regarding the platforms’ competition. The same-side network effects are investigated in relation to a discrimination pricing strategy and compared to a unified pricing strategy. Another innovative aspect is the study of these network effects in a dynamic setting based on a two-period competition model for two platforms.
The e-learning persuasion through gamification: an elaboration likelihood model perspective
Authors: Jayawardena Nirma Sadamali
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this theoretical paper is to introduce a conceptual model to investigate e-learning persuasion through gamification elements using the social psychology theory of elaboration likelihood model (ELM).

Design/methodology/approach

The author systematically reviewed several theoretical and empirical papers which applied the ELM in various settings. Based on the literature, the author identified six research prepositions which facilitate to investigate e-learning persuasion through gamification.

Findings

This study contributes to the existing literature by identifying an ELM-based conceptual model which can be used to empirically investigate the e-learning persuasion using gamification elements. Accordingly, the central route persuasion could be conducted through argument quality, demographic differences and technology context facilitated through gamification elements. The peripheral route persuasion could be conducted through variables such as source credibility, social presence and message content.

Practical implications

This study contributes important findings to the e-learning research by introducing a conceptual model–based on the social psychology theory of ELM. Thereby, this study introduces a method for the future researchers, to investigate the e-learning persuasion using gamification elements. Further, future researchers can use this model to investigate the e-learning persuasion through gamification in different contexts including primary, secondary and tertiary educational levels.

Originality/value

To the best of the author’s knowledge, this study can be considered as the first theoretical paper which developed an ELM-based conceptual model to investigate the e-learning persuasion through gamification in education context.
‘I do feel good because my stomach is full of good hotcakes’: Comfort Food, Home and the USAAF in East Anglia during the Second World War
Authors: GREGORY DERWIN , WAYNE CAROLA
Published: December 2020

This article analyses the important role that food played in providing ‘comfort’ to the service personnel of the United States Army Air Force (USAAF) serving in East Anglia during the Second World War. Current theories on comfort food will be discussed before an examination of letters, diaries, and memoirs held by the 2nd Air Division Memorial Library (2ADML), Norwich, UK. It is clear that food played an important role in maintaining morale. Certain foods had the ability to evoke nostalgic thoughts of home. Not only did the food provide solace, it also reminded the troops of what they were fighting for. This article also demonstrates that USAAF personnel in East Anglia had a wide selection of foods from which they could gain comfort.
Prognostic value of left atrial volume index in acute coronary syndrome: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Ahmeti Artan , Bytyçi Feriz S. , Bielecka‐Dabrowa Agata , Bytyçi Ibadete , Henein Michael Y.
Published: December 2020

Background

In the absence of mitral valve disease, increased left atrial volume (LAV) is a marker of diastolic dysfunction and long‐standing elevated left ventricle (LV) pressure. The aim of this study was to assess the role of increased baseline LAV in predicting clinical outcome of patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Methods

We systematically searched all electronic databases up to September 2020 in order to select clinical trials and observational studies, which assessed the predictive role of LAV indexed (LAVI) on clinical outcome in patients with ACS. Primary clinical endpoints were as follows: major adverse cardiac events (MACE), all‐cause mortality and hospitalization. Secondary endpoints were in‐hospital complications.

Results

A total of 2,705 patients from 11 cohort studies with a mean follow‐up 18.7 ± 9.8 months were included in the meta­analysis. Patients with low LAVI had low risk for MACE (15.9% vs. 33.7%; p < .01), long‐term all‐cause mortality (9.14% vs. 18.1%; p < .01), short‐term mortality (3.31% vs. 9.38%; p = .02) and lower hospitalization rate (11.6% vs. 25.5%; p < .01) compared to patients with increased LAVI. Atrial fibrillation and cardiogenic shock as in‐hospital events were lower (p < .05 for all) in patients with low LAVI but ventricular fibrillation/tachycardia was not different between groups (p = .14).

Conclusion

Increased LAVI is an independent predictor of outcome in patients with ACS. Thus, assessment of LA index in these patients is important for better risk stratification and guidance towards optimum clinical management.
RNA‐binding protein HuR suppresses senescence through Atg7 mediated autophagy activation in diabetic intervertebral disc degeneration
Authors: Shao Zhenxuan , Ni Libin , Hu Sunli , Xu Tianzhen , Meftah Zaher , Yu Zupo , Tian Naifeng , Wu Yaosen , Sun Liaojun , Wu Aimin , Pan Zongyou , Chen Linwei , Gao Weiyang , Zhou Yifei , Zhang Xiaolei , Wang Xiangyang
Published: December 2020

Objectives

Diabetes is a risk factor for intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD). Studies have demonstrated that diabetes may affect IVDD through transcriptional regulation; however, whether post‐transcriptional regulation is involved in diabetic IVDD (DB‐IVDD) is still unknown. This study was performed to illustrate the role of HuR, an RNA‐binding protein, in DB‐IVDD development and its mechanism.

Materials and Methods

The expression of HuR was evaluated in nucleus pulposus (NP) tissues from diabetic IVDD patients and in high glucose‐treated NP cells. Senescence and autophagy were assessed in HuR over‐expressing and downregulation NP cells. The mRNAs that were regulated by HuR were screened, and immunoprecipitation was applied to confirm the regulation of HuR on targeted mRNAs.

Results

The results showed that the expression of HuR was decreased in diabetic NP tissues and high glucose‐treated NP cells. Downregulation of HuR may lead to increased senescence in high glucose‐treated NP cells, while autophagy activation attenuates senescence in HuR deficient NP cells. Mechanistic study showed that HuR prompted Atg7 mRNA stability via binding to the AU‐rich elements. Furthermore, overexpression of Atg7, but not HuR, may ameliorate DB‐IVDD in rats in vivo.

Conclusions

In conclusion, HuR may suppress senescence through autophagy activation via stabilizing Atg7 in diabetic NP cells; while Atg7, but not HuR, may serve as a potential therapeutic target for DB‐IVDD.
NTRK‐Genfusionen beim Melanom: Diagnostik, Prävalenz und mögliche Therapierelevanz
Authors: Forschner Andrea , Forchhammer Stephan , Bonzheim Irina
Published: December 2020

Fusionen der neurotrophen Tyrosin‐Rezeptor‐Kinase (NTRK) sind bekannte Treiber der Onkogenese und treten, wenn auch sehr selten, ebenfalls beim Melanom auf. Eine besonders hohe Inzidenz von NTRK‐Genfusionen wird beim infantilen Fibrosarkom (> 90 %) oder der sekretorischen Form des Mammakarzinoms (> 90 %) berichtet. Erst kürzlich wurde Larotrectinib, ein Tropomyosin‐Rezeptor‐Kinase (TRK)‐Inhibitor, zugelassen, und wir fragten uns, ob TRK‐Inhibitoren auch für Melanompatienten relevant sein könnten. Aus diesem Grund haben wir die Literatur gesichtet und sind zu relevanten Ergebnissen gekommen. Beim spitzoiden Melanom sind NTRK‐Fusionen mit einer Prävalenz von 21–29 % relativ häufig, verglichen mit < 1 % beim kutanen oder mukosalen und 2,5 % beim akralen Melanom. Es scheint so zu sein, dass sich Fusionsproteine und andere onkogene Treiber wie BRAF oder NRAS gegenseitig ausschließen. Ein weiterer Anhaltspunkt für eine erhöhte Wahrscheinlichkeit, NTRK‐positive Tumoren zu detektieren, könnte eine geringe Tumormutationslast sein. Da für Patienten mit NTRK‐Fusionen bereits TRK‐Inhibitoren zur Verfügung stehen, wird die Herausforderung darin bestehen, das Screening auf NTRK‐Genfusionen in die klinische Praxis umzusetzen. Ein möglicher Ansatz könnte darin bestehen, BRAF‐, NRAS‐ und KIT‐Wildtyp‐Melanom‐Patienten mittels Next‐Generation Sequencing zu screenen, sobald sie eine systemische Therapie benötigen oder aber spätestens dann, wenn sie kein Therapieansprechen auf Checkpoint‐Inhibitoren zeigen.
Neutropenia resulting from high‐dose intravenous immunoglobulin in dermatological patients
Authors: Stoevesandt Johanna , Heitmann Johanna , Goebeler Matthias , Benoit Sandrine
Published: December 2020

Background and objectives

Current guidelines recommend high‐dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) as a rescue therapy to treat severe cutaneous autoimmune disorders. Data on IVIG‐induced hematological adverse events are limited in dermatological patients. We assessed the incidence and clinical implications of IVIG‐induced neutropenia.

Patients and methods

Patients who received one or several cycles of IVIG between 2014 and 2019 were retrospectively evaluated. IVIG was given according to standardized infusion protocols. Daily differential blood counts were performed. Information on clinical baseline data, dermatological diagnosis, immunosuppressive pre‐treatment, and IVIG‐related adverse events was retrieved from patient files.

Results

Seventeen patients received 106 IVIG treatment cycles. Neutrophil counts below 1,500/μL were documented during 36 (34.0 %) cycles, and neutrophils fell below 1,000/μL in 14 (13.2 %) cases. The average drop of neutrophils from day one (pre‐dose) to days 2 and 3 of IVIG therapy was statistically significant (p = 0.006, and p = 0.002, respectively) despite correction for hemodilution, and so was a slight decrease of thrombocytes (p = 0.029, and p = 0.011, respectively). Four patients developed seven episodes of bacterial infections during or immediately after IVIG therapy.

Conclusions

IVIG‐induced neutropenia is frequent in dermatological patients. A risk of secondary bacterial infections cannot be excluded.
Neutropenie als Nebenwirkung der Therapie mit hochdosierten intravenösen Immunglobulinen in der Dermatologie
Authors: Stoevesandt Johanna , Heitmann Johanna , Goebeler Matthias , Benoit Sandrine
Published: December 2020

Hintergrund und Ziele:

Leitlinien empfehlen hochdosierte intravenöse Immunglobuline (IVIG) zur Behandlung therapierefraktärer kutaner Autoimmunerkrankungen. Für dermatologische Patienten liegen nur wenige Daten zu hämatologischen Nebenwirkungen dieser Therapie vor. In der vorliegenden Arbeit werden Inzidenz und klinische Folgen der IVIG‐induzierten Neutropenie untersucht.

Patienten und Methodik:

Alle Datensätze von Patienten unserer Klinik, die zwischen 2014 und 2019 mindestens einen Zyklus einer IVIG‐Therapie erhalten haben, wurden retrospektiv ausgewertet. Die Infusionen erfolgten anhand standardisierter Protokolle, die tägliche Kontrollen des Differenzialblutbildes beinhalteten. Informationen zu klinischen Basisdaten, dermatologischer Hauptdiagnose, immunsuppressiver Vortherapie und IVIG‐assoziierten Nebenwirkungen wurden den Patientenakten entnommen.

Ergebnisse:

Siebzehn Patienten erhielten 106 Behandlungen mit IVIG. Während 36 (34,0 %) Zyklen wurden Neutrophilenzahlen < 1500/μl dokumentiert, in 14 (13,2 %) Fällen sanken diese unter 1000/μl. Der durchschnittliche Abfall der Neutrophilen von Tag 1 (vor Therapiebeginn) zu den Tagen 2 und 3 war trotz Korrektur des volumenbedingten Verdünnungseffektes statisch signifikant (p = 0,006 beziehungsweise p = 0,002). Dieses galt auch für einen leichten Abfall der Thrombozyten (p = 0,029 von Tag 1 zu 2, p = 0,011 von Tag 1 zu 3). Vier Patienten entwickelten sieben Episoden bakterieller Infekte während oder unmittelbar nach IVIG‐Therapie.

Schlussfolgerungen:

Neutropenien während einer IVIG‐Therapie dermatologischer Patienten sind häufig. Ein dadurch erhöhtes Risiko bakterieller Infektionen kann nicht ausgeschlossen werden.
Update Dermatologische Lasertherapie II – Weiterentwicklung der photodynamischen Therapie durch Laser‐assistierte transkutane Applikation von Topika
Authors: Paasch Uwe , Grunewald Sonja
Published: December 2020

Die technische Fortentwicklung der jüngeren Vergangenheit bietet dem Dermatologen Zugriff auf neue Laser, Strahlquellen und Behandlungskonzepte. Seit langem eingeführte Wellenlängen zur Ablation sind nunmehr fraktioniert applizierend verfügbar und stehen nunmehr für eine wirksamere und effizientere Behandlung von zahlreichen Hautveränderungen zur Verfügung. Das gezielte Einbringung von Topika (laser assisted drug delivery; LADD) ist das wichtigste Beispiel. Die LADD erfordert eine spezifische Weiterbildung, um sicher und wirksam zur Therapie (prä‐)maligner nichtmelanozytärer Neoplasien der Haut wie der Feldkanzerisierung in Form der Laser‐assistierten photodynamischen Therapie angewandt werden zu können. Bisher verfügbare Daten weisen auf eine höhere Effektivität im Vergleich zu konventionell verwendeten Topika hin, wobei anhaltend über Weiterentwicklungen berichtet wird. Unter anderem wurde die Kombination mit Tageslicht oder alternativen tageslichtähnlichen Strahlquellen bekannt.

Dieses Update basiert wie zitiert gekürzt und aktualisiert auf “Paasch, U. 2019. Laser‐assistierte photodynamische Therapie. p. 226–239. In G. Kautz (ed.) Energie für die Haut. Springer Nature, Springer Nature.”.
The role of ontogenetic allometry and nonallometric flower shape variation in species‐level adaptive diversification – Calceolaria polyrhiza (Calceolariaceae) as a case study
Authors: Strelin Marina M. , Cosacov Andrea , Chalcoff Vanina R. , Maubecin Constanza C. , Sérsic Alicia N. , Benitez‐Vieyra Santiago M.
Published: December 2020

Organism shape changes predictably during ontogeny, resulting in specific patterns of ontogenetic allometry. In several plant and animal lineages, among‐species variation in the shape of mature organisms mirrors variation along their growth trajectories. Hence, ontogenetic allometry is an important bias in evolution. This bias should be stronger at reduced evolutionary time scales, in which among‐trait correlations had less time to evolve. Nevertheless, it was shown that adaptation of organism shape frequently involved departures from the ancestral ontogenetic allometry. Moreover, only a moderate fraction of shape variation is correlated with size during ontogeny. Hence, nonallometric variation in shape (NAVSh) is likely to contribute to adaptation, even at reduced evolutionary time scales. We explored the contributions of allometric variation in shape (AVSh), NAVSh, and size variation to adaptive evolution in the angiosperm species Calceolaria polyrhiza. This strongly relies on oil‐collecting bees for pollination and experienced transitions in the size of pollinators during the last 2 Ma. Using geometric morphometrics, we described corolla morphology in several populations across its distribution range. Variation in corolla shape was decomposed into an allometric and a nonallometric component, and corolla size was estimated. We then looked for the correlation between these aspects of morphology and the pollinator. Our results suggest that adaptation to pollinators with different sizes relied on NAVSh, which resulted from shifts in the allometric slope and from shape changes that occurred early in flower development. We conclude that NAVSh can contribute to adaptation in flowering plants, even at the species‐level.
Prevalence and predictors of suicidality and non‐suicidal self‐harm among individuals at clinical high‐risk for psychosis: Results from a community‐recruited sample
Authors: Haining Kate , Karagiorgou Olga , Gajwani Ruchika , Gross Joachim , Gumley Andrew I. , Lawrie Stephen M. , Schwannauer Matthias , Schultze‐Lutter Frauke , Uhlhaas Peter J.
Published: December 2020

Aim

Suicidal thoughts and behaviours are prevalent in individuals with schizophrenia. However, research examining the prevalence and predictors of suicidality and self‐harm in participants at clinical high‐risk for psychosis (CHR‐P) is limited and mostly focuses on help‐seeking participants recruited through clinical pathways. The current study sought to assess the prevalence of suicidality and self‐harm and identify predictors of current suicidal ideation in community‐recruited CHR‐P participants.

Methods

Data were available for 130 CHR‐P participants, 15 participants with first‐episode psychosis (FEP), 47 participants not fulfilling CHR‐P criteria (CHR‐Ns) and 53 healthy controls. Current and lifetime suicidality and self‐harm were assessed using the Mini‐International Neuropsychiatric Interview and the Comprehensive Assessment of At‐Risk Mental States (CAARMS). Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to determine predictors of current suicidal ideation in the CHR‐P group.

Results

A considerable proportion of CHR‐P participants disclosed current suicidal ideation (34.6%). Overall, FEP individuals were at greatest risk, with considerably high prevalence rates for current suicidal ideation (73.3%), lifetime self‐harm behaviour (60.0%) and lifetime suicide attempt (60.0%). In the CHR‐P sample, current suicidal ideation was predicted by lifetime suicide attempts, lower CAARMS severity, impaired social functioning and greater comorbidity.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that suicidality and self‐harm are highly prevalent in community‐recruited CHR‐P and FEP individuals. Accordingly, these results highlight the importance of further research into the determinants of suicidality and self‐harm during at‐risk and early stages of psychosis, and the implementation of intervention strategies to reduce adverse outcomes in these populations.
Two‐level pruning based ensemble with abstained learners for concept drift in data streams
Authors: Goel Kanu , Batra Shalini
Published: December 2020

Mining data streams for predictive analysis is one of the most interesting topics in machine learning. With the drifting data distributions, it becomes important to build adaptive systems which are dynamic and accurate. Although ensembles are powerful in improving accuracy of incremental learning, it is crucial to maintain a set of best suitable learners in the ensemble while considering the diversity between them. By adding diversity‐based pruning to the traditional accuracy‐based pruning, this paper proposes a novel concept drift handling approach named Two‐Level Pruning based Ensemble with Abstained Learners (TLP‐EnAbLe). In this approach, deferred similarity based pruning delays the removal of under performing similar learners until it is assured that they are no longer fit for prediction. The proposed scheme retains diverse learners that are well suited for current concept. Two‐level abstaining monitors performance of learners and chooses the best set of competent learners for participating in decision making. This is an enhancement to traditional majority voting system which dynamically chooses high performing learners and abstains the ones which are not suitable for prediction. In our experiments, it has been demonstrated that TLP‐EnAbLe handles concept drift more effectively than other state‐of‐the‐art algorithms on nineteen artificially drifting and ten real‐world datasets. Further, statistical tests conducted on various drift patterns which include gradual, abrupt, recurring and their combinations prove efficiency of the proposed approach.
Winter snow and spring temperature have differential effects on vegetation phenology and productivity across Arctic plant communities
Authors: Kelsey Katharine C. , Pedersen Stine Højlund , Leffler A. Joshua , Sexton Joseph O. , Feng Min , Welker Jeffrey M.
Published: December 2020

Tundra dominates two‐thirds of the unglaciated, terrestrial Arctic. Although this region has experienced rapid and widespread changes in vegetation phenology and productivity over the last several decades, the specific climatic drivers responsible for this change remain poorly understood. Here we quantified the effect of winter snowpack and early spring temperature conditions on growing season vegetation phenology (timing of the start, peak, and end of the growing season) and productivity of the dominant tundra vegetation communities of Arctic Alaska. We used daily remotely sensed normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), and daily snowpack and temperature variables produced by SnowModel and MicroMet, coupled physically based snow and meteorological modeling tools, to (1) determine the most important snowpack and thermal controls on tundra vegetation phenology and productivity and (2) describe the direction of these relationships within each vegetation community. Our results show that soil temperature under the snowpack, snowmelt timing, and air temperature following snowmelt are the most important drivers of growing season timing and productivity among Arctic vegetation communities. Air temperature after snowmelt was the most important control on timing of season start and end, with warmer conditions contributing to earlier phenology in all vegetation communities. In contrast, the controls on the timing of peak season and productivity also included snowmelt timing and soil temperature under the snowpack, dictated in part by the snow insulating capacity. The results of this novel analysis suggest that while future warming effects on phenology may be consistent across communities of the tundra biome, warming may result in divergent, community‐specific productivity responses if coupled with reduced snow insulating capacity lowers winter soil temperature and potential nutrient cycling in the soil.
Quality of life and its associated factors among older persons in Malaysia
Authors: Abdul Mutalip Mohd Hatta , Abdul Rahim Faizul Akmal , Mohamed Haris Hasmah , Yoep Norzawati , Mahmud Amierul Fikri , Salleh Ruhaya , Lodz Noor Aliza , Sooryanarayana Rajini , Maw Pin Tan , Ahmad Noor Ani
Published: December 2020

Aim

Quality of life (QoL) among the older persons provides valuable insights into the potential modifiable risk factors that affect well‐being in later life. This study aimed to describe the QoL and psychosocial factors of QoL of older persons in Malaysia.

Methods

We used the 19‐item Control, Autonomy, Self‐realization and Pleasure scale, a validated instrument that measures psychological well‐being related to QoL in older persons. Scores range from 0 to 57, and higher scores indicate better QoL. We included several factors as covariates. Analysis of complex samples was carried out using Stata 15. Descriptive analysis was carried out to determine QoL by sociodemographic characteristics and other factors. Linear regression analysis was used to identify psychosocial factors that influence QoL.

Results

A total of 3444 individuals aged ≥60 years completed all 19‐item Control, Autonomy, Self‐realization and Pleasure items. The estimated mean QoL score was 47.01 (95% CI 46.30–47.72). Adjusted for confounders, QoL was lower among individuals with no formal education (−2.554, 95% CI −3.684, −1.424), probable depression (−1.042, 95% CI −1.212, −0.871) and food insecurity (−0.815, 95% CI −1.083, −0.548). QoL continued to improve with improved ADL score (0.302, 95% CI 0.052, 0.552), IADL score (0.646, 95% CI 0.382, 0.909) and better social support (0.308, 95% CI 0.187, 0.429).

Conclusions

Lower education, depression, food insecurity, presence of limited functional status and poor social support negatively influenced QoL in older Malaysians. This study identified potentially modifiable factors that could be targeted for interventions to enhance QoL of older persons in Malaysia. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; 20: 92–97.
Association of sociodemographic factors and self‐perception of health status on oral health‐related quality of life among the older persons in Malaysia
Authors: Mohamad Fuad Mohamad Anuar , Yacob Habibah , Mohamed Nurulasmak , Wong Norazizah Ibrahim
Published: December 2020

Aim

This study aimed to evaluate the oral health‐related quality of life (OHRQoL) among older persons in Malaysia and its associations with sociodemographic and self‐perception towards general health as well as oral health.

Methods

A cross‐sectional survey among community dwelling older persons utilizing stratified cluster sampling was conducted in 2018. Well‐trained interviewers conducted a face‐to‐face interview with older persons aged ≥60 years to collect information on participants' sociodemographic characteristics, self‐perception on general as well as oral health using the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI). Multivariate analysis of the data collected was performed using SPSS version 23.

Results

Overall, the GOHAI mean ± SD score for older persons in Malaysia was 51.83 ± 7.98, which was an average of fair mean (P < 0.001). Those with poor self‐rated oral health (48.34 ± 8.96) or poor self‐rated general health (47.13 ± 8.93) had poor mean OHRQoL (P < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis shows older persons who stay with spouse/partner (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.96 [1.66, 2.31]), no formal education (aOR: 1.84 [1.29, 2.61]) and self‐perceived unhealthy oral health (aOR: 3.83 [3.19, 4.59]) were significantly associated with higher odds of having poor OHRQoL.

Conclusions

The estimated OHRQoL of older persons in Malaysia is rated as fair, with minimum association contributed by the sociodemographic factors, but with a significant influence by self‐rated oral and general health. Self‐perception of health can be used as a good indicator to estimate the OHRQoL.Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; 20: 57–62.
Social support among older adults in Malaysia
Authors: Mahmud Mohd AF , Hazrin Mohd , Muhammad Eida N , Mohd Hisyam Muhammad F , Awaludin S. Maria , Abdul Razak Mohammad A , Mahmud Nur A , Mohamad Nor A , Mohd Hairi Noran N , Wan Yuen Choo
Published: December 2020

Aim

This study aimed to determine the factors that influence perceived social support among older adults in Malaysia.

Methods

We used the 11‐item Duke Social Support Index to assess perceived social support through a face‐to‐face interview. Higher scores indicate better social support. Linear regression analysis was carried out to determine the factors that influence perceived social support by adapting the conceptual model of social support determinants and its impact on health.

Results

A total of 3959 respondents aged ≥60 years completed the Duke Social Support Index. The estimated mean Duke Social Support Index score was 27.65 (95% CI 27.36–27.95). Adjusted for confounders, the factors found to be significantly associated with social support among older adults were monthly income below RM1000 (−0.8502, 95% CI −1.3523, −0.3481), being single (−0.5360, 95% CI −0.8430, −0.2290), no depression/normal (2.2801, 95% CI 1.6666–2.8937), absence of activities of daily living (0.9854, 95% CI 0.5599–1.4109) and dependency in instrumental activities of daily living (−0.3655, 95% CI −0.9811, −0.3259).

Conclusion

This study found that low income, being single, no depression, absence of activities of daily living and dependency in instrumental activities of daily living were important factors related to perceived social support among Malaysian older adults. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; 20: 63–67.
WHAT IS SOCIALISM TODAY? CONCEPTIONS OF A COOPERATIVE ECONOMY
Authors: Roemer John E.
Published: December 2020

Socialism is back on the political agenda in the United States. I propose several variants of socialism, characterized by different kinds of property relation in the ownership of firms. In addition to property relations, a conception of socialism should include a specification of the cooperative ethos, in place of the individualistic ethos of capitalist society. Individualistic economic agents will optimize in the manner of John Nash, whereas cooperative ones do so in the manner of Immanuel Kant. I argue that Kantian optimization decentralizes resource allocation in ways that separate issues of equity (income distribution) from efficiency. I offer tentative thoughts concerning how we should conceive of socialism today.
COMPONENTS OF UNCERTAINTY
Authors: Larsen Vegard Høghaug
Published: December 2020

Uncertainty is acknowledged to be a source of economic fluctuations. But, does the type of uncertainty matter for the economy's response to an uncertainty shock? This article offers a novel identification strategy to disentangle different types of uncertainty. It uses machine learning techniques to classify different types of news instead of specifying a set of keywords. The article finds that, depending on its source, the effects of uncertainty on a macroeconomic variable may differ. I find that both good (expansionary effect) and bad (contractionary effect) types of uncertainty exist.