bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Informing logistics social responsibility from a consumer-choice-centered perspective
Authors: Gruchmann Tim , Schmidt Imke , Lubjuhn Sarah , Seuring Stefan , Bouman Martine
Published: December 2018

Purpose

Although research has been conducted on logistics social responsibility (LSR) on the one hand, and sustainable consumption on the other hand, the interlinkages between LSR and sustainable consumption still lack conceptualization and empirical evidence. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to study empirically the interplay between logistics services and sustainable consumer choices. Such an analysis allows an investigation of consumer-choice-centered sustainable logistics practices to promote LSR in supply chains (SCs).

Design/methodology/approach

Based on expert interviews and in-depth consumer interviews, the authors conducted a three-stage qualitative, exploratory study with regard to sustainable logistics practices explicitly taking a consumer-choice-centered perspective into account.

Findings

As a result, consumer-choice-centered LSR categories were identified and discussed against the consumer social responsibility (ConSR) and other disciplines’ literature. In particular, consumer communication is necessary to enhance consumers’ awareness of sustainable logistics as current consumption behavior still hardly considers logistics services. Also, context- and situation-dependent SC configurations as well as financial incentives for sustainable consumption patterns promote more sustainable logistics services choices by end consumers.

Practical implications

Resolving certain frictions and rewarding positive behavior eases consumer’s decision making. By doing so, retailers need to support logistics service providers by stressing the benefits of more sustainable products and services as well as implementing more sustainable pricing schemes. Due to the consumer preferences, it is also important to achieve a context and situation dependent configurations to provide opportunities for more sustainable trade-offs.

Originality/value

The people dimension in SC management is seen as a promising field as the behavioral dynamics of consumers is rarely investigated in SC research. In this line, the study attempts to advance the theoretical underpinnings of corporate social responsibility in sustainable SCs. Therefore, this study contributes to theory by enriching the concept of LSR to include a consumer-choice-centered perspective and gives managerial as well as ethical implications on ConSR accordingly.
Effects of the dimensions of ethnocentrism on consumer ethnocentrism
Authors: Bizumic Boris
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate, theoretically and empirically, the role of the six dimensions of reconceptualized ethnocentrism in consumer ethnocentrism. The paper investigates both direct and indirect effects of the six dimensions on consumer ethnocentrism, through four theoretically meaningful mediators: nationalism, ethnic ingroup positivity, national ingroup positivity and prejudice against foreigners.

Design/methodology/approach

This study has used primary data collected from 304 US citizens through online surveys, including measures of demographics, ethnocentrism, consumer ethnocentrism, nationalism and attitudes toward ethnic ingroups, national ingroups and foreigners. Correlational, sequential multiple regression and parallel multiple mediation analyses were conducted to investigate effects of the dimensions of ethnocentrism on consumer ethnocentrism.

Findings

Regression and mediation analyses, covarying age, education, gender, ethnicity and socio-economic status, showed that ethnocentric purity had a direct effect on consumer ethnocentrism, whereas ethnocentric devotion and exploitativeness had indirect effects, entirely mediated by nationalism. There were no significant effects of the other dimensions of ethnocentrism, ethnic ingroup positivity, national ingroup positivity or prejudice against foreigners. In addition, two demographic variables (white/Anglo Americans and lower socio-economic status) had a direct effect on consumer ethnocentrism, whereas three other variables (gender, education and age) did not.

Originality/value

This study is first to explore how the dimensions of ethnocentrism relate to consumer ethnocentrism. Although consumer ethnocentrism has often been linked to ethnocentrism, the relationship has never been explicitly studied. Ethnocentrism, defined as ethnic group self-centeredness and self-importance, in which the main role is to ensure ethnic group strength and survival, plays a substantial but mainly indirect role via nationalism in consumer ethnocentrism. This study shows that both direct and indirect processes concerned with ethnic groups play a substantial role in the development of consumer ethnocentrism. Implications of the findings for consumer ethnocentrism and global consumer culture are discussed.
How leaders’ perceived emotional labor leads to followers’ job performance
Authors: Moon Tae Won , Hur Won-Moo , Choi Yong Jun
Published: December 2018

Purpose

Previous research has focused mainly on the antecedents and consequences of service employees’ emotional labor during the enactment of service roles, with little attention having been paid to how perceptions of leaders’ emotional labor are related to followers’ job outcomes. The purpose of this paper is to propose a model in which followers’ perceptions of the uses of emotional labor by leaders toward customers influence followers’ job performance in their service encounters.

Design/methodology/approach

Working with a sample of 268 medical service employees in South Korea, structural equation modeling was employed to test the research hypotheses.

Findings

The results indicate that perceptions of leaders’ deep acting toward customers are positively related to followers’ perceptions of authentic leadership. Second, followers’ perceptions of authentic leadership are positively associated with their identification with and trust in their leaders. Finally, followers’ identification with and trust in their leaders is positively related to their job performance.

Research limitations/implications

The research shows that leaders’ use of deep acting toward customers has a positive effect on followers’ job outcomes. Thus, service firms should consider training programs, mindfulness and policy changes regarding display rules at the organizational level so that service employees are encouraged to use deep acting with customers by empathizing with the customers’ needs, while regulating their inner feelings.

Originality/value

The current study broadens the conceptual work and empirical studies in the emotional labor literature related to the service sector by presenting a fundamental mechanism for the effect of perceptions of leaders’ use of emotional labor toward customers on service employees’ job performance. This study is the first to provide an empirical test of how leaders’ emotional labor is related to followers’ job performance.
Disintermediation of banks in a developing economy
Authors: Khan Tahseen Mohsan , Rizvi Syed Kumail Abbas , Sadiq Ramla
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how Pakistani banks manage their portfolios (lending vs investment) when the economic indicators are not supportive. This study investigates three aspects of the banking system in Pakistan – prevalence of disintermediation, post-crisis profitability orientation and depositor protection by financial system in unfavorable conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is limited to identifying the key economic and financial drivers behind disintermediation and its subsequent impact on banks’ profitability and depositors’ protection. GLS panel regressions and Engle–Granger causality test as specified by the error correction model have been used to test the major hypothesis of this study.

Findings

This study shows that small banks have been shifting major part of their portfolios toward risk-free investments to be able to maintain their profitability more efficiently and effectively, like large banks. The study also observes that significant pairing causality exists between gross credit loans and investments confirming disintermediation hypothesis for all types of banks except Islamic or Sharia compliant banks, whereas for significant pairing causality, the results are mixed for remaining variables among gross credit loans as a proportion of assets and economic variables that include GDP growth, unemployment, KSE-100 and SBP policy rate. It is also confirmed by the results that disintermediation improves banks profitability and depositor protection, thus providing a good rationale and justification to banks for opting it.

Originality/value

The study focuses on the impact of structural changes in portfolios only of commercial banks’ revenue-generating assets not including other financial institutions as a part of banking system. Furthermore, data are extracted from balance sheets and is the sole property of corresponding author.
The contradiction of Indian innovation: an epistemological explanation
Authors: Jammulamadaka Nimruji
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the value of decolonial approaches (DAs) such as epistemic locus (Mignolo, 1995, 2000) in studying innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based on a case study of a stem cell surgical innovation developed in India. A critical hermeneutic analysis method has been followed for data analysis.

Findings

Epistemic locus influences the framing of the problem, perceptions of risks/opportunities as well as the envisioning of alternate institutional systems. Persistent and strategic effort at building connections changes local improvisation into a globally legitimate innovation.

Research limitations/implications

It indicates the value of using DAs for innovation studies especially epistemic locus, enactment and connections in understanding knowledge generation and innovation.

Practical implications

Innovation in Global South can be encouraged by giving more space to the innovator to attempt or experiment. More conscious conversation of epistemic locus of the researcher could help.

Social implications

Countries have to move beyond a mere technological imitation to include discussions on epistemic imitation. Epistemic imitation prevents one from seeing what one has and one only looks at conditions from the eyes of the dominator.

Originality/value

This study documents the development of an innovation from an Indian epistemic locus which differs from a western epistemic locus and the impact this has on an innovation.
Tales of a stitched anus: fictions, analytics, and personhood in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania★
Authors: Myhre Knut Christian
Published: December 2018

This article revisits the fiction explored by Sally Falk Moore more than forty years ago that initiation among the Chagga‐speaking people of Tanzania's Kilimanjaro region involved men having their anuses plugged and stitched to ensure complete digestion. It combines historical sources and contemporary fieldwork material on which it deploys an anthropological analytic adopted from Marilyn Strathern's account of the partible person of Melanesia. The move makes room for the Chagga concept ofhoruand investigates how this life force is converted and conveyed by means of different parts of the body, which emerge as both effects of and means for its transfers and transformations. It renders the person a composite of social relations that are objectified in his or her body, and constitute persons as husbands and wives, and male and female. Gender categories and positions are thus modes of being that emerge as effects of particular relations. These also involve bodily alterations, like the stitched anus, that channelhoruin specific forms and in certain directions for particular purposes. The result is not a partible person, but a vectorial person that is a conduit of life force.
When ‘blood speaks’: naming the father and the mystics of kinship in Dominica, Eastern Caribbean
Authors: Philogene Heron Adom
Published: December 2018

This article explores the mystical implication of fathers in reproduction in Dominica, Eastern Caribbean. It traces naming acts that assign paternity at various points in the filial life course, each attempting to disambiguate paternity. Confronting a recurring anthropological problematic – the problem of paternity (paternity's inherent putativity) – the article argues that Dominicans contest uncertain physical fatherhood through the proverb ‘blood speaks’. The article elaborates how relatedness reveals itself in the subtle bodies of kin at three moments: through a local version of the couvade (‘sympathetic pregnancy’); in elders’ post‐partum ritual scrutiny of children's bodies for familial resemblances; and during serendipitous encounters in later life. The article highlights how physical fatherhood is disclosed in fathers’ and children's symptoms, appearances, and sensations, revealing their kinship in transpersonal terms. Therefore, blood ‘speaks’ to counter broad‐brushed narratives of Caribbean fatherly absence by revealing the physical and spiritual significance of fatherhood. Herein, the article revives classic anthropological debates on legitimacy, the couvade, and Caribbean kinship, whilst contributing to contemporary theorizations of blood and naming.
Infrastructure's Expenditures: Changi Airport, Food Cargo and Capital's Technosphere
Authors: Lin Weiqiang
Published: December 2018

Urban research has long maintained that an unwavering link exists between urbanization and infrastructures, with the latter serving as structuring devices that give material and discursive shape to a city's socio‐ecological composition. But, while infrastructures’ mediative power and consequent ecological effects are well established, present scholarship tends to associate them with only a specific set of metabolisms—namely, those tied to urban (re)production—at the expense of wider capitalist projects that may exceed discrete urbanisms. Complexifying this view, this article posits that infrastructures can constitute larger systems and frameworks that help capital achieve networked forms of accumulation. Specifically, it follows recent theorizations on the technosphere—artificialized environments of interacting systems—to demonstrate how infrastructures help drive particular dispositions and modes of production and consumption beyond cities. Through documentary analyses and interviews with industry players, the article uses the emergent food cargo business at Singapore's Changi Airport as an empirical case to exemplify the enfolding of one such technosphere through infrastructures. It shows how paying heed to these technospheric formations exposes hidden expenditures—in this instance, of land, energy and labour—that not only underpin a global regime of (food) circulation, but also result in additional socio‐ecological costs often omitted in urban research.
Disaggregating Mass Public Shootings: A Comparative Analysis of Disgruntled Employee, School, Ideologically motivated, and Rampage Shooters
Authors: Capellan Joel A. , Johnson Joseph , Porter Jeremy R. , Martin Christine
Published: December 2018

This study compares the demographic, background, motivation, and pre‐event and event‐level behaviors across four types of mass public shooters:disgruntled employee,school,ideologically motivated,andrampageoffenders. Using a database containing detailed information on 318 mass public shootings that occurred in the United States between 1966 and 2017, we find systematic differences in the characteristics, motivations, target selection, planning, and incident‐level behaviors among these offenders. The results show thatideologically motivatedshooters to be the most patient, and methodical, and as a result the most lethal. Conversely,disgruntled employees, who are driven by revenge, tend to have little time to plan and consequently are the least lethal shooters. These, among other differences, underscore the need for prevention strategies and policies to be tailored to specific types of offenders. Furthermore, the results also highlight commonalities across offender type, suggesting that the social and psychological pathways to violence are universal across offenders.
Skin‐to‐skin contact during eye examination did not reduce pain compared to standard care with parental support in preterm infants
Authors: Kristoffersen Laila , Støen Ragnhild , Bergseng Håkon , Follestad Turid , Theodorsson Elvar , Vederhus Bente , Adde Lars , Austeng Dordi
Published: December 2018

Aim

We compared the pain relieving effect of skin‐to‐skin contact versus standard care in the incubator during screening for retinopathy of prematurity.

Methods

This randomised crossover study included 35 preterm infants of less than 32 weeks of gestational age admitted to St Olavs University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway, between January 2014 and June 2016. Randomisation was for skin‐to‐skin with one of the parents or standard care with supportive positioning by parents for the first of two consecutive eye examinations. The pain score was measured twice using the Premature Infant Pain Profile (PIPP) during and after the eye examination. The infants’ movement activity was video recorded after the examination.

Results

There was no difference in mean pain scores with skin‐to‐skin contact versus standard care during (10.2 vs. 10.3, p = 0.91) or after (7.0 vs. 6.8, p = 0.76) the procedure. Independent of the randomisation group, PIPP scores were lower than previous comparable studies have found. Bouts of movement activity were also the same whether the examination was conducted in skin‐to‐skin position or in the incubator (p = 0.91).

Conclusion

Skin‐to‐skin contact during the eye examination did not provide additional pain relief compared to standard care where the parents were already a part of the multidimensional approach.
Trends in liver transplantation for primary biliary cholangitis in Europe over the past three decades
Authors: Harms Maren H. , Janssen Quisette P. , Adam Rene , Duvoux Christophe , Mirza Darius , Hidalgo Ernest , Watson Christopher , Wigmore Stephen J. , Pinzani Massimo , Isoniemi Helena , Pratschke Johann , Zieniewicz Krzysztof , Klempnauer Jurgen L. , Bennet William , Karam Vincent , van Buuren Henk R. , Hansen Bettina E. , Metselaar Herold J. ,   the European Liver and Intestine Transplant Association (ELITA)
Published: December 2018

Background

The importance of primary biliary cholangitis as an indication for liver transplantation has probably been influenced by the introduction of therapies, and changes in selection criteria and disease epidemiology.

Aims

To assess the time trends in liver transplantation for primary biliary cholangitis and to evaluate the characteristics of the patient population during the past three decades.

Methods

Patients undergoing liver transplantation from 1986 to 2015 in centres reporting to the European Liver Transplantation Registry were included. We excluded combined organ transplantations and patients <18 years. Trends were assessed using linear regression models.

Results

We included 112 874 patients, of whom 6029 (5.3%) had primary biliary cholangitis. After an initial increase in the first decade, the annual number of liver transplantation for primary biliary cholangitis remained stable at around 200. The proportion of liver transplantations for primary biliary cholangitis decreased from 20% in 1986 to 4% in 2015 (P < 0.001). Primary biliary cholangitis was the only indication showing a consistent proportional decrease throughout all decades. From the first to the third decade, the age at liver transplantation increased from 54 (IQR 47‐59) to 56 years (IQR 48‐62) and the proportion of males increased from 11% to 15% (both P < 0.001).

Conclusions

We have found a proportional decrease in primary biliary cholangitis as indication for liver transplantation. However, despite treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid and improved disease awareness, the absolute annual number of liver transplantations has stabilised.
Nordic symposium on “toxicology and pharmacology without animal experiments—Will it be possible in the next 10 years?”
Authors: Knudsen Lisbeth E. , Smith Adrian , Törnqvist Elin , Forsby Anna , Tähti Hanna
Published: December 2018

Toxicological and pharmacological information from human cells and tissues provides knowledge readily applicable to human safety assessment and to the efficacy assessment of pharmaceuticals. The 3R principle in animal studies includes the use of human material in the R of Replacement. The Reduction and Refinement Rs are related to animal use. Knowledge of the 3Rs and successful 3R methods are a prerequisite for the Reduction of animal experiments in the future. More collaboration among researchers using experimental animals and those working in vitro is necessary with mutual respect. The OECD Guidelines for the Testing of Chemicals have included the animal‐free part of the 3Rs in guidances for the development and reporting of Adverse Outcome Pathways (AOPs), which is to be part of the Integrated Approaches to Testing and Assessment (IATA). The 3R centres established to help fulfil the Directive 2010/63/EU play an important role to promote the 3Rs and in the development of animal‐free toxicology. Research centres in each Nordic country are founded upon solid research activities in cell and organ toxicity, including major EU programmes to promote 3Rs and implementation of good practices and methods broadly in all stakeholders of industry, regulators and academia. In the light of this, the Nordic Symposium on Toxicology and Pharmacology without Animal Experiments addressed more adopted/modified test guidelines or new test guidelines for new end‐points, or hazard challenges, new in vitro 3D models, speeding up transfer of knowledge from research to regulation to understand AOP and towards IATA.
EMPIRICAL PERFORMANCE OF GARCH MODELS WITH HEAVY‐TAILED INNOVATIONS
Authors: Guo Zi‐Yi
Published: December 2018

We introduce a new type of heavy‐tailed distribution, the normal reciprocal inverse Gaussian distribution (NRIG), to the GARCH and Glosten‐Jagannathan‐Runkle (1993) GARCH models, and compare its empirical performance with two other popular types of heavy‐tailed distribution, the Student's t distribution and the normal inverse Gaussian distribution (NIG), using a variety of asset return series. Our results illustrate that there is no overwhelmingly dominant distribution in fitting the data under the GARCH framework, although the NRIG distribution performs slightly better than the other two types of distribution. For market indexes series, it is important to introduce both GJR‐terms and the NRIG distribution to improve the models’ performance, but it is ambiguous for individual stock prices series. Our results also show the GJR‐GARCH NRIG model has practical advantages in quantitative risk management. Finally, the convergence of numerical solutions in maximum‐likelihood estimation of GARCH and GJR‐GARCH models with the three types of heavy‐tailed distribution is investigated.
Identifying de‐NEDDylation inhibitors: Virtual high‐throughput screens targeting SENP8
Authors: Chen Jonathan J. , Schmucker Lyndsey N. , Visco Donald P.
Published: December 2018

Protein modification can have far‐reaching effects. NEDDylation, a protein modification process with the protein NEDD8, stabilizes and modifies how the targeted protein interacts with other proteins. Its role in system regulation makes it a prime therapeutic target, and virtual high‐throughput screening has already identified new NEDD8 inhibitors. SENP8 matures the NEDD8 proenzyme into the active form and regulates NEDDylation by removing NEDD8 from over‐NEDDylated proteins. In this work, SENP8 inhibitor candidates were identified in two rounds of virtual high‐throughput screening. Of the ten candidates identified in the first round of screening, four were active in validation experiments to yield an experimental hit rate of 40%. Of the five candidates identified in the second round of screening, one was active in validation experiments to yield an experimental hit rate of 20%. Results indicate virtual high‐throughput screening improved hit rates over traditional high‐throughput screening. The SENP8 inhibitor candidates can be used to interrogate the NEDDylation regulation mechanism.
Prevalence of subtypes of multiple sclerosis and the most common clinical symptoms in Iranian patients: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Kheradmand Motahareh , Afshari Mahdi , Nasehi Mohammad M. , Aghaei Iraj , Shabani Mohammad , Farshidi Fereshteh , Moosazadeh Mahmood
Published: December 2018

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory disease defined by damage to the myelin sheaths of neurons. MS is classified into different subtypes including relapsing–remitting MS, secondary progressive MS and primary progressive MS. The present study aimed to estimate the prevalence of different forms and clinical symptoms of MS among Iranian people using meta‐analysis. We searched all available databanks, such as SID, Magiran, PubMed, Google scholar, Scopus and Science, directly to identify relevant evidence. All findings were reviewed and eligible articles were selected. The standard error of prevalence was calculated based on binomial distribution formula. The heterogeneity between the results of primary studies was detected using Cochrane (Q) and I2 indices. The primary results were combined according to a random effects model. The effect of related factors in heterogeneity was investigated using a meta‐regression model. During the primary search, 17 352 articles were identified. After limiting the search strategy, and excluding duplicates and irrelevant papers, finally, 21 primary studies were entered into the final meta‐analysis. The total prevalences of relapsing–remitting MS, primary progressive MS and secondary progressive MS types among Iranian people were estimated to be 69.7% (95% CI 63.7–75.8), 7.01% (95% CI 4.05–9.96) and 17.8% (95% CI 11.7–23.9) respectively. In addition, prevalences of fatigue and motor dysfunction were estimated to be 71.1% (95% CI 60.9–81.3) and 56.3% (95% CI 27.9–84.6), respectively. Our meta‐analysis showed that relapsing–remitting MS is the most common type of MS, and fatigue is the most common clinical manifestation in patients. Motor dysfunction and balance disorder are the other common problems in patients.
Bagged ensembles with tunable parameters
Authors: Pham Hieu , Olafsson Sigurdur
Published: December 2018

Ensemble learning is a popular classification method where many individual simple learners contribute to a final prediction. Constructing an ensemble of learners has been shown to often improve prediction accuracy over a single learner. Bagging and boosting are the most common ensemble methods, each with distinct advantages. While boosting methods are typically very tunable with numerous parameters, to date, the type of flexibility this allows has been missing for general bagging ensembles. In this paper, we propose a new tunable weighted bagged ensemble methodology, resulting in a very flexible method for classification. We explore the impact tunable weighting has on the votes of each learner in an ensemble and compare the results with pure bagging and the best known bagged ensemble method, namely, the random forest.
Rise and fall of forest loss and industrial plantations in Borneo (2000–2017)
Authors: Gaveau David L.A. , Locatelli Bruno , Salim Mohammad A. , Yaen Husna , Pacheco Pablo , Sheil Douglas
Published: December 2018

The links between plantation expansion and deforestation in Borneo are debated. We used satellite imagery to map annual loss of old‐growth forests, expansion of industrial plantations (oil palm and pulpwood), and their overlap in Borneo from 2001 to 2017. In 17 years, forest area declined by 14% (6.04 Mha), including 3.06 Mha of forest ultimately converted into industrial plantations. Plantations expanded by 170% (6.20 Mha: 88% oil palm; 12% pulpwood). Most forests converted to plantations were cleared and planted in the same year (92%; 2.83 Mha). Annual forest loss generally increased before peaking in 2016 (0.61 Mha) and declining sharply in 2017 (0.25 Mha). After peaks in 2009 and 2012, plantation expansion and associated forest conversion have been declining in Indonesia and Malaysia. Annual plantation expansion is positively correlated with annual forest loss in both countries. The correlation vanishes when we consider plantation expansion versus forests that are cleared but not converted to plantations. The price of crude palm oil is positively correlated with plantation expansion in the following year in Indonesian (not Malaysian) Borneo. Low palm oil prices, wet conditions, and improved fire prevention all likely contributed to reduced 2017 deforestation. Oversight of company conduct requires transparent concession ownership.
Association between fragmented QRS complexes and left ventricular dysfunction in healthy smokers
Authors: Bayramoğlu Adil , Taşolar Hakan , Bektaş Osman , Kaya Ahmet , Günaydın Zeki Yüksel
Published: December 2018

Objective

Smoking is a known risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and may cause myocardial damage independently of coronary artery disease. Fragmented QRS (fQRS) is an important marker of myocardial fibrosis, while speckle‐tracking echocardiography is a method used to show subclinical left ventricle dysfunction.

Methods

Our study included 230 healthy individuals aged 18–40 years. The patients included were separated into two groups: those smokers (n = 130) and non‐smokers (n = 100). After that healthy smokers group were divided into two groups: those with fQRS (n = 24) and those without (n = 106). In both groups, the arithmetic mean of three images was used to obtain the left ventricle global longitudinal strain (LV‐GLS). The E/SRe ratio was also calculated and analyzed.

Results

There were significant differences between the smokers and non‐smokers in terms of, E/SRe (55.7 ± 17.9 vs 50.3 ± 14.8; P = 0.015), LV‐GLS (23.1 ± 1.9 vs 24.0 ± 1.7; P = 0.001), and fQRS (18.5% vs 6%; P = 0.005). As a result of subgroup analysis, pack‐year history was higher in the fQRS positive group (16.7 ± 3.7 vs 11.2 ± 3.7, P < 0.001). While a negative correlation was observed between pack‐year history and LV‐GLS (r = –0.678, P < 0.001), there was a positive correlation between pack‐year history and E/SRe (r = 0.730, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

In conclusion, our study demonstrated that fQRS is a parameter that can be used to determine left ventricle subclinical systolic and diastolic dysfunction in smokers, and that left ventricle dysfunction is related to the duration and intensity of smoking.
The combination of apolipoprotein E4, age and Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale – Cognitive Subscale improves the prediction of amyloid positron emission tomography status in clinically diagnosed mild cognitive impairment
Authors: Ba M. , Ng K. P. , Gao X. , Kong M. , Guan L. , Yu L. ,   the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: December 2018

Background and purpose

Randomized clinical trials involving anti‐amyloid interventions focus on the early stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD) with proven amyloid pathology, using amyloid positron emission tomography (amyloid‐PET) imaging or cerebrospinal fluid analysis. However, these investigations are either expensive or invasive and are not readily available in resource‐limited centres. Hence, the identification of cost‐effective clinical alternatives to amyloid‐PET is highly desirable. This study aimed to investigate the accuracy of combined clinical markers in predicting amyloid‐PET status in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) individuals.

Methods

In all, 406 MCI participants from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative database were dichotomized into amyloid‐PET(+) and amyloid‐PET(−) using a cut‐off of >1.11. The accuracies of single clinical markers [apolipoprotein E4 (ApoE4) genotype, demographics, cognitive measures and cerebrospinal fluid analysis] in predicting amyloid‐PET status were evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. A logistic regression model was then used to determine the optimal model with combined clinical markers to predict amyloid‐PET status.

Results

Cerebrospinal fluid amyloid‐β (Aβ) showed the best predictive accuracy of amyloid‐PET status [area under the curve (AUC) = 0.927]. Whilst ApoE4 genotype (AUC = 0.737) and Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale – Cognitive Subscale (ADAS‐Cog) 13 (AUC = 0.724) independently discriminated amyloid‐PET(+) and amyloid‐PET(−) MCI individuals, the combination of clinical markers (ApoE4 carrier, age >60 years and ADAS‐Cog 13 > 13.5) improved the predictive accuracy of amyloid‐PET status (AUC = 0.827, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Cerebrospinal fluid Aβ, which is an invasive procedure, is most accurate in predicting amyloid‐PET status in MCI individuals. The combination of ApoE4, age and ADAS‐Cog 13 also accurately predicts amyloid‐PET status. As this combination of clinical markers is cheap, non‐invasive and readily available, it offers an attractive surrogate assessment for amyloid status amongst MCI individuals in resource‐limited settings.
Association between plasma α‐aminobutyric acid and depressive symptoms in older community‐dwelling adults in Japan
Authors: Adachi Yusuke , Toyoshima Kenji , Nishimoto Rumi , Ueno Satoko , Tanaka Takayuki , Imaizumi Akira , Arashida Naoko , Nakamura Marie , Abe Yasuko , Hakamada Tomomi , Kaneko Eiji , Takahashi Soichiro , Jinzu Hiroko , Shimokado Kentaro
Published: December 2018

Aim

To examine the association between depressive symptoms and plasma amino acid related metaboli in older adults.

Methods

A total of 152 older adults aged ≥65 years, residing in Niigata, Japan, were used for analysis. We evaluated depressive symptoms using the Geriatric Depression Scale‐15, which has been validated in older community‐dwelling individuals, and used a cut off score of ≥5 to classify participants as having depressive symptoms. We used high‐performance liquid chromatography‐electrospray ionization mass spectrometry to measure the concentrations of plasma amino acid‐related metabolites, and carried out logistic regression analysis to assess the association between depressive symptoms and plasma amino acid‐related metabolites.

Results

Of the 119 older adults (mean age 76.3 years) included in the analysis, 22 were classified as having depressive symptoms (depressive group). There were no significant differences in physical and cognitive impairments between participants in the depressive and non‐depressive groups. The plasma α‐aminobutyric acid (AABA) level was significantly lower in the depressive group than in the non‐depressive group (P < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed the best‐fit model, which included AABA, leucine, threonine, hydroxyl proline and histidine levels (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve 0.8346; 95% confidence interval 0.7365–0.9326). In particular, the plasma AABA level was strongly associated with depressive symptoms.

Conclusions

Plasma AABA level is significantly associated with depression symptoms in older community‐dwelling adults in Japan. Thus, plasma AABA might serve as a potential marker of depression in older adults aged ≥65 years. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2019; 19: 254–258.
Chemoprevention by means of soy proteins and peptides – current status and future approaches: a review
Authors: Chen Sheng‐I , Hsieh Chia‐Chien
Published: December 2018

Epidemiological studies have shown that soy consumption is associated with lower incidence of various diseases, such as cancer. Over the past decades, soy proteins and derived peptides have been considered as potential preventive agents against the initiation, promotion and progression of cancer. Additionally, soybeans provide essential nutrients and abundant peptides and proteins with multiple bioactivities. Here, we specifically emphasise the chemoprevention property of several soy proteins/peptides, such as lectins, lunasin and protease inhibitors. Moreover, their anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which have been demonstrated to be associated with chemopreventive properties, are addressed here. Furthermore, computational methods applied in this field are reviewed. Researchers navigate a large volume of data to understand the interactions among the genome, cellular molecules, dietary interventions, medical treatments and diseases. Numerous powerful tools have been recommended for designing an optimal strategy for future anti‐cancer treatments with precise diagnosis and individualised approaches.
Characterization of a novel MICB variant in an individual from the Chinese Uyghur population, MICB*005:09, by cloning and sequencing
Authors: Tursun Mikrban , Wang ZhenFang , Guo WenTao , Hasim Ayshamgul , Tian Wei
Published: December 2018

A new allelic variant in MICB*005 lineage, MICB*005:09, has been identified in a male Uyghur individual recruited from Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, China by PCR‐sequence‐based typing (Sanger sequencing) and confirmed by cloning and sequencing. Aligned with MICB*005:03, this new allelic variant shows a synonymous T substitution at nucleotide position 8 in exon 2, corresponding to codon 3 (CAC→CAT) of the mature MICB mRNA transcript.
Determinants of caregiver burden of patients with haemorrhagic stroke in China
Authors: Zhu Wei , Jiang Yan
Published: December 2018

Aim

The aim of this study was to assess the caregiver burden over time of patients with haemorrhagic stroke and the determinants of this.

Background

Identification of the predictors for caregiver burden can be used to improve the outcomes of stroke survivors and caregivers. Few studies focus on the caregiver burden of patients with haemorrhagic stroke and how this changes over time.

Design

This was a prospective longitudinal study.

Methods

A convenience sample of 202 stroke survivor/caregiver pairs were recruited in the neurosurgery unit from March 2015 to March 2016. The participants were assessed at three different times by face to face or telephone interview. Caregiver burden was assessed using the Bakas Caregiver Outcomes Scale. Sociodemographic data and other characteristics of the pairs were also collected. Multiple linear regression was performed to identify the determinants.

Results

Caregiver burden decreased from T1 to T3 significantly. The physical function, depression of stroke survivors, and self‐rated burden of caregivers were the most important determinants for overall caregiver burden. The factors identified explained 41.6% to 67.4% of overall burden.

Conclusion

Caregiver burden decreased over time, affected by factors from patients and caregivers. More professional caregivers are needed to support informal carers.
Efficacy of novel β3‐adrenoreceptor agonist vibegron on nocturia in patients with overactive bladder: A post‐hoc analysis of a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled phase 3 study
Authors: Yoshida Masaki , Takeda Masayuki , Gotoh Momokazu , Yokoyama Osamu , Kakizaki Hidehiro , Takahashi Satoru , Masumori Naoya , Nagai Shinji , Hashimoto Keita , Minemura Kazuyoshi
Published: December 2018

Objectives

To investigate the efficacy of vibegron on nocturia in patients with overactive bladder.

Methods

Among the Japanese overactive bladder patients enrolled in the placebo‐controlled, multicenter, randomized, double‐blind phase 3 study of vibegron, a total of 669 patients with nocturia (≥1 nocturnal void) were included. Changes from baseline in micturition parameters were compared for vibegron treatment (50 and 100 mg/day) versus placebo. Correlations of hours of undisturbed sleep with the frequency of nocturnal voiding and the volume of the first nocturnal voiding were examined. Demographics and baseline characteristics contributing to reduction in the frequency of nocturnal voiding were also analyzed.

Results

At week 12, the frequency of nocturnal voiding was reduced from baseline by 0.74 and 0.78, respectively, for the vibegron 50 and 100 mg groups; the reductions were significant when compared with the placebo group (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001, respectively). The mean volume of nocturnal voids and the volume of the first nocturnal voiding were significantly greater in the vibegron groups than in the placebo group. The vibegron groups showed significant correlations of hours of undisturbed sleep with the changes in the frequency of nocturnal voiding and in the volume of the first nocturnal voiding. Vibegron treatment, no previous treatment with anticholinergics, ≥12 voids per day and hours of undisturbed sleep <180 min significantly contributed to a reduction in the frequency of nocturnal voiding.

Conclusions

Vibegron is a useful therapeutic option for improving nocturia in patients with overactive bladder.
Treatment of male stress urinary incontinence using autologous adipose‐derived regenerative cells: Long‐term efficacy and safety
Authors: Gotoh Momokazu , Yamamoto Tokunori , Shimizu Shinobu , Matsukawa Yoshihisa , Kato Masashi , Majima Tsuyoshi , Takai Shun , Funahashi Yasuhito , Toriyama Kazuhiro
Published: December 2018

Objectives

To investigate the long‐term efficacy and safety of periurethral injection of autologous adipose‐derived regenerative cells for the treatment of post‐prostatectomy stress urinary incontinence.

Methods

A total of 13 patients with persistent stress urinary incontinence after prostate surgery (radical prostatectomy, 10 patients; holmium laser enucleation of the prostate, three patients) underwent periurethral injection of adipose‐derived regenerative cells and were followed up for >4 years. A 24‐h pad test was carried out for four consecutive days in each evaluation period, and changes in the mean daily leakage volume during the 4 days from baseline to 60 months after treatment were evaluated.

Results

The mean follow‐up period was 69 months (range 55–72 months). The mean leakage volume/24 h in all patients changed from 260.7 g to 152.7 g. Urinary incontinence progressively improved up to 12 months after treatment in 10 patients, who maintained improvement up to the final assessment, with the mean daily leakage volume decreasing from 281.5 g to 119.0 g (reduction rate 57.7%). The other three patients showed no improvement at 1 year and at the final assessment. After the perioperative period, significant adverse events or prostate‐specific antigen increase were not observed during long‐term follow up.

Conclusions

The present findings suggest that periurethral injection of autologous adipose‐derived regenerative cells is a safe and feasible treatment modality with long‐term efficacy for patients with male stress urinary incontinence caused by urethral sphincter deficiency.
Dermatology today and tomorrow: from symptom control to targeted therapy
Authors: Blume‐Peytavi U. , Bagot M. , Tennstedt D. , Saint Aroman M. , Stockfleth E. , Zlotogorski A. , Mengeaud V. , Schmitt A.M. , Paul C. , Lim H.W. , Georgescu V. , Dréno B. , Nocera T.
Published: December 2018

For many decades and until recently, medical approach to dermatologic diseases has been based on the physician's ability to recognize and treat symptoms. Nowadays, advances in the understanding of the biology of diseases and in technologies for intervening against them have allowed physicians to diagnose and treat underlying disease processes rather than simply addressing the symptoms. This means that rather than addressing ‘the disease in humans’, physicians can now address the particular pathologic (biologic, molecular) disturbance as it presents in the individual patient, i.e., physicians now can practice something much closer to ‘personalized medicine’, leading to greater benefits for the patients and the health of society in general. The deeper understanding of ultraviolet radiation, the importance of photoprotection and increased knowledge about signalling pathways of melanoma and carcinoma have led to more complete care for the dermatologic patient. The current popularity for excessive exposure to the sun, without adequate application of the appropriate photoprotection remedies, is the origin of melanoma, but also for the weakening of the structure and functions of the skin. Indeed, fragility of the skin can affect humans around the world. In the senior population, this skin fragility is accompanied by pruritus, whereas atopic dermatitis is an inflammatory disease with highest prevalence in children and adolescents. Acne, the number one reason for dermatologic consultations worldwide, increases its prevalence in adolescents and in females. Senescent alopecia affects humans after menopause and andropause. The articles in this publication present an overview of the current advanced understanding of the diagnosis and therapeutic approaches in 6 fields of dermatology – dermatopaediatry and gerontodermatology, oncodermatology, hair loss, atopic dermatitis, photoprotection and acne – and thereby serve as a useful compendium of updated information and references for all healthcare professionals who see patients with presentations of the symptoms of these diseases.
Observations of stranded and swimming whale sharks Rhincodon typus in Khor Al‐Zubair, NW Arabian Gulf and Shatt Al‐Arab Estuary, Iraq
Authors: Jawad Laith A. , Al‐Dirawi Ahmed M. H. , Al‐Hilali Hayder I. , Al‐Asadi Uday T. S.
Published: December 2018

This study is the first record of a whale shark Rhincodon typus in Iraqi waters and the second record from the Arabian (Persian) Gulf portion of the north‐west Indian Ocean. The stranding and sighting events were documented by photos of three individuals: the stranded specimen was 6.5 m total length (LT) and the free‐swimming individuals were c. 1–2 and 2–3 m LT respectively. An appeal is made for Iraqi policy makers to participate in regional and international organizations for the conservation of this endangered species.
Equity Misvaluation and Default Options
Authors: EISDORFER ASSAF , GOYAL AMIT , ZHDANOV ALEXEI
Published: December 2018

We study whether default options are mispriced in equity values by employing a structural equity valuation model that explicitly takes into account the value of the option to default (or abandon the firm) and uses firm‐specific inputs. We implement our model on the entire cross section of stocks and identify both over‐ and underpriced equities. An investment strategy that buys undervalued stocks and shorts overvalued stocks generates an annual four‐factor alpha of about 11% for U.S. stocks. The model's performance is stronger for stocks with a higher value of the default option, such as distressed or highly volatile stocks.
Warm glow and the transmission of pro‐socialness across generations
Authors: Long Ngo Van
Published: December 2018

The transmission of pro‐socialness across generations is modeled using the warm‐glow approach. The parent generation seeks to cultivate pro‐social values in their children as this would improve their material well‐being when they grow up as cooperative adults. I show that communities endowed with more productive resources have a stronger incentive to teach their children social cooperation. Thus, there is a correlation between a village's level of material well‐being and villagers’ steady‐state level of pro‐socialness. When the cost of moral education is directly dependent on the parent generation's level of pro‐socialness, the multiplicity of steady states may emerge. If a community's initial level of pro‐socialness is high, the system will reach an interior steady state; in contrast, if this initial level is low, eventually the level of pro‐socialness will approach zero in the long run. Thus communities that start with similar initial levels of pro‐socialness may end up at drastically different steady states.