bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
INFLUENCE OF LEADERSHIP STYLES OF BANKERS IN DECISION MAKING ON LOANS TO START-UP ENTREPRENEURS
Authors: KUMAR MUKESH , PANDEY SURUCHI , SINHA VINITA , SRIVASTAVA ANUGAMINI PRIYA 
Published: January 2020

Availability of bank financing has been a matter of serious concern for start-up enterprises. Various reasons for non-availability of bank financing by these entities have been studied in the past; however, the role of bankers’ leadership styles has not been explored well. Although leadership in the banking sector is well researched, studies on influence of leadership styles in decisions made by bankers on providing loans to start-up entrepreneurs are non-existent. Therefore, the objective of this study is to find out if three leadership styles — i.e. transformational, transactional and laissez-faire — influence bankers while they make a decision on providing a loan to a start-up entrepreneur. The findings of this paper indicate that, out of three leadership styles, transformational leadership style has a significant influence on decisions made by bankers on loans to start-up entrepreneurs while transactional and laissez-faire leadership styles did not have a significant influence on bankers.
Empagliflozin Blunts Worsening Cardiac Dysfunction Associated With Reduced NLRP3 (Nucleotide-Binding Domain-Like Receptor Protein 3) Inflammasome Activation in Heart Failure
Authors: Byrne Nikole J. , Matsumura Nobutoshi , Maayah Zaid H. , Ferdaoussi Mourad , Takahara Shingo , Darwesh Ahmed M. , Levasseur Jody L. , Jahng James Won Suk , Vos Dyonne , Parajuli Nirmal , El-Kadi Ayman O.S. , Braam Branko , Young Martin E. , Verma Subodh , Light Peter E. , Sweeney Gary , Seubert John M. , Dyck Jason R.B. 
Published: January 2020

Background:
Although empagliflozin was shown to profoundly reduce cardiovascular events in diabetic patients and blunt the decline in cardiac function in nondiabetic mice with established heart failure (HF), the mechanism of action remains unknown.

Methods and Results:

We treated 2 rodent models of HF with 10 mg/kg per day empagliflozin and measured activation of the NLRP3 (nucleotide-binding domain-like receptor protein 3) inflammasome in the heart. We show for the first time that beneficial effects of empagliflozin in HF with reduced ejection fraction (HF with reduced ejection fraction [HFrEF]; n=30–34) occur in the absence of changes in circulating ketone bodies, cardiac ketone oxidation, or increased cardiac ATP production. Of note, empagliflozin attenuated activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and expression of associated markers of sterile inflammation in hearts from mice with HFrEF, implicating reduced cardiac inflammation as a mechanism of empagliflozin that contributes to sustained function in HFrEF in the absence of diabetes mellitus. In addition, we validate that the beneficial cardiac effects of empagliflozin in HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF; n=9–10) are similarly associated with reduced activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. Lastly, the ability of empagliflozin to reduce inflammation was completely blunted by a calcium (Ca
2+
) ionophore, suggesting that empagliflozin exerts its benefit upon restoring optimal cytoplasmic Ca
2+
levels in the heart.

Conclusions:

These data provide evidence that the beneficial cardiac effects of empagliflozin are associated with reduced cardiac inflammation via blunting activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in a Ca
2+
-dependent manner and hence may be beneficial in treating HF even in the absence of diabetes mellitus.
Utilization of Advanced Cardiovascular Therapies in the United States and Canada
Authors: Cram Peter , Girotra Saket , Matelski John , Koh Maria , Landon Bruce E. , Han Lu , Lee Douglas S. , Ko Dennis T. 
Published: January 2020

Background:
Endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR), left ventricular assist device (LVAD), and transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) are expensive cardiovascular technologies with potential to benefit large numbers of patients. There are few population-based studies comparing utilization between countries. Our objective was to compare patient characteristics and utilization patterns of EVAR, LVAD, and TAVR in Ontario, Canada, and New York State, United States.

Methods and Results:

We performed a retrospective cohort study using administrative data to identify all adults who received EVAR, LVAD, or TAVR in Ontario and New York between 2012 and 2015. We compared socio-demographics of EVAR, LVAD, and TAVR recipients in Ontario and New York. We compared standardized utilization rates between jurisdictions for each procedure. We identified 3295 EVAR recipients from Ontario and 6236 from New York (mean age 74.6 versus 74.5 years;
P
=0.61): 136 LVAD recipients from Ontario and 686 from New York (age, 57.4 versus 57.7 years;
P
=0.80): 1708 TAVR recipients from Ontario and 4838 from New York (age, 83.1 versus 83.1;
P
=1.0). A significantly smaller percentage of EVAR and TAVR recipients in Ontario were female compared to New York (EVAR, 15.8% versus 22.1% female;
P
<0.001; TAVR, 45.9% versus 51.8%;
P
<0.001), but for LVAD the percentage female was similar (21.3% versus 20.8%;
P
=0.99). Utilization was significantly higher in New York for all procedures: EVAR (12.8 procedures per-100 000 adults per-year in Ontario, 20.2 in New York;
P
<0.001); LVAD (0.3 in Ontario versus 1.3 in New York;
P
<0.001); and TAVR (6.6 in Ontario, 14.3 in New York;
P
<0.001). Higher utilization of EVAR and TAVR in New York relative to Ontario increased substantially with increasing age.

Conclusions:
We observed significantly higher utilization of EVAR, LVAD, and TAVR in New York compared to Ontario. Our results highlight important differences in how 2 different countries are using advanced cardiovascular therapies.
Seasonality and Formation of Barrier Layers and Associated Temperature Inversions in the Eastern Tropical North Pacific
Authors: Katsura Shota , Sprintall Janet 
Published: January 2020

AbstractSeasonality and formation of barrier layers (BLs) and associated temperature inversions (TIs) in the eastern tropical North Pacific Ocean were investigated using raw and gridded Argo profiling float data, satellite data, and various sea surface flux data. BLs were observed frequently in boreal summer and autumn along the sea surface salinity (SSS) front south of the eastern Pacific fresh pool. TIs were found within the gap between the western and eastern Pacific warm pools in autumn when BLs were thickest. A mixed layer salinity budget was constructed to determine the formation mechanism responsible for BLs with TIs. This budget revealed that Ekman advection works to both freshen and cool the eastern tropical North Pacific in autumn and contributes to the formation of the thickest BLs with the warmest TIs through the tilting of the SSS front. Precipitation is a secondary contributor to BL formation in autumn. The BLs are also prevalent during summer but are thinner, are without associated TIs, and are primarily formed through precipitation. The largest rainfall associated with the intertropical convergence zone mostly occurred north of the band of thickest BLs in both summer and autumn. The geostrophic advection of salinity did not coherently contribute to the formation of BLs or TIs. The idea that Ekman advection contributes most to the formation of the thickest BLs with warm TIs was further corroborated because the horizontal salinity gradient was the dominant contributor to the density gradient and so is favorable for BL and TI formation.
Antidepressant treatment for primary care patients with depressive symptoms: Data from thediamondlongitudinal cohort study
Authors: Davidson Sandra K , Romaniuk Helena , Chondros Patty , Dowrick Christopher , Pirkis Jane , Herrman Helen , Fletcher Susan , Gunn Jane 
Published: January 2020

Background:In light of emerging evidence questioning the safety of antidepressants, it is timely to investigate the appropriateness of antidepressant prescribing. This study estimated the prevalence of possible over- and under-treatment with antidepressants among primary care attendees and investigated the factors associated with potentially inappropriate antidepressant use.Methods:In all, 789 adult primary care patients with depressive symptoms were recruited from 30 general practices in Victoria, Australia, in 2005 and followed up every 3 months in 2006 and annually from 2007 to 2011. For this study, we first assessed appropriateness of antidepressant use in 2007 at the 2-year follow-up to enable history of depression to be taken into account, providing 574 (73%) patients with five yearly assessments, resulting in a total of 2870 assessments. We estimated the prevalence of use of antidepressants according to the adapted National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines and used regression analysis to identify factors associated with possible over- and under-treatment.Results:In 41% (243/586) of assessments where antidepressants were indicated according to adapted National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines, patients reported not taking them. Conversely in a third (557/1711) of assessments where guideline criteria were unlikely to be met, participants reported antidepressant use. Being female and chronic physical illness were associated with antidepressant use where guideline criteria were not met, but no factors were associated with not taking antidepressants where guideline criteria were met.Conclusions:Much antidepressant treatment in general practice is for people with minimal or mild symptoms, while people with moderate or severe depressive symptoms may miss out. There is considerable scope for improving depression care through better allocation of antidepressant treatment.
Why people enter and stay in public service careers: the role of parental socialization and an interest in politics
Authors: Fischer Caroline , Schott Carina 
Published: January 2020

This article examines the effect of parental socialization and interest in politics on entering and staying in public service careers. We incorporate two related explanations, yet commonly used in different fields of literature, to explain public sector choice. First, following social learning theory, we hypothesize that parents serve as role models and thereby affect their children’s sector choice. Additionally, we test the hypothesis that parental socialization leads to a longer stay in public sector jobs while assuming that it serves as a buffer against turnover. Second, following public service motivation process theory, we expect that ‘interest in politics’ is influenced by parental socialization and that this concept, in turn, leads to a public sector career. A representative set of longitudinal data from the Swiss household panel (1999–2014) was used to analyse these hypotheses ( n = 2,933, N = 37,328). The results indicate that parental socialization serves as a stronger predictor of public sector choice than an interest in politics. Furthermore, people with parents working in the public sector tend to stay longer in their public sector jobs. Points for practitioners For practitioners, the results of this study are relevant as they highlight the limited usefulness of addressing job applicants’ interest in politics in the recruitment process. Human resources managers who want to ensure a public-service-motivated workforce are therefore advised to focus on human resources activities that stimulate public service motivation after job entry. We also advise close interaction between universities and public organizations so that students develop a realistic picture of the government as a future employer and do not experience a ‘reality shock’ after job entry.
Comparison of optical coherence tomography measurements between high hyperopic and low hyperopic children
Authors: Dikkaya Funda , Karaman Erdur Sevil 
Published: January 2020

Purpose: To identify the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer, total macular, ganglion cell layer, and inner plexiform layer thicknesses in children with high hyperopia using spectral domain optical coherence tomography. Methods: Twenty-one children with high hyperopia and 20 controls were enrolled in this study. Subjects with spherical equivalent +5.0 D or higher were evaluated in the study group and subject with spherical equivalent between +0.25 and +2.0 D in the control group. The retinal nerve fiber layer thickness, macular thickness, macular ganglion cell layer and inner plexiform layer thicknesses were measured using a spectral domain optical coherence tomography, and results were compared between groups. Results: The nasal and inferior quadrant and the global retinal nerve fiber layer thickness were significantly thicker in the study group. The mean thickness of inferior quadrant of the inner macula was significantly thicker in the study group than those in the control group. The mean thickness of the ganglion cell layer in nasal, temporal and inferior quadrant of outer macula was significantly thinner in the study group than the control group. The mean thickness of the inner plexiform layer in the inferior quadrant of the inner macula and nasal and inferior quadrant of the outer macula were significantly higher in study group than those in control group. Conclusion: High hyperopic children had thicker retinal nerve fiber layer when compared to the controls. This difference should be taken into account when evaluating children with glaucoma or other optic disc disorders.
Improving management of comorbidity in patients with colorectal cancer using comprehensive medical assessment: a pilot study
Authors: Signal Virginia , Jackson Christopher , Signal Louise , Hardie Claire , Holst Kirsten , McLaughlin Marie , Steele Courtney , Sarfati Diana 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background
Screening for and active management of comorbidity soon after cancer diagnosis shows promise in altering cancer treatment and outcomes for comorbid patients. Prior to a large multi-centre study, piloting of the intervention (comprehensive medical assessment) was undertaken to investigate the feasibility of the comorbidity screening tools and proposed outcome measures, and the feasibility, acceptability and potential effect of the intervention.

Methods
In this pilot intervention study, 72 patients of all ages (36 observation/36 intervention) with newly diagnosed or recently relapsed colorectal adenocarcinoma were enrolled and underwent comorbidity screening and risk stratification. Intervention patients meeting pre-specified comorbidity criteria were referred for intervention, a comprehensive medical assessment carried out by geriatricians. Each intervention was individually tailored but included assessment and management of comorbidity, polypharmacy, mental health particularly depression, functional status and psychosocial issues. Recruitment and referral to intervention were tracked, verbal and written feedback were gathered from staff, and semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with 13 patients to assess screening tool and intervention feasibility and acceptability. Interviews were transcribed and analysed thematically. Patients were followed for 6–12 months after recruitment to assess feasibility of proposed outcome measures (chemotherapy uptake and completion rates, grade 3–5 treatment toxicity, attendance at hospital emergency clinic, and unplanned hospitalisations) and descriptive data on outcomes collated.

Results
Of the 29 intervention patients eligible for the intervention, 21 received it with feedback indicating that the intervention was acceptable. Those in the intervention group were less likely to be on 3+ medications, to have been admitted to hospital in previous 12 months, or to have limitations in daily activities. Collection of data to measure proposed outcomes was feasible with 55% (6/11) of intervention patients completing chemotherapy as planned compared to none (of 14) of the control group. No differences were seen in other outcome measures. Overall the study was feasible with modification, but the intervention was difficult to integrate into clinical pathways.

Conclusions

This study generated valuable results that will be used to guide modification of the study and its approaches prior to progressing to a larger-scale study.

Trial registration
Retrospective, 26 August 2019, ACTRN12619001192178.
The role of perceived stress and cognitive function on the relationship between neuroticism and depression among the elderly: a structural equation model approach
Authors: Banjongrewadee Mukda , Wongpakaran Nahathai , Wongpakaran Tinakon , Pipanmekaporn Tanyong , Punjasawadwong Yodying , Mueankwan Sirirat 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background
Depression comprises common psychological problems, and has been strongly related to neuroticism and perceived stress. While neuroticism has been shown to have a direct effect on depression, it also has an indirect effect via perceived stress. Among the elderly, cognitive function produces influences that should not be overlooked when investigating depression. This study aimed to determine the role of mediating effects of perceived stress as well as cognitive function on neuroticism and depression among elderly patients.

Methods
This research constituted a secondary analysis, with data collected during the pre-operative period of 429 elderly individuals undergoing elective, noncardiac surgery. The evaluation included the Perceived Stress Scale, the Neuroticism Inventory, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, and the Geriatric Depression Scale. Structural equation modeling was used to investigate the hypothesized model.

Results
Neuroticism exhibited a significant indirect effect on perceived stress via depression and cognition (β = 0.162, 95% CI 0.026, 0.322, p = .002). Neuroticism initially had a direct effect on depression (β = 0.766, 95% CI 0.675, 0.843 p = 0.003); thereafter, it was reduced after covariates were added (β = 0.557, 95% CI 0.432, 0.668 p = 0.002). Based on this model, the total variance explained by this model was 67%, and the model showed an acceptable fit with the data.

Conclusions
Both perceived stress and cognitive function partially mediated the effect of neuroticism on depression, with perceived stress exhibiting a greater effect.

Trial registration
The study protocol has been registered at Clinicaltrials.gov under registered number: NCT02131181.
The impact of COPD on polyneuropathy: results from the German COPD cohort COSYCONET
Authors: Kahnert K. , Föhrenbach M. , Lucke T. , Alter P. , Trudzinski F. T. , Bals R. , Lutter J. I. , Timmermann H. , Söhler S. , Förderreuther S. , Nowak D. , Watz H. , Waschki B. , Behr J. , Welte T. , Vogelmeier C. F. , Jörres R. A. 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background
Peripheral neuropathy is a common comorbidity in COPD. We aimed to investigate associations between alterations commonly found in COPD and peripheral neuropathy, with particular emphasize on the distinction between direct and indirect effects.

Methods
We used visit 4 data of the COPD cohort COSYCONET, which included indicators of polyneuropathy (repeated tuning fork and monofilament testing), excluding patients with diabetes a/o increased HbA1c. These indicators were analysed for the association with COPD characteristics, including lung function, blood gases, 6-min walk distance (6-MWD), timed-up-and-go-test (TUG), exacerbation risk according to GOLD, C-reactive protein (CRP), and ankle-brachial index (ABI). Based on the results of conventional regression analyses adjusted for age, BMI, packyears and gender, we utilized structural equation modelling (SEM) to quantify the network of direct and indirect relationships between parameters.

Results
606 patients were eligible for analysis. The indices of polyneuropathy were highly correlated with each other and related to base excess (BE), ABI and TUG. ABI was linked to neuropathy and 6-MWD, exacerbations depended on FEV1, 6-MWD and CRP. The associations could be summarized into a SEM comprising polyneuropathy as a latent variable (PNP) with three measured indicator variables. Importantly, PNP was directly dependent on ABI and particularly on BE. When also including patients with diabetes and/or elevated values of HbA1c (n = 742) the SEM remained virtually the same.

Conclusion
We identified BE and ABI as major determinants of peripheral neuropathy in patients with COPD. All other associations, particularly those with lung function and physical capacity, were indirect. These findings underline the importance of alterations of the micromilieu in COPD, in particular the degree of metabolic compensation and vascular status.
Effects of cyclic adenosine monophosphate modulators on maturation and quality of vitrified-warmed germinal vesicle stage mouse oocytes
Authors: Lee Dayong , Lee Hyang Heun , Lee Jung Ryeol , Suh Chang Suk , Kim Seok Hyun , Kim S. Samuel 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background
It is still one of the unresolved issues if germinal vesicle stage (GV) oocytes can be successfully cryopreserved for fertility preservation and matured in vitro without damage after warming. Several studies have reported that the addition of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) modulators to in vitro maturation (IVM) media improved the developmental potency of mature oocytes though vitrification itself provokes cAMP depletion. We evaluated whether the addition of cAMP modulators after GV oocytes retrieval before vitrification enhances maturation and developmental capability after warming of GV oocytes.

Methods
Retrieved GV oocytes of mice were divided into cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) and denuded oocytes (DOs). Then, GV oocytes were cultured with or without dibutyryl-cAMP (dbcAMP, cAMP analog) and 3-isobutyl-l-methylxanthine (phosphodiesterase inhibitor) during the pre-vitrification period for 30 min.

Results
One hour after warming, the ratio of oocytes that stayed in the intact GV stage was significantly higher in groups treated with cAMP modulators. After 18 h of IVM, the percentage of maturation was significantly higher in the COC group treated with dbcAMP. The expression of F-actin, which is involved in meiotic spindle migration and chromosomal translocation, is likewise increased in this group. However, there was no difference in chromosome and spindle organization integrity or developmental competence between the MII oocytes of all groups.

Conclusions
Increasing the intracellular cAMP level before vitrification of the GV oocytes maintained the cell cycle arrest, and this process may facilitate oocyte maturation after IVM by preventing cryodamage and synchronizing maturation between nuclear and cytoplasmic components. The role of cumulus cells seems to be essential for this mechanism.