bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A modified porous silicon microparticle promotes mucosal delivery of SARS-CoV-2 antigen and induction of potent and durable systemic and mucosal T helper 1 skewed protective immunity
Authors: Adam Awadalkareem , Shi Qing , Wang Binbin , Zou Jing , Mai Junhua , Osman Samantha R , Wu Wenzhe , Xie Xuping , Aguilar Patricia V , Bao Xiaoyong , Shi Pei-Yong , Shen Haifa , Wang Tian
Published: November 2021

Development of optimal SARS-CoV-2 vaccines to induce potent, long-lasting immunity and provide cross-reactive protection against emerging variants remains a high priority. Here, we report that a modified porous silicon microparticle (mPSM)-adjuvanted SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain (RBD) vaccine activated dendritic cells and generated more potent and durable SARS-CoV-2-specific systemic humoral and type 1 helper T (Th) cell-mediated immune responses than alum-formulated RBD following parenteral vaccination, and protected mice from SARS-CoV-2 and Beta variant infection. mPSM facilitated the uptake of SARS-CoV-2 RBD antigens by nasal and airway epithelial cells. Parenteral and intranasal prime and boost vaccinations with mPSM-RBD elicited potent systemic and lung resident memory T and B cells and SARS-CoV-2 specific IgA responses, and markedly diminished viral loads and inflammation in the lung following SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant infection. Our results suggest that mPSM can serve as potent adjuvant for SARS-CoV-2 subunit vaccine which is effective for systemic and mucosal vaccination.
Cerebrovascular response to exercise interacts with individual genotype and amyloid-beta deposition to influence response inhibition with aging
Authors: Palmer Jacqueline A. , Kaufman Carolyn S. , Vidoni Eric D. , Honea Robyn A. , Burns Jeffrey M. , Billinger Sandra A.
Published: November 2021

The etiology of cognitive dysfunction associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and dementia is multifactorial. Yet, mechanistic interactions among key neurobiological factors linked to AD pathology are unclear. This study tested the effect of interactions between cerebrovascular function, individual genotype, and structural brain pathology on response inhibition performance, an early and sensitive indicator of cognitive executive dysfunction with aging.

We quantified cerebrovascular response (CVR) to moderate-intensity aerobic exercise using transcranial doppler ultrasound and global amyloid-beta (Aβ) deposition using positron emission tomography in a group of cognitively normal older adults genotyped as APOE4 carriers and noncarriers. We quantified response inhibition during a cognitive Stroop test.

Individuals with blunted CVR possessed greater Aβ deposition. There was CVR-by-carrier status-by-Aβ interaction on response inhibition. Blunted CVR was associated with impaired response inhibition specifically in carriers. Despite having greater Aβ deposition, carriers with higher CVR demonstrated better response inhibition.

Cerebrovascular interactions with individual genotype and structural brain pathology may provide a physiologically-informed target for precision-medicine approaches for early treatment and prevention of cognitive dysfunction with aging.

Highlights

Neurobiological interactions between CVR, APOE genotype, and Aβ are behaviorally significant.

Blunted CVR to exercise is associated with impaired response inhibition specifically in APOE4 carriers.

APOE4 carriers with more robust CVR have higher response inhibition performance, despite having greater Aβ deposition.

Assessment of multifactorial neurobiological variables offers an early and sensitive biomarker of cognitive behavioral dysfunction with aging.
Genome sequencing in the Parkinson’s disease clinic
Authors: Hill Emily J. , Robak Laurie A. , Al-Ouran Rami , Deger Jennifer , Fong Jamie C. , Vandeventer Paul Jerrod , Schulman Emily , Rao Sindhu , Saade Hiba , von Coelln Rainer , Doddapaneni Harshavardhan , Salvi Sejal , Dugan-Perez Shannon , Muzny Donna M. , McGuire Amy , Liu Zhandong , Gibbs Richard , Shaw Chad , Jankovic Joseph , Shulman Lisa M. , Shulman Joshua M.
Published: November 2021

Background and Objectives

Genetic variants impact both Parkinson’s disease (PD) risk and manifestations. While genetic information is of potential interest to patients and clinicians, genetic testing is rarely performed during routine PD clinical care. The goal of this study was to perform genome sequencing and examine patient interest in comprehensive genetic testing for PD in 2 academic movement disorder clinics.

Methods

In 208 subjects with PD (age=63 years, 67% male), genome sequencing was performed and filtered using a custom panel, including 49 genes associated with PD, parkinsonism, or related disorders, as well as a 90-variant PD genetic risk score. Separately, 231 patients (age=67 years, 63% male) were surveyed on interest in genetic testing at baseline and in response to vignettes covering (i) familial risk of PD (LRRK2); (ii) risk of PD dementia (GBA); (iii) PD genetic risk score; and (iv) secondary, medically-actionable variants (BRCA1).

Results

Genome sequencing revealed a LRRK2 variant in 3.4% and a GBA risk variant in 10.1% of our clinical sample. The genetic risk score was normally distributed, identifying 42 subjects with high risk of PD. Medically-actionable findings were discovered in 2 subjects (1%). In our survey, the majority (82%) responded they would share a LRRK2 variant with relatives. Most registered unchanged or increased interest in testing when confronted with potential risk for dementia or medically- actionable findings, and most (75%) expressed interest in learning their PD genetic risk score.

Discussion

Our results highlight broad interest in comprehensive genetic testing among patients with PD and may facilitate integration of genome sequencing in clinical practice.
An interactive dashboard to track themes, development maturity, and global equity in clinical artificial intelligence research
Authors: Zhang J , Whebell S , Gallifant J , Budhdeo S , Mattie H , Lertvittayakumjorn P , Arias Lopez M P , Tiangco B J , Gichoya J W , Ashrafian H , Celi L A , Teo J T
Published: November 2021

The global clinical artificial intelligence (AI) research landscape is constantly evolving, with heterogeneity across specialties, disease areas, geographical representation, and development maturity. Continual assessment of this landscape is important for monitoring progress. Taking advantage of developments in natural language processing (NLP), we produce an end-to-end NLP pipeline to automate classification and characterization of all original clinical AI research on MEDLINE, outputting real-time results to a public, interactive dashboard (https://aiforhealth.app/).
SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta have extended ACE2 receptor host-ranges
Authors: Thakur Nazia , Gallo Giulia , Newman Joseph , Peacock Thomas P. , Biasetti Luca , Hall Catherine N. , Wright Edward , Barclay Wendy , Bailey Dalan
Published: November 2021

Following the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 in China in late 2019 a number of variants have emerged, with two of these – Alpha and Delta – subsequently growing to global prevalence. One characteristic of these variants are changes within the Spike protein, in particular the receptor binding domain (RBD). From a public health perspective these changes have important implications for increased transmissibility and immune escape; however, their presence could also modify the intrinsic host-range of the virus. Using viral pseudotyping we examined whether the variants of concern (VOCs) Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta have differing host ACE2 receptor usage patterns, focusing on a range of relevant mammalian ACE2 proteins. All four VOCs were able to overcome a previous restriction for mouse ACE2, with demonstrable differences also seen for individual VOCs with rat, ferret or civet ACE2 receptors, changes which we subsequently attribute to N501Y and E484K substitutions within the Spike RBD.
TreadWill: Development and pragmatic randomized controlled trial of an unguided, computerized cognitive behavioral therapy intervention in a lower middle-income country
Authors: Ghosh Arka , Cherian Rithwik J. , Wagle Surbhit , Sharma Parth , Kannan Karthikeyan R. , Bajpai Alok , Gupta Nitin
Published: November 2021

Most individuals vulnerable to depression do not receive adequate or timely treatment globally. Unguided computerized cognitive behavioral therapy (cCBT) has the potential to bridge this treatment gap. However, the real-world effectiveness of unguided cCBT interventions, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), remains inconclusive. In this study, we report the design and development of a new unguided cCBT intervention, TreadWill, and its pragmatic evaluation. TreadWill was designed to be fully automated, engaging, easy to use, and accessible in LMICs. To evaluate its effectiveness and engagement level, we performed a double-blind, fully-remote, randomized controlled trial with 598 participants in India. The use of TreadWill significantly reduced depression-related and anxiety-related symptoms. Compared with a plain-text version with the same therapeutic content, the full-featured version of TreadWill showed significantly higher engagement. Overall, our study provides a new resource and evidence for the use of unguided cCBT as a scalable intervention in LMICs.
The effect of secretor status and the vaginal microbiome on birth outcome
Authors: Kundu S , Lee YS , Sykes L , Chan D , Lewis H , Brown RG , Kindinger L , Dell A , Feizi T , Haslam S , Liu Y , Marchesi JR , MacIntyre DA , Bennett PR
Published: November 2021

Mutations in the FUT2 gene that result in a lack of expression of histo-blood group antigens on secreted glycoproteins may shape the vaginal microbiota with consequences for birth outcome. To test this, we analysed the relationship between secretor status, vaginal microbiota and gestational length in an ethnically diverse cohort of 313 pregnant women, including 91 who delivered prematurely. Lactobacillus species were found to co-occur less often with other microbial taxa in non-secretors. Moreover, non-secretors with Lactobacillus spp. depleted vaginal microbiota in early pregnancy had significantly shorter gestational length than Lactobacillus spp. dominated non-secretors (mean of 245.5 (SD=44.5) versus 265.9 (23.6)); p=0.045), but not compared to Lactobacillus spp. dominated (261.8 (27.5)) and depleted (264.3 days (21.2)) secretors. In identifying a relationship between blood-group antigen expression and vaginal microbiota-host interactions, our results point towards stratification by secretor status as an important factor for considering preterm birth risk and prevention.
MYC regulates a pan-cancer network of co-expressed oncogenic splicing factors
Authors: Urbanski Laura , Brugiolo Mattia , Park SungHee , Angarola Brittany , Leclair Nathan K. , Palmer Phil , Sahu Sangram Keshari , Anczuków Olga
Published: November 2021

MYC is dysregulated in >50% of cancers, but direct targeting of MYC has been clinically unsuccessful. Targeting downstream MYC effector pathways represents an attractive alternative. MYC regulates alternative mRNA splicing, a hallmark of cancer, but the mechanistic links between MYC and the splicing machinery remain underexplored. Here, we identify a network of splicing factors (SFs) co-expressed as SF-modules in MYC-active breast tumors. Of these, one is a pan-cancer SF-module, correlating with MYC-activity across 33 tumor types. In mammary cell models, MYC activation leads to co-upregulation of pan-cancer module SFs and to changes in >4,000 splicing events. In breast cancer organoids, co-overexpression of the pan-cancer SF-module is sufficient to induce splicing events that are also MYC-regulated in patient tumors and to increase organoid size and invasiveness, while its knockdown decreases organoid size. Finally, we uncover a pan-cancer splicing signature of MYC activity which correlates with survival in multiple tumor types. Our findings provide insight into the mechanisms and function of MYC-regulated splicing and for the development of therapeutics for MYC-driven tumors.
A global map of the Zika virus phosphoproteome reveals host-driven regulation of viral budding
Authors: Manuelyan Inessa , Schmoker Anna M. , Yount Boyd L. , Eisenhauer Philip , Keller Judith I. , Gold Clarissa , Terino Dante , Ziegler Christopher M. , Alexander Jeff , Driscoll Heather , Hutchinson Edward , Bhella David , Syme Christopher D. , Widman Douglas G. , Heise Mark T. , Baric Ralph S. , Ballif Bryan A. , Botten Jason W.
Published: November 2021

Flaviviruses are enveloped, positive-strand RNA viruses that cause millions of infections in the human population annually. Although Zika virus (ZIKV) had been detected in humans as early as the 1950s, its reemergence in South America in 2015 resulted in a global health crisis. While flaviviruses encode 10 proteins that can be post-translationally modified by host enzymes, little is known regarding post-translational modifications (PTMs) of the flavivirus proteome. We used mass spectrometry to comprehensively identify host-driven PTMs on the ZIKV proteome. This approach allowed us to identify 43 PTMs across 8 ZIKV proteins, including several that are highly conserved within theFlavivirusgenus. Notably, we found two phosphosites on the ZIKV envelope protein that are functionally important for viral propagation and appear to regulate viral budding. Additionally, we discovered 115 host kinases that interacted with ZIKV proteins and determined that Bosutinib, an FDA-approved tyrosine kinase inhibitor that targets ZIKV interacting host kinases, impairs ZIKV growth. Thus, we have defined a high-resolution map of host-driven PTMs on ZIKV proteins as well as cellular interacting kinases, uncovered a novel mechanism of host driven-regulation of ZIKV budding, and identified an FDA-approved inhibitor of ZIKV growth.
Single-domain antibodies efficiently neutralize SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern, including Omicron variant
Authors: Favorskaya Irina A. , Shcheblyakov Dmitry V. , Esmagambetov Ilias B. , Dolzhikova Inna V. , Alekseeva Irina A. , Korobkova Anastasia I. , Voronina Daria V. , Ryabova Ekaterina I. , Derkaev Artem A. , Kovyrshina Anna V. , Iliukhina Anna A. , Botikov Andrey G. , Voronina Olga L. , Egorova Daria A. , Zubkova Olga V. , Ryzhova Natalia N. , Aksenova Ekaterina I. , Kunda Marina S. , Logunov Denis Y. , Naroditsky Boris S. , Gintsburg Alexandr L.
Published: November 2021

Virus-neutralizing antibodies are one of the few treatment options for COVID-19. The evolution of SARS-CoV-2 virus has led to the emergence of virus variants with reduced sensitivity to some antibody-based therapies. The development of potent antibodies with a broad spectrum of neutralizing activity is urgently needed. Here we isolated a panel of single-domain antibodies that specifically bind to the receptor-binding domain of SARS-CoV-2 S glycoprotein. Three of the selected antibodies exhibiting most robust neutralization potency were used to generate dimeric molecules. We observed that these modifications resulted in up to a 200-fold increase in neutralizing activity. The most potent heterodimeric molecule efficiently neutralized each of SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern, including Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta and Omicron variants. This heterodimeric molecule could be a promising drug candidate for a treatment for COVID-19 caused by virus variants of concern.
Fibroblastic reticular cells provide a supportive niche for lymph node-resident macrophages
Authors: D’Rozario Joshua , Knoblich Konstantin , Lütge Mechthild , Pérez Shibayama Christian , Cheng Hung-Wei , Alexandre Yannick O. , Roberts David , Campos Joana , Astarita Jillian , Dutton Emma , Suliman Muath , Denton Alice E. , Turley Shannon J. , Boyd Richard L. , Mueller Scott , Ludewig Burkhard , Heng Tracy , Fletcher Anne L
Published: November 2021

The lymph node (LN) is home to resident macrophage populations that are essential for immune function and homeostasis. The T cell paracortical zone is a major site of macrophage efferocytosis of apoptotic cells, but key factors controlling this niche are undefined. Here we show that fibroblastic reticular cells (FRCs) are an essential component of the LN macrophage niche. Macrophages co-localised with FRCs in human LNs, and murine single-cell RNA-sequencing revealed that most reticular cells expressed master macrophage regulator CSF1. Functional assays showed that CSF1R signalling was sufficient to support macrophage development. In the presence of LPS, FRCs underwent a mechanistic switch and maintained support through CSF1R-independent mechanisms. These effects were conserved between mouse and human systems. Rapid loss of macrophages and monocytes from LNs was observed upon genetic ablation of FRCs. These data reveal a critically important role for FRCs in the creation of the parenchymal macrophage niche within LNs.
An exploratory study of EEG connectivity during the first year of life in preterm and full-term infants
Authors: Gonzalez-Moreira Eduardo , Paz-Linares Deirel , Cubero-Rego Lourdes , Areces-Gonzalez Ariosky , Valdés-Sosa Pedro A. , Harmony Thalia
Published: November 2021

Aim

to evaluate EEG connectivity during the first year of age in healthy full-term infants and preterm infants with prenatal and perinatal risk factors for perinatal brain damage.

Methods

Three groups of infants were studied: healthy at full-term infants (n = 71), moderate and late preterm infants (n = 54), and very preterm infants (n = 56). All preterm infants had perinatal or/and perinatal risk factors for brain damage. EEG was obtained during phase II of natural NREM sleep. EEG analysis was performed in 24 segments of 2.56 s free of artifacts. For the calculation of EEG sources, the spectral Structured Sparse Bayesian Learning (sSSBL) was used. Connectivity was computed by the phase-lag index.

Results

In healthy full-term infants, EEG interhemispheric connectivity in the different frequency bands followed similar trends with age to those reported in each frequency band: delta connectivity decreases, theta increases at the end of the year, in the alpha band, different trends were observed according to the region studied, and beta interhemispheric connectivity decreases with age. EEG connectivity in preterm infants showed differences from the results of the term group.

Discussion

Important structural findings may explain the differences observed in EEG connectivity between the term and preterm groups.

Conclusion

The study of EEG connectivity during the first year of age gives essential information on normal and abnormal brain development.
A Novel Approach Towards Less Invasive Multi ‘Omics Gut Analyses: A Pilot Study
Authors: Berlinberg Adam J. , Brar Ana , Stahly Andrew , Gerich Mark E. , Fennimore Blair P. , Scott Frank I. , Kuhn Kristine A.
Published: November 2021

Newer ‘omics approaches such as metatranscriptomics and metabolomics allow functional assessments of the interaction(s) between the gut microbiome and the human host. In order to generate meaningful data with these approaches, though, the method of sample collection is critical. Prior studies have relied upon expensive and invasive means towards sample acquisition such as intestinal biopsy, while other studies have relied upon easier methods of collection such as fecal samples that do not necessarily represent those microbes in contact with the host. In this pilot study, we attempt to characterize a novel, minimally invasive method towards sampling the human microbiome using mucosal cytology brush sampling compared to intestinal gut biopsy on 5 healthy participants undergoing routine screening colonoscopy. We compared metatranscriptomic analyses between the two collection methods, identifying increased taxonomic evenness and beta diversity in the cytology brush samples, and similar community transcriptional profiles between the two methods. Metabolomics assessment demonstrated striking differences between the two methods, implying a difference in bacterial-derived versus human absorbed metabolites. Put together, this study supports the use of a less invasive method of microbiome sampling with cytology brushes, but caution must be exercised when performing metabolomics assessment as this represents differential metabolite production but not absorption by the host.

Importance

In order to generate meaningful metabolomic and microbiome data, the method of sample collection is critical. This study utilizes and compares two methods to intestinal tissue collection for evaluation of metabolites and microbiome, finding that using a brush to sample the microbiome is superior to tissue biopsy. However, for metabolomics assessment, biopsy may still be required.
Day length-dependent thermal COP1 dynamics integrate conflicting seasonal cues in the control ofArabidopsiselongation
Authors: Nieto Cristina , Catalán Pablo , Luengo Luis Miguel , Legris Martina , López-Salmerón Vadir , Davière Jean Michel , Casal Jorge , Ares Saúl , Prat Salomé
Published: November 2021

As the summer approaches, plants experience enhanced light inputs and elevated temperatures, two environmental cues with an opposite morphogenic impact. How plants integrate this conflicting information throughout seasons remains unclear. Key components of the plant response to light and temperature include phytochrome B (phyB), PHYTOCROME INTERACTING FACTOR 4 (PIF4), EARLY FLOWERING 3 (ELF3) and CONSTITUTIVE PHOTOMORPHOGENIC 1 (COP1). Here, we used hypocotyl lengths of single and double mutant/over-expression lines to fit a mathematical model incorporating known interactions of these genes. The fitted model recapitulates day length-dependent thermoelongation of all lines studied, and correctly predicts temperature responsiveness of new genotypes. Whilst previous works pointed to a lightindependent thermal function of COP1, simulations of our model suggested that COP1 has a role in temperature-signaling only during daytime. Based on by this prediction, we show that COP1 overexpression increases thermal response in continuous white light, while it has little effect in darkness. Defective thermal response ofcop1-4mutants is epistatic tophyB-9andelf3-8, indicating that COP1 activity is essential to the transduction of phyB and ELF3 thermosensory function. Our model accurately captures phyB, ELF3 and PIF4 dynamics, providing an excellent toolbox for identification of best allelic combinations towards optimized crops resilience to climate change at different geographical latitudes.
Structure of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1 in the DFG-out conformation
Authors: Nakae Setsu , Kitamura Maho , Fujiwara Daisuke , Sawa Masaaki , Shirai Tsuyoshi , Fujii Ikuo , Tada Toshiji
Published: November 2021

Eukaryotic protein kinases contain an Asp-Phe-Gly (DFG) motif, the conformation of which is involved in controlling the catalytic activity, at the N-terminus of the activation segment. The motif can be switched between active-state (DFG-in) and inactive-state (DFG-out) conformations: however, the mechanism of conformational change is poorly understood, partly because there are few reports of the DFG-out conformation. Here, a novel crystal structure of nonphosphorylated human mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1 (MEK1; amino acids 38–381) complexed with ATP-γS is reported in which MEK1 adopts the DFG-out conformation. The crystal structure revealed that the structural elements (the αC helix and HRD motif) surrounding the active site are involved in the formation/stabilization of the DFG-out conformation. The ATP-γS molecule was bound to the canonical ATP-binding site in a different binding mode that has never been found in previously determined crystal structures of MEK1. This novel ATP-γS binding mode provides a starting point for the design of high-affinity inhibitors of nonphosphorylated inactive MEK1 that adopts the DFG-out conformation.
The X-ray structure of juvenile hormone diol kinase from the silkworm Bombyx mori
Authors: Guo Jingxu , Keegan Ronan M. , Rigden Daniel J. , Erskine Peter T. , Wood Steve P. , Li Sheng , Cooper Jonathan B.
Published: November 2021

Insect juvenile hormones (JHs) are a family of sesquiterpenoid molecules that are secreted into the haemolymph. JHs have multiple roles in insect development, metamorphosis and sexual maturation. A number of pesticides work by chemically mimicking JHs, thus preventing insects from developing and reproducing normally. The haemolymph levels of JH are governed by the rates of its biosynthesis and degradation. One enzyme involved in JH catabolism is JH diol kinase (JHDK), which uses ATP (or GTP) to phosphorylate JH diol to JH diol phosphate, which can be excreted. The X-ray structure of JHDK from the silkworm Bombyx mori has been determined at a resolution of 2.0 Å with an R factor of 19.0% and an R
free of 24.8%. The structure possesses three EF-hand motifs which are occupied by calcium ions. This is in contrast to the recently reported structure of the JHDK-like-2 protein from B. mori (PDB entry 6kth), which possessed only one calcium ion. Since JHDK is known to be inhibited by calcium ions, it is likely that our structure represents the calcium-inhibited form of the enzyme. The electrostatic surface of the protein suggests a binding site for the triphosphate of ATP close to the N-terminal end of the molecule in a cavity between the N- and C-terminal domains. Superposition with a number of calcium-activated photoproteins suggests that there may be parallels between the binding of JH diol to JHDK and the binding of luciferin to aequorin.
Effect of training program on sexual knowledge and social skills of adolescents with high-functioning autism in puberty
Authors: Akrami Leila , Malekpour Mokhtar , Faramarzi Salar , Abedi Ahmad
Published: November 2021

Purpose

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) refers to a group of complex neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by repetitive and characteristic patterns of behavior and difficulties with social communication and interaction. Puberty is an important period for teenagers with ASD. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of educational program on increasing social skills (SS) and sexual knowledge (SK) in adolescent boys with high-functioning autism (HFA) disorder.

Design/methodology/approach

This study was conducted using a single-subject design. Participants were three boys diagnosed with HFA disorder, selected using purposive sampling. The social skills improvement system scale and the sexual knowledge questionnaire were used to measure SS and SK. The training program consisted of 49 sessions.

Findings

Results showed that, given the comparison of scores before and after the intervention, the training program was effective in improving SS and SK.

Originality/value

With regard to the importance of puberty, training programs for parents and adolescents play an effective role in increasing SS and SK of adolescents with HFA disorder.
Reviewing the place of migrants in disasters: a personal perspective
Authors: Torres Anna M.S.
Published: November 2021

Purpose

The paper aims to call attention to issues that may be missing or taken for granted in discourses on migrants and disasters by applying the author’s viewpoint to reflect on gaps and potentials for disaster risk reduction.

Design/methodology/approach

The author discusses key issues based on reflective engagement with selected secondary documentation in the form of grey and scholarly literature. Personal perspectives are engaged to develop arguments on intersections that are relevant to the migrant situation in different frameworks in disaster studies.

Findings

While migrants are considered significant stakeholders in key global agreements on disaster and migration, encounters with disaster literature from a more localised level reveal how references to the migrant sector can be omitted or racialised. This gap can be filled by searching for documentation of migrant strengths and vulnerabilities. However, further reflection demonstrates how adopting broader perspectives can reveal these strengths and vulnerabilities as part of more appropriate and sustainable disaster risk reduction strategies. The paper also shows how such reflections can be led by insights from migrants themselves, not as subjects to be managed but as agents of their own change.

Originality/value

The paper is distinctive because it shows aspects of migrant strengths and disadvantages from a personal viewpoint. It amplifies less-heard perspectives on a conceptual level as well as in actual practice.
South African Airways – born again?
Authors: Ward Michael
Published: November 2021

Case overview

This case focuses on the business rescue of South African Airlines. SAA, four times rated the best airline in Africa (SAA, 2019), was already insolvent when in early 2020 COVID-19 decimated the world. The state-owned airline, which had last made profits in 2011, continued to lose millions of passengers to competitors over the next decade and, despite bailouts of more than R40bn, entered Business Rescue in December 2019, still owing creditors more than R26bn. To the surprise of many, Public Enterprises minister Pravin Gordhan was determined to rescue the airline. In May 2021, the business rescue practitioners handed SAA back to the interim board and Thomas Kgokolo (CA) (MBA) was appointed interim CEO. In June 2021, Gordhan announced a “born again” SAA, “almost ready to take off” and promised no more bailouts. But, with several billion rand outstanding to complete the rescue plan, a grounded fleet, unresolved labour problems, an critical but unnamed “strategic-equity partner” and a largely unvaccinated country entering its third COVID wave – what were the chances?

Expected learning outcomes

Within the framework of a country desperately in need of jobs and short of capital, the case raises questions about ethics, accountability, responsibility, management, economics and strategy. Should retrenched workers in airlines feel the consequences of their unfortunate career choices? Ought government’s bail-out already failed industries? Should governments run airlines? What sources of funds are available? Have all the necessary requirements for “restructuring” to succeed been satisfied?

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 11: Strategy.

Study level/applicability

MBA, Exec-ed.
Emerging stronger: policy directions for COVID-19 and beyond for public schools in the Maldives
Authors: Nishan Fathmath , Mohamed Ahmed
Published: November 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore educational policy directions in the Maldives to continue learning in public schools during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and identify policy changes that could improve the preparedness of the schools for future pandemics.

Design/methodology/approach

This qualitative study is descriptive in nature with an analytical methodology of document and interview data analysis. The purposively selected participants for the interviews included senior officials of the Ministry of Education, school leaders and teachers of public schools in the Maldives.

Findings

This study identified significant policy changes for public schools in the Maldives during the COVID-19 pandemic. These were early response and timely policy directions to continue education during the COVID-19 pandemic. Another finding was the effective change communication of the educational policies for its implementation. Following the policy changes, the teachers were trained for online teaching, hence increasing their competency in information and communications technology. As a result, this led to resilient teachers who were determined to provide education through the challenging times of the pandemic. Hence, it is evident that the school system of the Maldives will emerge stronger beyond COVID-19.

Originality/value

The education policy changes for public schools in the Maldives during the global COVID-19 pandemic have merits for education practices beyond the pandemic.
Employee perceptions of diversity management in the hospitality industry
Authors: Mistry Trishna G. , Okumus Fevzi , Orlowski Marissa
Published: November 2021

Purpose

Diversity management is of great importance in the hospitality industry, resulting in a host of constructive consequences if managed effectively. However, there is a deficiency of investigation surrounding the outcomes of diversity management on the employees' attitudes and behavior in the hospitality industry. This research sought to investigate the influence of diversity management on workers' performance and conduct in the hospitality industry.

Design/methodology/approach

This quantitative study used survey data from 565 hospitality industry employees. Structural equation modeling was used to test the relationships from the research model.

Findings

This study identified a relationship between diversity management and positive workforce-related outcomes, including job performance, service innovation behavior and employee engagement in the hospitality industry.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of this study will push the confines of diversity management scholarship and initiate new paths of academic inquiry. Hospitality industry managers can also identify the benefits of effective diversity management as a consequence of this study.

Originality/value

This research contributes to the growing literature on diversity management as an essential aspect of human resources management in promoting positive employee attitudes and behaviors.
Dual images in reversible data hiding with adaptive color space variation using wavelet transforms
Authors: Upendra Raju K. , Amutha Prabha N.
Published: November 2021

Purpose

Steganography is a data hiding technique used in the data security. while transmission of data through channel, no guarantee that the data is transmitted safely or not. Variety of data security techniques exists such as patch work, low bit rate data hiding, lossy compression etc. This paper aims to increase the security and robustness.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper describes, an approach for multiple images steganography that is oriented on the combination of lifting wavelet transform (LWT) and discrete cosine transform (DCT). Here, we have one cover image and two secret images. The cover image is applied with one of the different noises like Gaussian, Salt & Pepper, Poisson, and speckle noises and converted into different color spaces of YCbCr, HSV, and Lab.

Findings

Due to the vast development of Internet access and multimedia technology, it becomes very simple to hack and trace secret information. Using this steganography process in reversible data hiding (RDH) helps to prevent secret information.

Originality/value

We can divide the color space converted image into four sub-bands of images by using lifting wavelet transform. By selecting lower bands, the discrete cosine transform is computed for hiding two secret images into the cover image and again one of the transformed secret images is converted by using Arnold transform to get the encrypted/embedded/encoded image. To extract the Stego image, we can apply the revertible operation. For comparing the results, we can calculate PSNR, SSIM, and MSE values by applying the same process for all color spaces of YCbCr, HSV, and Lab. The experimental results give better performance when compared to all other spaces.
How does bank liquidity creation affect non-performing loans in the MENA region?
Authors: Alaoui Mdaghri Anas
Published: November 2021

Purpose

The study aims to empirically examine the effect of bank liquidity creation on non-performing loans (NPLs) in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

Design/methodology/approach

Berger and Bouwman's (2009) three-step methodology was employed to calculate the level of liquidity creation of a selected sample of 111 commercial banks in ten MENA countries from 2010–2017. Next, the two-step system generalized method of moments (GMM) estimator was used to investigate the linkage between bank liquidity creation and NPLs.

Findings

The results demonstrated a significant negative effect of bank liquidity creation on NPLs in the short and long term, implying that liquidity creation through both on- and off-balance sheet activities decreases NPLs. These findings accord with the “economic-enhancing” view. Furthermore, regression analysis investigated whether this relationship remained similar for Islamic and conventional banks. The results showed that liquidity creation diminishes Islamic and conventional bank NPLs.

Research limitations/implications

The empirical findings raise several significant policy implications. Bank liquidity creation may decrease rather than increase NPLs, although the process of liquidity creation is viewed as risky by rendering banks more illiquid. Therefore, policy-makers should encourage bank liquidity creation to stimulate the economy. In a robust economy, borrowers are more likely to repay their debts, consequently diminishing banks' NPLs.

Originality/value

To the best of the author's knowledge, the current study is the first to provide empirical evidence on the effect of bank liquidity creation on NPLs in MENA countries.
Sustainable orientation and purchasing: what about a remanufactured component?
Authors: Tondolo Vilmar Antonio Gonçalves , Paiva Ely Laureano , Tondolo Rosana da Rosa Portella , Santos Juliana Bonomi
Published: November 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate how the sustainable orientation (SO) of companies and the strategic importance of components strategic importance may affect the decision to purchase remanufactured items.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employed a 2 × 2 full-factorial (combining between and within-subjects), scenario-based, role-playing experiment. Subjects in the study were US managers familiar with purchasing/supply chain topics. The hypotheses were tested using linear regression models.

Findings

The findings suggest that before becoming aware of any social benefits, a company's SO directly affects purchasing decisions, especially when the component is strategic. Perceptional aspects also play a significant role.

Research limitations/implications

This study may help managers develop strategies for adopting the use of remanufactured components. New studies can benefit from the findings by focusing on how awareness of social benefits may increase the likelihood of using remanufactured components.

Originality/value

The findings suggest that before becoming aware of any social benefits, a company's SO directly affects purchasing decisions, especially when the component is strategic. Perceptional aspects also play a significant role.
Lessons from the fastest Brazilian unicorn
Authors: Damasceno André Luiz Tavares , Morini Cristiano , Pannellini Gean Lucas
Published: November 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the process of why a Brazilian digital startup company reached unicorn status the fastest.

Design/methodology/approach

After the literature review, the authors conducted the questionnaire containing 13 questions used in 18 in-depth interviews conducted in the case study. Saturation point combined with the independent and in-depth analysis of the researchers is used to achieve internal and external validity. The primary data collected underwent an analytical approach, followed by a resource-based view (RBV). RBV does not deal with time. There is a gap in the literature and an opportunity here: to analyze the fastest company to become a unicorn under the RBV lens.

Findings

The case reveals that value can be found in traditional sectors, as is the case of the real estate sector. This is a case of a company in the direct home-buying space.

Practical implications

The contribution of this paper is both practical, with the seven lessons, and theoretical. Resources allocated to a specific context in a specific geographic region shift the attention away from the absolute value of resources to the timing of aggregating them. Thus, the contribution accounting for time is new to the RBV.

Originality/value

The originality lies in the analysis of the dynamics of digital businesses with exponential growth.
Drivers of integration of green into supplier selections: a systematic literature review
Authors: Ograh Tonny , Ayarkwa Joshua , Osei-Asibey Dickson , Acheampong Alex , Amoah Peter
Published: November 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to provide a systematic review of extant literature on supplier selection by identifying drivers of integration of Environmental Sustainability (ES) into supplier selection, with the aim of classifying them under broad categories for the development of a framework showing the interrelationships among them.

Design/methodology/approach

A search was ran for selected keyword themes using three powerful and rigorous search engines: Scopus, Google Scholar and Science Direct, to identify relevant articles from 12 peer-reviewed journals. These were desk reviewed through manual filtering to select drivers of integration of ES into supplier selection.

Findings

Thirty-one drivers identified from 41 relevant articles as propelling integration of ES into supplier selection were then classified into five categories: strong policy direction, high level of commitment, desire for high reputation, robust technology and availability of green products. This yielded a framework showing the interconnectedness among the drivers.

Research limitations/implications

The study contributes to the body of knowledge by developing a classification of drivers of integration of ES into supplier selection. The interconnectedness brought to the fore a more subtle appreciation of the drivers of green integration, which could help expand current knowledge outside the narrow scope of isolated drivers. This study provides detailed analyses of drivers of green integration into supplier selection.

Originality/value

This paper provides a comprehensive review of drivers of integrating green into supplier selection, which is lacking in the body of knowledge on ES.
Scientific literacy, librarians and information literacy in the post-truth era
Authors: Frederick Donna Ellen
Published: November 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to challenge librarians to reconceptualize their professional self-image and practice so that it more closely aligns with the information science discipline that is part of the Masters of Library and Information Science degree.

Design/methodology/approach

This column is primarily theoretical and philosophical but also draws on the author’s observations of trends and patterns in both librarianship and changes in information needs in recent years.

Findings

Urgent, high-cost information needs created by COVID-19 and climate change coexist in a reality where technological change has made traditional librarian roles and functions less critical. By developing their information science skills and strengthening their professional identity as information scientists, librarians have the opportunity to address the urgent information needs of the day while remaining highly relevant professionals.

Practical implications

Librarians will need to strengthen their science-related skills and knowledge and begin to promote themselves as information scientists.

Social implications

Librarians are in a position to make a meaningful contribution to two of the most pressing challenges of the day, climate change and dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Originality/value

This paper is relevant to all librarians at any stage of their career. It will help them to reflect on both their skillset and career path and to make any needed adjustments so that they can remain relevant in a volatile and demanding information environment.
Optimising truck arrival management and number of service gates at container terminals
Authors: Minh Chu Cong , Noi Nguyen Van
Published: November 2021

Purpose

Truck appointment systems have been applied in critical container ports in the United States due to their potential to improve handling operations. This paper aims to develop a truck appointment system to optimise the total cost experiencing at the entrance of container terminals by managing truck arrivals and the number of service gates satisfying a given level of service.

Design/methodology/approach

The approximation of Mt/G/nt queuing model is applied and integrated into a cost optimisation model to identify (1) the number of arrival trucks allowed at each time slot and (2) the number of service gates operating at each time slot that ensure the average waiting time is less than a designated time threshold. The optimisation model is solved by the Genetic Algorithm and tested with a case study. Its effectiveness is identified by comparing the model's outcomes with observed data and other recent studies.

Findings

The results indicate that the developed truck appointment system can provide more than threefold and twofold reductions of the total cost experiencing at the terminal entrance compared to the actual data and results from previous research, respectively.

Originality/value

The proposed approach provides applicably coordinated truck plans and operating service gates efficiently to decrease congestion, emission and expenses.
The role of organizational and social factors for information security in a nuclear power industry
Authors: Gyllensten Kristina , Torner Marianne
Published: November 2021

Purpose

The aim of this study was to explore the organizational and social prerequisites for employees' participative and rule-compliant information security behaviour in Swedish nuclear power production and its related industry. These industries are high-risk activities that must be meticulously secured. Protecting the information security in the related organizations is an essential aspect of this.

Design/methodology/approach

Individual in-depth interviews were conducted with 24 employees in two organizations within the nuclear power industry in Sweden.

Findings

We found that prerequisites for employees' participative and rule-compliant information security behaviour could be categorized into structural, social and individual aspects. Structural aspects included well-adapted rules, knowledge support and resources. Social aspects included a supportive organizational culture, collaboration and adequate resources, and individual aspects included individual responsibility.

Originality/value

The qualitative approach of the study provided comprehensive descriptions of the identified preconditions. The results may thus enable organizations to better promote conditions important for information security in a high-risk industry.