bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Principles and practice of designing microbial biocatalysts for fuel and chemical production
Authors: Shanmugam K T , Ingram Lonnie O 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
The finite nature of fossil fuels and the environmental impact of its use have raised interest in alternate renewable energy sources. Specifically, nonfood carbohydrates, such as lignocellulosic biomass, can be used to produce next generation biofuels, including cellulosic ethanol and other nonethanol fuels like butanol. However, currently there is no native microorganism that can ferment all lignocellulosic sugars to fuel molecules. Thus, research is focused on engineering improved microbial biocatalysts for production of liquid fuels at high productivity, titer, and yield. A clear understanding and application of the basic principles of microbial physiology and biochemistry are crucial to achieve this goal. In this review, we present and discuss the construction of microbial biocatalysts that integrate these principles with ethanol-producing Escherichia coli as an example of metabolic engineering. These principles also apply to fermentation of lignocellulosic sugars to other chemicals that are currently produced from petroleum.
Children’s Pain During IV Induction: A Randomized-Controlled Trial With the MEDi® Robot
Authors: Lee-Krueger Rachelle C W , Pearson Jacqueline R , Spencer Adam , Noel Melanie , Bell-Graham Lisa , Beran Tanya N 
Published: March 2021

Abstract

Objective
This study examined the impact of a humanoid robot (MEDi®) programmed to teach deep breathing as a coping strategy, on children’s pain and fear as primary and secondary outcomes, respectively, during intravenous (IV) line placement. The completion of IV induction was also examined as an exploratory outcome.

Methods
In this randomized controlled, two-armed trial, 137 children (4–12 years) were recruited in Short Stay Surgery at a tertiary pediatric hospital. Patients were randomly assigned to standard care (SC) with Ametop© only (N = 60) or SC and robot-facilitated intervention (N = 59) before induction. Pain and fear before, during, and after IV insertion were rated by patients and observers.

Results
No significant differences were found between groups and there were no changes over time for pain or fear (ps &gt; .05). Exploratory analyses show that patients in the MEDi® group were 5.04 times more likely to complete IV induction, compared to SC, Fisher’s exact test: X2 (1) = 4.85, p = .04, φc = 0.22, odds ratio = 5.04, 95% CI [1.06, 24.00].

Conclusion
This study was the first to examine children’s IV induction experience when provided MEDi® support. Reasons for nonsignificance, limitations, and research suggestions were made.
Intuitionistic multi-agent subatomic natural deduction for belief and knowledge
Authors: Więckowski Bartosz 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
This paper proposes natural deduction systems for the representation of inferences in which several agents participate in deriving conclusions about what they believe or know, where belief and knowledge are understood in an intuitionistic sense. Multi-agent derivations in these systems may involve relatively complex belief (resp. knowledge) constructions which may include forms of nested, reciprocal, shared, distributed or universal belief/knowledge as well as attitudes de dicto/re/se. The systems consist of two main components: multi-agent belief bases which assign to each agent a subatomic system that represents the agent’s beliefs concerning atomic sentences and a set of multi-agent labelled rules for logically compound formulae. Derivations in these systems normalize. Moreover, normal derivations possess the subexpression property (a refinement of the subformula property) which makes them fully analytic. Relying on the normalization result, a proof-theoretic approach to the semantics of the intensional operators for intuitionistic belief/knowledge is presented which explains their meaning entirely by appeal to the structure of derivations. Importantly, this proof-theoretic semantics is autarkic with respect to its foundations as the systems (unlike, e.g. external/labelled proof systems which internalize possible worlds truth conditions) are not defined on the basis of a possible worlds semantics. Detailed applications to a logical puzzle (McCarthy’s three wise men puzzle) and to a semantical difficulty (Geach’s problem of intentional identity), respectively, illustrate the systems. The paper also provides comparisons with other approaches to intuitionistic belief/knowledge and multi-agent natural deduction.
Missing an Opportunity? The Limited Civic Imagination of Votes at 16
Authors: Bowman Benjamin 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
The debate over reform to the voting age at Westminster elections is dominated by a concept of young people as deficient and disengaged citizens. In the contemporary context of young civic action, new approaches to the civic can support a regeneration of the vote in young people’s expanded political toolbox. A conceptual approach to the debate on voting reform is presented alongside a critical appraisal of the opportunities available, to all sides of the debate, to contribute to young political regeneration.
Rituximab plus leflunomide in rheumatoid arthritis: a randomized, placebo-controlled, investigator-initiated clinical trial (AMARA study)
Authors: Behrens Frank , Koehm Michaela , Rossmanith Tanja , Alten Rieke , Aringer Martin , Backhaus Marina , Burmester Gerd R , Feist Eugen , Herrmann Eva , Kellner Herbert , Krueger Klaus , Lehn Annette , Müller-Ladner Ulf , Rubbert-Roth Andrea , Tony Hans-Peter , Wassenberg Siegfried , Burkhardt Harald 
Published: March 2021

Abstract

Objective
To investigate the efficacy and safety of rituximab + LEF in patients with RA.

Methods
In this investigator-initiated, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial, patients with an inadequate response to LEF who had failed one or more DMARD were randomly assigned 2:1 to i.v. rituximab 1000 mg or placebo on day 1 and 15 plus ongoing oral LEF. The primary efficacy outcome was the difference between ≥50% improvement in ACR criteria (ACR50 response) rates at week 24 (P ≤ 0.025). Secondary endpoints included ACR20/70 responses, ACR50 responses at earlier timepoints and adverse event (AE) rates. The planned sample size was not achieved due to events beyond the investigators’ control.

Results
Between 13 August 2010 and 28 January 2015, 140 patients received rituximab (n = 93) or placebo (n = 47) plus ongoing LEF. Rituximab + LEF resulted in an increase in the ACR50 response rate that was significant at week 16 (32 vs 15%; P = 0.020), but not week 24 (27 vs 15%; P = 0.081), the primary endpoint. Significant differences favouring the rituximab + LEF arm were observed in some secondary endpoints, including ACR20 rates from weeks 12 to 24. The rituximab and placebo arms had similar AE rates (71 vs 70%), but the rituximab arm had a higher rate of serious AEs (SAEs 20 vs 2%), primarily infections and musculoskeletal disorders.

Conclusion
The primary endpoint was not reached, but rituximab + LEF demonstrated clinical benefits vs LEF in secondary endpoints. Although generally well tolerated, the combination was associated with additional SAEs and requires monitoring.

Trial registration
EudraCT: 2009-015950-39; ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01244958.
Administrative Measures Against Far-Right Protesters: An Example of Japan’s Social Control
Authors: LÖSCHKE Ayaka 
Published: March 2021

AbstractJapan’s pre-emptive approach to far-right demonstrations has had a significant impact. Far-right street protests accompanied by hate speech have been rapidly decreasing, although Japan has not introduced penalties. Why did the Japanese approach have such an effect? While the regulation of hate speech in Japan has been discussed mainly in legal studies, Japan’s use of administrative measures against hate speech has not been emphasized. Focusing on the implementation of the 2016 Hate Speech Law, this article examines administrative measures against far-right protestors as an example of Japan’s ‘soft’ approach to social control: not directly banning but discouraging social activities that are deemed harmful to social harmony. These measures have a pre-emptive character and are implemented based on a prior consensus between local officials and far-right activists about appropriate ways to use public spaces and possible expressions. This article also shows that Japan’s treatment of both far-right protesters and counterdemonstrators is guided by the harmony-related concept of kenka ryōseibai, which imposes punishment on both parties in a private quarrel, whether right or wrong. Japan’s approach to far-right protests thereby differs from the conventional American and European approaches in terms of both forms of regulation and central values.
Factors associated with antenatal care service utilization among women with children under five years in Sunyani Municipality, Ghana
Authors: Owusu Sekyere Stephen 
Published: March 2021

ABSTRACTBackgroundMaternal and neonatal mortality remains a public health burden around the globe most especially in developing countries. A well utilized antenatal care (ANC) is however among the identified interventions to reduce this burden of maternal and neonatal mortality rates. A lot of factors therefore predispose, enable and cause mothers to identify the need to utilize this service (ANC).Aims/objectivesThe aim of this study was to determine factors associated with the utilization of ANC service among postpartum mothers in the Sunyani municipality.MethodsThis study employed descriptive cross-sectional survey design. A semi-structured questionnaire consisting of demographic profile of the respondents, their knowledge about ANC services and the level of ANC utilization. Logistic regression analysis techniques and chi-square were used for the categorical variables to examine the associations between the dependent and independent variables. Data analysis was done using the Statistical Package for Social Science software (SPSS) version 22.ResultsMajority (87%) of postpartum mothers in the Sunyani municipality attended ANC at least once during their last pregnancy of which 95.6% had four or more visits and 77.1% initiated their ANC attendance within their first trimester. It was further observed that 97.3% of the mothers had good knowledge about ANC. Marital status and ANC knowledge were found to be significantly associated with ANC attendance. Husbands were found to be poorly involved in ANC services in the Sunyani municipality.ConclusionMarital status and ANC knowledge predisposes most mothers to utilize ANC services. Hence, health education activities about ANC services and its importance should be channeled more to areas where ANC utilization is low.
Development of a yeast-based assay for bioavailable phosphorus
Authors: Shepherd Heather A.M. , Trentman Matt T. , Tank Jennifer L. , Praner Jennifer , Cervantes Anissa , Chaudhary Priya , Gezelter Jonah , Marrs Allyson J. , Myers Kathryn A. , Welsh Jonathan R. , Wu Yueh-Fu O. , Goodson Holly V. 
Published: March 2021

ABSTRACTPreventing eutrophication of inland freshwater ecosystems requires quantifying the phosphorus (P) content of the streams and rivers that feed them. Typical methods for measuring P assess soluble reactive P (SRP) or total P (TP) and require expensive analytical techniques that produce hazardous waste. Here we present a novel method for measuring the more relevant bioavailable P (BAP); this assay utilizes the growth of familiar baker’s yeast, avoids production of hazardous waste, and reduces cost relative to measurements of SRP and TP. The yeast BAP (yBAP) assay takes advantage of the observation that yeast density at saturating growth increases linearly with provided P. We show that this relationship can be used to measure P in freshwater in concentration ranges relevant to eutrophication. In addition, we measured yBAP in water containing known amounts of fertilizer and in samples from agricultural waterways. We observed that the majority of yBAP values were between those obtained from standard SRP and TP measurements, demonstrating that the assay is compatible with real-world settings. The cost-effective and nonhazardous nature of the yeast-based assay suggests that it could have utility in a range of settings, offering added insight to identify water systems at risk of eutrophication from excess phosphorus.
Limiting vs. diversifying patterns of recommendations for key protein sources emerging: a study on national food guides worldwide from a health and sustainability perspective
Authors: de Boer Joop , Aiking Harry 
Published: March 2021

PurposeA shift to a healthy and sustainable diet (as recommended by the EAT Lancet Commission) needs to have a strong societal legitimation. This makes it relevant to investigate to what extent countries are using their Food-Based Dietary Guidelines (FBDGs) in ways that can stimulate such a shift.Design/methodology/approachGiven the pivotal role of protein, the authors examined what patterns of protein-related recommendations are used to guide consumers and how these patterns are related to specific contexts and societal priorities of the countries.FindingsThe analysis of data from 93 countries worldwide revealed two emerging patterns of recommendations. One pattern (found in a cluster of 23% of the countries) combined positive advice about key protein sources with limiting messages to reduce (or replace) the consumption of animal protein. The other pattern (found in a cluster of 24%) encouraged both animal and plant protein, thereby diversifying the set of protein sources, without negative advice on animal-based food sources. The two patterns of recommendations were differently associated with health and nutrition variables, including the countries' level of animal protein supply (in particular, dairy) and the prevalence of overweight individuals among adult men.Social implicationsFor all stakeholders, it is of crucial importance to realize that an increasing number of countries in the world are moving in the direction of acknowledging and addressing the diet-health-environment nexus by adapting their patterns of recommendations for key protein sources.Originality/valueThis study is the first that reveals patterns in recommendations with respect to protein sources by different nations worldwide.
Ownership structure and audit quality: the mediating effect of board independence
Authors: Guizani Moncef , Abdalkrim Gaafar 
Published: March 2021

Purpose
This study aims to examine the mediating effect of board independence on the relationship between ownership structure and audit quality.

Design/methodology/approach
The research uses generalized methods of moments regression to test the relationship between ownership structure and audit quality. The sample consists of 162 non-financial firms listed on the Gulf Cooperation Council stock markets between the years of 2009 and 2016. To test the significance of the mediating effect, this paper uses the Sobel test.

Findings
Empirical findings show that companies with higher family ownership are less likely to demand extensive audit services and, as a result, pay lower audit fees. Conversely, this study finds that companies with higher active and passive institutional ownership are more likely to engage high-quality auditors and pay larger audit fees. As for government ownership, it has no significant impact on audit fees. The results also reveal that the negative (positive) effect of family (institutional) ownership on audit quality follows the path through reducing (enhancing) board independence. Further tests are conducted and support the main findings.

Practical implications
This study has important implications for policymakers and regulators to address the conflict between controlling shareholders and minorities by promoting higher standards of audit quality. The study findings may be useful to investors, assisting them in making better-informed decisions and aids other interested parties in gaining a better understanding of the role played by ownership structure in audit quality. The study also contributes to the strategic board behavior by bringing a new perspective on how boards engage in monitoring by requesting external audit services. This behavior is likely to be influenced by the type of controlling shareholder.

Originality/value
The main contribution of the present paper is to examine the board composition as a potential mediating variable between ownership structure and audit quality. Moreover, it highlights the issue of improving governance mechanisms.
Regulation of Compensation and Systemic Risk: Evidence from the UK
Authors: KLEYMENOVA ANYA , TUNA İREM 
Published: March 2021

ABSTRACTThis paper studies the consequences of regulating executive compensation at financial institutions by examining the introduction of the UK Remuneration Code in 2010, which aimed to change the decision‐making horizon and risk‐taking incentives of bank executives. We find that, although both banks and nonbanks show increased contribution and sensitivity to systemic risk in the United Kingdom post‐2010, this increase is lower for UK banks, in line with the intent of the regulation. However, UK banks also experience higher unforced CEO turnover when compared to other UK firms. Therefore, while the regulation may have had the desired effect on systemic risk, it may also have given rise to some unintended consequences.
Accounting conservatism and firm performance during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Cui Li , Kent Pamela , Kim Sujin , Li Shan 
Published: March 2021

AbstractWe explore whether firms with more conditionally conservative accounting practices have higher stock returns than other firms during the Covid‐19 outbreak. We find evidence that Chinese firms listed on the Shanghai and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges applying more conditionally conservative reporting have lower declines in stock return performance during the Covid‐19 outbreak relative to other firms. We also find that the beneficial role of conditional conservatism is higher when firms have greater information asymmetry following the Covid‐19 pandemic. Our results are robust to various model specifications with four different measures of conservatism and an alternative return window.
The learning curve of robot‐assisted vitreoretinal surgery – A randomized trial in a simulated setting
Authors: Jacobsen Mads F. , Konge Lars , la Cour Morten , Sørensen Rasmus B. , Park Yoon Soo , Thomsen Ann Sofia S. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractPurposeTo investigate the learning curve of robot‐assisted vitreoretinal surgery compared to manual surgery in a simulated setting.MethodsThe study was designed as a randomized controlled longitudinal study. Eight ophthalmic trainees in the 1st or 2nd year of their specialization were included. The participants were randomized to either manual or robot‐assisted surgery. Participants completed repetitions of a test consisting of three vitreoretinal modules on the Eyesi virtual reality simulator. The primary outcome measure was time to learning curve plateau (minutes) for total test score. The secondary outcome measures were instrument movement (mm), tissue treatment (mm2) and time with instruments inserted (seconds).ResultsThere was no significant difference in time to learning curve plateau for robot‐assisted vitreoretinal surgery compared to manual. Robot‐assisted vitreoretinal surgery was associated with less instrument movements (i.e. improved precision), −0.91 standard deviation (SD) units (p < 0.001). Furthermore, robot‐assisted vitreoretinal surgery was associated with less tissue damage when compared to manual surgery, −0.94 SD units (p = 0.002). Lastly, robot‐assisted vitreoretinal surgery was slower than manual surgery, 0.93 SD units (p < 0.001).ConclusionsThere was no significant difference between the lengths of the learning curves for robot‐assisted vitreoretinal surgery compared to manual surgery. Robot‐assisted vitreoretinal surgery was more precise, associated with less tissue damage, and slower.
Applicability of ancestral genotyping in pharmacogenomic research with hormonal contraception
Authors: Lazorwitz Aaron , Aquilante Christina L. , Shortt Jonathan A. , Sheeder Jeanelle , Teal Stephanie , Gignoux Christopher R. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractTo compare etonogestrel pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic outcomes by both self‐reported race/ethnicity and genetically determined ancestry among contraceptive implant users. We conducted a secondary analysis of our parent pharmacogenomic study of 350 implant users. We genotyped these reproductive‐aged (18–45 years) women for 88 ancestry‐informative single nucleotide polymorphisms. We then assigned each participant a proportion value for African (AFR), European (EUR), and Indigenous American (AMR) ancestry based on reference population data. We correlated genetic ancestry with self‐reported race/ethnicity and utilized genetic ancestry proportion values as variables for previously performed association analyses with serum etonogestrel concentrations and progestin‐related side effects (e.g., bothersome bleeding and subjective weight gain). We successfully estimated genetically determined ancestry for 332 participants. EUR, AFR, and AMR ancestry were each highly correlated with self‐reported White/non‐Hispanic race (r = 0.64, p = 4.14 × 10−40), Black/African American race (r = 0.88, p = 1.36 × 10−107), and Hispanic/Latina ethnicity (r = 0.68, p = 4.03 × 10−47), respectively. Neither genetically determined ancestry nor self‐reported race/ethnicity were significantly associated with serum etonogestrel concentrations. AFR ancestry and self‐reported Black race had similar associations with reporting monthly periods (odds ratio [OR] 2.18, p = 0.09 vs. OR 2.22, p = 0.02) and having received treatment for bothersome bleeding (OR 5.19, p = 0.005 vs. OR 4.73, p = 2.0 × 10−4). In multivariable logistic regression for subjective weight gain, AMR ancestry dropped out of the model in preference for self‐reported Hispanic/Latina ethnicity. We found no new associations between genetically determined ancestry and contraceptive implant pharmacodynamics/pharmacokinetics. Self‐reported race/ethnicity were strong surrogates for genetically determined ancestry among this population of contraceptive implant users. Our data suggest that self‐reported race/ethnicity, capturing societal and cultural aspects, remain important to the investigation of progestin‐related side effects.