bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lyman-alpha spectroscopy of extreme [O iii] emitting galaxies at z ≃ 2-3: implications for Lyα visibility and LyC leakage at z > 6
Authors: Tang Mengtao , Stark Daniel P , Chevallard Jacopo , Charlot Stéphane , Endsley Ryan , Congiu Enrico
Published: March 2021

Spectroscopic observations of massive z > 7 galaxies selected to have extremely large [O iii] + H β equivalent width (EW ∼1500 Å) have recently revealed large Ly α detection rates, in contrast to the weak emission seen in the general population. Why these systems are uniquely visible in Ly α at redshifts where the intergalactic medium (IGM) is likely significantly neutral is not clear. With the goal of better understanding these results, we have begun a campaign with MMT and Magellan to measure Ly α in galaxies with similar [O iii] + H β EWs at z ≃ 2–3. At these redshifts, the IGM is highly ionized, allowing us to clearly disentangle how the Ly α properties depend on the [O iii] + H β EW. Here, we present Ly α EWs of 49 galaxies at z = 2.2–3.7 with intense [O iii] + H β line emission (EW = 300–3000 Å). Our results demonstrate that strong Ly α emission (EW >20 Å) becomes more common in galaxies with larger [O iii] + H β EW, reflecting a combination of increasingly efficient ionizing photon production and enhanced transmission of Ly α. Among the galaxies with the most extreme [O iii] + H β emission (EW ∼1500 Å), we find that strong Ly α emission is not ubiquitous, with only 50 per cent of our population showing Ly α EW >20 Å. Our data suggest that the range of Ly α strengths is related to the observed ellipticity, with those systems that appear edge-on or elongated having weaker Ly α emission. We use these results to interpret the anomalous Ly α properties seen in z > 7 galaxies with extreme [O iii] + H β emission and discuss implications for the escape of ionizing radiation from these extreme line emitting galaxies.
An ALMA survey of the SCUBA-2 Cosmology Legacy Survey UKIDSS/UDS field: halo masses for submillimetre galaxies
Authors: Stach S M , Smail I , Amvrosiadis A , Swinbank A M , Dudzevičiūtė U , Geach J E , Almaini O , Birkin J E , Chen Chian-Chou , Conselice C J , Cooke E A , Coppin K E K , Dunlop J S , Farrah D , Ikarashi S , Ivison R J , Wardlow J L
Published: March 2021

We present an analysis of the spatial clustering of a large sample of high-resolution, interferometically identified, submillimetre galaxies (SMGs). We measure the projected cross-correlation function of ∼350 SMGs in the UKIDSS Ultra Deep-Survey Field across a redshift range of z = 1.5–3 utilizing a method that incorporates the uncertainties in the redshift measurements for both the SMGs and cross-correlated galaxies through sampling their full probability distribution functions. By measuring the absolute linear bias of the SMGs, we derive halo masses of $\log _{10}(M_{\rm halo}[{h^{-1}\, \rm M_{\odot }}])$ ∼ 12.8 with no evidence of evolution in the halo masses with redshift, contrary to some previous work. From considering models of halo mass growth rates, we predict that the SMGs will reside in haloes of mass $\log _{10}(M_{\rm halo}[{h^{-1}\, \rm M_{\odot }}])$ ∼ 13.2 at z = 0, consistent with the expectation that the majority of z = 1.5–3 SMGs will evolve into present-day spheroidal galaxies. Finally, comparing to models of stellar-to-halo mass ratios, we show that SMGs may correspond to systems that are maximally efficient at converting their gas reservoirs into stars. We compare them to a simple model for gas cooling in haloes that suggests that the unique properties of the SMG population, including their high levels of star formation and their redshift distribution, are a result of the SMGs being the most massive galaxies that are still able to accrete cool gas from their surrounding intragalactic medium.
Osmium–arene complexes with high potency towards Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Coverdale James P C , Guy Collette S , Bridgewater Hannah E , Needham Russell J , Fullam Elizabeth , Sadler Peter J
Published: March 2021

The treatment of tuberculosis (TB) poses a major challenge as frontline therapeutic agents become increasingly ineffective with the emergence and spread of drug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). To combat this global health problem, new antitubercular agents with novel modes of action are needed. We have screened a close family of 17 organometallic half-sandwich Os(II) complexes [(arene)Os(phenyl-azo/imino-pyridine)(Cl/I)]+Y– containing various arenes (p-cymene, biphenyl, or terphenyl), and NMe2, F, Cl, or Br phenyl or pyridyl substituents, for activity towards Mtb in comparison with normal human lung cells (MRC5). In general, complexes with a monodentate iodido ligand were more potent than chlorido complexes, and the five most potent iodido complexes (MIC 1.25–2.5 µM) have an electron-donating Me2N or OH substituent on the phenyl ring. As expected, the counter anion Y (PF6–, Cl–, I–) had little effect on the activity. The pattern of potency of the complexes towards Mtb is similar to that towards human cells, perhaps because in both cases intracellular thiols are likely to be involved in their activation and their redox mechanism of action. The most active complex against Mtb is the p-cymene Os(II) NMe2-phenyl-azopyridine iodido complex (2), a relatively inert complex that also exhibits potent activity towards cancer cells. The uptake of Os from complex 2 by Mtb is rapid and peaks after 6 h, with temperature-dependence studies suggesting a major role for active transport.

Significance to Metallomics

Antimicrobial resistance is a global health problem. New advances are urgently needed in the discovery of new antibiotics with novel mechanisms of action. Half-sandwich organometallic complexes offer a versatile platform for drug design. We show that with an appropriate choice of the arene, an N,N-chelated ligand, and monodentate ligand, half-sandwich organo–osmium(II) complexes can exhibit potent activity towards Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the leading cause of death from a single infectious agent. The patterns of activity of the 17 azo- and imino-pyridine complexes studied here towards Mtb and normal lung cells suggest a common redox mechanism of action involving intracellular thiols.
Atomic carbon [C i](3P1–3P0) mapping of the nearby galaxy M 83
Authors: Miyamoto Yusuke , Yasuda Atsushi , Watanabe Yoshimasa , Seta Masumichi , Kuno Nario , Salak Dragan , Ishii Shun , Nagai Makoto , Nakai Naomasa
Published: March 2021

Atomic carbon (C i) has been proposed to be a global tracer of the molecular gas as a substitute for CO, however, its utility remains unproven. To evaluate the suitability of C i as the tracer, we performed [C i](3P1–3P0) [hereinafter [C i](1–0)] mapping observations of the northern part of the nearby spiral galaxy M 83 with the Atacama Submillimeter Telescope Experiment (ASTE) telescope and compared the distributions of [C i](1–0) with CO lines [CO(1–0), CO(3–2), and 13CO(1–0)], H i, and infrared (IR) emission (70, 160, and 250 μm). The [C i](1–0) distribution in the central region is similar to that of the CO lines, whereas [C i](1–0) in the arm region is distributed outside the CO. We examined the dust temperature, Tdust, and dust mass surface density, Σdust, by fitting the IR continuum-spectrum distribution with a single-temperature modified blackbody. The distribution of Σdust shows a much better consistency with the integrated intensity of CO(1–0) than with that of [C i](1–0), indicating that CO(1–0) is a good tracer of the cold molecular gas. The spatial distribution of the [C i] excitation temperature, Tex, was examined using the intensity ratio of the two [C i] transitions. An appropriate Tex at the central, bar, arm, and inter-arm regions yields a constant [C]$/$[H2] abundance ratio of ∼7 × 10−5 within a range of 0.1 dex in all regions. We successfully detected weak [C i](1–0) emission, even in the inter-arm region, in addition to the central, arm, and bar regions, using spectral stacking analysis. The stacked intensity of [C i](1–0) is found to be strongly correlated with Tdust. Our results indicate that the atomic carbon is a photodissociation product of CO, and consequently, compared to CO(1–0), [C i](1–0) is less reliable in tracing the bulk of “cold” molecular gas in the galactic disk.
Effects of fenofibrate therapy on renal function in primary gout patients
Authors: Li Xinde , Sun Wenyan , Lu Jie , He Yuwei , Chen Ying , Ren Wei , Cui Lingling , Liu Zhen , Wang Can , Wang Xuefeng , Ma Lidan , Cheng Xiaoyu , Han Lin , Li Hailong , Zhang Hui , Yuan Xuan , Ji Xiaopeng , Ji Aichang , Merriman Tony R , Li Changgui
Published: March 2021

Objective

To investigate the incidence and potential risk factors for development of fenofibrate-associated nephrotoxicity in gout patients.

Methods

A total of 983 gout patients on fenofibrate treatment who visited the dedicated Gout Clinic at the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University between September 2016 and June 2020 were retrospectively enrolled from the electronic records system. Fenofibrate-associated nephrotoxicity was defined as an increase in serum creatinine (SCr) ≥0.3 mg/dl within 6 months of fenofibrate initiation. The change trend of SCr and uric acid levels during the treatment period were assessed by a generalised additive mixed model (GAMM). Multivariate analysis was performed for risk factors affecting elevated SCr.

Results

A total of 100 (10.2%) patients experienced an increase in SCr ≥0.3 mg/dl within 6 months after fenofibrate initiation. The median change of SCr in the whole cohort was 0.11 mg/dl [interquartile range (IQR) 0.03–0.20], whereas it was 0.36 (0.33–0.45) in the fenofibrate-associated nephrotoxicity group. In a multivariable regression model, chronic kidney disease (CKD) [odds ratio (OR) 2.39 (95% CI 1.48, 3.86)] and tophus [OR 2.29 (95% CI 1.39, 3.78)] were identified to be risk predictors, independent of measured covariates, of fenofibrate-associated nephrotoxicity. During the treatment period, although SCr temporarily increased, serum urate and triglyceride concentrations decreased using the interaction analysis of GAMM. Of those with fenofibrate withdrawal records, the SCr increase in 65% of patients was reversed after an average of 49 days off the drug.

Conclusions

This observational study implied that fenofibrate-associated nephrotoxicity occurs frequently in gout patients, especially in patients with tophi or CKD. The potential renal risks of fenofibrate usage in gout needs additional research.
The burden of psoriatic arthritis in the biologics era: data from the Belgian Epidemiological Psoriatic Arthritis Study
Authors: de Vlam Kurt , Steinfeld Serge , Toukap Adrien Nzeusseu , van den Bosch Filip , Joos Rik , Geysens Piet , Leroi Hermine , Lories Rik
Published: March 2021

Objectives

To characterize the frequency of PsA subtypes, estimate the severity based on damage and inflammation and estimate the impact of PsA on patients’ health-related quality of life.

Methods

We conducted a longitudinal observational study in 17 academic and non-academic centres in Belgium. Patients with PsA fulfilling Classification Criteria for Psoriatic Arthritis were recruited. Three visits were scheduled: at baseline (T0), at 1 year (±1 month; T1) and at 2 years (±1 month; T2) of follow-up. Demographics, clinical data and patient-reported outcome measures were collected at T0, T1 and T2. X-rays of the hands and feet were collected yearly (T0, T1 and T2). X-rays of the spine were collected at T0 and T2. Here we report on the burden of disease based on the clinical data and patient-reported outcomes.

Results

A total of 461 patients were recruited; 73.5% had combined peripheral and axial involvement and 13.7% had hip involvement. Plaque psoriasis was predominant (83.9%). At inclusion, 42.7% and 58.8% had no tender or swollen joints, respectively. Dactylitis and enthesitis were still present in 13.7% and 24.1% of the patients, respectively. Patients was treated with DMARDs (68%) and/or anti-TNF (44.2%). Forty-three per cent of the patients had a state of minimal disease activity and 62% considered the actual state as satisfactory. The mean HAQ score was 0.7%, with 32.5% of patients having a normal score (<0.3).

Conclusion

Despite the availability of different treatment options, including biologics (anti-TNF), a substantial number of patients have active disease and have a high disease burden.
Do Community Water Sources Provide Safe Drinking Water? Evidence from a Randomized Experiment in Rural Bangladesh
Authors: Cocciolo Serena , Ghisolfi Selene , Habib Md Ahasan , Rashid S M A , Tompsett Anna
Published: March 2021

Health, and in turn income and welfare, depend on access to safe drinking water. Although the majority of rural households worldwide obtain drinking water from community water sources, there is limited evidence about how effectively these sources provide safe drinking water. This study combines a randomized experiment with water quality testing to evaluate the impact of a program that provides community deep tubewells in rural Bangladesh. The program reduces exposure to arsenic, a major natural pollutant, but not fecal contamination. Households may use fewer sources with fecal contamination, but any such effects are offset by recontamination through transport and possibly storage. The results suggest that while community deep-tubewell construction programs may reduce exposure to arsenic in Bangladesh, reducing exposure to fecal contamination may require interventions that go beyond community sources.
Whole-Genome Sequence Resource of Calonectria ilicicola, the Casual Pathogen of Soybean Red Crown Rot
Authors: Liu Hsien-Hao , Wang Jie , Wu Ping-Hu , Lu Mei-Yeh Jade , Li Jeng-Yi , Shen Yuan-Min , Tzeng Min-Nan , Kuo Chang-Hsin , Lin Ying-Hong , Chang Hao-Xun
Published: March 2021

Calonectria ilicicola (anamorph: Cylindrocladium parasiticum) is a soilborne plant-pathogenic fungus with a broad host range, and it can cause red crown rot of soybean and Cylindrocladium black rot of peanut, which has become an emerging threat to crop production worldwide. Limited molecular studies have focused on Calonectria ilicicola and one of the possible difficulties is the lack of genomic resources. This study presents the first high quality and near-completed genome of C. ilicicola, using the Oxford Nanopore GridION sequencing platform. A total of 16 contigs were assembled and the genome of C. ilicicola isolate F018 was estimated to have 11 chromosomes. Currently, the C. ilicicola F018 genome represents the most contiguous assembly, which has the lowest contig number and the highest contig N50 among all Calonectria genome resources. Putative protein-coding sequences and secretory proteins were estimated to be 17,308 and 1,930 in the C. ilicicola F018 genome, respectively; and the prediction was close to other plant-pathogenic fungi, such as Fusarium species, within the Nectriaceae family. The availability of this high-quality genome resource is expected to facilitate research on fungal biology and genetics of C. ilicicola and to support advanced understanding of pathogen virulence and disease management.

[Formula: see text] Copyright © 2021 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license .
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Antibodies in Neonatal Cord Blood After Vaccination in Pregnancy
Authors: Gill Lisa , Jones Cresta W.
Published: March 2021

BACKGROUND:

Studies evaluating the safety and efficacy of currently available vaccines for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) do not include pregnant participants. No data are available to counsel on vaccine safety and potential for neonatal passive immunity.

CASE:

A 34-year-old multigravid patient working in health care received the Pfizer-BioNTech (BNT162b2) mRNA vaccine for SARS-CoV-2 in the third trimester of pregnancy. Uncomplicated spontaneous vaginal delivery of a female neonate with Apgar scores of 9 and 9 occurred at term. The patient's blood as well as neonatal cord blood were evaluated for SARS-CoV-2–specific antibodies. Both the patient and the neonate were positive for antibodies at a titer of 1:25,600.

CONCLUSION:

In this case, passage of transplacental antibodies for SARS-CoV-2 was shown after vaccination in the third trimester of pregnancy.
Ageing and sociality: why, when and how does sociality change ageing patterns?
Authors: Korb Judith , Heinze Jürgen
Published: March 2021

Individual lifespans vary tremendously between and also within species, but the proximate and ultimate causes of different ageing speeds are still not well understood. Sociality appears to be associated with the evolution of greater longevity and probably also with a larger plasticity of the shape and pace of ageing. For example, reproductives of several termites and ants reach lifespans that surpass those of their non-reproductive nestmates by one or two decades. In this issue, 15 papers explore the interrelations between sociality and individual longevity in both, group-living vertebrates and social insects. Here, we briefly give an overview of the contents of the various contributions, including theoretical and comparative studies, and we explore the similarities and dissimilarities in proximate mechanisms underlying ageing among taxa, with particular emphasis on nutrient-sensing pathways and, in insects, juvenile hormone. These studies point to an underestimated role of more downstream processes. We highlight the need for reliable transcriptomic markers of ageing and a comprehensive ageing theory of social animals, which includes the reproductive potential of workers, and considers the fact that social insect queens reach maturity only after a prolonged period of producing non-reproductive workers.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Ageing and sociality: why, when and how does sociality change ageing patterns?’
Molecular regulation of lifespan extension in fertile ant workers
Authors: Negroni Matteo Antoine , Macit Maide Nesibe , Stoldt Marah , Feldmeyer Barbara , Foitzik Susanne
Published: March 2021

The evolution of sociality in insects caused a divergence in lifespan between reproductive and non-reproductive castes. Ant queens can live for decades, while most workers survive only weeks to a few years. In most organisms, longevity is traded-off with reproduction, but in social insects, these two life-history traits are positively linked. Once fertility is induced in workers, e.g. by queen removal, worker lifespan increases. The molecular regulation of this positive link between fecundity and longevity and generally the molecular underpinnings of caste-specific senescence are not well understood. Here, we investigate the transcriptomic regulation of lifespan and reproduction in fat bodies of three worker groups in the ant
Temnothorax rugatulus
. In a long-term experiment, workers that became fertile in the absence of the queen showed increased survival and upregulation of genes involved in longevity and fecundity pathways. Interestingly, workers that re-joined their queen after months exhibited intermediate ovary development, but retained a high expression of longevity and fecundity genes. Strikingly, the queen's presence causes a general downregulation of genes in worker fat bodies. Our findings point to long-term consequences of fertility induction in workers, even after re-joining their queen. Moreover, we reveal longevity genes and pathways modulated during insect social evolution.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Ageing and sociality: why, when and how does sociality change ageing patterns?’
Analysis of a small outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 using long-read sequencing
Authors: Greig David R. , Jenkins Claire , Gharbia Saheer E. , Dallman Timothy J.
Published: March 2021

Compared to short-read sequencing data, long-read sequencing facilitates single contiguous de novo assemblies and characterization of the prophage region of the genome. Here, we describe our methodological approach to using Oxford Nanopore Technology (ONT) sequencing data to quantify genetic relatedness and to look for microevolutionary events in the core and accessory genomes to assess the within-outbreak variation of four genetically and epidemiologically linked isolates. Analysis of both Illumina and ONT sequencing data detected one SNP between the four sequences of the outbreak isolates. The variant calling procedure highlighted the importance of masking homologous sequences in the reference genome regardless of the sequencing technology used. Variant calling also highlighted the systemic errors in ONT base-calling and ambiguous mapping of Illumina reads that results in variations in the genetic distance when comparing one technology to the other. The prophage component of the outbreak strain was analysed, and nine of the 16 prophages showed some similarity to the prophage in the Sakai reference genome, including the stx2a-encoding phage. Prophage comparison between the outbreak isolates identified minor genome rearrangements in one of the isolates, including an inversion and a deletion event. The ability to characterize the accessory genome in this way is the first step to understanding the significance of these microevolutionary events and their impact on the evolutionary history, virulence and potentially the likely source and transmission of this zoonotic, foodborne pathogen.
Case fatality risk of the SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern B.1.1.7 in England
Authors: Grint Daniel J , Wing Kevin , Williamson Elizabeth , McDonald Helen I , Bhaskaran Krishnan , Evans David , Evans Stephen JW , Walker Alex J , Hickman George , Nightingale Emily , Schultze Anna , Rentsch Christopher T , Bates Chris , Cockburn Jonathan , Curtis Helen J , Morton Caroline E , Bacon Sebastian , Davy Simon , Wong Angel YS , Mehrkar Amir , Tomlinson Laurie , Douglas Ian J , Mathur Rohini , Blomquist Paula , MacKenna Brian , Ingelsby Peter , Croker Richard , Parry John , Hester Frank , Harper Sam , DeVito Nicholas J , Hulme Will , Tazare John , Goldacre Ben , Smeeth Liam , Eggo Rosalind M
Published: March 2021

The B.1.1.7 variant of concern (VOC) is increasing in prevalence across Europe. Accurate estimation of disease severity associated with this VOC is critical for pandemic planning. We found increased risk of death for VOC compared with non-VOC cases in England (HR: 1.67 (95% CI: 1.34 - 2.09; P<.0001)). Absolute risk of death by 28-days increased with age and comorbidities. VOC has potential to spread faster with higher mortality than the pandemic to date.
COVID 19 Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of the Healthcare Providers in United Arab Emirates
Authors: Alghfeli Aljazia Khalfan , Al Zarouni Amal Abdul Rahim , Alremeithi Hamda Musabbah , Almadhaani Roqayah Abdulla , Alketbi Latifa Baynouna
Published: March 2021

Background

Health care providers at increased risk of COVID-19 infection, inadequate knowledge and practice about COVID-19, and infection control may lead to increased risk of disease transmission. Early diagnosis and appropriate management of COVID 19 cases is important in preventing transmission and improving patient outcomes. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, altitude, and practice of healthcare providers in the United Arab Emirates toward COVID-19 and to examine its determinants.

Method

A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practice (KAP) of Healthcare providers regarding COVID-19. The study was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic from of April 11 to July 23, using an online anonymous self-administered questionnaire.

Results

A total of 2371 healthcare providers responded to the survey. A total of 1091 worked in inpatient hospitals, 494 in primary health care, and 388 in emergency and ICU care. The overall performance score for all healthcare providers was as follows: 49.1%, poor score; 41.8 %, intermediate score; and 9.2%, good score with a mean result of 17.14. Factors leading to better overall performance scores were years of experience, pediatricians’ specialty, and specialist’s occupation. A total of 55.7% received good direct knowledge from all healthcare providers. In practice, 48% had good practices toward COVID-19. The overall attitude mean was 2.8, from a maximum score of 7, indicating a positive attitude toward COVID-19.

Conclusions

The study-demonstrated gaps in specific aspects of knowledge and practice that should be focused on in future education and HCP awareness. A structured training program targeting all HCPs is needed to have good clinical knowledge and practice about COVID-19.
The relationship between new PCR positive cases and going out in public during the COVID-19 epidemic in Japan
Authors: Takahashi Hiromichi , Terada Iori , Higuchi Takuya , Takada Daisuke , Shin Jung-ho , Kunisawa Susumu , Imanaka Yuichi
Published: March 2021

Suppression of the first wave of COVID-19 in Japan is assumedly attributable to people’s increased risk perception by acquiring information from the government and media reports. In this study, going out in public amidst the spread of COVID-19 infections was investigated by examining new polymerase chain reaction (PCR) positive cases of COVID-19 and its relationship to four indicators of people going out in public (the people flow, the index of web searches for going outside, the number of times people browse restaurants, and the number of hotel guests), from the Regional Economic and Social Analysis System (V-RESAS). Two waves of COVID-19 infections were examined with cross-correlation analysis. In the first wave, all four indicators of going out reacted oppositely with the change in new PCR positive cases, showing a lag period of –1 to +6 weeks. In the second wave, the same relationship was only observed for the index of web searches for going outside. These results suggest that going out in public could not be described by new PCR positive cases alone in the second wave, even though they could explain people going out to some extent in the first wave.
Differential Expression of α, β, and γ Protocadherin Isoforms During Differentiation, Aging, and Cancer
Authors: West Michael D. , Labat Ivan , Li Jie , Sim Pam , Janus Jeffrey , Mangelson Hayley , Sullivan Shawn , Liachko Ivan , Labhart Paul , Craske Maddy , Egan Brian , Chapman Karen B. , Malik Nafees N. , Larocca Dana , Sternberg Hal
Published: March 2021

The cadherin family of cell surface glycoproteins plays a fundamental role in cell-cell recognition, thereby participating in diverse biological process such as embryonic morphogenesis and oncogenic transformation. The subset of clustered protocadherin (PCDH) genes generated from the α, β, and γ loci, have been widely studied for their potential role in neuronal cell-cell recognition and neurogenesis, however their broader role in normal embryonic development and cancer has not been examined in detail. We utilized human embryonic stem (hES) cells to model early human developmentin vitro, comparing PCDH isoform transcription in diverse types of embryonic progenitors with normal adult-derived and cancer counterparts. Embryonic progenitors express genes from the α and β cluster at levels comparable to that seen in the CNS, while fetal and adult-derived cells express primarily from the γ cluster. Replicative senescence left fibroblasts with markedly lower expression of all isoforms. We observe that an embryonic pattern of clustered protocadherin gene expression and associated CpG island methylation is commonly associated with cancer cell lines from diverse tissue types. The differential regulation of the α, β, and γ loci coincide with alternate regions of DNA accessibility at CTCF binding sites and lamina-associated domains and CPL expression correlated with the expression ofLMNAandLMNB1. These observations support a potential role for the differential regulation of genes within the clustered protocadherin locus in selective cell-cell adhesion during embryogenesis, regeneration, cancer and aging.
Finite extinction for a doubly nonlinear parabolic equation of fast diffusion type
Authors: Sarkar Md Abu Hanif
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to find a doubly nonlinear parabolic equation of fast diffusion in a bounded domain.

Design/methodology/approach

For positive and bounded initial data, the authors study the initial zero-boundary value problem.

Findings

The findings of this study showed the complete extinction of a continuous weak solution at a finite time.

Originality/value

The extinction time is studied earlier but for the Laplacian case. The authors presented the finite extinction time for the case of p-Laplacian.
Serious games in business process management: a systematic literature review
Authors: Machado Leitão Thiago , Lima Navarro Leonardo Luiz , Flórido Cameira Renato , Silva Edison Renato
Published: March 2021

Purpose

This study conducts a systematic literature review (SLR) on serious games in the BPM domain, in order to answer: RQ1 – what are BPM games' learning objectives and design characteristics? RQ2 – How rigorously each BPM game was evaluated in terms of their effectiveness and entertainment?.

Design/methodology/approach

We followed the PRISMA statement method and systematic literature review standards. Selected studies were analyzed using qualitative evidence synthesis.

Findings

We found 37 references that describe 15 serious games within the BPM domain. Games are diverse, ranging from analog games that need a few hours to complete to complex digital games that require many sessions. Game evaluation should be generally improved as 27 publications can be considered as quasi-experimental or nonexperimental and potentially biased.

Research limitations/implications

Future research should focus on developing new games about process implementation and using other notations besides BPMN. More studies testing the reliability and validity of existing games in different settings and using more rigorous experimental designs are also necessary. Practitioners can identify thoroughly evaluated games relevant to their learning objectives.

Originality/value

This is the first SLR about BPM games. It consolidates the literature, analyzes, describes and categorizes 15 games with respect to their internal characteristics and evaluation reliability.
WeChat usage during COVID-19 pandemic lockdown: the mediating role of online self-disclosure on quality of friendship and well-being
Authors: Amosun Tunde Simeon , Jianxun Chu , Rufai Olayemi Hafeez , Muhideen Sayibu , Shahani Riffat , Shah Zakir , Koroma Jonathan
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate university students’ WeChat usage during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in relation to the mediating role of online self-disclosure on their quality of friendship and well-being. A model is proposed to explain how students’ interactions occur during the lockdown and the mediatory role which self-disclosure plays in influencing their socio-psychological markup.

Design/methodology/approach

The research model was tested empirically through a survey conducted online with 600 research participants, comprising of university students in China.

Findings

Results in structural equation modeling show that WeChat interaction significantly correlates with the quality of friendship, online self-disclosure but not significantly correlates with well-being, but an indirect relationship was found out in the mediation analysis. There is also a significant relationship between online self-disclosure, quality of friendship and well-being. Mediation analysis shows that online self-disclosure mediates the relationship between interactions on WeChat and quality of friendship; it also mediates the relationship between WeChat interaction and well-being. In all, the results achieved in this study will significantly help provide more insights in comprehending the nuances attached to some socio-psychological aspects of WeChat and how its usage affects people during the period of crisis.

Originality/value

Theoretically based investigation of WeChat usage among university students and its relationship with online self-disclosure, quality of friendship and well-being is still quite scarce, thereby underscoring the needs and significance of a theoretically based study in this regard. This study tested the credibility and validity of the proposed model in the context of the recent COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in China, which is one of the first in recent times.
How multidimensional emotional intelligence impacts intra-organizational knowledge sharing behaviours of employees?
Authors: Malik Shehla
Published: March 2021

Purpose

This study aims to assess the role of various emotional intelligence dimensions in stimulating two types of employee knowledge sharing behaviour – tacit knowledge sharing behaviour and explicit knowledge sharing behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

The causal relationships among the constructs were tested by applying quantitative research methods. A questionnaire-based survey was used to draw a sample from 10 information technology (IT) organizations in India. A data set of 308 usable questionnaires was analysed using structural equation modeling technique to test the hypothesized relationships among various constructs.

Findings

This study found that all four dimensions of emotional intelligence, namely, self-emotional appraisal, others’ emotional appraisal, use of emotion and regulation of emotion have a positive effect on tacit knowledge sharing behaviour of employees. In addition, explicit knowledge sharing behaviour was also positively influenced by others’ emotional appraisal and use of emotion. However, no significant effect was made by self-emotional appraisal and regulation of emotion on explicit knowledge sharing behaviour of employees.

Originality/value

Little is empirically known about the link between emotional intelligence constructs and knowledge sharing behaviours. This study brings new insights by assessing the role of different emotional intelligence dimensions on two different types of knowledge sharing behaviour. An interesting finding advances the understanding of knowledge sharing behaviours by indicating a greater variance in tacit knowledge sharing behaviour (caused by emotional constructs) as compared to explicit knowledge sharing behaviour.
From knowledge sourcing to firms’ productivity: investigating innovation value chain of Indonesian manufacturing firms
Authors: Hartono Arif , Singapurwoko Arif
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the innovation value chain (IVC) that encompasses knowledge sourcing, transformation and exploitation activities among Indonesian manufacturing firms by using data from the Indonesia Innovation Survey.

Design/methodology/approach

A simple approach of single equation Probit model, Logit regression and Tobit regression are used in the first, second and third stages of IVC consecutively.

Findings

This study finds the existence of a synergistic relationship between internal and external sources of knowledge as well as among external sources of knowledge. In terms of the second link of the IVC, internal R&D plays an important role that positively influences knowledge transformation into all types of innovation and innovation success. External knowledge that has a similar pattern in shaping innovation mainly comes from market and open sources. Scientific institutions tend to contribute to innovation negatively, and few positive impacts on process innovation are observed from government R&D and non-profit R&D institutions. Informal knowledge is more likely to influence technological than non-technological innovation.

Research limitations/implications

Finally, the limitations of this study need to be acknowledged. Issues related to firms’ sectors have not been discussed in this study, and as a result, sectors’ effects on the three links of IVC cannot be detected. This study is a cross-sectional in nature, as a result, the dynamic of Indonesian manufacturing firms’ IVC is missing. Hence, future studies may address this limitation by conducting a longitudinal study.

Originality/value

This study is different from the previous IVC studies owing to the following reasons. Firstly, in this study, a broader source of knowledge is tested. Secondly, the wider innovation (technological and non-technological innovation) is also assessed.
Deploying ambidexterity through better management practices: an investigation based on high-variety, low-volume manufacturing
Authors: Katic Mile , Cetindamar Dilek , Agarwal Renu
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Whilst capabilities in exploiting existing assets and simultaneously exploring new opportunities have proven essential in today's organisations, an understanding of how these so-called ambidextrous capabilities are deployed remains elusive. Thus, the authors aim to investigate the role of better management practices (BMP), as organisational routines, in deploying ambidextrous capabilities in practice.

Design/methodology/approach

High-variety, low-volume (HVLV) manufacturers are adopted as exemplar ambidextrous organisations. A conceptual model was developed where BMP, including human resource management (HRM) and production planning and control (PPC), are considered as mediators in the relationship between ambidextrous capabilities and organisational performance outcomes. Partial least squares structural equation modelling was adopted to analyse the results of a survey undertaken by Australian HVLV manufacturers.

Findings

The results suggest that merely holding ambidextrous capabilities is not enough – demonstrating a fully mediating role of BMP between ambidextrous capabilities and HVLV manufacturer performance outcomes. However, the individual effects of PPC and HRM prove varied in their unique impact on HVLV manufacturer performance.

Practical implications

This study also provides a rare account of how HVLV manufacturers can leverage their inherently ambidextrous design towards greater organisational performance and highlights critical considerations in the selection of organisational capabilities.

Originality/value

By exemplifying the explanatory power of BMP in ambidextrous capability deployment, this study moves beyond the more prevalent stance on the links between BMP and ambidextrous capabilities as that of capability building through management practices, to one concerning the deployment of the capability itself.
Post-acquisition control strategy and cross-border acquisition performance of Chinese MNEs: a fsQCA approach
Authors: Yue Qi , Deng Ping , Cao Yanyan , Hua Xing
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Post-acquisition control is a crucial factor affecting acquisition performance. We investigate how post-acquisition control strategy affects cross-border acquisition performance of Chinese multinational enterprises (MNEs) through a configurational perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on 70 cross-border acquisition cases by Chinese MNEs, we adopt fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to study the combined effects of strategic control, operational control, institutional distance, cultural distance, relative capacity and business relatedness on the cross-border acquisition performance.

Findings

On the basis of fuzzy set analysis of multiple interdependent factors, we identify six configurations that are conductive to achieving high cross-border acquisition performance and two configurations that relate to the absence of high performance, thus shedding light on the casually complex nature of performance drivers of acquisitions.

Originality/value

This study provides a holistic, configurational approach to investigating cross-border acquisition performance by emerging market firms. Our results provide some compelling evidence that accounts for the causal complexity of post-acquisition control strategies and acquisition outcomes in the context of emerging economies.
Forestry insurance preference among tree growers in the Ashanti Region of Ghana: a tobit and multi-nomial regression approach
Authors: Mensah Nicholas Oppong , Twintoh Jacqueline Joyce , Amrago Ernest Christlieb , Donkor Anthony , Anang Samuel Afotey
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The study analyses the preference for forestry insurance amongst tree growers in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. Specifically, the authors examine the factors influencing the amount of forestry insurance and the choice for forestry insurance types.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of one hundred and seventy (170) tree growers were sampled for the study. The tobit model, multi-nomial regression and Kendall's tau were employed to analyse the factors affecting the amount for forestry insurance, the choice for forestry insurance types and the perils to forest quality, respectively.

Findings

The results of the study indicate that the incidence of bush fire and theft were the key perils that affect forest quality. In total, 52.94% of respondents preferred forest plantation fire insurance as named-peril insurance whereas 70.59% preferred a combination of forest plantation fire, windstorm and consequential loss insurance as multi-peril insurance. The majority (89.4%) of the respondents were willing to pay an amount between Ghc 10.00–49.00 (US$ 2–8) per stand. On the one hand, results of the tobit model reveal age, income, experience in forest management, land ownership and the previous occurrence of fire as the factors affecting the amount for forestry insurance. On the other hand, the multi-nomial results indicate the previous occurrence of fire, gender, forest size, income and risk aversion significantly influenced the choice for forestry insurance types, namely named peril and multi-peril.

Originality/value

Several studies exist for forestry insurance in the developed countries. However, in West Africa specifically, Ghana, studies on forestry insurance appear to be non-existent. Above and beyond, this study, therefore, adds to the paucity of research on forestry insurance in Ghana and serves as a framework for agricultural insurance institutions such as the Ghana Agricultural Insurance Pool (GAIP) and World cover and other agricultural insurance institutions globally.
Trapped in limbo – Academics' identity negotiation in conditions of perpetual liminality
Authors: Winkler Ingo , Kristensen Mette Lund
Published: March 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the experiences of permanent liminality of academics and the associated multidimensional processes of identity negotiation.

Design/methodology/approach

The article draws upon a three-and-a-half-year at-home ethnography. The first author – as insider, participant and researcher – investigated the consequences of an organizational redesign that pushed members of a local university department into a situation of permanent liminality.

Findings

The paper describes how academics simultaneously followed multiple trajectories in their identity negotiation as a response to ongoing experiences of ambiguity, disorientation, powerlessness and loss of status.

Practical implications

Management decisions in higher education institutions based on administrative concerns can have adverse effects for academics, particularly when such decisions disturb, complicate or even render impossible identification processes. University managers need to realize and to respond to the struggle of academics getting lost in an endless quest for defining who they are.

Originality/value

The paper highlights the dual character of identity negotiation in conditions of permanent liminality as unresolved identity work through simultaneous identification and dis-identification. It further shows the multidimensionality of this identity work and argues that identity negotiation as a response to perpetual liminality is informed by notions of struggle and notions of opportunity.
Improving the classification accuracy using hybrid techniques
Authors: Saad Mowafy Mamdouh Abdel Alim , Elaraby Mohamed Shallan Walaa Mohamed
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Heart diseases have become one of the most causes of death among Egyptians. With 500 deaths per 100,000 occurring annually in Egypt, it has been noticed that medical data faces a high-dimensional problem that leads to a decrease in the classification accuracy of heart data. So the purpose of this study is to improve the classification accuracy of heart disease data for helping doctors efficiently diagnose heart disease by using a hybrid classification technique.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper used a new approach based on the integration between dimensionality reduction techniques as multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) and principal component analysis (PCA) with fuzzy c means (FCM) then with both of multilayer perceptron (MLP) and radial basis function networks (RBFN) which separate patients into different categories based on their diagnosis results in this paper, a comparative study of the performance performed including six structures such as MLP, RBFN, MLP via FCM–MCA, MLP via FCM–PCA, RBFN via FCM–MCA and RBFN via FCM–PCA to reach to the best classifier.

Findings

The results show that the MLP via FCM–MCA classifier structure has the highest ratio of classification accuracy and has the best performance superior to other methods; and that Smoking was the most factor causing heart disease.

Originality/value

This paper shows the importance of integrating statistical methods in increasing the classification accuracy of heart disease data.
Breast milk contains probiotics with anti‐infantile diarrhoea effects that may protect infants as they change to solid foods
Authors: Niu Haiyue , Zhou Xiaohong , Zhang Xuguang , Liu Tongjie , Wu Yifan , Lyu Linzheng , Liang Cong , Chen Shiwei , Gong Pimin , Zhang Jiliang , Han Xue , Jiang Shilong , Zhang Lanwei
Published: March 2021

Infants often experience complementary food‐induced diarrhoea (CFID), which occurs when infants switch from breast milk to solid foods. The relative abundances of Prevotella and Rothia were higher in stools of infants with CFID, while the relative abundances of Enterococcus and Escherichia were higher in healthy infants. The abundance of Lactobacillus spp. normally found in breast milk fed to infants with CFID was significantly reduced, and Enterococcus spp. were less abundant when diarrhoea occurred. Furthermore, Lactobacillus and Enterococcus were present as shared bacteria in both mother and infant, and they were considered potential anti‐CFID probiotics as their relative abundances in breast milk were negatively correlated to infant CFID. Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) functional analysis showed that the function of amino acid metabolism differed between infants with CFID and healthy infants. Therefore, CFID might be related to the decomposition of proteins in food supplements. The screening revealed seven hydrolytic casein and five hydrolytic casein and rice protein isolates from 320 suspected Lactobacillus and Enterococcus isolates. The animal experiments demonstrated that a mixture of five isolates effectively hydrolysed the casein and rice protein and prevented diarrhoea in young rats. Thus, the occurrence of CFID was found to be closely related to the intestinal and breast milk microbiota, and bacteria that could assist in the digestion of cereal proteins were involved in CFID.