bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
COVID-19 in England: spatial patterns and regional outbreaks
Authors: Fronterre Claudio , Read Jonathan M , Rowlingson Barry , Bridgen Jessica , Alderton Simon , Diggle Peter J , Jewell Chris P
Published: May 2020

Aims: to investigate the spatiotemporal distribution of COVID-19 cases in England; to provide spatial quantification of risk at a high resolution; to provide information for prospective antigen and serological testing.

Approach: We fit a spatiotemporal Negative Binomial generalised linear model to Public Health England SARS-CoV-2 testing data at the Lower Tier Local Authority region level. We assume an order-1 autoregressive model for case progression within regions, coupling discrete spatial units via observed commuting data and time-varying measures of traffic flow. We fit the model via maximum likelihood estimation in order to calculate region-specific risk of ongoing transmission, as well as measuring regional uncertainty in incidence.

Results: We detect marked heterogeneity across England in COVID-19 incidence, not only in raw estimated incidence, but in the characteristics of within-region and between-region dynamics of PHE testing data. There is evidence for a spatially diverse set of regions having a higher daily increase of cases than others, having accounted for current case numbers, population size, and human mobility. Uncertainty in model estimates is generally greater in rural regions.

Conclusions: A wide range of spatial heterogeneity in COVID-19 epidemic distribution and infection rate exists in England currently. Future work should incorporate fine-scaled demographic and health covariates, with continued improvement in spatially-detailed case reporting data. The method described here may be used to measure heterogeneity in real-time as behavioural and social interventions are relaxed, serving to identify "hotspots" of resurgent cases occurring in diverse areas of the country, and triggering locally-intensive surveillance and interventions as needed.

Caveats: There is general concern over the ability of PHE testing data to capture the true prevalence of infection within the population, though this approach is designed to provide measures of spatial prevalence based on testing that can be used to guide further future testing effort. Now-casts of epidemic characteristics are presented based on testing data alone (as opposed to "true" prevalence in any one area). The model used in this analysis is phenomenological for ease and speed of principled parameter inference; we choose the model which best fits the current spatial case timeseries, without attempting to enforce "SIR"-type epidemic dynamics.
THE ROLE OF POINT-OF-CARE ULTRASONOGRAPHY IN THE INITIAL CHARACTERIZATION OF COVID-19 PATIENTS: RESULTS FROM A PROSPECTIVE MULTICENTRIC STUDY.
Authors: tung chen yale , Llamas Fuentes Rafael , Rodriguez Fuertes Pablo
Published: May 2020

INTRODUCTION: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a highly contagious illness caused by the Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). There is growing evidence regarding the imaging findings of COVID-19, in Chest X-ray and CT scan, however their availability in this pandemic outbreak might be compromised. At this moment, the role of Point-of-care ultrasonography (POCUS) has yet to be explored.
OBJECTIVES: The main purpose of this study is to describe the POCUS findings of the disease in COVID-19 patients admitted to the emergency department (ED). Determining the correlation of these parameters with vital signs, laboratory results and chest X-ray, as well as, therapeutic decisions and prognosis.
METHODS: Prospective study carried out in the emergency department (ED) of two academic hospitals. High suspicion or confirmed COVID-19 patients were subjected to the ultrasonographic measurement of the inferior vena cava (IVC), focused cardiac ultrasound (FOCUS), and Lung Ultrasonography (Lung POCUS).
RESULTS: Between March and April 2020, ninety-six patients were enrolled. The mean age was 68.2 years (SD 17.5). The most common finding in Lung POCUS was an irregular pleural line (63.2%) followed by bilateral confluent (55.2%) and isolated B-lines (53.1%), which was associated with a positive RT-PCR (OR 4.729, 95% CI: 1.989-11.246; p<0.001), and correlated with IL-6 levels (rho = 0.622; p = 0.002). The IVC moderately correlated with levels of pO2, expiratory (rho = -0.539; p =0.014) and inspiratory (rho = -0.527; p =0.017), with troponin I (rho = 0.509; p=0.03). After POCUS exam, almost 20% of the patients had an associated condition that required a change in the treatment or management.
CONCLUSION: In this pandemic era, as the shortage of resources constitutes an undeniable public health threat, POCUS presents the potential to impact in diagnosis, management and prognosis of our confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patients.
Analysis of temporal trends in potential COVID-19 cases reported through NHS Pathways England
Authors: Leclerc Quentin J , Nightingale Emily , Abbott Sam ,   CMMID COVID-19 Working Group, Jombart Thibaut
Published: May 2020

The NHS Pathways triage system collates data on enquiries to 111 and 999 services in England. Since the 18th of March 2020, these data have been made publically available for potential COVID-19 symptoms self-reported by members of the public. Trends in such reports over time are likely to reflect behaviour of the ongoing epidemic within the wider community, potentially capturing valuable information across a broader severity profile of cases than hospital admission data. We present a fully reproducible analysis of temporal trends in NHS Pathways reports until 14th May 2020, nationally and regionally, and demonstrate that rates of growth/decline and effective reproduction number estimated from these data may be useful in monitoring transmission. This is a particularly pressing issue as lockdown restrictions begin to be lifted and evidence of disease resurgence must be constantly reassessed. We further assess the correlation between NHS Pathways reports and a publicly available NHS dataset of COVID-19-associated deaths in England, finding that enquiries to 111/999 were strongly associated with daily deaths reported 16 days later. Our results highlight the potential of NHS Pathways as the basis of an early warning system. However, this dataset relies on self-reported symptoms, which are at risk of being severely biased. Further detailed work is therefore necessary to investigate potential behavioural issues which might otherwise explain our conclusions.
The Effects of Stringent Interventions for Coronavirus Pandemic
Authors: Tian Ting , Luo Wenxiang , Jiang Yukang , Chen Minqiong , Wen Canhong , Pan Wenliang , Wang Xueqin
Published: May 2020

The pandemic of COVID-19 has caused severe public health consequences around the world. Many interventions of COVID-19 have been implemented. It is of great public health and societal importance to evaluate the effects of interventions in the pandemic of COVID-19. In this paper, with help of synthetic control method, regression discontinuity and a Susceptible-Infected and infectious without isolation-Hospitalized in isolation-Removed (SIHR) model, we evaluate the horizontal and longitudinal effects of stringent interventions implemented in Wenzhou, a representative urban city of China, where stringent interventions were enforced to curb its own epidemic situation with rapidly increasing newly confirmed cases. We found that there were statistically significant treatment effects of those stringent interventions which reduced the cumulative confirmed cases of COVID-19. Those reduction effects would increase over time. Also, if the stringent interventions were delayed by 2 days or mild interventions were implemented instead, the expected number of cumulative confirmed cases would have been nearly 2 times or 5 times of the actual number. The effects of stringent interventions are significant in mitigating the epidemic situation of COVID-19. The slower the interventions were implemented, the more severe the epidemic would have been, and the stronger the interventions would have been required.
Variations in secondary health resource utilisation post Clozapine initiation
Authors: de Silva Prasanna N.
Published: May 2020

This study looks at secondary care utilisation metrics as an effectiveness indicator of Clozapine initiation in 89 patients over the following year compared to the year prior to initiation. It was found that there was an overall reduction of outpatient use and crisis activity, with a marginal drop in bed usage. Medical outpatient use increased, as did physical health monitoring. Overall, compared with costs over the year preceding Clozapine initiation, an estimated saving per patient of £1800 was estimated over the first year post initiation, increasing to £3100 per patient if those with premorbid dissocial and substance misuse traits were excluded, raising the issue of better treatment targeting.
Modes of transmission of COVID-19 outbreak- a mathematical study
Authors: Maji Chandan
Published: May 2020

The world has now paid a lot of attention to the outbreak of novel coronavirus (COVID-19). This virus mainly transmitted between humans through directly respiratory droplets and close contacts. However, there is currently some evidence where it has been claimed that it may be indirectly transmitted. In this work, we study the mode of transmission of COVID-19 epidemic system based on the susceptible-infected-recovered (SIR) model. We have calculated the basic reproduction number $R_0$ by next-generation matrix method. We observed that if $R_0<1$, then disease-free equilibrium point is locally as well as globally asymptotically stable but when $R_0>1$, the endemic equilibrium point exists and is globally stable. Finally, some numerical simulation is presented to validate our results.
TraIT, Translational research IT bridging the valley of death in translational medicine
Authors: Boiten Jan-Willem , Azevedo Rita , van Bochove Kees , Cavelaars Marinel , Dekker André , Fijneman Remond J.A. , Lansberg Peter , van der Linden Wim , Mons Barend , Stathonikos Nikolas , Verheul Henk M.W. , Beliën Jeroen A.M. , Meijer Gerrit A.
Published: May 2020

Translating new technology and biological findings into clinical applications is hampered by insufficient translational research IT. The Dutch Translational research IT (TraIT) initiative organizes, deploys, and manages data and workflows in an on-line “office suite”, supplemented with efficient training and user support. TraIT has been adopted by a wide user community providing an excellent large-scale demonstrator for the nation-wide Health-RI initiative.
Glial Hedgehog and lipid metabolism regulate neural stem cell proliferation inDrosophila
Authors: Dong Qian , Zavortink Michael , Froldi Francesca , Golenkina Sofya , Lam Tammy , Cheng Louise Y.
Published: May 2020

The final size and function of the adult central nervous system (CNS) is determined by neuronal lineages generated by neural stem cells (NSCs) in the developing brain. InDrosophila, NSCs called neuroblasts (NBs) reside within a specialised microenvironment called the glial niche. Here, we explore non-autonomous glial regulation of NB proliferation. We show that lipid droplets (LDs) which reside within the glial niche are closely associated with the signalling molecule Hedgehog (Hh). Under physiological conditions, cortex glial Hh is autonomously required to sustain niche chamber formation, and non-autonomously restrained to prevent ectopic Hh signalling in the NBs. In the context of cortex glial overgrowth, induced by Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF) activation, Hh and lipid storage regulators Lsd-2 and Fasn1 were upregulated, resulting in activation of Hh signalling in the NBs; which in turn disrupted NB cell cycle progression and reduced neuronal production. We show that the LD regulator Lsd-2 modulates Hh’s ability to signal to NBs, and de novo lipogenesis gene Fasn1 regulates Hh post-translational modification via palmitoylation. Together, our data suggest that the glial niche non-autonomously regulates NB proliferation and neural lineage size via Hh signaling that is modulated by lipid metabolism genes.
Use and abuse of potential rates in soil microbiology
Authors: Hazard Christina , Prosser James I. , Nicol Graeme W.
Published: May 2020

Potential rate assays are used in soil microbial ecology to determine the rates of a functional process in environmental samples under a defined set of conditions. While they can be used appropriately to provide mechanistic insights, potential rates are also often used to estimate the abundance of specific taxonomic groups and theirin situactivity. These estimates incorrectly assume that all contributing organisms in a community are active at a maximum rate under one set of ‘optimal’ incubation conditions and that potential rates reflect activity in the soil. While investigators now recognise that populations within communities are physiologically diverse, they often ignore the consequent suboptimal activity, or even inactivity, of the majority of community members performing that function. In this short perspective article, we discuss when potential assays can be informative and highlight the underlying conceptual problems under circumstances where potential assays are misused, using potential nitrification rate (PNR) as an example. PNR was originally developed to estimate the size of active ammonia oxidising communities in environmental samples. It is routinely determined in short-term shaken slurry incubations by measuring assumed maximum rates of nitrate or nitrite production under optimal, non-substrate-limiting conditions. As with other functional processes, it is now recognised that a broad diversity of organisms contribute to aerobic ammonia oxidation in terrestrial and other habitats, and this diversity represents a substantial range of physiologies, including variation in substrate affinity, ammonia tolerance, cell specific activity and substrate preference. Despite this, PNR, and other potential rate assays, are often inappropriately used in an attempt to determine an ecologically relevant measurement of activity in soil. As with any potential assay, PNR has inherent biases towards particular functional groups and its use in investigating the ecology of ammonia oxidisers in natural systems should be carefully considered.
The desensitization pathway of GABAAreceptors, one subunit at a time
Authors: Gielen Marc , Barilone Nathalie , Corringer Pierre-Jean
Published: May 2020

GABAAreceptors mediate most inhibitory synaptic transmission in the brain of vertebrates. Following GABA binding and fast activation, these receptors undergo a slower desensitization, whose conformational pathway remains largely elusive. To explore the mechanism of desensitization, we used concatemeric α1β2γ2 GABAAreceptors to selectively introduce gain-of-desensitization mutations one subunit at a time. A library of twenty-six mutant combinations was generated and their bi-exponential macroscopic desensitization rates measured. Introducing mutations at the different subunits shows a strongly asymmetric pattern with a key contribution of the γ2 subunit, and combining mutations results in marked synergistic effects indicating a non-concerted mechanism. Kinetic modelling indeed suggests a pathway where subunits move independently, the desensitization of two subunits being required to occlude the pore. Our work thus hints towards a very diverse and labile conformational landscape during desensitization, with potential implications in physiology and pharmacology.
Integrative proteomics reveals principles of dynamic phospho-signaling networks in human erythropoiesis
Authors: Karayel Özge , Xu Peng , Bludau Isabell , Bhoopalan Senthil Velan , Yao Yu , Freitas Colaco Ana Rita , Delgado Alberto Santos , Schulman Brenda A. , Alpi Arno F. , Weiss Mitchell J. , Mann Matthias
Published: May 2020

Human erythropoiesis is exquisitely controlled at multiple levels and its dysregulation leads to numerous human diseases. Despite many functional studies focused on classical regulators, we lack a global, system-wide understanding of post-translational mechanisms coordinating erythroid maturation. Using the latest advances in mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomics we comprehensively investigate the dynamics of protein and post-translational regulation ofin vitroreconstituted CD34+HSPC-derived erythropoiesis. This quantifies and dynamically tracks 7,400 proteins and 27,000 phosphorylation sites. Our data reveals differential temporal protein expression encompassing most protein classes and numerous post-translational regulatory cascades. Drastic cell surface remodeling across erythropoiesis include numerous orchestrated changes in solute carriers, providing new stage-specific markers. The dynamic phosphoproteomes combined with a kinome-targeting CRISPR/Cas9 screen reveal coordinated networks of erythropoietic kinases and downregulation of MAPK signaling subsequent to c-Kit attenuation as key drivers of maturation. Our global view of erythropoiesis establishes a central role of post-translational regulation in terminal differentiation.
Awakening a latent carbon fixation cycle inEscherichia coli
Authors: Satanowski Ari , Dronsella Beau , Noor Elad , Vögeli Bastian , He Hai , Wichmann Philipp , Erb Tobias J. , Lindner Steffen N. , Bar-Even Arren
Published: May 2020

Carbon fixation is one of the most important biochemical processes. Most natural carbon fixation pathways are thought to have emerged from enzymes that originally performed other metabolic tasks. Can we recreate the emergence of a carbon fixation pathway in a heterotrophic host by recruiting only endogenous enzymes? In this study, we address this question by systematically analyzing possible carbon fixation pathways composed only ofEscherichia colinative enzymes. We identify the GED (Gnd-Entner-Doudoroff) cycle as the simplest pathway that can operate with high thermodynamic driving force. This autocatalytic route is based on reductive carboxylation of ribulose 5-phosphate (Ru5P) by 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (Gnd), followed by reactions of the Entner-Doudoroff pathway, gluconeogenesis, and the pentose phosphate pathway. We demonstrate thein vivofeasibility of this new-to-nature pathway by constructingE. coligene deletion strains whose growth on pentose sugars depends on the GED shunt, a linear variant of the GED cycle which does not require the regeneration of Ru5P. Several metabolic adaptations, most importantly the increased production of NADPH, assist in establishing sufficiently high flux to sustain this growth. Our study exemplifies a trajectory for the emergence of carbon fixation in a heterotrophic organism and demonstrates a synthetic pathway of biotechnological interest.
Circadian clock mechanism driving mammalian photoperiodism
Authors: Wood S.H. , Hindle M.M. , Mizoro Y. , Cheng Y. , Saer B.R.C. , Miedzinska K. , Christian H.C. , Begley N. , McNeilly J. , McNeilly A.S. , Meddle S.L. , Burt D.W. , Loudon A.S.I.
Published: May 2020

The annual photoperiod cycle provides the critical environmental cue synchronizing rhythms of life in seasonal habitats. In 1936, Bünning proposed a circadian-based coincidence timer for photoperiodic synchronization in plants. Formal studies support the universality of this so-called coincidence timer, but we lack understanding of the mechanisms involved. Here we show in mammals that long photoperiods induce the circadian transcription factorBMAL2, in thepars tuberalisof the pituitary, and triggers summer biology through the eyes absent / thyrotrophin (EYA3 / TSH) pathway. Conversely, long-duration melatonin signals on short photoperiods induce circadian repressors includingDEC1, suppressing BMAL2 and the EYA3/TSH pathway, triggering winter biology. These actions are associated with progressive genome-wide changes in chromatin state, elaborating the effect of the circadian coincidence timer. Hence, circadian clock-pituitary epigenetic pathway interactions form the basis of the mammalian coincidence timer mechanism. Our results constitute a blueprint for circadian-based seasonal timekeeping in vertebrates.
Discrete regulation of β-catenin-mediated transcription governs identity of intestinal epithelial stem cells
Authors: Borrelli Costanza , Valenta Tomas , Handler Kristina , Vélez Karelia , Moro Giulia , Lafzi Atefeh , de Vargas Roditi Laura , Hausmann George , Moor Andreas E , Basler Konrad
Published: May 2020

The homeostasis of the gut epithelium relies upon continuous renewal and proliferation of crypt-resident intestinal epithelial stem cells (IESCs). Wnt/β-catenin signaling is required for IESC maintenance, however, it remains unclear how this pathway selectively governs the identity and proliferative decisions of IESCs. Here, we demonstrate that C-terminally-recruited transcriptional co-factors of β-catenin act as all-or-nothing regulators of Wnt-target gene expression. Blocking their interactions with β-catenin rapidly induces loss of IESCs and intestinal homeostasis. Conversely, N-terminally recruited co-factors fine-tune β-catenin’s transcriptional output to ensure proper self-renewal and proliferative behaviour of IESCs. Impairment of N-terminal interactions triggers transient hyperproliferation of IESCs, eventually resulting in exhaustion of the self-renewing stem cell pool. IESC mis-differentiation, accompanied by intrinsic and extrinsic stress signalling results in a process resembling aberrant “villisation” of intestinal crypts. Our data suggest that IESC-specific Wnt/β-catenin output requires discrete regulation of transcription by transcriptional co-factors.
Human iPSC-derived hypertrophic chondrocytes reveal a mutation-specific unfolded protein response in chondrodysplasias
Authors: Pretemer Yann , Kawai Shunsuke , Watanabe Makoto , Nagata Sanae , Nishio Megumi , Tamaki Sakura , Alev Cantas , Xue Jing-Yi , Wang Zheng , Fukiage Kenichi , Tsukanaka Masako , Futami Tohru , Ikegawa Shiro , Toguchida Junya
Published: May 2020

Chondrodysplasias are hereditary diseases caused by mutations in the components of growth cartilage. Although the unfolded protein response (UPR) has been identified as a key disease mechanism in mouse models, no suitablein vitrosystem has been reported to analyze the pathology in humans. Here, utilizing human chondrodysplasia-specific iPSCs, we examined the UPR caused by mutations inMATN3orCOL10A1. In growth plate-like structures formed from iPSC-derived sclerotomein vivo, the hypertrophic zone was disrupted, and induced hypertrophic chondrocytesin vitroshowed varying levels of ER stress depending on the mutation. Autophagy inducers and chemical chaperones succeeded in reducing ER stress only in some mutants, while transcriptome analysis revealed many mutation-specific changes in genes involved in apoptosis, metabolism, and protein trafficking. In this way, our system has allowed the precise evaluation of the UPR caused by each mutation, opening up new avenues for treatment of individual chondrodysplasia patients.
Paternal multigenerational exposure to an obesogenic diet drives epigenetic predisposition to metabolic disorders
Authors: Raad Georges , Serra Fabrizio , Martin Luc , Derieppe Marie-Alix , Gilleron Jérôme , Costa Vera L , Pisani Didier F , Amri Ez-Zoubir , Trabucchi Michele , Grandjean Valérie
Published: May 2020

Obesity is a growing societal scourge responsible for approximately 4 million deaths worldwide. Recent studies have uncovered that paternal excessive weight induced by an unbalanced diet affects the metabolic health of offspring. These reports mainly employed single-generation male exposure. However, the consequences of multigenerational unbalanced diet feeding on the metabolic health of progeny remain largely unknown. Here, we show that maintaining paternal western diet feeding for five consecutive generations in mice induces a gradual enhancement in fat mass and related metabolic diseases over generations. Strikingly, chow-diet-fed progenies from these multigenerational western-diet-fed males develop a “healthy” overweight phenotype that is not reversed after 4 subsequent generations. Mechanistically, sperm RNA microinjection experiments into zygotes suggest that sperm RNAs are sufficient for establishment but not for long-term maintenance of epigenetic inheritance of metabolic pathologies. Progressive and permanent metabolic deregulation induced by successive paternal western-diet-fed generations may contribute to the worldwide epidemic of metabolic diseases.
Direct recovery of interfacial topography from coherent X-ray reflectivity: model calculations for a 1D interface
Authors: Fenter Paul
Published: May 2020

The use of coherent X-ray reflectivity to recover interfacial topography is described using model calculations for a 1D interface. The results reveal that the illuminated topography can be recovered directly from the measured reflected intensities. This is achieved through an analysis of the Patterson function, the Fourier transform of the scattering intensity (as a function of lateral momentum transfer, Q
//, at fixed vertical momentum transfer, Q

z
). Specifically, a second-order Patterson function is defined that reveals the discrete set of separations and contrast factors (i.e. the product of changes in the effective scattering factor) associated with discontinuities in the effective interfacial topography. It is shown that the topography is significantly overdetermined by the measurements, and an algorithm is described that recovers the actual topography through a deterministic sorting of this information.
Bright Soluble Private Limited: a case study on accounting process
Authors: Dubblish Puneet , Bhatia Shikha
Published: May 2020

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes of this paper are to analyse, record and classify financial transactions; prepare unadjusted trial balance; record the adjustment and closing entries and prepare post-closing trial balance; and prepare financial statements.

Case overview/synopsis

The case aims to induce users to draw up financial statements from the details provided. The complete accounting process is covered through solving the case. The case follows a start-up company from its first set of financial transactions to preparing the first set of financial statements. The case will help in application of accounting concepts, principles and the processes for recording transactions and preparation of financial statements.

Complexity academic level

The case is best suited for senior undergraduate- and graduate-level students of management/business schools in the courses of introductory financial accounting, intermediate accounting and financial reporting.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 1: accounting and finance.
Does wind speed effects performance and cost of energy? A case study of wind farm
Authors: Hulio Zahid Hussain , Jiang Wei
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The rapid rising of renewable energy sources particularly wind energy cannot be ignored. The numerical increase in wind energy farms throughout the world is the best example. The purpose of this paper is to assess the basic question of whether wind characteristics affect the performance and cost of energy. The importance of this question cannot be ruled out while comparing renewable energy to a conventional form of energy more specifically especially for the developing country where the cost of energy is very high.

Design/methodology/approach

The research design of this paper is consists of an assessment of local wind characteristics of the wind farm site using Weibull k and c parameters. The performance model is used to assess the performance of the wind turbine (WT) corresponding to local wind characteristics. The wind correlation with WT in terms of changing wind speed has been assessed to quantify the effects of wind speed on the WT behavior and failure of WT components. Similarly, the power curve of WT is assessed and compared with the International Electrotechnical Commission standards 61400-12-2. The WT power coefficient and tip speed ratio corresponding to wind speed is also investigated. The energy volume and cost of energy lost model is used to determine the cost and volume loss of energy/kWh of the wind farm.

Findings

The findings of practical wind farms showed that the wind conditions of the site are showing a strong tendency that can be determined from the results of Weibull k and c parameters. The k and c parameters are observed to be 3.44 and 9.16 m/s, respectively, for a period of a year. The standard deviation is observed to be 2.56 for a period of a year. WT shows the efficient behavior can be obtained from the power coefficient and tip speed of WT at different wind speeds. Also, wind farm observation showed that to be some increasing wind speed cause of based WT component failures. The results of energy volume and cost/kWh assessment showed that the major portion of energy volume and cost of energy is lost owing to network, voltage dip and frequency surge, electrical and mechanical components failures.

Originality/value

Generally, it can be concluded that the WTs are now able to cope with variable wind speeds. However, the results of this paper are showing that WT performance and availability decreased due to increased wind speeds. It can also be a reason to decreased volume and increase the cost of energy/kWh.
Correlates of tax registration compliance among self-employed in Denkyira corridor of Ghana
Authors: Adu Kofi Osei , Amponsah Stephen
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the correlates of tax registration among self-employed in Upper Denkyira East municipal and Upper Denkyira West district in Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

In all, 783 self-employed were interviewed and discriminant analysis was used to examine the factors that influence a self-employed person’s decision to register with Ghana Revenue Authority.

Findings

The study found that, age of the self-employed, number of times tax officers visit and inspect self-employed, experience in business, number of years of schooling, distance to tax office and estimated annual profit are important discriminants of tax registration compliance.

Originality/value

Tax registration is the fundamental element of tax compliance since any effort to exact compliance from taxpayers begins with registration with the tax authority. However, previous studies in the Ghanaian informal sector such as Baba (2010), Baba and Asante (2012) and Razak and Adafula (2013) have focused mainly on aggregate tax compliance (registration, filing, reporting and payment combined) without given specific attention to this fundamental component of tax compliance risk. Therefore, this study seeks to address the gap in the literature.
The effects of organizational justice dimensions on facets of job engagement
Authors: Deepa S.M.
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This study aims to examine the relationship between four dimensions of organizational justice (distributive, procedural, interpersonal and informational) and the three facets of job engagement (physical, cognitive and emotional).

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional approach was used to survey a sample of 281 professionals in information technology who resided in the southern part of India and varied on experience, age and gender. Data was analyzed by employing the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) approach.

Findings

The result emphasizes the individual role of each justice dimension on three job engagement facets, which suggests that all four dimensions of organizational justice have positive effects on physical, cognitive and emotional job engagement.

Originality/value

The current study contributes to the literature by examining all three job engagement dimensions and provides evidence that distributive, procedural, interpersonal and informational justices are significant predictors of physical, cognitive and emotional job engagement.
Does an open-plan office actually work? A workplace gap analysis: importance and perceived support of key activities
Authors: Chacon Vega Ricardo Jose , Gale Stephen P. , Kim Yujin , Hong Sungil , Yang Eunhwa
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the performance of open-plan office layouts and to identify occupants’ concerns in existing open-plan office layouts.

Design/methodology/approach

Workplace activity questionnaire (WAQ) was administered in the form of an online survey in March 2019, as part of a design briefing process for the expansion of the office facilities located in Bangalore, India, for a Fortune 100 software technology company. A total of 4,810 questionnaires were distributed and 3,877 responses were received (80.6% response rate). After that, 849 incomplete responses were eliminated from the analysis, resulting in a final sample size of 3,028. The questionnaire included 11 key activities conducted by the office workers and established the gap between the workers’ perceived importance and support from their existing facilities using a five-point Likert scale.

Findings

The findings of this study provide strong evidence that different physical environments influence the satisfaction of occupants. An improvement of the facilities, especially by enabling areas for quiet working, should be prioritized in relation to the other activities surveyed. Also, office workers perceived significantly different support levels for quiet working depending on their department, while there was no significant difference between the workers of different buildings.

Research limitations/implications

Individual demographic information was not collected because of the possibility of personal identification. There was also a lack of objective environmental measures, such as temperature and noise level. Thus, the quality of indoor environments was unknown. In this study, some respondents mentioned dissatisfaction with indoor environmental quality, including noise, temperature and air quality in their comments.

Originality/value

In the programming stage of a workplace design process, the WAQ survey tool has value because it renders important insight into the perception of a live workplace, which can then be used to determine priorities for a design effort. It clearly identifies the areas to focus on, ask questions about and develop improvements. Validating its reliability will enhance its credibility and confidence in its use. In addition, the large sample size provides statistical advantages in the data analysis, providing a higher likelihood to find a true positive of the findings of the study. Also, having a relatively high response rate provides an advantage of mitigating the risk of having non-response bias in the analysis.
Cluster development policies and firms’ performance: evidence from an emerging economy in Latin America
Authors: Aboal Diego , Perera Marcelo , Rovira Flavia
Published: May 2020

Purpose

Impact evaluations of cluster programs at firm level are still scarce in the literature. The available evidence on the effectiveness of such programs based on rigorous quantitative impact evaluations is mixed. The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the body of literature the evaluates quantitatively the impact of cluster programs in emerging economies on firms’ performance. In particular, the authors evaluate the impact of a cluster program in Uruguay on firms’ sales and exports.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use state-of-the-art impact evaluation methods to evaluate the impact of the program. In particular, difference in differences and matching methods

Findings

There is very strong evidence that the program had a positive impact on exports and the propensity to export of firms. However, the evidence of a positive impact on sales is weak. The evidence suggests that the maximum effect of the program can be found in the fourth or fifth year after the intervention.

Originality/value

The contribution of this paper to the literature is fourfold. First, this paper adds to the scarce body of literature evaluating the effects of cluster development programs with state-of-the-art impact evaluation methods. Second, it adds evidence for Latin America, a region that has implement a number of cluster policies (Maffioli et al., 2016) and where, as far as the authors know, there is only one additional paper evaluating rigorously the impacts of them (Figal-Garone et al., 2015). In addition, the authors provide evidence about the timing of the effects after the implementation of a cluster policy, an important issue that is mostly overlooked in the existent literature. Finally, the paper focus its attention on the impacts on exports and the propensity to export of firms, key elements for small open economies in Latin America that are heavily reliant on foreign currency inflows.
Revisiting cognitive assessment in the Indian prison setting
Authors: Aggarwal Pankhuri , Joseph Angela A.
Published: May 2020

Purpose

Individuals with cognitive impairment are more likely to come into contact with the criminal justice system (Kimbell, 2016). Yet, only a handful of studies describe the nature of cognitive impairment experienced by inmates and the different types of challenges faced by researchers and clinicians while conducting cognitive assessments in correctional settings specifically in low-and middle-income countries.

Design/methodology/approach

In the present paper, the authors describe different types of ethical and logistical challenges they faced while conducting cognitive assessments with inmates in India and suggest ways in which future researchers and clinicians could overcome them.

Findings

Authors raise a discussion on the purpose, advantages, and limitations of psychological testing, highlighting alternative ways of cognitive assessment that may be more effective, resource-efficient, and sustainable.

Originality/value

Implications for education and training in psychological assessment, forensic and clinical practice and policymaking are discussed.
A literature review about the prevalence and identification of people with an intellectual disability within court Liaison and Diversion services
Authors: Marshall-Tate Karina , Chaplin Eddie , McCarthy Jane , Grealish Annmarie
Published: May 2020

Purpose

Expert consensus is that people with an intellectual disability are over represented across the criminal justice setting (CJS). Primary research studies have been conducted in police stations and prisons, but little is known about the prevalence of this population in the court setting. The purpose of this paper is to conduct a literature review to find out more about the prevalence of defendants with an intellectual disability in court.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review was conducted using standard systematic review methodology (Julian et al., 2011) and the PRISMA reporting guidelines (Moher et al., 2009).

Findings

Two papers met the inclusion criteria and were critically appraised. The papers reported prevalence findings ranging from 10%–20%.

Research limitations/implications

Differences in study design, sampling, recruitment and diagnostic criteria affect the ability to make comparisons or synthesise findings.

Practical implications

It is important that future primary and secondary research studies standardise operational terms to enable true comparison between studies, systematic reviews and evidence syntheses.

Social implications

Defendants with an intellectual disability need to be identified to enable criminal justice professionals to make reasonable adjustments to proceedings and consider diversion and alternative disposal options. This will likely improve outcomes for this population and reduce recidivism.

Originality/value

This literature review contributes to the growing evidence base about meeting the criminal justice needs of people with a learning disability and recognition of the increased prevalence across the CJS and specifically within the court setting.
Online viewers’ choices over advertisement number and duration
Authors: Nettelhorst Stephen , Brannon Laura , Rose Angela , Whitaker Whitney
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate online viewers’ preferences concerning the number and duration of video advertisements to watch during commercial breaks. The goal of the investigations was to assess whether online viewers preferred watching a fewer number of advertisements with longer durations or a greater number of advertisements with shorter durations.

Design/methodology/approach

Two studies used experimental research designs to assess viewers’ preferences regarding advertisements. These designs used two independent variables and one dependent variable. The first independent variable manipulated the type of choice options given to online viewers (e.g. one 60 s or two 30 s advertisements). The second independent variable manipulated when the choice was given to online viewers (i.e. at the beginning of the viewing experience or in the middle of the experience). The dependent variable measured viewers’ choices concerning their preferred advertisement option.

Findings

The results across both studies found that participants made choices that minimized total advertisement exposure time when possible. When minimizing total exposure time was not possible, participants made choices that minimized the number of exposures instead.

Originality/value

These investigations extend the literature on advertisement choice by examining online viewers’ preferences about the format of their advertising experience rather than the content of the persuasive messages themselves. In addition, these investigations provide value by investigating viewers’ responses to stimuli within realistic online simulations rather than abstract hypotheticals.
Investigating risk disclosures in Italian integrated reports
Authors: Guthrie James , Manes Rossi Francesca , Orelli Rebecca Levy , Nicolò Giuseppe
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The paper identifies the types of risks disclosed by Italian organisations using integrated reporting (IR). This paper aims to understand the level and features of risk disclosure with the adoption of IR.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use risk classifications already provided in the literature to develop a content analysis of Italian organisations’ integrated reports published.

Findings

The content analysis reveals that most of the Italian organisations incorporate many types of risk disclosure into their integrated reports. Organisations use this alternative form of reporting to communicate risk differently from how they disclose risks in traditional annual financial reporting. That is, the study finds that the organisations use their integrated reports to disclose a broader group of risks, related to the environment and society, and do so using narrative and visual representation.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to a narrow stream of research investigating risk disclosure provided through IR, contributing to the understanding of the role of IR in representing an organisational risk.
Efficient degradation of indigo wastewater by one-step electrochemical oxidation and electro-flocculation
Authors: Lv Weiwei , Huangfu Zhijie , Wang Kangkang , Zhang Wei , Yao Jiming
Published: May 2020

Purpose

Indirect electrochemical oxidation and electro-flocculation were combined to degrade indigo wastewater.

Design/methodology/approach

The degradation efficiency of indigo wastewater in single-cell and double-cell were investigated. Based on the previous single factor experiments, the oxidative degradation conditions of indigo wastewater in single cell were optimized by response surface methodology (RSM). The decolorization rate, chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal rate, the contents of flocculation precipitation and indigo were measured and analyzed.

Findings

The degradation efficiency in single cell was higher than in double cell. The electrolysis conditions were optimized by RSM and the decolorization rate was 99.01% with COD removal rate of 60.34% and conductivity of 89.75 mS/cm. The amount of flocculated precipitation decreased by 53.33% and the indigo increased by 86.34%. The content of Na and S decreased by 12.13 and 6.49%, respectively. The ratio of Fe3+ to Fe2+ in the solution was 4.62:1, indicating that most of the iron dropped on the electrode sheet was converted to Fe3+.

Research limitations/implications

The one-step electrochemical oxidation and flocculation method with the advantages of simple operation and environmental protection, provided a reference for the actual treatment of dyeing wastewater.

Practical implications

Combining the electrochemical flocculation and oxidation provided an efficient and practical solution for degradation of indigo wastewater.

Originality/value

Combining the advantages of electrochemical oxidation and electroflocculation, the application of electrochemistry in printing and dyeing wastewater treatment technology has been expanded.
Everybody S***s: how defecation stigma reduces care quality in dementia
Authors: Hewer-Richards Leah , Goodall Dawn
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to raise awareness of the ways in which faecal incontinence can impact the provision of dementia care by examining this through the lens of stigma.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper contains a scoping review of available literature relating to faecal incontinence, dementia and stigma.

Findings

Literature was organised into three themes: the origins of the stigma, the purpose of stigma and the care context.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations of this paper include the lack of literature discussing faecal incontinence and dementia in relation to stigma.

Practical implications

Stigma regarding faecal incontinence has the potential to impact quality of life of people with a dementia and contributes towards the invisible work of unqualified care workers.

Originality/value

Stigma and faecal incontinence have only a small amount of research around them in residential dementia care.
Why a culture of experimentation requires management transformation
Authors: Denning Stephen
Published: May 2020

Purpose

Some organizations are responding to the opportunity of innovation, while others are not. Harvard innovation expert Stefan H. Thomke says a key reason for the slow pace of innovation is that most organizations lack "a culture of experimentation." In this article the author explains the impediments to establishing such a culture. 10;

Design/methodology/approach

In his latest book, Experimentation Works: The Surprising Power of Business Experiments, 10;Thomke says, to create a culture of experimentation, firms need “a new model of leadership,” which cultivates curiosity, emphasizes data-informed decisions, experiments ethically, sets grand challenges and establishes systematic training and support for rapid experimentation. Those are all positive steps in the direction of creating a culture of experimentation.

Findings

But they won’t be enough because the underlying management model of most big organizations is explicitly aimed at preventing the very kind of experimentation that Thomke is recommending.

Practical implications

In a digital world, technology has made it radically simpler and quicker and cheaper to carry out and evaluate multiple experiments. The whole organization needs to become an organic living network of high-performance teams. In such firms competence resides throughout the organization and that innovation can and must come from anywhere. 10;

Originality/value

An important discussion of how top down managements squelch experimentation and thus throttle innovation.