bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Novel Fusarium Wilt Resistance Genes Uncovered in the Wild Progenitors and Heirloom Cultivars of Strawberry
Authors: Pincot Dominique D. A. , Feldmann Mitchell J. , Hardigan Michael A. , Vachev Mishi V. , Henry Peter M. , Gordon Thomas R. , Rodriguez Alan , Cobo Nicolas , Cole Glenn S. , Coaker Gitta L. , Knapp Steven J.
Published: December 2021

Fusarium wilt, a soilborne disease caused byFusarium oxysporumf. sp.fragariae, poses a significant threat to strawberry (Fragaria×ananassa) production in many parts of the world. This pathogen causes wilting, collapse, and death in susceptible genotypes. We previously identified a dominant gene (FW1) on chromosome 2B that confers resistance to race 1 of the pathogen and hypothesized that gene-for-gene resistance to Fusarium wilt was widespread in strawberry. To explore this, a genetically diverse collection of heirloom and modern cultivars and wild octoploid ecotypes were screened for resistance to Fusarium wilt races 1 and 2. Here we show that resistance to both races is widespread and that resistance to race 1 is mediated by dominant genes (FW1, FW2, FW3, FW4, andFW5) on three non-homoeologous chromosomes (1A, 2B, and 6B). The resistance proteins encoded by these genes are not yet known; however, plausible candidates were identified that encode pattern recognition receptor or other proteins known to mediate gene-for-gene resistance in plants.

High-throughput genotyping assays for SNPs in linkage disequilibrium withFW1-FW5were developed to facilitate marker-assisted selection and accelerate the development of race 1 resistant cultivars. This study laid the foundation for identifying the genes encoded byFW1-FW5, in addition to exploring the genetics of resistance to race 2 and other races of the pathogen, as a precaution to averting a Fusarium wilt pandemic.

Key Message

Several race-specific resistance genes were identified and rapidly deployed via marker-assisted selection to develop strawberry cultivars resistant to Fusarium wilt, a devastating soil-borne disease.
Structural mechanism for bi-directional actin crosslinking by T-plastin
Authors: Mei Lin , Reynolds Matthew J. , Garbett Damien , Gong Rui , Meyer Tobias , Alushin Gregory M.
Published: December 2021

To fulfill the cytoskeleton’s diverse functions in cell mechanics and motility, actin networks with specialized architectures are built by crosslinking proteins, which bridge filaments to control micron-scale network geometry through nanoscale binding interactions via poorly defined structural mechanisms. Here, we introduce a machine-learning enabled cryo-EM pipeline for visualizing active crosslinkers, which we use to analyze human T-plastin, a member of the evolutionarily ancient plastin/fimbrin family of tandem calponin-homology domain (CHD) proteins. We define a sequential bundling mechanism which enables T-plastin to bridge filaments in both parallel and anti-parallel orientations. Our structural, biochemical, and cell biological data highlight inter-CHD linkers as key structural elements underlying flexible but stable crosslinking which are likely to be disrupted by mutations causing hereditary bone diseases. Beyond revealing how plastins are evolutionary optimized to crosslink dense actin networks with mixed polarity, our cryo-EM workflow will broadly enable analysis of the structural mechanisms underlying cytoskeletal network construction.

One sentence summary

Cryo-EM, biochemical, and cellular studies reveal how the crosslinking protein T-plastin bridges actin filaments in two opposing orientations.
The challenge of limited vaccine supplies: impact of prior infection on anti-spike IgG antibody trajectories after a single COVID-19 vaccination
Authors: Wei Jia , Matthews Philippa C. , Stoesser Nicole , Diamond Ian , Studley Ruth , Rourke Emma , Cook Duncan , Bell John I , Newton John N , Farrar Jeremy , Howarth Alison , Marsden Brian D. , Hoosdally Sarah , Jones E Yvonne , Stuart David I , Crook Derrick W. , Peto Tim E. A. , Walker A. Sarah , Eyre David W. , Pouwels Koen B. ,   the COVID-19 Infection Survey team
Published: December 2021

Given high SARS-CoV-2 incidence, coupled with slow and inequitable vaccine roll-out, there is an urgent need for evidence to underpin optimum vaccine deployment, aiming to maximise global population immunity at speed. We evaluate whether a single vaccination in previously infected individuals generates similar initial and subsequent antibody responses to two vaccinations in those without prior infection. We compared anti-spike IgG antibody responses after a single dose of ChAdOx1, BNT162b2, or mRNA-1273 SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in the COVID-19 Infection Survey in the UK general population. In 100,849 adults who received at least one vaccination, 13,404 (13.3%) had serological and/or PCR evidence of prior infection. Prior infection significantly boosted antibody responses for all three vaccines, producing a higher peak level and longer half-life, and a response comparable to those without prior infection receiving two vaccinations. In those with prior infection, median time above the positivity threshold was estimated to last for >1 year after the first dose. Single-dose vaccination targeted to those previously infected may provide protection in populations with high rates of previous infection faced with limited vaccine supply, as an interim measure while vaccine campaigns are scaled up.
Selection for infectivity profiles in slow and fast epidemics, and the rise of SARS-CoV-2 variants
Authors: Blanquart François , Hozé Nathanaël , Cowling Benjamin J. , Débarre Florence , Cauchemez Simon
Published: December 2021

Evaluating the characteristics of emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern is essential to inform pandemic risk assessment. A variant may grow faster if it produces a larger number of secondary infections (transmissibility advantage) or if the timing of secondary infections (generation time) is better. So far, assessments have largely focused on deriving the transmissibility advantage assuming the generation time was unchanged. Yet, knowledge of both is needed to anticipate impact. Here we develop an analytical framework to investigate the contribution of both the transmissibility advantage and generation time to the growth advantage of a variant. We find that the growth advantage depends on the epidemiological context (level of epidemic control). More specifically, variants conferring earlier transmission are more strongly favoured when the historical strains have fast epidemic growth, while variants conferring later transmission are more strongly favoured when historical strains have slow or negative growth. We develop these conceptual insights into a statistical framework to infer both the transmissibility advantage and generation time of a variant. On simulated data, our framework correctly estimates both parameters when it covers time periods characterized by different epidemiological contexts. Applied to data for the Alpha and Delta variants in England and in Europe, we find that Alpha confers a +54% [95% CI, 45-63%] transmissibility advantage compared to previous strains, and Delta +140% [98-182%] compared to Alpha, and mean generation times are similar to historical strains for both variants. This work helps interpret variant frequency and will strengthen risk assessment for future variants of concern.
STRAIGHT-IN: A platform for high-throughput targeting of large DNA payloads into human pluripotent stem cells
Authors: Grandela Catarina , Blanch-Asensio Albert , Brandão Karina O. , de Korte Tessa , Yiangou Loukia , Mol Mervyn P.H. , van Meer Berend J. , Mummery Christine L. , Davis Richard P.
Published: December 2021

Inserting large DNA payloads (>10 kb) into specific genomic sites of mammalian cells remains challenging. Applications ranging from synthetic biology to evaluating the pathogenicity of disease-associated variants for precision medicine initiatives would greatly benefit from tools that facilitate this process. Here, we merge the strengths of different classes of site-specific recombinases and combine these with CRISPR/Cas9-mediated homologous recombination to develop a strategy for stringent site-specific replacement of genomic fragments at least 50 kb in size in human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs). We demonstrate the versatility of STRAIGHT-IN (Serine and Tyrosine Recombinase Assisted Integration of Genes for High-Throughput INvestigation) by: (i) inserting various combinations of fluorescent reporters into hiPSCs to assess excitation-contraction coupling cascade in derivative cardiomyocytes, and; (ii) simultaneously targeting multiple variants associated with inherited cardiac arrhythmic disorder into a pool of hiPSCs. STRAIGHT-IN offers a precise approach to generate genetically-matched panels of hiPSC lines efficiently and cost-effectively.
Genomic ancestry, diet and microbiomes of Upper Palaeolithic hunter-gatherers from San Teodoro cave (Sicily, Italy)
Authors: Scorrano Gabriele , Nielsen Sofie Holtsmark , Lo Vetro Domenico , Mackie Meaghan , Margaryan Ashot , Fotakis Anna K. , Martínez-Labarga Cristina , Fabbri Pier Francesco , Allentoft Morten E. , Carra Marialetizia , Martini Fabio , Rickards Olga , Olsen Jesper V. , Cappellini Enrico , Sikora Martin
Published: December 2021

Recent improvements in the analysis of ancient biomolecules from human remains and associated dental calculus have provided new insights into the prehistoric diet and past genetic diversity of our species. Here we present a “multi-omics” study, integrating genomic and proteomic analyses of two post-Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) individuals from San Teodoro cave (Italy), to reconstruct their lifestyle and the post-LGM resettlement of Europe. Our analyses show genetic homogeneity in Sicily during the Palaeolithic, representing a hitherto unknown Italian genetic lineage within the previously identified “Villabruna cluster”. We argue that this lineage took refuge in Italy during the LGM, followed by a subsequent spread to central-western Europe. Multi-omics analysis of dental calculus showed a diet rich of animal proteins which is also reflected on the oral microbiome composition. Our results demonstrate the power of using a multi-omics approach in the study of prehistoric human populations.
iMUT-seq: high-resolution mapping of DSB mutational landscapes reveals new insights into the mutagenic mechanisms of DSB repair
Authors: Bader Aldo S. , Bushell Martin
Published: December 2021

DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are the most mutagenic form of DNA damage, and play a significant role in cancer biology, neurodegeneration and aging. However, studying DSB-induced mutagenesis is currently limited by the tools available for mapping these mutations. Here, we describe iMUT-seq, a technique that profiles DSB-induced mutations at high-sensitivity and single-nucleotide resolution around endogenous DSBs spread across the genome. By depleting 20 different DSB-repair factors we defined their mutational signatures in detail, revealing remarkable insights into the mechanisms of DSB-induced mutagenesis. We find that homologous-recombination (HR) is mutagenic in nature, displaying high levels of base substitutions and mononucleotide deletions due to DNA-polymerase errors, but simultaneously reduced translocation events, suggesting the primary role of HR is the specific suppression of genomic rearrangements. The results presented here offer new fundamental insights into DSB-induced mutagenesis and have significant implications for our understanding of cancer biology and the development of DDR-targeting chemotherapeutics.
The structural basis of mRNA recognition and binding by eukaryotic pseudouridine synthase PUS1
Authors: Grünberg Sebastian , Doyle Lindsey A. , Wolf Eric J. , Dai Nan , Corrêa Ivan R. , Yigit Erbay , Stoddard Barry L.
Published: December 2021

The chemical modification of RNA bases represents a ubiquitous activity that spans all domains of life. Pseudouridylation is the most common RNA modification and is observed within tRNA, rRNA, ncRNA and mRNAs. Pseudouridine synthase or ‘PUS’ enzymes include those that rely on guide RNA molecules and others that function as ‘stand-alone’ enzymes. Among the latter, several have been shown to modify mRNA transcripts. Although recent studies have defined the structural requirements for RNA to act as a PUS target, the mechanisms by which PUS1 recognizes these target sequences in mRNA are not well understood. Here we describe the crystal structure of yeast PUS1 bound to an RNA target that we identified as being a hot spot for PUS1-interaction within a model mRNA at 2.4 Å resolution. The enzyme recognizes and binds both strands in a helical base-paired RNA duplex, and thus guides the RNA containing the target uridine to the active site for subsequent modification of the transcript. The study also allows us to show the divergence of related PUS1 enzymes and their corresponding RNA target specificities, and to speculate on the basis by which PUS1 binds and modifies mRNA or tRNA substrates.
Allosteric regulation of the proteasome’s catalytic sites by the proteasome activator PA28γ /REGγ
Authors: Thomas Taylor A , Smith David M.
Published: December 2021

Proteasome Activator 28γ (PA28γ) is a member of the 11S family of proteasomal regulators that is constitutively expressed in the nucleus and is implicated in certain cancers, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and Poly-glutamine neurodegenerative diseases. However, how PA28γ functions in protein degradation remains unclear. Though PA28γ’s mechanism has been investigated for some time, many alternative hypotheses have not been tested: e.g. 1) substrate selection, 2) allosteric upregulation of the Trypsin-like catalytic site, 3) allosteric inhibition of the Chymotrypsin- and Caspase-like catalytic sites, 4) conversion of the Chymotrypsin- or Caspase-like sites to new Trypsin-like catalytic sites, and 5) gate-opening in combination with these. The purpose of this study was to conclusively determine how PA28γ regulates proteasome function. Here, we rigorously and definitively show that PA28γ uses an allosteric mechanism to upregulate the proteolytic activity of the 20S proteasome’s Trypsin-like catalytic site. Using a constitutively open channel proteasome, we were able to dissociate gating affects from catalytic affects demonstrating that the PA28γ-increases the affinity (Km) and Vmax for Trypsin-like peptide substrates. Mutagenesis of PA28γ also reveals that it does not select for (i.e. filter) peptide substrates, and does not change the specificity of the other active sites to trypsin-like. Further, using Cryo-EM we were able to visualize the C7 symmetric PA28γ-20S proteasome complex at 4.4Å validating it’s expected 11S-like quaternary structure and proteasome binding mode. The results of this study provide unambiguous evidence that PA28γ functions by allosterically upregulating the T-L like site in the 20S proteasome.

Significance Statement

This study rigorously demonstrates that PA28g allosterically activates the b-2 proteolytic site of the 20S proteasome directly without affecting 20S gating. Further, we generated the first human 11S-human 20S proteasome cryo-EM structure of the PA28g-20S complex showing that, despite it’s different affects on 20S activity, it has a similar quaternary structure as the other 11S family members. The significance of these findings is paramount as the b-2 site is responsible for post-basic cleavage and suggests that PA28g is specialized to degrade positively charged DNA binding proteins. Further, b-2 upregulation via PA28g could provide a protective effect against poly-glutamine expanded proteins, like Huntingtin. This work provides a framework for PA28g drug development to treat PA28g addicted cancers and Huntington’s Disease.
Mosaicism in clinical genetics
Authors: Mefford Heather C.
Published: December 2021

Genetic mosaicism is the state in which there are two or more different sets of cells in a single individual because of one or more postzygotic mutations, and its importance in clinical genetics has long been recognized (Hall, Am J Hum Genet43: 355 [1988]). In this Perspective, a paper in this special issue on mosaicism from Cook et al. (Cold Spring Harb Mol Case Studies7: a006125 [2021]) is discussed.
A new method for lattice reduction using directional and hyperplanar shearing
Authors: Cayron Cyril
Published: December 2021

A geometric method of lattice reduction based on cycles of directional and hyperplanar shears is presented. The deviation from cubicity at each step of the reduction is evaluated by a parameter called `basis rhombicity' which is the sum of the absolute values of the elements of the metric tensor associated with the basis. The levels of reduction are quite similar to those obtained with the Lenstra–Lenstra–Lovász (LLL) algorithm, at least up to the moderate dimensions that have been tested (lower than 20). The method can be used to reduce unit cells attached to given hyperplanes.
Effect of inulin and oat flour on viability of probiotics and physicochemical properties of reduced fat synbiotic ice cream
Authors: Mabrouk Ahmed Moawad , Abd-Elgawad Ahmed Rabea , Abd El-Montaleb Hani S.
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the viability of probiotics, physicochemical and sensory properties of reduced fat synbiotic ice cream.

Design/methodology/approach

The treatments were as follows: control was made by the addition of Lactobacillus salivarius NBIMCC 1589 and Lactobacillus crispatus NBIMCC 2451 (1:1). The treatments (T1, T2 and T3) were made with the addition of L. salivarius NBIMCC 1589 and L. crispatus NBIMCC 2451 (1:1) + 2% oat flour, 2% inulin and 4% oat flour + inulin (1:1). Physiochemical parameters (pH, moisture, fat, protein, fibre, ash, overrun, first dripping time and melting rate) were determined.

Findings

The ice cream with inulin and oat flour had lower moisture content, which was recorded 70.41, 69.88 and 68.82% for T1, T2 and T3, respectively. While the protein, fat and ash content of treated samples increased. The highest acidity (0.43%) was recorded in T3. The overrun increased by around 43% in T3 compared with control. The viable counts of probiotics were significantly (p = 0.05) decreased by two or three log cycles. Finally, T3 received the highest sensory score, which could be due to the combination between oat flour and inulin.

Originality/value

A novel ice cream was produced using a combination of inulin and oat flour, which enhanced the viability of added probiotics. Reduced fat synbiotic ice cream was a good carrier for probiotics, which facilitates the production of healthy dairy products.
Global consumer culture and national identity as drivers of materialism: an international study of convergence and divergence
Authors: Cleveland Mark , Papadopoulos Nicolas , Laroche Michel
Published: December 2021

Purpose

This paper studies the sociocultural drivers of materialism cross-culturally. Research in this area is scarce, even though rapid social transformations worldwide, fueled by globalization, make it imperative to identify the conditions under which commonalities and differences in materialistic tendencies are most likely to evidence among consumers as they seek to assert, restore, or enhance their self-concept and status in the context of global consumption trends.

Design/methodology/approach

The psychographic determinants of materialism were rigorously validated across a diverse set of eight countries, by investigating which facets of acculturation to global consumer culture and national ethnic identity, along with consumer ethnocentrism, encourage or repel materialism. Using multigroup SEM and other analyses, the authors confirmed construct dimensionality and ascertained the stability of the relationships.

Findings

The most consistent positive drivers of materialism were self-identification with global consumer culture and exposure to American-based global mass media. The results demonstrated the compatibility of national identity and traditions with materialistic tendencies. Materialism was positively related to or independent of consumer ethnocentrism.

Research limitations/implications

The findings offer consequential insights for both research and practice, although the cross-sectional character of survey research and certain sampling characteristics limit their generalizability.

Practical implications

The results pinpoint segments that spill over national boundaries, and those that remain geographically constrained, thus providing guidance for marketing and communication strategies to practitioners.

Social implications

The authors shed light on two widely held yet insufficiently researched assumptions: that the homogenizing effect of global consumer culture may be fomenting materialism worldwide, and that nationalistic, parochially oriented consumers may be more capable of resisting materialistic values.

Originality/value

The study design addresses several shortcomings of prior research, and its findings advance the understanding of materialism and its antecedents by identifying the conditions driving materialistic tendencies.
Exploring risk culture controls: to what extent can the development of organizational risk culture be controlled and how?
Authors: Grieser Franziska , Pedell Burkhard
Published: December 2021

Purpose

This study aims to explore the controllability of risk culture, identify and categorize risk culture controls used in firms and explore how industry and ownership structure affect the use of different risk culture controls.

Design/methodology/approach

This explorative study is based on 32 semi-structured interviews with 37 participants who are heads of risk management or top managers in German firms from different industries with different ownership structures.

Findings

Interviewees perceive risk culture to be largely controllable. The authors identify a wide spectrum of risk culture controls, ranging from leadership and motivational controls to risk competence controls; in each category, the authors find value-, symbol- and clan-based controls. Leadership controls were most extensively discussed by the interviewees. The use of risk culture controls varied based on industry and ownership structure.

Research limitations/implications

Due to the explorative character of the approach, the authors cannot claim representativeness for the results. The study is limited to one point in time and to a German sample. The findings imply that companies should select risk culture controls according to their own context and that implementation requires support by the top and middle management.

Originality/value

The authors respond to the call for more organizational studies on risk management that consider cultural paradigms (Arena et al., 2010; Mikes, 2011; Power, 2009). The study systematically identifies risk culture controls used in corporate practice and categorizes them. It provides tentative evidence of the relevance of context-specific factors for the use of risk culture controls.
Domain analytic paradigm: a quarter century exploration of fundamental ideas in information science
Authors: Wang Lin , Qiu Junping
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The conditions that domain analysis becomes an academic school of information science (IS) are mature. Domain analysis is one of the most important foundations of IS. The purpose of this paper is to analyze and discuss metatheoretical and theoretical issues in the domain analytic paradigm in IS.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper conducts a systematic review of representative publications of domain analysis. The analysis considered degree theses, journal articles, book chapters, conference papers and other materials.

Findings

Domain analysis maintains that community is the new focus of IS research. Although domain analysis centers on the domain and community, theoretical concerns on the social and individual dimensions of IS are inherent in it by its using sociology as its important approach and socio-cognitive viewpoint. For these reasons domain analysis can integrate social–community–individual levels of IS discipline as a whole. The role of subject knowledge in IS is discussed from the perspective of domain analysis. Realistic pragmatism that forms the philosophical foundation of domain analysis is argued and the implications of these theories to IS are presented.

Originality/value

The intellectual evolving landscape of domain analysis during a quarter century is comprehensively reviewed. Over the past twenty-five years, domain analysis has established its academic status in the international IS circle. Being an important metatheory, paradigm and methodology, domain analysis becomes the theoretical foundation of IS research. This paper assesses the current state of domain analysis and shows the contributions of domain analysis to IS. It also aims to inspire further exploration.
A sense of belonging helps! The alleviating effect of national identification on burnout among diplomats
Authors: Zhang Ling Eleanor , Lauring Jakob , Liu Ting
Published: December 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the interplay between burnout, national identity and career satisfaction among diplomats. In particular, the authors focus on the roles of home and host country identification as an emotional resource for overcoming the negative effects of job-related burnout.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey responses from 123 diplomats were used to assess the moderating role of home and host country identification on the relationship between burnout and career satisfaction.

Findings

Various combinations of high or low home or host country identification were tested, and the findings suggest that the negative effect of burnout on career satisfaction is reduced for those individuals that have high identification with both the home and the host country, while this is not the case for other combinations. This points to the beneficial effects of dual national identifications even for diplomats – a group that would normally be expected to identify strongly with the home country alone.

Originality/value

No existing study that the authors know of has explored the relationship between burnout, national identity and career satisfaction among diplomats or other types of expatriates. This is unfortunate because a better understanding of national identity could guide practitioners in finding ways to reduce the negative consequences of burnout in international organizations.
Dimensions of transformational leadership and organizational performance: the mediating effect of job satisfaction
Authors: Hilton Sam Kris , Madilo Wonder , Awaah Fred , Arkorful Helen
Published: December 2021

Purpose

Poor corporate governance was reported to significantly contribute to the 2017/2018 financial crisis in Ghana. As leadership is a vital concept in the corporate governance system, this study aims to examine the effect of transformational leadership on organizational performance and hypothesizes that job satisfaction mediates such a relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopted a quantitative research approach where a cross-sectional survey design was used to collect the data from 300 purposively sampled employees of five selected commercial banks. The data was analysed using PROCESS version 3.4.1.

Findings

The results show that individualized consideration is the dominant transformational leadership dimension being practiced by supervisors and managers in the selected commercial banks. Again, the four dimensions of transformational leadership have a positive effect on organizational performance, and such effect is significantly mediated by job satisfaction.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that the dimensions of transformational leadership should be continuously improved alongside strategically motivating employees to increase their satisfaction level to enhance organizational performance.

Originality/value

This study provides evidence that bank managers need to be cognizant that job satisfaction is vital in the industry and must be a focal point of corporate governance practices. The mere initiating of transformational leadership behaviours without a clear link to employee satisfaction may result in employee disengagement, consequently affecting the banks’ performance and survival.
Corporate governance and sustainability reporting quality: evidence from Nigeria
Authors: Erin Olayinka , Adegboye Alex , Bamigboye Omololu Adex
Published: December 2021

Purpose

This study aims to examine the association between corporate governance and sustainability reporting quality of listed firms in Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors measure corporate governance using board governance variables (board size, board independence, board gender diversity and board expertise) and audit committee attributes (audit committee size, audit expertise and audit meeting). The authors measured sustainability reporting quality using a scoring system, which ranges between 0 and 4. The highest score is achieved when sustainability reporting is independently assured by an audit firm. The lowest score refers to the absence of sustainability reporting. The study emphasizes 120 listed firms on Nigeria Stock Exchange using the ordered logistic regression technique.

Findings

The results indicate that board governance variables (board size, board gender diversity and board expertise) and audit committee attributes (audit committee size, audit expertise and audit meeting) are significantly associated with sustainability reporting quality. Additional analysis reveals that external assurance contributes to the quality of sustainability reporting through corporate governance characteristics.

Research limitations/implications

This study is restricted to a single country. Future studies should consider a cross-country study, which may help to establish a comparative analysis. Likewise, the future study could consider other regression techniques using a continuous measurement of the global reporting initiative in measuring sustainability reporting quality.

Practical implications

This study’s findings have important implications for policymakers and practitioners, especially the corporate executives and top management. Companies are encouraged to restructure their board to enhance better monitoring and support towards better sustainability reporting.

Social implications

Disclosure on sustainability reporting helps corporate organizations advance the issues of sustainability both nationally and globally.

Originality/value

This current study adds to accounting literature by examining how corporate governance contributes to sustainability reporting practices within the Nigerian context. Drawing from the result, the study provides strong interconnectivity between the corporate board and audit committee in driving sustainability reporting quality within an organizational context.
French men's professional basketball under the economic shock of the Covid-19
Authors: Carin Yann , Desquennes Cyprien , Jaworski Lukas , Andreff Wladimir
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the economic effects of Covid-19 on French men's professional basketball club championships. Three research questions are raised: What are the characteristics of the economic model of French men's professional basketball? Has this economic model changed over the 2008/2009 to 2018/2019 period? What are the economic effects of the Covid-19 crisis on the finance of French men's professional basketball clubs?

Design/methodology/approach

Relying on a privileged access to the financial data of professional clubs in the two top-tier divisions (456 observations: 222 in Pro A/Jeep Elite and 234 in Pro B), this research focuses on economic models of French men's professional basketball clubs. The breakdown of revenues, expenses and financial performance is examined over the 2008/2009 to 2018/2019 period. The short-term economic effects of Covid-19 are measured over the 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 seasons.

Findings

The Covid-19 crisis, at least in the short term (2019/2020 season), has affected revenues and expenses. With the closedown of the championship, two out of three main revenue sources have significantly decreased, while two main expense sources have decreased as well. The net incomes of Jeep Elite and Pro B clubs are in the black contrasting with the 2018/2019 season (pre-Covid) owing to clubs having benefited from governmental and federal measures and a stronger support from local authorities and their shareholders.

Practical implications

Given the financial difficulties that clubs would have faced without governmental support, the federation and leagues would be well advised to develop a real crisis management competence within professional clubs. Owners of French professional men’s basketball clubs must increasingly adopt product diversification strategies to be better prepared for future crises.

Originality/value

Recent research on the economic effects of Covid-19 has focused on professional and amateur football. To the best of our knowledge, one does not avail detailed research on the potential effects of a health crisis fought with containment measures on professional basketball clubs. French professional basketball deserves to be studied because it has the third largest professional league revenue (behind football and rugby) and it is the second most practiced sport in France. Its sources of finance, which are different from those witnessed in football and rugby, also make it an appropriate subject for study.
Enhancing operations management through smart sensors: measuring and improving well-being, interaction and performance of logistics workers
Authors: Aloini Davide , Fronzetti Colladon Andrea , Gloor Peter , Guerrazzi Emanuele , Stefanini Alessandro
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The purpose of the research is to conduct an exploratory investigation of the material handling activities of an Italian logistics hub. Wearable sensors and other smart tools were used for collecting human and environmental features during working activities. These factors were correlated with workers' performance and well-being.

Design/methodology/approach

Human and environmental factors play an important role in operations management activities since they significantly influence employees' performance, well-being and safety. Surprisingly, empirical studies about the impact of such aspects on logistics operations are still very limited. Trying to fill this gap, the research empirically explores human and environmental factors affecting the performance of logistics workers exploiting smart tools.

Findings

Results suggest that human attitudes, interactions, emotions and environmental conditions remarkably influence workers' performance and well-being, however, showing different relationships depending on individual characteristics of each worker.

Practical implications

The authors' research opens up new avenues for profiling employees and adopting an individualized human resource management, providing managers with an operational system capable to potentially check and improve workers' well-being and performance.

Originality/value

The originality of the study comes from the in-depth exploration of human and environmental factors using body-worn sensors during work activities, by recording individual, collaborative and environmental data in real-time. To the best of the authors' knowledge, the current paper is the first time that such a detailed analysis has been carried out in real-world logistics operations.
Effect of adding salty‐taste enhancers on physicochemical and microstructural characteristics of reduced‐NaCl UF cheese using mixture design methodology
Authors: Mahmoodi Zohre , Zendeboodi Fatemeh , Mortazavian Amir Mohammad , Farhoodi Mehdi , Mofid Vahid , Mohammadi Moghaddam Toktam , Mehraban Sang Atash Masoome
Published: December 2021

The aim of this study was to evaluate the interaction of sodium chloride, l‐arginine, oregano extract and yeast extract on the physicochemical properties of reduced‐NaCl UF cheese. l‐arginine addition significantly enhanced the moisture content, pH values, adhesiveness and salty taste of samples. The increase in the oregano extract enhanced the moisture content, redness value and hardness of UF cheese, while reducing the lightness value and overall acceptance. In addition, yeast extract had a notable influence on pH, yellowness and textural properties. The amount of each component for producing the optimum formulation was determined based on physicochemical and sensory properties of cheese samples.
Effect of dehydroepiandrosterone administration before in vitro fertilization on the live birth rate in poor ovarian responders according to the Bologna criteria: A randomised controlled trial
Authors: Wang Ze , Yang Aijun , Bao Hongchu , Wang Ancong , Deng Xiaohui , Xue Dena , Tan Huifang , Zhou Yi , Wu Chuanye , Chen Zi‐Jiang , Shi Yuhua
Published: December 2021

Objective

To evaluate the effect of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) pre‐treatment before in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF‐ET) on the live birth rate in infertile women with poor ovarian response (POR) defined according to the Bologna criteria.

Design

A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial.

Setting

Nine reproductive medical centers in China.

Population

A total of 821 participants with POR defined according to the Bologna criteria were enrolled in the study between April 2016 and December 2018.

Methods

Eligible participants were randomly assigned to receive either DHEA (n = 410) or placebo (n = 411) treatments for 4–12 weeks prior to IVF‐ET, in a 1:1 ratio.

Main outcome measures

Live birth rate after the first embryo transfer.

Results

Thirty‐six (8.8%) of 410 women in the DHEA group and 37 (9.0%) of 411 women in the placebo group had a live birth, with no significant difference observed between groups (relative risk, 0.98, 95% CI, 0.63–1.51; p = 0.911). There were no significant differences in the number of retrieved oocytes, and the rates of clinical pregnancy, pregnancy loss, and cumulative live births between the two groups.

Conclusions

DHEA administration prior to IVF‐ET had no beneficial effect on the live birth rate relative to placebo in women with POR defined according to the Bologna criteria.

Tweetable Abstract

No benefit was found in poor ovarian responders who received DHEA administration prior to IVF.
Maternal and fetal outcomes in women with cerebrovascular malformations in pregnancy: A multicentre retrospective cohort study
Authors: Cauldwell Matthew , Bredaki Emma , Dassan Pooja , Dhanjal Mandish K. , Kaler Mandeep , Madipola Nissanka , Mahmud Mohammad , Paviour Dominic , Senvar Naz , de Silva Rajith , Watt‐Coote Ingrid , Williams David , Yulia Angela , Steer Philip J.
Published: December 2021

Objective

To determine maternal, obstetric and neonatal outcomes in a cohort of women with cerebrovascular malformations (CVMs) that include arterial venous malformations (AVMs) and cavernomas.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Six specialist centres managing pregnant women with neurological disorders.

Population

Sixty‐three women with CVMs in 83 pregnancies of ≥20 completed weeks’ gestation.

Methods

Retrospective case notes review.

Main outcome measures

Neurological outcomes including rates of acute cerebral bleeding in pregnancy and reported seizures during pregnancy. Maternal outcomes included number of women with a livebirth and the proportion of women being delivered by caesarean section.

Results

Most women had a good pregnancy outcome with high rates of vaginal delivery (73%) at term. There were no maternal deaths. Six women had an acute cerebral bleed, all of whom were delivered by planned caesarean section. In total, ten women had seizures in pregnancy (of whom four also had a bleed). Six (7%) babies were admitted to a neonatal unit. There was no significant difference in outcomes between women with AVMs and those with cavernomas.

Conclusion

In the majority of cases, pregnancy outcomes were favourable, with most women having a vaginal delivery. All cases of cerebral bleeds that occurred were at a remove from the peripartum period.

Tweetable Abstract

Women with cerebrovascular malformations have high rates of vaginal delivery.
In the shadow of 9/11: How the study of political extremism has reshaped criminology*
Authors: LaFree Gary
Published: December 2021

White‐collar crime and illegal political extremism share several characteristics with relevance to criminology. Neither is associated with lower socioeconomic status individuals, both involve perpetrators that rarely see themselves as criminal, and both face unique data challenges. Following Edwin Sutherland's influential research, the study of white‐collar crime became a recognized specialization within criminology. Similarly, following the coordinated attacks of September 11, 2001, political extremism became increasingly accepted as a legitimate research topic in criminology. I explore several ways that the study of terrorism has influenced criminological research and how responses to terrorist attacks since 9/11 can help us understand policing. Terrorism research has vividly illustrated the socially constructed nature of crime, has encouraged researchers to see not only the deterrence potential of punishment but also its capacity to produce backlash, has accelerated cross‐national criminology research, and has hastened the embrace of open sources as an important form of criminal justice data. Changes in policing following 9/11 and the resulting war on terror also provide critical insights into the extent to which policing depends on community trust and legitimacy. As with the embrace of white‐collar crime nearly a century ago, mainstream criminology has been enriched by widening its scope to include political extremism.
Effect of physical manipulation pulmonary rehabilitation on lung cancer patients after thoracoscopic lobectomy
Authors: Zhou Ting , Sun Chao
Published: December 2021

Background

To introduce a new postoperative pulmonary rehabilitation program named physical manipulation pulmonary rehabilitation (PMPR) and to explore the effect of perioperative management, including PMPR, on patients with non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after thoracoscopic lobectomy.

Methods

A randomized controlled trial was conducted between April and June 2021 at the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Beijing Hospital. Adult patients with NSCLC who had undergone thoracoscopic lobectomy were allocated to the treatment and control groups using a random number table. The treatment group received both conventional pulmonary rehabilitation (CVPR) and 14 days of PMPR after surgery; the control group patients received CVPR only. PMPR included relaxing and exercising the intercostal muscles, thoracic costal joint and abdominal breathing muscles. Pulmonary function tests and the 6‐min walk test were conducted preoperatively and 7, 14, 21 and 28 days postoperatively. The postoperative length of hospital stay, chest tube retention time and postoperative pulmonary complications were recorded. The baseline data, pulmonary function parameters and prognosis were compared with t‐ and chi‐square tests between the two groups.

Results

A total of 86 patients were enrolled, and 44 patients were allocated to the treatment group. There were no significant differences in the baseline data for age, sex, body mass index, basic disease, surgical plan or preoperative pulmonary function between the two groups (all p > 0.05). The peak expiratory flow of patients in the treatment group was higher than that of those in the control group 21 days after surgery (316 ± 95 vs. 272 ± 103 l/min, respectively, p = 0.043), and forced expiratory volume in the first second on day 28 after surgery was greater than that in the control group (2.1 ± 0.2 vs. 1.9 ± 0.3 L, respectively, p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in forced vital capacity or 6‐min walk test scores (both p > 0.05). There were no significant differences in the incidences of pneumonia and atelectasis between the two groups (both p > 0.05). The postoperative length of hospital stay (3.3 ± 1.3 vs. 3.9 ± 1.5 days, p = 0.043) and chest tube retention time (66 ± 30 vs. 81 ± 35 h, p = 0.036) in the treatment group were shorter than those in the control group.

Conclusions

We determined that PMPR could improve early lung function in patients with NSCLC after thoracoscopic lobectomy, and that chest tube retention time and length of hospital stay were shortened.
Using death scene and toxicology evidence to define involvement of heroin, pharmaceutical morphine, illicitly manufactured fentanyl and pharmaceutical fentanyl in opioid overdose deaths, 38 states and the District of Columbia, January 2018–December 2019
Authors: O'Donnell Julie , Gladden R. Matt , Kariisa Mbabazi , Mattson Christine L.
Published: December 2021

Background and Aims

Tracking specific drugs contributing to drug overdose deaths is limited when relying on death certificate (DC) data alone. This study aimed to determine whether integrating DC data with medical examiner/coroner reports, including postmortem toxicology and death investigation findings, would enhance identification of (1) heroin and pharmaceutical morphine involvement in overdose deaths and (2) fentanyl source (illicitly manufactured versus pharmaceutical).

Design

Retrospective analysis of heroin, pharmaceutical morphine, illicitly manufactured fentanyl (IMF) and pharmaceutical fentanyl involvement in fatal overdoses. DC and toxicology data were compared with enhanced definitions integrating overdose scene, witness and toxicology evidence.

Setting

United States: 38 states and the District of Columbia, participating in Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)‐funded opioid overdose death surveillance.

Cases

Opioid overdose decedents from funded jurisdictions; deaths during 1 January 2018–31 December 2019.

Measurements

Using medical examiner/coroner report data, deaths with 6‐acetylmorphine and/or morphine detected by postmortem toxicology were defined as confirmed, probable or suspected heroin deaths, or probable pharmaceutical morphine deaths. Fentanyl was defined as probable or suspected IMF or probable pharmaceutical fentanyl.

Findings

The enhanced definition defined 18 393 deaths as confirmed, probable, or suspected heroin deaths (including 2678 with morphine listed as cause of death on the DC) and 404 as probable pharmaceutical morphine deaths. Among deaths with fentanyl detected, 89.3% were defined as probable or suspected IMF and 1.0% as probable pharmaceutical fentanyl. Fentanyl source could not be determined for 9.7% of deaths.

Conclusions

Integrating drug overdose scene, witness and toxicology findings can improve identification of specific drugs contributing to overdose deaths and enhance overdose intervention targeting.