bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Multiplexed, Next Generation Sequencing Platform for High-Throughput Detection of SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Aynaud Marie-Ming , Hernandez J. Javier , Barutcu Seda , Braunschweig Ulrich , Chan Kin , Pearson Joel D. , Trcka Daniel , Prosser Suzanna L. , Kim Jaeyoun , Barrios-Rodiles Miriam , Jen Mark , Song Siyuan , Shen Jess , Bruce Christine , Hazlett Bryn , Poutanen Susan , Attisano Liliana , Bremner Rod , Blencowe Benjamin J. , Mazzulli Tony , Han Hong , Pelletier Laurence , Wrana Jeffrey L.
Published: October 2020

Population scale sweeps of viral pathogens, such as SARS-CoV-2, that incorporate large numbers of asymptomatic or mild symptom patients present unique challenges for public health agencies trying to manage both travel and local spread. Physical distancing is the current major strategy to suppress spread of the disease, but with enormous socio-economic costs. However, modelling and studies in isolated jurisdictions suggest that active population surveillance through systematic molecular diagnostics, combined with contact tracing and focused quarantining can significantly suppress disease spread1-3 and has significantly impacted disease transmission rates, the number of infected people, and prevented saturation of the healthcare system4-7. However, reliable systems allowing for parallel testing of 10-100,000’s of patients in larger urban environments have not yet been employed. Here we describe “COVID-19 screening using Systematic Parallel Analysis of RNA coupled to Sequencing” (C19-SPAR-Seq), a scalable, multiplexed, readily automated next generation sequencing (NGS) platform8 that is capable of analyzing tens of thousands of COVID-19 patient samples in a single instrument run. To address the strict requirements in clinical diagnostics for control of assay parameters and output, we employed a control-based Precision-Recall and predictive Receiver Operator Characteristics (coPR) analysis to assign run-specific quality control metrics. C19-SPAR-Seq coupled to coPR on a trial cohort of over 600 patients performed with a specificity of 100% and sensitivity of 91% on samples with low viral loads and a sensitivity of > 95% on high viral loads associated with disease onset and peak transmissibility. Our study thus establishes the feasibility of employing C19-SPAR-Seq for the large-scale monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 and other pathogens.
Prediction of Covid-19 Infections Through December 2020 for 10 US States Incorporating Outdoor Temperature and School Re-Opening Effects-September Update
Authors: Newell Ty
Published: October 2020

A two‐parameter, human behavior Covid‐19 infection growth model predicts total infections between‐4.2% (overprediction) and 4.5% (underprediction) of actual infections from July 27, 2020 to September 30, 2020 for 10 US States (NY, WA, GA, IL, MN, FL, OH, MI, CA, NC). During that time, total Covid‐19 infections for 9 of the 10 modeled US States grew by 60% (MI) to 95% (MN). Only NY limited Covid‐19 infection growth with an 11% increase from July 27 to September 30, 2020.

September is a month with contraposing effects of increased social interaction (eg, physical school openings) and outdoor temperatures decreasing to the 50F (10C) to 70F (21C) range in which outdoor activities and building ventilation are beneficially increased. All State infection predictions except GA, FL and CA predictions through September 30 are bounded by four prediction scenarios (no school with outdoor temperature effect, no school with no outdoor temperature effect, school with temperature effect, school with no temperature effect). GA, FL and CA continued along a path slightly below the linear infection growth boundary separating infection growth and decay, resulting in overprediction of infection growth over the two month simulation period(‐3.1% for GA, ‐1.9% for FL, and ‐4.5% for CA).

Three eastern States (NY, NC, and GA) are most accurately represented by models that assume no significant change in social interactions coupled with minor outdoor temperature effects. Four midwestern States (IL, MI, MN, OH) are most accurately modeled with minor outdoor temperature effects due to a delayed decrease in average outdoor temperatures in the Midwest. The remaining three States (WA, FL, and CA) are also in good agreement with the model but with differing weather condition and social interaction impacts.

Overall, model predictions continue to support the basic premise that human behavior in the US oscillates across a linear infection growth boundary that divides accelerated infection growth and decaying infection transmission.
Why do per capita COVID-19 Case Rates Differ Between U.S. States?
Authors: Chambless Lloyd
Published: October 2020

Background

The popular press has explored the differences among U.S. states in rates of COVID-19 cases, mostly focusing on political party differences, and often mentioning that political party differences in health outcomes are confounded by demographic and socio-economic differences between Democratic areas and Republican areas. The purpose of this paper is to present a thorough analysis of these issues.

Design and Methods

State-specific COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people was the main outcome studied, with explanatory variables from Bureau of Census surveys, including percentages of the state population that were Hispanic, black, below poverty level, had at least a bachelor’s degree, or were uninsured, along with median age, median income, population density, and degree of urbanization. We also included political party in power as an explanatory variable in multiple linear regression. The units of analysis in this study are the 50 U.S. states.

Results

All explanatory variables were at least marginally statistically significantly associated with case rate in univariate regression analysis, except for population density and urbanization. All the census characteristics were at least marginally associated with party in power in one factor analysis of variance, except for percentage black. In a forward stepwise procedure in a multivariable model for case rate, percentages of the state population that were Hispanic or black, median age, median income, population density, and (residual) percentage poverty were retained as statistically significant and explained 62% of the variation between states in case rates. In a model with political party in power included, along with any additional variables that notably affected the adjusted association between party in power and case rate, 69% of the variance between states in case rates was explained, and adjusted case rates per 100,000 people were 2155 for states with Democratic governments, 2269 for states with mixed governments, and 2738 for Republican-led states. These estimates are based on data through October 8, 2020.

Conclusions

U.S. state-specific demographic and socio-economic variables are strongly associated with the states’ COVID-19 case rates, so must be considered in analysis of variation in case rates between the states. Adjusting for these factors, states with Democrats as the party in power have lower case rates than Republican-led states.
Diabetic macular thickness diagnostic guideded by optical coherence tomography using artificial intelligence methods: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Brasileiro Fabiana , Bublitz Frederico M.
Published: October 2020

Introduction

diabetic retinopathy remains the mainly cause of blindness worldwide and its diagnoses and assessment is poorer as the countryside the patient is. To minimize de boundaries of health care and improve the accuracy how the treatment is stablished, the artificial intelligence (AI) techniques have been studied years ago using fundus phothographies for instance. This scoping review aims to study these AI techniques applied in Opctical Coherence Tomography (OCT) images.

Methods

This scoping review will follow the methodology framework defined in “Scoping studies: advancing the methodology”. In this methodological framework, six stages are proposed for scoping review

Studies

identifying the research question; identifying relevant studies; study selection; charting the data; collating, summarizing, and reporting the results; and consultation. The research questions aim to investigate what are the methods, and techniques used in artificial intelligence due to perfmorm a clinical diagnostic using OCT scanners. The team will focus on the Scopus Document Search e PubMed (Medline). The search query is a combination of terms related to Diabetic Retinopathy AND Artificial Intelligence.

Ethics and Dissemination

This is a scoping review study and there is no requirement for ethical approval, as primary data will not be collected. The results from this scoping review will be published in a peer reviewed journal and reported at scientific meetings. We intend to share the results with the Ophthalmologists.

ARTICLE SUMMARY

Strengths and Limitations of this study

This protocol uses a comprehensive approach, relating one research question, that will enable the identification of the main gaps and opportunities in the area;

Due to the comprehensiveness of this review protocol, it can serve as the basis for future works, with more specific scope, and the proposal of standards;

The investigation of who are the mainly artificial intelligence skills will allow other researchs in this area;

The inclusion of aspects of data governance in the protocol will serve as the basis for establishing an assessment model of artificial intelligence and diabetic macular thickness;

One weakness of this review protocol was the number of the studies including glaucoma in their criterias.
Echo chambers as early warning signals of widespread vaccine refusal in social-epidemiological networks
Authors: Phillips Brendon , Bauch Chris T.
Published: October 2020

Sudden shifts in population health and vaccination rates occur as the dynamics of some epidemiological models go through a critical point; literature shows that this is sometimes foreshadowed by early warning signals (EWS). We investigate different structural measures of a network as candidate EWS of infectious disease outbreaks and changes in popular vaccine sentiment. We construct a multiplex disease model coupling infectious disease spread and social contact dynamics. We find that the number and mean size of echo chambers predict transitions in the infection dynamics, as do opinion-based communities. Graph modularity also gives early warnings, though the clustering coefficient shows no significant pre-outbreak changes. Change point tests applied to the EWS show decreasing efficacy as social norms strengthen. Therefore, many measures of social network connectivity can predict approaching critical changes in vaccine uptake and aggregate health, thereby providing valuable tools for improving public health.
Spatiotemporal dynamics of PIEZO1 localization controls keratinocyte migration during wound healing
Authors: Holt Jesse R. , Zeng Wei-Zheng , Evans Elizabeth L. , Woo Seung-Hyun , Ma Shang , Abuwarda Hamid , Loud Meaghan , Patapoutian Ardem , Pathak Medha M.
Published: October 2020

Keratinocytes, the predominant cell type of the epidermis, migrate to reinstate the epithelial barrier during wound healing. Mechanical cues are known to regulate keratinocyte re-epithelization and wound healing however, the underlying molecular transducers and biophysical mechanisms remain elusive. Here, we show through molecular, cellular and organismal studies that the mechanically-activated ion channel PIEZO1 regulates keratinocyte migration and wound healing. Epidermal-specificPiezo1knockout mice exhibited faster wound closure while gain-of-function mice displayed slower wound closure compared to littermate controls. By imaging the spatiotemporal localization dynamics of endogenous PIEZO1 channels we find that channel enrichment in sub-cellular regions induces a localized cellular retraction that slows keratinocyte migration. Our findings suggest a potential pharmacological target for wound treatment. More broadly, we show that nanoscale spatiotemporal dynamics of Piezo1 channels can control tissue-scale events, a finding with implications beyond wound healing to processes as diverse as development, homeostasis, disease and repair.
High-resolution cryo-EM structure of photosystem II: Effects of electron beam damage
Authors: Kato Koji , Miyazaki Naoyuki , Hamaguchi Tasuku , Nakajima Yoshiki , Akita Fusamichi , Yonekura Koji , Shen Jian-Ren
Published: October 2020

Photosystem II (PSII) plays a key role in water-splitting and oxygen evolution. X-ray crystallography has revealed its atomic structure and some intermediate structures. However, these structures are in the crystalline state, and its final state structure has not been solved because of the low efficiencies of the S-state transitions in the crystals. Here we analyzed the structure of PSII in solution at 1.95 Å resolution by single-particle cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). The structure obtained is similar to the crystal structure, but a PsbY subunit was visible in the cryo-EM structure, indicating that it represents its physiological state more closely. Electron beam damage was observed at a high-dose in the regions that were easily affected by redox states, which was reduced by reducing the electron dose. This study will serve as a good indicator for determining damage-free cryo-EM structures of not only PSII but also all biological samples, especially redox-active metalloproteins.
Tasmanian devil facial tumor-derived extracellular vesicles reveal mesenchymal transition markers and adhesion molecules related to metastasis
Authors: Espejo Camila , Wilson Richard , Woods Gregory M. , Willms Eduard , Hill Andrew F. , Lyons A. Bruce
Published: October 2020

Tasmanian devils are threatened with extinction by Devil Facial Tumor Disease (DFTD), which consists of two genetically independent transmissible cancers (DFT1 and DFT2). Both cancers typically cause death due to metastases. However, the mechanisms underpinning DFTD metastasis are not well understood. The nano-sized, membrane-enclosed extracellular vesicles (EVs) released by cancer cells have been implicated in metastasis, thus EVs may yield insights into DFTD metastasis. Here, we characterized EVs derived from cultured DFT1, DFT2, and devil fibroblast cells. The proteome of EVs was determined using data independent acquisition mass spectrometry and an in-house spectral library of >1,500 proteins. Relative to EVs from fibroblast cells, EVs from both DFT1 and DFT2 cell lines expressed higher levels of proteins associated with cell adhesion and focal adhesion functions. Furthermore, hallmark proteins of epithelial mesenchymal transition, which are associated with increased metastatic features in some cancers, were enriched in DFT2 EVs relative to DFT1 EVs, suggesting differential aggressiveness between the cancers and a target for novel differential diagnosis biomarkers. This first EV-based investigation of DFTD increases our understanding of the cancers’ EVs and their possible involvement in the metastatic process. As EVs are found in body fluids, these results offer potential for non-invasive biomarkers for DFTD.
MiRNA-223 Inhibits MouseGallstone Formation by Targeting Key Transporters in Hepatobiliary Cholesterol Secretion Pathway
Authors: Zhao Feng , Ma Shiyu , Shen Wei , Li Yanghao , Peng Zihe , Cui Xiaolin , Xing Lina , Li Xiang , Liu Gang , Jin Lingling , Ma Tonghui , Shi Lei
Published: October 2020

Backgroud

MiRNA-223 has previously been reported to play an essential role in hepatic cholesterol homeostasis by suppressing cholesterol synthesis, attenuating cholesterol uptake by hepatocyte from and promoting cholesterol efflux into the blood. However, its role in regulation of biliary cholesterol secretion and gallstone formation remains unknown.

Methods

Mice with conventional knockout (KO), hepatocyte-specific knockout (ΔHepa) / knockdown (KD) or gain expression of miRNA-223 were included in the study and were subjected to lithogenic diet (LD) for various weeks. The gallbladders were harvested and subjected to cholesterol crystal imaging and gallstone mass measurement. Liver tissues were collected for western blotting, RT-qPCR, and immunohistochemistry staining. Levels of cholesterol, bile salt, phospholipids, and triglyceride were determined in serum, liver tissues, and bile by enzyme color reactive assays. 3’ UTR reporter gene assays were used to verify the direct target genes for miRNA-223.

Results

LD-induced gallstone formation was remarkably accelerated in miRNA-223 KO, ΔHepa, and KD mice with concurrent enhancement in total cholesterol levels in liver tissue and bile. Key biliary cholesterol transporters ABCG5 and ABCG8 were identified as direct targets of miRNA-223. Reversely, AAV-mediated hepatocyte-specific miRNA-223 overexpression prevented gallstone progression with reduced targets protein expression.

Conclusion

The present study demonstrates a novel role of miRNA-223 in the regulation of hepatic bile cholesterol secretion pathway and gallstone formation by targeting ABCG5 and ABCG8 expression. Therefore, elevating miRNA-223 would be a potentially novel approach to overcome the sternness of cholesterol gallstone disease.

Graphical Abstract
Evolution of structural dynamics in bilobed proteins
Authors: Gouridis Giorgos , Muthahari Yusran A. , de Boer Marijn , Tassis Konstantinos , Tsirigotaki Alexandra , Zijlstra Niels , Eleftheriadis Nikolaos , Xu Ruixue , Zacharias Martin , Griffith Douglas A. , Sugijo Yovin , Dömling Alexander , Karamanou Spiridoula , Economou Anastasios , Cordes Thorben
Published: October 2020

Novel biophysical tools allow the structural dynamics of proteins, and the regulation of such dynamics by binding partners, to be explored in unprecedented detail. Although this has provided critical insights into protein function, the means by which structural dynamics direct protein evolution remains poorly understood. Here, we investigated how proteins with a bilobed structure, composed of two related domains from the type-II periplasmic binding protein domain family, have undergone divergent evolution leading to modification of their structural dynamics and function. We performed a structural analysis of ~600 bilobed proteins with a common primordial structural core, which we complemented with biophysical studies to explore the structural dynamics of selected examples by single-molecule Förster resonance energy transfer and Hydrogen-Deuterium exchange mass spectrometry. We show that evolutionary modifications of the structural core, largely at its termini, enables distinct structural dynamics, allowing the diversification of these proteins into transcription factors, enzymes, and extra-cytoplasmic transport-related proteins. Structural embellishments of the core created new interdomain interactions that stabilized structural states, reshaping the active site geometry, and ultimately, altered substrate specificity. Our findings reveal an as yet unrecognized mechanism for the emergence of functional promiscuity during long periods of protein evolution and are applicable to a large number of domain architectures.
Phylogenetic placement of short reads without sequence alignment
Authors: Blanke Matthias , Morgenstern Burkhard
Published: October 2020

Phylogenetic placement is the task of placing a query sequence of unknown taxonomic origin into a given phylogenetic tree of a set of reference sequences. Several approaches to phylogenetic placement have been proposed in recent years. The most accurate of them need a multiple alignment of the reference sequences as input. Most of them also need alignments of the query sequences to the multiple alignment of the reference sequences. A major field of application of phylogenetic placement is taxonomic read assignment in metagenomics.

Herein, we proposeApp-SpaM, an efficient alignment-free algorithm for phylogenetic placement of short sequencing reads on a tree of a set of reference genomes.App-SpaMis based on theFiltered Spaced Word Matchesapproach that we previously developed. Unlike other methods, our approach neither requires a multiple alignment of the reference genomes, nor alignments of the queries to the reference sequences. Moreover,App-SpaMworks not only on assembled reference genomes, but can also take reference taxa as input for which only unassembled read sequences are available.

The quality of the results achieved withApp-SpaMis comparable to the best available approaches to phylogenetic placement. However, sinceApp-SpaMis not based on sequence alignment, it is between one and two orders of magnitude faster than those existing methods.
DNA methylation-based sex classifier to predict sex and identify sex chromosome aneuploidy
Authors: Wang Yucheng , Hannon Eilis , Grant Olivia A , Gorrie-Stone Tyler J , Kumari Meena , Mill Jonathan , Zhai Xiaojun , McDonald-Maier Klaus D , Schalkwyk Leonard C
Published: October 2020

Sex is an important covariate of epigenome-wide association studies due to its strong influence on DNA methylation patterns across numerous genomic positions. Nevertheless, many samples on the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) frequently lack a sex annotation or are incorrectly labelled. Considering the influence that sex imposes on DNA methylation patterns, it is necessary to ensure that methods for filtering poor samples and checking of sex assignment are accurate and widely applicable. In this paper, we presented a novel method to predict sex using only DNA methylation density signals, which can be readily applied to almost all DNA methylation datasets of different formats (raw IDATs or text files with only density signals) uploaded to GEO. We identified 4345 significantly (p< 0.01) sex-associated CpG sites present on both 450K and EPIC arrays, and constructed a sex classifier based on the two first components of PCAs from the two sex chromosomes. The proposed method is constructed using whole blood samples and exhibits good performance across a wide range of tissues. We further demonstrated that our method can be used to identify samples with sex chromosome aneuploidy, this function is validated by five Turner syndrome cases and one Klinefelter syndrome case. The proposed method has been integrated into thewateRmelonBioconductor package.
The microbiota plays a critical role in the reactivity of lung immune components to innate ligands
Authors: Marquant Quentin , Laubreton Daphné , Drajac Carole , Mathieu Elliot , Bouguyon Edwige , Noordine Marie-Louise , Remot Aude , Riffault Sabine , Thomas Muriel , Descamps Delphyne
Published: October 2020

The microbiota contributes to shaping efficient and safe immune defenses in the gut. However, little is known about the role of the microbiota in the education of pulmonary innate immune responses. Here, we tested whether the endogenous microbiota can modulate reactivity of pulmonary tissue to pathogen stimuli by comparing the response of specific pathogen-free (SPF) and germ-free (GF) mice. Using SPF and GF mice intranasally exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a component of Gram-negative bacteria, we observed earlier and greater inflammation in the pulmonary compartment of GF mice than that of SPF mice. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) was more abundantly expressed in the lungs of GF mice than those of SPF mice at steady state, which could predispose the innate immunity of GF mice to strongly react to environmental stimuli. Lung explants were stimulated with different TLR agonists or infected with the human airways pathogen, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), resulting in greater inflammation under almost all conditions for the GF explants. Finally, alveolar macrophages (AM) from GF mice presented a higher innate immune response upon RSV infection than those of SPF mice. Overall, these data suggest that the presence of microbiota in SPF mice induced a process of innate immune tolerance in the lungs by a mechanism which remains to be elucidated. Our study represents a step forward to establishing the link between the microbiota and the immune reactivity of the lungs.

Plain Language summary

Microbiota represents an important partner of immunologic system at the interface between immune cells and epithelium. It is well known, notably in the gut, that the microbiota contributes in shaping efficient and safe defenses. However, little is known about the role of the microbiota in the education of pulmonary innate immune responses. In this study, we postulate that endogenous microbiota could dampen an excessive reactivity of pulmonary tissue to external stimuli. Thus, we sought to study the innate immune reaction switched on by viral or bacterial ligands in respiratory tract cells coming from mice with or without microbiota (germ-free condition, GF). Altogether, our results show a higher inflammatory reaction in GF condition. This study represents a step forward to better establish the link between the microbiota and the reactivity of the lung tissue. Not only these data demonstrate that the microbiota educates the pulmonary innate immune system, but also contributes the emerging concept of using respiratory commensal bacteria as potential next-generation probiotics to prevent susceptibility to respiratory diseases.
Near-cognate initiation generates FMRpolyG from CGG repeats in Fragile X associated Tremor Ataxia Syndrome
Authors: Zhang Yuan , Glineburg M. Rebecca , Basrur Venkatesha , Conlon Kevin , Hall Deborah A. , Todd Peter K.
Published: October 2020

Repeat associated non-AUG (RAN) translation ofFMR15’ UTR CGG repeats produces toxic homo-polymeric proteins that accumulate within ubiquitinated inclusions in Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) patient brains and model systems. The most abundant RAN product, FMRpolyG, initiates predominantly at an ACG codon located just 5’ to the repeat. Methods to accurately measure FMRpolyG in FXTAS patients are lacking. Here we used data dependent acquisition (DDA) and parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) mass spectrometry coupled with stable isotope labeled standard peptides (SIS) to identify potential signature FMRpolyG fragments in patient cells and tissues. Following immunoprecipitation (IP) enrichment, we detected FMRpolyG signature peptides by PRM in transfected cells, FXTAS human samples and patient derived stem cells, but not in controls. Surprisingly, we identified two amino-terminal peptides: one beginning with methionine (Ac-MEAPLPGGVR) initiating at an ACG, and a second beginning with threonine (Ac-TEAPLPGGVR), initiating at a GUG. Abundance of the threonine peptide was enhanced relative to the methionine peptide upon activation of the integrated stress response. In addition, loss of the eIF2 alternative factor, eIF2A, or enhanced expression of initiation factor eIF1, preferentially suppressed GUG initiated FMRpolyG synthesis. These data demonstrate that FMRpolyG is quantifiable in human samples and that RAN translation onFMR1initiates at specific near cognate codons dependent on available initiation factors and cellular environment.
Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchoring is required for the proper transport and glycosylation of classical arabinogalactan protein precursor in tobacco BY-2 cells
Authors: Nagasato Daiki , Sugita Yuto , Tsuno Yuhei , Tanaka Rutsuko , Fukuda Maki , Matsuoka Ken
Published: October 2020

Arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs) are extracellular proteoglycans with many O-linked glycan chains. Precursors to many AGPs contain a C-terminal signal for the addition of a glycosylphosphatidylinositol(GPI)-anchor, but the role of this modification has not been elucidated. NtAGP1, a tobacco precursor to AGP, comprises a signal peptide, an AGP-coding region, and a GPI-anchoring signal, and it is classified as a member of the classical AGP family. Using green fluorescent protein (GFP) and sweet potato sporamin (SPO) as tags and tobacco BY-2 cells as the host, we analysed the transport and modification of NtAGP1. The fusion protein of GFP or SPO and NtAGP1 expressed in BY-2 cells migrated as a large smear on SDS-polyacrylamide gel. A confocal microscopic analysis indicated that the GFP and NtAGP1 fusion protein localized to the plasma membrane (PM) and intracellular structures. Fractionation studies of microsomes indicated that most of the fusion protein of SPO and NtAGP1 (SPO-AGP) localized to the PM. In contrast, the expression of mutants without a GPI-anchoring signal yielded several forms. The largest forms migrating as large smears on the gel were secreted into the culture medium, whereas other forms were recovered in the endomembrane organelles. A comparison of the glycan structures of the microsomal SPO-AGP and the secreted mutant SPO-AGP without a GPI-anchoring signal using antibodies against AGP glycan epitopes indicated that the glycan structures of these proteins differ. These observations indicate that a GPI-anchoring signal is required for both the proper transport and glycosylation of the AGP precursor.
Crystal structure of the unusual coordination polymer catena-poly[[gold(I)-μ-1,2-bis(diphenylphosphinothioyl)ethane-κ2
S:S′] dibromidoaurate(I)]
Authors: Taouss Christina , Calvo Marina , Jones Peter G.
Published: October 2020

In the title compound, {[Au(C26H24P2S2)][AuBr2]}
n
, the gold(I) centres of the cation are coordinated by the P=S groups of the disulfide ligands to form a chain polymer parallel to the c axis. Both independent gold atoms lie on the same twofold axis, and the midpoint of the H2C—CH2 bond lies on an inversion centre. The anions flank the polymeric chain; they are connected to it by short aurophilic interactions and C—H...Br contacts, and to each other by Br...Br contacts.
Synthesis, crystal structure, Hirshfeld surface analysis, MEP study and molecular docking ofN-{3-[(4-methoxyphenyl)carbamoyl]phenyl}-3-nitrobenzamide as a promising inhibitor of hfXa
Authors: Moreno-Fuquen Rodolfo , Hurtado-Angulo Mario , Arango-Daraviña Kevin , Bain Gavin , Kennedy Alan R.
Published: October 2020

The title compound, C21H17N3O5, consists of three rings,A,BandC, linked by amide bonds with the benzene ringsAandCbeing inclined to the mean plane of the central benzene ringBby 2.99 (18) and 4.57 (18)°, respectively. In the crystal, molecules are linkedviaN—H...O and C—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming fusedR22(18),R34(30),R44(38) rings running along [\overline{1}0\overline{1}] andR33(37) andR33(15) rings along [001]. Hirshfeld analysis was undertaken to study the intermolecular contacts in the crystal, showing that the most significant contacts are H...O/O...H (30.5%), H...C/C...H (28.2%) and H...H (29.0%). Two zones with positive (50.98 and 42.92 kcal mol−1) potentials and two zones with negative (−42.22 and −34.63 kcal mol−1) potentials promote the N—H...O interactions in the crystal. An evaluation of the molecular coupling of the title compound and the protein with enzymatic properties known as human coagulation factor Xa (hfXa) showed the potential for coupling in three arrangements with a similar minimum binding energy, which differs by approximately 3 kcal mol−1from the value for the molecule Apixaban, which was used as a positive control inhibitor. This suggests the title compound exhibits inhibitory activity.
Urbanization as taxidermy: “Man”hattanization of Mannahatta
Authors: Sadri Hossein
Published: October 2020

Purpose

This article unveils the similarities of today's space production systems with taxidermy. Giving examples from the transformation of natural environment during the history of Mannahatta (Manhattan), the article discusses the process of metamorphosis of habitats and ecosystems to anthropocentric artificial objects.

Design/methodology/approach

Referencing Lefebvre, urbanization is conceptualized as the production of abstract space that ultimately stifles life; by analogy, space taxidermy.

Findings

Using the analogy of taxidermy and abstract space production processes, the article introduces the necessity and the principles of restoring natural habitats.

Originality/value

Re-writing the urban and architectural history of Manhattan by focusing on four different scenes from its life-span, the article introduces a novel; a new narrative of the history of the city from the perspective of human-nature relations and the various ways habitats were shaped on this island during history.
The decision usefulness of reported changes in fair values and fair value measurement-related disclosure for debtholders: evidence from Australian real estate industry
Authors: Sangchan Pinprapa , Jiang Haiyan , Bhuiyan Md. Borhan Uddin
Published: October 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the information content of changes in fair values of investment property reported under international accounting standards (IAS) 40 and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) 13 to debtholders. This study further examines the effect of fair value hierarchy inputs, valuer types and the quality of fair value measurement-related disclosure on the information usefulness of changes in fair value.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper performs a panel regression on the cost of debt capital and changes in fair value of investment properties, and fair value measurement features using data covering periods 2007–2015 from Australian real estate companies.

Findings

The findings suggest that changes in fair value of investment property are informative about the real estate firm’s future cash flow to debtholders. Also, the findings show that the use of unobservable inputs in an active market (Level 3 inputs) and Level 2 has no different impacts on the cost of debts. Also, this paper documents that employing the directors solely in valuation may lead to a higher cost of debts. Furthermore, this paper reports that an extensive fair value disclosure appears no additional value in the debt decision.

Originality/value

Collectively, the findings indicate that although the use of unobservable inputs is common in the real estate sector, information on the changes of the fair value of investment properties are informative to debtholders. The findings have important implications for accounting standard setters to consider revisiting the IAS 40 and IFRS 13 on whether the independent valuation should be required and whether the extensive disclosure requirement is worthwhile.
Barriers to development of private sector investment in water and sewage industry
Authors: Sarvari Hadi , Chan Daniel W.M. , Banaitiene Nerija , Noor Norhazilan Md , Beer Michael
Published: October 2020

Purpose

Privatization is a complex issue in many developing countries; therefore, it is vital to examine the obstacles that prevent its proper implementation. The goal of this study is to identify and analyze the barriers to private sector investment in the Water and Sewage Industry (WSI) and to suggest effective ways to attract the private investors to this sector.

Design/methodology/approach

The obstacles to private sector investment in the WSI were identified by conducting a desktop literature review and interviewing an expert panel, using the fuzzy Delphi technique. The most important barriers were identified and categorized. A structured survey was then developed and distributed to private sector investment experts. The Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) was applied to further examine the responses and to rank the identified barriers.

Findings

The results showed that the greatest barrier to privatization is the weakness of insurance companies in controlling investment risks, and the second greatest barrier is the weakness of the country's capitalist culture. A review of recent success stories revealed that these barriers can be overcome with transparent price policies and increased interaction between the public and private sectors, which motivate private investors to invest in the WSI.

Originality/value

The elicitation of this study can be useful to both private and public sectors for the development of infrastructure projects, particularly for the WSI.
Employee perceptions of corporate social responsibility and organizational corruption: empirical evidence from Kosovo
Authors: Tafolli Festim , Grabner-Kräuter Sonja
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between perceived corporate social responsibility (PCSR) and perceived organizational corruption (POC) in a developing country context. The research suggests mediating roles of perceived ethical leadership (PEL) and job satisfaction (JS) in the PCSR–POC relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected through survey questionnaires. The sample consisted of 434 employees working in private and public organizations in Kosovo. Regression analysis was conducted by using a serial mediation model.

Findings

Applying a social learning framework, this study provides evidence that employees’ perceptions of corporate social responsibility (CSR) are positively related to perceived ethical leadership and job satisfaction and negatively related to perceived organizational corruption. Furthermore, results confirm that the relationship between CSR perception and organizational corruption perception is mediated by ethical leadership perception and job satisfaction.

Practical implications

Armed with the findings, organizations can adopt CSR practices to positively influence employee behaviors and attitudes. From these results, it is possible to better comprehend the role of CSR in dealing with relevant aspects such as corruption at the organizational level, especially in developing and emerging markets.

Social implications

The findings of this research indicate that employees in socially responsible organizations perceive less organizational corruption. Adopting a more ethical and responsible management approach might represent a promising solution to fight the corruption phenomenon inside and even outside organizations. These results should serve as reflection for both managers and public authorities.

Originality/value

With regard to CSR, previous studies have investigated different employee outcomes but never considered the potential impact on corruption at the organizational level. Furthermore, this study extends the literature by conceptualizing perceived ethical leadership and job satisfaction as mediators between perceived CSR and organizational corruption perception, in a developing country context where the concept of CSR is still less investigated.
Impact of students personality traits on social networking sites usage, benefits and risks
Authors: Ahmed Shamshad , Ramzan Muhammad , Sheikh Arslan , Ali Asif
Published: October 2020

Purpose

This study aims to explore the personality traits (agreeableness, extraversion, conscientiousness, openness to experience and neuroticism) of the students. The differences among the personality traits of students toward social networking sites (SNS) usage, benefits and risks are also analyzed.

Design/methodology/approach

Two instruments including; BFI scale and self-structured instrument, were administered to collect data. Kruskal–Wallis test was applied to determine the differences between the personality traits of students.

Findings

Results revealed that the majority of the students (298) possessed openness to experience, while only 12 possessed extraversion in their personality traits. Moreover, students possessing the extraversion trait use more SNS that impact negatively, while, students of the conscientiousness trait use SNS moderately that impact positively on their health, education and daily routine life. However, students of neuroticism are increasingly more users of SNS without considering the benefits or risks of SNS. Moreover, students having extraversion and conscientiousness traits can more judge the benefits and risks of SNS as compared to other personalities’ students. A significant difference was found among the personality traits of student’s use of SNS and risks while no difference was observed toward SNS benefits.

Originality/value

The findings of this study will help the students studying in different Pakistani universities/institutions to identify their personality traits and reduce the negative effects of SNS.
Learning through communication: exploring learning potential in teacher teams lesson study talk
Authors: Aas Hanne Kristin
Published: October 2020

Purpose

This paper discusses findings from a four-year research and development project using lesson study in a Norwegian elementary school. There are only a limited number of studies which have investigated how talk mediates teacher learning in lesson study, whereas research has shown that the form communication takes is the key to whether or not collaboration leads to learning. Focus in this paper is therefore on the talk which takes place in teacher teams when they meet to plan the research lesson in lesson study. The article explores sequences of talk that afford opportunities for teacher learning in order to understand what triggers and characterizes these opportunities.

Design/methodology/approach

Data consisted of audio recordings of four teacher teams made during planning meetings. Based on theoretical criteria, sequences of teacher talk which indicated potential for learning were selected for further analyses. These sequences were then coded with respect to what themes triggered this talk and what conversional routines were found.

Findings

The most frequent trigger of talk affording opportunities for learning was in relation to students and more specifically different needs of individual or subgroups of students. Didactic and purely curriculum-focussed issues triggered this kind of talk to a small degree. Conversional routines in the selected sequences concerned (1) taking a student perspective, (2) discussing impact on student learning behaviour and (3) generalizing (moving from specific accounts of classroom practice to general reflection on one's own practice).

Originality/value

This study aims to investigate what triggers and characterizes talk with learning potential in the lesson study work of teacher teams.
Monetary spillovers and real exchange rate misalignments in emerging markets
Authors: Banerjee Krittika , Goyal Ashima
Published: October 2020

Purpose

After the adoption of unconventional monetary policies (UMPs) in advanced economies (AEs) there were many studies of monetary spillovers to asset prices in emerging market economies (EMEs) but the extent of contribution of EMEs and AEs, respectively, in real exchange rate (RER) misalignments has not been addressed. This paper addresses the gap in a cross-country panel set-up with country specific controls.

Design/methodology/approach

Fixed effects, pooled mean group (Pesaran et al., 1999) and common correlated effects (Pesaran, 2006) estimations are used to examine the relationship. Multiway clustering is taken into account to ensure robust statistical inferences.

Findings

Robust evidence is found for significant monetary spillovers over 1998–2017 in the form of RER overvaluation of EMEs against AEs, especially through the portfolio rebalancing channel. EME RER against the US saw significantly more overvaluation in UMP years indicating greater role of the US in monetary spillovers. However, in the long-run monetary neutrality holds. EMEs did pursue mercantilist and precautionary policies that undervalued their RERs. Precautionary undervaluation is more evident with bilateral EME US RER.

Research limitations/implications

It may be useful for large EMEs to monitor the impact of foreign portfolio flows on short-run deviations in RER. Export diversification reduces EME mercantilist motives against the US. That AE monetary policy significantly appreciates EME RER has implications for future policy cooperation between EMEs and AEs.

Originality/value

To the best of the author's knowledge such a comparative analysis between AE and EME policy variables on RER misalignment has not been done previously.
New hope or old futures in disguise? Neoliberalism, the Covid-19 pandemic and the possibility for social change
Authors: Briggs Daniel , Ellis Anthony , Lloyd Anthony , Telford Luke
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to consider the implications of both the Covid-19 pandemic and UK lockdown for the social, political and economic future of the UK. Drawing on primary data obtained during the lockdown and the theoretical concepts of transcendental materialism and the “event”, the paper discusses the strength of participants' attachment to the “old normal” and their dreams of a “new normal”.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper utilises a semi-structured online survey (n = 305) with UK residents and Facebook forum debates collected during the lockdown period in the UK.

Findings

The findings in this paper suggest that while the lockdown suspended daily routines and provoked participants to reflect upon their consumption habits and the possibility of an alternative future, many of our respondents remained strongly attached to elements of pre-lockdown normality. Furthermore, the individual impetus for change was not matched by the structures and mechanisms holding up neoliberalism, as governments and commercial enterprises merely encouraged people to get back to the shops to spend.

Originality/value

The original contribution of this paper is the strength and depth of empirical data into the Covid-19 pandemic, specifically the lockdown. Additionally, the synthesis of empirical data with the novel theoretical framework of transcendental materialism presents an original and unique perspective on Covid-19.
Tribological behaviors of the water-lubricated rubber bearings under different lubricated conditions
Authors: Xiao Bin , Zheng Xiaolin , Zhou Yi , Yao Dan , Wan Yang
Published: October 2020

Purpose

This study aims to evaluate the tribological behavior of water-lubricated rubber bearings sliding against stainless steel under different lubricate conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

The water-lubricated rubber bearings under various normal loads and sliding speeds were carried out on the ring-block friction test, and the wear morphology is test conducted by using scanning electron microscope.

Findings

The results indicate that the surface of water-lubricated rubber bearings has a more alternative friction coefficient and wear rate under seawater than other lubricate conditions. The seawater not only acts as a lubricating medium but also brings microstructure while corroding the rubber interface, thereby further enhancing the lubricating effect and storing abrasive debris.

Originality/value

In this paper, tribological properties of the water-lubricated rubber bearing on ring-block friction test has been investigated. Water-lubricated rubber bearing was carried out on various lubricate conditions, and the friction coefficient, wear rate and worn surface were analyzed. Also, the effects of sliding speeds were investigated.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-06-2020-0204/