bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Detection and characterization of jagged ends of double-stranded DNA in plasma
Authors: Jiang Peiyong , Xie Tingting , Ding Spencer C. , Zhou Ze , Cheng Suk Hang , Chan Rebecca W.Y. , Lee Wing-Shan , Peng Wenlei , Wong John , Wong Vincent W.S. , Chan Henry L.Y. , Chan Stephen L. , Poon Liona C.Y. , Leung Tak Y. , Chan K.C. Allen , Chiu Rossa W.K. , Lo Y.M. Dennis
Published: August 2020

Cell-free DNA in plasma has been used for noninvasive prenatal testing and cancer liquid biopsy. The physical properties of cell-free DNA fragments in plasma, such as fragment sizes and ends, have attracted much recent interest, leading to the emerging field of cell-free DNA fragmentomics. However, one aspect of plasma DNA fragmentomics as to whether double-stranded plasma molecules might carry single-stranded ends, termed a jagged end in this study, remains underexplored. We have developed two approaches for investigating the presence of jagged ends in a plasma DNA pool. These approaches utilized DNA end repair to introduce differential methylation signals between the original sequence and the jagged ends, depending on whether unmethylated or methylated cytosines were used in the DNA end-repair procedure. The majority of plasma DNA molecules (87.8%) were found to bear jagged ends. The jaggedness varied according to plasma DNA fragment sizes and appeared to be in association with nucleosomal patterns. In the plasma of pregnant women, the jaggedness of fetal DNA molecules was higher than that of the maternal counterparts. The jaggedness of plasma DNA correlated with the fetal DNA fraction. Similarly, in the plasma of cancer patients, tumor-derived DNA molecules in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma showed an elevated jaggedness compared with nontumoral DNA. In mouse models, knocking out of the Dnase1 gene reduced jaggedness, whereas knocking out of the Dnase1l3 gene enhanced jaggedness. Hence, plasma DNA jagged ends represent an intrinsic property of plasma DNA and provide a link between nuclease activities and the fragmentation of plasma DNA.
Neutron diffraction measurements of weld residual stresses in three-pass slot weld (Alloy 600/82) and assessment of the measurement uncertainty
Authors: Akrivos Vasileios , Wimpory Robert C. , Hofmann Michael , Stewart Beverly , Muransky Ondrej , Smith Mike C. , Bouchard John
Published: August 2020

This paper describes in detail two neutron diffraction residual stress measurements, performed on the ENGIN-X neutron scattering instrument at the ISIS facility in the UK and on the SALSA instrument at the Institut Laue–Langevin in Grenoble, France. The measurements were conducted as part of the NeT Task Group 6 (TG6) international measurement round robin on an Alloy 600/82 multi-pass weldment – a slot in an Alloy 600 plate filled with three Alloy 82 weld beads, simulating a repair weld. This alloy/weld combination is considered challenging to measure, due to the large grain size and texture in the weld, and large gradients in the stress-free lattice parameter between the parent and weld metal. The basic principles of the neutron diffraction technique are introduced and issues affecting the reliability of residual stress characterization are highlighted. Two different analysis strategies are used for estimation of residual stresses from the raw data. Chemical composition studies are used to measure the mixing of parent and weld metal and highlight the steep lattice parameter gradients that arise as a consequence. The inferred residual stresses are then compared with three sets of measurements performed on the same plate by other NeT partners on E3 at the HZB in Berlin, STRESS-SPEC at the FRM II in Munich and KOWARI in Sydney. A robust Bayesian estimation average is calculated from the combined five-instrument data set, allowing reliable best estimates of the residual stress distribution in the vicinity of the weldment. The systematic uncertainties associated with the residual stress measurements are determined separately in the weld and parent materials, and compared with those in the NeT TG4 benchmark. This is a three-pass slot-welded plate fabricated from American Iron and Steel Institute AISI 316L(N) austenitic stainless steel, and is normally considered less challenging to measure using diffraction techniques than all nickel welds. The uncertainties in the stress measurements by neutron diffraction for these two weldments seem to be comparable.
Crystal structure, thermal behaviour and detonation characterization of bis(4,5-diamino-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)methane monohydrate
Authors: Yan Biao , Li Hongya , Ma Haixia , Ma Xiangrong , Sun Zhiyong , Ma Yajun
Published: August 2020

Bis(4,5-diamino-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)methane monohydrate (BDATZM·H2O or C5H10N10·H2O) was synthesized and its crystal structure characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction; it belongs to the space group P-1 (triclinic) with Z = 2. The structure of BDATZM·H2O can be described as a two-dimensional ladder plane with extensive hydrogen bonding and no disorder. The thermal behaviour was studied under non-isothermal conditions by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric/differential thermogravimetric (TG/DTG) methods. The detonation velocity (D) and detonation pressure (P) of BDATZM were estimated using the nitrogen equivalent equation according to the experimental density. A comparison between BDATZM·H2O and bis(5-amino-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)methane (BATZM) was made to determine the effect of the amino group; the results suggest that the amino group increases the hydrophilicity, space utilization and energy, and decreases the thermal stability and symmetry of the resulting compound.
Synthesis and crystallographic characterization of diphenylamide rare-earth metal complexes Ln(NPh2)3(THF)2 and [(Ph2N)2
Ln(μ-NPh2)]2
Authors: Palumbo Chad T. , Kotyk Christopher M. , Ziller Joseph W. , Evans William J.
Published: August 2020

Studies of the coordination chemistry between the diphenylamide ligand, NPh2, and the smaller rare-earth Ln
III ions, Ln = Y, Dy, and Er, led to the structural characterization by single-crystal X-ray diffraction crystallography of both solvated and unsolvated complexes, namely, tris(diphenylamido-κN)bis(tetrahydrofuran-κO)yttrium(III), Y(NPh2)3(THF)2 or [Y(C12H10N)3(C4H8O)2], 1-Y, and the erbium(III) (Er), 1-Er, analogue, and bis[μ-1κN:2(η6)-diphenylamido]bis[bis(diphenylamido-κN)yttrium(III)], [(Ph2N)2Y(μ-NPh2)]2 or [Y2(C12H10N)6], 2-Y, and the dysprosium(III) (Dy), 2-Dy, analogue. The THF ligands of 1-Er are modeled with disorder across two positions with occupancies of 0.627 (12):0.323 (12) and 0.633 (7):0.367 (7). Also structurally characterized was the tetrametallic ErIII bridging oxide hydrolysis product, bis(μ-diphenylamido-κ2
N:N)bis[μ-1κN:2(η6)-diphenylamido]tetrakis(diphenylamido-κN)di-μ3-oxido-tetraerbium(III) benzene disolvate, {[(Ph2N)Er(μ-NPh2)]4(μ-O)2}·(C6H6)2 or [Er4(C12H10N)8O2]·2C6H6, 3-Er. The 3-Er structure was refined as a three-component twin with occupancies 0.7375:0.2010:0.0615.
Crystal structures of three anionic lanthanide–aluminium [3.3.1] metallacryptate complexes
Authors: Rheam Rachel E. , Zeller Matthias , Zaleski Curtis M.
Published: August 2020

The three isomorphous [3.3.1] metallacryptate complexes bis(pyridinium) diaquadipyridinehexakis[μ3-salicylhydroximato(3−)]bis[μ2-salicylhydroximato(1−)]hexaaluminiumgadolinium–pyridine–water (1/7.396/1), (C5H6N)2[GdAl6(C7H6NO3)2(C7H4NO3)7(C5H5N)1.855(H2O)2]·7.396C5H5N·H2O or [Hpy]2[GdAl6(H2shi)2(shi)7(py)1.855(H2O)2]·7.396py·H2O, 1, bis(pyridinium) diaquadipyridinehexakis[μ3-salicylhydroximato(3−)]bis[μ2-salicylhydroximato(1−)]hexaaluminiumdysprosium–pyridine–water (1/7.429/1), (C5H6N)2[DyAl6(C7H6NO3)2(C7H4NO3)7(C5H5N)1.855(H2O)2]·7.429C5H5N·H2O or [Hpy]2[DyAl6(H2shi)2(shi)7(py)1.891(H2O)2]·7.429py·H2O, 2, and bis(pyridinium) diaquadipyridinehexakis[μ3-salicylhydroximato(3−)]bis[μ2-salicylhydroximato(1−)]hexaaluminiumytterbium–pyridine–water (1/7.386/1), (C5H6N)2[YbAl6(C7H6NO3)2(C7H4NO3)7(C5H5N)1.855(H2O)2]·7.429C5H5N·H2O or [Hpy]2[YbAl6(H2shi)2(shi)7(py)1.818(H2O)2]·7.386py·H2O, 3, where Hpy+ is pyridinium, shi3− is salicylhydroximate, and py is pyridine, consist of an aluminium-based metallacryptand that captures an Ln
III ion in the central cavity. The metallacryptand portions are comprised of an Al—N—O repeat unit; thus, they can be considered three-dimensional metallacrowns. The encapsulated Ln
III ions are nine-coordinate with a spherical capped-square-antiprism geometry, while the six AlIII ions are all octahedral. Four of the AlIII ions are chiral centers with 2 Δ and 2 Λ stereoconfigurations. The remaining two AlIII ions have trans chelate rings from two different shi3− ligands. For 1–3, a section of the main molecule is disordered induced by the presence or absence of a pyridine ligand coordinated to one of the AlIII ions. In the absence of the pyridine moiety, an H2shi− ligand moves into the space otherwise occupied by the pyridine and the phenol oxygen atom coordinates to the AlIII ion. The movement of the H2shi− ligand induces movement for the Ln
III ion, for another AlIII ion that also binds the same H2shi− ligand, and for one of the shi3− ligands coordinated to the latter AlIII ion. For 1–3 the occupancy ratio of the metallacryptand portions refined to 0.8550 (13):0.1450 (13), to 0.8909 (13):0.1091 (13), and to 0.8181 (14):0.1819 (14), respectively.
Tetraaquabis(2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-2-carboxylato)calcium(II)
Authors: Camargo-Cortés Esmit B. , Acosta Mirna , Martínez Juan C. , Pineda Leslie W.
Published: August 2020

The acid–base reaction of 1,4-benzodioxane 2-carboxylic acid with calcium carbonate furnished the centrosymmetric title compound, [Ca(C9H7O4)2(H2O)4], in which the metal ion is octahedrally coordinated by two monodentate 1,4-benzodioxane 2-carboxylate ligands and four water molecules. In the crystal, O—H...O and C—H...O hydrogen bonds link the molecules into a three-dimensional network.
A rule-based automated machine learning approach in the evaluation of recommender engine
Authors: Behera Rajat Kumar , Bala Pradip Kumar , Jain Rashmi
Published: August 2020

Purpose

Any business that opts to adopt a recommender engine (RE) for various potential benefits must choose from the candidate solutions, by matching to the task of interest and domain. The purpose of this paper is to choose RE that fits best from a set of candidate solutions using rule-based automated machine learning (ML) approach. The objective is to draw trustworthy conclusion, which results in brand building, and establishing a reliable relation with customers and undeniably to grow the business.

Design/methodology/approach

An experimental quantitative research method was conducted in which the ML model was evaluated with diversified performance metrics and five RE algorithms by combining offline evaluation on historical and simulated movie data set, and the online evaluation on business-alike near-real-time data set to uncover the best-fitting RE.

Findings

The rule-based automated evaluation of RE has changed the testing landscape, with the removal of longer duration of manual testing and not being comprehensive. It leads to minimal manual effort with high-quality results and can possibly bring a new revolution in the testing practice to start a service line “Machine Learning Testing as a service” (MLTaaS) and the possibility of integrating with DevOps that can specifically help agile team to ship a fail-safe RE evaluation product targeting SaaS (software as a service) or cloud deployment.

Research limitations/implications

A small data set was considered for A/B phase study and was captured for ten movies from three theaters operating in a single location in India, and simulation phase study was captured for two movies from three theaters operating from the same location in India. The research was limited to Bollywood and Ollywood movies for A/B phase, and Ollywood movies for simulation phase.

Practical implications

The best-fitting RE facilitates the business to make personalized recommendations, long-term customer loyalty forecasting, predicting the company's future performance, introducing customers to new products/services and shaping customer's future preferences and behaviors.

Originality/value

The proposed rule-based ML approach named “2-stage locking evaluation” is self-learned, automated by design and largely produces time-bound conclusive result and improved decision-making process. It is the first of a kind to examine the business domain and task of interest. In each stage of the evaluation, low-performer REs are excluded which leads to time-optimized and cost-optimized solution. Additionally, the combination of offline and online evaluation methods offer benefits, such as improved quality with self-learning algorithm, faster time to decision-making by significantly reducing manual efforts with end-to-end test coverage, cognitive aiding for early feedback and unattended evaluation and traceability by identifying the missing test metrics coverage.
Job insecurity fluctuations and support towards Italian precarious schoolteachers
Authors: Giunchi Marianna , Marques-Quinteiro Pedro , Ghislieri Chiara , Vonthron Anne-Marie
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The negative consequences of job insecurity on the well-being of individuals are well known. However, the perceptions of job insecurity over time and how some factors such as social support may affect them have received limited attention. This study follows precarious schoolteachers for three weeks before the end of their contract to explore how their perceptions of job insecurity evolve over time.

Design/methodology/approach

The participants were 47 precarious schoolteachers who first completed a general questionnaire, then a diary survey on nine occasions over the course of the three weeks. Data was analysed with MPLUS 7.3.

Findings

The results suggest intra-individual differences regarding the way job insecurity was perceived over time. An additional discovery was that support provided by the school principal was negatively related to changes in job insecurity over time.

Research limitations/implications

The relatively small sample size, which includes only precarious schoolteachers, and the methodology complexity of the diary are limitations of this study.

Practical implications

This study highlights the subjective nature of the perceptions of job insecurity. It also shows the importance of the school principal's social support towards precarious schoolteachers; therefore, practitioners should propose interventions to enhance the quality of principal–teachers relationships.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature by investigating how perceptions of job insecurity evolve over time and the role of social support.
The impact of cognitive and behavioral factors on the export performance: a dynamic capabilities perspective
Authors: Wójcik Piotr , Ciszewska-Mlinarič Mariola
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore how individual-level cognitive and organizational-level behavioral factors influence the level of firms’ export performance as firms adapt to the challenges of foreign expansion.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the literature on dynamic capabilities (DCs) and international business, the study introduces a multi-level model of DC to internationalize and test it empirically on a sample of 93 Polish exporting firms using structural equation modeling.

Findings

The results show a strong and positive impact of the “strategy as stretch” managerial mind-set on two behavioral elements, namely, business modeling and partnering capability. Global mind-set has a strong and positive impact on business modeling and learning about foreign markets and a negative but insignificant effect on partnering capability. Only two of the three behavioral elements of the conceptualized DC have significant and positive impacts on export performance. In contrast to the expectations, the direct path coefficient from learning about foreign markets to export performance was found to be positive but insignificant.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature by offering a coherent, multi-level framework of DCs. The study goes beyond previous conceptualizations of DCs and considers various individual-level cognitive and organizational-level behavioral elements of DC for the internationalization of exporting firms. In particular, this study shows the interplay between them and their combined impact on export performance.
Multi-scale reliability-based design optimisation framework for fibre-reinforced composite laminates
Authors: Omairey Sadik Lafta , Dunning Peter Donald , Sriramula Srinivas
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to enable performing reliability-based design optimisation (RBDO) for a composite component while accounting for several multi-scale uncertainties using a large representative volume element (LRVE). This is achieved using an efficient finite element analysis (FEA)-based multi-scale reliability framework and sequential optimisation strategy.

Design/methodology/approach

An efficient FEA-based multi-scale reliability framework used in this study is extended and combined with a proposed sequential optimisation strategy to produce an efficient, flexible and accurate RBDO framework for fibre-reinforced composite laminate components. The proposed RBDO strategy is demonstrated by finding the optimum design solution for a composite component under the effect of multi-scale uncertainties while meeting a specific stiffness reliability requirement. Performing this using the double-loop approach is computationally expensive because of the number of uncertainties and function evaluations required to assess the reliability. Thus, a sequential optimisation concept is proposed, which starts by finding a deterministic optimum solution, then assesses the reliability and shifts the constraint limit to a safer region. This is repeated until the desired level of reliability is reached. This is followed by a final probabilistic optimisation to reduce the mass further and meet the desired level of stiffness reliability. In addition, the proposed framework uses several surrogate models to replace expensive FE function evaluations during optimisation and reliability analysis. The numerical example is also used to investigate the effect of using different sizes of LRVEs, compared with a single RVE. In future work, other problem-dependent surrogates such as Kriging will be used to allow predicting lower probability of failures with high accuracy.

Findings

The integration of the developed multi-scale reliability framework with the sequential RBDO optimisation strategy is proven computationally feasible, and it is shown that the use of LRVEs leads to less conservative designs compared with the use of single RVE, i.e. up to 3.5% weight reduction in the case of the 1 × 1 RVE optimised component. This is because the LRVE provides a representation of the spatial variability of uncertainties in a composite material while capturing a wider range of uncertainties at each iteration.

Originality/value

Fibre-reinforced composite laminate components designed using reliability and optimisation have been investigated before. Still, they have not previously been combined in a comprehensive multi-scale RBDO. Therefore, this study combines the probabilistic framework with an optimisation strategy to perform multi-scale RBDO and demonstrates its feasibility and efficiency for an fibre reinforced polymer component design.
Transformation of educational roles of library-supported mobile learning: a literature review from 2009 to 2018
Authors: Tu Yun-Fang , Hwang Gwo-Jen
Published: August 2020

Purpose

This study aims to explore the transformation of the roles of libraries, application trends and potential research issues of library-supported mobile learning.

Design/methodology/approach

The publications in the Scopus database from 2009 to 2018 are reviewed and analyzed from various aspects, such as the roles of libraries in mobile learning, types of libraries, research foci and sensing or location-based technologies.

Findings

The role of libraries as learning material providers is examined the most in library-supported mobile learning studies, followed by the role as inquiry context providers and as knowledge-sharing platforms. In terms of the role as learning material providers, academic libraries were investigated the most and radio frequency identification (RFID) was mainly adopted. In terms of the role as inquiry context providers, special libraries were explored the most; adopted sensing technologies were more diverse (e.g. QR code, augmented reality, RFID and Global Positioning System). Only special libraries played a role as knowledge-sharing platforms, adopting augmented reality. Most research on library-supported mobile learning mainly focused on investigating the affective domain during mobile learning.

Practical implications

Five potential applications of educational roles in library-supported mobile learning are suggested based on the findings of the present study.

Originality/value

The current study provides insights relevant to the educational roles of library-supported mobile learning. The findings and suggestions can serve as references for researchers and school teachers conducting library-supported mobile learning.
Study on the reliability assessment and early-warning method of online auditing based on the perspective of IT control
Authors: Chen Wei , Smieliauskas Wally , Liu Sifeng
Published: August 2020

Purpose

An important issue in online auditing is how to improve the reliability of online auditing in order to reduce the overall audit risk. In this paper, a reliability assessment and early-warning method of online auditing based on RC (rank centroid), AHP (analytic hierarchy process) and GM (1,1) is proposed from the perspective of information technology (IT) audit risk control.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper begins by structuring the AHP hierarchy to the reliability assessment of online auditing used in China. Then, RC is used to rank the importance of the assessment criteria. Pairwise comparisons of criteria are made based on the rank results of RC, and this leads to a matrix of comparisons. Next, the comparison matrices are translated into weights, and the reliability assessment and early-warning model of online auditing is constructed using the GM (1,1) model. A case illustration is given to analyze the application of this method.

Findings

Research results show that the reliability of the evaluation method designed in this paper is rigorous and effective. The reliability assessment and early-warning method of online auditing based on RC/AHP/GM (1,1) can assess and give an effective early warning of reliability changes in an online auditing system, which can meet the needs of current online auditing projects.

Practical implications

The results of this study have good potential for widespread future implementation of online auditing projects.

Originality/value

An effective reliability assessment and early-warning method of online auditing is proposed from the perspective of IT audit risk control in this study.
Comparative analysis of hospital environments in Australia and China using the space syntax approach
Authors: Geng Shiran , Chau Hing-Wah , Yan Se , Zhang Wenyu , Zhang Chunyang
Published: August 2020

Purpose

Spatial arrangement of hospital environments has been proven to have impacts on hospital users such as wayfinding, privacy and operational efficiency. Many studies examined the spatial quality of hospitals, but there is a lack of comparative research between Chinese and Australian hospitals. Hospitals in both countries have salient features that are worth to learn and can inform hospital stakeholders internationally on design decisions. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate and compare the spatial quality of hospitals from both countries using space syntax approach and field observation.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses space syntax analysis and observation to provide qualitative and quantitative data. Illustrative case studies from both countries are selected for comparison. The main benchmarks involved in measuring the spatial qualities, such as step depth and visual connectivity, are analysed using Depthmap X before comparing with the results from observation.

Findings

For Chinese hospitals to be more human-centred, public space design and facility management need additional attention. Australian hospitals could learn from Hospital D on how to design highly centralised nursing stations that cope with a high patient flow. Global policy and decision-makers should consider the potential inconsistency between initial design intention and practical use.

Originality/value

Practical implications were made based on the results for bettering hospital environments. It is hoped that the methodology presented in this research is of significance to the enhancement of global healthcare environment research.
Prisoners’ experiences of prison drug treatment – what matters?
Authors: Nylander Per-Åke , Holm Claes , Lindberg Odd
Published: August 2020

Purpose

This study aims to analyze prisoners’ experiences of prison drug-treatment programs in Sweden. How do they describe their personal relationships with the prison staff and with other prisoners in the wings? How do they describe the social climate and the control in drug-treatment wings? How could differences between these wings be understood?

Design/methodology/approach

The data consist of observations and face-to-face interviews with male and female prisoners in three Swedish prison drug-treatment wings. Analytical concepts used are roles, relationships and rituals.

Findings

The prisoners’ relationships with prison officers seemed connected to what kinds of rituals the prisoners and staff engaged in. In all three treatment wings, the staff and prisoners were involved in natural rituals. This was most frequent in the women’s prison with a 12-step program. The prisoners were frustrated with control measures but were mainly positive to the measures as preventing drugs from coming into the wing.

Research limitations/implications

Only three prison wings, however in varying prisons, have been studied.

Originality/value

These results gives a useful prisoners’ perspective on the development of drug-prevention and treatment in different kinds of prisons.
A unified work breakdown structure-based framework for building asset management
Authors: Al-Kasasbeh Maha , Abudayyeh Osama , Liu Hexu
Published: August 2020

Purpose

Asset inventory is an essential part of any building asset management system and is needed by such functions as condition assessment and deterioration prediction. Previous studies in asset management systems have suggested the use of one of the many standard construction classification systems, such as UniFormat or MasterFormat, in achieving the goals of asset management. However, each classification system has its unique features, and it has been developed for different purposes and may not necessarily be directly adaptable to asset management. A proper classification system is thus needed to achieve the goals of building asset management effectively. Such a system must take into consideration the objectives and functions of asset management. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to establish a unified work breakdown structure (WBS)-based framework for building asset inventory.

Design/methodology/approach

The WBS-based framework aims to cover the entire lifecycle of an asset so as to provide the unified classification system for asset inventory. The proposed framework is developed based on appropriate building standards. Also, comprehensive levels of details are included for space functions and locations for all assets in any type of building. Furthermore, this framework takes into consideration utilities in any kind of building project. As such, the WBS-based framework proposed in this research endeavor provides the basis for effective asset management. An educational building case study is presented and discussed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed framework for asset management.

Findings

The unified WBS-based framework for building asset management effectively classifies asset inventories and facilitates decision-making in asset management during the lifecycle of an asset.

Originality/value

This research synthesizes a unified WBS-based framework for building asset management, which allows for a more effective lifecycle building asset management.
The adoption of online e-waste collection platform to improve environmental sustainability: an empirical study of Chinese millennials
Authors: Ramzan Sidra , Liu ChenGuang , Xu Yan , Munir Hina , Gupta Bhumika
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The study aims to explore how young consumers perceive and adopt the online e-waste collection platform, by developing a conceptual framework that integrates the theory of planned behavior, the technology acceptance model and the perceived risk. Based on conceptual framework, the study further identifies factors that positively or negatively influence the Chinese millennials' decision on the use of online collection platform.

Design/methodology/approach

The study conducts a questionnaire survey from 807 Chinese millennials living in urban and rural areas. Based on the collected data, the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) is employed to conduct PLS path modeling and multi-group analysis.

Findings

The study results support the proposed conceptual framework and confirm its robustness in investigating Chinese millennials' intentions to adopt online e-waste collection platform. The findings suggest that the perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, attitude, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control have positive impact, while perceived risk has negative impact on the behavioral intentions of millennials on the adoption of the platform.

Originality/value

With the emergence of Internet technology, online e-waste collection platform has arisen as an innovative and alternative solution to improve environmental sustainability by encouraging e-waste collection through formal recycling channels in China. In order to divert the consumers from informal recycling channels to online e-waste collection platform, it is necessary to understand what factors impact the adoption of this platform among consumers. The study provides theoretical contribution and practical implications relevant to regulators and practitioners to encourage the adoption of online e-waste collection platform.
The forgotten fauna: Native vertebrate seed predators on islands
Authors: Carpenter Joanna K. , Wilmshurst Janet M. , McConkey Kim R. , Hume Julian P. , Wotton Debra M. , Shiels Aaron B. , Burge Olivia R. , Drake Donald R.
Published: August 2020

Human colonization of islands has resulted in the reduction or loss of many native species, and the introduction of non‐native species, producing novel ecosystems. The impacts of these changes on mutualistic plant–animal interactions have received considerable attention, but the potential effects on some antagonistic interactions, such as seed predation, are less thoroughly understood, and often overlooked.

Using three archetypal island groups—New Zealand, the Mascarenes and Hawaiʻi—we compare the taxonomic richness and functional diversity of vertebrate seed predators from prehuman and contemporary ecosystems. We scored species on several traits relevant to seed predation, then clustered species into functionally similar groups using hierarchical clustering.

These archipelagos once supported between 19 and 24 species of exclusively avian seed predators (representing two to four orders) ranging from large, flightless herbivores to small, volant finches and parrots. Following human arrival, 63%–89% of these species went extinct, and between 12 and 23 non‐native seed predators were introduced. Contemporary seed predator faunas consist of between 14 and 26 species (representing six to seven orders), dominated by non‐native granivorous birds and omnivorous mammals.

Our results reveal several examples in which non‐native species may be functionally similar to extinct seed predators, but most non‐native species are functionally different from extinct species, and therefore may be introducing novel seed predation pressures for insular ecosystems. Mammalian seed predators are especially functionally different from the native avian seed predators, as their teeth and widespread habitat distribution allow them to destroy a more diverse range of seeds, including the largest seeds.

We highlight the need to understand how these altered seed predator communities are affecting native plant populations, particularly in the context of reduced pollination and seed dispersal. More broadly, we argue that antagonistic interactions are an integral part of any ecosystem, and therefore must be understood if we are to achieve more holistic restoration frameworks for insular ecosystems.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Metaproteomics insights into traditional fermented foods and beverages
Authors: Yang Liang , Fan Wenlai , Xu Yan
Published: August 2020

Traditional fermented foods and beverages (TFFB) are important dietary components. Multi‐omics techniques have been applied to all aspects of TFFB research to clarify the composition and nutritional value of TFFB, and to reveal the microbial community, microbial interactions, fermentative kinetics, and metabolic profiles during the fermentation process of TFFB. Because of the advantages of metaproteomics in providing functional information, this technology has increasingly been used in research to assess the functional diversity of microbial communities. Metaproteomics is gradually gaining attention in the field of TFFB research because it can reveal the nature of microorganism function at the protein level. This paper reviews the common methods of metaproteomics applied in TFFB research; systematically summarizes the results of metaproteomics research on TFFB, such as sauces, wines, fermented tea, cheese, and fermented fish; and compares the differences in conclusions reached through metaproteomics versus other omics methods. Metaproteomics has great advantages in revealing the microbial functions in TFFB and the interaction between the materials and microbial community. In the future, metaproteomics should be further applied to the study of functional protein markers and protein interaction in TFFB; multi‐omics technology requires further integration to reveal the molecular nature of TFFB fermentation.
Late Cambrian to Early Silurian Granitic Rocks of the Gemuri Area, Central Qiangtang, North Tibet: New Constraints on the Tectonic Evolution of the Northern Margin of Gondwana
Authors: WANG Haitao , ZHAI Qingguo , HU Peiyuan , ZENG Lingsen , TANG Yue , ZHU Zhicai
Published: August 2020

The Paleozoic tectonic framework and paleo–plate configuration of the northern margin of Gondwana remain controversial. The South Qiangtang terrane is located along the northern margin of Gondwana and records key processes in the formation and evolution of this supercontinent. Here, we present new field, petrological, zircon U‐Pb geochronological, and Lu‐Hf isotopic data for granitic rocks of the Gemuri pluton, all of which provide new insights into the evolution of the northern margin of Gondwana. Zircon U‐Pb dating of the Gemuri pluton yielded three concordant ages of 488.5 ± 2.1, 479.9 ± 8.9, and 438.5 ± 3.5 Ma. Combining these ages with the results of previous research indicates that the South Qiangtang terrane records two magmatic episodes at 502–471 and 453–439 Ma. These two episodes are associated with enriched zircon Hf isotopic compositions (∊Hf(t) = –10.1 to –3.9 and –16.6 to –6.5, respectively), suggesting the granites were formed by the partial melting of Paleoproterozoic–Mesoproterozoic metasedimentary rocks (Two–stage Hf model ages (TDMC) = 2094–1704 and 2466–1827 Ma, respectively). Combining these data with the presence of linearly distributed, contemporaneous Paleozoic igneous rocks along the northern margin of Gondwana, we suggest that all of these rocks were formed in an active continental margin setting. This manifests that the two magmatic episodes within the Gemuri area were associated with southward subduction in the Proto‐ (Paleo‐) Tethys Ocean.
Gross morphological, histological and scanning electron specifications of the oropharyngeal cavity of the hooded crow (Corvus cornix pallescens)
Authors: Gewaily Mahmoud S. , Abumandour Mohamed M. A.
Published: August 2020

The present study was carried out on the oropharyngeal cavity of the hooded crow to investigate the gross and microscopic structures via gross anatomy, light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The gross anatomy clarified the elongated triangular shape of the oropharyngeal cavity with a non‐protruding tongue with a bifid apex. The lingual body contained median groove rostrally and separated caudally from the root by a transverse papillary crest. The laryngeal mound located posterior to the lingual root, contained midline laryngeal cleft and bounded caudally by a transverse row of pharyngeal papillae. The palate contained choanal cleft rostrally and infundibular slit caudally in addition to five palatine ridges. By light microscopy, the dorsal lingual epithelium was highly keratinised stratified squamous with a lingual nail in the most rostral part of the apex. Then, the thickness of the keratin layer decreased caudally, while in the ventral surface, the lining epithelium became non‐keratinised. The entoglossum supported the lingual body and root, but not extended to the apex. The lining epithelium of the palate was also keratinised stratified squamous and became none‐keratinised at the oral side of the choanal cleft. There were numerous lobules of polystomatic salivary glands in the lingual root and the palate. SEM revealed the arrangement of different types of papillae covering both the floor and the roof of the oropharynx besides numerous openings of salivary glands in the lingual root, laryngeal mound and the palate. These findings reflect the functional relationship of the oropharyngeal cavity of the hooded crow during feeding.
Reducing falls through the implementation of a multicomponent intervention on a rural mixed rehabilitation ward
Authors: Ma Colleen Lok Kum , Morrissey Rebecca Ann
Published: August 2020

Problem

There is an absence of literature to guide staff in how falls can be reduced in a diverse patient population on a mixed acute/subacute rehabilitation unit, especially one with daily fluctuations in acuity that occurs due to frequent changes in its acute/rehabilitation patient ratio.

Design

Pre‐intervention and post‐intervention audits.

Setting

The Rehabilitation Unit at Tamworth Rural Referral Hospital in Tamworth, NSW.

Key measures for improvement

Improvement in the number of falls and repeat fallers.

Strategies for change

A multicomponent intervention involving: (a) in‐service education sessions for nursing staff about falls risk‐increasing drugs, (b) patient and family education regarding falls risks and prevention strategies, (c) improving documentation of incident reports by using a set template, (d) ensuring that the correct patient mobility status information is handed over between nursing shifts and physiotherapists providing timely and regular updates, (e) the introduction of the ‘traffic light mobility system’ and (f) enhancing the use of existing falls prevention strategies.

Effects of change

The total falls reduced in number from 36 falls to 19 with a decrease in the number of repeat fallers from 8 to 4. There was also increased compliance with existing falls risk tools and improved documentation of each falls incident which provided insight into activities and times with higher falls risk.

Lessons learnt

A multicomponent approach remained effective even when applied to a mixed acute/subacute rehabilitation ward setting.
Screening of hydrocephalus in infants using either WHO or population‐based head circumference reference charts
Authors: Karvonen Marjo , Saari Antti , Lamidi Marja‐Leena , Selander Tuomas , Löppönen Tuija , Lönnqvist Tuula , Dunkel Leo , Sankilampi Ulla
Published: August 2020

Aim

The aim was to compare the performances of the World Health Organization (WHO) and population‐based (PB) references in the screening for hydrocephalus in infants aged <2 years.

Methods

We collected 341 longitudinal head circumference (HC) measurements of hydrocephalic infants and 120 181 measurements of 15 145 healthy infants from primary care. The measurements were converted into z‐scores, and a new screening parameter, change in HC standard deviation score (SDS) over time (ΔHC SDS), was calculated. Comparisons were made using receiver operating characteristics analysis and linear mixed models.

Results

The mean HC SDSWHOwas 3.5 and the mean HC SDSPBwas 2.9 in the hydrocephalic infants, and in healthy children, those numbers were 1.0 SDSWHOand 0 SDSPB, respectively. The best screening accuracy was obtained with the PB reference in combination with the ΔHC SDS parameter (AUC 0.89). The accuracy of the WHO standard could be improved to a similar level by customising the screening cut‐offs of HC SDS according to the population and combining screening parameters.

Conclusions

Auxology alone was not sufficient for the screening of hydrocephalus. The WHO standard should be validated in the population, and population‐specific cut‐offs for normality defined before its introduction.
VGLL4 with low YAP expression is associated with favorable prognosis in colorectal cancer
Authors: Kim Joo Young , Kim Eun Kyung , Lee Won Mi , Hong Young Ok , Lee Hojung
Published: August 2020

The Hippo pathway is a tumor suppressive pathway regulating Yes‐associated protein‐TEA domain‐containing sequence‐specific transcription factor (YAP‐TEAD) complex. VGLL (Vestigial‐like) proteins are transcriptional cofactors competing with YAP for TEAD binding and interfering oncogenic activity of YAP‐TEAD complex. We evaluated the expression of VGLL4, YAP, and TEAD4 and assessed their correlations with clinicopathologic factors and prognostic effects in 295 colorectal cancers. VGLL4 was positive in 164 (55.6%) cases and correlated with small tumor size, low pT classification, and absence of lymph node metastasis. YAP and TEAD4 were highly expressed in 138 (46.8%) cases and 144 (48.8%) cases, respectively, and high expressions were associated with presence of lymphovascular invasion and lymph node metastasis, or distant metastasis. VGLL4 expression was significantly correlated with low YAP expression (p < 0.001) and had significantly better overall survival than negative expression (p < 0.001). High YAP (HR, 2.108; 95% confidence interval, 1.239–3.584; p = 0.006) and TEAD4 (1.724; 1.021–2.912; p = 0.042) expressions were associated with poor overall survivals. The combined VGLL4posYAPlow expression showed the best overall survival than other groups (p < 0.001). VGLL4 expression (0.381; 0.212–0.683; p = 0.001) and combined VGLL4posYAPlow expression (0.227; 0.108–0.475; p < 0.001) were independent good prognostic factors in colorectal cancers. The expressions of VGLL4, YAP, and TEAD4 can be used as prognostic markers in colorectal cancer patients.
Survival time and relapse in dogs with meningoencephalomyelitis of unknown origin treated with prednisolone and ciclosporin: a retrospective study
Authors: Brady SL , Woodward AP , le Chevoir MAR
Published: August 2020

Objective

To analyse outcome in dogs with a presumptive diagnosis of meningoencephalomyelitis of unknown origin (MUO) treated with prednisolone and ciclosporin and to assess the effect of a number of patient variables on survival time and rate of relapse.

Design

Retrospective case series.

Methods

Medical records of 40 client‐owned dogs with a diagnosis of MUO treated with prednisolone and ciclosporin at one institution between June 2010 and January 2018 were reviewed retrospectively to assess survival times and prognostic indicators for death and/or relapse. The minimum follow‐up time was 11 months post‐diagnosis.

Results

Median survival was 1345 days (95% confidence interval: 487‐∞).

No associations with hazard of death or relapse were detected for the presence of multifocal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) abnormalities, caudal fossa location of MRI abnormalities, value of cerebrospinal fluid total nucleated cell count or total protein at time of diagnosis, or suspected elevation in intracranial pressure at time of diagnosis.

Conclusion

Protracted survival time may be achieved with a treatment combination of prednisolone and ciclosporin. Suspected elevation in intracranial pressure at the time of diagnosis did not affect long‐term outcome in this cohort.
Medical therapy to attenuate fetal anaemia in severe maternal red cell alloimmunisation
Authors: Castleman James S. , Moise Kenneth J. , Kilby Mark D.
Published: August 2020

Haemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN) remains an important cause of fetal mortality with potential neonatal and longer‐term morbidity. HDFN is caused by maternal red cell alloimmunisation, with IgG antibodies crossing the placenta to destroy fetal erythroid cells expressing the involved antigen. Intrauterine fetal blood transfusion is the therapy of choice for severe fetal anaemia. Despite a strong evidence base and technical advances, invasive fetal therapy carries risk of miscarriage and preterm birth. Procedure‐related risks are increased when invasive, in utero transfusion is instituted prior to 22 weeks to treat severe early‐onset fetal anaemia. This review focuses upon this cohort of HDFN and discusses intravenous immunoglobin (IVIg) and novel monoclonal antibody (M281, nipocalimab) treatments which, if started at the end of the first trimester, may attenuate the transplacental passage and fetal effects of IgG antibodies. Such therapy has the ability to improve fetal survival in this severe presentation of HDFN when early in utero transfusion may be required and may have wider implications for the perinatal management in general.
Metformin changes the immune microenvironment of colorectal cancer in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Saito Akira , Kitayama Joji , Horie Hisanaga , Koinuma Koji , Ohzawa Hideyuki , Yamaguchi Hironori , Kawahira Hiroshi , Mimura Toshiki , Lefor Alan Kawarai , Sata Naohiro
Published: August 2020

Accumulating evidence suggests that metformin reduces the incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, underlying mechanisms have not been fully clarified. The aim of this study was to examine the pathological characteristics of resected CRC from patients treated with metformin for type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). In total, 267 patients with DM underwent curative colectomy for Stage I‐III CRC and 53 (19.9%) patients had been treated medically including metformin. Pathological N‐stage was significantly lower in metformin‐treated patients (P < .05) with prolonged disease‐free survival (DFS) (P < .05). Immunohistochemistry showed that the densities of CD3(+) and CD8(+) tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in the invasive front area were significantly higher in 40 patients treated with metformin compared with propensity score matched cases without metformin (P < .05). The density of tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) in tumor stroma was markedly increased in metformin‐treated patients (P < .001). In those tumors, there were more CD68(+) tumor‐associated macrophages (TAM) infiltrated (P < .05), while the ratio of CD163(+) M2‐phenotype was markedly reduced (P < .001). Stromal fibrosis tended to be suppressed by metformin intake (P = .051). These findings suggested that metformin drastically changes the characteristics of infiltrating immune cells in CRC and reprograms the tumor microenvironment from immunosuppressive to immunocompetent status, which may lead to suppression of microscopic tumor spread and improve the outcomes of patients with CRC and type 2 DM.