bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Granadilla swimwear: finding opportunity in times of crisis
Authors: Marks Jonathan
Published: July 2020

Learning outcomes

The main learning outcomes that can develop from this case are as follows. These have been articulated for an approximately 90-min class discussion. Opportunity identification in times of crisis: at a macro-level, the case serves to illustrate the nature of identifying and exploiting opportunities in times of crisis. In particular, it shows how an agile small team and quickly respond to need and develop a sustainable and scalable business. Pivoting the business model: the case raises an interesting and important debate as regards what constitutes a “pivot”. While the classical interpretation would be a change in direction without a change in strategy, this case within the context of Covid-19 challenges this definition. Resource use and allocation: The case illustrates well how existing resources, networks and skills can be used in a very different business venture to alleviate immediate cash flow needs and potentially build another business venture.

Case overview/synopsis

This case study explores how two Cape Town-based entrepreneurs, Josh Meltz and Adam Duxbury, responded to the Covid-19 crisis and the subsequent lockdown in South Africa. The pair had built a successful swimwear brand – Granadilla Swimwear – and two other businesses: a function venue and a kombucha brand sold at a well-known food market. As the Covid-19 lockdown tool effect, the entrepreneurs saw not only declining revenue in their food and function venue business but were about to enter a six-month period of negative cash flow on their seasonal swimwear business. The entrepreneurs saw an opportunity to deliver food boxes of fresh fruit, vegetables, bread and other staples within the Cape Town metropolitan area. Their kombucha brand had a ready-made food processing and handling facility (including cold storage) and existing relationships with customers, suppliers and other vendors at the food market gave them ready access to a range of locally produced food products available immediately and on consignment. Meltz & Duxbury quickly launched an online shop and started marketing via Instagram. Within 48 h, they were delivering food boxes, with little risk and upfront capital investment. As the lockdown continued and other competitors entered the market, the team wondered at the longevity of the pivot and whether this was a business that would sustain itself or whether it was just a short-term fix for their immediate cash flow problems.

Complexity academic level

Undergraduate and postgraduate

Supplementary materials

Teaching Notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS: 3 Entrepreneurship.
Market orientation and product innovation: the mediating role of technological capability
Authors: Aydin Hakan
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This study aims to examine the relationship between market orientation and product innovation and the mediating role of technological capability in this relationship. It also aims to examine the effect of market orientation on product innovation within the framework of technological intensity classification of the fields of business activity.

Design/methodology/approach

The research data were obtained from 186 senior and mid-level managers of 627 manufacturing firms that are widely considered to be innovative, and that are ranked among Turkey's largest 1,000 manufacturing firms (ISO 1000). The data were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling.

Findings

Customer orientation and interfunctional coordination, two distinct dimensions of market orientation, had positive effects on product innovation. Technological capability played a mediating role in the effect of customer orientation and interfunctional coordination on product innovation. In addition, interfunctional coordination positively affected product innovation in firms with low technological intensity, whereas customer orientation positively affected product innovation in firms with medium-high technological intensity.

Practical implications

For the success of product innovations, firms should establish mechanisms to obtain information about customer needs and expectations and to disseminate and effectively use this information among organizational functions. They also need to improve their technological capabilities to effectively transform market knowledge into product innovation.

Originality/value

The relationship between market orientation and product innovation has been examined in previous studies; however, there is an insufficient number of studies on the mediating role of technological capability in this relationship. This study aimed to eliminate the gap in the literature regarding the mediating role of technological capability. In addition, innovation activities of firms vary depending on the technological intensity, but only a limited number of evaluations have been conducted on this subject. This study contributes valuable knowledge to the relevant literature by examining the impact of market orientation dimensions on product innovation according to technological intensity.
Growth and foreign direct investment absorption across cultural dimensions
Authors: Romero Alfredo A. , Edwards Jeffrey A.
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Injections of foreign direct investment (FDI) are often followed by injections of foreign culture which may not be well received among the local population. If this is the case, culture may impede any positive externalities from FDI. On the other hand, if the people of the host country embrace injections of FDI, this may lead to boosts in not only short-run factors of production but also longer-term technological spillovers. We measure what role cultural make-up of a country plays on the effect of FDI on growth in GDP.

Design/methodology/approach

Using values system data from the World Values Survey (WVS), and socioeconomic data from the World Bank, we estimate and plot the marginal effect of FDI on growth as a function of a country's values system for a panel of 73 countries over a span of three decades.

Findings

We find that the marginal effect of FDI on growth in GDP differs across varying degrees of cultural values, even after adjusting for level of development. In other words, our analysis indicates that a country's cultural norms do indeed affect foreign investment's impact on economic growth.

Originality/value

To date there is no research that systematically assesses the effect that cultural make-up has on the marginal effect of FDI on growth. We go beyond the use of isolated cultural variables by using data on cultural dimensions that account for most of the observed cultural differences between countries. We believe our findings will work as a launchpad for more novel ways to capture country heterogeneity in growth research.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-09-2019-0549.
Entrepreneurship research in the Middle East and North Africa: trends, challenges, and sustainability issues
Authors: Aljuwaiber Abobakr
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to offer a wider examination of the research concerning entrepreneurship characteristics in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region via a review of recent studies relevant to this topic. Research publications concerning entrepreneurship within the MENA region evidence growing interest in this field of study, with the potential to boost and drive future economic development and growth. This focus within entrepreneurship research is because of the economic development in the region, which is becoming increasingly important for policymakers and businesses.

Design/methodology/approach

The author performed a systematic literature review to produce robust information about entrepreneurship in the MENA region, followed by a thematic analysis to identify key research themes within each category.

Findings

Despite the growth in entrepreneurship research in the MENA region, research on certain factors is lacking. An analysis of 271 studies published between 2009 and 2019 identifies 9 main research categories, within which 30 themes have attracted significant academic attention. Female entrepreneurship and gender, youth entrepreneurship and entrepreneurship behaviour and orientation are the three key categories influencing perspectives on entrepreneurship in the MENA region. This study highlights research gaps and provides recommendations to guide future research on the sustainable development of entrepreneurship in the MENA region.

Originality/value

This paper highlights trends in entrepreneurship research amongst scholars within the MENA region and suggests paths for future research efforts.
Reconciling practice, research and reality of integrated care. Critical reflections on the state of a discipline
Authors: Kaehne Axel
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to critically reflect on the practice, rhetoric and reality of integrating care. Echoing Le Grand's framework of motivation, agency and policy, it is argued that the stories the authors tell themselves why the authors embark on integration programmes differ from the reasons why managers commit to these programmes. This split between policy rhetoric and reality has implications for the way the authors investigate integration.

Design/methodology/approach

Examining current integration policy, practice and research, the paper adopts the critical framework articulated by Le Grand about the underlying assumptions of health care policy and practice.

Findings

It is argued that patient perspectives are speciously placed at the centre of integration policy but mask the existing organizational and managerial rationalities of integration. Making the patient the measure of all things integration would turn this agenda back on its feet.

Originality/value

The paper discusses the underlying assumptions of integration policy, practice and research. Increasing the awareness about the gap between what the authors do, why the authors do it and the stories the authors tell themselves about it injects a much needed amount of criticality into research and practice.
Reconciling temporal conflicts in innovation ambidexterity: the role of TMT temporal leadership
Authors: Chen Jiawen , Liu Linlin
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This study aims to extend the temporal perspective on ambidexterity by investigating how and under what conditions top management team (TMT) temporal leadership improves innovation ambidexterity.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a questionnaire survey, data were collected from 165 small- and medium-sized enterprises in China. Ordinary least squares regression models were applied to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The findings show that TMT temporal leadership has a positive effect on innovation ambidexterity and temporal conflict mediates this relationship. Market dynamism and institutional support moderate the indirect effect of TMT temporal leadership on innovation ambidexterity.

Practical implications

Managers wishing to promote exploration and exploitation simultaneously should pay attention to the temporal aspects of their innovation strategy and improve their temporal leadership activities.

Originality/value

This study highlights the temporal conflicts in ambidexterity and clarifies the enabling role of TMT temporal leadership. It contributes new insights to the research on organizational ambidexterity and strategic leadership.
Bank competition in India: revisiting the application of Panzar–Rosse model
Authors: Rakshit Bijoy , Bardhan Samaresh
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The paper measures the degree of bank competition in Indian banking over the period 1996–2016. Using bank-level annual data, we revisit the case of banking competitiveness during the prefinancial and postfinancial crisis and examine whether the global financial crisis alters the level of bank competition in India. Additionally, this paper addresses the misspecification issues associated with the widely used Panzar–Rosse model in Indian banking context.

Design/methodology/approach

We apply Panzar and Rosse (1987) H-statistic and evaluate the degree of bank competition by estimating the extent to which changes in input prices are reflected in revenues earned by banks. Subsequently, we link this measure of competitiveness to a number of structural indicators (HHI and CRn) to examine the structure-conduct-performance hypothesis, which assumes that a concentrated banking system can impair competition. The simple panel regression model was used to handle the empirical estimations.

Findings

findings reveal that the Indian banking system operates under competitive conditions and earns revenues as if under the monopolistic competition. We also find evidence that Indian banks are competitive, even under a concentrated market structure. This observation runs, in contrary, to the prediction of the structure–conduct–performance hypothesis. The findings also indicate the differences in the estimated H-statistic value after considering the misspecifications of the P–R model.

Practical implications

From policy perspectives, policymakers should focus more on maintaining an optimal level of bank competition by mitigating entry restrictions, exercising less consolidation and withdrawing overregulation from banking activities. A competitive banking industry ensures both efficiency and stability.

Social implications

A competitive banking sector by lowering interest rates margin provides easier access to finance to both households and small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Originality/value

This is the only study that addresses the misspecification of the P–R model while assessing competition in Indian banking and provides a thorough understanding of the role of concentration on bank competition.
Probiotic oats milk drink with microencapsulated Lactobacillus plantarum – an alternative to dairy products
Authors: Ravindran Sangami , S. RadhaiSri
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Interest in probiotic food products has constantly increased due to the awareness on importance of gut microbiome; an increasing demand has encouraged the development of other matrices such as cereals, vegetable and fruit juices to deliver probiotics. The purpose of this paper is to standardize and evaluate a ready to serve probiotic oats milk drink fermented with microencapsulated Lactobacillus plantarum to be further used as a therapeutic module.

Design/methodology/approach

Fermentation of oats milk extract with microencapsulated L.plantarum was subjected to various trials in making it favourable for consumption and tested for sensory characteristics, physicochemical parameters, nutrient content, viable colony count and shelf life.

Findings

Fermented oats milk drink with 3% inoculum of microencapsulated L.plantarum was able to achieve desirable level of 2.5 × 108 and 2.3 × 108 colony forming units (CFU)/mL for spice and strawberry flavoured drink, respectively. Antioxidant property significantly increased after fermentation showing inhibitory effect against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH) assay (p = 0.05).

Research limitations/implications

Analysis of all the parameters were conducted only with three samples; this was the potential limitation identified in this study as large sample size always be a better representative of the results.

Practical implications

Spice and strawberry flavoured nondairy oats milk drink facilitated to be a suitable carrier for microencapsulated L. plantarum with good sensory attributes, low fat, moderate calorie, high fiber content, antioxidant potential and a shelf life of two-week period at 4°C.

Originality/value

The developed ready to serve, spice and strawberry flavoured nondairy oats milk drink with compactly packed functional components inclusive of beneficial probiotic organisms, ß-glucan and antioxidants can be prescribed as a therapeutic food for many clinical conditions and would serve as a good probiotic option for vegans.
Application of nanoemulsion‐based approaches for improving the quality and safety of muscle foods: A comprehensive review
Authors: Das Arun K. , Nanda Pramod Kumar , Bandyopadhyay Samiran , Banerjee Rituparna , Biswas Subhasish , McClements David Julian
Published: July 2020

Recently, there has been growing interest in implementing innovative nanoscience‐based technologies to improve the health, safety, and quality of food products. A major thrust in this area has been to use nanoemulsions because they can easily be formulated with existing food ingredients and technologies. In particular, oil‐in‐water nanoemulsions, which consist of small oil droplets (<200 nm) dispersed in water, are being utilized as delivery systems for various hydrophobic substances in foods, including nutrients, nutraceuticals, antioxidants, antimicrobials, colors, and flavors. In this article, we focus on the application of nanoemulsion‐based delivery systems for improving the quality, safety, nutritional profile, and sensory attributes of muscle foods, such as meat and fish. The article also critically reviews the formulation and fabrication of food‐grade nanoemulsions, their potential benefits and limitations in muscle food systems.
Biotechnological interventions for the sustainable management of a global pest, whitefly (Bemisia tabaci)
Authors: Suhag Archna , Yadav Honey , Chaudhary Darshna , Subramanian S. , Jaiwal Ranjana , Jaiwal Pawan K.
Published: July 2020

Whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci) are polyphagous invasive hemipteran insects that cause serious losses of important crops by directly feeding on phloem sap and transmitting pathogenic viruses. These insects have emerged as a major threat to global agriculture and food security. Chemically synthesized insecticides are currently the only option to control whiteflies, but the ability of whiteflies to evolve resistance against insecticides has made the management of these insects very difficult. Natural host‐plant resistance against whiteflies identified in some crop plants has not been exploited to a great extent. Genetic engineering approaches, such as transgenics and RNA interference (RNAi), are potentially useful for the control of whiteflies. Transgenic plants harboring insecticidal toxins/lectins developed via nuclear or chloroplast transformation are a promising vehicle for whitefly control. Double‐stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) of several insect genes, delivered either through microinjection into the insect body cavity or orally via an artificial diet and transiently or stably expressed in transgenic plants, have controlled whiteflies in model plants and in some crops at the laboratory level, but not at the field level. In this review, we highlight the merits and demerits of each delivery method along with strategies for sustained delivery of dsRNAs via fungal entomopathogen/endosymbiont or nontransgenic RNAi approaches, foliar sprays, root absorption or nanocarriers as well as the factors affecting efficient RNAi and their biosafety issues. Genome sequencing and transcriptome studies of whitefly species are facilitating the selection of appropriate genes for RNAi and gene‐editing technology for the efficient and resilient management of whiteflies and their transmitted viruses.
A promise made is a promise kept: Union voice, HRM practices, implicit contracts and workplace performance in times of crisis
Authors: Zeitoun Hossam , Pamini Paolo
Published: July 2020

Sociological debates on financialisation emphasise that workplace‐based productivity bargains between employers and employees are often precarious. This literature suggests that where employers are unable to keep their side of the bargain, participative arrangements with employees are likely to become unsustainable in generating high workplace performance. Recessions substantially increase the pressures on employers to breach (unwritten and invisible) implicit bargains with employees. We propose that a robust (rather than shallow) implementation of union voice and Human Resource Management (HRM) practices will make implicit bargains more resilient and benefit workplace performance if recession impact is high. Using two waves of the British Workplace Employment Relations Survey (2004 and 2011), we examine our hypotheses in the context of the deep 2008–2009 recession and find supportive evidence – especially in (a) firms without a dominant individual or family owner and (b) growing markets.
Airborne bacterial emission fluxes from manure‐fertilized agricultural soil
Authors: Thiel Nadine , Münch Steffen , Behrens Wiebke , Junker Vera , Faust Matthias , Biniasch Oliver , Kabelitz Tina , Siller Paul , Boedeker Christian , Schumann Peter , Roesler Uwe , Amon Thomas , Schepanski Kerstin , Funk Roger , Nübel Ulrich
Published: July 2020

This is the first study to quantify the dependence on wind velocity of airborne bacterial emission fluxes from soil. It demonstrates that manure bacteria get aerosolized from fertilized soil more easily than soil bacteria, and it applies bacterial genomic sequencing for the first time to trace environmental faecal contamination back to its source in the chicken barn. We report quantitative, airborne emission fluxes of bacteria during and following the fertilization of agricultural soil with manure from broiler chickens. During the fertilization process, the concentration of airborne bacteria culturable on blood agar medium increased more than 600 000‐fold, and 1 m3 of air carried 2.9 × 105 viable enterococci, i.e. indicators of faecal contamination which had been undetectable in background air samples. Trajectory modelling suggested that atmospheric residence times and dispersion pathways were dependent on the time of day at which fertilization was performed. Measurements in a wind tunnel indicated that airborne bacterial emission fluxes from freshly fertilized soil under local climatic conditions on average were 100‐fold higher than a previous estimate of average emissions from land. Faecal bacteria collected from soil and dust up to seven weeks after fertilization could be traced to their origins in the poultry barn by genomic sequencing. Comparative analyses of 16S rRNA gene sequences from manure, soil and dust showed that manure bacteria got aerosolized preferably, likely due to their attachment to low‐density manure particles. Our data show that fertilization with manure may cause substantial increases of bacterial emissions from agricultural land. After mechanical incorporation of manure into soil, however, the associated risk of airborne infection is low.
A marking of the cricothyroid membrane with extended neck returns to correct position after neck manipulation and repositioning
Authors: Bowness James , Teoh Wendy H. , Kristensen Michael S. , Dalton Andrew , Saint‐Grant Alexander L. , Taylor Alasdair , Crawley Simon , Chisholm Fraser , Varsou Ourania , McGuire Barry
Published: July 2020

Background

Emergency front of neck airway access by anaesthetists carries a high failure rate and it is recommended to identify the cricothyroid membrane before induction of anaesthesia in patients with a predicted difficult airway. We have investigated whether a marking of the cricothyroid membrane done in the extended neck position remains correct after the patient's neck has been manipulated and subsequently repositioned.

Methods

The subject was first placed in the extended head and neck position and had the cricothyroid membrane identified and marked with 3 methods, palpation, ‘laryngeal handshake’ and ultrasonography and the distance from the suprasternal notch to the cricothyroid membrane was measured. The subject then moved off the table and sat on a chair and subsequently returned to the extended neck position and examinations were repeated.

Results

Skin markings of all 11 subjects lay within the boundaries of the cricothyroid membrane when the subject was repositioned back to the extended neck position and the median difference between the two measurements of the distance from the suprasternal notch was 0 mm (range 0‐2 mm).

Conclusion

The cricothyroid membrane can be identified and marked with the subject in the extended neck position. Then the patient's position can be changed as needed, for example to the ‘sniffing’ neck position for conventional intubation. If a front of neck airway access is required during subsequent airway management, the patient can be returned expediently to the extended‐neck position, and the marking of the centre of the membrane will still be in the correct place.
Reinterpreting sheep muscle strand‐specific RNA sequencing data showing extensive 3′UTR extensions
Authors: Ren Caifang , Deng Kaiping , Wang Zhibo , Deng Mingtian , Fan Yixuan , Zhang Yanli , Ma Jianyu , Wang Shuting , Liu Zifei , Wang Feng
Published: July 2020

The more complex 3′ UTR in higher organisms may have the function of increasing post‐transcriptional gene regulation. Recent RNA sequencing technologies have provided us with the possibility to capture the complete 3′ UTR landscape of different species and cells. However, no systematic analysis of sheep‐related 3′ UTR has been performed. Here, we conducted a detailed analysis of the 3′ UTR with the primary goal of identifying intact 3′ UTR landscapes in the sheep muscles of the three developmental stages. Based on strand‐specific RNA sequencing (ssRNA‐seq) data, we found that thousands of genes in sheep muscle are continuously transcribed after the UTR of the reference genome (Oar_v4.0). More than 66% of the 3′ UTR extensions exhibit similar expression trends to their upstream gene exons. These 3′ UTR extensions strongly enrich thousands of conserved microRNA binding sites. The 3′ UTR extension‐associated RNA of PFKM (PuaRNA) was predicted to be derived from the 3′ UTR of PFKM. In sheep myocytes, myotubes and various tissues, the expression pattern of PuaRNA is positively correlated with that of PFKM. Taken together, these new 3′ UTR annotations greatly extend the range of mammalian post‐transcriptional regulatory networks, which have a particular impact on the regulation of sheep muscle development.
Genome‐wide association study for feed efficiency in collective cage‐raised rabbits under full and restricted feeding
Authors: Sánchez J. P. , Legarra A. , Velasco‐Galilea M. , Piles M. , Sánchez A. , Rafel O. , González‐Rodríguez O. , Ballester M.
Published: July 2020

Feed efficiency (FE) is one of the most economically and environmentally relevant traits in the animal production sector. The objective of this study was to gain knowledge about the genetic control of FE in rabbits. To this end, GWASs were conducted for individual growth under two feeding regimes (full feeding and restricted) and FE traits collected from cage groups, using 114 604 autosome SNPs segregating in 438 rabbits. Two different models were implemented: (1) an animal model with a linear regression on each SNP allele for growth trait; and (2) a two‐trait animal model, jointly fitting the performance trait and each SNP allele content, for FE traits. This last modeling strategy is a new tool applied to GWAS and allows information to be considered from non‐genotyped individuals whose contribution is relevant in the group average traits. A total of 189 SNPs in 17 chromosomal regions were declared to be significantly associated with any of the five analyzed traits at a chromosome‐wide level. In 12 of these regions, 20 candidate genes were proposed to explain the variation of the analyzed traits, including genes such as FTO, NDUFAF6 and CEBPA previously associated with growth and FE traits in monogastric species. Candidate genes associated with behavioral patterns were also identified. Overall, our results can be considered as the foundation for future functional research to unravel the actual causal mutations regulating growth and FE in rabbits.
Why Regenerative Agriculture?
Authors: White Courtney
Published: July 2020

Regenerative agriculture is both an attitude and a suite of practices that restores and maintains soil health and fertility, supports biodiversity, protects watersheds, and improves ecological and economic resilience. It focuses on creating the conditions for life above and below ground and takes its cues from nature, which has a very long track record of successfully growing things. By re‐carbonizing soils via photosynthesis and biology, particularly on degraded land, regenerative agriculture can also sequester increasing quantities of atmospheric carbon (CO2) underground, making it a low‐cost “shovel‐ready” solution to climate change. Its multiple co‐benefits, including the production of healthy, nutritious food, means it will be a critical component of our response to rising climate instability.
The Future Is Rural: Societal Adaptation to Energy Descent
Authors: Bradford Jason C.
Published: July 2020

Our present era of high‐energy modernity will likely end over the course of the 21st century, as fossil hydrocarbons wane and new energy technologies fail to compensate. Long‐term trends of urbanization will reverse and a migration back to the countryside to regions of high biocapacity will ensue during the coming decades of energy descent. Food will become a central and organizing concern for de‐industrializing populations, and key concepts and general methods to secure food supplies using less mechanization and with few outside inputs are presented. Given that high social complexity is institutionalized, with system identities locked‐in, we should not expect a planned response to declining net energy. Instead, the so‐called Great Simplification will unfold through a series of crises that force reorganization and alter belief systems. Resilience science suggests a role for promoting system transformability along more benign paths and into social forms that are more frugal.
Energy Sprawl in the Renewable‐Energy Sector: Moving to Sufficiency in a Post‐Growth Era
Authors: Kreps Bart Hawkins
Published: July 2020

Renewable‐energy technologies have exhibited rapid price drops in recent years, leading to hopes that such technologies will rapidly replace the entire fossil‐fuel‐energy sector. But renewable‐energy systems have been manufactured in a fossil‐fueled infrastructure. Renewable energy has been functioning as a relatively minor adjunct to the overall energy system rather than displacing fossil fuels. If we expect renewable energies to replace rather than merely supplement the fossil‐fuel infrastructure, “energy sprawl” will be a major issue. The energy return on investment (EROI) of renewables is likely to be far lower than the EROI of fossil fuels in their heyday. If renewable sources were eventually to produce all required energy, the energy‐provision sector would comprise a much larger share of the economy than at present and provide less net energy surplus to other economic sectors. This article examines key problems for wind‐ and solar‐photovoltaic‐energy industries, including: the dependence on fossil fuels to manufacture renewable‐energy equipment; the need to move beyond renewable‐energy “sweet spots”; the increasing need for new infrastructure, including storage and long‐distance transmission; and the difficulty in providing the types of heat needed for many industrial processes. Because the era of abundant, affordable energy that has fueled economic growth is coming to an end, we will need to look beyond providing our existing services with greater efficiency and question which forms of these services are actually needed for sufficiency.
Energy‐Transition Education in a Power Systems Journey: Making the Invisible Visible and Actionable
Authors: Brigham Jonee Kulman , Imbertson Paul
Published: July 2020

We describe an approach to educating for systemic change in energy systems by integrating technical knowledge of solutions with reflection on paradigms and norms, facilitated by experiential and art‐based forms of learning. The course, “Power Systems Journey: Making the Invisible Visible and Actionable,” is part of the University of Minnesota interdisciplinary grand‐challenge curriculum. Students take on the challenge of public science communication about how to change the electric‐grid system (from power generation to consumption) as part of an energy transition to respond to climate change. The course integrates electrical engineering, history of science and technology, systems thinking, design thinking, paradigms, art, humanities, science communication, storytelling, experiential learning, and the creation of GIS story‐maps and museum exhibits. The design context and elements of the course are described and include: the grand challenge of the energy transition itself, the context of energy‐transition education, the nature of the grand‐challenge curriculum, the collaborative and teaching philosophy, the role of students, the interdisciplinary course framework, the special focus on the role of arts and humanities in energy education, and the course‐curricular structure, which uses the “Earth Systems Journey” curriculum model. The centerpiece of the article describes the “Power Systems Journey” experience in narrative form to match the pedagogical approach of the course using artwork examples from students as they investigated the grid. The article concludes with reflections from students and teachers on what the course offers and where to go from here.
COVID‐19 and hydatidiform mole
Authors: Abbas Ahmed M. , Ahmed Lobna , Salem Amera S. , Elsamman Shimaa H. , Refai Alshaima , Fathy Safaa K. , Ahmed Omar A. , Shalotut Asmaa S. , AbdelWahab Radwa A.
Published: July 2020

The emergence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) as a pandemic threatens the entire world resulting in severe consequences for people's health. Pregnant patients with COVID‐19 had immune dysregulation that could result in abnormal pregnancy outcomes such as hydatidiform mole (HM), recurrent pregnancy loss, and early‐onset preeclampsia. In this article, we tried to summarize the possible association between COVID‐19 and the HM's development by reviewing the role of NOD‐Like Receptor (NLR) Family Pyrin Domain Containing 7 (NLRP7), cytokines, zinc, and leukocytes in the pathogenesis of HM.
An in vitro investigation into the hemodynamic effects of orifice geometry and position on left ventricular vortex formation and turbulence intensity
Authors: Tan Sean Guo‐Dong , Hon Jimmy Kim Fatt , Nguyen Yen Ngoc , Kim Sangho , Leo Hwa Liang
Published: July 2020

In a healthy human cardiac system, a large asymmetric clockwise vortex present in the left ventricle (LV) efficiently diverts the filling jet from the mitral annulus to the left ventricular outflow track. However, prior clinical studies have shown that artificial mitral valve replacement can affect the formation of physiological vortex, resulting in overall flow instability in the LV. Lately, the findings from several recent hemodynamic studies seem to suggest that the native D‐shaped mitral annulus might be a crucial factor in the development of this physiological flow pattern, with its inherent flow stability and formation of coherent structures within the LV. This study aims to investigate the effect of orifice shape and its position with respect to the posterior wall of the ventricle on vortical formation and turbulence intensity in the LV, by utilizing four separate orifice configurations within an in vitro left heart simulator. Stereo particle image velocimetry experiments were then carried out to characterize the downstream flow field of each configuration. Our findings demonstrate that the generation of the physiological left ventricular vortical flow was not solely dependent upon the orifice shape but rather the subsequent jet‐wall interaction. The distance of the orifice geometric center from the left ventricular posterior wall plays a significant role in this jet‐wall interaction, and thus, vortical flow dynamics.
Differential Effects of High‐ and Low‐Arousal Positive Emotions on Help‐Seeking for Depression
Authors: Straszewski Tasha , Siegel Jason T.
Published: July 2020

Background

The current set of pre‐registered studies tested the effect of savoring a high‐arousal (exciting) or low‐arousal (calm) positive experience on help‐seeking intentions among people with heightened depressive symptomatology.

Methods

Across all three studies, participants with heightened depressive symptomatology who had not yet sought help were randomly assigned to complete a 6‐minute writing task where they reflected on an exciting memory, a calm memory, or what they did today and yesterday.

Results

Savoring an exciting memory was associated with significantly greater arousal than savoring a calm memory and the control condition (Study 1; N = 218). Both savoring conditions were associated with greater positive emotion than the control condition (Study 2; N = 193). In Study 3 (N = 1,238), savoring an exciting memory, when compared to the control condition, increased help‐seeking intentions, whereas savoring a calm memory did not.

Conclusions

The current studies support the use of high‐arousal, rather than low‐arousal, positive emotions to increase help‐seeking intentions among people with depression.
Sidr honey abrogates the oxidative stress and downregulates the hyaluronic acid concentration and gene expression of TGF‐β1 and COL1a1 in rat model of thioacetamide‐induced hepatic fibrosis
Authors: Zeweil Mohamed M. , Sadek Kadry M. , Elsadek Mohamed F. , Mahmoud Sahar F. , Ahmed Badreldin M. , Khafaga Asmaa F.
Published: July 2020

Liver fibrosis is a major health concern, which might progress to cirrhosis. To date, treatment trials rely mainly on the removal of the causative factor. The current study investigated the potential ameliorative role of sidr honey on thioacetamide (TAA)‐induced liver fibrosis in rats. Forty‐eight Wistar albino rats were equally allocated into four groups: control; sidr honey (5g/kg body weight (BW), orally); TAA (200 mg/kg BW, IP three times weekly/15 weeks); and sidr honey plus TAA at the same dose and administration rout. Rats co‐treated with sidr honey plus TAA revealed significant reduction in hepatic malondialdehyde, hyaluronic acid (HA), alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma glutamyl transferase, direct bilirubin, and hepatic mRNA expression of transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1 and collagen type I alpha 1 chain (COL1a1) compared to TAA‐exposed rats. In addition, the hepatoprotective potential of sidr honey was indicated via improvement of histopathologic picture of hepatocytes and upregulation of total antioxidant capacity, reduced glutathione, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, total protein, and albumin compared to TAA‐treated rats. In conclusion, daily administration of sidr honey (5 g/kg BW) is a promising natural antioxidant and fibrosuppressive agent that could ameliorate liver fibrosis via downregulation of fibrosis genes including TGF‐β1 and COL1a1 and HA and via enhancement of antioxidant system.
Prospective identification and causality evaluation of suspected adverse drug reactions in neonates
Authors: Roberts Eve K. , Hawcutt Daniel B. , Turner Mark A.
Published: July 2020

Neonates experience adverse drug reactions (ADRs), but under‐reporting of suspected ADRs to national spontaneous reporting schemes in this population is particularly high. A prospective observational study collected suspected neonatal ADRs at a tertiary neonatal unit. Cases were analysed for causality by six assessors using three existing methods. Sixty‐three suspected ADR cases were identified in 35/193 neonates (18.1%). The proportion of suspected ADRs where the drug was prescribed “off‐label” was 30/68 (44.1%). When 34 cases were assessed for causality using three methods, global kappa scores of less than 0.3 for each tool suggested only “fair” inter‐rater reliability. Neonatal ADRs can be captured and occur from a variety of drugs affecting many organ systems. The current tools for assessing causality need to be adapted before they can reliably assess neonatal ADRs.
Ectogenesis and gender‐based oppression: Resisting the ideal of assimilation
Authors: Cavaliere Giulia
Published: July 2020

In a recent article in this journal, Kathryn MacKay advances a defence of ectogenesis that is grounded in this technology’s potential to end—or at least mitigate the effects of—gender‐based oppression. MacKay raises important issues concerning the socialization of women as ‘mothers’, and the harms that this socialization causes. She also considers ectogenesis as an ethically preferable alternative to gestational surrogacy and uterine transplantation, one that is less harmful to women and less subject to being co‐opted to further oppressive ends. In this article, I challenge some of the assumptions that underlie MacKay’s case in favour of ectogenesis by questioning whether the relationship between women’s capacity to gestate and birth children and gender‐based oppression is as strong as MacKay makes it out to be. I subsequently argue that—even if MacKay’s reading of this relationship is accurate—ectogenesis is not a desirable means to end gender‐based oppression. It embodies a strategy that could be used to pursue liberating projects that follow what Iris Marion Young defines as ‘the ideal of assimilation’, but that must be resisted. I then concur with MacKay’s contention that ectogenesis is better than gestational surrogacy and uterine transplantation. My argument is that many of the problematic issues that MacKay herself sees as features of these practices will not disappear with ectogenesis. Finally, I conclude that MacKay’s narrow focus on women’s biology and ectogenesis as a solution to gender‐based oppression results in the overlooking of broader systemic issues that contribute to the upholding of oppressive norms.
Sex‐related differences in COVID‐19 lethality
Authors: Penna Claudia , Mercurio Valentina , Tocchetti Carlo G. , Pagliaro Pasquale
Published: July 2020

Many countries have been affected by the worldwide outbreak of COVID‐19. Among Western countries, Italy has been particularly hit at the beginning of the pandemic, immediately after China. In Italy and elsewhere, women seem to be less affected than men by severe/fatal COVID‐19 infection, regardless of their age. Although women and men are affected differently by this infection, very few studies consider different therapeutic approaches for the two sexes. Understanding the mechanisms underlying these differences may help to find appropriate and sex specific therapies. Here, we consider that other mechanisms are involved to explain this difference, in addition to the protection attributable to oestrogens. Several X‐linked genes (such as ACE2) and Y‐linked genes (SRY and SOX9) may explain sex differences. Cardiovascular comorbidities are among the major enhancers of virus lethality. In addition, the number of sex‐independent, non‐genetic factors that can change susceptibility and mortality is enormous, and many other factors should be considered, including gender and cultural habits in different countries.
Do implant‐retained mandibular overdentures maintain radiographic, functional, and patient‐centered outcomes after 3 years of loading?
Authors: Possebon Anna Paula da Rosa , Schuster Alessandra Julie , Miranda Samille Biasi de , Marcello‐Machado Raissa Micaella , Chagas‐Júnior Otacílio Luiz , Faot Fernanda
Published: July 2020

Objectives

Analyzing whether radiographic, functional, and oral health‐related quality of life (OHRQoL) outcomes are maintained over 3 years of implant‐retained mandibular overdenture (IMO) function and investigating the bite force associations in the 3rd year of function.

Material and methods

A longitudinal clinical study in which 24 IMO users were evaluated during a 3‐year follow‐up period. Patients’ posterior area index, masticatory function, OHRQoL and bite force were assessed. The masticatory function parameter ST_X50 reflects the opening through which 50% of the crushed particles would pass, ST_B describes the homogeneity of the bolus, and the masticatory efficiency parameters ME_5.6 and ME_2.8 represent the % of material retained in the 5.6 and 2.8 mm sieves, respectively.

Results

A significant increase in posterior area index (p ≤ .01) was found in all evaluated periods. Minor deteriorations in ST_X50 (p ≤ .01) and ME_5.6 (p ≤ .01) between the 2nd and the 3rd year coincided with improvements in ST_B (p ≤ .01), number of cycles (p ≤ .01), and cycle time (p = .02). The global OHIP‐Edent score (p = .02) and the scores in the functional limitation (p = .02), psychological discomfort (p ≤ .01), and handicap domains (p ≤ .01) increased significantly between the 2nd and the 3rd year. Correlations between bite force and cycle time (p = .03) and between posterior area index and ST_X50 (p ≤ .01) and ME_2.8 (p = .02) were also found.

Conclusion

Changes in posterior area index, masticatory function, and OHRQoL are still ongoing during the 3rd year of IMO function. Bite force and posterior area index influence the masticatory function outcomes in the 3rd year of IMO function.
Novel device for preventing diffusion of aerosol droplets from subjects undergoing esophagogastroduodenoscopy during COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Endo Hiroyuki , Koike Tomoyuki , Masamune Atsushi
Published: July 2020

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Essential krill species habitat resolved by seasonal upwelling and ocean circulation models within the large marine ecosystem of the California Current System
Authors: Cimino Megan A. , Santora Jarrod A. , Schroeder Isaac , Sydeman William , Jacox Michael G. , Hazen Elliott L. , Bograd Steven J.
Published: July 2020

Due to their global distribution, high biomass and energy content, euphausiids (krill) are important prey for many mid and upper trophic level marine organisms. Understanding drivers of krill habitat is essential for forecasting range shifts, and to better understand the response of krill predators to climate change. We hypothesized that the distribution and abundance of krill species derived from ecosystem surveys in spring/summer relates to geomorphic features, coastal upwelling during the preceding winter, and spring mesoscale oceanographic conditions. To test this hypothesis, we used boosted regression trees with environmental data and ocean model output to quantify the habitat associations of two primary krill species (Euphausia pacifica and Thysanoessa spinifera) in the central California Current Ecosystem from 2002 to 2018. Models confirmed the neritic distribution of T. spinifera and pelagic, outer slope association of E. pacifica (deviance explained ~35%). Distribution of these species were influenced by depth and bottom rugosity; chlorophyll‐a concentrations and increased winter upwelling conditions; and spring surface currents and wind stress. Thysanoessa spinifera and E. pacifica abundance responded negatively (positively) to warm (cold) climate events, confirming known relationships. As an independent evaluation of krill models, observations of krill predator (seabirds, marine mammals) distribution indicated they were present within habitats of predicted high krill species abundance. Our framework indicates species‐specific habitat relationships for these foundational forage species and their negative response to large‐scale climate variations, such as El Niño and marine heatwave conditions. The approach can be easily transferred to other ecosystems or krill species that respond to similar ocean and climate forcing.