bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SARS-CoV-2 lineage dynamics in England from September to November 2021: high diversity of Delta sub-lineages and increased transmissibility of AY.4.2
Authors: Eales Oliver , Page Andrew J. , de Oliveira Martins Leonardo , Wang Haowei , Bodinier Barbara , Haw David , Jonnerby Jakob , Atchison Christina ,   The COVID-19 Genomics UK (COG-UK) Consortium, Ashby Deborah , Barclay Wendy , Taylor Graham , Cooke Graham , Ward Helen , Darzi Ara , Riley Steven , Chadeau-Hyam Marc , Donnelly Christl A. , Elliott Paul
Published: December 2021

Since the emergence of SARS-CoV-2, evolutionary pressure has driven large increases in the transmissibility of the virus. However, with increasing levels of immunity through vaccination and natural infection the evolutionary pressure will switch towards immune escape. Here we present phylogenetic relationships and lineage dynamics within England (a country with high levels of immunity), as inferred from a random community sample of individuals who provided a self-administered throat and nose swab for rt-PCR testing as part of the REal-time Assessment of Community Transmission-1 (REACT-1) study. From 9 to 27 September 2021 (round 14) and 19 October to 5 November 2021 (round 15), all lineages sequenced within REACT-1 were Delta or a Delta sub-lineage with 44 unique lineages identified. The proportion of the original Delta variant (B.1.617.2) was found to be increasing between September and November 2021, which may reflect an increasing number of sub-lineages which have yet to be identified. The proportion of B.1.617.2 was greatest in London, which was further identified as a region with an increased level of genetic diversity. The Delta sub-lineage AY.4.2 was found to be robustly increasing in proportion, with a reproduction number 15% (8%, 23%) greater than its parent and most prevalent lineage, AY.4. Both AY.4.2 and AY.4 were found to be geographically clustered in September but this was no longer the case by late October/early November, with only the lineage AY.6 exhibiting clustering towards the South of England. Though no difference in the viral load based on cycle threshold (Ct) values was identified, a lower proportion of those infected with AY.4.2 had symptoms for which testing is usually recommend (loss or change of sense of taste, loss or change of sense of smell, new persistent cough, fever), compared to AY.4 (p = 0.026). The evolutionary rate of SARS-CoV-2, as measured by the mutation rate, was found to be slowing down during the study period, with AY.4.2 further found to have a reduced mutation rate relative to AY.4. As SARS-CoV-2 moves towards endemicity and new variants emerge, genomic data obtained from random community samples can augment routine surveillance data without the potential biases introduced due to higher sampling rates of symptomatic individuals.
Participatory Research: A Priority Setting Partnership for Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain in Denmark
Authors: Lyng KD , Larsen JB , Birnie K , Stinson J , Hoegh M , Olesen AE , Arendt-Nielsen L , Ehlers L , Fonager K , Jensen MB , Würtzen H , Palsson TS , Poulin P , Handberg G , Ziegler C , Møller LB , Olsen J , Heise L , Rathleff MS
Published: December 2021

Background

Patient and stakeholder engagements in research have increasingly gained attention in healthcare and healthcare-related research. A common and rigorous approach to establish research priorities based on input from people and stakeholders is the James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Partnership (JLA-PSP). The aim of this study was to establish research priorities for chronic musculoskeletal (MSK) pain by engaging with humans living with chronic MSK pain, relatives to humans living with chronic MSK pain, healthcare professionals (HCP), and researchers working with chronic MSK pain.

Methods

This JLA-PSP included a nation-wide survey in Denmark, an interim prioritisation, and an online consensus building workshop. The information gained from this was the basis for developing the final list of specific research priorities within chronic MSK pain.

Results

In the initial survey, 1010 respondents (91% people living with chronic MSK pain/relatives, 9% HCPs/researchers) submitted 3121 potential questions. These were summarised into 19 main themes and 36 sub-themes. In the interim prioritisation exercise, 51% people living with pain/relatives and 49% HCPs/researchers reduced the list to 33 research questions prior to the final priority setting workshop. 23 participants attended the online workshop (12 people/relatives, 10 HCPs, and 1 researcher) who reached consensus for the most important research priorities after two rounds of discussion of each question.

Conclusion

This study identified several specific research questions generated by people living with chronic MSK pain, relatives, HCPs, and researchers. The stakeholders proposed prioritization of the healthcare system’s ability to support patients, focus on developing coherent pathways between sectors and education for both patients and HCP. These research questions can form the basis for future studies, funders, and be used to align research with end-users’ priorities
How effective is vaccination protection?
Authors: Batista Milan , Turnšek Aleksej
Published: December 2021

This short note provides a simple static model to assess the effect of vaccination against hospitalization.
Single-shot experiments at the soft X-FEL FERMI using a back-side-illuminated scientific CMOS detector
Authors: Léveillé Cyril , Desjardins Kewin , Popescu Horia , Vondungbo Boris , Hennes Marcel , Delaunay Renaud , Jal Emmanuelle , De Angelis Dario , Pancaldi Matteo , Pedersoli Emanuele , Capotondi Flavio , Jaouen Nicolas
Published: December 2021

The latest Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) 2D sensors now rival the performance of state-of-the-art photon detectors for optical application, combining a high-frame-rate speed with a wide dynamic range. While the advent of high-repetition-rate hard X-ray free-electron lasers (FELs) has boosted the development of complex large-area fast CCD detectors in the extreme ultraviolet (EUV) and soft X-ray domains, scientists lacked such high-performance 2D detectors, principally due to the very poor efficiency limited by the sensor processing. Recently, a new generation of large back-side-illuminated scientific CMOS sensors (CMOS-BSI) has been developed and commercialized. One of these cost-efficient and competitive sensors, the GSENSE400BSI, has been implemented and characterized, and the proof of concept has been carried out at a synchrotron or laser-based X-ray source. In this article, we explore the feasibility of single-shot ultra-fast experiments at FEL sources operating in the EUV/soft X-ray regime with an AXIS-SXR camera equipped with the GSENSE400BSI-TVISB sensor. We illustrate the detector capabilities by performing a soft X-ray magnetic scattering experiment at the DiProi end-station of the FERMI FEL. These measurements show the possibility of integrating this camera for collecting single-shot images at the 50 Hz operation mode of FERMI with a cropped image size of 700 × 700 pixels. The efficiency of the sensor at a working photon energy of 58 eV and the linearity over the large FEL intensity have been verified. Moreover, on-the-fly time-resolved single-shot X-ray resonant magnetic scattering imaging from prototype Co/Pt multilayer films has been carried out with a time collection gain of 30 compared to the classical start-and-stop acquisition method performed with the conventional CCD-BSI detector available at the end-station.
Controllable sites and high-capacity immobilization of uranium in Nd2Zr2O7 pyrochlore
Authors: Sun Jian , Zhou Jing , Hu Zhiwei , Chan Ting-Shan , Liu Renduo , Yu Haisheng , Zhang Linjuan , Wang Jian-Qiang
Published: December 2021

As potential nuclear waste host matrices, two series of uranium-doped Nd2Zr2O7 nanoparticles were successfully synthesized using an optimized molten salt method in an air atmosphere. Our combined X-ray diffraction, Raman and X-ray absorption fine-structure (XAFS) spectroscopy studies reveal that uranium ions can precisely substitute the Nd site to form an Nd2–x
U
x
Zr2O7+δ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.2) system and the Zr site to form an Nd2Zr2–y
U
y
O7+δ (0 ≤ y ≤ 0.4) system without any impurity phase. With increasing U concentration, there is a phase transition from pyrochlore (Fd
3
m) to defect fluorite (Fm
3
m) structures in both series of U-doped Nd2Zr2O7. The XAFS analysis indicates that uranium exists in the form of high-valent U6+ in all samples. To balance the extra charge for substituting Nd3+ or Zr4+ by U6+, additional oxygen is introduced accompanied by a large structural distortion; however, the Nd2Zr1.6U0.4O7+δ sample with high U loading (20 mol%) still maintains a regular fluorite structure, indicating the good solubility of the Nd2Zr2O7 host for uranium. This study is, to the best of our knowledge, the first systematic study on U-incorporated Nd2Zr2O7 synthesized via the molten salt method and provides convincing evidence for the feasibility of accurately immobilizing U at specific sites.
The going-concern opinion and the adverse credit rating: an analysis of their relationship
Authors: Strickett Matthew , Hay David C. , Lau David
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between going-concern (GC) opinions issued by the Big 4 audit firms and adverse credit ratings from the two largest credit rating agencies (CRAs) – Standard & Poor’s (S&P) and Moody’s. This question is relevant because there have been suggestions that auditors and CRAs should become more similar to each other, and because the two largest CRAs have different ownership structures that could affect their ratings.

Design/methodology/approach

Univariate and multivariate analyses are performed using a sample of firms that filed for bankruptcy between January 1, 2002 and December 31, 2013 that also had an audit opinion signed during the 12 months prior to bankruptcy, along with a credit rating issued by either or both S&P and Moody’s. Both influence each other. The likelihood of an auditor issuing a GC opinion is related to the credit rating issued by both S&P and Moody’s in the month prior to the audit report signing. The results also show differences between the CRAs. S&P reacted in the month after an auditor issued a GC opinion by downgrading its ratings 68% of the time. However, Moody’s did not react as strongly as S&P, downgrading its ratings only 24% of the time.

Findings

Both audit reports and credit ratings influence each other. The likelihood of an auditor issuing a GC opinion is related to the credit rating issued by both S&P and Moody’s in the month prior to the audit report signing. The results also show differences between the CRAs. S&P reacted in the month after an auditor issued a GC opinion by downgrading its ratings 68% of the time. However, Moody’s did not react as strongly as S&P, downgrading its ratings only 24% of the time.

Originality/value

Auditors are more likely to issue GC opinions when there is a downgrade to the credit rating, and CRAs are more likely to downgrade their ratings when there is a GC opinion. The study highlights that CRAs with different ownership structures provide different credit rating outcomes.
Pregnancy-related health information behaviour of Estonian women
Authors: Ojaperv Kadri , Virkus Sirje
Published: December 2021

Purpose

This study aims to increase the understanding of the pregnancy-related information behavior (IB) of pregnant women in Estonia.

Design/methodology/approach

The research involved a quantitative research methodology consisting of a semi-structured questionnaire. Data was collected from pregnant Estonian women through a self-administered Web-based questionnaire using a convenience sampling during the period from January to February 2019. A total of 300 pregnant women answered the questionnaire. The data were analysed using statistical analysis and the results of the study were compared with the results of previous studies.

Findings

The three topics on which information was most frequently sought were: fetal development, use of medicines during pregnancy and symptoms of pregnancy. The main sources of information were the internet and the midwife. The most reliable and valuable source of information was a midwife. Health-related information was sought mainly because it helped women make decisions related to pregnancy and childbirth. A number of factors facilitate the information seeking process. In addition, widespread access to the internet and technological skills facilitated IB. The following factors hindered the search for information: the controversy and/or ambiguity of information published on the internet and the time spent searching for information. Most women used wearable technologies during pregnancy.

Research limitations/implications

This study has several limitations. First, the weakness of online surveys is the potential lack of representativeness, as it excludes from the survey those who do not have access to or ability to use the internet for various reasons (Evans and Mathur, 2005; Limbu et al., 2021). Second, as most recruitment for the study took place online, there was a risk that those who did not use the internet could be excluded from the survey. Third, as the questionnaire was also shared in the Facebook news feed by the Women’s Clinic and Maternity Hospital of the East Tallinn Central Hospital, it may be that the respondents recruited through it more often used the support provided by medical professionals. Fourth, due to the volume limits of the study, it is not possible to present all the results of the study on the basis of socio-demographic characteristics and stage of pregnancy. Therefore, the findings cannot be generalized to the broader population and future studies should explore a larger and more representative populations.

Practical implications

This study will give some useful information to help to improve the services offered for pregnant women in Estonia.

Social implications

The findings of this study may inform how to better support this target group.

Originality/value

There is a lack of research in Estonia that focuses on the IB of pregnant women and this research fills this gap.
The effect of perceived organizational culture on employees’ information security compliance
Authors: Karlsson Martin , Karlsson Fredrik , Åström Joachim , Denk Thomas
Published: December 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the connection between different perceived organizational cultures and information security policy compliance among white-collar workers.

Design/methodology/approach

The survey using the Organizational Culture Assessment Instrument was sent to white-collar workers in Sweden (n = 674), asking about compliance with information security policies. The survey instrument is an operationalization of the Competing Values Framework that distinguishes between four different types of organizational culture: clan, adhocracy, market and bureaucracy.

Findings

The results indicate that organizational cultures with an internal focus are positively related to employees’ information security policy compliance. Differences in organizational culture with regards to control and flexibility seem to have less effect. The analysis shows that a bureaucratic form of organizational culture is most fruitful for fostering employees’ information security policy compliance.

Research limitations/implications

The results suggest that differences in organizational culture are important for employees’ information security policy compliance. This justifies further investigating the mechanisms linking organizational culture to information security compliance.

Practical implications

Practitioners should be aware that the different organizational cultures do matter for employees’ information security compliance. In businesses and the public sector, the authors see a development toward customer orientation and marketization, i.e. the opposite an internal focus, that may have negative ramifications for the information security of organizations.

Originality/value

Few information security policy compliance studies exist on the consequences of different organizational/information cultures.
I won't touch money because it is dirty: examining customer's loyalty toward M-payment
Authors: Goel Pooja , Garg Aashish , Sharma Anuj , Rana Nripendra P.
Published: December 2021

Purpose

Several industries including banking are booming because of COVID-19. However, it is still unknown whether this growth is momentary or permanent in nature. Hence, this study aims to identify the role of health-related concerns and trust as stimuli on M-payment loyalty.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected through Google Forms from 431 participants. Subjects were M-payment users. The hypothesized model was tested using structural equational modeling.

Findings

Results of the study indicate that perceived severity and trust act as stimuli for M-payment loyalty. Further, trust not only influences loyalty directly but also through intimacy. Additionally, no linear relationship was found between perceived usefulness and M-payment loyalty.

Originality/value

This work is an early attempt to consider health-related concerns and trust as stimuli to predict M-payment loyalty. Further, this study focused on three new constructs, namely perceived severity, perceived susceptibility and intimacy, that are underexplored in digital banking literature.
Various recycled steel fiber effect on mechanical properties of recycled aggregate concrete
Authors: Nath Amit Deb , Hoque Md. Ikramul , Datta Shuvo Dip , Shahriar Fahim
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The current study mainly focuses on the effect of varying diameter recycled steel fibers (RSF) on mechanical properties of concrete prepared with 25 and 50% of recycled coarse aggregate (RCA) as well as 100% natural aggregate (NA). Two types of RSF with 0.84 mm and 1.24 mm diameter having 30 mm length were incorporated into normal and recycled aggregate concrete (RAC).

Design/methodology/approach

The fresh behavior, compressive, splitting tensile, flexural strengths and modulus of elasticity of all the mixes were investigated to evaluate the mechanical properties of RACs. In addition, specimen crack and testing co-relation were analyzed to evaluate fiber response in the RAC.

Findings

According to the experimental results, it was observed that mechanical properties decreased with the increment replacement of NA by RCA. However, the RSF greatly improves the mechanical properties of both normal concrete and RACs. Moreover, mixes containing 1.24 mm diameter RSF had a more significant positive impact on mechanical properties than mixes containing 0.84 mm diameter RSF. The 0.84 mm and 1.24 mm RSF addition improved the mixes' compressive, splitting tensile and flexural strength by 10%–19%, 19%–30% and 3%–11%, respectively when compared to the null fiber mix. Therefore, based on the mechanical properties, the 1.24 mm diameter of RSF with 25% replacement of RCA was obtained as an optimum solution in terms of performance improvement, environmental benefit and economic cost.

Practical implications

The practice of RCA in construction is a long-term strategy for reducing natural resource extraction and the negative ecological impact of waste concrete.

Originality/value

This is the first study on the effects of varying size (0.84 mm and 1.24 mm diameter) RSF on the mechanical properties of RAC. Additionally, varying sizes of RSF and silica fume added a new dimension to the RAC.
The effect of technostress on the teachers’ willingness to use online teaching modes and the moderating role of job insecurity during COVID-19 pandemic in Pakistan
Authors: Mushtaque Iqra , Waqas Hamid , Awais-E-Yazdan Muhammad
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to analyze the impact of technostress on the teachers’ willingness to use online Teaching Modes, with the moderating role of job insecurity in Pakistan.

Design/methodology/approach

Holistically, this study collected 242 samples using the convenient sampling technique for data collection. The response rate was 69.1%. The respondents of the study are academic staff working in private colleges and universities. The data are essentially collected by using the scales of technostress, job insecurity and willingness to utilize online teaching modes.

Findings

The results reveal a significant and negative relationship between technostress and the teachers’ willingness to use online modalities. Interestingly, job insecurity moderates the relationship between technostress and the teachers’ willingness to use online modalities.

Research limitations/implications

Only academic staff of colleges and universities is considered in this study. In later studies, researchers may consider the school teachers as their potential respondents.

Originality/value

The results of the study provide important insight for the higher management of the academic institutes to motivate their employees to use online resources by using effective leadership and management skills during unforeseen events in the future.
Public sector bank dominated financing and earning quality: Indian evidence
Authors: Ganguli Santanu K. , Guha Deb Soumya
Published: December 2021

Purpose

Good earnings quality (EQ) provides reasonable assurance as to the reliability of future cash-flow generation capability of the borrowing firms and thereby mitigates the credit risk of the banks. Against the backdrop of the stressed-assets problem in public-sector banks in India, adversely impacting the public finance system, this paper aims to explore the role of EQ of the borrowers in obtaining bank credit and the ways to mitigate the problem.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a sample of listed 3,486 non-financial and non-government firms, the authors apply Jones (1991) model to estimate their EQ. Then, the authors conduct Hausman’s (1970) test and find the existence of a two-way relation between bank finance and EQ. The authors adopt a two-stage least-square regression model to test the nature of the association between the two after controlling for firm and industry-level characteristics.

Findings

The empirical results suggest that there exists a two-way negative association between EQ and bank finance implying that the Indian firms tend to report abnormal accruals to enhance tangibility for enjoying higher credit limits and easier access to bank finance. Also, the poor EQ is associated with earnings volatility, adversely impacting the credit quality. The findings are consistent.

Practical implications

The study highlights the role of EQ in mitigating credit risk and addressing adverse selection problems in granting credit by practicing bankers.

Originality/value

The findings of the study enrich the literature on EQ, capital structure, agency theory and public finance in several ways and have significant ethical and policy implications in bank-finance-led economies.
Exploring the role of service touchpoints on the path to financial, behavioral and relational customer outcomes: insights from a B2B service context
Authors: Gao Lily (Xuehui) , Melero-Polo Iguácel , Ruz-Mendoza Miguel Á. , Trifu Andreea
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine how and to what extent customer-provider service touchpoints impact business customer perceptions and outcomes in the context of long-term business-to-business (B2B) service relationships. To this end, the authors will assess the chain of effect path for different service touchpoints between business customers and service providers – and the long-term impact both on customer perceptions and financial, behavioral and relational outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

Enabled by a five-year panel data set, seemingly unrelated regression model methodology is applied to test the proposed conceptual framework. Data are obtained for a sample of 2,175 B2B insurance service companies between 2013 and 2017.

Findings

Study results shed light on the significance of the sales force in B2B settings, as one of several key service touchpoints – together with firm expertise, service reliability and excellence – driving robust relationships, profitability and cross-buying. Firm-initiated contacts and tangible touchpoints are proven to be ineffective – even damaging in some instances – in terms of driving business customer perceptions.

Originality/value

The paper delivers empirical evidence providing insight on how service touchpoints and business customer perceptions have a long-term impact on customer outcomes. This has yet to be addressed in B2B service settings – despite being of vital interest to marketers, as the longitudinal approach of the research aids service firms in gaining a better understanding of company-customer touchpoints and the extent to which different factors have a decisive, lasting impact on B2B customer outcomes.
How users' perceived prosumption activities influence co-creation experiences and co-creation intentions?
Authors: Shen Lei , Zhu Yuhong , Li Chenglong , Shah Syed Hamad Hassan
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The paper aims to explore how perceived prosumer content quality (PPCQ) and perceived interaction quality (PIQ) improve users' co-creation experiences and subsequently influence their co-creation intentions in the future. In addition, the paper examines users' prosumer ability into consideration.

Design/methodology/approach

The research model based on stimulus-organism-response (S-O-R) paradigm is developed to observe users' participation in value co-creation activities. In total, 318 valid responses were collected from a survey. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the model and Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) PROCESS macro (Model 58) by Hayes was applied to investigate the moderating effect of prosumer ability in mediation paths.

Findings

It is observed that co-creation intention is determined by user-learning value, social-integrative value and hedonic value, which are influenced by PPCQ and PIQ. Besides, uses' prosumer ability moderates the indirect effects of PPCQ and PIQ on co-creation intentions through co-creation experiences.

Research limitations/implications

The paper provides a prosumption perspective to explain users' co-creation intentions in social commerce and proposes the importance of user-learning, social-integrative and hedonic values in determining co-creation intentions.

Practical implications

Social commerce platforms can encourage prosumption activities and cultivate multi-level prosumers to achieve a win–win situation.

Originality/value

Little prior research has explicitly examined how and why users participate in value co-creation activities in social commerce from prosumption perspective. The current paper seeks to fill this gap and open new avenues for other value co-creation researchers.
Successful erlotinib rechallenge in an EGFR‐mutant metastatic non‐small cell lung cancer patient with afatinib‐induced drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms: A case report
Authors: Lin Chung‐Fu , Liu Szu‐Yu , Lo Tzu‐Kun , Lee Julia Yu‐Yun , Su Po‐Lan
Published: December 2021

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are the standard treatment for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)‐mutant advanced‐stage non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, TKIs can cause some severe adverse events, which are more prevalent within first‐generation EGFR‐TKI use than with second‐generation inhibitors. Herein, we report a case of a patient with advanced‐stage EGFR‐mutant NSCLC who developed drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) after receiving treatment with afatinib. The patient was successfully rechallenged with erlotinib, without manifestations of skin rash in the following 6 months. Hence, erlotinib may be considered a potential substitute for other EGFR‐TKIs following DRESS occurrence.
Systematic review of associations between HLA and renal function
Authors: Lowe Marcus , Jervis Steven , Payton Antony , Poulton Kay , Worthington Judith , Gemmell Isla , Verma Arpana
Published: December 2021

Introduction

Kidney dysfunction is a highly significant disease, both in the United Kingdom and globally. Many previous studies have reported associations between human leukocyte antigens (HLA) and renal function; this systematic review attempts to identify, summarize and appraise all published studies of these associations.

Methods

A literature search was performed using Medline, Embase and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials to identify papers whose keywords included each of the following concepts: HLA, renal failure and genetic association. A total of 245 papers were identified and assessed for eligibility; 35 of these were included in the final study.

Results

A total of 95 HLA types and 14 three‐locus haplotypes were reported to be associated with either increased or decreased renal function. A number of these findings were replicated by independent studies that reported 16 types were protective against renal dysfunction and 15 types were associated with reduced renal function. A total of 20 HLA types were associated with both increased risk of renal disease and decreased risk by independent studies.

Discussion

There is very little consensus on which HLA types have a protective or deleterious effect on renal function. Ethnicity may play a role, with HLA types possibly having different effects among different populations, and it is possible that the different primary diseases that lead to ESRD may have different HLA associations. Some of the studies may contain type I and type II errors caused by insufficient sample sizes, cohort selection and statistical methods. Although we have compiled a comprehensive list of published associations between renal function and HLA, in many cases, it is unclear which associations are reliable. Further studies are required to confirm or refute these findings.
MicroRNAs as the promising markers of comorbidities in childhood obesity—A systematic review
Authors: Hutny Michał , Hofman Jagoda , Zachurzok Agnieszka , Matusik Paweł
Published: December 2021

Introduction

Rising child obesity rate creates a need for tools quantifying changes in children suffering from obesity, for purposes of detection or prevention of comorbidities. A candidate for such a role seems to be microRNAs, which in vivo serve as the suppressing factors in gene expression.

Objectives

This study aimed at reviewing recent discoveries in this field and concluding directions of research or application of studied molecules.

Methods

Repeated browsing of databases and screening of results, led to final approval of 16 articles. Filtered studies examined differences in microRNA expression between subjects with obesity and children suffering from its comorbidities.

Results

Studies concerning endothelial dysfunction identified molecules miR‐320a and miR‐630 as a possible diagnosis and treatment option. Search for the alternative markers in diagnosis of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease suggested value of molecules: miR‐199a‐5p and miR‐122. miR‐486, miR‐146b, and miR‐15b may serve in grading the development of type 2 diabetes in children, although further research raised doubts. Panel of molecules was indicated as useful in early detection of metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance associated alterations. No valid link between studied microRNAs and atherosclerosis was found.

Conclusions

MicroRNAs seem to be promising prognostic markers for diagnosis of endothelial dysfunction, non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance in children.
In vitro antiviral activity of Thymbra spicata L. extract on bovine respiratory viruses (BCoV, BPIV-3, BRSV, BVDV and BoHV-1)
Authors: Toker Eda Baldan , Yeşilbağ Kadir
Published: December 2021

Aims

Viral pathogens are the primary agents in bovine respiratory disease cases, and there is no direct effective antiviral drug application. Thymbra is a genus of oregano commonly found in Turkey. The primary component (34.9%) of the extract obtained from Thymbra spicata L. is the carvacrol which is used in traditional medicine. This study evaluates the potential antiviral activity and inactivation efficiency of T. spicata L. extract against bovine respiratory viruses, including BCoV, BPIV-3, BRSV, BVDV and BoHV-1.

Methods and Results

To evaluate its effect on viral replication, viral titres were taken from infected cells treated with non-cytotoxic T. spicata L. extract concentrations (0.75% and 1.5%, 1.32 and 2.64 µg/ml of carvacrol as active ingredient, respectively) and compared to non-treated infected cells. The viruses were treated directly with 1.5% T. spicata L. extract, and the viral titres were evaluated at certain time points to determine the efficiency of direct inactivation. The number of infectious virions for BCoV, BPIV-3, BRSV, BVDV and BoHV-1 treated with 1.5% T. spicata L. extract were decreased by 99.44%, 100.0%, 94.38%, 99.97% and 99.87%, respectively.T. spicata L. extract strongly inhibits the replication of mentioned viruses in a dose-dependent manner in vitro. In addition, T. spicata L. extract shared direct inactivation efficiency on the mentioned viruses in a time-dependent manner.

Conclusion

This study shows the antiviral efficiency of T. spicata L. on BRD-related viral agents for the first time. The oregano species T. spicata and its main component, carvacrol, may have a potential for antiviral activity in the alternative treatment of respiratory viral diseases in cattle.

Significance and Impact of the Study

Given the similarity of replication strategies, obtained data suggest the possible efficiency of T. spicata L. on human respiratory viruses.
Selection of ACC deaminase positive, thermohalotolerant and drought tolerance enhancing plant growth-promoting bacteria from rhizospheres of Cyamopsis tetragonoloba grown in arid regions
Authors: Goyal D. , Kumar S. , Meena D. , Solanki S.S. , Swaroop S. , Pandey J.
Published: December 2021

Plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) expressing 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) deaminase activity are widely acknowledged to have a role in mitigation of abiotic stress caused by extreme environmental conditions. Consequently, several studies have focused on the isolation of ACC deaminase positive PGPBs. However, the application of such strains in drought-prone arid regions has remained grossly under-exploited. In order to be used in arid agroecosystems, PGPBs need to have the dual capability: to express ACC deaminase and to have the ability to tolerate increased temperature and salt concentration. Conspicuously, to date, very few studies have reported about isolation and characterization of PGPBs with this kind of dual capability. Here we report the isolation of bacterial strains from rhizosphere(s) of Cyamopsis tetragonoloba, a commercial crop from arid regions of Rajasthan, India, and their characterization for ACC deaminase activity and thermohalotolerance. Isolates found positive for desired traits were subsequently assessed for plant growth promotion under simulated drought conditions. Our finding showed that although the bacterial diversity within the rhizosphere of C. tetragonoloba grown in the arid region is quite poor, multiple isolates are ACC deaminase positive. Four isolates were found to be ACC deaminase positive, thermohalotolerant, and successfully enhanced drought tolerance. These isolates were identified as strains belonging to genera Pseudomonas, Enterobacter, and Stenotrophomonas based on 16S rRNA sequence homology.
New haplotypes found in stranded long‐finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas) in the eastern North Atlantic and adjacent waters
Authors: Ball Rachel J. , Kitchiner Ashleigh , Davison Nicholas J. , Brownlow Andrew , Berrow Simon , McKeown Niall J. , IJsseldijk Lonneke L. , Geary Matthew , McDowall Ian , Muir Anna P.
Published: December 2021

Long‐finned pilot whale (Globicephala melas) mitochondrial (mtDNA) genetic diversity is considered low, especially in the North Atlantic, where only seven haplotypes have been recorded in previous studies using a 345 bp control region fragment. Such studies have not included samples from Ireland or the Netherlands. In this study we analyzed a longer sequence of the mtDNA control region (631 bp) from individuals stranded around Ireland, Scotland, and the Netherlands between 1995 and 2019 (n = 180). Nine haplotypes were identified, of which five were newly described (haplotype diversityh = 0.511). Pairwise tests revealed significant differentiation between the Irish and Scottish samples. Potential confounding factors are discussed but given that failure to recognize population structure may compromise conservation efforts, the findings show the need for further investigation using nuclear markers. Six mass stranding events were included, of which one event reported two haplotypes among individuals confirming a mixing of matrilineal groups. Although the permanence of this combination cannot be determined, this is the first record of such an occurrence within the North Atlantic. This study shows that stranding sample databases are a useful resource for genetic studies and provides new insights into genetic diversity of long‐finned pilot whales in the eastern North Atlantic and adjacent waters.
Can real‐time near‐infrared spectroscopy monitoring detect graft venous thrombosis after pediatric kidney transplantation?
Authors: Ghidini Filippo , Parolin Mattia , De Corti Federica , Amigoni Angela , Fascetti Leon Francesco , Benetti Elisa , Gamba Piergiorgio
Published: December 2021

Background

A prompt detection of graft venous thrombosis might preserve the transplanted organ. A real‐time near‐infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) monitoring of the allograft perfusion could fulfill this goal. The aim of this work was to report the trend of allograft perfusion (rSO2) after pediatric kidney transplantation (KT) complicated by graft venous thrombosis.

Case presentation.

An infant, affected by end‐stage kidney disease due to posterior urethral valves, underwent non‐living donor KT. The allograft presented both arterial and venous variants and required a complex bench surgery reconstruction. The perfusion of the allograft was monitored by real‐time transcutaneous NIRS. The early post‐operative was conditioned by worsening clinical conditions, and a graft venous thrombosis was detected after four hours since the transplantation. NIRS monitoring lasted for 348 minutes. Median lower pole rSO2‐value was 65% (IQR 62–66%), while the median upper pole rSO2‐value was 70% (IQR 70–71%). These data reflected the congestion of the lower pole, observed at the end of the transplantation. The lower pole showed inferior rSO2 values (p<0.0001). At the end of the monitoring, the decrease in peripheral rSO2, measured in left lower limb as a benchmark, was consistent with the ongoing hypovolemic shock and severe acute anemia.

Conclusion

Transcutaneous NIRS might be a reliable device for monitoring allograft and peripheric perfusion after pediatric KT. The modifications of rSO2 values helped the clinicians manage the patients in the post‐operative and early detect acute complications.
Silver, fiduciary money, and the Chinese economy, 1890–1935
Authors: Chen Bo , Li Dan , Xie Yiqing
Published: December 2021

There are debates in the existing literature over whether silver outflows from China due to the American Silver Purchase Act (ASPA) of 1934 resulted in an economic crisis in China. However, all arguments in the debate rely on the assertion that the ASPA caused severe deflation—a claim with weak support in the data. In this paper, we investigate the bigger picture by using a newly consolidated historical Chinese dataset covering 1890–1935 to investigate the long‐run relationship of silver outflows, international trade, and fiduciary money. We find a mitigation effect of terms of trade after a decrease in the silver price triggered silver outflows from 1890 to 1934. More importantly, we find that the issue of fiduciary money was responsive to silver outflows such that China's aggregate money supply was not severely affected by the outflows. As a result, we clarify the puzzle of why China encountered neither serious deflation nor an economic crisis when the ASPA occurred.
Bayesian nonparametric estimation in the current status continuous mark model
Authors: Jongbloed Geurt , van der Meulen Frank H. , Pang Lixue
Published: December 2021

We consider the current status continuous mark model where, if an event takes place before an inspection time T a “continuous mark” variable is observed as well. A Bayesian nonparametric method is introduced for estimating the distribution function of the joint distribution of the event time (X) and mark variable (Y). We consider two histogram‐type priors on the density of . Our main result shows that under appropriate conditions, the posterior distribution function contracts pointwisely at rate if the true density is ‐Hölder continuous. In addition to our theoretical results we provide efficient computational methods for drawing from the posterior relying on a noncentered parameterization and Crank–Nicolson updates. The performance of the proposed methods is illustrated in several numerical experiments.
Evolving African American/White socioeconomic inequality in the public sector: A review essay
Authors: Wilson George
Published: December 2021

A sufficient body of research across disciplines (Sociology, Political Science, Public Administration) now exists to address the evolving dynamics of public sector African American/White socio‐economic inequality across the post‐1965 civil rights era. This review synthesizes this research, bringing together an unprecedented amount of evidence to support two primary points: (1) Public sector inequality has been fluid, that is, it has been characterized by varying levels of African American disadvantage. Though African American disadvantage has progressively increased in the post‐1990 period, for now it retains its occupational niche status, and (2) The underpinnings of this fluidity of African American/White inequality are to a considerable degree a product of historically specific responses to inequality dynamics in the private sector that I classify as either compensatory or emulative. I discuss the importance of focusing on inter‐sectoral connections in understanding evolving racial inequality in the public sector and conclude by offering directions for future research.
A multi‐scale partitioning and aggregation method for large volumes of buildings considering road networks association constraints
Authors: Li Chengming , Wu Wei , Yin Yong , Wu Pengda , Wu Zheng
Published: December 2021

The automatic aggregation of buildings often requires the handling of large volumes of data, which results in high processing overhead. One efficient and feasible way of managing this issue is to partition data using a road network and perform parallel computing. Generally, road networks are used not only to divide buildings into multiple cells but also to provide strong spatial constraints for the geometric morphology and a balanced spatial distribution of building aggregation results. Existing methods have focused on the former at the expense of the latter, which easily leads to spatial conflicts between road networks, and building aggregation results in the multi‐scale representation of buildings. Hence, a multi‐scale partitioning and aggregation method for large volumes of buildings considering the association constraint of the road network is proposed. First, road stroke connections are established, and road levels are calculated on the basis of semantic, geometric, and topological features of road strokes. Second, large volumes of buildings are partitioned level‐by‐level based on multi‐level roads and the convex hull of buildings. Finally, a “three morphological transformation algorithm” is proposed to aggregate buildings in each partitioning cell. OpenStreetMap data (31 × 33 km2) from Tokyo Bay, Japan, were used for validation. The experiment reveals that compared to the state‐of‐the‐art method, the proposed method avoids spatial crossing conflicts and eliminates “narrow necks” in the building aggregation results. The coordination between buildings and the road network was enhanced, and the morphological similarity of the buildings before and after aggregation was improved.
Understanding Attribution: Problems, Options, and a Proposal
Authors: Morales Carbonell Felipe
Published: December 2021

In this paper, I give an overview of different models of understanding attribution and advance a contextualist account of understanding attribution. Whereas other contextualist accounts make the degree in which the epistemic states of the relevant agents satisfy certain invariant conditions context‐sensitive, the proposed account makes the conditions themselves context‐sensitive.
Investigations on Thermodynamic Processes of a Novel Pneumatic Drive Asymmetric Gifford-McMahon Cycle Cryorefrigerator
Authors: Panda Debashis , Behera Suraj K. , Satapathy Ashok K. , Sarangi Sunil K.
Published: December 2021

In this paper, a numerical and experimental investigation is conducted on a novel pneumatic-drive asymmetric Gifford-McMahon cycle cryorefrigerator (GMCR). In the pneumatic-drive asymmetric Gifford-McMahon cycle cryorefrigerator, the duration of the assistance space exhaust process is kept higher than that of the assistance space intake process. Therefore, the displacer moves faster near the lower dead center (LDC) and slower near the upper dead center (UDC) inside the expander cylinder. The numerical model solves the governing equations of the refrigerant and dynamics of free-floating displacer iteratively to illustrate the refrigeration mechanism. Additionally, the model computes the performance parameters of the cryorefrigerator like refrigerating capacity and specific refrigerating capacity. By adopting the numerical model, the impact of the loitering time (LT) on the thermodynamic processes is elaborated. It is perceived that both refrigerating capacity and specific refrigerating capacity reduces with an increase in the loitering time. The experimental cooling characteristics are studied for different values of discharge to suction pressure ratios of helium compressor.
A Novel Heat Generation Acquisition Method of Cylindrical Battery Based on Core and Surface Temperature Measurements
Authors: Yu Xiaoli , Wu Qichao , Huang Rui , Chen Xiaoping
Published: December 2021

Heat generation measurements of the lithium-ion battery are crucial for the design of the battery thermal management system. Most previous works use the accelerating rate calorimeter (ARC) to test heat generation of batteries. However, utilizing ARC can only obtain heat generation of the battery operating under the adiabatic condition, deviating from common operation scenarios with heat dissipation. Besides, using ARC is difficult to measure heat generation of the high-rate operating battery because the battery temperature easily exceeds the maximum safety limit. To address these problems, we propose a novel method to obtain heat generation of cylindrical battery based on core and surface temperature measurements and select the 21700 cylindrical battery as the research object. Based on the method, total heat generation at 1 C discharge rate under the natural convection air cooling condition in the environmental chamber is about 3.2 kJ, and the average heat generation rate is about 0.9 W, while these two results measured by ARC are about 2.2 kJ and 0.6 W. This gap also reflects that different battery temperature histories have significant impacts on heat generation. In addition, using our approach, total heat generation at 2 C discharge rate measured in the environmental chamber is about 5.0 kJ, with the average heat generation rate being about 2.8 W. Heat generation results obtained by our method are approximate to the actual battery operation and have advantages in future applications.