Informal traders lock horns with the formal milk industry: the role of research in pro-poor dairy policy shift in Kenya

A polarizable atomic multipole-based force field for the membrane bilayer models 1,2-dioleoyl-phosphocholine (DOPC) and 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-phosphatidylethanolamine (POPE) has been developed. The force field adopts the same framework as the Atomic Multipole Optimized Energetics for Biomolecular Applications (AMOEBA) model, in which the charge distribution of each atom is represented by the permanent atomic monopole, dipole and quadrupole moments. Many-body polarization including the inter- and intra-molecular polarization is modelled in a consistent manner with distributed atomic polarizabilities. The van der Waals parameters were first transferred from existing AMOEBA parameters for small organic molecules and then optimised by fitting to ab initio intermolecular interaction energies between models and a water molecule. Molecular dynamics simulations of the two aqueous DOPC and POPE membrane bilayer systems, consisting of 72 model molecules, were then carried out to validate the force field parameters. Membrane width, area per lipid, volume per lipid, deuterium order parameters, electron density profile, etc. were consistent with experimental values

The Reconceptualization and Measurement of Workplace Interpersonal Distrust

Though many studies have focused on trust, its counterpart, distrust, has been largely ignored. The relative dearth of distrust studies may be the result of early assumption that distrust represents an absence of trust. Nevertheless, recent reviews have pointed out that distrust is not the opposite of trust, but rather a distinct construct (e.g., Lewicki, Tomlinson, & Gillespie, 2006). Moreover, though distrust was traditionally viewed as “bad,” researchers (e.g., Lewicki, McAllister, & Bies, 1998) suggested that distrust keep people vigilant and promotes healthy suspicion, which results in positive influences in organizations. Given the importance of interpersonal distrust, many researchers suggested investigations of distrust (e.g., Lumineau, 2015). However, the lack of valid distrust measure impedes distrust research. The current study makes an initial and essential step to fill the gap in literature by systematically reviewing previous studies about interpersonal distrust and reconceptualizing interpersonal distrust based on previous studies. Then this study develops an interpersonal distrust scale following standard scale development guidelines (e.g., Clark & Watson, 1995; Hinkin, 1995). The new scale demonstrates good psychometric properties, such as Cronbach’s Alpha in classical test theory and item discrimination in item response theory. The nomological network of distrust indicates that distrust and trust are only moderately correlated. Furthermore, the two constructs also show differential relation patterns with relevant variables (e.g., OCBI, CWBI, and risk-taking). These provide empirical evidences that trust and distrust are distinct constructs

The Reconceptualization and Measurement of Workplace Interpersonal Distrust

Though many studies have focused on trust, its counterpart, distrust, has been largely ignored. The relative dearth of distrust studies may be the result of early assumption that distrust represents an absence of trust. Nevertheless, recent reviews have pointed out that distrust is not the opposite of trust, but rather a distinct construct (e.g., Lewicki, Tomlinson, & Gillespie, 2006). Moreover, though distrust was traditionally viewed as “bad,” researchers (e.g., Lewicki, McAllister, & Bies, 1998) suggested that distrust keep people vigilant and promotes healthy suspicion, which results in positive influences in organizations. Given the importance of interpersonal distrust, many researchers suggested investigations of distrust (e.g., Lumineau, 2015). However, the lack of valid distrust measure impedes distrust research. The current study makes an initial and essential step to fill the gap in literature by systematically reviewing previous studies about interpersonal distrust and reconceptualizing interpersonal distrust based on previous studies. Then this study develops an interpersonal distrust scale following standard scale development guidelines (e.g., Clark & Watson, 1995; Hinkin, 1995). The new scale demonstrates good psychometric properties, such as Cronbach’s Alpha in classical test theory and item discrimination in item response theory. The nomological network of distrust indicates that distrust and trust are only moderately correlated. Furthermore, the two constructs also show differential relation patterns with relevant variables (e.g., OCBI, CWBI, and risk-taking). These provide empirical evidences that trust and distrust are distinct constructs

Molecular Recognition of Human Angiotensin-Coverting Enzyme I (hACE I) and Different Inhibitors

The human angiontensin-converting enzyme I (hACEI) is a zinc metalloproteinase that hydrolytically cleaves a C-terminal dipeptide from a wide range of peptide substrates, and it plays an important role in regulating blood pressure. MD simulations and interaction energy calculations for docking and crystal structures were performed to investigate the correct conformation of the ACE with enalaprilat and nanopepetide. The analysis of root-mean-squrared fluctuation (RMSF), which is usually applied to measure the mobility and flexibility of the proteins, and dynamic correlation of residues show that the fluctuation pattern of the each two structure of the same ligand is almost the same mode. Hydrogen bond analysis shows that the correct crystal conformation is more stable than a wrong docking conformation. In addition, we are demonstrating that calculating interaction energy between protein and its ligands is an accurate and efficient way to select the correct conformation from docking conformations

Using machine learning to investigate the public's emotional responses to work from home during the COVID-19 pandemic

According to event system theory (EST; Morgeson et al., Academy of Management Review, 40, 2015, 515–537), the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and resultant stay-at-home orders are novel, critical, and disruptive events at the environmental level that substantially changed people’s work, for example, where they work and how they interact with colleagues. Although many studies have examined events’ impact on features or behaviors, few studies have examined how events impact aggregate emotions and how these effects may unfold over time. Applying a state-of-the-art deep learning technique (i.e., the fine-tuned Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers [BERT] algorithm), the current study extracted the public’s daily emotion associated with working from home (WFH) at the U.S. state level over four months (March 01, 2020–July 01, 2020) from 1.56 million tweets. We then applied discontinuous growth modeling (DGM) to investigate how COVID-19 and resultant stay-at-home orders changed the trajectories of the public’s emotions associated with WFH. Our results indicated that stay-at-home orders demonstrated both immediate (i.e., intercept change) and longitudinal (i.e., slope change) effects on the public’s emotion trajectories. Daily new COVID-19 case counts did not significantly change the emotion trajectories. We discuss theoretical implications for testing EST with the global pandemic and practical implications. We also make Python and R codes for fine-tuning BERT models and DGM analyses open source so that future researchers can adapt and apply the codes in their own studies

A novel surgical approach for fixation of a posterior chamber intraocular lens of Rayner 620 H with Gore-Tex suture

Abstract Purpose To report a novel surgical approach for the scleral fixation of the Rayner 620 H intraocular lens (IOL) with Gore-Tex suture and its outcomes at 6 months postoperatively. Methods 19 consecutive patients who underwent novel surgical approach for the scleral fixation of Rayner 620 H IOL with Gore-Tex suture at Peking Union Medical College Hospital between June 2020 and June 2021 were included. Data on best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), spherical equivalent, total astigmatism/axis, short-term and long-term complications, and corresponding management with a follow-up of 6 months were collected. Results Nineteen patients (11 men and 8 women) with a mean age of 62.7 ± 10.6 years were included. The median BCVA improved significantly from 0.90 ± 0.90 (Snellen 20/160) preoperatively to 0.20 ± 0.30 (Snellen 20/32) at postoperative 6 months follow-up (P < 0.001). The stratification of the accuracy of refractive outcomes was 53% of patients within ± 0.5 D and 84% of patients within ± 1.0 D of the refractive target. Corneal edema (n = 3, 16%) and increased intraocular pressure (IOP) (n = 4, 11%) were short-term complications. Long-term complications included increased IOP (n = 1, 5%), and macular edema (n = 1, 5%). Conclusion The novel surgical approach for scleral fixation of the Rayner 620 H IOL with Gore-Tex suture is a reasonable option for patients who need secondary IOL placement without adequate capsular support

Screening and Identification of Key Biomarkers in Metastatic Uveal Melanoma: Evidence from a Bioinformatic Analysis

Purpose: To identify key biomarkers in the metastasis of uveal melanoma (UM). Methods: The microarray datasets GSE27831 and GSE22138 were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, and functional enrichment analyses were performed. A protein–protein interaction network was constructed, and four algorithms were performed to increase the reliability of hub genes. Biomarker analysis and metastasis-free survival analysis were performed to screen and verify prognostic hub genes. Results: A total of 138 DEGs were identified, consisting of 71 downregulated genes and 67 upregulated genes. Four genes (ROBO1, FMN1, FYN and FXR1) were selected as hub genes. Biomarker analysis and metastasis-free survival analysis showed that ROBO1, FMN1, FYN and FXR1 were factors affecting the metastasis and metastasis-free survival of UM (all p p = 0.010 and p = 0.009), while ROBO1 and FMN1 were independent factors affecting metastasis and metastasis-free survival of UM in GSE22138 (all p < 0.05). Conclusions: ROBO1, FMN1, FYN and FXR1 should be regarded as diagnostic biomarkers for the metastasis of UM, especially ROBO1 and FMN1. High expression of ROBO1 and low expression of FMN1 were associated with longer metastasis-free survival. This study may facilitate the understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the metastasis of UM

The public–private partnerships in healthcare sector in China

Abstract This manuscript is a narrative review on experience in the healthcare public–private partnerships (PPP) field project in China. The PPP model allows healthcare officials to share the risk of building new facilities with the private sector. The objective of this study is to evaluate and to review the PPP of healthcare sector in China, and to investigate the critical success factors and best practice of PPP. We adapted the PPP evaluation framework of the World Bank Independent Evaluation Group as our conceptual framework to summarize the literatures. The current study systematically reviewed the evolution and current status of public and private hospitals development in China, and to investigate factors related to the successful and less successful deployment and performance of PPP in the healthcare sector of China, and to develop best practice models of PPP among hospitals of China. We found that the PPP organizations providing finance and political risk coverage, thus enabling specific PPP transactions to reach financial closure—potentially setting demonstration effects. Such PPPs may then contribute to improving access to infrastructure and social services, which drives economic growth and other optimal outcomes