bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A critical analysis of corruption and anti-corruption policies in Italy
Authors: Maggio Paola
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This study aims to critically analyse the Law 9 January 2019, n. 3, on “Measures to fight crimes against the public administration and on the transparency of political parties and movements” (so-called bribe-destroyer law).

Design/methodology/approach

This paper draws on reports, legal scholarship and other open-source data to examine a legislative innovation for the corruption in Italy in relation to the general guarantees of the trial process and with the controversial paradigm of the national perception index of bribery.

Findings

The Italian legislative initiative that will be examined is innovative in nature and goes beyond the constitutional and conventional principles on procedural guarantees. The new initiative needs to be integrated into the international and European action against bribery that targets criminal proceeds, and at the same time, be anchored in respect for human rights during the process.

Research limitations/implications

The new initiative needs to be integrated into the international and European action against bribery that targets criminal proceeds, and at the same time, be anchored in respect for human rights during the process.

Practical implications

Despite the aggressiveness and lofty proclamations by those who aspire to fight corruption from the highest levels, the goal of rehabilitating Italy from one of the seven “deadly sins” that delay economic growth still seems far off.

Social implications

In the absence of public ethics, the increase in criminalisation does not seem sufficient on its own to guarantee the containment of the phenomenon.

Originality/value

This study examines the strengths and weaknesses of the important new law, its compatibility with human rights standards and its relationship to international standards of anti-bribery policies. The aggressive legislation critically relies on the pervasive and persistent lack of perception of corruption as a crime. In the confiscation (and now also reparation) of equivalent that normally addresses assets accumulated in a lawful manner, the periculum is even presumed in re ipsa and the classical aims of caution undergo a total torsion revealing an authoritarian face that takes on the meaning of anticipating further sanctioning contents. Finally, the presence of many levels of sanctioning in relation to the same fact poses serious problems of violation of the ne bis in idem rule.
‘Blocked at every level’: criminal justice system professionals’ experiences of including people with intellectual disabilities within a targeted magistrates’ court
Authors: Chadwick Darren David , Wesson Caroline
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Mental health courts (MHCs) may enable better support for people with intellectual disabilities (ID) within the criminal justice system (CJS) but little evaluative empirical evidence is available regarding their operation. The purpose of this paper is to explore professional perceptions of the challenges of including people with ID in a targeted services court (TSC) designed for people with mental health issues and ID.

Design/methodology/approach

Information was gathered, via interviews and focus groups, from 46 professionals working with people with mental health issues and ID within the TSC. Data were analysed by using thematic network analysis.

Findings

Findings highlight the neglect and lack of inclusion of people with ID within the TSC processes, with challenges in identifying people with ID, stakeholder awareness, inconsistent adapting of practices for people with ID and information transfer underpinned by the involvement of numerous organisations with differing agendas.

Research limitations/implications

Although valued, development of a TSC, including people with ID, was a challenging endeavour and may reflect societal and institutional neglect of people with ID, recommendations are provided.

Originality/value

This study adds to the few investigations that have considered the process of including people with ID in a TSC from the perspective of those working in the CJS.
A networking approach to analyzing religious tourism businesses
Authors: Heidari Ali , Yazdani Hamid Reza , Saghafi Fatemeh , Jalilvand Mohammad Reza
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Within a religious tourism destination, the study of business networks can be used to improve understanding of the interactions taking place within or among businesses, by exploring the informal and formal connections linking them together. Hence, the purpose of this study is to map and analyze strategic business networks operating in a religious destination.

Design/methodology/approach

This research explores the networks of stakeholders associated with a religious context in an intensive single case study on Al-Atabat Al-Aliyat in Iraq through qualitative analysis. Multiple methods of data collection were used to build strategic networks promoting religious tourism in the Middle-East region. Key analysis practices include content analysis and social network analysis (SNA). The identified interrelationships between stakeholders were analyzed by using UCINet, an SNA tool.

Findings

The study reveals three different types of cooperation networks in the case of Al-Atabat Al-Aliyat, namely, a 67-actor continuous network, a 69-actor non-Arbaeen network and an 89-actor Arbaeen network. The results also pinpoint the need for more collaborative activities on the different levels of cooperation in the networks.

Practical implications

This paper provides important guidelines on how to manage the interrelationships within tourism networks in a religious destination such as Iraq. The findings highlight the acute need for establishing strategic and effective networks of stakeholders in Al-Atabat Al-Aliyat. Non-tangible, long-term and quantitative benefits can be found for tourism businesses investing time and money in religious networks in Iraq.

Originality/value

The research contributes to religious tourism literature, filling the gaps about how the interrelationships among the actors involved in a business network can evolve over time and influence the success of a certain religious destination.
Particularities of anti-money laundering methods in football
Authors: Cindori Sonja , Manola Ana
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Based on an overview of the anti-money laundering initiatives in the sport sector and recent efforts of money launderers focused toward finding alternative channels for money laundering operations, the purpose of this paper is to present the modus operandi of money laundering in the football sector especially.

Design/methodology/approach

Specifics of money laundering through the football sector have been analyzed using deductive and inductive methods. This paper provides a review of the existing anti-money laundering initiatives in the sport sector to highlight the specific features of sport that increase money-laundering risks in the football sector. Certain risks have been analyzed and linked to risk areas and money laundering methods as a way of demonstrating established modus operandi.

Findings

Analyzed vulnerabilities that arise from the structure, financial characteristics and culture of the football sector represent an increased risk of money laundering in a condition where potential money launderers achieve status of investors, football agents or owners of football clubs and players. Taking some of these roles allows money launderers to enter into transactions related to the acquisition of ownership over football clubs or player transfers. Such types of transactions are particularly exposed to abuse for the purposes of the money laundering process due to their unique features.

Originality/value

Through a wide range of clarified risks and money laundering methods applicable to the football sector, this paper offers a comprehensive review of the existing money laundering threats in the football sector and proposals of prevention.
The 4Cs of mass customization in service industries: a customer lens
Authors: Pallant Jessica L. , Sands Sean , Karpen Ingo Oswald
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Increasingly, customers are demanding products that fit their individual needs. Many firms respond by cultivating product individualization via mass customization, often integrating this capability via interactive platforms that connect them with customers. Despite such customization, research to date has lacked cohesion, often taking the organizational, rather than customer, view. The purpose of this paper is to provide inconclusive theorizing in regard to customization from the consumers’ perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

The review and synthesis of the literature revealed that co-configuration is an underexplored domain of mass customization. Consequently, an initial conceptualization of co-configuration is developed and compared with current customization strategies. Specifically, the definition and boundary conditions of co-configuration are compared with three domains of mass customization, namely, co-production, co-construction and co-design. This led to the development of research priority areas to establish an agenda for future research on mass customization and its role in customer’ firm relationships.

Findings

This paper provides the delineation of four distinct consumer customization strategies, conceptualized in a matrix, and proposes separate customer journey visualizations. In advancing the theoretical understanding by means of a unifying typology, this paper identifies three existing Cs of mass customization (co-production, co-construction and co-design) and focuses specifically on a fourth (co-configuration), identified as an understudied mass customization strategy.

Originality/value

This paper extends the previous conceptualizations of mass customization comprising co-production, co-design and co-construction. The proposed typology establishes a foundation for four research priority areas that can improve both academic rigor and practical application.
Big data and analytics in tourism and hospitality: opportunities and risks
Authors: Yallop Anca , Seraphin Hugues
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine and provide insights into one of the most influential technologies impacting the tourism and hospitality industry over the next five years, i.e. big data and analytics. It reflects on both opportunities and risks that such technological advances create for both consumers and tourism organisations, highlighting the importance of data governance and processes for effective and ethical data management in both tourism and hospitality.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based on a review of academic and industry literature and access to trends data and information from a series of academic and industry databases and reports to examine how big data and analytics shape the future of the industry and the associated risks and opportunities.

Findings

This paper identifies and examines key opportunities and risks posed by the rising technological trend of big data and analytics in tourism and hospitality. While big data is generally regarded as beneficial to tourism and hospitality organisations, there are extensively held ethical, privacy and security concerns about it. Therefore, the paper is making the case for more research on data governance and data ethics in tourism and hospitality and posits that to successfully use data for competitive advantage, tourism and hospitality organisations need to solely expand compliance-based data governance frameworks to frameworks that include more effective privacy and ethics data solutions.

Originality/value

This paper provides useful insights into the use of big data and analytics for both researchers and practitioners and offers new perspectives on the debate on data governance and ethical data management in both tourism and hospitality. Because forecasts from the UNWTO indicate a significant increase in international tourist arrivals (1.8 billion tourist arrivals by 2030), the ways tourism and hospitality organisations manage customers’ data become important.
Exploring the link between management training and organizational performance in the small business context
Authors: Panagiotakopoulos Antonios
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This study aims to explore the impact of management training on organizational performance in the small business context to evaluate whether formal management learning interventions bring organizational benefits to small enterprises.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative approach was adopted consisting of 100 interviews with small firm owners/managers and employees working in 50 Greek small enterprises operating in the manufacturing and services sectors. Participant firms consisted of 25 small enterprises (9 manufacturing firms and 16 firms in the services sector) whose owners/managers have completed various formal training interventions (i.e. accredited seminars and workshops, business and management courses, etc.,) and 25 small enterprises (16 manufacturing firms and 9 firms in the services sector) whose owners/managers have not completed any sort of formal business training and have never attended formal management courses.

Findings

The findings revealed that management training in small businesses had a positive impact on organizational performance. In particular, those respondents that completed formal training interventions argued that their firms achieved increased profitability during 2017 and 2018; improved staff productivity; very low staff turnover rate; and enhanced staff satisfaction and motivation compared with the less-trained owners of small firms in the same sector. The participants pointed out that their formal education in business and management has enabled them to realize the importance of employee learning and job design for staff motivation, whereas it has helped them to manage change more effectively.

Practical implications

The present findings have major implications for practitioners (i.e. small firm owners/managers), as they point to a positive link between management training and organizational performance, thus encouraging them to invest in their self-development.

Originality/value

The existing evidence around the impact of management training on firm performance has been based mostly on quantitative research in large organizations. However, the available empirical studies fail to explore in-depth how formal management training can help smaller enterprises achieve improved organizational performance. Against this background, the present study sheds new light on this area.
The relationship between mobile self-efficacy and mobile-based personal information management practices
Authors: Ali Irfan , Warraich Nosheen Fatima
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between mobile self-efficacy and personal information management (PIM) practices through mobile phones and smartphones, and additionally, to explore the challenges of using a smart device for PIM.

Design/methodology/approach

This study followed Preferred Reporting Items for the Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines to achieve the objectives. A comprehensive search strategy, inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria were formulated in light of PRISMA guidelines. The data were collected from different scholarly repositories, databases and core journals of PIM. The studies were included after four steps, i.e. identification, screening, eligibility and inclusion of studies.

Findings

Findings revealed that there was a positive relationship between mobile self-efficacy and PIM via mobile phones. People used two techniques for finding and re-finding information via mobile phones/smartphones. These techniques include browsing and searching information. People send information, share with others and save in draft folders to emails in mobile phones/smartphones for keeping information for future use. They organize their personal information in folders and use different applications such as Evernote, Google Calendar, alarm and organizer. They uninstall and update mobile applications with new versions, clear phone call history and backup personal information to desktop devices and cloud services to maintain personal information. PIM via mobile phone/smartphone challenges were also identified. These challenges were classified as information related challenges, technical challenges, mobile phone adaptability challenges and miscellaneous challenges.

Originality/value

This study will help library professionals and decision makers to devise information literacy instruction programs according to the users' needs. The results of this study will also open new horizons for system designers to devise mobile-based PIM tools according to users' needs.
Democracy and financial transparency of local governments in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Krah Redeemer , Mertens Gerard
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The study aims at examining the level of financial transparency of local governments in a sub-Saharan African country and how financial transparency is affected by democracy in the sub-region.

Design/methodology/approach

The study applied a panel regression model to data collected from public accounts of 43 local authorities in Ghana from 1995 to 2014. Financial transparency was measured using a transparency index developed based on the Transparency Index of Transparency International and the information disclosure requirements of public sector entities under the International Public Sector Accounting Standards.

Findings

The study finds the low level of financial transparency among the local governments in Ghana, creating information asymmetry within the agency framework of governance. Further, evidence from the study suggests a strong positive relationship between democracy and financial transparency in the local government.

Research limitations/implications

Deepening democracy is necessary for promoting the culture of financial transparency in local governance in sub-Saharan Africa, perhaps in entire Africa.

Practical implications

There is a need for the local governments and governments, in general, to deepen democracy to ensure proactive disclosure of the financial information to the citizens to improve participation trust and eventual reduction in corruption. Effective implementation of the Right to Information Act would also help promote financial and other forms of transparency in the sub-region.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the public sector accounting literature by linking democracy to financial transparency in the local government. Hitherto, studies concentrate on how entity level variables impact on the level of financial information flow in the local government without considering the broader governance infrastructure within which local governments operate.
Data acquisition and processing circuit for high-temperature logging up to 200°C
Authors: Peng Jingxuan , Cheng Jingjing , Wu Lei , Li Qiong
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to study a high-temperature (up to 200 °C) data acquisition and processing circuit for logging.

Design/methodology/approach

With the decrease in thermal resistance by system-in package technology and exquisite power consumption distribution design, the circuit worked well at high temperatures environment from both theoretical analysis and real experiments evaluation.

Findings

In thermal simulation, considering on board chips’ power consumption as additional heat source, the highest temperature point reached by all the chips in the circuit is only 211 °C at work temperature of 200 °C. In addition, the proposed circuit was validated by long time high-temperature experiments. The circuit showed good dynamic performance during a 4-h test in a 200-°C oven, and maintained a signal-to-noise ratio of 92.54 dB, a signal-to-noise and distortion ratio of 91.81 dB, a total harmonic distortion of −99.89 dB and a spurious free dynamic range of 100.28 dB.

Originality/value

The proposed circuit and methodology showed great potential for application in deep-well logging systems and other high-temperature situations.
The interaction effect of quantity and characteristics of accounting measures on performance evaluation
Authors: Hioki Koichi , Suematsu Eiichiro , Miya Hiroshi
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This study aims to investigates the appropriate number and kinds of accounting measures managers should use in their decision-making.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors apply an experimental method with 54 participants who work for a utility company in Japan.

Findings

This study suggests that under information overload, in which many measures are handled simultaneously, managers who have a high Need for Cognition (NFC) can no longer use either financial or customer perspective measures effectively, while when there is no information overload, they can use those measures. Managers with low NFC do not use customer perspective measures even when information overload does not occur.

Practical implications

This study concludes that we need to pay careful attention to differences in managers’ NFC as well as how many and what kind of measures should be provided to managers when designing multi-measures for performance evaluation.

Originality/value

This paper sheds light on the relationships among the number of measures, the characteristics of measures, and managers’ cognitive style when designing a management accounting system.
Strategically managing the artificially intelligent firm
Authors: Wagner Dirk Nicolas
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Artificial Intelligence is a general-purpose technology that is bound to affect every industry. To develop successful corporate and business strategies with AI, leaders have to capture the technological opportunity, understand the economics of AI and lead organizational change.

Design/methodology/approach

What to do with AI? How to set up for AI? Where is the value? Initial answers to these three fundamental questions are derived based on an interdisciplinary and integrated literature review.

Findings

AI leaders pursue competitive advantage by taking up the technological offer to predict-prescribe-automate, they enact machine learning by entering into a portfolio of experiments within a modular strategic framework, they organize the business to form of man-machine teams following the concept of human-agent collectives and they avoid falling victim to exponential growth bias.

Practical implications

In a business environment where the cognification of everything will lead to exponential growth of both, volume of data and intelligence of machines, it will be paramount for strategic leaders to have a robust AI strategy in place and to develop the competencies required for managing the Artificially Intelligent Firm.

Originality/value

This overview enables strategic leaders to prepare themselves and their organizations for AI. It spearheads making required connections between technology, economics and management of AI.
Reflective practice facilitation within occupational therapy supervision processes: A mixed method study
Authors: Guy Lauren , Cranwell Kathryn , Hitch Danielle , McKinstry Carol
Published: March 2020

Introduction

Supervisors of occupational therapists play a key role facilitating reflective practice with their supervisees. Through reflective practice, supervisees can optimise their skills in professional reasoning and decision making. The aim of this study was to describe to what degree reflective practice is facilitated within occupational therapy supervision processes.

Methods

A mixed methods study design was used, collecting data via online surveys and focus groups. Quantitative data were initially analysed using descriptive statistics. Qualitative and quantitative data were then thematically analysed to identify hindering and enabling mechanisms to reflective practice facilitation.

Results

Eighteen supervisees and 17 supervising occupational therapists completed the surveys and 14 supervisors participated in a focus group. Half of the supervisees reported that reflective practice was facilitated through supervision only “rarely” or “sometimes.” A hindering mechanism to reflective practice facilitation was the awareness of reflective practice models. Enabling mechanisms for reflective practice facilitation included understanding the benefits of reflective practice; recognising the attributes of a reflective practice practitioner; setting up an optimal supervision environment; and flexibly facilitating reflective practice.

Conclusion

Findings suggest that reflective practice is not always regularly facilitated through supervision. This may limit opportunities for supervisees to optimise the development of their professional reasoning and clinical skills in the early stages of their careers.
Workers with severe mental illness coping with clinical symptoms: Self‐directed learning of work‐health balance strategies
Authors: Therrien Dominique , Corbière Marc , Collette Karine
Published: March 2020

Introduction

Most workers with a severe mental illness (SMI) experience brief job retention, usually under 6 months. Managing their clinical symptoms to maintain employment is a constant challenge. However, little is known about the personal initiatives these workers undertake to learn to manage their clinical symptoms at work. The study presented here documented, from an emic perspective, the self‐directed learning of work‐health balance strategies applied in the workplace.

Methods

The study was conducted with five adults with SMI employed in the competitive labour market and six support persons. Between March 2017 and May 2018, a dataset was constructed based on 21 semi‐structured interviews, eight observation sessions, and photographs taken of 15 objects used by the workers to manage their clinical symptoms. The analysis was guided by Mendez's retrospective and current temporal analysis of social processes.

Results

The workers experienced four different self‐directed learning patterns (preparation, post‐crisis, active self‐directed learning, and identity transformation) and used five types of strategies to facilitate work‐health balance: preparation for work, reassurance, validation, assertiveness, and work–rest transitions.

Conclusion

These workers with SMI, all of whom had job retention of 2 years or more in competitive employment, learned and applied work‐health balance strategies. Self‐directed learning was enhanced by customised pharmacological treatment, mindfulness activities, active listening by support persons and psychotherapy specific to the mental illness.
Specific proteomic adaptation to distinct environments in Vibrio parahaemolyticus includes significant fluctuations in expression of essential proteins
Authors: Freitas Carolina , Glatter Timo , Ringgaard Simon
Published: March 2020

Bacteria constantly experience changes to their external milieu and need to adapt accordingly to ensure their survival. Certain bacteria adapt by means of cellular differentiation, resulting in the development of a specific cell type that is specialized for life in a distinct environment. Furthermore, to understand how bacteria adapt, it is essential to appreciate the significant changes that occur at the proteomic level. By analysing the proteome of our model organism Vibrio parahaemolyticus from distinct environmental conditions and cellular differential states, we demonstrate that the proteomic expression profile is highly flexible, which likely allows it to adapt to life in different environmental conditions and habitats. We show that, even within the same swarm colony, there are specific zones of cells with distinct expression profiles. Furthermore, our data indicate that cell surface attachment and swarmer cell differentiation are distinct programmes that require specific proteomic expression profiles. This likely allows V. parahaemolyticus to adapt to life in different environmental conditions and habitats. Finally, our analyses reveal that the expression profile of the essential protein pool is highly fluid, with significant fluctuations that dependent on the specific life‐style, environment and differentiation state of the bacterium.
Molecular docking studies and in vitro degradation of four aflatoxins (AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, and AFG2) by a recombinant laccase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Liu Yingli , Mao Huijia , Hu Chuanqin , Tron Thierry , Lin Junfang , Wang Jing , Sun Baoguo
Published: March 2020

Here, molecular docking simulation was used to predict and compare interactions between a recombinant Trametes sp. C30 laccase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and four aflatoxins (AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, and AFG2) as well as their degradation at a molecular level. The computational result of docking simulation indicates that each of the aflatoxins tested can interact with laccase with a binding ability of AFB1>AFG2>AFG1>AFB2. Simultaneously, it also demonstrated that aflatoxin B1， B2， G1， G2 may interact near the T1 copper center of the enzyme through H‐bonds and hydrophobic interactions with amino acid residues His481 and Asn288; His481； Asn288, and Asp230; His481 and Asn288. Biological degradation test was performed in vitro in the presence of a recombinant laccase. Degradation increased as incubation time increased from 12 to 60 hr and the maximum degradation obtained for AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, and AFG2 was 90.33%, 74.23%, 85.24%, and 87.58%, respectively. Maximum degradation of aflatoxins was determined with a total activity 3 U laccase at 30 °C in 0.1 M phosphate buffer, pH 5.7 after 48‐hr incubation. The experimental results are consistent with that of docking calculation on the biological degradation test of four aflatoxins by laccase.

Practical Application

In this study, the degradation efficiencies of laccase for B and G series of aflatoxins were determined by computer simulation and verified by performing in vitro experiments. It can provide reference for rapid screening of aflatoxin degradation‐related enzymes.
Degradations of aroma characteristics and changes of aroma related compounds, PPO activity, and antioxidant capacity in sugarcane juice during thermal process
Authors: Wang Lu , Deng Weili , Wang Peng , Huang Wencheng , Wu Jiamin , Zheng Tingyu , Chen Jiebo
Published: March 2020

Alterations of aroma properties and aroma‐related attributes of sugarcane juice during thermal processing under different temperatures (90, 100, and 110 ℃) and treating time (10 s, 20 s, and 30 s) were assessed in this study. Changes in the volatility of aroma compounds were extremely complicated and respected to thermal processing conditions. Fructose, serine, and glutanic acid of sugarcane juice were increased at first and decreased at the end of treatment at high temperature. Phenolic compounds and PPO activity presented the decrease trends throughout the thermal treatment. The thermal processing of sugarcane juice could be roughly divided into three stages based on the cluster analysis of all the data in this study. Sugars, amino acids, and phenolic compounds might be important potential precursors of aroma deteriorating reactions. The comprehensive analysis of aroma relevant compounds and enzyme activities was beneficial for the investigation of degradation mechanism of aroma for sugarcane juice, and providing a theoretical basis for optimization of juice processing.

Practical Application

This study demonstrated the changing process of aroma quality and associated compounds in sugarcane juice during thermal processing. This could help to find out the reasons of aroma degradations in sugarcane juice and other thermal sensitive juice. Our manuscript created a paradigm for future studies on the aroma quality control and parameter optimization during the processing of fruit and vegetable juice.
Serum total bile acids associate with risk of incident type 2 diabetes and longitudinal changes in glucose‐related metabolic traits
Authors: Zhu Wen , Wang Shuangyuan , Dai Huajie , Xuan Liping , Deng Chanjuan , Wang Tiange , Zhao Zhiyun , Li Mian , Lu Jieli , Xu Yu , Chen Yuhong , Wang Weiqing , Bi Yufang , Xu Min , Ning Guang
Published: March 2020

Background

Bile acids have been found to be related to changes in gut microbiota and multiple metabolic disorders, including type 2 diabetes (T2D). We aimed to prospectively investigate associations of serum total bile acids (TBAs) with risk of incident T2D and longitudinal changes in glycemic traits.

Methods

A community‐based study was conducted at baseline in 2010, including 4968 nondiabetic participants aged ≥40 years followed up for an average of 4.3 years. Incident T2D was defined by using the 1999 WHO criteria based on 75‐g oral glucose tolerance tests. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression was used to examine the association of serum TBAs with incident T2D. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2‐hour postload plasma glucose (2‐h PPG), and fasting serum insulin (FSI) were measured at baseline and follow‐up.

Results

During 21 653.7 person‐years of follow‐up, 605 cases of incident diabetes were identified (incidence rate 2.8%). Comparing to quartile 1 of serum TBAs, quartile 2, 3, and 4 were significantly associated with a 14.2%, 15.0%, and 31.4% higher risk of incident T2D (P = .029). Each one unit of log‐TBAs was associated with an increase of 0.034 mmol/L in FPG, 0.111 mmol/L in 2‐h PPG, 0.023 in log‐FSI, and 0.012 in log‐HOMA‐IR (homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance) (all P ≤ .024). The association was attenuated after further adjustment for HOMA‐IR. Mediation analysis showed that insulin resistance indicated by HOMA‐IR might mediate 28.5% of indirect effect on the association of TBAs with T2D (P = .0004).

Conclusions

Baseline serum TBAs were significantly associated with incident T2D and longitudinal changes in glycemic traits. Insulin resistance might partially mediate the association of TBAs and T2D.
Policy congruence and advocacy strategies in the discourse networks of minimum unit pricing for alcohol and the soft drinks industry levy
Authors: Hilton Shona , Buckton Christina H. , Henrichsen Tim , Fergie Gillian , Leifeld Philip
Published: March 2020

Background and Aim

Public health policy development is subject to a range of stakeholders presenting their arguments to influence opinion on the best options for policy action. This paper compares stakeholders’ positions in the discourse networks of two pricing policy debates in the United Kingdom: minimum unit pricing for alcohol (MUP) and the soft drinks industry levy (SDIL).

Design

Discourse analysis was combined with network visualization to create representations of stakeholders’ positions across the two policy debates as they were represented in 11 national UK newspapers.

Setting

United Kingdom.

Observations

For the MUP debate 1924 statements by 152 people from 87 organizations were coded from 348 articles. For the SDIL debate 3883 statements by 214 people from 175 organizations were coded from 511 articles.

Measurements

Network analysis techniques were used to identify robust argumentative similarities and maximize the identification of network structures. Network measures of size, connectedness and cohesion were used to compare discourse networks.

Findings

The networks for both pricing debates involve a similar range of stakeholder types and form clusters representing policy discourse coalitions. The SDIL network is larger than the MUP network, particularly the proponents’ cluster, with more than three times as many stakeholders. Both networks have tight clusters of manufacturers, think‐tanks and commercial analysts in the opponents’ coalition. Public health stakeholders appear in both networks, but no health charity or advocacy group is common to both.

Conclusion

A comparison of the discourse in the UK press during the policy development processes for minimum unit pricing for alcohol and the soft drinks industry levy suggests greater cross‐sector collaboration among policy opponents than proponents.
The unique nature of public stigma toward non‐medical prescription opioid use and dependence: a national study
Authors: Perry Brea L. , Pescosolido Bernice A. , Krendl Anne C.
Published: March 2020

Background and Aims

Our ability to combat the opioid epidemic depends, in part, on dismantling the stigma that surrounds drug use. However, this epidemic has been unique and, to date, we have not understood the nature of public prejudices associated with it. Here, we examine the nature and magnitude of public stigma toward prescription opioid use disorder (OUD) using the only nationally representative data available on this topic.

Design

General Social Survey (GSS), a cross‐sectional, nationally representative survey of public attitudes.

Setting

United States, 2018.

Participants/Cases

A total of 1169 US residents recruited using a probability sample.

Measurements

Respondents completed a vignette‐based survey experiment to assess public stigma toward people who develop OUD following prescription of opioid analgesics. This condition is compared with depression, schizophrenia, alcohol use disorder (AUD) and subclinical distress using multivariable logistic or linear regression.

Findings

Adjusting for covariates (e.g. race, age, gender), US residents were significantly more likely to label symptoms of OUD a physical illness [73%, confidence interval (CI) = 66–80%; P < 0.001] relative to all other conditions, and less likely to label OUD a mental illness (40%, CI = 32–48%; P < 0.001). OUD was significantly less likely to be attributed to bad character (37%, CI = 30–44%; P < 0.001) or poor upbringing (17%, CI = 12–23%; P < 0.001) compared with AUD. Nonetheless, perceptions of competence associated with OUD (e.g. ability to manage money; 41%, CI = 33–49%; P < 0.01) were lower than AUD, depression and subclinical distress. Moreover, willingness to socially exclude people with OUD was very high (e.g. 76% of respondents do not want to work with a person with OUD), paralleling findings on traditional targets of strong stigma (i.e. AUD and schizophrenia).

Conclusions

US residents do not typically hold people with prescription opioid use disorder responsible for their addiction, but they express high levels of willingness to subject them to social exclusion.
Preventive effect of daikenchuto, a traditional Japanese herbal medicine, on onset of ileus after gynecological surgery for malignant tumors
Authors: Oyama Fumie , Futagami Masayuki , Shigeto Tatsuhiko , Miura Rie , Osawa Yuuki , Oishi Maika , Oikiri Hiroe , Yokoyama Minako , Takabayashi Anna , Yokoyama Yoshihito
Published: March 2020

Background

Postoperative ileus is a major complication of abdominal surgical procedures. The purpose of this study was to investigate preventive effect of daikenchuto (DKT) on onset of ileus in patients who received gynecological surgery for malignant tumors.

Methods

A total of 904 patients who received gynecological surgery for malignant tumors by opening retroperitoneum along with retroperitoneal lymph node dissection during a period between 2004 and 2018 were included in this retrospective study. The retroperitoneum was not sutured in all patients. Comparisons were made for proportion of patients developing ileus (frequency of postoperative ileus onset), timing of ileus onset, and treatment types for ileus among following three groups: a group treated with enema or laxatives to release gas if they did not pass the intestinal gas for 3 days postoperatively (Group A, n = 152); a group treated with adhesion‐inhibitory absorptive barrier at the opening to the retroperitoneum (Group B, n = 188); and a group treated with adhesion‐inhibitory absorptive barrier and oral intake of DKT 7.5 g per day (Group C, n = 564).

Results

The frequency of ileus onset significantly decreased in both Groups B (4.8%) and C (3.5%) compared to Group A (16.4%). Furthermore, the frequency of ileus onset was significantly less in Group C compared to Group B. For the treatment types, frequency of ileus, which was successfully treated only with conservative therapy, was the same for Groups B and C. However, incidence of serious ileus that required surgery decreased by 45% in Group C (2/564) compared to Groups A (2/152) and B (3/188).

Conclusions

Results suggest that DKT prevents development of serious ileus after gynecological surgery for malignant tumors and therefore contributes to improvement in patients’ QOL.
Recreating the size‐dependent reabsorption function of proximal convoluted tubule towards artificial kidney applications: Structural analysis and computational study
Authors: Sateesh Jasti , Guha Koushik , Dutta Arindam , Sengupta Pratim , Agarwal Ajay , Srinivasa Rao Karumuri
Published: March 2020

Human kidneys tend to be affected adversely and fail to function more often than any other organ in the body because of diet, heredity, and lifestyle of a person. Dialysis is the technique presently in use for replacing the failed kidney function but it is packed with painfulness, bulkiness, and is costly also. There is a growing need for development of an artificial kidney that eradicates the problems associated with dialysis. This article proposes a structure that mimics the most important aspect of the human kidney: the size‐dependent reabsorption of endothelial cells in the proximal convoluted tubule (PCT). The proposed structure consists of transporting channels connecting blood tubules surrounded on both sides of a main tubule. Geometries of the channels are analyzed for optimum flow by varying angles with respect to the main tubule. The analytical formulae have been developed by considering proper boundary conditions governing the flow in the structure, which makes the model as robust, concise, and realistic as the actual PCT. The mathematical model is validated against the benchmark FEM tool COMSOL Multiphysics and the results seem to be satisfactory. This article concludes, that slant channels possess a considerably higher average flow velocity of 5.39 × 10–5 m/s (≈52% reabsorption rate) than straight channels with 4.77 × 10–5 m/s (≈46% reabsorption rate) which is closer to the actual PCT reabsorption rate of 60%. The proposed model is first of its kind in nature among the reported works which creates and exhibits simulation environment of PCT reabsorption function supported by mathematical formulation and also can be useful to study and develop artificial kidney in near future.
Tumour location determined by preoperative MRI is an independent predictor for positive surgical margin status after Retzius‐sparing robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy
Authors: Li Youjian , Fu Yao , Li Weijian , Xu Linfeng , Zhang Qing , Gao Jie , Li Danyan , Li Xiaogong , Qiu Xuefeng , Guo Hongqian
Published: March 2020

Objective

To investigate the influence of tumour location zone on positive surgical margin (PSM) status after Retzius‐sparing robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy (RS‐RARP).

Materials and Methods

A total of 203 consecutive patients with prostate cancer (PCa) who underwent RS‐RARP at our centre were divided into three cohorts according to the tumour zonal origin described on preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Clinical and pathological characteristics were compared among the three groups. The associations of clinicopathological variables with PSM status after RS‐RARP were also evaluated.

Results

The rates of PSM in patients with transition zone (TZ) and mixed origin tumours were significantly higher than in patients with peripheral zone tumours (P < 0.01). Of the PSMs in patients with TZ and mixed origin cancers, 42.0% and 40.9%, respectively, were located at the anterior part of the gland. On multivariate analysis, presence of a TZ tumour was significantly associated with a higher PSM rate after RS‐RARP (P < 0.01). Sub‐analysis showed that high‐risk patients with TZ tumours had a higher risk of PSM after RS‐RARP (P < 0.01).

Conclusion

Presence of a TZ tumour is an independent risk factor for PSMs after RS‐RARP. Preoperative identification of TZ tumours might aid surgical planning for the Retzius‐sparing technique, especially in high‐risk patients.
Identification of endogenous 1‐aminopyrene as a novel mediator of progressive chronic kidney disease via aryl hydrocarbon receptor activation
Authors: Miao Hua , Cao Gang , Wu Xia‐Qing , Chen Yuan‐Yuan , Chen Dan‐Qian , Chen Lin , Vaziri Nosratola D. , Feng Ya‐Long , Su Wei , Gao Yi , Zhuang Shougang , Yu Xiao‐Yong , Zhang Li , Guo Yan , Zhao Ying‐Yong
Published: March 2020

Background and Purpose

Increasing evidence has indicated that the high risk of cardiovascular disease in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients cannot be sufficiently explained by classic risk factors.

Experimental Approach

Based on the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator method, we identified significantly altered renal tissue metabolites during progressive CKD in a 5/6 nephrectomized rat model and in CKD patients.

Key Results

Six aryl‐containing metabolites (ACMs) were significantly increased from Week 1 to Week 20. They were associated with the activation of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and its target genes including CYP1A1, CYP1A2 and CYP1B1, which were further validated by molecular docking. Our study further demonstrated that AhR signalling could be activated by ACM in patients with idiopathic membranous nephropathy, diabetic nephropathy and IgA nephropathy. Most importantly, 1‐aminopyrene (AP) showed strong positive and negative correlation with serum creatinine and creatinine clearance, respectively. AP significantly up‐regulated the mRNA expressions of AhR and its three target genes in both mice and NRK‐52E cells, while this effect was partially weakened in AhR small hairpin RNA‐treated mice and NRK‐52E cells. Furthermore, dietary flavonoid supplementation ameliorated CKD and renal fibrosis through partially inhibiting the AhR activity via lowering the ACM levels. The antagonistic effect of flavonoids on AhR was deeply influenced by the number and location of hydroxyl and glycosyl groups.

Conclusion and Implications

We uncovered that endogenous AP is a novel mediator of CKD progression via AhR activation; thus, AhR might serve as a promising target for CKD treatment.
Linear triazole‐linked pseudo oligogalactosides as scaffolds for galectin inhibitor development
Authors: Dussouy Christophe , Kishor Chandan , Lambert Annie , Lamoureux Clément , Blanchard Helen , Grandjean Cyrille
Published: March 2020

Galectins play key roles in numerous biological processes. Their mode of action depends on their localization which can be extracellular, cytoplasmic, or nuclear and is partly mediated through interactions with β‐galactose containing glycans. Galectins have emerged as novel therapeutic targets notably for the treatment of inflammatory disorders and cancers. This has stimulated the design of carbohydrate‐based inhibitors targeting the carbohydrate recognition domains (CRDs) of the galectins. Pursuing this approach, we reasoned that linear oligogalactosides obtained by straightforward iterative click chemistry could mimic poly‐lactosamine motifs expressed at eukaryote cell surfaces which the extracellular form of galectin‐3, a prominent member of the galectin family, specifically recognizes. Affinities toward galectin‐3 consistently increased with the length of the representative oligogalactosides but without reaching that of oligo‐lactosamines. Elucidation of the X‐ray crystal structures of the galectin‐3 CRD in complex with a synthesized di‐ and tri‐galactoside confirmed that the compounds bind within the carbohydrate‐binding site. The atomic structures revealed that binding interactions mainly occur with the galactose moiety at the non‐reducing end, primarily with subsites C and D of the CRD, differing from oligo‐lactosamine which bind more consistently across the whole groove formed by the five subsites (A‐E) of the galectin‐3 CRD.