bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Detection of SARS-CoV-2 variants by Abbott molecular, antigen, and serological tests
Authors: Rodgers Mary A , Batra Rahul , Snell Luke B , Daghfal David , Roth Richard , Huang Shihai , Kovacs Stephen , Nebbia Gaia , Douthwaite Sam , Cloherty Gavin A
Published: April 2021

Background

Viral diversity presents an ongoing challenge for diagnostic tests, which need to accurately detect all circulating variants. The Abbott Global Surveillance program monitors severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants and their impact on diagnostic test performance.

Objectives

To evaluate the capacity of Abbott molecular, antigen, and serologic assays to detect the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7, B.1.351 and the P.1 variants.

Study design

Virus variant culture stock dilutions (B.1.1.7, BEI NR-54011; B.1.351, BEI NR-54008 and 54009; P.1, BEI NR-54982) and clinical samples from patients with confirmed B.1.1.7 variant infection were run on the Abbott ID NOW COVID-19, m2000 RealTime SARS-CoV-2, Alinity m SARS-CoV-2, and Alinity m Resp-4-Plex molecular assays; the BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag Card and Panbio COVID-19 Ag Rapid Test Device; and the ARCHITECT/Alinity i SARS-CoV-2 IgG and AdviseDx IgM assays, Panbio COVID-19 IgG assay, and ARCHITECT/Alinity i AdviseDx SARS-CoV-2 IgG II assay.

Results

Cultured virus stocks and B.1.1.7 clinical samples were detected with molecular, antigen, and serologic assays in the expected ranges, confirming in silico predictions. The ratio between genome equivalents (GE) and calculated median tissue culture infectious dose (TCID50) were 31-to 83-fold higher for B.1.1.7 cultures compared to B.1.351 and P.1 cultures, demonstrating that GE are more consistent units between cultures than TCID50.

Conclusions

Abbott molecular and antigen assays effectively detect B.1.1.7, B.1.351, and P.1 variant infections and Abbott serologic assays detect B.1.1.7 antibodies in patient sera. Future studies with SARS-CoV-2 virus cultures should use quantitative viral load values to compare detection of variants.

Highlights

Abbott SARS-CoV-2 molecular and antigen assays detect B.1.1.7, B.1.351, and P.1 variants

Abbott SARS-CoV-2 antibody assays detect B.1.1.7 antibodies in recovered patient sera

Quantitation of viral load in genome equivalents allows comparison of assay performance
Variations in soil nutrient dynamics and bacterial communities in long-term tea monoculture production systems
Authors: Gui Heng , Fan Lichao , Wang Donghui , Yan Peng , Li Xin , Pang Yinghua , Zhang Liping , Zamanian Kazem , Xu Jianchu , Han Wenyan
Published: April 2021

Long-term monoculture agriculture systems could lead to soil degradation and yield decline. The ways in which soil microbiotas interact with one another, particularly in response to long-term tea monoculture systems are currently unclear. In this study, through the comparison of three independent tea plantations across eastern China composed of varying stand ages (from 3 years to 90 years after conversion from forest), we found that long-term tea monoculture led to significant increases in soil total organic carbon (TOC) and microbial nitrogen (MBN). Additionally, the structure, function and co-occurrence network of soil microbial communities were investigated by pyrosequencing 16S rRNA genes. The pyrosequencing analysis revealed that structures and functions of soil bacterial communities were significantly affected by different stand ages of tea plantations, but sampling sites and land-use conversion (from forest to tea plantation) still outcompeted stand age to control the diversity and structure of soil bacterial communities. Further RDA analysis revealed that the C and N availability improvement in tea plantation soils led to variation of structure and function in soil microbial communities. Moreover, co-occurrence network analysis of soil bacterial communities also demonstrated that interactions among soil bacteria taxa were strengthened with the increasing stand age of respective tea stands. Overall, this study provides a comprehensive understanding of the impact of long-term monoculture stand age on soil nutrient dynamics and bacterial communities in tea production.
Soil depth gradients in microbial growth kinetics under deeply- vs. shallow-rooted plants
Authors: Min Kyungjin , Slessarev Eric , Kan Megan , McFarlane Karis , Oerter Erik , Pett-Ridge Jennifer , Nuccio Erin , Berhe Asmeret Asefaw
Published: April 2021

Abstract

Climate-smart land management practices that replace shallow-rooted annual crop systems with deeply-rooted perennial plants can contribute to soil carbon sequestration. However, deep soil carbon accrual may be influenced by active microbial biomass and their capacity to assimilate fresh carbon at depth. Incorporating active microbial biomass, dormancy and growth in microbially-explicit models can improve our ability to predict soil’s capacity to store carbon. But, so far, the microbial parameters that are needed for such modeling are poorly constrained, especially in deep soil layers. Here, we investigated whether a change in crop rooting depth affects microbial growth kinetics in deep soils compared to surface soils. We used a lab incubation experiment and growth kinetics model to estimate how microbial parameters vary along 240 cm of soil depth in profiles under shallow- (soy) and deeply-rooted plants (switchgrass) 11 years after plant cover conversion. We also assessed resource origin and availability (total organic carbon,14C, dissolved organic carbon, specific UV absorbance, total nitrogen, total dissolved nitrogen) along the soil profiles to examine associations between soil chemical and biological parameters. Even though root biomass was higher and rooting depth was deeper under switchgrass than soy, resource availability and microbial growth parameters were generally similar between vegetation types. Instead, depth significantly influenced soil chemical and biological parameters. For example, resource availability, and total and relative active microbial biomass decreased with soil depth. Decreases in the relative active microbial biomass coincided with increased lag time (response time to external carbon inputs) along the soil profiles. Even at a depth of 210-240 cm, microbial communities were activated to grow by added resources within a day. Maximum specific growth rate decreased to a depth of 90 cm and then remained consistent in deeper layers. Our findings show that > 10 years of vegetation and rooting depth changes may not be long enough to alter microbial growth parameters, and suggest that at least a portion of the microbial community in deep soils can grow rapidly in response to added resources. Our study determined microbial growth parameters that can be used in microbially-explicit models to simulate carbon dynamics in deep soil layers.
HGDiscovery: an online tool providing functional and phenotypic information on novel variants of homogentisate 1,2- dioxigenase
Authors: Karmakar Malancha , Cicaloni Vittoria , Rodrigues Carlos H.M. , Spiga Ottavia , Santucci Annalisa , Ascher David B.
Published: April 2021

Alkaptonuria (AKU), a rare genetic disorder, is characterized by the accumulation of homogentisic acid (HGA) in the body. Affected individuals lack enough functional levels of an enzyme required to breakdown HGA. Mutations in theHGDgene cause AKU and they are responsible for deficient levels of functional homogentisate 1,2-dioxygenase (HGD), which, in turn, leads to excess levels of HGA. Although HGA is rapidly cleared from the body by the kidneys, in the long term it starts accumulating in various tissues, especially cartilage. Over time (rarely before adulthood), it eventually changes the color of affected tissue to slate blue or black. Here we report a comprehensive mutation analysis of 111 pathogenic and 190 non-pathogenic HGD missense mutations using protein structural information. Using our comprehensive suite of graph-based signature methods, mCSM complemented with sequence-based tools, we studied the functional and molecular consequences of each mutation on protein stability, interaction and evolutionary conservation. The scores generated from the structure and sequence-based tools were used to train a supervised machine learning algorithm with 84% accuracy. The empirical classifier was used to generate the variant phenotype for novel HGD missense mutations. All this information is deployed as a user friendly freely available web server called HGDiscovery (http://biosig.unimelb.edu.au/hgdiscovery/).
Guidance by followers ensures long-range coordination of cell migration through α-Catenin mechanoperception
Authors: Boutillon Arthur , Escot Sophie , Elouin Amélie , Jahn Diego , González-Tirado Sebastián , Starruß Jörn , Brusch Lutz , David Nicolas B.
Published: April 2021

Morphogenesis, wound healing and some cancer metastases depend upon migration of cell collectives that need to be guided to their destination as well as coordinated with other cell movements. During zebrafish gastrulation, extension of the embryonic axis is led by the mesendodermal polster that migrates towards the animal pole, followed by axial mesoderm that undergoes convergence and extension. We here investigate how polster cells are guided towards the animal pole. Using a combination of precise laser ablations, advanced transplants and functional as well as in silico approaches, we establish that each polster cell is oriented by its immediate follower cells. Each cell perceives the migration of followers, through E-Cadherin/α-Catenin mechanotransduction, and aligns with them. Directional information therefore propagates from cell to cell over the whole tissue. Such guidance of migrating cells by followers ensures long-range coordination of movements and developmental robustness.
Niclosamide shows strong antiviral activity in a human airway model of SARS-CoV-2 infection and a conserved potency against the UK B.1.1.7 and SA B.1.351 variant
Authors: Weiss Anne , Touret Franck , Baronti Cecile , Gilles Magali , Hoen Bruno , Nougairède Antoine , de Lamballerie Xavier , Sommer Morten Otto Alexander
Published: April 2021

SARS-CoV-2 variants are emerging with potential increased transmissibility highlighting the great unmet medical need for new therapies. Niclosamide is a potent anti-SARS-CoV-2 agent that has advanced in clinical development. We validate the potent antiviral efficacy of niclosamide in a SARS-CoV-2 human airway model. Furthermore, niclosamide is effective against the D614G, B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 variants. Our data further support the potent anti-SARS-CoV-2 properties of niclosamide and highlights its great potential as a therapeutic agent for COVID-19.
The AP-1 factorsFOSL1andFOSL2co-regulate human Th17 responses
Authors: Shetty Ankitha , Tripathi Subhash Kumar , Junttila Sini , Buchacher Tanja , Biradar Rahul , Bhosale Santosh D. , Envall Tapio , Laiho Asta , Moulder Robert , Rasool Omid , Galande Sanjeev , Elo Laura L. , Lahesmaa Riitta
Published: April 2021

Th17 cells protect mucosal barriers, but their aberrant activity can cause autoimmunity. Molecular networks dictating human Th17 function are largely unexplored, and this hinders disease-studies. Here, we investigated the roles of the AP-1 factors,FOSL1andFOSL2,in inducing human Th17 responses. Transient knockdown and over-expression strategies found the two proteins to inhibit Th17-cell identity, while revealing a distinct cooperativity between their functions. Strikingly,FOSL1plays different roles in human and mouse and FOSL-mediated Th17 regulation is opposed by the AP-1 factor, BATF. Genome-wide occupancy analysis demonstrated the co-localization of FOSL1, FOSL2 and BATF in the vicinity of key Th17 genes. The functional interplay among these factors is possibly governed by sharing interactions with a common set of lineage-associated proteins. We further discovered that the genomic binding sites of these factors harbour a large number of disease-linked SNPs, many of which alter the ability of a given factor to bind DNA. Our findings thus provide crucial insights into the transcriptional regulation of human Th17 function and associated pathologies.

ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY

FOSL1- and FOSL2-mediated transcription during early human Th17 differentiation
Non-breeding waterbirds benefit from protected areas when adjusting their distribution to climate warming
Authors: Gaget Elie , Pavón-Jordán Diego , Johnston Alison , Lehikoinen Aleksi , Hochachka Wesley M. , Sandercock Brett K. , Soultan Alaaeldin , Azafzaf Hichem , Bendjedda Nadjiba , Bino Taulant , Božič Luca , Clausen Preben , Dakki Mohamed , Devos Koen , Domsa Cristi , Encarnação Vitor , Erciyas-Yavuz Kiraz , Faragó Sándor , Frost Teresa , Gaudard Clemence , Gosztonyi Lívia , Haas Fredrik , Hornman Menno , Langendoen Tom , Ieronymidou Christina , Kostyushin Vasiliy A. , Lewis Lesley J. , Lorentsen Svein-Håkon , Luiujoe Leho , Meissner Włodzimierz , Mikuska Tibor , Molina Blas , Musilová Zuzana , Natykanets Viktor , Paquet Jean-Yves , Petkov Nicky , Portolou Danae , Ridzoň Jozef , Sayoud Samir , Šćiban Marko , Sniauksta Laimonas , Stīpniece Antra , Strebel Nicolas , Teufelbauer Norbert , Topić Goran , Uzunova Danka , Vizi Andrej , Wahl Johannes , Zenatello Marco , Brommer Jon E.
Published: April 2021

Climate warming is driving changes in species distributions, although many species show a so-called climatic debt, where their range shifts lag behind the fast shift in temperature isoclines. Protected areas (PAs) may impact the rate of distribution changes both positively and negatively. At the cold edges of species distributions, PAs can facilitate species distribution changes by increasing the colonization required for distribution change. At the warm edges, PAs can mitigate the loss of species, by reducing the local extinction of vulnerable species. To assess the importance of PAs to affect species distribution change, we evaluated the changes in a non-breeding waterbird community as a response to temperature increase and PA status, using changes of species occurrence in the Western-Palearctic over 25 years (97 species, 7,071 sites, 39 countries, 1993– 2017). We used a community temperature index (CTI) framework based on species thermal affinities to investigate the species turn-over induced by temperature increase. In addition, we measured whether the thermal community adjustment was led by cold-dwelling species extinction and/or warm-dwelling species colonization, by modelling the change in standard deviation of the CTI (CTIsd). Using linear mixed-effects models, we investigated whether communities within PAs had lower climatic debt and different patterns of community change regarding the local PA surface. Thanks to the combined use of the CTI and CTIsd, we found that communities inside PAs had more species, higher colonization, lower extinction and the climatic debt was 16% lower than outside PAs. The results suggest the importance of PAs to facilitate warm-dwelling species colonization and attenuate cold-dwelling species extinction. The community adjustment was however not sufficiently fast to keep pace with the strong temperature increase in central and northeastern Western-Palearctic regions. Our study underlines the potential of the combined CTI and CTIsdmetrics to understand the colonization-extinction patterns driven by climate warming.
The dorsal blastopore lip is a source of signals inducing PCP in theXenopusneural plate
Authors: Mancini Pamela , Ossipova Olga , Sokol Sergei Y.
Published: April 2021

Coordinated polarization of cells in the tissue plane, known as planar cell polarity (PCP), is associated with a signaling pathway critical for the control of morphogenetic processes. Although the segregation of PCP components to opposite cell borders is believed to play a critical role in this pathway, whether PCP derives from egg polarity or preexistent long-range gradient, or forms in response to a localized cue remains a challenging question. Here we investigate theXenopusneural plate, a tissue that has been previously shown to exhibit PCP. By imaging Vangl2 and Prickle3, we show that PCP is progressively acquired in the neural plate and requires a signal from the posterior region of the embryo. Tissue transplantations indicated that PCP is triggered in the neural plate by a planar cue from the dorsal blastopore lip. The PCP cue did not depend on the orientation of the graft and was distinct from neural inducers. These observations suggest that neuroectodermal PCP is not instructed by a preexisting molecular gradient, but induced by a signal from the dorsal blastopore lip.

Highlights

TheXenopusneural plate progressively acquires PCP in a posterior-to-anterior direction.

The dorsal blastopore lip is likely the source of the PCP-instructing signal for theXenopusneural plate.

The PCP cue is distinct from neural inducers and has a planar mode of transmission.
The effects of epigallocatechin gallate and caffeine on risky decision-making
Authors: Liley A. E. , Joyner H. , Gabriel D. B. K. , Simon N. W.
Published: April 2021

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) and caffeine are the two primary compounds found in green tea. While EGCG has anxiolytic and anti-inflammatory effects, its acute effects on cognition are not well understood. Furthermore, despite widespread green tea consumption, little is known about how EGCG and caffeine co-administration impact behavior. Here, we investigated the effects of multiple doses of either EGCG or caffeine on a rat model of risk-taking. This was assessed using the risky decision-making task (RDT), in which rats choose between a small, safe reward and a large reward with escalating risk of mild footshock. Rats were tested in RDT after acute systemic administration of EGCG, caffeine, or joint EGCG and caffeine. EGCG caused a dose dependent reduction in risk-taking without affecting reward discrimination or task engagement. Caffeine did not impact risk taking, but elevated locomotor activity and reduced task engagement at high doses. Finally, exposure to both EGCG and caffeine had no effect on risk-taking, suggesting that low-dose caffeine is sufficient to mask the risk-aversion caused by EGCG. These data suggest EGCG as a potential therapeutic treatment for psychological disorders that induce compulsive risky decision-making.
Dedifferentiation alters chondrocyte nuclear mechanics during in vitro culture and expansion
Authors: Ghosh Soham , Scott Adrienne K. , Seelbinder Benjamin , Barthold Jeanne E. , St. Martin Brittany M , Kaonis Samantha , Schneider Stephanie E. , Henderson Jonathan T. , Neu Corey P.
Published: April 2021

Dedifferentiation of chondrocytes duringin vitropassaging before implantation, and post implantationin vivo, is a critical limitation in cartilage tissue engineering. Several biophysical features define the dedifferentiated state including a flattened cell morphology and increased stress fiber formation. However, how dedifferentiation influences nuclear mechanics, and the possible long-term implications of this state, are unknown. In this study, we investigated how chondrocyte dedifferentiation affects the mechanics of the chromatin architecture inside the cell nucleus and the gene expression of the structural proteins located at the nuclear envelope. Through an experimental model of cell stretching and a detailed spatial intranuclear strain quantification, we identified that strain is amplified and distribution of strain within the chromatin is altered under tensile loading in the dedifferentiated state. Further, using a confocal microscopy image-based finite element model and simulation of cell stretching, we found that the cell shape is the primary determinant of the strain amplification inside the chondrocyte nucleus in the dedifferentiated state. Additionally, we found that nuclear envelope proteins have lower gene expression in the dedifferentiated state suggesting a weaker nuclear envelope which can further intensify the intranuclear strain amplification. Our results indicate that dedifferentiation and altered nuclear strain could promote gene expression changes at the nuclear envelope, thus promoting further deviation from chondrocyte phenotype. This study highlights the role of cell shape on nuclear mechanics and lays the groundwork to design biophysical strategies for the maintenance and enhancement of the chondrocyte phenotype during expansion with a goal of successful cartilage tissue engineering.

SIGNIFICANCE

Chondrocytes dedifferentiate into a fibroblast-like phenotype in a non-native biophysical environment. Using high resolution microscopy, intranuclear strain analysis, finite element method based computational modeling, and molecular biology techniques, we investigated how mechanical force causes abnormal intranuclear strain distribution in chondrocytes during the dedifferentiation process. Overall, our results suggest that the altered cell geometry aided by an altered or weakened nuclear envelope structure are responsible for abnormal intranuclear strain during chondrocyte dedifferentiation that can further deviate chondrocytes to a more dedifferentiated state.
Modeling breast cancer by grafting patient tumor samples in the avian embryo: anin vivoplatform for therapy evaluation coupled to large scale molecular analyses
Authors: Jarrosson Loraine , Costechareyre Clélia , Gallix Fanny , Ciré Séverine , Gay Fabien , Imbaud Olivier , Marangoni Elisabetta , Aguéra Karine , Delloye-Bourgeois Céline , Castellani Valérie
Published: April 2021

Lack of preclinical patient-derived xenograft (PDX) cancer models in which to conduct large scale molecular studies seriously impairs the development of effective personalized therapies. We report here on anin vivoconcept consisting of implanting human tumor cells in targeted tissues of an avian embryo, delivering therapeutics, evaluating their efficacy by measuring tumors using light sheet confocal microscopy, and conducting large scale RNAseq analysis to characterize therapeutic-induced changes in gene expression. The model was established to recapitulate triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) and validated using TNBC standards of care (SOCs) and an investigational therapeutic agent.
Chemo-Mechanical Cues Modulate Nano-Scale Chromatin Organization in Healthy and Diseased Connective Tissue Cells
Authors: Heo Su-Jin , Thakur Shreyasi , Chen Xingyu , Loebel Claudia , Xia Boao , McBeath Rowena , Burdick Jason A. , Shenoy Vivek B. , Mauck Robert L. , Lakadamyali Melike
Published: April 2021

Microscale changes in tissue environment are translated to changes in cell behavior and phenotype, yet the mechanisms behind how these phenotypic changes occur are poorly understood. Here, we describe and model chromatin, which stores genetic information within the cell nucleus, as a dynamic nanomaterial whose configuration is modulated by chemo-mechanical cues in the microenvironment. Our findings indicate that physiologic chemo-mechanical cues can directly regulate chromatin architecture in progenitor cell populations. Via direct experimental observation and modeling that incorporates phase transitions and histone methylation kinetics, we demonstrate that soft environmental cues drive chromatin relocalization to the nuclear boundary and compaction. Conversely, dynamic stiffening attenuates these changes. Interestingly, in diseased human fibrous tissue cells, this link between mechanical inputs and chromatin nano-scale remodeling is abrogated. These data indicate that chromatin dynamics and plasticity may be hallmarks of disease progression and targets for therapeutic intervention.
Third-generation sequencing revises the molecular karyotype for Toxoplasma gondii and identifies emerging copy number variants in sexual recombinants
Authors: Xia Jing , Venkat Aarthi , Bainbridge Rachel E. , Reese Michael L. , Le Roch Karine G. , Ay Ferhat , Boyle Jon P.
Published: April 2021

Toxoplasma gondii is a useful model for intracellular parasitism given its ease of culture in the laboratory and genomic resources. However, as for many other eukaryotes, the T. gondii genome contains hundreds of sequence gaps owing to repetitive and/or unclonable sequences that disrupt the assembly process. Here, we use the Oxford Nanopore Minion platform to generate near-complete de novo genome assemblies for multiple strains of T. gondii and its near relative, N. caninum. We significantly improved T. gondii genome contiguity (average N50 of ∼6.6 Mb) and added ∼2 Mb of newly assembled sequence. For all of the T. gondii strains that we sequenced (RH, ME49, CTG, II×III progeny clones CL13, S27, S21, S26, and D3X1), the largest contig ranged in size between 11.9 and 12.1 Mb in size, which is larger than any previously reported T. gondii chromosome, and found to be due to a consistent fusion of Chromosomes VIIb and VIII. These data were validated by mapping existing T. gondii ME49 Hi-C data to our assembly, providing parallel lines of evidence that the T. gondii karyotype consists of 13, rather than 14, chromosomes. By using this technology, we also resolved hundreds of tandem repeats of varying lengths, including in well-known host-targeting effector loci like rhoptry protein 5 (ROP5) and ROP38. Finally, when we compared T. gondii with N. caninum, we found that although the 13-chromosome karyotype was conserved, extensive, previously unappreciated chromosome-scale rearrangements had occurred in T. gondii and N. caninum since their most recent common ancestry.
A polarization-switch effect of silicon crystals under multiple-beam diffraction geometry
Authors: Tang Zheng , Zheng Lirong , Chu Shengqi , An Pengfei , Huang Xianrong , Hu Tiandou , Assoufid Lahsen
Published: April 2021

On the basis of rigorous dynamical-theory calculations, a complete X-ray polarization-switch effect of silicon crystals at the exact multiple-beam diffraction condition is demonstrated. The underlying physical mechanism of this unique phenomenon can be revealed using a simple multiple-wave propagation and interference model. The constructive and destructive interference of the multiple detoured-diffraction beams along the direction of the primary diffracted beam directly leads to the complete polarization switch. This phenomenon can be realized using both synchrotron and laboratory X-ray sources at many discrete wavelengths, and used to design a novel crystal-based polarizer to achieve a 90° polarization rotation.
Chemical and deep-frying oxidative stability of sunflower–red palm olein blends
Authors: Zulu Nombulelo , Kayitesi Eugenie , Ogundele Opeolu M.
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The effect of the addition of red palm olein (RPO) as a natural antioxidant to sunflower (SF) on chemical properties and deep-frying oxidative stability of resultant oil during storage.

Design/methodology/approach

RPO was added to SF at different levels 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 50, 75 and 100 (w/w), and potato chips were fried in oil blends repeatedly at 180 °C for 2.5 min for five days to evaluate the effect on chemical properties and oxidative stability.

Findings

The results revealed that linoleic acid and total polar compound (TPC) contents decreased in all RPO and SF resultant oil after five days of storage. Colour significantly (p = 0.05) decreased, while peroxide and iodine values were significantly lowered during storage. The oxidative stability increased significantly in the resultant oil. However, an increase in free fatty acid (FFA) before frying significantly reduced with repeated frying of resultant oil during storage. RPO (5–75%) therefore retards oxidative rancidity in the resultant oil after repeated deep frying and storage.

Originality/value

SF oil is high in polyunsaturated fatty acids but prone to oxidation upon heating and storage. RPO is an important ingredient used in industrial frying rich in phytonutrients and a better replacement to synthetic antioxidants. This study indicated that supplementing SF oil with RPO may be recommended to improve the oxidative stability of oils during frying.
A typology of urban speciality shops selling rural provenance food products – a contribution from Portugal
Authors: Silva Alexandre , Figueiredo Elisabete , Truninger Mónica , Eusébio Celeste , Forte Teresa
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore and typify the characteristics and diverse features of urban speciality stores selling rural provenance food, taking the case of three cities in Portugal.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was based on hierarchical cluster analysis, performed upon data collected from a survey to 113 shops, located in Aveiro (n = 15), Lisbon (n = 56) and Porto (n = 42).

Findings

The study identified three clusters of shops according to the type of rural provenance products sold, services provided and clientele characteristics: the wine focused, the rural provenance focused and the generalist. The study confirms that in Portugal, small food retail outlets, with different rural provenance patterns and degrees of specialization have considerably grown in large cities over the last decade.

Research limitations/implications

The study contributes to typifying urban speciality food stores selling rural provenance products and to addressing critical research gaps on this topic. The study highlights the dynamism of small food retail outlets and their significance, mediating and responding to changing patterns of food consumption in urban spaces.

Originality/value

This study contributes to a better understanding and characterization of food speciality shops in urban settings and their links with rural territories of provenance, an under-researched topic on the food retail literature.
Drivers and barriers of virtual reality adoption in UK AEC industry
Authors: Badamasi Abdulmalik Abubakar , Aryal Komal Raj , Makarfi Usman Umar , Dodo Mansir
Published: April 2021

Purpose

Virtual reality (VR) offers unique features of a three-dimensional (3D) model during early design stages in the virtual environment with immersive functions. Although the potential of VR is to increase the effectiveness and productivity of the project phases from initial concept design to detailed design preparation. VR adoption in the United Kingdom (UK) Architectural Engineering and Construction (AEC) sector is slow compared to other sectors. This research focuses on ascertaining the drivers and barriers of VR in construction projects in the UK.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopts an online survey design. It uses Bristol Online Survey (BOS) to create a structured questionnaire that is used to assess UK construction professionals using a convenience sampling technique. Therefore, researcher uses descriptive and inferential technique for data analysis and presentation based on Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) to analyze the questionnaire.

Findings

The research findings revealed the most significant barriers to VR adoption in UK construction industry were lack of skills/expertise and cultural change. Hence, the main drivers of VR adoption as rated by the professionals in the UK construction industry are improved safety, improved quality and improved productivity.

Practical implications

The identification and assessment of the drivers and barriers to VR adoption could advance VR adoption among construction professionals and other stakeholders of the UK AEC sector. This could also be extended to developing countries, given the status of VR as being in the developing stage.

Originality/value

This study provides valuable insights to construction professionals and stakeholders to plan actions that could enhance the drivers and mitigate the barriers of VR. This study's main contribution is to group and classify various drivers and barriers into easily understood categories, in order to potentiate the drivers and reduce the barriers effectively. The groupings could be used as benchmarks in similar studies in developing countries.
Urbanization in Saudi Arabia and sustainability challenges of cities and heritage sites: heuristical insights
Authors: Alqahtany Ali , Aravindakshan Sreejith
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the trajectories of the urbanization process in Saudi Arabia in its regional context from the unification of the country by King Abdul Aziz Al Saud in 1932 to the present time, and the urbanization impact on the status and management of cultural heritage in the Kingdom.

Design/methodology/approach

Our study design integrated a well-articulated theoretical frame of sustainability to gain a heuristical understanding of urbanization in Saudi Arabia, and its link to cultural heritage. The methodological approach was mixed in nature involving (1) literature search and review, (2) analysis of public documents and databases, (3) analysis of photographs and (4) expert interviews.

Findings

One of the most obvious findings reached in this study is that there is considerable trade-off between heritage site conservation, population and economic demand for increased urbanization. Hence, with increasing urbanization pressures, the value of the heritage site may be rethought based on Saudi Arabia's economic and cultural conservation perspectives.

Research limitations/implications

Since our data are mostly of textual narrative in origin, precise predictions were difficult or impossible for many reasons such as non-linearity, and non-equilibrium dynamics, context and scale dependence as well as the historical exigency of urbanization. However, the same theoretical framework can be applied to appropriate longitudinal/ time series data for predictive analyses, which can be taken up as a future research agenda.

Originality/value

This paper analyzes the urbanization process and sustainability challenges of cultural heritage sites employing a mixed methodological approach, embedded in a holistic theoretical framework of sustainability.
Health disparities among older women in India during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Tomar Aditi , Hossain Md Mahbub
Published: April 2021

Purpose

Older women in India continually experience disparities in health. The legally enforced lockdown in India has impacted both physical and psychosocial well-being of the populace. Amid the restrictions on mobility during the lockdown, older adults are presented with challenges such as impaired access to healthcare services, nonavailability of attendants and prolonged social isolation. Due to these challenges, disparities related to gender and age may considerably widen. The potential health threats may particularly afflict older women, who bear a disproportionate threat to illnesses, compared to their male counterparts.

Design/methodology/approach

This commentary explores how health threats among older Indian women may have worsened during the lockdown. The authors also propose recommendations for expanding health and social care to older women in India.

Findings

Approaches aimed at strengthening gerontological social work must be duly adopted, especially during the ongoing pandemic. Public institutions and development partners should utilize and if needed, overhaul existing resources and policies to adequately serve this marginalized group. Older women, especially those residing in unbearable circumstances, should be identified and brought under comprehensive care coverage within the social landscape.

Originality/value

This article proposes recommendations to foster gerontological social work among older Indian women.
Do female directors drive intellectual capital performance? Evidence from Indian listed firms
Authors: Smriti Neha , Das Niladri
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the significance of board gender diversity (BGD) on the firm's intellectual capital (IC) performance of 272 Indian firms listed on the National Stock Exchange during 2007–2019. Considering the recent regulatory amendment by the Indian regulatory system (Security Exchange Board of India, 2018) which mandates at least one female independent directors on boards of all listed companies.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on theories and literature reviews, hypotheses were developed. This paper uses the proportion of female director on board and proportion of female independent directors to measure BGD and modified value-added intellectual coefficient (MVAIC) methodology to measure firms' IC performance. Two-step system-generalised method of moment panel data regression analysis has been employed to identify the variables that significantly affect IC performance.

Findings

This paper finds female representation on boards has a significant impact on MVAIC; capital employed efficiency shows the strongest association with female directors on board, followed by structural capital efficiency and human capital efficiency, while relational capital efficiency shows no significant effect. The results further demonstrate that female independent director has a significant but negative impact on IC.

Research limitations/implications

As the study is limited to the listed firms of an emerging economy with a mandatory female quota for boards. Thus to increase the generalizability of findings, future research can be extended to include all listed and non-listed firms from another emerging economy with a mandatory female quota.

Practical implications

From the practical perspective, this study bridges the gap between theory and practice in terms of providing a deeper understanding to the policymakers and Indian regulatory bodies like the Ministry of Corporate Affairs and Securities Exchange Board on the importance of including female members on board as a vital contributing factor for leveraging firm's intangible performance.

Originality/value

Using resource dependency theory and agency, this study extends the literature on IC efficiency and female representation on boards by presenting the research outcome for Indian listed firms. This paper, addressing the recent changes introduced by Indian regulators and using the female independent directors on board, is amongst the first attempts to assess the relevance of BGD and IC performance. This issue has still not been discussed and analysed by researchers in India.
The influence of board social capital on corporate social responsibility reporting
Authors: Reguera-Alvarado Nuria , Bravo-Urquiza Francisco
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The main objective of this paper is to analyze the influence of multiple directorships, as a critical component of board social capital, on CSR reporting. This study also explores the moderating effect of certain board attributes on multiple directorships.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors’ sample is composed of Spanish listed firms in the Madrid Stock Exchange for the period 2011–2017. A dynamic panel data model based on the Generalized Method of Moments (GMMs) is employed.

Findings

Relying on a resource dependence view, the authors’ results highlight an ambiguously positive association between multiple directorships and the level of CSR reporting. In particular, this relationship is positively moderated by both board size and gender diversity.

Research limitations/implications

These findings contribute to academic debates concerning the value of board members intellectual capital. In particular, the authors emphasize the importance of board social capital, as well as the need to consider the context in which directors make decisions.

Practical implications

This evidence may prove helpful to firms when configuring the board of directors, and for regulators and professionals when refining their legislations and recommendations.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study that empirically analyzes the impact of an important element of board social capital, such as multiple directorships, on CSR reporting, which has become crucial in financial markets.
Land‐use history alters the diversity, community composition and interaction networks of ectomycorrhizal fungi in beech forests
Authors: Correia Marta , Espelta Josep Maria , Morillo José A. , Pino Joan , Rodríguez‐Echeverría Susana
Published: April 2021

Forests have expanded across Europe over the last centuries as a consequence of farmland (agricultural and pasture) abandonment. Agricultural practices usually increase soil fertility and reduce the diversity and abundance of ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi, essential mutualists of many woody species in temperate and Mediterranean forests. The recovery of this biotic interaction after the cessation of human activities is, thus, crucial for the re‐establishment of functional forest ecosystems.

Here we addressed the legacies of past land use and the recovery of the mutualism between ECM fungi and Fagus sylvatica trees in recent beech forests (<50 years) in Northeast Spain. Soil and root samples were collected in six long‐established and eight recent beech forests to analyse soil abiotic properties and the ECM fungi associated with beech roots (Illumina DNA metabarcoding of ECM tips).

Up to 609 amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) of ECM fungi were identified, with 220 ASVs found in both forest types. Recent forests had a significantly lower soil organic matter and phosphorus content, which had a significant effect on the community structure of ECM fungi in beech roots. Moreover, beech trees in recent forests interacted with less fungal taxa but had a higher relative abundance of Ascomycota. Tarzetta spp. (Ascomycota, Pezizales) and Lactarius blennius (Basidiomycota, Russulales) emerge as the particular taxa associated with recent and long‐established forests respectively.

More specialized mutualistic networks with a lower species normalized degree were found in recent forests, which might result in a lower quality and resilience of the ECM mutualism.

Synthesis. Land‐use history modulated the mycorrhizal symbiosis in regenerating beech forests through changes in soil organic matter and nitrogen, which were the main drivers of the differences in fungal community composition and functional types associated with beech trees in recent forests.
Kaluza's Law and Secondary Stress
Authors: Goering Nelson
Published: April 2021

Kaluza’s law is a proposed restriction in the metre ofBeowulfagainst the resolution of light‐heavy sequences: words likecyning‘king’ can only resolve and count as the equivalent of a single heavy syllable under more restricted circumstances than can words such aswudu‘wood’. There has been debate about how to define these ‘restricted circumstances’, with many investigators claiming that this limitation holds only under ‘secondary stress’ (sometimes broadened to include subordinated stress in general). This article reviews the operation of Kaluza’s law inBeowulf, arguing that the correct conditioning is the position immediately following a heavy syllable. The level of stress carried by the (non‐)resolving sequence is irrelevant. A phonological explanation for this restriction may be that the resolution ideally produces bimoraic (light‐light) units; accordingly, resolution of light‐heavy sequences, which is anomalous from a typological and phonological perspective, is only permitted in word‐initial position, or in metrical equivalents.
US federal farm payments and farm size: Quantile estimation on panel data
Authors: Haque Samiul
Published: April 2021

The marginal effect of government payments on farm size of US corn/soy and wheat producers is currently contested. This paper uses a quantile estimator with a restricted access panel dataset. Payments are positively associated with farm size; the association is statistically significant at select percentiles of the farm size distribution, but the statistical significance is not systematically related to farm size. Although the marginal effect is qualitatively larger for bigger farms, their differences are not statistically significant. This study does not provide any empirical evidence to suggest that federal farm dollars cause (i) only large farms to grow bigger or (ii) large farms to grow more than small farms.
Fatal airway obstruction due to Ludwig's angina from severe odontogenic infection during antipsychotic medication: A case report and a literature review
Authors: Yamaguchi Rutsuko , Sakurada Koichi , Saitoh Hisako , Yoshida Maiko , Makino Yohsuke , Torimitsu Suguru , Mizuno Satomi , Iwase Hirotaro
Published: April 2021

Ludwig's angina is characterized by inflammation of the sublingual and submandibular spaces and is mainly caused by odontogenic infection, which leads to cellulitis of the soft tissues of the floor of the mouth and the neck. This causes asphyxia due to elevation and posterior deviation of the tissues of the floor of the mouth. We report a fatal case of airway obstruction due to Ludwig's angina. A woman in her forties who had no physical complications, but had a mental illness, was undergoing outpatient dental treatment for caries in the first premolar of the left mandible. She was admitted to a psychiatric hospital because of insomnia caused by pain, where she developed cardiopulmonary arrest while sleeping and died 14 days after onset of the dental infection. Postmortem computed tomography (PMCT) prior to autopsy showed swelling of the soft tissues—from the floor of the mouth to the oropharyngeal cavity, the supraglottic larynx, and the prevertebral tissue. Autopsy revealed a markedly swollen face and neck, an elevated tongue, and a highly edematous epiglottis and laryngopharyngeal mucosa. There was also cellulitis and abscess of the facial, suprahyoid, and neck musculature, which suggested that the cause of death was asphyxiation due to airway obstruction. This was an alarming case, with mental illness leading to risk of severe odontogenic infection, and in which obesity and use of antipsychotic medication might have acted synergistically leading to airway obstruction. This is also a case of Ludwig's angina captured by PMCT, which has rarely been reported.
Human resource management in China: what are the key issues confronting organizations and how can research help?
Authors: Zhao Chenhui , Cooke Fang Lee , Wang Zhen
Published: April 2021

The human resource management (HRM) environment in China has been undergoing significant changes due to institutional, demographic and technological changes and heightened business competition domestically and internationally. At the same time, traditional cultural values remain influential in workplace relationships and affect not only the configuration of HR practices but also the way they are perceived by the workforce. In this opening paper for the special issue on Human Resource Management in China, we highlight a few organizational phenomena and challenges to HRM in China, with implications for future research. We then outline several research directions that will reflect these changes and/or incorporate cultural values. Finally, we introduce five papers included in this special issue as exemplars to encourage more research with a focus on China but with relevance to other parts of the world.
Developing the capacity for a proactively self‐managed career: an analysis of aspiring new‐generation employees in Japan
Authors: Hennings Matthias , Zhu Ying , van der Veen Robert
Published: April 2021

In Japan there is a significant mismatch between the skills new‐generation employees possess and the skills employers expect, with Japanese employers reporting a lower average satisfaction with graduate skills than that reported globally. By drawing on the concepts of ‘future work self’ and ‘proactive career behaviour’, this paper compares and contrasts the similarities and differences between Japanese and international students who will enter the workforce soon and explores why such a big gap in skills exists. As the results show, due to their unique social and cultural background and the influence of their contextual environments, fewer Japanese students develop the knowledge and skills important to their futures in comparison with international students, making them largely reliant on the concept of an organisational career rather than a proactively self‐managed one. Better graduate outcomes require more tailor‐made career counselling services to support students. Students should also familiarise themselves with employers’ expectations regarding desired skills.