bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diffusion of residential RT solar – is lack of funds the real issue?
Authors: Aggarwal Ashwini Kumar , Syed Asif Ali , Garg Sandeep
Published: October 2019

Purpose

Rooftop (RT) solar in India has grown to 4.4 GW by the end of March 2019 – but it is still under-performing vs national solar mission target of 40 GW. This paper aims to understand the drivers of the purchase intent (PI) for RT solar will enable policymakers to improve the penetration of this new and promising green technology.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper builds a structural equation modeling model for triggers of the PI of a residential RT solar photo-voltaic (SPV) buyer. The empirical study conducted in Delhi/national capital region of Delhi and Bangalore validates the role of the Unified Theory of Acceptance & Use of Technology (2) constructs in the PI of the residential sector RT solar buyer in India. It also explores a few myths – prior green habits have no relationship with the PI and self-efficacy has been dropped in the final path analysis to improve model fit.

Findings

This research explores the myth that financial self-efficacy – or prospect’s perception of his capability to fund (through own or credit finance) – will mean that the prospect is likely to be more conducive to an SPV purchase in the city contexts studied. It is more relevant for policymakers to work on factors such as social influence/ beliefs, effort expectancy and price-value beliefs. Other relevant triggers are performance expectancy, hedonic motivation and environmental beliefs.

Originality/value

This is the first Indian research leveraging multi-city survey of actual households build an empirically verified consumer behavior model for RT SPV in the residential sector leveraging the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology 2 constructs.
Interbank financing and business cycle in Europe
Authors: Kim Cuong Ly , Vinh Vo Xuan
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The knowledge of the link between interbank financing and business cycle fluctuations is important in assessing the stability and soundness of the banking sector. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the simultaneous relationship between interbank financing and the business cycle with respect to the financial structure of the bank-based and market-based systems in European countries by using bank-level data from 2007 to 2011.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employs an innovative instrumenting technique with an instrument of the financial structure to address the simultaneous determination of interbank financing and the business cycle.

Findings

The results suggest that banks establish pro-cyclical interbank borrowing by increasing their interbank position during booms and reducing it during downturns. Bank-based system performs better in redistributing the liquidity in the economy than the market-based system when there are imperfectly correlated liquidity shocks across regions during the 2007–2009 financial crisis.

Practical implications

The improvement of banks’ liquidity risk management should be aligned with a specific financial system. The macro-prudential supervisor should require banks in the market-based system to disclose their interbank position on the extent of risk exposure during the liquidity shock period to stabilize the EU banking industry.

Originality/value

This study is the first to provide policy makers with some novel empirical results concerning the linkage among bank liquidity, the macroeconomic condition and financial structure.
Co-worker social support and organisational identification: does ethnic self-identification matter?
Authors: Pepple Dennis G. , Davies Eleanor M.M.
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of socially supportive relationships between co-workers in fostering organisational identification (OID). Adopting a Social Identity Theory perspective, the study investigates how employees’ ethnic self-identification (ESI) may influence co-worker social support (CWSS)–OID relationship depending on whether they are indigenes or non-indigenes.

Design/methodology/approach

Regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between CWSS (independent variable) and OID (dependent variable) at different levels of ESI (moderator variable). Data were collected from 1,525 employees from public and private employers in Nigeria.

Findings

Findings supported a positive relationship between CWSS and OID that is moderated by an employee’s ESI. Specifically, the study finds that ESI matters in the strength of CWSS–OID relationship such that the relationship is weaker for indigenes compared to non-indigenes.

Practical implications

As organisations develop policies that increase the representation of various ethnic groups or other forms of social identities at work, there is need to create an environment that fosters socially supportive relationships among co-workers.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature by adding a level of boundary conditions to the overall findings that workplace relationships are important for OID. The study also addresses how employees of different ethnic groups are influenced by the ethnicity of the context prevailing where an organisation is located.
Identification of herpes zoster high‐risk group using Charlson comorbidity index: A nationwide retrospective cohort study
Authors: Cho Soo Ick , Lee Dong Hun , Park Young Min
Published: October 2019

The incidence of herpes zoster (HZ) is mainly affected by age. Various comorbidities could influence the risk of HZ, but a general guideline for evaluating their effect on HZ is lacking. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) is useful in evaluating the risk of HZ in the general population. This retrospective cohort study analyzed data from 1 016 580 random multistage representative samples in Korea, recorded from 2004 to 2013 in the South Korean National Health Insurance Service–National Sample Cohort database. We calculated the baseline CCI score of comorbidities and compared the hazard ratio (HR) of HZ according to the calculated CCI scores. A total of 340 124 eligible subjects aged 40–79 years and 35 874 HZ patients were identified. After adjustment of age, sex and income, the HR of HZ and odds ratio of postherpetic neuralgia in the CCI score of 1 or more group was found to be significantly higher than that of the CCI score 0 group. Compared with the 60s age group with a CCI score of 0, the 50s age group with a CCI score of 1 had a higher risk of HZ, and the 40s age group with a CCI score of 3 or more had a similar risk of HZ. Scoring systems of comorbidities such as the CCI could be useful in identifying the high‐risk group for HZ, especially among the 40–59‐year age group. Further studies are required to establish the usage of a HZ‐specific comorbidity scoring system in a large multinational population.
Evaluation of the effect of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill) essential oil addition on the quality parameters and shelf‐life prediction of yoghurt
Authors: Ben Abdesslem Souhir , Ben Moussa Olfa , Boulares Mouna , Elbaz Mounira , Chouaibi Moncef , Ayachi Souha , Hassouna Mnasser
Published: October 2019

Yoghurt was prepared by adding three concentrations of fennel essential oil (FEO) (2.5, 5 and 7.5 µL) in 100 mL of pasteurised milk. Fennel essential oil did not affect the viability of yoghurt starters during fermentation. Based on sensory analysis, only the 5‐µL FEO concentration was incorporated in order to investigate the physicochemical and microbiological properties of enriched yoghurt during storage. Results showed that FEO in yoghurt did not significantly affect the quality after acidification (P > 0.05). However, total solid content, syneresis and lightness (L*) differed significantly (P < 0.05). Bacterial counts indicated that the control yoghurt had the highest values. Fortified yoghurt had an increased shelf life of 29 days.
The Wellness Incentive and Navigation intervention improved health‐related quality of life among Medicaid enrollees: A randomized pragmatic clinical trial
Authors: Guo Yi , Vogel Walter Bruce , Muller Keith E. , Stoner Dena , Huo Tianyao , Shenkman Elizabeth A.
Published: October 2019

Objective

To examine whether the Wellness Incentive and Navigation (WIN) intervention can improve health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) among Medicaid enrollees with co‐occurring physical and behavioral health conditions.

Data Sources

Annual telephone survey data from 2013 to 2016, linked with claims data.

Study Design

We recruited 1259 participants from the Texas STAR + PLUS managed care program and randomized them into an intervention group that received flexible wellness accounts and navigator services or a control group that received standard care. We conducted 4 waves of telephone surveys to collect data on HRQOL, patient activation, and other participant demographic and clinical characteristics.

Data Collection/Extraction Methods

The 3M Clinical Risk Grouping Software was used to extract variables from claims data and group participants based on disease severity.

Principal Findings

Our results showed that the WIN intervention was effective in increasing patient activation and HRQOL among Medicaid enrollees with co‐occurring physical and behavioral health conditions. Furthermore, we found that this intervention effect on HRQOL was partially mediated by patient activation.

Conclusions

Providing navigator support with wellness account is effective in improving HRQOL among Medicaid enrollees. The pragmatic nature of the trial maximizes the chance of successfully implementing it in state Medicaid programs.
An integrated assessment of China's South—North Water Transfer Project
Authors: Rogers Sarah , Chen Dan , Jiang Hong , Rutherfurd Ian , Wang Mark , Webber Michael , Crow‐Miller Britt , Barnett Jon , Finlayson Brian , Jiang Min , Shi Chenchen , Zhang Wenjing
Published: October 2019

China's South–North Water Transfer Project (SNWTP) is a vast and still expanding network of infrastructure and institutions that moves water from the Yangtze River and its tributaries to cities in North China. This article aims to assess the SNWTP's impacts by beginning to answer seven questions about the project: How is the management of the SNWTP evolving? What are the problems to be resolved when managing SNWTP water within jurisdictions? What are the status and management of water quality in the SNWTP? What are the consequences of resettlements caused by the SNWTP? How is increased water supply affecting regional development? Is the SNWTP achieving its stated environmental goals? What are the sustainability credentials of the SNWTP? Drawing on primary and secondary data, the article demonstrates both that the opportunities and burdens characterising the project are highly uneven and that management systems are evolving rapidly in an attempt to enforce strict water quality targets. Furthermore, while the SNWTP may be helping to resolve groundwater overexploitation in Beijing, it is highly energy intensive, raising questions about its sustainability. Our analysis highlights the need to continue to interrogate the socio‐economic, environmental, and political implications of such schemes long after they are officially completed.
Osimertinib 160 mg daily for advanced non‐small cell lung cancer with leptomeningeal metastasis: A case report
Authors: Tsang Maverick Wai‐Kong
Published: October 2019

Advanced non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with leptomeningeal metastases (LM) is associated with a dismal prognosis of typically 3‐9 months. In preclinical and clinical studies, the third‐generation epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor osimertinib has demonstrated activity in the central nervous system (CNS), and studies are ongoing. We report here a case of osimertinib used at 160 mg once daily in a heavily pretreated patient with EGFR exon 20 T790M‐negative advanced NSCLC with LM to achieve a partial response, including shrinkage of the LM, for up to 12 months until further progression. The case suggests the feasibility of using osimertinib at a twofold standard dose to treat CNS metastases, irrespective of the T790M mutation status.
Predicting operative difficulty of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients with acute biliary presentations
Authors: Wennmacker Sarah Z. , Bhimani Nazim , van Dijk Aafke H. , Hugh Thomas J. , de Reuver Philip R.
Published: October 2019

Background

Early laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is advocated in patients with an acute biliary presentation but may require some precaution. We aimed to assess the intra‐operative difficulty of cholecystectomy in patients who underwent early intervention, and to establish a prediction model for a ‘complicated’ LC.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from patients presenting to the emergency department with acute biliary symptoms, and who subsequently underwent early LC between 2015 and 2018. Operative difficulty was assessed by standardized grading of intra‐operative findings (grades 1–4). Pre‐operative predictors for a ‘complicated’ LC (grades 3/4) were assessed using univariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis. A prediction model was created using variable regression coefficients. Cut‐off and accuracy of the model were assessed using a receiver operating characteristic curve.

Results

A total of 185 patients were included and 59% presented with acute cholecystitis. In this cohort 113 (61%) patients underwent a ‘complicated’ LC. A prediction model for a ’complicated’ LC (0–4.5 points) included: clinical diagnosis of acute cholecystitis (2 points), C‐reactive protein >10.5 mg/L (1.5 points) and pericholecystic fluid on pre‐operative imaging (1 point). A score ≥2.5 had a sensitivity of 77.7%, specificity of 81.7% and positive and negative predictive values of 87.0% and 69.9%, respectively.

Conclusion

Early LC may be ‘complicated’ in up to 60% of cases. The presented prediction model uses readily available information in the emergency department and is a simple but accurate way to predict a likely ‘complicated’ LC in patients with acute biliary presentations.
Extraction and characterization of collagens from yak rumen smooth muscle
Authors: Li Shengsheng , Yu Qunli
Published: October 2019

This study reports an effective method using enzymatic methods to extract collagen from yak rumen smooth muscle. The enzymatic extraction methods were optimized by response surface methodology. Additionally, the properties of the extracted collagen were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy and mass spectrometry (MS). The results showed that the optimal conditions were as follows: the pepsin addition was 0.95%, the enzymatic hydrolysis time was 21 hr, and the solid‐to‐solvent ratio was 1:11. Under these conditions, the collagen extraction rate could reach 3.62/100 g. The results of FT‐IR revealed that the amide A, amide B, amide I, amide II, and amide III bands of the collagen appeared at 3,293.18, 3,068.18, 1654.94, 1,540.58, and 1,236.58 cm−1, respectively. The MS identified seven types of collagen, which were type I, type III, type IV, type V, type VI, type VIII, and type XII. The results demonstrated that the enzymatic method can extract collagen from yak rumen smooth muscle with a considerably high yield and can preserve the intact structure of the collagen.
The profile inter‐unit reliability
Authors: He Kevin , Dahlerus Claudia , Xia Lu , Li Yanming , Kalbfleisch John D.
Published: October 2019

To assess the quality of health care, patient outcomes associated with medical providers (eg, dialysis facilities) are routinely monitored in order to identify poor (or excellent) provider performance. Given the high stakes of such evaluations for payment as well as public reporting of quality, it is important to assess the reliability of quality measures. A commonly used metric is the inter‐unit reliability (IUR), which is the proportion of variation in the measure that comes from inter‐provider differences. Despite its wide use, however, the size of the IUR has little to do with the usefulness of the measure for profiling extreme outcomes. A large IUR can signal the need for further risk adjustment to account for differences between patients treated by different providers, while even measures with an IUR close to zero can be useful for identifying extreme providers. To address these limitations, we propose an alternative measure of reliability, which assesses more directly the value of a quality measure in identifying (or profiling) providers with extreme outcomes. The resulting metric reflects the extent to which the profiling status is consistent over repeated measurements. We use national dialysis data to examine this approach on various measures of dialysis facilities.
TWENTY‐FIRST‐CENTURY TRADE GOVERNANCE: FINDINGS FROM THE COMMONWEALTH COUNTRIES
Authors: Khorana Sangeeta , Martínez‐Zarzoso Inmaculada
Published: October 2019

This paper focuses on twenty‐first‐century‐trade governance patterns within the Commonwealth (CW) countries. It uses an augmented gravity model to examine the role of governance in influencing trade and investment flows, and whether enhanced trade governance within the CW countries could potentially foster trade gains, on a both intra‐ and extra‐CW basis. Results show a 10% reduction in the costs incurred for a good to exit a country can increase intra‐CW exports by 5%. Second, contract enforcement is more efficient among CW members, and requires 20% less time compared to the world average. Third, every 1 percentage point improvement in government effectiveness triggers an increase in exports from CW, at 3.4%, compared to the rest of the world, at 2.4%. Finally, trade between CW members is three times higher when they belong to an existing regional trade agreement. (JEL F10, 011, F13)
Atmospheric pressure plasma‐induced decolorisation of cotton knitted fabric dyed with reactive dye
Authors: Liu Yao‐hui , To Chester Kin‐man , Ngai Mei‐ki , Kan Chi‐wai , Chua Hong
Published: October 2019

The aim of this study was to investigate the decolorisation effect of atmospheric pressure plasma treatment on knitted fabrics dyed with reactive dyes under different processing parameters, ie, air concentration, treatment duration and water content. The fabrics were dyed with reactive dye of a blue colour, and the colour depths were 0.5%, 1.5% and 3.0% on weight of fabric. The colour properties of untreated and plasma‐treated fabric samples were evaluated by means of reflectance, K/S and relative unlevelness index. The colour properties were evaluated instrumentally and quantitatively in order to study the decolorisation effect induced by atmospheric pressure plasma treatment. Experimental results revealed that the desired decolorisation effect was heavily influenced by the atmospheric pressure plasma treatment processing parameters. Although the desired decolorisation effect could be obtained by controlling the processing parameters of the atmospheric pressure plasma treatment, the treatment did not provide any significant reduction in the bursting strength of the fabric.
Evaluator perceptions of NGO performance in disasters: meeting multiple institutional demands in humanitarian aid projects
Authors: Heyse Liesbet , Morales Fernando Nieto , Wittek Rafael
Published: October 2019

Providing aid in times of increasing humanitarian need, limited budgets, and mounting security risks is challenging. This paper explores in what organisational circumstances evaluators judge, positively and negatively, the performance of international non‐governmental organisations (INGOs) in response to disasters triggered by natural hazards. It assesses whether and how, as perceived by expert evaluators, CARE and Oxfam successfully met multiple institutional requirements concerning beneficiary needs and organisational demands. It utilises the Competing Values Framework to analyse evaluator statements about project performance and organisational control and flexibility issues, using seven CARE and four Oxfam evaluation reports from 2005–11. The reports are compared using fuzzy‐set Qualitative Comparative Analysis. The resulting configurations show that positive evaluations of an INGO's internal and external flexibility relate to satisfying beneficiary needs and organisational demands, whereas negative evaluations of external flexibility pertain to not meeting beneficiary needs and negative statements about internal control concerning not fulfilling organisational demands.
Confronting the scarcity of digital skills among the poor in developing countries
Authors: James Jeffrey
Published: October 2019

Motivation

As part of the second digital divide”, the scarcity of digital skills among the “bottom billion” in poor countries has been noted in the literature. The typical policy response to this daunting situation is to directly increase the supply of these missing resources. The article does not dispute the need for such policy, but argues in favour of supplementary interventions that bypass this scarcity in a bid to bring the benefit of digital technologies to people living in poverty.

Purpose

To describe and compare the components of a package of policies to address the scarcity of digital skills in poor countries. The package comprises an increase in the supply of these skills, a choice of technologies that make few demands on them, and to find substitutes that can indirectly supply information from the Internet to those who need it.

Approach and methods

The approach is based on Albert Hirshman’s distinction between trait‐making, which seeks to increase the supply of resources in short supply, and trait‐taking, which accepts those resources as being given temporarily in the making of policy. The complementary approaches are explained and compared in detail with the use of numerous examples.

Findings

The brief answer of how best to respond to the lack of digital skills in poor countries is that all components of the policy package are needed, because they make different demands, deal with different aspects of the problem, use different methods and operate in different time periods. With respect to the trait‐taking alternatives, I show the need to make better use of local resources, institutions and cultures, because these are what are available.

Policy implications

Although most policies to deal with the scarcity of digital skills in poor countries seek directly to increase their supply in schools and other places, this will often be a long and difficult process. For this and other reasons, supplementary policies are also needed to bypass the shortage and yield the benefits of information technology to people living in poverty, within a relatively short period of time.
Effects of plant sex on insect abundance across three trophic levels in the perennial shrub Buddleja cordata
Authors: Moreira Xoaquín , Romero‐Pérez Araceli , Luna‐Chaparro Ethel , Orona‐Tamayo Domancar , Quintana‐Rodríguez Elizabeth , Reyes‐Chilpa Ricardo , Abdala‐Roberts Luis , Cano‐Santana Zenon , Hernández‐Cumplido Johnattan
Published: October 2019

Although there is a growing interest in the effects of intra‐specific plant genetic variation on species interactions, the effects of plant sex, an important axis of genetic variation, have been less studied. In addition, previous work investigating plant sex effects on species interactions has frequently focused on bitrophic interactions (e.g., herbivory), usually ignoring plant sex effects on higher trophic levels (i.e., natural enemies). Here, we investigated the effects of plant sex on herbivore abundance and that of their natural enemies associated with the dioecious shrub Buddleja cordata Kunth (Scrophulariaceae). Furthermore, we measured a subset of plant traits frequently involved in herbivore resistance and the potentially underlying plant sex effects. To this end, we recorded the abundances of a specialist leaf‐chewing caterpillar [Acronyctodes mexicanaria Walker (Lepidoptera: Geometridae)] throughout an entire growing season. We also recorded information about the caterpillar’s parasitoids, as well as leaf water content, phenolic compounds, phosphorus, and nitrogen for male and female plants of B. cordata. Plant sex did not significantly influence caterpillar abundance but did have an effect on natural enemies, with parasitoid abundance being 2.4‐fold greater on female than on male plants. The effect of plant sex on parasitoids remained significant after accounting for caterpillar abundance, suggesting that it was underlain by a trait‐mediated (rather than density‐mediated) mechanism. Finally, we found that male plants had a higher concentration of phenolic compounds (other traits did not differ between plant sexes). These results provide valuable evidence for the extended effects of plant sex on the third trophic level and point at plant traits potentially mediating such effects.
Individual placement and support in Italian young adults with mental disorder: Findings from the Reggio Emilia experience
Authors: Pelizza Lorenzo , Ficarelli Maria L. , Vignali Elisabetta , Artoni Simona , Franzini Maria C. , Montanaro Serenella , Andreoli Maria V. , Marangoni Sara , Ciampà Elizabeth , Erlicher Diana , Troisi Elisa , Pupo Simona
Published: October 2019

Aim

Individual placement and support (IPS) has a considerable body of evidence for its effectiveness in helping people with mental disorder to achieve and maintain competitive jobs. However, little data in young adult populations are currently available, especially in Europe. Aim of this study was to assess the effect of IPS in Italian young adults with moderate‐to‐severe mental illness, examining the main competitive employment outcomes and drop out rates during a 3‐year follow‐up period.

Methods

Participants (n = 54) were recruited from patients receiving psychiatric treatment in one of the seven adult Community Mental Health Centers of the Reggio Emilia Department of Mental Health. Together with drop out rates, we investigated job duration (total number of days worked), job acquisition (employment in the labour market for at least 1 day during the follow‐up), total hours per week worked, and job tenure (weeks worked on the longest‐held competitive job).

Results

A crude competitive employment rate of 40.7% and a crude drop out rate of 22.2% over the 3‐year follow‐up period were found. However, 66% of 42 clients who remained in the program over 3 years gained competitive employment at some time during the 3‐year period.

Conclusions

This research shows the feasibility of an IPS intervention model in the public mental health care system in Italy, especially for a young adult target population.
The first detection of the olive leaf moth Palpita vitrealis (Rossi) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) as a serious pest in Biskra province (Algeria)
Authors: Tahar Chaouche Souad , Bengouga Khalila , Fadlaoui Haroune
Published: October 2019

In Algeria, little is known about the jasmine moth Palpita vitrealis (Rossi) [synonym Palpita unionalis (Hubner)]. It was not previously considered to have significant economic impacts on olives. However, during 2018, in several localities in Biskra province, Algeria, damage caused by larvae feeding on terminal buds, young leaves and shoots attracted the attention of farmers and researchers. In this province, this is the first time that P. vitrealis has been reported as a pest associated with olive trees. A morphological description of this species is given, as well as information on the symptoms and damage that have been observed.
The brokerage role of small states and territories in global corporate networks
Authors: Martinus Kirsten , Sigler Thomas , Iacopini Iacopo , Derudder Ben
Published: October 2019

Global economic activity is networked through cross‐national linkages between firm headquarters, branches, and subsidiaries. Brokerage emerges as a key territorial function of this network, with some places acting as gateways or intermediaries for flows of global knowledge, information, or trade. This function is particularly salient for small states and territories leveraging the benefits of borrowed size by offering global professional services, warehousing, logistics, shipping, and finance to wealthy nations or high net individuals. Nonetheless, to date our understanding of how small states and territories facilitate wealth accumulation is limited to broad concepts of their role as “gateways” or “brokers.” Drawing on a typology of brokerage and a network analysis applied to the ties between approximately 700,000 firm headquarter and subsidiary locations of 13 of the world's largest stock exchanges, we explore the brokerage role of small states and territories through case studies of Luxembourg, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Panama. Brokerage is found to play an important role in the economy of all four. We argue that each of these small states and territories is uniquely positioned as a broker in global corporate networks, but that this role differs according to geo‐economic and political positionality.
What drives urban population growth and shrinkage in postsocialist East Germany?
Authors: Heider Bastian
Published: October 2019

Most cities in East Germany experienced drastic shrinkage between 1990 and 2014, but in recent years some have stabilized or even switched toward new growth paths, while others have been continuously declining. A descriptive analysis of subgroups of cities with diverging population growth trajectories reveals that this recent phase of “urban resurgence” accounts to a large share to the growth of the largest cities and some smaller cities in their hinterland and is strongly related to the residential preferences of families and young adults. Furthermore, the estimation of spatial regression models for the period 2004–2014 including a comprehensive set of control variables, such as agglomeration effects, initial demographic conditions, labor market characteristics, climate, and quality of life‐related factors, reveals that recent patterns of urban population development are negatively correlated to historical growth rates during times of socialism. This indicates that postsocialist urban development can be interpreted as a direct outcome of the transition process and as a backlash against the socialist past when urban development was dominated by central planning policies. However, the relevance of the individual determinants included in our regression model differs strongly with respect to the population dynamics in different age groups.
Cancer gland rupture as a potential risk factor for lymph node metastasis in early colorectal adenocarcinoma with deep submucosal invasion
Authors: Oishi Katsumi , Ito Takashi , Sakonishi Daisuke , Uchida Keisuke , Sekine Masaki , Negi Mariko , Kobayashi Daisuke , Miura Keiko , Akashi Takumi , Eishi Yoshinobu
Published: October 2019

Aims

Lymph node metastasis (LNM) has not been found in more than 85% of patients with early invasive colorectal adenocarcinoma (T1‐CRAC) who undergo surgery after therapeutic endoscopy due to the risk for LNM. Better histological risk assessment for LNM of endoscopically resected T1‐CRAC is important to avoid unnecessary additional surgery.

Methods and results

We evaluated cancer gland rupture (CGR), i.e. cancer glands with a discontinuous epithelial lining, at the invasive front, as a potential risk factor for LNM by histological examination of differentiated T1‐CRAC from 217 patients who underwent surgery with or without therapeutic endoscopy. CGR was represented by C‐shaped neoplastic glands with a variable inflammatory or stromal reaction, and was occasionally accompanied by mucus lake or abscess formation. CGR was observed in 168 (77%) cases, including all 20 cases with LNM, and the odds ratio of LNM was higher for CGR than for deep invasion (depth of submucosal invasion ≥1000 μm). All cases with LNM were found among 148 cases with deep invasion and positive CGR, whereas no LNM was detected in 29 cases with deep invasion and negative CGR, regardless of vascular invasion or tumour budding. In the 148 cases, LNM was detected in 18 (19%) of 93 cases with positive vascular invasion or high‐grade tumour budding, and in two (4%) of 55 cases without either.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that CGR is an easily applied and objective histological finding for predicting LNM that could be useful for assessing the risk for LNM of endoscopically resected T1‐CRAC with deep invasion.
Annexin V expression on CD4+ T cells with regulatory function
Authors: Bollinger Anna‐Lena , Bollinger Thomas , Rupp Jan , Shima Kensuke , Gross Natalie , Padayachy Laura , Chicheportiche Rachel , Puga Yung Gisella L. , Seebach Jörg Dieter
Published: October 2019

Regulatory T (Treg) cells induce immunologic tolerance by suppressing effector functions of conventional lymphocytes in the periphery. On the other hand, immune silencing is mediated by recognition of phosphatidylserine (PS) on apoptotic cells by phagocytes. Here we describe expression of the PS‐binding protein Annexin V (ANXA5) in CD4+ CD25hi Treg cells at the mRNA and protein levels. CD4+ ANXA5+ T cells constitute about 0·1%–0·6% of peripheral blood CD3+ T cells, exhibit co‐expression of several Treg markers, such as Forkhead box P3, programmed cell death protein‐1, cytotoxic T‐lymphocyte antigen‐4 and CD38. In vitro, ANXA5+ Treg cells showed enhanced adhesion to PS+ endothelial cells. Stimulated by anti‐CD3 and PS+ syngeneic antigen‐presenting cells CD4+ ANXA5+ T cells expanded in the absence of exogenous interleukin‐2. CD4+ ANXA5+ T cells suppressed CD4+ ANXA5− T‐cell proliferation and mammalian target of rapamycin phosphorylation, partially dependent on cell contact. CD4+ ANXA5+ T‐cell‐mediated suppression was allo‐specific and accompanied by an increased production of anti‐inflammatory mediators. In vivo, using a model of delayed type hypersensitivity, murine CD4+ ANXA5+ T cells inhibited T helper type 1 responses. In conclusion, we report for the first time expression of ANXA5 on a subset of Treg cells that might bridge classical regulatory Treg function with immune silencing.
Electric and magnetic properties of lanthanum barium cobaltite
Authors: Szpunar Iga , Wachowski Sebastian , Miruszewski Tadeusz , Dzierzgowski Kacper , Górnicka Karolina , Klimczuk Tomasz , Sørby Magnus Helgerud , Balaguer María , Serra José M. , Strandbakke Ragnar , Gazda Maria , Mielewczyk‐Gryń Aleksandra
Published: October 2019

The cubic Ba0.5La0.5CoO3‐δ was synthesized using solid state reaction. The structural properties were determined by the simultaneous refinement of Synchrotron Powder X‐ray Diffraction and Neutron Powder Diffraction data. Iodometric titration was used to examine the oxygen stoichiometry and average cobalt oxidation state. Low‐temperature magnetic studies show soft ferromagnetic character of fully oxidized material, with θP = 198(3) K and µeff = 2.11(2) µB. Electric measurements show the thermally activated nature of conductivity at low temperatures, whereas, due to the variable oxidation and spin state of cobalt, a single charge transport mechanism cannot be distinguished. Around room temperature, a wide transition from thermally activated conductivity to semi‐metallic behavior is observed. Under the inert atmosphere, the oxygen content lowers and the cation ordering takes place, leading to coexistence of two, ordered and disordered, phases. As a result of this change, thermally activated conductivity is observed also at high temperatures in inert atmosphere.
A nurse—led lifestyle intervention using mobile application versus booklet for adults with metabolic syndrome—Protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Wong Eliza Mi‐Ling , Leung Doris Y. P. , Wang Qun , Leung Angela Y. M.
Published: October 2019

Aims

To compare the effect of a lifestyle intervention programme using mobile application versus booklet for adults with metabolic syndrome (MetS) living in the community.

Design

A multisite randomized controlled trial with three parallel arms, namely metabolic syndrome app group, booklet group, and control group.

Methods

The research study has been supported by the Health and Medical Research fund in Hong Kong in 2019. The protocol was approved by the study university and the selected community centres. Three hundred and sixty subjects will be recruited from community centres and randomized into either one arm. Inclusion criteria are those adult with MetS, able to use a smart phone. All participants received a 30‐min health educational session. App group participants will receive a mobile application while booklet group participants will receive a specific booklet of MetS care and the control group receive a placebo booklet only. The primary outcomes comprises of body weight. The secondary outcomes include total physical exercise, cardiometablolic risk factors, cardiovascular endurance, self‐efficacy for exercise, and stress level. Data will be collected at baseline, weeks 4, 12, and 24. SPSS and generalized estimating equations model will be employed for data analysis.

Discussion

Metabolic syndrome is a common health problem associated with the heightened risk of cardiovascular disease and the risks are potentially amenable to lifestyle intervention. The results will compare the relative effectiveness of a lifestyle intervention using an app versus a booklet on physical and psychological outcomes for adults with MetS.

Impact

What problem will the study address? The results will inform the healthcare professional and nurses about the effective way for health promotion, to enhance patient's lifestyle modification and exercise sustainability that will be beneficial to the clients’ health.
Educating health professionals for cultural competence in emergency situations: A study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Slobodin Ortal , Clempert Neta , Kula Yosef , Cohen Odeya
Published: October 2019

Aims

The current study is aimed at developing a culturally informed education program to increase cultural competence in emergencies among healthcare students and to examine its effectiveness using a randomized controlled trial.

Design

This is a mixed‐methods study, which comprises two phases: (a) Development of educational intervention to increase cultural competence, based on a review of published scientific literature and primary data collection from qualitative semi‐structured interviews with key informants; (b) Implementation and assessment of the intervention effectiveness in increasing cultural competence in health students, using a randomized controlled trial.

Methods

The qualitative phase will include semi‐structured interviews with 10 key informants. Data will be analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. The assessment of intervention efficacy will be examined by a randomized controlled trial. This phase will include a total of 200 undergraduate health profession students who will be randomized (1:1 ratio) to intervention or non‐intervention group. Both study groups will complete pre‐ and postintervention questionnaires assessing three principles of cultural competence: attitudes, knowledge, and skills. The study is supported by 2‐year funding, beginning in September 2018.

Discussion

Although the importance of culturally sensitive health services has long been recognized, there is a lack of cultural competence training in the medical education system, especially in the context of emergencies. Incorporating cultural competence education into the curricula offers an appealing strategy to enhance systematic understanding of cultural diversity at the early stages of professional training.

Impact

The development of cultural competence training and curricula focusing on situations that may arise during emergencies may play a significant role in minimizing cultural dissonance, improve patient‐provider communication, and produce better clinical outcomes.
Serous carcinoma of the uterine cervix: Clinicopathological features differing from serous carcinomas of other female organs
Authors: Kitade Shoko , Ariyoshi Kazuya , Taguchi Kenichi , Maenohara Shoji , Tomita Yui , Sonoda Kenzo , Okadome Masao , Saito Toshiaki
Published: October 2019

Aim

Serous carcinoma of the uterine cervix (USCC) is a very rare malignant tumor, while this histological subtype is common in the ovary, fallopian tube, uterine corpus and peritoneum. Because of its rarity, details of the clinicopathological features of USCC are largely unknown. We retrospectively analyzed the clinicopathological characteristics of five cases of pure USCC.

Methods

We reviewed the medical records and pathological specimens of five USCC cases who were treated at the Gynecology Service of the National Hospital Organization Kyushu Cancer Center, Japan, between 2000 and 2017. The clinicopathological features were also compared with those of serous carcinomas of the endometrium and ovary who were treated during the same period.

Results

Five patients were treated at our hospital between 2000 and 2017. Three tumors were stage IB1, one was stage IIB, and one was stage IVB. The median follow‐up time was 104 months (range 26–210). Four patients other than stage IVB were treated with radical hysterectomy and have been free of relapse. One patient with stage IVB tumor was treated with platinum‐based combination chemotherapy and is currently on maintenance therapy with bevacizumab and remains free of relapse.

Conclusion

USCC has a distinctive clinicopathological feature that differentiates it from serous carcinomas of other female organs. USCC had been thought to be a poor prognostic disease; however, it could be curable if it is not accompanied by lymph node metastasis or peritoneal dissemination. We might conquer USCC even if it is accompanied by lymph node metastasis with the use of multimodal therapy.
Adolescent Adjustment Problems Mediate the Association Between Racial Discrimination and School Connectedness
Authors: Fernandez Alejandra , Loukas Alexandra , Golaszewski Natalie M. , Batanova Milena , Pasch Keryn E.
Published: October 2019

BACKGROUND

Whereas previous research suggests a positive association between racial discrimination and early adolescent adjustment problems, few studies examine the relationship between discrimination and school connectedness as it relates to adjustment problems among Hispanic early adolescents. In this study, we examined if depressive symptoms and conduct problems would mediate the concurrent association between perceived racial discrimination and school connectedness among Hispanic early adolescents.

METHODS

Participants for this study were 192 11‐15‐year‐old (M = 12.1; SD = .95) Hispanic middle school students. Using multigroup path analyses, we examined the indirect association between racial discrimination and school connectedness through adjustment problems, and the equivalence of the associations across girls and boys.

RESULTS

Racial discrimination was positively associated with depressive symptoms and conduct problems for both girls and boys. In turn, depressive symptoms were negatively associated with school connectedness for girls only, whereas conduct problems were negatively associated with school connectedness for boys only.

CONCLUSIONS

In consideration of study findings, school personnel should be mindful of Hispanic adolescents who display depressive symptoms or conduct problems, as they may be highly vulnerable to lower levels of school connectedness when experiencing racial discrimination.
Public goods, voting, and growth
Authors: Borissov Kirill , Hanna Joseph , Lambrecht Stéphane
Published: October 2019

We study a parametric politico‐economic model of economic growth with productive public goods and public consumption goods. The provision of public goods is funded by a proportional tax. Agents are heterogeneous in their initial capital endowments, discount factors, and the relative weights of public consumption in overall private utility. They vote on the shares of public goods in gross domestic products (GDP). We propose a definition of voting equilibrium, prove the existence and provide a characterization of voting equilibria, and obtain a closed‐form solution for the voting outcomes. Also we introduce a “fictitious” representative agent and interpret the outcome of voting as a choice made by a central planner for his benefit. Finally, we undertake comparative static analysis of the shares of public goods in GDP and of the rate of balanced growth with respect to the discount factors and the preferences for public consumption. The results of this analysis suggest that the representative‐agent version of our model is capable of capturing the interaction between many voting heterogeneous agents only if the heterogeneity is one‐dimensional.
Pharmacological properties and therapeutic potential of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) in osteosarcoma
Authors: Ege Bilal , Yumrutas Onder , Ege Miray , Pehlivan Mustafa , Bozgeyik Ibrahim
Published: October 2019

Objectives

In this comprehensive study, we aimed to investigate pharmacological properties and therapeutic significance of saffron in osteosarcoma cancer cells.

Methods

Plant materials were obtained from Safranbolu district of Karabuk, Turkey. For the determination of anticancer properties, thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide (MTT) cell viability, colony formation, wound closure, DNA ladder assays and gene expression analysis by real-time PCR were performed. Also, cellular inflammation, total antioxidant and oxidants status were determined.

Key findings

Dichloromethane and hexane extracts of saffron were significantly inhibited cell proliferation and interfered with colony forming and migration capabilities of U2-OS osteosarcoma cancer cells. Also, both extracts induced the activation of tumour suppressor CDKN2B gene and altered cellular morphology resembling the induction of apoptosis. However, DNA fragmentation was not observed after extract treatments. Saffron was also found to have no significant effect on cellular inflammation. Unexpectedly, both dichloromethane and hexane extracts of saffron had no marked effect on cellular total antioxidant and oxidant status. Lastly, vanillic acid, resveratrol, caffeic acid and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid were found to be highly rich in our extracts.

Conclusions

Findings of this study demonstrated significant antiproliferative and antitumorigenic properties of saffron in osteosarcoma.
Bioenergetics of parental investment in two polychaete species with contrasting reproductive strategies: The planktotrophicBoccardia chilensisand the poecilogonicBoccardia wellingtonensis(Spionidae)
Authors: Doherty‐Weason Daniel , Oyarzun Fernanda , Vera Luciano , Bascur Miguel , Guzmán Fabián , Silva Francisco , Urzúa Ángel , Brante Antonio
Published: October 2019

The level of parental investment for larval nutrition may determine the life cycle in marine invertebrate species laying egg masses or capsules, where the food available for enclosed individuals would determine time and developmental stage of hatching. Most species show a unique type of larval development. However, few species are poecilogonous and combine more than one development type. Poecilogony, although scarcely studied, allows comparing different patterns of parental reproductive investment, without the phylogenetic effect of the species ancestral modes of development (phylogenetic inertia), to help to understand the factors determining life strategy evolution in marine invertebrates. The poecilogonous polychaete wormBoccardia wellingtonensisencapsulates and incubates its offspring, which then hatches as either planktotrophic larvae or benthic juveniles; whileBoccardia chilensisshows a non‐poecilogonous reproductive type, producing only planktotrophic larvae. In this work, we estimated the bioenergetic and biochemical composition of brooding and non‐brooding females ofB. wellingtonensisandB. chilensisto compare the costs of reproduction in these two species. Results showed that glucose, protein, lipid, and energy content were significantly higher in non‐brooding than in brooding females ofB. wellingtonensis; but also contained significantly more glucose, protein, and lipid than females ofB. chilensis(in absolute and relative dry weight values). The poecilogonous species showed higher energy content previous to laying offspring. Our results support the idea that the evolution of a certain reproductive and life history traits in marine invertebrates is related to adaptations in the female's reproductive investment.