bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determinants of response of street food entrepreneurs in Ghana to business management training
Authors: Osei Mensah James , Ohene-Yankyera Kwasi , Aidoo Robert
Published: April 2018

Purpose

Considering the fact that business management training has the potential to improve performance of micro and small enterprises, it is surprising why participation rates in most freely offered management training courses remain low. The purpose of this paper is to explore factors that determine an invitee’s decision to participate in a capacity building management training for street food entrepreneurs in Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

Using data from a baseline survey, the study invited 314 street food entrepreneurs, selected through a stratified random technique from a list of 516 eligible food entrepreneurs. Training participants were invited to the programme through official invitation letters which were hand-delivered. Data on reasons for non-participation were collected either through phone interviews or on-site visit when a vendor could not be reached on phone. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise characteristics of vendors and businesses as well as reasons for non-participation while probit model was used to estimate determinants of participation.

Findings

The study found that whereas vendors with higher formal education better appreciate the benefits of education and training, their counterparts with fewer years of schooling do not. The latter’s perceived knowledge deficiencies appear to explain the difference in participation rates. Also, total workforce does not necessarily increase the probability of participation, especially when there are no trusted workers in the business who will take over critical activities such as handling of finances in the absence of the owner. The study also found that distance between vending premises and training centres had significant negative effects on vendors’ participation in the training programme.

Research limitations/implications

The external validity of the study findings and conclusions may not be limited to all informal sectors of the developing economies due to high degree of heterogeneity of the informal economy.

Originality/value

The study focusses on an informal sector in developing country dominated by women. The study focusses on understanding informal entrepreneurs’ response to formal training.
Analysis of pearl millet market structure and value chain in India
Authors: Reddy A. Amarender , Raju S.S. , Suresh A. , Kumar Pramod
Published: April 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the market structure and value chain of pearl millet grain and fodder in India. There is a decline in demand for human consumption, with an increase in demand for non-food uses like cattle and poultry feed, raw material for starch and breweries industry. This paper explores alternative channels, uses and value chains of pearl millet grain and fodder. The paper examines in what ways small farmers can benefit from the evolving alternative uses for pearl millet grain in cattle and poultry feed industry, breweries and starch industry. The paper also analyses the impact of aggregators in increasing the efficiency of the value chain.

Design/methodology/approach

The study collected primary data from farmers, traders, commission agents and exporters and importers with innovative marketing channels with aggregators (Self-Help Groups) and without aggregators to analyze the prospects for improvements in marketing channels and value chain.

Findings

Given that the production of pearl millet is scattered and thin, there is a lot of scope for market aggregators to increase scale economies to reduce market costs to supply in bulk to food and industrial uses. Although there was some demand for human consumption high-quality grain, most of the future demand will come from cattle and poultry feed industry, breweries and starch industry. To tap these larger potentials, farmers need to aggregate their produce and ensure regular supply in bulk quantity at least to compete the cost with alternative grains like maize and broken rice.

Research limitations/implications

The research is based on the field-level data collection and observations obtained from Western India. This paper provides insights how the value chain of pearl millet is working and what improvements are needed to make value chain more efficient and inclusive. Although the results are applicable to similar neglected crops and area, more caution is needed.

Social implications

Through the formation of farmer aggregators, farmers can enhance their bargaining power vis-a-vis industry.

Originality/value

Till now, there is no study that explored the pearl millet value chain in detail in India, and the paper tries to fill this literature gap.
Coordinating cereal farmers and buyers: evidence from Mali
Authors: Vroegindewey Ryan , Theriault Veronique , Staatz John
Published: April 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how various transaction-cost characteristics influence the choice of vertical coordination (VC) structures (e.g. different contract types) and horizontal coordination (HC) structures (e.g. different farmer organization types) to link smallholder farmers efficiently with buyers. It analyzes the relationship between vertical and horizontal structures, and the economic sustainability of different structure combinations.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper develops a conceptual framework to predict coordination structures as a function of transaction-cost characteristics, compares predictions for the Malian cereals market to empirical evidence using 15 case studies, and then analyzes structure combinations.

Findings

Asymmetric scale between farmers and buyers; uncertainty in production, prices, policy, and contract enforcement; and quality and quantity debasement lead to selections of structures with high levels of control. Vertical and horizontal structures demonstrate a complementary relationship in certain core coordination roles, while exhibiting substitutability in the provision of other coordination activities. The marketing cooperative and marketing contract pairing is the most prevalent combination.

Research limitations/implications

The conceptual framework is useful for explaining the selection of coordination structures, and can be applied in other contexts to strengthen external validity.

Originality/value

The framework facilitates predictions and explanation of both VC and HC structures, with empirical application on a country and value chains receiving little attention in the literature.
3D technology in fashion: from concept to consumer
Authors: Arribas Veronica , Alfaro José A.
Published: April 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show how 3D digital technology can bring value to the fashion industry by analysing the specific benefits it offers along the value chain. Additionally, the authors show some of the challenges ahead identified for both software and fashion firms.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors present by means of a case study the experience of an haute couture designer who used 3D digital technology – in collaboration with a recognised 3D software company – for developing his first luxury footwear collection.

Findings

The enhancement of creativity and a better communication with suppliers are just some of the benefits identified in the case study from the use of 3D digital technology. In addition, challenges such as the development of a digital culture or the need for technology simplification are drawn from the case.

Practical implications

Apart from the benefits and challenges drawn from the case study, which can be useful to practitioners in this industry, the authors also identify the collaboration through which the experience took place as an interesting practice to implement as a previous step of a digital transformation strategy.

Originality/value

Despite the growing interest the fashion industry is showing in the use of new digital technologies, academic research on this topic is still scarce. Therefore, the case study presented in this paper adds value to the literature showing how 3D technology can help fashion from concept to consumer.
The place sustainability scale: measuring residents’ perceptions of the sustainability of a town
Authors: Taecharungroj Viriya , Tachapattaworakul Suksaroj Thunwadee , Rattanapan Cheerawit
Published: April 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to develop a scale that assesses place sustainability from the perspectives of residents, who are the main stakeholders. The resulting place sustainability scale (PSS) is a practical and useful tool for place administrators to measure place sustainability at all scales.

Design/methodology/approach

This research analyses the data collected from 636 residents in the town of Salaya in Central Thailand. To develop the scale, the authors randomise 318 samples to conduct an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and analyse the rest with confirmatory factor analysis (CFA).

Findings

A total of 11 factors of place sustainability were generated with 33 questionnaire items. Those factors were natural environment, social equity, economic growth, built environment, landscape, liveability, conviviality, transport, energy, water and waste management and governance.

Practical implications

The PSS can help place administrators, such as chief executives of sub-districts, mayors of town municipalities or governors of provinces, assess perceived sustainability from the perspectives of their residents. They can use this scale in conjunction with other sustainability indicators that calculate data from real variables and values to develop a comprehensive view of sustainability that includes both real and perceptual dimensions.

Originality/value

Numerous available indices and indicators use real variables and values to measure place sustainability. However, they have limitations: they can be complex and incomprehensible to outsiders or they might not support participative processes and policymaking. This research develops an alternative measure of place sustainability that assesses the perceptions of residents.
Impairment of intangible assets and disclosure by Italian banks
Authors: Quaranta Anna Grazia , Di Gabriele Nico , Zigiotti Ermanno
Published: April 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the methods used to perform impairment test for intangible assets from a business combination and the information provided by the consolidated financial statements of a Group of Italian banks in the period 2009-2014. The purpose is to verify if, as assumed in literature, there is a positive link between profitability and the tendency of manager’s to post the impairment losses of intangible assets promptly and accurately.

Design/methodology/approach

The existence of a link between profitability and the quality of disclosure was verified by constructing correlation indices, and then ascertaining not only the reliability but also the strength and direction of the statistical connection between the above two aspects. A multivariate linear regression reconfirmed the results obtained by the previous bivariate analysis.

Findings

The results confirm the basic assumption, showing that the link between the aspects considered is statistically significant and positive in all the years in question.

Originality/value

This study fills a gap, given that no papers were found in literature specifically pertaining to banks and other financial institutions. Moreover, the decision to focus the study on Italian banks seems to be particularly appropriate for a number of different reasons: before the financial crisis, Italian banks made numerous acquisitions, posting high amounts for intangible assets; the financial crisis made the stock market prices plummet, thus making it necessary to write-off intangible assets from business combinations; and even before the ESMA, the Bank of Italy intervened on several occasions on the question of reporting, urging Italian banks to comply with disclosure requirements and impairment criteria.
‘I expected just to walk in, get my tablets and then walk out’: on framing new community pharmacy services in the English healthcare system
Authors: Latif Asam , Waring Justin , Watmough Deborah , Boyd Matthew J. , Elliott Rachel A.
Published: April 2018

Reconfiguration of the healthcare division of labour is becoming increasingly attractive in the context of increased patient demand and resource constraints. One example is the introduction of extended roles for pharmacists to provide patients additional support to manage their medicines, while also reducing work pressures experienced by other health professionals. Understanding how such policies are framed by those delivering and receiving care has been under‐theorised. Using Goffman's frame theory, we examine one newly introduced community pharmacy service (New Medicines Service (NMS)) to illustrate how a policy intended to support patient medicine‐taking through the extended roles of pharmacists is framed and where this deviates from its proposed aims. Three themes emerged: (i) the spatial‐material artefacts; (ii) existing discursive culture and practice around medicine‐taking; and (iii) the NMS interactions that shape and govern framing and subsequent interpretation of the NMS. Our study offers an explanatory and dynamic view of the framing process with important lessons for reconfiguring medicine management policy and practice. As well as illustrating framing as being variegated, complementary or conflicting, it also shows how this plurality and fragility had consequences for patient engagement and sense‐making. The consequences for engagement and recommendations for implementing future initiatives are discussed.
Comparative efficacy and safety of biosimilar‐infliximab and originator‐infliximab in combination with methotrexate in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis: a meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Bae Sang‐Cheol , Lee Young Ho
Published: April 2018

Objective

We aimed to assess the relative efficacy and safety of biosimilar‐infliximab and originator‐infliximab in combination with methotrexate (MTX) compared to placebo plus MTX in active rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods

We performed a Bayesian network meta‐analysis to combine direct and indirect evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining the efficacy and safety of biosimilar + MTX and infliximab + MTX and placebo + MTX (MTX group) in patients with active RA despite treatment with MTX.

Results

Seven RCts involving 2606 patients met the inclusion criteria. The American College of Rheumatology (ACR)20 response rate was significantly higher in the biosimilar + MTX group than in the MTX group (odds ratio [OR] 3.31, 95% credible interval [CrI] 1.74–6.06). Similarly, the ACR20 response rate was significantly higher in the infliximab + MTX group than in the MTX group (OR 3.15, 95% CrI 1.99–4.70). There was no difference in the ACR20 response rate between the biosimilar+ MTX and infliximab + MTX groups. Ranking probability based on surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) indicated that treatment with biosimilar + MTX had the highest probability of achieving the ACR20 response rate (SUCRA = 0.7964), followed by infliximab + MTX (SUCRA = 0.7018) and MTX alone (SUCRA = 0.0018). The ACR50 and ACR70 response rates showed a similar distribution pattern to the ACR20 response rate. By contrast, the safety based on the number of serious adverse events (SAEs) did not differ significantly among the three interventions.

Conclusions

Biosimilar‐ and originator‐infliximab, in combination with MTX, represent effective interventions for active RA, with a low risk of SAEs. No significant difference between biosimilar‐ and originator‐infliximab was found in terms of efficacy and safety.
Differences in clinical presentation and incidence of cardiopulmonary involvement in late‐onset versus early‐onset systemic sclerosis: inception cohort study
Authors: Wangkaew Suparaporn , Phiriyakrit Phiriya , Sawangduan Vittawin , Prasertwittayakij Narawudt , Euathrongchit Juntima
Published: April 2018

Introduction

Data regarding the incidence rate (IR) of cardiopulmonary involvement in comparison between late‐onset SSc and early‐onset SSc are limited.

Objective

To compare the prevalence of clinical manifestations and the IR of cardiopulmonary involvement compared between the two subgroups.

Methods

An inception cohort of SSc patients seen at the Rheumatology Clinic, Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital, between January 2010 and June 2016, was used. All patients were assessed for clinical manifestations and underwent electrocardiograph, echocardiography and high‐resolution computed tomography at the study entry and every 12 months thereafter.

Result

One hundred and fifteen patients (69 female and 90 diffuse cutaneous SSc [dcSSc]) with a mean (SD) disease duration of 11.6 months (8.8) at cohort entry were enrolled during a mean (SD) observation period of 3.8 years (1.6). Patients were classified into two groups: age ≥ 50 years (late onset) and age < 50 years (early onset). The late‐onset group included 78 patients (67.8%). At enrollment, the late‐onset group had higher prevalence of digital pitting scars (60.3% vs. 35.1%, P = 0.012), dry eye symptoms (17.9% vs. 2.7%, P = 0.035), and hypertension (20.5% vs. 5.4%, P = 0.037) compared to the early‐onset group. In the last visit, it was found that the late‐onset group had higher cumulative prevalence of joint contracture (61.5% vs. 37.8%, P = 0.017) compared to the early‐onset group. The late‐onset group had no significant IR of left ventricular ejection fraction < 50% (3.04 vs. 4.45 per 100 person‐years, P = 0.486), right ventricular dysfunction (5.17 vs. 2.73 per 100 person‐years, P = 0.269), interstitial lung disease (49.45 vs. 42.03 per 100 person‐years, P = 0.462), and systolic pulmonary arterial pressure ≥ 50 mmHg (2.57 vs. 1.07 per 100 person‐years, P = 0.267) compared to the early‐onset group.

Conclusion

Our study cohort found that digital pitting scar, xerophthalmia, hypo–hyperpigmentation, joint contracture, and hypertension are more prevalent in late‐onset SSc than early‐onset SSc. However, no significant differences regarding the IR of cardiopulmonary involvement between the two subgroups, the majority of which were dcSSc, in the early phase of the disease.
The impact of buprenorphine and methadone on mortality: a primary care cohort study in the United Kingdom
Authors: Hickman Matthew , Steer Colin , Tilling Kate , Lim Aaron G. , Marsden John , Millar Tim , Strang John , Telfer Maggie , Vickerman Peter , Macleod John
Published: April 2018

Aims

To estimate whether opioid substitution treatment (OST) with buprenorphine or methadone is associated with a greater reduction in the risk of all‐cause mortality (ACM) and opioid drug‐related poisoning (DRP) mortality.

Design

Cohort study with linkage between clinical records from Clinical Practice Research Datalink and mortality register.

Setting

UK primary care.

Participants

A total of 11 033 opioid‐dependent patients who received OST from 1998 to 2014, followed‐up for 30 410 person‐years.

Measurements

Exposure to methadone (17 373, 61%) OST episodes or buprenorphine (9173, 39%) OST episodes. ACM was available for all patients; information on cause of death and DRP was available for 5935 patients (54%) followed‐up for 16 363 person‐years. Poisson regression modelled mortality by treatment period with an interaction between OST type and treatment period (first 4 weeks on OST, rest of time off OST, first 4 weeks off OST, rest of time out of OST censored at 12 months) to test whether ACM or DRP differed between methadone and buprenorphine. Inverse probability weights were included to adjust for confounding and balance characteristics of patients prescribed methadone or buprenorphine.

Findings

ACM and DRP rates were 1.93 and 0.53 per 100 person‐years, respectively. DRP was elevated during the first 4 weeks of OST [incidence rate ratio (IRR) = 1.93 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.97–3.82], the first 4 weeks off OST (IRR = 8.15, 95% CI = 5.45–12.19) and the rest of time out of OST (IRR = 2.13, 95% CI = 1.47–3.09) compared with mortality risk from 4 weeks to end of treatment. Patients on buprenorphine compared with methadone had lower ACM rates in each treatment period. After adjustment, there was evidence of a lower DRP risk for patients on buprenorphine compared with methadone at treatment initiation (IRR = 0.08, 95% CI = 0.01–0.48) and rest of time on treatment (IRR = 0.37, 95% CI = 0.17–0.79). Treatment duration (mean and median) was shorter on buprenorphine than methadone (173 and 40 versus 363 and 111, respectively). Model estimates suggest that there was a low probability that methadone or buprenorphine reduced the number of DRP in the population: 28 and 21%, respectively.

Conclusions

In UK general medical practice, opioid substitution treatment with buprenorphine is associated with a lower risk of all‐cause and drug‐related poisoning mortality than methadone. In the population, buprenorphine is unlikely to give greater overall protection because of the relatively shorter duration of treatment.
A novel model to study neonatal Escherichia coli sepsis and the effect of treatment on the human immune system using humanized mice
Authors: Schlieckau Florian , Schulz Daniela , Fill Malfertheiner Sara , Entleutner Kathrin , Seelbach‐Goebel Birgit , Ernst Wolfgang
Published: April 2018

Problem

Neonatal sepsis is a serious threat especially for preterm infants. As existing in vitro and in vivo models have limitations, we generated a novel neonatal sepsis model using humanized mice and tested the effect of Betamethasone and Indomethacin which are used in the clinic in case of premature birth.

Method of study

Humanized mice were infected with Escherichia coli (E. coli). Subsequently, the effect of the infection itself, and treatment with Betamethasone and Indomethacin on survival, recovery, bacterial burden, leukocyte populations, and cytokine production, was analyzed.

Results

The human immune system in the animals responded with leukocyte trafficking to the site of infection and granulopoiesis in the bone marrow. Treatment with Indomethacin had no pronounced effect on the immune system or bacterial burden. Betamethasone induced a decline of splenocytes.

Conclusion

The human immune system in humanized mice responds to the infection, making them a suitable model to study neonatal E. coli sepsis and the immune response of the neonatal immune system. Treatment with Betamethasone could have potential negative long‐term effects for the immune system of the child.
Timing of diagnosis of gestational diabetes and pregnancy outcomes: A retrospective cohort
Authors: Shub Alexis , Chee Tess , Templeton Alexandra , Boyce Deborah , McNamara Catharine , Houlihan Christine , Churilov Leonid , McCarthy Elizabeth A.
Published: April 2018

Background

Recent guidelines suggest screening high‐risk women in early pregnancy for gestational diabetes (GDM); however, there is little evidence to support this.

Aims

To compare pregnancy outcomes associated with diabetes for women with risk factors for GDM according to gestation of diagnosis. Early GDM was defined as a positive test before 20 weeks gestation, late GDM as a positive test at 20 or more weeks and no GDM when both tests were negative.

Materials and methods

Retrospective analysis in an Australian tertiary hospital of women who underwent a glucose tolerance test in pregnancy prior to 20 weeks gestation, and a repeat test after 20 weeks gestation if the initial test was negative. Results were adjusted for maternal demographics.

Results

Women with early GDM (n = 170) were no more likely to experience the obstetric composite outcome than women with late GDM (n = 171) or no GDM (n = 547) (early odds ratio (OR) 1.16, 95%CI 0.79–1.71; late OR 0.78, 95%CI 0.53–1.12). Infants of women with early GDM, but not late GDM, were more likely (early OR 1.8, 95%CI 1.15–2.92; late OR 1.4, 95%CI 0.90–2.23) to have the neonatal composite outcome than infants of women without GDM, predominantly due to an increase in neonatal hypoglycaemia.

Conclusions

This result may be due to careful management of GDM, or because, after adjustment for maternal demographics, the early diagnosis of GDM does not substantially increase rates of adverse outcomes compared to GDM diagnosed in later pregnancy or no GDM in women with risk factors for GDM.
Association of serum uric acid levels with primary open‐angle glaucoma: a 5‐year case–control study
Authors: Li Shengjie , Shao Mingxi , Li Danhui , Tang Binghua , Cao Wenjun , Sun Xinghuai
Published: April 2018

Purpose

It has been hypothesised that uric acid (UA) has a protective effect against oxidative damage in the central nervous system. Therefore, we investigated serum UA concentrations in patients with primary open‐angle glaucoma (POAG) and explored the relationship between serum UA concentration and glaucoma severity.

Methods

This prospective, cross‐sectional, case–control study was conducted in 163 POAG patients and 103 normal controls. Clinical and demographic information was obtained from the medical data platform of the Eye & ENT Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China. The POAG patients were categorised into mild [median deviation (MD) ≤ 6.00 dB], moderate (MD > 6 Db–≥12 dB) and severe (MD > 12 dB) subgroups, based on their visual field MD results.

Results

The level of serum UA in the POAG group (0.321 ± 0.084 mmol/l) was approximately 12.77% lower (p < 0.001) than that of the control group (0.362 ± 0.053 mmol/l). The UA/creatinine (Cr) ratio was approximately 14.99% lower (p < 0.001) in patients with POAG (4.47 ± 1.15), compared with the control group (5.14 ± 1.05). The mean level of UA was lowest in the severe POAG group, followed by the moderate POAG group, and the mild POAG group (p < 0.001). A similar trend was observed when UA levels were compared between the POAG and control groups in males. Multivariate regression analyses showed a significant negative correlation between UA and vertical cup–disc ratio (B = −0.320, p = 0.034), and UA and MD (B = −0.441, p = 0.031) in males.

Conclusion

Primary open‐angle glaucoma patients have lower UA levels; however, a negative association between UA levels and disease severity was evident in male patients.
Framing Homeless Policy: Reducing Cash Aid as a Compassionate Solution
Authors: Reppond Harmony A. , Bullock Heather E.
Published: April 2018

In 2002, Care Not Cash/Proposition N was introduced to respond to public concern over San Francisco's chronic homeless epidemic. The controversial initiative, which significantly reduced General Assistance (cash aid) to unhoused people, diverted funds to direct services such as shelter, food, medical assistance, and substance abuse programs. To investigate the underlying attitudes and beliefs that framed homelessness and the Care Not Cash policy in the months leading up to the citywide vote articles from theSan Francisco Chroniclewere analyzed. Of particular interest was assessing the prevalence of individualistic framing, constructions of dependency, and the problems Care Not Cash was presented as solving. Our analysis found that homelessness was framed as a threat to businesses, tourism, and residents of San Francisco and welfare as enabling deviant behavior (e.g., substance abuse) among people experiencing homelessness. Similar to federal welfare reform, Care Not Cash was portrayed as a compassionate solution that would both solve the problem of homelessness and address problematic behaviors associated with people who are unhoused (Stryker & Wald, 2009). Implications for economic justice are discussed.
Pelvic insufficiency fractures frequently occur following preoperative chemo‐radiotherapy for rectal cancer – a nationwide MRI study
Authors: Jørgensen J. B. , Bondeven P. , Iversen L. H. , Laurberg S. , Pedersen B. G.
Published: April 2018

Aim

The aim of this prospective case–control study was to evaluate the rate of pelvic insufficiency fractures (PIFs) in Denmark using MRI at the 3‐year follow‐up. All patients had rectal cancer and had undergone surgery with or without preoperative chemo‐radiotherapy (CRT).

Method

Patients registered with primary rectal cancer in the Danish Colorectal Cancer Group database, who underwent rectal cancer resection from April 2011 through August 2012, were invited to participate in a national MRI study aiming to detect local recurrence and evaluate quality of the surgical treatment. Pelvic MRI including bone‐specific sequences 3 years after treatment was obtained. The primary outcome was the rate of PIFs; secondary outcome was risk factors of PIFs evaluated in multivariate analysis.

Results

During the study period, 890 patients underwent rectal cancer surgery. Of these, 403 patients were included in the MRI study and had a 3‐year follow‐up MRI. PIFs were detected in 49 (12.2%; 95% CI 9.0–15.4) patients by MRI. PIFs were detected in 39 patients (33.6%; 95% CI 24.9–42.3) treated with preoperative CRT compared to 10 (3.5%; 95% CI 1.3–5.6) non‐irradiated patients (P < 0.001). In a multivariate analysis female gender (OR = 3.52; 95% CI 1.7–7.5), age above 65 years (OR = 3.20; 95% CI 1.5–6.9) and preoperative CRT (OR = 14.20; 95% CI 6.1–33.1) were significant risk factors for PIFs.

Conclusion

Preoperative CRT in the treatment of rectal cancer was associated with a 14‐fold higher risk of PIFs after 3 years, whereas female gender and age above 65 years each tripled the risk of PIFs.
The ‘How’ of Multilevel Learning Dynamics: A Systematic Literature Review Exploring How Mechanisms Bridge Learning Between Individuals, Teams/Projects and the Organization
Authors: Wiewiora Anna , Smidt Michelle , Chang Artemis
Published: April 2018

The organizational learning literature recognizes that learning is a multilevel phenomenon that occurs between the individual, team and organizational levels. Existing literature has begun to identify linking mechanisms between these levels, but the research explaining how these mechanisms operate remains scarce. There is a limited understanding of the learning paths and connections between the individual, team and organizational levels. Using a systematic literature review, this paper synthesizes the research on multilevel learning to: (1) classify primary and less researched mechanisms enabling multilevel learning, and (2) explain how and in what direction these mechanisms operate to link the levels. We then propose a framework to summarize our findings. We investigate this phenomenon in both organizational and project‐based contexts due to the unique temporal and structural learning challenges of the latter. Future research directions are proposed for scholars who wish to further contribute to this important and growing field.
Renegotiating religious transnationalism: fractures in transnational Chinese evangelicalism
Authors: TAM JONATHAN
Published: April 2018

In this article, I question to what extent future generations of immigrants will engage in practices of religious transnationalism through their ethnic institutions. I examine how leaders of the next generation of English‐speaking Chinese Canadian evangelicals made sense of their participation in the Chinese Coordination Centre of World Evangelism, a movement that rallies behind both a pan‐Chinese identity and the belief that the Chinese have a special role in evangelizing the world. I argue that the call to religious mobilization grounded in Chinese ethnicity stands on tenuous ground and propose that linguistic, geographical, generational and ideological fractures may diminish the participation of future generations of the Chinese diaspora in ethnically‐based transnational religious organizations. I conclude that these developments would push ‘negotiated transnational religious networks’ into a state of ‘renegotiation'.
The Islamic Literature of the precolonial Sahara: Sources and approaches
Authors: Warscheid Ismail
Published: April 2018

From the 15th century onwards, a community of full‐fledged Muslim scholars emerged in the western and central parts of the Sahara, covering present‐day southern Algeria, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, and Niger. The massive diffusion of Islamic literate culture led to the constitution of a rich tradition of scholarship that materialized in various types of texts: doctrinal treatises, biographical dictionaries, chronicles, commentaries, poetry, and, most important, comprehensive fatwa collections. In the last decades, increasing academic attention has been given to this astonishing cultural heritage of the people of the great desert. This article intends to give a short survey of works and research orientations, focusing on projects of identification and edition of Arabic manuscripts and on the mobilization of Muslim scholarly writing as a source for social and cultural history.
Juvenile divergence in adaptive traits among seven sympatric fish ecomorphs arises before moving to different lacustrine habitats
Authors: Esin Evgeny V. , Markevich Grigorii N. , Pichugin Michail Yu
Published: April 2018

Identifying the mechanisms initiating sympatric diversification in vertebrates has remained a conceptual challenge. Here, we analyse an assemblage of sympatric charr (Salvelinus malma) morphs from landlocked Lake Kronotskoe basin as a model to uncover the divergence pathways in freshwater fishes during the early life history stages. All morphs have distinct developmental biology, but a similar developmental rate retardation compared to the ancestor. Our study reveals that adult morphological differences, which acquire functionality at maturation, originate in the early juvenile stages due to heterochrony in skeletogenesis and allometric changes triggered by variation in metabolic activity. The craniofacial differences among the morphs result from asynchronous development of several skeletal modules. The accelerated ossification of teeth‐armed bones occurs in predatory feeding morphs, whereas cranial cover ossification is promoted in benthivorous morphs. These contrasting growth patterns have led to seven phenotypes that span a range far beyond the ancestral variability. The most distinct morphs are a riverine spawning, epilimnetic predator and a lacustrine spawning, profundal benthic feeder. Taken together, we argue that the adaptive morphological differentiation in these sympatric freshwater fishes is driven by diverging patterns in ossification rate and metabolic activity against a background of uneven somatic growth. This divergence is primarily associated with basic environmental differences on the nursery grounds that might be unrelated to resource use. This nonheritable phenotype divergence is then exposed to natural selection that could result in further adaptive genetic changes.
Tagging of Weakly Expressed Toxoplasma gondii Calcium‐Related Genes with High‐Affinity Tags
Authors: Hortua Triana Miryam A. , Márquez‐Nogueras Karla M. , Chang Le , Stasic Andrew J. , Li Catherine , Spiegel Kevin A. , Sharma Amrita , Li Zhu‐Hong , Moreno Silvia N.J.
Published: April 2018

Calcium ions regulate a diversity of cellular functions in all eukaryotes. The cytosolic Ca2+ concentration is tightly regulated at the physiological cytosolic concentration of 50–100 nm. The Toxoplasma gondii genome predicts the presence of several genes encoding potential Ca2+ channels, pumps, and transporters. Many of these genes are weakly expressed and likely tightly regulated due to their potential impact to the physiology of the cell. Endogenous tagging has been widely used to localize proteins in T. gondii but low level of expression of many of them makes visualization of tags difficult and sometimes impossible. The use of high‐performance tags for labeling proteins expressed at low level is ideal for investigating the localization of these gene products. We designed a Carboxy‐terminus tagging plasmid containing the previously characterized “spaghetti monster‐HA” (smHA) or “spaghetti monster‐MYC” (smMYC) tags. These tags consist of 10 copies of a single epitope (HA or MYC) inserted into a darkened green fluorescence protein scaffold. We localized six proteins of various levels of expression. Clonal lines were isolated and validated by PCR, western blot, and immunofluorescence analyses. Some gene products were only visible when tagged with smHA and in one case the smHA revealed a novel localization previously undetected.
Wedge‐shaped polydioxanone threads in a folded configuration (“Solid fillers”): A treatment option for deep static wrinkles on the upper face
Authors: Kang Seung Hoon , Moon Seok Hoon , Rho Bong‐Il , Youn Seong Jae , Kim Hei Sung
Published: April 2018

Background

Facial wrinkles are key signs of aging which affect one's quality of life and psychological well‐being. Absorbable wedge‐shaped polydioxanone (PDO) sutures are popular in the esthetic clinics of Korea and may be a treatment option for static wrinkles on the upper face.

Objective

To describe a novel technique applicable to deep static wrinkles on the upper face and to assess its safety and efficacy.

Patients and Methods

A retrospective chart review was performed on the static wrinkle cases which were treated with folded, wedge‐shaped PDO threads. A total of 33 Korean patients with glabellar and forehead wrinkles were included. All participants underwent a single treatment session. The results were assessed objectively using serial photography and subjectively based on the patients' satisfaction scores. Complications were also recorded.

Results

Our patients displayed moderate (15.2%), severe (39.4%), and very severe (45.4%) static wrinkles at baseline. The majority of patients (81.8%) considered the results satisfactory. Consensus ratings by two independent dermatologists showed that the objective outcomes at 2‐month follow‐up were very much improved (30.3%), much improved (30.3%), and improved (24.2%). The incidence of complications was low, and the complications were minor.

Conclusion

Wedge‐shaped PDO sutures in a folded configuration (“solid fillers”) are a promising treatment option for deep static wrinkles on the upper face. They may be applied as an adjunct, or as an alternative to conventional therapies such as botulinum toxin and soft tissue filler injection.
Association of primary dysmenorrhea with anthropometrical and socio‐economic factors in Polish university students
Authors: Zurawiecka Martyna , Wronka Iwona
Published: April 2018

Aims

To examine the prevalence and factors correlated with primary dysmenorrhea in young female subjects.

Methods

Cross‐sectional research was conducted among 1305 female university students aged 19–25 years. The following measurements were taken: height, body mass, waist circumference, hip circumference, the length of index and ring finger. A questionnaire was used to obtain information on menstrual pains, the characteristics of the menstrual cycles (regularity, duration), the number of the days of menstrual bleeding, age at menarche, overall health and socio‐economic status of the subjects.

Results

The prevalence of primary dysmenorrhea (PD) in the group was 64.85%, of which 69.60% reported mild pain, and 30.40% moderate and severe pain. PD occurs more frequently both in women with excess and insufficient level of abdominal adiposity. PD occurred more frequently in women who experience first menstruation at earlier age than in women with average and late age at menarche. The prevalence of PD grew along with mother's education and fell along with father's education. Painful menstruations occurred most commonly in women from large families. The impact of the age at menarche and the presence of abnormal body mass and abnormal level of abdominal adiposity on the prevalence of painful menstruation was also confirmed by the results of logistic regression analysis. The risk of PD is the highest in women whose finger 4 is longer than finger 2.

Conclusion

The results suggest that healthy body mass and lack of abdominal obesity may reduce the risk of PD.
Serum levetiracetam concentrations and adverse events after multiple dose extended release levetiracetam administration to healthy cats
Authors: Barnes Heller Heidi , Granick Martin , Van Hesteren Mathew , Boothe Dawn M.
Published: April 2018

Background

Multiple dose administration of antiepileptic drugs to cats presents a challenge for owners. Extended release levetiracetam (XRL) has once daily recommended dosing interval, but multiple dose administration of XRL has not been evaluated in cats.

Objective

Evaluate serum levetiracetam concentrations and adverse clinical effects after 11 days of once daily XRL administration to healthy cats.

Animals

Nine healthy privately owned cats, body weight ≥ 5 kg

Methods

Extended release levetiracetam (500 mg/cat) was administered PO q24h for 10 days. On day 11, blood was collected at trough, 4, 6, and 8 hours after tablet administration. Owners maintained records of adverse effects throughout study. Levetiracetam was quantitated in serum using immunoassay validated in cats.

Results

Median dose 94.3 mg/kg q24h. Median (range) trough, 4, 6, and 8 hour serum levetiracetam concentrations were 7.0 (2.3‐14.1), 82.6 (7.8‐125.3), 92.3 (13.3‐97.3), and 72 (22.8‐96.4) μg/mL, respectively. Peak was not observed in 4 cats because of missed samples (n = 2) and failure to reach maximal concentration (Cmax) by 8 hours (n = 2). Median time of maximal concentration (Tmax) for the remaining 5 cats 5.2 (range 4‐6) hours. Adverse effects were minimal and included ataxia (n = 1), sedation (n = 1), and vomiting or regurgitation (n = 1). All signs resolved without dose adjustment or additional treatment.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Mean trough serum levetiracetam concentrations were ≥5 μg/mL and adverse effects were minimal throughout dosing period, indicating that the drug was well tolerated. Once daily XRL (500 mg/cat) administration may provide an easier alternative to 3 times daily dosing of intermediate‐release levetiracetam for epileptic cats.
From 2D to 3D chondrule size data: Some empirical ground truths
Authors: Metzler Knut
Published: April 2018

In order to characterize the relation between apparent chondrule sizes (2D) and true chondrule sizes (3D), three ordinary chondrites of the H, L, and LL group have been analyzed. The diameters of a large number of chondrule cut faces in thin sections (2D; n = 2037) and of separated chondrules from the same meteorites (3D: n = 2061) have been measured. The obtained 2D/3D mean chondrule sizes (μm) for the H, L, and LL chondrite are 450/490, 500/610, and 690/830; the corresponding median values (μm) are 370/420, 450/530, and 580/730. The data show that there is a cutoff for small chondrule sizes in each sample. Possibly characteristic minimum sizes exist for the various groups, increasing in the (3D) sequence H (~90 μm) <L (~180 μm) <LL (~240 μm). No systematics were found for the maximum chondrule sizes. The investigated samples show very similar chondrule volume (mass) distributions relative to the mode (peak) of their size‐frequency distributions. About 2.6–2.9% and 97.1–97.4% of the total chondrule volume (mass) is present in chondrule sizes smaller and larger than the mode, respectively. It was found that 2D sectioning consistently results in a shift of the true 3D size‐frequency distributions toward smaller sizes. This effect leads to the underestimation of the values for (1) the true mean chondrule size by 8–18%, (2) the true chondrule median value by 12–21%, and (3) the true mode value of the size‐frequency distributions by 12–17% (50 μm binning). This is the opposite of what popular 2D/3D correction models predict (e.g., Eisenhour ).
A GWAS meta‐analysis from 5 population‐based cohorts implicates ion channel genes in the pathogenesis of irritable bowel syndrome
Authors: Bonfiglio F. , Henström M. , Nag A. , Hadizadeh F. , Zheng T. , Cenit M. C. , Tigchelaar E. , Williams F. , Reznichenko A. , Ek W. E. , Rivera N. V. , Homuth G. , Aghdassi A. A. , Kacprowski T. , Männikkö M. , Karhunen V. , Bujanda L. , Rafter J. , Wijmenga C. , Ronkainen J. , Hysi P. , Zhernakova A. , D'Amato M.
Published: April 2018

Background

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) shows genetic predisposition, however, large‐scale, powered gene mapping studies are lacking. We sought to exploit existing genetic (genotype) and epidemiological (questionnaire) data from a series of population‐based cohorts for IBS genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) and their meta‐analysis.

Methods

Based on questionnaire data compatible with Rome III Criteria, we identified a total of 1335 IBS cases and 9768 asymptomatic individuals from 5 independent European genotyped cohorts. Individual GWAS were carried out with sex‐adjusted logistic regression under an additive model, followed by meta‐analysis using the inverse variance method. Functional annotation of significant results was obtained via a computational pipeline exploiting ontology and interaction networks, and tissue‐specific and gene set enrichment analyses.

Key Results

Suggestive GWAS signals (P ≤ 5.0 × 10−6) were detected for 7 genomic regions, harboring 64 gene candidates to affect IBS risk via functional or expression changes. Functional annotation of this gene set convincingly (best FDR‐corrected P = 3.1 × 10−10) highlighted regulation of ion channel activity as the most plausible pathway affecting IBS risk.

Conclusion & Inferences

Our results confirm the feasibility of population‐based studies for gene‐discovery efforts in IBS, identify risk genes and loci to be prioritized in independent follow‐ups, and pinpoint ion channels as important players and potential therapeutic targets warranting further investigation.
Influence of human parathyroid hormone during orthodontic tooth movement and relapse in the osteoporotic rat model: A preliminary study
Authors: Lee H. S. , Heo H. A. , Park S. H. , Lee W. , Pyo S. W.
Published: April 2018

Structured Abstract

Objective

To investigate the effects of parathyroid hormone (PTH) on tooth movement in ovariectomized (OVX) rats by comparing the tooth movement distance and relapse and by examining the alveolar bone microstructure.

Materials and Methods

Thirty 8‐week‐old female rats were classified into 3 groups: sham‐operated, OVX and ovariectomized rats injected with PTH (PTH). Eight weeks later, a closed‐coil spring appliance was placed between the maxillary incisor and the first molar and then activated with 50 cN of force. During tooth movement, 30 μg/kg of PTH was administered 3 times per week in the PTH group. Tooth movement distances were measured weekly. Five rats in each group were killed after 3 weeks for microcomputerized tomographic analysis, and the remaining 5 rats in each group were killed at an additional 3 weeks after the removal of the appliance to measure relapsed distance.

Results

The OVX group showed significantly greater tooth movement compared to those in the other 2 groups at 2 and 3 weeks (P < .05). The relapse distance and relapse percentage for the OVX group were higher; however, it did not differ significantly from the PTH group. On micro‐CT analysis, bone volume/tissue volume ratio and bone mineral density in the PTH group were significantly greater than in the OVX group (P < .05).

Conclusions

Application of PTH did not promote tooth movement in OVX rat, however, did lead to decrease in relapse tendency. Therefore, the application of PTH during orthodontic treatment of patients with osteoporosis should be carefully considered.