bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
BACTERIAL INFECTION AND ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE IN PATIENTS WITH HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS PRESENTING LOWER RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTION IN NIGERIA
Authors: Oguche Joel Iko-ojo , Bolaji Rebecca Olajumoke , Onaolapo Josiah Ademola , Abah Samuel Eneojo , Kwaghe Vivian Gga , Akor Shedrack Egbunu , Shaibu Sarah , Salami Tijani , Eneojo-Abah Gloria Eleojo
Published: September 2021

Lower Respiratory Tract Infection (LRTI) is associated with mortality and prolonged antibiotics use among HIV/AIDS patients. Sputum samples were collected from 134 HIV/AIDS patients with LRTI and productive cough, visiting University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Nigeria, to determine the bacterial aetiologies and antibiotic resistance profile. Adequate for culture sputum samples were observed in only 119 subjects (75 females and 44 males) and cultured using standard procedure. Isolates were identified by biochemical method and 16SrRNA gene amplification, purification, sequencing and database nucleotide blast. Antibiotic susceptibility tests were performed and interpreted according to Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI) procedures. Bacteria associated LRTI was found in 20.2% of the patients and Klebsiellapneumonia(29.7%);Enterobacter cloacae(16.7%);Enterobacter hormaecheisubsp.xiangfangensis(12.5%);Pseudomonas parafulva;Pseudomonas aeruginosa;Pseudomonas alcaliphila; Klebsiella aerogenes(8.3%);Comamonas testosteroni;Escherichia coli;Acinetobacter junii;Acinetobacter soliandAcinetobacter baumanniiwere implicated. Isolates show high resistance to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid at 94.1%, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole at 75.0% and cefotaxime at 70.0%. The Multiple Antibiotic Resistance (MAR) index of most isolates (62.5%) is within 0.3-0.8 in a range of 0.0 to 0.8. Isolates of the same species were found to have different MAR index in different patients. However,E. cloacae, E. hormaecheisubsp.xiangfangensis, A. baumanniand 71.4% ofK. pneumoniawere Multi-drug Resistant (MDR). Interestingly, Gentamycin, Ciprofloxacin and Imipenem were effective against MDR isolates and showed significant negative correlation with MAR index. We propose that antibiotics with efficacy against MDR isolates could be used to down regulate the selective pressure of other antibiotics, and these MDR pathogens, including those rarely associated with human infection poses potential threat, similar to Methicillin ResistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA). Particularly, among the immunocompromised. Furthermore, HIV/AIDS patients present good metrics for profiling the burden and spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria in poor countries.
Adjuvant Testosterone Therapy in Chronic Heart Failure (ATTIC) – A Randomised Open-Label Trial
Authors: Dhar Minakshi , Mittal Kartik , Parchani Ashwin , Sharma Manu , Bahurupi Yogesh , Kalra Sanjay , Bhat Nowneet K
Published: September 2021

Introduction

Heart failure is a major contributor to morbidity and mortality in the geriatric population, with no promising therapy currently available with considerable benefit. Testosterone therapy is an emerging viable treatment option given its beneficial effects, including improving cardiac functional capacity, alleviating symptoms, and low cost, amongst others.

Methods

We have planned an open-label, parallel design, 1:1 randomized controlled trial which aims to recruit 160 adult males above the age of 60 diagnosed with chronic stable heart failure fulfilling the eligibility criteria. The participants will be randomized into two groups of 80 each. Both groups will receive standard recommended treatment regime of chronic stable heart failure and intervention arm participants will receive additional testosterone gel. All participants will be assessed at baseline, 4 weeks, 6 weeks and 12 weeks. The primary endpoints will assess the difference in functional capacity, frailty and quality of life at 3 months compared to baseline. The secondary endpoints will include the mean change from baseline at 3 months in cardiac remodelling using echocardiography, serum brain natriuretic peptide levels, the incidence of adverse drug reaction.

Statistical Analysis

The data will be analysed with the help of SPSS software. Primary objectives of change in 6MWT, Frailty index and quality of life will be analysed using the student t-test. The statistical significance will be defined as p-value <0.05 and taking confidence level as 95%.

Ethical clearance

Institutional Ethics Committee clearance taken via letter no AIIMS/IEC/20/847, dated 21/11/2020
Decoding hand and wrist movement intention from chronic stroke survivors with hemiparesis using a user-friendly, wearable EMG-based neural interface
Authors: Meyers Eric C , Gabrieli David , Tacca Nick , Wengerd Lauren , Darrow Michael , Friedenberg David
Published: September 2021

Prosthetics and orthotics have been recognized for decades as a potential means to restore hand function and independence to individuals living with impairment due to stroke. However, 75% of stroke survivors, caregivers, and health care professionals (HCP) believe current practices are insufficient, specifically calling out the upper extremity as an area where innovation is needed to develop highly usable prosthetics/orthotics for the stroke population. A promising method for controlling upper limb technologies is to infer movement intent non-invasively from surface electromyography (EMG) activity. While this approach has garnered significant attention in the literature, existing technologies are often limited to research settings and struggle to meet stated user needs. To address these limitations, we have developed the NeuroLife® EMG System, which consists of a wearable forearm sleeve with 150 embedded electrodes and associated hardware and software to record and decode surface EMG. Here, we demonstrate accurate decoding of 12 functional hand, wrist, and forearm movements, including multiple types of grasps from participants with varying levels of chronic impairment from stroke, with an overall accuracy of 77.1±5.6%. Importantly, we demonstrate the ability to decode a subset of 3 fundamental movements in individuals with severe hand impairment at 85.4±6.4% accuracy, highlighting the potential as a control mechanism for assistive technologies. Feedback from stroke survivors who tested the system indicates that the sleeve’s design meets various user needs, including being comfortable, portable, and lightweight. The sleeve is in a form factor such that it can be used at home without an expert technician and can be worn for multiple hours without discomfort. Taken together, the NeuroLife EMG System represents a platform technology to record and decode high-definition EMG for the eventual real-time control of assistive devices in a form factor designed to meet user needs.
Implicit, Intrinsic, Extrinsic, and Host Factors Attributing the Covid-19 Pandemic. Part 1- Intrinsic Factor Nitrous Oxide Emissions: A Systematic Analysis
Authors: Thapliyal Nikita , Joshi Gaurav , Gahtori Prashant
Published: September 2021

Despite Nitrous oxide (N2O) being the most widely used anesthetics in dental and other medical applications, it is associated with global warming and stratospheric ozone destruction. With globalization, a larger amount of N2O emissions arearticulated especially from human activities (30%, 6.7 Tg N per year), which are primarily dominated by agriculture that is even above the emissions of all oceans (26%). The synthesis of N2O reflects the general chemistry and readily from a substrate Nitric oxide (NO) in the environment. The modeling of infectious disease dynamics covering common pathogen-transmission factors, for example intrinsic (or microbes nutrient supply) at a population level, is indeed imperative to curb the menace of any disease. Nonetheless, in areas where novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was at its worst, for example, Wuhan China, Mumbai India, Milan Italy, Washington USA etc., the reduction in N2O emissions was well noticed. Nonetheless, viruses exhibit greater mobility than humans and hijack nutrients including nitrogen to complete their epidemiological cycle all due to limited sequence space of viral genomes, the high probability of genetic drift, extremely large population sizes, the high mutation and recombination rates. In consequence of drastic fall in N2O emissions, lower human transport can not be an all alone contributor, but contrarily it may also be associated with coronavirus intrinsic factors. This prompted us to analyze freely accessible and large global data from two authenticated sources, the World Health Organization and World Bank. We hereby argue that intrinsic factor N2O emissions fueling the COVID-19 progression significantly. Entire predictions were found consistent with the recently observed shreds of evidence. These insights enhanced scientific ability to interrogate viral epidemiology and recommended a 7-points framework covering all-natural lifestyle and dietary supplements for COVID-19 prevention before the arrival of a front-line therapeutic(s) or preventable vaccine.
Iron related biomarkers predict disease severity in a cohort of Portuguese adult patients during COVID-19 acute infection
Authors: Moreira Ana C. , Teles Maria J. , Silva Tânia , Bento Clara M. , Alves Inês Simões , Pereira Luísa , Guimarães João T. , Porto Graça , Oliveira Pedro , Gomes Maria Salomé
Published: September 2021

BACKGROUND

Growing evidence indicates a link between iron metabolism and COVID-19 clinical progression, supporting the use of iron and inflammatory parameters as relevant biomarkers to predict patients’ outcomes.

METHODS

We evaluated iron metabolism and immune response in 303 patients admitted to the main hospital of the northern region of Portugal with variable clinical pictures, from September to November 2020. Of these, 127 tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 and 176 tested negative. Iron-related laboratory parameters and cytokines were determined in blood samples collected soon after admission and, in a subgroup of patients, throughout hospitalization. Demographic data, comorbidities and clinical outcomes were recorded. Patients were assigned into 5 groups according to disease severity.

RESULTS

Serum iron and transferrin levels at admission were lower in COVID-19-positive than in COVID-19-negative patients. Conversely, the levels of interleukin(IL)-6 and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP1) were increased in COVID-19-positive patients. The lowest serum iron and transferrin levels at diagnosis were associated with the worst outcomes. Iron levels negatively correlated with IL-6 and higher levels of this cytokine were associated with a worse prognosis. Serum ferritin levels at diagnosis were higher in COVID-19-positive than in COVID-19-negative patients but did not correlate with disease severity. Longitudinal determinations of iron and ferritin made in a subgroup of patients (n=23) revealed highly variable results.

CONCLUSIONS

Serum iron is the simplest laboratory test to be implemented as a predictor of disease progression in hospitalized acute COVID-19-positive patients. Variation of ferritin with time should be revisited in larger cohorts.

Key points

COVID-19-positive patients have lower serum iron and higher ferritin than COVID-19-negative patients in variable clinical contexts. Lowest serum iron and highest IL-6 levels at hospital admission associate with the poorest outcomes. Association of serum ferritin with disease progression is debatable.
Long-term air pollution exposure and diabetes risk in American older adults: a national cohort study
Authors: Sade Maayan Yitshak , Shi Liuhua , Colicino Elena , Amini Heresh , Schwartz Joel D , Di Qian , Wright Robert O
Published: September 2021

Background

Type 2 diabetes is a major public health concern. Studies show that both genetics and environmental exposures play a significant role in developing the disease. We assessed the association between air pollution and first documented diabetes occurrence in a national U.S. cohort of older adults to estimate diabetes risk.

Methods

We included all Medicare enrollees 65 years and older in the fee-for-service program, part A and part B, in the contiguous United States (2000-2016). Participants were followed annually until the first recorded diabetes diagnosis, end of enrollment, or death (264,869,458 person-years). We obtained annual estimates of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and warm-months ozone (O3) exposures from highly spatiotemporally resolved prediction models. We assessed the simultaneous effects of the pollutants on diabetes risk using survival analyses. We repeated the models in cohorts restricted to ZIP codes with air pollution levels not exceeding the national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) during the study period.

Results

We identified 10,024,879 diabetes cases of 41,780,637 people (3.8% of person-years). The hazard ratio (HR) for first diabetes occurrence was 1.074 (95% CI 1.058; 1.089) for 5 µg/m3 increase in PM2.5, 1.055 (95% CI 1.050; 1.060) for 5 ppb increase in NO2, and 0.999 (95% CI 0.993; 1.004) for 5 ppb increase in O3. Both for NO2 and PM2.5 there was evidence of non-linear exposure-response curves with stronger associations at lower levels (NO2 ≤ 40 ppb, PM2.5 ≤ 9 µg/m3). Furthermore, associations remained in the restricted low-level cohorts. The O3-diabetes exposure-response relationship differed greatly between models and require further investigation.

Conclusion

Exposures to PM2.5 and NO2 are associated with increased diabetes risk, even when restricting the exposure to levels below the NAAQS set by the U.S. EPA.
Study of effect modifiers of genetically predicted CETP reduction
Authors: Legault Marc-André , Barhdadi Amina , Gamache Isabel , Lemaçon Audrey , Perreault Louis-Philippe Lemieux , Grenier Jean-Christophe , Sylvestre Marie-Pierre , Hussin Julie G. , Rhainds David , Tardif Jean-Claude , Dubé Marie-Pierre
Published: September 2021

Genetic variants in drug targets can be used to predict the effect of drugs. Here, we extend this principle to assess how sex and body mass index may modify the effect of a genetically predicted lower CETP levels on biomarkers and cardiovascular outcomes.

We found sex and BMI to be modifiers of the association between genetically predicted lower CETP and lipid biomarkers in UK Biobank participants. Female sex and lower BMI were associated with higher HDL-cholesterol and lower LDL-cholesterol for a same genetically predicted reduction in CETP concentration. We found that sex also modulated the effect of genetically lower CETP on cholesterol efflux capacity in samples from the Montreal Heart Institute Biobank. However, these modifying effects did not extend to sex-differences in cardiovascular outcomes in our data.

Our results provide insight on the clinical effects of CETP inhibitors in the presence of effect modification based on observational genetic data. The approach can support precision medicine applications and help assess the external validity of clinical trials.
Y380Q novel mutation in receptor-binding domain of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein together with C379W interfere in the neutralizing antibodies interaction
Authors: Sauthier Sartor Ivaine Tais , Varela Fernanda Hammes , Meireles Mariana Rost , Kern Luciane Beatriz , Azevedo Thaís Raupp , Tumioto Giannini Gabriela Luchiari , da Silva Mariana Soares , Demoliner Meriane , Gularte Juliana Schons , de Almeida Paula Rodrigues , Fleck Juliane Deise , Zavaglia Gabriela Oliveira , Fernandes Ingrid Rodrigues , de David Caroline Nespolo , Santos Amanda Paz , de Almeida Walquiria Aparecida Ferreira , Gomes Porto Victor Bertollo , Scotta Marcelo Comerlato , Vieira Gustavo Fioravanti , Spilki Fernando R. , Stein Renato T. , Polese-Bonatto Márcia ,   COVIDa study group
Published: September 2021

Background

The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants is a current public health concern possibly impacting COVID-19 disease diagnosis, transmission patterns and vaccine effectiveness.

Objectives

To describe the SARS-CoV-2 lineages circulating early pandemic among samples with S gene dropout and characterize a novel mutation in receptor-binding domain (RBD) of viral spike protein.

Study design

Adults and children older than 2 months with signs and symptoms of COVID-19 were prospectively enrolled from May to October 2020 in Porto Alegre, Brazil. All participants performed RT-PCR assays for diagnosing SARS-CoV-2, samples with S gene dropout and Ct < 30 (cycle threshold) were submitted to whole genome sequencing (WGS), and homology modeling and physicochemical properties analysis were performed.

Results

484/1,557 participants tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. The S gene dropout was detected in 7.4% (36/484) as early as May, and a peak was observed in early August. WGS was performed in 8 samples. The B.1.1.28, B.1.91 and B.1.1.33 lineages were circulating in early pandemic. The RBD novel mutation (Y380Q) was found in one sample occurring simultaneously with C379W and V395A, and the B.1.91 lineage in the spike protein.

Conclusion

Mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 spike region were detected early in the COVID-19 pandemic in Southern Brazil, regarding the B.1.1.28, B.1.91 and B.1.1.33 lineages identified. The novel mutation (Y380Q) with C379W, modifies important RBD properties, which may interfere with the binding of neutralizing antibodies (CR3022, EY6A, H014, S304).

Highlights

Characterization of novel mutation (Y380Q) in RBD of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein

The Y380Q and C379W modify important properties in the SARS-CoV-2 RBD region

The RBD mutations may interfere with the binding of neutralizing antibodies

The B.1.1.28, B.1.91 and B.1.1.33 lineages were circulating in early pandemic
Reduced plasticity in coupling strength in the SCN clock in aging as revealed by Kuramoto modelling
Authors: van Beurden Anouk W. , Meylahn Janusz M. , Achterhof Stefan , Meijer Johanna H. , Rohling Jos H. T.
Published: September 2021

The mammalian circadian clock is located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) and consist of a network of coupled neurons, which are entrained to the environmental light-dark cycle. The phase coherence of the neurons is plastic and driven by the length of the day. With aging the capacity to behaviorally adapt to changes in the light regime reduces. The mechanisms underlying photoperiodic adaptation are largely unknown, but are important to unravel for the development of novel interventions to improve the quality of life of the elderly. We analyzed the neuronal synchronization of PER2::LUC protein expression in the SCN of young and old mice entrained to either long or short photoperiod and used the synchronization levels as input for a two-community noisy Kuramoto model. With the Kuramoto model we estimated the coupling strength between and within neuronal subpopulations. The model revealed that the coupling strength between and within subpopulations contributes to photoperiod induced changes in the phase relationship among neurons. We found that the SCN of young mice adapts in coupling strength over a large range, with low coupling strength in long photoperiod and higher coupling strength in short photoperiod. In aged mice we also found low coupling strength in long photoperiod, but strongly reduced capacity to reach high coupling strength in short photoperiod. The inability to respond with an increase in coupling strength shows that manipulation of photoperiod is not a suitable strategy to enhance clock function with aging. We conclude that the inability of aged mice to reach high coupling strength makes aged mice less capable to seasonal adaptation than young mice.

Author Summary

Circadian clocks drive daily rhythms in physiology and behavior. In mammals the clock resides in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus. The SCN consist of a network of coupled neurons which are synchronized to produce a coherent rhythm. Due to plasticity of the network, seasonal adaptation to short winter days and long summer days occurs. Disturbances in circadian rhythmicity of the elderly have negative health effects, such as neurodegenerative diseases. With the rise in life expectancy this is becoming a major issue. In our paper, we used a model to compare the neuronal coupling in the SCN between young and old animals. We investigated whether exposure to short photoperiod can strengthen coupling among clock cells, and thereby clock function, in old animals. We observed that this is not possible, indicating that simple environmental manipulations are not an option. We suggest that receptor targeted interventions are required, setting the path for further investigation.
Chromodomain protein regulates the expression of a subset of RIFINs in P. falciparum
Authors: Sethumadhavan Devadathan Valiyamangalath , Tiburcio Marta , Kanyal Abhishek , Jabeena CA , Govindaraju Gayathri , Karmodiya Krishanpal , Rajavelu Arumugam
Published: September 2021

Plasmodium falciparum expresses clonally variant proteins on the surface of infected erythrocytes to evade the host immune system. The clonally variant multigenes include var, rifin, and stevor, which express EMP1, RIFIN, and STEVOR proteins, respectively. The rifins are the largest multigene family and are essentially involved in the RBC rosetting, the hallmark of severe malaria. The regulators that control the RIFINs expression in P. falciparum have not been reported so far. This study reports a chromodomain-containing protein (PfCDP) that binds to H3K9me3 modification on P. falciparum chromatin. The ChIP- sequencing analysis revealed that the PfCDP is majorly associated with clonally variant gene families, primarily rifins in P. falciparum. Conditional deletion of the chromodomain (CD) gene in P. falciparum leads to the up-regulation of a subset of virulence genes, including rifins, a few var, and stevor genes. Further, we show that PfΔCDP P. falciparum lines promote the RBC rosetting. This study provides evidence of an epigenetic regulator mediated control on a subset of RIFINs expression and RBC rosetting by P. falciparum.
The key features of SARS-CoV-2 leader and NSP1 required for viral escape of NSP1-mediated repression
Authors: Bujanic Lucija , Shevchuk Olga , von Kügelgen Nicolai , Ludwik Katarzyna , Koppstein David , Zerna Nadja , Sickmann Albert , Chekulaeva Marina
Published: September 2021

SARS-CoV-2, responsible for the ongoing global pandemic, must overcome a conundrum faced by all viruses. To achieve its own replication and spread, it simultaneously depends on and subverts cellular mechanisms. At the early stage of infection, SARS-CoV-2 expresses the viral nonstructural protein 1 (NSP1), which inhibits host translation by blocking the mRNA entry tunnel on the ribosome; this interferes with the binding of cellular mRNAs to the ribosome. Viral mRNAs, on the other hand, overcome this blockade. We show that NSP1 enhances expression of mRNAs containing the SARS-CoV-2 leader. The first stem-loop (SL1) in viral leader is both necessary and sufficient for this enhancement mechanism. Our analysis pinpoints specific residues within SL1 (three cytosine residues at the positions 15, 19 and 20) and another within NSP1 (R124) which are required for viral evasion, and thus might present promising drug targets. Additionally, we carried out analysis of a functional interactome of NSP1 using BioID and identified components of anti-viral defense pathways. Our analysis therefore suggests a mechanism by which NSP1 inhibits the expression of host genes while enhancing that of viral RNA. This analysis helps reconcile conflicting reports in the literature regarding the mechanisms by which the virus avoids NSP1 silencing.
The model arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Rhizophagus irregularis harbours endosymbiotic bacteria with a highly reduce genome
Authors: Savary Romain , Masclaux Frédéric G. , Sanders Ian R.
Published: September 2021

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF; Glomeromycotina) are symbionts of most plant species that are known to possess unique intracytoplasmic endosymbiotic bacteria with an enigmatic role. Candidatus Moeniiplasma glomeromycotorum (CaMg) was shown to be widespread along the AMF phylogeny and present in most AMF species and isolates of those species. The model AMF species, Rhizophagus irregularis, that can be cultivated in vitro and for which a lot of genomic information now exists, would be the ideal model to study the true nature of the CaMg-AMF symbiosis. However, R. irregularis was never found to host endobacteria. Here we show by DNA sequencing that R. irregularis can, indeed, host CaMg (Ri-CaMg). However, this appears rare as only one R. irregularis isolate out of 58 hosted CaMg. In that isolate, the endosymbiotic bacterial population was genetically homogenous. By sequencing the complete genome of the bacteria, we found that its genome is among the smallest of all known CaMg and Mycoplasma-like genomes, with a highly reduced gene repertoire, suggesting a strong adaptation to the intracellular life. We discuss our findings in the light of previous literature on CaMg and on the same AMF isolates and suggest that these endosymbionts are more likely parasites than non-obligatory mutualists.
The opposing Chloride Cotransporters KCC and NKCC control locomotor activity in constant light and during long days
Authors: Eick Anna Katharina , Ogueta Maite , Buhl Edgar , Hodge James J. L. , Stanewsky Ralf
Published: September 2021

Cation Chloride Cotransporters (CCC’s) regulate intracellular chloride ion concentration ([Cl−]i) within neurons, which can reverse the direction of the neuronal response to the neurotransmitter GABA. Na+ K+ Cl− (NKCC) and K+ Cl− (KCC) cotransporters transport Cl− into or out of the cell, respectively. When NKCC activity dominates, the resulting high [Cl−]i can lead to an excitatory and depolarizing response of the neuron upon GABAA receptor opening, while KCC dominance has the opposite effect. This inhibitory-to-excitatory GABA switch has been linked to seasonal adaption of circadian clock function to changing day length, and its dysregulation is associated with neurodevelopmental disorders such as epilepsy. Constant light normally disrupts circadian clock function and leads to arrhythmic behavior. Here, we demonstrate a function for KCC in regulating Drosophila locomotor activity and GABA responses in circadian clock neurons because alteration of KCC expression in circadian clock neurons elicits rhythmic behavior in constant light. We observed the same effects after downregulation of the Wnk and Fray kinases, which modulate CCC activity in a [Cl−]i-dependent manner. Patch-clamp recordings from clock neurons show that downregulation of KCC results in a more positive GABA reversal potential, while KCC overexpression has the opposite effect. Finally, KCC downregulation represses morning behavioral activity during long photoperiods, while downregulation of NKCC promotes morning activity. In summary, our results support a model in which the regulation of [Cl−]i by a KCC/NKCC/Wnk/Fray feedback loop determines the response of clock neurons to GABA, which is important for adjusting behavioral activity to constant light and long-day conditions.
Crystal structure of the new palladium complexes tetrakis(1,3-dimethylimidazolium-2-ylidene)palladium(II) hexadecacarbonyltetrarhenium diethyl ether disolvate and octa-μ-carbonyl-dicarbonyltetrakis(triphenylphosphane)palladiumdirhenium (unknown solvate)
Authors: Shapovalov Sergey , Tikhonova Olga , Skabitsky Ivan
Published: September 2021

The investigation of the coordination chemistry of heterometallic transition-metal complexes of palladium (Pd) and rhenium (Re) led to the isolation and crystallographic characterization of tetrakis(1,3-dimethylimidazolium-2-ylidene)palladium(II) hexadecacarbonyltetrarhenium diethyl ether disolvate, [Pd(C5H8N2)4][Re4(CO)16]·2C4H10O or [Pd(IMe)4][Re4(CO)16]·2C4H10O, (1), and octa-μ-carbonyl-dicarbonyltetrakis(triphenylphosphane)palladiumdirhenium, [Pd4Re2(C18H15P)4(CO)10] or Pd4Re2(PPh3)4(μ-CO)8(CO)2, (2), from the reaction of Pd(PPh3)4 with 1,3-dimethylimidazolium-2-carboxylate and Re2(CO)10 in a toluene–acetonitrile mixture. In complex 1 the Re—Re bond lengths [2.9767 (3)–3.0133 (2) Å] are close to double the covalent Re radii (1.51 Å). The palladium–rhenium carbonyl cluster 2 has not been structurally characterized previously; the Pd—Re bond lengths [2.7582 (2)–2.7796 (2) Å] are about 0.1 Å shorter than the sum of the covalent Pd and Re radii (1.39 + 1.51 = 2.90 Å). One carbene ligand and a diethyl ether molecule are disordered over two positions with occupancy ratios of 0.5:0.5 and 0.625 (15):0.375 (15) in 1. An unidentified solvent is present in compound 2. The given chemical formula and other crystal data do not take into account the unknown solvent molecule(s). The SQUEEZE routine [Spek (2015). Acta Cryst. C71, 9–18] in PLATON was used to remove the contribution of the electron density in the solvent region from the intensity data and the solvent-free model was employed for the final refinement. The cavity with a volume of ca 311 Å3 contains approximately 98 electrons.
Polymeric coordination complex of lithium(I) with aqua and cyanurate ligands
Authors: Ponnuvel Anjapuli , Kala Arumugam Pillai , Nagaraja Karachalacherevu Seetharamiah , Karnan Chandran
Published: September 2021

The polymeric title complex, poly[hexa-μ-aqua-diaquatetra-μ-cyanurato-tetralithium] [Li4(C3H2N3O3)4(H2O)7]
n
, synthesized at room temperature from an aqueous solution of lithium hydroxide and cyanuric chloride, crystallizes in the triclinic space group P\overline{1}. There are two distinct Li+ cations in the asymmetric unit, one of which, Li1, has distorted trigonal–bipyramidal geometry and is coordinated via oxygen to two cyanurate anions occupying equatorial positions, and three water molecules, two in the axial positions and the third in an equatorial position. One of the axial water ligands and the equatorial water ligand are involved in bridging to a crystallographically equivalent Li1 cation. A centre of inversion lies between the two Li1 cations and the Li1...Li1 distance is 3.037 (5) Å. The remaining axial water ligand bridges to the second Li cation, Li2, which is disordered over two crystallographic sites with approximately equal occupancy, and has an Li1...Li2 distance of 3.438 (7) Å. The terminal Li2 cation is coordinated to three water molecules and an oxygen atom from a cyanuric anion and has a distorted tetrahedral geometry. A three-dimensional network of intermolecular hydrogen bonds involving N—H...O, O—H...O and O—H...N interactions serves to hold the structure together. The title compound was further characterized using IR and UV–vis spectroscopy and TG–DTA analysis.
Factors influencing smartphone based online shopping: an empirical study of young Women shoppers
Authors: Shukla Mahima , Jain Vranda , Misra Richa
Published: September 2021

Purpose

The study examines how young working women are motivated by online shopping. The study tests the relationship between Internet self-efficacy (ISE), website aesthetics, and purchase intention through perceived benefit. An investigation of the impact of perceived risk on purchase intention is also carried out.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper carried out a quantitative study based on a purposive sample of 180 working women from the Delhi-NCR region of India and used Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) to test hypotheses based on the extended TAM model.

Findings

Perceived benefit, website aesthetics, and ISE positively and significantly impact working women's purchase intention. The study also finds an indirect relationship between ISE and purchase intention through perceived benefit. Perceived risk has a negative and insignificant influence on working women's purchase intention for online shopping.

Practical implications

The study finding reflects that perceived website aesthetics fill the gap between offline and online environments. ISE makes shopping easy and increases the shopper's confidence. A mobile-optimized website with ease of navigation would increase women shoppers' conversion rates on mobile devices, leading to a favourable impact on revenue generation for online retailers.

Originality/value

Despite the vast literature on constructs derived from the TAM model, very few studies have researched young women consumers from an emerging economy perspective. The novelty of this research lies in identifying the factors that influence young working women's online shopping intention using smartphone through the glance of ISE and perceived aesthetics in the Indian context.
A roadmap for business model adaptation in the construction industry: a structured review of business model research
Authors: Abeynayake Dilani Niroshika , Perera BAKS , Hadiwattege Chandanie
Published: September 2021

Purpose

Survival challenges compel construction firms to change their business thinking on adapting business models (BMs). Unlike in the other fields, in the construction field, it is still a novel concept, probably because BM adaptation in the industry has not been sufficiently studied. Hence, the purpose of this study is to set a roadmap for the effective adaptation of the BM concept in the construction industry.

Design/methodology/approach

To develop a roadmap, this study analysed BM literature through a comprehensive literature review by finding the BM research development stages using studies done in other fields and locating construction industry BM literature.

Findings

No stage-wise development of BM research has taken place in the construction industry. The four BM research development stages, namely, defining BMs, listing BM components, describing BM components and modelling BM components as a business model ontology (BMO) in relation to the construction industry have to be followed for proper BM adaptation in the construction industry.

Originality/value

This study provided an overview of and a roadmap for BM adaptation in the construction industry for the benefit of future researchers. The proper adaptation of the BM concept through a BMO will enable construction business managers to easily innovate, design and change construction BMs to streamline their business thinking.
High-performance work systems, learning orientation and innovativeness: the antecedent role of environmental turbulence
Authors: Gemici Evrim , Zehir Cemal
Published: September 2021

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to empirically examine whether environmental turbulence leads to the adoption of high-performance work systems (HPWS) and learning orientation (LO) in organizations and, if so, how these two elements contribute to innovativeness. Past research studies widely demonstrated that HPWS and LO are strong determinants of innovativeness. This study incorporates environmental turbulence as an antecedent and explains the interactions between these concepts.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper involves a questionnaire-based survey of 233 firms. For hypothesis testing, structural equation modeling (SEM) was used.

Findings

The results revealed the antecedent role of environmental turbulence in HPWS and LO. Additionally, HPWS and LO mediated the relationship between environmental turbulence and organizational innovativeness.

Research limitations/implications

This research has the limitations of a cross-sectional study design. The study draws out some implications for firms facing turbulent conditions and intending to increase their innovativeness by stimulating a learning culture and focusing on human capital through HPWS.

Originality/value

The overarching contribution of this study is to test the assumption that organizations initiate changes in their internal systems as a response to environmental turbulence. By doing so, the study enriches current studies by exploring the mediator role of HPWS and LO between environmental turbulence and innovativeness. This research also contributes to the literature by demonstrating the antecedent role of environmental turbulence in HPWS for the first time. Additionally, it provides evidence for the relationship between environmental turbulence and LO.
Authenticity as an antecedent of brand image in a positive emotional consumer relationship: the case of craft beer brands
Authors: Rodrigues Paula , Pinto Borges Ana , Sousa Ana
Published: September 2021

Purpose

This study, based on craft beer brands, aims (1) to explain the importance of four brand authenticity dimensions (continuity, originality, reliability and naturalness) in consumers' perceptions of brand image; (2) to verify if the brand–consumer emotional relationship (brand love) is enhanced by the consumer's perceptions of the brand's image; (3) to verify if the consumer's perceptions of the brand's image increase brand satisfaction; and (4) to verify if brand satisfaction increases brand love.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from consumers of different craft beer brands to evaluate the assumptions underlying the proposed conceptual model. In total, 175 questionnaire responses were used, and the model was estimated through structural equation modelling (SEM) with partial least squares (PLS).

Findings

The results confirmed that brand authenticity is a strong antecedent of the brand image of craft beers, and that brand image affects both consumer brand satisfaction and brand love. The effect of brand satisfaction on brand love has also been confirmed. Craft beer brands should aim to attract more fan-consumers, i.e. consumers who seek an emotional relationship that manifests itself in affection, beauty, well-being and long-term commitment. Fan-consumers give their hearts/love and recommend the brand.

Originality/value

The paper tries to fill two gaps in the literature. First, we make the initial empirical application of the Bruhnet al.(2012) scale and verify its adequacy in this context. Second, this is the first time that the model's design has been validated. The results allow us to confirm that authenticity is an antecedent of brand image, and its simultaneous impact on the consumer's brand love for, and satisfaction with, craft beer brands.
Social marketing and higher education: partnering to achieve sustainable development goals
Authors: Hübscher Chiara , Hensel-Börner Susanne , Henseler Jörg
Published: September 2021

Purpose

Accomplishing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is imperative for societies to meet their grand challenges. Achieving these goals by 2030 requires sustainability change agents with a can-do-attitude. This study aims to show how institutions of higher education can become partners for social marketing in bringing forward such change agents.

Design/methodology/approach

Taking a case study approach, this paper examines a master’s programme to identify factors relevant to educating sustainability change agents that can serve as a basis for a social marketing planning primer to foster the SDGs.

Findings

This study presents the social marketing discipline with a viable option for supporting the achievement of the SDGs through higher education. Its contributions are twofold. First, it is shown that when interdisciplinarity and a project-based approach are conceptualized and organized to create a motivating and meaningful learning environment with the SDGs as guiding principles, students, as sustainability change agents, can increase awareness and have the potential to generate impacts regarding the SDGs at the individual, organizational and institutional levels. Second, based on this, the paper provides guidance to social marketers regarding the planning of a campaign targeting higher education institutions. The authors argue that the aim of this campaign should be to promote the implementation of the SDGs as guiding principles above all, as this can facilitate the process of students becoming sustainability change agents who help achieve the goals in a timely manner.

Research limitations/implications

Whilst single case studies are usually limited in drawing generalizations, the present study offers a starting point for investigating the role of universities as a target group for social marketing in fostering further sustainable development. Building on its findings, future research could test the proposed social marketing planning primer and evaluate the impact on the SDGs at a larger scale than only one university.

Practical implications

It is proposed to use the findings of the study to model a social marketing campaign aimed at universities to motivate them to help develop sustainability change agents in all disciplines by integrating the SDGs as guiding principles for study programmes.

Social implications

Students’ impacts range from leading peers to buy sustainable products and consume less to influencing a company to adopt sustainable packaging, thereby contributing to social change.

Originality/value

This study is among the first to examine the possible effect of a study programme on the SDGs at different societal levels by taking the perspectives of multiple stakeholders into account and combining the theory of higher education with sustainability and social marketing.
Nanostructured WO3 based gas sensors: a short review
Authors: Sriram Srinivas Rao , Parne Saidireddy , Vaddadi Venkata Satya Chidambara Swamy , Edla Damodar , P. Nagaraju , Avala Raji Reddy , Yelsani Vijayakumar , Sontu Uday Bhasker
Published: September 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to focus on the basic principle of WO3 gas sensors to achieve high gas-sensing performance with good stability and repeatability. Metal oxide-based gas sensors are widely used for monitoring toxic gas leakages in the environment, industries and households. For better livelihood and a healthy environment, it is extremely helpful to have sensors with higher accuracy and improved sensing features.

Design/methodology/approach

In the present review, the authors focus on recent synthesis methods of WO3-based gas sensors to enhance sensing features towards toxic gases.

Findings

This work has proved that the synthesis method led to provide different morphologies of nanostructured WO3-based material in turn to improve gas sensing performance along with its sensing mechanism.

Originality/value

In this work, the authors reviewed challenges and possibilities associated with the nanostructured WO3-based gas sensors to trace toxic gases such as ammonia, H2S and NO2 for future research.
Supporting quality social studies instruction: the social studies practices continuum
Authors: Erickson Susan , Dunne Kerry A. , Martell Christopher C.
Published: September 2021

Purpose

This article presents the social studies practices continuum, which is a tool that supports social studies teachers in implementing inquiry-based practices in their classrooms. It was designed by the authors based on similar instruments found in science education and informed by the College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework for Social Studies Standards.

Design/methodology/approach

The article describes the instrument's creation and describes its use with preservice teachers in teacher preparation programs, inservice teachers during district-based professional development.

Findings

The continuum has been used as a reflective tool for teachers and curriculum developers, and as a tool for instructional coaches and administrators to improve teaching practices.

Originality/value

This article offers a new tool for teachers and supervisors to use in improving instruction.
Archaeal overdominance close to life‐limiting conditions in geothermally influenced hypersaline lakes at the Danakil Depression, Ethiopia
Authors: Belilla Jodie , Iniesto Miguel , Moreira David , Benzerara Karim , López‐García José María , López‐Archilla Ana I. , Reboul Guillaume , Deschamps Philippe , Gérard Emmanuelle , López‐García Purificación
Published: September 2021

The Dallol protovolcanic area on the Danakil Depression (Afar region, Ethiopia) exhibits unique hydrothermal manifestations in hypersaline context, yielding varied polyextreme physicochemical conditions. Previous studies identified a wide archaeal diversity in less extreme brines but failed to identify microorganisms thriving in either high‐chaotropicity, low‐water‐activity brines or hyperacidic‐hypersaline Na‐Fe‐rich brines. Recently, we accessed several small lakes under intense degassing activity adjacent to the Round Mountain, west to the Dallol dome [Western Canyon Lakes (WCL); WCL1‐5]. They exhibited intermediate parameter combinations (pH ~ 5, 34%–41% (weight/volume) NaCl‐dominated salts with relatively high levels of chaotropic Mg‐Ca salts) that should allow to better constrain life limits. These lakes were overwhelmingly dominated by Archaea, encompassing up to 99% of prokaryotic 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequences in metabarcoding studies. The majority belonged to Halobacteriota and Nanohaloarchaeota, the latter representing up to half of prokaryotic sequences. Optical and epifluorescence microscopy showed active cells in natural samples and diverse morphotypes in enrichment cultures. Scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy revealed tiny cells (200–300 nm diameter) epibiotically associated with somewhat larger cells (0.6–1 μm) but also the presence of silica‐dominated precipitates of similar size and shape, highlighting the difficulty of distinguishing microbes from mineral biomorphs in this kind of low‐biomass systems.
Walking, and Knowing the Past: Antiquaries, Pedestrianism and Historical Practice in Modern Britain
Authors: READMAN PAUL
Published: September 2021

How do those who write history know the past? This article addresses this question by examining the work of late eighteenth‐ and nineteenth‐century antiquaries, whose historical practice was closely tied to their embodied experience of the places about which they wrote. On‐foot out‐of‐doors observation provided them with evidence as important as that which might be derived from written sources, while also acting to stimulate their historical imaginations. This was the method of the Rev. Richard Warner, who made a 469‐mile ‘pedestrian tour’ of Wales in August 1797, and for whom walking (often more than 20 miles a day) was an essential element of his approach to understanding the past. Similarly, William Hutton’s History of the Roman Wall (1802) was not based on consultation of the accounts of others, or even on separate in‐person site visits, but on a single journey, on foot, along the course of the fortification. As argued here, these and other pedestrianised forms of historical knowing had a lasting influence on the writing of history in Britain.