bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Risk exposures, risk perceptions, negative attitudes toward general vaccination, and COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among college students in South Carolina
Authors: Qiao Shan , Tam Cheuk Chi , Li Xiaoming
Published: November 2020

Growing attention has been paid to vaccination in control of the COVID-19 pandemic and young adults is one of the key populations for vaccination. Advanced understanding of young adults’ willingness to take a COVID-19 vaccine and the potential factors influencing their vaccine intention will contribute to the development and implementation of effective strategies to promote COVID-19 vaccine uptake among this group. The current study investigated how risk exposures and risk perceptions of COVID-19 (e.g., perceived susceptibility, severity, and fear of COVID-19) as well as negative attitudes toward general vaccination were related to COVID vaccine acceptance among college students based on online survey data from 1062 college students in South Carolina. Hierarchical linear regression was used to examine the association of these factors with COVID-19 vaccine acceptance controlling for key demographics. Results suggested that perceived severity and fear of COVID-19 were positively associated with vaccine acceptance, while higher level of risk exposures (work/study place exposure) and negative attitude toward general vaccination were associated with low vaccine acceptance. Our findings suggested that we need tailored education messages for college students to emphasize the severity of COVID-19, particularly potential long-term negative consequences on health, address the concerns of side effects of general vaccines by dispelling the misconception, and target the most vulnerable subgroups who reported high level of risk exposures while showed low intention to take the vaccine. Efforts are warranted to increase college students’ perceived susceptibility and severity and promote their self-efficacy in health management and encourage them to take protective behaviors including vaccine uptake.
Immunity status of Health Care Workers post recovery from COVID-19: An online longitudinal panel survey
Authors: Shah S B , Chawla R , Pahade A , Bansal N , Mehta A , Dewan A.K. , Prakash A , Bhatia M
Published: November 2020

Background

Corona virus has literally travelled “around the world in 80 days” akin to Fogg and Passepartoute of Jules Verne fame. Manning of corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) wards and ICUs, also surgery on COVID-positive patients is increasingly being relegated to that subset of health care workers (HCW) who themselves have resumed duties after surviving COVID-19 infection. Convalescent plasma therapy has been widely endorsed. Several vaccines are in the pipeline as potential preventive measures against the virus keeping HCW on the priority-list of recipients. Immunity passports are being validated for foreign travel. These events share a common presumption that exposure to COVID-19 virus (natural infection/inoculation) produces protective adaptive immunity. It is unknown whether all (COVID-19) infected patients mount a protective immune response and for how long any protective effect will last.

Methods

This single institutional prospective longitudinal panel survey questions were deployed to the respondents online via email/WhatsApp groups to ascertain the symptomology and immunity status of HCW in the months following COVID-19 infection. The survey was administered to the same set/cohort of health care workers over 6 months.

Results

165 responses from 151 respondents (70 at 1-2months; 95 at 3-4 months including 14 at both time points) were analysed. 7.14% of infected HCW failed to develop IgG antibodies at 4-6 weeks. 91.7% HCW with IgG titres in the highest bracket had experienced anosmia. Mean antibody titres were 12.08 ± 9.56 and 9.72 ± 9.34 at 1-2 months and 3-4 months post-development of first symptom, respectively.

Conclusion

Understanding of COVID-19 patterns of variation in HCW may guide their deployment in the COVID ward and COVID-OTs. Revelation of this enigma (by quantification of serial IgG antibody levels) is critical for predicting response to vaccines under trial, fostering effective stratagems and tactics for pandemic control, ascertaining validity of immunity passports and understanding longevity/durability of protection by forecasting immunological memory against SARS-CoV-2.
Obesity as a predictor for adverse outcomes among COVID-19 patients: A meta-analysis
Authors: Das Pranta , Samad Nandeeta , Seidu Abdul-Aziz , Aboagye Richard Gyan , Tetteh Justice Kanor , Ahinkorah Bright Opoku
Published: November 2020

Background

This meta-analysis sought to determine the estimated association between obesity and adverse outcomes among COVID-19 patients.

Methods

We followed the recommended PRISMA guidelines. A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect for published literature between December 1, 2019, and October 2, 2020. The data for the study were pooled from studies that contained the search terms “Obesity” AND (COVID-19 or 2019-nCoV or Coronavirus or SARS-CoV-2) AND (“ICU admission” OR “Hospitalization” OR “Disease severity” OR “Invasive mechanical ventilator” OR “Death” OR “Mortality”). All the online searches were supplemented by reference screening of retrieved studies for additional literature. The pooled odds ratio (OR) and confidence intervals (CI) from the retrieved studies were calculated using the random effect model (Inverse-Variance method).

Findings

Five studies with a combined sample size of 335,192 patients were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled OR from the final analysis showed that patients who are severely obese were more likely to experience adverse outcome (death or ICU admission or needing IMV or hospitalization) compared to the normal patients [OR = 2.81, 95% CI = 2.33 – 3.40, I2= 29%].

Conclusion

Severe obesity is a risk factor in developing adverse outcomes among COVID-19 patients. The finding of the study signifies promotive, preventive, and curative attention to be accorded patients diagnosed with severe obesity and COVID-19.
Setting a course for preventing hepatitis E in low and lower-middle-income countries: A systematic review of burden and risk factors
Authors: Koyuncu Aybüke , Mapemba Daniel , Ciglenecki Iza , Gurley Emily S. , Azman Andrew S.
Published: November 2020

Background

Hepatitis E virus is responsible for outbreaks of acute jaundice in Africa and Asia, many of which occur among displaced people or in crisis settings. While an efficacious vaccine for HEV has been developed, we lack key epidemiologic data needed to understand how best to use the vaccine for hepatitis E control in endemic countries.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review of articles published on hepatitis E in low and lower-middle-income countries (LMIC) in Africa and Asia. We searched PubMed, Scopus, and Embase databases to identify articles with data on anti-HEV IgG seroprevalence, outbreaks of HEV, or risk factors for HEV infection, disease, or death, and all relevant data were extracted. Using these data we describe the evidence around temporal and geographical distribution of HEV transmission and burden. We estimated pooled age-specific seroprevalence and assessed the consistency in risk factor estimates.

Results

We extracted data from 148 studies. Studies assessing anti-HEV IgG antibodies used 18 different commercial assays. Most cases of hepatitis E during outbreaks were not confirmed. Risk factor data suggested an increased likelihood of current or recent HEV infection and disease associated with fecal-oral transmission of HEV, as well as exposures to blood and animals.

Conclusion

Heterogeneity in diagnostic assays used and exposure and outcome assessment methods hinder public health efforts to quantify burden of disease and evaluate interventions over time and space. Prevention tools such as vaccines are available, but require a unified global strategy for hepatitis E control to justify widespread use.
Lower blood lactate and higher circulating natural killer cells at admission predict spontaneous survival in non-acetaminophen induced acute Liver failure
Authors: Agrawal Tanvi , Maiwall Rakhi , V Rajan , Bajpai Meenu , Jagdish Rakesh Kumar , Sarin Shiv Kumar , Trehanpati Nirupma
Published: November 2020

Background and Aims

Massive cellular necrosis in ALF is dominantly immune mediated and innate immune cells are major pathophysiological determinants in liver damage. Our aim was to investigate specific innate immune cells or damage associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) relating to the final outcome of patient.

Methods

In fifty ALF patients and in fifteen age-matched healthy controls (HC), DAMPs were measured in plasma using ELISA. Phenotypic analysis of neutrophils, monocytes, natural killer (NK) and NKT cells was done by flow-cytometry and correlated with clinical and biochemical parameters.

Results

ALF patients (aged 27±9 yr, 56% males, 78% viral etiology) had MELD of 31.5±8, jaundice to hepatic encephalopathy (HE) of 4.6±3.2 days, HE grade III-IV, 82% with cerebral edema, 38% met KCH criteria, 56% had suspected sepsis. Percentage of intermediate monocytes (CD14+CD16+) was increased (p<0.01) and non-classical monocytes (CD14-CD16+) was decreased in ALF compared to HC. CD16+CD56+ NK cells in total lymphocytes was significantly lower in ALF patients compared to HC, but was higher in survivors {9.28% (0.5-20.3)} than non-survivors {5.1% (0.2-10.6)} (p<0.001). Higher percentage of circulating NK cells (>6.7%) at admission was a good predictor of survival. Non-survivors had higher levels of serum lactate (6.1 vs. 28, Odds ratio 2.23, CI 1.27-3.94) and granzymeB positive NK cells than survivors. Logistic regression model predicted the combination of lactate levels with NK cell percentage at admission for survival (AUROC of 0.94; sensitivity 95.8%, specificity of 78.5%).

Conclusion

Combination of NK cell frequency and lactate levels at admission can reliably predict survival of ALF patients.

KEY POINTS

ALF is generally immune mediated and predominantly caused by viral infections or acetaminophen toxicity.

Therapeutic options are limited in ALF, important to know key immune players for their survival.

CD16+CD56+ NK cells were found to be higher in survivors than non survivors.

Combination of lactate levels with NK cell percentage at the time of admission can reliably predict the survival of ALF patients.
Willingness to vaccinate against COVID-19 in the US: Longitudinal evidence from a nationally representative sample of adults from April–October 2020
Authors: Daly Michael , Robinson Eric
Published: November 2020

Introduction

Vaccines against COVID-19 have been developed in unprecedented time. However, the effectiveness of any vaccine is dictated by the proportion of the population willing to be vaccinated. In this observational population-based study we examined intentions to be vaccinated against COVID-19 over the course of the pandemic.

Methods

We analyzed longitudinal data from a nationally representative sample of 7,547 US adults enrolled in the Understanding America Study (UAS). Participants reporting being willing, undecided and unwilling to get vaccinated against coronavirus across 13 assessments conducted from April-October, 2020. Public attitudes to vaccination against the coronavirus were also assessed.

Results

Willingness to vaccinate declined from 71% in April to 53.6% in October. This was explained by an increase in the percentage of participants undecided about vaccinating (from 10.5% to 14.4%) and the portion of the sample unwilling to vaccinate (from 18.5% to 32%). The population subgroups most likely to be undecided/unwilling to vaccinate were those without a degree (undecided: RRR=2.47, 95% CI: 2.04-3.00; unwilling: RRR=1.92, 95% CI: 1.67-2.20), Black participants (undecided: RRR=2.18, 95% CI: 1.73-2.74; unwilling: RRR=1.98, 95% CI: 1.63-2.42), and females (undecided: RRR=1.41, 95% CI: 1.20-1.65; unwilling: RRR=1.29, 95% CI: 1.14-1.46). Those aged 65+, those on high incomes, and other race/ethnicity participants were least likely to be undecided or unwilling to vaccinate. Concerns about potential side effects of a vaccine were common.

Conclusions

Intentions to be vaccinated against coronavirus have declined rapidly during the pandemic and close to half of Americans are undecided or unwilling to be vaccinated.
Extinction of COVID-19 Clusters in a Lebanese Village: A Quick, Adapted Molecular and Contact tracing
Authors: Chamieh Amanda , Warrak Rania , Tawk Lucie , Zmerli Omar , Afif Claude , Rolain Jean-Marc , Azar Eid
Published: November 2020

There is growing evidence of cluster transmission and superspreading of SARS-CoV-2, implying heterogeneous dispersion. We discuss the successful containment of COVID-19 local outbreak in Bcharreh, the small town of 4500 inhabitants, in Northern Lebanon. We look at the dynamics of cluster transmission and viral load evolution throughout the outbreak.

SARS-CoV-2 PCR test was proposed to all exposed individuals. Persons under investigation that tested negative by PCR were periodically retested. We define: a cluster as more than 3 people with a common suspicious or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 positive contact, clinical cure as the resolution of symptoms, and virologic cure as SARS-CoV-2 PCR Cycle threshold(Ct) >35. We analyzed all obtained Ct into corresponding clusters and performed a time series analysis.

A total of 713/871 SARS-CoV-2 PCR tests were performed at Saint George Hospital University Medical Center (SGHUMC) from April 5th 2020 -June 14th 2020. We used the LightMix® Modular SARS-CoV-2 (COVID19) E, N, and RdRP-genes (Tib Molbiol, Berlin, Germany). Week one of epidemiologic surveillance began on March 31st when the first case was detected. A strict lockdown was imposed on Bcharreh village 5 days later, on top of the national lockdown. We identified 4 different clusters ranging from 3 to 27 cases and 3 sporadic unrelated cases.

Almost 70% of each cluster was diagnosed within 7 days. After 2 weeks, we saw a significant increase in the average initial diagnostic Ct 27.9 to 34.72 (P<0.0001). A total of 73/74 SARS-CoV-2 PCR positive individuals achieved cure (98.6%). We recorded one death of a 90-year-old man with multiple comorbidities.

In explosive new epidemics, we can derive from previous experience and not be blinded by it. To safely navigate out of the lockdown, focus on where new transmission is likely to emerge and accordingly target available diagnostic technologies.
Contribution of age-related effects to COVID-19 differences of crude fatality ratios in two Argentine provinces between March and August 2020
Authors: Bramajo Octavio Nicolas , Bathory María Florencia
Published: November 2020

The following paper presents temporary estimations of CFR (the ratio between deaths and infected positive cases) attributed to COVID-19 for two provinces in Argentina (Jujuy and Buenos Aires Province), using public data provided by the Argentine Ministry of Health. In order to make comparisons between jurisdictions, we applied a series of exploratory measures (which resulted in excluding many other jurisdictions from the comparison), and later on the Kitagawa decomposition procedure, trying to separate rate (“net” fatality) and structure components (age-attributable effects) from CFR estimations in those provinces. After the decomposition we can observe that between almost non existant differences on average, the magnitude of structure and net rate effects tend to go into different directions across age groups, indicating some premature mortality in Buenos Aires and an excess net CFR in Jujuy for older age-groups
Impact of comorbidities on COVID-19 outcome
Authors: khedr Eman M , Daef Enas , Mohamed-Hussein Aliae , Mostafa Ehab F , zein Mohamed , Hassany Sahar M , Galal Hanan , Hassan Shimaa Abbas , Galal Islam , Zarzour Amro A. , Hetta Helal F , Hassan Hebatallah M. , Amin Mariam Taher , Hashem Maiada k
Published: November 2020

Background and aims

The coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic has spread rapidly around the globe with considerable morbidity and mortality. Coexistence of comorbidities with COVID-19 have consistently been reported as risk factors for unfavorable prognosis. We aim at this study to evaluate the impact of comorbidities in COVID-19 patients on the outcome and determine predictors of prolonged hospital stay, requisite for ICU admission or decease.

Methods

Four hundreds and thirty nine adult patients who are admitted through (June and July 2020) in Assiut and Aswan University Hospitals were included in the study. All participants were diagnosed with COVID-19 according to Egyptian Ministry of Health guidance as definite case or Probable case. Detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA was done by (TaqMan™ 2019-nCoV Control Kit v1 (Cat. No. A47532) supplied by QIAGEN, Germany on the Applied Biosystem 7500 Fast RT PCR System, USA.

Results

Patients with comorbidities represented 61.7% of all cases. Constitutional symptoms especially myalgia and LRT symptoms such as dyspnea were significantly higher in patients with comorbidities (P < 0.05). Patients with comorbidities had significantly worse laboratory parameters. ICU admission was higher in patients with comorbidities (35.8%). Among different comorbidities 45.4% of CVD cases were admitted in ICU followed by DM cases (40.8%). Also, patients with comorbidities needed invasive mechanical ventilation more than those without comorbidity (31 vs. 10.7%, P<0.001). Significant lower frequency of recovery was found in COVID-19 patients with comorbidities (59% vs. 81%, P<0.001) and death rate was significantly higher in cases with comorbidities (P< 0.001). The survival rates in cases with pre-existing CVD and neurological diseases were lower than those without disease (P<0.002 and 0.001 respectively).

Conclusion

Association of cardiovascular comorbid conditions including hypertension or neurological diseases together with COVID-19 infections carries higher risks of mortality. However, other comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus, chronic pulmonary or kidney diseases may also contribute to increased COVID-19 severity.
Second versus first wave of COVID-19 deaths: shifts in age distribution and in nursing home fatalities
Authors: Ioannidis John P.A. , Axfors Cathrine , Contopoulos-Ioannidis Despina G.
Published: November 2020

OBJECTIVE

To examine whether the age distribution of COVID-19 deaths and the share of deaths in nursing homes changed in the second versus the first pandemic wave.

ELIGIBLE DATA

We considered all countries that had at least 4000 COVID-19 deaths occurring as of January 14, 2020, at least 200 COVID-19 deaths occurring in each of the two epidemic wave periods; and which had sufficiently detailed information available on the age distribution of these deaths. We also considered countries with data available on COVID-19 deaths of nursing home residents for the two waves.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Change in the second wave versus the first wave in the proportion of COVID-19 deaths occurring in people <50 years (“young deaths”) among all COVID-19 deaths and among COVID-19 deaths in people <70 years old; and change in the proportion of COVID-19 deaths in nursing home residents among all COVID-19 deaths.

RESULTS

Data on age distribution were available for 14 eligible countries. Individuals <50 years old had small absolute difference in their share of the total COVID-19 deaths in the two waves across 13 high-income countries (absolute differences 0.0-0.4%). Their proportion was higher in Ukraine, but it decreased markedly in the second wave. The odds of young deaths was lower in the second versus the first wave (summary odds ratio 0.80, 95% CI 0.70-0.92) with large between-country heterogeneity. The odds of young deaths among deaths <70 years did not differ significantly across the two waves (summary odds ratio 0.95, 95% CI 0.85-1.07). Eligible data on nursing home COVID-19 deaths were available for 11 countries. The share of COVID-19 deaths that were accounted by nursing home residents decreased in the second wave significantly and substantially in 8 countries (odds ratio estimates: 0.22 to 0.66), remained the same in Denmark and Norway and markedly increased in Australia.

CONCLUSIONS

In the examined countries, age distribution of COVID-19 deaths has been fairly similar in the second versus the first wave, but the contribution of COVID-19 deaths in nursing home residents to total fatalities has decreased in most countries in the second wave.
Anticipatory reinstatement of expected perceptual events during visual sequence learning
Authors: Senoussi Mehdi , VanRullen Rufin , Reddy Leila
Published: November 2020

Being able to predict future events in learned sequences is a fundamental cognitive ability. Successful behavior requires the brain to not only anticipate an upcoming event, but to also continue to keep track of the sequence in case of eventual disruptions, (e.g., when a predicted event does not occur). However, the precise neural mechanisms supporting such processes remain unknown. Here, using multivariate pattern classification based on electroencephalography (EEG) activity and time-frequency amplitude, we show that the visual system represents upcoming expected stimuli during a sequence-learning task. Stimulus-evoked neural representations were reinstated prior to expected stimulus onset, and when an anticipated stimulus was unexpectedly withheld, suggesting proactive reinstatement of sensory templates. Importantly, stimulus representation of the absent stimulus co-occurred with an emerging representation of the following stimulus in the sequence, showing that the brain actively maintained sequence order even when the sequence was perturbed. Finally, selective activity was evident in the alpha-beta band (9-20 Hz) amplitude topographies, confirming the role of alpha-beta oscillations in carrying information about the nature of sensory expectations. These results show that the brain dynamically implements anticipatory mechanisms that reinstate sensory representations, and that allow us to make predictions about events further in the future.
Thymocytes trigger self-antigen-controlling pathways in immature medullary thymic epithelial stages
Authors: Lopes Noëlla , Boucherit Nicolas , Charaix Jonathan , Ferrier Pierre , Giraud Matthieu , Irla Magali
Published: November 2020

Interactions of developing T cells with Aire+medullary thymic epithelial cells expressing high levels of MHCII molecules (mTEChi) are critical for the induction of central tolerance. In turn, thymocytes regulate the cellularity of Aire+mTEChi. However, it remains unknown whether thymocytes control Aire+mTEChi-precursors that are contained in mTEClocells or other mTEClosubsets that have recently been delineated or identified by single-cell transcriptomic analyses. Here, using three distinct transgenic mouse models, in which antigen-presentation between mTECs and CD4+thymocytes is perturbed, we show by high-throughput RNA-seq that self-reactive CD4+thymocytes induce in mTEClothe expression of tissue-restricted self-antigens, cytokines, chemokines and adhesion molecules important for T-cell development. This gene activation program is combined with a global increase of the active H3K4me3 histone mark. Finally, we show that these interactions induce key mTEC transcriptional regulators and govern mTEClosubset composition, including Aire+mTEChi-precursors, post-Aire and tuft-like mTECs. Our genome-wide study thus reveals that self-reactive CD4+thymocytes control multiple unsuspected facets from immature stages of mTECs, which determines their heterogeneity.
Wolbachiaload variation inDrosophilais more likely caused by drift than by host genetic factors
Authors: Bénard Alexis , Henri Hélène , Noûs Camille , Vavre Fabrice , Kremer Natacha
Published: November 2020

Symbiosis is a continuum of long-term interactions ranging from mutualism to parasitism, according to the balance between costs and benefits for the protagonists. The density of endosymbionts is, in both cases, a key factor that determines both the transmission of symbionts and the host extended phenotype, and is thus tightly regulated within hosts. However, the evolutionary and molecular mechanisms underlying bacterial density regulation are currently poorly understood. In this context, the symbiosis between the fruit fly and its intracellular bacteriaWolbachia(wMelPop strain) is particularly interesting to study. Although vertically transmitted, the symbiont is pathogenic, and a positive correlation between virulence andwMelPop density is observed. In addition, the number of repeats of a bacterial genomic region -Octomom-is positively correlated withWolbachiadensity, underlying a potential genetic mechanism that controls bacterial density. Interestingly, the number of repeats varies between host individuals, but most likely also within them. Such genetic heterogeneity within the host could promote conflicts between bacteria themselves and with the host, notably by increasing within-host competition between symbiont genotypes through a process analogous to the tragedy of the commons. To characterize the determinisms at play in the regulation of bacterial density, we first introgressed wMelPop in different genetic backgrounds ofD. melanogaster, and found different density levels and Octomom copy numbers in each host lineage. To determine whether such variations reflect a host genetic determinism on density regulation through Octomom copy number selection, we replicated the introgressions and performed reciprocal crosses on the two Drosophila populations with the most extreme density levels. In both experiments, we detected an absence of directionality in the patterns of infection, associated with a strong instability of these patterns across generations. Given that bacterial density was highly correlated with Octomom copy numbers in all experiments, these results rather suggest a strong influence of drift and a random increase in the frequency of certain bacterial variants. We then discuss how drift, both on the symbiont population during transmission and on the host population, could limit the efficiency of selection in such a symbiotic system, and the consequences of drift on the regulation of density and composition of bacterial populations.
Modality-specific frequency band activity during neural entrainment to auditory and visual rhythms
Authors: Comstock Daniel C. , Ross Jessica M. , Balasubramaniam Ramesh
Published: November 2020

Rhythm perception depends on the ability to predict the onset of rhythmic events. Previous studies indicate beta band modulation is involved in predicting the onset of auditory rhythmic events (Snyder & Large, 2005; Fujioka et al., 2009, 2012). We sought to determine if similar processes are recruited for prediction of visual rhythms by investigating whether beta band activity plays a role in a modality dependent manner for rhythm perception. We looked at source-level EEG time-frequency neural correlates of prediction using an omission paradigm with auditory and visual rhythms. By using omissions, we can separate out predictive timing activity from stimulus driven activity. We hypothesized that there would be modality specific markers of rhythm prediction in induced beta band oscillatory activity, characterized primarily by activation in the motor system specific to auditory rhythm processing. Our findings suggest the existence of overlapping networks of predictive beta activity based on common activation in the parietal and right frontal regions, auditory specific predictive beta in bilateral sensorimotor regions, and visually specific predictive beta in midline central, and bilateral temporal/parietal regions. We also found evidence for evoked predictive beta activity in the left sensorimotor region specific to auditory rhythms. These findings implicate modality dependent networks for auditory and visual rhythm perception. The results further suggest that auditory rhythm perception may have left hemispheric specific mechanisms.
Nonsense correlations in neuroscience
Authors: Harris Kenneth D.
Published: November 2020

Many neurophysiological signals exhibit slow continuous trends over time. Because standard correlation analyses assume that all samples are independent, they can yield apparently significant “nonsense correlations” even for signals that are completely unrelated. Here we compare the performance of several methods for assessing correlations between timeseries, using simulated slowly drifting signals with and without genuine correlations. The best performance was obtained from a “pseudosession method”, which relies on one of the signals being randomly generated by the experimenter, or a “session perturbation” method which requires multiple recordings under the same conditions. If neither of these is applicable, a “linear shift” method can be used when one of the signals is stationary. Methods based on cross-validation, circular shifting, phase randomization, or detrending gave up to 100% false positive rates in our simulations. We conclude that analysis of neural timeseries is best performed when stationarity and randomization is built into the experimental design.
A maize male gametophyte-specific gene encodes ZmLARP6c1, a potential RNA-binding protein required for competitive pollen tube growth
Authors: Zhou Lian , Vejlupkova Zuzana , Warman Cedar , Fowler John E.
Published: November 2020

Members of the La-Related Protein family (LARPs) contain a conserved La module, which has been associated with RNA-binding activity. Expression of the maize gene GRMZM2G323499/Zm00001d018613, a member of the LARP family, is highly specific to pollen, based on both transcriptomic and proteomic assays. This suggests a pollen-specific RNA regulatory function for the protein, designated ZmLARP6c1 based on sequence similarity to the LARP6 subfamily inArabidopsis. To test this hypothesis, aDs-GFPtransposable element insertion in theZmLarp6c1gene (tdsgR82C05) was obtained from the Dooner/Du mutant collection. Sequencing confirmed that theDs-GFPinsertion is in an exon, and thus likely interferes with ZmLARP6c1 function. Tracking inheritance of the insertion via its endosperm-expressed GFP indicated that the mutation was associated with reduced transmission from a heterozygous plant when crossed as a male (ranging from 0.5% to 26.5% transmission), but not as a female. Furthermore, this transmission defect was significantly alleviated when less pollen was applied to the silk, reducing competition between mutant and wild-type pollen. Pollen grain diameter measurements and nuclei counts showed no significant differences between wild-type and mutant pollen. However,in vitro, mutant pollen tubes were significantly shorter than those from sibling wild-type plants, and also displayed altered germination dynamics. These results are consistent with the idea that ZmLARP6c1 provides an important regulatory function during the highly competitive progamic phase of male gametophyte development following arrival of the pollen grain on the silk. The conditional, competitive nature of theZmlarp6c1::Dsmale sterility phenotype (i.e., reduced ability to produce progeny seed) points toward new possibilities for genetic control of parentage in crop production.
Incident hypertension in Urban Slums of Central India: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Pakhare Abhijit P , Lahiri Anuja , Shrivastava Neelesh , Joshi Ankur , Khadanga Sagar , Joshi Rajnish
Published: November 2020

Background

National Program for prevention and control of cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and stroke (NPCDCS) in India envisages annual screening of adults over age of 30 years for hypertension. It is followed by confirmation and further linkage for treatment and health promotion interventions. We aimed to estimate incidence rate of hypertension and to identify risk factors for same, so that it is useful for program implementation.

Methods

We established a cohort of adults residing in urban slums of Bhopal, who were registered in a baseline cardio-vascular risk assessment survey, which was performed between November-2017 and March-2018. Blood pressure assessment was done at-least thrice at baseline for diagnosis of hypertension, which was defined as SBP >/= 140 mm Hg or DBP >/= 90 mm Hg on two or more occasions. Participants who did not have a diagnosis of hypertension, were followed up during April-June 2019.

Results

Of the 5673 participants assessed at baseline, 4185 did not have hypertension of which 3199 (76.4%) were followed up after a median on 1.25 years (IQR 1.08-1.60) and a total of 170(5.31%) individuals were detected with incident hypertension. Overall incidence rate of HTN was 4.1 (95%CI 3.54-4.75) per 100 person-years of follow-up. On multi-variate analysis, age (RR 1.79; 95%CI 1.1-2.92 for age > 60 years) and being illiterate (RR 1.9; (95%CI 1.35-2.69) were significant predictors of incident hypertension. Individuals who had pre-hypertension at baseline also had a significantly increased risk of developing hypertension (RR 3.02; 95%CI 2.06-4.44).

Conclusions

We found that incidence of hypertension in urban slums of central India is higher with increasing age and in men. Illiteracy and prehypertension are other determinants. We also demonstrate feasibility of establishing a cohort within the public-health delivery system, driven by efforts of Community Health Workers.
The impact of COVID-19 disruption to cervical cancer screening in England on excess diagnoses
Authors: Castanon Alejandra , Matejka Rebolj M , Pesola Francesca , Sasieni Peter
Published: November 2020

Background

Cervical cancer screening services in England have been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

Using routine statistics we estimate number of women affected by delays to screening. We used published research to estimate the proportion of screening age women with high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and progression rates to cancer. Under two scenarios we estimate the impact of COVID-19 on cervical cancer over one screening cycle (3y at ages 25-49 and 5y at ages 50-64). The duration of disruption in both scenarios is six months. In the first scenario all women have their screening interval is extended by six months. In the second some women (those who would have been screened during the disruption) miss one screening cycle, but most women have no delay.

Results

Both scenarios result in similar numbers of excess cervical cancers: 630 vs. 632 (both 4.3 per 100,000 women in the population). However the scenario in which some women miss one screening cycle creates inequalities - they would have much higher rates of excess cancer: 41.5 per 100,000 screened women compared to those with a six month delay (5.9 per 100,000 screened).

Conclusion

To ensure equity for those affected by COVID-19 related screening delays additional screening capacity will need to be paired with prioritising the screening of overdue women.
Institutional investors, stewardship code disclosures and audit fees
Authors: Routledge James
Published: November 2020

Purpose

This study uses content analysis of disclosures under the Japanese Stewardship Code to examine how investee company audit fees are influenced by institutional investor governance.

Design/methodology/approach

Scores are developed based on objective and verifiable Code disclosures made by the top-five institutional investors of Nikkei 225 index companies. The scores are related to management of conflicts of interest, monitoring actions and resource availability connected with stewardship.

Findings

The results show that higher scores on monitoring and resource availability are associated with lower audit fees. The extent of resources that institutional investors allocate to playing an effective stewardship role is found to be the primary determinant of their influence on audit fees. Overall, the findings are consistent with governance by institutional investors reducing audit risk and audit effort, which leads to lower audit fees.

Originality/value

The study offers new insights because there is no apparent prior research that uses Code disclosure content to measure institutional investor governance. This provides new information on the open question of the relation between audit fees and institutional investor governance.
Coping with COVID-19: a reflection on learning challenges and coping strategies – the case of an accounting conversion masters degree in New Zealand
Authors: Ramachandra Sureshchandra , Wells Paul
Published: November 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to document both, the challenges faced by a cohort of postgraduate students undertaking capstone research projects in an Accounting Conversion Master Degree Programme (ACMP), and the strategies used by teachers in response to those challenges during the COVID-19 lockdown period.

Design/methodology/approach

Written communications originating from students were analysed to identify areas of difficulties faced by them. These communications were thematically grouped and reflected upon through the lens of constructivist and behaviourist perspectives of learning.

Findings

The study found that students were severely challenged in sense-making with conceptual, application and judgement-related issues and understanding of the administrative requirements of the module. Innovative strategies used by teachers to resolve each of these issues were documented. While some strategies can be replicated in future periods, some are not sustainable as they have ramifications on other aspects of teaching and learning.

Originality/value

There are no known studies in this genre, conducted especially during a pandemic period.
An integrated BIM-based approach for cost estimation in construction projects
Authors: Fazeli Abdulwahed , Dashti Mohammad Saleh , Jalaei Farzad , Khanzadi Mostafa
Published: November 2020

Purpose

Analyzing different scenarios at the design stage of construction projects has always been a challenging task. One of the main parameters that helps owners in making better decisions in designing their buildings is to look after the cost perspective on different design scenarios. Thus, this study aims to propose a semi-automated BIM-based cost estimation approach that enables practitioners to estimate the cost of projects based on different design scenarios by an accurate and agile system.

Design/methodology/approach

This study proposes an integrated framework, through which the cost estimation standard of Iran (FehrestBaha) is linked to the materials quantity take-offs (QTO) from BIM models. The performance of the system is based on connecting the classification standards of UniFormat and MasterFormat to the cost estimation standard of FehrestBaha. A BIM-based extension in the Revit environment is developed to automate the cost estimation process.

Findings

To evaluate the efficiency of the proposed approach in cost estimation, it is implemented to estimate the cost of the architectural discipline in a real construction project. The results indicate that the proposed BIM-based approach estimated the cost of the architectural discipline with an acceptable level of accuracy.

Practical implications

The proposed approach could be used by practitioners to have an agile and accurate BIM-based cost estimation of different scenarios during design process. The semi-automated system considerably reduces the time of cost estimation in comparison to the traditional manual approaches, particularly in complex structures. Owners are able to easily trace changes in project cost according to any changes in components and materials of the BIM model. Furthermore, the proposed approach provides a practical roadmap for BIM-based cost estimation based on cost estimation standards in different countries.

Originality/value

Unlike the traditional manual cost estimation approaches, the proposed BIM-based approach is not highly dependent on the knowledge of experienced estimators, which therefore facilitates its implementation. Furthermore, automating both QTO process and the required calculations in this approach increases the accuracy of cost estimation while decreasing the probability of human errors or omission occurrence.
The influence of digital marketing on recruitment effectiveness: a qualitative study
Authors: Rodrigues Dalvia , Martinez Luis F.
Published: November 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to unfold how different digital marketing tools and strategies influence recruitment effectiveness. More specifically, it focusses on understanding if, and how, information sources’ credibility, content marketing, and organisational reputation influence candidates’ decision to apply for a job in the Portuguese market.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative research, aligned with a content analysis, was conducted to focus on the insights from the 21 participants interviewed, to understand their thoughts and experiences regarding the subject.

Findings

The results show that digital marketing tools owned by the company are seen to be more credible and more relevant for the job application decision. LinkedIn is considered to be a more credible platform for advertising job openings than Facebook. In terms of content marketing, LinkedIn has a positive influence on candidates’ decision, as well as companies’ reputation.

Practical implications

This study provides practical implications which are useful for both HR and marketing managers, namely, the implementation of an integrated marketing communication strategy, the reinforcement of the company’s website and LinkedIn page and a presence on universities’ platforms, and also in terms of the information that content marketing should focus on.

Originality/value

This research paper incorporates marketing insights into a well-known HRM subject – recruitment, and thus adds further knowledge to the literature and prepares the ground for researchers who wish to explore this subject further.
Enhancing the construction projects safety performance level to confront the civil engineering trades-related hazards
Authors: Akal Ahmed Yousry , El-Kholy Amr Metwally
Published: November 2020

Purpose

This work affords a practical checklist that specifies the civil engineering trades-related hazards and offers a safety indicator to identify the safety level of a construction project concerning the hazards of the civil engineering trades.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology depends on reviewing the archival works, visiting the construction sites, utilizing the direct observation and preliminary hazard analysis methods and conducting semistructured interviews to pinpoint and validate the checklist of the civil engineering trades-related hazards. Additionally, a questionnaire-based survey with the rank sum weight technique has been employed to assemble and analyze the data required to build the safety indicator.

Findings

Relying upon the used methodology, 70 hazards under the trades of general environment, earth, demolition, excavation, concrete, dewatering, waterproofing insulation and scaffolding have been pinpointed and validated. This is in addition to the safety level indicator of the civil engineering trades-related hazards (SLICETH), which indicates high viability during its validation in five national and international projects.

Originality/value

The value of this work lies in its ability to tackle the gap existing in the safety management knowledge regarding the notion of the hazards of the civil engineering trades and their influences on the safety performance of the construction projects. As a result, it offers a complete knowledge to the academics and the practitioners for confronting the negative impacts of the civil engineering trades-related hazards. Consequently, it helps in enhancing the safety performance level in the sites of the construction projects.
Marketing-sales-service interface and social media marketing influence on B2B sales process
Authors: Enyinda Chris I. , Opute Abdullah Promise , Fadahunsi Akinola , Mbah Chris H.
Published: November 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand marketing–sales–service (M-S-S) interface from the point of how social media marketing (SMM) platforms are prioritized and associated business-to-business (B2B) sales process influence. This study also seeks to understand whether effective triadic alignment is achieved between marketing, sales and service.

Design/methodology/approach

This study combines literature review and the analytical hierarchy process model. In total, 30 M-S-S managers of a multinational electronics firm situated in Africa and the Middle East participated in this study. The authors collected data from M-S-S managers during training sessions on marketing, sales, service alignment and SMM role in sales process.

Findings

In their drive for customer orientation and improved organizational performance, marketing, sales and service managers view understanding the customer as the most important sales process attribute. Considered second most significant sales process attribute is needs discovery, whereas approaching the customer is ranked the least important. From the ratings of sales process attributes evaluation and rankings of SMM platform alternatives, the results show a significant hierarchical influence of Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter on sales process. The results also show an enabling influence of SMM activity on M-S-S interface alignment.

Research limitations/implications

This study has a twofold limitation. First, it explored only one major B2B firm in the electronics industry. Second, only the African and Middle East settings are considered in this study. These limitations could be addressed in future research.

Practical implications

This paper provides practical insights into how M-S-S managers may leverage social media to enhance customer orientation and boost organizational performance. The use of SMM can help M-S-S managers of the focal firm to predict purchase behavior of customers more accurately and as a result effectively manage and improve sales performance. In that drive of using SMM-based competitive intelligence to deliver superior customer experience and enhance sales performance, B2B marketing-oriented firms can also leverage the interdependence (information sharing and involvement) in the M-S-S interface during the SMM activity to enhance triadic alignment.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature by developing a framework for modeling SMM influence on M-S-S and B2B sales process to deliver superior customer experience and drive business performance.
Tax risks control and sustainable development: evidence from China
Authors: Chen Wanyi
Published: November 2020

Purpose

Tax risks are common in China but often ignored by enterprises. Determining how to measure tax risks and effectively identify and control influencing factors is the key to the sustainable development of enterprises. This study aims to explore the key factors affecting corporate tax risks and analyze influencing factors from external and internal perspectives.

Design/methodology/approach

After selecting a data set comprising 11,503 firm-year observations of Chinese firms in the Shanghai and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges from 2008–2017, this study applied a panel regression model to identify the factors’ impact.

Findings

The results indicate that the more standardized the institutional environment and stronger the tax supervision, the lower the tax risks. Taking into account the internal factors of a firm, private companies with political connections have lower tax risks than those without.

Originality/value

This study enriches the literature on the factors affecting tax risks. The conclusion provides significant insights for enterprises to effectively control tax risks and maintain sustainability. The research findings also provide a new perspective for the government to guard against corporate risks and maintain the stable development of the economy.