bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intention towards social entrepreneurship of university students in an emerging economy: the influence of entrepreneurial self-efficacy and entrepreneurship education
Authors: Hassan H.M. Kamrul
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Entrepreneurial intention plays a crucial role in the research and application of social entrepreneurship (SE). The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of the factors affecting students’ intention towards social entrepreneurship (ISE). The study has taken entrepreneurial self-efficacy, along with entrepreneurial education, entrepreneurial network and perceived university support that have an impact on intentions, which instills interest amongst students in being future entrepreneurs.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were primarily taken from a survey of 380 university students from public and private universities in Chattogram, the business capital of Bangladesh. Students were preliminarily selected, focussing on different profiles such as male/female, age, socio-economic status, education level, university status and employment level. Initially, using factor analysis factors were analyzed and later multiple regression analysis was used to identify the relationship with ISE.

Findings

The study on the student reveals that four aspects significantly impacted the preference of students’ ISE. This study reinforces the influence of entrepreneurial self-efficacy, along with entrepreneurial education, as the factors contributing to aid young graduates recognizing and fostering an ISE. Entrepreneurial networks and perceived university support were found to have no association with social entrepreneurial intentions.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the understanding of the factors and provides a basis for explaining factors that affect the intention of students towards SE. It can contribute to future research related to social entrepreneurial intention. Furthermore, it was concluded that forming social entrepreneurial intention is highly influenced by entrepreneurial self-efficacy and entrepreneurship education.
Understanding HRM philosophy for HPWS and employees' perceptions
Authors: Riaz Safa , Townsend Keith , Woods Peter
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand the role of HRM philosophy for HPWS formulation and implementation, as well as to investigate its role to improve employee perceptions of HPWS.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative study of 55 interviews was conducted with managers (senior, HR, frontline) and employees from three telecommunication organisations based in Pakistan.

Findings

The findings indicate that a clear, well-developed HRM philosophy ensures clarity in HPWS formulation not only for managers, but also for employees. However, lack of strong philosophical foundations for HPWS can result into distorted HRM messages and negative employee perceptions.

Originality/value

Whilst there remains debate over the positive and negative influence of HPWS for employee outcomes, this study presents HRM philosophy as important HRM component to understand HPWS implementation. The article highlights the fact that the purpose of HPWS practices and its effective communication to employees can make a substantial difference in how employees perceive these practices. In sum, an employee centred philosophy is likely to be pre-condition circumstances for improving employee outcomes.
“I'm afraid”: the cultural challenges in conducting ethnographic fieldwork and interviews in Myanmar
Authors: Hung Alvin Hoi-Chun , Min Aung Myo
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to highlight the cultural issues and difficulties encountered when conducting ethnographic fieldwork and interviews in Myanmar and to discuss the measures to overcome such challenges. It aims to provide insight for foreign researchers seeking to collect rich, meaningful and reliable data while establishing fruitful relationship with Burmese participants.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper draws on results from a research on cross-cultural dispute resolution in a Chinese-invested enterprise in Myanmar. The authors reflect on their fieldwork experience to present examples of cultural challenges, as well as the strategies used to deal with those challenges.

Findings

This paper finds that when conducting ethnographic fieldwork and interviews in Myanmar, researchers should take into consideration “anade” – an important Burmese social convention, perceived power distance between researchers and Burmese participants, roles of cross-cultural interpreters and possibility of cultural stereotypes, especially in a multicultural site. Measures need to be taken to adjust fieldwork arrangement and interview style, reduce perceived power distance and address the impact of prevalent stereotypes. Furthermore, researchers should properly conduct training and discussion sessions with Burmese interpreters to ensure they provide accurate yet culturally informed interpretation.

Originality/value

The cultural challenges in conducting ethnographic fieldwork and interviews in Myanmar remain under-explored. This paper addresses the knowledge gap and discusses various Myanmar-specific cultural issues that await researchers.
Responses of leaf traits to low temperature in an evergreen oak at its upper limit
Authors: Zhang Xi Jin , Song Kun , Pan Ying Ji , Gao Zhi Wen , Pu Fa Guang , Lu Jia Hui , Shang Kan Kan , Da Liang Jun , Cieraad Ellen
Published: July 2020

Low temperature is a major driver of the upper distributional limits of subtropical evergreen broadleaved forests in East Asia. The eco‐physiology of evergreen broadleaved trees at the upper limits could respond to both lower winter temperature and lower averaged annual temperature that covary with elevation. To analyze these responses, we assessed the variations in leaf chemical traits of Cyclobalanopsis gracilis with seasonality and along elevation in the ecotone from subtropical to temperate climate, and analyzed the relationships between traits of mature leaves and temperature. The study showed that the mass‐based nonstructural carbohydrate (NSC) content reached the highest level across elevations during winter; however, the winter NSC content did not differ between elevations. For mature leaves, leaf dry mass per area (LMA) tended to be higher approaching the upper limit. The leaf carbon to phosphorus ratio (C/P) showed an increasing trend with decreasing temperature, as did leaf carbon to nitrogen ratio (C/N) to some extent. The mass‐based P content showed a decreasing trend approaching the upper limit, whereas area‐based P content showed no significant variation. Our main results indicate that leaf NSC content is highest at all elevations in winter, and individuals at high elevations have high LMA and high nutrient use efficiency. The results suggest that for C. gracilis, an increasing leaf NSC results in a baseline protection to cope with cold in winter, which, at higher elevations is supplemented with increasing LMA and nutrient use efficiency to cope with associated low‐temperature stress.
The impact of institutions on financial development: Evidence from East Asian countries
Authors: Feng Yongqi , Yu Xinye
Published: July 2020

This paper examines the impact of institutions on regional financial development using a panel data model of 11 East Asian countries during 1996–2017. It divides the institutional factors into six economic factors and six legal‐political factors. The analysis demonstrates that the legal‐political institutional factors have a stronger impact on financial development than the economic institutional factors in East Asia. Improvement in institutional quality such as fiscal freedom, business freedom, control of corruption, government effectiveness, regulatory quality and rule of law can promote financial development. Improvements of these institutional factors facilitate the ability of enterprises to allocate resources and improve the strength of business operations, thereby reducing transaction costs and making the financial operating environment fairer and more efficient. With the improvement of institutional factors, financial development will have more opportunities to develop better. Institutional impacts are more pronounced in the financial development in Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Myanmar than in the other countries such as China, Japan, Korea and Singapore.
Democracy through Time: Identity Politics and Future Generations
Authors: Ware Alan
Published: July 2020

Since the 1980s identities have re‐emerged as a powerful factor shaping support for specific public policies, often doing so at the expense of prioritising the interests of future generations. Outside the United States a major causal factor has been the declining ability of many political parties to mobilise support for themselves and their policies. Consequently, considerations derived from the past can be at the expense of future citizens. This article analyses two major policies separated by a century—Prohibition in the US and Brexit. With both, the enacted policies featured limited previous public discussion about their likely consequences. Moreover, in both cases it was a ‘hard’ version that would be enacted, even though some supporters had favoured more moderate policy options. While not all policies driven by support from particular identities harm future generations, some do. This results from politicians in public utterances previously being insufficiently focussed in detail on the policy’s consequences.
Elevated intracellular cyclic‐di‐GMP level in Shewanella oneidensis increases expression of c‐type cytochromes
Authors: Ng Chun Kiat , Xu Jiabao , Cai Zhao , Yang Liang , Thompson Ian P. , Huang Wei E. , Cao Bin
Published: July 2020

Electrochemically active biofilms are capable of exchanging electrons with solid electron acceptors and have many energy and environmental applications such as bioelectricity generation and environmental remediation. The performance of electrochemically active biofilms is usually dependent on c‐type cytochromes, while biofilm development is controlled by a signal cascade mediated by the intracellular secondary messenger bis‐(3ʹ‐5ʹ) cyclic dimeric guanosine monophosphate (c‐di‐GMP). However, it is unclear whether there are any links between the c‐di‐GMP regulatory system and the expression of c‐type cytochromes. In this study, we constructed a S. oneidensis MR‐1 strain with a higher cytoplasmic c‐di‐GMP level by constitutively expressing a c‐di‐GMP synthase and it exhibited expected c‐di‐GMP‐influenced traits, such as lowered motility and increased biofilm formation. Compared to MR‐1 wild‐type strain, the high c‐di‐GMP strain had a higher Fe(III) reduction rate (21.58 vs 11.88 pM of Fe(III)/h cell) and greater expression of genes that code for the proteins involved in the Mtr pathway, including CymA, MtrA, MtrB, MtrC and OmcA. Furthermore, single‐cell Raman microspectroscopy (SCRM) revealed a great increase of c‐type cytochromes in the high c‐di‐GMP strain as compared to MR‐1 wild‐type strain. Our results reveal for the first time that the c‐di‐GMP regulation system indirectly or directly positively regulates the expression of cytochromes involved in the extracellular electron transport (EET) in S. oneidensis, which would help to understand the regulatory mechanism of c‐di‐GMP on electricity production in bacteria.
Samuel Johnson and Good Hating
Authors: Leonard‐Roy Thomas
Published: July 2020

This article proposes a definition of Johnson’s popular term, the ‘good hater’, in order to explore his ideas about malicious conversation and criticism. Good hating was a conversational and critical ideal for Johnson, in contrast to ‘bad hating’ – hatred motivated by malice or malignity – which threatened civil discourse. Johnson’s own malice and ‘roughness’ are a vexed question in biographies by James Boswell, John Hawkins and Hester Lynch Piozzi. In spite of the efforts of Boswell, who has largely influenced the popular image of Johnson, I argue that Johnson fails to meet his own standards of good hating.
Gossip and Sexual Transgression in ‘English Society’ in 1790s’ Naples
Authors: Hanley‐Smith Natalie
Published: July 2020

This essay analyses Lady Elizabeth Webster's journal, in which she chronicled her travels across Europe in the 1790s. Her journal suggests that there was an English community in Naples, whose codes of conduct were modelled on those that regulated elite society in England. Elite women who transgressed the rules could face consequences: Naples was not a place where women could hide from gossip and scrutiny. The journals also provide a fascinating insight into an elite woman's approach to sexual mores and demonstrate that, while attitudes towards sexual behaviour were highly internalised, how individuals put codes into practice was far more complex and open to discrepancies.
The Long Arm of Anti‐corruption: Extraterritoriality and Anti‐corruption Targeted Sanctions
Authors: Zabyelina Yuliya
Published: July 2020

Both books recommend systematization of anti‐corruption norms whether by the means of legal institutions (Hock) or agreeing on a set of human rights safeguards against anti‐corruption sanctions (Moiseienko). Both argue that unless there is a shared understanding of what international law requires and how far states may or may not go in the enforcement of the anti‐corruption regime, tensions with non‐cooperative countries may become even more considerable.
The phytochemical epigallocatechin gallate prolongs the lifespan by improving lipid metabolism, reducing inflammation and oxidative stress in high‐fat diet‐fed obese rats
Authors: Yuan Hang , Li Yuqiao , Ling Fan , Guan Yue , Zhang Dandan , Zhu Qiushuang , Liu Jinxiao , Wu Yuqing , Niu Yucun
Published: July 2020

We have recently reported that epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) could extend lifespan in healthy rats. This study aimed to investigate the effects and mechanisms of a high dose of EGCG in extending the lifespan of obese rats. Ninety adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into the control (NC), high‐fat (HF) and EGCG groups. Serum glucose and lipids, inflammation and oxidative stress were dynamically determined from adulthood to death, and the transcriptome and proteome of the liver were also examined. The median lifespans of the NC, HF and EGCG groups were 693, 599 and 683 days, respectively, and EGCG delayed death by 84 days in obese rats. EGCG improved serum glucose and lipids and reduced inflammation and oxidative stress associated with aging in obese rats induced by a high‐fat diet. EGCG also significantly decreased the levels of total free fatty acids (FFAs), SFAs and the n‐6/n‐3 ratio but significantly increased the n‐3 FFAs related to longevity. The joint study of the transcriptome and proteome in liver found that EGCG exerted its effects mainly by regulating the suppression of hydrogen peroxide and oxygen species metabolism, suppression of oxidative stress, activation of fatty acid transport and oxidation and cholesterol metabolism. EGCG significantly increased the protein expression of FOXO1, Sirt1, CAT, FABP1, GSTA2, ACSL1 and CPT2 but significantly decreased NF‐κB, ACC1 and FAS protein levels in the livers of rats. All the results indicate that EGCG extends lifespan by improving FFA metabolism and reducing the levels of inflammatory and oxidative stress in obese rats.
Assessing the risks of changing ongoing management of endangered species
Authors: Ferrière C. , Zuël N. , Ewen J. G. , Jones C. G. , Tatayah V. , Canessa S.
Published: July 2020

Recovery programmes for endangered species can become increasingly demanding over time, but managers may be reluctant to change ongoing actions that are believed to be assisting recovery. We used a quantitative risk assessment to choose support strategies for a reintroduced population of Mauritius olive white‐eyesZosterops chloronothos. Facing increasing costs, managers considered changing the ongoing supplementary feeding strategy, but at the same time worried this could jeopardize the observed positive population trend. We used a feeding experiment to compare the current feeding regime and a cheaper alternative (a simple sugar/water mix). Results suggested the cheaper alternative would only marginally reduce population vital rates. We assessed the influence of these results and the associated uncertainty on population recovery and management costs using two decision‐analytic criteria, incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio and stochastic dominance. The new feeding regime was expected to be, on average, more cost‐effective than thestatus quo. Moreover, even negative outcomes would only likely mean a slower growing population, not a declining one, whereas not changing feeding regime actually entailed greater risk. Because shifting from the current regime to a cheaper sugar/water mixture was both a risk‐averse and a cost‐effective choice, we decided to implement this change. Four years after the experiment, the population continues to grow and costs have been contained, matching predictions almost exactly. In this case, the field experiment provided useful empirical information about prospective actions; the risk analysis then helped us understand the real implications of changing the feeding regime. We encourage managers of recovery plans facing a similar situation to explicitly recognize trade‐offs and risk aversion, and address them by combining targeted research and formal decision analysis.
Comparison of surgical outcomes using Gyrus PKS™ vs LigaSure™ in total laparoscopic hysterectomy: A randomised controlled trial
Authors: Wong Clare , Goh Amy , Merkur Harry
Published: July 2020

Background

Advanced vessel sealing devices are widely used in laparoscopic surgery. However, there remains a lack of adequately powered trials comparing laparoscopic advanced vessel sealing devices in the clinical setting, especially in gynaecology.

Aims

This single‐blinded randomised controlled trial aims to compare the surgical outcomes of total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH) using either the Gyrus PKS™ LYONS dissecting forceps or the LigaSure™ Maryland jaw vessel sealer/divider.

Materials and Methods

Women who required TLHs for benign indications were randomised to having their surgeries performed using either Gyrus PKS™ or LigaSure™. Time to haemostasis (from initial skin incision to detachment of the uterus with secured haemostasis) was the primary outcome; a 20% difference in time was considered clinically significant. Secondary outcomes measured were intra‐operative blood loss, complications, conversions, post‐operative analgesia use, and length of stay. This study was registered with the Australia New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12615000639516.

Results

Sixty‐four women were included in the study – 33 and 31 in the Gyrus PKS™ and LigaSure™ arms, respectively. TLHs performed by LigaSure™ had statistically significantly shorter time to haemostasis compared to Gyrus PKS™ by 10.6 min (95% CI 1.3–2.0, P = 0.03). There were no differences in any of the other secondary outcomes measured.

Conclusions

This trial suggests there is no difference between using either device. TLHs performed using LigaSure™ have statistically significantly shorter time to haemostasis than those using Gyrus PKS™; however, the difference is not considered clinically significant as it was only 14.2%. No other differences in surgical outcomes were detected.
Silicon Fox
Authors: Monserrate Steven Gonzalez
Published: July 2020

“Silicon Fox” is a work of speculative fiction derived from fieldwork research in the emerging Icelandic and North American data storage industry. The story narrativizes the anxieties and hopes of people in the cloud infrastructure sector in Iceland and investors in North America. This work of fiction is a meditation on the future promise and peril of Iceland as a hub for cloud computing and data storage in the near future. The scenarios, settings, and characters depicted are fabulations based in part on interview data and ethnographic field notes. Given the salience and widespread appeal of the murder mystery genre in Iceland, the story takes on this meta‐frame and relies on it to showcase the moral anxieties and dilemmas of Icelanders as they speculate on what challenges the future may bring for Iceland if it becomes a data hub.
The “business–territory” relationship of cooperative societies as compared to the conventional business sector in the region of Andalusia
Authors: Pérez González Maria del Carmen , Valiente Palma Lidia
Published: July 2020

The purpose of this study is to identify whether cooperativism in Andalusia is related to the territory in which it takes place. The discovery of a “cooperativism–territory” relationship is of particular interest, given Andalusia's significant territorial diversity and the ability of cooperative societies to adapt to different surroundings. Noteworthy among the results is the greater connection shown by cooperative societies to the area in which they carry out their activities, compared with that seen in the conventional business sector. As such, cooperative societies are strategic entities in terms of responding and adapting to the evolution of certain localized social needs emerging in the region of Andalusia.
Randomised clinical trial: combined impact and resistance training in adults with stable Crohn's disease
Authors: Jones Katherine , Baker Katherine , Speight R. Ally , Thompson Nicholas P. , Tew Garry A.
Published: July 2020

Background

Crohn's disease (CD) is a predisposing factor for bone loss and muscle dysfunction, which could lead to osteoporotic fractures and physical disability, respectively.

Aim

To assess the effect of 6 months of combined impact and resistance training on bone mineral density (BMD) and muscle function in adults with CD.

Methods

In this randomised controlled trial, 47 adults with stable CD were assigned to exercise (n = 23) or control (n = 24) groups and followed up for 6 months. The exercise group received usual care plus a 6‐month combined impact and resistance training programme, involving three, 60‐minute sessions per week and a gradual tapering of supervision to self‐management. The control group received usual care alone. The primary outcomes were BMD (via dual energy X‐ray absorptiometry) and muscle function (measures of upper and lower limb strength and endurance) at 6 months.

Results

At 6 months, BMD values were superior in the exercise group with statistical significance at lumbar spine (adjusted mean difference 0.036 g/cm2, 95% CI 0.024‐0.048; P < 0.001), but not at femoral neck (0.018 g/cm2, 0.001‐0.035; P = 0.059) or greater trochanter (0.013 g/cm2, −0.019 to 0.045; P = 0.415) after correcting for multiple outcomes. The exercise group also had superior values for all muscle function outcomes (P < 0.001; unadjusted mean differences ranging 22.6‒48.2%), and lower fatigue severity (P = 0.005). Three exercise‐related adverse events were recorded: two instances of light‐headedness and one of nausea.

Conclusions

The intervention improved BMD and muscle function in adults with CD and appears as a suitable model of exercise for reducing future risk of osteoporotic fractures and disability.

Trial registration: ISRCTN11470370.
Proton pump inhibitors increase risk of bone fractures in men with cirrhosis: a population‐based study
Authors: Labenz Christian , Wörns Marcus‐Alexander , Adarkwah Charles C. , Galle Peter R. , Schattenberg Jörn M. , Kostev Karel
Published: July 2020

Background

Bone fractures are a frequent complication in patients with cirrhosis. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are among the most frequently prescribed medications and may impair bone quality and quantity.

Aims

To investigate whether PPI use predisposes patients with cirrhosis to bone fractures.

Methods

We performed a population‐based case‐control study exploring a sample of patients with cirrhosis derived from the Disease Analyzer database. In total, 1795 cirrhotic patients with fractures were compared to 10 235 cirrhotic patients without fractures. PPI use overall and the cumulative PPI dose 5 years prior to the index date were analysed. To estimate the association between PPI use and fractures, logistic regression analyses were performed taking cofounding factors into consideration.

Results

PPI use was more frequently seen in cirrhotic patients with fractures compared to controls (67.0% vs 53.4%, P < 0.001). In regression analyses, PPI use was associated with bone fractures after adjusting for important confounders (OR 1.34, 95% CI 1.20‐1.51, P < 0.001). Importantly, the strongest effect of PPIs on bone fractures was seen in men and patients below 70 years of age. On further sensitivity analyses, we observed a dose‐dependent effect for all PPIs with the strongest effect in cirrhotic patients receiving a dose of >50 000 mg during the 5 years prior to index date (OR 1.63, 95% CI 1.32‐2.03).

Conclusions

PPI use was associated with bone fractures in a dose‐dependent fashion in patients with cirrhosis. PPI use in these patients should be based on a careful risk‐benefit assessment.
All‐trans‐retinoic acid shifts Th1 towards Th2 cell differentiation by targeting NFAT1 signalling to ameliorate immune‐mediated aplastic anaemia
Authors: Tang Dabin , Liu Shengli , Sun Huiying , Qin Xia , Zhou Neng , Zheng Weiwei , Zhang Mengyi , Zhou Hang , Tuersunayi Abudureheman , Duan Caiwen , Chen Jing
Published: July 2020

Severe acquired aplastic anaemia (AA) is a serious disease characterised by autoreactive T cells attacking haematopoietic stem cells, leading to marrow hypoplasia and pancytopenia. Immunosuppressive therapy combined with antithymocyte globulin and ciclosporin can rescue most patients with AA. However, the relapse after ciclosporin withdrawal and the severe side effects of long‐term ciclosporin administration remain unresolved. As such, new strategies should be developed to supplement current therapeutics and treat AA. In this study, the possibility of all‐trans‐retinoic acid (ATRA) as an alternative AA treatment was tested by using an immune‐mediated mouse model of AA. Results revealed that ATRA inhibited T‐cell proliferation, activation and effector function. It also restrained the Fas/Fasl pathway, shifted Th1 towards Th2 cell development, rebalanced T‐cell subsets at a relatively high level and corrected the Th1/Th2 ratio by targeting NFAT1 signalling. In addition, ATRA inhibited Th17 cell differentiation and promoted regulatory T‐cell development. Therefore, ATRA was an effective agent to improve AA treatment outcomes.
Disclosure and plan of care at end of life: Perspectives of people with intellectual disabilities and families in Ireland
Authors: Cithambaram Kumaresan , Duffy Mel , Courtney Eileen
Published: July 2020

Accessible summary

Professionals are reluctant to discuss sensitive information with people with intellectual disabilities.

People with intellectual disabilities and families wish to engage in end‐of‐life discussions.

People with intellectual disabilities expressed how they could handle bad news and they felt that this information could be used to help make choices.

People with intellectual disabilities and families want to develop a plan based on their choices and wishes and there is a need to respect this at the end of life.

Background

Recently, more and more people with intellectual disabilities have been dying from life‐limiting conditions, and on many occasions, people with intellectual disabilities have not been informed of this. There is limited evidence concerning the views and opinions of this cohort regarding the information that is needed in order for decision‐making to occur at the end of life. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the perceptions of people with intellectual disabilities and families in terms of the information that is needed as part of end‐of‐life decision‐making.

Materials and Methods

A qualitative approach was employed to explore the information needed by, and the decision‐making ability of, people with intellectual disabilities at the end‐of‐life phase. One‐to‐one interviews were carried out with nineteen people following the obtaining of ethical approval. The constant comparative method was used to analyse the data.

Results

It was found that people with intellectual disabilities were comfortable with, and wished to know about, what was happening in their lives, including the existence of life‐limiting conditions, so that they would be able to create a good plan for their future care. It was also expressed how it was essential to create a plan of care that allowed professionals to provide excellent care and use of which prevented the occurrence of any ambiguity.

Conclusions

The study found that people with intellectual disabilities, especially those with mild and moderate, are able to handle complex and sensitive information and make decisions for themselves regarding their care when adequate support is in place.
Compound heterozygous splicing CDON variants result in isolated ocular coloboma
Authors: Reis Linda M. , Basel Donald , McCarrier Julie , Weinberg David V. , Semina Elena V.
Published: July 2020

Ocular coloboma is caused by failure of optic fissure closure during development and recognized as part of the microphthalmia, anophthalmia, and coloboma (MAC) spectrum. While many genes are known to cause colobomatous microphthalmia, relatively few have been reported in coloboma with normal eye size. Genetic analysis including trio exome sequencing and Sanger sequencing was undertaken in a family with two siblings affected with bilateral coloboma of the iris, retina, and choroid. Pathogenic variants in MAC genes were excluded. Trio analysis identified compound heterozygous donor splice site variants in CDON, a cell‐surface receptor known to function in the Sonic Hedgehog pathway, c.928 + 1G > A and c.2650 + 1G > T, in both affected individuals. Heterozygous missense and truncating CDON variants are associated with dominant holoprosencephaly (HPE) with incomplete penetrance and Cdon−/− mice display variable HPE and coloboma. A homozygous nonsense allele of uncertain significance was recently identified in a consanguineous patient with coloboma and a second molecular diagnosis. We report the first compound heterozygous variants in CDON as a cause of isolated coloboma. CDON is the first HPE gene identified to cause recessive coloboma. Given the phenotypic overlap, further examination of HPE genes in coloboma is indicated.
Heavy metals and the skin: Sensitization patterns in Lithuanian metalworkers
Authors: Linauskiene Kotryna , Isaksson Marléne , Malinauskiene Laura
Published: July 2020

Background

Metalworkers are exposed to many sensitizing and irritant substances. There are no published data on contact allergy in this population in the Baltic countries.

Objectives

To detect skin symptoms related to occupational exposure and to describe the reactivity pattern to the European baseline series in workers from two metal plants in Lithuania.

Methods

In this cross‐sectional study 185 metalworkers (154 production workers and 31 office staff) filled an interviewer‐administered questionnaire. Patch testing was performed in 135 metalworkers and office staff, as a control group.

Results

Metalworkers younger than 40 years complained statistically significantly more often of skin symptoms, especially on the hands and face, than older workers. Physician‐diagnosed skin diseases were reported in 1.7% of cases. Metalworkers, working <20 years in the factory, more often had skin symptoms. Contact with chemicals at the workplace was suspected as the main factor provoking skin symptoms. Metalworkers were sensitized mainly to cobalt, and nickel was the most prevalent allergen among office staff.

Conclusion

Younger metalworkers more often had skin symptoms suspected of being work‐related compared to older ones. Sensitization to cobalt was more prevalent in the metalworkers than in the control group.
DOES CULTURE AFFECT ELECTORAL OUTCOMES? EVIDENCE FROM TRANSITION COUNTRIES
Authors: Tarabar Danko , Portillo Javier E.
Published: July 2020

Why do some societies fail to adopt “good” economic institutions? Recent literature points to the role of complementarities between social norms and proposed formal rules in advancing institutional change. To shed light on one potential mechanism, we track election performance of executive parties in up to 18 post‐communist democracies over 1991–2015 to test whether cultural attitudes influenced voters' response to market reform. We show that in more individualistic cultures, reform is associated with greater reward for the incumbent in the next election. The implication is that in democracies, voters select policies and institutions that are in line with prevailing culture. (JEL O17, P35, Z1)
A pragmatic randomized clinical trial of insulin glargine 300 U/mL vs first‐generation basal insulin analogues in insulin‐naïve adults with type 2 diabetes: 6‐month outcomes of the ACHIEVE Control study
Authors: Meneghini Luigi F. , Sullivan Sean D. , Oster Gerry , Busch Robert , Cali Anna M. G. , Dauchy Arnaud , Gill Jasvinder , Bailey Timothy S.
Published: July 2020

Aims

To compare the safety and efficacy of insulin glargine 300 U/mL (Gla‐300) versus first‐generation standard‐of‐care basal insulin analogues (SOC‐BI; insulin glargine 100 U/mL or insulin detemir) at 6 months.

Methods

In the 12‐month, open‐label, multicentre, randomized, pragmatic ACHIEVE Control trial, insulin‐naïve adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) 64 to 97 mmol/mol (8.0%–11.0%) after ≥1 year of treatment with ≥2 diabetes medications were randomized to Gla‐300 or SOC‐BI. The composite primary endpoint, evaluated at 6 months, was the proportion of participants achieving individualized HbA1c targets per Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) criteria without documented symptomatic (blood glucose ≤3.9 mmol/L [≤70 mg/dL]) or severe hypoglycaemia at any time of the day at 6 months.

Results

Of 1651 and 1653 participants randomized to Gla‐300 and SOC‐BI, respectively, 31.3% and 27.9% achieved the composite primary endpoint at 6 months (odds ratio [OR] 1.19, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01–1.39; P = 0.03 for superiority); 78.4% and 75.3% had no documented symptomatic or severe hypoglycaemia (OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.01–1.41). Changes from baseline to month 6 in HbA1c, fasting plasma glucose, weight, and BI analogue dose were similar between groups.

Conclusions

Among insulin‐naïve adults with poorly controlled T2D, Gla‐300 was associated with a statistically significantly higher proportion of participants achieving individualized HEDIS HbA1c targets without documented symptomatic or severe hypoglycaemia (vs SOC‐BI) in a real‐life population managed in a usual‐care setting. The ACHIEVE Control study results add value to treatment decisions and options for patients, healthcare providers, payers and decision makers.
H2S donor improves heart function and vascular relaxation in diabetes
Authors: Dorofeyeva Natalya , Drachuk Konstantin , Rajkumar Rajasekaran , Sabnis Omkar , Sagach Vadim
Published: July 2020

Background and aims

Diabetes dramatically increases the risk of cardiovascular complications and mortality. Hydrogen sulphide plays an important role in reducing oxidative stress. Several studies demonstrated that hydrogen sulphide protects islet beta cells from oxidant stress damage and decreases apoptosis. The aim of the work is to investigate the effect of hydrogen sulphide donor on heart functions and endothelium‐dependent relaxation of aortic smooth muscle in diabetes.

Materials and methods

Rats were divided into control and diabetic groups. Diabetes mellitus was induced with a single intraperitoneally injection of streptozotocin (60 mg kg−1). The functional cardiohemodynamic indicators were registered via microcatheter and Pressure‐Volume System. The sodium hydrosulphide NaHS (15.8 mg kg−1) was administered intraperitoneally. The contractile activity of the muscle preparations of the thoracic aorta was recorded using a strain gauge.

Results

We demonstrate that the NaHS improves pumping function and restores diastolic heart function in streptozotocin‐induced (STZ) diabetes rats. We show that pretreatment with NaHS increased the stroke volume by 43.1%, and the ejection fraction increased by 48.64%. NaHS improves the ventriculo‐arterial coupling and increases by 3.4 times acetylcholine‐induced relaxation of the aorta in diabetic rats. The inhibition of NOS activity by blocker L‐NAME abolished NaHS‐mediated vasodilatation in the intact endothelium of the aorta in diabetes. It indicates that the NaHS caused vasodilatation by a NOS‐dependent mechanism.

Conclusion

The exogenous hydrogen sulphide can improve pumping function and restore diastolic heart function in diabetes. The pretreatment with NaHS can prevent endothelial dysfunction in diabetes due to the NOS‐dependent mechanism.
INTERNATIONAL TRANSMISSION MECHANISM AND WORLD BUSINESS CYCLE
Authors: Shen Yifan , Abeysinghe Tilak
Published: July 2020

Understanding international transmission mechanism that generates the world business cycle is of immense interest. In this paper, we compile a rich global dataset and utilize a trade‐linked structural vector autoregression (SVAR) model with a relatively realistic identification scheme to construct a worldwide dynamic interdependency system. Empirical results indicate that the trade‐linked SVAR system can largely capture the common dynamic properties of national business cycle fluctuations, providing a meaningful transmission foundation to the world business cycle derived from dynamic factor models. Based on the worldwide trade‐linked SVAR system, we further shed light on three crucial topics in international economics. The findings and methods in this paper help to evaluate the macroeconomic consequences of recent trade dispute between world major economies.(JELF41, F44, O19)
Lake trout growth is sensitive to spring temperature in southwest Alaska lakes
Authors: von Biela Vanessa R. , Black Bryan A. , Young Daniel B. , van der Sleen Peter , Bartz Krista K. , Zimmerman Christian E.
Published: July 2020

In high‐latitude lakes, air temperature is an important driver of ice cover thickness and duration, which in turn influence water temperature and primary production supporting lake consumers and predators. In lieu of multidecadal observational records necessary to assess the response of lakes to long‐term warming, we used otolith‐based growth records from a long‐lived resident lake fish, lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush), as a proxy for production. Lake trout were collected from seven deep, oligotrophic lakes in Lake Clark National Park and Preserve on in southwest Alaska that varied in the presence of marine‐derived nutrients (MDN) from anadromous sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka). Linear mixed‐effects models were used to partition variation in lake trout growth by age and calendar‐year and model comparisons tested for a mean increase in lake trout growth with sockeye salmon presence. Year effects from the best mixed‐effects model were subsequently compared to indices of temperature, lake ice, and regional indices of sockeye salmon escapement. A strong positive correlation between annual lake trout growth and temperature suggested that warmer springs, earlier lake ice break‐up, and a longer ice‐free growing season increase lake trout growth via previously identified bottom‐up increases in production with warming. Accounting for differences in the presence or annual escapement of sockeye salmon with available data did not improve model fit. Collectively with other studies, the results suggest that productivity of subarctic lakes has benefitted from warming spring temperatures and that temperature can synchronise otolith growth across lakes with and without sockeye salmon MDN.
Fatigue assessment of as‐built and heat‐treated Inconel 718 specimens produced by additive manufacturing including notch effects
Authors: Solberg Klas , Wan Di , Berto Filippo
Published: July 2020

The fatigue behaviour of notched and unnotched specimens produced by additively manufactured Inconel 718 were analysed in the as‐built and heat‐treated conditions. The surfaces display high roughness and defects acting as fatigue initiation sites. In the as‐built condition, fine subgrains were found, while in in the heat‐treated state, the subgrains were removed and the dislocation density recovered. SN‐curves are predicted based on tensile properties, hardness and defects obtained by fractography, using the
‐method.
Time‐dependent changes in the seroprevalence of COVID‐19 in asymptomatic liver disease outpatients in an area in Japan undergoing a second wave of COVID‐19
Authors: Suda Goki , Ogawa Koji , Kimura Megumi , Maehara Osamu , Kitagataya Takashi , Ohara Masatsugu , Tokuchi Yoshimasa , Kubo Akinori , Yamada Ren , Shigesawa Taku , Suzuki Kazuharu , Kawagishi Naoki , Nakai Masato , Sho Takuya , Natsuizaka Mitsuteru , Morikawa Kenichi , Sakamoto Naoya
Published: July 2020

Aim

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) is a serious public health concern, with unclarified prevalence in Japan. Concomitant liver disease could increase the severity of COVID‐19 disease, and chronic liver disease patients sometimes require frequent admission and gastrointestinal endoscopy. Thus, clarifying the prevalence of asymptomatic COVID‐19 in outpatients with liver disease is essential for preventing nosocomial infections. We aimed to clarify the time‐dependent changes in COVID‐19 seroprevalence in liver disease outpatients, who were asymptomatic for COVID‐19, in an area of Japan experiencing a second wave of COVID‐19.

Methods

We included the preserved sera of 100, 300, and 300 consecutive liver disease outpatients, who were asymptomatic for COVID‐19, from May 2019, March 2020, and May 2020, respectively. The sera were analyzed immunochromatographically to detect immunoglobulin G against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) (KURABO) and by Elecsys Anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2‐assay (Roche Diagnostics).

Results

Analysis of 100 cases from May 2019, before COVID‐19 became pandemic, revealed that the specificity of immunochromatographic tests and Elecsys were 98% (95% confidence interval [CI], 93–99.8%) and 100% (95% CI, 97–100%), respectively. Analysis of 300 cases from March 2020 revealed a seroprevalence of 0.3% (1/300; 95% CI, 0–1.8%) for COVID‐19 by Elecsys Anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 assay. Analysis of 300 cases from May 2020 revealed a seroprevalence of 0% (0/300; 95% CI, 0–1.0%).

Conclusions

The Elecsys Anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 assay has high specificity. The cumulative seroprevalence of COVID‐19 by the Elecsys Anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 assay in outpatients with liver disease in Sapporo, who were asymptomatic for COVID‐19, was 0.17% (1/600; 95% CI, 0.0–0.9%) until May 2020.
Habitat preferences of the endangered diving beetleGraphoderus bilineatus: implications for conservation management
Authors: Kolar Vojtech , Boukal David S.
Published: July 2020

Populations of the endangered diving beetleGraphoderus bilineatusare decreasing across Europe. Evidence‐based conservation of its local populations requires good knowledge of its habitat requirements, but data from different countries are often incomplete or contradictory.

Graphoderus bilineatuswas common until 1950s but then almost disappeared in the Czech Republic. Using data from a recent field survey in its core distributional area in the Czech Republic, we evaluate its habitat preferences at the habitat and microhabitat scale.

We found that extensively managed fishponds can provide similarly suitable habitats forG. bilineatusas do more natural habitats including floodplain and sandpit pools, while the species is typically absent in intensively managed fishponds. All else being equal, the species is more likely found in larger water bodies surrounded by other wetlands and is more often absent at sites in agricultural landscape.

We detected only weak preferences on the microhabitat scale. They suggested thatG. bilineatustends to occur in deeper water but closer to the shore and in microhabitats dominated byGlyceriaorTypha. These microhabitat associations partly differ from those reported from other countries.

Moreover,G. bilineatuswas found at localities with higher species richness of large‐bodied aquatic beetles, both common and threatened, supporting the species status as an umbrella species for other aquatic macroinvertebrates.

Our findings provide guidelines for conservation management of currently known localities and other potentially suitable sites, including the creation of new ones. Finally, our study reinforces the Annex II species status ofG. bilineatusin the Habitats and Species Directive.
Bullying victimization and obesogenic behaviour among adolescents aged 12 to 15 years from 54 low‐ and middle‐income countries
Authors: Smith Lee , Jacob Louis , Shin Jae Il , Tully Mark A , Pizzol Damiano , López‐Sánchez Guillermo F. , Gorely Trish , Yang Lin , Grabovac Igor , Koyanagi Ai
Published: July 2020

Background

Data on the association between obesogenic behaviours and bullying victimization among adolescents are scarce from low‐ and middle‐income countries.

Objectives

To assess the associations between obesogenic behaviours and bullying victimization in 54 low‐ and middle‐income countries.

Methods

Cross‐sectional data from the global school‐based student health survey were analyzed. Data on bullying victimization and obesogenic behaviours were collected. The association between bullying victimization and the different types of obesogenic behaviour (anxiety‐induced insomnia, fast‐food consumption, carbonated soft‐drink consumption, no physical activity and sedentary behaviour) were assessed by country‐wise multivariable logistic regression analysis adjusting for age, sex, food insecurity and obesity with obesogenic behaviours being the outcome.

Result

The sample consisted of 153 929 students aged 12 to 15 years [mean (SD) age 13.8 (1.0) years; 49.3% girls]. Overall, bullying victimization (vs no bullying victimization) was significantly associated with greater odds for all types of obesogenic behaviour with the exception of physical activity, which showed an inverse association. Specifically, the ORs (95% CIs) were: anxiety‐induced sleep problems 2.65 (2.43‐2.88); fast‐food consumption 1.36 (1.27‐1.44); carbonated soft‐drink consumption 1.14 (1.08‐1.21); no physical activity 0.84 (0.79‐0.89); and sedentary behaviour 1.34 (1.25‐1.43).

Conclusion

In this large representative sample of adolescents from low‐ and middle‐income countries, bullying victimization was found to be associated with several, but not all, obesogenic behaviours.