bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The origin of asexual brine shrimps
Authors: Rode Nicolas Olivier , Jabbour-Zahab Roula , Boyer Loreleï , Flaven Élodie , Hontoria Francisco , Van Stappen Gilbert , Dufresne France , Haag Christoph , Lenormand Thomas
Published: June 2021

Determining how and how often asexual lineages emerge within sexual species is central to our understanding of sex-asex transitions and the long-term maintenance of sex. Asexuality can arise “by transmission” from an existing asexual lineage to a new one, through different types of crosses. The occurrence of these crosses, cryptic sex, variation in ploidy and recombination within asexuals greatly complicates the study of sex-asex transitions, as they preclude the use of standard phylogenetic methods and genetic distance metrics. In this study we show how to overcome these challenges by developing new approaches to investigate the origin of the various asexual lineages of the brine shrimpArtemia parthenogenetica. We use a large sample of asexuals, including all known polyploids, and their sexual relatives. We combine flow cytometry with mitochondrial and nuclear DNA data. We develop new genetic distance measures and methods to compare various scenarios describing the origin of the different lineages. We find that all diploid and polyploidA. parthenogeneticalikely arose within the last 80,000 years through successive and nested hybridization events that involved backcrosses with different sexual species. AllA. parthenogeneticahave the same common ancestor and therefore likely carry the same asexuality gene(s) and reproduce by automixis. These findings radically change our view of sex-asex transitions in this group, and show the importance of considering asexuality “by transmission” scenarios. The methods developed are applicable to many other asexual taxa.
Enviromic-based Kernels Optimize Resource Allocation with Multi-trait Multi-environment Genomic Prediction for Tropical Maize
Authors: Gevartosky Raysa , Carvalho Humberto Fanelli , Costa-Neto Germano , Montesinos-López Osval A. , Crossa José , Fritsche-Neto Roberto
Published: June 2021

Genomic prediction (GP) success is directly dependent on establishing a training population, where incorporating envirotyping data and correlated traits may increase the GP accuracy. Therefore, we aimed to design optimized training sets for multi-trait for multi-environment trials (MTMET). For that, we evaluated the predictive ability of five GP models using the genomic best linear unbiased predictor model (GBLUP) with additive + dominance effects (M1) as the baseline and then adding genotype by environment interaction (G × E) (M2), enviromic data (W) (M3), W+G × E (M4), and finally W+G × W (M5), where G × W denotes the genotype by enviromic interaction. Moreover, we considered single-trait multi-environment trials (STMET) and MTMET for three traits: grain yield (GY), plant height (PH), and ear height (EH), with two datasets and two cross-validation schemes. Afterward, we built two kernels for genotype by environment by trait interaction (GET) and genotype by enviromic by trait interaction (GWT) to apply genetic algorithms to select genotype:environment:trait combinations that represent 98% of the variation of the whole dataset and composed the optimized training set (OTS). Using OTS based on enviromic data, it was possible to increase the response to selection per amount invested by 142%. Consequently, our results suggested that genetic algorithms of optimization associated with genomic and enviromic data efficiently design optimized training sets for genomic prediction and improve the genetic gains per dollar invested.
Cell entry inhibitor with sulfonated colloid gold as new potent broad-spectrum virucides
Authors: Chin Chur
Published: June 2021

We recently developed nontoxic, broad-spectrum virucidal gold nanoparticles, less than 10nm sized, modified with sulfonic acids (mesilate) that mimic heparan sulfates.Camostat, a serine protease inhibitor can introduce gold nanoparticles to the influenza virus via ionic bonds.In this study, we examined the ability of a novel sulfonated colloid gold to inhibit the virus in vivo. Thus, camostat-colloid gold is a promising candidate for the development of antiviral drugs to prevent and treat influenza infection.
Alpha-synuclein induces epigenomic dysregulation of glutamate signaling and locomotor pathways
Authors: Schaffner Samantha L. , Wassouf Zinah , Lazaro Diana F. , Xylaki Mary , Gladish Nicole , Lin David T. S. , MacIsaac Julia , Ramadori Katia , Schulze-Hentrich Julia M. , Outeiro Tiago F. , Kobor Michael S.
Published: June 2021

Background

Mutations and multiplications in the gene encoding for alpha-synuclein are associated with Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, not all individuals with alpha-synuclein variants develop PD, suggesting that additional factors are involved. We hypothesized that increased alpha-synuclein might alter epigenetic regulation of PD pathways.

Objectives

To identify genome-wide DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation changes induced by overexpression of two alpha-synuclein variants in human dopaminergic neurons, and to relate these to the corresponding transcriptome.

Methods

We assessed DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation at >850,000 CpGs using the EPIC BeadChip in LUHMES cells differentiated to dopaminergic neurons. Control LUHMES neurons, LUHMES neurons overexpressing wild type alpha-synuclein, and LUHMES neurons overexpressing A30P alpha-synuclein were compared. We used SMITE network analysis to identify functionally related genes with altered DNA methylation, DNA hydroxymethylation, and/or gene expression, incorporating LUHMES H3K4me1 ChIP-seq to delineate enhancers in addition to the default promoter and gene body regions.

Results

Using stringent statistical thresholds, we found that increased expression of wild type or A30P mutant alpha-synuclein induced DNA methylation changes at thousands of CpGs and DNA hydroxymethylation changes at hundreds of CpGs. Differentially methylated sites in both genotypes were enriched for several processes including movement-associated pathways and glutamate signaling. For glutamate and other signaling pathways (i.e. PDGF, insulin), this differential DNA methylation was also associated with transcriptional changes.

Conclusions

Our results indicated that alpha-synuclein altered the DNA methylome of dopaminergic neurons, influencing regulation of pathways involved in development, signaling, and metabolism. This supports a role for alpha-synuclein in the epigenetic etiology of PD.
Improved SNV discovery in barcode-stratified scRNA-seq alignments
Authors: Prashant NM , Liu Hongyu , Dillard Christian , Ibeawuchi Helen , Alsaeedy Turkey , Chan Kwan Hang , Horvath Anelia
Published: June 2021

Single cell SNV analysis is an emerging and promising strategy to connect cell-level genetic variation to cell phenotypes. At the present, SNV detection from 10x Genomics scRNA-seq data is typically performed on the pooled sequencing reads across all cells in a sample. Here, we assess the gain of information of SNV assessments from individual cell scRNA-seq data, where the alignments are split by barcode prior to the variant call. For our analyses we use publicly available sequencing data on the human breast cancer cell line MCF7 cell line generated at consequent time-points during anti-cancer treatment. We analyzed SNV calls by three popular variant callers – GATK, Strelka2 and Mu-tect2, in combination with a method for cell-level tabulation of the sequencing read counts bearing SNV alleles – SCReadCounts. Our analysis shows that variant calls on individual cell alignments identify at least two-fold higher number of SNVs as compared to the pooled scRNA-seq. We demonstrate that scSNVs exclusively called in the single cell alignments (scSNVs) are substantially enriched in novel genetic variants and in coding functional annotations, in particular, stop-codon and missense substitutions. Furthermore, we find that the expression of some scSNVs correlates with the expression of their harbouring gene (cis-scReQTLs).

Overall, our study indicates an immense potential of SNV calls from individual cell scRNA-seq data and emphasizes on the need of cell-level variant detection approaches and tools. Given the growing accumulation of scRNA-seq datasets, cell-level variant assessments are likely to significantly contribute to the understanding of the cellular heterogeneity and the relationship between genetics variants and functional phenotypes. In addition, cell-level variant assessments from scRNA-seq can be highly informative in cancer where they can help elucidate somatic mutations evolution and functionality.
Survey of COVID-19 associated symptoms and reported deaths in an urban community in Kano, Nigeria
Authors: Shahani Disha , Farouq Zayyad Sani , Galadima Hadiza , Khare Ashna , Ravi Nirmal
Published: June 2021

Background

Nigeria reported the first case of COVID-19 on February 27, 2020. By June of 2020, many people reported experiencing mild COVID-19 associated symptoms, yet did not get tested due to inaccessible testing and insufficient knowledge of the disease. There were media stories quoting grave diggers in Kano who reported high burial rates during this time.

Methods

In order to draw more data on COVID-19 cases during this time period, we conducted a cross-sectional symptom survey in Kano, surveying 291 adults. Participants were asked to report demographic characteristics, past COVID-19 testing and symptoms, and community deaths. To assess associations between COVID-19 associated symptoms and socio-demographic characteristics, bivariate analyses using Chi-square tests were performed. A logistic regression assessing the association between any reported symptoms and the kind of work (indoor/outdoor) was done while adjusting for age, gender and education level.

Results

Half of the respondents reported at least one symptom associated with COVID-19; the three most common symptoms were loss of appetite, cough, and fever. There was a statistically significant relationship between age group of the respondent and presence of COVID-19 associated symptoms. Gender or level of education did not have statistically significant association with COVID-19 associated symptoms among the respondents. People with outdoor occupations such as trading and hawking were more than twice as likely to report COVID-19 associated symptoms compared to those who were unemployed. Just under half of the respondents reported knowing someone who died in their community, with unexplained causes attributed to two-thirds of these cases. Our study found evidence of COVID-19 associated symptoms especially among the older population and unexplained deaths in Kano. Lack of confirmatory laboratory tests and absence of baseline vital statistics precluded us from finding definitive evidence for or against COVID-19 infection and associated mortality.
Convergence of case-specific epigenetic alterations identify a confluence of genetic vulnerabilities tied to opioid dependence
Authors: Corradin Olivia , Sallari Richard , Hoang An T. , Kassim Bibi S , Hutta Gabriella Ben , Cuoto Lizette , Quach Bryan C. , Lovrenert Katreya , Hays Cameron , Gryder Berkley E. , Iskhakova Marina , Cates Hannah , Song Yanwei , Bartels Cynthia F. , Hancock Dana B. , Mash Deborah C. , Johnson Eric O. , Akbarian Schahram , Scacheri Peter C.
Published: June 2021

Opioid dependence is a highly heterogeneous disease driven by a variety of genetic and environmental risk factors which have yet to be fully elucidated. We interrogated the effects of opioid dependence on the brain using ChIP-seq to quantify patterns of H3K27 acetylation in dorsolateral prefrontal cortical neurons isolated from 51 opioid-overdose cases and 51 accidental death controls. Among opioid cases, we observed global hypoacetylation and identified 388 putative enhancers consistently depleted for H3K27ac. Machine learning on H3K27ac patterns predicts case-control status with high accuracy. We focus on case-specific regulatory alterations, revealing 81,399 hypoacetylation events, uncovering vast inter-patient heterogeneity. We developed a strategy to decode this heterogeneity based on convergence analysis, which leveraged promoter-capture Hi-C to identify five genes over-burdened by alterations in their regulatory network or “plexus”:ASTN2, KCNMA1, DUSP4, GABBR2, ENOX1. These convergent loci are enriched for opioid use disorder risk genes and heritability for generalized anxiety, number of sexual partners, and years of education. Overall, our multi-pronged approach uncovers neurobiological aspects of opioid dependence and captures genetic and environmental factors perpetuating the opioid epidemic.
Active feature selection discovers minimal gene sets for classifying cell types and disease states with single-cell mRNA-seq data
Authors: Chen Xiaoqiao , Chen Sisi , Thomson Matt
Published: June 2021

Sequencing costs currently prohibit the application of single-cell mRNA-seq to many biological and clinical analyses. Targeted single-cell mRNA-sequencing reduces sequencing costs by profiling reduced gene sets that capture biological information with a minimal number of genes. Here, we introduce an active learning method (ActiveSVM) that identifies minimal but highly-informative gene sets that enable the identification of cell-types, physiological states, and genetic perturbations in single-cell data using a small number of genes. Our active feature selection procedure generates minimal gene sets from single-cell data through an iterative cell-type classification task where misclassified cells are examined at each round of analysis to identify maximally informative genes through an ‘active’ support vector machine (ActiveSVM) classifier. By focusing computational resources on misclassified cells, ActiveSVM scales to analyze data sets with over a million single cells. We demonstrate that ActiveSVM feature selection identifies gene sets that enable 90% cell-type classification accuracy across a variety of data sets including cell atlas and disease characterization data sets. The method generalizes to reveal genes that respond to genetic perturbations and to identify region specific gene expression patterns in spatial transcriptomics data. The discovery of small but highly informative gene sets should enable substantial reductions in the number of measurements necessary for application of single-cell mRNA-seq to clinical tests, therapeutic discovery, and genetic screens.
A contour-guided pose alignment method based on Gaussian mixture model for precision assembly
Authors: Guo Pengyue , Zhang Zhijing , Shi Lingling , Liu Yujun
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to solve the problem of pose measurement of various parts for a precision assembly system.

Design/methodology/approach

A novel alignment method which can achieve high-precision pose measurement of microparts based on monocular microvision system was developed. To obtain the precise pose of parts, an area-based contour point set extraction algorithm and a point set registration algorithm were developed. First, the part positioning problem was transformed into a probability-based two-dimensional point set rigid registration problem. Then, a Gaussian mixture model was fitted to the template point set, and the contour point set is represented by hierarchical data. The maximum likelihood estimate and expectation-maximization algorithm were used to estimate the transformation parameters of the two point sets.

Findings

The method has been validated for accelerometer assembly on a customized assembly platform through experiments. The results reveal that the proposed method can complete letter-pedestal assembly and the swing piece-basal part assembly with a minimum gap of 10 µm. In addition, the experiments reveal that the proposed method has better robustness to noise and disturbance.

Originality/value

Owing to its good accuracy and robustness for the pose measurement of complex parts, this method can be easily deployed to assembly system.
Relative exploration orientation and real options reasoning: survey evidence from Denmark
Authors: Jensen Claus Højmark , Kristensen Thomas Borup
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to extend the understanding of how real options reasoning (ROR) is associated with downside risk and how a firm’s portfolio (explore and exploit) of investment activities affects managers’ ability to effectively apply ROR in relation to downside risk.

Design/methodology/approach

The survey method is used. It is applied to a population of Danish firms, which in 2018 had more than 100 employees. The chief financial officer was the target respondent.

Findings

This study finds that a higher level of ROR is associated with lower levels of downside risk. ROR’s association with lower levels of the downside risk is also moderated by the level of relative exploration orientation in a negative direction.

Originality/value

The field of ROR research on downside risk and portfolio subadditivity has been dominated by research focused on multinationality. This paper extends extant literature on ROR by studying ROR as a multidimensional construct of firm action, which is associated with lower levels of downside risk, also when studied outside of a multinationality setting. This is the case when ROR is implemented as a complete system. This paper also applies a framework of exploitation and exploration to show that findings on subadditivity in options portfolios caused by asset correlations extend outside the scope of multinationality and into one of product/service innovation.
Mobile vs desktop user search behaviours of the 1300K site, a Korean shopping search engine
Authors: Park Soyeon , Cho Kihun
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This study aims to investigate and compare mobile and desktop user search behaviours of the 1300K site, a Korean shopping search engine, by using transaction log analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

Transaction logs of 1300K site were collected over a three months’ period, from 1 January to 31 March 2018. The data set of this study consists of 1,149,690 desktop queries, 2,346,938 mobile queries, 2,481,747 desktop browsing activities and 2,550,309 mobile browsing activities. This study quantitatively analyses transaction log of 1300K site.

Findings

The results of this study show that mobile usage is higher than desktop usage: there are more mobile sessions than desktop sessions and the number of mobile queries is more than double of desktop queries. Overall, mobile query search behaviours are more simple, targeted and focused than desktop query search behaviours. Also, mobile browsing behaviours are more simple and passive than desktop browsing behaviours. However, mobile click behaviours are more active than desktop click behaviours.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study appears to be the first of its type in Korea that compared search behaviours of a large number of users on desktop computers and mobile phones. To identify various characteristics of user search behaviours, this study analyses users’ directory browsing behaviour and click behaviour as well as query search behaviour. The results of this study can be implemented to address the effective improvement and development of search services and interfaces for different devices.
Incorporation of indigenous archives into Limpopo archives repository: a case of Venda indigenous archives
Authors: Netshakhuma Nkholedzeni Sidney
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This study aims to assess the Venda indigenous archives incorporation into the Limpopo Provincial archives to promote archives decolonisation.

Design/methodology/approach

This research is based on a qualitative research method. Interviews conducted with the 10 Limpopo Provincial Archivists and 25 community leaders based in the Venda area were conducted. The semi-structured interview was used to collect data.

Findings

It is a South African constitutional mandate for each province to manage its archives. As the former Venda was now part of the Limpopo province, its archives were incorporated into the Limpopo Provincial Archives. The Venda archives incorporation to the Limpopo Provincial Archives did not consider the will of a community member to travel a long distance. Furthermore, challenges faced by archivists such as lack of skills and knowledge to process archival materials, lack of funding and participation in the incorporation of archives materials.

Research limitations/implications

This research confines itself to the Venda indigenous archives created from 1979 to 1993.

Practical implications

This paper addresses archives decolonisation.

Social implications

The paper has the potential to demonstrate the value of the indigenous archive.

Originality/value

The study can be replicated for other research practices. This case study can be implemented in other parts of the world that face similar circumstances so regarding the transfer of archives and the challenges faced to maintain community knowledge and make them accessible.
Perceived barriers to career progression amongst female students: evidence from India and the United Arab Emirates
Authors: Biju Seena , Shetty Khyati , Fitzsimmons Jason R.
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the perceptions of barriers to career progression among female university students. While significant literature has examined career enhancement in the context of employed women, little work has explored the perceptions of future career challenges of females about to enter the workforce and embark on their careers. This study derives its motivation from research findings that confirm that women need additional focused preparation for career advancement opportunities.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used a sample of 484 Indian female university students located in the United Arab Emirates and India. The study uses the established Career Pathways Survey scale (Smith et al., 2012a) to measure the four dimensions Denial, Acceptance, Resignation and Resilience to career progression. Structural equation modeling was used to model the four constructs as indicators of perceived barriers to progress.

Findings

The study finds that among the female students about to embark on their career journey, there is a strong desire toward achieving career success. The model is validated by the use of a structural equation model, and findings indicate that there is a strong sense of Resilience and an element of uncertainty about whether perceived career progression will be satisfying overall. No significant differences were observed in the perceptions across the two geographical locations. The findings suggest that continued efforts in preparing female graduates for career success are warranted.

Practical implications

The Career Pathways Survey may be a useful method to assist young women in identifying their career goals prior to entering the workforce. Interventions through training programs during their higher education may be beneficial in addressing perceptions that might hinder their later career growth.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the understanding of the perceived barriers to career progression for women. Prior research has concentrated on career progression in the context of employed women. This study extends that work to understand the perceptions of women about to embark on their career journey.
Susceptibility of falling behind current medical knowledge among health-care professionals: the extended parallel process model
Authors: Naeem Salman Bin , Bhatti Rubina , Ahmad Khurshid , Rafi Muhammad
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to appraise the possible response outcomes (no response, fear control or danger control) of a fear-based message on falling behind current medical knowledge among health-care professionals (HCPs).

Design/methodology/approach

This study was conducted using a quantitative research design. A cross-sectional survey was carried out in 2,873 health-care facilities across 36 districts of Punjab. The Extended Parallel Process Model (EPPM) provided a theoretical framework for this study. The important components to EPPM such as threat, efficacy and outcomes were used to collect the data. The collected data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.

Findings

HCPs perceived high susceptibility and threat of falling behind current medical knowledge. A majority of the HCPs were at the danger control process and engaged in a behavior that is recommended for adaptive behavioral changes. Clinical experience and enrollment in post-graduation programs (e.g. FCPS, MCPS) were significant factors as to HCPs’ perceived response efficacy.

Research limitations/implications

The responses were obtained using a structured questionnaire, which is always subject to respondents’ personal biases and ability to understand the question’s statement.

Practical implications

This study has important implications in terms of introducing promotional, educational and logistical interventions that could help in HCPs overcoming the fear of falling behind current medical knowledge and develop productive and adoptive information behavior thus improving patient care and outcome.

Originality/value

This is the first large-scale empirical study in Pakistan that measured the level of threat and efficacy among HCPs using the EPPM. It proposes a framework for developing long-lasting adaptive information behavioral changes that may result in informed patient care and better decision-making.
An interactive query-based approach for summarizing scientific documents
Authors: Bayatmakou Farnoush , Mohebi Azadeh , Ahmadi Abbas
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Query-based summarization approaches might not be able to provide summaries compatible with the user’s information need, as they mostly rely on a limited source of information, usually represented as a single query by the user. This issue becomes even more challenging when dealing with scientific documents, as they contain more specific subject-related terms, while the user may not be able to express his/her specific information need in a query with limited terms. This study aims to propose an interactive multi-document text summarization approach that generates an eligible summary that is more compatible with the user’s information need. This approach allows the user to interactively specify the composition of a multi-document summary.

Design/methodology/approach

This approach exploits the user’s opinion in two stages. The initial query is refined by user-selected keywords/keyphrases and complete sentences extracted from the set of retrieved documents. It is followed by a novel method for sentence expansion using the genetic algorithm, and ranking the final set of sentences using the maximal marginal relevance method. Basically, for implementation, the Web of Science data set in the artificial intelligence (AI) category is considered.

Findings

The proposed approach receives feedback from the user in terms of favorable keywords and sentences. The feedback eventually improves the summary as the end. To assess the performance of the proposed system, this paper has asked 45 users who were graduate students in the field of AI to fill out a questionnaire. The quality of the final summary has been also evaluated from the user’s perspective and information redundancy. It has been investigated that the proposed approach leads to higher degrees of user satisfaction compared to the ones with no or only one step of the interaction.

Originality/value

The interactive summarization approach goes beyond the initial user’s query, while it includes the user’s preferred keywords/keyphrases and sentences through a systematic interaction. With respect to these interactions, the system gives the user a more clear idea of the information he/she is looking for and consequently adjusting the final result to the ultimate information need. Such interaction allows the summarization system to achieve a comprehensive understanding of the user’s information needs while expanding context-based knowledge and guiding the user toward his/her information journey.
Analysis of factors affecting the realization of right to adequate housing in Iran: developing an interpretive-structural model
Authors: Zarghamfard Moslem , Meshkini Abolfazl
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Access to adequate housing represents a right entitled to any individual, as has been acknowledged by all states around the world. In Iran, despite the declaration of this right as per the Article 31 of Iran’s Constitution, it is yet to be realized. The purpose of this study is to developing a model for realization of the right to the adequate housing.

Design/methodology/approach

The present research was performed through a guided qualitative method. Structural-interpretative modeling was performed to present the model of right to adequate housing, and Mic Mac analysis was conducted for clustering the identified factors. Statistical population was composed of housing experts, with the samples taken via purposive sampling technique.

Findings

Based on the findings, the following factors were found to impose the largest effects on the realization of the right to adequate housing: alignment with ideology and beliefs of society; governance structure related arrangements; social structure related arrangements; improving security of tenure; justice in tenure; and local requirements.

Practical implications

Findings of this research contributes to increasing the awareness of the housing officials about their policies, reminding them the necessity of revisiting their routines for policy-setting. Indeed, they must switch from centralized policymaking to localized (provincealization) policymaking.

Originality/value

To the best of authors’ knowledge, this research is the first to investigate the right to adequate housing in Iran, elaborating on the relationship between relevant theories and practical issues.
Assessing unmet health-care needs of the elderly in west of Iran: A case study
Authors: Piroozi Bakhtiar , Abdullah Farman Zahir , Mohamadi-Bolbanabad Amjad , Safari Hossein , Amerzadeh Mohammad , Rezaei Satar , Moradi Ghobad , Ansari Masoumeh , Afkhamzadeh Abdorrahim , Gholami Jamshid
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the status of perceived need, seeking behavior and utilization of health services in the elderly population of Sanandaj (west of Iran).

Design/methodology/approach

This is a cross-sectional study conducted on 800 elderly people in Sanandaj. Subjects were selected using multistage sampling and data were collected using self-report questionnaires. A multivariate logistic model with odds ratios (ORs) was used to determine the relationship of independent variables with seeking perceived need. Also, the concentration index was used to measure the inequality in using health services.

Findings

The perceived need for outpatient (during the last 30 days) and inpatient health-care services (during the past 12 months) was 69.7% and 29.7%, respectively. Among them, the unmet need for outpatient and inpatient health-care services was 46.6% and 17%, respectively. Having health insurance (adjusted OR 12.08; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04–140.11), middle economic status (adjusted OR 5.18; 95% CI 1.30–20.51) and being in an age group of 65–70 years (adjusted OR 7.60; CI 1.42–40.61) increased the chance of seeking inpatient care. Also, being in an age group of 60–65 years (adjusted OR 0.41; 95% CI 0.18–0.95) reduced the chance of seeking outpatient care. There was also a pro-rich inequality in using outpatient health services.

Originality/value

The elderly population suffers from unmet health-care needs, especially in outpatient services. The most important reason for not seeking outpatient and inpatient services was financial barriers and self-medication, respectively. So, designing targeted policies and interventions to address barriers in the conversion of need to demand in the elderly population is essential.
Fabrication of high-aspect-ratio grooves with high surface quality by using femtosecond laser
Authors: Zhang Ru , Huang Chuanzhen , Wang Jun , Zhu Hongtao , Liu Hanlian
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to fabricate high-aspect-ratio grooves with high surface quality by femtosecond laser (FS) to improve the machinability of silicon carbide (SiC) and optimize the process parameters in micromechanical applications.

Design/methodology/approach

Four contrast experiments are reported to characterize the FS laser grooving process for SiC with polarization direction, crystal orientation, multi-pass scanning and z layer feed, respectively. The effects of different experimental conditions on the groove characteristics, material removal rate (MRR), aspect ratio, heat affected zone (HAZ) and surface roughness Ra are analyzed.

Findings

The influence of increasing laser fluence and multi-scanning pass on the groove depth is greater than on the groove width. The MRR, aspect ratio, HAZ and Ra increased with the increase of laser fluence and multi-scanning pass. The direction of laser polarization affects the direction of hot electron injection but has little effect on the material characteristics. FS laser ablation is an isotropic process and there is no obvious change in different crystal orientations. The z-layer feed can significantly increase the groove width and depth and reduce HAZ and Ra. The maximum aspect ratio of 82.67% was fabricated.

Originality/value

The results contribute to the understanding of the removal mechanism and reduce the friction of the microfluidic device and improve the flowability in the FS laser ablation of SiC. This paper provides suggestions for the selection of suitable process parameters and provides a wider possibility for the application of micro-texture on SiC.
The psychological impact of COVID-19 on socially isolated individuals – a systematic review
Authors: Shankar Adisha , Yu Brian Edward , Malvankar-Mehta Monali
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This study aims to assess the various psychological effects of the Coronavirus on those in isolation, the factors that cause these effects during the pandemic, as well as to discuss the recommendations and strategies that can be implemented to help reduce the negative psychological impact.

Design/methodology/approach

Databases such as MEDLINE (Ovid), excerpta medica dataBASE (Ovid) and cumulative index of nursing and allied health literature (Elton B. Stephens Company), as well as grey literature, were used as a part of the search design to locate articles published on this subject. The search design was formatted in a way that aided in locating articles concerning a variety of mental health effects. Title and abstract screening and full text screening were conducted by two reviewers. The risk of bias assessment was conducted using AMSTAR2. Data extraction was performed by one reviewer and was confirmed by the other.

Findings

A total of 28 articles were obtained, and of those, 11 were included in the review. From the data that was reviewed, the majority of the isolated individuals felt depressed and anxious. This negative psychological distress contributes to deteriorating health and quality of life in many people.

Research limitations/implications

Few limitations include limited published research papers pertaining to the subject of the mental health effects of COVID-19 on individuals in social isolation. Therefore, this suggests the need for higher quality studies to be performed on this topic.

Originality/value

This review provides a unique viewpoint on the effects of COVID-19, allowing for others to have a better understanding of the wide range of psychological impacts the pandemic has brought on.
Brazil and China: towards a mass and universal educational system
Authors: Costa Danilo de Melo
Published: June 2021

Purpose

China has invested massively in higher education, reaching a mass system, envisaging, as a next step, reaching a universal system. Brazil is still an elite system but needs to create adequate public policies to migrate to a mass system. The purpose of this article is to analyze the paradigms for a mass educational system, with regard to the quality of education offered, and the prospects for achieving a universal system, with Brazil and China as a reference.

Design/methodology/approach

The author applied an exploratory and qualitative method, through categorical content analysis. The data were collected through nine interviews with government managers, 15 unstructured (open) questionnaires to specialists in higher education and four student leadership.

Findings

The results indicate that the change from an elite system to a mass system impacts quality, as there is an inevitable change in experience. However, this modification does not testify against the mass system, as it is necessary for a nation to pass through it and structure itself adequately in order to reach the universal system, a path desired by both countries.

Originality/value

The study presented the reflections observed by the migration from the elite system to the mass system from the main stakeholders of the system in China and the prospects for Brazil to become a mass system. Additionally, it presented the perspectives for both countries to achieve the desired universal system.
Modest wear e-commerce: examining online purchase intent in Indonesia
Authors: Sumarliah Eli , Khan Sher Zaman , Khan Rafi Ullah
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The study has three primary purposes, i.e. (1) to examine the determinants influencing customers’ online purchase intent for modest wear; (2) to measure the effects of electronic innovativeness, fashion innovativeness, perceived value, and trust on the intent to buy modest wear via the Internet; (3) to inspect how the factor “trust” can affect the “perceived value” of modest wear purchase through e-commerce; and (4) to explore the roles of “attitude” and “religiosity” in influencing customers’ intent to purchase modest wear online.

Design/methodology/approach

561 Muslim consumers were reviewed in the study. According to the conceptual framework established through a literature review on the constructs suggested, measurement items were modified to the study’s perspective, and a 31-item questionnaire was applied. A regression examination of potential variables was applied using ADANCO version 2.0.1 software and the PLS-SEM.

Findings

The findings signify that the leading factors affecting online modest wear purchase intent are fashion innovativeness, electronic innovativeness, perceived value, trust, attitude, and religiosity. Meanwhile, trust is the predictor of perceived value, and religiosity is the predictor of attitude.

Originality/value

There are only two notable studies that focus on modest fashion purchase intention in the online channel with examining only three influential factors. The study is an initial effort to examine new and more complete leading factors affecting online modest wear purchase intent including fashion innovativeness, electronic innovativeness, perceived value, trust, attitude, and religiosity.
Does board independence moderate the effect of politician directors on CSR disclosure? Evidence from the publicly listed banks in Bangladesh
Authors: Rashid Md. Harun Ur , Hossain Syed Zabid
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the moderating effect of independent directors on the relationship between politicians on the board and corporate social responsibility disclosure (CSRD).

Design/methodology/approach

The ordinary least square has been used to analyze the CSRD data collected from the annual reports of all 30 listed banks of Bangladesh covering six years period ranging from 2013–2018. Further, the study has applied the generalized method of moments to prove the robustness of the model across the endogeneity issue.

Findings

The study found a positive relationship between board independence and CSRD that indicates board independence enhances the CSRD to a great extent. On the contrary, the inclusion of politicians on the board has shown a negative impact on CSRD that implies the higher the presence of political members on the board of a bank, the lower the involvement of the bank in CSR activities. However, board independence positively and significantly moderates the politician directors on the CSRD. The findings imply that if the independent directors are empowered, they play the role of whistleblowers that, in turn, mitigates the negative role of politician directors to CSRD.

Research limitations/implications

The study suggests the banks’ management, and regulatory bodies formulate sound policies so that the banks are forced to include more independent directors with enough power and at the same time, reduce the politician directors on the board.

Originality/value

The study extends debate on the political CSR and CSRD through validating the role of board independence.
Associations between peripheral perfusion disorders, mean arterial pressure and dose of norepinephrine administrated in the early phase of septic shock
Authors: Magnin Mathieu , Amson Harry , Vacheron Charles‐Hervé , Thiollière Fabrice , Piriou Vincent , Junot Stéphane , Bonnet Garin Jeanne‐Marie , Allaouchiche Bernard
Published: June 2021

The aim of the study was to explore the correlations between peripheral perfusion, mean arterial pressure and the dose‐rate of norepinephrine (NE) infused for the treatment of septic shock. The study is retrospective analysis of data acquired prospectively on 57 patients during the first 24 hours after the occurrence of the shock. Clinical and haemodynamic characteristics, skin perfusion parameters (capillary refill time [CRT], mottling score and temperature gradients) and the dose rate of NE infusion were collected. Negative correlations between mean arterial pressure (MAP) and temperature gradients (core‐to‐toe: P = .03, core‐to‐index: P = .04) were found and abnormal CRT was associated with lower MAP (P = .02). The dose rate of NE was negatively correlated with temperature gradients (core‐to‐toe: P = .02, core‐to‐index: P = .01, forearm‐to‐index: P = .008) in the overall population. In patients receiving NE for at least 12 hours, the NE dose rate positively was correlated with the mottling score (P = .006), temperature gradients (core‐to‐toe: P = .04, forearm‐to‐index: P = .02, core‐to‐index: P = .005) and CRT (P = .001). The dose of NE administrated was associated with 14‐days mortality (odds ration [OR] = 1.21 [1.06‐1.38], P = .006) and with 28‐days mortality (OR = 1.17 [1.01‐1.36], P = 0.04). In conclusion, the study described the presence of correlations between peripheral perfusion and MAP and between peripheral perfusion and the dose rate of NE infusion.
Chromosome‐scale genome assembly of areca palm (Areca catechu)
Authors: Yang Yaodong , Huang Liyun , Xu Chunyan , Qi Lan , Wu Zhangyan , Li Jia , Chen Haixin , Wu Yi , Fu Tao , Zhu Hui , Saand Mumtaz Ali , Li Jing , Liu Liyun , Fan Haikou , Zhou Huanqi , Qin Weiquan
Published: June 2021

Areca palm (Areca catechu L.; family Arecaceae) is an important tropical medicinal crop and is also used for masticatory and religious purposes in Asia. Improvements to areca properties made by traditional breeding tools have been very slow, and further advances in its cultivation and practical use require genomic information, which is still unavailable. Here, we present a chromosome‐scale reference genome assembly for areca by combining Illumina and PacBio data with Hi‐C mapping technologies, covering the predicted A. catechu genome length (2.59 Gb, variety “Reyan#1”) to an estimated 240× read depth. The assembly was 2.51 Gb in length with a scaffold N50 of 1.7Mb. The scaffolds were then further assembled into 16 pseudochromosomes, with an N50 of 172 Mb. Transposable elements comprised 80.37% of the areca genome, and 68.68% of them were long‐terminal repeat retrotransposon elements. The areca palm genome was predicted to harbour 31,571 protein‐coding genes and overall, 92.92% of genes were functionally annotated, including enriched and expanded families of genes responsible for biosynthesis of flavonoid, anthocyanin, monoterpenoid and their derivatives. Comparative analyses indicated that A. catechu probably diverged from its close relatives Elaeis guineensis and Cocos nucifera approximately 50.3 million years ago (Ma). Two whole genome duplication events in areca palm were found to be shared by palms and monocots, respectively. This genome assembly and associated resources represents an important addition to the palm genomics community and will be a valuable resource that will facilitate areca palm breeding and improve our understanding of areca palm biology and evolution.
A meta‐regression of methodological features that predict the effects of medications on the subjective response to alcohol
Authors: Green ReJoyce , Du Han , Grodin Erica N. , Nieto Steven J. , Bujarski Spencer , Roche Daniel J.O. , Ray Lara A.
Published: June 2021

Background

Alcohol administration paradigms have been used for early efficacy testing of novel compounds for alcohol use disorder (AUD). There has been an ongoing debate about sample characteristics and methodological features that affect the likelihood of detecting an early efficacy signal for AUD medications. We conducted a meta‐regression to test whether the drinking level of the study sample and the peak breath alcohol concentration (BrAC) in the alcohol administration study predict the efficacy of AUD pharmacotherapies on the subjective responses to alcohol.

Methods

We computed the effects of 21 medications on alcohol‐induced stimulation, sedation, negative mood, and craving during alcohol administration in 49 studies.

Results

Meta‐regression analyses indicated a significant and positive effect of pre‐study drinks per month on alcohol‐induced stimulation (β = 0.142, p < 0.0001), such that as drinking increases, the benefit of medication over placebo decreases. There was an effect of drinks per month on negative mood (β = −0.164, p = 0.0248), such that at higher levels of drinks per month, the effects of medications on negative mood are stronger. For sedation, there was an effect of peak BrAC (β = 0.119, p = 0.0002), such that at low levels of peak BrAC, the effects of medication on sedation were null. For craving, there was a peak BrAC × drinks per month interaction such that at low levels of BrAC, a heavier drinking sample is required to detect the effects of medication on craving. Sensitivity analyses comparing naltrexone studies and non‐naltrexone studies suggested that naltrexone was less sensitive to drinks per month across subjective response domains.

Conclusions

These analyses show that design features are critical in studies that test the effects of medications on the subjective responses to alcohol. By specifying the significance and directionality of these effects, as well as the specific points in BrAC or drinks per month at which medication effects are detectable, the study offers recommendations for design features of alcohol administration studies that aim to inform AUD medication development.