bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CD8+T cell priming in oral mucosa-draining lymph nodes supports systemic immunity
Authors: de Albuquerque Juliana Barreto , von Werdt Diego , Francisco David , van Geest Geert , Altenburger Lukas M. , Abe Jun , Ficht Xenia , Iannacone Matteo , Bruggmann Remy , Mueller Christoph , Stein Jens V.
Published: September 2020

The gastrointestinal (GI) tract constitutes an essential barrier against ingested pathogens. While immune reactions are well-studied in the lower GI tract, it remains unclear how adaptive immune responses are initiated during microbial challenge of the oral mucosa, the primary site of pathogen encounter in the upper GI tract. Here, we identify mandibular lymph nodes (mandLN) as sentinel lymphoid organs that collect orally administeredListeria monocytogenes(Lm), leading to local CD8+T cell activation. In contrast to CD8+T effector cells (TEFF) generated in mesenteric lymph nodes, mandLN CD8+TEFFlacked a gut-seeking phenotype but contributed to systemic host protection. Accordingly, mandLN stromal and dendritic cells expressed low levels of enzymes required for gut homing imprinting. Our findings extend the concept of regional specialization of immune responses along the length of the GI tract, with mandLN acting as oral lymph-draining counterparts of intestinal lymph-draining LN of the lower GI tract.

Listeria monocytogenesingestion leads to priming of cytotoxic T cells in oral mucosa draining mandibular lymph nodes, which contribute to systemic host protection.
The gut microbiome stability of a butterflyfish is disrupted on severely degraded Caribbean coral reefs
Authors: Clever Friederike , Sourisse Jade M. , Preziosi Richard F. , Eisen Jonathan A. , Guerra E. Catalina Rodriguez , Scott Jarrod J. , Wilkins Laetitia G.E. , Altieri Andrew H. , McMillan W. Owen , Leray Matthieu
Published: September 2020

Environmental degradation has the potential to alter key mutualisms that underline the structure and function of ecological communities. While it is well recognized that the global loss of coral reefs alters fish communities, the effects of habitat degradation on microbial communities associated with fishes remain largely unknown despite their fundamental roles in host nutrition and immunity. Using a gradient of reef degradation, we show that the gut microbiome of a facultative, coral-feeding butterflyfish (Chaetodon capistratus) is significantly more variable among individuals at degraded reefs with very low live coral cover (~0%) than reefs with higher coral cover (~30%), mirroring a known pattern of microbial imbalance observed in immunodeficient humans and other stressed or diseased animals. We demonstrate that fish gut microbiomes on severely degraded reefs have a lower abundance of Endozoicomonas and a higher diversity of anaerobic fermentative bacteria, which suggests a broader and less coral dominated diet. The observed shifts in fish gut bacterial communities across the habitat gradient extend to a small set of potentially beneficial host associated bacteria (i.e., the core microbiome) suggesting essential fish-microbiome interactions are vulnerable to severe coral degradation.
Integrative systems approach reveals dynamics of microbiome-metal-ion axis in mesocosms representing tropical urban freshwater canal ecosystem
Authors: Saxena Gourvendu , Hill Eric Dubois , Marzinelli Ezequiel M. , Umashankar Shivshankar , Wei Toh Jun , Yissue Wei Woo , Steinberg Peter D. , Rajal Verónica B. , Kjelleberg Staffan , Williams Rohan B. H. , Wuertz Stefan , Swarup Sanjay
Published: September 2020

Freshwater ecosystems oftropicalurbancanalssystems (TrUCS), are highly dynamic and experience constant pressures from interspersed effects of land-use and rain. The dynamic nature of TrUCS ecosystems presents a unique opportunity to unravel the signature interactions between the macro-organisms (top-down),sedimentarymicrobialcommunities (SedMICs), their functioning and the geochemical environment (bottom-up). A systems level understanding of the molecular and mechanistic basis of the highly dynamic behaviour that leads to specific ecosystem outcomes, is currently lacking. Therefore, a research framework to identify the direct link between top-down and bottom-up ecological effects on SedMICs in a highly dynamic urban canal sedimentary system is needed. Here, we present a framework of integrated multi-dimensional data across system-level biotic and abiotic ecological descriptors, such as environmental variables and active SedMICs. We followed the ecosystem shifts after a natural disturbance (rain) in two different anthropogenic disturbance (land-use) regimes. Shifts in profiles of metabolically active community were conserved across different land-use types, indicating resilience to perturbation is an intrinsic property of the TrUCs ecosystem. Three distinct phases, which were dominated sequentially by autotrophy, anoxic-heterotrophy and oxic-heterotrophy, were identified within these shifts. The first two phases were influenced by the bottom-up effects of specific metal-ion combinations of nitrates and sulfates with magnesium, aluminum and iron, and the third phase was triggered by top-down influences of bioturbation. This generalized systems-level approach, which provides an ecosystem-centric understanding of TrUCS and integrates them in sustainable management practices, can also be extended to other freshwater ecosystems.
Ablation of endogenously cycling adult cardiomyocytes worsens myocardial function after injury
Authors: Bradley Leigh A. , Young Alexander , Billcheck Helen O. , Wolf Matthew J.
Published: September 2020

Rationale

Endogenously cycling adult cardiomyocytes (CMs) increase after myocardial infarction (MI) but remain scare, and are generally thought not to contribute to myocardial function. However, this broadly held assumption has not been tested, mainly because of the lack of transgenic reporters that restrict Cre expression to adult CMs that reenter the cell cycle.

Objective

We created and validated a new transgenic mouse,αMHC-MerDreMer-Ki67p-RoxedCre::Rox-Lox-tdTomato-eGFP(denotedαDKRC) that restricts Cre expression to cycling adult CMs and uniquely integrates spatial and temporal adult CM cycling events based on the DNA specificities of orthologous Dre- and Cre recombinases. We then created mice that expressed an inducible Diphtheria toxin (DTA),αDKRC::DTAmice, in adult cycling CMs and examined the effects of ablating these endogenously cycling CMs on myocardial function after Ischemic-Reperfusion (I/R) MI.

Methods and Results

A tandemαDKRCtransgene was designed, validated in cultured cells, and used to make transgenic mice. TheαDKRCtransgene integrated betweenMYH6andMYH7and did not disrupt expression of the surrounding genes. Compared to controls,αDKRC::RLTGmice treated with Tamoxifen expressed tdTomato+ in CMs with rare Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU)+, eGFP+CMs, consistent with reentry of the cell cycle. We then pre- treatedαDKRC::RLTGmice with Tamoxifen to activate the reporter before sham or reperfusion (I/R) myocardial infarction (MI) surgeries. Compared to Sham surgery, the I/R MI group had increased single and paired eGFP+ CMs predominantly in the border zones (5.8 ± 0.5 vs. 3.3 ± 0.3 CMs per ten-micron section, N = 8 mice, n = 16 sections per mouse), indicative of cycled CMs. The single to paired eGFP+ CM ratio was ∼9 to 1 (5.2 ± 0.4 single vs. 0.6 ± 0.2 paired CMs) in the I/R MI group after MI, suggesting that cycling CMs were more likely to undergo polyploidy than replication. The ablation of endogenously cycling adult CMs inαDKRC::DTAmice caused progressive worsening left ventricular chamber size and function after I/R MI, compared to controls.

Conclusions

Although scarce, endogenously cycling adult CMs contribute to myocardial function after injury, suggesting that these cells may be physiologically relevant.
Age-dependent impairment of disease tolerance is associated with a robust transcriptional response following RNA virus infection inDrosophila
Authors: Sheffield Lakbira , Sciambra Noah , Evans Alysa , Hagedorn Eli , Delfeld Megan , Goltz Casey , Fierst Janna L. , Chtarbanova Stanislava
Published: September 2020

Advanced age in humans is associated with greater susceptibility to and higher mortality rates from infections, including infections with some RNA viruses. The underlying innate immune mechanisms, which represent the first line of defense against pathogens, remain incompletely understood.Drosophila melanogasteris able to mount potent and evolutionarily conserved innate immune defenses against a variety of microorganisms including viruses and serves as an excellent model organism for studying host-pathogen interactions. With its relatively short lifespan,Drosophilaalso is an organism of choice for aging studies. Despite numerous advantages that this model offers,Drosophilahas not been used to its potential to investigate the response of the aged host to viral infection. Here we show that in comparison to younger flies, agedDrosophilasuccumb more rapidly to infection with the RNA-containing Flock House Virus (FHV) due to an age-dependent defect in disease tolerance. In comparison to younger individuals, we find that olderDrosophilamount larger transcriptional responses characterized by differential regulation of more genes and genes regulated to a greater extent. Our results indicate that loss of disease tolerance to FHV with age possibly results from a stronger regulation of genes involved in apoptosis, activation of theDrosophilaImmune deficiency (IMD) NF-kB pathway or from downregulation of genes whose products function in mitochondria and mitochondrial respiration. Our work shows thatDrosophilacan serve as a model to investigate host-virus interactions during aging and sets the stage for future analysis of the age-dependent mechanisms that govern survival and control of virus infections at older age.
The complex evolution of the metazoan HSP70 gene family
Authors: Yu Er-meng , Yoshinaga Tatsuki , Jalufka Frank L. , Ehsan Hashimul , Mark Welch David B. , Kaneko Gen
Published: September 2020

The metazoan 70-kDa heat shock protein (HSP70) family contains several members localized in different subcellular compartments. The cytosolic members have been classified into inducible HSP70s and constitutive heat shock cognates (HSC70s), but their distinction and evolutionary relationship remain unclear because of occasional reports of “constitutive HSP70s” and the lack of cross-phylum comparisons. Here we provide novel insights into the evolution of these important molecular chaperones. Phylogenetic analyses of ∼100 full-length HSP70s revealed an ancient duplication that gave rise to two lineages from which all metazoan cytosolic HSP70s descend. One lineage (A) contains a relatively small number of Lophotrochozoan and Ecdysozoan genes, none of which have been shown to be constitutively expressed (i.e., either inducible or unknown). The other lineage (B) included both inducible and constitutive genes from diverse phyla. Species-specific duplications are present in both lineages, and Lineage B contains well-supported phylum-specific clades for Rotifera, Nematoda, and Chordata. Some genes in Lineage B have likely independently acquired inducibility, which may explain the sporadic distribution of “HSP70” or “HSC70” in previous analyses. Consistent with the diversification history within each group, inducible members show lower purifying selection pressure compared to constitutive members. These results illustrate the evolutionary history of the HSP70 family, encouraging us to propose a new nomenclature: “HSP70 + subcellular localization + linage + copy number in the organism + inducible or constitutive, if known.” e.g., HSP70cA1i for cytosolic Lineage A, copy 1, inducible.
Crystal structure of poly[μ-aqua-bis(μ3-2-methylpropanoato-κ4O:O,O′:O′)dipotassium]
Authors: Fábry Jan , Samolová Erika
Published: September 2020

The structure of the title compound, [K2(C4H7O2)2(H2O)]n, is composed of stacked sandwiches, which are formed by cation–oxygen bilayers surrounded by methylethyl hydrophobic chains. These sandwiches are held together by van der Waals interactions between the methylethyl groups. The methylethyl groups are disordered over two positions with occupancies 0.801 (3):0.199 (3). The potassium cations are coordinated by seven O atoms, which form an irregular polyhedron. There is a water molecule, the oxygen atom of which is situated in a special position on a twofold axis (Wyckoff position 4e). The water H atoms are involved in Owater—H...Ocarboxylhydrogen bonds of moderate strength. These hydrogen bonds are situated within the cation–oxygen,i.e.hydrophilic, bilayer.
The novel high-pressure/high-temperature compound Co12P7 determined from synchrotron data
Authors: Zurkowski Claire , Lavina Barbara , Chariton Stella , Tkachev Sergey , Prakapenka Vitali , Campbell Andrew
Published: September 2020

The structural properties of cobalt phosphides were investigated at high pressures and temperatures to better understand the behavior of metal-rich phosphides in Earth and planetary interiors. Using single-crystal X-ray diffraction synchrotron data and a laser-heated diamond anvil cell, we discovered a new high pressure–temperature (HP–HT) cobalt phosphide, Co12P7, dodecacobalt heptaphosphide, synthesized at 27 GPa and 1740 K, and at 48 GPa and 1790 K. Co12P7 adopts a structure initially proposed for Cr12P7 (space-group type P\overline{6}, Z =1), consisting of chains of edge-sharing CoP5 square pyramids and chains of corner-sharing CoP4 tetrahedra. This arrangement leaves space for trigonal–prismatic channels running parallel to the c axis. Coupled disordering of metal and phosphorus atoms has been observed in this structure for related M
12P7 (M = Cr, V) compounds, but all Co and P sites are ordered in Co12P7. All atomic sites in this crystal structure are situated on special positions. Upon decompression to ambient conditions, peak broadening and loss of reflections at high angles was observed, suggesting phase instability.
International comparability and translation: how is the concept of equivalence used and understood in accounting research?
Authors: Laaksonen Jenni
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the concept of translation equivalence in extant research on translation in accounting: What is the equivalence that is expected of translation, and how is it assumed to come into being? This paper presents a coherent, theoretically informed approach to how different views on equivalence are connected to the objective of international comparability in financial accounting and how related, often-underlying assumptions intertwine in this discussion.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper takes an interdisciplinary approach by utilizing equivalence theories from the discipline of translation studies. It canvasses two dichotomy-like approaches – natural versus directional equivalence and formal versus dynamic equivalence – to compose a theoretical framework within which to analyze 25 translation-related papers discussing accounting harmonization published from 1989 to 2018.

Findings

This paper presents evidence of theoretical contradictions likely to affect the development of translation research in accounting if they go unrecognized. Moreover, the analysis suggests that these contradictions are likely to originate in the assumptions of mainstream accounting research, which neglect both the constructed nature of equivalence and the socially constructed nature of accounting concepts.

Originality/value

Despite the significance of translation for the objective of international comparability, this paper is the first comprehensive theoretical approach to equivalence in accounting research. It responds to a recognized demand for studying equivalence and its limitations, challenges many of the expectations accounting research places on translation and discusses the possible origins of related assumptions.
Understanding systemic change in the context of the social and environmental disclosures of a conservation organisation in a developing country
Authors: Samkin Grant , Wingard Christa
Published: September 2020

Purpose

This uses a framework of systemic change to understand the contextual factors including stakeholder, social, political, cultural and economic, which contribute to the social and environmental narratives of a conservation organisation that has and continues to undergo transformation.

Design/methodology/approach

The social and environmental disclosure annual report narratives for a 27-year period were coded to a framework of systemic change.

Findings

The end of apartheid in 1994 meant that South African society required transformation. This transformation impacts and drives the social and environmental accounting disclosures made by SANParks. The social and environmental disclosures coded against a framework of systemic change, fluctuated over the period of the study as the format of the annual reports changed. The systems view was the most frequently disclosed category. The political ecology subcategory which details the power relationships showed the most disclosures. However, 25 years after the end of apartheid, the transformation process remains incomplete. Although the evidence in the paper does not support Joseph and Reigelut (2010) contention that the framework of systemic change is an iterative process, it nevertheless provides a useful vehicle for analysing the rich annual report narratives of an organisation that has undergone and continues to undergo transformation.

Originality/value

This paper makes two primary contributions. First, to the limited developing country social and environmental accounting literature. Second, the development, refinement and application of a framework of systemic change to social and environmental disclosures.
Preventing or encouraging illegal activities by construction firms: effects of top management team compensation and aspiration-performance discrepancies
Authors: Wang Ran , Lee Chia-Jung , Hsu Shu-Chien , Chen Jieh-Haur
Published: September 2020

Purpose

Corporate illegal activities may result in fatal injuries and economic losses and have been widely reported in the construction industry. This study is to investigate the relationship between top management team (TMT) compensation and corporate illegal activities with the moderating effects of aspiration–performance discrepancies.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a multi-year sample of Chinese construction firms from 2011 to 2017, this paper employed a hierarchical logit regression model with fixed effects.

Findings

This study indicates that TMT compensation is positively related to the likelihood of corporate illegal activities. It also finds performance higher than aspirations would lower the probability of illegal activities while performance lower than aspirations also decreases the occurrence of illegal behaviors. Finally, the positive relationship between TMT compensation and illegal activities is strengthened by aspiration–performance discrepancies.

Practical implications

It recommended the design of executive compensation may need to be reconsidered. Next, companies need to carefully monitor top management team, especially when performance is lower than the desired level. Finally, debt-to-equity ratio deserves more attention for Chinese construction firms in suppressing illegal activities.

Originality/value

Given the mixed effects of TMT compensation, this study confirms its positive impact on corporate illegal behaviors. Consistent with the behavioral theory of the firm, it unveils the direct and moderating effects of aspiration-performance discrepancies. The findings are beneficial for evaluating firms' performance and considering the prevention of corporate fraudulent activities.
Work continuity constraints in repetitive project scheduling considering soft logic
Authors: Zou Xin , Wu Guangchuan , Zhang Qian
Published: September 2020

Purpose

Repetitive projects play an important role in the construction industry. A crucial point in scheduling this type of project lies in enabling timely movement of crews from unit to unit so as to minimize the adverse effect of work interruptions on both time and cost. This paper aims to examine a repetitive scheduling problem with work continuity constraints, involving a tradeoff among project duration, work interruptions and total project cost (TPC). To enhance flexibility and practicability, multi-crew execution is considered and the logic relation between units is allowed to be changed arbitrarily. That is, soft logic is considered.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper proposes a multi-objective mixed-integer linear programming model with the capability of yielding the optimal tradeoff among three conflicting objectives. An efficient version of the e-constraint algorithm is customized to solve the model. This model is validated based on two case studies involving a small-scale and a practical-scale project, and the influence of using soft logic on project duration and total cost is analyzed via computational experiments.

Findings

Using soft logic provides more flexibility in minimizing project duration, work interruptions and TPC, especial for non-typical projects with a high percentage of non-typical activities.

Research limitations/implications

The main limitation of the proposed model fails to consider the learning-forgetting phenomenon, which provides space for future research.

Practical implications

This study assists practitioners in determining the “most preferred” schedule once additional information is provided.

Originality/value

This paper presents a new soft logic-based mathematical programming model to schedule repetitive projects with the goal of optimizing three conflicting objectives simultaneously.
When do consumers value ethical attributes? The role of perceived quality in gift-giving
Authors: Das Gopal , Peloza John , Varshneya Geetika , Green Todd
Published: September 2020

Purpose

Although research demonstrates the importance of ethical product attributes for consumers, a prior study has not examined the role of consumption target (i.e. self-purchases vs gift-giving) on consumers’ preference for products with ethical attributes. Notably, consumers’ preference for quality can differ between self-purchases and gifts, and the presence of ethical attributes can impact product quality perceptions. The purpose of this paper is to examine how the presence of ethical attributes alters decision-making in a gift-giving context using perceptions of product quality as an explanatory variable for these differences.

Design/methodology/approach

One field study and two controlled experiments test the proposed hypotheses. The experiments were conducted across different product categories and samples.

Findings

Results showed that the presence of an ethical attribute leads to higher purchase intentions for products in a gift-giving context compared to self-purchase. Perceived quality mediates this effect. Further process evidence through moderation, including resource synergy beliefs, support the findings. This paper discusses the theoretical, managerial and societal implications of these results.

Research limitations/implications

Although care was taken to select products to enhance generalizability, the studies presented here are limited to two products. Further, although the present research includes a field study with actual charity-related purchases, the role of time pressures is not explicitly explored. Finally, the role of brand-self connections is not explored in the current research. The ability for a donor to integrate the mission of a charity into their self-perception or the potential for social normative influences to impact behaviors remains open for exploration.

Practical implications

Charities are facing increasing pressures to raise sustainable funds to support their missions. The research provides guidance to marketers and fundraisers in the non-profit sector that allows them to direct more focused fundraising appeals to donors and adapt their fundraising efforts to create a fit between their audience and fundraising appeals.

Originality/value

This research demonstrates that consumption target (purchasing for the self versus purchasing for others) is a vital contextual factor that influences customer preference for ethical attributes. These results complement the extant literature by exploring the underlying mechanism behind consumers’ responses to the ethical attributes in the case of self-purchase and other-purchase. The underlying effect is supported theoretically by resource synergy beliefs.
Data-driven marketing for growth and profitability
Authors: Grandhi Balakrishna , Patwa Nitin , Saleem Kashaf
Published: September 2020

Purpose

In the current business environment, more uncertain than ever before, understanding consumer behavior is an integral part of an organization's strategic planning and execution process. It is the key driver for becoming a market leader. Therefore, it is important that all processes in business are customer centric. Marketers need to harness big data by engaging in data driven-marketing (DDM) to help organizations choose the “right” customers, to “keep” and “grow” them and to sustain “growth” and “profitability”. This research examines DDM adoption practices and how companies can aim to enhance shareholder value by bringing about “customer centricity”.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey conducted in 2016 received 180 responses from junior, middle and senior executives. Of the total responses, 26% were from senior management, 39% from middle management and the remaining 35% from junior management. Industries represented in the survey included retail, BFSI, healthcare and government, automobile, telecommunication, transport and logistics and IT. Other industries represented were aviation, marketing research and consulting, hospitality, advertising and media and human resource.

Findings

Success of DDM depends upon how well an organization embraces the practice. The first and foremost indicator of an organization's commitment is the extent of resources invested for DDM. Respondents were divided into four categories; Laggards, Dabblers, Contenders and Leaders based on their “current level of investments” and “willingness to enhance investments” soon.

Research limitations/implications

With storming digital age and the development of analytics, the process of decision-making has gained significant importance. Judgment and intuition too are critical to the process. Choosing an appropriate action cannot be done strictly on a rational basis.

Practical implications

The results of the study offer interesting implications for managing the growing sea of data. An iterative and incremental approach is the need of the hour, even if it has to start with baby steps, to invest in and reap the fruits of DDM. The intention to use any system is always dependent on two primary belief factors: perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use; however, attitudes and social factors are equally important.

Originality/value

There is a dearth of knowledge with regards to who is and is not adopting DDM, and how best big data can be harnessed for enhancing effectiveness and efficiency of marketing budget. It is, therefore, imperative to build a knowledge base on DDM practices, challenges and opportunities. Better use of data can help companies enhance shareholder value by bringing about “customer centricity”.
Corporate social responsibility impacts on Palestinian and Jordanian consumer purchasing
Authors: Alawamleh Mohammad , Giacaman Saro
Published: September 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the relationship between customer social responsibility (CSR) and consumer purchasing behaviour (CPB) in terms of consumer awareness of CSR and consumer trust.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was developed and distributed to a sample of 150 consumers from different industries in Palestine and Jordan. Multivariable regression models were developed to identify the characteristics to determine and investigate the relationship between CSR and CPB.

Findings

The results of the investigation showed that CSR has a positive impact on CPB. Moreover, when organizations implement CSR in their operations, it enhances their competitive advantage.

Originality/value

There is insufficient research on developing nations on this subject, while they comprise the most rapidly growing economies worldwide, and they are countries in which social and environmental crises are felt most acutely. Accordingly, the understanding of the primary relationship between CSR and consumer behaviour is essential for the economic development of these nations.
Factors influencing social entrepreneurial behavior: evidence from a developing nation
Authors: Akter Asma , Rana S M Sohel , Ramli Abdul Jalil
Published: September 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to provide a deeper understanding on social entrepreneurial behavior (SEB). Previous researchers mostly focused on social entrepreneurial intention leaving a gap between intention and behavior. The present study, however, tries to explore the issues related to actual SEB by taking data from those who are actively involved in social entrepreneurial activities.

Design/methodology/approach

For testing the hypothesized model of this study, a survey was conducted taking samples from 320 respondents who are actively involved in social entrepreneurial activities. The collected data were analyzed by SmartPLS version 2.0.M3 for validating the results.

Findings

The findings generated from the empirical data reveal that self-efficacy was found to be the most significant followed by moral obligation, innovativeness, social support and empathy (EM) in influencing SEB. In addition to that, perceived desirability partially mediated the relationship between EM, social support, innovativeness and SEB.

Originality/value

This study establishes the importance of some distinctive factors influencing SEB. It is believed that the present study has important implications for society as a whole for solving societal problems and it enriches existing body of knowledge as well.
Influence of institutional seniority and type of ownership on university quality rankings: correlational analysis of Peruvian universities
Authors: Dextre-Chacón José C. , Tejedor Santiago , Romero-Rodriguez Luis M.
Published: September 2020

Purpose

This study evaluates the correlations between the universities' type of property (public, private associative and private corporate), institutional seniority (<20, 20–45 and >45 years) and the presence and position in national and international university rankings.

Design/methodology/approach

It considers 90 Peruvian universities certified by SUNEDU (public agency for the accreditation of universities in Peru). According to their presence in 20 university rankings (yes/no) and the position (tertiles) in two world rankings: Webometrics and SIR Iberoamericano, four universities participated in 10 or more rankings and only 16 (18%) in six or more.

Findings

The private corporate universities were the least old (p < 0.01). No association was found with the type of property both in the presence in rankings and in the positioning (p > 0.05), except in one where there was less participation of public institutions. Long-lived universities had higher participation and better positioning in rankings than those with less seniority (p < 0.01). The presence and better positioning in university rankings depend on institutional seniority and not on the type of ownership in Peruvian licensed universities.

Originality/value

This research highlights the lack of equity in several international rankings for the evaluation of the quality of universities, in the respect that most of them give priority to aspects related to institutional seniority and size. At the same time, the results of younger and smaller institutions are not put into perspective.
Findings of quality management studies in primary and secondary education: a systematic literature review
Authors: Bouranta Nancy , Psomas Evangelos , Antony Jiju
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to present the main findings of the studies in the field of quality management (QM) in primary and secondary education. Grouping these findings into themes and these themes, in turn, into broad categories as well as prioritizing the themes of findings are also aims of the present study.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review (SLR) of articles focusing on QM in primary and secondary education was carried out based on major publishers, namely Emerald Online, Taylor and Francis, Elsevier/Science Direct, Springer Link, Sage Publishing and Online. In total, 133 articles published in 62 journals during 1983–2019 were collected. The affinity diagram was applied in order to group the findings of the QM studies into logical themes and these themes into broad categories. Moreover, the Pareto diagram was applied to prioritize the themes revealed.

Findings

A plethora of articles focusing on QM in primary and secondary education have been published in the last decades. The findings of the QM studies presented in the 133 reviewed articles are grouped into 43 themes and these themes, in turn, into 6 broad categories, namely management practices, school characteristics, teachers, stakeholders, government and pupils. The analysis also reveals themes that can be characterized as “vital” and “useful.”

Practical implications

Researchers and school managers can take into consideration the findings of the QM studies in primary and secondary education as well as the themes of high priority for the design of future studies and QM implementation plans, respectively.

Originality/value

This is the first literature review study which presents analytically the findings of the QM studies in primary and secondary education. This study also contributes to the literature by formulating meaningful themes of these findings and broad categories of these themes and by prioritizing the themes revealed.
Use of Multiple Environment Variety Trials Data to Simulate Maize Yields in the Ogallala Aquifer Region: A Two Model Approach
Authors: Sharda Vaishali , Mekonnen Mesfin M. , Ray Chittaranjan , Gowda Prasanna H.
Published: September 2020

With a long‐term goal to optimize use of groundwater in the Ogallala Aquifer Region (OAR) to sustain food production systems, this study was conducted to calibrate Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT) and AquaCrop crop modeling platforms to simulate maize production at a regional scale using historic datasets. Calibration of the models with local crop growth data and crop management practices is important, but usually this in‐season crop growth information is not available. This study determined the possibility of using maize variety trial data for the evaluation of the CSM‐Crop Estimation through Resources and Environmental Synthesis‐Maize and AquaCrop models in the OAR. The models were calibrated and tested in three counties in Nebraska. Both the models were then used to simulate irrigated maize yield during 1988 to 2015 for all three counties. The criteria for evaluating the performance of these crop models included statistical parameters and graphical analysis. The performance of both models were then compared with the observed yield from field variety test results and historic National Agricultural Statistical Service yields. The results indicated that difference between yield of calibrated DSSAT model and observed yield was less than 10% and AquaCrop root mean square error ranged from 740 to 1,820 kg/ha. Long‐term comparison between observed and simulated Nebraska county yields also indicated confidence in calibrating crop models with typical end of season yield data and using these models for studying crop production at regional scales when detailed in‐season crop growth observed data are not available.
Budget Development and Use in Small‐ and Medium‐Sized Enterprises: A Field Investigation
Authors: Armitage Howard M. , Lane Dorian , Webb Alan
Published: September 2020

We examine the process by which operating budgets are developed and how they are used for control, evaluation, and reward purposes in small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs). SMEs (i.e., fewer than 500 employees) represent the dominant organizational form in North America but surprisingly little research has examined how these companies develop and use management controls. Our study focuses on a key element of the management control system, operating budgets, because prior research on SMEs indicates this as an important and commonly used control tool in such companies. Prior research on budgeting practices, while extensive, has almost exclusively examined larger companies. We conduct in‐depth field interviews at 12 participating SMEs to address four theory‐based research questions intended to provide insights regarding the development and use of budgets by SMEs. Our first question examines how budgets are developed, top‐down versus collaborative. Our second, third, and fourth research questions examine, respectively, whether budgets are used tightly or loosely for results control, performance evaluation, and reward purposes. As a first step in providing a deeper understanding of budget development and use in SMEs, our results have implications for practice, theory development, and management accounting education.
Test set verification is an essential step in model building
Authors: Quinn Thomas P. , Le Vuong , Cardilini Adam P. A.
Published: September 2020

Recently, Christin et al. published an article that reviewed the field of deep learning and offered advice on how to train a deep learning model.

We write here to emphasize the importance of model verification, which can help ensure that the model will generalize to new data.

Specifically, we discuss the importance of using a test set for model verification, and of defining an explicit research hypothesis.

We then present a revised workflow that will help ensure that the accuracy reported for your deep learning model is reliable.
Physicians’ very brief (30‐sec) intervention for smoking cessation on 13 671 smokers in China: a pragmatic randomized controlled trial
Authors: Cheung Yee Tak Derek , Jiang Nan , Jiang Chao Qiang , Zhuang Run Sen , Gao Wen Hui , Zhou Jian , Lu Jin Hong , Li Hui , Wang Jun Feng , Lai Yi Sheng , Sun Jun Sheng , Wu Jiu Chang , Ye Chiang , Li Na , Zhou Gang , Chen Jing Ying , Ou Xiu Yan , Liu Liu Qing , Huang Zhuang Hong , Ho Sai Yin , Li Ho Cheung William , Su Sheng Hua , Yang Yan , Jiang Yuan , Zhu Wei Hua , Yang Lie , Lin Peiru , He Yao , Cheng Kar Keung , Lam Tai Hing
Published: September 2020

Background and aims

Three to 10 minutes of smoking cessation advice by physicians is effective to increase quit rates, but is not routinely practised. We examined the effectiveness of physicians’ very brief (approximately 30 sec) smoking cessation intervention on quit rates among Chinese outpatient smokers.

Design

A pragmatic, open‐label, individually randomized controlled trial.

Setting

Seventy‐two medical outpatient departments of hospitals and/or community health centers in Guangdong, China.

Participants

Chinese adults who were daily cigarette smokers (n = 13 671, 99% males) were invited by their physician to participate during outpatient consultation. Smokers who were receiving smoking cessation treatment or were judged to need specialist treatment for cessation were excluded.

Interventions

The intervention group (n = 7015) received a 30‐sec intervention including physician's very brief advice, a leaflet with graphic warnings and a card with contact information of available cessation services. The control group (n = 6656) received a very brief intervention on consuming vegetables and fruit. A total of 3466 participants in the intervention group were further randomized to receive a brief booster advice from trained study personnel via telephone 1 month following their doctor visit.

Measurements

The primary outcome was self‐reported 7‐day point prevalence abstinence (PPA) in the intervention and control groups at the 12‐month follow‐up. Secondary outcomes included self‐reported 30‐day abstinence and biochemically validated abstinence at 12‐month follow‐up.

Findings

By intention‐to‐treat, the intervention (versus control) group had greater self‐reported 7‐day abstinence [9.1 versus 7.8%, odds ratio (OR) = 1.14, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.03–1.26, P = 0.008] and 30‐day abstinence (8.0 versus 6.9%, OR = 1.14, 95% CI = 1.03–1.27, P = 0.01) at 12‐month follow‐up. The effect size increased when only participants who received the intervention from compliant physicians were included (7‐day PPA, OR = 1.42, 95% CI = 1.11–1.74). The group difference in biochemically validated abstinence was small (0.8 versus 0.8%, OR = 1.00, 95% CI = 0.71–1.42, P = 0.99).

Conclusion

A 30‐sec smoking cessation intervention increased self‐reported abstinence among mainly male smokers in China at 12‐month follow‐up (risk difference = 1.3%), and should be feasible to provide in most settings and delivered by all health‐care professionals.
The optimal export tax for a primary commodity in a vertical market
Authors: Lin Ying , Kinnucan Henry W.
Published: September 2020

The conventional formula for the optimal export tax (derived from a partial equilibrium model that ignores importers’ welfare) is extended to include the deadweight loss to the domestic economy associated with the tax. Applying the extended formula to the tax Russia imposes on its exports of logs, results suggest ignoring the marketing channel causes the optimal export tax for a primary commodity to be understated. The degree of understatement increases as the supply of logs and processing/marketing inputs become less price elastic, and as buyer and seller power in the downstream (lumber) industry increases. For plausible values of model parameters, however, the degree of understatement is modest, less than 19%.
Sex‐based differences in the outcomes of total hip and knee arthroplasty: a narrative review
Authors: Choong Annabelle L.C. , Shadbolt Cade , Dowsey Michelle M. , Choong Peter F. M.
Published: September 2020

Total joint arthroplasty (TJA) is an effective treatment for end‐stage osteoarthritis, which aims to alleviate pain and improve function and mobility. Despite the remarkable success of TJA, complications can arise, leading to unplanned hospital readmission, implant failure, morbidity and mortality. Recently, there has been a growing interest in analysing sex‐based differences in diseases and response to medical interventions. This review summaries evidence pertaining to the widening gap between men and women regarding the utilization and outcome of TJA surgery. Interactions between sex and patient‐reported outcome, implant failure and medical complication are complex and often demonstrate conflicting results. Significantly, there is a global consensus that men are at a higher risk of developing prosthetic joint infection following joint arthroplasty. Guided by the literature, there is a clear need for standardized methods of collecting, analysing and reporting sex‐specific data to improve outcomes for both men and women who undergo TJA.
Identical twins affected by congenital cytomegalovirus infections showed different audio‐vestibular profiles
Authors: Lazar Andra , Löfkvist Ulrika , Verrecchia Luca , Karltorp Eva
Published: September 2020

This study explored whether there were long‐term hearing and vestibular outcome differences between five pairs of identical twins who had been infected with the congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection before birth. Data were collected from the medical records at the Audiological Clinic, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm. The congenital CMV infection resulted in high variations in vestibular and hearing function within, and between, the genetically identical twin pairs. Clinicians need to be aware that treatment and interventions may need to differ substantially when identical twins have hearing issues related to the congenital CMV infection.
Metabolic disposition of [14C]‐abivertinib, an epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor: Role of glutathione conjugation
Authors: Wang Lu , Guo Lian , Wang Yixiang , Guo Renhua , Xu Zhaoqiang , Gao Zhengzhen , Xie Lijun , Chen Juan , Chen Ying , Liu Yun , Zhang Hongwen , Bao Lihua , Xu Wanhong , Zhu Mingshe , Shao Feng , Shu Yongqian
Published: September 2020

Aims

To determine the absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of abivertinib, a third‐generation epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, in patients with advanced non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods

Seven patients with advanced NSCLC were given a single 200 mg/83 μCi oral suspension of [14C]‐abivertinib. Blood, urine and faeces were collected. Mass balance of radioactivity, the pharmacokinetics of abivertinib, and the total radioactivity were determined. Metabolite profiling and characterisation were performed.

Results

The mean recovery was 82.16%, with 2.38 and 79.78% of the radioactive dose excreted in urine and faeces, respectively. The unchanged abivertinib was the major radioactive component detected in plasma within the first 24 hours after dosing, accounting for 59.17% of the total drug‐related radioactivity. Abivertinib in urine accounted for only 0.96% of the administered dose, whereas in faeces it accounted for 33.36%. Eight metabolites were detected and characterised in plasma, among which MII‐7, a product of cysteine glycine conjugate, was the only circulating metabolite, accounting for approximate 10.6% of the total drug‐related exposure. MII‐2 (an abivertinib cysteine–glycine adduct) and M7 (a reduced product of abivertinib) were the 2 major metabolites in the excreta, accounting for 20.0 and 12.4%, respectively, of the drug‐related radioactivity in faeces.

Conclusion

Following a single oral administration, the unchanged abivertinib was the predominant drug‐related material in plasma, urine and faeces. The drug‐related materials were primarily eliminated via the faecal route. Direct glutathione conjugation of abivertinib played a significant role in the metabolic clearance and metabolite exposure of abivertinib.
Candidate risk genes for bipolar disorder are highly conserved during evolution and highly interconnected
Authors: Franklin Claire , Dwyer Donard S.
Published: September 2020

Objectives

Bipolar disorder (BPD) is a highly heritable psychiatric disorder whose genetic complexity and pathogenetic mechanisms are still being unraveled. The main goal of this work was to characterize BPD risk‐gene candidates (identified by Nurnberger et al., JAMA Psychiatry 71:657, 2014, and Stahl et al., Nat. Genet. 51:793, 2019) with respect to their evolutionary conservation, associated phenotypes, and extent of gene‐gene interactions.

Methods

Database searches and BLAST were used to identify homologous counterparts of human BPD risk genes in C. elegans, zebrafish, and Drosophila. Phenotypes associated with the C. elegans genes were annotated and searched. With GeneMANIA, we characterized and quantified gene‐gene interactions among members of the BPD gene set in comparison to randomly chosen gene sets of the same size.

Results

BPD risk genes are highly conserved across species and are enriched for essential genes and genes associated with lethality and altered life span. They are significantly more interactive with each other in comparison to random genes. We identified syntenic blocks of risk genes, which provided potential insights into molecular pathways and co‐morbidities associated with BPD including coronary disease, obesity, and decreased life expectancy.

Conclusions

BPD risk genes appear to be special in terms of their degree of conservation, interconnectedness, and pleiotropic effects that extend beyond a role in brain function. Key hub genes or pleiotropic regulatory components may represent attractive targets for future drug discovery.