bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of transformational leadership and knowledge management on radical and incremental innovation: the moderating role of collaborative culture
Authors: Nguyen Tu Ngoc , Shen Chao Hong , Le Phong Ba
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the influence of transformational leadership (TL) on a firm's radical and incremental innovation. It also deepens the understanding of appropriate mechanisms and conditions to improve specific aspects of innovation by examining the mediating role of knowledge management capability (KMC) and moderating mechanism of collaborative culture.

Design/methodology/approach

This study utilized structural equation modeling (SEM) and cross-sectional design to test hypotheses in the proposed research model using survey data collected from 365 participants in 86 manufacturing and service firms.

Findings

The findings indicate that TL induces greater effect on radical innovation compared to its effect on incremental innovation. The mediating role of KMC between TL and aspects of innovation capability is also supported. Especially, the influences of KMC on specific aspects of innovation capability are different and depend on the degree of collaborative culture in an organization.

Research limitations/implications

Future research should examine the mediating mechanisms of knowledge acquisition, knowledge sharing and knowledge application to provide deeper insight into specific roles of knowledge management's constituents in linking TL and innovation capability.

Practical implications

The paper significantly contributes to increasing the understanding of the link between TL and specific aspects of innovation capability by highlighting the important role of KMC and positive effects of collaborative climate in an organization.

Originality/value

The paper is unique in the attempts to provide a prospective solution for firms to pursue and improve innovation based on the meaningful insights into the mediating role of KMC and moderating effect of collaborative culture in the relationship between TL and specific dimensions of innovation capability.
Citation context-based topic models: discovering cited and citing topics from full text
Authors: Zou Lixue , Liu Xiwen , Buntine Wray , Liu Yanli
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Full text of a document is a rich source of information that can be used to provide meaningful topics. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how to use citation context (CC) in the full text to identify the cited topics and citing topics efficiently and effectively by employing automatic text analysis algorithms.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors present two novel topic models, Citation-Context-LDA (CC-LDA) and Citation-Context-Reference-LDA (CCRef-LDA). CC is leveraged to extract the citing text from the full text, which makes it possible to discover topics with accuracy. CC-LDA incorporates CC, citing text, and their latent relationship, while CCRef-LDA incorporates CC, citing text, their latent relationship and reference information in CC. Collapsed Gibbs sampling is used to achieve an approximate estimation. The capacity of CC-LDA to simultaneously learn cited topics and citing topics together with their links is investigated. Moreover, a topic influence measure method based on CC-LDA is proposed and applied to create links between the two-level topics. In addition, the capacity of CCRef-LDA to discover topic influential references is also investigated.

Findings

The results indicate CC-LDA and CCRef-LDA achieve improved or comparable performance in terms of both perplexity and symmetric Kullback–Leibler (sKL) divergence. Moreover, CC-LDA is effective in discovering the cited topics and citing topics with topic influence, and CCRef-LDA is able to find the cited topic influential references.

Originality/value

The automatic method provides novel knowledge for cited topics and citing topics discovery. Topic influence learnt by our model can link two-level topics and create a semantic topic network. The method can also use topic specificity as a feature to rank references.
Toward the dialectical evaluation of online information: the roles of personality, self-efficacy and attitude
Authors: Keshavarz Hamid , Vafaeian Amir , Shabani Ali
Published: June 2021

Purpose

User behavior in online information evaluation is the result of a multitude of factors related to social, cultural, personal and psychological issues. The present study aimed to examine the effects of three important psychological variables including personality, self-efficacy and attitude on online information evaluation.

Design/methodology/approach

Four validated measures were administrated in person and online among 355 postgraduate students at Shahed University, Tehran, Iran. For testing the possible relationships among the variables, the reliability, normality and Pearson correlation tests were performed by using SPSS 24.0. Moreover, to test the ten hypotheses of the research, the structural equation modeling was considered using AMOS 26.0.

Findings

The findings confirmed the first five research hypotheses indicating the direct positive relationships among the four variables except for the impact of self-efficacy on attitude. The mediated effects of the variables were not supported except for the mediating role of attitude in the impact of personality on online evaluation behavior. The variable personality was found to be fundamental among the tested paths because it influenced the information evaluation behavior, both directly and indirectly.

Originality/value

The study showed the impacts of the three variables, which demonstrates that online information evaluation is greatly affected by psychological factors.
Lean production system: compatible with Malaysian culture?
Authors: Ng Siew Imm , Cha Ck , Sambasivan Murali , Abd Rahman Azmawani
Published: June 2021

Theoretical basis

An instructor could link the case to lean production principles and Kurt Lewin’s change management model, key reading materials on these theories are, namely,  Lewin, K (1947) Frontiers in group dynamics: concept, method and reality in social science; equilibrium and social change. Human Relations 1(1): 5–41  Stewart, J. (2012). The Toyota Kaizen continuum: a practical guide to implementing lean. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press. Wickramasinghe, V. and Wickramasinghe, G. L. D. (2020). Effects of human resource management practices, lean production practices and lean duration on performance. The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 31(11), 1467–1512.

Research methodology

This case was developed from both primary and secondary sources. The primary source included three face to face meetings with Mr CK in University Putra Malaysia (two meetings) and WSAE factory (Rawang, Malaysia – one meeting), respectively. Interviewed three workers at Rawang factory. The secondary source was taken from the company website and company reports.

Case overview/synopsis

Dr Wan, the Chief Executive Officer of WSA Engineering Sdn Bhd (WSAE) accepted the invitation from Small Medium Industries Development Corporation to participate in a Malaysian-Japanese Industry Cooperation program that focused on Lean Production System (LPS). Dr Wan was worried about Malaysia’s culture incompatible with Japanese-originated LPS. The case shares how the organization and behavioral change took place, for LPS buy-in. Successes and challenges WSAE faced in the 10-year journey of implementing LPS were elaborated.

Complexity academic level

This case was written for use in an operations management course, on the topic of lean production. It can also be used as a training material targeting the operation managers of a manufacturing company aiming to implement lean production or any change management process.
cydA, spdC, and mroQ are novel genes involved in the plasma coagulation of Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Luo Dong , Wang Wei , Chen Qiang , Peng Linfeng , Hu Xiaomei , Chen Kaisen
Published: June 2021

Coagulation is a critical pathogenic process in Staphylococcus aureus. Although the agglutination of S. aureus has been studied for a long time, the genes involved in this process are not completely clear. We performed tube agglutination and dynamic turbidimetry tests to identify novel genes involved in reduced plasma coagulation. A total of 15 genes were identified, including coa, clfA, vwbp, saeS, agrA, trpC, spdC, mroQ, cydA, qoxC, sucC, pyrP, menH, threonine aldolase, and truncated transposase for IS1272. The functions of these genes include bicomponent regulation, membrane transport, energy metabolism and biosynthesis, respectively. cydA, spdC, and mroQ genes were further studied by gene knockout and complementation. Results of gene knockout and complementation and real‐time‐qPCR proved that cydA, spdC, and mroQ genes are necessary for plasma coagulation. Furthermore, the survival ability of 7 day mice decreased significantly when cydA, spdC, and mroQ genes had been knocked out.
A phylogenetic framework to investigate the microsporidian communities through metabarcoding and its application to lake ecosystems
Authors: Dubuffet Aurore , Chauvet Marina , Moné Anne , Debroas Didier , Lepère Cécile
Published: June 2021

Microsporidia are obligate intracellular eukaryotic parasites known to parasitize many species of the animal kingdom as well as some protists. However, their diversity is underestimated, in part as a consequence of the failure of ‘universal’ primers to detect them in metabarcoding studies. Besides, due to the inconsistency between taxonomy and phylogenetic data, available databases may assign incorrectly sequences obtained with high‐throughput sequencing. In this work, we developed a comprehensive reference database which positions microsporidian SSU rRNA gene sequences within a coherent ranked phylogenetic framework. We used this phylogenetic framework to study the microsporidian diversity in lacustrine ecosystems, focusing on < 150 μm planktonic size fractions. Our analysis shows a high diversity of Microsporidia, with the identification of 1531 OTUs distributed within seven clades, of which 76% were affiliated to clade IV2 and 20% to clade I (nomenclature presented hereby). About a quarter of the obtained sequences shared less than 85% identity to the closest known species, which might represent undescribed genera or families infecting small hosts. Variations in the abundance of Microsporidia were recorded between the two lakes sampled and across the sampling period, which might be explained by spatio‐temporal variations of their potential hosts such as microeukaryotes and metazooplankton.
The Father of Modern India and the Son of God: Rammohun Roy's Jesus Christ
Authors: Neumann David J.
Published: June 2021

Rammohun Roy, often hailed as the “Father of India,” was a key figure in the early internationalisation of religion who embraced Western critiques of Hinduism while holding fast to what he viewed as the Vedas' revelation of a single Supreme Spirit. The Precepts of Jesus was central to the theological and philosophical system he sought to create in dialogue with fellow Indians and Westerners alike. On one hand, Roy sought to present Jesus to the Indian public as a universal religious figure. On the other hand, his portrayal of a decidedly human Jesus strengthened ties with British and American unitarians while challenging the particularist foundation of trinitarian Christianity's claims to universality: the divinity of Christ and his unique atoning work. In response to Christian attacks on his booklet, Roy defended his views using careful exegesis of the biblical text, critiquing evangelical views using the very source of evangelical authority: the words of Jesus himself. Even as he undermined the evangelical identity of Jesus, Roy's decision to make Jesus Christ a significant person to educated Indians established a precedent for viewing Jesus as a universal religious figure unconstrained by the confines of Christianity.
Religious Women and the Northern Ireland Troubles
Authors: Kirby Dianne
Published: June 2021

The article uses research from an ongoing oral history project examining the peacebuilding work of religious women during the conflict in and about Northern Ireland, euphemistically known as the “Troubles.” The focus is on religious women whose peacebuilding activism was motivated by faith. Since 2015 the project has recorded religious women in conversation about their lives serving the working‐class communities that bore the brunt of the violence during the Troubles. It has brought to the fore their involvement in political as well as personal and societal reconciliation. Yet their activism has been omitted from the historical record. The article explores why this happened and argues the necessity of considering their contributions to the peace process in order that its dynamics be fully understood. The article brings forward new research that complicates secularisation narratives and the male‐centric version of the Troubles that still prevails.
COVID‐19 Infections and the Performance of the Stock Market: An Empirical Analysis for Australia*
Authors: Brueckner Markus , Vespignani Joaquin
Published: June 2021

Using daily data, we estimate a vector autoregression model to characterise the dynamic relationship between COVID‐19 infections in Australia and the performance of the Australian stock market, specifically the ASX‐200. Impulse response functions show that COVID‐19 infections in Australia have a significant positive effect on the performance of the stock market: a one standard deviation increase in new registered cases of COVID‐19 infections in Australia increases the daily growth rate of the ASX‐200 by around half a percentage point. This result is robust to alternative lag selections of the VAR model as suggested by alternative information criteria, including in the model control variables for stock market volatility, that is the ASX‐200 VIX; the USD‐AUD exchange rate and the international oil price; news by the World Health Organization regarding a COVID‐19 pandemic and public health emergency; and the government‐imposed shutdown of parts of the Australian economy. We also present estimates of the dynamic relationship between the daily growth rate of the Dow Jones and daily new cases of COVID‐19 infections in the United States. The US data show, similar to the Australian data, that there is a significant positive effect of COVID‐19 infections on the performance of the stock market.
Grounding financialisation: Development, inclusion, and agency
Authors: Banks Glenn , Overton John
Published: June 2021

The increasing complexity and visibility of financial capital and processes in the global economy and in everyday lives offers both tantalising promise and pitfalls. This review of financialisation in global development develops three key themes: debates and contests over the definition, nature, and extent of financialisation (“what is it”); the erosion within these debates of distinctions between long‐held categories within development – between intentional and immanent, or “big D” and “little d” development, for example; and an exploration of how financialisation has drawn attention to more complex understandings and analyses of risk and its implications for the global economy and everyday lives in the Global South. Drawing on material from the Pacific and situating this alongside existing literature, this review uses these themes to argue that while there is much that is new in the nuance of these processes, there is nothing inherently emancipatory in the new technologies of financialisation. And the often heralded “democratisation of finance” that it represents often serves to extend the reach of capitalism and ties individuals, households, and communities more tightly into the global circuits and structures of capital. These processes themselves though are rarely uncontested, and the plethora of forms they assume reflect localised conditions, geographies, and forms of agency.
Continuity in ovine Johne's disease vaccination practices despite a decline in clinical disease
Authors: Green AC , Plain KM , Eppleston J , Martinez E , Emery D , Dhand NK
Published: June 2021

The Gudair® vaccine has been commercially available in Australia for almost two decades for the control of ovine Johne's disease, but concerns have been raised about potential discontinuation of vaccination by producers after a decline in the incidence of clinical disease. An online questionnaire was distributed to Australian sheep producers to identify the proportion of respondents discontinuing the Gudair vaccine and reasons for discontinuation. Results revealed that 88% of sheep producers surveyed have continued to vaccinate their sheep with Gudair, with continuation greater for predominantly Merino sheep flocks. Reasons for discontinuing vaccination stemmed from management, economic or health concerns. These results suggest that Gudair is still widely used by Australian sheep producers and concerns about large‐scale discontinuation are unfounded. These findings have implications for ovine Johne's disease control programs in Australia.
Comparison of effectiveness and safety between ticagrelor and clopidogrel in patients with acute coronary syndrome and on dialysis in Taiwan
Authors: Li Yun‐Syuan , Wang Shih‐Han , Hwang Shang‐Jyh , Yang Yi‐Hsin , Hsieh Kun‐Pin
Published: June 2021

Aims

This study aimed to evaluate and compare the effectiveness and safety between clopidogrel and ticagrelor in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) with renal dysfunction.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study on patients on chronic dialysis and whose admission diagnosis between 1 July 2013 and 31 December 2016 included ACS. The primary effectiveness endpoint was a major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE), and the primary safety endpoint was a major bleeding event. The application of propensity scores through the inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) was applied to the study groups. Cox regression was used to estimate hazard ratios (aHRs) of study endpoints. In addition, the competing risk was adjusted using the Fine and Gray competing risk model.

Results

There were 1915 patients in the clopidogrel group and 270 patients in the ticagrelor group. At 12 months, the ticagrelor group had higher risks for MACE (aHR with IPTW: 1.29; 95% CI 1.16–1.44); death (aHR with IPTW: 1.65; 95% CI 1.47–1.86) and cardiac death (subdistribution HR [SHR] with IPTW: 1.64; 95% CI 1.41–1.91), compared with those in the clopidogrel group. For major bleeding event, the risk was significantly higher with ticagrelor than with clopidogrel (SHR with IPTW: 1.49; 95% CI 1.34–1.65). In terms of the risk for any bleeding event, there was no significant difference between the two groups (SHR with IPTW: 1.05; 95% CI 0.95–1.17).

Conclusions

Compared with clopidogrel, ticagrelor was associated with higher MACE, death, cardiac death and major bleeding risk within 12 months in patients with ACS and on dialysis.
Functional analysis of LAT3 in prostate cancer: Its downstream target and relationship with androgen receptor
Authors: Rii Junryo , Sakamoto Shinichi , Sugiura Masahiro , Kanesaka Manato , Fujimoto Ayumu , Yamada Yasutaka , Maimaiti Maihulan , Ando Keisuke , Wakai Ken , Xu Minhui , Imamura Yusuke , Shindo Norihisa , Hirota Toru , Kaneda Atsushi , Kanai Yoshikatsu , Ikehara Yuzuru , Anzai Naohiko , Ichikawa Tomohiko
Published: June 2021

L‐type amino acid transporter 3 (LAT3, SLC43A1) is abundantly expressed in prostate cancer (PC) and is thought to play an essential role in PC progression through the cellular uptake of essential amino acids. Here, we analyzed the expression, function, and downstream target of LAT3 in PC. LAT3 was highly expressed in PC cells expressing androgen receptor (AR), and its expression was increased by dihydrotestosterone treatment and decreased by bicalutamide treatment. In chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing of AR, binding of AR to the SLC43A1 region was increased by dihydrotestosterone stimulation. Knockdown of LAT3 inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, and the phosphorylation of p70S6K and 4EBP‐1. Separase (ESPL1) was identified as a downstream target of LAT3 by RNA sequencing analysis. In addition, immunostaining of prostatectomy specimens was performed. In the multivariate analysis, high expression of LAT3 was an independent prognostic factor for recurrence‐free survival (hazard ratio: 3.24; P = .0018). High LAT3 expression was correlated with the pathological T stage and a high International Society of Urological Pathology grade. In summary, our results suggest that LAT3 plays an important role in the progression of PC.
CCL23 suppresses liver cancer progression through the CCR1/AKT/ESR1 feedback loop
Authors: Meng Jin , Wang Lianghai , Hou Jun , Yang Xiaofeng , Lin Ke , Nan Hongxing , Li Man , Wu Xiangwei , Chen Xueling
Published: June 2021

With the ability to activate certain signaling pathways, chemokines and their receptors may facilitate tumor progression at key steps, including proliferation, immunomodulation, and metastasis. Nevertheless, their prognostic value and regulatory mechanism warrant thorough studies in liver cancer. Here, by screening the expression profiles of all known chemokines in independent liver cancer cohorts, we found that CCL23 was frequently downregulated at mRNA and protein levels in liver cancer. Decreased CCL23 correlated with shortened patient survival, enrichment of signatures related to cancer stem cell property, and metastatic potential. In addition to serving as a tumor suppressor through recruiting CD8+ T cell infiltration in liver cancer, CCL23 could repress cancer cell proliferation, stemness, and mobility. Mechanistically, the expression of CCL23 was transcriptionally regulated by ESR1. On the other hand, CCL23 could suppress the activation of AKT signaling and thus promote the expression of ESR1, forming a feedback loop in liver cancer cells. Collectively, these findings reveal that loss of CCL23 drives liver cancer progression by coordinating immune evasion and metastasis initiation. Targeting the ESR1/CCL23/CCR1/AKT regulatory axis could be an effective therapeutic strategy.
Exceeding 30 ELNs is strongly recommended for pT3‐4N0 patients with gastric cancer: A multicenter study of survival, recurrence, and prediction model
Authors: Zhao Lulu , Han Weili , Yang Xisheng , Zhao Dongbing , Niu Penghui , Gao Xianchun , Wu Zhenkun , Zhang Xiaojie , Li Zefeng , Ji Gang , Chen Yingtai
Published: June 2021

The argument concerning the exact minimum number of examined lymph nodes (ELNs) has continued for a long time among various regions, and no consensus has been reached for stratified pathological T stages for data to date. Data from 4607 pN0 patients with gastric cancer were analyzed. Kaplan‐Meier analysis showed the similar overall survival (OS) outcomes among the 3 groups (ELNs ≤ 15, 16 ≤ ELNs ≤ 29 and ELNs ≥ 30, P = .171). However, the ELNs ≥ 30 group had a better disease‐free survival (DFS) outcome compared with the others (all P < .05). An increased ELN group (ELNs ≥ 30) showed an improved OS only for pT3 patients (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.397, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.182‐0.866, P = .020), while an improved DFS for pT3 patients (HR = 0.362, 95%CI: 0.152‐0.860, P = .021) and pT4 patients (HR = 0.484, 95%CI: 0.277‐0.844, P = .011) in the multivariate analysis. A well discriminated and calibrated nomogram was constructed to predict the probability of the OS and DFS, with the C‐index for OS and DFS prediction of 0.782 (95%CI: 0.735 to 0.829) and 0.738 (95%CI: 0.685 to 0.791), respectively. This study provides new and useful insights into the impact of ELN count on reducing stage migration and postoperative recurrence of pN0 patients with gastric cancer in 2000‐2017. In conclusion, a larger number of ELNs is suggested for surgeons to prolong the prognosis of pN0 gastric cancer, especially for pT3 patients.
Magnetic resonance imaging in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder
Authors: Clarke Laura , Arnett Simon , Lilley Kate , Liao Jacky , Bhuta Sandeep , Broadley Simon A
Published: June 2021

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS) associated with antibodies to aquaporin-4 (AQP4), which has distinct clinical, radiological and pathological features, but also has some overlap with multiple sclerosis and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibody associated disease. Early recognition of NMOSD is important because of differing responses to both acute and preventive therapy. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging has proved essential in this process. Key MR imaging clues to the diagnosis of NMOSD are longitudinally extensive lesions of the optic nerve (more than half the length) and spinal cord (three or more vertebral segments), bilateral optic nerve lesions and lesions of the optic chiasm, area postrema, floor of the IV ventricle, periaqueductal grey matter, hypothalamus and walls of the III ventricle. Other NMOSD-specific lesions are denoted by their unique morphology: heterogeneous lesions of the corpus callosum, ‘cloud-like’ gadolinium (Gd)-enhancing white matter lesions and ‘bright spotty’ lesions of the spinal cord. Other lesions described in NMOSD, including linear periventricular peri-ependymal lesions and patch subcortical white matter lesions, may be less specific. The use of advanced MR imaging techniques is yielding further useful information regarding focal degeneration of the thalamus and optic radiation in NMOSD and suggests that paramagnetic rim patterns and changes in normal appearing white matter are specific to MS. MR imaging is crucial in the early recognition of NMOSD and in directing testing for AQP4 antibodies and guiding immediate acute treatment decisions. Increasingly, MR imaging is playing a role in diagnosing seronegative cases of NMOSD.
Immunosuppression practices during the COVID‐19 pandemic: A multinational survey study of transplant programs
Authors: Sandal Shaifali , Boyarsky Brian J. , Massie Allan , Chiang Teresa Po‐Yu , Segev Dorry L. , Cantarovich Marcelo
Published: June 2021

During the COVID‐19 pandemic, there has been wide heterogeneity in the medical management of transplant recipients. We aimed to pragmatically capture immunosuppression practices globally following the early months of the pandemic. From June to September 2020, we surveyed 1267 physicians; 40.5% from 71 countries participated. Management decisions were made on a case‐by‐case basis by the majority (69.6%) of the programs. Overall, 76.8% performed ≥1 transplantation and many commented on avoiding high‐risk transplantations. For induction, 26.5% were less likely to give T‐cell depletion and 14.8% were more likely to give non‐depleting agents. These practices varied by program‐level factors more so than the COVID‐19 burden. In patients with mild, moderate and severe COVID‐19 symptoms 59.7%, 76.0%, and 79.5% decreased/stopped anti‐metabolites, 23.2%, 45.4%, and 68.2% decreased/stopped calcineurin inhibitors, and 25.7%, 43.9%, and 57.7% decreased/stopped mTOR inhibitors, respectively. Also, 2.1%, 30.6%, and 46.0% increased steroids in patients with mild, moderate, and severe COVID‐19 symptoms. For prevalent transplant recipients, some programs also reported decreasing/stopping steroids (1.8%), anti‐metabolites (10.3%), calcineurin inhibitors (4.1%), and mTOR inhibitors (5.5%). Transplant programs changed immunosuppression practices but also avoided high‐risk transplants and increased maintenance steroids. The long‐term ramifications of these practices remain to be seen as programs face the aftermath of the pandemic.
Heat shock cognate 70 genes contribute to Drosophila spermatocyte growth progression possibly through the insulin signaling pathway
Authors: Azuma Maho , Ogata Tsubasa , Yamazoe Kanta , Tanaka Yuri , Inoue Yoshihiro H.
Published: June 2021

Drosophila spermatocytes grow up to 25 times their original volume before the onset of male meiosis. Several insulin‐like peptides and their cognate receptors (InR) are essential for the cell growth process in Drosophila. Here, we aimed to identify additional signaling pathways and other regulatory factors required for germline cell growth in Drosophila males. Spermatocyte‐specific expression of the dominant‐negative form of InR inhibits cell growth. Conversely, constitutively active forms of signaling factors downstream of InR suppress growth inhibition. Furthermore, hypomorphic mutations in the target of rapamycin (Tor) inhibit spermatocyte growth. These data indicate that the insulin/TOR pathway is essential for the growth of premeiotic spermatocytes. RNA interference (RNAi) screening for the identification of other novel genes associated with cell growth showed that the silencing of each of the five members of heat shock cognate 70 (Hsc70) genes significantly inhibited the process. Hsc70‐silenced spermatocytes showed Akt inhibition downstream of the insulin signaling pathway. Our pleckstrin homology domain‐​green fluorescent protein (PH‐GFP) reporter studies indicated that PI3K remained activated in Hsc70‐4‐silenced cells, suggesting that the Hsc70‐4 protein possibly targets Akt or Pdk1 acting downstream of PI3K. Moreover, each of the Hsc70 proteins showed different subcellular localizations. Hsc70‐2 exhibited cytoplasmic colocalization with Akt in spermatocytes before nuclear entry of the kinase during the growth phase. These results indicated the involvement of Hsc70 proteins in the activation of various steps in the insulin signaling pathway, which is essential for spermatocyte growth. Our findings provide insights into the mechanism(s) that enhance signal transduction to stimulate the growth of Drosophila spermatocytes.
Efficient and safe glycaemic control with basal‐bolus insulin therapy during fasting periods in hospitalized patients with type 2 diabetes using decision support technology: A post hoc analysis
Authors: Hochfellner Daniel A. , Rainer Raphael , Ziko Haris , Aberer Felix , Simic Amra , Lichtenegger Katharina M. , Beck Peter , Donsa Klaus , Pieber Thomas R. , Fruhwald Friedrich M. , Rosenkranz Alexander R. , Kamolz Lars‐Peter , Baumann Petra M. , Mader Julia K. , Plank Johannes
Published: June 2021

Aim

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of basal‐bolus insulin therapy in managing glycaemia during fasting periods in hospitalized patients with type 2 diabetes.

Materials and Methods

We performed a post hoc analysis of two prospective, uncontrolled interventional trials that applied electronic decision support system‐guided basal‐bolus (meal‐related and correction) insulin therapy. We searched for fasting periods (invasive or diagnostic procedures, medical condition) during inpatient stays. In a mixed model analysis, patientsʼ glucose levels and insulin doses on days with regular food intake were compared with days with fasting periods.

Results

Out of 249 patients, 115 patients (33.9% female, age 68.3 ± 10.3 years, diabetes duration 15.1 ± 10.9 years, body mass index 30.1 ± 5.4 kg/m2, HbA1c 69 ± 20 mmol/mol) had 194 days with fasting periods. Mean daily blood glucose (BG) was lower (modelled difference [ModDiff]: −0.5 ± 0.2 mmol/L, P = .006), and the proportion of glucose values within the target range (3.9‐10.0 mmol/L) increased on days with fasting periods compared with days with regular food intake (ModDiff: +0.06 ± 0.02, P = .005). Glycaemic control on fasting days was driven by a reduction in daily bolus insulin doses (ModDiff: −11.0 ± 0.9 IU, P < .001), while basal insulin was similar (ModDiff: −1.1 ± 0.6 IU, P = .082) compared with non‐fasting days. Regarding hypoglycaemic events (BG < 3.9 mmol/L), there was no difference between fasting and non‐fasting days (χ2 0.9% vs. 1.7%, P = .174).

Conclusions

When using well‐titrated basal‐bolus insulin therapy in hospitalized patients with type 2 diabetes, the basal insulin dose does not require adjustment during fasting periods to achieve safe glycaemic control, provided meal‐related bolus insulin is omitted and correction bolus insulin is tailored to glucose levels.
CAREER CONCERNS, BEIJING STYLE
Authors: Che Jiahua , Chung Kim‐Sau , Qiao Xue
Published: June 2021

The China model is increasingly viewed by developing countries as a viable alternative to democracy. China's allegedly merit‐based promotion system is lauded as a secret ingredient of the China model. However, once being promoted to the top, Chinese leaders are as unconstrained as other autocrats. If there are fundamental reasons why other autocrats cannot commit to such a promotion system, why are Chinese leaders any different? We provide a unified theory that accommodates both China and other autocracies by postulating that they coordinate on different equilibria. Both the presence and the absence of political career concerns can arise in equilibrium.
CAN THE OPTIMAL TARIFF BE ZERO FOR A GROWING LARGE COUNTRY?
Authors: Naito Takumi
Published: June 2021

Can the optimal tariff be zero for a growing large country? To pursue the possibility, we extend the Rivera‐Batiz–Romer lab‐equipment model of endogenous technological change to include asymmetric countries, import tariffs, and either homogeneous or heterogeneous firms. Each country's domestic revenue share is a sufficient statistic for its long‐run growth rate, but it is not for its long‐run welfare. A unilateral tariff reduction by either country always increases the balanced growth rate. A zero tariff is locally optimal for a country under a mild condition, which is automatically satisfied at a symmetric balanced growth path with the zero tariff.
Female reproductive mode shapes allometric scaling of male traits in live‐bearing fishes (family Poeciliidae)
Authors: Furness Andrew I. , Hagmayer Andres , Pollux Bart J. A.
Published: June 2021

Reproductive mode is predicted to influence the form of sexual selection. The viviparity‐driven conflict hypothesis posits that a shift from lecithotrophic (yolk‐nourished) to matrotrophic (mother‐nourished or placental) viviparity drives a shift from precopulatory towards post‐copulatory sexual selection. In lecithotrophic species, we predict that precopulatory sexual selection will manifest as males exhibiting a broad distribution of sizes, and small and large males exhibiting contrasting phenotypes (morphology and coloration); conversely, in matrotrophic species, an emphasis on post‐copulatory sexual selection will preclude these patterns. We test these predictions by gathering data on male size, morphology and coloration for five sympatric Costa Rican poeciliid species that differ in reproductive mode (i.e. lecithotrophy vs. matrotrophy). We find tentative support for these predictions of the viviparity‐driven conflict hypothesis, with some interesting caveats and subtleties. In particular, we find that the three lecithotrophic species tend to show a broader distribution of male sizes than matrotrophic species. Furthermore, large males of such species tend to exhibit proportionately large dorsal and caudal fins and short gonopodia relative to small males, while these patterns are expressed to a lesser extent in the two matrotrophic species. Finally, large males in some of the lecithotrophic species exhibit darker fins relative to small males, a pattern not evident in either matrotrophic species. One unexpected finding was that even in the matrotrophic species Poeciliopsis retropinna and Poeciliopsis paucimaculata, which lack courtship and dichromatic coloration, some morphological traits exhibit significant allometric relationships, suggesting that even in these species precopulatory sexual selection may be present and shaping size‐specific male phenotypes in subtle ways.
Practical segmentation of nuclei in brightfield cell images with neural networks trained on fluorescently labelled samples
Authors: Fishman Dmytro , Salumaa Sten‐Oliver , Majoral Daniel , Laasfeld Tõnis , Peel Samantha , Wildenhain Jan , Schreiner Alexander , Palo Kaupo , Parts Leopold
Published: June 2021

Identifying nuclei is a standard first step when analysing cells in microscopy images. The traditional approach relies on signal from a DNA stain, or fluorescent transgene expression localised to the nucleus. However, imaging techniques that do not use fluorescence can also carry useful information. Here, we used brightfield and fluorescence images of fixed cells with fluorescently labelled DNA, and confirmed that three convolutional neural network architectures can be adapted to segment nuclei from the brightfield channel, relying on fluorescence signal to extract the ground truth for training. We found that U‐Net achieved the best overall performance, Mask R‐CNN provided an additional benefit of instance segmentation, and that DeepCell proved too slow for practical application. We trained the U‐Net architecture on over 200 dataset variations, established that accurate segmentation is possible using as few as 16 training images, and that models trained on images from similar cell lines can extrapolate well. Acquiring data from multiple focal planes further helps distinguish nuclei in the samples. Overall, our work helps to liberate a fluorescence channel reserved for nuclear staining, thus providing more information from the specimen, and reducing reagents and time required for preparing imaging experiments.
The gravitostat protects diet‐induced obese rats against fat accumulation and weight gain
Authors: Bake Tina , Peris‐Sampedro Fiona , Wáczek Zita , Ohlsson Claes , Pálsdóttir Vilborg , Jansson John‐Olov , Dickson Suzanne L.
Published: June 2021

The gravitostat is a novel homeostatic body weight‐regulating mechanism, mostly studied in mice, and recently confirmed in obese humans. In the present study, we explored the effect of weight loading on metabolic outcomes, meal patterns and parameters linked to energy expenditure in both obese and lean rats. Diet‐induced obese (DIO) and lean rats were implanted with capsules weighing either 15% of biological body weight (load) or empty capsules (1.3% of body weight; controls). Loading protected against fat accumulation more markedly in the DIO group. In line with this, the obesity‐related impairment in insulin sensitivity was notably ameliorated in DIO rats upon loading, as revealed by the reduction in serum insulin levels and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance index scores. Although 24‐hour caloric intake was reduced in both groups, this effect was greater in loaded DIO rats than in loaded lean peers. During days 10‐16, after recovery from surgery, loading: (i) decreased meal size in both groups (only during the light phase in DIO rats) but this was compensated in lean rats by an increase in meal frequency; (ii) reduced dark phase locomotor activity only in lean rats; and (iii) reduced mean caloric efficiency in DIO rats. Muscle weight was unaffected by loading in either group. Dietary‐obese rats are therefore more responsive than lean rats to loading.
Prevalence and risk factors of striae gravidarum in a cohort of multiracial postpartum Nepalese population
Authors: Punj Pragya , Agrawal Sudha , Regmi Mohan Chandra , Pandey Prajwal
Published: June 2021

Background

Striae gravidarum (SG), popularly called as stretch marks, is a common pregnancy‐related asymptomatic skin condition, but is a cosmetic concern for females. A few epidemiological studies have been reported from Asian countries. However, no such study has been done in Nepal.

Aims

This study was aimed to know the prevalence and risk factors associated with SG in a cohort of multi‐ethnic postpartum Nepalese women who had delivered after completion of 36 weeks.

Patients/method

A cross‐sectional comparative study was conducted among 420 postpartum females who had delivered after completion of 36 weeks of gestation. Data were collected in the form of a questionnaire and relevant physical examination was done. The severity of SG was assessed by using Davey's scoring.

Result

Out of 420 females, 260 (62%) had SG while 160 (38%) did not. According to the results of logistic regression analysis, young age (<25 years), large abdominal circumference (>100 cm), increased weight gain during pregnancy (>15 kg), presence of family history of SG, gestational diabetes mellitus, altered bowel movement, and presence of striae on the breasts, thighs, and buttocks were found to be independent risk factors for SG.

Conclusions

Future expectant mothers must be informed about the risk factors of SG development. They need to be made aware that SG can be prevented by considering the modifiable risk factors, such as excessive weight gain. They should also be informed that SG is permanent and currently there is no definite treatment.
Conflict prevention by Bayesian persuasion
Authors: Hennigs Raphaela
Published: June 2021

Drawing upon the Bayesian persuasion literature, I show that a mediator can provide conflicting parties strategically with information to decrease the ex‐ante war probability. In a conflict between two parties with private information about military strength, the mediator generates information about each conflicting party's strength and commits to sharing the obtained information with the respective opponent. The conflicting parties can be convinced not to fight each other. The conflicting parties benefit from mediation, as the ex‐ante war probability is reduced. The benefit is taken up by weak conflicting parties. This benefit is larger when war is costlier and when the war probability absent mediation is higher.
Novel classification and biogeography ofLeptolejeunea(Lejeuneaceae, Marchantiophyta) with implications for the origin and evolution of the Asian evergreen broad‐leaved forests
Authors: Shu Lei , Jin Xin‐Jie , Zhu Rui‐Liang
Published: June 2021

Although recent molecular phylogenetic analyses have greatly improved our understanding of the classification of the large liverwort family Lejeuneaceae, the frequent incongruencies between morphology‐based taxonomy and molecular phylogeny have hindered our understanding of evolutionary diversification within the group. Here we focus onLeptolejeunea(Spruce) Steph., a pantropical epiphyllous genus in Lejeuneaceae with 40 species. Phylogenetic studies on the genus have been hampered by insufficient taxon sampling, leaving the deep phylogenetic relationships within this group unresolved. We present the most comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of the genus to date with sampling of over 80% of species, including the enigmaticLeptolejeunea spinistipula(Mizut.) X.L.He endemic to Borneo. Based on data from three molecular markers with representatives ofLeptolejeuneaand its allies,Leptolejeuneaappeared to be monophyletic following the exclusion ofL. spinistipulaand its transfer toSoellaR.L.Zhu, L.Shu, Qiong He & Y.M.Wei. A total‐evidence approach was taken to resolve the backbone phylogeny ofLeptolejeuneaand a first infrageneric classification ofLeptolejeunea, including a new subgenus and three new sections, is proposed based on integrated molecular and morphological evidence. Reconstruction of the evolutionary history showed a wide ancestral area ofLeptolejeuneaduring the Paleogene that arose in mainland Asia, followed by an accelerated speciation rate. Across the biogeographical history ofLeptolejeunea, long‐distance dispersal had profound effects on population expansion. Our findings suggest that Australasia is a source of biodiversity of Asian evergreen broad‐leaved forests that have been established since the Oligocene and rose after the early Miocene.
An examination of nectar production in 34 species of Dendrobium indicates that deceptive pollination in the orchids is not popular
Authors: Jia Li‐Bing , Huang Shuang‐Quan
Published: June 2021

Nectar, the most common floral reward, is generally used to determine whether an orchid species involves deceptive pollination. Estimates of the deceptive pollination systems with nectarless flowers have ranged from one quarter to one third of the nearly 30 000 species of orchids. These estimates, however, are biased towards temperate‐zone, usually terrestrial, orchids. Here we investigated nectar production and property in 34 epiphytic orchid species of the Southeast Asian genus Dendrobium. Twenty‐one species were observed producing nectar. The amount and sugar concentration (in bagged flowers) of 12 species varied from 0.45 to 2.78 μL and from 8.1% to 31.1%. The nectar was sucrose‐dominant, typical of bee‐pollinated flowers. Reconstruction of phylogenetic relationship indicated that transition of nectar secretion occurred in the genus. Spur length was positively correlated with flower size but species with relatively long spurs tended to produce small volume of nectar. Nectar production was strikingly variable among and within individuals in some species, suggesting that a vital measurement of bagged and fresh flowers is needed. Given that the quantitative measurement of nectar or floral reward in orchid species remains scarce, an estimate of deceptive pollination systems awaits further survey in diverse genera.
Portal hypertension and hepatocellular carcinoma: Des liaisons dangereuses…
Authors: Allaire Manon , Rudler Marika , Thabut Dominique
Published: June 2021

Background and Aims

Portal hypertension (PHT) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are major complication of cirrhosis which significantly contribute to morbidity and mortality. In this review, we aim to describe the consequences of both angiogenesis and inflammation in the pathogenesis of PHT and HCC, but also the difficulty to propose adapted treatment when PHT and HCC coexist in the same patients.

Methods

Studies for review in this article were retrieved from the PubMed database using literature published in English until March 2021.

Results

Portal hypertension occurs secondary to an increase of intrahepatic vascular resistances, the opening of portosystemic collateral vessels and the formation of neovessels, related to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Recently, bacterial translocation‐mediated inflammation was also identified as a major contributor to PHT. Interestingly, VEGF and chronic inflammation also contribute to HCC occurrence. As PHT and HCC often coexist in the same patient, management of PHT and its related complications as well as HCC treatment appear more complex. Indeed, PHT‐related complications such as significant ascites may hamper the access to HCC treatment and the presence of HCC is also independently associated with poor prognosis in patients with acute variceal bleeding related to PHT. Due to their respective mechanism of action, the combination of Atezolizumab and Bevacizumab for advanced HCC may impact the level of PHT and its related complications and to date, no real‐life data are available.

Conslusions

Appropriate evaluation and treatment of PHT remains a major issue in order to improve the outcome of HCC patients.