bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Protective effect and potential mechanism of Schwann cell‐derived exosomes on mechanical damage of rat dorsal root ganglion cells
Authors: Huang Guotao , Hu Ming , Lu Danhua , Hong Li
Published: August 2021

Background

Pudendal nerve (PN) injury was one of the most important pathogenesis of stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Schwann cell (SC)‐derived exosomes could promote axonal regeneration. Wnt protein could significantly promote axonal regeneration and participate in the regulation of proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells. Therefore, we sought to determine whether SCs‐derived exosomes might also protect against damaged dorsal root ganglion cells (DRGs) through the Wnt/β‐catenin pathway.

Material and Methods

The DRGs injury model was fabricated using a four‐point bending system. The exosomes were separated from the SCs supernatant. XAV939, which was a small molecule inhibitor, was used to inhibit the Wnt/β‐catenin pathway. Next, Cell Counting Kit‐8 (CCK8) kit was used to detect cell activity. We evaluated the proliferative activity of DRG cells using the cell cycle and apoptosis detection kit. We assessed the cell apoptotic rates through the Annexin V/PE double staining. Finally, we detect the expression of downstream proteins of Wnt/β‐catenin pathway in DRG cells using western blotting.

Results

SC‐derived exosomes had protective effects on DRGs after mechanical damage, which could promote cell proliferation, transition of the cell cycle to the G2 phase, and inhibit cell apoptosis. Exogenous administration of XAV939 suppressed the promoting effect of SCs ‐derived exosomes on DRG cells and the expression of downstream proteins of Wnt/β‐catenin pathway in DRG cells was also suppressed.

Conclusion

These results suggested that SC‐derived exosomes have a repairing effect on DRG cells injury caused by cyclic mechanical stretching (CMS) and the Wnt/β‐catenin pathway is potentially involved in the process.
Where ‘The Rules Don’t Apply’: Organizational Isolation and Misbehaviour in Elite Kitchens
Authors: Burrow Robin , Scott Rebecca , Courpasson David
Published: August 2021

In this article we elaborate on the connection between organizational isolation and misbehaviour. Drawing on 47 interviews with elite chefs we make a twofold contribution to the misbehaviour literature. First, we conceptualize misbehaviour amongst chefs as a potentiality engrained into the geography of the kitchens they work in. Drawing on Smith (1987), we call this ageography of deviance. Through this concept we show that misbehaviour can be inscribed into a place, through structures that create feelings of invisibility, alienation and detachment. Second, we make sense of chefs’ misbehaviour by using Turner’s theory ofnormative communitas. Via this framing misbehaviour is cast as a ritualized component of an anti‐structural way of being, where the kitchen is simultaneously apprehended as an instrument of social withdrawal and a symbol of deviance around which the community pivots. Through these contributions we help to crystalise the relationship between organizational isolation and misbehaviour, particularly in the context of chefs and kitchens.
Corporate Strategy and the Theory of the Firm in the Digital Age
Authors: Menz Markus , Kunisch Sven , Birkinshaw Julian , Collis David J. , Foss Nicolai J. , Hoskisson Robert E. , Prescott John E.
Published: August 2021

The purpose of this article is to reinvigorate research in the intersection of corporate strategy and the theory of the firm in light of the rapid advancement of digital technologies. Using the theory of the firm as an interpretive lens, we focus our analysis on the implications of the emerging digital age for three broad domains of corporate strategy: (1) corporate (competitive) advantage, (2) firm scale, scope, and boundaries, and (3) internal structure and design. Recognizing that digitalization exacerbates ambiguity and paradoxes, we sketch foundational strategies for future research. We suggest that there is a need to develop knowledge that accounts for the new realities of the digital age, depending on whether the corporate strategy phenomena under investigation and the theories of the firm used to explain them, are existing or new. The article serves also as introduction to theJournal of Management StudiesSpecial Issue on the topic.
Mandibular advancement analysis among orthodontists, lay people and patients in class II malocclusion subjects. A three‐dimensional imaging study
Authors: Espinosa Daybelis González , Martins Brandão Gustavo Antonio , Normando David
Published: August 2021

Objective

To evaluate the acceptance of orthodontists, laypeople and the patient when progressive mandibular advancements are performed in class II subjects with mandibular retrognathism.

Setting and sample

3D images were obtained by an optical surface scanning of fifteen individuals (12 males and three females, mean age of 23 years and 8 months) with mandibular retrognathism in three mandibular positions: maximum intercuspation (MIC) and progressive mandibular advancement of 2 and 4 mm.

Methods

The images (n = 45) were evaluated through a scale by two groups of panellist, 20 orthodontists, 20 laypeople and by the patients themselves (n = 15). The participants evaluated and rated each video and give scores between 0 and 10, according to their perception of facial harmony. MANOVA for repeated measures was used for intra‐ and intergroup differences and to evaluate the patients' self‐perception.

Results

Laypeople reported better face acceptance than orthodontists in MIC and progressive mandibular advancement of 2 and 4 mm (P < .0001). 80% of the patients evaluated their own face as pleasant in MIC. Around half of them did not note significant difference following mandibular advancement of 2 mm as compared with MIC and even two‐third attributed lower scores when the mandible was advanced 4 mm.

Conclusion

A high variability was observed among all groups of raters. Patient´s opinion should be taken into account when mandibular advancement of 4 mm or more is planned. This study suggests that a thorough discussion of facial changes resulting from mandibular advancement should be carried out among professionals, parents and patients.
Employee time theft: Conceptualization, measure development, and validation
Authors: Harold Crystal M. , Hu Biyun , Koopman Joel
Published: August 2021

Despite its prevalence, high cost, and practical import, employee time theft has received scant research attention. To facilitate future scholarship on this important topic, the present research endeavors to clarify the conceptualization of time theft and advance understanding regarding the range of its behavioral manifestations, develop and validate an instrument to assess time theft, and provide preliminary insights into its nomological net. Results, gathered across nine samples of employees who are paid on an hourly wage scale, suggest that time theft is a multidimensional formative construct, is distinct from other deviant work behaviors (e.g., withdrawal, property theft), and is influenced by instrumental (e.g., pay satisfaction) and expressive motives (e.g., boredom). Finally, time theft explained incremental variance in criterion variables (e.g., receipt or enactment of interpersonal help) controlling for the effects of other discrete manifestations of deviance (e.g., withdrawal). Implications for future scholarship and managerial practice are discussed.
Impact of COVID‐19 pandemic restrictions on the cardio‐respiratory health of New Zealanders
Authors: Fairweather Sarah M. , Chang Catherina L. , Mansell Christopher J , Shafuddin Eskandarain , Hancox Robert J.
Published: August 2021

Background and objective

The COVID‐19 pandemic has caused disruption to health, social interaction, travel and economies worldwide. In New Zealand, the government closed the border to non‐residents and required all arrivals to quarantine for 14 days. They also implemented a strict contact‐restriction system to eliminate COVID‐19 from the community. These measures also reduced the circulation of other respiratory viruses such as influenza and respiratory syncytial virus. We assessed the impact of these measures on hospital admissions for respiratory and cardiac diseases.

Methods

National data on hospital admissions for each week of 2020 were compared to admissions for the previous 5 years. Analyses were curtailed after week 33, when a COVID‐19 outbreak in Auckland led to different levels of pandemic restrictions making national data difficult to interpret.

Results

The numbers of acute infectious respiratory admissions were similar to previous years before the introduction of COVID‐19 restrictions, but then fell lower and remained low after the pandemic restrictions were eased. The usual winter peak in respiratory admissions was not seen in 2020. Other than small reductions during the period of the strictest contact restrictions, non‐infectious respiratory and cardiac admissions were similar to previous years and the usual winter peak in heart failure admissions was observed.

Conclusion

The observed patterns of hospital admissions in 2020 are compatible with the hypothesis that circulating respiratory viruses drive the normal seasonal trends in respiratory admissions. By contrast, these findings suggest that respiratory viruses do not drive the winter peak in heart failure.
Autophagy mutants show delayed chloroplast development during de‐etiolation in carbon limiting conditions
Authors: Wijerathna‐Yapa Akila , Signorelli Santiago , Fenske Ricarda , Ganguly Diep R. , Stroeher Elke , Li Lei , Pogson Barry J. , Duncan Owen , Millar A. Harvey
Published: August 2021

Autophagy is a conserved catabolic process that plays an essential role under nutrient starvation conditions and influences different developmental processes. We observed that seedlings of autophagy mutants (atg2, atg5, atg7, and atg9) germinated in the dark showed delayed chloroplast development following illumination. The delayed chloroplast development was characterized by a decrease in photosynthetic and chlorophyll biosynthetic proteins, lower chlorophyll content, reduced chloroplast size, and increased levels of proteins involved in lipid biosynthesis. Confirming the biological impact of these differences, photosynthetic performance was impaired in autophagy mutants 12 h post‐illumination. We observed that while gene expression for photosynthetic machinery during de‐etiolation was largely unaffected in atg mutants, several genes involved in photosystem assembly were transcriptionally downregulated. We also investigated if the delayed chloroplast development could be explained by lower lipid import to the chloroplast or lower triglyceride (TAG) turnover. We observed that the limitations in the chloroplast lipid import imposed by trigalactosyldiacylglycerol1 are unlikely to explain the delay in chloroplast development. However, we found that lower TAG mobility in the triacylglycerol lipase mutant sugardependent1 significantly affected de‐etiolation. Moreover, we showed that lower levels of carbon resources exacerbated the slow greening phenotype whereas higher levels of carbon resources had an opposite effect. This work suggests a lack of autophagy machinery limits chloroplast development during de‐etiolation, and this is exacerbated by limited lipid turnover (lipophagy) that physically or energetically restrains chloroplast development.
Finding platelets: Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good
Authors: Brunker Patricia A. R. , Pattanayak Vikram , Mahowald Grace K.
Published: August 2021

See article on page 2307–2316, in this issue
Ambidirectional cohort study on the agreement of ultrasonography and surgery in the identification of parathyroid pathology, and predictors of postoperative hypocalcemia in 47 dogs undergoing parathyroidectomy due to primary hyperparathyroidism
Authors: Burkhardt Samuel J. , Sumner Julia P. , Mann Sabine
Published: August 2021

Objective

To investigate (1a) agreement of ultrasonographic, surgical, and histopathologic findings in the diagnosis of a neoplastic etiology underlying primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT), (1b) the ability of ultrasonographically determined parathyroid gland size to distinguish between malignant (carcinoma) and non‐malignant (hyperplasia, adenoma) pathology, and (2) variables associated with postoperative hypocalcemia in dogs undergoing surgical treatment of PHPT.

Study Design

Ambidirectional cohort study.

Animals

Forty‐seven client owned dogs with PHPT (34 retrospective; 13 prospective).

Methods

Data were extracted from medical records. Method agreements were explored using Cohen's Kappa statistic. A receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was used to determine a cut‐off separating parathyroid pathologies. Univariable and multivariable models assessed associations between postoperative hypocalcemia and potential risk factors.

Results

Agreement of ultrasound and surgery for number and side of affected glands was 31/47 (65.9%) and 34/47 (72.3%), respectively. In 37/47 (78.7%) cases, parathyroid tissue was correctly assessed as pathologic by the surgeon. An ultrasonographic cut‐off of ≥8.0 mm (ROC AUC = 0.82) best distinguished malignant from benign pathologies. Dogs with a preoperative serum ionized calcium (iCa) concentration ≥1.75 mEq/L had 7.5 times greater odds of becoming hypocalcemic postoperatively.

Conclusion

A fair agreement existed between ultrasonographic and surgical findings in dogs with PHPT. A parathyroid mass ≥8.0 mm on ultrasonographic examination was suggestive of malignancy, while dogs with a preoperative serum iCa concentration ≥1.75 mEq/L were at increased risk for postoperative hypocalcemia in this study.

Clinical significance

This study supports the use of bilateral cervical surgical exploration to identify abnormal parathyroid glands for the treatment of PHPT.
Determination of the Chemical Composition, Antioxidant, and Enzyme Inhibitory Activity of Onosma mollis DC
Authors: Sihoglu Tepe Arzuhan
Published: August 2021

Onosma species have long been used traditionally for respiratory tract infections, abdominal pain, wound treatment, burns, and constipation. This study aims to investigate the chemical composition and in vitro antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory activities of ethyl acetate (EtOAc), methanol (MeOH), and water extracts of Onosma mollis DC. MeOH extract was richer in both phenolics and flavonoids than other extracts (44.06 mg GAEs/g and 41.57 mg QEs/g, respectively). The findings obtained from the results of the chromatographic analysis also supported the results of the spectrophotometric analysis. The MeOH extract was the richest in terms of most of the phytochemicals screened. Apigenin 7-glucoside, luteolin 7-glucoside, rosmarinic acid, vanillic acid, and pinoresinol were over 1000.0 μg/g in MeOH extract. The extract in question showed the highest activity in phosphomolybdenum, DPPH, and ABTS radical scavenging and CUPRAC and FRAP reducing power activity assays (2.01, 3.33, 2.30, 1.48, and 0.79 mg/ml, respectively). The water extract presented the highest activity in the ferrous ion chelating assay (1.01 mg/ml). While EtOAc extract showed high activity in acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity tests (1.11, 1.49, and 1.07 mg/ml, respectively), MeOH extract showed significant efficacy in tyrosinase and α-amylase inhibitory activity assays (2.94 and 2.08 mg/ml, respectively). There was a high correlation between the total phenolics/flavonoids of the extracts and their antioxidant activities (correlation coefficients were over 0.9). In addition, the phytochemicals mentioned above were found to contribute significantly to the antioxidant activity. It was concluded that a more detailed analysis should be done to determine the compounds responsible for the enzyme inhibitory activities of the extracts.
Intelligent Assistant Decision-Making Method for Power Enterprise Customer Service Based on IoT Data Acquisition
Authors: Xu Rui , Long Dan , Liu Jia , Yu Wanghong , Xu Lei
Published: August 2021

The prevailing era of the Internet of Things (IoT) has renewed all fields of life in general, but, especially with the advent of artificial intelligence (AI), has drawn the attention of researchers into a new paradigm of life standards. This revolution has been accepted around the world for making life comfortable with the use of intelligent devices. AI-enabled machines are more intelligent and capable of completing a specific task which saves a lot of time and resources. Currently, diverse methods are available in the existing literature to handle different issues of real life based on AI and IoT systems. The role of decision-making has its prominence in the AI-enabled and IoT systems. In this article, an AI- and IoT-based intelligent assistant decision-making method is presented for power enterprise customer service. An intelligent model of the customer service data network is designed, and the method of collecting data from IoT to assist decision-making is presented. Then, the semantic relationship of customer service data is defined, and the sharing scope of data transmission and resources are determined to realize intelligent assistant decision-making of customer service in power enterprises. Simulation results show that the proposed method improves the decision data transmission speed and shortens the transmission delay, and the network performance of data interaction is better than that of the existing methods.
Two new species of nematodes from shallow and deep-water sediments in the South China Sea
Authors: HUANG MIAN , SHI BENZE , WANG CHUNGUANG , XU KUIDONG
Published: August 2021

Two new species of free-living marine nematodes from the South China Sea are described: Gomphionema setiforme sp. nov. from intertidal sediment and Paracomesoma longissimum sp. nov. from upper continental slope sediment. Gomphionema setiforme sp. nov. is characterized by the punctated cuticle without lateral differentiation and cuticular pores; short cephalic setiform sensilla; spiral amphideal fovea with 4 turns close to the anterior body extremity; large cuticularized buccal cavity with a massive dorsal tooth; pharynx with a large posterior bulb; short, curved spicules; knife-like gubernaculum without apophyses and 11 cup-shaped precloacal supplements. Paracomesoma longissimum sp. nov. is characterized by cuticle with transverse rows of fine punctuations without lateral differentiation; buccal cavity with three teeth; lateral outer labial setiform sensilla 1.5 times as long as the other four outer labial setiform sensilla; spiral amphideal fovea with 2.5 turns; spicules 350–360 μm long or 15.7–16 times cloacal body diameter; plate-like gubernaculum without apophyses and 25–28 papilliform precloacal supplements.
Revision of Australian Parathyginus with description of two new species, along with first detailed description of aedeagus in the family Heterogastridae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Lygaeoidea)
Authors: MALIPATIL M. B.
Published: August 2021

The Australian species of the small heterogastrid genus Parathyginus Scudder, 1957 have been reviewed, resulting in the establishment of the junior subjective synonymy of P. doddi (Distant, 1918) with P. signifer (Walker, 1872), and the description of two new species, P. australis sp. nov. and P. acuminatus sp. nov. A redescription of the genus is provided with emphasis on male and female genitalia characters, along with a key to all included Australian species. Male genitalia, particularly the details of the aedeagus, have been rarely studied in this genus or for that matter the family Heterogastridae particularly due to the difficulty in inflating the inflatable sections. In this study, therefore, an attempt was made to fully inflate and describe the aedeagus of all the species included in this contribution, as well as of Heterogaster urticae (Fabricius, 1775), the type species of the oldest genus Heterogaster Schilling, 1829, of the family Heterogastridae.
Review of the spider genus Ectatosticta Simon, 1892 (Araneae: Hypochilidae) with description of four new species from China
Authors: WANG LU-YU , ZHAO JING-XIA , IRFAN MUHAMMAD , ZHANG ZHI-SHENG
Published: August 2021

Species of the genus Ectatosticta Simon, 1892 are studied from China, including seven known species E. bajie Lin & Li, 2021 from Sichuan Prov., E. davidi (Simon, 1889) from Shaanxi, E. deltshevi Platnick & Jäger, 2009 from Qinghai, E. rulai Lin & Li, 2021 from Sichuan, E. wukong Lin & Li, 2020 from Sichuan, E. xuanzang Lin & Li, 2020 from Tibet, E. yukuni Lin & Li, 2021 from Shaanxi, and four new species: E. nyingchiensis sp. nov. from Tibet, E. pingwuensis sp. nov. from Sichuan, E. shennongjiaensis sp. nov. from Hubei and E. songpanensis sp. nov. from Sichuan. We provide detailed descriptions, including DNA barcode information, and images of all the species.
Contributions to the winter stoneflies (Plecoptera: Taeniopterygidae & Capniidae) of China
Authors: SHEN TING , CAO JINJUN , LI WEIHAI , BOZDOĞAN HAKAN
Published: August 2021

A complementary re-description of Kyphopteryx dorsalis Kimmins, 1947 is presented on the basis of a fresh male and additional females from southeastern Tibet, southwestern China. The hitherto unknown inner structures of the female terminalia are described, as well as further details of the male genitalia. In this study, we also present the first records of Capnia s.l. yunnana Li & Yang, 2011 from Tibet and a formal description of an unassociated Capnia s.l. female collected together with the above species. An updated checklist of the named species of Capniidae and Taeniopterygidae from China is also given.
Restoring an old concept of Pholeuonopsis (=Blattodromus syn. nov.) and new recombination for one species from the Balkan Peninsula (Insecta, Coleoptera, Leiodidae, Cholevinae, Leptodirini)
Authors: ČEPLÍK DÁVID
Published: August 2021

After morphological study and comparison with related material, the following synonymy is proposed: Pholeuonopsis Apfelbeck, 1901 (=Blattodromus Reitter, 1904 syn. nov.). A redescription of the genus Pholeuonopsis Apfelbeck, 1901 is given.
The identity of Inocellia sinensis Navás, 1936 (Raphidioptera: Inocelliidae) clarified
Authors: SHEN RONGRONG , ASPÖCK HORST , ASPÖCK ULRIKE , LIU XINGYUE
Published: August 2021

The identity of Inocellia sinensis Navás, 1936, is clarified based on the unexpected finding of the primary type of this species. The male of this species is re-described. Amurinocellia australis Liu, H. Aspöck, Yang & U. Aspöck, 2009 syn. nov. is treated as a junior synonym of I. sinensis, and I. aspoeckorum Yang, 1999 stat. rest. is restored as a valid species.
New data of Nazeris Fauvel from the Dayao Mountains, Guangxi, China (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Paederinae)
Authors: MA WEN-JING , MIAO ZHENG-YI , HU JIA-YAO
Published: August 2021

Three new species of Nazeris Fauvel, 1873 from the Dayao Mountains, Guangxi, China, are described and illustrated: N. shengtangus Ma, Miao & Hu, sp. n., N. songi Ma, Miao & Hu, sp. n., and N. curvilaminatus Ma, Miao & Hu, sp. n. An identification key to the Nazeris species in Guangxi, and a map showing their distribution are provided.
First species of Ctenisomorphus Raffray, 1890 from China, with comments on Largeyeus J.-K. Li, 1993 (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Pselaphinae)
Authors: LI QI-QI , WANG YAN , YIN ZI-WEI
Published: August 2021

The Ctenistini fauna of China is insufficient documented. In this paper the first Chinese species of the genus Ctenisomorphus Raffray, 1890, C. yinggelingensis sp. nov., is described and separated from congeners based on two male and four female specimens collected at Yinggeling Natural Reserve, Hainan Island, southern China. Images of the habitus and major diagnostic characters of the new species are provided. The taxonomic status of Largeyeus anhuianus J.-K. Li, 1993 distributed in Anhui, eastern China is discussed, and the genus is placed as a junior synonym of Poroderus Sharp, 1883 syn. nov., resulting in P. anhuianus comb. nov.
A Canon of Psalms in the Dead Sea Scrolls? Revisiting the Qumran Psalms Hypothesis
Authors: Davage David
Published: August 2021

Ever since the discovery of the Dead Sea psalms scrolls and the initial analysis of 11Q5 by James A. Sanders, there has been discussion as to the shape of the ‘Book’ of Psalms in Qumran and how to evaluate the function and status of 11Q5. By revisiting the initial arguments made by Sanders and putting them in dialogue with the notion of canon ecologies developed by Terje Stordalen, this article argues that the identification of a canon of psalms in the Dead Sea Scrolls can be successful only if one takes into consideration the entire network of canonical relations in a canonical ecology: the canonical body, the canonical community, and the canonical commentary.
The Concepts of Yahweh in the Hymnic Doxologies of Amos 4:13, 5:8–9, and 9:5–6
Authors: Adu Frank
Published: August 2021

This article is concerned with the image of Yahweh as portrayed in Amos 4:13, 5:8-9 and 9:5-6. It argues that Yahweh is portrayed as Creator, Lord of creation, all-powerful, all-knowing, transcendent, and immanent and emphasizes his unique creative skills in bringing into being all natural existence in complete independence. It also demonstrates Yahweh's sovereign freedom in controlling the cosmos and indicates that all in the universe is dependent upon him and is subject to his authority. For not only has he created all that there is, he continues to renew and sustain the entire creation. For the author, then, Yahweh owns the cosmos and has the power to rule all creation by summoning, sustaining, governing, and using the forces of nature for his purposes. This sets him over the nations and creation as Lord and gives him the right to claim the worship of all people, as he confers on all creation his own protection. This also becomes an appropriate foundation for understanding the message of divine judgment against the nations in Amos 1:3–2:16.
Constructing Conflict: The Politics of Job Creation Policy, Precarious Work, and Citizenship in South Africa’s Construction Industry
Authors: Scully Ben , Moyo Thabiso
Published: August 2021

The paper examines the politics of state job creation policy in South Africa. We focus on the construction industry, which is a major sector for job creation policy, especially through a large scale public works programme. We argue that, while the creation of jobs is framed by government as a path towards dignity and social inclusion for poor and unemployed citizens, the precarious reality of low-wage work in the construction industry undermines the potential pro-social effects of wage employment. Beneficiaries of job creation policy often experience frustration and alienation, and the construction sites on which they work are often marked by conflict and disruption. We describe two different forms that this conflict takes, on the one hand demanding wage work as a citizenship right, on the other eschewing generalized citizenship claims in favour of particularistic and exclusionary demands for jobs based on localized identities. These seemingly contradictory but intertwined types of conflict show the complexity of the relationship between state job creation and citizenship rights in an industry and an economy defined by precarious forms of employment.
Shadow Education in India: Participation and Socioeconomic Determinants
Authors: Kumar Indal , Chowdhury Indrani Roy
Published: August 2021

Although shadow education in India has been in practice for a long time, the scale has grown dramatically in recent years, with the size of the industry ranging between $40 and $70 billion. Drawing from the five rounds of National Sample Survey data sets on education, the study examines the trends and socioeconomic determinants of shadow education participation in India. It also addresses the time burden of shadow education and students’ learning outcomes by using the Indian Human Development Survey database. The findings state that households’ socioeconomic status, educational level of households’ head, urban residence, current schooling levels and type of educational institutions by management are highly significant determinants of participation in shadow education. The analysis further indicates that shadow education is positively associated with learning outcomes at the elementary level and that its contribution is larger in mathematics. However, shadow education costs a couple of hours per day of recreational time of the children (time cost), 40–50% share of household’s total educational expenditure, and around 20% share of household’s per capita annual consumption expenditure (economic cost).
Of dog kennels, magnets, and hard drives: Dealing with Big Data peripheries
Authors: Cooper Zane Griffin Talley
Published: August 2021

How did the 3.5-inch Winchester hard disk drive become the fundamental building block of the modern data center? In attempting to answer this question, I theorize the concept of "data peripheries" to attend to the awkward, uneven, and unintended outsides of data infrastructures. I explore the concept of data peripheries by first situating Big Data in one of its many unintended outsides—an unassuming dog kennel in Indiana housed in a former permanent magnet manufacturing plant. From the perspective of this dog kennel, I then build a history of the 3.5-inch Winchester hard disk drive, and weave this hard drive history through the industrial histories of rare earth mining and permanent magnet manufacturing, focusing principally on Magnequench, a former General Motors subsidiary, and its sale and movement of operations from Indiana to China in the mid-1990s and early 2000s. I then discuss how mobilities of rare earths, both as materials and political discourse, shape Big Data futures, and conclude by speculating on how using the situated lenses of data peripheries (such as this Indiana dog kennel) can open up new methods for studying the material entanglements of Big Data writ large.
Institutional Innovations in India: An Assessment of Producer Companies as New-Generation Co-operative Companies
Authors: Singh Sukhpal
Published: August 2021

There are many types of innovations such as technological, social, product, process, marketing and organizational, and institutional innovation is one type. The producer companies (PCs), which are a case of legal institutional innovation in the Indian domain of primary producer organization are more market-oriented co-operative companies and can help farmers buy and sell more effectively. They have gained currency across India during the past 15 years since the amendment to the Companies Act made this possible in 2003, and India now has thousands of such PCs, with many of them being supported by state agencies.

This article examines the uniqueness of these entities as an institutional form wherein principles of co-operation and corporate entity have been combined so that they could be more relevant entities in a globalized and liberalized market environment. It discusses their competitive edge over other forms of producer organizations like co-operative societies in India and farmer companies in Sri Lanka, and new-generation co-operatives in other parts of the world. After discussing some innovations in their governance and management, it concludes by making suggestions for augmenting this institutional innovation for inclusive and sustainable agricultural and rural development.
Dyslipidaemia pattern and prevalence among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients on lipid-lowering therapy at a tertiary hospital in central South Africa
Authors: Pitso Lebohang , Mofokeng Thabiso Rafaki Petrus , Nel Riette
Published: August 2021

Background

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is a major cause of death worldwide. A large number of deaths due to ASCVD occurs among people with diabetes mellitus (DM). One of the important modifiable risk factors associated with ASCVD is dyslipidaemia and its prevalence is not known in central South Africa (SA). This study aimed to determine the pattern and prevalence of dyslipidaemia among type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients on lipid-lowering therapy.

Methods

This descriptive, retrospective study of patients’ records was conducted at Universitas Academic Hospital in Bloemfontein, SA. The study population included 143 consecutive T2DM patients of any age that attended the Diabetes Clinic from 1 January to 31 March 2019. The patients had to be on lipid-lowering therapy for a minimum duration of 3 months. Data were sourced from the clinic files and included the patient’s lipid profile, anthropometric and demographic data. Dyslipidaemia was defined using the 2018 SA dyslipidaemia guidelines.

Results

The median age of the participants was 63 years (interquartile range [IQR] 52–71 years). The majority of the participants were female (n = 92; 64.3 %). The median duration since the DM diagnosis was 18 years (IQR 13–23 years). The prevalence of dyslipidaemia was 86.7 % (n = 124). Combined dyslipidaemia, namely either triglycerides (TG) + low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) + TG or HDL + LDL, was the most common pattern (n = 51; 42.5 %) largely due to raised TG + LDL contributing 37.2 % (n = 19) to this pattern. The second and third most common patterns were isolated (either LDL, HDL or TG) and mixed dyslipidaemia (TG + HDL + LDL) at 40.8 % (n = 49) and 16.7 % (n = 20), respectively. The most frequent lipid abnormality (n = 84; 70.0 %) was LDL of ≥ 1.8 mmol/L. Of the 140 participants on statin therapy, only 5 % were on high-intensity therapy.

Conclusions

A high prevalence of dyslipidaemia among DM patients was observed, despite the use of lipid-lowering therapy in this small observational study. Our findings highlight the need to better educate healthcare providers regarding the intensification of lipid-lowering therapy, along with improved strategies to address poor glycaemic control and other modifiable lifestyle factors.
Divergent patterns of confrontation with death using the Anticipated Farewell to Existence Questionnaire (AFEQT): a cross-sectional comparative study of four samples with increasing proximity to death
Authors: Valdés-Stauber Juan , Stabenow Ursula , Böttinger Jakob , Kramer Sarah , Kilian Reinhold
Published: August 2021

Background

Based on the concept of “Daseinsverabschiedung”, an anthropological theory of “Anticipated Farewell to Existence” (AFE) was suggested on the basis of six grounding dimensions: selfhood, interpersonality, temporality, corporeality, worldliness, and transcendence, which are activated in a genuine manner facing death. The purpose of the study is to quantitatively compare the extent of confrontation with death between dying people in palliative care and those in other stages of life by means of the Anticipated Farewell to Existence Questionnaire” (AFEQT), based on these dimensions.

Methods

The sample (N = 485) consists of dying individuals in palliative wards and hospices (n = 121); old people living in nursing homes not suffering from a mortal disease (n = 62); young adults (n = 152), and middle-aged adults (n = 150). The design is cross-sectional and analytical. The relevance of anticipated farewell to existence was measured by means of the AFEQT. The internal consistency of the AFEQT was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha and convergent validity by means of dimensions of the Life Attitude Profile-Revised (LAP-R). Differences between groups and associations with control variables were estimated by means of multiple regression models, including propensity scores.

Results

Cronbach’s alpha for AFEQT was > 0.80 for the whole test and all subsamples, but < 0.70 for most dimensions in dying people. Correlations between each dimension and corresponding two factors was almost overall r > 0.80, p < 0.001. Good convergent validity between dimensions of AFEQT and of Life Attitude Profile-Revised in young and middle-aged participants showed correlations for superordinate indices between -0.23 and 0.72, and an overall p < 0.001. Dying people scored significantly higher for all dimensions, especially “altruistic preoccupation” and “reconciliation with existence” than people in other life stages (p < 0.01- < 0.001). Personality traits of “openness” and “agreeableness” are positively associated with higher scoring of AFEQT dimensions. About 77% of dying participants reported a personal benefit through the interview questions.

Conclusions

With proximity to death, the anthropological dimensions proposed scored significant higher than in other stages of life, reflecting a stronger awareness, confrontation and reconciliation with the end of their own life. These dimensions, especially preoccupation for related persons and coexistence of acceptance and struggle with death have to be taken into account in a sensitive way by supporting dialogues with dying people and their relatives.

Trial registration

Observational cross-sectional study.
Establishment of a novel CNV-related prognostic signature predicting prognosis in patients with breast cancer
Authors: Hu Wei , Li Mingyue , Zhang Qi , Liu Chuan , Wang Xinmei , Li Jing , Qiu Shusheng , Li Liang
Published: August 2021

Background

Copy number variation (CNVs) is a key factor in breast cancer development. This study determined prognostic molecular characteristics to predict breast cancer through performing a comprehensive analysis of copy number and gene expression data.

Methods

Breast cancer expression profiles, CNV and complete information from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset were collected. Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) chip data sets (GSE20685 and GSE31448) containing breast cancer samples were used as external validation sets. Univariate survival COX analysis, multivariate survival COX analysis, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), Chi square, Kaplan-Meier (KM) survival curve and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis were applied to build a gene signature model and assess its performance.

Results

A total of 649 CNV related-differentially expressed gene obtained from TCGA-breast cancer dataset were related to several cancer pathways and functions. A prognostic gene sets with 9 genes were developed to stratify patients into high-risk and low-risk groups, and its prognostic performance was verified in two independent patient cohorts (n = 327, 246). The result uncovered that 9-gene signature could independently predict breast cancer prognosis. Lower mutation of PIK3CA and higher mutation of TP53 and CDH1 were found in samples with high-risk score compared with samples with low-risk score. Patients in the high-risk group showed higher immune score, malignant clinical features than those in the low-risk group. The 9-gene signature developed in this study achieved a higher AUC.

Conclusion

The current research established a 5-CNV gene signature to evaluate prognosis of breast cancer patients, which may innovate clinical application of prognostic assessment.
Effectiveness and safety of Bifidobacterium and berberine in human hyperglycemia and their regulatory effect on the gut microbiota: a multi-center, double-blind, randomized, parallel-controlled study
Authors: Ming Jie , Yu Xinwen , Xu Xiaoqiang , Wang Li , Ding Chao , Wang Zhifeng , Xie Xuan , Li Sheli , Yang Wenjuan , Luo Shu , He Qingzhen , Du Yafang , Tian Zhufang , Gao Xiling , Ma Kaiyan , Fang Yujie , Li Chen , Zhao Jiajun , Wang Xiaokai , Ji Qiuhe
Published: August 2021

Background

Berberine andBifidobacteriumhave been reported to improve glucose tolerance in people with hyperglycemia or other metabolic disorders. This study aimed to assess the hypoglycemic effect and the regulation of the gut microbiota caused by berberine andBifidobacteriumand the possible additive benefits of their combination.

Methods

This was an 18-week, multi-center, randomized, double-blind, parallel-controlled study of patients newly diagnosed with hyperglycemia. After a 2-week run-in period, 300 participants were randomly assigned to the following four groups for 16 weeks of treatment: berberine (Be),Bifidobacterium(Bi), berberine andBifidobacterium(BB), and placebo group. The primary efficacy endpoint was the absolute value of fasting plasma glucose (FPG) compared with baseline after 16 weeks of treatment.

Results

Between October 2015 and April 2018, a total of 297 participants were included in the primary analysis. Significant reductions of FPG were observed in the Be and BB groups compared with the placebo group, with a least square (LS) mean difference of − 0.50, 95% CI [− 0.85, − 0.15] mmol/L, and − 0.55, 95% CI [− 0.91, − 0.20] mmol/L, respectively. The Be and BB groups also showed significant reductions in 2-h postprandial plasma glucose. A pronounced decrease in HbA1c occurred in the BB group compared to the placebo group. Moreover, compared with the Bi and placebo groups, the Be and BB groups had more changes in the gut microbiota from the baseline.

Conclusions

Berberine could regulate the structure and function of the human gut microbiota, andBifidobacteriumhas the potential to enhance the hypoglycemic effect of berberine. These findings provide new insights into the hypoglycemic potential of berberine andBifidobacterium.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03330184. Retrospectively registered on 18 October 2017
A Rasch-based validation of the Vietnamese version of the Listening Vocabulary Levels Test
Authors: Ha Hung Tan
Published: August 2021

The Listening Vocabulary Levels Test (LVLT) created by McLean et al. Language Teaching Research 19:741-760, 2015 filled an important gap in the field of second language assessment by introducing an instrument for the measurement of phonological vocabulary knowledge. However, few attempts have been made to provide further validity evidence for the LVLT and no Vietnamese version of the test has been created to date. The present study describes the development and validation of the Vietnamese version of the LVLT. Data was collected from 311 Vietnamese university students and then analyzed based on the Rasch model using several aspects of Messick’s, Educational Measurement, 1989; American Psychologist 50:741–749, 1995 validation framework. Supportive evidence for the test’s validity was provided. First, the test items showed very good fit to the Rasch model and presented a sufficient spread of difficulty. Second, the items displayed sound unidimensionality and were locally independent. Finally, the Vietnamese version of the LVLT showed a high degree of generalizability and was found to positively correlate with the IELTS listening test at 0.65.
Understanding chronic feelings of emptiness in borderline personality disorder: a qualitative study
Authors: Miller Caitlin E. , Townsend Michelle L. , Grenyer Brin F. S.
Published: August 2021

Background

Chronic feelings of emptiness are significant in the lives of people with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). Feelings of emptiness have been linked to impulsivity, self-harm, suicidal behaviour and impaired psychosocial function. This study aimed to understand the experience of chronic emptiness, the cognitions, emotions and behaviours linked to emptiness, and clarify the differences between chronic emptiness and hopelessness, loneliness and depression.

Methods

This study interviewed people (n = 15) with BPD and used a template analysis qualitative approach to understand their experiences of chronic feelings of emptiness.

Results

Chronic feelings of emptiness were experienced as a feeling of disconnection from both self and others, and a sense of numbness and nothingness which was frequent and reduced functional capacity. Feelings of purposelessness and unfulfillment were closely associated with emptiness, and most participants experienced emptiness as distressing. Responses to feelings of emptiness varied, with participants largely engaging in either impulsive strategies to tolerate feelings of emptiness or distracting by using adaptive behaviours. Most participants distinguished chronic feelings of emptiness from loneliness, hopelessness, dissociation, and depression.

Conclusions

Feelings of chronic emptiness are an important and challenging symptom of BPD which require clinical intervention. Strengthening identity, sense of purpose and vocational and relationship functioning may reduce the intensity of emptiness.
Three-dimensional assessment of two different canine retraction techniques: a randomized split-mouth clinical trial
Authors: Akın Şuayip , Camcı Hasan
Published: August 2021

Introduction

The aim of this split-mouth trial was to compare power-arm sliding (PAS) and direct sliding (DS) canine retraction mechanics in terms of speed, rotation, angulation, and anchorage loss.

Methods

Thirty-six class II division 1 patients (20 females, 16 males; mean age, 16.94 ± 3.23) requiring upper first premolar extraction were included in the study. Miniscrews were used as anchorage units, and a retraction force of 150 gr was applied from the power arm on one side and from the bracket on the opposite side by using elastomeric chains. Randomization was achieved by block randomization with a 1:1 allocation ratio either to the right or the left with allocations concealed in opaque, sealed envelopes. Digital models were acquired using an intraoral scanner at the beginning of the retraction (T0), the first month (T1), the second month (T2), and the third month (T3). Before the scans, the archwire was removed, and custom metal jigs were inserted into the vertical slot of the canine brackets to evaluate the canine angulation. The digital models of each patient were separately superimposed with the local best-fit algorithm, and the retraction rate, angulation, rotation, and anchorage loss were measured. The digital measurements were performed using the Geomagic Control X software.

Results

The DS technique’s total retraction rate was higher than that of the PAS technique (2.09 and 1.57, respectively, p = .002). There was, however, no significant difference between the two techniques in terms of angulation, rotation, and anchorage loss. A negative correlation was observed between the retraction rate and age, but it was not statistically significant. No significant difference was observed between the retraction rates of female and male participants in either retraction technique.

Conclusions

For both orthodontists and patients, the DS technique is simpler and more convenient; thus, it is the preferred method for canine retraction.

Trial registration

The trial was not registered.

Protocol

The protocol was not published before the trial commencement.