bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rural banks fraud: a story from Indonesia
Authors: Hidajat Taofik
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to highlight the causes of fraud in rural banks in Indonesia and provide recommendations to reduce these financial crimes.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is desk research using secondary data from research reports, journal articles, magazine articles and online news related to fraud cases in rural banks. The Fraud Diamond approach is applied to analyze the problems.

Findings

Financial and non-financial pressures, opportunities that are open because of weak oversight and governance, justification of fraud and the capability of perpetrators are the factors that cause bank fraud. Opportunity is the most significant contributor to fraud.

Originality/value

The novelty of this paper is that it discusses the causes of fraud in rural banks. Management and authority can learn from this case.
Leadership and followers’ organizational citizenship behaviour from the Islamic perspective (OCBIP)
Authors: Hendijani Fard Morteza , Asadi Damavandi Azade , Mahdilouytazehkandi Ali , Asharin Meysam
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the relationship between four leadership approaches (i.e. transactional leadership, transformational leadership, entrepreneurial leadership and authentic leadership) and organizational citizenship behaviour from the Islamic perspective (OCBIP) in the central offices of private banks in Tehran, Iran.

Design/methodology/approach

A correlative descriptive research method is used. Partial least squares modelling is applied to analyze the data from 384 employees and managers of the banks.

Findings

The results show that transactional leadership and transformational leadership positively and significantly affect OCBIP. However, entrepreneurial leadership and authentic leadership do not predict followers’ OCBIP. Also, transformational leadership has a greater power to influence on OCBIP than transactional leadership. The empirical findings also indicate that each of leadership behaviours influences certain types of OCBIPs so that transactional leadership predicts altruism, civic virtue and advocating high moral standards; transformational leadership predicts altruism, civic virtue and removal of harm; authentic leadership predicts advocating high moral standards, significantly; and entrepreneurial leadership predicts civic virtue, negatively.

Originality/value

OCBIP is a new construct that has been conceptualized, recently. In the past decades, many studies have examined the relationship between different leadership approaches and organizational citizenship behaviours (OCB) of followers. However, the relationship between leadership approaches and OCBIP has not yet been investigated. Furthermore, only a few studies have compared the influence of different leadership approaches on OCB and OCBIP. This paper contributes to the literature by identifying the distinct impact of the four leadership approaches on the different types of OCBIPs. Furthermore, examining the impact of some leadership approaches (e.g. entrepreneurial leadership) on OCBIP has remained unknown.
Legal challenges for the cannabis industry
Authors: Yeoh Peter
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper to examine laws and regulations applicable to cannabis in the USA and the UK, including legal reforms and international treaty obligations.

Design/methodology/approach

This study relies on primary data from statutes and secondary data from online and offline resources, including relevant case studies.

Findings

Federal laws in the USA and existing UK cannabis legal regime generally prohibit recreational use of cannabis. Increasingly, various individual states in the USA have enabled the use of cannabis health-related uses, thereby challenging the status of the UN treaties on drug enforcement. As the USA struggles to reconcile the conflicts between federal law on cannabis and individual states within its borders, much of the rest of the world, including the UK, are struggling with how best to reconcile their domestic positions with their UN treaty obligations.

Social implications

Recent disclosures of past recreational use of prohibited drugs by several candidates vying to be the UK Prime Minister suggests why understanding the laws governing the use of cannabis is useful and relevant to the general public.

Originality/value

This paper provides a general but integrated review of national laws in the USA and the UK, as well as international treaties governing the use of cannabis.
Hybrid SVR-SARIMA model for tourism forecasting using PROMETHEE II as a selection methodology: a Philippine scenario
Authors: Abellana Dharyll Prince Mariscal , Rivero Donna Marie Canizares , Aparente Ma. Elena , Rivero Aries
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to propose a hybrid-forecasting model for long-term tourism demand forecasting. As such, it attempts to model the tourism demand in the Philippines, which is a relatively underrepresented area in the literature, despite its tourism sector’s growing economic progress.

Design/methodology/approach

A hybrid support vector regression (SVR) – seasonal autoregressive integrated moving averages (SARIMA) model is proposed to model the seasonal, linear and nonlinear components of the tourism demand in a destination country. The paper further proposes the use of multiple criteria decision-making (MCDM) approaches in selecting the best forecasting model among a set of considered models. As such, a preference ranking organization method for enrichment of evaluations (PROMETHEE) II is used to rank the considered forecasting models.

Findings

The proposed hybrid SVR-SARIMA model is the best performing model among a set of considered models in this paper using performance criteria that evaluate the errors of magnitude, directionality and trend change, of a forecasting model. Moreover, the use of the MCDM approach is found to be a relevant and prospective approach in selecting the best forecasting model among a set of models.

Originality/value

The novelty of this paper lies in several aspects. First, this paper pioneers the demonstration of the SVR-SARIMA model’s capability in forecasting long-term tourism demand. Second, this paper is the first to have proposed and demonstrated the use of an MCDM approach for performing model selection in forecasting. Finally, this paper is one of the very few papers to provide lenses on the current status of Philippine tourism demand.
My way to the second generation of behavioral finance
Authors: Statman Meir
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to depict how the author's way from standard finance to the first and second generations of behavioral finance illustrates the ongoing general transition.

Design/methodology/approach

The first generation, starting in the early 1980s, largely accepted standard finance's notion of people's wants as “rational” wants – restricted to the utilitarian benefits of high returns and low risk. That first generation commonly described people as “irrational” – succumbing to cognitive and emotional errors and misled on their way to their rational wants. The second generation describes people as normal.

Findings

It begins by acknowledging the full range of people's normal wants and their benefits – utilitarian, expressive and emotional – distinguishes normal wants from errors and offers guidance on using shortcuts and avoiding errors on the way to satisfying normal wants. People's normal wants include financial security, nurturing children and families, gaining high social status and staying true to values. People's normal wants, even more than their cognitive and emotional shortcuts and errors, underlie answers to important questions of finance, including saving and spending, portfolio construction, asset pricing and market efficiency.

Originality/value

The article identifies that people's normal wants include financial security, nurturing children and families, gaining high social status and staying true to values. People's normal wants, even more than their cognitive and emotional shortcuts and errors, underlie answers to important questions of finance, including saving and spending, portfolio construction, asset pricing and market efficiency.
Sharing economy and peer-to-peer accommodation – a perspective paper
Authors: Dolnicar Sara
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to provide a snapshot of key learnings about paid online peer-to-peer accommodation trading, as it relates to tourism and hospitality, and to identify future research questions.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper paints a picture and discusses research conducted in the past, which relates to paid online peer-to-peer accommodation, in brief. It also lists a number of specific research questions which should be investigated in future.

Findings

Some of the key topics, such as the business model of facilitators of peer-to-peer trading and the necessary regularly responses, have been extensively studied. The focus should now turn on how peer-to-peer trading of travel-related services can best be leveraged to the benefit of economies, communities and people.

Originality/value

The main value of this perspective paper lies in offering a succinct overview of research into paid online peer-to-peer accommodation and pointing to key questions for future research.
Public‐to‐Private Buyouts and Innovation
Authors: Cumming Douglas , Peter Rejo , Tarsalewska Monika
Published: May 2020

We study the effect of public‐to‐private buyout transactions on investments in innovation using an international sample over the 1997–2017 period. We use patent counts and citations to proxy for the quantity, quality and economic importance of innovation. Our results are based on time analysis and matched sample regressions. The data indicate that buyouts are associated with a significant reduction in patents and patent citations, including a reduction in radical (i.e. more scientific) patents. When we split the sample into institutional and management buyouts, the negative effect of buyouts is confirmed only for institutional buyouts. This suggests that only institutional buyouts prevent target firms from adopting long‐term investments. This finding is confirmed by reductions in innovator employment and innovation efficiency subsequent to going private. Moreover, the data indicate that the negative effect is most prevalent for transactions where the cost of the deal's debt financing is higher than that of the debt post‐buyout. We rule out some alternative explanations for these findings, including but not limited to outliers, truncation bias and endogeneity.
The public salience of crime, 1960–2014: Age–period–cohort and time–series analyses†
Authors: Shi Luzi , Lu Yunmei , Pickett Justin T.
Published: May 2020

The public salience of crime has wide‐ranging political and social implications; it influences public trust in the government and citizens’ everyday routines and interactions, and it may affect policy responsiveness to punitive attitudes. Identifying the sources of crime salience is thus important. Two competing theoretical models exist: the objectivist model and the social constructionist model. According to the first, crime salience is a function of the crime rate. According to the second, crime salience is a function of media coverage and political rhetoric, and trends in crime salience differ across population subgroups as a result of differences in their responsiveness to elite initiatives. In both theories, period‐level effects predominate. Variation in crime salience, however, may also reflect age and cohort effects. Using data from 422,504 respondents interviewed between 1960 and 2014, we first examine the nature of crime salience using hierarchical age–period–cohort (HAPC) models and then analyze period‐level predictors using first differences. We find that 1) crime salience varies mostly at the period level; 2) crime salience trends are parallel (cointegrated) across demographic, socioeconomic, and partisan groups; and 3) crime salience trends within every population subgroup are most consistent with the constructionist model. The crime rate does not exert a significant effect in any subgroup.
Is life without parole an effective way to reduce violent crime? An empirical assessment
Authors: Kleinstuber Ross , Coldsmith Jeremiah
Published: May 2020

Research Summary

By taking advantage of data published by the Sentencing Project to analyze whether states that use life without parole (LWOP) more often experience lower violent crime rates or greater reductions in violent crime, this study is the first to empirically assess the crime‐reducing potential of LWOP sentences. The results suggest that LWOP might produce a small absolute reduction in violent crime but that it is no more effective than life with parole.

Policy Implications

Despite reductions in the use of the death penalty, LWOP has expanded dramatically—and at a much faster rate—over the last quarter century. This expansion has come at great financial and human costs and has not been distributed equally throughout the population. As such, the public policy debate over the use of LWOP is likely to intensify. Yet, to date, there have been no empirical assessments of LWOP's efficacy to inform this debate. This study begins to fill this gap in our knowledge, and the results, if replicated, suggest that the use of LWOP should be either scaled back or eliminated.
Linked‐read sequencing enables haplotype‐resolved resequencing at population scale
Authors: Lutgen Dave , Ritter Raphael , Olsen Remi‐André , Schielzeth Holger , Gruselius Joel , Ewels Philip , García Jesús T. , Shirihai Hadoram , Schweizer Manuel , Suh Alexander , Burri Reto
Published: May 2020

The feasibility to sequence entire genomes of virtually any organism provides unprecedented insights into the evolutionary history of populations and species. Nevertheless, many population genomic inferences – including the quantification and dating of admixture, introgression and demographic events, and inference of selective sweeps – are still limited by the lack of high‐quality haplotype information. The newest generation of sequencing technology now promises significant progress. To establish the feasibility of haplotype‐resolved genome resequencing at population scale, we investigated properties of linked‐read sequencing data of songbirds of the genus Oenanthe across a range of sequencing depths. Our results based on the comparison of downsampled (25×, 20×, 15×, 10×, 7×, and 5×) with high‐coverage data (46–68×) of seven bird genomes mapped to a reference suggest that phasing contiguities and accuracies adequate for most population genomic analyses can be reached already with moderate sequencing effort. At 15× coverage, phased haplotypes span about 90% of the genome assembly, with 50% and 90% of phased sequences located in phase blocks longer than 1.25–4.6 Mb (N50) and 0.27–0.72 Mb (N90). Phasing accuracy reaches beyond 99% starting from 15× coverage. Higher coverages yielded higher contiguities (up to about 7 Mb/1 Mb [N50/N90] at 25× coverage), but only marginally improved phasing accuracy. Phase block contiguity improved with input DNA molecule length; thus, higher‐quality DNA may help keeping sequencing costs at bay. In conclusion, even for organisms with gigabase‐sized genomes like birds, linked‐read sequencing at moderate depth opens an affordable avenue towards haplotype‐resolved genome resequencing at population scale.
Parametrizing diffusion‐taxis equations from animal movement trajectories using step selection analysis
Authors: Potts Jonathan R. , Schlägel Ulrike E.
Published: May 2020

Mathematical analysis of partial differential equations (PDEs) has led to many insights regarding the effect of organism movements on spatial population dynamics. However, their use has mainly been confined to the community of mathematical biologists, with less attention from statistical and empirical ecologists. We conjecture that this is principally due to the inherent difficulties in fitting PDEs to data.

To help remedy this situation, in the context of movement ecology, we show how the popular technique of step selection analysis (SSA) can be used to parametrize a class of PDEs, called diffusion‐taxis models, from an animal's trajectory. We examine the accuracy of our technique on simulated data, then demonstrate the utility of diffusion‐taxis models in two ways. First, for non‐interacting animals, we derive the steady‐state utilization distribution in a closed analytic form. Second, we give a recipe for deriving spatial pattern formation properties that emerge from interacting animals: specifically, do those interactions cause heterogeneous spatial distributions to emerge and if so, do these distributions oscillate at short times or emerge without oscillations? The second question is applied to data on concurrently tracked bank voles Myodes glareolus.

Our results show that SSA can accurately parametrize diffusion‐taxis equations from location data, providing the frequency of the data is not too low. We show that the steady‐state distribution of our diffusion‐taxis model, where it is derived, has an identical functional form to the utilization distribution given by resource selection analysis (RSA), thus formally linking (fine scale) SSA with (broad scale) RSA. For the bank vole data, we show how our SSA‐PDE approach can give predictions regarding the spatial aggregation and segregation of different individuals, which are difficult to predict purely by examining results of SSA.

Our methods provide a user‐friendly way into the world of PDEs, via a well‐used statistical technique, which should lead to tighter links between the findings of mathematical ecology and observations from empirical ecology. By providing a non‐speculative link between observed movement behaviours and space use patterns on larger spatio‐temporal scales, our findings will also aid integration of movement ecology into understanding spatial species distributions.
Bridging the Pacific Ocean? Tactical Maneuvering Instead of Grand Strategy in Chile’s Foreign Policy toward Southeast Asia
Authors: Jenne Nicole
Published: May 2020

Chile often portrays itself as Latin America’s bridge to Asia, where the ASEAN countries have been singled out as its new priority. Yet, it is not difficult to see that Chile, a small and peripheral state, does not actually serve as a gateway between Latin America and Southeast Asia. This article argues that Chile has lacked consistency in its approach toward Southeast Asia as well as focus of purpose to become a bridge‐builder due to the structural constraints faced by a small state. Based on an analytical framework of small states’ foreign policies, I revisit Chile’s relations with Southeast Asia, pointing to factors driving and limiting deeper engagement with the distant region. The analysis shows that a risk‐adverse, low‐profile approach of tactical maneuvering has served Chile’s objectives even though it is insufficient to bridge the Pacific Ocean. The article concludes with a reflection on this trans‐Pacific relationship.
CD52‐negative T cells predict acute graft‐versus‐host disease after an alemtuzumab‐based conditioning regimen
Authors: Woelfinger Pascal , Epp Katharina , Schaefer Lukas , Kriege Diana , Theobald Matthias , Bopp Tobias , Wagner‐Drouet Eva‐Maria
Published: May 2020

Allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) after a reduced‐intensity conditioning (RIC) regimen with fludarabine, melphalan and alemtuzmab is an effective therapy for haematological malignancies. Alemtuzumab, a monoclonal antibody against CD52, a glycosylphosphatidylinositol‐anchor‐bound surface protein on lymphocytes, depletes T cells to prevent graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD). Despite this, acute and chronic GVHD (a/cGVHD) remain life‐threatening complications after HSCT. The aim of the present study was to identify parameters to predict GVHD. In 69 patients after HSCT, T‐cell subsets were functionally analysed. Reconstitution of CD52neg T cells and CD52neg regulatory T cells (Tregs) correlated with onset, severity and clinical course of aGVHD. Patients with aGVHD showed significantly lower levels of CD52pos T cells compared to patients with cGVHD or without GVHD (P < 0·001). Analysis of T‐cell reconstitution revealed a percentage of <40% of CD52posCD4pos T cells or CD52pos Tregs at day +50 as a risk factor for the development of aGVHD. In contrast, CD52neg Tregs showed significant decreased levels of glycoprotein A repetitions predominant (GARP; P < 0·001), glucocorticoid‐induced TNFR‐related protein (GITR; P < 0·001), chemokine receptor (CXCR3; P = 0·023), C‐C chemokine receptor type 5 (CCR5; P = 0·004), but increased levels of immunoglobulin‐like transcript 3 (ILT3; P = 0·001), as well as a reduced suppressive capacity. We conclude that reconstitution of CD52neg T cells and CD52neg Tregs is a risk factor for development of aGVHD.
Reproductive hormones during pubertal transition in girls with transient Thelarche
Authors: Soto Julio , Pereira Ana , Busch Alexander Siegfried , Almstrup Kristian , Corvalan Camila , Iñiguez German , Juul Anders , Mericq Veronica
Published: May 2020

Context

Transient thelarche (TT), that is, the appearance, regression and subsequent reappearance of breast buds, is a frequent phenomenon, but little is known about pubertal transition in these girls.

Objective

To describe pubertal progression, growth, genotypes, reproductive hormones and growth factors in girls with TT compared to those who do not present TT (non‐TT).

Design

Retrospective analysis of a longitudinal population‐based study.

Patients or Other Participants

Girls (n = 508) of the Chilean Growth and Obesity cohort.

Measurements

Pubertal progression, reproductive hormones, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) beta subunit/FSH receptor gene single nucleotide polymorphisms and growth.

Results

Thirty‐seven girls (7.3%) were presented TT. These girls entered puberty by pubarche more frequently (51%) than girls with normal progression (non‐TT; n = 471; 23%, P = .005). Girls with TT who were under 8 years old had lower androgens, anti‐Müllerian hormone (AMH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and oestradiol (all P < .05) than older girls with TT. At the time of Tanner breast stage 2 (B2), girls with TT had higher androgens, LH, FSH, IGF1, LH, insulin and oestradiol (P < .01) than at the time of TT. TT girls were older at B2 (10.3 ± 1.1 vs. 9.2 ± 1.2 years, P < .001) and menarche (12.3 ± 0.8 vs. 12.0 ± 1.0 years, P = .040) than their counterparts (non‐TT). No differences in anthropometric variables or FSHB/FSHR genotypes were detected.

Conclusion

Transient thelarche is a frequent phenomenon that does not appear to be mediated by hypothalamic‐pituitary‐gonadal axis activation or by adiposity. Hormonal differences between earlier TT and later TT suggest that their mechanisms are different.
The prevalence and associated factors of proximal contact loss between implant restoration and adjacent tooth after function: A retrospective study
Authors: Liang Chao‐Hua , Nien Chung‐Yi , Chen Yu‐Ling , Hsu Kuang‐Wei
Published: May 2020

Background

Dental implant is widely used as a treatment for missing teeth. However, proximal contact loss (PCL) between implant‐supported fixed dental prostheses (FDP) and adjacent teeth has been reported as one of the common and adverse complications.

Purpose

We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of PCL up to 18 years after implant prosthesis delivery and to analyze associated factors.

Materials and methods

A total of 317 patients who had received implant FDP at the posterior regions were included in this study. Nineteen factors were assessed, including degrees of proximal contact tightness, oral hygiene, periodontal conditions, and food impaction. Chi‐square test, univariate generalized estimating equation (GEE), and multivariate GEE were utilized to identify factors influencing PCL.

Results

Proximal contacts at both the mesial and distal (if present) sides were evaluated. The mesial contact loss rate (27%) was significantly higher than that of the distal contact loss (5%). Increased PCL rates over functional time were observed at both the mesial and distal sides. Six factors, including patient age, implant functional years, frequent use of interdental brushes, splinting or single implant, plunger cusp, and food impaction, were revealed to be associated with the mesial PCL using the chi‐square test and univariate GEE analysis. However, only functional years (>5 years), frequent use of interdental brushes and food impaction showed significance in the multivariate GEE.

Conclusions

Mesial PCL was frequent and increased over functional years. An occlusal retainer and routine follow‐up may help prevent PCL. Although oral hygiene conditions contribute little to PCL, food impaction and frequent use of interdental brushes were influential factors.
Dynamic relationships between phonological memory and reading: A five year longitudinal study from age 4 to 9
Authors: Cunningham Anna J. , Burgess Adrian P. , Witton Caroline , Talcott Joel B. , Shapiro Laura R.
Published: May 2020

We reconcile competing theories of the role of phonological memory in reading development, by uncovering their dynamic relationship during the first 5 years of school. Phonological memory, reading and phoneme awareness were assessed in 780 phonics‐educated children at age 4, 5, 6 and 9. Confirmatory factor analyses demonstrated that phonological memory loaded onto two factors: verbal short‐term memory (verbal STM; phonological tasks that loaded primarily on serial order memory) and nonword repetition. Using longitudinal structural equation models, we found that verbal STM directly predicted early word‐level reading from age 4 to 6, reflecting the importance of serial‐order memory for letter‐by‐letter decoding. In contrast, reading had no reciprocal influence on the development of verbal STM. The relationship between nonword repetition and reading was bidirectional across the 5 years of study: nonword repetition and reading predicted each other both directly and indirectly (via phoneme awareness). Indirect effects from nonword repetition (and verbal STM) to reading support the view that phonological memory stimulates phonemically detailed representations through repeated encoding of complex verbal stimuli. Similarly, the indirect influence of reading on nonword repetition suggests that improved reading ability promotes the phoneme‐level specificity of phonological representations. Finally, the direct influence from reading to nonword repetition suggests that better readers use orthographic cues to help them remember and repeat new words accurately. A video abstract of this article can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70LZfTR0BjE.
Network structure of psychotic‐like experiences in adolescents: Links with risk and protective factors
Authors: Fonseca‐Pedrero Eduardo , Muñiz José , Gacía‐Portilla Mª Paz , Bobes Julio
Published: May 2020

Aim

The main goal was to analyse the network structure of psychotic‐like experiences (PLEs) in a large sample of adolescents. In addition, the network structure between PLEs and putative risk (mental health difficulties, suicidal behaviour, depression symptoms) and protective factors (prosocial behaviour, subjective well‐being, self‐esteem) for psychosis was analysed.

Methods

The sample compromised a total of 1790 adolescents (M=15.7 years; SD=1.26), 816 men (45.6%), selected by stratified random cluster sampling. Various tools were used to measure PLEs, general psychopathology, suicide ideation and behaviour, depression symptoms, prosocial behaviour, subjective well‐being, and self‐esteem. The Gaussian graphical model for continuous variables and Ising model for binary variables were used for network estimation.

Results

The PLEs estimated network was strongly interconnected. Unusual perceptual experiences were among the most central nodes. The average predictability of this network was 16.41%. The PLEs and risk and protective factors estimated network showed a high degree of interconnectedness between PLEs and psychopathology domains. PLEs, behavioural problems, and emotional symptoms were among the most central nodes. The mean predictability of this network was 43.46%. The results of the stability and accuracy analysis indicated that networks were accurately estimated.

Conclusions

At population level, extended psychosis phenotype can be conceptualized as a network of interacting cognitive, emotional, and behavioural features. The network model allows us to understand psychosis risk, at the same time opening new lines of study in the mental health arena.
Towards a ‘virtual’ world: Social isolation and struggles during the COVID‐19 pandemic as single women living alone
Authors: Gao Grace , Sai Linna
Published: May 2020

This article is a personal reflection of how the current COVID‐19 pandemic affects our working lives and wellbeing, as single female academics who live alone in the UK. We offer a dialogue of our daily lives of being confined at home with lockdown measures extended. In particular, we focus on the experience of, and coping with, isolation and loneliness. Is isolation making us more socially connected? Through ‘virtual’ working and changing learning environments for us as teachers and learners, we explore changes in our working life and subsequent changes in the domestic environment. By capturing our lived experiences, we create an intellectual and safe space to voice our emotional struggles — as ‘invisible’ isolated individuals containing and consuming loneliness on our own. We foster alternative conversations as to how we might engender new perspectives from single female academics to combat social isolation in the workplace.
An ethnic interpretation of mental distress from the perspective of Tongan men and community leaders
Authors: Vaka Sione , Neville Stephen , Holroyd Eleanor
Published: May 2020

Tongan people living in New Zealand have a high prevalence of mental illness and low uptake of mental health services. Rates of mental illnesses also differ between those born in Tonga and those born in New Zealand. However, little is known about the personalized and culturally shaped meaning and experience of mental distress in this population. Therefore, this research explored the meaning of mental distress for Tongan men and community leaders living in Auckland, New Zealand. The Tongan cultural framework, talanoa (talking, to tell), enabled a culturally congruent and collective approach to examining mental health‐related ideologies and ensuing distress. Two talanoa groups were held (one with men and one with community leaders), with a total of 18 participants. The primary research questions focused on tufunga faka‐Tonga (Tongan constructions of mental distress). Four themes emerged: fa’unga (reality), hu‘unga (directionality), ta‘anga (temporality), and tu‘unga (positionality). The analytic lens used to define reality was fa‘unga, because this concept encompasses the creation/preservation of sino (body), me‘a (thing, something), and mo‘oni (truth, real). The findings suggested that it is necessary to incorporate tufunga faka‐Tonga into all aspects of service delivery to improve mental health services for the Tongan population. The Tongan community will benefit from increased awareness of tufunga faka‐paiōsaikosōsiolo (biopsychosocial constructions of mental distress) and tufunga fepaki mo e fetaulaki he vaha‘a ‘o e tufunga faka‐paiōsaikosōsiolo mo e tufunga faka‐Tonga (intersections between biopsychosocial and Tongan constructions of mental distress) to support identification of health risks and health service seeking behaviours.
Large‐scale DNA‐based survey of frogs in Amazonia suggests a vast underestimation of species richness and endemism
Authors: Vacher Jean‐Pierre , Chave Jérôme , Ficetola Francesco Gentile , Sommeria‐Klein Guilhem , Tao Shengli , Thébaud Christophe , Blanc Michel , Camacho Agustín , Cassimiro José , Colston Timothy J. , Dewynter Maël , Ernst Raffael , Gaucher Philippe , Gomes Jerriane Oliveira , Jairam Rawien , Kok Philippe J. R. , Lima Jucivaldo Dias , Martinez Quentin , Marty Christian , Noonan Brice P. , Nunes Pedro M. Sales , Ouboter Paul , Recoder Renato , Rodrigues Miguel Trefaut , Snyder Andrew , Marques-Souza Sérgio , Fouquet Antoine
Published: May 2020

Aim

Mapping Amazonian biodiversity accurately is a major challenge for integrated conservation strategies and to study its origins. However, species boundaries and their respective distribution are notoriously inaccurate in this region. Here, we generated a georeferenced database of short mtDNA sequences from Amazonian frogs, revised the species richness and the delimitation of bioregions of the Eastern Guiana Shield and estimated endemism within these bioregions.

Location

Amazonia, with a focus on the Eastern Guiana Shield.

Taxon studied

Amphibia: Anura.

Methods

We used an extensive DNA‐based sampling of anuran amphibians of Amazonia using next‐generation sequencing to delimit Operational Taxonomic Units (OTU) and their distribution. We analysed this database to infer bioregions using Latent Dirichlet Allocation modelling. We then compared endemism within these bioregions based on our results and the current IUCN database, and inferred environmental variables that contributed the most to the biogeographic pattern.

Results

The recognized anuran species richness within the focal area increased from 440 species currently listed by the IUCN Red List to as much as 876 OTUs with our dataset. We recovered eight bioregions, among which three lie within the Eastern Guiana Shield. We estimated that up to 82% of the OTUs found in this area are endemic, a figure three times higher than the previous estimate (28%). Environmental features related to seasonal precipitations are identified as playing an important role in shaping Amazonian amphibian bioregions.

Main conclusions

Our results have major implications for defining future conservation priorities of this vast area given that endemism in most Amazonian bioregions is vastly underestimated, and might therefore hide a large portion of threatened species. Moreover, these findings raise concern about meta‐analyses based on public databases within Amazonia dealing with poorly known groups.
Shared lesion correlates of semantic and letter fluency in post‐stroke aphasia
Authors: Thye Melissa , Szaflarski Jerzy P. , Mirman Daniel
Published: May 2020

Lesion–symptom mapping studies have reported a temporal versus frontal dissociation between semantic and letter fluency, and mixed evidence regarding the role of white matter. Mass‐univariate and multivariate lesion–symptom mapping was used to identify regions associated with semantic and letter fluency deficits in post‐stroke aphasia. Multivariate LSM revealed broad networks including underlying white matter, and substantial overlap between both types of fluency, suggesting that semantic fluency and letter fluency largely rely on the same neural system. All data are available on OSF.
Does oxidative stress correlate with disease activity and severity in vitiligo? An analytical study
Authors: Mathachan Sinu Rose , Khurana Ananta , Gautam Ram Kishan , Kulhari Anita , Sharma Lokesh , Sardana Kabir
Published: May 2020

Background

Oxidative damage to melanocytes, resulting from an imbalance between the damaging oxidative pathways and the protective anti‐oxidants likely plays a pathogenic role in vitiligo.

Aim

To evaluate three parameters related to the oxidative stress (OS) pathway namely malondialdehyde (MDA), a marker of oxidative damage, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reduced glutathione (rGSH) (both antioxidants) in patients with active and stable vitiligo with either localized or generalized disease.

Patients/Methods

Sixty clinically diagnosed vitiligo patients were categorized into generalized (n = 30) or localized vitiligo (n = 30) and were further sub‐grouped according to their disease activity into active and stable groups. Thirty healthy volunteers were included in the control group. ELISA was used for the evaluation of MDA, SOD, and r GSH.

Results

The patient group demonstrated significantly raised levels of MDA and significantly decreased levels of SOD and rGSH compared with the control group. Further, the OS parameters were significantly more deranged in patients with generalized disease (all three—MDA, rGSH, and SOD) and an active disease (MDA) as compared to those with localized and stable disease, respectively.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest an important role of OS in relation to vitiligo activity and severity. Although the OS parameters were deranged in all subsets of patients, with respect to controls, the derangement of oxidative damage marker (MDA) in generalized and active disease groups was most marked. Disease remains active when the oxidative damage becomes higher but is unmatched with the anti‐oxidant reserve which does not proportionately increase.
Short‐term outcomes of robot‐assisted versus conventional laparoscopic surgery for early‐stage endometrial cancer: A retrospective, single‐center study
Authors: Aiko Kiyoshi , Kanno Kiyoshi , Yanai Shiori , Masuda Sayaka , Yasui Michiru , Ichikawa Fuyuki , Teishikata Yasuhiro , Shirane Terumi , Yoshino Yasunori , Sakate Shintaro , Sawada Mari , Shirane Akira , Ota Yoshiaki , Andou Masaaki
Published: May 2020

Aim

We compared the short‐term outcomes between conventional laparoscopic surgery (CLS) and robot‐assisted surgery (RAS) to assess the technical feasibility of the latter for early‐stage endometrial cancer.

Methods

We retrospectively compared the perioperative outcomes between two groups of 223 patients (CLS group, n = 102; RAS group, n = 121) with early‐stage endometrial cancer. Surgical procedures included hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo‐oophorectomy and retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy. We analyzed the data from intrapelvic surgery alone because para‐aortic lymphadenectomy was performed via conventional endoscopic extraperitoneal approach without robot for both groups.

Results

No differences were identified in patients' age and body mass index. The mean operative time was 133 ± 28 versus 178 ± 41 min (P < 0.01), mean blood loss was 196 ± 153 versus 237 ± 146 mL (P = 0.047), mean length of postoperative hospital stay was 9 ± 4 versus 8 ± 3 days (P = 0.01) and mean rate of perioperative complications of Clavien‐Dindo grade III or higher was 2.0 versus 3.4% (P = 0.53) for the CLS versus RAS groups, respectively. There was no significant difference in the number of resected lymph nodes.

Conclusion

The operative time was significantly longer and blood loss was significantly greater in the RAS group than in the CLS group, without a significant difference in the number of resected lymph nodes. These differences are within an acceptable clinical range, showing that RAS is feasible and safe for early‐stage endometrial cancer, providing short‐term outcomes comparable to those of conventional surgery. Future studies are warranted to compare the long‐term oncological outcomes by extending the observation period and including para‐aortic lymphadenectomy data.
Serum metabolomics reveals the intervention mechanism and compatible regularity of Chaihu Shu Gan San on chronic unpredictable mild stress-induced depression rat model
Authors: Zhang Hongye , Huang Huimin , Song Hui , Chin Bonnie , Zheng Hua , Ruan Junxiang , Wu Fang , Cheng Bang , Wu Jinxia , Liu Xuwen , Liang Yonghong , Song Fangming , Chen Zhaoni , Tang Chaoling , Lu Shiyin , Guo Hongwei , Zou Zhongmei , Su Zhiheng
Published: May 2020

Objectives

To provide a comprehensive study of the intervention mechanism and compatible regularity of Chaihu Shu Gan San (CSGS) in a chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS)-induced depression model.

Methods

Ethological study and ELISA assay were applied to measure the phenotypes of depression after CUMS stimulate and assess the antidepressant activity of fluoxetine, CSGS and its compatibilities. The serum metabolic profile changes were revealed by untargeted Q/TOF MS-based metabolomics followed by multivariate statistical analysis.

Key findings

CSGS exhibits an significant intervention effect on CUMS-induced depression. After the multivariate statistical analysis, 17 potential serum biomarkers were identified and 16 of them could be regulated by CSGS. The intervention of CSGS on CUMS-induced depression involved five key pathways. Moreover, each functional unit (monarch, minister, assistant and guide medicine) in CSGS regulates different metabolites and metabolic pathways to achieve different effects on antidepressant; however, their intervention efficacies are inferior to the holistic formula, which may be due to the synergism of bioactive ingredients in the seven herbs of CSGS.

Conclusions

CSGS produced an obvious antidepressant activity. The comprehensive and holistic metabolomics approach could be a powerful tool to study the intervention mechanism and the compatibility rule of traditional Chinese medicine.
14,15β-dihydroxyklaineanone inhibits HepG2 cell proliferation and migration through p38MAPK pathway
Authors: Pei Xiao-Dong , He Song-Qing , Shen Li-Qun , Wei Jing-Chen , Li Xue-Sheng , Wei Yan-Yan , Zhang Yu-Meng , Wang Xin-Yu , Lin Feng , He Zhi-Long , Jiang Li-He
Published: May 2020

Objectives

Eurycoma longifolia Jack (Simaroubaceae) is commonly distributed in the Southeast Asia and Indo China, which has been shown to possess antianxiety, antibacterial, anticancer, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antimalarial and antioxidant biological activities. 14,15β-dihydroxyklaineanone is a diterpene isolated from E. longifolia Jack, which is cytotoxic against human lung cancer and human breast cancer cell lines. However, the effects and underlying mechanisms of 14,15β-dihydroxyklaineanone on hepatocellular carcinoma remain unknown.

Methods

Cell viability assay and colony formation assay were used to measure HepG2 cell proliferation. Flow cytometry was used to analyse cell cycle and apoptosis. Wound-healing assay and transwell assay were used to observe cells migration. RNA sequencing and the enrichment of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways were used to find and determine underlying pathways.

Key findings

We found that 14,15β-dihydroxyklaineanone inhibited the growth and migration of HepG2 cells but did not induce cell apoptosis. 14,15β-dihydroxyklaineanone induced S cell cycle arrest by downregulating the expression levels of cyclin A, p-CDK2, cyclin B1, p21, E2F-1 and PCNA. In addition, RNA sequencing showed that 14,15β-dihydroxyklaineanone regulated MAPK pathway by increasing the expression levels of phosphor-p38. Downregulating of p38 via both p38 inhibitor (SB203580) and p38-siRNA could antagonize the inhibition of cell proliferation and migration and reverse the changes in p-p38, E-cadherin, N-cadherin and PCNA expression induced by 14,15β-dihydroxyklaineanone treatment.

Conclusions

14,15β-dihydroxyklaineanone inhibited cell proliferation and migration through regulating p38 MAPK pathway in HCC cells.
A deep dive into the ancestral chromosome number and genome size of flowering plants
Authors: Carta Angelino , Bedini Gianni , Peruzzi Lorenzo
Published: May 2020

Chromosome number and genome variation in flowering plants have stimulated growing speculation about the ancestral chromosome number of angiosperms, but estimates so far remain equivocal.

We used a probabilistic approach to model haploid chromosome number (n) changes along a phylogeny embracing more than 10 000 taxa, to reconstruct the ancestral chromosome number of the common ancestor of extant angiosperms and the most recent common ancestor for single angiosperm families. Independently, we carried out an analysis of 1C genome size evolution, including over 5000 taxa.

Our analyses revealed an ancestral haploid chromosome number for angiosperms of n = 7, a diploid status, and an ancestral 1C of 1.73 pg. For 160 families, inferred ancestral n are provided for the first time.

Both descending dysploidy and polyploidy played crucial roles in chromosome number evolution. While descending dysploidy is equally distributed early and late across the phylogeny, polyploidy is detected mainly towards the tips. Similarly, 1C genome size also increases (or decreases) significantly in late‐branching lineages. Therefore, no evidence exists of a clear link between ancestral chromosome numbers and ancient polyploidization events, suggesting that further insights are needed to elucidate the organization of genome packaging into chromosomes.
Ultrasound‐guided serratus anterior plane block combined with parasternal block in subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator implantation: Results of a pilot study
Authors: Uran Carlo , Giojelli Angela , Borgogna Donato Antonio , Morello Gerardo , Marullo Flavio , Iodice Pietro , Greco Angelo , Accogli Michele , Guido Alessandro , Palmisano Pietro
Published: May 2020

Background

The standard approach to subcutaneous defibrillator (S‐ICD) implantation often requires general anesthesia or anesthesiologist‐delivered deep sedation. Ultrasound‐guided serratus anterior plane block (SAPB) combined with parasternal block (PSB) has been proposed in order to provide anesthesia/analgesia and to reduce the need for sedation during S‐ICD implantation. In this pilot study, we compared the double‐block approach (SAPB + PSB) with the single‐block approach (SAPB only) and with the standard approach involving local anesthesia and sedation.

Methods

We prospectively enrolled 22 patients undergoing S‐ICD implantation: in 10, the single‐block approach was adopted; in 12, the double‐block approach. As a control group, we retrospectively enrolled 14 consecutive patients who had undergone S‐ICD implantation under standard local anesthesia and sedation in the previous 6 months. Intra‐ and postprocedural data, including patient‐reported pain intensity, were collected and compared in the three study groups.

Results

The double‐block approach was associated with a shorter procedure duration than the single‐block and standard approaches (63.3 ± 7.9 vs 70.1 ± 6.8 vs 76.9 ± 7.8 min; P < .05) and with a lower dose of local an aesthetic for infiltration (18.9 ± 1.7 vs 27.5 ± 4.6 vs 44.6 ± 4.0 cc; P < .001). Both the double‐ and single‐block approaches were associated with lower pain intensity at the device pocket and the lateral tunneling site (P < .05). The double‐block approach proved superior to the other two approaches in controlling intraoperative pain at the parasternal tunneling site (P < .05).

Conclusions

In our study, SAPB combined with PSB was superior to SAPB alone and to the standard approach in controlling intraoperative pain during S‐ICD implantation. In addition, this approach resulted in shorter procedure durations.
A comparison of network model creation algorithms based on the quality of wayfinding results
Authors: Park Jinwoo , Goldberg Daniel W. , Hammond Tracy
Published: May 2020

Various network model creation algorithms have been introduced to demonstrate a better approximation of the actual walking pattern and to provide a better wayfinding guide. However, it is under‐investigated which algorithm creates the most appropriate indoor navigation network model in the context of wayfinding applications. Due to the lack of discussion, some studies unconsciously extended an algorithm designed for creating an outdoor navigation network model to indoor space applications. This is problematic because indoor space has different spatial contexts from outdoor space, such as non‐linear space and no‐designated walking space. Our solution is to select five well‐known algorithms that have been introduced, to reproduce the algorithm for the automated construction of the indoor navigation network model, and to evaluate the applicability of algorithms for indoor wayfinding applications. This article compares the quality of wayfinding results from the output of the indoor navigation network model against two criteria: route efficiency (i.e., length) and route simplicity (i.e., number of directions). Our statistical analysis illustrates that the visibility graph algorithm is the most appropriate for indoor wayfinding applications.