bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
How polarized is sub-Saharan Africa? A look at the regional distribution of consumption expenditure in the 2000s
Authors: Clementi Fabio , Fabiani Michele , Molini Vasco 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
The resurgence of economic growth over the last two decades in sub-Saharan Africa has recently come under scrutiny by scholars, the main criticism being the lack of inclusiveness. While studies on inequality in sub-Saharan Africa are becoming numerous, less attention has been devoted so far to the growing polarization the region is undergoing. Polarization, as distinct from inequality, refers to the tendency of shifting away from the centre of a distribution to its tails, creating a hollowed-out middle. This paper, using a set of sub-Saharan African national household surveys, provides a first estimate of the regional expenditures’ polarization. This latter steadily increased throughout the 2000s and its growth was mainly driven by increasing polarization between countries, meaning sub-Saharan Africa tended to polarize spatially, with the Southern cone countries and some Western African countries performing above the average, and the rest of the region lagging behind.
Choosing Values? Williams Contra Nietzsche
Authors: Queloz Matthieu 
Published: April 2020

AbstractAmplifying Bernard Williams’ critique of the Nietzschean project of a revaluation of values, this paper mounts a critique of the idea that whether values will help us to live can serve as a criterion for choosing which values to live by. I explore why it might not serve as a criterion and highlight a number of further difficulties faced by the Nietzschean project. I then come to Nietzsche's defence, arguing that if we distinguish valuations from values, there is at least one form of the project which overcomes those difficulties. Finally, however, I show that even on this reading, the project must either fall prey to ‘Saint-Just's illusion’ or fall back into the problems it was supposed to escape. This highlights important difficulties faced by the Nietzschean project and its descendants while also explaining why Williams, who was so Nietzschean in other respects, remained wary of the revaluation of values as a project.
Heads or Tails: The Impact of a Coin Toss on Major Life Decisions and Subsequent Happiness
Authors: Levitt Steven D 
Published: April 2020

AbstractLittle is known about whether people make good choices when facing important decisions. This article reports on a large-scale randomized field experiment in which research subjects having difficulty making a decision flipped a coin to help determine their choice. For important decisions (e.g. quitting a job or ending a relationship), individuals who are told by the coin toss to make a change are more likely to make a change, more satisfied with their decisions, and happier six months later than those whose coin toss instructed maintaining the status quo. This finding suggests that people may be excessively cautious when facing life-changing choices.
Pharmacological prevention of fractures in patients undergoing glucocorticoid therapies: a systematic review and network meta-analysis
Authors: Deng Jiawen , Silver Zachary , Huang Emma , Zheng Elena , Kavanagh Kyra , Wen Aaron , Cheng Wei , Dobransky Johanna , Sanger Stephanie , Grammatopoulos George 
Published: April 2020

Abstract

Objective
To perform a network meta-analysis (NMA) on the efficacy of antiosteoporotic interventions in the prevention of vertebral and non-vertebral fractures in adult patients taking glucocorticoids (GCs).

Methods
We performed NMAs based on a prospectively developed protocol. A librarian-assisted database search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) and Chinese databases was conducted for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing antiosteoporotic interventions in adult patients taking GCs. Outcomes were vertebral and non-vertebral fracture incidences.

Results
We included 56 RCTs containing 6479 eligible patients in our analysis. We found that alendronate and teriparatide were associated with decreased odds of both vertebral and non-vertebral fractures. Denosumab and risedronate were associated with decreased odds of vertebral fractures, while etidronate, ibandronate and alfacalcidol were associated with decreased odds of non-vertebral fractures. We observed low network heterogeneity as indicated by the I2 statistic, and we did not detect evidence of publication bias. All outcomes were based on a moderate quality of evidence according to GRADE.

Conclusion
Bisphosphonates, teriparatide and denosumab are associated with decreased odds of fracture in patients undergoing GC therapy. Vitamin D metabolites and analogues (e.g. alfacalcidol) may have greater anti-fracture efficacy compared with plain vitamin D.

Systematic Review Registration
The International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO)—CRD42019127073
Lack of Antiviral Activity of Darunavir against SARS-CoV-2
Authors: De Meyer Sandra , Bojkova Denisa , Cinatl Jindrich , Van Damme Ellen , Buyck Christophe , Van Loock Marnix , Woodfall Brian , Ciesek Sandra 
Published: April 2020

AbstractGiven the high need and the absence of specific antivirals for treatment of COVID-19 (the disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome-associated coronavirus-2 [SARS-CoV-2]), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) protease inhibitors are being considered as therapeutic alternatives. Prezcobix/Rezolsta is a fixed-dose combination of 800 mg of the HIV protease inhibitor darunavir (DRV) and 150 mg cobicistat, a CYP3A4 inhibitor, which is indicated in combination with other antiretroviral agents for the treatment of HIV infection. There are currently no definitive data on the safety and efficacy of DRV/cobicistat for treatment of COVID-19. The in vitro antiviral activity of darunavir against a clinical isolate from a patient infected with SARS-CoV-2 was assessed. DRV showed no activity against SARS-CoV-2 at clinically relevant concentrations (EC50 >100 μM). Remdesivir, used as a positive control, showed potent antiviral activity (EC50 = 0.38 μM). Overall, the data do not support the use of DRV for treatment of COVID-19.
Nelfinavir inhibits replication of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in vitro
Authors: Yamamoto Norio , Matsuyama Shutoku , Hoshino Tyuji , Yamamoto Naoki 
Published: April 2020

AbstractIn December 2019, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. No specific treatment has been established against coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) so far. Therefore, it is urgently needed to identify effective antiviral agents for the treatment of this disease, and several approved drugs such as lopinavir have been evaluated. Here, we report that nelfinavir, an HIV-1 protease inhibitor, potently inhibits replication of SARS-CoV-2. The effective concentrations for 50% and 90% inhibition (EC50 and EC90) of nelfinavir were 1.13 µM and 1.76 µM respectively, the lowest of the nine HIV-1 protease inhibitors including lopinavir. The trough and peak serum concentrations of nelfinavir were three to six times higher than EC50 of this drug. These results suggest that nelfinavir is a potential candidate drug for the treatment of COVID-19 and should be assessed in patients with COVID-19.
Extraction-free COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) diagnosis by RT-PCR to increase capacity for national testing programmes during a pandemic
Authors: Grant Paul R , Turner Melanie A , Shin Gee Yen , Nastouli Eleni , Levett Lisa J 
Published: April 2020

AbstractSevere Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a respiratory tract infection. The standard molecular diagnostic test is a multistep process involving viral RNA extraction and real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR (qRT-PCR). Laboratories across the globe face constraints on equipment and reagents during the COVID-19 pandemic. We have developed a simplified qRT-PCR assay that removes the need for an RNA extraction process and can be run on a real-time thermal cycler. The assay uses custom primers and probes, and maintains diagnostic sensitivity within 98.0% compared to the assay run on a high-throughput, random-access automated platform, the Panther Fusion (Hologic). This assay can be used to increase capacity for COVID-19 testing for national programmes worldwide.
Co-detection of respiratory pathogens in patients hospitalized with Coronavirus viral disease-2019 pneumonia
Authors: Blasco María Luisa , Buesa Javier , Colomina Javier , Forner María José , Galindo María José , Navarro Jorge , Noceda José , Redón Josep , Signes-Costa Jaime , Navarro David 
Published: April 2020

ABSTRACTThere is scarce information on the frequency of co-detection of respiratory pathogens (RP) in patients with Covid-19. Documentation of coinfections in Covid-19 pneumonia patients may be relevant for appropriate clinical and therapeutic management of patients. Between March 4th and March 28th, 2020, a total of 183 adult patients testing positive by SARS CoV-2 RT-PCR on respiratory specimens were hospitalized with interstitial pneumonia at our center, of whom 103 were tested for other RP by a multiplexed PCR assay. Three patients had a positive result for either one (n=2; Coronavirus HKU1 or Mycoplasma pneumoniae) or two targets (n=1; Influenza virus A (H3) and Respiratory syncytial virus B). Twenty-three patients testing negative by SARS CoV-2 RT-PCR and presentig with clinical, laboratory findings and imaging compatibe with Covid-19 pneumonia underwent RP screening. Of these, 6 (26%) had a positive result for a single RP. Our data indicate that despite the apparent rarity of coinfections in patients with Covid-19 pneumonia, routine testing for RP should be advised, since agents for which specific therapy can be prescribed may be detected.
Acute kidney injury in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in Wuhan, China: A single-center retrospective observational study
Authors: Xiao Guanhua , Hu Hongbin , Wu Feng , Sha Tong , Huang Qiaobing , Li Haijun , Han Jiafa , Song Wenhong , Chen Zhongqing , Zeng Zhenhua 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe kidney may be affected in coronavirus-2019 disease (COVID-19). This study assessed the predictors and outcomes of acute kidney injury (AKI) among individuals with COVID-19.MethodsThis observational study, included data on all patients with clinically confirmed COVID-19 admitted to Hankou Hospital, Wuhan, China from January 5 to March 8, 2020. Data were extracted from clinical and laboratory records. Follow-up was censored on March 8, 2020.This is a single-center, retrospective, observational study. Patients clinically confirmed COVID-19 and admitted to Hankou Hospital, Wuhan, China from January 5 to March 8, 2020 were enrolled. We evaluated the association between changes in the incidence of AKI and COVID-19 disease and clinical outcomes by using logistic regression models.ResultsA total of 287 patients, 55 with AKI and 232 without AKI, were included in the analysis. Compared to patients without AKI, AKI patients were older, predominantly male, and were more likely to present with hypoxia and have pre-existing hypertension and cerebrovascular disease. Moreover, AKI patients had higher levels of white blood cells, D-dimer, aspartate aminotransferase, total bilirubin, creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, procalcitonin, C-reactive protein, a higher prevalence of hyperkalemia, lower lymphocyte counts, and higher chest computed tomographic scores. The incidence of stage 1 AKI was 14.3%, and the incidence of stage 2 or 3 AKI was 4.9%. Patients with AKI had substantially higher mortality.ConclusionsAKI is an important complication of COVID-19. Older age, male, multiple pre-existing comorbidities, lymphopenia, increased infection indicators, elevated D-dimer, and impaired heart and liver functions were the risk factors of AKI. AKI patients who progressed to stages 2 or 3 AKI had a higher mortality rate. Prevention of AKI and monitoring of kidney function is very important for COVID-19 patients.Trial registrationNCT04316299(03/19/2020)
Genetic reduction of PERK-eIF2α signaling in dopaminergic neurons drives cognitive and age-dependent motor dysfunction
Authors: Longo Francesco , Mancini Maria , Ibraheem Pierre L. , Aryal Sameer , Mesini Caterina , Patel Jyoti C. , Penhos Elena , Rahman Nazia , Donohue Maggie , Santini Emanuela , Rice Margaret E. , Klann Eric 
Published: April 2020

AbstractAn array of phenotypes in animal models of neurodegenerative disease have been shown to be reversed by neuronal inhibition of PERK, an eIF2α kinase that modulates the unfolded protein response (UPR). This suggests that targeting PERK therapeutically could be beneficial for treatment of human disease. Herein, using multiple genetic approaches we show that selective deletion of the PERK in mouse midbrain dopaminergic (DA) neurons results in multiple cognitive and age-dependent motor phenotypes. Conditional expression of phospho-mutant eIF2α in DA neurons recapitulated the phenotypes caused by deletion of PERK, consistent with a causal role of decreased eIF2α phosphorylation. In addition, deletion of PERK in DA neurons resulted in alteredde novotranslation, as well as age-dependent changes in axonal DA release and uptake in the striatum that mirror the pattern of motor changes observed. Taken together, our findings show that proper regulation of PERK-eIF2α signaling in DA neurons is required for normal cognitive and motor function across lifespan, and also highlight the need for caution in the proposed use of sustained PERK inhibition in neurons as a therapeutic strategy in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.
PremPS: Predicting the Effects of Single Mutations on Protein Stability
Authors: Chen Yuting , Lu Haoyu , Zhang Ning , Zhu Zefeng , Wang Shuqin , Li Minghui 
Published: April 2020

ABSTRACTProtein stability is related to its functional activities, and effect on stability or misfolding could be one of the major disease-causing mechanisms of missense mutations. Here we developed a novel machine learning computational method PremPS, which predicts the effects of single mutations on protein stability by calculating the changes in unfolding Gibbs free energy. PremPS uses only ten evolutionary- and structure-based features and is parameterized on five thousand mutations. Our approach outperforms previous methods and shows a considerable improvement in estimating the effects of mutations increasing protein stability. In addition, PremPS presents an outstanding performance in predicting the pathogenicity of missense mutations using an experimental dataset composed of two thousand non-neutral and neutral mutations. PremPS can be applied to many tasks, including finding functionally important variants, revealing the molecular mechanisms of functional influences and protein design. It is freely available athttps://lilab.jysw.suda.edu.cn/research/PremPS/.Key PointsConsiderable improvement in estimating the effects of mutations increasing protein stability;Comprehensive comparison with other 25 computational methods on different test sets;An outstanding performance in predicting the pathogenicity of missense mutations;PremPS employs only ten distinct features belonging to six categories, and the most important feature describes evolutionary conservation of the site;The webserver allows to do large-scale mutational scanning and takes about ten minutes to perform calculations for one thousand mutations from a normal size protein.
Ancestral absence of electron transport chains in Patescibacteria and DPANN
Authors: Beam Jacob P. , Becraft Eric D. , Brown Julia M. , Schulz Frederik , Jarett Jessica K. , Bezuidt Oliver , Poulton Nicole J. , Clark Kayla , Dunfield Peter F. , Ravin Nikolai V. , Spear John R. , Hedlund Brian P. , Kormas Konstantinos A. , Sievert Stefan M. , Elshahed Mostafa S. , Barton Hazel A. , Stott Matthew B. , Eisen Jonathan A. , Moser Duane P. , Onstott Tullis C. , Woyke Tanja , Stepanauskas Ramunas 
Published: April 2020

AbstractRecent discoveries suggest that the candidate superphyla Patescibacteria and DPANN constitute a large fraction of the phylogenetic diversity of Bacteria and Archaea. Their small genomes and limited coding potential have been hypothesized to be ancestral adaptations to obligate symbiotic lifestyles. To test this hypothesis, we performed cell-cell association, genomic, and phylogenetic analyses on 4,829 individual cells of Bacteria and Archaea from 46 globally distributed surface and subsurface field samples. This confirmed the ubiquity and abundance of Patescibacteria and DPANN in subsurface environments, the small size of their genomes and cells, and the divergence of their gene content from other Bacteria and Archaea. Our analyses suggest that most Patescibacteria and DPANN in the studied subsurface environments do not form specific physical associations with other microorganisms. These data also suggest that their unusual genomic features and prevalent auxotrophies may be a result of minimal cellular energy transduction mechanisms that potentially precede the evolution of respiration, thus relying solely on fermentation for energy conservation.
Testing mediating effects of individual entrepreneurial orientation on the relation between close environmental factors and entrepreneurial intention
Authors: Martins Izaias , Perez Juan Pablo 
Published: April 2020

PurposeDrawing on the literature on entrepreneurial intention (EI), this paper develops and tests a model that aims to explain student EI by considering the valuation of entrepreneurship and the venture failure stigmatization in the closer environment of the respondent and the role of individual entrepreneurial orientation (IEO) through direct and indirect effects.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses a survey method for data collection. As such, this study was conducted by considering a sample of 1,155 undergraduate students from different majors. Structural equation modeling is used to validate the theoretical model.FindingsThe findings suggest that a positive closer valuation of entrepreneurship facilitates students' EI. In turn, a closer stigma of entrepreneurial failure hinders students' EI. More importantly, IEO has a significant mediating role in both of these relationships. The findings offer important theoretical and practical implications for the field of entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial behavior.Originality/valueThe paper offers a new insight relating environmental cognitive elements and their impact on EI, besides how IEO represents a determinant role shaping these relations. The proposed model is original and makes a connection between two widely validated constructs and evidences the relationship that may exist between the orientation and the real intention of setting up a business. Moreover, IEO has rarely been addressed for verifying interaction effects. This paper is one of the very first studies that applies the IEO (individual-level of entrepreneurial orientation) as a mediating variable.
Lean manufacturing alignment with respect to performance metrics multinational corporations case study
Authors: El-Khalil Raed 
Published: April 2020

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate lean tools correlation, interactions and implementation in manufacturing industry at multinational corporation and its impact on operational performance.Design/methodology/approachThis paper used a survey questionnaire based on previous work done in the US industry. The questionnaire was distributed to 340 firms in 11 countries in the MENA region. These firms are multinational companies operating in this region post-2001, i.e. Greenfield manufacturing facilities. Total usable responses were 139 from 340 contacted by emails and phone, whereas 15 were face-to-face. The survey included 139 companies of which 66 companies were from North America, 40 from Europe and the rest were from South-East Asia (mainly Japan and South Korea).FindingsMultinational manufacturing companies in MENA region are at an advanced level of lean implementation. Results present a detailed analysis of the top 16 lean practices and their impact on 15 operational performance metrics. In addition, the results also reveal a correlation and grouping/bundling of the 16 lean tools and their direct influence on the top 8 operational metrics.Research limitations/implicationsBecause the sample size only includes multinational companies operating in MENA region, the countries’ social, economic and political issues will directly influence them. For example, some of the countries have no or very weak unions, whereas other countries give the power to the organizations to force restrictions and guidelines that cannot be followed by other organizations. Therefore, the results need to be considered with caution.Originality/valueResearch about lean implementation in MENA region is rare, although few companies implemented lean since day one of their establishment. This research paper provides operations managers and practitioners with a guide that links lean tools implementation to operational performance metrics objectives with more depth and breadth in comparison with previous empirical studies on the topic.
An integrated fuzzy framework for analyzing barriers to the implementation of continuous improvement in manufacturing
Authors: Tavana Madjid , Shaabani Akram , Valaei Naser 
Published: April 2020

PurposeDelivering premium services and quality products are critical strategies for success in manufacturing. Continuous improvement (CI), as an underlying foundation for quality management, is an ongoing effort allowing manufacturing companies to see beyond the present to create a bright future. We propose a novel integrated fuzzy framework for analyzing the barriers to the implementation of CI in manufacturing companies.Design/methodology/approachWe use the fuzzy failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA) and a fuzzy Shannon's entropy to identify and weigh the most significant barriers. We then use fuzzy multi-objective optimization based on ratio analysis (MOORA), the fuzzy technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) and fuzzy simple additive weighting (SAW) methods for prioritizing and ranking the barriers with each method. Finally, we aggregate these results with Copeland's method and extract the main CI implementation barriers in manufacturing.FindingsWe show “low cooperation and integration of the team in CI activities” is the most important barrier in CI implementation. Other important barriers are “limited management support in CI activities,” “low employee involvement in CI activities,” “weak communication system in the organization,” and “lack of knowledge in the organization to implement CI projects.”Originality/valueWe initially identify the barriers to the implementation of CI through rigorous literature review and then apply a unique integrated fuzzy approach to identify the most important barriers based on the opinions of industry experts and academics.