bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Understanding extended information seeking
Authors: Zha Xianjin , Huang Chengsong , Yan Yalan , Yan Guanxiang , Wang Xue , Zhang Kun
Published: September 2020

Purpose

This study aims to explore the mechanisms of extended information seeking, which is the combination of extended information technologies (IT) use behavior and information-seeking behavior. The purpose is to identify the factors that shape extended information seeking from the perspectives of psychological empowerment and attachment.

Design/methodology/approach

A research model was developed based on prior theory and literature. Survey data were collected, and the partial least squares (PLS) structural equation modeling was used to verify the research model.

Findings

Psychological empowerment is a well-constructed second-order construct, having a larger positive effect on extended information seeking. Digital libraries attachment has a positive effect on extended information seeking.

Practical implications

Accessing digital libraries does not mean using digital libraries effectively. Managers of digital libraries should design various specific information activities to help users enhance psychological empowerment. They should provide more available and responsive services for users to enhance digital libraries attachment.

Originality/value

Drawing on the adaptive structuration theory, this study examines extended information seeking by combining extended use of digital libraries and information seeking, presenting a new lens for digital library and information seeking research.
Management response to negative comments, psychological distance and product nature: a consumer perspective
Authors: Zheng Chundong , Yuan Liping , Bian Xuemei , Wang Han , Huang Lei
Published: September 2020

Purpose

Management response to consumer comments has become a widely adopted marketing strategy to address the undesirable effects caused by negative remarks. Yet, when and what management response is more effective and under what circumstances remains under-researched. This study aims to fill this gap.

Design/methodology/approach

In three experiments using five different products, the authors manipulate psychological construal level (psychological distance: distant vs proximal) and management response (response of primary vs secondary features) and thereafter assess their bearings on consumer psychological and behavioral reaction toward products of two distinctive natures (hedonic vs utilitarian).

Findings

At a psychological distance, consumers show a preferable reaction to management response of primary over secondary features. In contrast, when the psychological distance is proximal, consumers react more positively to management response of secondary than primary features. In addition, these effects vary as a function of product nature, hedonic vs utilitarian.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of this research bring a significant contribution to marketing communication literature and extend the construal level theory.

Practical implications

A better understanding of the relative effectiveness of distinct types of management response to negative consumer comments is essential for more targeted and effective marketing strategies.

Originality/value

Little research has documented the effects of distinct types of management response. How psychological distance might underpin these effects has not been explored. In addition, whether the interaction effect of management response and psychological distance varies with differences in product nature, namely, hedonic and utilitarian, remains unanswered until this research.
Instruments for investment protection when structuring Islamic venture capital
Authors: Ibrahim Abdul-Jalil , Kahf Monzer
Published: September 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to explore how Sharīʿah-compliant instruments can be used to protect investments and attract investors to Islamic venture capital (IVC). Equity investments in Islamic finance are trailing behind their potential value. This is partly due to the limited instruments available to protect investors, as most of the tools used in conventional venture capital (VC) are deemed Sharīʿah non-compliant.

Design/methodology/approach

The research amends and uses Wright Robbie’s (1998) VC structure and how it can be used to finance small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The study uses secondary data reported in the literature and the expertise of the Sharīʿah scholarship.

Findings

There are Sharīʿah-compliant instruments available for IVC that can be used to protect investments and incentivize potential investors to promote investments in SMEs. At the various stages of the IVC process, preference shares, perpetual mudharabah, diminishing musharakah, musharakah with murabahah, musharakah with qard, negligence clauses, liquidation preference, warrants and supermajority clauses can all be used with appropriate conditions to protect investors and offer incentives for them to invest in IVC.

Practical implications

The research provides a method for screening and evaluating potential deals for SMEs using an amended VC called an IVC scheme with a focus on Sharīʿah-compliant investment protection instruments. The method can promote SMEs and entrepreneurship and financial inclusion for Sharīʿah-compliant investors.

Originality/value

This study contributes new ideas to how IVC can be structured, taking into consideration Sharīʿah constraints. The paper addresses investors’ protection and incentives to attract Sharīʿah-compliant investors, which have been lacking in the literature.
Leadership and management culture within dental practice: a case study
Authors: Modha Bhaven
Published: September 2020

Purpose

This case study aims to explore how leadership and management applies to a hypothetical scenario, focussing on a dental practice. As a teaching exercise, it may enable dentists and allied workers to reflect on the leadership and management styles used within their workplaces, and on their own abilities.

Design/methodology/approach

The hypothetical scenario considers a dental practice, its organisational structure, and leadership and management practices. The contemporary leadership and management theories of transformational leadership and contingency management are next discussed. These are then compared with the practices used in the dental practice. The case study concludes with recommendations.

Findings

The hypothetical scenario reveals that bureaucratic and transactional leadership and management culture exists within the dental practice, which may be attributable to many factors. The case study suggests that no single manner of leadership and management is completely correct or greater than another. There may be a need for bureaucratic, transactional, transformational, contingency and other approaches, and only if they shall be used in the best interests of the workforce and workplace.

Originality/value

Many dental practice workers may be oblivious to their own leadership and management techniques, and thus, the resultant impact on teammates. Negative approaches may contribute towards poor morale and a high turnover of staff. To become more skilful at applying certain approaches to given situations, dentists and allied workers may well need to pursue continuing professional development training in leadership and management.
Data sharing, international property practices and the GDPR: communicating with your consumers
Authors: Cradduck Lucy , Stevens Scarlett , Cowan Matthew
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the requirements of the General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”) in order to: identify its requirements for the Australian and New Zealand based members of multi-national property firms (“MNPF”); and understand how those firms are currently engaging with customers regarding the obligations the GDPR imposes.

Design/methodology/approach

The research was undertaken by means of doctrinal legal research that engaged with statutory law, related policy documents, accessible private firm documents and website materials, and academic and other related writings. The authors considered these in the context of the GDPR's requirements, and how relevant obligations were communicated to the public on the MNPF Australian and New Zealand members' websites.

Findings

The research confirms the available literature's observations of the GDPR's broad reach and the firms to which it applies. The difficulties experienced in locating relevant information highlights the need for a change to firm processes to ensure that any communication obligations are met. The cases engaged with also serve to highlight the need to ensure that the actual practice is consistent with required GDPR processes.

Research limitations/implications

The research faced three limitations. First: there was a limited number of relevant Australian and New Zealand based property related firms available to consider: not all property related firms were members of a MNPF or had business partners or customers/clients in the European Union or European Economic Area. Second: one of the relevant firms had already identified it was withdrawing from the Australian market. Third: there was a lack of public access to all materials as, while privacy policies as required by domestic laws were readily accessible, access was not readily available to GDPR related or required information or documents.

Originality/value

The research adds to the academic literature in this emerging area of international legal obligation.
Space bioethics: Why we need it and why it should be a feminist space bioethics
Authors: Szocik Konrad
Published: September 2020

Space philosophy offers rich insights in the future and is already well‐developed new branch of philosophy. However, space philosophers still do not pay much attention to a number of bioethical issues that may occur in space. This paper aims to introduce space bioethics, as a new branch in space philosophy, space ethics and space policy, to the philosophical and bioethical discourse. The basic issues discussed in space bioethics include—but are not limited to—human reproduction in space and human enhancement for space. This paper concludes that the new space bioethics should be a feminist new bioethics that is free from many of the historical biases associated with a male‐centred perspective in philosophy and bioethics. Bioethical issues in space have also impact on future political decisions related to objectives and nature of space missions.
Shared decision‐making among people with problematic alcohol/other drug use and co‐occurring mental health conditions: A systematic review
Authors: Fisher Alana , Mills Katherine , Teesson Maree , Marel Christina
Published: September 2020

Introduction and Aims

Over half of people presenting to alcohol/other drug (AOD) treatment services also have a mental health condition. Guidelines support numerous viable treatment options, meaning that treatment decisions need to be evidence based and patients' preferences need to be considered. Shared decision‐making (SDM) facilitates evidence‐ and preference‐based decisions and is well researched in other health‐care areas. Little is known, however, about people's attitudes towards and experience of SDM in co‐occurring AOD and mental health conditions.

Design and Methods

Systematic literature review via key database searches MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Scopus, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Database of Systematic Reviews (January 2000–July 2019). Two independent reviewers assessed study eligibility, extracted data and rated study quality using a validated tool.

Results

Of 2393 articles identified, 10 studies were retained for final inclusion. The reviewed studies suggested that SDM is a well‐accepted and preferred approach to treatment decision‐making. SDM‐based interventions are viewed as feasible, acceptable and useful; are associated with improvements in the quality of the decision‐making process and the decision made; and have accrued less consistent evidence to support improvements in patient‐related outcomes (e.g. symptoms, treatment adherence/engagement).

Discussion and Conclusions

This is the first rigorous synthesis of the empirical literature on SDM in co‐occurring AOD and mental health conditions. SDM remains a nascent area of research in comorbidity treatment. Preliminary evidence supports SDM's acceptability, feasibility and utility in managing mental health and AOD comorbidities. Further research is needed to build the evidence base, especially with regard to the efficacy of SDM at improving patient‐related outcomes.
Comparison of shear bond strengths with different bevel preparations for the reattachment of fractured fragments of maxillary central incisors
Authors: Ghoreishizadeh Arezou , Mohammadi Foorough , Rezayi Yashar , Ghavimi Mohammadali , Pourlak Tannaz
Published: September 2020

Background/Aims

Fractures of anterior teeth are a highly prevalent form of dental trauma. Among the various treatment options, reattachment of the fractured part to the remaining tooth has a lot of advantages. The aim of this study was to compare different bevel preparation techniques when reattaching fractured fragments to maxillary central incisors.

Methods

This study was performed on 52 maxillary central incisors that were randomly divided into 3 experimental groups and 1 control group. In the control group, the repair was done by attaching the fractured fragment using bonding and composite resin without any bevel preparation. In the second and third groups, the bevel preparation was done to a depth of 0.5 mm before attachment of the fragment on the palatal side of the fracture and on the labial and palatal sides, respectively. In the fourth group, after tooth preparation, a 0.5 mm composite veneer was placed on the labial surface. The amount of force needed to refracture the tooth was measured with a universal testing machine, and shear bond strength was calculated in MPa.

Results

The mean and standard deviation (mean ± SD) of shear bond strengths in the control group were 81.48 ± 8.18 MPa. In the palatal bevel group, they were 97.74 ± 11.41 MPa; in the labial and palatal bevel group, 131.56 ± 9.25 MPa; and in the composite veneer group, 104.36 ± 5.50 MPa. Significant differences were observed between the groups, but there was no significant difference between the palatal bevel and composite veneer groups.

Conclusions

Reattachment of the fractured fragments by all three methods increased the shear bond strength. The highest shear bond strength was obtained when both labial and palatal bevels were used.
Native and agricultural grassland use by stable and declining bumble bees in Midwestern North America
Authors: Rosenberger Derek W. , Conforti McKenna L.
Published: September 2020

Bumble bees are important pollinators in both natural and anthropogenic systems. In recent years, some species have suffered declines, including in the American Midwest. While loss of floral resources and grassland habitat may contribute to these declines, little is known about how native versus agricultural grasslands affect bumble bee populations.

We conducted 3 years of bumble bee population and floral use surveys across restored tallgrass prairie, bison pasture, and cattle pasture in Northern Illinois.

We found 1.75–3.5 times more bumble bees in native plant dominant tallgrass prairie than in exotic‐dominant pasture sites. In addition, bumble bees were two times more abundant in bison pasture than in cattle pasture. Bumble bee species richness was approximately 1.5–2 times greater in prairie, while richness was comparable in the two pasture sites. Habitat‐dependent abundance and richness were driven by individual bumble bee species habitat preferences.

Across habitats, native Monarda fistulosa was highly favoured by foraging bumble bees, particularly by the regionally declining B. auricomus. In the absence of native species, exotic Trifolium pratense and Daucus carota were important forage sources in pastures.

These results indicate that grassland management practises to shift grassland plant communities towards native‐dominant over exotic‐dominant communities may strengthen bumble bee populations, although these effects will likely be Bombus species‐dependent. Our findings highlight the need to understand the impacts of habitat on specific bumble bee species, as this will be critical in developing conservation plans for declining populations now and in the future.
Biases of Odonata in Habitats Directive: Trends, trend drivers, and conservation status of European threatened Odonata
Authors: Tang Dorothy Hok Yau , Visconti Piero
Published: September 2020

Dragonflies and damselflies, within the order of Odonata, are important ecological indicators with widely recognised conservation value. They are generally better researched and protected than other invertebrates, yet, they have received limited protection from the European Union (EU)'s Habitats Directive, which serves as the major legislative tool for species conservation in Europe.

We reviewed the conservation status and trends, legal protection status, and knowledge gaps of Odonates within the EU. Among the 22 threatened and 27 endemic species in EU, respectively 19 and 11 of them are not protected by the Directive. Out of the 35 species which are threatened and/or listed on the Annexes, 61.5% of them are declining.

Nevertheless, threatened non‐Annex species are more likely to have a decreasing population trend than Annex species. There are also 26% of threatened non‐Annex species with unknown trends. Inaccuracies in evaluating Odonata trends are also revealed due to the lack of standardised methodology and incomplete surveys.

Moreover, most conservation research focuses on climate change's effects on range shift, therefore knowledge gaps exist in understating how water and habitat qualities, the most important Odonate trend drivers, shape Odonata conservation status.

There is an urgent need to revise the legal protection status of Odonata in Europe, for instance by revising the EU Habitats Directive Annexes to include threatened damselflies and dragonflies.

There is also an urgent need for systematic, standardised, and regular survey to be able to investigate trends and drivers of change to identify priority conservation actions.
Relevance of collagen solubility and gelatinolytic proteinase activity for texture softening in chilled grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) fillets
Authors: Shen Jiandong , Yu Dawei , Gao Pei , Xu Yanshun , Jiang Qixing , Xia Wenshui
Published: September 2020

The aim of the present study was to investigate the underlying mechanisms of softening texture in chilled grass carp filletsunderpinning collagen solubility, gelatinolytic proteinase activity and physicochemical parameters. Acid‐soluble collagen (ASC) and heat soluble collagen (HSC) increased markedly, while a significant decline was detected in total collagen and insoluble collagen (ISC) during the first 3 days of storage, coinciding with a loss of shear force and water‐holding capacity (WHC) (P < 0.05). Moreover, the activity of gelatinolytic proteinases was gradually activated and reached the peak at day 3 (P < 0.05). Pearson coefficient analysis showed that gelatinolytic proteinase activity revealed a significant correlation with collagen solubility. Total collagen, ASC, ISC and HSC were significantly correlated with shear force and WHC. Our study clarified that the increase of collagen solubility by gelatinolytic proteinases played an important role for texture softening in the early stage of chilled grass carp fillets.
Evaluation of collagen cross‐linking techniques for the stabilization of tissue matrices
Authors: Simmons DM , Kearney JN
Published: September 2020

The use of glutaraldehyde (GTA) for cross‐linking biological tissue implants has a number of undesirable side effects, including cytotoxicity and induction of calcification. In an attempt to find an improved cross‐linking agent for tissue implants, we have evaluated a number of cross‐linking procedures shown previously to be effective with pure collagen or collagenous substrates, including GTA, succinic anhydride, cyanamide, 1‐ethyl‐3‐(dimethylaminopropyl)carbodi‐imide, dimethyl suberimidate, ascorbate‐copper, glucose‐lysine and acyl azide treatments. Apart from GTA, only acyl azide treatment significantly cross‐linked human dermis, the degree of cross‐linking being better than that seen after treatment of dermis with 1 mM GTA. Acyl azide treatment of thicker vascular tissue (porcine aorta) also resulted in a significantly cross‐linked tissue. Preliminary cytotoxicity studies suggested that acyl azide treatment was not toxic, and, therefore, coupled with its cross‐linking ability, this treatment is worthy of further investigation and may prove to be an alternative to GTA for the treatment of bioprostheses.
Phosphoinositide‐dependent Kinase‐1 (PDPK1) regulates serum/glucocorticoid‐regulated Kinase 3 (SGK3) for prostate cancer cell survival
Authors: Nalairndran Geetha , Hassan Abdul Razack Azad , Mai Chun‐Wai , Fei‐Lei Chung Felicia , Chan Kok‐Keong , Hii Ling‐Wei , Lim Wei‐Meng , Chung Ivy , Leong Chee‐Onn
Published: September 2020

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common malignancy and is the second leading cause of cancer among men globally. Using a kinome‐wide lentiviral small‐hairpin RNA (shRNA) library screen, we identified phosphoinositide‐dependent kinase‐1 (PDPK1) as a potential mediator of cell survival in PCa cells. We showed that knock‐down of endogenous human PDPK1 induced significant tumour‐specific cell death in PCa cells (DU145 and PC3) but not in the normal prostate epithelial cells (RWPE‐1). Further analyses revealed that PDPK1 mediates cancer cell survival predominantly via activation of serum/glucocorticoid‐regulated kinase 3 (SGK3). Knock‐down of endogenous PDPK1 in DU145 and PC3 cells significantly reduced SGK3 phosphorylation while ectopic expression of a constitutively active SGK3 completely abrogated the apoptosis induced by PDPK1. In contrast, no such effect was observed in SGK1 and AKT phosphorylation following PDPK1 knock‐down. Importantly, PDPK1 inhibitors (GSK2334470 and BX‐795) significantly reduced tumour‐specific cell growth and synergized docetaxel sensitivity in PCa cells. In summary, our results demonstrated that PDPK1 mediates PCa cells’ survival through SGK3 signalling and suggest that inactivation of this PDPK1‐SGK3 axis may potentially serve as a novel therapeutic intervention for future treatment of PCa.
Effect of moderate hydrostatic pressures on the enzymatic activity and bioactive composition of pineapple by‐products
Authors: Santos Diana I. , Pinto Carlos A. , Corrêa‐Filho Luiz C. , Saraiva Jorge A. , Vicente António A. , Moldão‐Martins Margarida
Published: September 2020

The application of abiotic stresses by moderate hydrostatic pressures (MHP) is still underdeveloped. Abiotic stresses allow activating the enzymatic complexes inducing the synthesis of de novo bioactive compounds. Pineapple by‐products are rich in bromelain and bioactive compounds that can be enhanced through abiotic stresses. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of MHP on the enzymatic activity of pineapple by‐products. Pineapple by‐products were submitted to MHP (50–400 MPa between 1 and 15 min) according to a central composite factorial design matrix. Samples were stored at 5 ± 1°C for 24 hr, to allow enzymatic activity to occur. Enzymatic and antioxidant activities and total phenolic compounds (TPC) were quantified. MHP promoted a 262% increase in the phenylalanine ammonia‐lyase activity and 36% increase in TPC, in shell samples. In core the activity of bromelain increased 350%. These results pinpoint the potential to increase the value of pineapple by‐products by enhancing the amounts of bioactive compounds through MHP application.

Practical application

Abiotic stresses can enhance enzyme activity, inducing the synthesis of bioactive compounds in living tissues. Hydrostatic pressure is an innovative nonthermal process that can be used to stabilize or increase enzymes' activity present in by‐products generated in the minimally processed fruit and vegetables industry. Moderate hydrostatic pressure (MHP) act as abiotic stress inducing de novo phenols synthesis and enhancing bromelain activity. After treatment, enriched material could be stabilized and then blended with foods and beverages to improve nutraceutical properties and help in the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases. The study demonstrates that MHP (150–250 MPa) applied to the pineapple core and pineapple shell produce a phenolic and bromelain rich product.
Examination of how social media can inform the management of volunteers during a flood disaster
Authors: Sharp Elizabeth N. , Carter Holly
Published: September 2020

This research examines the ways in which social media is used to organize and manage volunteers during a flood. Flooding is currently one of the top risks highlighted within the UK National Risk Register and ways to help those affected need to be explored further. Social media is a valuable tool in disaster management as it enables information to be passed quickly and effectively to its target audience. Through semi‐structured interviews with those who have experienced a flood disaster or worked during a flood recovery, we examined the potential role of social media, as well as traditional media, before, during, and in response to a flood. Interviews showed that the use of social media during a flood saved time and reached a larger audience than traditional media outlets (i.e., email, telephone). Social media was reported to be particularly useful for facilitating recruitment and management of volunteers, and for gathering equipment required during the recovery phase of a flood disaster. Our findings demonstrate that social media can play a crucial role in facilitating effective organization and management of volunteers during flood disasters.
The expression and clinical significance of an Epithelial‐Mesenchymal Transition inducer, SNAI1, in head and neck carcinoma
Authors: Zhao Houyu , Ling Junjun , Huang Yi , Chang Aoshuang , Zhuo Xianlu
Published: September 2020

Background

SNAI1 is an epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) inducer, which has been indicated to play a role in the progression of cancers. We aimed to evaluate the expression and prognostic roles of SNAI1 in head and neck carcinoma (HNC).

Methods

The study involved two major phases. In the in silico phase, the SNAI1 expression and its association with clinical features as well as its prognostic values were assessed; then, the target genes of SNAI1 were predicted and the relationship between SNAI1 expression and immune cell infiltration was evaluated. In the validation phase, a cohort of a tissue microarray (47 cases) and a cohort of HNC patients (68 cases) were enrolled. SNAI1 was detected by using an immunochemistry assay.

Results

The in silico analysis showed that overexpression of SNAI1 in HNC tissues may be correlated with metastatic lymph node numbers and may predict poor outcomes. Six genes, including CREB3L1, MITF, KLF9, RARA, KLF7, and ETV1, were predicted to be the target genes of SNAI1. The expression of SNAI1 was negatively correlated with tumor purity of HNC, while it was positively correlated with the infiltration of diverse immune cells, such as B cells and macrophages. In the validation phase, the relationships of SNAI1 expression with lymph node metastasis and poor prognosis were verified.

Conclusion

Overexpression of SNAI1 might promote lymph node metastasis through complex molecular mechanisms and act as a prognostic indicator in HNC. SNAI1 expression may have a correlation with immune cell infiltrates. Future studies are needed to address these points.
GES: A validated simple score to predict the risk of HCC in patients with HCV‐GT4‐associated advanced liver fibrosis after oral antivirals
Authors: Shiha Gamal , Waked Imam , Soliman Reham , Elbasiony Mohamed , Gomaa Asmaa , Mikhail Nabiel N. H. , Eslam Mohammed
Published: September 2020

Background & Aims

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk persists after hepatitis C virus (HCV) eradication with direct‐acting antivirals (DAAs), particularly in patients with cirrhosis. Identifying those who are likely to develop HCC is a critical unmet medical need. Our aim is to develop a score that offers individualized patient HCC risk prediction.

Methods

This two‐centre prospective study included 4400 patients, with cirrhosis and advanced fibrosis who achieved a sustained virologic response (SVR), including 2372 patients (derivation cohort). HCC‐associated factors were identified by multivariable Cox regression analysis to develop a scoring model for prediction of HCC risk; and subsequently internally and externally validated in two independent cohorts of 687 and 1341 patients.

Results

In the derivation cohort, the median follow‐up was 23.51 ± 8.21 months, during which 109 patients (4.7%) developed HCC. Age, sex, serum albumin, α fetoprotein and pretreatment fibrosis stage were identified as risk factors for HCC. A simple predictive model (GES) score was constructed. The 2‐year cumulative HCC incidence using Kaplan‐Meier method was 1.2%, 3.3% and 7.1% in the low‐risk, medium‐risk and high‐risk groups respectively. Internal and external validation showed highly significant difference among the three risk groups (P < .001) with regard to cumulative HCC risk. GES score has high predictive ability value (Harrell's C statistic 0.801), that remained robustly consistent across two independent validation cohorts (Harrell's C statistic 0.812 and 0.816).

Conclusion

GES score is simple with validated good predictive ability for the development of HCC after eradication of HCV and may be useful for HCC risk stratification in those patients.
Issue Engagement Across Members of Parliament: The Role of Issue Specialization and Party Leadership
Authors: Meyer Thomas M. , Wagner Markus
Published: September 2020

Studies on political communication in multiparty democracies usually focus on political parties as unitary actors and how they engage with each other in election campaigns. We deviate from this approach and study how issue engagement (i.e., the degree to which party actors address the same issues) varies across members of parliament. We argue that MPs’ role in parliament affects how they engage with other legislators. In particular, we expect an intraparty division of labor, where each party’s policy specialists address the same issues. Moreover, party front benchers have a distinct way of communicating: they are more likely to engage with other party leaders rather than with policy specialists of rival parties. Using spatial lag models based on approximately 15,000 press releases by Austrian MPs, we find empirical support for these expectations. Our findings show the limitations of the “unitary actor” approach for studying issue engagement in European party systems.
The younger the milder clinical course of COVID‐19: Even in newborns?
Authors: Leung Char
Published: September 2020

Background

Milder symptoms were observed in children with COVID‐19. However, whether this also holds true for neonates is not known.

Methods

The clinical data of a total of 3213 patients aged 2 years or below, including 749 neonates, in Brazil nationwide were studied. Comparisons were made between neonate and infant patients by conducting statistical tests.

Results

Neonates appeared to bear more severe clinical courses. In addition to higher case fatality rates, newborns with COVID‐19 had much shorter time from symptom onset to death and longer time from symptom onset to discharge. Dyspnoea, sore throat and cough were more prominent in neonate patients, suggestive of both upper and lower respiratory tract infection, as opposed to upper respiratory tract symptoms mostly observed in children.

Conclusion

Findings suggested that trained immunity provides a possible explanation because the innate immune system in newborns is not “well‐trained” while that in adult tends to hyperactive.
Traditional threads tied on children in india trigger dermatitis and may contain carcinogens
Authors: Vijayasankar Palaniappan , Gopinath Hima , Karthikeyan Kaliaperumal
Published: September 2020

Background/Objectives

It is a common Indian custom to tie threads on the hip, neck, or wrist of infants and children.

Methods/results

A retrospective registry review was performed for 23 children (age range 5‐18 months) with threads tied around the hip/neck/forearm who presented with dermatitis. Analysis of one of the threads revealed the presence of three banned azo dyes and disperse yellow 3 (category 2B possible carcinogens).

Conclusion

Thread dermatitis is a unique cultural dermatosis. Dermatitis caused by threads may have multifactorial causes including friction, maceration, and contact dermatitis (allergic and/ or irritant) to the thread contents. Use of banned dyes still used to color these threads may be contributory to dermatitis, but there is also concern for health and environmental hazards to children. Strict regulation is needed in the manufacture of these threads to protect the health and welfare of young children.
PS48 promotes in vitro maturation and developmental competence of porcine oocytes through activating PI3K/Akt signalling pathway
Authors: Jiao Yafei , Zhu Shaoqian , Li Jiaojiao , Jam Zaheer Ahmed , Li Mengmei , Huang Ben
Published: September 2020

Oocyte maturation plays a vitally important role in porcine reproduction. Regrettably, the quality of oocytes matured in vitro is weaker than that of in vivo matured oocytes. We collected and cultivated porcine cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) in vitro with phosphoinositide‐dependent kinase 1 (PDK1) activator 5‐(4‐chloro‐phenyl)‐3‐phenyl‐pent‐2‐enoic acid (PS48), whose concentrations were 0, 2, 5, 10 and 20 µM to investigate whether the phosphatidylinositol‐3‐kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) signalling pathway would impact the oocyte quality. The results showed that 10 µM PS48 increased the oocyte proportion of metaphase II (MII) stage and improved the expansion of cumulus cells (CCs). What's more, the activation of PI3K/Akt signalling pathway could regulate the expression of maturation‐related genes and proteins. The results of quantitative real‐time PCR showed that 10 µM PS48 increased the mRNA and protein levels of Akt and regulated maturation‐related genes, including cyclin B1, MOS, BMP15, GDF9, CDC2, mTOR, BAX, BCL2 and caspase‐3. The results of Western blot indicated that 10µM PS48 increased the protein abundance of Akt, phosphorylation of Akt Thr308 (p‐AktThr308) and cyclin B1, but decreased the protein abundance of pro‐apoptotic BAX. These results suggested that adding 10 µM PS48 to mature culture medium could promote the maturation of porcine oocytes, potentially through activating the PI3K/Akt signalling pathway.
Howard Berg’s Random Walk through Biology
Authors: Manson Michael D.
Published: September 2020

This minireview presents the career of biophysicist Howard Berg from his first interest in bacterial chemotaxis and motility through the present. After a summary of some of his early work, a series of reminiscences of students, postdocs, colleagues, and family members is presented. In sum, these recollections capture the effect that Howard’s scientific life has had on the field of bacterial chemotaxis and motility and on the careers and lives of those who have interacted with him.
Time scales of syneruptive volatile loss in silicic magmas quantified by Li isotopes
Authors: Neukampf J. , Ellis B.S. , Laurent O. , Steinmann L.K. , Ubide T. , Oeser M. , Magna T. , Weyer S. , Bachmann O.
Published: September 2020

Most explosive, silicic volcanoes spend thousands of years in repose between eruptive events. The timing of the switch from repose to eruption is key to interpreting monitoring signals and improving the safety of people living close to active volcanoes. We addressed this question using a novel technique based on lithium isotopic (δ7Li) and elemental concentration profiles within plagioclase crystals from the Mesa Falls Tuff of the Yellowstone volcanic system (Idaho and Wyoming, USA), constraining volatile degassing to occur on minimum time scales of tens of minutes prior to eruption. During this ephemeral time, Li abundances drop by a factor of four to 10 from crystal cores to rims, accompanied by an increase in δ7Li of as much as 10‰, reflecting diffusion-driven equilibration between plagioclase cores and outgassed, Li-poor melt. New times scales obtained in this study show the potential for rapid syneruptive changes in the volatile inventory of magmas.
High-precision geochronology requires that ultrafast mantle-derived magmatic fluxes built the transcrustal Bear Valley Intrusive Suite, Sierra Nevada, California, USA
Authors: Klein Benjamin Z. , Jagoutz Oliver , Ramezani Jahandar
Published: September 2020

The Bear Valley Intrusive Suite (BVIS), located in the southernmost Sierra Nevada Batholith (SNB; California, USA) exposes a transcrustal magma system consisting of lower-crustal gabbros and volumetrically extensive middle- and upper-crustal tonalites. New chemical abrasion–isotope dilution–thermal ionization mass spectrometry U-Pb geochronology shows that the bulk of this ca. 100 Ma magmatic system crystallized in 1.39 ± 0.06 m.y. and was constructed with ultrahigh magmatic fluxes (∼250 km3/km/m.y.). This magmatic flux is roughly a factor of three greater than estimates for the SNB-wide flux during the Late Cretaceous flare-up, showing that individual magmatic systems can be constructed at extremely rapid rates. Further, the Hf isotopic composition of the BVIS (εHfi ∼–2 to +4) only allows for limited (∼25%) crustal assimilation. Our results show that the high magmatic fluxes recorded in the BVIS were dominantly derived from the mantle, and that “flare-up”–like local magmatic fluxes can be produced without extraordinary assimilation of crustal material.
Option Pricing Under Multifractional Process and Long-Range Dependence
Authors: Mattera Raffaele , Sciorio Fabrizio Di
Published: September 2020

We introduced a new method to compute the European Call (and Put) Option price under the assumption of multifractional Brownian motion (mBm). The reason why we need a procedure for estimating the Option price is due to the absence of a closed formula for this process. To compute the Option price, we first simulated the logarithmic price under mBm and, by using a discount factor, we computed the option’s pay-off. Then, we fitted the best probability distribution associated to the discounted pay-off, computing the European Call Option price as its average.
The Dissolution Rate of CaCO3 in the Ocean
Authors: Adkins Jess F. , Naviaux John D. , Subhas Adam V. , Dong Sijia , Berelson William M.
Published: September 2020

The dissolution of CaCO3 minerals in the ocean is a fundamental part of the marine alkalinity and carbon cycles. While there have been decades of work aimed at deriving the relationship between dissolution rate and mineral saturation state (a so-called rate law), no real consensus has been reached. There are disagreements between laboratory- and field-based studies and differences in rates for inorganic and biogenic materials. Rates based on measurements on suspended particles do not always agree with rates inferred from measurements made near the sediment–water interface of the actual ocean. By contrast, the freshwater dissolution rate of calcite has been well described by bulk rate measurements from a number of different laboratories, fit by basic kinetic theory, and well studied by atomic force microscopy and vertical scanning interferometry to document the processes at the atomic scale. In this review, we try to better unify our understanding of carbonate dissolution in the ocean via a relatively new, highly sensitive method we have developed combined with a theoretical framework guided by the success of the freshwater studies. We show that empirical curve fits of seawater data as a function of saturation state do not agree, largely because the curvature is itself a function of the thermodynamics. Instead, we show that models that consider both surface energetic theory and the complicated speciation of seawater and calcite surfaces in seawater are able to explain most of the most recent data.This new framework can also explain features of the historical data that have not been previously explained. The existence of a kink in the relationship between rate and saturation state, reflecting a change in dissolution mechanism, may be playing an important role in accelerating CaCO3 dissolution in key sedimentary environments.
Effect of Aqueous Extract of Adansonia digitata Stem Bark on the Development of Hypertension in L‐NAME‐Induced Hypertensive Rat Model
Authors: Ntchapda Fidèle , Bonabe Christian , Atsamo Albert Donatien , Kemeta Azambou David Romain , Bekono Fouda Yannick , Imar Djibrine Soudy , Seke Etet Paul F. , Théophile Dimo
Published: September 2020

Background. Adansonia digitata is a plant used against cardiovascular disorders in African folk medicine. We assessed the effects of the aqueous extract of its stem bark on the development of hypertension in L‐NAME‐induced hypertensive rats. Methods. The animals were administered L‐NAME once daily for 3 weeks (25 mg/kg, i.p.), concomitantly with aqueous extract of A. digitata stem bark (100 and 200 mg/kg, p.o.) or captopril (20 mg/kg, p.o.). Then, hemodynamic and electrocardiographic parameters, oxidative stress markers, and the lipid profile were assessed in the blood and heart, aorta, and kidney homogenates, and histopathological analyses were performed. Results. L‐NAME‐induced hypertensive control animals, but not the animals concomitantly treated with A. digitata extract, displayed increases in the mean arterial blood pressure (21.64% difference, p < 0.001, vs. dose 200 mg/kg), systolic arterial blood pressure (21.33%, p < 0.001), and the diastolic arterial blood pressure (21.84%, p < 0.001). In addition, hypertensive control animals displayed (i) increases in serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL, and creatinine levels, malondialdehyde and transaminase activities, and atherogenic index; (ii) decreases in serum HDL, catalase, reduced glutathione, and nitric oxide; and (iii) aorta wall thickening, inflammatory cell infiltration, and cell loss in the cardiac muscle and renal tissues. As captopril, the extract prevented hypertension‐like changes in lipid profile, cardiac, hepatic, and renal affection indicators, and oxidative stress markers. Conclusion. Our findings suggest that the extract of A. digitata has antihypertensive and antioxidant effects in L‐NAME‐induced hypertension rat models. These effects partly justify the traditional medicine use against cardiovascular disorders.
Earthquake Influence on the Rail Irregularity on High-Speed Railway Bridge
Authors: Lai Zhipeng , Kang Xin , Jiang Lizhong , Zhou Wangbao , Feng Yulin , Zhang Yuntai , Yu Jian , Nie Leixin
Published: September 2020

Rail irregularity is the leading cause of enhancing train-track coupling vibration and, therefore, should be studied in detail for safety requirements. In this study, the differences between existing rail irregularities without being subjected to an earthquake between different countries were first studied. Results show that existing power spectrum density and time-domain displacement samples of rail irregularities in the American code are the largest, while the irregularities of the Germany railway are higher than those of China in a specific range of rail wavelengths. Afterward, the effects of earthquake intensity, soil site, and duration on the rail irregularity of a Chinese typical high-speed railway bridge were investigated. For this purpose, a finite element model was established and validated by the shaking table test of a 1/12-scaled high-speed railway bridge experimental specimen. The calculation results indicated that the influences of earthquakes on the rail alignment irregularity were evident.
Combination of Astragalus membranaceous and Angelica sinensis Ameliorates Vascular Endothelial Cell Dysfunction by Inhibiting Oxidative Stress
Authors: Yin Yonghui , Li Hui , Chen Yumin , Zhu Ranran , Li Li , Zhang Xinying , Zhou Ji , Wang Zichen , Li Xiaoli
Published: September 2020

Vascular endothelial dysfunction is an essential and early sign of diabetic macroangiopathy, a primary complication of diabetes mellitus. Astragalus membranaceous‐Angelica sinensis is a classic medical combination applied in China to treat diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the granule form of the extract produced from the dried root of Astragalus membranaceous (AM) combination with the granule form of the extract produced from the dried Angelica sinensis (AS) on diabetic macroangiopathy and its underlying mechanism. Herein, rats were treated by AM‐AS at a ratio of 3 : 2 via intragastric administration. High glucose‐induced human umbilical vein vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) were then treated with drug‐containing serum collected from the rats. In high glucose‐treated HUVECs, AM‐AS combination increased cell viability (P < 0.05), decreased the percentage of apoptotic cells (P < 0.05) and the expression of the proapoptosis protein caspase 3 (P < 0.05), reduced the proportion of cells in the G0/G1 phase (P < 0.05), decreased reactive oxygen species level (P < 0.05), enhanced cell migration and invasion (P < 0.05), and reduced the level of 8‐iso‐prostaglandin F2alpha. These results indicate that AM‐AS combination at the ratio of 3 : 2 ameliorated HUVEC dysfunction by regulating apoptosis, cell migration, and invasion, which might be mediated by their regulatory effect on reactive oxygen species production. The current study provides a theoretical basis for the treatment of diabetic macroangiopathy using AM‐AS.
Some Qualitative Properties of Traveling Wave Fronts of Nonlocal Diffusive Competition-Cooperation Systems of Three Species with Delays
Authors: Yao Meiping , Qiao Pengzhi , Wang Yang
Published: September 2020

This paper is concerned with nonlocal diffusion systems of three species with delays. By modified version of Ikehara’s theorem, we prove that the traveling wave fronts of such system decay exponentially at negative infinity, and one component of such solutions also decays exponentially at positive infinity. In order to obtain more information of the asymptotic behavior of such solutions at positive infinity, for the special kernels, we discuss the asymptotic behavior of such solutions of such system without delays, via the stable manifold theorem. In addition, by using the sliding method, the strict monotonicity and uniqueness of traveling wave fronts are also obtained.
Eradication of Lomentospora prolificans Osteomyelitis of the Wrist with Combination Antifungal Therapy, Voriconazole Bone Cement, and Surgical Debridement
Authors: Lee Jeremy , Wilson Mark , Casey Nikki
Published: September 2020

Lomentospora prolificans is an emerging pathogen that is difficult to treat due to its intrinsic resistance to currently available antifungal agents. Current evidence demonstrates synergy between Azoles and Terbinafine against L. prolificans infections, while adjunct use of antifungal agent-loaded bone cement has also shown favourable outcomes. We report a case of an immunosuppressed adult with rheumatoid arthritis who developed L. prolificans osteomyelitis in his right wrist following trauma and subsequent exposure to commercially available fertiliser. The infection was successfully eradicated via a combination of aggressive, staged surgical source control, antifungal therapy using voriconazole and Terbinafine, and insertion of voriconazole-loaded bone cement into the wrist and carpus. The utility of this approach supports the synergistic effects of voriconazole and Terbinafine and, more broadly, the clinical benefits of antifungal-loaded bone cement, as demonstrated in previous case reports and in vitro studies. As such, combination antifungal therapy and voriconazole-loaded bone cement should be considered the therapy of choice in cases of osteomyelitis where L. prolificans is proven to be the causative organism.