bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Robust Backscatter Modulation Scheme for Uninterrupted Ultrasonic Powering and Back-Communication of Deep Implants
Authors: Holzapfel Lukas , Giagka Vasiliki
Published: August 2022

Traditionally, implants are powered by batteries, which have to be recharged by an inductive power link. In the recent years, ultrasonic power links are being investigated, promising more available power for deeply implanted miniaturized devices. These implants often need to transfer back information. For ultrasonically powered implants, this is usually achieved with On-Off Keying based on backscatter modulation, or active driving of a secondary transducer. In this paper, we propose to superimpose subcarriers, effectively leveraging Frequency-Shift Keying, which increases the robustness of the link against interference and fading. It also allows for simultaneous powering and communication, and inherently provides the possibility of frequency domain multiplexing for implant networks. The modulation scheme can be implemented in miniaturized application specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays, and microcontrollers. We have validated this modulation scheme in a water tank during continuous ultrasound and movement. We achieved symbol rates of up to 104 kBd, and were able to transfer data through 20 cm of water, with additional misalignment and during movements. This approach could provide a robust uplink for miniaturized implants that are located deep inside the body and need continuous ultrasonic powering.
Digital polarimetric second harmonic generation microscopy of partially oriented fiber structures
Authors: Alizadeh Mehdi , Krouglov Serguei , Barzda Virginijus
Published: August 2022

Second harmonic generation (SHG) in biological tissue originates predominantly from noncentrosymmetric fibrillar structures partially oriented within the focal volume (voxel) of a multiphoton excitation microscope. The study is aimed to elucidate fibrillar organization factors influencing SHG intensity, as well as achiral, R, and chiral, C, nonlinear susceptibility tensor component ratios. SHG response is calculated for various configurations of fibrils in a voxel using digital nonlinear microscope. The R and C ratios are calculated using linear incident and outgoing polarization states that simulate polarization-in polarization-out (PIPO) polarimetric measurements. The investigation shows strong SHG intensity dependence on parallel/antiparallel fiber organization. The R and C ratio is strongly influenced by the fiber chirality, tilting of the fibers out of image plane and crossing of the fibers. The study facilitates interpretation of polarimetric SHG microscopy images in terms of ultrastructural organization of fibers in the imaged structures.

Statement of Significance

Second harmonic generation microscopy is widely used for imaging non-centrosymmetric biological structures such as collagen. The ultrastructure of collagen can be determined with polarimetric SHG microscopy. The coherent nonlinear response of biological structures depends on the 3D orientations and positions of the collagen fibers in the focal volume of the microscope. Here, we show how different fiber organizations and 3D orientations in the focal volume can affect the polarimetric SHG responses. The results are important for understanding and interpreting images obtained with polarimetric SHG microscopy.
Enhanced Recombination Among SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variants Contributes to Viral Immune Escape
Authors: Shiraz Rishad , Tripathi Shashank
Published: August 2022

SARS-CoV-2 virus evolution occurs as a result of antigenic drift and shift. Although antigenic drift has been extensively studied, antigenic shift, which for SARS-CoV-2 occurs through genetic recombination, has been examined scarcely. To gain a better understanding of the emergence and prevalence of recombinant SARS-CoV-2 lineages through time and space, we analyzed SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences from public databases. Our study revealed an extraordinary increase in the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 recombinant lineages during the Omicron wave, particularly in Northern America and Europe. This phenomenon was independent of sequencing density or genetic diversity of circulating SARS-CoV-2 strains. In SARS-CoV-2 genomes, recombination breakpoints were found to be more concentrated in the 3’ UTR followed by ORF1a. Additionally, we noted enrichment of certain amino acids in the spike protein of recombinant lineages, which have been reported to confer immune escape from neutralizing antibodies, increase ACE2 receptor binding, and enhance viral transmission in some cases. Overall, we report an important and timely observation of accelerated recombination in the currently circulating Omicron variants and explore their potential contribution to viral fitness, particularly immune escape.
Why Many Molecular Simulation Research Findings Might Be False: An Analysis of Inter-Simulations Differences Based on Simulation Time and Number of Replicas
Authors: Knapp Bernhard , Deane Charlotte M.
Published: August 2022

Molecular simulations are a common technique to investigate the dynamics of proteins, DNA and RNA. A typical application is the simulation of a wild-type structure and a mutant structure where the mutant has a significantly higher (or lower) potency to trigger a signalling cascade. The study would then analyse the observed differences between the wild-type and mutant simulation and link these to their differences. However differences in the simulations cannot always be reproduced by other research groups even if the same parameters as in the original simulations are used. This is caused by the rugged energy landscape of many biological structures which means that minor differences in hardware or software can cause simulation to take different paths. This would not be a problem if the simulation time would be infinitely long but in real life the simulation time is always finite.

In this study we use large scale molecular simulations of four different systems (a 10-mer peptide wild-type and mutant as well as a T-cell receptor, peptide and MHC complex as wild-type and mutant) with 100 replicas each totalling 620 000 ns to quantify the magnitude of (non-) reproducibility when comparing inter-simulation differences (e.g. wild-type vs mutant).

Using a bootstrapping approach we found that simulation times of at least 2 to 3 times the experimental folding time using a minimum of 3 replicas are necessary for reproducible results. However, for most complexes of interest such long simulation times are far out of reach which means that it is only possible to sample the local phase space neighbourhood of the x-ray structure. To sample this neighbourhood reliably around 10 to 20 replicas are needed.

Graphical abstract
Modeling neural activity in neurodegenerative diseases through a neural field model with variable density of neurons
Authors: Reyes Ronaldo García , Martinez Montes Eduardo
Published: August 2022

In recent years, a vertiginous advance has occurred within the Neural Field Theory with the development of the so-called Next Generation Neural Field models. Unlike the phenomenological models, these models manage to describe neuronal activity, macroscopically, from the thermodynamic limit of microscopic laws under the assumption of a homogeneous density of neurons. The study of neural activity during neurodegenerative processes associated to Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s or Glioblastomas, should include a variable density of neurons. In this work, we propose an update of the Next Generation Neural Field model, extracted from the thermodynamic limit of the quadratic integration-and-fire model with realistic synaptic coupling and a variable density of neurons at the microscopic level. The thermodynamic limit of the system will allow us to study the patterns of synchronized neural activity that appear as the result of different spatial distribution of neurodegeneration. In particular, we demonstrate that during neurodegenerative processes, the relationship established between the thermodynamic states of the Neural Field and the Kuramoto order parameter (Measure of Neural Synchronization) differs from the classic results of the Next Generation Neural Field literature. Instead, the variation in neuron density directly modifies the Kuramoto order parameter. This might help us explain the diverse patterns of activity that can be found in different neurodegenerative processes and that could become experimental biomarkers of such pathologies.
Wild animals suppress the spread of socially-transmitted misinformation
Authors: Fahimipour Ashkaan K. , Gil Michael A. , Celis Maria R. , Hein Gabriel F. , Martin Benjamin T. , Hein Andrew M.
Published: August 2022

Understanding the mechanisms by which information and misinformation spread through groups of individual actors is essential to the prediction of phenomena ranging from coordinated group behaviours [1–3] to global misinformation epidemics [4–7]. Transmission of information through groups depends on the decision-making strategies individuals use to transform the perceived actions of others into their own behavioural actions [8–10]. Because it is often not possible to directly infer these strategies in situ, most studies of behavioural spread in groups assume individuals make decisions by pooling [7, 8, 10, 11] or averaging [8, 9] the actions or behavioural states of neighbours. Whether individuals adopt more sophisticated strategies that exploit socially-transmitted information, while remaining robust to misinformation exposure, is unknown. Here we uncover the impacts of individual decision-making on misinformation spread in natural groups of wild coral reef fish, where misinformation occurs in the form of false alarms that can spread contagiously. Using automated tracking and visual field reconstruction, we infer the precise sequences of socially-transmitted stimuli perceived by each individual during decision-making. Our analysis reveals a novel feature of decision-making essential for controlling misinformation spread: dynamic adjustments in sensitivity to socially-transmitted cues. We find that this property can be achieved by a simple and biologically widespread decision-making circuit. This form of dynamic gain control makes individual behaviour robust to natural fluctuations in misinformation exposure, and radically alters misinformation spread relative to predictions of widely-used models of social contagion.
p16High senescence restricts totipotent potential during somatic cell reprogramming
Authors: Grigorash Bogdan B. , van Essen Dominic , Grosse Laurent , Emelyanov Alexander , Kanzler Benoît , Molina Clement , Lopez Elsa , Demidov Oleg N. , Garrido Carmen , Saccani Simona , Bulavin Dmitry V.
Published: August 2022

The discovery of four factor (4F)-induced reprogramming of somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells has revolutionized the fields of cell and regenerative biology. In contrast, the feasibility of a direct conversion of somatic cells into a totipotent state defined as the ability to produce all cell types of an organism, including extraembryonic tissues, is not well established. Using genetic and chemical approaches to manipulate senescent cells, here we found that removal of p16High cells resulted in 4F-induced reprogramming of somatic cells into totipotent-like stem cells. These cells expressed markers of both pluripotency and the 2-cell (2C) embryonic state, readily formed implantation-competent blastocyst-like structures, blastoids, and following morula aggregation, contributed to embryonic and extraembryonic lineages in E12.5 embryos. We identified senescence-dependent regulation of nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT) as a key mechanism controlling the S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAM) levels during 4F-induced reprogramming that was required for expression of the 2C genes and acquisition of an extraembryonic potential. Our results show that the presence of p16High senescent cells, high NNMT and low SAM limit cell plasticity during 4F-reprogramming, while their modulation could help to achieve the highest state of stem cell potency, totipotency.
In Vitro Analysis of Bacterial Microcompartments and Shell Protein Superstructures by Confocal Microscopy
Authors: Trettel Daniel S. , Winkler Wade C.
Published: August 2022

The shell proteins that comprise bacterial microcompartments (BMCs) can self-assemble into an array of superstructures such as nanotubes, flat sheets, and icosahedrons. Physical characterization of BMCs and these superstructures typically relies on electron microscopy, which decouples samples from their solution context. We hypothesize that an investigation of fluorescently tagged BMCs and shell protein superstructures in vitro with high resolution confocal microscopy will lead to new insights into the solution behavior of these entities. We find that confocal imaging is able to capture nanotubes and sheets previously reported by TEM. Using a combination of fluorescent tags, we present qualitative evidence that these structures intermix with one another in a hetero- and homotypic fashion. Complete BMCs are also able to accomplish intermixing as evidenced by colocalization data. Finally, a simple colocalization experiment suggests that fluorescently modified encapsulation peptides (EPs) may prefer certain shell protein binding partners. Together, these data demonstrate that high resolution confocal microscopy is a powerful tool for investigating microcompartment-related structures in vitro, particularly for colocalization analyses. These results also support the notion that BMCs may intermix protein components, presumably from the outer shell.

Importance

Microcompartments are large, organelle-like structures that help bacteria catabolize targeted metabolites, while also protecting the cytosol against highly reactive metabolic intermediates. Their protein shell self-assembles into a polyhedral structure of approximately 100-200 nm in diameter. Inside the shell are thousands of copies of cargo enzymes, which are responsible for a specific metabolic pathway. While different approaches have revealed high-resolution structures of individual microcompartment proteins, it is less clear how these factors self-assemble to form the full native structure. In this study, we show that laser scanning confocal microscopy can be used to study microcompartment proteins. We find that this approach allows researchers to investigate the interactions and potential exchange of shell protein subunits in solution. From this, we conclude that confocal microscopy offers advantages for studying the in vitro structures of other microcompartments, as well as carboxysomes and other bacterial organelles.
Bringing language to dynamic brain states: the default network dominates neural responses to evolving movie stories
Authors: Yang Enning , Milisav Filip , Kopal Jakub , Holmes Avram J. , Mitsis Georgios D. , Misic Bratislav , Finn Emily S. , Bzdok Danilo
Published: August 2022

Naturalistic neuroscience opened the door to new insights into neural circuits that serve real-world dynamic perception. Such studies have often neglected the rich texture of the movie narrative itself, but semantic content can be used to contextualize the induced neural responses. Here, we translated natural language processing tools from machine learning to characterize brain states estimated from hidden Markov models. Our analytical strategy allowed pitting shallow unimodal against the deep associative brain network layers in explaining how semantic content of the movie links to observed neural activity. Pooling information across >53,000 brain image time points watching Forrest Gump, we could show that distinct dynamic brain states capture unique semantic facets along the unfolding movie narrative. The spatiotemporal dynamics of brain states explicitly captured subject-level responses throughout the brain network hierarchy. Across all analyses, the default network was most intimately linked to semantic information integration, and this neural system switched online for longest durations during movie watching. Further, we identified and described two mechanisms of how the default network liaises dynamically with microanatomically defined subregion partners: the amygdala and the hippocampus. Our study thus unlocks the potential of natural language processing to explore neural processes in everyday life situations that engage key aspects of conscious awareness.
Human anti-ACE2 monoclonal antibodies as pan-sarbecovirus prophylactic agents
Authors: Zhang Fengwen , Jenkins Jesse , de Carvalho Renan V.H. , Nakandakari-Higa Sandra , Chen Teresia , Abernathy Morgan E. , Nyakatura Elisabeth , Andrew David , Lebedeva Irina , Lorenz Ivo C , Hoffmann H.-Heinrich , Rice Charles M. , Victora Gabriel D. , Barnes Christopher O. , Haziioannou Theodora , Bieniasz Paul D.
Published: August 2022

Human monoclonal antibodies from convalescent individuals that target the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein have been deployed as therapeutics against SARS-CoV-2. However, nearly all of these antibodies have been rendered obsolete by SARS-CoV-2 variants that evolved to resist similar, naturally occurring antibodies. Here, we describe the development of human monoclonal antibodies that bind the ACE2 receptor rather than the viral spike protein. These antibodies block infection by all ACE2 binding sarbecoviruses, including emergent SARS-CoV-2 variants. Structural and biochemical analyses revealed that the antibodies target an ACE2 epitope that engages SARS-CoV-2 spike. Importantly, the antibodies do not inhibit ACE2 enzymatic activity, nor do they induce ACE depletion from cell surfaces. The antibodies exhibit favorable pharmacology and protect human ACE2 knock-in mice against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Such antibodies should be useful prophylactic and treatment agents against any current and future SARS-CoV-2 variants, as well as ACE2-binding sarbecoviruses that might emerge as future pandemic threats.
Immediate and Early Engagement of Same-Day Antiretroviral Therapy Initiation among newly diagnosed people living with HIV in Urban Zambia: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Mukumbwa-Mwenechanya Mpande , Chilyabanyama Obvious Nchimunya , Kalunkumya Estella , Kunda Violet , Sikombe Kombatende , Pry Jake M , Nyirenda Godwin , Lumpa Mwansa , Sharma Anjali , Bosomprah Samuel , Bolton-Moore Carolyn
Published: August 2022

Introduction

As Zambia moves towards attaining human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic control, it is clear significant efforts are required to facilitate achievement of UNAIDS treatment targets by 2030. To accelerate progress towards global target of 95% of people living with HIV (PLHIV) knowing their status, country is promoting community based HIV testing and same day antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation. However, there are uncertainties around acceptability of this strategy and how it affects immediate and early engagement in program settings.

Methods

We included all newly diagnosed PLHIV aged 18 years or older and provided same day ART initiation between October 2018 and January 2019 in Lusaka District. Immediate engagement was estimated as proportion of newly diagnosed PLHIV who visited the health facility at least once within 14 days after same-day ART initiation, whereas early engagement as proportion of newly diagnosed PLHIV active 6 months after same day ART initiation. Pearson’s chi-squared test was used to assess association of outcomes with key background characteristics.

Results

Of 12,777 newly diagnosed PLHIV who initiated same day ART 7,943 (62%) were tested and initiated in the community. Overall, 6,257 (49%) engaged within 14 days (median 15, IQR:13 37). Older individuals (36-49 years) were more likely to be engaged at 14 days (aRR 1.29: 95%CI 1.06-1.18; p<0.001) and retained at 6 months (aRR:1.27;95%CI 1.21-1.34P<0.001) whilst risk of attrition at 6 months was highest in younger ages (18-24 years) (aRR 0.79;95 %CI 0.76-0.82; p<0.001).

Conclusion

To adequately address the HIV epidemic targeted engagement approaches are required particularly in the younger ages.
Non-linear feature analysis of public emotion evolution for online teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Wang Xu , Sun Shan , Feng Xin , Chen Xuan
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Nowadays, the breakout of the COVID-19 pandemic has caused an important change in teaching models. The emotional experience of this change has an important impact on online teaching. This paper aims to explore its time evolution characteristics and provide reference for the development of online teaching in the post epidemic era.

Design/methodology/approach

The article firstly crawls the online teaching-related comment text data on Zhihu platform and performs emotional calculation to obtain a one-dimensional time series of daily average emotional values. Then, by using non-linear time-series analysis, this paper reconstructs the daily average emotion value time series in high-dimensional phase space, calculates the maximum Lyapunov exponent and correlation dimension and finally, explores the feature patterns through recurrence plot and recurrence quantification analysis.

Findings

It was found that the sequence has typical non-linear chaotic characteristics; its correlation dimension indicates that it contains obvious fractal characteristics; the public emotional evolution shows a cyclical rise and fall. By text mining and temporal evolution analysis, this paper explores the evolution law over chronically of the daily average emotion value time series, provides feasible strategies to improve students' online learning experience and quality and continuously optimizes this new teaching model in the era of pandemic.

Originality/value

Based on social knowledge sharing platform of Q&A, this paper models and analyzes users interaction data under online teaching-related topics. This paper explores the evolution law over a long time period of the daily average emotion value time series using text mining and temporal evolution analysis. It then offers workable solutions to enhance the quality and experience of students' online learning, and it continuously improves this new teaching model in the age of pandemics.
The evolution of electric technology in the context of China’s low-carbon transformation: a patent analysis
Authors: Hu Ruifeng , Xu Weiqiao , Yang Yalin
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Owing to increased energy demands, China has become the world’s top CO2 emitter, with electricity generation accounting for the majority of emissions. Therefore, the Chinese Government aspires to achieve a low-carbon transformation of the electric industry by enhancing its green innovation capacity. However, little attention has been paid to the green development of electric technology. Thus, this paper aims to uncover the spatiotemporal evolution of electric technology in the context of China’s low-carbon transformation through patent analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

Using granted green invention patent data for China’s electric industry between 2000 and 2021, this paper conducted an exploratory, spatial autocorrelation and time-varying difference-in-differences (DID) analysis to reveal the landscape of electric technology.

Findings

Exploratory analysis shows that the average growth rate of electric technology is 8.1%, with spatial heterogeneity, as there is slower growth in the north and west and faster growth in the south and east. In addition, electric technology shows spatial clustering in local areas. Finally, the time-varying DID analysis provides positive evidence that low-carbon policies improve the green innovation capacity of electric technology.

Research limitations/implications

The different effects of the low-carbon pilot policy (LCPC) on R&D subjects and the LCPC’s effectiveness in enhancing the value of patented technology were not revealed.

Originality/value

This paper reveals the spatiotemporal evolutionary characteristics of electric technology in mainland China. The results can help the Chinese Government clarify how to carry out innovative development in the electric industry as part of the low-carbon transformation and provide a theoretical basis and research direction for newcomers in this field.
Research on the experiment and prediction method of clothing energy consumption based on TS-SVR
Authors: Sui Xiuwu , Liu Qijun , Zhang Fangteng
Published: August 2022

Purpose

At present, the research on energy consumption of human clothing mainly focuses on behavior observation method, questionnaire survey method, heart rate monitoring method and electronic motion sensor, etc. In order to solve the problem of energy consumption caused by clothing with different characteristics, an identification method of energy consumption for different types of clothing was proposed.

Design/methodology/approach

The model robot was designed to reproduce the motion state by simulating the human body in the working mode, and the protective energy consumption test platform was built. In order to explore the influence of different characteristics of clothing on the energy consumption of equipment system, orthogonal experiments were carried out on the model robot experimental platform, and a mathematical model for predicting the energy consumption of clothing based on Tabu search algorithm to optimize support vector machine regression (TS-SVR) optimized by tabu algorithm was proposed.

Findings

Compared with three regression prediction algorithms, the accuracy of the model was quantified by the determination coefficient and root mean square error according to the predicted value of the model and the actual value of the experiment. The results showed that the model based on TS-SVM can predict the energy consumption of human body more accurately.

Originality/value

Based on TS-SVR model, it can well predict the relationship between clothing with different characteristics and physical energy consumption, and can accurately evaluate the clothing grade of different characteristics.
International Journal of Emerging Markets: a bibliometric review 2006–2020
Authors: Kumar Ashish , Sharma Shikha , Vashistha Ritu , Srivastava Vikas , Tabash Mosab I. , Munim Ziaul Haque , Paltrinieri Andrea
Published: August 2022

Purpose

International Journal of Emerging Markets (IJoEM) is a leading journal that publishes high-quality research focused on emerging markets. In 2020, IJoEM celebrated its fifteenth anniversary, and the objective of this paper is to conduct a retrospective analysis to commensurate IJoEM's milestone.

Design/methodology/approach

Data used in this study were extracted using the Scopus database. Bibliometric analysis, using several indicators, is adopted to reveal the major trends and themes of a journal. Mapping of bibliographic data is carried using VOSviewer.

Findings

Study findings indicate that IJoEM has been growing for publications and citations since its inception. Four significant research directions emerged, i.e. consumer behaviour, financial markets, financial institutions and corporate governance and strategic dimensions based on cluster analysis of IJoEM's publications. The identified future research directions are focused on emergent investments opportunities, trends in behavioural finance, emerging role technology-financial companies, changing trends in corporate governance and the rising importance of strategic management in emerging markets.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study to conduct a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of IJoEM. The study presents the key themes and trends emerging from a leading journal considered a high-quality research journal for research on emerging markets by academicians, scholars and practitioners.
Adaptive performance in refugees after trauma: how relevant are post-traumatic stress and post-traumatic growth?
Authors: Stasielowicz Lukasz
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Wars can lead to massive migration waves, e.g. the Syrian Civil War that began in 2011 led to the European refugee crisis. Discussions about labour integration often accompany huge spikes in asylum applications. Since many refugees experience traumatic events, such as torture, health problems must be considered in the work context. Unfortunately, the relevance of the post-traumatic experiences of refugees to specific job performance facets has mainly been ignored. To close the research gap, a study with refugees living in Germany was conducted to examine to what extent trauma-related variables are relevant to performance variables.

Design/methodology/approach

The relationship between post-traumatic stress (PTS), post-traumatic growth (PTG) and adaptive performance (social and task-oriented adaptive performance) was examined as, nowadays, many activities require dealing with changes (e.g. new colleagues, new technologies). Sixty-nine people met the inclusion criteria (e.g. refugee status, traumatic experiences) and completed the survey. Data were analysed using the Bayesian approach.

Findings

Bayesian analyses revealed that PTG might promote both social and task-oriented adaptive performance. In contrast, PTS was negatively related to task-oriented adaptive performance. Furthermore, there was no substantial evidence that PTG moderates the relationship between PTS and adaptive performance. Furthermore, there is preliminary evidence that refugees do not differ substantially from the general population with respect to social adaptive performance.

Originality/value

The present study demonstrates for the first time the relevance of post-traumatic experiences to the adaptive performance of refugees.
CNN-BERT for measuring agreement between argument in online discussion
Authors: Harly William , Girsang Abba Suganda
Published: August 2022

Purpose

With the rise of online discussion and argument mining, methods that are able to analyze arguments become increasingly important. A recent study proposed the usage of agreement between arguments to represent both stance polarity and intensity, two important aspects in analyzing arguments. However, this study primarily focused on finetuning bidirectional encoder representations from transformer (BERT) model. The purpose of this paper is to propose convolutional neural network (CNN)-BERT architecture to improve the previous method.

Design/methodology/approach

The used CNN-BERT architecture in this paper directly uses the generated hidden representation from BERT. This allows for better use of the pretrained BERT model and makes finetuning the pretrained BERT model optional. The authors then compared the CNN-BERT architecture with the method proposed in the previous study (BERT and Siamese-BERT).

Findings

Experiment results demonstrate that the proposed CNN-BERT is able to achieve a 71.87% accuracy in measuring agreement between arguments. Compared to the previous study that achieve an accuracy of 68.58%, the CNN-BERT architecture was able to increase the accuracy by 3.29%. The CNN-BERT architecture is also able to achieve a similar result even without further pretraining the BERT model.

Originality/value

The principal originality of this paper is the proposition of using CNN-BERT to better use the pretrained BERT model for measuring agreement between arguments. The proposed method is able to improve performance and also able to achieve a similar result without further training the BERT model. This allows separation of the BERT model from the CNN classifier, which significantly reduces the model size and allows the usage of the same pretrained BERT model for other problems that also did not need to finetune their BERT model.
Influence of medical-grade montmorillonite on the tribological and safety performance of composite aluminum-based grease
Authors: Qian Shanhua , Gong Longfei , Wang Wei , Ni Zifeng , Ren Haidong
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This study aims to reduce the harm of industrial lubricants to consumers. Composite aluminum-based grease (CAG) was prepared, and medical-grade montmorillonite (M-MMT) was used to improve the antiwear performance of the prepared grease.

Design/methodology/approach

The influence of the additive (M-MMT) on the tribological performance is mainly investigated using a ball-disc wear tester, and the wear scar surface about the disc was characterized by white light interferometer and electrochemical workstation. Moreover, the cell viability test was used to evaluate the safety of the grease.

Findings

The results indicated that for the grease containing 1.5% M-MMT, the average coefficient of friction was reduced by about 46% compared with the CAG, the wear volume of the disc reduced by about 74%. Moreover, CAG and 1.5% M-MMT-containing CAG were proved safety by means of the cell viability test.

Originality/value

The integral properties of CAG can be improved with the medical-grade materials as the additives, while ensuring the safety.
Working together, thinking differently? HRM practices and trust in the health care context
Authors: Gur Amit , Tzafrir Shay S.
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Providing health care services requires collaboration between several occupations. This study aimed to reveal how three occupational groups (nurses, physicians, and administrators) perceive human resources management practices (HRMP) and whether these practices are differently associated with trust in the clinic manager.

Design/methodology/approach

The study included 290 employees from 29 primary care clinics, all affiliated with a health care organisation that operates in the public sector. Self-reporting questionnaires measured participants’ perceptions of six HRMP across occupations and their association with trust in the clinic manager. Variation between occupational groups was analysed through one-way analysis of variance (for groups’ perceptions of HRMP and trust in manager) andt-tests (for the association between perceived HRMP and trust in manager).

Findings

The results indicate some differences in perceived HRMP and trust across groups. Also, some differences were found across occupations regarding the relationship between HRMP and trust in the clinic manager: Nurses’ perceptions significantly differed from those of physicians and administrators, yet there was no significant difference between the two latter groups.

Practical implications

Health care organisations should expand their human resources architecture and customise their HRMP for each occupational group based on that group’s perceptions of the workplace. This can nurture trust in managers and create a climate for trust as a mechanism that encourages employees from distinct occupational groups to work together for the benefit of their clinic, organisation, and patients.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the discussion about the contextualisation of HRMP, providing insights regarding perceptions of HRMP as an enabler of an organisation’s strategy.
Teaching research data management courses in higher learning institutions in Tanzania
Authors: Mosha Neema Florence , Ngulube Patrick
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The study investigated teaching research data management (RDM) courses in higher learning institutions (HLIs) in Tanzania to enable postgraduate students to work with their research data.

Design/methodology/approach

The study triangulated research methods. Postgraduate students were investigated using survey questionnaires to learn about their needs and perceptions of the teaching RDM courses in HLIs. Key informants (academicians, information and communication technologists and library staff) were also investigated using in-depth interviews to explore their experiences and knowledge of teaching RDM courses. SPSS statistical software was used for analysing quantitative data; qualitative data were analysed thematically.

Findings

A total of 70 questionnaires were distributed to postgraduate students with a returning rate of 44 (69%). On the other hand, 12 key informants were interviewed. A low level of RDM literacy was revealed among 38 (86%) respondents. Most respondents 40 (91%) reported the need for HLIs to start teaching RDM courses. A lack of skills and knowledge in teaching RDM courses was revealed among key informants. The competency-based, adaptive and constructive teaching techniques were selected for teaching RDM courses, whereas intensive training and online tutorials were revealed as teaching formats.

Research limitations/implications

This study focused on teaching RDM courses in HLIs. The survey questionnaires were distributed to all 2nd year postgraduate students, however, the findings cannot be generalised to all postgraduate students due to the response rate obtained. The findings obtained from key informants can also not be used as a basis for generalization across HLIs.

Practical implications

This study concluded that postgraduate students need to be well equipped with skills and knowledge on RDM and its related concepts; teaching RDM courses should be regarded as a continuous programme for benefit of students, researchers and the community at large.

Social implications

Appropriate teaching of RDM courses among students not only ensures that students meet the funders’ and publishers’ requirements, but also encourages students to store and share their research among researchers worldwide; thus increasing collaboration and visibility of the datasets and data owners through data citations and acknowledgements.

Originality/value

This is a comprehensive study that provides findings for HLIs to teach RDM courses in HLIs, especially for postgraduate students. The findings revealed the need for teaching RDM courses in HLIs. The study provides the basis for further RDM research in HLIs and research institutions.
Is agricultural development good for carbon mitigation in India? Evidence from the asymmetric NARDL model
Authors: Zafar Shadman , Rasool Haroon , Tarique Md.
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The main objective of the present study is to figure out the effect of agricultural development on environmental pollution in the Indian context over the period 1970 to 2018. The study also tests the applicability of pollution haven hypothesis.

Design/methodology/approach

To begin with, the authors test the stationarity of the variables by using the DF-GLS and KPSS tests. To examine the relationship between agricultural development and carbon emissions, the study applies nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag cointegration test developed by Shin et al. (2014). The study also applies Wald test to test the asymmetry between agriculture and environmental pollution.

Findings

The findings of this study indicate that agricultural development in India is good for carbon mitigation in the long run whereas energy consumption degrades the environment. The findings document the existence of an asymmetric association between agricultural development and environmental pollution. Furthermore, the results did not find any presence of pollution haven hypothesis for India.

Originality/value

This is the only empirical work that assesses the contribution of agricultural sector to carbon mitigation in the Indian context. The novelty of the study is further ensured by the very nature that it is the first study that examines the effect of agricultural sector on environment in an asymmetric configuration.
Decrypting IPO pricing: an integrated bibliometric and content analysis approach
Authors: Joshipura Mayank , Mathur Sachin , Gwalani Hema
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Since 2018, there has been a resurgence in initial public offering (IPO) pricing studies. The authors aim to consolidate the knowledge and explore current dynamics, understand knowledge progression, elicit trends, and provide future research directions for IPO pricing research.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted a two-stage hybrid review based on 512 high-quality Scopus articles on IPO pricing published over the last decade. The authors deploy bibliometric analysis, and then, based on 61 curated articles, the authors conduct content analysis and offer future research directions.

Findings

Four key research streams emerged: information asymmetry, agency problems, legal, regulatory, and social environment, and behavioral finance. Future research may focus on behavioral explanations for IPO underpricing, the role of investor sentiment in IPO pricing, text analytics, machine learning, and big data in alleviating information asymmetry and agency problems. The authors summarize and present content analysis using the classic Theory, Context, Characteristics, Methods (TCCM) framework.

Research limitations/implications

Using different databases, bibliometric analysis tools, sample period or article screening criteria for the study might give different results. However, the study's major findings are robust to alternative choices.

Practical implications

This study serves as a ready reckoner for the research scholars, practitioners, regulators, policymakers, and investors interested in understanding the nuances of IPO pricing.

Originality/value

The study sheds light on the most influential documents, authors, and journals, offers an understanding of knowledge structure, identifies and discusses primary research streams and related implications, and provides future research directions.
Co-creation as choreography
Authors: Haanpää Minni
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This study aims to propose a novel concept of choreography as a way of understanding co-creation of value and thus develops the spatial analytical dimensions of co-creation theorising.

Design/methodology/approach

This conceptual paper contemplates the meanings and possibilities of leveraging the theoretical underpinnings of value co-creation, from the viewpoint of value-in-experience.

Findings

The concept of choreography opens up a way to read knowledge as movement. It enables a way to elaborate on both the phenomenological and non-representational aspects of co-creation processes. Conceptualising co-creation through such a lens, where knowing is seen as an on-going, spatio-temporal and affective process formed in movement, posits opportunities to further understand the value co-creation practices of experiences. Choreography gives access to the kinaesthetic and affective nature of knowing gained in and through different spatio-temporal contexts and can, in turn, be mobilised in others.

Originality/value

Only a few studies have conceptualised co-creation in relation to a spatio-temporal phenomenon. Notably, this study connects co-creation with mobilities and thus constructs a novel view of knowledge and value creation.
Grazing alters seedling emergence number, dynamics, and diversity of herbaceous plants in a semiarid sandy grassland
Authors: He Yuhui , Liu Xinping , Wang Mingming , Sun Shanshan , Cheng Li
Published: August 2022

Overgrazing in semiarid grassland is a major cause of vegetation degradation. Understanding the changes in seedling patterns driven by grazing is crucial to unveiling mechanisms of plant community regeneration and succession in grazed grassland. However, the dynamics of seedling emergence and species diversity under grazing are rarely studied. This study used periodical field investigation to examine the variation in seedling emergence, plant diversity, species composition, and seedling survival of herbaceous plants under four grazing intensities, including light (LG), moderate (MG), heavy (HG), and non‐grazed (NG), in a semiarid sandy grassland. The results showed that seedling number and density were significantly higher in HG plots, while the seedling survival rate was significantly lower in HG, and that seedling emergence dynamics varied with grazing. Seventy‐five percent of the seedlings in HG emerged during early spring in April, while approximately 50% of the seedlings in LG, MG, and NG emerged in May. Differences in species richness and diversity varied with growth stages and the diversity was always higher in LG than in other grazing habitats during the main growing season. Annual forb seedlings increased while annual grass seedlings decreased after grazing with no perennial grass seedlings in HG. Our study suggests that high seedling emergence but low seedling survival rate, and simple species composition especially the disappearance of perennial plants caused by HG may be an important factor leading to vegetation degradation in the semiarid grazed grassland.
Clinical performance of primary HPV screening cut‐off for colposcopy referrals in HPV‐vaccinated cohort: Observational study
Authors: Beecroft Marikka , Gurumurthy Mahalakshmi , Cruickshank Margaret E.
Published: August 2022

Objective

To understand the effect of changing from cytology‐based to primary HPV screening on the positive predictive value (PPV) of colposcopy referrals for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) in a cohort offered HPV vaccination.

Design

Retrospective pre/post observational cohort study.

Setting

Scotland.

Population or sample

2193 women referred to colposcopy between September 2019 and February 2020 from cytology‐based screening and between September 2020 and February 2021 from primary high‐risk HPV (hrHPV) screening.

Methods

Calculating positive predictive values (PPVs) for two cohorts of women; one having liquid‐based cytology screening and the other, the subsequent hrHPV cervical screening as a pre/post observational study.

Main outcome measures

Positive predictive values of LBC and hrHPV cut‐offs for colposcopy referral for CIN at colposcopy.

Results

Three papers fitted our criteria; these reported results only for cytology‐based screening. The PPV was lower for women in HPV‐vaccinated cohorts indicating a lower prevalence of disease. Vaccination under the age of 17 had the lowest PPV reported. Scottish colposcopy data concerning hrHPV and cytology showed a non‐significant difference between PPV (17.5%, 95% CI 14.3–20.7, and 20.6, 95% CI 16.7–24.5, respectively) for referrals with a cut‐off of low grade dyskaryosis (LGD); both met the standard set of 8–25%. The hrHPV PPV (66.7, 95% CI 56.8–76.6) was comparable to cytology (64.1, 95% CI 55.8–72.4) for referrals with a cut‐off of high grade dyskaryosis (HGD) but neither met the standard set of 77–92%.

Conclusions

Current literature only provides PPVs for LBC and, overall, the vaccinated cohort had lower PPVs. Only LG dyskaryosis met PHE criteria. The PPV for HPV‐vaccinated women undergoing either LBC or HR‐HPV screening were not statistically different. However, similar to papers in the current literature, HG dyskaryosis (HGD) PPVs of both techniques did not meet the PHE threshold of 76.6–91.6% outlined in the cervical standards data report.