bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A connectome-based neuromarker of the non-verbal number acuity and arithmetic skills
Authors: Zhang Dai , Zhou Liqin , Yang Anmin , Li Shanshan , Chang Chunqi , Zhou Ke , Liu Jia
Published: July 2021

The approximate number system (ANS) is vital for survival and reproduction in animals and crucial in constructing abstract mathematical abilities in humans. Most previous neuroimaging studies focused on identifying discrete brain regions responsible for the ANS and characterizing their functions in numerosity perception. However, there lacks a neuromarker to characterize an individual’s ANS acuity, especially one based on the whole-brain functional connectivity (FC). Here, we identified a distributed brain network (i.e., numerosity network) using a connectome-based predictive modeling (CPM) analysis on the resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) data based on a large sample size. The summed strength of all FCs within the numerosity network could reliably predict individual differences of the ANS acuity in behavior. Furthermore, in an independent dataset from the Human Connectome Project (HCP), we found that the summed FC strength within the numerosity network could also predict individual differences in arithmetic skills. Our findings illustrate that the numerosity network we identified could be an applicable neuromarker of the non-verbal number acuity and might serve as the neural basis underlying the known link between the non-verbal number acuity and mathematical abilities.
The organization of the gravity-sensing system in zebrafish
Authors: Liu Zhikai , Hildebrand David G. C. , Morgan Joshua L. , Jia Yizhen , Slimmon Nicholas , Bagnall Martha W.
Published: July 2021

Motor circuits develop in sequence from those governing fast movements to those governing slow. Here we examine whether upstream sensory circuits are organized by similar principles. Using serial-section electron microscopy in larval zebrafish, we generated a complete map of the gravity-sensing (utricular) system spanning from the inner ear to the brainstem. We find that both sensory tuning and developmental sequence are organizing principles of vestibular topography. Patterned rostrocaudal innervation from hair cells to afferents creates an anatomically inferred directional tuning map in the utricular ganglion, forming segregated pathways for rostral and caudal tilt. Furthermore, the mediolateral axis of the ganglion is linked to both developmental sequence and neuronal temporal dynamics. Early-born pathways carrying phasic information preferentially excite fast escape circuits, whereas later-born pathways carrying tonic signals excite slower postural and oculomotor circuits. These results demonstrate that vestibular circuits are organized by tuning direction and dynamics, aligning them with downstream motor circuits and behaviors.
Tracking neural markers of template formation and implementation in attentional inhibition under different distractor consistency
Authors: Wen Wen , Huang Zhibang , Hou Yin , Li Sheng
Published: July 2021

Performing visual search tasks requires optimal attention deployment to promote targets and inhibit distractors. Rejection templates based on the distractor’s feature can be built to constrain the search process. We measured electroencephalography (EEG) of human participants of both sexes when they performed a visual search task in conditions where the distractor cues were constant within a block (fixed-cueing) or changed on a trial-by-trial basis (varied-cueing). In the fixed-cueing condition, sustained decoding of the cued colors could be achieved during the retention interval and the participants with higher decoding accuracy showed larger suppression benefit of the distractor cueing in the search period. In the varied-cueing condition, the cued color could only be transiently decoded after its onset and the higher decoding accuracy was observed from the participants who demonstrated lower suppression benefit. The differential neural representations of the to-be-ignored color in the two cueing conditions as well as their reverse associations with behavioral performance implied that rejection templates were formed in the fixed-cueing condition but not in the varied-cueing condition. Additionally, we observed stronger posterior alpha lateralization and mid-frontal theta/beta power during the retention interval of the varied-cueing condition, indicating the cognitive costs in template formation caused by the trialwise change of distractor colors. Taken together, our findings revealed the neural markers associated with the critical roles of distractor consistency in linking template formation to successful inhibition.
Directional Gaussian Mixture Models of the gut microbiome elucidate microbial spatial structure
Authors: Pasarkar Amey P. , Joseph Tyler A. , Pe’er Itsik
Published: July 2021

The gut microbiome is spatially heterogeneous, with environmental niches contributing to the distribution and composition of microbial populations. A recently developed mapping technology, MaPS-seq, aims to characterize the spatial organization of the gut microbiome by providing data about local microbial populations. However, information about the global arrangement of these populations is lost by MaPS-seq. To address this, we propose a class of Gaussian Mixture Models (GMM) with spatial dependencies between mixture components in order to computationally recover the relative spatial arrangement of microbial communities. We demonstrate on synthetic data that our spatial models can identify global spatial dynamics, accurately cluster data, and improve parameter inference over a naive GMM. We applied our model to three MaPS-Seq datasets taken from varying regions of the mouse intestine. On cecal and distal colon datasets, we find our model accurately recapitulates known spatial behaviors of the gut microbiome, including compositional differences between mucus and lumen-associated populations. Our model also seem to capture the role of a pH gradient on microbial populations in the mouse ileum and proposes new behaviors as well.

Importance

The spatial arrangement of the microbes in the gut microbiome is a defining characteristic of its behavior. Various experimental studies have attempted to provide glimpses into the mechanisms that contribute to microbial arrangements. However, many of these descriptions are qualitative. We developed a computational method that takes microbial spatial data and learns many of the experimentally validated spatial factors. We can then use our model to propose previously unknown spatial behaviors. Our results demonstrate that the gut microbiome, while exceptionally large, has predictable spatial patterns that can be used to help us understand its role in health and disease.

Code availability

github.com/amepas/Spatial_Mbiome
Speech and language impairments in behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia: A systematic review
Authors: Geraudie Amandine , Battista Petronilla , García Adolfo M. , Allen Isabel E. , Miller Zachary A. , Gorno-Tempini Maria Luisa , Montembeault Maxime
Published: July 2021

Although behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) is classically defined by behavioral and socio-emotional changes, impairments often extend to other cognitive functions. These include early speech and language deficits related to the disease’s core neural disruptions. Yet, their scope and clinical relevance remains poorly understood. This systematic review characterizes such disturbances in bvFTD, considering clinically, neuroanatomically, genetically, and neuropathologically defined subgroups. We included 181 experimental studies, with at least 5 bvFTD patients diagnosed using accepted criteria, comparing speech and language outcomes between bvFTD patients and healthy controls or between bvFTD subgroups. Results reveal extensive and heterogeneous deficits across cohorts, with (a) consistent lexico-semantic, orthographic, and prosodic impairments; (b) inconsistent deficits in motor speech and grammar; and (c) relative preservation of phonological skills. Also, preliminary findings suggest that the severity of speech and language deficits might be associated with global cognitive impairment, predominantly temporal or fronto-temporal atrophy andMAPTmutations (vsC9orf72). Although under-recognized, these impairments contribute to patient characterization and phenotyping, while potentially informing diagnosis and prognosis.
High-resolution estimates of crossover and noncrossover recombination from a captive baboon colony
Authors: Wall Jeffrey D. , Robinson Jacqueline A. , Cox Laura A.
Published: July 2021

Homologous recombination has been extensively studied in humans and a handful of model organisms. Much less is known about recombination in other species, including non-human primates. Here we present a study of crossovers and non-crossover (NCO) recombination in olive baboons (Papio anubis) from two pedigrees containing a total of 20 paternal and 17 maternal meioses, and compare these results to linkage-disequlibrium (LD) based recombination estimates from 36 unrelated olive baboons. We demonstrate how crossovers, combined with LD-based recombination estimates, can be used to identify genome assembly errors. We also quantify sex-specific differences in recombination rates, including elevated male crossover and reduced female crossover rates near telomeres. Finally, we add to the increasing body of evidence suggesting that while most NCO recombination tracts in mammals are short (e.g., < 500 bp), there are a non-negligible fraction of longer (e.g., > 1 Kb) NCO tracts. We fit a mixture-of-two-geometric distributions model to the NCO tract length distribution and estimate that >99% of all NCO tracts are very short (mean 24 bp), but the remaining tracts can be quite long (mean 11 Kb). A single geometric distribution model for NCO tract lengths is incompatible with the data, suggesting that LD-based methods for estimating NCO recombination rates that make this assumption may need to be modified.

Significance

Most homologous recombination events are noncrossovers (NCO), but little is known about NCO conversion tract lengths. Here we utilize whole-genome sequence data from large baboon pedigrees to estimate the NCO tract length distribution and to study other aspects of recombination.
Structure of ATP synthase from ESKAPE pathogen Acinetobacter baumannii
Authors: Demmer Julius K , Phillips Ben P , Uhrig O Lisa , Filloux Alain , Allsopp Luke P , Bublitz Maike , Meier Thomas
Published: July 2021

Acinetobacter baumannii is a clinically relevant pathogen which causes multi-drug resistant, hospital-acquired infections and is a top priority target for antibiotic development. Cryo-EM structures of the A. baumannii F1Fo-ATP synthase in three conformational states reveal unique features, which represent attractive sites for the development of novel therapeutics.

One sentence summary

Structure of Acinetobacter baumannii ATP synthase
Molecular spikes: a gold standard for single-cell RNA counting
Authors: Ziegenhain Christoph , Hendriks Gert-Jan , Hagemann-Jensen Michael , Sandberg Rickard
Published: July 2021

Molecule counting is central to single-cell sequencing, yet no experimental strategy to evaluate counting performance exists. Here, we introduce molecular spikes, novel RNA spike-ins containing inbuilt unique molecular identifiers that we use to identify critical experimental and computational conditions for accurate RNA counting across single-cell RNA-sequencing methods. The molecular spikes are a new gold standard that can be widely used to validate RNA counting in single cells.
Consistent differences among individuals more influential than energetic trade-offs in life history variation in grey seals (Halichoerus grypus)
Authors: Badger Janelle J. , Bowen W. Don , den Heyer Cornelia E. , Breed Greg A.
Published: July 2021

Life history variation is thought to be mainly a result of energetic trade-offs among fitness components; however, detecting these trade-offs in natural populations has yielded mixed results. Individual quality and environmental variation may mask expected relationships among fitness components because some higher quality individuals may be able to acquire more resources and invest more in all functions. Thus, life history variation may be more affected by variation in individual quality than varying strategies to resolve energetic trade-offs, e.g. costs of reproduction. Here, we investigated whether variation in female quality or costs of reproduction is a larger factor in shaping differences in life history trajectories by assessing the relationship between survival and individual reproductive performance using a 32-year longitudinal data set of repeated reproductive measurements from 273 individually marked, known-aged female grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) from the Sable Island breeding colony. We defined individual reproductive performance using two traits: reproductive frequency (a female’s probability of breeding) and provisioning performance (provisions given to young measured by offspring mass), computed using mixed effects models separately for (1) all reproductive events, and (2) an age-class specific reproductive investment. Individual differences contributed a large portion of the variance in reproductive traits, with individuals displaying a range in individual reproductive frequencies from 0.45 to 0.94, and a range of average pup weaning masses from 34.9 kg to 61.8 kg across their lifetime. We used a Cormack-Jolly-Seber open-population model to estimate the effect of these reproductive performance traits on adult survival probability. Our approach estimated a positive relationship between reproductive performance and survival, where individuals that consistently invest well in their offspring survive longer. The best supported model estimated survival as a function of age-class specific provisioning performance, where late-life performance was quite variable and had the greatest impact on survival, possibly indicating individual variation in senescence. There was no evidence to support a trade-off in reproductive performance and survival at the individual level. These results suggest that in grey seals, individual quality is a stronger driver in life history variation than varying strategies to mitigate trade-offs among fitness components.
Reproductive success is influenced by early development: the covariation of natal body size and reproductive performance in grey seals (Halichoerus grypus)
Authors: Badger Janelle , Bowen W. Don , den Heyer Nell , Breed Greg A.
Published: July 2021

An individual's size when young may be an important source individual variation in lifetime reproductive performance, as size effects on ontogenetic development can have cascading physiological and behavioral consequences throughout life. Here, we explored how natal size influences subsequent reproductive performance in grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) using mark-recapture and repeated measures reproductive data on a marked sample of 363 females that were measured at roughly 4 weeks of age and recruited to the Sable Island breeding colony. Two reproductive traits were considered: provisioning performance (mass of weaned offspring), modeled using linear mixed effects models; and reproductive frequency (the rate at which a female returns to breed), modeled using mixed-effects multistate mark-recapture models. After accounting for female age, experience, and offspring sex, we found a positive association between natal length and our measures of reproductive performance. Mothers with the longest natal lengths produced pups nearly 8 kg heavier and were 20% more likely to breed in a given year than mothers with the shortest natal lengths. Because correlation in individual body length between natal and adult life stages is weak, this covariation between natal length and future reproductive performance reported here is more likely to be a carry-over effect from advantages granted to growth and self-maintenance as a juvenile that allow for greater adult performance, rather than a physical trait that is maintained throughout life.
Active components of commonly prescribed medicines affect influenza A virus-host cell interaction: a pilot study
Authors: Ianevski Aleksandr , Yao Rouan , Zusinaite Eva , Lysvand Hilde , Oksenych Valentyn , Tenson Tanel , Bjørås Magnar , Kainov Denis
Published: July 2021

Background

Every year, millions of people are hospitalized, and thousands die from influenza A virus (FLUAV) infection. Most cases of hospitalizations and death occur among elderly. Many of these elderly patients are reliant on medical treatment of underlying chronic diseases, such as arthritis, diabetes, and hypertension. We hypothesized that the commonly prescribed medicines for treatment of underlying chronic diseases can affect host responses to FLUAV infection, and thus contribute to morbidity and mortality associated with influenza. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine whether commonly prescribed medicines could affect host responses to virus infection in vitro.

Methods

We first identified 45 active compounds of commonly prescribed medicines. Then we constructed a drug-target interaction network and identified potential implication of these interactions for FLUAV-host cell interplay. Finally, we tested the effect of 45 drugs on viability, transcription and metabolism of mock- and FLUAV-infected human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells.

Results

In silico drug-target interaction analysis revealed that many drugs, such as atorvastatin, candesartan, and hydroxocobalam, could target and modulate FLUAV-host cell interaction. In vitro experiments showed that these and other compounds at non-cytotoxic concentrations differently affected transcription and metabolism of mock- and FLUAV-infected cells.

Conclusion

Many commonly prescribed drugs modulate FLUAV-host cell interactions in silico and in vitro and, therefore, could affect their interplay in vivo, thus, contributing to morbidity and mortality of patients with influenza virus infections.
Adsorption of Lysozyme Into a Charged Confining Pore
Authors: Caetano Daniel L. Z. , Metzler Ralf , Cherstvy Andrey G. , de Carvalho Sidney J.
Published: July 2021

Several applications arise from the confinement of proteins on surfaces since their stability and biological activity are enhanced. It is also known that the way a protein adsorbs on the surface is important for its biological function since its active sites should not be obstructed. In this study, the adsorption properties of hen egg-white Lysozyme, HEWL, into a negatively charged silica pore is examined employing a coarse-grained model and constant–pH Monte Carlo simulations. The role of electrostatic interactions is taken into account when including the Debye-HÃijckel potentials into the Cαstructure-based model. We evaluate the effects of pH, salt concentration, and pore radius on the protein preferential orientation and spatial distribution of its residues regarding the pore surface. By mapping the residues that stay closer to the pore surface, we find the increase of pH leads to orientational changes of the adsorbed protein when the solution pH gets closer to the HEWL isoelectric point. At these conditions, the pKashift of these important residues caused by the adsorption into the charged confining surface results in a HEWL charge distribution that stabilizes the adsorption in the observed protein orientation. We compare our observations to the results of pKashift for HEWL available in the literature and to some experimental data.
Comparative transcriptomics reveals unique patterns of convergence in the evolution of eusociality
Authors: Velasque M. , Tan Y. , Liu A.W. , Luscombe N.M. , Denton J.A.
Published: July 2021

Eusociality represents a major evolutionary transition that arose independently in at least 12 insect lineages. Despite this prevalence, there remains considerable uncertainty surrounding the catalysing event and underlying genomic changes that enable such modifications. Commonly associated with this evolutionary transition is establishing and maintaining the reproductive division of labour (e.g. a reproductive queen and no-reproductive workers). This division is, at least in part, induced and maintained by highly species-specific pheromones. However, genomic analysis remains conflicted on the role of pheromones in this evolutionary transition. Specifically, if there was co-option of a common pheromone-sensitive genetic pathway present in all progenitor species or strong lineage-specific selection converging on similar transcriptomic signatures.

Using a solitary insect model, we sought to determine if various species-specific pheromones induced similar transcriptomic responses, thus activating similar pathways. We measured the transcriptomic and physiological response of a solitary insect,Drosophila melanogaster, to pheromones from bumblebees, honey bees, and termites. Each treatment induced the same strong physiological response - a decreased ovary size. However, employing several methods of transcriptomic analysis, we did not observe conservation in pheromone-mediated gene/pathway regulation.

Thus, despite a conserved phenotypic response, the underpinning transcriptome was vastly different. This suggests that pheromone-mediated eusociality is the result of convergent evolution. We propose that mechanisms maintaining eusociality (i.e. proto-pheromone) in early stages of eusocial evolution in each group, thus, acting as a primer for eusociality. This early state is then refined through strong selective pressure, resulting in a converging eusocial phenotype.

Visual Abstract

Figure 1.
Molecular architecture of the human tRNA ligase complex
Authors: Kroupova Alena , Ackle Fabian , Boneberg Franziska M. , Chui Alessia , Weitzer Stefan , Faini Marco , Leitner Alexander , Aebersold Ruedi , Martinez Javier , Jinek Martin
Published: July 2021

RtcB enzymes are RNA ligases that play essential roles in tRNA splicing, unfolded protein response, and RNA repair. In metazoa, RtcB functions as part of a five-subunit tRNA ligase complex (tRNA-LC) along with Ddx1, Cgi-99, Fam98B and Ashwin. The human tRNA-LC or its individual subunits have been implicated in additional cellular processes including microRNA maturation, viral replication, DNA double-strand break repair and mRNA transport. Here we present a biochemical analysis of the inter-subunit interactions within the human tRNA-LC along with crystal structures of the catalytic subunit RTCB and the N-terminal domain of CGI-99. We show that the core of the human tRNA-LC is assembled from RTCB and the C-terminal alpha-helical regions of DDX1, CGI-99, and FAM98B, all of which are required for complex integrity. The N-terminal domain of CGI-99 displays structural homology to calponin-homology domains, and CGI-99 and FAM98B associate via their N-terminal domains to form a stable subcomplex. The crystal structure of GMP-bound RTCB reveals divalent metal coordination geometry in the active site, providing insights into its catalytic mechanism. Collectively, these findings shed light on the molecular architecture and mechanism of the human tRNA ligase complex, and provide a structural framework for understanding its functions in cellular RNA metabolism.
Assessing and managing the impact of COVID-19: a study of six European cities participating in a circular economy project
Authors: Parisi Cristiana , Bekier Justyna
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the role of performance measurement systems as technologies of government for the assessment and management of the effects of COVID-19 in the context of six cities involved in a large European project.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the field study of a large European project, this paper relies on a comparative case study research approach (Yin, 2003). This research design allows insights into the role of central and local key performance indicators (KPIs) in managing the ongoing pandemic.

Findings

This paper explores the role of accounting in the assessment of the COVID-19 pandemic. Its findings illustrate how the “adjudicating” and “territorialising” roles (Miller and Power, 2013) of local and central accounting technologies rendered the COVID-19 pandemic calculable.

Originality/value

This paper connects central and local performance management systems in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. It relies on a governmentality approach to discuss how different programmes and the relative KPIs were impacted by the ongoing global crisis.
Direct steady-state solutions for circuit models of nonlinear electromagnetic devices
Authors: Sobczyk Tadeusz , Radzik Michał , Tulicki Jarosław
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to omit the difficulties of directly finding the periodic steady-state solutions for electromagnetic devices described by circuit models.

Design/methodology/approach

Determine the discrete integral operator of periodic functions and develop an iterative algorithm determining steady-state solutions by a multiplication of matrices only.

Findings

An alternative method to creating finite-difference relations directly determining steady-state solutions in the time domain.

Research limitations/implications

Reduction of software and hardware requirements for determining steady-states of electromagnetic.

Practical implications

A unified approach for directly finding steady-state solutions for ordinary nonlinear differential equations presented in the normal form.

Originality/value

Eliminate the necessity of solving high-order finite-difference equations for steady-state analysis of electromagnetic devices described by circuit models.
Muslim Syrian refugee women’s exploration of breast cancer preventative care in a Western Canadian prairie city
Authors: Racine Louise , Isik Andsoy Isil , Maposa Sithokozile
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to discuss the barriers to preventative breast cancer screening (BCS) among Muslim Syrian refugee women in a Western Canadian Prairie city.

Design/methodology/approach

Situated within a larger mixed-method study aimed at identifying barriers and facilitators to breast cancer (BC) preventative practices, the authors interviewed three key informants to get an in-depth understanding of the cultural, religious and social factors affecting knowledge of BC and BCS practices among Muslim Syrian refugee women.

Findings

Qualitative findings confirm quantitative results revealing that knowledge about BC and cultural and religious barriers on gender might translate into poor health outcomes for Muslim Syrian refugee women in a Western Canadian city.

Research limitations/implications

This research has limitations related to the sample size and the lack of generalizability to all refugee women. Results indicate the need to develop culturally tailored intervention programs to increase breast awareness and participation in breast-self-examination, clinical breast examination and mammography. The study has implications for health-care policy. Muslim Syrian refugee women need to be educated about BC upon arrival in Canada to counteract low participation rates, promote positive health outcomes and decrease potential costs to the health-care system.

Originality/value

Evidence on Muslim Syrian refugee women’s knowledge and beliefs on BC is sparse. This study addressed this gap by documenting a lack of knowledge and barriers to BCS among Muslim Syrian refugee women.
Patient satisfaction and loyalty to the healthcare organization
Authors: Nguyen Thi Le Ha , Nagase Keisuke
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Customer satisfaction is a tool for measuring providers’ service quality and may be evaluated based on measurement of perceived quality and customer expectations with respect to several aspects of service. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between various factors in the integrated model, including patient expectation (PE), total quality management (TQM), perceived service quality (PSQ), patient satisfaction (PS), patient complaint (PC) and patient loyalty (PL).

Design/methodology/approach

A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to inpatients who were treated in April 2018 at a tertiary-level hospital in Vietnam. The data set was analyzed using the Statistical Package of Social Sciences version 25.0 for descriptive statistics and AMOS 25.0 for structural equation modeling.

Findings

All hypotheses were supported by the results. TQM and PE positively influence PSQ; PE influences TQM; PE, PSQ and TQM influence PS; PC and PS influence PL; and PS influences PC.

Practical implications

These findings have implications for management, highlighting the importance of considering these factors in strategic planning aimed at improving customer satisfaction.

Originality/value

An integrated model was used to measure customer satisfaction and loyalty. The analyses indicate that TQM, PE and PSQ are the main factors that directly influence PS.
What women want: the effect of health agency advertising on patient-doctor communication
Authors: Morton Cynthia , Habib Sabrina , Morris Jon
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between women’s sexual health agency and their intent to initiate communications with their doctors. The research questions examined the effect sexual health agency has on patient-doctor communication, women’s emotional responses to health advertisements encouraging patient communication with their doctors, attitude toward the message and behavioral intentions after exposure to the advertising message.

Design/methodology/approach

An experimental design was implemented via an online questionnaire instrument to test the differences between younger-aged women (25 to 45 years) and mature-aged women (46 to 70 years). It was observed that 188 women who reported their status as single and sexually active in the past 12 months were exposed to a health advertisement that encouraged patient-doctor communication. Analyses were conducted to compare between-group measures on sexual health agency, emotional response and attitude toward the ad and behavioral intention.

Findings

No statistical difference existed between younger and older women. In general, women expect their doctor to lead conversations about sexual health but are positively reinforced by health messages that encourage their assertiveness as patients.

Research limitations/implications

The small sample size also may have limited the study’s potential to evaluate differences between age segments. Future research should explore this further.

Practical implications

The study provides evidence that sexual health advertising can reinforce women’s intent to initiate conversations with doctors regardless of age.

Social implications

Health communications can bolster women’s sexual health agency and improve patient-initiated conversations with doctors.

Originality/value

The study is the first to explore advertising messaging’s potential for applying health agency as a communication strategy for encouraging sexual health communications between women and their doctors.
Effects of school attendance on child labour and literacy: regression discontinuity evidence from Ghana
Authors: Opoku Kwadwo , Boahen Emmanuel Adu
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of school attendance on learning and child labour in Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses a nationally representative sample of household and individual data in 2005/06 and 2011/12 for the analysis. Regression discontinuity, the capitation grant in 2005 as exogenous, is used to estimate the impact of school attendance on child labour and learning outcomes.

Findings

The study found that children who were exposed to the capitation grant spent more hours in school and were more likely to enrol in primary school. School attendance was found to increase the likelihood to read and write a standardised test in English. Also, the improvement in children’s school attendance was found to enhance the likelihood of performing a written calculation. The authors could not find any evidence that school attendance affected child labour.

Originality/value

This research is the first causality analysis in sub-Saharan Africa that uses a nationally representative dataset to study the impact of school attendance on child labour and learning outcomes using a regression discontinuity estimator to deal with endogeneity issues.
National culture and earnings management in developed and emerging countries
Authors: Viana Jr Dante Baiardo Cavalcante , Lourenço Isabel Maria Estima Costa , Ohlson Marília , Augusto S F de Lima Gerlando
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This study investigates how the association between national culture and earnings management compares between developed and emerging countries.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical analysis relies on a sample of 6,313 firm-year observations from 11 emerging markets and 27,605 firm-year observations from 22 developed countries. The authors use ordinary least squares regression methods to test the hypotheses of the study.

Findings

Based on Hofstede's (2011) cultural dimensions, the authors find that firms from countries with a higher level of uncertainty avoidance and individualism are less likely to engage in earnings management, but the effect of uncertainty avoidance (individualism) is more (less) pronounced in the emerging countries. Moreover, the authors demonstrate that firms from emerging (developed) countries with higher levels of power distance and masculinity are less (more) likely to engage in earnings management. Finally, the authors find evidence of a trade-off between accruals-based and real earnings management in firms from countries with greater long-term orientation and an indulgence cultural dimension.

Originality/value

This paper adds to the literature by theoretically discussing and empirically analysing the role that developed and emerging countries' development plays on the effect of national culture on earnings management.
Identifying the risk factors in real estate construction projects: an analytical study to propose a control structure for decision-making
Authors: Deep Shumank , Bhoola Vanita , Verma Saumya , Ranasinghe Udara
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Construction projects in the real estate sector are important for a nation’s economic growth. However, owing to several constraints and stereotypes, the construction industry is suffering from major capital losses. A review of recent literature revealed that risks occurring in real estate construction projects (RECPs) carried out in developing economies can be divided into four categories, i.e. financial risks, design risks, execution risks and sociopolitical risks. This study aims to identify the critical factors that lead to these risk categories and develop a control structure for RECPs.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative method, i.e. a questionnaire-based survey, was used for this study. Using a random sampling technique the questionnaire was distributed to selected, highly experienced project managers. To determine whether the factors identified as part of the literature review strongly influence the categories, the factor analysis of the observations was performed.

Findings

The observations made in this study lead to the identification of six critical risk causing factors, i.e. lack of efficient planning, execution constraints, external constraints, client-induced constraints, project constraints and partner experience. The observations indicated a lack of knowledge of project management, organizational culture and a claims redressal mechanism in RECPs. Also, this study recommends a blockchain-based control structure to control the occurrence of the risk causing factors identified.

Originality/value

This study recommends a blockchain-based control structure for controlling the risks occurring.
Drama education as part of a good lives model treatment approach
Authors: Verstegen Nienke , Smid Wineke , van der Schoot Jolijn
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Forensic psychiatric treatment is aimed at reducing violence risk factors (Bonta and Andrews, 2017) and achieving positive, prosocial life goals (Willis et al., 2013). Drama education can be provided as part of this treatment, but the evidence base is scarce. Therefore, the present study aims to provide insight into experiences with drama education as part of forensic psychiatric treatment.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative study was conducted, based on participant observation and 16 interviews, to explore the experiences of patients and treatment providers with drama education during forensic psychiatric treatment. Analyses were conducted following the consensual qualitative research method (Hill et al., 1997).

Findings

The five central themes that emerged from the analysis were knowledge, happiness, excellence in play, community and staff-patient hierarchy. Participants reported that they enjoyed the drama lessons, appreciated the group atmosphere and were able to practice their social-emotional skills. Furthermore, patients and their treatment providers became better acquainted with each other because the power differences between patients and staff decreased during the drama lessons.

Practical implications

Drama education can be considered a useful part of clinical forensic psychiatric treatment, given the positive experience of participants and its perceived positive impact on treatment.

Originality/value

This was one of the first studies to examine the influence that drama education may have on forensic psychiatric treatment. Four of the five themes were in line with the good lives model (Willis et al., 2013), indicating that drama education fulfiled basic human needs or “primary goods” that are important to address in forensic psychiatric treatment, as it decreases the need to compensate these goods with criminal behaviour.
Effect of COVID-19 on acquisition of employable skills among national service personnel in Ghana
Authors: Segbenya Moses , Baafi-Frimpong Sally Abena , Oppong Nana Yaw
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This study examined the effect of COVID-19 on the acquisition of employable skills among national service personnel in Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopted the cross-sectional descriptive survey design from the positivist paradigm to collect data from a sample of 2,263 out of a population of 77,962 trainees (national service personnel) posted to the public (85.1%) and the private (14.9%) sectors for the 2019/2020 service year. Sampling techniques were simple random, stratify and snowball sampling techniques and Google form softcopy questionnaire was used for data collection.

Findings

The study found that COVID-19 had made workplaces and work schedules very risky for trainees' acquiring employable skills in Ghana because their employers/trainers' were unable to provide adequate PPEs for trainees. Preventive measures such as mandatory leaves, reduced workload/working hours and shift system had reduced the duration for acquiring employable skills which could affect employability and aggravate graduate unemployment in Ghana. The sustainability and quality of job opportunities presented by COVID-19 to graduate trainees-farming; trading and online teaching could also not be guaranteed.

Research limitations/implications

It was recommended that employers/trainers should provide adequate PPEs, introduce teleworking with the necessary tools and training for their trainees. Educational institutions should provide work-based learning methods in their curricula to enhance employable skills for national service graduates. Government's support for trainees venturing into self-employed job opportunities presented by the COVID-19 was also recommended

Practical implications

It was recommended that employers/trainers should provide adequate personal protective equipment (PPE), introduce teleworking with the necessary tools and training for their trainees. Government's support for trainees venturing into self-employed job opportunities presented by the COVID-19 was also recommended.

Originality/value

This paper has not been published anywhere.
Toward a total morality of supply chain acts
Authors: Bagus Philipp , Daumann Frank , Follert Florian
Published: July 2021

Purpose

In response to the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights from 2011, several governments are enacting laws against exploitation in global supply chains. Such a legislative proposal is problematic in several respects. The authors aim to discuss these problems from an ethical perspective to provide a theoretical basis for law-setting and management decisions.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper studies the question based on an ethical framework with a libertarian focus.

Findings

From the perspective of a property rights-based ethics such a proposal prohibits voluntary exchanges and, thereby, a fundamental human right. From a utilitarian perspective it diminishes the utility of the parties of a potential exchange, because they cannot engage an exchange that they want to make. Moreover, it does not only shift an original state task to companies, but also tries to enforce specific values which are not shared all over the world, in third countries. In addition, it creates considerable restrictions on foreign procurement markets for domestic companies, which counteract the actual objective of the law.

Research limitations/implications

The research provides managers with a moral compass regarding their supply chain decisions based on property rights ethics and utilitarian considerations. Based on that, they can weigh the arguments and make an informed decision. The paper is limited to these approaches that are often neglected in the public debate.

Practical implications

The authors’ comprehensive discussion from the perspective of libertarian ethics can be helpful for managers in their decision-making.

Social implications

Supply chain acts have important social implications for people in developing countries as well as companies and consumers in Western countries. This study offers a comprehensive discussion from the perspective of libertarian ethics and can be helpful for entrepreneurs and managers in their decision-making.

Originality/value

The paper intends to encourage researchers from different disciplines to discuss the ethics of supply chain acts and to reflect governmental plans to transform the UN Guiding Principles in national law. It provides managers with a moral compass regarding their supply chain decisions based on property rights ethics and utilitarian considerations. Based on that, they can weigh the arguments and make an informed decision.
Seasonal environmental variability drives microdiversity within a coastal Synechococcus population
Authors: Hunter‐Cevera Kristen R. , Hamilton Bryan R. , Neubert Michael G. , Sosik Heidi M.
Published: July 2021

Marine microbes often show a high degree of physiological or ecological diversity below the species level. This microdiversity raises questions about the processes that drive diversification and permit coexistence of diverse yet closely related marine microbes, especially given the theoretical efficiency of competitive exclusion. Here, we provide insight with an 8‐year time series of diversity within Synechococcus, a widespread and important marine picophytoplankter. The population of Synechococcus on the Northeast U.S. Shelf is comprised of six main types, each of which displays a distinct and consistent seasonal pattern. With compositional data analysis, we show that these patterns can be reproduced with a simple model that couples differential responses to temperature and light with the seasonal cycle of the physical environment. These observations support the hypothesis that temporal variability in environmental factors can maintain microdiversity in marine microbial populations. We also identify how seasonal diversity patterns directly determine overarching Synechococcus population abundance features.
Association between 1‐year patient outcomes and opioid‐prescribing group of emergency department clinicians: A cohort study with Army active‐duty soldiers
Authors: Bauer Mark R. , Larson Mary Jo , Moresco Natalie , Huntington Nick , Walker Regine , Richard Patrick
Published: July 2021

Objective

The objective was to examine the association between clinicians’ opioid prescribing group and patients’ outcomes among patients treated in the emergency department (ED).

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study. The setting was the EDs of the U.S. Military Health System (MHS). Patients were 181,557 Army active‐duty opioid‐naïve (no fill in past 180 days) patients with an index encounter to the ED between October 2010 and September 2016. Exposure was patients classified by opioid prescribing tier of the treating ED clinician: top, middle, or bottom third relative to the clinician's peers in the same ED. Follow‐up measurement was from 31 to 365 days after the index encounter. The primary outcome was long‐term opioid prescriptions (LTOPs) defined as 180 (or more) days’ supply within the follow‐up window. We also computed the total morphine milligram equivalents (MME) and total opioid days’ supply. Secondary measures were any repeat ED encounter, any hospitalization, any sick leave, and any military‐duty restriction.

Results

We found a 2.5‐fold variation in opioid prescribing rates among clinicians in the same MHS ED. Controlling for sample demographics, reason for encounter, and military background, in multivariate analyses the odds of receiving a 180‐day opioid supply during follow‐up were 1.19 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.01 to 1.40, p < 0.05) for the top opioid exposure group and 1.37 (95% CI = 1.19 to 1.57, p < 0.001) for the middle opioid exposure group compared to the bottom exposure group, and there were significant increases in total opioid days’ supply and total MME. There were no differences in secondary outcome measures.

Conclusion

In a relatively healthy sample of Army soldiers, variation in opioid exposure defined by clinician's prescribing history was associated with increased odds of LTOP and increase in opioid volume, but not in functional outcomes.
Clinical utility of 12‐lead electrocardiogram in evaluating heart disease in patients with muscular dystrophy: Assessment of left ventricular hypertrophy, conduction disease, and cardiomyopathy
Authors: Nikhanj Anish , Yogasundaram Haran , Kimber Shane , Siddiqi Zaeem A. , Oudit Gavin Y.
Published: July 2021

Introduction

Heart disease remains a leading cause of mortality in patients with muscular dystrophy (MD), and cardiac assessment by standard imaging modalities is challenging due to the prominence of physical limitations.

Methods

In this prospective cohort study of 169 MD patients and 34 negative control patients, we demonstrate the clinical utility of a 12‐lead electrocardiogram (ECG) as an effective modality for the assessment of cardiac status in patients with MD. We assessed the utility of conventional criteria for electrocardiogram‐indicated left ventricular hypertrophy (ECG‐LVH) as well as ECG morphologies.

Results

Cornell voltage, Cornell voltage‐duration, Sokolow–Lyon voltage, and Romhilt‐Estes point score criteria demonstrated low sensitivity and minimal positive predictive value for ECG‐LVH when compared with cardiac imaging. Patients with LBBB had a high probability of a cardiomyopathy (relative risk [RR], 2.75; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.14–3.53; p < .001), and patients with QRS fragmentation (fQRS) had a high probability of a cardiomyopathy (RR, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.20–2.59; p = .004), requiring cardiac medication and device intervention. We found that an R/S ratio >1 in V1 and V2 is highly specific (specificity, 0.89; negative predictive value [NPV], 0.89 and specificity, 0.82; NPV, 0.89, respectively) for patients with dystrophinopathies compared with other types of MD.

Conclusion

The identification of LBBB and fQRS was linked to cardiomyopathy in patients with MD, while ECG‐LVH was of limited utility. Importantly, these findings can be applied to effectively screen a broad cohort of MD patients for structural heart disease and prompt further evaluation and therapeutic intervention.