bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How to make intelligent automation projects agile? Identification of success factors and an assessment approach
Authors: Josyula Sreenivasa Sekhar , Suresh M. , Raghu Raman R.
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Organizations are fast adopting new technologies such as automation, analytics and artificial intelligence, collectively called intelligent automation, to drive digital transformation. When adopting intelligent automation, there is a need to understand the success factors of these new technologies and adapt agile software development (ASD) practices to meet customer expectations. The purpose of this paper is to explore the success factors of intelligent automation and create a framework for managers and practitioners to meet dynamic business demands. Total interpretive structural modeling (TISM) framework is a suitable approach to integrate quantitative measurement with qualitative semi-structured interviews capturing the context of the individual organization environment.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper identified agility factors and their interrelationships using a TISM framework. TISM results were validated using a one-tailed t-test to confirm the interrelationships between factors. Furthermore, the agility index of a case project organization was assessed using a graph-theoretic approach (GTA) to identify both the triggering factors for agility success and improvement proposals.

Findings

Results showed that leadership vision, organization structure and program methodology were driving factors. The TISM model was validated statistically and the agility index of the intelligent automation case project organization was calculated to be79.5%. Here, a GTA was applied and the triggering factors for improvement of the agility index were identified.

Research limitations/implications

The limitations of the study are described along with the opportunities for future research as the field evolves through the rapid innovation of technology and products.

Practical implications

The increasing role of digital transformation in enterprise strategy and operations requires practitioners to understand how ASD practices must be planned, measured and/or improved over time through the implementation of automation, analytics and artificial intelligence programs. The TISM digraph provides a framework of hierarchical structure to organize the influencing factors, which assists in achieving organizational goals. This study highlights the driving factors which contribute to the success of intelligent automation projects and project organizations.

Originality/value

This is a first attempt to analyze the interrelationships among agility factors in intelligent automation projects (IAP) using TISM and the assessment of the agility index of a case IAP organization using a GTA.
Addressing the knowledge divide: digital knowledge sharing and social learning of geographically dispersed employees during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Valk Reimara , Planojevic Gabriella
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate digital knowledge sharing (KS) and social learning (SL) of geographically dispersed employees during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

The method is qualitative case study action research within a leading global provider of comprehensive logistics and transportation solutions; 22 employees from various geographically dispersed entities were selected through purposive sampling. Employees took part in interviews to explore their perspectives on and experiences with digital KS and SL.

Findings

Findings first show that successful digital KS and SL hinges on the motivation, intentions, attitude and behaviour of employees to share and co-create knowledge embedded in supportive KS culture and climate. Second, findings show that the implementation of knowledge sharing platforms customised to the needs and preferences of employees within the case study organisation facilitated KS and SL, which in turn aided the development of individual and organisational capability, agility and adaptability required in the contemporary, digital knowledge economy, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Research limitations/implications

This research was a single case study of an organisation within one business sector, namely logistics, encompassing a small sample of 22 employees. Hence, this study does not permit statistical generalisation but only permits internal generalisation.

Practical implications

Forming and sustaining networks of influencers, i.e. employees who are role models of digital KS and SL, who serve as strong advocates and ambassadors for instilling a KS culture and climate within the organisation have a powerful influence on evoking digital KS and SL organisation-wide.

Originality/value

The contribution of this paper is that it presents an evidence-based “Digital Knowledge Sharing and Social Learning model” depicting the factors that influence digital KS and SL, the benefits and outcomes. This model aids researchers and practitioners to better understand the dynamics of digital KS and SL between organisational members in a cross-cultural business environment during times of crises.
External fairness of executive compensation, institutional investor and M&A premium
Authors: Pan Ailing , Wu Qian , Li Jingwei
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to study the impact of external fairness of executive compensation on M&A premium, and examine the moderate role of institutional investors. The high M&A premium is the main factors that induce the huge impairment of listed companies’ goodwill and the plummeting performance. Executives are the decision-makers of M&As, and their decision-making process is inevitably affected by the psychological factors. In recent years, institutional investors have become an important external force that can affect the governance of listed companies.

Design/Methodology/Approach

The authors use M&A data of listed companies from 2008 to 2018 and use OLS regression to test the relationship between executive compensation fairness and M&A premium.

Findings

The results show that the lower the external fairness of executive compensation, the greater the M&A premium. Institutional investors can effectively reduce the impact of external compensation unfairness on M&A premiums. The mechanism tests show that executives' psychological perception of fairness induced by external unfairness reduces their motivation to work and prompts them to use high premium to seek alternative compensation incentives. Further examinations of executive characteristics and corporate characteristics show that the role of external unfairness in executive compensation in driving M&A premiums is more pronounced in companies with longer executive tenure, weaker executive reputation incentives and private property.

Originality/Value

This paper enriches the research on the pre-factors of M&A premiums from the perspective of executives’ psychological perception of fairness, provides evidence that institutional investors play a positive governance role and provides decision-making references for companies to take corresponding measures to reduce M&A premium risks.
The effect of enriched yoghurt on the antioxidant activities of rats poisoned with cadmium salts
Authors: Nadirova Sanam , Sinyavskiy Yuriy , Abdreshov Serik , Deripaskina Yevgeniya , Torgautov Ashat
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Evaluation of the effect of yoghurts enriched with a complex of vegetable additives on the state of the antioxidant defense system, the content of triglycerides and cholesterol in rats exposed to toxic seeds with cadmium chloride. The purpose of this paper is evaluation of the effect of yoghurts enriched with a complex of vegetable additives on the state of the antioxidant defense system, the content of triglycerides and cholesterol in rats exposed to toxic cadmium chloride.

Design/methodology/approach

The studies were carried out on 72 male rats (Wistar), divided into six groups (n = 12): control, model of cadmium intoxication and receiving the developed dairy product, enriched with appropriate biologically active supplements (rosehip, rowan and hawthorn berries syrup and grape peel extract [rich in resveratrol]). Biochemical parameters of blood, homogenates of the liver and kidneys were analyzed.

Findings

The intensity of lipid peroxidation processes (in the liver, kidneys and erythrocytes) decreased in the group receiving dairy products enriched with berry syrups and grape peel extract (rich in resveratrol). The activity of catalase, total antioxidant activity and superoxide dismutase increased. In the groups receiving dairy products enriched with berry syrups, the total protein level in the blood increased, compared with Group 2. The content of triglycerides and cholesterol levels in groups receiving dairy products decreased significantly compared to animals intoxicated with cadmium chloride.

Originality/value

The topic of cadmium’s toxic effects on human and animal health and methods for solving this problem is very relevant.
Harnessing the power of multi‐omics data for predicting climate change response
Authors: Layton Kara K. S. , Bradbury Ian R.
Published: October 2021

Predicting how species will respond to future climate change is of central importance in the midst of the global biodiversity crisis, and recent work has demonstrated the utility of population genomics for improving these predictions.

Here, we suggest a broadening of the approach to include other types of genomic variants that play an important role in adaptation, like structural (e.g. copy number variants) and epigenetic variants (e.g. DNA methylation). These data could provide additional power for forecasting response, especially in weakly structured or panmictic species.

Incorporating structural and epigenetic variation into estimates of climate change vulnerability, or maladaptation, may not only improve prediction power but also provide insight into the molecular mechanisms underpinning species' response to climate change.
Genetic characterisation of childhood B‐other‐acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in UK patients by fluorescence in situ hybridisation and Multiplex Ligation‐dependent Probe Amplification
Authors: Schwab Claire J. , Murdy Daniel , Butler Ellie , Enshaei Amir , Winterman Emily , Cranston Ruth E. , Ryan Sarra , Barretta Emilio , Hawking Zoe , Murray James , Antony Grace , Vora Ajay , Moorman Anthony V. , Harrison Christine J.
Published: October 2021

While next‐generation sequencing technologies provide excellent strategies to screen for newly defined genetic abnormalities of prognostic or therapeutic significance in patients with B‐other‐acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), they are not widely available. We used a dual screening approach, incorporating fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) and Multiplex Ligation‐dependent Probe Amplification (MLPA), to establish the frequency and long‐term outcome of a representative cohort of specific subgroups of B‐other‐ALL recruited to the childhood ALL trial, UKALL2003. We focussed on abnormalities of known prognostic significance, including ABL‐class fusions and ERG deletions, as a surrogate marker for DUX4‐rearranged ALL. ABL‐class fusions accounted for ~4% of B‐other‐ALL and were associated with high levels of minimal residual disease (MRD; 14/23 with MRD >5%) and a high relapse rate (55·7%) following treatment without tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), confirming the importance of prospective screening with a view to incorporating TKI into therapy. Patients with deletions of ERG (~10% of B‐other‐ALL) had a 10‐year event‐free‐survival of 97·2%, validating previous reports of their excellent outcome. Rearrangements of ZNF384, MEF2D and NUTM1 were observed at low frequencies. Here, we estimate that approximately one third of B‐other‐ALL patients can be reliably classified into one of the known genetic subgroups using our dual screening method. This approach is rapid, accurate and readily incorporated into routine testing.
The importance of addressing multiple risk markers in type 2 diabetes: Results from the LEADER and SUSTAIN 6 trials
Authors: Zobel Emilie H. , von Scholten Bernt Johan , Hansen Tine W. , Persson Frederik , Rasmussen Søren , Wolthers Benjamin , Rossing Peter
Published: October 2021

Aims

To investigate to what extent multiple risk marker improvements confer lower risk of cardiovascular and kidney complications in a contemporary type 2 diabetes population.

Materials and methods

Post‐hoc analysis of the LEADER (n = 8638; median follow‐up 3.8 years) and SUSTAIN 6 (n = 3040; median follow‐up 2.1 years) cardiovascular outcome trials. Participants were those with baseline and year‐1 assessment of at least one of the parameters of interest; we pooled the liraglutide‐/semaglutide‐ and placebo‐treated groups and categorized them by number of risk markers with clinically relevant improvements after 1 year of study participation. We investigated risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), expanded MACE, cardiovascular death and nephropathy. Predefined clinically relevant changes: body weight loss ≥5%; reductions in: glycated haemoglobin ≥1%, systolic blood pressure ≥5 mmHg and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol ≥0.5 mmol/L; estimated glomerular filtration rate change ≥0 ml/min/1.73 m2 and urinary albumin‐to‐creatinine ratio change ≥30% of baseline value. Cox regression analysed risk of outcomes adjusted for baseline risk marker levels and treatment group and stratified by trial.

Results

Participants with two, three, or four or more improved risk markers versus participants with no risk marker improvement had reduced risk of expanded MACE [hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) 0.80 (0.67‐0.96); 0.80 (0.66‐0.97); 0.82 (0.66‐1.02)], cardiovascular death [0.66 (0.45‐0.96), 0.67 (0.45‐0.99), 0.60 (0.38‐0.94)] and nephropathy [0.71 (0.52‐0.97), 0.48 (0.34‐0.68), 0.43 (0.29‐0.65)].

Conclusions

In persons with type 2 diabetes, improvements in ≥2 risk markers conferred cardiovascular risk reduction versus none or one improved risk marker. The nephropathy risk decreased with improvement in more risk markers. These findings stress the importance of multifactorial interventions targeting all risk markers.
Patterns of insulin therapy and insulin daily doses in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes in Germany
Authors: van den Boom Louisa , Kostev Karel
Published: October 2021

Aim

To describe the different insulin therapy patterns and insulin daily doses in children and adolescents (aged 1‐17 years) with type 1 diabetes.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study based on the longitudinal prescription (LRx) database (IQVIA) included children and adolescents who received at least two insulin prescriptions of the same drug from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2019. The study outcomes included the proportion of patients with insulin pumps and multiple daily injection therapy, human insulin and insulin analogue use, as well as insulin daily doses. A multivariable linear regression model was used to study the association between age, sex, insulin drugs, and daily dose.

Results

A total of 22 512 children and adolescents (mean age: 13.5 years, 47.1% female) were included. The proportion of patients using insulin pump therapy decreased with age, from 72.6% (females) and 73.0% (males) in the age group of younger than 6 years to 30.8% (females) and 26.1% (males) in adolescents. Insulin aspart was the most common short‐acting insulin, with the proportion of users increasing from 56% in the age group of younger than 6 years to 69%‐70% in the 13‐17 years age group. The daily dose of insulin pump therapy was 10 units lower than multiple daily injection (MDI) (P < .001).

Conclusion

We found a marked age dependency for pump use, with a strong increase observed in the youngest age group. Insulin aspart was the most frequently used analogue insulin. A higher total daily insulin dose was shown in patients on MDI versus insulin pump, along with a significant age dependency.
The way it makes us feel: The subsumption model of the Kantian judgement of taste
Authors: Berger Larissa
Published: October 2021

In his theory of beauty, Kant introduces the free and harmonious play of the faculties as a kind of judging. This judging should precede the pleasure in the beautiful. But being the determining ground of the judgement of taste, the pleasure should precede the judgement. Regarding this problem, two opposing models have been proposed: Paul Guyer's ‘two‐acts model’ and Hannah Ginsborg's ‘one‐act model’. I propose a third model that, I argue, resolves the difficulty and does not fall prey to the problems of the other two resolutions: the ‘subsumption model’, according to which the pleasure is followed by a subsumption under the concept ‘beautiful’.
Dihydromyricetin resists inflammation‐induced muscle atrophy via ryanodine receptor‐CaMKK‐AMPK signal pathway
Authors: Hou Lianjie , Jiang Fangyi , Huang Bo , Zheng Weijie , Jiang Yufei , Cai Gengyuan , Liu Dewu , Hu Ching Yuan , Wang Chong
Published: October 2021

Skeletal muscle plays a pivotal role in the maintenance of physical and metabolic health. Skeletal muscle atrophy usually results in physical disability, inferior quality of life and higher health care costs. The higher incidence of muscle atrophy in obese and ageing groups is due to increased levels of inflammatory factors during obesity and ageing. Dihydromyricetin, as a bioactive polyphenol, has been used for anti‐inflammatory, anti‐tumour and improving insulin sensitivity. However, there are no published reports demonstrated the dihydromyricetin effect on inflammation‐induced skeletal muscle atrophy. In this study, we first confirmed the role of dihydromyricetin in inflammation‐induced skeletal muscle atrophy in vivo and in vitro. Then, we demonstrated that dihydromyricetin resisted inflammation‐induced skeletal muscle atrophy by activating Ca2+‐CaMKK‐AMPK through signal pathway blockers, Ca2+ probes and immunofluorescence. Finally, we clarified that dihydromyricetin activated Ca2+‐CaMKK‐AMPK signalling pathway through interaction with the ryanodine receptor, its target protein, by drug affinity responsive target stability (DARTS). Our results not only demonstrated that dihydromyricetin resisted inflammation‐induced muscle atrophy via the ryanodine receptor‐CaMKK‐AMPK signal pathway but also discovered that the target protein of dihydromyricetin is the ryanodine receptor. Our results provided experimental data for the development of dihydromyricetin as a functional food and new therapeutic strategies for treating or preventing skeletal muscle atrophy.
Genetic structure of the protist Physarum albescens (Amoebozoa) revealed by multiple markers and genotyping by sequencing
Authors: Shchepin Oleg , Novozhilov Yuri , Woyzichovski Jan , Bog Manuela , Prikhodko Ilya , Fedorova Nadezhda , Gmoshinskiy Vladimir , Borg Dahl Mathilde , Dagamac Nikki H. A. , Yajima Yuka , Schnittler Martin
Published: October 2021

Myxomycetes are terrestrial protists with many presumably cosmopolitan species dispersing via airborne spores. A truly cosmopolitan species would suffer from outbreeding depression hampering local adaptation, while locally adapted species with limited distribution would be at a higher risk of extinction in changing environments. Here, we investigate intraspecific genetic diversity and phylogeography of Physarum albescens over the entire Northern Hemisphere. We sequenced 324 field collections of fruit bodies for 1–3 genetic markers (SSU, EF1A, COI) and analysed 98 specimens with genotyping by sequencing. The structure of the three‐gene phylogeny, SNP‐based phylogeny, phylogenetic networks, and the observed recombination pattern of three independently inherited gene markers can be best explained by the presence of at least 18 reproductively isolated groups, which can be seen as cryptic species. In all intensively sampled regions and in many localities, members of several phylogroups coexisted. Some phylogroups were found to be abundant in only one region and completely absent in other well‐studied regions, and thus may represent regional endemics. Our results demonstrate that the widely distributed myxomycete species Ph. albescens represents a complex of at least 18 cryptic species, and some of these seem to have a limited geographical distribution. In addition, the presence of groups of presumably clonal specimens suggests that sexual and asexual reproduction coexist in natural populations of myxomycetes.
How does early symptom change predict subsequent course of depressive symptoms during psychotherapy?
Authors: Fuhr Kristina , Werle Dustin , Batra Anil
Published: October 2021

Objectives

Previous studies reported about the influence of early changes on treatment response. However, the question of whether early changes can predict the subsequent course of depressive symptoms during treatment with psychotherapy has not yet been clearly answered. We aimed to investigate whether symptom course in the first weeks at the level of individual session can predict the further symptom progression on a session to session level during psychotherapy treatment in patients with Major Depression (MD).

Design

Monocentric randomized controlled trial with psychotherapeutic treatment either with cognitive‐behavioural therapy (CBT) or hypnotherapy (HT). The longitudinal course of weekly depressive symptoms during the six months treatment period was examined.

Methods

In this RCT with 152 randomized patients suffering from current mild‐to‐moderate MD, depressive symptoms were assessed on a weekly basis during the 20 sessions’ treatment with individual psychotherapy. We only included patients for which sufficient data for our analysis were available. Three different linear and quadratic mixed model analyses with random effects for each patient were tested: Early change was defined as the individual percentage symptom change during the first two, three, four and five weeks. Symptoms from session four, five, six and seven onward were predicted using different models, with early change added to the model in a final step. Calculating all models separately for CBT and HT lead to comparable results.

Result

A slow symptom decrease after session four, five, six, seven onward to the end of the treatment was found. However, adding early change to the model, had no effect on the further symptom course in all models.

Conclusion

Symptom changes at early stages of psychotherapy should not be considered as being predictive for further symptom course.

Practitioner points

The individual early symptom change in a treatment with psychotherapy in the first two, three, four, or five weeks of treatment does not predict the subsequent symptom course from session four, five, six, or seven onward at a session to session level.

Symptom changes at early stages of psychotherapy should not be considered as being predictive for further symptom course.

We found a symptom reduction ranging from 3% to 16% in the first two, three, four, or five weeks.

Treatment response between the first and last therapy session was found in 54.5%, the number of remitted patients (with PHQ‐9 scores < 5) was 44.7%.

A small symptom improvement of between 0.21 and 0.42 points in the PHQ‐9 scores per week in later stages of psychotherapy is likely in all patients (with and without early symptom improvement).
Ketone Incorporation Extends the Emission Properties of the Xanthene Scaffold Beyond 1000 nm†
Authors: Daly Harrison C. , Matikonda Siddharth S. , Steffens Helena C. , Ruehle Bastian , Resch‐Genger Ute , Ivanic Joseph , Schnermann Martin J.
Published: October 2021

Imaging in the shortwave‐infrared region (SWIR, λ = 1000–2500 nm) has the potential to enable deep tissue imaging with high resolution. Critical to the development of these methods is the identification of low molecular weight, biologically compatible fluorescent probes that emit beyond 1000 nm. Exchanging the bridging oxygen atom on the xanthene scaffold (C10’ position) with electron withdrawing groups has been shown to lead to significant redshifts in absorbance and emission. Guided by quantum chemistry computational modeling studies, we investigated the installation of a ketone bridge at the C10’ position. This simple modification extends the absorbance maxima to 860 nm and the emission beyond 1000 nm, albeit with reduced photon output. Overall, these studies demonstrate that broadly applied xanthene dyes can be extended into the SWIR range.
Are the Folk Functionalists About Time?
Authors: Latham Andrew J. , Miller Kristie
Published: October 2021

This article empirically investigates the contention that the folk concept of time is a functional concept: a concept according to which time is whatever plays a certain functional role or roles. This hypothesis could explain why, in previous research, surprisingly large percentages of participants judge that there is time at worlds that contain no one‐dimensional substructure of ordered instants. If it seems to participants that even in those worlds the relevant functional role is played, then this could explain why they judge that there is time in those worlds. While our experiment supported the finding that participants are reticent to judge that there is actually no time, we found no evidence that this is because they deploy a functionalist concept, at least of the kind proposed in recent research. Our findings are, however, consistent with the folk deploying a much more minimal functionalist concept according to which time is just whatever it is—regardless of its nature—that plays the role of grounding our temporal phenomenology.
Ageing reduces skin wetness sensitivity across the body
Authors: Wildgoose Charlotte , Valenza Alessandro , Buoite Stella Alex , Feka Kaltrina , Bianco Antonino , Filingeri Davide
Published: October 2021

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

Ageing impairs the skin's thermal and tactile sensitivity: does ageing also induce loss of skin wetness sensitivity?

What is the main finding and its importance?

Older adults show an average 15% loss of skin wetness sensitivity, with this sensory deficit being mediated by a combination of reductions in skin's tactile sensing and hydration status. These findings increase knowledge of wetness sensing mechanisms across the lifespan.

Humans use sensory integration mechanisms to sense skin wetness based on thermal and mechanical cues. Ageing impairs the skin's thermal and tactile sensitivity, yet we lack evidence on whether wetness sensing also changes with ageing. We mapped local skin wetness and temperature sensitivity in response to cold‐, neutral‐ and warm‐wet stimuli applied to the forehead, neck, lower back, dorsal foot, index finger and thumb, in 10 Younger (22.4 ± 1.1 years) and 10 Older (58.2 ± 5.1 years) males. We measured local skin temperature and conductance (i.e., a marker of hydration status) at the tested sites, to establish the role of skin's thermal and mechanical parameters in ageing‐induced changes in wetness sensing. Irrespective of body site, Older reported overall lower wetness perceptions than Younger across all wet‐stimulus temperatures (mean difference: −14.6 mm; 95% CI: −4.3, −24.9; P = 0.008; ∼15% difference). When considering regional wetness sensitivity, the effect of ageing was more pronounced in response to the cold‐wet stimulus over the lover back (mean difference Older vs. Younger: −36.8 mm; 95% CI: −68.4, −5.2; P = 0.014; ∼37% difference) and dorsal foot (mean difference: −37.1 mm; 95% CI: −68.7, −5.5; P = 0.013; ∼37% difference). We found no differences between age groups on overall thermal sensations (P = 0.744) nor local skin temperature (P = 0.372); however, we found that Older presented overall lower skin conductance than Younger (mean difference: −1.56 μS; 95% CI: −0.49, −2.62; P = 0.005), which corresponded to an ∼78% reduction in skin hydration. We conclude that skin wetness sensing decreases with ageing primarily due to age‐induced changes in skin mechanics and tactile sensitivity.
Case Study: Energy Availability and Endocrine Markers in Elite Male Track Cyclists
Authors: Schofield Katherine L. , Thorpe Holly , Sims Stacy T.
Published: October 2021

Aim: To highlight energy availability status, resting metabolic rate measures, dietary protein intake, and testosterone concentration in 4 elite male track cycling athletes (mean [SD]: age: 20.8 [1.5] y, body mass: 76.3 [3.6] kg, height: 181.8 [2.9] cm). Method: A cross-sectional observation included measures of energy availability (energy intake minus exercise energy expenditure, divided by fat-free mass), resting metabolic rate from indirect calorimetry, dietary protein intake from food records, blood analysis to assess sex hormone status, and performance markers. Results: Midrange testosterone (16.9–19.8 nmol/L), lowered resting metabolic rate ratio (0.76–0.98), varied luteinizing hormone (4–10 U/L), and suboptimal energy availability (26–41 kcal/kg fat-free mass/d, range) were observed in the male track cyclists. Protein intakes ranged from 2.0 g to 2.8 g protein/kg/d. Conclusion: The current cohort may have within-day energy deficiency, putting them in a catabolic state.
A Critique of National Physical Activity Policy in Oman Using 3 Established Policy Frameworks
Authors: Al Siyabi Huda , Mabry Ruth M. , Al Siyabi Amal , Milton Karen
Published: October 2021

Background: This paper aimed to assess the development process, content, and early implementation of Oman’s national physical activity plan of action to identify strengths and areas for improvement. Methods: Data were extracted from 4 documents: national noncommunicable diseases policy, physical activity plan of action, and 2 World Health Organization Mission Reports. Three policy frameworks and approaches (physical activity content analysis grid, health-enhancing physical activity policy audit tool, and policy cube approach for diet-related noncommunicable diseases) were used. Results: The findings demonstrated that policymakers engaged a broad range of sectors in developing a national plan. It aligned with many of the elements from the 3 policy frameworks (ie, multisectoral approach, political commitment/leadership, identification of national goals and targets, time frame for implementation). The main gaps included the lack of a specified sustainable funding mechanism, systems for monitoring progress, and an emphasis on general interventions, with limited focus on specific target groups. Conclusion: A range of sectors were engaged in the development of Oman’s national physical activity plan of action, with strong political commitment and using global guidance and local evidence. Establishing a strong accountability framework, including a clear financing mechanism, is critical for Oman to meet its target for a 10% relative reduction in physical inactivity by 2025.
Differential Thermograms of Polysaccharides
Authors: Chesters G. , Thompson S. O.
Published: October 2021

Carrageenans and various other polysaccharides were characterized by differential thermal analysis in an atmosphere of air. The carrageenans, although isolated from different sources, had essentially the same thermographic characteristics. Of the other compounds studied, such closely related polysaccharides as amylose and amylopectin showed widely different thermal behavior. Thermographic replication was highly satisfactory.
Depression of Taste Sensitivity to Specific Sugars by Their Presence during Development
Authors: Evans David R.
Published: October 2021

A chemoreceptor neuron of the adult blowfly contains several different sites for activation by sugars. It appears that the number or affinity of the sites for fructose and perhaps those for glucose may be depressed by rearing the larvae in the presence of the sugar in question.
Effect of Mitomycin C on Lateral Root-Tip Chromosomes of
Vicia faba
Authors: Merz Timothy
Published: October 2021

Lateral root-tip chromosomes of
Vicia faba
were treated with mitomycin C. Chromatid aberrations were observed from 24 through 96 hours after treatment. The effect of mitomycin C was not altered appreciably by changes in
p
H, temperature, oxygen tension, or lack of adenosine triphosphate. The relationship of mitomycin C to other radiomimetic compounds is discussed.
An Interpolated Molecular Formula
Authors: Feldman Alfred
Published: October 2021

The necessity of counting hydrogen atoms in molecular formulas may be obviated by substituting a "hydrogen reciprocal," which can be obtained more easily.
Rapid Effect of Sodium Cyanide and Dinitrophenol on Mammalian Nerve
Authors: Sant'Ambrogio G. , Frazier D. T. , Boyarsky L. L.
Published: October 2021

Strips of rat nerve from dorsal roots were immersed in solutions containing sodium cyanide and α-dinitrophenol. The inhibitors extinguish the action potential of such strips within minutes. The rapid action on mammalian nerve is contrasted with the slow effect of inhibitors on amphibian and invertebrate nerve.
Action of
d
-Tubocurarine Chloride on Net Flux of Water across Isolated Frog Skin
Authors: Tercafs R. R. , Schoffeniels E.
Published: October 2021

d
-Tubocurarine chloride, when added to the solution bathing the outside of the isolated frog skin, enhances the net flux of water which arises from the influence of an osmotic gradient. Although this effect appears to result from alteration in the pore size of the membrane, it is not accompanied by any consistent change in the resting potential.
Chromosomes of Lemurine Lemurs
Authors: Chu Ernest H. Y. , Swomley Barbara A.
Published: October 2021

A wide variation in chromosome number and morphology was observed among different species and subspecies of lemurine lemurs. Comparative karyotype analysis indicates close phylogenic relationships and strongly suggests that chromosome structural rearrangements may have played an important role in the evolution of this group of primates.
Relationship between Locomotory Habits and Enzyme Concentration in Insects
Authors: Kitto G. B. , Briggs Michael H.
Published: October 2021

The activity of alpha-glycerol phosphate dehydrogenase has been measured in muscles from four insect species. In flying insects the enzyme activity is much greater per unit weight for flight muscles than for leg muscles. The results indicate a direct relationship between muscle levels of the enzyme and habitual mode of locomotion.
Isotope Ratios in Marine Mollusk Shells after Prolonged Contact with Flowing Fresh Water
Authors: Weber J. N. , La Rocque A.
Published: October 2021

The ratios C
13
/C
12
and O
18
/O
16
in the calcium carbonate of shells of the marine mollusk,
Macoma calcarea
, appear unaltered after exposure for 4500 years to flowing fresh water of higher O
16
/O
18
ratio.
Zinc Activation of a Coordinated Response in
Hydra
Authors: Lenhoff Howard M. , Zwisler John R.
Published: October 2021

In
Hydra littoralis
, the feeding response normally activated by reduced glutathione can be elicited by zinc ions under special experimental conditions: some calcium is necessary for the activation to be realized, but a high concentration of calcium inhibits the zinc-activated response. Zinc inhibits the normal feeding response induced by reduced glutathione.
Cholesterol Biosynthesis: Mevalonate Synthesis Inhibited by Bile Salts
Authors: Fimognari Grace M. , Rodwell Victor W.
Published: October 2021

Certain bile salts inhibit biosynthesis of mevalonate from acetate-2-C
14
in normal rat liver homogenates. The physiological control of cholesterol biosynthesis is discussed.
Electron Yield in the γ-Radiolysis of Water Vapor
Authors: Baxendale J. H. , Gilbert G. P.
Published: October 2021

Nitrous oxide at low concentrations reduces the high yield of hydrogen from γ-irradiated water vapor containing methanol from 8.9 per 100 electron volts absorbed to a plateau value of 5.9. This indicates that both electrons (yield 3.0) and hydrogen atoms (yield 5.4) are precursors to the hydrogen, the former being scavenged by nitrous oxide.
Catalase Photoinactivation
Authors: Mitchell Roger L. , Anderson Irvin C.
Published: October 2021

The enzymatic activity of catalase is lost during exposure to sunlight in the presence of oxygen. A simultaneous decline occurs in the absorption peak at 405 nanometers.
Exchange of Carbon-Bound Hydrogen Atoms ortho to the Hydroxyl Group in Tyrosine
Authors: Martin R. Bruce , Morlino Vito J.
Published: October 2021

The carbon-bound hydrogen atoms of tyrosine that exchange with solvent protons in strongly acid solutions at about 100°C are not the methylene hydrogen atoms but a pair on the aromatic ring. Of the two pairs of protons on the aromatic ring, observed in the proton magnetic resonance spectra, the pair at higher field undergoes exchange in 2.4
N
DCI at 100°C. Other hydrogen atoms, attached either to aliphatic or aromatic carbon atoms, exhibit no noticeable exchange under the same conditions. From a chemical-shift analysis the exchanging protons are assigned as those
ortho
to the hydroxyl group on the aromatic ring.
Wormlike Fossil from the Pennsylvanian of Illinois
Authors: Richardson Eugene S.
Published: October 2021

Tullimonstrum gregarium
was a common, possibly marine, invertebrate in certain shallow, offshore waters of northern Illinois during the Middle Pennsylvanian. It had a flexible proboscis armed with teeth; a mobile tail; and a curious transverse bar behind the head, bearing a pair of round, external organs.
Hemagglutination by Fava Bean Extract Inhibited by Simple Sugars
Authors: Perera Consuela B. , Frumin Abraham M.
Published: October 2021

Hemagglutination by extract of fava bean was inhibited by 5-percent
d
-glucose,
d
-fructose, or maltose, but not by 5-percent
d
-galactose or lactose. Failure to inhibit seems to reflect the presence of a hydroxyl group at the carbon No. 4 position. Hemagglutination was enhanced by dextran of high molecular weight, but not by dextran of low molecular weight. The finding supports the hypothesis that large molecular size explains the enhancement by gum acacia of hemagglutination by fava bean.
Encephalitogenic Activity of Bovine Basic Proteins
Authors: Kies Marian W. , Alvord Ellsworth C. , Martenson Russell E. , Lebaron Francis N.
Published: October 2021

Two basic proteins isolated from bovine white matter in connection with a study of the protein-bound phosphoinositides of central nervous system tissue have been tested for encephalitogenic activity. The biological activity of these proteins, which is equivalent to that of basic encephalitogenic proteins isolated in other laboratories, suggested that they are identical.
Ferrosilite III: A Triclinic Pyroxenoid-Type Polymorph of Ferrous Metasilicate
Authors: Burnham Charles W.
Published: October 2021

The relationships between the triclinic unit cell of ferrosilite III and those of pyroxmangite, rhodonite, and wollastonite lead to the hypothesis that this polymorph of ferrous metasilicate has a pyroxenoid-type crystal structure with single silicate chains that repeat after every nine silicon tetrahedra. Vector relations between the triclinic cell and an apparent pseudomonoclinic cell support this hypothesis. Although the proposed silicate chain has a longer repeat length than any now known, it represents a logical extension of those found in other pyroxenoids and suggests that even longer repeat lengths may yet be found among phases with pyroxene compositions.
Hydrogen Bonding Specificity of Nucleic Acid Purines and Pyrimidines in Solution
Authors: Kyogoku Yoshimasa , Lord R. C. , Rich Alexander
Published: October 2021

The hydrogen bonding of derivatives of guanosine and of cytidine soluble in chloroform has been studied in the infrared. These molecules associate with themselves, but from stronger complexes with each other. Earlier work showed that a similar association occurs between derivatives of adenine and of uracil. A study of all possible interactions of these purines and pyrimidines as pairs shows that guanosine and cytidine and adenine and uracil are the only associating, mixed dimer pairs. These interactions thus reinforce the geometrical specificity seen in the two-stranded nucleic acids.
Formylmethionyl-tRNA Dependence of Amino Acid Incorporation in Extracts of Trimethoprim-Treated
Escherichia coli
Authors: Eisensatadt Jerome , Lengyel Peter
Published: October 2021

The growth of
Escherichia coli
cells in rich, thymine-containing medium was stopped by the addition of trimethoprim, an inhibitor of dihydrofolate reductase. In an extract of these cells (supernatant from an extract centrifuged at 30,000g) amino acid incorporation at 0.005
M
magnesium-ion concentration, directed by f2 bacteriophage RNA depended strictly on added formylmethionyl-transfer RNA or
N
5
-formyltetrahydrofolate. Hydroxylamine inhibited the amino acid incorporation directed by f2 bacteriophage RNA, when
N
5
-formyltetrahydrofolate had been added, but had no effect when formylmethionyl-transfer RNA had been added.
Valyl-Transfer RNA: Role in Repression of the Isoleucine-Valine Enzymes in
Escherichia coli
Authors: Freundlich Martin
Published: October 2021

α-Aminobutyric acid is activated but not transferred to valine-specific transfer RNA and is unable to repress the isoleucine-valine enzymes in
Escherichia coli
strain W. α-Amino-β-chlorobutyric acid is activated and transferred to valine-specific transfer RNA and completely replaces valine in repression.
Polymerization of Hemoglobins of Mouse and Man: Structural Basis
Authors: Bonaventura Joseph , Riggs Austen
Published: October 2021

Human hemoglobin Pôrto Alegre and mouse hemoglobin (BALB/cJ) polymerize by forming intermolecular disulfide bridges. Both hemoglobins have externally oriented, reactive cysteinyl residues in the A-helix of the beta chain. Hemoglobin Pôrto Alegre can be designated as α
2
β
2
9 Ser → Cys
. The crysteinyl residue of the mouse hemoglobin is at position 13 in the beta chain.
5-Hydroxytryptamine in the Carotid Body of the Cat
Authors: Chiocchio Sara R. , Biscardi Ana Maria , Tramezzani Juan H.
Published: October 2021

In the report "5-Hydroxytryptamine in the carotid body of the cat" by S. R. Chiocchio
et al.
(10 Nov., p. 790), lines 21 and 22 of the third column should read "immersed in 0.1
N hydrochloric acid,
and assayed for 5-HT by the . . ."
Host Resistance Reflected in Differential Nematode Population Structures
Authors: Viglierchio D. R. , Croll N. A.
Published: October 2021

Relative efficiency of host plants to support reproduction of the garlic race of
Ditylenchus dipsaci
can be partially explained by differential population structures. If axenic cultures of callus tissue from onion, white clover, red clover, and alfalfa are arranged in order of decreasing host suitability, the nematode populations are simultaneously arranged in order of increasing maleness.
Melatonin Action on Pineal Varies with Photoperiod
Authors: Fiske Virginia M. , Huppert Leonore C.
Published: October 2021

Administration of melatonin can prevent the diurnal rhythm of serotonin concentration characteristic of the pineal organ. Whether or not such a change is induced depends upon the point in the photoperiod when the hormone is injected. This observation indicates that the action of melatonin is affected by the photic environment of the recipient.
Activation of Hageman Factor by L-Homocystine
Authors: Ratnoff Oscar D.
Published: October 2021

L-Homocystine activates Hageman factor, as demonstrated by its capacity to initiate clotting and to induce the evolution of plasma kinins. Perhaps, strategically located deposits of this amino acid are responsible for the unusual frequency of thrombosis in patients with homocystinuria.
Size-Detecting Mechanisms in Human Vision
Authors: Pantle Allan , Sekuler Robert
Published: October 2021

Inspecting a pattern of alternating dark and light bars makes it difficult to see a similar pattern presented afterward. This phenomenon can be used to isolate mechanisms responsive to bars of a given width. Our results suggest that the human visual system contains several different classes of size detectors, each maximally sensitive to visual targets with sizes in a particular range.
Urban Poverty: Effects on Prenatal Nutrition
Authors: Naeye R. L. , Diener M. M. , Dellinger W. S. , Blanc W. A.
Published: October 2021

Infants of poor (as measured by an index) mothers were 15 percent smaller than infants of nonpoor mothers. Infants from poor families had multiple anatomic evidences of prenatal undernutrition.
Insulin Synthesis
Authors: Lakoff Sanford A.
Published: October 2021

An error appeared in my article, "Science policy for the 1970's: Canada debates the options" (12 Jan., p. 151). The article credits two Canadian researchers, Frederick Banting and Charles Best, with the "synthesis of insulin." Actually, their pioneering achievement was the preparation of an active extract of this substance from animal tissue for the first time. The synthesis of insulin was achieved more recently by American and Chinese researchers. I am indebted to R. A. Cleghorn of McGill University for calling my attention to this regrettable slip.
Homologous Cysteine-Containing Sequences in Tryptophanyl-tRNA Synthetases from
Escherichia coli
and Human Placentas
Authors: Muench Karl H. , Lipscomb Myatt S. , Lee Ming-Liang , Kuehl Gary V.
Published: October 2021

The sequence Leu-Ala-Cys-Gly-Ile-Asx-Glx in a nonapeptide isolated from the tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase of
Escherichia coli
B is homologous to the sequence Ile-Ala-Cys-Gly-Phe-Asx-Asx in a decapeptide isolated from the tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase of human placenta. So far no homologies have been found between cysteine-containing peptides of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases with different amino acid specificities.
Erratum: Cover, Vol. 173, no. 3995 (30 July 1971)
Authors:   The Editors
Published: October 2021

In the issue of
Science
numbered 3995 of volume 173 [30 July 1971], the editors inadvertently published a copyrighted cartoon as a cover illustration and as a figure accompanying an article, without the permission of the artist, Mr. Charles A. Leap, of Fairbanks, Alaska. The cartoon was called "Solution Here in Time" and pictured a fanciful depiction of the TransAlaska Pipeline suspended from clouds to eliminate environmental concerns. The editors and the Association regret this mistake.
Muscle Crossbridges: Absence of Direct Effect of Calcium on Movement Away from the Thick Filaments
Authors: Mendelson R. A. , Cheung P.
Published: October 2021

Fluorescence depolarization experiments show that the rotary mobility of myosin heads is hindered by the assembly of the thick filament. Calcium, with or without magnesium adenosine triphosphate, does not alter this hindrance in synthetic filaments. This implies that calcium does not directly move the crossbridges toward thin filaments on activation of muscle.
Evidence for Late Tertiary Volcanic Activity in the Northern Black Hills, South Dakota
Authors: Kirchner James G.
Published: October 2021

Rhyolitic volcanic rock in the northern Black Hills has a potassium-argon isotopic age of 10.5 ± 1.5 million years. This is considerably younger than any previously reported igneous activity in this or adjacent areas and indicates that the renewed uplift of the Black Hills, which occurred after the Oligocene epoch, was also accompanied by some volcanism.
Sequence Correction
Authors: Morris S. W. , Kirstein M. N. , Valentine M. B. , Dittmer K. , Shapiro D. N. , Look A. T. , Saltman D. L.
Published: October 2021

We wish to note a correction of the
NPM-ALK
sequence (GenBank accession number U04946) described in our report "Fusion of a kinase gene,
ALK
, to a nucleolar protein gene,
NPM
, in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma" (4 March 1994, p. 1281). After re-examination of our sequencing data, we identified an erroneous omission of two nucleotides in the codon of NPM-ALK amino acid residue 495 that was made because of a reading error. The frame-shift produced by this error led us to assign a premature termination codon, resulting in a predicted NPM-ALK protein of 525 amino acids. The correct
NPM-ALK
nucleotide sequence, now entered in GenBank, encodes a protein of 679 amino acids with a predicted molecular weight of 75.3 kilodaltons. A polypeptide with this relative mobility, generated by in vitro transcription/translation of the full-length
NPM-ALK
complementary DNA, co-migrates with the NPM-ALK protein immunoprecipitated from the t(2;5)-containing lymphoma cell lines SU-DHL-1, SUP-M2, and UCONN-L2.

To our knowledge, all other data reported in our paper are correct. We regret any inconvenience or confusion that this sequencing error may have caused our scientific colleagues.