bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bioequivalence Assessment of High-Capacity Polymeric Micelle Nanoformulation of Paclitaxel and Abraxane® in Rodent and Non-Human Primate Models Using a Stable Isotope Tracer Assay
Authors: Hwang Duhyeong , Vinod Natasha , Skoczen Sarah L. , Ramsey Jacob D. , Snapp Kelsie S. , Montgomery Stephanie A. , Wang Mengzhe , Lim Chaemin , Frank Jonathan E. , Sokolsky-Papkov Marina , Li Zibo , Yuan Hong , Stern Stephan T. , Kabanov Alexander V.
Published: August 2021

The in vivo fate of nanoformulated drugs is governed by the physicochemical properties of the drug and the functionality of nanocarriers. Nanoformulations such as polymeric micelles, which physically encapsulate poorly soluble drugs, release their payload into the bloodstream during systemic circulation. This results in three distinct fractions of the drug-nanomedicine: encapsulated, protein-bound, and free drug. Having a thorough understanding of the pharmacokinetic (PK) profiles of each fraction is essential to elucidate mechanisms of nanomedicine-driven changes in drug exposure and PK/PD relationships pharmacodynamic activity. Here, we present a comprehensive preclinical assessment of the poly(2-oxazoline)-based polymeric micelle of paclitaxel (PTX) (POXOL hl-PM), including bioequivalence comparison to the clinically approved paclitaxel nanomedicine, Abraxane®. Physicochemical characterization and toxicity analysis of POXOL hl-PM was conducted using standardized protocols by the Nanotechnology Characterization Laboratory (NCL). The bioequivalence of POXOL hl-PM to Abraxane® was evaluated in rats and rhesus macaques using the NCL’s established stable isotope tracer ultrafiltration assay (SITUA) to delineate the plasma PK of each PTX fraction. The SITUA study revealed that POXOL hl-PM and Abraxane® had comparable PK profiles not only for total PTX but also for the distinct drug fractions, suggesting bioequivalence in given animal models. The comprehensive preclinical evaluation of POXOL hl-PM in this study showcases a series of widely-applicable standardized studies by NCL for assessing nanoformulations prior to clinical investigation.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Constitutive signaling by the C-terminal fragment of polycystin-1 is mediated by a tethered peptide agonist
Authors: Magenheimer Brenda S. , Munoz Ericka Nevarez , Ravichandran Jayalakshmi , Maser Robin L.
Published: August 2021

Mutation of the PKD1 gene, encoding polycystin-1 (PC1), is the primary cause of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease. PC1 is an 11-transmembrane domain protein that binds and modulates the activity of multiple heterotrimeric G protein families and is thought to function as a non-canonical G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR). PC1 shares a conserved GPCR autoproteolysis inducing [GAIN] domain with the adhesion family of GPCRs, that promotes an auto-catalytic, cis-cleavage at the GPCR proteolysis site (GPS) located proximal to the first transmembrane domain. GPS cleavage divides these receptors into two associated ‘subunits’, the extracellular N-terminal (NTF) and transmembrane C-terminal (CTF) fragments. For the adhesion GPCRs, removal of the NTF leads to activation of G protein signaling as a result of the exposure and subsequent intramolecular binding of the extracellular N-terminal stalk of the CTF, i.e., the tethered cryptic ligand or tethered agonist model. Here, we test the hypothesis that PC1-mediated signaling is regulated by an adhesion GPCR-like, tethered agonist mechanism. Using cell-based reporter assays and mutagenesis of PC1 expression constructs, we show that the CTF form of PC1 requires the stalk for signaling activation and synthetic peptides derived from the PC1 stalk sequence can re-activate signaling by a ‘stalk-less’ CTF. In addition, we demonstrate that ADPKD-associated missense mutations within the PC1 stalk affect signaling and can inhibit GPS cleavage. These results provide a foundation for beginning to understand the molecular mechanism of G protein regulation by PC1 and suggest that a tethered agonist-mediated mechanism can contribute to PKD pathogenesis.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT

Mutations of the PKD1 gene, encoding polycystin-1, are the predominant cause of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), a systemic disease that is the 4th leading cause of kidney failure. Polycystin-1 functions as an atypical GPCR capable of binding or activating heterotrimeric G proteins, which is essential for preventing renal cystogenesis. However, little is known regarding its regulation. Polycystin-1 shares structural features with the Adhesion family of GPCRs. In this work, we combined mutagenesis and cellular signaling assays which demonstrated that constitutive activation of signaling by polycystin-1 involves an Adhesion GPCR-like molecular mechanism. This study provides new knowledge regarding the structure-function relationships of polycystin-1 which will stimulate additional areas of investigation and reveal novel avenues of therapeutic intervention for ADPKD.
Age-related changes in Tau and Autophagy in human brain in the absence of neurodegeneration
Authors: Chatterjee Shreyasi , Sealey Megan , Ruiz Eva , Pegasiou Chrysia M. , Green Sam , Crisford Anna , Vasquez Michael Duque , Luckett Emma , Robertson Rebecca , Richardson Philippa , Vajramani Girish , Grundy Paul , Bulters Diederik , Proud Christopher , Vargas-Caballero Mariana , Mudher Amritpal
Published: August 2021

Tau becomes abnormally hyper-phosphorylated and aggregated in tauopathies like Alzheimers disease (AD). As age is the greatest risk factor for developing AD, it is important to understand how tau protein itself, and the pathways implicated in its turnover, change during aging. We investigated age-related changes in total and phosphorylated tau in brain samples from two cohorts of cognitively normal individuals spanning 19-74 years, without overt neurodegeneration. One cohort utilised resected tissue and the other used post-mortem tissue. Total soluble tau levels declined with age in both cohorts. Phosphorylated tau was undetectable in the post-mortem tissue but was clearly evident in the resected tissue and did not undergo significant age-related change. To ascertain if the decline in soluble tau was correlated with age-related changes in autophagy, three markers of autophagy were tested but only two appeared to increase with age and the third was unchanged. This implies that in individuals who do not develop neurodegeneration, there is an age-related reduction in soluble tau which could potentially be due to age-related changes in autophagy. Thus, to explore how an age-related increase in autophagy might influence tau-mediated dysfunctions in vivo, autophagy was enhanced in a Drosophila model and all age-related tau phenotypes were significantly ameliorated. These data shed light on age-related physiological changes in proteins implicated in AD and highlights the need to study pathways that may be responsible for these changes. It also demonstrates the therapeutic potential of interventions that upregulate turnover of aggregate-prone proteins during aging.
Identification and targeting of a pan-genotypic influenza A virus RNA structure that mediates packaging and disease
Authors: Hagey Rachel J. , Elazar Menashe , Tian Siqi , Pham Edward A. , Kladwang Wipapat , Ben-Avi Lily , Nguyen Khanh , Xiong Anming , Rabinovich Meirav , Schaffert Steven , Avisar Talia , Fram Benjamin , Liu Ping , Khatri Purvesh , Taubenberger Jeffery K. , Das Rhiju , Glenn Jeffrey S.
Published: August 2021

Currently approved anti-influenza drugs target viral proteins, are subtype limited, and are challenged by rising antiviral resistance. To overcome these limitations, we sought to identify a conserved essential RNA secondary structure within the genomic RNA predicted to have greater constraints on mutation in response to therapeutics targeting this structure. Here, we identified and genetically validated an RNA stemloop structure we termed PSL2, which serves as a packaging signal for genome segment PB2 and is highly conserved across influenza A virus (IAV) isolates. RNA structural modeling rationalized known packaging-defective mutations and allowed for predictive mutagenesis tests. Disrupting and compensating mutations of PSL2’s structure give striking attenuation and restoration, respectively, of in vitro virus packaging and mortality in mice. Antisense Locked Nucleic Acid oligonucleotides (LNAs) designed against PSL2 dramatically inhibit IAV in vitro against viruses of different strains and subtypes, possess a high barrier to the development of antiviral resistance, and are equally effective against oseltamivir carboxylate-resistant virus. A single dose of LNA administered 3 days after, or 14 days before, a lethal IAV inoculum provides 100% survival. Moreover, such treatment led to the development of strong immunity to rechallenge with a ten-fold lethal inoculum. Together, these results have exciting implications for the development of a versatile novel class of antiviral therapeutics capable of prophylaxis, post-exposure treatment, and “just-in-time” universal vaccination against all IAV strains, including drug-resistant pandemics.

One Sentence Summary

Targeting a newly identified conserved RNA structure in the packaging signal region of influenza segment PB2 abrogates virus production in vitro and dramatically attenuates disease in vivo.
Evidence of long-term purging of mutation load in killer whale genomes
Authors: Foote Andrew D. , Gilbert M. Thomas P. , Gopalakrishnan Shyam , Louis Marie , Martin Michael D. , Morin Phillip A. , Nykänen Milaja , Scharff-Olsen Camilla Hjorth , Excoffier Laurent
Published: August 2021

Genomes of high latitude killer whales harbour signatures of post-glacial founding and expansion. Here, we investigate whether reduced efficacy of selection increased mutation load in founder populations, or whether recessive deleterious mutations exposed to selection in homozygous genotypes were purged. Comparing the accumulation of synonymous and non-synonymous mutations across pairs of globally sampled genomes reveals that the most significant outliers are high latitude North Atlantic genomes, which have accumulated significantly fewer non-synonymous mutations than all other populations. Comparisons with the genome of a 7.5-Kyr-old North Atlantic killer whale, inferred to be closely related to the population directly ancestral to present-day Icelandic and Norwegian populations, calibrates the timing of the action of selection on non-synonymous mutations predominantly to the mid-late Holocene. Non-synonymous mutations purged in modern Norwegian killer whale genomes are found as globally shared standing variation in heterozygote genotypes more often than expected, suggesting overdominance. Taken together, our findings are consistent with purging of recessive non-synonymous mutations exposed to selection in founder-associated homozygous genotypes.
Integration of whole genome sequencing and transcriptomics reveals a complex picture of insecticide resistance in the major malaria vector Anopheles coluzzii
Authors: Ingham VA , Tennessen JA , Lucas ER , Elg S , Carrington-Yates H , Carson J , Guelbeogo WM , Sagnon N , Hughes G , Heinz E , Neafsey DE , Ranson H
Published: August 2021

Insecticide resistance is a major threat to gains in malaria control, which have been stalling and potentially reversing since 2015. Studies into the causal mechanisms of insecticide resistance are painting an increasingly complicated picture, underlining the need to design and implement targeted studies on this phenotype. In this study, we compare three populations of the major malaria vector An. coluzzii: a susceptible and two resistant colonies with the same genetic background. The original colonised resistant population rapidly lost resistance over a 6-month period, a subset of this population was reselected with pyrethroids a third population of this colony that did not lose resistance was also available. The original resistant, susceptible and re-selected colonies were subject to RNAseq and whole genome sequencing, which identified a number of changes across the transcriptome and genome linked with resistance. Firstly, an increase in the expression of genes within the oxidative phosphorylation pathway were seen in both resistant populations compared to the susceptible control; this translated phenotypically through an increased respiratory rate, indicating that elevated metabolism is linked directly with resistance. Genome sequencing highlighted several blocks clearly associated with resistance, including the 2Rb inversion. Finally, changes in the microbiome profile were seen, indicating that the microbial composition may play a role in the resistance phenotype. Taken together, this study reveals a highly complicated phenotype in which multiple transcriptomic, genomic and microbiome changes combine to result in insecticide resistance.
Why be thrifty? Sex-specific heterothermic patterns in wintering captive Microcebus murinus do not translate into differences in energy balance
Authors: Noiret Aude , Karanewsky Caitlin , Aujard Fabienne , Terrien Jeremy
Published: August 2021

The physiological mechanisms of the responses toward stressors are the core of ecophysiology studies to understand the limits of an organism’s flexibility and better predict the impact of environmental degradation on natural populations. However, little information is available when we question inter-individual variability of these physiological responses, even though they can be particularly important. Some observations of intersexual differences in heterothermy raised the question of a difference in energy management between sexes. Here we assess male and female differences in a mouse lemur model (Microcebus murinus), a highly seasonal Malagasy primate, studying their physiological flexibility toward caloric restriction, and examining the impact on their reproductive success. These animals are adapted for naturally changing food availability and climate conditions, and can express deep torpor, allowing them to spare their energy expenses over the dry and cold season. We monitored body mass and body temperature on 12 males and 12 females over winter, applying a chronic 40% caloric restriction to 6 individuals of each group. Our results showed variability of Tb modulations throughout winter and in response to caloric treatment depending on the sex, as females entered deep torpor regardless of food restriction, while only CR males had a similar response. The use of deep torpor, however, did not translate into better body condition either in females, or in response to CR, and did not clearly affect reproductive success. The favorable captive context potentially buffered the depth of torpor and minimized the positive effects of using torpor on energy savings. However, our results may emphasize the existence of other benefits of heterothermic responses than fat reserves.
Beyond dimension reduction: Stable electric fields emerge from and allow representational drift
Authors: Pinotsis Dimitris A. , Miller Earl K.
Published: August 2021

It is known that the exact neurons maintaining a given memory (the neural ensemble) change from trial to trial. This raises the question of how the brain achieves stability in the face of this representational drift. Here, we demonstrate that this stability emerges at the level of the electric fields that arise from neural activity. We show that electric fields carry information about working memory content. The electric fields, in turn, can act as “guard rails” that funnel higher dimensional variable neural activity along stable lower dimensional routes. We obtained the latent space associated with each memory. We then confirmed the stability of the electric field by mapping the latent space to different cortical patches (that comprise a neural ensemble) and reconstructing information flow between patches. Stable electric fields can allow latent states to be transferred between brain areas, in accord with modern engram theory.
Linkages among extended service quality, distinct perceived value and satisfaction in the exhibition trust-building process
Authors: Lee Dae Hui
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine the causal relationship between extended service quality including information and communications technology (ICT) and distinct perceived value. This study also examined whether distinct perceived value has different effects on exhibition trust through general attendees' satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

Structural equation modeling was used to examine the causal relationships between the following factors: extended service quality, distinct perceived value, satisfaction and trust.

Findings

The structural relationships between extended service quality, distinct perceived value and satisfaction required to build exhibition trust were empirically confirmed. In particular, ICTs had significant effects on all of the perceived value factors, which reliably supports a conclusion that ICT is a key component of exhibition service quality.

Originality/value

Recognizing the significance of ICT, this study has contributed to the field by providing researchers and managers with useful information that not only demonstrates how extended service quality and distinct perceived value independently contribute to satisfaction and interact with each other in doing so but also offers insights for better understanding how trust can be formed in exhibitions. Grasping the distinct preferences for value-oriented activities, understanding the importance of their mediating impacts and expanding the online-offline social networks in which their benefits are promoted and shared can alleviate the uncertainty leading up to exhibition participation while increasing the preemptive transparency of the relationship between quality and value offered by exhibitions.
Strategies to promote collaborative governance regime in Indian rural road maintenance
Authors: Dolla Tharun , Laishram Boeing
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Effective maintenance of rural roads is an essential aspect of public infrastructure delivery. However, governments failed to upkeep the built infrastructure. Accordingly, this study addresses this pressing issue by identifying attributes, skills and resources for asset maintenance. To do this, collaborative governance, a recent plausible alternative in the public policy literature, is used.

Design/methodology/approach

The literature review proffered 29 strategies for operationalising collaborative governance principles. A questionnaire survey with the public sector representatives comprising top-level, mid-level and lower-level engineers was used to test the applicability of these strategies in rural infrastructure maintenance of India. The rated responses concerning strategies were subjected to exploratory factor analysis to determine the underlying structure for reducing the dimensions to make them practically operational.

Findings

The exploratory factor analysis showed that six dimensions play an essential role in initiating and promoting collaboration. This parsimonious framework suggests building a common collaborative framework, communicating vision and fostering communities, leadership, increasing the industry's capacity, transparency of power and responsibilities, and technical and financial resources. Thus, governments’ initiatives to build collaboration is most prominent in initiating and sustaining a successful collaboration.

Practical implications

The practical strategies reinforced through this study can formalise self-initiated regimes or independently convened regimes to a federally directed regime well within the scope of the national programmes. Thus, findings primarily have considerable implications to emerging countries where reducing the unit costs to save the public exchequer from wastage and preventing assets from becoming dilapidate are essential.

Originality/value

Public sector practitioners often lack the essential skills and innovative thinking and thus offered new knowledge would transform the traditional practices in infrastructure maintenance. Theoretically, the present research advances the understanding of structures and processes for collaborative governance theory to non-contractual infrastructure asset management literature.
Revisiting non-convexity in topology optimization of compliance minimization problems
Authors: Abdelhamid Mohamed , Czekanski Aleksander
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This is an attempt to better bridge the gap between the mathematical and the engineering/physical aspects of the topic. The authors trace the different sources of non-convexification in the context of topology optimization problems starting from domain discretization, passing through penalization for discreteness and effects of filtering methods, and end with a note on continuation methods.

Design/methodology/approach

Starting from the global optimum of the compliance minimization problem, the authors employ analytical tools to investigate how intermediate density penalization affects the convexity of the problem, the potential penalization-like effects of various filtering techniques, how continuation methods can be used to approach the global optimum and how the initial guess has some weight in determining the final optimum.

Findings

The non-convexification effects of the penalization of intermediate density elements simply overshadows any other type of non-convexification introduced into the problem, mainly due to its severity and locality. Continuation methods are strongly recommended to overcome the problem of local minima, albeit its step and convergence criteria are left to the user depending on the type of application.

Originality/value

In this article, the authors present a comprehensive treatment of the sources of non-convexity in density-based topology optimization problems, with a focus on linear elastic compliance minimization. The authors put special emphasis on the potential penalization-like effects of various filtering techniques through a detailed mathematical treatment.
Information security education based on job profiles and the e-CF
Authors: Spruit Marcel
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The information security field requires standardised education. This could be based on generic job profiles and a standard competence framework. The question is whether this is possible and feasible. To find out, the author did a case study: developing an information security master curriculum based on a generic PVIB job profile and the underlying competence framework e-CF.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is a case study, using Design Science. Starting point is the specification of the learning goals for a cybersecurity master curriculum, using a generic PvIB job profile and the underlying competence framework e-CF. The curriculum has subsequently been developed, using backward design. Thereafter, the curriculum has been submitted for accreditation to test the successfulness of the approach.

Findings

A generic job profile and a competence framework such as the e-CF support the development of standardised education. The generic PVIB job profile used works well. The e-CF can be useful, but requires modifications and the introduction of sub-competences. However, the main complaint concerning the e-CF is the use of examples instead of mandatory content.

Originality/value

Competence frameworks are available to formulate job descriptions, and are also suited for developing standardised education. Little research has been done on this. This case study shows that a competence framework is a useful tool for developing standardised education, although the e-CF may not be the most appropriate.
Reducing complexity in multivariate electricity price forecasting
Authors: Kohrs Hendrik , Auer Benjamin Rainer , Schuhmacher Frank
Published: August 2021

Purpose

In short-term forecasting of day-ahead electricity prices, incorporating intraday dependencies is vital for accurate predictions. However, it quickly leads to dimensionality problems, i.e. ill-defined models with too many parameters, which require an adequate remedy. This study addresses this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

In an application for the German/Austrian market, this study derives variable importance scores from a random forest algorithm, feeds the identified variables into a support vector machine and compares the resulting forecasting technique to other approaches (such as dynamic factor models, penalized regressions or Bayesian shrinkage) that are commonly used to resolve dimensionality problems.

Findings

This study develops full importance profiles stating which hours of which past days have the highest predictive power for specific hours in the future. Using the profile information in the forecasting setup leads to very promising results compared to the alternatives. Furthermore, the importance profiles provide a possible explanation why some forecasting methods are more accurate for certain hours of the day than others. They also help to explain why simple forecast combination schemes tend to outperform the full battery of models considered in the comprehensive comparative study.

Originality/value

With the information contained in the variable importance scores and the results of the extensive model comparison, this study essentially provides guidelines for variable and model selection in future electricity market research.
Gender differences in academic entrepreneurship: experience, attitudes and outcomes among NSF I-CORPS participants
Authors: Epstein Alanna , Duval-Couetil Nathalie , Huang-Saad Aileen
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Expanding access to entrepreneurship training programs can be a method to increase female involvement in technology commercialization only if these programs adequately address the specific challenges facing female faculty and graduate students. In the context of the US National Science Foundation's Innovation Corps (NSF I-Corps) program, this study examines gender differences in prior experience and attitudes towards the training in order to propose improvements to the program design.

Design/methodology/approach

This quantitative study uses Pearson's Chi-Square and ANOVA tests on survey data from the I-Corps national program (n = 2,195), which enrolls faculty members, graduate students, postdoctoral researchers and industry experts.

Findings

In comparison to male participants, female I-Corps participants reported less entrepreneurial experience prior to the program, poorer team relationships during the program and lower entrepreneurial intention and technology commercialization readiness at both the beginning and the end of the program. However, no gender differences were found in positive or negative perceptions of the instructional climate or perceptions of program usefulness.

Originality/value

This study is unique as it is based on a large-scale dataset drawn from sites across the United States. The results support potential changes to I-Corps and similar programs, including providing more explicit instructions for tasks with which female participants have less prior experience than males (e.g. in applying for patents), offering guidance for team interactions, and providing mentorship to assess whether low self-efficacy is leading women to underestimate the potential success of their projects.
Web-based remote sensing image retrieval using multiscale and multidirectional analysis based on Contourlet and Haralick texture features
Authors: Krishnan Rajakumar , Thangavelu Arunkumar , Prabhavathy P. , Sudheer Devulapalli , Putrevu Deepak , Misra Arundhati
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Extracting suitable features to represent an image based on its content is a very tedious task. Especially in remote sensing we have high-resolution images with a variety of objects on the Earth's surface. Mahalanobis distance metric is used to measure the similarity between query and database images. The low distance obtained image is indexed at the top as high relevant information to the query.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper aims to develop an automatic feature extraction system for remote sensing image data. Haralick texture features based on Contourlet transform are fused with statistical features extracted from the QuadTree (QT) decomposition are developed as feature set to represent the input data. The extracted features will retrieve similar images from the large image datasets using an image-based query through the web-based user interface.

Findings

The developed retrieval system performance has been analyzed using precision and recall and F1 score. The proposed feature vector gives better performance with 0.69 precision for the top 50 relevant retrieved results over other existing multiscale-based feature extraction methods.

Originality/value

The main contribution of this paper is developing a texture feature vector in a multiscale domain by combining the Haralick texture properties in the Contourlet domain and Statistical features using QT decomposition. The features required to represent the image is 207 which is very less dimension compare to other texture methods. The performance shows superior than the other state of art methods.
Forecasting the momentum using customised loss function for financial series
Authors: Prabakaran N. , Palaniappan Rajasekaran , Kannadasan R. , Dudi Satya Vinay , Sasidhar V.
Published: August 2021

Purpose

We propose a Machine Learning (ML) approach that will be trained from the available financial data and is able to gain the trends over the data and then uses the acquired knowledge for a more accurate forecasting of financial series. This work will provide a more precise results when weighed up to aged financial series forecasting algorithms. The LSTM Classic will be used to forecast the momentum of the Financial Series Index and also applied to its commodities. The network will be trained and evaluated for accuracy with various sizes of data sets, i.e. weekly historical data of MCX, GOLD, COPPER and the results will be calculated.

Design/methodology/approach

Desirable LSTM model for script price forecasting from the perspective of minimizing MSE. The approach which we have followed is shown below. (1) Acquire the Dataset. (2) Define your training and testing columns in the dataset. (3) Transform the input value using scalar. (4) Define the custom loss function. (5) Build and Compile the model. (6) Visualise the improvements in results.

Findings

Financial series is one of the very aged techniques where a commerce person would commerce financial scripts, make business and earn some wealth from these companies that vend a part of their business on trading manifesto. Forecasting financial script prices is complex tasks that consider extensive human–computer interaction. Due to the correlated nature of financial series prices, conventional batch processing methods like an artificial neural network, convolutional neural network, cannot be utilised efficiently for financial market analysis. We propose an online learning algorithm that utilises an upgraded of recurrent neural networks called long short-term memory Classic (LSTM). The LSTM Classic is quite different from normal LSTM as it has customised loss function in it. This LSTM Classic avoids long-term dependence on its metrics issues because of its unique internal storage unit structure, and it helps forecast financial time series. Financial Series Index is the combination of various commodities (time series). This makes Financial Index more reliable than the financial time series as it does not show a drastic change in its value even some of its commodities are affected. This work will provide a more precise results when weighed up to aged financial series forecasting algorithms.

Originality/value

We had built the customised loss function model by using LSTM scheme and have experimented on MCX index and as well as on its commodities and improvements in results are calculated for every epoch that we run for the whole rows present in the dataset. For every epoch we can visualise the improvements in loss. One more improvement that can be done to our model that the relationship between price difference and directional loss is specific to other financial scripts. Deep evaluations can be done to identify the best combination of these for a particular stock to obtain better results.
High throughput SRAM design for improved computing in autonomous systems
Authors: Neeraj Kumar , Das Jitendra Kumar
Published: August 2021

Purpose

High throughput and power efficient computing devices are highly essential in many autonomous system-based applications. Since the computational power keeps on increasing in recent years, it is necessary to develop energy efficient static RAM (SRAM) memories with high speed. Nowadays, Static Random-Access Memory cells are predominantly liable to soft errors due to the serious charge which is crucial to trouble a cell because of fewer noise margins, short supply voltages and lesser node capacitances.

Design/methodology/approach

Power efficient SRAM design is a major task for improving computing abilities of autonomous systems. In this research, instability is considered as a major issue present in the design of SRAM. Therefore, to eliminate soft errors and balance leakage instability problems, a signal noise margin (SNM) through the level shifter circuit is proposed.

Findings

Bias Temperature Instabilities (BTI) are considered as the primary technology for recently combined devices to reduce degradation. The proposed level shifter-based 6T SRAM achieves better results in terms of delay, power and SNM when compared with existing 6T devices and this 6T SRAM-BTI with 7 nm technology is also applicable for low power portable healthcare applications. In biomedical applications, Body Area Networks (BANs) require the power-efficient SRAM design to extend the battery life of BAN sensor nodes.

Originality/value

The proposed method focuses on high speed and power efficient SRAM design for smart ubiquitous sensors. The effect of BTI is almost eliminated in the proposed design.
Co-creation of services: an online network perspective
Authors: Bidar Reihaneh , Barros Alistair , Watson Jason
Published: August 2021

Purpose

In the co-creation process from a network perspective, service is produced, designed, and evaluated entirely by the actors with dynamic roles and with less participation by the firm's employees in the service process. The purpose of this paper is to develop a theoretical model that represents environmental stimuli and value perceptions that contribute to service co-creation behaviour in an online network.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 36 semi-structured interviews were conducted with members of two online programming communities – GitHub and Stack Overflow co-creators, with the data analysed using thematic analysis. The stimulus-organism-response model guided the development of the final model.

Findings

Social influence and trust are influential in actor value perceptions, including primary and network value, the interplay of which leads actors to co-production, supportive, and administrative behaviour. Environmental factors do not directly drive actors; rather it is the value that initiates and drives actors, which, by extension, initiates and drives the co-creation of services.

Research limitations/implications

The service co-creation behaviour model provides a basis for future research in the co-creation and co-destruction context to model behaviours within the online network organisation setting and thereby enable improvement of such systems. This model can be operationalised in a network environment through design features.

Originality/value

This paper provides a rich understanding of environmental stimuli and value perception factors that contribute to the co-creation of services, and identifies different types of behaviours in dynamic online networks. This paper presents a new model of different types of behaviours emerging from actor participation in the co-creation process.
Corporate governance and remuneration: a bibliometric analysis
Authors: Mumu Jinnatul Raihan , Saona Paolo , Russell Hasibul Islam , Azad Md. Abul Kalam
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This study aims to pinpoint gaps in the literature on corporate governance and remuneration by producing a comprehensive bibliometric review for the period 1990–2020.

Design/methodology/approach

Bibliometric analysis is the quantitative study of the bibliographic material in a specific research field. It allows an analyst to classify that material by paper, journal, author, indexation, institution or country, among other possibilities. This study reviews a total of 298 Web of Science–indexed journal articles on corporate governance and top-management remuneration schemes.

Findings

The authors find five distinct research strands: (1) firm performance and remuneration of top management, (2) the remuneration and independence of boards of directors and the efficiency of boards of directors as a governance system, (3) outside-director remuneration and the efficiency of outside directors as a monitoring system, (4) director remuneration and the corporate governance of companies and (5) the role of ownership structure and top managers' compensation schemes as corporate-governance tools. The authors identify gaps in the literature and avenues for future research for each of these strands.

Practical implications

The authors’ findings have implications for board diversity (e.g. gender diversity), remuneration policy for top-level managers and governance issues (independent directors, separation of ownership with control). This study is the only one to summarize the key topics on which top research has been focused and can be broadly used for corporate governance management perspective.

Originality/value

This paper provides an overview of how the literature on corporate governance and remuneration has developed and a synopsis of the most influential and most productive authors, countries and journal sources. It creates an opportunity for other researchers to focus on this area. This study will also serve as a foundation for future meta-analyses.
Accounting controls at the Society of Jesus – 1646 to 2005
Authors: Quinn Martin , Oliveira João , Santidrián Alicia
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to detail the evolution of accounting controls conveyed as written rules at the Society of Jesus from the middle of the 17th century to the present day.

Design/methodology/approach

An analytically structured history approach is adopted. Four “Instructions” are analysed in detail and institutional theory is used as a lens to examine influences on accounting control rules over time.

Findings

The analysis reveals that accounting control rules maintained a core stability over time but were adapted and extended according to internal and external factors. Changes to the rules were thus mostly evolutionary. Influenced by mainly external factors, over the years the rules have become more detailed and accompanied by more practical guidance.

Originality/value

This study provides an analysis of the evolution of accounting control rules at the Society of Jesus, which thus far has not been presented. It provides insights on how the rules introduced more clarity and highlights the increasing recognition of secular management control and development within the Jesuit rules.
Visualizing the hierarchical sustainable human resource management under qualitative information and complex interrelationships
Authors: Parng Yuh-Jiuan , Kurrahman Taufik , Chen Chih-Cheng , Tseng Ming Lang , Minh Hà Hiền , Lin Chun-Wei
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This study aims to construct a valid hierarchical sustainable human resource management (SHRM) model with interrelationships among its attributes in terms of qualitative information.

Design/methodology/approach

This study applies the fuzzy Delphi method to validate SHRM attributes and visualize the causal interrelationships among these attributes using a fuzzy decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory method.

Findings

This study finds that green performance management and compensation lead to human resource benefits and economic sustainability in the HRM model.

Practical implications

Open environmental communication, green human resource planning, green training and development, employee eco-friendly behavior and organizational culture are the top five criteria supporting practical improvement in the healthcare industry.

Originality/value

The emergence of new, unprepared, and inexperienced health care entities with inadequate human resource management (HRM) potentially causing social problems within the industry, SHRM is necessary to balance the social, environment, and economic performance and must be studied by both academicians and practitioners. However, the HRM application field is still in its infancy, which limits the understanding of its potential.
Association between iron supplementation and anaemia in pregnant women in Ghana
Authors: Owusu Lydia Boampong , Apprey Charles , Diji Abigail Kusi-Amponsah , Adebanji Atinuke
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The purpose of the study was to assess the association between iron intake and the incidence of anaemia during pregnancy as well as estimate the prevalence and magnitude of anaemia in pregnancy.

Design/methodology/approach

A retrospective case-control study was conducted on 383 postnatal women at four health-care facilities. Data on iron supplementation and haemoglobin (Hb) levels during pregnancy was collected from the respondents. Spearman, Pearson Chi-square tests of independence were used to measure associations between variables, a log-linear model was adopted to ascertain the association and level of interaction among variables. All p-values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Findings

Results show 54.3% prevalence of anaemia at registration and 33.6% at 36 weeks of pregnancy, p < 0.001. Iron supplement intake during pregnancy was 96.3%. The log-linear analysis model retained the Parity × Marital Status interaction across the levels of anaemia (p < 0.001). Compared to married pregnant women, single pregnant women were almost equally likely to be anaemic (OR = 1.06).

Research limitations/implications

One of the limitations of retrospective studies is recall bias; however, this was likely to be minimal, as participants were approached within 8 days after delivery. Despite this, this study still holds promise as it reports a rather high prevalence of anaemia at 36 weeks even with the high intake of iron.

Originality/value

Anaemia in pregnancy is a major public health issue because of the consequential outcomes on maternal and child health. The study identified a high prevalence of anaemia at registration; which could be the basis for intensifying pre-natal iron supplementation before pregnancy.
Information literacy: a desideratum of the 21st century
Authors: Reddy Pritika , Sharma Bibhya , Chaudhary Kaylash , Lolohea ’Osaiasi , Tamath Robert
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The research surveyed the competency of information literacy of senior high school students in Fiji. This is to evaluate the strong predictors of information literacy.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopted a survey research design whereby a five-point Likert scale self-reporting questionnaire was administered to Year 12 and Year 13 secondary school students. The data were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software-descriptive statistics of calculating the mean and standard deviation, a correlation and linear regression analysis to deduce the strong predictors of information literacy.

Findings

The study showed that 81% of the students surveyed were average to above average information literate. The strong predictors of information literacy were the ability of an individual to collaborate and share safely online, the ability to share files securely and the ability to access the credibility of any resource assessed on the digital platform.

Research limitations/implications

The current study evaluates information literacy of a cohort – stating how information literate the participants are, comprehending the strong predicators of information literacy so that there is an appropriate and effective implementation of interventions for the desired improvements.

Practical implications

The results can be used to improve information literacy of students at all levels of education in the Fiji Islands.

Social implications

If the youths are information literate they will be able to effectively contribute towards the development of their economy. Since the work environment today is technology oriented and involves a lot of information, being information literate means knowing how to use the information and differentiate between good and bad information. Hence, contributing effectively towards whatever task is performed.

Originality/value

This research if the first ever research done on evaluating the information literacy of individuals in Fiji.
Impact of COVID-19 pandemic and the diagnosis of the virus in the human body
Authors: Manorama Devi Bingi , Vemuri Sandeep , Chandrashekhar A. , C. Sushama , Nandankar Praful Vijay , Kundu Pankaj
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a huge loss of human life worldwide and presents an unprecedented challenge to public health, food systems and the world of work. Tens of millions of people are at risk of falling into extreme poverty due to loss of their carriers. Mainly, the people who work in public places are impacted due to this decease. The frontline warriors such as doctors, health workers, sweepers and policemen showed their effort to reduce the spreading of the virus. In this paper gives the detailed view of how the corona virus evaluated and how it spread from one person to another person and how we prevent this virus. The purpose of the paper, detailed about the diagnosis of the virus in the human body. There are some tests associated to know the presence of virus in our body; these are nose test, chest scan and CT scan of lungs.

Design/methodology/approach

Molecular analysis methods such as antibody or enzyme tests are used to assess whether the infection is present. The most common lancing techniques include using a cotton swab is in the back of the neck. Then hands over the sample to the doctor for examination. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is performed on the sample. This test screens for viral DNA. A CO19 PCR test can detect unique SARS-2 gene products. If one of these genes is ignored, it will return as an invalid result This test is useful only for patients who are already suffering from COVID-19. You cannot know if anyone has the infection, and they cannot say for sure whether they ever did. Serological tests are particularly useful for detecting cases of infection with mild or no symptom.

Findings

In this paper, the different tests provided to diagnosis the virus and the prevention measures to be taken to prevent the virus from spreading from one person to another are explained.

Originality/value

This work presents the original contribution and information of the COVID-19 pandemic.