bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Complete genome of a unicellular parasite (Antonospora locustae) and transcriptional interactions with its host locust
Authors: Chen Longxin , Gao Xingke , Li Runting , Zhang Limeng , Huang Rui , Wang Linqing , Song Yue , Xing Zhenzhen , Liu Ting , Nie Xiaoning , Nie Fangyuan , Hua Shuang , Zhang Zihan , Wang Feng , Ma Runlin Z. , Zhang Long
Published: August 2020

Microsporidia are a large group of unicellular parasites that infect insects and mammals. The simpler life cycle of microsporidia in insects provides a model system for understanding their evolution and molecular interactions with their hosts. However, no complete genome is available for insect-parasitic microsporidian species. The complete genome of Antonospora locustae, a microsporidian parasite that obligately infects insects, is reported here. The genome size of A. locustae is 3 170 203 nucleotides, composed of 17 chromosomes onto which a total of 1857 annotated genes have been mapped and detailed. A unique feature of the A. locustae genome is the presence of an ultra-low GC region of approximately 25 kb on 16 of the 17 chromosomes, in which the average GC content is only 20 %. Transcription profiling indicated that the ultra-low GC region of the parasite could be associated with differential regulation of host defences in the fat body to promote the parasite’s survival and propagation. Phylogenetic gene analysis showed that A. locustae, and the microsporidian family in general, is likely at an evolutionarily transitional position between prokaryotes and eukaryotes, and that it evolved independently. Transcriptomic analysis showed that A. locustae can systematically inhibit the locust phenoloxidase PPO, TCA and glyoxylate cycles, and PPAR pathways to escape melanization, and can activate host energy transfer pathways to support its reproduction in the fat body, which is an insect energy-producing organ. Our study provides a platform and model for studies of the molecular mechanisms of microsporidium–host interactions in an energy-producing organ and for understanding the evolution of microsporidia.
Identification of key genes in SARS-CoV-2 patients on bioinformatics analysis
Authors: Gu Hanming , Yuan Gongsheng
Published: August 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has infected millions of people and overwhelmed many health systems globally. Our study is to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and associated biological processes of COVID-19 using a bioinformatics approach to elucidate their potential pathogenesis. The gene expression profiles of the GSE152075 datasets were originally produced by using the high-throughput Illumina NextSeq 500. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway (KEGG) enrichment analyses were performed to identify functional categories and biochemical pathways. GO and KEGG results suggested that several biological pathways such as “Fatty acid metabolism” and “Cilium morphogenesis” are mostly involved in the development of COVID-19. Moreover, several genes are critical for virus invasion and adhesion including FLOC, DYNLL1, FBXL3, and FBXW11 and show significant differences in COVID-19 patients. Thus, our study provides further insights into the underlying pathogenesis of COVID-19.
The neurodevelopment of delay discounting for monetary rewards in pre-adolescent children
Authors: Yu Mei , Liu Tongran , Shi Jiannong
Published: August 2020

Children are found to exhibit high degrees of delay discounting compared with adults in many delay discounting studies. However, the temporal dynamics of the differences behind the behaviors are not well known. In this study, we chose two age groups of participants and adopted event-related potential (ERP) techniques to investigate the neural dynamic differences between children and adults during delay discounting processes. Behavioral findings showed that children discounted more than adults and chose more immediate choices. Electrophysiological findings revealed that children exhibited longer neural processing (longer P2 latency) than adults during the early detection and identification phase. Children showed less cognitive control (smaller N2 amplitude) than adults over the middle frontal areas, and they devoted more neural effort (larger P3 amplitudes) to making final choices than adults. The factors of reward amount and time delay could influence the development of delay discounting in male children.
Oncologic Immunomodulatory Agents in Patients with Cancer and COVID-19
Authors: Jee Justin , Stonestrom Aaron J. , Devlin Sean , Nguyentran Teresa , Wills Beatriz , Narendra Varun , Foote Michael B. , Lumish Melissa , Vardhana Santosha , Pastores Stephen M. , Korde Neha , Patel Dhwani , Horwitz Steven , Scordo Michael , Daniyan Anthony
Published: August 2020

Background

Corticosteroids, anti-CD20 agents, immunotherapies, and cytotoxic chemotherapy are commonly used in the treatment of patients with cancer. How these agents impact patients with cancer who are infected with SARS-CoV-2 remains unclear.

Methods

We retrospectively investigated associations between SARS-CoV-2-associated respiratory failure or death with receipt of the aforementioned medications and with pre-COVID-19 neutropenia. The study included all cancer patients diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center until June 2, 2020 (N=820). We controlled for cancer-related characteristics known to predispose to worse COVID-19. To address that more acutely ill patients receive therapeutic corticosteroids, we examined patient subsets based on different levels of respiratory support: ≤2 L/min supplemental oxygen, >2L/min supplemental oxygen, and advanced respiratory support prior to death.

Results

Corticosteroid administration was associated with worse outcomes in the pre-2L supplemental oxygen cohort; no statistically significant difference was observed in the >2L/min supplemental oxygen and post-critical cohorts. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were lower, and ferritin levels were higher, after corticosteroid administration. In patients with metastatic thoracic cancer, 9 of 25 (36%) and 10 of 31 (32%) had respiratory failure or death among those who did and did not receive immunotherapy, respectively. Seven of 23 (30%) and 52 of 187 (28%) patients with hematologic cancer had respiratory failure or death among those who did and did not receive anti-CD20 therapy, respectively. Chemotherapy itself was not associated with worse outcomes, but pre-COVID-19 neutropenia was associated with worse COVID-19 course. Relative prevalence of chemotherapy-associated neutropenia in previous studies may account for different conclusions regarding the risks of chemotherapy in patients with COVID-19. In the absence of prospective studies and evidence-based guidelines, our data may aid providers looking to assess the risks and benefits of these agents in caring for cancer patients in the COVID-19 era.
RNA binding of Hfq monomers promotes RelA-mediated hexamerization in a limiting Hfq environment
Authors: Basu Pallabi , Elgrably-Weiss Maya , Hassouna Fouad , Kumar Manoj , Wiener Reuven , Altuvia Shoshy
Published: August 2020

The RNA chaperone Hfq acting as a hexamer, is a known mediator of post-transcriptional regulation expediting basepairing between small RNAs (sRNAs) and their target mRNAs. However, the intricate details associated with Hfq-RNA biogenesis are still unclear. Previously, we reported that the stringent response regulator, RelA is a functional partner of Hfq that facilitates Hfq-mediated sRNA-mRNA regulationin vivoand induces Hfq hexamerizationin vitro. Here, for the first time we show that RelA-mediated Hfq hexamerization requires an initial binding of RNA, preferably sRNA to Hfq monomers. By interacting with a Shine-Dalgarno-like sequence (GGAG) in the sRNA, RelA stabilizes the initially unstable complex of RNA bound-Hfq monomer, enabling the attachment of more Hfq subunits to form a functional hexamer. Overall, our study showing that RNA binding to Hfq monomers is at the heart of RelA-mediated Hfq hexamerization, challenges the previous concept that only Hfq hexamers can bind RNA.
C/EBPB-dependent Adaptation to Palmitic Acid Promotes Tumor Formation in Hormone Receptor Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Liu Xiao-Zheng , Rulina Anastasiia , Choi Man Hung , Pedersen Line , Lepland Johanna , Takle Sina T , Madeleine Noelly , Peters Stacey D’mello , Wogsland Cara Ellen , Grøndal Sturla Magnus , Lorens James B , Goodarzi Hani , Lønning Per E , Knappskog Stian , Molven Anders , Halberg Nils
Published: August 2020

Epidemiological studies have established a positive association between obesity and the incidence of postmenopausal breast cancer. Moreover, it is known that obesity promotes stem cell-like properties of breast cancer cells. However, the cancer cell-autonomous mechanisms underlying this correlation are not well defined. Here we demonstrate that obesity-associated tumor formation is driven by cellular adaptation rather than expansion of pre-existing clones within the cancer cell population. While there is no correlation with specific mutations, cellular adaptation to obesity is governed by palmitic acid (PA) and leads to enhanced tumor formation capacity of breast cancer cells. This process is governed epigenetically through increased chromatin occupancy of the transcription factor CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein beta (C/EBPB). Obesity-induced epigenetic activation of C/EBPB regulates cancer stem-like properties by modulating the expression of key downstream regulators including CLDN1 and LCN2. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that obesity drives cellular adaptation to PA drives tumor initiation in the obese setting through activation of a C/EBPB dependent transcriptional network.

Significance

Cellular adaptation to obesity-induced palmitic acid drives tumor initiation through activation of a C/EBPB-dependent transcriptional network. This highlights a cell-autonomous mechanistic connection between obesity and postmenopausal hormone receptor negative breast cancer.
Development of CpG-adjuvanted stable prefusion SARS-CoV-2 spike antigen as a subunit vaccine against COVID-19
Authors: Kuo Tsun-Yung , Lin Meei-Yun , Coffman Robert L , Campbell John D , Traquina Paula , Lin Yi-Jiun , Liu Luke Tzu-Chi , Cheng Jinyi , Wu Yu-Chi , Wu Chung-Chin , Tang Wei-Hsuan , Huang Chung-Guei , Tsao Kuo-Chien , Shih Shin-Ru , Chen Charles
Published: August 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 is a worldwide health emergency. The immense damage done to public health and economies has prompted a global race for cures and vaccines. In developing a COVID-19 vaccine, we applied technology previously used for MERS-CoV to produce a prefusion-stabilized SARS-CoV-2 spike protein by adding two proline substitutions at the top of the central helix (S-2P). To enhance immunogenicity and mitigate the potential vaccine-induced immunopathology, CpG 1018, a Th1-biasing synthetic toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) agonist was selected as an adjuvant candidate. S-2P was combined with various adjuvants, including CpG 1018, and administered to mice to test its effectiveness in eliciting anti-SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies. S-2P in combination with CpG 1018 and aluminum hydroxide (alum) was found to be the most potent immunogen and induced high titer of spike-specific antibodies in sera of immunized mice. The neutralizing abilities in pseudotyped lentivirus reporter or live wild-type SARS-CoV-2 were measured with reciprocal inhibiting dilution (ID50) titers of 5120 and 2560, respectively. In addition, the antibodies elicited were able to cross-neutralize pseudovirus containing the spike protein of the D614G variant, indicating the potential for broad spectrum protection. A marked Th-1 dominant response was noted from cytokines secreted by splenocytes of mice immunized with CpG 1018 and alum. No vaccine-related serious adverse effects were found in the dose-ranging study in rats administered single- or two-dose regimens with up to 50 μg of S-2P combined with CpG 1018 alone or CpG 1018 with alum. These data support continued development of CHO-derived S-2P formulated with CpG 1018/alum as a candidate vaccine to prevent COVID-19 disease.
Genome-wide analyses of XRN1-sensitive targets in osteosarcoma cells identifies disease-relevant transcripts containing G-rich motifs
Authors: Pashler Amy L. , Towler Benjamin P. , Jones Christopher I. , Burgess Tom , Newbury Sarah F.
Published: August 2020

XRN1 is a highly conserved exoribonuclease which degrades uncapped RNAs in a 5’-3’ direction. Degradation of RNAs by XRN1 is important in many cellular and developmental processes and is relevant to human disease. Studies inD. melanogasterdemonstrate that XRN1 can target specific RNAs, which have important consequences for developmental pathways. Osteosarcoma is a malignancy of the bone and accounts for 2% of all paediatric cancers worldwide. 5 year survival of patients has remained static since the 1970s and therefore furthering our molecular understanding of this disease is crucial. Previous work has shown a downregulation of XRN1 in osteosarcoma cells, however the transcripts regulated by XRN1 which might promote osteosarcoma remain elusive. Here, we confirm reduced levels of XRN1 in osteosarcoma cell lines and patient samples and identify XRN1-sensitive transcripts in human osteosarcoma cells. Using RNA-seq in XRN1-knockdown SAOS-2 cells, we show that 1178 genes are differentially regulated. Using a novel bioinformatic approach, we demonstrate that 134 transcripts show characteristics of direct post-transcriptional regulation by XRN1. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are enriched in this group suggesting that XRN1 normally plays an important role in controlling lncRNA expression in these cells. Among potential lncRNAs targeted by XRN1 isHOTAIR, which is known to be upregulated in osteosarcoma and contribute to disease progression. We have also identified G-rich and GU motifs in post-transcriptionally regulated transcripts which appear to sensitise them to XRN1 degradation. Our results therefore provide significant insights into the specificity of XRN1 in human cells which is relevant to disease.
In situ measurement of the isoplanatic patch for imaging through intact bone
Authors: Tehrani Kayvan Forouhesh , Koukourakis Nektarios , Czarske Jürgen , Mortensen Luke J
Published: August 2020

Wavefront-shaping (WS) enables imaging through scattering tissues like bone, which is important for neuroscience and bone-regeneration research. WS corrects for the optical aberrations at a given depth and field-of-view (FOV) within the sample; the extent of the validity of which is limited to a region known as the isoplanatic patch (IP). Knowing this parameter helps to estimate the number of corrections needed for WS imaging over a given FOV. In this paper, we first present direct transmissive measurement of murine skull IP using digital optical phase conjugation (DOPC) based focusing. Second, we extend our previously reported Phase Accumulation Ray Tracing (PART) method to providein-situ in-silicoestimation of IP, called correlative PART (cPART). Our results show an IP range of 1-3 μm for mice within an age range of 8-14 days old and 1.00±0.25 μm in a 12-week old adult skull. Consistency between the two measurement approaches indicates that cPART can be used to approximate the IP before a WS experiment, which can be used to calculate the number of corrections required within a given field of view.

Abstract Figure
EGFR transactivates RON to drive oncogenic crosstalk
Authors: Nitta Carolina Franco , Green Ellen W. , Jhamba Elton D. , Keth Justine M. , Ortiz-Caraveo Iraís , Grattan Rachel M. , Schodt David J. , Gibson Aubrey C. , Rajput Ashwani , Lidke Keith A. , Steinkamp Mara P. , Wilson Bridget S. , Lidke Diane S.
Published: August 2020

Crosstalk between disparate membrane receptors is thought to drive oncogenic signaling and allow for therapeutic resistance. EGFR and RON are members of two unique receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) subfamilies that engage in crosstalk through unknown mechanisms. We combined high resolution imaging with biochemical studies and structural mutants to understand how EGFR and RON communicate. We found that EGF stimulation results in EGFR-dependent RON phosphorylation. Crosstalk is unidirectional, since MSP stimulation of RON does not trigger EGFR phosphorylation. Two-color single particle tracking captured the formation of complexes between RON and EGFR, supporting a role for direct interactions in propagating crosstalk. We further show that RON is a substrate for EGFR kinase, and transactivation of RON requires the formation of a signaling competent EGFR dimer. These results identify critical structural features of EGFR/RON crosstalk and provide new mechanistic insights into therapeutic resistance.
Amitosis as a strategy of cell division - Insight from the proliferation of Tetrahymena thermophila macronucleus
Authors: Fu Y.X. , Wang G.Y. , Chen K. , Ma X.F. , Liu S.Q. , Miao W.
Published: August 2020

Cell division is a necessity of life which can be either mitotic or amitotic. While both are fundamental, amitosis is sometimes considered a relic of little importance in biology. Nevertheless, eukaryotes often have polyploid cells, including cancer cells, which may divide amitotically. To understand how amitosis ensures the completion of cell division, we turn to the macronuclei of ciliates. The grand scheme governing the proliferation of the macronuclei of ciliate cells, which involves chromosomal replication and the amitosis, is currently unknown. Using a novel model that encompasses a wide range of mechanisms together with experimental data of the composition of mating types at different stages derived from a single karyonide ofTetrahymena thermophila, we show that the chromosomal replication of the macronucleus has a strong head-start effect, with only about five copies of chromosomes replicated at a time and persistent reuse of the chromosomes involved in the early replication. Furthermore the fission of a fully grown macronucleus is non-random, with a strong tendency to push chromosomes and their replications to the same daughter cell. Similar strategies may exist for other Tetrahymena species or ciliates, and have implications to the amitosis of polyploid cells of multicellular organisms.
Beam damage of single semiconductor nanowires during X-ray nanobeam diffraction experiments
Authors: Al Hassan Ali , Lähnemann Jonas , Davtyan Arman , Al-Humaidi Mahmoud , Herranz Jesús , Bahrami Danial , Anjum Taseer , Bertram Florian , Dey Arka Bikash , Geelhaar Lutz , Pietsch Ullrich
Published: August 2020

Nanoprobe X-ray diffraction (nXRD) using focused synchrotron radiation is a powerful technique to study the structural properties of individual semiconductor nanowires. However, when performing the experiment under ambient conditions, the required high X-ray dose and prolonged exposure times can lead to radiation damage. To unveil the origin of radiation damage, a comparison is made of nXRD experiments carried out on individual semiconductor nanowires in their as-grown geometry both under ambient conditions and under He atmosphere at the microfocus station of the P08 beamline at the third-generation source PETRA III. Using an incident X-ray beam energy of 9 keV and photon flux of 1010 s−1, the axial lattice parameter and tilt of individual GaAs/In0.2Ga0.8As/GaAs core–shell nanowires were monitored by continuously recording reciprocal-space maps of the 111 Bragg reflection at a fixed spatial position over several hours. In addition, the emission properties of the (In,Ga)As quantum well, the atomic composition of the exposed nanowires and the nanowire morphology were studied by cathodoluminescence spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy, respectively, both prior to and after nXRD exposure. Nanowires exposed under ambient conditions show severe optical and morphological damage, which was reduced for nanowires exposed under He atmosphere. The observed damage can be largely attributed to an oxidation process from X-ray-induced ozone reactions in air. Due to the lower heat-transfer coefficient compared with GaAs, this oxide shell limits the heat transfer through the nanowire side facets, which is considered as the main channel of heat dissipation for nanowires in the as-grown geometry.
Disaster governance and hybrid organizations: accounting, performance challenges and evacuee housing
Authors: Sargiacomo Massimo , Walker Stephen P.
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how public/private hybrid and ambiguous organizations played pivotal roles in a governmental programme of housing reconstruction following a major earthquake in central Italy in 2009. Venturing beyond the boundaries of institutional isomorphism and using a Foucauldian approach, the longitudinal analysis seeks to illuminate accounting and performance challenges and provide insights to the calculative techniques associated with evacuee housing.

Design/methodology/approach

In “act 1” this paper investigates the role of a consortium created during the recovery stage of the disaster to construct temporary housing. In “act 2” attention shifts to consortia established for the reconstruction of buildings in devastated communities. The total observation period is 11 years. 31 semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 key-actors. A broad range of official documents was also consulted.

Findings

In the immediate aftermath of the earthquake a comprehensive reporting system was established to facilitate the construction of 19 new towns for 15,000 evacuees. The mix of accountants, engineers and architects who developed the system and a building prototype evidences the assembly of diverse calculative techniques by different experts and the de-territorialization of subject disciplines. During reconstruction technologies of government included the introduction of standardised systems and vocabularies that homogenised administrative procedures among diverse experts.

Research limitations/implications

This paper provides academics and policymakers with insights to accounting, performance management and accountability in hybrid organizations in the largely unexplored realm of post-disaster evacuee housing. Further studies are needed to examine the politics of calculation in similar contexts.

Originality/value

This paper fills a gap in the literature by exploring the role played by individual experts working for hybrid organizations. Further, by exploring actual practices over an extended period of post-disaster recovery and reconstruction, the study highlights how experts intervened to solve problems at the meso-political level and at the micro-organizational level.
Simulation of thermal distribution system of microsatellite equipped with FMC actuators
Authors: Soleymani Ahmad , Nosratollahi Mehran
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to simulate the thermal performance of fluidic momentum controller (FMC) actuators in two case, with and without thermal distribution system on a three-axis configuration of FMC actuators to an orbital period of satellite. The results show the effectiveness of using a storage with FMC actuators.

Design/methodology/approach

One of the challenges during a satellite’s orbital mission is unpredictable external temperature perturbations. This system used as a collaborative thermal subsystem for microsatellite temperature passive control. The operating principles of the system are that each fluid rings are used in a microsatellite surface with pumps to stabilize the satellite. All fluid rings are connected to the satellite thermal distribution system (storage).

Findings

Simulation results show that with using of thermal distribution system, damping of satellite different surfaces temperature is rapidly possible to the event of thermal disturbances.

Practical implications

Numerical simulation is obtained by ANSYS Fluent software and pressure-velocity coupling is SIMPLE method and spatial discretization is second order accurate and first order in time, viscous model is k-e. In this regard, a solver algorithm is also developed.

Originality/value

In space research fields about FMC application as actuators to satellite system design, main goal is to research about role of this system to attitude and determination control system (ADCS) of satellites, and no study is performed on its role to satellite temperature damping. This study is exclusively simulated thermal distribution system (includes a storage and its connections) of a microsatellite equipped with FMC actuators. The idea of using a storage for FMC actuators is the innovative step of this research.
Steklov approximations of Green’s functions for Laplace equations
Authors: Cho Manki
Published: August 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to present a meshless technique to find the Green’s functions for solutions of Laplacian boundary value problems on rectangular domains. This paper also investigates a theoretical basis for the Steklov series expansion methods to reduce and estimate the error of numerical approaches for the boundary correction kernel of the Laplace operator.

Design/methodology/approach

The main interest is how the Green's functions differ from the fundamental solution of the Laplace operator. Steklov expansion methods for finding the correction term are supported by the analysis that bases of the class of all finite harmonic functions can be formed using harmonic Steklov eigenfunctions. These functions construct a basis of the space of solutions of harmonic boundary value problems and their boundary traces generate an orthogonal basis of the trace space of solutions on the boundary.

Findings

The main conclusion is that the boundary correction term for the Green's functions is well-approximated by Steklov expansions with a few Steklov eigenfunctions. The error estimates for the Steklov approximations of the boundary correction term involved in Dirichlet or Robin boundary value problems are found. They appear to provide very good approximations in the interior of the region and become quite oscillatory close to the boundary.

Originality/value

This paper concentrates to document the first attempt to find the Green's function for various harmonic boundary value problems with the explicit Steklov eigenfunctions without concerns regarding discretizations when the region is a rectangle.
Influence of cooperative period of municipal PPPs on transaction cost – a case study
Authors: Liu Fangfang , Wang Yousong , Li Hongyang , Zhou Xiaowei
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to numerically investigate the relationship between the increase in transaction cost and prolongation of cooperative period acting as a nonmonetary incentive for municipal PPP projects.

Design/methodology/approach

A model that combines real option theory and the concept of prospect theory is proposed in the study. Three municipal road PPP projects published by China Public Private Partnerships Center are selected as cases. The data of these cases are analyzed based on the model established.

Findings

The prolongation of the cooperative period affects the increase in transaction cost, which gradually decreases when the prolonged cooperative period increases. Furthermore, the large-investment PPP projects own more transaction cost compared with less-investment projects. The decrease in transaction cost in the former is less than that in the latter. The increase in transaction cost is evidently alleviated in a project with less investment when the cooperative period is prolonged further.

Originality/value

The study systematically analyzes the relationship among transaction cost economics, real option theory and prospect theory and proposes a theoretical flowchart of the effect of nonmonetary incentive on the transaction cost. A model to quantify the effect of nonmonetary incentive (i.e. prolongation of cooperative period) on the transaction cost is proposed for the first time. The results of the study verify that the nonmonetary incentive affects transaction cost.
An international study of technology enhanced learning-related strategies from the perspective of disruptive innovation
Authors: Flavin Michael , Quintero Valentina
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to analyse institutional strategy documents relating to technology-enhanced learning.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 84 documents were sampled from 71 leading higher education institutions (HEIs), identified through the Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings 2018. Qualitative content analysis with a directed approach was used to analyse the strategy documents. The specific theory used was disruptive innovation. The use of “innovation”, or variants thereof, was counted in each document. Ten case studies from the sample were used for content analysis.

Findings

Technology-enhanced learning-related strategy documents are conservative, advocating the more efficient use of existing technologies, or the incremental enhancement of existing technologies, but not transformation through technology.

Originality/value

By evaluating the extent to which selected institutional strategies engage with innovation in technology-enhanced learning, this study argues HEIs advocate sustaining innovation or efficiency innovation to a greater extent than disruptive innovation.
Encountering UFOs and aliens in the tourism industry
Authors: Wright Daniel William Mackenzie
Published: August 2020

Purpose

Human fascination in the unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and alien paranormal phenomenon is rich in history, explored widely in popular culture and many personal beliefs exist across society. The tourism industry offers a range of places where consumers can encounter such a phenomenon. Reports continue to highlight the growth in consumers participating at UFO and alien tourism attractions and locations. Significantly, the purpose of this paper is to shine a light on the relationship between UFOs, aliens and the tourism industry.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper takes a pragmatic philosophical approach by embracing a multi-disciplinary analysis. This study examines a range of secondary data information, statistics, reports and research studies.

Findings

By identifying the current impotence of the UFO and alien tourism markets and the growing consumer participation in it, this paper presents a theoretical starting point in the form of a model, which maps the current landscape of the industry from supply and demand perspectives. This study should be seen as a stepping stone towards further research into the UFO and alien tourism industry and provide researchers with a theoretical platform and novel ideas through which to explore the subject.

Originality/value

The phenomenon includes an established eclectic mix of attractions and likewise tourist motivations for visiting are wide and diverse. However, the subject lacks academic consideration. Thus, this paper presents original research and timely discussions on the topic.
Public libraries and public primary school literacy: a Kenyan case study
Authors: Mose Peter
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explain how public libraries have been instrumental in early child school literacy teaching and learning. Most African public schools do not usually afford enough core textbooks and supplementary readers.

Design/methodology/approach

This was a qualitative case study in Western Kenya amongst public library staff members, public primary school teachers and parents of library children clients. The following questions were addressed: What is the book situation in public primary schools in the study site? What school-type literacy-related services are offered by the sampled public library? and What are library staff members’, teachers’ and parents’ feelings about the public library services offered? Observations, interviews and document studies were used to collect data. Data were analysed thematically.

Findings

Public schools do not have enough core textbooks and the situation is worse for supplementary readers; the public library branch studied offers critical school-type literacies to school children both at the library building as well as at public schools registered with it; and library staff members, teachers, and parents express positive feelings about the services offered.

Research limitations/implications

This was a case study whose findings might not apply to the larger situation and the study did not confirm actual literacy benefits of the library services amongst school children by, for instance, conducting literacy tests. The findings are, however, an index to the possible situation in the macro context.

Practical implications

The relevant stakeholders should find ways of co-opting public libraries as associates of public schools in literacy teaching. This relationship is not straight forward in Kenya.

Originality/value

The findings reported are from original research.
Socio-demographic characteristics and green consumption behavior in developing countries: the case of Malaysia
Authors: Kwon Jookyung , Ahn Jiseon
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of customers’ socio-demographic characteristics on the formation of behavioral intention toward green hotels in Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

The current study used partial least square-structural equation modeling to analyze a sample of 400 green hotel customers in Malaysia. Further, multi-group analysis (MGA) is conducted to examine whether a significant difference exists across demographic groups.

Findings

Attitude and perceived behavioral control exert positive effects on desire, which in turn considerably influences behavioral intention. Results of MGA indicate that attributions have varying effects on the desire and behavioral intention with different socio-demographic characteristics. In particular, negative anticipated emotion negatively predicts desire among the customers of the older group, whereas positive anticipated emotion and subjective norm positively influence desire among the customers of the low educational level group.

Research limitations/implications

The study examines green hotel customers’ behavior in Malaysia, and further research is needed to determine whether the impact of the proposed determinants across different industries. As the concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR) has started to influence customers’ behavior, the findings may be changing over time. Thus, a further longitudinal study would be beneficial to monitor the performance hotel CSR activities.

Originality/value

Although there is an increasing interest in CSR activities among Malaysian customers, there is a lack of information regarding customers’ motivation in the green hotel context. Furthermore, limited studies examined the role of customers’ demographic characteristics in the CSR literature. There is a need to understand green hotel industry and customers’ responses toward CSR activities.
Development of a novel T cell‐oriented vaccine using CTL/Th‐hybrid epitope long peptide and biodegradable microparticles, against an intracellular bacterium
Authors: Tanaka Kazuki , Enomoto Noriyuki , Uehara Masahiro , Furuhashi Kazuki , Sakurai Shogo , Yasui Hideki , Karayama Masato , Hozumi Hironao , Suzuki Yuzo , Fujisawa Tomoyuki , Inui Naoki , Nakamura Yutaro , Nagata Toshi , Suda Takafumi
Published: August 2020

Antigen‐specific CD8+ T‐lymphocytes (cytotoxic T‐lymphocytes: CTL), as well as CD4+ T‐lymphocytes (helper T‐lymphocytes: Th), simultaneously play an important role in the elimination of intracellular bacteria such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Listeria monocytogenes. Administration of T‐cell epitope short peptide needs large numbers of peptides for effective vaccination due to its easily degradable nature in vivo. In this respect, biocompatible and biodegradable microparticles combined with CTL/Th‐hybrid epitope long peptide (long peptide) have been used to diminish the degradation of loaded peptide. The aim of this study is to develop a novel T cell‐oriented vaccine against intracellular bacteria that is composed of long peptide and poly (lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) (PLGA) microparticles. Mouse bone marrow‐derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) were loaded with L. monocytogenes listeriolysin O (LLO)‐derived or ovalbumin (OVA)‐derived long peptide/PLGA or other comparative antigens. The antigen‐loaded BMDCs were injected subcutaneously into the flank of mice twice, and then, the spleens were collected and lymphocyte proliferation and interferon‐γ production were evaluated. The median diameter of the PLGA spheres was 1.38 μm. Both LLO‐ and OVA‐long peptide/PLGA showed significantly more robust CTL and Th proliferations with higher interferon‐γ production than the long peptide alone or CTL and Th short peptides/PLGA vaccination. Furthermore, the LLO‐long peptide/PLGA vaccination showed a significantly lower bacterial burden in spleens compared with the long peptide alone or the CTL and Th short peptides/PLGA vaccination after the challenge of lethal amounts of L. monocytogenes. These results suggest that the novel vaccine taking advantages of CTL/Th‐hybrid epitope long peptide and PLGA microparticle is effective for protection against intracellular bacteria.
Water availability drives fine root dynamics in a Eucalyptus woodland under elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration
Authors: Piñeiro Juan , Ochoa‐Hueso Raúl , Drake John E. , Tjoelker Mark G. , Power Sally A.
Published: August 2020

Fine roots are a key component of carbon and nutrient dynamics in forest ecosystems. Rising atmospheric [CO2] (eCO2) is likely to alter the production and activity of fine roots, with important consequences for forest carbon storage. Yet empirical evidence of the role of eCO2 in driving root dynamics is limited, particularly for grassy woodlands, an ecosystem type of global importance.

We sampled fine roots across seasons over a 2‐year period to examine the effects of eCO2 on their biomass, production, turnover and functional traits in a native mature grassy Eucalyptus woodland in eastern Australia (EucFACE).

Fine root biomass, production and turnover varied greatly through time, increasing as soil water content declined. Despite a lack of consistent effects of eCO2 on fine root biomass, production or turnover across the 2‐year sampling period, we found enhanced production pulses under eCO2 between 10‐ and 30‐cm soil depth. In addition, eCO2 led to greater carbon and phosphorus concentrations in fine roots and increased root diameter, but no detectable effects on other morphological traits.

Synthesis. We found minor quantitative effects of eCO2 on fine root biomass dynamics that were largely driven by temporal variations in soil water availability. Our results suggest that in this mature grassy woodland, and perhaps also in other similar forested ecosystem types, eCO2 effects are small and transient. This also implies a limited ability of these systems to mitigate climate change through below‐ground mechanisms.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
A non‐flagellated, predatory soil bacterium reprograms a chemosensory system to control antifungal antibiotic production via cyclic di‐GMP signalling
Authors: Xu Kangwen , Shen Danyu , Han Sen , Chou Shan‐Ho , Qian Guoliang
Published: August 2020

Lysobacter enzymogenes is a non‐flagellated, soil proteobacterium that secretes a diffusible antibiotic known as heat‐stable antifungal factor (HSAF) to kill nearby fungi for food. The genome of the model strain OH11 encodes a homologous Wsp system, which is generally deployed by flagellated bacteria to achieve flagella‐dependent outputs via a c‐di‐GMP‐FleQ complex, in which c‐di‐GMP is a ubiquitous dinucleotide second messenger and FleQ is a transcription factor (TF). Here, we show that the Wsp system in the non‐flagellated OH11 participates in a unique c‐di‐GMP‐dependent signalling pathway and forms a WspR‐CdgL binary complex to alter HSAF production, in which WspR and CdgL act as a c‐di‐GMP diguanylate cyclase (DGC) and a non‐TF binding protein respectively. We found that the phosphorylation of WspR activates its DGC activity and enhances c‐di‐GMP production while inhibiting HSAF biosynthesis. The phosphorylation of WspR also plays a key role in weakening WspR‐CdgL binding and HSAF generation. Interestingly, c‐di‐GMP binding to CdgL did not seem to induce the disassociation of the WspR‐CdgL complex. These observations, along with our earlier findings, lead us to propose a model in which L. enzymogenes re‐programs the Wsp system via c‐di‐GMP signalling to regulate HSAF biosynthesis for the benefit of ecological adaptation.
Intrinsic enzyme‐like activity of magnetite particles is enhanced by cultivation with Trichoderma guizhouense
Authors: Chi Zhi‐Lai , Zhao Xiang‐Yang , Chen Ya‐Ling , Hao Jia‐Long , Yu Guang‐Hui , Goodman Bernard A. , Gadd Geoffrey Michael
Published: August 2020

Fungal–mineral interactions can produce large amounts of biogenic nano‐size (~ 1–100 nm) minerals, yet their influence on fungal physiology and growth remains largely unexplored. Using Trichoderma guizhouense NJAU4742 and magnetite (Mt) as a model fungus and mineral system, we have shown for the first time that biogenic Mt nanoparticles formed during fungal–mineral cultivation exhibit intrinsic peroxidase‐like activity. Specifically, the average peroxidase‐like activity of Mt nanoparticles after 72 h cultivation was ~ 2.4 times higher than that of the original Mt. Evidence from high resolution X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses indicated that the unique properties of magnetite nanoparticles largely stemmed from their high proportion of surface non‐lattice oxygen, through occupying surface oxygen‐vacant sites, rather than Fe redox chemistry, which challenges conventional Fenton reaction theories that assume iron to be the sole redox‐active centre. Nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry with a resolution down to 50 nm demonstrated that a thin (< 1 μm) oxygen‐film was present on the surface of fungal hyphae. Furthermore, synchrotron radiation‐based micro‐FTIR spectra revealed that surface oxygen groups corresponded mainly to organic OH, mineral OH and carbonyl groups. Together, these findings highlight an important, but unrecognized, catalytic activity of mineral nanoparticles produced by fungal–mineral interactions and contribute substantially to our understanding of mineral nanoparticles in natural ecosystems.
Populism and health policy: three international case studies of right‐wing populist policy frames
Authors: Speed Ewen , Mannion Russell
Published: August 2020

Over the past decade, some of the world's most stable parliamentary democracies have witnessed a revival in right‐wing populist political parties, movements and leaders. Although there is a growing body of theoretical and empirical literature documenting the rise of populism, there has been very little exploration of the implications for health policy of this important political development. In this article, we draw from three illustrative international cases, originating from the USA, the UK and Italy, to explore the ways in which right‐wing populism influences health policy: the election of President Trump in the United States (and subsequent healthcare reforms), the United Kingdom's vote to withdraw from the European Union (Brexit), and how this has played out in the context of the UK National Health Service, and the rise of a politically aligned anti‐vaccination movement in Italy. Drawing on the work of the influential socio‐political theorist Ernesto Laclau, we interpret populism as a performative political act, predicated on drawing logics of equivalence (and difference) between different actors. We use this theoretical framing to explore the ways in which the recent upsurge in right‐wing populism creates a specific set of barriers and challenges for access to healthcare and the health of populations.
Decline ofEulia ministrana(Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in polluted habitats is not accompanied by phenotypic stress responses
Authors: Zverev Vitali , Kozlov Mikhail V.
Published: August 2020

Environmental pollution is currently identified as one of the major drivers of rapid decline of insect populations, and this finding has revitalized interest in insect responses to pollution. We tested the hypothesis that the pollution‐induced decline of insect populations can be predicted from phenotypic stress responses expressed as morphological differences between populations inhabiting polluted and unpolluted sites. We explored populations of the brassy tortrixEulia ministranain subarctic forests along an environmental disturbance gradient created by long‐lasting severe impacts of aerial emissions of the copper–nickel smelter in Monchegorsk, northwestern Russia. We used pheromone traps to measure the population densities of this leafrolling moth and to collect specimens for assessment of three morphological stress indices: size, forewing melanization, and fluctuating asymmetry in wing venation. Wing length ofE. ministranaincreased by 10%, and neither forewing melanization nor fluctuating asymmetry changed from the unpolluted forest to the heavily polluted industrial barren. However, the population density ofE. ministranadecreased 5 to 10 fold in the same pollution gradient. Thus, none of the studied potential morphological stress indicators signaled vulnerability ofE. ministranato environmental pollution and/or to pollution‐induced environmental disturbance. We conclude that insect populations can decline without any visible signs of stress. The use of morphological proxies of insect fitness to predict the consequences of human impact on insect populations is therefore risky until causal relationships between these proxies and insect abundance are deciphered.
A new Illumina MiSeq high‐throughput sequencing‐based method for evaluating the composition of the Bacteroides community in the intestine using the rpsD gene sequence
Authors: Wang Chen , Feng Saisai , Xiao Yue , Pan Mingluo , Zhao Jianxin , Zhang Hao , Zhai Qixiao , Chen Wei
Published: August 2020

Bacteroides is a bacterial genus that is known to closely interact with the host. The potential role of this genus is associated with its ecological status and distribution in the intestine. However, the current 16S V3–V4 region sequencing method can only detect the abundance of this genus, revealing a need for a novel sequencing method that can elucidate the composition of Bacteroides in the human gut microbiota. In this study, a core gene, rpsD, was selected as a template for the design of a Bacteroides‐specific primer set. We used this primer set to develop a novel assay based on the Illumina MiSeq sequencing platform that enabled an accurate assessment of the Bacteroides compositions in complex samples. Known amounts of genomic DNA from 10 Bacteroides species were mixed with a complex sample and used to evaluate the performance and detection limit of our assay. The results were highly consistent with those of direct sequencing with a low Bacteroides DNA detection threshold (0.01 ng), supporting the reliability of our assay. In addition, the assay could detect all the known Bacteroides species within the faecal sample. In summary, we provide a sensitive and specific approach to determining the Bacteroides species in complex samples.