bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficient and scalable integration of single-cell data using domain-adversarial and variational approximation
Authors: Hu Jialu , Zhong Yuanke , Shang Xuequn
Published: April 2021

Single-cell data provides us new ways of discovering biological truth at the level of individual cells, such as identification of cellular sub-populations and cell development. With the development of single-cell sequencing technologies, a key analytical challenge is to integrate these data sets to uncover biological insights. Here, we developed a domain-adversarial and variational approximation framework, DAVAE, to integrate multiple single-cell data across samples, technologies and modalities without anypost hocdata processing. We fit normalized gene expression into a non-linear model, which transforms a latent variable of a lower-dimension into expression space with a non-linear function, a KL regularizier and a domain-adversarial regularizer. Results on five real data integration applications demonstrated the effectiveness and scalability of DAVAE in batch-effect removing, transfer learning, and cell type predictions for multiple single-cell data sets across samples, technologies and modalities. DAVAE was implemented in the toolkit package “scbean” in the pypi repository, and the source code can be also freely accessible athttps://github.com/jhu99/scbean.
On evaluation metrics for medical applications of artificial intelligence
Authors: Hicks Steven A. , Strümke Inga , Thambawita Vajira , Hammou Malek , Riegler Michael A. , Halvorsen Pål , Parasa Sravanthi
Published: April 2021

Clinicians and model developers need to understand how proposed machine learning (ML) models could improve patient care. In fact, no single metric captures all the desirable properties of a model and several metrics are typically reported to summarize a model’s performance. Unfortunately, these measures are not easily understandable by many clinicians. Moreover, comparison of models across studies in an objective manner is challenging, and no tool exists to compare models using the same performance metrics. This paper looks at previous ML studies done in gastroenterology, provides an explanation of what different metrics mean in the context of the presented studies, and gives a thorough explanation of how different metrics should be interpreted. We also release an open source web-based tool that may be used to aid in calculating the most relevant metrics presented in this paper so that other researchers and clinicians may easily incorporate them into their research.
TCA-soluble blood serum proteins of COVID-19 patients as possible predictive markers for the disease severity
Authors: Orfin Andrii , Starykovych Marina , Alexanyan Tamila , Tkachuk Svitlana , Starodub Anatoliy , Luchyshyn Taras , Sibirny Andriy , Souchelnytskyi Serhiy , Kit Yuriy
Published: April 2021

Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) is a global health crisis on a planetary scale. COVID-19 in many people has mild or moderate manifestation, although significant number of people, especially the elderly, suffer heavy from this illness, which often resulting in death. There are reports of similarities in immune response between COVID-19 and some autoimmune diseases. Earlier, we have demonstrated that fraction of TCA-soluble blood serum proteins containing a 48 kDA fragment of unconvential Myosin C1 have linked with development of multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. Here we analyze use of these proteins in determining the severity of disease in COVID-19 patients. We found that blood serum of COVID-19 patients in acute disease manifestation contains, in contrast to healthy individuals, the TCA-soluble proteins with molecular masses 48 kDa and 76 kDA which were identified as a short form of unconventional myosin 1c and a modified form of human serum albumin.
Results Availability and Timeliness of Registered COVID-19 Clinical Trials: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Salholz-Hillel Maia , Grabitz Peter , Pugh-Jones Molly , Strech Daniel , DeVito Nicholas J.
Published: April 2021

Objective

To examine how and when the results of COVID-19 clinical trials are disseminated.

Design

Cross-sectional bibliographic study

Setting

The COVID-19 clinical trial landscape

Participants

285 registered interventional clinical trials for the treatment and prevention of COVID-19 completed by 30 June 2020

Main outcome measures

Overall reporting and reporting by dissemination route (i.e., by journal article, preprint, or results on a registry); time to reporting by dissemination route.

Results

Following automated and manual searches of the COVID-19 literature, we located 41 trials (14%) with results spread across 47 individual results publications published by 15 August 2020. The most common dissemination route was preprints (n = 25) followed by journal articles (n = 18), and results on a registry (n = 2). Of these, four trials were available as both a preprint and journal publication. The cumulative incidence of any reporting surpassed 20% at 119 days from completion. Sensitivity analyses using alternate dates available and definitions of results did not appreciably change the reporting percentage. Expanding minimum follow-up time to 3 months increased the overall reporting percentage to 19%.

Conclusion

COVID-19 trials completed during the first six months of the pandemic did not consistently yield rapid results in the literature or on clinical trial registries. Our findings suggest that the COVID-19 response may be seeing quicker results disclosure compared to non-emergency conditions. Issues with the reliability and timeliness of trial registration data may impact our estimates. Ensuring registry data is accurate should be a priority for the research community during a pandemic. Data collection is underway for Phase 2 of the DIRECCT study expanding our trial population to those completed anytime in 2020.
Behavioural responses to Covid-19 health certification: A rapid review
Authors: Drury John , Mao Guanlan , John Ann , Kamal Atiya , Rubin G James , Stott Clifford , Vandrevala Tushna , Marteau Theresa M
Published: April 2021

Background

Covid-status certification – certificates for those who test negative for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, test positive for antibodies, or who have been vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 – has been proposed to enable safer access to a range of activities. Realising these benefits will depend in part upon the behavioural and social impacts of certification. The aim of this rapid review was to describe public attitudes towards certification, and its possible impact on uptake of testing and vaccination, protective behaviours, and crime.

Method

A search was undertaken in peer-reviewed databases, pre-print databases, and the grey literature, from 2000 to December 2020. Studies were included if they measured attitudes towards or behavioural consequences of health certificates based on one of three indices of Covid-19 status: test-negative result for current infectiousness, test-positive for antibodies conferring natural immunity, or vaccination(s) conferring immunity.

Results

Thirty-three papers met the inclusion criteria, only three of which were rated as low risk of bias. Public attitudes were generally favourable towards the use of immunity certificates for international travel, but unfavourable towards their use for access to work and other activities. A significant minority was strongly opposed to the use of certificates of immunity for any purpose. The limited evidence suggested that intention to get vaccinated varied with the activity enabled by certification or vaccination (e.g., international travel). Where vaccination is seen as compulsory this could lead to unwillingness to accept a subsequent vaccination. There was some evidence that restricting access to settings and activities to those with antibody test certificates may lead to deliberate exposure to infection in a minority. Behaviours that reduce transmission may decrease upon health certificates based on any of the three indices of Covid-19 status, including physical distancing and handwashing.

Conclusions

The limited evidence suggests that health certification in relation to COVID-19 – outside of the context of international travel – has the potential for harm as well as benefit. Realising the benefits while minimising the harms will require real-time evaluations allowing modifications to maximise the potential contribution of certification to enable safer access to a range of activities.
OASIS evaluation of the French surveillance network for antimicrobial resistance in diseased animals (RESAPATH): success factors at the basis of a well-performing volunteer system
Authors: Mader R. , Jarrige N. , Haenni M. , Bourély C. , Madec J.-Y. , Amat J.-P.
Published: April 2021

Antimicrobial resistance is a One Health issue requiring the development of surveillance systems in the human, environmental and animal sectors. In Europe, the surveillance of antimicrobial resistance on zoonotic pathogens and indicator bacteria in healthy food-producing animals has been implemented on a legal basis, while countries are also expected to extend their surveillance to diseased animals in the frame of national action plans. In this context, evaluating existing antimicrobial resistance surveillance systems in veterinary medicine is important to improve systems in place, but also to help other countries learn from these experiences, understand success factors and anticipate challenges. With this aim, the French surveillance network for antimicrobial resistance in bacteria from diseased animals (RESAPATH) was evaluated using the OASIS assessment tool. Key performance factors included (i) a strong and inclusive central institutional organization defining clear and well-accepted surveillance objectives, scope and procedures, (ii) strong skills in epidemiology and microbiology and (iii) a win-win approach enabling the volunteer participation of 71 field laboratories and where a free annual proficiency testing plays a pivotal role. The main area of improvement of RESAPATH was its time-consuming data management system.
Portrait of a genus: the genetic diversity ofZea
Authors: Chen Lu , Luo Jingyun , Jin Minliang , Yang Ning , Liu Xiangguo , Peng Yong , Li Wenqiang , Qing Liu , Yin Yuejia , Ye Xinnan , Yan Jiali , Zhang Qinghua , Zhang Xiaoting , Gui Songtao , Wu Shenshen , Wang Yuebin , Luo Yun , Jiang Chengling , Deng Min , Jin Min , Jian Liumei , Yu Yanhui , Zhang Maolin , Yang Xiaohong , Hufford Matthew B. , Fernie Alisdair R. , Warburton Marilyn L. , Ross-Ibarra Jeffrey , Yan Jianbing
Published: April 2021

Maize is a globally valuable commodity and one of the most extensively studied genetic model organisms. However, we know surprisingly little about the extent and potential utility of the genetic variation found in the wild relatives of maize. Here, we characterize a high-density genomic variation map from ~700 genomes encompassing maize and all wild taxa of the genusZea, identifying over 65 million single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), 8 million Insertion/Deletion (InDel) polymorphisms, and over one thousand novel inversions. The variation map reveals evidence of selection within taxa displaying novel adaptations such as perenniality and regrowth. We focus in detail on evidence of convergent adaptation in highland teosinte and temperate maize. This study not only indicates the key role of hormone related pathways in highland adaptation and flowering time related pathways in high latitude adaptation, but also identifies significant overlap in the genes underlying adaptations to both environments. To show how this data can identify useful genetic variants, we generated and characterized novel mutant alleles for two flowering time candidate genes. This work provides the most extensive sampling to date of the genetic diversity inherent in the genusZea, resolving questions on evolution and identifying adaptive variants for direct use in modern breeding.
Automatic structural analysis of bioinspired percolating network materials using graph theory
Authors: Vecchio Drew , Mahler Samuel , Hammig Mark D. , Kotov Nicholas A.
Published: April 2021

Mimicking numerous biological membranes and nanofiber-based tissues, there are multiple materials that are structured as percolating nanoscale networks (PPNs). They reveal unique combination of properties and the family of PNN-based composites and nanoporous materials is rapidly expanding. Their technological significance and the necessity of their structural design require a unifying approach for their structural description. However, their complex aperiodic architectures are difficult to describe using traditional methods that are tailored for crystals. A related problem is the lack of computational tools that enable one to capture and enumerate the patterns of stochastically branching fibrils that are typical for these composites. Here, we describe a conceptual methodology and a computational package,StructuralGT,to automatically produce a graph theoretical (GT) description of PNNs from various micrographs. Using nanoscale networks formed by aramid nanofibers (ANFs) as examples, we demonstrate structural analysis of PNNs with 13 GT parameters. Unlike qualitative assessments of physical features employed previously,StructuralGTallows quantitative description of the complex structural attributes of PNNs enumerating the network’s morphology, connectivity, and transfer patterns. Accurate conversion and analysis of micrographs is possible for various levels of noise, contrast, focus, and magnification while a dedicated graphical user interface provides accessibility and clarity. The GT parameters are expected to be correlated to material properties of PNNs (e.g. ion transport, conductivity, stiffness) and utilized by machine learning tools for effectual materials design.

Table of Content
Real-time object locator for cryo-EM data collection --- You only navigate EM once ---
Authors: Yonekura Koji , Maki-Yonekura Saori , Naitow Hisashi , Hamaguchi Tasuku , Takaba Kiyofumi
Published: April 2021

In cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) data collection, locating a target object is the most error-prone. Here, we present a machine learning-based approach with a real-time object locator named yoneoLocr using YOLO, a well-known object detection system. Implementation showed its effectiveness in rapidly and precisely locating carbon holes in single particle cryo-EM and for locating crystals and evaluating electron diffraction (ED) patterns in automated cryo-electron crystallography (cryo-EX) data collection.
Chemotherapy induces a YAP1-dependent fetal conversion to human Colorectal Cancer cells that is predictive of poor patient outcome
Authors: Solé Laura , Lobo-Jarne Teresa , Villanueva Alberto , Vert Anna , Guillén Yolanda , Sangrador Irene , Barbachano Antonio , Lop Joan , Guix Marta , Salido Marta , Bellosillo Beatriz , García-Romero Raquel , Garrido Marta , González Jessica , Martínez-Iniesta María , Lopez-Arribillaga Erika , Salazar Ramón , Montagut Clara , Torres Ferrán , Iglesias Mar , Celià-Terrassa Toni , Muñoz Alberto , Bigas Anna , Espinosa Lluís
Published: April 2021

Current therapy against colorectal cancer is based on DNA-damaging agents that eradicate highly proliferative malignant cells. Whether sublethal chemotherapy affects tumor cell behavior and impacts on patient outcome is primarily unstudied. We now show that sublethal chemotherapy imposes a quiescent-like state to p53 wildtype human colorectal cancer (CRC) cells that is linked to the acquisition of a fetal phenotype downstream of YAP1, similar to that observed after intestinal damage. CRC cells displaying this fetal phenotype exhibit tumor- initiating activity comparable to untreated cells but superior metastatic capacity. Notably, nuclear YAP1 accumulation, or detection of the fetal signature in tumors predict poor prognosis in CRC patients carrying p53 wildtype tumors. Collectively, our results uncover a potential adverse response of tumor cells to suboptimal chemotherapy, and identify nuclear YAP1 and fetal conversion of colorectal tumors as biomarkers for prognosis and therapy prescription.

Statement of significance

Chemotherapy induces a quiescent-like phenotype to colorectal cancer cells that is linked to the acquisition of a YAP1-dependent fetal signature. Notably, this signature is predictive of patient outcome in different cohorts of human colorectal cancer.
Sequence specificity in DNA binding is determined by association rather than dissociation
Authors: Marklund Emil , Mao Guanzhong , Deindl Sebastian , Elf Johan
Published: April 2021

Sequence-specific binding of proteins to DNA is essential for accessing genetic information. Here, we derive a simple equation for target-site recognition, which uncovers a previously unrecognized coupling between the macroscopic association and dissociation rates of the searching protein. Importantly, this relationship makes it possible to recover the relevant microscopic rates from experimentally determined macroscopic ones. We directly test the equation by observing the binding and unbinding of individuallacrepressor (LacI) molecules during target search. We find that LacI dissociates from different target sequences with essentially identical microscopic dissociation rates. Instead, sequence specificity is determined by the efficiency with which the protein recognizes different targets, effectively reducing its risk of being retained on a non-target sequence. Our theoretical framework also accounts for the coupling between off-target binding and unbinding of the catalytically inactive Cas9 (dCas9), showing that the binding pathway can be obtained from macroscopic data.

One Sentence Summary

Association and dissociation rates are anti-correlated for reactions that include a nonspecific probing step.
SMaSH:A scalable, general marker gene identification framework for single-cell RNA sequencing and Spatial Transcriptomics
Authors: Nelson M. E. , Riva S. G. , Cvejic A.
Published: April 2021

Spatial transcriptomics is revolutionising the study of single-cell RNA and tissue-wide cell heterogeneity, but few robust methods connecting spatially resolved cells to so-called marker genes from single-cell RNA sequencing, which generate significant insight gleaned from spatial methods, exist. Here we presentSMaSH, a general computational framework for extracting key marker genes from single-cell RNA sequencing data for spatial transcriptomics approaches.SMaSHextracts robust and biologically well-motivated marker genes, which characterise the given data-set better than existing and limited computational approaches for global marker gene calculation.
SorCS2 deletion leads to altered neuronal lysosome activity
Authors: Almeida Sérgio , Miranda André M. , Tóth Andrea E. , Nielsen Morten S. , Oliveira Tiago Gil
Published: April 2021

Vps10p domain receptors are important for regulating intracellular protein sorting within the central nervous system and as such constitute risk factors for different brain pathologies. Here, we show that removal of SorCS2 leads to altered lysosomal activity in mouse primary neurons. SorCS2-/-neurons show elevated lysosomal markers such as LAMP1 and acidic hydrolases including cathepsin B and D. Despite increased levels, SorCS2-/-neurons fail to degrade cathepsin specific substrates in a live context. SorCS2-deficient mice present an increase in lysolipids, which may contribute to membrane permeabilization and increased susceptibility to lysosomal stress. Our findings highlight SorCS2 as an important factor for a balanced neuronal lysosome milieu.
Performance Determinants of Unsupervised Clustering Methods for Microbiome Data
Authors: Shi Yushu , Zhang Liangliang , Peterson Christine , Do Kim-Anh , Jenq Robert
Published: April 2021

Background

In microbiome data analysis, unsupervised clustering is often used to identify naturally occurring clusters, which can then be assessed for associations with characteristics of interest. In this work, we systematically compared beta diversity and clustering methods commonly used in microbiome analyses. We applied these to four published datasets where highly distinct microbiome profiles could be seen between sample groups.

Results

Although no single method outperformed the others consistently, we did identify key scenarios where certain methods can underperform. Specifically, the Bray Curtis metric resulted in poor clustering in a dataset where high-abundance OTUs were relatively rare. In contrast, the unweighted UniFrac metric clustered poorly when used on a dataset with a high prevalence of low-abundance OTUs. To test our proposition, we systematically modified properties of the poorly performing datasets and found that this approach resulted in improved Bray Curtis and unweighted UniFrac performance. Based on these observations, we rationally combined the Bray Curtis metric and the unweighted UniFrac metrics and found that this new beta diversity metric showed high performance across all datasets. We also evaluated our findings by examining a clinical dataset where clusters are less separated.

Conclusions

Our systematic evaluation of clustering performance in these five datasets demonstrates that there is no existing clustering method that universally performs best across all datasets. We propose a combined metric of Bray Curtis and unweighted UniFrac that capitalizes on the complementary strengths of the two metrics.
Structure and Stability of the designer protein WRAP-T and its permutants
Authors: Mylemans Bram , Lee Xiao Yin , Laier Ina , Helsen Christine , Voet Arnout R.D.
Published: April 2021

β-Propeller proteins are common natural disc-like pseudo-symmetric proteins that contain multiple repeats (‘blades’) each consisting of a 4-stranded anti-parallelβ-sheet. So far, 4- to 12-bladedβ-propellers have been discovered in nature showing large functional and sequential variation. Using computational design approaches, we created perfectly symmetricβ-propellers out of natural pseudo-symmetric templates. These proteins are useful tools to study protein evolution of this very diverse fold. While the 7-bladed architecture is the most common, no symmetric 7-bladed monomer has been created and characterized so far. Here we describe such a engineered protein, based on a highly symmetric natural template, and test the effects of circular permutation on its stability. Geometrical analysis of this protein and other artificial symmetrical proteins reveals no systematic constraint that could be used to help in engineering of this fold, and suggests sequence constraints unique to eachβ-propeller sub-family.
Automated quality control and cell identification of droplet-based single-cell data using dropkick
Authors: Heiser Cody N. , Wang Victoria M. , Chen Bob , Hughey Jacob J. , Lau Ken S.
Published: April 2021

A major challenge for droplet-based single-cell sequencing technologies is distinguishing true cells from uninformative barcodes in data sets with disparate library sizes confounded by high technical noise (i.e., batch-specific ambient RNA). We present dropkick, a fully automated software tool for quality control and filtering of single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data with a focus on excluding ambient barcodes and recovering real cells bordering the quality threshold. By automatically determining data set–specific training labels based on predictive global heuristics, dropkick learns a gene-based representation of real cells and ambient noise, calculating a cell probability score for each barcode. Using simulated and real-world scRNA-seq data, we benchmarked dropkick against conventional thresholding approaches and EmptyDrops, a popular computational method, showing greater recovery of rare cell types and exclusion of empty droplets and noisy, uninformative barcodes. We show for both low- and high-background data sets that dropkick's weakly supervised model reliably learns which genes are enriched in ambient barcodes and draws a multidimensional boundary that is more robust to data set–specific variation than existing filtering approaches. dropkick provides a fast, automated tool for reproducible cell identification from scRNA-seq data that is critical to downstream analysis and compatible with popular single-cell Python packages.
The diffusion of accounting reform in Sri Lanka: an analysis of two layers of diffusion among three levels of government
Authors: Dissanayake Thusitha , Dellaportas Steven , Yapa Prem W.S.
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the implementation of accrual accounting among two layers of government in Sri Lanka. This study examines the process of diffusion and application among and between provincial governments and local governments to assess the barriers and enablers on the implementation of accrual accounting.

Design/methodology/approach

The study relies on data collected through interviews with 30 accounting and finance personnel from all levels of government active in the diffusion process. Interviews were conducted to gather and assess their insights and perceptions on the diffusion of accrual accounting. The data are examined initially using Rogers (1995) “diffusion of innovation” theory to explain the factors influencing the diffusion and adoption of accrual accounting at two levels of government but the analysed primarily by comparing the perspectives of respondents between the different layers of government.

Findings

The findings show that the adoption of accrual accounting was more effective among local governments compared with provincial governments. The lack of effective communication and engagement from the leaders of the innovation failed to persuade provincial government adopters of the true value of the accounting reform. This is contrasted with local governments who openly adopted accrual accounting but not in response to pressure from provincial government, who have oversight responsibility for local governments, but in response to funding protocols initiated by the central government to account for grant funding.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of the study should be interpreted with caution as the data are obtained from the narrow cohort of accounting and finance professionals and may not reflect the views or experience of all stakeholders involved in the diffusion of accrual accounting.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the diffusion of accounting innovation literature by examining the role of key players in different layers of government, particularly visible among provincial governments where the lack of engagement delayed its commitment to the implementation of accrual accounting.
An empirical study of commerce students (undergraduate and postgraduate) for insurance industry in India
Authors: Gupta Ruchi
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to find out the awareness, attitude and career preference of commerce students (undergraduate (UG) and post-graduate (PG)) for the insurance industry in India.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected from 800 commerce students (400 male students and 400 female students) through a structured questionnaire. The questionnaire had 18 items related to awareness, attitude and career preference for insurance. The reliability of the tool was assessed by Cronbach’s alpha. To establish the relationship between variables, cross-tabulation techniques that involved Chi-square tests were used. The conclusion was drawn based on probability values (p-value) taking the critical as 0.05 (Bivariate). The data was analyzed using SPSS.

Findings

The results revealed that commerce students-UG and PG were aware of the basics of insurance, irrespective of their gender and family income. The students have a positive attitude toward insurance, but lack awareness regarding career options in the insurance industry.

Research limitations/implications

This study included only UG and PG commerce students of Allahabad University and its constituent colleges, hence its findings cannot be generalized for the entire country.

Practical implications

This study can be beneficial to insurance companies in framing their policies as India has a huge young population. There is a need to make the students in higher education aware of the benefits of insurance to cover any unforeseen economic loss and also to make them aware of the career options in the insurance industry.

Originality/value

The present study bridges the gap between existing studies regarding awareness, attitude and career preference of students with gender and family income. To date, no study has been done to find the awareness and attitude of students toward the insurance industry, neither in terms of their becoming prospective customers nor in terms of career preference.
Disruption of qualifications in manufacturing: challenges and prospects
Authors: Tūtlys Vidmantas , Spöttl Georg
Published: April 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to disclose the implications of the 4th Industrial Revolution for vocational and professional qualifications and their systems. It also seeks to enhance more active discussion of experts and researchers about the change of vocational and professional qualifications created by the advent of the 4th Industrial Revolution.

Design/methodology/approach

Research is based on the case studies of the design and development of vocational and professional qualifications focused on the skills requirements of the 4th Industrial Revolution. There are analyzed and compared two cases of the international (EU) projects aiming to design and implement new qualifications in the metalworking industry and the case of introduction of additional qualifications in Germany. The main research methods include content analysis of the qualifications descriptors and vocational education and training (VET) curricula, a meta-analysis of the research on the implications of Industry 4.0 for VET.

Findings

The choices of the structure and contents of qualifications and VET curricula in the context of the 4th Industrial Revolution are defined by the specific state of technologies and work organizations in the enterprises, limitations of VET providers, individual skills needs of learners, national and sectoral policies in the field of qualifications and curricula. It requires compromises between the concept of solid qualifications based on the holistic orientation to work processes and the trends toward flexible curriculum; between the design of new qualifications and adjustment of the existing ones, as well as between the individualistic and collective approaches to qualifications.

Research limitations/implications

The research is focused on the development of qualifications in the manufacturing sector (metalworking and engineering industry). The paper contributes to the theoretical discussions and research of qualifications, competence, VET and human resource development by suggesting a theoretical framework for the analysis of the development of qualifications in the context of the 4th Industrial Revolution, as well as by stressing the importance of holistic view to this development which should comprise both policies and practices of the design of qualifications, curriculum design, education and training and assessment of learning outcomes.

Originality/value

The paper provides insight into the implications of the 4th Industrial Revolution to the key processes of the national systems of qualifications by referring to the cases of current efforts to adjust qualifications in the metalworking sector and engineering industry. It also suggests possible scenarios for the future development of vocational and professional qualifications in the context of the 4th Industrial Revolution.
Comparison between maintenance policies based on q-Weibull and Weibull models
Authors: Assis Edilson M. , Figueirôa Filho Celso Luiz Santiago , Lima Gabriel Costa , Salles Gisele Maria de Oliveira , Pinto Ailton
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to compare maintenance policies based on Weibull and q-Weibull models.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses analytical developments, several figures and tables for graphical and numerical comparison. Previously published hydropower equipment data are used as examples.

Findings

Models for optimal maintenance interval determination based on q-Weibull distribution were defined. Closed-form expressions were found, and this allows the application of the method with small computational effort.

Practical implications

The use of the q-Weibull model to guide the definition of maintenance strategy allows decision-making to be more consistent with sample data. The flexibility of the q-Weibull model is able to produce failure rate modeling with five different formats: decreasing, constant, increasing, unimodal and U-shaped. In this way, the maintenance strategies resulting from this model should be more assertive.

Originality/value

Expressions for determining the optimal interval of preventive maintenance were deduced from q-Weibull distribution. Expected costs per maintenance cycle of Brazilian hydropower equipment were calculated with q-Weibull and Weibull distributions. These results were compared in terms of absolute values and trends. Although a large number of works on corrective and preventive maintenance have been proposed, no applications of the q-Weibull distribution were found in literature.
Empathy impairs virtue: the influence of empathy and vulnerability on charitable giving
Authors: Wei Chuang , Yu Zhaoji , Li Yongli
Published: April 2021

Purpose

Online charitable giving is prevalent, and how to attract individuals' attention to donate is essential for charities. Little is known about the interaction effect of empathy (donor) and vulnerability (receiver) on donate intention. To bridge this gap, this study aims to investigate whether the influence of empathy on charitable giving would be moderated by receivers' vulnerability, and if yes, what is the mechanism.

Design/methodology/approach

Five experiments were conducted in the context of charitable giving with 1,303 participants to test our hypotheses.

Findings

When empathetic individuals confronted high vulnerable receivers, they were less likely to donate; otherwise, they were more likely to donate when they confronted low vulnerable receivers, and this interaction effect was mediated by concern about self.

Originality/value

The present research identifies a novel moderator of the effect of empathy on charitable giving and elucidates the underlying mechanism of concern about self. Based on these findings, the authors provide actionable implications for charities by demonstrating the interaction effect of empathy and vulnerability on donate intention.
A hedge fund collapse and diversification 101: lessons to stakeholders
Authors: Muhtaseb Majed R.
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is events and analysis of present a hedge fund collapse, offer lessons to investors and hedge fund industry stakeholders and propose a possible remedy for mitigating operational risks and associated potential losses.

Design/methodology/approach

This study focused on one hedge fund case study and conducted a thorough investigation of the events that led to the collapse and eventual filing of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) complaint. All articles and publications used for this research are available in the public domain and accessible.

Findings

Wood River Capital Management had concentrated the portfolios of its two hedge funds into one stock, EndWave Corp. Fund Manager violated terms of offering memorandum. Investors were not made aware of and did not discover the operational risks. Stock price of EndWave plummeted. There was no independent oversight over the funds. The values of the two funds dropped significantly. Investors attempted to redeem but the funds were not liquid. The SEC filed a complaint. Mr Whittier was sentenced for three years in jail.

Research limitations/implications

It is an analysis of US-based hedge fund, not an empirical paper. The article presents critical analysis and offers many valuable lessons to hedge fund industry stakeholders.

Practical implications

This paper helps investors in terms of identifying a hedge fund’s operational risks and conducting more effective due diligence while vetting a hedge fund. This could potentially save investors and constituents billions of dollars, by avoiding potential hedge fund collapses. This paper suggests that the scope of fiduciary duty be expanded to cover hedge fund industry vendors.

Originality/value

Thorough research of a hedge fund that collapsed because of poor investment decisions, not self-enrichment at expense of fund investors. This paper provides lessons to investors in terms of identifying a hedge fund’s critical operational risks and conducting value preserving due diligence. This could potentially save hedge funds investors billions of dollars, by avoiding potential hedge fund collapses. This paper recommends that the scope of fiduciary duty be expanded to cover hedge fund industry vendors.
Holding ABS is still tricky: the EU securitisation regulation and its UK equivalent
Authors: Parker Christian , Srivastava Arun , Severs Paul , Saylor Cameron
Published: April 2021

Purpose

To highlight that the risk retention rules associated with the holding of securitization investments, commonly thought to apply only to the sponsors and manufacturers of securitisations, also affect EU institutional investors and potentially impact non-EU fund managers that invest in these assets.

Design/methodology/approach

To address which classes of investor are affected and then to provide an overview of the obligations on affected investors that do invest in securitization investments.

Findings

There is much that is straightforward about the relevant obligations but there are a number of quirks that have not necessarily been fully appreciated by the market: these include the applicability to investors on a “look through” basis that may, inter alia, affect US credit fund managers with EU institutional investors.

Practical implications

EU institutional investors that do invest in this asset class should be considering the need to take practical steps to prepare written due diligence materials; non-EU credit managers that run e.g. ABS funds offered into the EU or in which there may be EU institutional investors should consider if they may have any obligations under the EU Securitization Regulation.

Originality/value

The aspects of the Securitization Regulation that affect institutional investors and regular fund managers have not been addressed as thoroughly as they have by the main securitization sector (banks, CLO managers and similar). This article seeks to remedy that and should prove of value to compliance, legal and other professionals at those types of institution.
Blockchain can both enhance and undermine compliance but is not inherently at odds with EU privacy laws
Authors: Moerel Lokke , Storm Marijn
Published: April 2021

Purpose

To explain the authors’ position that the use of blockchain technology is not incompatible with European Union privacy laws and in particular the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Design/methodology/approach

Explains the basics of blockchain technology and the GDPR, several reasons why some scholars consider BC not to be compatible with the GDPR, and why the authors believe that the GDPR will be able to regulate the use of blockchain technology.

Findings

The current perception is that blockchain is not compatible with EU privacy laws. The authors disagree that this is the case and explain why none of the issues identified by legal scholars and stakeholders are likely to pose issues for blockchain technology. Their conclusion is that EU privacy laws are well able to regulate also this new technology. This does however not mean that blockchain will thus be suitable for all use and deployment cases.

Originality/value

Practical guidance and explanation of complex issues by lawyers with extensive experience and expertise in dealing with data protection, cybersecurity, privacy, intellectual property and related issues.
China issues new cybersecurity review measures
Authors: Ross Lester , Zhou Kenneth
Published: April 2021

Purpose

To describe and analyze the implications of the new Measures (the “Measures”) for Cybersecurity Review jointly promulgated on April 27, 2020 by twelve Chinese government departments led by the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC).

Design/methodology/approach

Defines the scope of the Measures, explains the functions and obligations of critical information infrastructure operators (each, a CIIO), outlines the self-assessment and cybersecurity review process and discusses the implications of the Measures for foreign companies doing business in China.

Findings

The Measures impose an obligation on CII operators to apply for a cybersecurity review when they intend to procure network products and services that present or may present a national security concern. Such review will focus not only on national security and data leakage concerns, but also on supply-chain security concerns. The cybersecurity review will likely further the decoupling between China and the US.

Practical implications

While the Measures are not formally intended to discriminate against foreign products and services, the promulgation of the Measures will have a significant impact on foreign companies that supply network products or services to CII operators in China.

Originality/value

Practical guidance from lawyers with extensive experience in advising Chinese, US, European and other companies on laws and regulations related to competition, cross-border investments, joint ventures, strategic alliances and international trade matters.
Systems-theoretical observations of moral media panic debates
Authors: Tække Jesper
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine and analyse the fierce debate regarding children and young people’s use of digital social media, going on in Denmark (and in many other countries) in both mass media and social media. The overall question is what this panic is about and why the mass media and the public do not listen to the media sociologists than to self-appointed experts?

Design/methodology/approach

Using a systems-theoretical angle, this paper analyses the debate and answers the following questions: Why are researchers not taken more seriously, and why are their views neglected and criticised? What part does morality play in such debates? How and why do the mass media act as they do, for instance, listening more to debaters than to the researchers? 4) What is the role of the so-called social media? And are these debates best understood as conflicts?

Findings

The scientific code is only one among several other codes. The mass media also communicates about truth but only as a result of their own code and programs, which also counts for other functional systems such as the juridical and the political system. In the code and programmes of a given mass medium, it has information value that different actors has different truths, to which comes that conflicts between different opinions of truth is a direct selection criterium. This is the function of the mass media, and nobody would like to live in a society without (except for dictators and their henchmen). Finally, science is very programmatic and communicates only through its own code and programs why research results seldom reach the public in its own form (scientific books and articles) but through the lens of mass media organisations and the debaters. When science is observed from other systems, it happens through their codes and programs why science often does not count more than ordinary people’s meanings.

Research limitations/implications

The debate is polarised: on the one hand, there are debaters (self-appointed experts), whereas on the other hand, there are media researchers especially media sociologists. It turns out that the debaters have better communication possibilities than the researchers, as the scientific code does not trigger the news criteria as good as the often alarming statements from the debaters, who also use the moral code of communication that the researchers do not, as they are obligated to communicate solely in the scientific code.

Originality/value

There is no other systems-theoretical analysis of the moral media panic debates. The application of Luhmann’s systems theory is well suited, as it is both a communication theory and a sociological theory, whereas it is including both the relevant functional systems, such as the mass media, and the relevant communication codes, such as the news criteria of the mass media.
The impact of the 2020 global sulfur cap on maritime CO2 emissions
Authors: Zisi Vasiliki , Psaraftis Harilaos N. , Zis Thalis
Published: April 2021

Purpose

As of January 1, 2020, the upper limit of sulfur emissions outside emission control areas decreased from 3.5% to 0.5%. This paper aims to present some of the challenges associated with the implementation of the sulfur cap and investigates its possible side effects as regard the drive of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Even though it would appear that the two issues (desulfurization and decarbonization) are unrelated, it turns out that there are important cross-linkages between them, which have not been examined, at least by the regulators.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review and a qualitative risk assessment of possible CO2 contributors are presented first. A cost-benefit analysis is then conducted on a specific case study, so as to assess the financial, as well as the environmental impact of two main compliance choices, in terms of CO2 and sulfur oxide.

Findings

From a financial perspective, the choice of a scrubber ranks better comparing to a marine gas oil (MGO) choice because of the price difference between MGO and heavy fuel oil. However, and under different price scenarios, the scrubber choice remains sustainable only for big vessels. It is noticed that small containerships cannot outweigh the capital cost of a scrubber investment and are more sensitive in different fuel price scenarios. From an environmental perspective, scrubber ranks better than MGO in the assessment of overall emissions.

Research limitations/implications

Fuel price data in this paper was based on 2019 data. As this paper was being written, the COVID-19 pandemic created a significant upheaval in global trade flows, cargo demand and fuel prices. This made any attempt to perform even a rudimentary ex-post evaluation of the 2020 sulfur cap virtually impossible. Due to limited data, such an evaluation would be extremely difficult even under normal circumstances. This paper nevertheless made a brief analysis to investigate possible COVID-19 impacts.

Practical implications

The main implication is that the global sulfur cap will increase CO2 emissions. In that sense, this should be factored in the IMO greenhouse gas discussion.

Originality/value

According to the knowledge of the authors, no analysis examining the impact of the 2020 sulfur cap on CO2 emissions has yet been conducted in the scientific literature.