bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Value and growth stock returns: international evidence (JES)
Authors: Neves Maria Elisabete , Abreu Pinto Mário , Assunção Fernandes Carla Manuela de , Simões Vieira Elisabete Fátima
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This study aims to analyze the returns obtained from companies with strong growth potential (growth stocks) and the returns from companies with quite low stock prices, but with high value (value stocks).

Design/methodology/approach

The sample comprises monthly data, from January 2002 to December 2016, from seven countries, Germany, France, Switzerland, the UK, Portugal, the USA and Japan. The authors have used linear regression models for three different periods, the pre-crisis, subprime crisis and post-crisis period.

Findings

The results point out that the performance of value and growth stocks differs from different periods surrounding the global financial crisis. In fact, for six countries, value stocks outperformed growth stocks in the period that precedes the subprime crisis and during the crisis, this tendency remained only for France, Portugal and Japan. This trend changed in the period following the crisis. The results also show that investor sentiment has a robust significance in value and growth stock returns, mostly in the period before the crisis, highlighting that the investor sentiment is more significant in the moments that the value stocks outperformed.

Originality/value

As far as the authors know, this is the first work that, taking into account the future research lines of Capaul et al. (1993), investigates whether the results obtained by those authors remain current, meeting the authors’ challenge and covering the gap of recent studies on the performance of value and growth stocks. Besides, the authors have introduced a new country, heavily punished by both the global financial crisis and the sovereign debt crisis to understand whether there are significant differences in investment styles and whether this is related to the different economies. Also, in this context, the authors were pioneers in adding investor sentiment as an exogenous variable in the influence of stock returns.
Why travelers switch to the sharing accommodation platforms? A push-pull-mooring framework
Authors: Chi Maomao , Wang Junjing , Luo Xin (Robert) , Li Han
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Drawing on and extending the push-pull-mooring (PPM) framework, this paper aims to empirically explore the influencing mechanism of traveler switching intention from the hotel reservation platforms to the sharing accommodation platforms (SAPs).

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopts structural equation modeling to analyze the 543 responses collected among hotel reservation platforms and SAPs travelers.

Findings

The results support the positive effect of both push factors (e.g. dissatisfaction with product, service and information quality of hotels on the hotel reservation platform) and pull factors (e.g. price value, authenticity, interaction, home benefits and novelty of SAPs) on traveler switching intention. Except for the negative effect of switching cost, other mooring factors including prior switching experience and social influence positively affect traveler switching intention. The authors also found the switching cost negatively and prior switching experience positively moderated the push effects on traveler switching intention, while the social influence positively moderated the pull effects on traveler switching intention.

Research limitations/implications

Recommendations of future SAP participation research to consider the competing platforms, the unique experiences of SAPs and mooring factors. Examining the factors of different sources is also useful for practitioners to better understand travelers’ demands and to improve the overall welfare of travelers.

Originality/value

This paper embraces an extended PPM framework to explore traveler switching intention in online travel platforms. Moreover, this paper provides unique insights into the switching behavior from the hotel reservation platforms to the SAPs.
Reducing the filter bubble effect on Twitter by considering communities for recommendations
Authors: Grossetti Quentin , du Mouza Cedric , Travers Nicolas , Constantin Camelia
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Social network platforms are considered today as a major communication mean. Their success leads to an unprecedented growth of user-generated content; therefore, finding interesting content for a given user has become a major issue. Recommender systems allow these platforms to personalize individual experience and increase user engagement by filtering messages according to user interest and/or neighborhood. Recent research results show, however, that this content personalization might increase the echo chamber effect and create filter bubbles that restrain the diversity of opinions regarding the recommended content.

Design/methodology/approach

The purpose of this paper is to present a thorough study of communities on a large Twitter data set that quantifies the effect of recommender systems on users’ behavior by creating filter bubbles. The authors further propose their community-aware model (CAM) that counters the impact of different recommender systems on information consumption.

Findings

The authors propose their CAM that counters the impact of different recommender systems on information consumption. The study results show that filter bubbles effects concern up to 10% of users and the proposed model based on the similarities between communities enhance recommendations.

Originality/value

The authors proposed the CAM approach, which relies on similarities between communities to re-rank lists of recommendations to weaken the filter bubble effect for these users.
Impact of room service on nutritional intake, plate and production waste, meal quality and patient satisfaction and meal costs: A single site pre‐post evaluation
Authors: Neaves Bianca , Bell Jack J. , McCray Sally
Published: October 2021

Aim

Room service is a patient‐focused foodservice model gaining interest in Australian hospitals following demonstrated patient and organisational benefits. This study aimed to compare nutritional intake, waste, patient satisfaction, meal costs and meal quality between a bought‐in, thaw‐retherm foodservice model and a cook‐fresh, on‐demand room service model at a large tertiary public hospital.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of quality assurance data compared thaw‐retherm to room service. Nutritional intake and plate waste were measured using a visual intake analysis tool; production waste was measured using weighted analysis methodology; patient satisfaction was measured using a validated patient satisfaction survey; meal quality was assessed using a validated meal quality audit tool, and meal costs were obtained from hospital finance reports. Independent sample t‐tests or nonparametric equivalent (Mann‐Whitney U‐test) for continuous variables and Pearson's Chi‐square for categorical data were applied for comparative purposes.

Results

Average energy and protein intake, as well as percentage requirements met, improved between thaw‐retherm and room service (4320 kJ/day vs 7265 kJ/day; 42.4 g/day vs 82.5 g/day; and 46% vs 80.7%; 49.9% vs 98.4%; all P < .001. Reductions in plate waste (40% vs 15%) and production waste (15% vs 5.6%, P < .001) were observed and food costs decreased by 9% with room service. Meal quality audit results improved, and patient satisfaction increased with % respondents satisfied increasing from 75.0% to 89.8% (χ2 9.985[2]; P = .007) for room service.

Conclusions

This research demonstrates significant improvements in patient and organisational outcomes with room service compared to a thaw‐retherm model in a large public hospital.
On the need for rigorous welfare and methodological reporting for the live capture of large carnivores: A response to de Araujo et al. (2021)
Authors: Caravaggi Anthony , Amado Talita F. , Brook Ryan K. , Ciuti Simone , Darimont Chris T. , Drouilly Marine , English Holly M. , Field Kate A. , Iossa Graziella , Martin Jessica E. , McElligott Alan G. , Mohammadi Alireza , Nayeri Danial , O’Neill Helen M. K. , Paquet Paul C. , Périquet Stéphanie , Proulx Gilbert , Rabaiotti Daniella , Recio Mariano R. , Soulsbury Carl D. , Tadich Tamara , Wynn‐Grant Rae
Published: October 2021

De Araujo et al. (Methods in Ecology and Evolution, 2021, https://doi.org/10.1111/2041‐210X.13516) described the development and application of a wire foot snare trap for the capture of jaguars Panthera onca and cougars Puma concolor. Snares are a commonly used and effective means of studying large carnivores. However, the article presented insufficient information to replicate the work and inadequate consideration and description of animal welfare considerations, thereby risking the perpetuation of poor standards of reporting.

Appropriate animal welfare assessments are essential in studies that collect data from animals, especially those that use invasive techniques, and are key in assisting researchers to choose the most appropriate capture method. It is critical that authors detail all possible associated harms and benefits to support thorough review, including equipment composition, intervention processes, general body assessments, injuries (i.e. cause, type, severity) and post‐release behaviour. We offer a detailed discussion of these shortcomings.

We also discuss broader but highly relevant issues, including the capture of non‐target animals and the omission of key methodological details. The level of detail provided by authors should allow the method to be properly assessed and replicated, including those that improve trap selectivity and minimize or eliminate the capture of non‐target animals.

Finally, we discuss the central role that journals must play in ensuring that published research conforms to ethical, animal welfare and reporting standards. Scientific studies are subject to ever‐increasing scrutiny by peers and the public, making it more important than ever that standards are upheld and reviewed.

We conclude that the proposal of a new or refined method must be supported by substantial contextual discussion, a robust rationale and analyses and comprehensive documentation.
Identification of distinct and age‐dependent p16High microglia subtypes
Authors: Talma Nynke , Gerrits Emma , Wang Boshi , Eggen Bart J.L. , Demaria Marco
Published: October 2021

Cells expressing high levels of the cyclin‐dependent kinase (CDK)4/6 inhibitor p16 (p16High) accumulate in aging tissues and promote multiple age‐related pathologies, including neurodegeneration. Here, we show that the number of p16High cells is significantly increased in the central nervous system (CNS) of 2‐year‐old mice. Bulk RNAseq indicated that genes expressed by p16High cells were associated with inflammation and phagocytosis. Single‐cell RNAseq of brain cells indicated p16High cells were primarily microglia, and their accumulation was confirmed in brains of aged humans. Interestingly, we identified two distinct subpopulations of p16High microglia in the mouse brain, with one being age‐associated and one present in young animals. Both p16High clusters significantly differed from previously described disease‐associated microglia and expressed only a partial senescence signature. Taken together, our study provides evidence for the existence of two p16‐expressing microglia populations, one accumulating with age and another already present in youth that could positively and negatively contribute to brain homeostasis, function, and disease.
Let complete numbers speak for themselves
Authors: Fiorentino Renée , Jefferson Karen , Lichtman Ronnie
Published: October 2021

The authors describe the challenges they encountered, having attempted to retrospectively complete a home birth outcome data set for New York State. In addition, they provide a compelling argument for a midwifery data collective that would bring together health record data for all midwife‐attended births nationwide, regardless of setting.
A component Markov regime‐switching autoregressive conditional range model
Authors: Harris Richard D. F. , Mazibas Murat
Published: October 2021

In this article, we develop one‐ and two‐component Markov regime‐switching conditional volatility models based on the intraday range and evaluate their performance in forecasting the daily volatility of the S&P 500 Index. We compare the performance of the models with that of several well‐established return‐ and range‐based volatility models, namely EWMA, GARCH, and FIGARCH models, the Markov regime‐switching GARCH model, the hybrid EWMA model, and the CARR model. We evaluate the in‐sample goodness of fit and out‐of‐sample forecast performance of the models using a comprehensive set of statistical and economic loss functions. To assess the statistical performance of the models, we use mean error metrics, directional predictive ability tests, forecast evaluation regressions, and pairwise and joint tests; and to appraise the economic performance of the models, we use value at risk coverage tests and risk management loss functions. We show that the proposed range‐based Markov switching conditional volatility models produce more accurate out‐of‐sample forecasts, contain more information about true volatility, and exhibit similar or better performance when used for the estimation of value at risk. Our results are robust to the choice of volatility proxy, estimation sample size, out‐of‐sample evaluation period, and alternative error distributions.
G protein pathway suppressor 2 suppresses gastric cancer by destabilizing epidermal growth factor receptor
Authors: Si Yuan , Zhang Haitao , Peng Peng , Zhu Chu , Shen Jie , Xiong Yilian , Liu Xuewen , Xiang Yuchen , Li Wenjuan , Ren Yuliang , Wan Fang , Zhang Liang , Liu Ying
Published: October 2021

G protein pathway suppressor 2 (GPS2) is expressed in most human tissues, including the stomach. However, the biological functions of GPS2 in cancer, as well as the underlying molecular mechanisms, remain poorly understood. Here, we report that GPS2 expression was aberrantly downregulated in gastric cancer (GC) tissues compared with control tissues. Clinicopathologic analysis showed that low GPS2 expression was significantly correlated with pathological grade, lymph node stage, and invasive depth. Kaplan‐Meier analysis indicated that patients with low GPS2 expression showed poorer overall survival rates than those with high GPS2 expression. Moreover, GPS2 overexpression decreased GC cell proliferation, colony formation, tumorigenesis, and invasion. Overexpression of GPS2 reduced the protein expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and inhibited its downstream signaling in GC cells. Interestingly, GPS2 decreased EGFR protein expression, which was reversed by a lysosome inhibitor. Furthermore, GPS2 reduced EGFR protein stability by enhancing the binding of EGFR and an E3 ligase, c‐Cbl, which promoted the ubiquitination of EGFR, ultimately leading to its degradation through the lysosomal pathway. Further analysis indicated that GPS2 activated autophagy and promoted the autophagic flux by destabilizing EGFR. Taken together, these results suggest that low GPS2 expression is associated with GC progression and provide insights into the applicability of the GPS2‐EGFR axis as a potential therapeutic target in GC.
Trends in climatically driven extreme growth reductions of Picea abies and Pinus sylvestris in Central Europe
Authors: Treml Václav , Mašek Jiří , Tumajer Jan , Rydval Miloš , Čada Vojtěch , Ledvinka Ondřej , Svoboda Miroslav
Published: October 2021

Extreme tree growth reductions represent events of abrupt forest productivity decline and carbon sequestration reduction. An increase in their magnitude can represent an early warning signal of impending tree mortality. Yet the long‐term trends in extreme growth reductions remain largely unknown. We analyzed the trends in the proportion of trees exhibiting extreme growth reductions in two Central‐European conifer species—Pinus sylvestris (PISY) and Picea abies (PCAB)—between 1901 and 2018. We used a novel approach for extreme growth reduction quantification by relating their size to their mean recurrence interval. Twenty‐eight sites throughout Czechia and Slovakia with 1120 ring width series representing high‐ and low‐elevation forests were inspected for extreme growth reductions with recurrence intervals of 15 and 50 years along with their link to climatic drivers. Our results show the greatest growth reductions at low‐elevation PCAB sites, indicating high vulnerability of PCAB to drought. The proportions of trees exhibiting extreme growth reductions increased over time at low‐elevation PCAB, decreased recently following an abrupt increase in the 1970–1980s at high‐elevation PCAB, and showed nonsignificant trends in high‐ and low‐elevation PISY. Climatic drivers of extreme growth reductions, however, shifted over time for all site categories as the proportion of low‐temperature‐induced extreme growth reductions declined since the 1990s, whereas events caused by drought consistently increased in frequency during the same period. We observed higher growth volatility at the lower range of distribution compared with the upper range margin of PISY and PCAB. This will undoubtedly considerably impact tree growth and vitality as temperatures and incidence of drought in Central Europe are expected to further increase with ongoing climate change.
No apparent p53 activation in CRISPR‐engineered gene‐edited rabbits
Authors: Zhang Tao , Li JinZe , Wang Tian , Zhao Feiyu , Sui Tingting
Published: October 2021

Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats‐CRISPR‐associated 9 (CRISPR‐Cas9) and base editors (BEs) are revolutionary gene‐editing technology that has been widely utilized in biology, biotechnology and medicine. However, recent reports show that CRISPR‐Cas9‐mediated genome editing can induce a p53‐mediated stress response and cell cycle arrest in human cells, while not illustrated in gene‐editing animals. In the study, to verify whether there is a phenomenon of p53 activation, by analysing nine gene‐edited rabbits using CRISPR‐Cas9 and BEs, we provide the first evidence that no apparent p53 expression changes in those rabbits generated by Cas9 or BE‐edited, suggesting that p53 may not need to consider for application in gene‐edited animals.
Factors associated with the degree of glycemic deterioration among patients with type 2 diabetes who dropped out of diabetes care: A longitudinal analysis using medical claims and health checkup data in Japan
Authors: Ihana‐Sugiyama Noriko , Sugiyama Takehiro , Imai Kenjiro , Yanagisawa‐Sugita Ayako , Tanaka Hirokazu , Ohsugi Mitsuru , Ueki Kohjiro , Tamiya Nanako , Kobayashi Yasuki
Published: October 2021

Aims/Introduction

To identify factors associated with worsening glycemic control after discontinuing diabetes care among patients with type 2 diabetes.

Materials and Methods

This retrospective cohort study combined medical claims and health checkup data between January 2005 and April 2018. Adult Japanese workers with type 2 diabetes who had dropped out from diabetes care for ≥4 months after receiving ≥18 months of non‐intermittent care and had health checkup information both before and after the dropout were included. Factors associated with changes in HbA1c during the dropout period were identified using multiple linear regression analyses and depicting restricted cubic spline (RCS) curves.

Results

A total of 1,125 patients (mean age: 51.2 years, baseline HbA1c: 6.8%, and number of males: 93.7%) whose follow‐up HbA1c increased to 7.6% after a mean 9.3‐month dropout period were included. Deterioration in HbA1c was associated with higher baseline HbA1c and sulfonylurea or insulin use. The RCS curves illustrated that patients without antidiabetic medication had small changes in HbA1c (+0.5% from a baseline HbA1c of 7.0%), whereas those using sulfonylureas or insulin had an approximately 2% or more increase in HbA1c even when maintaining reasonable glycemic control before dropping out.

Conclusions

Overall in this study, glycemic control worsened during treatment interruptions among patients who were mainly male employees. However, changes in HbA1c greatly varied based on baseline HbA1c and antidiabetic medication type. Caring for patients at risk of worsening glycemic control due to treatment dropout, especially those using sulfonylurea and insulin, is imperative.
Bidirectional association between light exposure and sleep in adolescents
Authors: Estevan Ignacio , Tassino Bettina , Vetter Céline , Silva Ana
Published: October 2021

Sleep behaviour is controlled by both circadian and homeostatic influences. Changes in both factors are related to the delayed sleep timing observed in adolescence, which also generates restrictions in their sleep duration. In addition, the circadian factor explains part of the observed influence of light on sleep duration. We recorded 15 high‐school students for 23 days (vacation: 11 days; school term: 12 days) using GENEactive accelerometers. We employed a repeated‐measures analysis to explore the day‐to‐day bidirectional association between mean light exposure and sleep behaviour across a period with extreme variability in social pressures. Sleep onset was more than 30 min earlier and sleep duration almost 20 min longer when previous day light was 10 times more intense. Light intensity had a reduction of more than 20% as sleep ended 1 hr later. Besides, sleep onset and offset were both later during vacation than on school days (almost 2 hr and 4 hr, respectively) and free days (almost 1 hr, respectively). Therefore, sleep duration was almost 2 hr longer on vacation and free days than on school days. On the other hand, light exposure intensity was twice as high during vacation days when adjusted by sleep timing. Insufficient sleep duration is a major problem for adolescents. Although we found that light exposure was associated with longer sleep duration, the influence of school start times was greater and ended up prevailing, which explained the short sleep durations observed on school days.
An analysis of teaching and learning materials for literacy instruction in Kano State, Nigeria: curricular relevance, cultural responsiveness and gender equity
Authors: Kabir Umar , Marty Ana H. , Akinrinmade Bodunrin , Zuilkowski Stephanie S.
Published: October 2021

High quality teaching and learning materials (TLM) are essential for early literacy learning. The purpose of this study was to determine if the TLM used in schools in Kano State, Nigeria, were culturally appropriate, gender balanced and relevant to the Nigeria Universal Basic Education Curriculum, with particular emphasis on primary reading. Using a researcher‐adapted rubric, lesson plans, textbooks and reading books from 10 private and public schools located in urban and rural areas in Kano were evaluated. The TLM were rated as moderately relevant to the Primary 3 English studies curriculum, which focuses on literacy development. However, the materials were generally not culturally responsive to this region and displayed only emergent gender balance. We conclude with recommendations for policy and practice, including the greater involvement of stakeholders from this region in materials development to support early literacy teaching and learning.
Genotypic variation of the interactive effects of elevated temperature and CO2 on leaf gas exchange and early growth of sugarcane
Authors: De Silva A. L. Chandrajith , Senarathna H. A. K. N. Nishadi , De Costa W. A. Janendra M.
Published: October 2021

Increased atmospheric CO2 and consequent increases in temperature are two prominent features of climate change, a major challenge to crops. Here, our objectives were to determine: (1) the responses of sugarcane during the first 90 days of elevated CO2 (ECO2) and elevated temperature (ETem), both individually and together, and (2) the genotypic variation of these responses. Eight varieties were grown both in open‐top chambers in a factorial combination of ambient/ECO2 concentrations (344–351/777–779 ppm) and ambient/ETem (34.9–35.6/36.6–38.4°C) and in open fields. Significant treatment × variety interaction effects were observed on leaf net photosynthetic rate (An), stomatal conductance (gs), transpiration rate (El), and instantaneous transpiration efficiency (TE). In most varieties, ECO2 alone did not affect An, but the combination of ECO2 and ETem decreased An. ECO2 decreased gs and El while increasing TE in all varieties. These effects were amplified when ETem was combined with ECO2. ETem alone had variable effects on An and gs depending on variety, while it increased El and did not affect TE in a majority of varieties. Germination, tillering and stem diameter were not affected by treatments and did not show varietal variation. Leaf water potential, chlorophyll (spad), leaf area, and aboveground dry weight per plant showed varietal variations but were not affected by treatments. The variable responses to ETem and the significant genotypic variation to ECO2 and elevated temperature (ETem) observed in this work, both individually and together, demonstrate a considerable scope to breed sugarcane varieties for a future high‐CO2 and warmer climate.
Complete Genome Sequence of a Polish Enterococcus faecalis
vanA
-Positive Hospital Isolate
Authors: Wardal Ewa , Sadowy Ewa
Published: October 2021

Enterococcus faecalis
is an important human pathogen involved in health care-associated infections, and its increasing resistance to vancomycin is worrisome. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of a Polish hospital
vanA-
positive isolate of
E. faecalis
, consisting of a 3,264,821-bp chromosome and six plasmids.
Draft Genome Sequence of Rhodococcus rhodochrous Strain G38GP, Isolated from the Madagascar Hissing Cockroach
Authors: Guzman Juan , Vilcinskas Andreas
Published: October 2021

Rhodococcus rhodochrous
is a bacterial species with applications in biocatalysis and bioremediation. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of strain G38GP, isolated from the gut of the cockroach
Gromphadorhina portentosa
. The genome consists of 76 contigs, with a total length of 6,256,198 bp and a GC content of 67.82%.
Genome Sequence of Escherichia coli Stbl4, a Versatile Genetic Tool for Heterologous Expression
Authors: Assad Lina , Matjošaitis Karolis , Gross Harald
Published: October 2021

Escherichia coli
Stbl4 is widely used as a laboratory strain for heterologous expression of large gene clusters. Since no genome sequence has been publicly available, we here report the draft sequence of Stbl4, including its F-plasmid. It should serve as a useful reference for researchers working with Stbl4.
Cross-Activation of Two Nitrogenase Gene Clusters by CnfR1 or CnfR2 in the Cyanobacterium Anabaena variabilis
Authors: Pratte Brenda S. , Thiel Teresa
Published: October 2021

Cyanobacterial nitrogen fixation is important in the global nitrogen cycle, in oceanic productivity, and in many plant and fungal symbioses. While the proteins that mediate nitrogen fixation have been well characterized, the regulation of this complex and expensive process is poorly understood in cyanobacteria.
Upregulation of Human Endogenous Retroviruses in Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid of COVID-19 Patients
Authors: Kitsou Konstantina , Kotanidou Anastasia , Paraskevis Dimitrios , Karamitros Timokratis , Katzourakis Aris , Tedder Richard , Hurst Tara , Sapounas Spyros , Kotsinas Athanassios , Gorgoulis Vassilis , Spoulou Vana , Tsiodras Sotirios , Lagiou Pagona , Magiorkinis Gkikas
Published: October 2021

SARS-CoV-2 emerged in late 2019 in China, causing a global pandemic. Severe COVID-19 is characterized by intensive inflammatory responses, and older age is an important risk factor for unfavorable outcomes.
Gender, mental health and resilience in armed conflict: listening to life stories of internally displaced women in Colombia
Authors: Zamora-Moncayo Emilia , Burgess Rochelle A. , Fonseca Laura , González-Gort Mónica , Kakuma Ritsuko
Published: October 2021

For over 60 years, Colombia has endured violent civil conflict forcibly displacing more than 8 million people. Recent efforts have begun to explore mental health consequences of these contexts, with an emphasis on national surveys. To date few Colombian studies explore mental health and well-being from a lived experience perspective. Those that do, overlook processes that enable survival. In response to this gap, we conducted a life history study of seven internally displaced Colombian women in the Cundinamarca department, analysing 18 interview sessions and 36 hours of transcripts. A thematic network analysis, informed by Latin-American perspectives on gender and critical resilience frameworks, explored women’s coping strategies in response to conflict-driven hardships related to mental well-being. Analysis illuminated that: (1) the gendered impacts of the armed conflict on women’s emotional well-being work through exacerbating historical gendered violence and inequality, intensifying existing emotional health challenges, and (2) coping strategies reflect women’s ability to mobilise cognitive, bodied, social, material and symbolic power and resources. Our findings highlight that the sociopolitical contexts of women’s lives are inseparable from their efforts to achieve mental well-being, and the value of deep narrative and historical work to capturing the complexity of women’s experiences within conflict settings. We suggest the importance of social interventions to support the mental health of women in conflict settings, in order to centre the social and political contexts faced by such marginalised groups within efforts to improve mental health.
Cost-effectiveness of ‘screen-and-treat’ interventions for post-traumatic stress disorder following major incidents
Authors: Hogan Nicole , Knapp Martin , McDaid David , Davies Mark , Brewin Chris R
Published: October 2021

Objectives

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is commonly experienced in the aftermath of major incidents such as terrorism and pandemics. Well-established principles of response include effective and scalable treatment for individuals affected by PTSD. In England, such responses have combined proactive outreach, screening and evidence-based interventions (a ‘screen-and-treat’ approach), but little is known about its cost-effectiveness. The objective of this paper is to report the first systematic attempt to assess the cost-effectiveness of this approach.

Methods

A decision modelling analysis was undertaken to estimate the costs per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained from a screen-and-treat approach compared with treatment-as-usual, the latter involving identification of PTSD by general practitioners and referral to psychological therapy services. Model input variables were drawn from relevant empirical studies in the context of terrorism and the unit costs of health and social care in England. The model was run over a 5-year time horizon for a hypothetical cohort of 1000 exposed adults from the perspective of the National Health Service and Personal Social Services in England.

Results

The incremental cost per QALY gained was £7931. This would be considered cost-effective 88% of the time at a willingness-to-pay threshold of £20 000 per QALY gained, the threshold associated with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence in England. Sensitivity analysis confirmed this result was robust.

Conclusions

A screen-and-treat approach for identifying and treating PTSD in adults following terrorist attacks appears cost-effective in England compared with treatment-as-usual through conventional primary care routes. Although this finding was in the context of terrorism, the implications might be translatable into other major incident-related scenarios including the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Sex and gender differences in COVID-19: an Italian local register-based study
Authors: Fortunato Francesca , Martinelli Domenico , Lo Caputo Sergio , Santantonio Teresa , Dattoli Vitangelo , Lopalco Pier Luigi , Prato Rosa
Published: October 2021

Objectives

The present study aimed to explore differences in COVID-19 outcomes between male and female cases in the Apulian District of Foggia, Italy.

Design and setting

We performed a retrospective epidemiological study among all COVID-19 confirmed cases that occurred in the Apulian District of Foggia from 29 February to 30 June 2020. The surveillance data from a regional registry (GIAVA-COVID) were used.

Main outcomes

The main outcome measures were the proportion of hospitalisations, virus clearance and the case fatality rate.

Results

A total of 1175 cases (50.7% female; median age: 55 years) were identified among 55 131 tests performed. The proportion of hospitalisation with COVID-19 diagnosis was 45.4% in men versus 37.9% in women (p<0.01), while the average length of stay in hospitals was 31.3±14.6 days in women versus 26.8±14.4 days in men (p<0.01). The proportion of cases who achieved virus clearance was higher in women (84.2%; days to clearance: 28.0±12.1) than in men (79.3%; days to clearance: 29.4±12.9; p<0.05). Men were associated with a significantly higher risk of dying from COVID-19 than women (case fatality rate 16.1% vs 10.4%; p<0.01). The mean time, from diagnosis to death, was 14.5±14.4 days in women compared with 10.6±10.7 days in men (p<0.01). The male sex, age ≥55 years and presence of at least one underlying comorbidity significantly raised the risk of hospitalisation, persistent infection and death (p<0.05).

Conclusions

This study suggests that more attention should be paid to sex as a variable for the interpretation of COVID-19 data. Sex-disaggregated data will help clinicians to make appropriate patient-tailored medical decisions.
Uniform quenching processes in a holographic s + p model with reentrance
Authors: Xia Chuan-Yin , Nie Zhang-Yu , Zeng Hua-Bi , Zhang Yu
Published: October 2021

We study the homogenous quenching processes in a holographic s + p model with reentrant phase transitions. We first realize the reentrant phase transition in the holographic model in probe limit and draw the phase diagram. Next, we compare the time evolution of the two condensates in two groups of numerical quenching experiments across the reentrant region, with different quenching speed as well as different width of the reentrant region, respectively. We also study the dynamical competition between the two orders in quenching processes from the normal phase to the superconductor phase.
An innovative neutron spectrometer for soil moisture measurements
Authors: Cirillo Andrea , Meucci Ruggero , Caresana Michele , Caresana Marco
Published: October 2021

Soil moisture is a crucial variable in evaluating soil properties and its interaction with the atmosphere, yet none of the techniques currently employed is fully adequate for evaluating the water content in soil over an area of hectares and depth of tens of centimeters. In recent times, it has been shown how the water content over this volume can be accurately assessed measuring changes in the epithermal flux of cosmic neutrons, which is extremely sensitive to the moderation caused by hydrogen. The instruments employed for neutron flux measurements are usually neutron counters, covered with moderator coatings for enhancing their sensitivity in the epithermal energy range. On the other hand, the worldwide shortage of $${}^{3}$$

3

He caused a considerable increase in the costs associated with the manufacturing of proportional counters based on this gas, which were widely employed for their great sensitivity and noise rejection capability. In this work, we developed a $${}^{3}$$

3

He-free neutron spectrometer for performing these measurements, which detects neutrons in the energy range from 0.01 ev to 1 GeV. The reconstruction of the energy spectrum allows a more accurate evaluation of the epithermal neutron flux and provides other information which improves the quality of soil moisture measurements. Irradiations performed with neutron sources of $${}^{241}$$

241

Am and AmBe allowed to evaluate the spectrometric capability of the instrument, whereas the measurements of cosmic neutrons were employed to assess its sensitivity to cosmic radiation. The sensitivity of the instrument is slightly less than the one of the neutron counters currently employed, yet the access to the spectrometric information should provide greater accuracy in the epithermal flux measurements.
Stellar structures admitting Noether symmetries in f(ℛ,𝒯 ) gravity
Authors: Sharif M. , Gul M. Zeeshan
Published: October 2021

This paper investigates the geometry of compact stellar objects via Noether symmetry strategy in the framework of curvature-matter coupled gravity. For this purpose, we assume the specific model of this theory to evaluate Noether equations, symmetry generators and corresponding conserved parameters. We use conserved parameters to examine some fascinating attributes of the compact objects for suitable values of the model parameters. It is analyzed that compact objects in this theory depend on the conserved quantities and model parameters. We find that the obtained solutions provide the viability of this process as they are compatible with the astrophysical data.
IAF: IoT Attack Framework and Unique Taxonomy
Authors: Bhardwaj Akashdeep , Kumar Manoj , Stephan Thompson , Shankar Achyut , Ghalib Muhammad Rukunuddin , Abujar Sheikh
Published: October 2021

In the early 2000s, the Internet meant being able to connect different communication devices, whereas the focus in the last few years is on connecting “things” to the Internet. Although there is no distinct classification for these devices and things on the Internet, the Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem primarily consists of a complex network of devices, sensors, and things. These “things” are controlled by humans and utilize the existing cloud infrastructure. These devices provide facilities and benefits to make our lives comfortable. IoT domains include smart homes, healthcare, manufacturing, smart wearables, smart cities, smart grids, industrial IoT, connected vehicles, and smart retail. Different IoT models involve human-to-IoT, IoT-to-IoT, IoT-to-traditional systems architectures. In most scenarios, the architecture ends up connecting to the unsecured Internet. This has thrown open several critical issues leading to cybersecurity attacks on IoT devices. IoT communications, protocols or the architecture were never been conceptualized to handle the new age cybersecurity attacks. IoT devices have limited compute, storage, network, or memory. In this research, the authors present a unique IoT attack framework named IAF focusing on the impact of IoT attacks on IoT applications and service levels. The authors also proposed an all-inclusive attack taxonomy classifying various attacks on IoT ecosystems.
Dynamic Bargaining and Time-Consistency in Linear-State and Homogeneous Linear-Quadratic Cooperative Differential Games
Authors: Marín-Solano Jesús
Published: October 2021

Three different solution concepts are reviewed and computed for linear-state and homogeneous linear-quadratic cooperative differential games with asymmetric players. Discount rates can be nonconstant and/or different. Special attention is paid to the issues of time-consistency, agreeability and subgame-perfectness, both from the viewpoint of sustainability of cooperation and from the credibility of the announced equilibrium strategies.
BADUANJIN EXERCISE TO TREAT FOR LUMBAR DISC HERNIATION: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS
Authors: LI XIAOKUN , GUO SHUSHENG , DONG HONG , ZHOU LIMING
Published: October 2021

This study aimed to systematically evaluate the effectiveness of Baduanjin in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation (LDH). We searched PubMed, the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Web of Science (WOS), CNKI, and Wanfang Databases from their inception until August 1, 2021, to collect the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of Baduanjin in the treatment of LDH. After literature screening, data extraction, and quality evaluation by two independent researchers, the RevMan 5.4 software was used for meta-analysis. A total of 13 studies, involving 853 patients were finally included. The results showed that compared with the control group, the Baduanjin group showed remarkably improved treatment efficiency ([Formula: see text], 95% CI (1.05, 1.23), [Formula: see text]), JOA score ([Formula: see text], 95% CI (0.56, 4.68), [Formula: see text]), and VAS score ([Formula: see text], 95% CI ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]), [Formula: see text]). The Baduanjin group exhibited higher VAS scores than the control group in different intervention times (within 1 month, 1–2 months, and more than two months) ([Formula: see text]). Moreover, the JOA score of the Baduanjin was better than that of the control group in the presence of intervention for more than two months ([Formula: see text], 95% CI (1.05, 7.30), [Formula: see text]). In the comparison of exercise therapy, Baduanjin has more advantages than traditional rehabilitation training, as manifested by the improved VAS score ([Formula: see text], 95% CI ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]), [Formula: see text]) and JOA score ([Formula: see text], 95% CI (1.63, 3.09), [Formula: see text]). Conclusion: Baduanjin can significantly improve the rehabilitation evaluation scores of LDH patients and the treatment efficiency, and its curative effect was more obvious in a long time.
VALIDITY AND TEST–RETEST RELIABILITY OF AN INTELLIGENT ROBOTIC SHOULDER JOINT KINEMATICS SYSTEM FOR REHABILITATION
Authors: PARK CHANHEE , YOU SUNG JOSHUA H.
Published: October 2021

The presence of normal upper limb arm swing movement is considered an important gait movement that affects the selective coordinated locomotor control of the shoulder, elbow, and wrist joint movements. However, in patients with neurological disorders, flexor synergy is characterized by decreased selective neuromuscular control and reciprocal disinhibition of the wrist flexor muscles associated with spasticity or shortness. This research aimed to demonstrate the reliability, validity, and feasibility of the progressive exoskeletal robotic shoulder joint kinematics system. The robotic shoulder joint kinematics system comprises a gait function-retraining robot designed to provide arm swing. The changes in the shoulder joint angle between ImageJ motion analysis software and robotic shoulder joint kinematics system were compared in this research to investigate the reliability and validity of the latter. The linear regression analysis revealed good correlation between the measured angles and the shoulder angle data ([Formula: see text]). Furthermore, the test–retest reliability test demonstrated excellent reliability ([Formula: see text]). The robotic shoulder joint kinematics system generated successful arm swing during the locomotion and range of motion training of the shoulder.
Similarity solutions for cylindrical shock wave in rotating non-ideal gas using Lie group theoretic method
Authors: Singh Sumeeta
Published: October 2021

In this paper, the propagation of cylindrical shock wave in rotating non-ideal gas under adiabatic flow condition using Lie group of transformation method is investigated. The density is assumed to be constant and azimuthal fluid velocity is assumed to be varying in the undisturbed medium. The arbitrary constants appearing in the expressions for the infinitesimals of the Local Lie group of transformations bring about two different cases of solutions i.e. with a power-law and exponential-law shock paths. Numerical solutions are obtained for both the cases. Distribution of gasdynamical quantities is illustrated through figures. It is obtained that the reduced flow variables pressure and azimuthal fluid velocity decrease in general, whereas density and radial fluid velocity increase in case of power-law shock path. The reduced azimuthal fluid velocity decreases, whereas reduced density, pressure and radial fluid velocity increase in case of exponential-law shock path. Also, it is obtained that shock strength decreases with increase in value of adiabatic exponent or gas non-idealness parameter, whereas it increases due to increase in ambient azimuthal fluid velocity exponent.
Malaysia’s Dilemmatic South China Sea Policy under Muhyiddin Yassin
Authors: JAMIL Nur Shahadah
Published: October 2021

Malaysia’s South China Sea policy under the current Perikatan Nasional government is largely consistent with its previous approach, except for some minor recalibrations. Although Malaysia continues to pursue a “low-profile” approach by de-emphasising the problem and suppressing nationalist sentiment over the issue, it does however, selectively display increased willingness in taking a harder stand when it comes to preserving sovereignty in the disputed waters, especially when there is a spike of nationalist sentiment among Malaysians.
Balance of Risks: Vietnam’s South China Sea Strategy
Authors: DO Thanh Hai
Published: October 2021

Vietnam has no threats but multiple stakes at risk in the South China Sea. It is interested in not only defending sovereignty and rights under UNCLOS 1982 but also preserving peace, stability and good relations with its neighbours. As a result, Hanoi has adopted a complex set of risk management measures to reduce the possibility of war and losses if a contingency occurs.
Anomalies in Commodity Futures Markets
Authors: Hollstein Fabian , Prokopczuk Marcel , Tharann Björn
Published: October 2021

In recent years, commodity markets have become increasingly popular among financial investors. While previous studies document a factor structure, not much is known about how prominent anomalies are priced in commodity futures markets. We examine a large set of such anomaly variables. We identify sizable premia for jump risk, momentum, skewness, and volatility-of-volatility. Other prominent variables, such as downside beta, idiosyncratic volatility, and MAX, are not priced in commodity futures markets. Commodity investors should rebalance their portfolios regularly. Returns for annual holding periods are substantially weaker than for monthly rebalancing.
A Novel Hybrid MCDM Model for the Evaluation of Sustainable Last Mile Solutions
Authors: Krstić Mladen , Tadić Snežana , Kovač Milovan , Roso Violeta , Zečević Slobodan
Published: October 2021

Modern social trends are intensively transforming supply chains and the last mile as their most complex and most expensive segment. For the realization of the last mile, various solutions can be defined which combine initiatives, technologies, and concepts of city logistics. The successful implementation of these solutions depends on the characteristics of the city, the goals of stakeholders, and the ability to achieve economic, social, and environmental sustainability. In accordance with that, this paper defines innovative sustainable last mile solutions and evaluates their potential application in the real-life logistics system of the city. As evaluation requires consideration of a large number of criteria, this is a problem of multicriteria decision-making, and for solving it, a novel hybrid model that combines Delphi, FARE (Factor Relationship), and VIKOR (Višekriterijumska Optimizacija i Kompromisno Rešenje) methods in the fuzzy environment has been developed. The applicability of the model is demonstrated in the example of evaluating the last mile solution for the central business district of the City of Belgrade. A combination of microconsolidation centers and autonomous vehicles is obtained as the most favorable solution.