bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Demand planning as a tamer and trigger of operational risk disruptions: evidence from the European supply chains
Authors: Swierczek Artur , Szozda Natalia
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the effects of demand planning practices on the disruptions induced by operational risk. The study reveals whether the negative consequences of operational risk factors (covering demand, supply, control and process risks) can be absorbed or amplified through the application of specific demand planning practices in supply chains.

Design/methodology/approach

The study involves the partial least squares path model procedure. Likewise, the items of the constructs in the outer model were subjected to a purification process by principal component analysis with the orthogonal (varimax) and oblique (Promax) methods of rotation.

Findings

The findings suggest that although one may not observe uniformity and standardization in the role of demand planning in alleviating the negative effects of operational risks, still some regularities can be obtained. Having said that some demand planning practices tend to mitigate or reinforce disruptions driven by operational risk, whereas the other practices simultaneously absorb and amplify disruptions driven by operational risk.

Practical implications

The study shows that different managerial instruments, which are not inherently dedicated to risk management, when appropriately applied, may have an indirect impact on the mitigation of supply chain risk. In particular, the concept of demand planning might be very helpful for managers when dealing with demand and control risks.

Originality/value

The study simultaneously examines a more detailed bundle of practices forming the demand planning process. The research attempts to investigate the link between the demand planning process and operational risk consequences, derived from all sources (supply, demand, process and control). The paper shows that risk management is not a sole tool to mitigate disruptions. Among the concepts, which contribute to decrease risks is the demand planning process. The study demonstrates that the demand planning process when applied as a component of supply chain management, may contribute to mitigate certain operational risks.
Human resource information systems: a strategic contribution to HRM
Authors: Irum Ayesha , Yadav Rama Shankar
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The article presents an overview of the Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS) and its relevance in the current organizational context. It broadly captures the advantages of HRIS and the significant challenges involved in its implementation and succeeding stages.

Design/methodology/approach

A string of research articles in the domain is reviewed for the briefing.

Findings

HRIS is salient in supplementing various Human Resource (HR) functions ranging from HR planning to performance management. It can act as a catalyst in establishing the significance of HR in strategic decision making. It helps managers to effectively store large amounts of employee data and draw inferences from it to make pro-employee decisions. However, despite being relevant in HR functions, HRIS is often surrounded by concerns like employee privacy breach and misuse of information.

Originality/value

The article showcases the transformation of the Human Resource function to strengthen its strategic position in the organization and sustain HR professionals. Adoption of HRIS helps to convert HR to a data-driven function.
Incorporating Blockchain technology in construction management
Authors: Safa Mahdi , Baeza Sylvia , Weeks Kelly
Published: August 2019

Purpose

This study explores the use of Blockchain technology as a new solution to many current problems in construction information management. The study shows that Blockchain has the potential to address several issues such as confidentiality, provenance tracking; monitoring channel and ledger metrics; disintermediation; non-repudiation; change tracing; multiparty aggregation; traceability inter-organizational recordkeeping; and data ownership.

Design

A systematic analysis of a paper published, “Potentials of Blockchain Technology for Construction Management,” is offered. The structured results are provided for the purpose of contributing to the discussion of the topic.

Findings

The results of this study shows that the suitable position for the integration of Blockchain is the interface-points of the transaction processing component of the Building Information Modeling server. This technology also can help in controlling and fingerprinting all information exchanges and communication. The conclusion drawn from the study provides a foundation from which further research can be developed.

Originality and Value

The findings of this study will help construction project managers and senior executives with a deeper understanding of Blockchain technology and its long-term implications for the construction industry; coupled with knowledge of its relationship to other emerging technologies such as BIM. Propositions for smart contracts deployment and further research are suggested.
The impact of corporate social responsibility on earnings management practices: evidence from Saudi Arabia
Authors: Habbash Murya , Haddad Lara
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between earnings management (EM) and corporate social responsibility (CSR) in Saudi Arabia. It is one of only a small number of studies to examine this relationship outside the US market, and the first in the Middle East and Arab region, particularly in Saudi Arabia.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses content analysis to extract the CSR disclosure items from annual reports of Saudi firms. A CSR disclosure index was then constructed. For EM, the residuals from Kothari et al.’s (2005) model are considered. Multivariate analysis was performed using pooled OLS-regression models to examine the direct relationship between EM and the CSR index.

Findings

Using panel data from all Saudi public firms listed on the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) over the 2015-2016 period, the authors find that CSR is positively and significantly related to EM practices as proxied by discretionary accruals. This implies that Saudi firms undertaking CSR actions are more likely to manipulate their earnings.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of this paper have important policy implications for policy-makers, regulators, auditors and investors in their attempts to constrain EM practices and enhance the quality of financial reporting in Saudi Arabia.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the body of accounting literature by providing the first empirical evidence in the Middle East and Arab region on the positive association between EM and CSR in Saudi Arabia.
Optimization driven actor-critic neural network for sentiment analysis in social media
Authors: Jagdale Jayashree , M. Emmanuel
Published: August 2019

Purpose

Sentiment analysis is the subfield of data mining, which is profusely used for studying the opinions of the users by analyzing their suggestions on the Web platform. It plays an important role in the daily decision-making process, and every decision has a great impact on daily life. Various techniques including machine learning algorithms have been proposed for sentiment analysis, but still, they are inefficient for extracting the sentiment features from the given text. Although the improvement in sentiment analysis approaches, there are several problems, which make the analysis inefficient and inaccurate. This paper aims to develop the sentiment analysis scheme on movie reviews by proposing a novel classifier.

Design/methodology/approach

For the analysis, the movie reviews are collected and subjected to pre-processing. From the pre-processed review, a total of nine sentiment related features are extracted and provided to the proposed exponential-salp swarm algorithm based actor-critic neural network (ESSA-ACNN) classifier for the sentiment classification. The ESSA algorithm is developed by integrating the exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) and SSA for selecting the optimal weight of ACNN. Finally, the proposed classifier classifies the reviews into positive or negative class.

Findings

The performance of the ESSA-ACNN classifier is analyzed by considering the reviews present in the movie review database. From, the simulation results, it is evident that the proposed ESSA-ACNN classifier has improved performance than the existing works by having the performance of 0.7417, 0.8807 and 0.8119, for sensitivity, specificity and accuracy, respectively.

Originality/value

The proposed classifier can be applicable for real-world problems, such as business, political activities and so on.
Altered polyamine profiling in the hair of patients with androgenic alopecia and alopecia areata
Authors: Lee Yu Ra , Lew Bark Lynn , Sim Woo Young , Lee Jeongae , Hong Jongki , Chung Bong Chul
Published: August 2019

Hair follicles are among the most highly proliferative tissues. Polyamines are associated with proliferation, and several polyamines including spermidine and spermine play anti‐inflammatory roles. Androgenic alopecia results from increased dihydrotestosterone metabolism, and alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease. This study aimed to investigate differences in polyamine profiles in hair samples between patients with androgenic alopecia and alopecia areata. Polyamine concentrations were determined through high‐performance liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry. Hair samples were derivatized with isobutyl chloroformate. Differences in polyamine levels were observed between androgenic alopecia and alopecia areata compared with normal controls. In particular, polyamine levels were higher in alopecia areata patients than in normal controls. Certain polyamines displayed different concentrations between the androgenic alopecia and alopecia areata groups, suggesting that some polyamines, particularly N‐acetyl putrescine (P = 0.007) and N‐acetyl cadaverine (P = 0.0021), are significantly different in androgenic alopecia. Furthermore, spermidine (P = 0.021) was significantly different in alopecia areata. Our findings suggest that non‐invasive quantification of hair polyamines may help distinguish between androgenic alopecia and alopecia areata. Our study provides novel insights into physiological alterations in patients with androgenic alopecia and those with alopecia areata and reveals some differences in polyamine levels in hair loss diseases with two different modes of action.
Species‐specific clonality in east Asian island flora: Phylogenetic and environmental constraints
Authors: Fujinuma Junichi , Kusumoto Buntarou , Shiono Takayuki , Kubota Yasuhiro
Published: August 2019

Plant clonality is a ubiquitous trait observed in many phylogenetic clades and vegetations across tropical to arctic biomes. However, there is no consensus regarding determinant factors of species clonality; especially in the context of species assembly processes, ecological/evolutionary drivers of clonal growth remain largely unknown. To elucidate macroecological drivers of clonality, we examined phylogenetic conservatism/convergence of clonal growth in Japanese vascular plants and explored the ecological role of clonality. We created a dataset of clonal plants that were classified into phalanx, guerrilla and detachable clonal forms for 3,179 species, along with data regarding species geographical distributions and phylogenies. Then, we tested the association of phylogenetic and environmental factors with species clonality for three life‐form groups (fern, herb and woody species), and identified explanatory factors of clonal growth along large‐scale environmental gradients. Species clonality was phylogenetically constrained; specifically, for herb and woody species, phylogenetic signals across all the clonal growth forms, or especially the detachable form in ferns, were significant. Moreover, clonal growth of Japanese vascular plants was largely explained by taxonomic levels, and also partly by temperature, soil fertility, and species diversity in the distribution range, suggesting both processes; taxon‐dependent evolution of vascular plant clonality and evolutionary convergence of clonality across multiple clades of vascular plants relative to environmental constraints. Our findings demonstrated that species‐specific clonal growth, which acts as a trait related to abiotic/biotic niche, contributes to shaping large‐scale plant diversity patterns through species sorting along abiotic gradients.
Identification of human skin bacteria attractive to the Asian Tiger mosquito
Authors: Michalet Serge , Minard Guillaume , Chevalier Wilfried , Meiffren Guillaume , Saucereau Yoann , Tran Van Van , Comte Gilles , Tran Florence‐Hélène , Valiente Moro Claire
Published: August 2019

Aedes albopictusis a vector of arboviruses and filarial nematodes. Originating from Asia, this mosquito has rapidly expanded its geographical distribution and colonized areas across both temperate and tropical regions. Due to the increase in insecticide resistance, the use of environmentally friendly vector control methods is encouraged worldwide. Using methods based on semiochemicals in baited traps are promising for management of mosquito populations. Interestingly, human skin microbiota was shown to generate volatile compounds that attract the mosquito speciesAnopheles gambiaeandAedes aegypti. Here, we investigated the composition of skin bacteria from different volunteers and the attractive potential of individual isolates to nulliparousAe.albopictusfemales. We showed that three out of 16 tested isolates were more attractive and two were more repulsive. We identified dodecenol as being preferentially produced by attractive isolates and 2‐methyl‐1‐butanol (and to a lesser extent 3‐methyl‐1‐butanol) as being overproduced by these isolates compared with the other ones. Those bacterial volatile organic compounds represent promising candidates but further studies are needed to evaluate their potential application for baited traps improvement.
The association between reproductive factors and systemic sclerosis in Chinese women: A case‐control study and meta‐analysis
Authors: Li Juan , Chen Shan‐Yu , Yin Xiao‐Dong , Cao Long‐Ting , Huang Xiao‐Lei , Xu Jian‐Hua , Ye Dong‐Qing , Wang Jing
Published: August 2019

Aim

To examine the associations between female menstrual or reproductive factors and the development of systemic sclerosis (SSc) in China.

Methods

In this hospital‐based case‐control study, for each subject, data on reproductive and menstrual factors such as number of births, abortions, and age at menarche were obtained by structured questionnaire. Risk estimates, measured by the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI), were obtained by unconditional logistics regression. Furthermore, meta‐analysis was performed and pooled OR with 95% CI for the number of pregnancies and abortions were calculated.

Results

There were 166 SSc and 392 female controls seen during the study period. The results showed women with late menarche age (≥17 years) were less likely than those with earlier age at menarche to develop SSc (OR 0.347, 95% CI 0.174‐0.693) and compared with women without abortion, women with abortion (1 time) were at reduced risk of developing SSc (P = .036). After adjusting for potential confounders such as occupation and body mass index (BMI), late age at menarche (≥17 years) was associated with a decreased risk of SSc (OR 0.187, 95% CI 0.068‐0.513), but abortions were not significantly related to SSc. The meta‐analysis revealed there was no association between SSc and abortions or number of pregnancies. No significant publication bias was observed (P > .05).

Conclusion

Late age at menarche was associated with a reduced risk of SSc but abortion may not be an independent risk factor for SSc. Further investigations are required to verify our findings.
Clinical examination findings as predictors of acute kidney injury in critically ill patients
Authors: Wiersema Renske , Koeze Jacqueline , Eck Ruben J. , Kaufmann Thomas , Hiemstra Bart , Koster Geert , Franssen Casper F. M. , Vaara Suvi T. , Keus Frederik , Van der Horst Iwan C. C.
Published: August 2019

Background

Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) in critically ill patients is associated with a markedly increased morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to establish the predictive value of clinical examination for AKI in critically ill patients.

Methods

This was a sub‐study of the SICS‐I, a prospective observational cohort study of critically ill patients acutely admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Clinical examination was performed within 24 hours of ICU admission. The occurrence of AKI was determined at day two and three after admission according to the KDIGO definition including serum creatinine and urine output. Multivariable regression modeling was used to assess the value of clinical examination for predicting AKI, adjusted for age, comorbidities and the use of vasopressors.

Results

A total of 1003 of 1075 SICS‐I patients (93%) were included in this sub‐study. 414 of 1003 patients (41%) fulfilled the criteria for AKI. Increased heart rate (OR 1.12 per 10 beats per minute increase, 98.5% CI 1.04‐1.22), subjectively cold extremities (OR 1.52, 98.5% CI 1.07‐2.16) and a prolonged capillary refill time on the sternum (OR 1.89, 98.5% CI 1.01‐3.55) were associated with AKI. This multivariable analysis yielded an area under the receiver‐operating curve (AUROC) of 0.70 (98.5% CI 0.66‐0.74). The model performed better when lactate was included (AUROC of 0.72, 95%CI 0.69‐0.75), P = .04.

Conclusion

Clinical examination findings were able to predict AKI with moderate accuracy in a large cohort of critically ill patients. Findings of clinical examination on ICU admission may trigger further efforts to help predict developing AKI.
Does Shared Decision Making Actually Occur in the Emergency Department? Looking at It from the Patients’ Perspective
Authors: Schoenfeld Elizabeth M. , Probst Marc A. , Quigley Denise D. , St. Marie Peter , Nayyar Nikita , Sabbagh Sarah H. , Beckford Tanesha , Kanzaria Hemal K.
Published: August 2019

Objective

We sought to assess the frequency, content, and quality of shared decision making (SDM) in the emergency department (ED), from patients’ perspectives.

Methods

Utilizing a cross‐sectional, multisite approach, we administered an instrument, consisting of two validated SDM assessment tools—the CollaboRATE and the SDM‐Q‐9—and one newly developed tool to a sample of ED patients. Our primary outcome was the occurrence of SDM in the clinical encounter, as defined by participants giving “top‐box” scores on the CollaboRATE measure, and the ability of patients to identify the topic of their SDM conversation. Secondary outcomes included the content of the SDM conversations, as judged by patients, and whether patients were able to complete each of the two validated scales included in the instrument.

Results

After exclusions, 285 participants from two sites completed the composite instrument. Just under half identified as female (47%) or as white (47%). Roughly half gave top‐box scores (i.e., indicating optimal SDM) on the CollaboRATE scale (49%). Less than half of the participants were able to indicate a decision they were involved in (44%), although those who did gave high scores for such conversations (73/100 via the SDM‐Q‐9 tool). The most frequently identified decisions discussed were admission versus discharge (19%), medication options (17%), and options for follow‐up care (15%).

Conclusions

Fewer than half of ED patients surveyed reported they were involved in SDM. The most common decision for which SDM was used was around ED disposition (admission vs. discharge). When SDM was employed, patients generally rated the discussion highly.
The unintended consequences of voluntary adoption of clawback provisions on managerial ability
Authors: El Mahdy Dina
Published: August 2019

I investigate the impact of the voluntary adoption of clawback provisions on managerial ability and predict that clawback provisions will motivate managers to exert more efforts following the adoption of clawback and these efforts will be in the form of an increased managerial efficiency. Using a propensity score matched sample of firms, I find a significant positive association between voluntary clawback adoption and the change in both rank and score of managerial ability. My study highlights the unintended consequences of clawback provisions on CEO's behavior and contributes to the on‐going debate on the importance of proactively and carefully drafting clawback policies, further signifying the importance of the SEC's efforts (Rule 10D‐1) to enforce clawback policies.
Seeing is important: the usefulness of video information in P2P
Authors: Wang Huijuan , Yu Mengxia , Zhang Lu
Published: August 2019

P2P lending is an important research subject of rising internet finance research. This paper uses unique data from Renrendai, a leading platform in China, to test the influence of video information on P2P lending behavior. Results suggest that, first, the lower the borrower's credit rating is, the more likely they are to provide video information. Second, compared to the video‐information‐absent borrowers, the otherwise borrowers can get easier access to a loan and offer a lower interest rate. These results indicate that compared to text messages, video information can increase the borrower's creditworthiness and reduce the transaction risk. Thereupon seeing is important in online P2P lending. Third, when the borrower's credit rating is lower, the video effect is significant. The study makes sense in terms of the enrichment of P2P lending literature and the enlightenment on decision‐making of both lenders and borrowers.
Embedding environment and sustainability into corporate financial decision‐making
Authors: Siegrist Manuel , Bowman Gary , Mervine Evelyn , Southam Colette
Published: August 2019

The business case for sustainability can be built upon: (i) cost reduction from efficient resource utilisation, (ii) revenue enhancement, (iii) risk management, and (iv) intangible assets. However, executives often adopt a short‐term perspective owing to executive compensation, investor pressure, and decision‐making criteria tied to fixed financial reporting systems. We propose an integrated conceptual framework, which highlights how firms could embed environment and sustainability into their long‐term financial decision‐making framework. To give this goal structure, the firm could adopt: (i) longer‐term executive compensation plans, (ii) longer‐term financial reporting, and (iii) flexible financial decision‐making models which embed intangibles.
A new micropterous, ground‐dwelling, non‐cyclostome braconid parasitoid wasp, Epigeiobracon perplexus Quicke & Ward, gen. et sp. nov. (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) from New Zealand of uncertain relationships
Authors: Quicke Donald L J , Ward Darren F , Butcher Buntika A
Published: August 2019

A morphologically highly derived, litter‐dwelling, apterous, non‐cyclostome braconid wasp from New Zealand is described and illustrated as Epigeiobracon perplexus Quicke & Ward, gen. et sp. nov. The subfamilial placement of the new taxon based on morphology seems impossible though a protruding face, well‐developed round pronope and presence of a few apical pegs on the hind tibia are suggestive of Orgilinae, but we cannot completely rule out the small subfamily Microtypinae with which the new genus shares an extremely reduced third segment of the labial palp.
Australian millipede assassins (Heteroptera: Reduviidae): Malingeus tumidus gen. et sp. nov. and Yaramayahus rufescens gen. et sp. nov., with new generic synonyms and an updated key
Authors: Swanson Daniel R
Published: August 2019

Malingeus tumidus gen. et sp. nov., a new millipede assassin from Queensland, and Yaramayahus rufescens gen. et sp. nov., a new millipede assassin from New South Wales, are herein described from the tribe Ectrichodiini (Ectrichodiinae). Additionally, Caloundranius formosus Miller, 1957, syn. nov. is here considered a junior synonym of Mendola puellula Breddin, 1900, which relegates the genus Caloundranius Miller, 1957, syn. nov. to a junior synonym of Mendola Breddin, 1900. The previously proposed status of Tasmanocoris evansi Miller, 1952, as a junior synonym of Nebriscus pupus Bergroth, 1895, is corroborated. Brisbanocoris fuscipennis Miller, 1957, syn. nov. is here considered a junior synonym of Lyramna vigil Breddin, 1900, which relegates the genus Brisbanocoris Miller, 1957, syn. nov. to a junior synonym of Lyramna Breddin, 1900. Finally, an updated generic key to the ectrichodiine genera of Australia is presented.
Description and novel host records for a new species of Australian mutillid wasp (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) from hylaeine bee nests (Hymenoptera: Colletidae)
Authors: Hearn Lucas R , Williams Kevin A , Stevens Mark I , Schwarz Michael P , Davies Olivia K , Parslow Ben A
Published: August 2019

A new mutillid wasp, Ephutomorpha tyla Hearn, Williams & Parslow sp. nov., is described from adult female and male specimens from the Dandenong Ranges in Victoria, Australia. Adult mutillids were repeatedly found in nests of the hylaeine bee Amphylaeus morosus (Smith, 1879) (Hylaeinae) and reared from host nest cells. This represents the first recorded host–parasite association between Mutillidae and hylaeine bee species.
Three new species of the New Zealand endemic, Neptihormius van Achterberg & Berry (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), with diverse host records
Authors: Quicke Donald L J , van Achterberg Kees , Ward Darren , Butcher Buntika A
Published: August 2019

Three new species of the New Zealand endemic braconid genus Neptihormius van Achterberg & Berry (Mesostoinae) are described. One of these species was reared from dipteran hosts on Coprosma (Rubiaceae): N. dipterophagus Quicke, Ward & van Achterberg sp. nov. from an agromyzid and unidentified gall‐forming cecidomyiid hosts. Neptihormius whakapapa Quicke & Ward sp. nov. was reared from a gall, thought to have been caused by a curculionid beetle. The third new species, N. herbaspicatum Quicke & Ward sp. nov., was reared from the New Zealand endemic moth Glyphipterix iocheaera Meyrick, 1880. A key to the species of Neptihormius is provided. Host records show Neptihormius attack galls and concealed leaf‐miner hosts indicating evolutionary plasticity in host utilisation.
Workspace environmental design evaluation to support the aged care workforce: Are we using the right evaluation approaches?
Authors: Naccarella Lucio , Newton Clare , Dow Briony , Beckman Nikki
Published: August 2019

Objectives

Australia's aged care workforce is facing pressures due to increased demands from an ageing population. This paper reflects upon whether existing workspace environmental design evaluations are supporting the aged care workforce.

Methods

This brief report was informed by a 2018 Optimising Aged Care Workspace Environment Symposium with three streams: (a) Developing, (b) Implementing and (c) Evaluating Aged Care Workspace Environments.

Results

Symposium key messages included the following: 'evidence (lived experiences and feedback) from both older people and the aged care workforce needs to inform both development and implementation of aged care environment design'. The Evaluating Aged Care Workspace Environments stream key messages included the following: 'evaluation approaches are required that are responsive and appropriate to the complex dynamic aged care workspace contexts'.

Conclusion

To better inform the design of future aged care settings and support the aged care workforce, principles‐focused evaluations of existing aged care settings with input from the aged care workforce are required.
Do Indigenous patients in Australia's Northern Territory present with more advanced colorectal cancer? A cohort study based on registry data
Authors: Read David J. , Hayes Ian
Published: August 2019

Background

Previous studies show that Indigenous Australians (IndA) of the Northern Territory (NT) present later and have lower survival for colorectal cancer (CRC) compared with non‐Indigenous (NI) Territorians. This study compared the odds of presenting with advanced‐stage CRC between IndA and NI adjusted for demographic, histopathological and surgical features.

Methods

A cohort study of NT Cancer Registry (NTCR) CRC cases from 2005 to 2014. All (667) persons notified to the NTCR with a new diagnosis of CRC were included, of which 504 had sufficient data for analysis. The NTCR was used for case identification and linked to available hospital clinical data. The principal exposure was IndA compared with NI and the principal outcome was odds of presenting with advanced‐stage tumour (III and IV) compared with early‐stage (I and II). Univariable and multivariable logistic regression were performed on all relevant variables.

Results

Univariable logistic regression found no difference in the odds of advanced CRC between IndA and NI (odds ratio (OR) 0.99, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.56–1.76, P = 0.982). This effect remained insignificant adjusted for the effects of sex, tumour position, remoteness and time period (OR 0.85, 95% CI 0.47–1.55, P = 0.606) and when adjusted for tumour grade, lympho‐vascular invasion, lymph node harvest and emergency status (OR 1.39, 95% CI 0.64–3.03, P = 0.401).

Conclusions

In distinction from previous studies, there was no evidence that IndA of the NT presented with later stage CRC in 2005–2014. Other factors (incomplete treatment or comorbidity) may be responsible for the continued observed survival disparity.
Muscarinic receptors in energy homeostasis: Physiology and pharmacology
Authors: Falk Sarah , Lund Camilla , Clemmensen Christoffer
Published: August 2019

Despite increased awareness and intensified biomedical research efforts, the prevalence of obesity continues to rise worldwide. This is alarming, because obesity accelerates the progression of several chronic disorders, including type 2 diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disease. Individuals who experience significant weight loss must combat powerful counter‐regulatory energy homeostatic processes, and, typically, most individuals regain the lost weight. Therefore, decoding the neural mechanisms underlying the regulation of energy homeostasis is necessary for developing breakthroughs in obesity management. It has been known for decades that cholinergic neurotransmission both directly and indirectly modulates energy homeostasis and metabolic health. Despite this insight, the molecular details underlying the modulation remain ill‐defined, and the potential for targeting cholinergic muscarinic receptors for treating metabolic disease is largely uncharted. In this MiniReview, we scrutinize the literature that has formed our knowledge of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) in energy homeostasis. The role of mAChRs in canonical appetite‐regulating circuits will be discussed as will the more indirect regulation of energy homoeostasis via neurocircuits linked to motivated behaviours and emotional states. Finally, we discuss the therapeutic prospects of targeting mAChRs for the treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes.
An ambiguity in Habermas’s argument against liberal eugenics
Authors: Schäfer Leon‐Philip
Published: August 2019

In his book The future of human nature, Jürgen Habermas argues against a scenario of liberal eugenics, in which parents are free to prenatally manipulate their children’s genetic constitution via germline interventions. In this paper, I draw attention to the fact that his species‐ethical line of argument is pervaded by a substantial ambiguity between an argument from actual intervention (AAI) and an argument from mere controllability (AMC). Whereas the first argument focuses on threats for the autonomy and equality of prenatally modified persons, the second argument takes all human beings, whether they have been modified or not, into account. Hence, when invoking Habermas in these debates, bioethicists need to consider carefully which argument they are referring to.
In situ BCL2 expression is an independent prognostic factor in HIV‐associated DLBCL, a LYMPHOVIR cohort study
Authors: Philippe Laure , Lancar Remi , Laurent Camille , Algarte‐Genin Michele , Chassagne‐Clément Catherine , Fabiani Bettina , Pierre Chenard Marie , Lazure Thierry , Parrens Marie , Charlotte Frederic , Delattre Claire , Gibault Laure , Capron Frederique , Goubin‐Versini Isabelle , Petitjean Bruno , Boué François , Mounier Nicolas , Costello Regis , Costagliola Dominique , Prevot Sophie , Besson Caroline ,   ANRS‐CO16 LYMPHOVIR Cohort
Published: August 2019

The prognostic value of cell of origin (COO) classification and BCL2 expression is not well established in diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in the recent era. Phenotypic patterns were determined by immunohistochemistry (IHC) of pathological samples from patients with HIV‐associated DLBCL prospectively enrolled in the French AIDS and Viral Hepatitis CO16 Lymphovir cohort between 2008 and 2015. Molecular subgroup classification into germinal centre B‐cell (GCB) and non‐GCB subtypes was determined using the Hans algorithm. Among 52 samples of systemic DLBCL subjected to centralized pathological analysis, 25 of the 42 tested for BCL2 expression were positive. Samples were further classified into GCB (n = 19) and non‐GCB (n = 16) subtypes and 17 remained unclassified. In multivariable analysis, BCL2 expression was an independent pejorative prognostic biomarker [4‐year progression‐free survival (PFS): 52% for BCL2+ vs. 88% for BCL2−, P = 0·02] and tended to reduce 4‐year overall survival (OS) (63% for BCL2+ vs. 88% for BCL2−, P = 0·06). The difference between CGB and non‐GCB subtypes on PFS and OS did not reach significance (4‐year PFS: 79% for GCB vs. 53% for non‐GCB, P = 0·24 and 4‐year OS: 78% for GCB vs. 69% for non‐GCB, P = 0·34). BCL2 expression determined by IHC is an independent pejorative prognostic biomarker in HIV‐associated DLBCL in the recent era. This supports the investigation of new therapeutic strategies in patients with BCL2 expression.
Silencing of microRNA‐494 inhibits the neurotoxic Th1 shift via regulating HDAC2‐STAT4 cascade in ischaemic stroke
Authors: Zhao Haiping , Li Guangwen , Wang Rongliang , Tao Zhen , Ma Qingfeng , Zhang Sijia , Han Ziping , Yan Feng , Li Fangfang , Liu Ping , Ma Shubei , Ji Xunming , Luo Yumin
Published: August 2019

Background and Purpose

T helper cell 1 (Th1)‐skewed neurotoxicity contributes to the poor outcome of stroke in rodents. Here, we have elucidated the mechanism of the Th1/Th2 shift in acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) patients at hyperacute phase and have looked for a miRNA‐based therapeutic target.

Experimental Approach

MiR‐494 levels in blood from AIS patients and controls were measured by real‐time PCR. C57BL/6J mice were subjected to transient middle cerebral artery occlusion, and cortical neurons were subjected to oxygen–glucose deprivation. Luciferase reporter system, chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP‐Seq), and ChIP‐PCR were used to uncover possible mechanisms.

Key Results

In lymphocytes from AIS patients, there was a Th1/Th2 shift and histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) was markedly down‐regulated. ChIP‐seq showed that HDAC2 binding sites were enriched in regulation of Th1 cytokine production, and ChIP‐PCR confirmed that HDAC2 binding was changed at the intron of STAT4 and the promoter of T‐box transcription factor 21 (T‐bet) in lymphocytes from AIS patients. MiR‐494 was the most significantly increased miRNA in lymphocytes from AIS patients, and miR‐494‐3p directly targeted HDAC2. A strong association existed between miR‐494 and Th1 cytokines, and neurological deficit as measured by the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) in AIS patients. In vitro and in vivo experiments showed that antagomir‐494 reduced Th1 shift‐mediated neuronal and sensorimotor functional damage in the mouse model of ischaemic stroke, via the HDAC2‐STAT4 pathway.

Conclusion and Implications

We demonstrated that miR‐494 inhibition prevented Th1‐skewed neurotoxicity through regulation of the HDAC2‐STAT4 cascade.
Predicting the risk of illegal activity and evaluating law enforcement interventions in the western Serengeti
Authors: Denninger Snyder Kristen , Mneney Philemon B. , Wittemyer George
Published: August 2019

Illegal activity within protected areas is a primary driver of species decline and threatens conservation efforts. In the western corridor of the Serengeti Ecosystem of northern Tanzania, the Grumeti and Ikorongo Game Reserves and Ikona Wildlife Management Area provide an important buffer between permanent settlements and Serengeti National Park, while simultaneously maintaining critical wildlife habitat. Understanding the spatial distribution and environmental drivers of illegal activity is critical to optimize biodiversity protection efforts in this important ecosystem. We examined a rare dataset containing detailed records of reserve game scout patrol effort and occurrences of illegal activity between 2013 and 2016. We used presence only data to construct predictive models of five categories of illegal activity. We derived spatial predictions of the likelihood of different activities and identified the environmental variables predictive of risk for each activity. The highest risk areas were located along reserve edges, further from roads and scout camps, suggesting avoidance of enforcement presence. Activities associated with wildlife offtake were the most widely distributed in the study area and extended into the national park. Permanent scout camps were more effective deterrents of all illegal activities than observation posts, but their limited spatial influence demonstrated additional enforcement strategies are required.
Different prognostic factors and strategies for early and late recurrence after adult living donor liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Hong Suk Kyun , Lee Kwang‐Woong , Yoon Kyung Chul , Kim Hyo‐Sin , Ahn Sung‐Woo , Kim Hyeyoung , Lee Jeong‐Moo , Cho Jae‐Hyung , Yi Nam‐Joon , Suh Kyung‐Suk
Published: August 2019

Background

Some patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence after LT show good long‐term survival. We aimed to determine the prognostic factors affecting survival after recurrence and to suggest treatment strategies.

Methods

Between January 2000 and December 2015, 532 patients underwent adult living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) for HCC. Among these, 92 (17.3%) who experienced recurrence were retrospectively reviewed.

Results

The 1‐, 3‐, and 5‐year survival rates after recurrence were 59.5%, 23.0%, and 11.9%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, time to recurrence >6 months and surgical resection after recurrence were related to longer survival after recurrence, while multi‐organ involvement at the time of primary recurrence was related to poorer survival. We classified patients into early (≤6 months) and late (>6 months) recurrence groups. In the early recurrence group, tumor size >5 cm in the explant liver, liver as the first detected site of recurrence, and multiple organ involvement at primary recurrence were related to survival on multivariate analysis. In the late recurrence group, mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor (mTORi) usage and multi‐organ involvement were significantly associated with the prognosis on multivariate analysis.

Conclusions

Various therapeutic approaches are needed depending on the period of recurrence after LT and multiplicity of involved organs.
Glycaemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes initiating second‐line therapy: Results from the global DISCOVER study programme
Authors: Khunti Kamlesh , Chen Hungta , Cid‐Ruzafa Javier , Fenici Peter , Gomes Marilia B. , Hammar Niklas , Ji Linong , Kosiborod Mikhail , Pocock Stuart , Shestakova Marina V. , Shimomura Iichiro , Tang Fengming , Watada Hirotaka , Nicolucci Antonio ,   on behalf of the DISCOVER investigators
Published: August 2019

Aim

To assess glycaemic control and factors associated with poor glycaemic control at initiation of second‐line therapy in the DISCOVER programme.

Materials and methods

DISCOVER (NCT02322762 and NCT02226822) comprises two similar prospective observational studies of 15 992 people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) initiating second‐line glucose‐lowering therapy in 38 countries across six regions (Africa, Americas, South‐East Asia, Eastern Mediterranean, Europe and Western Pacific). Data were collected using a standardized case report form. Glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels were measured according to standard clinical practice in each country, and factors associated with poor glycaemic control (HbA1c >8.0%) were evaluated using hierarchical regression models.

Results

HbA1c levels were available for 80.9% of patients (across‐region range [ARR] 57.5%‐97.5%); 92.2% (ARR 59.2%‐99.1%) of patients had either HbA1c or fasting plasma glucose levels available. The mean HbA1c was 8.3% (ARR 7.9%‐8.7%). In total, 26.7% of patients had an HbA1c level ≥9.0%, with the highest proportions in South‐East Asia (35.6%). Factors associated with having HbA1c >8.0% at initiation of second‐line therapy included low education level, low country income, and longer time since T2D diagnosis.

Conclusions

The poor levels of glycaemic control at initiation of second‐line therapy suggest that intensification of glucose‐lowering treatment is delayed in many patients with T2D. In some countries, HbA1c levels are not routinely measured. These findings highlight an urgent need for interventions to improve monitoring and management of glycaemic control worldwide, particularly in lower‐middle‐ and upper‐middle‐income countries.
Diachronic agency and practical entitlement
Authors: Heeney Matthew
Published: August 2019

As diachronic agents, we deliberate and decide in the present to perform future courses of action. Such future‐directed decisions normally enjoy a distinctive species of rational authority over subsequent thought and action. But what is the nature of this authority, and what underwrites its normative force? In this paper, I argue that our answer to this question must begin by situating future‐directed deciding within anintrapersonal model of cross‐temporal influence. The role of future‐directed deciding (and intending), then, is not togeneratea novel decision‐based reason for action, but instead topreservea certain positive normative status over time. I develop anentitlement approachto decisional authority, according to which an agent who rationally decides to ϕ enjoys a practical entitlement, rather than a reason‐based practical justification, to ϕ at the appointed time. This entitlement is underwritten, I argue, by the warrant‐preserving nature of the sequence taking an agent from deliberation to subsequent action.
Phosphorus rather than nitrogen enhances CO2 emissions in tropical forest soils: Evidence from a laboratory incubation study
Authors: Hui Dafeng , Porter Wesley , Phillips Jana R. , Aidar Marcos P.M. , Lebreux Steven J. , Schadt Christopher W. , Mayes Melanie A.
Published: August 2019

Ecosystem functional responses such as soil CO2 emissions are constrained by microclimate, available carbon (C) substrates and their effects upon microbial activity. In tropical forests, phosphorus (P) is often considered as a limiting factor for plant growth, but it is still not clear whether P constrains microbial CO2 emissions from soils. In this study, we incubated seven tropical forest soils from Brazil and Puerto Rico with different nutrient addition treatments (no addition, Control; C, nitrogen (N) or P addition only; and combined C, N and P addition (CNP)). Cumulative soil CO2 emissions were fit with a Gompertz model to estimate potential maximum cumulative soil CO2 emission (C
m) and the rate of change of soil C decomposition (k). Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was conducted to quantify microbial biomass as bacteria and fungi. Results showed that P addition alone or in combination with C and N enhanced C
m, whereas N addition usually reduced C
m, and neither N nor P affected microbial biomass. Additions of CNP enhanced k, increased microbial abundances and altered fungal to bacterial ratios towards higher fungal abundance. Additions of CNP, however, tended to reduce C
m for most soils when compared to C additions alone, suggesting that microbial growth associated with nutrient additions may have occurred at the expense of C decomposition. Overall, this study demonstrates that soil CO2 emission is more limited by P than N in tropical forest soils and those effects were stronger in soils low in P.

Highlights

A laboratory incubation study was conducted with nitrogen, phosphorus or carbon addition to tropical forest soils. Soil CO2 emission was fitted with a Gompertz model and soil microbial abundance was quantified using qPCR. Phosphorus addition increased model parameters C
m and soil CO2 emission, particularly in the Puerto Rico soils. Soil CO2 emission was more limited by phosphorus than nitrogen in tropical forest soils.
The magnitude of erosion‐induced carbon (C) flux and C‐sequestration potential of eroded lands in India
Authors: Mandal Debashis , Giri Nishita , Srivastava Pankaj
Published: August 2019

Globally, soil erosion transports a significant amount of carbon (C), but the magnitude of erosion‐associated loss of soil organic carbon (SOC) from India is poorly quantified. The present study quantified the C flux induced by accelerated erosion for different states of India where soil erosion is the most critical form of land degradation. The lateral transport of eroded C was estimated for individual Indian states using spatially referenced data for soil erosion rates that were assessed using the universal soil loss equation (USLE) applied to the information about 1649 soil association units and their SOC inventories across the country. The results indicated that soil erosion varies widely across the states. The states lying in the north region (Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh) and all states of the north‐eastern Himalayan region, Peninsular plateau (Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh and others) and Peninsular India (Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka) showed more soil loss due to water erosion. At the national level in India, erosion transported about 4.87 Pg of soil and 115.36 Tg of C every year, which consequently emits about 34.61 Tg of C to the atmosphere. Among the states in India, Madhya Pradesh had the highest value of erosion‐associated C loss (20.33 Tg C yr−1), followed by Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh with losses of 9.98, 9.18, 9.11 and 8.70 Tg C yr−1, respectively. The possibility of C sequestration in various degraded lands was also explored. The results revealed that between 19 and 27 Tg C yr−1could be sequestered in soils by adopting achievable technological options in erosion‐affected areas of India, offering the potential to reduce approximately 24.5% of the total greenhouse gas emissions from the agricultural soils of India (94 Tg C).

Highlights

Eroded carbon is an important factor in biogeochemical carbon (C) cycle in India.

A new database on lateral transport of C is created for India.

Quantity of C lost due to water erosion in India is 115.36 Tg yr−1.

Erosion control will help to reduce C emission by 19–27 Tg C yr−1from India.