bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Emerging single cell endothelial heterogeneity supports sprouting tumour angiogenesis and growth
Authors: Matsumoto Ken , Rambow Florian , Stanchi Fabio , Mathivet Thomas , Qian Junbin , Giese Wolfgang , He Liqun , Lambrechts Diether , Zhou Bin , Betsholtz Christer , Marine Jean-Christophe , Gerhardt Holger
Published: June 2021

Blood vessels supplying tumors are often dysfunctional and generally heterogeneous. The mechanisms underlying this heterogeneity remain poorly understood. Here, using multicolor lineage tracing, in vivo time-lapse imaging and single cell RNA sequencing in a mouse glioma model, we identify tumour-specific blood endothelial cells that originate from cells expressing the receptor for colony stimulating factor 1, Csf1r, a cytokine which controls macrophage biology. These Csf1r lineage endothelial cells (CLECs) form up to 10% of the tumour vasculature and express, besides classical blood endothelial cell markers, a gene signature that is distinct from brain endothelium but shares similarities with lymphatic endothelial cell populations. in silico analysis of pan-cancer single cell RNAseq datasets highlights the presence of a comparable subpopulation in the endothelium of a wide spectrum of human tumours. We show that CLECs actively contribute to sprouting and remodeling of tumour blood vessels and that selective depletion of CLECs reduces vascular branching and tumour growth. Our findings indicate that a non-tumour resident Csf1r-positive population is recruited to tumours, differentiates into blood endothelial cells to contribute to vascularization and, thereby, tumour growth.
Neutralizing antibodies elicited by the Ad26.COV2.S COVID-19 vaccine show reduced activity against 501Y.V2 (B.1.351), despite protection against severe disease by this variant
Authors: Moore Penny L , Moyo-Gwete Thandeka , Hermanus Tandile , Kgagudi Prudence , Ayres Frances , Makhado Zanele , Sadoff Jerald , Le Gars Mathieu , van Roey Griet , Crowther Carol , Garrett Nigel , Bekker Linda-Gail , Morris Lynn , Schuitemaker Hanneke , Gray Glenda
Published: June 2021

The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants, such as 501Y.V2, with immune evasion mutations in the spike has resulted in reduced efficacy of several COVID-19 vaccines. However, the efficacy of the Ad26.COV2.S vaccine, when tested in South Africa after the emergence of 501Y.V2, was not adversely impacted. We therefore assessed the binding and neutralization capacity of n=120 South African sera (from Day 29, post-vaccination) from the Janssen phase 3 study, Ensemble. Spike binding assays using both the Wuhan-1 D614G and 501Y.V2 Spikes showed high levels of cross-reactivity. In contrast, in a subset of 27 sera, we observed significantly reduced neutralization of 501Y.V2 compared to Wuhan-1 D614G, with 22/27 (82%) of sera showing no detectable neutralization of 501Y.V2 at Day 29. These data suggest that even low levels of neutralizing antibodies may contribute to protection from moderate/severe disease. In addition, Fc effector function and T cells may play an important role in protection by this vaccine against 501Y.V2.
Optimized splitting of RNA sequencing data by species
Authors: Song Xuan , Gao Hai Yun , Herrup Karl , Hart Ronald P.
Published: June 2021

Gene expression studies using chimeric xenograft transplants or co-culture systems have proven to be valuable to uncover cellular dynamics and interactions during development or in disease models. However, the mRNA sequence similarities among species presents a challenge for accurate transcript quantification. To identify optimal strategies for analyzing mixed-species RNA sequencing data, we evaluate both alignment-dependent and alignment-independent methods. Alignment of reads to a pooled reference index is effective, particularly if optimal alignments are used to classify sequencing reads by species, which are re-aligned with individual genomes, generating >97% accuracy across a range of species ratios. Alignment-independent methods, such as Convolutional Neural Networks, which extract the conserved patterns of sequences from two species, classify RNA sequencing reads with over 85% accuracy. Importantly, both methods perform well with different ratios of human and mouse reads. Our evaluation identifies valuable and effective strategies to dissect species composition of RNA sequencing data from mixed populations.
Diversification of ergot alkaloids and heritable fungal symbionts in morning glories
Authors: Beaulieu Wesley T. , Panaccione Daniel G. , Quach Quynh N. , Smoot Katy L. , Clay Keith
Published: June 2021

Heritable microorganisms play critical roles in life cycles of many macro-organisms but their prevalence and functional roles are unknown for most plants. Bioactive ergot alkaloids produced by heritablePeriglandulafungi occur in some morning glories (Convolvulaceae), similar to ergot alkaloids in grasses infected with related fungi. Ergot alkaloids have been of longstanding interest given their toxic effects, psychoactive properties, and medical applications. Here we show that ergot alkaloids are concentrated in four morning glory clades exhibiting differences in alkaloid profiles and are more prevalent in species with larger seeds than those with smaller seeds. Further, we found a phylogenetically-independent, positive correlation between seed mass and alkaloid concentrations in symbiotic species. Our findings suggest that heritable symbiosis has diversified among particular clades by vertical transmission through seeds combined with host speciation, and that ergot alkaloids are particularly beneficial to species with larger seeds. Our results are consistent with the defensive symbiosis hypothesis where bioactive ergot alkaloids fromPeriglandulasymbionts protect seeds and seedlings from natural enemies, and provide a framework for exploring microbial chemistry in other plant-microbe interactions.
A light tunable differentiation system for the creation and control of consortia in yeast
Authors: Aditya Chetan , Bertaux François , Batt Gregory , Ruess Jakob
Published: June 2021

Artificial microbial consortia seek to leverage division-of-labour to optimize function and possess immense potential for bioproduction. Co-culturing approaches, the preferred mode of generating a consortium, remain limited in their ability to give rise to stable consortia having finely tuned compositions. Here, we present an artificial differentiation system in budding yeast capable of generating stable microbial consortia with custom functionalities from a single strain at user-defined composition in space and in time based on optogenetically-driven genetic rewiring. Owing to fast, reproducible, and light-tunable dynamics, our system enables dynamic control of consortia composition in continuous cultures for extended periods. We further demonstrate that our system can be extended in a straightforward manner to give rise to consortia with multiple subpopulations. Our artificial differentiation strategy establishes a novel paradigm for the creation of complex microbial consortia that are simple to implement, precisely controllable, and versatile to use.
Quantitative and population genomics suggest a broad role of staygreen loci in the drought adaptation of sorghum
Authors: Faye Jacques M. , Akata Eyanawa A. , Sine Bassirou , Diatta Cyril , Cisse Ndiaga , Fonceka Daniel , Morris Geoffrey P.
Published: June 2021

Drought is a major constraint on plant productivity globally. Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) landraces have evolved in drought-prone regions, but the genetics of their adaptation is not yet understood. Loci underlying stay-green post-flowering drought tolerance (Stg), have been identified in a temperate breeding line, but their role in drought adaptation of tropical sorghum is to be elucidated.

We phenotyped 590 diverse sorghum accessions from West Africa under field-based managed drought stress, pre-flowering (WS1) and post-flowering (WS2) over several years and conducted genome-wide association studies (GWAS).

Broad-sense heritability for grain and biomass yield components was high (33-92%) across environments. There was a significant correlation between stress tolerance index (STI) for grain weight across WS1 and WS2. GWAS revealed thatSbZfl1andSbCN12, orthologs of maize flowering genes, likely underlie flowering time variation under these conditions. GWAS further identified associations (n = 134) for STI and drought effects on yield components, including 16 putative pleiotropic associations. Thirty of the associations colocalized withStg1–4loci and had large effects. Seven lead associations, including some withinStg1, overlapped with positive selection outliers.

Our findings reveal natural genetic variation for drought tolerance-related traits, and suggest a broad role ofStgloci in drought adaptation of sorghum.
Myofilament Glycation in Diabetes Reduces Contractility by Inhibiting Tropomyosin Movement, is Rescued by cMyBPC Domains
Authors: Papadaki Maria , Kampaengsri Theerachat , Barrick Samantha K. , Campbell Stuart G. , von Lewinski Dirk , Rainer Peter P. , Harris Samantha P. , Greenberg Michael J. , Kirk Jonathan A.
Published: June 2021

Diabetes doubles the risk of developing heart failure (HF). As the prevalence of diabetes grows, so will HF unless the mechanisms connecting these diseases can be identified. Methylglyoxal (MG) is a glycolysis by-product that forms irreversible modifications on lysine and arginine, called glycation. We previously found that myofilament MG glycation causes sarcomere contractile dysfunction and is increased in patients with diabetes and HF. The aim of this study was to discover the molecular mechanisms by which MG glycation of myofilament proteins cause sarcomere dysfunction and to identify therapeutic avenues to compensate. In humans with type 2 diabetes without HF, we found increased glycation of sarcomeric actin compared to non-diabetics and it correlated with decreased calcium sensitivity. Depressed calcium sensitivity is pathogenic for HF, therefore myofilament glycation represents a promising therapeutic target to inhibit the development of HF in diabetics. To identify possible therapeutic targets, we further defined the molecular actions of myofilament glycation. Skinned myocytes exposed to 100 μM MG exhibited decreased calcium sensitivity, maximal calcium-activated force, and crossbridge kinetics. Replicating MG’s functional affects using a computer simulation of sarcomere function predicted simultaneous decreases in tropomyosin’s blocked-to-closed rate transition and crossbridge duty cycle were consistent with all experimental findings. Stopped-flow experiments and ATPase activity confirmed MG decreased the blocked-to-closed transition rate. Currently, no therapeutics target tropomyosin, so as proof-of-principal, we used a n-terminal peptide of myosin-binding protein C, previously shown to alter tropomyosin’s position on actin. C0C2 completely rescued MG-induced calcium desensitization, suggesting a possible treatment for diabetic HF.
BacPROTACs mediate targeted protein degradation in bacteria
Authors: Morreale Francesca Ester , Kleine Stefan , Leodolter Julia , Ovchinnikov Stepan , Kley Juliane , Kurzbauer Robert , Hoi David M. , Meinhart Anton , Hartl Markus , Haselbach David , Kaiser Markus , Clausen Tim
Published: June 2021

Hijacking the cellular protein degradation system offers unique opportunities for drug discovery, as exemplified by proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs). Despite their superior properties over classical inhibitors, it has so far not been possible to reprogram the bacterial degradation machinery to interfere with microbial infections. Here, we develop small-molecule degraders, so-called BacPROTACs, that bind to the substrate receptor of the ClpC:ClpP protease, priming neo-substrates for degradation. In addition to their targeting function, BacPROTACs activate ClpC, transforming the resting unfoldase into its functional state. The induced higher-order oligomer was visualized by cryo-EM analysis, providing a structural snapshot of activated ClpC unfolding a protein substrate. Finally, degradation assays performed in mycobacteria demonstrate in vivo activity of BacPROTACs, highlighting the potential of the technology to provide next generation antibiotics.
VSTseed: periodic spaced seeds for reads with substitutions
Authors: Titarenko Valeriy , Titarenko Sofya
Published: June 2021

Motivation

Technical progress in computer hardware made it possible to access and process large amounts of data even on budget workstations. Therefore new or existing alignment algorithms may use large index files to increase performance. Spaced seeds with large weights reduce the number of possible locations of a read within a reference sequence. Optimal patterns for spaced seeds may guarantee to align reads even with several substitutions.

Results

For reads of 64–200 bp periodic spaced seeds of 32, 40, 48, 56, 64 weights are found that guarantee to locate all positions within a reference sequence for a specified number of point mutations. SIMD instructions to convert masked reads into 64, 80, 96, 112, 128-bit numbers are provided.

Availability

C codes to generate spaced seeds and find optimal SIMD instructions for them are freely available under MIT license at https://github.com/vtman/VSTseed
Allele-specific gene editing rescues pathology in a human model of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 2E
Authors: Feliciano Carissa M. , Wu Kenneth , Watry Hannah L. , Marley Chiara B.E. , Ramadoss Gokul N. , Ghanim Hana Y. , Liu Angela Z. , Zholudeva Lyandysha V. , McDevitt Todd C. , Saporta Mario A. , Conklin Bruce R. , Judge Luke M.
Published: June 2021

Many neuromuscular disorders are caused by dominant missense mutations that lead to dominant-negative or gain-of-function pathology. This category of disease is challenging to address via drug treatment or gene augmentation therapy because these strategies may not eliminate the effects of the mutant protein or RNA. Thus, effective treatments are severely lacking for these dominant diseases, which often cause severe disability or death. The targeted inactivation of dominant disease alleles by gene editing is a promising approach with the potential to completely remove the cause of pathology with a single treatment. Here, we demonstrate that allele-specific CRISPR gene editing in a human model of axonal Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease rescues pathology caused by a dominant missense mutation in the neurofilament light chain gene (NEFL, CMT type 2E). We utilized a rapid and efficient method for generating spinal motor neurons from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from a patient with CMT2E. Diseased motor neurons recapitulated known pathologic phenotypes at early time points of differentiation, including aberrant accumulation of neurofilament light chain protein in neuronal cell bodies. We selectively inactivated the disease NEFL allele in patient iPSCs using Cas9 enzymes to introduce a frameshift at the pathogenic N98S mutation. Motor neurons carrying this allele-specific frameshift demonstrated an amelioration of the disease phenotype comparable to that seen in an isogenic control with precise correction of the mutation. Our results validate allele-specific gene editing as a therapeutic approach for CMT2E and as a promising strategy to silence dominant mutations in any gene for which heterozygous loss-of-function is well tolerated. This highlights the potential for gene editing as a therapy for currently untreatable dominant neurologic diseases.
The genome sequence of the avian vampire fly (Philornis downsi), an invasive nest parasite of Darwin's finches in Galapagos
Authors: Romine Melia , Knutie Sarah A , Crow Carly M , Vaziri Grace J , Chaves Jaime , Koop Jennifer AH , Lamichhaney Sangeet
Published: June 2021

The invasive avian vampire fly (Philornis downsi) is considered one of the greatest threats to the unique and endemic avifauna of the Galpagos Islands, Ecuador. The fly parasitizes nearly every passerine species, including Darwins finches, in the Galpagos. The fly is thought to have been introduced from mainland Ecuador, although the full pathway of invasion is not yet known. The majority of research to date has focused on the effects of the fly on the fitness of avian hosts and explorations of mitigation methods. A lag in research related to the genetics of this invasion demonstrates, in part, a need to develop full-scale genomic resources with which to address further questions within this system. In this study, an adult P. downsi collected from San Cristobal Island within the Galpagos archipelago was sequenced to generate a high-quality genome assembly. We examined various features of the genome (e.g., coding regions, non-coding transposable elements) and carried out comparative genomics analysis against other dipteran genomes. We identified lists of gene families that are significantly expanding/contracting in P. downsi >that are related to insecticide resistance, detoxification, and potential feeding ecology and counter defense against host immune responses. The P. downsi genome assembly provides an important foundational resource for studying the molecular basis of its successful invasion in the Galpagos and the dynamics of its population across multiple islands. The findings of significantly changing gene families associated with insecticide resistance and immune responses highlight the need for further investigations into the role of different gene families in aiding the flys successful invasion. Furthermore, this genomic resource will also better help inform future research studies and mitigation strategies aimed at minimizing the flys impact on the birds of the Galpagos.
Land-use planning for health: Tradeoffs and nonlinearities govern how land-use change impacts vector-borne disease risk
Authors: Kain Morgan P , MacDonald Andrew J , Mordecai Erin A , Mandle Lisa
Published: June 2021

Patterns of land-use can affect the transmission of many infectious diseases with human health implications; yet, applied ecosystem service models have rarely accounted for disease transmission risk. A mechanistic understanding of how land-use changes alter infectious disease transmission would help to target public health interventions and to minimize human risk of disease with either ecosystem degradation or restoration. Here, we present a spatially explicit model of disease transmission on heterogeneous landscapes that is designed to serve as a road map for modeling the multifaceted impacts of land-use on disease transmission. We model the transmission of three vector-borne diseases with distinct transmission dynamics (parameterized using published literature to represent dengue, yellow fever, and malaria) on simulated landscapes of varying spatial heterogeneity in tree cover and urban area. Overall, we find that these three diseases depend on the biophysical landscape in different nonlinear ways, leading to tradeoffs in disease risk across the landscape; rarely do we predict disease risk to be high for all three diseases in a local setting. We predict that dengue risk peaks in areas of high urban intensity and human population density, yellow fever risk peaks in areas with low to moderate human population density and high tree cover, and malaria risk peaks where patchy tree cover abuts urban area. To examine how this approach can inform land use planning, we applied the model to a small landscape to the northwest of Bogotá, Colombia under multiple restoration scenarios. We predict that in an area inhabited by both Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus, any increase in overall tree cover would increase dengue and yellow fever risk, but that risk can be minimized by pursuing a large contiguous reforestation project as opposed to many small, patchy projects. A large contiguous reforestation project is also able to both reduce overall malaria risk and the number of malaria hotspots. As sustainable development goals make ecosystem restoration and biodiversity conservation top priorities, it is imperative that land use planning account for potential impacts on both disease transmission and other ecosystem services.

Open Research statement

All data and code used in this study are available in the online supplemental material. Code and data are also hosted at: https://github.com/morgankain/Land-Use_Disease_Model.
Scalable and Automated CRISPR-Based Strain Engineering Using Droplet Microfluidics
Authors: Iwai Kosuke , Wehrs Maren , Garber Megan , Sustarich Jess , Washburn Lauren , Costello Zachary , Kim Peter W. , Ando David , Gaillard William R. , Hillson Nathan J. , Adams Paul D. , Mukhopadhyay Aindrila , Martin Hector Garcia , Singh Anup K.
Published: June 2021

We present a droplet-based microfluidic system that enables CRISPR-based gene editing and high-throughput screening on chip. The microfluidic device contains a 10 x 10 element array, each element containing sets of electrodes for two electric field actuated operations-electrowetting for merging droplets to mix reagents and electroporation for transformation. It can perform up to 100 genetic modifications in parallel, providing a scalable platform for generating the large number of engineered strains required for combinatorial optimization of genetic pathways and predictable bioengineering. We demonstrate the system’s capabilities through CRISPR-based engineering of two test cases-1) disruption of the function of enzyme galactokinase (galK) in E. coli and 2) targeted engineering of glutamine synthetase gene (glnA) and blue-pigment synthetase (bpsA) enzyme to improve indigoidine production in E. coli.
Cellular-level phenotyping of tumor-immune microenvironment (TiME) in patients in vivo reveals distinct inflammation and endothelial anergy signatures
Authors: Sahu Aditi , Tembo Teguru , Kose Kivanc , Santella Anthony , Alfonso Anabel , Li Madison , Cordova Miguel , Gill Melissa , Fox Christi , Gonzalez Salvador , Wang Amber Weiching , Kurtansky Nicholas , Chandrani Pratik , Kumar Piyush , Yin Shen , Jilani Haaris , Mehta Paras , Navarrete-Dechent Cristian , Peterson Gary , King Kimeil , Dusza Stephen , Yang Ning , Li Shuaitong , Phillips William , Rossi Anthony , Halpern Allan , Deng Liang , Pulitzer Melissa , Marghoob Ashfaq , Chen Chih-Shan Jason , Rajadhyaksha Milind
Published: June 2021

Immunotherapies have shown unprecedented clinical benefits in several malignancies1–3. However, clinical responses remain variable and unpredictable, indicating the need to develop predictive platforms that can improve patient stratification4. Phenotyping of tumors into hot, altered, or cold5 based on assessment of only T-cell infiltration in static tumor biopsies provides suboptimal prediction of immunotherapy response6,7. In vivo dynamic mechanisms within the tumor microenvironment such as tumor angiogenesis and leukocyte trafficking5,8,9 also play a central role in modulating anti-tumor immunity and therefore immunotherapy response. Here, we report novel tumor immune microenvironment (TiME) phenotyping in vivo in patients with non-invasive spatially-resolved cellular-level imaging based on endogenous contrast. Investigating skin cancers as a model, with reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) imaging10, we determined four major phenotypes with variable prevalence of vasculature (Vasc) and inflammation (Inf) features: VaschiInfhi, VaschiInflo, VascloInfhi and Vascmed/hiInflo. The VaschiInfhi phenotype correlates with high immune activation, exhaustion, and vascular signatures while VaschiInflo with endothelial anergy and immune exclusion. Automated quantification of TiME features demonstrates moderate-high accuracy and correlation with corresponding gene expression. Prospectively analyzed response to topical immunotherapy show highest response in VascloInfhi, and reveals the added value of vascular features in predicting treatment response. Our novel in vivo cellular-level imaging and phenotyping approach can potentially advance our fundamental understanding of TiME, develop robust predictors for immunotherapy outcomes and identify novel targetable pathways in future.
Fresh insights into Mediterranean biodiversity: Environmental DNA reveals spatio-temporal patterns of stream invertebrate communities on Sicily
Authors: Hupało Kamil , Schmidt Saskia , Macher Till-Hendrik , Weiss Martina , Leese Florian
Published: June 2021

The Mediterranean region with its islands is among top biodiversity hotspots. It houses numerous freshwater taxa with a high rate of endemism, but is heavily impacted by anthropogenic pressures and global climate change. To conserve biodiversity, reliable data on species and genetic diversity are needed especially for the scarcely known insular freshwater ecosystems. Environmental DNA metabarcoding provide a straight-forward opportunity to assess aquatic biodiversity. Therefore, we conducted the first eDNA metabarcoding study in one stream catchment on Sicily. Specifically, we aimed to i) investigate spatial diversity patterns of macroinvertebrate communities, ii) assess seasonal changes, and iii) check if dispersal barriers can be identified. Water samples were taken at 27 different sites in two seasons and eDNA metabarcoding performed using the COI gene. In total, we detected 98 macroinvertebrate species, including 28 taxa potentially new to Sicily. Exact sequence variant (ESV) and species composition data showed that diversity differed between seasons with less taxa detected in winter. We also detected a dispersal barrier, which had a stronger effect in autumn. Our findings show that eDNA metabarcoding provides valuable information on Sicilian freshwater biodiversity. We therefore encourage its application for understudied regions to better understand the state and dynamics of freshwater biodiversity.
Enhancing business community disaster resilience. A structured literature review of the role of dynamic capabilities
Authors: Sinha Rageshree , Ola Akinyo
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The purpose of the current literature reviews to contribute to the study of organisational resilience. The study intends to understand the role of dynamic capability flow in creating more resilient business communities. The study tries to relate to how continuous learning enables business communities to plan for, respond to and bounce back from disasters.

Design/methodology/approach

A structured literature review of 38 empirical studies indicates organisational resilience and highlights the dynamic attributes of organisational resilience and the importance of knowledge interactions and information sharing.

Findings

Continuous learning results in complex dynamic capability manifested through research and innovations, technological implementations, social learnings and community knowledge sharing. This clearly emphasises the role of dynamic capabilities in fostering disaster resilience in organisations and business communities.

Research limitations/implications

Research limitations on continuous learning can be cited as to incorporate case study methods related to organisational experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic while also reviewing digital knowledge transfer strategies and influencing factors.

Practical implications

The study for fostering resilience in the business ecosystem needs to be embedded in the continuous learning process, and it also includes knowledge sharing and collaboration, both externally and internally, for the business community.

Social implications

Social implications for this study relate to the seamless flow of the knowledge transfer and knowledge sharing process. The dynamic process of organisational and the business community resilience is a key outcome of this knowledge sharing and knowledge transfer process.

Originality/value

A conceptual framework was developed from the review, emphasising how dynamic capabilities through continuous learning enhance business community resilience.
Social sustainability in Public–Private Partnership projects: case study of the Northern Beaches Hospital in Sydney
Authors: Wang Kun , Ke Yongjian , Liu Tingting , Sankaran Shankar
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present evidence to the heated debate “whether Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model should be introduced into the hospitals” and, if so, how to promote the social sustainability of such PPP projects.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper has established an analytical framework to analyse the social sustainability of PPP projects. Using content analysis method, a single case study was carried out on the Northern Beaches Hospital in Sydney, Australia.

Findings

The results show that there are many problems related to social sustainability in the project, due to which employees and patients were exposed to most of them. Some recommendations are provided, including to strengthen the supervision of the project, provide sufficient information, establish communication channels and stakeholder participation, improve hospital policies and procedures, and strengthen government support.

Practical implications

This paper can provide guidance for the stakeholders in a partnership, including the public and private sectors, to analyse the social sustainability implications, and then plan and implement hospital PPP projects to achieve social sustainability goals. Meanwhile, it can also provide important reference for the employees, patients, local community and society to assess social sustainability issues, and provide relevant inputs to inform decision-makers in the development, delivery and management of hospital projects.

Originality/value

The research will contribute to knowledge of social sustainability of hospital PPP projects. The proposed analytical framework can be used to analyse and assess the social sustainability of such projects from the perspective of stakeholders.
Life cycle assessment of earthen materials for low-cost housing a comparison between rammed earth and fired clay bricks
Authors: Nouri Hamed , Safehian Majid , Mir Mohammad Hosseini Seyed Majdeddin
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Although the use of diverse types of bricks as the primary construction materials has been considered for many years, vernacular earthen materials are also widely used for construction with low potential environmental impacts in developing countries. In this study, the life cycle of two types of building materials for wall building is investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

For this purpose, life cycle carbon emissions (LCCO2) are compared and embodied energy calculation for rammed earth and fired clay bricks as two construction materials. The complete construction chain using rammed earth, as a modern norm, and fired clay bricks, as the most common construction materials in buildings, is investigated in this research.

Findings

Studies on the constructions in Kashan city in the north of Isfahan province, Iran, as a case study, showed that replacing the fired bricks with rammed earth would reduce the CO2 emissions up to 1,245 kg/ton and 4,646 MJ/ton (i.e. more than 95%) of the embodied energy. It also shows that the choice of building materials should be important for building practitioners to consider the environmental impact.

Originality/value

This paper provide life cycle assessment of building materials. The findings of this study help builders and owner to choose sustainable building materials.
Applying quality concepts to achieve environmental sustainability in the freight transport sector – reviewing process management and lean
Authors: Navarro Priscilla
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to revisit lean manufacturing and process management to review how these have targeted environmental sustainability and determine whether these have the potential to achieve environmental sustainability in small- and medium-sized companies within the freight transport sector.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology for this paper was divided into three steps. The first step involved a narrative literature review, including previously designed search strings. The second step involved a snowball approach, where the identification of new sources departed from previously selected articles. The third step included a completing narrative review to search for the most recent articles published related to the purpose. The analysis was based on the identification of benefits, challenges and the potential of lean and process management to deal with environmental demands among transport companies.

Findings

The findings suggest a potential of lean and process management for achieving environmental sustainability, if adapted appropriately. The potential is on the operative and strategic levels, respectively.

Research limitations/implications

This study included two of the concepts from the quality movement from a literature perspective. Hence, there is a need for research to evaluate these results empirically. Additionally, other aspects should be studied within the quality movement for achieving environmental sustainability.

Originality/value

This paper aims to be a basis and a path for further theoretical and empirical research for the quality movement to support environmental sustainability. This paper particularly aims to fill part of the gap in the literature on how the freight transport sector can enhance environmental sustainability in its operations.
The financial impacts of information systems security breaches on publicly traded companies: reactions of different sectors
Authors: Tayaksi Cansu , Ada Erhan , Kazancoglu Yigit , Sagnak Muhittin
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Today, information systems and technology provides a wide set of tools for companies to increase the efficiency of their businesses. Although technology offers many benefits to businesses, it also brings risks as the information systems security breaches. Security breaches and their financial impact is a constant concern of the researchers and practitioners. This paper explores information systems breaches and their financial impacts on the publicly traded companies in different sectors.

Design/methodology/approach

After a comprehensive data collection process, data from 192 events are analyzed by employing Event Study Methodology and a comparison of the results between the four highly affected sectors (Consumer Goods, Technology, Financial and Communications) is presented. The abnormal returns on the prices of stocks after the events are calculated with the Market Model. Also, the results of the Market Adjusted Model and Mean Adjusted Model are presented to support the results.

Findings

While information systems security breaches have a significant negative impact on the Financials and the Technology sectors for all the event windows in the study ([−5, 0], [−5, 1], [−5, 5], and [−5, 10]), the significant negative impact is observed only on the [−5, 5] and [−5, 10] event windows for the Consumer Goods sector. No significant negative impact is observed in the Communications sector, in fact, the cumulative abnormal returns are positive for this sector.

Originality/value

The contribution of this paper to provide evidence about the financial impacts of the information systems breaches for businesses in different sectors. While there are studies that have previously focused on the information systems breaches and their financial impacts on businesses, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that compares this effect between the four highly impacted sectors. With a relatively larger sample size and broader event windows than the past studies in the literature, statistical evidence is provided to managers to justify their investments in information security and build preventive measures to secure the market value of their firms.
Indoor PM2.5 concentrations of pre-schools; determining the effective factors and model for prediction
Authors: Baharfar Yasser , Mohammadyan Mahmoud , Moattar Faramarz , Nassiri Parvin , Behzadi Mohammad Hassan
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to present the most influential factors on classroom indoor PM2.5 (Particulate Matter < 2.5 µ), determining the level of PM2.5 concentration in five pre-schools located in the most densely populated district of the Tehran metropolitan area (district 6) as a case study to consider the children's exposure to air pollutants and introducing a suitable model, for the first time, to predict PM2.5 concentration changes, inside pre-schools.

Design/methodology/approach

Indoor and outdoor classes PM2.5 concentrations were measured using two DUSTTRAK direct-reading instruments. Additional class status information was also recorded; concurrently, urban PM2.5 concentrations and meteorological data were obtained from the fixed monitoring stations and Meteorological Organization. Then, the predicted concentrations of the indoor PM2.5, from introduced multiple linear regression model via SPSS, compared with the nearest urban air pollution monitoring stations data.

Findings

The average outdoor PM2.5 concentration (43 ± 0.32 µg m−3) was higher than the mean indoor (32 ± 0. 21 µg m−3), and both were significantly (p < 0.001) surpassing the 24-h EPA standard level. The indoor PM2.5 concentrations had the highest level in the autumn (48.7 µg m−3) and significantly correlated with the outdoor PM2.5 (r = 0.94, p < 0.001), the number of pupils, ambient temperature, wind speed, wind direction and open area of the doors and windows (p < 0.001). These parameters, as the main determinants, have led to present a 7-variable regression model, with R2 = 0.705, which can predict PM2.5 concentrations in the pre-school classes with more than 80% accuracy. It can be presumed that the penetration of outdoor PM2.5 was the main source of indoor PM2.5 concentrations.

Research limitations/implications

This study faced several limitations, such as accessibility to classrooms, and limitations in technicians' numbers, leading to researchers monitoring indoor and outdoor PM concentrations in schools once a week. Additionally, regarding logistical limitations to using monitoring instruments in pre-schools simultaneously, correction factors by running the instruments were applied to obtain comparable measurements.

Originality/value

The author hereby declares that this submission is his own work and to the best of its knowledge it contains no materials previously published or written by another person.
COVID‐19: long covid and its societal consequences
Authors: Brüssow Harald , Timmis Kenneth
Published: June 2021

COVID‐19 is an acute, highly transmissible respiratory infection that is potentially lethal, but often mild, sometimes asymptomatic, especially in the young. However, it has become clear that, in some patients, there may be sequelae involving tissues other than the lung, resulting in other types of morbidity, and sometimes longer term consequences that are often termed ‘long covid’. In this Lilliput, we summarize recent findings about COVID‐19 sequelae, with a particular focus on long covid. We also discuss some of the long scars that COVID‐19 and long covid will collectively leave on society that we term Societal Long Covid.
Structural anatomy and morphometric analyses of sacra in greyhounds
Authors: Ismail Sa'ad M. Y. , Murray Christina M. , Stevenson Mark A. , Yen Hung‐Hsun , Adamu James Y. , Davies Helen M. S.
Published: June 2021

This study was conducted to provide structural and morphological data on the sacra of greyhounds. Descriptive quantitative investigation was carried out on 171 sacra of greyhound`s cadavers and then classified into standard and fused sacra based on the number of fused sacral vertebrae. The weight, length and width of sacrum of sacra were measured. Both standard (59%) and fused sacra (41%) were identified. The average length and width of the standard sacrum were found to be 46.14 ± 2.53 mm and 57.89 ± 3.54 mm, respectively. The sacral length was 1.61‐mm longer in males (p < .01), and the sacral width was 0.46‐mm shorter in males but not significant (p = .51). The average weight of a standard sacrum was 26.54 ± 4.55 g and was 1.18 g heavier in males but not statistically significant (p = .24). Results showed that one‐kilogram increase in the body mass was associated with a 0.3 mm (p < .001) increase in sacral length, and a 0.54 mm (p < .001) increase in sacral width, respectively. The morphological data of the standard and fused sacra provided in this study might help the veterinary community to improve treatment and rehabilitation and help the trainer to design the right training protocol for racing greyhounds. In addition, the results of this study are a step to understand the sacrum’s functions and how the greyhound's body functions and future studies are required to investigate the biological importance of these findings.
Abandonment, Agency, Control: Migrants’ Camps in Ventimiglia
Authors: Aru Silvia
Published: June 2021

This article examines the governance mechanisms regulating migrants’ presence in Ventimiglia—an Italian city on the north‐west border—and migrants’ agency, following the reintroduction of French border controls in 2015. The study looks at different kinds of camps: the formal one run by the Red Cross and the makeshift camps and settlements that sprang up over time. This work contributes to the academic debate on the interplay between migrants and border regimes by arguing two fundamental points. First, migration governance changed the nature of the makeshift settlements, pushing them from being spaces of autonomy, however precarious, to ones characterised more by exclusion and uncertainty. Second, the relationship between formal and informal spaces and migrants’ agency is ambiguous and changes over time. Using a diachronic perspective and without underestimating migrants’ agency, this paper denounces the inadequacy, fragility and violence of the border regime which migrants move into and within.
Risk of severe COVID‐19 in patients treated with IBD medications: a French nationwide study
Authors: Meyer Antoine , Semenzato Laura , Zureik Mahmoud , Weill Alain , Carbonnel Franck , Dray‐Spira Rosemary
Published: June 2021

Background

Recently, the SECURE‐IBD study, based on a physician‐reported registry, suggested that thiopurines, either alone or combined with anti‐TNF, may increase risk of severe COVID‐19.

Aims

To compare the risk of severe COVID‐19 according to IBD medications in a large and unselected population.

Methods

Using the French national health data system, the risks of hospitalisation and of death or mechanical ventilation for COVID‐19 from 15 February 2020 to 31 August 2020 in IBD patients were compared according to IBD treatment (immunomodulators and biologics), using multivariable Cox models adjusted for socio‐demographic characteristics, budesonide/corticosteroids and aminosalicylates use, and comorbidities.

Results

Among 268 185 IBD patients, 600 were hospitalised for COVID‐19 and 111 of them died or were mechanically ventilated (including 78 deaths). In multivariable analysis, the risk of hospitalisation for COVID‐19 did not differ according to IBD treatment category, with adjusted Hazard Ratios (aHR, unexposed patients used as reference) of 0.94 (95%CI: 0.66‐1.35) for immunomodulator monotherapy, 1.05 (0.80‐1.38) for anti‐TNF monotherapy, 0.80 (0.38‐1.69) for anti‐TNF combination therapy, 1.06 (0.55‐2.05) for vedolizumab and 1.25 (0.64‐2.43) for ustekinumab. Similarly, the risk of death or mechanical ventilation for COVID‐19 did not differ according to IBD treatment.

Conclusions

Immunomodulators and biologics prescribed in patients with IBD do not appear to increase the severity of COVID‐19 infection.
The role of cortical perforations in allogeneic block grafting for lateral augmentation in maxilla: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: Tresguerres Francisco G. F. , Tresguerres Isabel F. , Iglesias Oscar , Leco Isabel , Tamimi Faleh , Torres Jesús
Published: June 2021

Background

The need of decortication on the recipient site remains unclear for bone regeneration. To our knowledge, there are no human clinical trials that studied the influence of decortication on cancellous allogeneic block grafting.

Purpose

The aim of the present study is to evaluate the influence of perforating the cortex of the recipient site on cancellous allogeneic block graft integration and revascularization in the maxilla.

Material and Methods

Twenty‐six patients referred for lateral bone augmentation were included in this clinical trial. Patients received freeze‐dried bone allograft cancellous blocks obtained from the iliac crest; cortical perforations of the recipient bed were performed in the test group while in the control group it was left intact. After a 4‐month healing period another surgery was performed to place dental implants, and a bone biopsy was collected using a trephine. All samples underwent micro‐CT scans, and were processed for histomorphometric and immunohistochemical analysis. Implant survival comparisons were made using a repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) while all other variables were compared using the analysis of covariance (ANCOVA).

Results

One hundred and nineteen implants were placed into 110 augmented sites. One hundred percent implant survival rate was reported during 24 months follow‐up period. No differences were reported in bleeding on probing at 1 (5.6 vs 9%) and 2 years (13.2 vs 12.1%), probing pocket depth at 1 (3.4 ± 0.95 vs 3.6 ± 1.12 mm) and 2 years (3.8 ± 1.02 vs 4.1 ± 1.46 mm), and marginal bone loss at 1 (0.2 ± 0.52 vs 0.3 ± 0.57 mm) and 2 years (0.6 ± 0.91 vs 0.5 ± 0.87 mm). No statistically significant differences were found in the micro‐CT and histomorphometric analysis in terms of newly formed bone (25.7 ± 11.2% vs 22.3 ± 9.7%), soft tissue (33.0 ± 14.7% vs 36.5 ± 15.7%), remnant allograft (39.3 ± 20.4% vs 41.2 ± 22.7%), and bone mineralization (57.2 ± 10.6% vs 53.8 ± 8.7%). Perforating the cortex of the recipient site had no significant effect on angiogenesis as shown by immunohistochemical analysis of CD34 positive blood vessels (39.21 ± 10.53/mm2 vs 34.16 ± 12.67/mm2).

Conclusion

Cancellous allogeneic bone block grafts are a clinically acceptable alternative for horizontal bone augmentation. Cortical perforations of the recipient site in the maxilla did not improve angiogenesis nor bone formation within the block graft.
Drivers of black grouse trends in the French Alps: The prevailing contribution of climate
Authors: Canonne Coline , Montadert Marc , Besnard Aurélien
Published: June 2021

Aim

Mountains host complex ecosystems whose wide range of ecological conditions over small geographical distances makes them biodiversity hotspots. To ensure their long‐term conservation, a better understanding of the interaction between climate change and modifications in land use is necessary. Most studies have focused on only one of these factors at a time, leading to incomplete predictions. In this study, we explored the relative contribution of both recreative activities and climate change on the population dynamics of the black grouse (Tetraotetrix), an emblematic cold‐adapted species of the Alps.

Methods

We used data from a network of 47 monitoring sites dispersed around the French Alps and surveyed since the 1980s or 1990s. We estimated black grouse population growth rates using state‐space models and tested for effects of biotic and abiotic pressures on both long‐term trends and inter‐annual variations in these rates.

Results

Population trajectories were strongly heterogeneous in space; nevertheless, a general decline at the edge of the black grouse distribution area was revealed in the southern pre‐Alps. We found very little influence of hunting and new ski lift cables installation on inter‐annual variability in population growth rate. In contrast, our results suggest strong impact of climatic conditions and phenology. While temperature positively influenced growth rate, precipitation had a negative effect. Early snowmelt and vegetation season were correlated with high positive values of annual population growth rates.

Main conclusions

Birds in mountain habitats may be drastically affected by ongoing climate change, perhaps to a greater extent than by an increase in recreational activities. However, other human activities in the mountains (such as animal grazing or forest exploitation) that were not taken into consideration in this study might also have a strong impact on habitat structure and indirectly affect populations’ growth.