bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“Sub-debt trap”: a real effect of an ill-design adoption of basel accord in the Bangladeshi banking industry
Authors: Hasan A.K.M. Kamrul , Suzuki Yasushi
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of basel accord on the Bangladeshi bank performance including Islamic banks and the role of subordinated debt (sub-debt) as basel regulatory capital (BRC).

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted the empirical investigation by adopting a quantitative approach and using the secondary data available in the annual reports of the sample banks between 2009 and 2018. This paper develops an econometric model to compare and analyze the regression result under two states of capital-to-risk adjusted assets ratio (CRAR) with sub-debt and CRAR without sub-debt. This paper analyzes the impact of sub-debt in the largest Islamic bank for the year 2007 as a case study for endorsing the findings.

Findings

This paper finds that CRAR has positive alignments with return on equity (ROE) and cash dividend when sub-debt is considered as Tier 2 capital. This paper observes that the huge bad loan write-off supports to downsize the asset size thus temporarily enhance the return on assets (ROA). In a nutshell, sub-debt gives banks an ill incentive to disburse steady cash dividends instead of injecting genuine equity capital, encouraging them to take more credit risk. In fact, more private commercial banks (PCBs) issued huge sub-debts between 2009 and 2018 under a unique arrangement, which the authors termed as the “sub-debt trap.”

Research limitations/implications

This paper draws policy implications for the banking regulator to identify and rectify a systemic problem of the “sub-debt trap” which hinders the regulatory purpose from the implementation of basel accord II and III. A limitation of this study is the authors shed analytical light on Bangladeshi banks, i.e. it a single country analysis which may not be generalized to other developing countries except matching with a similar context.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to accumulating empirical studies on the effectiveness of basel accord implementation in developing countries. In most of the developing countries, where institutional loopholes are a major concern, the research provides evidence that how weak institutional settings are largely responsible for harvesting the potential benefit from micro-prudential regulation such as the basel accord. To shed analytical light on developing country context, the study document that sub-debt has been instrumentalized to maintain minimum capital ratio and banks managers tends more focus on improving ROE instead of ROA. The findings of the study are supportive to other developing countries where sub-debt considered as BRC and issued through private placement. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, it is the first attempt to cast doubt on the impact of sub-debt as a BRC, given the uniqueness of the Bangladeshi banking industry, on the PCBs including Islamic banks.
How information technology capability influences organizational agility: empirical evidences from Indian banking industry
Authors: Panda Sukanya , Rath Santanu Kumar
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to highlight a precise investigation of the relationship between information technology (IT) capability and organizational agility along with the moderating impact of environmental factors on this association.

Design/methodology/approach

Pre-tested structured questionnaires were administered during a matched-pair field survey to collect primary responses from 300 business and IT personnel working in various public and privately owned banking groups functioning in India. The structural equation modeling approach has been used for data analysis.

Findings

The two-folded research findings are first, IT capability enables organizational agility (studied as business process and market responsive agility), while IT capability has more effect on market responsive agility. Second, the environmental factors (studied as environmental diversity and hostility) possess a significant effect on the IT-agility relationship and, thereby, suggest that a more diverse and less hostile environment is required for the firms to build up superior IT capability for realizing enhanced agility.

Originality/value

The authors have studied IT capability as a first-order factor, organizational agility and environmental factors as second-order factors and by meticulously examining their critical dimensions this study greatly contributes to the existing IT-agility literature. The derived inferences provide various implications for the bank and IT managers to emphasize on superior IT capability for generating enhanced organizational agility.
Mindfulness and study engagement: mediating role of psychological capital and intrinsic motivation
Authors: Ali Muhammad , Khan Ali Nawaz , Khan Mubbsher Munawar , Butt Atif Saleem , Shah Syed Hamad Hassan
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This study aims to analyze the relationship between mindfulness and study engagement focusing on the mediating mechanism between the relationships proposed. Based on the conservation of resources (COR) theory, the authors examine whether psychological capital (PsyCap) and intrinsic motivation mediate the relationship between mindfulness traits and study engagement.

Design/methodology/approach

Path analysis was conducted to test the hypothesized relationships among a sample of 428 international students studying in Chinese universities in Shanghai.

Findings

The results support the hypothesized relationships and imply that mindfulness is an essential antecedent of study engagement and more mindful students are more engaged in studying. Besides, the relationship between self-rated mindfulness and study engagement is mediated by PsyCap and intrinsic motivation.

Research limitations/implications

For universities, these findings help develop unique educational strategies to resolve issues related to study involvement. The study has several theoretical and practical implications.

Originality/value

The current study explored the relationship between mindfulness and study engagement in international students studying in Chinese universities – an understudied context in higher education. The authors find that mindfulness has positive effects on study engagement through PsyCap and intrinsic motivation.
Optimization of structural parameters for the sound absorption performance of a cellular ceramic foam
Authors: Sun J.X. , Liu P.S.
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an optimization schedule of structural parameters for the sound absorption performance of a cellular ceramic foam in the sound frequency range of 200–4,000 Hz.

Design/methodology/approach

The cellular ceramic foam with porosity of about 60–75% and the pore size of about 1–7 mm was successfully prepared by using natural zeolite powder as the main raw material. For this ceramic foam, the sound absorption performance was measured, and the absorption structure was optimized by some important structural parameters. With orthogonal experiment, optimization of structural parameters was found for absorption performance. By means of the range analysis method, the main factor is known to influence the performance of ceramic foam.

Findings

The present ceramic foam may have good absorption performance although at relatively low frequencies of 400–4,000 Hz while structural parameters of sample are appropriately combined. With orthogonal experiment, optimization of structural parameters for the absorption performance was found to be as follows: sample thickness, 25 mm; porosity, 73.5%; pore size, 4–5 mm and air gap depth, 20 mm. To influence the performance, sample thickness is the main factor, air gap depth is the second and both of pore size and porosity would have a relatively slight effect.

Originality/value

This paper presents a method to optimize the structural parameters of a cellular ceramic foam for sound absorption performance by means of orthogonal experiment.
Custody and custodianship: A reflection on collection terminology through the lens of human remains
Authors: Bendix Regina F. , Kurzwelly Jonatan
Published: October 2021

The vast number of human remains in scientific research, museum and teaching collections bring the multifaceted terms ‘custody’ and ‘custodianship’ into view. The question of ‘custodianship’ and ‘curation’ is part and parcel of the language of collection, yet human remains push the question of ownership to a more elementary level. The authors look at the meanings of custodianship as used (and not yet used) within the framework of an interdisciplinary project on academic collections of human remains. They suggest that expanding from custodial protection, representation and expertise to custodial responsibility and care may offer a lens for framing the past and for ‘letting go’ in the future.
A molecular classification of moles and its use in filiation tests
Authors: Wenk Robert E. , Peterson John , Baird Michael
Published: October 2021

Pregnancies, including ones that follow sexual assaults, occasionally produce hydatidiform moles. The alleged fathers (AFs) of moles have been tested for paternity by identifying the mole's locus phenotype—the one or two visible paternal obligate alleles (POAs) per locus. The probability that the mole inherited the POAs from the AF was divided by the probability that the mole inherited the POAs from a random man. This likelihood ratio (LR) would increase if the mole's specific genotype was known. Moles are generated in five different ways that produce five distinct genotypes. Examining a mole's multilocus STR profile reveals a mole's pathogenesis, determines locus genotypes, and increases paternity LRs.
Efficacy of PD‐1/PD‐L1 inhibitors in patients with non‐small cell lung cancer and brain metastases: A real‐world retrospective study in China
Authors: Sheng Jiamin , Li Hui , Yu Xiaoqing , Yu Sizhe , Chen Kaiyan , Pan Guoqiang , Xie Mingying , Li Na , Zhou Zichao , Fan Yun
Published: October 2021

Background

There is only limited knowledge of the treatment responses and clinical outcomes of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in driver gene‐negative non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with brain metastases (BM). This study aims to assess the efficacy of immunotherapy in these patients in a real world setting.

Methods

NSCLC‐BM patients without driver gene mutations who received ICIs were retrospectively identified between July 2017 and December 2019. The primary observation endpoint was intracranial objective response rate (iORR), and secondary objectives were objective response rate (ORR), intracranial and systemic progression‐free survival (iPFS, PFS), and overall survival (OS).

Results

We reviewed 1578 patients with lung cancer and BM. According to the exclusion criteria, 41 patients were finally enrolled. Among these 41 patients, iORR was 36.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 21.2%–52.0%), whereas iPFS was 6.8 (95% CI = 3.32–10.35) months. Additionally, ORR, PFS, and OS were 24.4% (95% CI = 10.7%–38.1%), 6.2 (95% CI = 4.57–7.83) months and 13.7 (95% CI = 11.20–16.26) months, respectively. ICIs combined with concurrent radiotherapy group exhibited preferred iORR (p = 0.030) compared with no radiotherapy group, and ICIs plus chemotherapy showed improved OS (p = 0.024) compared to ICI monotherapy. Moreover, the lines of ICI treatment ≥2 (p = 0.005) and derived neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (dNLR) ≥3 (p = 0.010) were independently negative factors for OS.

Conclusion

In NSCLC‐BMs patients lacking driver genes, ICIs exhibited an effective drug regime. A combination of ICIs with concurrent radiotherapy showed a better intracranial response, whereas ICIs plus chemotherapy were associated with superior OS.
Fluid administration during routine colonoscopy is not clinically significant: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Ganguly Timothy , Bierton Christopher , Islam Asif , Chan Lily , Smithers Lisa , Murphy Elizabeth
Published: October 2021

Background

Retrospective studies have questioned the benefits of intravenous (IV) fluids during routine colonoscopies given they are performed on well patients who experience limited fluid loss, consume clear fluids up until 2 h prior and low IV volumes typically infused. This trial aims to assess the impact of IV fluid on hypotension and electrolyte changes amongst patients undergoing colonoscopy.

Methods

Participants undergoing colonoscopies were randomized (single blinded) to IV fluid or no IV fluid. Primary outcomes were equivalence of intraoperative hypotensive episodes (>20% drop in systolic blood pressure (SBP)) and changes in serum electrolytes post procedure. Secondary outcomes included patient reported outcome measures (PROMs).

Results

Of the 470 participants enrolled, 84/235 (35.7%) from the IV fluids group and 88/230 (38.3%) from the no IV fluids group experienced a hypotensive event (difference in prevalence −2.5, 95% CI −11.3, 6.3). Fourteen participants in each group required clinical intervention to provide haemodynamic support (difference in prevalence −0.1, 95% CI −4.4, 4.2). Postoperative electrolytes changes and PROMs were similar for both groups.

Conclusion

Whilst definitive recommendations for IV fluid use during routine colonoscopy are not possible as this trial was underpowered to show equivalence between the groups for hypotensive events, there was no clinically meaningful difference between the groups. These findings provide important data for meta‐synthesis and for planning future work.
Simple and reliable method for the application of Seprafilm® during laparoscopic surgery
Authors: Shimizu Hiroki , Kuriu Yoshiaki , Arita Tomohiro , Kiuchi Jun , Yamamoto Yusuke , Konishi Hirotaka , Morimura Ryo , Shiozaki Atsushi , Ikoma Hisashi , Kubota Takeshi , Fujiwara Hitoshi , Okamoto Kazuma , Otsuji Eigo
Published: October 2021

Introduction

Seprafilm® has been used to prevent postoperative adhesion. However, it is challenging to insert and apply Seprafilm during laparoscopic surgery because of its fragility and sticky nature caused by moisture. Some studies have reported how to apply Seprafilm into a surgical site during laparoscopic surgery; however, some required special equipment with additional costs, and some were technically difficult to use. Herein, we introduced our simple method for applying Seprafilm during laparoscopic surgery.

Material and Surgical Technique

Seprafilm was cut into three equal rectangle‐shaped pieces and left to absorb moisture for a few minutes. All three pieces of Seprafilm were placed on the gauze, and the gauze was folded in half and grasped by forceps. The gauze with Seprafilm was inserted through a 12‐mm trocar and placed at the surgical site close to the target place. The gauze functioned as a working station and prevented Seprafilm from directly attaching to the surrounding tissue, which allowed the surgeons to handle it with ease. The gauze was used to press Seprafilm onto the target area and could be easily removed through a 12‐mm trocar. Through this method, Seprafilm was successfully applied in all cases and the average time of applying one sheet was 100 seconds. There was no small bowel obstruction within 30 days after surgery.

Discussion

This method neither requires special training nor special equipment only used for Seprafilm. Moreover, it can be easily introduced to every surgeon for the application of Seprafilm during laparoscopic surgery.
Participation of Victorian Thoroughbreds in the racing industry: a whole‐of‐population benchmark
Authors: Flash ML , Crabb HK , Hitchens PL , Firestone SM , Stevenson MA , Gilkerson JR
Published: October 2021

The proportion of Thoroughbred (TB) horses that commence training and eventually race, is an important industry‐level indicator of how successful it is at producing horses suitable for racing. It is also of interest to the wider community and is central to the issue of whether there is overbreeding in the Australian TB industry. This study investigated the training and racing records for the 2005 and 2010 Victorian TB foal crops to determine the proportion of TBs that train and race, and the age of entering training and first race start. Subsets of the foal crop were also examined to determine if premier yearling sale cohorts would produce selection bias. The Australian Stud Book (ASB) registered 7662 TB horses born in Victoria in 2005 (n = 4116) and 2010 (n = 3546). Of these, 5614 (73%) entered training and 4868 (64%) started in at least one race. Fourteen percent (n = 1045) of the study cohort had their first race start as 2‐year‐olds and 35% (n = 2644) had their first start as 3‐year‐olds. A higher proportion of TB horses that attended premier yearling sales entered training (93%) and raced (84%). This study established a baseline for training and racing milestones, such as the proportion and age that horses commenced training, and age of first start using population‐level data. It also established that the use of subsets of the population can introduce selection bias.
A homozygous loss‐of‐function mutation in FBXO43 causes human non‐obstructive azoospermia
Authors: Wu Huan , Zhang Xin , Shen Qunshan , Liu Yiyuan , Gao Yang , Wang Guanxiong , Lv Mingrong , Hua Rong , Xu Yuping , Zhou Ping , Wei Zhaolian , Tao Fangbiao , He Xiaojin , Cao Yunxia , Liu Mingxi
Published: October 2021

Non‐obstructive azoospermia (NOA) represents one of the most serious forms of male infertility caused by spermatogenic failure. Despite multiple genes found to be associated with human NOA, the genetic basis of this idiopathic disease remains largely unknown. FBXO43 is a direct inhibitor of the anaphase‐promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C) E3 ligase and crucially important in mouse spermatogenesis. In this study, for the first time, we identified a homozygous nonsense mutation in FBXO43 c.1747C > T:p.Gln583X in two NOA brothers from a Chinese consanguineous family via whole‐exome sequencing. FBXO43 was absent from testicular tissue of the proband, and FBXO43‐immunostaining signals were invisible in the affected seminiferous tubules. Furthermore, in humans, FBXO43 defects cause meiotic arrest within early diplotene of prophase I. The results here demonstrate the pathogenicity of this loss‐of‐function mutation and confirmed that spermatocytes were unable to complete meiotic divisions without FBXO43 in humans. In mouse testicular protein extracts, three subunits of the APC/C, including ANAPC2, ANAPC8 and ANAPC10, were validated to interact directly with FBXO43, whereas no interactions were detected for FBXO43 and SKP1. This study furthers our understanding of the genetic basis of human NOA and provides insights into FBXO43 and male infertility.
Vascular epiphytes contribute disproportionately to global centres of plant diversity
Authors: Taylor Amanda , Zotz Gerhard , Weigelt Patrick , Cai Lirong , Karger Dirk Nikolaus , König Christian , Kreft Holger
Published: October 2021

Aim

Vascular epiphytes are ubiquitous components of wet tropical forests where they contribute substantially to local and regional plant diversity. While some basic epiphyte distribution patterns are relatively well studied, little effort has been made to understand the drivers responsible for constraining their global distribution. This study quantifies the substantial contribution of epiphytes to global gradients and centres of vascular plant diversity and explores whether epiphytes vary from terrestrial plants in relation to contemporary and historical environmental variables.

Location

Global.

Time period

Present.

Major taxa studied

Tracheophyta.

Methods

Using a comprehensive epiphyte species list (EpiList 1.0), and distribution information for 27,850 epiphyte species derived from numerous literature sources, we describe the global biogeography of epiphytes. We use generalized linear mixed effects models to assess the relationship between epiphytic and terrestrial plant diversity, and contemporary and historical environmental predictors.

Results

Epiphytes substantially contribute to global centres of vascular plant diversity, accounting for up to 39% of the vascular flora in Neotropical regions. Epiphytes decrease in species numbers with increasing latitude at a rate three times faster than terrestrial plants, a trend that is driven mainly by the distribution of tropical forests and precipitation. Further, large regional differences emerge that are explained by several large endemic angiosperm families (e.g., Neotropical Bromeliaceae) that are absent in other tropical regions.

Main conclusions

Our results show that epiphytes are disproportionately diverse in most global centres of plant diversity and play an important role in driving the global latitudinal diversity gradient for plants. The distribution of precipitation and tropical forest area emerge as major drivers of the latitudinal diversity gradient in epiphyte species richness. Finally, our findings demonstrate how epiphyte floras in different biogeographical realms are composed of different families and higher taxa, revealing an important signature of historical biogeography.
Search Club: Using peer support to develop search skills and share knowledge in a specialist NHS team
Authors: Nicholas Katie , Hopkins Emily , Jordan Liz , McCrossan Jo , Hunt Matt , Greenfield Katy
Published: October 2021

The newly‐formed Knowledge Management team at Health Education England (HEE) established an internal “Search Club” for their Knowledge Specialists to share good practice, exchange ideas, and discuss approaches to developing search strategies. The article describes how this was initiated and run online. The sessions improved the Knowledge Management team skills, and gave them an opportunity to share and learn from each other. A further benefit has been the creation of resources such as a “synonyms bank”, search strategies, and a bank of grey literature sources. These reduce duplication of effort, save time, and improve consistency across the team's output. D.I.
Children living with HIV in Europe: do migrants have worse treatment outcomes?
Authors: Chappell Elizabeth , Kohns Vasconcelos Malte , Goodall Ruth L. , Galli Luisa , Goetghebuer Tessa , Noguera‐Julian Antoni , Rodrigues Laura C. , Scherpbier Henriette , Smit Colette , Bamford Alasdair , Crichton Siobhan , Navarro Marissa Luisa , Ramos Jose T. , Warszawski Josiane , Spolou Vana , Chiappini Elena , Venturini Elisabetta , Prata Filipa , Kahlert Christian , Marczynska Magdalena , Marques Laura , Naver Lars , Thorne Claire , Gibb Diana M. , Giaquinto Carlo , Judd Ali , Collins Intira Jeannie ,   The European Pregnancy and Paediatric Infections Cohort Collaboration (EPPICC)
Published: October 2021

Objectives

To assess the effect of migrant status on treatment outcomes among children living with HIV in Europe.

Methods

Children aged < 18 years at the start of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in European paediatric HIV observational cohorts where ≥ 5% of children were migrants (defined as born abroad) were included. Three outcomes were considered: (i) severe immunosuppression‐for‐age; (ii) viraemic viral load (≥ 400 copies/mL) at 1 year after ART initiation; and (iii) AIDS/death after ART initiation. The effect of migrant status was assessed using univariable and multivariable logistic and Cox models.

Results

Of 2620 children included across 12 European countries, 56% were migrants. At ART initiation, migrant children were older than domestic‐born children (median 6.1 vs. 0.9 years, p < 0.001), with slightly higher proportions being severely immunocompromised (35% vs. 33%) and with active tuberculosis (2% vs. 1%), but a lower proportion with an AIDS diagnosis (14% vs. 19%) (all p < 0.001). At 1 year after beginning ART, a lower proportion of migrant children were viraemic (18% vs. 24%) but there was no difference in multivariable analysis (p = 0.702), and no difference in severe immunosuppression (p = 0.409). However, there was a trend towards higher risk of AIDS/death in migrant children (adjusted hazard ratio = 1.51, 95% confidence interval: 0.96–2.38, p = 0.072).

Conclusions

After adjusting for characteristics at ART initiation, migrant children have virological and immunological outcomes at 1 year of ART that are comparable to those who are domestic‐born, possibly indicating equity in access to healthcare in Europe. However, there was some evidence of a difference in AIDS‐free survival, which warrants further monitoring.
Do you lose by doing more? How organizational citizenship behavior directed to the organization relates to career development
Authors: Shang Congyong , Li Dongxu , Weng Qingxiong (Derek)
Published: October 2021

Based on social exchange theory, we develop a moderated mediation model, which posits that the indirect relationship between organizational citizenship behavior directed to the organization (OCBO) and organizational reward growth via leader–member exchange (LMX) is moderated by employee political skill. Overall, two studies using cross‐sectional data and three‐wave data supported our model. Specifically, results suggest that (1) OCBO was positively related to LMX; (2) there was a stronger positive relationship between OCBO and LMX when employee political skill was high rather than low; (3) LMX mediates the relationship between OCBO and organizational reward growth; and (4) the indirect effect of OCBO in predicting organizational reward growth via LMX was stronger when employee political skill was high rather than low.
Youth psychopathology: Universal or culture‐specific? Testing the syndrome models of youth self‐report in Chinese population
Authors: Liu Jianghong , Chan Clare , Leung Patrick W. L.
Published: October 2021

Problem

The debate on whether psychiatric symptoms are universal and to what extent they are affected by culture is generally divided between the universalist and relativist approaches.

Methods

This study compared Achenbach/Rescorla's model and Weisz's model of youth self‐report in 2521 Chinese adolescents (mean age = 12 years). Indigenous exploratory factor analyses were conducted to explore the factor structure of youth self‐report (YSR), and the derived models were tested with confirmatory factor analysis.

Findings

These analyses indicated good support of the Chinese YSR models for males and females. Further analyses revealed three syndromes, namely anxious/depressed, somatic complaints, and aggressive behaviors, which represented broad internalizing and externalizing factors. These syndromes consistently demonstrated high correlations across the different models, indicating their universal nature. Conversely, some unique factors emerged in the Chinese YSR model, such as weight concern and rule‐breaking behavior, which may reflect underlying culture‐bound factors.

Conclusions

Our findings support a combined perspective to the universalist and relativist approaches, which argues that some syndromes including Anxious/Depressed, Somatic Complaints, Aggressive Behavior and Attention Problems are more likely to be universal in male adolescents, while a new emerging syndrome like Weight Concern may reflect the socioeconomic, culture, and lifestyle changes that are currently emerging in China.
Concerns of Women Choosing Community Birth During the COVID‐19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study
Authors: DeJoy Sharon Bernecki , Mandel Deborah , McFadden Niamh , Petrecca Lauren
Published: October 2021

Introduction

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic, midwives have reported increased demand for community birth services. The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand childbearing persons’ decision‐making during the pandemic and to illuminate their experiences giving birth in community settings.

Methods

The study was framed by the interpretive phenomenological approach. Eligible participants were recruited from midwives providing out‐of‐hospital birth services. Of the 26 women who agreed to an interview, 17 were able to be reached and interviewed. Interviews followed a semistructured guide. Early paradigm cases were coded by all researchers, and then the first author coded the remaining transcripts. The final thematic structure was developed by the research team through an iterative process and validated through member checking.

Results

Four themes were identified: prior desire for a community birth, perceived susceptibility, barriers to choice, and isolation.

Discussion

Many participants had a preexisting desire for community birth and used the pandemic to justify their choice. However, birth options were often limited by finances and geography. Attitude toward COVID‐19 varied by knowledge and experience. Many participants experienced stress and isolation.
Abdominal ultrasound and clinicopathologic findings in 22 cats with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency
Authors: Auger Mylène , Fazio Constance , Steiner Joerg M. , Penninck Dominique G. , Levine Gwendolyn J. , Griffin John F. , Springer Cary M.
Published: October 2021

Background

Awareness of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) in cats has increased since the development of an assay for feline trypsin‐like immunoreactivity (fTLI). Ultrasound findings in cats with EPI have only been reported rarely and described as nonspecific.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To describe the ultrasonographic findings, clinical signs, and concurrent diseases in cats with EPI.

Animals

Twenty‐two client‐owned cats with EPI.

Methods

Multicenter retrospective descriptive study including cats with serum fTLI concentration ≤8 μg/L and an abdominal ultrasound examination performed within 6 weeks of fTLI measurement. Sonographic measurements of maximal pancreatic thickness and maximal pancreatic duct diameter as well as ratios of pancreatic duct diameter to pancreatic thickness were obtained. Additional sonographic findings, concurrent conditions, and clinical signs were recorded.

Results

The most common clinical sign was weight loss (15/22 cats). Chronic enteropathy was the most common concurrent disease (13/22 cats). In 39% of cats, the pancreas had minimal or no sonographic alterations. Pancreatic duct dilatation (>2.5 mm), pancreatic duct tortuosity with variable diameter, or both were seen in 6/13 cats. The pancreatic parenchyma was subjectively thin in 6 cats. A significant relationship was found between subjectively thin pancreatic parenchyma and increased pancreatic duct size : pancreatic thickness ratio (P = .004). Diffuse gastrointestinal dilatation with echogenic content was observed in 8/22 cats.

Conclusion

Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency often causes minimal to no sonographic pancreatic changes. Nonetheless, the findings of thin pancreatic parenchyma, pancreatic duct dilatation, or diffuse small intestinal dilatation with echogenic contents in cats with unexplained weight loss or unformed feces should raise clinical suspicion for EPI.
Dispersal behaviour and riverine network connectivity shape the genetic diversity of freshwater amphipod metapopulations
Authors: Alther Roman , Fronhofer Emanuel A. , Altermatt Florian
Published: October 2021

Theory predicts that the distribution of genetic diversity in a landscape is strongly dependent on the connectivity of the metapopulation and the dispersal of individuals between patches. However, the influence of explicit spatial configurations such as dendritic landscapes on the genetic diversity of metapopulations is still understudied, and theoretical corroborations of empirical patterns are largely lacking. Here, we used microsatellite data and stochastic simulations of two metapopulations of freshwater amphipods in a 28,000 km2riverine network to study the influence of spatial connectivity and dispersal strategies on the spatial distribution of their genetic diversity. We found a significant imprint of the effects of riverine network connectivity on the local and global genetic diversity of both amphipod species. Data from 95 sites showed that allelic richness significantly increased towards more central nodes of the network. This was also seen for observed heterozygosity, yet not for expected heterozygosity. Genetic differentiation increased with instream distance. In simulation models, depending on the mutational model assumed, upstream movement probability and dispersal rate, respectively, emerged as key factors explaining the empirically observed distribution of local genetic diversity and genetic differentiation. Surprisingly, the role of site‐specific carrying capacities, for example by assuming a direct dependency of population size on local river size, was less clear cut: while our best fitting model scenario included this feature, over all simulations, scaling of carrying capacities did not increase data‐model fit. This highlights the importance of dispersal behaviour along spatial networks in shaping population genetic diversity.
Estimated burden of serious fungal infections in Togo
Authors: Dorkenoo Ameyo M. , Adjetey‐Toglozombio Akovi K. , Ocansey Bright K. , Sossou Efoe , Lack Fiali , Denning David W.
Published: October 2021

Background

Over the years, the focus of infectious diseases in many African countries has been mainly on viral, bacterial and parasitic infections. Serious fungal infections (SFIs) with comparable morbidity rate in these countries remain neglected.

Objectives

To estimate the burden of SFI in Togo and to stimulate efforts for improved attention.

Methods

Literature was thoroughly searched for epidemiological data on SFI in Togo. Incidence and/or prevalence of SFI was estimated using socio‐demographics, health system's information, risk‐groups data and SFI rates obtained from national and international studies.

Results

About 5.29% of the 7,265,286 Togolese population is estimated to suffer from SFI annually. Among HIV patients, 1,342, 1,650 and 330 may develop cryptococcal meningitis, Pneumocystis pneumonia and disseminated histoplasmosis respectively per year. Oral and oesophageal candidiasis may annually affect 19,800 and 7,535 persons, respectively, living with HIV. Estimated incidence of invasive aspergillosis (IA) was 283 cases. Prevalence of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) was estimated at 191 cases. The annual incidence of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) and severe asthma with fungal sensitization (SAFS) was 4,577 and 6,042 cases, respectively. Tinea capitis and recurrent Candida vaginitis presumably affect 232,271 children and 108,979 women respectively. Candidaemia incidence is estimated at 5 cases per 100, 000 inhabitants and fungal keratitis may affect 981 persons annually.

Conclusions

SFIs in Togo are probably more significant than expected. These findings underscore the need to increase awareness among healthcare professionals, enhance diagnostic and therapeutic capacities and intensify epidemiological studies for effective management of fungal infections in Togo.
Application of multivariate morphometrics to delimit three Japanese species of Arisaema sect. Pistillata (Araceae)
Authors: Matsumoto Tetsuya K.
Published: October 2021

The Arisaema serratum group sensu stricto (Araceae) is a Japanese species assemblage characterized by a well‐developed leaf rachis and a long pseudostem. It has been regarded as a complex including many species with few decisive traits. They were previously considered as a single species due to their wide intraspecific variation, but recent monographs have recognized about 13 species. In this group, A. maekawae and A. pseudoangustatum var. pseudoangustatum were recently divided from A. angustatum from the type localities. An earlier study found sympatric populations of the three species in the Chugoku region, far from the type localities, and distinguished them by qualitative observations, but there are no quantitative data to delimit the species boundaries objectively. Since high phenotypic plasticity hinders species delimitation in the A. serratum group s.s. using just a few quantitative traits, I investigated the morphological discontinuity among them using principal component analysis with eleven quantitative characters. In an ordination space including the three species, the morphological variation was roughly divided into A. maekawae and the others, and largely overlapped between A. angustatum and A. pseudoangustatum var. pseudoangustatum. However, the morphological variation clearly distinguished the two latter species when A. maekawae was excluded from the PCA. To conclude, the three Arisaema species appeared to be morphologically distinct. The strong reproductive isolation reported previously also ensures the species distinction according to the biological species concept. The discriminating traits between A. angustatum and the other two species partly differed from those in the type localities, suggesting that examination of intraspecific variation is needed between geographically isolated populations. This study showed that a combination of quantitative traits effectively supports tentative species identifications using qualitative traits and reinforces the usefulness of multivariate morphometrics for future systematic studies.
Arundinella tengchongensis (Poaceae), a name at new rank and newly combined based on morphological and molecular data
Authors: Jiang Li‐Qiong , Peng Hua , Wang Yue‐Hua
Published: October 2021

To clarify the taxonomic status of Arundinella setosa var. tengchongensis and its relationships with A. setosa var. setosa and other related species, molecular phylogenetic analyses based on nuclear ITS and two plastid DNA (matK and trnL‐F) sequences, and morphological comparisons using one‐way ANOVA were carried out. Our results reveal that A. setosa var. tengchongensis phylogenetically belong in a different clade separated from the type variety. Morphologically, A. setosa var. tengchongensis is easily distinguished from A. setosa var. setosa and other varieties by its smaller spikelets, shorter awns and bearded nodes. Thus, A. setosa var. tengchongensis is here elevated to species rank and newly combined as A. tengchongensis.
Eriocaulon sanjappae (Eriocaulaceae), a new species from the southern Western Ghats, India
Authors: Nampy Santhosh , Akhil Mannar Kandy
Published: October 2021

A new species of Eriocaulaceae, Eriocaulon sanjappae is described from the southern Western Ghats, India. It is morphologically close to E. rajendrababui, in having glabrous, connate male sepals and non‐appendaged seeds but differs by its smaller leaves and peduncles, hemispherical heads, oblong involucral bracts, hairy receptacles, non‐glandular male petals, hairy female sepals and elliptic, brownish‐yellow seeds. A detailed description, illustration and photographic images are provided. The morphological differences with relevant species are discussed. The status of the new species is provisionally assessed here as ‘Critically Endangered' (CR) according to IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.
Prevalence and clinical correlates of antinuclear antibody in patients with gastroparesis
Authors: Parkman Henry P. , Van Natta Mark L. , Makol Ashima , Grover Madhusudan , McCallum Richard W. , Malik Zubair , Koch Kenneth L. , Sarosiek Irene , Kuo Braden , Shulman Robert J. , Farrugia Gianrico , Miriel Laura , Tonascia James , Hamilton Frank , Pasricha Pankaj J. , Abell Thomas L. ,   for the NIDDK Gastroparesis Clinical Research Consortium
Published: October 2021

Background

Autoimmunity may play a role in the pathogenesis of gastroparesis in a subset of patients. Antinuclear antibody (ANA) testing is often used to screen for autoimmune disorders.

Aims

1) Determine prevalence of a positive ANA in patients with gastroparesis; 2) Describe characteristics of idiopathic gastroparesis patients with positive ANA.

Methods

Patients were assessed with gastric emptying scintigraphy (GES), symptom assessment via Patient Assessment of Upper GI Symptoms [PAGI‐SYM], and blood tests—ANA, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C‐reactive protein (CRP).

Results

Positive ANA was seen in 148 of 893 (17%) patients with gastroparesis, being similar in idiopathic (16% of 536 patients), T1DM (16% of 162), T2DM (18% of 147), and postfundoplication (19% of 48 patients) gastroparesis. Among 536 patients with idiopathic gastroparesis, ANA titer 1:40–1:80 was seen in 33 (6%) patients, 1:160–1:320 in 36 (7%) patients, and ≥1:640 in 17 (3%) patients. Increasing ANA titer was associated with female gender (p = 0.05), Hispanic ethnicity (p = 0.02), comorbid rheumatoid arthritis (p = 0.02), systemic sclerosis (p = 0.004), and elevated ESR (p = 0.007). ANA positivity was associated with lower total GCSI (p = 0.007) and lower nausea/vomiting subscale (p = 0.0005), but not related to gastric emptying.

Conclusions

The prevalence of a positive ANA in patients with gastroparesis was high at ~17% and did not differ significantly based on etiology. In idiopathic patients, ANA positivity was associated with rheumatoid arthritis, systemic sclerosis, and elevated ESR. ANA‐positive gastroparesis represents a subset who often have other autoimmune symptoms or disorders, but less severe nausea and vomiting.
Catastrophic congenital hemangioma with severe coagulopathy leading to fatal cardiac failure: Case report and review
Authors: Cohen‐Cutler Sally , Szymanski Linda J. , Bockoven Crystal , Miller Joseph M. , Moke Diana , Anselmo Dean M. , Lee Jessica , Luu Minnelly
Published: October 2021

We present a complex case of a neonate, delivered urgently for hydrops fetalis, with a large vascular mass of the extremity, diagnosed postnatally as a congenital hemangioma. The patient suffered immediate cardiac compromise and severe coagulopathy atypical for the diagnosis and subsequently died from these complications. Treatment was imperative but challenging due to a lack of a standardized treatment approach and few historical reports of equally critically ill patients. In this report, we review potential medical and surgical interventions and discuss treatment considerations in similar, life‐threatening cases of congenital hemangiomas.
MYC2 influences salicylic acid biosynthesis and defense against bacterial pathogens in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Gautam Janesh Kumar , Giri Mrunmay Kumar , Singh Deepjyoti , Chattopadhyay Sudip , Nandi Ashis Kumar
Published: October 2021

Arabidopsis MYC2 is a basic helix–loop–helix transcription factor that works both as a negative and positive regulator of light and multiple hormonal signaling pathways, including jasmonic acid and abscisic acid. Recent studies have suggested the role of MYC2 as a negative regulator of salicylic acid (SA)‐mediated defense against bacterial pathogens. By using myc2 mutant and constitutively MYC2‐expressing plants, we further show that MYC2 also positively influences SA‐mediated defense; whereas, myc2 mutant plants are resistant to virulent pathogens only, MYC2 over‐expressing plants are hyper‐resistant to multiple virulent and avirulent strains of bacterial pathogens. MYC2 promotes pathogen‐induced callose deposition, SA biosynthesis, expression of PR1 gene, and SA‐responsiveness. Using bacterially produced MYC2 protein in electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA), we have shown that MYC2 binds to the promoter of several important defense regulators, including PEPR1, MKK4, RIN4, and the second intron of ICS1. MYC2 positively regulates the expression of RIN4, MKK4, and ICS1; however, it negatively regulates the expression of PEPR1. Pathogen inoculation enhances MYC2 association at ICS1 intron and RIN4 promoter. Mutations of MYC2 binding site at ICS1 intron or RIN4 promoter abolish the associated GUS reporter expression. Hyper‐resistance of MYC2 over‐expressing plants is largely light‐dependent, which is in agreement with the role of MYC2 in SA biosynthesis. The results altogether demonstrate that MYC2 possesses dual regulatory roles in SA biosynthesis, SA signaling, pattern‐triggered immunity (PTI), and effector‐triggered immunity (ETI) in Arabidopsis.
Son preference and the demographic transition
Authors: Aksan Anna‐Maria
Published: October 2021

In a general equilibrium model of fertility with higher economic returns to sons relative to daughters, parents choose overall fertility and the gender composition of their children. Son preference is partially endogenized to reflect how relative scarcity of females raises their value even while social norms and lack of economic opportunities lessen their value. These competing factors lead to an oscillating sex ratio. Model simulations demonstrate that son preference increases fertility, but that sex selection reduces fertility in the presence of son preference. The results suggest that effectively banning sex‐selective abortions in places such as India, which has struggled to enforce its existing ban on the practice, is insufficient and may have unintended consequences such as slowing fertility decline, reducing quality investment in girls, and slowing human capital accumulation and economic growth. Improving economic opportunities for women will increase the value placed on daughters, thereby improving the sex ratio and human capital investment in all children.
Democracy and Epistemic Fairness: Testimonial Justice as a Founding Principle of Aggregative Democracy
Authors: Kim Junyeol
Published: October 2021

The current discussion on the relationship of epistemic justice to democracy focuses on its relationship to deliberative democracy. This article concerns the relationship of epistemic justice—specifically, testimonial justice which I call “epistemic fairness”—to aggregative democracy or democracy by voting. The aim of this article is to establish that in a good theory of democracy, epistemic fairness is one of the founding principles of the democratic institution of voting, that is, the principles by which the democratic institution of voting is organized. Under an arguably plausible interpretation, the democratic institution of voting turns out to be committed to realizing epistemic fairness. If a theory of democracy implies that epistemic fairness is a founding principle of the democratic institution of voting, a number of implications follow with respect to the issues related to the practice of voting in actual democracies, such as the problem of gerrymandering or the fairness of the aggregation rule.
The Logic of Illusion: Kant on the Reasons of Error
Authors: Noller Jörg
Published: October 2021

In this paper, I reconstruct Immanuel Kant's theory of theoretical and practical error, and I situate it within the broader context of his transcendental philosophy. I thereby refer to his conception of dialectic as the logic of illusion (CpR, B 86) and to his concept of rationalizing. By referring to Donald Davidson's conception of irrationality, I argue that Kant's theory of error allows us to keep the erring person responsible both in theoretical and practical regards.
An adaptive metamodelling for multipollutant waste load allocation in a river–reservoir system; hydrodynamic simulation–optimization
Authors: Kheirkhah Sepideh , Saadatpour Motahareh , Afshar Abbas
Published: October 2021

Discharge of nutrient load from aquaculture activities may pose an eutrophication risk to receiving waterbodies. In this study, monthly multipollutant waste load allocation (MPWLA) programmes are developed to determine the required treatment levels of pollutants released into a river–reservoir system. The objectives of the MPWLA programmes consist of minimizing the total wastewater treatment cost, maximizing the profit from fish production and improving water quality index. The CE‐QUAL‐W2 model with artificial neural networks is linked to the multiobjective particle swarm optimization algorithm to obtain the trade‐off surface in a surrogate‐based simulation–optimization framework. To tackle the ambiguities in quantifying the discharged pollutants, fuzzy membership functions are defined. The application of the proposed MPWLA programmes in the Behesht‐Abad River‐Reservoir system, Iran, has led to a reduction in phosphate concentration more than 3%, enhancement in dissolved‐oxygen levels in the ranges of 2% to 11.6%, and alleviation of Carlson Index between 3 to 7 units.
Univerzitní vzdělávání v minulosti, současnosti a budoucnosti
Authors: Burkovičová Radmila
Published: October 2021

MUŽÍK, J., LÖWENHÖFFEROVÁ, R. A P. KRPÁLEK. 2020. Univerzitní vzdělávání v minulosti, současnosti a budoucnosti. Praha: Professional Publishing, s. 128. ISBN 978-80-88260-45-5.