bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Detecting target species: with how many samples?
Authors: Delgado Rosario
Published: August 2022

The detection of target species is of paramount importance in ecological studies, with implications for environmental management and natural resource conservation planning. This is usually done by sampling the area: the species is detected if the presence of at least one individual is detected in the samples. Green & Young (Green & Young 1993 Sampling to detectrare species.
Ecol. Appl
.
3
, 351–356. (
doi:10.2307/1941837
) introduce two models to determine the minimum number of samples
n
to ensure that the probability of failing to detect the species from them, if the species is actually present in the area, does not exceed a fixed threshold: based on the Poisson and the Negative Binomial distributions. We generalize them to two scenarios, one considering the area size
N
to be finite, and the other allowing detectability errors, with probability
δ
. The results in Green & Young are recovered by taking
N
→ ∞ and
δ
= 0. Not taking into consideration the finite size of the area, if known, leads to an overestimation of
n
, which is vital to avoid if sampling is expensive or difficult, while assuming that there are no detectability errors, if they really exist, produces an undesirable bias. Our approximation manages to skirt both problems, for the Poisson and the Negative Binomial.
Effects of microstructure on compressive strength of silica sand-enhanced oil well cement at a wide temperature range
Authors: Chen Zhonggao , Du Jiapei , Zhou Annan , Wang Chunyu , Bu Yuhuan , Liu Huajie
Published: August 2022

The influence of microstructure of silica-enhanced cement on the mechanical performance of cement is difficult to describe. In this study, we used the scanning electron microscope and image processing method to investigate the relationship between the complicity of cement microstructure and compressive strength under various temperatures and curing times. Fractal dimension was applied to describe the complicity of silica-enhanced cement. The relationships among compressive strength, fractal dimension, temperature, curing time and pore structure of cement were identified. The results show that curing time directly controls the complicity of microstructure of silica-enhanced cement and compressive strength by altering the pore orientation and macropore ratio in silica-enhanced cement. The curing temperature affects the complicity of cement microstructure and compressive strength indirectly by changing the ratio of micropore and small pore. The fractal dimension of silica-enhanced cement shows good correlation with compressive strength. Pore size distribution is the most important factor that influences the complicity of cement matrix and compressive strength of silica-enhanced cement. When building up the macroscopic mechanical performance model of silica-enhanced cement, we should consider the influence of pore size distribution in cement under different curing temperatures and times on the complicity of cement microstructure.
Extending Goldberg’s method to parametrize and control the geometry of Goldberg polyhedra
Authors: Liu Yuanpeng , Lee Ting-Uei , Rezaee Javan Anooshe , Xie Yi Min
Published: August 2022

Goldberg polyhedra have been widely studied across multiple fields, as their distinctive pattern can lead to many useful applications. Their topology can be determined using Goldberg’s method through generating topologically equivalent structures, named cages. However, the geometry of Goldberg polyhedra remains underexplored. This study extends Goldberg’s framework to a new method that can systematically determine the topology and effectively control the geometry of Goldberg polyhedra based on the initial shapes of cages. In detail, we first parametrize the cage’s geometry under specified topology and polyhedral symmetry; then, we manipulate the predefined independent variables through optimization to achieve the user-defined geometric properties. The benchmark problem of finding equilateral Goldberg polyhedra is solved to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. Using this method, we have successfully achieved nearly exact spherical Goldberg polyhedra, with all vertices on a sphere and all faces being planar under extremely low numerical errors. Such results serve as strong numerical evidence for the existence of this new type of Goldberg polyhedra. Furthermore, we iteratively perform
k
-means clustering and optimization to significantly reduce the number of different edge lengths to benefit the cost reduction for architectural and engineering applications.
Promoting scientific literacy in evolution through citizen science
Authors: Brandt Miriam , Groom Quentin , Magro Alexandra , Misevic Dusan , Narraway Claire L. , Bruckermann Till , Beniermann Anna , Børsen Tom , González Josefa , Meeus Sofie , Roy Helen E. , Sá-Pinto Xana , Torres Jorge Roberto , Jenkins Tania
Published: August 2022

Evolutionary understanding is central to biology. It is also an essential prerequisite to understanding and making informed decisions about societal issues such as climate change. Yet, evolution is generally poorly understood by civil society and many misconceptions exist. Citizen science, which has been increasing in popularity as a means to gather new data and promote scientific literacy, is one strategy through which people could learn about evolution. However, despite the potential for citizen science to promote evolution learning opportunities, very few projects implement them. In this paper, we make the case for incorporating evolution education into citizen science, define key learning goals, and suggest opportunities for designing and evaluating projects in order to promote scientific literacy in evolution.
Ageing desexualizes the
Drosophila
brain transcriptome
Authors: Malacrinò Antonino , Brengdahl Martin I. , Kimber Christopher M. , Mital Avani , Shenoi Vinesh N. , Mirabello Claudio , Friberg Urban
Published: August 2022

General evolutionary theory predicts that individuals in low condition should invest less in sexual traits compared to individuals in high condition. Whether this positive association between condition and investment also holds between young (high condition) and senesced (low condition) individuals is however less clear, since elevated investment into reproduction may be beneficial when individuals approach the end of their life. To address how investment into sexual traits changes with age, we study genes with sex-biased expression in the brain, the tissue from which sexual behaviours are directed. Across two distinct populations of
Drosophila melanogaster,
we find that old brains display fewer sex-biased genes, and that expression of both male-biased and female-biased genes converges towards a sexually intermediate phenotype owing to changes in both sexes with age. We further find that sex-biased genes in general show heightened age-dependent expression in comparison to unbiased genes and that age-related changes in the sexual brain transcriptome are commonly larger in males than females. Our results hence show that ageing causes a desexualization of the fruit fly brain transcriptome and that this change mirrors the general prediction that low condition individuals should invest less in sexual phenotypes.
Comparative analysis of virus pathogenicity and resistance-breaking between the P- and A-type from the beet necrotic yellow vein virus using infectious cDNA clones
Authors: Müllender Maximilian Martin , Varrelmann Mark , Maiss Edgar , Liebe Sebastian
Published: August 2022

The A-type of beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV) is widely distributed in Europe and is one of the major virus types causing rhizomania disease in sugar beet. The closely related P-type is mainly limited to a small region in France (Pithiviers). Both virus types possess four RNAs (RNA1–4), but the P-type harbours an additional fifth RNA species (RNA5). The P-type is associated with stronger disease symptoms and resistance-breaking of Rz1, one of the two resistance genes which are used to control BNYVV infection. These characteristics are presumably due to the presence of RNA5, but experimental evidence for this is lacking. We generated the first infectious cDNA clone of BNYVV P-type to study its pathogenicity in sugar beet in comparison to a previously developed A-type clone. Using this tool, we confirmed the pathogenicity of the P-type clone in the experimental host Nicotiana benthamiana and two Beta species, B. macrocarpa and B. vulgaris. Independent of RNA5, both the A- and the P-type accumulated in lateral roots and reduced the taproot weight of a susceptible sugar beet genotype to a similar extent. In contrast, only the P-type clone was able to accumulate a virus titre in an Rz1-resistant variety whereas the A-type clone failed to infect this variety. The efficiency of the P-type to overcome Rz1 resistance was strongly associated with the presence of RNA5. Only a double resistant variety, harbouring Rz1 and Rz2, prevented an infection with the P-type. Reassortment experiments between the P- and A-type clones demonstrated that both virus types can exchange whole RNA components without losing the ability to replicate and to move systemically in sugar beet. Although our study highlights the close evolutionary relationship between the two virus types, we were able to demonstrate distinct pathogenicity properties that are attributed to the presence of RNA5 in the P-type.
A comprehensive review on the watermelon phytochemical profile and
their bioactive and therapeutic effects
Authors: Nadeem Muhammad , Navida Maham , Ameer Kashif , Iqbal Aqsa , Malik Faiqa , Nadeem Muhammad Ather , Fatima Hira , Ahmed Aftab , Din Ahmad
Published: August 2022

Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) is commonly consumed by humans
and widely available around the world. It has impressive nutritional properties,
a rich phytochemical profile, and various claimed medicinal and health benefits.
The major carotenoids in watermelon include lycopene,
β-carotene, phytofluene, phytoene, lutein, and
neurosporene. Lycopene (approximately 6,888 μg/152 g) is
the major bioactive component in the fruit and it reportedly promotes several
therapeutic effects, such as anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory activities etc.
in humans and animals. Watermelon is also a good source of the amino acid
citrulline, which is involved in production of arginine. Pre- and postharvest
factors, including fruit sampling area, application of fertilizer, climatic
factors, and genetic variability, are known to affect its bioactive compounds
and nutrient concentrations. This review summarizes our current understanding of
the watermelon phytochemical profile and the factors affecting its bioactivities
and therapeutic effects.
Value of serum albumin, age, serum creatinine, and left ventricular ejection fraction for the assessment of 4-year mortality risk in patients with acute myocardial infarction: parsimonious and better performed
Authors: Ge Zheng-Yang , He Yang , Jiang Ting-Bo , Tao Jian-Ying , He Yong-Ming
Published: August 2022

Aims

Mortality from acute myocardial infarction (AMI) remains substantial. The current study is aimed at developing a novel simple and easy-to-use risk score for AMI.

Methods

The CatLet extended validation trial (ChiCTR2000033730) and the CatLet validation trial (ChiCTR-POC-17013536), both being registered with chictr.org, served as the derivation and validation datasets, respectively. The derivation dataset included 1018 patients, and the validation dataset included 308 ones. They all suffered from AMI and underwent percutaneous intervention (PCI). The 4-year follow-up was 97% completed for the derivation dataset, and 100% completed for the validation dataset. The endpoint was all-cause death. Lasso regression analysis was used for covariate selection and coefficient estimation.

Results

Of 26 candidate predictor variables, four strongest predictors for 4-year mortality were included in the BACEF score (serum albumin, age, serum creatinine, and LVEF). This score was well calibrated and yielded an AUC (95%CI) statistics of 0.84(0.80-0.87) in internal validation, 0.89(0.83-0.95) in internal-external (temporal) validation, and 0.83(0.77-0.89) in external validation. Notably, it outperformed the ACEF, ACEFII, GRACE risk scores (0.83(0.77-0.89) vs 0.81(0.75-0.88); 0.83(0.77-0.89) vs 0.79(0.73-0.86); and 0.83(0.77-0.89) vs 0.79(0.72-0.86), respectively).

Conclusions

A simple risk score for 4-year mortality risk stratification was developed, extensively validated, and calibrated in patients with AMI. This novel BACEF score outperformed the ACEF, ACEFII, and GRACE scores and may be a useful risk stratification tool for patients with AMI.

One-sentence summary

A novel simple risk score with an acronym of BACEF, including only four risk factors of serum albumin, age, serum creatinine, and LVEF, has been developed, and outperformed the ACEF, ACEFII, and GRACE scores in terms of four-year mortality prediction for patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Take-home figure
Utility of IL-6 in the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of COVID-19 patients: A longitudinal study
Authors: Jain Vikram , Kumar Pratap , Panda Prasan Kumar , Kaushal Karan , Mirza Anissa A , Vivekandan S
Published: August 2022

Introduction

Covid-19 has caused devastating effects worldwide ever since its origin in December, 2019. Till date, there is no definitive treatment for it. Deaths due to Covid-19 has largely been attributed to cytokine storm and organ dysfunctions, mainly ARDS. Therefore, the focus has been on using inflammatory markers as a marker of severity of the disease. IL-6 is one such marker which has been increasingly used in the management of Covid-19. We conducted a longitudinal study to investigate the role of IL-6 in diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of Covid-19 related cytokine storm.

Methodology

Patients with Covid-19, who were admitted at AIIMS Rishikesh from March to December, 2020 were included in the study. Patients with no baseline IL-6 value at admission and for whom clinical data was not available were excluded. Clinical and laboratory data of these patients were collected from the e-hospital portal and entered in excel sheet. Correlation was seen with other inflammatory markers and outcomes were assessed using MS Excel 2010 and SPSS software.

Results

At total of 131 patients were included in the study. Majority were males (74.8%), mean age of the subjects being 55.03+13.57 years, with a mean duration from symptom onset being 6.69+6.3 days. Most of them belonged to the WHO severe category (82.4%), with 46.56% having severe hypoxia at presentation and 61.8% of them having some comorbidity-diabetes mellitus being the commonest. Spearman Rank Correlation coefficient of IL-6 with D-dimer was 0.203, with LDH was -0.005, with Ferritin was 0.3, and with Uric acid was 0.123. 11 patients received Tocilizumab at a mean duration from symptom onset of 18.09 days, and 100% mortality was observed. Deaths were reported more in the group with IL-6 more than 40pg/ml (57.1% vs 40.2%,p=0.06). Similarly, ICU admissions and ventilator requirement were reported more in the IL-6 more than 40pg/ml group (95.9% vs 91.4%,p=0.32 and 55.1% vs 37.8%,p=0.05).

Conclusion

The study showed that IL-6 can be used as a possible thrombotic cytokine marker. Higher values of IL-6 (>40pg/ml) are associated with more deaths, ICU admissions and ventilator requirement.
Multi-channel intra-cortical micro-stimulation yields quick reaction times and evokes natural somatosensations in a human participant
Authors: Bjånes David A. , Bashford Luke , Pejsa Kelsie , Lee Brian , Liu Charles Y. , Andersen Richard A.
Published: August 2022

Somatosensory brain-machine-interfaces (BMIs) can create naturalistic sensations by modulating activity of neural populations in the brain. By utilizing different spatial or temporal patterns of intra-cortical micro-stimulation (ICMS) in primary sensory cortex (S1), human patients suffering somatosensory loss can experience both cutaneous and proprioceptive sensory feedback. As evidenced by motor deficits in deafferented patients, rapid somatosensory feedback is critical for dexterous motor ability, in part because visual feedback is much slower than naturally occurring somatosensory input. However, somatosensory BMI studies typically report significantly longer cognitive processing latencies for cortical electrical stimulation than for naturally occurring somatosensations or visual sensations.

In this study, we show that multi-channel electrical stimulation patterns elicit naturalistic somatosensory percepts in a human tetraplegic participant. Crucially, somatosensations evoked by multi-channel ICMS are cognitively processed at comparable latencies to naturally evoked sensations and significantly faster than visual sensations, as measured via a simple reaction time test. Further investigation demonstrated multi-channel stimulation could significantly reduce minimum amplitude detection thresholds and such reductions in charge density resulted in more frequent “natural” sensation descriptors reported by the human participant. Multi-channel ICMS patterns also evoked percepts with highly stable somatotopic locations. While some single-channel ICMS patterns evoked sensations 20-80% of the time, most multi-channel patterns could evoke sensations with 100% repeatability, an important step in demonstrating BCI device reliability. These improvements are all significant advances towards state-of-the-art sensory BMIs. The addition of such low-latency artificial sensory feedback to motor BMIs is expected to improve movement accuracy and increase embodiment for human users.
Inequalities in colorectal cancer screening uptake in Wales: an examination of the impact of the temporary suspension of the screening programme during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Bright Diana , Hillier Sharon , Song Jiao , Huws Dyfed W. , Greene Giles , Hodgson Karen , Akbari Ashley , Griffiths Rowena , Davies Alisha R. , Gjini Ardiana
Published: August 2022

Background

Response to the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the temporary disruption of cancer screening in the UK, and strong public messaging to stay safe and to protect NHS capacity. Following reintroduction in services, we explored the impact on inequalities in uptake of the Bowel Screening Wales (BSW) programme to identify groups who may benefit from tailored interventions.

Methods

Records within the BSW were linked to electronic health records (EHR) and administrative data within the Secured Anonymised Information Linkage (SAIL) Databank. Ethnic group was obtained from a linked data method available within SAIL. We examined uptake for the first 3 months of invitations (August to October) following the reintroduction of BSW programme in 2020, compared to the same period in the preceding 3 years. Uptake was measured across a 6 month follow-up period. Logistic models were conducted to analyse variations in uptake by sex, age group, income deprivation quintile, urban/rural location, ethnic group, and clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV) status in each period; and to compare uptake within sociodemographic groups between different periods.

Results

Uptake during August to October 2020 (period 2020/21; 60.4%) declined compared to the same period in 2019/20 (62.7%) but remained above the 60% Welsh standard. Variation by sex, age, income deprivation, and ethnic groups was observed in all periods studied. Compared to the pre-pandemic period in 2019/20, uptake declined for most demographic groups, except for older individuals (70-74 years) and those in the most income deprived group. Uptake continues to be lower in males, younger individuals, people living in the most income deprived areas and those of Asian and unknown ethnic backgrounds.

Conclusions

Our findings are encouraging with overall uptake achieving the 60% Welsh standard during the first three months after the programme restarted in 2020 despite the disruption. Inequalities did not worsen after the programme resumed activities but variations in CRC screening in Wales associated with sex, age, deprivation and ethnicity remain. This needs to be considered in targeting strategies to improve uptake and informed choice in CRC screening to avoid exacerbating disparities in CRC outcomes as screening services recover from the pandemic.
Effect of EBV Serology-based Screening Program on NPC Mortality: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Chen Wen-Jie , Yu Xia , Lu Yu-Qiang , Pfeiffer Ruth M. , Ling Wei , Xie Shang-Hang , Wu Zhi-Cong , Li Xue-Qi , Fan Yu-Ying , Wu Biao-Hua , Wei Kuang-Rong , Rao Hui-Lan , Huang Qi-Hong , Guo Xiang , Sun Ying , Ma Jun , Liu Qing , Hildesheim Allan , Hong Ming-Huang , Zeng Yi-Xin , Ji Ming-Fang , Liu Zhi-wei , Cao Su-Mei
Published: August 2022

Purpose

To estimate the effectiveness of an Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) serology-based screening program to reduce nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) mortality in a cluster randomized controlled trial in an NPC high-risk population.

Methods

Sixteen towns in Sihui and Zhongshan Cities, China were selected; eight were randomly allocated to the screening group and eight to the control group. Cantonese residents aged 30-69 years with no history of NPC were included January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2015. Residents in the screening towns were invited to undergo serum EBV VCA/EBNA1 IgA antibody tests; others received no intervention. Screening lasted through December 31, 2015; the population was followed through December 31, 2017.

Results

A total of 175,037 residents in the screening group and 184,526 residents in the control group were included. NPC incidence was similar in screening and control groups. A 28% reduction in NPC mortality was observed in the screening versus control arms in the overall study population (8.0 NPC deaths per 1000 person years versus 11.1; adjusted rate ratio [aRR]=0.72; 95% confidence interval=0.48-1.09; p=0.12). A stronger benefit was observed among individuals aged >50 (aRR=0.63; p=0.048) compared to those <50 (aRR 0.93; p=0.75). The reduction was increased among individuals from towns randomized to screening who participated in the screening program (aRR=0.38, p=0.001).

Conclusion

In this near 10-year trial, serology EBV VCA and EBNA1 IgA antibody testing led to a reduction in NPC mortality, particularly among individuals aged ⩾50. EBV antibody-based screening for NPC is effective at reducing NPC mortality in high-risk populations.

Trial registration number

NCT00941538
A PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVE ON NURSING INTERVENTION IN ELDERLY WITH DEPRESSION
Authors: Suhariyanti Enik
Published: August 2022

Introduction

Depression is one of the most common mental illnesses in the elderly, can be found in various health care settings and is ranked as the fourth disease in the world as a cause of disability. This literature aims to study the philosophy of nursing intervention in elderly with depression. It viewed from three philosophical perspectives, namely ontology, epistemology, and axiology.

Method

This study uses a literature study design from 6 databases, namely: Science Direct, Pubmed, Proquest, Wiley, Sagepub, and Neliti research. The search used various keyword combinations with the help of Boolean operators, including: “Intervention” OR “Nursing Intervention AND “Elderly” AND “Depression”, This research is a quantitative study focusing on publications between 2017-2021. Thus, 18 eligible articles were obtained. Article quality is monitored using the CASP checklist. The results of the articles obtained come from several countries including Indonesia.

Result

Nursing interventions include three categories, first, physical/exercise therapy, psychological therapy, and spiritual therapy to reduce depression levels in the elderly in various settings such as nursing homes, correctional facilities, and other general communities including home visits, using individual and group approaches.

Conclusion

The results of this review provide an explanation that several interventions that can be carried out in the elderly can save costs, are feasible and easy to do, and are effective for reducing depression levels in the elderly, and can improve quality of life, overcome other psychological problems.
Impact of Lifting School Masking Requirements on Incidence of COVID-19 among Staff and Students in Greater-Boston Area School Districts: A Difference-in-Differences Analysis
Authors: Cowger Tori L. , Clarke Jaylen , Murray Eleanor J. , Sánchez Sarimer M. , Bassett Mary T. , Ojikutu Bisola O. , Linos Natalia , Hall Kathryn T.
Published: August 2022

Background

In February 2022, following the rescinding of a Massachusetts statewide school masking mandate, only two cities (Boston and neighboring Chelsea) out of 79 school districts in the greater-Boston area, maintained masking requirements in K-12 schools. This provided an opportunity to examine the impact of removing masking on COVID-19 case rates among students and staff in the public-school setting.

Methods

We used difference-in-differences for staggered policy adoption to compare incidence of COVID-19 cases among students and staff in greater-Boston area school districts that lifted masking requirements to those that had not yet lifted masking requirements during the 2021-2022 school year.

Results

Before the statewide school masking policy was lifted, there was no statistically significant difference in case rate trajectories between school districts. However, weekly and cumulative case rates were significantly higher in students and staff in school districts that removed masking requirements, compared to districts that had not yet lifted requirements. We estimate that lifting of school masking requirements was associated with an additional 44.9 (95% CI: 32.6, 57.1) COVID-19 cases per 1,000 students and staff over the 15 weeks since the lifting of the statewide school masking requirement, representing nearly 30% of all cases observed in schools during that time. School districts that sustained masking requirements for longer periods tended to have older school buildings in poorer condition, more crowded classrooms, higher proportion of low income and English learning students and students with disabilities, and a higher proportion of Black and Latinx students and staff.

Conclusions

Masking is a relatively low-cost but effective intervention that can protect students and staff from substantial illness and loss of in-person days in school. Despite compelling evidence that masking significantly reduces the spread of SARS-CoV-2, political will and public adherence to masking has waned. Our study confirms that universal masking requirements can benefit all students and staff, and therefore represents an important strategy to mitigate the impacts of structural racism, ensure health equity, and to avoid potential deepening of educational inequities.
SARS-CoV-2 viral clearance and viral load kinetics in young children (1-6 years) compared to adults: Results of a longitudinal study in Germany
Authors: Sandoni Anna , Rosario Angelika Schaffrath , Michel Janine , Kuttig Tim , Wurm Juliane , Damerow Stefan , Iwanowski Helena , Finkel Bianca , Schrick Livia , Buchholz Udo , Haas Walter , Varnaccia Gianni , Kubisch Ulrike , Jordan Susanne , Schienkiewitz Anja , Nitsche Andreas , Loss Julika
Published: August 2022

Objective

To investigate SARS-COV-2 viral clearance and viral load kinetics in the course of infection in children aged 1-6 years in comparison with adults.

Methods

Prospective cohort study of infected daycare children and staff and their close contacts in households from 11/2020-06/2021, comprising serial (self) sampling of upper respiratory tract specimen and testing for SARS-CoV-2 via PCR. Data on symptoms and exposure were used to determine the date of probable infection for each participant. We determined (a) viral clearance, and (b) viral load dynamics over time. Samples were taken from day 4-6 to day 16-18 after diagnosis of the index case in the respective daycare group (5 samples per participant).

Results

We included 40 children (1-6 years) and 67 adults (18-77 years) with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Samples were available at a mean of 4.3 points of time per participant. Among the participants, the 12-day study period fell in different periods within the individual course of infection, ranging from day 5-17 to day 15-26 after assumed infection.

Children reached viral clearance at a median of 20 days after assumed infection (95% CI 17-21 days, Kaplan Meier Analysis), adults at 23 days (95% CI 20-25 days, difference not significant). In both children and adults, viral load decreased over time with trajectories of the mean viral load not being statistically different between groups. Only small proportions of those tested positive had a viral load of >1 million copies/ml, which is considered the threshold for infectivity. Kaplan-Meier calculations show that from day 15 (95% CI 13-15), 50% of all participants that had a viral load no longer infectious or were negative.

Conclusion

Children aged 1-6 and adults infected with SARS-CoV-2 (wild type and Alpha variant) did not differ significantly in terms of viral load kinetics and time needed to clear the virus. Therefore, containment measures are important also in the daycare settings as long as the pandemic continues.
Further humoral immunity evasion of emerging SARS-CoV-2 BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants
Authors: Jian Fanchong , Yu Yuanling , Song Weiliang , Yisimayi Ayijiang , Yu Lingling , Gao Yuxue , Zhang Na , Wang Yao , Shao Fei , Hao Xiaohua , Xu Yanli , Jin Ronghua , Wang Youchun , Xie Xiaoliang Sunney , Cao Yunlong
Published: August 2022

Multiple BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants with R346 mutations on the spike glycoprotein have been identified in various countries, such as BA.4.6/BF.7 harboring R346T, BA.4.7 harboring R346S, and BA.5.9 harboring R346I. These subvariants, especially BA.4.6, exhibit substantial growth advantages compared to BA.4/BA.5. In this study, we showed that BA.4.6, BA.4.7, and BA.5.9 displayed higher humoral immunity evasion capability than BA.4/BA.5, causing 1.5 to 1.9-fold decrease in NT50 of the plasma from BA.1 and BA.2 breakthrough-infection convalescents compared to BA.4/BA.5. Importantly, plasma from BA.5 breakthrough-infection convalescents also exhibits significant neutralization activity decrease against BA.4.6, BA.4.7, and BA.5.9 than BA.4/BA.5, showing on average 2.4 to 2.6-fold decrease in NT50. For neutralizing antibody drugs, Bebtelovimab remains potent, while Evusheld is completely escaped by these subvariants. Together, our results rationalize the prevailing advantages of the R346 mutated BA.4/BA.5 subvariants and urge the close monitoring of these mutants, which could lead to the next wave of the pandemic.
Off-farm work and rural residential energy transition: a farm-household model and empirical evidence from China
Authors: Sun Dingqiang , Yang Xinyue , Qiu Huanguang
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the role of off-farm work in the rural residential energy transition in China.

Design/methodology/approach

To guide this empirical work, the authors present a simple farm-household model to explain rural energy consumption. The authors then empirically assess three main mechanisms through which off-farm work can speed up energy transition in rural China using panel data methods.

Findings

The study shows that income growth from off-farm work can reduce the consumption of traditional biomass energy and facilitate a shift to commercial energy. The losses of labor available for on-farm production raise the shadow price of non-tradable biomass energy and further dampen the demand for traditional biomass energy. More importantly, the authors find that working in service sectors can significantly promote the consumption of commercial energy by rural households. The sectoral exposure effect indicates that a new working environment may influence rural households' energy preferences and thus accelerate the transition away from traditional biomass energy.

Originality/value

Previous studies focus mainly on the income effect of off-farm work on rural energy consumption. The authors first identify three related but essentially different effects of off-farm work on rural energy transition in China. This study provides new insights into the process of energy consumption transition in rural China.
An overall review of research on prefabricated construction supply chain management
Authors: Han Yanhu , Yan Xiyu , Piroozfar Poorang
Published: August 2022

Purpose

As a strand in industrialization movement in architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry, prefabricated construction (PC) has gained widespread popularity due to high efficiency, energy saving, low environmental impacts, safety and other advantages of PC. Well-managed supply chain can further leverage the advantages of PC. However, there is a lack of more systematically overview of the prefabricated construction supply chain (PCSC). This paper aims to comb the current status and look into the future direction of PCSC by reviewing the existing research.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 131 articles related to prefabricated construction supply chain management (PCSCM) from 2000 to 2022 have been collated to (1) conduct a bibliometric analysis by using VOSviewer, including the literature sources, keywords co-occurrence, co-authorships, authorship citation and country active in the field of PCSCM; (2) classify and summarize the status of research in PCSCM through qualitative discussion and (3) point out the future research directions.

Findings

In total, 131 articles are carried out for bibliometric analysis and in-depth qualitative discussion, the visualization maps and the main research themes in the field of PCSCM are obtained. The results show that supply chain intelligentization and informatization are hot topics. Finally, future research directions that should be paid attention to in the field of PCSCM are pointed out.

Practical implications

This study can help project managers understand the current status and problems of PCSC operations and provide a basis for future management decisions.

Originality/value

Compared with previous studies, this study adds the dimension of “article authorship” to the quantitative analysis and discusses the research themes in the field of PCSCM in a comprehensive manner. In addition, this paper deeply discusses the main research topics from both the specific contents and research methods adopted.
Assessing the interactive effects of the ethics of construction professionals on project performance in the Ghanaian construction industry
Authors: Kuoribo Ewald , Yomoah Roland , Owusu-Manu De-Graft , Acheampong Alex , John Edwards David , Debrah Caleb
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The construction industry is beset with unethical behaviours. Although several studies have investigated the effects of unethical behaviours on project performance, research in the Ghanaian construction industry (GCI) remains scant. Consequently, this research assesses the interactive effects of ethical and unethical behaviours of construction professionals on project performance in the GCI.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative research approach was used to obtain primary data from 68 construction professionals, viz, quantity surveyors, architects, civil engineers, clerk of works and project managers, via a closed-ended questionnaire survey. Data collected were analysed using one-sample t-test and Kruskal–Wallis test statistics, after which two hypotheses were tested and validated using regression analysis.

Findings

Reduction of project risks, avoidance of legal problems and maximisation project quality performance were critical effects of ethical behaviours observed on project performance, whereas the effects of unethical behaviours such as cost overrun, abandonment and time overrun were severe on project performance in the GCI. Ethical behaviour was seen to relate to project performance positively, and unethical behaviour was proved to have dire consequences on project performance.

Practical implications

Construction project performance is greatly influenced by professionals' ethical and unethical behaviours. Emergent findings emanating from this research will assist emerging economies in developing and implementing counter policies and systems that mitigate the unethical behaviours of construction professionals.

Social implications

The study highlights the effects of ethical and unethical behaviours on project performance to reorient individuals' perceptions that unethical behaviours are less critical in the construction industry. Supporting evidence encourages individuals to adhere to ethical behaviours in a project environment.

Research limitations/implications

The inability to obtain data across the entire geographical spread of Ghana is acknowledged as a major limitation of the study and affects the generalisation of the results.

Originality/value

This study constitutes a first attempt to establish the interactive effects of ethical and unethical behaviours of construction professionals on project performance within the GCI. A significant addition to the body of knowledge is that ethical and unethical behaviours impact project performance positively or negatively, respectively.
Building a warm and competent B2B brand personality
Authors: Aagerup Ulf , Andersson Svante , Awuah Gabriel Baffour
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This study aims to investigate how business-to-business (B2B) companies build brand personality via the products they provide and via their interactions with customers.

Design/methodology/approach

A multiple case study, which spans 10 years, investigates via interviews, observations, workshops and document analysis how two fast-growing B2B companies selling industrial equipment to manufacturers build brand personality.

Findings

The studied companies concentrate on different brand personality dimensions depending on the activities in which they engage. By focusing on brand competence in the realm of the actual product and brand warmth in the realm of the augmented product, the companies manage to create a complete and consistent brand personality.

Research limitations/implications

The research approach provides in-depth knowledge on how the companies build brands for a specific type of B2B product. However, the article’s perspective is limited to that of management and therefore does not take customer reactions into account.

Practical implications

The study describes how firms can build strong B2B brands by emphasizing competence in product design and R&D and warmth in activities related to sales and customer service.

Originality/value

The study introduces a conceptually consistent view of brand personality in the form of warm and competent brands to the B2B marketing literature. It builds on and contributes to the emerging research on B2B brand personality. By relating the companies’ brand-building activities to the type of products they sell, this study illustrates how context affects B2B brand building, and by integrating brand personality theory with product levels and marketing philosophy, it extends previous theory on B2B branding.
Sustainability disclosure and its impact on telecommunication and information technology sectors' performance: worldwide evidence
Authors: Buallay Amina , Al Marri Meera
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This study investigates the relationship between the level of sustainability disclosure and telecommunication and information technology (IT) sectors' performance (operational, financial and market).

Design/methodology/approach

Using data culled from 4,458 observations from 60 different countries for 10 years (2008–2017), an independent variable derived from environmental, social and governance (ESG) score are regressed against dependent manufacture performance indicator variables [return on assets (ROA), return on equity (ROE) and Tobin's Q (TQ)]. Two types of control variables complete the regression analysis in this study: firm-specific and macroeconomic.

Findings

The findings elicited from the empirical results demonstrate that there is a significant negative relationship between ESG and market performance (TQ). However, there is no significant effect of ESG on both operational (ROA) and financial performance (ROE). Moreover, the findings elicited from the partial least square structural equation modeling the relationship between ESG and ROA is stronger in emerging than in developed economies.

Practical implications

The authors' opinion for policy makers is that it is essential to promote and implement the appropriate legislative framework for sustainability reporting, which should enhance both the sustainability practices as well the profitability of IT firms.

Originality/value

The model in this study presents a valuable analytical framework for exploring sustainability disclosure as a driver of performance in telecommunication and IT sectors' economies. In addition, this study highlights telecommunication and IT sectors' management lacunae manifesting in terms of the weak nexus between each component of ESG and IT sectors' performance.
Planning policies for transition from historical quarters of the global city of Yazd to urban creativity, a case study: Fahadan quarter
Authors: Rezaeian Fereshte , Esmailpoor Najma
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The inscription of Yazd historical fabric in United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) world heritage list has provided the city with the opportunity of international competence and to achieve a global identity. Fahadan is one of the nine historical quarters and the core of formation of the Yazd city. Fahadan is one of the nine historical quarters and the core of formation of Yazd city. The article intends to provide suitable policies for converting it into a sample creative quarter in Yazd historical fabric.

Design/methodology/approach

The article benefits from qualitative research and the strategic planning method based on a creative city approach, uses SWOT technique (a technique for finding an organization's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) for situation analysis and the Oregon model for visioning.

Findings

Two categories of hard and soft factors play a role in transitioning Fahadan quarter into a creative quarter. By expanding the scope of jobs related to jewelry, and creating its supporting activities in the food and leisure sector, a creative economy can be discovered in Fahadan quarter which alongside reinforcement of unique physical features of the area, forms a creative place. Its goal will be viewed as the place where artisans pave their way for reaching a creative quarter with new management.

Originality/value

The research presents policies to realize soft and hard factors required for creativity in the quarter, and shows step by step a small-scale pattern in the context of urban creativity planning, that can be used in historical fabrics with similar situation.
Investment policy of Moroccan family businesses in times of crisis: the role of cultural logics, family reputation and imitation effect
Authors: Allioui Azzeddine , Habba Badr , Berrada El Azizi Taib
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to study the financial, family, and cultural incidences on the investment policy of unlisted Moroccan family firms passed on to the second generation or more in times of crisis.

Design/methodology/approach

The design is based on an innovative methodological approach of contextualization in times of crisis with 20 unlisted Moroccan family firms, 3 sociologists and 2 researcher-experts in times of crisis.

Findings

This research work gives rise to a result that can be summarized through a logic of combined rationality. Explicitly, in the family business, it is necessary to combine the two effects: financial rationality in times of crisis, and the emotionality that reigns in family logic (everything that is culture, family traditions and psychological backgrounds) to make arbitrations in terms of investments.

Originality/value

Thus, the originality of this research is rooted by a field made up of transmitted Moroccan family firms. The major problems related to the investment of the family firm begin to emerge once there are a multitude of generations involved in the management. This accentuates the family and socio-cultural effects of family reputation and religiosity and the firm's strategic imitation. In this sense, this paper proposes a way forward in the research on family businesses, by integrating family and cultural logics following a hybrid approach that integrates these factors with classical financial logics.
Fostering business model innovation for sustainability: a dynamic capabilities perspective
Authors: Oliveira-Dias Diéssica , Kneipp Jordana Marques , Bichueti Roberto Schoproni , Gomes Clandia Maffini
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The study aimed to analyze the association between dynamic capabilities and sustainable business model innovation of startups in the Brazilian logistics sector.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative approach was used through a multiple case study that was operated from semi-structured interviews and secondary data analysis.

Findings

The evidence found pointed to different types of innovations in sustainable business models and distinct activities inherent to the three dynamic capabilities surveyed. In addition, the results confirmed that dynamic capabilities can be considered internal drivers that stimulate sustainable business model innovation, since the conception until the change or dissemination.

Research limitations/implications

The diffusion of a model that jointly addresses the theory of dynamic capabilities and sustainable business model innovation.

Practical implications

For managers, the study provides insights into the archetypes of sustainable business model innovation and guidance on how to incorporate into the organization's strategic activities aimed at the different dynamic capabilities to achieve sustainable innovation.

Originality/value

Sustainable business model innovation is seen as a key factor for competitive advantage and corporate sustainability. However, a more comprehensive understanding is necessary for those that promote the design and innovation of sustainable business models. Therefore, the paper addresses this gap by (1) systematizing sustainable logistics initiatives, (2) detailing the processes that support the development of startups' sustainable dynamic capabilities and (3) proposing a framework that establishes connections between capabilities, business model innovation processes, business model archetypes and the environmental, social and economic impacts.
A comparative analysis of capital structure of G-20 firms on regional basis
Authors: Riaz Muhammad , Jinghong Shu , Siddiqi Umar Iqbal
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to illuminate financial commitment of a firm vis-a-vis corporate behavior of 519 reported fabric businesses in G-20 states. This study also aims to take into account the regional baseline comparisons (i.e. subsampling) of G-20 firms based on the available data. The pattern of the current study comes from the registered companies in the G-20 states. For the fabricating business, the 2007–2018 annual financial statements are obtained from the Thomson Reuters Data Stream and World Stock Exchange.

Design/methodology/approach

For the investigation, the panel data were analyzed from the period 2007–2018 by applying summary statistics of ordinary least square, correlation matrix and generalized method of moments.

Findings

The findings of this study suggest that Ln assets, dividends and investments have a positive association with the debt level. In addition, profitability and working capital were negatively associated with change in total debt under pecking order theory.

Research limitations/implications

The effects of the geographical location of the firms and current global economic downturn were accounted for the capital structure decisions and corporate performance of G-20 firms.

Originality/value

This study instigates observed phenomenon elicited from capital structure theory by applying analytical method, instead of describing them in terms of administrative selection, taking measure and chief financial officers risk preference. Finally, work is required to form new hypothesis and explore novel factors that could enrich academic scholars’ motivation.