bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Appraisal of the regulatory frameworks for combatting money laundering in Nigeria
Authors: Ige Adegboyega Adekunle
Published: May 2021

Purpose

A review of literature revealed that many publications on efforts at combatting money laundering focus on two frameworks, namely, legal/legislative and institutional, while overlooking the third and equally important framework – the “regulatory/ supervisory framework.” This paper aims to eradicate the dearth in literature with regards to this third and seldom acknowledged framework and it aims at filling that gap.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis took the form of a desk study, which distinguished the three frameworks for combatting money laundering and provided a comprehensive list of the main actors in each regime within the Nigerian legal context. The Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2016 was examined in detail.

Findings

Three categories of regulators were identified and discussed in this paper: the supervisory bodies that regulate the activities of financial institutions, namely, Central Bank of Nigeria, Securities and Exchange Commission and Nigerian Insurance Commission; The Bureau for Money Laundering Control which supervises – designated non-financial institutions and businesses; the Attorney General of the Federation; and (Self-Regulatory Organizations. The Attorney General of the Federation was identified as the prime regulator within the context of the 2016 Act. Suggestions on how the regulators could make the most of their roles were made in the concluding part.

Research limitations/implications

This paper only considered the Nigerian legal context and only the extant law – the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2016 was critically examined.

Originality/value

The findings in this paper and the writing approach are original.
Adapting M2 silicon half-wafers processing on industrial-scale equipment dedicated to 4″ solar technology
Authors: Boumaour Messaoud , Kermadi Salim , Sali Samira , El-Amrani Abdelkader , Mezghiche Salah , Zougar Lyes , Boulahdjel Sarah , Pellegrin Yvon
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to address the issue of technology equipment formerly dedicated to the process of 4- and even 5-inch photovoltaic cells and whose use has become critical with the evolution of silicon wafer size standards (M2–M10). Fortunately, the recent concept of 6'' half-cut cell with its many advantages appears promising insofar as it offers the possibility of further extend the use of costly, still operational process equipment, but doomed to obsolescence.

Design/methodology/approach

In the background of a detailed Al-BSF process, the authors show how to experimentally adapt specific accessories and arrange 6” half-wafers to enable the upgrade of a complete industrial process of silicon solar cells at a lower cost. Step by step, the implementation of the processes for the two wafer sizes (4” wafers and 6” half wafers) is compared and analyzed in terms of performance and throughput.

Findings

Globally, the same process effectiveness is observed for both types of wafers with slightly better sheet resistance uniformity for the thermal diffusion carried out on the half wafers; however, the horizontal arrangement of the wafer carriers in the diffusion and the plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition tubes limits the thermal balance regarding the total number of cells processed per batch.

Originality/value

In terms of the development of prototypes on a preindustrial scale, this paves the way to further continue operating outdated equipment for high-performance processes (passivated emitter and rear contact, Tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon)), while complying with current standards for silicon wafers up to M10 format.
Challenges in extending sustainability across a transport supply chain
Authors: Forslund Helena , Björklund Maria , Svensson Ülgen Veronica
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Sustainability approaches across product supply chains are well-known, while similar knowledge on transport supply chains (TSC) is limited. The purpose of this paper is to explore sustainability approaches and managerial challenges in extending sustainability across a TSC.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents a case study of a TSC with a shipper, a third-party logistics firm and a hauler. Each actor’s views on sustainability-related communication and relations with other TSC actors are analyzed through the lens of agency theory.

Findings

Each dyad in the TSC reveals different, more or less collaboration-based approaches. Challenges are revealed, including the lack of shipper understanding for the TSC context and the use of immature contracts, which disincentivizes sustainability compliance. The multi-tier study object reveals the silencing of distant actors and the need for actors to take on mediating roles to bridge information asymmetries.

Research limitations/implications

Combining literature perspectives (relations, communication and agency theory) provides a deeper understanding of the approaches applied and identifies different challenges. The inclusion of agency theory reveals principal problems such as information asymmetries between agents and less-informed principals and suggests complementary labels of supply chain actors.

Practical implications

Practical contributions include the highlighting of managerial challenges, which can aid managers in extending sustainability across TCSs.

Social implications

The case study method offers insights into collaboratively improving sustainability in supply chains (such as using contracts), thus having social and environmental implications.

Originality/value

The paper narrows knowledge gaps about managing sustainability among logistics service providers and analyzes data from multi-tier actors.
Adopting environmentally-friendly certifications: transaction cost and capabilities perspectives within the Italian wine supply chain
Authors: Stranieri Stefanella , Varacca Alessandro , Casati Mirta , Capri Ettore , Soregaroli Claudio
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Environmentally-friendly certifications have increased over the past decade within food supply chains. Although a large body of literature has explored the drivers leading firms to adopt such certifications, it has not closely examined the strategic motivations associated with their adoption. This paper aims to investigate an environmentally-friendly certification, VIVA, examining its role as an alternative form of supply chain governance. The aim is to investigate the drivers affecting the adoption of VIVA and to assess managerial perceptions related to transaction-related characteristics and the firm’s internal resources and capabilities.

Design/methodology/approach

This study draws upon both an extended transaction cost economics perspective, which is based on transaction risks and the resource-based view, which examines a firm’s internal resources. A survey was conducted via a structured questionnaire sent to all of the wine producers in charge of the decision regarding whether to adopt VIVA certification. A Hierarchal Bayesian Model was applied to analyse questionnaire responses. Such a model allows us to specify the probabilistic relationship between questions and latent constructs and to carry over uncertainty across modelling levels.

Findings

The adoption of this environmentally-friendly certification is envisioned as a tool to curb internal risks, and thus to manage behavioural uncertainty within the supply chain. A high level of exposure to exogenous transaction risks discourages firms from adopting VIVA certification. The certification system is not perceived as a promoter of operational capabilities. Managers are more likely to implement the certification when they expect that its adoption will leverage their potential knowledge of the supply chain or prompt new and better collaborations with the suppliers. Therefore, the certification can become a resource that interacts with the capabilities of the firm, expressing complementarities that stimulate the formation of dynamic capabilities.

Research limitations/implications

The identification of drivers from the two theoretical perspectives offers insights into the attributes that are perceived as important by managers and which, therefore, could be leveraged to foster the adoption of the environmental certification. The external validity of the study could be improved by extending the sample to other certifications and supply chains.

Originality/value

The study offers a different perspective on environmental certification. It demonstrates that considering the certification as an alternative form of supply chain governance opens up a set of efficiency and strategic considerations that could be addressed to promote the effectiveness of an environmental strategy within a supply chain
Disciplinary differences in doctoral student engagement in generic skills learning
Authors: Sakurai Yusuke , Pyhältö Kirsi
Published: May 2021

Purpose

This study aims to explore the disciplinary characteristics of doctoral students’ generic skills learning experience at a Finnish university.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey measuring doctoral students’ generic skills learning experience was administered to all doctoral students of the university and 1,184 responses were obtained. The study conducted exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, principal component analysis and heatmap analyses.

Findings

The results suggested three major trends. First, students’ scores for research integrity skills were consistently lower in the hard sciences, such as biological and environmental sciences, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, science and medicine. Second, students of the law showed a unique trend; their scores for research integrity, leadership and entrepreneurship skills learning were remarkably higher than those in other faculties, but they had the lowest scores for communication skills.

Research limitations/implications

The data represented students at one Finnish university, so institutional and geographical differences fell beyond the scope of this paper. Furthermore, the results could reflect either the authentic levels of students’ acquired skillsets or self-interpretation of experiences governed by their disciplinary values. Accordingly, the immediate generalisability of the findings to individuals and different contexts should carefully be considered.

Originality/value

The findings can contribute to improve doctoral training practices. In addition, the survey results are useful for the further development of inventories, as doctoral students’ engagement in generic skills development has been attracting attention in higher education.
Fire damage on seeds ofCalliandra parvifloraBenth. (Fabaceae), a facultative seeder in aBrazilianflooding savanna
Authors: dos Santos Ferreira Bruno Henrique , Guerra Angélica , da Rosa Oliveira Maxwell , Reis Letícia Koutchin , Aptroot André , Ribeiro Danilo Bandini , Garcia Letícia Couto
Published: May 2021

Optimal sexual reproduction in relation to fire effects varies in Fabaceae species.Calliandraspecies have a large investment in reproduction. We investigated the consequences of fire during the fruiting period ofCalliandra parvifloraBenth., by checking fruit exposure to fire, pre‐dispersal seed predator infestation, and the effect of fruit burning on germination. We conducted this study in a floodable savanna in central Brazil, where we collected burnt and unburnt fruits. We measured the fruit and seed mass, and counted the number of damaged and undamaged seeds and live larvae per fruit. We analyzed the seed germination percentage from burnt and unburnt fruits. The burnt fruits presented greater mass than the unburnt fruits, despite their seed mass being similar. The number of damaged seeds per fruit was only slightly higher in burnt compared to unburnt fruits (p = 0.047). The number of larvae on pre‐dispersal seeds per fruit varied from 0 to 4 and did not differ between burnt and unburnt fruits. The germination percentage of unburnt fruit seeds (mean = 22 ± 17%), was significantly higher than that of burnt fruit (mean = 3.0 ± 2.0%,p < 0.001). Fire during fruiting or pre‐dispersion decreases seed germination from 22 to 3%, but it does not hurt vegetative regeneration or resprout capacity ofC. parviflora, which is a facultative seeder. Hence, we suggest thatC. parviflorahas potential for post‐fire restoration in floodable open grassy savannas, in the ecotone between Cerrado and Pantanal, because this species may sprout quickly after first post‐fire rains.
Evolution of virulence in a novel family of transmissible mega‐plasmids
Authors: Sitter Thomas L. , Vaughan Amy L. , Schoof Marion , Jackson Simon A. , Glare Travis R. , Cox Murray P. , Fineran Peter C. , Gardner Paul P. , Hurst Mark R. H.
Published: May 2021

Some Serratia entomophila isolates have been successfully exploited in biopesticides due to their ability to cause amber disease in larvae of the Aotearoa (New Zealand) endemic pasture pest, Costelytra giveni. Anti‐feeding prophage and ABC toxin complex virulence determinants are encoded by a 153‐kb single‐copy conjugative plasmid (pADAP; amber disease‐associated plasmid). Despite growing understanding of the S. entomophila pADAP model plasmid, little is known about the wider plasmid family. Here, we sequence and analyse mega‐plasmids from 50 Serratia isolates that induce variable disease phenotypes in the C. giveni insect host. Mega‐plasmids are highly conserved within S. entomophila, but show considerable divergence in Serratia proteamaculans with other variants in S. liquefaciens and S. marcescens, likely reflecting niche adaption. In this study to reconstruct ancestral relationships for a complex mega‐plasmid system, strong co‐evolution between Serratia species and their plasmids were found. We identify 12 distinct mega‐plasmid genotypes, all sharing a conserved gene backbone, but encoding highly variable accessory regions including virulence factors, secondary metabolite biosynthesis, Nitrogen fixation genes and toxin‐antitoxin systems. We show that the variable pathogenicity of Serratia isolates is largely caused by presence/absence of virulence clusters on the mega‐plasmids, but notably, is augmented by external chromosomally encoded factors.
Corporate reputation risk and cash holdings
Authors: Hasan Mostafa Monzur , Habib Ahsan , Zhao Ruoyun
Published: May 2021

We investigate the extent to which corporate reputation risk influences cash holdings for US listed firms over the period 2007–2018. Our results show that firms having a high reputation risk hold significantly more cash. This documented relationship persists even after controlling for other determinants of cash holdings, including corporate social responsibility performance, explicitly. Using a series of analyses, we show that this relationship is not driven by endogeneity problems. Further, we find that the positive relationship between reputation risk and cash holdings is more pronounced for firms with more financing constraints and agency problems, and for growth, mature and shake‐out firms. In an additional test, we show that firms having a low reputation risk are associated with a higher marginal value of cash than are their high reputation risk counterparts. Overall, we provide robust evidence that reputation risk matters for corporate cash holdings.
The evaluation of physical properties of a polyurethane expandable endodontic sealer: a preliminary study
Authors: Saghiri Mohammad Ali , Dadvand Sahar , Abdolmaleki Amir
Published: May 2021

Endodontic sealers play a vital role in providing 3‐dimensional (3D) filling of complex root canal system (RCS). This study intended to compare the physical properties of a Polyurethane Expandable Sealer (PES), AH Plus and EndoSequence. Three properties including setting time, radiopacity and flow (rheology) were evaluated based on ISO 6876 standard. For evaluation of each of these physical properties, five samples from experimental groups: AH Plus, EndoSequence, PES (controlled expansion) and PES (high expansion) were used (n = 5). Data were analysed by one‐way ANOVA and Post Hoc Tukey tests (a = 0.05). EndoSequence showed the longest setting time (P < 0.000); AH Plus showed that highest radiopacity (P < 0.000); and PES (high expansion) showed the highest flow (diameter and surface area) (P < 0.000). EndoSequence and PES (controlled expansion) showed promising and comparable physical properties to the AH Plus sealer in terms of flow, setting time and radiopacity.
Abortion education in Australian medical schools
Authors: Cheng Hon Chuen , de Costa Caroline
Published: May 2021

This aim of this study was to gain an updated perspective of the teaching and learning experiences of abortion care among Australian medical students. All 2020 Australian final‐year medical students were invited to complete a 12‐question cross‐sectional electronic survey. While it appears that abortion care is taught in most Australian medical schools, in some it is not, and where the topic is presented, structured and standardised teaching is still lacking. Students’ confidence around abortion care once they are in practice is low, and the majority of students showed a strong desire to have more direct abortion placement exposure. The current abortion curriculum in Australia needs revision and refinement.
Threat‐Inducing Violent Events Exacerbate Social Desirability Bias in Survey Responses
Authors: Singh Shane P. , Tir Jaroslav
Published: May 2021

A key challenge in survey research is social desirability bias: respondents feel pressured to report acceptable attitudes and behaviors. Building on established findings, we argue that threat‐inducing violent events are a heretofore unaccounted for driver of social desirability bias. We probe this argument by investigating whether fatal terror attacks lead respondents to overreport past electoral participation, a well‐known and measurable result of social desirability bias. Using a cross‐national analysis and natural and survey experiments, we show that fatal terror attacks generate turnout overreporting. This highlights that threat‐inducing violent events induce social desirability, that researchers need to account for the timing of survey fieldwork vis‐à‐vis such events, and that some of the previously reported post‐violent conflict increases in political participation may be more apparent than real.
Spermatogenesis in the Roborovski hamster (Phodopus roborovskii) and the Chinese hamster (Cricetulus griseus)
Authors: Meyer Vivian , Klose Melanie , Lerchl Alexander
Published: May 2021

Background

Spermatogenesis is an elaborately organized and tightly regulated differentiation process. The spermatogenesis duration is stable within a certain species but highly variable between species of the same family.

Objectives

In this study, the spermatogenesis duration of the Roborovski hamster was measured for the first time, and the spermatogenesis duration of the Chinese hamster was re‐assessed.

Materials and methods

Stage classification and cycle length measurement were carried out by labeling the dividing cells with bromodeoxyuridine and an antibody‐based chromogen as well as with the periodic acid‐Schiff/hematoxylin stain. Analysis was conducted using reference calculation and linear regression. Morphological measurements completed our set of methods.

Results

The mean duration of one seminiferous epithelium cycle was 8.58 ± 0.34 days (mean ± SEM; Phodopus roborovskii) and 16.59 ± 0.47 days (Cricetulus griseus) based on the reference calculation. Slightly higher results were obtained using linear regression analysis: 9.72 ± 0.41 days for P. roborovskii and 17.64 ± 0.61 days for C. griseus. Additionally, a newly developed exemplary flowchart was proposed for the Roborovski hamster to facilitate spermatogenesis stage classification also in other species. The Chinese hamster presented an unexpectedly high paired epididymides weight of 1.701 ± 0.046 g (mean ± SEM) although having a body weight of only 40.5 ± 0.7 g. However, no significant correlation between the relative epididymis weight and spermatogenesis duration in mammals (Spearman rank correlation: r = −0.119, p = 0.607, n = 21) or rodents could be found (r = 0.045, p = 0.903, n = 11).

Conclusion

Our data emphasize the stability of the spermatogenesis duration within species and its remarkable variability between species. Further research is needed to identify the principal mechanisms and selection drivers that are responsible for such stability within species and the variability between species.
Incidence of cataract surgeries in people with and without Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Hokkinen Kaisa , Kaarniranta Kai , Jämsen Esa , Lampela Pasi , Hartikainen Sirpa , Tolppanen Anna‐Maija
Published: May 2021

Purpose

To investigate the incidence of cataract surgeries in relation to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) diagnosis and to compare it with that in people without AD.

Methods

The MEDALZ–study includes community‐dwelling Finnish persons who received clinically verified AD diagnoses (n = 70718) during 2005–2011 and a matched comparison cohort without AD (n = 70718). The cataract surgeries were identified from the Care Register for Healthcare (1996–2015) using NOMESCO surgical procedure codes CJE (10,15,20,25,99), CJF (00,10,20,30,40,45,50,55,99) and CJG (00,05,10,15,20,25,99). The incidence rates for surgeries per 100 person‐years were calculated from 10 years before to 3 years after the index date (date of AD diagnosis from the Special Reimbursement Register).

Results

25 763 cataract procedures were performed on persons with AD and 26 254 on persons without AD during the follow‐up. The incidence of surgery increased similarly in both groups before the index date of AD diagnosis, and the rate of surgery was similar in people with and without AD (3.5 and 3.3/100 person‐years, respectively). The incidence diminished steeply in the AD group already one year after the index date, whereas the slow increase continued in the non‐AD group. After the index date, the rates were 3.7 and 4.7/100 person‐years in people with and without AD.

Conclusion

The diminishing surgery rate very soon after AD diagnosis is concerning. The stigma of AD diagnosis may lead to fewer referrals to surgery, although these patients are expected to benefit from surgery.
Innate IL‐23/Type 17 immune responses mediate the effect of the 17q21 locus on childhood asthma
Authors: Wang Ni , Brix Susanne , Larsen Jeppe M. , Thysen Anna H. , Rasmussen Morten A. , Workman Christopher T. , Stokholm Jakob , Bønnelykke Klaus , Bisgaard Hans , Chawes Bo L.
Published: May 2021

Background

Several childhood asthma risk loci that relate to immune function have been identified by genome‐wide association studies (GWAS), but the underlying mechanisms remain unknown.

Objective

Here, we examined whether perturbed innate immune responses mediate the association between known genetic risk variants and development of childhood asthma.

Methods

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 336 six‐month‐old infants from the Copenhagen Prospective Studies on Asthma in Childhood (COPSAC2000) cohort were stimulated in vitro with six different innate ligands (LPS, CpG, poly(I:C), R848, HDMAPP and aluminium hydroxide together with low levels of LPS) followed by quantification of 18 released cytokines and chemokines 40 h after the stimulations. The innate immune response profiles were decomposed by principal component (PC) analysis, and PC1‐5 were used in mediation analyses of the effect of 25 known genetic risk variants on childhood asthma until age 7.

Results

The effects of two variants from the 17q21 locus (rs7216389, rs2305480) on asthma and exacerbation risk were significantly mediated by immune parameters induced in response to ligands mimicking intracellular colonization; bacterial DNA (CpG) and double‐stranded viral RNA (poly(I:C)). The Th17 and innate lymphoid cell type 3‐amplifying cytokine IL‐23 was the most prominent cytokine involved.

Conclusion

The 17q21 effect on childhood asthma and exacerbations was partly mediated by deregulation of IL‐23 in response to intracellular microbial ligands, which may suggest ineffective clearance of intracellular pathogens in the lungs.
Copy number variation analysis implicates novel pathways in patients with oculo‐auriculo‐vertebral‐spectrum and congenital heart defects
Authors: Guida Valentina , Sparascio Francesca Piceci , Bernardini Laura , Pancheri Francesco , Melis Daniela , Cocciadiferro Dario , Pagnoni Mario , Puzzo Marianna , Goldoni Marina , Barone Chiara , Hozhabri Hossein , Putotto Carolina , Giuffrida Maria Grazia , Briuglia Silvana , Palumbo Orazio , Bianca Sebastiano , Stanzial Franco , Benedicenti Francesco , Kariminejad Ariana , Forzano Francesca , Baghernajad Salehi Leila , Mattina Teresa , Brancati Francesco , Castori Marco , Carella Massimo , Fadda Maria Teresa , Iannetti Giorgio , Dallapiccola Bruno , Digilio Maria Cristina , Marino Bruno , Tartaglia Marco , De Luca Alessandro
Published: May 2021

Oculo‐auriculo‐vertebral spectrum (OAVS) is a developmental disorder of craniofacial morphogenesis. Its etiology is unclear, but assumed to be complex and heterogeneous, with contribution of both genetic and environmental factors. We assessed the occurrence of copy number variants (CNVs) in a cohort of 19 unrelated OAVS individuals with congenital heart defect. Chromosomal microarray analysis identified pathogenic CNVs in 2/19 (10.5%) individuals, and CNVs classified as variants of uncertain significance in 7/19 (36.9%) individuals. Remarkably, two subjects had small intragenic CNVs involving DACH1 and DACH2, two paralogs coding for key components of the PAX‐SIX‐EYA‐DACH network, a transcriptional regulatory pathway controlling developmental processes relevant to OAVS and causally associated with syndromes characterized by craniofacial involvement. Moreover, a third patient showed a large duplication encompassing DMBX1/OTX3, encoding a transcriptional repressor of OTX2, another transcription factor functionally connected to the DACH‐EYA‐PAX network. Among the other relevant CNVs, a deletion encompassing HSD17B6, a gene connected with the retinoic acid signaling pathway, whose dysregulation has been implicated in craniofacial malformations, was also identified. Our findings suggest that CNVs affecting gene dosage likely contribute to the genetic heterogeneity of OAVS, and implicate the PAX‐SIX‐EYA‐DACH network as novel pathway involved in the etiology of this developmental trait.
Activated mesangial cells induce glomerular endothelial cells proliferation in rat anti‐Thy‐1 nephritis through VEGFA/VEGFR2 and Angpt2/Tie2 pathway
Authors: Zhao Yinghua , Fu Bo , Chen Pu , Li Qinggang , Ouyang Qing , Zhang Chuyue , Cai Guangyan , Wu Lingling , Chen Xiangmei
Published: May 2021

Objectives

We aimed to investigate the underlying mechanism of endothelial cells (ECs) proliferation in anti‐Thy‐1 nephritis.

Materials and methods

We established anti‐Thy‐1 nephritis and co‐culture system to explore the underlying mechanism of ECs proliferation in vivo and in vitro. EdU assay kit was used for measuring cell proliferation. Immunohistochemical staining and immunofluorescence staining were used to detect protein expression. ELISA was used to measure the concentration of protein in serum and medium. RT‐qPCR and Western blot were used to qualify the mRNA and protein expression. siRNA was used to knock down specific protein expression.

Results

In anti‐Thy‐1 nephritis, ECs proliferation was associated with mesangial cells (MCs)‐derived vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) and ECs‐derived angiopoietin2 (Angpt2). In vitro co‐culture system activated MCs‐expressed VEGFA to promote vascular endothelial growth factor receptor2 (VEGFR2) activation, Angpt2 expression and ECs proliferation, but inhibit TEK tyrosine kinase (Tie2) phosphorylation. MCs‐derived VEGFA stimulated Angpt2 expression in ECs, which inhibited Tie2 phosphorylation and promoted ECs proliferation. And decline of Tie2 phosphorylation induced ECs proliferation. In anti‐Thy‐1 nephritis, promoting Tie2 phosphorylation could alleviate ECs proliferation.

Conclusions

Our study showed that activated MCs promoted ECs proliferation through VEGFA/VEGFR2 and Angpt2/Tie2 pathway in experimental mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) and in vitro co‐culture system. And enhancing Tie2 phosphorylation could alleviate ECs proliferation, which will provide a new idea for MPGN treatment.
Characterising patterns of alcohol use among heavy drinkers: A cluster analysis utilising alcohol biosensor data
Authors: Gunn Rachel L. , Steingrimsson Jon A. , Merrill Jennifer E. , Souza Timothy , Barnett Nancy
Published: May 2021

Introduction

Previous research has predominately relied on person‐level or single characteristics of drinking episodes to characterise patterns of drinking that may confer risk. This research often relies on self‐report measures. Advancements in wearable alcohol biosensors provide a multi‐faceted objective measure of drinking. The current study aimed to characterise drinking episodes using data derived from a wearable alcohol biosensor.

Methods

Participants (n = 45) were adult heavy drinkers who wore the Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitoring (SCRAM) bracelet and reported on their drinking behaviours. Cluster analysis was used to evaluate unique combinations of alcohol episode characteristics. Associations between clusters and self‐reported person and event‐level factors were also examined in univariable and multivariable models.

Results

Results suggested three unique clusters: Cluster 1 (most common, slowest rate of rise to and decline from peak), Cluster 2 (highest peak transdermal alcohol concentration and area under the curve) and Cluster 3 (fastest rate of decline from peak). Univariable analyses distinguished Cluster 1 as having fewer self‐reported drinks and fewer episodes that occurred on weekends relative to Cluster 2. The effect for number of drinks remained in multivariable analyses.

Discussion and Conclusions

This is the first study to characterise drinking patterns at the event‐level using objective data. Results suggest that it is possible to distinguish drinking episodes based on several characteristics derived from wearable alcohol biosensors. This examination lays the groundwork for future studies to characterise patterns of drinking and their association with consequences of drinking behaviour.
Healthcare‐associated blood stream infections in hematological patients in Finland during the years 2006‐2016
Authors: Åttman Emilia , Syrjänen Jaana , Lyytikäinen Outi , Ollgren Jukka , Sinisalo Marjatta , Vuento Risto , Mattila Erja , Huttunen Reetta
Published: May 2021

Objectives

The aim was to identify the clinical characteristics, outcome, and antimicrobial susceptibility of healthcare‐associated bloodstream infections (BSIs) in hematological patients.

Methods

This retrospectively collected laboratory‐based surveillance data include 3404 healthcare‐associated BSIs in 2296 patients with a hematological malignancy in hospitals participating in the Finnish Hospital Infection Program from January 1, 2006, to December 31, 2016.

Results

The most common underlying diseases were acute myelogenous leukemia (35%) and non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (22%). Gram‐positive organisms accounted for 60%‐46% and gram‐negative organisms for 24%‐36% of BSIs in 2006‐2016. The most common causative organism was coagulase‐negative staphylococci (CoNS) (n = 731). The 7‐ and 28‐day case fatality rates were 5.2% and 11.4%, respectively, and was highest in BSIs caused by Candida species (10.8% and 30.8%). The median age of patients increased from 59 years in 2006‐2008 to 62 years in 2015‐2016 (P < .01). Five percent of S aureus isolates were resistant to methicillin and five percent of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates were multidrug‐resistant. Four percent of Klebsiella and seven percent of E coli isolates were resistant to ceftazidime.

Conclusions

The proportion of gram‐positive bacteria decreased and gram‐negative bacteria increased over time. The case fatality rate was low and the median age of patients increased during the study.
How do natural soil NH4+, NO3− and N2O interact in response to nitrogen input in different climatic zones? A global meta‐analysis
Authors: Zheng Xiang , Liu Qi , Ji Xiaofang , Cao Minmin , Zhang Yuefang , Jiang Jiang
Published: May 2021

The increase of fossil‐fuel burning and nitrogen (N) fertilizer consumption continues to elevate global N deposition, leading to significant increases of soil NH4+ and NO3− concentrations, and thus N2O emissions. This is especially important for natural, unmanaged soils which are considered as areas that are sensitive to N input. However, uncertainties exist regarding the interactions of soil N2O emissions with soil NH4+ and NO3− concentrations in response to N input in different climatic regions, as well as their underlying potential mechanisms. Here, we conducted a meta‐analysis to investigate the responses of these three forms of N to external N input across global natural ecosystems, using data extracted from peer‐reviewed studies. The results show that soil NO3− concentrations are increased to a much larger extent by N input in temperate regions (136%) compared to tropical (62%) and subtropical (54%) regions, whereas the increase of soil NH4+ concentrations by N input is much less than soil NO3− concentrations, at 20%, 26% and 28% in temperate, tropical and subtropical regions, respectively. The significantly larger increase in soil NO3− concentrations but slightly lower increase in soil NH4+ concentrations in temperate regions compared to other climatic zones may be ascribed to the dominant nitrification process in temperate areas, which promotes the conversion of NH4+ to NO3−. Soil N2O emissions were increased to the greatest extent in subtropical regions (348%) in response to N input, followed by temperate regions (111%) and tropical regions (44%), which may be a result of the dominant denitrification process in subtropical regions, which promotes N2O production. It is likely that denitrification also dominates N2O production in tropical regions, but the dampened effect of N input on stimulating soil N2O emissions in these areas suggests that the loss of NO3− substrate due to intensive leaching might be an important issue. This study could provide a better understanding of the heterogeneous risks of soil N responses in different climatic zones in the context of increasing global N deposition.

Highlights

Larger N input‐induced increases in soil NO3− concentrations in temperate regions may derive from increased nitrification.

Larger N input‐induced increases in soil N2O emissions in subtropical regions may derive from increased denitrification.

Less increase in soil N2O emissions in tropical regions after N input may be due to heavy precipitation‐induced NO3− leaching.

Soil N2O emissions in subtropical regions may be more sensitive to increased N input compared to other climatic zones.
Bonding Together like a Family: Self‐development within an Affective Community among Elite College Students in South Korea
Authors: Yun Jiyoung
Published: May 2021

With the advance of globalization and neoliberalism, the discourse of self‐development that promotes a neoliberal vision of self figures large in the lives of college students in South Korea. Based on ethnographic research in an undergraduate business club at a prestigious university in South Korea, I explore how a neoliberal ideal of self‐development is practiced and embodied by these elite students. Specifically, I examine how they develop a unique way to promote self‐development through the mobilization of family metaphors and affective bonds within club teams. Self‐development pursued in a familial team leads them not only to reconstruct meanings of autonomy and self‐management but also to learn the significance of an affective community. By illustrating an unlikely coalition between neoliberal selfhood and familial affect, my findings point to the emergence of a profoundly relational self as a result of the reconfiguration of the neoliberal ideal in specific sociocultural and relational contexts. [neoliberal self, self‐development, affective community, familism, college students, South Korea]

Abstract in Korean

본 논문은 한 명문 대학교의 경영 동아리에 대한 민족지적 연구를 토대로, 명문대 학생들이 신자유주의적인 자기계발을 어떻게 토착화하여 해석하고 실천하고 있는지에 주목한다. 구체적으로 학생들이 하나의 팀을 가족에 비유하여 끈끈한 유대를 형성함으로써 자기계발을 도모하는 독특한 실천 방식을 탐구한다. 가족적인 팀에서 이루어지는 자기계발의 실천을 통해 학생들은 신자유주의적인 담론에서 요구하는 자율성과 자기관리의 의미를 새롭게 구성하고, 보살핌과 유대의 중요성에 대해 배운다. 본 연구는 신자유주의적 자기계발이 가족 비유 및 가족애적 정서와 역설적으로 결합하는 모습을 보여줌으로써, 신자유주의적인 자아상에 대한 추구가 구체적인 사회문화적 맥락에서 재구성되며 오히려 지극히 관계적인 자아를 빚어내는 모습을 포착한다.
Estimating the intrinsic dissipation using the second harmonic of the temperature signal in tension‐compression fatigue. Part II: Experiments
Authors: Meneghetti Giovanni , Ricotta Mauro
Published: May 2021

The theoretical approach developed in the companion paper is applied to the temperature signals acquired by using an infrared camera, during step‐load fatigue tests carried out on AISI 304L cold‐drawn bars. The intrinsic dissipation, calculated according to the analytical model and by means of the discrete Fourier transform of the material temperature, is compared with that measured by using a well‐established experimental approach based on the measurement of the cooling gradient of the material temperature, after the fatigue test has been suddenly stopped. The results of this study indicate that the intrinsic dissipation calculated according to the two approaches become increasingly closer to one another for progressively higher applied stress amplitudes.
Concomitant use of bypassing agents with emicizumab for people with haemophilia A and inhibitors undergoing surgery
Authors: Jiménez‐Yuste Victor , Rodríguez‐Merchán E. Carlos , Matsushita Tadashi , Holme Pål Andrè
Published: May 2021

Introduction

Surgery in people with haemophilia and factor VIII inhibitors is typically managed with perioperative administration of haemostatic agents to prevent or control the occurrence of bleeding events. Practical experience of surgery in patients with inhibitors who are receiving treatment with emicizumab is growing; however, the novelty of the situation means that standardised guidelines are lacking with regard to the concomitant administration of haemostatic agents, including dose and laboratory monitoring.

Aim

To review approaches to haemostatic management during major and minor invasive procedures in patients with haemophilia A and inhibitors, and to provide recommendations for controlling bleeding events.

Methods

A search was conducted, limited to the past 4 years (January 2016‐April 2020), pertaining to published evidence of surgery for patients receiving emicizumab. Publications identified from the search were manually reviewed to determine studies and case reports relevant for inclusion.

Results

Identified literature and practical experience of the authors were used to build a consensus of practical recommendations for the concomitant administration of haemostatic agents during the perioperative period for elective surgery in patients with inhibitors who are receiving emicizumab.

Conclusions

The current evidence base indicates that surgery can be successfully performed in patients with inhibitors who are receiving emicizumab and that bypassing agents can be used concomitantly. Data from prospective studies are required to further support recommendations for haemostatic management of surgery in patients receiving emicizumab.
Systematic application of fluorescence in situ hybridization and immunophenotype profile for the identification of ZNF384 gene rearrangements in B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Janet Nancy Beryl , Kulkarni Uday , Arun Arunachalam Kumar , Bensega Bexy , Devasia Anup J. , Korula Anu , Abraham Aby , George Biju , Mathews Vikram , Balasubramanian Poonkuzhali
Published: May 2021

Introduction

ZNF384 gene fusions resulting from translocations with several partner genes have been described in B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B‐ALL) with a characteristic immunophenotype (aberrant CD13 and or CD33 with dim CD10). The prognosis of patients with this rearrangement appears to depend on the fusion partner. ZNF384 rearrangements have been identified by high through put technologies such as RNA sequencing in most of the studies published. We tested the feasibility of using the characteristic immunophenotype as a tool to screen for patients with ZNF384 translocations which can be subsequently confirmed by cytogenetic / molecular methodologies.

Methods

ZNF384 rearrangements in B‐ALL patients at diagnosis with CD10 <80% and were negative for the BCR‐ABL1 fusion (n = 109) were identified by fluorescence in situ hybridization followed by confirmation by reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction and Sanger sequencing. The end of induction measurable residual disease evaluated by flow cytometry for these patients was obtained from patient records.

Results

ZNF384 translocations were identified in 14 patients and were cytogenetically cryptic in 13. EP300‐ZNF384 was the most common fusion partner (n = 12), while TAF15‐ZNF384 and TCF3‐ZNF384 were identified in 1 patient each. End of induction MRD by flow cytometry was positive in 5 of 8 patients with the EP300‐ZNF384 fusion treated at our center.

Conclusion

Our findings show a practical approach for the identification of ZNF384 gene rearrangements by widely available technologies and indicate that the response to therapy may be heterogeneous even in this subset, which has been reported as having a favorable prognosis.
The inflammatory speech of fibroblasts
Authors: Schuster Ronen , Rockel Jason S. , Kapoor Mohit , Hinz Boris
Published: May 2021

Activation of fibroblasts is a key event during normal tissue repair after injury and the dysregulated repair processes that result in organ fibrosis. To most researchers, fibroblasts are rather unremarkable spindle‐shaped cells embedded in the fibrous collagen matrix of connective tissues and/or deemed useful to perform mechanistic studies with adherent cells in culture. For more than a century, fibroblasts escaped thorough classification due to the lack of specific markers and were treated as the leftovers after all other cells have been identified from a tissue sample. With novel cell lineage tracing and single cell transcriptomics tools, bona fide fibroblasts emerge as only one heterogeneous sub‐population of a much larger group of partly overlapping cell types, including mesenchymal stromal cells, fibro‐adipogenic progenitor cells, pericytes, and/or perivascular cells. All these cells are activated to contribute to tissue repair after injury and/or chronic inflammation. “Activation” can entail various functions, such as enhanced proliferation, migration, instruction of inflammatory cells, secretion of extracellular matrix proteins and organizing enzymes, and acquisition of a contractile myofibroblast phenotype. We provide our view on the fibroblastic cell types and activation states playing a role during physiological and pathological repair and their crosstalk with inflammatory macrophages. Inflammation and fibrosis of the articular synovium during rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis are used as specific examples to discuss inflammatory fibroblast phenotypes. Ultimately, delineating the precursors and functional roles of activated fibroblastic cells will contribute to better and more specific intervention strategies to treat fibroproliferative and fibrocontractive disorders.
Exploring latent states of problem‐solving competence using hidden Markov model on process data
Authors: Xiao Yue , He Qiwei , Veldkamp Bernard , Liu Hongyun
Published: May 2021

The response process of problem‐solving items contains rich information about respondents' behaviours and cognitive process in the digital tasks, while the information extraction is a big challenge. The aim of the study is to use a data‐driven approach to explore the latent states and state transitions underlying problem‐solving process to reflect test‐takers' behavioural patterns, and to investigate how these states and state transitions could be associated with test‐takers' performance. We employed the Hidden Markov Modelling approach to identify test takers' hidden states during the problem‐solving process and compared the frequency of states and/or state transitions between different performance groups. We conducted comparable studies in two problem‐solving items with a focus on the US sample that was collected in PIAAC 2012, and examined the correlation between those frequencies from two items. Latent states and transitions between them underlying the problem‐solving process were identified and found significantly different by performance groups. The groups with correct responses in both items were found more engaged in tasks and more often to use efficient tools to solve problems, while the group with incorrect responses was found more likely to use shorter action sequences and exhibit hesitative behaviours. Consistent behavioural patterns were identified across items. This study demonstrates the value of data‐driven based HMM approach to better understand respondents' behavioural patterns and cognitive transmissions underneath the observable action sequences in complex problem‐solving tasks.
Efficacy and safety of topical isobutylamido thiazolyl resorcinol (Thiamidol) vs. 4% hydroquinone cream for facial melasma: an evaluator‐blinded, randomized controlled trial
Authors: Lima P.B. , Dias J.A.F. , Cassiano D.P. , Esposito A.C.C. , Miot L.D.B. , Bagatin E. , Miot H.A.
Published: May 2021

Background

Melasma can be refractory to treatment, and relapses are frequent. Thiamidol is a new potent tyrosinase inhibitor that has been found effective as a cosmeceutical for the depigmenting of melasma.

Objective

This study compared the efficacy and tolerability of topical 0.2% Thiamidol vs. 4% hydroquinone for facial melasma.

Methods

Fifty women with facial melasma participated in a randomized, evaluator‐blinded, controlled study from September through November 2020. Patients were randomly assigned to apply a double layer of 0.2% Thiamidol twice a day or 4% hydroquinone cream at bedtime, for 90 days. Both groups received tinted sunscreen (sun protection factor 60, PPD 20). The primary outcome was the change from the baseline Modified Melasma Area Seve:rity Index (mMASI) score. Secondary outcomes were improvements in the patients’ quality of life [Melasma Quality of Life Index (MELASQoL)], colourimetry, and Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS) evaluation.

Results

One participant, from the hydroquinone group, did not complete the study (unrelated to adverse effects). The mean (SD) age of the participants was 43 (6) years, and 86% were phototypes III–IV. Both groups exhibited a reduction in mMASI, MELASQoL, and colour contrast scores (P < 0.01). The mean [95% confidence interval (CI 95%)] reductions of the mMASI scores were 43% (35–50%) for Thiamidol and 33% (23–42%) for hydroquinone. There was no difference between the groups in the reductions in mMASI, MELASQoL, colourimetric contrast and GAIS scores (P ≥ 0.09). The GAIS analysis resulted in an improvement of 84% (CI: 95% 67–97%) for participants in the Thiamidol group and 74% (CI: 95% 61–93%) for those in the hydroquinone group. There were only mild adverse effects in the Thiamidol group, but allergic contact dermatitis was evidenced in two (8%) participants.

Conclusion

The melasma improvement achieved using 0.2% Thiamidol did not differ from that of 4% hydroquinone cream. Thiamidol can be considered a suitable option for melasma patients with poor tolerability or treatment failure with hydroquinone.