bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Atomistic Simulations and Deep Mutational Scanning of Protein Stability and Binding Interactions in the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Complexes with Nanobodies: Molecular Determinants of Mutational Escape Mechanisms
Authors: Verkhivker Gennady M. , Agajanian Steve , Oztas Deniz Yasar , Gupta Grace
Published: July 2021

Structural and biochemical studies have recently revealed a range of rationally engineered nanobodies with efficient neutralizing capacity against SARS-CoV-2 virus and resilience against mutational escape. In this work, we combined atomistic simulations and conformational dynamics analysis with the ensemble-based mutational profiling of binding interactions for a diverse panel of SARS-CoV-2 spike complexes with nanobodies. Using this computational toolkit we identified dynamic signatures and binding affinity fingerprints for the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein complexes with nanobodies Nb6 and Nb20, VHH E, a pair combination VHH E+U, a biparatopic nanobody VHH VE, and a combination of CC12.3 antibody and VHH V/W nanobodies. Through ensemble-based deep mutational profiling of stability and binding affinities, we identify critical hotspots and characterize molecular mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein binding with single ultra-potent nanobodies, nanobody cocktails and biparatopic nanobodies. By quantifying dynamic and energetic determinants of the SARS-CoV-2 S binding with nanobodies, we also examine the effects of circulating variants and escaping mutations. We found that mutational escape mechanisms may be controlled through structurally and energetically adaptable binding hotspots located in the host receptor-accessible binding epitope that are dynamically coupled to the stability centers in the distant epitope targeted by VHH U/V/W nanobodies. The results of this study suggested a mechanism in which through cooperative dynamic changes, nanobody combinations and biparatopic nanobody can modulate the global protein response and induce the increased resilience to common escape mutants.
Symptomatic, Presymptomatic, and Asymptomatic Transmission of SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Krieg Steven J. , Schnur Jennifer J. , Miranda Marie L. , Pfrender Michael E. , Chawla Nitesh V.
Published: July 2021

Importance

Asymptomatic and presymptomatic carriers of SARS-CoV-2 are an ongoing and significant risk for community spread of the virus, especially with the majority of the world still unvaccinated and new variants emerging.

Objective

To quantify the presence and effects of symptom presentation (or lack thereof) on the community transmission of SARS-CoV-2.

Design

A cohort of 12,960 young adults participated in health reporting, contact tracing, and COVID-19 testing for 103 days between August 10 and November 20, 2020.

Setting

A mid-sized university campus in Indiana, United States.

Participants

University students, most of whom are 18-23 years old (67%) and living in congregate on-campus housing (60%). Of the 12,960 students, 1,556 (12.0%) tested positive for COVID-19 during the 103 day period. Of the positive cases, 1,198 reported sufficient health check data (7 days prior and 7 days post diagnosis) to be classified as asymptomatic or symptomatic.

Main Outcome

Secondary attack rate, based on presentation or absence of symptoms and type of symptoms calculated with respect to confirmed close contacts and a 14-day incubation period, varies on the type of symptom, timing of symptoms, and absence of symptoms. A quantifiable understanding of SAR on the longitudinal data of more than one thousand subjects in a university environment provides keen insights about developing strategies to respond to the continued prevalence of COVID-19 in the unvaccinated world and growth of variants.

Results

32.5% of all cases reported no symptoms within a 15-day window centered on their positive test (7 days prior, the day of the positive test, and 7 days after). The secondary attack rate (SAR) of asymptomatic COVID-19 index cases was 19.1%. The SAR of symptomatic index cases was 25.4%, and while the onset timing of symptoms did not affect transmission, the presence of certain symptoms like fever, shortness of breath, and dry cough increased the SAR as high as 30.0%.

Conclusions and Relevance

Asymptomatic rates of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 are much higher than has been estimated in prior studies and continue to pose a significant and ongoing risk in the pandemic, especially with the prevalence of variants like the Delta variant. In addition, different symptoms are associated with varying rates of transmission, posing a significant challenge in how to diagnose or assess risk through mechanisms such as daily health checks for symptom reporting, a practice commonly in place for entry into schools, offices, restaurants, etc. Given the uncertain nature of symptoms and varied transmission rates, this study suggests a broader embrace of masking, social distancing and testing might be needed to counter the variants until higher global vaccination rates can be achieved.
Anxiety and Depression among Medical Doctors in Catalonia, Italy, and the UK during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Quintana-Domeque Climent , Lee Ines , Zhang Anwen , Proto Eugenio , Battisti Michele , Ho Antonia
Published: July 2021

Healthcare workers have had the longest and most direct exposure to COVID-19 and consequently may suffer from poor mental health. We conducted one of the first repeated multi-country analysis of the mental wellbeing of medical doctors (n=5,275) at two timepoints during the COVID-19 pandemic (June 2020 and November/December 2020) to understand the prevalence of anxiety and depression, as well as associated risk factors. Rates of anxiety and depression were highest in Italy (24.6% and 20.1%, June 2020), second highest in Catalonia (24.6% and 17.4%, June 2020), and lowest in the UK (11.7% and 13.7%, June 2020). Across all countries, higher risk of anxiety and depression symptoms are found among women, individuals below 60 years old, those feeling vulnerable/exposed at work, and those in poor health. We did not find systematic differences in mental health measures between the two rounds of data collection, hence we cannot discard that the mental health repercussions of the pandemic are persistent.
Simplified point-of-care full SARS-CoV-2 genome sequencing using nanopore technology
Authors: Pembaur Anton , Sallard Erwan , Weil Patrick Philipp , Ortelt Jennifer , Ahmad-Nejad Parviz , Postberg Jan
Published: July 2021

Background

The scale of the ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic warrants the urgent establishment of a global decentralized surveillance system to recognize local outbreaks and the emergence of novel variants-of-concern. Among available deep-sequencing technologies, nanopore-sequencing could be an important cornerstone, since it is mobile, scalable and costs-effective. Therefore, streamlined nanopore-sequencing protocols need to be developed and optimized for SARS-CoV-2 variants identification.

Results

We adapted and simplified existing workflows using the ‘midnight’ 1,200 bp amplicon split primer sets for PCR, which produce tiled overlapping amplicons covering almost the entire SARS-CoV-2 genome. Subsequently, we applied Oxford Nanopore Rapid Barcoding and the portable MinION Mk1C sequencer combined with the interARTIC bioinformatics pipeline. We tested a simplified and less time-consuming workflow using SARS-CoV-2-positive specimens from clinical routine and identified pre-analytical parameters, which may help to decrease sequencing failures rates. Complete pipeline duration was approx. 7 hrs for one specimen and approx. 11 hrs for 12 multiplexed barcoded specimens.

Conclusions

The adapted protocol contains less processing steps and can be completely conducted within one working-day. Diagnostic CT values are principal criteria for specimen selection.
Lifelong learning of cognitive strategies for physical problem-solving: the effect of embodied experience
Authors: Allen Kelsey R. , Smith Kevin A. , Bird Laura-Ashleigh , Tenenbaum Joshua B. , Makin Tamar R. , Cowie Dorothy
Published: July 2021

‘Embodied cognition’ suggests that our bodily experiences broadly shape our cognitive capabilities. We study how embodied experience affects the abstract physical problem-solving strategies people use in a virtual task where embodiment does not affect action capabilities. We compare how groups with different embodied experience – 25 children and 35 adults with congenital limb differences versus 45 children and 40 adults born with two hands – perform this task, and find that while there is no difference in overall competence, the groups use different cognitive strategies to find solutions. People born with limb differences think more before acting, but take fewer attempts to reach solutions. Conversely, development affects the particular actions children use, as well as their persistence with their current strategy. Our findings suggest that while development alters action choices and persistence, differences in embodied experience drive strategic changes in the acquisition of cognitive strategies for balancing acting with thinking.

Statement of Relevance

Theories of embodied cognition suggest our cognitive and perceptual capabilities are shaped by how our bodies constrain our interactions with the world; however, these tasks often study short-term effects or setups where body differences impact task solutions. Here we compare the performance of children and adults with and without congenital limb differences (missing hands/upper limbs) on a virtual physical problem-solving task, where both groups had equal motor capabilities for interacting with the world. Across ages, participants with limb differences solved these tasks as proficiently as those without limb differences, but took fewer attempts to come to solutions, with more time spent thinking between attempts. This suggests that early life differences in embodied experience cause changes in individuals’ “cognitive strategies” for allocating time between thinking and acting.
Emergent collective locomotion in an active polymer model of entangled worm blobs
Authors: Nguyen Chantal , Ozkan-Aydin Yasemin , Tuazon Harry , Goldman Daniel I. , Bhamla M. Saad , Peleg Orit
Published: July 2021

Numerous worm and arthropod species form physically-connected aggregations in which interactions among individuals give rise to emergent macroscale dynamics and functionalities that enhance collective survival. In particular, some aquatic worms such as the California blackworm (Lumbriculus variegatus) entangle their bodies into dense blobs to shield themselves against external stressors and preserve moisture in dry conditions. Motivated by recent experiments revealing emergent locomotion in blackworm blobs, we investigate the collective worm dynamics by modeling each worm as a self-propelled Brownian polymer. Though our model is two-dimensional, compared to real three-dimensional worm blobs, we demonstrate how a simulated blob can collectively traverse temperature gradients via the coupling between the active motion and the environment. By performing a systematic parameter sweep over the strength of attractive forces between worms, and the magnitude of their directed self-propulsion, we obtain a rich phase diagram which reveals that effective collective locomotion emerges as a result of finely balancing a tradeoff between these two parameters. Our model brings the physics of active filaments into a new meso- and macroscale context and invites further theoretical investigation into the collective behavior of long, slender, semi-flexible organisms.
Founder cell configuration drives competitive outcome within colony biofilms
Authors: Eigentler Lukas , Kalamara Margarita , Ball Graeme , MacPhee Cait E. , Stanley-Wall Nicola R. , Davidson Fordyce A.
Published: July 2021

Bacteria typically form dense communities called biofilms, where cells are embedded in a self-produced extracellular matrix. Competitive interactions between strains within the biofilm context are studied due to their potential applications in biological, medical, and industrial systems. Combining mathematical modelling with experimental assays, we reveal that the spatial structure and the competitive dynamics within biofilms are significantly affected by the location and density of founder cells. Using an isogenic pair of Bacillus subtilis strains, we show that the observed spatial structure and relative strain biomass in a mature biofilm can be mapped directly to the locations of founder cells. Moreover, we define a predictor of competitive outcome that accurately forecasts relative abundance of strains based solely on the founder cells’ access to free space. Consequently, we reveal that variability of competitive outcome in biofilms inoculated at low founder density is a natural consequence of the random positioning of founding cells in the inoculum. Extending our study to non-isogenic strain pairs of B. subtilis, we show that even for strains with different antagonistic strengths, a race for space remains the dominant mode of competition in biofilms inoculated at low founder densities. Our results highlight the importance of spatial dynamics on competitive interactions within biofilms and hence to related applications.
Melanopic stimulation does not affect psychophysical threshold sensitivity for luminance flicker
Authors: Vincent Joris , Haggerty Edda B. , Brainard David H. , Aguirre Geoffrey K.
Published: July 2021

In addition to the cone photoreceptors the retina contains intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs). These cells express the photopigment melanopsin and are known to be involved in reflexive visual functions such as pupil response and photo-entrainment of the circadian rhythm. It is possible that the ipRGCs contribute to conscious visual perception, either by providing an independent signal to the geniculo-striate pathway, or by interacting with and thus modifying signals arising from “classical” retinal ganglion cells that combine and contrast cone input. Here, we tested for the existence of an interaction by asking if a 350% change in melanopsin stimulation alters psychophysical sensitivity for the detection of luminance flicker. In Experiment 1, we tested for a change in the threshold for detecting luminance flicker in three participants after they adapted to backgrounds with different degrees of tonic melanopsin stimulation. In Experiments 2 and 3, this test was repeated, but now for luminance flicker presented on a transient pedestal of melanopsin stimulation. Across the three experiments, no effect of melanopsin stimulation upon threshold flicker sensitivity was found. Our results suggest that even large changes in melanopsin stimulation do not affect near-threshold, cone-mediated visual perception.
Lung adenocarcinoma cell-derived exosomal miR-328 promote osteoclastogenesis by targeting Nrp2
Authors: Zhang Chengcheng , Qin Jingru , Yang Lu , Zhu Zhiyao , Yang Jia , Su Wan , Deng Haibin , Wang Zhongqi
Published: July 2021

Bone metastasis of lung cancer and detailed mechanisms are still elusive, and the roles of exosomes derived from lung adenocarcinoma cells in this process have attracted much attention. In this study, we found that A549 cell-derived exosomes (A549-Exos) promoted osteogenesis and bone resorption in vitro. Furthermore, A549-Exos target bone in vivo and promoted bone resorption in vivo. Mechanistically, A549-Exosomal miR-328 promoted bone resorption by targeting Nrp2 and A549-ExosmiR-328 Inhibitors inhibited bone resorption in vivo. Thus, A549-Exosomal miR-328 promote osteoclastogenesis by targeting Nrp2 and A549-ExosmiR-328 Inhibitors may serve as a potential nanomedicine for the treatment of bone metastasis.
Cerebellar Control of a Unitary Head Direction Sense
Authors: Fallahnezhad Mehdi , Le Méro Julia , Zenelaj Xhensjana , Vincent Jean , Rochefort Christelle , Rondi-Reig Laure
Published: July 2021

Head direction (HD) cells, key neuronal elements in the mammalian’s navigation system, are hypothesized to act as a continuous attractor network, in which temporal coordination between cell members is maintained under different brain states or external sensory conditions, resembling a unitary neural representation of direction. Whether and how multiple identified HD signals in anatomically separate HD cell structures are part of a single and unique attractor network is currently unknown. By manipulating the cerebellum, we identified pairs of thalamic and retrosplenial HD cells that lose their temporal coordination in the absence of external sensory drive, while the neuronal coordination within each of these brain regions remained intact. Further, we show that distinct cerebellar mechanisms are involved in the stability of direction representation depending on external sensory conditions. These results put forward a new role for the cerebellum in mediating stable and coordinated HD neuronal activity toward a unitary thalamocortical representation of direction.
NGS comparison of Downy and Powdery mildew resistance genomic regions between ‘Regent’ and ‘Red Globe’
Authors: van Heerden CJ , Burger P , Burger JT , Prins R
Published: July 2021

Powdery and downy mildew have a large negative impact on grape production worldwide. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping projects have identified several loci for the genetic factors responsible for resistance to these pathogens. Several of these studies have focused on the cultivar ‘Regent’, which carries the resistance loci to downy mildew on chromosome 18 (Rpv3), as well powdery mildew on chromosome 15 (Ren3, Ren9). Several other minor resistance loci have also been identified on other chromosomes.

Here we report on the re-sequencing of the ‘Regent’ and ‘Red Globe’ (susceptible) genomes using next generation sequencing. While the genome of ‘Regent’ has more SNP variants than ‘Red Globe’, the distribution of these variants across the two genomes is not the same, nor is it uniform. The variation per gene shows that some genes have higher SNP density than others and that the number of SNPs for a given gene is not always the same for the two cultivars. In this study, we investigate the effectiveness of studying the variation of non-synonymous to synonymous SNP ratio’s between resistant and susceptible cultivars in the target QTL regions as a strategy to narrow down the number of likely candidate genes for Rpv3, Ren3 and Ren9.
Hydroxycarbamide effects on DNA methylation and gene expression in myeloproliferative neoplasms
Authors: Contreras Castillo Stephania , Montibus Bertille , Rocha Azucena , Duke Will , von Meyenn Ferdinand , McLornan Donal , Harrison Claire , Mullally Ann , Schulz Reiner , Oakey Rebecca J.
Published: July 2021

Hydroxycarbamide (HC, hydroxyurea) is a cytoreductive drug inducing cell cycle blockade. However, emerging evidence suggests that HC plays a role in the modulation of transcription through the activity of transcription factors and DNA methylation. Examining the global mechanism of action of HC in the context of myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), for which HC is the first-line treatment, will provide a better understanding of its molecular effects. To explore the effects of HC genome-wide, transcriptomic analyses were performed on two clinically relevant cell types at different stages of differentiation treated with HC in a murine MPN model. This study was replicated in MPN patients by profiling genome-wide gene expression and DNA methylation using patient blood samples collected longitudinally, before and following HC exposure. The effects of HC on the transcriptome were not only associated with cell cycle interruption but also with hematopoietic functions. Moreover, a group of genes were restored to normal expression levels in murine hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) following drug treatment, including the master regulator of hematopoiesis, RUNX1. In humans, HC significantly modifies DNA methylation levels in HSCs at several distal regulatory regions, which we show to be associated with SPI1 binding sites and at the SPI1 locus itself. We have identified novel targets of HC that include pivotal transcription factors involved in hematopoiesis, and for the first time we report abnormal methylation patterns in MPN patients at the master regulator gene SPI1 and its distal binding sites, which HC is able to restore to normal levels.
House of quality: a method to identify landscape design requirements
Authors: El Sawalhi Nabil I. , Yazgi Aisha N.
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The level of live, reduction of pollution and positive human health is affected by the quality of landscape. In addition, many benefits such as aesthetic, psychological and social can be achieved. The quality of landscape is integrated with the individual’s needs. The scope of landscape must be determined according to user needs and planning methods. The purpose of this study is to propose a house of quality (HOQ) model to identify the landscape design requirements. The Islamic University of Gaza (IUG) was used as a case study. The need to implement the proposed HOQ model has been identified. Also, the male and female students’ priorities have been identified, and the weight of campus landscape design elements was extracted.

Design/methodology/approach

The male and female IUG students’ needs were identified using a questionnaire survey. The data were analyzed for testing statistical validity and reliability using SPSS. HOQ model was built using EDRAW Max program.

Findings

The ten most important student needs are “cleanliness, praying, feeling safe, feeling comfortable psychic, drinking, spaciousness and breadth, shading, quiet, rest and sitting, and fresh air.” Based on these results and needs assessment, the HOQ was constructed. The most important design elements are “group of seats, shrubs, trees, lawns, pergola, and seats chairs or benches.”

Originality/value

This study adds to the designer’s knowledge about HOQ application in design, and contributes significantly to consider public participation as a way in collecting the voice of customers.
Experiencing the future: preservice teacher perceptions of the solution-focused brief coaching approach
Authors: McNulty Carol P. , Smith LeAnne Ward
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to describe teacher candidate perceptions of the influence of solution-focused brief coaching (SFBC) sessions on movement toward self-identified outcomes. The SFBC approach emanated from the London-based organization BRIEF: The Centre for Solution Focused Practice (BRIEF, n.d.).

Design/methodology/approach

This qualitative study engaged ten participants in two SFBC sessions. In the first coaching session, participants identified a “preferred future” and described what would be happening when it came to fruition. Coaches employed SFBC elements such as the “miracle question,” scaling questions, descriptions of strengths and recognition of resources already in place (Ivesonet al., 2012). In the second session, following coaching, participants shared their perceptions and experiences of the SFBC process.

Findings

All participants reported movement toward desired outcomes, and their perceptions of the SFBC process revealed five themes: an increase in positive emotion, enhanced self-efficacy, value in the co-construction of their preferred future, the coaching process as a catalyst for actualizing their preferred future and adoption of a solution-focused lens in other contexts.

Originality/value

This study answers the call for additional research in three areas: it provides data from completed SFBC sessions, examines participant follow-up on progress toward their preferred futures and provides insight regarding the coaching relationship dynamic. In addition, it provides qualitative findings for the SFBC approach, which have traditionally been dominated by quantitative results.
Exploring consumers' response to text-based chatbots in e-commerce: the moderating role of task complexity and chatbot disclosure
Authors: Cheng Xusen , Bao Ying , Zarifis Alex , Gong Wankun , Mou Jian
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Artificial intelligence (AI)-based chatbots have brought unprecedented business potential. This study aims to explore consumers' trust and response to a text-based chatbot in e-commerce, involving the moderating effects of task complexity and chatbot identity disclosure.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey method with 299 useable responses was conducted in this research. This study adopted the ordinary least squares regression to test the hypotheses.

Findings

First, the consumers' perception of both the empathy and friendliness of the chatbot positively impacts their trust in it. Second, task complexity negatively moderates the relationship between friendliness and consumers' trust. Third, disclosure of the text-based chatbot negatively moderates the relationship between empathy and consumers' trust, while it positively moderates the relationship between friendliness and consumers' trust. Fourth, consumers' trust in the chatbot increases their reliance on the chatbot and decreases their resistance to the chatbot in future interactions.

Research limitations/implications

Adopting the stimulus–organism–response (SOR) framework, this study provides important insights on consumers' perception and response to the text-based chatbot. The findings of this research also make suggestions that can increase consumers' positive responses to text-based chatbots.

Originality/value

Extant studies have investigated the effects of automated bots' attributes on consumers' perceptions. However, the boundary conditions of these effects are largely ignored. This research is one of the first attempts to provide a deep understanding of consumers' responses to a chatbot.
Facilitating compliance with BIM ISO 19650 naming convention through automation
Authors: Ajayi Saheed O. , Oyebiyi Farouq , Alaka Hafiz A.
Published: July 2021

Purpose

To foster effective implementation of building information modelling (BIM), it is guided by standards and protocols that require files naming in a format, containing a string of letters and digits in a tightly defined manner, which is perceived to be time-consuming, error-prone and serves as a barrier to BIM adoption. This paper aims to present a BIM-based plug-in solution (Auto-BIMName) that facilitates automated naming in compliance with BIM standards.

Design/methodology/approach

The Auto-BIMName portal has an information management system (IMS) for generating a master information delivery plan (MIDP), which serves as pre-requisites to effective file naming. Once the naming schema is implemented through text input controls for a project name, volume, level and number, the Revit plugin communicates with its IMS to fetch the name string or concatenate the string in line with the ISO 19650 convention, where the IMS is unused. The system was validated through a simulated collaborative project.

Findings

System testing and evaluation confirmed that the Auto-BIMName will ease the process of file naming, thereby facilitating collaboration efficiency, naming consistency across project teams and lifecycle stages, ease of file naming, time-saving and inducement for BIM implementation, etc. By linking information from MIDP in the BIM execution plan, the platform enhanced information management processes and improved coordination across project teams and lifecycle stages.

Originality/value

Apart from demonstrating how the automated naming platform enhances project performance, information management and coordination, the paper provides a practical demonstration of how the construction industry will benefit from enhanced digitalisation and process automation.
Financial sector transparency and bank interest margins: do quality of political and financial regulatory institutions matter?
Authors: Kusi Baah Aye
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This study aims to examine the effect of private (PRST) and public (PUST) sector-led financial sector transparencies on bank interest margins (BIM) termed as social cost of financial intermediation in different institutional quality setups.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a two-step dynamic generalized method of moments panel data and bootstrapped quantile models with 91 economies between 2004 and 2016. Data is sourced from World Development Indicator and Global Development Finance databases.

Findings

The results show that under strong and weak political and financial regulatory institutional setups, the reducing effect of PRST on BIM are observed and reported while the full sample reports no significant nexus between PRST and PUST on BIM. Furthermore, under political institutional quality sample, economies with strong corruption control and regulatory quality are able to reinforce the dampening effect of PRST on BIM while under the same political institutional quality sample, economies with weak rule of law are able to heighten the reducing effect of PRST on BIM. Moreover, under financial regulator institutional quality sample, economies with strong overall weighted and unweighted, chief executive officer and policy dependent central banks are able to intensify the diminishing effect of PRST on BIM while under the same financial regulator institutional quality sample, economies with weak limits on lending are able to amplify the reducing effect of PRST on BIM. However, PUST is reported to propel lower levels BIM in the bootstrap models, especially in strong institutional economies.

Practical implications

These findings imply that policymakers may rely on PRST to reduce BIM, especially under financial regulatory institutional quality. Additionally, economies must be careful on their reliance on PRST because the effectiveness of PRST to tame high BIM is dependent on the strength of political and financial regulatory institutions.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study presents first time international evidence on the effect of private and public sector-led financial transparency on BIM in strong and weak political and financial regulatory institution economies.
Being more than just seen: the struggle of navigating the white space of teacher education
Authors: Blum Grace Inae , Reyes Keith , Hougan Eric
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to identify and understand the experiences of teacher candidates and alumni of color within a multi-campus teacher preparation program at a large public institution in the northwest region of the USA.

Design/methodology/approach

This qualitative study used focus group methodology. Four semi-structured interviews of participants were conducted to investigate the opportunities, challenges, resources and supports experienced by participants in the teacher preparation program.

Findings

The findings indicate that while participants had varied individualized experiences within the teacher preparation program, many of them had common experiences that impacted their overall success within the program. These shared experiences include finding their voices silenced and seeking out experiences of authentic care.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the growing body of research focused on the recruitment and retainment of students of color within teacher education. The suggested implications offer important considerations for practitioners and policymakers regarding the recruitment and retention of students of color in teacher preparation programs.
Imperfect produce: retailer actions and service outcomes
Authors: Mukherjee Atmadeep , Mukherjee Amaradri , Iyer Pramod
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Food waste is a big problem where millions of pounds of produce are discarded every year because they are imperfect or unattractive. Despite the societal implications of selling unattractive produce, limited research has been directed toward understanding the effect of imperfect produce on consumers’ evaluations of the produce and retailer outcomes. This paper aims to investigate why consumers tend to discard imperfect produce and how retailer interventions (i.e. anthropomorphized signage and packaging) can alleviate these negative effects.

Design/methodology/approach

Three experiments were conducted to examine the postulations. Study 1 highlights the role of consumers’ embarrassment in the purchase decision of imperfect produce and retailer patronage intention. Studies 2 and 3 provide managerially relevant boundary conditions of anthropomorphic signage and opaque packaging.

Findings

Convergent results across three studies (n = 882) indicate that imperfect produce increases purchase embarrassment and reduces purchase intention and retailer patronage intention. Retailer interventions (i.e. anthropomorphic signage and opaque packaging) can allay this feeling of embarrassment and lead to an increased retailer patronage intention and higher service satisfaction.

Practical implications

This research provides guidance to retailers for effectively promoting imperfect produce.

Social implications

Retailers’ actions can benefit the well-being of farmers, suppliers, customers and the overall environment.

Originality/value

This research adds to the literature on unattractive produce by identifying new moderators, namely, anthropomorphic signages and opaque packaging. The research also shows that purchase embarrassment is a key process mechanism.
Geoparks – learnings from Australia
Authors: Briggs Alan , Dowling Ross , Newsome David
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This study aims to provide an overview of the current socio-political geopark situation in Australia and set this into a global context. In addition, the authors consider this information to be useful for all stakeholders involved in geopark research and development. An analysis of constraints is set alongside stakeholder views collected from remote rural Western Australia. The authors also place Australia in a global context in regard to the future of geoparks.

Design/methodology/approach

Vital contextual information regarding the tourism significance of geoparks is sourced from key literature. The authors analyse and report on the situation surrounding the current lack of enthusiasm for the geopark concept by the federal government and states in Australia. The authors also report positive rural community stakeholder views on geopark development from regional Western Australia.

Findings

While Australian federal, as well as state governments have yet to accept geoparks, stakeholder research in Western Australia supports the idea of geopark development. Learnings articulated in this viewpoint are relevant to any country pursuing and initiating the geopark concept. The authors posit that global geopark development can become a vital strategy in post-COVID-19 tourism recovery planning.

Originality/value

Australia currently does not have a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)-recognised geopark. Accordingly, the authors present a case for geopark development, while at the same time exploring the socio-political reasons behind the lack of geopark implementation in Australia. The authors consider the future of geoparks in the global context and reiterate the point that geoparks are important for COVID-19 recovery of tourism and in regard to UNESCO's Sustainable Development Goals for 2030.
Understanding users’ contribution in open innovation communities: a social capital perspective
Authors: Zhou Tao
Published: July 2021

Purpose

As users often lack the motivation to contribute their ideas and knowledge in open innovation communities, it is necessary to identify the determinants of users’ contribution. This paper aims to examine users’ contribution in open innovation communities based on the social capital theory.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors collected 474 valid responses from a survey and adopted structural equation modeling (SEM) to conduct data analysis.

Findings

The results indicated that social interaction, which includes informational and emotional interaction, has a significant effect on social capital, which in turn affects users’ contribution.

Research limitations/implications

The results imply that companies need to facilitate users’ interactions and develop social capital to promote their contribution in open innovation communities.

Originality/value

Although previous research has found the effect of individual motivations such as perceived benefits and behavioural control on innovation community users’ behaviour, it has seldom considered the effect of social capital embedded within the social relationship networking. This research tries to fill the gap and the results disclosed the mechanism underlying open innovation community users’ contribution.
Integrated reporting disclosure alignment levels in annual reports by listed firms in Vietnam and influencing factors
Authors: Nguyen Huu Cuong , Nguyen Phan Minh Hoa , Tran Bich Hiep , Nguyen Thi Thien Nga , Hoang Le Thanh Thuy , Do Thi Thu Hien
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the levels of integrated reporting disclosure alignment in annual reports by listed firms in Vietnam and the factors influencing these disclosure levels.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on a sample of 200 listed firms in Vietnam in 2017, the authors constructed a disclosure index based on the content of the International Integrated Reporting Committee (IIRC) Framework. Using this index, the study measures the extent to which Vietnamese listed firms’ annual reports include the content elements required by the integrated reporting (IR) Framework. The study performs ordinary least square regression to investigate the influencing factors.

Findings

The study documents that, on average, Vietnamese listed firms disclose about 43% of the information required by the IIRC Framework. The disclosure levels are positively associated with manufacturing firms, board independence, foreign ownership, government ownership, audit quality and firm size.

Originality/value

Integrated reports have been widely adopted in many countries, but it is still a new issue in Vietnam. This is the first paper providing some insights into the inclusion of the content elements required by the IR Framework by listed firms in Vietnam. It also contributes to the disclosure literature by providing empirical evidence on the factors influencing these disclosure levels. Deriving from the findings, the authors offer recommendations for policymakers on the issue of regulating and implementing IR in Vietnam.
Vulnerability analysis of Nigeria's agricultural output growth and climate change
Authors: Adeosun Oluyemi Theophilus , Asare-Nuamah Peter , Mabe Franklin Nantui
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Aside from oil, the Nigerian economy is largely agrarian, which is rain-fed. Hence the criticality of understanding climate change and its impact on agricultural output is more pressing than ever. This is in line with Sustainable Development Goal 13 which is to take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. Regardless, Nigeria has in the past five decades experienced a significant increase in temperature, in the range of 10 to over 30 degree Celsius. Therefore, managing the effect of climate change on agricultural output now has the colouration of a developmental challenge.

Design/methodology/approach

In light of this, this study gives due consideration to the impact of climate change on agricultural output between the years 1986 and 2015. For the purpose of analysis, descriptive statistics, unit root test and the ordinary least square (OLS) estimation technique were employed.

Findings

Findings from the study reveal that the average annual rainfall, temperature and forest area positively influence agricultural output, whereas drought, floods and agricultural nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions have negative impact on agricultural output. The study suggests the need for a regulatory framework and also an explicit national agricultural policy essential to offset the negative effects of climate change especially on agricultural output.

Originality/value

As Nigeria look to diversify her economy which relied on oil, agriculture is among the alternative sector hoping to drive her economic growth, therefore, it is pertinent to examine the current output in the sector given the effects of climate change.
Deconstructing quality at multi-campus universities: what moderates staff and student satisfaction?
Authors: Christensen Larissa Sue , Nilsen Natalie Elizabeth
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Through using a realist approach, this study aims to identify the key moderators of multi-campus effectiveness through a systematic literature review, with a focus on faculty staff and student satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

Following preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines, information from peer-reviewed journal papers relating to multi-campus universities was located. The systematic search spanned a 10 year period (2009 to 2019) and returned 538 results. After duplicates were removed, and titles, abstracts and full-texts were screened, 14 papers matched the eligibility criteria.

Findings

Four key moderators were identified through the thematic analysis: inconsistent technology, hesitation to innovate, geographical separation of staff and geographical separation of students.

Originality/value

By exploring the moderators, the study provides policy and practice professionals in higher education with a complex understanding of the key contexts that can hinder the success of staff and student satisfaction at multi-campus universities. To enhance the tangibility of the current review, the study concludes with practical steps forward for enhancing staff and student satisfaction at multi-campus universities.
HEI as a pressure cooker: crafting the secret sauce to social justice in social innovation
Authors: Panitch Melanie , Machado Jessica , Courneya Jocelyn , Idrees Afrah , Wehbi Samantha
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to reflect on the facilitative factors that contribute to a shift in focus to social innovation for social justice in a higher education institution. The study provides lessons learned that can be takeaways for others interested in shifting their conceptualization of social innovation toward social justice.

Design/methodology/approach

Relying on a case study of social innovation at Ryerson University, the paper begins with a brief history and the later development of the Office of Social Innovation. Through a reflection on three key initiatives, the study discusses strategic planning and partnerships, student programming and communications strategy.

Findings

The reflection process provides ingredients that have facilitated the intentional grounding of social innovation offerings and practices in social justice values, including creativity, collaboration, adaptability, voice and shifting the spotlight to alternate stories and ways of understanding social innovation. The authors also discuss the role of generative conflict and contradictions.

Originality/value

This study presents a reflective case study from a public research university, which holds a prominent reputation in entrepreneurial incubators and curricular offerings. With candid reflections from faculty and staff central in strategizing the direction of social innovation, the authors present experiences, perspectives and conflicts encountered when challenging the language and application of social innovation. The result is a unique contribution on what it means to ground post-secondary social innovation in social justice, why this shift was necessary and what has come from this work.
Legacy effects of seed dispersal mechanisms shape the spatial interaction network of plant species in Mediterranean forests
Authors: Perea Antonio J. , Wiegand Thorsten , Garrido José L. , Rey Pedro J. , Alcántara Julio M.
Published: July 2021

Seed dispersal by frugivores plays a key role in structuring and maintaining tree diversity in forests. However, little is known about how the spatial legacy of seed dispersal and early recruitment shapes spatial patterns and the spatial interaction network of plant species in mature forest communities.

We analysed two fully mapped mixed Pine–Oak forest communities using spatial point pattern analysis to determine (a) the detailed structure of the intraspecific spatial patterns of saplings and adults, (b) the intra‐ and interspecific spatial interaction of saplings, adults and saplings relative to adults, (c) the spatial patterns of species richness at the community level and (d) whether seed dispersal mechanisms affect the plant–plant interaction networks and the ratio of adult to sapling neighbourhood densities used as surrogate for spatial self‐thinning.

The intraspecific spatial patterns of saplings and adults showed in general complex nested cluster structures that were similar for sapling and adult stages, despite substantial self‐thinning in some dry‐fruited species. The spatial network of saplings was characterized by positive spatial interactions. Adults of several tree species facilitated saplings in their proximity; however, adults of dry‐fruited species, but not those of fleshy‐fruited ones, lost almost all positive interactions that occurred at the sapling stage. Besides, interaction strength between adults was positive and often significantly stronger if both species were fleshy‐fruited. At the community level, the forests were structured into multispecies clumps across all life stages.

Synthesis. Our analyses highlight the importance of the spatial legacy of seed dispersal and early recruitment in the assembly of plant communities. Particularly, animal seed dispersal can lead to multispecies clusters and positive spatial associations across life stages in Mediterranean forests, with surprisingly little signatures of negative interactions. Our analysis suggests that changes of the spatial structure across plant life stages are driven by seed dispersal mechanisms and subsequent spatial self‐thinning, generating a spatial footprint at the sapling stage that conditions the long‐term interactions between adult plants. Combining spatial point pattern analysis with network analysis and species traits is a promising way to disentangle the processes underlying observed patterns of local diversity.
Carbon allocation to the rhizosphere is affected by drought and nitrogen addition
Authors: Wang Ruzhen , Cavagnaro Timothy R. , Jiang Yong , Keitel Claudia , Dijkstra Feike A.
Published: July 2021

Photosynthetic carbon (C) allocated below‐ground can be shared with mycorrhizal fungi in exchange for nutrients, but also added into soil as rhizodeposits that potentially increases plant nutrient supply by supporting microbial nutrient mineralization from organic matter. How water and nitrogen (N) availability affects plant C allocation to the rhizosphere, including both arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) symbionts and rhizodeposits, remains largely unknown.

We used a13CO2pulse labelling experiment to assess the effects of drought and N addition on below‐ground allocation of C to soils and roots (quantified as excess13C) and tested their relationships with AMF colonization in an Australian grassland. We also examined relationships between AMF and previously reported root respiration and decomposition of rhizodeposits in this study.

We found that drought decreased the absolute amount of excess13C allocated to both soils and roots, likely due to less photosynthetic C fixation. In contrast, proportionally more excess13C was allocated to soils but less to root biomass with drought, suggesting that relatively more C was allocated to rhizodeposits and to AMF hyphal growth and extension. However, N addition reversed drought effects on below‐ground C allocation by retaining proportionally more excess13C in roots and less in soils, congruent with higher soil N and phosphorus availability, root biomass and number of root tips compared to drought without N addition. This suggests that the alleviation of nutrient limitation promoted plants to expend relatively more C on root growth and root trait adjustment, but less C on rhizodeposition and mycorrhizal symbiosis.

Synthesis. Mycorrhizal colonization related negatively to rhizodeposit decomposition rate but positively to both excess13C in root biomass and root respiration, suggesting a possible trade‐off in C allocation between mycorrhizal symbiosis and rhizodeposition. We conclude that below‐ground C allocation in this grassland can be mediated by mycorrhizal colonization and is strongly affected by water and nutrient availability.