bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The rise and the fall of a Pseudomonas aeruginosa endemic lineage in a hospital
Authors: Petitjean Marie , Juarez Paulo , Meunier Alexandre , Daguindau Etienne , Puja Hélène , Bertrand Xavier , Valot Benoit , Hocquet Didier
Published: September 2021

The biological features that allow a pathogen to survive in the hospital environment are mostly unknown. The extinction of bacterial epidemics in hospitals is mostly attributed to changes in medical practice, including infection control, but the role of bacterial adaptation has never been documented. We analysed a collection of

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

isolates belonging to the Besançon Epidemic Strain (BES), responsible for a 12year nosocomial outbreak, using a genotype-to-phenotype approach. Bayesian analysis estimated the emergence of the clone in the hospital 5 years before its opening, during the creation of its water distribution network made of copper. BES survived better than the reference strains PAO1 and PA14 in a copper solution due to a genomic island containing 13 metal-resistance genes and was specifically able to proliferate in the ubiquitous amoeba Vermamoeba vermiformis. Mutations affecting amino-acid metabolism, antibiotic resistance, lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis, and regulation were enriched during the spread of BES. Seven distinct regulatory mutations attenuated the overexpression of the genes encoding the efflux pump MexAB-OprM over time. The fitness of BES decreased over time in correlation with its genome size. Overall, the resistance to inhibitors and predators presumably aided the proliferation and propagation of BES in the plumbing system of the hospital. The pathogen further spread among patients via multiple routes of contamination. The decreased prevalence of patients infected by BES mirrored the parallel and convergent genomic evolution and reduction that affected bacterial fitness. Along with infection control measures, this may have participated in the extinction of BES in the hospital setting.
Predicting transitions between longitudinal classes of posttraumatic stress disorder, adjustment disorder, and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic: Protocol of a latent transition model in a general Dutch sample
Authors: Lenferink Lonneke I.M. , Mouthaan Joanne , Fritz Anna M. , Soydas Suzan , Eidhof Marloes , van Hoof Marie-José , Groen Simon , Mooren Trudy
Published: September 2021

Background

A growing body of literature shows profound effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health, among which increased rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and adjustment disorder (AD). However, current research efforts have largely been unilateral, focusing on psychopathology and not including well-being, and are dominated by examining average psychopathology levels or on disorder absence/presence, thereby ignoring individual differences in mental health. Knowledge on individual differences, as depicted by latent subgroups, in the full spectrum of mental health may provide valuable insights in how individuals transition between health states and factors that predict transitioning from resilient to symptomatic classes. Our aim is to (1) identify longitudinal classes (i.e., subgroups of individuals) based on indicators of PTSD, AD, and well-being in response to the pandemic and (2) examine predictors of transitioning between these subgroups.

Methods and analysis

We will conduct a three-wave longitudinal online survey-study of n ≥ 2000 adults from the general Dutch population. The first measurement occasion takes place six months after the start of the pandemic, followed by two follow-up measurements with six months intervals. Latent transition analysis will be used for data-analysis.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval has been obtained from four Dutch universities. Longitudinal study designs are vital to monitor mental health (and predictors thereof) in the pandemic to develop preventive and curative mental health interventions. This study is carried out by researchers who are board members of the Dutch Society for Traumatic Stress Studies and is part of a pan-European study (initiated by the European Society for Traumatic Stress Studies) examining the impact of the pandemic in eleven countries. Results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and disseminated at conferences, via newsletters, and media-appearance among (psychotrauma-)professionals and the general public.

Strengths and limitations of this study

This is one of the first studies examining the mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic by focusing on negative and positive mental health in the general population.

A longitudinal research design is used, which enable us to examine predictors of transitioning between mental health classes over three time points.

A limitation of this study is that we used self-report measures, instead of clinical interviews, to assess mental health.
Ensemble model estimates of the global burden of measles morbidity and mortality from 2000 to 2019: a modeling study
Authors: Santos Heather , Eilertson Kirsten , Lambert Brian , Hauryski Sarah , Patel Minal , Ferrari Matthew
Published: September 2021

Background

Measles remains a significant source of childhood morbidity and mortality worldwide. Two doses of measles containing vaccine are recommended for all children and delivered through a combination of routine and supplemental immunization activities. Uncertainty about the degree to which second dose opportunities reach previously unvaccinated children presents a challenge in the assessment of vaccination programs and the estimation of the global burden of measles disease and mortality.

Methods

We fit an ensemble of models that represent alternative assumptions about the degree to which second dose opportunities reach previously unvaccinated children to routine measles surveillance from 100 countries. Using maximum likelihood we selected the best fit model for each country. We compare the resulting estimates of the burden of measles disease and mortality to existing methods for estimating the burden of measles that assume that second dose opportunities are independent of receipt of the first dose.

Findings

We find that 78 of 100 countries are best-fit by a model that assumes that second doses that are delivered through supplemental campaigns are preferentially delivered to children who have received a first dose. Using a country-specific best-fit model we estimate that measles mortality has declined by 73% from 2000-2019 compared to an estimated decline of 83% using an assumption of independent doses in all countries.

Interpretation

Despite large decreases in measles cases over the last two decades, the observed trajectories in most countries suggest that supplemental immunization activities are disproportionately reaching previously vaccinated children. To accelerate measles reduction goals efforts to reach unvaccinated children through supplemental activities and second dose opportunities should be intensified.

Funding

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, World Health Organization
Psychological antecedents towards COVID-19 vaccination using the Arabic 5C validated tool: An online study in 13 Arab countries
Authors: Abdou Marwa Shawky , Kheirallah Khalid A. , Aly Maged Ossama , Ramadan Ahmed , Elhadi Yasir Ahmed Mohammed , Elbarazi Iffat , Deghidy Ehsan Akram , El Saeh Haider M. , Salem Karem Mohamed , Ghazy Ramy Mohamed
Published: September 2021

Background and aim

Following emergency approval of vaccines, the amount of scientific literature investigating population hesitancy towards vaccination against the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has increased exponentially. Nevertheless, the associated psychological behaviors with this phenomenon are still not clearly understood. This study aims to assess the psychological antecedents of the Arab population toward COVID-19 vaccines.

Methods

A cross-sectional, online study using a validated Arabic version of the 5C questionnaire was conducted through different media platforms in different Arabic-speaking countries. The questionnaire included three sections: socio-demographics, COVID-19 related questions, and the 5C scale of vaccine psychological antecedents, namely confidence, complacency, constraints, calculation, and collective responsibility.

Results

A total of 4,474 participants, 40.8% males from 13 Arab countries were included in the study. About 26.7% of participants had confidence in COVID-19 vaccination, 10.7% had complacency, 96.5% had no constraints, 48.8% had calculation and 40.4% had collective responsibility. The 5C antecedents showed variation among countries with confidence and collective responsibility being higher in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) (59% and 58%, respectively), complacency and constraints were higher in Morocco (21% and 7%, respectively) and calculation was higher in Sudan (60%). Regression analysis revealed that sex, age, educational degrees, being a health care professional, getting a COVID-19 infection, having a relative infected or died from COVID-19 can affect the 5C psychological antecedents by different degrees.

Conclusion and recommendations

Wide variations of psychological antecedents between Arab countries exist. Different determinants can affect vaccine psychological antecedents.
Refining epileptogenic high-frequency oscillations using deep learning: a reverse engineering approach
Authors: Zhang Yipeng , Lu Qiujing , Monsoor Tonmoy , Hussain Shaun A. , Qiao Joe X , Salamon Noriko , Fallah Aria , Sim Myung Shin , Asano Eishi , Sankar Raman , Staba Richard J. , Engel Jerome , Speier William , Roychowdhury Vwani , Nariai Hiroki
Published: September 2021

Intracranially-recorded interictal high-frequency oscillations (HFOs) have been proposed as a promising spatial biomarker of the epileptogenic zone. However, visual verification of HFOs is time-consuming and exhibits poor inter-rater reliability. Furthermore, no method is currently available to distinguish HFOs generated from the epileptogenic zone (epileptogenic HFOs: eHFOs) from those generated from other areas (non-epileptogenic HFOs: non-eHFOs). To address these issues, we constructed a deep learning (DL)-based algorithm using HFO events from chronic intracranial electroencephalogram (iEEG) data via subdural grids from 19 children with medication-resistant neocortical epilepsy to: 1) replicate human expert annotation of artifacts and HFOs with or without spikes, and 2) discover eHFOs by designing a novel weakly supervised model (HFOs from the resected brain regions are initially labeled as eHFOs, and those from the preserved brain regions as non-eHFOs). The “purification power” of DL is then used to automatically relabel the HFOs to distill eHFOs. Using 12,958 annotated HFO events from 19 patients, the model achieved 96.3% accuracy on artifact detection (F1 score = 96.8%) and 86.5% accuracy on classifying HFOs with or without spikes (F1 score = 80.8%) using patient-wise cross-validation. Based on the DL-based algorithm trained from 84,602 HFO events from nine patients who achieved seizure-freedom after resection, the majority of such DL-discovered eHFOs were found to be HFOs with spikes (78.6%, p < 0.001). While the resection ratio of detected HFOs (number of resected HFOs/number of detected HFOs) did not correlate significantly with post-operative seizure freedom (the area under the curve [AUC]=0.76, p=0.06), the resection ratio of eHFOs positively correlated with post-operative seizure freedom (AUC=0.87, p=0.01). We discovered that the eHFOs had a higher signal intensity associated with ripple (80-250 Hz) and fast ripple (250-500 Hz) bands at the HFO onset and with a lower frequency band throughout the event time window (the inverted T-shaped), compared to non-eHFOs. We then designed perturbations on the input of the trained model for non-eHFOs to determine the model’s decision-making logic. The model probability significantly increased towards eHFOs by the artificial introduction of signals in the inverted T-shaped frequency bands (mean probability increase: 0.285, p < 0.001), and by the artificial insertion of spike-like signals into the time domain (mean probability increase: 0.452, p < 0.001). With this DL-based framework, we reliably replicated HFO classification tasks by human experts. Using a reverse engineering technique, we distinguished eHFOs from others and identified salient features of eHFOs that aligned with current knowledge.

Graphical abstract
Scale Invariance in fNIRS as a Measurement of Cognitive Load
Authors: Zhuang Chu , Meidenbauer Kimberly L. , Kardan Omid , Stier Andrew J. , Choe Kyoung Whan , Cardenas-Iniguez Carlos , Huppert Theodore J. , Berman Marc G.
Published: September 2021

Scale invariant neural dynamics are a relatively new but effective means of measuring changes in brain states as a result of varied cognitive load and task difficulty. This study is the first to test whether scale invariance (as measured by the Hurst exponent,H) can be used with functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to quantify cognitive load. We analyzedHextracted from the fNIRS time series while participants completed an N-back working memory task. Consistent with what has been demonstrated in fMRI, the current results showed that scale-invariance analysis significantly differentiated between task and rest periods as calculated from both oxy- (HbO) and deoxy-hemoglobin (HbR) concentration changes. Results from both channel-averagedHand a multivariate partial least squares approach (Task PLS) demonstrated higherHduring the 1-back task than the 2-back task. These results were stronger forHderived from HbR than from HbO. As fNIRS is relatively portable and robust to motion-related artifacts, these preliminary results shed light on the promising future of measuring cognitive load in real life settings.

Author Summary

Scale invariance reflects a pattern of self-similarity (or fractalness) across a time series of brain data. In human neuroscience studies using EEG and fMRI, higher scale invariance has been associated with individuals being in a state of minimal cognitive effort or while performing a relatively easy task compared to doing something more challenging. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a flexible neuroimaging technique that can be used in naturalistic settings and measures the same underlying biological signal as fMRI. We expected that, if scale invariant brain states are indeed robust indicators of cognitive load or task difficulty, we should be able to replicate previous findings in fNIRS. Consistent with this hypothesis, we find that more scale invariant brain states are indeed associated with less cognitively demanding and more restful brain states in fNIRS data. This finding opens up a wide array of potential applications for monitoring cognitive load and fatigue in real-life settings, such as during driving, learning in schools, or during interpersonal interactions.
Multiscale affinity maturation simulations to elicit broadly neutralizing antibodies against HIV
Authors: Sprenger Kayla G. , Conti Simone , Ovchinnikov Victor , Chakraborty Arup K. , Karplus Martin
Published: September 2021

The design of vaccines against highly mutable pathogens, such as HIV and influenza, requires a detailed understanding of how the adaptive immune system responds to encountering multiple variant antigens (Ags). Here, we describe a multiscale model of B cell receptor (BCR) affinity maturation that employs actual BCR nucleotide sequences and treats BCR/Ag interactions in atomistic detail. We apply the model to simulate the maturation of a broadly neutralizing Ab (bnAb) against HIV. Starting from a germline precursor sequence of the VRC01 anti-HIV Ab, we simulate BCR evolution in response to different vaccination protocols and different Ags, which were previously designed by us. The simulation results provide qualitative guidelines for future vaccine design and reveal unique insights into bnAb evolution against the CD4 binding site of HIV. Our model makes possible direct comparisons of simulated BCR populations with results of deep sequencing data, which will be explored in future applications.

Author Summary

Vaccination has saved more lives than any other medical procedure, and the impending end of the COVID-19 pandemic is also due to the rapid development of highly efficacious vaccines. But, we do not have robust ways to develop vaccines against highly mutable pathogens. For example, there is no effective vaccine against HIV, and a universal vaccine against diverse strains of influenza is also not available. The development of immunization strategies to elicit antibodies that can neutralize diverse strains of highly mutable pathogens (so-called ‘broadly neutralizing antibodies’, or bnAbs) would enable the design of universal vaccines against such pathogens, as well as other viruses that may emerge in the future. In this paper, we present an agent-based model of affinity maturation – the Darwinian process by which antibodies evolve against a pathogen – that, for the first time, enables thein silicoinvestigation of real germline nucleotide sequences of antibodies known to evolve into potent bnAbs, evolving against real amino acid sequences of HIV-based vaccine-candidate proteins. Our results provide new insights into bnAb evolution against HIV, and can be used to qualitatively guide the future design of vaccines against highly mutable pathogens.
Thalamic bursts modulate cortical synchrony locally to switch between states of global functional connectivity in a cognitive task
Authors: Portoles Oscar , Blesa Manuel , van Vugt Marieke , Cao Ming , Borst Jelmer P.
Published: September 2021

Performing a cognitive task requires going through a sequence of functionally diverse stages. Although it is typically assumed that these stages are characterized by distinct states of cortical synchrony that are triggered by sub-cortical events, little reported evidence supports this hypothesis. To test this hypothesis, we first identified cognitive stages in single-trial MEG data of an associative recognition task, showing with a novel method that each stage begins with local modulations of synchrony followed by a state of directed functional connectivity. Second, we developed the first whole-brain model that can simulate cortical synchrony throughout a task. The model suggests that the observed synchrony is caused by thalamocortical bursts at the onset of each stage, targeted at cortical synapses and interacting with the structural anatomical connectivity. These findings confirm that cognitive stages are defined by distinct states of cortical synchrony and explains the network-level mechanisms necessary for reaching stage-dependent synchrony states.

Author summary

A novel machine-learning method was applied to unveil the dynamics of local and cortex-wide neural coordination underlying the fundamental cognitive processes involved in a memory task. To explain how neural activity – and ultimately behavior – was coordinated throughout the task, we developed a whole-brain model that incorporates cognitive mechanisms, anatomy, and neural biophysics. Similar models are used with resting state data, however, simulating a cognitive task remained elusive. The model showed that sub-cortical pulses at the onset of cognitive processes – as hypothesized by cognitive and neurophysiological theories – were sufficient to switch between the states of neural coordination observed. These findings have implications to understand goal-directed cognitive processing and the mechanisms to reach states of neural coordination.
The SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) and the orthoreovirus p15 cause neuronal and glial fusion
Authors: Martinez-Marmol Ramon , Giordano-Santini Rosina , Kaulich Eva , Cho Ann-Na , Riyadh Md Asrafuzzaman , Robinson Emilija , Balistreri Giuseppe , Meunier Frédéric A. , Ke Yazi D. , Ittner Lars M. , Hilliard Massimo A.
Published: September 2021

Numerous enveloped viruses use specialized surface molecules called fusogens to enter host cells1. During virus replication, these fusogens decorate the host cells membrane enabling them the ability to fuse with neighboring cells, forming syncytia that the viruses use to propagate while evading the immune system. Many of these viruses, including the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), infect the brain and may cause serious neurological symptoms through mechanisms which remain poorly understood2–4. Here we show that expression of either the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein or p15 protein from the baboon orthoreovirus is sufficient to induce fusion between interconnected neurons, as well as between neurons and glial cells. This phenomenon is observed across species, from nematodes to mammals, including human embryonic stem cells-derived neurons and brain organoids. We show that fusion events are progressive, can occur between distant neurites, and lead to the formation of multicellular syncytia. Finally, we reveal that in addition to intracellular molecules, fusion events allow diffusion and movement of large organelles such as mitochondria between fused neurons. Our results provide important mechanistic insights into how SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses could affect the nervous system circuitries causing neurological symptoms.
Right fronto-parietal networks mediate the neurocognitive benefits of enriched environments.
Authors: Brosnan Meadhbh B , Shalev Nir , Ramduny Jivesh , Sotiropoulos Stamatios , Chechlacz Magdalena
Published: September 2021

Exposure to enriched environments (EE) throughout a lifetime, providing so called reserve, protects against cognitive decline in later years. It has been hypothesised that high levels of alertness necessitated by EE might strengthen the right fronto-parietal networks (FPN) to facilitate this neurocognitive resilience. We have previously shown that EE offset age-related deficits in selective attention by preserving grey matter within right fronto-parietal regions. Here, using neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI), we examined the relationship between EE, microstructural properties of fronto-parietal white matter association pathways (three branches of the superior longitudinal fasciculus, SLF), structural brain health (atrophy), and attention (alertness, orienting and executive control) in a group of older adults. We show that EE is associated with a lower orientation dispersion index (ODI) within the right SLF1 which in turn mediates the relationship between EE and alertness, as well as grey- and white-matter atrophy. This suggests that EE may induce white matter plasticity (and prevent age-related dispersion of axons) within the right FPN to facilitate the preservation of neurocognitive health in later years.
CARD8 inflammasome sensitization through DPP9 inhibition enhances NNRTI-triggered killing of HIV-1-infected cells
Authors: Clark Kolin , Wang Qiankun , Shan Liang
Published: September 2021

Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) induce pyroptosis of HIV-1 infected CD4+T cells through induction of intracellular viral protease activation, which then activates the CARD8 inflammasome. Due to high concentrations of NNRTIs being required for efficient CARD8 activation and elimination of HIV-1-infected cells, it is important to elucidate ways to sensitize the CARD8 inflammasome to NNRTI-induced activation. We show that this sensitization can be done through chemical inhibition of the CARD8 negative regulator DPP9. DPP9 inhibitor Val-boroPro (VbP) can act synergistically with NNRTIs to increase their efficacy in killing HIV-1-infected cells. We also show that VbP is able to partially overcome issues with NNRTI resistance and is capable of killing infected cells without the presence of NNRTIs. This offers a promising strategy for enhancing NNRTI efficacy in elimination of HIV-1 reservoirs in patients.
Co-expression analysis to identify key modules and hub genes associated with COVID19 in Platelets
Authors: Alarabi Ahmed B. , Mohsen Attayeb , Mizuguchi Kenji , Alshbool Fatima Z. , Khasawneh Fadi T.
Published: September 2021

Abstract

The severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a highly contagious virus that causes a severe respiratory disease known as Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID19). Indeed, COVID19 increases the risk of cardiovascular occlusive/thrombotic events and is linked to poor outcomes. The pathophysiological processes underlying COVID19-induced thrombosis are complex, and remain poorly understood. To this end, platelets play important roles in regulating our cardiovascular system, including via contributions to coagulation and inflammation. There is an ample of evidence that circulating platelets are activated in COVID19 patients, which is a primary driver of the thrombotic outcome observed in these patients. However, the comprehensive molecular basis of platelet activation in COVID19 disease remains elusive, which warrants more investigation. Hence, we employed gene co-expression network analysis combined with pathways enrichment analysis to further investigate the aforementioned issues. Our study revealed three important gene clusters/modules that were closely related to COVID19. Furthermore, enrichment analysis showed that these three modules were mostly related to platelet metabolism, protein translation, mitochondrial activity, and oxidative phosphorylation, as well as regulation of megakaryocyte differentiation, and apoptosis, suggesting a hyperactivation status of platelets in COVID19. We identified the three hub genes from each of three key modules according to their intramodular connectivity value ranking, namely: COPE, CDC37, CAPNS1, AURKAIP1, LAMTOR2, GABARAP MT-ND1, MT-ND5, and MTRNR2L12. Collectively, our results offer a new and interesting insight into platelet involvement in COVID19 disease at the molecular level, which might aid in defining new targets for treatment of COVID19–induced thrombosis.

key points

Co-expression analysis of platelet RNAseq from COVID19 patients show distinct clusters of genes (modules) that are highly correlated to COVID19 disease.

Identifying these modules might help in understanding the mechanism of thrombosis in COVID19 patients
Cancer-associated dynamics and potential regulators of intronic polyadenylation revealed by IPAFinder using standard RNA-seq data
Authors: Zhao Zhaozhao , Xu Qiushi , Wei Ran , Wang Weixu , Ding Dong , Yang Yu , Yao Jun , Zhang Liye , Hu Yue-Qing , Wei Gang , Ni Ting
Published: September 2021

Intronic polyadenylation (IpA) usually leads to changes in the coding region of an mRNA, and its implication in diseases has been recognized, although at its very beginning status. Conveniently and accurately identifying IpA is of great importance for further evaluating its biological significance. Here, we developed IPAFinder, a bioinformatic method for the de novo identification of intronic poly(A) sites and their dynamic changes from standard RNA-seq data. Applying IPAFinder to 256 pan-cancer tumor/normal pairs across six tumor types, we discovered 490 recurrent dynamically changed IpA events, some of which are novel and derived from cancer-associated genes such asTSC1,SPERD2, andCCND2. Furthermore, IPAFinder revealed that IpA could be regulated by factors related to splicing and m6A modification. In summary, IPAFinder enables the global discovery and characterization of biologically regulated IpA with standard RNA-seq data and should reveal the biological significance of IpA in various processes.
The methodology used to deliver information literacy instruction by a select group of academic librarians: a case study
Authors: Harrison Simone Julie-Ann , Deans Mark-Jeffery O'niel
Published: September 2021

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to highlight the need for academic librarians to incorporate effective methodologies in their delivery of information literacy instruction.

Design/methodology/approach

The researchers conducted a qualitative research using a case study approach. A nonprobability or purposive sampling method was employed in this research to select five participants. Semistructured interviews and observation were used to garner data from the sample.

Findings

The findings of the study revealed that the support required by distance education and face-to-face students is typically the same. An examination of the findings pointed to the fact that some students may be demotivated in information literacy instruction sessions because of an overload of information, which leads to frustration and poor performance.

Practical implications

The findings of the study highlight the need for Caribbean academic librarians to incorporate effective methodologies in their delivery of information literacy instruction and provide an analytical view of how these methodologies may impact performance, understanding and the overall work produced by both students and faculty.

Originality/value

Research on the topic specific to the Caribbean is limited; therefore, research of this nature provides useful strategies that academic librarians may use in developing stellar information literacy programs in the Caribbean to help both students and faculty members achieve excellence.
Revisiting the role of inflation in financial development: unveiling non-linear and moderating effects
Authors: Ehigiamusoe Kizito Uyi , Narayanan Suresh , Poon Wai-Ching
Published: September 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the non-linear impact of inflation on financial development, and the moderating role of GDP in the relationship between inflation and financial development in a panel of 125 countries.

Design/methodology/approach

It employs the dynamic common correlated effects (CCE) that can control for heterogeneity and cross-sectional dependence. This technique enables us to conduct both panel and country-specific analyses.

Findings

Though there is no significant evidence that inflation has a non-linear impact on financial development in the panel, the country-specific estimations reveal that inflation has a non-linear impact on financial development in 66 countries. The results also show that GDP mitigates the detrimental effect of inflation on financial development in 45 countries. An insight into the non-linear relationship between inflation and financial development is crucial for policy decision-making. Besides, knowledge of the moderating role of GDP in the relationship between financial development and inflation is fundamental for policy formulations.

Originality/value

Although the extant literature has shown that the inflation rate plays a negative role in financial development, the literature overlooked the non-linear relationship between the two variables. Besides, the studies have not considered the role of GDP in moderating the impact of the inflation rate on financial development. This study fills these gaps in the existing body of finance literature.
Mapping and measuring spatial connectivity of the pathways to home-based businesses within informal urban contexts
Authors: Thai Ha Minh Hai , Stevens Quentin , Rogers Judy
Published: September 2021

Purpose

This paper presents a mixed methodology to map and analyse the spatial connectivity of the everyday pathways that link the doorway of an individual's home–work locations to the local main commercial street. These pathways include public streets, semi-private lanes, alleys and stairs.

Design/methodology/approach

Pathways within different morphological areas in Hanoi, Vietnam, are used as examples to illustrate the development and application of the methodology. The methodology, adapted from Conzenian, typological, and space syntax methods, combined with observations and interviews, seeks to overcome several identified limitations of each of these approaches for understanding pedestrians' horizontal and vertical movement patterns within urban settings.

Findings

Analytical diagrams of pathways are developed on figure-ground maps of the neighbourhoods and three-dimensional projections of circulation spaces within buildings. Scatter plots are used to analyse the distribution of collected samples according to their business types and distances to local main streets. Field observations and interviews with homeowners revealed the critical influence of the pathways' spatial characteristics on home-based businesses' operations.

Originality/value

The methods developed here are potentially useful for urban morphologists and urban designers in decoding the intricacies of informal urban settings and understanding their socio-economic significance for users.
The reestablishment of Mosul's city fabric: an approach to computational hybridization
Authors: Alani Mostafa , Kahera Akel Ismail
Published: September 2021

Purpose

This paper aims out to analyze the confluence of spatial analysis and computational design strategies to support the reestablishment of Mosul's city housing fabric. According to a UN-Habitat report, Mosul suffered from catastrophic losses on an urban scale, resulting in a housing crisis that requires a large-scale response. However, the need for immediate shelters might lead to a rapid, uninformed reconstruction process, causing the loss of the architectural identity that the city accumulated over the years.

Design/methodology/approach

The study utilizes a two-phase sequential research method. In Phase 1, the study applies space syntax techniques to transform the floor plans of the collected traditional and contemporary houses into “quantifiable data.” This phase aims to identify design criteria that capture the “spatial configuration” of both types of houses. In the subsequent phase, the study utilizes the identified design criteria to develop a genetic algorithm inspired by traditional and contemporary practice that facilitates an informed design process.

Findings

The outcome of the study indicates that informed computational synthesis can assist in generating multiplicities floor plan layouts that mimic the inner spatial configuration of existing traditional courtyard houses and contemporary noncourtyard houses. In addition, the developed genetic algorithm was able to generate hybridized design solutions that have been spatially validated.

Originality/value

The study concludes with observations linking informed computational synthesis to the postwar construction process as a remedial methodology to analyze and redesign Mosul's city fabric in an informed, affordable and accessible fashion.
Contour- and Texture-based analysis for victim identification in forensic odontology
Authors: Jaffino G. , Prabin Jose J.
Published: September 2021

Purpose

Forensic dentistry is the application of dentistry in legal proceedings that arise from any facts relating to teeth. The ultimate goal of forensic odontology is to identify the individual when there are no other means of identification such as fingerprint, Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), iris, hand print and leg print. The purpose of selecting dental record is for the teeth to be able to withstand decomposition, heat degradation up to 1600 °C. Dental patterns are unique for every individual. This work aims to analyze the contour shape extraction and texture feature extraction of both radiographic and photographic dental images for person identification.

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve an accurate identification of individuals, the missing tooth in the radiograph has to be identified before matching of ante-mortem (AM) and post-mortem (PM) radiographs. To identify whether the missing tooth is a molar or premolar, each tooth in the given radiograph has to be classified using a k-nearest neighbor (k-NN) classifier; then, it is matched with the universal tooth numbering system. In order to make exact person identification, this research work is mainly concentrate on contour shape extraction and texture feature extraction for person identification. This work aims to analyze the contour shape extraction and texture feature extraction of both radiographic and photographic images for individual identification. Then, shape matching of AM and PM images is performed by similarity and distance metric for accurate person identification.

Findings

The experimental results are analyzed for shape and feature extraction of both radiographic and photographic dental images. From this analysis, it is proved that the higher hit rate performance is observed for the active contour shape extraction model, and it is well suited for forensic odontologists to identify a person in mass disaster situations.

Research limitations/implications

Forensic odontology is a branch of human identification that uses dental evidence to identify the victims. In mass disaster circumstances, contours and dental patterns are very useful to extract the shape in individual identification.

Originality/value

The experimental results are analyzed both the contour shape extraction and texture feature extraction of both radiographic and photographic images. From this analysis, it is proved that the higher hit rate performance is observed for the active contour shape extraction model and it is well suited for forensic odontologists to identify a person in mass disaster situations. The findings provide theoretical and practical implications for individual identification of both radiographic and photographic images with a view to accurate identification of the person.
Factors influencing the level of accuracy and compromise in overhead estimation for construction projects in India: an exploratory investigation
Authors: Singla Harish Kumar , Sridharan Srividhya
Published: September 2021

Purpose

Previous studies have highlighted that overheads form a critical part of the total project cost. However, despite this knowledge, the precise estimation of overheads is often neglected in construction projects. This paper aims to examine the reasons for the lack of effort in estimation of overheads.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is carried out in three stages. In stage one, an introductory survey is carried to understand the importance of overheads in total project cost. In stage two, a detailed survey is carried out to understand the factors that affect the level of accuracy and compromise made in estimation of overheads using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). In the final stage, two cases are examined in form of interviews to validate the findings. The model is tested for its reliability, validity and goodness of fit.

Findings

The findings of the study suggest that the time and cost spent is a critical issue. Therefore, if the projects feel that the benefit cost ratio for time and cost spend in the process is positive, they estimate the overheads accurately, whereas if they feel that the cost benefit ratio for time and cost spend is negative, they compromise with accurate estimation. Further, there is a lot of subjectivity in defining and processing overheads that leads to a negative impact on the accuracy level in estimation of overheads. The contract type also influences the compromise in estimation.

Research limitations/implications

First, there is scant work that has been carried out on understanding the behavior of overheads and reasons for lack of effort in its accurate estimation in construction projects. Therefore, there are no recent citations in the study. Further, the study being exploratory in nature draws conclusions based on opinion expressed by respondents on survey and interview. Finally, the study is geographically limited as the entire respondent's work in India.

Practical implications

Projects should give due attention to accurate estimation of overheads. Accurate estimation of overheads can help in better control of project margins, thereby serving the profit-maximizing goals of organizations. A conscious effort by industry experts, academicians and researchers can bring some discipline in overhead estimation rather than leaving the critical domain only to thumb rules or experiential assumptions. The regulatory bodies and the project management bodies are advised to come up with some kind of ready reference that can quickly help estimators to arrive at accurate overhead costs.

Originality/value

To the best of knowledge, it is a rare study to exclusively focus on project overhead cost in construction industry and focus on its estimation efforts. The study also uses a robust research process, which improves the reliability and validity of its findings.
Market efficiency and the Greek fixed-odds betting market
Authors: Kalaitzakis Alexandros , Lois Petros , Repousis Spyros
Published: September 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to empirically examine the efficiency of Greek fixed-odds (offline) betting market as offered by OPAP for the period 2016–2019.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a four-year data sample of OPAP's opening and closing odds for football matches from all over the world and applying linear probability and probit models, the market efficiency is examined and the existence of possible anomalies is investigated.

Findings

The main findings of research suggest that although the odds are dominated primarily by favorite-longshot bias and secondarily by draw bias, this mispricing cannot prove profitable. However, the opening odds, the margin levels and the market structure provide information that is not fully captured by the closing odds, giving bettors profit opportunities. Thus, findings show that the semi-strong market efficiency is questionable. Finally, competition reduces commissions leading to more efficient odds.

Practical implications

The conclusions of this study are useful for football betting market and, particularly, for government authorities, bookmakers and bettors. Findings can be extended in future research to prediction tasks.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study about the Greek football betting market. The contribution to the literature lies on the one hand in the examination of a monopolistic land-based betting market, which is being squeezed and threatened by the more competitive online betting market, and on the other hand in the simultaneous examination of the opening and closing odds.
Older healthcare workers' satisfaction: managing the interaction of age, job security expectations and autonomy
Authors: Rice Bridget , Martin Nigel , Fieger Peter , Hussain Taiba
Published: September 2021

Purpose

Demographic changes involving a worldwide ageing population and later retirements produce a gradual ageing of the workforce and major concerns about how ageing may influence the workplace. This paper aims to provide evidence relating to older workers in healthcare settings in Australia.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a secondary quantitative dataset, the authors sub-sampled a group of workers in the healthcare sector. We used linear regression arrangement with hypotheses focused on the assessment of the significance of interaction or moderation effects relating to job characteristics and age on employee satisfaction.

Findings

The authors note that older workers' job satisfaction is negatively influenced by poor perceptions of job security and autonomy in how their work is carried out. Ensuring that older workers stay in the healthcare workforce is imperative as the work force ages. This paper shows that managing their job security and offering them work autonomy enhance their job satisfaction.

Research limitations/implications

The use of a secondary and cross-sectional dataset has some limitations relating to endogeneity, although these have been managed and assessed. The paper is based on a representative sample of Australian workers, and is thus generalisable within the Australian context, and will be informative elsewhere.

Practical implications

The focus on elements of flexibility for older workers (enhanced autonomy) and clearer job security elements is of practical relevance in the management of older workers.

Social implications

As the overall population ages, supporting older workers in their careers will be of increasing importance. In sectors with a disproportionate share of older workers, like health care, this imperative will come sooner, and the benefits of getting arrangements right be will higher.

Originality/value

No other paper has explored these specific relationships empirically that the authors are aware of. This work is original in terms of its assessment of questions of what second-order effects exist in predicting employee satisfaction among older workers.
Tradeoffs between safe/comfortable headways versus mobility-enhancing headways in an automated driving environment: preliminary insights using a driving simulator experiment
Authors: Li Yujie , Chen Tiantian , Chen Sikai , Labi Samuel
Published: September 2021

Purpose

The anticipated benefits of connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs) include safety and mobility enhancement. Small headways between successive vehicles, on one hand, can cause increased capacity and throughput and thereby improve overall mobility. On the other hand, small headways can cause vehicle occupant discomfort and unsafety. Therefore, in a CAV environment, it is important to determine appropriate headways that offer a good balance between mobility and user safety/comfort.

Design/methodology/approach

In addressing this research question, this study carried out a pilot experiment using a driving simulator equipped with a Level-3 automated driving system, to measure the threshold headways. The Method of Constant Stimuli (MCS) procedure was modified to enable the estimation of two comfort thresholds. The participants (drivers) were placed in three categories (“Cautious,” “Neutral” and “Confident”) and 250 driving tests were carried out for each category. Probit analysis was then used to estimate the threshold headways that differentiate drivers' discomfort and their intention to re-engage the driving tasks.

Findings

The results indicate that “Cautious” drivers tend to be more sensitive to the decrease in headways, and therefore exhibit greater propensity to deactivate the automated driving mode under a longer headway relative to other driver groups. Also, there seems to exist no driver discomfort when the CAV maintains headway up to 5%–9% shorter than the headways they typically adopt. Further reduction in headways tends to cause discomfort to drivers and trigger take over control maneuver.

Research limitations/implications

In future studies, the number of observations could be increased further.

Practical implications

The study findings can help guide specification of user-friendly headways specified in the algorithms used for CAV control, by vehicle manufacturers and technology companies. By measuring and learning from a human driver's perception, AV manufacturers can produce personalized AVs to suit the user's preferences regarding headway. Also, the identified headway thresholds could be applied by practitioners and researchers to update highway lane capacities and passenger-car-equivalents in the autonomous mobility era.

Originality/value

The study represents a pioneering effort and preliminary pilot driving simulator experiment to assess the tradeoffs between comfortable headways versus mobility-enhancing headways in an automated driving environment.