bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Understanding security in the government's use of blockchain technology with value focused thinking approach
Authors: Tshering Gaki , Gao Shang 
Published: March 2020

PurposeThe purpose of the research is to assess security concerns in government's use of Blockchain technology through the lens of value focused thinking (VFT) approach.Design/methodology/approachQualitative methods such as open ended questions and interviews were used to gather data and the data was analysed in a structured approach to formulate a means-ends network of objectives. The data were collected from eight interviews of selected participants.FindingsThe findings are 35 objectives of which ten are fundamental objectives related to the values of identity, trust, data privacy, transparency, integrity, public service delivery, cost, availability of public information, responsibility and usability.Practical implicationsThe study implies that governments or private organisations building blockchain solutions for governments can benefit from insights on values to focus on in blockchain security; and the current research serves as a base to understand more on blockchain use in the governments as well as security values and application of VFT approach for future academic researchers in this area.Social implicationsIt is a need-driven approach in which blockchain is assessed to ensure its fit to societal needs and public values.Originality/valueIt is first of its kind in studying security in blockchain use by government through the lens of VFT approach, and it provides insights of values that are of importance to further blockchain use in the government.
What really matters for startups in luxury: entrepreneurial luxury excellence
Authors: Ehrensperger Elena , Erkhova Daria , Yadavalli Aparna , Krohmer Harley 
Published: March 2020

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify luxury-specific entrepreneurial success factors that, in addition to the well-established general success factors of startups, drive the performance of startups in the luxury industry. The study proposes a contingency perspective on the success factors of startups by examining entrepreneurial excellence in one specific context, the luxury context.

Design/methodology/approach
The study uses a qualitative research design, with 24 semi-structured in-depth interviews with senior executives of Swiss luxury startups as key informants. The data is analyzed using the grounded theory approach.

Findings
The study develops a new construct of entrepreneurial luxury excellence consisting of two dimensions, resource-related excellence and strategy-related excellence, and identifies the underlying specific success factors related to these two dimensions of entrepreneurial luxury excellence.

Research limitations/implications
The study advances research on strategic entrepreneurship as it combines a holistic approach to managerial success factors of startups with a contingency perspective on them. It also adds to the existing body of research on luxury management where studies with a focus on industry newcomers are still a new domain.

Practical implications
The study makes important implications for luxury entrepreneurs and other stakeholders (e.g. investors) by showing that the success factors of luxury startups might differ from those of startups in other industries.

Originality/value
The paper identifies a new construct – entrepreneurial luxury excellence.
Business model innovation as a turnaround strategy
Authors: Hosseinzadeh Shahri Masoumeh , Nematollahi Sarvestani Maryam 
Published: March 2020

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to determine the firms, innovations in the cases that have successfully overcome a decline and also to assess whether these innovations can be considered as business model innovations.Design/methodology/approachIn this paper, the data was collected from analyzing four case studies in different businesses through semistructured interviews with relevant internal experts.FindingsThe findings revealed that the innovation that had been taken was related to the constructs of their existing business model. Therefore, the business model innovation functions as a critical practice of turnaround strategy in the decline period.Research limitations/implicationsThe article provides the most important business model constructs in each business through which the related firm could overcome a decline in their life cycle. Since this paper has been studied in different unrelated businesses and due to the qualitative research nature, generalization cannot be ensured.Practical implicationsFrom the practical and managerial point of view, this article is useful as it defines the most important business model components in each industry and based on it, the similar companies can do innovation in their business model. It also helps the related companies in the same industry to develop and design their specific turnaround strategies.Originality/valueSo far, rare research has seen business model innovation as a turnaround strategy, and it can be claimed that till now, no research has been conducted in Iran in this context. Therefore, the business practitioners can employ innovation on the components of their existing business model to overcome a decline.
How does Islamic fintech promote the SDGs? Qualitative evidence from Indonesia
Authors: Hudaefi Fahmi Ali 
Published: March 2020

Purpose
This study aims to explore the existing Islamic financial technology (fintech) lending in Indonesia. Doing so is to better understand in what way the fintech firms have been promoting the global movement of sustainable development goals (SDGs) in the local context.

Design/methodology/approach
This study engages qualitative methods. This paper first reviews relevant literature related to fintech and establishes the substantive definition of Islamic fintech. Further, the existing literature of SDGs is explored to understand its original idea and its recent implementation, particularly in Indonesia. Following this, the official reports from the domestic regulators are referred to select the fintech firms which meet the criteria of Islamic fintech lending based on the proposed definition. The selected firms are then analysed based on several themes which best capture their position in promoting the SDGs. Finally, the discussion is linked to the recent performance of Indonesia in implementing SDGs.

Findings
This work finds that the reviewed fintech firms have been promoting the idea of financial inclusion, for example, financing the underdeveloped sectors such as agriculture and small and micro enterprises (SMEs). Furthermore, the selected fintech firms are also found to collect and distribute Islamic social funds such as infaq (charity spending), waqf (endowment) and sadaqah (voluntary charity). Besides, the firms are also found to initiate charity programmes for underprivileged community. In some degree, these findings are synonymous of the firms’ effort in promoting SDG of ending poverty (SDG 1) and hunger (SDG 2) and reducing the inequalities (SDG 10).

Research limitations/implications
The discussion of this work does not provide any positivist generalisation due to the method used.

Practical implications
The Indonesian Government is advised to legally engage with the existing fintech firms and other related stakeholders to best solve its recent issue of the declining trend in SDG 15 (life on land).

Social implications
This work elaborates in what way the Islamic fintech lending has been promoting the SDGs in Indonesian context. In some extent, such discussion can best challenge the social issue of fintech which has been stigmatised of bringing mafsadah (harm), as subjectively claimed by one particular religious group in Indonesia.

Originality/value
This study is among the pioneers which offers the definition of Islamic fintech and further explains its position in endorsing the global movement of SDGs.
Effects of a combined infection with Paranosema locustae and Beauveria bassiana on Locusta migratoria and its gut microflora
Authors: Tan Shu‐Qian , Yin Yue , Cao Kai‐Li , Zhao Xin‐Xin , Wang Xiao‐Yu , Zhang Yu‐Xin , Shi Wang‐Peng 
Published: March 2020

AbstractEven though Paranosema locustae is widely used in China as a biological agent for controlling grasshoppers, the mortality rate is initially quite low. This study sought to determine whether the simultaneous use of P. locustae and Beauveria bassiana would be a more effective control strategy. Additionally, changes in the intestinal microbial communities of migratory locusts infected with the two pathogens were analyzed to investigate the roles of gut microbes in pathogen–host interactions. The mortality rate of locusts inoculated with B. bassiana and P. locustae simultaneously was not significantly higher than expected, but the mortality rates of locusts inoculated with B. bassiana 3, 6, and 9 days after inoculation with P. locustae were significantly higher than if their effects were additive, indicating synergism. A MiSeq analysis found that Weissella was the most common bacterium, representing 41.48% and 51.62% of the total bacteria in the mid‐ and hindguts, respectively, and the bacterial declines were greatest during dual infections with B. bassiana and P. locustae. The appropriately timed combined application of P. locustae and B. bassiana was more effective against locusts than either treatment alone. Moreover, the combined inoculation of the two pathogens changed the gut microflora of locusts, indicating the potential relevancy of their synergistic effects on locust control.
Interactional behaviors of the parasitic beetle Paussus favieri with its ant host Pheidole pallidula: the mimetic role of the acoustical signals
Authors: Fattorini Simone , Maurizi Emanuela , Di Giulio Andrea 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe social parasitic beetle Paussus favieri (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Paussini) performs different types of stridulations, which selectively mimic those emitted by different ant castes of its host Pheidole pallidula (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Myrmicinae). However, the significance of this acoustical mimicry for the success of the parasitic strategy and the behaviors elicited in the host ants by stridulations was unknown. We reared Paussus favieri in Pheidole pallidula colonies and filmed their interacting behaviors. We analyzed in slow motion the behavior of ants near a stridulating beetle. We analyzed separately trains of pulse (Pa + Pb, produced by repeated rubbings) and single pulse (Pc, produced by a single rubbing) of stridulations, clearly recognizable from the shaking up and down of the beetle hind legs, and associated them with different ant responses. The full repertoire of sounds produced by P. favieri elicited benevolent responses both in workers and soldiers. We found that different signals elicit different (sometimes multiple) behaviors in ants, with different frequency in the two ant castes. However, Pc (alone or in conjunction with other types of pulses) appears to be the type of acoustic signal mostly responsible for all recorded behaviors. These results indicate that the acoustic channel plays a pivotal role in the host–parasite interaction. Finding that a parasite uses the acoustical channel so intensively, and in such a complicated way to trigger ant behaviors, indicates that acoustic signals may be more important in ant societies than commonly recognized.
The international sinonasal microbiome study: A multicentre, multinational characterization of sinonasal bacterial ecology
Authors: Paramasivan Sathish , Bassiouni Ahmed , Shiffer Arron , Dillon Matthew R. , Cope Emily K. , Cooksley Clare , Ramezanpour Mahnaz , Moraitis Sophia , Ali Mohammad Javed , Bleier Benjamin , Callejas Claudio , Cornet Marjolein E. , Douglas Richard G. , Dutra Daniel , Georgalas Christos , Harvey Richard J. , Hwang Peter H. , Luong Amber U. , Schlosser Rodney J. , Tantilipikorn Pongsakorn , Tewfik Marc A. , Vreugde Sarah , Wormald Peter‐John , Caporaso J. Gregory , Psaltis Alkis J. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe sinonasal microbiome remains poorly defined, with our current knowledge based on a few cohort studies whose findings are inconsistent. Furthermore, the variability of the sinus microbiome across geographical divides remains unexplored. We characterize the sinonasal microbiome and its geographical variations in both health and disease using 16S rRNA gene sequencing of 410 individuals from across the world. Although the sinus microbial ecology is highly variable between individuals, we identify a core microbiome comprised of Corynebacterium, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Haemophilus and Moraxella species in both healthy and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) cohorts. Corynebacterium (mean relative abundance = 44.02%) and Staphylococcus (mean relative abundance = 27.34%) appear particularly dominant in the majority of patients sampled. Amongst patients suffering from CRS with nasal polyps, a statistically significant reduction in relative abundance of Corynebacterium (40.29% vs 50.43%; P = .02) was identified. Despite some measured differences in microbiome composition and diversity between some of the participating centres in our cohort, these differences would not alter the general pattern of core organisms described. Nevertheless, atypical or unusual organisms reported in short‐read amplicon sequencing studies and that are not part of the core microbiome should be interpreted with caution. The delineation of the sinonasal microbiome and standardized methodology described within our study will enable further characterization and translational application of the sinus microbiota.
The role of partial orchidectomy in the management of small testicular tumours: Fertility and endocrine function
Authors: Raison Nicholas , Warrington Jake , Alnajjar Hussain M. , Muneer Asif , Ahmed Kamran 
Published: March 2020

AbstractBackgroundRadical orchidectomy in patients who are subsequently diagnosed with benign testicular tumours represents an overtreatment due to the deleterious effects on endogenous testosterone, fertility and body image. For these reasons, the option of partial orchidectomy (PO) should be considered in certain groups of patients. Patients with bilateral tumours (synchronous or metachronous) or a solitary testis where the lesion is no greater than 30% of the volume of the testis could be considered for a PO. Evidence has shown that PO is effective for small testicular masses with excellent survival and recurrence rates.ObjectivesHighlight the feasibility of maintaining post‐operative fertility or normal semen parameters and endocrine function following PO.Materials and MethodsData for this review were obtained through a search of the PubMed database. Papers were required to be in English and focus on adult human males.ResultsEligible and relevant papers were assessed for data regarding fertility, semen parameters and endocrine function following PO for a small testicular mass (STM).ConclusionIt is possible to preserve both fertility and endocrine function after PO. Although patients may still require adjuvant radiotherapy for concomitant intratubular germ cell neoplasia (ITGCN) which results in subfertility, endocrine function is still conserved. However, it is possible to postpone radiotherapy and continue with clinical surveillance for the purposes of fertility preservation.
Lycorine targets multiple myeloma stem cell‐like cells by inhibition of Wnt/β‐catenin pathway
Authors: Wang Haiqin , Gong Yanfei , Liang Long , Xiao Ling , Yi Hui , Ye Mao , Roy Mridul , Xia Jiliang , Zhou Wen , Yang Chaoying , Shen Xiaokai , Zhang Boxin , Li Zhenzhen , Liu Jing , Zhou Hui , Xiao Xiaojuan 
Published: March 2020

SummaryMultiple myeloma (MM) is characterised by the proliferation and accumulation of malignant plasma cells in the bone marrow. Despite the progress in treatment over the last few years, MM remains incurable and the majority of patients relapse. MM stem‐like cells (MMSCs) have been considered as the main reason for drug resistance and eventual relapse. Currently, therapeutic agents are not enough to eradicate MMSCs, and finding effective strategies to eradicate MMSCs may improve the outcome of patients. Here we showed that lycorine, a natural compound from the Amaryllidaceae species, effectively inhibits the proliferation of myeloma cells from cell lines or patients, mainly through decreasing ALDH1+ cells. Mechanistically, lycorine decreases the MMSC population through inhibition of the Wnt/β‐catenin pathway by reducing the β‐catenin protein level. Moreover, lycorine could overcome the increasing proportion of ALDH1+ cells caused by bortezomib (BTZ) treatment, and a combination BTZ and lycorine have a synergistic effect on anti‐myeloma cells. Furthermore, we found a similar reduction of MMSC characteristics by lycorine in BTZ‐resistant MM cells and primary CD138+ plasma cells. Collectively, our findings indicate lycorine as a promising agent to target MMSCs to overcome the drug resistance of BTZ, and that, alone or in combination with BTZ, lycorine is a potential therapeutic strategy for MM treatments.
Vascular endothelial growth factor‐loaded poly‐lactic‐co‐glycolic acid nanoparticles with controlled release protect the dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson's rats
Authors: Meng Xian‐Yue , Huang An‐Qi , Khan Afsar , Zhang Li , Sun Xiao‐Qian , Song Hao , Han Jun , Sun Qian‐Ru , Wang Yu‐Dan , Li Xue‐Li 
Published: March 2020

AbstractVascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) had neuroprotective effects on dopaminergic (DA) neurons. In order to overcome the gastrointestinal digestion and bioaccessibility, VEGF was encapsulated with poly‐lactic‐co‐glycolic acid nanospheres (NS) in order to prevent the VEGF degradation until its release. The caudal administration of VEGF and NS encapsulated VEGF at different doses (1.0, 10.0, and 100.0 ng/ml) on the rats with Parkinson's disease lesion was evaluated. Intravenous injected VEGF at the dose of 1 ng/ml displayed the strongest neuroprotective effect than other groups as well as the stereotaxic group. The NS encapsulated with VEGF can pass through blood–brain barrier and protect the DA neurons. There was no significant difference between intravenous injection method and stereotaxic method, while the first method is simpler and convenient. Injection of NS encapsulated with VEGF may become a valuable neurorescuing therapeutic approach for Parkinson's disease.
Inter‐ and Intrafamilial Phenotypic Variability in Individuals with Collagen‐Related Osteogenesis Imperfecta
Authors: Zhytnik Lidiia , Maasalu Katre , Reimand Tiia , Duy Binh Ho , Kõks Sulev , Märtson Aare 
Published: March 2020

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a rare genetic disorder also known as a “brittle bone disease.” Around 90% of patients with OI harbor loss‐of‐function or dominant negative pathogenic variants in the COL1A1 and COL1A2 genes, which code for collagen type I α1 and α2 chains. Collagen‐related forms of the disorder are classified as Sillence OI types I–IV. OI phenotype expression ranges from mild to lethal. The current study aims to evaluate associations between interfamilial and intrafamilial phenotypic variability and genotype characteristics of patients with collagen‐related OI. The study was based on a systematic review of collagen‐related OI cases from the University of Tartu OI database (n = 137 individuals from 81 families) and the Dalgleish database (n = 479 individuals). Interfamilial variability analysis has shown that 17.74% of all studied OI‐related variants were associated with the same phenotype. The remaining 82.26% of pathogenic variants were associated with variable phenotypes. Additionally, higher interfamilial variability correlated with the COL1A1 gene (P value = 0.001) and dominant‐negative variants (P value = 0.0007). Within intrafamilial variability, 32.81% families had increasing or decreasing OI phenotype severity across generations. Higher intrafamilial variability of phenotypes correlated with the collagen I dominant negative variants (P value = 0.0246). The current study shows that, in line with other phenotype modification factors, OI interfamilial and intrafamilial diversity potential is associated with the genotype characteristics of the OI‐causing pathogenic variants. The results of the current study may advance knowledge of OI phenotype modification as well as assist family planning and the evaluation of disease progression in subsequent generations.
The onset speed of hyperglycemia is important to the development of neuropathic hyperalgesia in streptozotocin‐induced diabetic rats
Authors: do Prado Filipe C. , Vieira Willians F. , Fernandes de Magalhães Silviane , Bonet Ivan José Magayewsky , Tambeli Claudia H. , Parada Carlos A. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractDiabetic neuropathic hyperalgesia is one of the most common diabetes complications. The physiopathological mechanism of hyperalgesia and the reason by which this condition affects only part of the diabetic patients still unclear. We tested whether an adaptation of primary afferent neurons to hyperglycemia could prevent the development of hyperalgesia. Hyperglycemia was induced in male Wistar rats by a daily administration of a low dose of streptozotocin (STZ), during five consecutive days. Glycemia and mechanical nociceptive thresholds were measured at days 0, 3, 7 and 14 after starting the streptozotocin treatment. In parallel, dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons were collected from healthy male Wistar rats and cultured in different glucose concentrations (mimicking slow or fast increase of hyperglycemia), and used for calcium imaging and Western blot analyses. Rats with a slow increase of glycemia did not develop hyperalgesia, while rats with a fast increase of glycemia developed hyperalgesia. DRG neurons suddenly incubated in DMEM containing a high glucose concentration showed a significant increase of calcium influx. However, DRG neurons incubated in DMEM and receiving increasing doses of glucose had the same calcium influx observed in control neurons. The activation of AMPK (α1/α2) was greater in L5‐L6 DRG of hyperglycemic and non‐hyperalgesic rats, when compared with hyperglycemic and hyperalgesic rats. Our data suggest that the onset speed of hyperglycemia could be related to the development of diabetic neuropathic hyperalgesia, as a maladaptive consequence associated with low activation of AMPK (α1/α2) in peripheral nociceptive neurons when the glycemia suddenly increases.