bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Alternative measures for predicting financial distress in the case of Malaysian Islamic banks: assessing the impact of global financial crisis
Authors: Asutay Mehmet , Othman Jaizah
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The global financial crisis of 2008 still has an impact on the financial systems around the world, for which funding liquidity has been mentioned as one of the main concerns during that period. This study aims to consider the impact of and extent to which the funding structure of Islamic banks along with deposit structure, macroeconomic variables, other bank-specific variables, including alternative funding mix variables (in terms of funding structure measured as financing/deposit ratio), could play a part in explaining the financial conditions and predicting the failures and performances of Islamic banks in the case of Malaysia under the distress created by the global financial crisis.

Design/methodology/approach

Multivariate logit model was used with a sample including 17 full-fledged Islamic banks in Malaysia for the period from December 2005 to September 2010 by using quarterly data.

Findings

This study found that the funding mix variable (financing/deposit ratio), the composition of deposits, alternative bank-specific variables and alternative funding mix variables are statistically significant. In contrast, none of the macroeconomic variables is found to have a significant impact on bank liquidity. In the final models, the variables that showed significant performance were selected as explanatory variables. The results of McFadden R-squared for both selected models showed an excellent fit to predict the Islamic banks’ performance.

Originality/value

This empirical study contributes to the literature in two ways: to the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to examine the role of the funding structures of Islamic banks in determining their performance; and it also examines the effect of deposit composition (the mudharabah and non-mudharabah deposits) on Islamic banks’ performance.
Knowledge acquisition efficiency, strategic renewal frequency and firm performance in high velocity environments
Authors: Shin Kilho , Pérez-Nordtvedt Liliana
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate what type of knowledge enhances the frequency of strategic renewal for organizations operating in high velocity environments. It also investigates whether strategic renewal frequency is beneficial, rather than harmful in such environments.

Design/methodology/approach

The study followed a two-step data collection process involving pilot interviews and an on-site survey data collection procedure. The authors first conducted face-to-face pilot interviews with 16 fashion retailers lasting 30 min to 2 h. They then tested their hypotheses by using a sample of 152 South Korean fashion retailers, as the fashion industry is a prototypical high velocity environment.

Findings

Firms that have a higher rate of strategic renewal frequency outperform those with a lower one. Moreover, the frequency of strategic renewal mitigates the ill effects of lack of legitimacy not imbued by a franchisor’s backing. Finally, firms can increase the frequency of their strategic renewal efforts by accessing knowledge from their main customers more efficiently.

Originality/value

The results of this study provide a refined picture of the role of knowledge acquisition efficiency and strategic renewal frequency in the pursuit of competitive advantage in high velocity environments.
Structural empowerment and serving culture as determinants of organizational identification and turnover intention
Authors: Nowak Radoslaw
Published: August 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to provide an alternative explanation for how organizations could increase levels of organizational identification, in turn reducing employee turnover intention. Specifically, the study empirically tests the joint effect of two types of organizational resources – structural empowerment and serving culture (SE*SC) – on employee identification. Moreover, it investigates the mediating effect of organizational identification on the relationship between the joint effect (SE*SC) and turnover intention.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected in 2018 from employees working in a higher education institution located in the USA. Structural equation modeling was used to test the proposed model.

Findings

Statistical analysis reveals the positive joint effect (SE*SC) on organizational identification and the mediating effect of identification on the relationship between the joint effect (SE*SC) and turnover intention.

Originality/value

This study contributes to past research by revealing a new important mechanism. Business organizations could increase levels of employee identification and, in turn, reduce turnover by providing empowering resources that allow employees to successfully complete their jobs. Moreover, the study also contributes to practice by providing some recommendations that managers may implement to improve internal effectiveness in their respective organizations.
Top managers’ formal and informal control practices in product innovation processes
Authors: Pan Fagerlin Wen , Lövstål Eva
Published: August 2020

Purpose

This study aims to understand the formal and informal practices of top managers as they seek to control product innovation processes and how the style of control used differs during development stages and gates.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative in-depth case study was conducted at a multinational corporation (pseudonym: MEC). The authors examined 12 product innovation projects and carried out semi-structured interviews to understand the experiences, perceptions and challenges of the people involved in product development projects with a focus on the interactions between top managers and the project teams.

Findings

The authors found that MEC uses formal control mechanisms such as a stage-gate model and a project management and reporting system to keep track of the progress of innovation projects. In addition, top managers use informal controls through involvement in innovation activities and interaction with the team members during the stages and gates of the development process. To carry out their control practices top managers use four distinct styles of control as follows: participative, facilitative, empowering and authoritative.

Practical implications

Suggestions are provided for managers on how formal and informal management control tools can be used in innovation processes. The authors show how top managers can broaden their range of interventions by involving themselves in product innovation projects in different ways.

Originality/value

This paper shows how the combination of formal and informal controls can generate a more holistic view of management control in innovation. It also adds to previous conceptualizations of control use by suggesting four distinct styles, which top managers can use to involve themselves in product innovation processes.
The intestinal microbiome of an Indo‐Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis) stranded near the Pearl River Estuary, China
Authors: WAN Xiaoling , LI Jia , CHENG Zhaolong , AO Mengxue , TIAN Renmao , MCLAUGHLIN Richard William , ZHENG Jinsong , WANG Ding
Published: August 2020

The mammalian intestinal microbiome is critical for host health and disease resistance. However, the cetacean intestinal microbiota remains relatively unexplored. By using high‐throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing, we analyzed intestinal bacterial samples from an Indo‐pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis) stranded near the Pearl River Estuary in China. The samples included 3 anatomical regions (foregut, midgut, and rectum) and 2 anatomical locations (content and mucus). Our analyses revealed that the dolphin intestinal bacteria contained 139 operational taxonomic units (OTUs), dominated at the phyla level by Firmicutes (47.05% in the content; 94.77% in the mucus), followed by Bacteroidetes (23.63% in the content; 1.58% in the mucus) and Gammaproteobacteria (14.82% in the content; 2.05% in the mucus). The intestinal bacteria had a small core community (15 OTUs, accounting for 99.74% of the reads), some of which could be potentially pathogenic to both human and dolphins. As an alternative to sampling the dolphin intestinal bacteria, fecal sampling could be used. Additionally, function potentials such as, xenobiotics biodegradation, beta‐lactam resistance, and human disease‐related pathways, were detected in the dolphin intestinal bacteria. These findings provide the first baseline knowledge of the intestinal microbiome of the Indo‐Pacific humpback dolphin, which may offer new insights into cetacean conservation by using microbial surveillance.
Endocrine correlates of gender and throat coloration in the southern ground‐hornbill (Bucorvus leadbeateri)
Authors: SCHEUN Juan , NELLER Sophie , BENNETT Nigel C. , KEMP Lucy V. , GANSWINDT Andre
Published: August 2020

The southern ground‐hornbill (SGH) is a cooperatively breeding bird endemic to eastern and southern Africa, but is endangered in its southern distributional range. The national conservation restoration program harvests redundant chicks for captive breeding and reintroduction; with sexing and social grouping of the species evaluated by throat‐skin coloration, with adult males displaying a completely red color compared to dark blue within the red observed in adult females. However, recent findings indicate that dominant and subordinate adult males exhibit patches of blue throat‐skin. To optimize SGH management practices, it is vital to determine the role of red and blue coloration, as well as the possible drivers thereof. As a prerequisite, an enzyme immunoassay for monitoring fecal androgen metabolite (fAM) concentrations in SGH was established. Following this, fresh fecal samples were collected from 78 SGH, of various demographics and origin, across 12 captive institutions, to determine whether fAM concentrations differ between blue (B), partially blue (sB), and fully red (R) throat‐skin colored SGH. Furthermore, fAM concentrations were compared between males housed in different social groups of different age and sex classes. Individual median fAM concentrations of B, sB, and R adult males did not differ significantly but were considerably higher in B and sB males compared to R males. Social dynamics within captivity, for example, dominance, played no role as a driver of male gonadal activity or throat skin coloration. The results of the study indicate that androgens and apparent social dynamics are not primary determinants of throat coloration in male SGH.
Psoriatic arthritis: A systematic review of non‐HLA genetic studies and important signaling pathways
Authors: Chen Jingjing , Yuan Feng , Fan Xing , Wang Yahua
Published: August 2020

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a common, chronic inflammatory disease with complex pathogenesis. In recent years, a number of susceptibility non‐human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes of PsA have been revealed, which also act as important factors in the pathogenesis of PsA as well as HLA genes. By searching the databases National Center for Biotechnology Information, Google and PubMed, 37 articles are included and 50 susceptibility non‐HLA genes for PsA are presented, such as IL23A, TNIP1, TYK2, STAT4, IL12B, RUNX3 and TRAF3IP2. In these non‐HLA genes, some are common genes shared with other diseases, whereas most of these susceptibility genes are related to the pathogenesis of PsA by activation or inhibition of the signaling pathways. Several signaling pathways possibly implicated in the pathogenesis of PsA are introduced in this paper, including the 2 mainly signaling pathways, IL23/Th17 signaling pathway and NF‐κB signaling pathway, and the other involved signaling pathways, such as JAK‐STAT signaling pathway and MAPK signaling pathway.
GFRα‐1 is a reliable marker of bovine gonocytes/undifferentiated spermatogonia: A mini‐review
Authors: Zhang Xue‐Ming
Published: August 2020

Identification of the specific biomarkers is of great importance to enrich and expand the gonocytes or spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) in livestock. The glial cell line‐derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) family receptor alpha‐1 (GFRα‐1) is a conserved marker of the gonocytes/SSCs in multiple species including rodents, primates and human; however, its expression in bovine gonocytes/SSCs is debated. Recently, we and other teams clearly demonstrated the expression of GFRα‐1 in bovine gonocytes/SSCs. This is useful for bovine gonocytes/SSCs‐related research or application. Nonetheless, new methods still need to be developed to identify the undifferentiated spermatogonial subsets in large livestock and elucidate their spermatogenic potency.
Detection of mosaicism for segmental and whole chromosome imbalances by targeted sequencing
Authors: Villela Darine , de Barros Juliana Sobral , da Costa Silvia Souza , Aguiar Talita F. M. , Campagnari Francine , Vianna‐Morgante Angela M. , Krepischi Ana C. V. , Rosenberg Carla
Published: August 2020

Mosaic segmental and whole chromosome copy number alterations are postzygotic variations known to be associated with several disorders. We have previously presented an efficient targeted sequencing approach to simultaneously detect point mutations and copy number variations (CNVs). In this study, we evaluated the efficiency of this approach to detect mosaic CNVs, using seven postnatal and 19 tumor samples, previously characterized by chromosomal microarray analyses (CMA). These samples harbored a total of 28 genomic imbalances ranging in size from 0.68 to 171 Mb, and present in 10–80% of the cells. All CNV regions covered by the platform were correctly identified in postnatal samples, and only seven out of 19 CNVs from tumor samples were not identified either because of a lack of target probes in the affected genomic regions or an absence of minimum reads for an alteration call. These results demonstrate that, in a research setting, this is a robust approach for detecting mosaicism in cases of segmental and whole chromosome alterations. Although the current sequencing platform presented a resolution similar to genomic microarrays, it is still necessary to further validate this approach in a clinical setting in order to replace CMA and sequencing analyses by a single test.
Rosacea and the gastrointestinal system
Authors: Searle Tamara , Ali Faisal R. , Carolides Sarah , Al‐Niaimi Firas
Published: August 2020

Rosacea is a common skin condition characterised by erythema, papules and pustules. Increasing evidence suggests that the gut–skin axis is implicated in the pathogenesis of rosacea. Sufficient evidence exists to support the notion that the gut microbiome plays a role in the inflammatory cutaneous response and there appear to be associations with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth and Helicobacter pylori infection. A dysbiotic microbiome and an innate immune system dysregulation contribute to the pathophysiology of rosacea, and further exploration of their roles is warranted. Greater understanding of this condition and the effect of the gut–skin axis could allow for more efficacious and timely treatment. This article reviews our current findings and understanding in the skin and gut relationship in rosacea.
Morphological, ultrastructural and immunohistochemical study on the skin ventral photophores of Diaphus holti Tåning, 1918 (Family: Myctophidae)
Authors: Cavallaro Mauro , Guerrera Maria Cristina , Abbate Francesco , Levanti Maria Beatrice , Laurà Rosaria , Ammendolia Giovanni , Malara Danilo , Stipa Maria Giulia , Battaglia Pietro
Published: August 2020

A further contribution to the knowledge of the photophore structure of the mesopelagic fish Diaphus holti (Myctophidae) from the central Mediterranean Sea (Strait of Messina) is given by means of a structural, ultrastructural and immunohistochemical study, to describe the component structures of these luminescent organs.
Leveraging personality information to improve community recommendation in e‐learning platforms
Authors: Sun Jianshan , Geng Jie , Cheng Xusen , Zhu Mingyue , Xu Qiyu , Liu Yunli
Published: August 2020

E‐learning platforms are becoming more and more important and they are gradually changing people’s learning ways. In the e‐learning platforms, users actively create and join their favorite communities to share their questions and ideas. With the increase of users of e‐learning platforms, the number of communities is increasing dramatically. In this context, it has become difficult for users to find learning communities that match their interests and preferences. Therefore, how to effectively recommend the learning community for users has become an urgent need. However, compared to learning item recommendation, there is relatively limited work on learning community recommendation, and the existing research on community recommendation often ignores the personality information. Personality is considered one of the primary factors that influence human behavior and social relationships, as it affects how people react and interact with others. Several studies have demonstrated that people with similar personality tend to have similar interests. Furthermore, homophily theory also states that social interactions between similar individuals occur at a higher rate than among dissimilar ones. Since interests and interactions are important driving forces for users to join the learning communities, personality has an important impact on users’ choices of communities. Therefore, this paper aims at shedding some light on the impact of personality information on the accuracy of community recommendations. Particularly, we propose three enhanced matrix factorization models based on the Big Five personality framework. To evaluate the effectiveness of our proposed models, we conducted extensive experiments on myPersonality datasets. The results prove that the personality information can improve the performance of the learning community recommendation model and alleviate the data sparsity problem.
Plasma membrane to vacuole traffic induced by glucose starvation requires Gga2‐dependent sorting at the trans‐Golgi network
Authors: Buelto Destiney , Hung Chao‐Wei , Aoh Quyen L. , Lahiri Sagar , Duncan Mara C.
Published: August 2020

Background Information

In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, acute glucose starvation induces rapid endocytosis followed by vacuolar degradation of many plasma membrane proteins. This process is essential for cell viability, but the regulatory mechanisms that control it remain poorly understood. Under normal growth conditions, a major regulatory decision for endocytic cargo occurs at the trans‐Golgi network (TGN) where proteins can recycle back to the plasma membrane or can be recognized by TGN‐localised clathrin adaptors that direct them towards the vacuole. However, glucose starvation reduces recycling and alters the localization and post‐translational modification of TGN‐localised clathrin adaptors. This raises the possibility that during glucose starvation endocytosed proteins are routed to the vacuole by a novel mechanism that bypasses the TGN or does not require TGN‐localised clathrin adaptors.

Results

Here, we investigate the role of TGN‐localised clathrin adaptors in the traffic of several amino acid permeases, including Can1, during glucose starvation. We find that Can1 transits through the TGN after endocytosis in both starved and normal conditions. Can1 and other amino acid permeases require TGN‐localised clathrin adaptors for maximal delivery to the vacuole. Furthermore, these permeases are actively sorted to the vacuole, because ectopically forced de‐ubiquitination at the TGN results in the recycling of the Tat1 permase in starved cells. Finally, we report that the Mup1 permease requires the clathrin adaptor Gga2 for vacuolar delivery. In contrast, the clathrin adaptor protein complex AP‐1 plays a minor role, potentially in retaining permeases in the TGN, but it is otherwise dispensable for vacuolar delivery.

Conclusions and significance

This work elucidates one membrane trafficking pathway needed for yeast to respond to acute glucose starvation. It also reveals the functions of TGNlocalised clathrin adaptors in this process. Our results indicate that the same machinery is needed for vacuolar protein sorting at the GN in glucose starved cells as is needed in the presence of glucose. In addition, our findings provide further support for the model that the TGN is a transit point for many endocytosed proteins, and that Gga2 and AP‐1 function in distinct pathways at the TGN.
Sigma 1 receptor as a therapeutic target for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Herrando‐Grabulosa Mireia , Gaja‐Capdevila Núria , Vela José M. , Navarro Xavier
Published: August 2020

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an adult disease causing a progressive loss of upper and lower motoneurons, muscle paralysis and early death. ALS has a poor prognosis of 3–5 years after diagnosis with no effective cure. The aetiopathogenic mechanisms involved include glutamate excitotoxicity, oxidative stress, protein misfolding, mitochondrial alterations, disrupted axonal transport and inflammation. Sigma non‐opioid intracellular receptor 1 (sigma 1 receptor) is a protein expressed in motoneurons, mainly found in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) on the mitochondria‐associated ER membrane (MAM) or in close contact with cholinergic postsynaptic sites. MAMs are sites that allow the assembly of several complexes implicated in essential survival cell functions. The sigma 1 receptor modulates essential mechanisms for motoneuron survival including excitotoxicity, calcium homeostasis, ER stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. This review updates sigma 1 receptor mechanisms and its alterations in ALS, focusing on MAM modulation, which may constitute a novel target for therapeutic strategies.

LINKED ARTICLES

This article is part of a themed issue on Recent advances in ALS pathogenesis and therapeutics. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v178.6/issuetoc
Growing with others: A longitudinal study of an evolving multi‐sided disruptive platform
Authors: Schmidt Alexander Lennart , Petzold Neele , Lahme‐Hütig Norman , Tiemann Florian
Published: August 2020

Multi‐sided platforms are becoming increasingly relevant in understanding industry changes. The literature has focused on the inception and growth of platforms, neglecting how entrants develop and grow disruptive platforms. To address this shortcoming, we study an entrant that was spun off from an established catalog retailer and is steering a multi‐sided disruptive platform in the German fashion retail industry. We conduct a longitudinal study on how the entrant leverages the relationships with its multiple platform sides during 2014–2019 by analyzing secondary data using topic modeling and qualitative content analysis. We propose three levers: (1) “guarded inception,” which is the collaboration with a knowledgeable partner unaffected by disruption to quickly overcome the chicken‐and‐egg problem; (2) “activating force multipliers,” which is the strategic orchestration of complementors being contractually tied to the entrant and working to extend the entrant's value network. Enabled by these two levers, the entrant was (3) “building on others” to develop the platform along a disruptive path while circumventing internal limitations and external resistance. We contribute to the intersection of the literature strands on platform and disruptive innovation by showing how the entrant strategically leveraged its different platform sides over time to develop and grow a disruptive platform.
Production of Inflected Novel Words in Older Adults With and Without Dementia
Authors: Nikolaev Alexandre , Higby Eve , Hyun JungMoon , Lehtonen Minna , Ashaie Sameer , Hallikainen Merja , Hänninen Tuomo , Soininen Hilkka
Published: August 2020

While cognitive changes in aging and neurodegenerative disease have been widely studied, language changes in these populations are less well understood. Inflecting novel words in a language with complex inflectional paradigms provides a good opportunity to observe how language processes change in normal and abnormal aging. Studies of language acquisition suggest that children inflect novel words based on their phonological similarity to real words they already know. It is unclear whether speakers continue to use the same strategy when encountering novel words throughout the lifespan or whether adult speakers apply symbolic rules. We administered a simple speech elicitation task involving Finnish‐conforming pseudo‐words and real Finnish words to healthy older adults, individuals with mild cognitive impairment, and individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD) to investigate inflectional choices in these groups and how linguistic variables and disease severity predict inflection patterns. Phonological resemblance of novel words to both a regular and an irregular inflectional type, as well as bigram frequency of the novel words, significantly influenced participants' inflectional choices for novel words among the healthy elderly group and people with AD. The results support theories of inflection by phonological analogy (single‐route models) and contradict theories advocating for formal symbolic rules (dual‐route models).
Profile of hospital transplant ethics committees in the Philippines
Authors: Abacan Mary Ann
Published: August 2020

In the Philippines, all transplant centers are mandated by the Department of Health (DOH) to have a Hospital Transplant Ethics Committee (HTEC) to ensure that donations are altruistic, voluntary and free of coercion/commercial transactions. This study was undertaken primarily to describe the organizational and functional profile of existing HTECs and identify areas for improvement. This is a descriptive cross‐sectional study. There was variation in their logistical arrangements (support from hospital, filing systems, office spaces), operations (length and frequency of meetings, number of referrals) and membership (composition, qualifications, occupation, training). The approval rate for donor‐recipient pairs is high with the majority of cases made by living non‐related donors. Appropriate reasons were cited for rejection. The perception of HTECs is that they are competent and confident in their decision‐making. However, there is a need to standardize HTEC composition, provide operating procedures and additional training which can be done by the DOH.
Reduced incidence of type 2 diabetes in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection cleared by direct‐acting antiviral therapy: A prospective study
Authors: Adinolfi Luigi E. , Petta Salvatore , Fracanzani Anna L. , Nevola Riccardo , Coppola Carmine , Narciso Vincenzo , Rinaldi Luca , Calvaruso Vincenza , Pafundi Pia Clara , Lombardi Rosa , Staiano Laura , Di Marco Vito , Solano Antonio , Marrone Aldo , Saturnino Mariarosaria , Rini Francesca , Guerrera Barbara , Troina Graziano , Giordano Mauro , Craxì Antonio , Sasso Ferdinando C.
Published: August 2020

Aim

To assess the effect of hepatitis C virus (HCV) eradication on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). incidence.

Methods

A prospective multicentre case–control study was performed, which included 2426 patients with HCV, 42% of whom had liver fibrosis stage F0‐F2 and 58% of whom had liver fibrosis stage F3‐F4. The study population consisted of a control group including 1099 untreated patients and 1327 cases treated with direct‐acting antivirals (DAAs). T2DM incidence was assessed during a median (interquartile range) follow‐up period of 30 (28–42) months. Risk factors for T2DM were assessed using a Cox regression model (relative risk [RR], hazard ratio [HR], Kaplan–Meier analysis). Insulin sensitivity was evaluated by homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) and changes by repeated‐measures ANOVA. Factors independently associated with T2DM were assessed by multivariate analysis.

Results

The absolute incidence of T2DM for controls and cases was 28 and 7/1000 person‐years, respectively (P = 0.001). In cases compared to controls, HCV clearance reduced the RR and HR of T2DM by 81% and 75% to 93%, respectively (P = 0.001). It was calculated that, for every 15 patients who obtained HCV clearance, one case of T2DM was saved. HCV clearance was associated with significant reductions in HOMA‐insulin resistance and HOMA‐β‐cell function and an increase in HOMA‐insulin sensitivity, as assessed in 384 patients before and after HCV clearance. At multivariate analysis, HCV clearance emerged as independently associated with a reduced T2DM risk.

Conclusion

The results showed that HCV clearance by DAA treatment reduces T2DM incidence probably by restoring the HCV‐induced alteration of glucose homeostasis mechanisms.
MINIMUM WAGES, IMPORT STATUS, AND FIRMS' INNOVATION: THEORY AND EVIDENCE FROM CHINA
Authors: Chu Angus C. , Fan Haichao , Furukawa Yuichi , Kou Zonglai , Liu Xueyue
Published: August 2020

This study explores the heterogeneous effects of minimum wage on innovation of different types of firms. We develop an open‐economy R&D‐based growth model and obtain the following result: raising the minimum wage reduces innovation of firms that use domestic inputs but increases innovation of firms that import foreign inputs. We test this result using city‐level data on minimum wages and firm‐level patent data in China. In accordance with our theory, we find that raising the minimum wage is associated with more innovation by importing firms and less by non‐importing firms. This result survives a battery of robustness checks. (JEL E24, F43, O31)
Intrinsic and extrinsic drivers of life‐history variability for a south‐western cutthroat trout
Authors: Huntsman Brock M. , Lynch Abigail J. , Caldwell Colleen A. , Abadi Fitsum
Published: August 2020

The impacts of climate change on cold‐water fishes will likely negatively manifest in populations at the trailing edge of their distributions. Rio Grande cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii virginalis, RGCT) occupy arid south‐western U.S. streams at the southern‐most edge of all cutthroat trout distributions, making RGCT particularly vulnerable to the anticipated warming and drying in this region. We hypothesised that RGCT possess a portfolio of life‐history traits that aid in their persistence within streams of varying temperature and stream drying conditions. We used otolith and multistate capture–mark–recapture data to determine how these environmental constraints influence life‐history trait expression (length‐ and age‐at‐maturity) and demography in RGCT populations from northern New Mexico, United States. We found evidence that RGCT reached maturity fastest at sites with warm stream temperatures and low densities. We did not find a strong relationship between discharge and any demographic rate, although apparent survival of mature RGCT decreased as stream temperature increased. Our study suggests plasticity in trait expression may be a life‐history characteristic which can assist trailing edge populations like RGCT persist in a changing climate.
Large vessel stroke in six patients following SARS‐CoV‐2 infection: a retrospective case study series of acute thrombotic complications on stable underlying atherosclerotic disease
Authors: Lapergue B. , Lyoubi A. , Meseguer E. , Avram I. , Denier C. , Venditti L. , Consoli A. , Guedon A. , Houdart E. , Weisenburger‐Lile D. , Piotin M. , Maier B. , Obadia M. , Broucker T.D.E.
Published: August 2020

Background and purpose

Ischaemic stroke has been described in association with COVID‐19. Several pathophysiological mechanisms have been suggested, i.e. prothrombotic state, cardiac injury etc. It was sought to assess the potential association between ischaemic stroke associated with SARS‐CoV‐2 infection and underlying atherosclerotic lesions.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of stroke related to large vessel occlusion was conducted amongst patients with SARS‐CoV‐2 infection and underlying mild atherosclerotic disease, between 19 March and 19 April 2020 in six different stroke centers in the Île‐de France area, France.

Results

The median age was 52 years, median body mass index was 29.5 kg/m2. All patients displayed previous vascular risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, dyslipidemia or body mass index > 25. The delay between the first respiratory symptoms of COVID‐19 and stroke was 11.5 days. At baseline, all had tandem occlusions, i.e. intracerebral and extracerebral thrombus assessed with computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. Cases displayed a large thrombus in the cervical carotid artery with underlying mild non‐stenosing atheroma, after an etiological workup based on angio‐computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging and/or cervical echography.

Conclusion

Our study should alert clinicians to scrutinize any new onset of ischaemic stroke during COVID‐19 infection, mainly in patients with vascular risk factors or underlying atherosclerotic lesions.
Fracture toughness characterisation of a glass fibre‐reinforced plastic composite
Authors: Vantadori Sabrina , Carpinteri Andrea , Głowacka Karolina , Greco Fabrizio , Osiecki Tomasz , Ronchei Camilla , Zanichelli Andrea
Published: August 2020

By examining the state of the art, it can be realised that few research works have been done on the fracture behaviour of plastic composites reinforced with continuous glass fibres. Therefore, the present paper deals with the fracture toughness of a unidirectional glass fibre‐reinforced plastic (GFRP), such a parameter being analytically determined by means of the modified two‐parameter model (MTPM). The input data of the MTPM are obtained from an experimental campaign related to three‐point bending tests on single edge‐notched specimens characterised by different sizes. The novelty of this research work is that the MTPM, originally proposed for isotropic materials, is here employed to estimate the fracture toughness of GFRPs characterised by orthotropic mechanical properties.
Testing the diversity–biomass relationship in riverine fish communities
Authors: Woods Taylor , Comte Lise , Tedesco Pablo A. , Giam Xingli
Published: August 2020

Aim

We examined the diversity–biomass relationship in stream fish communities and quantified direct and indirect effects of abiotic variables on this relationship.

Location

France.

Time period

1992–2012.

Major taxa studied

Stream fishes.

Methods

We analysed the relationship between biodiversity (species richness and functional diversity) and fish community biomass at 1,357 stream sites distributed throughout France. We used piecewise path analysis to quantify effects of abiotic and biodiversity variables on biomass and assess relative contributions of native and non‐native species on the diversity–biomass relationship.

Results

Biodiversity showed a direct positive relationship with biomass after controlling for sampling effort, and direct effects of biodiversity variables on community biomass exceeded those of climate and physical habitat variables. Our analysis indicates that positive effects of species richness on biomass exceeded those of functional diversity. Indirect effects of abiotic variables mediated by biodiversity metrics indicated that biomass increased in warmer, lowland habitats. Human impact had no effect on native biodiversity but had a positive effect on non‐native biodiversity.

Main conclusions

We provide evidence that direct effects of biodiversity on community biomass outweigh those of abiotic variables in riverine fish communities, but resource partitioning alone is unlikely to drive the effects of biodiversity on biomass in this system. Quantification of the relative roles of anthropogenic impacts, biodiversity and environmental context in the regulation of ecosystem functioning will be necessary to understand the potential consequences of ongoing global change.
Policy and practice suggestions to improve performance on the UNAIDS 90‐90‐90 targets: Results from a nominal group technique with HIV experts in Southwest Ethiopia
Authors: Gesesew Hailay Abrha , Ward Paul , Woldemichael Kifle , Lyon Pamela , Mwanri Lillian
Published: August 2020

Objective

This paper aims to evaluate the potential solutions to address negative outcomes of HIV care and treatment, that were proposed by HIV care providers, researchers and HIV programme managers in Southwest Ethiopia.

Methods

A nominal group technique (NGT) was conducted with 25 experts in December 2017 in Jimma, Southwest Ethiopia. The NGT process included (a) an analysis of the previously qualitative study conducted with various Ethiopian HIV stakeholders who proposed possible solutions for HIV care and treatment; (b) recruitment of a panel of HIV experts in policy and practice to rate the proposed solutions in Ethiopia before a discussion (first round rating); (c) discussion with the panel of experts on the suggested solutions; and (d) conducting a second round of rating of proposed solutions. Content analysis and Wilcoxon signed rank test were applied to analyse the data.

Results

Eighteen of the 25 invited panel of experts participated in the NGT. The following proposed solutions were rated and discussed as relevant, feasible and acceptable. In order of decreasing importance, the solutions were as follows: filling gaps in legislation, HIV self‐testing, the teach‐test‐link‐trace strategy, house‐to‐house HIV testing, community antiretroviral therapy (ART) groups, providing ART in private clinics and providing ART at health posts.

Conclusions

The current study findings suggested that, to address HIV negative outcomes, priority solutions could include mandatory notification of partner's HIV status, HIV self‐testing and the involvement of peer educators on the entire HIV care programme.
Association of BTLA rs1982809 polymorphism with lung cancer risk in Tunisian population
Authors: Khadhraoui Chaima , Kaabachi Wajih , Tritar Fatma , Daghfous Hafaoua , Hamzaoui Kamel , Hamzaoui Agnes
Published: August 2020

B and T lymphocyte attenuator (BTLA) is an immune‐inhibitory receptor that negatively regulates the lymphocyte activation. A few studies have been devoted to the relationship between BTLA gene variations and cancer's risk. It has been essentially demonstrated to be involved in increasing cancer risk in chronic lymphocyte leukaemia, renal cell carcinoma, breast and colorectal cancer predispositions in Asian population. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between BTLA gene polymorphisms and the risk of lung cancer in the Tunisian population. In a case–control study, three BTLA single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP): rs1982809 (A > G), rs9288952 (G > A) and rs9288953(C > T) were genotyped with the use of TaqMan probes in 169 lung cancer patients and in 300 controls. The rs1982809 SNP was significantly associated with an increased risk of lung cancer compared with controls in codominant and dominant models. The heterozygous rs1982809‐AG genotype carriers had a higher risk of developing lung cancer when compared to AA genotype carriers in Tunisian population (OR (95%CI) = 1.63 (1.09–2.42), p = .01]. The AG genotype is an important risk factor associated with lymphatic invasion (OR = 3.71) and large‐sized lung tumour (OR = 1.80). It is also a risk factor for the development of an adenocarcinoma subtype (OR = 2.08). However, the BTLA rs9288953 and rs9288952 SNPs were not associated with susceptibility for lung cancer (p > .05). Haplotype comparison did not show any significant association in our research. For the survival analysis, there was no impact of BTLA SNPs on the mortality risk associated to lung cancer in Tunisian patients. The current study is the first to demonstrate an association between BTLA rs1982809 polymorphism and an increased lung cancer risk in the Tunisian population.
Thrombin generation abnormalities in Quebec platelet disorder
Authors: Brunet Justin G. , Sharma Tanmya , Tasneem Subia , Liang Minggao , Wilson Michael D. , Rivard Georges E. , Hayward Catherine P. M.
Published: August 2020

Introduction

Calibrated automated thrombograms (CAT) with platelet‐poor (PPP) and platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) have provided useful insights on bleeding disorders. We used CAT to assess thrombin generation (TG) in Quebec platelet disorder (QPD)—a bleeding disorder caused by a PLAU duplication mutation that increases platelet (but not plasma) urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA), leading to intraplatelet (but not systemic) plasmin generation that degrades α‐granule proteins and causes platelet (but not plasma) factor V (FV) deficiency.

Methods

Calibrated automated thrombograms was used to test QPD (n = 7) and control (n = 22) PPP and PRP, with or without added tranexamic acid (TXA). TG endpoints were evaluated for relationships to platelet FV and uPA, plasma FV and tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) levels, and bleeding scores.

Results

Quebec platelet disorder PPP TG was normal whereas QPD PRP had reduced endogenous thrombin potential and peak thrombin concentrations (P values < .01), proportionate to the platelet FV deficiency (R2 ≥ 0.81), but unrelated to platelet uPA, plasma FV, or bleeding scores. QPD TG abnormalities were not associated with TFPI abnormalities and were not reproduced by adding uPA to control PRP. TXA increased QPD and control PRP TG more than PPP TG, but it did not fully correct QPD PRP TG abnormalities or improve TG by plasminogen‐deficient plasma.

Conclusion

Quebec platelet disorder results in a platelet‐specific TG defect, proportionate to the loss of platelet FV, that is improved but not fully corrected by TXA. Our study provides an interesting example of why it is important to assess both PRP and PPP TG in bleeding disorders.
Solving the prize‐collecting Euclidean Steiner tree problem
Authors: Whittle David , Brazil Marcus , Grossman Peter A. , Rubinstein J. Hyam , Thomas Doreen A.
Published: August 2020

The prize‐collecting Euclidean Steiner tree (PCEST) problem is a generalization of the well‐known Euclidean Steiner tree (EST) problem. All points given in an EST problem instance are connected by the shortest possible network in a solution. A solution can include additional points called Steiner points. A PCEST problem instance differs from an EST problem instance by the
addition of weights for each given point. A PCEST solution connects a subset of
the given points in order to maximize the net value of the network (the sum of
the selected point weights, less than the length of the network). We present an algorithmic framework for solving the PCEST problem. Included in the framework are efficient methods to determine subsets of points that must be in every solution, and subsets of points that cannot be in any solution. Also included are methods to generate and concatenate full Steiner trees.
Increasing cardiovascular medication adherence: A medical research council complex mhealth intervention mixed‐methods feasibility study to inform global practice
Authors: Khonsari Sahar , Chandler Colin , Parker Richard , Holloway Aisha
Published: August 2020

Aims

To evaluate a mHealth intervention to increase medication adherence among Iranian coronary heart disease patients.

Design

Quantitative‐dominant mixed‐methods study.

Data Source

Iranian coronary heart disease patients’ responses and most recent clinical documents as well as responses from Iranian cardiac nurses who participated in this study.

Methods

The study was conducted between September 2015–April 2016 drawing on the Medical Research Council's Framework. Phase one comprised of a patients’ survey and focus groups with cardiac nurses. The automated short message service reminder was piloted in phase two. We recruited 78 patients and randomized to receive either 12‐week daily reminders or usual care. The primary outcome was the effect on medication adherence; secondary outcomes were self‐efficacy, ejection fraction, functional capacity, readmission rate and quality of life.

Results

Feasibility was evidenced by high ownership of mobile phones and high interest in receiving reminders. Participants in the intervention group showed significantly higher medication adherence compared with the control group.

Conclusion

The mHealth intervention was well accepted and feasible with early evidence of effectiveness that needs to be confirmed in a fully powered future randomized clinical trial.
Contamination of freshly harvested Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea) seed from Mpumalanga, South Africa, with mycotoxigenic fungi
Authors: Otto Margot , Pretorius Beulah , Kritzinger Quenton , Schönfeldt Hettie
Published: August 2020

Freshly harvested Bambara groundnut (BGN) is occasionally consumed raw and can potentially become infected with mycotoxingenic field fungi. In this study, BGN samples were obtained from 12 farms in three districts of Mpumalanga in South Africa. Eight pooled samples were screened for multi‐mycotoxin contamination using Ultra Performance Liquid‐Chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC‐MS/MS). To identify mycoflora, 12 samples were screened using conventional and molecular methods. Selected potential mycotoxin producing isolates were screened for mycotoxins using UPLC‐MS/MS. No mycotoxins were detected on the freshly harvested BGN samples, but they were infected with various mycotoxin producing fungal species namelyAspergillus flavus(50%),Penicillium citrinum(25%),Penicillium oxalicum(17%),Penicillium citreoviridin(0.8%), andFusarium verticillioides(0.8%). Following screening of selected fungal cultures, aflatoxin B1(0.4, 0.45 and 0.4 ppm) and fumonisin B1(0.7 ppm) were detected fromA. flavusandF. verticillioides, respectively.Identification of mycotoxigenic fungi on freshly harvested BGN presents a potential health risk.
Modified colonic transit test in healthy subjects and constipated patients: A triple‐phase, two‐center prospective study
Authors: Jiang Yongxiang , Kong Hao , Chang Tingmin , Bai Tao , Xiang Xuelian , Zhang Xiaohao , Xie Xiaoping , Zhang Lili , Zhang Chaoxian , Hou Xiaohua , Lin Rong
Published: August 2020

Background and Aim

Classic daily‐ingestion single‐film protocol using radiopaque markers for colonic transit time (CTT) is unsuitable for Chinese patients because of rapid colonic motility. A new modified method needs to be established.

Methods

The triple‐phase study was performed. In Phase I, the classic protocol was assessed to evaluate its feasibility for Chinese subjects. In Phase II, a modified protocol was performed in two centers on 180 healthy subjects and 90 constipated patients to determine optimal conditions. In Phase III, the simplified protocol was validated on 90 constipated patients.

Results

All the subjects of the Phase I expelled more than 95% of the markers during the examination period, which means that the classic protocol is unsuitable for Chinese patients. The 20.9‐h mean total CTT for healthy Chinese subjects was much faster than that seen in Western countries. As shown by Phase II, the numbers of subjects went beyond the upper limit were 22 in P1TCTT and 10 in P2TCTT (8.14% vs 3.70%, P = 0.029). The percentage of values fall outside of the measurement range of excretion ratio was around half of our study subjects (45–70%), whereas this percentage was only 3.70% using P2TCTT. The simplified protocol had a diagnostic accuracy for constipation of 0.81, with a sensitivity and specificity of 0.46 and 0.97, respectively.

Conclusions

Colon movement in Chinese individuals is significantly faster than that of Western populations. The modified protocol generated in this study is appropriate for diagnosis of constipation in population with rapid colon motility.