bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characteristics of those most vulnerable to employment changes during the COVID-19 pandemic: a nationally representative cross-sectional study in Wales
Authors: Gray Benjamin J , Kyle Richard G , Song Jiao , Davies Alisha R 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe public health response to the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a detrimental impact on employment and there are concerns the impact may be greatest amongst the most vulnerable. We examined the characteristics of those who experienced changes in employment status during the early months of the pandemic.MethodsData was collected from a cross-sectional, nationally representative household survey of the working age population (18-64 years) in Wales in May/June 2020 (N=1,379). We looked at changes in employment and being placed on furlough since February 2020 across demographics, contract type, job skill level, health status and household factors. Chi-squared or Fisher’s tests and multinomial logistic regression models examined associations between demographics, subgroups and employment outcomes.ResultsOf our respondents 91.0% remained in the same job in May/June 2020 as they were in February 2020, 5.7% were now in a new job, and 3.3% experienced unemployment. In addition, 24% of our respondents reported being placed on furlough. Non-permanent contract types, individuals who reported low mental wellbeing and household financial difficulties were all significant factors in experiencing unemployment. Being placed on ‘furlough’ was more likely in younger (18-29 years) and older (60-64 years) workers, those in lower skilled jobs and from households with less financial security.ConclusionA number of vulnerable population groups were observed to experience detrimental employment outcomes during the initial stage of the COVID-19 pandemic. Targeted support is needed to mitigate against both the direct impacts on employment, and indirect impacts on financial insecurity and health.What is already known on this subject?The response to the current global pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) is already having a significant impact on people’s ability to work and employment status.Emerging UK employment data has raised concerns about the disproportionate impact on specific demographic groups.What this study adds?Groups that reported higher proportions of being placed on furlough included younger (18-29 years) and older (50-64 years) workers, people from more deprived areas, in lower skilled jobs, and those from households with less financial security.Job insecurity in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic was experienced more by those self-employed or employed on atypical or fixed term contract arrangements compared to those holding permanent contracts.To ensure that health and wealth inequalities are not exacerbated by COVID-19 or the economic response to the pandemic, interventions should include the promotion of secure employment and target the groups identified as most susceptible to the emerging harms of the pandemic.
Exposure to violence, chronic stress, nasal DNA methylation, and atopic asthma in children
Authors: Yan Qi , Forno Erick , Cardenas Andres , Qi Cancan , Han Yueh-Ying , Acosta-Pérez Edna , Kim Soyeon , Zhang Rong , Boutaoui Nadia , Canino Glorisa , Vonk Judith M. , Xu Cheng-jian , Chen Wei , Oken Emily , Gold Diane R. , Koppelman Gerard H. , Celedón Juan C. 
Published: November 2020

ABSTRACTBackgroundExposure to violence (ETV) or stress may cause asthma through unclear mechanisms.MethodsEpigenome-wide association study (EWAS) of DNA methylation in nasal epithelium and four ETV or chronic stress measures in 487 Puerto Ricans aged 9-20 years who participated in the Epigenetic Variation and Childhood Asthma in Puerto Ricans study [EVA-PR]). We assessed measures of ETV or chronic stress in children (ETV scale, gun violence, and perceived stress) and their mothers (perceived stress). Each EWAS was conducted using linear regression, with CpGs as dependent variables and the stress/violence measure as a predictor, adjusting for age, sex, the top five principal components, and SVA latent factors. We then selected the top 100 CpGs (by P-value) associated with each stress/violence measure in EVA-PR and conducted a meta-analysis of the selected CpGs and atopic asthma using data from EVA-PR and two additional cohorts (Project Viva and PIAMA).ResultsIn the EWAS of stress/violence in EVA-PR, gun violence was associated with methylation of cg18961589 in LINC01164 (β=0.03, P=1.28×10−7), and maternal stress was associated with methylation of cg03402351 in SNN (β=0.04, P=1.69×10−7) and cg19064846 in PTPRN2 (β=0.03, P=3.36×10−7). In a meta-analysis of three cohorts, which included the top CpGs associated with stress/violence in EVA-PR, CpGs in STARD3NL, SLC35F4, TSR3, CDC42SE2, KLHL25, PLCB1, BUD13, OR2B3, GALR1, TMEM196, TEAD4 and ANAPC13 were associated with atopic asthma at FDR-P < 0.05.ConclusionsETV and chronic stress may increase the risk of atopic asthma through DNA methylation in airway epithelium, though this needs confirmation in future longitudinal studies.
A comparison of pain registration by Visual Analog Scale and Numeric Rating Scale – a cross-sectional study of primary triage registration
Authors: Kollltveit Jofrid , Osaland Malin , Reimers Marianne , Berle Magnus 
Published: November 2020

BackgroundPain is a subjective sensation; self-reporting is important for quantifying pain intensity. There are several different validated tools for this, such as Visual Analog Scale and Numeric Rating Scale. In the clinic, these terms are often used as equivalent. The objective of this study was to examine correlation and agreement between the pain registration tools in triage in an emergency department.Materials and MethodsThe study was performed in the Department of Emergency Medicine at Haukeland University Hospital in the period June-August 2019. We registered the pain score with two tools in 200 unselected patients in emergency admission with pain. In addition, we registrered gender, age, triage and general department affiliation.ResultsWe found a strong correlation between the pain registration tools by Spearmans correlation test (rho=0,930, p<0,001). There were no significant difference between the pain registration tools within the subgroups. Bland-Altman analysis show agreement between the two pain registration tools.ConclusionsIn an Emergency Department triage is it acceptable to use Visual Analog Scale and Numeric Rating Scale as equivalent, as long as the correct terminology is used.
Role and Dynamics of Vacuolar pH during Cell-in-Cell mediated Death
Authors: Su Yan , Ren He , Tang Meng , Zheng You , Zhang Bo , Wang Chenxi , Hou Xinyu , Niu Zubiao , Gao Lihua , Chen Zhaolie , Luo Tianzhi , Sun Qiang 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe non-autonomous cell death by entosis was mediated by the so-called cell-in-cell structures, which were believed to kill the internalized cells by a mechanism dependent on acidified lysosomes. However, the precise values and roles of pH critical for the death of the internalized cells remained undetermined yet. We creatively employed keima, a fluorescent protein that displays different excitation spectra in responding to pH changes, to monitor the pH dynamics of the entotic vacuoles during cell-in-cell mediated death. We found that different cells varied in their basal intracellular pH, and the pH was relatively stable for entotic vacuoles containing live cells, but sharply dropped to a narrow range along with the inner cell death. In contrast, the lipidation of entotic vacuoles by LC3 displayed previously underappreciated complex patterns associated with entotic and apoptotic death, respectively. The pH decline seemed to play distinct roles in the two types of inner cell deaths, where apoptosis is preceded with moderate pH decline while a profound pH decline is likely to be determinate for entotic death. Whereas the cancer cells seemed to be lesser tolerant to acidified environments than non-cancerous cells, manipulating vacuolar pH could effectively control inner cell fates and switch the ways whereby inner cell die. Together, this study demonstrated for the first time the pH dynamics of entotic vacuoles that dictate the fates of internalized cells, providing a rationale for tuning cellular pH as a potential way to treat cell-in-cell associated diseases such as cancer.
Identification of novel disease relevant genetic modifiers affecting the SHH pathway in the developing brain
Authors: Mecklenburg Nora , Kowalczyk Izabela , Witte Franziska , Görne Jessica , Laier Alena , Gonschior Hannes , Lehmann Martin , Richter Matthias , Sporbert Anje , Purfürst Bettina , Hübner Norbert , Hammes Annette 
Published: November 2020

SUMMARYPathogenic gene variants in humans affecting the sonic hedgehog (SHH) pathway lead to severe brain malformations with variable penetrance due to unknown genetic modifiers. To identify such modifiers, we established novel congenic mouse models. LRP2 deficient C57BL/6N mice suffer from heart outflow tract defects and holoprosencephaly caused by impaired SHH activity. These defects are fully rescued on FVB/N background indicating a strong influence of modifier genes. Applying comparative transcriptomics, we identifiedPttg1andUlk4as candidate modifiers upregulated in the rescue strain. Functional analyses showed that ULK4 and PTTG1, both microtubule-associated proteins, are new positive regulators of SHH signaling, rendering the pathway more resilient to disturbances. In addition, we characterized PTTG1 as a novel primary cilia component in the neuroepithelium. The identification of genes, that powerfully modulate the penetrance of genetic disturbances affecting the brain and heart, is likely relevant to understand variability in human congenital disorders.
Cross-Platform Validation of Neurotransmitter Release Impairments in Schizophrenia Patient-DerivedNRXN1-Mutant Neurons
Authors: Pak ChangHui , Danko Tamas , Mirabella Vincent R. , Wang Jinzhao , Zhang Xianglong , Ward Thomas , Grieder Sarah , Vangipuram Madhuri , Huang Yu-Wen Alvin , Liu Yingfei , Jin Kang , Dexheimer Philip , Bardes Eric , Mittelpunkt Alexis , Ma Junyi , McLachlan Michael , Moore Jennifer C. , Urban Alexander E. , Dage Jeffrey L. , Swanson Bradley J. , Aronow Bruce J. , Pang Zhiping P. , Levinson Douglas F. , Wernig Marius , Südhof Thomas C. 
Published: November 2020

ABSTRACTHeterozygousNRXN1deletions constitute the most prevalent currently known single-gene mutation predisposing to schizophrenia. Previous studies showed that engineered heterozygousNRXN1deletions impaired neurotransmitter release in human neurons, suggesting a synaptic pathophysiological mechanism. Utilizing this observation for drug discovery, however, requires confidence in its robustness and validity. Here, we describe a multi-center effort to test the generality of this pivotal observation, using independent analyses at two laboratories of patient-derived and newly engineered human neurons with heterozygousNRXN1deletions. We show that in neurons that were trans-differentiated from induced pluripotent stem cells derived from threeNRXN1-deletion patients, the same impairment in neurotransmitter release was observed as in engineeredNRXN1-deficient neurons. This impairment manifested as a decrease in spontaneous synaptic events and in evoked synaptic responses, and an alteration in synaptic paired-pulse depression.Nrxn1-deficient mouse neurons generated from embryonic stem cells by the same method as human neurons did not exhibit impaired neurotransmitter release, suggesting a human-specific phenotype.NRXN1deletions produced a reproducible increase in the levels of CASK, an intracellularNRXN1-binding protein, and were associated with characteristic gene expression changes. Thus, heterozygousNRXN1deletions robustly impair synaptic function in human neurons regardless of genetic background, enabling future drug discovery efforts.
Looking for pathways related to COVID-19 phenotypes: Confirmation of pathogenic mechanisms by SARS-CoV-2 - Host interactome
Authors: Messina Francesco , Giombini Emanuela , Montaldo Chiara , Sharma Ashish Arunkumar , Piacentini Mauro , Zoccoli Antonio , Sekaly Rafick-Pierre , Locatelli Franco , Zumla Alimuddin , Maeurer Markus , Capobianchi Maria R. , Lauria Francesco Nicola , Ippolito Giuseppe ,   COVID 19 INMI Network Medicine for IDs Study Group.
Published: November 2020

AbstractIn the last months, many studies have clearly described several mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 infection at cell and tissue level. Host conditions and comorbidities were identified as risk factors for severe and fatal disease courses, but the mechanisms of interaction between host and SARS-CoV-2 determining the grade of COVID- 19 severity, are still unknown.We provide a network analysis on protein–protein interactions (PPI) between viral and host proteins to better identify host biological responses, induced by both whole proteome of SARS-CoV-2 and specific viral proteins. A host-virus interactome was inferred on published PPI, using an explorative algorithm (Random Walk with Restart) triggered by all the 28 proteins of SARS-CoV-2, or each single viral protein one-by-one. The functional analysis for all proteins, linked to many aspects of COVID-19 pathogenesis, allows to identify the subcellular districts, where SARS-CoV-2 proteins seem to be distributed, while in each interactome built around one single viral protein, a different response was described, underlining as ORF8 and ORF3a modulated cardiovascular diseases and pro-inflammatory pathways, respectively. Finally, an explorative network-based approach was applied to Bradykinin Storm, highlighting a possible direct action of ORF3a and NS7b to enhancing this condition.This network-based model for SARS-CoV-2 infection could be a framework for pathogenic evaluation of specific clinical outcomes. We identified possible host responses induced by specific proteins of SARS-CoV-2, underlining the important role of specific viral accessory proteins in pathogenic phenotypes of severe COVID-19 patients.
The trend of association between autism traits in mothers and severity of autism symptomatology in children
Authors: Karmakar Asmita , Bhattacharya Manisha , Adhya Jayeeta , Chatterjee Susmita , Dogra Atanu Kumar 
Published: November 2020

Purpose
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are heterogeneous disorders, and heterogeneity lies both at genetic and phenotypic levels. To better understand the etiology and pathway that may contribute to autism symptomatology, it is important to study milder expressions of autism characteristics – autistic traits or milder expressions of autism phenotype, especially in intergenerational context. This study aims to see the trend of association, if any, between child autism symptom and mothers’ autism phenotype as well as mothers’ theory of mind and to see if mothers’ theory of mind was associated with their own autistic traits.

Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected from 96 mothers of children with varying symptom severity of autism (mild, moderate and severe) using Autism Spectrum Quotient and faux pas recognition test. Analysis of variance, trend analysis and t-test were done.

Findings
Results showed a linear trend of relationship between mothers’ autism phenotype and child symptom severity. However, the groups did not have significant differences in theory of mind. Only a few components of theory of mind were found to be associated with autistic traits. These findings question the prevailing idea that theory of mind can be a reliable endophenotype of autism.

Research limitations/implications
There has been a lack of research assessing the possible link between parents’ autism phenotype and symptom severity of ASD children. This study is a preliminary step towards that direction. This study indicates a probability of shared genetic liability between mothers and offspring, which would have important consequences for understanding the mechanisms that lead to autism.

Practical implications
This study offers implications for treatment planning of those with clinical ASD. An awareness of parental factors is critical for any holistic intervention plan when a family seeks treatment for their child. This study suggests that while individualising interventions, clinicians may consider possible presence of high levels of autistic traits and related cognitive features present in the probands’ parents.

Originality/value
There has been lack of research assessing the possible link between parents’ autism phenotype and symptom severity of ASD children. This study, even though preliminary, is a step towards that direction. This study suggests that autism traits might be influenced by common genetic variation and indicates a probability of shared genetic liability between mothers and offspring, which would have important consequences for understanding the mechanisms that lead to autism.
An integrated TOPSIS-MOORA-based performance evaluation methodology for the key service providers in sharing economy: case of Airbnb superhosts
Authors: Majumdar Adrija , Adhikari Arnab 
Published: November 2020

PurposeIn the context of sharing economy, the superhost program of Airbnb emerges as a phenomenal success story that has transformed the tourism industry and garnered humongous popularity. Proper performance evaluation and classification of the superhosts are crucial to incentivize superhosts to maintain higher service quality. The main objective of this paper is to design an integrated multicriteria decision-making (MCDM) method-based performance evaluation and classification framework for the superhosts of Airbnb and to study the variation in various contextual factors such as price, number of listings and cancelation policy across the superhosts.Design/methodology/approachThis work considers three weighting techniques, mean, entropy and CRITIC-based methods to determine the weights of factors. For each of the weighting techniques, an integrated TOPSIS-MOORA-based performance evaluation method and classification framework have been developed. The proposed methodology has been applied for the performance evaluation of the superhosts (7,308) of New York City using real data from Airbnb.FindingsFrom the perspective of performance evaluation, the importance of devising an integrated methodology instead of adopting a single approach has been highlighted using a nonparametric Wilcoxon signed-rank test. As per the context-specific findings, it has been observed that the price and the number of listings are the highest for the superhosts in the topmost category.Practical implicationsThe proposed methodology facilitates the design of a leaderboard to motivate service providers to perform better. Also, it can be applicable in other accommodation-sharing economy platforms and ride-sharing platforms.Originality/valueThis is the first work that proposes a performance evaluation and classification framework for the service providers of the sharing economy in the context of tourism industry.
The impact of health insurance on healthcare service use and costs: evidence from rural China
Authors: Wang Yiqiu , Porter Maria , Jin Songqing 
Published: November 2020

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to study the effects of introducing a health insurance program in rural China between 2004 and 2006, the New Cooperative Medical Scheme (NCMS).Design/methodology/approachThe authors apply difference in difference and propensity score matching methods (PSM-DID) to a widely used panel dataset, the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS). Findings are robust across several treatment and comparison groups used in previous NCMS studies.FindingsHouseholds who participated in NCMS increased the use of preventive services and western medicine, while lowering the use of traditional Chinese medicine. NCMS also reduced hospital use, out of pocket payments, travel time to healthcare facilities and waiting time to see doctors. The authors estimate that reductions in travel and waiting time saved roughly 52m U.S. dollars in 2006.Research limitations/implicationsPreviously divergent findings on health insurance effects may be due to researchers studying health insurance across different healthcare delivery systems. In addition, in estimating how health insurance access affects healthcare costs, the authors should consider economic costs related to the time needed to access health services.Originality/valueThe authors study how health insurance access affects patients' choice of providers and economic costs to accessing health care services, outcomes that have not received much attention previously. The authors depart from previous NCMS studies by comparing several different approaches to identifying treatment and control groups when applying PSM-DID.
An empirical study of the internal factors influencing the application of compensation incentives in SMEs
Authors: Balogh Gábor , Sipos Norbert , Rideg András 
Published: November 2020

Purpose
Competitiveness is a multidimensional construct, related to a number of external and internal company factors. This paper aims to provide empirical evidence on the relationship between the application of small- and medium-sized enterprises’ (SMEs) compensation incentives as an index/element of human system development and competitiveness.

Design/methodology/approach
A unique primary data set drawn from the Global Competitiveness Project on SMEs’ competitiveness was analysed, using cross-sectional data of 784 firms. First, descriptive statistics were used to show the data set peculiarities. Second, a forward logistic regression was applied to show the effects on the application of compensation incentives. A 25.1% of explanatory power was found by targeting the application of compensation systems by 7 firm-level principal factors and 30 control variables.

Findings
The findings suggest that there is a higher chance of the application of compensation incentives in cases when the employees possess a more substantial tacit knowledge and formal and informal relationship networks. It is also positively impacted by the higher level of intra-company manifestation of knowledge.

Research limitations/implications
The research was conducted among SMEs from eight countries, based on a unique questionnaire designed for small enterprises. The respective countries are from Europe and Latin America, which serve as a reference category for Hungary. Also, there is a high level of 0 answers for the involved variables. The binary logistic regression methodology is suitable for filtering out some of these; nevertheless, the proportion of uncertain factors remains high as it is indicated by the explanatory power.

Originality/value
The majority of the literature is dealing with large companies in the topic of competitiveness, whereas in this data set, a deeper analysis was carried out among SMEs from eight countries, comparing their results to the Hungarian ones. The findings can be used as reference points for future studies, and the understanding of the HR cycle within SMEs.
South Korean’s fever for public service jobs and exam ronins: from a NHRD management framework
Authors: Kim Namhee , Park Sunyoung 
Published: November 2020

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to describe South Korea’s unique fever for public service jobs (FPSJ) and to critique it from a National Human Resource Development (NHRD) management framework.Design/methodology/approachThis paper reviewed previous studies, news and technical reports related to FPSJ and NHRD to connect FPSJ and NHRD.FindingsThis study analyzed FPSJ-related issues based on three areas (development, allocation and utilization) of human resources and four contexts (political, economic, social and educational backgrounds). FPSJ has led to multiple concerns about developing human resources (vocational education and career guidance), allocating human resources (the unbalanced supply-demand mismatch and flawed selection) and using human resources (delayed job entry and low public service ethos).Originality/valueThis study analyzes the challenges related to FPSJ in Korea from a NHRD perspective. Based on the analysis, this study recommends strategies for reducing the over-emphasis on FPSJ.