bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Selection and Realization of Structural Damage Detection Waveform based on Lamb Wave
Authors: Wang Yongzhi , Wu Hongjiao
Published: April 2022

Aiming at the problem of waveform fixing and unsatisfactory detection effect in structural damage detection based on Lamb wave, a waveform selection method based on the Kalman filter was proposed to obtain structural damage information. Firstly, the waveform selection model is constructed by combining the propagation characteristics of Lamb wave and the Kalman filter. Then the finite element simulation is carried out, the propagation of Lamb wave was simulated by ANSYS, and the optimal waveform was determined by joint calculation with MATLAB. Finally, experimental verification is carried out on the basis of finite element simulation to further verify the waveform selection method based on the Kalman filter. Through simulation and experimental study, it is verified that the waveform selection method based on the Kalman filter can improve the damage location accuracy of structures.
A fusion CNN driven by images and vibration signals for fault diagnosis of gearbox
Authors: Zhou Qiting , Mao Gang , Li Yongbo
Published: April 2022

Gearbox diagnosis is critical for avoiding catastrophic failure and minimizing financial damages. Aiming at the problem that the vibration-based fault diagnosis methods cannot effectively identify the non-structural failure mode and the diagnosis model based on the infrared thermal image is not robust enough, a fusion fault diagnosis method for gearboxes using vibration signals and infrared images is proposed. By fusing these two kinds of heterogeneous data, the proposed method can identify both structural and unstructured health states while maintaining high robustness. In addition, CNN has powerful image processing capabilities, which can directly process two-dimensional infrared images and achieve high accuracy. Finally, a gearbox experiment is carried out to test the performance of our method. The results suggest that the proposed fusion CNN can obtain the highest accuracy compared with some methods based on single signals, shallow learning methods SVM and deep unsupervised learning methods SAE.
Forest fire effects on stream water quality at continental scales: a meta-analysis
Authors: Hampton Tyler B , Lin Simon , Basu Nandita B
Published: April 2022

Forested watersheds supply over two thirds of the world’s drinking water. The last decade has seen an increase in the frequency and intensity of wildfires that is threatening these source watersheds, and necessitating more expensive water treatment to address degrading water quality. Given increasing wildfire frequency in a changing climate, it is important to understand the magnitude of water quality impacts following fire. Here, we conducted a meta-analysis to explore post-fire changes in the concentrations of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) species, dissolved organic carbon, and total suspended sediments in 121 sites around the world. Changes were documented over each study’s respective duration, which for 90% of sites was five years or fewer. We find concurrent increases in C, N and P species, highlighting a tight coupling between biogeochemical cycles in post-fire landscapes. We find that fire alters N and P speciation, with median increases of 40%–60% in the proportion of soluble inorganic N and P relative to total N and P. We also found that fire decreases C:N and C:P ratios, with median decreases ranging from 60% to 70%. Finally we observe a ‘hockey stick’-like response in changes to the concentration distribution, where increases in the highest concentration ranges are much greater than increases at lower concentrations. Our study documents strong heterogeneity in responses of water quality to wildfire that have been unreported so far in the literature.
On the electron sheath theory and its applications in plasma–surface interactions
Authors: SUN Guangyu , ZHANG Shu , SUN Anbang , ZHANG Guanjun
Published: April 2022

In this work, an improved understanding of electron sheath theory is provided using both fluid and kinetic approaches while elaborating on their implications for plasma–surface interactions. A fluid model is proposed considering the electron presheath structure, avoiding the singularity in electron sheath Child–Langmuir law which overestimates the sheath potential. Subsequently, a kinetic model of electron sheath is established, showing considerably different sheath profiles in respect to the fluid model due to non-Maxwellian electron velocity distribution function and finite ion temperature. The kinetic model is then further generalized and involves a more realistic truncated ion velocity distribution function. It is demonstrated that such a distribution function yields a super-thermal electron sheath whose entering velocity at the sheath edge is greater than the Bohm criterion prediction. Furthermore, an attempt is made to describe the electron presheath–sheath coupling within the kinetic framework, showing a necessary compromise between a realistic sheath entrance and the inclusion of kinetic effects. Finally, the secondary electron emissions induced by sheath-accelerated plasma electrons in an electron sheath are analysed and the influence of backscattering is discussed.
ExsgRNA: reduce off-target efficiency by on-target mismatched sgRNA
Authors: Hu Wei-Xin , Rong Yu , Guo Yan , Jiang Feng , Tian Wen , Chen Hao , Dong Shan-Shan , Yang Tie-Lin
Published: April 2022

Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9 gene editing technology has been widely used to facilitate efficient genome editing. Current popular sgRNA design tools only consider the sgRNA perfectly matched to the target site and provide the results without any on-target mismatch. We suppose taking on-target gRNA-DNA mismatches into consideration might provide better sgRNA with similar binding activity and reduced off-target sites. Here, we trained a seq2seq-attention model with feedback-loop architecture, to automatically generate sgRNAs with on-target mismatches. Dual-luciferase reporter experiment showed that multiple sgRNAs with three mismatches could achieve the 80% of the relative activity of the perfect matched sgRNA. Meanwhile, it could reduce the number of off-target sites using sgRNAs with on-target mismatches. Finally, we provided a freely accessible web server sgRNA design tool named ExsgRNA. Users could submit their target sequence to this server and get optimal sgRNAs with less off-targets and similar on-target activity compared with the perfect-matched sgRNA.
ATHENA: analysis of tumor heterogeneity from spatial omics measurements
Authors: Martinelli Adriano Luca , Rapsomaniki Maria Anna
Published: April 2022

Tumor heterogeneity has emerged as a fundamental property of most human cancers, with broad implications for diagnosis and treatment. Recently, spatial omics have enabled spatial tumor profiling, however computational resources that exploit the measurements to quantify tumor heterogeneity in a spatially aware manner are largely missing. We present ATHENA (Analysis of Tumor HEterogeNeity from spAtial omics measurements), a computational framework that facilitates the visualization, processing and analysis of tumor heterogeneity from spatial omics measurements. ATHENA uses graph representations of tumors and bundles together a large collection of established and novel heterogeneity scores that quantify different aspects of the complexity of tumor ecosystems.

Availability and implementation

ATHENA is available as a Python package under an open-source license at: https://github.com/AI4SCR/ATHENA. Detailed documentation and step-by-step tutorials with example datasets are also available at: https://ai4scr.github.io/ATHENA/. The data presented in this article are publicly available on Figshare at https://figshare.com/articles/dataset/zurich_pkl/19617642/2.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
The axon initial segment as a source of neuropathic pain
Authors: Dorrego-Rivas Ana , Grubb Matthew S.
Published: April 2022

This scientific commentary refers to ‘Sensory neurons have an axon initial segment that initiates spontaneous activity in neuropathic pain’ by Nascimento et al. (https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awac078).
Comparison of automated digital Peer Assessment Rating compared with measurements performed by orthodontists, dental students, and assistants using plaster, additive manufactured, and digital models
Authors: Hannebauer Anika , Wesemann Christian , Bartzela Theodosia , Bister Dirk , Bumann Axel
Published: April 2022

Background

There are little scientific data on fully automated Peer Assessment Rating (PAR); this study compares a number of PAR scoring methods to assess their reliability.

Objectives

This investigation evaluated PAR scores of plaster, 3D printed, and virtual digital models scored by specialist orthodontists, dental auxiliaries, undergraduate dental students,and using a fully automated method.

Materials and methods

Twelve calibrated assessors determined the PAR score of a typodont and this score was used as the gold standard. Measurements derived from a plaster model, a 3D printed model, and a digital model, were compared. A total of 120 practitioners (specialist orthodontists, dental auxiliaries, and undergraduate dental students, n = 40 each) scored the models (n = 10) per group. The digital models were scored twice, using OnyxCeph (OnyxCeph) and OrthoAnalyzer (3Shape). The fully automated PAR scoring was performed with Model+ (Carestream Dental).

Results

Neither type of model (P = 0.077), practitioner category (P = 0.332), nor interaction between the two (P = 0.728) showed a statistically significant effect on PAR scoring. The mean PAR score and standard deviation were comparable for all models and groups except the automated group, where the standard deviation was the smallest (SD = 0). Overall, the greatest variation was observed for weighted overjet and contact point displacements.

Conclusions

PAR scoring using plaster, 3D printed, and digital study models by orthodontists, dental auxiliaries, dental students, and a fully automated method produced very similar results and can hence be considered equivalent. Automated measurements improve repeatability compared with all groups of practitioners, but this did not reach the significance level.
Joint association of socioeconomic circumstances and minor mental health problems with antidepressant medication
Authors: Salonsalmi Aino , Mauramo Elina , Rahkonen Ossi , Pietiläinen Olli , Lahelma Eero
Published: April 2022

Background

Disadvantageous socioeconomic circumstances and minor mental health problems have both been associated with mental disorders, such as depression, but their joint contribution remains unknown.

Methods

The Helsinki Health Study baseline survey (2000–02) of 40- to 60-year-old employees was linked with antidepressant medication data from registers of the Social Insurance Institution of Finland. The analyses were made using logistic regression with first prescribed antidepressant medication purchase during a 10-year follow-up as the outcome. Minor mental health problems were measured by the emotional well-being scale of the RAND-36. Odds ratios were calculated for joint association of the lowest quartile of the emotional well-being scale of the RAND-36 and socioeconomic circumstances. Childhood (parental education and childhood economic difficulties), conventional (education, occupational class and income) and material (housing tenure and current economic difficulties) socioeconomic circumstances were examined. This study included 5450 participants.

Results

Minor mental health problems dominated the joint associations. Minor mental health problems were associated with antidepressant medication irrespective of socioeconomic circumstances whereas only low income, current economic difficulties and living in rented housing showed an association without minor mental health problems at baseline. Marital status, working conditions and BMI and health behaviours had only minimal contributions to the associations.

Conclusions

Minor mental health problems were consistently and strongly associated with antidepressant medication and dominated the joint associations with socioeconomic circumstances. Paying attention to minor mental health problems might help prevent mental disorders such as depression.
A novel spectral method for the semiclassical Schrödinger equation based on the Gaussian wave-packet transform
Authors: Miao Borui , Russo Giovanni , Zhou Zhennan
Published: April 2022

In this article we develop and analyse a new spectral method to solve the semiclassical Schrödinger equation based on the Gaussian wave-packet transform (GWPT) and Hagedorn’s semiclassical wave packets. The GWPT equivalently recasts the highly oscillatory wave equation as a much less oscillatory one (the $w$ equation) coupled with a set of ordinary differential equations governing the dynamics of the so-called GWPT parameters. The Hamiltonian of the $ w $ equation consists of a quadratic part and a small nonquadratic perturbation, which is of order $ \mathcal{O}(\sqrt {\varepsilon }) $, where $ \varepsilon \ll 1 $ is the rescaled Planck constant. By expanding the solution of the $ w $ equation as a superposition of Hagedorn’s wave packets, we construct a spectral method while the $ \mathcal{O}(\sqrt {\varepsilon }) $ perturbation part is treated by the Galerkin approximation. This numerical implementation of the GWPT avoids imposing artificial boundary conditions and facilitates rigorous numerical analysis. For arbitrary dimensional cases, we establish how the error of solving the semiclassical Schrödinger equation with the GWPT is determined by the errors of solving the $ w $ equation and the GWPT parameters. We prove that this scheme has spectral convergence with respect to the number of Hagedorn’s wave packets in one dimension. Extensive numerical tests are provided to demonstrate the properties of the proposed method.
War of the wardrobes: General Court finds registered design lacking individual character on the basis of a disclosed earlier design
Authors: Strath Janet
Published: April 2022

The General Court (‘GC’) has upheld a European Union IP Office (EUIPO) Board of Appeal decision that had found a design for a wardrobe lacking individual character, thus declaring the design invalid under Article 6(1)(b) of the Community Design Regulation 6/2002/EC (‘CDR’).
Potential Biological Control of Endophytic Streptomyces sp. 5-4 Against Fusarium Wilt of Banana Caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense Tropical Race 4
Authors: Yun Tianyan , Jing Tao , Zhou Dengbo , Zhang Miaoyi , Zhao Yankun , Li Kai , Zang Xiaoping , Zhang Lu , Xie Jianghui , Wang Wei
Published: April 2022

Fusarium wilt of banana caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense tropical race 4 (Foc TR4) is one of the most disastrous fungal diseases. Biological control is a promising strategy for controlling Fusarium wilt of banana. To explore endophytic actinomycetes as biocontrol resources against Foc TR4, antagonistic strains were isolated from different tissues of medicinal plants. Here, a total of 144 actinomycetes were isolated and belonged to Nonomuraea, Kitasatospora, and Streptomyces. Forty-three isolates exhibited antifungal activities against Foc TR4. The strain labeled with 5-4 isolated from roots of Piper austrosinense had a broad-spectrum antifungal activity by the production of chitinase and β-1,3-glucanase and was identified as Streptomyces hygroscopicus subsp. hygroscopicus 5-4. Furthermore, disease index of banana wilt was significantly reduced by application of strain 5-4 in comparison with application of Foc TR4 alone. Exogenous application of strain 5-4 increased the expression levels of defense genes such as (PAL), peroxidase (POD), pathogenesis-related protein 1 (PR-1), hydrolytic enzymes (β-1,3-glucanase), lysin motif receptor kinase 1 (LYK-1), and mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 (MPK-1). The antifungal mechanism assay demonstrated that extracts of strain 5-4 inhibited spore gemination and hyphal growth of Foc TR4, and caused abnormally swollen, deformity, and rupture of Foc TR4 hypha. Thus, S. hygroscopicus subsp. hygroscopicus 5-4 could be used as a potential biological agent for controlling Fusarium wilt of banana.
Preoperative Patient-reported Outcomes are not Associated With Sagittal and Spinopelvic Alignment in Degenerative Lumbar Spondylolisthesis
Authors: Karim S. Mohammed , Fisher Charles , Glennie Andrew , Rampersaud Raja , Street John , Dvorak Marcel , Paquette Scott , Kwon Brian K. , Charest-Morin Raphaele , Ailon Tamir , Manson Neil , Abraham Edward , Thomas Ken , Urquhart Jennifer , Bailey Christopher S.
Published: April 2022

Study Design.

Prospective cohort study.

Objective.

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether sagittal and spinopelvic alignment correlate with preoperative patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis (DLS) with spinal stenosis.

Summary of Background Data.

Positive global sagittal balance and spinopelvic malalignment are strongly correlated with symptom severity in adult spinal deformity, but this correlation has not been evaluated in DLS.

Methods.

Patients were enrolled in the Canadian Spine Outcomes Research Network (CSORN) prospective DLS study at seven centers between January 2015 and May 2018. Correlation was assessed between the following preoperative PROs: Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), numeric rating scale (NRS) leg pain, and NRS back pain and the following preoperative sagittal radiographic parameters SS, PT, PI, SVA, LL, TK, T1SPI, T9SPI, and PI-LL. Patients were further divided into groups based on spinopelvic alignment: Group 1 PI-LL<10°; Group 2 PI-LL ≥10° with PT <30°; and Group 3 PI-LL ≥10° with PT ≥30°. Preoperative PROs were compared among these three groups and were further stratified by those with SVA <50 mm and SVA ≥50 mm.

Results.

A total of 320 patients (61% female) with mean age of 66.1 years were included. Mean (SD) preoperative PROs were: NRS leg pain 7.4 (2.1), NRS back pain 7.1 (2.0), and ODI 45.5 (14.5). Preoperative radiographic parameters included: SVA 27.1 (33.4) mm, LL 45.7 (13.4°), PI 57.6 (11.9), and PI-LL 11.8 (14.0°). Weak but statistically significant correlations were observed between leg pain and PT (r = −0.114) and PI (ρ = −0.130), and T9SPI with back pain (r = 0.130). No significant differences were observed among the three groups stratified by PI-LL and PT. No significant differences in PROs were observed between patients with SVA <50 mm compared to those with SVA ≥50 mm.

Conclusion.

Sagittal and spinopelvic malalignment do not appear to significantly influence baseline PROs in patients with DLS.

Level of Evidence.

Prognostic level II.
Potential of Antibody-Dependent Cellular Cytotoxicity in Acute and Recovery Phases of SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Authors: Cui Tingting , Huang Mingzhu , Su Xiaoling , Lin Zhengfang , Zhong Jiaying , Yang Xiaoyun , Wang Zhongfang
Published: April 2022

Background:

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused a global pandemic that has resulted in millions of casualties. Although researchers have reported the existence of neutralizing antibodies and viral T cell immunity against SARS-CoV-2, little is known about the presence of antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and its role in combating SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Methods:

Nineteen acute COVID-19 patients at the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University from January to February, 2020 and 55 recovery COVID-19 patients at the Second Peoples Hospital of Changde City from February, 2020 to February, 2021 were recruited in this study. Longitudinal plasma samples were collected. A virus-specific ADCC assay was performed to study the COVID-19 plasma samples. The correlations between ADCC and total IgG titer, including anti-RBD, anti-N, and neutralizing antibody titer were analyzed.

Results:

A high level of ADCC with 0.86% of IFN-γ+CD107a+ NK cells induced by anti RBD antibodies and with 0.54% of IFN-γ+CD107a+ NK cells induced by anti N antibodies was observed. This activity peaked at 3 weeks after disease onset with 1.16% and 0.63% of IFN-γ+CD107a+ NK cells induced by anti RBD and anti N antibodies respectively, declined to 0.32% and 0.32% of IFN-γ+CD107a+ NK cells respectively after more than 2 months, and persisted for 12 months after disease onset. The ADCC did not aggravate the severity of COVID-19 in terms of sequential organ failure assessment, although ADCC decreased with the age of COVID-19 patients. Interestingly, ADCC response is not correlated with neutralizing antibody titer or total IgG titers against S protein RBD and N protein in acute patients. ADCC in recovered patients showed a significant correlation with anti RBD IgG titer (R
2 = 0.33, P < 0.001).

Conclusion:

Antibodies from COVID-19 patients against the N protein and S protein RBD domains could stimulate high levels of ADCC response. Our results provide evidence that vaccination should not only focus on neutralizing antibodies but also binding antibodies that may facilitate the antiviral function of ADCC, especially in the elderly.
Case Report of a Successful Pediatric Central Venovenous Extracorporeal Life Support via Right Atrium-Pulmonary Artery Cannulation for Severe Chest Trauma and Hemorrhagic Shock
Authors: Yalindağ-Öztürk Nilüfer , Ak Koray , Incekoy Girgin Feyza , Bozkurt Tugce , Ozturk Fatih
Published: April 2022

Hypoxemic arrests due to severe traumatic pulmonary injury may not respond to usual medical support. Extracorporeal life support (ECLS) can be life-saving; adequate flows are needed in this setting along with a careful choice of anticoagulation strategies to minimize bleeding. A 44 month old child, who presented with severe blunt chest trauma after being run over by a truck was resuscitated with active compressions and code medications seven times before arrival to the intensive care unit. Failure to adequately oxygenate led to an unconventional approach with cannulations of the right atrium (RA) and pulmonary artery (PA) via sternotomy. Anticoagulation regimen started after bleeding had slowed down with active transfusion of blood products and consisted of low-dose heparin and alprostadil infusions for the initial 48 hours. Heparin was adjusted per institutional guidelines thereafter. Physiologically veno-venous central approach enabled fast stabilization due to full oxygenation without recirculation. Additionally, the dual anticoagulation regimen was safe for circuit maintenance. The described method can be considered in small children with similar risks and conditions.
Ferreira-Ishida Technique: Spare Roof Technique B. Step-by-Step Guide to Preserving the Bony Cap While Dehumping
Authors: Gonçalves Ferreira Miguel , Ishida Luiz Carlos , Ishida Luiz Henrique , Santos Mariline
Published: April 2022

For V-shaped nasal bones, the authors consider that ostectomy of the dorsal keystone area can be avoided, and this has led to the development of a new preservation technique: the spare roof technique B (or Ferreira-Ishida technique), where the bony cap is preserved. It includes six main steps, as follows. Step 1, draw on the surface of the skin the desired dorsal brow-tip aesthetic lines, the pyriform aperture, the rhinion, and the amount of triangular bone that has to be taken out to allow pushing-down the bony cap, and the transversal line in the beginning of the nasal hump. Step 2, release the upper lateral cartilages from the dorsal septum (“high septal strip”). Step 3, take out the amount of dorsal septum necessary to dehump. Step 4, perform the paramedian high parallel osteotomies exactly below the marked brow-tip dorsal aesthetic lines. Then, perform the second group of lower osteotomies, until the E-point, to achieve a triangular shape of bone in each side of the bony cap. Perform the ostectomy of the mentioned triangular areas. Release the lateral keystone area. Perform partial ultrasonic ostectomy endonasally, below the nasal bones, to promote the weakening of the transverse fracture line, in the sagittal plane just above the E-point. Push-down gently the rectangular bony cap with a Luc nasal forceps (19 cm) in a greenstick fashion. Perform lateral traditional osteotomies from high to low to high to narrow the bony bridge as much as is needed. Step 5, perform a regular L-shape Cottle septoplasty (if necessary). Step 6, suture the cartilaginous middle vault (upper lateral cartilages) to the dorsal aspect of the remaining septum.
Revision of the ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma’ species description guidelines
Authors: Bertaccini Assunta , Arocha-Rosete Yaima , Contaldo Nicoletta , Duduk Bojan , Fiore Nicola , Montano Helena Guglielmi , Kube Michael , Kuo Chih-Horng , Martini Marta , Oshima Kenro , Quaglino Fabio , Schneider Bernd , Wei Wei , Zamorano Alan
Published: April 2022

The genus ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma’ was proposed to accommodate cell wall-less bacteria that are molecularly and biochemically incompletely characterized, and colonize plant phloem and insect vector tissues. This provisional classification is highly relevant due to its application in epidemiological and ecological studies, mainly aimed at keeping the severe phytoplasma plant diseases under control worldwide. Given the increasing discovery of molecular diversity within the genus ‘Ca. Phytoplasma’, the proposed guidelines were revised and clarified to accommodate those ‘Ca. Phytoplasma’ species strains sharing >98.65 % sequence identity of their full or nearly full 16S rRNA gene sequences, obtained with at least twofold coverage of the sequence, compared with those of the reference strain of such species. Strains sharing <98.65 % sequence identity with the reference strain but >98.65 % with other strain(s) within the same ‘Ca. Phytoplasma’ species should be considered related strains to that ‘Ca. Phytoplasma’ species. The guidelines herein, keep the original published reference strains. However, to improve ‘Ca. Phytoplasma’ species assignment, complementary strains are suggested as an alternative to the reference strains. This will be implemented when only a partial 16S rRNA gene and/or a few other genes have been sequenced, or the strain is no longer available for further molecular characterization. Lists of ‘Ca. Phytoplasma’ species and alternative reference strains described are reported. For new ‘Ca. Phytoplasma’ species that will be assigned with identity ≥98.65 % of their 16S rRNA gene sequences, a threshold of 95 % genome-wide average nucleotide identity is suggested. When the whole genome sequences are unavailable, two among conserved housekeeping genes could be used. There are 49 officially published ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma’ species, including ‘Ca. P. cocostanzaniae’ and ‘Ca. P. palmae’ described in this manuscript.
(Dys)functionality of intentions or outcomes? Performance funding of Danish schools
Authors: Poulsen Morten Lund , Bukh Per Nikolaj , Christensen Karina Skovvang
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This paper studies how performance funding of education is perceived by principals, teachers and administrative staff and management. The dysfunctionality of performance measures often reflects how the measures prevent an organisation from achieving its goals. This paper proposes that perceptions of dysfunctionality can be analysed by separating the perceptions of the programme's intentions, of the school-level actions and of the outcomes for students.

Design/methodology/approach

Following a qualitative methodology, semi-structured interviews were conducted with teachers, school management, staff specialists and top management in a large Danish municipality when outcome-based funding was introduced.

Findings

The performance-funding programme affected teaching by changing educational priorities. Different perceptions of the (dys)functionality of intentions, actions and outcomes fuelled diverging responses. Although the performance measure was generally considered incomplete, interviewees' perceptions of the financial incentivisation and the dysfunctionality of actions depended on interpretations of the incentivisation and student-related outcomes of the programme.

Research limitations/implications

Dysfunctionality can be contested; the interpretations of the intention of a performance-funding programme affect the perceived dysfunctionality of reactions. Both technical characteristics of funding schemes and administrators' and principals' mediating roles are essential for the consequences of performance funding.

Originality/value

The paper examines conditions for dysfunctionality of performance measures. We demonstrate that actions can be perceived as dysfunctional because of a measurement's intentions, actions themselves and the actions' outcomes. Further, the paper illustrates how the reception of performance funding depends on how consequences are enacted based on educators' interpretations of the (dys)functionality of intentions, actions and outcomes.
Audit expectation gap: a comprehensive literature review
Authors: Deepal Aluthgama Guruge , Jayamaha Ariyarathna
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This paper reviews a substantial body of scholarly work on the audit expectation gap (AEG) for many years and aims to construct a new synthesis of the existing knowledge of the AEG discovered by numerous scholars in the world.

Design/methodology/approach

A broad search of the literature was conducted using a few AEG related keywords in the Google Scholar search engine and two databases of Scopus and Emerald from 1974 to 2021. Only the articles published in reputable journals concerning the AEG were selected after applying some selection criteria.

Findings

The concept of AEG is a multidimensional concept. Different causes for the AEG were identified, and several strategies were summarized into major promising strategies for narrowing it. It was found that the AEG cannot be eradicated entirely from society.

Practical implications

This review of the literature will be of interest to auditors, financial statement users, regulatory agencies, and policymakers, among other parties. Further, this AEG synthesis may be useful in understanding misperceptions and determining how they differ across diverse stakeholders.

Originality/value

There is a dearth of literature review studies incorporating all the facets of AEG. Hence, this study incorporates all those facets, namely research methods and instruments and dimensions used along with causes and mechanisms to narrow down the AEG while addressing the gaps and highlighting the themes for future research. Finally, a fresh, yet more straightforward definition was generated as a result of the comprehensive review of the literature, adding novelty to the extant literature.
Malaysian household expenditure on tobacco: evidence from pooled cross-sectional quantile estimations
Authors: Cheah Yong Kang , Goh Kim-Leng , Abdul Adzis Azira
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This study aims to examine the factors associated with household expenditure share on tobacco at different ranges of the expenditure share among Malaysian households.

Design/methodology/approach

The analyses were based on pooled cross-sectional data of the Malaysian Household Expenditure Survey. A quantile regression was used to estimate the differentials in the share of monthly household expenditure on tobacco across different socio-economic, demographic and household groups at the 0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 0.9 quantiles of the tobacco expenditure share.

Findings

Characteristics of household heads (age, gender, ethnicity, marital status, education level, employment status) and household location were significant factors. Households headed by individuals aged 29 years or less spent a bigger share of their expenditure on tobacco than those headed by individuals older than 59 years. Households with heads who were employed and had primary-level education devoted a greater share of their expenditure for tobacco than households with heads who were unemployed and had tertiary-level education. The corresponding differentials were between 0.2% and 2.3%.

Practical implications

The results identify the target groups based on not only the socio-economic and demographic factors but also the distributional effects of tobacco expenditure share for the design of public policy to reduce the prevalence of smoking-induced illnesses.

Originality/value

This study represents new attempts to use pooled cross-sectional data and a quantile regression to take into account the heterogeneous tobacco expenditure behaviour according to different levels of tobacco spending among Malaysian households.
Improving failure risk by better planning and safety for precast beam-to-column connection elements using physical internet-enabled building information modeling technology: a Malaysian case study
Authors: Ismail Zul-Atfi
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show that the growing global trend of quality assurance indicates the potential of precast concrete (PC) to improve construction quality and productivity, reduce wasteful construction, and achieve design standardization and to accelerate construction time. However, its current approach for dynamic characteristics, such as stiffness and displacement on beam-column connection system design, is not effective in achieving the required quality and operational requirements.

Design/methodology/approach

A design tool based on the literature and data analysis in product planning and safety is proposed for the practice of PC building construction.

Findings

The results reveal the need for improvement of PC building performance in the construction industry, especially for the beam-column connection system. The issues include improper design, improper specification and defective concrete and steel components compared to other manufacturing methods.

Originality/value

A novel and sophisticated technique based on physical internet-enabled building information modeling (PI-BIM) is proposed to improve the planning process and safety for PC buildings in Malaysia.
The role of empowering leadership and psychological empowerment on nurses’ work engagement and affective commitment
Authors: Al Otaibi Saad M. , Amin Muslim , Winterton Jonathan , Bolt Ester Ellen Trees , Cafferkey Kenneth
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This study aims to investigate to role of empowering leadership and psychological empowerment on nurses' work engagement and affective commitment.

Design/methodology/approach

Self-administered questionnaire data from 231 nurses working in a university hospital in Saudi Arabia were analysed using a cross-sectional research design using structural equation modelling (SEM) to assess the relationship between empowering leadership (EL), affective commitment (AC) and work engagement (WE) while testing for the mediating role of psychological empowerment (PE).

Findings

SEM analysis demonstrated that EL significantly relates to AC. AC similarly significantly relates to WE. Further, the results showed that PE substantially mediates the relationship between EL and WE. There is no significant direct relationship found between EL and WE.

Practical implications

The study findings are essential for nursing managers. They illustrate that nurses become more committed to their organisation and, in return, more engaged with their work when they receive EL. Therefore, nursing managers could train their leaders to practice EL as increased WE has been found to result in other positive work attitudes such as reduced turnover intention.

Originality/value

This study corroborates the relationships between EL, AC and WE, as well as the mediating role of PE. However, this research is unique as the long-established relationship between EL and WE was not supported. It shows that the propositions of leader-member exchange theory may not hold for unique non-Western contexts, in this case, Saudi Arabia.
Weather, mobility and the evolution of the Covid-19 pandemic
Authors: Ghirelli Corinna , Gonzalez Andrea , Herrera Jose Luis , Hurtado Samuel
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The authors investigate the effect of weather and mobility on the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors first estimate the effective reproduction number (Rt) as a proxy of the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic and then study the relationship between the latter and weather and mobility in a panel data framework. The authors use US daily infections data between February and September of 2020 at the county level.

Findings

The authors find that lower temperatures are associated with a higher Rt, and this effect is greater at temperatures below 0°C. In addition, mobility reductions related to certain types of locations (retail and recreation, transit stations and workplaces) are effective at reducing Rt, but it is an increase in the time spent in parks that most helps reduce the spread of the pandemic.

Originality/value

The estimates imply that a 20°C fall in temperature from summer to winter would increase Rt by +0.35, which can be the difference between a well-controlled evolution and explosive behavior of the spread of the virus. Applying these coefficients estimated with US county data to aggregate series from other countries helps explain the resurgence of the pandemic in the Northern Hemisphere during the winter of 2020. The results show that mobility reduction and social distance are best policies to cope with the Covid-19 outbreak. This strong policy lesson will help facing similar outbreaks in the future.
Bridging theory and practice in the humane entrepreneurship domain: insights from small and medium Italian enterprises
Authors: Vesci Massimiliano , Botti Antonio , Feola Rosangela , Conti Emanuela , El Tarabishy Ayman
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Humane entrepreneurship (HumEnt) has been theoretically proposed as a new model of entrepreneurship supporting the idea of an enlarged entrepreneurial strategic posture. The aim of paper is to frame humane entrepreneurial orientation’s (HEO) characteristics by showing how firms apply the HumEnt approach, and to offer suggestions to build an HEO measurement scale.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopts a case study approach, focusing on five Italian small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Findings

The study (1) identifies which are the characteristics of HEO strategic posture in the enterprises under examination; (2) shows that entrepreneurs' personal values and credos are fundamental to having an HEO strategic posture adopted; (3) provides indications on the development of a measurement scale through a discussion of emerging HEO themes.

Originality/value

The value of the study is that emerging themes of HEO strategic posture was derived from the analysis of five Italian SMEs. Entrepreneur's personal values have been proven to be relevant in the implementation of HEO. Based on the emerging HEO themes, the study contributes to the literature opening the way toward the building of an all-encompassing HEO measurement scale.
Denials and apologies: pathways to reconciliation
Authors: Iwai Tatiana , Carvalho João Vinícius França
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to examine how verbal responses (denials vs apologies) following a trust violation in cooperative relationships influence reconciliation by changing attributions of responsibility for the transgression and transgressor’s perceived integrity. Additionally, the moderating role of perceived sincerity of the response is examined.

Design/methodology/approach

Two experimental studies were conducted with 465 participants. Hypotheses were tested using ordinary least squares (OLS) regressions and moderated serial mediation analyses with bootstrapping procedures.

Findings

In the occurrence of integrity-based trust violations, denials are more effective than apologies to repair trust. The positive indirect effects of these verbal responses on reconciliation are explained by a two-part mediating mechanism (attribution of responsibility followed by transgressor’s perceived integrity). Additionally, when responses are perceived as highly credible, denials are much more effective in deflecting blame than apologies.

Research limitations/implications

This study contributes to the literature on trust repair by examining when and why managers’ verbal responses to breaches of trust may be more or less effective in restoring cooperative relationships.

Practical implications

Managers must be aware that their perceived integrity following a breach of trust is influenced by the level of responsibility taken. Therefore, they should choose wisely which defensive tactics (apologies or denials) to use.

Social implications

As trust plays a central role in many cooperative relationships, choosing an appropriate response after a transgression is critical to solving conflicts both within and between organizations.

Originality/value

This work contributes to the reconciliation literature by uncovering the underlying cognitive mechanisms and boundary conditions by which different verbal responses influence reconciliation.
Energetic mismatch induced by warming decreases leaf litter decomposition by aquatic detritivores
Authors: Réveillon Tom , Rota Thibaut , Chauvet Éric , Lecerf Antoine , Sentis Arnaud
Published: April 2022

The balance of energetic losses and gains is of paramount importance for understanding and predicting the persistence of populations and ecosystem processes in a rapidly changing world. Previous studies suggested that metabolic rate often increases faster with warming than resource ingestion rate, leading to an energetic mismatch at high temperature. However, little is known about the ecological consequences of this energetic mismatch for population demography and ecosystem functions.

Here, we combined laboratory experiments and modelling to investigate the energetic balance of a stream detritivore Gammarus fossarum along a temperature gradient and the consequences for detritivore populations and organic matter decomposition.

We experimentally measured the energetic losses (metabolic rate) and supplies (ingestion rate) of Gammarus and we modelled the impact of rising temperatures and changes in Gammarus body size induced by warming on population dynamics and benthic organic matter dynamics in freshwater systems.

Our experimental results indicated an energetic mismatch in a Gammarus population where losses via metabolic rate increase faster than supplies via food ingestion with warming, which translated in a decrease in energetic efficiency with temperature rising from 5 to 20°C. Moreover, our consumer–resource model predicts a decrease in the biomass of Gammarus population with warming, associated with lower maximum abundances and steeper abundance decreases after biomass annual peaks. These changes resulted in a decrease in leaf litter decomposition rate and thus longer persistence of leaf litter standing stock over years in the simulations. In addition, Gammarus body size reductions led to shorter persistence for both leaf litter and Gammarus biomasses at low temperature and the opposite trend at high temperature, revealing that body size reduction was weakening the effect of temperature on resource and consumer persistence.

Our model contributes to identifying the mechanisms that explain how thermal effects at the level of individuals may cascade through trophic interactions and influence important ecosystem processes. Considering the balance of physiological processes is crucial to improve our ability to predict the impact of climate change on carbon stocks and ecosystem functions.
Real‐world data on switching from intravenous to subcutaneous vedolizumab treatment in patients with inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Bergqvist Viktoria , Holmgren Johanna , Klintman Daniel , Marsal Jan
Published: April 2022

Background and Aims

Vedolizumab is a gut‐selective treatment approved for Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Recently, a subcutaneous formulation of vedolizumab was approved. The aims of this study were to evaluate efficacy, safety, pharmacokinetics, patient experience and costs following a switch from intravenous to subcutaneous vedolizumab treatment.

Methods

Patients were switched from intravenous to subcutaneous vedolizumab maintenance treatment and followed prospectively for 6 months and a subgroup for 12 months. The primary endpoint was change in faecal calprotectin levels. Furthermore, we evaluated clinical disease activity, remission rates, plasma CRP, drug persistence, adverse events, local injection reactions, serum drug concentrations, patient satisfaction, quality‐of‐life and treatment costs.

Results

Eighty‐nine patients were included (48 CD; 41 UC). Faecal calprotectin decreased significantly in CD but not in UC. Clinical indices, remission rates, plasma CRP levels and quality‐of‐life scores remained unchanged. Patients that had been on standard compared to optimised IV vedolizumab dosing displayed similar outcomes on standard SC dosing. Drug persistence at 6 and 12 months was 95.5% and 88.5%, respectively. Frequencies of adverse events were similar before and after the switch. No serious adverse events occurred. Transient severe local injection reactions were experienced by 1.2% of patients. Median vedolizumab trough levels were 2.3 times higher on subcutaneous compared to intravenous treatment. Patient satisfaction was generally high. Annualised treatment costs were reduced by 15% following the switch.

Conclusions

The switch from intravenous to subcutaneous vedolizumab could be done with preserved therapeutic effectiveness, safety, high patient satisfaction and low discontinuation rate, at a reduced cost.
Retrospective analysis of clinical characteristics of and treatment strategies for patients with long‐acting anticoagulant rodenticide poisoning
Authors: Guodong Lin , Jieyi Wu , Xiaobo Peng , Xiaoxia Lu , Zhongying Liu , Zhiguo Pan , Zewu Qiu , Jianguang Dong
Published: April 2022

Objective

Long‐acting anticoagulant rodenticide (LAAR) poisoning remains a serious public health problem. The aim of this study was to explore the clinical characteristics of different LAARs and a method of making a decision on the VK1 treatment course and the time to stop VK1 treatment safely.

Method

This retrospective study compared the clinical characteristics of two LAARs poisoning patients and used multivariate regression method to explore the relationship between blood LAAR concentration and vitamin K1 dose/treatment time.

Result

A total of 115 patients with LAAR poisoning were included in this study after screening. Of these, 50 patients attempted to commit suicide. The median LAAR concentration of the patients at admission was 409 (157–1174) ng/mL, and the VK1 treatment duration was 14 (8–34) days. The total VK1 treatment time in patients with LAAR poisoning was positively correlated with admission LAAR concentration. During the maintenance treatment period, the VK1 dosage was positively correlated with blood LAAR concentration.

Conclusion

Low dose of VK1 during the maintenance period is indicative of the blood LAAR concentration being relatively low. This provides a basis for judging the LAAR content in the body during the maintenance treatment period.