bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimal test-assisted quarantine strategies for COVID-19
Authors: Peng Bo , Zhou Wen , Pettit Rowland W. , Yu Patrick , Matos Peter G. , Greninger Alexander L. , McCashin Julie , Amos Christopher I.
Published: November 2020

Objective

To evaluate the effectiveness of SARS-CoV-2 testing on shortening the duration of quarantines for COVID-19 and to identify the most effective choices of testing schedules.

Design

We performed extensive simulations to evaluate the performance of quarantine strategies when one or more SARS-CoV-2 tests were administered during the quarantine. Simulations were based on statistical models for the transmissibility and viral loads of SARS-CoV-2 infections and the sensitivities of available testing methods. Sensitivity analyses were performed to evaluate the impact of perturbations in model assumptions on the outcomes of optimal strategies.

Results

We found that SARS-CoV-2 testing can effectively reduce the length of a quarantine without compromising safety. A single RT-PCR test performed before the end of quarantine can reduce quarantine duration to 10 days. Two tests can reduce the duration to 8 days, and three highly sensitive RT-PCR tests can justify a 6-day quarantine. More strategic testing schedules and longer quarantines are needed if tests are administered with less sensitive RT-PCR tests or antigen tests. Shorter quarantines can be utilized for applications that tolerate a residual post-quarantine transmission risk comparable to a 10-day quarantine.

Conclusions

Testing could substantially reduce the length of isolation, reducing the physical and mental stress caused by lengthy quarantines. With increasing capacity and lowered costs of SARS-CoV-2 tests, test-assisted quarantines could be safer and more cost-effective than 14-day quarantines and warrant more widespread use.

RESEARCH IN CONTEXT

What is already known on this topic?

Recommendations for quarantining individuals who could have been infected with COVID-19 are based on limited evidence.

Despite recent theoretical and case studies of test-assisted quarantines, there has been no substantive investigation to quantify the safety and efficacy of, nor an exhaustive search for, optimal test-assisted quarantine strategies.

What this study adds

Our simulations indicate that the 14-day quarantine approach is overly conservative and can be safely shortened if testing is performed.

Our recommendations include testing schedules that could be immediately adopted and implemented as government and industry policies.

Role of the Funding Source

A major technology company asked that we perform simulations to understand the optimal strategy for managing personnel quarantining before forming cohorts of individuals who would work closely together. The funding entity did not influence the scope or output of the study but requested that we include antigen testing as a component of the quarantining process. Patrick Yu and Peter Matos are employees of Corporate Medical Advisors, and International S.O.S employs Julie McCashin. Other funding sources are research grants and did not influence the investigation.
Comparison of four methods to measure haemoglobin concentrations in whole blood donors (COMPARE): a diagnostic accuracy study
Authors: Bell Steven , Sweeting Michael , Ramond Anna , Chung Ryan , Kaptoge Stephen , Walker Matthew , Bolton Thomas , Sambrook Jennifer , Moore Carmel , McMahon Amy , Fahle Sarah , Cullen Donna , Mehenny Susan , Wood Angela M , Armitage Jane , Ouwehand Willem H , Miflin Gail , Roberts Dave J , Danesh John , Angelantonio Emanuele Di
Published: November 2020

Objective

To compare four haemoglobin measurement methods in whole blood donors.

Background

To safeguard donors, blood services measure haemoglobin concentration in advance of each donation. NHS Blood and Transplant’s (NHSBT) usual method has been capillary gravimetry (copper sulphate), followed by venous HemoCue® (spectrophotometry) for donors failing gravimetry. However, gravimetry/venous HemoCue® results in 10% of donors being inappropriately bled (i.e., with haemoglobin values below the regulatory threshold).

Methods

The following were compared in 21,840 blood donors (aged ≥18 years) recruited from 10 mobile centres of NHSBT in England, with each method compared with the Sysmex XN-2000 haematology analyser, the reference standard: 1) gravimetry/venous HemoCue®; 2) “post donation” approach, i.e., estimating current haemoglobin concentration from that measured by a haematology analyser at a donor’s most recent prior donation; 3) capillary HemoCue®; and 4) non-invasive spectrometry (MBR Haemospect® or Orsense NMB200®). We assessed each method for sensitivity; specificity; proportion of donors who would have been inappropriately bled, or rejected from donation (“deferred”) incorrectly; and test preference.

Results

Compared with the reference standard, the methods ranged in test sensitivity from 17.0% (MBR Haemospect®) to 79.0% (HemoCue®) in men, and from 19.0% (MBR Haemospect®) to 82.8% (HemoCue®) in women. For specificity, the methods ranged from 87.2% (MBR Haemospect®) to 99.9% (gravimetry/venous HemoCue®) in men, and from 74.1% (Orsense NMB200®) to 99.8% (gravimetry/venous HemoCue®) in women. The proportion of donors who would have been inappropriately bled ranged from 2.2% in men for HemoCue® to 18.9% in women for MBR Haemospect®. The proportion of donors who would have been deferred incorrectly with haemoglobin concentration above the minimum threshold ranged from 0.1% in men for gravimetry/venous HemoCue® to 20.3% in women for OrSense®. Most donors preferred non-invasive spectrometry.

Conclusion

In the largest study reporting head-to-head comparisons of four methods to measure haemoglobin prior to blood donation, our results support replacement of venous HemoCue® with the capillary HemoCue® when donors fail gravimetry. These results have had direct translational implications for NHS Blood and Transplant in England.
Gout, rheumatoid arthritis and the risk of death from COVID-19: an analysis of the UK Biobank
Authors: Topless Ruth K , Phipps-Green Amanda , Leask Megan , Dalbeth Nicola , Stamp Lisa K , Robinson Philip C , Merriman Tony R
Published: November 2020

Objectives

To assess whether gout and / or rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are risk factors for coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) diagnosis. To assess whether gout and / or RA are risk factors for death with COVID-19.

Methods

We used data from the UK Biobank. Multivariable-adjusted logistic regression was employed in the following analyses: Analysis A, to test for association between gout or RA and COVID-19 diagnosis (n=473,139); Analysis B, to test for association between gout or RA and death with COVID-19 in a case-control cohort of people who died or survived with COVID-19 (n=2,059); Analysis C, to test for association with gout or RA and death with COVID-19 in the entire UK Biobank cohort (n=473,139)

Results

RA, but not gout, associated with COVID-19 diagnosis in analysis A. Neither RA nor gout associated with risk of death in the COVID-19-diagnosed group in analysis B. However RA associated with risk of death related to COVID-19 using the UK Biobank cohort in analysis C independent of comorbidities and other measured risk factors (OR=1.9 [95% CI 1.2 ; 3.0]). Gout was not associated with death related to COVID-19 in the same UK Biobank analysis (OR=1.2 [95% CI 0.8 ; 1.7]).

Conclusion

Rheumatoid arthritis is a risk factor for death with COVID-19 using the UK Biobank cohort. These findings require replication in larger data sets that also allow inclusion of a wider range of factors.

Key messages

Information on the risk of death from COVID-19 for people with gout and rheumatoid arthritis is scarce.

In an analysis of the UK Biobank there is an increased risk of death related to COVID-19 for people with rheumatoid arthritis independent of included co-morbidities, but not gout.

The findings need to be replicated in other datasets where the influence of therapies for rheumatoid arthritis can be tested.
Annual and 16-day rangeland production estimates for the western United States
Authors: Jones Matthew O. , Robinson Nathaniel P. , Naugle David E. , Maestas Jeremy D. , Reeves Matthew C. , Lankston Robert W. , Allred Brady W.
Published: November 2020

Rangeland production is a foundational ecosystem service and resource upon which livestock, wildlife, and people depend. Capitalizing on recent advancements in the use of remote sensing data across rangelands we provide estimates of herbaceous rangeland production from 1986-2019 at 16-day and annual time steps and 30m resolution across the western United States. A factorial comparison of this dataset and three national scale datasets is presented, and we highlight a multiple lines of evidence approach when using production estimates in decision-making. Herbaceous aboveground biomass at this scale and resolution provides critical information applicable for management and decision-making, particularly in the face of annual grass invasion and woody encroachment of rangeland systems. These readily available data remove analytical and technological barriers allowing immediate utilization for monitoring and management.
The Effects of Strain and Estrous Cycle on Heroin- and Sucrose-Maintained Responding in Female Rats
Authors: Schmidt Karl T. , Sharp Jessica L. , Ethridge Sarah B. , Pearson Tallia , Ballard Shannon , Potter Kenzie M. , Smith Mark A.
Published: November 2020

Heroin intake decreases during the proestrus phase of the estrous cycle in female, Long-Evans rats. The purpose of this study was to (1) determine if proestrus-induced decreases in heroin intake extend across rat strains and (2) determine if proestrus-induced decreases in responding extend to a nondrug reinforcer. Female rats were implanted with intravenous catheters and trained to self-administer heroin. Estrous cycle was tracked daily for the duration of the study. During testing, Lewis, Sprague-Dawley, and Long Evans rats self-administered low (0.0025 mg/kg) and high (0.0075 mg /kg) doses of heroin (Experiment 1) and then self-administered sucrose (Experiment 2) on fixed ratio (FR1) schedules of reinforcement. Heroin intake decreased significantly during proestrus in all three rat strains under at least one dose condition; however, sucrose intake did not decrease during proestrus in any strain. These data indicate that responding maintained by heroin, but not a nondrug reinforcer, significantly decreases during proestrus in female rats and that these effects are consistent across rat strain.
Whole genome sequencing provides evidence of two biologically and clinically distinct entities of asymptomatic monoclonal gammopathies: progressive versus stable myeloma precursor condition
Authors: Oben Bénedith , Froyen Guy , Maclachlan Kylee H. , Leongamornlert Daniel , Abascal Federico , Zheng-Lin Binbin , Yellapantula Venkata , Derkach Andriy , Geerdens Ellen , Diamond Benjamin T. , Arijs Ingrid , Maes Brigitte , Vanhees Kimberly , Hultcrantz Malin , Manasanch Elisabet E. , Kazandjian Dickran , Dogan Ahmet , Zhang Yanming , Mikulasova Aneta , Walker Brian , Morgan Gareth , Campbell Peter J. , Landgren Ola , Rummens Jean-Luc , Bolli Niccolò , Maura Francesco
Published: November 2020

Multiple myeloma (MM) is consistently preceded by precursor conditions recognized clinically as monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) or smoldering myeloma (SMM). We interrogate, for the first time, the whole genome sequence (WGS) profile of 18 MGUS and compare them with those from 14 SMMs and 80 MMs. We show that cases with a non-progressing, clinically stable myeloma precursor condition (n=15) are characterized by later initiation in the patient’s life and by the absence of myeloma defining genomic events including: chromothripsis, templated insertions, mutations in driver genes, aneuploidy, and canonical APOBEC mutational activity. This data provides evidence that WGS can be used to recognize two biologically and clinically distinct myeloma precursor entities that are either progressive or stable.
Socio-economic disparities in social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
Authors: Garnier Romain , Benetka Jan R. , Kraemer John , Bansal Shweta
Published: November 2020

Importance

Eliminating disparities in the burden of COVID-19 requires equitable access to control measures across socio-economic groups. Limited research on socio-economic differences in mobility hampers our ability to understand whether inequalities in social distancing are occurring during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

Objective

To assess how mobility patterns have varied across the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic, and identify associations with socio-economic factors of populations.

Design, Setting, and Participants

We used anonymized mobility data from tens of millions of devices to measure the speed and depth of social distancing at the county level between February and May 2020. Using linear mixed models, we assessed the associations between social distancing and socio-economic variables, including the proportion of people below the poverty level, the proportion of Black people, the proportion of essential workers, and the population density.

Main outcomes and Results

We find that the speed, depth, and duration of social distancing in the United States is heterogeneous. We particularly show that social distancing is slower and less intense in counties with higher proportions of people below the poverty level and essential workers; and in contrast, that social distancing is intense in counties with higher population densities and larger Black populations.

Conclusions and relevance

Socio-economic inequalities appear to be associated with the levels of adoption of social distancing, potentially resulting in wide-ranging differences in the impact of COVID-19 in communities across the United States. This is likely to amplify existing health disparities, and needs to be addressed to ensure the success of ongoing pandemic mitigation efforts.
Assembly of higher-order SMN oligomers is essential for metazoan viability and requires an exposed structural motif present in the YG zipper dimer
Authors: Gupta Kushol , Wen Ying , Ninan Nisha S. , Raimer Amanda C. , Sharp Robert , Spring Ashlyn M. , Sarachan Kathryn L. , Johnson Meghan C. , Van Duyne Gregory D. , Matera A. Gregory
Published: November 2020

Protein oligomerization is one mechanism by which homogenous solutions can separate into distinct liquid phases, enabling assembly of membraneless organelles. Survival Motor Neuron (SMN) is the eponymous component of a large macromolecular complex that chaperones biogenesis of eukaryotic ribonucleoproteins, and localizes to distinct membraneless organelles in both the nucleus and cytoplasm. SMN forms the oligomeric core of this complex, and missense mutations within its YG box domain are known to cause Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). The SMN YG box utilizes a variation of the glycine zipper motif to form dimers, but the mechanism of higher-order oligomerization remains unknown. Here, we use a combination of molecular genetic, bioinformatic, biophysical, and computational approaches to show that formation of higher-order SMN oligomers depends on a set of YG box residues that are not involved in dimerization. Mutation of key residues within this new structural motif restricts assembly of SMN to dimers and causes locomotor dysfunction and viability defects in animal models.
Predicting drug resistance inM. tuberculosisusing a Long-term Recurrent Convolutional Network
Authors: Safari Amir Hosein , Sedaghat Nafiseh , Zabeti Hooman , Forna Alpha , Chindelevitch Leonid , Libbrecht Maxwell
Published: November 2020

Motivation

Drug resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) is a growing threat to human health worldwide. One way to mitigate the risk of drug resistance is to enable clinicians to prescribe the right antibiotic drugs to each patient through methods that predict drug resistance in MTB using whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data. Existing machine learning methods for this task typically convert the WGS data from a given bacterial isolate into features corresponding to single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) or short sequence segments of a fixed lengthK(K-mers). Here, we introduce a gene burden-based method for predicting drug resistance in TB. We define one numerical feature per gene corresponding to the number of mutations in that gene in a given isolate. This representation greatly reduces the number of model parameters. We further propose a model architecture that considers both gene order and locality structure through a Long-term Recurrent Convolutional Network (LRCN) architecture, which combines convolutional and recurrent layers.

Results

We find that using these strategies yields a substantial, statistically significant improvement over state-of-the-art methods on a large dataset ofM. tuberculosisisolates, and suggest that this improvement is driven by our method’s ability to account for the order of the genes in the genome and their organization into operons.

Availability

The implementations of our feature preprocessing pipeline1and our LRCN model2are publicly available, as is our complete dataset3.

Supplementary information

Additional data are available in theSupplementary Materialsdocument4.
The diagonal band of broca regulates olfactory-mediated behaviors by modulating odor-evoked responses within the olfactory bulb
Authors: Schwarz Inna , Müller Monika , Pavlova Irina , Schweihoff Jens , Musacchio Fabrizio , Mittag Manuel , Fuhrmann Martin , Schwarz Martin K.
Published: November 2020

Sensory perception is modulated in a top-down fashion by higher brain regions to regulate the strength of its own input resulting in the adaptation of behavioral responses. In olfactory perception, the horizontal diagonal band of broca (HDB), embedded in the basal forebrain modulates olfactory information processing by recruiting olfactory bulb (OB) interneurons to shape excitatory OB output. Currently, little is known about how specific HDB to OB top-down signaling affects complex olfactory-mediated behaviors. Here we show that the olfactory bulb is strongly and differentially innervated by HDB projections. HDB-silencing via tetanus toxin light chain led to reduced odor-evoked Ca2+-responses in glomeruli of the OB, underscoring HDB’s role in odor response modulation. Furthermore, selective, light-mediated silencing of HDB to OB afferents completely prevented olfactory-mediated habituation and discrimination behaviors. Notably, also social habituation and discrimination behaviors were affected. Mono-transsynaptic tracing studies indicated a robust HDB innervation from the paraventricular nucleus (PVN). Here we provide evidence for a novel tri-synaptic PVN-HDB-OB axis responsible for modulating these types of behavior. Thus, HDB to OB projections constitute a central top-down pathway for olfactory-mediated habituation and discrimination behaviors.
TSC1loss-of-function increases risk for tauopathy by inducing tau acetylation and preventing autophagy-mediated tau clearance
Authors: Alquezar Carolina , Schoch Kathleen M , Geier Ethan G , Ramos Eliana Marisa , Scrivo Aurora , Li Kathy , Argouarch Andrea R , Mlynarski Elisabeth E , Dombroski Beth , Yokoyama Jennifer S , Cuervo Ana M , Burlingame Alma L , Schellenberg Gerard D , Miller Timothy M , Miller Bruce L , Kao Aimee W
Published: November 2020

Age-associated neurodegenerative disorders demonstrating tau-laden intracellular inclusions, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), are collectively known as tauopathies. The vast majority of human tauopathies accumulate non-mutant tau rather than mutant forms of the protein, yet cell and animal models for non-mutant tauopathies are lacking. We previously linked a monoallelic mutation in theTSC1gene to tau accumulation and FTLD. Now, we have identified new variants inTSC1that predisposed to other tauopathies such as AD and PSP. These newTSC1risk variants significantly decreased the half-life of TSC1/hamartinin vitro. Cellular and murine models ofTSC1haploinsufficiency (TSC1+/-) accumulated tau protein that exhibited aberrant acetylation on six lysine residues. Tau acetylation hindered its lysosomal degradation via chaperone-mediated autophagy leading to neuronal tau accumulation. Enhanced tau acetylation inTSC1+/- models was achieved through both an increase in p300 acetyltransferase activity and a decrease in SIRT1 deacetylase levels. Pharmacological modulation of either enzyme restored tau levels. Together, these studies substantiateTSC1as a novel tauopathy risk gene and advanceTSC1haploinsufficiency as a new genetic model for tauopathy. In addition, these results promote acetylated tau as a rational target for diagnostic and therapeutic modalities in multiple tauopathies.
The need for alternative plant species interaction models
Authors: Damgaard Christian , Weiner Jacob
Published: November 2020

The limitations of classical Lotka-Volterra models for analyzing and interpreting competitive interactions among plant species have become increasingly clear in recent years. Three problems that have been identified are (1) the absence of frequency dependence, which is important for long-term coexistence of species, (2) the need to take unmeasured (often unmeasurable) variables influencing individual performance into account (e.g. spatial variation in soil nutrients or pathogens) and (3) the need to separate measurement error from biological variation. We modify the classical Lotka-Volterra competition models to address these limitations and we fit 8 alternative models to pin-point cover data onFestuca ovinaandAgrostis capillarisover 3 years in a herbaceous plant community in Denmark, applying a Bayesian modelling framework to ascertain whether the model amendments improve the performance of the models and increase their ability to predict community dynamics and therefore to test hypotheses. Inclusion of frequency dependence and measurement error improved model performance greatly but taking possible unmeasured variables into account did not. Our results emphasize the importance of comparing alternative models in quantitative studies of plant community dynamics. Only by comparing alternative models can we identify the forces driving community assembly and change and improve our ability to predict the behavior of plant communities.
Leveraging the Mendelian Disorders of the Epigenetic Machinery to Systematically Map Functional Epigenetic Variation
Authors: Luperchio Teresa R. , Boukas Leandros , Zhang Li , Pilarowski Genay O. , Jiang Jenny , Kalinousky Allison , Hansen Kasper D. , Bjornsson Hans T.
Published: November 2020

The Mendelian Disorders of the Epigenetic Machinery (MDEMs) have emerged as a class of Mendelian disorders caused by loss-of-function variants in epigenetic regulators. Although each MDEM has a different causative gene, they exhibit several overlapping disease manifestations. Here, we hypothesize that this phenotypic convergence is a consequence of common abnormalities at the epigenomic level, which directly or indirectly lead to downstream convergence at the transcriptomic level. Therefore, we seek to identify abnormalities shared across multiple MDEMs, in order to pinpoint locations where epigenetic variation is causally related to disease phenotypes. To this end, we perform a comprehensive interrogation of chromatin (ATAC-Seq) and expression (RNA-Seq) states in B cells from mouse models of three MDEMs (Kabuki types 1&2 and Rubinstein-Taybi syndromes). We build on recent work in covariate-powered multiple testing to develop a new approach for the overlap analysis, which enables us to find extensive overlap primarily localized in gene promoters. We show that disruption of chromatin accessibility at promoters often leads to disruption of downstream gene expression, and identify 463 loci and 249 genes with shared disruption across all three MDEMs. As an example of how widespread dysregulation leads to specific phenotypes, we show that subtle expression alterations of multiple, IgA-relevant genes, collectively contribute to IgA deficiency in KS1 and RT1. In contrast, we predict that KS2 does not have IgA deficiency, and confirm this observationin vivo. We propose that the joint study of MDEMs offers a principled approach for systematically mapping functional epigenetic variation in mammals.
Disproportionate CH4sink strength from an endemic, sub-alpine Australian soil microbial community
Authors: McDaniel M.D. , Hernández M. , Dumont M.G. , Ingram L.J. , Adams M.A.
Published: November 2020

Soil-to-atmosphere methane (CH4) fluxes are dependent on opposing microbial processes of production and consumption. Here we use a soil-vegetation gradient in an Australian sub-alpine ecosystem to examine links between composition of soil microbial communities, and the fluxes of greenhouse gases they regulate. For each soil-vegetation type (forest, grassland, and bog), we measured carbon dioxide (CO2) and CH4fluxes and their production/consumption at 5-cm intervals to a depth of 30 cm. All soils were sources of CO2, ranging from 49-93 mg CO2m-2h-1. Forest soils were strong net sinks for CH4at rates up to −413 µg CH4m-2h-1. Grassland soils varied with some soils acting as sources and some as sinks, but overall averaged −97 µg CH4m-2h-1. Bog soils were net sources of CH4(+340 µg CH4m-2h-1). Methanotrophs were dominated by USCα in forest and grassland soils, andCandidatusMethylomirabilis sp. in the bog soils.Methylocystiswere also detected at relatively low abundance. The potential disproportionately large contribution of these ecosystems to global CH4oxidation, and poorly understood microbial community regulating it, highlight our dependence on soil ecosystem services in remote locations can be driven by a unique population of soil microbes.

Originality-Significance Statement

(Identify the key aspects of originality and significance that place the work within the top 10% of current research in environmental microbiology)

Novel methanotrophic bacteria have been discovered in recent years, but few studies have examined the total known diversity of methanotrophs together with the net flux of CH4from soils. We used an ecosystem with a vegetation-soil gradient in the sub-alpine regions of Australia (with extremely strong consumption of atmospheric CH4) to examine microbial and abiotic drivers of CH4fluxes across this gradient. Recently characterized methanotrophs, either USCα in forest and grassland soils, or oxygenicCandidatusMethylomirabilis sp. in the bog soil were dominant. Methanotrophs belonging to the families Methylococcaceae and Methylocystaceae represented only a small minority of the methanotrophs in this ecosystem.
The DEAD-box RNA helicase Ded1 from yeast is associated with the signal recognition particle (SRP), and its enzymatic activity is regulated by SRP21
Authors: Yeter-Alat Hilal , Belgareh-Touzé Naïma , Huvelle Emmeline , Mokdadi Molka , Banroques Josette , Kyle Tanner N.
Published: November 2020

The DEAD-box RNA helicase Ded1 is an essential yeast protein involved in translation initiation. It belongs to the DDX3 subfamily of proteins implicated in developmental and cell-cycle regulation.In vitro, the purified Ded1 protein is an ATP-dependent RNA binding protein and an RNA-dependent ATPase, but it lacks RNA substrate specificity and enzymatic regulation. Here we demonstrate by yeast genetics,in situlocalization andin vitrobiochemical approaches that Ded1 is associated with, and regulated by, the signal recognition particle (SRP), which is a universally conserved ribonucleoprotein complex required for the co-translational translocation of polypeptides into the endoplasmic reticulum lumen and membrane. Ded1 is physically associated with SRP componentsin vivoandin vitro. Ded1 is genetically linked with SRP proteins. Finally, the enzymatic activity of Ded1 is inhibited by SRP21 with SCR1 RNA. We propose a model where Ded1 actively participates in the translocation of proteins during translation. Our results open a new comprehension of the cellular role of Ded1 during translation.
Telomere length dynamics in response to DNA damage in malaria parasites
Authors: Reed Jake , Kirkman Laura A , Kafsack Bjӧrn FC , Mason Christopher , Deitsch Kirk W
Published: November 2020

Malaria remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality within the developing world. Recent work has implicated chromosome end stability and the repair of DNA breaks through telomere healing as potent drivers of variant antigen diversification, thus associating basic mechanisms for maintaining genome integrity with aspects of host-parasite interactions. Here we applied long-read sequencing technology to precisely examine the dynamics of telomere addition and chromosome end stabilization in response to double strand breaks within subtelomeric regions. We observed that the process of telomere healing induces the initial synthesis of telomere repeats well in excess of the minimal number required for end stability. However once stabilized, these newly created telomeres appear to function normally, eventually returning to a length nearing that of intact chromosome ends. These results parallel recent observations in humans, suggesting an evolutionarily conserved mechanism for chromosome end repair.
Removing the C-terminal protecting group enlarges the crystal size: Z–(Gly–Aib)2–OH·H2O
Authors: Gessmann Renate , Brückner Hans , Petratos Kyriacos
Published: November 2020

The achiral tetrapeptide monohydrate N-(benzyloxycarbonyl)glycyl-α-aminoisobutyrylglycyl-α-aminoisobutyric acid monohydrate, Z–Gly–Aib–Gly–Aib–OH·H2O (Z is benzyloxycarbonyl, Aib is α-aminoisobutyric acid and Gly is glycine) or C20H28N4O7·H2O, exhibits two conformations related by the symmetry operation of an inversion centre. It adopts only one of two possible intramolecular hydrogen bonds in a type I (and I′) β-turn and forms a maximum of intermolecular hydrogen bonds partly mediated by water. The space group, the molecular structure and the crystal packing differ from two already described (Gly–Aib)2 peptides which vary only in the protecting groups. This structure confirms the high structural flexibility of Gly–Aib peptides and points to a strong relationship between intermolecular hydrogen bonding and crystal quality and size.
The diffusion of sustainability key performance indicators in a developing country context
Authors: Thoradeniya Prabanga , Ferreira Aldónio , Lee Janet , Tan Rebecca
Published: November 2020

Purpose

Drawing upon Abrahamson's (1991) typology of innovation diffusion, this study aims to investigate the factors underpinning diffusion of sustainability key performance indicators (SKPIs) in a developing country.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative study was conducted in Sri Lanka involving semi-structured interviews with managers, as users of SKPIs (demand-side), and both consultants and academics, as agents in diffusion process (supply-side).

Findings

Diffusion of SKPIs was found to be driven by efficient-choice considerations, with fashion motives intertwined with these. The diffusion was influenced by developing country context issues relating to market competition, education, government and culture. It was somewhat surprising that market forces played a key role to the extent they did. Minimal stakeholder pressure was found to undermine the diffusion process, contrasting with developed countries in which key stakeholders act as catalysts. The developing country context appears to slow down the pace, rather than alter the pattern, of diffusion of SKPIs.

Research limitations/implications

This study is limited by its focus on SKPI adopters, which does not permit to draw insights regarding motivations of non-adopters.

Originality/value

This study draws upon Abrahamson's typology to explore the diffusion of SKPIs in the poorly understood developing country context. The findings provide insights into driving forces behind diffusion of SKPIs, suggesting the developing country context creates “stickiness” that influences pace rather than the pattern of diffusion of SKPIs.
Preliminary research on sponge city concept for urban flood reduction: a case study on ten sponge city pilot projects in Shanghai, China
Authors: Feng Shuxian , Yamamoto Toshiya
Published: November 2020

Purpose

This research aimed to determine the differences and similarities in each pilot project to understand the primary design forms and concepts of sponge city concept (SCC) projects in China. It also aimed to examine ten pilot projects in Shanghai to extrapolate their main characteristics and the processes necessary for implementing SCC projects effectively.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review and field survey case study were employed. Data were mostly collected through a field survey in Shanghai, focusing on both the projects and the surrounding environment. Based on these projects' examination, a comparative method was used to determine the characteristics of the ten pilot SCC projects and programs in Shanghai.

Findings

Six main types of SCC projects among 30 pilot cities were classified in this research to find differences and similarities among the pilot cities. Four sponge design methods were classified into ten pilot projects. After comparing each project size using the same geographical size, three geometrical types were categorized into both existing and new city areas. SCC project characteristics could be identified by combining four methods and three geometrical types and those of the SCC programs by comparing the change in land-use and the surrounding environment in ten pilot projects.

Originality/value

The results are valuable for implementing SCC projects in China and elsewhere and future research on the impact of SCC projects.
Demanding dialogue in an unsettled settler state: implications for education and justice
Authors: Rudolph Sophie
Published: November 2020

Purpose:

The purpose of this paper is to examine the educational impulses and effects of Indigenous dialogue with the settler colonial state. Taking the Uluru Statement from the Heart, devised in May 2017 by a convention of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, as a starting point, and contrasting this with the 1967 Referendum campaign for constitutional reform, the paper explores the role of multiple forms and contexts of education during these processes of First Nations dialogue with the settler state.

Design/methodology/approach:

This paper draws on historical accounts of the 1967 Referendum and the 2017 Uluru Statement from the Heart.

Findings:

The paper demonstrates how education provided by the state has been used by First Nations peoples to challenge education systems and to dialogue with the settler state for Indigenous recognition and rights. It also illuminates the range of views on what education is and should be, therefore, contesting the neat and settled conceptions of education that can dominate policy discourse. Finally the historical cases show the deficiencies of settler state education through its failure to truthfully represent Australian history and its failure to acknowledge and confront the entirety of the consequences of settler colonial practices.

Originality/value:

This paper seeks to bring issues of education, politics and justice together to illustrate how the settler state and its institutions – specifically here, education – are part of an ongoing project of negotiation, contestation and dialogue over questions of justice.
Chronic pain management a fundamental human right: adaptation and examination of psychometric properties of pain anxiety symptoms scale among osteoporosis sample from Pakistan
Authors: Shuja Kanwar Hamza , Aqeel Muhammad , Sarfaraz Rimsha
Published: November 2020

Purpose

Chronic pain is a global community health and human rights issue. Proper health care is an important necessity for every human being and access for treatment is every human’s right. Likewise, it is significant that proper instruments should be administered to assess these clinical issues. It is equally necessary to reassess these tools accordingly to diverse cultures, especially subjective tools to check their validity and cultural specification. The purpose of this study is to adapt and examine the factorial structure of 20 items and three-factor structure, pain anxiety symptoms scale (McCracken and Dhingra, 2002). As literature evidence suggested of a three-factor structure (Cho, 2010).

Design/methodology/approach

Primarily, the scale was translated into Urdu language using the forward-backward method. Afterward, a reliability assessment and a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) for construct validity, on an osteoporosis patients’ sample (N = 250) was performed. Subsequently, an Obliman method exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was conducted on an osteoporosis sample (N = 500) for factor structuring followed by validity and reliability analysis.

Findings

The initial findings demonstrated a high internal consistency of the translated version of the scale (α = 0.85) and an acceptable test-retest reliability (r = 0.69). CFA displayed a high inter-correlation between scale and its subscales. However, CFA suggested a three-factor model. Consequently, EFA proposed a three-factor, 19 item scale, namely, behavioral; cognitive; and physical subscale, which demonstrated high alpha reliability (α.= 0.86). Other results indicated the scale to have a significant predictive and convergent validity for depression and positive and negative affect.

Originality/value

The present study is novel in its approach as the present study not only tried to adapt the original Pain Anxiety Symptom Scale to Pakistani culture but has also checked the factorial structure of the original scale. The results achieved in the process suggested a three-factor structure scale with 19 items in opposition to the original four structured, 20 items scale.
A case-study to examine doctors’ intentions to use IoT healthcare devices in Iraq during COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Alhasan Ameer , Audah Lukman , Ibrahim Ishaq , Al-Sharaa Ammar , Al-Ogaili Ali Saadon , M. Mohammed Jabiry
Published: November 2020

Purpose

Several countries have been using internet of things (IoT) devices in the healthcare sector to combat COVID-19. Therefore, this study aims to examine the doctors’ intentions to use IoT healthcare devices in Iraq during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

This study proposed a model based on the integration of the innovation diffusion theory (IDT). This included compatibility, trialability and image and a set of exogenous factors such as computer self-efficacy, privacy and cost into the technology acceptance model comprising perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, attitude and behavioral intention to use.

Findings

The findings revealed that compatibility and image of the IDT factors, have a significant impact on the perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness and behavioral intention, but trialability has a significant impact on perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness and insignificant impact on behavioral intention. Additionally, external factors such as privacy and cost significantly impacted doctors’ behavioral intention to use. Moreover, doctors’ computer self-efficacy significantly influenced the perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness and behavioral intention to use. Furthermore, perceived ease of use has a significant impact on perceived usefulness and attitude, perceived usefulness has a significant impact on attitude, which, in turn, significantly impacting doctors' behavior toward an intention to use.

Research limitations/implications

The limitations of the present study are the retractions of the number of participants and the lack of qualitative methods.

Originality/value

The finding of this study could benefit researchers, doctors and policymakers in the adaption of IoT technologies in the health sectors, especially in developing counties.
Visualizing differential principal turnover
Authors: Davis Bradley , Anderson Erin
Published: November 2020

Purpose

The authors demonstrate the usage of data visualization for conveying educational administration research, with a specific focus on differential principal turnover. They model when and how principals move, over time, between six categories of turnover.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors construct several easy-to-interpret alluvial diagrams that reveal the patterns of differential turnover among 1,113 first-time Texas principals. Furthermore, the authors investigate how these patterns differ across educator characteristics (i.e. race and sex) and school contexts (i.e. school level and campus urbanicity).

Findings

Half of all first-time principals turn over within two years. Most principals who stay in leadership roles leave the district where they were first entered the principalship. Men are promoted more and women turn over less. In a connected finding, the authors conclude that elementary principals turn over less, and middle and high school principals are promoted more often. Principals of color are demoted more often than White principals. Urban school principals exit the system at a greater rate than rural principals.

Originality/value

The significance of this study lies in its direct response to two problems facing the administrator turnover knowledge base – a lack of methodological accessibility and the underutilization of data visualization. The authors’ is the first study to contain visualization of differential turnover outcomes over time. Second, the authors’ study provides a blueprint for data visualization that not only creates new knowledge but also speaks to a wider variety of education stakeholders by presenting complex data in a visual format.
Estimating the value, ownership structure and turnover rate for investible commercial real estate from transaction datasets
Authors: Devaney Steven , Scofield David
Published: November 2020

Purpose

Commercial real estate (CRE) is a major investment asset. Yet detailed information on the value of investible CRE in different cities is lacking. The authors propose an innovative method to measure the value of investible CRE using transaction datasets.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors take transaction prices and index them to produce a time series of values for each asset. The sum of the values at each point represents the value of investible CRE at that date. The authors’ method is applied to transaction data for New York, London and Toronto.

Findings

London had the highest proportions of institutional and foreign ownership, and its turnover was more resilient to the downturn in global CRE following the GFC. The results illustrate the potential of the authors’ method to shed light on the characteristics of investible CRE markets.

Research limitations/implications

The authors use data from Real Capital Analytics (RCA). This provides good coverage of transactions for investible CRE in the cities that the authors examine, but data from other sources might lead to different estimates.

Practical implications

Measuring the value and turnover of investible CRE is important for portfolio strategies that account for the size and liquidity of investment markets. Knowledge of these features, and of ownership patterns, provides a better understanding of market operation.

Originality/value

The authors’ modification of the perpetual inventory technique is simple, novel and practical. The authors propose this approach given the absence of a building-by-building inventory of investible CRE in many markets.
Cost overruns and delays in infrastructure projects: the case of Stuttgart 21
Authors: Steininger Bertram I. , Groth Martin , Weber Brigitte L.
Published: November 2020

Purpose

We investigate causes for the cost overrun and delay of the railway project Stuttgart 21. Besides, we try to forecast the actual costs and completion date at an early stage.

Design/methodology/approach

The results of exploratory research show the causes for the cost overrun and delay of Stuttgart 21; we compare our findings with other railway projects. To estimate the costs at an early stage, the reference class forecasting (RCF) model is applied; to estimate the time, we apply an OLS regression.

Findings

We find that the following causes are relevant for the cost overrun and delay of Stuttgart 21: scope changes, geological conditions, high risk-taking propensity, extended implementation, price overshoot, conflict of interests and lack of citizens' participation. The current estimated costs are within our 95% confidence interval based on RCF; our time forecast underestimates or substantially overestimates the duration actually required.

Research limitations/implications

A limitation of our approach is the low number of comparable projects which are available.

Practical implications

The use of hyperbolic function or stepwise exponential discount function can help to give a clearer picture of the costs and benefits. The straightforward use of the RFC for costs and OLS for time should motivate more decision-makers to estimate the actual costs and time which are necessary in the light of the rising demand for democratic participation amongst citizens.

Social implications

More realistic estimates can help to reduce the significant distortion at the beginning of infrastructure projects.

Originality/value

We are among the first who use the RCF to estimate the costs in Germany. Furthermore, the hyperbolic discounting function is added as a further theoretical explanation for cost underestimation.
How do mid-level managers experience data science disruptions? An in-depth inquiry through interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA)
Authors: Sengupta Atri , Mittal Shashank , Sanchita Kuchi
Published: November 2020

Purpose

Rapid advancement of data science has disrupted both business and employees in organizations. However, extant literature primarily focuses on the organizational level phenomena, and has almost ignored the employee/individual perspective. This study thereby intends to capture the experiences of mid-level managers about these disruptions vis a vis their corresponding actions.

Design/methodology/approach

In a small-sample qualitative research design, Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was adopted to capture this individual-level phenomenon. Twelve mid-level managers from large-scale Indian organizations that have extensively adopted data science tools and techniques participated in a semi-structured and in-depth interview process.

Findings

Our findings unfolded several perspectives gained from their experiences, leading thereby to two emergent person-job (mis)fit process models. (1) Managers, who perceived demands-abilities misfit (D-A misfit) as a growth-alignment opportunity vis a vis their corresponding actions, which effectively trapped them into a vicious cycle; and (2) the managers, who considered D-A misfit as a psychological strain vis a vis their corresponding actions, which engaged them into a benevolent cycle.

Research limitations/implications

The present paper has major theoretical and managerial implications in the field of human resource management and business analytics.

Practical implications

The findings advise managers that the focus should be on developing an organizational learning eco-system, which would enable mid-level managers to gain their confidence and control over their job and work environment in the context of data science disruptions. Importantly, organizations should facilitate integrated workplace learning (both formal and informal) with an appropriate ecosystem to help mid-level managers to adapt to the data-science disruptions.

Originality/value

The present study offers two emergent cyclic models to the existing person–job fit literature in the context of data science disruptions. A scant attention of the earlier researchers on how individual employees actually experience disruption, and the corresponding IPA method used in the present study may add significant value to the extant literature. Further, it opens a timely and relevant future research avenues in the context of data science disruptions.