bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does bank regulation and supervision impedes the efficiency of microfinance institutions to eradicate poverty? Evidence from ASEAN-5 countries
Authors: Zainal Nurazilah , Md Nassir Annuar , Kamarudin Fakarudin , Law Siong Hook
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine how banking regulation and supervision affect the performance of microfinance institutions (MFIs). It proposes performance of the MFIs from the aspect of social and financial efficiency because the MFIs nowadays not only view to sustain the social role of poverty eradication but in the same time they must strive the financial sustainability to maintain the operation in long run. This study also includes the macroeconomic condition and firm level variables to control for social and financial efficiency of the MFIs.

Design/methodology/approach

The data consists 168 MFIs from five countries in Southeast Asia from year 2011 to 2017. First stage of analysis is to identify level of social and financial efficiency by using data envelopment analysis approach. Second stage is to examine impact of bank regulation and supervision to the social and financial efficiency by applying panel regression analysis and generalized method of moments for robust estimation methods.

Findings

The finding shows the MFIs own lower social efficiency and higher score in financial efficiency. This indicates in pursuing financial sustainability, the MFIs in Southeast Asia countries have lost sight of their original mission of poverty reduction. Furthermore, the result also presents a significant impact of bank regulation and supervision to the social and financial efficiency of the MFIs. However, the results appear in different direction when more negative effect is associated with social efficiency. This specifies that bank regulation and supervision are not appropriate to accommodate the social needs, thus hampering the effort of poverty reduction by the MFIs.

Research limitations/implications

The present study only concentrates on the impact bank regulation and supervision to the performance of the MFIs. As the operation of the MFIs currently has been largely exposed in banking operation, it is suggested that future studies to look for other special issues such as country governance that might influence specifically in social and financial aspect of the MFIs.

Practical implications

The empirical findings from this study could be useful and may have significant implications for the regulators. The regulators or policymakers could establish the new regulation framework that fulfil the dual needs (social and financial) of the MFIs. Furthermore, the empirical findings also could serve as guidance to regulators and decision-makers in designing new policies for a sustainable and competitive sector of the MFIs. Although the MFIs recently brings a similar role as commercial banks, they need to retain the social aspects as that is the original mission of the MFIs

Originality/value

The present study proves that the bank regulation and supervision have brought a significant influence to the performance of the MFIs in ASEAN 5 countries.
Calculating effect sizes in animal social network analysis
Authors: Franks Daniel W. , Weiss Michael N. , Silk Matthew J. , Perryman Robert J. Y. , Croft Darren P.
Published: June 2020

Because of the nature of social interaction or association data, when testing hypotheses using social network data it is common for network studies to rely on permutations to control for confounding variables, and to not also control for them in the fitted statistical model. This can be a problem because it does not adjust for any bias in effect sizes generated by these confounding effects, and thus the effect sizes are not informative in the presence of confounding variables.

We implemented two network simulation examples and analysed an empirical dataset to demonstrate how relying solely on permutations to control for confounding variables can result in highly biased effect size estimates of animal social preferences that are uninformative when quantifying differences in behaviour.

Using these simulations, we show that this can sometimes even lead to effect sizes that have the wrong sign and are thus the effect size is not biologically interpretable. We demonstrate how this problem can be addressed by controlling for confounding variables in the statistical dyadic or nodal model.

We recommend this approach should be adopted as standard practice in the statistical analysis of animal social network data.
Exploration of village health centres in Northern and Central China: A qualitative study
Authors: Luo Feng , Zou Ping , Zhang Hui , Pang Shurui
Published: June 2020

Objective

China faces issues associated with urban‐rural health inequities. This study explores functions of village health centres through a community perspective. Four research questions were asked, including: (a) What are the functions of village health centres? (b) How is medication administered in village health centres? (c) What are the roles of village doctors? (d) What are the evaluation mechanisms of village health centres?

Design

In‐depth interviews and field observations are used in the study.

Setting

Nine rural villages in two provinces in Northern and Central China.

Participants

A total of 93 people across were interviewed.

Results

Village health centres are primarily responsible for providing public health services and essential medical care. In addition, village health centres also function as a social venue of a rural community. A centralised medication scheme augments these processes through supplying health centres with affordable medications. Village doctors are expected to take the needs and preferences of their patients into consideration when creating care plans, and must establish trusting rapport with patients by upholding their unique values. This results in care that is convenient, accessible, and person‐centred. Village health centres are evaluated through a 2‐step process which has direct effects on the amount of government subsidy received.

Conclusion

Village health centres have multi‐faceted functions in rural Chinese communities. Overall, the benefits of village health centres include convenient and timely access to care for rural residents. Improvements can be made in certain areas, such as streamlining provincial medication schemes and adopting a strengths‐based model of evaluation.
Novel coronavirus infection (COVID‐19) in children younger than one year: A systematic review of symptoms, management and outcomes
Authors: Raba Ali Ahmed , Abobaker Anis , Elgenaidi Ismail Suliman , Daoud Ahmed
Published: June 2020

Aim

The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the clinical characteristics of COVID‐19 in neonates and children under one year of age.

Methods

A systematic literature review of the MEDLINE, PubMed, CINAHL, Embase and EBSCO databases was carried out for studies from January 1, 2020, to April 7, 2020. We included all papers that addressed clinical manifestations, laboratory results, imaging findings and outcomes in infants and neonates.

Results

Our search identified 77 peer‐reviewed papers, and 18 papers covering 160 infants were reviewed. One paper was from Vietnam, and the other 17 were from China: eight were cross‐sectional studies, eight were case reports, one was a case series, and one was a prospective cohort study. The most common clinical symptoms were fever (54%) and cough (33%). Most infants were treated symptomatically, with frequent use of various empirical medications. Infants and neonates tended to have more severe COVID‐19 disease than older children: 11 (7%) were admitted to intensive care and one infant died. The mortality rate was 0.006%, with favourable outcomes in most cases.

Conclusion

Infants and neonates were more vulnerable to more severe COVID‐19 disease than older children, but morbidity and mortality were low.
The dramatic COVID 19 outbreak in Italy is responsible of a huge drop of urological surgical activity: a multicenter observational study
Authors: Rocco Bernardo , Sighinolfi Maria Chiara , Sandri Marco , Altieri Vincenzo , Amenta Michele , Annino Filippo , Antonelli Alessandro , Baio Raffaele , Bertolo Riccardo , Bocciardi AldoMassimo , Borghesi Marco , Bove Pierluigi , Bozzini Giorgio , Brunocilla Eugenio , Cacciamani Giovanni , Calori Alberto , Cafarelli Angelo , Celia Antonio , Carbone Antonio , Cocci Andrea , Corsaro Alfio , Costa Giovanni , Ceruti Carlo , Cindolo Luca , Crivellaro Simone , Dalpiaz Orietta , D’Agostino Daniele , Dall’Oglio Bruno , Dente Donato , Falabella Roberto , Falsaperla Mario , Ferrari Giovanni , Finocchiaro Marinella , Flammia Simone , Gaboardi Franco , Galfano Antonio , Gallo Fabrizio , Gatti Lorenzo , Greco Francesco , Khorrami Sada , Leonardo Costantino , Marenghi Carlo , Nucciotti Roberto , Oderda Marco , Pagliarulo Vincenzo , Parma Paolo , Pastore Antonio L. , Pini Giovannalberto , Porreca Angelo , Pucci Luigi , Schenone Maurizio , Schiavina Riccardo , Sciorio Carmine , Spirito Lorenzo , Tafuri Alessandro , Terrone Carlo , Umari Paolo , Varca Virginia , Veneziano Domenico , Verze Paolo , Volpe Alessandro , Micali Salvatore , Berti Lorenzo , Zaramella Stefano , Zegna Luisa , Bertellini Elisabetta , Minervini Andrea
Published: June 2020

Objective

To describe the trend in surgical volume in urology in Italy during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) outbreak, as a result of the abrupt reorganisation of the Italian national health system to augment care provision to symptomatic patients with COVID‐19.

Methods

A total of 33 urological units with physicians affiliated to the AGILE consortium (Italian Group for Advanced Laparo‐Endoscopic Surgery; www.agilegroup.it) were surveyed. Urologists were asked to report the amount of surgical elective procedures week‐by‐week, from the beginning of the emergency to the following month.

Results

The 33 hospitals involved in the study account overall for 22 945 beds and are distributed in 13/20 Italian regions. Before the outbreak, the involved urology units performed overall 1213 procedures/week, half of which were oncological. A month later, the number of surgeries had declined by 78%. Lombardy, the first region with positive COVID‐19 cases, experienced a 94% reduction. The decrease in oncological and non‐oncological surgical activity was 35.9% and 89%, respectively. The trend of the decline showed a delay of roughly 2 weeks for the other regions.

Conclusion

Italy, a country with a high fatality rate from COVID‐19, experienced a sudden decline in surgical activity. This decline was inversely related to the increase in COVID‐19 care, with potential harm particularly in the oncological field. The Italian experience may be helpful for future surgical pre‐planning in other countries not so drastically affected by the disease to date.
Is it time to start worrying more about growing regional inequalities in Canada?
Authors: Breau Sébastien , Burkhart Nick , Shin Michael , Marchand Yannick , Sauer Jeffery
Published: June 2020

Much has been written recently about the rise of within‐country inequality and growing imbalances of regional fortunes in the United States and the European Union. In this paper, we apply a novel geo‐visualization technique that combines local indicators of spatial association with directional statistics to a unique dataset in order to explore the spatial dimensions of regional income inequalities in Canada from 1981 to 2016. After describing a pattern of growing spatial divergence among regions, we briefly discuss the need for the federal government to explore new types of place‐sensitive development policies.
Migratory salmon smolts exhibit consistent interannual depensatory predator swamping: Effects on telemetry‐based survival estimates
Authors: Furey Nathan B. , Martins Eduardo G. , Hinch Scott G.
Published: June 2020

Migrations of juvenile salmon smolts are generally high‐risk, with predation often implicated in reduced survival. In theory, smolts can maximise survival via depensation, or synchronising movements to swamp predators. Depensation, however, is difficult to assess in the wild. Accounting for depensation could also generate more realistic telemetry‐based survival estimates for management. Here, we assess six years (2010–2014, 2016) of acoustic telemetry and outmigration density data for sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) from Chilko Lake, British Columbia, Canada. Prevoiusly, depensation for this population wasassessed for a single year, but interannual consistency is not known. We found evidence of depensation in each year, although its strength varied. In addition, by integrating depensation with outmigration densities, annual population‐level survival estimates in this initial (14‐km) migratory segment increased by 0.02–0.24 relative to previously published estimates. However, when extending these survival rates from the first 14 km through the entire tracked migration (1,044 km), increases in estimates were small (~0.01). Potential conservation and management applications of depensation include implications for recovering imperiled populations and informing hatchery release strategies.
Suboptimal light curing and direct exposure to water of two contemporary composites: degree of conversion, sorption, solubility, and Knoop hardness
Authors: Wikant Aksel W. , Gedde Ulf W. , Hakeberg Magnus , Örtengren Ulf T.
Published: June 2020

The water sorption and solubility of two polymer resin‐based dental composite materials were assessed in order to evaluate the effects of immediate post‐cure water exposure on the water sensitivity of the composites. Each material was tested with two different light curing setups. The radiant exposure of the two curing setups differed by a factor of 5. After exposure to water and subsequent drying, the Knoop surface hardness was measured. The change in the degree of conversion in both water and air storage medium within the first 24 h after curing was monitored by Raman spectroscopy. No significant differences in the degree of conversion were detected 24 h after curing. Samples exposed to the lower irradiation dose showed higher solubility and a lower surface hardness than the samples exposed to the higher irradiation dose. Early exposure to water did not cause detectable differences in the ongoing polymerization process. Increase in radiant exposure reduced the fraction of unbound constituents and increased the crosslink density, thereby reducing the plasticity of the material.
Behavioral phenotypes of childhood idiopathic epilepsies
Authors: Hermann Bruce P. , Struck Aaron F. , Stafstrom Carl E. , Hsu David A. , Dabbs Kevin , Gundlach Carson , Almane Dace , Seidenberg Michael , Jones Jana E.
Published: June 2020

Objective

To characterize the presence and nature of discrete behavioral phenotypes and their correlates in a cohort of youth with new and recent onset focal and generalized epilepsies.

Methods

The parents of 290 youth (age = 8‐18 years) with epilepsy (n = 183) and typically developing participants (n = 107) completed the Child Behavior Checklist for children aged 6‐18 from the Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment. The eight behavior problem scales were subjected to hierarchical clustering analytics to identify behavioral subgroups. To characterize the external validity and co‐occurring comorbidities of the identified subgroups, we examined demographic features (age, gender, handedness), cognition (language, perception, attention, executive function, speed), academic problems (present/absent), clinical epilepsy characteristics (epilepsy syndrome, medications), familial factors (parental intelligence quotient, education, employment), neuroimaging features (cortical thickness), parent‐observed day‐to‐day executive function, and number of lifetime‐to‐date Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (DSM‐IV) diagnoses.

Results

Hierarchical clustering identified three behavioral phenotypes, which included no behavioral complications (Cluster 1, 67% of epilepsy cohort [n = 122]), nonexternalizing problems (Cluster 2, 11% of cohort [n = 21]), and combined internalizing and externalizing problems (Cluster 3, 22% of cohort [n = 40]). These behavioral phenotypes were characterized by orderly differences in personal characteristics, neuropsychological status, history of academic problems, parental status, cortical thickness, daily executive function, and number of lifetime‐to‐date DSM‐IV diagnoses. Cluster 1 was most similar to controls across most metrics, whereas Cluster 3 was the most abnormal compared to controls. Epilepsy syndrome was not a predictor of cluster membership.

Significance

Youth with new and recent onset epilepsy fall into three distinct behavioral phenotypes associated with a variety of co‐occurring features and comorbidities. This approach identifies important phenotypes of behavior problem presentations and their accompanying factors that serve to advance clinical and theoretical understanding of the behavioral complications of children with epilepsy and the complex conditions with which they co‐occur.
Changes in cognition after introduction or withdrawal of zonisamide versus topiramate in epilepsy patients: A retrospective study using Bayes statistics
Authors: Meschede Carolin , Witt Juri‐Alexander , Brömling Sarah , Moskau‐Hartmann Susanna , Rademacher Michael , Surges Rainer , von Wrede Randi , Helmstaedter Christoph
Published: June 2020

Objective

We aim to evaluate the impact of zonisamide (ZNS) compared to topiramate (TPM) on cognition in patients with epilepsy. Although the risk of cognitive side effects has been clearly demonstrated for TPM, comparable side effects in ZNS have been suggested but evidence from studies is inconclusive.

Methods

In this retrospective observational study, we analyzed patients’ records from before and after introduction or withdrawal of ZNS vs TPM. Data were gathered during routine clinical care protocols. Standardized monitoring of executive functions (EpiTrack), verbal memory (short version of verbaler lern‐ und merkfähigkeitstest, VLMT), and subjective health (extended Adverse Events Profile; quality of life in epilepsy inventory, QOLIE‐10) was performed in 73 patients when TPM (n = 45) or ZNS (n = 28) was introduced and 62 patients when TPM (n = 29) or ZNS (n = 33) was withdrawn. The data were analyzed using Bayes statistics that quantify evidence for or against an effect through Bayes factors (BFs).

Results

There was decisive evidence for a negative effect of adjunctive ZNS and TPM on executive function (BF = 965.08) and a positive effect of their withdrawal (BF = 429.51). The ZNS effect seemed smaller, although the difference was inconclusive. Verbal memory and subjective quality of life were not significantly affected. Subjectively, ZNS was connected to lower anxiety and fewer headaches, whereas TPM had a perceived effect on weight, fluent speech and comprehension, headaches, and balance.

Significance

This is the first study to provide objective evidence for a considerable negative effect of ZNS treatment on executive function in a naturalistic treatment setting. Comparable to the well‐known TPM effect, cognition worsens with adjunction and recovers with withdrawal of ZNS. However, the majority of patients do not show a significant negative effect, suggesting disparate susceptibilities to adverse events. The findings emphasize the need for routine monitoring of cognitive side effects to identify early on those patients who are negatively affected by new AED.
“Please, Help Me!”: Children’s Perceptions of Parental Dispute as Shared in Forensic Interviews Following Alleged Maltreatment
Authors: Katz Carmit , Glucklich Talia
Published: June 2020

Over the last few decades, the phenomenon of child maltreatment (CM) has been recognized as a major social problem by professionals, policymakers, and researchers. Relatedly, high‐intensity parental dispute (HIPD) has been increasingly recognized, particularly in terms of its detrimental effect on the family unit and on child welfare in particular. Few studies, however, have considered these two phenomena jointly. The present study examines experiences and perceptions of children situated at their intersection. The sample comprised forensic interviews with 42 children referred to the Israeli Service of Child Forensic Interviews following alleged maltreatment. The results of a thematic analysis pointed to the centrality of children’s exposure to HIPD in the context of the CM allegations for which they were referred to and about which they were asked during the interview. In addition, the analysis identified various displays of potential deficiencies in parent–child relationship in the context of HIPD and two main profiles for the disclosure of the CM allegations. The discussion stresses the exposure of the children to HIPD as a possible risk context that should receive further attention by scholars and practitioners. Moreover, it highlights the multifaceted nature of the children’s experiences, which generate enormous challenges for practitioners in both clinical and forensic contexts, as well as the importance of an integrated approach that considers the HIPD context while not ignoring the CM allegations.
Profiling of Clusters of Activity‐Travel Sequences Using a Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Park Dongjoo , Jeon Yong‐Hyun , Cho Sung‐Jin , Lim Suhwan , Kim Hyunmyung , Joh Chang‐Hyeon
Published: June 2020

Classification of similar travel behavior is essential for market segmentation research in geography and transportation science. Cluster analysis using sequence alignment measurement incorporates the sequential information embedded in activity‐travel sequences. The resultant clusters are then typically associated with the relevant variables. However, although the sequences are clustered by similar sequential information, the summary of the clusters do not reflect the sequential information with scientific rigor. This is because of the non‐numeric characteristics of the sequential information. The study aims to develop a method for finding a representative sequence (RepSeq) that better profiles the cluster of sequences. The suggested method employs a genetic algorithm to search for a sequence potentially closest to the centroid by computing the smallest sum of distances from the searched sequence to all sequences of the cluster using a sequence alignment method. The suggested method is also applied to the real sequence data of the use of transport modes in Seoul. The result provides useful information for cluster interpretation and the subsequent analyses.
Photocatalytic properties of the CeO2‐xTiO2 and TiO2‐xCeO2 (x = 10, 30, and 50 mol%) heterostructures obtained by a MAH
Authors: Nascimento Leulomar E. , Andrade Neto Nivaldo F. , Ramalho Onecima B. M. , Bomio Mauricio R. D. , Motta Fabiana V.
Published: June 2020

In this work, CeO2‐TiO2 heterostructures were submitted to the microwave‐assisted hydrothermal (MAH) method at 140°C for 30 minute, and varying the CeO2 and TiO2 percentages as 10, 30, and 50 mol%. The heterostructures were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller methodology (BET), and UV‐Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV‐Vis). The photocatalytic properties were estimated varying the concentration of methylene blue (MB) dye. The diffractograms indicate the formation of TiO2 anatase and CeO2 phases, without the formation of secondary phases. TEM images indicate the formation of nanocubes and nanospheres for CeO2 and TiO2, respectively. BET analysis indicates that CeO2 has the largest surface area (62.80 m2.g−1), and TiO2‐10%CeO2 heterostructure has a low surface area (26.13 m2.g−1). The addition of TiO2 to CeO2 increases the photocatalytic activity from 32% to 80% for CeO2 and CeO2‐50%TiO2, respectively. In contrast, the addition of CeO2 significantly decreases the photocatalytic activity of TiO2 from 98.9% to 50% for TiO2 and TiO2‐50%CeO2, respectively. Reuse tests showed that the TiO2‐xCeO2 samples maintain the photocatalytic response in subsequent cycles while the CeO2‐xTiO2 samples have an increase in the response.
Expression of immune checkpoints in active nonsegmental vitiligo: a pilot study
Authors: Awad Sherif S. , Touni Ahmed A. , Gabril Manal Y.
Published: June 2020

Background

Vitiligo is a depigmentary skin disfigurement resulting from destruction of melanocytes caused by a possible malfunctioning immunity. This destruction could be linked to an aberrant T‐cell–mediated immune response. Cytotoxic T‐lymphocyte–associated antigen‐4 (CTLA‐4) and programmed death‐1 (PD‐1) are immune checkpoints capable of downregulating T‐cell immune functions.

Objectives

To evaluate the pattern of expression of PD‐1 and CTLA‐4 in active vitiligo skin.

Methods

Thirty nonsegmental vitiligo (NSV) patients had been included in this pilot study. Marginal, lesional, and nonlesional skin biopsies were obtained. PD‐1 and CTLA‐4 immunohistochemistry expression in the mononuclear inflammatory infiltrates were evaluated using digital images.

Results

The marginal and lesional inflammatory infiltrates were significantly abundant when compared to nonlesional ones. The marginal infiltrates were significantly abundant when compared to the lesional ones. PD‐1 and CTLA‐4 were significantly expressed in the marginal and lesional infiltrates when compared to nonlesional skin. Moreover, the marginal expression of PD‐1 was significantly higher than the lesional expression. However, no similar significant difference in CTLA‐4 expression was found between the marginal and lesional infiltrates. Significant positive correlations were found between the expressions of PD‐1 and CTLA‐4 in marginal and lesional infiltrates.

Conclusion

Programmed death‐1 and CTLA‐4 are expressed within the inflammatory infiltrate of active NSV. Further studies are required to confirm their significance in the development or limitation of the disease.
Associations of telomere length with two dietary quality indices after a lifestyle intervention in children with abdominal obesity: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Ojeda‐Rodríguez Ana , Morell‐Azanza Lydia , Zalba Guillermo , Zazpe Itziar , Azcona‐Sanjulian Maria Cristina , Marti Amelia
Published: June 2020

Background

Dietary factors seem to influence telomere length. Moreover, associations between changes in adiposity indices and telomere length (TL) have been found in intervention studies.

Objective

We evaluated changes in two diet quality indices and their association with TL in children with abdominal obesity in a 12‐month lifestyle intervention.

Methods

Eighty‐seven participants (7‐16 years old) were assigned to the intervention (moderate hypocaloric Mediterranean diet) or usual care group (standard paediatric recommendations) for a 2‐month intensive phase and a subsequent 10‐month follow‐up. Diet quality was assessed using the Diet Quality Index for Adolescents (DQI‐A) and the Healthy Lifestyle Diet Index (HLD‐I). TL was measured by monochrome multiplex real‐time quantitative PCR. The intra‐class correlation coefficient for TL was 0.793 (95% CI 0.707, 0.857).

Results

After a 12‐month lifestyle intervention, a significant reduction in BMI‐SDS (−0.57 and −0.49 for the intervention and usual care groups, respectively) and fat mass was observed in all subjects without differences between groups. Changes in DQI‐A (+12.36% vs +5.53%, P = .005) and HLD‐I (+4.43 vs +1.09, P < .001) were higher in the intervention subjects compared with usual care subjects after 2 months. Interestingly, we observed a positive change in TL between 2 and 12 months (P = .025), which was associated with higher scores on the DQI‐A (β = 0.008, R2 = 0.088, P = .010) and HLD‐I (β = 0.022, R2 = 0.198, P = .015), in the intervention group after the 2‐month intensive phase.

Conclusion

Favourable changes in diet quality indices could contribute to telomere integrity in children with abdominal obesity enrolled in an intensive lifestyle intervention.
Impacts of off‐farm employment on welfare, food security and poverty: Evidence from rural Vietnam
Authors: Duong Pham Bao , Thanh Pham Tien , Ancev Tihomir
Published: June 2020

How off‐farm employment can enhance welfare in terms of food consumption and poverty alleviation is a critical question facing many developing countries. This study addressed that question by pursuing two objectives: (i) to quantify the impact of off‐farm employment on rural households’ welfare, food security and poverty; and (ii) to examine the factors that affect their decision to work off‐farm. Using panel data, we estimated a difference‐in‐difference combined with a propensity score matching model. The findings show that off‐farm employment improves income, ensures food security and contributes to poverty alleviation. The results also show that age, marital status, education, labour, financial capital, land, location, market access and losses from natural disasters are significant contributing factors to the decision to participate in off‐farm employment. The findings suggest that to improve the welfare of rural households, the Vietnamese government should proceed with policies that enhance their opportunities for participation in off‐farm employment.
Comparative epidemiology, phylogenetics, and transmission patterns of severe influenza A/H3N2 in Australia from 2003 to 2017
Authors: Xia Jing , Adam Dillon C. , Moa Aye , Chughtai Abrar A. , Barr Ian G. , Komadina Naomi , MacIntyre C. Raina
Published: June 2020

Background

Over the last two decades, Australia has experienced four severe influenza seasons caused by a predominance of influenza A (A/H3N2): 2003, 2007, 2012, and 2017.

Methods

We compared the epidemiology, genetics, and transmission dynamics of severe A/H3N2 seasons in Australia from 2003 to 2017.

Results

Since 2003, the proportion of notifications in 0‐4 years old has decreased, while it has increased in the age group >80 years old (P < .001). The genetic diversity of circulating influenza A/H3N2 viruses has also increased over time with the number of single nucleotide polymorphisms significantly (P < .05) increasing. We also identified five residue positions within or near the receptor binding site of HA (144, 145, 159, 189, and 225) undergoing frequent mutations that are likely involved in significant antigenic drift and possibly severity. The Australian state of Victoria was identified as a frequent location for transmission either to or from other states and territories over the study years. The states of New South Wales and Queensland were also frequently implicated as locations of transmission to other states and territories but less so over the years. This indicates a stable but also changing dynamic of A/H3N2 circulation in Australia.

Conclusion

These results have important implications for future influenza surveillance and control policy in the country. Reasons for the change in age‐specific infection and increased genetic diversity of A/H3N2 viruses in recent years should be explored.
FOXO3a‐mediated long non‐coding RNA LINC00261 resists cardiomyocyte hypoxia/reoxygenation injury via targeting miR23b‐3p/NRF2 axis
Authors: Zhang Ruining , Li Yongjun , Liu Xiaopeng , Qin Shan , Guo Bingyan , Chang Liang , Huang Liu , Liu Suyun
Published: June 2020

Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)‐mediated acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a major pathological factor implicated in the progression of ischemic heart disease (IHD). Long non‐coding RNA plays an important role in regulating the occurrence and development of cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the regulating role of LINC00261 in hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R)‐induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis. The relative expression of LINC00261, miR‐23b‐3p and NRF2 were determined in rats I/R myocardial tissues and H/R‐induced cardiomyocytes. The rat model and cell model of LINC00261 overexpression were established to investigate the biological function of LINC00261 on H9C2 cell. The interaction between LINC00261, miR‐23b‐3p, NRF2 and FOXO3a was identified using bioinformatics analysis, luciferase reporter assay, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay, chromatin immunoprecipitation (CHIP) assay and qRT‐PCR. The expression of LINC00261 was significantly down‐regulated in myocardial tissues and H9C2 cell. Overexpression of LINC00261 improves cardiac function and reduces myocardium apoptosis. Interestingly, transcription factor FOXO3a was found to promote LINC00261 transcription. Moreover, LINC00261 was confirmed as a spong of miR23b‐3p and thereby positively regulates NRF2 expression in cardiomyocytes. Our findings reveal a novel role for LINC00261 in regulating H/R cardiomyocyte apoptosis and the potency of the LINC00261/miR‐23b‐3p/NRF2 axis as a therapeutic target for the treatment of MIRI.
Epidemiology of cannabis use and associated outcomes among kidney transplant recipients: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Vaitla Pradeep K. , Thongprayoon Charat , Hansrivijit Panupong , Kanduri Swetha R. , Kovvuru Karthik , Rivera Franco H. Cabeza , Cato Liam D. , Garla Vishnu , Watthanasuntorn Kanramon , Wijarnpreecha Karn , Chewcharat Api , Aeddula Narothama Reddy , Bathini Tarun , Koller Felicitas L. , Matemavi Praise , Cheungpasitporn Wisit
Published: June 2020

Objective

Cannabis is the most commonly used recreational drug in the United States, and transplant acceptability for cannabis using candidates varies among transplant centers. However, the prevalence and impact of cannabis use on outcomes of kidney transplant recipients remain unclear. This study aimed to summarize the prevalence and impact of cannabis use on outcomes after kidney transplantation.

Methods

A literature search was performed using Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, and The Cochrane Library Databases from inception until September 2019 to identify studies assessing the prevalence of cannabis use among kidney transplant recipients, and reported adverse outcomes after kidney transplantation. Effect estimates from the individual studies were obtained and combined utilizing random‐effects, generic inverse variance method of DerSimonian‐Laird.

Results

A total of four cohort studies with a total of 55 897 kidney transplant recipients were enrolled. Overall, the pooled estimated prevalence of cannabis use was 3.2% (95% CI 0.4%‐20.5%). While the use of cannabis was not significantly associated with all‐cause allograft failure (OR = 1.31, 95% CI 0.70‐2.46) or mortality (OR = 1.52, 95% CI 0.59‐3.92), the use of cannabis among kidney transplant recipients was significantly associated with increased death‐censored graft failure with pooled OR of 1.72 (95% CI 1.13‐2.60).

Conclusions

The overall estimated prevalence of cannabis use among kidney transplant recipients is 3.2%. The use of cannabis is associated with increased death‐censored graft failure, but not mortality after kidney transplantation.
Efficacy of an oil‐based formulation combining Metarhizium rileyi and nucleopolyhedroviruses against lepidopteran pests of soybean
Authors: Lopes Rogerio Biaggioni , Sosa‐Gómez Daniel Ricardo , Oliveira Charles Martins , Sanches Marcio Martinello , de Souza Daniela Aguiar , Benito Norton Polo , Schmidt Francisco Guilherme Vergolino , Faria Marcos
Published: June 2020

A biopesticide that combines Metarhizium rileyi and nucleopolyhedrovirus (NPV) in an oil dispersion (OD) was developed. Its efficacy against Anticarsia gemmatalis and Chrysodeixis includens was evaluated under laboratory and field conditions. First, each of the two selected fungal strains, combined or not in OD preparations with AgMNPV or ChinNPV, was tested in the laboratory against A. gemmatalis and C. includens, respectively. AgMNPV–fungus combinations had similar effect on overall mortality of A. gemmatalis compared to each pathogen used alone. C. includens was less susceptible to infection by M. rileyi strains, and ChinNPV became the major cause of larval death. The OD formulations with M. rileyi and/or NPV were applied in infested soybean fields. ChinNPV + M. rileyi caused 50.8% of overall mortality six days after spraying in a soybean crop infested by both pests, whereas for treatments with the fungus or the virus alone the percentages were 41.2% and 8.8%, respectively. In another field infested solely by A. gemmatalis, insect mortality was similar for the AgMNPV–fungus combination and the virus used alone. Larval parasitism by wasps and dipterans was not affected following biopesticide spraying. Our results suggest that the performance of a dual‐action biopesticide is related to the NPV and fungal strains that are combined and the proportion of host populations simultaneously infesting the crop.
Non‐pharmacological interventions for challenging behaviours of adults with intellectual disabilities: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Bruinsma E. , van den Hoofdakker B. J. , Groenman A. P. , Hoekstra P. J. , de Kuijper G. M. , Klaver M. , de Bildt A. A.
Published: June 2020

Background

Non‐pharmacological interventions are recommended for the treatment of challenging behaviours in individuals with intellectual disabilities by clinical guidelines. However, evidence for their effectiveness is ambiguous. The aim of the current meta‐analysis is to update the existing evidence, to investigate long‐term outcome, and to examine whether intervention type, delivery mode, and study design were associated with differences in effectiveness.

Method

An electronic search was conducted using the databases Medline, Eric, PsychINFO and Cinahl. Studies with experimental or quasi‐experimental designs were included. We performed an overall random‐effect meta‐analysis and subgroup analyses.

Results

We found a significant moderate overall effect of non‐pharmacological interventions on challenging behaviours (d = 0.573, 95% CI [0.352–0.795]), and this effect appears to be longlasting. Interventions combining mindfulness and behavioural techniques showed to be more effective than other interventions. However, this result should be interpreted with care due to possible overestimation of the subgroup analysis. No differences in effectiveness were found across assessment times, delivery modes or study designs.

Conclusions

Non‐pharmacological interventions appear to be moderately effective on the short and long term in reducing challenging behaviours in adults with intellectual disabilities.
Advanced cryo‐tomography workflow developments – correlative microscopy, milling automation and cryo‐lift‐out
Authors: KUBA JAKUB , MITCHELS JOHN , HOVORKA MILOŠ , ERDMANN PHILIPP , BERKA LUKÁŠ , KIRMSE ROBERT , KÖNIG JULIA , DE BOCK JAN , GOETZE BERNHARD , RIGORT ALEXANDER
Published: June 2020

Cryo‐electron tomography (cryo‐ET) is a groundbreaking technology for 3D visualisation and analysis of biomolecules in the context of cellular structures. It allows structural investigations of single proteins as well as their spatial arrangements within the cell. Cryo‐tomograms provide a snapshot of the complex, heterogeneous and transient subcellular environment. Due to the excellent structure preservation in amorphous ice, it is possible to study interactions and spatial relationships of proteins in their native state without interference caused by chemical fixatives or contrasting agents. With the introduction of focused ion beam (FIB) technology, the preparation of cellular samples for electron tomography has become much easier and faster. The latest generation of integrated FIB and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) instruments (dual beam microscopes), specifically designed for cryo‐applications, provides advances in automation, imaging and the preparation of high‐pressure frozen bulk samples using cryo‐lift‐out technology. In addition, correlative cryo‐fluorescence microscopy provides cellular targeting information through integrated software and hardware interfaces. The rapid advances, based on the combination of correlative cryo‐microscopy, cryo‐FIB and cryo‐ET, have already led to a wealth of new insights into cellular processes and provided new 3D image data of the cell. Here we introduce our recent developments within the cryo‐tomography workflow, and we discuss the challenges that lie ahead.

Lay Description

This article describes our recent developments for the cryo‐electron tomography (cryo‐ET) workflow. Cryo‐ET offers superior structural preservation and provides 3D snapshots of the interior of vitrified cells at molecular resolution. Before a cellular sample can be imaged by cryo‐ET, it must be made accessible for transmission electron microscopy. This is achieved by preparing a 200–300 nm thin cryo‐lamella from the cellular sample using a cryo‐focused ion beam (cryo‐FIB) microscope. Cryo‐correlative light and electron microscopy (cryo‐CLEM) is used within the workflow to guide the cryo‐lamella preparation to the cellular areas of interest. We cover a basic introduction of the cryo‐ET workflow and show new developments for cryo‐CLEM, which facilitate the connection between the cryo‐light microscope and the cryo‐FIB. Next, we present our progress in cryo‐FIB software automation to streamline cryo‐lamella preparation. In the final section we demonstrate how the cryo‐FIB can be used for 3D imaging and how bulk‐frozen cellular samples (obtained by high‐pressure freezing) can be processed using the newly developed cryo‐lift‐out technology.
Update on noninvasive prenatal testing: A review based on current worldwide research
Authors: Samura Osamu
Published: June 2020

Eight years have passed since noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) was clinically evaluated and data on NIPT for trisomy 21, 18 and 13 were collected. The data revealed that NIPT is more accurate than conventional first‐trimester screening. However, there is still insufficient data regarding the clinical use of NIPT results in detecting sex chromosome aneuploidies or whole‐genome regions. NIPT is already being used as a clinical screening method globally. However, it is an unconfirmed diagnostic test and the results must be interpreted with caution as they may yield false negatives, false positives or inconclusive results. Therefore, the aim of this review is to highlight the current status of information, including the different methodologies, shortcomings and implications, regarding NIPT after its adoption worldwide. It is important to include genetic counseling when implementing NIPT. Going forward, the knowledge obtained to date, including the associated shortcomings, must be considered in evaluating the effectiveness of NIPT in detecting genetic abnormalities.
Missing not at random and the nonparametric estimation of the spectral density
Authors: Efromovich Sam
Published: June 2020

The aim of the article is twofold: (i) present a pivotal setting where using an extra experiment for restoring information lost due to missing not at random (MNAR) is practically feasible; (ii) attract attention to a wide spectrum of new research topics created by the proposed methodology of exploring the missing mechanism. It is well known that if the likelihood of missing an observation depends on its value, then the missing is MNAR, no consistent estimation is possible, and the only way to recover destroyed information is to study the likelihood of missing via an extra experiment. One of the main practical issues with an extra‐sample approach is as follows. Let n and m be the numbers of observations in a MNAR time series and in an extra sample exploring the likelihood of missing respectively. An oracle, that knows the likelihood of missing, can estimate the spectral density of an ARMA‐type spectral density with the MISE proportional to , while a differentiable likelihood may be estimated only with the MISE proportional to m−2/3. On first glance, these familiar facts yield that the proposed approach is impractical because m must be in order larger than n to match the oracle. Surprisingly, the article presents the theory and a numerical study indicating that m may be in order smaller than n and still the statistician can match performance of the oracle. The proposed methodology is used for the analysis of MNAR time series of systolic blood pressure of a person with immunoglobulin D multiple myeloma. A number of possible extensions and future research topics are outlined.
Awareness of complex regional pain syndrome among medical professionals
Authors: Al‐kindi Yahya , Abudraz Mundher , Al Balushi Abdullah , Al‐Saadi Tariq
Published: June 2020

Background

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic inflammatory and neurological condition with a complex broad spectrum of symptoms and requires input from various clinical specialists such as orthopedic surgeons, anesthetists, rheumatologists, and rehabilitation physicians.

Aim

The aim is to study the awareness of CRPS among medical professionals (Orthopedics, Neurosurgeons, Family physicians, Internists).

Method

The study was conducted using a cross‐sectional survey. A postal questionnaire was sent online to different medical professionals. The questionnaire included two sections. The first section was about personal demographic whereas the second section was about the CRPS symptoms, diagnosis criteria, and management.

Results

The study resulted in a total number of 97 participants that filled the questionnaire completely with the highest number working at tertiary health centers (59.8%) followed by primary health centers (30.9%) and secondary health centers students (9.3%). Seventeen percent of the participants were aware about the diagnostic criteria of this condition, while only 15.4% have applied these criteria before. Awareness of risk factors and complications were 22.7% and 23.7%; respectively. The mean of the cumulative score out of 11 awareness among our participants was 2.48 (range; 0‐10). 37 (38.1%) of the participant scores 0/11 while none of the participants were able to score 11/11. Our study identified an association between years of experience and the level of awareness with a P value of .007.

Conclusion

The awareness of CRPS among medical professionals was not sufficient to met the recommendation of CRPS criteria and guideline. Physicians from different specialties need to increase their knowledge and awareness about this conditions.
Donskoy cats as a new model of oculocutaneous albinism with the identification of a splice‐site variant in Hermansky–Pudlak Syndrome 5 gene
Authors: Mériot Marina , Hitte Christophe , Rimbault Maud , Dufaure de Citres Caroline , Gache Vincent , Abitbol Marie
Published: June 2020

In the feline Donskoy breed, a phenotype that breeders call "pink‐eye," with associated light‐brown skin, yellow irises and red‐eye effect, has been described. Genealogical data indicated an autosomal recessive inheritance pattern. A single candidate region was identified by genome‐wide association study and SNP‐based homozygosity mapping. Within that region, we further identified HPS5 (HPS5 Biogenesis Of Lysosomal Organelles Complex 2 Subunit 2) as a strong candidate gene, since HPS5 variants have been identified in humans and animals with Hermansky–Pudlak syndrome 5 or oculocutaneous albinism. A homozygous c.2571‐1G>A acceptor splice‐site variant located in intron 16 of HPS5 was identified in pink‐eye cats. Segregation of the variant was 100% consistent with the inheritance pattern. Genotyping of 170 cats from 19 breeds failed to identify a single carrier in non‐Donskoy cats. The c.2571‐1G>A variant leads to HPS5 exon‐16 splicing that is predicted to produce a 52 amino acids in‐frame deletion in the protein. These results support an association of the pink‐eye phenotype with the c.2571‐1G>A variant. The pink‐eye Donskoy cat extends the panel of reported HPS5 variants and offers an opportunity for in‐depth exploration of the phenotypic consequences of a new HPS5 variant.