bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
COVID-19 hospitalization rates rise exponentially with age, inversely proportional to thymic T-cell production
Authors: Palmer Sam , Cunniffe Nik , Donnelly Ruairí
Published: March 2021

Here, we report that COVID-19 hospitalization rates follow an exponential relationship with age, doubling for every 16 years of age or equivalently increasing by 4.5% per year of life (
R
2
= 0.98). This mirrors the well-studied exponential decline of both thymus volume and T-cell production, which halve every 16 years. COVID-19 can therefore be added to the list of other diseases with this property, including those caused by methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
, MERS-CoV, West Nile virus,
Streptococcus pneumoniae
and certain cancers, such as chronic myeloid leukaemia and brain cancers. In addition, the incidence of severe disease and mortality due to COVID-19 are both higher in men, consistent with the degree to which thymic involution (and the decrease in T-cell production with age) is more severe in men compared to women. Since these properties are shared with some non-contagious diseases, we hypothesized that the age dependence does not come from social-mixing patterns, i.e. that the probability of hospitalization
given infection
rises exponentially, doubling every 16 years. A Bayesian analysis of daily hospitalizations, incorporating contact matrices, found that this relationship holds for every age group except for the under 20s. While older adults have fewer contacts than young adults, our analysis suggests that there is an approximate cancellation between the effects of fewer contacts for the elderly and higher infectiousness due to a higher probability of developing severe disease. Our model fitting suggests under 20s have 49–75% additional immune protection beyond that predicted by strong thymus function alone, consistent with increased juvenile cross-immunity from other viruses. We found no evidence for differences between age groups in susceptibility to infection or infectiousness to others (given disease state), i.e. the only important factor in the age dependence of hospitalization rates is the probability of hospitalization given infection. These findings suggest the existence of a T-cell exhaustion threshold, proportional to thymic output and that clonal expansion of peripheral T-cells does not affect disease risk. The strikingly simple inverse relationship between risk and thymic T-cell output adds to the evidence that thymic involution is an important factor in the decline of the immune system with age and may also be an important clue in understanding disease progression, not just for COVID-19 but other diseases as well.
How the replacement of cholesterol by 25-hydroxycholesterol affects the interactions with sphingolipids: The Langmuir Monolayer Study complemented with theoretical calculations
Authors: Kobierski Jan , Wnętrzak Anita , Chachaj-Brekiesz Anna , Filiczkowska Anna , Petelska Aneta D. , Dynarowicz-Latka Patrycja
Published: March 2021

In this paper, a representative of chain-oxidized sterols, 25-hydroxycholesterol (25-OH), has been studied in Langmuir monolayers mixed with the sphingolipids sphingomyelin (SM) and ganglioside (GM
1
) to build lipid rafts. A classical Langmuir monolayer approach based on thermodynamic analysis of interactions was complemented with microscopic visualization of films (Brewster angle microscopy), surface-sensitive spectroscopy (polarization modulation–infrared reflection–absorption spectroscopy) and theoretical calculations (density functional theory modelling and molecular dynamics simulations). Strong interactions between 25-OH and both investigated sphingolipids enabled the formation of surface complexes. As known from previous studies, 25-OH in pure monolayers can be anchored to the water surface with a hydroxyl group at either C(3) or C(25). In this study, we investigated how the presence of additional strong interactions with sphingolipids modifies the surface arrangement of 25-OH. Results have shown that, in the 25-OH/GM
1
system, there are no preferences regarding the orientation of the 25-OH molecule in surface complexes and two types of complexes are formed. On the other hand, SM enforces one specific orientation of 25-OH: being anchored with the C(3)–OH group to the water. The strength of interactions between the studied sphingolipids and 25-OH versus cholesterol is similar, which indicates that cholesterol may well be replaced by oxysterol in the lipid raft system. In this way, the composition of lipid rafts can be modified, changing their rheological properties and, as a consequence, influencing their proper functioning.
Opposite valence social information provided by bio-robotic demonstrators shapes selection processes in the green bottle fly
Authors: Romano Donato , Benelli Giovanni , Stefanini Cesare
Published: March 2021

Social learning represents a high-level complex process to acquire information about the environment, which is increasingly reported in invertebrates. The animal–robot interaction paradigm turned out to be an encouraging strategy to unveil social learning in vertebrates, but it has not been fully exploited in invertebrates. In this study,Lucilia sericataadults were induced to observe bio-robotic conspecific and predator demonstrators to reproduce different flower foraging choices. Can a fly manage two flows of social information with opposite valence? Herein, we attempt a reply. The selection process ofL. sericatawas affected by social information provided through different bio-robotic demonstrators, by avoiding coloured discs previously visited by a bio-robotic predator and preferring coloured discs previously visited by a bio-robotic conspecific. When both bio-robotic demonstrators visited the same disc, the latency duration increased and the flies significantly tended to avoid this disc. This indicates the complex risk–benefit evaluation process carried out byL. sericataduring the acquisition of such social information. Overall, this article provides a unique perspective on the behavioural ecology of social learning in non-social insects; it also highlights the high potential of the animal–robot interaction approach for unveiling the full spectrum of invertebrates' abilities in using social information.
Sociality and migration predict hybridization across birds
Authors: Leighton Gavin M. , Lu Lucy Jingyi , Holop Eliot , Dobler Jessica , Ligon Russell A.
Published: March 2021

Hybridization represents a natural experiment that can provide insight into processes of speciation and diversification. Though considerable research has focused on hybrid zone dynamics, macroevolutionary investigations of the factors that influence hybridization are few. Here, we compile a database of avian hybrids and perform comparative analyses to determine whether several social and life-history variables influence broad patterns of hybridization. We perform three main analyses: phylogenetic logistic regression to examine variables that are associated with the presence of hybridization, phylogenetic Poisson regression of only those species exhibiting hybridization to determine which variables are associated with the extent of hybridization, and a phylogenetic logistic regression on a subset of data to assess potential pseudoreplication. After testing several social and life-history variables, we found that social bond duration is associated with the presence and extent of hybridization. Specifically, lengthy social bonds are negatively associated with the presence and extent of hybridization. In addition to social bond length, migration is positively linked with a greater likelihood of hybridization. The broad-scale correlations between species-specific traits and hybridization across diverse avian lineages suggest commonalities in the fine-scale processes involved in mating with heterospecifics, which in turn has implications for how we think about, study and understand hybridization processes and their influence on evolutionary trajectories.
Sex ratio and the evolution of aggression in fruit flies
Authors: Bath Eleanor , Edmunds Danielle , Norman Jessica , Atkins Charlotte , Harper Lucy , Rostant Wayne G. , Chapman Tracey , Wigby Stuart , Perry Jennifer C.
Published: March 2021

Aggressive behaviours are among the most striking displayed by animals, and aggression strongly impacts fitness in many species. Aggression varies plastically in response to the social environment, but we lack direct tests of how aggression evolves in response to intra-sexual competition. We investigated how aggression in both sexes evolves in response to the competitive environment, using populations of
Drosophila melanogaster
that we experimentally evolved under female-biased, equal, and male-biased sex ratios. We found that after evolution in a female-biased environment—with less male competition for mates—males fought less often on food patches, although the total frequency and duration of aggressive behaviour did not change. In females, evolution in a female-biased environment—where female competition for resources is higher—resulted in more frequent aggressive interactions among mated females, along with a greater increase in post-mating aggression. These changes in female aggression could not be attributed solely to evolution either in females or in male stimulation of female aggression, suggesting that coevolved interactions between the sexes determine female post-mating aggression. We found evidence consistent with a positive genetic correlation for aggression between males and females, suggesting a shared genetic basis. This study demonstrates the experimental evolution of a behaviour strongly linked to fitness, and the potential for the social environment to shape the evolution of contest behaviours.
Drosophila
glue protects from predation
Authors: Borne Flora , Prigent Stéphane R. , Molet Mathieu , Courtier-Orgogozo Virginie
Published: March 2021

Animals can be permanently attached to a substrate in terrestrial environments at certain stages of their development. Pupa adhesion has evolved multiple times in insects and is thought to maintain the animal in a place where it is not detectable by predators. Here, we investigate whether pupa adhesion in
Drosophila
can also protect the animal by preventing potential predators from detaching the pupa. We measured the adhesion of
Drosophila
species sampled from the same area and found that pupa adhesion varies among species, which can be explained by different glue production strategies. Then, we compared attached and manually detached pupae in both field and laboratory assays to investigate the role of pupa adhesion to prevent predation. First, we found that attached pupae remain onsite 30% more than detached pupae in the field after 3 days, probably because they are less predated. Second, we observed that attached pupae are less efficiently predated by ants in the laboratory: they are not carried back to the ant nest and more ants are needed to consume them onsite. Our results show that pupa adhesion can prevent the animal from being taken away by predators and is crucial for
Drosophila
fly survival.
Wild insect diversity increases inter-annual stability in global crop pollinator communities
Authors: Senapathi Deepa , Fründ Jochen , Albrecht Matthias , Garratt Michael P. D. , Kleijn David , Pickles Brian J. , Potts Simon G. , An Jiandong , Andersson Georg K. S. , Bänsch Svenja , Basu Parthiba , Benjamin Faye , Bezerra Antonio Diego M. , Bhattacharya Ritam , Biesmeijer Jacobus C. , Blaauw Brett , Blitzer Eleanor J. , Brittain Claire A. , Carvalheiro Luísa G. , Cariveau Daniel P. , Chakraborty Pushan , Chatterjee Arnob , Chatterjee Soumik , Cusser Sarah , Danforth Bryan N. , Degani Erika , Freitas Breno M. , Garibaldi Lucas A. , Geslin Benoit , de Groot G. Arjen , Harrison Tina , Howlett Brad , Isaacs Rufus , Jha Shalene , Klatt Björn Kristian , Krewenka Kristin , Leigh Samuel , Lindström Sandra A. M. , Mandelik Yael , McKerchar Megan , Park Mia , Pisanty Gideon , Rader Romina , Reemer Menno , Rundlöf Maj , Smith Barbara , Smith Henrik G. , Silva Patrícia Nunes , Steffan-Dewenter Ingolf , Tscharntke Teja , Webber Sean , Westbury Duncan B. , Westphal Catrin , Wickens Jennifer B. , Wickens Victoria J. , Winfree Rachael , Zhang Hong , Klein Alexandra-Maria
Published: March 2021

While an increasing number of studies indicate that the range, diversity and abundance of many wild pollinators has declined, the global area of pollinator-dependent crops has significantly increased over the last few decades. Crop pollination studies to date have mainly focused on either identifying different guilds pollinating various crops, or on factors driving spatial changes and turnover observed in these communities. The mechanisms driving temporal stability for ecosystem functioning and services, however, remain poorly understood. Our study quantifies temporal variability observed in crop pollinators in 21 different crops across multiple years at a global scale. Using data from 43 studies from six continents, we show that (i) higher pollinator diversity confers greater inter-annual stability in pollinator communities, (ii) temporal variation observed in pollinator abundance is primarily driven by the three-most dominant species, and (iii) crops in tropical regions demonstrate higher inter-annual variability in pollinator species richness than crops in temperate regions. We highlight the importance of recognizing wild pollinator diversity in agricultural landscapes to stabilize pollinator persistence across years to protect both biodiversity and crop pollination services. Short-term agricultural management practices aimed at dominant species for stabilizing pollination services need to be considered alongside longer term conservation goals focussed on maintaining and facilitating biodiversity to confer ecological stability.
Metagenomic sequencing of municipal wastewater provides a near-complete SARS-CoV-2 genome sequence identified as the B.1.1.7 variant of concern from a Canadian municipality concurrent with an outbreak
Authors: Landgraff Chrystal , Wang Lu Ya Ruth , Buchanan Cody , Wells Matthew , Schonfeld Justin , Bessonov Kyrylo , Ali Jennifer , Robert Erin , Nadon Celine
Published: March 2021

Laboratory-based wastewater surveillance for SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, can be conducted using RT-qPCR-based screening of municipal wastewater samples. Although it provides rapid viral detection and can inform SARS-CoV-2 abundance in wastewater, this approach lacks the resolution required for viral genotyping and does not support tracking of viral genome evolution. The recent emergence of several variants of concern, a result of mutations across the genome including the accrual of important mutations within the viral spike glycoprotein, has highlighted the need for a method capable of detecting the cohort of mutations associated with these and newly emerging genotypes. Here we provide an innovative methodology for the recovery of a near-complete SARS-CoV-2 sequence from a wastewater sample collected from across Canadian municipalities including one that experienced a significant outbreak attributable to the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 variant of concern. Our results demonstrate that a combined interrogation of genome consensus-level sequences and alternative alleles enables the identification of a SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern and the detection of a new allele within a viral accessory gene that may be representative of a recently evolved B.1.1.7 sublineage.
Open Data Commons for Preclinical Traumatic Brain Injury Research: Empowering Data Sharing and Big Data Analytics
Authors: Chou Austin , Espin Abel Torres , Huie J.Russell , Krukowski Karen , Lee Sangmi , Nolan Amber , Guglielmetti Caroline , Hawkins Bridget E. , Chaumeil Myriam M. , Manley Geoffrey T. , Beattie Michael S. , Bresnahan Jacqueline C. , Martone Maryann E. , Grethe Jeffrey S. , Rosi Susanna , Ferguson Adam R.
Published: March 2021

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major unsolved public health problem worldwide with considerable preclinical research dedicated to recapitulating clinical TBI, deciphering the underlying pathophysiology, and developing therapeutics. However, the heterogeneity of clinical TBI and correspondingly in preclinical studies have made translation from bench to bedside difficult. Here, we present the potential of data sharing, data aggregation, and multivariate analytics to integrate heterogeneity and empower researchers. We introduce the Open Data Commons for Traumatic Brain Injury (ODC-TBI.org) as a user-centered web platform and cloudbased repository focused on preclinical TBI research that enables data citation with persistent identifiers, promotes data element harmonization, and follows FAIR data sharing principles. Importantly, the ODC-TBI implements data sharing at the level of individual subjects, thus enabling data reuse for granular big data analytics and data-hungry machine learning approaches. We provide use cases applying descriptive analytics and unsupervised machine learning on pooled ODC-TBI data. Descriptive statistics included subject-level data for 11 published papers (N = 1250 subjects) representing six distinct TBI models across mice and rats (implementing controlled cortical impact, closed head injury, fluid percussion injury, and CHIMERA TBI modalities). We performed principal component analysis (PCA) on cohorts of animals combined through the ODC-TBI to identify persistent inflammatory patterns across different experimental designs. Our workflow ultimately improved the sensitivity of our analyses in uncovering patterns of pro- vs anti-inflammation and oxidative stress without the multiple testing problems of univariate analyses. As the practice of open data becomes increasingly required by the scientific community, ODC-TBI provides a foundation that creates new scientific opportunities for researchers and their work, facilitates multi-dataset and multidimensional analytics, and drives collaboration across molecular and computational biologists to bridge preclinical research to the clinic.
Structure of SOQ1 lumenal domains identifies potential disulfide exchange for negative regulation of photoprotection, qH
Authors: Yu Guimei , Pan Xiaowei , Hao Jingfang , Shi Lifang , Zhang Yong , Wang Jifeng , Xiao Yang , Yang Fuquan , Lou Jizhong , Chang Wenrui , Malnoë Alizée , Li Mei
Published: March 2021

Non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) plays an important role for phototrophs in decreasing photo-oxidative damage. qH is a sustained component of NPQ and depends on the plastid lipocalin (LCNP). A thylakoid membrane-anchored protein SUPPRESSOR OF QUENCHING1 (SOQ1) prevents qH formation by inhibiting LCNP. SOQ1 suppresses qH with its lumen-located C-terminal Trx-like and NHL domains. Here we report crystal structures and biochemical characterization of SOQ1 lumenal domains. Our results show that the Trx-like and NHL domains are stably associated, with the potential redox-active motif located at their interface. Residue E859 essential for SOQ1 function is pivotal for mediating the inter-domain interaction. Moreover, the C-terminal region of SOQ1 forms an independent β-stranded domain, which possibly interacts with the Trx-like domain through disulfide exchange. Furthermore, SOQ1 is susceptible to cleavage at the loops connecting the neighboring domains both in vitro and in vivo, which could be a regulatory process for its suppression function of qH.
Stable brain PET metabolic networks using a multiple sampling scheme
Authors: Schu Guilherme , Brum Wagner Scheeren , Rodrigues Yuri Elias , Cesar de Azeredo Julio , Pascoal Tharick A. , Benedet Andrea Lessa , Mathotaarachchi Sulantha , Rosa-Neto Pedro , Almeida Jorge , Zimmer Eduardo R. ,   for the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: March 2021

The human brain’s interregional communication is vital for its proper functioning. A promising direction for investigating how these regions communicate relies on the assumption that the brain is a complex network. In this context, images derived from positron emission tomography (PET) have been proposed as a potential source for understanding brain networks. However, such networks are often assembled via direct computation of inter-subject correlations, neglecting variabilities between subjects and jeopardizing the construction of group representative networks. Here, we used [18F]FDG-PET data from 1027 individuals at different syndromal stages (352 CU, 621 MCI and 234 AD) to develop a novel method for constructing stable (i.e. resilient to spurious data points) metabolic brain networks. Our multiple sampling (MS) scheme generates brain networks with higher stability when compared to the conventional approach. In addition, the proposed method is robust to imbalanced datasets and requires 50% fewer subjects to achieve stability than the conventional approach. Our method has the potential to considerably boost PET data reutilization and advance our understating of human brain network patterns in health and disease.
Cyto/myeloarchitectural changes of cortical gray matter and superficial white matter in early neurodevelopment: Multimodal MRI study of preterm neonates
Authors: Yuan Shiyu , Liu Mengting , Kim Sharon , Yang Jingda , Barkovich Anthony James , Xu Duan , Kim Hosung
Published: March 2021

The developing cerebral cortex undergoes rapid microstructural and morphological changes throughout the third trimester. Recently, increased attention has been focused on the identification of imaging features that represent the underlying cortical cyto/myeloarchitecture driving intracortical myelination and the maturation of cortical gray matter (GM) and its adjacent superficial white matter (sWM). However, the characterization and spatiotemporal pattern of complex cyto/myeloarchitectural changes in this critical time period remain incompletely understood. Using 92 MRI scans from 78 preterm neonates (baseline: n□=□78, postmenstrual age=33.1±1.8 weeks; follow-up: n=14, 37.3±1.3), the current study leveraged combined T1/T2 intensity ratio and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) measurements, including fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD), to characterize the cyto/myeloarchitectural architecture of cortical GM and its adjacent sWM in preterm neonates. DTI metrics during these weeks showed an overall linear developmental trajectory: FA decreased along with time in GM but increased in sWM; MD decreased in both GM and sWM. In contrast, T1/T2 measurements showed a distinctive parabolic developmental trajectory, revealing additional cyto/myeloarchitectural signature inferred. Furthermore, the spatiotemporal courses of T1/T2 ratio and DTI parameters were found to be regionally heterogeneous across the cerebral cortex, suggesting these imaging features’ specific relationship to regional cyto/myeloarchitectural maturation: faster T1/T2 ratio changes were found in the central, ventral, and temporal regions of GM and sWM, faster FA increases in anterior sWM areas, and faster MD decreases in GM and sWM central and cingulate areas. Taken together, our results may offer an explanation of the novel pattern of cyto/myeloarchitectural processes observed throughout the third trimester, including dendritic arborization, synaptogenesis, glial proliferation, as well as radial glial cell organization and apoptosis. Finally, T1/T2 ratio and DTI measurements were significantly associated with 1 year outcome scores of language and cognitive performance as well as perinatal clinical conditions, including intraventricular hemorrhage and chronic lung disease, demonstrating their potential as imaging biomarkers characterizing microstructural deviation in atypical neurodevelopment. Ultimately, with combined properties of cortical T1/T2 and DTI measurements, this study provides unique insights into the cellular processes and associated developmental mechanisms during the critical development of the third trimester.
Characterizing Locus Specific Chromatin Structure and Dynamics with Correlative Conventional and Super Resolution imaging in living cells
Authors: Mehra Dushyant , Adhikari Santosh , Banerjee Chiranjib , Puchner Elias M.
Published: March 2021

The dynamic rearrangement of chromatin is critical for gene regulation, but mapping both the spatial organization of chromatin and its dynamics remains a challenge. Many structural conformations are too small to be resolved via conventional fluorescence microscopy and the long acquisition time of super-resolution PALM imaging precludes the structural characterization of chromatin below the optical diffraction limit in living cells due to chromatin motion. Here we develop a correlative conventional fluorescence and PALM imaging approach to quantitatively map time-averaged chromatin structure and dynamics below the optical diffraction limit in living cells. By assigning localizations to a locus as it moves, we reliably discriminate between bound and searching dCas9 molecules, whose mobility overlap. Our approach accounts for changes in DNA mobility and relates local chromatin motion to larger scale domain movement. In our experimental system, we show that compacted telomeres have a higher density of bound dCas9 molecules, but the relative motion of those molecules is more restricted than in less compacted telomeres. Correlative conventional and PALM imaging therefore improves the ability to analyze the mobility and time-averaged nanoscopic structural features of locus specific chromatin with single molecule precision and yields unprecedented insights across length and time scales.
AB-stacked nanosheet-based hexagonal boron nitride
Authors: Lee Jae-Kap , Kim Jin-Gyu , Hembram K. P. S. S. , Yu Seunggun , Lee Sang-Gil
Published: March 2021

Hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) has been generally interpreted as having an AA stacking sequence. Evidence is presented in this article indicating that typical commercial h-BN platelets (∼10–500 nm in thickness) exhibit stacks of parallel nanosheets (∼10 nm in thickness) predominantly in the AB sequence. The AB-stacked nanosheet occurs as a metastable phase of h-BN resulting from the preferred texture and lateral growth of armchair (110) planes. It appears as an independent nanosheet or unit for h-BN platelets. The analysis is supported by simulation of thin AB films (2–20 layers), which explains the unique X-ray diffraction pattern of h-BN. With this analysis and the role of pressure in commercial high-pressure high-temperature sintering (driving nucleation and parallelizing the in-plane crystalline growth of the nuclei), a growth mechanism is proposed for 2D h-BN (on a substrate) as `substrate-induced 2D growth', where the substrate plays the role of pressure.
A framework for addressing construction labour turnover in New Zealand
Authors: Ayodele Olabode Adekunle , Chang-Richards Yan , González Vicente A.
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify critical factors that affect labour turnover in the New Zealand construction sector and develop a framework for addressing this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed-method approach was adopted. A questionnaire survey combined with interviews was used to capture the personal experiences and views of 157 construction workers regarding labour turnover.

Findings

The statistical analysis revealed that level of pay, employment relationships, employee welfare, opportunities for career development, commuting distance to work and domestic relationships were the top five factors considered as primary determinants leading to the turnover decisions of most of those surveyed. Factor analysis further categorised the critical factors in three categories, namely, (1) nature of the job, (2) employee satisfaction and (3) employer commitment to staff retention and development.

Practical implications

While high labour turnover rates take a toll on many construction businesses, the findings from this research will hopefully provide guidance on areas of improvement to create a sustainable construction workforce at both organisational and sectoral levels.

Originality/value

Although the study is New Zealand-focused, it increases understanding of the factors affecting labour turnover in the construction sector, and the framework developed will provide construction organisations with directions in workforce retention and development to reduce the effects of labour turnover on organisational performance.
ANP model for evaluating the performance of adaptive façade systems in complex commercial buildings
Authors: Yitmen Ibrahim , Al-Musaed Amjad , Yücelgazi Fikri
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Decisions taken during the early design of adaptive façades involving kinetic, active and responsive envelope for complex commercial buildings have a substantial effect on inclusive building functioning and the comfort level of inhabitants. This study aims to present the application of an analytic network process (ANP) model indicating the order of priority for high performance criteria that must be taken into account in the assessment of the performance of adaptive façade systems for complex commercial buildings.

Design/methodology/approach

The nominal group technique (NGT) stimulating and refining group judgments are used to find and categorize relevant high performance attributes of the adaptive façade systems and their relative pair-wise significance scores. An ANP model is applied to prioritize these high performance objectives and criteria for the adaptive façade systems.

Findings

Embodied energy and CO2 emission, sustainability, energy saving, daylight and operation maintenance were as the most likely and crucial high performance criteria. The criteria and the weights presented in this study could be used as guidelines for evaluating the performance of adaptive façade systems for commercial buildings in planning and design phases.

Practical implications

This research primarily provides the required actions and evaluations for design managers in accomplishing a high performance adaptive façade system, with the support of an ANP method. Before beginning the adaptive façade system of a building design process, the design manager must determine the significance of each of these attributes as high performance primacies will affect the results all through the entire design process.

Originality/value

In this research, a relatively innovative, systematic and practical approach is proposed to sustain the decision-making procedure for evaluation of the high performance criteria of adaptive façade systems in complex commercial buildings.
A qualitative study on the experiences and challenges of MBA students' engagement with a business research methods module
Authors: Nzekwe-Excel Chinny
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Undertaking research as part of a business degree qualification undoubtedly enables students to develop practical and life-long skills. Nevertheless, students seem to find it challenging undertaking a research project. This study set out to explore the experiences of a group of MBA students who recently undertook their business and management research projects as part of their MBA degree program.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was carried out in a UK higher education institution and is based on an MBA business and management research module. The purpose of the module is to enable learners to develop advanced-level independent research and critical problem-solving skills within a business context. The study adopted a qualitative approach to capture a broad mix of students' experiences and perceptions on the module. The sample includes previous MBA students on different cohorts and different nationalities.

Findings

Outcomes of the study show that though students are stretched in the business and management project process they develop a diversity of skills required in the workplace while conducting their projects. The study findings also show that the practical implications of the students' projects and progressive support from their project supervisors contribute to the successful completion of their projects and subsequent attainment of their MBA degree.

Originality/value

Outcomes of this study further reveal that undertaking business and management projects creates a rewarding learning experience for learners/students, develops confident graduates as well as enables effective applications of theory into practice.
Digital analysis of a form
Authors: Oksas André
Published: March 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to show how a sociological description – a swarm analysis of the Nazi dictatorship – initially made with the means borrowed from George Spencer-Brown’s Calculus of Indications, can be transformed into a digital circuit and with which methods and tools of digital mathematics this digital circuit can be analyzed and described in its behavior. Thus, the paper also aims to contribute to a better understanding of Chapter 11 of “Laws of Form.”

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis uses methods of automata theory for finite, deterministic automata. Basic set operations of digital mathematics and special set operations of the Boolean Differential Calculus are used to calculate digital circuits. The software used is based on ternary logic, in which the binary Boolean logic of the elements {0, 1} is extended by the third element “Don’t care” to {0, 1, −}.

Findings

The paper confirms the method of transforming a form into a digital circuit derived from the comparative functional and structural analysis of the Modulator from Chapter 11 of “Laws of Form” and defines general rules for this transformation. It is shown how the indeterminacy of re-entrant forms can be resolved in the medium of time using the methods of automata theory. On this basis, a refined definition of the degree of a form is presented.

Originality/value

The paper shows the potential of interdisciplinary approaches between sociology and information technology and provides methods and tools of digital mathematics such as ternary logic, Boolean Differential Calculus and automata theory for application in sociology.
The influence of dynamic capabilities on startup growth
Authors: Teixeira Emidio Gressler , Moura Gilnei Luiz de , Lopes Luis Felipe Dias , Marconatto Diego Antônio Bittencourt , Fischmann Adalberto Américo
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to analyze the relationship between dynamic service innovation capabilities (DSICs) and startup growth in an emerging country.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper used a theoretical DSIC model to process data on 137 Brazilian startups, using a stepwise regression.

Findings

Service startup growth is related to the capability of enterprises to understand market signals, learn from customers and design a scalable, repetitive and profitable business model.

Research limitations/implications

Despite the innovative nature of startups, this paper found that technological and networking capacities are not a determinant of growth.

Practical implications

Managers should commit themselves to improve their competence in terms of understanding market signals, even when they already have a consolidated business model, products and service offerings. The findings also function as a warning about the dangers of an excessive focus on technological capabilities.

Social implications

Innovative startups, which achieve high growth create a disproportionate number of new jobs. Hence, by indicating the dynamic capabilities that are more conducive to firm growth, this paper contributes to society and the economy at large.

Originality/value

The findings challenge the myth of technological capacity and networking skills as the main sources of startup growth. This paper shows that founders and managers of service startups who want to achieve rapid growth should concentrate more effort on other skills. Marketing competence and building scalable business models – abilities that are common to successful traditional firms – are more relevant for short-term growth than technological innovation.
On the hybridization of pre-trained deep learning and differential evolution algorithms for semantic crack detection and recognition in ensemble of infrastructures
Authors: Mohammed Abdelkader Eslam
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Cracks on surface are often identified as one of the early indications of damage and possible future catastrophic structural failure. Thus, detection of cracks is vital for the timely inspection, health diagnosis and maintenance of infrastructures. However, conventional visual inspection-based methods are criticized for being subjective, greatly affected by inspector's expertise, labor-intensive and time-consuming.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper proposes a novel self-adaptive-based method for automated and semantic crack detection and recognition in various infrastructures using computer vision technologies. The developed method is envisioned on three main models that are structured to circumvent the shortcomings of visual inspection in detection of cracks in walls, pavement and deck. The first model deploys modified visual geometry group network (VGG19) for extraction of global contextual and local deep learning features in an attempt to alleviate the drawbacks of hand-crafted features. The second model is conceptualized on the integration of K-nearest neighbors (KNN) and differential evolution (DE) algorithm for the automated optimization of its structure. The third model is designated for validating the developed method through an extensive four layers of performance evaluation and statistical comparisons.

Findings

It was observed that the developed method significantly outperformed other crack and detection models. For instance, the developed wall crack detection method accomplished overall accuracy, F-measure, Kappa coefficient, area under the curve, balanced accuracy, Matthew's correlation coefficient and Youden's index of 99.62%, 99.16%, 0.998, 0.998, 99.17%, 0.989 and 0.983, respectively.

Originality/value

Literature review lacks an efficient method which can look at crack detection and recognition of an ensemble of infrastructures. Furthermore, there is absence of systematic and detailed comparisons between crack detection and recognition models.
Spatial factors and plant attributes influence soil fungal community distribution patterns in the lower reaches of the Heihe River Basin, Northwest China
Authors: Wang Wenjuan , Li Jingwen , Ye Ziqi , Wang Jianming , Qu Laiye , Zhang Tianhan
Published: March 2021

Inland river basins include critical habitats and provide various ecosystem services in extremely arid lands. However, we know little about the distribution patterns of soil fungal communities in these river basins. We investigated the distribution patterns of soil fungal communities from the riparian oasis zone (ROZ) to the circumjacent desert zone (CDZ) at the lower reaches of the Heihe River. The results indicated that soil fungal communities were mainly dominated by the phyla Ascomycota and Basidiomycota across all samples. The dominant soil fungi taxa were significantly different between ROZ and CDZ habitats at both the phylum and genus levels. Fungal alpha diversity was mainly affected by spatial factors and plant functional traits, and Pearson correlation analysis revealed that fungal alpha diversity was more closely related to plant functional traits than soil properties. Furthermore, fungal community structure was best explained by spatial factors and plant attributes (including plant diversity and plant functional traits). Together, our findings provide new insights into the significance of spatial factors and plant attributes for predicting distributions of fungal communities in arid inland river basins, which will help us better understand the functions and services of these ecosystems.
Chronic Illness as Critique: Crip Aesthetics Across the Atlantic
Authors: Smith Giulia
Published: March 2021

A growing body of theories proposes rethinking chronic illness as a position from which to analyse and resist neoliberalism. Interest in these ideas has been steadily growing in the art world, especially in the United Kingdom and the United States. Following on from a period of renewed institutional engagement with the politics of identity, this phenomenon also reflects the rise of ‘crip theory’ as an intersectional discourse that purports to offer insights beyond the traditional remit of disability studies. With the recent politics of austerity responsible for insolvency, dispossession and vulnerability on a mass scale, some even propose thinking of the present at large as ‘crip times’. Others caution against galleries and museums turning real people living with disabilities into a Zeitgeist. This essay explores these debates in relation to the work of Carolyn Lazard and Jesse Darling, two artists based on opposite sides of the Atlantic, who take a contrasting approach to the representation of sickness and vulnerability.
Allometry of exaggerated mandibular tusks in the burrowing mayfly Rhoenanthus coreanus (Ephemeroptera: Potamanthidae)
Authors: Mayorga Alfredo , Bae Yeon Jae
Published: March 2021

Exaggerated morphological traits, such as the mandibular tusks of mayflies, are rarely observed in immature insects, especially when such traits are exhibited by both sexes. The aim of the present study was to investigate the static allometry, sexual size dimorphism, and trade‐offs (i.e. compensations) of exaggerated mandibular tusks in the larvae of Rhoenanthus coreanus (Yoon & Bae) (Ephemeroptera: Potamanthidae). As expected, sexual dimorphism was observed in size, especially in that of eyes and tusks, with males exhibiting significantly larger eyes and females exhibiting longer tusks. Tusk size was monomorphic in males, and in contrast to that reported in previous studies, the static allometry of tusks was positive in females but negative in males. A positive compensation and correlation was observed between tusk and foreleg length in both sexes, which may be related to the burrowing and feeding behavior.
Cecal microbial transplantation attenuates hyperthyroid‐induced thermogenesis in Mongolian gerbils
Authors: Khakisahneh Saeid , Zhang Xue‐Ying , Nouri Zahra , Wang De‐Hua
Published: March 2021

Endothermic mammals have a high energy cost to maintain a stable and high body temperature (Tb, around 37°C). Thyroid hormones are a major regulator for energy metabolism and Tb. The gut microbiota is involved in modulating host energy metabolism. However, whether the interaction between the gut microbiota and thyroid hormones is involved in metabolic and thermal regulations is unclear. We hypothesized that thyroid hormones via an interaction with gut microbiota orchestrate host thermogenesis and Tb. l‐thyroxine‐induced hyperthyroid Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) increased resting metabolic rate (RMR) and Tb, whereas Methimazole‐induced hypothyroid animals decreased RMR. Both hypothyroid and hyperthyroid animals differed significantly in faecal bacterial community. Hyperthyroidism increased the relative abundance of pathogenic bacteria, such as Helicobacter and Rikenella, and decreased abundance of beneficial bacteria Butyricimonas and Parabacteroides, accompanied by reduced total bile acids and short‐chain fatty acids. Furthermore, the hyperthyroid gerbils transplanted with the microbiota from control donors increased type 2 deiodinase (DIO2) expression in the liver and showed a greater rate of decline of both serum T3 and T4 levels and, consequently, a more rapid recovery of normal RMR and Tb. These findings indicate that thyroid hormones regulate thermogenesis depending on gut microbiota and colonization with normal microbiota by caecal microbial transplantation attenuates hyperthyroid‐induced thermogenesis. This work reveals the functional consequences of the gut microbiota‐thyroid axis in controlling host metabolic physiology and Tb in endotherms.
Risk of cardiac‐related mortality in stage IIIA‐N2 non‐small cell lung cancer: Analysis of the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database
Authors: Sun Xin , Men Yu , Wang Jianyang , Bao Yongxing , Yang Xu , Zhao Maoyuan , Sun Shuang , Yuan Meng , Ma Zeliang , Hui Zhouguang
Published: March 2021

Background

In this study, we aimed to investigate the association between postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) and cardiac‐related mortality in patients with stage IIIA‐N2 non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database.

Methods

The United States (US) population based on the SEER database was searched for cardiac‐related mortality among patients with stage IIIA‐N2 NSCLC. Cardiac‐related mortality was compared between the PORT and Non‐PORT groups. Accounting for mortality from other causes, Fine and Gray's test compared cumulative incidences of cardiac‐related mortality between both groups. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed using the competing risk model.

Results

From 1988 to 2016, 7290 patients met the inclusion criteria: 3386 patients were treated with PORT and 3904 patients with Non‐PORT. The five‐year overall incidence of cardiac‐related mortality was 3.01% in the PORT group and 3.26% in the Non‐PORT group. Older age, male sex, squamous cell lung cancer, earlier year of diagnosis and earlier T stage were independent adverse factors for cardiac‐related mortality. However, PORT use was not associated with an increase in the hazard for cardiac‐related mortality (subdistribution hazard ratio [SHR] = 0.99, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.78–1.24, p = 0.91). When evaluating cardiac‐related mortality in each time period, the overall incidence of cardiac‐related mortality was decreased over time. There were no statistically significant differences based on PORT use in all time periods.

Conclusions

With a median follow‐up of 25 months, no significant differences were found in cardiac‐related mortality between the PORT and Non‐PORT groups in stage IIIA‐N2 NSCLC patients.
A systematic approach to weaning from extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in patients with refractory cardiac failure
Authors: Mørk Sivagowry R. , Frederiksen Christian A. , Nielsen Roni R. , Lichscheidt Emil , Christensen Steffen , Greisen Jacob R. , Tang Mariann , Vase Henrik , Løgstrup Brian B. , Mellemkjær Søren , Wiggers Henrik S. , Mølgaard Henning , Poulsen Steen H. , Terkelsen Christian J. , Eiskjær Hans
Published: March 2021

Background

Veno‐arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V‐A ECMO) is commonly used to provide haemodynamic support for patients with severe cardiac failure. However, timing ECMO weaning remains challenging. We aimed to examine if an integrative weaning approach based on predefined haemodynamic, respiratory and echocardiographic criteria is associated with successful weaning.

Methods

All patients weaned from ECMO between April 2017 and April 2019 at Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark, were consecutively enrolled. Predefined haemodynamic, respiratory and echocardiographic criteria were assessed before and during ECMO flow reduction. A weaning attempt was commenced in haemodynamic stable patients and patients remaining stable at minimal flow were weaned from ECMO. Comparisons were made between patients who met the criteria for weaning at first attempt and patients who did not meet these criteria. Patients completing a full weaning attempt with no further need for mechanical support within 24 h were defined as successfully weaned.

Results

A total of 38 patients were included in the study, of whom 26 (68%) patients met the criteria for weaning. Among these patients, 25 (96%) could be successfully weaned. Successfully weaned patients were younger and had less need for inotropic support and ECMO duration was shorter. Fulfilling the weaning criteria was associated with successful weaning and both favourable 30‐d survival and survival to discharge.

Conclusion

An integrative weaning approach based on haemodynamic, respiratory and echocardiographic criteria may strengthen the clinical decision process in predicting successful weaning in patients receiving ECMO for refractory cardiac failure.