bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Innovation, short‐termism, and the cost of strong corporate governance
Authors: Keum D. Daniel
Published: June 2020

Research Summary

Do the performance pressures of the capital market exacerbate short‐termism and stifle innovation? This longstanding question has doggedly eluded a conclusive answer due to conflicting empirical findings. We revisit two studies that have been central to rejecting short‐termism: Atanassov (2013) and its replication by Karpoff and Wittry (2018). After revising some of the empirical choices by Atanassov (2013), we find the opposite result: antitakeover laws that insulate managers from the market for corporate control enhance innovation, driven by firms with significant ownership by short‐term oriented investors. However, antitakeover laws do exacerbate the pursuit of value‐destroying acquisitions. Our findings highlight corporate governance as a strategic variable that imposes a tradeoff in disciplining different agency conflicts and weak governance as a necessary evil to stimulate innovation.

Managerial Summary

We present evidence that shareholder pressure indeed exacerbates short‐termism and stifles innovation, especially in firms with significant ownership by short‐term oriented investors. One key implication is that calls to reduce managerial entrenchment and hold managers more accountable to shareholders warrant careful consideration. While curbing other forms of agency conflict, such as managerial shirking and the pursuit of value‐destroying acquisitions, such reforms can exacerbate the myopic focus on short‐term profits and prevent long‐term value creation. Our findings warn that it is misleading to look for universally “good” governance. There are multiple forms of agency conflict that require diametric prescriptions, and designing corporate governance should carefully consider the tradeoffs based on a firm's ownership structure and the need for innovation.
Highly pathogenic Bovine Respiratory Syncytial virus variant in a dairy herd in Italy
Authors: Giammarioli Monica , Mangili Piermario , Nanni Alex , Pierini Ilaria , Petrini Stefano , Pirani Silvia , Gobbi Paola , De Mia Gian Mario
Published: June 2020

Bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) is an economically significant pathogen in cattle production worldwide. Usually, it is detected in outbreaks of respiratory disease, most often during the winter period. During the middle of October 2018, a serious outbreak of respiratory disease occurred in a cattle farm comprising about 300 heads located in Central Italy. The herd was affected by a severe flu‐like syndrome unresponsive to any antibiotic treatment. Within 3 weeks, 39 adult animals died, and 12 abortions occurred. Direct and indirect laboratory tests were performed to detect the main pathogens causing the respiratory disease of the affected cattle. The results of laboratory investigations provided evidence of an acute and severe BRSV syndrome characterized by unusual mortality. In order to investigate the molecular underpinnings of this syndrome, phylogenetic analysis of the BRSV strain detected from the outbreak was carried out. The sequence analysis showed that the strain was genetically divergent from BRSV strains previously identified in Italy, as it showed high sequence similarity of more than 97% with strains isolated during a major BRSV epizootic that occurred in Sweden, Norway and Denmark during 2010–2011. The infection of the herd in Italy with this BRSV strain was likely due to the introduction of animals imported into Italy from abroad.
Bilingualism and regional entrepreneurship
Authors: Audretsch David B. , Belitski Maksim , Eichler Georg
Published: June 2020

Entrepreneurship makes important contributions to both regional and national economies; however, entrepreneurship rates vary significantly across and within regions. We apply the communication accommodation theory lens to examine the role that bilingualism plays in regional entrepreneurship. We use aggregated firm and district level longitudinal data on eight northeastern districts in the region of South Tyrol (Italy) during 2000–2015 and demonstrate positive direct effect of bilingualism on entrepreneurship activity. The results can be generalizable to other European multicultural regions.
Lightweight hybrid CFRP design for machine tools with focus on simple manufacturing
Authors: Birk Frederik , Ali Fares , Weigold Matthias , Abele Eberhard , Schützer Klaus
Published: June 2020

There is a continuing demand in machine tools for an increase in productivity. This can be achieved by higher speeds and process parameters, which demand structures with a high stiffness to weight ratio including the use of materials with a high specific modulus. The lack of standardized interfaces and more complex design and manufacturing process prevent the broad use of these materials. This applies especially for CFRP (carbon fiber reinforced polymer) which has the highest specific modulus compared to conventional construction materials. Due to that and the higher material damping in comparison with steel, parts out of CFRP can improve the precision of machine tools. These advantages often remain unutilized because of the challenging integration of CFRP parts. Therefore, this paper presents an innovative approach to use CFRP in a hybrid design for machine tool structures focusing on improved dynamic behavior, increased specific stiffness, and ease of manufacture.
Adequately dosed aerobic physical activity in people with axial spondyloarthritis: associations with physical therapy
Authors: Hilberdink Bas , Vlieland Thea Vliet , van der Giesen Florus , van Gaalen Floris , Goekoop Robbert , Peeters Andreas , Fiocco Marta , van Weely Salima
Published: June 2020

Introduction

This study aimed to compare the engagement in moderate- and vigorous-intensity PA in axSpA patients with and without current physical therapy (PT).

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, a survey, including current PT treatment (yes/no) and PA, using the ‘Short QUestionnaire to ASsess Health-enhancing PA’ (SQUASH), was sent to 458 axSpA patients from three Dutch hospitals. From the SQUASH, the proportions meeting aerobic PA recommendations (≥ 150 min/week moderate-, ≥ 75 min/week vigorous-intensity PA or equivalent combination; yes/no) were calculated. To investigate the association between PT treatment and meeting the PA recommendations, odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were estimated using logistic regression models, adjusting for sex, age, health status and hospital.

Results

The questionnaire was completed by 200 patients, of whom 68%, 50% and 82% met the moderate-, vigorous- or combined-intensity PA recommendations, respectively. Ninety-nine patients (50%) had PT treatment, and those patients were more likely to meet the moderate- (OR 2.09 [95% CI 1.09–3.99]) or combined-intensity (OR 3.35 [95% CI 1.38–8.13]) PA recommendations, but not the vigorous-intensity PA recommendation (OR 1.53 [95% CI 0.80–2.93]). Aerobic exercise was executed in 19% of individual PT programs.

Conclusion

AxSpA patients with PT were more likely to meet the moderate- and combined-intensity PA recommendations, whereas there was no difference in meeting the vigorous-intensity PA recommendation. Irrespective of having PT treatment, recommendations for vigorous-intensity PA are met by only half of the patients. Implementation should thus focus on aerobic PA in patients without PT and on vigorous-intensity PA in PT programs.
Determining Static Hyperinflation in Patients with Severe Emphysema: Relation Between Lung Function Parameters and Patient-Related Outcomes
Authors: de Weger Wouter W. , Klooster Karin , ten Hacken Nick H. , van Dijk Marlies , Hartman Jorine E. , Slebos Dirk-Jan
Published: June 2020

Background

Bronchoscopic lung volume reduction techniques are minor invasive treatment modalities for severely hyperinflated emphysema patients. The severity of static lung hyperinflation determines eligibility and success rate for these treatments. However, it is not exactly known what parameter should be used to optimally reflect hyperinflation. Commonly used parameters are residual volume (RV) and the RV/Total lung capacity (TLC) ratio. Other parameters reflecting hyperinflation are Inspiratory Capacity/TLC and forced vital capacity.

Objectives

To define which of these function parameters is the most optimal reflection of hyperinflationin in relation to patient-related outcomes.

Methods

In a retrospective cohort study, data from measurements during baseline visits of eight studies were pooled. Primary outcomes were RV/TLC ratio and RV as percentage of predicted (RV%pred), both measured by bodyplethysmography, compared to the patient-related outcome variables: 6-min walk distance (6MWD), the St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), and the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC).

Results

Two hundred seventy-four COPD patients (mean age 59 years; 66% female), FEV1 0.74 ± 0.28 L, RV 4.94 ± 1.06 L, 6MWD of 339 ± 95 m, were included in the analysis. Significant correlations (all p < 0.01) were found between RV%pred and 6MWD (r =  − 0.358), SGRQ (r = 0.184), and mMRC (r = 0.228). Also, there was a significant correlation between RV/TLC ratio and 6MWD (r =  − 0.563), SGRQ (r = 0.289) and mMRC (r = 0.354). Linear regression analyses showed that RV/TLC ratio was a better predictor of patient outcomes than RV%pred.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that both RV/TLC ratio and RV%pred are relevant indicators of hyperinflation in patients with severe emphysema in relation to patient-related outcomes. RV/TLC ratio is more strongly related to the patient-related outcomes than RV%pred.
Comparative morphology of antennal surface structures in pleurostict scarab beetles (Coleoptera)
Authors: Bohacz Claudia , du G. Harrison James , Ahrens Dirk
Published: June 2020

The diverse pleurostict (phytophagous) scarab beetles with characteristically clubbed antennae exhibit striking morphological variation and a variety of different antennal sensilla. Here we compare the morphology of the antennal surface between major pleurostict lineages, including Cetoniinae, Dynastinae, Melolonthinae, Rutelinae, and a few outgroups, including Scarabaeinae and Hybosoridae. We identified various types of antennal sensilla morphologically and searched for phylogenetic patterns of sensilla within the Scarabaeidae. Sensilla were examined using SEM micrographs of 36 species and the occurrence of the different types of antennal sensilla was studied for each species. We observed a high diversity of sensilla, including multiple transitional forms. There were also a number of other interesting structures on the antennal surface with adaptive value, such as elongate elevations, serial bags, and fields of setae. Our results confirm earlier findings that within pleurostict scarabs there has occurred a clear differentiation of sensilla composition and patterns.
The Human Gene Mutation Database (HGMD®): optimizing its use in a clinical diagnostic or research setting
Authors: Stenson Peter D. , Mort Matthew , Ball Edward V. , Chapman Molly , Evans Katy , Azevedo Luisa , Hayden Matthew , Heywood Sally , Millar David S. , Phillips Andrew D. , Cooper David N.
Published: June 2020

The Human Gene Mutation Database (HGMD®) constitutes a comprehensive collection of published germline mutations in nuclear genes that are thought to underlie, or are closely associated with human inherited disease. At the time of writing (June 2020), the database contains in excess of 289,000 different gene lesions identified in over 11,100 genes manually curated from 72,987 articles published in over 3100 peer-reviewed journals. There are primarily two main groups of users who utilise HGMD on a regular basis; research scientists and clinical diagnosticians. This review aims to highlight how to make the most out of HGMD data in each setting.
Arabic handwriting recognition system using convolutional neural network
Authors: Altwaijry Najwa , Al-Turaiki Isra
Published: June 2020

Automatic handwriting recognition is an important component for many applications in various fields. It is a challenging problem that has received a lot of attention in the past three decades. Research has focused on the recognition of Latin languages’ handwriting. Fewer studies have been done for the Arabic language. In this paper, we present a new dataset of Arabic letters written exclusively by children aged 7–12 which we call Hijja. Our dataset contains 47,434 characters written by 591 participants. In addition, we propose an automatic handwriting recognition model based on convolutional neural networks (CNN). We train our model on Hijja, as well as the Arabic Handwritten Character Dataset (AHCD) dataset. Results show that our model’s performance is promising, achieving accuracies of 97% and 88% on the AHCD dataset and the Hijja dataset, respectively, outperforming other models in the literature.
Interface protocol inference to aid understanding legacy software components
Authors: Aslam Kousar , Cleophas Loek , Schiffelers Ramon , van den Brand Mark
Published: June 2020

High-tech companies are struggling today with the maintenance of legacy software. Legacy software is vital to many organizations as it contains the important business logic. To facilitate maintenance of legacy software, a comprehensive understanding of the software’s behavior is essential. In terms of component-based software engineering, it is necessary to completely understand the behavior of components in relation to their interfaces, i.e., their interface protocols, and to preserve this behavior during the maintenance activities of the components. For this purpose, we present an approach to infer the interface protocols of software components from the behavioral models of those components, learned by a blackbox technique called active (automata) learning. To validate the learned results, we applied our approach to the software components developed with model-based engineering so that equivalence can be checked between the learned models and the reference models, ensuring the behavioral relations are preserved. Experimenting with components having reference models and performing equivalence checking builds confidence that applying active learning technique to reverse engineer legacy software components, for which no reference models are available, will also yield correct results. To apply our approach in practice, we present an automated framework for conducting active learning on a large set of components and deriving their interface protocols. Using the framework, we validated our methodology by applying active learning on 202 industrial software components, out of which, interface protocols could be successfully derived for 156 components within our given time bound of 1 h for each component.
Multi-residue enantioselective analysis of chiral drugs in freshwater sediments
Authors: Eaglesham Abbey , Scott Arron , Petrie Bruce
Published: June 2020

Pharmaceutical and illicit drugs are emerging contaminants found in the environment globally. Many are chiral and stereochemistry plays an important role on their environmental fate and effects. However, investigations at the enantiomeric level are limited, particularly for complex particulate matrices such as sediments. This is due to further sample processing requirements and a lack of suitable analytical methods. Therefore, here a new enantioselective methodology is proposed for 15 drugs in sediment. Sample treatment by accelerated solvent extraction and solid phase extraction was critical for subsequent enantioselective separations. Using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry, a Chiral-V enantioselective column enabled multi-residue separations of anti-depressants, beta-blockers, beta-agonist, anti-histamine and stimulants. Method trueness for all enantiomers was 86–121% and method quantitation limits were below 3 ng g−1 dry weight. Application of the method revealed the enantiomeric composition of fluoxetine, amphetamine, propranolol, venlafaxine and citalopram in sediment for the first time. All drugs except venlafaxine were present in non-racemic form, i.e. unequal enantiomer concentrations. This is significant considering drug toxicity towards benthic organisms could be enantiospecific.
Assessing the feasibility of adaptation options: methodological advancements and directions for climate adaptation research and practice
Authors: Singh Chandni , Ford James , Ley Debora , Bazaz Amir , Revi Aromar
Published: June 2020

The Paris Agreement put adaptation prominently on the global climate action agenda. Despite a surge in research and praxis-based knowledge on adaptation, a critical policy roadblock is synthesizing and assessing this burgeoning evidence. We develop an approach to assess the multidimensional feasibility of adaptation options in a robust and transparent manner, providing direction for global climate policy and identifying knowledge gaps to further future climate research. The approach, which was tested in the IPCC Special Report on 1.5 °C (SR1.5) to assess 23 adaptation options, is underpinned by a systematic review of recent literature, expert elicitation, and iterative peer review. It responds to the challenge of limited agreement on adaptation indicators, lack of fine-scale adaptation data, and challenges of assessing synergies and trade-offs with mitigation. The findings offer methodological insights into how future assessments such as the IPCC Assessment Report (AR) six and regional, national, and sectoral assessment exercises could assess adaptation feasibility and synthesize the growing body of knowledge on climate change adaptation.
Social Responsibility in a Bilateral Monopoly with Downstream Convex Technology
Authors: Fanti Luciano , Buccella Domenico
Published: June 2020

This paper shows that, in a bilateral monopoly with consumer-friendly social concerns, only the downstream firm is always incentivized to adopt corporate social responsibility (CSR) if it has decreasing returns to the input, leading to a Pareto-superior outcome in equilibrium. This occurrence differs from a standard linear bilateral monopoly in which, if the upstream (downstream) firm commits itself to CSR before the downstream (upstream) does, then both firms improve profits, while they do not deviate from pure profit-maximization if CSR levels are simultaneously chosen. Straightforward policy and empirical implications are offered, and this paper argues that the presence of CSR-type firms crucially depends on technology.
Propositionalization and embeddings: two sides of the same coin
Authors: Lavrač Nada , Škrlj Blaž , Robnik-Šikonja Marko
Published: June 2020

Data preprocessing is an important component of machine learning pipelines, which requires ample time and resources. An integral part of preprocessing is data transformation into the format required by a given learning algorithm. This paper outlines some of the modern data processing techniques used in relational learning that enable data fusion from different input data types and formats into a single table data representation, focusing on the propositionalization and embedding data transformation approaches. While both approaches aim at transforming data into tabular data format, they use different terminology and task definitions, are perceived to address different goals, and are used in different contexts. This paper contributes a unifying framework that allows for improved understanding of these two data transformation techniques by presenting their unified definitions, and by explaining the similarities and differences between the two approaches as variants of a unified complex data transformation task. In addition to the unifying framework, the novelty of this paper is a unifying methodology combining propositionalization and embeddings, which benefits from the advantages of both in solving complex data transformation and learning tasks. We present two efficient implementations of the unifying methodology: an instance-based PropDRM approach, and a feature-based PropStar approach to data transformation and learning, together with their empirical evaluation on several relational problems. The results show that the new algorithms can outperform existing relational learners and can solve much larger problems.
Schmidentity and informativity
Authors: Fraissler Hannes
Published: June 2020

Although Kripke’s œuvre has had a major impact on analytic philosophy and nearly every aspect of his studies has been thoroughly examined, this does not hold for hisschmidentity argument, which, so far, has been widely neglected.$$^\mathrm{i}$$iTo the extent to which it has been treated at all, it has been for the most part radically misunderstood. I hold that this argument, in its correctly reconstructed form, has general relevance for a treatment ofFrege’s Puzzle$$^\mathrm{ii}$$iiand points towards a fundamental methodological restriction for philosophy of language and especially for semantics, as far asinformativityand the general topic ofcognitive significanceare concerned. To show this, I will (Sect. 1) briefly set out the context of the schmidentity argument and, in Sects. 2 and 4, sketch a reconstruction thereof, including (Sect. 3) some criticisms of the argument, and (Sect. 6) an excursion about Kit Fine’ssemantic relationism, which stands in stark contrast to this paper’s central claim.$$^\mathrm{iii}$$iiiMoreover, I will (Sect. 5) draw a genuinely new and probably quite unexpected conclusion from all the above (amounting to the position thatFrege’s Puzzle cannot be solved in terms of semantics), to finally (Sect. 7) give a glimpse at a bigger picture of where this conclusion should lead our thinking about a theoretical treatment of informativity and a linguistic expression’s cognitive value.
Laterally Penetrative Onset of Convection in a Horizontal Porous Layer
Authors: Tyvand Peder A. , Nøland Jonas Kristiansen
Published: June 2020

The onset of Darcy–Bénard convection in an unlimited horizontal porous layer is studied theoretically. The thermomechanical boundary conditions of Dirichlet or Neumann type at the lower and upper plane are switched from one type to another, at certain values of the horizontal x-coordinate. A semi-infinite portion of the lower boundary is defined as thermally conducting and impermeable, while the remaining boundary is open and with given heat flux. At the upper boundary, the same thermomechanical conditions are applied, but with a relative spatial displacement L and in the opposite spatial order. A domain of local destabilization around the origin is generated between the lines of discontinuity $$x = \pm \,L/2$$

x
=
±

L
/
2

. The marginal state of convection is triggered centrally, while it is penetrative in the domains exterior to the central domain. The onset problem is solved numerically, with a general 3D mode of disturbance, but 2D disturbances are preferred in most cases. The critical Rayleigh number is given as a function of the dimensionless gap width L and the wavenumber k in the y direction along the lines of discontinuity in the boundary conditions. An asymptotic formula for 2D penetrative eigenfunctions is shown to be in agreement with the numerical results.
Diversity patterns and palaeoecology of benthic communities of the Kanosh Formation (Pogonip Group, Utah, western USA)
Authors: Hofmann Richard , Kehl Jan Philipp
Published: June 2020

The Dapingian to Darriwilian Kanosh Formation is one of the most fossiliferous units of the Pogonip Group (Great Basin, western US). It records a critical phase of the so-called Great Ordovician Biodiversification Event (GOBE) during which many marine clades diversified on lower systematic levels. However, a comprehensive palaeoecological analysis has not been presented for this unit so far. Based on newly collected material from three sections in the type area at Ibex, we reconstruct benthic marine communities, analyse diversity patterns, and discuss its significance for the GOBE. We find no differences in species’ composition across the formation with respect to brachiopods. Benthic assemblages are dominated by Shoshonorthis michaelis, alongside the presence of Anomalorthis lonensis and Anomalorthis utahensis across the whole unit. Trilobites show a more pronounced facies restriction with species of Kanoshia and Pseudomera being observed in more proximal limestone whereas Bathyurellus and Pseudoolenoides occur in fine-grained, low-energy deposits. The skeletal limestone also records abundant bioclasts of bryozoans, echinoderms, and receptaculitids, suggesting an ecologically diverse and tiered community being present in the inner shelf zone. However, most of these groups are not particularly diverse in terms of species richness. This implies that principle establishment of typical members of the “Palaeozoic Fauna” is not associated with a local diversification of clades. The comparably low habitat diversity of the Kanosh Fauna likely reflects environmental constraints such as high rates of siliclastic input. Additionally, these mainly Dapingian communities still represent a base-line fauna before the principal diversification took place.
GNSS mobile road dam surveying for TanDEM-X correction to improve the database for floodwater modeling in northern Namibia
Authors: Arendt Robert , Faulstich Leona , Jüpner Robert , Assmann André , Lengricht Joachim , Kavishe Frank , Schulte Achim
Published: June 2020

The aim of this study is the improvement of the TanDEM-X elevation model for future floodwater modeling by implementing surveyed road dams and the use of filter algorithms. Modern satellite systems like TanDEM-X deliver high-resolution images with a high vertical and horizontal accuracy. Nevertheless, regarding special usage they sometimes reach their limits in documenting important features that are smaller than the grid size. Especially in the context of 2D-hydrodynamic flood modelling, the features that influence the runoff processes, e.g. road dams and culverts, have to be included for precise calculations. To fulfil the objective, the main road dams were surveyed, especially those that are blocking the flood water flowing from south Angola to the Etosha Pan in northern Namibia. First, a Leica GS 16 Sensor was installed on the roof of a car recording position data in real time while driving on the road dams in the Cuvelai Basin. In total, 532 km of road dams have been investigated during 4 days while driving at a top speed of 80 km/h. Due to the long driving distances, the daily regular adjustment of the base station would have been necessary but logistically not possible. Moreover, the lack of reference stations made a RTK and Network-RTK solution likewise impossible. For that reasons, the LeicaSmartLinkfunction was used. This method is not dependent on classic reference stations next to the GNSS sensor but instead works with geostationary satellites sending correction data in real time. The surveyed road dam elevation data have a vertical accuracy of 4.3 cm up to 10 cm. These precise measurements contribute to rectifying the TanDEM-X elevation data and thus improve the surface runoff network for the future floodwater model and should enhance the floodwater prediction for the Cuvelai Basin.
Overview on developed synthesis procedures of coumarin heterocycles
Authors: Zeydi Masoud Mohammadi , Kalantarian Seyed Jafar , Kazeminejad Zahra
Published: June 2020

Considering highly valuable biological and pharmaceutical properties of coumarins, the synthesis of these heterocycles has been considered for many organic and pharmaceutical chemists. This review includes the recent research in synthesis methods of coumarin systems, investigating their biological properties and describing the literature reports for the period of 2016 to the middle of 2020. In this review, we have classified the contents based on co-groups of coumarin ring. These reported methods are carried out in the classical and non-classical conditions particularly under green condition such as using green solvent, catalyst and other procedures.
Producing Standardized Country-Level Immunization Delivery Unit Cost Estimates
Authors: Portnoy Allison , Vaughan Kelsey , Clarke-Deelder Emma , Suharlim Christian , Resch Stephen C. , Brenzel Logan , Menzies Nicolas A.
Published: June 2020

Background

To plan for the financial sustainability of immunization programs and make informed decisions to improve immunization coverage and equity, decision-makers need to know how much these programs cost beyond the cost of the vaccine. Non-vaccine delivery cost estimates can significantly influence the cost-effectiveness estimates used to allocate resources at the country level. However, many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) do not have immunization delivery unit cost estimates available, or have estimates that are uncertain, unreliable, or old. We undertook a Bayesian evidence synthesis to generate country-level estimates of immunization delivery unit costs for LMICs.

Methods

From a database of empirical immunization costing studies, we extracted estimates of the delivery cost per dose for routine childhood immunization services, excluding vaccine costs. A Bayesian meta-regression model was used to regress delivery cost per dose estimates, stratified by cost category, against a set of predictor variables including country-level [gross domestic product per capita, reported diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis third dose coverage (DTP3), population, and number of doses in the routine vaccination schedule] and study-level (study year, single antigen or programmatic cost per dose, and financial or economic cost) predictors. The fitted prediction model was used to generate standardized estimates of the routine immunization delivery cost per dose for each LMIC for 2009–2018. Alternative regression models were specified in sensitivity analyses.

Results

We estimated the prediction model using the results from 29 individual studies, covering 24 countries. The predicted economic cost per dose for routine delivery of childhood vaccines (2018 US dollars), not including the price of the vaccine, was $1.87 (95% uncertainty interval $0.64–4.38) across all LMICs. By individual cost category, the programmatic economic cost per dose for routine delivery of childhood vaccines was $0.74 ($0.26–1.70) for labor, $0.26 ($0.08–0.67) for supply chain, $0.22 ($0.06–0.57) for capital, and $0.65 ($0.20–1.66) for other service delivery costs.

Conclusions

Accurate immunization delivery costs are necessary for assessing the cost-effectiveness and strategic planning needs of immunization programs. The cost estimates from this analysis provide a broad indication of immunization delivery costs that may be useful when accurate local data are unavailable.
Comparing AM200® with Titanium-Based Coatings Elastic–Plastic Properties by Nanoindentation, Modified Dimensional Analysis and Minimum Resultant Error Method
Authors: Bazzaz Ehsan , Darvizeh Abolfazl , Alitavoli Majid , Yarmohammad Tooski Mehdi
Published: June 2020

Hybrid methods which combine the experimental results with FEM simulations are the most applicable methods to extract the plastic properties of thin-film coatings. In order to make such methods more applicable, they should be merged with the dimensional analysis approach. To make such solution more applicable, a method to reduce the number of dimensionless functions is proposed in order to consider the effect of the probable errors of each parameter. Due to the lack of proper criteria for determining the compliance of the analytical results with empirical data, it was necessary to provide an effective criterion. A complementary new algorithm named as Minimum Resultant Error Method (MREM) is also introduced, which combines the errors of both dimensionless functions. By this algorithm, the yield stress, strain hardening exponent and consequently the strain hardening coefficient are extracted in the form of unique measures. This approach is implemented by minimum empirical data obtained by a single indenter nanoindentation test results. The FEA simulation results are processed with the combination of the aforementioned modified dimensional analysis and MREM algorithms. Such procedure is undergone to calculate plastic properties of AM200®, TiN and TiAlN thin-film coatings. Some of the results, especially for AM200® coating, are developed for the first time. The results obtained by nonlinear solution of the modified dimensional analysis equations and MREM algorithm are compared with one another. The results of both approaches show very small difference to each other which approves that MREM approach is an effective replacement for nonlinear solution. The sensibility of the answer to the hardening exponent and the errors combining exponent are investigated.
Negative Consequences of Storytelling in Native Advertising
Authors: Grigsby Jamie L. , Mellema Hillary N.
Published: June 2020

Native advertising and storytelling are both increasingly popular advertising strategies. This research explores the effectiveness of storytelling in a native advertising context on social media. While most research recommends the use of stories as a way to build trust and relationships with consumers, the current research suggests that in the form of native ads on social media, narratives may be less effective when compared to informational native ads. Two studies find that even when advertising cues such as disclosure labels and brand presence are prominently located, consumers are less likely to recognize the advertising nature of narrative native ads when compared to informational native ads. Lower levels of advertising recognition are associated with increased perceptions of manipulative intentions by the advertiser, which has a negative influence on consumers’ attitudes toward the ad. The findings suggest that native ads that clearly communicate their advertising nature through cues such as an informational execution, high brand presence, and prominent disclosure labeling are more effective than a narrative execution style.
Digital Analytics: Modeling for Insights and New Methods
Authors: Gupta Shaphali , Leszkiewicz Agata , Kumar V. , Bijmolt Tammo , Potapov Dmitriy
Published: June 2020

Firms are increasingly turning towards new-age technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), the internet of things (IoT), blockchain, and drones, among others, to assist in interacting with their customers. Further, with the prominence of personalization and customer engagement as the go-to customer management strategies, it is essential for firms to understand how to integrate new-age technologies into their existing practices to aid seamlessly in the generation of actionable insights. Towards this end, this study proposes an organizing framework to understand how firms can use digital analytics, within the changing technology landscape, to generate consumer insights. The proposed framework begins by recognizing the forces that are external to the firm then lead to the generation of specific capabilities by the firm. Further, the firms capabilities can lead to the generation of insights for decision-making that can be data-driven and/or analytics-driven. Finally, the proposed framework identifies the creation of value-based outcomes for firms and customers resulting from the insights generated. Additionally, we identify moderators that influence: (a) the impact of external forces on the development of firm capabilities, and (b) the creation of insights and subsequent firm outcomes. This study also identifies questions for future research that combines the inclusion of new-age technologies, generation of strategic insights, and the achievement of established firm outcomes.
Artificial Intelligence and Marketing: Pitfalls and Opportunities
Authors: De Bruyn Arnaud , Viswanathan Vijay , Beh Yean Shan , Brock Jürgen Kai-Uwe , Von Wangenheim Florian
Published: June 2020

This article discusses the pitfalls and opportunities of AI in marketing through the lenses of knowledge creation and knowledge transfer. First, we discuss the notion of “higher-order learning” that distinguishes AI applications from traditional modeling approaches, and while focusing on recent advances in deep neural networks, we cover its underlying methodologies (multilayer perceptron, convolutional, and recurrent neural networks) and learning paradigms (supervised, unsupervised, and reinforcement learning). Second, we discuss the technological pitfalls and dangers marketing managers need to be aware of when implementing AI in their organizations, including the concepts of badly defined objective functions, unsafe or unrealistic learning environments, biased AI, explainable AI, and controllable AI. Third, AI will have a deep impact on predictive tasks that can be automated and require little explainability, we predict that AI will fall short of its promises in many marketing domains if we do not solve the challenges of tacit knowledge transfer between AI models and marketing organizations.
Practices and Barriers in Sexual History Taking: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Public Adult Primary Care Clinic
Authors: Palaiodimos Leonidas , Herman Heather S. , Wood Erika , Karamanis Dimitrios , Martinez-Rodriguez Cesar , Sanchez-Lopez Alejandra , Ruderman Emma , Jang Maximus , Fischer Daniel , Huang Hao , Gadde Uttara , Leider Jason
Published: June 2020

Background

Surveys report low frequencies of sexual history (SH) obtained in primary care. Sexually transmitted infections incidence can be reduced with timely screening. It is important to determine whether providers obtain thorough SH and to identify needs for improvement.

Aim

To evaluate the frequency and depth of SH taking in primary care.

Methods

In this cross-sectional cohort study, 1,017 primary care visits were reviewed (1,017 adult patients, female 55.26%). 417 patients were seen by male providers and 600 patients were seen by female providers. Multivariate ordered and logit models were deployed.

Main Outcome Measures

The primary outcome measures included SH taking rates and completeness based on the 5 P model as described by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Results

All components of SH were explored in 1.08% of visits. Partial SH was obtained in 33.92% of visits. No SH was taken in the majority of visits (65%). SH was more likely to be taken from female patients than from male patients (P < .001), and was less likely to be obtained from older patients as compared to younger individuals (P < .001). There was no significant difference in SH taking between male and female providers (P = .753). The provider title and the level of training were found to be independent predictors of SH taking (P < .001).

Clinical Implications

The results of this study highlight an unmet need for more comprehensive and consistent SH taking amongst providers, particularly in high-risk settings, so that SH can be used as a valuable tool in preventive care.

Strengths & Limitations

To the best of our knowledge, this is the largest study to date examining SH taking in the primary care setting. Limitations include the retrospective study design, lack of generalizability to other hospitals, and inconsistencies in available data.

Conclusion

The SH taking rates in primary care clinics are globally low with a variation depending on the provider position or level of training, provider gender, and patient age.
Simple experimental procedures to distinguish photothermal from hot-carrier processes in plasmonics
Authors: Baffou Guillaume , Bordacchini Ivan , Baldi Andrea , Quidant Romain
Published: June 2020

Light absorption and scattering of plasmonic metal nanoparticles can lead to non-equilibrium charge carriers, intense electromagnetic near-fields, and heat generation, with promising applications in a vast range of fields, from chemical and physical sensing to nanomedicine and photocatalysis for the sustainable production of fuels and chemicals. Disentangling the relative contribution of thermal and non-thermal contributions in plasmon-driven processes is, however, difficult. Nanoscale temperature measurements are technically challenging, and macroscale experiments are often characterized by collective heating effects, which tend to make the actual temperature increase unpredictable. This work is intended to help the reader experimentally detect and quantify photothermal effects in plasmon-driven chemical reactions, to discriminate their contribution from that due to photochemical processes and to cast a critical eye on the current literature. To this aim, we review, and in some cases propose, seven simple experimental procedures that do not require the use of complex or expensive thermal microscopy techniques. These proposed procedures are adaptable to a wide range of experiments and fields of research where photothermal effects need to be assessed, such as plasmonic-assisted chemistry, heterogeneous catalysis, photovoltaics, biosensing, and enhanced molecular spectroscopy.
Single-vesicle imaging quantifies calcium’s regulation of nanoscale vesicle clustering mediated by α-synuclein
Authors: Cai Bin , Liu Jie , Zhao Yunfei , Xu Xiangyu , Bu Bing , Li Dechang , Zhang Lei , Dong Wei , Ji Baohua , Diao Jiajie
Published: June 2020

Although numerous studies have shown that the protein α-synuclein (α-Syn) plays a central role in Parkinson’s disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, and other neurodegenerative diseases, the protein’s physiological function remains poorly understood. Furthermore, despite recent reports suggesting that, under the influence of Ca2+, α-Syn can interact with synaptic vesicles, the mechanisms underlying that interaction are far from clear. Thus, we used single-vesicle imaging to quantify the extent to which Ca2+ regulates nanoscale vesicle clustering mediated by α-Syn. Our results revealed not only that vesicle clustering required α-Syn to bind to anionic lipid vesicles, but also that different concentrations of Ca2+ exerted different effects on how α-Syn induced vesicle clustering. In particular, low concentrations of Ca2+ inhibited vesicle clustering by blocking the electrostatic interaction between the lipid membrane and the N terminus of α-Syn, whereas high concentrations promoted vesicle clustering, possibly due to the electrostatic interaction between Ca2+ and the negatively charged lipids that is independent of α-Syn. Taken together, our results provide critical insights into α-Syn’s physiological function, and how Ca2+ regulates vesicle clustering mediated by α-Syn.
A 3D-printed modular magnetic digital microfluidic architecture for on-demand bioanalysis
Authors: Kanitthamniyom Pojchanun , Zhou Aiwu , Feng Shilun , Liu Aiqun , Vasoo Shawn , Zhang Yi
Published: June 2020

Magnetic digital microfluidics (MDM) manipulates fluids in the form of droplets on an open substrate, and incorporates surface energy traps (SETs) to facilitate the droplet manipulation. Conventional MDM devices are fabricated monolithically, which makes it difficult to modify the device configuration without completely overhauling the original design. In this paper, we present a modular MDM architecture that enables rapid on-demand configuration and re-configuration of MDM platforms for customized bioanalyses. Each modular component contains a SET and a Lego-like antistud that fits onto a base board with Lego-like studs. We illustrate the versatility of the modular MDM architecture in biomarker sensing, pathogen identification, antibiotic resistance determination, and biochemical quantification by demonstrating immunoassays, phenotypical assays and enzymatic assays on various modular MDM platforms configured on demand to accomplish the fluidic operations required by assorted bioanalytical assays. The modular MDM architecture promises great potential for point-of-care diagnostics by offering on-demand customization of testing platforms for various categories of diagnostic assays. It also provides a new avenue for microfluidic assay development with its high configurability which would significantly reduce the time and cost of the development cycle.
A versatile microfluidic device for multiple ex vivo/in vitro tissue assays unrestrained from tissue topography
Authors: de Hoyos-Vega Jose M. , Gonzalez-Suarez Alan M. , Garcia-Cordero Jose L.
Published: June 2020

Precision-cut tissue slices are an important in vitro system to study organ function because they preserve most of the native cellular microenvironments of organs, including complex intercellular connections. However, during sample manipulation or slicing, some of the natural surface topology and structure of these tissues is lost or damaged. Here, we introduce a microfluidic platform to perform multiple assays on the surface of a tissue section, unhindered by surface topography. The device consists of a valve on one side and eight open microchannels located on the opposite side, with the tissue section sandwiched between these two structures. When the valve is actuated, eight independent microfluidic channels are formed over a tissue section. This strategy prevents cross-contamination when performing assays and enables parallelization. Using irregular tissues such as an aorta, we conducted multiple in vitro and ex vivo assays on tissue sections, including short-term culturing, a drug toxicity assay, a fluorescence immunohistochemistry staining assay, and an immune cell assay, in which we observed the interaction of neutrophils with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated endothelium. Our microfluidic platform can be employed in other disciplines, such as tissue physiology and pathophysiology, morphogenesis, drug toxicity and efficiency, metabolism studies, and diagnostics, enabling the conduction of several assays with a single biopsy sample.
Bubble entrapment during the recoil of an impacting droplet
Authors: Nguyen Thanh-Vinh , Ichiki Masaaki
Published: June 2020

When a droplet impacts a (super-)hydrophobic surface, there is a range of Weber numbers within which bubble entrapment will occur during droplet recoil due to closure of the air cavity developed when the droplet spreads out during the impact. In this study, we studied bubble entrapment using a microelectromechanical system (MEMS)-based acoustic sensor fabricated on a substrate. We found that bubble entrapment is followed by an acoustic vibration that can be detected by the sensor. Moreover, the frequency of the vibration is inversely proportional to the radius of the droplet, which indicates that this vibration is the resonant oscillation of the bubble. Therefore, the MEMS-based acoustic sensor can be used not only to detect but also to measure the size of the entrapped bubble. Finally, we demonstrated that it is possible to prevent bubble formation by allowing the air to escape to the underside of the droplet contact area. This can be done by creating through-holes on the substrate or decorating the substrate with sufficiently large textures.
New tools to prevent cancer growth and spread: a ‘Clever’ approach
Authors: Hollmén Maija , Figueiredo Carlos R. , Jalkanen Sirpa
Published: June 2020

Clever-1 (also known as Stabilin-1 and FEEL-1) is a scavenger receptor expressed on lymphatic endothelial cells, sinusoidal endothelial cells and immunosuppressive monocytes and macrophages. Its role in cancer growth and spread first became evident in Stab1–/– knockout mice, which have smaller primary tumours and metastases. Subsequent studies in mice and humans have shown that immunotherapeutic blockade of Clever-1 can activate T-cell responses, and that this response is mainly mediated by a phenotypic change in macrophages and monocytes from immunosuppressive to pro-inflammatory following Clever-1 inhibition. Analyses of human cancer cohorts have revealed marked associations between the number of Clever-1-positive macrophages and patient outcome. As hardly any reports to date have addressed the role of Clever-1 in immunotherapy resistance and T-cell dysfunction, we performed data mining using several published cancer cohorts, and observed a remarkable correlation between Clever-1 positivity and resistance to immune checkpoint therapies. This result provides impetus and potential for the ongoing clinical trial targeting Clever-1 in solid tumours, which has so far shown a shift towards immune activation when a particular epitope of Clever-1 is blocked.