bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Estimating the death toll of the Covid-19 pandemic in India
Authors: Guilmoto Christophe Z 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThe absence of reliable registration of Covid-19 deaths in India has prevented the proper assessment and monitoring of coronavirus pandemic. India’s relatively young age structure tends to conceal the severity of Covid-19 mortality, which is concentrated in older age groups. In this paper, we present four different demographic samples of Indian populations for which we have information on both their demographic structures and death outcomes. We show that we can model the age gradient of Covid-19 mortality in India and use this modeling for estimating the level of Covid-19 mortality in the country. Our findings point to a death toll of about 2.2 million persons by late May 2021. Once India’s age structure is taken into account, these figures correspond to one of the most severe cases of Covid-19 mortality in the world.BackgroundIndia has recorded after February a second outbreak of coronavirus that has affected the entire country. The accuracy of official statistics of Covid-19 mortality has been called in question and the real number of Covid-19 deaths is thought to be several times higher than reported. In this paper, we assembled four independent population samples to model and estimate the level of Covid-19 mortality in India.MethodsWe first used a first population sample with age and sex of Covid-19 victims to develop a Gompertz model of Covid-19 mortality in India. We applied and adjusted this mortality model on two other national population samples after factoring in the demographic characteristics of these samples. We finally derive from one of these samples the most reasonable estimate of Covid-19 mortality level in India and confirm this result with the use of a fourth population sample.FindingsOur findings point to a death toll of about 2.2 million persons by late May 2021. This is the largest number of Covid-19 deaths in the world. Once standardized for its age and sex structure, India’s Covid-19 mortality rate is above that of Brazil or the USA.InterpretationOur analysis shows that existing population samples allow for an alternative estimation of deaths due to Covid-19 in India. The results confirm that only one out 7 Covid-19 deaths appear to be registered in India. The estimates point to a very Covid-19 mortality rate, which is even higher after age and sex standardization. The magnitude of the pandemic in India requires immediate attention and calls for a strong response based on a combination of non-pharmaceutical interventions and the scale-up of vaccination to make them accessible to all, with an improved surveillance system to monitor the progression of the pandemic.
Highly efficient synthetic CRISPR RNA/Cas9-based mutagenesis for rapid cardiovascular phenotypic screening in F0 zebrafish
Authors: Quick Rachael E. , Buck Luke D. , Parab Sweta , Tolbert Zane R. , Matsuoka Ryota L. 
Published: July 2021

ABSTRACTThe zebrafish is a valuable vertebrate model to study cardiovascular formation and function due to the facile visualization and rapid development of the circulatory system in its externally growing embryos. Despite having distinct advantages, zebrafish have paralogs of many important genes, making reverse genetics approaches inefficient since generating animals bearing multiple gene mutations requires substantial efforts. Here, we present a simple and robust synthetic CRISPR RNA/Cas9-based mutagenesis approach for generating biallelic F0 zebrafish knockouts. Using a dual-guide synthetic CRISPR RNA/Cas9 ribonucleoprotein (dgRNP) system, we compared the efficiency of biallelic gene disruptions following the injections of one, two, and three dgRNPs per gene into the cytoplasm or yolk. We show that simultaneous cytoplasmic injections of three distinct dgRNPs per gene into one-cell stage embryos resulted in the most efficient and consistent biallelic gene disruptions. Importantly, this triple dgRNP approach enables efficient inactivation of cell autonomous and cell non-autonomous gene function, likely due to the low mosaicism of biallelic disruptions. In support of this finding, we provide evidence that the F0 animals generated by this method fully phenocopied the endothelial and peri-vascular defects observed in corresponding stable mutant homozygotes. Moreover, this approach faithfully recapitulated the trunk vessel phenotypes resulting from the genetic interaction between two vegfr2 zebrafish paralogs. Mechanistically, investigation of genome editing and mRNA decay indicates that the combined mutagenic actions of three dgRNPs per gene lead to an increased probability of frameshift mutations, enabling efficient biallelic gene disruptions. Therefore, our approach offers a highly robust genetic platform to quickly assess novel and redundant gene function in F0 zebrafish.
Macrophage Circadian Rhythms are Differentially Affected Based on Stimuli
Authors: Lellupitiyage Don Sujeewa S. , Mas-Rosario Javier A. , Lin Hui-Hsien , Nguyen Minh N. , Taylor Stephanie R. , Farkas Michelle E. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractMacrophages are white blood cells of the innate immune system that play disparate roles in homeostasis and immune responses. As a result, they have the capability to alter their phenotypes to pro-inflammatory (M1) or anti-inflammatory (M2) subtypes in response to their environment. 8-15% of the macrophage transcriptome has circadian oscillations, including genes closely related to their functioning. As circadian rhythms are also associated with cellular phenotypes, we hypothesized that the polarization of macrophages to opposing subtypes might differently affect their circadian rhythms. We tested this by tracking the circadian rhythms of the mouse model macrophage cell line, RAW 264.7, which was stably transfected with Bmal1:luc and Per2:luc reporters, representing a positive and a negative component of the core molecular clock. The strength of rhythmicity was assessed using three measures: the relative power of the circadian band in the power spectral density, the rhythmicity index computed as the height of the third peak of the correlogram, and the maximum value of the chi square periodorgram. The period and amplitudes of the de-trended, smoothed time-series were estimated both by fitting to a damped cosine curve and by identifying the peak and trough of each cycle. M1 polarization decreased amplitudes and rhythmicities of both Bmal1:luc and Per2:luc, but did not significantly affect periods, while M2 polarization increased periods and caused no substantial alterations to amplitudes or rhythmicity. As macrophage phenotypes are also altered in the presence of cancer cells, we then tested the circadian effects of conditioned media from two mouse breast cancer cell lines on macrophage circadian rhythms. Media from highly agressive 4T1 cells caused loss of rhythmicity, while media from less aggressive EMT6 cells yielded no changes. As macrophages are known to play roles in tumors, and oncogenic features are associated with circadian rhythms, we also tested whether conditioned media from macrophages can alter circadian rhythms of cancer cells. We found that conditioned media from RAW 264.7 cells resulted in lower circadian rhythmicities and periods, but higher circadian amplitudes in human osteosarcoma, U2OS-Per2:luc cells. Taken together, our study shows that different circadian characteristics exist based on macrophage phenotypes, and suggests further that there is an association between circadian rhythms and macrophage polarization state. Additionally, our data shows that macrophages treated with breast cancer-conditioned media have circadian phenotypes similar to those of the M1 subtype, and cancer cells treated with macrophage-conditioned media have circadian alterations, providing insight to another level of cross-talk between macrophages and cancer cells that merits further investigation.
Aeroacoustic and aerodynamic characteristics of a morphing airfoil
Authors: Kan Zi , Li Daochun , Zhao Shiwei , Xiang Jinwu , Sha Enlai 
Published: July 2021

Purpose
This paper aims to assess the aeroacoustic and aerodynamic performance of a morphing airfoil with a flexible trailing edge (FTE). The objective is to make a comparison of the aerodynamic noise characteristics between the conventional airfoil with a flap and morphing airfoil and analyse the noise reduction mechanisms of the morphing airfoil.

Design/methodology/approach
The computational fluid dynamic method was used to calculate the aerodynamic coefficients of morphing airfoil and the Ffowcs-Williams and Hawking’s acoustic analogy methods were performed to predict the far-field noise of different airfoils.

Findings
Results show that compared with the conventional airfoil, the morphing airfoil can generate higher lift and lower noise, but a greater drag. Additionally, the noise caused by the one-unit lift of the morphing airfoil is significantly lower than that of the conventional airfoil. For the morphing airfoil, the shedding vortex in the trailing edge was the main noise resource. As the angle of attack (AoA) increases, the overall sound pressure level of the morphing airfoil increases significantly. With the increase of the trailing edge deflection angle, the amplitude and the period of sound pressure of the morning airfoil fluctuation increase.

Practical implications
Presented results could be very useful during designing the morphing airfoil with FTE, which has significant advantages in aerodynamic efficiency and aeroacoustic performance.

Originality/value
This paper presents the aerodynamic and aeroacoustic characteristics of the morphing airfoil. The effect of trailing edge deflection angle and AoA on morphing airfoil was investigated. In the future, using a morphing airfoil instead of a traditional flap can reduce the aircraft`s fuel consumption and noise pollution.
Migration patterns and migrant workers' consumption
Authors: Li Xiaofeng , Luo Li 
Published: July 2021

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to exam the relationship between migration patterns and migrant workers' consumption and study how to upgrade the consumption of migrant workers.Design/methodology/approachBased on survey data from 3,368 migrant workers in China, this paper employs the extended linear expenditure system (ELES) model to analyze the difference of migrant workers' consumption in different migration patterns. A consumption function containing migration patterns was constructed to examine the impact of migration patterns on the consumption of migrant workers.FindingsThe consumption structure of migrant workers is in accordance with the migration theory and life cycle theory; there is a significant difference in the consumption between migrant workers of different migration patterns. Migrant workers who move to the city separated from their family members have lower levels of consumption, and the consumption structure shows the characteristics of “survival consumption,” mainly based on “food, residence and traffic.” On the contrary, migrant workers who move to the city with all their family members have higher levels of consumption, and their consumption is well structured, showing a gradual trend of upgrading and transformation.Originality/valueThis paper enriches the empirical literature on analyzing the migration patterns and their impact on migrant workers' consumption, which can help policymakers design reasonable policies of adaptation for the consumption upgrading of migrant workers.
A study of non-users of digital libraries: the case of the Capes digital library in Brazil
Authors: Fernandes Wesley Rodrigo , Cendón Beatriz Valadares 
Published: July 2021

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to understand the reasons that hinder the use of digital libraries.Design/methodology/approachThis study analyzed data obtained through a web survey sent to 14,763 faculty members in Brazilian universities. Of the 6,689 respondents, 1,075 (16.1%) reported not using the Capes digital library and 1,017 answered the questionnaire for non-users.FindingsResults showed that the main reasons for non-use are lack of knowledge of the existence of the Capes digital library, use of other resources, preference for printed journals and difficulty of access. Eight factors of non-use were elicited: insufficient dissemination, inadequacies in contents, in infrastructure, in access policy, in training and in the interface, personal constraints and personal attitude. The reasons and factors for non-use were categorized as intrinsic and extrinsic to the digital library. Intrinsic reasons relate to characteristics of the Capes digital library. Extrinsic factors are influenced by user characteristics. The chi-square test demonstrated that the variables: area of knowledge, age, hours dedicated to research and computer skills influence non-use.Originality/valueThis study has contributed to research about non-users of digital libraries, differing from previous research by surveying a large-scale population and by investigating in a single work the reasons for non-use, other electronic sources used by non-users, advantages of using the digital library and intention of non-users to become users if barriers were removed. Qualitative data complemented the quantitative data collected which allowed a more complete picture of the respondent’s positions.
Envelope wages as a new normal? An insight into a pool of prospective quasi-formal workers in the European Union (EU)
Authors: Franic Josip , Cichocki Stanislaw 
Published: July 2021

PurposeIn spite of millions of quasi-formal workers in the European Union (EU), there is still limited understanding of what motivates workers to participate in these detrimental employment schemes, and why certain groups of workers exhibit higher inclination towards it. This article takes a novel approach by putting prospective envelope wage earners in the centre of this analysis.Design/methodology/approachData from the 2019 Special Eurobarometer on undeclared work are used, and two-level random intercept cumulative logit modelling is applied.FindingsOne in seven fully declared EU workers would have nothing against receiving one part of their wages off-the-books. Manual workers and individuals whose job assumes travelling are the most willing to accept such kind of remuneration, and the same applies to workers with low tax morale and those who perceive the risk of being detected and persecuted as very small. On the other hand, women, older individuals, married persons and employees from large enterprises express the smallest inclination towards envelope wages. The environment in which an individual operates also plays a non-negligible role as the quality of the pension system and the strength of social contract were also identified as significant determinants of workers' readiness to accept envelope wages.Originality/valueThis article fills in the gap in the literature by analysing what workers think about wage under-reporting and what factors drive their willingness to accept envelope wages.
Revealing at-risk learning patterns and corresponding self-regulated strategies via LSTM encoder and time-series clustering
Authors: Zhang Mingyan , Du Xu , Rice Kerry , Hung Jui-Long , Li Hao 
Published: July 2021

Purpose
This study aims to propose a learning pattern analysis method which can improve a predictive model’s performance, as well as discover hidden insights into micro-level learning pattern. Analyzing student’s learning patterns can help instructors understand how their course design or activities shape learning behaviors; depict students’ beliefs about learning and their motivation; and predict learning performance by analyzing individual students’ learning patterns. Although time-series analysis is one of the most feasible predictive methods for learning pattern analysis, literature-indicated current approaches cannot provide holistic insights about learning patterns for personalized intervention. This study identified at-risk students by micro-level learning pattern analysis and detected pattern types, especially at-risk patterns that existed in the case study. The connections among students’ learning patterns, corresponding self-regulated learning (SRL) strategies and learning performance were finally revealed.

Design/methodology/approach
The method used long short-term memory (LSTM)-encoder to process micro-level behavioral patterns for feature extraction and compression, thus the students’ behavior pattern information were saved into encoded series. The encoded time-series data were then used for pattern analysis and performance prediction. Time series clustering were performed to interpret the unique strength of proposed method.

Findings
Successful students showed consistent participation levels and balanced behavioral frequency distributions. The successful students also adjusted learning behaviors to meet with course requirements accordingly. The three at-risk patten types showed the low-engagement (R1) the low-interaction (R2) and the non-persistent characteristics (R3). Successful students showed more complete SRL strategies than failed students. Political Science had higher at-risk chances in all three at-risk types. Computer Science, Earth Science and Economics showed higher chances of having R3 students.

Research limitations/implications
The study identified multiple learning patterns which can lead to the at-risk situation. However, more studies are needed to validate whether the same at-risk types can be found in other educational settings. In addition, this case study found the distributions of at-risk types were vary in different subjects. The relationship between subjects and at-risk types is worth further investigation.

Originality/value
This study found the proposed method can effectively extract micro-level behavioral information to generate better prediction outcomes and depict student’s SRL learning strategies in online learning. The authors confirm that the research in their work is original, and that all the data given in the paper are real and authentic. The study has not been submitted to peer review and not has been accepted for publishing in another journal.
Strategic alliances and development of intellectual capital: a study of technology-based SMEs
Authors: Ferreira António , Franco Mário , Haase Heiko 
Published: July 2021

PurposeFrom an absorptive capacity perspective, this study aims to analyse the influence of strategic alliances on the development of intellectual capital.Design/methodology/approachA quantitative study was chosen, with data on technology-based small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Portugal, leading to 257 valid answers.FindingsThe results obtained from a structural equation model show that learning/knowledge and efficiency as important functions underlying strategic alliances exert a strong influence on intellectual (human, structural and relational) capital.Practical implicationsThese outcomes reveal that strategic alliances are a way for SMEs to overcome resource constraints in terms of intellectual capital, which represents an important implication for business practice. This study provides particular insights into how and to what extent alliance-specific mechanisms and functions lead to which improvement and effect.Originality/valueThe study underlines the importance of strategic alliances for technology-based SMEs. In this way, this study adds to the scarce in the field providing evidence for the SMEs sector. Therefore, strategic alliances and intellectual capital should be considered two key tools for this firm segment and worthy of further research in absorptive capacity.
Orality, literacy and the “great divide” in cultural values
Authors: Yeganeh Hamid 
Published: July 2021

PurposeBuilding on the “Great Divide” thesis (Goody, 1977; Ong, 1982), this study analyzes the conceptual relationships between the two main communication modes (orality/literacy) and cultural values.Design/methodology/approachThe study adopts a purely conceptual approach to connect orality and literacy with nine cultural dimensions adopted from Kluckhohn and Strodtbeck’s (1961), Hall’s (1976) and Inglehart’s (1997) frameworks.FindingsThe analyses suggest that orality is associated with values such as high-context communication, poly-chronic time, public space proxemics, collectivism, hierarchical social structure, subjugation, past orientation, religiousness/traditionalism and survival cultural dimensions. Literacy is associated with opposing values, including low-context communication, mono-chronic time, private space proxemics, individualism, egalitarian social structure, dominance, future orientation, secularity/rationality, and self-expression cultural dimensions. The paper relies on modernization theory to explain the socio-economic implications and organizes the nine pairs of cultural dimensions according to the great divide between orality and literacy.Originality/valueTheoretically, this study conceptualizes orality and literacy, analyzes their salient differences and examines their relationships with cultural values. While many studies have tried to explain the differences in cultural values from an economic perspective, this study offers an alternative view of cultural values’ variations across the world.
Managing the tension between opposing effects of explainability of artificial intelligence: a contingency theory perspective
Authors: Abedin Babak 
Published: July 2021

PurposeResearch into the interpretability and explainability of data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) systems is on the rise. However, most recent studies either solely promote the benefits of explainability or criticize it due to its counterproductive effects. This study addresses this polarized space and aims to identify opposing effects of the explainability of AI and the tensions between them and propose how to manage this tension to optimize AI system performance and trustworthiness.Design/methodology/approachThe author systematically reviews the literature and synthesizes it using a contingency theory lens to develop a framework for managing the opposing effects of AI explainability.FindingsThe author finds five opposing effects of explainability: comprehensibility, conduct, confidentiality, completeness and confidence in AI (5Cs). The author also proposes six perspectives on managing the tensions between the 5Cs: pragmatism in explanation, contextualization of the explanation, cohabitation of human agency and AI agency, metrics and standardization, regulatory and ethical principles, and other emerging solutions (i.e. AI enveloping, blockchain and AI fuzzy systems).Research limitations/implicationsAs in other systematic literature review studies, the results are limited by the content of the selected papers.Practical implicationsThe findings show how AI owners and developers can manage tensions between profitability, prediction accuracy and system performance via visibility, accountability and maintaining the “social goodness” of AI. The results guide practitioners in developing metrics and standards for AI explainability, with the context of AI operation as the focus.Originality/valueThis study addresses polarized beliefs amongst scholars and practitioners about the benefits of AI explainability versus its counterproductive effects. It poses that there is no single best way to maximize AI explainability. Instead, the co-existence of enabling and constraining effects must be managed.