bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The evolving challenges confronting adults living with HIV in three North African countries during the COVID-19 crisis: a survey-based study
Authors: Cordie Ahmed , AbdAllah Mohamed , El Desouky Eman , Kheir Sara Gabrallah Mohamed , Kooli Ikbal , Awad Mousnad Mohamed , Idris Fatima Haj , Abdella Heba , Chakroun Mohamed , Esmat Gamal
Published: September 2021

Background

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has resulted in a huge burden on healthcare systems, especially on programs for chronic illnesses such as HIV. We aimed to assess the challenges confronting adult people living with HIV (PLHIV) in three countries in North Africa during the COVID-19 crisis and their awareness of COVID-19 non-pharmaceutical preventive measures.

Methods

This online survey included PLHIV aged ≥18 y from three countries in North Africa recruited by a snowball sampling technique, who were asked to complete a modified questionnaire originally developed by the University of Antwerp in Belgium, which was then disseminated through social media tools to assess the study outcomes.

Results

Out of 369 respondents, 260 (70.5%) were males and 237 (64.2%) were aged 18–39 y. Adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures, wearing facemasks (308 [83.2%]), applying hand-sanitizers (299 [80.8%]) and following cough etiquette (261 [70.5%]), were predominantly reported. Only 48 (13%) were vaccinated against influenza. One hundred and forty-five participants (42%) experienced flu-like symptoms, 29 (20%) were tested for COVID-19, with only one confirmed case identified. Among 344 (93.2%) on antiretroviral therapy (73.8% efavirenz- vs 6.4% dolutegravir-based regimens), 219 (63.7%) attended their scheduled visits, 144 (41.9%) had limited access to care due to lockdown and 29 (8.4%) became less adherent to their antiretroviral therapy. Covariates associated with challenges during access to care were age ≥60 y (OR=6.5; 95% CI 1.8 to 23.2) and receiving second-line HIV treatment such as protease inhibitors (OR=2.7; 95% CI 1.3 to 5.8).

Conclusion

The pandemic adversely affected PLHIV. New innovative strategies should be implemented to ensure the continuity of HIV services.
Implementing standardized substance use disorder screening in primary care
Authors: Jones Quinnette , Johnston Barbara , Biola Holly , Gomez Sandra , Crowder Carolyn
Published: September 2021

Objectives:

This quality improvement initiative aimed to develop and implement a protocol for an alcohol and substance use disorder screening for primary care.

Methods:

The Two Item Conjoint Screen was selected and a process was piloted by care teams. Quality improvement tools were used to improve the protocol. Primary care providers (PCPs) were surveyed about their use of the screening protocol in the primary care setting. Data on total number of screenings were collected through the electronic health record.

Results:

Implementation resulted in more than 30,000 screenings completed in 2016. PCP survey results indicated that PCPs felt screening was helpful in identifying potential substance use problems (100%) and that most providers (76%) felt that overall patient care improved after screening was initiated.

Conclusions:

Brief alcohol and substance use disorder screenings can be easily implemented and well integrated into primary care settings. PCPs found screenings to be valuable in caring for patients.
Diagnosis and Acute Management of COVID-19 and Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children
Authors: Kortz Teresa B. , Connolly Emilia , Cohen C. Lee , Cook Rebecca E. , Jonas Jennifer A. , Lipnick Michael S. , Kissoon Niranjan
Published: September 2021

Most children with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection are asymptomatic or have mild disease. About 5% of infected children will develop severe or critical disease. Rapid identification and treatment are essential for children who are critically ill with signs and symptoms of respiratory failure, septic shock, and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children. This article is intended for pediatricians, pediatric emergency physicians, and individuals involved in the emergency care of children. It reviews the current epidemiology of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in children, summarizes key aspects of clinical assessment including identification of high-risk patients and manifestations of severe disease, and provides an overview of COVID-19 management in the emergency department based on clinical severity.
Standardized incidence ratio of the COVID-19 pandemic: a case study in a Midwestern state
Authors: Spors Emma , Michael Semhar
Published: September 2021

Motivation

The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has made a dramatic impact around the world, with some communities facing harsher outcomes than others. We sought to understand how counties in the state of South Dakota (SD) fared compared to expected based on a reference population and what factors contributed to negative outcomes from the pandemic in SD.

Methods

The Standardized Incidence Ratios (SIR) of all counties, using age-adjusted and crude adjusted hospitalization and death rates were computed using the SD age-adjusted rate as a reference population. In addition, a penalized generalized linear regression model was used to identify factors that are associated with COVID-19 hospitalization and death rates. This model was then used to compute a new SIR after controlling for other socio-demographic and -economic factors.

Results

We identified counties that had more or less severe outcomes than what would be expected based on the rate of SD after age adjustment. Additionally, race, education, and testing rate were some of the significant factors associated with the outcome. The SIR values after controlling for these additional factors showed change in magnitude from the range of 4 times more severe to 1.5 times more severe out-come than what is expected. Interestingly the lower end of this interval did not have a major change.

Conclusion

The age adjusted SIR model used in this study allowed for the identification of counties with more or less severe than what is expected based on the state rate. These counties tended to be those with high nonwhite percentage, which mostly included counties with American Indian reservations. Although several predictors are associated with hospitalization and deaths, the penalized model confirmed what is already reported in literature that race and education level have a very high association with the outcome variables. As can be expected the further adjusted SIR mostly changed in those counties with higher than expected outcomes. We believe that these results may provide useful information to improve the implementation of mitigation strategies to curb the damage of this or future pandemics by providing a way for data-driven resource allocation.
Increasing coordination and responsivity of emotion-related brain regions with a heart rate variability biofeedback randomized trial
Authors: Nashiro Kaoru , Min Jungwon , Yoo Hyun Joo , Cho Christine , Bachman Shelby L. , Dutt Shubir , Thayer Julian F. , Lehrer Paul , Feng Tiantian , Mercer Noah , Nasseri Padideh , Wang Diana , Chang Catie , Marmarelis Vasilis Z. , Narayanan Shri , Nation Daniel A. , Mather Mara
Published: September 2021

Heart rate variability is a robust biomarker of emotional well-being, consistent with the shared brain networks regulating emotion regulation and heart rate. While high heart rate oscillatory activity clearly indicates healthy regulatory brain systems, can increasing this oscillatory activity also affect brain function? To test this possibility, we randomly assigned 106 young adult participants to one of two 5-week interventions involving daily biofeedback that either increased heart rate oscillations (Osc+ condition) or had little effect on heart rate oscillations (Osc- condition) and examined effects on brain activity during rest and during regulating emotion. While there were no significant changes in the right amygdala-medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC) functional connectivity (our primary outcome), the Osc+ intervention increased left amygdala-MPFC functional connectivity and functional connectivity in emotion-related resting-state networks during rest. It also increased down-regulation of activity in somatosensory brain regions during an emotion regulation task. The Osc- intervention did not have these effects. In this healthy cohort, the two conditions did not differentially affect anxiety, depression or mood. These findings indicate that heart rate oscillatory activity not only provides a measure of the current state of regulatory brain systems but also changes emotion network coordination in the brain.

Significance Statement

People whose breathing makes their heart rate oscillate more (leading to higher heart rate variability or HRV) generally have better regulated emotion. Thus, HRV may indicate functioning of brain networks regulating emotion and internal body states. But heart rate oscillations may not only reflect brain regulatory networks but also help shape these networks. We randomly assigned participants to practice either increasing heart rate oscillations using slow-paced breathing or decreasing them using personalized strategies. Daily practice increasing heart rate oscillations affected brain activity in emotion-related networks even during times when participants breathed no differently than the comparison group. Thus, HRV is more than just an outcome measure--it can help shape the subsequent functioning of emotion-related brain networks.
Integration of genetic colocalizations with physiological and pharmacological perturbations identifies cardiometabolic disease genes
Authors: Gloudemans Michael J. , Balliu Brunilda , Nachun Daniel , Durrant Matthew G. , Ingelsson Erik , Wabitsch Martin , Quertermous Thomas , Montgomery Stephen B. , Knowles Joshua W. , Carcamo-Orive Ivan
Published: September 2021

Background

Identification of causal genes for polygenic human diseases has been extremely challenging, and our understanding of how physiological and pharmacological stimuli modulate genetic risk at disease-associated loci is limited. Specifically, insulin resistance (IR), a common feature of cardiometabolic disease, including type 2 diabetes, obesity, and dyslipidemia, lacks well-powered GWAS, and therefore few associated loci and causal genes have been identified.

Results

Here, we perform and integrate LD-adjusted colocalization analyses across nine cardiometabolic traits combined with eQTLs and sQTLs from five metabolically relevant human tissues (subcutaneous and visceral adipose, skeletal muscle, liver, and pancreas). We identify 470 colocalized loci and prioritize 207 loci with a single colocalized gene. To elucidate upstream regulators and functional mechanisms for these genes, we integrate their transcriptional responses to 21 physiological and pharmacological cardiometabolic regulators in human adipocytes, hepatocytes, and skeletal muscle cells, and map their protein-protein interactions.

Conclusions

Our use of transcriptional responses under metabolic perturbations to contextualize genetic associations from our state-of-the-art colocalization approach provides a list of likely causal genes and their upstream regulators in the context of IR-associated cardiometabolic risk.
Comparative transcriptomic analysis of maize ear heterosis during the inflorescence meristem differentiation stage
Authors: Shi Xia , li Weihua , Guo Zhanyong , Wu Mingbo , Zhang Xiangge , Yuan Liang , Qiu Xiaoqian , Xing Ye , Sun Xiaojing , Xie Huiling , Tang Jihua
Published: September 2021

Heterosis is widely used in many crops; however, its genetic mechanisms are only partly understood. Here, we sampled inflorescence meristem (IM) ears from the single-segment substitution maize (Zea mays) line lx9801hlEW2b, containing a heterotic locus hlEW2b associated with ear width, the receptor parent lx9801, the test parent Zheng58, and their corresponding hybrids. After transcriptomic analysis, 1638 genes were identified in at least one hybrid with nonadditively expressed patterns and different expression levels between the two hybrids. In particular, 2263 (12.89%) and 2352 (14.65%) genes showed allele-specific expression (ASE) in Zheng58 × lx9801 and Zheng58 × lx9801hlEW2b, respectively. A functional analysis showed that these genes were enriched in development-related processes and biosynthesis and catabolism processes, which are potentially associated with heterosis. Additionally, nonadditive expression and ASE may fine-tune the expression levels of crucial genes (such as WUS and KNOX that control IM development) controlling auxin metabolism and ear development to optimal states, and transcriptional variation may play important roles in maize ear heterosis. The results provide new information that increases our understanding of the relationship between transcriptional variation and heterosis formation during maize ear development, which may be helpful in clarifying the genetic and molecular mechanisms of heterosis.
Streptococcus pneumoniaerapidly translocates from the nasopharynx through the cribriform plate to invade and inflame the dura
Authors: Audshasai Teerawit , Coles Jonathan A. , Panagiotou Stavros , Khandaker Shadia , Scales Hannah E. , Kjos Morten , Baltazar Murielle , Vignau Julie , Brewer James M. , Kadioglu Aras , Yang Marie
Published: September 2021

The entry routes and translocation mechanisms of bacterial pathogens into the central nervous system remain obscure. We report here thatStreptococcus pneumoniae(Sp) or polystyrene microspheres, applied to the nose of a mouse, appeared in the meninges of the dorsal cortex within minutes. Recovery of viable bacteria from dissected tissue and fluorescence microscopy showed that up to at least 72h, Sp and microspheres were predominantly in the outer of the two meninges, the pachymeninx. No Sp were found in blood or cerebrospinal fluid. Evidence that this was not an artifact of the method of administration is that in mice infected by horizontal transmission, Sp were also predominantly in the meninges and absent from blood. Intravital imaging through the skull, and flow cytometry showed recruitment and activation of LysM+cells in the dorsal pachymeninx at 5h and 10h following intranasal infection. Imaging of the cribriform plate suggested that both Sp and microspheres entered through its foramina via an inward flow of fluid connecting the nose to the pachymeninx. Our findings bring further insight into the invasion mechanisms of bacterial pathogens such as Sp into the central nervous system, but are also pertinent to the delivery of drugs to the brain, and the entry of air-borne particles into the cranium.
Associations between SARS-CoV-2 variants and risk of COVID-19 hospitalization among confirmed cases in Washington State: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Paredes Miguel I. , Lunn Stephanie M. , Famulare Michael , Frisbie Lauren A. , Painter Ian , Burstein Roy , Roychoudhury Pavitra , Xie Hong , Bakhash Shah A. Mohamed , Perez Ricardo , Lukes Maria , Ellis Sean , Sathees Saraswathi , Mathias Patrick C. , Greninger Alexander , Starita Lea M. , Frazar Chris D. , Ryke Erica , Zhong Weizhi , Gamboa Luis , Threlkeld Machiko , Lee Jover , McDermot Evan , Truong Melissa , Nickerson Deborah A. , Bates Daniel L. , Hartman Matthew E. , Haugen Eric , Nguyen Truong N. , Richards Joshua D. , Rodriguez Jacob L. , Stamatoyannopoulos John A. , Thorland Eric , Melly Geoff , Dykema Philip E. , MacKellar Drew C. , Gray Hannah K. , Singh Avi , Peterson JohnAric M. , Russell Denny , Torres Laura Marcela , Lindquist Scott , Bedford Trevor , Allen Krisandra J. , Oltean Hanna N.
Published: September 2021

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic is dominated by variant viruses; the resulting impact on disease severity remains unclear. Using a retrospective cohort study, we assessed the hospitalization risk following infection with seven SARS-CoV-2 variants.

Methods

Our study includes individuals with positive SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR in the Washington Disease Reporting System with available viral genome data, from December 1, 2020 to January 14, 2022. The analysis was restricted to cases with specimens collected through sentinel surveillance. Using a Cox proportional hazards model with mixed effects, we estimated hazard ratios (HR) for hospitalization risk following infection with a variant, adjusting for age, sex, calendar week, and vaccination.

Findings

58,848 cases were sequenced through sentinel surveillance, of which 1705 (2.9%) were hospitalized due to COVID-19. Higher hospitalization risk was found for infections with Gamma (HR 3.20, 95%CI 2.40-4.26), Beta (HR 2.85, 95%CI 1.56-5.23), Delta (HR 2.28 95%CI 1.56-3.34) or Alpha (HR 1.64, 95%CI 1.29-2.07) compared to infections with ancestral lineages; Omicron (HR 0.92, 95%CI 0.56-1.52) showed no significant difference in risk. Following Alpha, Gamma, or Delta infection, unvaccinated patients show higher hospitalization risk, while vaccinated patients show no significant difference in risk, both compared to unvaccinated, ancestral lineage cases. Hospitalization risk following Omicron infection is lower with vaccination.

Conclusion

Infection with Alpha, Gamma, or Delta results in a higher hospitalization risk, with vaccination attenuating that risk. Our findings support hospital preparedness, vaccination, and genomic surveillance.

Hospitalization risk following infection with SARS-CoV-2 variant remains unclear. We find a higher hospitalization risk in cases infected with Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta, but not Omicron, with vaccination lowering risk. Our findings support hospital preparedness, vaccination, and genomic surveillance.
Determinants of sleep quality in adults during the COVID-19 pandemic: COVID-Inconfidentes, a population-based study
Authors: de Menezes Júnior Luiz Antônio Alves , Lourenção Luciano Garcia , Andrade Amanda Cristina de Souza , Carraro Júlia Cristina Cardoso , Machado-Coelho George Luiz Lins , Meireles Adriana Lúcia
Published: September 2021

Background

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a negative effect on the health and behavior of the world’s population.

Objectives

To evaluate sleep quality and its associated factors in adults during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil.

Methods

This is a population-based serological survey of 1762 adults collected from October to December 2020 in the Iron Quadrangle region, Brazil. To measure sleep quality, we used the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaire and socio-demographic, health, health related behaviors, anxiety, vitamin D, weight gain/loss, and pandemic characteristics were assessed using a structured questionnaire. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the factors associated with sleep quality.

Results

More than half of the individuals evaluated had poor sleep quality (52.5%). In multivariate analysis, factors related to sleep quality included living alone (OR=2.36; 95%CI: 1.11-5.00), anxiety disorder (OR=2.22; 95%CI: 1.20-4.14), 5.0% weight loss during the pandemic (OR=1.66; 95%CI: 1.01-2.76), weight gain of 5.0% (OR=1.90; 95%CI: 1.08-3.34), insufficient vitamin D scenario (OR=1.47; 95%CI: 1.01-2.12), and symptoms of COVID-19 (OR=1.94; 95%CI: 1.25-3.01).

Conclusions

Our study revealed that more than half of the participants had poor sleep quality during the COVID-19 outbreak, and the factors associated with poor sleep quality were related to the pandemic, such as insufficient vitamin D scenario and weight change.
De novo biosynthesis of para-nitro-L-phenylalanine in Escherichia coli
Authors: Butler Neil D. , Sen Sabyasachi , Lin Minwei , Kunjapur Aditya M.
Published: September 2021

Nitroaromatic functional groups can impart valuable properties to chemicals and to biological macromolecules including polypeptides. Para-nitro-L-phenylalanine (pN-Phe) is a nitroaromatic amino acid with uses including immune stimulation and fluorescence quenching. As the chemical synthesis of pN-Phe does not follow green chemistry principles and impedes provision of pN-Phe to engineered bacterial cells in some contexts, we sought to design a de novo biosynthetic pathway for pN-Phe in Escherichia coli. To generate the nitro chemical functional group, we identified natural diiron monooxygenases with measurable in vitro and in vivo activity on envisioned amine-containing precursors of para-amino-L-phenylalanine (pA-Phe) and para-aminophenylpyruvate. By expressing one of these N-oxygenase genes together with previously characterized genes for the biosynthesis of pA-Phe, we achieved the synthesis of pN-Phe from glucose. Through further optimization of the chassis, plasmid constructs, and media conditions, we were able to improve the selectivity of pN-Phe biosynthesis, resulting in a maximum titer of 819 µM in rich defined media under shake-flask conditions. These results provide a foundation for the biosynthesis of related nitroaromatic chemicals and for downstream biological applications that could utilize pN-Phe as a building block.

Highlights

Para-nitro-L-phenylalanine (pN-Phe) is a valuable small molecule for its applications in genetic code expansion.

We establish de novo biosynthesis of pN-Phe from glucose in E. coli, which is also the first example of a de novo pathway design for an unnatural but commonly used non-standard amino acid.

We show the first use of an N-oxygenase enzyme in the de novo synthesis of a nitroaromatic product.

Screening of natural N-oxygenases and strain engineering resulted in final pN-Phe titers of 820 ± 130 µM in shake flask experiments with rich defined media.
Kinetoplastid-specific X2-family kinesins interact with a kinesin-like pleckstrin homology domain protein that localizes to the trypanosomal microtubule quartet
Authors: Benz Corinna , Müller Nora , Kaltenbrunner Sabine , Váchová Hana , Vancová Marie , Lukeš Julius , Varga Vladimír , Hashimi Hassan
Published: September 2021

Kinesins are motor proteins found in all eukaryotic lineages that move along microtubules to mediate cellular processes such as mitosis and intracellular transport. In trypanosomatids, the kinesin superfamily has undergone a prominent expansion, resulting in one of the most diverse kinesin repertoires that includes the two kinetoplastid-restricted families X1 and X2. Here, we characterize in Trypanosoma brucei TbKifX2A, an orphaned X2 kinesin. TbKifX2A tightly interacts with TbPH1, a kinesin-like protein with a likely inactive motor domain, a rarely reported occurrence. Both TbKifX2A and TbPH1 localize to the microtubule quartet (MtQ), a characteristic but poorly understood cytoskeletal structure that wraps around the flagellar pocket as it extends to the cell body anterior. The proximal proteome of TbPH1 revealed two other interacting proteins, the flagellar pocket protein FP45 and intriguingly another X2 kinesin, TbKifX2C. Simultaneous ablation of TbKifX2A/TbPH1 results in the depletion of FP45 and TbKifX2C and also an expansion of the flagellar pocket, among other morphological defects. TbKifX2A is the first motor protein to be localized to the MtQ. The observation that TbKifX2C also associates with the MtQ suggests that the X2 kinesin family may have co-evolved with the MtQ, both kinetoplastid-specific traits.
The exchange of vitamin B1 and its biosynthesis intermediates in synthetic microbial communities shapes the community composition and reveals complexities of nutrient sharing
Authors: Sathe Rupali R. M. , Paerl Ryan W. , Hazra Amrita B.
Published: September 2021

Microbial communities occupy diverse niches in nature, and exchanges of metabolites such as carbon sources, amino acids, and vitamins occur routinely among the community members. While large-scale metagenomic and metabolomic studies shed some light on these exchanges, the contribution of individual species and the molecular details of specific interactions are difficult to track. Here, we explore the molecular picture of vitamin B1 (thiamin) metabolism occurring in synthetic communities of Escherichia coli thiamin auxotrophs which engage in the exchange of thiamin and its biosynthesis intermediates. In E. coli, the two parts of thiamin – the 4-amino-5-hydroxymethyl-2-methylpyrimidine and the 4-methyl-5-(2-hydroxyethyl)thiazole – are synthesized by separate pathways using enzymes ThiC and ThiG, respectively, and are then joined by ThiE to form thiamin. We observed that even though E. coli ΔthiC, ΔthiE, and ΔthiG mutants are thiamin auxotrophs, co-cultures of ΔthiC-ΔthiE and ΔthiC-ΔthiG grow in a thiamin-deficient minimal medium, whereas the ΔthiE-ΔthiG co-culture does not. Analysis of the exchange of thiamin and its intermediates in Vibrio anguillarum co-cultures, and in mixed co-cultures of V. anguillarum and E. coli revealed that the general pattern of thiamin metabolism and exchange among microbes is conserved across species. Specifically, the microorganisms exchange HMP and thiamin easily among themselves but not THZ. Furthermore, we observe that the availability of exogenous thiamin in the media affects whether these strains interact with each other or grow independently. This underscores the importance of the exchange of essential metabolites as a defining factor in building and modulating synthetic or natural microbial communities.
Structure and function of one unclassified-class glutathioneS-transferase inLeptinotarsa decemlineata
Authors: Liu Yanjun , Moural Timothy , Koirala BK Sonu , Hernandez Jonathan , Shen Zhongjian , Alyokhin Andrei , Zhu Fang
Published: September 2021

Arthropod Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) constitute a large family of multifunctional enzymes that are mainly associated with xenobiotic or stress adaptation. GST-mediated xenobiotic adaptation is through direct metabolism or sequestration of xenobiotics, and/or indirectly by providing protection against oxidative stress induced by xenobiotic exposure. To date, the roles of GSTs in xenobiotic adaptation in the Colorado potato beetle (CPB), a notorious agriculture pest of plants within Solanaceae have not been well studied. Here, we functionally expressed and characterized an unclassified-class GST, LdGSTu1. The three-dimensional structure of the LdGSTu1 was solved with a resolution up to 1.8 Å by x-ray crystallography. Recombinant LdGSTu1 was used to determine enzyme activity and kinetic parameters using 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB), GSH, p-nitrophenyl acetate (PNA) as substrates. The enzyme kinetic parameters and enzyme-substrate interaction studies demonstrated that LdGSTu1 could catalyze the conjugation of GSH to both CDNB and PNA, with a higher turnover number for CDNB than PNA. The LdGSTu1 enzyme inhibition assays demonstrated that the enzymatic conjugation of GSH to CDNB could be inhibited by multiple pesticides, suggesting a potential function of LdGSTu1 in xenobiotic adaptation.
Crystal structure of caesium tetramethyldithioimidodiphosphinate
Authors: López-Cardoso Marcela , Tlahuext Hugo , Jancik Vojtech , Cea-Olivares Raymundo
Published: September 2021

In the title crystal, the salt [CsMe2P(S)NP(S)Me2] is self-assembled as an undulating supramolecular two-dimensional polymeric structure, poly[(μ4-tetramethyldithioimidodiphosphinato)caesium], [Cs(C4H12NP2S2)]
n
, which is parallel to the bc plane. The Cs cations are hexacoordinated, being chelated by two thioimidophosphinate groups and two sulfur atoms from neighboring ligands. The anions are linked to the Cs cations by Cs...S and Cs...N electrostatic interactions.
Crystal structure of 2-{[5-amino-1-(phenylsulfonyl)-1H-pyrazol-3-yl]oxy}-1-(4-methylphenyl)ethan-1-one
Authors: Metwally Nadia H. , Elgemeie Galal H. , Jones Peter G.
Published: September 2021

In the title compound, C18H17N3O4S, the pyrazole ring is planar, with the sulfur atom lying 0.558 (1) Å out of the ring plane. The NH2 group is involved in an intramolecular hydrogen bond to a sulfonyl oxygen atom; its other hydrogen atom forms an asymmetric three-centre hydrogen bond to the two oxygen atoms of the —O—CH2—C=O— grouping, via the 21 screw axis, forming a ribbon structure parallel to the b axis. Translationally adjacent, coplanar ribbons form a layer parallel to (10\overline{4}).
Addressing the agricultural financing gap in Malaysia via Manihah Agricultural Financing Model: will Islamic banks go the extra mile?
Authors: Abd Rahman Nur Hasnida , Md Zabri Mohd Zaidi , Ali Mohammad Mahbubi
Published: September 2021

Purpose

This paper introduces the concept of manihah and develops a conceptual framework to address Malaysia's abandoned lands and food security issues.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a conceptual paper based on insights from the existing literature and secondary data on food security, abandoned lands and manihah. Based on the prevailing gaps, the study proposes a conceptual framework of the Manihah Agricultural Financing Model to address Malaysia's abandoned land and food security issues.

Findings

The proposed model can address abandoned lands and food security issues due to the new incorporation of manihah within Malaysia's agricultural and Islamic financial industries' milieu.

Research limitations/implications

This is a conceptual paper mainly intended to spark a discussion on the potentiality of manihah.

Practical implications

The paper contends that Islamic banks have a crucial role in furthering the socio-economic development agenda under the value-based intermediation (VBI). The paper will also be an excellent introduction to Islamic bank practitioners in understanding manihah's relevance to their daily operation.

Originality/value

This paper introduces manihah as the potential solution to food security issues by utilizing abandoned lands.
“We don’t have any answers within the current framework”: tensions within cannabis policy change in Ireland
Authors: Ó. Rálaigh Chris , Morton Sarah
Published: September 2021

Purpose

International policy approaches to cannabis production and use are changing rapidly, and within the Irish context, alternatives to prohibition are being considered. This study aims to explore policymaker’s attitudes towards the decriminalisation and legal regulation of cannabis for recreational use in the midst of an unfolding policy process, examining the degree which a “policy window” might be open for the implementation of cannabis policy change.

Design/methodology/approach

Semi-structured interviews were held with eight key informants within the policy field in Dublin, Ireland. Kingdon’s (2014) Multiple Streams framework was used to consider whether the problems, policy and political streams were aligning to support progressive policy change.

Findings

Irish policymakers indicated broad support for the decriminalisation of cannabis. The legal regulation of cannabis received more qualified support. Existing policy was heavily criticised with criminalisation identified as a clear failure. Of particular interest was the willingness of policymakers to offer opinions which contrasted with the policy positions of their organisations. While a policy window did open – and close – subsequent governmental commitments to examine the issue of drugs policy in a more deliberative process in the near future highlight the incremental nature of policy change.

Originality/value

This study provides unique insight into the opinions of policymakers in the midst of a prolonged period of policy evolution. A latent aspiration for historical policy change was situated within the realpolitik of more traditional approaches to policy development, demonstrating that the alignment of Kingdon’s (2014) problem, policy and political streams are essential for change in cannabis policy.
Dissecting the ecosystems’ determinants of entrepreneurial re-entry after a business failure
Authors: Espinoza-Benavides Jorge , Guerrero Maribel , Díaz David
Published: September 2021

Purpose

This study aims to evaluate the role of entrepreneurial ecosystems conditions (formal, informal and social capital) on different types of entrepreneurial re-entry at a global scale.

Design/methodology/approach

Given this phenomenon’s nature, this study builds a panel of data of 54 economies covering different (advanced and emerging) countries across the globe during the period 2004–2017 by mixing multiples sources of information (e.g. Global Entrepreneurship Monitor, the World Economic Forum, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund). The statistical analysis consisted of the fixed-effect dynamic generalized method of moments (GMM) estimation for panel data.

Findings

Three empirical insights emerge from the study. First, the entrepreneurial ecosystem’s formal conditions are mainly configured to support high-growth entrepreneurship ignoring re-entrepreneurs. Consequently, the formal conditions’ contribution is very limited in emerging economies. Second, the analysis of informal conditions revealed social media’s critical contribution for legitimizing entrepreneurship and supporting those entrepreneurs who want to re-enter the domestic or international market after a business failure. Third, social networks built during previous business angels or entrepreneurial experiences or with other entrepreneurs also play a crucial role for re-entrepreneurs to overcome the weaknesses in the entrepreneurial ecosystems’ conditions.

Originality/value

The study contributes to two ongoing academic debates among entrepreneurship scholars. The first is related to how the entrepreneurial ecosystem supports entrepreneurial activity in different economic contexts. The second is related to the study of the contextual determinants of entrepreneurial re-entry after a business failure.
Departmental stores in India: financial performance analysis
Authors: Bansal Rohit , Kar Sanjay Kumar
Published: September 2021

Learning outcomes

After completion of the case, students will be able to understand the following: how to understand financial statements, income statements and cash-flow statements with the help of ratios; understand the concept of shareholding pattern along with different entities, namely, non-promoters, foreign institutional investor, domestic institutional investor and others; financial ratio analysis with traditional DuPont and extended DuPont analysis; understand the differences between comparable firms; how to analysis return, risk, covariance, correlation, market risk and capital assets pricing model (CAPM) and how to suggest an appropriate investment strategy.

Case overview/synopsis

The case presents company background and financial statements of four companies listed under departmental stores in India, namely, Vmart retail, V2 retail, Avenue Supermarts (known as DMart) and future retail. Students are asked to determine, which company is performing better to make a recommendation for investment. Students learn the tools of financial ratio i.e. profitability, efficiency, liquidity and market-based ratio along with the traditional DuPont decomposition and the extended DuPont analysis. Students also learn how to measure stock return, standard deviation, covariance, correlation, market risk and CAPM.

Complexity academic level

This case is suitable for management accounting, financial analysis and security analysis and portfolio management courses at the post-graduate or graduate levels. The case can be used in similar courses such as in financial statement analysis courses or security analysis and portfolio management courses.

Supplementary materials

Teaching Notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.

Subject code

CSS: 1 Accounting and finance.
Political risks and financial markets: emerging vs developed economies
Authors: Ben Ghozzi Bechir , Chaibi Hasna
Published: September 2021

Purpose

The authors provide a comparative analysis between emerging and developed financial markets in terms of the effects of political risks on stock market returns and volatility. The authors also examine whether this impact depends on the nature of political risks. Therefore, this study aims to detect which financial markets are the most profitable and the riskiest in terms of political risks.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors investigate the impact of political risks on the excess stock market return and its conditional volatility using the generalized ARCH model for a sample of 46 developed and emerging markets over a period ranging from 1995 to 2019. In order to test how the nature of political risks affects equity excess returns and volatility differently in different markets, the authors employ (1) a composite political risk score, (2) the four subgroups of political risks as defined by Bekaert et al. (2005, 2014) and (3) the individual dimensions of political risks.

Findings

The findings indicate that the composite political risk is priced into both stock markets. The effect of political risks is positive for excess returns and negative for volatility. The authors show that the political risk leads to more volatility in developed markets. Nevertheless, the effect of individual components varies according to the market category.

Practical implications

The authors provide a framework for predicting market returns and volatility using changes in the political risk of the country. The findings help investors make investment decisions based on the political decisions of governments. In other words, investors should consider political uncertainty when determining their expected earnings.

Originality/value

The authors engage monthly panel data methodology in terms of the political risk stock market relationship. In addition, the authors consider recent and very long data covering the period 1995–2019. Furthermore, this study combines three various political risk measures, and both equity returns and volatility.
(Mis)match between higher education supply and labour market needs: evidence from Portugal
Authors: Olo Daniela , Correia Leonida , Rego Maria da Conceição
Published: September 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse whether there is an adjustment between the Portuguese higher education supply and the needs of the labour market.

Design/methodology/approach

An empirical study is performed, using a quantitative approach, relating the job offers for graduates registered at the employment centres and the number of graduates by higher education institutions (HEIs) in Portugal, at an aggregate level and NUT II regions, by areas of education and training, over the 2003–2018 period. To understand how job offers and graduates are correlated, bilateral Spearman's rank correlation coefficients were calculated.

Findings

The results show that, in large groups of educational areas, exists a match between the higher education supply and the labour market needs, with an emphasis on the fields of “social sciences, business and law”, “engineering, manufacturing and construction” and “health and welfare”. However, at a more disaggregated level, a mismatch in the sub-areas of “teacher training and education science” and “computing” was found since labour market needs are much greater than graduates by HEIs and the two variables are moving in opposite directions.

Practical implications

The study has revealed important aspects that the educational policy should take into account in order to create the conditions for a gradual adjustment to the labour market needs. Also, the results demonstrate that some measures should be taken in short/medium term to avoid problems in the medium/long term.

Originality/value

One implication of this empirical study was the elaboration of a correspondence table to standardise the data analysis units from two different sources. As this correspondence did not exist prior to this study, this output is a relevant contribution to the research field. Another important contribution is the demonstration of a mismatch in some educational sub-areas that deserves special attention from educational policymakers.
The dyeability and after-dyeing wearability of TPU-based 3D-printed fabrics
Authors: Sun Zhaoling , Meng Jiaguang , Yang Yanning , Yu Lingjie , Zhi Chao
Published: September 2021

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to study the dyeing process of three-dimensional-printed (3DP) fabrics, and then study the wearability of the fabrics before and after dyeing to provide a feasible dyeing method of 3DP clothes.

Design/methodology/approach

In this regard, the thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) was applied during the process of 3DP. Then, the imitation twill weave (ITW) was printed with fused deposition modeling (FDM) technology using TPU and the suspension of Disperse Blue 2BLN (as a dye) was prepared. After that, the single factor analysis and orthogonal experiment of dyeing were combined to obtain the optimized dyeing process. And then, ITW fabrics were dyed through the weak acid-low temperature dyeing method. In the end, in order to discuss the wearability of ITW fabrics, the dyeing experiments, including permeability, wrinkle recovery angle, bending rigidity, crock fastness and washing colorfastness were carried out.

Findings

The surface morphology of TPU before and after spinning was established by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), which was confirmed the surface of TPU getting smoother after spinning. The wearability of the fabric after dyeing was not affected compared with before dyeing. Moreover, both colorfastness grades were above 4–5 with high colorfastness.

Originality/value

The article provides a method for 3DP dyeing, which can solve the problem of a single color. And the wearability demonstrates that 3DP fabrics after dyeing-based TPU have more value for clothing than before dyeing.
Towards the development of a system-wide quality improvement maturity model: a synthesis using systematic review and expert opinion
Authors: Akmal Adeel , Podgorodnichenko Nataliya , Greatbanks Richard , Foote Jeff , Stokes Tim , Gauld Robin
Published: September 2021

Purpose

The various quality improvement (QI) frameworks and maturity models described in the health services literature consider some aspects of QI while excluding others. This paper aims to present a concerted attempt to create a quality improvement maturity model (QIMM) derived from holistic principles underlying the successful implementation of system-wide QI programmes.

Design/methodology/approach

A hybrid methodology involving a systematic review (Phase 1) of over 270 empirical research articles and books developed the basis for the proposed QIMM. It was followed by expert interviews to refine the core constructs and ground the proposed QIMM in contemporary QI practice (Phase 2). The experts included academics in two academic conferences and 59 QI managers from the New Zealand health-care system. In-depth interviews were conducted with QI managers to ascertain their views on the QIMM and its applicability in their respective health organisations (HOs).

Findings

The QIMM consists of four dimensions of organisational maturity, namely, strategic, process, supply chain and philosophical maturity. These dimensions progress through six stages, namely, identification, ad-hoc, formal, process-driven, optimised enterprise and finally a way of life. The application of the QIMM by the QI managers revealed that the scope of QI and the breadth of the principles adopted by the QI managers and their HOs in New Zealand is limited.

Practical implications

The importance of QI in health systems cannot be overstated. The proposed QIMM can help HOs diagnose their current state and provide a guide to action achieving a desirable state of quality improvement maturity. This QIMM avoids reliance on any single QI methodology. HOs – using the QIMM – should retain full control over the process of selecting any QI methodology or may even cherry-pick principles to suit their needs as long as they understand and appreciate the true nature and scope of quality overstated. The proposed QIMM can help HOs diagnose their current state and provide a guide to action achieving a desirable state of quality improvement maturity. This QIMM avoids reliance on any single QI methodology. HOs – using the QIMM – should retain full control over the process of selecting any QI methodology or may even cherry-pick principles to suit their needs as long as they understand and appreciate the true nature and scope of quality.

Originality/value

This paper contributes new knowledge by presenting a maturity model with an integrated set of quality principles for HOs and their extended supply networks.
Happiness and farm productivity: insights from maize farmers in China
Authors: Ma Wanglin , Vatsa Puneet , Zhou Xiaoshi , Zheng Hongyun
Published: September 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between farmers' happiness and farm productivity, taking maize production in China as an example.

Design/methodology/approach

The conditional mixed process model is employed to account for the endogeneity that inevitably arises in regression models studying happiness and estimate the 2015 China Household Finance Survey data.

Findings

The empirical results show that a higher level of farmers' happiness is associated with higher maize productivity. The marginal return in maize productivity changes unevenly with increments in farmers' self-reported happiness on a five-point Likert scale. Farmers' happiness is positively determined by their age, educational level, farm size, machinery ownership, access to agricultural subsidy and car ownership. Machinery ownership and access to credit are two important factors that improve maize productivity.

Research limitations/implications

The finding suggests that promoting the subjective well-being of farmers is conducive to higher productivity and improved national food security. The results have implications for China and other developing countries aiming for sustainable agricultural development.

Originality/value

Firm-level data show that workers' happiness improves productivity. However, it is still unclear whether farmworkers' happiness affects farm productivity. Thus, this study provides the first empirical analysis of the impact of farmworkers' happiness on farm productivity.
Exploring the student perspectives on the barriers of online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study using interpretative phenomenological analysis
Authors: Rana Shikha
Published: September 2021

Purpose

The present study aims to gauge the perspectives of students on the difficulties they faced during online learning during the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) through the interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) technique.

Design/methodology/approach

The current study employed IPA, and it was conducted among the students enrolled for professional courses in the government, private and deemed-to-be universities in Uttarakhand, India, using semi-structured interviews for the purpose of data collection.

Findings

The findings have been grouped under five parts referred to as “superordinate themes” or “barriers” which comprises learning in an online class environment, online learning in the home environment, student–teacher relationship in online learning, technical hindrances in online learning and health issues in online learning. These superordinate themes were further grouped under sub-themes.

Research limitations/implications

The present study focused on the students of various private, public and deemed-to-be universities of the Uttarakhand region and represents the higher education sector only and did not tap the primary, secondary and vocational education. The students of academic courses or degree courses like arts, commerce, basic sciences and humanities, etc. were not included in the research study. Hence, the study lacks generalizability.

Practical implications

The research findings of the present study have implications for higher education institutions (HEIs), teachers, students and policymakers.

Originality/value

The present study addresses the methodological gap by offering a new line of research where IPA has been used as the methodology to determine the barriers of online learning in the COVID-19 situation, and to the best of the authors’ knowledge, none of the studies have used it so far to ascertain the barriers to online learning from the student perspective.