bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of integrated antenatal care implementation in primary health care
Authors: Afrizal Sandra Hakiem , Hidayanto Achmad Nizar , Handayani Putu Wuri , Besral Besral , Martha Evi , Markam Hosizah , Budiharsana Meiwita , Eryando Tris
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This study was aimed to evaluate the implementation of an integrated antenatal care (ANC) scheme through a retrospective document study using a checklist for measuring the adequacy of the cohort ANC register documented by midwives in an urban area and to describe the barriers for the midwives during the ANC record process.

Design/methodology/approach

An exploratory descriptive study using a sequential mixed method was utilised where a quantitative method was employed by collecting secondary data of 150 entries of the cohort ANC register and followed by in-depth interviews among midwives and community health workers.

Findings

The results show that the cohort registry indicators for integrated care such as laboratory and management were poorly recorded. Several barriers were found and categorised during the implementation of the integrated ANC, namely (1) governance and strategy, (2) process of care, (3) organisation and management support.

Research limitations/implications

The contribution of this present research is that it provides empirical data of the integrated ANC implementation in primary health care (PHC) which has the responsibility to deliver an integrated level of care for ANC using a cohort registry for pregnancy registration monitoring which facilitates the continuity and quality of care.

Practical implications

Practical implication of the finding is that functional integration such as the clinical information system to facilitate an efficient and effective approach during the implementation of integrated ANC in primary care should be considered to support the clinical, professional, organisational, system and normative integration.

Originality/value

Since only limited studies have been conducted to assess the quality of the cohort ANC registry and to investigate the barriers against integrated ANC implementation in Indonesia, the research findings are valuable information for the national and local governments to improve the ANC service in Indonesia.
Compulsory purchase and the state redistribution of land
Authors: Mitchell Edward
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The compulsory purchase of land forms the subject of much legal and urban regeneration research. However, there has been little examination of the contractual arrangements between local authorities and private sector property developers that often underpin the compulsory purchase process. This paper aims to examine local authority/private developer contractual behaviour in this context.

Design/methodology/approach

An empirical examination of property development contracts made for the “Silver Hill” project in Winchester, a small city in southern England, and the Brent Cross shopping centre extension in north London. Drawing on Macneil’s (1983) relational contract theory, the paper analyses key contract terms and reviews local authority documentation related to the implementation of those terms.

Findings

The contracts had two purposes as follows: to provide a development and investment opportunity through the compulsory purchase and redistribution of private land; and to grant the private developers participating in the projects freedom to choose if they wished to take up that opportunity. While the contracts look highly “relational”, the scope for flexibility and reciprocity is both carefully planned and tightly controlled. This exposes an asymmetric power imbalance that emerges in and is rearticulated by this type of contractual arrangement.

Originality/value

The empirical analysis of contract terms and contractual behaviour provides a rare opportunity to scrutinise the local authority-private developer relationship underpinning both property development practice and compulsory purchase.
Get Give Make Live
Authors: Toscher Ben , Dahle Yngve , Steinert Martin
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This study aims to explore the motivations and business ideation processes of 776 entrepreneurs from three diverse cohorts of technology, youth and arts entrepreneurs.

Design/methodology/approach

Using an inductive approach inspired by grounded theory, observations resultant from the use of a Web-based digital test environment are openly coded, in which 776 individual entrepreneurs have stated their objectives for engaging in entrepreneurship and performed a business ideation process.

Findings

The study inductively derives a typology of objectives types – “GET GIVE MAKE LIVE” – and finds that beyond the pursuit of profitable opportunities, there is considerable variation, complexity and combinations to the reasons why individuals engage in entrepreneurship. A total of 76 percent of the population in this study have more than one objective, with 48% having more than one type of objective. While the arts entrepreneurs tended to engage in entrepreneurship to “LIVE” and the tech entrepreneurs were more inclined to “GET,” the most frequently observed objective type in all cohorts was to “MAKE.” A total of 74 percent of the entrepreneurs took an effectual approach and began defining their business idea with their core competency, yet technology entrepreneurs were the most likely to start by defining their key market.

Practical implications

Entrepreneurship educators, trainers and helpers should refrain from a standardized approach which assumes that entrepreneurs share the same set of singular motivations. Interventions might benefit from a student-centered program which promotes reflection and articulation of the entrepreneurs’ objectives and their diversity.

Originality/value

This study answers the call for research to embrace entrepreneurial diversity and compliment previous explorations of entrepreneurs’ motivations through an empirically grounded study of three diverse cohorts of entrepreneurs.
Impact of international tourism receipts on public revenue in developed and developing countries
Authors: Gnangnon Sena Kimm
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate empirically how international tourism receipts influence public revenue, in particular non-resource revenue.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis relies on an unbalanced panel of 156 countries (including both developed and developing countries) over the period 1995-2015. The empirical analysis uses the two-step system generalized methods of moments estimator.

Findings

The empirical results show that international tourism receipts exert a positive and significant impact on non-resource tax revenue. In addition, this effect increases as countries' development levels rise, which signifies that in terms of non-resource tax revenue, an increase in international tourism receipts benefit much more to advanced economies than to less advanced economies.

Research limitations/implications

These findings call for governments notably in developing countries to develop the tourism sector and concurrently to strengthen tax administrations (and possibly design appropriate tax policy for the tourism sector) to derive the full advantage in terms of public revenue from the rise in international tourism receipts.

Practical implications

The analysis highlights the importance of international tourism receipts for public revenue. This would help scholars and policymakers have a clearer view, at least in terms of magnitude, on the impact of international tourism receipts on non-resource tax revenue.

Originality/value

To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is first the study that investigates this topic.
The Impact of Governmental Intervention on the Association Between Initial Public Offering and Future Stock Issuance
Authors: Gounopoulos Dimitrios , Guney Yilmaz , Leng Jingsi , Patsika Victoria
Published: March 2020

We examine the effect of initial public offering (IPO) characteristics on seasoned equity offering (SEO) decisions in relation to governmental intervention in China. Our results confirm the process of underpriced IPOs in promoting earlier and larger SEOs in the Chinese context. The study examines three channels through which the Chinese government intervenes in equity issuance activities, namely state ownership, politically connected executives and economic development areas. We find that the connection between IPOs and SEOs becomes less apparent in government‐intervened firms. We attribute these results to the conflict between the state and minority shareholders, which leads to high uncertainty and risk in government‐intervened firms.
Multispectral imaging for predicting the water status in mushroom during hot‐air dehydration
Authors: Younas Shoaib , Liu Changhong , Qu Hao , Mao Yu , Liu Wei , Wei Liyang , Yan Ling , Zheng Lei
Published: March 2020

In‐depth understanding of the shifting of water status during dehydration is crucial for obtaining better quality of dried food. In this work, we report a nondestructive method to measure the water status in hot‐air dried mushroom via multispectral imaging (MSI) technology combined with chemometric methods. The low‐field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF‐NMR) measurements were performed as reference. During drying process, the moisture content changed dramatically with notable migration and conversion of different water phases. Partial least squares (PLS), back propagation neural network (BPNN), and least squares‐support vector machine (LS‐SVM) models were applied to develop quantitative models. Among all, BPNN model showed considerably better performance of prediction with coefficient of determination R2c = 0.9829, R2p = 0.9639. The results demonstrated that MSI technology combined with chemometric methods is an impressive approach for determination of the water status in hot‐air dried mushrooms, which would facilitate infield of food processing by providing applicable and appropriate platform.

Practical Application

Experimental investigation of different water status during food processing. Assessment of the potential of multispectral imaging to predict water status. Usage of novel measurement method for food processors.
Antioxidant, α‐amylase and α‐glucosidase activity of various solvent fractions of I. obliquus and the preventive role of active fraction against H2O2 induced damage in hepatic L02 cells as fungisome
Authors: Gao Xudong , Santhanam Ramesh Kumar , Xue Zihan , Jia Yanan , Wang Yajie , Lu Yangpeng , Phisalaphong Muenduen , Chen Haixia
Published: March 2020

Inonotus obliquus is a traditional mushroom well known for its therapeutic value. In this study, various solvent fractions of I. obliquus were preliminarily screened for their antioxidant, α‐amylase and α‐glucosidase inhibition properties. To improve the drug delivery, the active fraction (ethyl acetate fraction) of I. obliquus was synthesized into fungisome (ethyl acetate phophotidyl choline complex, EAPC) and its physical parameters were assessed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), Scanning electron microscope (SEM), and ς potential analysis. Then normal human hepatic L02 cells was used to evaluate the cytotoxicity of EAPC. The results showed that EA fraction possesses significant free radical scavenging, α‐amylase and α‐glucosidase inhibition properties. FTIR, SEM, and HPLC analysis confirmed the fungisome formation. The particle size of EAPC was 102.80 ± 0.42 nm and the ς potential was −54.30 ± 0.61 mV. The percentage of drug entrapment efficiency was 97.13% and the drug release rates of EAPC in simulated gastric fluid and simulated intestinal fluid were 75.04 ± 0.29% and 93.03 ± 0.36%, respectively. EAPC was nontoxic to L02 cells, however it could selectively fight against the H2O2 induced oxidative damage in L02 cells. This is the first study to provide scientific information to utilize the active fraction of I. obliquus as fungisome.

Practical Applications

Inonotus obliquus (IO) is a traditional medicinal fungus. The extracts of IO have obvious antioxidant and hypoglycemic activities. Ethyl acetate (EA) fraction of IO was encapsulated in liposomes to form EAPC. EAPC has a sustained‐release effect. It has nontoxic to L02 cells and could protect L02 cells from oxidative damage caused by hydrogen peroxide. This study could provide new ideas for the treatment of diabetes.
‘Got together in a riotous and tumultous manner’: Crowds and the Palace of Westminster, c.1700‐1800
Authors: Eagles Robin
Published: March 2020

The old palace of Westminster was a porous complex of medieval buildings and later additions. At times such a heterogeneous agglomeration prompted concerns about guarding Parliament's privileged spaces. This was true for public events such as state trials held in Westminster Hall but also during moments of high political tension such as the Wilkeite disturbances and Gordon Riots. This article considers the topography of the palace and assesses the relative openness of this space, how this made Parliament vulnerable to crowds and to being crowded, and the measures taken to ensure the palace's security from internal and external pressures.
The role of the insula in internet gaming disorder
Authors: Turel Ofir , He Qinghua , Wei Lei , Bechara Antoine
Published: March 2020

Internet gaming disorder (IGD) is a concerning issue that requires further research. Here, we seek to examine its neural etiology with an emphasis on the role of the insula. To do so, we relied on the tripartite neurocognitive model of addictive behaviors as applied to IGD. We hypothesized that (a) video game cues will elicit stronger reward system activation and weaker prefrontal activation in gamers vs controls, (b) the IGD scores of gamers will be positively associated with activation of the reward system and negatively with activation of prefrontal regions, (c) deprivation from video gaming will result in increased activation of the insula, when gamers are exposed to video game cues vs to neutral cues, and (d) in deprivation conditions, there will be positive and negative coupling, respectively, between activation of the insula and the reward and prefrontal regions in gamers. We tested these hypotheses with a design with one between‐subjects factor (gamers vs controls) and two within‐subjects factors: stimuli (gaming vs neutral; for all participants) and session (deprivation vs satiety; only for gamers). Findings based on functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI; applied to all 52 subjects, 26 gamers, and 26 controls) and psychophysiological interaction (PPI; applied to the 26 gamers) engaged in a video reactivity task supported our assertions. The IGD score positively correlated with activity in the right ventral striatum and negatively with activity in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). Left insular cortex activity was the highest when observing video gaming cues under deprivation. Lastly, there was an increased coupling between the left insula and left ventral striatum and a decreased coupling with left DLPFC when observing video gaming cues compared with when watching control videos in the deprivation condition.
Stories behind the fortress: Stable isotope analysis and 14C dating of soldiers' remains from the Bayanbulag site, Mongolia
Authors: Zhou L. , Mijiddorj E.
Published: March 2020

Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis of 15 individuals buried closed to Bayanbulag site or the Shouxiangcheng fortress in southern Mongolia revealed complex dietary features. Only one individual had a diet similar to that of the pastoral population in northern China, while the others, who had varying carbon isotope values and low nitrogen values, might have been from different agricultural areas. 14C dating results suggest that the earliest interment could be much earlier than the building of Shouxiangcheng fortress recorded in Han texts. Analysis of the burial arrangement further confirmed that these deceased were not buried at the same time.
Smoking and snuff use in pregnancy and the risk of asthma and wheeze in pre–schoolchildren—A population‐based register study
Authors: Lundholm Cecilia , Gunnerbeck Anna , D'Onofrio Brian M , Larsson Henrik , Pershagen Göran , Almqvist Catarina
Published: March 2020

Background

Associations between tobacco smoking during pregnancy and offspring asthma have been observed, but the role of nicotine and familial factors remains unclear.

Objective

To estimate the association between tobacco use in pregnancy, both smoking and Swedish oral moist snuff, and asthma/wheeze in the offspring, how it varies by the child's age and explore the influence of measured and unmeasured familial confounding.

Methods

Register‐based cohort study with sibling comparisons. The cohort included 788 508 children, born in Sweden 2005‐2012 with information on maternal tobacco use in pregnancy, followed until December 2015. Asthma was based on a validated algorithm using asthma diagnoses from hospital visits and prescribed asthma drugs from nation‐wide registers, both as incident asthma/wheeze in age 0‐8 years and current asthma at ages 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 years.

Results

For smoking during pregnancy (SDP), we saw a pattern with higher hazard ratios for asthma/wheeze around ages 5 and 18 months. Snuff did not show the same pattern. For current asthma, we saw the strongest association at age 2 years (adjOR = 1.22, 95% CI: 1.17‐1.28), for snuff it was weaker (adjOR = 1.06, 95% CI: 0.96‐1.18). When using sibling controls, the estimates for SDP were clearly attenuated, albeit with wide confidence intervals.

Conclusion and clinical relevance

We saw an association between SDP and asthma at early age. The association with snuff was clearly weaker. The associations with SDP were attenuated when adjusting for measured and unmeasured familial factors shared by siblings. Based on those results, nicotine seems to have a limited role in the association between SDP and asthma; rather environmental tobacco smoke and other familial factors seem to explain observed associations.
Challenging diagnosis of two neoplasms, Langerhans cell histiocytosis and papillary thyroid carcinoma, from fine needle aspiration of the thyroid by cell‐block immunocytochemistry and molecular testing for BRAF V600E mutation
Authors: Zaidi Ariba , Gautam Upasana , Srinivasan Radhika , Bal Amanjit , Prakash Gaurav , Sood Ashwani
Published: March 2020

The coexistence of papillary thyroid carcinoma and Langerhans cvell histiocytosis is rare. The diagnosis of dual pathologies by FNA is extremely challenging. Demonstration of driver BRAF V600E mutation makes this case unique and demonstrates the successful application of ancillary techniques on FNA.
Segregation of caffeine reward and aversion in the rat nucleus accumbens shell versus core
Authors: Yee Mandy , Maal‐Bared Geith , Ting‐A‐Kee Ryan , Chwalek Michal , Mackay‐Clackett Isabel , Bergamini Michael , Grieder Taryn E. , van der Kooy Derek
Published: March 2020

Caffeine, the most commonly consumed psychoactive drug in the world, is readily available in dietary sources, including soft drinks, chocolate, tea and coffee. However, little is known about the neural substrates that underlie caffeine's rewarding and aversive properties and what ultimately leads us to seek or avoid caffeine consumption. Using male Wistar rats in a place conditioning procedure, we show that systemic caffeine at a low intraperitoneal dose of 2 mg/kg (or 100 µM injected directly into the rostral, but not caudal, portion of the ventral tegmental area) produced conditioned place preferences. By contrast, high doses of systemic caffeine at 10 and 30 mg/kg produced conditioned place aversions. These aversions were not recapitulated by a caffeine analog restricted to the periphery. Both caffeine reward and aversion were blocked by systemic D1‐like receptor antagonism using SCH23390, while systemic D2‐like receptor antagonism with eticlopride had smaller effects on caffeine motivation. Most important, we demonstrated that pharmacological blockade of dopamine receptors using α‐flupenthixol injected into the nucleus accumbens shell, but not core, blocked caffeine‐conditioned place preferences. Conversely, α‐flupenthixol injected into the nucleus accumbens core, but not shell, blocked caffeine‐conditioned place aversions. Thus, our findings reveal two dopamine‐dependent and functionally dissociable mechanisms for processing caffeine motivation, which are segregated between nucleus accumbens subregions. These data provide novel evidence for the roles of the nucleus accumbens subregions in mediating approach and avoidance behaviours for caffeine.
Neuroinflammation and depression: A review
Authors: Troubat Romain , Barone Pascal , Leman Samuel , Desmidt Thomas , Cressant Arnaud , Atanasova Boriana , Brizard Bruno , El Hage Wissam , Surget Alexandre , Belzung Catherine , Camus Vincent
Published: March 2020

Some recent clinical and preclinical evidence suggests that neuroinflammation is a key factor that interacts with the three neurobiological correlates of major depressive disorder: depletion of brain serotonin, dysregulation of the hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis and alteration of the continuous production of adult‐generated neurons in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus. This review discusses the main players in brain immunity as well as how inflammation interacts with the above three mechanisms. It is reported that kynurenine (KYN) pathway alteration in favour of its excitotoxic component and HPA axis dysregulation have the common effect of increasing extracellular glutamate levels and glutamate neurotransmission, which can impact hippocampal neurogenesis. This pathophysiological cascade appears to be triggered or sustained and reinforced by any chronic inflammatory condition involving increased circulating markers of inflammation that are able to cross the blood–brain barrier and activate microglia; it can also be the consequence of primary brain neuroinflammation, such as in neurodegenerative disorders with early manifestations that are frequently depressive symptoms. Further recent data indicate that primary microglial activation may also result from a direct impact of chronic stress on vascular function. The intricated dynamic crosstalk between neuroinflammation and other relevant neurobiological correlates of depression add to evidence that neuroinflammation may be a key therapeutic target for future therapeutic strategies in major depressive disorder.
The logic behind Quine's criterion of ontological commitment
Authors: Smid Jeroen
Published: March 2020

This article first explains why Quine took first‐order classical logic to be the only language in which we should formulate a theory or declarative statement to determine its ontological commitments. I then argue that Quineans cannot relax Quine's restriction to classical logic such thatanynonclassical logic may be used to uncover a theory's ontological commitments. The reason is that this leads to radical ontological relativism according to which the ontological commitments of a theory are relative to a logic. This is not a Quinean picture of ontology, but a Carnapian one. Finally, I consider whether Quineans can go beyond Quine by allowing for classical and plural logic, but no other logics. I claim that this is not possible because plural logic is not transparent: it allows for ontologically nonequivalent theories to be formulated such that they come out as ontologically equivalent.
Limits to wealth in the history of Western philosophy
Authors: Kramm Matthias , Robeyns Ingrid
Published: March 2020

In contemporary political philosophy, it has recently been proposed that upper limits should be put on individual wealth acquisition. In this article, we discuss the arguments made by canonical writers in the history of economic and political philosophy about ideas that can be considered prototypes of limitarianism. In contemporary discussions, a distinction has been made between intrinsic and non‐intrinsic limitarianism, whereby it has been doubted that, in present‐day pluralistic societies, the former can be justified. We have found proto‐limitarian claims or justifications for limitarianism in four moral domains: moral psychology, moral reasoning, virtue ethics and political morality. While in the present‐day context, the view that there should be an upper limit to wealth may sound much too radical, we show that throughout history, many influential philosophers made limitarian or proto‐limitarian claims, including many intrinsic arguments for wealth limitarianism. We end the article by outlining the implications of those historical insights for systematic contemporary discussions of limitarianism.
Intravenous thrombolysis for large vessel or distal occlusions presenting with mild stroke severity
Authors: Tsivgoulis G. , Goyal N. , Katsanos A. H. , Malhotra K. , Ishfaq M. F. , Pandhi A. , Frohler M. T. , Spiotta A. M. , Anadani M. , Psychogios M. , Maus V. , Siddiqui A. , Waqas M. , Schellinger P. D. , Groen M. , Krogias C. , Richter D. , Saqqur M. , Garcia‐Bermejo P. , Mokin M. , Leker R. , Cohen J. E. , Magoufis G. , Psychogios K. , Lioutas V. A. , Van Nostrand M. , Sharma V. K. , Paciaroni M. , Rentzos A. , Shoirah H. , Mocco J. , Nickele C. , Mitsias P. D. , Inoa V. , Hoit D. , Elijovich L. , Arthur A. S. , Alexandrov A. V.
Published: March 2020

Background and purpose

We investigated the effectiveness of intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) in acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) patients with large vessel or distal occlusions and mild neurological deficits, defined as National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores < 6 points.

Methods

The primary efficacy outcome was 3‐month functional independence (FI) [modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores 0–2] that was compared between patients with and without IVT treatment. Other efficacy outcomes of interest included 3‐month favorable functional outcome (mRS scores 0–1) and mRS score distribution at discharge and at 3 months. The safety outcomes comprised all‐cause 3‐month mortality, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), asymptomatic ICH and severe systemic bleeding.

Results

We evaluated 336 AIS patients with large vessel or distal occlusions and mild stroke severity (mean age 63 ± 15 years, 45% women). Patients treated with IVT (n = 162) had higher FI (85.6% vs. 74.8%, P = 0.027) with lower mRS scores at hospital discharge (P = 0.034) compared with the remaining patients. No differences were detected in any of the safety outcomes including symptomatic ICH, asymptomatic ICH, severe systemic bleeding and 3‐month mortality. IVT was associated with higher likelihood of 3‐month FI [odds ratio (OR), 2.19; 95% confidence intervals (CI), 1.09–4.42], 3‐month favorable functional outcome (OR, 1.99; 95% CI, 1.10–3.57), functional improvement at discharge [common OR (per 1‐point decrease in mRS score), 2.94; 95% CI, 1.67–5.26)] and at 3 months (common OR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.06–2.86) on multivariable logistic regression models adjusting for potential confounders, including mechanical thrombectomy.

Conclusions

Intravenous thrombolysis is independently associated with higher odds of improved discharge and 3‐month functional outcomes in AIS patients with large vessel or distal occlusions and mild stroke severity. IVT appears not to increase the risk of systemic or symptomatic intracranial bleeding.
Improving sustainable yield estimates for tropical reef fisheries
Authors: McClanahan Timothy R. , Azali Maxwell Kodia
Published: March 2020

Fishing sustainably is a fundamental problem in tropical regions where diverse fisheries and scarce fisheries information challenges efforts to make reliable estimates and associated policies. To improve evaluations and decisions, we compared the predictions of six surplus production models calibrated using various permutations of fisheries‐dependent data with a benchmark model. The benchmark model was built from fisheries‐independent estimates of r and K, tested against rates of change in Kenyan reef fisheries and found to be accurate. Comparisons with the benchmark model were made with fisheries‐dependent equilibrium and non‐equilibrium models, fixing or not fixing r and K, pooled versus site averaged solutions, and rising, falling, and pooled fishing effort over time. Evaluations indicate high variability in MMSY predictions and notable overestimates of MMSY (~75%) and effort (~210%) for Fox and Schaefer equilibrium models. Non‐equilibrium models had high failure rates (~25%) but successful fits performed better and indicated smaller overestimates (16%) for site‐level evaluations. The Pella–Tomlinson model was most accurate (MMSY = 5.6 ± 0.60 (SD) tonnes/km2/year) and best‐fit r‐K relationships also aligned well with ecoregional data on K and short‐term yields. Future efforts are advised to pool site data, use conservative recruitment values (z = 0.8), and collect data across times of both rising and falling effort. Recommended methods and subsequent adjustments of the benchmark model should improve local and ecoregional scale MMSYs. The benchmark model was calibrated to estimate MMSY in fished seascapes, but to conserve species with slower life histories, we suggest modifications to limit MMSYs to between 1.8 and 3.2 tonnes/km2/year.
Autism‐associated PTEN missense mutation leads to enhanced nuclear localization and neurite outgrowth in an induced pluripotent stem cell line
Authors: Wong Chi Wai , Wang Yubing , Liu Tian , Li Lisha , Cheung Stanley Kwok Kuen , Or Penelope Mei‐Yu , Cheng Alfred Sze‐Lok , Choy Kwong Wai , Burbach Johannes Peter Henri , Feng Bo , Chang Raymond Chuen Chung , Chan Andrew M.
Published: March 2020

Germline mutation in the PTEN gene is the genetic basis of PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome with the affected individuals harboring features of autism spectrum disorders. Characterizing a panel of 14 autism‐associated PTEN missense mutations revealed reduced protein stability, catalytic activity, and subcellular distribution. Nine out of 14 (64%) PTEN missense mutants had reduced protein expression with most mutations confined to the C2 domain. Selected mutants displayed enhanced polyubiquitination and shortened protein half‐life, but that did not appear to involve the polyubiquitination sites at lysine residues at codon 13 or 289. Analyzing their intrinsic lipid phosphatase activities revealed that 78% (11 out of 14) of these mutants had twofold to 10‐fold reduction in catalytic activity toward phosphatidylinositol phosphate substrates. Analyzing the subcellular localization of the PTEN missense mutants showed that 64% (nine out of 14) had altered nuclear‐to‐cytosol ratios with four mutants (G44D, H123Q, E157G, and D326N) showing greater nuclear localization. The E157G mutant was knocked‐in to an induced pluripotent stem cell line and recapitulated a similar nuclear targeting preference. Furthermore, iPSCs expressing the E157G mutant were more proliferative at the neural progenitor cell stage but exhibited more extensive dendritic outgrowth. In summary, the combination of biological changes in PTEN is expected to contribute to the behavioral and cellular features of this neurodevelopmental disorder.
Monitoring tropical forests under a functional perspective with satellite‐based vegetation optical depth
Authors: Vaglio Laurin Gaia , Vittucci Cristina , Tramontana Gianluca , Ferrazzoli Paolo , Guerriero Leila , Papale Dario
Published: March 2020

Monitoring ecosystem functions in forests is a priority in a climate change scenario, as climate‐induced events may initially alter the functions more than slow‐changing attributes, such as biomass. The ecosystem functional properties (EFPs) are quantities that characterize key ecosystem processes. They can be derived by point observations of gas and energy exchanges between the ecosystems and the atmosphere that are collected globally at FLUXNET flux tower sites and upscaled at ecosystem level. The properties here considered describe the ability of ecosystems to optimize the use of resources for carbon uptake. They represent functional forest information, are dependent on environmental drivers, linked to leaf traits and forest structure, and influenced by climate change effects. The ability of vegetation optical depth (VOD) to provide forest functional information is investigated using 2011–2014 satellite data collected by the Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity mission and using the EFPs as reference dataset. Tropical forests in Africa and South America were analyzed, also according to ecological homogeneous units. VOD jointly with water deficit information explained 93% and 87% of the yearly variability in both flux upscaled maximum gross primary productivity and light use efficiency functional properties, in Africa and South America forests respectively. Maps of the retrieved properties evidenced changes in forest functional responses linked to anomalous climate‐induced events during the study period. The findings indicate that VOD can support the flux upscaling process in the tropical range, affected by high uncertainty, and the detection of forest anomalous functional responses. Preliminary temporal analysis of VOD and EFP signals showed fine‐grained variability in periodicity, in signal dephasing, and in the strength of the relationships. In selected drier forest types, these satellite data could also support the monitoring of functional dynamics.
Hybrid organic‐inorganic Cu(II) iminoisonicotine@TiO2@Fe3O4 heterostructure as efficient catalyst for cross‐couplings
Authors: Adam Mohamed Shaker S. , Ullah Farman , Makhlouf Mohamed M.
Published: March 2020

Two novel mononuclear copper (II) complex catalysts were synthesized from a new tridentate iminoisonicotine ligand (HL) by coordination with Cu(II) ion, with (CuL@TiO2@Fe3O4) and without (CuL) immobilization on TiO2‐coated nanoparticles of Fe3O4. The ester moiety on the back of the ligand was utilized for immobilization on nanoparticles of Fe3O4. Both ligand and CuL complex were fully characterized by using alternative spectral techniques (nuclear magnetic resonance, infrared, ultraviolet‐visible and mass spectroscopy, and elemental analyses). Different analytical techniques were used to identify the structural feature and morphology of the immobilized copper catalyst (CuL@TiO2@Fe3O4) shell‐shell‐core system. The structural analysis revealed that the catalyst system is composed of both agglomerated nanospheres and deformed nanorods. Both copper catalysts, immobilized CuL@TiO2@Fe3O4 and un‐immobilized CuL were studied in heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysis, respectively, for Suzuki‐Miyaura (C–C) and Buchwald‐Hartwig (C–N) cross‐coupling reactions of various heteroaryl halides. Both catalysts showed good catalytic potential under the controlled optimal reaction conditions. In contrast to the homogeneous catalyst (CuL), the heterogeneous catalyst (CuL@TiO2@Fe3O4) showed slightly better catalytic performance. The characteristic obtains supported the catalytic potential of the current samples. Reusability/recycling of both catalysts was also investigated in C–C cross‐coupling reactions. It was found that the homogeneous catalyst (CuL) could be only recycled up to three times, whereas the heterogeneous one (CuL@TiO2@Fe3O4) could be reused up to seven times with good efficiency.
Characterization of Aquimarina hainanensis isolated from diseased mud crab Scylla serrata larvae in a hatchery
Authors: Midorikawa Yuki , Shimizu Tomohito , Sanda Tetsuya , Hamasaki Katsuyuki , Dan Shigeki , Lal Mohammad Tamrin Bin Mohamad , Kato Goshi , Sano Motohiko
Published: March 2020

Mass mortality due to necrosis signs occurred in hatchery‐reared zoea stage larvae of the mud crab Scylla serrata in Okinawa, Japan, and a causative bacterium was isolated. In this study, we identified and characterized the bacterium by genome analysis, biochemical properties and pathogenicity. The bacterium was a Gram‐negative, non‐motile, long rod, forming yellow colonies on a marine agar plate. It grew at 20–33°C (not at 37°C) and degraded chitin and gelatin. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence identified the bacterium as Aquimarina hainanensis. Genome sequence data obtained from Illumina MiSeq generated 29 contigs with 3.56 Mbp in total length and a G + C content of 32.5%. The predicted 16 chitinase genes, as putative virulence factors, had certain homologies with those of genus Aquimarina. Experimental infection with the bacterium conducted on larvae of four crustacean species, brine shrimp Artemia franciscana, freshwater shrimp Caridina multidentata, swimming crab Portunus trituberculatus and mud crab S. serrata, revealed that this bacterium was highly virulent to these species. The present study suggests that the bacterium caused mass mortality in mud crab seed production was A. hainanensis and can be widely pathogenic to crustaceans.
Experimental energy‐exergy performance and kinetics analyses of compact dual‐mode heat pump drying of food chips
Authors: Singh Akhilesh , Sarkar Jahar , Sahoo Rashmi Rekha
Published: March 2020

Batch‐type heat pump dryer operating in both closed and open‐cycle modes with improved tray design is developed to investigate the energetic and exergetic performances, and drying kinetics of banana and potato chips. Effects of drying time on various performances and drying kinetic parameters are presented. Coefficient of performance of heat pump as well as whole system is higher for open‐cycle mode. Higher specific moisture extraction rate is obtained as 1.248 kg/kWh for closed cycle drying of banana chips. Drying efficiency is also found higher for the closed cycle. The specific energy consumption is lower (0.8 kWh/kg) in closed system drying for banana. Total exergy destruction is found higher for the closed system. Mass transfer coefficient and moisture diffusivity are better for the closed system. On the basis of studied performance parameters, the closed system drying is found better than the open system drying in humid and hot ambient conditions.

Practical Applications

This study develops a heat pump dryer (HPD) operated with both closed and open‐cycle modes, which can control the air recirculation to provide optimum main drying parameters to get the best drying performance. The novelty of this study is twofold: controlling of air recirculation to get optimum condition and improved design of trays in drying cabinet for best possible air distribution to get maximum SMER (the obtained SMER value is more than the reported SMER values of other developed prototypes available in the literature). The results have been evaluated to provide better information about the benefits of varying air recirculation in the HPD system. Drying kinetic has also been determined experimentally, which will be helpful for modeling potato and banana drying. This study will help to develop commercial HPD operated in closed/open mode depending on environmental conditions for food chips drying.
A UNIFIED PRESENTATION OF COMPETITION ANALYSIS IN TWO‐SIDED MARKETS
Authors: Pontual Ribeiro Eduardo , Golovanova Svetlana
Published: March 2020

The goal of this paper is to present quantitative tools to manage competition policy analysis in two‐sided platforms, based on a common framework for transaction and non‐transaction platforms. We explore tools for relevant market definition [Critical Loss Analysis and a small but significant non‐transitory increase in price (SSNIP) test], unilateral effects indicators [Upward Pricing Pressure (UPP) and Gross Upward Pricing Pressure Index (GUPPI)] and tests for exclusionary practices. We review dispersed results in the literature and fill the gaps where appropriate. We highlight the required changes from the usual one‐sided market framework and tools. While discussions of antitrust tools can be found in specialized forums devoted to advances in competition policy analysis, we organize the material in an integrated framework.
Relationship‐Based Selective Participation of Secondary Respondents in a German Multi‐Actor Panel Study
Authors: Hünteler Bettina , Wetzel Martin
Published: March 2020

Objective

This study investigates the extent to which participation of secondary respondents (SRs), here mothers, in a multi‐actor study is cross‐sectionally and longitudinally biased regarding relationship characteristics with the primary respondent (PR) of the same study.

Background

Family research emphasizes the importance of analyzing family relations over time and from the perspectives of several family members. Following the leverage‐salience theory, selective (re‐)participation of PRs and SRs might bias a sample toward certain relationship characteristics, in particular over
time.

Method

For 8,579 PRs of the German Family Panel Study (
www.pairfam.de/en/), it is analyzed whether or not their mothers as SRs participated in Wave 2 and 4. A latent class analysis identifies relationship types based on the PR's evaluation of “intergenerational solidarity and conflict”. Their influence on the respondents' probability of (re‐)participation is examined using simultaneously estimated linear probability models.

Results

Each of the four identified relationship types exhibited a particular but constant pattern of SR survey participation. This resulted in an overrepresentation of structurally and functionally closer relationships at each observation. This bias is mostly based on the PR's selectively given consent to interview her/his SR and to a smaller extent on the selective (re‐)participation of the SR or
PR themselves.

Conclusion

SR data are selective, but the degree of selectivity remains rather stable over time. We discuss these findings with respect to both data users and future data collectors.
The Strategic Practice of “Fiesta” in a Latino Protestant Church: Religious Racialization and the Performance of Ethnic Identity
Authors: Ramos Aida I. , Martí Gerardo , Mulder Mark T.
Published: March 2020

Founded and led by a U.S.‐born white pastor, Amor Poderoso is a nondenominational, evangelical megachurch in El Paso, Texas, almost entirely composed of Mexican‐Americans, recent Mexican immigrants, and current Mexican citizens. Ethnographic fieldwork from 2014 to 2017, supplemented with interviews with pastors, worship leaders, and attendees, reveal that much of congregational life orients around intentionally showcasing “Mexican” culture through sounds, images, and artifacts that appropriate an array of idealized ethnic references (e.g., food, dress, mannerisms, clichés) from Northern Mexico. Ongoing ethnic displays do not originate spontaneously or impromptu from membership but rather serve as a form of tactical authenticity derived from U.S. racial schemas mobilized by congregational leaders as a distinctive religious resource. Weekly worship services featuring dialect‐inflected Spanish preaching and singing project ethnic signals that elicit connections to both a common ancestral heritage and a common religious identity. In short, church leaders at this southern border Latino church deliberately deploy sounds, images, and artifacts to assert racialized performances of being “Mexican” for distinctly religious purposes, especially evangelization. In the process, the distinctive practices of religious racialization effectively structure church members’ ethnic and religious identities around racial tropes to buttress a cogent corporate identity for enacting institutionalized evangelical narratives and legitimating charismatic authority.
Learning in the workplace: Use of informal feedback cues in doctor‐patient communication
Authors: Sehlbach Carolin , Teunissen Pim W. , Driessen Erik W. , Mitchell Sharon , Rohde Gernot G. U. , Smeenk Frank W. J. M. , Govaerts Marjan J. B.
Published: March 2020

Objectives

We expect physicians to be lifelong learners. Participation in clinical practice is an important potential source of that learning. To support physicians in this process, a better understanding of how they learn in clinical practice is necessary. This study investigates how physicians recognise and use informal feedback from interactions with patients in outpatient settings as learning cues to adjust their communication behaviours in daily practice.

Methods

To understand physicians’ use of informal feedback, we combined non‐participant observations with semi‐structured interviews. We enrolled 10 respiratory physicians and observed 100 physician‐patient interactions at two teaching hospitals in the Netherlands. Data collection and analysis were performed iteratively according to the principles of constructivist grounded theory.

Results

Following stages of open, axial and selective coding, we were able to conceptualise how physicians use cues to reflect on and adjust their communication. In addition to vast variations within and across patient encounters, we observed recurring adjustments in physicians’ communication behaviours in response to specific informal feedback cues. Physicians recognised and used these cues to self‐monitor communication performance. They had established ‘communication repertoires’ based on multiple patient interactions, which many saw as learning opportunities contributing to the development of expertise. Our findings, however, show differences in physicians’ individual levels of sensitivity in recognising and using learning opportunities in daily practice, which were further influenced by contextual, personal and interpersonal factors. Whereas some described themselves as having little inclination to change, others used critical incidents to fine‐tune their communication repertoires, and yet others constantly reshaped them, seeking learning opportunities in their daily work.

Conclusions

There is large variation in how physicians use learning cues from daily practice. To enhance learning in and from daily practice, we propose turning workplace learning into a collaborative effort with the aim of increasing awareness and the use of informal performance‐relevant feedback.
A case of area postrema syndrome associated with sick sinus syndrome in an elderly patient with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder: Case report
Authors: Komaki Ryouhei , Chihara Norio , Hara Atsushi , Fujisawa Satoshi , Muramae Naokazu , Nakasone Kazutaka , Ueda Takehiro , Sekiguchi Kenji , Matsumoto Riki
Published: March 2020

We described an elderly man with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) causing sick sinus syndrome (SSS) following intractable hiccups caused by area postrema syndrome (APS). He had multiple cardiovascular risk factors including coronary angina, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and smoking history. His SSS resolved following the disappearance of the hiccups. Clinicians should be aware that severe bradyarrhythmia could be associated with APS, especially in NMOSD patients.
An update on the implications of cyclin D1 in melanomas
Authors: González‐Ruiz Lucia , González‐Moles Miguel Ángel , González‐Ruiz Isabel , Ruiz‐Ávila Isabel , Ayén Ángela , Ramos‐García Pablo
Published: March 2020

Cyclin D1 is a protein encoded by the CCND1 gene, located on 11q13 chromosome, which is a key component of the physiological regulation of the cell cycle. CCND1/cyclin D1 is upregulated in several types of human tumors including melanoma and is currently classified as an oncogene that promotes uncontrolled cell proliferation. Despite the demonstrated importance of CCND1/cyclin D1 as a central oncogene in several types of human tumors, its knowledge in melanoma is still limited. This review examines data published on upregulation of the CCND1 gene and cyclin D1 protein in the melanoma setting, focusing on the pathways and molecular mechanisms involved in the activation of the gene and on the clinical and therapeutic implications.