Students’ entrepreneurial behavior: international and gender differences

Due to a high level of uncertainty, entrepreneurship is generally considered a risky endeavor. This paper explores the factors impacting entrepreneurial behavior in order to identify new educational opportunities for its development. The paper explores perceived feasibility and desirability for students in 10 countries. The entrepreneurship role is gender tested against desirability and feasibility. The requirements for developing this skill set are also studied. A survey instrument was developed, and data was collected from 4281 students. The results indicate that gender impacts entrepreneurship intention and the way it impacts is influenced by which country the students are from

Exploring gender differences in attitudes of university students towards entrepreneurship

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to understand gender differences in entrepreneurial intentions as measured by perceived feasibility and perceived desirability, and to explore gender differences in perceptions of entrepreneurship education needs - in terms of programmes, activities or projects - to succeed in an entrepreneurial career from the university students’ point of view. Design/Methodology/Approach - Using data gathered from 3420 university students in more than 10 countries, and applying the Mann-Whitney non-parametric test, differences between genders and different intention groups were examined. To reduce the items regarding educational needs, factor analysis was used. Gender differences in educational needs were also examined via Mann-Whitney Test. Findings - The results confirm that compared to males, female students are less willing to start their own businesses. There are significant gender differences in terms of perceived feasibility and perceived desirability such that although they feel more supported by their families, females are less self-confident, more tense, reluctant and concerned about entrepreneurship. In terms of entrepreneurial intention, there are fewer gender differences among students; however, differences relating to self-confidence and family support still exist. Furthermore, students cited establishing entrepreneurial mentoring and an appropriate tutoring structure as the most needed entrepreneurial educational activity/program/project at an academic institution; this was rated higher by females compared to males. Practical implications – The findings of this paper could help guide educators and policy makers in designing effective entrepreneurship programmes that are customized to respond to gender specific needs to increase entrepreneurial participation. Originality/Value - This study reveals the gender differences in perceived desirability and perceived feasibility which impact entrepreneurial intentions. Gender differences in the entrepreneurial programmes/activities/projects required at an academic institution to promote entrepreneurial participation among university students is also explored

Serial CT analysis in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: comparison of visual features that determine patient outcome

Aims: Patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) receiving antifibrotic medication and patients with non-IPF fibrosing lung disease often demonstrate rates of annualised forced vital capacity (FVC) decline within the range of measurement variation (5.0%–9.9%). We examined whether change in visual CT variables could help confirm whether marginal FVC declines represented genuine clinical deterioration rather than measurement noise. Methods: In two IPF cohorts (cohort 1: n=103, cohort 2: n=108), separate pairs of radiologists scored paired volumetric CTs (acquired between 6 and 24 months from baseline). Change in interstitial lung disease, honeycombing, reticulation, ground-glass opacity extents and traction bronchiectasis severity was evaluated using a 5-point scale, with mortality prediction analysed using univariable and multivariable Cox regression analyses. Both IPF populations were then combined to determine whether change in CT variables could predict mortality in patients with marginal FVC declines. Results: On univariate analysis, change in all CT variables except ground-glass opacity predicted mortality in both cohorts. On multivariate analysis adjusted for patient age, gender, antifibrotic use and baseline disease severity (diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide), change in traction bronchiectasis severity predicted mortality independent of FVC decline. Change in traction bronchiectasis severity demonstrated good interobserver agreement among both scorer pairs. Across all study patients with marginal FVC declines, change in traction bronchiectasis severity independently predicted mortality and identified more patients with deterioration than change in honeycombing extent. Conclusions: Change in traction bronchiectasis severity is a measure of disease progression that could be used to help resolve the clinical importance of marginal FVC declines

The Zebrafish Information Network: the zebrafish model organism database provides expanded support for genotypes and phenotypes

The Zebrafish Information Network (ZFIN, http://zfin.org), the model organism database for zebrafish, provides the central location for curated zebrafish genetic, genomic and developmental data. Extensive data integration of mutant phenotypes, genes, expression patterns, sequences, genetic markers, morpholinos, map positions, publications and community resources facilitates the use of the zebrafish as a model for studying gene function, development, behavior and disease. Access to ZFIN data is provided via web-based query forms and through bulk data files. ZFIN is the definitive source for zebrafish gene and allele nomenclature, the zebrafish anatomical ontology (AO) and for zebrafish gene ontology (GO) annotations. ZFIN plays an active role in the development of cross-species ontologies such as the phenotypic quality ontology (PATO) and the gene ontology (GO). Recent enhancements to ZFIN include (i) a new home page and navigation bar, (ii) expanded support for genotypes and phenotypes, (iii) comprehensive phenotype annotations based on anatomical, phenotypic quality and gene ontologies, (iv) a BLAST server tightly integrated with the ZFIN database via ZFIN-specific datasets, (v) a global site search and (vi) help with hands-on resources

Sheehan's syndrome associated with Glanzmann's thrombasthenia: Case report and literature review

Objectives: We aimed to present a case of Sheehan's syndrome associated with Glanzmann's thrombasthenia. Case Report: A 41-year-old-woman presented with hemorrhagic diathesis needed blood transfusions occasionally during her life-time. In the course of her second delivery, four units of whole blood transfusion were required to control profuse uterine bleeding and her hemodynamic status. During postpartum period, she was not able to lactate and her menstrual periods did not return. Her hormonal profile revealed gonadotropin, TSH and prolactin deficiencies. Conclusion: According to our knowledge, this is the first case report of hypopituitarism developed after delivery in association with Glanzmann's thromboasthenia-induced severe uterine hemorrhage. © J. A. Barth Verlag in George Thieme Verlag KG Sttutgart

Exercise training prevents and protects streptozotocin-induced oxidative stress and beta-cell damage in rat pancreas

WOS: 000222410000001PubMed: 15240923The aim of the present study was the evaluation of possible protective effects of exercise against beta-cell damage in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes in rats. The animals were divided into five groups: the control group, the STZ-induced diabetes group, the STZ-induced diabetes and light-intensity exercise group, the STZ-induced diabetes and moderate-intensity exercise group, and the STZ-induced diabetes and heavy-intensity exercise group. Animals in the exercise groups were made to swim one of three exercise protocols once a day for 12 consecutive weeks. STZ was injected intraperitoneally at a single dose of 50 mg/kg for diabetes induction. Exercise training was continued for 4 weeks prior to STZ administration; these applications were continued end of the study (for 12 weeks). Erythrocyte and pancreatic tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and serum nitric oxide (NO) concentration were measured. Moreover glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were also measured in pancreatic homogenates. Pancreatic beta-cells were examined by immunohistochemical methods. STZ increased lipid peroxidation and decreased the antioxidant enzyme activity significantly. Exercise, especially moderate-intensity exercise has shown protective effect probably through decreasing lipid peroxidation and increasing antioxidant enzyme activity. Islet cell degeneration and weak insulin immunohistochemical staining were observed in STZ induced diabetic rats. Increased intensity of staining for insulin and preservation of beta-cell numbers were apparent in the exercise-applied diabetic rats. Interestingly, the best result was obtained from moderate-intensity exercise. These findings suggest that exercise has a therapeutic and/or protective effect in diabetes by decreasing oxidative stress and preservation of pancreatic beta-cell integrity. (C) 2004 Tohoku University Medical Press

Atrial conduction times and left atrial mechanical functions and their relation with diastolic function in prediabetic patients

Background/Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate atrial conduction times and left atrial mechanical functions, the noninvasive predictors of atrial fibrillation, in prediabetic patients with impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). Methods: Study included 59 patients (23 males, 36 females; mean age 52.5 ± 10.6 years) diagnosed with IFG or IGT by the American Diabetes Association criteria, and 43 healthy adults (22 males, 21 females; mean age 48.5 ± 12.1 years). Conventional and tissue Doppler echocardiography were performed. The electromechanical delay parameters were measured from the onset of the P wave on the surface electrocardiogram to the onset of the atrial systolic wave on tissue Doppler imaging from septum, lateral, and right ventricular annuli. The left atrial volumes were calculated by the disk method. Left atrial mechanical functions were calculated. Results: The mitral E/A and E’/A’ ratios measured from the lateral and septal annuli were significantly lower in the prediabetics compared to the controls. The interatrial and left atrial electromechanical delay were significantly longer in prediabetic group compared to the controls. Left atrial active emptying volume (LAAEV) and fraction (LAAEF) were significantly higher in the prediabetics than the controls. LAAEV and LAAEF were significantly correlated with E/A, lateral and septal E’/A’. Conclusions: In the prediabetic patients, the atrial conduction times and P wave dispersion on surface electrocardiographic were longer before the development of overt diabetes. In addition, the left atrial mechanical functions were impaired secondary to a deterioration in the diastolic functions in the prediabetic patients. © 2017 The Korean Association of Internal Medicine

Prominent J wave (Osborn wave) with coincidental hypothermia in a 64-year-old woman

WOS: 000227407000028PubMed: 1590283

Exercise training prevents and protects streptozotocin-induced oxidative stress and ß-cell damage in rat pancreas

The aim of the present study was the evaluation of possible protective effects of exercise against ß-cell damage in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes in rats. The animals were divided into five groups: the control group, the STZ-induced diabetes group, the STZ-induced diabetes and light-intensity exercise group, the STZ-induced diabetes and moderate-intensity exercise group, and the STZ-induced diabetes and heavy-intensity exercise group. Animals in the exercise groups were made to swim one of three exercise protocols once a day for 12 consecutive weeks. STZ was injected intraperitoneally at a single dose of 50 mg/kg for diabetes induction. Exercise training was continued for 4 weeks prior to STZ administration; these applications were continued end of the study (for 12 weeks). Erythrocyte and pancreatic tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and serum nitric oxide (NO) concentration were measured. Moreover glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were also measured in pancreatic homogenates. Pancreatic ß-cells were examined by immunohistochemical methods. STZ increased lipid peroxidation and decreased the antioxidant enzyme activity significantly. Exercise, especially moderate-intensity exercise has shown protective effect probably through decreasing lipid peroxidation and increasing antioxidant enzyme activity. Islet cell degeneration and weak insulin immunohistochemical staining were observed in STZ induced diabetic rats. Increased intensity of staining for insulin and preservation of ß-cell numbers were apparent in the exercise-applied diabetic rats. Interestingly, the best result was obtained from moderate-intensity exercise. These findings suggest that exercise has a therapeutic and/or protective effect in diabetes by decreasing oxidative stress and preservation of pancreatic ß-cell integrity. © 2004 Tohoku University Medical Press