bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The timing of COVID-19 transmission
Authors: Ferretti Luca , Ledda Alice , Wymant Chris , Zhao Lele , Ledda Virginia , Abeler-Dörner Lucie , Kendall Michelle , Nurtay Anel , Cheng Hao-Yuan , Ng Ta-Chou , Lin Hsien-Ho , Hinch Rob , Masel Joanna , Kilpatrick A. Marm , Fraser Christophe 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe timing of SARS-CoV-2 transmission is a critical factor to understand the epidemic trajectory and the impact of isolation, contact tracing and other non-pharmaceutical interventions on the spread of COVID-19 epidemics. We examined the distribution of transmission events with respect to exposure and onset of symptoms. We show that for symptomatic individuals, the timing of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is more strongly linked to the onset of clinical symptoms of COVID-19 than to the time since infection. We found that it was approximately centered and symmetric around the onset of symptoms, with three quarters of events occurring in the window from 2-3 days before to 2-3 days after. However, we caution against overinterpretation of the right tail of the distribution, due to its dependence on behavioural factors and interventions. We also found that the pre-symptomatic infectious period extended further back in time for individuals with longer incubation periods. This strongly suggests that information about when a case was infected should be collected where possible, in order to assess how far into the past their contacts should be traced. Overall, the fraction of transmission from strictly pre-symptomatic infections was high (41%; 95%CI 31-50%), which limits the efficacy of symptom-based interventions, and the large fraction of transmissions (35%; 95%CI 26-45%) that occur on the same day or the day after onset of symptoms underlines the critical importance of individuals distancing themselves from others as soon as they notice any symptoms, even if they are mild. Rapid or at-home testing and contextual risk information would greatly facilitate efficient early isolation.
AN EVALUATION OF EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS REOPENING STRATEGIES FOR IN-PERSON CLASSES SAFELY AMID THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Authors: Mukherjee Ujjal Kumar , Bose Subhonmesh , Ivanov Anton , Souyris Sebastian , Seshadri Sridhar , Sridhar Padmavati , Watkins Ronald , Xu Yuqian 
Published: September 2020

AbstractCan educational institutions open up safely amid COVID-19? We build an epidemiological model to investigate the strategies necessary for institutions to reopen. The four measures that are most relevant for in-person opening are: (i) wide-spread rapid testing, possibly saliva-based, (ii) enforcement of mask wearing, (iii) social distancing, and (iv) contact tracing. We demonstrate that institutions need to test at a relatively high level (e.g., at least once every week) in the initial phases of reopening. Contact tracing is relatively more important when the positivity rate from random testing is relatively low, which is likely during the initial phases. A Bayesian adaptive testing strategy based on positivity rates can help institutions optimally manage the costs and risks of reopening. Finally, we provide empirical estimates of some of the educational institutions opening up experience and comment on mitigation strategies. We also provide an estimate of locational effects of institution on mitigation strategies. This paper contributes to the nascent literature on combating the COVID-19 pandemic and is especially relevant for large-scale organizations. This work is motivated and guided by the SHIELD program of UIUC.
What is valued in conservation? A framework to compare ethical perspectives
Authors: Latombe Guillaume , Lenzner Bernd , Schertler Anna , Dullinger Stefan , Glaser Michael , Jarić Ivan , Pauchard Aníbal , Wilson John R. U. , Essl Franz 
Published: September 2020

AbstractPerspectives in conservation are based on a variety of value systems. Such differences in how people value nature and its components lead to different evaluations of the morality of conservation goals and approaches, and often underlie disagreements in the formulation and implementation of environmental management policies. Specifically, whether a conservation action (e.g. killing feral cats to reduce predation on bird species threatened with extinction) is viewed as appropriate or not can vary among people with different value systems. Here, we present a conceptual, mathematical framework intended as a tool to systematically explore and clarify core value statements in conservation approaches. Its purpose is to highlight how fundamental differences between these value systems can lead to different prioritizations of available management options and offer a common ground for discourse. The proposed equations decompose the question underlying many controversies around management decisions in conservation: what or who is valued, how, and to what extent? We compare how management decisions would likely be viewed under three different idealised value systems: ecocentric conservation, which aims to preserve biodiversity; new conservation, which considers that biodiversity can only be preserved if it benefits humans; and sentientist conservation, which aims at minimising suffering for sentient beings. We illustrate the utility of the framework by applying it to case studies involving invasive alien species, rewilding, and trophy hunting. By making value systems and their consequences in practice explicit, the framework facilitates debates on contested conservation issues, and complements philosophical discursive approaches about moral reasoning. We believe dissecting the core value statements on which conservation decisions are based will provide an additional tool to understand and address conservation conflicts.
Cancer predisposition syndromes as risk factor for early second primary neoplasms after childhood cancer – a national cohort study
Authors: Waespe Nicolas , Belle Fabiën N. , Redmond Shelagh , Schindera Christina , Spycher Ben D. , Rössler Jochen , Ansari Marc , Kuehni Claudia E. ,   for the Swiss Pediatric Oncology Group (SPOG)
Published: September 2020

ABSTRACTBackgroundChildhood cancer patients are at increased risk of second primary neoplasms (SPNs). We assessed incidence and risk factors for early SPNs with a focus on cancer predisposition syndromes (CPSs).Patients and methodsThis cohort study used data from the Swiss Childhood Cancer Registry. We included patients with first primary neoplasms (FPN) until age 21 years from 1986 to 2015 and identified SPNs occurring before age 21. We calculated standardized incidence ratios (SIR) and absolute excess risks (AER) using Swiss population cancer incidence data and cumulative incidence of SPNs. We calculated hazard ratios (HR) of risk factors for SPNs using Fine and Gray competing risk regression.ResultsAmong 8,074 childhood cancer patients, 304 (4%) were diagnosed with a CPS and 94 (1%) developed early SPNs. The incidence of SPNs was more than 10-fold increased in childhood cancer patients compared to neoplasms in the general population (SIR 10.6, 95%-confidence interval [CI] 8.7-13.1) and the AER was 179/100,000 person-years (CI 139-219). Cumulative incidence of SPNs 20 years after FPN diagnosis was 23% in patients with CPSs and 3% in those without. Risk factors for SPNs were CPSs (HR 7.8, CI 4.8-12.7), chemotherapy (HR 2.2, CI 1.1-4.6), radiotherapy (HR 1.9, CI 1.2-2.9), hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HR 1.8, CI 1-3.3), and older age (15-20 years) at FPN diagnosis (HR 1.9, CI 1.1-3.2).ConclusionCPSs are associated with a high risk of SPNs before age 21 years. Identification of CPSs is important for appropriate cancer surveillance and targeted screening.
Health professionals practice and associated factors towards precautionary measures for COVID-19 pandemic in public health facilities of Gamo zone, southern Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Mersha Abera , Shibiru Shitaye , Girma Meseret , Ayele Gistane , Bante Agegnehu , Kassa Mekidim , Abebe Sintayehu , Shewangizaw Misgun 
Published: September 2020

AbstractIntroductionCoronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is a highly contagious acute respiratory disease, which caused by a novel coronavirus. The disease disrupts health systems and resulting in social, political, and economic crises. Health professionals are in front of this pandemic and always work in a high-risk environment. Currently, there is no vaccine or drug for the disease. Therefore, strictly practicing precautionary measures are the only option to save the life. Some studies reported health professional’s practice of precautionary measures for COVID-19. Nevertheless, a few have identified factors affecting. As such, this study aimed to fill those research gaps in the study setting.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, 428 health professionals were involved from the public health facilities of the Gamo zone, southern Ethiopia. A simple random sampling method was employed, and the data collected by the interviewer-administered Open Data Kit survey tool and observational checklist. The data analyzed in Stata version 15 and a binary logistic regression model used to identify factors. In this study, a statistically significant association was declared at P < 0.05.ResultsIn this study, 35.3% (95%CI: 30.7%, 39.8%) of health professionals’ had a good practice on precautionary measures for the COVID-19 pandemic. Use hand sanitizer or wash hands continuously with soap and water (68.9%), cover nose and mouth with a tissue during sneezing or coughing (67.3%), and use facemask in crowds (56.8%) were the most common practice reported by study participants. Marital status, being married (AOR = 1.84, 95%CI: 1.06, 3.18), good knowledge on the COVID-19 pandemic (AOR = 2.02, 95%CI: 1.02, 3.18), and positive attitude towards precautionary measures for COVID-19 were factors showed signification association with the practice.ConclusionsThe magnitude of good practice of precautionary measures for the COVID-19 pandemic among health professionals was low. As such, different interventions to improve the knowledge and attitude of health professionals in the health care system are highly needed to boost the practice and to advance service delivery.
Conserved cysteines in titin sustain the mechanical function of cardiomyocytes
Authors: Herrero-Galán Elías , Domínguez Fernando , Martínez-Martín Inés , Sánchez-González Cristina , Vicente Natalia , Lalaguna Laura , Bonzón-Kulichenko Elena , Calvo Enrique , González-López Esther , Cobo-Marcos Marta , Bornstein Belén , Briceño Ana , Ochoa Juan Pablo , Garcia-Aznar Jose Maria , Suay-Corredera Carmen , Pricolo Maria Rosaria , Fernández-Trasancos Ángel , Velázquez-Carreras Diana , Badía Careaga Claudio , Prados Belén , Gutiérrez-Agüera Francisco , Abdellatif Mahmoud , Sedej Simon , Rainer Peter P. , Giganti David , Giovinazzo Giovanna , Bernal Juan A. , Pérez-Jiménez Raúl , Rasmussen Torsten Bloch , Hey Thomas Morris , Vivo-Ortega Inmaculada , Piqueras-Flores Jesús , Lara-Pezzi Enrique , Vázquez Jesús , Garcia-Pavia Pablo , Alegre-Cebollada Jorge 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe protein titin determines cardiomyocyte contraction and truncating variants in the titin gene (TTN) are the most common cause of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Different to truncations, missense variants inTTNare currently classified as variants of uncertain significance due to their high frequency in the population and the absence of functional annotation. Here, we report the regulatory role of conserved, mechanically active titin cysteines, which, contrary to current views, we uncover to be reversibly oxidized in basal conditions leading to isoform- and force-dependent modulation of titin stiffness and dynamics. Building on our functional studies, we demonstrate that missense mutations targeting a conserved titin cysteine alter myocyte contractile function and cause DCM in humans. Our findings have a direct impact on genetic counselling in clinical practice.One sentence summaryMutations targeting cysteines key to the mechanoredox control of titin cause human dilated cardiomyopathy
Novel Three-Dimensional Organoid Sarcoidosis Granuloma Model
Authors: Calcagno Tess M. , Zhang Chongxu , Tian Runxia , Ebrahimi Babak , Mirsaeidi Mehdi 
Published: September 2020

AbstractSarcoidosis is a multi-system disorder of granulomatous inflammation which most commonly affects the lungs. Its etiology and pathogenesis are not well defined in part due to the lack of reliable modeling. This article presents the development of a novelin vitrothree-dimensional lung-on-chip organoid designed to mimic granuloma formation. A lung on chip fluidic macrodevice with three channels for cell culture insertion was developed and added to the previously developed a lung-on-membrane model. Granulomas were cultured from blood samples of patients with sarcoidosis and then inserted in the air-lung-interface (ALI) of the microchip to create a three-dimensional organoid sarcoidosis model (OSGM). The model was tested for cell viability with fibroblasts. We measured the cytokine profiles in medium of OSGM and compared with lung model without granuloma. Concentration of IL-1beta, Il-6, GM-CSF, and IFN-gamma were found significantly higher in OSGM group. The current model represents the first 3D OSGM created by adding a microfluidics system to a dual-chambered lung on membrane model and introducing developed sarcoid-granuloma to its ALI.
Cooperative efforts on developing vaccines and therapies for COVID-19 Cooperative efforts for COVID-19
Authors: Basso Fernanda Gisele , de Paulo Alex Fabianne , Porto Geciane Silveira , Pereira Cristiano Gonçalves 
Published: September 2020

AbstractHealth organizations have always sought partnership to join competencies in innovation, even with fierce competition in this sector. In this pandemic moment it is relevant to observe how organizations behave to seek quick and safe answers. The present research analyzes how the cooperation networks were set off considering the clinical trials on therapies and vaccines that were developed specifically to treat or prevent COVID-19. Social Network Analysis technique was used to build cooperation networks and apply metrics that characterize these connections. There was an evaluation of statistics of Strength of cooperation and Unilateral dependence of cooperation that identify the cooperation strength between two organizations, and the dependence of this relations. A total of 415 clinical trial were identified, of which 42% are in cooperation. From organizations that have partnership, firms are the first, followed by universities. We extracted the main categories that concentrate 74% of partnerships in the trials of antibody, and vaccine. Several organizations cooperate in multiple categories of trials, evidencing the efforts to focus on different strategies to treat the disease. We found high strength of cooperation and an assimetryc dependency between partners, which can be assigned to specialized models of partnership and it occurs in competitive enviroments like this pandemic moment. Cooperation were not limited to geographical proximity and the advent of Chinese players can represent a new change in the biotechnological development axis. Finally, the challenge of finding therapeutic or immunological solutions for COVID-19 demonstrates a clear composition of cooperation groups that complement their skills to manage organizational strategies to beat the pandemic. In this new paradigm, there can be partnerships not only in clinical trial but also in pre-competitive technologies development. This experience is expected to change the way of organizations define their R&D strategies and start to adopt more a collaborative innovation model.
Notable sequence homology of the ORF10 protein introspects the architecture of SARS-COV-2
Authors: Hassan Sk. Sarif , Attrish Diksha , Ghosh Shinjini , Choudhury Pabitra Pal , Uversky Vladimir N. , Uhal Bruce D. , Lundstrom Kenneth , Rezaei Nima , Aljabali Alaa A. A. , Seyran Murat , Pizzol Damiano , Adadi Parise , Abd El-Aziz Tarek Mohamed , Soares Antonio , Kandimalla Ramesh , Tambuwala Murtaza , Lal Amos , Azad Gajendra Kumar , Sherchan Samendra P. , Baetas-da-Cruz Wagner , Palù Giorgio , Brufsky Adam M. 
Published: September 2020

ABSTRACTThe global public health is endangered due to COVID-19 pandemic, which is caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Despite having similar pathology to MERS and SARS-CoV, the infection fatality rate of SARS-CoV-2 is likely lower than 1%. SARS-CoV-2 has been reported to be uniquely characterized by the accessory protein ORF10, which contains eleven cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) epitopes of nine amino acids length each, across various human leukocyte antigen (HLA) subtypes. In this study, all missense mutations found in sequence databases were examined across twnety-two unique SARS-CoV-2 ORF10 variants that could possibly alter viral pathogenicity. Some of these mutations decrease the stability of ORF10, e.g. I4L and V6I were found in the MoRF region of ORF10 which may also possibly contribute to Intrinsic protein disorder. Furthermore, a physicochemical and structural comparative analysis was carried out on SARS-CoV-2 and Pangolin-CoV ORF10 proteins, which share 97.37% amino acid homology. The high degree of physicochemical and structural similarity of ORF10 proteins of SARS-CoV-2 and Pangolin-CoV open questions about the architecture of SARS-CoV-2 due to the disagreement of these two ORF10 proteins over their sub-structure (loop/coil region), solubility, antigenicity and change from the strand to coil at amino acid position 26, where tyrosine is present. Altogether, SARS-CoV-2 ORF10 is a promising pharmaceutical target and a protein which should be monitored for changes which correlate to change pathogenesis and clinical course of COVID-19 infection.
Computationally validated SARS-CoV-2 CTL and HTL Multi-Patch Vaccines designed by reverse epitomics approach, shows potential to cover large ethnically distributed human population worldwide
Authors: Srivastava Sukrit , Verma Sonia , Kamthania Mohit , Agarwal Deepa , Saxena Ajay Kumar , Kolbe Michael , Singh Sarman , Kotnis Ashwin , Rathi Brijesh , Nayar Seema. A. , Shin Ho-Joon , Vashisht Kapil , Pandey Kailash C 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2) is a positive-sense single-stranded RNA coronavirus responsible for the ongoing 2019-2020 COVID-19 outbreak. The highly contagious COVID-19 disease has spread to 216 countries in less than six months. Though several vaccine candidates are being claimed, an effective vaccine is yet to come. In present study we have designed and theoretically validated novel Multi-Patch Vaccines against SARS-CoV-2.MethodologyA novel reverse epitomics approach, “overlapping-epitope-clusters-to-patches” method is utilized to identify multiple antigenic regions from the SARS-CoV-2 proteome. These antigenic regions are here termed as “Ag-Patch or Ag-Patches”, for Antigenic Patch or Patches. The identification of Ag-Patches is based on clusters of overlapping epitopes rising from a particular region of SARS-CoV-2 protein. Further, we have utilized the identified Ag-Patches to design Multi-Patch Vaccines (MPVs), proposing a novel methodology for vaccine design and development. The designed MPVs were analyzed for immunologically crucial parameters, physiochemical properties and cDNA constructs.ResultsWe identified 73 CTL (Cytotoxic T-Lymphocyte), 49 HTL (Helper T-Lymphocyte) novel Ag-Patches from the proteome of SARS-CoV-2. The identified Ag-Patches utilized to design MPVs cover 768 (518 CTL and 250 HTL) overlapping epitopes targeting different HLA alleles. Such large number of epitope coverage is not possible for multi-epitope vaccines. The large number of epitopes covered implies large number of HLA alleles targeted, and hence large ethnically distributed human population coverage. The MPVs:Toll-Like Receptor ectodomain complex shows stable nature with numerous hydrogen bond formation and acceptable root mean square deviation and fluctuation. Further, the cDNA analysis favors high expression of the MPVs constructs in human cell line.ConclusionHighly immunogenic novel Ag-Patches are identified from the entire proteome of SARS CoV-2 by a novel reverse epitomics approach. We conclude that the novel Multi-Patch Vaccines could be a highly potential novel approach to combat SARS-CoV-2, with greater effectiveness, high specificity and large human population coverage worldwide.Abstract FigureABSTRACT FIGURE:A Multi-Patch Vaccine design to combat SARS-CoV-2 and a method to prepare thereof.Multi-Patch Vaccine designing to combat SARS-CoV-2 infection by reverse epitomics approach, “Overlapping-epitope-clusters-to-patches” method.
Intellectual capital and asset quality in an emerging banking market
Authors: Asare Nicholas , Laryea Margaret Momo , Onumah Joseph Mensah , Asamoah Michael Effah 
Published: September 2020

PurposeThis study examines the causal relationship between intellectual capital and asset quality of banks in Ghana.Design/methodology/approachUsing annual data extracted from audited financial statements of 24 banks from 2006 to 2015, a ratio of non-performing loans to gross loans and advances is employed to estimate asset quality growths while the value-added intellectual coefficient by Pulic (2008, 2004) measures intellectual capital. The panel-corrected standard errors estimation technique is used to estimate panel regressions with asset quality as the dependent variable.FindingsAsset quality of banks in Ghana is generally not affected by intellectual capital. However, when intellectual capital is divided into its components, the study indicates that there are significant positive relationships between asset quality and two components of intellectual capital. Thus, structural capital and human capital efficiencies positively affect the asset quality of banks.Practical implicationsThe findings of the study implore managements of banks to increase structural and human capital investments and efficiencies to improve asset quality. Furthermore, the results have direct implications on developments in financial markets in emerging economies.Originality/valueThe study analyses the link between typical intellectual capital and asset quality of banks which is yet to be empirically examined in an emerging banking market.
Whether stock market provides high returns: evidence from skewness of individual stocks in China
Authors: Ma Tianning , Li Shuo , Feng Xu 
Published: September 2020

PurposeThis paper studies whether individual stocks provide higher returns than government bond in the Chinese market.Design/methodology/approachThe authors compare individual stock returns and government bond returns in the Chinese market.FindingsThe authors find that more than half of individual stocks underperform government bonds over the same period in China, which highlights the important role of positive skewness in the distribution of individual stock returns. The high return of a few stocks is the reason why the stock market return is higher than that of government bond in China.Originality/valueThe results of this paper emphasize that portfolio diversification plays an important role in the Chinese market.