bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inequality of opportunity among Indonesian school children
Authors: Indra Indra , Nazara Suahasil , Hartono Djoni , Sumarto Sudarno
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the inequality of opportunity among Indonesian school-age children from 2002 to 2012. It focuses on the possibilities of accessing basic needs, such as primary education, secondary education, electricity and clean water.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper used three interrelated indicators, namely, coverage access rate, dissimilarity index and human opportunity index. It also applied Shapley decomposition to measure the contributions of each determinant of inequality opportunities. These data were obtained from the National Household Survey conducted in 2002-2012.

Findings

This study revealed that the level of access to all basic needs, except clean water, was likely to increase with even distribution during the observation period. Moreover, the decomposition results showed that the education of household heads, household income and region (rural-urban) were the main contributors to the total inequality of opportunity.

Originality/value

This study on the inequality of opportunity is interesting, for it is tightly related to inequality of outcome, i.e. income, expenditure and wealth. It is arguable that the inequality of outcome, nowadays, is a reflection of the past inequality in basic opportunities. Thus, the exploration of potential inequality drivers begins to be increasingly important, as it can assist the policymakers in drawing effective policies to repress the increasing trend of future inequality.
Ethical leadership and positive work behaviors: a conditional process model
Authors: Li Chaoping , Bao Yuanjie
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This study's purpose is to examine ethical leadership's effect on followers' positive work behaviors, as mediated by prosocial motivation and moderated by job autonomy.

Design/methodology/approach

Two-wave survey data were collected from 200 Chinese employees working in various industries. A hierarchical regression and a bootstrapping test were used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

Ethical leadership is positively related to followers' positive work behaviors, and prosocial motivation partially mediates this relationship. Job autonomy moderates the relationship between ethical leadership and prosocial motivation, as well as the indirect effect of ethical leadership on positive work behaviors via prosocial motivation.

Research limitations/implications

The findings' generalizability is limited because only Chinese employees were investigated and a snowball sampling method was used. Future research should utilize other sampling methods and explore other contexts to determine whether the results can be replicated.

Practical implications

Organizations should provide employees with greater behavioral discretion to benefit from the positive effects of ethical leadership. They should use selection and job design tools to boost their employees' prosocial motivation.

Originality/value

The extant literature has largely applied the cognitive process approach to link ethical leadership and positive behaviors, treating ethical leadership as a risk-reducing or reciprocity-inducing factor. This study introduces a responsive process approach whereby prosocial motivation is established as a mediator between ethical leadership and positive work behaviors. Also, job autonomy is identified as a boundary condition of ethical leadership's effect.
A framework proposition to identify customer value through lean practices
Authors: Peralta Carla Beatriz da Luz , Echeveste Márcia Elisa , Lermen Fernando Henrique , Marcon Arthur , Tortorella Guilherme
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Customer value is the key to successful innovation management. This task is considered complex and abstract. For this reason, several models have been proposed to that end, among them, Lean approaches. Lean's background has been applied to value identification, providing many benefits. This paper aims at analyzing the practices employed to identify customer value through Lean approaches.

Design/methodology/approach

Through a systematic literature review, the main Lean practices for customer value identification were categorized based on five main streams: (1) customer development, (2) customer value, (3) lean product, (4) lean start-up, and (5) lean innovation. These practices were organized into a framework that addresses value identification based on ideation, value prospection, requirements, construction and measurement, and value delivery.

Findings

In total, 33 practices were found to support capturing the value from the customer's perception. Additionally, a discussion is provided on the complementarity and differences between practices.

Originality/value

A framework is proposed to integrate the five streams and the corresponding practices for value identification. The results provide mechanisms that can benefit practitioners to better understand the value demanded by customers during innovation management. In fact, practitioners can use the proposed framework to identify value to customers in a holistic way. Academically, the results gather research on customer value and innovation management to contribute with a novel artifact for customer value identification in operations management using Lean approaches. Finally, a future research agenda on value identification is proposed.
Innovation in the aftermath of downsizing: evidence from the threat-rigidity perspective
Authors: Fernández-Menéndez José , Rodríguez-Ruiz Óscar , López-Sánchez José-Ignacio , Delgado-Piña María Isabel
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study how job reductions affect product innovation and marketing innovation in a sample of 2,034 Spanish manufacturing firms in the period 2007–2014.

Design/methodology/approach

Poisson and logistic regression models with random effects were used to analyse the impact of downsizing on some innovation outcomes of firms.

Findings

The results of this research show that the stressful measure of job reductions may have unexpected consequences, stimulating innovation. However downsizing combined with radical organisational changes such as new equipment, techniques or processes seems to have a negative impact on product and marketing innovation.

Originality/value

This research has two original features. First, it explores the unconventional direction of causality from the planned elimination of jobs to innovation outputs. Secondly, the paper looks at the combined effect of downsizing and other restructuring measures on different types of innovation. Following the threat-rigidity theory, we assume that this combination represents a major threat for survivors that leads to lower levels of product and marketing innovation.
Happiness among higher education academicians: a demographic analysis
Authors: Arora Ritu Gandhi
Published: March 2020

Purpose

To deal with highly energetic younger generation patiently, need academicians who can spread happiness while teaching/mentoring are needed. This is possible when an academician himself is a happy person. This paper aims to explore the factors that generate happiness among academicians, studies the impact of demographic variables on academicians’ happiness and examines the relationship between academicians’ happiness and their performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Convenience purposive sampling method was used to obtain data through self-administered survey questionnaire based on a five-point Likert scale, delineating the research purpose and assurance of confidentiality. For data analysis, statistical techniques like mean, percentage method, Levene’s test, t-test and analysis of variance were used. To study the relationship between performance and happiness, the attitude, motivation and outcome theory was applied and happiness index was developed.

Findings

After analyzing the various factors impacting academicians’ happiness, this study found that except for work–life balance, research activities and working environment, all other factors are available to academicians according to their ranked importance assigned to them. This study also obtained a happiness index using matrix and has developed an equation which can be applied to find out the relationship between happiness and performance in future.

Research limitations/implications

This study has certain limitations, first, this study has been conducted on academicians working in higher education institutes situated in Delhi/NCR and thus entails a specific socio-cultural environment that may limit the potential level of generalization.

Practical implications

The results of this research might help institutes/higher education bodies to make rules and policies which may further augment academicians’ happiness to accomplish their desired goals.

Social implications

An academician who is happy, satisfied and motivated can easily deal with today's enthusiastic younger generation and can spread happiness amongst them. so it is very much necessary for an academician to be happy and energetic all the time.

Originality/value

This study found the factors impacting higher education academicians’ happiness and its impact on their teaching performance.
Sustainable construction practices in the execution of infrastructure projects
Authors: Willar Debby , Waney Estrellita Varina Yanti , Pangemanan Daisy Debora Grace , Mait Rudolf Estephanus Golioth
Published: March 2020

Purpose

In responding to global issues of creating sustainable development, the Indonesian government has enacted regulations (i.e. Ministry of Public Works and Housing No. 05/PRT/M/2015) on the implementation of sustainable construction in infrastructure project execution. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the means of implementing sustainable principles in the execution of infrastructure projects in Indonesia by the main construction service providers and their partners. A lesson-learned is presented as a source of knowledge to underpin the extensive implementation of sustainable principles in the construction of infrastructure projects leading to an integrated approach in creating a sustainable infrastructure that fulfills the requirements of sustainable development.

Design/methodology/approach

The method used is questionnaire surveys with Indonesian construction practitioners who are working on building construction, road and bridge construction, water facilities construction and house and settlement construction.

Findings

From the results, the practices of sustainability principles by construction service providers in infrastructure project execution are imperative from the project procurement phase. The evaluation continues to the phase of construction project execution, which reveals the inconsiderable performance of sustainability indicators due to current constraints on the implementation of sustainability principles.

Originality/value

This research looks into the existing gaps between sustainable construction principles and their practical implementation in Indonesian infrastructure projects. This will foster a holistic approach in the practice of undertaking sustainable procurement processes, thus reinforcing project management techniques in the phase of sustainable construction project execution. This also strengthens the interrelated roles and responsibilities of project stakeholders by taking into account principles of safety, balance and the harmony of infrastructure and the environment.
Work-based learning: an approach towards entrepreneurial advancement
Authors: Ahmad Abdul Murad , Hussain Kashif , Ekiz Erdogan , Tang Thienming
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to promote the adoption of a work-based learning (WBL) approach by highlighting the benefits to students, organizations and the economy.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper provides a review and synthesis of current literature, including two separate case studies, which serve to demonstrate the practical applications of entrepreneurial education in different countries and how this application works to strengthen economies and improve communities.

Findings

Learning entrepreneurship in a real-world environment can bridge the gap between traditional, classroom instruction and idea-driven product and service development. It is a business-effective approach that achieves measurable results. Traditional education, typified by mastery of facts and evaluation by testing, can morph into creative, research-inspired solutions that fulfill public and private organizational needs. Success is irrefutable, measured by tangible results. In WBL, students can use industry-standard technologies and collaborate with mentors, clients and customers. They can work as individuals and in teams, with their entrepreneurial education beginning as early as elementary school. In the process, students learn to be motivated by their own achievements, rather than grades. They learn to engage in creative problem-solving, based upon current data, and measure their ability to deal with challenge and failure through an iterative process of problem-solving.

Originality/value

The completion of this research study serves to highlight the potential benefits that Malaysia could attain through the adoption of WBL within the country’s school systems.
Do you remember me? Women sexual objectification in advertising among young consumers
Authors: Vargas-Bianchi Lizardo , Mensa Marta
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect on brand name recall in advertisements with varying levels of female sexual objectification content among young millennials and the effect of distraction on this recall effort. The question arises whether this group evokes those brands that appear in advertisements using different levels of objectification content.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses a correlational design that includes two studies with different groups of subjects: an assessment of perceived female sexual objectification levels in a set of ads and a quasi-experimental study that used the assessed perceived levels of female objectification and brand name short-term recall scores of those ads, with and without the intervention of an attention distractor.

Findings

Results suggest that female sexual objectification content exerts a limited influence on brand name recall between participants. In addition, it is not men who remember brand names from ads using sexual objectified images, but young women.

Research limitations/implications

The study had an exploratory scope and used a small non-probabilistic sample. Subjects belong to a cultural context of Western world developing economy, and thus perceived female objectification may vary between different cultural settings. Results refer to graphic advertisements, though this cohort is exposed to other audiovisual content platforms.

Originality/value

Several studies have addressed female objectification in advertising and media, but few focused on young Latin American audiences and its impact on the recollection of advertised brands. Brand name retention and awareness is still a relevant variable that the advertising industry takes in account as one of several predictors toward buying decisions. Even less research has been made on Latin American social and cultural contexts.
Prospective interspecies interaction between Siberian and Ezo salamander larvae
Authors: Atsumi Keisuke , Kishida Osamu
Published: March 2020

Species habitat range is partly determined by interspecies interactions between phylogenetically related species. Siberian salamanders are widely distributed across the Eurasian continent and occupy various habitats, but in Hokkaido island, Japan, it is restricted to only two regions. For the restricted habitat range of Siberian salamanders in Hokkaido, we hypothesized that Ezo salamander, whose larvae heavily consume amphibian larvae, excludes Siberian salamander from their range by the predation during the larval period. Here, we investigated the potential interaction between Siberian and Ezo salamander larvae in an aquarium experiment. As expected, in the cases where they cohabit, all Siberian salamander larvae were immediately killed by Ezo salamander larvae through predation. Although the predation enhanced individual growth of Ezo salamander larvae, it may not merely increase the fitness of Ezo salamander larvae. Interestingly, in the presence of Siberian salamanders, cannibalism occurred more frequently in Ezo salamanders, even though it only occurred in limited replications, probably as a result of improving growth and increasing size variation among Ezo salamander larvae.
Populists, Producers and the Politics of Rentiership
Authors: Jäger Anton
Published: March 2020

Populism studies finds itself in a crisis of originality. While some scholars have signalled over‐usage, others have argued that by contextualising populism, we are able to specify our own ‘populist moment’ and remedy the term’s slipperiness. This article opts for the latter tactic through a comparison of two aspects of contemporary populism with late nineteenth century precedents. In the late nineteenth century, the American People’s Party pioneered a mode of mass politics anchored in agrarian and industrial labour which launched the term ‘populism’ in Western discourse. Contemporary populists show rhetorical and political overlap with this template, but also come up against two new constraints: (1) a stagnant capitalism increasingly centred on ‘rentiership’; and (2) a disorganised civil society. These factors render today’s populism resistant to analogy but also conceptually more specific, sharpening the contours of our populist moment.
Out‐of‐pocket costs and HIV pre‐exposure prophylaxis persistence in a US multicity demonstration project
Authors: Furukawa Nathan W. , Schneider John A. , Coleman Megan E. , Wiener Jeffrey B. , Shrestha Ram K. , Smith Dawn K.
Published: March 2020

Objective

To evaluate whether out‐of‐pocket (OOP) costs reduced HIV pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) persistence.

Data Source

Participants from five urban community health centers (CHCs) in four US cities enrolled in a PrEP demonstration project from September 2014 to August 2017.

Study Design

Patients initiating PrEP were followed quarterly until they withdrew from PrEP care or the study ended. Self‐reported OOP medication and clinic visit costs were assessed by semiannual questionnaires. Persistence was defined as the time from study enrollment to the last visit after which two subsequent 3‐month visits were missed. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression was used to assess the effect of demographics, insurance, and OOP costs on PrEP persistence.

Principal Findings

Among 918 participants with OOP cost data, the average quarterly OOP cost was $34 (median: $5, IQR: $0‐$25). Participants who were men, White, employed, completed college, and had commercial insurance had higher OOP costs. Higher OOP costs were not associated with lower PrEP persistence by Cox proportional hazards regression (adjusted hazard ratio = 1.00 per $50 increase, 95% CI = 0.97, 1.02).

Conclusion

Among patients receiving care from these urban CHCs, OOP costs were low and did not undermine PrEP persistence.
Design of Digital Agricultural Extension Tools: Perspectives from Extension Agents in Nigeria
Authors: Oyinbo Oyakhilomen , Chamberlin Jordan , Maertens Miet
Published: March 2020

Given the marked heterogeneous conditions in smallholder agriculture in Sub‐Saharan Africa, there is a growing policy interest in site‐specific extension advice and the use of digital extension tools to provide site‐specific information. Empirical ex‐ante studies on the design of digital extension tools and their use are rare. Using data from a choice experiment in Nigeria, we elicit and analyze the preferences of extension agents for major design features of ICT‐enabled decision support tools (DSTs) aimed at site‐specific nutrient management extension advice. We estimate different models, including mixed logit, latent class and attribute non‐attendance models. We find that extension agents are generally willing to use such DSTs and prefer a DST with a more user‐friendly interface that requires less time to generate results. We also find that preferences are heterogeneous: some extension agents care more about the effectiveness‐related features of DSTs, such as information accuracy and level of detail, while others prioritise practical features, such as tool platform, language and interface ease‐of‐use. Recognising and accommodating such preference differences may facilitate the adoption of DSTs by extension agents and thus enhance the scope for such tools to impact the agricultural production decisions of farmers.
The Importance of Being Florence
Authors: Borja Mario Cortina
Published: March 2020

Florence Nightingale was a celebrity in her own lifetime, inspiring medical professionals, statisticians … and parents of new-born girls. Mario Cortina Borja analyses naming patterns before and after the “Nightingale mania” of the 1850s
The Stories Behind the Data
Authors: McBride Rebekah
Published: March 2020

Rebekah McBride outlines the do's and don'ts of ethical data journalism
NICE Comes of Age
Authors: Rawlins Michael D. , Dillon Andrew
Published: March 2020

In April 1999, the British government established a new institute, NICE, to assess the clinical and cost-effectiveness of medicines and devices for use by the National Health Service in England. To mark its 21st birthday, NICE's former chair, Michael D. Rawlins, and former chief executive, Andrew Dillon, reflect on the organisation's contributions – plus a few controversies along the way
Supporting an Inclusive Community: A Caucus for Women in Statistics
Authors: Golbeck Amanda
Published: March 2020

The Caucus for Women in Statistics is gearing up to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2021. Amanda Golbeck, a former caucus president, recounts some of its history
The JAK1/2 inhibitor ruxolitinib delays premature aging phenotypes
Authors: Griveau Audrey , Wiel Clotilde , Ziegler Dorian V. , Bergo Martin O. , Bernard David
Published: March 2020

Hutchinson–Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS) is caused by an LMNA mutation that results in the production of the abnormal progerin protein. Children with HGPS display phenotypes of premature aging and have an average lifespan of 13 years. We found earlier that the targeting of the transmembrane protein PLA2R1 overcomes senescence and improves phenotypes in a mouse model of progeria. PLA2R1 is regulating the JAK/STAT signaling, but we do not yet know whether targeting this pathway directly would influence cellular and in vivo progeria phenotypes. Here, we show that JAK1/2 inhibition with ruxolitinib rescues progerin‐induced cell cycle arrest, cellular senescence, and misshapen nuclei in human normal fibroblasts expressing progerin. Moreover, ruxolitinib administration reduces several premature aging phenotypes: bone fractures, bone mineral content, grip strength, and a trend to increase survival in a mouse model of progeria. Thus, we propose that ruxolitinib, an FDA‐approved drug, should be further evaluated as a drug candidate in HGPS therapy.
Behaviour change techniques associated with smoking cessation in intervention and comparator groups of randomized controlled trials: a systematic review and meta‐regression
Authors: Black Nicola , Johnston Marie , Michie Susan , Hartmann‐Boyce Jamie , West Robert , Viechtbauer Wolfgang , Eisma Maarten C. , Scott Claire , de Bruin Marijn
Published: March 2020

Aims

To estimate the strengths of associations between use of behaviour change techniques (BCTs) and clusters of BCTs in behavioural smoking cessation interventions and comparators with smoking cessation rates.

Method

Systematic review and meta‐regression of biochemically verified smoking cessation rates on BCTs in interventions and comparators in randomized controlled trials, adjusting for a priori‐defined potential confounding variables, together with moderation analyses. Studies were drawn from the Cochrane Tobacco Addiction Group Specialised Register. Data were extracted from published and unpublished (i.e. obtained from study authors) study materials by two independent coders. Adequately described intervention (k = 143) and comparator (k = 92) groups were included in the analyses (n = 43 992 participants). Using bivariate mixed‐effects meta‐regressions, while controlling for key a priori confounders, we regressed smoking cessation on (a) three BCT groupings consistent with dual‐process theory (i.e. associative, reflective motivational and self‐regulatory), (b) 17 expert‐derived BCT groupings (i.e. BCT taxonomy version 1 clusters) and (c) individual BCTs from the BCT taxonomy version 1.

Results

Among person‐delivered interventions, higher smoking cessation rates were predicted by BCTs targeting associative and self‐regulatory processes (B = 0.034, 0.041, P < 0.05), and by three individual BCTs (prompting commitment, social reward, identity associated with changed behaviour). Among written interventions, BCTs targeting taxonomy cluster 10a (rewards) predicted higher smoking cessation (B = 0.394, P < 0.05). Moderation effects were observed for nicotine dependence, mental health status and mode of delivery.

Conclusions

Among person‐delivered behavioural smoking cessation interventions, specific behaviour change techniques and clusters of techniques are associated with higher success rates.
Tramadol use and public health consequences in Iran: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Rostam‐Abadi Yasna , Gholami Jaleh , Amin‐Esmaeili Masoumeh , Safarcherati Anousheh , Mojtabai Ramin , Ghadirzadeh Mohammad Reza , Rahimi Hosein , Rahimi‐Movaghar Afarin
Published: March 2020

Background and Aims

Misuse of tramadol, an opioid prescription analgesic, is known as a public health challenge globally. We aimed to systematically review studies on the prevalence of non‐prescribed use, regular tramadol use and dependence, tramadol‐induced poisoning and mortality in Iran.

Methods

Consistent with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, international (Medline, Scopus, Web of Science) and Persian (SID) databases were systematically searched up to June 2019. Other relevant data were collected through personal contacts and review of reference lists. Pooled estimates of prevalence of tramadol use in subgroups of males and females, percentage of tramadol poisoning among admitted poisoning cases, tramadol‐associated seizures and mortality among tramadol poisonings and percentage of tramadol as a cause of death among fatal drug‐poisoning records were estimated through a random‐effects model.

Results

A total of 84 records were included. Pooled estimates of last 12‐month use of tramadol in the Iranian general population were 4.9% [95% confidence interval (CI) = 4.1–5.9] and 0.8% (95% CI = 0.2–1.8) among males and females, respectively. The estimates for last 12‐month use among Iranian male and female university students were 4.8% (95% CI = 1.9–8.9) and 0.7% (95% CI = 0.3–1.1), respectively. Six heterogeneous reports indicated the existence of regular use of tramadol and dependence in Iran. Sixty‐two studies provided data on tramadol‐induced poisoning, seizures and mortality. The pooled estimate of the percentage of tramadol poisoning among all drug‐poisoning patients was 13.1% (95% CI = 5.7–22.9). The overall estimates of seizures and mortality among tramadol‐poisoning patients were 34.6% (95% CI = 29.6–39.8) and 0.7% (95% CI = 0.0–1.9), respectively. The pooled percentage of tramadol‐related fatalities among drug‐poisoned cases was 5.7% (95% CI = 0.5–15.4).

Conclusion

Despite control policies, tramadol use is as prevalent as the use of illicit opioids in Iran. Numerous cases of tramadol abuse, dependence, poisonings, seizures and hundreds of tramadol‐related deaths have been reported in recent years.
SPRY4 regulates trophoblast proliferation and apoptosis via regulating IFN‐γ‐induced STAT1 expression and activation in recurrent miscarriage
Authors: Qin Shi , Zhang Yan , Zhang Jing , Tian Fuju , Sun Liqun , He Xiaoying , Ma Xiaoling , Zhang Jun , Liu Xiao‐Rui , Zeng Weihong , Lin Yi
Published: March 2020

Problem

The dysregulation of trophoblast functions is one of the leading causes of recurrent miscarriage (RM), which frustrates 1%‐5% of couples of childbearing ages. Sprouty 4 (SPRY4) is considered as a tumour suppressor and exerts a negative role in cell viability. However, its role in regulating trophoblast behaviors at the maternal‐fetal interface remains largely unknown.

Method of Study

First‐trimester villous samples were collected from RM patients and healthy controls (HCs) to determine the SPRY4 expression in human placenta during early pregnancy. The HTR8/SVneo cell line was introduced to clarify trophoblast cell functions via transfecting with specific short interfering RNA against SPRY4 or SPRY4‐overexpressing lentivirus in vitro. In addition, gene expression microarray analysis was performed to explore the downstream molecules and pathways.

Results

Our results revealed that SPRY4 expression was significantly increased in the first‐trimester cytotrophoblasts of RM patients compared with HCs. Furthermore, SPRY4 overexpression inhibited trophoblast proliferation and accelerated apoptosis in vitro, while SPRY4 knockdown reversed these effects. Mechanistically, IFN‐γ ‐induced STAT1 expression and activation were involved in the regulation of trophoblast proliferation and apoptosis by SPRY4, and IFN‐γ promoted SPRY4 expression and STAT1 phosphorylation through PI3K/AKT pathway. Additionally, both STAT1 and phosphorylated STAT (p‐STAT) levels were also upregulated in trophoblasts from RM patients and positively correlated with SPRY4 expression.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that SPRY4 may act as a negative regulator of trophoblast functions through upregulating IFN‐γ/PI3K/AKT‐induced STAT1 activation. High levels of SPRY4 and STAT1 may contribute to RM development and progression, and blocking of either target could be a novel therapeutic strategy for RM patients.
Pregnancy associates with alterations to the host and microbial proteome in vaginal mucosa
Authors: Farr Zuend Christina , Tobin Nicole H. , Vera Trisha , Kotyrba Lani , Noël‐Romas Laura , Birse Kenzie , Mutch Sarah , Li Fan , Lee David , McCorrister Stuart , Westmacott Garrett , Aldrovandi Grace M. , Burgener Adam D.
Published: March 2020

Problem

Pregnant women are at increased risk of HIV acquisition, but the biological mechanisms contributing to this observation are not well understood.

Method of Study

Here, we assessed host immune and microbiome differences in the vaginal mucosa of healthy pregnant and non‐pregnant women using a metaproteomics approach. Cervicovaginal lavage (CVL) samples were collected from 23 pregnant and 25 non‐pregnant women.

Results

Mass spectrometry analysis of CVL identified 550 human proteins and 376 bacterial proteins from 11 genera. Host proteome analysis indicated 56 human proteins (10%) were differentially abundant (P < .05) between pregnant and non‐pregnant women, including proteins involved in angiogenesis (P = 3.36E‐3), cell movement of phagocytes (P = 1.34E‐6), and permeability of blood vessels (P = 1.27E‐4). The major bacterial genera identified were Lactobacillus, Gardnerella, Prevotella, Megasphaera, and Atopobium. Pregnant women had higher levels of Lactobacillus species (P = .017) compared with non‐pregnant women. Functional pathway analysis indicated that pregnancy associated with changes to bacterial metabolic pathway involved in energy metabolism, which were increased in pregnant women (P = .035).

Conclusion

Overall, pregnant women showed differences in the cervicovaginal proteome and microbiome that may be important for HIV infection risk.
TSP1‐CD47‐SIRPα signaling facilitates the development of endometriosis by mediating the survival of ectopic endometrium
Authors: Liu Yukai , Li Mingqing , Wei Chunyan , Tang Lingli , Sheng Yanran , Liu Yuyin , Li Dajin , Ding Ding , Qiu Jianping , Zhu Xiaoyong
Published: March 2020

Problem

To explore whether the thrombospondin‐1(TSP1)‐CD47‐signal regulatory protein alpha (SIRPα) signaling pathway has impacts on the development of endometriosis.

Method of study

Endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) originated from ectopic and eutopic endometrial tissues with or without endometriosis. Monocytes (Macrophages) were isolated from peripheral blood and peritoneal fluids with or without endometriosis. The expression levels of molecules were investigated by flow cytometry (FCM), immunohistochemistry (IHC), and RT‐qPCR. The concentration of TSP1 was assessed via ELISA. The capacities of angiogenesis and phagocytosis were measured via tube formation assay and phagocytic assay, respectively.

Results

We confirmed the up‐regulation of critical molecules within the pathway in endometriosis patients. TSP1 can encourage normal ESCs (NESCs) growth and fibrosis. It simultaneously promotes the secretion of inflammatory factors and inhibits the phagocytic abilities of macrophages. Moreover, the proliferation of vascular endothelial cells (VECs) may be improved by TSP1. These effects may be offset by CD47 blocking antibodies. In addition, ectopic ESCs (EESCs) directly improve SIRPα expression on macrophages, which may further exhaust their phagocytic ability. Phagocytosis efficiency of macrophages on EESCs significantly improves by blocking CD47‐SIRPα pathway.

Conclusion

TSP1‐CD47‐SIRPα signaling pathway not only improves the viability of NESCs per se but also promotes their survival circumstances by affecting the function of macrophages and VECs, which are mutually reinforcing and jointly promote the development of endometriosis.
What Leads Entrepreneurial Employees to Want to Quit, or Stay in, Their Job? Exploring Two Conflicting Mechanisms
Authors: Ahmetoglu Gorkan , Nefyodova Valeriya , Chamorro‐Premuzic Tomas , Codreanu Sonia‐Cristina
Published: March 2020

Past turnover research has posited personality traits as important antecedents to quit intentions. Nevertheless, previous literature has not investigated the relationship between employees’ entrepreneurial tendencies—a constellation of domain specific traits—and turnover. Drawing on dispositional trait theory and attraction‐selection‐attrition theory, we propose engagement and intentions to start a business as mediators of the relationship between entrepreneurial tendencies and quit intentions. We test our predictions in a sample of full‐time employees from the United Kingdom (N = 224). In line with our hypotheses, an inconsistent mediation is found, where both positive and negative links between entrepreneurial tendencies and turnover intentions were mediated by engagement and intentions to start a business respectively. Thus, entrepreneurial employees were more likely to be engaged, but at the same time also more likely to be considering starting their own business, leading to a conflicting relationship to turnover intentions. The current study informs the human resource management literature concerning the motivational mechanisms explaining turnover intentions among entrepreneurial employees. It also provides practical insights with regards to the effective management of this workforce.
Recurrent mucocutaneous infections caused by PVL‐positive Staphylococcus aureus strains: a challenge in clinical practice
Authors: Balakirski Galina , Hischebeth Gunnar , Altengarten Julia , Exner Daniel , Bieber Thomas , Dohmen Jonas , Engelhart Steffen
Published: March 2020

Background

Recurrent mucocutaneous infections caused by PVL‐positive Staphylococcus (S.) aureus strains represent an increasing problem in Germany. Although there have been several outbreaks at day care centers and in urban communities in recent years, there are currently no diagnostic algorithms or treatment recommendations for these particular infections in Germany.

Methods

We performed a literature search in the PubMed/MEDLINE database with the goal of developing an algorithm for diagnosis and treatment of these infections. National and international recommendations were also considered.

Results

Panton‐Valentine leukocidin (PVL) is a pore‐forming protein produced by certain S. aureus strains. Both methicillin‐susceptible (MSSA) and methicillin‐resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strains may carry the lukS‐lukF gene responsible for PVL production. The clinical presentation of infections caused by PVL‐positive S. aureus ranges from isolated recurrent abscesses to extensive furunculosis. Despite adequate treatment of primary infections, approximately 40 % of patients develop recurrent disease. The choice of treatment regimen is guided by the clinical presentation of the infection. In addition, some scientific literature recommends bacteriological screening of patients and their contacts, followed by decolonization of affected individuals.

Conclusions

The present article focuses on the pathogenesis and risk factors of recurrent mucocutaneous infections caused by PVL‐positive S. aureus strains and proposes a diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm for optimal patient care.
Age‐specific associations of glycated haemoglobin variability with cardiovascular disease and mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A 10‐ year cohort study
Authors: Wan Eric Yuk Fai , Yu Esther Yee Tak , Chin Weng Yee , Ng Florence Ting Yan , Chia Shu Ming Cheryl , Wong Ian Chi Kei , Chan Esther Wai Yin , Lam Cindy Lo Kuen
Published: March 2020

Aims

To investigate the associations of increased variability in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality risk in patients with diabetes.

Materials and Methods

This prospective cohort study included 147 811 patients aged 45 to 84 years with type 2 diabetes mellitus, without CVD and with at least three HbA1c values recorded before baseline in the period 2008 to 2010. HbA1c variability was evaluated using a mixed effects model to reduce regression dilution bias. Age‐specific associations (45– 54, 55– 64, 65– 74 and 75– 84 years) between HbA1c variability and risk of CVD and mortality were assessed by Cox regression, adjusted for patient characteristics and usual HbA1c.

Results

After a median follow‐up of 7.4 years(1.02 million person‐years), an overall incidence of 40 785 events including CVD (incidence 27  793) and all‐cause mortalities (incidence 23 175) were identified. Positive log‐linear associations between HbA1c variability and CVD and mortality were identified in all age groups. The hazard ratios (HRs) for the composite of CVD and all‐cause mortality showed that age was inversely associated with HbA1c variability, with a 28% higher risk per 1% increase in HbA1c variability in the age group 45 to 54 years (all composite outcomes: HR 1.28, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.21, 1.35), whereas only a 14% higher risk in the 75– 84 age group (all composite outcomes: HR 1.14, 95% CI 1.11, 1.17). Subgroup analysis showed the risk in patients with usual HbA1c <53mmol/mol was about eight times higher than in those with usual HbA1c ≥64mmol/mol.

Conclusions

HbA1c variability was strongly related to CVD and mortality in patients with diabetes across all age groups. Whilst pursuing optimal HbA1c targets, attention should be given to patients with high HbA1c variability, especially younger patients with good HbA1c control.
Synergistic and additive interactions among components of food‐based baits underlie female fruit fly attraction
Authors: Piñero Jaime C. , Souder Steven K. , Vargas Roger I.
Published: March 2020

Attraction of tephritid fruit flies to some food sources can be enhanced by the presence of ammonia derivatives, compounds that are perceived as volatile cues for protein‐rich food sources. Using a comparative approach, we (1) evaluated the behavioral responses of females of three invasive fruit fly species, Bactrocera (Zeugodacus) cucurbitae (Coquillett), Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel), and Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (all Diptera: Tephritidae) to trub (a protein‐rich waste brewer’s yeast product generated during the production of beer), Concord grape juice (a protein‐deficient material), and ammonium acetate, and (2) identified synergistic and additive interactions between low‐ and high‐attractiveness materials and ammonium acetate. We established the attractiveness of fresh trub, grape juice, and ammonium acetate when tested singly to females of all three fly species. Although ammonium acetate did not enhance significantly the response of females of any species to fresh trub, the most attractive material, ammonium acetate, did significantly enhance females’ level of response to aged trub (a comparatively less attractive material) and to grape juice. Our research found a synergistic interaction between diluted grape juice and ammonium acetate for B. cucurbitae, as well as between aged trub and ammonium acetate for B. dorsalis. For C. capitata, additive effects among food attractants and ammonium acetate were identified. Our findings increase our understanding of fruit fly female olfactory‐driven behavior in response to food‐based materials and the extent to which ammonium acetate modulates female response to protein‐rich and protein‐deficient materials.
The myokine meteorin‐like (metrnl) improves glucose tolerance in both skeletal muscle cells and mice by targeting AMPKα2
Authors: Lee Jung Ok , Byun Won Seok , Kang Min Ju , Han Jeong Ah , Moon Jiyoung , Shin Min‐Jeong , Lee Ho Jun , Chung Ji Hyung , Lee Jin‐Seok , Son Chang‐Gue , Song Kwon‐Ho , Kim Tae Woo , Lee Eun‐Soo , Kim Hong Min , Chung Choon Hee , Ngoei Kevin R. W. , Ling Naomi X. Y. , Oakhill Jonathan S. , Galic Sandra , Murray‐Segal Lisa , Kemp Bruce E. , Kim Kyoung Min , Lim Soo , Kim Hyeon Soo
Published: March 2020

Meteorin‐like (metrnl) is a recently identified adipomyokine that beneficially affects glucose metabolism; however, its underlying mechanism of action is not completely understood. We here show that the level of metrnl increases in vitro under electrical pulse stimulation and in vivo in exercised mice, suggesting that metrnl is secreted during muscle contractions. In addition, metrnl increases glucose uptake via the calcium‐dependent AMPKα2 pathway in skeletal muscle cells and increases the phosphorylation of HDAC5, a transcriptional repressor of GLUT4, in an AMPKα2‐dependent manner. Phosphorylated HDAC5 interacts with 14‐3‐3 proteins and sequesters them in the cytoplasm, resulting in the activation of GLUT4 transcription. An intraperitoneal injection of recombinant metrnl improved glucose tolerance in mice with high‐fat‐diet‐induced obesity or type 2 diabetes, but not in AMPK β1β2 muscle‐specific null mice. Metrnl improves glucose metabolism via AMPKα2 and is a promising therapeutic candidate for glucose‐related diseases such as type 2 diabetes.
Regulation of Leishmania major PAS domain‐containing phosphoglycerate kinase by cofactor Mg2+ ion at neutral pH
Authors: Biswas Saroj , Adhikari Ayan , Mukherjee Aditi , Das Sumit , Adak Subrata
Published: March 2020

Recently, we described the PAS domain‐containing phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK) from Leishmania major (LmPAS‐PGK) that shows acidic pH (5.5)‐dependent optimum catalytic activity. The PAS domain of LmPAS‐PGK is expected to regulate PGK activity during catalysis, but the mechanism of regulation by PAS domain at the molecular level is uncharacterized. In this work, we have utilized the full‐length, PAS domain‐deleted, and mutant enzymes to measure the enzymatic activity in the presence of divalent cation at various pH values. Catalytic activity measurement indicates that Mg2+ binding through PAS domain inhibits the PGK activity at pH 7.5, and this inhibition is withdrawn at pH 5.5. To identify the Mg2+ binding residues of the PAS domain, we exploited a systematic mutational analysis of all (four) His residues in the PAS domain for potential divalent cation binding. Replacement of His‐57 with alanine resulted in depression in the presence of Mg2+ at pH 7.5, but H71A, H89A, and H111A showed similar characteristics with respect to the wild‐type protein. Fluorescence and isothermal titration calorimetry studies revealed that H57 is responsible for Mg2+ binding in the absence of substrates. Thus, the protonated form of His57 at acidic pH 5.5 destabilizes the Mg2+ binding in the PAS domain, which is an essential requirement in the wild‐type LmPAS‐PGK for a conformational alteration in the sensor domain that, sequentially, activates the PGK domain, resulting in the synthesis of higher amounts of ATP.
Effects of adoption of freshwater residency on life‐history ecology of terapontid grunters
Authors: Davis Aaron M. , Pusey Bradley J. , Betancur‐R Ricardo
Published: March 2020

While fish reproduction has played a critical role in development of life‐history theory, the collective effects of a marine‐to‐freshwater invasion on a clade's reproductive ecology have rarely been explored in a phylogenetic context. We analysed and compared a range of quantitative and qualitative components of reproductive ecology in the Australasian terapontid fishes, a family distributed widely across marine, estuarine and freshwater habitats in the Indo‐Pacific region. We specifically tested hypotheses that life‐history strategies such as larger egg sizes and reduced fecundities are a key characteristic of freshwater species in comparison with their close marine relatives, and also fit a range of currently available evolutionary models describing the processes of ecomorphological and macrohabitat‐related diversification.

Using recently developed phylogenetic comparative methods, differences in several quantitative reproductive traits were evident between marine and freshwater species, with reductions in average fecundity and increases in average egg size specifically characterising freshwater species. Evolutionary modelling of major trait axes, as well as specific traits across the family, highlighted significant increases in rates of evolutionary diversification across both freshwater lineages and within freshwater subclades. Modelling also supported the evolution of distinctive morpho‐ecotype optima between marine and freshwater species over simpler models of random‐walk evolution or single morphological optima.

Review of life‐history behaviour identified environmental stimuli related to photoperiod, temperature, and lunar‐tidal cycles (and possibly combinations thereof) as playing an important role in stimulating spawning behaviour in most marine–euryhaline species. While some of these variables (temperature and photoperiod) continue to play an important role in some freshwater species, flow regime, particularly streamflow increases, appear more important in stimulating spawning responses, underlining the role of flow regime emerging as a master variable shaping evolutionary trajectories in freshwater clades.

In this review and meta‐analysis, we document that adaptation to an entirely freshwater existence has catalysed significant, and in several cases, relatively rapid adaptive evolution to very different life‐history strategies within freshwater species. The invasion of freshwaters has had profound impacts on the trajectory of terapontid life‐history evolution, driving significant changes in a range of traits relating to fecundity, egg size, spawning stimuli, and spawning substratum. Collective results suggest a distinct adaptive landscape difference between marine and freshwaters. Terapontids can provide a useful model for assessing the consistency of these outcomes with other freshwater‐invading groups.