bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The relationship between entrepreneurial cognitions and sustainability orientation: the case of an emerging market
Authors: Abdelnaeim Shrouk Mahmoud , El-Bassiouny Noha
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to empirically examine the cognitive drivers that push entrepreneurs toward sustainable venture creation using entrepreneurial cognitive scripts. In particular, this study tests the relationship between entrepreneurial cognitive scripts and sustainability orientation among entrepreneurs in an emerging economy to understand whether entrepreneurial cognitive scripts act as a driver toward sustainability.

Design/methodology/approach

A primary research study was conducted using a structured questionnaire among 351 sample respondents, of which 54% labeled themselves as entrepreneurs and 46% labeled themselves as traditional business people, business students or non-entrepreneurs. The entrepreneurs represented more than ten different industries such as agriculture, food and beverage, education, technology and entertainment.

Findings

The findings of this study highlighted a negative relationship between entrepreneurial cognitions and sustainability orientation as hypothesized. Additionally, non-entrepreneurs were found to be more sustainability-oriented, whereas entrepreneurs with high levels of cognitive scripts were found less concerned about sustainability issues.

Research limitations/implications

This study has a geographic limitation as it has been conducted in a developing country, which is Egypt. Accordingly, the results should be generalized with caution to other developing nations.

Practical implications

This study shows the importance of sustainable entrepreneurship education as an important part of the entrepreneurial ecosystem. The study sheds the light on the different stakeholders that are responsible for raising awareness about the importance of sustainability in developing countries.

Originality/value

This study empirically validates the relationship between entrepreneurial cognitive scripts and sustainability orientation among several industries in a developing country. The study has also a novel contribution in validating that non-entrepreneurs can enjoy entrepreneurial cognitive scripts without the necessity of starting their ventures.
RoomTetris: an optimal procedure for committing rooms to reservations in hotels
Authors: Battiti Roberto , Brunato Mauro , Battiti Filippo
Published: October 2020

Purpose

Many hotels allocate guests to specific rooms immediately after reservation. This happens because individual rooms are sold (and there is no concept of room type) or because the assignment is done by hand at reservation or because of a connection with a channel manager, which is immediately fixing the room number after a reservation request. This early allocation is suboptimal, and it causes the unnecessary rejection of some reservations when the hotel has a high occupancy level. The purpose of this paper is to investigate different room allocation algorithms, including an optimal one (called RoomTetris), aiming at higher occupancy levels and profitability.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology is based on theoretical results and experimentation. The optimality or the proposed RoomTetris algorithm is demonstrated. Experiments are executed in different contexts, including realistic ones, through the adoption of a hotel simulator, to measure the improvements in the occupancy rate of the optimal and heuristic strategies with respect to random or sub-optimal assignments of rooms.

Findings

The main results are that smart allocation algorithms can greatly reduce the rejection rate (reservation requests which cannot be fit into the hotel room plan) and improve the occupancy level, the percentage of available rooms or beds sold for the various periods.

Research limitations/implications

This analysis can be extended by considering cancellations and overbookings. A second possibility to add flexibility in room allocation for hotels having more than one type of rooms is that the hotel can upgrade and offer a high-price room to the customer, which given an even large flexibility to fix rooms by shifting customers to other compatible types. In addition, more complex integrations with revenue management can also be considered, for cases in which the cost of a room depends on the number of guests.

Practical implications

Given that the difference in occupancy rate of the optimal algorithm is particularly large in high season and high-request periods, periods which are usually associated to higher rates and higher volumes, the proposed algorithm will improve the main financial performance indicators such as revenue per available room by an even bigger multiplier, depending on the hotel pricing policy. Because the room allocation process can be completely automated, the adoption of appropriate smart allocation algorithms represents a low-hanging fruit to be picked by efficient hotel managers.

Originality/value

To the best of the knowledge this is the first proposal of an optimal algorithm (with proof of optimality) for the considered problem.
Social recovery: a new interpretation to recovery-orientated services – a critical literature review
Authors: Norton Michael John , Swords Calvin
Published: October 2020

Purpose

In 2020, the significance of “lived experience” and “service user” accounts of recovery has become central to the delivery of mental health policy and practice. Reflecting on the first known account of personal recovery in the late-20th century provided new hope and encouragement that those living with mental illness could live a fulfilling life. Taking this into consideration, the purpose of this paper is to explore the relevance to this experience of those using services today.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors present a critical literature review, which is underpinned by a systematic approach adopted from Higgins and Pinkerton (1998). This involved a six-step approach seeking to answer the question – What are the service users’ views on the recovery concept within mental health services?

Findings

The conceptualisation of recovery continues to focus on biomedical parameters. A new interpretation of recovery is beginning to materialise: social recovery. This new interpretation appears to be achievable through six key influencers: health, economics, social interaction/connection, housing, personal relationships and support.

Originality/value

Building on Ramon’s (2018) argument regarding the need for mental health policy to focus on the concept of social recovery, this study extends on this proposition by providing a foundational evidence base. More specifically, it not only supports the need for this shift in policy but also identifies a new interpretation building in practice. Furthermore, the authors highlight six key pillars that could potentially shape such provisions for policy.
Diffusion of blockchain in logistics and transportation industry: an analysis through the synthesis of academic and trade literature
Authors: Batta Anuj , Gandhi Mohina , Kar Arpan Kumar , Loganayagam Navin , Ilavarasan Vignesh
Published: October 2020

Purpose

Blockchain technology has fascinated researchers and industry professionals. Since its birth, the attention for blockchain has been exponentially increasing, however, most of the industries are still skeptical in adoption for value creation. The purpose of this study is to analyze the actual level of implementation and diffusion of blockchain technology within the logistics and transportation industry by comparing and using the collective intelligence of academic literature and industry practices of implementation of blockchain in this domain.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses the methodology of systematic literature review along with inductive reasoning. The systematic literature review of academic and industry frontiers together has brought a bigger and real picture into consideration.

Findings

The results highlight that, within the transportation sector, currently there is a very low diffusion of blockchain, although applications show immense promises for the future. The various application where blockchain technology can make a significant impact are also identified.

Research limitations/implications

Due to the early stage of experimentation with blockchain technology, high-quality data which is relevant to the optimized usage of this technology in the logistics and transportation industry is not available.

Practical implications

The study will help the practitioners in identifying additional avenues in which they could implement blockchain for the effectiveness, efficiency and growth of the logistics and transportation industry.

Originality/value

The analysis of mixed sources of information for undertaking systematic literature review by assessing academic and trade publications is a novelty of this study.
Reflection on success and failures: scale development and validation
Authors: Matsuo Makoto
Published: October 2020

Purpose

Although positive psychology emphasizes the importance of reflecting on success in promoting strengths use and self-efficacy, no research has developed a measure of reflection on success. The purpose of this study is to develop and validate the scales for reflection on success and failures.

Design/methodology/approach

Study 1 was conducted to extract the dimensions of reflection on success and failures using survey data from nurses (n= 298), whereas Study 2 involved validation of the scales using a two-wave survey of physical therapists (n= 291).

Findings

In Study 1, the factors of “reflection on success” and “reflection on failures” were extracted by exploratory factor analysis. In Study 2, the discriminant validity of the two scales was established via confirmatory factor analyses. The structural equation modeling results indicated that reflection on success promoted work authenticity, work engagement and strengths use, while reflection on failures only promoted work engagement, indicating the convergent validity of the scales.

Research limitations/implications

As the research subjects were medical professionals in Japan, the scales need to be validated with samples from a wide range of occupations and cultural backgrounds, in future research.

Originality/value

The present research expands the literature on reflection and strengths-based approach by introducing the “success–failures” dimension based on positive psychology, broaden-and-build theory and job demands–resources theory.
Basics and recent advances in the pathophysiology of atopic dermatitis
Authors: Nakahara Takeshi , Kido‐Nakahara Makiko , Tsuji Gaku , Furue Masutaka
Published: October 2020

Atopic dermatitis is a common, chronic inflammatory skin disease that is characterized by skin barrier dysfunction, inflammation and intense itch. Although the exact mechanisms behind its pathogenesis remain unclear, it is evident that the complex interplay among barrier dysfunction, inflammation and itch are critical in its development, progression and chronicity. Abnormalities in filaggrin, intercellular lipids and tight junctions induce barrier‐disrupted skin, which produces thymic stromal lymphopoietin, interleukin (IL)‐25 and IL‐33; these in turn promote skin inflammation characterized by type 2 immune deviation. This inflammation then downregulates the expression of filaggrin in keratinocytes and exacerbates epidermal barrier dysfunction. Furthermore, various itch mediators/pruritogens produced during this inflammatory process can act directly on sensory nerves and cause itch. In this review, we summarize the basics and recent advances in our understanding of the pathophysiology of atopic dermatitis focusing on three aspects: barrier dysfunction, skin inflammation and itch.
Insufficient native pollinators during artificially induced early flowering decrease yield and long‐term economic viability of a tropical fruit crop
Authors: Sritongchuay Tuanjit , Wayo Kanuengnit , Orr Michael C. , Hughes Alice C.
Published: October 2020

The management of crops outside the regular cropping calendar can improve profits when supply is low and prices are high, but we do not know how induced, early flowering impacts the pollination services that crops require.

This study examines the effects of flowering time and pollinator management, including managed honeybee colonies and ground flower cover, on the pollination of the tropical fruit tree, longan (Dimocarpus longan Lour.), comparing between in‐season flowering (naturally) and off‐season flowering (chemically induced) in Northern Thailand.

Visitation rates of flower visitor groups significantly differed among treatments: for in‐season flowering, wild bees were the most frequent pollinator group, whereas in the off‐season flowering, there were no wild bees, and instead dipterans were the most frequent pollinator group. Some off‐season plantations have honeybee hives present and in this situation honeybees were the most frequent pollinator group.

We show that temporal variation in the pollinator community significantly alters the pollination efficiency of longan crops. Consequently, longan production from off‐season longan farms generates lower net profit in the absence of managed bees and wild bees, and wild bees produced higher seed‐sets than either honeybees or dipterans.

Synthesis and applications. Wild bees were the main pollinator group of longan in the in‐season flowering resulting in high fruit production; whereas in the off‐season flowering honeybees and dipterans were the main pollinator group. Longan production from off‐season longan farms without managed bee produced less net profit. The farmers practicing off‐season with honeybee hives management gain the largest net profit. Developing mechanisms to promote and maintain pollinator abundance and diversity is likely to increase the resilience of the system in addition to profit in the long term; thus, efforts should be made to provide more nesting habitat and reduce pesticide use.
Phenotypic trait variability as an indication of adaptive capacity in a cosmopolitan marine diatom
Authors: Ajani Penelope A. , Petrou Katherina , Larsson Michaela E. , Nielsen Daniel A. , Burke Joel , Murray Shauna A.
Published: October 2020

Determining the adaptive capacity of marine phytoplankton is important in predicting changes in phytoplankton responses to ocean warming. Phytoplankton may consist of high levels of standing phenotypic and genetic variability, the basis of rapid evolution; however, few studies have quantified trait variability within and amongst closely related diatom species. Using 35 clonal cultures of the ubiquitous marine diatom Leptocylindrus isolated from six locations, spanning 2000 km of the south‐eastern Australian coastline, we found evidence of significant intraspecific morphological and metabolic trait variability, which for 8 of 9 traits (growth rate, biovolume, C:N, silica deposition, silica incorporation rate, chl‐a, and photosynthetic efficiency under dark adapted, growth irradiance, and high‐light adaptation) were greater within a species than between species. Moreover, only two traits revealed a latitudinal trend with strains isolated from lower latitudes showing significantly higher silicification rates and protein:lipid content compared to their higher latitude counterparts. These data mirror recent studies on diatom intraspecific genetic diversity, which has found comparable levels of genetic diversity at a single site to those thousands of kilometres apart, and provide evidence of a functional role of diatom diversity that will allow for rapid adaptation via ecological selection on standing variation in response to changing conditions.
Twitter, disasters and cultural heritage: A case study of the 2015 Nepal earthquake
Authors: Kumar Pakhee
Published: October 2020

The purpose of this paper was to understand how Twitter users responded to the cultural heritage damaged during the 2015 Nepal earthquake. This paper utilizes 201,457 tweets (including retweets) from three different data sets. The analysis shows that approximately 4% of tweets were regarding cultural heritage. Moreover, asymmetrical information was available on Twitter regarding cultural heritage during the Nepal earthquake, that is not every site received equal attention from the public. Damaged sites received more attention than unaffected sites. The content of tweets can be divided into five categories: information, sentiment, memory, action and noise. Most people (89.1%) used Twitter during the disaster to disseminate information regarding damaged cultural heritage sites.
A moderate interpretation of group privacy illustrated by cases from disaster management
Authors: Gerdes Anne
Published: October 2020

This article uses cases from disaster management as a springboard for presenting a critique of a right to group privacy in a strong sense. As such, the article challenges the idea of strong group privacy, which holds that there are situations in which the group, and not its members, is the holder of a right to privacy. The paper argues for a moderate interpretation of group privacy, stressing that group privacy is a matter of privacy for the members constituting the group. Although data‐driven knowledge discovery implies profiling by group categorization, this observation does not constitute a reason to introduce a right to group privacy for other purposes than to protect the individual's right to privacy. The article demonstrates preliminary theoretical considerations, which may inform the creation of a framework that protects personal privacy by considering a moderate sense of group privacy suited to tackle privacy challenges implied by data analytics.
Primary care quality and cost for privately insured patients in and out of US Health Systems: Evidence from four states
Authors: Zhou Ruohua Annetta , Beaulieu Nancy D. , Cutler David
Published: October 2020

Objective

To characterize physician health system membership in four states between 2012 and 2016 and to compare primary care quality and cost between in‐system providers and non‐system providers for the commercially insured population.

Data Sources

Physician membership in health systems was obtained from a unique longitudinal database on health systems and matched at the provider level to 2014 all‐payer claims data from Colorado, Massachusetts, Oregon, and Utah.

Study Design

Using an observational study design, we compared physicians in health systems to non‐system physicians located in the same state and geography on average cost of care (risk‐adjusted using the Johns Hopkins’ Adjusted Clinical Grouper), five HEDIS quality measures, one measure of developmental screening, and two Prevention Quality Indicator Measures.

Data Collection/Extraction Methods

Patients in commercial health plans were attributed to a primary care physician accounting for the plurality of office visits. A cohort for each quality measure was constructed based on appropriate measure specifications.

Principal Findings

The share of physicians in health systems increased steadily from 2012 to 2016 and ranged from 48% in Colorado to 63% in Utah in 2016. Compared to physicians not in a system, system physicians performed similarly on most HEDIS quality metrics compared to non‐system physicians. Patients attributed to in‐system physicians had about 40% higher rates (P < .05) of Ambulatory Care Sensitive Admissions (measured in admissions per 100 000:921.33 in‐system vs 674.61 not‐in‐system for acute composite; 2540.91 in‐system vs 1972.17 for chronic composite In‐system providers were associated with $29 (P < .05) higher average per member per month costs (453.37 vs 432.93). Overall, differences in performance by system membership were relatively small compared to differences across states and geography.

Conclusion

A growing share of physicians is part of a health system from 2012 to 2016. Providers in health systems are not delivering primary care more efficiently than non‐system providers for the commercially insured.
Mining, heterologous expression, purification, antibactericidal mechanism, and application of bacteriocins: A review
Authors: Cui Yanlong , Luo Lingli , Wang Xin , Lu Yingying , Yi Yanglei , Shan Yuanyuan , Liu Bianfang , Zhou Yuan , Lü Xin
Published: October 2020

Bacteriocins are generally considered as low‐molecular‐weight ribosomal peptides or proteins synthesized by G+ and G− bacteria that inhibit or kill other related or unrelated microorganisms. However, low yield is an important factor restricting the application of bacteriocins. This paper reviews mining methods, heterologous expression in different systems, the purification technologies applied to bacteriocins, and identification methods, as well as the antibacterial mechanism and applications in three different food systems. Bioinformatics improves the efficiency of bacteriocins mining. Bacteriocins can be heterologously expressed in different expression systems (e.g., Escherichia coli, Lactobacillus, and yeast). Ammonium sulfate precipitation, dialysis membrane, pH‐mediated cell adsorption/desorption, solvent extraction, macroporous resin column, and chromatography are always used as purification methods for bacteriocins. The bacteriocins are identified through electrophoresis and mass spectrum. Cell envelope (e.g., cell permeabilization and pore formation) and inhibition of gene expression are common antibacterial mechanisms of bacteriocins. Bacteriocins can be added to protect meat products (e.g., beef and sausages), dairy products (e.g., cheese, milk, and yogurt), and vegetables and fruits (e.g., salad, apple juice, and soybean sprouts). The future research directions are also prospected.
Modeling the release of food bioactive ingredients from carriers/nanocarriers by the empirical, semiempirical, and mechanistic models
Authors: Malekjani Narjes , Jafari Seid Mahdi
Published: October 2020

The encapsulation process has been utilized in the field of food technology to enhance the technofunctional properties of food products and the delivery of nutraceutical ingredients via food into the human body. The latter application is very similar to drug delivery systems. The inherent sophisticated nature of release mechanisms requires the utilization of mathematical equations and statistics to predict the release behavior during the time. The science of mathematical modeling of controlled release has gained a tremendous advancement in drug delivery in recent years. Many of these modeling methods could be transferred to food. In order to develop and design enhanced food controlled/targeted bioactive release systems, understanding of the underlying physiological and chemical processes, mechanisms, and principles of release and applying the knowledge gained in the pharmaceutical field to food products is a big challenge. Ideally, by using an appropriate mathematical model, the formulation parameters could be predicted to achieve a specific release behavior. So, designing new products could be optimized. Many papers are dealing with encapsulation approaches and evaluation of the impact of process and the utilized system on release characteristics of encapsulated food bioactives, but still, there is no deep insight into the mathematical release modeling of encapsulated food materials. In this study, information gained from the pharmaceutical field is collected and discussed to investigate the probable application in the food industry.
Bridge employment: Understanding the expectations and experiences of bridge employees
Authors: Mazumdar Bishakha , Warren Amy M. , Brown Travor C.
Published: October 2020

While there is a growing tendency among present day retirees to engage in bridge jobs before their final exit from the labour force, limited academic attention is directed towards understanding the expectations and experiences of bridge employees. To address this gap in the literature, we conducted 26 semi‐structured interviews with bridge employees. After collecting and analysing the data, we found the lens of socio‐emotional selectivity theory helpful in better understanding the experiences and expectations of bridge employees. Bridge employees generally expressed preference for intrinsic rather than extrinsic rewards. In addition, bridge employees tended to favour part‐time work. However, even though bridge employees were satisfied with their work, benefits, and social interactions, some of them faced social disapproval for re‐entering workforce. To our knowledge, this paper is among the first exploratory qualitative studies in the human resource management field to investigate the expectations and experiences of bridge employees.
Celiac disease in children with type 1 diabetes varies around the world: An international, cross‐sectional study of 57 375 patients from the SWEET registry
Authors: Taczanowska Anna , Schwandt Anke , Amed Shazhan , Tóth‐Heyn Péter , Kanaka‐Gantenbein Christina , Volsky Sari Krepel , Svensson Jannet , Szypowska Agnieszka
Published: October 2020

Background

Children with type 1 diabetes (T1D) are at much higher risk of developing celiac disease (CD) than the general population. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence and differences in clinical presentation of CD in T1D in different regions of the world.

Methods

This study is based on the Better control in Pediatric and Adolescent diabeteS: Working to crEate cEnTers of Reference (SWEET) database. There were 57 375 patients included in the study, aged ≤18 years from 54 SWEET centers. Only centers with screening for celiac disease were included. Regression models adjusted for age, diabetes duration, and gender and a fixed effect in the models for region was used. Diabetes duration, age at diabetes onset, and sex were presented as unadjusted results.

Results

CD was present in 2652 subjects (4.5%), with different prevalence among regions: from 1.9% in Asia/Middle East to 6.9% in Australia/New Zealand. CD was observed more often among females. Comparing children with and without CD, characteristics for those with CD were younger age at diabetes onset (6.3 [3.3; 9.8] vs 8.1 [4.6; 11.3], P < 0.001) and had longer diabetes duration (6.4 [3.6; 9.8] vs 4.8 [2.1; 8.2], P < 0.001). Further, they had lower glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in Europe and North America/Canada; lower body mass index (BMI)‐SD score (BMI‐SDS) in southern Europe, North America, and Canada; In most regions daily insulin dose was lower, height‐SDS was lower, and the percentage of insulin pump users was higher in children with T1D and CD.

Conclusions

The prevalence and the anthropometric and metabolic consequences of CD in children with T1D differ around the world.
The Trouble with Boycotts: Can Fossil Fuel Divest Campaigns Be Prohibited?
Authors: Scott Inara
Published: October 2020

Organizations like 350.org, Insure Our Future, and DivestInvest are leading campaigns to urge boycott and divestment from fossil fuels as a means to address climate change. Increasingly, they are finding success, from individual consumers to massive pension and sovereign wealth funds. However, as organized group boycotts, divest campaigns may be vulnerable to prosecution under antitrust law. This article explores the likelihood of success in such a case, considering the history of the legal treatment of organized boycotts, the scope and purpose of antitrust law, and the possible application of the First Amendment to the divestment context. The article finds that fossil fuel boycotts straddle a number of contradictory characteristics, making application of existing theories inadequate. In particular, existing precedent protects political boycotts, but not those with primarily economic objectives, and fails to definitively address whether a noncompetitive actor may undertake concerted action under antitrust law. In the context of climate change, where the political is economic, and political goals may seek significant economic changes (such as undermining an entire industry), existing theories may lead to a result that threatens both free expression and the health of the planet. The essential flexibility of the Sherman Act, however, provides room for protection of political activity, even where the ultimate objective is economic in nature.
Legal Entrepreneurship and the Strategic Virtues of Legal Uncertainty
Authors: Evans Justin W. , Gabel Anthony L.
Published: October 2020

The field of law and strategy (LAS) has advanced our understanding of the law's role in competitive advantage. To date, however, LAS has neglected low rule of law environments—countries characterized by expansive degrees of legal uncertainty. LAS should account for these settings, too, since environmental uncertainty is a strategically significant factor for any company. This article situates the strategic relevance of legal uncertainty in the Chinese context and fills an important gap by illustrating how LAS principles apply in low rule of law jurisdictions. Specifically, this article develops the construct of legal entrepreneurship—the notion that attorneys may apply an entrepreneurial mind‐set and skill set to position the client favorably and legitimately within the uncertainties of the legal landscape, thereby creating legal competitive advantages for the client. Drawing upon interviews with expert attorneys and executives, this article presents a typology of legal strategies available to U.S. companies in China, uniquely modeling these approaches along the two fundamental dimensions of legal strategy. Additionally, this article identifies two basic types of legal uncertainty in the cross‐border context and offers guidelines for the exercise of legal entrepreneurship. Together, these arguments demonstrate that legal entrepreneurship is an empirically viable construct within the LAS project. In low rule of law jurisdictions that have embraced foreign enterprise, legal entrepreneurship will generally optimize the American company's pursuit of both legal value creation and legal risk management.
Age‐based preferences for risk communication in the fentanyl era: ‘A lot of people keep seeing other people die and that's not enough for them’
Authors: Gunn Christine M. , Maschke Ariel , Harris Miriam , Schoenberger Samantha F. , Sampath Spoorthi , Walley Alexander Y. , Bagley Sarah M.
Published: October 2020

Aims

To explore how people who use fentanyl and health‐care providers engaged in and responded to overdose risk communication interactions, and how these engagements and responses might vary by age.

Design

A single‐site qualitative in‐depth interview study.

Setting

Boston, MA, United States.

Participants

The sample included 21 people (10 women, 11 men) who were either 18–25 or 35+, English‐speaking, and reported illicit fentanyl use in the last year and 10 health‐care providers who worked directly with people who use fentanyl (PWUF) in clinical and community settings.

Measurements

Open‐ended, flexible interview questions guided by a risk communication framework were used in all interviews. Codes used for thematic analysis included deductive codes related to the risk communication framework and inductive, emergent codes from interview content.

Findings

We identified potential age‐based differences in perceptions of fentanyl overdose, including that younger participants appeared to display more perceptions of an immunity to fentanyl's lethality, while older people seemed to express a stronger aversion to fentanyl due to its heightened risk of fatal overdose, shorter effects and potential for long‐term health consequences. Providers perceived greater challenges relaying risk information to young PWUF and believed them to be less open to risk communication. Compassionate harm reduction communication was preferred by all participants and perceived to be delivered most effectively by community health workers and peers. PWUF and providers identified structural barriers that limited compassionate harm reduction, including misalignment of available treatment with preferred options and clinical structures that impeded the delivery of risk communication messages.

Conclusions

Among people who engage in illicit fentanyl use, fentanyl‐related risk communication experiences and preferences may vary by age, but some foundational elements including compassionate, trust‐building approaches seem to be preferred across the age spectrum. Structural barriers in the clinical setting such as provider‐prescribing power and infrequent encounters may impede the providers’ ability to provide compassionate harm reduction communication.
Climate‐Smart Innovations and Rural Poverty in Ethiopia: Exploring Impacts and Pathways
Authors: Tesfaye Wondimagegn , Blalock Garrick , Tirivayi Nyasha
Published: October 2020

Climate‐smart innovations have been receiving increasing attention in policy dialogues for their potential to transform agricultural systems and improve the well‐being and resilience of farm households. Using recent panel data from Ethiopia combined with novel historical weather data, we provide microeconomic evidence of the welfare effects of conservation agriculture (CA), a climate‐smart agricultural practice. We use a panel data endogenous switching regression model to deal with selection bias and farmer heterogeneity in CA choice. The study finds that the CA practices that play a pivotal role in addressing the exigencies of rural poverty are minimum tillage, cereal‐legume intercropping, and their combination. These practices reduce the incidence and depth of poverty in areas prone to rainfall stress, which is an indication of their risk mitigation role. In contrast, crop residue retention and its combination with minimum tillage appear not to be economically attractive CA options. The results show that CA portfolios that include minimum tillage and cereal‐legume associations can accelerate efforts to reduce rural poverty and improve climate risk management. We caution against exaggerated expectations of CA's economic benefits and a rigid recommendation of CA.
Preparation and characterization of extracellular vesicles
Authors: Tiwari Swasti , Kumar Vinod , Randhawa Shubhchintan , Verma Santosh K.
Published: October 2020

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are heterogeneous membranous vesicles secreted by every cell type and offer significant potential in therapy and diagnostics. Differential ultracentrifugation is the gold standard for EV isolation, although other techniques including, polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation, immunoprecipitation, size exclusion chromatography, and immuno‐isolation approaches are common. Purified EVs can be characterized based on their physical characteristics, biochemical composition, or cell of origin. For size and concentration measurement, nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and electron microscopy are commonly employed methods. Biochemical analyses of EVs are typically performed using flow cytometry, immunoblotting, or proteomic investigation. Based on tissue of origin, EVs have specific markers that can be used to isolate and purify specific cell‐associated EVs using an affinity selection approach. Despite existence of several methods for isolation and characterization, major limitations associated with each method hinder the progress of the field. Evolving concepts in EV biology possess great promise for better isolation and characterization leading to a better insight of biological function and have immense clinical implications. In this review, we discuss recent advancements in EV isolation and characterization approaches.
Clinical care of pregnant and postpartum women with COVID‐19: Living recommendations from the National COVID‐19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce
Authors: Vogel Joshua P. , Tendal Britta , Giles Michelle , Whitehead Clare , Burton Wendy , Chakraborty Samantha , Cheyne Saskia , Downton Teena , Fraile Navarro David , Gleeson Glenda , Gordon Adrienne , Hunt Jenny , Kitschke Jackie , McDonald Steven , McDonnell Nolan , Middleton Philippa , Millard Tanya , Murano Melissa , Oats Jeremy , Tate Rhiannon , White Heath , Elliott Julian , Roach Vijay , Homer Caroline S.E. ,   the National COVID‐19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce
Published: October 2020

To date, 18 living recommendations for the clinical care of pregnant and postpartum women with COVID‐19 have been issued by the National COVID‐19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce. This includes recommendations on mode of birth, delayed umbilical cord clamping, skin‐to‐skin contact, breastfeeding, rooming‐in, antenatal corticosteroids, angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors, disease‐modifying treatments (including dexamethasone, remdesivir and hydroxychloroquine), venous thromboembolism prophylaxis and advanced respiratory support interventions (prone positioning and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation). Through continuous evidence surveillance, these living recommendations are updated in near real‐time to ensure clinicians in Australia have reliable, evidence‐based guidelines for clinical decision‐making. Please visit https://covid19evidence.net.au/ for the latest recommendation updates.
Archaeometric Provenance Constraints for Early Medieval Sparse Glazed Pottery from Donoratico (Livorno, Italy)
Authors: Fornacelli C. , Briano A. , Chiarantini L. , Bianchi G. , Benvenuti M. , Giamello M. , Kang J. S. , Villa I. M. , Talarico F. M. , Hodges R.
Published: October 2020

The study of a huge repertory of sparse glazed ware from Donoratico (Livorno, Italy) dated back to the ninth century was carried out to investigate the production technology via petrographic, chemical, and isotopic investigations. The mineralogical and chemical evidence suggested the application of a lead oxide flux to an unfired non‐calcareous ceramic body, in accordance with late Antique and early‐Medieval traditions. The isotopic investigation of the glazes also suggested different sources for PbO, which was frequently applied as a mix of different metal batches. The Pb isotopic record identified the Southern Tuscany districts (Campiglia Marittima and Colline Metallifere) and a source controlled by the Carolingian kings in the northern districts of Central Europe (either in Aquitaine or in the Middle German ore districts) as the most reliable sources. SEM‐EDS showed the presence of tin impurities in the form of secondary cassiterite agglomerates in most of the glazes obtained by the use of local lead. The presence of cassiterite veins in Southern Tuscany lead sulphide deposits was considered as the main cause for tin impurities in the glazing mixture and, thus, an important marker for the exploitation of local lead.
Winners, losers, and the others: Disaggregating South Korean satisfaction with politics
Authors: Rich Timothy S.
Published: October 2020

What factors influence satisfaction with politics after elections? The literature on losers’ consent consistently finds diverging perceptions between electoral winners and losers, but rarely disaggregates the electorate further into nonpartisan voters and nonvoters. In addition, the literature relies heavily on individual elections in isolation and thus is rarely able to address general trends. This study uses Korean General Social Survey (KGSS) data across multiple elections and finds electoral winners consistently have higher evaluations than those who identified and voted for electoral losers. This pattern holds after demographic controls and evaluations of the executive and legislative institutions as well. However, no consistent pattern emerges among nonpartisans and nonvoters.
Population pharmacokinetics of mycophenolic acid in paediatric patients
Authors: Rong Yan , Jun Heajin , Kiang Tony K.L.
Published: October 2020

Mycophenolic acid (MPA) is widely used in paediatric kidney transplant patients and sometimes prescribed for additional indications. Population pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic modelling has been frequently used to characterize the fixed, random and covariate effects of MPA in adult patients. However, MPA population pharmacokinetic data in the paediatric population have not been systematically summarized. The objective of this narrative review was to provide an up‐to‐date critique of currently available paediatric MPA population pharmacokinetic models, with emphases on modelling techniques, pharmacological findings and clinical relevance. PubMed and EMBASE were searched from inception of database to May 2020, where a total of 11 studies have been identified representing kidney transplant (n = 4), liver transplant (n = 1), haematopoietic stem cell transplant (n = 1), idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (n = 2), systemic lupus erythematosus (n = 2), and a combined population consisted of kidney, liver and haematopoietic stem cell transplant patients (n = 1). Critical analyses were provided in the context of MPA absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and bioavailability in this paediatric database. Comparisons to adult patients were also provided. With respect to clinical utility, Bayesian estimation models (n = 6) with acceptable accuracy and precision for MPA exposure determination have also been identified and systematically evaluated. Overall, our analyses have identified unique features of MPA clinical pharmacology in the paediatric population, while recognizing several gaps that still warrant further investigations. This review can be used by pharmacologists and clinicians for improving MPA pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic modelling and patient care.
Intestinal absorption and hepatic elimination of drugs in high‐fat high‐cholesterol diet‐induced non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis rats: exemplified by simvastatin
Authors: Li Ziwei , Zhang Jun , Zhang Yufeng , Zhou Limin , Zhao Jiajia , Lyu Yuanfeng , Poon Long Hin , Lin Zhixiu , To Kenneth Kin Wah , Yan Xiaoyu , Zuo Zhong
Published: October 2020

Background and Purpose

Altered drug pharmacokinetics is a significant concern in non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) patients. Although high‐fat high‐cholesterol (HFHC) diet‐induced NASH (HFHC‐NASH) rats could simulate the typical dysregulation of cholesterol in NASH patients, experimental investigation on the altered drug pharmacokinetics in this model are limited. Thus, the present study comprehensive investigates the nature of such altered pharmacokinetics using simvastatin as the model drug.

Experimental Approach

Pharmacokinetic profiles of simvastatin and its active metabolite simvastatin acid together with compartmental pharmacokinetic modelling were used to identify the key factors involved in the altered pharmacokinetics of simvastatin in HFHC‐NASH rats. Experimental investigations via in situ single‐pass intestinal perfusion and intrahepatic injection of simvastatin were carried out. Histology, Ces1 activities and mRNA/protein levels of Oatp1b2/CYP2c11/P‐gp in the small intestine/liver of healthy and HFHC‐NASH rats were compared.

Key Results

Reduced intestinal absorption and more extensive hepatic elimination in HFHC‐NASH rats resulted in less systemic exposures of simvastatin/simvastatin acid. In the small intestine of HFHC‐NASH rats, thicker intestinal wall with more collagen fibres, increased Ces1 activity and up‐regulated P‐gp protein decreased the permeability of simvastatin, accelerated the hydrolysis of simvastatin and promoted the efflux of simvastatin acid respectively. In the liver of HFHC‐NASH rats, higher hepatic P‐gp expression accelerated the hepatic elimination of simvastatin.

Conclusion and Implications

Altered histology, Ces1 activity and P‐gp expression in the small intestine/liver were identified to be the major contributing factors leading to less systemic exposure of drugs in HFHC‐NASH rats, which may be applicable to NASH patients.
Contextual and individual determinants of the need for endodontic treatment in adults in Brazil: A multilevel analysis
Authors: Barreto Raphaela Vieira , Vettore Mario Vianna , Pinto Rafaela da Silveira , Vargas‐Ferreira Fabiana , Lucas Simone Dutra
Published: October 2020

Aim

To examine the relationship between contextual and individual determinants with the need for endodontic treatment in Brazilian adults.

Methods

Individual‐level data from 6897 adults aged 35‐44 years living in the Brazilian state capitals who participated in the Brazilian Oral Health Survey (SBBrasil 2010 Project) were combined with city‐level data. Individual‐ and city‐level variables were selected to represent the structural and intermediate determinants of health according to the WHO model of social determinants of health. The association of independent variables with one or more teeth in need of endodontic treatment was evaluated using multilevel logistic regression to estimate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results

The prevalence of the need for endodontic treatment was 7.7%. Adults living in cities with better contextual socioeconomic conditions (OR 0.82; 95% CI = 0.72‐0.93) and better specialized dental services (OR 0.85; 95% CI = 0.77‐0.95) were less likely to need endodontic treatment. Younger age, greater schooling and use of private dental services reduced the odds of need for endodontic treatment. Number of people per room, type of dental service and reason for the last dental visit were also associated with need of endodontic treatment.

Conclusion

Contextual and individual factors were relevant determinants of endodontic treatment needs in adults.
Role of chimeric transcript formation in the pathogenesis of birth defects
Authors: Yamada Mamiko , Suzuki Hisato , Watanabe Akiko , Uehara Tomoko , Takenouchi Toshiki , Mizuno Seiji , Kosaki Kenjiro
Published: October 2020

Chimeric transcripts are formed by chromosomal aberrations. Little is known about the role of chimeric transcripts in the pathogenesis of birth defects. We reanalyzed RNA‐seq data in alignment map files from the peripheral blood of 56 patients in whom the diagnoses could not be confirmed by standard exome analysis and transcriptome analysis to screen for chimeric transcripts using a dedicated software, ChimPipe. Chimeric analysis led to a diagnosis in two of the 56 patients: (a) the first patient had a chimeric transcript spanning the causative gene ZEB2 and the GTDC1 gene in its neighboring locus. RNA‐seq revealed reads spanning exon 5 of ZEB2 and exon 7 of GTDC1. Whole genome sequencing revealed a 436‐kb deletion spanning intron 4 of ZEB2 and intron 7 of GTDC1 and the diagnosis of Mowat‐Wilson syndrome was made. (b) The second patient had a chimeric transcript spanning the causative gene KCNK9 and the TRAPPC9 gene in its neighboring locus. RNA‐seq revealed reads spanning exon 21 of TRAPPC9 and exon 1 of KCNK9. Whole genome sequencing revealed a 186‐kb deletion spanning intron 20 of TRAPPC9 and intron 1 of KCNK9 in this patient. KCNK9 gene is a maternally expressed imprinted gene. The diagnosis of Birk‐Barel syndrome was made. Thus, both patients had chimeric transcripts that were directly involved in the pathogenesis of the birth defects. The approach reported herein, of detecting chimeric transcripts from RNA‐seq data, is unique in that the approach does not rely on any prior information on the presence of genomic deletion.