bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“From caged birds to women with wings”
Authors: Rangwala Shenaz , Jayawardhena Chanaka , Saxena Gunjan
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This study aims to explore consumption practices of new middle-class Indian women to explicate how they are challenging traditional social norms and redefining their identity through their consumption practices.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 32 semi-structured and photo-elicitation interviews were conducted with new middle-class women between the age group of 23 and 40 years in India.

Findings

This study illustrates how the doing of consumption practices that involve creating, controlling, knowing and transforming is enabling new middle-class Indian women to undo gender disparities embedded in hegemonic patriarchal social order. Also, the study provides new insights into how class and symbolic capital intersect gender to redefine middle-class women’s feminine self.

Research limitations/implications

This study specifically illustrates how new middle-class women are using consumption practices to uplift their position in household; bring about new modes of social interface; and identity expression and a reversal in gender roles.

Practical implications

The conflation of women’s independence with consumerism underlines the need for marketers to position consumer goods in a manner that strengthens women’s self and alleviates cultural perceptions of women as subordinate to men in the household. Indian market has considerable growth potential for publicly visible brands that affirm the elevated social status of women and allow them to effectively demonstrate their capital resources.

Originality/value

An under-researched consumer segment is explored by focusing particularly on the intersection of discourses of women’s individuality with that of their consumption practices. Additionally, pioneering use of photo-elicitation technique coupled with hermeneutic approach enabled to elicit effectively women’s reflections on their behaviours, values and motivations underlying their consumption practices.
Assessing the factorial structure and internal consistency of the mental fitness and resiliency inventory (MFRI)
Authors: Peterson Patricia , Morrison Bill , Laurie Robert , Bolaños Gramajo Viviane Yvette , Morrison John Brock
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This paper explores the use of the mental fitness and resiliency inventory (MFRI) as a tool for the management of workplace health and well-being. The MFRI provides information on the extent to which positive workplace practices are experienced within three mental fitness domains and five resiliency domains. The purpose of this study was to investigate the factorial structure and internal consistency of the MFRI.

Design/methodology/approach

The MFRI was administered to 1,519 employees in multiple workplace environments in Canada. The factorial structure of the MFRI was examined to conduct confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). In addition to the CFA indexes, the internal consistency of each latent construct was calculated, with results reported using Cronbach's coefficient alpha.

Findings

The reliability of the MFRI is very high (alpha = 0.973). The fit indexes from the CFA indicate that the model is permissible. The MFRI can be used with confidence to highlight mental fitness and resiliency strengths, as well as areas needing further development in workplace environments.

Research limitation/implications

Limitations may include the selection of fit indexes upon which to base judgment as to whether the model is satisfactory. Although the MFRI model has been confirmed based on the data from the study sample, there is not yet sufficient data to conclude that the model is a true predictive model. Current and ongoing research will enable elaboration on this matter. In addition, formal documented observations regarding the MFRI's face validity and ease of explanation and understanding of the results may confirma prioriexpectations on the part of the users and may strengthen the conclusions from this study.

Practical implications

Implications for workplaces arising from the validation of the MFRI include a growth in capacity to measure the existence of positive psychology practices within organizational environments and to identify and address areas for needed growth and development. By assessing the prevalence of mental fitness and resiliency practices in workplace environments, reports can be produced that indicate various levels of development and integration of these practices. The application of the MFRI facilitates the use of evidence-informed decision-making in addressing organizational goals related to positive workplace cultures.

Originality/value

The MFRI is a new, validated instrument that measures the presence of positive practices that contribute to healthy and effective workplace cultures. The results of the MFRI provide workplace health managers with a profile of organizational strengths (practices that are embedded and comprehensive) and areas for development (practices requiring promotion and capacity building) related to mental fitness and resiliency.
Disentangling the factors driving electronic word-of-mouth use through a configurational approach
Authors: Wang Ping , Li Hongxiu , Liu Yong
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show how different combinations of the subdimensions of electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) information quality (consisting of its accuracy, completeness, relevance, timeliness, and sidedness) may affect consumers' eWOM use behavior from a configurational approach.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a synthesis of past literature, five precursors of eWOM use were considered. A fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) was employed to understand the configurations that lead to travel-related eWOM use. The study was conducted with 311 consumers from an online travel service company.

Findings

Findings identified six solutions that explain eWOM use. EWOM accuracy, completeness, and sidedness are found to be core conditions reinforcing consumers' use of eWOM in combination with different peripheral conditions, including the subdimensions of eWOM information quality and the traits of the consumers (such as social media use time and gender).

Practical implications

Factors related to eWOM information quality and traits of the consumers, when considered in combination, predict eWOM use behavior in particular sets of conditions.

Originality/value

This work enriches the eWOM literature by providing an in-depth understanding of eWOM use from a configuration perspective. Configuration analysis serves as a better tool for explaining the complex relationships among variables than a regression analysis approach does. Additionally, in response to the need to move beyond multiple regression analysis to algorithmic approaches, this study shifts the emphasis from a symmetric paradigm to an asymmetric perspective for data analysis focused on eWOM use.
Cooperative advantage during the pioneer movement west
Authors: Lloyd Robert , Mertens Daniel , Adams Ashley , Pruden Christianna , Bates Angela
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to establish a supported and validated reference point for understanding how Nicodemus, Kansas warrants significant inclusion in both the history of management and current entrepreneurship education.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper consists of a literature review to identify the salient historical and theoretical importance of the community of Nicodemus, Kansas. The research was conducted by reviewing and couching the research in this context.

Findings

Nicodemus, born out of an entrepreneurial spirit of newly liberated Black Americans, is the surviving entrepreneurial force for the African-American efforts in the western US expansion efforts in the later 1800s. The community, courage and cooperative views of the settlers were instrumental in overcoming a variety of hardships inherent in the location, society and time period to not only survive but also deliver growth and success. Nicodemus personified cultural pride and self-reliance, which fueled personal and commercial success.

Practical implications

The cooperative advantage is justified to be included in discussions of American management history, taught in the entrepreneurship curriculum and used by practitioners.

Social implications

Collective courage and cooperative advantage used by Nicodemus carries implications for how modern Black communities can advance their economic and social agendas.

Originality/value

Coverage of Black contributions management and entrepreneurship is scant, but a Black Enlightenment period has recently changed that scholars have recently begun to cover these significant moments in the literature (Prieto and Phipps, 2019). We argue that Nicodemus as an entrepreneurial community serves as a case study that needs contextualization in this Black Enlightenment era and holds pertinent implications for modern Black communities.
Cost-driven motives to relocate manufacturing abroad among small- and medium-sized manufacturers
Authors: Stentoft Jan , Wickstrøm Kent Adsbøll , Haug Anders , Philipsen Kristian
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to advance the understanding of how Industry 4.0 related technologies affect the relocation of manufacturing abroad by small and medium-sized enterprises.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper contains an empirical analysis of how Industry 4.0 related technologies affect the cost-driven relocation of manufacturing abroad based on 191 comprehensive and full responses to a questionnaire survey distributed in 2018 among small- and medium-sized Danish manufacturers.

Findings

This paper builds upon data, which reveals that companies' pursuit of cost-focused competitive strategies is positively correlated with relocating manufacturing abroad. However, the data also shows that the more Industry 4.0-ready decision-makers are, the less cost-focused strategy drives manufacturing abroad. Furthermore, perceived barriers to Industry 4.0 related technologies promote the cost-driven relocation of manufacturing abroad whereas perceived drivers decrease this phenomenon.

Research limitations/implications

This paper is based on the answers given by a single respondent from each company and only on Danish respondents.

Practical implications

The results indicate a need to invest resources to obtain a better knowledge of Industry 4.0 related technologies when used in processes involved in decisions about where to locate manufacturing.

Originality/value

This paper contains new, empirically founded information about how Industry 4.0 related technologies affect the cost-driven relocation of manufacturing abroad from the perspective of small- and medium-sized manufacturers.
Environmental and social impacts identification for small-scale alluvial mining projects
Authors: Famiyeh Samuel , Kwarteng Amoako , Darko Disraeli Asante , Osei Vivian
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The purpose of the work is to use a systematic process to identify the environmental and social impacts of small-scale alluvial gold mining projects using data from Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

In this work, we used survey data collected from experts in the mining sector. This was followed by the use of a risk analysis approach to identify the significant and non-significant environmental and social impacts.

Findings

Seven key impacts associated with typical alluvial mining operations were identified. The first two are the loss of vegetation and the issue of airborne diseases from dust as a result of vegetation losses during the clearing of vegetation in the block out area. The third and fourth issues were loss of vegetation and airborne diseases as a result of vegetation losses during the removal of overburden. The fifth, sixth and seventh, most significant issues identified were the pollution from smoke fumes from the processing machines; and wastewater from the washing process. The last issue of significance was the dust pollution from the transportation of the washed gravel back to the mined pit.

Research limitations/implications

One main limitation is that the data for this study were collected from Ghana.

Practical implications

The results indicate the need for proper and systematic measures to identify the environmental and social impacts of mining activities.

Originality/value

The work provides some insights into the strategies of identifying environmental and social impacts of mining activities. It is also one of the key works that systematically identify environmental and social impacts of small-scale alluvial gold projects.
Fair value's effects on closed-end funds' discounts and premia: is level 3 the sole perpetrator?
Authors: Fortin Steve , Hammami Ahmad , Magnan Michel
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This study examines the long-term link between fair valuation uncertainty and discounts/premia in closed-end funds. This study argues that, in exploring the close-end funds puzzle, prior research generally omits to consider the uncertainty surrounding the measurement of funds' financial disclosure, as reflected in the fair value hierarchy, when investment specialty differs across funds.

Design/methodology/approach

Regressions were employed to explore how the fair value hierarchy affects closed-end funds' discounts/premia when investment specialty differs. The authors also examine the effects pre- and post-2012 to explore if that relationship changes due to the additional disclosure requirements enacted at the end of 2011.

Findings

The authors find that the three levels of the fair value hierarchy have effects that vary according to a fund's specialty. For equity specialized funds, Level 3 significantly increases discounts and decreases premia, suggesting the impact of valuation uncertainty that underlies Level 3 estimates; this relationship disappears (decreases in severity) for premia (discount) experiencing funds post-2012. In contrast, Level 1 and Level 2 do not have any significant effect on discounts or premia except that post-2012, Level 2 begins to display discount decreasing effects. For bond specialized funds, no significant association was noted between premia and any of the fair value levels except that post-2012, Level 3 begins to display premium increasing effects. However, results are different for discounts. The authors note that Level 1 valuations significantly increase discounts, but only post-2012; Level 2 valuations significantly decrease discounts (pre- and post-2012), consistent with such estimates incorporating unique and relevant information; and Level 3 valuations do not have a significant effect on discounts.

Originality/value

The results of this study revisit prior evidence and indicate that results about the effects of fair value measurement and the closed-end funds' puzzle are sensitive to the period length being considered and the investment specialty of the fund. The authors also note that additional disclosure regarding Level 3 valuation inputs decreases market concern for valuation uncertainty and increases the liquidity benefits of investing in Level 3 carrying funds.
Creating performance through innovations influenced by knowledge sharing and absorption capacity at the Bali weaving industry association
Authors: Riana I. Gede
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This study aims to create performance through innovation that is influenced by knowledge sharing and absorption in the Bali weaving industry.

Design/methodology/approach

This study was conducted using quantitative and qualitative designs. Questionnaires were distributed, whose results were measured using a five-point Likert scale. The research population included 1,132 employees of ikat weaving industry. Samples were selected using Slovin formula, resulting in the minimum samples of 175 employees. WarpPLS was used to analyze the influences of variables mentioned in the study hypotheses.

Findings

Knowledge gained from external resources is expected to complement the information available in the organization. Sharing knowledge will be more meaningful and effective in supporting innovation and the performance of diligent craftsmen. Although knowledge sharing does not significantly influence innovation improvement, knowledge sharing is still important to improve company performance through stakeholder understanding of the business in general and the business's detailed process. Leader creativity is an important dimension in obtaining and gathering various information from external resources because sharing knowledge has a significant influence on performance and innovation through absorption.

Originality/value

This study was conducted in Bali because it is in accordance with the objectives of this study. Research in Kelungkung Regency is considered to represent Bali because it has the highest number of ikat weaving craftsmen. Knowledge and learning new things must be maintained to increase employee knowledge, understanding of new knowledge from external sources and the performance of diligent craftsmen in Bali.
Digital disruptions and the elderly – strategic adoptions for marketers
Authors: Ghosh Munmun
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The paper discusses the potential of digital influence and the need to integrate technology-based platforms in the lives of older adults.

Design/methodology/approach

The author adopted “age” as a construct and discussed how the elderly in our society are adapting to the changing landscape of digital disruption. The study also highlighted some opportunities for marketers to focus on.

Findings

The author discussed in detail the presence of the elderly in the digital platforms and the need of the marketers to target this age group to generate business.

Originality/value

The paper introduced the necessity to understand and explore the under-explored segment of older adults. The study also deliberated various ways through which the marketers can actually drive business focusing on this section by taking care of only their daily needs and optimally utilizing the untapped opportunities of these platforms.
Industry 4.0: reshaping the future of HR
Authors: Verma Anju , Bansal Monika , Verma Jyoti
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This paper draws attention to the importance of Smart Human Resource Management (Smart HRM) practices in Industry 4.0. Human Capital is inevitable in the growth and development of the organization. Hence, it is germane that the companies align their HR processes with the ever-changing technological landscape to harness growth, productivity and create value. The paper illustrates the smart HR practices of Tech Mahindra and the benefits derived from them.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper illustrates the case of Tech Mahindra’s HR digitalization journey to transform HR processes in the era of Industry 4.0

Findings

Smart HR 4.0. implementation is vital to coping up with the challenges of Industry 4.0.. The transformation of HR processes in Tech Mahindra led to improved productivity, reduced cost, reduced manual work, smart workforce, retention of talent and competitive edge.

Originality/value

To match the pace of industry 4.0 and leverage its true benefit the companies should focus on automation of HR processes, make the workforce smarter and agile to drive efficiency, innovation, improve productivity, save cost and stay hyper-competitive. This paper offers insights on that how Tech Mahindra promoted the Industry 4.0 technologies in various HR functions to foster a climate of innovation, growth, and development, thereby facilitating the company to stay ahead of the curve.
Nitrogen fertiliser and establishment method affect growth, yield and nitrogen use efficiency of rice under alternate wetting and drying irrigation
Authors: Santiago‐Arenas Raquel , Fanshuri Buyung A. , Hadi Sholih N. , Ullah Hayat , Datta Avishek
Published: February 2020

Sustainable rice production through selection of best suitable cultivar, water‐efficient crop establishment method and optimum nitrogen (N) management practice is needed to feed the growing world population. Two polyhouse experiments were conducted to evaluate the response of rice to different rates and schedules of N application under different establishment methods subjected to alternate wetting and drying (AWD) irrigation. In the first experiment, the response of two rice cultivars (Pathumthani 1, RD57) under three establishment methods (transplanting [TP], wet direct seeding [WDS], dry direct seeding [DDS]) and five N rates (0 [N0], 30 [N30], 60 [N60], 90 [N90], 120 [N120] kg ha−1) was evaluated. The second experiment consisted of the same cultivars and establishment methods, but with four N application schedules (T1: 100% at basal; T2: 75% + 25% at basal and at active tillering, respectively; T3: 50% + 25% + 25% at basal, at active tillering and at panicle initiation, respectively; and T4: 25% + 25% + 25% + 25% each at basal, at active tillering, at panicle initiation and at early flowering or just before heading starts) applied at the rate of N60 kg ha−1. Plants were maintained under AWD irrigation (soil was saturated by applying water whenever soil water potential drops to −5 kPa during the implementation period) in both experiments. RD57 performed better than Pathumthani 1 having higher shoot dry matter, panicle number, grain yield, total N uptake and apparent N recovery efficiency. TP gave better response than WDS and DDS regardless of cultivars. Application of N120 resulted in better growth, yield and its components and total N uptake regardless of establishment methods and cultivars. Increasing N rate decreased N use efficiency (NUE). Scheduling the interval of N application to two or three times (T2 or T3) for RD57 and Pathumthani 1, respectively, provided overall better results, and could be recommended for the tested rice cultivars. An optimal N rate and selection of critical growth stages for N application would be very effective for maximising yield and NUE under the water‐saving cultivation technique of AWD irrigation.
Involvement of the epidermal growth factor receptor in IL‐13–mediated corticosteroid‐resistant airway inflammation
Authors: Davies Elizabeth R. , Perotin Jeanne‐Marie , Kelly Joanne F.C. , Djukanovic Ratko , Davies Donna E. , Haitchi Hans Michael ,   the U‐BIOPRED Study Group
Published: February 2020

Background

Effective treatment for severe asthma is a significant unmet need. While eosinophilic inflammation caused by type 2 cytokines is responsive to corticosteroid and biologic therapies, many severe asthmatics exhibit corticosteroid‐unresponsive mixed granulocytic inflammation.

Objective

Here, we tested the hypothesis that the pro‐allergic cytokine, IL‐13, can drive both corticosteroid‐sensitive and corticosteroid‐resistant responses.

Results

By integration of in vivo and in vitro models of IL‐13–driven inflammation, we identify a role for the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR/ERBB1) as a mediator of corticosteroid‐unresponsive inflammation and bronchial hyperresponsiveness driven by IL‐13. Topological data analysis using human epithelial transcriptomic data from the U‐BIOPRED cohort identified severe asthma groups with features consistent with the presence of IL‐13 and EGFR/ERBB activation, with involvement of distinct EGFR ligands. Our data suggest that IL–13 may play a dual role in severe asthma: on the one hand driving pathologic corticosteroid‐refractory mixed granulocytic inflammation, but on the other hand underpinning beneficial epithelial repair responses, which may confound responses in clinical trials.

Conclusion and Clinical Relevance

Detailed dissection of those molecular pathways that are downstream of IL‐13 and utilize the ERBB receptor and ligand family to drive corticosteroid‐refractory inflammation should enhance the development of new treatments that target this sub‐phenotype(s) of severe asthma, where there is an unmet need.
Feature selection and classification using support vector machine and decision tree
Authors: Durgalakshmi B. , Vijayakumar V.
Published: February 2020

Breast cancer is one of the human threats which cause morbidity and mortality worldwide. The death rate can be reduced by advanced diagnosis. The objective of this article is to select the reduced number of features the help in diagnosing breast cancer in Wisconsin Diagnostic Breast Cancer (WDBC). This proposed model depicts women who all have no cancer cells or in benign stage later develop into malignant (metastases). Due to the dynamic nature of the big data framework, the proposed method ensures high confidence and low execution time. Moreover, healthcare information growth chases an exponential pattern, and current database systems cannot adequately manage the massive amount of data. So, it is requisite to adopt the “big data” solution for healthcare information.
Web service composition on IoT reliability test based on cross entropy
Authors: Song Yang , Gong Yun‐Zhan
Published: February 2020

Web service has developed the managed IoT application to let connected devices easily and securely interact with cloud applications and other devices. As an important factor for web service, the reliability of web services refers to the probability of web service running success. For modeling web service composition, we should abstract the process of web service composition. Due to the diversity and complexity of web service composition, it is unlikely to do exhaustive testing. In order to improve the quality of web service composition test cases and find out which path leads to the greatest probability of service combination failure, heuristic test case generation method is adopted to obtain the optimal test path. First, the web service composition test is abstracted into the MDP model. The QoS of the web service composition is taken as the software test optimization goal, and the cross‐entropy strategy is used to optimize the test case. The experimental results show that the test profile given by the cross‐strategy is better than the random test strategy. Detect and exclude the same number of software defects. Cross‐entropy strategy can significantly reduce the number of test cases, reduce test costs, and improve defect detection efficiency.
Regeneration enhancers: A clue to reactivation of developmental genes
Authors: Suzuki Nanoka , Ochi Haruki
Published: February 2020

During tissue and organ regeneration, cells initially detect damage and then alter nuclear transcription in favor of tissue/organ reconstruction. Until recently, studies of tissue regeneration have focused on the identification of relevant genes. These studies show that many developmental genes are reused during regeneration. Concurrently, comparative genomics studies have shown that the total number of genes does not vastly differ among vertebrate taxa. Moreover, functional analyses of developmental genes using various knockout/knockdown techniques demonstrated that the functions of these genes are conserved among vertebrates. Despite these data, the ability to regenerate damaged body parts varies widely between animals. Thus, it is important to determine how regenerative transcriptional programs are triggered and why animals with low regenerative potential fail to express developmental genes after injury. Recently, we discovered relevant enhancers and named them regeneration signal‐response enhancers (RSREs) after identifying their activation mechanisms in a Xenopus laevis transgenic system. In this review, we summarize recent studies of injury/regeneration‐associated enhancers and then discuss their mechanisms of activation.
Endovascular clot retrieval for acute ischaemic posterior circulation stroke in children: a new effective therapy?
Authors: Rennie Adam
Published: February 2020

This commentary is on the case series by Macdonald‐Laurs et al. on pages 1221–1223of this issue.
The importance of hyperosmolarity in diabetic ketoacidosis
Authors: Blank S. P. , Blank R. M. , Ziegenfuss M. D. ,   Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society (ANZICS) Centre for Outcomes & Resource Evaluation (CORE) for the ANZICS CORE Committee
Published: February 2020

Aim

Diabetic ketoacidosis is a hyperglycaemic emergency that is often treated in intensive care units (ICUs) despite having a low mortality and good prognosis. Current risk stratification is based primarily on acidosis, but it has been suggested that hyperosmolarity may also be an important marker of increased severity. Our aim was to evaluate the relationship between raised serum osmolarity and adverse clinical outcomes in ICU admissions for ketoacidosis.

Methods

Retrospective review of prospectively collected data for adult admissions with ketoacidosis in the Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society Adult Patient Database over a 15‐year period (2004–2018). Exclusions were readmissions and records with critical missing data. Serum hyperosmolarity was defined as > 320 mosm/l. The primary outcome was hospital mortality; secondary outcomes were ICU mortality and other adverse clinical events.

Results

Some 17 379 admissions were included in the study population. People with hyperosmolarity had fourfold increased mortality, a higher incidence of renal failure and need for mechanical ventilation, and prolonged ICU and hospital length of stay. The relationship with mortality remained highly significant even after adjusting for severity of acidosis, hospital type, year of admission, time to ICU, and a modified Australia and New Zealand Risk of Death propensity score.

Conclusions

Although adults with ketoacidosis have a good prognosis overall, hyperosmolarity was independently associated with a significantly higher incidence of multiple adverse outcomes including mortality. Whether or not this is directly causal, it may have practical applications to improve risk stratification and identify individuals at risk of adverse outcomes.
Contingent negative variation: a biomarker of abnormal attention in functional movement disorders
Authors: Teodoro T. , Koreki A. , Meppelink A. M. , Little S. , Nielsen G. , Macerollo A. , Ferreira J. J. , Pareés I. , Lang A. , Edwards M. J.
Published: February 2020

Background and purpose

Contingent negative variation (CNV) is a negative cortical wave that precedes a pre‐cued imperative stimulus requiring a quick motor response. It has been related to motor preparation and anticipatory attention. The aim was to ascertain whether the clinical improvement of functional movement disorders after physiotherapy would be associated with faster reaction times and modulation of CNV.

Methods

Motor performance and CNV were analysed during a pre‐cued choice reaction time task with varying cue validity. Twenty‐one patients with functional movement disorders and 13 healthy controls at baseline were compared. Patients then underwent physiotherapy. At follow‐up after physiotherapy, patients were categorized as clinically improved (responders) or not improved (non‐responders) and retested.

Results

At baseline, patients did not generate CNV, contrary to controls [mean amplitude (µV) at the end of preparation to move: patients −0.47 (95% CI −1.94, 1.00) versus controls −2.59 (95% CI −4.46, −0.72)]. Responders performed faster after physiotherapy [mean natural logarithm (ln) reaction time (RT) (ms): follow‐up 6.112 (95% CI 5.923, 6.301) versus baseline 6.206 (95% CI 6.019, 6.394), P = 0.010], contrary to non‐responders. Simultaneously, responders showed a recovery of CNV after physiotherapy [follow‐up −1.95 (95% CI −3.49, −0.41) versus baseline −0.19 (95% CI −1.73, 1.35), P < 0.001], contrary to non‐responders [follow‐up −0.32 (95% CI −1.79, 1.14) versus baseline −0.72 (95% CI −2.19, 0.75), P = 0.381].

Conclusions

Clinical improvement of functional movement disorders after physiotherapy was associated with faster reaction times and normalization of CNV, which was absent at baseline. These findings suggest that CNV may constitute a useful neurophysiological biomarker related to abnormal attention in functional movement disorders.
Antidiabetics, statins and the risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Mariosa D. , Kamel F. , Bellocco R. , Ronnevi L.‐O. , Almqvist C. , Larsson H. , Ye W. , Fang F.
Published: February 2020

Background

Medications that are used for treatment of metabolic disorders have been suggested to be associated with the development of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Methods

To examine the associations of antidiabetics and statins with the subsequent risk of ALS we conducted a population‐based nested case‐control study of 2475 Swedish residents diagnosed with ALS during July 2006 to December 2013 and 12 375 population controls (five for each ALS case). We extracted information on filled prescriptions of antidiabetics and statins for both cases and controls from the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register during the years before ALS diagnosis. Conditional logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) for the associations of these medications with ALS risk.

Results

Patients with ALS were less likely to have been prescribed with antidiabetics compared with controls [OR, 0.76; 95% confidence intervals (CI), 0.65–0.90]. Conversely, statins were not associated with ALS risk overall (OR, 1.08; 95% CI, 0.98–1.19), although a positive association was noted among women (OR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.10–1.48). The latter association was mostly explained by ALS cases being more likely to have a first prescription of statins during the year before diagnosis compared with controls (OR, 2.54; 95% CI, 1.84–3.49).

Conclusions

The inverse association of antidiabetics with ALS is consistent with the previously reported inverse association between type 2 diabetes and ALS risk. The increase in prescription of statins during the year before ALS diagnosis deserves attention because it might reflect an acceleration of the course of ALS due to statin use.
Uncovering Multidimensional Poverty Experiences in Shaping Children’s Socioemotional Trajectories during the First 6 Years of Schooling
Authors: Zhang Liwei , Han Wen‐Jui
Published: February 2020

The extant literature has attested to the importance of poverty on child well‐being generally using a unidimensional approach. Researchers have yet to establish solid evidence on how multiple dimensions of poverty (e.g., depth, volatility, and spells of exposure) might be associated with children’s socioemotional well‐being during their early school years. Building upon Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological systems theory, this study used latent class analysis to identify poverty patterns by incorporating multiple dimensions of poverty and investigated the relationship between multidimensional poverty patterns and children’s socioemotional trajectories from kindergarten through fifth grade. Using the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Kindergarten Class of 1998–1999 (ECLS‐K), a longitudinal dataset featuring a nationally representative cohort of children in the United States (N ≈ 20,090), the analysis identified seven poverty groups. Each group exhibited a unique poverty or economic pattern that incorporates the three poverty dimensions. Growth‐curve results indicate that multidimensional poverty patterns were significantly associated with externalizing and internalizing behaviors both at kindergarten and over time by fifth grade. Children with the acutest form of economic deprivation—extreme poverty, volatile income, and multiple spells of poverty exposure—were reported to have the worst outcomes. The significant variations in children’s socioemotional trajectories due to different poverty patterns highlight the importance of poverty reduction and prevention strategies corresponding to those patterns for optimal effect. This study suggests a focus not just on helping families exit poverty temporarily, but on improving their economic security as a way to nurture children’s socioemotional well‐being.
FLIP(L): the pseudo‐caspase
Authors: Smyth Peter , Sessler Tamas , Scott Christopher J. , Longley Daniel B.
Published: February 2020

Possessing structural homology with their active enzyme counterparts but lacking catalytic activity, pseudoenzymes have been identified for all major enzyme groups. Caspases are a family of cysteine‐dependent aspartate‐directed proteases that play essential roles in regulating cell death and inflammation. Here, we discuss the only human pseudo‐caspase, FLIP(L), a paralog of the apoptosis‐initiating caspases, caspase‐8 and caspase‐10. FLIP(L) has been shown to play a key role in regulating the processing and activity of caspase‐8, thereby modulating apoptotic signaling mediated by death receptors (such as TRAIL‐R1/R2), TNF receptor‐1 (TNFR1), and Toll‐like receptors. In this review, these canonical roles of FLIP(L) are discussed. Additionally, a range of nonclassical pseudoenzyme roles are described, in which FLIP(L) functions independently of caspase‐8. These nonclassical pseudoenzyme functions enable FLIP(L) to play key roles in the regulation of a wide range of biological processes beyond its canonical roles as a modulator of cell death.
SUMO system – a key regulator in sarcomere organization
Authors: Nayak Arnab , Amrute‐Nayak Mamta
Published: February 2020

Skeletal muscles constitute roughly 40% of human body mass. Muscles are specialized tissues that generate force to drive movements through ATP‐driven cyclic interactions between the protein filaments, namely actin and myosin filaments. The filaments are organized in an intricate structure called the ‘sarcomere’, which is a fundamental contractile unit of striated skeletal and cardiac muscle, hosting a fine assembly of macromolecular protein complexes. The micrometer‐sized sarcomere units are arranged in a reiterated array within myofibrils of muscle cells. The precise spatial organization of sarcomere is tightly controlled by several molecular mechanisms, indispensable for its force‐generating function. Disorganized sarcomeres, either due to erroneous molecular signaling or due to mutations in the sarcomeric proteins, lead to human diseases such as cardiomyopathies and muscle atrophic conditions prevalent in cachexia. Protein post‐translational modifications (PTMs) of the sarcomeric proteins serve a critical role in sarcomere formation (sarcomerogenesis), as well as in the steady‐state maintenance of sarcomeres. PTMs such as phosphorylation, acetylation, ubiquitination, and SUMOylation provide cells with a swift and reversible means to adapt to an altered molecular and therefore cellular environment. Over the past years, SUMOylation has emerged as a crucial modification with implications for different aspects of cell function, including organizing higher‐order protein assemblies. In this review, we highlight the fundamentals of the small ubiquitin‐like modifiers (SUMO) pathway and its link specifically to the mechanisms of sarcomere assembly. Furthermore, we discuss recent studies connecting the SUMO pathway‐modulated protein homeostasis with sarcomere organization and muscle‐related pathologies.
Application of a social media platform as a patient reminder in the treatment of Helicobacter pylori
Authors: Luo Miaomiao , Hao Yu , Tang Ming , Shi Mengzhen , He Fengjuan , Xie Yuanmao , Chen Weigang
Published: February 2020

Background

To investigate the effect of a social media platform for the treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection.

Materials and Methods

We enrolled 222 patients from October 2018 to June 2019, who required H pylori therapy. We used WeChat, a social media platform, as a patient reminder tool. They were randomly divided into the intervention and control groups (n = 111 per group) to compare and evaluate their disease awareness, medication adherence, incidence of adverse drug reactions, and H pylori eradication rate.

Results

Patients in the intervention group had significantly better disease‐related knowledge, medication adherence, and H pylori eradication rates than those in the control group (P < .05).

Conclusions

Using a social media platform may improve treatment rates of H pylori infection.
Incidence of microsatellite instability‐high hepatocellular carcinoma among Japanese patients and response to pembrolizumab
Authors: Kawaoka Tomokazu , Ando Yuwa , Yamauchi Masami , Suehiro Yosuke , Yamaoka Kenji , Kosaka Yumi , Fuji Yasutomo , Uchikawa Shinsuke , Morio Kei , Fujino Hatsue , Nakahara Takashi , Ono Atsushi , Murakami Eisuke , Takahashi Shoichi , Tsuge Masataka , Hiramatsu Akira , Imamura Michio , Chayama Kazuaki , Aikata Hiroshi
Published: February 2020

Aim

Pembrolizumab has been quickly approved in many countries for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic, microsatellite instability‐high (MSI‐H) solid tumors, which have progressed following previous treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options. We aimed to determine the incidence of MSI‐H tumors in Japanese patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods

We investigated the incidence of MSI‐H tumors in 82 consecutive Japanese patients with unresectable HCC that had progressed after standard of care treatment. Using a companion diagnostic sequencing kit (polymerase chain reaction analysis of five microsatellite markers: BAT25, BAT26, NR21, NR24 and MONO27), we analyzed 49 biopsy specimens and 33 resection specimens. Responses to pembrolizumab were assessed with the modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors.

Results

MSI‐H tumors were found in only two patients (2.4%), in whom all five markers showed slight shortening. One patient had a complete response to pembrolizumab for over 10 months, and the other was a non‐responder.

Conclusions

MSI‐H tumor status was found in only two of 82 (2.4%) Japanese patients with advanced HCC, one of whom had a complete response to pembrolizumab. Thus, MSI status should be assessed in patients with HCC who progress after standard of care treatment.
Cistanche deserticola polysaccharide induces melanogenesis in melanocytes and reduces oxidative stress via activating NRF2/HO‐1 pathway
Authors: Hu Yibo , Huang Jinhua , Li Yixiao , Jiang Ling , Ouyang Yujie , Li Yumeng , Yang Lun , Zhao Xiaojiao , Huang Lihua , Xiang Hong , Chen Jing , Zeng Qinghai
Published: February 2020

As a main part of pigmentation disorders, skin depigmentation diseases such as vitiligo and achromic naevus are very common and get more attention now. The pathogenesis of depigmentation includes melanocyte dysfunction and loss, which are possibly caused by heredity, autoimmunity and oxidative stress. Among them, oxidative stress plays a key role; however, few clinical treatments can deal with oxidative stress. As reported, Cistanche deserticola polysaccharide (CDP) is an effective antioxidant; based on that, we evaluated its role in melanocyte and further revealed the mechanisms. In this study, we found that CDP could promote melanogenesis in human epidermal melanocytes (HEMs) and mouse melanoma B16F10 cells, it also induced pigmentation in zebrafish. Furthermore, CDP could activate mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signal pathway, then up‐regulated the expression of microphthalmia‐associated transcription factor (MITF) and downstream genes TYR, TRP1, TRP2 and RAB27A. Otherwise, we found that CDP could attenuate H2O2‐induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis in melanocytes. Further evidence revealed that CDP could enhance NRF2/HO‐1 antioxidant pathway and scavenge intracellular ROS. In summary, CDP can promote melanogenesis and prevent melanocytes from oxidative stress injury, suggesting that CDP helps maintain the normal status of melanocytes. Thus, CDP may be a novel drug for the treatment of depigmentation diseases.
A study of organizational cynicism and how it is affected by social exchange relationships at work
Authors: Pfrombeck Julian , Doden Wiebke , Grote Gudela , Feierabend Anja
Published: February 2020

Drawing on the social exchange theory, organizational cynicism has been suggested as a central consequence of psychological contract (PC) breach. In this study, we examine the extent to which social exchange relationships with the supervisor and coworkers have an impact on cynical reactions to broken employer promises. Based on two‐wave data with a time lag of three months from a sample of 781 employees, we investigated the influence of employees’ perceived PC breach on cynical thoughts, emotions, and behaviours, and the moderating effects of leader–member exchange (LMX) and coworker exchange (CWX). Using structural equation modelling, we found that PC breach was positively associated with cognitive, affective, and behavioural cynicism. Our analysis further revealed that LMX and CWX moderated different dimensions of organizational cynicism: When LMX was high, employees reacted more sensitively to a PC breach with cognitive and behavioural cynicism. In contrast, CWX attenuated employees’ affective cynical response to a PC breach. The differentiated perspective on cognitive, affective, and behavioural cynicism and the identified moderating effects help explain varying strengths of the PC breach–organizational cynicism association found in previous research and highlight contingencies related to social exchange relationships at work.

Practitioner points

This study shows that cynicism towards the organization varies with the extent of perceived PC breach, indicating that organizations should actively manage employees’ psychological contracts.

LMX tends to reduce cynicism towards the organization (direct effect), but high LMX employees seem to react more sensitively to severe PC breaches (interaction effect). Thus, high LMX cannot completely compensate employees’ cynical reaction to a PC breach. Leaders should be made aware of that and should be trained to effectively manage employees’ expectations to prevent PC breaches.

Employees’ cynical emotional reaction to severe PC breaches was buffered by high levels of CWX. Hence, organizations should foster interpersonal relationships among coworkers.
Combination of a biomolecule‐aided biphasic cryogel scaffold with a barrier membrane adhering PDGF‐encapsulated nanofibers to promote periodontal regeneration
Authors: Huang Ren‐Yeong , Tai Wei‐Chiu , Ho Ming‐Hua , Chang Po‐Chun
Published: February 2020

Objective and Background

To achieve periodontal regeneration, numerous investigations have concentrated on biomolecule supplement and optimization of bone substitute or barrier membrane. This study evaluated the benefit of combining these strategies for periodontal regeneration.

Methods

Biphasic cryogel scaffold (BCS) composed of gelatin (ligament phase) and gelatin with beta‐tricalcium phosphate/hydroxyapatite (BH) (bone phase) was designed as tested bone substitute, and both enamel matrix derivatives (EMD) and bone morphogenetic protein‐2 (BMP‐2) were applied to formulate a biomolecule‐aided BCS (BBS). Functionally graded membrane (FGM) was designed as tested barrier membrane by adhering PDGF‐encapsulated poly(L‐lactide‐co‐D/L‐lactide) nanofibers on the conventional membrane (CM). BBS and FGM were characterized and tested for biocompatibility in vitro. Thirty 4 × 4 × 5 mm3 periodontal intrabony defects were created on 6 Beagle dogs. Each defect was evenly assigned to one of the following treatments including BH‐CM, BCS‐CM, BBS‐CM, BH‐FGM, BCS‐FGM, and BBS‐FGM, for 12 weeks. The therapeutic efficiency was assessed by micro‐CT and histology.

Results

BCS and FGM sustained the release of biomolecules. The viability of MSCs was maintained in both phases of BCS and was promoted while seeding on the PDGF‐encapsulated nanofibers. In CM‐covered sites, BBS showed significantly greater osteogenesis (P < .01) and early defect fill (P < .05) relative to BH. FGM significantly promoted osteogenesis (P < .05) in BH‐treated sites but showed limited benefit in BBS‐treated sites. On denuded roots, cementum deposition was evident in BBS‐treated sites.

Conclusions

PDGF‐loaded FGM promoted periodontal osteogenesis, and BBS with EMD‐BMP‐2 had potential for reconstructing alveolar ridge, periodontal ligament, and cementum. FGM and BBS combination provided limited additional benefit.