bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluating transmission heterogeneity and super-spreading event of COVID-19 in a metropolis of China
Authors: Zhang Yunjun , Li Yuying , Wang Lu , Li Mingyuan , Zhou Xiaohua
Published: May 2020

Background

COVID-19 caused rapid mass infection worldwide. Understanding its transmission characteristics including heterogeneity is of vital importance for prediction and intervention of future epidemics. In addition, transmission heterogeneity usually envokes super spreading events (SSEs) where certain individuals infect large numbers of secondary cases. Till now, studies of transmission heterogeneity of COVID-19 and its underlying reason are far from reaching an agreement.

Methods

We collected information of all infected cases between January 21 and February 26, 2020 from official public sources in Tianjin, a metropolis of China. . Utilizing a heterogeneous transmission model based on branching process along with a negative binomial offspring distribution, we estimated the reproductive numberRand the dispersion parameterkwhich characterized the transmission potential and heterogeneity, respectively. Furthermore, we studied the SSE in Tianjin outbreak and evaluated the effect of control measures undertaken by local government based on the heterogeneous model.

Results

A total of 135 confirmed cases (including 34 imported cases and 101 local infections) in Tianjin by February 26th 2020 entered the study. We grouped them into 43 transmission chains with the largest chain of 45 cases and the longest chain of 4 generations. The estimated reproduction numberRwas at 0.67 (95%CI: 0.54~0.84), and the dispersion parameterkwas at 0.25 (95% CI: 0.13~0.88). A super spreader causing six infections in Tianjin, was identified. In addition, our simulation results showed that the outbreak in Tianjin would have caused 165 infections and sustained for 7.56 generations on average if no control measures had been taken by local government since January 28th.

Conclusions

Our analysis suggested that the transmission of COVID-19 was subcritical but with significant heterogeneity and may incur SSE. More efforts are needed to verify the transmission heterogeneity of COVID-19 in other populations and its contributing factors, which is important for developing targeted measures to curb the pandemic.
Disinfection effect of pulsed xenon ultraviolet irradiation on SARS-CoV-2 and implications for environmental risk of COVID-19 transmission
Authors: Simmons Sarah , Carrion Ricardo , Alfson Kendra , Staples Hilary , Jinadatha Chetan , Jarvis William , Sampathkumar Priya , Chemaly Roy F. , Khawaja Fareed , Povroznik Mark , Jackson Stephanie , Kaye Keith S , Rodriguez Robert M. , Stibich Mark
Published: May 2020

Prolonged survival of SARS-CoV-2 on environmental surfaces and personal protective equipment (PPE) may lead to these surfaces transmitting disease to others. This article reports the effectiveness of a pulsed xenon ultraviolet (PX-UV) disinfection system in reducing the load of SARS-CoV-2 on hard surfaces and N95 respirators. Chamber slides and N95 respirator material were directly inoculated with SARS-CoV-2 and exposed to different durations of PX-UV disinfection. For hard surfaces, disinfection for 1, 2, and 5 minutes resulted in 3.53 Log10, >4.54 Log10, and >4.12 Log10 reductions in viral load, respectively. For N95 respirators, disinfection for 5 minutes resulted in >4.79 Log10 reduction in viral load. We found that PX-UV significantly reduces SARS-CoV-2 on hard surfaces and N95 respirators. With the potential to rapidly disinfectant environmental surfaces and N95 respirators, PX-UV devices are a promising technology for the reduction of environmental and PPE bioburden and to enhance both HCW and patient safety by reducing the risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2.
Sex hormone and metabolic dysregulations are associated with critical illness in male Covid-19 patients
Authors: Schroeder Maria , Schaumburg Berfin , Müller Zacharias , Parplys Ann , Jarczak Dominik , Nierhaus Axel , Kloetgen Andreas , Schneider Bettina , Peschka Manuela , Stoll Fabian , Bai Tian , Jacobsen Henning , Zickler Martin , Stanelle-Bertram Stephanie , Heer Geraldine de , Renné Thomas , Meinhardt Andreas , Heeren Joerg , Aberle Jens , McHardy Alice C. , Schlüter Hartmut , Hiller Jens , Peine Sven , Kreienbrock Lothar , Klingel Karin , Kluge Stefan , Gabriel Gülsah
Published: May 2020

Males develop more severe SARS-CoV-2 infection related disease outcome than females. Herein, sex hormones were repeatedly proposed to play an important role in Covid-19 pathophysiology and immunity. However, it is yet unclear whether sex hormones are associated with Covid-19 outcome in males and females. In this study, we analyzed sex hormones, cytokine and chemokine responses as well as performed a large profile analysis of 600 metabolites in critically-ill male and female Covid-19 patients in comparison to healthy controls and patients with coronary heart diseases as a prime Covid-19 comorbidity. We here show that dysregulated sex hormones, IFN-γ levels and unique metabolic signatures are associated with critical illness in Covid-19 patients. Both, male and female Covid-19 patients, present elevated estradiol levels which positively correlates with IFN-γ levels. Male Covid-19 patients additionally display severe testosterone and triglyceride deficiencies as compared to female patients and healthy controls. Our results suggest that male Covid-19 patients suffer from multiple metabolic disorders, which may lead to higher risk for fatal outcome. These findings will help to understand molecular pathways involved in Covid-19 pathophysiology.
A rapid review of available evidence on the serial interval and generation time of COVID-19
Authors: Griffin John , Collins Áine B. , Hunt Kevin , Casey Miriam , Evoy David Mc , Byrne Andrew W. , McAloon Conor G. , Barber Ann , Lane Elizabeth Ann , More Simon J.
Published: May 2020

Background

The serial interval is the time between symptom onsets in an infector-infectee pair. The generation time, also known as the generation interval, is the time between infection events in an infector-infectee pair. The serial interval and the generation time are key parameters for assessing the dynamics of a disease. A number of scientific papers reported information pertaining to the serial interval and/or generation time for COVID-19.

Objectives

Conduct a rapid review of available evidence to advise on appropriate parameter values for serial interval and generation time in national COVID-19 transmission models for Ireland and on methodological issues relating to those parameters.

Methods

A review of scientific literature was conducted covering the period between December 1, 2019 and April 27, 2020. Nineteen scientific papers were evaluated in detail from 27 papers that contained information on the serial interval and/or generation time for COVID-19.

Results

The mean of the serial interval ranged from 3.1 to 7.5 days, based on 22 estimates, and the median from 1.9 to 6.0 days (based on 7 estimates). Only three estimates were provided for the mean of the generation time. These ranged from 3.9 to 5.2 days. One estimate of 5.0 days was provided for the median of the generation time.

Discussion

The values of the estimates for serial interval and generation time are heavily influenced by the contact rates between infectious and susceptible individuals. Mitigation measures that are introduced in a country or region are of paramount importance in this regard. The serial interval estimate of 6.6 days (95% confidence interval: 0.7 – 19.0) from the paper by Cereda et al.[10] is likely to be the most relevant to European countries. National estimates should be obtained as soon as possible.

Strengths and limitations of this study

The study provides timely information on serial interval and generation time for those involved in the development of models and in the implementation of control measures against COVID-19.

This is a rapid review of available evidence in the scientific literature between December 1, 2019 and April 27, 2020 on the serial interval and/or the generation time and it contains the usual limitations associated with such a review.

Eleven of the 19 papers reviewed in detail were pre-print articles.

The statistical methods used in the different papers were not analysed in detail.
Epigenetic aging of classical monocytes from healthy individuals
Authors: Shchukina Irina , Bagaitkar Juhi , Shpynov Oleg , Loginicheva Ekaterina , Porter Sofia , Mogilenko Denis A. , Wolin Erica , Collins Patrick , Demidov German , Artomov Mykyta , Zaitsev Konstantin , Sidorov Sviatoslav , Camell Christina , Bambouskova Monika , Arthur Laura , Swain Amanda , Panteleeva Alexandra , Dievskii Aleksei , Kurbatsky Evgeny , Tsurinov Petr , Chernyatchik Roman , Dixit Vishwa Deep , Jovanovic Marko , Stewart Sheila A. , Daly Mark J. , Dmitriev Sergey , Oltz Eugene M. , Artyomov Maxim N.
Published: May 2020

The impact of healthy aging on molecular programming of immune cells is poorly understood. Here, we report comprehensive characterization of healthy aging in human classical monocytes, with a focus on epigenomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic alterations, as well as the corresponding proteomic and metabolomic data for plasma, using healthy cohorts of 20 young and 20 older individuals (~27 and ~64 years old on average). For each individual, we performed eRRBS-based DNA methylation profiling, which allowed us to identify a set of age-associated differentially methylated regions (DMRs) – a novel, cell-type specific signature of aging in DNA methylome. Optimized ultra-low-input ChIP-seq (ULI-ChIP-seq) data acquisition and analysis pipelines applied to 5 chromatin marks for each individual revealed lack of large-scale age-associated changes in chromatin modifications and allowed us to link hypo- and hypermethylated DMRs to distinct chromatin modification patterns. Specifically, hypermethylation events were associated with H3K27me3 in the CpG islands near promoters of lowly-expressed genes, while hypomethylated DMRs were enriched in H3K4me1 marked regions and associated with normal pattern of expression. Furthermore, hypo- and hypermethylated DMRs followed distinct functional and genetic association patterns. Hypomethylation events were associated with age-related increase of expression of the corresponding genes, providing a link between DNA methylation and age-associated transcriptional changes in primary human cells. Furthermore, these locations were also enriched in genetic regions associated by GWAS with asthma, total blood protein, hemoglobin levels and MS. On the other side, acceleration of epigenetic age in HIV and asthma stems only from changes in hypermethylated DMRs but not from hypomethylated loci.
Spurious radiation suppression in microstrip monopulse antenna
Authors: Uyguroğlu Rasime , Hnesh Allaeldien Mohamed , Sohail Muhammad , Oztoprak Abdullah Y.
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to introduce a new novel microstrip monopulse comparator system to reduce the spurious radiation from the comparator and the feed network for achieving better radiation performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Two substrate layers have been used for the microstrip monopulse comparator system. The feed network and the comparator circuits are on the first substrate layer and the microstrip array antenna is on the second layer. The elements of the array antenna are novel square four-sided narrow rectangular slot antennas built on a conducting plane. A commercially available computational software, CST microwave studio, has been used for the analysis of the system.

Findings

Two substrate layers have been used for the microstrip monopulse comparator system. The feed network and the comparator circuits are on the first substrate layer and the microstrip array antenna is on the second layer. The elements of the array antenna are novel square four-sided narrow rectangular slot antennas built on a conducting plane. A commercially available computational software, CST microwave studio, has been used for the analysis of the system.

Practical implications

The system is proposed for tracking moving targets.

Originality/value

Novel slot radiators are introduced as radiating elements in this paper. The antenna arrangement shields the comparator and the feed network circuits, reducing the spurious radiation significantly.
The moderating role of Shariah supervisory board on the relationship between board effectiveness, operational risk transparency and bank performance
Authors: Neifar Souhir , Salhi Bassem , Jarboui Anis
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of board effectiveness (BE) on financial performance and operational risk (OR) disclosure and the interaction effect of a bank’s Sharia Supervisory Board quality (SSB) with religious and ethical principles.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected from the annual financial reports of 25 Islamic banks (IBs) in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries over 2008-2017. The OR disclosure, the SSB quality and BE were measured using self-developed indices. The Tawhidi string relation methodology was used to establish the circular causal model. The moderating effect of the SSB quality on the performance, OR disclosure and board structure relationship was examined using the hierarchical regression analysis.

Findings

The main finding of this study is related to the positive moderating effect of SSB quality on the relationship between performance, OR disclosure and BE. This result seems to indicate that at a high level of SSB quality, even when the performance increase the IBs engage in complying with OR disclosure to inform the stakeholders on the real situation of the bank.

Practical implications

The finding of this research would be of great support to stakeholders and policymakers to make more pressure on IBs to improve the quality of their SSB structure and show more compliance with the governance recommendations. As an extension to this research, further study can examine other Islamic governance mechanisms such as Sharīʿah-compliant banks.

Originality/value

The present study provides a new addition to the prior literature by investigating the relationship between performance, BE, OR disclosure and the interaction effect of SSB quality. From an Islamic ethical, this research can also contribute to the growing discussion on SSB quality and performance.
Implementing 5D BIM on construction projects: contractor perspectives from the UK construction sector
Authors: Moses Tochukwu , Heesom David , Oloke David
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report on primary research findings that sought to investigate and analyse salient issues on the implementation of 5D building information modelling (BIM) from the UK contractors’ perspective. Previous research and efforts have predominantly focussed on the use of technologies for cost estimation and quantity takeoff within a more traditional-led procurement, with a paucity of research focussing on how 5D BIM could facilitate costing within contractor-led procurement. This study fills this current knowledge gap and enhances the understanding of the specific costing challenges faced by contractors in contractor-led projects, leading to the development of 5D framework for use in future projects.

Design/methodology/approach

To develop a fully detailed understanding of the challenges and issues being faced in this regard, a phenomenological, qualitative-based study was undertaken through interviews involving 21 participants from UK-wide construction organisations. A thematic data analytical process was applied to the data to derive key issues, and this was then used to inform the development of a 5D-BIM costing framework.

Findings

Multi-disciplinary findings reveal a range of issues faced by contractors when implementing 5D BIM. These exist at strategic, operational and technological levels which require addressing successful implementation of 5D BIM on contractor-led projects adhering to Level 2 BIM standards. These findings cut across the range of stakeholders on contractor-led projects. Ultimately, the findings suggest strong commitment and leadership from organisational management are required to facilitate cost savings and generate accurate cost information.

Practical implications

This study highlights key issues for any party seeking to effectively deploy 5D BIM on a contractor-led construction project. A considerable cultural shift towards automating and digitising cost functions virtually, stronger collaborative working relationship relative to costing in design development, construction practice, maintenance and operation is required.

Originality/value

By analysing findings from primary research data, the work concludes with the development of a 5D BIM costing framework to support contractor-led projects which can be implemented to ensure that 5D BIM is successfully implemented.
Obesity and motor vehicle deaths: a panel-data analysis
Authors: Becker Mary J. , Calkins Lindsay N. , Simmons Walter , Welki Andrew M. , Zlatoper Thomas J.
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This paper analyzes the impact of obesity on the probability of a motor vehicle fatality (highway death rate) and on its component probabilities: the probability of a fatality, given a crash (vulnerability rate) and the probability of a crash (crash rate).

Design/methodology/approach

Using state-level data for 1995–2015, the paper estimates models explaining all three rates. Explanatory factors include obesity and a representative set of potential determinants.

Findings

Results indicate that obesity has a statistically significant positive relationship with the highway death rate and the crash rate. Also having a statistically significant positive association with at least one of the three rates are the proportions of young and old drivers, alcohol consumption, the ratio of rural to urban vehicle miles and temperature. Factors with a statistically significant negative relationship with at least one of the rates include primary seat belt laws and precipitation. In 2016, a total of 928 traffic fatalities could have been avoided if obesity rates decreased by one percentage point.

Practical implications

Seat belts and crash dummies should be better designed to fit and represent those with higher BMIs, and education efforts to increase seat belt use should be supplemented with information about the adverse impact of obesity on highway safety.

Originality/value

This paper uses 21 years of state-level information, including socio-economic and regulation data, and contributes to the existing research on the relationship between obesity and highway safety.
Imposing tariff or implementing subsidy?
Authors: Chen Zhisong , Su Shong-Iee Ivan , Wang Huimin
Published: May 2020

Purpose

In the context of the trade war in full swing, the global supply chain systems have experienced a serious shock and become very vulnerable. The purpose of this paper is to explore the intertwining effects between the export-supporting subsidy policy and the import-deterring tariff policy to develop better insights for trade policy-making under the intra-industry-trade (IIT) conflicts. The research results may provide the trade policy makers and international businesses with better insights in making rational trade policy and business decisions.

Design/methodology/approach

Two-stage game-/bargaining-theoretical models for the dual competing international supply chains with a unilateral/bilateral tariff imposing or subsidy implementing under six different scenarios of IIT conflict are developed, analyzed and compared. On this basis, the corresponding numerical analyses are conducted to assess the impact of the tariff and subsidy policies and derive the trade policy implications and business insights.

Findings

The research results indicate that: (1) the bilateral subsidy implementing from both governments is the best policy for all stakeholders in two countries, which would lead to the highest profits, social welfare and consumer surplus than those of the other scenarios; (2) the bilateral tariff imposing of both governments is the worst policy for all stakeholders in two countries, which would lead to the lowest profits, social welfare and consumer surplus than those of the other scenarios; (3) the fair trade scenario without tariff imposing and subsidy implementing turns out to be the second-best trade policy for the governments. Under the World Trade Organization rule and fair-trade principles, the bilateral subsidy policy is not allowed in most of the cases. Thus, adopting a fair-trade policy may be the most appropriate trade policy for two trading countries.

Originality/value

The modeling approach developed for this study is original and innovative due to the following characteristics. First, based on three trade policy alternatives –fair trade,tariff imposingandsubsidy implementing– of two generic governments under IIT conflict, nine different combinations of three policy alternatives are defined. Second, excluding the symmetrical combinations, six IIT conflict scenarios under various tariff/subsidy policy pairs ranging from no conflict to high conflict are assumed for two dual competing international supply chains. Third, a novel two-stage game-/bargaining-theoretical modeling approach is applied to investigate the optimal/equilibrium decisions regarding pricing, ordering quantity and their critical economic outcomes for all possible trade policy scenarios. Fourth, this study lays down a research foundation for the future trade conflict study using a game-theoretical modeling approach.
Industry 4.0: a review and analysis of contingency and performance effects
Authors: Szász Levente , Demeter Krisztina , Rácz Béla-Gergely , Losonci Dávid
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the literature and offer a more generalizable empirical investigation on the performance impact of implementing Industry 4.0, and the way important contingency factors (plant size, multinational status, country context) affect implementation efforts.

Design/methodology/approach

Following a systematic literature review, the empirical research is based on a large-scale survey of 705 manufacturing plants from 22 countries. Structural equation modeling is employed to discover the relationships between the main constructs of interest, complemented with subgroup analyses to offer a more detailed understanding of the main effects.

Findings

We provide evidence that technologies enabling Industry 4.0 have a positive impact on operational performance, including cost, quality, delivery and flexibility performance. Results of the analyses further indicate that (1) larger firms invest more in implementing Industry 4.0 technologies, (2) manufacturing firms in less competitive countries, especially in the South-East Asian region invest significantly more effort than competitive countries, while (3) multinational companies have no advantage over local firms.

Research limitations/implications

The survey data employed in this study refers to the early years of companies embracing Industry 4.0 solutions, and thus does not contain the most recent advances in manufacturing technologies.

Originality/value

The paper represents one of the first studies in the literature to assess on a large-scale survey the performance impact of Industry 4.0 technologies, as well as the main contingency factors affecting the implementation of these technologies.
The circle of vulnerability and the myth of choice
Authors: Small Felicity , Mehmet Michael , Kleinschafer Jodie
Published: May 2020

Purpose

People living with a disability (PWD) are often a marginalized vulnerable group who are economically and socially disadvantaged. This paper aims to explore the implementation of new social and financial policy reforms aimed at transforming the disability sector. Using the capabilities approach, the authors explore the experience of carers and evaluate how this sector may have become more exposed and vulnerable as a consequence of the new policy.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a qualitative study with two rounds of semi-structured interviews; at initial-phase (n = 18) and post-phase (n = 14). Thematic analysis was applied to the capabilities and vulnerabilities framework to categorize and analyze the interview data.

Findings

The findings show that there are many ways PWD and carers are experiencing increased levels of vulnerability because of their capabilities. There is evidence of increased vulnerability in the intersections between PWD/carers’ inherent nature, the disruption to vital social relationships and conflicting values and interests of stakeholders and the complexity of situational policy changes.

Practical implications

Practical implications developed from the findings include identifying ways the government can improve its social marketing communication strategies. They also highlight the importance of building effective social support networks and provide guidelines for measuring capacity building to address some of the underlying factors leading to vulnerability.

Originality/value

This paper introduces into social marketing, the three-factor vulnerability framework, which conceptualizes the nature of vulnerability, and examines and evaluates the intersections of these factors in relation to the capabilities approach.
Public libraries in crisis time: empirigraphy of Iranian public libraries in the 2019 Iran massive flood
Authors: Pazooki Fatemeh , Saboori Fahimeh
Published: May 2020

Purpose

One of the largest floods in Iran happened in Nowruz in 2019, during which torrents of rain, flooding of rivers, landslides and the destruction of dams caused floods and led to financial losses and loss of life in 25 provinces of Iran. During and after the flood, 39 public libraries were closed, three libraries were evacuated and one was completely destroyed.

Design/methodology/approach

Despite the damage that occurred in the libraries, the preventive measures had been taken by many of them to reduce the whole damage. In addition, after the flood, responsible organizations including Iran Public Libraries Institution, the Institute for the Intellectual Development of Children and Young Adults and the Cultural and Art Organization of Municipality and the Mosques and Cultural Center, as well as other relief and social teams, and even people performed activities to reduce the negative impacts caused by the flood.

Findings

This article reviews these activities and their effectiveness. In the end, “the development of a plan for public libraries in natural and social crises” is proposed and the reasons for its necessity are discussed.

Originality/value

This article reviews these activities and their effectiveness. In the end, “the development of a plan for public libraries in natural and social crises” is proposed and the reasons for its necessity are discussed.
Incidence and characteristics of pregnancy‐related death across ten low‐ and middle‐income geographical regions: secondary analysis of a cluster randomised controlled trial
Authors: Vousden N , Holmes E , Seed PT , Gidiri MF , Goudar S , Sandall J , Chinkoyo S , Kumsa LY , Brown A , Charantimath U , Bellad M , Nakimuli A , Vwalika B , Chappell LC , Shennan AH ,   the CRADLE Trial Collaborative Group
Published: May 2020

Objective

The aim of this article is to describe the incidence and characteristics of pregnancy‐related death in low‐ and middle‐resource settings, in relation to the availability of key obstetric resources.

Design

This is a secondary analysis of a stepped‐wedge cluster randomised controlled trial.

Setting

This trial was undertaken at ten sites across eight low‐ and middle‐income countries in sub‐Saharan Africa, India and Haiti.

Population

Institutional‐level consent was obtained and all women presenting for maternity care were eligible for inclusion.

Methods

Pregnancy‐related deaths were collected prospectively from routine data sources and active case searching.

Main outcome measures

Pregnancy‐related death, place, timing and age of maternal death, and neonatal outcomes in women with this outcome.

Results

Over 20 months, in 536 233 deliveries there were 998 maternal deaths (18.6/10 000, range 28/10 000–630/10 000). The leading causes of death were obstetric haemorrhage (36.0%, n = 359), hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (20.6%, n = 206), sepsis (14.1%, n = 141) and other (26.5%, n = 264). Approximately a quarter of deaths occurred prior to delivery (28.4%, n = 283), 35.7% (n = 356) occurred on the day of delivery and 35.9% (n = 359) occurred after delivery. Half of maternal deaths (50.6%; n = 505) occurred in women aged 20–29 years, 10.3% (n = 103) occurred in women aged under 20 years, 34.5% (n = 344) occurred in women aged 30–39 years and 4.6% (n = 46) occurred in women aged ≥40 years. There was no measured association between the availability of key obstetric resources and the rate of pregnancy‐related death.

Conclusions

The large variation in the rate of pregnancy‐related death, irrespective of resource availability, emphasises that inequality and inequity in health care persists.

Tweetable abstract

Inequality and inequity in pregnancy‐related death persists globally, irrespective of resource availability.
Profitability Development and Resource Reallocation: The Case of Sugar Beet Farming in Germany
Authors: Wimmer Stefan , Sauer Johannes
Published: May 2020

Following the 2006 reform of the European Union sugar market, and in anticipation of the quota abolition, a reallocation of sugar production has occurred. Using a Lowe quantity index, we evaluate the productivity and profitability of sugar beet farming in Germany from 2004 to 2013. The results show that an increase in total factor productivity partly compensated for losses in terms of trade. Moreover, the contribution of production reallocation to sector productivity growth varied across regions with distinct ownership structures of sugar processing companies. These findings have implications for policy and industry, as it transitions to a liberalised market.
Barriers to women in senior leadership: how unconscious bias is holding back Australia’s economy
Authors: Evans Kathryn J , Maley Jane F
Published: May 2020

This research examines the reasons that Australian corporations are not doing more to progress gender balance in senior leadership, given the wealth of evidence about the economic benefits. It draws on the findings of a qualitative study of the perceptions of 15 women in key senior positions, which highlight that despite Australian Workplace Gender Equality legislation, unconscious bias remains a significant obstacle to women reaching top leadership positions. The findings provide insight into the regimes that support the enduring gender order in contemporary Australian business and reinforce men’s continued dominance in its organisational hierarchies. Building on the successes of the Australian public sector, the researchers propose a National Strategic Action Plan for Gender Equality to address the current inequities in four key policy areas with the most compelling economic case: women in politics, women’s leadership in organisations, reducing the gender pay gap, and labour market participation.
Proposing a new hypothesis: Rickettsia spp. as a mechanism maintaining parapatry between two Australian reptile tick species
Authors: Staines Morgan , Bradford Tessa , Graves Stephen R. , Bull Simon , Gardner Michael G.
Published: May 2020

This study investigates two parasitic reptile ticks — Bothriocroton hydrosauri and Amblyomma limbatum — of the sleepy lizard (Tiliqua rugosa) that abut at a 1–2 km wide parapatric boundary in South Australia. Long‐term research has investigated potential mechanisms to explain the maintenance of this boundary but has not uncovered why the distribution of A. limbatum does not extend further south. It has been previously hypothesised that pathogens may be responsible for maintaining parapatric boundaries. Rickettsia spp. has previously been reported in B. hydrosauri ticks. This study explored whether Rickettsia spp. occurs in co‐occurring A. limbatum. We observed that Rickettsia spp. was absent from all A. limbatum ticks and that 83% of examined B. hydrosauri were found to be positive with a spotted fever group Rickettsia strain. This study puts forward the hypothesis that Rickettsia spp. could contribute to the maintenance of the Mt Mary parapatric boundary between these two tick species. Further work is required to determine whether Rickettsia spp. can be transmitted from B. hydrosauri to A. limbatum and — if transmission can occur — to explore whether Rickettsia is lethal to A. limbatum ticks.
A retrospective review of UVA1 treatment: An Australian experience from a single centre
Authors: Pitney Thomas , Pitney Michael J
Published: May 2020

Background

The therapeutic value of ultraviolet A1 (UVA1) phototherapy has been acknowledged for many years. Initially developed predominately for experimental and diagnostic purposes, it was subsequently recognised as a beneficial therapeutic modality in atopic dermatitis and localised scleroderma, and more recently a variety of sclerosing and fibrosing dermatoses, T‐lymphocyte mediated disorders, both inflammatory and infiltrative, and several predominately dermal processes previously unresponsive to current therapies.

Methods

We present a retrospective evaluation of outcomes and treatment tolerability in adult patients using a low dose (30 joules/cm2), regimen administered in our private dermatologic practice, between 2006 and December 2019.

Results

Major clinical groups represented include atopic dermatitis, localised and systemic sclerodermas, mycosis fungoides, urticarial dermatitis, generalised pruritus and granuloma annulare. Eighty‐seven patients are included in this study with 92% of all patients experiencing a beneficial result, 54% having complete and 38% partial relief of presenting signs and/or symptoms. UVA1 therapy was well tolerated, with no patients ceasing treatment due to adverse effects.

Conclusions

Ultraviolet A1 is an effective and safe treatment option in many hitherto recalcitrant cutaneous conditions.
The possibilities and limits of impact and engagement in research on military institutions
Authors: Woodward Rachel , Dawes Antonia , Edmunds Timothy , Higate Paul , Jenkings K. Neil
Published: May 2020

Military geographical research often requires direct engagement with military institutions. Although the morality of such engagements is often debated, the details of engagement in practice have been less scrutinised. Scrutiny is important, as military engagements can shape research‐derived critiques and can influence the communication of research outcomes to both military and academic research communities. Military engagement comprises the communication of data, theories, and concepts about military activities and phenomena, with military personnel and institutions, in textual, representational, and interpersonal modes. The paper examines Geography's history of research engagement to show the complexities and debates around this seemingly straightforward idea. It then introduces a research project and wider research programme on the UK armed forces reserves which provides the empirical context from which we draw our observations about military engagement. We then consider two issues, language and institutional cultures, for their insights into the complexities of military engagement. We conclude by considering the politics of engagement in contemporary critical military geographical research.
The study of scientific map and thematic structure of social work
Authors: Negahban Mohammad Bagher
Published: May 2020

This study investigated the scientific map and thematic structure of Social media. It is a scientometrics research, using quantitative method and citation analysis. In order to draw a scientific map of the research literature in the field of Social media, the data were extracted from the Web of Science database within a specified time period. The retrieved records were formatted using WC10.exe conversion software and were then mapped using VOSviewer software. The findings revealed a growing trend in the number of articles published in the field of Social media, and this number increases on an annual basis. The most widely used subject areas in the field of Social media were identified. High‐frequency keywords such as Social media, education, sociology, social justice, women studies, and psychiatry are the newly emerging and active concepts in this field. Regarding the widely used subject areas in the field of Social media, it was noted that the two areas of Social media and education are ranked first and second as the most frequently used terms. In this study, by the conceptual map found in the field of Social media, it can be concluded that the concepts are highly interconnected. Furthermore, by the interconnectivity and closeness of centrality measures of social concepts illustrated in the provided map, it can be argued that the highest values are attributed to the subject areas of Social media and education.
Molecular typing of equine papillomavirus and autovaccination to treat horses with cutaneous papillomatosis
Authors: Onen EA
Published: May 2020

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate formalin‐inactivated autovaccination to treat cutaneous papillomatosis and to perform molecular typing of the papillomavirus in four horses (two foals, one 3‐year‐old filly and a 5‐year‐old stallion).

Methods

Histopathological slides of lesions were prepared and stained with haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) to establish a diagnosis that was based on observation koilocytosis, which is a pathognomonic cytopathic change that is associated with papillomatosis, using light microscopy. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing were performed using the EPV‐R and EPV‐F primer set.

Results

In histopathological examination, koilocyte formation and occasional intranuclear viral inclusions were detected in the papillomas. A 334‐base pair (bp) fragment of the E2 and L2 genes from the EPV genome was amplified using the EPV‐R and EPV‐F primer set. This fragment contained 215 bp from the E2 gene and 56 bp from the L2 gene; these were found to be 98.78% to 98.97% identical to the known EcPV type‐1 sequence (AF498323).

Conclusion

Three horses with cutaneous papillomatosis were administered two doses of a formalin‐inactivated preparation of papillomatous lesions at 7‐day intervals. The papillomatous lesions were observed to decrease gradually 1 week after the last vaccination, and all warts had resolved within 2–3 weeks. One horse with cutaneous papillomatosis was left as an unvaccinated control, and no changes to the lesions were noted. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of EcPV type‐1 infection, autovaccine preparation and molecular typing in Turkey.
Association of different oral anticoagulants use with renal function worsening in patients with atrial fibrillation: A multicentre cohort study
Authors: Pastori Daniele , Ettorre Evaristo , Lip Gregory Y.H. , Sciacqua Angela , Perticone Francesco , Melillo Francesco , Godino Cosmo , Marcucci Rossella , Berteotti Martina , Violi Francesco , Pignatelli Pasquale , Saliola Mirella , Menichelli Danilo , Casciaro Marco Antonio , Menafra Vito
Published: May 2020

Aims

To investigate the decline of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) treated with vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) or non‐VKA oral anticoagulants (NOACs).

Methods

Multicentre prospective cohort study including 1667 patients with nonvalvular AF. The eGFR was assessed by the CKD‐EPI formula at baseline and during follow‐up. The primary endpoint of the study was the median annual decline of eGFR according to VKA (n = 743) or NOAC (n = 924) use. As secondary endpoints, we analysed the transition to eGFR <50 mL/min/1.73 m2 and the eGFR class worsening.

Results

Median age was 73.7 ± 9.1 years and 43.3% were women. VKA‐treated patients showed an eGFR decline of −2.11 (interquartile range [IQR] –5.68/−0.62), which was −0.27 (IQR –9.00/4.54, P < 0.001 vs VKAs), −1.21 (IQR –9.98/4.02, P = 0.004 vs VKAs) and −1.32 (IQR –8.70/3.99, P = 0.003 vs VKAs) in patients on dabigatran, rivaroxaban and apixaban, respectively.

Transition to eGFR <50 mL/min/1.73 m2 was lower in dabigatran‐ and apixaban‐treated patients: odds ratio (OR) 0.492, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.298‐0.813, P = 0.006 and OR 0.449, 95% CI 0.276‐0.728, P = 0.001, respectively. A lower rate of eGFR class worsening was found in all groups of NOACs compared to VKAs. No difference between full and reduced dose of NOAC was found. Subgroup analysis showed that the association between NOAC and eGFR changes was markedly reduced in diabetic patients.

Conclusion

Patients prescribed NOACs showed a lower decline of renal function compared to those prescribed VKAs. This effect was partially lost in patients with diabetes.
Latent Ornstein‐Uhlenbeck models for Bayesian analysis of multivariate longitudinal categorical responses
Authors: Tran Trung Dung , Lesaffre Emmanuel , Verbeke Geert , Duyck Joke
Published: May 2020

We propose a Bayesian latent Ornstein‐Uhlenbeck (OU) model to analyze unbalanced longitudinal data of binary and ordinal variables, which are manifestations of fewer continuous latent variables. We focus on the evolution of such latent variables when they continuously change over time. Existing approaches are limited to data collected at regular time intervals. Our proposal makes use of an OU process for the latent variables to overcome this limitation. We show that assuming real eigenvalues for the drift matrix of the OU process, as is frequently done in practice, can lead to biased estimates and/or misleading inference when the true process is oscillating. In contrast, our proposal allows for both real and complex eigenvalues. We illustrate our proposed model with a motivating dataset, containing patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis disease. We were interested in how bulbar, cervical, and lumbar functions evolve over time.
When external design and marketing collaborate to develop new products: A typology of patterns
Authors: Hemonnet‐Goujot Aurélie , Abecassis‐Moedas Céline , Manceau Delphine
Published: May 2020

With the rise of open innovation, external design is increasingly called upon, especially by marketing. However, the research on collaboration between external design and marketing in the new product development (NPD) process is still in progress. While the literature suggests that resorting to external design is a means to increase product innovativeness, not all products developed in such a way are innovative. Furthermore, the sources of design expertise are diverse and the strategies that firms use to manage them remain unclear. Thus, this paper aims to identify and analyze the various collaboration patterns between external design and marketing in the NPD process and especially how such patterns affect new product innovativeness. Building on seven case studies, this research proposes a typology of three collaboration patterns between external design and marketing in the NPD process. The first category develops a pattern of collaboration with a strong marketing lead that relies on customer‐based designers. The second depicts collaboration with a strong design lead that relies on process‐based designers. In the third categorization, a co‐branding pattern through collaboration with star‐based designers is developed. Theoretical and managerial implications are presented along with the challenges in the complexity of finding the right balance between product innovativeness and brand consistency.
Efficacy of immunotherapy targeting the neoantigen derived from epidermal growth factor receptor T790M/C797S mutation in non–small cell lung cancer
Authors: Akazawa Yu , Saito Yuki , Yoshikawa Toshiaki , Saito Keigo , Nosaka Kazuto , Shimomura Manami , Mizuno Shoichi , Nakamoto Yasunari , Nakatsura Tetsuya
Published: May 2020

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer‐related deaths worldwide. Epidermal growth factor receptor‐tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR‐TKI) often have good clinical activity against non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with activating EGFR mutations. Osimertinib, which is a third‐generation EGFR‐TKI, has a clinical effect even on NSCLC harboring the threonine to methionine change at codon 790 of EGFR (EGFR T790M) mutation that causes TKI resistance. However, most NSCLC patients develop acquired resistance to osimertinib within approximately 1 year, and 40% of these patients have the EGFR T790M and cysteine to serine change at codon 797 (C797S) mutations. Therefore, there is an urgent need for the development of novel treatment strategies for NSCLC patients with the EGFR T790M/C797S mutation. In this study, we identified the EGFR T790M/C797S mutation‐derived peptide (790‐799) (MQLMPFGSLL) that binds the human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐A*02:01, and successfully established EGFR T790M/C797S‐peptide‐specific CTL clones from human PBMC of HLA‐A2 healthy donors. One established CTL clone demonstrated adequate cytotoxicity against T2 cells pulsed with the EGFR T790M/C797S peptide. This CTL clone also had high reactivity against cancer cells that expressed an endogenous EGFR T790M/C797S peptide using an interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) enzyme‐linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assay. In addition, we demonstrated using a mouse model that EGFR T790M/C797S peptide‐specific CTL were induced by EGFR T790M/C797S peptide vaccine in vivo. These findings suggest that an immunotherapy targeting a neoantigen derived from EGFR T790M/C797S mutation could be a useful novel therapeutic strategy for NSCLC patients with EGFR‐TKI resistance, especially those resistant to osimertinib.
Visual impairment in highly myopic eyes: TheZOC‐BHVIHigh Myopia Cohort Study
Authors: Jiang Yu , Wang Decai , Han Xiaotong , Liao Chimei , Li Zhixi , Scheetz Jane , Jong Monica , Sankaridurg Padmaja , He Mingguang
Published: May 2020

Importance

Understanding visual impairment (VI) under different definitions and potential risk factors in high myopic is important for future myopia control.

Background

Limited studies exists investigating the VI among high myopic and with varying VI definitions.

Design

Registry cohort study.

Participants

Eight hundred and eighty‐four participants were from ZOC‐BHVI study.

Methods

Subjects aged 7 to 70 years with high myopia were enrolled. Uncorrected visual acuity and best‐corrected visual acuity (UCVA and BCVA), cycloplegic refraction, axial length (AL), corneal curvatures, anterior chamber depth and lens thickness were measured. Axial length/corneal radius of curvature ratio (AL/CR ratio) was calculated. Fundus lesions were graded into five categories. VI and blindness were defined based on the better‐seeing eye according to the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria and US criteria. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to assess risk factors for VI.

Main Outcome Measures

Rates of VI and blindness.

Results

A total of 884 participants were included, with mean (SD) age 18.5 (12.4) years and 46.4% male. Rate of UCVI/blindness were 72.6%/27.3% and 17.9%/82.1% based on WHO and US criteria. With respect to BCVA, 4.1%/5.9% of participants had BCVI using two definitions, whereas the rate for blindness was 0.2% and 0.6%. After adjusting confounders, multiple logistic regression showed that more severe fundus lesions, greater AL/CR ratio were at a higher risk of being VI, both in two definitions (P < .005).

Conclusions and Relevance

The rate of VI and blindness in highly myopic patients varies significantly using different definition. Severe fundus lesions and greater AL/CR ratios were associated with a higher risk of VI.