bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Metagenomics vs. total RNA sequencing: most accurate data-processing tools, microbial identification accuracy, and implications for freshwater assessments
Authors: Hempel Christopher A. , Wright Natalie , Harvie Julia , Hleap Jose S. , Adamowicz Sarah J. , Steinke Dirk
Published: June 2022

Metagenomics and total RNA sequencing (total RNA-Seq) have the potential to improve the taxonomic identification of diverse microbial communities, which could allow for the incorporation of microbes into routine freshwater assessments. However, these targeted-PCR- free techniques require more testing and optimization. In this study, we processed metagenomics and total RNA-Seq data from a commercially available microbial mock community using 768 data-processing workflows, identified the most accurate data-processing tools, and compared their microbial identification accuracy at equal and increasing sequencing depths. The accuracy of data-processing tools substantially varied among replicates. Total RNA-Seq was more accurate than metagenomics at equal sequencing depths and even at sequencing depths almost one order of magnitude lower than those of metagenomics. We show that while data-processing tools require further exploration, total RNA-Seq might be a favorable alternative to metagenomics for targeted-PCR-free taxonomic identifications of microbial communities and might enable a substantial reduction in sequencing costs while maintaining accuracy. This could be particularly an advantage for routine freshwater assessments, which require cost-effective yet accurate methods, and might allow for the incorporation of microbes into freshwater assessments.
Prediction of RNA-interacting residues in a protein using CNN and evolutionary profile
Authors: Patiyal Sumeet , Dhall Anjali , Bajaj Khushboo , Sahu Harshita , Raghava Gajendra P.S.
Published: June 2022

This paper describes a method Pprint2, which is an improved version of Pprint developed for predicting RNA-interacting residues in a protein. Training and validation datasets used in this study comprises of 545 and 161 non-redundant RNA-binding proteins, respectively. All models were trained on training dataset and evaluated on the validation dataset. The preliminary analysis reveals that positively charged amino acids such as H, R, and K, are more prominent in the RNA-interacting residues. Initially, machine learning based models have been developed using binary profile and obtain maximum area under curve (AUC) 0.68 on validation dataset. The performance of this model improved significantly from AUC 0.68 to 0.76 when evolutionary profile is used instead of binary profile. The performance of our evolutionary profile based model improved further from AUC 0.76 to 0.82, when convolutional neural network has been used for developing model. Our final model based on convolutional neural network using evolutionary information achieved AUC 0.82 with MCC of 0.49 on the validation dataset. Our best model outperform existing methods when evaluated on the validation dataset. A user-friendly standalone software and web based server named “Pprint2” has been developed for predicting RNA-interacting residues (https://webs.iiitd.edu.in/raghava/pprint2andhttps://github.com/raghavagps/pprint2)

Key Points

Machine learning based models were developed using different profiles

PSSM profile of a protein was created to extract evolutionary information

PSSM profiles of proteins were generated using PSI-BLAST

Convolutional neural network based model was developed using PSSM profile

Webserver, Python- and Perl-based standalone package, and GitHub is available

Author’s Biography

Sumeet Patiyal is currently working as Ph.D. in Computational Biology from Department of Computational Biology, Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology, New Delhi, India.

Anjali Dhall is currently working as Ph.D. in Computational Biology from Department of Computational Biology, Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology, New Delhi, India.

Khushboo Bajaj is currently working as MTech in Computer Science and Engineering from Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology, New Delhi, India.

Harshita Sahu is currently working as MTech in Computer Science and Engineering from Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology, New Delhi, India.

Gajendra P. S. Raghava is currently working as Professor and Head of Department of Computational Biology, Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology, New Delhi, India.
Identification of structural features of selected flavonoids responsible for neuroprotection using a Drosophila model of Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Maitra Urmila , Conger John , (Maggie) Owens Mary Magdalene , Ciesla Lukasz
Published: June 2022

Nature-derived bioactive compounds have emerged as promising candidates for the prevention and treatment of diverse chronic illnesses, including neurodegenerative diseases. However, the exact molecular mechanisms underlying their neuroprotective effects remain unclear. Most studies focus solely on the antioxidant activities of natural products which translate to poor outcome in clinical trials. Current therapies against neurodegeneration only provide symptomatic relief thereby underscoring the need for novel strategies to combat disease onset and progression. We have employed an environmental toxin-induced Drosophila Parkinson’s disease (PD) model as an inexpensive in vivo screening platform to explore neuroprotective potential of selected dietary flavonoids. We have identified a specific group of flavonoids known as flavones displaying protection against paraquat (PQ)-induced neurodegenerative phenotypes, involving reduced survival, mobility defects and enhanced oxidative stress. Interestingly, the other groups of investigated flavonoids, namely, the flavonones and flavonols failed to provide protection indicating a requirement of specific structural features that confer protection against PQ-mediated neurotoxicity in Drosophila. Based on our screen, the neuroprotective flavones lack a functional group substitution at the C3 and contain α,β-unsaturated carbonyl group. Furthermore, flavones-mediated neuroprotection is not solely dependent on antioxidant properties but also involves regulation of neuroinflammatory responses. Our data identify specific structural features of selected flavonoids that provide neuroprotection against environmental toxin-induced PD pathogenesis that can be explored for novel therapeutic interventions.

Graphical Abstract
AdaLiftOver: High-resolution identification of orthologous regulatory elements with adaptive liftOver
Authors: Dong Chenyang , Keleş Sündüz
Published: June 2022

Elucidating orthologous regulatory regions for human and model organism genomes is critical for exploiting model organism research and advancing our understanding of results from the genome-wide association studies. Sequence conservation is the de facto approach for finding orthologous non-coding regions between human and model organism genomes. However, existing methods for mapping non-coding genomic regions across species are challenged by the multi-mapping, low precision, and low mapping rate issues. We develop Adaptive liftOver (AdaLiftOver), a large-scale computational tool for identifying orthologous non-coding regions across species. AdaLiftOver builds on the UCSC liftOver framework to extend the query regions and prioritizes the resulting candidate target regions based on the conservation of the epigenomic and the sequence grammar features. Evaluations of AdaLiftOver with multiple case studies, spanning both genomic intervals from epigenome datasets and GWAS SNPs yield AdaLiftOver as a versatile method for deriving hard-to-obtain human epigenome datasets as well as reliably identifying orthologous loci for GWAS SNPs. The R package AdaLiftOver is available from https://github.com/ThomasDCY/AdaLiftOver.
Diagnosis and early prediction of lymphoma using high-throughput clonality analysis of bovine leukemia virus-infected cells
Authors: Okagawa Tomohiro , Shimakura Honami , Konnai Satoru , Saito Masumichi , Matsudaira Takahiro , Nao Naganori , Yamada Shinji , Murakami Kenji , Maekawa Naoya , Murata Shiro , Ohashi Kazuhiko
Published: June 2022

Bovine leukemia virus (BLV), a retrovirus, infects into B cells of ruminants and causes aggressive leukemia or lymphoma in cattle, enzootic bovine leukosis (EBL). Clonal expansion of BLV-infected cells is a promising marker for early detection and diagnosis of EBL. Recently, we developed rapid amplification of the integration site without interference by genomic DNA contamination (RAISING) and CLOVA, a software to analyze clonality. RAISING-CLOVA could assess the risk of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma development in human T-cell leukemia virus-I-infected individuals through its clonality analysis. Thus, we herein examined the performance of RAISING-CLOVA for the clonality analysis of BLV-infected cells and conducted a comprehensive clonality analysis by RAISING-CLOVA in EBL and non-EBL cattle. RAISING-CLOVA successfully distinguished EBL from non-EBL cattle with high sensitivity and specificity. A longitudinal clonality analysis in BLV-infected sheep, an EBL model, also confirmed the effectiveness of BLV clonality analysis with RAISING-CLOVA for early detection of EBL development. Therefore, our study emphasizes the usefulness of RAISING-CLOVA as a routine clinical test for monitoring virus-related cancers.
How to get maximum structure information from anisotropic displacement parameters obtained by three-dimensional electron diffraction: an experimental study on metal–organic frameworks
Authors: Samperisi Laura , Zou Xiaodong , Huang Zhehao
Published: June 2022

Three-dimensional electron diffraction (3D ED) has been used for ab initio structure determination of various types of nanocrystals, such as metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), zeolites, metal oxides and organic crystals. These crystals are often obtained as polycrystalline powders, which are too small for single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD). While it is now possible to obtain accurate atomic positions of nanocrystals by adopting kinematical refinement against 3D ED data, most new structures are refined with isotropic displacement parameters (U
eq), which limits the detection of possible structure disorders and atomic motions. Anisotropic displacement parameters (ADPs, Uij
) obtained by anisotropic structure refinement, on the other hand, provide information about the average displacements of atoms from their mean positions in a crystal, which can provide insights with respect to displacive disorder and flexibility. Although ADPs have been obtained from some 3D ED studies of MOFs, they are seldom mentioned or discussed in detail. We report here a detailed study and interpretation of structure models refined anisotropically against 3D ED data. Three MOF samples with different structural complexity and symmetry, namely ZIF-EC1, MIL-140C and Ga(OH)(1,4-ndc) (1,4-ndcH2 is naphthalene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid), were chosen for the studies. We compare the ADPs refined against individual data sets and how they are affected by different data-merging strategies. Based on our results and analysis, we propose strategies for obtaining accurate structure models with interpretable ADPs based on kinematical refinement against 3D ED data. The ADPs of the obtained structure models provide clear and unambiguous information about linker motions in the MOFs.
The effects of dynamic prompt and background transparency of hover feedback design on the user interface of shopping websites
Authors: Chen Chien-Hsiung , Zhai Weimin
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The implementation of interaction design concepts to facilitate communication between users and shopping websites has gained increasing attention in recent years. Mouse hover is a vital interaction method for users to access shopping sites and significantly impacts their decision-making experience. A well-designed mouse hover function can effectively enhance the user's search performance and improve the user experience. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether the dynamic prompt designs at the hover position and the degree of feedback transparency may affect the user's task performance and personal feelings when operating the hover function on the shopping website.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employed two independent variables in the experiments: dynamic prompt and background transparency of hover feedback. A between-subject design of 2 (single flicker and continuous flicker) × 3 (transparency at 0%, 25%, and 50%) was adopted in the experiment. A total of 60 participants were invited to participate in the experiment using the purposive sampling method. Participants were asked to complete four operation tasks, and the time of each was recorded. They were then asked to complete the system usability scale (SUS) questionnaire and conduct subjective evaluations before they were briefly interviewed.

Findings

The generated results revealed that: (1) In the interaction with a shopping website, the degree of background transparency of hover feedback affected the participants' task performance. (2) The effect of a single flicker had significantly higher subjective evaluation results regarding the degree of rationality compared with a continuous flicker. (3) The participants' perceptions of the information clarity were affected when the background transparency of hover feedback was 50%. (4) The effect of a continuous flicker was better than that of a single flicker when the background transparency of hover feedback was 25%. The participants' attraction to a continuous flicker was significantly higher than that of a single flicker. Nonetheless, when the degree of background transparency was at 0% or 50%, the results were the opposite.

Originality/value

The findings generated from the research can be a reference for the development of hover operation in the user interface design for shopping websites.
Impacts of COVID-19 on construction project management: a life cycle perspective
Authors: Li Zhen , Jin Yutong , Li Wenjing , Meng Qingfeng , Hu Xin
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The impacts of COVID-19 on construction projects have attracted much attention in the construction management research community. Nevertheless, a systematic review of these studies is still lacking. The purpose of this paper is to systematically analyze the impacts of COVID-19 on the different stages of a project life-cycle, and comprehensively sort out the epidemic response measures adopted by project participants. In addition, the study also attempts to explore the challenges and opportunities faced by project management practitioners under the context of COVID-19.

Design/methodology/approach

This study comprehensively demonstrates the systematic review process of COVID-19 related research in the construction industry, systematically summarizes the research status of the impact of COVID-19 on construction projects, and defines the strategies to deal with COVID-19 in project management; and through the visualization research, determines the current key research topics and future research trends.

Findings

This study identifies 11 construction activities in the project management life cycle that are affected by COVID-19 and finds that the COVID-19 epidemic has the greatest impact on construction workers, construction standards, construction contracts and construction performance. The study further summarizes the six main epidemic countermeasures and mitigation measures taken within the construction industry following the arrival of the epidemic. In addition, the results of this study identify opportunities and future trends in intelligent construction technology, rapid manufacturing engineering and project management in the construction industry in the post-epidemic era through literature results, which also provide ideas for related research.

Practical implications

COVID-19 has brought severe challenges to society. It is of great significance for the future sustainable development of the construction industry to identify the impact of COVID-19 on all phases of the project and to promote the development of coping strategies by project stakeholders.

Originality/value

First of all, there is little study comprehensively reviewing the impacts of COVID-19 on the different stages of construction projects and the strategies to deal with the negative impacts. In addition, from a life cycle perspective, the used articles in this study were grouped into different categories based on project stages. This promotes an integrated and comprehensive understanding of historical studies. Moreover, on the basis of a comprehensive review, this paper puts forward future research directions to promote the sustainable development of the construction sector.
AMO-enhancing practices, open innovation and organizations’ innovation in the European context: testing a mediation model
Authors: Ferrarini Filippo , Curzi Ylenia
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The literature has recognized the key role of the human resource management (HRM) practices for enhancing firms’ innovative performance. At the same time, scholars have consistently demonstrated open innovation (OI) to be an effective approach for boosting companies’ innovative outcome. Nevertheless, academics have largely overlooked to investigate the complex relationship between HRM practices, OI and organizations’ innovativeness, while claiming further research on organizational antecedents on OI. Using the ability, motivation and opportunity (AMO) framework as analytical lens, this study investigates the direct and indirect relationship between AMO-enhancing practices and firms’ innovation capacity, hypothesizing a potential mediating role of OI.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing from the European Company Survey 2019, a large-scale representative dataset of more than 20,000 establishments at European level and building on the “human-side” of OI, the study proposes two hypotheses regarding the relationship between AMO-enhancing practices and OI in fostering product and process innovation in European firms.

Findings

The results show that companies that invest in AMO-enhancing practices not only have higher probability to innovate, but also are more inclined to collaborate with external partners. Moreover, OI not only enhances the innovation capacity of the firm but also partially mediates the relationship between HRM and organizations’ innovativeness.

Originality/value

This is one of the first studies which empirically investigate how the AMO framework increases the likelihood of engaging in an OI process by firms, thereby, increasing their innovation capacity. The results shed further lights on both “the human side” of OI, as well as in the mechanisms linking HRM practices with innovation. Moreover, the analysis provides a deeper understanding about the organizational antecedents of the OI process, as well as corroborating the recent theoretical contributions on HRM and OI.
Supplier absorptive capacity: learning via boundary objects in sustainability-oriented supplier development initiatives
Authors: Jia Meng , Hendry Linda Caroline , Stevenson Mark
Published: June 2022

Purpose

To study the learning processes and mechanisms involved in sustainability-oriented supplier development (SSD), including how knowledge is transmitted by the buyer and how it is received, understood and internalised by the supplier.

Design/methodology/approach

An exploratory longitudinal multi-case study approach is adopted. The research context is a social SSD project focusing on occupational health and safety (OHS) management at four supplier factories. The paper draws on the constructs of absorptive capacity and boundary objects.

Findings

The development of a supplier's absorptive capacity for OHS management is triggered by the transfer of boundary objects that are created by the buyer. Findings suggest that each supplier starts explorative learning in a similar and passive way in order to accept the knowledge, but then each supplier proactively transforms and exploits the knowledge through continuous sensing, seizing, and reconfiguring loops that develop the boundary objects in a way that fits their own needs and contexts, incorporating the objects into organisational structures and routines.

Research limitations/implications

The research furthers the understanding of the development of supplier absorptive capacity for sustainability via SSD projects, including how it is triggered and sustained. The impact of ostensive and performative aspects of boundary objects on knowledge transfer is presented. Finally, insight is provided into how absorptive capacity and dynamic capabilities are linked in the context of SSD.

Practical implications

Buying firms should seek to develop boundary objects that can trigger and maintain learning momentum for sustainability at supplier organisations in addition to effectively transferring SSD-related sustainability knowledge. There is also a need to allow for sufficient flexibility in the design of the boundary objects, and to pay sufficient attention to how suppliers contextualise and embed them into their own organisations, providing support for this process where necessary. For the supplier, establishing structures and routines for OHS management can help to prepare for future audits, thereby reducing audit fatigue.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the supply chain learning literature by exploring the development of supplier absorptive capacity for sustainability triggered by the focal buying firm. It sheds new light on the role of boundary objects for facilitating knowledge transfer and learning between supply chain members in the context of SSD projects.
Fostering firms' ability to cascade sustainability through multi-tier supply chains: an investigation of power sources
Authors: Marttinen Kati , Kähkönen Anni-Kaisa
Published: June 2022

Purpose

A firm's ability to cascade sustainability requirements further down to lower-tier suppliers might be affected by inter-firm power relations. This study aimed to identify the power sources of focal firms and first- and lower-tier suppliers and to investigate how they may affect their ability to cascade sustainability requirements along multi-tier supply chains.

Design/methodology/approach

A multiple case study of 24 companies was conducted to investigate the sources of power in multi-tier supply chains. In total, 42 informants from five focal companies, ten first-tier suppliers and nine lower-tier suppliers were interviewed.

Findings

Differences were found between the sources from which focal firms and first- and lower-tier suppliers drew power. Findings revealed that firms' power sources may increase or impair their ability to cascade sustainability requirements to lower supply chain tiers. Furthermore, multi-tier supply chain-level power sources constitute a significant determinant of firms' ability to disseminate sustainability requirements to lower-tier suppliers.

Practical implications

The results can help companies and purchasing managers understand how their own and suppliers' power may affect their ability to cascade sustainability agendas to lower-tier suppliers. In particular, the results can be useful for supplier selection and the development of supplier relationship management strategies for fostering sustainability in multi-tier supply chains.

Originality/value

This study places traditional power perspectives in the context of multi-tier sustainable supply chain management, broadening the view beyond dyadic relationships that have traditionally been the focus of the supply management literature.
Determinant factor of crowdfunders’ behavior in using crowdfunding waqf model in Indonesia: two competing models
Authors: Masrizal Masrizal , Sukmana Raditya , Trianto Budi , Zaimsyah Annisa Masruri
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The potential of waqf is so great in Indonesia but has not been optimized. This paper aims to offer a model for waqf institutions to adopt financial technology for developing productive and social waqf. The authors cunduct an assesment of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM3), Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT2) in seeing to the crowdfunders’ behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopted a structural equation using the partial least square approach to test the hypotheses. Based on purposive sampling, the spread of questionnaires through online surveys throughout Indonesia consists of all islands. A total of 297 respondents collected the questionnaires.

Findings

Based on the findings, acceptance models have a positive and significant impact on the behavioral intentions of crowdfunders, while Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology have no significant effect.

Research limitations/implications

The sample of this study involved potential crowdfunders from all over the islands in Indonesia, but these results cannot be generalized because of limitations in terms of the sampling technique used. However, the results of this study can be used as an illustration of how crowdfunders behave in donating money using financial technology.

Practical implications

The results of this study provide a comprehensive perspective for policymakers, especially the Indonesian Waqf Board as the waqf authority that regulates waqf nazir to improve quality by adopting crowdfunding financial technology in collecting waqf funds. In addition, in terms of implications for the government, this waqf crowdfunding model will reduce spending and increase economic growth.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is the first in looking at the waqf crowdfunding in Indonesia by looking at two reliable technology determinant models. Studies on cash waqf in Indonesia are many, but they do not look at the issue of crowdfunding, which has gained more attention recently. This paper aims to fill this gap, and this becomes the novelty.
Linking environmental scanning and organizational innovation with competitive advantage: evidence from Egyptian SMEs
Authors: YahiaMarzouk Yasmine , Jin Jiafei
Published: June 2022

Purpose

COVID-19 and its economic consequences have provoked critical views on worldwide sustainable management, especially in the Arab world. Post-COVID-19, sustainability becomes important because the pandemic taught humanity to set aside differences and work together to support the global sustainability agenda. On the organizational level, sustaining an organization's competitive advantage is a key to surviving a crisis. Therefore, this study explores the impact of environmental scanning on sustaining Egyptian manufacturing SMEs' competitive advantage through organizational innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopts a cross-sectional design to collect data. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from a sample of 249 Egyptian SMEs. The smart partial least square structural equation modeling technique (PLS-SEM) was employed to test hypotheses.

Findings

Organizational innovation has an effect on competitive advantage. There is no direct effect of environmental scanning on competitive advantage. However, organizational innovation fully mediates the relationship between environmental scanning and competitive advantage.

Research limitations/implications

The sample size was small, covering only Egyptian manufacturing SMEs. The results may differ in the service sector and in other countries. The study was cross-sectional and could not trace long-term effects of environmental scanning and organizational innovation on competitive advantage.

Practical implications

In the face of crises, Egyptian SMEs' managers should regularly scan their environments to build organizational innovation and in turn sustain their competitive position.

Originality/value

This study is amongst the first to investigate the role played by environmental scanning in sustaining Egyptian SMEs competitive advantage through the mediation of organizational innovation amidst the COVID-19 epidemic.
Re-considering core housing: transformations by aided self-help residents in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
Authors: Indris Dawod Abdie
Published: June 2022

Purpose

Housing transformation is not part of the Ethiopian urban housing policy, but it is a reality for city dwellers. The objective of this study was to find out what, why, and how aided self-help residents transformed their core house in Bahir Dar city. The focus was specifically on the transformations that resulted in changes to the floor area.

Design/methodology/approach

The case study research design is ideal for empirically examining socio-physical dynamics. The study employed three aided self-help housing cooperatives as case studies in Bahir Dar city. Information was gathered from cooperative members, committees, relevant government bodies, and the physical environment through field observations, interviews, photographic surveys, and questionnaires.

Findings

The findings showed three types of housing transformations that resulted in a change in floor area and are influenced by the building features of the original core house, motivation, and participation of residents. As a result of the housing transformation, residents became housing producers and suppliers, and their neighbourhood changed into a more socially and functionally diversified settlement.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of this study have practical implications for policy makers to institute mechanisms that help planners and architects in preparing plots of land for residential use and in designing housing typologies. The findings will have an impact on the housing policy of Ethiopia.

Practical implications

The findings of this study will impact planners and architects when it comes to preparing plots for residential land use and designing housing typologies. In addition, the finding will have an impact on housing policy of Ethiopia.

Originality/value

The study of the resident’s housing transformation that brought floor area change provides further insights on the consideration of housing transformation as a housing production and supply strategy.
Numerical evaluation of pedestrian-level wind and indoor thermal comfort of a historical monument, Muğla, Turkey
Authors: Gençer Funda , Karadağ İlker
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The study aims to analyze both thermal and wind comfort conditions of a historical mosque's interior and outdoor spaces for the planning of further conservation decisions.

Design/methodology/approach

The method is composed of two steps. First, thermal comfort analyses are conducted via Design-Builder Software. The predicted mean vote (PMV) and predicted percentage of dissatisfied indices were calculated and evaluated using the ASHRAE 55–2010 standard. Thermal comfort conditions are analyzed with the proposed three operations. Second, wind comfort analyses are conducted via computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software. Outdoor thermal comfort conditions are predicted by air temperature, mean radiant temperature, wind speed and relative humidity.

Findings

The (PMV) in the harim was calculated as −1.83 (cool) which corresponds to a predicted percentage of dissatisfaction (PPD) equal to 68.54%. Thermal comfort was provided by daytime and continuous operations; however, intermittent operations did not provide thermal comfort. The wind velocities around the mosque are well below the 5 m/s limit value for standing defined by NEN 8100 wind nuisance standard. Moreover, the limit value of 2.5 m/s for sitting was also satisfied with more than 80% of the semi-enclosed area around the entrance of the mosque. Last comer's hall remains in a slight cold stress range, the rest of the areas have no thermal stress.

Originality/value

This two-stage study creates a base for further improvements to provide comfort conditions in a historical building without interfering with its original features.
Relation of acoustic impedance to stiffness and porosity of Maastrichtian chalk in Dan field, Danish North Sea
Authors: Meireles Leonardo T. P. , Welch Michael J. , Fabricius Ida L.
Published: June 2022

In seismic data analysis, acoustic impedance may be used for predicting the porosity of a sedimentary layer with known lithology, where the influence on impedance from pore fluid is known. This method typically assumes that the stiffness of the rock frame is solely a function of porosity and that there is no variation in stiffness between rocks with the same composition and porosity. However, contact cementation can cause an increase in rock frame stiffness with no significant reduction in porosity. This means that rocks with similar porosities and varying degrees of cementation would have significantly different elastic moduli; thus, attempting to derive porosity from seismic impedance alone would incur errors. The primary goal of this study is to assess how significant this error is for porosity prediction. The secondary goal is to calculate the dry rock frame stiffness across the field and evaluate to what extent the time of hydrocarbon placement affects the lithification of the rock. To fulfill these objectives, we studied petrophysical logs and core data from the Dan field and derived seismic impedance, porosity and stiffness expressed in terms of Biot's coefficient for 14 wells across the field. Trends defined between acoustic impedance, porosity, and Biot's coefficient in the Maastrichtian unit of the Dan field showed that, for a given porosity and water saturation in the oil zone, the chalk located at the crest of the reservoir is softer than the chalk located at the flanks of the field. We also found that chalk is stiffer in the down‐faulted north‐western part of the field for a given porosity and water saturation in the oil zone. In the water zone, no difference was found. We speculate that contact cementation downflank in the northwest block caused an increase in the chalk stiffness without reducing the porosity, while earlier hydrocarbon filling of the south‐eastern block and the crest of the structure delayed contact cementation between the chalk particles. This difference in contact cementation between rocks of the same porosity causes porosity prediction from acoustic impedance to vary by up to six porosity units.
The high‐resolution seismic deconvolution method based on joint sparse representation using logging–seismic data
Authors: Wang Yaojun , Zhang Guiqian , Li Haishan , Yang Wuyang , Wang Wanli
Published: June 2022

Seismic high‐resolution processing is an essential part of seismic processing. Sparse‐spike deconvolution is a widely used method for improving the resolution of seismic data. However, the stratigraphic reflection coefficients do not fully satisfy the hypothesis of sparse‐spike deconvolution, and this method does not make full use of prior information, such as well‐logging data. In this paper, we have developed a high‐resolution processing method based on joint sparse representation using logging and seismic data. This method can extract stratigraphic information from well‐logging reflection coefficients and observational seismic data at the same location by joint dictionary learning. Through joint sparse representation, the relationship between observed seismic data and the reflection coefficient is established. Under the framework of joint sparse representation, the deconvolution of seismic data is realized. The synthetic data and field data tests show that our method can reveal thin layers and can invert reflection coefficients from strongly noisy seismic data accurately. Moreover, the deconvolution results of our method match well with the well‐logging data. The tests demonstrate that the improvement of accuracy of deconvolution results with our method, compared to sparse‐spike deconvolution.
The necessity of civility in academic life
Authors: Buckley Peter J.
Published: June 2022

The increasingly fractured and contentious debates in academic life are in danger of undermining polite discourse in research and its publication – and therefore progress in research itself. This piece advocates a return to civility as a primary virtue in academic interchanges.
Immunotherapy, radiation oncology and radiology: An alliance into the future
Authors: Hau Eric , Clements Warren , Sia Joseph
Published: June 2022

AUTHOR BIOGRAPHIES

A/Prof Eric Hau is a clinician‐scientist with interest in lung and CNS tumours. His clinical and laboratory research focuses on understanding the mechanisms of radiation resistance and investigating drugs which may be utilised for radiation sensitisation to improve outcomes for patients.

Associate Professor Warren Clements is an Interventional Radiologist at Alfred Health and has an Adjunct appointment with the Department of Surgery, Central Clinical School, Monash University. A/Prof Clements completed post‐fellowship subspecialty training in Interventional Radiology, consolidated by completion of the EBIR certification. A/Prof Clements is actively involved in medical research with over 80 peer‐reviewed publications, and has presented his research at national and international conferences. He is an Associate Editor for JMIRO and editorial board member of both CVIR and CVIR Endovascular. He volunteers his time for RANZCR as a member of the Interventional Radiology Committee and as an editorial board member for RANZCR’s Inside Radiology website. A/Prof Clements has a keen interest in education and training, and is the supervisor of Intern Training in the Radiology Department.

Dr. Joseph (Joe) Sia is a Consultant Radiation Oncologist at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia. He obtained his medical degree from the University of Otago, New Zealand and completed his radiation oncology training in Melbourne in 2017. He then undertook a laboratory‐based PhD in tumour immunology at the University of Melbourne, which was awarded in 2020.
Has Global Financial Reporting Comparability Improved?*
Authors: Conaway Jenelle K.
Published: June 2022

Motivated by ongoing worldwide efforts to improve the comparability of accounting information, I examine the temporal trend in global financial reporting comparability. Regulators have made serious efforts to improve comparability, but numerous frictions may have limited their effectiveness. Accordingly, I examine the time‐series properties of comparability measures for a sample of the 36 largest economies and provide two key empirical insights consistent with expectations. First, I confirm comparability is increasing over 2002–2018. Second, I document that this increase primarily occurs in firms applying local accounting standards, as opposed to those applying global standards (defined as either US GAAP or IFRS). Additional analyses reveal that: (i) firms applying local standards are becoming more comparable to firms applying IFRS but not to those applying US GAAP, and (ii) comparability within global‐standards firms is not changing. I also document that certain market liquidity benefits of comparability are sustained in the long term, as firms increasing comparability over the sample period experience greater reductions in bid‐ask spread and zero‐return trading days relative to those decreasing comparability. Overall, the results reveal that comparability has increased—consistent with systematic regulatory efforts—but that this increase arises heterogeneously across firms, with the primary effects in recent years occurring among those applying local standards.
Exercise increases the release of NAMPT in extracellular vesicles and alters NAD+ activity in recipient cells
Authors: Chong Mee Chee , Silva Anabel , James Patrick F. , Wu Sam Shi Xuan , Howitt Jason
Published: June 2022

Aging is associated with a loss of metabolic homeostasis, with cofactors such as nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) declining over time. The decrease in NAD+ production has been linked to the age‐related loss of circulating extracellular nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (eNAMPT), the rate‐limiting enzyme in the NAD+ biosynthetic pathway. eNAMPT is found almost exclusively in extracellular vesicles (EVs), providing a mechanism for the distribution of the enzyme in different tissues. Currently, the physiological cause for the release of eNAMPT is unknown, and how it may be affected by age and physical exercise. Here, we show that release of small EVs into the bloodstream is stimulated following moderate intensity exercise in humans. Exercise also increased the eNAMPT content in EVs, most prominently in young individuals with higher aerobic fitness. Both mature fit and young unfit individuals exhibited a limited increase in EV‐eNAMPT release following exercise, indicating that this mechanism is related to both the age and physical fitness of a person. Notably, unfit mature individuals were unable to increase the release of eNAMPT in EVs after exercise, suggesting that lower fitness levels and aging attenuate this important signalling mechanism in the body. EVs isolated from exercising humans containing eNAMPT were able to alter the abundance of NAD+ and SIRT1 activity in recipient cells compared to pre‐exercise EVs, indicating a pathway for inter‐tissue signalling promoted through exercise. Our results suggest a mechanism to limit age‐related NAD+ decline, through the systemic delivery of eNAMPT via EVs released during exercise.
The micro‐shear bond strength of new endodontic tricalcium silicate‐based putty: An in vitro study
Authors: Özata Merve Yeniçeri , Falakaloğlu Seda , Plotino Gianluca , Adıgüzel Özkan
Published: June 2022

This study aimed to compare in vitro micro‐shear bond strength (μSBS) of three different endodontic tricalcium silicate‐based materials in contact with a bulk‐fill resin‐based composite. Thirty cylindrical resin blocks with a hole in the centre (2 mm in depth and 4 mm in diameter) were manufactured with a 3D printer and divided into three groups (n = 10), depending on the calcium silicate cement used: light curing TheraCal LC (Bisco, Schaumburg, IL, USA), liquid–powder NeoMTA 2 (NuSmile Avalon Biomed, Bradenton, FL, USA) and putty NeoPutty (NuSmile, Houston, TX, USA). Each sample was stored for 24 h at 37°C and 100% humidity. Then, after adhesive placement, the restorative material Filtek bulk‐fill (3 M ESPE, St. Paul, MN, USA) was placed over the capping material using cylindrical plastic capsules (2 mm height and 2 mm) and polymerised for 20 s. Specimens were then tested in a universal testing machine for the compression load resulting in the μSBS. The data were compared with the one‐way ANOVA (Welch) and the Tamhane test. The mean value was significantly higher in the TheraCal LC group than in the other two groups (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between NeoMTA 2 and NeoPutty groups (p > 0.05). The majority of failure modes for all groups were cohesive within biomaterial. Using TheraCal LC in the pulp capping procedure can result in higher bond strength values to the tested bulk‐fill resin‐based composite than NeoMTA 2 and NeoPutty.
The performance of five models compared with atrial high rate episodes predicts new atrial fibrillation after cardiac implantable electronic devices implantation
Authors: Chen Ju‐Yi , Chen Tse‐Wei , Lu Wei‐Da
Published: June 2022

Aims

Several predicting models have been evaluated for new‐onset atrial fibrillation (AF) in several clinical conditions, but never in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED). We aimed to evaluate the five predicting models compared with atrial high rate episodes (AHRE) to predict new AF in patients with CIED.

Methods and Results

We retrospective enrolled 470 consecutive patients with CIED and without a history of AF. The five predicting models, including CHA2DS2‐VASc score, C2HEST score, mCHEST score, HAT2CH2 score, and HAVOC score were used. The primary endpoint was new AF documented by 12‐lead electrocardiography (ECG) or 30‐s ECG strip. Multivariable Cox regression analysis was used to determine variables associated with independent factors of new AF. Patients' median age was 76 years and 58.7% were male. During follow‐up (median 29 months), 34 new AF occurred (incidence rate 2.99/100 patient‐years, 95% CI 1.67–6.20). Multivariable Cox regression analysis showed AHRE ≥6 min and 24 h, and HAT2CH2 score were independent predictors for new AF. Optimal AHRE cutoff value was 9.3 min with highest Youden index (AUC, 0.806; 95% CI, 0.722–0.889; p < .001). The AF occurrence rate of AHRE ≥9.3 min was 7 times AHRE <9.3 min (p < .001).

Conclusions

We compared 5 predicting models for new AF in patients with CIED and without a history of AF. AHRE ≥6 min and 24 h, and HAT2CH2 score were independent predictors for AF.
The 5‐minute Apgar score and childhood school outcomes
Authors: Selvaratnam Roshan J. , Wallace Euan M. , Davis Peter G. , Rolnik Daniel L. , Fahey Michael , Davey Mary‐Ann
Published: June 2022

Aim

To examine the association between Apgar score at 5 min and childhood developmental and educational outcome.

Methods

A population‐based data linkage study of births ≥37 weeks' gestation linked to developmental outcomes at preparatory school and educational outcomes at school grades 3, 5 and 7 in Victoria, Australia. Multivariable logistic regressions and generalised estimating equations were used.

Results

There were 167,126 singleton infants with developmental results and 392,933 singleton infants with at least one educational result. There was an inverse relationship between Apgar score at 5 min and poor developmental and educational outcomes, with the worst outcomes among Apgar scores of 0–3. Apgar scores of 7, 8 and 9 were all associated with poorer developmental outcomes (aOR = 1.31, 95% CI: 1.12–1.54; aOR = 1.17, 95% CI: 1.05–1.29; aOR = 1.08, 95% CI: 1.02–1.13 respectively), while Apgar scores of 7 and 8 were associated with poorer educational outcomes at grades 3, 5, and 7. With progression through grades 3, 5, and 7, the extent of the difference in educational outcomes diminished (e.g. for Apgar scores of 0–3: aOR = 3.33, 95% CI: 1.85–6.00 in grade 3 and aOR = 1.49, 95% CI: 0.75–2.96 in grade 7).

Conclusion

Apgar scores below 10 at 5 min are associated with poorer developmental and educational outcomes in school.
Regulation of heart rate following genetic deletion of the ß1 adrenergic receptor in larval zebrafish
Authors: Joyce William , Pan Yihang K. , Garvey Kayla , Saxena Vishal , Perry Steve F.
Published: June 2022

Aim

Although zebrafish are gaining popularity as biomedical models of cardiovascular disease, our understanding of their cardiac control mechanisms is fragmentary. Our goal was to clarify the controversial role of the ß1‐adrenergic receptor (AR) in the regulation of heart rate in zebrafish.

Methods

CRISPR‐Cas9 was used to delete the adrb1 gene in zebrafish allowing us to generate a stable adrb1−/− line. Larval heart rates were measured during pharmacological protocols and with exposure to hypercapnia. Expression of the five zebrafish adrb genes were measured in larval zebrafish hearts using qPCR.

Results

Compared with genetically matched wild‐types (adrb1+/+), adrb1−/− larvae exhibited ~20 beats min−1 lower heart rate, measured from 2 to 21 days post‐fertilization (dpf). Nevertheless, adrb1−/− larvae exhibited preserved positive chronotropic responses to pharmacological treatment with AR agonists (adrenaline, noradrenaline, isoproterenol), which were blocked by propranolol (general ß‐AR antagonist). Regardless of genotype, larvae exhibited similar increases in heart rate in response to hypercapnia (1% CO2) at 5 dpf, but tachycardia was blunted in adrb1−/− larvae at 6 dpf. adrb1 gene expression was abolished in the hearts of adrb1−/− larvae, confirming successful knockout. While gene expression of adrb2a and adrb3a was unchanged, adrb2b and adrb3b mRNA levels increased in adrb1−/− larval hearts.

Conclusion

Despite adrb1 contributing to the setting of resting heart rate in larvae, it is not strictly essential for zebrafish, as we generated a viable and breeding adrb1−/− line. The chronotropic effects of adrenergic stimulation persist in adrb1−/− zebrafish, likely due to the upregulation of other ß‐AR subtypes.