bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modulating glial genes involved in synaptic function mitigates pathogenesis and behavioral deficits in aDrosophilamodel of Huntington’s Disease
Authors: Onur Tarik S. , Laitman Andrew , Zhao He , Keyho Ryan , Kim Hyemin , Wang Jennifer , Mair Megan , Perez Alma , de Haro Maria , Wang Huilan , Wan Ying-Wooi , Allen Genevera , Lu Boxun , Al-Ramahi Ismael , Liu Zhandong , Botas Juan
Published: November 2020

Most research on neurodegenerative diseases has focused on neurons, yet glia help form and maintain the synapses whose loss is so prominent in these conditions. To investigate the contributions of glia to Huntington’s disease (HD), we studied transcriptomic changes in HD human, HD mice, andDrosophilaexpressing human mutantHuntingtin(mHTT) in either glia, neurons or both. A large portion of conserved genes are concordantly dysregulated across the three species; we tested these genes in a high-throughput behavioral assay and found that downregulation of genes involved in synapse assembly mitigated pathogenesis and behavioral deficits. To our surprise, mitigating glial pathogenesis by dNRXN3knockdown was sufficient to improve the phenotype of flies expressing mHTTin neurons, suggesting that mHTT’s toxic effects in glia ramify throughout the brain. This supports a model in which dampening synaptic function is protective because it attenuates the excitotoxicity that characterizes HD.
Evolution of Antibody Immunity to SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Gaebler Christian , Wang Zijun , Lorenzi Julio C. C. , Muecksch Frauke , Finkin Shlomo , Tokuyama Minami , Cho Alice , Jankovic Mila , Schaefer-Babajew Dennis , Oliveira Thiago Y. , Cipolla Melissa , Viant Charlotte , Barnes Christopher O. , Bram Yaron , Breton Gaëlle , Hägglöf Thomas , Mendoza Pilar , Hurley Arlene , Turroja Martina , Gordon Kristie , Millard Katrina G. , Ramos Victor , Schmidt Fabian , Weisblum Yiska , Jha Divya , Tankelevich Michael , Martinez-Delgado Gustavo , Yee Jim , Patel Roshni , Dizon Juan , Unson-O’Brien Cecille , Shimeliovich Irina , Robbiani Davide F. , Zhao Zhen , Gazumyan Anna , Schwartz Robert E. , Hatziioannou Theodora , Bjorkman Pamela J. , Mehandru Saurabh , Bieniasz Paul D. , Caskey Marina , Nussenzweig Michel C.
Published: November 2020

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has infected 78 million individuals and is responsible for over 1.7 million deaths to date. Infection is associated with development of variable levels of antibodies with neutralizing activity that can protect against infection in animal models. Antibody levels decrease with time, but the nature and quality of the memory B cells that would be called upon to produce antibodies upon re-infection has not been examined. Here we report on the humoral memory response in a cohort of 87 individuals assessed at 1.3 and 6.2 months after infection. We find that IgM, and IgG anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike protein receptor binding domain (RBD) antibody titers decrease significantly with IgA being less affected. Concurrently, neutralizing activity in plasma decreases by five-fold in pseudotype virus assays. In contrast, the number of RBD-specific memory B cells is unchanged. Memory B cells display clonal turnover after 6.2 months, and the antibodies they express have greater somatic hypermutation, increased potency and resistance to RBD mutations, indicative of continued evolution of the humoral response. Analysis of intestinal biopsies obtained from asymptomatic individuals 4 months after coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) onset, using immunofluorescence, or polymerase chain reaction, revealed persistence of SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acids and immunoreactivity in the small bowel of 7 out of 14 volunteers. We conclude that the memory B cell response to SARS-CoV-2 evolves between 1.3 and 6.2 months after infection in a manner that is consistent with antigen persistence.
Management of malaria in children under 5-years-old during COVID-19 pandemic in Sierra Leone: a lesson learned?
Authors: Buonsenso Danilo , Iodice Francesco , Cinicola Bianca , Raffaelli Francesca , Sowa Solia , Ricciardi Walter
Published: November 2020

Growing evidences are showing the potential indirect effects of COVID-19 on the health systems of low-resource settings, where diseases such as Tuberculosis, HIV and Malaria represent major killers. Therefore, we performed a retrospective study aimed to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on Malaria programs in a peripheral region of Sierra Leone, previously involved by the Ebola outbreak in 2015, when malaria care have been impaired since local health systems were overwhelmed by Ebola cases. During COVID-19 in Sierra Leone, we did not notice a drop in malaria diagnosis in children, suggesting that a proactive approach in the management of malaria in endemic countries during COVID-19 may have had a positive impact. A comprehensive approach that include also educational activities to sensitize the local population, was useful to guarantee successful malaria diagnosis and treatment, and prevents excess of malaria deaths due to potential disruption of the local health systems related to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

Contribution to the field

we performed a retrospective study aimed to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on Malaria programs in a peripheral region of Sierra Leone, previously involved by the Ebola outbreak in 2015, when malaria care have been impaired since local health systems were overwhelmed by Ebola cases. During COVID-19 in Sierra Leone, we did not notice a significant change in the middle term period in malaria diagnosis in children, suggesting that a proactive approach in the management of malaria in endemic countries during COVID-19 may have had a positive impact. A comprehensive approach that include also educational activities to sensitize the local population, was useful to guarantee successful malaria diagnosis and treatment, and prevents excess of malaria deaths due to potential disruption of the local health systems related to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

Funding statement

nothing to declare

Ethics statements

Studies involving animal subjects

Generated Statement: No animal studies are presented in this manuscript.

Studies involving human subjects

Generated Statement: The studies involving human participants were reviewed and approved by Bureh Town Community Hospital. Written informed consent to participate in this study was provided by the participants’ legal guardian/next of kin.

Inclusion of identifiable human data

Generated Statement: No potentially identifiable human images or data is presented in this study.

Data availability statement

Generated Statement: The raw data supporting the conclusions of this article will be made available by the authors, without undue reservation.
Technical feasibility and acceptance of the Remote Monitoring Application in Psychiatry (ReMAP)
Authors: Emden Daniel , Goltermann Janik , Dannlowski Udo , Hahn Tim , Opel Nils
Published: November 2020

Background

Over recent years smartphone-based monitoring has been recognized as a useful instrument in psychiatric research. Due to the phasic character of affective symptoms, mobile assessments of passive sensor data as well as active self-reported data via the participants smartphone might represent a cost-efficient and highly useful tool for prospective prediction of mood changes. Despite these promising opportunities, smartphone-based monitoring in psychiatry is still limited to pilot studies often focusing on a single disorder while large-scale, transdiagnostic studies are widely absent.

Objectives

The present paper describes the functionality and development of the Remote Monitoring Application in Psychiatry (ReMAP). We aimed to investigate the technical feasibility, and the acceptance of the ReMAP app for the continuous assessment of affective symptoms among different patient groups.

Methods

The ReMAP app was distributed among a sample of n=997 composed of healthy control participants and psychiatric patients. Continuous passive sensor data were assessed comprising acceleration, geolocation, as well as walking distance and steps. Further, participants optionally provided standardized self-reports on mood and sleep, as well as voice samples. Technical feasibility and acceptance were assessed based on the amount and frequency of transferred data events, as well as participation duration. Preliminary results are presented while data collection is ongoing.

Results

Retention rates of 90.25% for the required minimum study duration of two weeks and 33.09% for one year respectively were achieved. On average, users participated for 150 days. An average of 51.83 passive events per day per participant was collected, with an average rate of 73.50% of days during participation containing passive events. An average of 34.59 active self-report events were transferred per participant, with a considerable range across participants (0-552 events). While clinical and non-clinical participant subgroups did not differ in participation duration, or in quantity or rate of passive or active data transfer, the rate of days with transferred passive data was considerably higher and less heterogeneous in iOS (mean=91.85%, SD=21.25) as compared to Android users (mean=63.04%, SD=35.09).

Conclusions

The ReMAP app is technically feasible and generally well accepted and therefore represents a viable complementary tool for the continuous assessment of affective symptoms in large-scale transdiagnostic psychiatric studies. Future studies should account for the observed systematic differences between operating systems.
SARS-CoV-2 RBD219-N1C1: A Yeast-Expressed SARS-CoV-2 Recombinant Receptor-Binding Domain Candidate Vaccine Stimulates Virus Neutralizing Antibodies and T-cell Immunity in Mice
Authors: Pollet Jeroen , Chen Wen-Hsiang , Versteeg Leroy , Keegan Brian , Zhan Bin , Wei Junfei , Liu Zhuyun , Lee Jungsoon , Kundu Rahki , Adhikari Rakesh , Poveda Cristina , Villar Maria Jose , de Araujo Leao Ana Carolina , Rivera Joanne Altieri , Momin Zoha , Gillespie Portia M. , Kimata Jason T. , Strych Ulrich , Hotez Peter J. , Bottazzi Maria Elena
Published: November 2020

There is an urgent need for an accessible and low-cost COVID-19 vaccine suitable for low- and middle-income countries. Here we report on the development of a SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain (RBD) protein, expressed at high levels in yeast (Pichia pastoris), as a suitable vaccine candidate against COVID-19. After introducing two modifications into the wild-type RBD gene to reduce yeast-derived hyperglycosylation and improve stability during protein expression, we show that the recombinant protein, RBD219-N1C1, is equivalent to the wild-type RBD recombinant protein (RBD219-WT) in anin vitroACE-2 binding assay. Immunogenicity studies of RBD219-N1C1 and RBD219-WT proteins formulated with Alhydrogel®were conducted in mice, and, after two doses, both the RBD219-WT and RBD219-N1C1 vaccines induced high levels of binding IgG antibodies. Using a SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus, we further showed that sera obtained after a two-dose immunization schedule of the vaccines were sufficient to elicit strong neutralizing antibody titers in the 1:1,000 to 1:10,000 range, for both antigens tested. The vaccines induced IFN-γ, IL-6, and IL-10 secretion, among other cytokines. Overall, these data suggest that the RBD219-N1C1 recombinant protein, produced in yeast, is suitable for further evaluation as a human COVID-19 vaccine, in particular, in an Alhydrogel®containing formulation and possibly in combination with other immunostimulants.
High behavioural variability mediated by altered neuronal excitability inauts2mutant zebrafish
Authors: Jha Urvashi , Kondrychyn Igor , Korzh Vladimir , Thirumalai Vatsala
Published: November 2020

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are characterized by abnormal behavioral traits arising from neural circuit dysfunction. While a number of genes have been implicated in ASDs, in most cases, a clear understanding of how mutations in these genes lead to circuit dysfunction and behavioral abnormality is absent. Theautism susceptibility candidate 2(AUTS2) gene is one such gene, associated with ASDs, intellectual disability and a range of other neurodevelopmental conditions. Yet, the function of AUTS2 in neural development and circuit function is not at all known. Here, we undertook functional analysis of Auts2a, the main homolog of AUTS2 in zebrafish, in the context of the escape behavior. Escape behavior in wild type zebrafish is critical for survival and is therefore, reliable, rapid, and has well-defined kinematic properties.Auts2a−/−zebrafish are viable, have normal gross morphology and can generate escape behavior with normal kinematics. However, the behavior is unreliable and delayed, with high trial-to-trial variability in the latency. We demonstrate that this is due to the reduced excitability of Mauthner neurons resulting in unreliable firing with stimuli that normally elicit the escape response. Combined with previous studies that show Auts2-regulation of the transcription of ion channel proteins, our results suggest that Auts2 sets the excitability of neurons by activating a set transcriptional program.

Significance statement

AUTS2 is one among recently identified autism susceptibility candidate genes, whose function in neuronal circuits is unclear. Using zebrafish as a model organism, we probe the function of Auts2a (homolog of mammalian AUTS2) at the cellular, network and behavioral levels. The escape behavior of Auts2a mutant zebrafish is highly variable with normal short latency escapes, long latency escapes and total failures across trials in the same fish. This occurs because neuronal excitability is inappropriately set in the Mauthner neurons of mutants leading to the large trial-to-trial variability in responses. The behavioral variability is fully explained by variability in firing action potentials in the Mauthner neuron, providing an integrative understanding of how behavioral variability arises from mutations at the genetic level.
Root and canopy traits and adaptability genes explain drought tolerance mechanism in winter wheat
Authors: Nehe A.S. , Foulkes M. J. , Ozturk I. , Rasheed A. , York L. , Kefauver S.C. , Ozdemir F. , Morgounov A.
Published: November 2020

Bread wheat (Triticum aestivumL) is one of main staple food crops worldwide contributing 20% calories in human diet. Drought stress is the main factor limiting yields and threatening to food security, with climate change resulting in more frequent and intense drought. Developing drought-tolerant wheat cultivars is a promising way forward. The use of a holistic approaches that include high-throughput phenotyping and genetic makers in selection could help in accelerating genetic gains. Fifty advanced breeding lines were selected from the CIMMYT Turkey winter wheat breeding program and studied under irrigated and semiarid conditions for two years. High-throughput phenotyping were done for wheat crown root traits using shovelomics techniques and canopy green area and senescence dynamics using vegetation indices (green area using RGB images and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index using spectral reflectance). In addition, genotyping by KASP markers for adaptability genes was done. Overall, under semiarid conditions compared to irrigated conditions yield reduced by 3.09 t ha−1(−46.8%). Significant difference between the treatment and genotype was observed for grain yield and senescence traits. Genotypes responded differently under drought stress. Root traits including shallower nodal root angle under irrigated conditions and root number per shoot under semiarid conditions were associated with increased grain yield. RGB based vegetation index measuring canopy green area at anthesis was more strongly associated with GY than NDVI under drought. Five established functional genes (PRR73.A1– flowering time,TEF-7A– grain size and weight,TaCwi.4A- yield under drought,Dreb1-drought tolerance, andISBW11.GY.QTL.CANDIDATE-grain yield) were associated with different drought-tolerance traits in this experiment. We conclude that a combination of high-throughput phenotyping and selection for genetic markers can help to develop drought-tolerant wheat cultivars.
Corona virus fear among health workers during the early phase of pandemic response in Nepal: a web-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Khanal Pratik , Devkota Navin , Dahal Minakshi , Paudel Kiran , Mishra Shiva Raj , Joshi Devavrat
Published: November 2020

Background

Health workers involved in COVID-19 response might be at risk of developing fear and psychological distress. This study aimed to identify factors associated with COVID-19 fear among health workers in Nepal during the early phase of pandemic.

Methods

A web-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in the month of April-May 2020 among 475 health workers directly involved in COVID-19 management. The Fear Scale of COVID 19 (FCV-19S) was used to measure the status of fear. Scatter plots were used to observe the relationship between fear and other psychological outcomes: anxiety, depression and insomnia. Multivariable logistic regression was done to identify factors associated with COVID fear.

Results

COVID-19 fear score was moderately correlated with anxiety and depression, and weakly correlated with insomnia (p<0.001). Nurses (AOR=2.29; 95% CI: 1.23-4.26), health workers experiencing stigma (AOR=1.83; 95% CI: 1.12-2.73), those working in affected district(AOR=1.76; 95% CI: 1.12-2.77) and presence of family member with chronic diseases (AOR=1.50; 95% CI: 1.01-2.25) was associated with higher odds of developing COVID-19 fear as compared to other health workers, health workers not experiencing stigma, working in non-affected district and not having family member with chronic diseases respectively.

Conclusion

Nurses, health workers facing stigma, those working in affect district and having family member with chronic diseases were more at risk of developing COVID-19 fear. It is thus recommended to improve work environment to reduce fear among health workers, employ stigma reduction interventions, and ensure personal and family support for those having family member with chronic diseases.
Colonization of naïve roots fromPopulus tremula x albainvolves successive waves of fungi and bacteria with different trophic abilities
Authors: Fracchia F. , Mangeot-Peter L. , Jacquot L. , Martin F. , Veneault-Fourrey C. , Deveau A.
Published: November 2020

Through their roots, trees interact with a highly complex community of microorganisms belonging to various trophic guilds and contributing to tree nutrition, development and protection against stresses. Tree roots select for specific microbial species from the bulk soil communities. The root microbiome formation is a dynamic process but little is known on how the different microorganisms colonize the roots and how the selection occurs. To decipher if the final composition of the root microbiome is the product of several waves of colonization by different guilds of microorganisms, we planted sterile rooted cuttings of Gray Poplar obtained from plantlets propagated in axenic conditions in natural soil taken from a poplar stand. We analyzed the root microbiome at different time points between 2 and 50 days of culture by combining high-throughput Illumina MiSeq sequencing of fungal rDNA ITS and bacterial 16S rRNA amplicons with Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope observations. The microbial colonisation of poplar roots took place in three stages but the dynamic was different between bacteria and fungi. Root bacterial communities were clearly different from the soil after two days of culture. By contrast, if fungi were also already colonizing roots after two days, the initial communities were very close to the one of the soil and were dominated by saprotrophs. Those were slowly replaced by endophytes and ectomycorhizal fungi. The replacement of the most abundant fungal and bacterial community members observed in poplar roots along time suggest potential competition effect between microorganisms and/or a selection by the host.

Importance

The tree root microbiome is composed of a very diverse set of bacterial and fungal communities. These microorganisms have a profound impact on tree growth, development and protection against different types of stress. They mainly originate from the bulk soil and colonize the root system which provides a unique nutrient rich-environment for a diverse assemblage of microbial communities. In order to better understand how the tree root microbiome is shaped along time, we observed the composition of root-associated microbial communities of naïve plantlets of poplar transferred in natural soil. The composition of the final root microbiome rely on a series of colonization stages characterized by the dominance of different fungal guilds and bacterial community members along time. Our observations suggest an early stabilization of bacterial communities, whereas fungal communities are established following a more gradual pattern.
LyGo: A platform for rapid screening of lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase production
Authors: Hernández-Rollán Cristina , Falkenberg Kristoffer B. , Rennig Maja , Bertelsen Andreas B. , Ipsen Johan Ø. , Brander Søren , Daley Daniel O. , Johansen Katja S. , Nørholm Morten H. H.
Published: November 2020

Environmentally friendly sources of energy and chemicals are essential constituents of a sustainable society. An important step towards this goal is the utilization of non-edible biomass as supply of building blocks for future biorefineries. Lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) are enzymes that play a critical role in breaking the chemical bonds in the most abundant polymers found in recalcitrant biomass, such as cellulose and chitin. Predicting optimal strategies for producing LPMOs is often non-trivial, and methods allowing for screening several strategies simultaneously are therefore needed. Here, we present a standardized platform for cloning LPMOs. The platform allows users to combine gene fragments with different expression vectors in a simple 15-minute reaction, thus enabling rapid exploration of several gene contexts, hosts and expression strategies in parallel. The open-source LyGo platform is accompanied by easy-to-follow online protocols for both cloning and expression. As a demonstration, we utilize the LyGo platform to explore different strategies for expressing several different LPMOs inEscherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, andKomagataella phaffii.
A genetically encoded, pH-sensitive mTFP1 biosensor for probing lysosomal pH
Authors: Chin Marcus Y. , Patwardhan Anand R. , Ang Kean-Hooi , Wang Austin L. , Alquezar Carolina , Welch Mackenzie , Nguyen Phi T. , Grabe Michael , Molofsky Anna V. , Arkin Michelle R. , Kao Aimee W.
Published: November 2020

Lysosomes are important sites for macromolecular degradation, defined by an acidic lumenal pH of ∼4.5. To better understand lysosomal pH, we designed a novel, genetically encoded, fluorescent protein (FP) based pH biosensor called FIRE-pHLy (Fluorescence IndicatorREportingpHinLysosomes). This biosensor was targeted to lysosomes with lysosomal-associated membrane protein 1 (LAMP1) and reported lumenal pH between 3.5 and 6.0 with monomeric teal fluorescent protein 1 (mTFP1), a bright cyan pH sensitive FP variant with a pKa of 4.3. Ratiometric quantification was enabled with cytosolically oriented mCherry using high-content quantitative imaging. We expressed FIRE-pHLy in several cellular models and quantified the alkalinizing response to bafilomycin A1, a specific V-ATPase inhibitor. In summary, we have engineered FIRE-pHLy, a specific, robust and versatile lysosomal pH biosensor that has broad applications for investigating pH dynamics in aging and lysosome-related diseases, as well as in lysosome-based drug discovery.
First COVID-19 molecular docking with a chalcone-based compound: synthesis, single-crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis study
Authors: Alsafi Mona A. , Hughes David L. , Said Musa A.
Published: November 2020

The first example of molecular docking of the SARS-CoV-2 main protease for COVID-19 [Mpro, Protein Data Bank (PDB) code 7BQY] by a chalcone-based ligand, namely, (E)-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-3-[4-(morpholin-4-yl)phenyl]prop-2-en-1-one, C19H17Cl2NO2, I, is presented. Two-dimensional (2D) LIGPLOT representations calculated for the inhibitor N3, viz. N-{[(5-methylisoxazol-3-yl)carbonyl]alanyl}-L-valyl-N
1-((1R,2Z)-4-(benzyloxy)-4-oxo-1-{[(3R)-2-oxopyrrolidin-3-yl]methyl}but-2-enyl)-L-leucinamide, and 7BQY are included for comparison with our chalcone-based complexes. The binding affinity of our chalcone ligand with 7BQY is −7.0 kcal mol−1, a high value which was attributed to the presence of a hydrogen bond, together with many hydrophobic interactions between the drug and the active amino acid residues of the receptor. Docking studies were also performed, employing rigid and flexible binding modes for the ligand. The superposition of N3 and the chalcone docked into the binding pocket of 7BQY is also presented. The synthesis, single-crystal structure, Hirshfeld surface analysis (HSA) and spectral characterization of heterocyclic chalcone-based compound I, are also presented. The molecules are stacked, with normal π–π interactions, in the crystal.
Efficiency assessment of microfinance institutions: using DEA with weighted Russell directional distance model
Authors: M Sai Mohini , Vilvanathan Lavanya
Published: November 2020

Purpose

The study aims to focus on data envelopment analysis for assessing the microfinance institutions (MFIs) efficiency over the footings of its undesirable output, i.e. non-performing loans (NPLs). The attention is not only to evaluate the efficiency but also to identify the variable wise inefficiencies incorporating the quality of the portfolio.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper assessed MFI efficiency using three different methods of treatment of undesirable output to portray the significant difference. It also has used an advanced methodological model, i.e. weighted Russell directional distance model (WRDDM), under the non-radial assumption that allowed us to find the variable-wise inefficiency contribution. The study also investigated the efficiency differences concerning ownership, including all sizes of MFIs.

Findings

The study findings evidence the fall in efficiency score as NPL integrated, and it is found to be statistically significant. In the context of inefficiency assessment, among all input and output variables, total employees and operating expenses, portfolio quality inefficiencies are the leading causes of MFI inefficiencies. Undesirable output inefficiency accounts for almost one-third part of the total inefficiencies and remaining due to input inefficiencies. It is significant to draw attention that there is no improvement in undesirable output inefficiency. By contrast, input inefficiencies retained gains for two years and gradually showed a decreasing trend throughout 2015–2017.

Research limitations/implications

The authors have used balanced panel data of 72 Indian MFIs for five years' period from 2013–2017 whose complete data were available in the Microfinance Information Exchange.

Practical implications

The paper has focused on identifying the inefficiencies that are needed to be focused on to attain efficiency. It could provide vital information to the managers, policymakers in identifying the causes of inefficiencies, which is crucial to improve for long-term sustainability. It will be a roadmap for benchmarking, strategy building and policy-making processes.

Social implications

The findings of the study help in finding the benchmarking information for the inefficient decision-making units to identify the target units that need particular attention to focus. These practices could give a positive outcome, not only for institutions but also for the MFI clients.

Originality/value

The study provides an insight in to variable-wise inefficiency measurement using advanced model WRDDM in Indian context MFIs.
Successful private investor activism in an emerging market
Authors: Viviers Suzette , Mans-Kemp Nadia
Published: November 2020

Purpose

Institutional investors in emerging markets are increasingly under pressure to integrate environmental, social and corporate governance considerations into their investment analyses and ownership practices. Old Mutual Investment Group (OMIG) is a South African-based institutional investor that has long been regarded as a pioneer in responsible investing. The purpose of this study was to examine the nature and effectiveness of OMIG's private shareholder activism endeavours over the period 1 January 2014 to 30 June 2018.

Design/methodology/approach

A unique database was constructed using proprietary, point-in-time data for 69 listed companies covering 283 private engagements. Binary logistic regressions were conducted to test the hypothesised relationships.

Findings

The majority of the private engagements centred on executive remuneration. This finding was not unexpected given the large and growing wage gap in South Africa. Close to two-thirds of OMIG’s private deliberations were successful. Engagement success was positively associated with a targeted company’s capacity to change and desire to protect its reputation.

Research limitations/implications

This study only investigated the private shareholder engagement actions of a single, well-resourced institutional investor.

Practical implications

The findings serve as an encouragement to other investors who are contemplating a more active approach to change unethical and unsustainable corporate policies and practices.

Originality/value

This unique analysis sheds light on the determinants and success of private shareholder activism in an emerging market.
Implementing strategies of entrepreneurship education in Zimbabwe
Authors: Mawonedzo Abigal , Tanga Magdaline , Luggya Simon , Nsubuga Yvonne
Published: November 2020

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to explore how the strategies of entrepreneurship education in clothing and textile programmes are implemented in selected Technical Colleges in Zimbabwe.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative research approach was adopted for this paper. Purposive sampling technique was used to collect data from 42 participants through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions.

Findings

The findings show that there were two principal strategies that are used by lecturers in technical colleges, where entrepreneurship education is taught. The findings reveal that the implementation of the lecture method in most of these colleges deviates remarkable from each other. Given the socioeconomic and linguistic backgrounds of the learners, lectures are delivered in both English and the dominant local language, and the notes are written on the blackboard. Experiential learning, which is the placement of students in textile and clothing industries, was revealed to be another strategy, which was not achieving the intended results as most of the students were engaged in unrelated activities. The implementation of the two methods fall short of internationally recognised and pedagogically acceptable strategies that ought to instil the necessary skills in students to become future entrepreneurs in the textile and clothing industries in Zimbabwe and in Africa.

Research limitations/implications

One of the limitations of the paper is that data was not collected from production managers from the clothing manufacturing industry and from the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education officials, especially those from the Curriculum Development Unit. However, the core of this paper is on implementing strategies from the perspectives of lecturers and students. Another limitation of the paper is that data was collected only from three technical colleges in Harare, Manicaland and Midland provinces. There are a total of nine such colleges in Zimbabwe. Nonetheless, since this a qualitative paper, its aim is not to generalise its findings but to provide in-depth and rich information about implementing strategies in Clothing and Textile programmes in selected TVET colleges.

Originality/value

The paper presents some pertinent recommendations to enhance a better implementation of the strategies used in entrepreneurship education to ensure that upon graduation, graduates can be self-employed and create jobs. This could help in curbing the high unemployment rate in Zimbabwe as well as in Africa in general.
Regulatory focus and investment advisers' recommending behavior
Authors: Ewe Soo Yeong , Lee Christina Kwai Choi , Gul Ferdinand A.
Published: November 2020

Purpose

This study examines the effect of a regulatory-focused prime (i.e. a brochure with a picture and message) on the recommending behavior of investment advisers in the context of an investment decision.

Design/methodology/approach

Three experiments were conducted with 468 participants, mostly from the financial services industry. Study 1 examined the direct effect of a regulatory-focused prime on an investment adviser's recommending behavior, whereas Study 2 examined the moderating role of regulatory fit on such behavior. Study 3 validated the findings.

Findings

The results provide evidence that a message using visual and textual cues based on a promotion and prevention regulatory focus may trigger a preference in an investment adviser's product recommendation. A promotion (prevention)-focused framed message will trigger the recommendation of an investment plan with a higher but riskier (safe and stable) potential return. However, when the same prime is presented with details of a performance incentive scheme, the effect of the prime is reduced when there is a regulatory nonfit between the prime and the message relating to the performance incentive scheme.

Practical implications

The findings highlight the importance of understanding how regulatory-focused stimuli may subconsciously influence the recommendation of investment advisers as heuristics used in decision-making, thereby influencing their clients' investment decisions.

Originality/value

Past studies have focused on how regulatory-focused visual and message cues influence consumer decision-making. This study provides empirical evidence regarding the influence of regulatory-focused prime on an investment adviser's behavior when providing investment advice.
Evaluating hotel websites through the use of fuzzy AHP and fuzzy TOPSIS
Authors: Baki Rahmi
Published: November 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to develop a useful, effective and comprehensive approach to facilitate the evaluation of hotel websites.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper examines the literature evaluating e-commerce sites, particularly that is focused on hotel, tourism and travel. Moreover, 5 criteria and 19 sub-criteria are identified, and a two-step method is proposed for the assessment of hotel websites whereby the global weights of the proposed criteria are determined by the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process, and hotel websites are ranked through the fuzzy technique for order preference by similarity to ideal situation.

Findings

The results show that the leading criteria to effectively evaluate hotel websites are trust and information quality and that the most important sub-criteria are special discounts, assurance and reservation information.

Practical implications

This research offers practical advice to increase understanding of the determinants of an effective hotel website so that appropriate strategies can be developed to convert a website visitor into a customer.

Originality/value

The study aims to contribute to businesses operating in the tourism sector which seeks to increase the effectiveness of their websites by identifying criteria and proposing a methodology for hotel website evaluation.
COVID-19 and restaurant demand: early effects of the pandemic and stay-at-home orders
Authors: Yang Yang , Liu Hongbo , Chen Xiang
Published: November 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to evaluate the early effects of the pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and accompanying stay-at-home orders on restaurant demand in US counties.

Design/methodology/approach

The following two sets of daily restaurant demand data were collected for each US county: foot traffic data and card transaction data. A two-way fixed-effects panel data model was used to estimate daily restaurant demand from February 1 to April 30, 2020.

Findings

Results show that a 1% increase in daily new COVID-19 cases led to a 0.0556% decrease in daily restaurant demand, while stay-at-home orders were collectively associated with a 3.25% drop in demand. The extent of these declines varied across counties; ethnicity, political ideology, eat-in habits and restaurant diversity were found to moderate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and stay-at-home orders.

Practical implications

These results characterize the regional restaurant industry’s resilience to COVID-19 and identify particularly vulnerable areas that may require pubic policies and managerial strategies for intervention.

Originality/value

This study represents a pioneering attempt to investigate the economic impact of COVID-19 on restaurant businesses.
Can spirituality and long-term orientation relate to workplace identity? An examination using SEM
Authors: M M Sulphey
Published: November 2020

Purpose

The interconnections and relationships of workplace identity with a few organizational behavior concepts such as job involvement, commitment and turnover intentions have been identified by earlier studies. The present study was undertaken to find out the relationship of workplace identity with long-term orientation and spirituality.

Design/methodology/approach

SEM was performed using Python, on a sample of 365 respondents, using three validated questionnaires. The questionnaires used for the study were Spirituality Index of Wellbeing (SIWB), Long-term Orientation (LTO) Scale and Workplace Identity Scale.

Findings

Results indicated significant positive relationship between workplace spirituality and workplace identity, as well as LTO and workplace identity. No significant relationship was observed between LTO and workplace spirituality.

Originality/value

An in-depth review of literature revealed that no previous studies have examined the complex relationship between workplace spirituality, LTO and workplace identity. Further, there are only few studies about the workplace identity and its relationship with other constructs. The present work was a modest effort to fill this gap in literature. The study has succeeded in making significant contribution towards management literature.
Young adults' personal concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic in Finland: an issue for social concern
Authors: Ranta Mette , Silinskas Gintautas , Wilska Terhi-Anna
Published: November 2020

Purpose

This study focuses on how young adults face the COVID-19 pandemic by investigating their personal concerns about mental well-being, career/studies and economic situation. The authors investigated how young adults' (aged 18–29) personal concerns differ from older people's concerns (aged 30–65) and which person- and context-related antecedents relate to personal concerns.

Design/methodology/approach

Data of Finnish young adults aged 18–29 (n = 222), who participated in the “Corona Consumers” survey (N = 1,000) in April 2020, were analyzed by path analysis and compared to participants aged 30–65 by independent samples t-test.

Findings

Young adults were significantly more concerned about the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on their mental well-being, career/studies and economic situation than older people. Females were more concerned about their mental well-being than males. Among youth, lower life satisfaction was related to concerns about mental well-being, and lower satisfaction with financial situation was related to concerns about career/studies and economic situation. Young adults' predisposition to avoid difficult situations was related to more frequent concerns in all domains, whereas generalized trust and education were not.

Research limitations/implications

Due to cross-sectional data, causal COVID-19 interpretations should be made cautiously.

Practical implications

Strong youth policies are needed for youth empowerment, mental health and career advancement in the pandemic aftermath.

Originality/value

The study highlights the inequality of the effects of COVID-19: The pandemic has radically influenced young adults as they exhibit significant personal concerns in age-related life domains.
COVID on three continents: how local children’s organisations in Africa, Europe and South America are adapting to the coronavirus challenge
Authors: Clulow Suzanne , Dimitrouka Nikoleta , Zamora Zapata Iván
Published: November 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to share anecdotally how the pandemic is affecting children, families and some of the frontline local services that support them across three continents.

Design/methodology/approach

Three members of Family for Every Child across three continents detail some of the day-to-day challenges they are facing in their work with children and families as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Findings

Social distancing and fear of the virus are hampering front line organisations in Africa, Europe and South America, bringing additional challenges to keeping children safe.

Originality/value

These three case studies give a snapshot of the issues faced by three non-governmental children’s organisations over three continents during July 2020.
Undoing systems of exclusion: exploring inclusive leadership and systems thinking in two inclusive elementary schools
Authors: DeMatthews David
Published: November 2020

Purpose

Most education systems were not initially designed to include students with disabilities. However, over the past 25 years, great strives have been taken to ensure students with disabilities have access to the general education classroom and to important social, emotional and academic opportunities. Within the USA, researchers have begun to focus on the principal's role in creating and sustaining effective inclusive schools. The purpose of this article is to examine the leadership practices and perceptions associated with creating effective inclusive schools for students with disabilities.

Design/methodology/approach

This qualitative study examined how two elementary school principals created an effective inclusive school and how they understood the challenges and change processes associated with inclusion. Each principal was interviewed and observed four times over one school year. Teachers and district administrators were also interviewed to gain insights into the school's progress with inclusion and to verify principals’ interview data.

Findings

This study added to existing research by identifying the following leadership practices critical to creating effective inclusive schools: (1) creating a culture of change-oriented collaboration, (2) planning and evaluating, (3) building capacity and (4) developing/revising plans. The principals felt that these practices enabled inclusion to take root, despite challenges and the chaotic nature of life in schools. A total of three additional themes emerged related to how principals understood change processes and challenges associated with inclusion: collaborative inquiry, information flow and crises/distractions/fatigue.

Practical implications

Several key leadership practices were identified in this study, including practices associated to systems thinking (ST). These practices hold promise and might be applied to thoughtfully design inclusive reforms. Faculty in principal preparation programs might also consider exposing aspiring leaders to the literature on leadership for effective inclusive schools as well as systems thinking.

Originality/value

The paper identifies the leadership practices of two principals who created effective inclusive schools. The paper is unique as it applies a ST lens to the investigation of leadership for inclusion.
The History and Etymology of CappadocianFšáx‘Child’, PharasiotFšáxi‘Boy’
Authors: Janse Mark , Vandewalle Johan
Published: November 2020

Cappadocianfšáx‘child’ and Pharasiotfšáxi‘boy’ are traditionally derived from Turkishuşak, assuming a hitherto unexplained fricativization of [u] to [f] and of word‐final [k] to [x] after the borrowing process. The latter cannot be attributed to Cappadocian or Pharasiot, however, as it is a common feature of Anatolian Turkish. In order to understand the former sound change, we have to assume an isolated case of high vowel fricativization in the articulated pluralta ušáxja>ta fšáxja→ sg.to fšáx(i)by metanalysis, comparable to the generally acknowledged case ofta otjá>ta utjá>ta ftjá→ sg.to ftí‘the ear’. We argue thatfšáx(i)is an archaism in light of the parallel use ofuşak→ušákreported in nineteenth‐century sources and the preservation of word‐final [x] even in dialects which seem to have borrowed words ending in [k] from Standard instead of Anatolian Turkish. The irregular inflection of Cappadocianfšáxsuggests that it was borrowed as an adjective from Old Anatolian Turkish before it was substantivized in Ottoman Turkish, perhaps even from Old Turkishuvşak‘little’:ta ufšáxa ta peðjá‘the little children’ >ta fšáxa‘the little ones’ by apheresis.
Rhamnolipids produced by Pseudomonas: from molecular genetics to the market
Authors: Soberón‐Chávez Gloria , González‐Valdez Abigail , Soto‐Aceves Martín P. , Cocotl‐Yañez Miguel
Published: November 2020

Rhamnolipids are biosurfactants with a wide range of industrial applications that entered into the market a decade ago. They are naturally produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and some Burkholderia species. Occasionally, some strains of different bacterial species, like Pseudomonas chlororaphis NRRL B‐30761, which have acquired RL‐producing ability by horizontal gene transfer, have been described. P. aeruginosa, the ubiquitous opportunistic pathogenic bacterium, is the best rhamnolipids producer, but Pseudomonas putida has been used as heterologous host for the production of this biosurfactant with relatively good yields. The molecular genetics of rhamnolipids production by P. aeruginosa has been widely studied not only due to the interest in developing overproducing strains, but because it is coordinately regulated with the expression of different virulence‐related traits by the quorum‐sensing response. Here, we highlight how the research of the molecular mechanisms involved in rhamnolipid production have impacted the development of strains that are suitable for industrial production of this biosurfactant, as well as some perspectives to improve these industrial useful strains.
Incidence of giant cell arteritis after bisphosphonate exposure: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Mahmood Salman Bin , Ji Yuanyuan , Peng Yi , Abou Zahr Zaki
Published: November 2020

Objectives

Bisphosphonates may cause autoimmune reactions via a cytokine‐mediated acute phase response. A case of giant cell arteritis (GCA) after zoledronate injection was recently reported. We aimed to evaluate this association by reviewing the incidence of GCA after bisphosphonate administration.

Methods

This was a retrospective study using the medical claims data of elderly patients in the 20% Medicare random sample from 2008‐2014 who had received zoledronate or ibandronate. Patients who had a diagnosis claim of GCA within the past year before receiving either bisphosphonate were excluded. The development of GCA was assessed in 2 ways: GCA diagnosis claim within 28 days of bisphosphonate injection and another claim within 90 days of initial claim; and temporal artery biopsy claim within 28 days of bisphosphonate injection and GCA diagnosis claim within 90 days of biopsy. Due to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services reporting requirements we excluded numbers less than 11 from analysis.

Results

The incidence of GCA was 0.010% and 0.013% after zoledronate and ibandronate injection respectively. In the zoledronate group incidence was highest in patients aged 75‐85 years (0.011%), in Whites (0.011%), in the northeast census region (0.013%) and higher in females (0.011% vs 0.009%). All GCA cases noted in the ibandronate group involved White females. We are unable to report incidences by age and region due to the paucity of data.

Conclusion

The incidence of GCA after bisphosphonate injection was not increased compared to the generally reported incidence in the USA.