bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does agro-processing adoption affect farm income and farm diversification? Empirical evidence from Taiwan
Authors: Lin Lin , Chang Hung-Hao
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the factors associated with the adoption of agro-processing methods and to estimate their impact on farm income and farm diversification.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a large-scale sample of 12,122 special crop farm households drawn from the 2015 Agricultural Census Survey in Taiwan, the semiparametric multivalued treatment effect model was estimated.

Findings

The authors found that agro-processing farm households obtain higher farm incomes than non-agro-processing farm households. Among the agro-processing methods, self-processing generates higher farm income than outsourced-processing. Moreover, farm households that adopt either agro-processing method are more likely to diversify into agritourism and other agribusinesses than non-agro-processing farms.

Research limitations/implications

The authors could only access data on farm income and not on agro-processing costs. Future studies may address the impact of agro-processing on farm profitability if relevant data are available.

Originality/value

Very few studies have examined the relationship between agro-processing, farm income and farm diversification. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is one of the first papers to examine the impact of different agro-processing practices on farm income and farm diversification.
Digital financial inclusion, informal economy and poverty reduction in Africa
Authors: Kelikume Ikechukwu
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the relationship between mobile phones, the internet, financial inclusion, the informal economy and poverty reduction.

Design/methodology/approach

The study examines the relationship between mobile phones, the internet, financial inclusion, the informal economy and poverty reduction using the system generalized method of moments approach and a panel data set of 42 African countries for the period 1995–2017.

Findings

The study shows that mobile penetration and internet usage have significant positive relationship with the informal sector. Financial inclusion has significant effects, meaning that increased financial inclusion is associated with a developed informal economy. Also, mobile penetration and internet usage play significant roles in the relationship between financial inclusion and the informal economy. Further, mobile penetration and internet usage have a significant positive relationship with poverty reduction. Similarly, financial inclusion has significant effects, meaning higher financial inclusion is associated with increased poverty reduction. The informal economy also has significant effects, suggesting that the development of the informal economy is associated with poverty reduction.

Originality/value

Most importantly, mobile penetration, internet usage and financial inclusion play significant roles in the link between the informal economy and poverty reduction.
Female directors and CSR disclosure in Bangladesh: the role of family affiliation
Authors: Biswas Pallab Kumar , Roberts Helen , Whiting Rosalind Heather
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the impact of female director affiliations to governing families on corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosures in the context of Bangladeshi firms.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a quantitative empirical research method grounded in Socioemotional Wealth (SEW) theory. Data was sourced from Bangladeshi publicly listed non-financial sector companies’ annual reports and stock exchange trading and publication reports and consists of 2,637 firm-year observations from 1996 to 2011. Pooled multivariate regression models are used to test the association between corporate social and environmental disclosure and female directors, and the family affiliation (or not) of those directors.

Findings

The findings provide strong evidence that female directors who are affiliated to the governing family, founders and other board members reduce CSR disclosure in family firms; unaffiliated female board directors enhance CSR disclosure, and this effect is significant in both family and non-family firms.

Research limitations/implications

Definitions of family firms and affiliated directors may lead to over-generalization in the results.

Originality/value

The study highlights variation in the nature of female board appointments in emerging market family-controlled firms. The findings bring attention to the role of affiliated female director appointments in family ownership structures and speak directly to family business owners, advisors and policy makers about the importance of unaffiliated female directors as catalysts of improved CSR disclosure in family and non-family firms.
Exploring redundancies in multichannel knowledge sourcing in high-technology industries
Authors: Vandaie Ramin
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Scientific collaborations represent informal external ties that together with formal R&D alliances constitute a multichannel knowledge sourcing network in science-based industries. Although such multichannel knowledge sourcing benefits firms by providing more thorough access to external sources, it also entails potentially significant redundancies worthy of consideration. This paper aims to take a step by first verifying their existence, followed by an examination of key contingencies determining the extent of these redundancies, i.e. firm absorptive capacity, balanced utilization of ties and firm size.

Design methodology approach

This is an empirical study that uses scientific collaborations and R&D alliances of US pharmaceutical companies to test the proposed hypotheses.

Findings

This paper verifies the existence of multichannel knowledge sourcing redundancies, followed by an examination of key contingencies determining the extent of these redundancies, i.e. firm absorptive capacity, balanced utilization of ties and firm size.

Originality value

To the knowledge, this is a first attempt at clarifying redundancies in innovative knowledge sourcing and their implications for firm innovation performance.
Material internal control weakness with intangible assets, capital structure and commercial risk
Authors: Salehi Mahdi , Ghasempour Fatemeh
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This study aims to assess the influence of material internal control weaknesses (ICWs) on investment in intangible assets, capital structure and commercial risk of organizations. Also, it analyses the impact of investment in intangible assets on the presence of material ICWs. This paper expects that ICWs and investment in intangible assets are interactively incorporated.

Design/methodology/approach

The statistical population of this study includes listed firms on the Tehran Stock Exchange during 2012-2017, selected using the systematic elimination method. A total of 588 firms is selected as the final sample of the study. Four hypotheses are developed to meet the study’s objectives and data analysis is carried out using the panel data method in Stata Software.

Findings

Results show that material ICWs have a positive and significant impact on investment in intangible assets and financial leverage. Moreover, this study finds that investment in intangible assets deteriorates the ICWs’ degree. However, the findings show no significant relationship between ICWs and commercial risks of companies.

Originality/value

The current study fills the gap in the literature science; there is no evidence on the subject of the study.
Evidencing the contribution of social enterprise to health and social care: approaches and considerations
Authors: Caló Francesca , Roy Michael James , Donaldson Cam , Teasdale Simon , Baglioni Simone
Published: February 2021

Purpose

As the provision of public services in many advanced welfare states has increasingly come to be marked by competition, social enterprises have actively been encouraged by governments to become involved in the delivery of public services. While the evaluation of complex public health interventions has arguably become increasingly more sophisticated, this has not been the case where social enterprise is concerned: evaluation of the actual impacts of social enterprises remains significantly underdeveloped by comparison. This study aims to support the establishment of a robust evidence base for the use of social enterprise as a policy instrument.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper assesses the potential of three methodological approaches common in the evaluation of complex public health interventions and applies them to the complex realm of community-led social enterprise.

Findings

Only through the involvement of different comparator groups, based on the research questions addressed, would it be possible to disentangle the embedded characteristics of organisations such as social enterprises. Each of the methods adopted in this research is time-consuming and resource-intensive and requires the researcher to possess advanced skills. Public officials should recognise the complexity and resource-intensive nature of such evaluation and resource it accordingly. If the aim of policymakers is to understand the added value of social enterprise organisations, an integrative research approach combining different research methods and design should be implemented to improve generalisability.

Originality/value

This study applies a range of favoured approaches to evaluate “complex” public health interventions include systematic reviews, realist evaluation and quasi-experimental investigation. However, such evaluation approaches have rarely been applied before in the context of social enterprise.
A device employing a neural network for blood pressure estimation from the oscillatory pressure pulse wave and PPG signal
Authors: Tian Jian , Xie Jiangan , He Zhonghua , Ma Qianfeng , Wang Xiuxin
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Wrist-cuff oscillometric blood pressure monitors are very popular in the portable medical device market. However, its accuracy has always been controversial. In addition to the oscillatory pressure pulse wave, the finger photoplethysmography (PPG) can provide information on blood pressure changes. A blood pressure measurement system integrating the information of pressure pulse wave and the finger PPG may improve measurement accuracy. Additionally, a neural network can synthesize the information of different types of signals and approximate the complex nonlinear relationship between inputs and outputs. The purpose of this study is to verify the hypothesis that a wrist-cuff device using a neural network for blood pressure estimation from both the oscillatory pressure pulse wave and PPG signal may improve the accuracy.

Design/methodology/approach

A PPG sensor was integrated into a wrist blood pressure monitor, so the finger PPG and the oscillatory pressure wave could be detected at the same time during the measurement. After the peak detection, curves were fitted to the data of pressure pulse amplitude and PPG pulse amplitude versus time. A genetic algorithm-back propagation neural network was constructed. Parameters of the curves were inputted into the neural network, the outputs of which were the measurement values of blood pressure. Blood pressure measurements of 145 subjects were obtained using a mercury sphygmomanometer, the developed device with the neural network algorithm and an Omron HEM-6111 blood pressure monitor for comparison.

Findings

For the systolic blood pressure (SBP), the difference between the proposed device and the mercury sphygmomanometer is 0.0062 ± 2.55 mmHg (mean ± SD) and the difference between the Omron device and the mercury sphygmomanometer is 1.13 ± 9.48 mmHg. The difference in diastolic blood pressure between the mercury sphygmomanometer and the proposed device was 0.28 ± 2.99 mmHg. The difference in diastolic blood pressure between the mercury sphygmomanometer and Omron HEM-6111 was −3.37 ± 7.53 mmHg.

Originality/value

Although the difference in the SBP error between the proposed device and Omron HEM-6111 was not remarkable, there was a significant difference between the proposed device and Omron HEM-6111 in the diastolic blood pressure error. The developed device showed an improved performance. This study was an attempt to enhance the accuracy of wrist-cuff oscillometric blood pressure monitors by using the finger PPG and the neural network. The hardware framework constructed in this study can improve the conventional wrist oscillometric sphygmomanometer and may be used for continuous measurement of blood pressure.
The moderating effect of environmental agencies on firms’ sustainability reporting in Nigeria
Authors: Haladu Alhassan , Bin-Nashwan Saeed Awadh
Published: February 2021

Purpose

An attempt is made in this study aims to examine the extent to which the role of environmental agencies in Nigeria, i.e. DEPARTMENT for Petroleum Resources (DPR), National Environmental Standard and Regulatory Enforcement Agency (NESREA) and Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), influences firms’ attributes on sustainability reporting.

Design/methodology/approach

Both primary and secondary data covers 2015-2019 were used to collate information for the analyzes. The analysis was done using Stata 13 to determine the moderating impact of policy administrators on the relationship between corporate attributes and sustainability reporting.

Findings

The findings showed a very low level of sustainability reporting (27.53%), with a high significant level. Moreover, a positive and significant relationship exists between the major corporate attributes and sustainability reporting. A highly significant moderating impact of environmental policy administrators exists on these attributes, except for board size.

Research limitations/implications

The theoretical and practical implications of this study show that there is an indication of the inefficiency of the environmental policy administrators in Nigeria as the significance of the political economy theory as it affects the interactive impact on sustainability reporting. Further research is recommended on political-economic theory so as to know the economic implications of the effects of corporate attributes on environmental disclosure as it impacts governments and societies.

Practical implications

Results show that there is an indication of inefficiency by Nigeria’s main environmental policy administrators such as DPR, NESREA and NSE as it affects environmental, economic and social issues by listed firms.

Originality/value

This work emphasizes the moderating impact of environmental agencies on the relationship between firms’ characteristics and sustainability disclosure through the GRI4 framework standard. More so, it applied company attributes essential for a firm’s sustainable growth and development in the developing economies of sub-Saharan Africa.
Does CSR mediate the nexus of ethical leadership and employee’s job performance? Evidence from North Italy SMEs
Authors: Aftab Junaid , Sarwar Huma , Amin Anam , Kiran Alina
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Leadership has a decisive role in the success of all types of businesses and firms, including small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and the ethical behavior of leaders is a key component which brings a sense of respect, fulfillment, trustworthiness and acceptance among the employees, which later become visible in their job performance (JP). This study aims to check the immediate effect of ethical leadership (EL) on employee’s JP (EJP) and also explore the indirect mediating effect of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on this EL and EJP nexus.

Design/methodology/approach

Primary data was obtained from the employees of manufacturing SMEs of Northern Italy using a cross-sectional design from the end of 2019 to the start of 2020. This paper circulated 450 self-administered questionnaires using simple random sampling, and 202 (44.88%) valid questionnaires were returned. The PROCESS macro was performed using statistical package for social sciences to ensure whether or not EL affects EJP and is there any mediation effect of CSR present in this nexus.

Findings

The results indicate that EL has a strong positive connection with EJP and CSR. Interestingly, CSR positively influences EJP. Furthermore, the results also report the strong mediating effect of CSR in the nexus of EL and EJP.

Originality/value

This scholarly work seeks to contribute not only to the literature of EL and EJP but also enriches the understanding of this EL-EJP association by highlighting the indirect effect of mediating variable CSR in the SME sector.
Can critical success factors of small businesses in emerging markets advance UN Sustainable Development Goals?
Authors: Adeola Ogechi , Gyimah Prince , Appiah Kingsley Opoku , Lussier Robert N.
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This study contributes to answering the question, can critical success factors of small businesses in emerging markets advance United Nation (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)? Specifically, this study aims to explore the critical factors contributing to the success of small businesses and ultimately the UN SDGs in the emerging market of Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

The design is survey research testing the Lussier success vs failure prediction model for small businesses in Nigeria. The methodology includes a logistic regression model to better understand and predict the factors that contribute to success or failure using a data set of 201 small businesses in Nigeria.

Findings

The findings support the validity of the Lussier model (p = 0.000) in Nigeria as the model accurately predicted 84.4% of the small businesses as successful or failed with a highR-square value (R = 0.540). The most significant factors (t-values < 0.05) that predict the success or failure of businesses support the findings that business owners that start with adequate capital, keep records and financial controls, use professional advice, have better product/service timing, and have parents who own businesses can increase the probability of success.

Practical implications

The study provides a list of critical success factors contributing to the growth of small business in Nigeria, the largest economy in Africa. The findings can help entrepreneurs avoid failure and advance UN SDGs 1, 2, 8 and 10. Implications for current and future entrepreneurs, public agencies, consultants, educators, policymakers, suppliers and investors are discussed.

Originality/value

This is the first study to determine the factors that contribute to the success or failure of small businesses in Nigeria using the Lussier model. It also discusses how to advance four of the UN sustainability goals. Results support the Lussier model's global validity that can be used in both emerging and developed markets, and it contributes to the development of theory.
Baclofen decreases compulsive alcohol drinking in rats characterized by reduced levels of GAT‐3 in the central amygdala
Authors: Marti‐Prats Lucia , Belin‐Rauscent Aude , Fouyssac Maxime , Puaud Mickaël , Cocker Paul J , Everitt Barry J , Belin David
Published: February 2021

While most individuals with access to alcohol drink it recreationally, some vulnerable individuals eventually lose control over their intake and progressively develop compulsive alcohol drinking and decreased interest in alternative sources of reinforcement, two key features of addiction. The neural and molecular mechanisms underlying this vulnerability to switch from controlled to compulsive alcohol intake have not been fully elucidated. It has been shown that rats having reduced levels of expression of the gamma‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) transporter, GAT‐3, in the amygdala tend to persist in seeking and drinking alcohol even when adulterated with quinine, suggesting that pharmacological interventions aimed at restoring GABA homeostasis in these individuals may provide a targeted treatment to limit compulsive alcohol drinking. Here, we tested the hypothesis that the GABAB receptor agonist baclofen, which decreases GABA release, specifically reduces compulsive alcohol drinking in vulnerable individuals. In a large cohort of Sprague–Dawley rats allowed to drink alcohol under an intermittent two‐bottle choice procedure, a cluster of individuals was identified that persisted in drinking alcohol despite adulteration with quinine or when an alternative ingestive reinforcer, saccharin, was available. In these rats, which were characterized by decreased GAT‐3 mRNA levels in the central amygdala, acute baclofen administration (1.5 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) resulted in a decrease in compulsive drinking. These results indicate that low GAT‐3 mRNA levels in the central amygdala may represent an endophenotype of vulnerability to develop a compulsive drinking of alcohol that is shown here to be mitigated by baclofen.
Sensitization to isobornyl acrylate in a tertiary Belgian hospital
Authors: Herman Anne , Baeck Marie
Published: February 2021

Highlights

The sensitization rate to isobornyl acrylate in a patch‐tested population was evaluated at 0.6%.

In this study, among patients sensitized to isobornyl acrylate, apart from glucose sensors and insulin pumps, no other sources of sensitization were identified.
Allograft failure in kidney transplant recipients who developed kidney failure secondary to ANCA‐associated vasculitis
Authors: Kuhnel Lukas , Hawley Carmel M. , Johnson David W. , Gobe Glenda C. , Ellis Robert J. , Francis Ross S.
Published: February 2021

Anti‐neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)–associated vasculitides are uncommon causes of kidney failure. In kidney transplant recipients who developed kidney failure secondary to ANCA‐associated vasculitis, disease recurrence is unlikely due to ongoing immunosuppression, and patients generally have good immunological outcomes. This study compared transplant outcomes between ANCA‐associated vasculitis and other etiologies of kidney disease. All 18 901 adult kidney transplant recipients (1990‐2018) were ascertained from the ANZDATA Registry. Cox proportional hazards models were used to compare allograft failure between etiologies of kidney disease. Of 254 participants whose primary disease was ANCA‐associated vasculitis, 95 (37%) developed allograft failure; of those who developed graft failure, 62 (65%) died with a functioning allograft. Compared with patients with IgA nephropathy, those with ANCA‐associated vasculitis had higher rates of all‐cause allograft failure (HR: 1.4, 95% CI: 1.2‐1.7); however, rates of death‐censored allograft failure were similar (HR: 1.0, 95% CI: 0.7‐1.4). The most frequent causes of death in the ANCA‐vasculitis group who died with a functioning graft were infection (23%) and malignancy (36%). Kidney transplant recipients who developed kidney failure secondary to ANCA‐associated vasculitis may have had a higher risk of dying due to complications of immunosuppression compared with most other causes of kidney failure; however, they also had lower risks of disease recurrence and rejection.
Utilizing multimodal analgesia to evaluate postoperative analgesic requirements in kidney transplant recipients
Authors: Muir Michele A. , Szempruch Kristen R. , Dupuis Robert , Toledo Alexander H. , Isaak Robert S. , Arora Harendra , Prasad Ravindra , Serrano Rodriguez Pablo
Published: February 2021

The use of non‐opioid analgesics following surgery has proven beneficial in managing pain and decreasing adverse outcomes following surgery. Data assessing outcomes related to opioid use is limited in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs). We evaluated the effectiveness of implementing a reduced to no opioid use protocol in KTRs. This retrospective cohort study included adult KTRs between January 2017 and July 2019 with a multimodal analgesic protocol (MAP), focused on limiting opioids, implemented in August 2018. We compared analgesic requirements in morphine milligram equivalents (MME) during transplant admissions between the MAP cohort and traditional cohort. There were 217 KTRs who met the criteria. Inpatient opioid use was significantly reduced in the MAP cohort (16.5 ± 19.2 MME/day vs 24.7 ± 19.7 MME/day; P <.05) with no significant difference in pain scores. No use of opioids within six months of discharge was significantly increased in the MAP cohort (50% vs 7%; P <.001), and there were no reported deaths at six months in either cohort. The use of multimodal analgesia is beneficial in KTRs to provide adequate pain control with limited to no exposure of opioids during admission or at discharge.
Self‐awareness in multiple sclerosis: Relationships with executive functions and affect
Authors: Chen Michelle H. , Goverover Yael
Published: February 2021

Background and objectives

Deficits in self‐awareness can be observed in persons with multiple sclerosis (pwMS). The present study aimed to investigate two types of self‐awareness (intellectual and online) among pwMS, which will inform clinical care. Intellectual awareness refers to knowledge of one's own abilities; online awareness refers to real‐time monitoring and regulation of one's performance.

Methods

The study sample consisted of 95 pwMS and 65 healthy controls (HCs). Intellectual awareness was defined as discrepancy between participant's and informant's reports of participant's functioning. Online awareness was operationalized by change in self‐assessment of performance after engaging in a functional task.

Results

PwMS had significantly worse intellectual awareness than HCs regarding money management (confidence interval [CI] 0.44 to 1.99), task performance (CI −0.01 to 2.5), social interaction (CI 0.29 to 2.45), and problem solving (CI 0.87 to 2.8) abilities, but not sensory symptoms. Executive functioning was positively associated with intellectual awareness in HCs, while depressive and anxiety symptoms were negatively related to intellectual awareness in pwMS. In contrast, online awareness was not significantly different between groups; both groups were able accurately to assess their performance after engaging in a functional task.

Conclusions

Intellectual awareness, but not online awareness, is impaired in pwMS. Among pwMS, affective symptomatology may distort their perception of functional status. Persons with MS may benefit from actually performing a functional task during the assessment and treatment process, which may lead to a more accurate estimate of their own abilities.
Proximity to crop relatives determines some patterns of natural selection in a wild sunflower
Authors: Mitchell Nora , Chamberlain Scott A. , Whitney Kenneth D.
Published: February 2021

Abiotic and biotic heterogeneity result in divergent patterns of natural selection in nature, with important consequences for fundamental evolutionary processes including local adaptation, speciation, and diversification. However, increasing amounts of the global terrestrial surface are homogenized by agriculture (which covers nearly 50% of terrestrial vegetated land surface) and other anthropogenic activities. Agricultural intensification leads to highly simplified biotic communities for many taxa, which may alter natural selection through biotic selective agents. In particular, the presence of crops may alter selection on traits of closely related wild relatives via shared mutualists and antagonists such as pollinators and herbivores. We asked how the presence of crop sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) alters natural selection on reproductive traits of wild sunflowers (Helianthus annuus texanus). Across two years and multiple sites, we planted replicated paired populations of wild H. a. texanus bordering sunflower crop fields versus approximately 2.5 km away. We measured fitness, floral traits, and interactions of the plants with insect pollinators and seed predators. We found limited evidence that proximity to crop sunflowers altered selection on individual traits, as total or direct selection differed by proximity for only three of eleven traits: ray length (a marginally significant effect), Isophrictis (Gelechiidae, moth) attack, and Neolasioptera (Cecidomyiidae, midge) attack. Direct (but not total) selection was significantly more heterogenous far from crop sunflowers relative to near crop sunflowers. Both mutualist pollinators and antagonist seed predators mediated differences in selection in some population‐pairs near versus far from crop sunflowers. Here, we demonstrate that agriculture can influence the evolution of wild species via altered selection arising from shared biotic interactions, complementing previously demonstrated evolutionary effects via hybridization.
CCL13 is upregulated in alopecia areata lesions and is correlated with disease severity
Authors: Wang Dan , Xu Xueming , Li Xizhe , Shi Jian , Tong Xiaoliang , Chen Jing , Lu Jianyun , Huang Jinhua , Yang Shengbo
Published: February 2021

Alopecia areata (AA) is a multi‐factors disease characterized by non‐scarring hair loss. AA could be classified into three main clinical phenotypes including patchy type AA (AAP), alopecia totalis (AT) and alopecia universalis (AU) based on the severity and areas of hair loss. Recent studies suggested immunological factor was critical in AA, but the precise aetiology and pathogenesis of AA still need exploration. In the work, we screened two gene expression profiles (GSE45512 and GSE68801) from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). Based on the two data sets, 10 upregulated genes and 107 downregulated genes in AA skin biopsies were identified. CCL13, as one of the remarkably upregulated genes, was found to have potential biological functions in aberrant immune response of AA according to the GO and KEGG analyses. The PPI network showed CCL13 was associated with multiple immune‐related genes. The expression of CCL13 was increased depending on the severity of disease in AA patients. Cytotoxic lymphocytes, T cells and myeloid dendritic cells accumulated remarkably in scalp tissue depending on the severity of AA, and CCL13 was significantly correlated to cytotoxic lymphocytes, T cells and myeloid dendritic cells in AA patients. Our RT‐PCR and ELISA results found CCL13 was upregulated in skin biopsy and serum of AA patients, and the immunohistochemistry (IHC) detection showed CCL13 was expressed by both the hair follicle epithelium and infiltrating immune cells. In conclusion, the upregulated of CCL13 and subsequent immune cell infiltration was related to AA, which could be a promising target for diagnosis and therapy in AA patients.
Microstructural and fatigue crack growth behavior inhomogeneity of trace Sc added 7085 alloy friction stir welded joint
Authors: Jia Zixing , Wei Lili , Huang Hongfeng , Liu Chongyu , Jiang Hongjie , Xu Xuda
Published: February 2021

The inhomogeneity of friction stir weld (FSW) joint of a 7085 Al‐based alloy containing trace Sc was investigated by comparing the hardening phase morphology, grain structure, mechanical properties, and fatigue crack growth (FCG) behavior in based metal (BM), heat‐affected zone (HAZ), and weld nugget zone (WNZ). The results showed that microstructural evolution during FSW was remarkably affected by Sc addition. The recrystallization and growth of grains in BM and HAZ were restrained by coherent Al3(Sc,Zr) particles. In HAZ, partially dissolution and slight growth of precipitates resulted in softening but contributed to enhance the FCG resistance according to shear mechanism. In WNZ, high frictional heating and intense plastic deformation induced recrystallization and supersaturated solid solution which decomposed to form new reprecipitates, including many new GPII zones, η′ phases, and some coarse η equilibrium phases attached to grown incoherent Al3(Sc,Zr). Owing to combined influences of fine random orientated grain structure and reprecipitates, WNZ possessed the best fatigue endurance.
Ductile fracture locus identification using mesoscale critical equivalent plastic strain
Authors: Xin Haohui , Veljkovic Milan , Correia José A.F.O. , Berto Filippo
Published: February 2021

The ductile performance of high strength steel (HSS) from different steel grades, producers, manufacturing processes varies a lot. It is also difficult to conduct all kinds of reliable experiments to generate different stress status through different initial specimen geometries or by applying different load combinations in the civil engineering sector. One of the common issues for HSS structures is to identify the parameters of the ductile fracture model conveniently from the uniaxial stress–strain relationship obtained from common coupon specimens. An attempt is made in this paper to use the proposed mesoscale critical equivalent plastic strain (MCEPS) to calibrate the fracture locus of the uncoupled phenomenological model based only on the engineering stress–strain relationship. The proposed method is successfully validated by the Sandia fracture challenge in 2014.
Trimethylguanosine synthase 1 (Tgs1) is involved in Swi6/HP1‐independent siRNA production and establishment of heterochromatin in fission yeast
Authors: Yu Hiroki , Tsuchida Mai , Ando Motoyoshi , Hashizaki Tomoka , Shimada Atsushi , Takahata Shinya , Murakami Yota
Published: February 2021

In fission yeast, siRNA generated by RNA interference (RNAi) factors plays critical roles in establishment and maintenance of heterochromatin. To achieve efficient siRNA synthesis, RNAi factors assemble on heterochromatin via association with Swi6, a homologue of heterochromatin protein 1 (HP1), and heterochromatic noncoding RNA (hncRNA) retained on chromatin. In addition, spliceosomes formed on hncRNA introns recruit RNAi factors to hncRNA and heterochromatin. Small nuclear RNAs, components of the spliceosome, have a trimethylguanosine (TMG) cap that is generated by Tgs1‐dependent hypermethylation of the normal m7G cap; this cap is required for efficient splicing of some mRNAs in budding yeast and Drosophila. In this study, we found that loss of Tgs1 in fission yeast destabilizes centromeric heterochromatin. Tgs1 was required for Swi6‐independent siRNA synthesis, as well as for the establishment of centromeric heterochromatin. Loss of Tgs1 affected the splicing efficiency of hncRNA introns in the absence of Swi6. Furthermore, some hncRNAs have a TMG cap, and we found that loss of Tgs1 diminished the chromatin binding of these hncRNAs. Together, these results suggest that the Tgs1‐dependent TMG cap plays critical roles in establishment of heterochromatin by ensuring spliceosome‐dependent recruitment of RNAi factors and regulating the binding between chromatin and hncRNA.
‘Employability in context’: The importance of considering contextual factors in reimagining employability through Australian student mobility to the Indo‐Pacific region
Authors: Thi Tran Ly , Thi Quy Do Thu , Bui Huyen
Published: February 2021

Australia has shifted its student mobility agenda since 2014 with a commitment to see learning abroad in the Indo‐Pacific region, rather than in traditional destinations such as anglophone countries, as a ‘rite of passage’ for Australian students' future life and career. While there has been rich literature on the impact of outbound student mobility from Australia to anglophone countries, critical inquiry is warranted regarding how Australian students' learning abroad in the Indo‐Pacific affects their employability and career directions. This article responds to this paucity in the literature. It is derived from a larger research project, including a survey of 1,362 New Colombo Plan alumni. Unlike dominant conceptualisations of employability focusing largely on the role of disciplinary knowledge and soft skills, this study found affording different perspectives, connections and opportunities and the increased knowledge about the Indo‐Pacific have been critical in shaping Australian students' employability and career orientations. The findings of this study provide the empirical base for the development of the concept, ‘employability in context’, which underscores the importance of moving beyond the conventional discourse about employability and taking into account the contextual factors in conceptualising employability.
Genetic characterisation of adult primary pleomorphic uterine rhabdomyosarcoma and comparison with uterine carcinosarcoma
Authors: Ashley Charles W , Da Cruz Paula Arnaud , Ferrando Lorenzo , Gularte‐Mérida Rodrigo , Sebastiao Ana P M , Brown David N , Gazzo Andrea M , Pareja Fresia , Stylianou Anthe , Abu‐Rustum Nadeem R , Reis‐Filho Jorge S , Buehler Darya , Weisman Paul , Chiang Sarah , Weigelt Britta
Published: February 2021

Aims

To characterise the genetic alterations in adult primary uterine rhabdomyosarcomas (uRMSs) and to investigate whether these tumours are genetically distinct from uterine carcinosarcomas (UCSs).

Methods and results

Three tumours originally diagnosed as primary adult pleomorphic uRMS were subjected to massively parallel sequencing targeting 468 cancer‐related genes and RNA‐sequencing. Mutational profiles were compared with those of UCSs (n = 57) obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas. Sequencing data analyses were performed using validated bioinformatic approaches. PathogenicTP53mutations and high levels of genomic instability were detected in the three cases. uRMS1 harboured a likely pathogenicYTHDF2–FOXR1fusion. uRMS2 harboured aPPP2R1Ahotspot mutation and amplification of multiple genes, includingWHSC1L1,FGFR1,MDM2, andCCNE1, whereas uRMS3 harboured anFBXW7hotspot mutation and anANKRD11homozygous deletion. Hierarchical clustering of somatic mutations and copy number alterations revealed that these tumours initially diagnosed as pleomorphic uRMSs and UCSs were similar. Subsequent comprehensive pathological re‐review of the three uRMSs revealed previously unidentified minute pan‐cytokeratin‐positive atypical glands in one case (uRMS3), favouring its reclassification as UCS with extensive rhabdomyosarcomatous overgrowth.

Conclusions

Adult pleomorphic uRMSs harbourTP53mutations and high levels of copy number alterations. Our findings underscore the challenge in discriminating between uRMS and UCS with rhabdomyosarcomatous differentiation.
Real‐time PCR‐based Y‐specific sperm quantification assay in Queensland fruit fly: Insights to patterns of sperm storage
Authors: Shadmany J. , Lee S. F. , Taylor P. W.
Published: February 2021

Studies of reproductive biology in insects often require quantification of sperm production, transfer or storage. Here, we develop a quantitative real‐time PCR‐based assay using a Y‐specific marker for quantification of sperm from spermathecae of female Queensland fruit fly ('Q‐fly'), overcoming constraints typical of traditional sperm quantification methods. The assay enables accurate and reliable quantification of as few as 50 sperms and provides a means to analyse large numbers of samples with flexible timing. The real‐time PCR method enables revised understanding of how many sperms are stored by female Q‐flies, the distribution of storage between the two spermathecae and the relationship between copula duration and sperm storage. Real‐time PCR assays based on Y‐specific markers provide an effective solution for sperm quantification in tephritid flies, as well as in other insects and potentially other animals with sperm storage organs.
Human CD36hi monocytes induce Foxp3+ CD25+ T cells with regulatory functions from CD4 and CD8 subsets
Authors: Lee Jessica G. , Jaeger Kathleen E. , Seki Yoichi , Wei Lim Yi , Cunha Christina , Vuchkovska Aleksandra , Nelson Alexander J. , Nikolai Anya , Kim Dan , Nishimura Michael , Knight Katherine L. , White Paula , Iwashima Makio
Published: February 2021

The fetal and neonatal immune systems are uniquely poised to generate tolerance to self, maternal and environmental antigens encountered in the womb and shortly after birth. However, the tolerogenic nature of fetal and neonatal immunity can be detrimental in the context of pathogens, leading to overwhelming bacterial infections or chronic viral infections. A variety of mechanisms contribute to fetal and neonatal tolerance, including a propensity to generate Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Treg cells). However, the mechanism(s) of fetal Foxp3+ T‐cell differentiation, the specific antigen‐presenting cells required and factors that inhibit Treg generation after the neonatal period are poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that a subset of CD14+ monocytes expressing the scavenger molecule, CD36, can generate CD4+ and CD8+ T cells that coexpress Foxp3 and T‐bet from both umbilical cord blood. These Foxp3+ T‐bet+ T cells potently suppress T‐cell proliferation and ameliorate xenogeneic graft‐versus‐host disease. CD14+ CD36+ monocytes provide known Treg‐inducing signals: membrane‐bound transforming growth factor‐beta and retinoic acid. Unexpectedly, adult peripheral blood monocytes are also capable of inducing Foxp3+ T cells from both cord blood and adult peripheral naïve T cells. The induction of Foxp3+ T cells in umbilical cord blood by monocytes was inhibited by the lymphoid fraction of adult peripheral blood cells. These studies highlight a novel immunoregulatory role of monocytes and suggest that antigen presentation by CD36hi monocytes may contribute to the peripheral development of Foxp3+ T‐bet+ T cells with regulatory functions in both neonates and adults.
Sucrose retards the reaction of non‐calcium geopolymers: An implication for developing kinetics‐controlling admixtures
Authors: Chen Xu , Mondal Paramita
Published: February 2021

For geopolymers (no or low calcium), the chemical admixtures designed for ordinary portland cement are either inefficient or ineffective. In this study, the effects of sucrose on the kinetics of geopolymerization (no calcium) were investigated. From calorimetry tests, we found sucrose retarded the geopolymerization of sodium silicate‐activated metakaolin. This retardation is unlikely to be related to the dissolution of metakaolin, since sucrose also hindered the reaction of the synthetic gel (no metakaolin) as evidenced by the smaller particle sizes under microscopy. Further spectroscopy and total organic carbon (TOC) tests indicated that sucrose did not adsorb or chemically interact with the synthetic aluminosilicate gel and the intermediate (alumino)silicate species. In contrast, the retardation mechanism was found to be due to the interaction of sucrose with alkalis in the solution, partially based on the structural characterization of sucrose under alkaline condition. To the best of our knowledge, this work is the first of its type to explore and understand the reaction‐controlling admixtures for non‐calcium geopolymers.
Three‐phase borate solid solution with low sintering temperature, high‐quality factor, and low dielectric constant
Authors: Peng Rui , Li Yuanxun , Su Hua , Lu Yongcheng , Shi Liang , Yu Guoliang , Wang Gang , Gan Gongwen , Yu Chengyong
Published: February 2021

The sintering and microwave dielectric properties of a ceramic material based on the mixing of Mg3B2O6 and Zn3B2O6 have been widely studied using first‐principles calculations and experimental solid‐state reactions. Characterization methods include the Network Analyzer, X‐ray, Raman diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive spectroscopy, and differential‐thermal and thermo‐mechanical analyzer. The increasing amount of Mg2+ results in the appearance of Mg2B2O5 and ZnO, and the mutual substitution (Mg2+ and Zn2+) phenomenon has emerged in Zn3B2O6 and Mg2B2O5. The mechanisms have been explained with the help of DFT calculations. The bond parameters and electron distributions of the ZnO4 tetrahedron and MgO6 octahedron have been modified due to substitution. The sintering, substitution, and phase formation properties have been analyzed quantitatively through the energy parameters. The best dielectric properties were obtained for x = 0.20 sintered at 950°C, εr = 6.47, Q × f = 89 600 GHz (15.2 GHz), τf = −48.6 ppm/°C, relative density = 96.7%. The mixing of Zn3B2O6 and Mg3B2O6 ceramics is a feasible method to obtain a ceramic with low sintering temperature and excellent dielectric properties.
An attribution‐emotion‐action interpretation of the “evil eye” in everyday conflict situations
Authors: Vargas Maria Esperanza
Published: February 2021

An attribution‐emotion‐action model was used to examine individuals’ willingness to seek for another person's face in conflict situations. To induce interpersonal conflict and frustration, participants were engaged in the ultimatum bargaining game (UBG) where they received predetermined offers. A simple UBG consists of two players, a Proposer and a Responder, who must decide how to divide a resource. Our findings confirm our predictions in that during the interpersonal conflict (i.e., betraying the norm of equality in the UBG), participants made more controllable based attributions, felt more frustrated (less sympathetic), and more likely requested to view the Proposer's photograph than when there is no conflict. Stated differently, in conflict situations, the likelihood of seeking another person's face increases when controllable attributions are made and when frustration is felt.
Disaster hypertension and cardiovascular events in disaster and COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Narita Keisuke , Hoshide Satoshi , Tsoi Kelvin , Siddique Saulat , Shin Jinho , Chia Yook‐Chin , Tay Jam Chin , Teo Boon Wee , Turana Yuda , Chen Chen‐Huan , Cheng Hao‐Min , Sogunuru Guru Prasad , Wang Tzung‐Dau , Wang Ji‐Guang , Kario Kazuomi
Published: February 2021

The incidence of large disasters has been increasing worldwide. This has led to a growing interest in disaster medicine. In this review, we report current evidence related to disasters and coronavirus disease‐2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic, such as cardiovascular diseases during disasters, management of disaster hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases associated with COVID‐19. This review summarizes the time course and mechanisms of disaster‐related diseases. It also discusses the use of information and communication technology (ICT) as a cardiovascular risk management strategy to prevent cardiovascular events. During the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, we used the “Disaster Cardiovascular Prevention” system that was employed for blood pressure (BP) monitoring and risk management using ICT. We introduced an ICT‐based BP monitoring device at evacuation centers and shared patients’ BP values in the database to support BP management by remote monitoring, which led to improved BP control. Effective use of telemedicine using ICT is important for risk management of cardiovascular diseases during disasters and pandemics in the future.