bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Offset analgesia and onset hyperalgesia with different stimulus ranges
Authors: Fust Jens , Lalouni Maria , Lundqvist Viktor Vadenmark , Wärnberg Emil , Jensen Karin B.
Published: June 2020

Offset analgesia (OA), a large reduction in pain following a brief increase in intensity of an otherwise stable painful stimulus, has been established by a large body of research. But the opposite effect, onset hyperalgesia (OH), a disproportional hyperalgesic response following a briefly decreased intensity of a painful stimulus, has only been investigated in one previous study. The aim of this study was to induce OA and OH in healthy participants and explore the effects of different stimulus ranges on OA and OH. A total of 62 participants were tested in two identical experiments. OA and OH conditions included two different temperature deviations (±1°C/±2°C) from baseline and were compared to a constant temperature (control). OA was successfully elicited in three out of four conditions. A dose-response relationship was demonstrated between the increase of temperature and the resulting hypoalgesic response. OH was only elicited in one out of four conditions (OH2°Cin experiment 1). Exploratory analysis showed that OA and OH responses were only weakly correlated. The asymmetry between pain responses following a brief temperature increase and decrease could be seen as evidence for different mechanisms involved in the pain responses to increasing and decreasing temperature. This asymmetry may also be explained by high temperatures in OA condition (+1°C/+2°C above baseline) that could be seen as salient “learning signals”, which augment the response to following changes in temperature.
COVID-19: Why SOLIDARITY and DisCoVeRy trials may fail to bring informative and timely results
Authors: Toumi Mondher , Liang Shuyao , Dabbous Monique , Wang Yitong , Qiu Tingting , Han Ru
Published: June 2020

Objective

The SOLIDARITY and DisCoVeRy trials were launched to facilitate the rapid worldwide comparison of the efficacy and safety of treatments against COVID-19. This study aimed to review the trial designs of SOLIDARITY and DisCoVeRy and their feasibility to generate high-quality evidence.

Method

A systematic search of the European Clinical trial registry, the U.S. National Library of Medicine ClinicalTrials.gov, and the World Health Organization’s (WHO) International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) was conducted on May 10th, 2020 to identify the study details of the SOLIDARITY and DisCoVeRy trials. A supplementary search of PubMed, WHO’s website, French authorities’ websites, and Google search engine was conducted. A critical review was performed on the findings.

Results

The DisCoVeRy trial design was detailed consistently in both the European and the US clinical rial registries. SOLIDARITY was registered on ICTRP, with country-specific information reported on country-level registry platforms. The DisCoVeRy trial’s design appears to be ideal from the methodological perspective. Both trials appear difficult to implement, impractical, and disconnected from the pandemic reality. This is consistent with the apparent failure of the trials to deliver conclusions before the end of the pandemic.

Conclusion

Both trials constitute an interesting initiative yet may lack the resources to support a high-quality implementation. The authors call for a pandemic task force, with various experts on the front-line of COVID-19, to inform policy-makers to make effective decisions that may not be based on traditional, methodological state-of-the-art evidence, but rather pragmatic and revisable decisions reflecting emerging evidence for the benefit of patients and society.
Quantitative assessment of the risk of airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 infection: prospective and retrospective applications
Authors: Buonanno G. , Morawska L. , Stabile L.
Published: June 2020

Airborne transmission is a recognized pathway of contagion; however, it is rarely quantitatively evaluated. This study presents a novel approach for quantitative assessment of the individual infection risk of susceptible subjects exposed in indoor microenvironments in the presence of an asymptomatic infected SARS-CoV-2 subject. The approach allowed the maximum risk for an exposed healthy subject to be evaluated or, starting from an acceptable risk, the maximum exposure time. We applied the proposed approach to four distinct scenarios for a prospective assessment, highlighting that, in order to guarantee an acceptable individual risk of 10−3for exposed subjects in naturally ventilated indoor environments, the exposure time should be shorter than 20 min. The proposed approach was used for retrospective assessment of documented outbreaks in a restaurant in Guangzhou (China) and at a choir rehearsal in Mount Vernon (USA), showing that, in both cases, the high attack rate values can be justified only assuming the airborne transmission as the main route of contagion. Moreover, we shown that such outbreaks are not caused by the rare presence of a superspreader, but can be likely explained by the co-existence of conditions, including emission and exposure parameters, leading to a highly probable event, which can be defined as a “superspreading event”.
A data driven epidemic model to analyse the lockdown effect and predict the course of COVID-19 progress in India
Authors: Sahoo B.K. , Sapra B.K.
Published: June 2020

We propose a data driven epidemic model using the real data on the infection, recovery and death cases for the analysis of COVID-19 progression in India. The model assumes continuation of existing control measures such as lockdown and quarantines, the suspected and confirmed cases and does not consider the scenario of 2nd surge of the epidemic due to any reason. The model is arrived after least square fitting of epidemic behaviour model based on theoretical formulation to the real data of cumulative infection cases reported between 24 March 2020 and 15 May 2020. The predictive capability of the model has been validated with real data of infection cases reported during May 15–30, 2020. A detailed analysis of model predictions in terms of future trend of COVID-19 progress individually in 18 states of India and India as a whole has been attempted. Infection rate in India as a whole is continuously decreasing with time and has reached 3 times lower than the initial infection rate after 6 weeks of lock down suggesting the effectiveness of the lockdown in containing the epidemic. Results suggest that India as a whole could see the peak and end of the epidemic in the month of July 2020 and January 2021. As per the current trend in the data, active infected cases in India may reach 2 lakhs at the peak time and total infected cases may reach around 14 lakhs. State-wise results have been discussed in the manuscript. However, the prediction may deviate particularly for longer dates, as assumptions of model cannot be met always in a real scenario. In view of this, a real time application (COV-IND Predictor) has been developed which automatically syncs the latest data from COVID19 dash board on daily basis and update the model input parameters and predictions of relevant results on daily basis. This application can serve as a practical tool for epidemic management decisions
Performance of suspected influenza case definition before and during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Murillo-Zamora Efrén , Hernandez-Suarez Carlos
Published: June 2020

Background

The influenza-related burden remains high and the COVID-19 pandemic may difficult its accurate surveillance. This study aimed to evaluate the performance, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, of the case definition of suspected influenza used in community surveillance in Mexico. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of a cohort study took place and cases fulfilling the suspected case criteria (n = 20, 511), and with laboratory-conclusive evidence (quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction) to confirm or discard influenza virus infection, were analyzed.

Results

A high sensitivity and modest specificity was documented, and this later decreased during the COVID-19 outbreak, as well as its diagnostic accuracy. However, no significant differences were observed in the Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristics among the analyzed periods.

Conclusions

The evaluated case definition remains to be a cost-effective alternative to identify patients who may benefit from influenza-specific antiviral drugs, even during the COVID-19 global outbreak.
High seroprevalence for SARS-CoV-2 among household members of essential workers detected using a dried blood spot assay
Authors: McDade Thomas W. , McNally Elizabeth M. , Zelikovich Aaron S. , D’Aquila Richard , Mustanski Brian , Miller Aaron , Vaught Lauren A. , Reiser Nina L. , Bogdanovic Elena , Fallon Katherine S. , Demonbreun Alexis R.
Published: June 2020

Objective

Serological testing is needed to investigate the extent of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from front-line essential workers to their household members. However, the requirement for serum/plasma limits serological testing to clinical settings where it is feasible to collect and process venous blood. To address this problem we developed a serological test for SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies that requires only a single drop of finger stick capillary whole blood, collected in the home and dried on filter paper (dried blood spot, DBS).

Methods

An ELISA to the receptor binding domain of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein was optimized to quantify IgG antibodies in DBS. Samples were self-collected from a community sample of 232 participants enriched with health care workers, including 30 known COVID-19 cases and their household members.

Results

Among 30 individuals sharing a household with a virus-confirmed case of COVID-19, 80% were seropositive. Of 202 community individuals without prior confirmed acute COVID-19 diagnoses, 36% were seropositive. Of documented convalescent COVID-19 cases from the community, 29 of 30 (97%) were seropositive for IgG antibodies to the receptor binding domain.

Conclusion

DBS ELISA provides a minimally-invasive alternative to venous blood collection. Early analysis suggests a high rate of transmission among household members. High rates of seroconversion were also noted following recovery from infection. Serological testing for SARSCoV-2 IgG antibodies in DBS samples can facilitate seroprevalence assessment in community settings to address epidemiological questions, monitor duration of antibody responses, and assess if antibodies against the spike protein correlate with protection from reinfection.
Association between NSAIDs use and adverse clinical outcomes among adults hospitalised with COVID-19 in South Korea: A nationwide study
Authors: Jeong Han Eol , Lee Hyesung , Shin Hyun Joon , Choe Young June , Filion Kristian B. , Shin Ju-Young
Published: June 2020

BACKGROUND

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may exacerbate COVID-19 and worsen associated outcomes by upregulating the enzyme that SARS-CoV-2 binds to enter cells. However, to our knowledge, no study has examined the association between NSAID use and the risk of COVID-19-related outcomes among hospitalised patients.

METHODS

We conducted a population-based cohort study using South Korea’s nationwide healthcare database, which contains data of all subjects who received a test for COVID-19 (n=69,793) as of April 8, 2020. We identified a cohort of adults hospitalised with COVID-19, where cohort entry was the date of hospitalisation. NSAIDs users were those prescribed NSAIDs in the 7 days before and including the date of cohort entry and non-users were those not prescribed NSAIDs during this period. Our primary outcome was a composite of in-hospital death, intensive care unit admission, mechanical ventilation use, and sepsis; our secondary outcome was cardiovascular or renal complications. We conducted logistic regression analysis to estimate odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) using inverse probability of treatment weighting to minimize potential confounding.

FINDINGS

Of 1,824 adults hospitalised with COVID-19 (mean age 490 years, standard deviation 19 0 years; female 59%), 354 were NSAIDs users and 1,470 were non-users. Compared with non-use, NSAIDs use was associated with increased risks of the primary composite outcome (OR 1 65, 95% CI 1-21-2-24) and of cardiovascular or renal complications (OR 187, 95% CI 1-25-2-80). Our main findings remained consistent when we extended the exposure ascertainment window to include the first three days of hospitalisation (OR 187, 95% CI 1 06-3 29).

INTERPRETATION

Use of NSAIDs, compared with non-use, is associated with worse outcomes among hospitalised COVID-19 patients. While awaiting the results of confirmatory studies, we suggest NSAIDs be used with caution among patients with COVID-19 as the harms associated with their use may outweigh their benefits in this population.

FUNDING

Government-wide R&D Fund for Infectious Disease Research (HG18C0068).
The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic course in Saudi Arabia: A dynamic epidemiological model
Authors: Murhaf Al-Khani Abdullah , Abdelghafour Khalifa Mohamed , AlMazrou Abdulrahman , Saquib Nazmus
Published: June 2020

Objective

Saudi Arabia ranks second in the number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in the Eastern Mediterranean region. It houses the two most sacred religious places for Muslims: Mecca and Medina. It is important to know what the trend in case numbers will be in the next 4–6 months, especially during the Hajj pilgrimage season.

Methods

Epidemiological data on COVID-19 were obtained from the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization, and the Humanitarian Data Exchange. A susceptible-exposed-infectious-recovered (SEIR) prediction model was constructed to predict the trend in COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia in the next 6 months.

Findings

The model predicts that the number of active cases will peak by 20 May 2020. The cumulative infected cases are predicted to reach 59,663 at that time. The total number of infected individuals is estimated reach to 102,647 by the end of the pandemic.

Conclusion

Our estimates show that by the time the Hajj season commences in Saudi Arabia, the pandemic will be in the midst of its deceleration phase (phase 3). This information will likely be useful to policymakers in their management of the outbreak.
Cerebrospinal fluid A beta 1-40 peptides increase in Alzheimer’s disease and are highly correlated with phospho-tau in control individuals
Authors: Lehmann Sylvain , Dumurgier Julien , Ayrignac Xavier , Marelli Cecilia , Alcolea Daniel , Fortea Ormaechea Juan , Thouvenot Eric , Delaby Constance , Hirtz Christophe , Vialaret Jérôme , Ginestet Nelly , Bouaziz-Amar Elodie , Laplanche Jean-Louis , Labauge Pierre , Paquet Claire , Lleo Alberto , Gabelle Audrey ,   for the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI)
Published: June 2020

Background:

Amyloid pathology, which is one of the characteristics of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), results from altered metabolism of the beta-amyloid peptide (Aβ) in terms of synthesis, clearance or aggregation. A decrease in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) level Aβ 1-42 is evident in AD, and the CSF ratio Aβ 40 /Aβ 40 has recently been identified as one of the most reliable diagnostic biomarkers of amyloid pathology. Variations in inter-individual levels of Aβ 1-40 in the CSF have been observed in the past, but their origins remain unclear. In addition, the variation of Aβ 40 in the context of AD studied in several studies has yielded conflicting results.

Methods

Here, we analyzed the levels of Aβ 1-40 using multicenter data obtained on 2466 samples from six different cohorts in which CSF was collected under standardized protocols, centrifugation and storage conditions. Tau and p-tau(181) concentrations were measured using commercially available in vitro diagnostic immunoassays. Concentrations of CSF Aβ 1-42 and Aβ 1-40 were measured by ELISA, xMAP technology, chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA) and mass spectrometry. Statistical analyses were calculated for parametric and non-parametric comparisons, linear regression, correlation and odds ratios. The statistical tests were adjusted for the effects of covariates (age, in particular).

Results:

Regardless of the analysis method used and the cohorts, a slight but significant age-independent increase in the levels of Aβ 40 in CSF was observed in AD. We also found a strong positive correlation between the levels of Aβ 40 and p-tau(181) in CSF, particularly in control patients.

Conclusions:

These results indicate that an increase in the baseline level of amyloid peptides, which are associated with an increase in p-tau(181), may be a biological characteristic of AD. This confirms the potential therapeutic value of lowering the baseline levels of Aβ 40 which, being elevated, can be considered a risk factor for the disease.
Amyloid-β PET and CSF in an autopsy confirmed cohort
Authors: Reimand Juhan , Boon Baayla D.C. , Collij Lyduine E. , Teunissen Charlotte E. , Rozemuller Annemieke J.M. , van Berckel Bart N.M. , Scheltens Philip , Ossenkoppele Rik , Bouwman Femke
Published: June 2020

Objective

Accumulation of amyloid-β is among the earliest changes in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Amyloid-β positron emission tomography (PET) and Aβ42 in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) both assess amyloid-β pathology in-vivo, but 10–20% of cases show discordant (CSF+/PET- or CSF-/PET+) results. The neuropathological correspondence with amyloid-β CSF/PET discordance is unknown.

Methods

We included 21 patients from our tertiary memory clinic who had undergone both CSF Aβ42 analysis and amyloid-β PET, and had neuropathological data available. Amyloid-β PET and CSF results were compared with neuropathological ABC scores (comprising of Thal (A), Braak (B) and CERAD (C) stage, all ranging from 0 [low] to 3 [high]) and neuropathological diagnosis.

Results

Neuropathological diagnosis was AD in 11 (52%) patients. Amyloid-β PET was positive in all A3, C2 and C3 cases and in one of the two A2 cases. CSF Aβ42 was positive in 92% of A2/A3 and 90% of C2/C3 cases. PET and CSF were discordant in 3/21 (14%) cases: CSF+/PET- in a patient with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (A0B0C0), CSF+/PET- in a patient with FTLD-TDP type B (A2B1C1), and CSF-/PET+ in a patient with AD (A3B3C3). Two CSF+/PET+ cases had a non-AD neuropathological diagnosis, i.e. FTLD-TDP type E (A3B1C1) and adult-onset leukoencephalopathy with axonal spheroids (A1B1C0).

Interpretation

Our findings confirm amyloid-β CSF/PET discordance with a range of possible reasons. Furthermore, amyloid-β biomarker positivity on both PET and CSF did not invariably result in an AD diagnosis at autopsy, illustrating the importance of considering relevant co-morbidities when evaluating amyloid-β biomarker results.
How efficient are the lockdown measures taken for mitigating the Covid-19 epidemic?
Authors: Lasaulce Samson , Varma Vineeth , Morarescu Constantin , Lin Siying
Published: June 2020

Various lockdown measures have been taken in different countries to mitigate the Covid-19 pandemic. But, for citizens, it is not always simple to understand how these measures have been taken. Should they have been more (or less) restrictive? Should the lockdown period have been longer (or shorter)? What would have been the benefits of starting to confine the population earlier? To provide some elements of response to these questions, we propose a simple behavior model for the government decision-making operation. Although simple and obviously improvable, the proposed model has the merit to implement in a pragmatic and insightful way the tradeoff between health and macroeconomic aspects. For a given tradeoff between the assumed cost functions for the economic and health impacts, it is then possible to determine the best lockdown starting date, the best lockdown duration, and the optimal severity levels during and after lockdown. The numerical analysis is based on a standard SEIR model and performed for the case of France but the adopted approach can be applied to any country. Our analysis, based on the proposed model, shows that for France it would have been possible to have just a quarter of the actual number of people infected (over [March 1, August 31]), while simultaneously having a Gross Domestic Product loss about 30% smaller than the one expected with the current policy
The USP28-ΔNp63 axis is a vulnerability of squamous tumours
Authors: Prieto-Garcia Cristian , Hartmann Oliver , Reissland Michaela , Braun Fabian , Fischer Thomas , Walz Susanne , Fischer Annalena , Calzado Marco A. , Orian Amir , Rosenfeldt Mathias , Eilers Martin , Diefenbacher Markus E.
Published: June 2020

The transcription factor ΔNp63 is a master regulator that establishes epithelial cell identity and is essential for the survival of SCC of lung, head and neck, oesophagus, cervix and skin. Here, we report that the deubiquitylase USP28 stabilizes ΔNp63 protein and maintains elevated ΔNP63 levels in SCC by counteracting its proteasome-mediated degradation. Interference with USP28 activity by genetic means abolishes the transcriptional identity of SCC cells and suppresses growth and survival of human SCC cells. CRISPR/Cas9-engineered mouse models establish that both induction and maintenance of lung SCC strictly depend on endogenous USP28. Targeting ΔNp63 protein abundance in SCC via inhibition of USP28 therefore is a feasible strategy for the treatment of SCC tumours.

Significance

SCC depend on ΔNp63, and its protein abundance is tightly controlled by the ubiquitin proteasome system. Here, we demonstrate the dependence of SCC on USP28 for various human SCC in vitro and in vivo using murine lung tumour models. As inhibitors for deubiquitylases become available, targeting USP28 is a promising therapeutic strategy.
The crystal structures, Hirshfeld surface analyses and energy frameworks of two hexathiapyrazinophane regioisomers; 2,5,8,11,14,17-hexathia-[9.9](2,6,3,5)-pyrazinophane and 2,5,8,11,14,17-hexathia-[9.9](2,5,3,6)-pyrazinophane
Authors: Assoumatine Tokouré , Stoeckli-Evans Helen
Published: June 2020

The title thiapyrazinophanes, 2,5,8,11,14,17-hexathia-[9.9](2,6,3,5)-pyrazinophane, C16H24N2S6, (I), and 2,5,8,11,14,17-hexathia-[9.9](2,5,3,6)-pyrazinophane, C16H24N2S6, (II), are regioisomers; m-bis L1 and p-bis L1, respectively. Both compounds have a central tetra-2,3,5,6-methylenepyrazine unit with two –S—CH2—CH2—S—CH2—CH2—S– chains, linking the methylene C atoms at positions 2 and 6 and 3 and 5 on the pyrazine ring of I, but linking the methylene C atoms at positions 2 and 5 and 3 and 6 on the pyrazine ring of II. Both compounds crystallize with half a molecule in the asymmetric unit. The whole molecule of I is generated by inversion symmetry, with the pyrazine ring being located about a center of symmetry. The whole molecule of II is generated by twofold rotation symmetry, with the pyrazine N atoms being located on the twofold rotation axis. In compound I, there are pairs of intramolecular C—H...S contacts present, but none in compound II. In the crystal of I, there are no significant intermolecular interactions present, while in the crystal of II, molecules are linked by pairs of C—H...S hydrogen bonds, forming corrugated layers lying parallel the ac plane. The Hirshfeld surfaces and the energy frameworks of the two regioisomers indicate little difference in the interatomic contacts, which are dominated by dispersion forces.
4-[(1E)-({[(Benzylsulfanyl)methanethioyl]amino}imino)methyl]benzene-1,3-diol chloroform hemisolvate: crystal structure, Hirshfeld surface analysis and computational study
Authors: Khairuanuar Nadia Liyana , Crouse Karen A. , Kwong Huey Chong , Tan Sang Loon , Tiekink Edward R. T.
Published: June 2020

The title hydrazine carbodithioate chloroform hemisolvate, 2C15H14N2O2S2·CHCl3, comprises two independent hydrazine carbodithioate molecules, A and B, and a chloroform molecule; the latter is statistically disordered about its molecular threefold axis. The common features of the organic molecules include an almost planar, central CN2S2 chromophore [r.m.s. deviation = 0.0203 Å (A) and 0.0080 Å (B)], an E configuration about the imine bond and an intramolecular hydroxyl-O—H...N(imine) hydrogen bond. The major conformational difference between the molecules is seen in the relative dispositions of the phenyl rings as indicated by the values of the dihedral angles between the central plane and phenyl ring of 71.21 (6)° (A) and 54.73 (7)° (B). Finally, a difference is seen in the disposition of the outer hydroxyl-H atoms, having opposite relative orientations. In the calculated gas-phase structure, the entire molecule is planar with the exception of the perpendicular phenyl ring. In the molecular packing, the A and B molecules assemble into a two-molecule aggregate via N—H...S hydrogen bonds and eight-membered {...HNCS}2 synthons. The dimeric assemblies are connected into supramolecular chains via hydroxyl-O—H...O(hydroxyl) hydrogen bonds and these are linked into a double-chain through hydroxy-O—H...π(phenyl) interactions. The double-chains are connected into a three-dimensional architecture through phenyl-C—H...O(hydroxyl) and phenyl-C—H...π(phenyl) interactions. The overall assembly defines columns along the a-axis direction in which reside the chloroform molecules, which are stabilized by chloroform–methine-C—H...S(thione) and phenyl-C—H...Cl contacts. The analysis of the calculated Hirshfeld surfaces, non-covalent interaction plots and interaction energies confirm the importance of the above-mentioned interactions, but also of cooperative, non-standard interactions such as π(benzene)...π(hydrogen-bond-mediated-ring) contacts.
Expatriates as catalysts: what and how Vietnamese locals learn from self-initiated expatriates
Authors: Fee Anthony , Gray Sidney J.
Published: June 2020

Purpose

In an era when expatriates are increasingly used as strategic conduits for developing capabilities in local business units, we identify what and how host-country nationals in a developing economy learn from self-initiated expatriates whose assignments focus on organizational capacity development objectives.

Design/methodology/approach

Semi-structured interviews with 23 Vietnamese host-country nationals rendered a sample of 138 learning episodes for qualitative content analysis. Respondents were employed in Vietnamese government and non-government organizations and worked closely with multiple self-initiated expatriates in a variety of professional contexts.

Findings

Host-country nationals develop a broad array of primarily “soft” capabilities. This learning is typically informal and vicarious in nature. While learning tends to arise incidentally through day-to-day activities, host-country nationals facilitate this by structuring their formal and informal interactions with expatriates to maximize their learning potential.

Research limitations/implications

While the study's exploratory design and specific context limit the transferability of our results, analysis of a sample of specific learning episodes allowed us to map “hotspots” of particular activities and contexts in which certain learning outcomes transpired.

Practical implications

Our results put into sharp focus the overlooked roles of expatriates as models (to be observed), mentors (to be consulted) and collaborators (to be partnered with) who can catalyse valued learning opportunities for local colleagues.

Originality/value

We provide a comprehensive account of the nature and extent of informal learning that host-country nationals accumulate during interactions with expatriates, and so contribute to a more nuanced understanding of the experiences of host-country nationals in international business.
Cross-national roles of perceived reputation dimensions for MNCs
Authors: Swoboda Bernhard , Batton Nadine
Published: June 2020

Purpose

Extending the holistic research on corporate reputation (CR), the authors examine whether and how single CR dimensions affect consumers' intentional loyalty toward multinational corporations (MNCs) across nations. They study the dimensions of the predominant customer-based CR scale of Walsh and Beatty (2007): customer orientation, product range quality, social/environmental responsibility, good employer and reliability/financial strength. Furthermore, important country-level moderators – embeddedness and country development – are studied.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors refer to hierarchical data on 32,811 consumer evaluations of a MNC in 44 countries using the still novel method of multilevel structural equation modeling.

Findings

The results underscore a strong relationship between CR in general and consumers' loyalty but identify different effects for the CR dimensions (e.g. product quality, social/environmental responsibility dominate). The important national institutions reinforce or diminish some – but not all – effects of the CR dimensions.

Practical implications

The results are of importance for finer-grained cross-national reputation management. Studying both national culture and country development shows that MNCs face tradeoff decisions. Accordingly, the authors provide a country portfolio, which offers options for standardized operations in groups of countries with similar country characteristics and CR effects.

Originality/value

Disentangling the five CR levers emphasizes that CR is not a pure signal of quality. Two main levers emerge: one stable across countries and one strongly depending on a country's degree of country development, for example. A finer-grained management of CR signals across nations is possible, especially in emerging countries, with increasing importance for MNCs.
Reaccessing marginalized heritage sites in historic Cairo: a cross-case comparison
Authors: Elsayed Doaa Salaheldin Ismail
Published: June 2020

Purpose

According to the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) report of heritage at risk for 2011–2013, Cairo is facing serious conservation challenges after the revolution of 2011, witnessing aggressive cultural heritage vandalism. A marginalized inaccessible heritage site is considered one of the most vulnerable cultural assets. Existing studies focused on safeguarding accessible historical centers while insufficient attention is given to marginalized inaccessible heritage sites. The paper questions: how far the reaccess is preventive conservation action acting against possible encroachments? And if accessibility could stand as the key player promoting networks of marginal heritage landscapes, facilitating documentation and rehabilitation programs.

Design/methodology/approach

The research adopts both analytical and experimental approaches. The former departs from cartographic studies and systematic contextual surveys carried out in March 2017 and was updated in July 2019 concerning the delimitation of historic Cairo. It concludes by mapping marginal heritage besides classifying their value significance, urban risks and causes of inaccessibility. The latter phase structures a framework guiding accessibility interventions of marginal heritage and examines its applicability through a cross-case comparison between four sites while proposing accessibility interventions strategies.

Findings

Finally, the study offers a comprehensive assessment model for the new interventions measuring the contextual, economic, social and administrative influences of accessibility.

Practical implications

The framework is considered a decision-making tool defining marginalized heritage areas with the highest priorities of enactments. The study aims to facilitate the mission of governors, policymakers and experts in conserving problematic urban heritage through soft transformations.

Social implications

Both the framework and the assessment model are based on social empowerment and involvement within different phases of design, management and monitoring plans.

Originality/value

It aims to perform new urban codification representing the contemporary identity of marginal heritage landscape in developing countries challenging heritage vandalism. It enables reconfiguring the delimitation of historic Cairo through proposing new parameters and guidelines.
Systematic design of a new gearbox for concrete mixers
Authors: Fiorineschi Lorenzo , Papini Susanna , Pugi Luca , Rindi Andrea , Rotini Federico
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to identify an innovative solution for the power transmission gearbox of concrete mixers, according to the specifications provided by the company.

Design/methodology/approach

A tailored systematic design approach (inspired to the German systematic framework) has been adopted to comprehensively gather the company specifications and perform in-depth design space explorations. Subsequently, an iterative embodiment design approach has been followed to identify the size of the components for the preferred concept, by using acknowledged mechanical design procedures and finite element analysis tools.

Findings

An innovative cycloidal gearbox has been developed, by merging the kinematics underpinning the classical cycloidal drives and the Wolfrom planetary gearbox. The resulting concept provides high reduction rates with a very high overload capacity.

Research limitations/implications

The main limitation of the studies is the absence of in-depth evaluations usually performed in the detail design phase. However, this limitation is a direct consequence of the company specifications, which only asked to find a preferred concept and to perform preliminary evaluations. Accordingly, the subsequent design optimization are intended to be performed by the company’s staff.

Originality/value

The present paper shows an original design approach, opportunely tailored to the design of innovative gearboxes. It can be conveniently adapted and reused by designers involved in similar tasks. Moreover, the designed cycloidal gearbox paves the way for important innovations in the field of concrete mixers, allowing to design more robust and compact devices.
Critical success factors for sustainable entrepreneurship in Pakistani Telecommunications industry: a hybrid grey systems theory/ best-worst method approach
Authors: Muhammad Muneeb Farhan , Karbassi Yazdi Amir , Wanke P. , Yiyin Cao , Chughtai Muhammad
Published: June 2020

Purpose

This study focuses on the Critical Success Factors (CSF) for developing sustainable entrepreneurship in the Pakistani telecommunication industry. Despite the efforts made by governments and stakeholders to stimulate sustainable entrepreneurship initiatives, contributions in the telecommunications sector are lacking. Therefore, this study has the major objective of identifying a transformation path for these firms. This is done by providing a theoretical framework for sustainable entrepreneurship in the telecommunications industry, focusing on managerial and operational practices that should be modified according to a set of CSFs identified by experts in Pakistani firms.

Design/methodology/approach

This article proposes a novel Multiple Attribute Decision Making (MADM) approach based on Grey Systems Theory (GST) and Best-Worst Method (BWM) while unveiling endogenous relationships among current managerial/operational practices and the CSFs for sustainable entrepreneurship in the telecommunications industry.

Findings

CSFs for achieving sustainable entrepreneurship in the Pakistani telecommunications industry were found to rely on a tripod, based on effectiveness, transparency, and accountability that are embedded within the ambit of managerial and operational practices, such as focusing and reducing digital illiteracy, targeting poor communities, helping the young in structuring start-ups.

Originality/value

This article contributes to the MADM research stream by proposing a novel use of the BWM technique based on GST to promote sustainable entrepreneurship CSFs in Pakistani telecommunications firms.
Technology enhancement of surgeries scheduling: a bi-objective optimization model
Authors: Khalfalli Marwa , Ben Abdelaziz Fouad , Verny Jerome , Masmoudi Meryem
Published: June 2020

Purpose

Operating theaters are considered as the most sensitive health department within hospital centers due to their significant cost/necessity for patients and their economic benefits for hospitals. In this paper, the authors consider patients that may require more than one surgery on the same day in the surgery scheduling problem which is a major technology enhancement in the health industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The surgery scheduling includes both the preoperative and the postoperative units of the operative stage. Two objectives are considered in a lexicographic way: the minimization of the makespan while prioritizing the patients having two surgeries and the total completion time to perform. An adapted tabu-search algorithm is used to tackles this NP-hard scheduling problem.

Findings

The proposed schedule is more relevant for operating theaters as it integrates all stages of the surgical procedure and considers patients with more than one operation during the same day.

Originality/value

This paper is original as it considers patients who need more than one operation, which responds to real challenge faced by decision-makers' in hospitals. The application of the time lags between stages of the surgical procedure generates a good utilization of the hospital resources and makes the scheduling task more flexible.
Evaluation of reusability of bleaching earth in vegetable oil refining
Authors: Kılınççeker Güray , Sangün M. Kemal , Çelik Sema , Arslan Utku , Zarifi Farhad
Published: June 2020

Purpose

Unrefined vegetable oils contain triglycerides and free fatty acids as the main ingredient, but besides, they contain waxes, phospholipids, tocopherols, β-carotene, chlorophyll and other trace amounts depending on the type of oil. Most undesirable substances such as residues, free fatty acids and phospholipids are separated in the neutralization process of the oil refining. As a pigment, β carotene is separated by the bleaching earth (BE) in the bleaching process. The BE is disposed of as waste after the bleaching process. In this study, waste BE, which is allocated for disposal, has become reusable.

Design/methodology/approach

For this purpose, the oil is separated from the BE by solvent extraction under room conditions. AOCS Ba 3-38, TS EN ISO 734, ISO 15305 and TS 324 standard methods were used.

Findings

As a result of the analysis, it was found that 1% of oil remained in the recovered BE. The recovered BE containing 1% oil was carbonized at 550oC for 1 and 2 h. The BE obtained after this process was used in the bleaching process at a rate of 1%. Reuse attempts were repeated seven times, colour-opening capacities were measured and BET analyses were performed to establish a relationship between surface area-discolouration capacity and reusability.

Originality/value

This study demonstrates that recovery of waste BE can be performed and if this reusability considers in the industrial scale, it will save on oil refining costs and reduce waste.
Light fading, rub and wash fastness of sulphur-dyed cotton fabrics aftertreated with cation–tannin protective system
Authors: Mohtashim Quratulain , Rigout Muriel , Siddique Sheraz Hussain
Published: June 2020

Purpose

Sulphur dyes are the most highly consumed colourants for cellulosic substrates owing to their reasonable cost and acceptable fastness. However, the use of noxious conventional reducing agent, sodium sulphide and impaired wash fastness against oxidative bleaching is gradually decreasing the market of these dyes. As the need for “Green” goods and services is raising public awareness, this paper aims to use a glucose-based biodegradable reducing agent in place of sodium sulphide to dye cotton fabrics with a range of commercial sulphur dyes. The study also proposes an aftertreatment method to improve the fastness properties of the dyeing.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper investigated the impact of a newly developed aftertreatment method on the fastness properties of dyeing. This involved the sequential application of a cationic fixing agent (Tinofix ECO) and tannin (Bayprotect CL) on the coloured fabrics and subsequent evaluation of colour strength, washing, light and rubbing fastness.

Findings

The effect of aftertreating the dyed cotton was found to significantly improve the light and wet rub fastness. The surface morphology of the dyeing remained unaffected as depicted by the absence of any finish residues.

Research limitations/implications

The protective effect of the cation–tannin aftertreatments was examined with a view to providing the necessary commercial performance; however, it was established that the dry rub fastness was either reduced or remained unaffected and the wash fastness to International Organization for Standardization 105 C09 was also marginal.

Originality/value

This finishing technique is novel and can be found useful for manufacturing sulphur-dyed products with the improved light and wet rub fastness.
Significant host‐ and environment‐dependent differentiation among highly sporadic fungal endophyte communities in cereal crops‐related wild grasses
Authors: Sun Xiang , Kosman Evsey , Sharon Or , Ezrati Smadar , Sharon Amir
Published: June 2020

Endophytic fungi compose a significant part of plant microbiomes. However, while a small number of fungal taxa have proven beneficial impact, the vast majority of fungal endophytes remain uncharacterized, and the drivers of fungal endophyte community (FEC) assembly are not well understood. Here, we analysed FECs in three cereal crops‐related wild grasses – Avena sterilis, Hordeum spontaneum and Aegilops peregrina – that grow in mixed populations in natural habitats. Taxa in Ascomycota class Dothideomycetes, particularly the genera Alternaria and Cladosporium, were the most abundant and prevalent across all populations, but there was also high incidence of basidiomyceteous yeasts of the class Tremellomycetes. The fungal community was shaped to large extent by stochastic processes, as indicated by high level of variation even between individuals from local populations of the same plant species, and confirmed by the neutral community model and Raup‐Crick index. Nevertheless, we still found strong determinism in FEC assembly with both incidence and abundance data sets. Substantial differences in community composition across host species and locations were revealed. Our research demonstrated that assembly of FECs is affected by stochastic as well as deterministic processes and suggests strong effects of environment heterogeneity and plant species on community composition. In addition, a small number of taxa had high incidence and abundance in all of the 15 populations. These taxa represent an important part of the core FEC and might be of general functional importance.
MPs on the Subject of STEMM: What Can Oral History Tell Us?*
Authors: Ledgerwood Emmeline
Published: June 2020

A growing collection of archived oral history interviews with former MPs offers historians new opportunities to study the influences that have directed MPs’ routes into elected office and their behaviour in the house of commons. This article draws on evidence in the interviews to consider the extent to which an MP's background in science, technology, engineering, maths, and medicine (so‐called STEMM subjects) has contributed to his or her activity as a parliamentarian. When concerns are raised about the House's capacity to effectively debate and scrutinise legislation concerning STEMM matters, those concerns are often accompanied by calls for more MPs with a STEMM background. Listening to these oral history interviews to hear what individual MPs say about their connections with STEMM – whether before, during, or after their time in the Commons – provides an insight into the relevance of having a STEMM background as an MP and offers explanations as to why MPs with a STEMM background are in a minority in the House. As such, this examination of historical material contributes to the ongoing debate about the role of STEMM experts in parliament while demonstrating the value of consulting archived oral history interviews when researching 20th‐century parliamentary history.
ʿArab,ʾAʿrāb, and Arabic in Ancient North Arabia: The first attestation of(ʾ)ʿrbas a group name in Safaitic
Authors: Al‐Jallad Ahmad
Published: June 2020

This article presents two new Safaitic inscriptions containing the group nameʾʿrb. Following an edition of the texts, the article discusses the implications of these new attestations on the origin and use of group names derived from the root ʿ‐r‐b in pre‐Islamic times and concludes with a discussion on the name of the Arabic language before the 7thc. CE. The article is followed by an appendix of texts discovered at the same site and related to the ʾʿrb inscriptions.
Fragmentation effects on woodlark habitat selection depend on habitat amount and spatial scale
Authors: Bosco L. , Cushman S. A. , Wan H. Y. , Zeller K. A. , Arlettaz R. , Jacot A.
Published: June 2020

Habitat loss and fragmentation are key drivers of biodiversity loss. However, they are usually confounded, making it difficult to separate fragmentation effects from those of habitat loss. In addition, it has been shown that often fragmentation negatively affects biodiversity only below a certain threshold of habitat amount. We investigated the separate and interactive effects of habitat amount and fragmentation on habitat selection of the woodlark at 10 spatial scales. In southern Switzerland this passerine mainly breeds in ground‐vegetated vineyards, which therefore represent the focal habitat type in this study. Additionally, we investigated land cover, topographic and climatic variables at the same 10 scales to obtain a holistic picture of species‐habitat associations. Habitat selection was analyzed at two hierarchical levels: home range selection within the study area and habitat use within home ranges. Home range selection was strongly driven by an interactive effect of habitat amount and fragmentation: woodlarks avoided fragmented areas if habitat amount was below 20% but exhibited a preference for fragmented areas if habitat amount exceeded this threshold. Both habitat amount and fragmentation most strongly affected habitat use at the 100 m scale. We did not find such interactive effects for habitat use within home ranges. At this level, habitat amount at a 50 m scale influenced woodlark presence positively with no significant effects of fragmentation. Furthermore, woodlarks preferred evenly sloped landscape mosaics interspersed with steppes and groves. Two main insights emerge from our study. First, these results highlight the necessity of studying scale explicit and interactive effects of habitat amount and fragmentation when addressing ecological questions, such as habitat selection in birds. Second, we provide management recommendations for farmers: more vineyards should be vegetated and arranged as disjunct patches where their surface covers more than 20% of the landscape but be aggregated where vegetated area is lower.
Virtual reality program to develop dementia‐friendly communities in Japan
Authors: Sari Dianis Wulan , Igarashi Ayumi , Takaoka Manami , Yamahana Reiko , Noguchi‐Watanabe Maiko , Teramoto Chie , Yamamoto‐Mitani Noriko
Published: June 2020

Objectives

Dementia‐friendly communities promote community coherence and reduce the risk of ageism in the community. This study examined the effects of a Virtual Reality (VR) educational program on participants' attitudes towards dementia and their sense of community related to supporting community‐dwelling older adults.

Methods

We delivered an educational program using a virtual reality platform that provided a first‐person perspective of people with dementia in the courtyards of two convenience stores in the Tokyo Metropolitan Area, Japan. We investigated attitudes towards dementia and participants' sense of community before and after the educational program.

Results

There were 42 study participants (average age = 48 years). The total scores of attitudes towards dementia and sense of community changed positively from pre‐ to postintervention (P = .004 and <.001, respectively).

Conclusion

This educational program for understanding dementia could enhance people's support of community members living with dementia.