bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
‘Business Risk-Assumption’ as a Criterion for the Determination of EU Employment Status: A Critical Evaluation
Authors: Georgiou Despoina
Published: December 2020

In the European legal order, the criterion of ‘business risk-assumption’ is increasingly being used by the ECJ as an element that would point to the existence of an independent working relationship. To what type of risks is the Court referring to? What are the normative underpinnings of this criterion and is it still effective in classifying modern-day workers? This paper responds to these questions by analysing and critically evaluating the use of ‘business risk-assumption’ as a criterion for the determination of EU employment status. More precisely, in section 2, I revisit the classical paradigm that led to the adoption of this criterion and demonstrate how it has been superseded by recent changes in market structures. In section 3, I show why employment status cannot just be left up to the parties and advocate for the need for an alternative ‘risk’-based criterion that would mitigate the deficiencies of the current framework, precipitating the fair mutualisation of risks between the parties. Finally, in section 4, I present and critically evaluate alternative ‘risk’-related criteria that have been proposed in the literature. After analysing the advantages and disadvantages of each approach, I argue in favour of a classification criterion based on the ‘involuntary assumption of risks’ measured by the ‘inability of a person to spread his risks’. If adopted, the proffered criterion would lead to the expansion of the EU nomen juris of ‘worker’, allowing for the protection of vulnerable quasi-subordinate persons that are excluded from the current EU ‘worker’ definition.
The Evolution of Derived Monomorphism From Sexual Dimorphism: A Case Study on Salamanders
Authors: Staub Nancy L
Published: December 2020

Synopsis

While sexual dimorphism has long received special attention from biologists, derived monomorphism, the condition in which both males and females express similar derived features has been less well studied. Historically, the appearance of “male-like” features in females has been explained by the genetic correlation between the sexes. Recent work emphasizes the importance of studying the independent selective forces on both females and males to understand sexual dimorphism. Sexual dimorphism and derived monomorphism in the genus Aneides are examined in light of predictions of social selection. Aneides hardii shows the greatest degree of sexual dimorphism in snout–vent length and head width, with the other species of Aneides less sexually dimorphic. This reduced dimorphism, however, is not a return to an ancestral monomorphic state, but rather exemplifies derived monomorphism because females express traits that were limited in expression to males of ancestral species. Instead of calling these “male-typical” traits in females, I suggest the term “derived monomorphic” traits as these traits are typical in these females, and “derived monomorphic” can apply to both sexes. Increased attention to studying the patterns and ecological significance of derived monomorphism will shed light on the underlying selective forces, including sexual selection, on both females and males.
Idiopathic Granulomatous Mastitis of the Breast: Radiologic–Pathologic Correlation
Authors: Kataria Niketa , Parker Elizabeth U , Kilgore Mark R , Scheel John R
Published: December 2020

Granulomatous inflammation is an uncommon inflammatory condition of the breast that includes both infectious (bacterial, fungal, parasitic) and noninfectious (autoimmune, sarcoidosis, idiopathic granulomatous mastitis [IGM], reaction to foreign materials) etiologies. IGM is the most common subset of granulomatous inflammation where no underlying etiology is established. Infectious causes of granulomatous inflammation should be excluded, as these have established treatments that can significantly improve patient outcomes. IGM should be considered in the differential when mastitis is refractory to antibiotics. Patients usually present with an erythematous, tender, palpable unilateral breast mass. The most common mammographic presentation is a focal or global asymmetry. The imaging appearance mimics breast cancer, therefore diagnosis usually requires tissue sampling with histopathologic analysis and cultures to exclude infection. When patients are diagnosed with IGM, this poses a clinical dilemma as there are a variety of treatment options available, including oral and intralesional steroids. The time course of the disease is often prolonged by multiple recurrences, and specific treatment remains an area of ongoing research. The purpose of this article is to review the range of clinical features, imaging manifestations, associated histopathology, and management of IGM.
Forced Migration as a Crisis in Masculinity: A Sociological Approach to Refugee Men’s Remasculinization Strategies in Turkey
Authors: Çarpar Mehmet Can , Göktuna Yaylaci Filiz
Published: December 2020

This article focuses on the changes in masculinity identity caused by forced migration and remasculinization strategies developed by men against this situation. This qualitative study sets out the idea that forced migration causes the dramatic changes in gender roles, especially in the identity of masculinity. In this context, data were collected from 15 male refugees who flee from different countries to Turkey through semi-structured interviews. According to the data, forced migration refers to a crisis in masculinity that shook the power of some men. Men cannot perform the various roles that traditionally attributed to masculine identity, due to poverty and unemployment they face by displacement. In the face of this situation, some men try to reconstruct and regain their power and masculinity identity by developing different remasculinization strategies. These are realized by emphasizing the roles of hegemonic masculinity that men can perform in the process of forced migration.
CDC25B partners with PP2A to induce AMPK activation and tumor suppression in triple negative breast cancer
Authors: Cairns Junmei , Ly Reynold C , Niu Nifang , Kalari Krishna R , Carlson Erin E , Wang Liewei
Published: December 2020

Cell division cycle 25 (CDC25) dual specificity phosphatases positively regulate the cell cycle by activating cyclin-dependent kinase/cyclin complexes. Here, we demonstrate that in addition to its role in cell cycle regulation, CDC25B functions as a regulator of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), a major cellular Ser/Thr phosphatase, through its direct interaction with PP2A catalytic subunit. Importantly, CDC25B alters the regulation of AMP-activated protein kinase signaling (AMPK) by PP2A, increasing AMPK activity by inhibiting PP2A to dephosphorylate AMPK. CDC25B depletion leads to metformin resistance by inhibiting metformin-induced AMPK activation. Furthermore, dual inhibition of CDC25B and PP2A further inhibits growth of 3D organoids isolated from patient derived xenograft model of breast cancer compared to CDC25B inhibition alone. Our study identifies CDC25B as a regulator of PP2A, and uncovers a mechanism of controlling the activity of a key energy metabolism marker, AMPK.
Energy expenditure estimates in chronic kidney disease using a novel physical activity questionnaire
Authors: Sridharan Sivakumar , Vilar Enric , Ramanarayanan Sivaramakrishnan , Davenport Andrew , Farrington Ken
Published: December 2020

Background

Physical activity (PA) levels are low in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD), and associate with increased morbidity and mortality. Reliable tools to assess PA in CKD are scarce. We aimed to develop and validate a novel PA questionnaire for use in CKD (CKD-PAQ).

Methods

In Phase 1, a prototype questionnaire was developed based on the validated recent PAQ (RPAQ). Structured feedback on item relevance and clarity was obtained from 40 CKD patients. In Phase 2, the questionnaire was refined in three iterations in a total of 226 CKD patients against 7-day accelerometer and RPAQ measurements. In Phase 3, the definitive CKD-PAQ was compared with RPAQ in 523 CKD patients.

Results

In the final iteration of Phase 2, CKD-PAQ data were compared with accelerometer-derived and RPAQ data in 60 patients. Mean daily metabolic equivalent of task (MET) and total energy expenditure (TEE) levels were similar by all methods. Intraclass correlation coefficients showed fair (MET) and good (TEE) agreement between accelerometry and both CKD-PAQ and RPAQ. Agreement between questionnaires was excellent. The mean [standard deviation (SD)] daily MET bias was 0.035 (0.312) for CKD-PAQ and 0.018 (0.326) for RPAQ. The mean (SD) TEE bias was 91 (518) for CKD-PAQ and 44 (548) kcal for RPAQ. Limits of agreement (LOA) were wide for both parameters, with less dispersion of CKD-PAQ values. In Phase 3, agreement between questionnaires was good (MET) and excellent (TEE). Bias of CKD-PAQ-derived mean (SD) daily MET from RPAQ-derived values was 0.031 (0.193), with 95% LOA −0.346 to 0.409. Corresponding mean (SD) values for TEE were 48 (325) and −588 to 685 kcal/day. CKD-PAQ appeared to improve discrimination between low activity groups.

Conclusions

CKD-PAQ performs comparably to the RPAQ though it is shorter, easier to complete, and may better capture low-level activity and improve discrimination between low activity groups.
Biochemical Basis for Redox Regulation of Chloroplast-Localized Phosphofructokinase from Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Yoshida Keisuke , Hisabori Toru
Published: December 2020

Various proteins in plant chloroplasts are subject to thiol-based redox regulation, allowing light-responsive control of chloroplast functions. Most redox-regulated proteins are known to be reductively activated in the light in a thioredoxin (Trx)-dependent manner, but its regulatory network remains incompletely understood. Using a biochemical procedure, we here show that a specific form of phosphofructokinase (PFK) is a novel redox-regulated protein whose activity is suppressed upon reduction. PFK is a key enzyme in the glycolytic pathway. In Arabidopsis thaliana, PFK5 is targeted to chloroplasts and uniquely contains an insertion sequence harboring two Cys residues (Cys152 and Cys157) in the N-terminal region. Redox shift assays using a thiol-modifying reagent indicated that PFK5 is efficiently reduced by a specific type of Trx, namely, Trx-f. PFK5 enzyme activity was lowered with the Trx-f-dependent reduction. PFK5 redox regulation was bidirectional; PFK5 was also oxidized and activated by the recently identified Trx-like2/2-Cys peroxiredoxin pathway. Mass spectrometry-based peptide mapping analysis revealed that Cys152 and Cys157 are critical for the intramolecular disulfide bond formation in PFK5. The involvement of Cys152 and Cys157 in PFK5 redox regulation was further supported by a site-directed mutagenesis study. PFK5 catalyzes the reverse reaction of fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase (FBPase), which is reduced and activated specifically by Trx-f. Our data suggest that PFK5 redox regulation, together with that of FBPase, constitutes a checkpoint for switching light/dark metabolism in chloroplasts.
Renormalizable SO (10) grand unified theory with suppressed dimension-5 proton decays
Authors: Haba Naoyuki , Mimura Yukihiro , Yamada Toshifumi
Published: December 2020

We study a renormalizable supersymmetric (SUSY) $SO(10)$ grand unified theory model where the Yukawa couplings of single ${\bf 10}$, single ${\bf \overline{126}}$, and single ${\bf 120}$ fields ($Y_{10}$, $Y_{126}$, and $Y_{120}$) account for the quark and lepton Yukawa couplings and the neutrino mass. We pursue the possibility that $Y_{10}$, $Y_{126}$, and $Y_{120}$ reproduce the correct quark and lepton masses, Cabibbo–Kobayashi–Maskawa and Pontecorvo–Maki–Nakagawa–Sakata (PMNS) matrices and neutrino mass differences, and at the same time suppress dimension-5 proton decays (proton decays via colored Higgsino exchange) through their texture, so that the soft SUSY-breaking scale can be reduced as much as possible without conflicting the current experimental bound on proton decays. We perform a numerical search for such a texture, and investigate implications of that texture on unknown neutrino parameters, the Dirac CP phase of the PMNS matrix, the lightest neutrino mass, and the $(1,1)$-component of the neutrino mass matrix in the charged lepton basis. Here we concentrate on the case when the active neutrino mass is generated mostly by the Type-2 seesaw mechanism, in which case we can obtain predictions for the neutrino parameters from the condition that dimension-5 proton decays be suppressed as much as possible.
Nationalism in the produce aisle: Using country of origin labels to stir patriotism and animosity
Authors: Heiman Amir , Just David R
Published: December 2020

This study aims to determine how feelings of nationalism or patriotism for one's own country and feelings of animosity for countries that are in political conflict affect consumers’ willingness to refrain from buying products from various origins. Four hundred forty-two shoppers participated in a survey that included questions about ethnocentric and patriotic feelings and a choice task between local and foreign produce. We find that a significant proportion of Israeli consumers are not willing to buy imported produce from countries that are in conflict with Israel. The proportion of consumers who would not purchase imported produce increases substantially with the intensity of the conflict. Consumers who avoid buying produce from friendly countries are those whose ethnocentric and economic-centric relationship are strong.
The Effects and Safety of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure in Children with Bronchiolitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Tang Guojing , Lin Jilei , Zhang Yin , Shi Qingxia
Published: December 2020

Objectives

To evaluate the effects and safety of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for initial respiratory management of bronchiolitis.

Methods

PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CNKI, Wanfang data and CQ VIP were searched until 17 June 2020. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) which investigated the effect of CPAP for bronchiolitis were included.

Results

Twenty-seven RCTs met the eligibility criteria. In the comparison of CPAP versus standard oxygen therapy, CPAP can reduce the length of stay (LOS) in hospital, respiratory rate (RR), PaCO2, heart rate, mechanical ventilation and increase PaO2, but the SpO2 and PH were not improved. In the comparison of CPAP versus high-flow nasal cannula, CPAP can reduce treatment failure, but the PICU LOS, Incidence of intubation, RR, Modified Woods Clinical Asthma Score were not decreased. Treatment failure may be less in helmet comparing with the mask though there was no quantitative analysis.

Conclusion

CPAP for the initial respiratory management significantly benefit children with bronchiolitis, the delivery of CPAP by helmet may be a better choice. More high-quality research is needed to confirm the conclusion.
What Do Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Policies Tell Us About Kangaroo Care implementation? A Realist Review
Authors: Fluharty Melissa , Nemeth Lynne S. , Logan Ayaba , Nichols Michelle
Published: December 2020

Background:

Kangaroo care (KC) is recommended for infants during their stay in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) due to the benefits to infant growth, stabilized vital signs, and parental bonding; however, literature primarily explores the physiologic benefits, barriers, and facilitators to KC practice. Little is known about the context and mechanisms of KC implementation.

Purpose:

This realist review is to explore what NICU policies tell us about practices to implement KC in the NICU.

Methods:

Policies were obtained via email, database, and search engines. Criteria were established to review each policy. Data were entered into a database then exported for frequency counts of identified characteristics.

Results:

Fifty-one policies were reviewed, which revealed inconsistencies in the implementation of KC practices. Inconsistencies include variability in infant postmenstrual ages and weight criteria, infant medical equipment in place during participation, duration and frequency of KC, KC documentation, and ongoing monitoring requirements.

Implications for Practice:

KC implementation varies widely across NICUs, even with similar infant populations. Exclusion of some infants from receiving KC may decrease the potential beneficial outcomes known to result from KC.

Implications for Research:

More research to understand KC best practice recommendations and implementation in the NICU is needed. Studies are needed to evaluate the duration and frequency of KC, as well as the benefits to infants and families to optimize KC in the NICU setting.
Group Prenatal Care as a Strategy to Address Diabesity
Authors: HUYSMAN BRIDGET C. , MAZZONI SARA , CARTER EBONY B.
Published: December 2020

Group prenatal care is a health care delivery model that utilizes shared medical appointments to place greater focus on patient education, mutual support, and increased time with the clinician to promote a healthy pregnancy. Several studies suggest that medically low-risk women participating in group prenatal care have improved pregnancy outcomes, but the same tenants can likely be used to help women with diabetes and obesity achieve healthy outcomes during pregnancy and throughout their life course. This chapter will review the background, care model, and evidence regarding group medical visits for pregnant women with diabetes and obesity.
An overall view of temperature oscillations in the solar chromosphere with ALMA
Authors: Jafarzadeh S. , Wedemeyer S. , Fleck B. , Stangalini M. , Jess D. B. , Morton R. J. , Szydlarski M. , Henriques V. M. J. , Zhu X. , Wiegelmann T. , Guevara Gómez J. C. , Grant S. D. T. , Chen B. , Reardon K. , White S. M.
Published: December 2020

By direct measurements of the gas temperature, the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) has yielded a new diagnostic tool to study the solar chromosphere. Here, we present an overview of the brightness-temperature fluctuations from several high-quality and high-temporal-resolution (i.e. 1 and 2 s cadence) time series of images obtained during the first 2 years of solar observations with ALMA, in Band 3 and Band 6, centred at around 3 mm (100 GHz) and 1.25 mm (239 GHz), respectively. The various datasets represent solar regions with different levels of magnetic flux. We perform fast Fourier and Lomb–Scargle transforms to measure both the spatial structuring of dominant frequencies and the average global frequency distributions of the oscillations (i.e. averaged over the entire field of view). We find that the observed frequencies significantly vary from one dataset to another, which is discussed in terms of the solar regions captured by the observations (i.e. linked to their underlying magnetic topology). While the presence of enhanced power within the frequency range 3–5 mHz is found for the most magnetically quiescent datasets, lower frequencies dominate when there is significant influence from strong underlying magnetic field concentrations (present inside and/or in the immediate vicinity of the observed field of view). We discuss here a number of reasons which could possibly contribute to the power suppression at around 5.5 mHz in the ALMA observations. However, it remains unclear how other chromospheric diagnostics (with an exception of H
α
line-core intensity) are unaffected by similar effects, i.e. they show very pronounced 3-min oscillations dominating the dynamics of the chromosphere, whereas only a very small fraction of all the pixels in the 10 ALMA datasets analysed here show peak power near 5.5 mHz.

This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue ‘High-resolution wave dynamics in the lower solar atmosphere’.
Influence of ambipolar and Hall effects on vorticity in three-dimensional simulations of magneto-convection
Authors: Khomenko E. , Collados M. , Vitas N. , González-Morales P. A.
Published: December 2020

This paper presents the results of the analysis of three-dimensional simulations of solar magneto-convection that include the joint action of the ambipolar diffusion and the Hall effect. Three simulation runs are compared: one including both ambipolar diffusion and the Hall effect; one including only ambipolar diffusion and one without any of these two effects. The magnetic field is amplified from initial field to saturation level by the action of turbulent local dynamo. In each of these cases, we study 2 h of simulated solar time after the local dynamo reaches the saturation regime. We analyse the power spectra of vorticity, of magnetic field fluctuations and of the different components of the magnetic Poynting flux responsible for the transport of vertical or horizontal perturbations. Our preliminary results show that the ambipolar diffusion produces a strong reduction of vorticity in the upper chromospheric layers and that it dissipates the vortical perturbations converting them into thermal energy. The Hall effect acts in the opposite way, strongly enhancing the vorticity. When the Hall effect is included, the magnetic field in the simulations becomes, on average, more vertical and long-lived flux tube-like structures are produced. We trace a single magnetic structure to study its evolution pattern and the magnetic field intensification, and their possible relation to the Hall effect.

This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue ‘High-resolution wave dynamics in the lower solar atmosphere’.
High-frequency oscillations in small chromospheric bright features observed with Atacama Large Millimetre/Submillimetre Array
Authors: Guevara Gómez J. C. , Jafarzadeh S. , Wedemeyer S. , Szydlarski M. , Stangalini M. , Fleck B. , Keys P. H.
Published: December 2020

We report detection of oscillations in brightness temperature, size and horizontal velocity of three small bright features in the chromosphere of a plage/enhanced-network region. The observations, which were taken with high temporal resolution (i.e. 2 s cadence) with the Atacama large millimetre/ submillimetre array (ALMA) in Band 3 (centred at 3 mm; 100 GHz), exhibit three small-scale features with oscillatory behaviour with different, but overlapping, distributions of period on the order of, on average, 90 ± 22 s, 110 ± 12 s and 66 ± 23 s, respectively. We find anti-correlations between perturbations in brightness, temperature and size of the three features, which suggest the presence of fast sausage-mode waves in these small structures. In addition, the detection of transverse oscillations (although with a larger uncertainty) may also suggest the presence of Alfvénic oscillations which are likely representative of kink waves. This work demonstrates the diagnostic potential of high-cadence observations with ALMA for detecting high-frequency magnetohydrodynamic waves in the solar chromosphere. Such waves can potentially channel a vast amount of energy into the outer atmosphere of the Sun.

This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue ‘High-resolution wave dynamics in the lower solar atmosphere’.
Characterization of shock wave signatures at millimetre wavelengths from Bifrost simulations
Authors: Eklund Henrik , Wedemeyer Sven , Snow Ben , Jess David B. , Jafarzadeh Shahin , Grant Samuel D.T. , Carlsson Mats , Szydlarski Mikołaj
Published: December 2020

Observations at millimetre wavelengths provide a valuable tool to study the small-scale dynamics in the solar chromosphere. We evaluate the physical conditions of the atmosphere in the presence of a propagating shock wave and link that to the observable signatures in mm-wavelength radiation, providing valuable insights into the underlying physics of mm-wavelength observations. A realistic numerical simulation from the three-dimensional radiative magnetohydrodynamic code Bifrost is used to interpret changes in the atmosphere caused by shock wave propagation. High-cadence (1 s) time series of brightness temperature (
T
b
) maps are calculated with the Advanced Radiative Transfer code at the wavelengths 1.309 mm and 1.204 mm, which represents opposite sides of spectral band 6 of the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA). An example of shock wave propagation is presented. The brightness temperatures show a strong shock wave signature with large variation in formation height between approximately 0.7 and 1.4 Mm. The results demonstrate that millimetre brightness temperatures efficiently track upwardly propagating shock waves in the middle chromosphere. In addition, we show that the gradient of the brightness temperature between wavelengths within ALMA band 6 can potentially be used as a diagnostics tool in understanding the small-scale dynamics at the sampled layers.

This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue ‘High-resolution wave dynamics in the lower solar atmosphere’.
Socialist political economy with Chinese characteristics in a new era
Authors: Hong Yinxing
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The socialist political economy with Chinese characteristics reflects the characteristics of ushering into a new era, and the research object thereof shifts to productive forces. Emancipating and developing productive forces and achieving common prosperity become the main theme. Wealth supersedes value as the fundamental category of economic analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

The theoretical system of socialist political economy with Chinese characteristics cannot proceed from transcendental theories but is problem-oriented. Leading problems involve development stages and research-level problems.

Findings

The economic operation analysis is subject to the goal of optimal allocation of resources with micro-level analysis focused on efficiency and macro-level analysis focused on economic growth and macroeconomic stability also known as economic security. The economic development analysis explores the laws of development and related development concepts in compliance with laws of productive forces. The new development concepts i.e. the innovative coordinated green open and shared development drive the innovation of development theory in political economy.

Originality/value

Accordingly, the political economy cannot study the system only, but also needs to study the problems of economic operation and economic development. Therefore, the theoretical system of the political economy tends to encompass three major parts, namely economic system, economic operation and economic development (including foreign economy). The basic economic system analysis needs to understand the relationship between public ownership and non-public ownership, between distribution according to work and factor payments, and between socialism and market economy from the perspective of coexistence theory, thus transforming institutional advantage into governance advantage.
The adoption of ecopreneurship practices in Indonesian craft SMEs: value-based motivations and intersections of identities
Authors: Gunawan Arien Arianti , Essers Caroline , van Riel Allard C.R.
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This article explores value-based motivations to adopt ecological entrepreneurship (ecopreneurship) practices and investigates how intersections of social identities such as gender, religion and ethnicity influence these motivations.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses primary data from field observations, social media analysis and semistructured in-depth interviews with 16 owner-managers of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Indonesian craft sector.

Findings

The findings show that self-enhancement, conservation and self-transcendence values motivated the entrepreneurs to adopt ecopreneurship practices. Furthermore, the intersections of identities also tended to influence the entrepreneurs' motivations to adopt ecopreneurship practices.

Research limitations/implications

The sample was limited to the Indonesian craft sector. However, the study has furthered one’s understanding of how values motivate ecopreneurship behavior. Conservation values were added to the values known to influence proenvironmental behavior. Furthermore, Schwartz's value theory, strongly associated with Western, individualistic, culture is suggested to be adapted. In Asian – collectivist – cultures, the values driving the entrepreneur are often more community-oriented than individualistic.

Practical implications

This study recommends policymakers to create more inclusive policies to foster the acceleration of sustainable development by equitably including both genders and encourages them to promote local culture, which motivates entrepreneurs in the craft sector to adopt ecopreneurship practices.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the entrepreneurship literature, particularly to the fields of gender and ecopreneurship, by considering the intersections of identities of the ecopreneurs. A research agenda for ecological entrepreneurship and family business researchers is provided.
To partner or not? A study of co-branding partnership and consumers' perceptions of symbolism and functionality toward co-branded sport products
Authors: Yu Ho Yeol , Robinson G. Matthew , Lee DongHun
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This study was conducted to examine the effect of co-branding, a brand partnership tactic involving two or more brands, on consumer behavior within the sport industry. As such, the primary aim was to examine differences regarding consumers' perceptions of self-image congruence and perceived product quality when considering solo-branding and co-branding conditions. Further, under the co-branding condition, relationships among consumers' self-image congruence, perceived product quality, image fit, product evaluation and purchase intention were investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

A scenario-based quasi-experiment consisting of hypothetical co-branding initiatives between existing brands was conducted.

Findings

Results from a repeated multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) indicated that consumers' symbolic and functional perceptions of co-branding as well as evaluations were statistically higher than in the solo-branding condition. Additionally, structural equation modeling indicated positive relationships between consumers' symbolic and functional perceptions, image fit, evaluation and behavior intention.

Originality/value

This study is one of the first papers to investigate the impact of co-branding on consumers within the sport industry and provides evidence of the positive impact of co-branding strategies on consumer behavior within the sport industry.
Information professionals' soft skills status and barriers in its development: a mixed method study
Authors: Ahmad Sajjad , Ameen Kanwal , Ahmad Shehzad
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the self-perceptions of university information professionals about the current state of their soft skills and to highlight the barriers faced in the development of such skills.

Design/methodology/approach

A sequential mixed method research design using a questionnaire followed by in-depth interviews as data collection tools were used to achieve the objectives of the study. Self-completion questionnaires were used to collect the data from 560 respondents spread over 33 universities of Pakistan. Then, 21 interviews were conducted with purposely selected library and information professionals at the qualitative phase.

Findings

The findings of the survey revealed that the majority of the information professionals perceived themselves “moderately competent” in soft skills. Only 14.8% information professionals considered themselves “competent”. The qualitative findings revealed that university library and information professionals generally faced several barriers in the development of their soft skills that included “lack of administrative support”, “lack of personal commitment”, “lack of financial support by the parent organizations”, and so many others, which might have affected their current levels of soft skills.

Research limitations/implications

The possible limitation of this study may be the bias of the respondents, toward their self-judgment. During interviews, most of the assistant librarians were not comfortable and expressive. This might be due to lack of soft skills knowledge, interview anxiety and poor communication skills.

Originality/value

This research is the first study in Pakistan that dealt with the state of soft skills and barriers in its development among university library and information professionals having a large number (N = 372) of respondents.
Real options flexibility or risk diversification: risk management of US MNEs when facing risk of war
Authors: Yeo Yun Dong , Lee Seung-Hyun (Sean)
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how the risk of war aroused by North Korea’s threatening actions trigger strategic responses from US multinational enterprises (MNEs) operating in South Korea. The authors compare two competing perspectives of real options and risk diversification to see which prevails when US MNEs are facing risk of war.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors hand collected news articles regarding North Korea’s threatening actions that may trigger strategic responses from MNEs operating in South Korea. The authors use archival data of US MNEs to verify our results.

Findings

Empirical tests of the two competing perspectives reveal that US MNEs adopt the risk diversification strategy when threatened by the risk of war. However, as MNEs have more available foreign markets outside the host country that is at risk of war, MNEs tend to take an operational flexibility approach more seriously and shift their productions to the remaining global operations. The ownership structure of the subsidiary does not appear to have significant effect on US MNEs’ strategic risk management.

Originality/value

This paper compares two perspectives, namely, real options and risk diversification, to observe how US MNEs treat their subsidiaries when facing risk of war in South Korea.
Efficiency measurement of the environmental systems: a two-stage structure considering undesirable outputs
Authors: Zoriehhabib Monireh , Rostamy-Malkhalifeh Mohsen , Hosseinzadeh Lotfi Farhad
Published: December 2020

Purpose

Each production unit is responsible for the protection of the environment. The restricted undesirable production effects lower environmental damage. This paper emphasizes a proportional reduction of the undesirable outputs, and it supports the growth of desirable outputs as much as possible as well. The two-stage proposed model not only considers the viewpoint of the managers to follow the environmental regulations but also it assigns some bounds on producing undesirable factors according to international environmental protocols. Additionally, the restricted bounds on the undesirable outputs, in both stages, enhance the discriminatory ability of the model.

Design/methodology/approach

Two-stage network structure based on Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) is applied as the main methodology for this paper. The advantages of the proposed model are appointed to assess the environmental units.

Findings

Comparing with the existing models, the proposed approach presents a new two-stage model to deal with the environmental issues. Furthermore, the discriminatory ability of the efficiency scores is improved. The distribution of this model is greater than the existing ones.

Research limitations/implications

This paper is fully written, submitted and revised during limitations caused by coronavirus .

Practical implications

The proposed method is employed in two different cases. The efficiency scores of 25 power plants and 13 poultry farms are determined. In fact, the undesirable outputs never meet zero in the process of production but they can be reduced. The results of this research support the effect of the undesirable factors' restriction on the reduction scenario. Both of the examples show that imposing the upper bounds for the undesirable products provide low-efficiency results in comparison with the existing model. On the other hand, the results cover the arguments of sustainability in the evaluation of environmental efficiency.

Originality/value

In the production process, desirable outputs and undesirable factors are produced jointly so undesirable factors never meet zero. This paper develops a new two-stage method to reduce the undesirable outputs at each stage. First, the model confirms the reduction of undesirable outputs. Second, this model imposes restrictions on intermediate and final undesirable outputs according to environmental rights and the concerns of the managers. The model increases the discrimination of the efficiency assessment of real-life two-stage environmental systems as well. Then it focuses on the production of desirable outputs. The new objective function is defined according to the aim of the proposed model that not only declares better efficiency decomposition to the individual system but also the efficiency score is evaluated for each stage.
Microbe‐mineral biogeography from multi‐year incubations in oceanic crust at North Pond, Mid‐Atlantic Ridge
Authors: Orcutt Beth N. , D'Angelo Timothy , Wheat C. Geoff , Trembath‐Reichert Elizabeth
Published: December 2020

Subseafloor oceanic crust is a vast yet poorly sampled habitat for life. Recent studies suggest that microbial composition in crustal habitats is variable in space and time, but biogeographic patterns are difficult to determine due to a paucity of data. To address this, we deployed hundreds of mineral colonization experiments at and below the seafloor for 4–6 years at North Pond, a borehole observatory network in cool (<10°C) and oxic oceanic crust on the western flank of the Mid‐Atlantic Ridge. The overall community composition of mineral incubations reveals that colonization patterns are site dependent, with no correlation to mineral type. Only a few members of the Thioalkalispiraceae and Thioprofundaceae exhibited a mineral preference pattern, with generally higher abundance on metal sulphides compared to silicates, while taxa of the Gammaproteobacteria and Deltaproteobacteria were common in the colonization experiments. In comparison to datasets from other crustal habitats, broader biogeographic patterns of crustal communities emerge based on crustal habitat type (surface‐attached communities versus fluid communities), redox environment and possibly crustal age. These comparisons suggest successional biogeography patterning that might be used as an indicator of how recently permeable pathways were established within oceanic crust.
Measurement Error Mechanisms Matter: Agricultural Intensification with Farmer Misperceptions and Misreporting
Authors: Abay Kibrom A. , Bevis Leah E. M. , Barrett Christopher B.
Published: December 2020

The mechanism(s) that generate measurement error matter for inference. Survey measurement error is typically thought to represent simple misreporting correctable through improved measurement. But errors might also or alternatively reflect respondent misperceptions that materially affect the respondent decisions under study. We show analytically that these alternate data generating processes imply different appropriate regression specifications and have distinct effects on the bias in parameter estimates. We introduce a simple empirical technique to generate unbiased estimates under more general conditions and to apportion measurement error between misreporting and misperceptions in measurement error when one has both self‐reported and objectively measured observations of the same explanatory variable. We then apply these techniques to the longstanding question of agricultural intensification: Do farmers increase input application rates per unit area as the size of the plots they cultivate decreases? Using nationally representative data from four sub‐Saharan African countries, we find evidence that measurement error in plot size reflects a mixture of farmer misreporting and misperceptions. The results matter for inference around the intensification hypothesis and call into question whether more objective, precise measures are always preferable when estimating behavioral parameters.
A review of the pathophysiology of functional hypothalamic amenorrhoea in women subject to psychological stress, disordered eating, excessive exercise or a combination of these factors
Authors: Morrison Amy E. , Fleming Suzannah , Levy Miles J.
Published: December 2020

Introduction

Functional hypothalamic amenorrhoea (FHA) is a common form of secondary amenorrhoea without an identifiable structural cause. Suppression of gonadotrophin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) pulsatility results in reduced luteinizing hormone (LH) levels, with subsequent reduction in oestradiol, anovulation and cessation of menstruation. GnRH pulsatility suppression is a recognized complication of psychological stress, disordered eating, low body weight, excessive exercise or a combination of these factors.

Pathophysiology of FHA

Individuals with FHA demonstrate low energy availability (EA), body fat percentage and energy expenditure. Documented adipocytokine changes notably, raised adiponectin, ghrelin, PYY, and decreased leptin, are associated with GnRH suppression. Other endocrine responses seen in this low EA state include low insulin levels, low total T3, increased basal cortisol levels and a reduced response to corticotrophin‐releasing hormone (CRH) administration. FHA is associated with raised growth hormone (GH) and low insulin‐like growth factor (IGF‐1), suggesting relative GH resistance. Kisspeptins are a group of polypeptides, recently discovered to play a major role in the regulation of the reproductive axis through influencing GnRH release. KNDy (kisspeptin/neurokinin B/dynorphin) act on GnRH neurons and a multitude of factors result in their release.

Implications for future treatment

Management of FHA is imperative to prevent adverse outcomes in bone density, cardiovascular risk profile, psychological well‐being and fertility. Outwith modification of nutritional intake and exercise, limited therapeutic strategies are currently available for women with FHA. Advancements in the understanding of the pathophysiological basis of this under‐recognized and under‐treated clinical entity will aid management and may result in the development of novel therapeutic approaches.
Transvenous extraction of permanent pacemaker and defibrillator leads: Reduced procedural complexity and higher procedural success rates in patients with infective versus noninfective indications
Authors: Archontakis Stefanos , Pirounaki Maria , Aznaouridis Konstantinos , Karageorgopoulos Drosos , Sideris Konstantinos , Tolios Panagiotis , Triantafyllou Konstantinos , Gatzoulis Konstantinos , Tousoulis Dimitrios , Sideris Skevos
Published: December 2020

Introduction

Transvenous lead extraction (TLE) is critical in the long‐term management of patients with cardiac implanted electronic devices (CIEDs). The aim of the study is to evaluate the outcomes of TLE and to investigate the impact of infection.

Methods and Results

Data of patients undergoing extraction of permanent pacemaker and defibrillator leads during October 2014–September 2019 were prospectively analyzed. Overall, 242 consecutive patients (aged 71.0 ± 14.0 years, 31.4% female), underwent an equal number of TLE operations for the removal of 516 leads. Infection was the commonest indication (n = 201, 83.1%). Mean implant‐to‐extraction duration was 7.6 ± 5.4 years. Complete procedural success was recorded in 96.1%, and clinical procedural success was achieved in 97.1% of attempted lead extractions. Major complications occurred in two (0.8%) and minor complications in seven (2.9%) patients. Leads were removed exclusively by using locking stylets in 65.7% of the cases. In the subgroup of noninfective patients, advanced extraction tools were more frequently required compared to patients with CIED infections, to extract leads (success only with locking stylet: 55.8% vs. 67.8%, p = .032). In addition, patients without infection demonstrated lower complete procedural success rates (90.7% vs. 97.2%, p = .004), higher major complication rates (2.4% vs. 0.5%, p = .31) and longer procedural times (136 ± 13 vs. 111 ± 15 min, p = .001).

Conclusions

Our data demonstrate high procedural efficacy and safety and indicate that in patients with noninfective indications, the procedure is more demanding, thus supporting the hypothesis that leads infection dissolves and/or prohibits the formation of fibrotic adherences.
DIAPH3 promotes pancreatic cancer progression by activating selenoprotein TrxR1‐mediated antioxidant effects
Authors: Rong Yefei , Gao Jie , Kuang Tiantao , Chen Jianlin , Li Jian‐ang , Huang Yufeng , Xin Haiguang , Fang Yuan , Han Xu , Sun Lun‐Quan , Deng Yue‐Zhen , Li Zhi , Lou Wenhui
Published: December 2020

Pancreatic cancer is a highly malignant tumour of the digestive tract which is difficult to diagnose and treat. Approximately 90% of cases arise from ductal adenocarcinoma of the glandular epithelium. The morbidity and mortality of the disease have increased significantly in recent years. Its 5‐year survival rate is <1% and has one of the worst prognoses amongst malignant tumours. Pancreatic cancer has a low rate of early‐stage diagnosis, high surgical mortality and low cure rate. Selenium compounds produced by selenoamino acid metabolism may promote a large amount of oxidative stress and subsequent unfolded reactions and endoplasmic reticulum stress by consuming the NADPH in cells, and eventually lead to apoptosis, necrosis or necrotic cell death. In this study, we first identified DIAPH3 as a highly expressed protein in the tissues of patients with pancreatic cancer, and confirmed that DIAPH3 promoted the proliferation, anchorage‐independent growth and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells using overexpression and interference experiments. Secondly, bioinformatics data mining showed that the potential proteins interacted with DIAPH3 were involved in selenoamino acid metabolism regulation. Selenium may be incorporated into selenoprotein synthesis such as TrxR1 and GPX4, which direct reduction of hydroperoxides or resist ferroptosis, respectively. Our following validation confirmed that DIAPH3 promoted selenium content and interacted with the selenoprotein RPL6, a ribosome protein subunit involved in selenoamino acid metabolism. In addition, we verified that DIAPH3 could down‐regulate cellular ROS level via up‐regulating TrxR1 expression. Finally, nude mice xenograft model experimental results demonstrate DIAPH3 knock down could decrease tumour growth and TrxR1 expression and ROS levels in vivo. Collectively, our observations indicate DIAPH3 could promote pancreatic cancer progression by activating selenoprotein TrxR1‐mediated antioxidant effects.
Análisis de los tributos e ingresos verdes del municipio de Yumbo - Valle del Cauca, Colombia, evaluados desde la perspectiva de la política pública ambiental y la política fiscal
Authors: Gómez Sánchez Julián Andrés , Posada Orrego Orlando , Ramírez García Jenny Marcela
Published: December 2020

El objetivo del presente artículo consiste en explicar la función paliativa de los tributos verdes en relación con el deterioro ambiental, tomando como caso de análisis el municipio de Yumbo, Valle del Cauca. La pregunta que guía la investigación es: ¿la ejecución de políticas públicas en materia ambiental y fiscal permite que las autoridades y ciudadanía del municipio de Yumbo conviertan el manejo de los tributos e ingresos medioambientales en una alternativa que mitigue la contaminación ambiental durante el período 2015 al 2019? Se utilizó una metodología de carácter cualitativo, descriptivo y documental, en correlación con los métodos de investigación deductivo y analítico. Se determinó que el municipio de Yumbo destinó un promedio anual de 1,36% del total de su presupuesto a la mitigación de la contaminación ambiental. Se concluye que los tributos verdes creados para la financiación de la gestión del medio ambiente son insuficientes para disminuir la contaminación y, en consecuencia, el país está lejos de cumplir los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible