bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CETSA®MS profiling for a comparative assessment of FDA approved antivirals repurposed for COVID-19 therapy identifies Trip13 as a Remdesivir off-target
Authors: Friman Tomas , Chernobrovkin Alexey , Molina Daniel Martinez , Arnold Laurence
Published: July 2020

The reuse of pre-existing small molecules for a novel emerging disease threat is a rapid measure to discover unknown applications for previously validated therapies. A pertinent and recent example where such strategy could be employed is in the fight against COVID-19. Therapies designed or discovered to target viral proteins also have off-target effects on the host proteome when employed in a complex physiological environment. This study aims to assess these host cell targets for a panel of FDA approved antiviral compounds including Remdesivir, using the cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA®) coupled to mass spectrometry (CETSA MS) in non-infected cells. CETSA MS is a powerful method to delineate direct and indirect interactions between small molecules and protein targets in intact cells. Biologically active compounds can induce changes in thermal stability, in their primary binding partners as well as in proteins that in turn interact with the direct targets. Such engagement of host targets by antiviral drugs may contribute to the clinical effect against the virus but can also constitute a liability. We present here a comparative study of CETSA molecular target engagement fingerprints of antiviral drugs to better understand the link between off-targets and efficacy.
Protein Structure Refinement Guided by Atomic Packing Frustration Analysis
Authors: Chen Mingchen , Chen Xun , Jin Shikai , Lu Wei , Lin Xingcheng , Wolynes Peter G.
Published: July 2020

1

Recent advances in machine learning, bioinformatics and the understanding of the folding problem have enabled efficient predictions of protein structures with moderate accuracy, even for targets when there is little information from templates. All-atom molecular dynamics simulations provide a route to refine such predicted structures, but unguided atomistic simulations, even when lengthy in time, often fail to eliminate incorrect structural features that would allow the structure to become more energetically favorable owing to the necessity of making large scale motions and overcoming energy barriers for side chain repacking. In this study, we show that localizing packing frustration at atomic resolution by examining the statistics of the energetic changes that occur when the local environment of a site is changed allows one to identify the most likely locations of incorrect contacts. The global statistics of atomic resolution frustration in structures that have been predicted using various algorithms provide strong indicators of structural quality when tested over a database of 20 targets from previous CASP experiments. Residues that are more correctly located turn out to be more minimally frustrated than more poorly positioned sites. These observations provide a diagnosis of both global and local quality of predicted structures, and thus can be used as guidance in all-atom refinement simulations of the 20 targets. Refinement simulations guided by atomic packing frustration turn out to be quite efficient and significantly improve the quality of the structures.
Phylogenetic diversity analysis of shotgun metagenomic reads describes gut microbiome development and treatment effects in the post-weaned pig
Authors: Gaio Daniela , DeMaere Matthew Z. , Anantanawat Kay , Eamens Graeme J , Zingali Tiziana , Falconer Linda , Chapman Toni A. , Djordjevic Steven , Darling Aaron E.
Published: July 2020

Background

Intensive farming practices can increase exposure of animals to infectious agents against which antibiotics are used. Besides leading to antimicrobial resistance (AMR), orally administered antibiotics are well known to cause dysbiosis. To counteract dysbiotic effects, numerous studies in the past two decades sought to understand whether probiotics are a valid tool to help re-establish a healthy gut microbial community after antibiotic treatment. However, although dysbiotic effects of antibiotics are well investigated, little is known about the effects of intramuscular antibiotic treatment on the gut microbiome and a few studies attempted to study treatment effects using phylogenetic diversity analysis techniques. In this study we sought to determine the effects of two probiotic- and one intramuscularly administered antibiotic treatment on the developing gut microbiome of post-weaning piglets between their 3rdand 9thweek of life.

Methods

Shotgun metagenomic sequences from over 800 faecal time-series samples derived from 126 piglets and 42 sows were analysed in a phylogenetic framework to characterise the developing gut microbial community composition of post-weaning piglets. We assessed the effects of intramuscular antibiotic treatment and probiotic oral treatment on the diversity of these gut microbial communities using alpha and beta diversity measures.

Results

Differences between individual hosts such as breed, litter, and age, were found to be important contributors to variation in the community composition. Host age was the dominant factor in shaping the gut microbiota of piglets after weaning. The post-weaning pig gut microbiome appeared to follow a highly structured developmental program with characteristic post-weaning changes that can distinguish hosts that were born as little as two days apart in the second month of life. Treatment effects of the antibiotic and probiotic treatments were found but were subtle and included a higher representation ofMollicutesassociated with intramuscular antibiotic treatment, and an increase ofLactobacillusassociated with probiotic treatment.

Discussion

The discovery of correlations between experimental factors and microbial community composition is more commonly addressed with OTU-based methods and rarely analysed via phylogenetic diversity measures. The latter method, although less intuitive than the former, suffers less from library size normalization biases, and it proved to be instrumental in this study for the discovery of correlations between microbiome composition and host-, and treatment factors.
Mapping specificity, entropy, allosteric changes and substrates in blood proteases by a high-throughput protease screen
Authors: Uliana Federico , Vizovišek Matej , Acquasaliente Laura , Ciuffa Rodolfo , Fossati Andrea , Frommelt Fabian , Gstaiger Matthias , De Filippis Vincenzo , auf dem Keller Ulrich , Aebersold Ruedi
Published: July 2020

Proteases are among the largest protein families in eukaryotic phylae with more than 500 genetically encoded proteases in humans. By cleaving a wide range of target proteins, proteases are critical regulators of a vast number of biochemical processes including apoptosis and blood coagulation. Over the last 20 years, knowledge of proteases has been drastically expanded by the development of proteomic approaches to identify and quantify proteases and their substrates. In spite of their merits, some of these methods are laborious, not scalable or incompatible with native environments. Consequentially, a large number of proteases remain poorly characterized. Here, we introduce a simple proteomic method to profile protease activity based on isolation of protease products from native lysates using a 96FASP filter and their analysis in a mass spectrometer. The method is significantly faster, cheaper, technically less demanding, easily multiplexed and produces accurate protease fingerprints in near-native conditions. By using the blood cascade proteases as a case study we obtained protease substrate profiles of unprecedented depth that can be reliably used to map specificity, entropy and allosteric changes of the protease and to design fluorescent probes and predict physiological substrates. The native protease characterization method is comparable in performance, but largely exceeds the throughput of current alternatives.
Hot, humid air decontamination of aircraft confirmed that high temperature and high humidity are critical for inactivation of infectious, enveloped ribonucleic acid (RNA) virus
Authors: Buhr Tony L. , Young Alice A. , Borgers-Klonkowski Erica , Kennihan Neil L. , Barnette Harold K. , Minter Zachary A. , Bohmke Matthew D. , Osborn Emily B. , Hamilton Shelia M. , Kimani Monique B. , Hammon Mark W. , Miller Charles T. , Mackie Ryan S. , Innocenti Jennifer M. , Bensman Misty D. , Gutting Bradford W. , Lilly Samuel D. , Hammer Emlyn E. , Yates Vanessa L. , Luck Brooke B.
Published: July 2020

Aims

To develop infectious (live/dead) enveloped virus test indicators and Response Surface Methodology (RSM) models that evaluate survival of an enveloped ribonucleic acid (RNA) virus on contaminated aircraft materials after exposure to hot, humid air (HHA).

Methods and Results

Enveloped RNA bacteriophage Phi6 (Φ6) was dried on wiring insulation, aircraft performance coating (APC), polypropylene, and nylon at ≥ 8 log10plaque-forming units (PFU) test coupon-1. Only 2.4 log10inactivation was measured on APC at 70°Celsius (°C), 5% relative humidity (RH) after 24 h. In contrast, HHA RSM models showed a 90% probability of a 7-log10inactivation at ≥63°C, 90% RH after 1 h, and decontamination kinetics were similar across different materials. HHA decontamination of C-130 and C-17 aircraft showed >7 log10and ≥5.9 log10inactivation of enveloped virus on 100 and 110 test indicators, respectively, with a 1-h treatment, excluding ramp-up and ramp-down times.

Conclusions

Enveloped RNA virus test indicators were successfully developed, lab tested for HHA decontamination, analyzed for RSM, and field-tested in aircraft demonstrations.

Significance and Impact of the Study

The utility of HHA decontamination was demonstrated after inactivating enveloped RNA virus on aircraft with a 1-h HHA treatment within aircraft temperature and RH limits.
Multiscale interactions between plant part and a steep environmental gradient determine plant microbial composition in a tropical watershed
Authors: Bernard Jared , Wall Christopher B. , Costantini Maria S. , Rollins Randi L. , Atkins Melissa L. , Cabrera Feresa P. , Cetraro Nicolas D. , Feliciano Christian K. J. , Greene Austin L. , Kitamura Philip K. , Olmedo-Velarde Alejandro , Sirimalwatta Vithanage N. S. , Sung Helen W. , Thompson Leah P. M. , Vu Huong T. , Wilhite Chad J. , Amend Anthony S.
Published: July 2020

Plant microbiomes are shaped by forces working at different spatial scales. Environmental factors determine a pool of potential symbionts while host physiochemical factors influence how those microbes associate with distinct plant tissues. Interactions between these scales, however, are seldom considered. Here we analyze epiphytic microbes from nineHibiscus tiliaceustrees across a steep environmental gradient within a single Hawaiian watershed. At each location we sampled eight microhabitats: leaves, petioles, axils, stems, roots, and litter from the plant, as well as surrounding air and soil. While the composition of microbial communities is driven primarily by microhabitat, this variable predicted more than twice the compositional variance for bacteria compared to fungi. Fungal community compositional dissimilarity increased more rapidly along the gradient than did bacteria. Additionally, the spatial dynamics of fungal communities differed among plant parts, and these differences influenced the distribution patterns and range size of individual taxa. Within plants, microbes were compositionally nested such that aboveground communities contained a subset of the diversity found belowground. Our findings identify potential differences underlying the mechanisms shaping communities of fungi and bacteria associated with plants, and indicate an interaction between assembly mechanisms working simultaneously on different spatial scales.
Evaluation of a novel multiplexed assay for determining IgG levels and functional activity to SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Johnson Marina , Wagstaffe Helen R. , Gilmour Kimberly C. , Mai Annabelle Lea , Lewis Joanna , Hunt Adam , Sirr Jake , Bengt Christopher , Grandjean Louis , Goldblatt David
Published: July 2020

Background

The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 has led to the development of new serological assays that could aid in diagnosis and evaluation of seroprevalence to inform an understanding of the burden of COVID-19 disease. Many available tests lack rigorous evaluation and therefore results may be misleading.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to assess the performance of a novel multiplexed immunoassay for the simultaneous detection of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 trimeric spike (S), spike receptor binding domain (RBD), spike N terminal domain and nucleocapsid antigen and a novel pseudo-neutralisation assay.

Methods

A multiplexed solid-phase chemiluminescence assay (Meso Scale Discovery) was evaluated for the simultaneous detection of IgG binding to four SARS-CoV-2 antigens and the quantification of antibody-induced ACE-2 binding inhibition (pseudo-neutralisation assay). Sensitivity was evaluated with a total of 196 COVID-19 serum samples (169 confirmed PCR positive and 27 anti-nucleocapsid IgG positive) from individuals with mild symptomatic or asymptomatic disease. Specificity was evaluated with 194 control serum samples collected from adults prior to December 2019.

Results

The specificity and sensitivity of the binding IgG assay was highest for S protein with a specificity of 97.4% and sensitivity of 96.2% for samples taken 14 days and 97.9% for samples taken 21 days following the onset of symptoms. IgG concentration to S and RBD correlated strongly with percentage inhibition measured by the pseudo-neutralisation assay.

Conclusion

Excellent sensitivity for IgG detection was obtained over 14 days since onset of symptoms for three SARS-CoV-2 antigens (S, RBD and N) in this multiplexed assay which can also measure antibody functionality.
Signal Peptide of HIV-1 Envelope Modulates Glycosylation Impacting Exposure of V1V2 Epitopes
Authors: Upadhyay Chitra , Feyznezhad Roya , Cao Liwei , Chan Kun-Wei , Liu Kevin , Yang Weiming , Zhang Hui , Yolitz Jason , Arthos James , Nadas Arthur , Kong Xiang-Peng , Zolla-Pazner Susan , Hioe Catarina E.
Published: July 2020

HIV-1 envelope (Env) is a trimer of gp120-gp41 heterodimers, synthesized from a precursor gp160 that contains an ER-targeting signal peptide (SP) at its amino-terminus. Each trimer is swathed by ∼90 N-linked glycans, comprising complex-type and oligomannose-type glycans, which play an important role in determining virus sensitivity to neutralizing antibodies. We previously examined the effects of single point SP mutations on Env properties and functions. Here, we aimed to understand the impact of the SP diversity on glycosylation of virus-derived Env and virus neutralization by swapping SPs. Analyses of site-specific glycans revealed that SP swapping altered Env glycan content and occupancy on multiple N-linked glycosites, including the conserved N156 and N160 glycans in the V1V2 region at the Env trimer apex. Virus neutralization was also affected, especially by antibodies against the V2i, V2p and V2q epitopes. Likewise, SP swaps affected the recognition of soluble and cell-associated Env by antibodies targeting distinct V1V2 configurations. These data highlight the contribution of SP sequence diversity in shaping the Env glycan content and its impact on the configuration and accessibility of V1V2 epitopes on Env.

Author Summary

HIV-1 Env glycoprotein is produced by a precursor gp160 that has a signal peptide at its N-terminus. The SP is highly diverse among the HIV-1 isolates and no two SP are same. This study presents site-specific analyses of N-linked glycosylation on HIV-1 envelope glycoproteins from infectious viruses produced with different envelope signal peptides. We show that signal peptide swapping alters the envelope glycan shield, including the conserved N156 and N160 located in the V1V2 region on the trimer apex, to impact Env recognition and virus neutralization by antibodies, particularly those targeting the the V1V2 region. The data offer crucial insights into the role of signal peptide in the interplay between HIV-1 and antibodies and its potential utility to control Env glycosylation in the development of Env-based HIV-1 vaccine.
Ethyl 10α-hydroxy-4,9-dimethyl-14-oxo-3,8,15-trioxatetracyclo[10.3.0.02,4.07,9]pentadecane-13-spiro-5′-pyrazole-3′-carboxylate
Authors: Outahar Fatima , Moumou Mohamed , Rakib El Mostapha , Hannioui Abdellah , Saadi Mohamed , El Ammari Lahcen
Published: July 2020

The ten-membered ring in the title molecule, C25H29ClN2O7, adopts an approximate chair–chair conformation, whereas the five-membered furan and pyrazole rings display envelope conformations. The mean plane of the furan ring is almost perpendicular to that of the pyrazole ring, as indicated by the dihedral angle between them of 86.45 (9)°. The pyrazole ring is slightly inclined to the plane of the attached phenyl ring, subtending a dihedral angle of 16.88 (8)°. The conformation of the molecule is stabilized by six intramolecular hydrogen bonds and crystal cohesion is ensured by five C—H...O hydrogen bonds, in addition to C—H...π interactions.
Documenting contemporary regional history: the Utah COVID-19 digital collection
Authors: Neatrour Anna L. , Myntti Jeremy , Wittmann Rachel J.
Published: July 2020

Purpose

When faced with events, such as the global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), libraries have a unique opportunity to develop a community facing response through born-digital collections. These collections provide challenges for metadata creation, collection development policies, workflows, and digital preservation. This paper aims to provide an overview of the Utah COVID-19 digital collection, with a discussion of impact and lessons learned.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper provides a case study of a born-digital collection initiative undertaken at the University of Utah in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The project prompted engagement with the University of Utah communities and people across the state. Workflows, metadata management and partnerships are discussed, to provide a model for institutions developing similar projects during a time of crisis.

Findings

While the project was launched with open-ended and flexible goals, the response from the community has been both surprising and gratifying. Statistics and examples demonstrating reuse of collection materials are provided to highlight the impact and potential of community engagement.

Originality/value

Digital collecting projects during a historical event are not new, however the restrictions placed upon people worldwide during the COVID-19 pandemic created interesting circumstances for building this collection. Several lessons were learned throughout the project which will be useful for other institutions embarking upon related projects.
The use of building information modelling by quantity surveyors in facilities management roles
Authors: Stride Melanie , Hon Carol K.H. , Liu Rui , Xia Bo
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Adoption of building information modelling (BIM) in facilities management (FM) provides an information platform to store and exchange asset data. Quantity Surveyors, with cost management expertise, are increasingly involved in FM roles in the operation phase. However, no study has been conducted on how BIM may assist Quantity Surveyors when contracted in FM roles. This study aims to identify the potential benefits and challenges of using BIM by Quantity Surveyors in FM roles.

Design/methodology/approach

Interviews were conducted with eight professionals from an international built and natural asset design and management company and its FM business partner in Australia.

Findings

Lack of complete and accurate data was the main issue faced by Quantity Surveyors in FM. The benefits of BIM in FM were digitizing and storing asset information and developing a cost database that would be useful for Quantity Surveyors, whereas challenges included keeping model data up to date, cost, industry resistance to change and contractors' lack of model use.

Originality/value

This study contributes to revealing the niche adoption of BIM by Quantity Surveyors in FM and identifying the issues faced by Quantity Surveyors in FM roles using BIM. It contributes to the knowledge of BIM adoption in post-construction. Findings will be useful to develop strategies for adopting BIM in FM and supporting Quantity Surveyors' roles in FM.
Anti-blackness, surface-level diversity continues to matter: what must we do?
Authors: Bell Myrtle P.
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This paper discusses the author's perceptions of anti-blackness, her research on “surface-level” diversity and her recommendations for faculty, administrators and allies.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is a personal account, drawn from the author's background and experiences teaching and studying diversity. It discusses research on American Blacks' unique experiences with police violence and discrimination in employment, housing, customer service, healthcare and education consistent with anti-blackness.

Findings

Anti-blackness pervades Blacks' everyday experiences, including in academic institutions.

Research limitations/implications

This paper is a viewpoint paper. Researchers should study anti-blackness, looking specifically at Blacks' organizational and societal experiences.

Practical implications

The author provides suggestions for faculty regarding sharing their research findings, teaching about anti-blackness in diversity, human resources, organizational behavior, management and other courses along with mentoring doctoral students. Recommendations for administration to help ensure that Black faculty are hired, valued and supported are also provided.

Social implications

Efforts to identify, acknowledge and dismantle anti-blackness are critical to Blacks and are important to improving diversity, inclusion and equity in society.

Originality/value

This paper provides the author's perspective on anti-blackness, using her personal perceptions and experiences, coupled with research evidence. The author provides suggestions for faculty and administrators based on decades of research and experience in the field and being Black in an anti-black society.
Research on the logistics development level and spatial differentiation in node city with gray target decision model
Authors: Qian Wuyong , Wang Lizhen , Wang Jue , Chen Qianqian
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to master the development process and the construction effectiveness of backbone circulation network in an all-round way, formulate regional logistics development planning as well as promote the development of logistics industry by scientifically evaluating the logistics development of node cities with a view to analyzing their spatial differentiation features.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, an integrated evaluation model is constructed by adopting factor analysis, gray target decision-making model based on cone volume and other methods so as to evaluate the logistics development of node cities. The dimensionality of three-dimensional panel data is reduced by factor analysis at first. Then, the gray target decision-making method based on cone volume is adopted to evaluate the development of node cities, whose evaluation results are carried out through the clustering analysis. The clustering analysis is used to determine the development level of node cities and to extract the spatial differentiation features of node cities.

Findings

The results show that the proposed model can comprehensively evaluate the logistics level of node cities and clarify the overall logistics development and spatial differentiation of node cities, which could provide objective evidence for formulating national policies as well as promoting the balanced and coordinated development of regional logistics in China.

Originality/value

The paper succeeds in overcoming the disadvantages of existing methods assessing the logistics development level, such as principal component analysis and factor analysis, which are not applicable to panel data.
A novel approach for the analytical solution of nonlinear time-fractional differential equations
Authors: Zhang Haiyan , Nadeem Muhammad , Rauf Asim , Guo Hui Zhao
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to suggest the solution of time-fractional Fornberg–Whitham and time-fractional Fokker–Planck equations by using a novel approach.

Design/methodology/approach

First, some basic properties of fractional derivatives are defined to construct a novel approach. Second, modified Laplace homotopy perturbation method (HPM) is constructed which yields to a direct approach. Third, two numerical examples are presented to show the accuracy of this derived method and graphically results showed that this method is very effective. Finally, convergence of HPM is proved strictly with detail.

Findings

It is not necessary to consider any type of assumptions and hypothesis for the development of this approach. Thus, the suggested method becomes very simple and a better approach for the solution of time-fractional differential equations.

Originality/value

Although many analytical methods for the solution of fractional partial differential equations are presented in the literature. This novel approach demonstrates that the proposed approach can be applied directly without any kind of assumptions.
School leadership capacity-building: developing country successful case studies
Authors: Owen Susanne Mary , Toaiauea Toabwa , Timee Tekonnang , Harding Tebetaio , Taoaba Taaruru
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Systems educational reform in developing countries through effective principal capacity- building programs is essential for improving student learning, with the purpose of this paper being to use case studies to identify key success factors in the implementation of an instructional leadership program in the developing country of Kiribati.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study approach involving mixed methods including semi-structured interviews and document analysis was used within three purposively sampled schools to examine implementation success factors relevant to instructional leadership literature

Findings

The case studies reveal the overall value of the Kiribati instructional leadership program involving school leader workshops and ongoing coaching support, with instructional leadership reflecting directive and collaborative, as well as transformative theoretical aspects. Key implementation success factors within researched schools were leaders undertaking regular observations in classrooms, systematic tracking of student achievement and nurturing a positive culture for learning, as well as establishment of various collaborative processes involving community and teacher peer learning groups.

Research limitations/implications

The study provides in-depth information through teacher and school leader interviews and examining relevant school documentation artefacts. A limitation is that the study involved only three schools and was undertaken less than a year into program implementation. Future research involving more schools and several years after implementation would be beneficial to investigate sustainability across the school system and longer-term program impacts.

Practical implications

The data provides practical tips for school leaders regarding effective teacher capacity-building approaches, as well as providing information for policy makers, especially in developing countries, about effective professional development programs for school leaders and teachers. 10; 10;

Originality/value

The study examines a system-wide workshop series and coaching approach to school leader and teacher capacity-building in a developing country from a theoretical and practical perspective relevant to instructional leadership and also transformational leadership, which is an under-researched area. 10; 10; 10;
Developing a 3D decision-making grid based on failure modes and effects analysis with a case study in the steel industry
Authors: Shahin Arash , Labib Ashraf , Haj Shirmohammadi Ali , Balouei Jamkhaneh Hadi
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The aim of this study is to develop a 3D model of decision- making grid (DMG) considering failure detection rate.

Design/methodology/approach

In a comparison between DMG and failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA), severity has been assumed as time to repair and occurrence as the frequency of failure. Detection rate has been added as the third dimension of DMG. Nine months data of 21 equipment of casting unit of Mobarakeh Steel Company (MSC) has been analyzed. Then, appropriate condition monitoring (CM) techniques and maintenance tactics have been suggested. While in 2D DMG, CM is used when downtime is high and frequency is low; its application has been developed for other maintenance tactics in a 3D DMG.

Findings

Findings indicate that the results obtained from the developed DMG are different from conventional grid results, and it is more capable in suggesting maintenance tactics according to the operating conditions of equipment.

Research limitations/implications

In failure detection, the influence of CM techniques is different. In this paper, CM techniques have been suggested based on their maximum influence on failure detection.

Originality/value

In conventional DMG, failure detection rate is not included. The developed 3D DMG provides this advantage by considering a new axis of detection rate in addition to mean time to repair (MTTR) and failure frequency, and it enhances maintenance decision-making by simultaneous selection of suitable maintenance tactics and condition-monitoring techniques.
A new joint friction model for parameter identification and sensor-less hand guiding in industrial robots
Authors: Liu Guanghui , Li Qiang , Fang Lijin , Han Bing , Zhang Hualiang
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a new joint friction model, which can accurately model the real friction, especially in cases with sudden changes in the motion direction. The identification and sensor-less control algorithm are investigated to verify the validity of this model.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed friction model is nonlinear and it considers the angular displacement and angular velocity of the joint as a secondary compensation for identification. In the present study, the authors design a pipeline – including a manually designed excitation trajectory, a weighted least squares algorithm for identifying the dynamic parameters and a hand guiding controller for the arm’s direct teaching.

Findings

Compared with the conventional joint friction model, the proposed method can effectively predict friction factors during the dynamic motion of the arm. Then friction parameters are quantitatively obtained and compared with the proposed friction model and the conventional friction model indirectly. It is found that the average root mean square error of predicted six joints in the proposed method decreases by more than 54%. The arm’s force control with the full torque using the estimated dynamic parameters is qualitatively studied. It is concluded that a light-weight industrial robot can be dragged smoothly by the hand guiding.

Practical implications

In the present study, a systematic pipeline is proposed for identifying and controlling an industrial arm. The whole procedure has been verified in a commercial six DOF industrial arm. Based on the conducted experiment, it is found that the proposed approach is more accurate in comparison with conventional methods. A hand-guiding demo also illustrates that the proposed approach can provide the industrial arm with the full torque compensation. This essential functionality is widely required in many industrial arms such as kinaesthetic teaching.

Originality/value

First, a new friction model is proposed. Based on this model, identifying the dynamic parameter is carried out to obtain a set of model parameters of an industrial arm. Finally, a smooth hand guiding control is demonstrated based on the proposed dynamic model.
Intention to start a business and entrepreneurship education programme: a pre- and post-programme research design
Authors: Çera Gentjan , Çera Edmond
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The effect of a study programme in entrepreneurship on intention to start a business has not received adequate attention by researchers using a pre- and post-programme research design. The purpose of this paper is to find evidence of entrepreneurship education programme on entrepreneurial intention in the context of a post-communist transition county.

Design/methodology/approach

Coarsened exact matching method is performed to achieve two similar groups: control (people who did not attend a study programme in entrepreneurship) and treated (those who attended) groups. Based on a set of covariates as identified in theory, 442 out of 528 members were matched. Hypotheses developed in a pre- and post-programme setting can be tested by using the ANCOVA. Members’ scores on intention to start a business before the programme was introduced were used as the covariate in this analysis (pre-programme).

Findings

The analysis confirms a significant difference between the two groups on entrepreneurial intention after the study programme in entrepreneurship was completed (post-programme). The results suggest that entrepreneurial intention is affected by entrepreneurship education programme.

Research limitations/implications

This study offers useful insights for universities and individuals running a business. Aiming better results in terms of entrepreneurship, university, industry and government should align their efforts following a triple helix model.

Originality/value

This work adds value to the entrepreneurship literature in the context of post-communist transition country. Furthermore, it uses a rigour methodology that makes the comparison of control and treated groups possible.
The asymmetric Brazilian input–output network
Authors: Gonçalves Jennifer , Matsushita Raul , Da Silva Sergio
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The authors observed few sectors with many connections and many sectors with few connections, “in the Brazilian input-output network,” which meant that sectoral idiosyncratic shocks may lead to aggregate fluctuations.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors considered the Brazilian input–output tables for the years 2010 and 2015 and found a significant asymmetry in the roles that sectors play as input suppliers to others.

Findings

Generalized Pareto exponents decreased from one period to the other, which suggested that the input–output network has become more vulnerable to shocks.

Practical implications

The authors identified real estate as the most important sector and, given its high connectivity, shocks to it could become a major driver of the Brazilian business cycle.

Originality/value

This is the first paper examining the asymmetric structure of the Brazilian input–output table, and results are compared with those for the US table.
Capital flows and office markets in major global cities
Authors: Fadeyi Olawumi , McGreal Stanley , McCord Michael , Berry Jim
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Office markets and particularly international financial centres over the past decade have experienced rapid financialisation, developments and indeed changes in the post-global financial crisis (GFC) landscape. Importantly, the volume and types of international capital flows have witnessed more foreign actors and vehicles entering into the investment landscape with the concentration of investment intensifying within key financial centres. This paper examines the interaction of international real estate capital flows in the London, New York and Tokyo office markets between 2007 and 2017.

Design/methodology/approach

Using Real Capital Analytics (RCA) data comprising over 5,700 office property transactions equating to $563bn between 2007 and 2017, the direct global capital flows into the London, New York and Tokyo office markets are assessed using an autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) approach. Further, Granger causality tests are examined to analyse the short-run interaction of international real estate capital flows into these three major office markets.

Findings

By assessing the relativity of internal to external investments in these three central business district (CBD) office markets, differences in market dynamics are highlighted. The London office market is shown to be highly dependent on international flows and the USA, the foremost source of cross-border investment on the global stage. The cointegration and causality analysis indicate that cross-border real estate investment flows in these markets (and financial centres) show both long- and short-run relationships and suggest that the London office market remains more distinct and the most reliant on international capital flows with a wider geographical spread of investment activities and investor types. In the case of New York and Tokyo, these markets appear to be driven by more domestic investment activity and capital seemingly due to subtle factors pertaining to investor home bias, risk aversion and diversification strategies between the markets in the aftermath of the GFC.

Originality/value

Given the importance of the CBD offices in London, New York and Tokyo as an asset class for institutional investors, this paper provides some insights as to their level of connection and the interaction of the international capital flows into these three major cities.
Extrovert integrated management systems
Authors: Gianni Maria , Gotzamani Katerina
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this research is twofold; firstly, to propose and test a measuring instrument for the efficient and effective integration of management systems (MSs), identifying the particular aspects that may distinguish the substantive (internalized) from the superficial (ceremonial) integration; and secondly, to propose and test a scale for corporate sustainability performance (CSP).

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review has identified pertinent variables and yielded relevant measuring items. A field survey has been conducted. The survey instrument has been administered to Greek organizations certified to two or more MS standards. Collected data from 280 respondents has been processed using exploratory factor analysis.

Findings

Internalization has been identified as the main construct to interpret substantial MS integration in terms of resources and the extent of integration. The extracted internalization factors are human resources, strategic resources, information systems, integration tools, outsourcing, internal processes integration level and audits' integration level. CSP has been operationalized in terms of the company's relationships with its stakeholders. The extracted CSP factors are customer–supplier relationship, the employees, investors/shareholders, financial institutions, the environment, state and society.

Practical implications

This research findings can be used by management professionals, certification bodies and governmental authorities in order to foster the implementation of multiple MSs and highlight the critical issues for their successful integration and internalization, which is imperative for their prosperity and contribution toward CSP. Practitioners are also provided with an instrument to monitor CSP through the company's relationships with its stakeholders toward satisfaction of their needs.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first empirical study on the internalization of integrated MSs. In addition, the development of a CSP scale intends to bring together corporate sustainability management with CSP.
Research Note: On the error behaviour of force and moment sources in simplicial spectral finite elements
Authors: Mulder W.A.
Published: July 2020

The representation of a force or moment point source in a spectral finite‐element code for modelling elastic wave propagation becomes fundamentally different in degenerate cases where the source is located on the boundary of an element. This difference is related to the fact that the finite‐element basis functions are continuous across element boundaries, but their derivatives are not. A method is presented that effectively deals with this problem. Tests on one‐dimensional elements show that the numerical errors for a force source follow the expected convergence rate in terms of the element size, apart from isolated cases where superconvergence occurs. For a moment source, the method also converges but one order of accuracy is lost, probably because of the reduced regularity of the problem. Numerical tests in three dimensions on continuous mass‐lumped tetrahedral elements show a similar error behaviour as in the one‐dimensional case, although in three dimensions the loss of accuracy for the moment source is not a severe as a full order.
Not All Thin Markets Are Alike: The Case of Organic and Non‐genetically Engineered Corn and Soybeans
Authors: Raszap Skorbiansky Sharon , Adjemian Michael K
Published: July 2020

We use time series methods to explore the relationship between prices for two different niche versions of feed corn and soybeans, and their conventional counterparts. Whereas organic versions are linearly cointegrated, and their premia are high and stable, non‐GE products – which are nonlinearly cointegrated – exhibit narrower premia that are subject to collapse. Because organics are also non‐GE, these differences point to the value of a well‐recognised and enforced USDA organic label and/or the importance consumers place on the non‐GE attributes of organic products.
Encapsulation of vitamin D3 in gum arabic to enhance bioavailability and stability for beverage applications
Authors: Lamsen Mary Ross L. , Wang Tiannan , D'Souza Doris , Dia Vermont , Chen Guoxun , Zhong Qixin
Published: July 2020

Delivery of vitamin D3 (VD3) in foods should exhibit desirable physicochemical characteristics and improves absorption. In this study, gum arabic (GA) was investigated as a VD3 carrier to encapsulate VD3. VD3 dissolved in 5 mL ethanol corresponding to 0.3 to 6.0% mass of GA, was blended in 5.0% w/v GA solution, followed by freeze drying. The encapsulation efficiency decreased while loading capacity increased with an increased amount of VD3. At the highest VD3 level, the loading capacity (3.47%) was the highest, and the encapsulation efficiency (61.24%) was satisfactory, and the treatment was further studied. The magnitude of negative zeta‐potential increased from 3.1 to 31.0 mV at pH 2.0 to 7.4. During the 100‐day storage at 3 °C of capsules reconstituted at pH 2.0 to 7.4, the hydrodynamic diameter decreased at all pH conditions, most evident for reduction to 81.3 nm at pH 7.4, and no precipitation was observed, indicating the significance of steric repulsion on capsule stability. Bioaccessibility of VD3 in capsules (95.76%) was significantly higher than the nonencapsulated VD3 (68.98%). The in vivo pharmacokinetic study in Sprague–Dawley rats after a single‐dose of 300 µg VD3 showed the area‐under‐curve of serum 25(OHD) level in 48 hr of the encapsulation treatment was 4.32‐fold of the nonencapsulated VD3 and more than twice higher than the VD3‐GA physical mixture. During 2‐week supplementation of 60 µg VD3/d, rats receiving capsules or physical mixture had 25(OH)D levels of at least 81 ng/mL higher than that of the nonencapsulated VD3 group. The studied encapsulation system holds great potential as a value‐added ingredient to supplement VD3 in beverages with a wide pH range.

Practical Application

The findings of this study demonstrated the improved dispersion stability and absorption of vitamin D3 after encapsulation in gum arabic. The capsules exhibited good dispersion stability across a pH range between 2.0 and 7.4, showing potential application in beverages. Furthermore, the enhanced absorption of VD3 after encapsulation highlights the nutritional benefits of the studied encapsulation system.
A new method for matching gold nanoparticle‐based time–temperature indicators with muffins without obtaining activation energy
Authors: Zhang Lixuan , Sun Ruonan , Yu Hufei , Yu Hailong , Xu Gaolei , Deng Liming , Qian Jing
Published: July 2020

Time–temperature indicators (TTIs) can monitor the quality and safety of food. A new temperature–time point comparison method was proposed to match TTIs with food. This method omits the step of calculating activation energy (Ea). It only compares the difference between TTI response time and food shelf life to determine their matching degree. Taking gold nanoparticle‐based TTIs and muffins as experimental objects, the new and the traditional matching methods were used to match the absorbance of TTI and the peroxide value of muffins. The two results are not significantly different. TTIs with gelatin solution and gold precursor solution concentration of 150.00  and 2.05 mg/mL, respectively, can show the quality of muffins. TTIs changed from light yellow to pink and finally appeared deep purple. The deep purple represented spoilage and inedibility of muffins. Comparing Ea of food and that of TTIs can preliminarily evaluate their matching degree, improving the experiment efficiency. Hence, it is reasonable to use the traditional matching method in most cases, and use the new method only when Ea of food cannot be obtained.

Practical Application

The deterioration rate of food is usually calculated by developing kinetic models of characteristic quality parameters. When the reaction rate is unavailable or inaccurate, the activation energy of food cannot be obtained. In this case, it is impossible to match TTIs with food based on the traditional method. This research develops a new matching method and helps TTIs and food to be matched without considering activation energy. It will promote the application of TTIs in more products.
Modification of the physicochemical and structural characteristics of zein suspension by dielectric barrier discharge cold plasma treatment
Authors: Li Nan , Yu Jiao‐jiao , Jin Nan , Chen Yue , Li Shu‐hong , Chen Ye
Published: July 2020

Owing to the strong hydrophobicity of zein, improved solubility is required to enhance the recovery of bioactive peptides. Using a zein suspension prepared by the antisolvent precipitation method, the impact of varying the voltage during dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) treatment on the physicochemical and conformational properties of zein in water was investigated. Analysis of the particle size, specific surface area, and free sulfhydryl content indicated that the protein solubility was maximized by treatment at 70 V for 70 s. DBD treatment destroyed covalent bonds and introduced some hydrophilic groups onto the zein surface, thus enhancing the contact area with water molecules and leading to a more uniform dispersion. A decrease in the hydrodynamic radius of zein micelles indicated that intermolecular interactions were disrupted, thus improving dispersion stability. A more hydrophilic microenvironment was formed owing to the reduction in hydrophobic interactions. Additionally, evaluation of the secondary structure demonstrated that DBD treatment broke hydrogen bonds, resulting in a loose conformation with more exposed sites of action for water. These results are expected to facilitate the development of technologies for improving utilization of zein.

Practical Application

Strong hydrophobicity limits the application of zein in the food industry. The study indicated that DBD treatment could promote loose structure, and improve dispersion stability and hydrophilicity of zein suspension prepared by antisolvent precipitation method. This work revealed the potential of cold plasma treatment for modifying zein and other insoluble proteins, which would expand their scope of application.