bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The DNA damage response regulates the oocyte pool in mammals
Authors: Martínez-Marchal Ana , Guillot Maria Teresa , Ferrer Mònica , Guixé Anna , Garcia-Caldés Montserrat , Roig Ignasi
Published: October 2019

Mammalian oogonia proliferate without completing cytokinesis producing germ cell cysts. Within these cysts, oocytes differentiate and enter meiosis, promote genome-wide double-strand break (DSBs) formation which repair by homologous recombination leads to synapsis of the homologous chromosomes. Errors in homologous recombination or synapsis trigger the activation of surveillance mechanisms, traditionally called ‘pachytene checkpoint’, to either repair them or send the cells to programmed death. Contrary to what is found in spermatocytes, most oocytes present a remarkable persistence of unrepaired DSBs at pachynema. Simultaneously, there is a massive oocyte death accompanying the oocyte cyst breakdown. This oocyte elimination is thought to be required to properly form the follicles, which constitute the pool of germ cells females will use during their adult life. Based on all the above mentioned, we hypothesized that the apparently inefficient meiotic recombination occurring in mouse oocytes may be required to eliminate most of the oocytes in order to regulate the oocyte number, promote cyst breakdown and follicle formation in mammalian females. To test this idea, we analyzed perinatal ovaries to evaluate the oocyte population, cyst breakdown and follicle formation in control and mutant mice for the effector kinase of the DNA damage response, CHK2. Our results confirm the involvement of CHK2 in the elimination of oocytes that accumulate unrepaired DSBs and show that CHK2 regulates the number of oocytes in fetal ovaries. We also show that CHK2 is required to eliminate oocytes as a result of LINE-1 activation, which was previously shown to be responsible for fetal oocyte loss. Nonetheless, the number of oocytes found in Chk2 mutant ovaries three days after birth was similar to that of control ovaries, suggesting the existence of CHK2-independent mechanisms capable of eliminating oocytes. In vitro inhibition of CHK1 rescued the oocyte number in Chk2 mutant ovaries suggesting that CHK1 regulates postnatal oocyte death. Moreover, both CHK1 and CHK2 functions are required to timely breakdown cyst and form follicles. Altogether, we propose the DNA damage response controls the number of oocytes present perinatally and is required to properly break down oocyte cysts and form follicles, highlighting the importance of the DNA damage response in setting the reserve of oocytes each female will use during their entire lifespan.
Transmission measurement at the Bernina branch of the Aramis Beamline of SwissFEL
Authors: Juranic Pavle , Tiedtke Kai , Owada Shigeki , Tanaka Takahiro , Jastrow Ulf , Sorokin Andrey , Patthey Luc , Mankowsky Roman , Degenhardt Markus , Arbelo Yunieski , Arrell Christopher , Smedley John , Bohon Jen , Follath Rolf
Published: October 2019

The transmission of the optical components of the Bernina branch of the Aramis beamline at SwissFEL has been measured with an X-ray gas monitor from DESY and compared with a PSI gas detector upstream of the optical components. The transmission efficiencies of the Mo, Si and SiC mirror coatings of the Aramis beamline and the various other in-beam components were evaluated and compared with theoretical calculations, showing an agreement of 6% or better in all cases. The experiment has also shown the efficacy of the high-harmonic rejection mirrors at the Bernina branch of the Aramis beamline at SwissFEL, and characterized the transmission efficiency of the on-line spectrometer in the Aramis beamline. The theoretical transmission of the mirror coatings match the experimental data to within 7%. The accuracy of these measurements was checked against a radiative bolometer from a Japanese collaboration and found to agree to a level of 4% or better. Further comparisons with a diamond detector from a US-based inter-institute collaboration demonstrated a good agreement for the attenuator settings of the beamline.
1-Isobutyl-8,9-dimethoxy-3-phenyl-5,6-dihidroimidazo[5,1-a]isoquinolin-2-ium chloride
Authors: Okmanov R. Ya. , Tukhtaev D. B. , Saidov A. Sh. , Tashkhodjaev B.
Published: October 2019

The molecular salt, C23H26N2O2
+·Cl−, was obtained from 1-isobutyl-8,9-dimethoxy-3-phenyl-5,6-dihydroimidazo[5,1-a]isoquinoline, which was synthesized by cyclocondensation of α-benzoylamino-γ-methyl-N-[2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl]valeramide in the presence of phosphoryl chloride. The tetrahydropyridine ring adopts a twist–boat conformation. In the crystal structure, centrosymmetric dimers are formed by N—H...Cl and C—H...Cl hydrogen bonds.
When is the atypical design not penalized? Moderating role of product innovativeness and technological sophistication in consumer’s evaluation of new products
Authors: Lee Sangwon
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the individual and joint effects of the two design dimensions, form design and functional design, and moderating role of product innovativeness and technological sophistication in consumer’s evaluation of new products. Employing theoretical underpinnings from categorization theory, this paper investigates two major research questions. First, what type of form is more advantageous for a radically new product or an incrementally new product? Second, is there an individual difference in consumer evaluations to innovative products with various form designs?

Design/methodology/approach

One pre-test and three between-subject experiments were performed. In Experiments 1 and 2, a two-way between-group ANOVA analysis was performed to examine the effect of form and the degree of technological innovation on attitude toward the product using different product categories (car and camera). In Experiment 3, a three-way between-group ANOVA analysis was performed to explore the impact of form, the degree of technological innovation and consumer technological sophistication on attitude toward the product.

Findings

The results from the three experiments conducted demonstrate that, first, whereas the form design for incremental innovations must be closer to the incumbent products for favorable evaluations, less typical form is evaluated as good as a more typical form for radical innovations. Second, form design of an innovative product matters more to the technologically more sophisticated consumers (experts).

Originality/value

This paper extends the previous design literature and fills the gap of under-researched area by demonstrating that individual difference, technological sophistication, moderates the design effect on consumer evaluation of innovation; providing boundary condition of when the atypical form is not penalized in spite of consumer’s perceived learning cost; examining how the form and function interplay in “high-status product”; and demonstrating how to strengthen the reliability and validity by replicating the study. Managerially, this paper demonstrates that innovating firms can influence the perceived value of new products using form and functionality, and marketing managers who launch really new products have strategic freedom of choosing own product design.
Dynamics in rural entrepreneurship – the role of knowledge acquisition, entrepreneurial orientation, and emotional intelligence in network reliance and performance relationship
Authors: Udimal Thomas Bilaliib , Jincai Zhuang , Gumah Isaac Akolgo
Published: October 2019

Purpose

Social network and being a part of an established business network helps in the acquisition of resources. The purpose of this study specifically looked at the mechanisms through which network reliance (NR) influences the entrepreneurial performance (PERF) among rural farmer entrepreneurs in China.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper looks at the economic sociology perspective of social networks. A total of 450 rural farmer entrepreneurs were interviewed for the study. The study introduces emotional intelligence (EI) and entrepreneurial orientation (EO) into the relationship between NR, knowledge acquisition (KA) and entrepreneurial PERF.

Findings

The result shows that KA partially and positively mediates the relationship between NR and entrepreneurial PERF. EO is shown to moderate the relationship between KA and entrepreneurial PERF apart from its direct effect on entrepreneurial PERF. The EI of rural farmer entrepreneurs has a direct and significant effect on KA but does not moderate the relationship between NR and KA.

Originality/value

This study provides a new direction for extension education to rural farmer entrepreneurs. Knowledge building capacity programmes for rural farmer entrepreneurs should be an area of priority for extension education. Building the social capital and entrepreneurial capacities of rural farmer should be a new area of focus for policymakers. These measures will go a long to improving the capabilities of rural farmer entrepreneurs, which will, in turn, impact positively on their PERF.
Marketing and entrepreneurial success in emerging markets: the nexus
Authors: Dzogbenuku Robert Kwame , Keelson Solomon Abekah
Published: October 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the interconnection between marketing and entrepreneurship among small and medium scale enterprises in emerging markets.

Design/methodology/approach

Quantitative data were obtained from 113 micro, small and medium scale enterprises (SME) into services, manufacturing and agriculture selected conveniently within the Tema metropolis, a harbour city in Ghana; however, purposive sampling was used to choose owners and managers as respondents pre-occupied with marketing and entrepreneurial roles. These voluntary informants have operated between 4 and 9 years.

Findings

The study reveals a significant relationship between five dimensions of the study including market orientation and entrepreneurial success; customer orientation and entrepreneurial success; competitor orientation and entrepreneurial success; intelligence generation; and entrepreneurial success, including information dissemination and entrepreneurial success.

Research limitations/implications

Blending marketing with entrepreneurial initiatives has the propensity to accelerate success for wealth and job creation for national development especially in emerging markets where poverty and under development abounds. Adoption of basic marketing principles enables local entrepreneurs to become vehicles for social re-engineering and for rapid socio-economic growth, which ultimately affects lives at the local level. The study was limited to opinion of SME managers and owners of a harbour city.

Practical implications

Application of basic marketing principles influences entrepreneurial success in emerging markets (EMs) highlighting opinions of managers and owners of SMEs strategy warranting attention of stakeholders. Thus, the study validates theoretical model of how prudent marketing and entrepreneurial attitude contributes entrepreneurial success. It also provides a new perspective on marketing principles and success in emerging markets.

Social implications

Consciously incorporating basic marketing principles into operations of MSMEs will impact performances; hence, social lives of entrepreneurs will be affected positively.

Originality/value

This study being among the few in sub-Saharan Africa highlights how application of marketing principles to entrepreneurial operations is a vital role in growing local MSMEs unto the world stage. Therefore, blending basic marketing principles with entrepreneurial initiatives will accelerate wealth and job creation and national development to achieve the world's sustainable development goals aimed at reducing poverty.
Suitable bustline position in designing a well-fitting and attractive garment
Authors: Kim KyoungOk , Sakaguchi Maina , Takatera Masayuki
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate a suitable position for the bustline of the upper garment and its effect on appearance for various body types. It also provides an appropriate balance between the bustline and the waistline.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors manufactured five upper garments using a patternmaking method that allows for the distance between the side neck point and the bust point (BL) to be altered. The appearance of the garments on four dress forms with different values of BL was compared using Scheffe’s paired comparison (Nakaya’s variation) of seven scales. In total, 20 Japanese subjects in their 20s evaluated the garments. Six evaluation items – wrinkle amount, fit, attractiveness, beauty, youthfulness and slimness – were used. The vertical ratios of the garments on each dress form, a (projected distance between the horizontal line of the shoulder points and the bustline) and b (projected distance between the bustline and waistline), were measured using 3D scanned data. The relationship between the ratios and the results of the sensory test was investigated.

Findings

It was found that changing the values of the BL influenced the appearance of the upper garments. The upper garment for which the BL was adjusted according to dress form was determined to not be well-fitting, attractive and beautiful. The garment with an a:b ratio of close to 1 was evaluated as beautiful, attractive and better fitting than all others.

Originality/value

The results of this study will help designers and patternmakers create more beautiful, attractive and fitting upper garments.
The social utility of small-scale art festivals with creative tourism in Portugal
Authors: Bakas Fiona Eva , Duxbury Nancy , Remoaldo Paula Cristina , Matos Olga
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to address the gaps in research on strategic planning for the social impacts of small-scale events in rural areas and small cities. This is achieved by investigating the social utility inferred by small-scale art festivals with a creative tourism element in terms of increasing social capital and positive social change, from an event stakeholder perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

The identified gap in knowledge is addressed by using interviews and fieldnotes from participant observation to co-create meaning with the organizers of four small-scale art festivals in small cities and rural areas in Portugal. Theoretical frameworks relating to creative tourism development and social capital creation are used to analyze the social utility of small-scale art festivals.

Findings

Creative tourism activities are integrated within small-scale art festivals in small cities and rural areas in various ways, mainly through art-related workshops. Significant empirical data give insight into how small-scale art festivals create social value by increasing the host community’s pride and reinforcing the social fabric of the festival’s local and “portable” community, in part through these creative tourism activities.

Research limitations/implications

One of the limitations of this study is that it focuses on the perspectives and insights of the festival organizers. An analysis of the festival participants’ views, local community stakeholder analysis and community impact analyses would offer further insights into how the creative tourism experiences and other moments of shared meaning generation within small-scale art festivals influence the creation of social utility.

Originality/value

This paper offers insights into how creative tourism activities are being integrated into small-scale art festivals in small cities and rural contexts, and how these activities foster social connections among festival participants and with the local community. This addresses significant gaps in the literature on strategic planning for the social impacts of events, particularly in the context of small-scale events in rural areas/small cities, and the strategic value of including creative tourism activities within small-scale festivals.
Examining burnout in employed university students
Authors: Schramer Kristin M. , Rauti Carolyn M. , Kartolo Arief B. , Kwantes Catherine T.
Published: October 2019

Purpose

Burnout has been studied by organizational researchers for nearly 50 years (Maslach and Schaufeli, 2017; Schaufeli et al., 2009); however, little attention is given to burnout experienced by employed students who may be prone to the symptoms of burnout as they juggle multiple demanding roles. Burnout in employed students has previously been conceptualized as a bi-factor model consisting of three dimensions: general burnout, apathy and exhaustion (see Rauti et al., 2019 for further information). The purpose of this paper is to develop and validate a novel and theoretically driven tool to assess burnout in employed students.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 239 employed undergraduate students from a university in southwestern Ontario completed an online survey which included the University of Windsor Employed Student Burnout Survey. Participants also completed six additional measures for scale validation purposes.

Findings

Confirmatory factor analysis supported a four-factor model of the employed student burnout scale: apathy toward employment, exhaustion toward employment, apathy toward academics and exhaustion toward academics. The findings also supported a bi-factor version of the four-factor model. Correlation analyses provided evidence for convergent and divergent validity.

Originality/value

The experience of burnout for employed students is unique as employed students balance the demands of work and school simultaneously. This research suggests that experiences of burnout from work and burnout from school may be distinct from one another and that burnout is context specific.
The dynamics of business ecosystem identity
Authors: Panda Debadutta Kumar
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how business ecosystems evolve, what is the identity of business ecosystem and is the ecosystem identity static or dynamics. To understand the above questions, this paper is conducted on stone carving clusters in India.

Design/methodology/approach

The author engaged the ethnographic approach in this study. To sample stone carving clusters of India, the author followed the snowball sampling method. Further, the author did collect the information by informal personal discussions, focus group discussions and participant observations. Furthermore, the thematic analysis and interpretative phenomenological analysis were applied to process the data. The validity and reliability of the method was ascertained by testing the credibility, dependability, confirmability and transferability.

Findings

The author found that the business ecosystem of stone carving was dynamic, and it was transformed from the buyer-driven ecosystem to the supplier-driven ecosystem. The identities of the early stage business ecosystem and the late stage ecosystem were analyzed through product, network and information flow. The author developed a structural framework to conceptualize the identity domain of the business ecosystem and the author named it as “nature-conduct-performance model.” Also, the author conceptualized the identity evolution, the influence of social system on business ecosystem identity, and identity-based conflicts and identity-based cooperation in the stone carving business ecosystem.

Originality/value

This study is making additional theoretical contribution in conceptualize the business ecosystem from the identity construct.
Materiality analysis in sustainability and integrated reports
Authors: Beske Felix , Haustein Ellen , Lorson Peter C.
Published: October 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to assess the disclosure on materiality analysis in sustainability and integrated reports through the lenses of legitimacy and stakeholder theory. The following three research questions are addressed: to what extent do companies report on their materiality analysis, what are the methods used for the analysis of the stakeholders and their topics/aspects and is there a higher disclosure of information of materiality assessment because of G4.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses an archival research approach and deploys content analysis. Thus, a binary disclosure index was developed that indicates whether materiality related information are mentioned and explained in detail. The sample contains 132 reports from 33 companies of the German 110 HDAX stock market index between 2014 and 2017.

Findings

The paper reveals that materiality analysis is a growing phenomenon. Nevertheless, companies disclose only a small amount of related information and fail to explain the methods for the stakeholder and topics/aspects identification. Thus, the underlying processes to define the report content remains unclear. Through the lenses of legitimacy theory, the study indicates that materiality analysis can strategically be misused to define report content without considering the interests of legitimized stakeholder groups and thus, does not improve the reports to those groups.

Practical implications

Managers are urged to regard the importance of reporting about ongoing materiality assessments, as otherwise, concerns about the overall reliability of the information presented may arise.

Social implications

Poor reporting about materiality assessments might lead to potential conflicts with stakeholders that do see their important topics not sufficiently reflected in the sustainability or integrated report.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature regarding materiality in sustainability and integrated reporting and uses the assumptions of disclosure theories to evaluate the disclosure of a specific disclosure item.
An empirical investigation and prioritizing critical barriers of green manufacturing implementation practices through VIKOR approach
Authors: Singh Mahakdeep , Singh Kanwarpreet , Sethi APS
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the critical barriers of green manufacturing implementation practices in Indian SME’s with the VIKOR approach.

Design/methodology/approach

Challenges faced in the implementation of green manufacturing by Indian SME’s have been extracted from literature review, and questionnaire survey of Indian SME’s is done. The responses are further annealed and analysed using a factor analysis technique and ranked with the VIKOR technique.

Findings

The literature was studied, and various challenges were listed and were grouped into six critical latent challenges by using the factor analysis technique, and it was found that Economic constraints tops with the VIKOR technique. The recognition of the outcomes of critical barriers was assumed to be substantial in the current scenario.

Originality/value

Present study reveals that green manufacturing implementation in Indian SME’s faces many challenges. The outcomes of the study will help green manufacturing practitioners, HR executives and managers in the various manufacturing organizations to develop clarity in understanding and developing strategies for the implementation of green manufacturing. Hence, the information obtained from the empirical examination of barriers in implementing green manufacturing will be helpful in improving the overall implementation plan.
Responses of soil bacterial compositions to concentrations of nitrogen forms in the process of Moso bamboo invasion
Authors: Li Weicheng , Sheng Haiyan , Liu Yaoyao , Chen Weijie
Published: October 2019

We analyzed and compared the soil bacterial diversity and difference in community composition in a Moso bamboo forest, a mixed Moso bamboo–conifer (Pinus massoniana) forest, and a coniferous forest. The relative abundances of Acidobacteria and Planctomycetes were significantly lower in the Moso bamboo forest, while those of Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, TM‐7 and Chlamydiae were greatly increased. The α‐diversity in the Moso bamboo forest was different from that in the other two forest types but was not statistically distinguished. Principal coordinates analysis suggested that the invasion of Moso bamboo affected the community composition and diversity of soil bacteria. This impact was associated with the soil biochemical environment, as evidenced by increased mean values of soil organic carbon (C) and total nitrogen (N), significant increases in microbial biomass C and N, and a decrease in the NO3−–N content, which indicated that the nitrification rate was reduced in the mixed Moso bamboo–conifer forest. There were no overall correlations between the dominant bacterial phyla and soil biochemical gradients; however, individual dominant phyla correlated with the concentration of N forms, which indicated that the responses of bacteria were sensitive to, and varied depending on, the concentration of soil N forms. In addition, there were correlations between non‐dominant bacterial phyla with respect to operational taxonomic unit proportions <1.0%, and overall gradients of water‐soluble organic N and NO3−–N. The results of this study showed that the changes in soil bacterial flora are associated with the changes in concentration of N forms during the invasion of Moso bamboo.
Magnetic resonance‐guided radiation therapy: A review
Authors: Chin Stephen , Eccles Cynthia L , McWilliam Alan , Chuter Robert , Walker Emma , Whitehurst Philip , Berresford Joseph , Van Herk Marcel , Hoskin Peter J , Choudhury Ananya
Published: October 2019

Magnetic resonance‐guided radiation therapy (MRgRT) is a promising approach to improving clinical outcomes for patients treated with radiation therapy. The roles of image guidance, adaptive planning and magnetic resonance imaging in radiation therapy have been increasing over the last two decades. Technical advances have led to the feasible combination of magnetic resonance imaging and radiation therapy technologies, leading to improved soft‐tissue visualisation, assessment of inter‐ and intrafraction motion, motion management, online adaptive radiation therapy and the incorporation of functional information into treatment. MRgRT can potentially transform radiation oncology by improving tumour control and quality of life after radiation therapy and increasing convenience of treatment by shortening treatment courses for patients. Multiple groups have developed clinical implementations of MRgRT predominantly in the abdomen and pelvis, with patients having been treated since 2014. While studies of MRgRT have primarily been dosimetric so far, an increasing number of trials are underway examining the potential clinical benefits of MRgRT, with coordinated efforts to rigorously evaluate the benefits of the promising technology. This review discusses the current implementations, studies, potential benefits and challenges of MRgRT.
Special issue: Australian Accounting Standards Board Research Forum
Authors: Peach Kris , Garg Mukesh
Published: October 2019

The Australian Accounting Standards Board (AASB) engages with academics and encourages them to make practical recommendations for the standard‐setter across three sectors: for‐profit, public and other not‐for‐profit sectors. In doing so, the AASB organised Research Forums in 2016 and 2017 that were of great value to researchers, practitioners and the standard‐setters. Four papers from the Forums in 2016 and 2017 were submitted and accepted for publication in this special issue. This paper provides an overview of the Forum, discusses the impact of conducting research and how the findings of the researchers informed the AASB’s standard‐setting process.
Is there an association between cardiorespiratory fitness and stage of illness in psychotic disorders? A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Heggelund J. , Vancampfort D. , Tacchi M. J. , Morken G. , Scott J.
Published: October 2019

Background

Clinical staging models describe where an individual exists on a continuum from asymptomatic at‐risk states (Stage 0) through to established late‐stage disease (Stage 4). We applied this framework to systematically assess evidence for any associations between objectively assessed cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and stage of psychosis.

Method

Nine electronic databases were searched for relevant publications from inception until October 31, 2019. Pooled effect sizes (Hedges’ g and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI)) were estimated for differences in CRF for studies that reported mean oxygen uptake (max, peak, or predicted VO2 in ml/kg/min).

Results

Thirty‐eight studies were eligible. Findings indicated that suboptimal CRF can be present at Stages 0 and 1. Meta‐analyses of 22 studies demonstrated that CRF was significantly reduced in individuals classified between Stages 1 and 4 compared with matched or general population controls (g = −0.93; 95% CI −1.14, −0.71). Mean VO2 was decreased by 28% in Stage 4 compared with Stage 1 (34.1 vs. 24.66 ml/kg/min); the largest effect size for CRF reduction was reported between Stages 2 and 3 (g = −1.16; 95% CI −1.31, −1.03).

Conclusions

Although not identifying direct causal links between clinical stage and CRF, using this framework may enhance understanding of co‐associations between mental and physical health markers across the entire spectrum of psychosis. Limitations include lack of research on CRF in Stages 0 and 1 alongside problems determining stage in some studies. However, impaired CRF is reported in emerging psychosis, supporting calls that early intervention programmes should address both mental and physical wellbeing.
Fast‐track ambulatory abscess pathway: an Australian streamlined emergency surgery pathway
Authors: Gaszynski Rafael , Gray Andrew , Chan Daniel Leonard , Merrett Neil
Published: October 2019

Background

Superficial skin abscesses account for a significant burden of emergency surgical admissions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an ambulatory care pathway for emergently treating abscesses of the body requiring operative drainage.

Method

A retrospective study of a prospective patient database was performed, using randomized patient selection. Patient demographics, length and cost of stay were compared between patients undergoing operative management for skin abscess before and after the implementation of the fast‐track ambulatory abscess pathway (FAAP).

Results

In total, 100 patients were analysed with 50 in the pre‐ambulatory care pathway group and 50 in the FAAP group. The pre‐ambulatory care pathway group had a mean age of 37.7 ± 15.8 years versus FAAP group of 35.3 ± 14.5 years. Total length of stay for the group was 85 versus 17 days with a mean comparison of 1.7 days versus 0.34 days (P < 0.001). This translated into a total cost saving of $74 100 in the FAAP group, with a mean comparison cost between the groups of $2884 versus $1402 (P < 0.001). Both reductions in length of stay and cost of stay were statistically significant after implementation of the pathway.

Conclusion

This is the first Australian study to report the findings from an ambulatory care pathway for an emergency surgical intervention. We have shown that skin abscesses presenting through emergency can be managed as a day‐case procedure, thereby decreasing these patients' overall length and cost of stay.
Psychological distress among Cambodian people who use drugs
Authors: Sopheab Heng , Suy Sovanthida , Chhea Chhorvann , Chhit Sophal , Mun Phalkun , Bui Thanh C.
Published: October 2019

Introduction and Aims

People who use drugs (PWUD) face several mental health problems. This report aims to examine the prevalence of and factors associated with psychological distress among Cambodian PWUD.

Design and Methods

Data used in our analysis were from the national survey of 1626 PWUD recruited through respondent‐driven sampling method in Cambodia in 2012 to 2013. Distress was measured through self‐report by using the 10‐item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10). All analyses were weighted.

Results

Approximately half of PWUD had mild to severe psychological distress in the past four weeks (K10 ≥ 20). In the adjusted analysis, being female (odds ratio 1.60; 95% confidence interval 1.22, 2.12) and having experienced living in rehabilitation centres (odds ratio 2.46; 95% confidence interval 1.56, 3.87) were associated with a higher risk of having moderate or severe psychological distress (K10 ≥ 25).

Discussion and Conclusions

Psychological distress was prevalent among Cambodian PWUD. PWUD who were female or experienced living in rehabilitation centres were more likely to report distress. Policy makers should consider shifting further from compulsory institutionalised treatment model to community‐based treatment program. Mental health assessment and mental health care services should be included in drug treatment programs and should be gender‐sensitive. Further research investigating other mental disorders among PWUD are also needed.
Similar glycaemic control and less hypoglycaemia during active titration after insulin initiation with glargine 300 units/mL and degludec 100 units/mL: A subanalysis of the BRIGHT study
Authors: Cheng Alice , Harris Stewart , Giorgino Francesco , Seufert Jochen , Ritzel Robert , Khunti Kamlesh , Lauand Felipe , Melas‐Melt Lydie , Westerbacka Jukka , Bosnyak Zsolt , Rosenstock Julio
Published: October 2019

Aim

To further investigate glycaemic control and hypoglycaemia in BRIGHT, focusing on the titration period.

Materials and Methods

BRIGHT was a multicentre, open‐label, randomized, active‐controlled, two‐arm, parallel‐group, 24‐week study in insulin‐naïve patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes initiated on glargine 300 U/mL (Gla‐300) (N = 466) or degludec (IDeg‐100) (N = 463). Predefined efficacy and safety outcomes were investigated during the initial 12‐week titration period. In addition, patients’ characteristics and clinical outcomes were assessed descriptively, stratified by confirmed (≤3.9 mmol/L) hypoglycaemia incidence during the initial titration period.

Results

At week 12, HbA1c was comparable between Gla‐300 (7.32%) and IDeg‐100 (7.23%), with similar least squares (LS) mean reductions from baseline (−1.37% and − 1.39%, respectively; LS mean difference of 0.02; 95% confidence interval: −0.08 to 0.12). Patients who experienced hypoglycaemia during the initial titration period had numerically greater HbA1c reductions by week 12 than patients who did not (−1.46% vs. −1.28%), and higher incidence of anytime (24 hours; 73.3% vs. 35.7%) and nocturnal (00:00–06:00 hours; 30.0% vs. 11.9%) hypoglycaemia between weeks 13–24.

Conclusions

The use of Gla‐300 resulted in similar glycaemic control as IDeg‐100 during the initial 12‐week titration period of the BRIGHT study, when less anytime (24 hours) hypoglycaemia with Gla‐300 versus IDeg‐100 has been reported. Experiencing hypoglycaemia shortly after initiating Gla‐300 or IDeg‐100 may be associated with hypoglycaemia incidence in the longer term, potentially impacting glycaemic management.
Assessing patient PREFERence between the dulaglutide pen and the semaglutide pen: A crossover study (PREFER)
Authors: Matza Louis S. , Boye Kristina S. , Stewart Katie D. , Coyne Karin S. , Wullenweber Paula K. , Cutts Katelyn N. , Jordan Jessica B. , Wang Qianqian , Yu Maria , Currie Brooke M. , Malley Karen G. , Ishak K. Jack , Hietpas Ryan T. , García‐Pérez Luis‐Emilio
Published: October 2019

Aim

When selecting treatments for type 2 diabetes (T2D), it is important to consider not only efficacy and safety, but also other treatment attributes that have an impact on patient preference. The objective of this study was to examine preference between injection devices used for two weekly GLP‐1 receptor agonists.

Materials and Methods

The PREFER study was an open‐label, multicentre, randomized, crossover study assessing patient preference for dulaglutide and semaglutide injection devices among injection‐naïve patients receiving oral medication for type 2 diabetes. After being trained to use each device, participants performed all steps of injection preparation and administered mock injections into an injection pad. Time‐to‐train (TTT) for each device was assessed in a subset.

Results

There were 310 evaluable participants (48.4% female; mean age, 60.0 years; 78 participants in the TTT subgroup). More participants preferred the dulaglutide device than the semaglutide device (84.2% vs. 12.3%; P < 0.0001). More participants perceived the dulaglutide device to have greater ease of use (86.8% vs. 6.8%; P < 0.0001). After preparing and using the devices, more participants were willing to use the dulaglutide device (93.5%) than the semaglutide device (45.8%). Training participants to use the dulaglutide device required less time than the semaglutide device (3.38 vs. 8.14 minutes; P < 0.0001).

Conclusions

Participants with type 2 diabetes preferred the dulaglutide injection device to the semaglutide injection device. If patients prefer a device, they may be more willing to use the medication, which could result in better health outcomes. Furthermore, a shorter training time for injection devices may be helpful in busy clinical practice settings.
Water and heat availability are drivers of the aboveground plant carbon accumulation rate in alpine grasslands on the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Sun Jian , Zhou Tian‐Cai , Liu Miao , Chen You‐Chao , Liu Guo‐Hua , Xu Ming , Shi Pei‐Li , Peng Fei , Tsunekawa Atsushi , Liu Yu , Wang Xiao‐Dan , Dong Shi‐Kui , Zhang Yang‐Jian , Li Ying‐Nian
Published: October 2019

Aim

Climate change is expected to have important effects on plant phenology and carbon storage, with further shifts predicted in the future. Therefore, we proposed the community carbon accumulation rate (CAR) from the start of the growing season (SOS) to the peak of the growing season (POS) to fill the gap that the dynamic interactions between plant phenology and plant carbon research.

Location

Tibetan Plateau.

Major taxa

Alpine grassland plants.

Time period

2015.

Methods

We conducted a transect survey across grasslands to measure community aboveground net primary production and carbon concentration. Additionally, phenology indicator data (SOS and POS) were extracted from the Global Inventory Modeling and Mapping Studies (GIMMS) normalized difference vegetation index version 3 database. Next, we used ‘changepoint’ analysis to detect the patterns of CARs, and performed linear regression and one‐way ANOVA to explore the variability of CARs in response to the environmental factors. Ultimately, the total effects of environmental factors on CARs were illustrated by a structural equation model.

Results

Our results indicated that three CAR patterns were detected, which are low‐CAR (0.15 g/m2/day), medium‐CAR (0.31 g/m2/day) and high‐CAR (0.84 g/m2/day) patterns. We found that the availabilities of water and heat mediated CARs by regulating soil nutrition variability, and that drought climate and insufficient soil resources co‐constrained the community CAR at long time‐scales. In contrast, high CAR could be explained by more water and heat availability via either direct or indirect effects on soil moisture and soil nutrients.

Main conclusions

Our findings highlight that water and heat availability are critical driving factors in ecological carbon accumulation processes undergoing climate change. Meanwhile, the vegetative phenology also has important effect on carbon accumulation. Consequently, we propose incorporating the dynamic interactions between plant phenology and plant carbon into the ecological carbon cycle model to improve our understanding of resource utilization and survival strategies of plants under environmental change.
The enzyme‐oriented regulation of theaflavin‐3, 3′‐digallate synthesis and the accurate determination of its yield
Authors: Ding Yangping , Chen Bingcan , Suo Huayi , Tong Huarong
Published: October 2019

Theaflavin‐3,3′‐digallate (TFDG) is the main product formed by oxidative condensation between (−)‐Epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate (EGCG) and (−)‐Epicatechin‐3‐gallate (ECG). Some sub‐products, such as homo‐ and hetero‐oligomers of EGCG and ECG, are also produced simultaneously, which significantly decreases the yield of TFDG. In general, the optimum temperature for TFDG synthesis is 20 °C below which can reduce its generation resulting in the coexistence of a large amount of unreacted substrates (ECG and EGCG). Therefore, a higher possibility of increasing the formation of TFDG could be achieved if a suitable synthetic method can be developed at a low temperature. Our results showed that simultaneous dropwise addition of both EGCG and ECG could markedly enhance the content of TFDG at ice bath. Using such technique, the production of TFDG increased by 47.60% as compared to the group synthesised under the optimum temperature. The absorbance of TFDG at 278 nm is 2.36 times higher than that of ECG with equimolar concentration. Therefore, a rapid, simple and accurate calculation method of TFDG yield was developed via the spectral correlation. Based on the counting method, the yield of TFDG was 30.58% by using the novel synthetic method of TFDG.
Immunotoxicity from checkpoint inhibitor therapy: clinical features and underlying mechanisms
Authors: Fessas Petros , Possamai Lucia A. , Clark James , Daniels Ella , Gudd Cathrin , Mullish Benjamin H. , Alexander James L. , Pinato David J.
Published: October 2019

Immune checkpoint inhibition with monoclonal antibodies is becoming increasingly commonplace in cancer medicine, having contributed to a widening of therapeutic options across oncological indications. Disruption of immune tolerance is the key mechanism of action of checkpoint inhibitors and although immune‐related adverse events are a typical class effect of these compounds, the relationship between toxicity and response is not fully understood. Awareness and vigilance are paramount in recognizing potentially life‐threatening toxicities and managing them in a timely manner. In this review article, we provide an overview of the clinical features, pathological findings and management principles of common immune‐related toxicities, attempting to provide mechanistic insight into an increasingly common complication of cancer therapy.
Unusual variants of pre‐excitation: From anatomy to ablation: Part III—Clinical presentation, electrophysiologic characteristics, when and how to ablate nodoventricular, nodofascicular, fasciculoventricular pathways, along with considerations of permanent junctional reciprocating tachycardia
Authors: Soares Correa Frederico , Lokhandwala Yash , Sánchez‐Quintana Damián , Mori Shumpei , Anderson Robert H. , Wellens Hein J. J. , Back Sternick Eduardo
Published: October 2019

The recognition of the presence, location, and properties of unusual accessory pathways for atrioventricular conduction is an exciting, but frequently a difficult, challenge for the clinical cardiac arrhythmologist. In this third part of our series of reviews, we discuss the different steps required to come to the correct diagnosis and management decision in patients with nodofascicular, nodoventricular, and fasciculo‐ventricular pathways. We also discuss the concealed accessory atrioventricular pathways with the properties of decremental retrograde conduction that are associated with the so‐called permanent form of junctional reciprocating tachycardia.

Careful analysis of the 12‐lead electrocardiogram during sinus rhythm and tachycardias should always precede the investigation in the catheterization room. When using programmed electrical stimulation of the heart from different intracardiac locations, combined with activation mapping, it should be possible to localize both the proximal and distal ends of the accessory connections. This, in turn, should then permit the determination of their electrophysiologic properties, providing the answer to the question “are they incorporated in a tachycardia circuit?”. It is this information that is essential for decision‐making with regard to the need for catheter ablation, and if necessary, its appropriate site.
Dissent Aversion and Sequential Voting in the Brazilian Supreme Court
Authors: de Mendonça Lopes Felipe
Published: October 2019

The literature on judicial behavior indicates that dissent is costly to the individual judge, for it means an increased workload and the incurrence of reputational costs. This observation leads to the concept of dissent aversion, which is the notion that judges may refrain from dissenting, even though they disagree with the court's position, in order to avoid those costs. In this article, I explore the fact that voting at the Brazilian Supreme Court is sequential, and that this sequence varies in almost every single case, to generate a quasi‐experiment that allows for a clearer identification of dissent aversion than is found in other contexts. The main idea is that after a majority has been formed, the justices who vote in sequence know that their votes cannot change the outcome of the case. Hence, they may deviate from their preferred votes and join the majority to avoid the costs of dissenting. Using a unique dataset with vote‐level data of all abstract review cases heard by the full Court from 1990 until 2015, this study finds strong evidence of dissent aversion in the Brazilian Supreme Court. Judges who vote after the pivotal judge are significantly less likely to dissent.
On the Relationship between Domestic Saving and the Current Account: Evidence and Theory for Developing Countries
Authors: BRUECKNER MARKUS , PACZOS WOJTEK , PAPPA EVI
Published: October 2019

We examine the relationship between domestic saving and the current account in developing countries. Our three main findings are that: (i) domestic saving has a small effect on the current account; (ii) domestic saving has a significant positive effect on the trade balance—this effect is much larger than the effect that domestic saving has on the current account; and (iii) domestic saving has a significant negative effect on net‐current transfers. We use countries in the SSA region during the period 1980‐2009 as a laboratory for an instrumental variables (IV) approach. The IV approach enables to obtain estimates of causal effects. Underlying the IV approach is the significant positive first‐stage response of domestic saving to plausibly exogenous annual rainfall: an unanticipated, transitory supply‐side shock. We construct a small open‐economy DSGE model with debt adjustment costs and endogenous current transfers to match the empirical findings. The model enables to examine the relationship between domestic saving and the current account for different types of shocks. An important message of our paper is that, for developing countries, estimates of the relationship between domestic saving and domestic investment are not informative for answering the question how domestic saving affects a country's accumulation of net foreign assets.
A disadvantage of cesarean section en caul: Umbilical velamentous insertion, a risk factor and proposed mechanism of neonatal anemia
Authors: Shibata Takashi , Nakago Satoshi , Nishikawa Shigeki , Fukuoka Yasunori , Iizuka Noriaki , Kotsuji Fumikazu
Published: October 2019

Cesarean section en caul could cause neonatal anemia, but the mechanism remains unknown. We demonstrate an association between neonatal anemia and velamentous insertion of the umbilical cord in cesarean section en caul, and suggest a way to make this procedure safer. We performed cesarean section en caul, but the placenta and the membrane sac were delivered separately. The neonate was severely anemic. The umbilical cord was attached to the membrane and the blood vessel connecting the umbilical cord and placenta was torn. The amniotic membrane covering the placental surface had peeled away. Velamentous insertion of the umbilical cord could be a cause of neonatal anemia associated with cesarean section en caul.