bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The impacts and success factors of a work-from-home service-learning internship during COVID-19
Authors: Wong May Mei Ling , Lau Ka Hing , Chan Chad Wing Fung 
Published: July 2021

PurposeCOVID-19 has changed the way we teach and learn, including service-learning (S-L). This study examines the impacts of the work-from-home (WFH) mode on the work performance and learning outcomes of student interns on an eight-week S-L internship programme, and the key factors in terms of its success.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative research methodology is adopted by interviewing nine student interns and four supervisors from three community partner organisations (CPOs) to understand their experiences of how the WFH mode has impacted intern work performance and learning outcomes. Thematic analysis is used for the data analysis.FindingsThe interns uncover a number of negative WFH impacts on the S-L internship, including ineffective communication and management practice, low work efficiency and quality, a lack of task variety and learning opportunities and distractions in the home environment. Furthermore, five critical factors for WFH success are also identified, including prior preparation, effective communication systems, personal motivators at work, the nature of the job in relation to it being suited to the WFH mode, and organisational support.Originality/valueThe study examines impacts on student work performance and learning outcomes in an S-L summer internship programme operating under the WFH mode as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Key success factors and practical recommendations have been developed for enhancing the future success of S-L internships operating under the WFH mode.
Designing playful employee experience through serious play–reflections from pre-pandemic corporate learning events in Poland
Authors: Sońta Monika 
Published: July 2021

PurposeIn times of organizational thirst for employee engagement and meaning through designing corporate stories, the aim of this article is to explore and identify key sources (engines) of engagement during LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® (LSP) corporate learning pre-pandemic events of various types and size in Poland.Design/methodology/approachThis is a conceptual paper. The research was conducted using participant observation from the perspective of a certified facilitator of the method. This position ensures a prime access to the organizational events. Eight training sessions (four LSP and four non-LSP workshops) have been analysed using thematic analysis. The structure of thematic codes has been conceptualized and reflected as the EPIC framework.FindingsThe findings include (1) the importance of the experience of emerging realities as a key generator of engagement, (2) the significance of social collaboration and peer-to-peer interactions (experience of collective intelligence), (3) the observable rise in engagement and willingness to contribute when real business situations, especially labelled as “strategic issues” are discussed and (4) the role of image-capturing (“snapshot experience”) in creation of an engaging learning experience.Research limitations/implicationsThe limitations refer to the potential conflict of interests as the researcher is also the facilitator of the workshop. To ensure the neutral point of view of the researcher, the sessions have been recorded to enable transparency of the observation and non-biased logic of key findings. The “learning experience” research is also culture- and context-sensitive, thus it may be problematic to replicate the research procedure in different countries, however, the EPIC model can be treated as a universal framework to explore and identify the engines of engagement.Practical implicationsThe concept of this paper is designed from the practical point of view. The findings are adaptable to the corporate practices aimed at empowering employees and are compatible with management models such as agile, human enablement and human-centred design in organizations.Social implicationsSerious play methods of learning and experiencing are said to be of the highest importance when finding new ways of organizational learning in the pandemic situation and work from home as a standard learning environment.Originality/valueThe contribution of this paper is visible in the conceptualization of the moments that shape an engaging experience. This is also the first academic paper presenting the perspective of a certified facilitator of LSP from Central and Eastern Europe region.
Supporting, tinkering, adjusting and resisting: a typology of user translations of the built environment
Authors: Sharif Ahlam Ammar , Karvonen Andrew 
Published: July 2021

PurposeArchitectural theorists have a long tradition of acknowledging the centrality of building users to architectural production. This article contributes to the discourse on architecture, actor–network theory (ANT), and users by proposing a typology of user translations ranging from supporting to tinkering to adjusting to resisting.Design/methodology/approachThe research utilises an ANT-inspired ethnography of sustainable lighting scripts at the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology (MIST). It comprises semi-structured interviews with MIST designers and students, and site visits and participant observation to understand how the users interpret the scripts and how they interact and change them on a daily basis.FindingsThere is a shared understanding that users do not simply receive architectural designs but interpret and change them to suit their preferences. The findings reveal the multiple ways that users interpret and respond to the assumptions of designers and in the process, recast the relations between themselves and their material surroundings.Originality/valueThe research contributes to acknowledging the centrality of users to architectural design processes and the interpretation of design scripts, addressing the limitation in current literature in demonstrating the diversity of ways that users react to such scripts. The research suggests that user actions have significant implications on long-term building performance. It accordingly points to the need for devising multiple means of user involvement in the design process and allowing greater flexibility in design scripts to improve the alignment with user preferences.
Early prediction and analysis of corona pandemic outbreak using deep learning technique
Authors: Gampala Veerraju , Nandankar Praful Vijay , Kathiravan M. , Karunakaran S. , Nalla Arun Reddy , Gaddam Ranjith Reddy 
Published: July 2021

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyze and build a deep learning model that can furnish statistics of COVID-19 and is able to forecast pandemic outbreak using Kaggle open research COVID-19 data set. As COVID-19 has an up-to-date data collection from the government, deep learning techniques can be used to predict future outbreak of coronavirus. The existing long short-term memory (LSTM) model is fine-tuned to forecast the outbreak of COVID-19 with better accuracy, and an empirical data exploration with advanced picturing has been made to comprehend the outbreak of coronavirus.

Design/methodology/approach
This research work presents a fine-tuned LSTM deep learning model using three hidden layers, 200 LSTM unit cells, one activation function ReLu, Adam optimizer, loss function is mean square error, the number of epochs 200 and finally one dense layer to predict one value each time.

Findings
LSTM is found to be more effective in forecasting future predictions. Hence, fine-tuned LSTM model predicts accurate results when applied to COVID-19 data set.

Originality/value
The fine-tuned LSTM model is developed and tested for the first time on COVID-19 data set to forecast outbreak of pandemic according to the authors’ knowledge.
Similar crimes, similar behaviors? Comparing lone‐actor terrorists and public mass murderers
Authors: Gill Paul , Silver James , Horgan John , Corner Emily , Bouhana Noémie 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThis article adds to the growth in data‐driven analyses seeking to compare samples of violent extremists with other violent populations of interest. While lone‐actor terrorists and public mass murderers are frequently treated as distinct offender types, both engage (or attempt to engage) in largely public and highly publicized acts of violence and often use similar weapons. This article investigates the (dis)similarities between both offender types. We use a series of bivariate and multivariate statistical analyses to compare demographic, psychologic and behavioral variables across 71 lone‐actor terrorists and 115 public mass murderers. The results show little distinction in sociodemographic profiles, but significant differences in (a) the degree to which they interact with co‐ideologues (b) antecedent event behaviors and (c) the degree to which they leak information before the attack. Overall, our data inform the emerging idea that lone‐actor terrorists and public mass shooters are not distinct offender types. There is more that unites them than divides them. Although the over‐arching focus of our results are on the few variables that distinguish them, the vast majority (80%+), of the 180+ variables showed no significant difference. We discuss implications for threat assessment and management in the context of these results.
Deep learning in magnetic resonance image reconstruction
Authors: Chandra Shekhar S , Bran Lorenzana Marlon , Liu Xinwen , Liu Siyu , Bollmann Steffen , Crozier Stuart 
Published: July 2021

SummaryMagnetic resonance (MR) imaging visualises soft tissue contrast in exquisite detail without harmful ionising radiation. In this work, we provide a state‐of‐the‐art review on the use of deep learning in MR image reconstruction from different image acquisition types involving compressed sensing techniques, parallel image acquisition and multi‐contrast imaging. Publications with deep learning‐based image reconstruction for MR imaging were identified from the literature (PubMed and Google Scholar), and a comprehensive description of each of the works was provided. A detailed comparison that highlights the differences, the data used and the performance of each of these works were also made. A discussion of the potential use cases for each of these methods is provided. The sparse image reconstruction methods were found to be most popular in using deep learning for improved performance, accelerating acquisitions by around 4–8 times. Multi‐contrast image reconstruction methods rely on at least one pre‐acquired image, but can achieve 16‐fold, and even up to 32‐ to 50‐fold acceleration depending on the set‐up. Parallel imaging provides frameworks to be integrated in many of these methods for additional speed‐up potential. The successful use of compressed sensing techniques and multi‐contrast imaging with deep learning and parallel acquisition methods could yield significant MR acquisition speed‐ups within clinical routines in the near future.
tRNA‐derived fragments: tRF‐Gly‐CCC‐046, tRF‐Tyr‐GTA‐010 and tRF‐Pro‐TGG‐001 as novel diagnostic biomarkers for breast cancer
Authors: Zhang Yue , Bi Zhao , Dong Xiaohan , Yu Miao , Wang Kangyu , Song Xingguo , Xie Li , Song Xianrang 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBackgroundtRNA‐derived fragments (tRFs) have been found to play a regulatory role in the occurrence and development of many tumors. The aim of this study was to identify the expression of tRFs in breast cancer and their ability to serve as diagnostic markers for breast cancer.MethodsTotal RNA was extracted from breast cancer and paracancerous tissues (n = 83), as well as from the sera of breast cancer patients (n = 214) and healthy donors (n = 113) using trizol reagents. Expression of tRFs was then detected by q‐PCR, and analyzed using t‐test and ROC to illuminate their potential as biomarkers for breast cancer.ResultsOur results demonstrated that tRFs: tRF‐Gly‐CCC‐046, tRF‐Tyr‐GTA‐010 and tRF‐Pro‐TGG‐001 were downregulated in both tissues and sera from breast cancer patients as well as early‐stage patients compared with those in the healthy donors. More importantly, the three tRFs were capable of serving as circulating biomarkers of diagnostics and early diagnosis of breast cancer, possessing areas under the curve (AUC) of 0.7871 and 0.7987, respectively.ConclusionstRFs: tRF‐Gly‐CCC‐046, tRF‐Tyr‐GTA‐010 and tRF‐Pro‐TGG‐001 are downregulated in breast cancer and early breast cancer and act as new potential biomarkers for the diagnosis and early diagnosis of breast cancer.
Investigating ancient technology and ceramic composition at Al‐Khidr site (Failaka Island, Kuwait): Geochemical analyses of Bronze Age pottery by pXRF and thin‐section petrographic analyses
Authors: Ashkanani Hasan J. , Kovár Branislav 
Published: July 2021

AbstractPottery assemblages from the site of Al‐Khidr on Failaka Island, Kuwait, were analysed in order to reconstruct the chemical composition of Bronze Age wares and to build a mineralogical database of Bronze Age pottery dated from Failaka Periods 1–3B (2000–1650 BCE). A total of 145 ceramic sherds from Al‐Khidr, as well as reference groups, were analysed by non‐destructive portable X‐ray fluorescence (pXRF) spectrometry. Preliminarily petrographic thin‐section analysis was applied to four samples to reconstruct possible clay paste recipes and to identify raw materials. The results indicate that geochemical analyses can successfully distinguish subgroups within a typological category of ceramic assemblages. The results identified two subgroups within the Al‐Khidr typological category: the Dilmun Barbar tradition and the Mesopotamian tradition. Future comparative compositional studies can be conducted to explore other aspects of craft specialisation, such as ceramic technological choices and possibly the influence of sociopolitical units.
The governance role of institutional investors in management compensation: evidence from China
Authors: Zhu Song , Huang Haijie , Bradford William 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThis study examines whether and how institutional investors play a corporate governance role in executive pay in China. Based on a sample of Chinese listed firms from 2005 to 2015, we find that higher institutional investor ownership is negatively related to excessive management compensation; this indicates that institutional investors play a governance role in listed firms’ decisions on management payment. Institutional investors are more likely to have an influence on executive compensation through their representatives on the corporate board or by conducting site visits, especially when their ownership is high. They will also react, as in the US, by ‘voting with their feet’; that is, holding fewer shares than they would otherwise, if firms pay excessive executive compensation, especially when their ownership is low. Cross‐sectional analyses show that the negative impact of institutional ownership on excess management compensation is more evident when firms are not owned by the government, monitored by fewer analysts, and located in regions of China with weak legal investor protection. Our results indicate that institutional investors in China can play an important governance role, especially for firms with characteristics such as location and analyst coverage, for which outside monitoring mechanisms will be in high demand.
Revalidation of the Australasian genus Microsandalus Stål stat. rev., with redescription of M. umbrosus Stål (Hemiptera: Reduviidae)
Authors: Liu Yingqi , Lemaître Valérie A , Cai Wanzhi 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThe generic status of Microsandalus Stål, 1867 stat. rev. is discussed and formally revalidated. The type species of this genus, M. umbrosus Stål, 1867, is redescribed and illustrated with an emphasis on sexual dimorphism. The lectotype of M. umbrosus is designated. Pirates sobrius Walker, 1873 is found to be the brachypterous female of M. umbrosus, and therefore, a previous synonymy, which had recently gone unnoticed, is confirmed. A key to help separate peiratine genera distributed in Australia is provided.
Quality response to real exchange rate shocks: A panel SVAR analysis on China's agricultural exports
Authors: Mao Rui , Xing Mengying , Yu Xiaohua 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThis article applies a panel structural VAR model using complete data of China's monthly agricultural exports to uncover both the dynamics and interproduct and intermarket differences in the responses of product quality to real exchange rate (RER) shocks. It finds that RER appreciation promotes the quality of China's agricultural exports on average compared to discouraging exports, but the effect is fully shown in the short run. The average response peaks in the month immediately after the shock and the average cumulative response converges to a constant level in three months. The quality response to RER shocks substantially differs across both products and markets. More sensitive responses of quality upgrading are found among exports that are less competitive, relatively primary, more reliant on ordinary trade, and exported with nearby and less developed partners. Therefore, greater supports on R&D activities and the adoption of advanced technologies might be needed among other exports.
Streptococcus agalactiae do not penetrate human chorioamniotic membranes in vitro but alter their biomechanical properties
Authors: Mohamed Nasteha A. , Hinge Mogens , Larsen Ole H. , Sørensen Uffe B. S. , Uldbjerg Niels , Nejsum Lene N. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractIntroductionVaginal colonization with Streptococcus agalactiae (group B streptococci) is hypothesized to constitute a risk factor for preterm prelabor rupture of membranes. In vitro studies have shown that S. agalactiae strains isolated from infants with neonatal sepsis adhere to chorion cells of the human chorioamniotic membrane. However, it is still unknown whether S. agalactiae strains penetrate the chorioamniotic membranes and whether S. agalactiae colonization affects the biomechanical properties of the membranes and thus contributes to increased risk of preterm prelabor rupture. The aim of this in vitro study was to explore if different strains of S. agalactiae penetrate and affect the biomechanical properties of human chorioamniotic membranes.Material and methodsThree different strains of S. agalactiae were obtained, one from an early‐onset neonatal infection, one from a case of preterm prelabor rupture of membranes and one from a healthy pregnant carrier. Chorioamniotic membranes from elective cesarean deliveries were either incubated with S. agalactiae or mounted in a two‐chamber incubation cell generating a “maternal” and a “fetal” chamber and incubated with S. agalactiae in the maternal chamber. Subsequently the membranes were examined to evaluate S. agalactiae attachment, penetration and the effect on the biomechanical properties.ResultsAt 5 h after incubation, S. agalactiae adhered to the chorioamniotic membranes with increased number at 20 h. Streptococcus agalactiae did not penetrate the membranes even after 20 h of incubation. Streptococcus agalactiae increased the ultimate tensile stress needed to rupture the membranes and increased the work needed to rupture the membranes as well as the elastic modulus.ConclusionsHuman chorioamniotic membranes constitute a physical barrier against S. agalactiae infections. Moreover, S. agalactiae infection leads to increased strength of the membranes.
Two melatonin treatments improve the conception rate after fixed‐time artificial insemination in beef heifers following synchronisation of oestrous cycles using the CoSynch‐56 protocol
Authors: Guo L , Li M , Gao X , Yang Y , Zhao J , Wang J , Lu W 
Published: July 2021

ObjectiveThis study investigated the effect of melatonin administration in combination with the CoSynch‐56 protocol on the conception rate after artificial insemination (AI) in beef heifers.MethodsEighty‐six beef heifers were allocated to four treatments in combination with CoSynch‐56 treatment. All heifers, excluding the control group (CTR = 25), were injected with melatonin on day 1. The melatonin (MT = 20) and MT + human chorionic gonadotropin (MT + hCG = 21) groups received no further treatment with melatonin. Each heifer was treated with gonadotropin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) on day 4, prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) on day 11, and GnRH and AI 56 h later. The fourth group (2MT = 20) was injected again with melatonin concurrent with AI, and the MT + hCG group received hCG on day 19. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed using transrectal ultrasonography 45 days after AI and blood samples were collected via caudal venipuncture on days 0–1, 14–15, 24 and 59. Concentrations of progesterone (P4) and the activities of oxidative stress‐related enzymes were determined using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.ResultsThe conception rate was greater in the 2MT group (75%) than in the other groups, while there was no significant difference among the CTR (44%), MT (45%) and MT + hCG (38.1%) groups. Treatment with melatonin increased superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities and decreased malondialdehyde concentrations but did not significantly affect the concentration of P4.ConclusionOur results indicate that the administration of melatonin twice during the CoSynch‐56 protocol may increase conception rates in beef heifers.
Ruxolitinib resistance or intolerance in steroid‐refractory acute graft‐versus‐host disease — a real‐world outcomes analysis
Authors: Abedin Sameem , Rashid Nahid , Schroeder Mark , Romee Rizwan , Nauffal Mary , Alhaj Moustafa Muhamad , Kharfan‐Dabaja Mohamed A. , Palmer Jeanne , Hogan William , Hefazi Mehrdad , Larson Samantha , Holtan Shernan , DeFilipp Zachariah , Jayani Reena , Dholaria Bhagirathbhai , Pidala Joseph , Khimani Farhad , Grunwald Michael R. , Butler Candace , Hamadani Mehdi 
Published: July 2021

SummaryRuxolitinib for steroid‐refractory acute graft‐versus‐host disease (SR‐aGVHD) results in resistance or intolerance in 1/5 of patients. Outcomes of such patients are undefined. We identified these patients in a multicentre review and reported outcomes. Ruxolitinib‐resistant aGVHD was identified in 48/307 patients. Among patients receiving additional therapy, the overall response rate to next therapy was 36%. Median survival was 21 days. Ruxolitinib intolerance led to treatment discontinuation in 16/307 patients. Ten intolerant patients received additional therapy with 50% experiencing continued improvement of aGVHD. Median survival was 50 days in these patients. These data serve as a baseline for future SR‐aGVHD studies.