bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stratified Random Sampling Methodology for Observing Community Mask Use within Indoor Settings: Results from Louisville, Kentucky during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Karimi Seyed M. , Salunkhe Sonali S. , White Kelsey B. , Little Bert B. , McKinney W. Paul , Mitra Riten , Chen YuTing , Adkins Emily R. , Barclay Julia A. , Ezekekwu Emmanuel , He Caleb X. , Hurst Dylan M. , Popescu Martha M. , Swinney Devin N , Johnson David , Hollenbach Rebecca , Moyer Sarah , DuPré Natalie C.
Published: February 2021

Wearing a facial mask can limit COVID-19 transmission. Measurements of communities’ mask use behavior have mostly relied on self-report. This study’s objective was to devise a method for measuring the prevalence of mask-wearing and proper mask use in indoor public areas without relying on self-report. A stratified random sample of retail trade stores (public areas) in Louisville, Kentucky, USA, was selected and targeted for observation by trained surveyors during December 14−20, 2020. The stratification allowed for investigating mask use behavior by city district, retail trade group, and public area size. The average mask use prevalence among observed visitors of the 382 visited public areas was 96%, while the average prevalence of proper use was 86%. In 17% of the public areas, at least one unmasked visitor was among the observed visitors; in 48%, at least one improperly masked visitor was observed. The average mask use among staff was 92%, but unmasked staff were observed in fewer public areas, as an unmasked staff member was observed in 11% of the visited public areas. The average prevalence of proper make use among staff was 87%, similar to the average among visitors. However, the percentage of public areas where at least one improperly masked staff was observed was 33. Significant disparities in mask use and its proper use were observed among both visitors and staff by public area size, retail trade type, and geographical area. Observing unmasked and incorrectly masked visitors was more common in small (less than 1500 square feet) public areas than larger ones, also in food and grocery stores than other retail stores. Also, the majority of the observed unmasked persons were male and middle age adults.
Apolar mode of gastrulation leads to the formation of polarized larva in a marine hydroid,Dynamena pumila
Authors: Vetrova Alexandra A. , Lebedeva Tatiana S. , Saidova Aleena A. , Kupaeva Daria M. , Kraus Yulia A. , Kremnyov Stanislav V.
Published: February 2021

Background

In almost all metazoans examined to this respect, the axial patterning system based on canonical Wnt (cWnt) signaling operates throughout the course of development. In most metazoans, gastrulation is polar, and embryos develop morphological landmarks of axial polarity, such as blastopore under control/regulation from Wnt signaling. However, in many cnidarian species, gastrulation is morphologically apolar. The question remains whether сWnt signaling providing the establishment of a body axis controls morphogenetic processes involved in apolar gastrulation.

Results

In this study, we focused on the embryonic development ofDynamena pumila, a cnidarian species with apolar gastrulation. We thoroughly described cell behavior, proliferation, and ultrastructure and examined axial patterning in the embryos of this species. We revealed that the first signs of morphological polarity appear only after the end of gastrulation, while molecular prepatterning of the embryo does exist during gastrulation. We have shown experimentally that inD. pumila,the morphological axis is highly robust against perturbations in cWnt activity.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that morphogenetic processes are uncoupled from molecular axial patterning during gastrulation inD. pumila. Investigation ofD. pumilamight significantly expand our understanding of the ways in which morphological polarization and axial molecular patterning are linked in Metazoa.
Sensory and cognitive factors affecting multi-digit touch: a perceptual and modeling study
Authors: Arslanova Irena , Takamuku Shinya , Gomi Hiroaki , Haggard Patrick
Published: February 2021

Whilst everyday interactions with objects often involve multiple tactile contacts, integration of tactile signals remains poorly understood. Here we characterise the integration process of tactile motion on multiple fingerpads. Across four experiments, participantsaveragedthe direction of two simultaneous tactile motion trajectories delivered to different fingerpads. Averaging performance differed between within- and between-hands in terms of sensitivity and precision but was unaffected by somatotopic proximity between stimulated fingers. The sensitivity to the average direction was influenced by the discrepancy between individual motion signals, but only for within-hand conditions. This was explained by a model, in which the ‘virtually leading finger’ received a higher perceptual weighting. Precision was greater in between-hand compared to within-hand conditions. While biased weighting accounted for differences in sensitivity, it was not sufficient to explain the difference in precision, implying additional sensory limitations during within-hand integration. We suggest that unimanual integration is limited and thus exploits a ‘natural’ cognitive prior involving a single object moving relative to the hand to maximise information gain.

Author summary

Tactile stimulation is always on. Yet little is known about how the brain combines widespread tactile inputs for perception. Most tactile studies emphasize a single point of tactile stimulation (e.g., location or intensity of a static stimulus) and minimal units of tactile perception (e.g., acuity or selectivity). However, our daily interactions with the world involve encoding spatially and temporally extended tactile signals. Perceiving tactile objects and events as coherent entities requires the somatosensory system to aggregate tactile afferent signals across separate skin regions (i.e., separate digits). Across four experiments we asked participants toaveragedirection of two tactile motion trajectories delivered simultaneously to two different fingerpads, either on the same, or on different hands. Our results show strong integration between multiple tactile inputs, but subject to limitations for inputs delivered within a hand. Our model suggests that tactile inputs are weighted according to an integrative model of hand-object interaction that operates within-hands on purely geometric information to prioritise ‘novel’ information from a ‘virtually leading finger’ (VLF).
Development of a label-free microfluidic impedimetric immunoassay for anti-SPAG16 antibody
Authors: Froyen T , Vreys F , Slaets L , Somers V , Thoelen R
Published: February 2021

A recently found biomarker regarding multiple sclerosis, namely the anti-SPAG16 antibody (Ab), could be a potential way for early detection, prognosis and diagnosis of said autoimmune disease. Merging electrochemical analysis with a microfluidic system is a novel approach, which avoids the use of labelling steps as seen in traditional ELISA immunoassays. In this study, aluminium interdigitated electrodes on polystyrene-coated PET foils were implemented in a microfluidic flow cell to bind and detect SPAG16 Abs by impedimetric measurements. The coated PET foils showed a clear affinity for the fusion protein SPAG16-THIO and thioredoxin (THIO). Determining sensitivity and specificity of antibody-antigen binding using a microfluidic ELISA immunoassay has revealed the test to be unreliable by showing no linear pattern of a dilution series of the standard and producing skewed inconsistent results. The impedimetric analysis showed opposite results of what one would expect. The systems efficiency is in need to be revised and optimised before undergoing actual diagnostic tests. Further advancement could be done by reducing leakage, securing a more stable entrance for injection and circumventing the occurence of air bubbles in the wells.

SAMENVATTING

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is een auto-immune ziekte, gekenmerkt door inflammatie van het centraal zenuwstelsel en demyelinisatie van axonen. Een recent gevonden proteïne, namelijk het anti-SPAG16 antilichaam, is bewezen een biomerker te zijn voor MS. Met behulp van een elektrochemisch analytisch systeem gecombineerd met microfluidica zou men anti-SPAG16 antilichamen kunnen opsporen voor vroegtijdige detectie, prognose en diagnose. Het grote voordeel tegenover traditionele ELISA testen is het elimineren vanlabellingstappen waardoor de immunoassay goedkoper en gebruiksvriendelijk wordt. In deze studie werden overlappende aluminium elektrodes op polystyreen-gecoate PET-plaatjes geïmplementeerd in een microfluidische flow cell voor binding en detectie van anti-SPAG16 antilichamen door middel van impedimetrische metingen. De gecoate PET-plaatjes vertonen een duidelijke affiniteit voor 0,1 μg/ml SPAG16 en THIO. Het bepalen van sensitiviteit en specificiteit van antilichaam-antigen binding, gebruikmakende van een ELISA immunoassays, gaf aan dat de test onbetrouwbaar is doordat geen duidelijk patroon voor standaardoplossingen zichtbaar was en resultaten vertekend en inconsistent bleken te zijn. De impedimetrische analyse vertoonde tevens onbetrouwbare resultaten, waarbij een omgekeerd effect werd geobserveerd van wat er in theorie zou moeten gebeuren. De efficiëntie van het systeem moet herzien en geoptimaliseerd worden voordat men het voor diagnostische testen kan gebruiken. Verdere vorderingen zouden gerealiseerd kunnen worden door lekkages te reduceren, steviger bevestigen van de PDMS-ingang en de ontwikkeling van luchtbellen in de wells te vermijden.
Evolution of thermal physiology alters the projected range of threespine stickleback under climate change
Authors: Wuitchik Sara J.S. , Mogensen Stephanie , Barry Tegan N. , Paccard Antoine , Jamniczky Heather A. , Barrett Rowan D.H. , Rogers Sean M.
Published: February 2021

Species distribution models (SDMs) are widely used to predict range shifts but could be unreliable under climate change scenarios because they do not account for evolution. The thermal physiology of a species is a key determinant of range and thus incorporating thermal trait evolution into SDMs might be expected to alter projected ranges. We identified a genetic basis for physiological and behavioural traits that evolve in response to temperature change in natural populations of threespine stickleback(Gasterosteus aculeatus).Using these data, we created geographic range projections using a mechanistic niche area approach under two climate change scenarios. Under both scenarios, trait data was either static (‘no evolution’ models), allowed to evolve at observed evolutionary rates (‘evolution’ models), or allowed to evolve at a rate of evolution scaled by the trait variance that is explained by quantitative trait loci (QTL; ‘scaled evolution’ models). We show that incorporating these traits and their evolution substantially altered the projected ranges for a widespread panmictic marine population, with over 7-fold increases in area under climate change projections when traits are allowed to evolve. Evolution-informed SDMs should improve the precision of forecasting range dynamics under climate change, and aid in their application to management and the protection of biodiversity.
A pipeline to detect the relationship between transposable elements and adjacent genes in host genomes
Authors: Caroline Meguerditchian , Ayse Ergun , Veronique Decroocq , Marie Lefebvre , Quynh-Trang Bui
Published: February 2021

Abstract

Understanding the relationship between transposable elements (TEs) and their closest positional genes in the host genome is a key point to explore their potential role in genome evolution. Transposable elements can regulate and affect gene expression not only because of their mobility within the genome but also because of their transcriptional activity. A comprehensive knowledge of structural organization between transposable elements and neighboring genes is important to study TE functional role in gene regulation. We implemented a pipeline to display the relationship between the distribution of TEs and adjacent genes in host genomes. Our tool is freely available here:https://github.com/marieBvr/TEs_genes_relationship_pipeline.
Multilamellar mesoporous silica nanoparticles using a cationic co-surfactant dual-templating method
Authors: Froyen Timo , Geysmans Niels , Vounckx Ulrique , Hardy An
Published: February 2021

The utility of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) has been repeatedly proven in a wide range of biomedical applications. The general morphology of these particles is easily modifiable by various post-grafting possibilities and adjustments within the surfactant-based template. The synthesis of multilamellar vesicular silica nanoparticles has led to the discovery of beneficial attributes regarding said particles. Depending on the synthesis process, various parameters are affected including packaging capacity, stability, drug adsorption and release. This research focused on synthesis and characterization of multilamellar MSNs using a cationic-cationic co-surfactant templating route testing various ratios of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and didodecyldimethylammonium bromide (DDAB). TEM imaging showed clear differences in size and morphology between the different samples, and was further characterized by BET and BJH analysis. All multilamellar nanoparticles did exhibit a similar pore size distribution and overall gradual release of drug contents. However, the degree of drug adsorption and overtime drug release was clearly influenced by the number of layers of the MSNs, proving the utility of adjusting the template. Further experiments could be conducted to validate the utility of beta-cyclodextrin as a template regulator and to investigate both biocompatibility and biodegradability of the multilamellar MSNs.
Wolbachiain the spittlebugProsapia ignipectus:Variable infection frequencies, but no apparent effect on host reproductive isolation
Authors: Wheeler Timothy B. , Thompson Vinton , Conner William R. , Cooper Brandon S.
Published: February 2021

Animals serve as hosts for complex communities of microorganisms, including endosymbionts that live inside their cells.Wolbachiabacteria are perhaps the most common endosymbionts, manipulating host reproduction to propagate. ManyWolbachiacause intense cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) that promotes their spread to high and relatively stable frequencies.Wolbachiathat cause weak or no CI tend to persist at intermediate, often variable, frequencies.Wolbachiacould also contribute to host reproductive isolation (RI), although current support for such contributions is limited to a few systems. To test forWolbachiafrequency variation and effects on host RI, we sampled several localProsapia ignipectus(Fitch)(Hemiptera: Cercopidae) spittlebug populations in the northeastern USA over two years, including closely juxtaposed Maine populations with different monomorphic color forms, “black” and “lined”. We discovered a group-BWolbachia(wPig) infectingP. ignipectusthat diverged from group-AWolbachia—likemodelwMel andwRi strains inDrosophila—6to 46 MYA. Populations of the sister speciesProsapia bicincta(Say) from Hawaii and Florida are uninfected, suggesting thatP. ignipectusacquiredwPig after their initial divergence.wPig frequencies were generally high and variable among sites and between years. While phenotypingwPig effects on host reproduction is not currently feasible, thewPig genome contains three divergent sets of CI loci, consistent with highwPig frequencies. Finally, Maine monomorphic black and monomorphic lined populations ofP. ignipectusshare bothwPig and mtDNA haplotypes, implying no apparent effect ofwPig on the maintenance of this morphological contact zone. We hypothesizeP. ignipectusacquiredwPig horizontally as observed for manyDrosophilaspecies, and that significant CI and variable transmission produce high but variablewPig frequencies.
FrozenChicken: Promoting the meta-analysis of chicken microarray data
Authors: Duarte Isabel , Liber Marta , Magno Ramiro , Andrade Raquel P.
Published: February 2021

The FrozenChicken RData package, contains the frozen vectors for the commercially available (in situ oligonucleotide) Affymetrix Chicken Genome Array (GEO platform id GPL3213). This package will promote, simplify, and ease the meta-analysis of chicken microarray data by the research community studying vertebrate development using the chick model organism. The package is freely available inhttps://github.com/iduarte/FrozenChicken. (*Equal contribution.)
Description and analysis of glycosidic residues in the largest open natural products database
Authors: Schaub Jonas , Zielesny Achim , Steinbeck Christoph , Sorokina Maria
Published: February 2021

Natural products (NP), biomolecules produced by living organisms, inspire the pharmaceutical industry and research due to their structural characteristics and the substituents from which they derive their activities. Glycosidic residues are frequently present in NP structures and have particular pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic importance as they improve their solubility and are often involved in molecular transport, target specificity, ligand-target interactions and receptor binding. The COlleCtion of Open Natural prodUcTs (COCONUT) is currently the largest open database of NP and therefore a suitable starting point for the detection and analysis of the diversity of glycosidic residues in NP. In this work, we report and describe the presence of circular, linear, terminal and non-terminal glycosidic units in NP, together with their importance in drug discovery.
Physiological and transcriptomic variability indicative of differences in key functions within a single coral colony
Authors: Drake Jeana L. , Malik Assaf , Popovits Yotam , Yosef Oshra , Shemesh Eli , Stolarski Jarosław , Tchernov Dan , Sher Daniel , Mass Tali
Published: February 2021

Polyps in different locations on individual stony coral colonies experience variation in numerous environmental conditions including flow and light, potentially leading to transcriptional and physiological differences across the colony. Here, we describe high-resolution physiological measurements and differential gene expression from multiple locations within a single colony ofStylophora pistillata, aiming to relate these to environmental gradients across the coral colony. We observed broad transcriptional responses in both the host and photosymbiont in response to height above the substrate, cardinal direction, and, most strongly, location along the branch axis. Specifically, several key physiological processes in the host appear more active toward branch tips including several metabolic pathways, toxin production for prey capture or defense, and biomolecular mechanisms of biomineralization. Further, the increase in gene expression related to these processes toward branch tips is conserved betweenS. pistillataandAcroporaspp. The photosymbiont appears to respond transcriptionally to relative light intensity along the branch and due to cardinal direction. These differential responses were observed across the colony despite its genetic homogeneity and likely inter-polyp communication. While not a classical division of labor, each part of the colony appears to have distinct functional roles related to polyps’ differential exposure to environmental conditions.
Genome-wide survey of odorant-binding proteins in the dwarf honey beeApis florea
Authors: Mam Bhavika , Karpe Snehal , Sowdhamini Ramanathan
Published: February 2021

Odorant binding proteins (OBPs) in insects bind to volatile chemical cue and help in their binding to odorant receptors. The odor coding hypothesis states that OBPs may bind with specificity to certain volatiles and aid the insect in various behaviours. Honeybees are eusocial insects with complex behaviour that requires olfactory inputs. Here, we have identified and annotated odorant binding proteins from the genome of the dwarf honey bee,Apis floreausing an exhaustive homology-based bioinformatic pipeline and analyzed the evolutionary relationships between the OBP subfamilies. Our study suggests that Minus-C subfamily may have diverged from the Classic subfamily of odorant binding proteins in insects.
The impact of invader number on whole community invasions in biomethane-producing communities
Authors: Sierocinski Pawel , Pascual Jesica Soria , Padfield Daniel , Salter Mike , Buckling Angus
Published: February 2021

Microbes can invade as whole communities, but the ecology of whole community invasions are poorly understood. Here, we investigate how invader frequency affects the composition and function of invaded laboratory methanogenic communities. An invading community was equally successful at establishing itself in a resident community regardless of initial invader frequency, which varied between 0.01 and 10%. Invasion resulted in enhanced biogas production (to the level of the pure invading community), but only when invader frequency was 1% or greater. This inconsistency between invasion success and changes in function can be explained by a lower number of invading taxa (but not individuals) at lower initial invader frequencies, and an important functional role of the taxa that were absent. Our results highlight that whole community invasion ecology cannot simply be extrapolated from our understanding of single species invasions. Moreover, we show that methane production can be enhanced by invading poorly performing reactors with a better performing community at levels that may be practical in industrial settings.
Decisive Role of Polymer-BSA Interactions in Biofilm Substrates on ‘Philicity’ and EPS Composition
Authors: Sinha Suparna Dutta , Choudhuri Madhumita , Basu Tania , Gupta Debkishore , Datta Alokmay
Published: February 2021

Formation of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) is a crucial step for bacterial biofilm growth. Dependence of EPS composition on the growth substrate and the conditioning of the latter is thus of primary importance. Here, we present results of studies on the growth of biofilms of two different strains each, of the Gram negative bacteriaEscherichia coliandKlebsiella pneumoniae, on four polymers used commonly in indwelling medical devices – Polyethene, Polypropylene, Polycarbonate, and Polytetrafluoroethylene immersed in Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) for 24 hrs. The polymer substrates are studied before and after immersing in BSA for 9 hrs and 24 hrs, using contact angle measurement (CAM) and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM) to extract, respectively, the ‘philicity’ (defined asϕ≡sin(θ-90°), whereθis contact angle of the liquid on the solid at a particular temperature and ambient pressure) and spatial Hirsch parameterH(defined from the relation,F(r)~r2H, whereF(r)is the mean squared density fluctuation at the sample surface).H=, <0.5 or >0.5 signifies no correlation, anti-correlation, and correlation, respectively. The substrates are seen to transform from large hydrophobicity to near amphiphilicity with the formation of BSA conditioning surface layer, and theH-values distinguish the length scales of ~ 100 nm, 500 nm, and 2000 nm, with the anti-correlation increasing with length scale. Biofilms grown on the BSA-covered surfaces are studied with CAM, FE-SEM, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS). Most notably, theϕ-values areindependentof the bacterial species and strain butdependenton the polymer, as is also shown strikingly by both types of spectra, whileH-values show some bacterial variation. Thus, the EPS composition and consequently the wetting properties of the corresponding bacterial biofilms seems to be decided by the interaction of the conditioning BSA layer with a specific polymer used as the growth substrate.
Dimethyl 3,3′-[(4-nitrophenyl)methylene]bis(1H-indole-2-carboxylate) ethanol hemisolvate
Authors: Li Yu-Long , Zhou Jin , Jiang Hong , Sun Hong-Shun , Li Rui-Zhe , Liu Sha-Li , Zhang Xu-Dong
Published: February 2021

There are two main molecules in asymmetric unit of the title compound, C27H21N3O6·0.5C2H5OH. In both, the indole ring systems are approximately perpendicular to each other, at dihedral angles of 69.3 (5) and 82.8(4)°. In the crystal, molecules are linked by N—H...O and O—H...O hydrogen bonds into a three-dimensional supramolecular architecture. The solvent ethanol molecule acts as a donor, forming an O—H...O hydrogen bond, reinforcing the structure.
How does the strength of ties influence relationship quality in Chinese megaprojects? The mediating role of contractual flexibility
Authors: Hu Zhibin , Wu Guangdong , Zhao Xianbo , Zuo Jian , Wen Shicong
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This study aims to explore the influence of the strength of ties (strong ties and weak ties) on contractual flexibility (term flexibility and process flexibility) and relationship quality among stakeholders in a megaproject network.

Design/methodology/approach

This study, via a questionnaire survey, collected 380 valid responses from megaproject professionals (including project managers, department managers and project engineers). The data were analyzed using least squares structural equation modeling.

Findings

The results show that both strong ties and weak ties have positive effects on relationship quality. The introduction of contractual flexibility can help improve relationship quality by combining the positive effects of the strength of ties. Interestingly, the indirect influence of strong ties on relationship quality is mainly due to term flexibility. However, the influence of process flexibility is not significant, while weak ties have an indirect influence through term flexibility and process flexibility.

Research limitations/implications

This study, while helpful to megaproject management both in theory and practice, is nevertheless subject to several limitations. First, this study only considers the impact of the strength of ties on contractual flexibility and relationship quality; other factors, such as environmental uncertainty, are not explored. Second, the sample data are limited to just a few regions of China. Future research should cover other influencing factors, in order to make the model more substantial; data should also be collected from different cultural and industrial sources, thereby extending and further verifying the results.

Originality/value

This study makes three contributions to extant megaproject literature. First, this study provides a deep and nuanced understanding of the strength of ties. With the distinction between strong ties and weak ties clearly explained, this research furnishes a subtler understanding of relationship governance than has previously been achieved. Second, by precisely identifying the mechanism of how contract flexibility improves contract control and coordination functions, this research offers a complementary view of how contractual flexibility positively contributes to cooperation and relationship quality. Third, this study identifies which dimension of the strength of ties is more influential. This brings a new explanation for the previous controversy and offers some insight into the determinants of how to improve relationship quality in Chinese megaprojects.
Hardware-efficient approximate multiplier architectures for media processing applications
Authors: Uppugunduru Anil Kumar , Ahmed Syed Ershad
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Multipliers that form the basic building blocks in most of the error-resilient media processing applications are computationally intensive and power-hungry modules. Therefore, improving the multiplier’s performance in terms of area, critical path delay and power has become an important research area. This paper aims to propose two improved multiplier designs based on a new approximate compressor circuit to reduce the hardware complexity at the partial product reduction stage. The proposed approximate 4:2 compressor design significantly reduces the overall hardware cost of the multiplier. The error introduced by the approximate compressor is reduced using a new technique of assigning inputs to the compressors in the partial product reduction structure.

Design/methodology/approach

The multiplier designs implemented using the proposed approximate 4:2 compressor are targeted for error-resilient applications. For fair comparisons, various multiplier designs, including the proposed one, are implemented in MATLAB. The quality analysis is carried out using standard images, and metrics such as structural similarity index are computed to quantify the result of proposed designs with the existing architectures. Next, Verilog gate-level designs are synthesized to compute area, delay and power to prove the efficacy of the proposed designs.

Findings

Exhaustive error and hardware analysis have been carried out for the existing and proposed multiplier architectures. Error analysis carried out using MATLAB proves that the proposed designs achieve better quality metrics than existing designs. Hardware results show that area, the power consumed and critical path delay are reduced up to 39.8%, 51.7% and 15.9%, respectively, compared to the existing designs. Toward the end, the proposed designs impact is quantified and compared with existing designs on real-time image sharpening and image multiplication applications.

Originality/value

The area, delay and power metrics of the multiplier can be improved using an approximate compressor in an error-resilient application. Accordingly, in this work, a new compressor is proposed that reduces the hardware complexity in the multiplier architecture. However, the proposed approximate compressor, while reducing the computational complexity, tends to introduce error in the multiplier. The error introduced by the approximate compressor is reduced using a new technique of assigning inputs to the compressors in the partial product reduction structure. With the help of the approximate compressor and a technique of input realignment, hardware efficient and highly accurate multiplier designs are achieved.
Designing blockchain systems to prevent counterfeiting in wine supply chains: a multiple-case study
Authors: Danese Pamela , Mocellin Riccardo , Romano Pietro
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the debate on blockchain (BC) adoption for preventing counterfeiting by investigating BC systems where different options for BC feeding and reading complement the use of BC technology. By grounding on the situational crime prevention, this study analyses how BC systems can be designed to effectively prevent counterfeiting.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a multiple-case study of five Italian wine companies using BC to prevent counterfeiting.

Findings

This study finds that the desired level of upstream/downstream counterfeiting protection that a brand owner intends to guarantee to customers through BC is the key driver to consider in the design of BC systems. The study identifies which variables are relevant to the design of feeding and reading processes and explains how such variables can be modulated in accordance with the desired level of counterfeiting protection.

Research limitations/implications

The cases investigated are Italian companies within the wine sector, and the BC projects analysed are in the pilot phase.

Practical implications

The study provides practical suggestions to address the design of BC systems by identifying a set of key variables and explaining how to properly modulate them to face upstream/downstream counterfeiting.

Originality/value

This research applies a new perspective based on the situational crime prevention approach in studying how companies can design BC systems to effectively prevent counterfeiting. It explains how feeding and reading process options can be configured in BC systems to assure different degrees of counterfeiting protection.
The image of the library through the eyes of immigrant and migrant readers
Authors: Dali Keren
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Drawing on the survey of Spanish-speaking immigrant and migrant readers in Canada and the US, this study pursues three goals: (1) examine the image of the library held by these readers and trace the change of this image after the international migration; (2) use the study findings to revise and update the currently existing typologies of the image of the library; and (3) understand ethical and effective research practices in the studies of immigrant/migrant communities whereby researchers are external to communities in question.

Design/methodology/approach

The data about immigrant/migrant readers were collected through a self-administered survey questionnaire that was available both in print and electronically, both in Spanish and English. The data analysis was guided by hermeneutic phenomenology, as explicated in the article. Theoretical examination of the image of the library relied on the earlier typology developed by V. Stelmakh.

Findings

The study elucidates perceptions of libraries and librarians in both North America and countries of origin held by Spanish-speaking immigrant/migrant readers, and highlights changes that occur in the image of the library as readers move across geographic borders. Building on the empirical data, the article develops a new typology of the image of the library. It also offers insight into ethical and effective ways of engaging with immigrant communities that should be upheld by researchers from outside the communities in question.

Originality/value

It is the first known study that systematically traces the changes in the image of the library which occur alongside geographic and sociocultural migrations. It is also the first known study that focuses specifically on readers rather than library users in general. The new typology consists of four different elements – the cultural image; the functional image; the humanistic image; and the ideological image of the library – and is accompanied by detailed definitions of each.
Does the US influence ASEAN+3 equity market integration?
Authors: Rahman Md. Saifur , Farihana Shahari
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to examine whether the US influences the ASEAN + 3 financial market integration.

Design/methodology/approach

A two-stage cointegration test is used in the estimation by using equity indices from selected member economies and the USA.

Findings

The finding of this study shows that the equity markets of ASEAN + 3 are integrated especially after the Asian crisis period reflecting the regional cooperation. There is a strong market nexus between ASEAN + 3 and the USA, but the ASEAN + 3 financial cooperation agreement does not depend on the US financial market.

Originality/value

The study offers invaluable policy implications for developing the nexus in the regional equity markets.
Quality of life and associated factors amongst older adults in a remote community, Nepal
Authors: Acharya Samadarshi Saurav Chandra , Taechaboonsermsak Pimsurang , Tipayamongkholgul Mathuros , Yodmai Korravarn
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to assess the quality of life (QOL) of older adults and explore factors associated with it.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional study was conducted in a remote community in Nepal. A total of 671 older adults aged 60 years were enrolled in the study. QOL was measured by WHOQOL-OLD questionnaire. Data were analyzed using multiple logistic regression.

Findings

Most participants were female (53.0%), illiterate (70.6%), married (64.2%) and living with family (59.3%). Among participants, 82.4% had fair QOL, and the autonomy domain received the lowest score (average = 10.98). After adjusting the model, the elderly aged <70 years had 11.07 times better QOL (aOR = 11.070; 95% CI = 2.546–48.123), elderly with high sufficient income had 2.73 times better QOL (aOR = 2.738; 95% CI = 1.183–6.337) and elderly free from depression had 9.45 times better QOL (aOR = 9.452; 95% CI = 3.466–25.773) compared to their counterparts. The elderly receiving social support had 9.97 times better QOL than those who did not (aOR = 9.976; 95% CI = 3.152–31.574), and those able to afford healthcare services had 4.69 times better QOL than those who could not afford it (aOR = 4.694; 95% CI = 1.046–21.063).

Originality/value

The five predictors – age, income sufficiency, depression, social support and healthcare service affordability – were found to significantly affect QOL. This study suggests special care strategies for vulnerable older adults addressing the issues that affect geriatric depression. This article provides relevant information to the government to consider increment of income, encourage family and community for social support and make health services affordable for older adults.
Sustainability engagement’s impact on tourism sector performance: linear and nonlinear models
Authors: Buallay Amina , Al-Ajmi Jasim , Barone Elisabetta
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the relationship between the level of sustainability reporting and tourism sector’s performance (operational, financial and market).

Design/methodology/approach

Using data culled from 1,375 observations from 37 different countries for ten years (2008–2017), an independent variable derived from the environmental, social and governance (ESG score) is regressed against dependent performance indicator variables (return on assets (ROA), return on equity (ROE) and Tobin's Q (TQ)). Two types of control variables complete the regression analysis in this study: firm-specific and macroeconomic.

Findings

The findings elicited from the empirical results of the linear models demonstrate that there is a significant relationship between ESG and operational performance (ROA) and market performance (TQ). However, there is no significant relationship between ESG and financial performance (ROE). Furthermore, the results of the nonlinear models suggest that the relationship between sustainability performance and firm's profitability and valuation is nonlinear (invertedU-shape).

Originality/value

The models in this study presents a valuable analytical framework for exploring sustainability reporting as a driver of performance in the tourism sector's economies. In addition, this study highlights the tourism sector's management lacunae manifesting in terms of the weak nexus between each component of ESG and tourism sector's performance.
The organizational impact of Covid-19 crisis on travel perceived risk across four continents
Authors: Toanoglou Michail , Chemli Samiha , Valeri Marco
Published: February 2021

Purpose

It became a fact, and the world's countries went under confinement due to the pandemic of the Covid19. There are severe impacts on tourism with the supply chain experiencing a full pause. This research investigates the influence of governance, media coverage, crisis severity, former travel practice and Covid-19 incidences on the perceived risk related to travel and tourism during the pandemic and in cross-countries.

Design/methodology/approach

We collected the data from a sample of 1845 individuals from more than 12 countries and four continents representing quarantined and most impacted areas in the world in March and April 2020. A multilevel linear model was applied to predict the perceived risk across countries as a level 2 research unit.

Findings

The finding confirms the clustering in the data with media coverage, governance and crisis growth affecting the outcome. There are cross-level interaction effects, as the growth rate of the pandemic per country and media coverage impact tourists' perception of risk. Finally, there are lower-level direct effects, with lower-level variables affecting tourists' perceived risks.

Research limitations/implications

The survey is randomly administered online due to the nearly complete quarantine implemented in the studied areas. Besides, and considering the latter, the responses might have been subjective due to the non-containment of the crisis by the study's time, directing to possible alteration of feelings and responses from respondents. This leads to suggest a future extension of this research, similarly, post-crisis.

Originality/value

This research pinpointed the impacts of predictors, concerning the countries' level, during the crisis phase on the perceived risk. Therefore, it gives insights into professional bodies on future concerns to be considered during the recovery phase.
Accountability in times of exception: an exploratory study of account-giving practices during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy
Authors: Andreaus Michele , Rinaldi Leonardo , Pesci Caterina , Girardi Andrea
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of accountability in times of exception. The Italian government's account-giving practices are critically analysed with respect to the distinct modes in which duties of accountability are discharged for the exceptional measures taken during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak in early 2020.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper draws on an exploratory case study. The case analysis draws primarily on data obtained through publicly available documents and covers the period between January 1 and August 7, 2020.

Findings

The paper reveals that the Italian government employed various accountability styles (rebuttal, dismissal, reactive, proactive and coactive). Each style influenced both how the government justified its conduct and how it sought to form distinctive relationships with social actors.

Originality/value

The paper uses the notion of “styles of accountability” to empirically illustrate how an unprecedented public governance challenge can reveal broader accountability trends. The paper contributes to accountability research by elucidating how governments tackle ambiguity and uncertainty in their systems of public accountability in extraordinary times.
Ways to win: strategic choices, institutions and performance in sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: An Young Hoon , Choe Soonkyoo , Kang Jihoon
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to analyse the effects of market-based and nonmarket-based strategies on firm performance in African countries. This study also investigates host country institutions' effect on the relationship between firm strategies and performance in these countries.

Design/methodology/approach

Data of 1,276 firms in five African countries were obtained from two different sources: The World Bank Enterprise Database and The Global Competitiveness Report. Two-stage least squares regression was applied.

Findings

Both market-based strategies and corporate political activity (CPA)improve firm performance in the African countries included in the analysis. Institutional development also has a direct positive impact on firm performance. However, the effect of CPA weakens as the host country shifts towards more efficient, market-oriented institutions. Furthermore, the results show that local African firms benefit more from institutional development than foreign firms.

Originality/value

The paper confirms and extends our understanding of the dynamic fit between institutions and strategy by highlighting the moderating role of institutional development on CPA and market-based strategies in enhancing firm performance.
Retracted: Pulmonary alveolar stem cells undergo senescence, apoptosis and differentiation by p53‐dependent and ‐independent mechanisms in telomerase deficient mice
Authors: Zhang Kexiong , Wang Lihui , Chen Hao , Shi Yao , Liu Yingying , Liu Jun , Hong Xiaojing , Liu Jun‐Ping
Published: February 2021

Pulmonary senescence and fibrosis occur with deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage response in the lungs deficient of telomerase. The molecular mechanism mediating pulmonary alveolar cell fates remains to be investigated. The present study shows that pulmonary alveolar epithelial type 2 cells (AEC2) (alveolar stem cells) undergo not only replicative senescence, but also apoptosis and differentiation in association with increased innate immune natural killer (NK) cells in telomerase knockout (KO) mice. Telomerase ribonucleic acid (RNA) component (TERC) deficiency results in increased senescence‐associated heterochromatin foci marker HP1γ, p21, p16 and apoptosis‐associated cleaved caspase‐3 in AEC2. However, p53 deficiency in the Trp53−/− allele of the late generation of TERC KO mice attenuates the increased senescent and apoptotic markers significantly. Moreover, p53 deficiency has no significant effect on the increased gene expression of T1α (a marker of terminal differentiated alveolar epithelial type 1 cells [AEC1]) in AEC2 of the late generation of TERC KO mice. Collectively, our findings suggest that pulmonary senescence takes place in deficiency of telomerase RNA component with the alveolar stem cells undergoing p53‐dependent senescence and apoptosis as well as p53‐independent differentiation.
Contribution of peeling host for epiphyte abundance in two tropical dry forests in the “El Cielo Biosphere Reserve”, Mexico
Authors: Siaz‐Torres Sugeidi S. , Mora‐Olivo Arturo , Arellano‐Méndez Leonardo U. , Vanoye‐Eligio Venancio , Flores‐Rivas Joel , de la Rosa‐Manzano Edilia
Published: February 2021

Host traits partly determine the abundance and species richness of epiphytes in tropical forests. It has been proposed that older trees with rough bark and evergreens often house more individuals and more epiphytic species than those with thin, smooth, and peeling bark, which harbor few epiphytes. We hypothesize (i) that epiphytes are more abundant and species‐rich in the more shaded forest, which is related to bark roughness, and (ii) that epiphytes are distributed in the middle of the host, where microenvironmental conditions are more favorable to survival. We evaluated abundance, species richness, and vertical distribution of epiphytes in two tropical dry forests, according to the deciduousness and basal area of the trees. Moreover, we selected the most abundant epiphytes to test whether their distribution is related to a specific bark type and examine their vertical distribution in two dry forests. We distinguished a high abundance and species richness of epiphytes in the deciduous forest, although basal area and host species richness were higher in the semi‐deciduous forest. In both forests, we found a positive relationship between epiphyte abundance and basal area. Higher abundance of epiphytes was related to the predominance of Tillandsia schiedeana, a drought‐adapted species, in both forests. Unexpectedly, epiphytes abundantly colonized Bursera simaruba, a host with peeling bark and a very branched crown, where small individuals of T. schiedeana colonized abundantly toward the top of the crown. Our results show the importance of the tropical dry forest, particularly, B. simaruba, in maintaining epiphyte diversity in terms of T. schiedeana colonization.
Adoption et usage du mobile money au cameroun: Analyse comparative des determinants entre les villes de Douala et de Yaounde
Authors: Avom Désiré , Bidiasse Honoré , Mvogo Grégory
Published: February 2021

Partant d'une enquête réalisée en mars 2017 auprès de 1222 ménages dans les villes de Douala et Yaoundé, cet article analyse empirement les déterminants de l'adoption, puis de l'usage du MM. Les résultats obtenus par l'estimation d'une régression logistique identifient comme principaux déterminants significatifs: l'effet de réseau pour les deux villes, le revenu et l'âge pour Douala, le niveau d'étude pour Yaoundé. L'usage est, quant à lui, déterminé spécifiquement à Douala par la taille du ménage, le revenu, la sécurité, etc. alors qu'à Yaoundé, ce sont les coûts réduits et la commodité des services. Nos résultats suggèrent l'importance d'une intensification de la communication sur la prise en compte des risques associés à l'utilisation de cette innovation financière.