bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantification of Hepatic Fat Fraction in Patients With Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Comparison of Multimaterial Decomposition Algorithm and Fat (Water)-Based Material Decomposition Algorithm Using Single-Source Dual-Energy Computed Tomography
Authors: Zhang Qinhe , Zhao Ying , Wu Jingjun , Xie Luhan , Chen Anliang , Liu Yijun , Song Qingwei , Li Jianying , Wu Tingfan , Xie Lizhi , Liu Ailian
Published: November 2020

Objective

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of quantifying hepatic fat fraction (HFF) in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease patients with multimaterial decomposition (MMD) and fat (water)-based material decomposition by single-source dual-energy computed tomography.

Methods

Hepatic fat fractions were quantified by noncontrast (HFFnon-CE) and contrast-enhanced single-source dual-energy computed tomography in arterial phase (HFFAP), portal venous phase (HFFPVP) and equilibrium phase (HFFEP) using MMD in 19 nonalcoholic fatty liver disease patients. The fat concentration was measured on fat (water)-based images. As the standard of reference, magnetic resonance iterative decomposition of water and fat with echo asymmetry and least-squares estimation-iron quantification images were reconstructed to obtain HFF (HFFIDEAL-IQ).

Results

There was a strong correlation between HFFnon-CE, HFFAP, HFFPVP, HFFEP, fat concentration and HFFIDEAL-IQ (r = 0.943, 0.923, 0.942, 0.952, and 0.726) with HFFs having better correlation with HFFIDEAL-IQ. Hepatic fat fractions did not significantly differ across scanning phases. The HFFs of 3-phase contrast-enhanced computed tomography had a good consistency with HFFnon-CE.

Conclusions

Hepatic fat fraction using MMD has excellent correlation with that of magnetic resonance imaging, is independent of the computed tomography scanning phases, and may be used as a routine technique for quantitative assessment of HFF.
Cross-sectional Imaging Manifestations of Extrapulmonary Involvement in COVID-19 Disease
Authors: Laya Bernard F. , Cledera Thurl Hugh C. , Lim Timothy Reynold U. , Baluyut Joseph Marce P. , Medina Josefina Marie P. , Pasia Nelson V.
Published: November 2020

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) disease has spread worldwide since it was first discovered in China's Hubei province in December 2019. Respiratory illness is the primary manifestation of COVID-19 disease, and its pathophysiology as well as the clinical and cross-sectional imaging manifestations has been adequately reported. However, there is emerging evidence of its multisystemic nature, with associated extrapulmonary manifestations including gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, renal, and neurological findings. There is still limited understanding with regard to the extrapulmonary involvement in this disease. This review aims to put together the prevalence, proposed pathophysiology, and the spectrum of clinical and cross-sectional imaging manifestations of associated extrapulmonary findings in COVID-19 disease.
A Comparison of the Diagnostic Value of Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography and Ultrasound for the Detection of Metastatic Axillary Nodal Disease in Treatment-Naive Breast Cancer
Authors: Le Viet T. , Wong Franklin C. , Bassett Roland L. , Whitman Gary J.
Published: November 2020

The objective of this study was to describe the diagnostic value of positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) and ultrasound (US) for identifying metastatic axillary disease in primary breast cancer. This is a retrospective review of 240 patients with treatment-naive unilateral primary breast cancer of at least stage T2. Eighty-five patients met our inclusion criteria. Initial whole-body PET/CT and axillary US examinations were reviewed and compared with the criterion standard of fine-needle aspiration cytology. Sensitivity, accuracy, and positive predictive value (PPV) for each modality were computed. Because of all positive US cases, specificity and negative predictive value of US were not determined. Sensitivity and accuracy between modalities were compared using McNemar test. The majority of the patients were White women with clinical inflammatory breast cancer and with histologically invasive ductal carcinoma. The most common tumor and nodal stage was T4N3. The tumors were predominantly estrogen receptor positive, progesterone receptor negative, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative. The sensitivities of PET/CT and US were 96.2% and 100%, respectively. The accuracies for PET/CT and US were 91.8% and 94.1%, respectively. The PPV for PET/CT was 95.1%, and for US, the PPV was 94.1%. No significant difference in sensitivity or accuracy was shown between PET/CT and US for the diagnosis of metastatic axillary nodal disease. Three of 85 cases showed discordance between negative PET/CT and positive US and fine-needle aspiration cytology.
Intense Soft Tissue Calcification of the Head and Neck Following Tracheostomy
Authors: Gozgec Elif , Ogul Hayri
Published: November 2020

Dystrophic calcification is the accumulation of calcium salts, especially calcium phosphate, which can occur anywhere in the body. Unlike other heterotopic calcifications, it occurs in damaged tissue when there is no calcium imbalance. The most common sites are the heart muscle and valve and it is rarely seen in the head and neck region. It can appear by any cause of soft tissue degeneration such as trauma, infection, inflammation, and neoplasia. It is not symptomatic unless a dystrophic calcification mass is present and is usually detected incidentally. Determination of the etiology plays an important role in the planning of the treatment so that the patient's history, laboratory findings, and imaging methods are very important.
The Oculocardiac Reflex: Its Evolution and Management
Authors: Yoo Jason J. , Gishen Kriya E. , Thaller Seth R.
Published: November 2020

Introduction:

The oculocardiac reflex is initiated by a pressure stimulus to the orbit or periorbital structures causing in bradycardia transmitted via the trigeminal-vagus nerve reflex arc. While this most frequently occurs with ophthalmologic surgeries, trauma to the orbit and periorbital structures can result in bradycardia and even in some cases, asystole. The aim of this case report and review of the literature is to identify and examine recent studies of the oculocardiac reflex related to facial trauma and to identify associated patient age, symptoms, and fracture patterns.

Methods:

A literature search was performed using the database within PubMed.gov using the term “oculocardiac.” Results were reviewed for case reports or series related to facial trauma from the year 2000 to 2019. Studies were then evaluated for fracture pattern, presence of entrapment, patient symptoms, and age.

Results:

The initial search resulted in 109 articles. A total of 22 articles were case reports or series of trauma patients. Twenty articles met inclusion criteria. Median age was 22 years. Eleven patients sustained orbital floor fractures. Four patients sustained medial wall fractures. Three patients had concomitant orbital floor and zygomatic fractures, and 4 with concomitant orbital floor and medial wall fractures. The most common extracardiac symptom experienced was nausea and vomiting (15/23) followed by diplopia (10/23). Status of entrapment was available in 20 patients of which entrapment was reported in fourteen (14/20).

Clinical Report:

A 26-year old male presents after blunt trauma to the face resulting in a left orbital floor, rim, and maxillary fractures. Extraocular movements were initially intact and the patient had no diplopia. He developed bradycardia to 30 to 40 bpm just prior to induction of anesthesia. He was found to have developed entrapment of the inferior rectus muscle. The orbital floor and rim were repaired with complete resolution of bradycardia.

Conclusion:

Patients who sustain maxillofacial trauma involving the orbit are at risk of developing the oculocardiac reflex. Patients tend to be younger. The orbital floor is more commonly the site of traumatic injury. Nausea and vomiting are common encountered symptoms. The oculocardiac reflex, clinicians must recognize, is not static but may evolve over a patient's clinical course as seen in our patient.
Early Hypoglobus in Orbital Floor Reconstruction With Resorbable Implants
Authors: Kim Eung Hyun , Lee Soo Hyang
Published: November 2020

Background:

Among the variety of materials developed for facial bone surgery, resorbable implants are widely used in orbital wall reconstruction. There are many advantages in selecting resorbable implants, such as minimal foreign body reaction and adjustability within the damaged orbital floor. Resorbable implants are supposed to remain in place over 1 to 2 years to hold the structure of immature healing tissue surrounding the bony defects. However, some patients who have undergone orbital wall reconstruction surgery with resorbable implants suffer from early hypoglobus.

Methods:

This retrospective study was performed from January 2014 to August 2019 and follows 39 patients with unilateral pure orbital floor fractures. All orbital floor reconstruction was performed using resorbable implants via the transconjunctival approach. Exophthalmometer measurements and CT scans showing the degree of implant sagging were used to provide an index of hypoglobus.

Results:

Most patients showed hypoglobus over 3 to 4 months follow-up. The size of bony defect in the orbital floor showed positive correlation with follow-up exophthalmometer measurement and degree of implant sagging.

Conclusion:

Orbital floor reconstructed with resorbable implant tends to lose load-bearing strength gradually, especially in large bony defects. Therefore, surgeons should be cautious about using resorbable implants for the maintenance of reconstructed orbital floor, especially in large bony defects.
Lymphatic System of the Head and Neck
Authors: Iwanaga Joe , Lofton Caitlin , He Puhan , Dumont Aaron S. , Tubbs R. Shane
Published: November 2020

An intimate knowledge of the lymphatic drainage of the head and neck is needed by the clinician examining and diagnosing patients with lesion of this region.

It is considered that approximately 150 to 300 lymph nodes are located in the neck region. The classification of cervical lymph nodes by Rouvière has long been most widely referenced in textbooks and articles because it covers most of the lymph nodes of the head and neck region. Anatomical review of the lymphatic system of the head and neck helps surgeons understand and treat the patients who have any cancers and cancer metastasis in and around the head and neck regions. Regardless, comprehensive review of the lymphatic system of the head and neck has been rarely discussed. This paper details the anatomy of the lymphatics of these regions by reviewing related publications, books, official reports from the academic society and also describes the clinical manifestations and levels used in staging of the various lymph nodes with illustrations and computed tomographic images.
The Accumulating Deficits Model for Postoperative Mortality and Readmissions: Comparison of Four Methods Over Multiple Calendar Year Cohorts
Authors: Koohestani Darush , Chobrutskiy Boris I. , Janjua Haroon , Velanovich Vic
Published: November 2020

Objective:

To assess 4 measures of the accumulating deficits model of frailty for postoperative mortality and readmissions including their stability over time.

Background:

Frailty has been assessed by multiple methods. It is unclear whether variation in how frailty is measured is important and would be stable over time.

Methods:

Rockwood’s 57-item frailty index was mapped onto 14,568 ICD9 diagnosis codes from Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project State Inpatient Database for the state of Florida (HCUP-SID-FL) for calendar years 2011 to 2015, inclusive, with 962 ICD9 codes matching onto 42 items. This became the modified frailty index (mFI) used. Three measures of the mFI were differentiated: the number of admission diagnoses, number of chronic conditions upon admission, and number of increased deficits accumulated during the admission. The Charlson Co-Morbidity Index was a fourth measure of frailty. The mFI of patients who survived or died and were readmitted or not were compared.

Results:

Across all years, 4,796,006 patient observations were compared to the number of diagnoses matched on the 42 items of the mFI. The median mFI scores for each method was statistically significantly higher for patients who died compared those that survived and for patients readmitted compared to patients not readmitted for all years. There was little-to-no variation in the year to year median mFI scores.

Conclusions:

The 4 methods of calculating frailty performed similarly and were stable. The actual method of determining the accumulated deficits may not be as important as enumerating their number.
One Size Does Not Fit All – Translating Knowledge to Bridge the Gaps to Diversity and Inclusion of Surgical Teams
Authors: Cobianchi Lorenzo , Dal Mas Francesca , Angelos Peter
Published: November 2020

Diverse teams have proven their ability to reach superior performance and improve patients’ outcomes. Nevertheless, differences in race, gender, age, nationality, skills, education, and experience act as powerful barriers to diversity and inclusion, which negatively impacts multiple healthcare organizations and limit the potential outcome of diverse teams. Knowledge Translation (KT) can help to bridge the gaps among all the various individuals involved, whether they be members of the surgical team or surgical patients.
Sudden emergence of a Neisseria gonorrhoeae clade with reduced susceptibility to extended-spectrum cephalosporins, Norway
Authors: Osnes Magnus N. , Didelot Xavier , Korne-Elenbaas Jolinda de , Alfsnes Kristian , Brynildsrud Ola B. , Syversen Gaute , Nilsen Øivind Jul , De Blasio Birgitte Freiesleben , Caugant Dominique A. , Eldholm Vegard
Published: November 2020

Neisseria gonorrhoeae

multilocus sequence type (ST)-7827 emerged in a dramatic fashion in Norway in the period 2016–2018. Here, we aim to shed light on the provenance and expansion of this ST. ST-7827 was found to be polyphyletic, but the majority of members belonged to a monophyletic clade we termed PopPUNK cluster 7827 (PC-7827). In Norway, both PC-7827 and ST-7827 isolates were almost exclusively isolated from men. Phylogeographical analyses demonstrated an Asian origin of the genogroup, with multiple inferred exports to Europe and the USA. The genogroup was uniformly resistant to fluoroquinolones, and associated with reduced susceptibility to both azithromycin and the extended-spectrum cephalosporins (ESCs) cefixime and ceftriaxone. From a genetic background including the penA allele 13.001, associated with reduced ESC susceptibility, we identified repeated events of acquisition of porB alleles associated with further reduction in ceftriaxone susceptibility. Transmission of the strain was significantly reduced in Norway in 2019, but our results indicate the existence of a recently established global reservoir. The worrisome drug-resistance profile and rapid emergence of PC-7827 calls for close monitoring of the situation.
Pancancer survival analysis of cancer hallmark genes
Authors: Nagy Ádám , Munkácsy Gyöngyi , Győrffy Balázs
Published: November 2020

Cancer hallmark genes are responsible for the most essential phenotypic characteristics of malignant transformation and progression. In this study, our aim was to estimate the prognostic effect of the established cancer hallmark genes in multiple distinct cancer types.

RNA-seq HTSeq counts and survival data from 26 different tumor types were acquired from the TCGA repository. DESeq was used for normalization. Correlations between gene expression and survival were computed using the Cox proportional hazards regression and by plotting Kaplan-Meier survival plots. The false discovery rate was calculated to correct for multiple hypothesis testing.

Signatures based on genes involved in genome instability and invasion reached significance in most individual cancer types. Thyroid and glioblastoma were independent of hallmark genes (61 and 54 genes significant, respectively), while renal clear cell cancer and low grade gliomas harbored the most prognostic changes (403 and 419 genes significant, respectively). The eight genes with the highest significance included BRCA1 (genome instability, HR=4.26, p<1E-16), RUNX1 (sustaining proliferative signaling, HR=2.96, p=3.1E-10) and SERPINE1 (inducing angiogenesis, HR=3.36, p=1.5E-12) in low grade glioma, CDK1 (cell death resistance, HR=5.67, p=2.1E-10) in kidney papillary carcinoma, E2F1 (tumor suppressor, HR=0.38, p=2.4E-05) and EREG (enabling replicative immortality, HR=3.23, p=2.1E-07) in cervical cancer, FBP1 (deregulation of cellular energetics, HR=0.45, p=2.8E-07) in kidney renal clear cell carcinoma and MYC (invasion and metastasis, HR=1.81, p=5.8E-05) in bladder cancer.

We observed unexpected heterogeneity and tissue specificity when correlating cancer hallmark genes and survival. These results will help to prioritize future targeted therapy development in different types of solid tumors.
ABACUS: A flexible UMI counter that leverages intronic reads for single-nucleus RNAseq analysis
Authors: Xi Simon , Gibilisco Lauren , Kummer Markus , Biber Knut , Wachter Astrid , Woodbury Maya
Published: November 2020

Single-nucleus RNA sequencing (sNuc-RNAseq) is an emerging powerful genomics technology that combines droplet microfluidics with next-generation sequencing to interrogate transcriptome changes at single nucleus resolution. Here we developed Abacus, a flexible UMI counter software for sNuc-RNAseq analysis. Abacus draws extra information from sequencing reads mapped to introns of pre-mRNAs (~60% of total data) that are ignored by many single-cell RNAseq analysis pipelines. When applied to our pilot human brain sNuc-RNAseq data, ABACUS nearly doubled the number of nuclei identified by the CellRanger workflow, recovering a large number of nuclei from non-neuronal cells. By incorporating intronic reads into gene expression quantification, we showed that they encoded additional and valid transcription features of individual cells and could be used to improve cluster resolution of different cell types. By separately counting UMIs derived from forward and reverse intronic reads and from exonic reads, Abacus gives users flexibility in representing genes expressed at different abundance levels. In summary, Abacus represents a flexible, improved workflow for sNuc-RNAseq data processing and analysis.
A computational neural model for mapping degenerate neural architectures
Authors: Khan Zulqarnain , Wang Yiyu , Sennesh Eli Z. , Dy Jennifer , Ostadabbas Sarah , van de Meent Jan-Willem , Hutchinson J. Benjamin , Satpute Ajay B.
Published: November 2020

Degeneracy in biological systems refers to a many-to-one mapping between physical structures and their functional (including psychological) outcomes. Despite the ubiquity of the phenomenon, traditional analytical tools for modeling degeneracy in neuroscience are extremely limited. In this study, we generated synthetic datasets to describe three situations of degeneracy in fMRI data to demonstrate the limitations of the current univariate approach. We describe a novel computational approach for the analysis referred to as neural topographic factor analysis (NTFA). NTFA is designed to capture variations in neural activity across task conditions and participants. The advantage of this discovery-oriented approach is to reveal whether and how experimental trials and participants cluster into task conditions and participant groups. We applied NTFA on simulated data, revealing the appropriate degeneracy assumption in all three situations and demonstrating NTFA’s utility in uncovering degeneracy. Lastly, we discussed the importance of testing degeneracy in fMRI and the implications of applying NTFA to do so.
Single-nuclei RNA-sequencing of plant tissues
Authors: Sunaga-Franze Daniele Y. , Muino Jose M. , Braeuning Caroline , Xu Xiaocai , Zong Minglei , Smaczniak Cezary , Yan Wenhao , Fischer Cornelius , Vidal Ramon , Kliem Magdalena , Kaufmann Kerstin , Sauer Sascha
Published: November 2020

Single-cell genomics provides unprecedented potential for research on plant development and environmental responses. Here, we introduce a generic procedure for plant nuclei isolation combined with nanowell-based library preparation. Our method enables the transcriptome analysis of thousands of individual plant nuclei. It serves as alternative to the use of protoplast isolation, which is currently a standard methodology for plant single-cell genomics, although it can be challenging for some plant tissues. We show the applicability of our nuclei isolation method by using different plant materials from several species. The potential of our snRNA-seq method is shown through the characterization of transcriptomes of seedlings and developing flowers fromArabidopsis thaliana. We evaluated the transcriptome dynamics during the early stages of anther development, identify stage-specific transcription factors regulating this process and the prediction of their target genes. Our nuclei isolation procedure can be applied in different plant species and tissues, thus expanding the toolkit for plant single-cell genomics experiments.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT

We introduce an optimized plant nuclei isolation procedure followed by single nuclei RNA-seq that can be applied to different plant tissues without the need for protoplast isolation.
Characterization of plasma membrane proteins from maize roots (Zea mays L.) under multiple abiotic stressesusingLC-MS/MS technique
Authors: Rafique Suphia , Nasrullah Nazima
Published: November 2020

The aim of this study was to understand the response of maize inbred plants showing tolerance when exposed to various abiotic stresses (drought x low-N and waterlogging x low-N stress) simultaneously. The plants under stress expressed higher photosynthetic efficiency, increase in plant height, leaf area, and were able to maintain relatively high leaf relative water content and less decrease in morphological parameters. Therefore, to understand the processes controlling the tolerance to various stresses we analyzed maize roots plasma membranes proteome of treated plants only using LC-MS/MS techniques. The large number of proteins (295) were identified which were mainly trans membrane proteins, low abundance proteins, and root specific proteins. Further, a few proteins were selected like high-affinity Nitrate transporter, NR enzyme, PEP carboxylase, and Glutamine synthetase proteins their induction were validated by qRT-PCR approach in control and treated plants. The qRT-PCR results indicated the gene of all four proteins were expressed in treated and control plants. We concluded the high-affinity nitrate transporter proteins might represent the executive part of the protective response that plays a significant role in low-N stress tolerance. The presence of other major proteins like kinases, stress-responsive TFs, calmodulin, aquaporins, stress-related proteins, and many more proteins and their interaction with nitrate transporter proteins and their role can be validated only after comparing it with control samples.
Analysis of cell-type-specific chromatin modifications and gene expression inDrosophilaneurons that direct reproductive behavior
Authors: Palmateer Colleen M , Moseley Shawn C , Ray Surjyendu , Brovero Savannah G , Arbeitman Michelle N
Published: November 2020

Examining the role of chromatin modifications and gene expression in neurons is critical for understanding how the potential for behaviors are established and maintained. We investigate this question by examiningDrosophila melanogaster fru P1neurons that underlie reproductive behaviors in both sexes. We developed a method to purify cell-type-specific chromatin (Chromatag), using a tagged histone H2B variant that is expressed using the versatile Gal4/UAS gene expression system. Here, we use Chromatag to evaluate five chromatin modifications, at three life stages in both sexes. We find substantial changes in chromatin modification profiles across development and fewer differences between males and females. We generated cell-type-specific RNA-seq data sets, using translating ribosome affinity purification (TRAP), and identify actively translated genes infru P1neurons, revealing novel stage- and sex-differences in gene expression. We compare chromatin modifications to the gene expression data and find patterns of chromatin modifications associated with gene expression. An examination of the genic features where chromatin modifications resides shows certain chromatin modifications are maintained in the same genes across development, whereas others are more dynamic, which may point to modifications important for cell fate determination in neurons. Using a computational analysis to identify super-enhancer-containing genes we discovered differences across development, and between the sexes that are cell-type-specific. A set of super-enhancer-containing genes that overlapped with those determined to be expressed with the TRAP approach were validated as expressed infru P1neurons.

Author Summary

Differences in male and female reproductive behaviors are pervasive in nature and important for species propagation. Studies of sex differences in the fruit fly,Drosophila melanogaster, have been ongoing since the early 1900s, with many of the critical molecular and neural circuit determinates that create sexually dimorphic behavior identified. This system is a powerful model to understand fundamental principles about the underpinnings of complex behavior at high resolution. In this study, we examine the gene expression and chromatin modification differences specifically in a set of neurons that direct male and female reproductive behaviors inDrosophila. We describe differences across development and between the sexes with the goal of understanding how the potential for behavior is created and maintained.
Innovative entrepreneurship and quality of life. The case of Ecuador
Authors: Aguirre Juan Carlos , Peralta Zuñiga Marco Leonardo , Mora Pedro , Blanco Francisco
Published: November 2020

Purpose

This article is based on the assumption that entrepreneurship improves quality of life (HDI). Its main objective is to establish causal relationships between entrepreneurship variables such as credits, innovation (R&D), business growth, foreign direct investment and the Global Competitiveness Index and how these have influenced a country's development.

Design/methodology/approach

To analyse and validate this assumption, relevant information has been extracted about Ecuador (the subject of the study) for the 1998–2017 period. The information has received the respective econometric treatment, through a multivariate estimation by the autoregressive vector (ARV) method that made it possible to establish impulse-response functions.

Results

The results indicate that there is a significant and positive statistical impact between the variables related to entrepreneurship and quality of life (HDI), with the exception of “Innovation”, which is not representative in the model, demonstrating that the investment made at country level in R&D is not sufficient to have an impact on the HDI. It was also determined that promoting entrepreneurship would be useful as this would alter the trend of the variables, making them conducive to increasing the HDI.

Originality/value

This article is one of the few to address this issue. It includes the self-regressive vector model as a key methodology used to evaluate and establish public policies. RVM has provided positive results in the field of economics and can be adopted in the area of entrepreneurship.
Customer effort in mandatory and voluntary value cocreation: a study in a health care context
Authors: Pham Tram-Anh Ngoc , Sweeney Jillian Carol , Soutar Geoffrey Norma
Published: November 2020

Purpose

This study aims to examine the impacts various types of resources had on customer effort in mandatory and voluntary value cocreation activities and the contribution of efforts in these different activity types to quality of life.

Design/methodology/approach

Data from customers across five chronic health conditions were collected through an online survey. Rasch analysis helped identify hierarchies of activities representing varying levels of effort across four activity types (mandatory (customer), mandatory (customer or organization), voluntary in-role and voluntary extra-role activities). The conceptual model that was developed to examine the relationships of interest was analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling.

Findings

While clinical resources helped mandatory activities and personal network resources facilitated voluntary activities, psychological resources had greater impacts on customer effort across the whole range of activities. Effort in each activity type contributed to the quality of life differently, with voluntary activities having the greatest impacts on quality of life.

Practical implications

This study lends support to a holistic approach to health service that requires the mobilization of networks of resources to encourage customers’ engagement in a broad range of activities. Understanding the resources facilitating effort in distinct activity types provides insights to develop strategies to drive value cocreation efforts that subsequently contribute to improvements in quality of life.

Originality/value

Drawing on an extensive and nuanced categorization of activities, this study broadened the understanding of the networks of resources that are integrated in customer value cocreation processes and the link between value cocreation efforts and quality of life.
The effectiveness of artificial neural networks applied to analytical procedures using high level data: a simulation analysis
Authors: Li Stewart , Fisher Richard , Falta Michael
Published: November 2020

Purpose

Auditors are required to perform analytical procedures during the planning and concluding phases of the audit. Such procedures typically use data aggregated at a high level. The authors investigate whether artificial neural networks, a more sophisticated technique for analytical review than typically used by auditors, may be effective when using high level data.

Design/methodology/approach

Data from companies operating in the dairy industry were used to train an artificial neural network. Data with and without material seeded errors were used to test alternative techniques.

Findings

Results suggest that the artificial neural network approach was not significantly more effective (taking into account both Type I and II errors) than traditional ratio and regression analysis, and none of the three approaches provided more overall effectiveness than a purely random procedure. However, the artificial neural network approach did yield considerably fewer Type II errors than the other methods, which suggests artificial neural networks could be a candidate to improve the performance of analytical procedures in circumstances where Type II error rates are the primary concern of the auditor.

Originality/value

The authors extend the work of Coakley and Brown (1983) by investigating the application of artificial neural networks as an analytical procedure using aggregated data. Furthermore, the authors examine multiple companies from one industry and supplement financial information with both exogenous industry and macro-economic data.
Entrepreneurship via social networks – “connected woman” in Lebanon
Authors: Lichy Jessica , Farquhar Jillian Dawes , Kachour Maher
Published: November 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to extend understanding of marketing in MENA by investigating how women entrepreneurs use social networking sites (SNS) in marketing their businesses in Lebanon.

Design/methodology/approach

To address contextual issues arising from research in this region, this study consists of a two-phase research design of, first, a panel of specialised business commentators and, second, digital qualitative data collection that enabled access to hard to reach informants.

Findings

The study reveals that the activities of women entrepreneurs are fundamentally enabled by SNS as it allows them to optimise their networks in prospecting, communicating and developing relationships with stakeholders. It also allows them to support the social fabric of the family unit by providing an extra source of income and facilitating connections.

Research limitations/implications

This study draws on a single country within the MENA region; nonetheless, the analysis offers new and nuanced understanding to marketing of small businesses in uncovering how Lebanese women entrepreneurs are able to build and run their businesses using SNS.

Practical implications

This research demonstrates how women entrepreneurs can set up and run businesses using SNS to reach and extend their networks in a culturally diverse and growing economy. SNS provides an inclusive platform through which women build and run a small business.

Social implications

This research responds to a World Development aim of studying the relationships between gender and trade such as women entrepreneurs using social technologies.

Originality/value

This research responds to a World Development aim of studying the relationships between gender and trade, here by investigating how women entrepreneurs set up and run small businesses enabled by SNS.
The relationship between managers' narcissism and overconfidence on corporate risk-taking
Authors: Salehi Mahdi , Afzal Aghaei Naeini Amirhosein , Rouhi Safoura
Published: November 2020

Purpose

The primary purpose is to investigate the relationship between narcissism and managers' overconfidence in listed companies' risk-taking.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, two criteria of signature and reward are used to measure manager's narcissism; manager's overconfidence, using multiple regression models and finally to measure companies' risk-taking by using companies' monthly returns. Multiple regression is employed to test the model using a sample of 890 firm-year participation on the Tehran Stock Exchange from 2012 to 2017 with panel data and model with fixed effects.

Findings

The findings indicate that the CEO's narcissism and the board of directors positively and significantly affect corporate risk-taking. Also, managers' overconfidence has a positive and significant relationship with corporate risk-taking.

Originality/value

The results of this study identified other factors affecting companies' risk-taking. This study also contributed to the development of the literature on narcissism, overconfidence and corporate risk-taking.
Monoclonal antibodies against foot‐and‐mouth disease virus RNA polymerase for detection of virus infection
Authors: Kushwaha Anand , Behera Subhasmita , Saminathan Mani , Sreedharan Krishnan , Basagoudanavar Suresh , Manjunatha Reddy G. B. , Hosamani Madhusudan
Published: November 2020

Foot‐and‐mouth disease (FMD) is a major viral disease in farm animals. In the present study, seven monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were produced against the FMD virus (FMDV)‐encoded RNA‐dependent RNA polymerase (3D protein) and characterized. Screening of mAb reactivity against three overlapping fragments of the 3D protein expressed in Escherichia coli revealed that the binding sites of all the mAbs were confined to the N‐terminal one‐third of the 3D protein. A selected mAb was utilized for detecting FMDV in the infected cell culture and tissues obtained from FMDV‐infected animals.
Geographical personality gradient in herbivorous animals: Implications for selective culling to reduce crop damage
Authors: Honda Takeshi
Published: November 2020

Traditional lethal techniques used to mitigate wildlife damage have targeted entire populations through the use of random harvesting. However, recent literature has suggested that controlling population size by random harvesting is not the only mean to mitigate human‐wildlife conflicts. Controlling problem individuals may also be important because individuals with behavioral characteristics such as greater boldness and low neophobia are predicted to cause more damage to crops. Reducing the number of bold individuals may therefore mitigate crop damage, but a method to selectively cull bold individuals has not been determined. Hence, this study aimed to demonstrate their distribution in native habitats because if bold and shy individuals prefer different habitats, selective culling could target areas preferred by bold individuals. To detect differences in neophobia (i.e., shyness/boldness), 17 visible flash and invisible infrared flash sensor cameras were randomly placed in forest areas based on the assumption that neophobic (shy) sika deer (Cervus nippon) would be deterred by visible flash cameras (a novel stimulus). The relationship between camera flash type and the probability of detection (i.e., of being photographed by a camera) was used as an index of shyness/boldness. Geographical information system and regression analyses showed that bold individuals preferred forested areas near farmland. These results indicate that selective lethal control could be conducted in forest areas near farmlands to mitigate crop damage.
The landscapes of minus. Hatred, adolescence and the paradoxes of growth
Authors: Bisagni Francesco
Published: November 2020

This paper explores Bion’s theory of links, L, H, K (Love, Hate and Knowledge) and their minus counterparts, ‐L, ‐H, ‐K, which are not conceivable as simply opposite to or as a lack of L, H, K. Rather, they correspond to a way of experiencing Love, Hatred and Knowledge in terms of absoluteness, and in terms of a radical impossibility of acknowledging loss, relativeness and absence. The theory of links is also examined in its evolution towards the conceptualization of three types of container/contained configurations (commensal, symbiotic and parasitic). These Bionian models are compared and referred to the way Jung articulates the coexistence of ‘good’ and ‘evil’, and the paradoxical nature of mental functioning in relation to the individuation process. The images taken from the Rosarium Philosophorum, particularly the Fons Mercurialis, examined by Jung in ‘The psychology of the transference’ (1946), are explored in the paper. Theory is examined with a particular focus on the adolescent mind and its dramatic phenomenology. Two excerpts taken from the analytic work with a mid‐adolescent female patient and a late‐adolescent male patient are presented to describe minus‐Hate as a form of absolute love, and minus‐Love as a form of absolute hatred.
Moving towards Soul – an alchemical journey. Rehabilitation of women suffering from ‘chronic pain’ in a clinical and Jungian context
Authors: Sjöström Charlotte
Published: November 2020

The aim of this paper is to explore the connection between symptom and symbol in the body of women suffering from chronic pain, diagnosed as fibromyalgia. The working hypothesis has been that the symbol that emerges from the symptom in the body can bridge the gap to a deeper meaning of pain and suffering, thereby becoming the agent of change for healing of the bodymind and the experience of pain in the physical body. To explore this subject I will introduce some recent research from the field of fibromyalgia, and the concepts of agency and affect systems in the body, which are important cornerstones in my work. I will briefly present my clinical concept of ‘Form and Freedom’. From this theoretical base I give some clinical examples of what I see as an alchemical journey towards soul, presented through vignettes, images and the words of three women – Maria, Riba and Ishtar. I conclude with how I see analytical psychology taking its rightful place alongside, informing or in conjunction with, as in my case, other psychotherapeutic modalities, working in creative ways that enhance healing in patients who suffer from chronic pain.
The glow of Telesphoros: a brief enquiry into the sense of the term ‘mana personality’ and the dynamic of experiences behind it
Authors: Lemos Pan
Published: November 2020

In this article, I begin by outlining the qualities and attributes associated with experiences of mana, focusing particularly on the way the term ‘mana’ was used by C.G. Jung in his published work. I note that Jung associated mana with the accumulation and transfer of psychic energy (libido), with the appearance and appropriation of elemental fire, and by extension, with the metamorphic experience of constellating consciousness. In this context, informed by Jung’s accounts and modes of expression, the term mana personality becomes a provisional designation for a recurrent dynamic of archetypal experiential configurations whose telos appears to be the reorientation of consciousness to its origin.
Detecting grave sites from surface anomalies: A longitudinal study in an Australian woodland
Authors: Watson Christopher J. , Ueland Maiken , Schotsmans Eline M. J. , Sterenberg Jon , Forbes Shari L. , Blau Soren
Published: November 2020

Forensic investigations of single and mass graves often use surface anomalies, including changes to soil and vegetation conditions, to identify potential grave locations. Though numerous resources describe surface anomalies in grave detection, few studies formally investigate the rate at which the surface anomalies return to a natural state; hence, the period the grave is detectable to observers. Understanding these processes can provide guidance as to when ground searches will be an effective strategy for locating graves. We studied three experimental graves and control plots in woodland at the Australian Facility for Taphonomic Experimental Research (Sydney, Australia) to monitor the rate at which surface anomalies change following disturbance. After three years, vegetation cover on all grave sites and control plots had steadily increased but remained substantially less than undisturbed surroundings. Soil anomalies (depressions and cracking) were more pronounced at larger grave sites versus the smaller grave and controls, with leaf litterfall rendering smaller graves difficult to detect beyond 20 months. Similar results were observed in two concurrent burial studies, except where accelerated revegetation appeared to be influenced by mummified remains. Extreme weather events such as heatwaves and heavy rainfall may prolong the detection window for grave sites by hindering vegetation establishment. Observation of grave‐indicator vegetation, which exhibited abnormally strong growth 10 months after commencement, suggests that different surface anomalies may have different detection windows. Our findings are environment‐specific, but the concepts are applicable globally.
Up‐regulation of calmodulin involved in the stress response to cyantraniliprole in the whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)
Authors: Guo Lei , Li Changyou , Coupland Grey , Liang Pei , Chu Dong
Published: November 2020

Cyantraniliprole is the first diamide insecticide to have cross‐spectrum activity against a broad range of insect orders. The insecticide, like other diamides, selectively acts on ryanodine receptor, destroys Ca2+ homeostasis, and ultimately causes insect death. Although expression regulations of genes associated with calcium signaling pathways are known to be involved in the response to diamides, little is known regarding the function of calmodulin (CaM), a typical Ca2+ sensor central in regulating Ca2+ homeostasis, in the stress response of insects to the insecticide. In this study, we cloned and identified the full‐length complementary DNA of CaM in the whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius), named BtCaM. Quantitative real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction‐based analyses showed that the messenger RNA level of BtCaM was rapidly induced from 1.51‐ to 2.43‐fold by cyantraniliprole during 24 h. Knockdown of BtCaM by RNA interference increased the toxicity of cyantraniliprole in whiteflies by 42.85%. In contrast, BtCaM expression in Sf9 cells significantly increased the cells’ tolerance to cyantraniliprole as much as 2.91‐fold. In addition, the expression of BtCaM in Sf9 cells suppressed the rapid increase of intracellular Ca2+ after exposure to cyantraniliprole, and the maximum amplitude in the Sf9‐BtCaM cells was only 34.9% of that in control cells (Sf9‐PIZ/V5). These results demonstrate that overexpression of BtCaM is involved in the stress response of B. tabaci to cyantraniliprole through regulation of Ca2+ concentration. As CaM is one of the most evolutionarily conserved Ca2+ sensors in insects, outcomes of this study may provide the first details of a universal insect response to diamide insecticides.
The Integration of Emerging Powers into Club Institutions: China and the Arctic Council
Authors: Stephen Matthew D. , Stephen Kathrin
Published: November 2020

How do emerging powers gain inclusion into club institutions, i.e. institutions with selective memberships that deliberately seek to avoid universality? We present a framework that highlights three factors: an emerging power’s ‘fit’ to the club’s logic of exclusivity, the club’s possession of goods of value to the emerging power, and the ability of the emerging power to incentivize the club to open up via different strategies. We hypothesize that, due to the selection effect of choosing to seek inclusion in a club, emerging powers will seek integration using integrative strategies such as co‐optation and persuasion. We apply the framework to analyse the case of China’s inclusion – along with several other countries – as a State Observer in the Arctic Council in 2013. While China did use largely integrative strategies, the political background to the decision to open up to new observers reveals latent features of power bargaining. Moreover, it is unclear whether observer status has been sufficient to satisfy China. The case highlights the significance of observers in international organizations as well as the importance of clubs’ logics of exclusivity to their ability to adapt to international power shifts.
Decolonizing Visual Anthropology: Locating Transnational Diasporic Queers‐of‐Color Voices in Ethnographic Cinema
Authors: Gill Harjant
Published: November 2020

The American ethnographic film canon remains dominated by straight white men. As anthropology takes on the task of confronting the riddle of white supremacy, this might be a good time to consider who remains missing from popular taxonomies of anthropological cinema and to bring them into the canon. Unsurprisingly, the voices of immigrant diasporic queers of color are absent. By revisiting the ethnographic cinema of four such filmmakers—Marlon Riggs, Pratibha Parmar, Frances Negrón‐Muntaner, and Richard Fung—I call for an expansion of existing histories and a renewed focus on queers‐of‐color erasure. Their films challenges orthodox definitions of visual anthropology. Making films around the same time that some of the most canonical ethnographic films were released, these filmmakers anticipated current discussions of affect and autoethnography. Their work offers unique and productive insights into our understandings of race, gender, sexuality, and power relations. Questioning the limits of what counts as “documentary,” these filmmakers rethink colonial frameworks of ethnography itself. Confronting the patriarchal white supremacy of anthropology demands attention to these important works. [ethnographic film, visual anthropology, transnational, diaspora, queers of color]