bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
AN EPIDEMIOLOGICAL MODEL TO AID DECISION-MAKING FOR COVID-19 CONTROL IN SRI LANKA
Authors: Ediriweera Dileepa Senajith , de Silva Nilanthi Renuka , Malavige Neelika Gathsaurie , de Silva Hithanadura Janaka
Published: April 2020

Background

Sri Lanka diagnosed its first local case of COVID-19 on 11 March 2020. The government acted swiftly to contain transmission, with extensive public health measures. At the end of 30 days, Sri Lanka had 197 cases, 54 recovered and 7 deaths; a staged relaxing of the lockdown is now underway. This paper proposes a theoretical basis for estimating the limits within which transmission should be constrained in order to ensure that the case load remains within the capacity of the health system.

Methods

We used Susceptible, Infected, Recovered model to estimate the ICU bed requirement at different levels of R0 values after lockout. We developed a web application that enables visualization of cases and ICU bed requirements with time, with adjustable parameters that include: population exposed; proportion asymptomatic; number of active and recovered cases; infectious period; R0 or doubling time; proportion critically ill; available ICU beds and duration of ICU stay.

Results

The three-day moving average of the caseload suggested two waves of transmission from Day 0 to 17 (R0=3.32, 95% CI 1.85 - 5.41) and from Day 18 - 30 (R=1.25, 95%CI: 0.93 - 1.63). We estimate that if there are 156 active cases with 91 recovered at the time of lockout, and R increases to 1.5 (doubling time 19 days), under the standard parameters for Sri Lanka, the ICU bed capacity of 300 is likely to be saturated by about 100 days, signalled by 18 new infections (95% CI 15 - 22) on Day 14 after lockout.

Conclusion

Our model suggests that to ensure that the case load remains within the available capacity of the health system after lockout, transmission should not exceed R=1.5. This model and the web-based application may be useful in other low- and middle-income countries which have similar constraints on health resources.
Knowledge, attitude, practice and perceived barriers among healthcare professionals regarding COVID-19: A Cross-sectional survey from Pakistan
Authors: Saqlain Muhmmad , Munir Muhammad Muddasir , Rehman Saif ur , Gulzar Aqsa , Naz Sahar , Ahmed Zaheer , Tahir Azhar Hussain , Mashhood Muhammad
Published: April 2020

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a highly transmittable infection and Pakistan faces sudden hike in number of positive cases including number of healthcare professionals (HCPs) also acquired infection. Knowledge, attitude, and practice survey provides a suitable format to evaluate existing programs and to identify effective strategies for behavior change in society. Therefore, the aim of study is to assess knowledge, attitude and practice among HCPs in Pakistan regarding COVID-19. An online survey-based study was conducted among healthcare professionals including physicians, pharmacists and nurses. A self-administered validated (Cronbach alpha= 0.077) questionnaire comprised of five sections (Demographics, Knowledge, attitude, practice and perceived barriers) were used for data collection. Of 414 participants, 29.98% (n=120) physicians, 46.65% (n= 189) pharmacists and 25.36% (n= 105%) nurses. Most commonly utilized information source was social media. Findings showed HCPs have good knowledge (93.2%, n=386), positive attitude (8.43±1.78) and good practice (88.7%, n=367) regarding COVID-19. HCPs perceived that overcrowding in emergency room (52.9%, n=219), limited infection control material (50.7%, n=210) and poor knowledge regarding transmission (40.6%, n=168) of COVID-19 are the major barriers in infection control practice. Binary logistic regression analysis demonstrated that HCPs of age group 40-49 years (OR: 1.419, 95%CI: (0.14-4.78, P=0.041) have higher odds of good knowledge. Similarly, age group of 31-39 years (OR: 1.377, 95% CI: 0.14-2.04, P=0.05), experience of more than 5 years (OR: 10.71, 95% CI: 2.83-40.75, P<0.001), and pharmacist job (OR: 2.247, 95% CI: 1.11-4.55, P=0.025) were the substantial determinants of good practice regarding COVID-19. HCPs in Pakistan have good knowledge, yet, there are areas where gaps in knowledge and practice was observed. To effectively control infection spread, well-structured training programs must be launched by government targeting all kinds of HCPs to raise their existed knowledge.
Lymphocytopaenia is associated with severe SARS-CoV-2 disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Data
Authors: Brown Robin , Barnard Jane , Harris-Skillman Eva , Harbinson Bronwen , Dunne Beata , Drake Jonathan , Roche Sophie , Harris Edward , Gunnell James , Frost Joshua , Angus Brian , Hodgson Susanne H
Published: April 2020

Background

Most patients infected by SARS-CoV-2 have favourable outcomes, however some develop severe disease which may progress to acute respiratory distress syndrome, multi-organ failure, and death. Markers that could predict patients at risk of poor outcomes would be extremely useful clinically. Evidence has emerged that low lymphocyte count is associated with increased disease severity.

Methods

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the association between lymphocyte count and severity of SARS-CoV-2 associated clinical disease.

Results

Seven papers were included in the meta-analysis. These papers included data from 2083 patients, 25% (n=521) with severe SAR-CoV-2 disease and 75% (n=1562) with non-severe SAR-CoV-2 disease. Heterogenicity was seen in the definition of severe disease. Metanalysis produced metamedians of 1×109/L (95% CI 1-1.1) and 0.7×109/L (95% CI 0.63-0.8) lymphocytes for patients with non-severe and severe disease respectively (p-value of p=0.006 Wilcoxon test). Calculation of metamedians from the two papers classifying severe disease according to death alone gave 1.1 1×109/L lymphocytes (95% CI 1.0-1.1) for ‘survivors’ (n=163) and 0.63 1×109/L lymphocytes (95% CI 0.60-0.63) for ‘non-survivors’ (n=253) of SAR-CoV-2 disease.

Conclusions

Lower lymphocyte counts are significantly associated with more severe disease in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Lymphocytopenia may therefore be useful laboratory measure to allow prognostication of patients presenting with SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Regulation of transcription reactivation dynamics exiting mitosis
Authors: Sarnataro Sergio , Riba Andrea , Molina Nacho
Published: April 2020

Proliferating cells experience a global reduction of transcription during mitosis, yet their cell identity is maintained and regulatory information is propagated from mother to daughter cells. Mitotic bookmarking by transcription factors has been proposed as a potential mechanism to ensure the reactivation of transcription at the proper set of genes exiting mitosis. Recently, mitotic transcription and waves of transcription reactivation have been observed in synchronized populations of human hepatoma cells. However, the study did not consider that mitotic-arrested cell populations progressively desynchronize leading to measurements of gene expression on a mixture of cells at different internal cell-cycle times. Moreover, it is not well understood yet what is the precise role of mitotic bookmarking on mitotic transcription as well as on the transcription reactivation waves. Ultimately, the core gene regulatory network driving the precise transcription reactivation dynamics remains to be identified. To address these questions, we developed a mathematical model to correct for the progressive desynchronization of cells and estimate gene expression dynamics with respect to a cell-cycle pseudotime. Furthermore, we used a multiple linear regression model to infer transcription factor activity dynamics. Our analysis allows us to characterize waves of transcription factor activities exiting mitosis and identify a core gene regulatory network responsible of the transcription reactivation dynamics. Moreover, we identified more than 60 transcription factors that are highly active during mitosis and represent new candidates of mitotic bookmarking factors which could represent relevant therapeutic targets to control cell proliferation.
Analysis of SARS-CoV-2-controlled autophagy reveals spermidine, MK-2206, and niclosamide as putative antiviral therapeutics
Authors: Gassen Nils C. , Papies Jan , Bajaj Thomas , Dethloff Frederik , Emanuel Jackson , Weckmann Katja , Heinz Daniel E. , Heinemann Nicolas , Lennarz Martina , Richter Anja , Niemeyer Daniela , Corman Victor M. , Giavalisco Patrick , Drosten Christian , Müller Marcel A.
Published: April 2020

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) poses an acute threat to public health and the world economy, especially because no approved specific drugs or vaccines are available. Pharmacological modulation of metabolism-dependent cellular pathways such as autophagy reduced propagation of highly pathogenic Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS)-CoV.

Here we show that SARS-CoV-2 infection limits autophagy by interfering with multiple metabolic pathways and that compound-driven interventions aimed at autophagy induction reduce SARS-CoV-2 propagationin vitro. In-depth analyses of autophagy signaling and metabolomics indicate that SARS-CoV-2 reduces glycolysis and protein translation by limiting activation of AMP-protein activated kinase (AMPK) and mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1). Infection also downregulates autophagy-inducing spermidine, and facilitates AKT1/SKP2-dependent degradation of autophagy-initiating Beclin-1 (BECN1). Targeting of these pathways by exogenous administration of spermidine, AKT inhibitor MK-2206, and the Beclin-1 stabilizing, antihelminthic drug niclosamide inhibited SARS-CoV-2 propagation by 85, 88, and >99%, respectively. In sum, SARS-CoV-2 infection causally diminishes autophagy. A clinically approved and well-tolerated autophagy-inducing compound shows potential for evaluation as a treatment against SARS-CoV-2.
Consequences of population structure for sex allocation and sexual conflict
Authors: Rodrigues Leonor R. , Sáez Mario Torralba , Alpedrinha João , Lefèvre Sophie , Brengues Muriel , Magalhães Sara , Duncan Alison B.
Published: April 2020

Both sex allocation and sexual conflict can be modulated by spatial structure. However, how the interplay between the type of dispersal and the scale of competition simultaneously affects these traits in sub-divided populations is rarely considered.

We investigated sex allocation and sexual conflict evolution in meta-populations of the spider miteTetranychus urticaeevolving under budding (pairing females from the same patch) or random (pairing females from different patches) dispersal and either local (fixed sampling from each subpopulation)versusglobal (sampling as a function of subpopulation productivity) competition.

Females evolving under budding dispersal produced less female-biased offspring sex ratios than those from the random dispersal selection regimes, contradicting theoretical predictions. In turn, the scale of competition did not have a strong effect on sex allocation. Males evolved under budding dispersal induced less female harm than those exposed to random dispersal, but there was no reduction in female fitness following exposure to multiple mates from either selection regime.

This work highlights that population structure can impact the evolution of sex allocation and sexual conflict. We also discuss how selection on either trait may reciprocally affect the evolution of the other, for example via effects on fecundity.
A novel variant in MAP3K7 associated with an expanded cardiospondylocarpofacial syndrome phenotype
Authors: AbuBakr Fatima , Jeffries Lauren , Ji Weizhen , McGrath James M. , Lakhani Saquib A.
Published: April 2020

The transforming growth factor-β-activated kinase 1 (TAK1) encoded by mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase 7 (MAP3K7) is widely expressed and participates in multiple molecular and cellular processes, including growth, differentiation, inflammation, and apoptosis. Pathogenic variants in MAP3K7 have recently been associated with two disorders: cardiospondylocarpofacial syndrome (CSCFS) and frontometaphyseal dysplasia 2 (FMD2). To date, all small in-frame deletions and splice variants in MAP3K7 have been associated with CSCFS, whereas missense variants have been reported in both CSCFS and FMD2. Here, we present a patient with a novel heterozygous likely pathogenic variant, c.125_127del, p.(Val42del), in MAP3K7, only the sixth variant associated with CSCFS to be described in the literature. Although this patient has a phenotype that is most consistent with that of CSCFS, including valvular heart disease, short stature, fusions of the spine and bones of the hands and feet, and certain facial dysmorphisms, he interestingly has some features reported previously in FMD2 but not CSCFS. These include flexion contractures of the elbow and widely spaced first and second toes, highlighting new points of overlap between these two syndromes. We additionally point out features in the patient presented here that are rare but recurrent among CSCFS patients previously reported in the literature, as well as a new distinctive cutaneous finding not previously reported.
Synthesis and crystal structure of ABW-type SrFe1.40V0.60O4
Authors: Gstir Thomas , Kahlenberg Volker , Krüger Hannes , Penner Simon
Published: April 2020

Single crystals of SrFe1.40V0.60O4, strontium tetraoxidodi[ferrate(III)/vanadate(III)], have been obtained as a side product in the course of sinter experiments aimed at the synthesis of double perovskites in the system SrO–Fe2O3–V2O5. The crystal structure can be characterized by layers of six-membered rings ofTO4-tetrahedra (T: FeIII, VIII) perpendicular to [100]. Stacking of the layers along [100] results in a three-dimensional framework enclosing tunnel-like cavities in which SrIIcations are incorporated for charge compensation. The sequence of directedness of up (U) and down (D) pointing vertices of neighboring tetrahedra in a single six-membered ring isUUUDDD. The topology of the tetrahedral framework belongs to the zeolite-type ABW.
Synthesis and structure of ethyl 2-[(4-oxo-3-phenyl-3,4-dihydroquinazolin-2-yl)sulfanyl]acetate
Authors: Nguyen Tien Cong , Nguyen Tan Quang , Pham Duc Dung , Tran Hoang Phuong , Nguyen Dang Dat , Truong Minh Luong , Van Meervelt Luc
Published: April 2020

The title compound, C18H16N2O3S, was synthesized by reaction of 2-mercapto-3-phenylquinazolin-4(3H)-one with ethyl chloroacetate. The quinazoline ring forms a dihedral angle of 86.83 (5)° with the phenyl ring. The terminal methyl group is disordered by a rotation of about 60° in a 0.531 (13): 0.469 (13) ratio. In the crystal, C—H...O hydrogen-bonding interactions result in the formation of columns running in the [010] direction. Two parallel columns further interact by C—H...O hydrogen bonds. The most important contributions to the surface contacts are from H...H (48.4%), C...H/H...C (21.5%) and O...H/H...O (18.7%) interactions, as concluded from a Hirshfeld analysis.
Positional deviation detection of silicone caps on FPCB
Authors: Li Dejian , Li Shaoli , Yuan Weiqi
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a defect detection method of silicone caps positional deviation on flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) of keyboard based on automatic optical inspection.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the center of silicone caps of target keyboard FPCB image was extracted as feature points for generating the feature image which is used for registration rigidly with the reference feature image generated from the CAD drawings. Then, a flexible image registration method based on the surrounding-control-center B-splines (SCCB) strategy was proposed, which could correct the flexible deformation of the image generated by FPCB substrate while keeping the pasting deviation information about silicone caps unchanged. Finally, on this basis, a nearest neighbor strategy was proposed to detect the positional deviation of silicone caps.

Findings

Experimental results show that the proposed method can effectively detect the positional deviation defect of silicone caps. The G-mean value of the proposed method is 0.941746, which is 0.3 higher compared to that of similar research.

Originality/value

This paper presents a method to detect positional deviation defect of silicone caps on keyboard FPCB. Different from the classic B-spline image registration method, the proposed SCCB method used the neighborhood information of the pixel to be registered selectively to calculate the displacement vector needed for its registration, which overcame the problem that the silicone cap pasting deviation information disappears with the correction of the flexible deformation of the image.
An ultra-thin, dual band, Sub 6 GHz, 5G and WLAN antenna for next generation laptop computers
Authors: Kulkarni Jayshri Sharad
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this manuscript is to present a novel, compact and ultra-thin “3”-shaped monopole antenna for wireless operations in the laptop computer. The thickness of the antenna is only 0.2 mm and is designed using only a pure copper strip of size 17.5 × 6 mm2.

Design/methodology/approach

The simple structure of the proposed antenna consists of two monopole radiating strips, namely, AC and CD and an open-ended rectangular tuning stub BE of length 9mm.

Findings

This structure inspires two resonating modes at 3.45 and 5.5 GHz and achieves the measured impedance band width as 20% (3.21-3.91) GHz in lower band (F_l) and 15% (5.05-5.85) GHz in the upper band (F_u) for voltage standing wave ratio < 2. These two bands cover 5GHz wireless local area network (WLAN) and 3.3-3.6GHz (sub 6GHz) 5G bands. The measured radiation performance including, nearly omnidirectional radiation patterns, a stable gain of around 5 dBi and excellent efficiency around 90% in both operating bands have been achieved. Furthermore, a simplified equivalent circuit model has been derived and its simulation is performed. The simulated and measured results are in good agreement, which demonstrates the applicability of the antenna structure for WiMAX/WLAN operations in the prominent ultra-thin laptop computers.

Originality/value

The proposed antenna is designed without using any reactive elements, vias or matching circuits for excitation of WLAN and 5G bands in the laptop computers. The design also does not require any additional ground for mounting the antenna. The proposed antenna has a very low profile, is ultra-thin, cost-effective, easy to manufacture and can be easily embedded inside next generation laptop computers.
Effects of green human resource management and managerial environmental concern on green innovation
Authors: Song Wenhao , Yu Hongyan , Xu Hui
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Green human resource management (GHRM) is critical to enhancing the ability of the companies' green innovation, but this link is rarely explored or empirically tested in the literature. Drawing upon human capital theory, the study examines a conceptual model that incorporates the effects of green human capital and management environment concern.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 143 firms in China, and the regression analysis and bootstrapping test were used to assess the hypothesis.

Findings

Our findings indicate that GHRM can positively influence green innovation, and green human capital mediated the link between GHRM and green innovation. In addition, management environment concern moderates the effect of GHRM on green human capital. The results further explore that the indirect effect of GHRM on green innovation through green human capital is significant for the firms with a high management environment concern, but not for this relationship with a low management environment concern.

Originality/value

The findings further extend the scope of GHRM research, and theoretical and practical implications of GHRM are presented to enhance environment sustainability.
Conjunctionitis: a call for clarity in construct definitions
Authors: Voss Kevin E. , Zablah Alex R. , Huang Yu-Shan (Sandy) , Chakraborty Goutam
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This study aims to determine the extent to which the use of coordinating conjunctions enhances or impairs definitional clarity.

Design/methodology/approach

In two studies, a sample of 736 construct definitions from the Journal of Marketing, Journal of Marketing Research and Journal of Consumer Research over a 30-year period was judged for ambiguity and vagueness by both academic and lay judges.

Findings

The authors demonstrate that constructing definitions using both “and” and “or” increases the ambiguity and vagueness of the construct’s meaning. The most frequently used conjunction is “and” which appeared in 42 per cent of the definitions. A significant percentage (26 per cent) contain the conjunction “or.”

Research limitations/implications

A framework for understanding alternative interpretations of “and” or “or” is developed. Five recommendations are proposed for evaluating the use of “and” and “or” in construct definitions. Theorists in all academic fields should not use both “and” and “or” in the same construct definition.

Practical implications

A five-step process is proposed for evaluating the use of “and” and “or” in construct definitions. Theorists should not use both “and” and “or” in the same construct definition.

Originality/value

This is the first exploration of how specific wording patterns used in construct definitions in academic research affect the clarity of the definition.
Tracing the evolution of AI: conceptualization of artificial intelligence in mass media discourse
Authors: Zhai Yujia , Yan Jiaqi , Zhang Hezhao , Lu Wei
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This study/paper aims to understand the public perceptions of AI through mass media discourse. In the past few years, significant progress has been made in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). The benefits of AI are obvious, but there is still huge uncertainty and controversy over the public perception of AI. How does the mass media conceptualize AI?

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the authors analyze the evolution of AI covered by five major news media outlets in the past 30 years from 7 dimensions: scientific subject, keyword, country, institution, people, topic and opinion polarity.

Findings

First of all, different subjects are competing for and dividing up the right to speak of AI, leading to the gradual fragmentation of the concept of AI. Second, reporting on AI often includes reference to commercial institutions and scientists, showing a successful integration of science and business. Moreover, the result of topic modeling shows that news media mainly defines AI from three perspectives: an imagination, a commercial product and a field of scientific research. Finally, negative reports have focused on various issues relating to AI ethics.

Originality/value

The results can help bridge various conversations surrounding AI and promote richer discussions, increase the participation of scientists, businesses, governments and the public and provide more perspectives on the functions, prospects and pitfalls of AI.
Can trade agreements among small countries create trade?
Authors: Freckleton Marie , Whitely Patrice
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of a regional trade agreement among a group of small island developing states on trade creation and trade diversion.

Design/methodology/approach

An augmented gravity model and panel data are used to estimate the trade creation and trade diversion effects. The generalized method of moments technique is used to account for possible endogeneity. Country pair and time fixed effects are also included.

Findings

The regional trade agreement had a positive effect on intra-regional trade creation, but there was no significant diversion of imports from extra-regional trade partners.

Practical implications

Small developing economies can benefit from regional trade agreements (RTAs) among themselves. The trade diversion effects of such agreements are likely to be limited.

Originality/value

To the best of authors’ knowledge, this is the only paper which investigates the impact of RTAs among small island developing states.
The effects of ethical leadership on work engagement, intrapreneurship, and service innovation behavior: sample of chambers of commerce and industry
Authors: Özsungur Fahri
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The main purpose of this study is to reveal the effects of ethical leadership on work engagement, intrapreneurship and service innovation behavior with a qualitative method based on social exchange theory. Thus, it is possible to obtain knowledge on the cultural structure of the chambers of commerce and industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample of the study consisted of 568 employees in chambers of commerce and industry affiliated to the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey operating in Turkey. A phenomenological research method was adopted in this research. Four open-ended questions were asked to the participants. A coding process (conceptualization, classification, component analysis) was used in data analysis.

Findings

According to the qualitative analysis results, findings showed the association between ethical leadership, work engagement, intrapreneurship and service innovation behavior. The common theme proposed by the participants was management, ethical leadership and human resources. The study reveals the importance of ethical leadership in chambers of commerce and industry.

Originality/value

This is the first study that reveals the effects of ethical leadership on work engagement, intrapreneurship and service innovation behavior of the chambers of commerce and industry. Theoretical background, discussion, managerial implications, limitations and recommendations for future studies are discussed.
Synthesis and characterization of 7075 Al alloy–SiC composites
Authors: Bhushan Rajesh Kumar
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Mechanical properties are highly sensitive to the microstructure, and these are indirectly related to solidification parameters and processing conditions. AA7075 possesses lightweight and excellent properties as structural material which can be optimized with SiCp addition and a good fabrication technique.

Design/methodology/approach

7000 series aluminium alloys exhibit the highest mechanical properties. They are used for high-strength structural applications such as aircraft parts and sporting goods. The desirable properties of these alloys are: low density, high stiffness, specific strength, good wear resistance and creep resistance. The focus of this work is to investigate the microstructure of composites formed by the dispersion of silicon carbide particles (SiC) into AA7075 by stir casting processes. 7075 Al alloy is reinforced with 10 and 15 wt.% SiCp of size 10–20 µm by stir casting process. The composites have been characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy, differential thermal analysis and electron probe microscopic analysis.

Findings

SiCp distribution and interaction with AA7075 matrix have been studied. AA7075/10 wt.%/SiCp (10–20 µm) and AA7075/15 wt.%/SiCp (10–20 µm) composites microstructure showed excellent SiCp distribution into AA7075 matrix. In addition, no evidence of secondary chemical reactions has been observed in X-ray diffraction and electron probe microscopic analysis.

Originality/value

Little experimental work has been reported so far about effect of addition of 10 and 15 wt.% SiCp of size (10–20 µm) on the microstructure of 7075 Al alloy fabricated by stir casting process. The present investigation has been carried out to study the microstructure and carry out XRD, DTA and EPMA analysis of 7075 Al alloy, 10 and 15 wt.% SiCp of size (10–20 µm) composite and detect the interfacial reactions with the objective to minimize the formation of Al4C3.
New B2B product pricing
Authors: Indounas Kostis
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the characteristics that lead to the adoption of the three new business-to-business (B2B) product pricing strategies, namely, skimming pricing (i.e. a high initial price), penetration pricing (i.e. a low initial price) and pricing similar to competitive prices.

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve the study’s research objectives, data were collected through a mail survey from 116 B2B firms, operating in four different sectors.

Findings

The adoption of skimming pricing and penetration pricing is triggered by company-related factors that are associated with the company’s corporate and marketing strategy and the product characteristics, while the adoption of pricing similar to competitive prices is influenced by market-related factors that are associated with customers’ and competitors’ characteristics.

Practical implications

The above findings indicate that the managers responsible for setting prices for new B2B products should follow a “situation-specific approach” and be guided by the unique characteristics of their internal and external environment.

Originality/value

Its contribution lies on the fact that, building upon quests within the existing literature, it constitutes one of the first attempts to examine empirically the aforementioned issue.
Performance management practices in humanitarian organisations
Authors: Abidi Hella , de Leeuw Sander , Dullaert Wout
Published: April 2020

Purpose

We examine how design and implementation practices for supply chain performance management that have proven successful in commercial organisations apply to humanitarian organisations (HOs) to guide the process of designing and implementing performance management in humanitarian organisations.

Design/methodology/approach

We identify from the literature ten successful practices regarding the design and implementation of supply chain performance management in commercial businesses. We apply these, using action research over a four-year period, at Médecins sans Frontières (MSF) Belgium and draw conclusions from this.

Findings

We find that tools and techniques, such as workshops and technical sheets, are essential in designing and implementing supply chain performance measurement projects at HOs. Furthermore, making a link to an IT project is crucial when implementing performance measurement systems at HOs. Overall, our case study shows that performance management practices used in business can be applied and are relevant for humanitarian supply chains.

Originality/value

Previous research has argued that there are few empirical studies in the domain of performance management at humanitarian organisations. To the best of our knowledge, this paper is the first to provide a longitudinal understanding of the design and implementation of supply chain performance measurement at HOs.
Hosting Inspec on Engineering Village or Web of Science
Authors: McAllister III James Thomas , Diaz Nancy Stephanie
Published: April 2020

Purpose

As library budgets continue to constrict, librarians will need to become more familiar with comparing database host platforms. This paper aims to compare Inspec on Elsevier’s Engineering Village (EV) and Clarivate’s Web of Science (WOS) from a novice user experience. The main objectives are to identify some R1 institutions that subscribe to Inspec and highlight some of the key differences between the two platforms.

Design/methodology/approach

Information on Inspec was gathered from various sources such as the home website, IET, and the host platform websites of Elsevier and Clarivate Analytics. Additional evidence was also collected from brochures and guides to help illustrate some of the main features and differences that novice users would be familiar with.

Findings

Most institutions subscribe to Inspec via the EV platform. Results from the study conclude that EV was the choice over WOS for hosting Inspec owing to a more user-friendly interface, potential lower cost and faster platform updates in response to meeting user needs.

Research limitations/implications

As database platforms change over time, feature areas such as content, interface and features remain important for information professionals and librarians to stay current with those changes. Also, this work can help librarians with understanding the planning and developing of a process for comparing identical or similar databases on different platforms.

Originality/value

Much of the literature focuses on the unfamiliar details and not so much on the novice user. This paper provides a unique perspective in how a novice user would prefer the attributes of one host platform over the other. Additionally, the same review criteria can be applied in other subjects and disciplines.
Differences in fetal fractional limb volume changes in normal and gestational diabetic pregnancies: an exploratory observational study
Authors: Akiba Y , Ikenoue S , Endo T , Kasuga Y , Ochiai D , Miyakoshi K , Ishii R , Yakubo K , Tanaka M
Published: April 2020

Objective

Fetal fractional limb volume has been proposed as a useful measure for quantifying fetal soft tissue development. The aim of this study was to investigate the growth of fractional arm volume (AVol) and fractional thigh volume (TVol) of fetuses with maternal gestational diabetes (GDM) compared with those of fetuses with normal glucose tolerance (NGT). We hypothesised fetal fractional limb volume would be larger in the GDM group than in the NGT group in late gestation.

Design

Exploratory observational study.

Setting

Saitama Municipal Hospital.

Sample

A total of 165 (125 NGT and 40 GDM) singleton Japanese pregnant women.

Methods

AVol and TVol were assessed between 20 and 37 weeks’ gestation as cylindrical limb volumes based on 50% of the fetal humeral or femoral diaphysis length. Women were diagnosed as GDM based on the criteria of the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Main outcome measures

AVol and TVol were compared between women with NGT and those with GDM at each gestational age period (2‐week intervals from 20 to 37 weeks’ gestation).

Results

Overall, 287 ultrasound scans were performed (NGT group, 205 scans; GDM group, 82 scans). There was no significant difference of AVol between the groups before 32 weeks’ gestation. AVol was significantly larger in the GDM group than in the NGT group after 32 weeks’ gestation (P < 0.05). TVol was not statistically different between the groups across gestation.

Conclusions

Detection of variations in fetal AVol may provide greater insight into understanding the origins of altered fetal body proportion in GDM.

Tweetable abstract

AVol, but not TVol, is significantly larger in fetuses with GDM than in those with NGT after 32 weeks’ gestation.
Influence of food availability, plant productivity, and indigenous forest use on ranging behavior of the endangered samango monkey (Cercopithecus albogularis schwarzi), in the Soutpansberg Mountains, South Africa
Authors: PARKER Edwin J. , HILL Russell A. , ALLAN Andrew T. L. , HOWLETT Caroline , KOYAMA Nicola F.
Published: April 2020

Understanding the determinants of ranging patterns in species susceptible to habitat fragmentation is fundamental for assessing their long‐term adaptability to an increasingly human‐dominated landscape. The aim of this study was to determine and compare the influence of ground‐based food availability, remotely sensed plant productivity, and indigenous forest use on the ranging patterns of the endangered samango monkey (Cercopithecus albogularis schwarzi). We collected monthly ranging data on two habituated samango monkey groups, from February 2012 to December 2016, from our field site in the Soutpansberg Mountains, South Africa. We used linear mixed models to explore how food availability, plant productivity, and indigenous forest use influenced monthly ranging patterns, while controlling for group size, number of sample days and day length. We found that as more areas of high plant productivity (derived from remotely sensed EVI) were incorporated into the ranging area, both total and core monthly ranging areas decreased. In addition, both total ranging area and mean monthly daily path length decreased as more indigenous forest was incorporated into the ranging area. However, we found no effect of either ground‐based food availability or remotely sensed plant productivity on ranging patterns. Our findings demonstrate the behavioral flexibility in samango monkey ranging, as samangos can utilize matrix habitat during periods of low productivity but are ultimately dependent on access to indigenous forest patches. In addition, we highlight the potential of using remotely sensed areas of high plant productivity to predict ranging patterns in a small ranging, forest‐dwelling guenon, over ground‐based estimates of food availability.
Editorial. Launching Global Policy: Next Generation
Authors: Nag Eva‐Maria
Published: April 2020

Next Generation is the most important output to have emerged out of Global Policy North, a loose network of academics and researchers based in the north of England, with a hub at Durham University's Global Policy Institute.
Homelessness in the Russian Federation: Regional and Local Context
Authors: Korostyshevskaya Elena , Gamidullaeva Leyla
Published: April 2020

The problem of homelessness in the Russian Federation has deep roots in history. Throughout much of the past century, it was a result of displacement of children during revolution, civil war, and wars with foreign powers. Even now, many of the economic problems that cause homelessness in Russia result from sanctions imposed by foreign governments. This article explains the roles of the state and charities in ameliorating the contemporary situation of people without housing. One of the most important programs of one charity involves providing some form of paid work to everyone in the shelters, so that residents can feel a sense of self‐worth often lacking in purely charitable ventures. In the long run, no specialized programs that target the homeless can make a dent in the problem unless the state, civil society, and housing developers work together to produce more decent housing in cities and create more jobs in rural areas that are currently facing depopulation. The recent introduction of escrow accounts to reduce fraud in housing finance is already making a difference in promoting increased housing construction.
The Pediatric Inventory for Parents: Development of a short‐form in fathers of children with type 1 diabetes (T1D)
Authors: Larson Madeline R. , Latendresse Shawn J. , Teasdale Ashley , Limbers Christine A.
Published: April 2020

Background

The Pediatric Inventory for Parents (PIP) is a 42‐item measure of paediatric parenting stress that results in 84 responses. Although this measure has been extensively validated, the number of items in the instrument may hinder clinical applicability.

Methods

The current study reports on the development of a short‐form of the PIP using data from 344 fathers of children with type 1 diabetes. Recommendations for short‐form development as well as item response theory (IRT) were used to construct a 13‐item PIP Short‐Form that results in 26 responses.

Results

The retained items were chosen to reflect the content domains of the original form of the PIP and demonstrated acceptable item fit under the partial credit model (PCM; Infit and Outfit indices closest to one and items with thresholds across the span of the latent trait).

Conclusions

The PIP Short‐Form may allow health care professionals to more feasibly assess paediatric parenting stress among parents of children with chronic health conditions. Future studies are needed to validate this new short‐form.
Impaired glucose control is associated with multiple cardiovascular impairments
Authors: Lind Lars
Published: April 2020

Background

Impairments in several markers of the cardiovascular system have been described in impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and diabetes, but the relative importance of those is not known. We aimed to investigate which cardiovascular markers were most closely linked to an impaired glucose control.

Method

In a population‐based study of individuals all aged 50 years, the Prospective study of Obesity, Energy and Metabolism (POEM), 502 subjects were thoroughly investigated regarding endothelial function, arterial compliance, heart rate variability, arterial blood flow and atherosclerosis, performance at an exercise test with gas exchange (VO2 and VCO2), left ventricular structure and function, lung function and multiple measurements of blood pressure. Based on an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), the participants were grouped into normal, IGT and diabetes.

Results

Of all haemodynamic and structural variables analysed, an impaired glucose control was most closely related to resting heart rate (based on chi‐square value at ANOVA). Heart rate was followed by maximal workload, VO2 recovery 5 min following exercise, reflectance index at pulse wave analysis, manual systolic blood pressure, ambulatory pulse and pulse pressure, echogenicity of carotid intima‐media complex at ultrasound, and pulse wave velocity (p < .0005 for all variables). All of these variables still showed p < .05 versus an impaired glucose control following adjustment for BMI.

Conclusion

Of multiple measured cardiovascular markers, resting heart rate was most closely related to an impaired glucose control. Also exercise capacity and the recovery in VO2 following exercise were amongst the top‐ranked cardiovascular impairments linked to an impaired glucose control.
Increased p300/CBP expression in acute respiratory distress syndrome is associated with interleukin‐17 and prognosis
Authors: Chen Yan , Huang Bin , Zhao Yan , Qi Di , Wang Daoxin
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Transcription co‐activator p300/CBP, a histone acetyltransferase, has a central role in tumours, inflammation and neurodegenerative diseases. We investigated the effect of p300/CBP and its association with various IL‐17‐related indicators and prognosis in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

Materials and Methods

We enrolled 45 adult ARDS patients who were followed for 28 days and 22 healthy controls. The mRNA expression of p300, CBP, RORγt and Foxp3 and the plasma levels of several cytokines were measured.

Result

The mRNA levels of p300, CBP and RORγt, and plasma concentration of IL‐17, IL‐6, were higher in acute ARDS patients (P < 0.05) compared with controls, and the mean levels of p300, CBP and IL‐6 in non‐survivors were higher than in survivors (P < 0.05). The expression of p300 was associated with the level of RORγt, IL‐17 and disease prognosis.

Conclusion

The levels of p300, RORγt mRNA and plasma concentration of IL‐6 and IL‐17 in acute ARDS patients were increased compared with controls. Increased p300/CBP expression may be an independent risk factor for 28‐day mortality in ARDS.
Associations between acute glucose control and peripheral nerve structure and function in type 1 diabetes
Authors: Issar T. , Tummanapalli S. S. , Kwai N. C. G. , Chiang J. C. B. , Arnold R. , Poynten A. M. , Markoulli M. , Krishnan A. V.
Published: April 2020

Aim

To examine the associations between continuous overlapping net glycaemic action (CONGA), percentage time in hyperglycaemia (%HG) or normoglycaemia (%NG) and peripheral nerve structure and function in type 1 diabetes.

Methods

Twenty‐seven participants with type 1 diabetes underwent continuous glucose monitoring followed by corneal confocal microscopy and nerve excitability assessments. CONGA, %HG (> 10.0 mmol/l) and %NG (3.9–10.0 mmol/l) were correlated against corneal nerve fibre length and density in the central cornea and inferior whorl region, corneal microneuromas, and a nerve excitability score while controlling for age, sex, diabetes duration and HbA1c.

Results

An increase in CONGA [median 2.5 (2.0–3.1) mmol/l] or %HG (mean 46 ± 18%) was associated with a worse nerve excitability score (r = –0.433, P = 0.036 and r = –0.670, P = 0.0012, respectively). By contrast, greater %NG (51 ± 17%) correlated with better nerve excitability scores (r = 0.672, P = 0.0011). Logistic regression revealed that increasing %HG increased the likelihood of abnormal nerve function [odds ratio (OR) 1.11, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01–1.23; P = 0.037). An increase in CONGA and %HG were associated with worsening nerve conduction measures, whereas longer %NG correlated with improved nerve conduction variables. CONGA and %HG were associated with inferior whorl corneal nerve fibre length (r = 0.483, P = 0.034 and r = 0.591, P = 0.021, respectively) and number of microneuromas (r = 0.433, P = 0.047 and r = 0.516, P = 0.020, respectively).

Conclusions

Short‐term measures of glucose control are associated with impaired nerve function and alterations in corneal nerve morphology.
WHO (ELSE) BENEFITS FROM ELECTRICITY DEREGULATION? COAL PRICES, NATURAL GAS, AND PRICE DISCRIMINATION
Authors: Hughes Jonathan E. , Lange Ian
Published: April 2020

Deregulation of major industries over the past 40 years has produced large efficiency gains. However, distributional effects have been more difficult to assess. In the electricity sector, deregulation has vastly increased information available to market participants through the formation of wholesale markets. We test whether upstream suppliers, specifically railroads that transport coal from mines to power plants, use this information to capture economic rents that would otherwise accrue to electricity generators. We find railroads charge higher markups when rents are larger. This effect is larger for deregulated plants, highlighting an important distributional impact of deregulation. (JEL L11, L51, Q48)
Building a cognizant honeypot for detecting active fingerprinting attacks using dynamic fuzzy rule interpolation
Authors: Naik Nitin , Shang Changjing , Jenkins Paul , Shen Qiang
Published: April 2020

Dynamic fuzzy rule interpolation (D‐FRI) technique delivers a dynamic rule base through the utilisation of fuzzy rule interpolation to infer more accurate results for a given application problem. D‐FRI offered dynamic rule base is very useful in security areas where network conditions are always volatile and require the most updated rule base. A honeypot is a vital part of any security infrastructure for directly investigating attacks and attackers in real‐time to strengthen the overall security of the network. However, a honeypot as a concealed system can only function successfully while its identity is not revealed to any attackers. Attackers always attempt to uncover such honeypots for avoiding any trap and strengthening their attacks. Active fingerprinting attack is used to detect these honeypots by injecting purposefully designed traffic to a network. Such an attack can be prevented by controlling the traffic but this will make honeypot unusable system if its interaction with the outside world is limited. Alternatively, it is practically more useful if this fingerprinting attack is detected in real‐time to manage its immediate consequences and preventing the honeypot. This article offers an approach to building a cognizant honeypot for detecting active fingerprinting attacks through the utilisation of the established D‐FRI technique. It is based on the use of just a sparse rule base while remaining capable of detecting active fingerprinting attacks when the system does not find any matching rules. Also, it learns from current network conditions and offers a dynamic rule base to facilitate more accurate and efficient detection.