bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predicting entrepreneurial intentions through self-efficacy, family support, and regret
Authors: Ahmed Ishfaq , Islam Talat , Usman Ahmad
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Entrepreneurial activities are the outcome of various individual dispositional and environmental factors. Taking both internal and external factors as the basic premise of venturing, this study aims to investigate the impact of entrepreneurial self-efficacy on intentions through the mediating role of regret and moderation of family support.

Design/methodology/approach

Data was collected through a questionnaire from 435 students of three large public sector universities at two points of time with an interval of four months.

Findings

Self-efficacy influences entrepreneurial intentions through regret, while the absence of family support increases regret. As the family support is often perceived to be absent in the Pakistani entrepreneurial culture, the outcomes are distinctive.

Originality/value

These findings add value in the existing literature by linking family support, self-efficacy and regret association, and their ultimate influence on entrepreneurial intentions.
Is it suitable for your local governments? A contingency theory-based analysis on the use of internal control in thwarting white-collar crime
Authors: Shonhadji Nanang , Maulidi Ach
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to extend existing theory by developing a contingency theory for the public sector and to provide a landscape for local government to deal with white-collar crime. In recent years, the theme of risk management and internal controls, which is popular in the industry and private sector, has been mirrored by public sector organisations. Of course, it is to improve fraud risk control systems. We have to accept that public sector organisations have a growing need to control the (fraud) risks in a rapidly changing economic environment. Within this situation an effective internal control is becoming strategically important in many organisations, as it is proving to be a cost-efficient way to manage these risks in everyday operations. Here, the authors conducted a case study on the risk management control system at an Indonesian local government.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses mixed methods, integrating quantitative and qualitative data – in-depth interviews and questionnaires were required to address the social phenomenon being investigated.

Findings

This study found that the structure of the control system fits a generic model, in which control systems are fundamental factors to all departments. It shows that control systems can support managers to align employee capabilities, activities and performance with the organisation’s goals and missions. In addition, the authors could identify, risk assessment and monitoring activities are effective measures of controlling organisation’s activities, and potentially could diagnose potential (fraud) risks, deterring to the achievement of organisational aims. Ideally, those aspects should be performed on a continuous basis if organisations want to prevent the spread of numerous potential menaces. In other words, if an organisation fails to carry out risk assessment correctly, it will result in unidentified possibility of fraud risks. The more explicit the risk assessment, the more effective the detection of fraud.

Practical implications

It can be alternative to consider Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission’s internal control as fraud mitigation in local government.

Originality/value

This study offers new directive discussion about internal controls as notion of fraud mitigation.
The scope and limitations of external audit in detecting frauds in company’s operations
Authors: Dimitrijevic Dragomir , Jovkovic Biljana , Milutinovic Suncica
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This study aims to investigate what are the capabilities and limits of external audit in detecting frauds in companies operating in the territory of the Republics: Serbia, Croatia, Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 51 certified auditors from Serbia, Croatia, Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina were surveyed to analyze what are the most frequent warning signals of the existence of the frauds auditors encounter during the verification of company’s financial statements.

Findings

The study indicated that the auditors of the Republic of Serbia more often encountered groundless overstatement of revenues compared with other countries, while regarding manipulative representation of inventories, the largest mean value and median are still among the auditors of the Republic of Serbia.

Practical implications

Based on the research results, it can be concluded that it is necessary to expand the legal obligation and power of external auditors when, in financial statement auditing, they come to clear findings that indicate fraud. Expansion of external auditors’ powers would reduce their current limitations and expand the domain of action.

Originality/value

Limitations in external auditors’ work prevent the processing of frauds. However, auditors’ analysis of financial statements and pointing to potential irregularities can be a good manner for the early detection and prevention of frauds in company’s operations.
Foreign directors and corporate governance in Islamic banks
Authors: Almutairi Ali R. , Quttainah Majdi Anwar
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine whether foreign directors’ influence on opportunistic behavior among managers varies between Islamic banks (IBs) and conventional banks (CBs). It also examines how religious ethics and morals guide foreign directors to be better monitors.

Design/methodology/approach

A panel fixed effects regression is used to analyze the effect of foreign directors on opportunistic behavior among managers in IBs and CBs. The authors use different proxies such as loss avoidance, discretionary loan loss provision and expense preference behavior to measure management opportunistic behavior.

Findings

Based on sample of 3,758 bank-year observations for 164 banks over the period 1993-2015, the authors show that the presence of foreign directors in IBs increases boards’ effectiveness in impeding management opportunistic behavior, whereas the presence of foreign directors in CBs reduces boards’ effectiveness in curbing management’s unethical acts. The authors also document that IBs (CBs) with foreign directors demonstrate less (more) earnings management and expense-preference behavior among managers. In addition, the authors’ evidence indicates that the existence of theShari’ahsupervisory boards helps foreign directors be more effective monitors.

Research limitations/implications

The current study focuses on banks only which makes its results subject to sample bias; there are many other forms of financial institutions (e.g. investments, real-estates and mutual funds) complying to theShari’ahlaw. Second, owing to the lack of foreign board directors characteristics, the authors cannot investigate the intensity of the specific characteristics that could have specific directions in affecting managerial behavior.

Practical implications

The findings in this paper may help standards-setters, auditors, investors and regulators take appropriate measures and create better policies that reduce managers’ discretion. This could in turn improve information transparency decision-making, monitoring, advising and accounting quality.

Originality/value

The authors’ theoretical framework combines the agency, contingency, resource-dependence, stewardship and stakeholders’ theories and applies them toShari’ahas an alternative ethical and internal governance mechanism. The authors find that the impact of foreign directors on management opportunistic behavior depends on the corporate religious norms within boards of directors, in particular, suggesting that religious values affect how foreign directors influence bank managers’ behavior.
Research on the classification for road traffic visibility based on the characteristics of driving behaviour – a driving simulator experiment
Authors: Wang Kun , Zhang Weihua , Feng Zhongxiang , Wang Cheng
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to perform fine classification of road traffic visibility based on the characteristics of driving behavior under different visibility conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

A driving simulator experiment was conducted to collect data of speed and lane position. ANOVA was used to explore the difference in driving behavior under different visibility conditions.

Findings

The results show that only average speed is significantly different under different visibility conditions. With the visibility reducing, the average vehicle speed decreases. The road visibility conditions in a straight segment can be divided into five levels: less than 20, 20-30, 35-60, 60-140 and more than 140 m. The road visibility conditions in a curve segment can be also divided into four levels: less than 20, 20-30, 35-60 and more than 60 m.

Originality/value

A fine classification of road traffic visibility has been performed, and these classifications help to establish more accurate control measures to ensure road traffic safety under low-visibility conditions.
High-quality vs low-quality teaching
Authors: Chou Shih Yung , Luo Jiaxi , Ramser Charles
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine student sentiments regarding high-quality vs low-quality teaching.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a text mining technique to identify the positive and negative patterns of student sentiments from student evaluations of teaching (SET) provided on Ratemyprofessors.com. After identifying the key positive and negative sentiments, this study performs generalized linear regressions and calculates cumulative logits to analyze the impact of key sentiments on high- and low-quality teaching.

Findings

Results from 6,705 SET provided on Ratemyprofessors.com indicated that students express different sets of sentiments regarding high- vs low-quality teaching. In particular, the authors found positive sentiments such as passionate, straightforward, accessible, hilarious, sweet, inspiring and clear to be predictive of high-quality teaching. Additionally, negative sentiments such as disorganized, rude, difficult, confusing and boring were significantly related to low-quality teaching.

Originality/value

This study is one of the first few studies confirming that high- and low-quality teaching are not completely opposite to each other from the student’s perspective. That is, the presence of high-quality teaching does not necessarily mean the absence of low-quality teaching. As such, this study provides an important theoretical base for future researchers who wish to explore approaches for improving faculty teaching in the higher education setting. Additionally, this study offers educators some recommendations that may help students experience positive sentiments while minimizing negative sentiments.
Coordination design of the coal-electricity supply chain contract for difference based on prospect theory
Authors: Li Weiwei , Zhao Jin-Lou , Dong Linxiao , Wu Chong
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Long-term contract is an important developing direction of China's coal industry coordination. This paper aims to discuss how to use contract for difference (CFD) to avoid risk and effectively increase the benefit of both coal and thermal power plants in the coal-electricity supply chain.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on prospect theory, this paper takes the risks and benefits of the coal and coal-fired power plants in the coal supply chain under CFD into balanced consideration to construct the contract coordination mechanism. In this mechanism, the coal demand in the coal supply chain equilibrium under centralized decision-making is regarded as the total annual volume of transactions needed to design the contract coordination mechanism and solve double marginalization. Then, based on prospect theory, in the construction of CFD, this paper takes the income of power and coal enterprises when they are in equilibrium under Stackelberg non-cooperative game as the reference point. In addition, considering that coal demand is a random variable, the CFD with a one-year trading session can be designed.

Findings

The research derives the coal price of the contract for difference, contract trading volume and its proportion of the total trading volume. A numerical example shows that the model above can be used to effectively avoid the risk of both coal and electricity sides.

Originality/value

To solve the conflict between coal enterprises and thermal power plants, let the coal-electricity supply chain be converted from non-cooperative game to cooperative game. Based on the prospect theory, this paper takes the income of the non-cooperative game of coal and thermal power plants as a reference point and considers how to design the coordination mechanism, the contract for difference, so as to make the two parties cooperate to solve the double marginal utility of the non-cooperative game in a chain supply. The main innovation of the work lies in the following: first, the coal demand when the coal-electrical supply chain is in balance under centralized decision-making is taken as the total annual trading volume needed to design the contract coordination mechanism and solve double marginalization. Second, based on prospect theory, in the construction of CFD, the benefits of coal-fired power plants and coal enterprises when both sides are in equilibrium under the Stackelberg non-cooperative game are taken as the reference points, and coal demand is taken as a random variable to design the CFD with a one-year transaction period. The price of coal that is not traded through CFD is calculated according to the daily market price. Third, this paper proposes the prospect M-V criterion of the risk-benefit equilibrium of both power and coal enterprises, which means that the risk-benefit equilibrium of both sides is the prospect variance effect of both sides relative to the reference point benefit divided by the prospect expectation effect.
Trust in leader as a pathway between ethical leadership and safety compliance
Authors: Enwereuzor Ibeawuchi K. , Adeyemi Busayo A. , Onyishi Ike E.
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Although a great number of studies have established the important role of leadership in workplace safety, it appears researchers are yet to consider the role that trust in leaders could play between ethical leadership and safety compliance within healthcare. To address that imbalance, this study aims to investigate the relationship between ethical leadership and safety compliance, with trust in the leader as the mediator.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected in three time periods from 237 hospital staff nurses (76.8 per cent women and 23.2 per cent men). Ordinary least squares regression-based path analysis using PROCESS for statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) macro was used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

Results showed that ethical leadership was positively related to trust in a leader but was not related to safety compliance. In addition, trust in leader was positively related to safety compliance and also mediated the positive relationship between ethical leadership and safety compliance.

Research limitations/implications

The data were collected within healthcare organisations in a few localities in Nigeria, making it difficult to generalise the findings beyond the current sample let alone the entire country or even continent.

Practical implications

The findings imply that ethical leadership may not be directly effective in improving the safety compliance of subordinate nurses unless such a leader first develops a trust-based relationship with the subordinates.

Originality/value

The current study builds on and extends the burgeoning research in the area of leadership and employee outcome by investigating not only the direct relationship between ethical leadership and safety compliance but also incorporating trust in a leader as a mediator of this relationship.
Abnormal keratinization and cutaneous inflammation in Mal de Meleda
Authors: Kudo Mari , Ishiura Nobuko , Tamura‐Nakano Miwa , Shimizu Teruo , Kamata Masahiro , Akasaka Eijiro , Nakano Hajime , Okuma Yoshiaki , Tada Yayoi , Okochi Hitoshi , Tamaki Takeshi
Published: March 2020

Mal de Meleda (MDM) is a rare, autosomal recessive form of palmoplantar keratoderma due to mutations in the gene, encoding for secreted lymphocyte antigen 6/urokinase‐type plasminogen activator receptor related protein 1 (SLURP1). We report a four‐year‐old Taiwanese MDM female case whose biopsy specimen of hyperkeratotic lesions showed abnormal keratinization and cutaneous inflammation with characteristic transmission electron microscopic (TEM) findings and immunostaining results. The patient presented with pruritic and severely hyperkeratotic plaques on the bilateral palms and soles whichwere fringed with erythematous scaly areas. A homozygous c.256 G>A mutation, predicting a conversion of p.Gly86Arg, in SLURP1gene was detected. Histopathological examinations showed marked hyperkeratosis, acanthosis and hypergranulosis in the epidermis, accompanied by perivascular lymphocytic infiltrates in the dermis. The whole layers of the epidermis and perivascular infiltrates of the dermis were stained positive with anti‐tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) antibody in the biopsy specimen from the sole and the ankle. TEM examination of the biopsy specimen from the plantar hyperkeratotic plaque showed various‐sized vacuoles surrounding nuclei of many keratinocytes in the spinous layer. In addition, there were numerous irregular keratohyaline granules in the granular layer. Several microorganisms and many lipid‐like droplets were found in the thickened cornified layer. SLURP1 protein is known as a marker of late differentiation, predominantly expressed in the granular layer, and also known to have an inhibitory effect on TNFα release. Our results exhibited excessive TNFα expression in keratinocytes and perivascular infiltrates of the dermis, and several characteristic morphological observations of keratinocytes in MDM.
Comparative analysis of larval growth in Lepidoptera reveals instar‐level constraints
Authors: Kivelä Sami M. , Davis Robert B. , Esperk Toomas , Gotthard Karl , Mutanen Marko , Valdma Daniel , Tammaru Toomas
Published: March 2020

Juvenile growth trajectories evolve via the interplay of selective pressures on age and size at maturity, and developmental constraints. In insects, the moulting cycle is a major constraint on larval growth trajectories.

Surface area to volume ratio of a larva decreases during growth, so renewal of certain surfaces by moulting is likely needed for the maintenance of physiological efficiency. A null hypothesis of isometry, implied by Dyar's Rule, would mean that the relative measures of growth remain constant across moults and instars.

We studied ontogenetic changes and allometry in instar‐specific characteristics of larval growth in 30 lepidopteran species in a phylogenetic comparative framework.

Relative instar‐specific mass increments (RMI) typically, but not invariably, decreased across instars. Ontogenetic change in RMIs varied among families with little within‐family variation. End‐of‐instar growth deceleration (GD) became stronger with increasing body size across instars. Across‐instar change in GD was conserved across taxa. Ontogenetic allometry was generally non‐isometric in both RMI and GD.

Results indicate that detailed studies on multiple species are needed for generalizations concerning growth trajectory evolution. Developmental and physiological mechanisms affecting growth trajectory evolution show different degrees of evolutionary conservatism, which must be incorporated into models of age and size at maturation.
NO and N2O transformations of diverse fungi in hypoxia: evidence for anaerobic respiration only in Fusarium strains
Authors: Keuschnig Christoph , Gorfer Markus , Li Guofen , Mania Daniel , Frostegård Åsa , Bakken Lars , Larose Catherine
Published: March 2020

Fungal denitrification is claimed to produce non‐negligible amounts of N2O in soils, but few tested species have shown significant activity. We hypothesized that denitrifying fungi would be found among those with assimilatory nitrate reductase, and tested 20 such batch cultures for their respiratory metabolism, including two positive controls, Fusarium oxysporum and Fusarium lichenicola, throughout the transition from oxic to anoxic conditions in media supplemented with . Enzymatic reduction of (NIR) and NO (NOR) was assessed by correcting measured NO‐ and N2O‐kinetics for abiotic NO‐ and N2O‐production (sterile controls). Significant anaerobic respiration was only confirmed for the positive controls and for two of three Fusarium solani cultures. The NO kinetics in six cultures showed NIR but not NOR activity, observed through the accumulation of NO. Others had NOR but not NIR activity, thus reducing abiotically produced NO to N2O. The presence of candidate genes (nirK and p450nor) was confirmed in the positive controls, but not in some of the NO or N2O accumulating cultures. Based on our results, we conclude that only the Fusarium cultures were able to sustain anaerobic respiration and produced low amounts of N2O as a response to an abiotic NO production from the medium.
Silicosis in artificial stone workers: Spectrum of radiological high‐resolution CT chest findings
Authors: Jones Catherine M , Pasricha Sundeep S , Heinze Stefan B , MacDonald Sharyn
Published: March 2020

Silicosis in artificial stone workers has become increasingly recognised in Australia over the last two years, with a large proportion of screened workers showing imaging features of the disease. The spectrum of findings has differed from the classical silicosis previously described, with many features of accelerated disease, including ground‐glass opacities and progressive massive fibrosis. This cohort of patients presents after exposure to a unique product high in silica and other binding agents, and the patterns of disease on imaging in this cohort are not previously described. This article reviews the radiological features seen in different forms of silicosis seen to date in this Australian cohort.
Chemoradiotherapy followed by durvalumab in patients with unresectable advanced non‐small cell lung cancer: Management of adverse events
Authors: Miura Yu , Mouri Atsuto , Kaira Kyoichi , Yamaguchi Ou , Shiono Ayako , Hashimoto Kosuke , Nishihara Fuyumi , Shinomiya Shun , Akagami Tomoe , Murayama Yoshitake , Abe Takanori , Noda Shin‐ei , Kato Shingo , Kobayashi Kunihiko , Kagamu Hiroshi
Published: March 2020

Background

Chemoradiotherapy followed by durvalumab is the standard treatment for the patients with local advanced non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). There is a real‐world data about the management of adverse events, such as pneumonitis, according to the different institutions. Here, we present the experience regarding the management of adverse events after the initiation of durvalumab as daily practice.

Methods

From July 2018 to August 2019, 41 patients with locally advanced NSCLC, who underwent chemoradiotherapy followed by durvalumab, were retrospectively analyzed in the study using our medical records.

Results

The median age of patients was 72 years (range: 51–80 years). A total of 33 patients were male and eight were female, and 40 patients (98%) received a total radiation dose of 60 Gy as concomitant chemoradiotherapy. The median V20 for the entire cohort was 18.9% (range: 3.5–29.9). Any adverse events during chemoradiotherapy and durvalumab were observed in 32 patients (78.0%), while three patients (7.3%) experienced grade 3 toxicities. In total, 25 (61.0%) patients experienced pneumonitis, four (9.8%) thyroid dysfunction, three (7.3%) myopathy, two (4.9%) rash or eruption, one (2.4%) bowel disease and one (2.4%) malaise. Grade 3 pneumonitis, thyroid dysfunction and myopathy were observed in one (2.4%), one (2.4%) and one (2.4%), respectively. A total of 22 (53.7%) patients were unable to continue durvalumab due to pneumonitis. However, durvalumab was finally readministered to six patients.

Conclusions

The adherence to lung dose constraints such as V20 as well as close treatment monitoring are a prerequisite for the management of pneumonitis during maintenance therapy with durvalumab.
Spontaneous versus controlled mechanical ventilation in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome – Protocol for a scoping review
Authors: Aslam Tayyba N. , Klitgaard Thomas L. , Møller Morten H. , Perner Anders , Hofsø Kristin , Skrubbeltrang Conni , Flaatten Hilde I. , Rasmussen Bodil S. , Laake Jon H.
Published: March 2020

Background

In caring for mechanically ventilated adults with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), clinicians are faced with an uncertain choice between controlled or spontaneous breathing modes. Observational data indicate considerable practice variation which may be driven by differences in sedation and mobilisation practices. The benefits and harms of either strategy are largely unknown.

Methods

A scoping review will be prepared according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) extension for scoping reviews. We will review the clinical literature on controlled vs spontaneous breathing in mechanically ventilated patients with ARDS of any severity. Studies reporting on qualitative and/or quantitative data from any world region will be considered. For inclusion, studies must include data on mechanically ventilated patients with ARDS who are allowed spontaneous (triggered ventilation). Searches will be conducted in four electronic databases without any limitation on publication date and language. We will assess the quality of evidence according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology, where appropriate.

Conclusion

We will perform a scoping review of the clinical literature on controlled vs spontaneously breathing in mechanically ventilated patients who fulfil ARDS criteria (including acute lung injury). This is to elucidate if a pragmatic clinical trial comparing controlled and spontaneous mechanical ventilation is warranted and will allow us to formulate relevant research questions.
Impaired integrin α5/β1‐mediated hepatocyte growth factor release by stellate cells of the aged liver
Authors: Rohn Friederike , Kordes Claus , Buschmann Tobias , Reichert Doreen , Wammers Marianne , Poschmann Gereon , Stühler Kai , Benk Amelie S. , Geiger Fania , Spatz Joachim P. , Häussinger Dieter
Published: March 2020

Hepatic blood flow and sinusoidal endothelial fenestration decrease during aging. Consequently, fluid mechanical forces are reduced in the space of Disse where hepatic stellate cells (HSC) have their niche. We provide evidence that integrin α5/β1 is an important mechanosensor in HSC involved in shear stress‐induced release of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), an essential inductor of liver regeneration which is impaired during aging. The expression of the integrin subunits α5 and β1 decreases in liver and HSC from aged rats. CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated integrin α5 and β1 knockouts in isolated HSC lead to lowered HGF release and impaired cellular adhesion. Fluid mechanical forces increase integrin α5 and laminin gene expression whereas integrin β1 remains unaffected. In the aged liver, laminin β2 and γ1 protein chains as components of laminin‐521 are lowered. The integrin α5 knockout in HSC reduces laminin expression via mechanosensory mechanisms. Culture of HSC on nanostructured surfaces functionalized with laminin‐521 enhances Hgf expression in HSC, demonstrating that these ECM proteins are critically involved in HSC function. During aging, HSC acquire a senescence‐associated secretory phenotype and lower their growth factor expression essential for tissue repair. Our findings suggest that impaired mechanosensing via integrin α5/β1 in HSC contributes to age‐related reduction of ECM and HGF release that could affect liver regeneration.
Sexual dimorphism in limb long bones of the German Shepherd Dog
Authors: Belhaoues Fabien , Breit Sabine , Forstenpointner Gerhard , Gardeisen Armelle
Published: March 2020

The study of sexual dimorphism in dog anatomy, especially with regard to skeletal elements, has received little attention. The present work focuses on elements of the canine stylo‐ and zeugopodium, less documented than the skull or pelvis in the literature. In order to identify only sex‐dependent effects, we analysed a single breed: the German Shepherd Dog. Data come from 25 dogs, with a balanced sex ratio (12 males and 13 females). Four skeletal elements of the forelimb and hindlimb (humerus, radius, femur, tibia) were each measured using seven linear morphometric variables. Univariate and multivariate analyses were then performed on these 28 variables. For all measurements, males are on average larger than females, with a mean sexual dimorphism ratio of 1.07. Sexual dimorphism is significant for 92.8% of the variables. Except of femoral measurements, diaphyseal values show the highest grade of sexual dimorphism. The mean level of disparity is higher in the forelimb (1.08) than in the hindlimb (1.05). A significant dimorphism is shown for the first component of principal component analyses conducted on each skeletal element, and for the second component with humerus measurements. Discriminant functions for sex identification give success rates included between 82% for the radius and 93% for the femur, the latter providing the highest reported score for sex identification in dogs from any skeletal element. These complementary statistic methods highlight a more dimorphic forelimb in size and a more dimorphic hindlimb in shape.
The Effects of Cannabis Use: A Test Among Dual Electronic and Combustible Cigarette Users
Authors: Mayorga Nubia A. , Garey Lorra , Nizio Pamella , Buckner Julia D. , Zvolensky Michael J.
Published: March 2020

Background and Objectives

Despite greater rates of cannabis use among those that smoke combustible cigarettes, it is currently unknown whether cannabis use is related to e‐cigarette dependence or maladaptive beliefs about combustible cigarettes. Therefore, the current study sought to identify whether adult dual users of combustible and e‐cigarettes (ie, dual users) who also used cannabis differed from dual users who did not use cannabis on e‐cigarette dependence severity, perceived barriers to quitting, and perception of risks and of benefits of e‐cigarettes.

Methods

Participants were 414 current dual users (48.3% female, Mage = 35.1 years, SD = 10.0), 51% of whom were current cannabis users.

Results

Dual users who reported current cannabis use evidenced more severe dependence on e‐cigarettes (ηp2 = 0.12), higher perceived barriers for quitting e‐cigarettes (ηp2 = 0.06), and greater perceived benefits (ηp2 = 0.03) as well as higher perception of risks (ηp2 = 0.03) for using e‐cigarettes. The results were evident after controlling for the variance associated with sex, age, education, income, and frequency of e‐cigarette use.

Discussion and Conclusions

Overall, the current findings suggest cannabis may be an important type of substance use behavior that is relevant to e‐cigarette dependence and beliefs about use and quitting among adult dual users.

Scientific Significance

The present data extend current understanding of dual users by contextualizing cannabis use within e‐cigarette and combustible cigarette use behaviors and highlight a potential substance use behavior that may be targetable in the framework of nicotine cessation. (Am J Addict 2020;00:00–00)
The effectiveness of interventions to improve self‐management for adolescents and young adults with allergic conditions: A systematic review
Authors: Knibb Rebecca C. , Alviani Cherry , Garriga‐Baraut Teresa , Mortz Charlotte G. , Vazquez‐Ortiz Marta , Angier Elizabeth , Blumchen Katerina , Comberiati Pasquale , Duca Bettina , DunnGalvin Audrey , Gore Claudia , Hox Valerie , Jensen Britt , Pite Helena , Santos Alexandra F. , Sanchez‐Garcia Silvia , Gowland M. Hazel , Timmermans Frans , Roberts Graham
Published: March 2020

Background

This systematic review aimed to review the literature on interventions for improving self‐management and well‐being in adolescents and young adults (11‐25 years) with asthma and allergic conditions.

Methods

A systematic literature search was undertaken across eight databases. References were checked by two reviewers for inclusion. Study data were extracted, and their quality was assessed in duplicate. A narrative synthesis was undertaken.

Results

A total of 30 papers reporting data from 27 studies were included. Interventions types were psychological (k = 9); e‐health (k = 8); educational (k = 4); peer‐led (k = 5); breathing re‐training (k = 1). All interventions were for asthma. Psychological interventions resulted in significant improvements in the intervention group compared with the control group for self‐esteem, quality of life, self‐efficacy, coping strategies, mood and asthma symptoms. E‐Health interventions reported significant improvements for inhaler technique, adherence and quality of life. General educational interventions demonstrated significantly improved quality of life, management of asthma symptoms, controller medication use, increased use of a written management plan and reduction in symptoms. The peer‐led interventions included the Triple A (Adolescent Asthma Action) programme and a peer‐led camp based on the Power Breathing Programme. Improvements were found for self‐efficacy, school absenteeism and quality of life.

Conclusion

Although significant improvements were seen for all intervention types, many were small feasibility or pilot studies, few studies reported effect sizes and no studies for allergic conditions other than asthma met the inclusion criteria. Research using large longitudinal interventional designs across the range of allergic conditions is required to strengthen the evidence base.
Treatment options for giant gastrointestinal stromal tumours and related prognosis: a single‐centre retrospective study
Authors: Wang Feng , Tao Tingting , Wang Xingzhou , Yu Heng , Xia Xuefeng , Wang Meng , Guan Wenxian , Shi Xiaolei
Published: March 2020

Background

Controversy persists about the best treatment for giant gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs). This retrospective study aimed to investigate the different treatments for giant GISTs and the effect on outcomes.

Methods

A total of 71 patients with GIST ≥10 cm in diameter were separated into four groups according to treatment received: emergency surgery group (n = 17), preoperative targeted (imatinib) therapy group (n = 12), palliative resection group (n = 17) and R0 resection group (n = 25). Baseline, intraoperative and post‐operative findings were compared between the groups. Long‐term follow‐up was conducted to assess outcomes.

Results

Preoperative gastrointestinal bleeding was significantly higher (P = 0.003) and haemoglobin level was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in the emergency surgery group than in the other groups. Mean tumour diameter was significantly more in the palliative resection group than in the other groups (P = 0.023). Overall survival was significantly higher in the R0 resection group and the preoperative targeted therapy group than in the other two groups (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

In patients with giant GISTs, the best outcomes appear to be achieved with preoperative imatinib therapy plus surgery or R0 resection followed by imatinib therapy.
Basement highs: Definitions, characterisation and origins
Authors: Peacock David C. P. , Banks Graham J.
Published: March 2020

A glossary of commonly used terms related to the geometric forms and geological settings of basement highs is presented to assist cross‐disciplinary understanding, qualifying prefixes for the termbasementare discussed and a scheme for characterising basement highs is presented. This scheme is designed to standardise, and to add rigour to, description of basement highs. It will thereby enhance basement high comparisons and assist understanding of basement highs across technical disciplines. The scheme enables systematic characterisation of: the geometry of a basement high; the lithologic units and structures in, above and around it; timings; tectonics and origins of the basement high and play elements relating to resource prospectivity. Use of this scheme is demonstrated using the southern Rona Ridge (West of Shetland, UK Continental Shelf). The tectonic, isostatic, erosional and stratigraphic processes that form basement highs are also discussed, and examples in proven petroleum systems are presented.
B4GALT1‐congenital disorders of glycosylation: Expansion of the phenotypic and molecular spectrum and review of the literature
Authors: Staretz‐Chacham Orna , Noyman Iris , Wormser Ohad , Abu Quider Abed , Hazan Guy , Morag Iris , Hadar Noam , Raymond Kimiyo , Birk Ohad S. , Ferreira Carlos R. , Koifman Arie
Published: March 2020

A congenital disorder of glycosylation due to biallelic mutations in B4GALT1 has been previously reported in only three patients with two different mutations. Through homozygosity mapping followed by segregation analysis in an extended pedigree, we identified three additional patients homozygous for a novel mutation in B4GALT1, expanding the phenotypic spectrum of the disease. The patients showed a uniform clinical presentation with intellectual disability, marked pancytopenia requiring chronic management, and novel features including pulmonary hypertension and nephrotic syndrome. Notably, affected individuals exhibited a moderate elevation of Man3GlcNAc4Fuc1 on serum N‐glycan analysis, yet two of the patients had a normal pattern of transferrin glycosylation in repeated analysis. The novel mutation is the third disease‐causing variant described in B4GALT1, and the first one within its transmembrane domain.
Potential of mesenchymal stem cells alone, or in combination, to treat traumatic brain injury
Authors: Willing Alison E. , Das Mahasweta , Howell Mark , Mohapatra Shyam S. , Mohapatra Subhra
Published: March 2020

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) causes death and disability in the United States and around the world. The traumatic insult causes the mechanical injury of the brain and primary cellular death. While a comprehensive pathological mechanism of TBI is still lacking, the focus of the TBI research is concentrated on understanding the pathophysiology and developing suitable therapeutic approaches. Given the complexities in pathophysiology involving interconnected immunologic, inflammatory, and neurological cascades occurring after TBI, the therapies directed to a single mechanism fail in the clinical trials. This has led to the development of the paradigm of a combination therapeutic approach against TBI. While there are no drugs available for the treatment of TBI, stem cell therapy has shown promising results in preclinical studies. But, the success of the therapy depends on the survival of the stem cells, which are limited by several factors including route of administration, health of the administered cells, and inflammatory microenvironment of the injured brain. Reducing the inflammation prior to cell administration may provide a better outcome of cell therapy following TBI. This review is focused on different therapeutic approaches of TBI and the present status of the clinical trials.
Sequence recommendation based on deep learning
Authors: Guo Dong , Wang Chuantao
Published: March 2020

In order to solve the cold start problem of traditional recommendation algorithm, the sequence change of user interaction information and deep learning are gradually considered as a key feature of commodity recommendation system. However, most of the existing recommendation methods based on the sequence changes assume that all the interaction information of users is equally important for recommendation, which is not always applicable in real scenarios, because the interaction process of user items is full of randomness and contingency. In this article, we study how to reduce the randomness and contingency between session sequences, make full use of the association between session sequences in the interaction process of users by Deep Learning. In order to better simulate the change of session sequence in the real scene, we adopt sequence sampling methods to transform the single classification problem into sequence modeling problem. And attention mechanism is added to reduce the interference of the recommendation model in the sequence due to the contingency and randomness of the user in the shopping. Finally, through the verification of real data, the MRR@20 index of the improved model is 20% higher than the benchmark level.
Colour matching for smart and sustainable spinning of coloured textiles
Authors: Yang Ruihua , Pan Bo , Deng Qianqian , Wang Zhuo , Xu Yaya
Published: March 2020

The colours and patterns of coloured textiles are usually obtained via dyeing or printing processes. However, these processes consume large amounts of electricity and cause water pollution, which affects the ecological environment. The hand feel of dyed fabrics is superior to that of printed fabrics. Three‐channel rotor spinning is a highly flexible, adaptable and sustainable method for producing coloured textiles by blending precoloured fibres during the spinning process. Additionally, the process requires approximately half the water required for fabric dyeing or printing. Herein, the colour characteristics, as well as the advantages, of the coloured textiles produced by the new method are demonstrated. Three types of Stearns‐Noechel models are modified to describe the relationship between the blending ratios and resulting textile colours. The colour‐matching accuracy is high. As demonstrated by the results, the three‐channel rotor spinning method can effectively promote coloured textile engineering.
Oxygen plasma pretreatment improves dyeing and antimicrobial properties of wool fabric dyed with natural extract from pomegranate peel
Authors: Peran Jelena , Ercegović Ražić Sanja , Sutlović Ana , Ivanković Tomislav , Glogar Martinia Ira
Published: March 2020

This paper presents the application of conventional potassium aluminium sulphate wool mordanting and a biochemical method with silver nitrate (as antimicrobial agent and mordant), alone and in combination with oxygen plasma, as part of comprehensive research into pretreatment processes for wool dyeing with natural extract from pomegranate peel (Punica granatum L.). Pretreatment with oxygen plasma significantly improved the hydrophilicity and tensile strength of all tested samples and showed that oxygen plasma can improve K/S, washing fastness, and even replace certain mordants in wool dyeing with natural pomegranate dye. All dyed samples exhibited good antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, which can be contributed to the phenol content in pomegranate dye. Only after 28 days of intensive ageing in natural weathering conditions did K/S and antibacterial activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae slightly decrease in dyed samples pretreated with oxygen plasma.
Oestrogen‐activated autophagy has a negative effect on the anti‐osteoclastogenic function of oestrogen
Authors: Cheng Liang , Zhu Yunrong , Xie Denghui , Ke Dianshan
Published: March 2020

Objectives

Oestrogen is known to inhibit osteoclastogenesis, and numerous studies have identified it as an autophagic activator. To date, the role of oestrogen in the autophagy of osteoclast precursors (OCPs) during osteoclastogenesis remains unclear. This study aimed to determine the effect of autophagy regulated by the biologically active form of oestrogen (17β‐estradiol) on osteoclastogenesis.

Materials and methods

After treatment with 17β‐estradiol in OCPs (from bone marrow‐derived macrophages, BMMs) and ovariectomy (OVX) mice, we measured the effect of 17β‐estradiol on the autophagy of OCPs in vitro and in vivo. In addition, we studied the role of autophagy in the OCP proliferation, osteoclast differentiation and bone loss regulated by 17β‐estradiol using autophagic inhibitor or knock‐down of autophagic genes.

Results

The results showed that direct administration of 17β‐estradiol enhanced the autophagic response of OCPs. Interestingly, 17β‐estradiol inhibited the stimulatory effect of receptor activator of nuclear factor‐κB ligand (RANKL) on the autophagy and osteoclastogenesis of OCPs. Moreover, 17β‐estradiol inhibited the downstream signalling of RANKL. Autophagic suppression by pharmacological inhibitors or gene silencing enhanced the inhibitory effect of 17β‐estradiol on osteoclastogenesis. In vivo assays showed that the autophagic inhibitor 3‐MA not only inhibited the autophagic activity of the OCPs in the trabecular bone of OVX mice but also enhanced the ability of 17β‐estradiol to ameliorate bone loss.

Conclusions

In conclusion, our study showed that oestrogen directly enhanced the autophagy of OCPs, which inhibited its anti‐osteoclastogenic effect. Drugs based on autophagic inhibition may enhance the efficacy of oestrogen on osteoporosis.
Impact of metformin on malignancy in solid organ transplantation
Authors: Bartlett Felicia , January Spenser , Pottebaum April , Horwedel Timothy , Malone Andrew F.
Published: March 2020

Malignancy after solid organ transplant is a common occurrence that is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Literature in the general diabetic population has identified possible antineoplastic properties of metformin. This retrospective study aims to determine if metformin results in a malignancy risk reduction in a cohort of diabetic kidney, liver, and heart transplant recipients. The population included transplant recipients without use of metformin at any time point (DMO arm, n = 147) and those with use of metformin (DMM arm, n = 172); the two arms were matched based on organ type and transplant date prior to application of exclusion criteria. Recipients with prior malignancy, malignancy before diabetes diagnosis, and metformin duration <30 days were excluded. The primary endpoint of malignancy first occurrence post‐transplant was not found to be statistically significant at 1, 5, 10, and 15 years. In the subgroup of heart transplant recipients, there was a significant reduction in malignancy at 15 years post‐transplant. Older age and Caucasian race were identified as significant risk factors for malignancy, while never smoker was a protective factor. Metformin use in this solid organ transplant cohort was not found to significantly reduce malignancy risk compared to use of other anti‐diabetic agents.
UNDERSTANDING THE MACROECONOMIC IMPACT OF ILLIQUIDITY SHOCKS IN THE UNITED STATES
Authors: Yen Chia‐Yi , Chou Yu‐Hsi
Published: March 2020

In this paper, we empirically investigate the role of stock market illiquidity shocks, stemming from Amihud's illiquidity measure, in explaining U.S. macroeconomic fluctuations from 1973 to 2018. We find that the impact of illiquidity shocks on economic activity is substantial, and historical decomposition analysis shows that cumulative illiquidity shocks were an essential contributor to the prolonged economic slump of the Great Recession. Moreover, our identified illiquidity shocks represent a distinct source of macroeconomic instability. This suggests that illiquidity shocks, measured by the stock price impacts, may contain more information than other types of shocks in recent studies, such as financial shocks and uncertainty shocks. (JEL C32, E32)