bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Minutes of action! A contrastive analysis of time expressions in English
and Norwegian football match reports
Authors: Ebeling Signe Oksefjell
Published: August 2021

This contrastive study examines the use of two time expressions – on # minutes and
etter # minutes (‘after # minutes’) – in football match reports with the aim of
shedding light on their conditions of use in English and Norwegian. The cross-linguistic findings suggest that the patterns
are typically used to report on the achievements of players. With regard to syntax, the English pattern is clearly preferred
in final position, while the Norwegian pattern is found in either initial or final position, with a slight preference for
initial position. A more inconclusive difference can be noted regarding the patterns’ distribution across the 90 minutes; the
English pattern is more evenly distributed across the two halves of the match than the Norwegian one.
The expression of time in English and Czech children’s
literature
Authors: Malá Markéta , Šebestová Denisa , Milička Jiří
Published: August 2021

This chapter explores the expression of the concept of time in children’s narrative fiction cross-linguistically,
comparing Czech and English. Specifically, it analyses multi-word units and patterns which the respective languages employ
when referring to time. The new Engrammer software was developed to facilitate the extraction of n-grams with lemmatised cores
and positional mobility, making it possible to compare temporal patterns in English with those used in highly inflectional
Czech with variable word-order. The results of the study suggest that in children’s fiction in both languages, time
plays an important role in structuring the text, frequently creating dramatic effects. Even though the formal means of
expressing time may differ between English and Czech (e.g. diminutives in Czech vs. phrasal description in English), register
appears to substantially influence the way time is framed in children’s literature in both languages.
Effect of graphene oxide on mechanical properties of UHPC and analysis of micro-control mechanism
Authors: Yeke Luo , Yu Zhouping
Published: August 2021

Recently, graphene oxide (GO) is one of the nanomaterials that enhance the performance of cement-based materials. In this paper, the effects of different mass of GO on the workability and mechanical properties of UHPC is studied, and its mechanism is explored by micro-nano analysis methods such as XRD, SEM, MIP and nano indentation. The results show that, compared with the reference group, the 0.04% GO addition reduces the fluidity of UHPC, reduces the initial and final setting time of slurry, and enhance the compressive strength, flexural strength and tensile strength of the sample at 28d by 15.8%, 14% and 15.3%, respectively. Micro-nano analysis results show that GO promotes cement hydration, reduces the porosity of UHPC, improves the microstructure of the interface transition zone between steel fiber and matrix, and improves the nano-mechanical properties. This is mainly attributed to the nucleation effect of GO and interfacial bonding with C-S-H gel.
A screen-printing method for manufacturing of current collectors for structural batteries
Authors: Johannisson Wilhelm , Carlstedt David , Nasiri Awista , Buggisch Christina , Linde Peter , Zenkert Dan , Asp Leif E , Lindbergh Göran , Fiedler Bodo
Published: August 2021

Structural carbon fibre composite batteries are a type of multifunctional batteries that combine the energy storage capability of a battery with the load-carrying ability of a structural material. To extract the current from the structural battery cell, current collectors are needed. However, current collectors are expensive, hard to connect to the electrode material and add mass to the system. Further, attaching the current collector to the carbon fibre electrode must not affect the electrochemical properties negatively or requires time-consuming, manual steps. This paper presents a proof-of-concept method for screen-printing of current collectors for structural carbon fibre composite batteries using silver conductive paste. Current collectors are screen-printed directly on spread carbon fibre tows and a polycarbonate carrier film. Experimental results show that the electrochemical performance of carbon fibre vs lithium metal half-cells with the screen-printed collectors is similar to reference half-cells using metal foil and silver adhered metal-foil collectors. The screen-printed current collectors fulfil the requirements for electrical conductivity, adhesion to the fibres and flexible handling of the fibre electrode. The screen-printing process is highly automatable and allows for cost-efficient upscaling to large scale manufacturing of arbitrary and complex current collector shapes. Hence, the screen-printing process shows a promising route to realization of high performing current collectors in structural batteries and potentially in other types of energy storage solutions.
Genome description of Nostoc ellipsosporum strain NOK (Nostocales, Cyanobacteria) isolated from an arsenic contaminated paddy field of the Bengal Delta Plains
Authors: Ghosh Anwesha , Bhadury Punyasloke
Published: August 2021

A diazotrophic cyanobacterium, Nostoc ellipsosporum strain NOK, was isolated from an arsenic contaminated paddy field of the Bengal Delta Plains (BDP). Located across India and Bangladesh, BDP, is one of the worst arsenic (As)-affected regions of the world. Previous studies have shown this isolate to be tolerant to high concentration of arsenic (≦400 μM). The genome of this isolate was sequenced to identify the genes involved in various metabolic pathways including arsenic resistance and biofilm formation. Whole genome analyses showed Nostoc ellipsosporum strain NOK to be closely related to N. punctiforme strain PCC73102. The genome is about 10.9 Mbp which assembled into 694 contigs. Genome annotation identified 10120 genes out of which 10000 were CDSs. There are a total of 9927 protein coding genes in addition to 120 RNA coding genes. The genome codes three 5S rRNA, four 16S rRNA and three 23S rRNA genes along with 103 tRNAs, 7 ncRNAs and 73 pseudo-genes. The G + C% of the genome is 54.28. The genome codes for crucial genes involved in biofilm formation in response to stress conditions including arsenic stress. The arsBHC operon is present within the genome which makes this tolerant to high concentration of arsenic which might lead to biofilm formation. A number of ABC transporters including cysUW and sbp (sulfate/thiosulfate), nrtABC (nitrate/nitrite/cyanate), cmpABCD (bicarbonate), ssuABC (alkane sulfonate), modABCF (molybdate; 2 copies), afuAC (iron), pstA (phosphate; 2 copies), pstBC, pstS (4 copies), cbiOQ (cobalt and nickel) and opuBC, opuBB and opuBA (osmoprotectants) were identified.
The pivotal role of PFO in paradoxical embolism following venous sclerotherapy: a unique case report with pathological correlations
Authors: Gajo Eileen C , Kavinsky Clifford J , Murphy Joshua , Suradi Hussam S
Published: August 2021

Background 

Vein sclerosing therapy for varicose veins remains an extremely popular procedure. Cerebrovascular accidents can be a serious complication. A patent foramen ovale (PFO) can act as a conduit to the arterial circulation, which could explain the adverse neurologic consequence of this procedure. This case provides pathologic evidence of this concept.

Case summary 

A 66-year-old female presented with syncope after undergoing varicose vein sclerotherapy. A computed tomography angiography of the head and neck in the emergency room revealed an occluded right distal M1 middle cerebral artery. Clot retrieval was performed with final pathology revealing amorphous material consistent with an exogenous agent, polidocanol foam, which was used for the patient’s vein sclerotherapy. A transthoracic echocardiogram and transoesophageal echocardiogram showed a PFO, which was ultimately closed percutaneously.

Discussion 

In a quarter of the population, lack of closure of the intrauterine interatrial shunt leads to the existence of a PFO. This direct communication between the atria provides an anatomical conduit for paradoxical emboli and eventually infarction of affected tissues. While a paradoxical embolism is an uncommon cause of acute arterial occlusion, it can have catastrophic sequelae. Historically, the presence of an arterial thrombus from the venous circulation has been difficult to establish unless the thrombus is visualized in transit through a PFO. Complications from vein sclerotherapy have been reported in the literature and include transient ischaemic attacks and strokes, however, this is the first case to provide pathological proof of a paradoxical embolism, which ultimately resulted in percutaneous closure of the PFO.
The influence of a Sprint optimization and training intervention on time spent in the electronic health record (EHR)
Authors: Sieja Amber , Whittington Melanie D , Patterson Vanessa Paul , Markley Katie , Holmstrom Heather , Rotholz Stephen , Gonzalez Christine , Carpenter Michael Scott , Lin Chen-Tan
Published: August 2021

Objective

We report the influence of Sprint electronic health record (EHR) training and optimization on clinician time spent in the EHR.

Materials and Methods

We studied the Sprint process in one academic internal medicine practice with 26 providers. Program offerings included individualized training sessions, and the ability to clean up, fix, or build new EHR tools during the 2-week intervention. EHR usage log data were available for 24 clinicians, and the average clinical full-time equivalent was 0.44. We used a quasi-experimental study design with an interrupted time series specification, with 8 months of pre- and 12 months of post-intervention data to evaluate clinician time spent in the EHR.

Results

We discovered a greater than 6 h per day reduction in clinician time spent in the EHR at the clinic level. At the individual clinician level, we demonstrated a time savings of 20 min per clinician per day among those who attended at least 2 training sessions.

Discussion

We can promote EHR time savings for clinicians who engage in robust EHR training and optimization programs. To date, programs have shown a positive correlation between participation and subjective EHR satisfaction, efficiency, or time saved. The impact of EHR training and optimization on objective time savings remains elusive. By measuring time in the EHR, this study contributes to an ongoing conversation about the resources and programs needed to decrease clinician EHR time.

Conclusions

We have demonstrated that Sprint is associated with time savings for clinicians for up to 6 months. We suggest that an investment in EHR optimization and training can pay dividends in clinician time saved.
Consensus decision-making and democratic discourse in the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1947 and World Trade Organisation
Authors: O’Hara Claerwen
Published: August 2021

This paper provides a genealogy of consensus decision-making and democratic discourse in the multilateral trade regime. It argues that the contemporary link between the World Trade Organisation’s consensus procedure and ideas of ‘international democracy’ has its roots in a struggle that took place over the international economic order in the 1960s and 1970s.
Department of Defense Global Health Engagement and the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda Can Serve as Mutually Reinforcing Security Cooperation Capabilities to Support U.S. National Security Objectives
Authors: Kumpf Josh , Currie Carolyn , Shinwari Sayed , Francis Yara
Published: August 2021

The DoD Global Health Engagement community of policymakers, planners, and implementers—to include Combatant Command Surgeons’ offices, humanitarian/civic assistance program managers, and tactical units—is uniquely positioned to be a leader within the wider security cooperation community for integrating Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) principles into existing programming and planning, and for executing WPS activities with partner nations in support of U.S. national security goals. Global Health Engagement and the WPS Agenda together can serve as mutually reinforcing, valuable capabilities to support U.S. security cooperation goals.
Qualitative Evaluation of the Africa Malaria Task Force Symposia Effectiveness on African Partner Nations’ Malaria Vector Management Capacity
Authors: Gebreyesus Tsega , Lantry F Julian , Reed Eva
Published: August 2021

Introduction

Creating health alliances to build meaningful networks is critical to combating regional and global burdens of disease. These alliances work by uniting support for elimination efforts through cooperative engagement at the national and international levels. The reduction in malaria-related morbidity and mortality in Africa since 2001 is in part because of investments of international organizations and governments in national level malaria control and prevention-related programs and research. Investment in malaria reduction networks has contributed to this success by strengthening support to overcome the conditions that restrict or prevent change through local laboratory and epidemiological capacity building, thereby resulting in a decrease in burden of disease, increase in economic prosperity, and improvements in stability worldwide.

The reformation of local military efforts to combat disease through incorporation into health security alliance networks by the provision of training and financial support is key to reinforcing this success at the national level. One such example of this is the U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) established and partner nation (PN) led Africa Malaria Task Force (AMTF) program. USAFRICOM’s mission for AMTF as a health security alliance was to develop sustainable African-led malaria diagnostic, vector surveillance and control capabilities, and to increase collaborations among AMTF military PNs by enabling national and international-level network capacity.

Materials and Methods

The overall objective of this evaluation of the AMTF program was to assess the implementation effectiveness of two AMTF supported symposia in improving the individual, organizational, and institutional diagnostic capacity of the Ghanaian, Ivorian, and Senegalese armed forces. The specific aims of this process evaluation were to identify procedural, contextual, and capacity-related factors that influence the effect of the symposia events on laboratory capabilities at the individual, organizational, and institutional levels through a two-phased formative evaluation approach utilizing qualitative methodologies.

Results and Conclusions

Findings indicate that the AMTF program symposia positively encouraged malaria prevention and control efforts in all three countries included in the evaluation. Conclusions suggest that learning about the different types of malaria prevention and control efforts underway in other countries helped to contextualize the burden of malaria-related morbidity and mortality not only within their respective countries, but also across the African continent. Participation in the AMTF Symposia and Key Leader Events helped military leadership clarify the purpose and intention of their military objectives related to systemic malaria prevention and control while purposefully contributing to national land international-level malaria reduction capacity.
COVID-19 and autoinflammatory diseases: prevalence and outcomes of infection and early experience of vaccination in patients on biologics
Authors: Peet Claire J , Papadopoulou Charalampia , Sombrito Bella Ruth M , Wood Michael R , Lachmann Helen J
Published: August 2021

Objectives

The systemic autoinflammatory diseases are rare conditions; to date, data on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection and vaccination safety are scarce. Agents targeting innate immune pathways have transformed the management of affected patients, and their outcomes are of wider interest given the role of inflammation in both viral clearance and severe COVID-19 disease. We surveyed patients with systemic autoinflammatory disease on biologic therapy to determine the prevalence and outcomes of COVID-19 infection and to gather early safety data on vaccination.

Methods

Electronic medical records of 248 patients with systemic autoinflammatory disease on biologic therapy at a national centre were reviewed. Patients were then surveyed in clinic or using a Web-based survey.

Results

In the cohort of 248 patients, no deaths were recorded. One hundred and seventy-five survey responses were received. Among the respondents, 27 reported suspected COVID-19 infection, of which 14 were confirmed by testing (8.0%). Two patients required hospital admission owing to dehydration. No patient required respiratory support or intensive care. One hundred and thirty-eight doses of COVID-19 vaccine had been administered to 130 patients. Side effects were reported after 71 of 138 (51.4%) administrations and were consistent with a flare of the underlying disease in 26 of 138 (18.8%) instances. No serious adverse events or hospital admissions were reported after vaccination.

Conclusion

These data, including the largest published series of patients on anti-IL-1/6 biologics to receive any adenoviral vector or messenger RNA vaccine, show no serious early concerns regarding vaccination and will provide an urgently needed resource to inform decision-making of these patients and their clinicians.
Differences in Susceptibility to Phomopsis Blight of Seven Eggplant Cultivars with Different Fruit Types
Authors: Keinath Anthony P.
Published: August 2021

Phomopsis blight caused by Diaporthe vexans is a serious disease on fall eggplant crops in the southeastern United States. The objective was to compare seven eggplant cultivars, representing seven horticultural fruit types, for susceptibility to D. vexans. Eggplant transplanted in April 2018 and 2019 was cut back in late summer and harvested in September and October. Leaf area under the disease progress curve and percentage defoliation were greater on Black Beauty (globe type) than Patio Baby (Indian), Millionaire (Japanese), Rosa Bianca (Italian), and Gretel (white). Cankered stem length was greater on Black Beauty and Fairy Tale than on Gretel. Hansel (Chinese) and Gretel produced the most healthy, unblemished marketable fruit; Patio Baby, Millionaire, and Fairy Tale had a moderate number; and Black Beauty and Rosa Bianca produced the fewest fruit. Percentage fruit rot both years was greater (P ≤ 0.01) on Black Beauty than Hansel, Gretel, Patio Baby, and Rosa Bianca. Several eggplant cultivars, such as Hansel and Gretel, are less susceptible to Phomopsis fruit rot than Black Beauty and produce more marketable fruit than several other specialty eggplant cultivars.
Identification and Characterization of Rice Circular RNAs Responding to Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae Invasion
Authors: Wang Peihong , Wang Sai , Wu Yan , Nie Wenhan , Yiming Ayizekeranmu , Huang Jin , Ahmad Iftikhar , Zhu Bo , Chen Gongyou
Published: August 2021

Emerging roles of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in various biological processes have advanced our knowledge of transcriptional and posttranscriptional gene regulation. To date, no research has been conducted to explore their roles in the rice–Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae interaction. Therefore, we identified 3,517 circRNAs from rice leaves infected with the highly virulent X. oryzae pv. oryzae strain PXO99A by using rRNA depleted RNA sequencing technique coupled with the CIRI2 and CIRCexplorer2 pipeline. Characterization analyses showed that these circRNAs were distributed across the whole genome of rice, and most circRNAs arose from exons (85.13%), ranged from 200 to 1,000 bp, and were with a noncanonical GT/AG (including CT/AC equivalent) splicing signal. Functional annotation and enrichment analysis of the host genes that produced the differentially expressed circRNAs (DEcircRNAs) suggested that these identified circRNAs might play an important role in reprogramming rice responses to PXO99A invasion, mainly by mediating photorespiration and chloroplast, peroxisome, and diterpenoid biosynthesis. Moreover, 31 DEcircRNAs were predicted to act as microRNA decoys in rice. The expression profile of four DEcircRNAs were validated by quantitative real-time PCR with divergent primers, and the back-splicing sites of seven DEcircRNAs were verified by PCR analysis and Sanger sequencing. Collectively, these results inferred a potential functional role of circRNAs in the regulation of rice immunity and provide novel clues about the molecular mechanisms of rice–PXO99A interaction.
Underscoring the importance of advance care planning
Authors: DiBello Karol
Published: August 2021

Advance care planning is an essential part of routine medical care. It is a billable, iterative process that can result in the completion of advance directives and medical orders, offering NPs the opportunity to assure goal-concordant care for their patients at the end of life.
Utilization of Rhinoplasty Worksheets among Practicing Facial Plastic Surgeons
Authors: Davila Richard O. , Audlin Jason , Suryadevara Amar
Published: August 2021

Background:

Rhinoplasty is the most commonly performed procedure by facial plastic surgeons, yet many consider it the most complex and variable surgery performed. Yet no standardized surgical worksheet has been established to document the maneuvers and anatomical changes made despite the known high rate of revision surgery. This study aimed to assess the utility and utilization of rhinoplasty surgical worksheets amongst facial plastic surgeons, as well as the perceptions and attitudes toward standardization of a common rhinoplasty surgical worksheet.

Method:

We distributed an online survey to all active members of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, in order to assess trends in utilization of surgical worksheets and the willingness of physicians to adhere to a standardized worksheet to be included in patient’s medical records.

Results:

When surveyed, 84 of the 130 respondents reported using a surgical worksheet, with 63 of 84 mentioned using a variation of their own custom worksheets. Of the 84 surgeons, 45 used these worksheets “often” or “always” during follow-up appointments. However, 111 of the 130 reported “never” or “rarely” receiving a surgical worksheet from another provider for revision rhinoplasties. In total, 96 of the 130 respondents were “strongly in favor” or “in favor” of sharing worksheets with other providers and 87/130 were in favor of establishing a standardized rhinoplasty worksheet for all rhinoplasty patients.

Conclusions:

A majority of respondents reported using surgical worksheets for rhinoplasties with very few reporting ever receiving other surgeons’ worksheets prior to revision rhinoplasties. Roughly three fourths of respondents were in favor of sharing worksheets along with a majority in favor of a standardized worksheet. This would represent a significant change in practice along with potentially increased collaboration between surgeons and subsequent advancement of patient care.
SkinTE for the Treatment of a Complicated Wound after Synovial Sarcoma Resection: A Case Report
Authors: Bade Yusuf , Duarte-Bateman Daniela , Manrique Monica , Escandón Joseph M. , Mantilla-Rivas Esperanza , Zena Fazzino Josie , Oh Albert K. , Rogers Gary F.
Published: August 2021

Radiation therapy following oncologic resection can result in incisional breakdown, delay or cessation of wound healing, and exposure of structures. Impaired wound healing often mandates free tissue transfer for definitive closure and preservation of function. We present the case of a 16-year-old male patient who had a major incisional dehiscence following resection of a synovial sarcoma of the lower leg after postoperative irradiation. The progressive wound breakdown failed to respond to local wound care or negative pressure therapy and progressed to expose tendons of the distal leg. The patient was successfully treated with SkinTE, an autologous homologous skin graft and casting. Healing was slow but the wound filled with granulation tissue (which covered the tendon), epithelialized, and led to an excellent cosmetic and functional result. This highlights the potential of stem cell therapy and other forms of regenerative methods in healing of complicated wounds.
Oral Steatocystoma Simplex—A Rare Tumor
Authors: Bawazir Maram , Lozano Teresa , Cohen Donald M. , Islam Mohammed N. , Bhattacharyya Indraneel
Published: August 2021

Steatocystoma is a benign adnexal tumor that originates from sebaceous glands or ducts. Steatocystoma simplex presents as a solitary, noninherited tumor that affects adults with equal sex predilection. It can affect any part of the body and is seen most commonly on the skin of the face and neck. Involvement of the oral mucosa is extremely rare. To the best of our knowledge, only 3 intraoral cases have ever been reported. We report a rare case of steatocystoma simplex presented in a 17-year-old male patient involving the buccal mucosa.
Lymphoepithelial Carcinoma of the Parotid: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Felicelli Christopher , Alexiev Borislav , Samant Sandeep , Johnson Daniel
Published: August 2021

Lymphoepithelial carcinoma (LEC) is an incredibly rare entity, accounting for less than 0.5% of all salivary gland malignancies. We present a case of a Southeast Asian women who presented with a rapidly enlarging parotid mass causing compressive symptoms. Surgical resection revealed nests of EBV-in situ hybridization positive pleomorphic cells surroundded by a dense lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate, consistent with LEC. The differential diagnosis and literature surrounding this rare entity is discussed.
Species relationships in the extremes and their influence on community stability
Authors: Ghosh Shyamolina , Cottingham Kathryn L. , Reuman Daniel C.
Published: August 2021

Synchrony among population fluctuations of multiple coexisting species has a major impact on community stability, i.e. on the relative temporal constancy of aggregate properties such as total community biomass. However, synchrony and its impacts are usually measured using covariance methods, which do not account for whether species abundances may be more correlated when species are relatively common than when they are scarce, or vice versa. Recent work showed that species commonly exhibit such ‘asymmetric tail associations’. We here consider the influence of asymmetric tail associations on community stability. We develop a ‘skewness ratio’ which quantifies how much species relationships and tail associations modify stability. The skewness ratio complements the classic variance ratio and related metrics. Using multi-decadal grassland datasets, we show that accounting for tail associations gives new viewpoints on synchrony and stability; e.g. species associations can alter community stability differentially for community crashes or explosions to high values, a fact not previously detectable. Species associations can mitigate explosions of community abundance to high values, increasing one aspect of stability, while simultaneously exacerbating crashes to low values, decreasing another aspect of stability; or vice versa. Our work initiates a new, more flexible paradigm for exploring species relationships and community stability.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Synchrony and rhythm interaction: from the brain to behavioural ecology’.
Nocardia huaxiensis sp. nov., an actinomycete isolated from human skin
Authors: Zhuang Kaiwen , Liu Ya , Dai Yaling , Xu Jianrong , Li Wenjun , Ming Hong , Pradhan Sushmita , Ran Xin , Zhang Chaoliang , Feng Yu , Ran Yuping
Published: August 2021

A novel actinomycete, designated as strain WCH-YHL-001T, was isolated from skin biopsy specimens of a patient at West China Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, PR China. The cells were Gram-positive, aerobic, heterotrophic and non-motile. They formed an extensive substrate with short aerial mycelia, whose branches fragmented into rod-shaped elements. Growth occurred at 10–40 °C, pH 5.0–12.0 and with NaCl concentrations of 0–4.0 % (w/v). The major cellular fatty acids of strain WCH-YHL-001T were C16 : 0, C18 : 1
 ω9c, C18 : 0 10-methyl and summed feature 3. The predominant respiratory quinone was MK-8 (H4ω-cycl). The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol mannoside, unknown phospholipids and unidentified glycolipids. The diagnostic diamino acid of peptidoglycan was meso-diaminopimelic acid. The whole-cell sugar pattern consisted of arabinose and glucose. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that strain WCH-YHL-001T belonged to the genus

Nocardia

. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) and in silico DNA–DNA hybridization (isDDH) values between strain WCH-YHL-001T and type strains of

Nocardia

species were lower than the cut-offs (≥95–96 % for ANI and ≥70 % for isDDH) required to define a bacterial species. The genomic DNA G+C content was 67.8 mol%. Phylogenetic, physiological and chemotaxonomic data suggested that strain WCH-YHL-001T represented a novel species of the genus

Nocardia

, for which the name Nocardia huaxiensis sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain WCH-YHL-001T (=GDMCC 4.181T=JCM 34475 T=NBRC 114973T).
Genomic insights into the diversity, virulence and resistance of Klebsiella pneumoniae extensively drug resistant clinical isolates
Authors: Lee Amy H. Y , Porto William F. , de Faria Jr Célio , Dias Simoni C. , Alencar Sérgio A. , Pickard Derek J. , Hancock Robert E. W. , Franco Octavio L.
Published: August 2021

Klebsiella pneumoniae

has been implicated in wide-ranging nosocomial outbreaks, causing severe infections without effective treatments due to antibiotic resistance. Here, we performed genome sequencing of 70 extensively drug resistant clinical isolates, collected from Brasília’s hospitals (Brazil) between 2010 and 2014. The majority of strains (60 out of 70) belonged to a single clonal complex (CC), CC258, which has become distributed worldwide in the last two decades. Of these CC258 strains, 44 strains were classified as sequence type 11 (ST11) and fell into two distinct clades, but no ST258 strains were found. These 70 strains had a pan-genome size of 10 366 genes, with a core-genome size of ~4476 genes found in 95 % of isolates. Analysis of sequences revealed diverse mechanisms of resistance, including production of multidrug efflux pumps, enzymes with the same target function but with reduced or no affinity to the drug, and proteins that protected the drug target or inactivated the drug. β-Lactamase production provided the most notable mechanism associated with

K. pneumoniae

. Each strain presented two or three different β-lactamase enzymes, including class A (SHV, CTX-M and KPC), class B and class C AmpC enzymes, although no class D β-lactamase was identified. Strains carrying the NDM enzyme involved three different ST types, suggesting that there was no common genetic origin.
Vfr or CyaB promote the expression of the pore-forming toxin exlBA operon in Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 9027 without increasing its virulence in mice
Authors: García-Reyes Selene , Moustafa Dina A. , Attrée Ina , Goldberg Joanna B. , Quiroz-Morales Sara E. , Soberón-Chávez Gloria
Published: August 2021

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

is a wide-spread γ-proteobacterium that produces the biosurfactant rhamnolipid that has a great commercial value due to excellent properties of low toxicity and high biodegradability. However, this bacterium is an opportunist pathogen that constitutes an important health hazard due to its production of virulence-associated traits and its high antibiotic resistance. Thus, it is highly desirable to have a non-virulent

P. aeruginosa

strain for rhamnolipid production. It has been reported that strain ATCC 9027 is avirulent in mouse models of infection, and it is still able to produce rhamnolipid. Thus, it has been proposed to be suitable for it industrial production, since it encodes a defective LasR quorum sensing (QS) transcriptional regulator that is the head of this regulatory network. However, the restoration of virulence factor production by overexpression of rhlR (the gene encoding a QS-transcriptional regulator which is under the transcriptional control of LasR) is not sufficient to restore its virulence in mice. It is desirable to obtain a deeper understanding of ATCC 9027 attenuated-virulence phenotype and to assess the safety of this strain to be used at an industrial scale. In this work we determined whether increasing the expression of the pore-forming toxin encoded by the exlBA operon in strain ATCC 9027 had an impact on its virulence using Galleria mellonella and mouse models of infections. We increased the expression of the exlBA operon by overexpressing from a plasmid its transcriptional activator Vfr or of the Vfr ligand cyclic AMP produced by CyaB. We found that in G. mellonella ATCC 9027/pUCP24-vfr and ATCC 9027/pUCP24-cyaB gained a virulent phenotype, but these strains remained avirulent in murine models of

P. aeruginosa

infection. These results reinforce the possibility of using ATCC 9027 for industrial biosurfactants production.
Online self-evaluation of fMRI-based neurofeedback performance
Authors: Muñoz-Moldes Santiago , Tursic Anita , Lührs Michael , Eck Judith , Andonegui Amaia Benitez , Peters Judith , Cleeremans Axel , Goebel Rainer
Published: August 2021

This study explores the subjective evaluation of supplementary motor area (SMA) regulation performance in a real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging neurofeedback (fMRI-NF) task. In fMRI-NF, people learn how to self-regulate their brain activity by performing mental actions to achieve a certain target level of blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) activation. This setup offers the possibility to study performance monitoring in the absence of somatosensory feedback. Here, we studied two types of self-evaluation expressed before receiving neurofeedback: performance predictions and perceived confidence in the prediction judgement. We hypothesized that throughout learning, participants would (1) improve the precision of their performance predictions about the actual changes in their BOLD response, and (2) that reported confidence would progressively increase with improved metacognitive precision. Participants completed three sessions of SMA regulation in a 7T fMRI scanner, performing a drawing motor imagery task. During each trial, they modulated their mental drawing strategy to achieve one of two different levels of target fMRI signal change. They then reported a performance prediction and their confidence in the prediction before receiving delayed BOLD-activation feedback. Results show that participants’ performance predictions improved with learning throughout the three sessions, and that these improvements were not driven exclusively by their knowledge of previous performance. Confidence reports on the other hand showed no change throughout training and did not differentiate between the better and worse predictions. In addition to shedding light on mechanisms of internal monitoring during neurofeedback training, these results also point to a dissociation between self-evaluation of performance and corresponding reported confidence in the presence of feedback.
The geometry of normal tissue and cancer gene expression manifolds
Authors: Nieves Joan , Gonzalez Augusto
Published: August 2021

A recent paper shows that in gene expression space the manifold spanned by normal tissues and the manifold spanned by the corresponding tumors are disjoint. The statement is based on a two-dimensional projection of gene expression data. In the present paper, we show that, for the multi-dimensional vectors defining the centers of cloud samples: 1. The closest tumor to a given normal tissue is the tumor developed in that tissue, 2. Two normal tissues define quasi-orthogonal directions, 3. A tumor may have a projection onto its corresponding normal tissue, but it is quasi-orthogonal to all other normal tissues, and 4. The cancer manifold is roughly obtained by translating the normal tissue manifold along an orthogonal direction defined by a global cancer progression axis. These geometrical properties add a new characterization of normal tissues and tumors and may have biological significance. Indeed, normal tissues at the vertices of a high-dimensional simplex could indicate genotype optimization for given tissue functions, and a way of avoiding errors in embryonary development. On the other hand, the cancer progression axis could define relevant pan-cancer genes and seems to be consistent with the atavistic theory of tumors.
A study of the reliability of cross-sectional earnings forecasting models for estimating IPO firms’ implied cost of capital
Authors: Schreder Max , Bilinski Pawel
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This study aims to evaluate the earnings forecasting models of Hou et al. (J Account Econ, 53:504–526, 2012) and Li and Mohanram (Rev Account Stud, 19:1152–1185, 2014) in terms of bias and accuracy and validity of the implied cost of capital (ICC) estimates for a sample of initial public offerings (IPOs).

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use a sample of 1,657 NYSE, Amex and Nasdaq IPOs from 1972 to 2013.

Findings

The models of Hou et al. and Li and Mohanram produce relatively inaccurate and biased earnings forecasts, leading to unreliable ICC estimates, particularly for small and loss-making IPOs that constitute the bulk of new listings. As a remedy, the authors propose a new earnings forecasting model, a combination of Hou et al.’s and Li and Mohanram’s earnings persistence models, and show that it produces more accurate and less biased earnings forecasts and more valid ICC estimates.

Originality/value

The study contributes novel results to the literature on the validity of cross-sectional earnings models in forecasting IPO firm earnings and estimating the ICC. The findings are directly relevant for practitioners, who can improve their earnings forecasting accuracy for IPO firms and related ICC estimates. The insights can be extended to other settings where investors have limited access to financial information, such as acquisitions of private targets.
Drivers of mandatory disclosure in GCC region firms
Authors: Misirlioglu Ismail Ufuk , Tucker Jon , Boshnak Helmi Abdulhameed
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate firm-level variations in the extent of mandatory disclosures and address the drivers of mandatory disclosure using data from the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) region.

Design/methodology/approach

The extent of mandatory disclosure is examined using a disclosure index created with reference to 24 International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs).

Findings

The authors find that the extent of mandatory disclosure required by applicable IFRSs/International Accounting Standards increases with international presence, group firms, the level of voluntary disclosure, firm age and the education level of company financial controllers. It decreases with firm size and the proportion of institutional share ownership. The degree of board independence is positively related to the level of mandatory disclosure in firms with no state ownership. Profitability positively affects the level of mandatory disclosure to a greater extent in more liquid GCC firms. The results confirm that there is a greater sensitivity of mandatory disclosure to loss than to profit. Loss increases, whilst profit decreases, the extent of mandatory disclosure.

Research limitations/implications

The results promote further understanding of international financial reporting differences in an emerging country setting.

Practical implications

The findings provide a detailed insight to investors, financial analysts, practitioners and academics.

Originality/value

The authors develop a highly granular mandatory disclosure index in a developing country setting and identify key drivers of such disclosure.
COVID-19 and higher education: responding to local demands and the consolidation of e-internationalization in Latin American universities
Authors: Cordova Miguel , Floriani Dinorá Eliete , Gonzalez-Perez Maria Alejandra , Hermans Michel , Mingo Santiago , Monje-Cueto Fabiola , Nava-Aguirre Karla Maria , Rodriguez Carlos Adrian , Salvaj Erica
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to provide insights into the internationalization strategic responses to the COVID-19 pandemic by higher education institutions (HEIs) in Latin America.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is based on information from eight leading Latin American private universities. The data were obtained from official sources such as institutional communications and university administrators.

Findings

The authors identify two main issues that HEIs should consider while responding to the pandemic. First, greater attention and resource allocation to the universities' main local stakeholders can affect traditional internationalization activities. Second, a focus on revitalizing foreign partnerships and strengthening “virtual internationalization” can help maintain and eventually increase international presence.

Research limitations/implications

While this study analyses how these Latin American HEIs responded during the initial stages of the COVID-19 outbreak, it is important to conduct follow-up studies to shed light on how HEIs are adapting to the COVID-19 crisis as it continues to unfold.

Originality/value

This study is based on unique information gathered from leading private, not-for-profit HEIs in Latin America, which, contrary to state-owned HEIs or other private institutions in developed economies, have exhibited different means and conditions to respond to the coronavirus outbreak. Finally, the authors contribute to the literature on the internationalization of HEIs by discussing the role of a significant disruptive event on the internationalization of higher education and, particularly, business schools.
How and when frontline employees’ resilience drives service-sales ambidexterity: the role of cognitive flexibility and leadership humility
Authors: Sok Keo Mony , Sok Phyra , Tsarenko Yelena , Widjaja Jason Thomas
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Service industries increasingly have a need for frontline employees (FLEs) who are both adept and versatile at providing excellent customer services whilst exploring cross-/up-selling opportunities, known as service-sales ambidexterity (SSA). However, engaging in SSA poses various challenges. The purpose of this paper is twofold: First, the authors argue that the resilience of FLEs is a critical factor of their SSA and its effect is mediated by cognitive flexibility. Second, the authors propose a boundary condition – leadership humility – that affects this indirect relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey data was drawn from two independent studies (N = 547). Study 1 was conducted via an online survey of FLEs involved in both service and sales roles in the insurance industry in North America. Data for Study 2 was collected from FLEs working in several branches of a commercial bank operating in Southeast Asia. The data was analysed using Hayes’ PROCESS Macro and SPSS.

Findings

Results from these studies reveal that resilience fosters cognitive flexibility, which, in turn, drives SSA. Additionally, leadership humility was found to moderate the indirect effect of resilience on SSA through cognitive flexibility.

Research limitations/implications

The sample for this study is cross-sectional. Further research could replicate this study using longitudinal data to extract more in-depth information on developmental changes in FLEs. Additionally, the scope of this research is limited to an analysis of employees. However, the phenomenon of SSA is essentially a multi-level subject. Future research could extend the findings of this research by testing other organisational factors that would present a more inclusive framework to explain the SSA phenomenon.

Practical implications

The findings offer managers a new perspective of achieving the alignment between the service and sales goals of their operations.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the growing stream of literature on FLE’s resilience and SSA in particular and shows the role resilience plays in FLEs’ dealing with and navigating a constantly changing workplace where SSA has become a norm rather than an exception.
Managing cancer in contemporary workforces: how employees with cancer and line managers negotiate post-diagnosis support in the workplace
Authors: Remnant Jennifer
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This paper explores how deservingness features in how line managers and employees with cancer negotiate post-diagnosis support in the workplace.

Design/methodology/approach

It draws on narrative interview data from people with cancer in the UK who were employed when diagnosed and line managers with experience of managing an employee with cancer. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with members of occupational health and human resources staff and staff from a UK cancer support charity.

Findings

It shows that post-diagnosis support for employees with cancer was negotiated in subjective, individualised ways, drawing on pre-diagnosis workplace contribution as well as the perceived deservingness of cancer as an illness. Managerial support for employees with cancer was also influenced by post-diagnosis employee behaviours, particularly those that implied a readiness to return to work.

Research limitations/implications

The sample size and methods limit the generalisability of the results. However, sampling choices were instrumental in reaching a rich set of data, which enabled deeper understanding of individual workplace negotiations.

Social implications

Pervasive and unhelpful notions of deservingness in the context of ill-health and disability have distinct and worrying implications for ageing workforces, particularly across the Global North. This has been exacerbated by the ongoing uncertainty and insecurity triggered by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. As a result insight into the management of ill-health at work has never been more relevant, and can be used to inform policy and practice.

Originality/value

This exploratory paper extends debates usually reserved for social welfare and health provision to a new domain by exploring how deservingness features in line manager–employee interactions in the context of an employee diagnosis of cancer.