bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A robust mean and variance test with application to high-dimensional phenotypes
Authors: Staley James R , Windmeijer Frank , Suderman Matthew , Lyon Matthew S , Smith George Davey , Tilling Kate 
Published: February 2020

AbstractMost studies of high-dimensional phenotypes focus on assessing differences in mean levels (location) of the phenotype by exposure, e.g. epigenome-wide association studies of DNA methylation at CpG sites. However, identifying effects on the variability (scale) of these outcomes, and combining tests of mean and variability (location-and-scale), could provide additional insights into biological mechanisms. Here, we review variability tests, specifically an extended (for continuous exposures) version of the Brown-Forsythe test, and develop a novel joint location-and-scale score test for both categorical and continuous exposures (JLSsc). The Brown-Forsythe test and JLSsc performed well in comparison to alternative approaches in simulations. These approaches identified >7500 CpG sites that were associated with either mean or variability with gender or gestational age in cord blood methylation in ARIES (Accessible Resource for Integrated Studies). The Brown-Forsythe test and JLSsc are robust tests that can be used to detect associations not solely driven by a mean effect.
Ascorbate maintains a low plasma low oxygen level
Authors: Injarabian Louise , Scherlinger Marc , Devin Anne , Ransac Stéphane , Lykkesfeldt Jens , Marteyn Benoit S 
Published: February 2020

AbstractIn human blood, oxygen is mainly transported by red blood cells. Accordingly, the oxygen level in plasma is expected to be limited, although it has not been quantified yet. Here, by developing dedicated methods and tools, we determined that human plasma pO2= 8.4 mmHg (1.2% O2). Oxygen solubility in plasma was believed to be similar to water. Here we reveal that plasma has an additional ascorbate-dependent oxygen-reduction activity. Plasma oxygenation oxidizes ascorbate (49.5 μM in fresh plasma vs <2 μM in oxidized plasma) and abolishes this capacity, which is restored by ascorbate supplementation. We confirmed these resultsin vivo, showing that the plasma pO2is significantly higher in ascorbate-deficient guinea pigs (plasma ascorbate < 2μM), compared to control (plasma ascorbate > 15μM). Plasma low oxygen level preserves the integrity of oxidation-sensitive components such as ubiquinol. Circulating leucocytes are well adapted to these conditions, since the abundance of their mitochondrial network is limited.These results shed a new light on the importance of oxygen exposure on leucocyte biological study, in regards with the reducing conditions they encounterin vivo; but also on the manipulation of blood products to improve their integrity and potentially improve transfusions’ efficacy.Key points
Epstein Barr virus epitope/MHC interaction combined with convergent recombination drive selection of diverse T cell receptor α and β repertoires
Authors: Gil Anna , Kamga Larisa , Chirravuri-Venkata Ramakanth , Aslan Nuray , Clark Fransenio , Ghersi Dario , Luzuriaga Katherine , Selin Liisa K. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractRecognition modes of individual T cell receptors (TCR) are well studied, but factors driving the selection of TCR repertoires from primary through persistent human virus infections are less well understood. Using deep sequencing, we demonstrate a high degree of diversity of EBV-specific clonotypes in acute infectious mononucleosis. Only 9% of unique clonotypes detected in AIM persisted into convalescence; the majority (91%) of unique clonotypes detected in AIM were not detected in convalescence and were seeming replaced by equally diverse “de-novo” clonotypes. The persistent clonotypes had a greater probability of being generated than non-persistent due to convergence recombination of multiple nucleotide sequences to encode the same amino acid sequence, as well as the use of shorter CDR3 regions with fewer nucleotide additions (i.e. sequences closer to germline). Moreover, the two most immunodominant HLA-A2-restricted EBV epitopes, BRLF1109and BMLF1280, show highly distinct antigen-specific public (i.e. shared between individuals) features. In fact, TCRα CDR3 motifs played a dominant role, while TCRβ played a minimal role, in the selection of TCR repertoire to an immunodominant EBV epitope, BRLF1. This contrasts with the majority of previously reported repertoires, which appear to be selected either on TCRβ CDR3 interactions with peptide/MHC or in combination with TCRα CDR3. Understanding of how TCR/peptide/MHC complex interactions drive repertoire selection can be used to develop optimal strategies for vaccine design or generation of appropriate adoptive immunotherapies for viral infections in transplant settings or for cancer.ImportanceSeveral lines of evidence suggest that TCRα and β repertoires play a role in disease outcomes and treatment strategies during viral infections in transplant patients, and in cancer and autoimmune disease therapy. Our data suggests that it is essential that we understand the basic principles of how to drive optimum repertoires for both TCR chains, α and β. We address this important issue by characterizing the CD8 TCR repertoire to a common persistent human viral infection (EBV), which is controlled by appropriate CD8 T cell responses. The ultimate goal would be to determine if the individuals who are infected asymptomatically develop a different TCR repertoire than those that develop the immunopathology of AIM. Here, we begin by doing an in depth characterization of both CD8 T cell TCRα and β repertoires to two immunodominant EBV epitopes over the course of AIM identifying potential factors that may be driving their selection.
Phase transition and structures of the twinned low-temperature phases of (Et4N)[ReS4]
Authors: Bernhardt Eduard , Herbst-Irmer Regine 
Published: February 2020

The title compound, tetraethylammonium tetrathiorhenate, [(C2H5)4N][ReS4], has, at room temperature, a disordered structure in the space groupP63mc(Z = 2, α-phase). A phase transition to the monoclinic space groupP21(Z = 2, γ-phase) at 285 K leads to a pseudo-merohedral twin. The high deviation from the hexagonal metric causes split reflections. However, the different orientations could not be separated, but were integrated using a large integration box. Rapid cooling to 110–170 K produces a metastable β-phase (P63,Z = 18) in addition to the γ-phase. All crystals of the β-phase are contaminated with the γ-phase. Additionally, the crystals of the β-phase are merohedrally twinned. In contrast to the α-phase, the β- and γ-phases do not show disorder.
Effect of carbides on sensitivity of pitting corrosion in Inconel 718 alloy
Authors: Wei Xianping , Zheng Wen Jie 
Published: February 2020

Purpose
This paper aims to expand the application area of Inconel 718 alloy in marine environment, the sensitivity of pitting corrosion should be analyzed and discussed, especially the effect of block carbides.

Design/methodology/approach
Effect of carbides on the sensitivity of pitting corrosion for Inconel 718 alloy was carried out at 30°C in 3.5% NaCl solution using dynamic electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and anodic polarization techniques. In addition, the initiation of pitting corrosion was investigated by immersion test in 0.05 M HCl + 6% FeCl3 solution.

Findings
As a result, the precipitation of carbides, as the initiation of pitting corrosion, increased pitting corrosion susceptibility, especially the block carbides could lead to deep-spalling. Within that process, temperature and potential acted as the main controlling factors, and the effect of the latter was more distinct.

Originality/value
The initiation of pitting corrosion was revealed by the immersion test. The mechanism of pitting corrosion was analyzed and discussed.
Staged implementation of inclusionary zoning as a mechanism to improve housing affordability in Auckland, New Zealand
Authors: Fernandez Mario A. , Martin Shane L. 
Published: February 2020

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyse how the staged implementation of inclusionary zoning (IZ) performs relative to conventional IZ programmes in terms of increasing the number of low- and moderate-income households become homeowners.

Design/methodology/approach
The paper applies a matching model implemented through a mixed-integer programme model taking Auckland (New Zealand) housing market as a case study. The IZ is simulated by two features: a target price (below which affordable houses are defined) and the income threshold (below which any household gains access to the programme). The staging of IZ consists of first directing affordable houses to low-income households, where those houses that are not sold are cascaded to subsequent population groups with higher incomes.

Findings
The staged implementation of IZ does not necessarily imply that the number of sales will increase both for affordable and market-rate houses. However, a hybrid approach defined by two target prices results in a greater number of sales relative to a conventional IZ and a baseline affordable market while achieving market efficiency and equity.

Research limitations/implications
The paper is limited to the marginal impact of new affordable houses entering the market. It does not address further market rounds for houses left empty for tractability purposes. Also, the analysis is circumscribed to current renters and not owners, if owners were included they would outbid renters and distort the intended impact of IZ as an affordable housing policy.

Originality/value
The paper has relevance for policymakers because it provides evidence about the dimensions of IZ to have a lasting effect on housing affordability. The model is applied to a single housing market but is suitable to be generalized and adapted to a different urban environment.
Housing prices and expectations: a study of Auckland
Authors: Yang Yang , Zhou Mingquan , Rehm Michael 
Published: February 2020

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is twofold. First, the study aims to test whether expectations are adaptive in the Auckland housing market. The second purpose is to examine the interplay between expectations and Auckland housing prices.Design/methodology/approachIn this study, two vector error correction models (VECM) are built: one VECM includes survey-based expectations and another one encompasses model-based expectations with the assumption that property investors’ expectations are adaptive. The paper goes on by comparing and examining the results of Granger causality tests and impulse response analyses.FindingsThe findings reveal that Auckland property buyers’ expectations are adaptive. In addition, this study provides some evidence of a feedback cycle between Auckland housing prices and expectations.Research limitations/implicationsThis study posits that Auckland property buyers’ expectations in the next 12 months are based on three-year price movements with more emphasis being placed on recent price history. This assumption may not be an accurate reflection of true expectations.Practical implicationsThis paper helps policymakers to deepen their understanding of Auckland property buyers by showing that their expectations form through the extrapolation of the past price trend.Originality/valueThe study possibly marks the first attempt to test and compare the relationship between housing prices and two forms of expectations: survey-based and model-based. Additionally, this study is probably the first one that empirically examines whether there is a feedback cycle between expectations and property prices in the Auckland housing market.
Smooth adaptive hybrid impedance control for robotic contact force tracking in dynamic environments
Authors: Cao Hongli , He Ye , Chen Xiaoan , Zhao Xue 
Published: February 2020

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to take transient contact force response, overshoots and steady-state force tracking error problems into account to form an excellent force controller.

Design/methodology/approach
The basic impedance function with a pre-PID tuner is designed to improve the force response. A dynamic adaptive adjustment function that combines the advantages of hybrid impedance and adaptive hybrid impedance control is presented to achieve both force overshoots suppressing and tracking ability.

Findings
The introduced pre-PID tuner impedance function can achieve more than the pure impedance function in aspects of converging to the desired value and reducing the force overshoots. The performance of force overshoots suppression and force tracking error are maintained by introducing the dynamic adaptive sigma adjustment function. The simulation and experimental results both show the achieved control performance by comparing with the previous control methods.

Practical implications
The implementation of the controller is easy and convenient in practical manufacture scenes that require force control using industrial robots.

Originality/value
A superior robot controller adapting to a variety of complex tasks owing to the following characteristics: maintenance of high-accuracy position tracking capability in free-space (basic capabilities of modern industrial robots); maintenance of high speed, stability and smooth contact performance in collision stage; and presentation of high-precision force tracking capability in steady contact.
Equity crowdfunding and regulation: implications for the real estate sector in Italy
Authors: Battisti Enrico , Creta Fabio , Miglietta Nicola 
Published: February 2020

Purpose
This paper gathers initial evidence about the nature and features of the equity crowdfunding model in Italy, especially in terms of regulations. The purpose of this study is to examine how equity crowdfunding might support the real estate sector in Italy.

Design/methodology/approach
To explore the recent initiatives in the development of FinTech in Italy, especially referring to equity crowdfunding’s instrument, a qualitative perspective is used. In particular, this paper relies on primary data from regulations and secondary data from the public domain, which are examined in relation to the current literature.

Findings
The results of this study show that equity crowdfunding represents a funding method that is rapidly increasing in Italy, despite rather rigid regulation. Among the various sectors involved, the real estate sector could benefit from the crowdfunding models and, specifically, from the equity one. The development of new real estate equity crowdfunding portals that allow diversification of investment (by reducing the typical entry barriers for real estate investment) could guarantee greater investment transparency and simplicity.

Practical implications
Real estate crowdfunding can be a simple way to invest in the real estate industry. Thanks to the use of technology, specifically internet-based platforms, this type of crowdfunding allows for small investors, as well as professional investors, to access an asset class otherwise not open to small investment tickets and improve the diversification of investments.

Originality/value
Although recent literature has examined the concept of crowdfunding and highlighted different models, aspects and campaigns, no prior studies, to the authors’ knowledge, have explicitly and jointly investigated, also based on the state of art of regulation, the equity crowdfunding model and the real estate sector in Italy.
Drivers of physicians’ satisfaction and continuance intention toward the cloud-based hospital information system
Authors: Cheng Yung-Ming 
Published: February 2020

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to propose an integrated model based on expectation-confirmation model (ECM) and technology acceptance model (TAM) to examine whether environmental, human, organizational and technology factors as the antecedents to physicians’ beliefs can affect their satisfaction and continuance intention of the cloud-based hospital information system (HIS).Design/methodology/approachSample data for this study were collected from physicians at six hospitals in Taiwan. A total of 600 questionnaires were distributed, and 471 (78.5 per cent) usable questionnaires were analyzed using structural equation modeling in this study.FindingsThis study proposes a solid research model that is based on ECM and TAM, four types of factors, environmental factor, human factor, organizational factors and technology factors, as antecedents to physicians’ continuance intention of the cloud-based HIS have been examined. This study’s results strongly support the research model with all hypothesized links being significant, and control variables have no confounding effects on physicians’ continuance intention of the cloud-based HIS.Originality/valueThis study contributes to physicians’ continuance intention toward the cloud-based HIS based on ECM, TAM, technology-organization-environment framework and human-organization-technology fit framework, and reveals deep insights into the evaluation of determinants in the field of physicians’ continuance intention of the cloud-based HIS. Accordingly, it is particularly worth mentioning that IS and non-IS determinants are simultaneously evaluated and taken into consideration in this study’s theoretical development of physicians’ continuance intention of the cloud-based HIS to acquire a more comprehensive and robust analysis.
Understanding the paradigm shift in education in the twenty-first century
Authors: Rodney Basiyr D. 
Published: February 2020

Purpose
The purpose of this study is to analyse the potential impact of the Internet of Things (IoT) on education. IoT is more than just novel educational arrangements with new technology and networked computing devices. Taking a systems design perspective, the author argues that IoT represents a paradigm shift in the key drivers of education systems.

Design/methodology/approach
The paper uses a conceptual analysis based on the systems thinking framework. The paper relies on a literature review as informed by prior studies in the field, social media analysis and research database articles of IoT in education.

Findings
The paper finds that systems thinking is a useful framework for examining IoT in education. It finds that writers on IoT in education use a number of lenses at looking at how IoT will affect education. All of these can be refined. Findings suggest that IoT technology has the potential to impact how education systems are reimagined and redesigned; that logistics of educational management and the design of learning facilities can become more responsive to student learning needs because of IoT technology; and instructional delivery systems will be reconstituted by IoT technology. This study is of most value to educators, administrators and information systems professionals. Industries of focus include K-12 education, higher education and specialized training fields.

Research limitations/implications
The research is a conceptual analysis based on social media content and research studies. This is a new line of inquiry; therefore, the sources and data rapidly change.

Practical implications
The study is practical for educational policymakers and educators to plan for the shift in modes of instructional design, curriculum development and school leadership and organization.

Social implications
The research will inform the basis for new educational and schooling arrangements; IoT will change the way all of us learn and engage with learning activities.

Originality/value
The paper is highly original and very valuable for education policymakers as well as educators at all levels.
Blockchain and maritime supply-chain performance: dynamic capabilities perspective
Authors: Lambourdiere Eric , Corbin Elsa 
Published: February 2020

PurposeMaritime supply chains rely on electronic and paper-based processes, leading to efficiency bottlenecks. The purpose of this paper is to propose a theory for how implementing digitalization in the form of blockchain technology (BCT) can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of maritime supply chains.Design/methodology/approachThis conceptual paper is grounded in dynamic capabilities, supply-chain management and digital supply-chain theories. Relevant literature is scrutinized to explain how BCT can improve supply-chain performance.FindingsBCT mainly benefits supply-chain performance through the development of intangible capabilities, by leveraging the capabilities (resources) that maritime supply chains provide.Research limitations/implicationsThis framework sets an analytical basis for future empirical research on BCT and maritime supply chains. As such, it can give only indications and aid in the theory-building process. Discussion on the value and effects of BCT on maritime supply chains is ongoing. Finally, the framework focuses on the application of one information technology in managing logistics activities, rather than taking a bundling approach.Practical implicationsInvestments in digitalization improve the overall information sharing, coordination and visibility capabilities and performances of supply chains.Originality/valueAlthough literature on BCT is extensive, this framework paper is the first to link BCT with dynamics capabilities and maritime supply-chain theory and will serve as a road map for future research and practice.
The Characteristics and Effectiveness of Interventions for Frequent Emergency Department Utilizing Patients With Chronic Noncancer Pain: A Systematic Review
Authors: Wong Charles K. , O'Rielly Connor M. , Teitge Braden D. , Sutherland Robert L. , Farquharson Scott , Ghosh Monty , Robertson Helen L. , Lang Eddy 
Published: February 2020

AbstractBackgroundPatients with chronic noncancer pain (CNCP) present unique challenges to emergency department (ED) care providers and administrators. Their conditions lead to frequent ED visits for pain relief and symptom management and are often poorly addressed with costly, low‐yield care. A systematic review has not been performed to inform the management of frequent ED utilizing patients with CNCP. Therefore, we synthesized the available evidence on interventional strategies to improve care‐associated outcomes for this patient group.MethodsWe searched Medline, EMBASE, CINAHL, CENTRAL, SCOPUS, and Web of Science from database inception to June 2018 for eligible interventional studies aimed at reducing frequent ED utilization among adult patients with CNCP. Articles were assessed in duplicate in accordance with methodologic recommendations from the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. Outcomes of interest were the frequency of subsequent ED visits, type and amount of opioids administered in the ED and prescribed at discharge, and costs. Methodologic quality was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias in Non‐Randomized Studies of Interventions and Risk of Bias tools for nonrandomized and randomized studies, respectively.ResultsThirteen studies including 1,679 patients met the inclusion criteria. Identified interventions implemented pain policies (n = 4), individualized care plans (n = 5), ED care coordination (n = 2), chronic pain management pathways (n = 1), and behavioral health interventions (n = 1). All of the studies reported a decrease in ED visit frequency following their respective interventions. These reductions were especially pronounced in studies whose interventions were focused around individualized care plans and primary care involvement. Interventions implementing opioid restriction and pain management policies were largely successful in reducing the amounts of opioid medications administered and prescribed in the ED.ConclusionsMultifaceted interventions, especially those employing individualized care plans, can successfully reduce subsequent ED visits, ED opioid administration and prescription, and care‐associated costs for frequent ED utilizing patients with CNCP.