bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Co-ordinated regulation of cell survival and cell cycle pathways by DDR2-dependent SRF transcription factor in cardiac fibroblasts
Authors: Titus Allen Sam , Harikrishnan V , Kailasam Shivakumar
Published: November 2019

Relative resistance to apoptosis and the ability to proliferate and produce a collagen-rich scar determine the critical role of cardiac fibroblasts in wound healing and tissue remodeling following myocardial injury. Identification of cardiac fibroblast-specific factors and mechanisms underlying these aspects of cardiac fibroblast function is therefore of considerable scientific and clinical interest. In the present study, gene knockdown and over-expression approaches, and promoter binding assays, showed that DDR2, a mesenchymal cell-specific collagen receptor tyrosine kinase localized predominantly in fibroblasts in the heart, acts via ERK1/2 MAPK-activated SRF transcription factor to enhance the expression of anti-apoptotic cIAP2 in cardiac fibroblasts, conferring resistance against oxidative injury.

Further, DDR2 was found to act via ERK1/2 MAPK-activated SRF to transcriptionally up regulate Skp2 that in turn facilitated post-translational degradation of p27, the cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor that causes cell cycle arrest, to promote G1-S transition, as evidenced by Rb phosphorylation, increased PCNA levels and flow cytometry. DDR2-dependent ERK1/2 MAPK activation also suppressed FoxO3a-mediated transcriptional induction of p27. Inhibition of the binding of collagen type I to DDR2 using WRG-28 indicated the obligate role of collagen type I in the activation of DDR2 and its regulatory role in cell survival and cell cycle protein expression. Notably, DDR2 levels positively correlated with SRF, cIAP2 and PCNA levels in cardiac fibroblasts from Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats. To conclude, DDR2-mediated ERK1/2MAPK activation facilitates coordinated regulation of cell survival and cell cycle progression in cardiac fibroblasts via SRF.

New & Noteworthy

Relative resistance to apoptosis and the ability to proliferate and produce a collagen-rich scar enable cardiac fibroblasts to play a central role in myocardial response to injury. This study reports novel findings that mitogen-stimulated cardiac fibroblasts exploit a common regulatory mechanism involving collagen receptor (DDR2)-dependent activation of ERK1/2 MAPK and SRF to achieve coordinated regulation of apoptosis resistance and cell cycle progression, which could facilitate their survival and function in the injured myocardium.
Hierarchical structure of the triclinic α-phase crystal in nylon 6,12 mediated by two-dimensional confinement
Authors: Lai Ziwei , Zhang Shuailin , Zheng Nan , Yu Shichen , Ageishi Masaki , Jinnai Hiroshi , Cao Yan
Published: November 2019

It has been recognized that macromolecular chains can self-assemble into a hierarchical structure from lamellae to spherulites in bulk crystallization. However, little account has been taken of crystal symmetry effects on the hierarchical nanostructure in polymers under cylindrical confinement. In this research, a model polymer, nylon 6,12, most commonly occurring in the triclinic α phase, was chosen in order to demonstrate the effect of triclinic symmetry on the 2D-constrained polymer nanostructure. The self-arranging unit of nylon 6,12 takes various forms, including stems, unit cells, hydrogen-bonded sheets, lamellae and complex spherulites, which is an essential structural feature for investigating hierarchical nanostructure. The rod nanostructure in confinement was examined by cross-checking electron and X-ray diffraction techniques. It is found that the a* axis of the α-phase cell is inclined at about ±6–11° to the rod long axis within the a*b* plane around the c axis (c axis ⊥ rod long axis). The rotation of the a*b* plane most likely results from the impact of the triclinic symmetry on the molecular chain packing under 2D confinement. A mechanism for this a*b* plane tilting is proposed.
Level of satisfaction and utilization of EBSCOhost among UPHSL students and faculty
Authors: Malabanan Elizabeth , Bayeng Arlyn
Published: November 2019

Purpose

Electronic resources are becoming an integral part of the academe. It has revolutionized the idea of research, making information more accessible. This study aims to determine the level of utilization and satisfaction on EBSCOhost database among UPHSL students and faculty members. It analyzes the effect of the respondents’ user type, gender and education to the usability and satisfaction of users to EBSCOhost.

Design/methodology/approach

The study, which used a survey questionnaire as a primary tool to gather data, had 300 respondents who willingly participated from the faculty and student body of the University of Perpetual Help System – Laguna.

Findings

Results revealed that majority of the respondents were found to be female, aging 20-25 with a college degree or taking their degree. The results of the study showed that the students and faculty members of UPHSL are moderately satisfied of the services of EBSCOhost and users are only moderately using it. In addition, the study revealed that the respondents have the same level of satisfaction and utilization of EBSCOhost regardless of their user type, age, gender and educational attainment. Furthermore, there is a significant relationship between the respondents’ level of satisfaction and level of utilization of EBSCOhost. The higher is the respondents’ level of satisfaction, the higher is their level of utilization of EBSCOhost.

Originality/value

Subscription to online databases is an integral part of the academic library. However, in developing countries, subscription can take a lot from the overall library budget. EBSCOhost, as one of the popular research databases, is among the plethora of databases that libraries subscribe to. This paper analyzes the level utilization and satisfaction of users to EBSCOhost. The analysis presented in this research can provide insight on the usability of among developing countries.
Mining archival genealogy databases to gain new insights into broader historical issues
Authors: Abildgren Kim
Published: November 2019

Purpose

Several genealogical databases are now publicly available on the Web. The information stored in such databases is not only of interest for genealogical research but might also be used in broader historical studies. As a case study, this paper aims to explore what a crowdsourced genealogical online database can tell about income inequality in Denmark during the First World War.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis is based on 55,000 family-level records on the payment of local income taxes in a major Danish provincial town (Esbjerg) from a publicly available database on the website of The Esbjerg City Archives combined with official statistics from Statistics Denmark.

Findings

Denmark saw a sharp increase in income inequality during the First World War. The analysis shows that the new riches during the First World War in a harbour city such as Esbjerg were not “goulash barons” or stock-market speculators but fishermen. There were no fishermen in the top 1per cent of the income distribution in 1913. In 1917, more than 37 per cent of the family heads in this part of the income distribution were fishermen.

Originality/value

The paper illustrates how large-scale microdata from publicly available genealogical Web databases might be used to gain new insights into broader historical issues.
Kovin Naidoo and the Brien Holden Institute: achieving the vision of profit and purpose
Authors: Krige Kerryn Ayanda Malindi , Hawarden Verity
Published: November 2019

Learning outcomes

Teaching objective 1: Students are able to identify and apply characteristics of a social entrepreneur, and social enterprise, as defined by Dees (2001). Teaching objective 2: Students are able to identify and apply the four tensions identified by Smith, Gonin and Besharov (2013) that manifest in social enterprises. Teaching objective 3: Students are able to apply Institutional Theory to social entrepreneurship. Students are able to explain legitimacy and the influence of context on the social enterprise. Teaching objective 4: Students through using the Change Canvas, are able to distinguish between profit and purpose characteristics of the organisation; and are able to make recommendations based on the process they have followed.

Case overview/synopsis

Kovin Naidoo is the CEO Of a multi-national social enterprise, Australia-based The Brien Holden Institute. The case explores Naidoo's journey as a social entrepreneur, and the partnership forged with Brien Holden as they built their multinational social enterprise. Naidoo is catapulted to the position of CEO after the sudden death of his friend, and is trying to balance the competing pressures of profit and purpose. The case introduces the foundational characteristics of social entrepreneurship, before exploring Institutional Theory and the Change Canvas as a tool for managing tensions between profit and purpose.

Complexity academic level

This case study is aimed at students of entrepreneurship, social entrepreneurship, corporate social investment, development studies, innovative health-care systems, sustainable livelihoods and asset-based development. It is written at an Honours / Masters level and is therefore also appropriate for use in customised or short programmes.

Supplementary Materials

Videos (including a TedX by Naidoo), Web materials and a book chapter are included in the supplementary materials list.

Subject code

CSS 3: Entrepreneurship.
The good thymes for a good time
Authors: Menhem Nayla , Youakim Liliane Elias , Khoury Aliaa
Published: November 2019

Learning outcomes

This case focuses on social entrepreneurship where social externalities lie behind a commercial activity. It aims to help students understand the ins and outs of social entrepreneurship concept and justify its application or not to “The Good Thymes”. It leads to an in-depth reflection in the strategic management field but within the framework of a social enterprise. It presents a good foundation to help students applying the strategic tools to this particular context. It aims to help master’s students in the business field to explain the concept of social entrepreneurship by drawing out its elements from the case study, identify and list the components of business development and management, design "The Good Thymes" business model and list its value chain and evaluate the future orientation of a company based on its characteristics.

Case overview/synopsis

Young, ambitious, in love with his native village "Kfarhouna", in Southern Lebanon, Fady Aziz, a branding specialist living in the capital Beirut, proposed in January 2016, in a friendly discussion, to the priest of the monastery of Saint-Georges to rent him an agricultural land. He aims to have a reason, at the end of the week, to go up in his village with his family. Skeptical to the idea, the priest accused him of "not understanding anything about agriculture" and challenged him to propose a valuable agricultural project likely to make him change his mind. M. Fady Aziz fought to meet this challenge which will allow him not only to reinvigorate his abandoned village but also to reconnect with his origins. He obtained the right to exploit a plot of land belonging to the Monastery of St. Georges. He had the idea of planting thyme and transformed his "hobby" into the outset of a long journey where his products crossed the borders, under a purely artisanal brand: "The Good Thymes". Today, M. Aziz is facing a new challenge: Would he be able to fulfill all these orders and remain faithful to the philosophy that led him to invest in his village without impairing the natural and artisanal aspect of his thyme?

Complexity academic level

Master in Business.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.

Subject code

CSS 11: Strategy.
The lipstick effect: turning around XT Beauty
Authors: Khvatova Tatiana , Thakur-Weigold Sarbani Bublu
Published: November 2019

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of this case study, students will have learned to identify and analyze pending organizational failure, based upon company data. They will have formulated a business strategy (either cost leadership, differentiation or focus), as well as propose process improvements to cope with changing macroeconomic factors, costs, supplier conditions, and especially talent management and retention. Students will practice the logical organization of information, articulating the key facts and assumptions underlying their solutions. They will practice communicating with a possibly hostile executive team, to whom they defend their proposal based on its merits.

Case overview/synopsis

This case recounts the recent history of the XT Beauty, a fictionalized but real company headquartered in Moscow, selling professional cosmetics, electrical instruments and equipment for beauty salons in St. Petersburg, and other cities in Russia. XT Beauty enjoyed successful growth until the onset of the 2014 economic crisis when consumer purchasing power plummeted. Students consider both the obstacles and opportunities presented by an emerging Russian market, customer behavior in a recession, managing sales talent, the leadership style of women, as well as key operational, and financial issues as the company react to a deepening economic crisis in an uncoordinated manner. The case is an introduction to the Russian business culture and operational environment. It focuses not only on challenges but also the opportunities in the anti-cyclical market for beauty products.

Complexity academic level

Master’s students in international business, human resources, operations and MBA candidates.

Supplementary materials

Teaching Notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.

Subject code

CSS 1: Accounting and Finance
Cash holdings, corporate performance and viability of Greek SMEs
Authors: Dimitropoulos Panagiotis , Koronios Konstantinos , Thrassou Alkis , Vrontis Demetris
Published: November 2019

Purpose

Several theories have been developed trying to explain the corporate decisions on cash holdings. Stakeholder theory is one of the arguments that urge firms with strong stakeholder relationships to hold more cash. The purpose of this paper is to shed further light on this issue by examining the impact of cash holdings on the financial performance and viability of Greek Small-Medium Enterprises before and after the Greek sovereign debt crisis.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors collected a large sample from Small-Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and a comparable sample from large firms operating in Greece during the period 2003–2016. Panel regression analysis was performed before and after the Greek debt crisis.

Findings

Results indicated that cash holdings contribute positively to the profitability and viability of firms validating the precautionary theory of cash holdings in Greece. Before the crisis, SMEs and large firms both benefited significantly by cash holdings but after the crisis that positive impact of cash is more evident and significant for SMEs.

Practical implications

These findings corroborate the hypotheses that during a period of limited lending (and severe financial turmoil); cash holdings (and effective cash management) could be a vital tool for sustaining SMEs’ viability and financial performance. This study offers useful managerial implications and contributes to the ongoing debate about the impact of cash holdings on corporate performance.

Originality/value

This is the first study in the Greek business setting trying to examine the impact of cash holdings on financial performance within stakeholder-oriented firms during a period of financial turmoil.
Effects of a changing climate on livelihoods of forest dependent communities
Authors: Saalu Faith Nyangute , Oriaso Silas , Gyampoh Benjamin
Published: November 2019

Purpose

Climate change and variability present different challenges to the livelihoods of forest-dependent communities. This paper aims to determine climate variability/change and its effects on the livelihoods of the Buyangu community, which depends on Kakamega tropical rain forest in Kenya.

Design/methodology/approach

Rainfall and temperature trends were analysed using Mann–Kendall tests and Sen’s slope estimator. The effects of climate variability on the community were determined using household survey questionnaires, focus group discussions and in-depth interviews with key stakeholders.

Findings

Temperature trend analyses represent statistically significant trends for the period of 1980-2015. Results reveal a warming trend for both mean annual maximum temperatures and mean annual minimum temperatures by 0.04°C/year and 0.02°C/year, respectively. Moreover, analysis of annual precipitation (1923-2015) indicated an increase of 0.068 mm/year; however, the mean monthly rainfall showed a decreasing trend. As a result, crop production and livestock rearing are negatively affected. Although there is a high level of awareness of climate variability and its related effects on livelihoods, a majority of the Buyangu community still do not understand the influence of climate change on forests and the provision of forest products. Lack of knowledge on this subject will consequently limit adaptation responses.

Originality/value

This research fulfills the need to study climate variability and its effects on the livelihoods of forest-dependent communities. The study calls for all-round stakeholder participation of local and national players in formulating coherent adaptation strategies that will enhance the resilience of forest-dependent communities to a changing climate.
Use of viscoelastic links for seismic pounding mitigation under random input
Authors: Ahmadi Taleshian Hamed , Mirzagoltabar Roshan Alireza , Vaseghi Amiri Javad
Published: November 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the effects of viscoelastic links between two adjacent buildings for pounding mitigation under white-noise seismic input.

Design/methodology/approach

A formulation is first extracted for the effective modal damping ratios of the system. Then, two single DOF linear buildings connected by viscoelastic links are considered with both classical and non-classical damping schemes. The inelastic behavior is also taken into account by using equivalent natural frequencies and damping ratios of the buildings. The effect of ground dominant frequency and damping on the displacement response is also investigated by using Kanai‒Tajimi filtered white noise as the random input.

Findings

The difference between classical and non-classical damping is shown to be less than 20 percent, implying the permission in using the simpler classical damping scheme. Finally, the problem is extended to two-storey buildings, where using viscoelastic links only at the top story level of the buildings is shown to be sufficient for controlling individual, as well as relative, motions of the structures.

Originality/value

Results demonstrate that the use of link with a moderate stiffness may reduce the stiffer building displacement up to approximately 20 percent in comparison to the free displacement, while the seismic pounding of the adjacent buildings is effectively controlled. Further, an upper limit of link stiffness is obtained for preventing the increase in the stiffer building displacement, which may be exceeded by the minimum link stiffness necessary for pounding prevention if small gap size exists.
The impact of leadership churn on quality management in Australian hospitals
Authors: Leggat Sandra , Balding Cathy
Published: November 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between frequent turnover (churn) of the chief executive officer (CEO), quality manager and members of the governing board with the management of quality in eight Australian hospitals.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed method three-year longitudinal study was conducted using validated quality system scales, quality indicators and focus groups involving over 800 board members, managers and clinical staff.

Findings

There were unexpected high levels of both governance and management churn over the three years. Churn among CEOs and quality managers was negatively associated with compliance in aspects of the quality system used to plan, monitor and improve quality of care. There was no relationship with the quality of care indicators. Staff identified lack of vision and changing priorities with high levels of churn, which they described as confusing and demotivating. There was no relationship with quality processes or quality indicators detected for churn among governing board members.

Practical implications

Governing boards must recognise the risks associated with management change and minimise these risks with robust clinical governance processes.

Originality/value

This research is the first that we are aware of that identifies the impact of frequent leadership turnover in the health sector on quality management.
Effects of data feedback in the teacher training community
Authors: Tas Tamar , Houtveen Thoni , Van de Grift Wim
Published: November 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to answer the question, what progress student teachers make during one academic year, while being trained in a professional learning community, using objective classroom observation, using lesson preparation templates that match their developmental stage and stage-focused mentor feedback.

Design/methodology/approach

The teaching skills of the student teachers (n=101) were measured at the start and at the end of the academic year. For the measurements, the standardized and psychometrically tested International Comparative Analysis of Learning and Teaching observation instrument is used.

Findings

The student teachers achieved a small growth on the basic teaching skills and a medium growth on two of the three advanced skills for teachers.

Research limitations/implications

Because of the lack of a control group, causal conclusions cannot be made. This research provides knowledge on the actual observed level of teaching skills of student teachers trained in a close collaborating professional learning community.

Originality/value

Little is known about the actual growth of observable teaching skills of student teachers in elementary education. Teacher training colleges and internship schools in the Netherlands are in search of better ways to collaborate more closely in order to improve the quality of teaching of their student teachers. These findings can inspire teacher training communities to improve their own teaching quality and the teaching quality of their student teachers.
Decision tools
Authors: Koseoglu Mehmet Ali , Tetteh Issaka Lawerh , King Brian
Published: November 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an extensive analysis of contributions to scholarly research on decision tools.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review was used to collect data from 47 articles published in peer-reviewed academic journals between 1980 and 2017. Co-citation analysis was adopted to analyse recent trends in research on decision tools and recommend a framework that places such research into three categories: mature, intermediate and nascent.

Findings

The research revealed that a majority of the studies on decision tools describe decision tool implementation in a single company or setting. It also provided a clear presentation of recent trends in the decision tools literature by categorising and comparing papers according to various salient features. The study of decision tools is classified into four macro clusters: conceptualising and defining decision tools; exploring the implementation of decision tools; understanding the relationship between decision tools and other disciplines/approaches/initiatives; and discovering the outcomes of decision tools. Furthermore, the framework proposed in this paper will help scholars identify issues that merit additional theory-building and/or theory-testing research.

Originality/value

To the authors’ awareness, this is the first paper to have adopted both a systematic literature review and co-citation analysis to identify the dominant trends and significant gaps in the field of decision tools research.
An assessment of gender differences in the operational efficiency of businesses run by persons with disabilities
Authors: Mohan G. Madan , Baruah Anushree
Published: November 2019

Purpose

Progress accomplished by the disabled entrepreneurs on the fronts of profits, turnover, return on investment (ROI), employees engaged, capital employed and diversification shall be studied and prevalence of gender differences in such progress shall be assessed.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed research is descriptive in nature, based on primary data, collected by personally administering a well-structured interview schedule to 201 disabled entrepreneurs in Puducherry selected using a snowball sampling technique. Data collected has been analyzed using SPSS 21, using the tools of mean, one-way ANOVA, factorial ANOVA and chi-square (χ2) analysis.

Findings

The prevalence rate of entrepreneurship among female disabled is very low. Female disabled entrepreneurs manage higher turnover than their male counterparts and manage insignificantly higher progress in terms of capital employed, while male disabled entrepreneurs have managed insignificantly higher progress in terms of profits, diversification and ROI. Illiterate disabled, both men and women, struggle to manage decent turnover while the better educated manage better turnover.

Research limitations/implications

This paper has highlighted the low prevalence rate of entrepreneurship among women disabled though the fewer women disabled entrepreneurs are performing better than their male counterparts in operating their business.

Originality/value

The findings of this paper may be taken as base for formulation of effective government policies in empowering disabled persons in general and women disabled in particular.
Mindfulness is associated with sleep quality among patients with fibromyalgia
Authors: Park Michelle , Zhang Yuan , Price Lori Lyn , Bannuru Raveendhara R. , Wang Chenchen
Published: November 2019

Aim

Previous studies suggest higher mindfulness may be associated with better sleep quality in people with chronic pain conditions. However, the relationship between mindfulness and sleep in fibromyalgia patients, who commonly suffer from sleep problems, remains unstudied. We examined the relationship between mindfulness and sleep, and how this relationship may be mediated by depression, anxiety, and pain interference in fibromyalgia patients.

Method

We performed a cross‐sectional analysis of baseline data from a randomized trial in fibromyalgia patients. We measured mindfulness (Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire), sleep quality and disturbance (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index [PSQI], PROMIS Sleep Disturbance [PROMIS‐SD]), pain interference (PROMIS Pain Interference), and anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale). Pearson correlations were used to examine associations among mindfulness and sleep quality and disturbance. Mediation analysis was conducted to assess whether pain interference, depression, and anxiety mediated the relationship between mindfulness and sleep.

Results

A total of 177 patents with fibromyalgia were included (93% female; mean age 52 ± 12 years; body mass index 30 ± 7 kg/m2; 59% White). Higher mindfulness was associated with better sleep quality and less sleep disturbance (PSQI r = −0.23, P = .002; PROMIS‐SD r = −.24, P = .002) as well as less pain interference (r = −.31, P < .0001), anxiety (r = −.58, P < .001), and depression (r = −0.54, P < .0001). Pain interference, depression, and anxiety mediated the association between mindfulness and sleep quality and disturbance.

Conclusion

Higher mindfulness is associated with better sleep in patients with fibromyalgia, with pain interference, depression, and anxiety mediating this relationship. Longitudinal studies are warranted to examine the potential effect of cultivating mindfulness on sleep in fibromyalgia.
CHIP modulates APP‐induced autophagy‐dependent pathological symptoms in Drosophila
Authors: Zhuang Luming , Peng Fei , Huang Yuanyuan , Li Wenzhe , Huang Jiuhong , Chu Yunqiang , Ren Pu , Sun Ying , Zhang Yan , Xue Elleen , Guo Xiaowei , Shen Xiafeng , Xue Lei
Published: November 2019

Dysregulation of autophagy is associated with the neurodegenerative processes in Alzheimer's disease (AD), yet it remains controversial whether autophagy is a cause or consequence of AD. We have previously expressed the full‐length human APP in Drosophila and established a fly AD model that exhibits multiple AD‐like symptoms. Here we report that depletion of CHIP effectively palliated APP‐induced pathological symptoms, including morphological, behavioral, and cognitive defects. Mechanistically, CHIP is required for APP‐induced autophagy dysfunction, which promotes Aβ production via increased expression of BACE and Psn. Our findings suggest that aberrant autophagy is not only a consequence of abnormal APP activity, but also contributes to dysregulated APP metabolism and subsequent AD pathogenesis.
Monteremita gen. nov. (Coleoptera: Carabidae), a new genus of ground beetle from New Caledonia
Authors: Seldon David S , Holwell Gregory I
Published: November 2019

The ground beetle tribe Broscini is distributed throughout the world, with most of its diversity occurring within the southern hemisphere subtribe Nothobroscina. Species of Nothobroscina are found in Australia, New Caledonia, New Zealand and southern South America, with almost all genera endemic to the countries in which they are found. The only exception to date is the genus Percosoma, which is recorded from Tasmania and Victoria (mainland Australia), as well as New Caledonia. Confusion surrounding taxonomic placement of the New Caledonian broscine led to this investigation. In this study, we propose a new monotypic genus, Monteremita, gen. nov. to accommodate Percosoma asymetricum Fauvel, 1903, based upon characteristics that distinguish it from the other genera in the subtribe Nothobroscina.
One new species of hangingfly from Bolivia,Bittacus vazdemelloisp. nov. (Mecoptera: Bittacidae), with an identification key to South American species ofBittacusLatreille
Authors: Machado Renato Jose Pires
Published: November 2019

A new species ofBittacusLatreille, 1805, is herein described and illustrated,Bittacus vazdemelloisp. nov., based on two specimens collected in Buena Vista, Santa Cruz, Bolivia. This is only the third species of hangingfly recorded from the country and the twenty‐seventh species ofBittacusfor South America. A recently published identification key for the Brazilian species ofBittacusis expanded to include all South American species of the genus, and a distribution map is presented.
Conceptualizing data‐deliberation: The starry sky beetle, environmental system risk, and Habermasian CSR in the digital age
Authors: Schultz Mario D. , Seele Peter
Published: November 2019

Building on an illustrative case of a systemic environmental threat and its multi‐stakeholder response, this paper draws attention to the changing political impacts of corporations in the digital age. Political Corporate Social Responsibility (PCSR) theory suggests an expanded sense of politics and corporations, including impacts that may range from voluntary initiatives to overcome governance gaps, to avoiding state regulation via corporate political activity. Considering digitalization as a stimulus, we explore potential responsibilities of corporations toward public goods in contexts with functioning governments. We show that digitalization—in the form of transparency, surveillance, and data‐sharing—offers corporations’ scope for deliberative public participation. The starry sky beetle infestation endangering public and private goods is thereby used to illustrate the possibility of expanding the political role of corporations in the digital sphere. We offer a contribution by conceptualizing data‐deliberation as a Habermasian variation of PCSR, defined as the (a) voluntary disclosure of corporate data and its transparent, open sharing with the public sector (b) along with the cooperation with governmental institutions on data analytics methods for examining large‐scale datasets (c) thereby complying with existing national and international regulations on data protection, in particular with respect to privacy and personal data.
When Do Companies Train Low‐Skilled Workers? The Role of Institutional Arrangements at the Company and Sectoral Level
Authors: Wotschack Philip
Published: November 2019

The article investigates how institutional arrangements at the organizational and sectoral level affect the likelihood and size of employer investments in continuing training for low‐skilled workers in Germany. By building on comparative political economy and organizational theory, hypotheses are derived and tested. Regression analysis based on the IAB Establishment Survey (waves 2011 and 2013) shows evidence that the training participation of low‐skilled workers is related to institutional differences between sectors and organizations. At the organizational level, structures of employee representation and formalized HR policies are positively associated with higher rates of training participation among low‐skilled workers. Moreover, there is evidence that low‐skilled workers benefit in organizational clusters that are characterized by structures of employee representation, formalized HR practices, and bargaining coverage. At the sectoral level, this study finds evidence that low‐skilled workers in the health care and manufacturing sector are more likely to receive continuing training.
The Effect of Computer Use on Work Discretion and Work Intensity: Evidence from Europe
Authors: Menon Seetha , Salvatori Andrea , Zwysen Wouter
Published: November 2019

This article studies changes in computer use and work discretion and intensity in the EU‐15 between 1995 and 2015. We document that while the proportion of workers using computers has increased from 40 per cent to more than 60 per cent, there remain significant differences between countries even within the same occupations. Several countries have seen a significant increase in computer use even in low‐skilled occupations generally assumed to be less affected by technology. Overall, the great increase in computer use between 1995 and 2015 coincided with a period of modest deterioration of job quality in the EU‐15 as a whole, as work discretion declined for most occupational and educational groups, while work intensity increased slightly for most of them. Our OLS results exploiting variation within country‐occupation cells point to a sizeable positive effect of computer use on work discretion, but to no effect on work intensity. Our instrumental variable estimates point to an even more benign effect of computer use on job quality as measured by work discretion and work intensity. Hence, the results suggest that the (moderate) deterioration in the quality of work observed in the EU‐15 between 1995 and 2015 has occurred despite the spread of computers, rather than because of them.
Targeted activation of Stat3 in combination with paclitaxel results in increased apoptosis in epithelial ovarian cancer cells and a reduced tumour burden
Authors: Li Hongyi , Qian Yanping , Wang Xi , Pi Ruyu , Zhao Xia , Wei Xiawei
Published: November 2019

Objectives

Stat3 is persistently activated in ovarian cancer cells, with a crucial role in tumour onset and progression. In this study, we examined the anti‐tumour effect of a small‐molecule inhibitor napabucasin (BBI608) on epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) in vitro and in vivo, and investigated the underlying molecular mechanism of this drug in combination with paclitaxel.

Materials and Methods

A total of 156 ovarian cancer patient samples were analysed to determine the correlation between pStat3 expression in tumour cells and the prognosis of EOC patients. The anti‐tumour effect of BBI608 and/or paclitaxel on ovarian cancer in vitro was evaluated by CCK‐8, flow cytometry, Western blot and transwell assays. An in vivo intraperitoneal model was performed to confirm the effect of BBI608 on pStat3‐mediated peritoneal metastasis when combined with paclitaxel.

Results

Patients with high expression of pStat3 had poorer overall survival and progression‐free survival than those with low pStat3 expression. The synergy of BBI608 in combination with paclitaxel exerted dramatic growth inhibition and induced apoptosis in EOC cell lines. In vivo, the combination of two drugs significantly decreased intraperitoneal tumour burden and ascites volume, prolonged survival of tumour‐bearing mice compared with each monotherapy; these results were associated with downregulation of phospho‐Stat3 and activation of apoptosis pathway.

Conclusions

Targeting the activation of Stat3 may be a potential therapeutic approach for EOC by acting synergistically with paclitaxel.
Who Influences the Asian–Pacific Real Estate Markets: The US, Japan or China?
Authors: Liow Kim Hiang , Huang Yuting , Song Jeongseop
Published: November 2019

As rapid economic growth in China has led to significant appreciation of urban real estate market values, this study examines China's influence on Asian–Pacific real estate markets by focusing on their respective market integration with the US, Japan and China during the period January 2005 to December 2017. Market integration is examined by unconditional and time‐varying conditional correlations, nonlinear Granger causality and dynamic connectedness effects. Overall, although the US and Japanese real estate markets have significantly influenced return and volatility in the regional markets, China has emerged as another major regional real estate volatility leader with rising influence over volatility integration, especially during the 2007–2011 crisis period. Financial crises have strengthened China's volatility connectedness effects and market integration with other Asian–Pacific real estate markets. Our results imply that the benefits of regional portfolio diversification may be declining as volatility integration across the Chinese and Asian–Pacific real estate markets becomes stronger. Therefore, diversified global investors should pay greater attention to these real estate markets.
Brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) movement and survival after removal of two dams on the West Branch of the Wolf River, Wisconsin
Authors: Easterly Emma G. , Isermann Daniel A. , Raabe Joshua K. , Pyatskowit Joshua W.
Published: November 2019

Dam removals allow fish to access habitats that may provide ecological benefits and risks, but the extent of fish movements through former dam sites has not been thoroughly evaluated for many species. We installed stationary PIT antennas in 2016 and 2017 to evaluate movements and survival of brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis in the West Branch of the Wolf River (WBWR) in central Wisconsin following removal of two dams and channel modifications designed to promote fish movement. These changes provided access to lacustrine habitats that might provide suitable winter habitat or act as ecological sinks. We used multistate models to estimate transition probabilities between river sections, to determine whether brook trout: (a) moved between multiple river sections and (b) entered lacustrine habitats as seasonal refuges, but eventually returned to lotic habitat. We also used a Cormack‐Jolly‐Seber model to evaluate whether apparent survival of brook trout in the WBWR was comparable to other populations. Few fish moved among river sections or used lacustrine habitat (<5% of tagged fish); most brook trout remained in sections where they were initially tagged, potentially due to quality habitat located throughout the river. Like other studies, brook trout in the WBWR appear to experience high mortality based on low number of detections, few physical recaptures and an estimated eight‐month apparent survival rate of 0.27. In scenarios where fish can already access suitable habitat, removal of dams may not result in substantial increases in fish movement and colonisation of newly accessible habitat may not occur immediately.
Factors Associated With Support Provided by Middle‐Aged Children to Their Parents
Authors: Seidel Amber J. , Majeske Karl , Marshall Mary
Published: November 2019

Objective

Building on symbolic interaction, this study was designed to examine perceptions of support provided by adult children to their parents (upstream support) as they relate to the parents' health, parent–child relationship quality, and support provided by parents to their children (downstream support).

Background

Adult children are increasingly participating in providing care for parents. Examining perceptions of this flow of support may increase family members' understanding of each other's perspectives regarding support, health, and relationship quality.

Method

A modified actor–partner interdependence model (APIM) was used to examine parent–child dyadic perceptions of these three factors on upstream support using the Family Exchanges Study (N = 273 dyads).

Results

Parents reporting lower health, higher relationship quality, and more downstream support were associated with parents' perception of more upstream support. Parents reporting higher relationship quality and less downstream support were associated with adult children's perception of less upstream support. Moreover, adult children reporting higher relationship quality was associated with parents' perception of more upstream support, and adult children reporting more downstream support was associated with adult children's perception of more upstream support.

Conclusion

Findings that parents' and children's perceptions differ, sometimes in different directions, indicates the importance of considering multiple perspectives in family‐based research.

Implications

Clinicians and educators should find ways to help parents and their adult children understand each other's perspectives to increase shared meanings associated with health and support in these relationships.
Interactions of the microbiota with the mucosal immune system
Authors: Bain Calum C. , Cerovic Vuk
Published: November 2019

The field of mucosal immunology has, for the last 10 years, been largely dominated by advances in our understanding of the commensal microbiota. Developments of novel experimental methodologies and analysis techniques have provided unparalleled insight into the profound impact the microbiota has on the development and function of the immune system. In this cross‐journal review series published in Immunology and Clinical and Experimental Immunology, we aim to summarize the current state of research concerning the interplay between the microbiota and mucosal immunity. In addition, the series examines how the increased understanding of the microbiota is changing the nature of immunological research, both in the laboratory and in the clinic.
Likelihood, Replicability and Robbins' Confidence Sequences
Authors: Pace Luigi , Salvan Alessandra
Published: November 2019

The widely claimed replicability crisis in science may lead to revised standards of significance. The customary frequentist confidence intervals, calibrated through hypothetical repetitions of the experiment that is supposed to have produced the data at hand, rely on a feeble concept of replicability. In particular, contradictory conclusions may be reached when a substantial enlargement of the study is undertaken. To redefine statistical confidence in such a way that inferential conclusions are non‐contradictory, with large enough probability, under enlargements of the sample, we give a new reading of a proposal dating back to the 60s, namely, Robbins' confidence sequences. Directly bounding the probability of reaching, in the future, conclusions that contradict the current ones, Robbins' confidence sequences ensure a clear‐cut form of replicability when inference is performed on accumulating data. Their main frequentist property is easy to understand and to prove. We show that Robbins' confidence sequences may be justified under various views of inference: they are likelihood‐based, can incorporate prior information and obey the strong likelihood principle. They are easy to compute, even when inference is on a parameter of interest, especially using a closed form approximation from normal asymptotic theory.
Closed incision negative pressure therapy following abdominoplasty after breast reconstruction with deep inferior epigastric perforator flaps
Authors: Fang Chien‐Liang , Changchien Chih‐Hsuan , Chen Ming‐Shan , Hsu Chin‐Hao , Tsai Chong‐Bin
Published: November 2019

Autologous breast reconstructions using deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flaps create a large incision, presenting an opportunity for surgical site complications. In this pilot study, we aimed to examine outcomes in DIEP donor site incisions managed with standard dressings (control; n = 5) or closed incision negative pressure therapy (ciNPT; n = 5). We observed no significant differences between group age, body mass index, and past medical history. Both treatment groups had a similar duration of hospital stay, the number of blood transfusions, and pain scores on postoperative day 2 (P > .05). There was a trend of higher drainage (P = .251) and shorter time to incision healing (P = .067) in the ciNPT group than the control though the difference was not statistically significant. We did observe a significant improvement in scar pigmentation, vascularity, and pliability at 3, 6, and 12 months post‐surgery in the ciNPT group compared with control (P < .05). No surgical site complications were reported in the ciNPT group within the follow‐up period. In the control group, one patient developed wound edge fat necrosis requiring reoperation. In conclusion, we report that ciNPT is a useful incision management system for DIEP flap donor site incisions and it facilitated improved scar quality over standard dressings in this small pilot study. Further clinical studies are required to assess the full advantages provided by ciNPT.
Intrinsic and extrinsic sources of phosphorus loading into the Nyando River, Kenya
Authors: Guya Fredrick Jared
Published: November 2019

The Nyando River supports a large human population and an enriched biodiversity. The basin has undergone extreme modification over the last century through changes in hydrological changes and land‐use activities. The impacts of the changes have severely shifted the ecology of the river from desirable to less desirable. Of all the major rivers draining into Lake Victoria‐Kenya, the Nyando River is consistently the most turbid and exhibits the greatest phosphorus load. The present study investigated the present limnological status and sources of phosphorus loads between 2015 and 2016 through water and sediment sampling during high and low flow regimes. The samples were analysed for various phosphorus fractions, including soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP), total phosphorus in water (TPw), non‐apatite inorganic phosphorus (NAIP), apatite phosphorus (AP), inorganic phosphorus (IP), organic phosphorus (OP), total phosphorus in sediments (TPs) and elemental compositions. The measured SRP and TPw concentrations indicated hypertrophic conditions, with means for both high and low flows ranging from 79.3 to 165.7 μg P/L, and 200.0 to 243.9 μg P/L, respectively. The AP concentrations were high, with mean measurements for high and low flows being 766.9 and 790.5 mg/kg, respectively. The sources of high phosphorus loads were established to be both natural and anthropogenic, with major drivers being the industrial establishments along the river basin. Erosion of the catchment phosphorus‐enriched carbonatite rocks and river banks also contributed significant phosphorus loads. Enhanced effluent treatment, quarry dust containment, improved forest cover and regeneration of riverine buffer strips are recommended to restore the river's ecosystems.