bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
STRATEGY FOR THE CONTAINMENT, MITIGATION, AND SUPPRESSION OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN FRAGILIZED COMMUNITIES ON THE PERIPHERY OF A LARGE BRAZILIAN CITY
Authors: Azevedo V F , Peruffo LCB , Nogueira GM , Novakoski GKO , Hajar FN , Rafael LK , Brugnari RGO , Vanzela LE , Larocca SB
Published: September 2020

INTRODUCTION

Prevention measures are highly important to poor communities because surveillance and access to health care may be limited.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed establish measures to contain and suppress the spread of COVID-19, associating education, active case tracking, and humanitarian aid in two needy communities in Brazil. The adherence to the measures and evolution of the number of cases were verified during the project.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The target population consisted of approximately 1300 participants(350 families). A collection of epidemiological data was performed in family members registered for the project. Rapid tests were performed on people who had symptoms and their contacts. Scientific information through audio-visual materials,educational pamphlets written in colloquial language, food parcels,masks,hygiene and cleaning materials were provided directly to family nuclei.

RESULTS

The common needs faced by families were food inputs and/or ready-to-eat food, mentioned by 91.4% (233) of the people, and hygienic and cleaning materials, mentioned by 30.6% (78) of the people. Only 34.9% (84) of families had 70% rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer gel at home.The most frequently cited sources of information on COVID-19 were television [cited by 82.4% (210) of the people]; social media [25.5% (65)]; friends, neighbours, or family members [13.7% (35)]; and radio [11.4% (29)] .A total of 83.7% (175) stated that the actions helped them to avoid leaving the community.

CONCLUSIONS

Community isolation may be the best way to contain the spread of pandemics in fragile populations with low socio-economic status.Educational actions combined with rapid testing and humanitarian aid were objective forms to promote community isolation.
Predictors of symptomatic laboratory-confirmed SARS-COV-2 reinfection
Authors: Murillo-Zamora Efrén , Hernandez-Suarez Carlos M. , Lugo-Radillo Agustin , Aguilar-Sollano Felipe , Mendoza-Cano Oliver
Published: September 2020

Objective

To identify factors predicting symptomatic laboratory-positive SARS-COV-2 reinfection.

Method

We conducted a nationwide retrospective cohort study and data from 99,993 confirmed cases of COVID-19 were analyzed.

Results

The overall risk of reinfection (28 or more elapsed days between both episodes onset) was 0.21%, and older subjects and those with mild primary disease were at reduced risk of reinfection. Healthcare workers and immunosuppressed or renal patients had at greater risk of SARS-COV-2 reinfection.

Conclusions

If replicated in other populations, these results may be useful to prioritize efforts focusing on the reduction of SARS-COV-2 spread and the related burden.
Transfer transcriptomic signatures for infectious diseases
Authors: Iulio Julia di , Bartha Istvan , Spreafico Roberto , Virgin Herbert W. , Telenti Amalio
Published: September 2020

The modulation of the transcriptome is among the earliest responses to infection, and vaccination. However, defining transcriptome signatures of disease is challenging because logistic, technical and cost factors limit the size and representativeness of samples in clinical studies. These limitations lead to poor performance of signatures when applied to new datasets or varying study settings. Using a novel approach, we leverage existing transcriptomic signatures as classifiers in unseen datasets from prospective studies, with the goal of predicting individual outcomes. Machine learning allowed the identification of sets of genes, which we name transfer transcriptomic signatures, that are predictive across diverse datasets and/or species (rhesus to humans) and that are also suggestive of activated pathways and cell type composition. We demonstrate the usefulness of transfer signatures in two use cases: progression of latent to active tuberculosis, and severity of COVID-19 and influenza A H1N1 infection. The broad significance of our work lies in the concept that a small set of archetypal human immunophenotypes, captured by transfer signatures, can explain a larger set of responses to diverse diseases.
The extent of protein hydration dictates the preference for heterogeneous or homogeneous nucleation generating either parallel or antiparallel β-sheet α-synuclein aggregates
Authors: Camino José D. , Gracia Pablo , Chen Serene W. , Sot Jesús , de la Arada Igor , Sebastián Víctor , Arrondo José L. R. , Goñi Félix M. , Dobson Christopher M. , Cremades Nunilo
Published: September 2020

α-Synuclein amyloid self-assembly is the hallmark of a number of neurodegenerative disorders, including Parkinson’s disease, although there is still very limited understanding about the factors and mechanisms that trigger this process. Primary nucleation has been observed to be initiatedin vitroat hydrophobic/hydrophilic interfaces by heterogeneous nucleation generating parallel β-sheet aggregates, although no such interfaces have yet been identifiedin vivo. In this work, we have discovered that α-synuclein can self-assemble into amyloid aggregates by homogeneous nucleation, without the need of an active surface, and with a preference for an antiparallel β-sheet arrangement. This particular structure has been previously proposed to be distinctive of stable toxic oligomers and we here demonstrate that it indeed represents the most stable structure of the preferred amyloid pathway triggered by homogeneous nucleation under limited hydration conditions, including those encountered inside α-synuclein droplets generated by liquid-liquid phase separation. In addition, our results highlight the key role that water plays not only in modulating the transition free energy of amyloid nucleation, and thus governing the initiation of the process, but also in dictating the type of preferred primary nucleation and the type of amyloid polymorph generated depending on the extent of protein hydration. These findings are particularly relevant in the context ofin vivoα-synuclein aggregation where the protein can encounter a variety of hydration conditions in different cellular microenvironments, including the vicinity of lipid membranes or the interior of membraneless compartments, which could lead to the formation of remarkably different amyloid polymorphs by either heterogeneous or homogeneous nucleation.
A non-canonical feedforward pathway for computing odor identity
Authors: Chae Honggoo , Banerjee Arkarup , Albeanu Dinu F.
Published: September 2020

Elucidating neural circuits that enable robust odor identification remains a fundamental challenge in olfaction. The current leading model states that odor identity is computed within the piriform cortex (PC), drawing from mitral cell input from the olfactory bulb. Here we find that tufted cells, the other principal cell-type of the bulb, which strongly innervate the anterior olfactory nucleus (AON) instead, substantially outperform mitral cells in decoding both odor identity and intensity, acting in a largely feedforward fashion. Cortical feedback from PC specifically restructures mitral cell responses, while feedback from AON preferentially controls the gain of tufted cell odor representations, matching biases in feedforward connectivity. Leveraging cell-type specific analyses, we identify a non-canonical feedforward pathway for odor recognition and discrimination mediated by the tufted cells, and propose that bulb target areas, other than the piriform cortex, such as AON and olfactory striatum, are well-positioned to compute odor identity.
Human cytomegalovirus UL7, miR-US5-1 and miR-UL112-3p inactivation of FOXO3a protects CD34+hematopoietic progenitor cells from apoptosis
Authors: Hancock Meaghan H. , Crawford Lindsey B. , Perez Wilma , Struthers Hillary M. , Mitchell Jennifer , Caposio Patrizia
Published: September 2020

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection of myeloid-lineage cells, such as CD34+hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) or monocytes results in the upregulation of anti-apoptotic cellular proteins that protect the newly infected cells from programmed cell death. The mechanisms used by HCMV to regulate pro-apoptotic cellular proteins upon infection of CD34+HPCs has not been fully explored. Here we show that HCMV utilizes pUL7, a secreted protein that signals through the FLT3 receptor, and miR-US5-1 and miR-UL112-3p to reduce the abundance and activity of the pro-apoptotic transcription factor FOXO3a at early times after infection of CD34+HPCs. Regulation of FOXO3a by pUL7, miR-US5-1 and miR-UL112 results in reduced expression of the pro-apoptoticBCL2L11transcript and protection of CD34+ HPCs from virus-induced apoptosis. These data highlight the importance of both viral proteins and miRNAs in protecting CD34+HPCs from apoptosis at early times post-infection, allowing for the establishment of latency and maintenance of viral genome-containing cells.

Importance

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) causes serious disease in immunocompromised individuals and is a significant problem during transplantation. The virus can establish a latent infection in CD34+hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) and periodically reactivate to cause disease in the absence of an intact immune system. What viral gene products are required for successful establishment of latency are still not fully understood. Here we show that both a viral protein and viral miRNAs are required to prevent apoptosis after infection of CD34+HPCs. HCMV pUL7 and miRNAs miR-US5-1 and miR-UL112-3p act to limit the expression and activation of the transcription factor FOXO3a which in turn reduces expression of pro-apoptotic geneBCL2L11and prevents virus-induced apoptosis in CD34+HPCs.
Microbial Strain Engraftment, Persistence and Replacement after Fecal Microbiota Transplantation
Authors: Podlesny Daniel , Fricke W. Florian
Published: September 2020

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT) has been clinically validated as a treatment for recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection (rCDI) and associated with the compositional and functional restoration of the patient gut microbiota. To characterize the underlying microbiota dynamics of patient and donor strain engraftment, persistence and replacement during FMT, we combined new and existing metagenomic sequence data and developed the bioinformatic SameStr program for the species-specific detection of shared subspecies lineages, including non-dominant strains. We show that personal gut strain profiles are identifiable and detect engraftment after successful and failed FMT in rCDI recipients, specifically of those donor strains that are abundant and stable in healthy individuals. We identify microbiota parameters in statistical models to predict donor species and strain engraftment, as well as recipient strain persistence and replacement. Our findings raise concerns over FMT consequences from questionable donors and suggest that personalized FMT strategies are feasible for targeted microbiota modulation.
Health Economic Studies of Colorectal Cancer and the Contribution of Administrative Data: a Systematic Review
Authors: Lemmon E , Hanna C , Hall P , Morris E
Published: September 2020

Introduction

Several forces are contributing to an increase in the number of people living with and surviving colorectal cancer (CRC). However, due to the lack of available data, little is known about those implications. In recent years, the use of administrative records to inform research has been increasing. The aim of this paper is to investigate the potential contribution that administrative data could have on the health economic research of CRC.

Methods

To achieve this aim we conducted a systematic review of the health economic CRC literature published in the United Kingdom and Europe within the last decade (2009-2019).

Results

Thirty-seven relevant studies were identified and divided into economic evaluations, cost of illness studies and cost consequence analyses.

Conclusions

The use of administrative data, including cancer registry, screening and hospital records, within the health economic research of CRC is commonplace. However, we found that this data often comes from regional databases, which reduces the generalisability of results. Further, administrative data appear less able to contribute towards understanding the wider and indirect costs associated with the disease. We have identified several ways in which various sources of administrative data could enhance future research in this area.
Seroprevalence of SARS CoV-2 antibodies in healthcare workers and administration employees: a prospective surveillance study at a 1,400-bed university hospital in Germany
Authors: Bahrs Christina , Kimmig Aurelia , Weis Sebastian , Ankert Juliane , Hagel Stefan , Maschmann Jens , Stallmach Andreas , Steiner Andrea , Bauer Michael , Behringer Wilhelm , Baier Michael , Kesselmeier Miriam , Richert Cora , Zepf Florian , Walter Martin , Scherag André , Kiehntopf Michael , Löffler Bettina , Pletz Mathias W.
Published: September 2020

Background

Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at particular risk to acquire SARS-CoV-2 infections.

Aim

The objectives of this study were to compare SARS-CoV-2 IgG seroprevalence and compliance to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) between HCWs working within (high-risk) or outside (intermediate-risk) units treating suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients. In addition, administration staff (low-risk) was included.

Materials

Co-HCW is a prospective cohort study among employees at the Jena University Hospital, Germany. Since 16th March 2020, 50 SARS-CoV-2 inpatients and 73 outpatients were treated in our hospital. Mandatory masking was implemented on 20th March 2020. We here evaluated seroprevalence using two IgG detecting immunoassays, assessed COVID-19 exposure, clinical symptoms and compliance to wear PPE.

Findings

Between 19th May and 19th June 2020 we analysed 660 employees [out of 3,228; 20.4%]. Eighteen participants (2.7%) had SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in at least one immunoassay. Among them, 13 (72.2%) were not aware of direct COVID-19 exposure and 9 (50.0%) did not report any clinical symptoms. We observed no evidence for an association between seroprevalence and risk area (high-risk: 2 of 137 HCWs (1.5%), intermediate-risk: 10 of 343 HCWs (2.9%), low-risk: 6 of 180 administration employees (3.3%); p=0.574). Reported compliance to wear PPE differed (p<0.001) between working in high-risk (98.3%) and in intermediate-risk areas (69.8%).

Conclusion

No evidence for higher seroprevalence against SARS-CoV-2 in HCWs working in high-risk COVID-19 areas could be observed, probably due to high compliance to wear PPE. Compared to administration employees, we observed no additional risk to acquire SARS-CoV-2 infections by patient care.
Prospective assessment of catheter-associated bacteriuria in nursing home residents: clinical presentation, epidemiology, and colonization dynamics
Authors: Armbruster Chelsie E. , Brauer Aimee L. , Humby Monica S. , Shao Jiahui , Chakraborty Saptarshi
Published: September 2020

Background

Catheterization facilitates continuous bacteriuria, for which the clinical significance remains unclear. This study aimed to determine the clinical presentation, epidemiology, and dynamics of bacteriuria in a cohort of long-term catheterized nursing home residents.

Methods

Prospective urine culture, urinalysis, chart review, and assessment of signs and symptoms of infection were performed weekly for 19 study participants over 7 months. All bacteria ≥103 cfu/ml were cultured, isolated, identified, and tested for susceptibility to select antimicrobials.

Results

226 of the 234 urines were polymicrobial (97%), with an average of 4.7 isolates per weekly specimen. 228 urines (97%) exhibited ≥106 CFU/ml, 220 (94%) exhibited abnormal urinalysis, 126 (54%) were associated with at least one possible sign or symptom of infection, 82 (35%) would potentially meet a standardized definition of CAUTI, but only 3 had a caregiver diagnosis of CAUTI. 286 (30%) of bacterial isolates were resistant to a tested antimicrobial agent, and bacteriuria composition was remarkably stable despite a combined total of 54 catheter changes and 23 weeks of antimicrobial use.

Conclusions

Bacteriuria composition was largely polymicrobial, including persistent colonization by organisms previously considered to be urine culture contaminants. Neither antimicrobial use nor catheter changes sterilized the urine, at most resulting in transient reductions in bacterial burden followed by new acquisition of resistant isolates. Thus, this patient population exhibits a high prevalence of bacteriuria coupled with potential indicators of infection, necessitating further exploration to identify sensitive markers of true infection.

Funding

This work was supported by the NIH (R00 DK105205, R01 DK123158, UL1 TR001412)
A Sew-Free Origami Mask for Improvised Respiratory Protection
Authors: Realmuto Jonathan , Kleinman Michael T. , Sanger Terence , Lawler Michael J. , Smith James N.
Published: September 2020

Recently, respiratory aerosols with diameters smaller than 100 µm have been confirmed as important vectors for the spread of SARS-CoV-2. While cloth masks afford some protection for larger ballistic droplets, they are typically inefficient at filtering these aerosols and require specialized fabrication devices to produce. We describe a fabrication technique that makes use of a folding procedure (origami) to transform a filtration material into a mask. These origami masks can be fabricated by non-experts at minimal cost and effort, provide adequate filtration efficiencies, and are easily scaled to different facial sizes. Using a mannequin fit test simulator, we demonstrate that these masks can provide optimal filtration efficiency and ease of breathing with minimal leakage. Because this mask provides greater comfort compared to commercial alternatives, it is likely to promote greater mask wearing tolerance and acceptance.
Shifts in antimalarial drug policy since 2006 have rapidly selectedP. falciparumresistance alleles in Angola
Authors: Ebel Emily R , Reis Fátima , Petrov Dmitri A , Beleza Sandra
Published: September 2020

BACKGROUND

Plasmodium falciparumresistance to chloroquine (CQ), the most widely used antimalarial drug, has historically posed a major threat to malaria control in Angola and throughout the world. Although Angola replaced CQ with artemisinin combination therapy (ACT) as a frontline treatment in 2006, malaria cases and deaths have recently been rising. CQ-resistance mutations may still be a contributing factor, given that (1) some also modulate resistance to ACT partner drugs and (2) ACT is not yet consistently implemented across Angola. It is important to continue monitoring all known resistance alleles inP. falciparum, but no studies have done so in Angola since 2012.

METHODS

We sampledP. falciparumDNA from the blood of 50 hospital patients in Cabinda, Angola in 2018. Each infection was genotyped for 13 alleles in the genescrt, mdr1, dhps, dhfr, andkelch13, which collectively confer resistance to six common drugs. To analyze frequency trajectories over time, we also collatedP. falciparumgenotype data published from across Angola in the last two decades.

RESULTS

The two most important alleles for CQ resistance,crt72-76CVIET andmdr186Y, have both declined in frequency from respective highs of 98% in 1999 and 73% in 2003. However, the former remains at 71% frequency in this sample while the latter has dropped to just 7%. Of seven possible alleles for sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) resistance indhpsanddhfr, the average total number per isolate increased from 2.9 in 2004 to 4.4 in 2018. Finally, we detected no non-synonymous polymorphisms inkelch13, which is involved in artemisinin resistance in Southeast Asia.

CONCLUSIONS

Changes in drug policy in Angola since 2006 appear to have exerted strong selection onP. falciparumdrug resistance alleles. Resistance to CQ is declining, but due to functional tradeoffs and novel selection atmdr1loci, resistance to ACT partner drugs appears to be rising. More haplotype-based studies atmdr1will be needed to understand the changing efficacy of multiple drugs. Finally, SP resistance has jumped rapidly since 2014, consistent with widespread use of intermittent SP treatment during pregnancy. These data can be used to support effective drug policy decisions in Angola.
Addiction-associated genetic variants implicate brain cell type- and region-specific cis-regulatory elements in addiction neurobiology
Authors: Srinivasan Chaitanya , Phan BaDoi N. , Lawler Alyssa J. , Ramamurthy Easwaran , Kleyman Michael , Brown Ashley R. , Kaplow Irene M. , Wirthlin Morgan E. , Pfenning Andreas R.
Published: September 2020

Recent large genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified multiple confident risk loci linked to addiction-associated behavioral traits. Genetic variants linked to addiction-associated traits lie largely in non-coding regions of the genome, likely disrupting cis-regulatory element (CRE) function. CREs tend to be highly cell type-specific and may contribute to the functional development of the neural circuits underlying addiction. Yet, a systematic approach for predicting the impact of risk variants on the CREs of specific cell populations is lacking. To dissect the cell types and brain regions underlying addiction-associated traits, we applied LD score regression to compare GWAS to genomic regions collected from human and mouse assays for open chromatin, which is associated with CRE activity. We found enrichment of addiction-associated variants in putativeCREsmarked by open chromatin in neuronal (NeuN+) nuclei collected from multiple prefrontal cortical areas and striatal regions known to play major roles in reward and addiction. To further dissect the cell type-specific basis of addiction-associated traits, we also identified enrichments in human orthologs of open chromatin regions of mouseneuronal subtypes: cortical excitatory, D1, D2, and PV. Lastly, we developed machine learning models from mouse cell type-specific regions of open chromatin to further dissect human NeuN+ open chromatin regions into cortical excitatory or striatal D1 and D2 neurons and predict the functional impact of addiction-associated genetic variants. Our results suggest that differentneuronal subtypeswithin the reward system play distinct roles in the variety of traits that contribute to addiction.

Significance Statement

We combine statistical genetic and machine learning techniques to find that the predisposition to for nicotine, alcohol, and cannabis use behaviors can be partially explained by genetic variants in conserved regulatory elements within specific brain regions and neuronal subtypes of the reward system.This computational framework can flexibly integrateopen chromatindata across species to screen for putative causal variants in a cell type-and tissue-specific manner across numerous complex traits.
Recent trends of research in open and distance education in India
Authors: Srivastava Manjulika , Mishra Bijayalaxmi , Rao Dev Kant , Abrol Navita , Varma Vandana , Bhushan Bharat
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper was to analyse the research trends on the Indian Open and Distance Education (ODE) system as reflected in the articles published in the prominent journals of distance education across the world.

Design/methodology/approach

A study was undertaken to review the research articles on ODE in India published in 11 prominent peer-reviewed journals of distance education during the period 2010–2019. Content analysis was done to find out areas of research undertaken in the ODE of India based on a validated classification of research areas; types of research studies conducted; and authorship and publication patterns.

Findings

Out of a total of 2,571 articles published in 11 selected journals, only 191 (7.42%) pertained to ODE in India. The majority of these 191 articles (68.42%) were published in Indian journals. The Indian and Asian journals together accounted for 93.55% of total articles. Globally, the share of articles on the Indian ODE system was significantly low ranging between 4.27 and a maximum of 10.77%, which was much below expectations from a country having the maximum number of ODE learners in the world. Results further revealed that 63% of the contributors to research on ODE in India were affiliated to Indira Gandhi National Open University.

Research limitations/implications

The limitation of this study was only analysing the research articles published in journals of distance education and other types of articles, namely, book reviews, editorials, field notes and workshop reports were excluded from the analysis.

Practical implications

The study is intended to help researchers, policymakers, and open and distance education institutions to draw a roadmap for the promotion and conduct of system-based research, which would be vital for strengthening the system.

Social implications

The quantum of research is not proportionate to the number of faculty members working in the ODE system of India and the large number of learners that it serves, which is a matter of concern. For any system to grow its periodic systemic review is essential. The research outcomes need to be ploughed back into the system for its betterment.

Originality/value

The study is original. There is no such study undertaken till date. This study will be extremely useful to researchers, as the gaps in distance education research which are yet to be addressed, have been identified by the authors.
Systematic review of determinants of sales performance: Verbekeet al.’s (2011) classification extended
Authors: Chawla Vaibhav , Lyngdoh Teidorlang , Guda Sridhar , Purani Keyoor
Published: September 2020

Purpose

Considering recent changes in sales practices, such as the sales role becoming more strategic, increased reliance on technology for sales activities, increased stress from adding technological responsibilities to the sales role and decreased avenues of social support (such as traditional forms of community) to cope with work-related stressors, there is a need to reconsider Verbekeet al.’s (2011) classification scheme of determinants of sales performance, which was based on literature published before these critical changes became apparent. This paper aims to conduct a systematic review of sales performance research published during 1983–2018 to propose an extension to Verbekeet al.’s (2011) classification.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper followed a systematic approach to the literature review in five sequential steps – search, selection, quality control, extraction and synthesis – as suggested by Tranfieldet al.(2003). In total, 261 peer-reviewed journal papers from 36 different journals were selected for extraction and synthesis.

Findings

The findings make the following additions to the classification: strategic and nonstrategic activities as a new category, technological drivers of sales performance and job-related psychosocial factors as a broader category to replace role perceptions. Derived from the job demand–control–support model, three subcategories within the category of job-related psychosocial factors are psychological demands (encompasses role perceptions and digital-age stressors such as technostress creators), job control and work-related social support.

Research limitations/implications

This paper identifies that manager’s role in facilitating technology skills, providing informal social support to remote or virtual salespeople using technology, and encouraging strategic behaviors in salespeople are future research areas having good potential. Understanding and building positive psychology aspects in salespeople and their effect on sales performance is another promising area.

Practical implications

Newly added technological drivers draw the attention of sales firms toward the influence of technology and its skilful usage on salesperson performance. Newly added strategic activities makes a case for the importance of strategic participation in salesperson performance.

Originality/value

This review extends Verbekeet al.’s (2011) classification scheme to include recent changes that sales profession and literature have undergone.
Health economic analysis of pharmaceutical inventory levels
Authors: Ellison Peter Benjamin , Cook Robert A.
Published: September 2020

Purpose

Humanitarian crises increase vulnerability of children to pneumonia, so aid agencies store pharmaceuticals in advance of this demand. Decisions on how much to store are plagued by many diverse challenges as is common in humanitarian contexts, so this study considers storing more medications to improve the relatively poor (∼80) demand coverage at a representative aid agency.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper combines inventory theory with health economics to calculate the impact inventory increases would have on the final cost of pneumonia treatment. It can then assess to what extent inventory can be increased while pneumonia treatment remains cost effective.

Findings

The study finds that more drug investment has only a small effect on the final treatment cost. Substantial drug inventory increases remain well within established guidelines for highly cost-effective treatments, so the agency should consider large increases as an efficient use of funding.

Research limitations/implications

The study focuses on pneumonia treatment only to allow sufficient depth of analysis. Further research could look at many other treatments using the same approach, although some problem scenarios will include complicating parameters like drug perishability.

Practical implications

The level of pharmaceutical inventory at humanitarian warehouses is a high-value decision for the aid sector. The method shows the potential for health economics to provide practical decision support for a wide range of humanitarian and ministry of health warehouse operations. While large increases in inventory investment are within guidelines, there is an asymptotically increasing cost as demand coverage approaches 100%. As a result, decision makers may want to set a target demand coverage (e.g. 99%) and allocate remaining aid funding to other projects.

Originality/value

Many humanitarian supply chain decisions lack analytical support due to issues with complexity, scale or a lack of reliable input data, and this study is the first to provide analytical insights which can greatly improve the current approach to inventory control policies for pneumonia medications and beyond.
An affordable, sustainable tourist QoL model: the case study of Appalachian mountain towns
Authors: McGrath John M.
Published: September 2020

Purpose

This article proposes a model for benchmarking tourism quality of life (QoL) that is practical and affordable to implement by communities of all sizes. The model is tested on a group of 30 mountain towns in the Appalachian region of the United States.

Design/methodology/approach

An existing model measuring resident QoL from Roanoke, Virginia, is discussed and a new model for tourist QoL is proposed. Both models employ secondary data from free sources to calculate a practical, affordable and quantifiable QoL index.

Findings

Analysis of the data indicates the Appalachian mountain town with the highest tourist QoL score is Lynchburg, Virginia, with a composite QoL index value of 128, followed closely by Charlottesville, Virginia, with an index of 126 (where an index of 100 = the US national average).

Practical implications

A tourist QoL model has practical value because it can be used by local policymakers to benchmark their region's QoL, make comparisons with other destinations, and ultimately, as a tool to help market their community – all using free and readily available data.

Originality/value

This case study adds value to the hospitality and tourism literature by sharing the Roanoke QoL model for the first time with the academic and practitioner community and extends its methods to propose how a tourist QoL model would work. It also addresses the research gap noted by Uysal et al. (2016) who observed a dearth of tourism research studies that utilize objective measures.
The roles of external embeddedness and institutional distance in the subsidiary product/process innovation and R&D capacity
Authors: Rodrigues Cristina Doritta , Borini Felipe Mendes , Raziq Muhammad Mustafa , Bernardes Roberto Carlos
Published: September 2020

Purpose

This study aims to look at the relationship of external embeddedness and institutional distance (governance aspects) with the foreign subsidiary research and development (R&D) capacity. Furthermore, it examines whether these relationships are mediated by subsidiary product and process innovation, and whether institutional distance plays a moderating role in the relationship between subsidiary innovation and R&D capacity.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors draw on survey data from 130 foreign subsidiaries operating in Brazil and test their model using variance-based structural equation modeling.

Findings

Results suggest that subsidiary (product and process) innovation fully mediates the relationships between: subsidiary external embeddedness and R&D capacity; and institutional distance and subsidiary R&D capacity, such that the relationship is positive in case of the former and negative in case of the latter. The relationship between subsidiary product and process innovation and R&D capacity is positive and stronger at lower levels of institutional distance.

Originality/value

The research ignores the underlying mechanisms of the external embeddedness and institutional distance relationship with subsidiary R&D capacity. Furthermore, institutional distance based on formal governance aspects and their impacts on subsidiary innovation and R&D capacity are rarely investigated. This paper contributes with regard to these aspects.
Effect of big data analytics on improvement of corporate social/green performance
Authors: Mishra Bibhu Prasad , Biswal Bibhuti Bhusan , Behera Ajay Kumar , Das Harish Chandra
Published: September 2020

Purpose

In spite of the fact that literature shows that big data analytics (BDA) pass on a distinct corporate ability, little is thought about their performance impacts, specifically logical conditions. Establishing this research in the dynamic capability view (DCV) and corporate culture and dependent on an sample of 310 Indian production industries, the purpose of this paper is to experimentally study the impacts of BDA on corporate social performance (CSP) and corporate green performance (CGP) using variance-based structural equation modeling (for example, PLS).

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire was used to accumulate data sets to examine research hypothesis. The authors pre-examined the survey with six scholastics and six directors from production firms in India. With the help of their sources of data, the authors have adjusted their wordings to improve the transparency and guarantee that length of the survey is accurate. Finally, the questionnaire was prepared for definite data collection.

Findings

The authors conclude that BDA has noteworthy effect on CSP/CGP. Notwithstanding, the authors did not find proof for directing role of flexible direction and control direction in the connections among BDA and CSP/CGP. This research offers a more nuanced comprehension of the performance ramifications of BDA, and in this way, it is tending to the critical inquiries of how and when BDA can improve in supply chains.

Originality/value

This investigation makes helpful commitments to the BDA research and its effect on CSP/CGP. To the authors’ best of information, this is the first hypothesis-focused approach to clarify the effect of BDA on ecological and social supportability. Second, this investigation likewise gives empirical proof that BDA impact on CSP/CGP and is free of flexible or control direction of the industry.
Demande extérieure et offre agricole de long terme: Cas des noix de cajou dans l'Union Economique et Monétaire Ouest‐Africaine (UEMOA)
Authors: Oloukoi Laurent
Published: September 2020

L'objectif de ce papier est de vérifier si les pays de l'UEMOA ont atteint le seuil critique d'offre de noix de cajou où la demande extérieure de ce produit serait une contrainte. Le modèle de Thirlwall (1979) est utilisé avec des données allant de 1980 à 2016. Les résultats révèlent, entre autres, que: (i) le seuil critique de croissance de l'offre de cajou dans l'UEMOA est supérieur à l'offre observée, (ii) les pays de l'UEMOA offrent seulement 58% de leur seuil critique en matière de noix de cajou, (iii) la demande extérieure de noix de cajou n'est pas une contrainte. La stratégie de development de la filière cajou ne sera donc pas celle préconisée par la théorie de la croissance contrainte par l’équilibre extérieur.
Educational Goods Reconsidered: A Response
Authors: Brighouse Harry , Ladd Helen F , Loeb Susanna , Swift Adam
Published: September 2020

We gratefully reply to our five commentators, responding to their criticisms and comments under the following headings: parochialism and curriculum; rationality and truth; production and distribution; perfectionism, decision-making and disagreement; adultism and parents' interests; non-consequential educational goods; and self-education.
Introduction and application of a composite insect trap for the National Ecosystem Survey of Korea
Authors: Han Yong‐Gu , Hong Eui jeong , Kim Do‐Sung , Kim Chulgoo , Cha Jin Yeol
Published: September 2020

This study aimed to establish the best applicable method for the National Ecosystem Survey (NES) guidelines by (i) verifying the efficiency of an insect trap that combined the Malaise trap, flight intercept trap, and pitfall trap (MFP trap) as part of the improvement for the terrestrial insect field in the fifth NES, and (ii) comparing the result with the currently used Malaise trap and pitfall trap (MP traps). We found that the efficiency of attaining species diversity was much higher with the added flight intercept trap function than the current Malaise trap alone for flying insect collection. For collecting ground insects, the efficiency of attaining species diversity of the pitfall trap from the MFP trap was lower than that from the MP trap. Besides, the Malaise trap of the MP trap showed superior efficiency than that of the MFP trap in species diversity. The results suggested that modification, supplementation, and re‐testing should be performed by analyzing various factors such as the trap material, barrier size, capturing container inlet, and mesh size, with consideration of the design of the current Malaise trap. Therefore, in survey‐based research, which aims at identifying insects species diversity and inhabiting status—such as the NES, it is necessary to introduce the MFP trap with the flight intercept trap function added to the Malaise trap function, and for the pitfall trap function of the MFP trap, it can be operated as a separate trap from the MFP trap.
Regionalization of Default Parameters for Urban Stormwater Quality Models
Authors: Bell Colin D. , Wolfand Jordyn M. , Hogue Terri S.
Published: September 2020

Accurate parameterization of water quality routines within stormwater models can improve simulation, prediction of system behavior, and lead to more informed decision making. This work recognizes that factors controlling runoff concentrations and treatment in stormwater best management practices (BMPs) vary with region, assumes region is a proxy for these factors, and seeks to improve tool parameterization by (1) identifying a regionalization scheme that best explains variability in national datasets of runoff water quality and BMP performance, (2) generating region‐specific model parameter values, and (3) demonstrating how model output varies when using national vs. regional parameters. Of the four regionalization schemes tested, the National Climatic Data Center’s Regions best explained variance in pollutant runoff concentrations from the National Stormwater Quality Database, accounting for more data variability (1.1%) than the watershed’s land use (0.4%). For BMP performance extracted from the International Stormwater BMP Database, the United States (U.S.) Environmental Protection Agency’s Rain Zones explained the most variance (1.1%), which is one‐fifth of the variance explained by BMP type (5.0%). These results were used to generate regional parameter lookup tables for stormwater quality modeling. Test cases from the 100 most populous cites in the U.S. showed national parameters predicted BMP effluent concentrations that were 15% lower than the regional parameters for five pollutants.
Risk factors correlated with immunosuppressant discontinuation in antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody‐associated vasculitis patients
Authors: Murosaki Takamasa , Sato Takeo , Nagatani Katsuya , Sato Kojiro , Minota Seiji
Published: September 2020

Aim

The use of an immunosuppressant is recommended as a treatment for remission induction in anti‐neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)‐associated vasculitis (AAV). However, the immunosuppressant is sometimes discontinued due to an adverse event. We sought to identify the cause and risk factors for immunosuppressant discontinuation in patients with AAV receiving remission induction treatment.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the cases of AAV patients treated in 2005‐2016 with immunosuppressants to induce remission. We defined “discontinuation” as stopping, switching, or delaying immunosuppressant administration due to adverse events. We performed a multivariate analysis to identify risk factors for immunosuppressant discontinuation.

Results

We identified 50 patients treated with an immunosuppressant for remission induction: cyclophosphamide was used in 45 patients (90%), methotrexate in 4 (8%), and cyclosporine A in 1 patient (2%). Among them, 26 patients (52%) underwent discontinuation of the immunosuppressant. Infection and myelosuppression were the major causes of discontinuation. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis revealed that a cumulative dose of prednisolone ≥ 2000 mg (hazard ratio [HR] =2.18, 95% confidence interval [CI] =1.37‐3.70, P < .001), performance status of 3‐4 (HR = 1.80, 95% CI = 1.07‐3.03, P = .027), and oral cyclophosphamide (HR = 1.81, 95% CI = 1.11‐2.97, P = .018) were independent risk factors correlated with immunosuppressant discontinuation.

Conclusion

Physicians should be aware of risk factors predicting immunosuppressant discontinuation when treating AAV patients with an immunosuppressant.
Reliably predicting pollinator abundance: Challenges of calibrating process‐based ecological models
Authors: Gardner Emma , Breeze Tom D. , Clough Yann , Smith Henrik G. , Baldock Katherine C. R. , Campbell Alistair , Garratt Michael P. D. , Gillespie Mark A. K. , Kunin William E. , McKerchar Megan , Memmott Jane , Potts Simon G. , Senapathi Deepa , Stone Graham N. , Wäckers Felix , Westbury Duncan B. , Wilby Andrew , Oliver Tom H.
Published: September 2020

Pollination is a key ecosystem service for global agriculture but evidence of pollinator population declines is growing. Reliable spatial modelling of pollinator abundance is essential if we are to identify areas at risk of pollination service deficit and effectively target resources to support pollinator populations. Many models exist which predict pollinator abundance but few have been calibrated against observational data from multiple habitats to ensure their predictions are accurate.

We selected the most advanced process‐based pollinator abundance model available and calibrated it for bumblebees and solitary bees using survey data collected at 239 sites across Great Britain. We compared three versions of the model: one parameterised using estimates based on expert opinion, one where the parameters are calibrated using a purely data‐driven approach and one where we allow the expert opinion estimates to inform the calibration process.

All three model versions showed significant agreement with the survey data, demonstrating this model's potential to reliably map pollinator abundance. However, there were significant differences between the nesting/floral attractiveness scores obtained by the two calibration methods and from the original expert opinion scores.

Our results highlight a key universal challenge of calibrating spatially explicit, process‐based ecological models. Notably, the desire to reliably represent complex ecological processes in finely mapped landscapes necessarily generates a large number of parameters, which are challenging to calibrate with ecological and geographical data that are often noisy, biased, asynchronous and sometimes inaccurate. Purely data‐driven calibration can therefore result in unrealistic parameter values, despite appearing to improve model‐data agreement over initial expert opinion estimates. We therefore advocate a combined approach where data‐driven calibration and expert opinion are integrated into an iterative Delphi‐like process, which simultaneously combines model calibration and credibility assessment. This may provide the best opportunity to obtain realistic parameter estimates and reliable model predictions for ecological systems with expert knowledge gaps and patchy ecological data.
A Call to Action: A Systematic Review Examining the Failure to Include Females and Members of Minoritized Racial/Ethnic Groups in Clinical Trials of Pharmacological Treatments for Alcohol Use Disorder
Authors: Schick Melissa R. , Spillane Nichea S. , Hostetler Katherine L.
Published: September 2020

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) presents a significant public health concern given the high prevalence estimates and numerous deleterious‐associated consequences. The FDA currently has approved 3 pharmacological treatments for alcohol use disorder: acamprosate, naltrexone, and disulfiram. Previous research suggests that there may exist differences in the prevalence of and outcomes related to AUD across sex and racial/ethnic groups. Other work indicates that there may be differences in the efficacy of existing pharmacological treatments for AUD across demographic groups. The purpose of the present study was to examine the inclusion of women and members of minoritized racial/ethnic groups in published randomized clinical trials of pharmacological treatments for alcohol use disorder since 1994, in accordance with the NIH Revitalization Act of 1993. PubMed was systematically searched using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) statement. The initial search located 842 articles. After exclusion of ineligible articles, 102 remained for analysis. Of those included in the review, only 11.8% reported full sex and racial/ethnic characteristics of their study participants. Of the total sample, 6 articles were specifically examining 1 racial/ethnic group, and 11 were specifically examining 1 sex. Two articles (2.2%) did not report information regarding the sex breakdown of their participants, while 47 (49.0%) did not report any information regarding the racial/ethnic breakdown of their sample. Despite guidelines set forth by NIH, only 5.9% of articles conducted subgroup analyses to examine differences in treatment outcomes by sex or race/ethnicity, and only 16.7% of articles included considerations related to cultural inclusion when discussing study limitations. These results varied by medication type. Results suggest that considerably greater efforts must be put forth by the larger scientific community regarding the inclusion, analysis, and reporting of data focused on women and non‐White racial and ethnic groups.