bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Temporal transcription factors determine circuit membership by permanently altering motor neuron-to-muscle synaptic partnerships
Authors: Meng Julia L. , Wang Yupu , Carrillo Robert A. , Heckscher Ellie S.
Published: March 2020

Previously, using the Drosophila motor system as a model, we found the classic temporal transcription factor, Hunchback acts in NB7-1 neuronal stem cells as a molecular switch to control which circuits are populated by NB7-1 neuronal progeny (Meng et al., 2019). Here, we manipulate cardinal transcription factors, Nkx6 and Hb9, which are candidate effectors of Hunchback and which alter axon pathfinding in embryos. Yet manipulation of these cardinal transcription factors does not permanently alter neuromuscular synaptic partnerships. This demonstrates that compensation can correct early defects. We perform additional temporal transcription factor manipulations, precociously expressing Pdm and Castor in NB7-1 and prolonging expression of Hunchback in NB3-1. In every case, we find permanent alterations in neuromuscular synaptic partnerships. These data support the idea that temporal transcription factors are uniquely potent determinants of circuit membership, which do not trigger compensatory programs because they act to establish the expected pattern of wiring for the motor system.
The type 2 diabetes gene product STARD10 is a phosphoinositide binding protein that controls insulin secretory granule biogenesis
Authors: Carrat Gaelle R. , Haythorne Elizabeth , Tomas Alejandra , Haataja Leena , Müller Andreas , Arvan Peter , Piunti Alexandra , Cheng Kaiying , Huang Mutian , Pullen Timothy J. , Georgiadou Eleni , Stylianides Theodoros , Amirruddin Nur Shabrina , Salem Victoria , Distaso Walter , Cakebread Andrew , Heesom Kate J. , Lewis Philip A. , Hodson David J. , Briant Linford J. , Fung Annie C.H. , Sessions Richard B. , Alpy Fabien , Kong Alice P.S. , Benke Peter I. , Torta Federico , Teo Adrian Kee Keong , Leclerc Isabelle , Solimena Michele , Wigley Dale B. , Rutter Guy A.
Published: March 2020

Objective

Risk alleles for type 2 diabetes at theSTARD10locus are associated with loweredSTARD10expression in the β-cell, impaired glucose-induced insulin secretion and decreased circulating proinsulin:insulin ratios. Although likely to serve as a mediator of intracellular lipid transfer, the identity of the transported lipids, and thus the pathways through which STARD10 regulates β-cell function, are not understood. The aim of this study was to identify the lipids transported and affected by STARD10 in the β-cell and its effect on proinsulin processing and insulin granule biogenesis and maturation.

Methods

We used isolated islets from mice deleted selectively in the β-cell forStard10(βStarD10KO) and performed electron microscopy, pulse-chase, RNA sequencing and lipidomic analyses. Proteomic analysis of STARD10 binding partners was executed in INS1 (832/13) cell line. X-ray crystallography followed by molecular docking and lipid overlay assay were performed on purified STARD10 protein.

Results

βStarD10KO islets had a sharply altered dense core granule appearance, with a dramatic increase in the number of “rod-like” dense cores. Correspondingly, basal secretion of proinsulin was increased. Amongst the differentially expressed genes in βStarD10KO islets, expression of the phosphoinositide binding proteinsPirtandSynaptotagmin 1were decreased while lipidomic analysis demonstrated changes in phosphatidyl inositol levels. The inositol lipid kinase PIP4K2C was also identified as a STARD10 binding partner. STARD10 bound to inositides phosphorylated at the 3’ position and solution of the crystal structure of STARD10 to 2.3 Å resolution revealed a binding pocket capable of accommodating polyphosphoinositides.

Conclusion

Our data indicate that STARD10 binds to, and may transport, phosphatidylinositides, influencing membrane lipid composition, insulin granule biosynthesis and insulin processing.
Determination of the melting temperature of spherical nanoparticles in dilute solution as a function of their radius by exclusively using the small-angle X-ray scattering technique
Authors: Kellermann Guinther , Pereira Felipe L. C. , Craievich Aldo F.
Published: March 2020

In this investigation the dependence on radius of the melting temperature of dilute sets of spherical nanocrystals with wide radius distributions was determined by a novel procedure exclusively using the results of small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) measurements. This procedure is based on the sensitivity of the SAXS function to small and rather sharp variations in the size and electron density of nanocrystals at their melting temperature. The input for this procedure is a set of experimental SAXS intensity functions at selected q values for varying sample temperatures. In practice, the sample is heated from a minimum temperature, lower than the melting temperature of the smallest nanocrystals, up to a temperature higher than the melting temperature of the largest nanocrystals. The SAXS intensity is recorded in situ at different temperatures during the heating process. This novel procedure was applied to three samples composed of dilute sets of spherical Bi nanocrystals with wide radius distributions embedded in a sodium borate glass. The function relating the melting temperature of Bi nanocrystals with their radius – determined by using the procedure proposed here – agrees very well with the results reported in previous experimental studies using different methods. The results reported here also evidence the predicted size-dependent contraction of Bi nanocrystals induced by the large surface-to-volume ratio of small nanocrystals and an additional size-independent compressive stress caused by the solid glass matrix in which liquid Bi nanodroplets are initially formed. This last effect is a consequence of the increase in the volume of Bi nanoparticles upon crystallization and also of differences in the thermal expansion coefficients of the crystalline phase of Bi and the glass matrix. This additional stress leads to a depression of about 10 K in the melting temperature of the Bi nanocrystals confined in the glass. The procedure described here also allowed the determination of the specific masses and thermal expansion coefficients of Bi nanoparticles in both liquid and crystalline phases.
Application of a high-throughput microcrystal delivery system to serial femtosecond crystallography
Authors: Lee Donghyeon , Park Sehan , Lee Keondo , Kim Jangwoo , Park Gisu , Nam Ki Hyun , Baek Sangwon , Chung Wan Kyun , Lee Jong-Lam , Cho Yunje , Park Jaehyun
Published: March 2020

Microcrystal delivery methods are pivotal in the use of serial femtosecond crystallography (SFX) to resolve the macromolecular structures of proteins. Here, the development of a novel technique and instruments for efficiently delivering microcrystals for SFX are presented. The new method, which relies on a one-dimensional fixed-target system that includes a microcrystal container, consumes an extremely low amount of sample compared with conventional two-dimensional fixed-target techniques at ambient temperature. This novel system can deliver soluble microcrystals without highly viscous carrier media and, moreover, can be used as a microcrystal growth device for SFX. Diffraction data collection utilizing this advanced technique along with a real-time visual servo scan system has been successfully demonstrated for the structure determination of proteinase K microcrystals at 1.85 Å resolution.
Unpacking the relationship between external IT capability and open innovation performance: evidence from China
Authors: Wu Su-Ming , Ding Xiu-Hao
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Information technology plays a critical role in the open innovation process. The purpose of this study is to explore the inner mechanism of external information technology (IT) capability that affects open innovation performance.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, responses to 232 questionnaires from different firms were collected in China. Then, the proposed hypotheses were tested using regression analysis by statistical product and service solutions (SPSS).

Findings

The results indicate that external knowledge integration plays a mediating role in the relationship between external IT capability and open innovation performance, openness breadth positively moderates the influence of external IT capability on external knowledge integration and openness depth negatively moderates the relationship between external IT capability and external knowledge integration.

Practical implications

The results, which are based on Chinese responses, provide useful suggestions for firms in China. To use external IT capability to improve open innovation performance, firms should not only stress the role of external knowledge integration but also consider their search strategy.

Originality/value

Both researchers and practitioners are interested in the relationship between information technology and open innovation. However, the way in which the inner mechanism of external IT capability affects open innovation performance has not been thoroughly researched. Based on knowledge integration theory, the authors construct a model that includes external IT capability, external knowledge integration, search strategy and open innovation performance. The results of this paper confirm the mediating and moderating roles of external knowledge integration and search strategy, respectively.
Corporate-startup collaboration: effects on large firms' business transformation
Authors: Steiber Annika , Alänge Sverker
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Corporations' emphasis on startup collaboration for corporate innovation has reached a new level in the context of digital transformation. The purpose of this paper is to examine three different models of corporate-startup collaboration and the models' effects on the case companies' capabilities for, and actual outcome in regards to their business transformations.

Design/methodology/approach

The theory and case studies on corporate-startup collaboration models are based on several years' empirical study on 30+ multi-national corporations in the Western world. Further, iterative literature reviews on digital and business transformation have been conducted, leading to the identification of two different, but complementing frameworks used to analyze each case's capabilities and outcome in regards to business transformation.

Findings

Collaboration with startups was found to positively affect the firms' business transformation. Further, the three-step analytical process is a valuable path to better understand, and improve, the cases' capability for, and outcome in regards to their business transformations.

Research limitations/implications

The paper includes three case studies and a new process for analyzing their effects on capabilities for, and actual outcome in regards to business transformation. More research is needed, both on cases and on how to refine the analytical process.

Practical implications

The practical contributions from this paper are the in-depth description of the three operational cases, as well as insights on how each model's set up (approach) can affect both capabilities for, but also level of business transformation. As a result, a company might need a portfolio of different startup collaboration initiatives in order to manage a more holistic transformation of their business.

Originality/value

The paper's main theoretical and practical contributions are further knowledge on organizations and organizational practices for corporate-startup collaboration, as well as a three-step process for analyzing each case's effect on the respective firm's capabilities for, and actual outcome in regards to business transformation.
The effect of data breaches on company performance
Authors: Juma'h Ahmad H. , Alnsour Yazan
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to analyze the effect of data breaches – whose concerns and implications can be legal, social and economic – on companies’ overall performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Information on data breaches was collected from online compilations, and financial data on breached companies was collected from the Mergent Online database. The financial variables used were related to profitability, liquidity, solvency and company size to analyze the financial performance of the breached companies before and after the data breach event. Nonfinancial data, such as the type and the size of the breaches, was also collected. The data was analyzed using multiple regression.

Findings

The results confirm that nonmandatory information related to announcements of data breaches is a signal of companies’ overall performance, as measured by profitability ratios, return on assets and return on equity. The study does not confirm a relationship between data breaches and stock market reaction when measuring quarterly changes in share prices.

Research limitations/implications

The main limitation of the study relates to ratio and trend analyses. Such analyses are commonly used when researching accounting information. However, they do not directly reflect the companies’ conditions and realities, and they rely on companies’ released financial reports. Another limitation concerns the confounding factors. The major confounding factors around the data breaches’ dates were identified; however, this was not enough to assure that other factors were not affecting the companies’ financial performance. Because of the nature of such events, this study needs to be replicated to include specific information about the companies using case studies. Therefore, the authors recommend replicating the research to validate the article’s findings when each industry makes more announcements available.

Practical implications

To remediate the risks and losses associated with data breaches, companies may use their reserved funds.

Social implications

Company data breach announcements signal internal deficiencies. Therefore, the affected companies become liable to their employees, customers and investors.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to both theory and practice in the areas of accounting finance, and information management.
The nexus between Islamic banking and industrial production
Authors: Bougatef Khemaies , Nakhli Mohamed Sahbi , Mnari Othman
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between Islamic banking and industrial production by decomposing Islamic financing (IF) into profit and loss sharing (PLS) and non-profit and loss sharing (non-PLS) modes of financing.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper applies the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) approach and Toda and Yamamoto causality test on the monthly data set for Malaysia from 2010M1 to 2018M6.

Findings

The results reveal that IF plays an important role in boosting industrial production in the short run, as well as in the long run. Moreover, this positive effect mainly comes from non-PLS financing. In contrast, no significant relationship was found between PLS financing and industrial development neither in the short run nor in the long run.

Practical implications

The results have several policy implications. The existence of a time lag between the pooling of funds through PLS contracts and their channeling to industrial activities imply that Malaysian Islamic banks should maintain a long-term relationship with investment account holders. In addition, Islamic banks are called to increase the portion of PLS financing. The positive relationship between the industrial production index and IF (through non-PLS techniques) in the short and the long runs implies that policymakers in Malaysia should multiply their efforts to further expand the Islamic banking industry.

Originality/value

The originality of this study lies in decomposing Islamic banks’ financing into PLS financing (muḍārabah and mushārakah) and non-PLS financing to assess the contribution of each mode of financing in industrial development.
An investigation of the acute management of closed intra-articular fractures of the proximal interphalangeal joint in Ireland
Authors: Harmon Deirdre , Spirtos Michelle
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Many treatment methods for intra-articular fractures of the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint are described in the literature without a consensus on the most effective approach. The purpose of this study was to investigate the methods of treatment of PIP joint fractures being used by trauma surgeons in the Republic of Ireland currently and the timing of referral to therapy.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional descriptive study methodology was used to survey trauma surgeons, occupational therapists and physiotherapists in Ireland. An online platform was used. A total of 21 surveys were returned by surgeons and 37 by therapists. Descriptive statistical analysis was used to present the results.

Findings

Buddy strapping was reported as the primary treatment method for stable PIP joint fractures. All levels of fracture severity were reported to be treated using traction constructs, which include static and dynamic fixation and orthoses. Unstable fractures were managed using open reduction with internal fixation by 50 per cent of surgeons. Early timing of referral to therapy is reported by more surgeons than therapists. The majority of therapists indicated that they did not have the resources to see patients at the optimal time.

Originality/value

To the authors’ knowledge, this study provides the first description of the management of PIP joint fractures across the Irish health service. The findings of this study suggest that additional therapy resources are required within the health service executive to facilitate the desired early referral to therapy and to enable service development for this category of hand fractures.
Effect of industrial wastes and lime on strength characteristics of clayey soil
Authors: Bhardwaj Avinash , Sharma Ravi Kumar
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to attempt to use two industrial wastes; waste foundry sands (WFS) and molasses (M) along with lime (L) to improve the strength characteristics of clayey soil.

Design/methodology/approach

In the first part of the study, the optimum percentages of materials (WFS, molasses, lime) have been found out by conducting differential free swell (DFS) and consistency limit tests on clayey soil by adding various admixtures. The second and third part of the study investigates the compaction behaviour and unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of clayey soil on addition of optimum amount of various materials alone and in combination with each other. Finally, the micro-structural behaviour of addition of optimum percentages of lime, WFS and molasses using Scanning electron microscopic technique has been discussed.

Findings

The laboratory results revealed that the addition of optimum content of lime along with WFS and molasses reduced DFS and plasticity index and increased maximum dry density and UCS values. The microstructural behaviour showed that the presence of lime and molasses filled the voids present in the soil and the addition of WFS helped in providing compact structure, thus improving the strength characteristics.

Practical implications

The study will be helpful in designing low-cost pavement designs for rural roads.

Social implications

The adverse effect of waste materials on environment may be solved by using them in improving the strength characteristics of clayey soils, thereby providing healthy environment to living beings.

Originality/value

The study will help to provide low-cost methods to improve strength characteristics of clayey soil along with the use of waste materials; the disposal of whose is a challenging task.
If you're corrupt, you'd better be free
Authors: Dincer Oguzhan
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This study aims to investigate if the level of economic freedom matters for how corruption affects per capita income in US states.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a new (and novel) index of corruption, which is based on Associated Press news wires, the author estimates the long-run cointegrating relationship between corruption, economic freedom and per capita income with fully modified ordinary least squares (FMOLS) following Pedroni (2000).

Findings

The author finds that there is a threshold level of economic freedom that determines if corruption reduces the per capita income in a state. According to the FMOLS estimations, the negative effects of corruption on income decrease as economic freedom increases, and they eventually disappear.

Originality/value

This is the first study investigating the intricate relationship between corruption, economic freedom and economic performance using data from US states. The study uses a news-based measure of corruption constructed by Dincer and Johnston (2017), which has several advantages over the convictions-based measure used in previous studies analyzing the relationship between corruption and growth using US data. The study takes into account the integration and cointegration properties of the data and estimates the relationship among the cointegrated variables using FMOLS following Pedroni (2000).
Organisational ethnography as a project of unease
Authors: Lindberg Annika , Eule Tobias Georg
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The article examines situations of unease during ethnographic fieldwork with migration control agents in Sweden, Denmark and Germany. It shows how these “tests” are both methodologically challenging and analytically valuable, and how they need to be addressed properly. The article concludes a special issue on “passing the test in organisational ethnography”.

Design/methodology/approach

The article is based on ethnographic research with migration control agents, carried out by both authors in Denmark and Sweden (Annika) and Germany (Tobias). However, rather than presenting the main results from this research, the article focuses on the tests encountered during the research.

Findings

The article has two main findings. First, it provides an open typology of tests. Second, it proposes four ways in which ethnographers could address these tests: acknowledging them methodologically, working through them personally and collectively, unpacking them analytically and preparing others in teaching and peer-feedback.

Research limitations/implications

The article encourages ethnographers to engage reflexively with fieldwork challenges, and provides a framework for doing so.

Originality/value

The article presents contributes to the current debate on organisational ethnography with recommendations of how to engage with tests in ethnographic fieldwork.
The trend of multisided platforms (MSPs) in the travel industry: reintermediation of travel agencies (TAs) and global distribution systems (GDSs)
Authors: Aamir Suhaib , Atsan Nuray
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to shed light on the remarkable trend of multisided platforms (MSPs) in the travel industry with the help of which travel agencies (TAs) and global distribution systems (GDSs) can reinforce their intermediary roles. Orthodox TAs face the threats of disintermediation because of the ever faster-changing developments in information and communication technologies, such as the emergence of metasearch engines, online travel agencies, direct bookings on airline websites and the widespread of mobile applications for travel related bookings. GDSs face similar threats of disintermediation from low-cost carriers and legacy carriers, as these carriers promote and encourage direct bookings via their official websites or via the new distribution capability.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a casestudy-oriented research, and the case selected is a MSP based in Turkey. The data are gathered using semi-structured interviews conducted from 15 international representatives of this MSP in different countries. Interviews were conducted either physically at the MSP’s headquarters in Antalya, Turkey, or virtually using Zoom application from January to October 2019.

Findings

The paper portrays the significance of MSPs in terms of their contributions toward the reintermediation of the two important intermediaries, namely, TAs and GDSs in the travel industry supply chain. Both of them are prone to the dangers of disintermediation because of the developments in technology, networking and communication channels; the worldwide accessibility of the stakeholders to the internet; and the direct reach of suppliers to consumers. The deteriorating role of TAs and GDSs is reignited by the successful launch, deployment and adoption of MSPs in the ecosystem of the travel industry.

Originality/value

This paper offers an insight into the prevailing trend of MSPs in business to business (B2B) trading from the perspective of two main intermediaries, TAs and GDSs, in the supply chain of the travel industry. The paper in a novel way compiles the data from the interviews to shed light on the adoption of MSPs by intermediaries in their business models to reintermediate themselves because the sole reliance of intermediaries on orthodox business models is pushing them on to the verge of disintermediation.
Chronicles of one woman’s journey towards well-being: identity part 1
Authors: Mullen Jo
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to share the experiences and reflections of one woman’s journey towards well-being.

Design/methodology/approach

A narrative approach has been taken to structure reflections based on lived experience.

Findings

Reflections are offered based on a personal journey towards well-being.

Originality/value

This paper adds to the accounts of the lived experience of the journey towards well-being, and as such, contributes to the understanding of the process of rebuilding a life.
Low stand density moderates growth declines during hot droughts in semi‐arid forests
Authors: Andrews Caitlin M. , D'Amato Anthony W. , Fraver Shawn , Palik Brian , Battaglia Michael A. , Bradford John B.
Published: March 2020

Increasing heat and aridity in coming decades is expected to negatively impact tree growth and threaten forest sustainability in dry areas. Maintaining low stand density has the potential to mitigate the negative effects of increasingly severe droughts by minimizing competitive intensity.

However, the direct impact of stand density on the growing environment (i.e. soil moisture), and the specific drought metrics that best quantify that environment, are not well explored for any forest ecosystem. We examined the relationship of varying stand density (i.e. basal area) on soil moisture and stand‐level growth in a long‐term (multi‐decadal), ponderosa pine Pinus ponderosa, forest management experiment. We accounted for the influence of stand‐level density on moisture availability by measuring and modelling soil moisture using an ecosystem water balance model.

To quantify the growing environment, we developed metrics of ecological drought that integrate the influence of moisture availability in the soil with moisture demand by the atmosphere. We paired these results with stand‐level dendrochronological data, avoiding the potential bias introduced from individual tree‐based assessments, and used critical climate period analysis to identify the timing and duration of these drought metrics that most relate to forest growth.

We found that stand‐level growth is highly responsive to the combination of high temperature and low soil moisture. Growth in all stands was negatively related to temperature and positively related to moisture availability, although the sensitivity of growth to those conditions varied among stand density treatments. Growth enhancement during cool years is greatest in low density stands. In addition, low density stands displayed substantially higher long‐term average growth than higher density stands and maintained higher growth even when temperatures were high. Growth in low density stands also increased more than higher density stands in response to greater long‐term moisture availability.

Synthesis and applications. We quantified the influence of stand‐level density on the environmental conditions that determine tree growth and related forest growth to patterns of moisture supply and demand. Our drought metrics, and analytical approach for quantifying drought impacts on forest growth, are a novel approach for assessing forest vulnerability to drought under climate change. These results provide new perspective on the potential for density management to mitigate drought stress and maintain forest stand growth during and after drought events in water‐limited forests.
Novel NLRC4‐ALK and EML4‐ALK double fusion mutations in a lung adenocarcinoma patient: A case report
Authors: Wu Xueqian , Wang Weiya , Zou Bingwen , Li Yanying , Yang Xiaojuan , Liu Ning , Ma Qizhi , Zhang Xiaoxuan , Wang Yongsheng , Li Dan
Published: March 2020

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) rearrangements have been reported in 5% to 6% of non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. However, the concurrent existence of two ALK fusions within the same patient have rarely previously been reported. Moreover, considering the diversities of ALK mutations, it is necessary to evaluate the response of both double and new types of ALK fusions to ALK‐tyrosine kinase inhibitors (ALK‐TKIs). Here, we report a case of a 64‐year‐old Chinese woman who was diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma (ADC) who concurrently harbored two types of ALK‐rearrangements, including an unreported NLRC4‐ALK fusion and EML4‐ALK fusion. After surgery, the patient had a progression‐free survival (PFS) of over 10 months with continuous crizotinib treatment after surgery. Our findings provide a better understanding of ALK‐TKI in patients with two novel ALK concomitant fusions.

Key points

A lung adenocarcinoma patient harboring concurrent NLRC4‐ALK and EML4‐ALK fusion mutations benefited from crizotinib after surgery. Our findings provide important information for future treatment decision‐making in patients with double ALK fusions.
The effect of a preparation containing glycocholic acid and/or agitation on the tissue dissolution ability of sodium hypochlorite
Authors: Conde Antonio J. , Peña Alejandro , Estevez Roberto , Loroño Gaizka , Rossi‐Fedele Giampiero , Cisneros Rafael
Published: March 2020

This study assessed the porcine palatal mucosa dissolution, from artificial grooves, by a final rinse of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) solely or mixed with Keratobacter ((KB); or agitation) passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI) or sonic activation (SA). Soft‐tissue samples (n = 123) were weighed and placed inside root canal grooves in central maxillary incisors. The specimens were randomly divided into six test groups (n = 20): NaOCl 3% with or without KB and the irrigation dynamics: positive pressure (PP), SA or PUI. An EDTA intermediate rinse was included. Soft‐tissue weights were measured subsequently. The NaOCl + KB_PUI group showed the highest mean weight reduction, whilst the NaOCl_PP group recorded the lowest. NaOCl + KB subgroups were associated with hastened reduction compared with NaOCl subgroups. NaOCl_PP presented with significantly lower weight reduction when compared with the remaining experimental groups. The addition of KB to NaOCl or its agitation enhances tissue dissolution ex vivo. The agitation of KB‐containing mixtures offers no further benefits.
Anatomical and functional changes in the retina in patients with Alzheimer’s disease and mild cognitive impairment
Authors: Szegedi Stephan , Dal‐Bianco Peter , Stögmann Elisabeth , Traub‐Weidinger Tatjana , Rainer Michael , Masching Andreas , Schmidl Doreen , Werkmeister René M. , Chua Jacqueline , Schmetterer Leopold , Garhöfer Gerhard
Published: March 2020

Purpose

There is evidence that mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or Alzheimer's disease (AD) is accompanied by alterations in the retina. The current study was performed to investigate structural and functional changes in patients with systemic neurodegenerative disease.

Methods

A total of 47 patients with either MCI or AD and 43 healthy age‐ and sex‐matched control subjects were included. Inclusion criteria for MCI were abnormal memory function and a mini‐mental state examination (MMSE) score >26 points, for patients with AD a diagnosis of probable AD of mild to moderate degree and an MMSE score in the range of 20–26. Retinal blood flow was measured using a Doppler optical coherence tomography (OCT) system. Retinal vessel diameter, oxygen saturation and flicker‐induced vasodilatation were measured using a Vessel Analyzer. Retinal nerve fibre layer thickness (RNFLT) was assessed using an OCT system.

Results

Global RNFLT was lower in patients compared to healthy controls (93.7 ± 12.8 µm versus 99.1 ± 9.0 µm, p = 0.02). The same was found in regards to retinal arterial blood flow, which was 9.3 ± 2.4 and 12.3 ± 3.2 μl/min in the patient and control groups, respectively (p < 0.001). Mean retinal arterial diameter was reduced in patients (76.0 ± 8.9 µm versus 80.6 ± 8.0 µm, p = 0.03). Arteriovenous difference in oxygen saturation was lower in patients (20.4 ± 5.1% versus 23.5 ± 4.0%, p < 0.01). No difference in the flicker response was observed.

Conclusion

In patients with MCI and AD, arteriovenous difference in oxygen saturation, retinal blood flow and arterial vessel diameter was reduced. No difference was found in flicker response between groups. This indicates alterations in retinal oxygen metabolism in patients with neurodegenerative disease.
Do infants expect others to be helpful?
Authors: Lee Wooyeol , Kim Eun Young , Song Hyun‐joo
Published: March 2020

This study examined whether infants assume that people will help others to achieve specific goals. Seventeen‐month‐old infants watched familiarization events in which a competent agent succeeded in climbing hills while an incompetent agent failed to do so. In subsequent test events, the competent agent either helped the incompetent agent reach the top of the hill (helping event) or simply passed the incompetent agent and reached the top of the hill alone (ignoring event). The infants looked reliably longer at the ignoring event than at the helping event. These findings suggest that, by at least the age of 17 months, infants expect a competent agent to help an incompetent agent. Our findings provide evidence that infants in their second year of life possess some expectations of others’ prosociality.

Statement of contribution

What is already known?

Infants begin to reliably produce helping behaviours during their second year of life.

Infants expect others to help an agent who is in need, not one who is not in need.

Infants expect others to help, not ignore, another in need when linguistic information explicitly signals that the agent and the recipient belong to the same social group.

What the present study adds?

Infants expect someone to provide help rather than to ignore another in need under some circumstances with no linguistic information about their social group membership.

Infants expect an agent to be a helper, not a bystander, even when they lack information about the agent’s moral characteristics.
‘Society thinks they are cold and/or incompetent, but I do not’: Stereotype content ratings depend on instructions and the social group's location in the stereotype content space
Authors: Kotzur Patrick F. , Veit Susanne , Namyslo Annika , Holthausen Mirka‐Alicia , Wagner Ulrich , Yemane Ruta
Published: March 2020

Stereotype content researchers have grown accustomed to ask participants how ‘society’ views social groups to tap into culturally shared stereotype content and to reduce social desirability bias (J Person Soc Psychol, 82, 2002, 878). However, methodological and theoretical considerations raise questions about this common practice, and stereotype content researchers have also asked for participants' personal perspective on social groups in the past. Nonetheless, how and whether stereotype content model scores empirically differ as a function of the instructed perspective remains questionable and to date untested. Thus, we investigated whether and, if so, how stereotype content results are affected when instructing participants to evaluate social groups from society's versus their personal perspective. Across three experiments (Study 1: N = 301; Study 2: N = 126; Study 3: N = 1,221), latent mean comparisons indicated that results regarding stereotype content ratings are affected by the instructed perspective (society's vs. personal) contingent on the social group's location in the stereotype content space: Stereotype content ratings were more negative when participants were asked to provide society's perspective on social groups compared to their own perspective, but only on an already depreciated stereotype content dimension. The number of possible comparisons across experimental conditions was substantially reduced, since preconditions for these analyses were not met. Given our methodological and theoretical considerations and empirical corroborations that the instructed perspective does affect results, we encourage a discussion on how to best measure culturally shared stereotype content and propose aggregating stereotype content scores from participants' personal perspective to the cultural level.
PROTECT VIII Kids: BAY 94‐9027 (PEGylated Recombinant Factor VIII) safety and efficacy in previously treated children with severe haemophilia A
Authors: Santagostino Elena , Kenet Gili , Fischer Kathelijn , Biss Tina , Ahuja Sanjay , Steele MacGregor
Published: March 2020

Introduction

BAY 94‐9027, a site‐specifically PEGylated, B‐domain‒deleted recombinant factor VIII (FVIII) with extended half‐life, demonstrated efficacy for bleed prevention and treatment in previously treated adolescents and adults with severe haemophilia A.

Aim

To assess BAY 94‐9027 in children with severe haemophilia A.

Methods

In the two‐part PROTECT VIII Kids study, boys <12 years with <1% FVIII and >50 exposure days (EDs) to FVIII were enrolled in two cohorts (<6 years; 6‐<12 years) and treated with BAY 94‐9027 prophylaxis twice‐weekly, every 5 days, or every 7 days at physician discretion for ≥50 EDs (Part 1) or twice‐weekly for 12‐weeks (Part 2). Annualized bleeding rate (ABR) was a primary efficacy endpoint; FVIII inhibitor development was the primary safety variable.

Results

At study completion, 25 patients had been treated twice‐weekly, 28 in the every‐5‐day group, and 8 in the every‐7‐day group. Median ABR for all bleeds was 2.9 (Part 1) and 2.4 (Part 2) and similar in younger and older patients; median ABR for joint bleeds was 0 for both cohorts. In the last 90 days’ treatment, median ABR was 0 for younger and older patients (Part 1). Of 149 reported bleeds, 93% were treated with ≤2 infusions. Twelve patients, the majority <6 years (n = 11), discontinued due to apparent loss of efficacy or hypersensitivity. No FVIII inhibitors developed.

Conclusions

In PROTECT VIII Kids, which allowed tailoring of prophylaxis to individual clinical response, BAY 94‐9027 was efficacious for bleed prevention and treatment in previously treated children with severe haemophilia A.
EXTREMIST PLATFORMS: POLITICAL CONSEQUENCES OF PROFIT‐SEEKING MEDIA
Authors: Bandyopadhyay Siddhartha , Chatterjee Kalyan , Roy Jaideep
Published: March 2020

We analyze how information about candidate quality affects the choice of electoral platforms made by an office‐motivated political challenger. The incumbent is of known quality and located at the ideal policy of the voter. The voter cares for both policy and the candidates' quality and can learn about the challenger's quality by buying information. A high‐quality challenger then has an incentive to signal her quality by choosing a policy that induces the voter to buy information. We first study the benchmark case in which the information is supplied exogenously, and its quality is independent of the challenger's platform; this yields multiple equilibria and indeterminacy of equilibrium platforms. By contrast, when the information is supplied by a profit‐maximizing media outlet, its quality depends on the challenger's platform and we obtain a unique equilibrium platform. In particular, when the incumbent's quality is relatively low, the media coverage rises and the challenger's platform diverges further from the voter's ideal policy as the voter's preference for quality increases.
CCR5 and CCR5Δ32 in bacterial and parasitic infections: Thinking chemokine receptors outside the HIV box
Authors: Ellwanger Joel Henrique , Kaminski Valéria de Lima , Rodrigues Andressa Gonçalves , Kulmann‐Leal Bruna , Chies José Artur Bogo
Published: March 2020

The CCR5 molecule was reported in 1996 as the main HIV‐1 co‐receptor. In that same year, the CCR5Δ32 genetic variant was described as a strong protective factor against HIV‐1 infection. These findings led to extensive research regarding the CCR5, culminating in critical scientific advances, such as the development of CCR5 inhibitors for the treatment of HIV infection. Recently, the research landscape surrounding CCR5 has begun to change. Different research groups have realized that, since CCR5 has such important effects in the chemokine system, it could also affect other different physiological systems. Therefore, the effect of reduced CCR5 expression due to the presence of the CCR5Δ32 variant began to be further studied. Several studies have investigated the role of CCR5 and the impacts of CCR5Δ32 on autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, various types of cancer, and viral diseases. However, the role of CCR5 in diseases caused by bacteria and parasites is still poorly understood. Therefore, the aim of this article is to review the role of CCR5 and the effects of CCR5Δ32 on bacterial (brucellosis, osteomyelitis, pneumonia, tuberculosis and infection by Chlamydia trachomatis) and parasitic infections (toxoplasmosis, leishmaniasis, Chagas disease and schistosomiasis). Basic information about each of these infections was also addressed. The neglected role of CCR5 in fungal disease and emerging studies regarding the action of CCR5 on regulatory T cells are briefly covered in this review. Considering the “renaissance of CCR5 research,” this article is useful for updating researchers who develop studies involving CCR5 and CCR5Δ32 in different infectious diseases.
Preise und Mengen in kurz‐ und langfristiger Analyse : II
Authors: Gahlen Bernhard
Published: March 2020

Während der Stagflation ist die Beziehung zwischen Preisen und Mengen ein Hauptgegenstand der Wirtschaftstheorie und der empirischen Wirtschaftsforschung geworden. Dabei sind die verschiedenen Tradeoffs zwischen Preisen und Mengen in der «reduzierten Form» präsentiert worden. In diesem Aufsatz werden die reduzierten Formen gemeinsam betrachtet. Dabei werden fünf empirische Regelmässigkeiten behandelt: Preise und Mengen sind positiv korreliert; Inflationsrate und Variabilität dieser Rate auf der einen Seite und die relative Preisvariabilität auf der anderen Seite sind positiv korreliert; die relative Preis‐ und Mengenvariabilität sind positiv korreliert; schliesslich ist die zyklische Preisvariabilität und Mengenvariabilität negativ korreliert. Im zweiten Teil dieses Beitrags wird auf die «strukturelle Form», die die «reduzierten Formen» erklären kann, eingegangen. Dabei wird vor allem der informations‐ und kontraktorientierte Makroansatz behandelt. Verschiedene weitere Hypothesen werden herangezogen. Es wird aufgezeigt, dass die theoretischen Modelle durchaus im Einklang mit den Fakten stehen. Dabei bieten sie jedoch nicht die einzige Erklärungsmöglichkeit.
National Debt Neutrality: Some International Evidence
Authors: Koskela Erkki , Virén Matti
Published: March 2020

This paper contains ‐ in the context of consumption behavior – some empirical tests for the debt neutrality hypothesis. According to this hypothesis, the tax/debt financing mix of government spending does not matter. The large international cross section‐time series data from OECD countries lends no support to the coefficient restrictions implied by the debt neutrality hypothesis. This result turns out to be robust with respect to various ways of measuring the public sector deficit variable, to weighting patterns, to additional variables, to various data samples and to estimation methods.
Good for managers, bad for society? Causal evidence on the association between risk‐taking incentives and corporate social responsibility
Authors: Mayberry Michael
Published: March 2020

Using FAS 123R as an exogenous shock to stock options, I provide evidence that equity‐based risk‐taking incentives discourage corporate social responsibility (CSR). This finding suggests that compensation incentives can motivate managers not to pursue CSR strategies because CSR reduces firms’ risk and provides insurance‐like benefits. Firms with a greater demand for CSR's risk reduction are more sensitive to changes in risk‐taking incentives. I triangulate my results by confirming that CSR weaknesses are positively related to subsequent stock return volatility. Overall, using a robust empirical design, I find that risk‐taking incentives are a determinant of firms’ CSR.
Use of oral anticoagulation therapy in the first 3 months after the diagnosis of atrial fibrillation in Israel: A population‐based study
Authors: Kezerle Louise , Tsadok Meytal A. , Berliner Senderey Adi , Hoshen Moshe , Leventer‐Roberts Maya , Reges Orna , Leibowitz Morton , Haim Moti
Published: March 2020

Introduction

Oral anticoagulation (OAC) therapy reduces the risk of ischemic stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) while increasing the risk of bleeding. Recently, non‐vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) have become available with lower rates of intracranial bleeding, and some of them have presented a reduced risk of major bleeding. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the change in purchasing patterns of OACs (both warfarin and NOACs) over time in patients with AF according to stroke and bleeding risk, in the first 3 months after diagnosis.

Methods and Results

We conducted a historical cohort study using the Clalit Health Services electronic medical records database. The study population included all members aged ≥21 years, with a new diagnosis of nonvalvular AF between 2008 and 2015. A total of 58 385 cases were identified. The mean age was 73.1 (±14.1) years, and 52.3% of the patients were women. The median CHA2DS2‐VASc score was 4 (interquartile range, 3‐5). OACs were purchased by 19 705 patients (33.8%) within the first 3 months of first diagnosis of AF, with patients at higher embolic risk as stratified by the CHA2DS2‐VASc score and having higher purchasing rates (37.1%). Between 2008 and 2010, 29% of patients purchased a vitamin K antagonist, the only available OAC at the time. OAC purchasing increased to 41.4% between 2014 and 2015, with half of the patients purchasing an NOAC.

Conclusion

In this real‐world, population‐based cohort study of patients with newly diagnosed AF, we found a lower than expected rate of OAC prescription within 3 months of diagnosis but an encouraging increase in OAC purchasing over time. The use of NOACs has risen exponentially within just a few years, accounting for a greater pool of patients with being prescribed an OAC.