bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Political connections and corporate social responsibility: Political incentives in China
Authors: Xu Shan , Liu Duchi
Published: August 2020

To explore the motivations underpinning corporate social responsibility (CSR) decisions in China, a country characterized by extensive government intervention, this paper investigates whether building a good relationship with the government is a political incentive that is driving firms to conduct CSR by examining the effects of political connections on the latter. Our results indicate that politically connected firms exhibit better CSR. However, the effect is considerably more significant for firms with existing political relationships. Additionally, findings show that the effect is more prominent in firms for which political connections are more valuable, namely, non‐state‐owned enterprises, small firms, and firms operating in less market‐oriented cities, indicating that CSR can serve as a differentiation strategy to compete against other bidders. Dividing CSR activities into economic, environmental and social aspects, we find that the social‐based activities are more likely to be driven by political motivations. By categorizing CSR and political connections, this paper not only expands the scope of political CSR and renders the generated results that have been mixed together more distinguishable, but also provides a more precise understanding of the fundamental drivers of CSR in China from the perspective of resource exchange.
Does Employment Protection Affect Qualification Mismatch?
Authors: Maida Agata , Tealdi Cristina
Published: August 2020

This article investigates the effect of the relaxation of the rigidity of employment protection legislation in dual economies on qualification mismatch, measured as the sum of over‐education and under‐education. Using a unique matched employer–employee flow dataset, the effect of two reforms, which significantly modified the rules for the utilization of temporary contracts in Italy, is studied. By increasing the relative flow of workers on short‐term contracts, the short‐term contract reform is found to have reduced the relative flow of over‐educated workers. However, this result holds only for older male workers, while no effect is found for female and younger workers. The apprenticeship reform instead had no major effects on the relative flow of mismatched workers.
Retzius‐sparing robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy: early learning curve experience in three continents
Authors: Galfano Antonio , Secco Silvia , Dell’Oglio Paolo , Rha Koon , Eden Christopher , Fransis Karen , Sooriakumaran Prasanna , De La Muela Pedro Sanchez , Kowalczyk Keith , Miyagawa Tomoaki , Assenmacher Christophe , Matsubara Akio , Chiu Kun‐Yuan , Boylu Ugur , Lee Harry , Bocciardi Aldo Massimo
Published: August 2020

Objective

To assess the effect of surgical experience on peri‐operative, functional and oncological outcomes during the first 50 Retzius‐sparing robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy (RsRARP) cases performed by surgeons naïve to this novel approach.

Materials and Methods

We retrospectively evaluated the initial cases operated by 14 surgeons in 12 different international centres. Pre‐, peri‐ and postoperative features of the first 50 patients operated by each surgeon in all the participating centres were collected. The effect of surgical experience on peri‐operative, functional and oncological outcomes was firstly evaluated after stratification by level of surgical experience (initial [≤25 cases] and expert [>25 cases]) and after using locally weighted scatterplot smoothing to graphically explore the relationship between surgical experience and the outcomes of interest.

Results

We evaluated 626 patients. The median follow‐up was 13 months in the initial group and 9 months in the expert group (P = 0.002). Preoperative features overlapped between the two groups. Shorter console time (140 vs 120 min; P = 0.001) and a trend towards lower complications rates (13 vs 5.5%; P = 0.038) were observed in the expert group. The relationship between surgical experience and console time, immediate urinary continence recovery and Clavien–Dindo grade ≥2 complications was linear, without reaching a plateau, after 50 cases. Conversely, a non‐linear relationship was observed between surgical experience and positive surgical margins (PSMs).

Conclusions

In this first report of a multicentre experience of RsRARP during the learning curve, we found that console time, immediate urinary continence recovery and postoperative complications are optimal from the beginning and further quickly improve during the learning process, while PSM rates did not clearly improve over the first 50 cases.
Structure‐based non‐nucleoside inhibitor design: Developing inhibitors that are effective against resistant mutants
Authors: Smith Steven J. , Pauly Gary T. , Hewlett Katharine , Schneider Joel P. , Hughes Stephen H.
Published: August 2020

Non‐nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) inhibit reverse transcription and block the replication of HIV‐1. Currently, NNRTIs are usually used as part of a three‐drug combination given to patients as antiretroviral therapy. These combinations involve other classes of anti‐HIV‐1 drugs, commonly nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). However, attempts are being made to develop two‐drug maintenance therapies, some of which involve an NNRTI and an integrase strand transfer inhibitor. This has led to a renewed interest in developing novel NNRTIs, with a major emphasis on designing compounds that can effectively inhibit the known NNRTI‐resistant mutants. We have generated and tested novel rilpivirine (RPV) analogs. The new compounds were designed to exploit a small opening in the upper right periphery of the NNRTI‐binding pocket. The best of the new compounds, 12, was a more potent inhibitor of the NNRTI‐resistant mutants we tested than either doravirine or efavirenz but was inferior to RPV. We describe the limitations on the modifications that can be appended to the “upper right side” of the RPV core and the effects of substituting other cores for the central pyrimidine core of RPV and make suggestions about how this information can be used in NNRTI design.
Depression and Anxiety in the Postnatal Period: An Examination of Infants’ Home Language Environment, Vocalizations, and Expressive Language Abilities
Authors: Brookman Ruth , Kalashnikova Marina , Conti Janet , Xu Rattanasone Nan , Grant Kerry‐Ann , Demuth Katherine , Burnham Denis
Published: August 2020

This longitudinal study investigated the effects of maternal emotional health concerns, on infants’ home language environment, vocalization quantity, and expressive language skills. Mothers and their infants (at 6 and 12 months; 21 mothers with depression and or anxiety and 21 controls) provided day‐long home‐language recordings. Compared with controls, risk group recordings contained fewer mother–infant conversational turns and infant vocalizations, but daily number of adult word counts showed no group difference. Furthermore, conversational turns and infant vocalizations were stronger predictors of infants’ 18‐month vocabulary size than depression and anxiety measures. However, anxiety levels moderated the effect of conversational turns on vocabulary size. These results suggest that variability in mothers’ emotional health influences infants’ language environment and later language ability.
Smart contract for distributed energy trading in virtual power plants based on blockchain
Authors: Lu Jing , Wu Shihong , Cheng Hanlei , Xiang Zhiyu
Published: August 2020

The energy system is evolving from smart grid to energy Internet. Virtual power plant (VPP), as an important part of the energy Internet, plays an important role in the distributed energy generation and trading. In this article, a blockchain‐based VPP transaction model is established for the future energy Internet driven by real‐time electricity price. Then the smart contracts for distributed energy trading in VPPs using blockchain technology are proposed, and the key technological difficulties are analyzed and the solutions are given. Experiments show that the proposed model can reflect the supply and demand information in real time, so that two‐way selection can be carried out under the condition of information symmetry when distributed energy is connected to the grid. If our method is applied, we can help distributed energy suppliers set electricity prices, reduce the trust cost and improve the energy trading efficiency. Also, we can help the distributed energy voluntarily participate in VPPs and joint maintain the system, then solve the problem of VPP's coordinated control and scheduling of distributed energy resources.
A Personal View: Navigating conflicting claims of legality and women’s safety at a volunteer medical clinic in Guatemala
Authors: Altshuler Ellery
Published: August 2020

This paper examines the ethical considerations in a case of a 12‐year‐old girl seeking an abortion in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala in early 2020. The physician denied the girl care and did not refer her to a qualified provider, citing the illegality of such actions. Though abortion is illegal in Guatemala, enforcement of the law is sparse, and many abortions are performed every year. The physician would have taken on minimal personal risk by helping the girl. This case exemplifies a circumstance in which breaking the law to help a patient is ethically justified.
Associations between usual glycated haemoglobin and cardiovascular disease in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A 10‐year diabetes cohort study
Authors: Wan Eric YF , Yu Esther YT , Chen Julie Y , Wong Ian CK , Chan Esther WY , Lam Cindy LK
Published: August 2020

Aim

To investigate the assocation between glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) level and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk among patients with type 2 diabetes.

Materials and methods

This retrospective cohort study conducted in Hong Kong selected patients aged 45 to 84 years with type 2 diabetes mellitus and without CVD from primary care clinics during the period 2008 to 2010. Usual HbA1c measurement was calculated using a mixed‐effects model to minimize regression dilution bias. The association between usual HbA1c and CVD risk was assessed by Cox regression, with adjustment for baseline covariates. Subgroup analyses by patient characteristics were also conducted.

Results

After a median follow‐up period of 8.4 years (1.4 million person‐years), 174 028 patients with 34 074 CVD events were observed. A curvilinear association was found between usual HbA1c and total CVD, stroke, heart failure and CVD mortality risk. No significant difference was found among patients with usual HbA1c <53 mmol/mol (7%). A positive linear association was found between usual HbA1c and the risks of outcomes when the usual HbA1c was 53 mmol/mol (7%) or above. The adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for CVD risk per 1% increment in usual HbA1c >7% was 21% (HR 1.21, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.18–1.23) (HR for CVD per 1mmol/mol increment in usual HbA1c > 53 mmol/mol was 1.7% (HR 1.017, CI 1.015‐1.019)). A similar pattern was identified in a patient subgroup analysis, but the effects of usual HbA1c in younger patients were more prominent than in older patients.

Conclusions

Usual HbA1c increments for levels >53 mmol/mol (7.0%) were associated with elevated CVD risk, but no difference was found in the population with usual HbA1c <53 mmol/mol (7.0%), irrespective of patient characteristics. For CVD prevention, strict adherence to an HbA1c target of <53 mmol/mol (7%) should apply to younger patients.
WHEN DO SHELTER‐IN‐PLACE ORDERS FIGHT COVID‐19 BEST? POLICY HETEROGENEITY ACROSS STATES AND ADOPTION TIME
Authors: Dave Dhaval , Friedson Andrew I. , Matsuzawa Kyutaro , Sabia Joseph J.
Published: August 2020

This study explores the impact of Shelter‐in‐Place Orders (SIPOs) on health, with attention to heterogeneity in their impacts. First, using daily state‐level social distancing data, we document that adoption of a SIPO was associated with a 9%–10% increase in the rate at which state residents remained in their homes full‐time. Using daily state‐level coronavirus case data, we find that approximately 3 weeks following the adoption of a SIPO, cumulative COVID‐19 cases fell by approximately 53.5%. However, this average effect masks important heterogeneity across states‐early adopters and high population density states appear to reap larger benefits from their SIPOs. (JEL H75, I12, I18)
Production of β‐glucosidases by European Armillaria species
Authors: Idder‐Ighili H. , Agustian A. , Idder M. A. , Guillaumin J. J. , Wipf D. , Botton B.
Published: August 2020

Production of β‐glucosidase was investigated in nine isolates of Armillaria representing four species found in Europe: Armillaria mellea and Armillaria ostoyae, considered to be pathogenic and moderately pathogenic, respectively, and Armillaria. gallica and Armillaria cepistipes, both considered to be non‐pathogenic. β‐glucosidase was predominantly produced in the rhizomorphs, while the vegetative mycelium produced only a low amount of enzyme. Pachlewski's medium containing ammonium tartrate, glucose, maltose and thiamine was very efficient in promoting differentiation and growth of rhizomorphs. In A. ostoyae and A. cepistipes, a large proportion of β‐glucosidase production was endocellular, but the rhizomorphs of all species excreted significant amounts of the enzyme in the culture medium once they had grown. The pathogenic species A. ostoyae and A. mellea excreted significantly more β‐glucosidase than the non‐pathogenic species, indicating that this enzyme might play a key role in pathogenicity. Native intracellular β‐glucosidases were visualized as three bands at 470, 164 and 82 kDa on polyacrylamide gradient gels. The native excreted enzymes exhibited two, three or four bands depending on the isolates, with molecular weights ranging from 170 to 400 kDa.
Semi‐professional school leadership in Spain: Gender differences
Authors: Tierno‐García Juana‐María , Camarero‐Figuerola Marta , Iranzo‐García Pilar , Barrios‐Arós Charo
Published: August 2020

Constructing the identity of school principals is difficult because being a principal requires carrying out complex functions in challenging contexts. Our research addressed semi‐professional school leadership in Catalonia, Spain, with a particular focus on differences in the managerial styles of men and women. In Spain, the school management system is semi‐professional which means that principals are teachers who take on leadership roles for limited periods. In a descriptive study based on an ad hoc questionnaire administered to a representative sample, we considered the personal and contextual characteristics of elementary school principals. Focusing on the variable of gender, this article analyses principals' reasons for accepting and continuing in their position and principals' priorities when performing their duties; also, their perceptions of various aspects of the school environment that help them in their role. We found significant differences related to gender. While the predominance of male principals in elementary education is declining, female principals, more than their male counterparts, must accept and tackle the challenges associated with contextualized, distributed and pedagogical leadership in conditions leading to overexertion. Many of the principals who were women worked in small, rural or disadvantaged schools. Paradoxically, female principals construct their professional identity in closer alignment with administrative style and with teaching duties than with leadership style. We conclude that these challenges should be taken into account and further investigated to avert the precarious position of women in school leadership.
Outcome of COVID‐19 in multiple myeloma patients in relation to treatment
Authors: Susek Katharina Helene , Gran Charlotte , Ljunggren Hans‐Gustaf , Alici Evren , Nahi Hareth
Published: August 2020

COVID‐19 has emerged as a global pandemic. Cancer patients have been reported to be at higher risk for adverse outcome of COVID‐19. Studies are ongoing to decipher the risk factors and risk groups among cancer patients as well as strategies to refine treatment approaches. Here, we report eight patients with multiple myeloma that underwent immunomodulatory therapies with daratumumab or lenalidomide‐based combination treatments and one patient with smoldering multiple myeloma, all of which presented with symptomatic COVID‐19. We report that patients that succumbed to COVID‐19 presented with either progressive tumor disease under daratumumab treatment or were in remission under lenalidomide‐dexamethasone treatment.
A multimodal study of the effects of tDCS on dorsolateral prefrontal and temporo‐parietal areas during dichotic listening
Authors: Marquardt Lynn , Kusztrits Isabella , Craven Alexander R. , Hugdahl Kenneth , Specht Karsten , Hirnstein Marco
Published: August 2020

The underlying neural mechanisms of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), especially beyond the primary motor cortex, remain unclear. Several studies examined tDCS effects on either functional activity, neurotransmitters or behavior but few investigated those aspects together to reveal how the brain responds to tDCS. The objective is to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of tDCS using a multimodal approach that extends from behavioral to neurotransmitter levels of explanation. Thirty‐two healthy participants performed an auditory dichotic listening task at two visits, one session with sham and one session with real tDCS (2 mA) while simultaneously undergoing functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The anode and cathode were placed over the left temporo‐parietal cortex (TPC) and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, respectively. Before and after simultaneous dichotic listening/fMRI/tDCS, combined glutamate and glutamine (Glx) and myo‐inositol levels were assessed in the stimulated areas. While fMRI and dichotic listening showed expected functional activity and behavioral effects, neither method demonstrated differences between real and sham stimulation. Glx only showed a statistical trend towards higher levels after real tDCS in both stimulated brain areas. There were no significant correlations between behavior and Glx. Despite a reasonable sample size, electrical field strength, and replication of behavioral and functional activity results, tDCS had little to no effect on dichotic listening, Glx, and functional activity. The study emphasizes that findings about the underlying neural mechanisms of the primary motor cortex cannot simply be generalized to other brain areas. Particularly, the TPC might be less sensitive to tDCS. Moreover, the study demonstrates the general feasibility of multimodal approaches.
A new theory of absence experience
Authors: Gow Laura
Published: August 2020

Ordering your morning coffee and then realising that your wallet is missing from your bag triggers an experience of the absence of your wallet. Familiar cases like this one provide good evidence for the idea that we frequently experience absences. According to one popular view, we experience absences by perceiving them. I argue that there are a number of problems with the perceptual view, and propose an alternative, cognitive account. Now, a cognitive account of absence experience has already been widely discussed and unequivocally rejected by participants in the debate. However, arguments against it depend upon the important, yet mistaken assumption that cognitive accounts must appeal to beliefs or judgements. I argue that the phenomenology involved in absence experience is not that associated with belief or judgement, but is instead an intellectual seeming. This renders my account immune to the objections that have been made against the existing cognitive view.
Long‐term effects of COVID‐19 in a patient on maintenance dialysis
Authors: Alfano Gaetano , Perrone Rossella , Fontana Francesco , Mori Giacomo , Lucchi Leonardo , Guaraldi Giovanni , Magistroni Riccardo , Cappelli Gianni ,   for the Modena Covid‐19 Working Group (MoCo19)
Published: August 2020

Coronavirus infectious disease (COVID‐19) is a novel respiratory infection highly associated with severe complications in elderly subjects affected by cardiovascular disease. Patients on maintenance dialysis are exceptionally vulnerable because most of them are old and have multiple comorbidities. We report the complex clinical course of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection in a patient on maintenance dialysis who presented with fever and lung edema. After 41 days from the primary infection, the clinically recovered patient experienced symptomatic reactivation of SARS‐COV‐2 infection documented by positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) result on nasal/oropharyngeal swab along with immunoglobulin M seroconversion. The recurrence of PCR positivity forced us to perform hemodialysis in a separate isolation room for a prolonged period of time. Close monitoring of previously infected patients and restructuring of dialysis facilities are necessary to avoid new outbreaks of this concerning disease.
Photoluminescence studies of Ce3+ ion‐doped BiPO4 phosphor and its photocatalytic activity
Authors: Naorem Ramananda Singh , Singh Naorem Premjit , Singh Nongmaithem Mohondas
Published: August 2020

Ce3+ ion doped BiPO4 phosphors were synthesized by co‐precipitation method using ethylene glycol as capping agent. The prepared phosphors were characterized by XRD, SEM, FT‐IR, UV‐Vis, and PL spectroscopy techniques. The formation of monoclinic phase was confirmed from XRD and FT‐IR studies. SEM study revealed the rice shape morphology of BiPO4:Ce3+ (7at.%). In the photoluminescence analysis, a broad emission band extending in a wide wavelengths range with maxima around 419 and 470 nm was observed under excitation at 370 and 417 nm, respectively. These emission bands are originated from the electronic transitions, viz., 5d → 2F5/2, 2F7/2 of Ce3+ ion. The emission intensity was accentuated with the increase of Ce3+ ion till 7at.% and subsequently attenuated with further increase of Ce3+ ion concentration; which is due to the concentration quenching effect. The BiPO4:Ce3+ (7at.%) sample was characterized for the feasibility of photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue under UV light irradiation and degradation of 90% of the dye was degraded within 120 minutes was observed. From the results, it is believed that the prepared BiPO4:Ce3+ may have potential applications in solid state lighting as well as in photocatalysis for the degradation of organic dyes.
Development and validation of a porcine organ model for training in essential laparoscopic surgical skills
Authors: Higuchi Madoka , Abe Takashige , Hotta Kiyohiko , Morita Ken , Miyata Haruka , Furumido Jun , Iwahara Naoya , Kon Masafumi , Osawa Takahiro , Matsumoto Ryuji , Kikuchi Hiroshi , Kurashima Yo , Murai Sachiyo , Aydin Abdullatif , Raison Nicholas , Ahmed Kamran , Khan Muhammad Shamim , Dasgupta Prokar , Shinohara Nobuo
Published: August 2020

Objectives

To develop a wet laboratory training model for learning core laparoscopic surgical skills and evaluating learners’ competency level outside the operating room.

Methods

Participants completed three tasks (task 1: tissue dissection around the aorta; task 2: tissue dissection and division of the renal artery; task 3: renal parenchymal closure). Each performance was video recorded and subsequently evaluated by two experts, according to the Global Operative Assessment of Laparoscopic Skills and task‐specific metrics that we developed (Assessment Sheet of Laparoscopic Skills in Wet Lab score). Mean scores were used for analyses. The subjective mental workload was also assessed (NASA Task Load Index).

Results

The 54 participants included 32 urologists, eight young trainees and 14 medical students. A total of 13 participants were categorized as experts (≥50 laparoscopic surgeries), eight as intermediates (10–49) and 33 as novices (0–9). There were significant differences in the Global Operative Assessment of Laparoscopic Skills and Assessment Sheet of Laparoscopic Skills in Wet Lab scores among the three groups in all three tasks. Higher NASA Task Load Index scores were observed in novices, and there were significant differences in tasks 1 (Kruskal–Wallis test, P = 0.0004) and 2 (P = 0.0002), and marginal differences in task 3 (P = 0.0745) among the three groups.

Conclusions

Our training model has good construct validity, and differences in the NASA Task Load Index score reflect previous laparoscopic surgical experiences. Our findings show the ability to assess both laparoscopic surgical skills and mental workloads, which could help educators comprehend trainees’ level outside the operating room. Given the decreasing opportunity to carry out pure laparoscopic surgeries because of the dissemination of robotic surgery, especially in urology, our model can offer practical training opportunities.
Industry payments to Australian medical oncologists and clinical haematologists: a cross‐sectional analysis of publicly available disclosures
Authors: Pokorny Adrian M. J. , Bero Lisa A. , Moynihan Raymond , Mintzes Barbara J.
Published: August 2020

Background

Payments to medical oncologists and clinical haematologists can negatively affect prescribing practice, but the extent of payments to these specialists is unknown in Australia.

Aims

To analyse the extent of payments from the pharmaceutical industry to Australian cancer physicians as reported during the first collated period of the Disclosure Australia website.

Methods

We performed a retrospective, cross‐sectional analysis of payments made from November 2018 to April 2019, using a file downloaded from the Disclosure Australia website. We checked the names of listed medical practitioners against Medical Board of Australia records to assign specialties. The number of medical oncologists, clinical haematologists, other specialist physicians and non‐specialist physician medical practitioners was calculated, along with the payments to each of these groups.

Results

A total of A$7 332 407 was paid to 2775 medical practitioners. Of these, 236 were medical oncologists, 189 were haematologists and 1145 were other specialist physicians. This represents 31.7% of Australian medical oncologists and 30.9% of Australian haematologists, compared with 11.7% of all other specialist physicians and 1.1% of all other non‐specialist physician medical practitioners. Medical oncologists received significantly higher payments (median A$2131.26) than other specialist physicians (median A$1376.00, 2‐tailed P = 0.004) and other medical practitioners (median A$709.00, 2‐tailed P < 0.001), while haematologists received significantly higher payments (median A$1519.95) than other medical practitioners (2‐tailed P < 0.001), but similar payments to other specialist physicians (2‐tailed P = 0.08).

Conclusions

Australian cancer physicians receive payments at a higher proportional frequency and in greater dollar amounts than other specialist physicians and other medical practitioners in general.
A Review of Multi‐Compartment Infectious Disease Models
Authors: Tang Lu , Zhou Yiwang , Wang Lili , Purkayastha Soumik , Zhang Leyao , He Jie , Wang Fei , Song Peter X.‐K.
Published: August 2020

Multi‐compartment models have been playing a central role in modelling infectious disease dynamics since the early 20th century. They are a class of mathematical models widely used for describing the mechanism of an evolving epidemic. Integrated with certain sampling schemes, such mechanistic models can be applied to analyse public health surveillance data, such as assessing the effectiveness of preventive measures (e.g. social distancing and quarantine) and forecasting disease spread patterns. This review begins with a nationwide macromechanistic model and related statistical analyses, including model specification, estimation, inference and prediction. Then, it presents a community‐level micromodel that enables high‐resolution analyses of regional surveillance data to provide current and future risk information useful for local government and residents to make decisions on reopenings of local business and personal travels. r software and scripts are provided whenever appropriate to illustrate the numerical detail of algorithms and calculations. The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic surveillance data from the state of Michigan are used for the illustration throughout this paper.
Complex impedance spectra of polymer‐derived SiC annealed at ultrahigh temperature
Authors: Jia Yujun , Chowdhury Md Atiqur Rahman , Xu Chengying
Published: August 2020

This study reports the complex impedance and alternative current conductivity of polymer‐derived ceramic SiC (PDC‐SiC) annealed at ultrahigh temperatures. The PDC‐SiC shows an inductive response when annealed at temperatures of 1700°C‐1900°C due to the percolation of turbostratic carbon. The material returns to a capacitive response at an annealing temperature of 2000°C due to the dissolution of carbon into the SiC lattice. The electrical resistance of the carbon phase decreases with the increase in annealing temperature. These results provide new insights into the effects of processing temperature on microstructure evolution and electrical and dielectric property development of the PDC‐SiC ceramic system.
Enhancing design thinking in instructional technology students
Authors: Novak Elena , Mulvey Bridget K.
Published: August 2020

There is growing demand in our society to cultivate creativity and foster innovation. Design thinking has been successfully practiced as an educational framework for supporting innovation in educational and work contexts. However, research on design thinking education that facilitates the acquisition of knowledge related to design process and practices is extremely limited, particularly in educational contexts. This pre‐/posttest mixed methods study examined blogging as an instructional approach for supporting design thinking education in an online instructional technology course. An analysis of quantitative and qualitative data revealed an improvement in students’ design thinking skills after participating in the course. Students were more comfortable using design practices and processes than their creative abilities. Blogging about design thinking opened the potential for active knowledge construction about design thinking and reflection about personal design practices. However, it also hindered participation of students who were less comfortable with narrative meaning‐making afforded through blogging or sharing their ideas on open networks such as blogs.
SRXN1 stimulates hepatocellular carcinoma tumorigenesis and metastasis through modulating ROS/p65/BTG2 signalling
Authors: Lv Xiufang , Yu Hailing , Zhang Qianqian , Huang Yongquan , Hong Xiaopeng , Yu Ting , Lan Huimin , Mei Chaoming , Zhang Wenkai , Luo Hui , Pang Pengfei , Shan Hong
Published: August 2020

Sulfiredoxin 1 (SRXN1) is a pivotal regulator of the antioxidant response in eukaryotic cells. However, the role of SRXN1 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is far from clear. The present study aims to elucidate whether SRXN1 participates in tumorigenesis and metastasis of HCC and to determine the molecular mechanisms. We found that SRXN1 expression was up‐regulated in HCC tissue samples and correlated with poor prognosis in HCC patients. We also observed that SRXN1 knockdown by transient siRNA transfection inhibited HCC cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Overexpression of SRXN1 increased HCC cell migration and invasion. B‐cell translocation gene 2 (BTG2) was identified as a downstream target of SRXN1. Mechanistic studies revealed that SRXN1‐depleted reactive oxygen species (ROS) modulated migration and invasion of HCC cells. In addition, the ROS/p65/BTG2 signalling hub was found to regulate the epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT), which mediates the pro‐metastasis role of SRXN1 in HCC cells. In vivo experiments showed SRXN1 promotes HCC tumour growth and metastasis in mouse subcutaneous xenograft and metastasis models. Collectively, our results revealed a novel pro‐tumorigenic and pro‐metastatic function of SRXN1 in HCC. These findings demonstrate a rationale to exploit SRXN1 as a therapeutic target effectively preventing metastasis of HCC.
Integrative taxonomy identifies a new stingray species of the genus Hypanus Rafinesque, 1818 (Dasyatidae, Myliobatiformes), from the Tropical Southwestern Atlantic
Authors: Petean Flávia F. , Naylor Gavin J. P. , Lima Sergio M. Q.
Published: August 2020

An integrative approach by the congruence of genetics, morphology and ecological niche modelling (ENM) was used to delimit a new species of Hypanus (Rafinesque, 1818), a recently resurrected genus of marine stingrays comprising eight species, five of which occur in the western Atlantic. The species with the widest distribution, Hypanus americanus (Hildebrand and Schroeder, 1928), from the northeastern coast of the United States to southeastern Brazil, was demonstrated to be paraphyletic based on protein‐coding mitochondrial genome analyses. This data set also indicates that the genetic distance between the new species Hypanus berthalutzae sp. nov. and its three closely related species (H. americanus, H. longus and H. rudis) varies from 0.82% to 3.14%. In addition, Bayesian Analysis of Population Similarity using the mitochondrial gene mt‐nd2 supports the separation of H. berthalutzae sp. nov. (southwestern Atlantic) from its sister species H. rudis (eastern Atlantic). Similarly, morphological and morphometric analyses corroborated four morphotypes within the H. americanus species group and indicated the ventral caudal fold height and length and interspiracular and interorbital lengths as useful measurements to distinguish among them. Claspers of adult males also exhibit morphological differences among species. The ENM agreed with molecular and morphological analyses and delimits the distribution of H. berthalutzae sp. nov. to shallow areas close to shore along the Brazilian coast, from the mouth of the Amazon River to São Paulo State, including the northeastern oceanic islands, suggesting that the great outflow of fresh water and sediments and the Mid‐Atlantic Ridge might act as barriers. The integration of these data to describe a new species provides information relevant to their conservation status, because all species of the H. americanus species group are under the “data‐deficient” status.
Family‐based social capital of emerging adults with and without mild intellectual disability
Authors: Giesbers S. A. H. , Hendriks A. H. C. , Hastings R. P. , Jahoda A. , Tournier T. , Embregts P. J. C. M.
Published: August 2020

Background

Family is recognised as an important context for the self‐development of young adults in emerging adulthood, although very little research has addressed the perspective of young people with intellectual disability about their families by using self‐report. This study examined how emerging adults with mild intellectual disability define their family support networks, compared with definitions of students without intellectual disability, within a social capital theoretical framework.

Methods

Fifty‐three participants with mild intellectual disability and 53 students without intellectual disability were interviewed individually using the Family Network Method – Intellectual Disability (FNM‐ID). Data from the FNM‐ID relate to key social network measures on how individuals define their family groups, and how they perceive existing supportive relationships within their families. Participants with mild intellectual disability and students were compared on the FNM‐ID social network measures.

Results

Participants with mild intellectual disability reported fewer family members who they considered significant to them than students without intellectual disability. They were less likely to include peers (i.e. friends and partners) and siblings in their significant family networks, had fewer relationships with family members in which they received or gave support, had fewer reciprocal support relationships and had a less central position in their family network.

Discussion

The family‐based social capital of emerging adults with mild intellectual disability differed from that of students without intellectual disability. They may remain more dependent on their natural family for emotional support as their supportive networks have not necessarily made the transition to networks with emotionally close peer relationships.
Maternal risk score for the prediction of fetal inflammatory response syndrome after preterm premature rupture of membranes
Authors: Nakahara Mariko , Goto Shunji , Kato Eiji , Nojiri Shuko , Itakura Atsuo , Takeda Satoru
Published: August 2020

Aim

Preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) is common in preterm births. Fetal inflammatory response syndrome (FIRS) is present in nearly 50% of PPROM cases. We created a risk score to predict FIRS using maternal factors after PPROM.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study of singleton pregnancies complicated by PPROM that resulted in delivery at 23–35 weeks of gestation. Antepartum maternal factors and umbilical cord blood interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) data were analyzed. FIRS was defined as IL‐6 > 11 pg/mL.

Results

Umbilical cord blood IL‐6 and maternal blood data within 24 h before parturition were available for 158 cases; 66 were diagnosed with FIRS (41.8%; median IL‐6, 57.55 pg/mL). We created a risk score (FIRS score) comprising expected delivery weeks (≤30 weeks), maternal C‐reactive protein (≥1.2 mg/dL), maternal white blood cell count (≥13 000/μL), corticosteroid use (none) and PROM latency period (≥3 days) from the multivariate logistic regression model predicting FIRS. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis of the score produced the following results: area under the curve, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.76–0.89; cut‐off value, 7.5; sensitivity, 89%; specificity, 63%; positive predictive value, 63% and negative predictive value, 89%. The probability of FIRS according to the categories of the FIRS score was 11% for those with a score of 0–7, 50% for a score of 8–15, and 88% for a score of 16–22.

Conclusion

The devised maternal risk score could predict FIRS and be helpful to decide the delivery timing for the cases of PPROM.
The association between Epstein‐Barr virus and oral lichen planus: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Ashraf Sajna , Al‐Maweri Sadeq A. , Alaizari Nader , Umair Ayesha , Ariffin Zaihan , Alhajj Mohammed N. , Kassim Saba , Awan Kamran Habib
Published: August 2020

Background

Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a relatively common inflammatory disease, with unclear etiology. A number of studies have linked Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) with OLP. The present systematic review and meta‐analysis aimed to evaluate the available evidence regarding the potential association between EBV and OLP.

Methods

Online databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ProQuest, and Google Scholar) were searched from date of inception till May 2020. Studies were included if they met the following criteria: 1) observational studies that assessed the relationship between EBV and OLP, 2) the study comprised OLP patients and control subjects, 3) diagnosis of OLP was confirmed histopathologically, and 4) articles were in English. Studies without control groups, experimental studies, case reports, and reviews were excluded. The fixed‐effects model was performed for meta‐analyses using RevMan 5.3 software.

Results

A total of 10 studies comprising 386 OLP cases and 304 controls were included. Of these, only 8 studies were eligible for the meta‐analysis. The results of the quality assessment showed that only 2 studies were of high quality, while the remaining studies were of moderate quality. The results of the pooled eight studies revealed a significant positive association between EBV and OLP (OR = 4.41, 95% CI: [2.74, 7.11], P < .0001).

Conclusion

The results of the present systematic review suggest that EBV infection is statistically associated with increased risk of OLP. However, these results are preliminary, and high‐quality, large‐scale studies are warranted to further explore the potential role of EBV in the pathogenesis of OLP.
Muscarinic cholinergic receptors in minor salivary gland tissues of patients with oral lichen planus: A case‐control study
Authors: Agha‐Hosseini Farzaneh , Moosavi Mahdieh‐Sadat , Mirzaii‐Dizgah Iraj , Samami Mohammad
Published: August 2020

Background

Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a common, chronic immunological and inflammatory condition. Many of the OLP patients complain of xerostomia. The M3 muscarinic cholinergic receptors (MR3) are the main receptors in the salivary glands responsible for water secretion into the saliva. This study aimed to assess the level of M3 muscarinic cholinergic receptors in minor salivary glands of OLP patients.

Methods

This case‐control cross‐sectional study evaluated 40 OLP patients and 22 controls. All participants completed two questionnaires (xerostomia and xerostomia inventory). Stimulated and unstimulated saliva samples were collected. The saliva flow rate was calculated by dividing the saliva volume (in milliliters) by time (in minutes). Six minor salivary glands were also surgically removed from the lower lip of patients and controls, and weighed using a digital scale with 10−4 g accuracy. They were then frozen at −80°C, and the level of M3 receptors of the glands was determined using the ELISA kit.

Results

The unstimulated and stimulated saliva flow rate was significantly lower in OLP patients. The xerostomia inventory score was significantly higher in the OLP group. The level of M3 muscarinic receptors in minor salivary glands of OLP patients was significantly higher than that in controls.

Conclusions

It may be concluded that the reduction in saliva flow significantly increases the number of M3 receptors in an attempt to compensate for this shortage and prevent xerostomia (compensatory upregulation).
Concussion‐Related Health Care Utilization Among Medicaid Insured Children in Ohio: Rural and Urban Differences
Authors: Sullivan Lindsay , Newton Alison , Shi Junxin , Chang Teng‐Jen , Yang Jingzhen
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The current study examines rural‐urban differences in trends in rates and type of concussion‐related health care utilization over time from 2008 to 2016 among Medicaid insured children in Ohio.

Methods

We analyzed Medicaid claims for health care utilization for diagnosed concussions among children aged ≤18 years between April 1, 2008, and December 31, 2016. We compared the trends in rates of concussion‐related health care utilization between children who lived in rural and urban areas using Poisson regressions. We examined trends in the type of concussion‐related health care utilization by location of residence using linear regressions.

Findings

We found a significant increase in health care utilization for concussion over time, with rates of treated concussion consistently higher in rural children compared to urban children (P < .0001) throughout the study period. Although initial care at the Emergency Department (ED) remained the most common type of initial concussion‐related health care utilization for rural children throughout the study period, the most common type of initial care sought by urban children shifted over time from the ED to primary care providers (PCPs). For both rural and urban children, PCPs remained the most common type of follow‐up care sought throughout the study period, with no significant rural‐urban differences in the trends of follow‐up care sought through PCPs over time.

Conclusions

We observed significant rural‐urban differences in the trends in rates and types of concussion‐related health care utilization over time from 2008 to 2016. Future studies are needed to further our understanding of the effect of these observed rural‐urban differences on concussion recovery.
Global patterns of population genetic differentiation in seed plants
Authors: Gamba Diana , Muchhala Nathan
Published: August 2020

Evaluating the factors that drive patterns of population differentiation in plants is critical for understanding several biological processes such as local adaptation and incipient speciation. Previous studies have given conflicting results regarding the significance of pollination mode, seed dispersal mode, mating system, growth form and latitudinal region in shaping patterns of genetic structure, as estimated by FST values, and no study to date has tested their relative importance together across a broad scale. Here, we assembled a 337‐species data set for seed plants from publications with data on FST from nuclear markers and species traits, including variables pertaining to the sampling scheme of each study. We used species traits, while accounting for sampling variables, to perform phylogenetic multiple regressions. Results demonstrated that FST values were higher for tropical, mixed‐mating, non‐woody species pollinated by small insects, indicating greater population differentiation, and lower for temperate, outcrossing trees pollinated by wind. Among the factors we tested, latitudinal region explained the largest portion of variance, followed by pollination mode, mating system and growth form, while seed dispersal mode did not significantly relate to FST. Our analyses provide the most robust and comprehensive evaluation to date of the main ecological factors predicted to drive population differentiation in seed plants, with important implications for understanding the basis of their genetic divergence. Our study supports previous findings showing greater population differentiation in tropical regions and is the first that we are aware of to robustly demonstrate greater population differentiation in species pollinated by small insects.
No place for ‘Kashmiri’ in Kashmiri nationalism*
Authors: Khandy Idreas
Published: August 2020

Language is often taken as a primary differentiating factor between people as it functions as a vehicle of cultural expression, thus becoming one of the primary markers of identity. In the history of nationalism, language has always enjoyed a privileged position. Not only had the German Romantics such as Herder and Fichte held language as the fundamental characteristic of a nation, but modernist scholars such as Anderson, too, have given language a central place in their respective assessments of nationalism. In Anderson's analysis, ‘languages of power’ enable an imagined community to become real. However, are all nationalisms glotto‐centric? If not, why not? This article takes the case of Kashmiri nationalism, or the Tehreek, to demonstrate that language and nationalism are not necessarily codependent. The paper will first explain why Kashmiri never came to become a language of power in the region and how the disadvantaged position of the Kashmiri language precludes/d it from having any significant role in Kashmiri nationalism. Second, the paper argues that the multilingualism of Kashmiris has turned out to be a blessing in disguise for the Tehreek and allowed Kashmiri nationalism to assert its civic character.