bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Business ethics index: the impact of political affiliation
Authors: Tsalikis John , Van Solt Michelle
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to measure differences on the business ethics index (BEI) between respondents of different political affiliations (i.e. democrats, republicans and independents). The BEI was originally developed as an indicator of consumers’ sentiments toward the ethicality of business practices.

Design/methodology/approach

Data collection was conducted by ORC International Telephone CARAVAN®. The study was conducted using two probability samples of 1,008 adults (18 years old and older) living in the continental United States.

Findings

The data demonstrate that republicans feel more positive on all three components (i.e. personal/past, vicarious/past, and future) and on the overall BEI compared to democrats and independents.

Research limitations/implications

The limitations of the study include that the data include political affiliation and not actual voting behavior. One can assume there is a high correlation between the two; however, many US voters do not actually take the time to vote might attenuate this relationship. A future application of the BEI will attempt to capture real voting patterns and not only political affiliation.

Practical implications

The data confirm the political and ideological schism evident in the US at the present time. At a time where almost all the centers of political power (Presidency, Senate and Parliament) are being controlled by the GOP, republican voters are more optimistic about the future ethical behavior of businesses.

Social implications

Beyond political ideology, ethical behavior by business is crucial to the integrity of the economic system both at the national and international level.

Originality/value

This is the first time that consumers’ ethical perceptions, as measured by the BEI, were associated with people’s political affiliations.
CSR and tax aggressiveness of Malaysian listed companies: evidence from an emerging economy
Authors: Mohanadas Nirmala Devi , Abdullah Salim Abdullah Sallehhuddin , Pheng Lim Kwee
Published: June 2019

Purpose

This study aims to examine how corporate social responsibility (CSR) performance and corporate tax aggressiveness relate in Malaysia, an emerging economy in Southeast Asia. It also seeks to analyse how CSR performance in community, environment, marketplace and workplace themes relate to the tax aggressiveness of listed companies in this country.

Design/methodology/approach

This study analyses 182 companies listed in the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia from 2010 to 2012 using fixed-effects panel regression and ordinary least square regression. It uses current effective tax rate as a proxy for corporate tax aggressiveness and measures CSR performance using specially developed CSR performance disclosure index.

Findings

This study finds no statistical support that CSR performance is related to corporate tax aggressiveness in Malaysia. Similarly, there are no statistically significant relationships between environment-related and marketplace-related CSR performance and corporate tax aggressiveness. Nevertheless, community-related CSR performance has significant negative relationship with corporate tax aggressiveness. Workplace-related CSR performance meanwhile has significant positive relationship with corporate tax aggressiveness.

Originality/value

This study expands the current literature's focus on developed economies by examining the relationship between CSR and corporate tax aggressiveness in the setting of an emerging Asian economy, i.e. Malaysia. It is also the first empirical study focussing on this relationship among Malaysian listed companies.
Determinants of corporate social responsibility disclosures of UAE national banks: a multi-perspective approach
Authors: Menassa Elie , Dagher Nancy
Published: June 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the determinants and extent of corporate social disclosure (CSD) by UAE national banks and to investigate the changes in CSD before, during and after the latest financial crisis.

Design/methodology/approach

Deductive in nature, this paper uses content analysis of annual reports of 16 UAE banks over a period of six years (2006-2011) to test eight hypotheses related to size, financial performance and other variables as potential explanatory variables of the CSD extent over different periods.

Findings

The findings show that human resources and community disclosures exhibited the highest extent of CSD over the six years. Moreover, the size and financial performance variables appear to be significant explanatory factors for the extent of CSD. The findings also indicate a strong variation in disclosure between banks with international presence and those with no such presence, while there is no significant disclosure variation between Islamic and conventional banks or during the different periods under investigation (pre, during and post recent financial crisis).

Research limitations/implications

Studies allowing a greater understanding of how banks with extensive governmental ownership define and disclose CSR in this particular region of the world are scarce and exploratory in nature. Consequently, the structure of national UAE banks provides a unique opportunity to understand the CSR mechanisms and disclosure of similar institutions in the world (particularly in the Arab world). This presents an interesting direction for further research.

Practical implications

These findings could assist UAE bankers and policymakers in integrating CSD in their corporate strategies and help the local and international business communities in understanding the characteristics of CSD in the UAE.

Originality/value

Comprehensive in scope, this paper provides a complete assessment of the potential explanatory proxies of CSD by UAE local banks before, during and after the recent global financial crisis. Comparable studies of the UAE banking sector have mainly focused on particular bank types (i.e. Islamic or conventional) and did not consider the effect of the recent adverse financial climate.
Stimulating the attractiveness of PFI/PPPs using public sector guarantees
Authors: Owolabi Hakeem , Oyedele Lukumon , Alaka Hafiz , Bilal Muhammad , Ajayi Saheed , Akinade Olugbenga , Agboola Alirat
Published: June 2019

Purpose

Although the UK Guarantee Scheme for Infrastructures (UKGSI) was introduced in 2012 to address the huge financing gap for critical infrastructures, PFI sponsors have so far guaranteed only few projects. Many stakeholders in the project finance industry have blamed this situation on lack of general understanding of strategies for harnessing the benefits of the government guarantee scheme. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the perspectives of UK’s PFI/PPP stakeholders on critical factors influencing approval for government guarantees using the UKGSI as a focal point.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a mixed methodology approach, this study identified 26 important criteria used in evaluating government guarantee applications through focus group discussions with PFI stakeholders. The identified criteria were then put in questionnaire survey to 195 respondents within the UK PFI/PPP industry.

Findings

Through factor analysis, five critical factors determining successful government guarantee application were unravelled. These include: compliance with UK National Infrastructure Plan; demonstration of project bankability and risk management; value for money; proof of projects’ dependence on government guarantee; and certainty of planning commission’s approval.

Originality/value

Results of this study will facilitate an in-depth understanding of critical factors necessary for accessing government guarantee scheme for PFI/PPPs, while also improving the bankability of potential PFI projects.
Reflections on Devolution: Twenty Years on
Authors: Greer Alan
Published: June 2019

May 2019 marks twenty years since the first elections to the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly. This report discusses a paper published by the Institute for Government (IfG) that reflects on the experience to date of devolution, drawing on interviews with thirteen individuals who have served as ministers in the devolved governments. Reflecting the structure of the IfG paper, there are three main themes in this report: governing without a majority, institutional change, and—in the light of Brexit—relationships between the devolved governments, Westminster and the EU. The conclusion is that the report, although limited in coverage, provides a useful addition to the literature on devolution.
The Role of Civilian Innovation in the Development of Lethal Autonomous Weapon Systems
Authors: Verbruggen Maaike
Published: June 2019

Civilian innovation is often said to be an important facilitator in the development of Lethal Autonomous Weapon Systems (LAWS). This claim is held up as both a reason to ban LAWS urgently, and why a ban would be impractical. But we know little about how this dynamic plays out in practice. Theoretical insights on technology transfer can help to analyse the situation. They suggest that obtaining and utilising the civilian technology is harder than often assumed. Civil‐military cooperation is hindered by the stark differences between the civilian and defence industries. Business practices are out of sync, there are few social ties between the two worlds, innovative cultures do not translate, and many civilian engineers resist cooperation with the military. Additionally, defence still needs to modify civilian technologies to meet military standards and develop military‐exclusive applications of autonomy. While civilian innovation thus advances what is technologically possible, this does not automatically translate into major advances or rapid diffusion of LAWS.
The Influence of Corporate Social Responsibility Measures on Investors' Judgments when Integrated in a Financial Report versus Presented in a Separate Report
Authors: Bucaro Anthony C. , Jackson Kevin E. , Lill Jeremy B.
Published: June 2019

This study examines the effect on investors' judgments of corporate social responsibility (CSR) measures when integrated with financial information in a single report versus when presented in a separate CSR report. Advocates for integrated reports argue that CSR information will be perceived as more relevant and have a greater impact on users when observed in an integrated report. However, we provide experimental evidence that CSR measures have greater influence on investors' judgments when investors observe the CSR information and financial information depicted in separate reports. We also provide evidence that this greater influence of CSR measures is caused by investors' evaluations taking on a “multidimensional perspective” that includes both a social responsibility and a financial dimension, which is triggered by observing the separate CSR report. Activating a social responsibility dimension elevates the perceived relevance of CSR measures, increasing their influence on investors' judgments. Our study contributes to practice by highlighting a potential unintended consequence of issuing integrated versus separate CSR reports: that investors incorporate CSR information less when it is integrated with financial information versus separately reported.
Performance of SAPS II according to ICU length of stay: A Danish nationwide cohort study
Authors: Granholm Anders , Christiansen Christian Fynbo , Christensen Steffen , Perner Anders , Møller Morten Hylander
Published: June 2019

Background

Intensive care unit (ICU) severity scores use data available at admission or shortly thereafter. There are limited contemporary data on how the prognostic performance of these scores is affected by ICU length of stay (LOS).

Methods

We conducted a nationwide cohort study using routinely collected health data from the Danish Intensive Care Database. We included adults with ICU admissions ≥24 hours between 1 January 2012 and 30 June 2016, who survived to ICU discharge and had valid ICU LOS and vital status data registered. We assessed discrimination of the Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS) II for predicting mortality 90 days after ICU discharge, followed by recalibration of the model and assessment of standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) and calibration. Performance was assessed in the entire cohort and stratified by ICU LOS quartiles.

Results

We included 44 523 patients. Increasing SAPS II was associated with increasing ICU LOS. Overall discrimination (area under the receiver‐operating characteristics curve) of SAPS II was 0.70 (95% CI: 0.70‐0.71), with decreasing discrimination from the first (0.75, 95% CI: 0.73‐0.76) to the last (0.64, 95% CI: 0.63‐0.65) ICU LOS quartile. SMRs were lower (less deaths) than expected in the first ICU LOS quartile and higher (more deaths) than expected in the last two ICU LOS quartiles. Calibration decreased with increasing ICU LOS.

Conclusions

We observed that discrimination and calibration of SAPS II decreased with increasing ICU LOS, and that this affected SMRs. These findings should be acknowledged when using SAPS II for clinical, research and administrative purposes.
Exile, World Literature, and Anthropology: A Reading of Three Swedish Narratives from Siberia
Authors: Viktorin Mattias
Published: June 2019

This article explores world‐making literary work through a reading of Siberian exile narratives from the early twentieth century. I focus on three books written in Swedish. This choice of texts helps illustrate that Siberian exile writing makes up a heterogeneous corpus that does not fit neatly within national or linguistic boundaries. Thus I approach narratives of Siberian exile, not as a subgenre of Russian literature, but as parts of an extensive world literature on travel and exile. Myths and stories on exile often tell us that a banished person cannot continue to exist in the same way as before, but must re‐create her sense of self and fashion a new world around her. I take this quality of exile seriously: that it invites, or even compels, particular kinds of intellectual thought. To translate such experiences into text demands literary work, and I pay particular attention to modes of writing developed in response to circumstances that at first appeared ineffable. This is also where world literature and anthropology meet: in a shared interest for how worlds appear, how they could be rendered visible, and—most importantly—what we might learn from comparing different such forms of world‐making.
Noninvasive ultrasound imaging for assessment of intact microstructure of extracellular matrix in tissue engineering
Authors: Morokov Egor , Khramtsova Elena , Kuevda Elena , Gubareva Elena , Grigoriev Timothei , Lukanina Ksenia , Levin Vadim
Published: June 2019

Development of artificial tissues or organs is one of the actual tasks in regenerative medicine that requires observation and evaluation of intact volume microstructure of tissue engineering products at all stages of their formation, from native donor tissues and decellularized scaffolds to recipient cell migration in the matrix. Unfortunately in practice, methods of vital noninvasive imaging of volume microstructure in matrixes are absent. In this work, we propose a new approach based on high‐frequency acoustic microscopy for noninvasive evaluation and visualization of volume microstructure in tissue engineering products. The results present the ultrasound characterization of native rat diaphragms and lungs and their decellularized scaffolds. Verification of the method for visualization of tissue formation in the matrix volume was described in the model samples of diaphragm scaffolds with stepwise collagenization. Results demonstrate acoustic microscopic sensitivity to cell content concentration, variation in local density, and orientation of protein fibers in the volume, micron air inclusions, and other inhomogeneities of matrixes.
Efficacy of atropine 0.01% for the treatment of childhood myopia in European patients
Authors: Sacchi Matteo , Serafino Massimiliano , Villani Edoardo , Tagliabue Elena , Luccarelli Saverio , Bonsignore Francesco , Nucci Paolo
Published: June 2019

Purpose

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of atropine 0.01% in slowing myopia progression in European paediatric patients.

Methods

Retrospective, medical records review study. Medical charts of paediatric patients with a myopia progression > 0.5 D/year treated with atropine 0.01% for at least 1 year were included. Patients receive a complete ophthalmic examination before and 12 months after initiation of atropine treatment. A group of myopic untreated children serves as a control group. The rate of myopia progression at baseline and 12 months after treatment with atropine was evaluated. The rate of myopia progression in treated and untreated patients was also compared. Adverse events were recorded.

Results

Medical records of 52 treated and 50 control subjects were analysed. In the atropine group, the mean rate of myopia progression after 12 months of treatment (−0.54 ± 0.61 D) was significantly slower compared with the baseline progression (−1.20 ± 0.64 D; p < 0.0001) and to the progression in the control group (−1.09 ± 0.64; p < 0.0001). The responders patients were 41/52 (79%), whereas 11/52 patients (21%) showed a progression > 0.50 D despite treatment. The only adverse event was temporary photophobia in five patients (9.6%), severe adverse events were not reported, and none of the patients discontinued the treatment.

Conclusion

Low‐dose atropine significantly slowed the rate of myopia progression in European paediatric patients with a favourable safety profile.
Paediatricians play a key role in preventing early harmful events that could permanently influence the development of the gut microbiota in childhood
Authors: Goulet Olivier , Hojsak Iva , Kolacek Sanja , Pop Tudor Lucian , Cokugras Fugen Cullu , Zuccotti Gianvincenzo , Pettoello‐Mantovani Massimo , Fabiano Valentina
Published: June 2019

Aim

The development of the gut microbiota occurs primarily during infancy, and growing evidence has emphasised its positive role and implications for human health. The aim of this review was to provide essential knowledge about the gut microbiota and to describe and highlight the importance of the factors that influence the gut microbiota in early life and their potential harmful effects later in life.

Methods

The European Paediatric Association, the Union of the National European Paediatric Societies and Associations, convened a panel of independent European experts to summarise the research on microbiota for general paediatricians. They used PubMed and the Cochrane Library to identify studies published in English up to June 2018.

Results

A number of clinical conditions can disrupt the development of a stable gut microbiota. Changes in the microbiome have been documented in many chronic diseases, mainly immune‐mediated gastrointestinal and liver diseases, and distinct patterns have been associated with each specific disease. The gut microbiota can be positively modulated with probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, paraprobiotics and postbiotics.

Conclusion

Paediatricians can play a key role in preventing harmful events that could permanently influence the composition and/or function of the gut microbiota. Various treatment strategies can be used.
Muscle atrophy and regeneration associated with behavioural loss and recovery of function after sciatic nerve crush
Authors: Grönholdt‐Klein Max , Altun Mikael , Becklén Meneca , Dickman Kahm Emelie , Fahlström Andreas , Rullman Eric , Ulfhake Brun
Published: June 2019

Aim

To resolve timing and coordination of denervation atrophy and the re‐innervation recovery process to discern correlations indicative of common programs governing these processes.

Methods

Female Sprague‐Dawley (SD) rats had a unilateral sciatic nerve crush. Based on longitudinal behavioural observations, the triceps surae muscle was analysed at different time points post‐lesion.

Results

Crush results in a loss of muscle function and mass (−30%) followed by a recovery to almost pre‐lesion status at 30 days post‐crush (dpc). There was no loss of fibres nor any significant change in the number of nuclei per fibre but a shift in fibres expressing myosins I and II that reverted back to control levels at 30 dpc. A residual was the persistence of hybrid fibres. Early on a CHNR ‐ε to ‐γ switch and a re‐expression of embryonic MyHC showed as signs of denervation. Foxo1, Smad3, Fbxo32 and Trim63 transcripts were upregulated but not Myostatin, InhibinA and ActivinR2B. Combined this suggests that the mechanism instigating atrophy provides a selectivity of pathway(s) activated. The myogenic differentiation factors (MDFs: Myog, Myod1 and Myf6) were upregulated early on suggesting a role also in the initial atrophy. The regulation of these transcripts returned towards baseline at 30 dpc. The examined genes showed a strong baseline covariance in transcript levels which dissolved in the response to crush driven mainly by the MDFs. At 30 dpc the naïve expression pattern was re‐established.

Conclusion

Peripheral nerve crush offers an excellent model to assess and interfere with muscle adaptions to denervation and re‐innervation.
A framework for improving the cross‐jurisdictional governance of a marine migratory species
Authors: Miller Rachel L. , Marsh Helene , Benham Claudia , Hamann Mark
Published: June 2019

Marine migratory species require collaborative decision‐making because individuals move across jurisdictional boundaries within and between countries. However, governance of these species is not always harmonized or truly collaborative. We analyzed the Recovery Plan for Marine Turtles in Australia 2017 (the Plan) and three of its subsidiary plans for evidence of collaborative governance using a two‐part gap analysis and interviews with environmental managers, scientists, and other stakeholders involved in the development of the Plan and in managing marine migratory species in Australia more generally. We applied existing adaptive and collaborative governance frameworks, which focused mainly on the social components of collaborative governance, and identified a need for a new, interdisciplinary framework for the collaborative governance of marine turtles in Australia. We applied our new framework to the Plan and identified that while the biological components of the Plan were well‐developed, stakeholder analysis and engagement details were largely missing. We recognize that recovery plans are inevitably silent about certain issues but suggest that plans would benefit from including better guidance on stakeholder engagement and analysis. Our framework is directly relevant to harmonizing the management of marine turtles across jurisdictions in Australia but it could also be applied to managing threats towards other migratory species that inhabit large marine jurisdictions.
Investigating the effects of muscle contraction and conditioning stimulus intensity on short‐interval intracortical inhibition
Authors: Hendy Ashlee M. , Ekblom Maria M. , Latella Christopher , Teo Wei‐Peng
Published: June 2019

A reduction in short‐interval intracortical inhibition (SICI) has been shown to accompany acute or chronic resistance exercise; however, little is known about how SICI is modulated under different contraction intensities. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the effect of muscle contraction and conditioning stimulus intensity on the modulation of SICI. Single‐ and paired‐pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation was applied to the primary motor cortex (M1), and motor evoked potentials (MEPs) were recorded from the biceps brachii in 16 adults (10M/6F). A conditioning‐test stimulus paradigm (3 ms inter‐stimulus intervals) was delivered during 10%, 20%, 40% and 75% of maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC). At each force level, conditioning stimulus intensities of 60%, 70% and 80% of active motor threshold (AMT) were tested. Single‐pulse MEPs were expressed as a proportion of the maximal muscle compound action potential, while SICI was quantified as a ratio of the unconditioned MEP. MEP amplitude increased with force output, with the greatest increase at 75% of MVIC. A reduction in SICI was observed from 40% to 75% of MVIC, but not 10%–40% of MVIC. There was no significant interaction between conditioning stimulus intensity and force level. The conditioning stimulus intensity (60%, 70% or 80% of AMT) did not alter the modulation of SICI. SICI was reduced at 75% of MVIC compared with the lower force outputs, and the magnitude of SICI in individual participants at different force outputs was not related. The findings suggest that strong muscle contractions are accompanied by less inhibition, which may have implications for neuroplasticity in exercise interventions.
Youths’ Individual Pathways Towards Contextual Well‐Being: Utilizing Electrodermal Activity as an Ethnographic Tool at a Theater After‐School Program
Authors: Eisenhauer Scarlett
Published: June 2019

This article addresses how youth (with their embodied, physical, and cognitive resources) traverse, in situ, experiential pathways and how this plays a role in the experience of well‐being at Green Door Theater's (GDT) after‐school program. Electrodermal activity (EDA) is used as part of a qualitative protocol to deepen our understanding of intracultural variation by highlighting individual attention and engagement during normative activities. After‐school programs, as with other cultural groups, involve negotiations between individuals and the community of practice. By comparing youth with higher and lower program engagement, it is shown that culturally shaped routine activities (performances and the “gospel circle”) are experienced differentially. Program staff strive for high‐engagement participation and want to achieve this through normative program scripts for activities, yet data reveal that well‐being can emerge in other ways as well. The article shows how the triangulation of evidence from each level of analysis (ethnography, EDA, and youth interpretations of their experiences) adds value to the overall understanding of the creation of well‐being in such programs.
Tracing the rise of malignant cell lines: Distribution, epidemiology and evolutionary interactions of two transmissible cancers in Tasmanian devils
Authors: James Samantha , Jennings Geordie , Kwon Young Mi , Stammnitz Maximilian , Fraik Alexandra , Storfer Andrew , Comte Sebastien , Pemberton David , Fox Samantha , Brown Bill , Pye Ruth , Woods Gregory , Lyons Bruce , Hohenlohe Paul A. , McCallum Hamish , Siddle Hannah , Thomas Frédéric , Ujvari Beata , Murchison Elizabeth P. , Jones Menna , Hamede Rodrigo
Published: June 2019

Emerging infectious diseases are rising globally and understanding host‐pathogen interactions during the initial stages of disease emergence is essential for assessing potential evolutionary dynamics and designing novel management strategies. Tasmanian devils (Sarcophilus harrisii) are endangered due to a transmissible cancer—devil facial tumour disease (DFTD)—that since its emergence in the 1990s, has affected most populations throughout Tasmania. Recent studies suggest that devils are adapting to the DFTD epidemic and that disease‐induced extinction is unlikely. However, in 2014, a second and independently evolved transmissible cancer—devil facial tumour 2 (DFT2)—was discovered at the d’Entrecasteaux peninsula, in south‐east Tasmania, suggesting that the species is prone to transmissible cancers. To date, there is little information about the distribution, epidemiology and effects of DFT2 and its interaction with DFTD. Here, we use data from monitoring surveys and roadkills found within and adjacent to the d’Entrecasteaux peninsula to determine the distribution of both cancers and to compare their epidemiological patterns. Since 2012, a total of 51 DFTD tumours have been confirmed among 26 individuals inside the peninsula and its surroundings, while 40 DFT2 tumours have been confirmed among 23 individuals, and two individuals co‐infected with both tumours. All devils with DFT2 were found within the d’Entrecasteaux peninsula, suggesting that this new transmissible cancer is geographically confined to this area. We found significant differences in tumour bodily location in DFTD and DFT2, with non‐facial tumours more commonly found in DFT2. There was a significant sex bias in DFT2, with most cases reported in males, suggesting that since DFT2 originated from a male host, females might be less susceptible to this cancer. We discuss the implications of our results for understanding the epidemiological and evolutionary interactions of these two contemporary transmissible cancers and evaluating the effectiveness of potential management strategies.
Pancreatic lipase‐related protein 2 is responsible for the increased hepatic retinyl ester hydrolase activity in vitamin A‐deficient mice
Authors: Gao Yan , Lu Weiling , Sun Qi , Yang Xiao , Liu Junhao , Ge Wenhao , Yang Yunxia , Zhao Yang , Xu Xi , Zhang Jianfa
Published: June 2019

The formation and hydrolysis of hepatic retinyl esters (RE) is a key process in maintaining serum retinol homeostasis. During vitamin A deficiency, the activity of RE hydrolases (REH) in liver increases to cope with the reduced dietary vitamin A intake. However, it remains unclear which REH is the main enzyme responsible for RE hydrolysis in the liver under physiological conditions. Our previous studies have shown that pancreatic lipase‐related protein 2 (PLRP2) is conditionally expressed in the liver and may be involved in the hydrolysis of hepatic RE. In the current study, we generated Plrp2−/− mice using transcription activator‐like effector nuclease technology to investigate the role of PLRP2 in the metabolism of hepatic RE. Compared with the mice fed normal diet, the hepatic REH activity of wild‐type (WT) mice fed vitamin A‐deficient diet (VAD) increased significantly, while this activity did not increase in Plrp2−/− mice fed VAD. Plrp2−/− mice showed higher residual RE content in liver and lower serum retinol level, compared with WT mice fed VAD. Hepatic metabolic profiling from 1H NMR‐based metabolomics suggested that Plrp2−/− mice were more sensitive to VAD. Docking analysis and enzyme activity assay revealed that retinyl palmitate was the substrate with higher affinity for PLRP2. Our results indicate that Plrp2 can be activated in the liver and is responsible for the increased REH activity in the liver of mice fed VAD.
Increasing the population of forage peanut in a mixed pasture by controlling the canopy height
Authors: Homem Bruno G. C. , Rosa Ailton D. , Ferreira Igor M. , Cruvinel Iury A. F. , Lara Márcio A. S. , Bernardes Thiago F. , Casagrande Daniel Rume
Published: June 2019

The aim of this study was to determine a temporary strategy for increasing the legume population in an established pasture of brachiaria grass (Brachiaria brizantha) and forage peanut (Arachis pintoi). The treatments comprised four previous long‐term canopy heights (10, 20, 30 and 40 cm) from the establishment (the first 32 months after treatment initiation). From September 2014, all of the experimental units were kept at 10 cm height. The pastures were evaluated for their forage harvest, forage mass, botanical composition and stolon and tiller density. The tiller density and brachiaria grass mass were maintained in all pastures since the first season of evaluation (p > 0.10). The stolon density and legume mass were initially lesser at 30 and 40 cm than those at 10 and 20 cm, early in the experiment, but progressively increased over time. After 1 year under 10 cm height, the population and mass of legume were similar in all treatments. Therefore, reducing the canopy height to 10 cm at the beginning of the rainy season is an efficient method to increase the botanical composition of forage peanut in mixed pastures with brachiaria grass.
RILKE, ROME, AND THE POETICS OF FOUNTAINS
Authors: Vilain Robert
Published: June 2019

Rilke's relationship with Rome has received significantly less critical attention than his visits to Russia or his residence in Paris, partly because he is widely felt to have disliked the Italian capital and because his five visits seem not to have yielded much of a poetic response. However, Rilke's admiration for Roman fountains and the movement of water did have a lasting legacy, prompting nostalgic creative responses almost until he died. Looking at a number of poems from the Neue Gedichte via the Sonette an Orpheus to Vergers (and correcting some errors in the identification of the fountains in question), this article identifies a ‘fountain poetics’ related to a particular quality of dynamic ‘Stille’ or energetic ‘Ruhe’ that they exemplify and that is central to Rilke's view of the nature and function of art. The degree of consistency in this view across more than two decades suggests that more attention should be paid to the continuities between the different phases of Rilke's creative life than is customary.
SURVEILLANCE AND THE GDR'S CULTURAL SPHERE: FRANZ FÜHMANN, THE STATE, AND THE STASI
Authors: Costabile‐Heming Carol Anne
Published: June 2019

Franz Fühmann was one of the GDR's most prolific and celebrated writers, whose earliest texts were applauded for their strong support for GDR society. Over time, he became disillusioned with the stark contradiction between socialist ideology and the realities of everyday life. Because he provoked confrontations with cultural policy‐makers, some of his texts were subjected to censorship. Fühmann died in 1984, and as a result he never had the opportunity to view Party files, read Stasi documents or otherwise confront the legacy of the GDR's totalitarian regime. For this reason, he serves as an interesting case study illustrating how the strictures of GDR cultural policy succeeded in alienating an originally strong proponent. This essay examines two open letters Fühmann addressed to the Ministry of Culture and his failed attempt to publish an anthology of young writers, in order to highlight the ways in which the State conspired to prevent Fühmann's most decisive criticisms from entering the public sphere. Using unofficial informants within the publishing houses, the Stasi succeeded not just in censoring texts, but also in manipulating Fühmann and his writings for their own aims.
‘IM BEWEGLICHEN UMGANG MIT DEN STÖRRISCHEN FAKTEN’: ATTITUDES TO GENRE IN FELICITAS HOPPE'S PRAWDA: EINE AMERIKANISCHE REISE (2018)
Authors: Obermeier Stephanie
Published: June 2019

This study offers a critical introduction to anglophone German studies of Felicitas Hoppe as a prolific and experimental contemporary German author. As I show, although Hoppe can be productively analysed as a vocal contributor to questions surrounding the utility of generic descriptors such as the historical novel, autofiction, and travel writing, the combination of these issues with Hoppe's signature style, poetics, and intertextuality becomes problematic in the particular case of Prawda: Eine amerikanische Reise (2018). Acting simultaneously as a kind of hypertext to Ilya Ilf and Evgeny Petrov's Odnoetazhnaia Amerika (1937) and as a platform for Hoppe's preoccupation with the Western canon, and with Johann Peter Eckermann's Gespräche mit Goethe (1836/48) in particular, Prawda consistently demonstrates Hoppe's poetics, but neglects the thematic content with which it purportedly engages, and fails to offer new insights into debates surrounding the contemporary novel and its genres.
Positioning Nigeria’s manufacturing and agricultural sectors for global competitiveness
Authors: Uddin Godwin , Oserei Kingsley
Published: June 2019

The world economy presents opportunities for learning about developing economies, as they strive to attain a place of reckoning in the global market. This article, through salient themes from recent archived survey reports and interviews, exploration of relevant literature, and descriptive analytics presents a review of Nigeria's manufacturing and agricultural sectors. Thus, an approach which offers a synthesis of contemporary expert opinions, lessons from emerging market economies, and clear‐cut submissions from literature, which could enhance the competitiveness of these sectors. Amidst our findings, the operational strategies and ultimately industry/policy initiatives suggested include inward sourcing, strategic partnerships (both in sourcing and localization) and fiscal incentives among several possible milestones that could be explored to have the country prominent on the global industrialization map.
Spatial variation in phylogenetic diversity of communities of Atlantic Forest harvestmen (Opiliones, Arachnida)
Authors: Nogueira André do Amaral , Bragagnolo Cibele , DaSilva Márcio Bernardino , Carvalho Leonardo Sousa , Benedetti Alípio Rezende , Pinto‐da‐Rocha Ricardo
Published: June 2019

The study of diversity has become increasingly sophisticated, including the use of measures of phylogenetic diversity.

We calculate the spatial variation in species richness, taxonomic beta diversity, and alpha and beta phylogenetic diversity (PDα and PDβ, respectively) of Atlantic Forest harvestman communities using a data set containing 556 species from 68 sites, distributed in 12 Brazilian states.

We compare the congruence of phylogenetic and taxonomic diversity patterns, and also compare PDα with null model expectations, to check for phylogenetic clustering or overdispersion in communities.

Species richness and PDα are correlated, peaking in southern and south‐eastern coastal sites and decreasing towards the interior and towards the north‐east. PDα in north‐eastern sites was higher than expected, while a clustered phylogenetic pattern characterised most other sites.

Communities in the southern and south‐eastern regions were dominated by species from the large family Gonyleptidae, presenting a high richness and a low PDα. As the dominance of Gonyleptidae decreased towards the north, where local communities have fewer species, but a higher PDα, they contain representatives of other families. The beta diversity was more sensitive to the compositional changes involving closely related Gonyleptidae species, while PDβ is more influenced by deeper phylogenetic compositional changes, between more distant lineages.

Phylogenetic diversity may be of special importance to assess the conservation value of distantly related lineages. These species‐poor groups are less likely to influence taxonomic‐based diversity analyses, but their importance for conservation arises from their phylogenetic distinctiveness, captured by PDα and PDβ measures.
Comparison of a laboratorial scale synthesized and a commercial yttria‐tetragonal zirconia polycrystals ceramics submitted to microwave sintering
Authors: Ribeiro Amon S. L. , Arata Anelyse , de Lima Nelson B. , Ussui Valter , Lazar Dolores R. R.
Published: June 2019

Conventional sintering techniques of yttria‐tetragonal zirconia polycrystals (Y‐TZP) ceramics have presented limitations regarding the sintering time and temperature, increasing the cost of the final dental and biomedical products. Herein, microwave sintering comes to be an interesting alternative by providing fast heating, high densification, and grain‐size control. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of microwave sintering of Y‐TZP dental ceramics prepared from a pre‐sintered commercial block and produced from powders synthesized in a laboratorial scale by the precipitation route. The synthetized and commercial discs were submitted to microwave sintering at 1450°C and 1350°C for 15, 30, and 60 minutes. Densification, fracture toughness, grain size, and crystalline phase quantification of the sintered groups were evaluated. Both synthetized and commercial groups sintered at 1450°C for 15 and 30 minutes showed the higher densification results (98% TD). XRD quantitative phase analysis indicates that samples present 89% tetragonal and 11% cubic phases, except for the group prepared from coprecipitated powders sintered at 1450°C for 30 minutes, that presented 79% and 21% of tetragonal and cubic phases. The microwave sintering at 1450°C allows hardness and fracture toughness values comparable to conventional sintering.
Definition of videodermoscopic features of demodicosis
Authors: Karadağ Köse Özlem , Borlu Murat
Published: June 2019

Background

Diagnosis of demodicosis is usually confirmed by standardized skin surface biopsy. The skin of the patients with demodicosis is usually very sensitive. There is a need for new noninvasive tests. Videodermoscopic findings of demodicosis have not been validated yet. Our aim was to provide a noninvasive and easy method for diagnosis of demodicosis by using videodermoscopy.

Materials and methods

This study included 26 patients with demodicosis which were confirmed with microscopy and responded well to anti‐Demodex therapy Twenty‐six age‐ and sex‐matched individuals without demodicosis constituted the control group. Dermatologic evaluation included clinical observation along with microscopy. All photographs of the clinical and dermoscopic findings were taken with videodermoscope.

Results

Demodex tails representing “Demodex mites” were a common feature in all patients. Gray dots were described as the second major videodermoscopic finding. Epidermal scale and red dots were also observed with higher prevalence than the other videodermoscopic features. We defined a new finding as follicular annular pigmentation corresponding to the facial pigmentation with demodicosis by videodermoscopy.

Conclusions

We concluded that it seems possible to confirm the clinical diagnosis of demodicosis by videodermoscopy, with similar results to handheld dermoscopy. Demodex tails should be considered as a sign of demodicosis, whereas detection of gray dots, epidermal scale, and red dots may raise the suspicion of demodicosis.
Adherence to diabetes care: Knowledge of biochemical processes has a high impact on glycaemic control among adolescents with type 1 diabetes
Authors: Dagan Efrat , Dubovi Ilana , Levy Milana , Zuckerman Levin Nehama , Levy Sharona T.
Published: June 2019

Aim

To evaluate the impact of patients’ understanding of biochemical processes involved in glucose regulation (causal‐biochemical knowledge) and of diabetes self‐management knowledge on adherence to treatment recommendations among adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Design

A cross‐sectional study.

Methods

Adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus, aged 12–18 years and able to read and write in Hebrew or in Arabic were eligible. Participants were recruited between August 2016 – January 2018 during routine visits to the Paediatric Diabetes Clinic; informed consent was obtained as customary. Patients completed sociodemographic, clinical and type 1 diabetes mellitus self‐management and biochemical knowledge questionnaires. Adherence to treatment was assessed by patients’ serum HbA1c levels, collected from medical records.

Results

Ninety‐seven patients participated in the study. Mean HbA1c levels were 9.2% (1.9%) and only 24 (24.7%) patients met the recommended HbA1c ≤ 7.5%. Lower HbA1c levels were strongly associated with higher family income, older age at diagnosis and with better type 1 diabetes mellitus self‐management and causal‐biochemical knowledge. A regression model showed that causal‐biochemical knowledge contributed to the variance in HbA1c levels. Furthermore, causal‐biochemical knowledge, but not self‐management knowledge, was found to mediate the negative relationship between low family income and high HbA1c levels.

Conclusions

Causal‐biochemical knowledge is a valuable component for the adherence to diabetes care and glycaemic control.

Impact

Our study suggests that causal knowledge is a valuable component that should be included in nursing and healthcare educational programmes for adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus.
Pro‐apoptotic effect of haem oxygenase‐1 in human colorectal carcinoma cells via endoplasmic reticular stress
Authors: Wu Ming‐Shun , Chien Chih‐Chiang , Chang Jungshan , Chen Yen‐Chou
Published: June 2019

Several biological effects of haem oxygenase (HO)‐1, including anti‐inflammatory, antiapoptotic and antioxidative properties were reported; however, the role of HO‐1 in apoptosis is still unclear. In the presence of stimulation by cobalt protoporphyrin (CoPP), an HO‐1 inducer, apoptotic characteristics were observed, including DNA laddering, hypodiploid cells, and cleavages of caspase (Casp)‐3 and poly(ADP) ribose polymerase (PARP) proteins in human colon carcinoma COLO205, HCT‐15, LOVO and HT‐29 cells in serum‐free (SF) conditions with increased HO‐1, but not heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) or HSP90. The addition of 10% foetal bovine serum (FBS) or 1% bovine serum albumin accordingly inhibited CoPP‐induced apoptosis and HO‐1 protein expression in human colon cancer cells. CoPP‐induced apoptosis of colon cancer cells was prevented by the addition of the pan‐caspase inhibitor, Z‐VAD‐FMK (VAD), and the Casp‐3 inhibitor, Z‐DEVD‐FMK (DEVD). N‐Acetyl cysteine inhibited reactive oxygen species‐generated H2O2‐induced cell death with reduced intracellular peroxide production, but did not affect CoPP‐induced apoptosis in human colorectal carcinoma (CRC) cells. Two CoPP analogs, ferric protoporphyrin and tin protoporphyrin, did not affect the viability of human CRC cells or HO‐1 expression by those cells, and knockdown of HO‐1 protein expression by HO‐1 small interfering (si)RNA reversed the cytotoxic effect elicited by CoPP. Furthermore, the carbon monoxide (CO) donor, CORM, but not FeSO4 or biliverdin, induced DNA ladders, and cleavage of Casp‐3 and PARP proteins in human CRC cells. Increased phosphorylated levels of the endoplasmic reticular (ER) stress proteins, protein kinase R‐like ER kinase (PERK), and eukaryotic initiation factor 2α (eIF2α) by CORM and CoPP were identified, and the addition of the PERK inhibitor, GSK2606414, inhibited CORM‐ and CoPP‐induced apoptosis. Increased GRP78 level and formation of the HO‐1/GRP78 complex were detected in CORM‐ and CoPP‐treated human CRC cells. A pro‐apoptotic role of HO‐1 against the viability of human CRC cells via induction of CO and ER stress was firstly demonstrated herein.
Safety and effectiveness of tofogliflozin in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in real‐world practice: Results of 12‐month interim analysis of a long‐term post‐marketing surveillance study (J‐STEP/LT)
Authors: Utsunomiya Kazunori , Senda Masayuki , Kakiuchi Seigo , Kameda Hiroyuki , Tamura Masahiro , Kurihara Yuji , Gunji Ryoji , Fujii Shoko , Kaku Kohei
Published: June 2019

Aims/Introduction

Due to the paucity of tofogliflozin data, we assessed the safety and effectiveness of tofogliflozin among Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in the clinical setting, stratifying the patients by age, sex, estimated glomerular filtration (eGFR) rate and body mass index. We report the results of a 12‐month interim analysis.

Materials and Methods

This was a 3‐year prospective, observational and multicenter post‐marketing study (Japanese Study of tofogliflozin with type 2 diabetes mellitus Patients/Long Term).

Results

Out of 6,897 patients enrolled, the safety and effectiveness analysis populations consisted of 6,712 and 6,449 patients, respectively. During 12 months, adverse drug reactions and their incidence were 9.12 and 0.88%, respectively. The incidence of hypoglycemia was 0.67%. Polyuria/pollakiuria occurred more frequently in patients aged ≥65 years than in patients aged <65 years. Women experienced higher rates of urinary tract and genital infection than men. The lowest eGFR subgroup experienced maximum volume depletion‐related events. Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disorders occurred in 0.55% of the patients. Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and bodyweight significantly decreased by −0.76% and −2.73 kg, respectively, from baseline to the last observation carried forward (P < 0.0001). Except for the lowest eGFR subgroup, other eGFR subgroups showed significantly decreased HbA1c values. All eGFR subgroups showed significantly decreased bodyweight, and all body mass index subgroups showed significantly decreased HbA1c and bodyweight.

Conclusions

Our interim 12‐month data suggest that tofogliflozin could be used safely and effectively in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, as tofogliflozin was well tolerated with low hypoglycemia risk, and significantly improved HbA1c and bodyweight.