bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Employees' working life and performance of UK ethnic minority restaurants: a qualitative approach
Authors: Razzak B M , Blackburn Robert , Saridakis George 
Published: April 2021

PurposeThis paper investigates the linking between employees' working life (EWL) and job performance of ethnic minority Bangladeshi restaurants in Greater London.Design/methodology/approachThe authors use in depth face-to-face interviews of 40 participants working in 20 Bangladeshi restaurants (BRs) following a convenience sampling method. A thematic analysis technique, with the help of QSR N10, developed two key themes related to EWL and performance.FindingsThese themes highlight several aspects of the relationship between EWL and performance. First, EWL is “beyond” the UK tradition; employers show a domineering attitude; however, employees continue to work due to lack of skills and competence. Second, employees perceive and present themselves as satisfied; however, this satisfaction is not reflected in the business performance of BRs. Third, the analysis shows that business owners “trap strategy” constrains employees to develop their skills for mobility to other industries. Hence, employees express satisfaction with their existing situation on the basis that it is the best they can hope for, given their specific skills and competence, and need for some security in the UK. Fourth, non-financial performance, for example, job autonomy, sense of fulfilment is related to EWL.Practical implicationsThe paper provides a framework to promote a better understanding of the linking between employees' working life and performance of UK ethnic minority restaurants. Also, the paper makes recommendations for further research, including an examination of the applicability of the findings to SMEs operated by other ethnic groups in the UK.Originality/valueThis paper adds to the scarce literature on the working life of people in Bangladeshi restaurant businesses in the UK and the relationship between EWL and business performance.
Assessing dialogic features of corporate pages on Facebook in Latin American companies
Authors: Capriotti Paul , Zeler Ileana , Oliveira Andrea 
Published: April 2021

PurposeThis study aims to analyze whether companies from six Latin American countries are encouraging dialogic communication on Facebook.Design/methodology/approachTo do so, the paper studied the level of predisposition for interaction and the type of interaction achieved by companies on Facebook to produce an effective dialogic communication exchange and to generate conversation through different types of communication exchange between organizations and users. This research includes a specific analysis of the active presence, interactive attitude, interactive resources, responsiveness and conversation of 29,078 posts on 135 corporate fanpages of companies from six Latin American countries.FindingsThe results show that companies have a low interest in managing communication from a dialogic perspective on the social network, not only because a greater predisposition to interaction is needed, but also because the interaction generated is very low. Therefore, the paper identifies the need to review the communication strategy on social networks and to define a strategy aligned to the dialogic nature of the social network.Originality/valueThis research contributes to broadening the conceptual reflection on the evaluation of the dialogue in the digital context and aims to generate new methodological contributions to the evaluation of dialogic communication in an integrated way.
Education-smoking gradient and upstream health policies: comparing Generation X with millennials
Authors: Dilmaghani Maryam 
Published: April 2021

PurposeOver the years, many upstream health policies have sought to reduce smoking across populations. While smoking has been substantially reduced, the effects of these policies on education-smoking gradient remain unclear. The present paper compares the education-smoking gradient among the Generation X and the millennials, who grew up with different types of upstream policies.Design/methodology/approachThe study relies on regression analysis. The data are from the Canadian Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs Survey of 2017, with the sample restricted to those born between 1965 and 1995.FindingsAt the zero-order, the education-smoking gradient has not significantly flattened from Generation X to millennials. And, accounting for the channels of impact of education on smoking does not substantially change this pattern.Social implicationsThe implications for health inequalities associated with socioeconomic status, and tobacco consumption reduction policies, are discussed.Originality/valueThis paper is the first study of the kind using Canadian data.
Trends and relationship among intellectual capital disclosures, patent statistics and firm performance in Indian manufacturing sector
Authors: Dharni Khushdeep , Jameel Saddam 
Published: April 2021

PurposeThis study highlights the trends of qualitative intellectual capital disclosures and patent statistics in the Indian manufacturing context by considering the numerous patent applications, patent grants, forward citations and backward citations. Furthermore, the study investigates the relation among qualitative disclosures, patent statistics and firm performance.Design/methodology/approachAll manufacturing companies of CNX 500 Index of National Stock Exchange of India Limited are considered. Based on data availability, 243 manufacturing firms spanning across seven major manufacturing sectors are included. Secondary data were obtained from the annual report of companies and patent databases from 2004 to 2005 to 2013–2014, generating a sample of 2,430 firm years. Content analysis and citation analysis are used for collecting the relevant data.FindingsOverall, the study results indicated increasing trends for all types of intellectual capital disclosures. Similar trends are observed for patent applications and patent grants, indicating a surge in patenting activities across the manufacturing sector. However, increasing trends in patenting activities are not reflected for forward and backward citations. In addition, significant differences in means and trend coefficients for qualitative disclosures and patent statistics indicated industry specificity within the Indian manufacturing sector. Furthermore, industry specificity is observed when translating intellectual capital to firm performance. The measure of firm performance, that is, Tobin's Q, is having a significant positive association with qualitative disclosures and patent statistics.Research limitations/implicationsAs the study is based on secondary data, its accuracy is limited by the accuracy of the data sources such as the annual reports of companies and patent databases.Practical implicationsThe study findings imply that policymakers should devise and execute sector-specific policy interventions. Moreover, managers and policymakers should emphasize the qualitative aspect of patenting activities.Originality/valueThe study is an original work that highlights the trends in qualitative disclosures in the Indian manufacturing context. The value relevance of intellectual capital and patent statistics has been established.
An aggregated template methodology: Novel automatic phase‐onset identification by template matching
Authors: Duboeuf Laure , Oye Volker , Dando Ben D. E. 
Published: April 2021

ABSTRACTThe precision of P‐ and S‐wave phase picking strongly determines the precision of earthquake locations, but such picking can be challenging in the case of emergent signals, large data sets or temporally varying seismic networks. To overcome these challenges, we have developed the concept of an aggregated template to perform automatic picking of the P‐ and S‐wave phases. An aggregated template is defined as a representative event for a small area, built by aggregating the best signal‐to‐noise‐ratio seismic traces from events with similar waveforms (i.e. multiplet events). A template matching procedure, based on the cross‐correlation between an aggregated template and an unpicked event, automatically determines the unpicked event P‐ and S‐wave phases. This method enables (1) consistent and accurate P‐ and S‐wave phase picking and (2) reduces processing time relative to traditional template matching by using a clustering method that finds the most representative templates for a region, and thus limiting the required number of templates. We established two parameters to weight the picking precision: (1) the cross‐correlation between the aggregated template and the unpicked event and (2) the number of P‐ and S‐wave picks determined per event. We tested this method on 2100 events recorded in the south‐west of Iceland. Nineteen aggregated templates have been defined and used to automatically pick ∼65% of the complete event catalogue with an accuracy within the range of the manual picking uncertainty. These automatically picked events can then be used for event location, even when characterized by low magnitude, low signal to noise ratios and with emergent P‐wave signals.
Medicare fee reductions and the overuse of intensity‐modulated radiotherapy
Authors: Howard David H. , Hockenberry Jason 
Published: April 2021

AbstractObjectiveTo estimate the impact of a large Medicare fee reduction for intensity‐modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) on its use in prostate and breast cancer patients.Data Sources/Study SettingSEER‐Medicare.Study DesignWe compared trends in the use of IMRT between patients treated in practices directly affected by fee reductions (for prostate cancer, men treated in urology practices that own IMRT equipment; for breast cancer, women treated in freestanding radiotherapy clinics) and patients treated in other types of practices.Data Collection/Extraction MethodsWe identified breast and prostate cancer patients receiving IMRT using outpatient and physician office claims. We classified urology practices based on whether they billed for IMRT and radiotherapy clinics based on whether they were reimbursed under the Physician Fee Schedule.Principal FindingsBetween 2006 and 2015 the payment for IMRT delivered in freestanding clinics and physician offices declined by $367 (−54.7%). However, the use of IMRT increased in physician practices subject to payment cuts, both in absolute terms and relative to use in practices unaffected by the payment cut. Use of IMRT in prostate cancer patients treated at urology practices that own IMRT equipment increased by 9.1 (95% CI: 2.0‐16.2) percentage points between 2005 and 2016 relative to use in patients treated at other urology practices. Use of IMRT in breast cancer patients treated at freestanding radiotherapy centers increased by 7.5 (95% CI: −5.1 to 20.1) percentage points relative to use in patients treated at hospital‐based centers.ConclusionsA steep decline in IMRT fees did not decrease IMRT use over the period from 2006 to 2015, though use has declined since 2010.
Multiple dens invaginatus in Wilson’s disease: A case report
Authors: Memis Sadi , Bas Zubeyir 
Published: April 2021

AbstractWilson's disease (WD) is a rare autosomal recessive genetic disease that affects copper metabolism. Anomalies can be seen in the dento‐maxillofacial structures of WD patients. Dens invaginatus (DI) is an uncommon tooth anomaly, and its incidence in decidious and permanent molars is even lower. This case report primarily explored the multiple DI of a patient with WD. A 9‐year‐old boy was admitted to our clinic with complaints of pain and swelling in the right lower molar area. It was learnt that the patient was diagnosed with WD after he was born. Fistula, submandibular lymphadenopathy and diffuse swelling were detected. Using cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT), multiple DIs were observed in bilateral bimaxillary four first molars and deciduous molars. When the patient’s systemic condition was considered, extraction was planned under oral antibiotic therapy and was performed. During the 6‐month follow‐up, uneventful healing was observed.
Placentas associated with female neonates from pregnancies complicated by urinary tract infections have higher cAMP content and cytokines expression than males
Authors: Olmos‐Ortiz Andrea , Olivares‐Huerta Alberto , García‐Quiroz Janice , Zariñán Teresa , Chavira Roberto , Zaga‐Clavellina Verónica , Avila Euclides , Halhali Ali , Durand Marta , Larrea Fernando , Díaz Lorenza 
Published: April 2021

AbstractProblemThe cAMP pathway is involved in important biological processes including immune regulation and hormone signaling. At the feto‐maternal unit, cAMP participates in placental function/physiology and the establishment of immunoendocrine networks. Low cAMP in male fetuses cord blood has been linked to poorer perinatal outcomes; however, cAMP placental content and its relationship with immune factors and fetal sex in an infectious condition have not been investigated.Method of studySex‐dependent changes in cAMP content and its association with cytokines and antimicrobial peptides expression were studied in human placentas collected from normal pregnancies and with urinary tract infections (UTI). Radioimmunoassay was used to quantify cAMP in placental tissue, while immune markers expression was studied by qPCR. Additionally, cAMP effect on antimicrobial peptides expression was studied in cultured trophoblasts challenged with lipopolysaccharide, to mimic an infection.ResultsIn UTI, placentas from female neonates had higher cAMP tissue content and increased expression of TNFA, IL1B, and IL10 than those from males, where IFNG was more elevated. While cAMP negatively correlated with maternal bacteriuria and IFNG, it positively correlated with the antimicrobial peptide S100A9 expression in a sex‐specific fashion. In cultured trophoblasts, cAMP significantly stimulated β‐defensin‐1 while reduced the lipopolysaccharide‐dependent stimulatory effect on β‐defensin‐2, β‐defensins‐3, and S100A9.ConclusionOur results showed higher cAMP content and defense cytokines expression in placentas associated with female neonates from pregnancies complicated by UTI. The associations between cAMP and bacteriuria/immune markers, together with cAMP’s ability to differentially regulate placental antimicrobial peptides expression, suggest a dual modulatory role for cAMP in placental immunity.
Prediction of preterm birth based on machine learning using bacterial risk score in cervicovaginal fluid
Authors: Park Sunwha , Oh Daejoong , Heo Hanna , Lee Gain , Kim Soo Min , Ansari AbuZar , You Young‐Ah , Jung Yun Ji , Kim Young‐Han , Lee Myunghoon , Kim Young Ju 
Published: April 2021

AbstractProblemPreterm birth (PTB) is a major cause of increased morbidity and mortality in newborns. The main cause of spontaneous PTB (sPTB) is the activation of an inflammatory response as a result of ascending genital tract infection. Despite various studies on the effects of the vaginal microbiome on PTB, a practical method for its clinical application has yet to be developed.Method of studyIn this case‐control study, 94 Korean pregnant women with PTB (n = 38) and term birth (TB; n = 56) were enrolled. Their cervicovaginal fluid (CVF) was sampled, and a total of 10 bacteria were analyzed using multiplex quantitative real‐time PCR (qPCR). The PTB and TB groups were compared, and a PTB prediction model was created using bacterial risk scores using machine learning techniques (decision tree and support vector machine). The predictive performance of the model was validated using random subsampling.ResultsBacterial risk scoring model showed significant differences (P < 0.001). The PTB risk was low when the Lactobacillus iners ratio was 0.812 or more. In groups with a ratio under 0.812, moderate and high risk was classified as a U. parvum ratio of 4.6 × 10–3. The sensitivity and specificity of the PTB prediction model using bacteria risk score were 71% and 59%, respectively, and 77% and 67%, respectively, when white blood cell (WBC) data were included.ConclusionUsing machine learning, the bacterial risk score in CVF can be used to predict PTB.
Adherence to subcutaneous immunotherapy with aeroallergens in real‐life practice during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Yeğit Osman Ozan , Demir Semra , Ünal Derya , Olgaç Müge , Terzioğlu Kadriye , Eyice Karabacak Deniz , Tüzer Can , Ayhan Vehbi , Çolakoğlu Bahattin , Büyüköztürk Suna , Gelincik Aslı 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe success of subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) mostly depends on regular injections. Our aim was to investigate adherence to SCIT with aeroallergens during the COVID‐19 pandemic and demonstrate clinical consequences of treatment disruptions in real life.MethodsVisual analogue scale for quality of life (VAS‐QoL), VAS for symptom scores (VAS‐symptom), medication scores (MSs), and total symptom scores (TSS‐6) were recorded during the pandemic in 327 adult allergic rhinitis and/or asthmatic patients receiving maintenance SCIT, and these scores were compared with the pre‐pandemic data. Patients were grouped according to SCIT administration intervals; no delay (Group 1), <2 months (Group 2), and ≥2‐month intervals (Group 3).ResultsA total of 104 (31.8%) patients (Group 3) were considered as nonadherent which was mostly related to receiving SCIT with HDMs and using public transportation for reaching the hospital. Median MS, VAS‐symptom, and TSS‐6 scores of Group 3 patients during the pandemic were higher than the pre‐pandemic scores (p = 0.005, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively), whereas median VAS‐QoL scores of Group 3 during the pandemic were lower than the pre‐pandemic scores (p < 0.001). Median TSS‐6 and VAS‐symptom scores were the highest in Group 3 compared with other groups (p < 0.001 for each comparison). Median VAS‐QoL scores were the lowest in Group 3 compared with Group 1 and Group 2 (p < 0.001, p = 0.043, respectively).ConclusionWhen precautions in allergy clinics are carefully applied, adherence to SCIT can be high during a pandemic. Patients must be encouraged to regularly adhere to SCIT injections since delays in SCIT administration can deteriorate clinical symptoms.
With linear pricing, can profit‐maximizing monopoly output be socially efficient?
Authors: Chao Yong , Nahata Babu 
Published: April 2021

AbstractWe revisit the prevailing wisdom that a profit‐maximizing monopolist using linear pricing cannot produce socially efficient output. We show that when market demand function exhibits a flat portion, the prevailing wisdom may not be true. Such a “midway landing” in demand is consistent with weakly convex preferences, and many general demand functions such as any polynomials of degree three and higher. Thus, our analysis demonstrates that the output distortion resulting from linear pricing by a profit‐maximizing monopolist is demand specific. In general, neither monopoly per se nor linear pricing is the main reason for social inefficiency.
Multiple interactions between melatonin and non‐coding RNAs in cancer biology
Authors: Maleki Masomeh , Khelghati Nafiseh , Alemi Forough , Younesi Simin , Asemi Zatollah , Abolhasan Rozita , Bazdar Mahtab , Samadi‐Kafil Hossein , Yousefi Bahman 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe melatonin hormone secreted by the pineal gland is involved in physiological functions such as growth and maturation, circadian cycles, and biological activities including antioxidants, anti‐tumor, and anti‐ischemia. Melatonin not only interacts with proteins but also has functional effects on regulatory RNAs such as long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs). In this study, we overview various physiological and pathological conditions affecting melatonin through lncRNA and miRNA. The information compiled herein will serve as a solid foundation to formulate ideas for future mechanistic studies on melatonin. It will also provide a chance to more clarify the emerging functions of the non‐coding transcriptome.
In silico identification and in vitro evaluation of a protein‐protein interaction inhibitor of Escherichia coli fatty acid biosynthesis
Authors: Charov Katherine , Burkart Michael D. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractTo combat the rise in antibiotic resistance, new targets must be identified and probes against them developed. Protein‐protein interactions (PPI) of bacterial type II fatty acid biosynthesis (FAS‐II) represent an untapped, yet rich area for new antibiotic discovery. Here, we present a computational and in vitro workflow for the discovery of new inhibitors of PPI in Escherichia coli FAS‐II. As part of this study, we identified suramin, an existing treatment for African sleeping sickness, to effectively block the interaction of E. coli dehydratase FabA and the acyl carrier protein EcACP, with an IC50 = 85 μΜ. This finding validates a workflow that combines in silico screening with in vitro PPI assays to identify probes appropriate for further optimization.
Physiological response of the retinal pigmented epithelium to 3‐ns pulse laser application, in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Wood John P. M. , Tahmasebi Marzieh , Casson Robert J. , Plunkett Malcolm , Chidlow Glyn 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackgroundTo treat healthy retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) with the 3‐ns retinal rejuvenation therapy (2RT) laser and to investigate the subsequent wound‐healing response of these cells.MethodsPrimary rat RPE cells were treated with the 2RT laser at a range of energy settings. Treated cells were fixed up to 7 days post‐irradiation and assessed for expression of proteins associated with wound‐healing. For in vivo treatments, eyes of Dark Agouti rats were exposed to laser and tissues collected up to 7 days post‐irradiation. Isolated wholemount RPE preparations were examined for structural and protein expression changes.ResultsCultured RPE cells were ablated by 2RT laser in an energy‐dependent manner. In all cases, the RPE cell layer repopulated completely within 7 days. Replenishment of RPE cells was associated with expression of the heat shock protein, Hsp27, the intermediate filament proteins, vimentin and nestin, and the cell cycle‐associated protein, cyclin D1. Cellular tight junctions were lost in lased regions but re‐expressed when cell replenishment was complete. In vivo, 2RT treatment gave rise to both an energy‐dependent localised denudation of the RPE and the subsequent repopulation of lesion sites. Cell replenishment was associated with the increased expression of cyclin D1, vimentin and the heat shock proteins Hsp27 and αB‐crystallin.ConclusionsThe 2RT laser was able to target the RPE both in vitro and in vivo, causing debridement of the cells and the consequent stimulation of a wound‐healing response leading to layer reformation.
Deep learning based six‐dimensional pose estimation in virtual reality
Authors: Yang Jiachen , Lei Yutian , Tian Ying , Xi Meng 
Published: April 2021

AbstractVirtual reality technology, with its continuous development, is gradually applied to healthcare, education, business, and other fields. In the application of the technology, position and attitude estimation, as a space positioning technology, is indispensable. Traditional pose estimation has the problems of high dependence on environment and great complexity. But convolutional neural network (CNN) and other technologies with computational intelligence provide a strong guarantee for the progress of pose estimation. This article, based on the theory of CNN in deep learning, as well as monocular vision system and target sample set with markers, proposes a method for estimation of target position and attitude, and at the same time, describes in detail a general way of making dataset with markers based on simulation environment. In this article, the comparative experiments of different network structures show that this measurement method can avoid manual extraction of complex image features, and realize fast, arbitrary and accurate measurement, which plays a key role in pose and attitude measurement. Moreover, the visual correspondence between the world coordinate system and the pixel coordinate system is proved effectively by quaternion.