bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Entrepreneurship development in Russia: is Russia a normal country? An empirical analysis
Authors: Szerb László , Trumbull William N.
Published: April 2018

Purpose

Using various macro-level measures of economic and political performance Shleifer and Treisman (2005) and Treisman (2014) call Russia a “normal country” implying that Russia’s economic and political development is not deviating from the other middle-income or transition countries significantly. The purpose of this paper is to challenge this proposition and investigate whether Russia is a normal country in terms of entrepreneurship by comparing Russia with other post-socialist and similarly developed countries.

Design/methodology/approach

Many studies have examined Russia’s institutional setup to explain its deficiencies in entrepreneurial activity. However, there is a lack of comprehensive research taking into account both the individual and institutional dimensions of the entrepreneurial ecosystem. The authors use the Global Entrepreneurship Index (GEI) methodology to analyze Russia’s quality-related individual as well as institutional features from a system perspective in a single model.

Findings

Russia’s performance has been poor relative to the post-socialist countries and to most of the former republics of the Soviet Union. Russia’s entrepreneurial profile is different from other transition and similarly developed non-transition countries, as well. Russia’s scores are less than the scores of other post-socialist countries in six out of the nine pillars of entrepreneurial attitudes and abilities. In sum, conditions supporting entrepreneurship in Russia lag seriously behind other post-socialist countries. Moreover, Russia’s individual scores are even lower than the institutional ones. Hence, improving the hostile environment alone would not be sufficient for entrepreneurship development.

Originality/value

Although, there have been numerous studies analyzing Russia’s macroeconomic conditions, institutional development, and entrepreneurship, there is lack of comprehensive studies. Besides common macro-level measures, the authors use a unique, GEI data set that combines institutional factors relating to entrepreneurship or new business creation with measures of individual capabilities, motivations, and attitudes about entrepreneurship. The single-model framework reveals that individual factors are even greater obstacles to entrepreneurship development in Russia than the institutional factors that most studies focus on.
Clinical leadership training: an evaluation of the Welsh Fellowship programme
Authors: Phillips Suzanne , Bullock Alison
Published: April 2018

Purpose

UK fellowship schemes have been set up to address low-level engagement of doctors with leadership roles. Established in 2013, the Welsh Clinical Leadership Fellowship (WCLF) programme aims to recruit aspiring future clinical leaders and equip them with knowledge and skills to lead improvements in healthcare delivery. This paper aims to evaluate the 12-month WCLF programme in its first two years of operation.

Design/methodology/approach

Focused on the participants (n = 8), the authors explored expectations of the programme, reactions to academic components (provided by Academi Wales) and learning from workplace projects and other opportunities. The authors adopted a qualitative approach, collecting data from four focus groups, 20 individual face-to-face or telephone interviews with fellows and project supervisors and observation of Academi Wales training days.

Findings

Although from diverse specialties and stages in training, all participants reported that the Fellowship met expectations. Fellows learned leadership theory, developing understanding of leadership and teamwork in complex organisations. Through workplace projects, they applied their knowledge, learning from both success and failure. The quality of communication with fellows distinguished the better supervisors and impacted on project success.

Research limitations/implications

Small participant numbers limit generalisability. The authors did not evaluate longer-term impact.

Practical implications

Doctors are required to be both clinically proficient and influence service delivery and improve patient care. The WCLF programme addresses both the need for leadership theory (through the Academi Wales training) and the application of learning through the performance of leadership roles in the projects.

Originality/value

This work represents an evaluation of the only leadership programme in Wales, and outcomes have led to improvements.
A study of perceived team learning on individual performance
Authors: Xiang Shuting , Chen Guoquan , Liu Wei
Published: April 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the relationship between team learning and individual performance and examine the mediating effect of individual reflection on such relations. As a contextual factor, the moderating role of psychological safety is investigated in the team learning–individual reflection relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based on a survey with 229 effective participants, which included enterprise managers and their colleagues from part-time MBA program in one university located in Beijing, China. Path model is conducted to test the hypotheses proposed in this paper.

Findings

The results indicate that team learning is positively associated with individual reflection and performance. Individual reflection plays a mediating role between the relationship between team learning and individual performance. Perceived team psychological safety positively moderates the relationship between perceived team learning and individual reflection, such that the positive relation is more significant when employees perceived higher psychological safety.

Originality/value

This paper has both theoretical and practical implications. Theoretically, the authors establish the direct and indirect relationship between team learning and individual performance and aim to find additional support for Edmonson’s view suggesting that psychological safety would facilitate learning behavior. In terms of practical implications, the authors point the importance of developing learning teams and promoting individual learning.
Family involvement in management in private businesses and the effect on professional managers’ psychological ownership
Authors: Zhu Hang , Zhang Pengxiang , Han Xiaoyan , Huang Ting
Published: April 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to unveil how family involvement in management teams of private Chinese companies affects professional managers’ psychological ownership and sense of “us”, in the hopes of understanding why their devotion cannot coexist with the higher level of commitment of family managers.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper includes two main studies. The first uses regression to analyze survey data provided by 165 professional managers working in Chinese private companies. The second is a scenario experiment in which 106 MBA candidates participate.

Findings

The study finds that there is a negative relationship between family management involvement and professional managers’ perceived relationship closeness to owners and psychological ownership of firms. It also finds that relationship closeness fully mediates the negative influence of family management involvement on managers’ psychological ownership.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to both the theoretical literature and management practice. From a theoretical perspective, it connects studies in indigenous sociological psychology with new literature on psychological ownership. The paper finds that personal relationships nurture the shared psychological ownership of managers by generating a sense of “us”, providing a new theoretical explanation for its formation process. Furthermore, this study offers an explanation for the negative signal effect of family involvement in management. From a practical perspective, this study finds that family involvement in management acts as a critical boundary condition for using personal relationships to stimulate professional managers.
Trait patterns of epiphytes compared to other plant life‐forms along a tropical elevation gradient
Authors: Schellenberger Costa David , Zotz Gerhard , Hemp Andreas , Kleyer Michael
Published: April 2018

Compared to other plant life‐forms, epiphytes remain understudied. Understanding the responses of epiphytes to changing environmental conditions is necessary to predict changes in ecosystem functioning especially in subtropical and tropical regions.

We investigated the functional traits of epiphytes along a large elevation gradient on Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. We measured traits of co‐occurring trees and terrestrial non‐tree life‐forms and compared changes in community‐weighted means (CWM) of traits and trait spread, the range of observed trait values. We chose traits linked to growth and persistence: leaf area, specific leaf area, leaf dry matter content, stem specific density, plant height, leaf carbon, leaf nitrogen and leaf phosphorus.

For most traits, differences in CWM between life‐forms exceeded differences within life‐forms along the elevation gradient. Many CWM showed linear changes with elevation, but no response and unimodal patterns were also frequent. This was best explained by temperature, or a combination of temperature with precipitation or humidity, indicating effects of these factors on the distribution of epiphytic and non‐epiphytic species. Trait spread did not change with elevation in nearly half of the traits, but hump‐shaped patterns were also common, probably a result of weaker environmental filtering in the gradient centre. The magnitude of trait spread, that is, the variability between species of the same life‐form within communities, was highest for terrestrial non‐trees (TNT). Excluding ferns from the analyses lead to marked differences in trait patterns for epiphytes, as ferns made up 59% of the epiphytic species, while playing a minor role in the other groups.

The observed differences can be explained by a dichotomy in epiphytic life strategies, with tough‐leaved xerotolerant species on one side and succulent soft‐leaved species on the other. However, the influence of phylogeny was lower than expected from the taxonomic composition of the three life‐form groups.

Our results emphasize that environmental constraints act upon functional traits of epiphytes, trees and TNT. The differences in trait expressions, arguably adaptations of the different life‐forms, need to be taken into account in conservation contexts as well as when modelling the effects of global change on ecosystems.

A plain language summary is available for this article.
Do carotenoid‐based ornaments entail resource trade‐offs? An evaluation of theory and data
Authors: Koch Rebecca E. , Hill Geoffrey E.
Published: April 2018

Within the past several decades, resource trade‐offs have emerged as the commonly accepted explanation for how carotenoid‐based coloration links to individual performance. However, the literature on carotenoid signalling is inconsistent in how carotenoid resource trade‐offs are defined, assessed and interpreted.

We provide a clear statement of the resource trade‐off hypothesis for explaining the honesty of carotenoid‐based ornaments, its key assumptions and evidence for (or against) each assumption.

Focusing on class Aves, we perform a critical assessment of theoretical and empirical evidence for carotenoid resource limitation and for direct physiological benefits of carotenoid pigments to immune and antioxidant performance.

We identify important inconsistencies in how data related to physiological function and carotenoid coloration have been interpreted in the light of the resource trade‐off hypothesis, and we suggest directions for future research.

A plain language summary is available for this article.
Pollination along an elevational gradient mediated both by floral scent and pollinator compatibility in the fig and fig‐wasp mutualism
Authors: Souto‐Vilarós Daniel , Proffit Magali , Buatois Bruno , Rindos Michal , Sisol Mentap , Kuyaiva Thomas , Isua Brus , Michalek Jan , Darwell Clive T. , Hossaert‐McKey Martine , Weiblen George D. , Novotny Vojtech , Segar Simon T.
Published: April 2018

In the fig (Moraceae) and fig‐wasp (Agaonidae) mutualism, scent is believed to be of primary importance in pollinator attraction and maintenance of species specificity. Scent divergence between closely related Ficus species seems sufficient in promoting reproductive isolation through pollinator behaviour, starting the process of speciation.

We investigated volatile organic compound (VOC) variation from figs in several Ficus species endemic to Papua New Guinea. Sister species of section Papuacyse and subspecies of Ficus trichocerasa substitute each other along the continuously forested Mt. Wilhelm elevational gradient. We placed these species in a phylogenetic context to draw conclusions of scent divergence between close relatives. In addition, pollinator response to VOCs emitted by figs of different species was tested.

Volatile profiles differed significantly between focal species, although with a varying degree of overlap between (sub)species and elevations. Pollinators were generally attracted to VOCs emitted only by their hosts except in one case where pollinating fig wasps were also attracted to the sister species of its host. Wasp morphological traits, however, indicate that it is mechanically impossible for this species to oviposit in figs of this atypical encounter.

Synthesis. This study demonstrates that while scent is an effective signal for partner recognition, there are multiple barriers which help maintain prepollination isolation in fig and pollinating fig‐wasp interactions. Speciation along this elevational gradient is reinforced by divergence in key reproductive isolation mechanisms on both sides of the mutualism.
Effect of combination of essential oils on physicochemical and sensorial attributes of burfi in comparison with individual essential oil and BHA
Authors: Prasad Writdhama , Khamrui Kaushik , Mandal Surajit , Badola Richa
Published: April 2018

The study investigated the addition of essential oils (EO) of tumeric, ginger and cardamon (as sources of natural antioxidants ) to burfie, an Indian heat desiccated dairy dessert. Essential oil incorporation significantly (P < 0.05) increased antioxidant activity of the product. Samples with a combination of EOs had a higher antioxidant activity than with addition of individual EOs, but antioxidant activity was less (P < 0.05) than samples with addition of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA). The addition of EOs had no significant (P > 0.05) effect on instrumental colour, textural attributes and composition of the burfi samples, but flavour was significantly affected. Clustering revealed the sample with added BHA had the best attributes followed by the sample with addition of a combination of all the EOs. The combination of EOs significantly (P < 0.05) delayed the growth of the native microbiota in the burfi.
“It's Going to be Extra Fun!”: Analysis of an Atypical Case of Teen Homicide as Leisure Behavior
Authors: Williams D J , Vincent Jolene
Published: April 2018

Recently, scholars in literary criminology and leisure sciences have begun to explore the role of broader leisure culture in potentially shaping fantasy development, planning, preparation, and execution in specific cases of expressive homicide. This brief report focuses on an unusual case of expressive homicide, wherein two teen offenders in Idaho collaborated to murder a female classmate as an intentional leisure activity. Prior to the murder, the offenders created a videotape describing how they planned to commit this (and additional) murders. A careful analysis of the videotape content, along with other primary court documents, illustrates how leisure preferences can combine with traditional psychiatric variables to shape the unique process of certain forms of expressive homicide.
Facial Asymmetry‐Based Age Group Estimation: Role in Recognizing Age‐Separated Face Images
Authors: Sajid Muhammad , Taj Imtiaz Ahmad , Bajwa Usama Ijaz , Ratyal Naeem Iqbal
Published: April 2018

Face recognition aims to establish the identity of a person based on facial characteristics. On the other hand, age group estimation is the automatic calculation of an individual's age range based on facial features. Recognizing age‐separated face images is still a challenging research problem due to complex aging processes involving different types of facial tissues, skin, fat, muscles, and bones. Certain holistic and local facial features are used to recognize age‐separated face images. However, most of the existing methods recognize face images without incorporating the knowledge learned from age group estimation. In this paper, we propose an age‐assisted face recognition approach to handle aging variations. Inspired by the observation that facial asymmetry is an age‐dependent intrinsic facial feature, we first use asymmetric facial dimensions to estimate the age group of a given face image. Deeply learned asymmetric facial features are then extracted for face recognition using a deep convolutional neural network (dCNN). Finally, we integrate the knowledge learned from the age group estimation into the face recognition algorithm using the same dCNN. This integration results in a significant improvement in the overall performance compared to using the face recognition algorithm alone. The experimental results on two large facial aging datasets, the MORPH and FERET sets, show that the proposed age group estimation based on the face recognition approach yields superior performance compared to some existing state‐of‐the‐art methods.
Criminal victimization and psychotic experiences: cross‐sectional associations in 35 low‐ and middle‐income countries
Authors: DeVylder J. E. , Kelleher I. , Oh H. , Link B. G. , Yang L. H. , Koyanagi A.
Published: April 2018

Objective

Criminal victimization has been associated with elevated risk for psychotic symptoms in the United Kingdom, but has not been studied in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs). Understanding whether crime exposure may play a role in the social etiology of psychosis could help guide prevention and intervention efforts.

Method

We tested the hypothesis that criminal victimization would be associated with elevated odds of psychotic experiences in 35 LMICs (N = 146 999) using cross‐sectional data from the World Health Organization World Health Survey. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to test for associations between criminal victimization and psychotic experiences.

Results

Victimization was associated with greater odds of psychotic experiences, OR (95% CI) = 1.72 (1.50–1.98), and was significantly more strongly associated with psychotic experiences in non‐urban, OR (95% CI) = 1.93 (1.60–2.33), compared to urban settings, OR (95% CI) = 1.48 (1.21–1.81). The association between victimization and psychosis did not change across countries with varying aggregated levels of criminal victimization.

Conclusions

In the largest ever study of victimization and psychosis, the association between criminal victimization and psychosis appears to generalize across a range of LMICs and, therefore, across nations with a broad range of crime rates, degree of urban development, average per capita income, and racial/ethnic make‐up.
Making the most of sparse data to estimate density of a rare and threatened species: a case study with the fosa, a little‐studied Malagasy carnivore
Authors: Murphy A. , Gerber B. D. , Farris Z. J. , Karpanty S. , Ratelolahy F. , Kelly M. J.
Published: April 2018

Sparse detections in camera trap surveys commonly hinder density estimation for threatened species. By combining detections across multiple surveys, or using informative priors in Bayesian model fitting, researchers can improve parameter estimation from sparse capture–recapture data. Using a spatial mark–resight model that incorporates site‐level heterogeneity in the spatial scale parameter via a hierarchical process and prior information, we estimated the density of a threatened carnivore (fosa, Cryptoprocta ferox) from multiple sparse datasets collected during extensive camera trapping surveys in northeastern Madagascar (2008–2015). Our objectives were to estimate density for six sites, examine the response of fosa density and movement to habitat degradation, monitor annual density trends across 7 years at two sites, and estimate fosa abundance in the Makira–Masoala protected area complex. We obtained a mean of 16.1 (se = 0.52; range = 2–49) fosa detections and three observers identified a mean of 3.62 (se = 0.09; range = 1–8) marked individuals per survey. Fosa daily baseline encounter rate was very low (λ0 = 0.004; 0.003–0.006) and density/movement estimates were similar across forest types. Density estimates at resurveyed sites suggested annual variability in density, with estimates trending lower during the final surveys [e.g. D = 0.39 (0.14–1.11) versus 0.08 (0.05–0.31) individuals per km2]. We estimated fosa abundance across the Makira–Masoala region to be 1061 (95% HPDI: 596–1780) adult individuals. On the basis of our estimate and the size of the region, we believe Makira–Masoala harbors a significant portion of the global fosa population. The conservation and management of rare species is commonly limited due to lack of population estimates. By combining detections across surveys, we overcame estimation issues and obtained valuable information on a threatened carnivore, allowing us to better assess its status and prioritize conservation actions. We advocate for practical use of sparse datasets for such data‐deficient species.
Calcium‐sensing receptor gene polymorphism (rs7652589) is associated with calcium nephrolithiasis in the population of Yi nationality in Southwestern China
Authors: Li Hao , Zhang Jianhua , Long Jiang , Shi Jiarun , Luo Yuhui
Published: April 2018

The calcium‐sensing receptor (CaSR) gene plays an important role in regulating the Ca2+ balance and reducing the risk for calcium stones. In this study, we evaluated the association of CaSR polymorphisms with calcium nephrolithiasis in the population of Yi nationality in Southwestern China. Biochemical variables were evaluated in 624 calcium nephrolithiasis patients and 470 age‐matched healthy controls without a history of nephrolithiasis. CaSR polymorphisms rs7652589, rs1501899, rs1801725 (Ala986Ser), rs1042636 (Arg990Gly) and rs1801726 (Gln1011Glu) were investigated between the calcium nephrolithiasis patients and healthy controls, using direct sequencing. Compared with the healthy controls, serum creatinine and 24‐hour urine calcium levels were significantly higher in calcium nephrolithiasis patients. Among these five polymorphisms, the genotypic and allelic frequency distributions of rs7652589 SNP was significantly associated with the risk of calcium nephrolithiasis. However, there were no genotypic or allelic distribution differences for rs1501899, rs1801725, rs1042636, and rs1801726 polymorphisms between calcium nephrolithiasis patients and healthy controls. Moreover, the association between rs7652589 SNP genotypes and the biochemical variables was not found. Our study showed that CaSR rs7652589 polymorphism had a significant effect on the risk of developing calcium nephrolithiasis in the population of Yi nationality in Southwestern China.
Successful Practice Transitioning Between Hemodialysis and Hemodiafiltration in Outpatient Units: Ten Key Issues for Physicians to Remember
Authors: Fülöp Tibor , Tapolyai Mihály B. , Zsom Lajos , Molnar Miklos Z. , Abdul Salim Sohail , Újhelyi László , Becs Gergely , Balla József , Hamrahian Mehrdad
Published: April 2018

Hemodiafiltration (HDF) during chronic renal replacement therapy (RRT) is a relatively new practice phenomenon, emerging over the last two decades. While the technological platforms utilized during chronic RRT are in many cases similar or effectively identical to conventional hemodialysis (HD), significant differences may emerge in daily practice. Several authors of this review moved practice site between the United States and the European Union and transitioned from an HD‐based practice to predominantly HDF‐practicing networks. In doing so, we became keenly aware of the potential pitfalls nephrologists may be facing during such transitions. This brief review is intended to provide a succinct overview of several practical concerns and complications nephrologists may encounter in daily practice of end‐stage renal disease care, including but not limited to management of electrolytes, renal anemia and treatment goals and settings during HDF.
In Vitro Hemodynamic Evaluation of ECG‐Synchronized Pulsatile Flow Using i‐Cor Pump as Short‐Term Cardiac Assist Device for Neonatal and Pediatric Population
Authors: Force Madison , Moroi Morgan , Wang Shigang , Kunselman Allen R. , Ündar Akif
Published: April 2018

The objective of this study was to assess the hemodynamic properties of the i‐cor ECG‐synchronized cardiac assist system for off‐label use as a short‐term cardiac assist device for neonatal and pediatric patients and compare nonpulsatile to pulsatile flow with different amplitudes. The circuit consisted of the i‐cor diagonal pump with 3 feet of ¼ inch arterial and venous tubing and a soft‐shell reservoir, primed with lactated Ringer's solution and human packed red blood cells (hematocrit 42%). Trials were conducted with three different sets of cannulas (8‐Fr arterial 10‐Fr venous, 10‐Fr arterial 12 Fr‐venous, and 12‐Fr arterial 14‐Fr venous) with increasing flow rates at varying pseudo‐patient pressures (40, 60, 80, and 100 mm Hg) and under nonpulsatile mode and pulsatile mode with pulsatile amplitudes 2000, 2500, and 3000 rpm at 36°C. Pressure and flow waveforms were recorded using a custom‐made data acquisition device for each trial. Energy equivalent pressure (EEP) was higher than mean pressure under pulsatile mode, and increased with increasing pseudo‐patient's pressure and flow rate while EEP was the same as the mean pressure under nonpulsatile mode. Total hemodynamic energy (THE) levels increased with pressure and pulsatile amplitude and slightly decreased with increasing flow rate. The percent THE lost throughout the circuit increased with flow rate and pulsatile amplitude and decreased with pseudo‐patient's pressure. SHE levels also increased with pseudo‐patient pressure and pulsatile amplitude and decreased with increasing flow rate. The i‐cor diagonal pump can be used as a short term cardiac assist device for neonatal and pediatric patients and is able to provide nonpulsatile as well as pulsatile flow. Compared with nonpulsatile flow, pulsatile flow can generate and deliver more hemodynamic energy to the patients.
Diabetic macular oedema: under‐represented in the genetic analysis of diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Broadgate Suzanne , Kiire Christine , Halford Stephanie , Chong Victor
Published: April 2018

Diabetic retinopathy, a complication of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, is a complex disease and is one of the leading causes of blindness in adults worldwide. It can be divided into distinct subclasses, one of which is diabetic macular oedema. Diabetic macular oedema can occur at any time in diabetic retinopathy and is the most common cause of vision loss in patients with type 2 diabetes. The purpose of this review is to summarize the large number of genetic association studies that have been performed in cohorts of patients with type 2 diabetes and published in English‐language journals up to February 2017. Many of these studies have produced positive associations with gene polymorphisms and diabetic retinopathy. However, this review highlights that within this large body of work, studies specifically addressing a genetic association with diabetic macular oedema, although present, are vastly under‐represented. We also highlight that many of the studies have small patient numbers and that meta‐analyses often inappropriately combine patient data sets. We conclude that there will continue to be conflicting results and no meaningful findings will be achieved if the historical approach of combining all diabetic retinopathy disease states within patient cohorts continues in future studies. This review also identifies several genes that would be interesting to analyse in large, well‐defined cohorts of patients with diabetic macular oedema in future candidate gene association studies.
Non‐destructive allometric estimates of above‐ground and below‐ground biomass of high‐mountain vegetation in the Andes
Authors: Cabrera Marian , Samboni‐Guerrero Viviana , Duivenvoorden Joost F.
Published: April 2018

Aim

Studies that monitor high‐mountain vegetation, such as paramo grasslands in the Andes, lack non‐destructive biomass estimation methods. We aimed to develop and apply allometric models for above‐ground, below‐ground and total biomass of paramo plants.

Location

The paramo of southern Colombia between 1°09′N and 077°50′W, at 3,400 and 3,700 m a.s.l.

Methods

We established 61 1‐m2 plots at random locations, excluding disturbed, inaccessible and peat bog areas. We measured heights and basal diameters of all vascular plants in these plots and classified them into seven growth forms. Near each plot, we sampled the biomass from plants of abundant genera, after having measured their height and basal diameter. Hence, we measured the biomass of 476 plants (allometric set). For each growth form we applied power‐law functions to develop allometric models of biomass against basal diameter, height, height x basal diameter and height × basal area. The best models were selected using AICc weights. Using the observed and predicted plant biomass of the allometric set we calculated absolute percentage errors using cross‐validation. The biomass of a plot was estimated by summing the predicted biomass of all plants in a plot. Confidence limits around these sums were calculated by bootstrapping.

Results

For groups of <20 plants the biomass predictions yielded large (>15%) errors. Applying groups that resembled the 1‐m2 plots in density and composition, the errors for above‐ground and total biomass estimates were <15%. Across all plots, we obtained an above‐ground, below‐ground and total plot biomass of 329 ± 190, 743 ± 486 and 1011 ± 627 g/m2 (mean ± SD), respectively. These values were within the range of biomass estimates obtained destructively in the tropical Andes.

Conclusions

In new applications, if target vegetation samples are similar regarding growth forms and genera to our allometric set, their biomass might be predicted applying our equations, provided they contain at least 50–100 plants. In other situations, we would recommend gathering additional biomass measurements from local plants to evaluate new regression equations.
‘Travestido, Transformado, Definitivamente Distinto’? Transgenericidad and Gender Trouble in Leonardo Padura's Máscaras
Authors: PEATE AILSA M.
Published: April 2018

This article considers how Máscaras (1995), the third novel in Cuban author Leonardo Padura's post‐Soviet detective fiction series Las cuatro estaciones, transforms the genre. This article argues that at once using and subverting US tenets of noir, the author successfully transfigures archetypes of form and content, in particular commenting on the figure of the Hombre Nuevo. The article discusses Máscaras as an example of a trans‐genre/transgenericidad: the novel demonstrates how postmodern symptoms such as self‐awareness and metanarrativity, deviant from the archetypal crime genre, reinforce and inform notions of fluid and performative representations of bodies and sexualities in Cuba.
INEQUALITY AVERSION CAUSES EQUAL OR UNEQUAL DIVISION IN ALTERNATING‐OFFER BARGAINING
Authors: Kohler Stefan , Schlag Karl H.
Published: April 2018

A solution to Rubinstein (1982)'s open‐ended, alternating‐offer bargaining problem for two equally patient bargainers who exhibit similar degrees of inequality aversion is presented. Inequality‐averse bargainers may experience envy if they are worse off, and guilt if they are better off, but they still reach agreement in the first period under complete information. If the guilt felt is strong, then the inequality‐averse bargainers split a pie of size one equally regardless of their degree of envy. If the guilt experienced is weak, then the agreed split is tilted away from the Rubinstein division towards a more unequal split whenever the degree of envy is smaller than the discounted degree of guilt. Envy and weak guilt have opposite effects on the equilibrium division of the pie, and envy has a greater marginal impact than weak guilt. Equally inequality‐averse bargainers agree on the Rubinstein division if the degree of envy equals the discounted degree of guilt. As both bargainers' sensation of inequality aversion diminishes, the bargaining outcome converges to the Rubinstein division.
The selective mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist eplerenone prevents decompensation of the liver in cirrhosis
Authors: Schreier Barbara , Wolf Anja , Hammer Stefanie , Pohl Sabine , Mildenberger Sigrid , Rabe Sindy , Gekle Michael , Zipprich Alexander
Published: April 2018

Background and Purpose

The mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) contributes to fibrosis in various tissues, and MR antagonists, like eplerenone, are used to prevent fibrosis. The role of MR antagonists in hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis is unknown. Here, we investigated the role of MRs and eplerenone in cirrhosis development.

Experimental Approach

Liver fibrosis (5 weeks) and cirrhosis, without (8 weeks) and with ascites (12 weeks), were induced by CCl4 in rats and comprehensively analysed. The effect of eplerenone on the development of cirrhosis with ascites was assessed. MR expression, cellular and subcellular distribution and impact of hypoxia were investigated in vivo and ex vivo. Primary rat hepatocytes and cell lines were used to investigate MR trafficking and transcriptional activity mechanistically.

Key Results

In cirrhosis with ascites, MR mRNA and protein expressions were reduced in hepatocytes of hypoxic areas. While in normoxic areas MRs were mainly cytosolic, the remaining MRs in hypoxic areas were mainly localized in the nuclei, indicating activation followed by translocation and degradation. Accordingly, eplerenone treatment prevented nuclear MR translocation and the worsening of cirrhosis. Exposing hepatocytes ex vivo to hypoxia induced nuclear MR translocation and enhanced transcriptional MR activity at response elements of the NF‐κB pathway.

Conclusions and Implications

We showed for the first time that hypoxia leads to a pathogenetic ligand‐independent activation of hepatic MRs during cirrhosis resulting in their nuclear translocation and transcriptional activation of the NF‐κB pathway. Treatment with eplerenone prevented the worsening of cirrhosis by blocking this ligand‐independent activation of the MR.
Stromal immunoglobulin κC expression is associated with initiation of breast cancer in TA2 mice and human breast cancer
Authors: Zhang Shiwu , Fei Fei , Wang Hua , Gu Yanjun , Li Chunyuan , Wang Xinlu , Zhao Yongjie , Li Yuwei
Published: April 2018

The initiation of spontaneous breast cancer (SBC) in Tientsin Albino 2 (TA2) mice is related to mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) infection, and MMTV amplification is hormonally regulated. To explore the insertion site of MMTVLTR in TA2 mouse genome, reverse PCR and nested PCR were used to amplify the unknown sequence on both sides of the MMTV‐LTRSAG gene in SBC and normal breast tissue of TA2 mice. Furthermore, the clinicopathological significance of the insertion site was evaluated in 43 samples of normal breast tissue, 46 samples of breast cystic hyperplasia, 54 samples of ductal carcinoma in situ, 142 samples of primary breast cancer and 47 samples of lymph node metastatic breast cancer by RNA in situ hybridization. We confirmed that the insertion site of the MMTV‐LTRSAG gene was located between Igκv2‐112 and Igκv14‐111 in chromosome 6 of TA2 mouse. IGκC was localized in the stromal cells of TA2 mouse with SBC and in human breast cancer tissues. Tumor cells were negative for IGκC in RNA in situ hybridization. The positive staining index of IGκC in stromal cells was the highest in lymph node metastatic breast cancer, followed by primary breast cancer, ductal carcinoma in situ, and breast cystic hyperplasia. Furthermore, the positive staining index of IGκC was related to the expression of ER, PR, HER2 and Ki‐67. Our findings showed that stromal IGκC expression was associated with the initiation of SBC in TA2 mice. IGκC may be a high‐risk factor for the initiation and progression of human breast cancer.
Phase 2a, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, multicentre, parallel‐group study of an H4R‐antagonist (JNJ‐39758979) in adults with uncontrolled asthma
Authors: Kollmeier A. P. , Greenspan A. , Xu X. L. , Silkoff P. E. , Barnathan E. S. , Loza M. J. , Jiang J. , Zhou B. , Chen B. , Thurmond R. L.
Published: April 2018

Background

The effects of H4R antagonists in preclinical asthma models support the study of antagonists of the H4R in the treatment of asthma in humans. JNJ‐39758979 is a potent and highly selective oral H4R antagonist.

Objective

We sought to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the H4R‐antagonist JNJ‐39758979 in adult patients with uncontrolled asthma.

Methods

One hundred and fifteen eligible patients were randomly assigned to JNJ‐39758979 300 mg or placebo once daily for 12 weeks in this phase 2a, double‐blind, multicenter, placebo‐controlled study. Primary efficacy was assessed via week‐12 change from baseline in pre‐bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1). Secondary efficacy assessments included patient‐reported outcome (PRO) asthma assessments (Asthma Daily Diary data [AM and PM peak expiratory flow rate, number of puffs of albuterol/salbutamol, the presence of nocturnal awakenings and asthma symptom score]).

Results

The study did not meet the primary end‐point. However, nominally significant improvements in pre‐bronchodilator FEV1 were observed with JNJ‐39758979 versus placebo at week 12 in pre‐specified subgroups with elevated exhaled nitric oxide, sputum eosinophils or blood eosinophils at baseline. Nominally significant improvements across PRO assessments were consistently observed in the overall population, as well as in eosinophilic subgroups. Safety, such as adverse event rates, was comparable between JNJ‐39758979 and placebo. No serious adverse events were reported. No clinically relevant changes in laboratory values were observed.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

The findings suggest potential benefit of H4R antagonists on lung function and asthma control in eosinophilic asthma patients and warrant further evaluation of this mechanism in asthma with eosinophilic inflammation. NCT00946569.
Low incidence of heparin‐induced skin lesions in orthopedic surgery patients with low‐molecular‐weight heparins
Authors: Schindewolf M. , Paulik M. , Kroll H. , Kaufmann R. , Wolter M. , Boehncke W.‐H. , Lindhoff‐Last E. , Recke A. , Ludwig R. J.
Published: April 2018

Background

Heparins are widely prescribed for prevention and therapy of arterial and venous thromboembolic diseases. Heparin‐induced skin lesions are the most frequent adverse effect of subcutaneous heparin treatment in non‐surgical patients (7.5%‐39.8%); no data exist on surgical patients. Commonly, they are due to a delayed‐type hypersensitivity reaction (DTH), but may also be a manifestation of life‐threatening heparin‐induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). Lesions of both entities resemble initially. The risk of HIT is highest among heparin‐anticoagulated orthopedic surgery patients.

Objective

To determine incidence and causes of heparin‐induced skin lesions in major orthopedic surgery patients.

Methods

In a prospective cohort study, consecutive patients with subcutaneous low‐molecular‐weight heparin (LMWH) treatment were examined for cutaneous adverse effects. Further diagnostics (skin biopsy, clinical/laboratory assessment for thrombosis, bleeding, HIT, cross‐allergies) were performed.

Results

Six of 316 enrolled patients (1.9%; 95% CI: 0.4%‐3.4%) developed heparin‐induced skin lesions. All were caused by a DTH reaction, and none was due to HIT or other rare heparin‐associated skin diseases. Therapeutic use (dosage) of LMWH was identified as only risk factor (odds ratio: 3.1, 95% CI: 1.4‐4.9; P = .00141). In addition to DTH, 5 thromboembolic, 4 major bleeding complications but no cases of HIT or cross‐allergies were observed.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

Orthopedic surgery patients have—unlike non‐surgical patients—a low risk for heparin‐induced skin lesions during LMWH treatment; all lesions were due to a DTH reaction. The risk for DTH differs considerably between individual patient cohorts. No association with HIT was observed. These data help to tailor anticoagulatory treatment individually and to increase patient safety.
Mortality data from the European Adrenal Insufficiency Registry—Patient characterization and associations
Authors: Quinkler Marcus , Ekman Bertil , Zhang Pinggao , Isidori Andrea M. , Murray Robert D. ,   on behalf of the EU‐AIR Investigators
Published: April 2018

Objective

Mortality from primary and secondary adrenal insufficiency (AI; PAI and SAI, respectively) is 2‐3‐fold higher than in the general population. Mortality relates to cardiovascular disease, acute adrenal crisis (AC), cancer and infections; however, there has been little further characterization of patients who have died.

Design/Methods

We analysed real‐world data from 2034 patients (801 PAI, 1233 SAI) in the European Adrenal Insufficiency Registry (EU‐AIR; NCT01661387). Baseline clinical and biochemical data of patients who subsequently died were compared with those who remained alive.

Results

From August 2012 to June 2017, 26 deaths occurred (8 PAI, 18 SAI) from cardiovascular disease (n = 9), infection (n = 4), suicide (n = 2), drug‐induced hepatitis (n = 2), and renal failure, brain tumour, cachexia and AC (each n = 1); cause of death was unclear in 5 patients. Patients who died were significantly older at baseline than alive patients. Causes of AI were representative of patients with SAI; however, 3‐quarters of deceased patients with PAI had undergone bilateral adrenalectomy (3 with uncontrolled Cushing's disease, 3 with metastatic renal cell cancer). There were no significant differences in body mass index, blood pressure, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol or electrolytes between deceased and alive patients. Deceased patients with SAI were more frequently male individuals, were receiving higher daily doses of hydrocortisone (24.0 ± 7.6 vs 19.3 ± 5.7 mg, P = .0016) and experienced more frequent ACs (11.1 vs 2.49/100 patient‐years, P = .0389) than alive patients.

Conclusions

This is the first study to provide detailed characteristics of deceased patients with AI. Older, male patients with SAI and frequent AC had a high mortality risk.
Hypogonadism and male obesity: Focus on unresolved questions
Authors: Grossmann Mathis
Published: April 2018

Obesity, increasing in prevalence globally, is the clinical condition most strongly associated with lowered testosterone concentrations in men and presents as one of the strongest predictors of receiving testosterone treatment. While low circulating total testosterone concentrations in modest obesity primarily reflect reduced concentrations of sex hormone binding globulin, more marked obesity can lead to genuine hypothalamic‐pituitary‐testicular axis (HPT) suppression. HPT axis suppression is likely mediated via pro‐inflammatory cytokine and dysregulated leptin signalling and aggravated by associated comorbidities. Whether oestradiol‐mediated negative hypothalamic‐pituitary feedback plays a pathogenic role requires further study. Although the obesity‐hypogonadism relationship is bidirectional, the effects of obesity on testosterone concentrations are more substantial than the effects of testosterone on adiposity. In markedly obese men submitted to bariatric surgery, substantial weight loss is very effective in reactivating the HPT axis. In contrast, lifestyle measures are less effective in reducing weight and generally only associated with modest increases in circulating testosterone. In randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs), testosterone treatment does not reduce body weight, but modestly reduces fat mass and increases muscle mass. Short‐term studies have shown that testosterone treatment in carefully selected obese men may have modest benefits on symptoms of androgen deficiency and body composition even additive to diet alone. However, longer term, larger RCTs designed for patient‐important outcomes and potential risks are required. Until such trials are available, testosterone treatment cannot be routinely recommended for men with obesity‐associated nonclassical hypogonadism. Lifestyle measures or where indicated bariatric surgery to achieve weight loss, and optimization of comorbidities remain first line.
Ghrelin as a potential molecular marker of adrenal carcinogenesis: In vivo and in vitro evidence
Authors: Komarowska Hanna , Rucinski Marcin , Tyczewska Marianna , Sawicka‐Gutaj Nadia , Szyszka Marta , Hernik Aleksandra , Klimont Anna , Milecka Paulina , Migasiuk Laura , Biczysko Mateusz , Idasiak‐Piechocka Ilona , Karczewski Marek , Ruchala Marek
Published: April 2018

Context

Adrenal tumours belong to one of the most prevalent neoplasms. It is a heterogeneous group with different aetiology, clinical manifestation and prognosis. Its histopathologic diagnosis is difficult and identification of differentiation markers for tumorigenesis is extremely valuable for diagnosis.

Design

To assess ghrelin expression and the relationship among ghrelin, IGF2 and the clinicopathological characteristics of adrenal tumours. To investigate the influence of ghrelin on ACC cell line proliferation.

Materials and methods

Expression of ghrelin and IGF2 in a total of 84 adrenal tissue samples (30 adenoma, 12 hyperplasia, 8 myelolipoma, 20 pheochromocytoma, 7 carcinoma and 7 unchanged adrenal glands) were estimated. Every operated patient from whom samples were obtained underwent clinicopathological analysis. All the parameters were compared among the groups examined and correlations between these were estimated.

H295R cell line was incubated with ghrelin to assess its effect on proliferation and migration rate.

Results

The highest ghrelin expression was observed in carcinoma samples and the lowest in the control group. Ghrelin expression was 21 times higher in carcinoma (P = .017) and 2.4 times higher in adenoma (P = .029) compared with controls. There were no statistically significant differences between myelolipoma (P = .093) and pheochromocytoma (P = .204) relative to the control. Ghrelin level was significantly higher in carcinoma compared to adenoma (P = .049) samples. A positive correlation between ghrelin and IGF2 expression was observed only in myelolipoma (P = .001).

Ghrelin at concentrations of 1 × 10−6 mol/L and 1 × 10−8 mol/L significantly stimulated proliferation and migration rate in the H295R cell line.

Conclusion

Ghrelin appears to be an essential factor in driving adrenal tumours development.
Missing Structure: A Critical Content Analysis of the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program
Authors: Temko Ezra
Published: April 2018

School bullying is dominantly understood as an individualistic phenomenon, overlooking the sociostructural environment that creates and maintains it. A critical content analysis reveals that the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program is similarly lacking. The programme labels students as bullies and victims, ascribes these groups’ particular character traits, sidelines issues of bias and at times reproduces norms that foster bullying. The programme hyperfocuses on real‐time manifestations of bullying incidents, attempting to end bullying through universal monitoring of students and student compliance with anti‐bullying rules. It is argued that efforts to reduce school bullying should address both its individualistic and structural determinants.