bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of hygiene standards and food safety practices between sole-proprietor and corporate-managed restaurants in Lebanon
Authors: Faour-Klingbeil Dima , Kuri Victor , Todd Ewen
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The objectives of this study were to compare the hygiene standards and food handling practices between sole-proprietor and the corporate-managed restaurants in Lebanon and to determine whether the variations between both groups are explained by and directly related to the type of management.

Design/methodology/approach

An in-depth observation assessment of food safety environment and practices was conducted on a convenient sample of 50 food businesses in Beirut, which are typical of foodservice outlets in Lebanon and in many countries of the Middle East. The observation assessment checklist comprised six constructs of 2–7 components for analysis. It covered all areas including documentation and record-keeping requirements, which are crucial parts of a food safety system.

Findings

There was a significant difference in the visual assessment score between sole-proprietor (77.9 ± 18.4) and corporate group (48.5 ± 12.8). Food handlers' behavior and hygiene standards were significantly associated with the type of management. However, there were still critical gaps in the food safety performance of the corporate group suggesting other underlying factors than the type of management.

Practical implications

Additional elements were drawn from this study for future food safety culture research. Understanding the food safety attitudes and perception of risks of the management representatives, leaders, or food business owners is vital to develop appropriate food safety interventions and foster a positive food safety culture in the foodservice industry.

Originality/value

To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study not only in Lebanon (or MENA) but also in other regions to measure the association of management type, that is, sole-proprietor management and corporate management, with the food hygiene standards and food safety practices in the foodservice establishments. This paper presents new findings that will be of value for researchers in food safety and will complement the existing literature on food safety culture in the foodservice industry.
Comparing consumers’ in-group-favor and out-group-animosity processes within sports sponsorship
Authors: Lin Hsin-Chen , Bruning Patrick F.
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The paper aims to compare two general team identification processes of consumers’ in-group-favor and out-group-animosity responses to sports sponsorship.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws on two studies and four samples of professional baseball fans in Taiwan (N = 1,294). In Study 1, data from the fans of three teams were analyzed by using multi-group structural equation modeling to account for team effects and to consider parallel in-group-favor and out-group-animosity processes. In Study 2, the fans of one team were sampled and randomly assigned to assess the sponsors of one of three specific competitor teams to account for differences in team competition and rivalry. In both studies, these two processes were compared using patterns of significant relationships and differences in the indirect identification-attitude-outcome relationships.

Findings

Positive outcomes of in-group-favor processes were broader in scope and were more pronounced in absolute magnitude than the negative outcomes of out-group-animosity processes across all outcomes and studies.

Research limitations/implications

The research was conducted in one country and considered the sponsorship of one sport. It is possible that the results could differ for leagues within different countries, more global leagues and different fan bases.

Practical implications

The results suggest that managers should carefully consider whether the negative out-group-animosity outcomes are actually present, broad enough or strong enough to warrant costly or compromising intervention, because they might not always be present or meaningful.

Originality/value

The paper demonstrates the comparatively greater breadth and strength of in-group-favor processes when compared directly to out-group-animosity processes.
Entrepreneurial leadership in Middle East sport businesses
Authors: Megheirkouni Majd , Thirlwall Alison , Mejheirkouni Ammar
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to understand the impact of gender in the sport business by investigating gender differences in entrepreneurial leadership and cultural values using quantitative methods.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 241 surveys were completed by sport business owners in 4 countries in the Middle East.

Findings

The results revealed that gender differences and similarities are not only widely affected by national cultural values but also the effects of national cultural values vary between countries in the Middle East, despite these countries being similar in terms of habits, traditions, history, language and institutional systems. Additionally, it was found that entrepreneurial leadership is a role, task or responsibility that is related to both men and women in the sport business in the Middle East.

Research limitations/implications

Theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed, together with limitations and suggestions for future research.

Originality/value

This is the only study in the field of entrepreneurial leadership that examined the concept of entrepreneurial leadership in Middle East sport businesses.
Servant leadership and academics outcomes in higher education: the role of job satisfaction
Authors: Aboramadan Mohammed , Dahleez Khalid , Hamad Mohammed H.
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of servant leadership on work engagement and affective commitment among academics in higher education. Moreover, the paper highlights the role of job satisfaction as an intervening mechanism among the examined variables.

Design/methodology/approach

Self-administered questionnaires were distributed to academics working in the Palestinian higher education sector. We used structural equation modelling to examine the hypotheses.

Findings

A positive relationship was found between servant leadership and affective commitment. The relationship between servant leadership and work engagement is fully mediated by job satisfaction, whereas partial mediation was found between servant leadership and affective commitment. Both work engagement and affective commitment have a positive impact on academics’ job performance.

Practical implications

The paper provides a fertile ground for higher education managers concerning the role of leadership in stimulating work engagement and organisational commitment among academics.

Originality/value

First, the paper is one of the few studies that empirically examines servant leadership in higher education using data coming from a non-Western context because most of the servant leadership research is conducted in the Western part of the world (Parris and Peachey, 2013). Second, we empirically provide evidence for the argument that servant leadership is needed in higher education. Third, the paper contributes to the limited body of research on work engagement and commitment in the higher education sector.
Gender equality and parenting-related leaves in 21 former socialist countries
Authors: Dobrotić Ivana , Stropnik Nada
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This article explores the patterns and dynamics of parenting-related leave policy reforms in the European former socialist countries (EFSCs). It sheds light on the development pattern of their leave policies and their potential to reproduce, impede, or transform traditional gender norms in employment and care.

Design/methodology/approach

The article provides a historical comparative analysis of leave policy developments in 21 EFSCs in the 1970–2018 period. It systematically explores continuity and changes in leave policy design − generosity (leave duration and benefits level) and fathers' entitlements to leaves − as well as policy concerns and gender-equality-related implications.

Findings

Following the state-socialist commitment to gender equality, the EFSCs introduced childcare/parental leaves early. Nevertheless, they developed mother-centered leaves of equality-impeding character, in that they did not promote gender equality. The divergence of EFSCs' leave policies intensified in the period of transition from socialism to capitalism, as competing priorities and inter-related policy concerns – such as re-traditionalization, fertility incentives, gender equality, and labor market participation – influenced policy design. Leave policies of the EFSCs that joined the EU gradually transformed towards more gender-equal ones. Nonetheless, the progress has been slow, and only three countries can be classified as having equality-transforming leaves (Slovenia, Lithuania, and Romania).

Originality/value

This article extends existent comparative studies on maternity/paternity/parental leaves, exploring the region that has been overlooked by such research. It provides valuable insights into the implications of intersectional dimensions of leave design as well as competing priorities and concerns embedded in it. It points to the methodological complexity of evaluating the development of parental leave policies in a cross-country perspective.
Proposal of a guide for talent evaluation and management based on a qualitative and three-staged approach
Authors: Mohammed Atheer Abdullah , Baig Abdul Hafeez , Gururajan Raj
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The key objective of the study is to understand the best processes that are currently used in managing talent in Australian higher education (AHE) and design a quantitative measurement of talent management processes (TMPs) for the higher education (HE) sector.

Design/methodology/approach

The three qualitative multi-method studies that are commonly used in empirical studies, namely, brainstorming, focus group discussions and semi-structured individual interviews were considered. Twenty-three individuals from six Australian universities participated in this study.

Findings

The qualitative study explored three key themes and ten subthemes of TMPs that are used in AHE. These were: (1) talent attraction, (2) talent development and (3) talent retention.

Research limitations/implications

This study only targeted one country (Australia) and one sector (HE).

Practical implications

This study offers three major contributions as follows: theoretical, practical and policy aspects. Theoretically, the study provides a value-add to Talent Management (TM) theory through designing a guide (conceptual model) of TMPs for the HE sector. Practically, it collects original qualitative data regarding TM in the HE domain. From a policy point of view, this study adds more debate around adding new ideas to Australian education strategic plans for HE.

Originality/value

This study has a unique methodology because of strengthening the effect of an in-depth case study. For instance, two different techniques were used for data analysis for the same research objective as follows: (1) both manual methods and content analysis software (NVivo 11) and (2) the three-stage approach. Using these techniques for the same purpose in one study can provide greater flexibility to examine the relationship between theory and data.
Female labor participation in Iran: a structural model estimation
Authors: Farahzadi Shadi , Rahmati Mohammad
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to determine why female labor force participation in Iran has been less than 20 percent.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors estimate a structural dynamic matching model of female participation using individual panel data in Iran. The study incorporates many factors such as wage, child cost, education, spouse employment and job market search parameters.

Findings

The study finds that gender discrimination in job finding has the biggest effect in reducing the rate of women's participation. If all market differences disappear, the female participation rate will increase by 12 percentage points to almost 27 percent, which is still much lower than that of developed countries with the average of 60 percent.

Originality/value

This study provides the first structural search model using a developing country's microdata to study female labor participation.
The influences of board of directors and management in Shariah governance guidelines of the Islamic banks in Bangladesh
Authors: Alam Md. Kausar , Miah Muhammad Shahin , Siddiquii Md. Naim , Hossain Mohammad Imtiaz
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of board of directors (BODs) and management in the decision-making of Shariah supervisory board (SSB) and implementation of their decisions.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper implements qualitative case research to explore the influences of BODs and management in the context of Bangladesh. To accomplish the research objective, we collected data from the 17 respondents from the regulators, Shariah supervisory boards, Shariah department executives and Shariah experts from the central bank and Islamic banks of Bangladesh.

Findings

This study found that management of Islamic banks indirectly influences the practices and functions of SSB, their decision-making and other activities. However, from either ethical or moral ground, management cannot influence SSB; management does not have legitimate power to control over their activities. Sometimes the BODs and management use the SSB and Shariah executives as a showcase and rubber stamp to accomplish their goals and to maximize profit in either partially or fully. Management assumes that Shariah officers are accomplishing and minimizing their income and hindering business functions without any contributions.

Research limitations/implications

The study significantly contributed to the national and global regulatory bodies by providing suggestions that regulatory bodies should be more concerned with the independence of SSB and Shariah executive officers. Besides, the BODs and management should be careful in handling Shariah issues as they were committed to do Islamic banking as per Shariah law. The study has theoretical contributions regarding the stakeholder and legitimacy theories.

Originality/value

This is the first research which extends the literature of the Islamic banking and Shariah governance mechanisms in perspective of Bangladesh concerning the influence of BODs and management in the decision-making of SSB and implementation of their decisions.
Direct and configurational paths of knowledge-oriented leadership, entrepreneurial orientation, and knowledge management processes to project success
Authors: Latif Khawaja Fawad , Afzal Omar , Saqib Adeel , Sahibzada Umar Farooq , Alam Waqar
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Drawing on the knowledge-based view, the study aims to investigate the impact of knowledge management enablers (entrepreneurial orientation and knowledge-oriented leadership) on knowledge management processes and project success. The study further ascertains the specific combinations of knowledge management enablers and knowledge management processes that can lead to project success.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey data were collected from 222 project workers in information technology projects, and the proposed relationships were assessed through partial least squares structural equation modeling while configuration paths were assessed using fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis.

Findings

The study found a significant impact of entrepreneurial orientation and knowledge-oriented leadership on knowledge management processes and project success. The analysis also revealed that knowledge management processes did not significantly impact project success. Moreover, the insights from fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis show a clear pattern of equifinality, in that there are multiple combinations of knowledge management enablers and knowledge management processes that can lead to a successful project.

Originality/value

The current study is one of the earlier studies to provide insights to knowledge-based view by demonstrating the inter-relationship of entrepreneurial orientation and knowledge-oriented leadership with knowledge management processes and project success. To the best of authors' knowledge, this is the first study to assess the impact of knowledge-oriented leadership on project success. With limited studies on impact of entrepreneurial orientation and knowledge-oriented leadership on knowledge management processes, the study enriches the literature on linkage of entrepreneurial orientation and knowledge-oriented leadership with knowledge management processes. Methodological contributions include use of fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis to reveal multiple pathways to project success.
Realizing the strategic impact of business intelligence utilization
Authors: Lim Yu Yin , Teoh Ai Ping
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This paper posits that business intelligence (BI) utilization is a strategic resource that significantly impacts the business sustainability of Public Listed Companies (PLCs) listed on Bursa Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents a systematic review of the concepts related to business intelligence utilization. Then, the issues of PLCs business sustainability in Malaysia are reviewed. This paper subsequently argues the consequences of business intelligence utilization.

Findings

Based on the synthesis of the key points, this paper justifies the strategic impact of business intelligence utilization on the business sustainability of Malaysian PLCs.

Practical implications

This paper provides significant knowledge for business practitioners to gain insights into the critical role of business intelligence utilization and its strategic impact on business sustainability.

Originality/value

This paper dissects the strategic impact of business intelligence utilization from the perspectives of enhancing economic performance, environmental performance, and social performance.
Landscape context mediates the physiological stress response of birds to farmland diversification
Authors: Latimer Christopher E. , Smith Olivia M. , Taylor Joseph M. , Edworthy Amanda B. , Owen Jeb P. , Snyder William E. , Kennedy Christina M.
Published: March 2020

Farmland diversification practices are increasingly adopted to help reverse biodiversity declines in agroecosystems. However, evidence for the effectiveness of this approach often comes from documenting the species attracted to particular farming systems or landscapes, rather than their underlying physiological states that ultimately determine population growth or decline over the longer term.

Across 38 organic, mixed‐produce farms spanning the US west coast, we quantified three physiological biomarkers that are widely used to capture variation in short‐ and long‐term stress responses for nine bird species with diverse life‐history traits. While controlling for other potentially confounding variables, we used multilevel models to examine the association between bird physiological conditions, landscape context and local farm management practices, including the integration of livestock, and cropland composition and configuration.

Birds generally had lower stress responses on more‐locally diverse farms and in landscapes with higher amounts of semi‐natural cover. However, interactions between farm diversity and landscape context suggested birds were less stressed on more diverse farms in simpler landscapes, but more stressed and in poorer condition on more diverse farms embedded within complex landscapes.

We found no differences in stress responses among birds in relation to their degree of human association (synanthropy), which suggests generality in our findings.

Synthesis and applications. Birds were often less stressed on more diverse farms. However, these patterns were mediated by landscape context: birds were less stressed on more diverse farms in simplified landscapes, but more stressed on more diverse farms within complex landscapes. This means land managers might not see uniform effects of local diversification schemes across different landscape contexts. Our results underscore the need to consider responses related to physiological health status, in addition to species richness and abundance, to determine the effectiveness of farm management for biodiversity conservation.
Monazite transformation into Ce‐ and La‐containing oxalates by Aspergillus niger
Authors: Kang Xia , Csetenyi Laszlo , Gadd Geoffrey Michael
Published: March 2020

Monazite is a naturally occurring lanthanide (Ln) phosphate mineral [Ln
x(PO4)
y] and is the main industrial source of the rare earth elements (REE), cerium and lanthanum. Endeavours to ensure the security of supply of elements critical to modern technologies view bioprocessing as a promising alternative or adjunct to new methods of element recovery. However, relatively little is known about microbial interactions with REE. Fungi are important geoactive agents in the terrestrial environment and well known for properties of mineral transformations, particularly phosphate solubilization. Accordingly, this research examined the capability of a ubiquitous geoactive soil fungus, Aspergillus niger, to affect the mobility of REE in monazite and identify possible mechanisms for biorecovery. It was found that A. niger could grow in the presence of monazite and mediated the formation of secondary Ce and La‐containing biominerals with distinct morphologies including thin sheets, orthorhombic tablets, acicular needles, and rosette aggregates which were identified as cerium oxalate decahydrate (Ce2(C2O4)3·10H2O) and lanthanum oxalate decahydrate (La2(C2O4)3·10H2O). In order to identify a means for biorecovery of REE via oxalate precipitation the bioleaching and bioprecipitation potential of biomass‐free spent culture supernatants was investigated. Although such indirect bioleaching of REE was low from the monazite with maximal lanthanide release reaching >40 mg L−1, leached REE were efficiently precipitated as Ce and La oxalates of high purity, and did not contain Nd, Pr and Ba, present in the original monazite. Geochemical modelling of the speciation of oxalates and phosphates in the reaction system confirmed that pure Ln oxalates can be formed under a wide range of chemical conditions. These findings provide fundamental knowledge about the interactions with and biotransformation of REE present in a natural mineral resource and indicate the potential of oxalate bioprecipitation as a means for efficient biorecovery of REE from solution.
Population structure and adaptation of a bacterial pathogen in California grapevines
Authors: Vanhove Mathieu , Sicard Anne , Ezennia Jeffery , Leviten Nina , Almeida Rodrigo P.P.
Published: March 2020

Xylella fastidiosa subsp. fastidiosa causes Pierce's disease of grapevine (PD) and has been present in California for over a century. A singly introduced genotype spread across the state causing large outbreaks and damaging the grapevine industry. This study presents 122 X. fastidiosa subsp. fastidiosa genomes from symptomatic grapevines, and explores pathogen genetic diversity associated with PD in California. A total of 5218 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were found in the dataset. Strong population genetic structure was found; isolates split into five genetic clusters divided into two lineages. The core/soft‐core genome constituted 41.2% of the total genome, emphasizing the high genetic variability of X. fastidiosa genomes. An ecological niche model was performed to estimate the environmental niche of the pathogen within California and to identify key climatic factors involved in dispersal. A landscape genomic approach was undertaken aiming to link local adaptation to climatic factors. A total of 18 non‐synonymous polymorphisms found to be under selective pressures were correlated with at least one environmental variable highlighting the role of temperature, precipitation and elevation on X. fastidiosa adaptation to grapevines in California. Finally, the contribution to virulence of three of the genes under positive selective pressure and of one recombinant gene was studied by reverse genetics.
Genome repository of oil systems: An interactive and searchable database that expands the catalogued diversity of crude oil‐associated microbes
Authors: Karthikeyan Smruthi , Rodriguez‐R Luis M. , Heritier‐Robbins Patrick , Hatt Janet K. , Huettel Markus , Kostka Joel E. , Konstantinidis Konstantinos T.
Published: March 2020

Microbial communities ultimately control the fate of petroleum hydrocarbons (PHCs) that enter the natural environment, but the interactions of microbes with PHCs and the environment are highly complex and poorly understood. Genome‐resolved metagenomics can help unravel these complex interactions. However, the lack of a comprehensive database that integrates existing genomic/metagenomic data from oil environments with physicochemical parameters known to regulate the fate of PHCs currently limits data analysis and interpretations. Here, we curated a comprehensive, searchable database that documents microbial populations in natural oil ecosystems and oil spills, along with available underlying physicochemical data, geocoded via geographic information system to reveal their geographic distribution patterns. Analysis of the ~2000 metagenome‐assembled genomes (MAGs) available in the database revealed strong ecological niche specialization within habitats. Over 95% of the recovered MAGs represented novel taxa underscoring the limited representation of cultured organisms from oil‐contaminated and oil reservoir ecosystems. The majority of MAGs linked to oil‐contaminated ecosystems were detectable in non‐oiled samples from the Gulf of Mexico but not in comparable samples from elsewhere, indicating that the Gulf is primed for oil biodegradation. The repository should facilitate future work toward a predictive understanding of the microbial taxa and their activities that control the fate of oil spills.
Doing good: autonomy in the margins of welfare
Authors: Lydahl Doris , Hansen Löfstrand Cecilia
Published: March 2020

The welfare systems in the global North has seen changes in professional care delivery systems in the margins of welfare, from care in large treatment institutions, to community care and, more recently, to care taking place in home spaces. Care and support are increasingly provided in the home of the service user through floating support and home visits. Drawing on empirical ethics, we aim to inquire into modes of doing good care during professional workers’ home visits by building on observations of service interactions taking place during these home visits in two different settings: that is, a mental healthcare unit performing home visits in the context of psychiatric care and a special‐housing unit performing home visits in the context of homelessness services. We also build on interviews as retrospective reflections on service interactions. Drawing on these empirical materials, we ask what is considered as doing good in the margins of welfare and identify three ideal patterns: the relationality of care, the situatedness of care and the subject of care. Furthermore, these ideal patterns are connected to two different ideals of good care and conceptions of autonomy in care relations.
Can mobile phones improve nutrition among pastoral communities? Panel data evidence from Northern Kenya
Authors: Parlasca Martin C. , Mußhoff Oliver , Qaim Matin
Published: March 2020

The digital revolution and the ongoing dissemination of mobile phones carry several prospects for smallholder farmers in sub‐Saharan Africa. Food insecurity and low dietary quality remain major issues among African smallholders. Mobile phones could potentially facilitate access to food markets and thus improve food security and nutrition, but research on such types of effects remains scarce. In this study, we analyze whether mobile phones improve dietary quality among pastoral communities in Northern Kenya. We use six rounds of household panel data covering the period between 2009 and 2015. During this period, mobile phone ownership in the sample increased from less than 30% to more than 70%. Regression models with household fixed effects allow robust estimation while reducing potential issues of unobserved heterogeneity. The estimates show that mobile phone adoption and use are positively and significantly associated with dietary diversity. The effects are particularly large for frequent mobile phone users. We also examine the underlying mechanisms. Mobile phone use improves dietary diversity mainly through better access to purchased foods. These results encourage the promotion of mobile phone technologies as a valuable tool for nutritional improvements, especially in remote rural settings with poor access to food markets.
Genetic structure of the ethnic Lao groups from mainland Southeast Asia revealed by forensic microsatellites
Authors: Srithawong Suparat , Muisuk Kanha , Srikummool Metawee , Mahasirikul Narongdet , Triyarach Saksuriya , Sriprasert Kamnikone , Kutanan Wibhu
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Laotians and Lao Isan are widely spread Lao groups who live in Laos and northeastern Thailand, respectively. We explored the genetic structure between them and other ethnic groups from Thailand to clarify historical patterns of admixture between Tai‐Kadai and Austroasiatic speakers, and to expand the forensic reference database for the region.

Subjects and Methods

We combined new genetic data for 554 individuals from 12 populations, typed for 15 autosomal short tandem repeats, with available data from 14 populations from Thailand, for a total of 1,153 raw genotypes belonging to 26 populations. We calculated forensic parameters and performed various analyses on genetic diversity, genetic structure, genetic admixture, and genetic relationships among the studied populations.

Results

Forensic estimators suggest a good power of discrimination with the combined power of exclusion ranging from 0.993628 to 0.999991 and a combined power of discrimination value greater than 0.99999999. Generally, the two Laotian groups were genetically similar, but the central Laotians from Vientiane have a closer genetic relationship to the Lao Isan than the northern Laotians from Luang Prabang. The Lao genetic ancestry forms the majority of the Lao Isan genetic makeup, while Austroasiatic ancestry is present at ∼10%–50%.

Conclusions

Lao Isan populations show signs of Lao ancestry and admixture with local Austroasiatic ancestry, which reflect historical migrations from Laos to Thailand. Lao speakers are genetically more homogeneous than Austroasiatic speakers, suggesting differential historical processes.
Effect of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy on renal function in obese patients
Authors: Cao Feng , Cao Pengwei , Liu Yanwei , Wang Song , He Yan , Xu Yanyan , Wang Yong
Published: March 2020

Background

To investigate the clinical efficacy and mechanism of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) in improving renal function in obese patients.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the anthropometric indices (waist circumference, hip circumference and body mass index (BMI)), renal function indices (serum creatinine, urea and urinary albumin:creatinine ratio (UACR)), serum inflammatory indices (C‐reactive protein, interleukin‐6 and tumour necrosis factor‐α) and an adipose factor (leptin) in 50 patients with obesity (BMI ≥32.5 kg/m2) who underwent LSG in our hospital from January 2018 to January 2019.

Results

Patients constituted 23 men and 27 women, with an average age of 32.5 ± 8.7 years and BMI of 43.99 ± 8.29 kg/m2. Body weight and BMI 1 month post‐operatively were significantly lower than preoperatively (P < 0.05), and the renal function indices serum creatinine, urea and UACR, improved significantly 3 months post‐operatively (P < 0.05). C‐reactive protein, interleukin‐6 and tumour necrosis factor‐α levels improved significantly 3 months post‐operatively (P < 0.05), while leptin levels decreased significantly 1 month post‐operatively (P < 0.05). Six months post‐operatively, the remission rates for type 2 diabetes mellitus, sleep apnoea syndrome and hypertension were 83.8%, 92.9% and 88.6%, respectively.

Conclusions

LSG led to body weight loss and significantly improved serum creatinine, urea and UACR values in patients with obesity, which may be related to changes in adipocytokines and inflammatory factors, post‐operatively. LSG is expected to become a new treatment to prevent or treat renal insufficiency caused by obesity.
Parapapillary choroidal microvasculature dropout in nonglaucomatous healthy eyes
Authors: Kim Gyu‐Nam , Lee Eun Ji , Kim Tae‐Woo
Published: March 2020

Purpose

To determine the incidence of parapapillary choroidal microvasculature dropout (MvD) in nonglaucomatous healthy eyes using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and to characterize the MvD observed in these eyes.

Methods

Seventy‐six eyes (19 eyes with an MvD and 57 age‐matched eyes without an MvD) from a cohort of 297 nonglaucomatous healthy eyes that underwent OCTA were included. The peripapillary choroidal microvasculature was evaluated in en‐face images obtained using swept‐source OCTA. An MvD was defined as a focal sectoral capillary dropout with no visible microvascular network identified in the en‐face images of the choroidal layer. The incidence of MvD and clinical characteristics associated with the presence of an MvD was determined.

Results

MvD was found in 19 of the 297 nonglaucomatous healthy eyes (6.4%). Compared with age‐matched eyes without an MvD, eyes with an MvD had lower systolic blood pressure (p = 0.021), diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.048), mean arterial pressure (p = 0.025) and mean ocular perfusion pressure (p = 0.032). Logistic regression analyses showed that cold extremities (p = 0.046), lower mean arterial pressure (p = 0.021) and lower mean ocular perfusion pressure (p = 0.023) were associated with the presence of an MvD.

Conclusions

Parapapillary choroidal MvD can be present in nonglaucomatous healthy eyes. The presence of an MvD is associated with systemic vascular dysregulation.
Eating head first—When European Ice Age spotted hyenas crushed their own to pieces
Authors: Diedrich Cajus G.
Published: March 2020

Extinct European Late Pleistocene (MIS 3‐5d) Crocuta crocuta spelaea and late Middle Pleistocene (MIS 11‐6) C. c. praespelaea and extant African spotted hyenas C. c. crocuta were/are alive and post‐mortem cannibals. 38 fossil crania and some braincases, as well as 3.097, studied Pleistocene Ice Age spotted bones from 81 European Pleistocene den sites expose many bite damages. Cranial damages correlate with the newest films about modern African spotted hyenas which cut and decompose the head first of their antagonistic female same clan leader or other clans. The skulls and jaws have repeatedly similar bite damages, whereas, at birth/natal dens, their cranial remain abundance is highest. At communal dens, Pleistocene spotted hyena carcasses were similarly decomposed—first head off antagonistic clan leading females, and further similar strategy decomposing of the legs. Large postcranial C. c. spelaea bones have three identical bone destruction stages. These damage stages are similar to those found at hyena guilt including competing carnivores such as cave bears, steppe lions, but also herbivores like horses, and even a few smaller‐sized Neanderthal long bones.
What risks should be permissible in controlled human infection model studies?
Authors: Binik Ariella
Published: March 2020

Controlled human infection model (CHIM) studies involve the intentional exposure of healthy research volunteers to infectious agents. These studies contribute to knowledge about the cause or development of disease and to the advancement of vaccine research. But they also raise ethical questions about the kinds of risks that should be permissible and whether limits should be imposed on research risks in CHIM studies. Two possible risk thresholds have been considered for CHIM studies. The first suggests constraining ethically permissible risks according to a minimal risk threshold and the second endorses a higher risk threshold that excludes irreversible or fatal infections. I argue that neither of these thresholds is persuasive and situate questions about risk thresholds in CHIM studies within a broader debate about permissible risks in research. I argue that risks in CHIM studies should be constrained according to limits on research risks that do not offer corresponding benefits in all studies rather than developing a unique risk threshold for CHIM studies. I then propose five recommendations for the ethical assessment of risk in CHIM studies.
Apolipoprotein E promotes white matter remodeling via the Dab1‐dependent pathway after traumatic brain injury
Authors: Huang Zhi‐Jian , Cao Fang , Wu Yue , Peng Jian‐Hua , Zhong Jian‐Jun , Jiang Yong , Yin Cheng , Guo Zong‐Duo , Sun Xiao‐Chuan , Jiang Li , Cheng Chong‐Jie
Published: March 2020

Introduction

Axonal injury results in long‐term neurological deficits in traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients. Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) has been reported to activate intracellular adaptor protein Disabled‐1 (Dab1) phosphorylation via its interaction with ApoE receptors. The Dab1 pathway acts as a regulator of axonal outgrowth and growth cone formation in the brain.

Aims

We hypothesized that ApoE may alleviate axonal injury and regulate axonal regeneration via the Dab1 pathway after TBI.

Results

In this study, we established a model of controlled cortical impact (CCI) to mimic TBI in vivo. Using diffusion tensor imaging to detect white matter integrity, we demonstrated that APOE‐deficient mice exhibited lower fractional anisotropy (FA) values than APOE+/+ mice at 28 days after injury. The expression levels of axonal regeneration and synapse plasticity biomarkers, including growth‐associated protein 43 (GAP43), postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD‐95), and synaptophysin, were also lower in APOE‐deficient mice. In contrast, APOE deficiency exerted no effects on the levels of myelin basic protein (MBP) expression, oligodendrocyte number, or oligodendrocyte precursor cell number. Neurological severity score (NSS) and behavioral measurements in the rotarod, Morris water maze, and Y maze tests revealed that APOE deficiency caused worse neurological deficits in CCI mice. Furthermore, Dab1 activation downregulation by the ApoE receptor inhibitor receptor‐associated protein (RAP) or Dab1 shRNA lentivirus attenuated the beneficial effects of ApoE on FA values, GAP43, PSD‐95, and synaptophysin expression, and neurological function tests. Additionally, the effects of ApoE on axonal regeneration were further validated in vitro. In a mechanical scratch injury model of primary cultured neurons, recombinant ApoE protein treatment enhanced axonal outgrowth and growth cone formation in injured neurons; however, these effects were attenuated by Dab1 shRNA, consistent with the in vivo results.

Conclusion

Collectively, these data suggest that ApoE promotes axonal regeneration partially through the Dab1 pathway, thereby contributing to functional recovery following TBI.
Carfilzomib‐induced hemolysis is noticeably common but rarely shows features of thrombotic microangiopathy: A retrospective study
Authors: Kozlowski Piotr , Kameran Behnam Klodia , Uggla Bertil , Åström Maria
Published: March 2020

Objective

Hemolysis is a sporadically reported but potentially serious side effect of the proteasome inhibitor carfilzomib. We aimed to investigate the frequency of hemolysis in an unselected cohort.

Methods

We performed a retrospective, single‐center study of the incidence of hemolysis in patients treated with carfilzomib, based mainly on consecutive haptoglobin levels. The patients were diagnosed with myeloma (n = 20), AL amyloidosis (n = 3), and light‐chain deposition disease (n = 1). Carfilzomib treatment was applied after a median of 3 (range: 1‐7) therapy lines.

Results

Haptoglobin levels were normal/increased before, generally suppressed during, and normalized after treatment with carfilzomib. Very low haptoglobin (<0.1 g/L) implying the presence of hemolysis was observed in 16 of 24 (67%) patients during carfilzomib therapy. Hemolysis was mild in 11 of 16 (69%) affected patients, whereas 5 of 16 (31%) required transfusion. Severe hemolysis was explained by thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) in one patient who died of the complication. Mechanisms were unclear in the remaining 15 patients.

Conclusions

Hemolysis was surprisingly common but mostly mild during carfilzomib treatment. However, the possibility of TMA should be kept in mind in this setting. Hypothetically, non‐TMA hemolysis could be attributed to the accumulation of globin chains due to the suppression of eukaryotic translation initiation inhibition by carfilzomib.
Career outcome of Thoroughbred racehorses with metacarpo/metatarsophalangeal joint dorsal chip fracture managed nonsurgically and surgically: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Ramzan Pieter H. L. , Wylie Claire E.
Published: March 2020

Background

Arthroscopy has been advocated as the treatment of choice for dorsal osteochondral chip fracture of the metacarpo/metatarsophalangeal (MCP/MTP) joint. However, there is no published research on racing performance outcomes of horses with this pathology managed nonsurgically.

Objectives

To compare racing career outcomes of Thoroughbred racehorses with nonsurgically (non‐SX) or surgically (SX) managed MCP/MTP dorsal osteochondral chip fracture alongside a cohort of horses with no dorsal osteochondral chip fracture (unexposed).

Study design

Retrospective cohort study conducted between 2006 and 2014.

Methods

Radiographs of Thoroughbred racehorses were reviewed to identify MCP/MTP dorsal osteochondral chip fractures. Unexposed horses under the care of the same practice were recruited randomly from training records. Racing outcomes were analysed using survival analysis and logistic, linear and negative binomial regression techniques.

Results

Dorsal osteochondral chip fractures were identified in 98 (70 non‐SX, 28 SX) horses and compared with 648 unexposed horses. There was no significant difference among non‐SX, SX, and unexposed horses in respect of total career starts, or likelihood of ever winning, placing, or earning money in a race (P > .05). SX horses had a significantly higher rate of wins/start than non‐SX horses (rate ratio 1.6, CI 1.1‐2.4, P = .02) and unexposed horses (rate ratio 1.9, CI 1.3‐2.8, P = .001). Total career earnings for the SX horses were 4.1 times that of the unexposed horses (95% CI 1.2‐14.5, P = .03), although total career earnings did not differ significantly between non‐SX and unexposed horses (P = .8).

Main limitations

Retrospective observational study where management technique was not randomised or blinded. Small number of surgically managed horses and potential selection bias for surgical management.

Conclusions

Nonsurgical management of this injury appears to be a valid management choice given that it was not associated with significant effects on racing career performance relative to a large unexposed cohort in this study population.
Increasing sample efficiency in deep reinforcement learning using generative environment modelling
Authors: Andersen Per‐Arne , Goodwin Morten , Granmo Ole‐Christoffer
Published: March 2020

Reinforcement learning is a broad scheme of learning algorithms that, in recent times, has shown astonishing performance in controlling agents in environments presented as Markov decision processes. There are several unsolved problems in current state‐of‐the‐art that causes algorithms to learn suboptimal policies, or even diverge and collapse completely. Parts of the solution to address these issues may be related to short‐ and long‐term planning, memory management and exploration for reinforcement learning algorithms. Games are frequently used to benchmark reinforcement learning algorithms as they provide a flexible, reproducible and easy to control environments. Regardless, few games feature the ability to perceive how the algorithm performs exploration, memorization and planning. This article presents The Dreaming Variational Autoencoder with Stochastic Weight Averaging and Generative Adversarial Networks (DVAE‐SWAGAN), a neural network‐based generative modelling architecture for exploration in environments with sparse feedback. We present deep maze, a novel and flexible maze game‐engine that challenges DVAE‐SWAGAN in partial and fully observable state‐spaces, long‐horizon tasks and deterministic and stochastic problems. We show results between different variants of the algorithm and encourage future study in reinforcement learning driven by generative exploration.
An objective and interactive‐information‐based feedback mechanism for the consensus‐reaching process considering a non‐support degree for minority opinions
Authors: Nie Ru‐xin , Tian Zhang‐peng , Wang Jian‐qiang , Luo Han‐yang
Published: March 2020

The consensus‐reaching process (CRP) to achieve higher unanimity and ensure common agreement before deriving a final decision has become an important procedure in group decision‐making problems. The demand for high‐quality decision results has motivated the development of large‐scale group decision‐making (LGDM). In such cases, the issue of minority opinion has gained awareness due to the related effects on enhancing consensus and decision quality. A minority opinion cannot exert an effect unless the majority attach importance to whether that opinion is supported or not. To reflect the effect of minority opinions on consensus, this paper establishes a LGDM framework with an objective and interactive‐information‐based feedback mechanism for the CRP. Given the natural forms of human expression, multi‐granular linguistic information and a 2‐tuple linguistic model are used. First, initial weights are objectively assigned to decision‐makers (DMs) to weaken the impact of the majority. Subsequently, a non‐support degree function is newly defined to reflect the extent to which other DMs dissent from a minority opinion. More importantly, feedback rules are constructed to make corresponding adjustments to the powers of discourse among all DMs in the attempt to reach consensus. Finally, the proposed three‐phase LGDM framework is applied to new product development (NPD), and simulation experiments are conducted based on two algorithms to verify the framework's applicability and feasibility.
Effect of carbon fibres on the static and fatigue mechanical properties of fibre metal laminates
Authors: Naito Kimiyoshi , Shirasu Keiichi , Tanaka Yoshihisa
Published: March 2020

It is crucial to understand the characteristic fatigue crack initiation and its growth mechanisms, as well as the relationship between the mechanical properties and the fatigue damage evolution in fibre metal laminates (FMLs). Two types of FML were studied in this work: a polyacrylonitrile‐based carbon fibre epoxy matrix composite sandwiched by Ti‐6Al‐4V (Ti‐alloy) sheets (IMS60‐Ti) and a pitch‐based carbon fibre epoxy matrix composite sandwiched by Ti‐alloy sheets (K13D‐Ti). The static and fatigue mechanical properties of IMS60‐Ti and K13D‐Ti were investigated. The increased failure strain of the FML was greater than that of carbon fibre‐reinforced polymer (CFRP) matrix composites. The fatigue life of IMS60‐Ti was much longer than that of K13D‐Ti. The fatigue damage process in IMS60‐Ti was related to the fatigue creep behaviour of the Ti‐alloy face sheet and mode II cracking at the CFRP/Ti‐alloy interface, and the damage in K13D‐Ti was related to the K13D CFRP laminate.