bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing the application of Islamic and conventional hedgings in Indonesia
Authors: Ismal Rifki
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Banks in Indonesia offer two currency-hedging mechanisms to business players to hedge their portfolio against exchange rate risk, namely, Islamic hedging and conventional hedging. Taking into account that Islamic finance stakeholders in Indonesia want to accelerate Islamic hedging transactions, assessing the feasibility of Islamic hedging to serve the business players is very important. Thus, this paper aims to compare the conventional and Islamic currency-hedging mechanisms, particularly to identify which one to be preferred by the business players, identify terms and conditions if Islamic hedging is more preferable, give information regarding the estimated profit and payment of the premium in adopting currency-hedging (both conventional and Islamic hedgings) and prove the workability of Islamic currency-hedging as a new hedging mechanism for the business players.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses qualitative research methodology by comparing Islamic and conventional hedging and a quantitative research method by using a forward contract formula. Technically, the paper conducts a static simulation of the forward transactions by using both conventional and Islamic hedgings to hedge the foreign exchange (forex) credit received by business players from banks. The forward contract simulation uses US dollar (USD) against Indonesian rupiah (IDR) from December 2003 to February 2019 and the forward premium uses both Islamic and conventional money market rates called PUAB (conventional interbank money market) rate and PUAS (Islamic interbank money market) rate.

Findings

The paper finds that Islamic hedging is more preferable to conventional one due to some considerations which are the number of profitable months, the minimum payment of premium and the highest payment of profit. However, even though the Islamic hedging mechanism has the advantage of having a higher Islamic money market rate than the conventional one, the economic condition (particularly the movement of IDR exchange rate) has to be considered as well particularly during the volatile exchange rate movement.

Research limitations/implications

The paper has not occupied macroeconomic variables such as inflation, GDP, international trade, as they might influence the movement of IDR exchange rate. In addition, it uses static simulation rather than a dynamic one.

Originality/value

This is the first paper assessing both Islamic and conventional hedging mechanisms in the case of Indonesia
Co-operative behavior of handicraft, low- and high-tech micro-firms: where do they differ?
Authors: Shafi Mohsin , Yang Yongzhong , Zoya Zoya , Junrong Liu , Rahman Imran Ur , Fatima Hina
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Though certain characteristics of micro-firms affect the likelihood of their participation in external relationships, how cooperation in craft enterprises differs from low and high-tech enterprises has not been investigated yet. Therefore, this study aims to fill the above gap in the literature.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopts a descriptive approach by extensively reviewing relevant literature to explore the unique characteristics and nature of micro-firm's co-operative behavior. The theoretical approach of this research is grounded in resource-based view and dynamic capabilities theories.

Findings

This study finds that handicraft micro-firms possess special and unique characteristics that differentiate them from low- and high-tech firms. Further, handicraft micro-firms' co-operative behavior also differs from other firms in terms of cooperation motives, breadth, depth and factors that inhibit or promote cooperation. Additionally, in small handicraft firms, the co-operation is more informal, personal and through social networks, whereas in the corporate sector, it is more formal, direct and through supply chains. This study also argues that contrary to handicraft and low-tech firms, high-tech firms are more likely to cooperate with external partners and invest heavily in R&D for new product development (often radical in nature).

Originality/value

This study enriches our understanding of handicraft micro-firms' special and unique characteristics that differentiate them from low- and high-tech micro-firms. This research also provides in-depth knowledge to understand the handicraft micro-firms’ co-operative behavior and how it differs from low- and high-tech firms.
A dynamic performance evaluation model suggestion for performance-based logistics
Authors: Agdas Mustafa , Gencer Cevriye
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This study proposes a dynamic performance evaluation model to support the material availability of the public institution under performance- based logistics (PBL) and to select the most appropriate service provider.

Design/methodology/approach

The model consists of four stages. In the first stage, a criteria set to evaluate alternatives is created. In the second stage, the DEA-MTFP index method is applied for performance evaluation of the alternatives by using crisp data. In the third stage, IFS theory is utilized for aggregating decision-maker judgments on alternatives, and in the last stage, the results of both methods are turned into single value, and it is selected as the most suitable alternative.

Findings

It is verified that the proposed approach can be implemented to the real-life dynamic multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) problem that have crisp and fuzzy data under the PBL strategy.

Practical implications

This paper offers an integrated approach for performance analysis of service providers in a dynamic MCDM problem in which crisp and fuzzy data are used together. To illustrate applicability and validity of the proposed model, it is applied to a real-life problem.

Originality/value

This paper utilizes the DEA-MTFP index method and IFS theory in an integrated way.
COVID-19 and the airline industry: crisis management and resilience
Authors: Suk Minho , Kim Wonjoon
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered a time of crisis and uncertainty for the air transportation industry. The gloomy prospects for the industry have stretched business resilience to a critical point. The crisis has caused damage and shock that the aviation industry has never endured before. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of both internally and externally generated airline response strategies by examining business practices for crisis management.

Design/methodology/approach

This study screened research papers and economic reports from authoritative organizations including the International Air Transport Association, International Civil Aviation Organization, World Health Organization and United Nations World Tourism Organization from December 2019 (the month in which the COVID-19 outbreak occurred) to March 2021 (the most recent month at present). The authors also integrated publicly recognized news articles to cover a wide range of business practices in the airline industry. The authors conducted thematic analysis by filtering news articles and economic reports that mentioned the keywords “COVID-19,” “pandemic,” “CoV-2,” “coronavirus” and “corona.” The authors coded the airlines’ response actions along the two-axis matrix (time and magnitude) and generated insights in a timely manner.

Findings

Major airlines have modified decision-making in relation to the exponential spread of the virus, which is in direct proportion to the deterioration level in the airline industry. When the impact was low in the early stage, major airlines maintained their status quo. Before long, the magnitude of the destruction became high, which made airlines implement capacity adjustments and request government relief measures. As industrial deterioration deepens, airlines keep calling for state aid packages and have changed their focus to the cargo transportation of high-demand commodities and pharmaceutical supplies. Lastly, industrial adversity and uncertainty have made them defer aggressive takeover opportunities.

Originality/value

Several researchers have investigated the impacts of the COVID-19 on the airline industry. However, there remains a dearth of scholarship on the hampered business activities and crisis management of the airline industry. In the absence of sufficient response strategies against the COVID-19 panic, this paper is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the major airlines’ response strategies to the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, this paper yields an opportunity for on-site management to review how major global airlines have responded to the crisis and find managerial insights to restore their business sustainability.
Breathing spaces of fearlessness and generosity in the Anglophone/Western university
Authors: Lobo Michele
Published: July 2021

How can dreams for just futures take flight in universities with colonial legacies that celebrate diversity but silence academics of colour who seek to be more than “institutional ornaments” and “quiet achievers?” Emerging research on decolonising the university focuses on the struggle that hypervisible Black, Indigenous, Asian, Latinx, and minority ethnic/ethno‐religious academics of colour engage in to negotiate the subtleties of institutional racism. In Australia, academics of colour who struggle to gain entry feel less vulnerable when they retreat to a place of quiet achievement and focus on advancing their careers. But such “quiet” places, which open up through White recognition and White responsibility, fail to unsettle brutal practices and a bitter politics of survival. This article therefore argues for geographies of fearlessness and generosity from sites of vulnerability in the Anglophone/Western university. It is inspired by feminist, Indigenous, and Black politics; personal experiences in Australian universities; and ethnographic research with ethnic/ethno‐religious minority migrants, refugees, asylum seekers, and Indigenous peoples in Paris and Detroit, among other locations. The findings are significant in showing how the multiply situated “we” in the university learn how to “stay with the trouble” and see the shimmer of decolonial horizons of possibility.
Hidden diversity of Ctenophora revealed by new mitochondrial COI primers and sequences
Authors: Christianson Lynne M. , Johnson Shannon B. , Schultz Darrin T. , Haddock Steven H. D.
Published: July 2021

The mitochondrial gene cytochrome‐c‐oxidase subunit 1 (COI) is useful in many taxa for phylogenetics, population genetics, metabarcoding, and rapid species identifications. However, the phylum Ctenophora (comb jellies) has historically been difficult to study due to divergent mitochondrial sequences and the corresponding inability to amplify COI with degenerate and standard COI “barcoding” primers. As a result, there are very few COI sequences available for ctenophores, despite over 200 described species in the phylum. Here, we designed new primers and amplified the COI fragment from members of all major groups of ctenophores, including many undescribed species. Phylogenetic analyses of the resulting COI sequences revealed high diversity within many groups that was not evident from more conserved 18S rDNA sequences, in particular among the Lobata (Ctenophora; Tentaculata; Lobata). The COI phylogenetic results also revealed unexpected community structure within the genus Bolinopsis, suggested new species within the genus Bathocyroe, and supported the ecological and morphological differences of some species such as Lampocteis cruentiventer and similar undescribed lobates (Lampocteis sp. “V” stratified by depth, and “A” differentiated by colour). The newly designed primers reported herein provide important tools to enable researchers to illuminate the diversity of ctenophores worldwide via quick molecular identifications, improve the ability to analyse environmental DNA by improving reference libraries and amplifications, and enable a new breadth of population genetic studies.
Hydrous Juvenile Lower Crust at the Western Yangtze Craton Margin as the Main Source of the Beiya Porphyry‐skarn Au Deposit
Authors: WANG Zixuan , ZHENG Yuanchuan , XU Bo , HOU Zengqian , ZHANG Aiping , SHEN Yang , MA Rui , WU Changda , XU Peiyan
Published: July 2021

The Beiya porphyry‐skarn Au deposit is one of the largest gold deposits in China, temporally and spatially associated with Eocene intrusions in a post‐collisional setting in western Yunnan, China. In this study, we report new whole‐rock geochemistry, Sr‐Nd isotope, zircon U‐Pb geochronology and in situ zircon Hf‐O isotopes of quartz‐monzonite and biotite‐monzonite porphyries from the Beiya deposit. The porphyry‐skarn mineralization at the Beiya deposit is mainly associated with the quartz monzonite porphyry (35.8 ± 0.6 Ma), while the biotite‐monzonite porphyry (34.3 ± 0.5 Ma) represents a post‐mineralization intrusion crosscutting the main orebodies and the quartz‐monzonite porphyry. Both intrusions have high‐K and adakitic composition and are characterized by high Sr/Y ratios, high SiO2 and Al2O3 concentrations (SiO2 = 69.80–73.86 wt%; Al2O3 = 14.11–15.19 wt%), and low MgO, Cr, and Ni concentrations (MgO = 0.2–1.0 wt%; Cr = 1.76–11.13 ppm; Ni = 2.52–11.72 ppm). Their Sr‐Nd isotope compositions (87Sr/86Sr = 0.7066–0.7077; εNd(t) = –5.3 to –1.5) are consistent with the lower crustal‐derived amphibolite xenoliths (87Sr/86Sr = 0.7060–0.7100; εNd(t) = –10.0 to 0.0), indicating that they might be derived from a thickened juvenile lower crust beneath the Yangtze Craton. The biotite‐monzonite porphyry has lower zircon δ18O values of +5.3‰ to +6.8‰ and higher εHf(t) values of –2.3 to +5.5 than those of the quartz‐monzonite porphyry with δ18O values of +7.1‰ to +8.2‰ and εHf(t) values of –3.8 to +1.5, implying that they were derived from different parts of the lower crust. High Ba/La and Pb/Ce ratios suggest that the quartz‐monzonite porphyry is derived from a volatiles‐rich reservoir. Relatively higher La/Yb, Sm/Yb and Dy/Yb ratios of the biotite‐monzonite porphyry indicate residual garnet in the source, indicating a deeper source than that of the quartz‐monzonite porphyry. The hydrous components should be represented by the amphibole‐rich lithologies, which has relatively shallower depth than that of the garnet‐bearing mafic thickened lower crust. Our data suggest that the mineralized quartz‐monzonite porphyry at the Beiya deposit is derived from partial melting of amphibole‐rich lithologies in the upper part of the thickened juvenile lower crust beneath the Yangtze Craton, while the post‐mineralization biotite‐monzonite porphyry is derived from the basal, and volatiles‐poor, part of the juvenile lower crust.
Modelling the distribution of bat activity areas for conservation in a Mediterranean mountain range
Authors: Tena Elena , Tellería José Luis
Published: July 2021

There is a lack of studies designed to detect the most important areas for bat conservation. In this context, areas of high bat activity have been rarely considered in the delimitation of protected areas for bats, which are generally focused on the protection of roosting sites. This has been due to the difficulties of sampling the distribution of these nocturnal animals when moving at night. This methodological constraint has been overcome by the development of bioacoustic sampling, which allows mapping the occurrence of active bats over large areas. In this study, we use bat detectors to sample the distribution of bat activity in central Spain. This region is under the environmental effects of a mountain range (Guadarrama Mountains) and the urban encroachment of the city of Madrid. The occurrences provided by the detectors were used to produce species distribution models of which the resulting layers were arranged to detect the most suitable areas for bat richness and rarity indices. We performed a gap analysis to explore whether the areas most commonly used by active bats are covered by the current network of protected areas. The results showed that the best areas of high bat activity are located at the piedmont of the mountains and that most of these areas overlap with the existing network of protected areas. The best areas for bats excluded the most urbanized areas and within a similar urban gradient, protected areas tended to be located within the best sites for conservation. These results suggest that bats currently benefit from a network of protected areas initially aimed to protect birds and habitats (Natura 2000). In addition, monitoring areas of high bat activity could complement roosting site protection in the conservation of bat assemblages.
Open‐label trial of a single‐day induction onto buprenorphine extended‐release injection for users of heroin and fentanyl
Authors: Mariani John J. , Mahony Amy L. , Podell Samuel C. , Brooks Daniel J. , Brezing Christina , Luo Sean X. , Naqvi Nasir H. , Levin Frances R.
Published: July 2021

Background and Objectives

Fentanyl and other highly potent synthetic opioids are the leading cause of opioid overdose deaths in the United States.

Methods

This study was an open‐label, uncontrolled 12‐week outpatient clinical trial to test the feasibility of a single‐day induction onto extended‐release buprenorphine (BXR) injection treatment for five adults (N = 5) with opioid use disorder using heroin‐containing fentanyl. Participants were planned to receive three monthly BXR injections (300, 300, and 100 mg).

Results

After receiving 24 mg sublingual buprenorphine (SL‐BUP), all five participants received the BXR 300 mg injection on the first day of induction. All five participants were retained for the full 3‐month study period postinduction and received all three scheduled BXR injections.

Discussion and Conclusion

This study provides preliminary evidence supporting the feasibility of inducting users of heroin‐containing fentanyl onto BXR 300 mg in a single day.

Scientific Significance

The ability to administer a long‐acting injection of BXR that assures therapeutic serum levels for a month on the first day of treatment contact is a promising development for the treatment of OUD.
The efficiency of continuous renal replacement therapy for rewarming of patients in accidental hypothermia––An experimental study
Authors: Mendrala Konrad , Kosiński Sylweriusz , Podsiadło Paweł , Pasquier Mathieu , Mazur Piotr , Paal Peter , Gajniak Dariusz , Darocha Tomasz
Published: July 2021

Severe accidental hypothermia carries high mortality and morbidity and is often treated with invasive extracorporeal methods. Continuous veno‐venous hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF) is widely available in intensive care units. We sought to provide theoretical basis for CVVHDF use in rewarming of hypothermic patients. CVVHDF system was used in the laboratory setting. Heat balance and transferred heat units were evaluated for the system without using blood. We used 5L of crystalloid solution at the temperature of approximately 25°C, placed in a thermally insulated tank (representing the “central compartment” of a hypothermic patient). Time of warming the central compartment from 24.9 to 30.0°C was assessed with different flow combinations: “blood” (central compartment fluid) 50 or 100 or 150 mL/min, dialysate solution 100 or 1500 mL/h, and substitution fluid 0 or 500 mL/h. The total circulation time was 1535 minutes. There were no differences between heat gain values on the filter depending on blood flow (P = .53) or dialysate flow (P = .2). The mean heating time for “blood” flow rates 50, 100, and 150 mL/min was 113.7 minutes (95% CI, 104.9‐122.6 minutes), 83.3 minutes (95% CI, 76.2‐90.3 minutes), and 74.7 minutes (95% CI, 62.6‐86.9 minutes), respectively (P < .01). The respective median rewarming rate for different “blood” flows was 3.6°C/h (IQR, 3.0‐4.2°C/h), 4.8 (IQR, 4.2‐5.4°C/h), and 5.4 (IQR, 4.8‐6.0°C/h), respectively (P < .01). The dialysate flow did not affect the warming rate. Based on our experimental model, CVVHDF may be used for extracorporeal rewarming, with the rewarming rates increasing achieved with higher blood flow rates.
Mineral requirements for weight gain in growing male Santa Inês and Morada Nova hair sheep
Authors: Costa Roberto , Silva Juscelino , Medeiros Ariovaldo , Carvalho Francisco , Andrade Maria , Cruz George , Dias‐Silva Tairon Pannunzio , Bezerra Leilson
Published: July 2021

This study estimated the net macro and micromineral requirement from the 48 male uncastrated lambs (24 growing male Santa Inês and 24 growing male Morada Nova hair sheep), with initial weights of 21.7 ± 1.2 kg and 20.8 ± 0.8 kg using the comparative slaughter method. The experimental diet consisted of 30% forage (Buffel—Cenchrus ciliaris (L) hay) and 70% concentrate (corn grain 43.5%, soybean meal 22.0%, vegetable oil 3.0% and mineral supplement 1.5%). The experimental design was a completely randomized with two breeds, four weights, and six replicate. Mineral requirements sufficient to promote weight gain in Santa Inês sheep ranged from 1.75 to 1.03 g Ca, 1.01 to 0.61 g of P, 0.38 to 0.21 g of K, 0.38 to 0.16 of Na, 0.10 to 0.06 Mg, 28.5 to 16.0 mg of Fe, 6.14 to 3.22 mg of Cu, and Zn 23.0 to 14.0 mg/kg per unit of empty body weight (EBW) gain. In the Morada Nova breed, the requirements ranged from 1.96 to 0.84 g of Ca, 1.15 to 0.46 of P, 0.39 to 0.19 of K, 0.28 to 0.13 of Na, 0.10 to 0.05 Mg, 26.2 to 12.9 mg of Fe, 5.59 to 2.46 Cu, and Zn 23.6 to 10.3 mg/kg of EBW gain. Mineral requirements varied mainly in accordance with the proportion of bone mass and fat concentration in the carcass, which were influenced by the slaughter weight of the animals, and therefore should be used in the formulation of dietary mineral supplements.
Osilodrostat in Cushing's disease: The risk of delayed adrenal insufficiency should be carefully monitored
Authors: Castinetti Frederic , Amodru Vincent , Brue Thierry
Published: July 2021

Antisecretory data shows a highly effective and prolonged blockade of cortisol secretion with osilodrostat. The drawback is the occurrence of adrenal insufficiency (AI) in roughly a quarter of treated patients. In this short manuscript, we report three cases of atypical adrenal insufficiency with osilodrostat.
Use of environmental DNA in assessment of fish functional and phylogenetic diversity
Authors: Marques Virginie , Castagné Paul , Polanco Andréa , Borrero‐Pérez Giomar Helena , Hocdé Régis , Guérin Pierre‐Édouard , Juhel Jean‐Baptiste , Velez Laure , Loiseau Nicolas , Letessier Tom Bech , Bessudo Sandra , Valentini Alice , Dejean Tony , Mouillot David , Pellissier Loïc , Villéger Sébastien
Published: July 2021

Assessing the impact of global changes and protection effectiveness is a key step in monitoring marine fishes. Most traditional census methods are demanding or destructive. Nondisturbing and nonlethal approaches based on video and environmental DNA are alternatives to underwater visual census or fishing. However, their ability to detect multiple biodiversity factors beyond traditional taxonomic diversity is still unknown. For bony fishes and elasmobranchs, we compared the performance of eDNA metabarcoding and long‐term remote video to assess species’ phylogenetic and functional diversity. We used 10 eDNA samples from 30 L of water each and 25 hr of underwater videos over 4 days on Malpelo Island (pacific coast of Colombia), a remote marine protected area. Metabarcoding of eDNA detected 66% more molecular operational taxonomic units (MOTUs) than species on video. We found 66 and 43 functional entities with a single eDNA marker and videos, respectively, and higher functional richness for eDNA than videos. Despite gaps in genetic reference databases, eDNA also detected a higher fish phylogenetic diversity than videos; accumulation curves showed how 1 eDNA transect detected as much phylogenetic diversity as 25 hr of video. Environmental DNA metabarcoding can be used to affordably, efficiently, and accurately census biodiversity factors in marine systems. Although taxonomic assignments are still limited by species coverage in genetic reference databases, use of MOTUs highlights the potential of eDNA metabarcoding once reference databases have expanded.
The effect of bronchiectasis on the exacerbation and mortality of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Fendoğlu Türkan Zeynep , Köktürk Nurdan , Yapar Dilek , Kılıç Pınar , Kılıç Koray , Erbaş Gonca
Published: July 2021

Background

Coexistence of bronchiectasis with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may lead to the worsening of the functional parameters in exacerbations and may negatively affect the outcomes.

Methods

This study is a retrospective cross‐sectional study that aims to investigate the relationships between bronchiectasis with COPD exacerbation and all‐cause of mortality. We retrospectively enrolled 122 cases hospitalized for COPD exacerbation from 2010 to 2016. Patients who underwent thoracic tomography in the previous year of the index exacerbation were included in the study. Patients who admitted to the intensive care unit and patients with infected bronchiectasis and with conditions that mimic COPD exacerbation were excluded from the study. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory findings, comorbidities and the number of exacerbations in the previous year and the presence of bronchiectasis were recorded using hospital electronic registry. The radiological evaluation of bronchiectasis was made by the modified Reiff score (MRS).

Results

Bronchiectasis was found in 66 (54%) of 122 patients included in the study. The mean age was 67.5 ± 10.3 in the whole group, 108 (88.5%) of the patients were male, and 14 (11.5%) were female. When patients were stratified according to the presence of bronchiectasis, no statistically significant difference was found in terms of comorbidity scores, respiratory functions, exacerbation parameters, laboratory values and all cause of mortality between the groups (p > 0.05). There was no statistical relation between the presence of bronchiectasis and long‐term survival (log‐rank test p = 0.83).

Conclusions

This study shows that patients with bronchiectasis did not cause a poor outcome in patients with COPD exacerbation.
Knowledge and perception about asthma among students in a Nigerian single‐sex secondary school
Authors: Amorha Kosisochi Chinwendu , Asogwa Ezinne Queendalyn , Ibenekwu Chisom Sandra , Ogbonna Emmanuella Tochukwu , Amorha Adanne Onyedikachi
Published: July 2021

Introduction

Asthma is prevalent among children and adolescents. Few studies have assessed the knowledge and perceptions of asthma among adolescents.

Objectives

This study assessed the knowledge and perception about asthma among secondary school students in an all‐girls school in Nigeria.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study was conducted in a Nigerian secondary school in Enugu State (February 2020). In Senior Secondary School (SS1, SS2 and SS3), students could be in one of three specialized classes: Sciences, Humanities and Business. A self‐administered structured questionnaire was filled by conveniently sampled students in SS1 and SS2. Inferential statistics utilized the Pearson's chi‐square test and multiple linear regression with statistical significance set as P < 0.05.

Results

Three hundred and eighty‐eight (388) students participated in the study (mean age = 14.64 ± 0.93 years). Majority of the students were in Science class (n = 299; 77.1%). There was high awareness about asthma (n = 384; 99.0%). More than half of them had good asthma knowledge (n = 279; 71.9%); close to three‐fifths had favourable perception of asthma (n = 222; 57.2%). More students in SS2 had good knowledge of asthma compared to those in SS1 (76.7% vs. 67.2%; ꭓ2 = 4.338; P = 0.037). More students in Science class had favourable perceptions about asthma compared with those in Humanities and Business class (60.5% vs. 48.1% vs. 25.0%; ꭓ2 = 7.458; P = 0.024).

Conclusion

Majority of the students were aware about asthma and had good knowledge of the disease while close to three‐fifths had favourable perceptions about asthma.
Openness processes and new subjectivities: Analysis of the Cuban case
Authors: Palacios Cívico Juan Carlos
Published: July 2021

Motivation

Previous studies of the external restrictions on Cuba have not linked it with political subjectivity. Its consideration allows us to make visible discourses and collective imaginations that help us understand the political and economic dynamics of this Caribbean country.

Purpose

The article aims to identify the measures, financial flows, and subjectivities that should be projected in the future both to make this external restriction more flexible and long‐term economic growth sustainable.

Methods and approach

To this end, it examines, from both a qualitative and quantitative approach, the interaction among the external constraint, openness processes, and subjectivities in the case of Cuba.

Findings

Historically, Cuba has aimed to mitigate the external constraint that has hampered its economic growth through balances of power and strategic alliances compatible with and reinforced by political subjectivity. However, when these alliances have been broken or have been insufficient to compensate for the scarcity of foreign exchange, opening processes that require new subjectivities have had to be adopted.

Policy implications

The tension between established and emergent subjectivities will define the limits that any opening process in Cuba will face in the future.
The role of RIPK3 in liver mitochondria bioenergetics and function
Authors: Islam Tawhidul , Afonso Marta B. , Rodrigues Cecília M. P.
Published: July 2021

Background

Receptor‐interacting protein kinase 3 (RIPK3) is a key player of regulated necrosis or necroptosis, an inflammatory form of cell death possibly governing outcomes in chronic liver diseases, such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.

Methods

This narrative review is based on literature search using PubMed.

Results

RIPK3 activation depends on post‐transcriptional modifications, including phosphorylation, hence coordinating the assembly of macromolecular death complex named ‘necrosome’, which may also involve diverse mitochondrial components. Curiously, recent studies suggested a potential link between RIPK3 and mitochondrial bioenergetics. RIPK3 can modulate mitochondrial function and quality through the regulation of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production, sequestration of metabolic enzymes and resident mitochondrial proteins, activity of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes, mitochondrial biogenesis and fatty acid oxidation.

Conclusions

Since mitochondrial dysfunction and RIPK3‐mediated necroptosis are intimately involved in chronic liver disease pathogenesis, understanding the role of RIPK3 in mitochondrial bioenergetics and its potential translational application are of great interest.
Seen and Heard: A New Look At Child Participation in Family Disputes
Authors: Perlman Karni , Morag Tamar
Published: July 2021

Israeli legislation adopted a unique model of children's participation in conflicts adjudicated in family courts. The article looks at this model and at the findings of one evaluation study and one follow‐up study through the lens of therapeutic jurisprudence. It considers aspects of therapeutic jurisprudence manifest in the model and in these studies' findings as well as the potential entailed by broader adoption of this movement's ideas for the model's continued and effective implementation. Insights that emerged from these studies' findings, which could enrich therapeutic jurisprudence and contribute to its implementation in various countries, are also suggested. In the last section, we look through a therapeutic jurisprudence perspective at a development in Israeli law that promotes referral of family conflicts to non‐adversarial proceedings and considers how the children's right to participation can also be implemented in these collaborative, out–of‐court settings.
Phase‐field‐crystal study on the crack propagation behavior in a nanoscale two‐dimensional lattice in the presence of nonlinear disturbance strains
Authors: Hu Shi , Li Jianwei , Liu Quanyi , He Yuanhua
Published: July 2021

The nanoscale crack propagation behavior in the presence of nonlinear disturbance strains is studied by using the phase‐field‐crystal method. The influences of amplitude A and frequency ω on fracture mode and crack growth are discussed. The simulation results suggest that the disturbance strains can make fracture mode change between brittle fracture and ductile fracture. When amplitude A is large, increasing frequency ω will lead to the brittle‐to‐ductile transition (BDT). Further increasing ω can make ductile‐to‐brittle transition (DBT) happen. Meanwhile, the value of A can influence the critical frequencies for BDT and DBT. Crack growth is also affected by the disturbance strains. When ω is small, increasing ω or A can accelerate crack growth. When ω is large enough, increasing A will retard it. Through this work, we provide a new way to effectively explore the nanoscale mechanism and behavior of crack propagation.
Some reactions: Why my publications after 1982 were not cited or discussed
Authors: Krashen Stephen
Published: July 2021

The lack of citations of previous research is the result of serious problems all readers of scholarly publications have: (1) articles are unnecessarily long (2) they are written in unnecessarily complex prose (3) journal subscriptions and books are very expensive. The solution: Short, clearly written scholarly papers, published in open‐access journals.
Anaphylactoid reaction during hemodiafiltration on AN69 membrane in a patient with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome: A pediatric case report
Authors: Karakaya Zeynep , Duyu Muhterem , Koksal Atis Seyma
Published: July 2021

Reactions associated with hemodiafiltration can be life threatening if not recognized early in the course of dialysis. AN69 (acrylonitrile and sodium methallyl sulfonate copolymer) membrane‐associated reactions during hemodialysis have been documented in adult patients receiving angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, which are thought to be triggered by the negative charge of the AN69 membrane. Here, we present a 5‐month‐old girl requiring continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) for acute kidney injury secondary to atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome who experienced acute cyanosis, angioedema, tachycardia, and impaired circulation during CRRT. After switching to a different type of hemofiltration membrane, her clinical findings improved and she was able to tolerate hemodialysis. We concluded that she had experienced an anaphylactoid reaction to the AN69 membrane. To our knowledge, this case is the first pediatric case report of AN69 membrane‐associated anaphylactoid reaction.
The impact of the 2009 influenza pandemic on the seasonality of human respiratory syncytial virus: A systematic analysis
Authors: Li You , Wang Xin , Msosa Takondwa , de Wit Femke , Murdock Jayne , Nair Harish
Published: July 2021

Background

Several local studies showed that the 2009 influenza pandemic delayed the RSV season. However, no global‐level analyses are available on the possible impact of the 2009 influenza pandemic on the RSV season.

Objectives

We aim to understand the impact of the 2009 influenza pandemic on the RSV season.

Methods

We compiled data from published literature (through a systematic review), online reports/datasets and previously published data on global RSV seasonality and conducted a global‐level systematic analysis on the impact of the 2009 influenza pandemic on RSV seasonality.

Results

We included 354 seasons of 45 unique sites, from 26 countries. Globally, the influenza pandemic delayed the onset of the first RSV season by 0.58 months on average (95% CI: 0.42, 0.73; maximum delay: 2.5 months) and the onset of the second RSV season by a lesser extent (0.25 months; 95% CI: 0.12, 0.39; maximum delay: 3.4 months); no delayed onset was observed for the third RSV season. The delayed onset was most pronounced in the northern temperate, followed by the southern temperate, and was least pronounced in the tropics.

Conclusions

The 2009 influenza pandemic delayed the RSV onset on average by 0.58 months and up to 2.5 months. This suggests evidence of viral interference as well as the impact of public health measures and has important implications for preparedness for RSV season during the ongoing COVID‐19 pandemic and future pandemics.
Local impedance‐guided radiofrequency ablation with standard and high power: Results of a preclinical investigation
Authors: Osei Kofi , Sulkin Matthew S. , Hamann Jason J. , Hughes Christopher , Shuros Allan , Nagy Tamas , Kapa Suraj , Meyers Jason
Published: July 2021

Background

Local impedance (LI) drop measured with microfidelity electrodes embedded in the tip of an ablation catheter accurately reflects tissue heating during radiofrequency (RF) ablation. Previous studies found 15–30 Ω LI drops created successful lesions, while more than 40 Ω drops were associated with steam pops. The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of LI‐guided ablation using standard (30 W) and high‐power (50 W) in a preclinical model.

Methods

RF lesions were created in explanted swine hearts (n = 6) to assess the feasibility of LI‐guided ablation by targeting 10, 20, or 30 Ω (n = 20/group) drops. Subsequently, LI‐guided ablation was evaluated in a chronic animal model (n = 8 Canines, 25–29 kg, 30/50 W). During the index procedure point‐by‐point intercaval line ablation and left inferior pulmonary vein (PV) isolation were performed. RF duration was at the operators’ discretion but discontinued early if a 15–30 Ω drop was achieved. Operators attempted to avoid LI drops of more than 40 Ω. At 1‐month, durable conduction block was evaluated with electroanatomic mapping followed by necropsy and histopathology.

Results

In explanted tissue, terminating ablation at 10, 20, or 30 Ω LI drops created statistically larger lesions (p < .05; 1.8 [1.6–2.4] mm, 3.3 [3.0–3.7] mm; 4.9 [4.3–5.5] mm). LI‐guided high‐power ablation in vivo significantly reduced RF duration per application compared to standard‐power (p < .05; intercaval: 8.9 ± 5.2 vs. 18.1 ± 11.0 s, PV: 9.6 ± 5.4 vs. 23.2 ± 10.3 s). LI drops of 15–40 Ω were more readily achievable for high‐power (90.1%, 318/353) than standard‐power (71.7%, 243/339). All intercaval lines and PV isolations were durable (16/16) at 1‐month. Necropsy revealed no major collateral injury to the pericardium, phrenic nerve, esophagus, or lungs. There was no pericardial effusion, stroke, tamponade, or PV stenosis. Vagal nerve injury was found in two 30 W animals after using 19.7 ± 13.9 and 19.5 ± 11.8 s RF applications.

Conclusion

LI‐guided ablation was found to be safe and efficacious in a chronic animal model. High‐power ablation more readily achieved more than 15 Ω drops, reduced RF duration compared with standard‐power, and had no major RF collateral injury.
Accuracy of automatic abnormal potential annotation for substrate identification in scar‐related ventricular tachycardia
Authors: Nakatani Yosuke , Maury Philippe , Rollin Anne , Ramirez F. Daniel , Goujeau Cyril , Nakashima Takashi , André Clémentine , Carapezzi Aline , Krisai Philipp , Takagi Takamitsu , Kamakura Tsukasa , Vlachos Konstantinos , Cheniti Ghassen , Tixier Romain , Voglimacci‐Stefanopoli Quentin , Welte Nicolas , Chauvel Remi , Duchateau Josselin , Pambrun Thomas , Derval Nicolas , Hocini Mélèze , Haïssaguerre Michel , Jaïs Pierre , Sacher Frédéric
Published: July 2021

Introduction

Ultrahigh‐density mapping for ventricular tachycardia (VT) is increasingly used. However, manual annotation of local abnormal ventricular activities (LAVAs) is challenging in this setting. Therefore, we assessed the accuracy of the automatic annotation of LAVAs with the Lumipoint algorithm of the Rhythmia system (Boston Scientific).

Methods and Results

One hundred consecutive patients undergoing catheter ablation of scar‐related VT were studied. Areas with LAVAs and ablation sites were manually annotated during the procedure and compared with automatically annotated areas using the Lumipoint features for detecting late potentials (LP), fragmented potentials (FP), and double potentials (DP). The accuracy of each automatic annotation feature was assessed by re‐evaluating local potentials within automatically annotated areas. Automatically annotated areas matched with manually annotated areas in 64 cases (64%), identified an area with LAVAs missed during manual annotation in 15 cases (15%), and did not highlight areas identified with manual annotation in 18 cases (18%). Automatic FP annotation accurately detected LAVAs regardless of the cardiac rhythm or scar location; automatic LP annotation accurately detected LAVAs in sinus rhythm, but was affected by the scar location during ventricular pacing; automatic DP annotation was not affected by the mapping rhythm, but its accuracy was suboptimal when the scar was located on the right ventricle or epicardium.

Conclusion

The Lumipoint algorithm was as/more accurate than manual annotation in 79% of patients. FP annotation detected LAVAs most accurately regardless of mapping rhythm and scar location. The accuracy of LP and DP annotations varied depending on mapping rhythm or scar location.
Axl‐inhibitor bemcentinib alleviates mitochondrial dysfunction in the unilateral ureter obstruction murine model
Authors: Hoel August , Osman Tarig , Hoel Fredrik , Elsaid Hassan , Chen Tony , Landolt Lea , Babickova Janka , Tronstad Karl Johan , Lorens James B. , Gausdal Gro , Marti Hans‐Peter , Furriol Jessica
Published: July 2021

Renal fibrosis is a progressive histological manifestation leading to chronic kidney disease (CKD) and associated with mitochondrial dysfunction. In previous work, we showed that Bemcentinib, an Axl receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, reduced fibrosis development. In this study, to investigate its effects on mitochondrial dysfunction in renal fibrosis, we analysed genome‐wide transcriptomics data from a unilateral ureter obstruction (UUO) murine model in the presence or absence of bemcentinib (n = 6 per group) and SHAM‐operated (n = 4) mice. Kidney ligation resulted in dysregulation of mitochondria‐related pathways, with a significant reduction in the expression of oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), fatty acid oxidation (FAO), citric acid cycle (TCA), response to reactive oxygen species and amino acid metabolism‐related genes. Bemcentinib treatment increased the expression of these genes. In contrast, AKT/PI3K signalling pathway genes were up‐regulated upon UUO, but bemcentinib largely inhibited their expression. At the functional level, ligation reduced mitochondrial biomass, which was increased upon bemcentinib treatment. Serum metabolomics analysis also showed a normalizing amino acid profile in UUO, compared with SHAM‐operated mice following bemcentinib treatment. Our data suggest that mitochondria and mitochondria‐related pathways are dramatically affected by UUO surgery and treatment with Axl‐inhibitor bemcentinib partially reverses these effects.
The effects of price information and communication in markets with capacity constraints: An experiment
Authors: Momsen Katharina
Published: July 2021

Limited price information and miscoordination reduce buyer surplus in markets with capacity‐constrained sellers. In an experiment, I study the effects of facilitating buyer coordination through communication and increasing the availability of price information. Improved coordination leads to an increase in trade and, under full price information, in prices. Whereas sellers benefit, buyers suffer more from the increase in prices than they benefit from the increase in trade. The impact of better price information depends on the presence of communication: with communication, an additional informed buyer induces sellers to raise their prices, yet without communication, one additional informed buyer provokes a price decrease.
A case report on the use of 755‐nm alexandrite picosecond laser in the treatment of post‐inflammatory hyperpigmentation in the nose
Authors: Ren Rongxin , Zhao Hongyi
Published: July 2021

Post‐inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), a common sequela of acute or chronic cutaneous inflammation, is an acquired pigmentary disorder. The main treatments for PIH, such as topical agents, photoprotection, and chemical peeling, demonstrated different efficacies with inconsistent outcomes. Here, we reported a case of nasal PIH treated using a 755‐nm alexandrite picosecond laser. The patient (female, aged 36 years) presented with a brown macula on the left side of the nasal dorsum 2 years ago, received treatment, and was followed up in the Plastic Surgery Department of Beijing hospital.
Luteal phase deficiency during the early trimester in a case with secondary hypopituitarism following craniopharyngioma resection
Authors: Xia Hexia , Zhang Wei
Published: July 2021

A 31‐year‐old woman, who had been diagnosed with craniopharyngioma (CP) at the age of 13, suffered secondary hypopituitarism after two surgical resections of CP, receiving supplement of levothyroxine, cortisone, and sequential estrogen and progesterone because of primary amenorrhea. She managed to conceive after ovulation induction with human menopausal gonadotropin. Luteal phase deficiency (LPD) was found during the first trimester, as the progesterone stayed at a low level between 0.07 and 1.63 ng/ml within seven gestational weeks, followed by a gradual rise from 4.01 up to 34.70 ng/ml in the 11th week, which was mainly secreted by the placenta. Estrogen and progesterone were administered to the patient as luteal support until the 12th week, who succeeded in delivering a healthy baby at term. In conclusion, the patient with hypopituitarism who develops severe LPD during the early pregnancy may need luteal support until 12th week.
Malignant struma ovarii: From case to analysis
Authors: Ayhan Sevgi , Kilic Fatih , Ersak Burak , Aytekin Okan , Akar Serra , Turkmen Osman , Akgul Giray , Toyran Atahan , Turan Taner , Kimyon Comert Gunsu
Published: July 2021

Aim

To evaluate the clinico‐pathologic features, treatment options, prognostic factors, and survival outcomes of malignant struma ovarii based on a systematic literature review in association with our case study.

Methods

A systematic review of the medical literature was performed to identify articles about malignant struma ovarii from January 1983 until July 2020. We evaluated 178 cases.

Results

The 5‐year progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of the entire cohort was 72.5% and 91%, respectively. In univariate analysis, younger age (<43 years), whole strumal cyst diameter >95 mm, presence of a histologic type other than papillary classic‐type thyroid carcinoma within the tumor and lymphovascular space invasion were related to poor PFS. Patients who received radioactive iodine ablation (RIA) before the treatment failure had significantly higher PFS than those who did not receive RIA (94.9% vs. 64.8%, p = 0.041, respectively). In univariate analysis, PFS was significantly higher in patients who underwent gynecologic surgery followed by thyroidectomy and RIA compared with those who had surgical treatment only (94.5% vs. 64.3%, p = 0.05, respectively). However, this result could not be identified as an independent prognostic factor in multivariate analysis (p = 0.207). Younger age and absence of capsular involvement were related to significantly increased OS. Histologic type was the only independent prognostic factor for PFS (hazard ratio: 3.30, 95% confidence interval: 1.122–9.748; p = 0.030)

Conclusion

The most common histologic subtype was the papillary classic type. The presence of a histologic type other than the classic papillary thyroid carcinoma within the tumor was an independent adverse prognostic factor.