Global Entrepreneurship Monitor Special Report : A Global Perspective on Entrepreneurship Education and Training

In 2008 the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor set out to investigate the prevalence and sources of entrepreneurship education and training, and the effect of this training on starting a business. Thirty-eight national teams participated in this study, adding specialized questions to the standard GEM Adult Populations Surveys (APS). In addition, 30 countries added questions to the National Expert Surveys (NES). This report expands on the eight-page education and training section found on pages 41-48 of the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor 2008 Executive Report. After a brief literature review, we present expert opinions on the current state of entrepreneurship education and training in 30 countries. The report then details the level and sources of training received by the adult population (18-64) in the 38 countries surveyed by GEM. By examining data from the APS, GEM is able to develop profiles of individuals most and least likely to have received training. Additionally, we present new information on the effects of training on an individual’s entrepreneurial awareness, attitudes, intentions and activity in each of the participating countries. Then, five GEM countries provide insights about the types of advisors used by entrepreneurs. The report concludes with possible implications of these new findings and suggests areas for further research

Design and Synthesis of AMPK Activators and GDF15 Inducers

Targeting growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) is a recent strategy for the treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Here, we designed, synthesized, and pharmacologically evaluated in vitro a novel series of AMPK activators to upregulate GDF15 levels. These compounds were structurally based on the (1-dibenzylamino-3-phenoxy)propan-2-ol structure of the orphan ubiquitin E3 ligase subunit protein Fbxo48 inhibitor, BC1618. This molecule showed a better potency than metformin, increasing GDF15 mRNA levels in human Huh-7 hepatic cells. Based on BC1618, structural modifications have been performed to create a collection of diversely substituted new molecules. Of the thirty-five new compounds evaluated, compound 21 showed a higher increase in GDF15 mRNA levels compared with BC1618. Metformin, BC1618, and compound 21 increased phosphorylated AMPK, but only 21 increased GDF15 protein levels. Overall, these findings indicate that 21 has a unique capacity to increase GDF15 protein levels in human hepatic cells compared with metformin and BC1618

BRCA1 polymorphism in breast cancer patients from Argentina

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in females in Argentina, with an incidence rate similar to that in the USA. However, the contribution of the BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation in breast cancer incidence has not yet been investigated in Argentina. In order to evaluate which BRCA1 polymorphisms or mutations characterize female breast cancer in Argentina, the current study enrolled 206 females with breast cancer from several hospitals from the southeast of Argentina. A buccal smear sample was obtained in duplicate from each patient and the DNA samples were processed for polymorphism analysis using the single-strand conformational polymorphism technique. The polymorphisms in BRCA1 were investigated using a combination of 15 primers to analyze exons 2, 3, 5, 20 and 11 (including the 11.1 to 11.12 regions). The BRCA1 mutations were confirmed by direct sequencing. Samples were successfully examined from 154 females and, among these, 16 mutations were identified in the BRCA1 gene representing 13.9% of the samples analyzed. One patient was identified with a polymorphism in exon 2 (0.86%), four in exon 20 (3.48%), four in exon 11.3 (3.48%), one in exon 11.7 (0.86%), two in exon 11.8 (1.74%), one in exon 11.10 (0.86%) and one in exon 11.11 (0.86%). The most prevalent alteration in BRCA1 was located in exon 11 (11 out of 16 patients; 68.75%). The objective of our next study is to evaluate the prevalence of mutations in the BRCA2 gene and analyze the BRCA1 gene in the healthy relatives of BRCA1 mutation carriers.Fil: Jaure, Omar David Argentino. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida; ArgentinaFil: Alonso, Eliana Noelia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida; ArgentinaFil: Aguilera Braico, Diego Máximo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida; ArgentinaFil: Nieto, Alvaro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida; ArgentinaFil: Orozco, Manuela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida; ArgentinaFil: Morelli, Cecilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida; ArgentinaFil: Ferro, Alejandro M.. Hospital Italiano; ArgentinaFil: Barutta, Elena. Medifem; ArgentinaFil: Vincent, Esteban. Medifem; ArgentinaFil: Martínez, Domingo. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Ministerio de Salud. Hospital Municipal de Agudos Dr. Leónidas Lucero; ArgentinaFil: Martínez, Ignacio. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Ministerio de Salud. Hospital Municipal de Agudos Dr. Leónidas Lucero; ArgentinaFil: Maegli, Maria Ines. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Ministerio de Salud. Hospital Municipal de Agudos Dr. Leónidas Lucero; ArgentinaFil: Frizza, Alejandro. Medifem; ArgentinaFil: Kowalyzyn, Ruben. Clínica Viedma; ArgentinaFil: Salvadori, Marisa. Hospital Dr. Lucio Molas; ArgentinaFil: Ginestet, Paul. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Ministerio de Salud. Hospital y Maternidad Municipal Pigüé; ArgentinaFil: Gonzalez Donna, Maria L.. Hospital Italiano; ArgentinaFil: Balogh, Gabriela Andrea. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida; Argentin

Geological control on 222Rn accumulation as input function for hydrological systems on a loessic aquifer, Argentina

Este trabajo analiza las concentraciones de 222Rn en el acuífero Pampeano en el sudeste bonaerense, y su relación con las características hidrogeológicas del área de estudio. Se tomaron muestras de agua para la determinación de isotopos estables y 222Rn y sedimentos en piezómetros multinivel en diferentes localidades. La identificación de minerales portadores de uranio se realizó con microscopio electrónico de barrido, determinándose la presencia de zircon y monacita. El 222Rn se determinó con un detector RAD7, observándose un rango de actividades de 3.7 a 14 Bq/l. Se reconoció una dependencia del 222Rn con la profundidad y la proximidad del basamento Precámbrico. La actividad de 222Rn aumenta linealmente a razón de 0.08 Bq.l-1.m-1, pero a igual profundidad los valores en pozos cercanos al basamento Precámbrico triplican a los de los pozos que poseen basamento Paleozoico.Centro de Investigaciones Geológica

Characteristics of long COVID among older adults: a cross-sectional study

To describe long-COVID symptoms among older adults, and to assess risk factors for two common long-COVID symptoms: fatigue and dyspnea

Development of a Kemp\u27s Ridley Sea Turtle Stock Assessment Model

We developed a Kemp’s ridley (Lepidochelys kempii) stock assessment model to evaluate the relative contributions of conservation efforts and other factors toward this critically endangered species’ recovery. The Kemp’s ridley demographic model developed by the Turtle Expert Working Group (TEWG) in 1998 and 2000 and updated for the binational recovery plan in 2011 was modified for use as our base model. The TEWG model uses indices of the annual reproductive population (number of nests) and hatchling recruitment to predict future annual numbers of nests on the basis of a series of assumptions regarding age and maturity, remigration interval, sex ratios, nests per female, juvenile mortality, and a putative ‘‘turtle excluder device effect’’ multiplier starting in 1990. This multiplier was necessary to fit the number of nests observed in 1990 and later. We added the effects of shrimping effort directly, modified by habitat weightings, as a proxy for all sources of anthropogenic mortality. Additional data included in our model were incremental growth of Kemp’s ridleys marked and recaptured in the Gulf of Mexico, and the length frequency of stranded Kemp’s ridleys. We also added a 2010 mortality factor that was necessary to fit the number of nests for 2010 and later (2011 and 2012). Last, we used an empirical basis for estimating natural mortality, on the basis of a Lorenzen mortality curve and growth estimates. Although our model generated reasonable estimates of annual total turtle deaths attributable to shrimp trawling, as well as additional deaths due to undetermined anthropogenic causes in 2010, we were unable to provide a clear explanation for the observed increase in the number of stranded Kemp’s ridleys in recent years, and subsequent disruption of the species’ exponential growth since the 2009 nesting season. Our consensus is that expanded data collection at the nesting beaches is needed and of high priority, and that 2015 be targeted for the next stock assessment to evaluate the 2010 event using more recent nesting and in-water data

Characteristics of long-COVID among older adults: a cross-sectional study

Objectives: To describe long-COVID symptoms among older adults and to assess the risk factors for two common long-COVID symptoms: fatigue and dyspnea. Methods: This is a multicenter, prospective cohort study conducted in Israel, Switzerland, Spain, and Italy. Individuals were included at least 30 days after their COVID-19 diagnosis. We compared long-COVID symptoms between elderly (aged >65 years) and younger individuals (aged 18-65 years) and conducted univariate and multivariable analyses for the predictors of long-COVID fatigue and dyspnea. Results: A total of 2333 individuals were evaluated at an average of 5 months (146 days [95% confidence interval 142-150]) after COVID-19 onset. The mean age was 51 years, and 20.5% were aged >65 years. Older adults were more likely to be symptomatic, with the most common symptoms being fatigue (38%) and dyspnea (30%); they were more likely to complain of cough and arthralgia and have abnormal chest imaging and pulmonary function tests. Independent risk factors for long-COVID fatigue and dyspnea included female gender, obesity, and closer proximity to COVID-19 diagnosis; older age was not an independent predictor. Conclusion: Older individuals with long-COVID have different persisting symptoms, with more pronounced pulmonary impairment. Women and individuals with obesity are at risk. Further research is warranted to investigate the natural history of long-COVID among the elderly population and to assess possible interventions aimed at promoting rehabilitation and well-being

Governance commitment to reduce maternal mortality. A political determinant beyond the wealth of the countries

Some countries reached, in 2015, the Millennium Development Goal of reducing maternal mortality to 96 or less maternal deaths per 100,000 live births. Others, however, did not. This paper analyses the strength of the association between maternal mortality and each of the six components of Governance-a political determinant scarcely explored in the literature-in 174 countries. It was found that the greater the governance, the lower maternal mortality, independently of a country's wealth. We used all six indicators of the World Bank's Worldwide Governance Indicators Project in 2015: government effectiveness, regulatory quality, rule of law, control of corruption, voice and accountability, and political stability and absence of violence. Findings were encouraging as maternal mortality in low-income countries with higher government effectiveness and regulatory quality was similar to that of medium-income countries with lower government effectiveness and regulatory quality. To achieve the post-2015 sustainable development goal on preventable maternal mortality-which persists despite economic development-all governance dimensions are essential and represent interdependent cornerstones

Identification of Novel Inhibitors of Dietary Lipid Absorption Using Zebrafish

Pharmacological inhibition of dietary lipid absorption induces favorable changes in serum lipoprotein levels in patients that are at risk for cardiovascular disease and is considered an adjuvant or alternative treatment with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins). Here we demonstrate the feasibility of identifying novel inhibitors of intestinal lipid absorption using the zebrafish system. A pilot screen of an unbiased chemical library identified novel compounds that inhibited processing of fluorescent lipid analogues in live zebrafish larvae. Secondary assays identified those compounds suitable for testing in mammals and provided insight into mechanism of action, which for several compounds could be distinguished from ezetimibe, a drug used to inhibit cholesterol absorption in humans that broadly inhibited lipid absorption in zebrafish larvae. These findings support the utility of zebrafish screening assays to identify novel compounds that target complex physiological processes

Risk factors associated with the prevalence of Shiga-toxin-producing Escherichia coli in manured soils on certified organic farms in four regions of the USA

IntroductionBiological soil amendments of animal origin (BSAAO), including untreated amendments are often used to improve soil fertility and are particularly important in organic agriculture. However, application of untreated manure on cropland can potentially introduce foodborne pathogens into the soil and onto produce. Certified organic farms follow the USDA National Organic Program (NOP) standards that stipulate a 90- or 120-day interval between application of untreated manure and crop harvest, depending on whether the edible portion of the crop directly contacts the soil. This time-interval metric is based on environmental factors and does not consider a multitude of factors that might affect the survival of the main pathogens of concern. The objective of this study was to assess predictors for the prevalence of Shiga-toxin-producing Escherichia coli (non-O157 STEC) in soils amended with untreated manure on USDA-NOP certified farms.MethodsA longitudinal, multi-regional study was conducted on 19 farms in four USA regions for two growing seasons (2017–2018). Untreated manure (cattle, horse, and poultry), soil, and irrigation water samples were collected and enrichment cultured for non-O157 STEC. Mixed effects logistic regression models were used to analyze the predictors of non-O157 STEC in the soil up to 180 days post-manure application.Results and discussionResults show that farm management practices (previous use with livestock, presence of animal feces on the field, season of manure application) and soil characteristics (presence of generic E. coli in the soil, soil moisture, sodium) increased the odds of STEC-positive soil samples. Manure application method and snowfall decreased the odds of detecting STEC in the soil. Time-variant predictors (year and sampling day) affected the presence of STEC. This study shows that a single metric, such as the time interval between application of untreated manure and crop harvest, may not be sufficient to reduce the food safety risks from untreated manure, and additional environmental and farm-management practices should also be considered. These findings are of particular importance because they provide multi-regional baseline data relating to current NOP wait-time standards. They can therefore contribute to the development of strategies to reduce pathogen persistence that may contribute to contamination of fresh produce typically eaten raw from NOP-certified farms using untreated manure